31 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone, 
The World Champion Viswanathan Anand, his most recent challenger Boris Gelfand, the former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik and the rising star Fabiano Caruana will be competing in the second Zurich Chess Challenge. From 23 February to 1 March 2013 they will face each other in a double round-robin tournament at the Savoy Hotel, Paradeplatz, Zurich. The games will be played with a classical time-control of 2 hours for 40 moves, 1 hour for the next 20 moves and 15 minutes plus a 30-second increment for the remainder of the game. In case of a draw before move 40, an additional exhibition game will be played (result not counting).
Following on from the 2012 Zurich Chess Challenge, which was a match between Kramnik and Levon Aronian, the main sponsor, Oleg Skvortsov of International Gemological Laboratories, Moscow, is making it possible for another highly attractive event to be staged by the Zurich Chess Club.
The 2013 tournament marks the sixtieth anniversary of the legendary Candidates Tournament, won by Vassily Smyslov, and will be a highlight of the chess calendar. You can access the official website here.
Participants
Vladimir Kramnik (Russia, Elo 2810, #2 on the current World ranking list),
Fabiano Caruana (Italy, 2781, #5),
Viswanathan Anand (India, 2772, #7),
Boris Gelfand (Israel, 2740, #16).
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
The World Champion Viswanathan Anand, his most recent challenger Boris Gelfand, the former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik and the rising star Fabiano Caruana will be competing in the second Zurich Chess Challenge. From 23 February to 1 March 2013 they will face each other in a double round-robin tournament at the Savoy Hotel, Paradeplatz, Zurich. The games will be played with a classical time-control of 2 hours for 40 moves, 1 hour for the next 20 moves and 15 minutes plus a 30-second increment for the remainder of the game. In case of a draw before move 40, an additional exhibition game will be played (result not counting).
Following on from the 2012 Zurich Chess Challenge, which was a match between Kramnik and Levon Aronian, the main sponsor, Oleg Skvortsov of International Gemological Laboratories, Moscow, is making it possible for another highly attractive event to be staged by the Zurich Chess Club.
The 2013 tournament marks the sixtieth anniversary of the legendary Candidates Tournament, won by Vassily Smyslov, and will be a highlight of the chess calendar. You can access the official website here.
Participants
Vladimir Kramnik (Russia, Elo 2810, #2 on the current World ranking list),
Fabiano Caruana (Italy, 2781, #5),
Viswanathan Anand (India, 2772, #7),
Boris Gelfand (Israel, 2740, #16).
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
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31 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Hi everyone,
Have you seen all the super photos of some of the world’s strongest and hottest woman Grandmasters in the #1 photo website chesspics.com? Here’s one. Can you name her and which tournament she played last?
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
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
31 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
International Chess Open Stein am Rhein is organized by the Swiss Chess Tour on 1-3rd February at the Spaghetteria Wasserfels, Schiffländi 8, 8260 Stein am Rhein, Switzerland. The tournament will be played over 5 rounds of Swiss system with the time control 100’+30”. The top prizes are CHF 800, 600, 400 and 300.
Top rated players are GM Skembris Spyridon GRE 2463, IM Sipos Istvan HUN 2454, IM Galyas Miklos HUN 2424, IM Zeller Frank GER 2398, IM Hajnal Zoltan HUN 2364, FM Goldstern Filip NED 2318, IM Kelecevic Nedeljko SUI 2267, IM Bhend Edwin SUI 2248.
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Hi everyone,
Top rated players are GM Skembris Spyridon GRE 2463, IM Sipos Istvan HUN 2454, IM Galyas Miklos HUN 2424, IM Zeller Frank GER 2398, IM Hajnal Zoltan HUN 2364, FM Goldstern Filip NED 2318, IM Kelecevic Nedeljko SUI 2267, IM Bhend Edwin SUI 2248.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Don’t miss Chess Queen™
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31 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
This chess news is all over the Internet. World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand’s team member GM Peter Heine Nielsen has joined World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen team for the upcoming Candidates Chess Matches in March, 2013.
A Chessdom.com update states that Eirik Gullaksen of BergenSjakk pointed to an article on VG.no which announces that the famous Danish Grandmaster Peter Heine Nielsen will be one of Magnus Carlsen’s seconds in the Candidates Matches in London.
Carlsen’s manager Espen Agdestein says that the two will spend a couple of weeks in the Canary Islands to prepare Carlsen for perhaps the most important tournament so far in his career.
Carlsen and Nielsen have been working together on and off since 2004, but the reigning World Champion Vishy Anand has always been Nielsen’s main employer.
Espen Agdestein clarified that if Norwegian wins the Candidates to face Vishy Anand for the title match, they would not be able to have Nielsen in the team: “We could not have Peter. He has worked with Anand for so long, and even if there are no legal problems, it would not be good in moral sense. Peter is therefore not going to be with us on the preparations if we ever have World Championship match” – says Agdestein.
At the same time the status of Ian Nepomniachtchi remains a mystery. For the recent London Chess Classic, the Norwegians insisted that Nepomniachtchi arrives to London because “Magnus got used to preparing with Ian and there is the much needed “chemistry” during the work”.
It was also said that the London Chess Classic should be the final test for Magnus-Ian cooperation before the Candidates Tournament in March. But Agdestein is now reluctant to announce the names of other seconds in the team. He only said that “We want people who are 100 percent motivated and and it is hardly appropriate to compete with the Russian players on the best Russian resources.”
Hi everyone,
This chess news is all over the Internet. World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand’s team member GM Peter Heine Nielsen has joined World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen team for the upcoming Candidates Chess Matches in March, 2013.
A Chessdom.com update states that Eirik Gullaksen of BergenSjakk pointed to an article on VG.no which announces that the famous Danish Grandmaster Peter Heine Nielsen will be one of Magnus Carlsen’s seconds in the Candidates Matches in London.
Carlsen’s manager Espen Agdestein says that the two will spend a couple of weeks in the Canary Islands to prepare Carlsen for perhaps the most important tournament so far in his career.
Carlsen and Nielsen have been working together on and off since 2004, but the reigning World Champion Vishy Anand has always been Nielsen’s main employer.
GM Peter Heine Nielsen
Espen Agdestein clarified that if Norwegian wins the Candidates to face Vishy Anand for the title match, they would not be able to have Nielsen in the team: “We could not have Peter. He has worked with Anand for so long, and even if there are no legal problems, it would not be good in moral sense. Peter is therefore not going to be with us on the preparations if we ever have World Championship match” – says Agdestein.
At the same time the status of Ian Nepomniachtchi remains a mystery. For the recent London Chess Classic, the Norwegians insisted that Nepomniachtchi arrives to London because “Magnus got used to preparing with Ian and there is the much needed “chemistry” during the work”.
It was also said that the London Chess Classic should be the final test for Magnus-Ian cooperation before the Candidates Tournament in March. But Agdestein is now reluctant to announce the names of other seconds in the team. He only said that “We want people who are 100 percent motivated and and it is hardly appropriate to compete with the Russian players on the best Russian resources.”
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
31 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Exhibition Center Info Prostranstvo in Moscow
The 2013 edition of Aeroflot Chess Open will take place from 12th to 17th February at the exhibition center Info Prostranstvo in Moscow. This edition will be dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the leading Russian airline company. The total prize fund of all tournaments is 150 000 USD, according to a Fide chess news update. Top 16 games will be broadcasted live with Grandmaster commentary in Russian language. Aeroflot Open is starting immediately after the International Chess Festival Moscow Open-2013.
The novelty is that the classical time control is abandoned and all events will be played with rapid and blitz time controls. Last winner of the “classical” Open was Polish Grandmaster Mateusz Bartel.
The first event will be the Qualifying Rapid tournament on 12-13th February. 32 top finishers qualify for the knock-out tournament, which will be held on 15th February, and thus secure themselves a minimal prize of 1 000 USD.
The playing format is Swiss system, 9 rounds, with time control 15 minutes plus 10 seconds increment. The number of players is limited to 300.
A massive Blitz Open will be played on 14th February with 9 double rounds of Swiss system and time control 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment. The organizers are inviting eight special stars and a number of prominent young Russian players. World Blitz Champion Alexander Grischuk, Peter Svidler, Dmitry Andreikin and World Rapid Champion Sergey Karjakin have already confirmed their participation.
Prize fund – 50 000 USD:
1st place – 10 000, 2nd place – 7 000, 3rd place – 5 500, 4th place – 4 000, 5th place – 3 500, 6th place – 3 000, 7th place – 2 500, 8th place – 2 000, 9th place – 1 500, 10th place – 1 000, 11th-20th places – 600, 21st-30th places – 400.
The Knock-Out Rapid tournament with 32 qualified players is set for 15th February. In each round there are two games played with the time control 15 minutes plus 10 seconds increment. If the score is level one decisive Armageddon game is played.
Eight winners qualify for the Main Final Rapid. The players tied for 9th-16th places, receive 1500 USD each, and those tied for 17th- 32nd places, receive 1000 USD each.
The Main Final Rapid with eight qualified players and eight invited stars is scheduled for 16-17th February.
Alexander Grischuk, Peter Svidler, Dmitry Andreikin and Sergey Karjakin have already confirmed their participation in the tournament.
Knock-out system, in each round there are two games played, the time control 15 minutes plus 10 seconds increment. If the score is level one decisive Armageddon game is played.
Prize fund – 72 000 USD:
1st place – 16 000, 2nd place – 10 000, 3rd-4th places – 6 000, 5th-8th places – 3 500, 9th-16th places – 2 500.
Access the schedule at the Russia Chess Federation 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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www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
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31 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
Here is a fun chess scene from a television series. Scènes de ménages (Scenes of Households) is a French television series. It is a part-coming, part-poignant tale of four couples trying to handle married life in all types of situations. 2013 is supposed to welcome a fifth couple to the series. Enjoy the chess part.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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30 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych congratulated Anna Ushenina on winning the Women’s World Chess Championship 2012 and awarded her with the Order of Princess Olga. “It is a pleasure that such a great person was born in Ukraine. I hope this award is not your last,” the President said.
According to the Head of State, the victory of Anna Ushenina was a special one. The athlete is not only the 14th world chess champion, but also the first Ukrainian who has won this title since Independence of Ukraine.
The meeting was also attended by President of the International Chess Federation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Head of the Youth and Sports State Office Ravil Safiullin.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych congratulated Anna Ushenina on winning the Women’s World Chess Championship 2012 and awarded her with the Order of Princess Olga. “It is a pleasure that such a great person was born in Ukraine. I hope this award is not your last,” the President said.
According to the Head of State, the victory of Anna Ushenina was a special one. The athlete is not only the 14th world chess champion, but also the first Ukrainian who has won this title since Independence of Ukraine.
President of Ukraine awards Order of Princess Olga to world chess champion Anna Ushenina
The meeting was also attended by President of the International Chess Federation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Head of the Youth and Sports State Office Ravil Safiullin.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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30 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Hi everyone,
The 36th Cardinal Open Chess Tournament took place on 25-27th January at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 2886 Airport Dr, Columbus, Ohio. The event was held in five sections: Open (FIDE rated), U2100, U1800, U1500, U1300. All sections were played over five rounds of Swiss system, according to a Fide chess tournament news report.
A total of 190 players competed. GM Andre Diamant took a clear first place in the Open section among 42 participants.
The U2100 section had 37 players. Manis Davidovich (USA, 2049) is the winner with 4,5/5 points.
The U1800 section featured 52 players. Tom Rosenbaum (1604 USCF) completed the race with perfect score of 5/5 points to take the top prize of $700.
The U1500 section had 30 players. Matthew Yuan (1465 USCF) won the group with 4,5/5 points.
The U1300 section had 41 players. Michael Giglio (1204 USCF) and Ayush Sunkad (1055 USCF) shared the first place with 4,5/5 points each.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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A total of 190 players competed. GM Andre Diamant took a clear first place in the Open section among 42 participants.
The U2100 section had 37 players. Manis Davidovich (USA, 2049) is the winner with 4,5/5 points.
The U1800 section featured 52 players. Tom Rosenbaum (1604 USCF) completed the race with perfect score of 5/5 points to take the top prize of $700.
The U1500 section had 30 players. Matthew Yuan (1465 USCF) won the group with 4,5/5 points.
The U1300 section had 41 players. Michael Giglio (1204 USCF) and Ayush Sunkad (1055 USCF) shared the first place with 4,5/5 points each.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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30 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
We took a look at the great photos!
It was top of the Rock for Stuart Conquest, tournament director, who accompanied a large group who visited the Rock Apes and like many others before were totally mesmerised by them. The group included Irina Krush, Zhao Xue, Zhou Yang-Fan, Yu Yangyi, Jovana Vojinovic, Valentina Gunina, Peter Doggers and David Alberto.
Irina Krush and Zhao Xue
Zhou Yang-Fan and Yu Yangyi
Jovana Vojinovic and Valentina Gunina
The group also visited St Michael’s Cave, a network of limestone caves located in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, one of the most popular attractions on the Rock. A natural phenomenon it has thousands of visitors a year wandering through its huge cavern.
In the hotel there is always some chess happening as can be seen in the picture with Tania Sachdev and Elisabeth Paehtz.
We wish everyone great chess fun at the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival. You can replay with Chess King a nice game between Nana Dzagnidze and Michael Adams just played at the tournament.
30 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Hi everyone,
We wondered ‘Is this for real?’ on reading this article in The Independent.
Cheque mate? Italian mayor accused of taking bribe now faces chess disgracePolitician kicked out of game after odd winning streak is linked to scam involving dark glasses
by MICHAEL DAY, MILAN, TUESDAY 29 JANUARY 2013
When Loris Cereda, the then mayor of the Mob-infiltrated town of Buccinasco near Milan, was filmed in March 2011 allegedly taking a €10,000 (£8,500) bung in exchange for handing out a lucrative public contract for a shopping centre, people sighed, but no one was terribly surprised.
But underlining how there’s no apparent end to the perfidy of Italy’s public officials, Mr Cereda has now become the first person ever to be kicked out of the Italian Chess Federation. During three recent league games, Mr Cereda’s mediocre playing level suddenly and mysteriously rose to that approaching an international master, say his accusers. And this improvement in form coincided with him wearing strange, thick-set dark glasses.
Cheque mate? Italian mayor accused of taking bribe now faces chess disgracePolitician kicked out of game after odd winning streak is linked to scam involving dark glasses
by MICHAEL DAY, MILAN, TUESDAY 29 JANUARY 2013
When Loris Cereda, the then mayor of the Mob-infiltrated town of Buccinasco near Milan, was filmed in March 2011 allegedly taking a €10,000 (£8,500) bung in exchange for handing out a lucrative public contract for a shopping centre, people sighed, but no one was terribly surprised.
But underlining how there’s no apparent end to the perfidy of Italy’s public officials, Mr Cereda has now become the first person ever to be kicked out of the Italian Chess Federation. During three recent league games, Mr Cereda’s mediocre playing level suddenly and mysteriously rose to that approaching an international master, say his accusers. And this improvement in form coincided with him wearing strange, thick-set dark glasses.
Following his Bobby Fischer moves and the Roy Orbison shades, several players complained and the federation earlier this week suspended Mr Cereda, who is a member of Silvio Berlusconi’s PDL (People of Freedom Party). The federation claims he had a tiny camera installed in the specs and an earpiece conveying advice from someone with access to a powerful chess computer – allegations the former mayor denies.
“I’ve never cheated nor used strange technology during the matches,” said Mr Cereda, who is currently on trial following the alleged 2011 bribery incident in which he was seen on CCTV being presented with a bag containing €10,000 by the construction firm and then walking off with it.
“There are some tournaments in which I played well but many others which went badly. Nearly all the tournaments are played in the presence of a referee and a fair number of spectators,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I’ve never been less than a good sport –and as someone who loves this sport, I could not, or even imagine doing such a thing.”
But Rosa Palone, the president of Buccinasco’s town council and a member of the centre-left Democratic Party, said the case of Mr Cereda was “a worrying indication” of the problem of corruption among Italy’s public officials.
“Cereda claims he’s very good at chess, but it seems even that’s not true. And with the bribery case he appeared to be caught red-handed but he still denied it. It’s almost as if it’s accepted that an official will profit from his position,” she told The Independent. “These things are scandalous, but people are no longer shocked by them.
“I’m not sure what the answer is, but we could start by speeding up the courts process and handing out stiff penalties as a deterrent.”
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
“I’ve never cheated nor used strange technology during the matches,” said Mr Cereda, who is currently on trial following the alleged 2011 bribery incident in which he was seen on CCTV being presented with a bag containing €10,000 by the construction firm and then walking off with it.
“There are some tournaments in which I played well but many others which went badly. Nearly all the tournaments are played in the presence of a referee and a fair number of spectators,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I’ve never been less than a good sport –and as someone who loves this sport, I could not, or even imagine doing such a thing.”
But Rosa Palone, the president of Buccinasco’s town council and a member of the centre-left Democratic Party, said the case of Mr Cereda was “a worrying indication” of the problem of corruption among Italy’s public officials.
“Cereda claims he’s very good at chess, but it seems even that’s not true. And with the bribery case he appeared to be caught red-handed but he still denied it. It’s almost as if it’s accepted that an official will profit from his position,” she told The Independent. “These things are scandalous, but people are no longer shocked by them.
“I’m not sure what the answer is, but we could start by speeding up the courts process and handing out stiff penalties as a deterrent.”
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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Also see her personal blog at
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Don’t miss Chess Queen™
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30 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Let’s celebrate 10th World Chess Champion Boris Spassky’s birthday today (January 30) by solving this chess trivia quiz. He was the tenth World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1969 to 1972. He is known as one of the greatest living chess players, and is the oldest living world champion. You can read a nice profile at the Russian Chess Federation website.
Hi everyone,
Let’s celebrate 10th World Chess Champion Boris Spassky’s birthday today (January 30) by solving this chess trivia quiz. He was the tenth World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1969 to 1972. He is known as one of the greatest living chess players, and is the oldest living world champion. You can read a nice profile at the Russian Chess Federation website.
1-How many times has Boris Spassky won the Soviet Chess Championship?
2-How many times was Boris Spassky a World Chess Championship candidate?
3-Boris Spassky defeated whom to win the 10th World Chess Title in 1969?
4-What is the significance of a train in Spassky’s life? 😉
5-Which Spassky chess game features in a James Bond movie?
You’re a true Spassky fan if you got all the answers correct. For the answers, check out the World Chess Champion’s wikipedia page.
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29 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
These photos were taken eight years ago in Wijk aan Zee! Can you identify all the players? These lovely chess photos are from #1 chess photo database at Chesspics.com.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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29 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Have you tried the complete chess training course DVDs available at an amazing discount in the Chess King shop? Here’s a video description of the super chess tutor DVDs.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
Take a break from work to solve this neat chess puzzle brought to you by Chess King – your partner in super-strong chess training. It’s White to play and checkmate in two. Click on diagram to cross-check your solution.
Have you tried the complete chess training course DVDs available at an amazing discount in the Chess King shop? Here’s a video description of the super chess tutor DVDs.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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29 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son
With this, Susanto Megaranto (5.5) and Rogelio Antonio (5.5) who both earlier had an outside chance of qualifying should both leaders lose had little to play for and soon after also agreed to a draw.
However John Paul Gomez (5) and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (6.5) was game on from the beginning, Nguyen seizing the opportunity to win and besides taking the remaining qualifying spot, he also become the outright winner.
With this, the top finishers are:1. Nguyen 7.5/9, 2. So 7/9, 3-4. Megaranto, Antonio 6/9. 5-10. Cao Sang, Munkhgal Gombosuren, Darwin Laylo, Mark Paragua, Gundavaa Bayarsaikhan, Eugene Torre 5.5/9
In the Women’s Championship, with nothing to lose, Philippine No.1 Catherine Perena won in a long game against already confirmed winner Nguyen Thanh Thi An who desperately wanted to remain undefeated but would still have been happy to be clear first with 6.5/9 and qualifying for the World Championship.
But it was the young sensation Bernadette Galas who impressed again, once again lifting Filipino spirits, this time by beating Hoang Thi Bao Tram and grabbing a share of second and fourth places on 6/9 together with with Medina Warda Aulia who had earlier defeated Nguyen Thi Mai Hung and Pham Le Thao Nguyen who beat Chelsie Monica Shite. (Report by Peter Long)
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
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29 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone, 
Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian believes his second place at a prestigious international tournament in the Netherlands that ended on Sunday is a ‘good result’ despite several missed opportunities.
Tata Steel’s Group A tournament in Wijk aan Zee, bringing together 14 grandmasters, ended in the victory by FIDE’s number one player Magnus Carlsen from Norway. Finishing second, Aronian, currently the world’s number three player, outdid reigning world champion Viswanathan Anand from India.
“Remembering the positions I would have [during some of the games] at the tournament, I can’t say that I’m much satisfied with my performance. Though I really missed several important moments, second place is quite good result,” concluded the Armenian chess ace after the completion of the tournament in the Dutch town. The Olympiad champion was speaking to Armenia press after returning from the tournament.
Meanwhile, in Tata Steel’s Tournaments B and C, Sergei Movsesian representing Armenia and Krikor Sevag Mekhitarian, an ethnic Armenian player from Brazil, finished fourth in their respective sections, in each of which 14 players were competing.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian believes his second place at a prestigious international tournament in the Netherlands that ended on Sunday is a ‘good result’ despite several missed opportunities.
Tata Steel’s Group A tournament in Wijk aan Zee, bringing together 14 grandmasters, ended in the victory by FIDE’s number one player Magnus Carlsen from Norway. Finishing second, Aronian, currently the world’s number three player, outdid reigning world champion Viswanathan Anand from India.
“Remembering the positions I would have [during some of the games] at the tournament, I can’t say that I’m much satisfied with my performance. Though I really missed several important moments, second place is quite good result,” concluded the Armenian chess ace after the completion of the tournament in the Dutch town. The Olympiad champion was speaking to Armenia press after returning from the tournament.
Meanwhile, in Tata Steel’s Tournaments B and C, Sergei Movsesian representing Armenia and Krikor Sevag Mekhitarian, an ethnic Armenian player from Brazil, finished fourth in their respective sections, in each of which 14 players were competing.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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29 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Here’s some High School chess news from the USA via nydailynews.com.
The chess champions from Edward R. Murrow High School in Midwood, Brooklyn. Pictured (l-r) are , teacher Elliot Weiss, Alex Ostrovskiy, 17, Alexis Pardes, 16, Kristian Jacome, 15, Saed Vargas, 15, Principal Allen Barge and Anita Maksimiuk, 14.
It’s sweet 16 for the champion chess team at Brooklyn’s Edward R. Murrow High School. The elite Murrow team scored its 16th win Sunday at the annual citywide High School Chess Championship, held at the New Yorker Hotel in midtown.
“This is the beginning of the Dream Team of 2013,” said coach Eliot Weiss, who’s been running the program since 1981. Led by co-captain Alex Ostrovskiy, a junior whose strength is identifying even the most obscure opening gambits, the 10-player team held off strong challenges from about 20 other high school teams. The competition is open to private high schools as well as public, and clubs from Long Island, Connecticut and Westchester also participated.
“Going into the final round it was a draw against a team from the Bronx Science,” said Ostrovskiy, 17, who started playing at age 5.
“We had to go head-to-head with two of our players against two of theirs.”
Murrow scored three points to the other team’s two, securing yet another victory.
“I’m really happy we won,” said Anita Maksimiuk, 14, the team’s lone girl.
Maksimiuk, who played on I.S. 318’s title-winning middle-school team, has competed at the national level before, but this is her first year at Murrow.
Anita Maksimiuk, 14, a freshman, proves she can stay in it with the boys as Saed Vargas, 15, a sophmore, watches.
“This is my first city championship in high school, and there were some really challenging games,” said the 14-year-old.
Edward R. Murrow High School’s chess team has won the state championship 15 times and the national championship seven times, said Weiss.
Part of its strength is the deep pool of multicultural talent it can draw from, the coach said.
This year’s team included players whose families had emigrated from Russia, China, Poland Nigeria, Pakistan, Ecuador, Paraguay and Jamaica.
The team is headed to Saratoga Springs Feb. 22 for state championships and — win or lose — will be in Tennessee April 4 for the national competition, Weiss said.
“We’re ranked #1 in the country right now, so we are the team to beat,” said Weiss.
The team’s ultimate goal, he said, is to win nationals and secure a visit to the White House to meet President Obama.
“That’s what everybody is working for, it’s a big dream for us,” said Weiss, whose chess program has been entirely funded for the past 13 years by an anonymous donor known only as Rita.
New York City’s public schools performed well overall: the Bronx High School of Science took second place, followed by Stuyvesant High School in third.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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29 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone, 
The Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival 2013 is on. On the sidelines of the main chess tournament, a special charity event was also organised. A match-up, on a giant chess set, between the ladies team consisting of Jovanka Houska (England), Nana Dzagnidze (Georgia), Zhao Xue (China), Valentina Gunina (Russia), Tania Sachdev (India) and Viktorija Cmilyte (Lithuania) versus the men: Gata Kamsky (USA), Gawain Jones (England), Emil Sutovsky (Israel), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France), Le Quang Liem (Vietnam) and Kiril Georgiev, as a (fun!) part of the Gibraltar Chess Festival 2013 was enjoyed by everyone. Here is the video from the official website of the event:
The three match blitz event raised £1000 for charity. It was held in the Bay Restaurant on Saturday evening. It was won 2-1 by the men in a close contest. The first game was played at 15 minutes per team; games two and three at 7 minutes.
Hi everyone,
The Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival 2013 is on. On the sidelines of the main chess tournament, a special charity event was also organised. A match-up, on a giant chess set, between the ladies team consisting of Jovanka Houska (England), Nana Dzagnidze (Georgia), Zhao Xue (China), Valentina Gunina (Russia), Tania Sachdev (India) and Viktorija Cmilyte (Lithuania) versus the men: Gata Kamsky (USA), Gawain Jones (England), Emil Sutovsky (Israel), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France), Le Quang Liem (Vietnam) and Kiril Georgiev, as a (fun!) part of the Gibraltar Chess Festival 2013 was enjoyed by everyone. Here is the video from the official website of the event:
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
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
28 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone, 
Click on the photo to cross-check your answer.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
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Hi everyone,
Here is a glorious photo of three very-strong Grandmasters. Can you name them?
Click on the photo to cross-check your answer.
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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28 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
A creative and fun chess video animation uploaded by WestFactor: “My second YouTube video about what happens when the desire to build the ultimate chess player produces an entity that doesn’t quite grasp the concept of restraint and humility during a match lol…”
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,
A creative and fun chess video animation uploaded by WestFactor: “My second YouTube video about what happens when the desire to build the ultimate chess player produces an entity that doesn’t quite grasp the concept of restraint and humility during a match lol…”
From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don’t miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
28 January 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
This is not the first case of under 30 moves game in Gibraltar. It has happened earlier at lower boards and the players were given the option to start over the game or they were forfeited.
A similar situation occurred with Ivanchuk and Le Quang Liem. In live commentary Simon Williams and Irina Krush reported that after a discussion with the arbiters and the organizers, they were given the option to replay the game.
Update 17:53 CET
Simon Williams and Irina Krush report in the Gibraltar live commentary that Le Quang Liem has actually gone to his room.
Update 18:05 CET
Stewart Conquest in now in the commentary room giving an update in the next minutes…
Update 18:10 CET
GM Conquest updated on the situation, “The initial problem started when Ivanchuk and Le Quang Liem agreed to a draw and signed the score sheet without the presence of an arbiter. Therefore, no one warned them not to agree on a draw as it is forbidden before move 30. So they just went to their rooms.”
He continued, “We had a long talk with them and they stated that even though the rule is mentioned in the regulations, it was never announced before the rounds. And they are right about that, so tomorrow we will make the reminder to all players at the start of the round.”
A politically correct situation was reached, leaving the score as draw. GM Conquest said, “It is like a first warning and we do not want to upset the players”. He also added, “The great news is Ivanchuk has agreed to give a master class for the audience at 9 o’clock local time”
Hi everyone,
There is an interesting chess report about the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Tournament via Chessdom.com: The event is already in the seventh round and some of the most exciting games are being played. One of the top encounters of the day is the game between the top seeded Vassily Ivanchuk and the co-leader Le Quang Liem. Ivanchuk and Le Quang Liem played an exchange variation of the Slav defense. At move 14 the players shook hand for a draw. That would have been perfectly fine, if there were not rules in Gibraltar expecting players to complete 30 moves.
This is not the first case of under 30 moves game in Gibraltar. It has happened earlier at lower boards and the players were given the option to start over the game or they were forfeited.
A similar situation occurred with Ivanchuk and Le Quang Liem. In live commentary Simon Williams and Irina Krush reported that after a discussion with the arbiters and the organizers, they were given the option to replay the game.
Update 17:53 CET
Simon Williams and Irina Krush report in the Gibraltar live commentary that Le Quang Liem has actually gone to his room.
Update 18:05 CET
Stewart Conquest in now in the commentary room giving an update in the next minutes…
Update 18:10 CET
GM Conquest updated on the situation, “The initial problem started when Ivanchuk and Le Quang Liem agreed to a draw and signed the score sheet without the presence of an arbiter. Therefore, no one warned them not to agree on a draw as it is forbidden before move 30. So they just went to their rooms.”
He continued, “We had a long talk with them and they stated that even though the rule is mentioned in the regulations, it was never announced before the rounds. And they are right about that, so tomorrow we will make the reminder to all players at the start of the round.”
A politically correct situation was reached, leaving the score as draw. GM Conquest said, “It is like a first warning and we do not want to upset the players”. He also added, “The great news is Ivanchuk has agreed to give a master class for the audience at 9 o’clock local time”
The official website of the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival 2013 can be accessed at this link.
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
