Videos Chess Olympiad u16 from Hungary

Hello chess blog friends, Chess Olympiad u-16 was recently held in Győr, Hungary with a record 40 teams. Indian won the chess olympiad. Here are some nice videos from the event. Enjoy!





From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Record Participation Expected at World Youth U-16 Chess Olympiad 2014 in Hungary

Hello chess blog friends, Only four months after the Chess Olympiad in Tromso where the greatest chess players of the world competed against each other it is already time to have a look at the best talents of the next generation. In December this year Hungary may organize a Chess Olympiad for the first time, the competition for youth aged under 16 years. 

The event takes place in the city of Győr and with more than a month before the start the organizers have real hope for more participant nations than ever before at any Youth Chess Olympiad. It really seems that the best chess talents of all five continents will be present in Hungary between 12th - 22nd December. 

Awarding the right of organization to Hungary is a clear sign of high international recognition of chess life in the country which is rightly confirmed by the fact that Judit Polgar who has been leading the women's FIDE world rankings for more than 25 years has agreed to be the face of the event representing talent and the Hungarian chess traditions. By mentioning Judit Polgar let us not forget that after FIDE tightened a rule that had existed earlier participation of girls are now guaranteed. In each team a maximum four of the five team members can be a boy.
All the entries till now here: http://wyco2014.chess.hu/entries

The promo video features Judit Polgar, Csaba Balogh, Benjamin Gledura who was European Champion of his age group and Kata Karacsonyi who was the first to follow in the footsteps of Judit Polgar to win the National Championship topping all boys in their age groups.

You can see the video by clicking on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZuOiBrc5rE

You can find more information on the official website of the event: http://wyco2014.chess.hu/

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
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Funny Chess Video: Ivanchuk vs Kramnik!

Hello chess blog friends, here's another funny chess video and it's from the chess olympiad itself! Watch chess stars Vassily Ivanchuk and Vladimir Kramnik in a... er... funny chess moment. Have a great chess weekend!




From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
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Australia-Romania Chess Trivia Photo: Name Her

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 

  

This nice photo was taken at the Chess Olympiad in Lucern, Switzerland, in 1982. Can you name her? She represented Australia and is originally from Timisoara, Romania.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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World Chess Cup, Chess Olympiad: Steering Committee Set Up

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi Everyone,

The Azerbaijani president has signed an order on establishment of the Steering Committee for holding World Chess Cup 2015 and World Chess Olympiad 2016. News reports state that the First Deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyyubov has been appointed as chairman of the Organizing Committee. The Committee includes ministers, committee, service chiefs, president and vice-presidents of the Chess Federation.

The Organizing Committee is to develop a special Action Plan for holding World Chess Cup 2015 and World Chess Olympiad 2016 in Baku and to ensure its implementation.

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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2016 Chess Olympiad Gets Generous Bid by Azerbaijan

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012


Hi everyone,


The Chess Federation of Azerbaijan has come up with a rich offer to host the 2016 Chess Olympiad and 2015 World Cup in Baku. The proposed venue is the Baku Crystal Hall, a new multi-functional indoor complex that was built in order to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, according to a report by Chessdom.


The budget for the 2015 World Cup is set to 2,2 million EUR. From this sum 1,28 million EUR is the prize fund, while 256.000 would be the FIDE fee.


The budget for the 2016 Chess Olympiad is the astounding 13,3 million EUR! 6,8 million is set for the first-class accommodation for the players and delegates. Another 1 million is planned for the FIDE Commission for World Championships & Olympiads and intellectual rights.

Baku Crystal Hall

On the top of everything, Azerbaijan offers a special travel grant of 1,5 million EUR to FIDE to allocate for teams requiring travel subsidy. Great news for the federations like Australia and others where players have to pay for the airfare on their own. The other two bids, coming from Albena, Bulgaria and Tallinn, Estonia, appear to be much more modest. The bids are included in Agenda for the 83rd FIDE Congress in Istanbul.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Also see her personal blog at
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Anand Believes He Would Win Next Chess World Title As Well

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi everyone,

 

World chess champion Viswanathan Anand said on Thursday he believed he would win the next world chess title as well. "I hope it's me. After me, me... what can I say... I am not trying not to think of who is coming next. Because, I am not interested," the chess wizard said when asked who would be the next world champion.

Anand said that he does not believe in numbers when asked if he was looking to emulate Russian legend Garry Kasparov's feat of six titles.

"I only think one championship ahead. I don't think about numbers. This time I was only playing against (Boris) Gelfand, I was not thinking about the fifth (title) or something."

Anand said that he opted out of India's team for the chess Olympiad in Turkey, scheduled from August 27-December 10, as he did not enjoy the format.

"I had issues with the format. It's already been several times that I've done this. I want to concentrate on some other tournaments."

Terming his world championship fight against Gelfand the toughest of all, Anand said, "When I played against Gelfand, I already played two matches. In a way, I had exposed my cards. Gelfand is much too good and sophisticated a player to miss that kind of materials. He simply had some open cards from me to prepare himself effectively.

"I expected him to be difficult and that's how it turned out. He was able to prepare himself well, having got a few open cards from me. He conducted himself exceedingly well. We were trying every game without making any harakiri. Last four games were pretty intense."

Terming 21-year-old Norwegian Magnus Carlsen as one of the fine upcoming talents, Anand said: "He is an amazing talent. He is one you see once or twice in a century. We drew a couple of times in our last meeting."

Famous for his rapid mastery, he said: "It is a help. But when you are playing world championship, tension is a much big factor than your form in the rapid chess."

About his team of seconds that included Kolkata's GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly, he said: "We worked extremely hard like every time. But lot of cards were exposed. That's why, it's becoming easier for the opponents. That's the reality we will have to deal with it more and more."

Asked about being together for long, he said: "There are some disadvantages as well. It's the same people, there's limited pool of ideas. But these things, you don't evaluate too much."

On his one-year-old and three months son Akhil, he said, "At some point, I will leave him near a chessboard and see if he's interested or not. I will try to introduce him to lot of things and see which one catches his fancy."

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Also see her personal blog at
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Candid chess chat and kisses from pretty champ Pogonina

Chess News and Chess Trivia Blog (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2010

Natalia Pogonina

Find more great photos of this chess star here.

Hello Everyone,

Before we write anything about this Russian super-strong and pretty chess player let us clarify to all fans that she is married. Sorry. You're too late.

And, now you can go on and read her interview.

WGM Natalia Andreevna Pogonina, 25 years old, a resident of Saratov in Russia was on Board 1 for Russia 2 at the recent Chess Olympiad in Khanty Mansisyk. A law student, she knows her mind and can speak well on any subject.

You will love reading this nice interview she gave to Radio Xadrez in Portuguese. You can read it in English at Chessbase.

Q. Radio Xadrez: – First of all, we’d like to know: have you always played chess exclusively or are you interested in any other sports? Looking through the pretty pictures on your website, we have a feeling that you could be a beautiful ice skater or an Olympic gymnast in Russia. Has it always been only chess?

Natalia Pogonina: I am an avid sports fan and enjoy watching almost all types of sport broadcasts. Also love playing football, basketball, volleyball, skating and dancing.

Q. Radio Xadrez: – We’ve always heard in America that millions of children play chess in Russia. That leads us to think of babies who are born holding chess pieces, chess clocks and have autographs of Mikhail Tal or Alexander Alekhine on their onesies. Have you played since you were a little girl or did it take a while for you to find out about the game?

Natalia Pogonina: As most grandmasters, I have learnt how to play chess at a relatively early age – at five. Since I was 12 (after winning the Russian Championship) for the first time I started considering myself a chess semi-pro, and decided to become a chess professional a few years later.

She also talks about how though being a chess mom she won't pressurize her son into taking up chess. Sensible that.

Go on read the full interview. Enjoy.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

www.chessblog.com

Also see her personal chess blog at

www.chessqueen.com

39th Chess Olympiad begins in Khanty-Mansiysk

Alexandra Kosteniuk's Chess News & Trivia (c) 2010

The Immortal Game Adolf Anderssen vs L. Kieseritzky being played out with 'live' chess pieces at the opening ceremony of the 39th Chess Olympiad.

Hello Everyone,

The 39th Chess Olympiad began with a beautiful opening ceremony. It took place in the 'Arena Ugra' complex of the city of Khanty-Mansiysk in Siberia with more than 5,000 guests in the audience. A nice bright laser show, national dances and the legendary game Adolf Anderssen vs L. Kieseritzky played out with 'live' chess pieces was the highlight of the ceremony.

Here is a Europe Echecs vidoe also.

Apart from the messages by dignitaries, Chief Arbiter of the Olympiad Sava Stoisavljevic conducted the official procedure of drawing of colors for the first round assisted by “alive kings and queens”.

You can check out the entire photo gallery here. It's a slideshow not to be missed!

Meanwhile, here is the Adolf Anderssen vs L. Kieseritzky game video for you again.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

www.chessblog.com

Also see her personal blog at

www.chessqueen.com

Chess computer to be 'commentator' at Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk

The mighty BlueGene

Hello Everyone,

We found this very interesting news that the super computer BlueGene will be providing live commentary at the 39th World Chess Olympiad that takes place from September 20 to October 3 in Khanty-Mansiysk, Western Siberia.

This is the first time such an event will take place.

Don't forget Veselin Topalov had used the BlueGene to prepare against Vishy Anand earlier this year for the World Chess Championship.

It's working will be like this: BlueGene will choose 20 interesting games from 600 while they are being played and being broadcast over the Internet. BlueGene will provide commentary in three languages. Russian programmers have prepared the software for this electronic commentator.

Incidentally, the 39th Chess Olympics will be the biggest ever as it will have the largest number of participants - more than 1,300 chess players from 158 countries and regions!

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

www.chessblog.com

Also see her personal blog at

www.chessqueen.com

Chess Olympiad 2012 Logo and History

Hi everybody!

I just got back from Colombia and am preparing a post about it for you. Before that, I'd like to share the following with you, about the Chess Olympiads:

The organizers of the 40th Chess Olympiad which will take place in 2012 in Istanbul, invite you till the 31st of March to vote for your favorite logo of the event, here.

The Chess Olympiad is a very special event. A tournament where one can really feel the moto of the FIDE - Gens Una Sumus!

A little bit of history about the Chess Olympiads:

The first world team competition took place in Paris in 1924 and was reported as the 'Chess Olympic Games.' It is not, however, counted as one of the official 'Chess Olympiads'; on the one hand it was not organised by FIDE, while on the other the method of scoring was different from that worked out later.

The year 1924 is a milestone in chess history not so much because of this competition but because it saw the formation of the International Chess Federation (Federation Internationale des Echecs) by the players present in Paris. The first President of FIDE, Dr Rueb, of Holland, was also elected in Paris, and for a quarter of a century he fulfilled this important office with great skill and diplomacy.

In 1927, representatives from sixteen countries assembled in London to take part in the first of the series of international team competitions which have become known as Chess Olympiads. The naming of FIDE's team championship as the "Chess Olympiad" is of historical origin and implies no connection between this event and the Olympic Games, which means that, unfortunately, chess Olympiad medals are not Olympic medals, and a clear distinction should be made about it. Therefore it is misleading and untrue to call the medals earned in chess Olympiads as "Olympic".

In the first three Olympiads the board order of the players was not fixed and therefore was not necessarily identical with their strength. But since 1931 it has been the rule that the playing order submitted with the entry must be adhered to throughout the competition. If a player is rested, those below him have to play a board higher.

The first women's chess olympiad has been held in 1957, and from 1972 it takes place every two years together with the men's chess olympiad.

The full table of the men's and women's olympiads you can find on the olimpbase.org

The 2008 Olympiad was held in Dresden, Germany. The 2010 Olympiad is going to be held in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia in September this year. The 2012 Olympiad is going to be held in Istanbul, Turkey. There is already a bid for the 2014 Olympiad by Tromso, Norway. The host for the 2014 Olympiad will be decided during the General Assembly of FIDE in Khanty-Mansiysk this year.

I already took part in 5 Olympiads. In 1998 I took part in my first ever Olympiad which took place in Elista, Russia. I played for the Russia-3 team which was also called the team of Kalmykia. Our team was seeded 33rd at the beginning of the event but we managed to do very well and at the end shared 6-9th places. I scored 10 out of 13 and took the silver medal on my board. In 2002 I played in my second Olympiad but it was my first Olympiad for the national team of Russia. Our team took silver medals, behind the Chinese women. In 2004 in my third Olympiad, I played for the first time on the first board. I met over the board against 3 former (Xie Jun, Maia Chiburdanidze, Susan Polgar) and one reigning (at that time) World Champions (Antoaneta Stefanova) and lead my team to the bronze medals. In 2006 in Turin I played once again on the first board for Russia and this time we took silver medals behind the team of Ukraine. In 2008 in Dresden I played on the first board for Russia once again. For the first time since the Olympiad in Moscow in 1994 our women's Russian team didn't take medals. We shared the third place but was fourth on tie-breaks. So this year we will try to do our best in Khanty-Mansiysk and I'm sure it will be a great event.

See photos of most women's teams from the Torino 2006 Olympiad

But for the moment go to the official web-site of the 2012 Chess Olympiad in Istanbul and vote for the logo you like most.

Posted by: Alexandra Kosteniuk

Women's World Chess Champion

www.chessblog.com