CHESS NEWS BLOG: chessblog.com

USA's Top Daily Chess News Blog, Informative, Fun, and Positive

hosted by Chess Queen™ & 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk

 

Friday, January 31, 2014

Movie Chess Trivia: This Scene is from Which Indian Classic?

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2014

Hello everyone,

Here's a chess scene trivia question: Can you name the classic movie? Hint: It's an Indian movie from the 1970's. The movie is directed by the only Indian to receive an honorary Oscar Award. Click on photo to read the wikipedia page for the answer.


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
 


Labels: , ,

Blitz Chess Team Event at Gibraltar Festival: China Dragon, 50-50 Joint Winners

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2014

Hello everyone,

An interesting blitz team chess event was held this Thursday at the ongoing Gibraltar Chess Festival 2014. China Dragon, made up of a mixed team of Chinese players, tied with 50-50, a team of East European players, to jointly win the Blitz team chess event of the 2014 Tradewise Chess Festival played in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere on Thursday night. 

Blitz winning team China Dragon members Xu Jun (coach) and Natalia Zhukova collect the prizes from Laurent Freyd and Stuart Conquest.
 
The 50-50 team ahead of the competition.

In Gibraltar for the first time, Chinese players: Li Chao, Wei Yi, Tan Zhongyi and Guo Qi, certainly made their mark. The 50-50 team included: Danil Dobov (Russia), Richard Rapport (Hungary), Natalia Zhukova (Ukraine) and Jovana Vojinovic (Serbia).

This year’s team Blitz chess event saw a record number of entries with 108 players making up 27 teams. They each competed with four players over six rounds. Both winning teams won four matches and drew two. The next Blitz chess event with two players in each team will be held on Sunday evening.


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel



Labels:

8th Georgy Agzamov Chess Memorial in Tashkent May 4-24

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2014

Hello everyone,
 
The latest FIDE chess tournament update is that the Uzbekistan Chess Federation is holding the 8th Tashkent Georgy Agzamov Chess Memorial in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from May 14th (arrival) till May 24th (departure), 2014. Agzamov was the first Grandmaster from Uzbekistan. The total prize fund is 20 000 US dollars. The Tournament is a 9-round Swiss. Time control: 90 minutes and a 30-second increment per move starting from move one. Participants who need visa to enter Uzbekistan must register before 1 April 2014 and send necessary documents. 

The UCF will consider all the applications and selectively, upon a compulsory preliminary agreement, accepts 10 Grandmasters. More  information can be found on official website: http://uzchess.uz/

Tashkent is the city of Uzbekistan and was an oasis settlement in ancient times near the Chirchik River. 

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
 

Labels:

Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 Round 1: Magnus Carlsen, Levon Aronian begin with Wins

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2014

Hello everyone,


The strongest-ever chess tournament - Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 - has begun with a bang. Two of the three chess games in the first round proved decisive with Magnus Carlsen beating Boris Gelfand, Levon Aronian beating Viswanathan Anand, but Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura drawing their game. 
Photo Maria Emelianova

All the games were hard-fought and full of interesting ideas. Levon Aronian capitalized despite an inaccuracy in time trouble on his part on a mistake from Viswanathan Anand before move 40 and went on to win on the 73rd move.

The most unhappy of all of them was Fabiano Caruana. He missed an excellent opportunity against Hikaru Nakamura and was thereafter forced to defend tenaciously for a long time, before his compatriot acquiesced in a draw.


You can replay all the Round 1 games of the Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 with Chess King.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog 
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel


Labels:

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Gibraltar Chess: Paehtz, Short Hold First Master Class

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2014

Hello everyone,


On Wednesday evening at the Caleta Hotel we were treated to the first of four Master Classes planned for this year's Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival. Two players shared duties at the commentary desk: Elisabeth Paehtz (Germany's top female player) and England's Nigel Short.

Both chose to show their games from that afternoon. Elisabeth very nearly beat elite grandmaster Pavel Eljanov (Ukraine); in the end the number 5 seed, here in Gibraltar for the first time, escaped with a draw.

Nigel's game also ended a draw, but he was understandably disappointed, since his position was clearly won at several points.

The audience were highly appreciative of the evening's entertainment. The Master Class, which was broadcast live on the internet, can be viewed on the festival website www.gibraltarchesscongress.com.

The next Master Class is scheduled for Thursday evening at 9pm with former Gibraltar Champion, third seeded player in this year’s tournament, Vassily Ivanchuk. Watch it on live streaming.


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog 
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel


Labels: , , ,

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen to Attend Sochi Olympics 2014

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2014

Hello everyone,

Norwegian Television TV2 has quoted World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen's manager, Espen Agdestein, as saying that Carlsen plans to attend the Sochi Winter Olympic Games 2014 from February 15-20. Magnus was himself quoted as saying that "I am a Sports fan, so I will follow the Games. It will be fun." (www.chess-news.ru). 





  
Meanwhile, (in case you missed our previous post) 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk - a great fan of sports and peace - has posted on her blog about her anticipation for the Games. You can read the full message at www.chessqueen.com





From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel




Labels: , , ,

Photo Chess Trivia: Happy Birthday on Jan 30 to a Chess Legend (Identify him)

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2014

Hello everyone,

Here's wishing a very happy birthday to a chess legend for January 30. May chess continue to fulfill him and may he continue to wow us all with his ideas. Name this chess legend!



From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel



Labels:

Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 begins at Hotel Savoy

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2014

Hello everyone,
The Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 started on Wednesday 29th January at Hotel Savoy in Zurich, Switzerland. After the opening ceremony, a round robin blitz tournament was held to determine the starting numbers. Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian scored 3/5, Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana and Vishwanathan Anand had 2,5/5 each, while Boris Gelfand finished on 1,5/5. The first round pairings are Carlsen - Gelfand, Aronian - Anand and Nakamura - Caruana.

With six participants it is the first tournament in the history of chess to reach category 23 with an amazing average rating of 2801.
The six-player field is topped by World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen. It takes place in Zurich’s Hotel Savoy at the initiative of Oleg Skvortsov and the Zurich Chess Club. The Classical tournament is an all-play-all event starting at 15:00 CET each day from 30 January- 3 February. The time control is 40 moves/120 min + 20 moves/60 min + 15 min/rest of the game + a 30 sec/move increment from move 61. A rapid game will follow any draw in under 40 moves. (FIDE)

Official website


Replay all the games of the opening blitz with Chess King.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel

Labels:

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Photo Chess Trivia Flashback: How many Young Grandmasters Can you Name?

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

We bring you, once again, a chess photo from our archives at www.chesspics.com. This is from a special event in 2004 with young Grandmasters who went on to carve a special path in chess history. How many can you name?



From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel



Labels:

Georgian 73rd Chess Championship begins

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

The Georgian Chess Federation is holding the 73rd national chess championship from 26th January to 6th February in Tbilisi. Twelve players compete in the round robin tournament forming the field of average elo 2509.






Participants:
GM Mchedlishvili Mikheil 2655
GM Pantsulaia Levan 2614
GM Jojua Davit 2565
GM Shanava Konstantine 2559
GM Gagunashvili Merab 2547
GM Paichadze Luka 2544
GM Sanikidze Tornike 2541
GM Benidze Davit 2505
IM Nigalidze Gaioz 2494
IM Chighladze Iveri 2380
IM Qashashvili Alexandre 2370
IM Gvetadze Sofio 2334

Live games with analysis



From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel

Labels: , , , ,

Gibraltar Masters Chess 2014 with Live Streaming

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

Live streaming with commentary is available every afternoon with commentators GM Simon Williams and GM Irina Krush as from 3pm (Gibraltar time). Once again the tournament boasts the latest technology installed by Gibtelecom a great supporter of the festival in its 12 year history. 




GM Irina Krush is the reigning US women's champion. GM Simon Williams was the joint winner of the London Chess Classic Open 2010. Irina and Simon are no strangers to Gibraltar, Irina having taken part in the Masters on many occasions.

In their opening remarks Irina and Simon welcomed all those who had especially tuned in for Round One of The Masters.

Irina Krush: “Gibraltar has long-established itself as one of the best open tournaments in the world but I think this year it is much stronger. There are 10 players over 2700 and 27 players over 2600 as well as some of the best women players in the world.”

Simon Williams: “There are so many people who can win this tournament this year. Twenty-five top players have a chance to win in this competition. It is really completely wide open.”

For all information, as well as live commentaries, Masterclasses, and interviews, the dedicated festival website, powered by Gibtelecom, is www.gibraltarchesscongress.com - well worth checking out on a daily basis.

The festival venue is the Caleta Hotel. The festival closes on Thursday, February 6th, with a banquet and prize-giving ceremony.


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog 
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel



Labels: , ,

$6.3 Million Rouble International Chess Festival Cup of RSSU - Moscow Open 2014 begins

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

The International Chess Festival Cup of RSSU - Moscow Open, 2014 for the prizes of the Russian State Social University and the Moscow Chess Federation will be held in Moscow from 31th January to 10th February 2014 at the Russian State Social University.

The festival consists of eight tournaments.

- Tournament A – Men’s Cup of Russia Stage (price fund is 1500 000 RR, first place is 500 000 RR)
- Tournament B – Women’s Cup of Russia Stage (price fund is 850 000 RR, first place is 300 000 RR)
- Tournament C – Amateurs’ Cup of RSSU (price fund is 500 000 RR, first place is 60 000 RR)
- Tournament D – Veterans’ Cup of RSSU (price fund is 250 000 RR, first place is 40 000 RR)
- Tournament E – World Cup Chess Composition (price fund is 200 000 RR, first place is 40 000 RR)
- Tournament F – Students-grandmasters’ Cup of RSSU (men, price fund is 250 000 RR, first place is 80 000 RR)
- Tournament G – Students-grandmasters’ Cup of RSSU (women, price fund is 250 000 RR, first place is 80 000 RR)
- Tournament H – School Champions’ Cup of RSSU (24 prices - complimentary hotel with meals for 3 winners in each age categories for participation in European School Chess Championship in Greece, June 2014)

Training courses for coaches, referees and organizers will also be held holding during the Festival under the auspices of the Russian Chess Federation and FIDE (Russian language with translation in English).

The total prize fund of the Festival is 6.3 million rouble.

All tournaments (except tournament E) played on the classical scheme (one match per day) with the time control: 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes with an increment of 30 seconds per move, starting from the first move. In tournaments H - 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, starting from the first move. A forfeit will be awarded for being late by more than 30 minutes. 


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog 
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel


Labels:

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Photo Chess Trivia: Identify this Spirited Grandmaster

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

The joy of chess! Identify the Grandmaster who has captured hearts across the world with his chess, wit and tenacity. Click on photo to visit www.chesspics.com the #1 database of some of the world's best chess portraits.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog 
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
 

Labels:

GM Alexandre Danin wins Paul Keres Chess Memorial

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

Here's some chess news via FIDE: The Estonian Chess Federation held the Paul Keres Chess Memorial to celebrate the 98th birth anniversary of the legendary Estonian chess grandmaster. The Estonian Chess Federation held a chess festival from January 3 to January 16. Paul Keres was elected the Estonian Sportsman of the Century. 

The festival comprised two events: from January 3 to 6, two youth tournaments (for boys and girls) took place, and from January 10 to 16 the main event – International Paul Keres Memorial 2014 – was held.

The youth tournaments saw 88 participants from Estonia, Russia, Latvia and Sweden. The boys' tournament was won by Kirill Chukavin and the girls' tournament was won by Anna Sagadijeva. Official website.

International Paul Keres Memorial 2014 drew 67 chess players from 13 federations. Grandmaster Alexandre Danin emerged a clear winner with 7 points out of 9. IM Artem Smirnov won the second place and the bronze medal went to GM Alexander Yemelin. All three players were from Russia.


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog 
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel

Labels: ,

2014 Gibraltar Tradewise Chess Festival Masters Section Begins

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

The pairings for the start of the 2014 Masters Chess tournament which began at 3 pm local time were drawn last night by Gibraltar’s Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Steven Linares at the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Gibraltar Tradewise Chess Festival. 

Minister Steven Linares welcomed all the players to Gibraltar “those who have annually been coming to this tournament and to those who are here for the first time.” Mr Linares once again pledged the Gibraltar Government’s commitment to the tournament which has grown annually over the past 12 years.

“It is a great pleasure to be part of the biggest tournament and event annually in Gibraltar,” he said.

“As it continues to grow the Government will continue to support it as it does others. But this tournament takes the biscuit. It is the biggest tournament the Government has ever been involved with,” he added. 
 
Minister for Sports Culture, Heritage and Youth, The Hon. Steven Linares draws the black pieces, in round 1, for top seed GM Mickey Adams. Photo: Sophie Triay
 
In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere Minister Linares told England’s No.1 and ranked 13th in the world GM Mickey Adams, “It’s black!”

Adams plays on the top board today against FM Emilio Miguel Sanchez Jerez from Spain. GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave from France is paired with Peter Lombaers from the Netherlands. GM Vassily Ivanchuk from Ukraine is paired with IM Leon Lederman. GM Nikita Vitiugovfrom Russia is paired with IM Petter Haugli from Norway.

Hosting the night Director of the tournament, Stuart Conquest, spoke of the tournament’s many accomplishments over the years.

“This is a story of continued success,” he said which this year welcomes close to 70 Grandmasters from 60 nations.

The Live Commentary from the studio with Simon Williams and Irina Krush (Reigning women's USA Chess Champion). There are 252 chessplayers in the Gibraltar Masters this year with around 370 playing in all three tournaments. Sixty countries are being represented this year.

For all information, as well as live commentaries, Masterclasses, and interviews, the dedicated festival website, powered by Gibtelecom, is www.gibraltarchesscongress.com. The festival venue is the Caleta Hotel.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel





Labels:

British Chess Prodigy Sells Artificial Intelligence Software Firm to Google for £242 million

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

Mail Online has just reported that neuroscientist and computer genius Demis Hassabis, 37, has sold his company DeepMind to Google for £242million. A comprehensive school-educated computer genius has become a multi-millionaire overnight after selling his company to Google.

Neuroscientist Demis Hassabis, 37, co-founded DeepMind Technologies just two years ago with the aim of trying to help computers think like humans.

His company has yet to produce anything commercially but Google has still paid £242million for its expertise in the pioneering field of artificial intelligence. It represents Google’s biggest ever single acquisition in Europe.

Mr Hassabis told MailOnline: We’re really excited to be joining Google.

****

Mr Hassabis grew up in Hendon, north London. At the age of four, he saw his father, a Greek-Cypriot entrepreneur, playing chess and asked to be taught the rules. Within weeks, he was beating his father. A couple of years later he was programming computers.

The acquisition by the Californian-based giant is the biggest single purchase in Europe. DeepMind specialises in 'machine learning' designing computers that can learn from their mistakes.


Read the full article at Mail Online.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog 
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel


Labels: , , ,

Monday, January 27, 2014

Photo Chess Trivia: Two Chess Divas in Moscow - When and Why?

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

Two chess divas meet up in Moscow... Name them. A big high-five if you know the year and event!


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel


Labels: ,

76th Tata Steel Chess R11: Winner's Press Conference Video with Aronian; Giri second, Karjakin third

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

Levon Aronian has won the 76th edition of Tata Steel Chess despite a last round blunder-loss to Loek van Wely. Anish Giri is second and Sergey Karjakin is third. Here is the final tournament report via the official website:

The participants showed no signs of fatigue and interesting battles were fought out in the last round of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2014.





Loek van Wely went for an aggressive approach in his encounter with tournament victor Levon Aronian, opting for the Dutch Defense. The Dutchman thought he “had nothing to lose anyway” and was happy about the way the game developed. But then Van Wely “completely misplayed it and after that I was just positionally lost.” 

Replay all the Round 11 games with Chess King.

Both combatants invested a lot of time evaluating the complications and matters became unclear in time trouble. Aronian felt the pressure and blundered on move 38 when he played the horrible 38.exf4??. Van Wely capitalized immediately with the devastating 38. …Bd4+!ending the game.



Anish Giri finished in second place after a draw against Hikaru Nakamura. In an interesting line, Nakamura commented he “had no idea what was going on.” Giri sacrificed a pawn and decided to give up another one to keep his opponent from developing his pieces. 

The two competitors had a lot of lines to choose from but in the end the Dutchman’s compensation sufficed. Nakamura still had an extra pawn in the endgame but the American said “objectively it was probably always going to be a draw.”

Sergey Karjakin came in third as he escaped with a draw against Leinier Dominguez. The Cuban grabbed a pawn with 13. …Nxe4 and it seemed a matter of time before he would convert his advantage into a win but Karjakin confirmed his reputation as an excellent defender, restoring the balance. 

The Russian blundered on move 40, though, giving Dominguez a winning position. Karjakin rose to the occasion once more when his opponent played 43. …Rxa2 (see diagram), missing 43. …f3! with the idea of 44.Qb1 Re1+! and mate to follow. He managed to get a rook-ending that proved too difficult to win for Dominguez. Two lone kings remained after 71 moves, ending the duel peacefully.

The Boris Gelfand – Pentala Harikrishna game was won by the white player. The position appeared to be balanced after the opening but Gelfand gradually increased the pressure on Harikrishna’s position. The Indian had to defend carefully but he could not prevent Gelfand from getting a favourable pawn-ending. 

The Israeli commented he “probably shouldn’t go into it. I can play a rook-ending that is totally won and a pawn-ending requires a lot of calculation.” However, Gelfand calculated correctly and brought home the win several moves later.

Arkadij Naiditsch ended his tournament with a second consecutive victory, punishing Richard Rapport’s provocative opening play. When the Hungarian wasted several tempos, Naiditsch was quick to launch his attack. The German had a nice finisher with 20.Rxh7! Bf5 21.Qc4, winning decisive material. Several moves later, Rapport realized further resistance was futile and resigned.

A long theoretical line in the Grünfeld was played in the encounter between Wesley So and Fabiano Caruana, creating an equal position. The battle reached a climax when Caruana went for  22. …Nxd4. After 23.Bxd7 Ne2+ 24.Kf1 Bxa1 25.Kxe2 a4 So had to be careful not to let the passed a-pawn become dangerous. A repetition of moves occurred and as neither competitor saw a way to make progress, a draw was agreed.

Ivan Saric drew his last game in the Challengers group against Sabino Brunello, bringing his total to an amazing 10.0/13. Saric now has the right to participate in next year’s Masters Group. Jan Timman and Baadur Jobava drew their respective games and tied for second place with 8.5/13.


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog 
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel


Labels:

12th Gibraltar Tradewise International Chess begins with Record Participation

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

Opening Move Photo by Sophie Triay 

The 12th edition of the Gibraltar Tradewise International Chess Festival got off to a great start today at the Caleta Hotel. Chess Grandmasters have travelled from all over the world to participate in this year’s festival which is sure to be the best yet. This year there are players from countries including China and Mongolia.
The good news is that the competition not only keeps on getting stronger each year but the numbers also keep on increasing. 2014 has seen a record number of entries in the Amateur and Challenger tournaments played each morning throughout the festival. This year in both the first and second week of the festival entries stand at around 130 players. Many from Spain, Portugal, Norway and of course Gibraltar.

The first move in the Amateur and Challenger tournaments which began today was carried out by two of the youngest members of staff at Gibteleco. Rachel Holgado a regulatory officer and Craig Lima, an apprentice. The young chess player is Irene Nicolas Zapata from Spain who recently won the silver medal in the under 16 category at the World Youth Championships.

The Masters tournament running simultaneously over the 10-day festival starts tomorrow Tuesday at 3 pm. 

official website: www.gibraltarchesscongress.com


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog 
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel


Labels:

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Historic Chess Photo Trivia Quiz: Identify the Players, Venue

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

This is a very special historic chess photo. Can you name the players and the venue? For the answers, click on photo.


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel





Labels:

76th Tata Steel Chess R10 Full Report: Aronian wins Masters Group, Ivan Saric wins Challengers Group in Penultimate Rounds!

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

76th Tata Steel Chess 2014: Here is the final report (via the official website) on Round 10 of which we shared a quick update yesterday - Levon Aronian has won the 76th Tata Steel Chess Tournament! He beat Leinier Dominguez in the penultimate round, bringing his total to an impressive 8.0/10. In a Ruy Lopez, the Armenian felt that Dominguez’ 17.Rfe1 was not the best move, making black’s position “slightly more preferable.” The Cuban committed several more inaccuracies, desperately trying to squeeze out of his predicament. Matters only got worse, however, and when Aronian obtained a menacing passed b-pawn, it was just a matter of time before Dominguez had no other option but to admit defeat.
Anish Giri and Sergey Karjakin are the main contenders for second place, both with a 6.0/10 score. In their game, Giri tried a long-forgotten idea in the Catalan. 

He said that “If I’m able to stop his breakthrough with b5 I should be slightly better.” When he missed the sly 17.Ne5, with the idea of 17. …Bxg2 18.c4!, the Dutchman was unable to prevent the breakthrough with which Karjakin maintained the balance. Giri saw it coming and “just tried to make a draw.” He succeeded in doing so after 32 moves.

Replay all the games with Chess King.

Hikaru Nakamura managed to win his game, defeating Richard Rapport. Rapport once again ventured onto uncharted opening territory, creating a highly interesting position. Nakamura said that “had he (Rapport) calmed down he should have been a bit better but he continued to play very creatively.” Rapport went for an all-out attack against the black king with 19.Qf3, instead of taking the knight. The American happily accepted the material and when he fended off the assault, there was nothing Rapport could do to avoid losing the battle.

In the encounter between Loek van Wely and Boris Gelfand, the latter got his first win of the tournament. A balanced position arose from a Trompowsky but then the Dutchman “was overoptimistic and played a bit too ambitiously”, according to Gelfand. Van Wely sidelined his pieces, reducing them to mere spectators as the Israeli countered with 32. …Rd1. After 33.c5 Bc7 34.Rxh5? Rxf1+ 35.Kg2 Qg6 Van Wely could not prevent the checkmate and resigned several moves later.

Read more »

Labels: ,

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Levon Aronian wins 76th Tata Steel Chess 2014 with One Round to Go (Video)

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

World No. 2, Armenia's Levon Aronian has won the 76th edition of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2014 with one round to go. He already has 8/10 which is two points of Anish Giri and Sergey Karjakin who have 6 points each. Aronian beat Dominguez with Black to take the title in the penultimate round that concluded a while back. Aronian last won the event in 2012, ahead of Magnus Carlsen. Here is the post-game video via the official website.  Also, Ivan Saric won the Challengers Group, by winning his game today against Yu Yangiy.  (More updates later).




From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel




Labels: , ,

Bill Gates vs World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen 0-1 in 9 Moves, 71 Seconds on Skavlan Talk Show (Video)

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,



Photo: Skavlan


World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen has knocked out another celebrity as he goes around touring the world. This time it is one of the world's richest men - Bill Gates. Magnus took on Bill Gates in an impromptu game Thursday night on Skavlan, a Norwegian-Swedish television talk show hosted by Norwegian journalist Fredrik Skavlan


It was a checkmate in 71 seconds and nine moves.

Gates had already said, "The outcome is a foregone conclusion," as the chessboard was being brought to the stage. 

Carlsen said, "He was a bit unlucky and eventually fell to my tactics, but he otherwise made good, healthy moves. I think with a little more time, he could certainly be a pretty good player."

This is how it started:
"When you are not smart?" Fredrik Skavlan asked Bill Gates. "When I play chess against him," responded the Microsoft founder, nodding towards Carlsen. "Want to try?" asks Skavlan. "The outcome is a foregone conclusion, responded Gates.
The program, clips of which Reuters received in advance, was recorded on Wednesday in London, Norwegian TV NRK said.

  
Read a Reuters story at this link and a Yahoo story at this link.

Replay the game below in the Chess King applet


Gates, Bill - Carlsen, Magnus

Result: 0-1
Site: Skavlan Talk Show
Date: 2014.01.22

[...] 1.e4 ♘c6 2.♘f3 d5 3.♗d3 you could say hmmm there and jump to explain, but it's not all that bad 3...♘f6 4.exd5 ♕xd5 5.♘c3 ♕h5 6.O-O ♗g4 7.h3 ♘e5 8.hxg4 ♘fxg4 9.♘xe5 ♕h2# Magnus Carlsen wasn't going to miss that was he?




From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog 
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel


Labels: , , , ,