8 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
The Sberbank Rapid Chess Tournament came to an end today in Kiev. Sergey Karjakin had another good day and managed to overtake Veselin Topalov at the top of the standings to get the winner’s trophy, according to a Chessdom report.
The Russian star got his second important victory in rapid chess this year, after getting first place at the Aeroflot rapid event in February. This is also his second straight victory after winning the super-tournament in Norway. Karjakin will continue his busy schedule at the Tal Memorial, which begins next week.
Karjakin started the third playing day with a win. He caught Veselin Topalov in the lead thanks to his victory over Sergei Zhigalko. The eventual champion turned around an inferior position in a Ruy Lopez. Zhigalko handled the tactical early middlegame accurately and got a pawn advantage, but was not able to follow through and fell victim of Karjakin’s active play on the kingside.
Meanwhile, Peter Leko quickly held Topalov to a draw with the black pieces. The Hungarian simplified to an opposite-colored bishops endgame and signed the peace treaty on move 24. Given Leko’s good play in the second day, Topalov might have decided to avoid any unnecessary risk in this round.
Pavel Eljanov gave Karjakin a hand in the eighth round. He defeated Topalov with white in 54 moves. The game was a long strategic battle where Eljanov’s rooks became very active and ended up being the key factor to get the full point. The Ukrainian saved face after a bad second day and finished on 4.5/9 after beating Naiditsch in the last round.
The Russian derby between Evgeny Tomashevsky and Sergey Karjakin finished with a split point after 31 moves. Tomashevsky, playing white, looked for play on the queenside, but his higher-rated colleague correctly assessed that he should simplify the position to avoid getting in trouble. However, the peace treaty might have been slightly premature, especially for a rapid event.
With these results, Karjakin was already first in the standings, a half point ahead of Topalov.
The last round saw what can be seen as a clash of generations. Sergey Karjakin had white against Anatoly Karpov and had the chance to secure first place with a win. The ex-world champion chose the Scandinavian but quickly faltered, as his eight move already gives white an important advantage. Karjakin used his usual active style to grind down the veteran in 33 moves. This secured overall first place for the young Russian.
Veselin Topalov also finished with a victory. He beat Tomashevsky with white in a Ruy Lopez.
Peter Leko and Sergei Zhigalko, who had also arrived half a point behind Topalov, ended up sharing third place with 5/9 points. (Photos by Evgenia Dolukhanova)
Final Standings:
1 Karjakin, Sergey RUS 2782 6½
2 Topalov, Veselin BUL 2784 6
3 Leko, Peter HUN 2737 5
4 Zhigalko, Sergei BLR 2661 5
5 Eljanov, Pavel UKR 2707 4½
6 Tomashevsky, Evgeny RUS 2709 4½
7 Korobov, Anton UKR 2715 4½
8 Areshchenko, Alexander UKR 2708 4
9 Karpov, Anatoly RUS 2619 3
10 Naiditsch, Arkadij GER 2710 2
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
The Sberbank Rapid Chess Tournament came to an end today in Kiev. Sergey Karjakin had another good day and managed to overtake Veselin Topalov at the top of the standings to get the winner’s trophy, according to a Chessdom report.
The Russian star got his second important victory in rapid chess this year, after getting first place at the Aeroflot rapid event in February. This is also his second straight victory after winning the super-tournament in Norway. Karjakin will continue his busy schedule at the Tal Memorial, which begins next week.
Karjakin started the third playing day with a win. He caught Veselin Topalov in the lead thanks to his victory over Sergei Zhigalko. The eventual champion turned around an inferior position in a Ruy Lopez. Zhigalko handled the tactical early middlegame accurately and got a pawn advantage, but was not able to follow through and fell victim of Karjakin’s active play on the kingside.
Meanwhile, Peter Leko quickly held Topalov to a draw with the black pieces. The Hungarian simplified to an opposite-colored bishops endgame and signed the peace treaty on move 24. Given Leko’s good play in the second day, Topalov might have decided to avoid any unnecessary risk in this round.
Pavel Eljanov gave Karjakin a hand in the eighth round. He defeated Topalov with white in 54 moves. The game was a long strategic battle where Eljanov’s rooks became very active and ended up being the key factor to get the full point. The Ukrainian saved face after a bad second day and finished on 4.5/9 after beating Naiditsch in the last round.
The Russian derby between Evgeny Tomashevsky and Sergey Karjakin finished with a split point after 31 moves. Tomashevsky, playing white, looked for play on the queenside, but his higher-rated colleague correctly assessed that he should simplify the position to avoid getting in trouble. However, the peace treaty might have been slightly premature, especially for a rapid event.
With these results, Karjakin was already first in the standings, a half point ahead of Topalov.
The last round saw what can be seen as a clash of generations. Sergey Karjakin had white against Anatoly Karpov and had the chance to secure first place with a win. The ex-world champion chose the Scandinavian but quickly faltered, as his eight move already gives white an important advantage. Karjakin used his usual active style to grind down the veteran in 33 moves. This secured overall first place for the young Russian.
Veselin Topalov also finished with a victory. He beat Tomashevsky with white in a Ruy Lopez.
Peter Leko and Sergei Zhigalko, who had also arrived half a point behind Topalov, ended up sharing third place with 5/9 points. (Photos by Evgenia Dolukhanova)
Final Standings:
1 Karjakin, Sergey RUS 2782 6½
2 Topalov, Veselin BUL 2784 6
3 Leko, Peter HUN 2737 5
4 Zhigalko, Sergei BLR 2661 5
5 Eljanov, Pavel UKR 2707 4½
6 Tomashevsky, Evgeny RUS 2709 4½
7 Korobov, Anton UKR 2715 4½
8 Areshchenko, Alexander UKR 2708 4
9 Karpov, Anatoly RUS 2619 3
10 Naiditsch, Arkadij GER 2710 2
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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8 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Guess who are these chess lover? Find the answer by clicking the photo. Chess Blog wishes you a Happy Sunday full of chess! 
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
Guess who are these chess lover? Find the answer by clicking the photo. Chess Blog wishes you a Happy Sunday full of chess!
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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8 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
The Observer has reported about a talented chess team from a school which went on to become the heroes of a super chess film. Rebecca Hiscott writes: Intermediate School 318’s chess team isn’t the only after-school activity that might be affected by upcoming budget cuts, but it is perhaps the most beloved. The City of New York currently supplies $20,000 of the program’s $60,000 budget, with I.S. 318 and fundraising efforts accounting for the rest of the costs.
“Our funding has been reduced every year for several years now and, as a result, we’ve had to make very deep cuts,” I.S. 318’s website reads. “We won’t be able to take many students to Nationals or go to many of the tournaments we regularly win or do well in.”
The championship winning chess team was the subject of the critically acclaimed documentary, Brooklyn Castle, a touching chronicle of a group of youths’ resilience and resolve at a school where more than 60 percent of students live below the federal poverty line. The team became the first middle school to win the United Chess Federation’s national high school championship in 2012.
Mayor Bloomberg has also been photographed posing with the team as it is one of the most high-profile programs in the city. Right now, it is unclear where the city will make cuts, the complete proposal due on June 30.
According to the Campaign for Children, a coalition of over 150 childcare and after-school provider and advocacy groups, the proposed $130 million in cuts would put 8,000 children at risk and broadly affect more than 41,000.
A slew of programs across the five boroughs will feel the sting of these cuts, but I.S. 318’s chess team stands out because of its visibility. But the narrow focus of attention isn’t necessarily a bad thing–rallying to save one program could rescue scores more in the process.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
“Our funding has been reduced every year for several years now and, as a result, we’ve had to make very deep cuts,” I.S. 318’s website reads. “We won’t be able to take many students to Nationals or go to many of the tournaments we regularly win or do well in.”
The championship winning chess team was the subject of the critically acclaimed documentary, Brooklyn Castle, a touching chronicle of a group of youths’ resilience and resolve at a school where more than 60 percent of students live below the federal poverty line. The team became the first middle school to win the United Chess Federation’s national high school championship in 2012.
Mayor Bloomberg has also been photographed posing with the team as it is one of the most high-profile programs in the city. Right now, it is unclear where the city will make cuts, the complete proposal due on June 30.
According to the Campaign for Children, a coalition of over 150 childcare and after-school provider and advocacy groups, the proposed $130 million in cuts would put 8,000 children at risk and broadly affect more than 41,000.
A slew of programs across the five boroughs will feel the sting of these cuts, but I.S. 318’s chess team stands out because of its visibility. But the narrow focus of attention isn’t necessarily a bad thing–rallying to save one program could rescue scores more in the process.
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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8 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
The 70th Georgian Women Championship was held from 27th May to 7th June in Tbilisi. Twelve players competed in the round robin tournament.
Final standings:
1. IM Khurtsidze Nino 2428 – 8.5
2. WGM Batsiashvili Nino 2390 – 8
3. IM Melia Salome 2423 – 7.5
4-5. IM Guramishvili Sopiko 2426 and IM Lomineishvili Maia 2345 – 6.5
6. IM Gvetadze Sofio 2339 – 6
7-8. IM Khukhashvili Sopiko 2383 and IM Purtseladze Maka 2356 – 5.5
9. WIM Khurtsilava Inga 2290 – 4.5
10. WGM Arabidze Meri 2348 – 4
11. Kuchava Ana 2098 – 2
12. Kobeshavidze Lika 1937 – 1.5
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
The 70th Georgian Women Championship was held from 27th May to 7th June in Tbilisi. Twelve players competed in the round robin tournament.
Final standings:
1. IM Khurtsidze Nino 2428 – 8.5
2. WGM Batsiashvili Nino 2390 – 8
3. IM Melia Salome 2423 – 7.5
4-5. IM Guramishvili Sopiko 2426 and IM Lomineishvili Maia 2345 – 6.5
6. IM Gvetadze Sofio 2339 – 6
7-8. IM Khukhashvili Sopiko 2383 and IM Purtseladze Maka 2356 – 5.5
9. WIM Khurtsilava Inga 2290 – 4.5
10. WGM Arabidze Meri 2348 – 4
11. Kuchava Ana 2098 – 2
12. Kobeshavidze Lika 1937 – 1.5
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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8 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Hi everyone,
Grandmaster from Azerbaijan Shakhriyar Mamedyarov has won the title of the World Rapid Chess Champion 2013. On the final day of the event, he won five games in a row. He finished the tournament with 11.5 points out of 15 in Khanty Mansiysk on Saturday. The silver medalist is Ian Nepomniachtchi. The Russian Grandmaster was leading with two points after two days, but lost to Alexander Grischuk in Round 13 and drew with Alexander Riazantsev in the last round. He finished the tournament in second place just half a point behind the winner. Alexander Grischuk won the bronze medal with 10.5 out of 15. He made a draw with Nikita Vityugov in Round 15.
The final standings:
1. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov – 11.5/15
2. Ian Nepomniachtchi – 11/15
3. Alexander Grischuk – 10.5/15
4. Le Liem – 10/15
5-14 – Gadir Guseinov (AZE), Ildar Khairullin (Russia), Dmitry Andreikin (RUS), Sergey Movsesian (ARM), Denis Khismattulin (RUS), Ernesto Inarkiev (RUS), Ivan Cheparinov (BUL), Alexander Riazantsev (RUS), Nikita Vityugov (RUS), Rauf Mamedov (AZE) – 9/15
etc.
The World Rapid Chess Championship was organised under the aegis of FIDE for the second time. The championship took place from 6 to 8 June 2013 in the Ugra Chess Academy of Khanty Mansiysk. The defending champion (winner in 2012) Sergey Karjakin is currently in Kieve playing another chess tournament and did not defend his title that he had won in Astana.
The World Blitz Chess Championship 2013 will start on the 9th of June in Khanty Mansiysk. Russian Grandmaster Alexander Grischuk will defend his title he earned in 2012 in Astana.
The award ceremony of the medalists and prize winners in the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships will take place on the 10th of June in Cultural Entertainment Centre “Oktyabr” at 19.30 local time. You can continue to follow all the chess action live via the official website.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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The final standings:
1. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov – 11.5/15
2. Ian Nepomniachtchi – 11/15
3. Alexander Grischuk – 10.5/15
4. Le Liem – 10/15
5-14 – Gadir Guseinov (AZE), Ildar Khairullin (Russia), Dmitry Andreikin (RUS), Sergey Movsesian (ARM), Denis Khismattulin (RUS), Ernesto Inarkiev (RUS), Ivan Cheparinov (BUL), Alexander Riazantsev (RUS), Nikita Vityugov (RUS), Rauf Mamedov (AZE) – 9/15
etc.
The World Rapid Chess Championship was organised under the aegis of FIDE for the second time. The championship took place from 6 to 8 June 2013 in the Ugra Chess Academy of Khanty Mansiysk. The defending champion (winner in 2012) Sergey Karjakin is currently in Kieve playing another chess tournament and did not defend his title that he had won in Astana.
The World Blitz Chess Championship 2013 will start on the 9th of June in Khanty Mansiysk. Russian Grandmaster Alexander Grischuk will defend his title he earned in 2012 in Astana.
The award ceremony of the medalists and prize winners in the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships will take place on the 10th of June in Cultural Entertainment Centre “Oktyabr” at 19.30 local time. You can continue to follow all the chess action live via the official website.
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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7 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Veselin Topalov maintains the lead he got in the first day of the Sberbank Rapid Chess Tournament. Three players have closed on the Bulgarian; Peter Leko, Sergey Karjakin and Sergei Zhigalko are a mere half point behind the ex-world champion with three rounds to go. Everything is still up for grabs in Kiev, states a Chessdom report.
The second playing day began with a direct clash between two of the pre-tournament favorites, Sergey Karjakin had white against Topalov. What could have been a very long struggle finished as a miniature victory for the Russian. In a sharp variation of the French Defense, Topalov seems to have forgotten his preparation or, maybe, he was not able to calculate all the complications over the board. After 13…Qg4, black loses at least an exchange. The Bulgarian gave up on move 21 when he is about to lose even more material.
This round also saw the beginning of Sergei Zhigalko‘s ascent to the top. The Belarussian defeated Arkadij Naiditsch with the white pieces in 37 moves. The German put all his confidence in his passed d-pawn, but Zhigalko neutralized it to get a totally winning position thanks to his material advantage. Anatoly Karpov got his first full point in this round. He defeated Pavel Eljanov in 52 moves of a highly strategical battle.
The fifth round had three decisive results. All three players that eventually got to share second place won his games. Peter Leko, who is the only undefeated player of the event, defeated Evgeny Tomashevsky. As expected, give the nature of these players’ styles, the struggle was full of maneuvering; neither of them sacrificed the solidity of their pawn structures up until the late middlegame. Leko eventually got a pawn and converted the rook endgame with his usual strong technique.
Sergey Karjakin got his second consecutive win against Arkadij Naiditsch. The Russian played the Ruy Lopez with black and used his space advantage on the kingside to grind down the German.
Sergei Zhigalko also had black, and defeated Alexander Areschenko in only 26 moves. Zhigalko gained the initiative on the queenside in an opposite-sides castling Sicilian. His extremely strong bishop on g6 was a nightmare for white, who decided to resign when mate was inevitable in the next move.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Don’t miss Chess Queen™
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Hi everyone,
Veselin Topalov maintains the lead he got in the first day of the Sberbank Rapid Chess Tournament. Three players have closed on the Bulgarian; Peter Leko, Sergey Karjakin and Sergei Zhigalko are a mere half point behind the ex-world champion with three rounds to go. Everything is still up for grabs in Kiev, states a Chessdom report.
The second playing day began with a direct clash between two of the pre-tournament favorites, Sergey Karjakin had white against Topalov. What could have been a very long struggle finished as a miniature victory for the Russian. In a sharp variation of the French Defense, Topalov seems to have forgotten his preparation or, maybe, he was not able to calculate all the complications over the board. After 13…Qg4, black loses at least an exchange. The Bulgarian gave up on move 21 when he is about to lose even more material.
This round also saw the beginning of Sergei Zhigalko‘s ascent to the top. The Belarussian defeated Arkadij Naiditsch with the white pieces in 37 moves. The German put all his confidence in his passed d-pawn, but Zhigalko neutralized it to get a totally winning position thanks to his material advantage. Anatoly Karpov got his first full point in this round. He defeated Pavel Eljanov in 52 moves of a highly strategical battle.
The fifth round had three decisive results. All three players that eventually got to share second place won his games. Peter Leko, who is the only undefeated player of the event, defeated Evgeny Tomashevsky. As expected, give the nature of these players’ styles, the struggle was full of maneuvering; neither of them sacrificed the solidity of their pawn structures up until the late middlegame. Leko eventually got a pawn and converted the rook endgame with his usual strong technique.
Sergey Karjakin got his second consecutive win against Arkadij Naiditsch. The Russian played the Ruy Lopez with black and used his space advantage on the kingside to grind down the German.
Sergei Zhigalko also had black, and defeated Alexander Areschenko in only 26 moves. Zhigalko gained the initiative on the queenside in an opposite-sides castling Sicilian. His extremely strong bishop on g6 was a nightmare for white, who decided to resign when mate was inevitable in the next move.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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6 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Hi everyone,
Sportspersons have a unique destiny and tremendous social responsibility. Chess Blog is delighted to receive this super message from Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk. She says, “I consider it my duty to do the most I can to promote Peace in the World, and Chess helps me to do that! Watch the video to see my message of Peace.”
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
Read the full message (including videos) in this post by the 12th Women’s World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk at Chessqueen.com.
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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Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
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6 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
The ASEAN Chess Championships 2013 for U-8, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, and U-20 Age-Groups for Girls and Open begin in Thailand today. Standard, rapid, and blitz chess will be part of the festival program with the following time controls:
Standard Chess: Each player has 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment (starting from first move).
Rapid Chess: Each player has 25 minutes to complete the game.
Blitz Chess: Each player has 5 minutes to complete the game.
A total of 386 players among which 3 IMs, 3 WIMs, 19 FMs, and 10 WFMs will participate in the rapid championship. See full list of ASEAN girls participants here and the full list of ASEAN boys participants here. Tomorrow the lists for the standard and blitz competitions will be announced.
The top three players of each group will be awarded medals, while the winners of the ASEAN U20 girls and boys groups will be awarded WIM and IM titles.
Schedule
5th June 2013 20.00 Arrival
Technical Meeting
6th June 2013 09.30 – 10.30
13.00 – 17.00 Opening Ceremony
Rapid Chess, Rounds 1,2,3,4,5
7th June 2013 09.00 – 13.00
16.00 – 20.00 Rapid Chess, Rounds 6,7
Blitz Chess
Social Night & Awards Ceremony
for Rapid and Blitz Chess
8th June 2013 09.00 − 13.0016.00 – 20.00 City Tour &
ASEAN Chess Confederation
Standard Chess, Round 1
9th June 2013 09.00 – 13.00
16.00 – 20.00 Standard Chess, Round 2
Standard Chess, Round 3
10th June 2013 09.00 − 13.00
16.00 – 20.00 Standard Chess, Round 4
Standard Chess, Round 5
11th June 2013 09.00 – 13.00
14.00 onwards Standard Chess, Round 6
Free Day / City Tour
12th June 2013 09.00 − 13.00
16.00 – 20.00 Standard Chess, Round 7
Standard Chess, Round 8
13th June 2013 09.00 – 13.00
16.00 – 20.00 Standard Chess, Round 9
Awarding Ceremony for Standard Chess
followed by Closing Ceremony
14th June 2013 Before 12.00 Departure
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
Nguyen Anh Koi U12 is already a star in Vietnam, many other local stars are entering the competition
The ASEAN Chess Championships 2013 for U-8, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, and U-20 Age-Groups for Girls and Open begin in Thailand today. Standard, rapid, and blitz chess will be part of the festival program with the following time controls:
Standard Chess: Each player has 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment (starting from first move).
Rapid Chess: Each player has 25 minutes to complete the game.
Blitz Chess: Each player has 5 minutes to complete the game.
A total of 386 players among which 3 IMs, 3 WIMs, 19 FMs, and 10 WFMs will participate in the rapid championship. See full list of ASEAN girls participants here and the full list of ASEAN boys participants here. Tomorrow the lists for the standard and blitz competitions will be announced.
The top three players of each group will be awarded medals, while the winners of the ASEAN U20 girls and boys groups will be awarded WIM and IM titles.
Schedule
5th June 2013 20.00 Arrival
Technical Meeting
6th June 2013 09.30 – 10.30
13.00 – 17.00 Opening Ceremony
Rapid Chess, Rounds 1,2,3,4,5
7th June 2013 09.00 – 13.00
16.00 – 20.00 Rapid Chess, Rounds 6,7
Blitz Chess
Social Night & Awards Ceremony
for Rapid and Blitz Chess
8th June 2013 09.00 − 13.0016.00 – 20.00 City Tour &
ASEAN Chess Confederation
Standard Chess, Round 1
9th June 2013 09.00 – 13.00
16.00 – 20.00 Standard Chess, Round 2
Standard Chess, Round 3
10th June 2013 09.00 − 13.00
16.00 – 20.00 Standard Chess, Round 4
Standard Chess, Round 5
11th June 2013 09.00 – 13.00
14.00 onwards Standard Chess, Round 6
Free Day / City Tour
12th June 2013 09.00 − 13.00
16.00 – 20.00 Standard Chess, Round 7
Standard Chess, Round 8
13th June 2013 09.00 – 13.00
16.00 – 20.00 Standard Chess, Round 9
Awarding Ceremony for Standard Chess
followed by Closing Ceremony
14th June 2013 Before 12.00 Departure
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6 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
“In those days, Chess didn’t fit into any popular category – neither considered sports nor entertainment – and perception was that the game was not newsworthy,” said Abd Hamid Majid, organising chairman of the tournament.
“One can only imagine the impact Lim Chong’s early writings on chess matters and later his column ‘Chessmate’, had on us enthusiasts keen for any morsel of news regarding the local chess scene,” he said in a statement. The Malay Mail then was a national paper although reaching certain northern and east coast states one day late.
“Yet, there were orders placed for the paper, just to read his column,” said Abd Majid, adding that Lim never stopped writing on chess goings-on and was also actively involved as a council member of the Selangor Chess Association.
Lim succumbed to a heart attack on Nov 26, 2010, on a flight back to Malaysia from London where he had been on assignment. Lim started off as a cadet reporter in 1974 with the New Straits Times and left in 2004, his last position being senior general manager of the group’s IT Publications. He subsequently joined Bernama Economic Service as a sub-editor, a job he held till his demise.
The Lim Chong Memorial Chess Championship 2013 will be held on Sunday, June 16, at the Dato’ Arthur Tan Chess Centre in Wilayah Kompleks, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Kuala Lumpur. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 10, the best female competitor, best Under-16 and Best Under-12, while the oldest and youngest participants will be given commemorative medals.
Entry Forms can also be downloaded from Facebook at the LimChongMemorialChessChampionship 2012 site or datcchess.blogspot.com. Walk in entries on tournament day (before 9am) are welcome. Further details can be obtained by contacting the Dato’ Arthur Tan Chess Centre – Abd Hamid (Tel: 019 3158098 or email: aham@pc.jaring.my) or Najib Wahab (Tel: 016 3382542)
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6 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Fiji Chess Federation has issued an urgent appeal for more women players in the lead-up to the 2014 Chess Olympiad in Norway. The Chess Olympiad is held every two years and was created in the wake of a failed attempt to include chess as an Olympic sport. At the 2012 event in Istanbul, more than 1700 players from 152 nations competed.
Teenager Hilda Vukikomoala, one of the rising stars of Fiji chess, has told Pacific Beat the women’s team needs at least four players to take part in Norway. “Many people in Fiji know how to play chess, but those who are actually competing, is not so many,” she said.
Fiji’s Chess Federation says although most of the players in the country are over 30, it is hoping to capitalise on young competitors like Hilda to open new opportunities for the game. In May, the 17-year-old became the first local player to attain the Women’s FIDE Master Title, a title based on performance in competitions.
Hilda has represented Fiji in numerous international events, including the last Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, and the Oceania Zonal in Nadi last month. She says although it can sometimes be hard to find strong opponents in Fiji, technology has opened up new avenues to improve her game.
“I play online chess, but mainly against the computer,” she said.
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Hi everyone,
Teenager Hilda Vukikomoala, one of the rising stars of Fiji chess, has told Pacific Beat the women’s team needs at least four players to take part in Norway. “Many people in Fiji know how to play chess, but those who are actually competing, is not so many,” she said.
“Many of my friends know how to play — they’re not very committed, or ‘good’ players — but they do know how to move the pieces around.”
“There’s way more men than women but I’m sure we’ll get someone.”
Fiji’s Chess Federation says although most of the players in the country are over 30, it is hoping to capitalise on young competitors like Hilda to open new opportunities for the game. In May, the 17-year-old became the first local player to attain the Women’s FIDE Master Title, a title based on performance in competitions.
Hilda has represented Fiji in numerous international events, including the last Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, and the Oceania Zonal in Nadi last month. She says although it can sometimes be hard to find strong opponents in Fiji, technology has opened up new avenues to improve her game.
“I play online chess, but mainly against the computer,” she said.
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6 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Hi everyone,
Casting has been announced for Matt Charman’s new play. The Machine, which will have its U.S. premiere at Park Avenue Armory September 4-18 and its world premiere at Manchester International Festival July 10-21. Hadley Fraser will star as chess Grandmaster Garry Kasparov. Fraser has recently starred as Sid in The Pajama Game at Chichester Festival Theatre and is known, amongst other roles, for his portrayal of Javert in Les Miserables in the West End.
Francesca Annis will play Garry’s mother, Clara. Recently seen on television in Cranford, Annis’ film credits include Revolver, The Libertine, and Milk. The wunderkind engineer behind Deep Blue, Doctor Hsu will be played by Kenneth Lee, who starred in US comedy drama Delocated.
The cast also includes: Lorenzo Allchurch, Antonia Bernath, Cornelius Booth, Nicholas Croucher, Daniel Harries, Rob Lines, David Mumeni, Phil Nichol, John Ramm, Lucille Sharp, Brian Sills, and Trevor White. Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, Josie Rourke, directs this new play based on Kasparov’s headline-grabbing 1997 New York chess tournament against Deep Blue, a super-computer developed by technology giant IBM.
The Armory’s presentation will use the unique scale and epic beauty of the Wade Thompson Drill Hall to explore this clash of breathtaking human genius with matchless computer power. Staged in the center of the 55,000-square-foot space, the audience will encircle the action, surrounded by the vast darkness of the soaring Drill Hall.
In 1997, Garry Kasparov, the world’s greatest chess player, arrived in New York City for the biggest match of his life. His opponent wasn’t a fellow Grandmaster, but a faceless super-computer, Deep Blue, built by tech-giant IBM. The man versus machine match was IBM’s bid to raise its profile and its stock price. An international celebrity and the undisputed master of his art, Kasparov came to America for freedom and glory. What he didn’t expect to confront was the lifelong dedication of another man, Deep Blue’s wunderkind inventor Doctor Hsu. Both geniuses, they staked their reputations on the tournament. What followed was one of the most compelling stories of our time.
The Machine is part of the Armory’s 2013 season, which launched in March with OKTOPHONIE, Karlheinz Stockhausen’s epic electronic masterpiece ritualized in a lunar environment created by visual artist Rirkrit Tiravanija. The season will also include WS, a monumental installation by Paul McCarthy; Massive Attack V Adam Curtis, a new kind of imaginative experience conceived by Adam Curtis and Robert Del Naja, mixing music, film, politics, and moments of illusion, performed by Massive Attack and special guests; and Robert Wilson’s powerful new staging of The Life and Death of Marina Abramovi?
More information on Park Avenue Armory’s 2013 artistic season may be found at www.armoryonpark.org.
The cast also includes: Lorenzo Allchurch, Antonia Bernath, Cornelius Booth, Nicholas Croucher, Daniel Harries, Rob Lines, David Mumeni, Phil Nichol, John Ramm, Lucille Sharp, Brian Sills, and Trevor White. Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, Josie Rourke, directs this new play based on Kasparov’s headline-grabbing 1997 New York chess tournament against Deep Blue, a super-computer developed by technology giant IBM.
The Armory’s presentation will use the unique scale and epic beauty of the Wade Thompson Drill Hall to explore this clash of breathtaking human genius with matchless computer power. Staged in the center of the 55,000-square-foot space, the audience will encircle the action, surrounded by the vast darkness of the soaring Drill Hall.
In 1997, Garry Kasparov, the world’s greatest chess player, arrived in New York City for the biggest match of his life. His opponent wasn’t a fellow Grandmaster, but a faceless super-computer, Deep Blue, built by tech-giant IBM. The man versus machine match was IBM’s bid to raise its profile and its stock price. An international celebrity and the undisputed master of his art, Kasparov came to America for freedom and glory. What he didn’t expect to confront was the lifelong dedication of another man, Deep Blue’s wunderkind inventor Doctor Hsu. Both geniuses, they staked their reputations on the tournament. What followed was one of the most compelling stories of our time.
The Machine is part of the Armory’s 2013 season, which launched in March with OKTOPHONIE, Karlheinz Stockhausen’s epic electronic masterpiece ritualized in a lunar environment created by visual artist Rirkrit Tiravanija. The season will also include WS, a monumental installation by Paul McCarthy; Massive Attack V Adam Curtis, a new kind of imaginative experience conceived by Adam Curtis and Robert Del Naja, mixing music, film, politics, and moments of illusion, performed by Massive Attack and special guests; and Robert Wilson’s powerful new staging of The Life and Death of Marina Abramovi?
More information on Park Avenue Armory’s 2013 artistic season may be found at www.armoryonpark.org.
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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www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
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5 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Hi everyone,
The World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2013 were opened in Khanty Mansiysk today with a gala ceremony. The games will be played from Thursday. In the Rapid section, rounds 1-5 will be played on Thursday, rounds 6-10 on Friday and rounds 11-15 on Saturday. In the Blitz section, rounds 1-16 will be played on Sunday and rounds 17-30 on Monday. The closing ceremony will take place thereafter.
Live coverage of the event with video, games and analysis will be available on the official website throughout the tournament.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
5 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Hi everyone,
Creativity and good management against the financial crisis. That is the motto for the Ciudad de Leon organizers. Its 26th edition will be a clash of generations, a very attractive match: Vassily Ivanchuk (44 years old) and Anish Giri (18). The format is a new one: “Total Chess”, with two classical games (although somewhat accelerated) on Friday (June 7th), four rapid on Saturday and ten blitz on Sunday. As usual, the parallel activities will also be interesting.
Chess is really important in Leon. After 25 consecutive years of success, the risk of cancellation was there, because of the terrible financial crisis in Spain. However, almost all the sponsors (public institutions and private companies) and even a new one (Sabadell-Herrero Bank) have expressed their unconditional support to the tournament, and to the social applications of chess as well.
Ivanchuk, the absent-minded wise veteran, and Giri, the young killer, will play in the magnificent auditorium with the following time-controls: 45 minutes + 15 seconds increment on Friday (two games), 20 minutes + 10 seconds on Saturday (four games), and 5 minutes + 3 seconds on Sunday (ten games).
If the score is tied after the 16 games, a tie-break of two more blitz games will be played, followed by a sudden-death if necessary. The main arbiter will be Joaquin Espejo. International Masters Sergio Estremera and Joan Mellado will provide live commentary on all the games. According to Marcelino Sion, the Tournament Director, “Ivanchuk is the favourite for the slow games, but Giri probably has an edge in blitz. However, as Ivanchuk is a genius, you never know”.
The parallel activities connected to the tournament are always important in Leon. Besides chess films, the young talents tournament, a lecture for them by Ivanchuk and a simul by Giri, the main novelty this year is a debate on the social applications of chess (on Wednesday) which will also be a presentation of the book Ajedrez y Ciencia, pasiones mezcladas (Chess and Science, mixed passions), written by Leontxo Garcia.
Web page: www.advancedchessleon.com
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If the score is tied after the 16 games, a tie-break of two more blitz games will be played, followed by a sudden-death if necessary. The main arbiter will be Joaquin Espejo. International Masters Sergio Estremera and Joan Mellado will provide live commentary on all the games. According to Marcelino Sion, the Tournament Director, “Ivanchuk is the favourite for the slow games, but Giri probably has an edge in blitz. However, as Ivanchuk is a genius, you never know”.
The parallel activities connected to the tournament are always important in Leon. Besides chess films, the young talents tournament, a lecture for them by Ivanchuk and a simul by Giri, the main novelty this year is a debate on the social applications of chess (on Wednesday) which will also be a presentation of the book Ajedrez y Ciencia, pasiones mezcladas (Chess and Science, mixed passions), written by Leontxo Garcia.
Web page: www.advancedchessleon.com
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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5 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Hi everyone,
After discussions with the Association of Chess Professionals, Fide has set up an Anti-Cheating Committee to put forward proposals to the Fide Anti-Cheating Committee that was agreed at the Bangkok CBC meeting. Final proposals will be put to the GA in Tromso.
- Klaus Deventer
- Laurent Freyd
- Yuri Garrett
- Israel Gelfer
- Miguel Illescas
- Michalis Kaloumenos
- Konstantin Landa
- George Mastrokoukos
- Shaun Press
- Kenneth Regan
Also read the following post on Konstantin Landa’s proposal:Anti-Cheating Chess Measures: Fide Trainer Committee Accepts GM Konstantin Landa’s Complete Idea
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Also see her personal blog at
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Don’t miss Chess Queen™
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www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
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Don’t miss Chess Queen™
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4 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
We’ve just received fantastic news from Chess King. New upgrades have been announced to the popular PC chess software Chess King. Check out the new Chess King 2 with Houdini 2, and also Chess King 3 Max and Chess King 3 Pro with Houdini 3/Pro, to give you a range of options that will teach the beginner, help the club player to improve, and will satisfy the Grandmaster with its maximum power. Read more at Chess King.
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4 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
Okay, we’ve got a sexy chess dress doing the rounds of Internet fashion magazines. Can you identify the model? Click the photo to check your answer.
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4 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Hi everyone,
The next leg of the Grand Prix is to be held in Beijing, People’s Republic of China between the 3rd and 17th July 2013.
Players
Gelfand, Boris ISR
Giri, Anish NLD
Grischuk, Alexander RUS
Ivanchuk, Vassily UKR
Kamsky, Gata USA
Karjakin, Sergey RUS
Leko, Peter HUN
Mamedyarov, Shakriyar AZE
Morozevich, Alexander RUS
Radjabov, Teimour AZE
Topalov, Veselin BUL
Wang, Hao CHN
Schedule
3rd July 2013 Arrivals & Opening Ceremony
4th July 2013 Round 1
5th July 2013 Round 2
6th July 2013 Round 3
7th July 2013 Round 4
8th July 2013 Free day
9th July 2013 Round 5
10th July 2013 Round 6
11th July 2013 Round 7
12th July 2013 Round 8
13th July 2013 Free Day
14th July 2013 Round 9
15th July 2013 Round 10
16th July 2013 Round 11 & Closing Ceremony
17th July 2013 Departure
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Gelfand, Boris ISR
Giri, Anish NLD
Grischuk, Alexander RUS
Ivanchuk, Vassily UKR
Kamsky, Gata USA
Karjakin, Sergey RUS
Leko, Peter HUN
Mamedyarov, Shakriyar AZE
Morozevich, Alexander RUS
Radjabov, Teimour AZE
Topalov, Veselin BUL
Wang, Hao CHN
Schedule
3rd July 2013 Arrivals & Opening Ceremony
4th July 2013 Round 1
5th July 2013 Round 2
6th July 2013 Round 3
7th July 2013 Round 4
8th July 2013 Free day
9th July 2013 Round 5
10th July 2013 Round 6
11th July 2013 Round 7
12th July 2013 Round 8
13th July 2013 Free Day
14th July 2013 Round 9
15th July 2013 Round 10
16th July 2013 Round 11 & Closing Ceremony
17th July 2013 Departure
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Don’t miss Chess Queen™
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4 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Leinier Dominguez outplayed Veselin Topalov in the longest game of the day to overtake Gata Kamsky and claim a clear first place in the Thessaloniki Grand Prix. The Cuban finished the tournament with 8/11 points. In the other key encounter Fabiano Caruana made a good favour for Dominguez by defeating the overnight leader Kamsky to finally catch him on the shared second place.
Hikaru Nakamura won against Peter Svidler to finish the tournament in good mood, while Vassily Ivanchuk scored his first victory in the game against Etienne Bacrot. Results, standings and photo gallery are updated.
Kasimdzhanov – Grischuk
White employed the English Attack in the Naidorf Sicilian and the play followed an earlier encounter between Leko and Grischuk in London Grand Prix. At one point Kasimdzhanov deviated from Leko’s game with the more ambitious 18.Rh8. However, two moves later he refrained from the consistent 20.fxe4 and played the safer 20.Qxe4. Kasimdzhanov said that this has been a very difficult tournament and he was not very ambitious today. Grischuk added that he had to go down the forced line after 10…b4 because otherwise he would simply be worse. Kasimdzhanov concluded that the tournament was very nice, his result is okay, but he wasn’t happy about the two games with white pieces that he lost (to Dominguez and Kamsky).
Grischuk declared that “Leko is history, we officially have a new king of draws – Drawschuk.” He provided statistics to back the claim (London Grand Prix and Candidates, Thessaloniki, Kazan). It is not that he wasn’t trying, but he couldn’t convert many winning positions and he also saved some difficult games.
The game proceeded with maneuvers from both sides seeking the best ways to release the tension. Caruana thought that after 25.Rf1 black became uncomfortable because of the weakened King’s position. Kamsky run into huge time trouble and committed fatal mistake when he moved 37…Kh7.
Bacrot – Ivanchuk
Hi everyone,
Leinier Dominguez outplayed Veselin Topalov in the longest game of the day to overtake Gata Kamsky and claim a clear first place in the Thessaloniki Grand Prix. The Cuban finished the tournament with 8/11 points. In the other key encounter Fabiano Caruana made a good favour for Dominguez by defeating the overnight leader Kamsky to finally catch him on the shared second place.
Hikaru Nakamura won against Peter Svidler to finish the tournament in good mood, while Vassily Ivanchuk scored his first victory in the game against Etienne Bacrot. Results, standings and photo gallery are updated.
Kasimdzhanov – Grischuk
White employed the English Attack in the Naidorf Sicilian and the play followed an earlier encounter between Leko and Grischuk in London Grand Prix. At one point Kasimdzhanov deviated from Leko’s game with the more ambitious 18.Rh8. However, two moves later he refrained from the consistent 20.fxe4 and played the safer 20.Qxe4. Kasimdzhanov said that this has been a very difficult tournament and he was not very ambitious today. Grischuk added that he had to go down the forced line after 10…b4 because otherwise he would simply be worse. Kasimdzhanov concluded that the tournament was very nice, his result is okay, but he wasn’t happy about the two games with white pieces that he lost (to Dominguez and Kamsky).
Grischuk declared that “Leko is history, we officially have a new king of draws – Drawschuk.” He provided statistics to back the claim (London Grand Prix and Candidates, Thessaloniki, Kazan). It is not that he wasn’t trying, but he couldn’t convert many winning positions and he also saved some difficult games.
Caruana – Kamsky
The game started as a typical Anti-Marshall in the Ruy Lopez. Fabiano Caruana was very nervous before the game and he wasn’t sure about what approach to take. He wanted to start safe and see what happens later. White was pleased with 17.c4, which temporarily locks the pawn structure, but can be followed with b2-b4 and some pressure on the queenside.
The game started as a typical Anti-Marshall in the Ruy Lopez. Fabiano Caruana was very nervous before the game and he wasn’t sure about what approach to take. He wanted to start safe and see what happens later. White was pleased with 17.c4, which temporarily locks the pawn structure, but can be followed with b2-b4 and some pressure on the queenside.
The game proceeded with maneuvers from both sides seeking the best ways to release the tension. Caruana thought that after 25.Rf1 black became uncomfortable because of the weakened King’s position. Kamsky run into huge time trouble and committed fatal mistake when he moved 37…Kh7.
Bacrot – Ivanchuk
Ivanchuk defended with the Gruenfeld Indian defence but he wasn’t entirely happy with his play, actually he said that “the position looks terrible for black”. White rushed to push d5, but Ivanchuk feels that this gave him a chance to come back into the game. The Ukrainian said that with 18.Rec1 Rc8 19.Rxc8 Qxc8 20.Rc1 Qd8 21.Qa3 white retains big advantage.
Another mistake followed, according to Ivanchuk, as white played 19.Ne5, after which “…at least black is not losing by force”. Black used the chance to attack the center with 19…e6. Better was to prepare the Ne5 jump with 19.Red1 first, and then if 19…f5 20.Ng5 fxe4 21.Ne6 Nxe6 22.dxe6 wins the Queen. Ivanchuk said that 22.Bg5 was a strange decision, but maybe white wanted to repeat the moves with 22…Bf6 23.Bh6 Bg7 etc. He thought for awhile and found 22…f6 as a best way to fight on. White didn’t expect 29.Rbd1, better was to continue 29.Qxb6 Bxf2+ 30.Bxf2 Qxf2+ 31.Kh1, or 29.Qa2 Ne4 30.Bd3 Bxf2+ 31.Bxf2 Qxf2+ 32.Qxf2 Nxf2 33.Bf1.
After this error black assumed clear advantage and proceeded to win the game with a nice tactical combination. Ivanchuk also showed the improvements for the yesterday’s game with Nakamura. He came up with the winning moves while swimming in the pool. In conclusion, Ivanchuk said – “The hotel and organization were very nice, but my play…(facepalms)”.
Morozevich – Ponomariov
Morozevich surprised the opponent with the Trompowsky attack aiming for the pawn structure resembling his favourite Chigorin defence with reversed colors. Ponomariov said that he wasn’t aware of an earlier game between Morozevich and Leko that had the similar opening. White tried to sacrifice a pawn and organize attack on the opposite castle, bu black defended precisely and was able to trade down to an equal endgame.
Nakamura – SvidlerNakamura opened with 1.c4 but Svidler was well prepared for an open fight. Nakamura lamented later at the press conference – “Every time I get surprised in the opening and every time I react poorly.” White was stunned by the excellent retreat 10…Bf8 because he calculated only 10…Be7 11.b3 0-0 12.Bb2 d6 13.0-0-0 Nxe5 14. Ne4 followed with f4 and good play for his side. 17…Qh5 was another good move by Svidler, when white expected only 17…Nf5 and exchange of the Queens. Svidler thought he would be winning had he played 27…Ra4, but Nakamura wasn’t so sure, in any case the American admitted that black is definitely better.
With 46…Kg7 47.Bc3 Rc5 48.e6+ Rxc3+ 49.Kxc3 fxe6 the game would probably be a draw, but Svidler played the double-edged 46…g5 after which white also gets winning chances in the complicated endgame. Svidler missed 48.Bc3 and immediately made a mistake with 48…Kg7. White used the back-rank tactics to promote the pawn. In conclusion Nakamura said: “I thought the organization and location were great, I really enjoyed everything in the tournament. It is very impressive that they put it together in such a short notice.”
“As for the play, I got a bit tired of chess, but today I won, so this gives me motivation to keep on playing and next week I have Tal Memorial.
Dominguez – TopalovTopalov surprised his opponent, and probably everyone else watching the game, with the Sicilian Taimanov defence. However, it shouldn’t be forgotten that this line was played and deeply analysed by many Bulgarian masters. The Cuban was spending time to choose the setup most optimal for the tournament situation, while black was blitzing his moves confidently.
White decided to exchange the Queens, but this has given enough time for black to organize the better version of the Classical French pawn structure. Topalov deployed his pieces to best possible squares and started pushing the queenside pawns. Meanwhile, white was struggling to introduce his forces into the play.
But as the light-squared Bishops left the board, white was able to catch a breath. With further exchanges white managed to reach a slightly better Rook endgame with the same number of pawns but also with one passer on the queenside.With perfect play, the endgame should be drawn, but GM Papaioannou quickly pointed that he wouldn’t like to defend black’s side in a practical game. Black had to endure a long and patient defence and to find many precise moves.
Topalov played very well (56…Rg2 was an excellent defence), but in the key moment he missed a more active defence with 58…Rg4, when it is not clear how could white make a progress. Dominguz finally clinched a victory and clear first place in the tournament.
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Another mistake followed, according to Ivanchuk, as white played 19.Ne5, after which “…at least black is not losing by force”. Black used the chance to attack the center with 19…e6. Better was to prepare the Ne5 jump with 19.Red1 first, and then if 19…f5 20.Ng5 fxe4 21.Ne6 Nxe6 22.dxe6 wins the Queen. Ivanchuk said that 22.Bg5 was a strange decision, but maybe white wanted to repeat the moves with 22…Bf6 23.Bh6 Bg7 etc. He thought for awhile and found 22…f6 as a best way to fight on. White didn’t expect 29.Rbd1, better was to continue 29.Qxb6 Bxf2+ 30.Bxf2 Qxf2+ 31.Kh1, or 29.Qa2 Ne4 30.Bd3 Bxf2+ 31.Bxf2 Qxf2+ 32.Qxf2 Nxf2 33.Bf1.
After this error black assumed clear advantage and proceeded to win the game with a nice tactical combination. Ivanchuk also showed the improvements for the yesterday’s game with Nakamura. He came up with the winning moves while swimming in the pool. In conclusion, Ivanchuk said – “The hotel and organization were very nice, but my play…(facepalms)”.
Morozevich – Ponomariov
Morozevich surprised the opponent with the Trompowsky attack aiming for the pawn structure resembling his favourite Chigorin defence with reversed colors. Ponomariov said that he wasn’t aware of an earlier game between Morozevich and Leko that had the similar opening. White tried to sacrifice a pawn and organize attack on the opposite castle, bu black defended precisely and was able to trade down to an equal endgame.
Nakamura – SvidlerNakamura opened with 1.c4 but Svidler was well prepared for an open fight. Nakamura lamented later at the press conference – “Every time I get surprised in the opening and every time I react poorly.” White was stunned by the excellent retreat 10…Bf8 because he calculated only 10…Be7 11.b3 0-0 12.Bb2 d6 13.0-0-0 Nxe5 14. Ne4 followed with f4 and good play for his side. 17…Qh5 was another good move by Svidler, when white expected only 17…Nf5 and exchange of the Queens. Svidler thought he would be winning had he played 27…Ra4, but Nakamura wasn’t so sure, in any case the American admitted that black is definitely better.
With 46…Kg7 47.Bc3 Rc5 48.e6+ Rxc3+ 49.Kxc3 fxe6 the game would probably be a draw, but Svidler played the double-edged 46…g5 after which white also gets winning chances in the complicated endgame. Svidler missed 48.Bc3 and immediately made a mistake with 48…Kg7. White used the back-rank tactics to promote the pawn. In conclusion Nakamura said: “I thought the organization and location were great, I really enjoyed everything in the tournament. It is very impressive that they put it together in such a short notice.”
“As for the play, I got a bit tired of chess, but today I won, so this gives me motivation to keep on playing and next week I have Tal Memorial.
Dominguez – TopalovTopalov surprised his opponent, and probably everyone else watching the game, with the Sicilian Taimanov defence. However, it shouldn’t be forgotten that this line was played and deeply analysed by many Bulgarian masters. The Cuban was spending time to choose the setup most optimal for the tournament situation, while black was blitzing his moves confidently.
White decided to exchange the Queens, but this has given enough time for black to organize the better version of the Classical French pawn structure. Topalov deployed his pieces to best possible squares and started pushing the queenside pawns. Meanwhile, white was struggling to introduce his forces into the play.
But as the light-squared Bishops left the board, white was able to catch a breath. With further exchanges white managed to reach a slightly better Rook endgame with the same number of pawns but also with one passer on the queenside.With perfect play, the endgame should be drawn, but GM Papaioannou quickly pointed that he wouldn’t like to defend black’s side in a practical game. Black had to endure a long and patient defence and to find many precise moves.
Topalov played very well (56…Rg2 was an excellent defence), but in the key moment he missed a more active defence with 58…Rg4, when it is not clear how could white make a progress. Dominguz finally clinched a victory and clear first place in the tournament.
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4 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone, 
Students enrolled in a creative thinking program had the chance on Monday to tell Toledo Mayor Mike Bell themselves. Here’s the nice video with these ‘chess children’! Don’t forget to send your chess videos to Chess Blog.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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3 June 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
The penultimate round of the Thessaloniki Grand Prix has set the stage for exciting final round on Monday 12:00 local time. Gata Kamsky celebrated his birthday with a quick and convincing victory against Alexander Morozevich, who suffered fourth consecutive loss. Leinier Dominguez survived Alexander Grischuk’s assault to stay in the contention for the first place. Fabiano Caruana bounced back after yesterday’s loss by defeating Veselin Topalov in a wild game. Ruslan Ponomariov scored a nice victory against Etienne Bacrot. The closing ceremony will be broadcast live in the video section from Monday 19:00 local time. Results, pairings, standings and photo gallery are updated.
Kamsky – Morozevich
This was a rare occasion that Kamsky didn’t shy away from the explored theoretical position. In the Chigorin variation of Ruy Lopez black played the rare plan of trading on d4 twice and then 13…Re8. This was not new for Morozevich, who already used the same setup against Peter Leko back in 2002. White’s 14.Nc3 (also played by Ivanchuk once) looks more natural than Leko’s 14.Bg5. Kamsky didn’t remember exact theory but he believed that Knight on f5 would create some threats.
After one risky pawn grab by black Kamsky missed the chance for brutal assault that starts with 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.exd5 Rxc2 20.Rxe7 and if Rxe7 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.Qxf6 Re1+ 23. Rxe1 Qxf6 24. Re8 is checkmate. He was calculating this line but he missed the final Re8. Nevertheless, his plan of lifting the Rook to g3 also posed serious problems for black. The last chance for black to defend was to harass the Rook with 20…Ne5 21.Rg3 Nh5, trading a couple of pieces in the process.
Kamsky didn’t waste the second chance and fine tactical shot 21.Nxg7 shattered Morozevich’s hopes. American champion pointed that it was important that 21…Bb6 doesn’t work for black. The Russian soon resigned.
Svidler – Kasimdzhanov
This time Svidler started with 1.e4 but Kasimdzhanov was ready to repeat the Ruy Lopez Arkhangelsk variation which brought him success against Ponomariov in round 8. White refrained from the main 8.c3 and instead went for the pair of Bishops with 8.Nxe5. It is interesting that both players already had this line in practice – Svidler drew Caruana and Kasimdzhanov beat Salgado Lopez. White repeated the recent novelty 12.Qd3, but black came up with his own improvement in 14…Qe7. The players have shown some fascinating lines at the press conference, but nothing of those fireworks were actually seen in the game. After the constant exchanges of the pieces, the game fizzled out in a draw.
Ivanchuk – Nakamura
Nakamura’s King’s Indian defence was met with fianchetto and black continued to set the Panno variation. Ivanchuk was slightly surprised with 12…h5, which he did see in some games, but he was not prepared. He decided to continue with the natural 13.Rae1. The point is that if 13…e5 14. dxe6 Bxe6 15.cxb5 axb5 16.Nce4 then white improves his pieces.
On the 16th move Ivanchuk had a dilemma where to move the Bishop. From a1 it controls the long diagonal and maybe white can push f4 later. But from a3 white could sometimes threaten a sacrifice on c5 or Bishop could fall down to c1 and move to a better diagonal. On 19…Bd7 white’s setup would bring fruit – 20.Nxc5 dxc5 21.Bxc5. Ivanchuk also considered sacrifice after the game move 19…f5, 20.Nxc5 dxc5 21.Bxc5, but was afraid of 21…e4. Nakamura agreed with this assessment. Ivanchuk rejected 21.Nxc8 because of 21…e3.
Nakamura said that 22.Bb2 might have been stronger. Ivanchuk looked at some lines and agreed that this move was better, he regretted that he missed it. One of the lines would be 22…Ne5 23. Bc3 Nb7 24.Nxd7 Qxd7 25.Rb6. Nakamura then suggested 22…Be5, to which Ivanchuk thought for awhile and then found 23.Bh3 as a strong reply. 24…g5 was a very strong move (Ivanchuk), without this black is much worse (Nakamura). But after brief analysis Ivanchuk found 25.Bxe5 bxe5 26.Nxe4 g4 27.Ng5 to be very promising. In the game he played 25.Bc3 and later draw was reached by repetition.
Grischuk – Dominguez
Grischuk used the popular 3.f3 against the Gruenfeld Indian defence but was very critical of his preparation because he completely neglected the line with 8…e5. He somehow remembered the plans used in the match Anand – Gelfand and in the game Rodstein – Navara, to include d6 and Kb1. Dominguez said he couldn’t remember much of the theory but he was able to introduce a novelty and improve black’s play. After the exchange sacrifice, he went after the c3-pawn, leaving the e4-pawn alive for the time being.
Grischuk proposed 24.Qd5 as interesting (Qxd5 25.exd5), but he thought he was completely winning with the game move. Just as he was expecting black’s resignation, Dominguez stunned him with 24…Nxc3+. Grischuk thought it was just prolonging the agony, but a deeper look revealed that it is quite dangerous for white. Now it was already late for 26.Qd5, because black has Qb4+ 27.Qb3 Qxe4+ 28.Qc2 Qe1+ 29.Qc1 Bf5+
Dominguez said he repeated the moves because the position was very complicated and he was low on time. Possible was 33…Qd4 and if 34.Nxg4 then Qb4+ and black gets f5-square for the bishop. However, 34.Bd3 is better. The game was drawn by perpetual check.
Hi everyone,
The penultimate round of the Thessaloniki Grand Prix has set the stage for exciting final round on Monday 12:00 local time. Gata Kamsky celebrated his birthday with a quick and convincing victory against Alexander Morozevich, who suffered fourth consecutive loss. Leinier Dominguez survived Alexander Grischuk’s assault to stay in the contention for the first place. Fabiano Caruana bounced back after yesterday’s loss by defeating Veselin Topalov in a wild game. Ruslan Ponomariov scored a nice victory against Etienne Bacrot. The closing ceremony will be broadcast live in the video section from Monday 19:00 local time. Results, pairings, standings and photo gallery are updated.
Kamsky – Morozevich
This was a rare occasion that Kamsky didn’t shy away from the explored theoretical position. In the Chigorin variation of Ruy Lopez black played the rare plan of trading on d4 twice and then 13…Re8. This was not new for Morozevich, who already used the same setup against Peter Leko back in 2002. White’s 14.Nc3 (also played by Ivanchuk once) looks more natural than Leko’s 14.Bg5. Kamsky didn’t remember exact theory but he believed that Knight on f5 would create some threats.
After one risky pawn grab by black Kamsky missed the chance for brutal assault that starts with 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.exd5 Rxc2 20.Rxe7 and if Rxe7 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.Qxf6 Re1+ 23. Rxe1 Qxf6 24. Re8 is checkmate. He was calculating this line but he missed the final Re8. Nevertheless, his plan of lifting the Rook to g3 also posed serious problems for black. The last chance for black to defend was to harass the Rook with 20…Ne5 21.Rg3 Nh5, trading a couple of pieces in the process.
Kamsky didn’t waste the second chance and fine tactical shot 21.Nxg7 shattered Morozevich’s hopes. American champion pointed that it was important that 21…Bb6 doesn’t work for black. The Russian soon resigned.
Svidler – Kasimdzhanov
This time Svidler started with 1.e4 but Kasimdzhanov was ready to repeat the Ruy Lopez Arkhangelsk variation which brought him success against Ponomariov in round 8. White refrained from the main 8.c3 and instead went for the pair of Bishops with 8.Nxe5. It is interesting that both players already had this line in practice – Svidler drew Caruana and Kasimdzhanov beat Salgado Lopez. White repeated the recent novelty 12.Qd3, but black came up with his own improvement in 14…Qe7. The players have shown some fascinating lines at the press conference, but nothing of those fireworks were actually seen in the game. After the constant exchanges of the pieces, the game fizzled out in a draw.
Ivanchuk – Nakamura
Nakamura’s King’s Indian defence was met with fianchetto and black continued to set the Panno variation. Ivanchuk was slightly surprised with 12…h5, which he did see in some games, but he was not prepared. He decided to continue with the natural 13.Rae1. The point is that if 13…e5 14. dxe6 Bxe6 15.cxb5 axb5 16.Nce4 then white improves his pieces.
On the 16th move Ivanchuk had a dilemma where to move the Bishop. From a1 it controls the long diagonal and maybe white can push f4 later. But from a3 white could sometimes threaten a sacrifice on c5 or Bishop could fall down to c1 and move to a better diagonal. On 19…Bd7 white’s setup would bring fruit – 20.Nxc5 dxc5 21.Bxc5. Ivanchuk also considered sacrifice after the game move 19…f5, 20.Nxc5 dxc5 21.Bxc5, but was afraid of 21…e4. Nakamura agreed with this assessment. Ivanchuk rejected 21.Nxc8 because of 21…e3.
Nakamura said that 22.Bb2 might have been stronger. Ivanchuk looked at some lines and agreed that this move was better, he regretted that he missed it. One of the lines would be 22…Ne5 23. Bc3 Nb7 24.Nxd7 Qxd7 25.Rb6. Nakamura then suggested 22…Be5, to which Ivanchuk thought for awhile and then found 23.Bh3 as a strong reply. 24…g5 was a very strong move (Ivanchuk), without this black is much worse (Nakamura). But after brief analysis Ivanchuk found 25.Bxe5 bxe5 26.Nxe4 g4 27.Ng5 to be very promising. In the game he played 25.Bc3 and later draw was reached by repetition.
Grischuk – Dominguez
Grischuk used the popular 3.f3 against the Gruenfeld Indian defence but was very critical of his preparation because he completely neglected the line with 8…e5. He somehow remembered the plans used in the match Anand – Gelfand and in the game Rodstein – Navara, to include d6 and Kb1. Dominguez said he couldn’t remember much of the theory but he was able to introduce a novelty and improve black’s play. After the exchange sacrifice, he went after the c3-pawn, leaving the e4-pawn alive for the time being.
Grischuk proposed 24.Qd5 as interesting (Qxd5 25.exd5), but he thought he was completely winning with the game move. Just as he was expecting black’s resignation, Dominguez stunned him with 24…Nxc3+. Grischuk thought it was just prolonging the agony, but a deeper look revealed that it is quite dangerous for white. Now it was already late for 26.Qd5, because black has Qb4+ 27.Qb3 Qxe4+ 28.Qc2 Qe1+ 29.Qc1 Bf5+
Dominguez said he repeated the moves because the position was very complicated and he was low on time. Possible was 33…Qd4 and if 34.Nxg4 then Qb4+ and black gets f5-square for the bishop. However, 34.Bd3 is better. The game was drawn by perpetual check.
Ponomariov – Bacrot
The game started as Italian opening but it soon reached the familiar Ruy Lopez contours. Ponomariov wanted to keep as many pieces as possible on the board and press for a win because today was his last game with white pieces. The position was somewhat better for white throughout the middlegame, as he had more space and a pair of Bishops. In Bacrot’s time trouble, white finally pushed f4-f5 and black had to make some important decisions with only minutes on the clock.
The game started as Italian opening but it soon reached the familiar Ruy Lopez contours. Ponomariov wanted to keep as many pieces as possible on the board and press for a win because today was his last game with white pieces. The position was somewhat better for white throughout the middlegame, as he had more space and a pair of Bishops. In Bacrot’s time trouble, white finally pushed f4-f5 and black had to make some important decisions with only minutes on the clock.
He decided to exchange the minor pieces, but Ponomariov dubbed this as a mistake and suggested that black should have kept the Knight on g7, as it is good defender of the King. After 46.dxc5 white knew that he was winning, but he spent a lot of time trying to find the best way and hoping to avoid the scenario from the game against Rustam Kasimdzanov – “Chess is such a strange game. Sometimes you are trying to increase your advantage but then you make a few inaccurate moves and can even lose the game”.
Topalov – Caruana
This was certainly one of the most exciting games of the whole tournament. It started bad for Caruana, who played black pieces after an unpleasant loss in the previous round. Topalov continued to insist on the Ruy Lopez with quick Nc3-Nd5. Black reacted poorly and was forced to concede the right to castle.
White kept on pressing and Caruana admitted that he had difficult time finding the only moves in a long sequence. He said he had missed 20.Ng5 and that Rc8 was his only chance to play on (20…Rh5 simply 21.f4). The Italian thought that 21.Rc3 Rxc3 22.bxc3 g6 23.Ne4 would be critical for black.
Black’s persistence was rewarded as white erred with 25.Nxd6, when a simple 25.c3 would retain solid advantage. Caruana believes that Topalov probably missed that he is losing the piece after the odd-looking 28…Kf8, or maybe he didn’t see that 30.Re7 would be met by 30…Qd4+ 31. Kh1 Qxd5. The position remained immensely complicated as white got compensation with his central pawns rolling on.
Caruana showed an amusing line 43…Rb1+ 44.Kh2 Rg3 45.Qd4+ Qg7 47.Rxg7 Rxh3+ with checkmate, but 46.Qxg7+ Rxg7 47.d7 spoils it and probably leads to a draw. As the fatigue grew and the second time trouble approached, the players started exchanging mistakes. Caruana honestly said he had no idea what was happening and whether he was supposed to play for a win or for a draw.
The old saying that the player who makes second to last mistake wins is perfectly relevant for this game. Topalov’s final chance to save the game was the stunning 55.Rxa2 Qxa2 56.Qh4+ Kg8 57.Qg5+ with perpetual check, but he missed it and was forced to resign few moves later. (Report by Goran Urosevic/official website)
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
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Topalov – Caruana
This was certainly one of the most exciting games of the whole tournament. It started bad for Caruana, who played black pieces after an unpleasant loss in the previous round. Topalov continued to insist on the Ruy Lopez with quick Nc3-Nd5. Black reacted poorly and was forced to concede the right to castle.
White kept on pressing and Caruana admitted that he had difficult time finding the only moves in a long sequence. He said he had missed 20.Ng5 and that Rc8 was his only chance to play on (20…Rh5 simply 21.f4). The Italian thought that 21.Rc3 Rxc3 22.bxc3 g6 23.Ne4 would be critical for black.
Black’s persistence was rewarded as white erred with 25.Nxd6, when a simple 25.c3 would retain solid advantage. Caruana believes that Topalov probably missed that he is losing the piece after the odd-looking 28…Kf8, or maybe he didn’t see that 30.Re7 would be met by 30…Qd4+ 31. Kh1 Qxd5. The position remained immensely complicated as white got compensation with his central pawns rolling on.
Caruana showed an amusing line 43…Rb1+ 44.Kh2 Rg3 45.Qd4+ Qg7 47.Rxg7 Rxh3+ with checkmate, but 46.Qxg7+ Rxg7 47.d7 spoils it and probably leads to a draw. As the fatigue grew and the second time trouble approached, the players started exchanging mistakes. Caruana honestly said he had no idea what was happening and whether he was supposed to play for a win or for a draw.
The old saying that the player who makes second to last mistake wins is perfectly relevant for this game. Topalov’s final chance to save the game was the stunning 55.Rxa2 Qxa2 56.Qh4+ Kg8 57.Qg5+ with perpetual check, but he missed it and was forced to resign few moves later. (Report by Goran Urosevic/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
