8th Tal Chess Memorial Round 5: Carlsen Beats Anand; Nakamura, Gelfand Lead
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
The focus of the fifth round at the 8th Tal Chess Memorial in Moscow, on Tuesday, was the game between Challenger Magnus Carlsen and World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand. Carlsen picked up a rare variation in the Nimzo-Indian and got away by surprising the World Champion who chose to stay passive in the battle. Carlsen's central pawn break broke Black's defenses easily.
Speaking about the psychological advantage of the game, Magnus Carlsen said:
I think it's good before the World Championship match to remind him that I can outplay him once in a while. [Smiles.] Since obviously between us there have been a lot of draws, recently at least. But I'm not going to go around and think that he's going to have such a bad day every day at the World Championship. I'll have to prepare for the worst, definitely. And to clarify, I don't mean to prepare for the worst, that I'm going to lose necessarily, but that he's going to be at his best and not give away anything [for] free like today.
You can replay the Magnus Carlsen - Viswanathan Anand game with Chess King.
In other games of the day, tournament leader so far Hikaru Nakamura was held to a well-earned by Dmitry Andreikin. Boris Gelfand and Alexander Morozevich played the Benoni. Black's inaccuracies left Gelfand in control and earned him the full point. The victory allowed the former World Championship challenger to join Hikaru Nakamura in the lead.
Vladimir Kramnik and Sergey Karjakin settled for a draw after a long positional struggle. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Fabiano Caruna also drew despite an exciting struggle.
The standings after the 5th round:
1-2. H. Nakamura, B. Gelfand - 3.5, 3-4. S. Mamedyarov, M. Carlsen - 3, 5-6. F. Caruana, D. Andrejkin - 2.5, 7-8. V. Anand, S. Karjakin - 2, 9-10. Alexander Morozevich, Vladimir Kramnik - by 1.5.
Pairings 6th round:
Alexander Morozevich - S. Karjakin
F. Caruana - V. Kramnik
D. Andrejkin - S. Mamedyarov
V. Anand - H. Nakamura
B Gelfand - M. Carlsen
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Labels: Magnus Carlsen, tal chess memorial 2013, Viswanathan Anand
US Junior Chess Championship 2013 Round 3: Daniel Naroditsky Clear First
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
SAINT LOUIS (June 18, 2013) -- Nobody is safe on top of the 2013 U.S. Junior Closed Championship. After a third round that saw two perfect-score front-runners fall with the white pieces, Monday at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis was more of the same for the leader. FM Luke Harmon-Vellotti entered atop the standings with 2.5/3 points, but he fell in glorious fashion to FM Samuel Sevian in round 4. The full-point victory was one of four on the day, with only one draw in the round between IM Victor Shen and FM Jeffrey Xiong.
The standings remain tight, with seven of the ten players still within one point of each other, entering round 5. Calfornia 17-year-old IM Daniel Naroditsky now sits atop the leaderboard on the proverbial hot seat and, with two wins and two draws in four rounds, is the last player in the field without a loss. Four players sit in a tie for second place, a half-point behind Naroditsky with 2.5 points.
Not 20 moves into Naroditsky’s game versus FM Atulya Shetty, things looked to be headed into a dead draw, which would have created a six-way tie for first place. Shetty gave fight with the French defense, producing an isolated queen’s pawn. It was one Naroditsky was up to the task of blockading, but unfortunately it was black’s only slight weakness.
Read more »Labels: daniel naroditsky, us junior chess championship 2013
Top 2 in World, Top 2 in U.S. to Battle for Sinquefield Chess Cup
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
SAINT LOUIS (June 17, 2013) -- For the first time ever, World Championship challenger GM Magnus Carlsen will play a high-profile tournament in the United States.
The World’s No. 1 ranked player will take on three other top-ten players in Saint Louis this September when he joins GMs Levon Aronian, Hikaru Nakamura and Gata Kamsky for the Sinquefield Cup, a four-player, double round robin scheduled to be held at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL) September 9-15.
In November, Carlsen will challenge GM Viswanathan Anand of India for the World Championship title.
CCSCSL Executive Director Tony Rich said this event marks an important milestone for U.S. chess.
“We are honored to bring the world’s best to Saint Louis this September,” Rich said. “Hosting an event of this magnitude is yet another sign that the U.S. is becoming a major player in the world chess scene.”
Carlsen and Aronian currently sit atop the world rankings at No. 1 and 2, respectively, while Nakamura and Kamsky hold the No. 1 and 2 spots in the U.S.
Nakamura is coming off one of the most successful three-game runs of his career having recently defeated GMs Vladimir Kramnik, Sergey Karjakin and Fabiano Caruana at the Tal Memorial, which has vaulted him back into fifth place in the world rankings.
Kamsky also is coming off one of his most successful tournament performances in recent years with a second-place finish at the FIDE Grand Prix that recently concluded in Thessaloniki, Greece. Kamsky, who recently won his fourth U.S. Championship title, climbed back into the world’s top 10 for the first time since September 2011.
The average FIDE rating for the field is over 2800, making it the strongest tournament in the history of the U.S.
The opening ceremony will take place on September 8, and round 1 will begin at 1 p.m. CT on Monday, September 9.
The Sinquefield Cup, which will feature a prize fund of $170,000, is named after the founders of the CCSCSL, Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield. The Sinquefields were each honored by the U.S. Chess Federation with a Gold Koltanowski award in 2012, with Rex also earning the distinction in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The award is given to the person or persons who have done the most to promote chess in the U.S. each year. For more information, visit www.uschesschamps.com.
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Labels: gata kamsky, Hikaru nakamura, levon aronian, Magnus Carlsen, sinquefield chess cup
Hip-Hop Chess Fed Founder Adisa Bonkoko's Lecture on Chess and Art of Business
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Here is a section of Adisa Banjoko, Founder of the Hip-Hop Chess Federation delivering a keynote address on Chess and the Art of Business to several hundered teenagers at San Jose City Hall. It was delivered at the San Jose Youth Commissions 6th Annual Citywide Youth Conference. The theme of the event was "Dream it, Live It".
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Labels: adisa banjoko, chess and art of business, chess lecture
Top Chess King Blog Tactics Pick
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Here are three nice chess tactics puzzles from Chess King blog. Click on each of the diagrams to see the solution. White plays and wins in each of these chess puzzles. Happy Chess Tuesday!
Labels: Chess King, chess puzzles, chess tactics, chess tactics blog
Indian Chess News: Vikramaditya Kulkarni Leads GH Raisoni Chess
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
More Indian Chess News Updates - NAGPUR: Mumbai-based top seed IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni, representing Railways, made good use of his opening advantage to outclass Orange city's first international master, second seed, Anup Deshmukh and take sole lead with full seven points in the GH Raisoni Maharashtra State Open FIDE Rating Chess tournament, at the multipurpose hall of Saraswati Vidyalaya on Monday.
Playing with black pieces, Kulkarni opted for the Kings Indian defence on the Kings Pawn opening of Deshmukh. An erratic start for Deshmukh was enough for the top seed to make inroads and seal the fate of the clash in 37 moves.
On the second board, IM-elect Akash Thakur, who is seeded 5th in the five-day tourney, too made good use of his opening advantage with the whites to outgun Shailesh Dravid and surge ahead with a comfortable 29-move win.
Secretary of Maharashtra Chess Association (MCA) Dilip Pagay after being humbled by the top seed on Sunday made a comeback when he held third seed Fide Master Satchidanand Soman to a draw in 21 moves.
Seed no 4 Sauravh Khherdekar, representing Railways, however made light work of 17-year-old Divya Garg on the fourth table. Upcoming city youngster, 15-year-old R Adethya, continued hisimpressive run in the tournament.
Playing with the black pieces Adethya stunned better rated Prasad Aurangabadkar to collect full points in the 7th round.
After the day's play Kulkarni is followed closely by Thakur with 6.5 points while four players - Satchidanand Soman, Sauravh Khherdekar, Shubham Lakudkar and R Adethya - too are in the contention with 6 points in their kitty and two rounds to go.
Results (Round 7): Anup Deshmukh (5.5) lost to Vikramaditya Kulkarni (7), Akash Thakur (6.5) bt Shailesh Dravid (5.5), Dilip Pagay (5.5) drew with Satchidanand Soman (6), Sauravh Khherdekar (6) bt Divya Garg (5), Ajinkya Ingale (5) lost to Shubham Lakudkar (6), Prasad Aurangabadkar (5) lost to R Adethya (6), Om Vinay Vitalkar (5.5) drew with Chinmay Pathak (5.5), Shubham Kumthekar (6) bt Kapil Ghatwai (5), Sunil Chelani (4.5) lost to Girish Joshi (5.5), TM Kawadkar (5) drew with Kawaljeet Singh Maras (5).
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Labels: gh raisoni memorial chess, vikramaditya kulkarni
Funny Chess Scene - Seinfeld Video
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Here is a funny chess video. Just go right ahead and watch! George Costanza playing chess with a girl in the beginning of 7th series were he got engaged.
Labels: Chess video, george costanza, seinfeld funny video
Name Chess Girls in Dilijan Grand Prix 2013 - Trivia Quiz
Tal Chess memorial 2013: Nakamura takes the lead in Moscow
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
8th Tal Chess Memorial 2013: Four rounds have passed at the Red October building in Moscow. Hikaru Nakamura is the first sole leader of the event. He got his third straight victory on Monday over Fabiano Caruana to consolidate his position at the top of the standings. The rest of the games in the fourth round finished in draws. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Boris Gelfand share second place half a point behind the American. The Russian representatives are not having a very good run at this event.
The only decisive game of the round saw Nakamura use the black pieces to put down Fabiano Caruana in 39 moves. Precisely these two young players have been showing steady progress in the last couple of years. The Italian is now fourth on the live ratings list, while Nakamura is right behind him on the fifth spot. Coincidentally, both of them played in the last two legs of the Grand Prix, drawing in both occasions.
The game was a Najdorf where white’s play did not give him any advantage out of the opening. In a dynamically balanced position, Caruana started to look for some edge on the kingside, however, his knight remained out of play on a5. Nakamura concentrated his forces on the side that had more action going and ended up creating enough mating threats with his heavy pieces to push the Italian towards resignation.
Both players have been showing great fighting spirit; both had four decisive results until now. Let us not forget that Caruana defeated favorite Magnus Carlsen in the third round.
Hikaru Nakamura
Another interesting Sicilian was seen in the game that faced veterans Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand. The players must have taken a lot of time reviewing their preparation for their World Championship match, and the Israeli proved yet again that he had a very reliable repertoire to neutralize his rival with black.
A very positional struggle took place over the board. Gelfand was not afraid to put his light squared bishop on the not-very-attractive e8 square in order to equalize the position. The world champion tried to create some pressure in a very slightly superior rook endgame, but soon enough it was clear that there were not enough resources to create something threatening. The players signed the peace treaty right after passing the time control.
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov showed very deep preparation with black in his game against Sergey Karjakin. He used the rarely seen Pirc Defense and sacrificed two pawns for activity. At some point, it seemed like the young Russian was going to get enough chances to look for a win in a rook endgame with a far away passed pawn, but the Azerbaijani defended stubbornly and got his half point on move 42.
Russians Alexander Morozevich and Vladimir Kramnik played very creatively in a Berlin Defense. The ex-world champion got an inferior position but managed to get enough counterplay to save the draw. Dmitry Andreikin and Magnus Carlsen also split the point after closing the position completely in 34 moves.
The leader Nakamura will play with white against Andreikin tomorrow, while the very expected duel between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand takes place in the next board. ( Photos by Eteri Kublashvili/Text: Chessdom.com)
Standings after 4 rounds:
1 Nakamura, Hikaru USA 2784 3
2 Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar AZE 2753 2½
3 Gelfand, Boris ISR 2755 2½
4 Caruana, Fabiano ITA 2774 2
5 Andreikin, Dmitry RUS 2713 2
6 Anand, Viswanathan IND 2786 2
7 Carlsen, Magnus NOR 2864 2
8 Karjakin, Sergey RUS 2782 1½
9 Morozevich, Alexander RUS 2760 1½
10 Kramnik, Vladimir RUS 2803 1
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Labels: 8th tal chess memorial 2013, Hikaru nakamura
US Junior Closed Chess Championship 2013: Harmon-Vellotti tops Shetty to Take Lead
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
SAINT LOUIS (June 17, 2013) -- On a day where separation was on the order, just the opposite was on the plate.
“This tournament hasn’t even started yet,” said IM Daniel Naroditsky after the third round of the 2013 U.S. Junior Closed Championship. “Everyone is at the same place.”
Now everybody is throwing punches at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. Round 3 featured defeats of IM Victor Shen and FM Atulya Shetty, who had been the early frontrunners of the tournament heading into Sunday, and points on the board for both FM Jeffrey Xiong and WFM Sarah Chiang. Three draws on the day tightened the rankings instead of providing distance, as now seven players of the field of ten all sit within a point of each other.
FM Luke Harmon-Vellotti now stands alone on top with 2.5 points, after a win that has been two months in the making. Payback rang in the Idaho FIDE master’s mind as he took the chair across from FM Atulya Shetty for the second time, the first coming in the final round of the record-breaking 2013 K-12 Super Nationals last April. There, Shetty served Harmon-Vellotti a loss that not only disrupted the 14-year-old’s perfect 6-0 record, it also bounced him from the top spot to put Shetty in clear first. An instant rivalry.
“I really wanted revenge,” said Harmon-Vellotti, who will begin classes at UCLA in the fall after acing the math portion of his SATs. “I think having rivals is good for competition. They push you, give you something to focus on. Generally speaking, they help to spur better things.”
Shetty rolled out with an English attack and the game moved quickly through the first 14 moves, until Harmon-Vellotti knocked him from his prep with 14. … Nd8. The move looked to ready c6 and kick Shetty’s knight from the powerful d5, but Shetty retreated the knight willingly with 15. Ndc3 and Harmon-Vellotti’s response of 15. … c5 invited him right back in.
Read more »Labels: us junior closed chess championship 2013
2nd Arab Elite Championship for Kirsan Ilyumzhinov Chess Cup Begins
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013Hi everyone, The 2nd Arab Elite Championship Kirsan Ilyumzhinov Cup with twelve of the highest rated players from eleven Arab countries competing for $20,000 in cash prizes is taking place at the Dubai Chess Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Seeing action in the 9-round Swiss System event are the highest rated representatives of their countries, namely GM Amin Bassem of Egypt (2640), GM Mohamd Al-Modiahki of Qatar (2546), GM Salem A. R. Saleh of the UAE (2531), IM Mohamed Haddouche of Algeria (2470), IM Sami Khader of Jordan (2380), FM Mokliss El Adnani of Morocco (2365), IM Fadi Eid of Lebanon (2357), FM Zoubaier Amdouni of Tunisia (2261), FM Jasem Alhuwar of the UAE (2258), Ahmed Al Ghamdi of Saudi Arabia (2182), Bader Al Hajiri of Kuwait (2045) and Khalil Al Housa of Palestine (1986).Defending champion is local hero GM Salem who was pitted against his brother FM Alhuwar in the first round. Games are scheduled 6pm daily, 16th to 24th June 2013 at the Dubai Chess Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Visit chess-results.com for results and standings.
Labels: Arab Elite Chess Championship, kirsan ilyumzhinov chess cup
Remembering World Chess Champion Tigran Petrosyan
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. The World Chess Champion Tigran Petrosyan would have turned 84 today (June 17). In a conversation with "Armenpress" former chess champion of Yerevan and Armenia Gagik Hakobyan recalled Tigran Petrosyan and stated: "Petrosyan loved his homeland and compatriots immensely. Living away from the country, he felt the pulse of the capital clearly." Among other things Gagik Hakobyan touched upon the Tigran Petrosyan's chess career and highlighted that Petrosyan had to face a number of obstacles in his way before becoming champion of the world.
In addition Hakobyan underscored: "Yes, Tigran Petrosyan authored a heroic deed in sport, which demanded robust will and persistence, talent and character."
Tigran Petrosyan was born on June 17, 1929. As a young boy, Petrosian was an excellent student and enjoyed studying, as did his brother Hmayak and sister Vartoosh. He learned to play chess at the age of 8, though his illiterate father Vartan encouraged him to continue studying, as he thought chess was unlikely to bring his son any success as a career. Petrosian was orphaned during World War II and was forced to sweep streets to earn a living.
He used his rations to buy Chess Praxis by Danish grandmaster Aron Nimzowitsch, a book which Petrosian would later claim to have had the greatest influence on him as a chess player. He also purchased The Art of Sacrifice in Chess by Rudolf Spielmann. The other player to have had an early effect on Petrosian's chess was Jose Raul Capablanca.
Tigran Petrosyan was World Chess Champion from 1963 to 1969. He was nicknamed "Iron Tigran" due to his almost impenetrable defensive playing style, which emphasized safety above all else. Petrosian was a Candidate for the World Championship on eight occasions (1953, 1956, 1959, 1962, 1971, 1974, 1977 and 1980). He won the world championship in 1963 (against Mikhail Botvinnik), successfully defended it in 1966 (against Boris Spassky), and lost it in 1969 (to Spassky). Thus he was the defending World Champion or a World Championship candidate in ten consecutive three-year cycles. He won the Soviet Championship four times (1959, 1961, 1969, and 1975).Petrosian died of stomach cancer in 1984. In 1987, World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov unveiled a memorial at Petrosian's grave which depicts the laurel wreath of world champion and an image contained within a crown of the sun shining above the twin peaks of Mount Ararat - the national symbol of Petrosian's native Armenia. On 7 July 2006, a monument honoring Petrosian was opened in the Davtashen district of Yerevan, in the street named after Petrosian.From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Dilijan Chess Grand Prix 2013 Round 1: Nana Dzagnidze, Tatiana Kosintseva Begin with Wins
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013Hi everyone,
The women's chess grand prix has begun in Dilijan. Nana Dagnidze and Tatiana Kosintseva scored in the first round on Sunday. The other games were drawn.
A.Ushenina - A.Muzichuk was the first game to finish. White tried to improve the line with 16.Rc1, but black sacrificed a pawn, got an active counterplay and forced her opponent to repeat the moves. Draw on move 31.
O. Girya - V. Cmilyte. Modern Benoni defense was played. This opening leads to very complicated positions. Cmilyte was never in real danger in this game.She even tried to get advantage but white's position had a lot of potential and Girya was able to hold.
The game between the two Indians (H. Dronavalli - H. Koneru) was very interesting. White had a slight advantage after the opening. Koneru didn't put much resistance and soon after the time control Dronavalli had a winning position. She probably missed some winning continuations. Last one came on move 59. Harika played 59 Rc5 and after 59...Ke6.60 Kf3 Kd6.61.Rc8 Kd7 her rook was forced to leave the C file. 59 Kf3 Ke6.60 Rf5 was an easy win.
T. Kosintseva - B. Khotenashvili. Black sacrificed a pawn in the opening and had enough compensation for it. On move 36 white blundered with Ne3 and the winner of the 1st tournament of the Women's Grand Prix could play 36...Qd8. Rook has nowhere to go. Khotenashvili missed this opportunity,but this wasn't the end of her bad luck today.In the endgame that was very close to be a draw she left the a5 pawn unprotected. 60...Qd8 is not easy to understand.The further resistance wasn't the best and Kosintseva scored her first victory.
Another Georgian participant of the tournament N. Dzagnidze was playing B. Tuvshintugs from Mongolia. The experienced Grandmaster gradually outplayed her opponent, evacuated her King to the queen side and converted the pawn advantage into a full point.
Round 1 Results
SNo. Name Rtg Res. Name Rtg SNo.1 WGM Girya Olga 2436 ½ - ½ GM Cmilyte Viktorija 2511
2 WGM B Tuvshintugs 2316 0 - 1 GM Dzagnidze Nana 2550
3 GM Harika Dronavalli 2492 ½ - ½ GM Koneru Humpy 2597
4 GM Danielian Elina 2475 ½ - ½ GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2531
5 GM Ushenina Anna 2499 ½ - ½ GM Muzychuk Anna 2593
6 GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2526 1 - 0 IM Khotenashvili Bela 2531
Labels: dilijan chess grand prix 2013
Indian Chess News: GH Raisoni Open - Five share lead after Round 5
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013Hi everyone,
Some chess news for Indian readers of Chess Blog: This report comes to you from Nagpur - an Indian city which has a great chess tradition. Five top rated players share the lead with full five points at the half way stage of the GH Raisoni Maharashtra State Open FIDE Rating Chess tournament currently in progress at the multipurpose hall of Saraswati Vidyalaya here on Sunday.
Top seed Mumbai-based IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni representing Railways, along with second seed Anup Deshmukh, seed No 3 Satchidanand Soman, No 5 ranked Akash Thakur and sixth seed Dilip Pagay registered victories in contrasting fashion to share the top slot with five points at the end of Round 5.
On the top board, Kulkarni playing with the black pieces outclassed Pankaj Pendalwar in 26 moves while Orange city's first IM Anup Deshmukh registered a hard fought 44-move win over Shubham Lakudkar on the second board.
Third seed Fide Master Satchidanand Soman defeated the Kings Pawn opening of Shweta Gole while the Sicilian defence of IM-elect Akash Thakur was enough for the experienced master to get the better of city youngster Prasad Aurangabadkar. On the fifth board, secretary of Maharashtra Chess Association, Dilip Pagay playing with the white pieces made good use of his opening advantage to prevail over Chinmay Pathak and collect full points.
A day after being held by a lower ranked opponent, fourth seed Sauravh Khherdekar bounced back to get the better of Kawaljeet Singh Maras and share the second spot with 4.5 points along side Shailesh Dravid. (Amit Shah/TNN)
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Labels: akash thakur, amit shah, anup deshmukh, dilip pagay, gh raisoni memorial chess, indian chess news, satchidanand soman, vikramaditya kulkarni
US Junior Closed Chess Championship 2013 Round 2: Shen, Shetty Lead
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
(Left) FM Atulya Shetty, the reigning K-12 Champion, is tied with IM Victor Shen after two rounds at the U.S. Junior Closed Championship 2013.
SAINT LOUIS (June 16, 2013) -- Pairings for Round 2 of the 2013 U.S. Junior Closed Championship looked more like those from a Swiss system than the actual round robin in place. After a completely decisive first round on Friday at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, four out of five games on Saturday featured identical-score matchups, ensuring some early separation in the rankings.
Both FM Atuyla Shetty, who had the lone matchup without a like-scored opponent, and IM Victor Shen, a third-place finisher in the last two U.S. Juniors Closed events, were able to keep a perfect pace through the first two rounds. IM Daniel Naroditsky and FM Luke Harmon-Vellotti, both of whom earned wins in the first round, agreed to an opposite-colored bishop draw after 36 moves. Robert Perez and Samuel Sevian also drew, both earning their first half-point of the tournament. IM Kayden Troff also earned his first point of the tournament.
Shen wasn’t sure if he had just dodged a bullet in his game versus FM Yian Liou until he saw the text message from his father shortly after the game’s conclusion: You’re lucky.
“My dad doesn’t even play chess – but he does have a computer next to him, so I assume I was losing somewhere,” Chen said. “I had a feeling I was, so hearing that was not a giant surprise, but I just didn’t ever see it. And neither did [Liou].”
Indeed Liou, who had accurately squeezed Sevian into submission in the first round, came out with an equally clean King’s Indian Attack that seemed to foreshadow steady advancement into Shen’s camp. Tossing fuel on the fire was Shen’s offering of 19. … Qc8, a wasted move that was corrected immediately with 20. … Qc7, but at the loss of a crucial tempo. It was here Shen guessed he had earned the text from his father.
“I had been happy with the result of the opening, but after that [Qc8] mistake, I thought [Liou] was better,” Shen said. “After that, I just kept feeling that something dangerous was about to happen on the kingside.”
Read more »Labels: atulya shetty, us junior closed chess championship 2013, victor shen
FIDE Women’s Chess Grand Prix Begins in Dilijan, Armenia
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
The second tournament of the FIDE Women’s Grand-Prix 2013-2014 is taking place from 16th to 28th June in Dilijan, Armenia. Twelve players with the average elo of 2505 compete in the round robin tournament. The event is organized by the Armenian Chess Federation & FIDE.
The Women’s Grand-Prix 2013-2014 will give qualification to the Women’s World Championship match 2015.
The festive opening ceremony of the second tournament of the Women's Grand Prix Series was attended by Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan, FIDE President Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and other eminent guests.
Prime Minister Mr. Tigran Sargsyan congratulated everyone for the event coming to Dilijan and wished the participants good luck and a fair competition. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov thanked President of Armenia Serge Sargsyan who is also the President of the Armenian Chess Federation for his contribution to chess in Armenia and the world. He said he hoped in near future Dilijan would also become a chess town like "our favorite resort town of Jermuk". The drawing of lots was conducted by the chief arbiter of the event, international arbiter Armen Nikoghosyan.
Players:
GM Koneru Humpy IND 2597
GM Muzychuk Anna SLO 2593
GM Dzagnidze Nana GEO 2550
IM Khotenashvili Bela GEO 2531
GM Stefanova Antoaneta BUL 2531
GM Kosintseva Tatiana RUS 2526
GM Cmilyte Viktorija LTU 2511
GM Ushenina Anna UKR 2499
GM Harika Dronavalli IND 2492
GM Danielian Elina ARM 2475
WGM Girya Olga RUS 2436
WGM Batchimeg Tuvshintugs MGL 2316
Official website
Dilijan is a spa town in the Tavush Province of Armenia. It is one of the most important resorts of Armenia, situated in Dilijan National Park.
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Labels: dilijan women's chess grand prix 2013
RIP Hans Suri and Lucio Barvas - Strengths of the Swiss Chess World (Updated)
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
June 14, 2013 was a sad day for the chess world. Two leading figures of the Swiss chess world have left us. Hans Suri, Studen, has died at the age of 85. Lucio Barvas, living in Uster, has passed away at the age of 78.
Memories to Inspire: 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk remembers strengths of the Swiss chess world Lucio Barvas (in photo) and Hans Suri.
GM Alexandra Kosteniuk and Lucio were always happy to meet at chess tournaments where Lucio was either arbiter, or newsletter editor, or internet transmission manager. GM Kosteniuk says, "I will greatly miss my dear friend Lucio."
Lucio Barvas Photios was well known in the chess world - particularly Switzerland and of course Biel. For many years, he remained the arbiter and newsletter editor of the international festival and also for the Swiss Championship (CSI). He was known nationally as Swiss representative of ChessBase, a position he held for two decades and earned him the nickname "Mister ChessBase". His love for computers started in the 80s, when he won the first official championship of computer correspondence, organised by the former Swiss working Chess Federation (FOSE).
The name of Hans Suri is inseparable from the Biel Chess Festival. He organised the event for the first time in the summer of 1968 in a small hotel. There was no looking back. Hans Suri remained the festival's director for three decades as the chess festival grew in stature and reputation. Today, the festival as an important part of the international calendar.
In 1976, 1985 and 1993, Hans Suri even brought the Interzonal tournament to Biel. To his great commitment, the Swiss Chess Federation of the time and his club SG Biel had elected him as a honorary member. After retiring from the tournament, Hans Suri has regularly played the tournament. He participated in the 45 th edition in July 2012.
Hans Suri in 1985 sitting next to Jan Timman and Timman's wife. Han Suri is speaking to Jean Py (hidden by Timman's wife).
We offer our deepest sympathy on the passing of Hans Suri and Lucio Barvas. We salute them for their contribution to the chess world and their great chess legacy. May their families find peace and comfort in knowing that their loss is felt by all who knew and loved him. May the Lord give strength to their families and peace upon the departed souls.
Hans Suri in 2011 - New Horizons into the Light
Labels: chess obituary, Chess video, hans suri, lucio barvas, swiss chess
US Junior Closed Chess Championship 2013 Round 1: No Draws!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013Hi everyone,
SAINT LOUIS (June 15, 2013) -- There were just 15 minutes of focus at the opening ceremony of the 2013 U.S. Junior Closed Championship – when the players selected numbers to determine who would control the majority of the white or black pieces. But the impact of those selections were omnipresent through all of Friday at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, when a decisive round 1 saw four of the five players playing white emerge victorious.
Only 15-year-old FM Yian Liou was able to claim a point with the black pieces, which he did against FM Sam Sevian. The two West Coast FIDE masters have become increasingly familiar with each other, including a split of the 2012 Metropolitan Closed tournament title, where each earned an IM norm. The past experiences prompted Liou to make some changes heading into Friday.
“I’ve played as black the past couple times [against Sevian],” Liou said. “And my record was pretty bad – I had to do something about it.”
What he did was deviate from his plan on move 2, leaving the Accelerated Dragon variation of the Sicilian by pushing g6 – entering into a Hyper-Accelerated Dragon line. Liou played all afternoon with heavy initiative on the queenside, keeping Sevian’s pieces relatively harmless until 26. c4, when his white bishop became all-but passive. Through the rest of the game, Liou delivered clean pressure to close. He eventually found his material advantage with a knight-rook exchange at 31. … Nxd5. Sevian looked for drawing chances with 33. f5, trying to completely close the board, but the accurate Qc8 response ensured that Liou would indeed break through.
“My first game is always my most nerve-racking game,” Liou said. “I have to get used to a new board, new clock, new pieces – and I also have to get used to playing in a tournament again. I can’t say this win makes me confident – just maybe comfortable, knowing I can do something with the black pieces.”
If there was one tough loss from Friday, it was suffered by IM Kayden Troff, the U-14 World Champion who played in Saint Louis last month in his first U.S. Championship. Troff, normally under the affliction of a permanent smile, instead wore his frustration after losing to FM Luke Harmon-Vellotti.
Read more »Labels: junior closed chess championship 2013
7-Year-Old Alekhine Nouri is Philippines' Youngest FM
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
MANILA—A seven-year-old incoming Grade 1 pupil is the country’s newest and youngest Fide chess master. Alekhine Nouri of Taguig City achieved the historic feat by virtue of his excellent showing in the recent 14th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Nouri, whose first name is derived from the surname of one of the greatest chess players in history – Alexander Alekhine – defeated Nguyen Hoang Hiep of Vietnam in the eighth round and Luvsandorj Orgilbold of Mongolia in the final round to finish with 8.0 points good for the gold in the Open 8-under category.
Like Nouri, Allaney Jia G. Doroy of Agusan del Norte, Samantha Glo Revita of Rosales, Pangasinan and Shania Mae Mendoza of Sta. Rosa, Laguna also earned outright Woman Fide Master (WFM) titles. Doroy shared the gold medal with two others after scoring 6.5 points in the Girls 12-under class while Revita tallied 7.0 points to share the gold with Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Minh Thu in the Girls 14-under class.
Mendoza meanwhile, tallied 6.0 points to share the gold with two others in the Girls 16-under class. The week-long tournament drew 389 players from the Philippines, Russia, India, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Hongkong, Singapore, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Iran, Mongolia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and host Thailand.
The country’s campaign in the tournament is supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
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Labels: alekhine nouri, asean age-group chess, philippines chess
World Chess Cup 2013 Tromso Official Fide Website goes Online
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
The FIDE World Cup is one of the highlights of the chess calendar – a month of intense knockout action that uses 7 quick-fire rounds to whittle 128 players down to one. At stake is not only a cool $1.6 million prize fund ($120,000 for the winner) but qualification for next year’s World Championship “Candidates” tournament – a chance to earn the right to a match against the World Champion, either India’s Viswanathan Anand or Norway’s own Magnus Carlsen.
Click to access official website
While those two players will be deep in preparation for their match in India this November the line-up for the World Cup in Tromsø is set to be spectacular, featuring the world numbers 2 and 3, Levon Aronian and Vladimir Kramnik. Although they'll be the favourites when the games start on August 11 if there's one thing the World Cup can be guaranteed to provide it's surprises!
Two Years Ago
Victory in the 2011 FIDE World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk was a career-best performance for Peter Svidler. The six-time Russian Champion didn’t lose a game as he overcame Fabiano Caruana, Gata Kamsky, Judit Polgar, Ruslan Ponomariov and Alexander Grischuk on his way to the title.
Labels: levon aronian, Magnus Carlsen, norway chess, peter svidler, tromso chess, Viswanathan Anand, vladimir kramnik, world chess cup 2013
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