28 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Jason Smiles with the US Chess Scoop checks out the World Amateur Team (aka the US Amateur Team East), held in Parsippany, NJ and learns a little about the endgame.
Hello everyone,
Jason Smiles with the US Chess Scoop checks out the World Amateur Team (aka the US Amateur Team East), held in Parsippany, NJ and learns a little about the endgame.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel 
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
28 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
The Reykjavik Chess Open has concluded with three joint winners – Pavel Eljanov, Wesley So and Amin Bassem. The final round witnessed a three-move draw between Eljanov and So. There were six players tied to go for the third place. Of them, only Egyptian GM Amin Bassem won his game to tie for first.
Ivan Cheparinov played against the youngest GM in the world, Wei Yi. The Bulgarian was a rook down, but had two pawns and the initiative for it. At move 37, he went for a perpetual check to save the draw, according a tournament report via Chessdom.
Anish Giri was an exchange down against Gawain Jones, and the Englishman even had the initiative, but the first seed was able to equalise and finish the tournament with a very respectable score of 7.5/10. Polish GM Grzegorz Gajewski had a very good tournament before the last round, but was not able to hold Amin Bassem. The Egyptian played with white and the players went into an interesting line arising from the Sicilian Defense. Amin Bassem won a pawn, but it did not seem enough to get the full point. Gajewski made some inaccuracies in the rook endgame and the Egyptian eventually won the game after 52 moves.
The winners of last year’s World Junior Championships for men and women faced each other at the last round of the Reykjavik Open. Turkish GM Alexander Ipatov defeated Women’s Junior World Champion WGM Guo Qi in 50 moves. The Chinese played a Queen’s Gambit Declined and Ipatov decided to give up the bishop pair in exchange of the initiative. The rooks endgame was slightly complicated and the Turkish star demonstrated that he is very well prepared in this part of the game.
With this result, Alexander Ipatov finished on 7/10, winning a few rating points. Guo Qi stayed on 6/10, but also got some extra rating points. She had two remarkable games in this tournament: drawing with GM Gawain Jones and defeating GM Yuriy Kuzubov.
Final Standings:
1 GM Eljanov Pavel UKR 2678 8.0
2 GM So Wesley PHI 2684 8.0
3 GM Amin Bassem EGY 2631 8.0
4 GM Giri Anish NED 2722 7.5
5 GM Cheparinov Ivan BUL 2709 7.5
6 IM Wei Yi CHN 2501 7.5
7 GM Dziuba Marcin POL 2602 7.5
8 GM Ding Liren CHN 2709 7.5
9 NM Norowitz Yaacov USA 2432 7.5
10 GM Jones Gawain C B ENG 2637 7.5
11 GM Sokolov Ivan NED 2644 7.5
12 GM Yu Yangyi CHN 2688 7.0
13 GM Vachier-Lagrave Maxime FRA 2715 7.0
14 GM Gajewski Grzegorz POL 2644 7.0
15 GM Ipatov Alexander TUR 2569 7.0
16 GM L’ami Erwin NED 2622 7.0
17 GM Yilmaz Mustafa TUR 2531 7.0
18 GM Shulman Yury USA 2563 7.0
19 GM Baklan Vladimir UKR 2609 7.0
20 GM Navara David CZE 2710 7.0
21 GM Xiu Deshun CHN 2530 7.0
22 GM Grandelius Nils SWE 2566 6.5
23 IM Li Wenliang CHN 2411 6.5
24 GM Stefansson Hannes ISL 2496 6.5
25 IM Andersen Mads DEN 2462 6.5
26 IM Guramishvili Sopiko GEO 2414 6.5
27 GM Halkias Stelios GRE 2566 6.5
28 GM Bu Xiangzhi CHN 2675 6.5
29 GM Kuzubov Yuriy UKR 2622 6.5
30 GM Oleksienko Mikhailo UKR 2568 6.5
31 GM Thorhallsson Throstur ISL 2441 6.5
32 GM Esen Baris TUR 2565 6.5
33 GM Williams Simon K ENG 2498 6.5
34 GM Kveinys Aloyzas LTU 2533 6.5
35 GM Solak Dragan TUR 2603 6.5
36 IM Lou Yiping CHN 2468 6.5
37 IM Schreiner Peter AUT 2439 6.5
38 GM Danielsen Henrik ISL 2507 6.5
39 IM Kjartansson Gudmundur ISL 2430 6.5
40 FM Hambleton Aman CAN 2472 6.5
41 IM Urkedal Frode NOR 2473 6.5
42 WGM Cherednichenko Svetlana UKR 2307 6.5
43 IM Bekker-Jensen Simon DEN 2405 6.5
44 Tari Aryan NOR 2263 6.5
45 Wahlbom Magnus SWE 2279 6.5
46 GM Socko Bartosz POL 2643 6.0
47 IM Gretarsson Hjorvar Steinn ISL 2509 6.0
48 WGM Tan Zhongyi CHN 2466 6.0
49 WGM Huang Qian CHN 2478 6.0
50 IM Bartholomew John USA 2435 6.0
51 IM Arngrimsson Dagur ISL 2375 6.0
52 WGM Guo Qi CHN 2431 6.0
53 GM Olafsson Fridrik ISL 2416 6.0
54 IM Ris Robert NED 2407 6.0
55 GM Kristjansson Stefan ISL 2486 6.0
56 FM Bjerke Richard NOR 2131 6.0
57 FM Gislason Gudmundur ISL 2329 6.0
58 IM Mikkelsen Nikolaj DEN 2421 6.0
59 WGM Saduakassova Dinara KAZ 2312 6.0
60 GM Maze Sebastien FRA 2556 6.0
61 IM Diermair Andreas AUT 2407 6.0
62 IM Zumsande Martin GER 2419 6.0
63 WGM L’ami Alina ROU 2362 6.0
64 IM Thorfinnsson Bjorn IM ISL 2386 6.0
65 Omarsson Dadi ISL 2212 6.0
66 FM Cubas Pons Juan Miguel ESP 2284 6.0
67 WGM Mamedjarova Turkan AZE 2280 6.0
FM Thompson Ian D ENG 2260 6.0
69 Bergthorsson Jon Thor ISL 2125 6.0
70 Thorgeirsson Jon Kristinn ISL 1766 6.0
71 IM Muir Andrew J SCO 2313 5.5
72 WGM Wang Jue CHN 2375 5.5
73 FM Jayakumar Adarsh USA 2271 5.5
74 IM Krush Irina USA 2460 5.5
75 Wang Yiye CHN 2226 5.5
76 IM Hagen Andreas Skytte DEN 2411 5.5
77 IM Smith Axel SWE 2485 5.5
78 IM Kislik Erik Andrew USA 2359 5.5
79 IM Prosviriakov Vladimir USA 2297 5.5
80 Beeke Bob NED 2257 5.5
81 FM Handler Lukas AUT 2369 5.5
82 FM Kvisvik Brede NOR 2314 5.5
83 Palmqvist Fredrik SWE 2050 5.5
84 FM Bewersdorff Oliver GER 2335 5.5
85 Drill Frank GER 2124 5.5
86 FM Ekeberg Carl Fredrik NOR 2274 5.5
87 FM Andreasen Per Naesby DEN 2302 5.5
88 IM Miedema David NED 2364 5.5
89 Steindorsson Sigurdur P. ISL 2235 5.5
90 Ornolfsson Magnus P. ISL 2169 5.5
91 Pretterhofer Kiaras AUT 1997 5.5
92 Sverrisson Nokkvi ISL 1990 5.5
93 Maack Kjartan ISL 2136 5.5
94 Karlsson Mikael Johann ISL 1990 5.5
95 Thorhallsson Gylfi ISL 2141 5.5
Ofstad Sigurd NOR 1985 5.5
97 WFM Frisk Ellinor SWE 2197 5.5
98 Doell Detlef GER 2044 5.5
99 Halldorsson Bragi ISL 2180 5.5
100 Bergsson Stefan ISL 2180 5.5
101 IM Bjarnason Saevar ISL 2133 5.5
102 Ingvason Johann ISL 2148 5.5
103 WGM Mammadova Gulnar AZE 2369 5.0
104 IM Borsos Bogdan UKR 2260 5.0
105 Ragnarsson Johann ISL 2046 5.0
106 WGM Kashlinskaya Alina RUS 2350 5.0
107 Bird Andrew AUS 2223 5.0
108 Ragnarsson Dagur ISL 1961 5.0
109 Schou-Moldt Thomas DEN 2236 5.0
110 Helin Mikael SWE 1910 5.0
111 Karason Askell O ISL 2235 5.0
112 WFM Newrkla Katharina AUT 2135 5.0
113 WFM Thorsteinsdottir Gudlaug ISL 2041 5.0
114 WIM Van Weersel Arlette NED 2211 5.0
115 Thorsteinsdottir Hallgerdur ISL 1960 5.0
116 Fivelstad Jon Olav NOR 1888 5.0
117 Johansen Stian NOR 2090 5.0
118 Halldorsson Jon Arni ISL 2222 5.0
119 Van Heirzeele Daniel BEL 2125 5.0
120 Saemundsson Bjarni ISL 1935 5.0
121 Knútsson Lárus ISL 2072 5.0
122 Murray Michael A. CAN 2017 5.0
123 Raddatz Michael GER 2075 5.0
Johannesson Oliver ISL 1988 5.0
125 Frick Renato LIE 2075 5.0
126 Michel Steve NED 2008 5.0
127 Ohlsson Mikael SWE 1811 5.0
128 WGM Ptacnikova Lenka ISL 2269 4.5
129 Rodriguez Fonseca Jorge ESP 2009 4.5
130 Finnbogadottir Tinna Kristin ISL 1871 4.5
131 Johannsson Orn Leo ISL 1953 4.5
132 WCM Roberts Lynda WLS 1903 4.5
133 Isaksson Per SWE 2016 4.5
134 FM Valenti Giuseppe ITA 2204 4.5
135 Marentini Marcel SUI 2069 4.5
136 Mihajlov Sebastian NOR 2059 4.5
137 Christiansen Johan-Sebastian NOR 2071 4.5
138 Andreasen Jakup A.R. FAI 1992 4.5
139 Hardarson Jon Trausti ISL 1853 4.5
140 Karlsson Robin SWE 1980 4.5
141 Birgisson Ingvar Orn ISL 1953 4.5
142 Kuehnast Volker GER 1936 4.5
143 Jonsson Olafur Gisli ISL 1870 4.5
144 FM Malmdin Nils-Ake SWE 2281 4.5
145 Vigfusson Vigfus ISL 1985 4.5
146 Newrkla Alexander AUT 1969 4.5
147 Mihajlov Svetoslav NOR 2071 4.5
148 Eliasson Kristjan Orn ISL 1873 4.5
149 Hyotyla Tapio SUI 1792 4.5
150 Jensen Soren DEN 1909 4.5
151 Palsson Halldor ISL 2078 4.5
152 Egilsson Fridrik Orn ISL 0 4.5
153 Haraldsson Leif SWE 2028 4.5
154 Johansen Arnt-Ole NOR 1817 4.5
155 Merkesvik Sondre NOR 1903 4.5
156 Johannsdottir Johanna Bjorg ISL 1872 4.5
157 Bjornes Leif NOR 1957 4.5
158 Evenson Kent USA 0 4.5
159 WCM Orlova Yelizaveta CAN 1978 4.5
160 Leosson Atli Johann ISL 1736 4.5
161 Traustason Ingi Tandri ISL 1840 4.5
162 Kristinardottir Elsa Maria ISL 1747 4.5
163 Mehringer Joerg GER 1908 4.5
164 Leimeister Winfried GER 1909 4.0
165 Schadd Jan NED 0 4.0
166 Heerde Thomas GER 2053 4.0
167 Kleinert Juergen GER 1991 4.0
168 Hojgaard Brandur FAI 1734 4.0
169 Masson Kjartan ISL 1856 4.0
170 Seim Fredrik NOR 1714 4.0
171 Jablon Stephen USA 1896 4.0
172 Hisnay Gregory USA 0 4.0
173 Ingason Sigurdur ISL 1878 4.0
174 Storesund Henrik NOR 1759 4.0
175 Bjeglerud Jarle NOR 0 4.0
176 Jonsson Gauti Pall ISL 1519 4.0
177 Vignisson Ingvar Egill ISL 1542 4.0
178 Thorhallsson Simon ISL 1451 4.0
179 Magnusdottir Veronika Steinun ISL 1557 4.0
180 CM Herbold Manfred GER 2125 3.5
181 Klug Christian GER 1894 3.5
182 de Winter Eric NED 1823 3.5
183 Ghaderi Arman K NOR 1827 3.5
184 Davidsdottir Nansy ISL 1479 3.5
185 Heimisson Hilmir Freyr ISL 1693 3.5
186 Kjartansson Dagur ISL 1623 3.5
187 Gjertsen Petter NOR 0 3.5
188 Hauksdottir Hrund ISL 1671 3.5
Petersson Baldur Teodor SWE 1575 3.5
190 Stefansson Vignir Vatnar ISL 1652 3.5
191 Pantzar Milton SWE 1693 3.5
192 Meier Gerd GER 1949 3.5
193 Arntsen Frode NOR 1840 3.5
194 Sundsbo Sigve NOR 0 3.5
195 Ragnarsson Heimir Pall ISL 1354 3.5
196 Bauza Mercere Eduardo ARG 1809 3.5
197 Einarsson Oskar Long ISL 1613 3.5
198 Ontiveros John ISL 1700 3.5
199 Birgisdottir Ingibjorg ISL 1783 3.0
200 Kruglyak Mikhail USA 0 3.0
201 Hilmarsson Andri Steinn ISL 0 3.0
202 Billot Daniel FRA 1731 3.0
203 Palsdottir Soley Lind ISL 1393 3.0
204 Kolka Dawid ISL 1646 3.0
205 Holm Fridgeir K ISL 1733 3.0
206 Bakkes Frits NED 1750 3.0
207 Steinthorsson Felix ISL 1449 3.0
208 Petersen Jakob Alexander ISL 1370 3.0
209 Hrafnsson Hilmir ISL 1331 3.0
210 Sigurdarson Alec Elias ISL 0 3.0
211 Leifsson Thorsteinn ISL 1759 3.0
212 Gunnarsson Sigurdur Jon ISL 2000 2.5
213 Jacobsen Trond NOR 1610 2.5
214 Herda Christoph Dr. GER 1915 2.5
215 Maggason Oskar ISL 1903 2.5
216 Johannesson Petur ISL 0 2.5
217 Bakkejord Odd Vidar NOR 0 2.5
218 Smith Chris P ENG 0 2.5
219 Ramtin Raman IRI 1661 2.0
220 Bragason Gudmundur Agnar ISL 0 2.0
221 Laitamaa Tore Johan Melker NOR 0 2.0
222 Kolica Donika ISL 1251 2.0
223 Davidsson Oskar Vikingur ISL 0 2.0
224 Magnusson Thorsteinn ISL 0 2.0
225 Bue Gunnar NOR 1695 1.5
226 Kristbergsson Bjorgvin ISL 1197 1.5
227 Bodvarsson Bodvar ISL 0 1.5
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
Hi everyone,
The Reykjavik Chess Open has concluded with three joint winners – Pavel Eljanov, Wesley So and Amin Bassem. The final round witnessed a three-move draw between Eljanov and So. There were six players tied to go for the third place. Of them, only Egyptian GM Amin Bassem won his game to tie for first.
Ivan Cheparinov played against the youngest GM in the world, Wei Yi. The Bulgarian was a rook down, but had two pawns and the initiative for it. At move 37, he went for a perpetual check to save the draw, according a tournament report via Chessdom.
Anish Giri was an exchange down against Gawain Jones, and the Englishman even had the initiative, but the first seed was able to equalise and finish the tournament with a very respectable score of 7.5/10. Polish GM Grzegorz Gajewski had a very good tournament before the last round, but was not able to hold Amin Bassem. The Egyptian played with white and the players went into an interesting line arising from the Sicilian Defense. Amin Bassem won a pawn, but it did not seem enough to get the full point. Gajewski made some inaccuracies in the rook endgame and the Egyptian eventually won the game after 52 moves.
The winners of last year’s World Junior Championships for men and women faced each other at the last round of the Reykjavik Open. Turkish GM Alexander Ipatov defeated Women’s Junior World Champion WGM Guo Qi in 50 moves. The Chinese played a Queen’s Gambit Declined and Ipatov decided to give up the bishop pair in exchange of the initiative. The rooks endgame was slightly complicated and the Turkish star demonstrated that he is very well prepared in this part of the game.
With this result, Alexander Ipatov finished on 7/10, winning a few rating points. Guo Qi stayed on 6/10, but also got some extra rating points. She had two remarkable games in this tournament: drawing with GM Gawain Jones and defeating GM Yuriy Kuzubov.
Final Standings:
1 GM Eljanov Pavel UKR 2678 8.0
2 GM So Wesley PHI 2684 8.0
3 GM Amin Bassem EGY 2631 8.0
4 GM Giri Anish NED 2722 7.5
5 GM Cheparinov Ivan BUL 2709 7.5
6 IM Wei Yi CHN 2501 7.5
7 GM Dziuba Marcin POL 2602 7.5
8 GM Ding Liren CHN 2709 7.5
9 NM Norowitz Yaacov USA 2432 7.5
10 GM Jones Gawain C B ENG 2637 7.5
11 GM Sokolov Ivan NED 2644 7.5
12 GM Yu Yangyi CHN 2688 7.0
13 GM Vachier-Lagrave Maxime FRA 2715 7.0
14 GM Gajewski Grzegorz POL 2644 7.0
15 GM Ipatov Alexander TUR 2569 7.0
16 GM L’ami Erwin NED 2622 7.0
17 GM Yilmaz Mustafa TUR 2531 7.0
18 GM Shulman Yury USA 2563 7.0
19 GM Baklan Vladimir UKR 2609 7.0
20 GM Navara David CZE 2710 7.0
21 GM Xiu Deshun CHN 2530 7.0
22 GM Grandelius Nils SWE 2566 6.5
23 IM Li Wenliang CHN 2411 6.5
24 GM Stefansson Hannes ISL 2496 6.5
25 IM Andersen Mads DEN 2462 6.5
26 IM Guramishvili Sopiko GEO 2414 6.5
27 GM Halkias Stelios GRE 2566 6.5
28 GM Bu Xiangzhi CHN 2675 6.5
29 GM Kuzubov Yuriy UKR 2622 6.5
30 GM Oleksienko Mikhailo UKR 2568 6.5
31 GM Thorhallsson Throstur ISL 2441 6.5
32 GM Esen Baris TUR 2565 6.5
33 GM Williams Simon K ENG 2498 6.5
34 GM Kveinys Aloyzas LTU 2533 6.5
35 GM Solak Dragan TUR 2603 6.5
36 IM Lou Yiping CHN 2468 6.5
37 IM Schreiner Peter AUT 2439 6.5
38 GM Danielsen Henrik ISL 2507 6.5
39 IM Kjartansson Gudmundur ISL 2430 6.5
40 FM Hambleton Aman CAN 2472 6.5
41 IM Urkedal Frode NOR 2473 6.5
42 WGM Cherednichenko Svetlana UKR 2307 6.5
43 IM Bekker-Jensen Simon DEN 2405 6.5
44 Tari Aryan NOR 2263 6.5
45 Wahlbom Magnus SWE 2279 6.5
46 GM Socko Bartosz POL 2643 6.0
47 IM Gretarsson Hjorvar Steinn ISL 2509 6.0
48 WGM Tan Zhongyi CHN 2466 6.0
49 WGM Huang Qian CHN 2478 6.0
50 IM Bartholomew John USA 2435 6.0
51 IM Arngrimsson Dagur ISL 2375 6.0
52 WGM Guo Qi CHN 2431 6.0
53 GM Olafsson Fridrik ISL 2416 6.0
54 IM Ris Robert NED 2407 6.0
55 GM Kristjansson Stefan ISL 2486 6.0
56 FM Bjerke Richard NOR 2131 6.0
57 FM Gislason Gudmundur ISL 2329 6.0
58 IM Mikkelsen Nikolaj DEN 2421 6.0
59 WGM Saduakassova Dinara KAZ 2312 6.0
60 GM Maze Sebastien FRA 2556 6.0
61 IM Diermair Andreas AUT 2407 6.0
62 IM Zumsande Martin GER 2419 6.0
63 WGM L’ami Alina ROU 2362 6.0
64 IM Thorfinnsson Bjorn IM ISL 2386 6.0
65 Omarsson Dadi ISL 2212 6.0
66 FM Cubas Pons Juan Miguel ESP 2284 6.0
67 WGM Mamedjarova Turkan AZE 2280 6.0
FM Thompson Ian D ENG 2260 6.0
69 Bergthorsson Jon Thor ISL 2125 6.0
70 Thorgeirsson Jon Kristinn ISL 1766 6.0
71 IM Muir Andrew J SCO 2313 5.5
72 WGM Wang Jue CHN 2375 5.5
73 FM Jayakumar Adarsh USA 2271 5.5
74 IM Krush Irina USA 2460 5.5
75 Wang Yiye CHN 2226 5.5
76 IM Hagen Andreas Skytte DEN 2411 5.5
77 IM Smith Axel SWE 2485 5.5
78 IM Kislik Erik Andrew USA 2359 5.5
79 IM Prosviriakov Vladimir USA 2297 5.5
80 Beeke Bob NED 2257 5.5
81 FM Handler Lukas AUT 2369 5.5
82 FM Kvisvik Brede NOR 2314 5.5
83 Palmqvist Fredrik SWE 2050 5.5
84 FM Bewersdorff Oliver GER 2335 5.5
85 Drill Frank GER 2124 5.5
86 FM Ekeberg Carl Fredrik NOR 2274 5.5
87 FM Andreasen Per Naesby DEN 2302 5.5
88 IM Miedema David NED 2364 5.5
89 Steindorsson Sigurdur P. ISL 2235 5.5
90 Ornolfsson Magnus P. ISL 2169 5.5
91 Pretterhofer Kiaras AUT 1997 5.5
92 Sverrisson Nokkvi ISL 1990 5.5
93 Maack Kjartan ISL 2136 5.5
94 Karlsson Mikael Johann ISL 1990 5.5
95 Thorhallsson Gylfi ISL 2141 5.5
Ofstad Sigurd NOR 1985 5.5
97 WFM Frisk Ellinor SWE 2197 5.5
98 Doell Detlef GER 2044 5.5
99 Halldorsson Bragi ISL 2180 5.5
100 Bergsson Stefan ISL 2180 5.5
101 IM Bjarnason Saevar ISL 2133 5.5
102 Ingvason Johann ISL 2148 5.5
103 WGM Mammadova Gulnar AZE 2369 5.0
104 IM Borsos Bogdan UKR 2260 5.0
105 Ragnarsson Johann ISL 2046 5.0
106 WGM Kashlinskaya Alina RUS 2350 5.0
107 Bird Andrew AUS 2223 5.0
108 Ragnarsson Dagur ISL 1961 5.0
109 Schou-Moldt Thomas DEN 2236 5.0
110 Helin Mikael SWE 1910 5.0
111 Karason Askell O ISL 2235 5.0
112 WFM Newrkla Katharina AUT 2135 5.0
113 WFM Thorsteinsdottir Gudlaug ISL 2041 5.0
114 WIM Van Weersel Arlette NED 2211 5.0
115 Thorsteinsdottir Hallgerdur ISL 1960 5.0
116 Fivelstad Jon Olav NOR 1888 5.0
117 Johansen Stian NOR 2090 5.0
118 Halldorsson Jon Arni ISL 2222 5.0
119 Van Heirzeele Daniel BEL 2125 5.0
120 Saemundsson Bjarni ISL 1935 5.0
121 Knútsson Lárus ISL 2072 5.0
122 Murray Michael A. CAN 2017 5.0
123 Raddatz Michael GER 2075 5.0
Johannesson Oliver ISL 1988 5.0
125 Frick Renato LIE 2075 5.0
126 Michel Steve NED 2008 5.0
127 Ohlsson Mikael SWE 1811 5.0
128 WGM Ptacnikova Lenka ISL 2269 4.5
129 Rodriguez Fonseca Jorge ESP 2009 4.5
130 Finnbogadottir Tinna Kristin ISL 1871 4.5
131 Johannsson Orn Leo ISL 1953 4.5
132 WCM Roberts Lynda WLS 1903 4.5
133 Isaksson Per SWE 2016 4.5
134 FM Valenti Giuseppe ITA 2204 4.5
135 Marentini Marcel SUI 2069 4.5
136 Mihajlov Sebastian NOR 2059 4.5
137 Christiansen Johan-Sebastian NOR 2071 4.5
138 Andreasen Jakup A.R. FAI 1992 4.5
139 Hardarson Jon Trausti ISL 1853 4.5
140 Karlsson Robin SWE 1980 4.5
141 Birgisson Ingvar Orn ISL 1953 4.5
142 Kuehnast Volker GER 1936 4.5
143 Jonsson Olafur Gisli ISL 1870 4.5
144 FM Malmdin Nils-Ake SWE 2281 4.5
145 Vigfusson Vigfus ISL 1985 4.5
146 Newrkla Alexander AUT 1969 4.5
147 Mihajlov Svetoslav NOR 2071 4.5
148 Eliasson Kristjan Orn ISL 1873 4.5
149 Hyotyla Tapio SUI 1792 4.5
150 Jensen Soren DEN 1909 4.5
151 Palsson Halldor ISL 2078 4.5
152 Egilsson Fridrik Orn ISL 0 4.5
153 Haraldsson Leif SWE 2028 4.5
154 Johansen Arnt-Ole NOR 1817 4.5
155 Merkesvik Sondre NOR 1903 4.5
156 Johannsdottir Johanna Bjorg ISL 1872 4.5
157 Bjornes Leif NOR 1957 4.5
158 Evenson Kent USA 0 4.5
159 WCM Orlova Yelizaveta CAN 1978 4.5
160 Leosson Atli Johann ISL 1736 4.5
161 Traustason Ingi Tandri ISL 1840 4.5
162 Kristinardottir Elsa Maria ISL 1747 4.5
163 Mehringer Joerg GER 1908 4.5
164 Leimeister Winfried GER 1909 4.0
165 Schadd Jan NED 0 4.0
166 Heerde Thomas GER 2053 4.0
167 Kleinert Juergen GER 1991 4.0
168 Hojgaard Brandur FAI 1734 4.0
169 Masson Kjartan ISL 1856 4.0
170 Seim Fredrik NOR 1714 4.0
171 Jablon Stephen USA 1896 4.0
172 Hisnay Gregory USA 0 4.0
173 Ingason Sigurdur ISL 1878 4.0
174 Storesund Henrik NOR 1759 4.0
175 Bjeglerud Jarle NOR 0 4.0
176 Jonsson Gauti Pall ISL 1519 4.0
177 Vignisson Ingvar Egill ISL 1542 4.0
178 Thorhallsson Simon ISL 1451 4.0
179 Magnusdottir Veronika Steinun ISL 1557 4.0
180 CM Herbold Manfred GER 2125 3.5
181 Klug Christian GER 1894 3.5
182 de Winter Eric NED 1823 3.5
183 Ghaderi Arman K NOR 1827 3.5
184 Davidsdottir Nansy ISL 1479 3.5
185 Heimisson Hilmir Freyr ISL 1693 3.5
186 Kjartansson Dagur ISL 1623 3.5
187 Gjertsen Petter NOR 0 3.5
188 Hauksdottir Hrund ISL 1671 3.5
Petersson Baldur Teodor SWE 1575 3.5
190 Stefansson Vignir Vatnar ISL 1652 3.5
191 Pantzar Milton SWE 1693 3.5
192 Meier Gerd GER 1949 3.5
193 Arntsen Frode NOR 1840 3.5
194 Sundsbo Sigve NOR 0 3.5
195 Ragnarsson Heimir Pall ISL 1354 3.5
196 Bauza Mercere Eduardo ARG 1809 3.5
197 Einarsson Oskar Long ISL 1613 3.5
198 Ontiveros John ISL 1700 3.5
199 Birgisdottir Ingibjorg ISL 1783 3.0
200 Kruglyak Mikhail USA 0 3.0
201 Hilmarsson Andri Steinn ISL 0 3.0
202 Billot Daniel FRA 1731 3.0
203 Palsdottir Soley Lind ISL 1393 3.0
204 Kolka Dawid ISL 1646 3.0
205 Holm Fridgeir K ISL 1733 3.0
206 Bakkes Frits NED 1750 3.0
207 Steinthorsson Felix ISL 1449 3.0
208 Petersen Jakob Alexander ISL 1370 3.0
209 Hrafnsson Hilmir ISL 1331 3.0
210 Sigurdarson Alec Elias ISL 0 3.0
211 Leifsson Thorsteinn ISL 1759 3.0
212 Gunnarsson Sigurdur Jon ISL 2000 2.5
213 Jacobsen Trond NOR 1610 2.5
214 Herda Christoph Dr. GER 1915 2.5
215 Maggason Oskar ISL 1903 2.5
216 Johannesson Petur ISL 0 2.5
217 Bakkejord Odd Vidar NOR 0 2.5
218 Smith Chris P ENG 0 2.5
219 Ramtin Raman IRI 1661 2.0
220 Bragason Gudmundur Agnar ISL 0 2.0
221 Laitamaa Tore Johan Melker NOR 0 2.0
222 Kolica Donika ISL 1251 2.0
223 Davidsson Oskar Vikingur ISL 0 2.0
224 Magnusson Thorsteinn ISL 0 2.0
225 Bue Gunnar NOR 1695 1.5
226 Kristbergsson Bjorgvin ISL 1197 1.5
227 Bodvarsson Bodvar ISL 0 1.5
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
27 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Fide has issued the following guidelines on treatment of disabled chess players.
1. These guidelines will be used for all FIDE rated events. 2. No one has the right to refuse to meet a disabled player against whom he has been correctly paired.
3. All chess venues must either be accessible to all, or an acceptable alternative venue with full supervision shall be available to those who cannot access the nominated venue.
4. A circular shall be sent out when all competitors are known. This circular contains an entry form with the sual points and questions, asking whether any potential competitor has an impairment that will require special circumstances. The competitor has to inform the organisers about the special circumstances at least 20 days before the start of the event.
5. No disabled player shall be “penalised” in accordance with the Articles 6.7d.and 8.1e of the Laws of Chess because of disability.
6. Any impaired competitor who reasonably requests in time the placing of their equipment in a particular seat or orientation, has the right to do so, provided that this does not disadvantage his opponent or other competitors. The event organizer has to ensure that the needs of both players are catered for.
7. All relevant information shall be displayed before the start of the event, including maps of the venue showing the location of toilets, refreshments and emergency exits.
8. In all events there shall be a tournament physician. The organizer and the chief arbiter shall know the phone number of the local hospital and physician.
9. If a competitor cannot access the refreshments, arrangements should be made for their needs to be met.
10. If a competitor cannot press his own clock or move his own pieces, an assistant shall be available unless the opponent is willing to do so. If the opponent is acting as an assistant the chief arbiter may decide to give him extra thinking time.
11. If a player has made a prior request, copies of all notices should be available in large print. If a player is unable to read large print, then the notices must be read to him.
12. It is recommended that all team events have the rule that if a visiting team indicates that it has a player with an impairment coming with them, giving sufficient notice, that the home team does everything which is reasonable to ensure that that player can participate.
13. It is recommended that each national chess federation appoints an officer for matters regarding disabilities.
14. It is strongly recommended that all organisers of chess events adopt these guidelines.
Important issues to take into consideration:
Organisation of the tournament hall:
1. Only one game per table: in case an assistant is needed the tables should be larger (2 m width in order to place the assistants for the disabled) and should be placed separately.
2. The corridors between rows of tables should twice as large (wheelchairs)
3. The arbiters should be clearly accessible to all players.
4. Foresee additional contact points for electricity: some visually handicapped players use a lamp for their chess board. This lamp should not disturb the opponent.
5. Put the blind chess players at the same place as much as possible (they will know the way to the rest room and back in very short time!) and give them the same assistant 2 during the whole tournament.
Assistants:
1. The assistants should have a minimum knowledge of chess; the language is less important since most of the handicapped players only speak their mother tongue.
2. Assistants for blind players should know the name of the pieces in their language
3. Assistants for blind players should inform the player when they are leaving the chess board temporarily.
4. The assistant should always write the moves: this is an important help for the arbiter.
Tournament organisation:
1. Organise a players meeting for all players before the first round, preferably in the tournament hall.
2. If possible only one round per day should be played.
Chief arbiter:
1. After making the pairings the chief arbiter should decide manually on which board everyone should play: some players (visually handicapped) should always play at the same board whereas the largest space should be fore seen for wheelchair players.
2. Draw proposals or claims can easily go via the assistant. All players push the clock themselves, except the players who are physically unable to do so.
3. In the case there is a time trouble situation with visually handicapped players the arbiter should bear in mind that the (not visually handicapped) opponent can reply almost immediately. The tournament regulations should therefore release the visually handicapped player from the obligation to record the moves during the last five minutes, even when the game is played with an increment of at least 30 seconds. The visually handicapped player should then update his scoresheet after the time trouble.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
Hello everyone,
Fide has issued the following guidelines on treatment of disabled chess players.
1. These guidelines will be used for all FIDE rated events. 2. No one has the right to refuse to meet a disabled player against whom he has been correctly paired.
3. All chess venues must either be accessible to all, or an acceptable alternative venue with full supervision shall be available to those who cannot access the nominated venue.
4. A circular shall be sent out when all competitors are known. This circular contains an entry form with the sual points and questions, asking whether any potential competitor has an impairment that will require special circumstances. The competitor has to inform the organisers about the special circumstances at least 20 days before the start of the event.
5. No disabled player shall be “penalised” in accordance with the Articles 6.7d.and 8.1e of the Laws of Chess because of disability.
6. Any impaired competitor who reasonably requests in time the placing of their equipment in a particular seat or orientation, has the right to do so, provided that this does not disadvantage his opponent or other competitors. The event organizer has to ensure that the needs of both players are catered for.
7. All relevant information shall be displayed before the start of the event, including maps of the venue showing the location of toilets, refreshments and emergency exits.
8. In all events there shall be a tournament physician. The organizer and the chief arbiter shall know the phone number of the local hospital and physician.
9. If a competitor cannot access the refreshments, arrangements should be made for their needs to be met.
10. If a competitor cannot press his own clock or move his own pieces, an assistant shall be available unless the opponent is willing to do so. If the opponent is acting as an assistant the chief arbiter may decide to give him extra thinking time.
11. If a player has made a prior request, copies of all notices should be available in large print. If a player is unable to read large print, then the notices must be read to him.
12. It is recommended that all team events have the rule that if a visiting team indicates that it has a player with an impairment coming with them, giving sufficient notice, that the home team does everything which is reasonable to ensure that that player can participate.
13. It is recommended that each national chess federation appoints an officer for matters regarding disabilities.
14. It is strongly recommended that all organisers of chess events adopt these guidelines.
Important issues to take into consideration:
Organisation of the tournament hall:
1. Only one game per table: in case an assistant is needed the tables should be larger (2 m width in order to place the assistants for the disabled) and should be placed separately.
2. The corridors between rows of tables should twice as large (wheelchairs)
3. The arbiters should be clearly accessible to all players.
4. Foresee additional contact points for electricity: some visually handicapped players use a lamp for their chess board. This lamp should not disturb the opponent.
5. Put the blind chess players at the same place as much as possible (they will know the way to the rest room and back in very short time!) and give them the same assistant 2 during the whole tournament.
Assistants:
1. The assistants should have a minimum knowledge of chess; the language is less important since most of the handicapped players only speak their mother tongue.
2. Assistants for blind players should know the name of the pieces in their language
3. Assistants for blind players should inform the player when they are leaving the chess board temporarily.
4. The assistant should always write the moves: this is an important help for the arbiter.
Tournament organisation:
1. Organise a players meeting for all players before the first round, preferably in the tournament hall.
2. If possible only one round per day should be played.
Chief arbiter:
1. After making the pairings the chief arbiter should decide manually on which board everyone should play: some players (visually handicapped) should always play at the same board whereas the largest space should be fore seen for wheelchair players.
2. Draw proposals or claims can easily go via the assistant. All players push the clock themselves, except the players who are physically unable to do so.
3. In the case there is a time trouble situation with visually handicapped players the arbiter should bear in mind that the (not visually handicapped) opponent can reply almost immediately. The tournament regulations should therefore release the visually handicapped player from the obligation to record the moves during the last five minutes, even when the game is played with an increment of at least 30 seconds. The visually handicapped player should then update his scoresheet after the time trouble.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
27 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Hello everyone,
Here’s another very nice chess video by Vijay Kumar from the Zurich Chess Challenge. Among the various activities, there was a friendly game between the world champion Viswanathan Anand and the tournament sponsor Oleg Skvortsov, an excursion to the Mount Pilatus, and visit to the famous Schach Museum which holds a large number of unique chess sets and stamps.
Grandmaster Gennadi Sosonko and Dr. Christian Issler, Chairman of the Schachgesellschaft Zürich, used the opportunity to play a game on one of the beautiful museum sets.
Grandmaster Gennadi Sosonko and Dr. Christian Issler, Chairman of the Schachgesellschaft Zürich, used the opportunity to play a game on one of the beautiful museum sets.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
26 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone, 
The Romanian National Championships 2013 for men and women took place from 15th-24th February at the Hotel Parang in Olanesti, Romania. GM Constantin Lupulescu took the top prize after defeating GM Andrei Murariu in a dramatic last round. Lupulescu collected 8.5/11 points, same as IM Lucian-Costin Miron, and got the gold thanks to his better score in the tie-breaks, according to a Chessdom report. This is the fourth title of national champion for Lupulescu.
Top rated GM Mircea-Emilian Parligras arrived third, after edging the other three players in the tie-breaks.
IM Cristina-Adela Foisor won the women’s championship for third year in a row. She finished clear first with 7.5/9 points, leaving the closest followers a whole point behind
.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel 
Hello everyone,
Photo: Official website
The Romanian National Championships 2013 for men and women took place from 15th-24th February at the Hotel Parang in Olanesti, Romania. GM Constantin Lupulescu took the top prize after defeating GM Andrei Murariu in a dramatic last round. Lupulescu collected 8.5/11 points, same as IM Lucian-Costin Miron, and got the gold thanks to his better score in the tie-breaks, according to a Chessdom report. This is the fourth title of national champion for Lupulescu.
Top rated GM Mircea-Emilian Parligras arrived third, after edging the other three players in the tie-breaks.
IM Cristina-Adela Foisor won the women’s championship for third year in a row. She finished clear first with 7.5/9 points, leaving the closest followers a whole point behind
.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
25 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
The Women’s World Chess Team Championship will take place from 2nd-12th March at the Duma Hotel in Astana, Kazakhstan. The best teams of the world will participate in the Championship.
Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk – the 12th Women’s World Chess Champion – will lead the Russian challenge. The Russian team also includes Valentina Gunina, Natalija Pogonina, Alisa Galliamova, Olga Girya with Sergey Rublevsky as the captain.
Astana can easily boast of gathering at least 50 of the best women chess players from 10 countries (China, Russia, Ukraine, USA, India, France, Turkey, Georgia, Romania and Kazakhstan): Among them are the three teams that were ranked as the best at the World Chess Olympiad, five continental champions, the country-organizer and one team elected by the FIDE President.
Every team consists of five players and the team-winner will be determined in a round-robin event after 9 games. Time control is 90 minutes per 40 moves and thirty minutes until the end of the game plus 30 seconds increment per move. 
The Chinese team has won all the championships in the past. Reigning women’s world chess champion Anna Ushenina will also be playing for play for Ukraine and it will be her first official event since she won the world title.
The top-seed of the tournament will be the Georgian team.
Teams:
1. Georgia FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 13601903 Dzagnidze, Nana 2555
2 13602640 Khotenashvili, Bela 2499
3 13601458 Javakhishvili, Lela 2461
4 13600320 Khurtsidze, Nino 2437 2488.0
5 13602446 Melia, Salome 2403
6 Captain Gurieli, Nino
2. Russia FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 4128125 Kosteniuk Alexandra 2495
2 4167570 Gunina Valentina 2490
3 4147855 Pogonina Natalija 2475
4 4129752 Galliamova Alisa 2459 2479.8
5 4195752 Girya Olga 2441
6 Captain Rublevsky Sergey
3. Ukraine FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 1411091 Ushenina, Anna 2477
2 14109336 Lahno, Kateryna 2547
3 14114550 Muzychuk, Mariya 2471
4 14101181 Yanovska (Gaponenko), Inna 2405 2475.0
5 14101513 Zhukova, Natalia 2471
6 Captain Brodsky, Michail
4. China FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 8603006 Ju Wenjun 2505
2 8602689 Huang Qian 2478
3 8603642 Tan Zhongyi 2466
4 8604002 Guo Qi 2431 2470.0
5 8603162 Shen Yang 2415
6 Captain Ye Jiangchuan
5. USA FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 14101572 Anna Zatonskykh 2491
2 2012782 Irina Krush 2460
3 13301918 Tatev Abrahamyan 2300
4 1212915 Sabina Foisor 2313 2391.0
5 11602252 Viktorija Ni 2263
6 Captain Michael Khodarkovsky
6. Romania FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 1200496 Foisor Cristina Adela 2389
2 1201590 Cosma Elena Luminita 2332
3 13903063 Bulmaga Irina 2355
4 1210246 Lami Alina 2362 2359.5
5 1206729 Voicu Jagodzinsky 2281
6 Captain Szabo Gergely Andras Gyula
7. India FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 5013623 Gomes Mary Ann 2394
2 5012600 Karavade Eesha Sanjay 2391
3 5004330 Mohota Nisha/H 2327
4 5029295 Rout Padmini/H 2307 2354.8
5 5016193 Swaminathan Soumya 2291
6 Captain Sahu Sekhar Chandra
8. France FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 623725 Sophie Milliet 2408
2 13601717 Nino Maisurasze 2331
3 2902265 Silvia Collas 2286
4 11600209 Anda Safranska 2322 2336.8
5 642002 Natacha Benmesbah 2266
6 Captain Pavel Tregubov
9. Kazakhstan FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 13704788 Nakhbayeva Guliskhan 2353
2 13700090 Saduakassova Dinara 2301
3 13703595 Davletbayeva Madina 2272
4 13702971 Dauletova Gulmira 2265 2297.8
5 13703544 Abdumalik Zhansaya 2184
6 Captain Kotsur Pavel
10. Turkey FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 6302920 Yildiz, Betul Cemre 2368
2 6302599 Ozturk, Kubra 2281
3 6325670 Cemhan, Kardelen 2025
4 6300278 Sop, Selen 2028 2175.5
5 6306411 Kaya, Emel 1995
6 Captain Mihalcisin, Adrian
Official website
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel 
Hi everyone,
The Women’s World Chess Team Championship will take place from 2nd-12th March at the Duma Hotel in Astana, Kazakhstan. The best teams of the world will participate in the Championship.
Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk – the 12th Women’s World Chess Champion – will lead the Russian challenge. The Russian team also includes Valentina Gunina, Natalija Pogonina, Alisa Galliamova, Olga Girya with Sergey Rublevsky as the captain.
Astana can easily boast of gathering at least 50 of the best women chess players from 10 countries (China, Russia, Ukraine, USA, India, France, Turkey, Georgia, Romania and Kazakhstan): Among them are the three teams that were ranked as the best at the World Chess Olympiad, five continental champions, the country-organizer and one team elected by the FIDE President.
Every team consists of five players and the team-winner will be determined in a round-robin event after 9 games. Time control is 90 minutes per 40 moves and thirty minutes until the end of the game plus 30 seconds increment per move.
The Chinese team has won all the championships in the past. Reigning women’s world chess champion Anna Ushenina will also be playing for play for Ukraine and it will be her first official event since she won the world title.
The top-seed of the tournament will be the Georgian team.
Teams:
1. Georgia FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 13601903 Dzagnidze, Nana 2555
2 13602640 Khotenashvili, Bela 2499
3 13601458 Javakhishvili, Lela 2461
4 13600320 Khurtsidze, Nino 2437 2488.0
5 13602446 Melia, Salome 2403
6 Captain Gurieli, Nino
2. Russia FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 4128125 Kosteniuk Alexandra 2495
2 4167570 Gunina Valentina 2490
3 4147855 Pogonina Natalija 2475
4 4129752 Galliamova Alisa 2459 2479.8
5 4195752 Girya Olga 2441
6 Captain Rublevsky Sergey
3. Ukraine FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 1411091 Ushenina, Anna 2477
2 14109336 Lahno, Kateryna 2547
3 14114550 Muzychuk, Mariya 2471
4 14101181 Yanovska (Gaponenko), Inna 2405 2475.0
5 14101513 Zhukova, Natalia 2471
6 Captain Brodsky, Michail
4. China FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 8603006 Ju Wenjun 2505
2 8602689 Huang Qian 2478
3 8603642 Tan Zhongyi 2466
4 8604002 Guo Qi 2431 2470.0
5 8603162 Shen Yang 2415
6 Captain Ye Jiangchuan
5. USA FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 14101572 Anna Zatonskykh 2491
2 2012782 Irina Krush 2460
3 13301918 Tatev Abrahamyan 2300
4 1212915 Sabina Foisor 2313 2391.0
5 11602252 Viktorija Ni 2263
6 Captain Michael Khodarkovsky
6. Romania FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 1200496 Foisor Cristina Adela 2389
2 1201590 Cosma Elena Luminita 2332
3 13903063 Bulmaga Irina 2355
4 1210246 Lami Alina 2362 2359.5
5 1206729 Voicu Jagodzinsky 2281
6 Captain Szabo Gergely Andras Gyula
7. India FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 5013623 Gomes Mary Ann 2394
2 5012600 Karavade Eesha Sanjay 2391
3 5004330 Mohota Nisha/H 2327
4 5029295 Rout Padmini/H 2307 2354.8
5 5016193 Swaminathan Soumya 2291
6 Captain Sahu Sekhar Chandra
8. France FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 623725 Sophie Milliet 2408
2 13601717 Nino Maisurasze 2331
3 2902265 Silvia Collas 2286
4 11600209 Anda Safranska 2322 2336.8
5 642002 Natacha Benmesbah 2266
6 Captain Pavel Tregubov
9. Kazakhstan FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 13704788 Nakhbayeva Guliskhan 2353
2 13700090 Saduakassova Dinara 2301
3 13703595 Davletbayeva Madina 2272
4 13702971 Dauletova Gulmira 2265 2297.8
5 13703544 Abdumalik Zhansaya 2184
6 Captain Kotsur Pavel
10. Turkey FIDE ID Full name Rating Avg
1 6302920 Yildiz, Betul Cemre 2368
2 6302599 Ozturk, Kubra 2281
3 6325670 Cemhan, Kardelen 2025
4 6300278 Sop, Selen 2028 2175.5
5 6306411 Kaya, Emel 1995
6 Captain Mihalcisin, Adrian
Official website
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
24 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Hello everyone,
The Zurich Chess Challenge has just begun. In fact, the first two rounds have witnessed all draws first. Before we find out who strikes first, here are some excellent videos. Must watch for a super chess Sunday.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
23 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
From the sidelines of the Reykjavik Chess Open: One of the fun things about chess tournaments is of course socializing, meeting old friends and gaining new ones. One way to do that is to have a friendly chess game, perhaps over 1-2 beers or a glass of white wine.
One fun way to play is teams, and one fun variant of that is Hand&Brain. In this variant, one member of the team is the “hand” and the other one “brain”. The hand announces the piece to move and the brain makes the move. No discussion about the game can go on between the team members.
In the following game, the girls’ team was suspected of having whispered one or two moves during the end
Either way, a nice combination!
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
Hello everyone,
From the sidelines of the Reykjavik Chess Open: One of the fun things about chess tournaments is of course socializing, meeting old friends and gaining new ones. One way to do that is to have a friendly chess game, perhaps over 1-2 beers or a glass of white wine.
One fun way to play is teams, and one fun variant of that is Hand&Brain. In this variant, one member of the team is the “hand” and the other one “brain”. The hand announces the piece to move and the brain makes the move. No discussion about the game can go on between the team members.
In the following game, the girls’ team was suspected of having whispered one or two moves during the end
Either way, a nice combination!From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
23 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
On February 20th, the 12th Women’s World Chess Champion, Alexandra Kosteniuk, visited the Sports Training Center “Izmailovo” in Moscow where she met with Vitaly Troitsky, General Director of the center, and Aleksandr Zlochevsky, senior trainer of Moscow team.
At this meeting Kosteniuk was presented with a Certificate of Honorable Master of Sports of Russia. Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk was awarded this title in July 2012. You can read that post on www.chessqueen.com.
Kosteniuk will be heading Russia’s team in the upcoming Women’s World Chess Team Championship (www.chessdom.com).
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
Hello everyone,
On February 20th, the 12th Women’s World Chess Champion, Alexandra Kosteniuk, visited the Sports Training Center “Izmailovo” in Moscow where she met with Vitaly Troitsky, General Director of the center, and Aleksandr Zlochevsky, senior trainer of Moscow team.
At this meeting Kosteniuk was presented with a Certificate of Honorable Master of Sports of Russia. Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk was awarded this title in July 2012. You can read that post on www.chessqueen.com.
The former World Chess Champion said:
“I’m very excited to receive the certificate of Honorable Master of Sports of Russia today. On one hand I have a lot of awards and medals, form the other hand, it is very pleasant to get this kind of recognition for the work I’ve done. Whatever people say, such awards are very important. If there were no such nice signs of attention, the motivation would be different.”
Kosteniuk will be heading Russia’s team in the upcoming Women’s World Chess Team Championship (www.chessdom.com).
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
23 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Washington International – B section: Under 2201 USCF and Under 2200 FIDE, FIDE rated) $4,000 in Guaranteed Prizes: $1,500-$700-$400; 1st under 2000-$600; 2nd under 2000-$300; 1st under 1800-$500
Crown section Schedule:
08/06 – Arrival day Crown Section;
08/07 – Reception for Crown section at 6:00 pm; Special presentation of the new book- “Yuri Razuvaev” by GM Sosonko and GM Gulko , stamps presentation.
08/08 – 1st round at 2:00 pm.
08/09 – 2nd round at 2:00 pm; Washington International Blitz tournament at 8:00 pm
08/10 – 3rd round at 2:00 pm; Washington International Rapid.
08/11 – 4th round at 10:00 am; Dinner & closing ceremonies at 6:00 pm/ Hilton
08/12 – Departure day
Also read Chess Queen™ Kosteniuk’s post on www.chessqueen.com.
More info and how to register at: www.washingtoninternationalchess.org
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
Hello everyone,
“When someone you care about and respect passes away, it’s hard to find the right words to explain your sorrow. You have emptiness and pain in your heart, knowing that you won’t be able to meet someone so dear to you,” wrote 12th Women’s World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk in her www.chessqueen.com blog post last year for her dear coach Yuri Sergeevich Razuvaev.
A photo of GM Yuri Razuvaev with Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk from the latter’s private album.
This year, GM Kosteniuk goes to Washington DC from August 6-12 to play the ‘Razuvaev Memorial Chess Tournament’ in memory of her beloved teacher.
Friends and colleagues of GM Yury Razuvaev will join the event as well. Participants include:
Team “Beauty of chess saving the world”: GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (Russia); WGM Anna Zatonskih (USA); WGM Irina Krush (USA; WGM Elena Sedina (Italy); Captain: Michael Khodarkovsky (USA)
Team “Beauty of chess saving the world”: GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (Russia); WGM Anna Zatonskih (USA); WGM Irina Krush (USA; WGM Elena Sedina (Italy); Captain: Michael Khodarkovsky (USA)
Team “Admirers of chess beauty”: GM Lev Alburt (USA); GM Adrian Mihalcisin (Slovenia); GM Vladimir Tukmakov (Ukraine), GM Boris Gulko (USA); Captain – GM Sam Palatnik (USA).
Event details are as follows: Dates: August 6th to August 12th 2013.
Site: Rockville Hilton, 1750 Rockville Pike, MD 20852, USA
Invitational Crown section: “Razuvaev Memorial Chess Tournament”:
1 round 2 teams sheveningen system. Time control: 40/90, SD/30, incr/30. $25,000
Invitational Crown section: “Razuvaev Memorial Chess Tournament”:
1 round 2 teams sheveningen system. Time control: 40/90, SD/30, incr/30. $25,000
Guaranteed prize fund: individual prizes in each of two teams: – $4,000-$3,000-$2,000-$1,000;
Team prizes- $4,000-$1,000.
Washington International – Open section: $17,000 Guaranteed prize fund GPP- 150, 9 rounds Swiss system. Prizes: $5,000-$3,000-$2,000-$1,000-$900-$800-$700-$600-$500-$500, U2500 $700-$300, U2300 $700-300. Possibility of GM and IM norms, 40/90, SD/30 +30i.
Washington International – Open section: $17,000 Guaranteed prize fund GPP- 150, 9 rounds Swiss system. Prizes: $5,000-$3,000-$2,000-$1,000-$900-$800-$700-$600-$500-$500, U2500 $700-$300, U2300 $700-300. Possibility of GM and IM norms, 40/90, SD/30 +30i.
Washington International – B section: Under 2201 USCF and Under 2200 FIDE, FIDE rated) $4,000 in Guaranteed Prizes: $1,500-$700-$400; 1st under 2000-$600; 2nd under 2000-$300; 1st under 1800-$500
Crown section Schedule:
08/06 – Arrival day Crown Section;
08/07 – Reception for Crown section at 6:00 pm; Special presentation of the new book- “Yuri Razuvaev” by GM Sosonko and GM Gulko , stamps presentation.
08/08 – 1st round at 2:00 pm.
08/09 – 2nd round at 2:00 pm; Washington International Blitz tournament at 8:00 pm
08/10 – 3rd round at 2:00 pm; Washington International Rapid.
08/11 – 4th round at 10:00 am; Dinner & closing ceremonies at 6:00 pm/ Hilton
08/12 – Departure day
Also read Chess Queen™ Kosteniuk’s post on www.chessqueen.com.
More info and how to register at: www.washingtoninternationalchess.org
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
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22 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Here’s an interesting chess video/documentary from Thrash Lab: Thrash Lab is a destination for rich visuals, narrative entertainment and high end cultural content.
Hello everyone,
Here’s an interesting chess video/documentary from Thrash Lab: Thrash Lab is a destination for rich visuals, narrative entertainment and high end cultural content.
Credits
Executive Producer – Ashton Kutcher
Executive Producer – Anthony Batt
Co-Executive Producer – Karen Hart
Director/Producer/Editor – Matt Porter
Director of Photography – Ryan Nethery
Art Director – Rachel Ma
Assistant Editor – Rebecca Votta
Color – Ryan Nethery
Sound – Jacob Blumberg
Production Manager – Molly Fosco
Production Assistant – Phil Primason
2nd Camera Operator – Alix Pentecost-Farren
Music by –
‘Mojo’ by Adam Kromelow Trio
‘Sakura Park’ performed by Timo Vollbrecht written by Stefan Karl Schmid
‘All Or Nothing At All’ by Timo Vollbrecht
‘Fix This House’ by Town Hall
Special thanks to: Marshall Chess Club, The New Yorker Hotel, Chess NYC, PS 183, Chess Forum, Zinc Bar and Alfred (Union Square Chess Player)
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
Executive Producer – Anthony Batt
Co-Executive Producer – Karen Hart
Director/Producer/Editor – Matt Porter
Director of Photography – Ryan Nethery
Art Director – Rachel Ma
Assistant Editor – Rebecca Votta
Color – Ryan Nethery
Sound – Jacob Blumberg
Production Manager – Molly Fosco
Production Assistant – Phil Primason
2nd Camera Operator – Alix Pentecost-Farren
Music by –
‘Mojo’ by Adam Kromelow Trio
‘Sakura Park’ performed by Timo Vollbrecht written by Stefan Karl Schmid
‘All Or Nothing At All’ by Timo Vollbrecht
‘Fix This House’ by Town Hall
Special thanks to: Marshall Chess Club, The New Yorker Hotel, Chess NYC, PS 183, Chess Forum, Zinc Bar and Alfred (Union Square Chess Player)
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
22 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Click now to join the bidding via eBay in the US.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
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Hello everyone,
Okay chess lovers, this is as good as it gets. Your dream package of Chess King™ training products is up on eBay. More information about the various programs can be found in this video below (about Chess King Training CD-ROMs, Chess King, and the Complete Chess Course and Chess Opening Ideas videos).
Click now to join the bidding via eBay in the US.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
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22 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Hello everyone,
Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov has added chess to the curriculum of 100 Georgian schools as part of an initiative during his visit to Tbilisi recently.
In recent years, Kasparov has trained grandmasters Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, but now he hopes to bring the benefits of the ancient game a little closer to home. His new program “Chess in Schools” will teach children of various ages across Georgia in public schools in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Poti a game in which Georgians have long prospered, according to a report in Georgia Today.
Deputy Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Zurab Azmaiparashvili, also a grandmaster, was also present at the experimental project’s launch.
Azmaiparashvili stated: “Former World Champion Garry Kasparov today held the first session of chess tutorials online in an experimental format. His system is being introduced to 100 schools in Georgia. He personally participated in the preparation of the experimental schools for the onset of the program more than a year ago.”
The computerized online program is designed to enhance a child’s analytical skills and, Kasparov claimed, his or her understanding of the world. Kasparov claimed that Tbilisi is a place which holds “special memories” for him. It was here, in 1976, that he was crowned junior champion of the Soviet Union at the age of 13.
He noted: “It is always a pleasure for me to visit Georgia and this visit has sporting significance. The agreement was signed with the Georgian government last year and I am glad that they are supporting chess. This should make it more popular in the country.”
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
In recent years, Kasparov has trained grandmasters Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, but now he hopes to bring the benefits of the ancient game a little closer to home. His new program “Chess in Schools” will teach children of various ages across Georgia in public schools in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Poti a game in which Georgians have long prospered, according to a report in Georgia Today.
Deputy Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Zurab Azmaiparashvili, also a grandmaster, was also present at the experimental project’s launch.
Azmaiparashvili stated: “Former World Champion Garry Kasparov today held the first session of chess tutorials online in an experimental format. His system is being introduced to 100 schools in Georgia. He personally participated in the preparation of the experimental schools for the onset of the program more than a year ago.”
The computerized online program is designed to enhance a child’s analytical skills and, Kasparov claimed, his or her understanding of the world. Kasparov claimed that Tbilisi is a place which holds “special memories” for him. It was here, in 1976, that he was crowned junior champion of the Soviet Union at the age of 13.
He noted: “It is always a pleasure for me to visit Georgia and this visit has sporting significance. The agreement was signed with the Georgian government last year and I am glad that they are supporting chess. This should make it more popular in the country.”
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
21 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
TCEC computer chess championship stage 1 has come to an end. Houdini and Vitruvius are the winners, with 5,5/7, half a point more than Gull II and Stockfish.
Houdini had a rough start, with two draws in the first 3 games. However, it quickly recovered, to beat both Stockfish and Rybka in the next rounds. Vitruvius followed a similar pattern, starting with a victory and two draws. Later wins vs Chiron and Hiarcs gave the engine equal points in the final stage 1 standings, according to a Chessdom report.
A total of 16 engines qualified to the second stage of TCEC. All but one 3000+ ELO engines qualified, the short straw was for Equinox which remained 17th on tiebreak. The lowest rated engine to qualify was Gaviota (ELO 2720).
Houdini and Vitruvius did not meet during the first stage of TCEC. They will not meet in stage 2 either, as they are in different groups – Houdini in 2a and Vitruvius in 2b.
List of participants for Stage 2a:Houdini, Stockfish, Hiarcs, Rybka, Critter, Junior, Gaviota, Spike
List of participants for Stage 2b:Vitruvius, Gull, Chiron, Komodo, Shredder, Scorpio, Quazar, Hannibal
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
Hello everyone,
TCEC computer chess championship stage 1 has come to an end. Houdini and Vitruvius are the winners, with 5,5/7, half a point more than Gull II and Stockfish.
Houdini had a rough start, with two draws in the first 3 games. However, it quickly recovered, to beat both Stockfish and Rybka in the next rounds. Vitruvius followed a similar pattern, starting with a victory and two draws. Later wins vs Chiron and Hiarcs gave the engine equal points in the final stage 1 standings, according to a Chessdom report.
A total of 16 engines qualified to the second stage of TCEC. All but one 3000+ ELO engines qualified, the short straw was for Equinox which remained 17th on tiebreak. The lowest rated engine to qualify was Gaviota (ELO 2720).
Houdini and Vitruvius did not meet during the first stage of TCEC. They will not meet in stage 2 either, as they are in different groups – Houdini in 2a and Vitruvius in 2b.
List of participants for Stage 2a:Houdini, Stockfish, Hiarcs, Rybka, Critter, Junior, Gaviota, Spike
List of participants for Stage 2b:Vitruvius, Gull, Chiron, Komodo, Shredder, Scorpio, Quazar, Hannibal
Final standings stage 1
0001 Houdini 3 5.5
0002 Vitruvius 1.19 5.5
0003 Gull II 5.0
0004 Stockfish 2.31 5.0
0005 Hiarcs 14 4.5
0006 Chiron 1.5 4.5
0007 Komodo 4534 4.5
0008 Rybka 4.1 4.0
0009 Critter 1.6a 4.0
0010 Shredder 12 4.0
0011 Scorpio 2.75 4.0
0012 Junior 13.3 4.0
0013 Gaviota 0.86b3 4.0
0014 Quazar 0.4 3.5
0015 Hannibal 1.3 3.5
0016 Spike 1.4 3.5
0017 Equinox 1.65 3.5
0018 Texel 1.01 3.5
0019 Nemo 1.01b 3.5
0020 The Baron 3.34b 3.5
0021 Protector 1.5b2 3.0
0022 Exchess 6.71b 3.0
0023 Arasan 15.1 3.0
0024 Minkochess 1.3 3.0
0025 Crafty 23.5 3.0
0026 Danasah 5 3.0
0027 Dirty 190113 2.5
0028 Octochess 4741 2.5
0029 Rodent 0.17 2.0
0030 Nebula 2.0b 1.5
0031 Redqueen 1.13 1.5
0032 Prodeo 1.83c 1.0
0001 Houdini 3 5.5
0002 Vitruvius 1.19 5.5
0003 Gull II 5.0
0004 Stockfish 2.31 5.0
0005 Hiarcs 14 4.5
0006 Chiron 1.5 4.5
0007 Komodo 4534 4.5
0008 Rybka 4.1 4.0
0009 Critter 1.6a 4.0
0010 Shredder 12 4.0
0011 Scorpio 2.75 4.0
0012 Junior 13.3 4.0
0013 Gaviota 0.86b3 4.0
0014 Quazar 0.4 3.5
0015 Hannibal 1.3 3.5
0016 Spike 1.4 3.5
0017 Equinox 1.65 3.5
0018 Texel 1.01 3.5
0019 Nemo 1.01b 3.5
0020 The Baron 3.34b 3.5
0021 Protector 1.5b2 3.0
0022 Exchess 6.71b 3.0
0023 Arasan 15.1 3.0
0024 Minkochess 1.3 3.0
0025 Crafty 23.5 3.0
0026 Danasah 5 3.0
0027 Dirty 190113 2.5
0028 Octochess 4741 2.5
0029 Rodent 0.17 2.0
0030 Nebula 2.0b 1.5
0031 Redqueen 1.13 1.5
0032 Prodeo 1.83c 1.0
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
21 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone, 
Hello everyone,
This interesting chess news comes from Ireland. Kernan Andrews, writing in the Galway Advertiser, states the world’s first computer chess unit will make an appearance at NUI Galway’s Coding Computer Games – Past, Present & the Future event on Saturday March 2. The event runs from 12 noon to 2pm in the Digital Enterprise Research Institute, IDA/NUIG Business Park Dangan.
The Fidelity Chess Challenger was the first chess electronic unit available to the public. Based on a Z80 8-bit micro-processor, it started production in 1977 with its most popular model, the Fidelity Chess Challenger 7, selling some 600,000 units. Its inventor Sidney Samole got the idea for computer chess after watching an episode of Star Trek.
Also at the event, Galway-based software developers such as Tribal City and Starcave Entertainment will demonstrate some of their latest web-based games. Children from the local Coderdojo club will introduce visitors to the coding behind their own games.
There will also be classic arcade games like Asteroids, Pacman, Sonic, and Pong played on vintage consoles and computers such as Atari, Amiga, and Sinclair ZX81.
The event is a collaboration of Coderdojo Galway, the Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland, and the Digital Enterprise Research Institute at NUI Galway, and is part of National Engineers Week.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
The Fidelity Chess Challenger was the first chess electronic unit available to the public. Based on a Z80 8-bit micro-processor, it started production in 1977 with its most popular model, the Fidelity Chess Challenger 7, selling some 600,000 units. Its inventor Sidney Samole got the idea for computer chess after watching an episode of Star Trek.
Also at the event, Galway-based software developers such as Tribal City and Starcave Entertainment will demonstrate some of their latest web-based games. Children from the local Coderdojo club will introduce visitors to the coding behind their own games.
There will also be classic arcade games like Asteroids, Pacman, Sonic, and Pong played on vintage consoles and computers such as Atari, Amiga, and Sinclair ZX81.
The event is a collaboration of Coderdojo Galway, the Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland, and the Digital Enterprise Research Institute at NUI Galway, and is part of National Engineers Week.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
20 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
The rapid match between China and Iceland which was held in the headquarters of Arion Bank finished this weekend with a convincing 47,5-24,5 victory for the guests from China. China outrated Iceland this weekend and outclassed them taking charge early with a 5,5-0,5 victory in the 1st round. Iceland faired better in the 2nd round but another 5,5-0,5 thrashing in the 3rd round set the tone for a smooth sailing for the Chinese.
Given the time control some upsets were to be expected. Lenka Ptacnikova managed to beat the super GM Bu Xiangzhi and Mikael Johann Karlsson managed an upset vs Wang Yiye.
Even though the match was one sided it had exciting invidiual matches and several people showed up over the weekend to watch the action in the Arion Bank headquarters near the seaside.
For the Chinese, the young super GM Yu Yangyi showed great fighting spirit and quality and finished with a very impressive 11,5 out of 12. For the Icelanders the top scorer was GM Hjörvar Grétarsson with 5,5 out of 12.
Hello everyone,
The rapid match between China and Iceland which was held in the headquarters of Arion Bank finished this weekend with a convincing 47,5-24,5 victory for the guests from China. China outrated Iceland this weekend and outclassed them taking charge early with a 5,5-0,5 victory in the 1st round. Iceland faired better in the 2nd round but another 5,5-0,5 thrashing in the 3rd round set the tone for a smooth sailing for the Chinese.
Given the time control some upsets were to be expected. Lenka Ptacnikova managed to beat the super GM Bu Xiangzhi and Mikael Johann Karlsson managed an upset vs Wang Yiye.
Even though the match was one sided it had exciting invidiual matches and several people showed up over the weekend to watch the action in the Arion Bank headquarters near the seaside.
For the Chinese, the young super GM Yu Yangyi showed great fighting spirit and quality and finished with a very impressive 11,5 out of 12. For the Icelanders the top scorer was GM Hjörvar Grétarsson with 5,5 out of 12.
The match was held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Chinese-Icelandic Cultural Society which, in conjunction with the Icelandic Chess Federation, organised the event with the sponsorship of Arion Bank, CCP, Promens, Icelandic and Elkem. (Official website)
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
20 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Hello everyone,
A “desirable” chess trivia photo quiz for you this Wednesday. These photos come from our award-winning chess photo database of www.chesspics.com. Can you name these chess players? For the solution, click on the photos.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
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20 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
It is time to set up a nice chess puzzle sent to us by Chess King. In this balanced position, White played the simple looking 25.Nxc5. But, it was a huge blunder and lost the game. The position is from Georgiev Kiril (MKD) (2660) – Rogers Ian (AUS) (2595). Can you say why 25.Nc5 is a blunder? 
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hello everyone,
Click on the diagram to see the solution.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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20 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hello everyone,
Make your chess set, play blindfold, and possibly eat it as well! Here’s a must-watch chess video. Even if you don’t want to watch the making of the cake, just forward the video to 12:52 and watch the end!
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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20 February 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Hello everyone,
More chess news from the RSSU Chess Cup (girls’ section) via Fide: Sixteen-year-old Dinara Saduakasova was unable to remain at the top of the table in the students grandmaster tournament. The Kazakh chess player, who was in the lead throughout the entire tournament, lost to Irina Vasilevich (Russia) in the final round, allowing two participants – Anastasia Savina and Olga Girya, who won in the 9th round against their rivals, to catch up.
All three players scored 6 points, but the tie-breaker rules smiled upon Savina, who was declared the winner of the tournament. Silver went to Girya, and Saduakasova took only the bronze.
Other players finished in the following order: Daria Pustovoitova (Russia) – 4.5, 4th; Irina Vasilevich (Russia) – 4.5, 5th; Anastasia Zezyulkina (Belarus) – 4, 6th; Karina Szczepkowska-Horowska (Poland) – 4, 7th; Varvara Saulina – (Russia) – 3.5, 8th; Enhtuul Altanulzi (Mongolia) – 3.5, 9th; Dina Drozdova (Russia) – 3, 10th.
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All three players scored 6 points, but the tie-breaker rules smiled upon Savina, who was declared the winner of the tournament. Silver went to Girya, and Saduakasova took only the bronze.
Other players finished in the following order: Daria Pustovoitova (Russia) – 4.5, 4th; Irina Vasilevich (Russia) – 4.5, 5th; Anastasia Zezyulkina (Belarus) – 4, 6th; Karina Szczepkowska-Horowska (Poland) – 4, 7th; Varvara Saulina – (Russia) – 3.5, 8th; Enhtuul Altanulzi (Mongolia) – 3.5, 9th; Dina Drozdova (Russia) – 3, 10th.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
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Don’t miss Chess Queen™
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