Jermuk Women's Chess Grand Prix: Martha Fierro's nice win against Xu Yuhua
 IM Martha Fierro Baquero of Ecuador
Hello Everybody,
Jermuk Women's Grand Prix 2010 has been a disappointment for IM Fierro Baquero Martha L so far. But, she finally opened her account by scoring a full point against GM Xu Yuhua in the 7th round. It took Fierro some time to decide whether to give up two rooks for the Queen. Finally, she went for it and earned her first point at the Grand Prix.
Her victory got overshadowed in the excellent performance that GM Nana Dzagnidze has shown so far at the tournament.
Here is the Fierro-Yuhua game. You can run it in our pgnplayer or watch it in the flashplayer below.
PGN: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3 cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Nb3 Nc6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 a6 11. Re1 Bd7 12. Bg5 Qc5 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Nxe6 Bxe6 16. Rxe6+ Kf7 17. Qd7+ Be7 18. Rae1 Rhe8 19. b4 Qxb4 20. R6e4 Qd6 21. Qf5 Rh8 22. Re6 Qc7 23. R1e4 h5 24. Rxe7+ Qxe7 25. Qd5+ Kf8 26. Rxe7 Kxe7 27. Qxb7+ Ke6 28. h4 Rac8 29. Qxa6+ Kf7 30. Qb7+ Kg6 31. Qe4+ Kg7 32. a4 Rc7 33. Qf5 Ra8 34. a5 Rca7 35. Qxh5 Rxa5 36. Qg4+ Kf7 37. Qd7+ Kg6 38. Qg4+ Kf7 39. Qc4+ Kg7 40. Qc7+ Kg6 41. g4 R8a7 42. Qd8 Kg7 43. Kg2 Rc5 44. h5 Rac7 45. Qe8 Rg5 46. Kg3 Kh7 47. f4 Rgg7 48. Qe4+ Kh8 49. Qe6 Rgf7 50. c4 Kg7 51. c5 Rce7 52. Qf5 Rc7 53. Qg6+ Kh8 54. c6 Rf8 55. h6 Rff7 56. Qe4 Rce7 57. Qd3 Rc7 58. Qc2 Rc8 59. Qg6 Rcc7 60. Kh4 Rf8 61. Kh5 Rff7 62. Qe4 Rce7 63. Qd5 Rf8 64. Qd6 Ref7 65. Kg6 Kg8 66. Qe6 1-0
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's Also see her personal blog at Labels: Martha Fierro, Women's Grand Prix, Xu Yuhua
Goodwill Chess by Martha Fierro
Hello everybody!
As I announced in February, March 2010 is a special goodwill events month initiated by the FIDE Commission for Women's Chess, which I co-chair.
The Secretary of the Women's Commission Martha Fierro has given goodwill simuls and events in Puerto Rico and Ecuador and is right now in Detroit for the final goodwill simuls of this month. The FIDE Commission for Women's Chess supported these events by donating free chess books and DVD's to each participant.
Here is the link to the article about the simul in Detroit that has been published a few days ago.
MARTHA FIERRO OFRECE SIMULTANEA DE AJEDREZ EN GUAYNABO
Por Francisco J. Cruz Arce
El pasado jueves, 11 de marzo de 2010, la Maestra Internacional de ajedrez Martha Fierro visitó el Club de Ajedrez de Guaynabo como parte la Comisión Femenina de la FIDE para impulsar el ajedrez femenino en Puerto Rico. En su visita Martha disfrutó del exquisito buffet del restaurantes Giovanna’s, mientras dialogaba con líderes del club y de la Federación de Ajedrez de Puerto Rico sobre asuntos del ajedrez a nivel isla y mundialmente. Luego la actividad comenzó formalmente, esta estaba dirigida específicamente para niñas de 6 a 18 años. Se componía de una sección de autógrafos con fotos, una simultánea y una entrega de libros y material ajedrecístico.
En la firma de autógrafo y fotos las niñas ya mostraban su emoción, por tener frente a ellas una maestra de calibre mundial, quien había sacado de su ajetreada agenda un tiempo para venir y compartir con ellas. Cabe señalar que no solo las niñas disfrutaron de esta parte de la actividad, pues fuimos muchos los que nos colamos para una foto y un autógrafo.
Luego pasamos a la simultánea. Con un total de 13 niñas y 4 niños, Martha comenzó sus partidas. Como era de esperarse fue nuestra pequeña promesa, WCM Danitza Vázquez Maccarini, quien dio la lucha más larga. Danitza demostró muy bien su conocimiento en la apertura contra 1.d4. Luego en el medio juego la fuerza de la maestra se impuso ganándole un peón, para así pasar a un final de torres con las blancas un peón arriba. Para este momento la IM Martha Fierro ya había finalizado con todas sus partidas de manera invicta, colocó un asiento frente a su más dura rival y emprendió la batalla por el punto completo. En el final la Maestra siguió presionando y luego del cambio de torres, el camino fue más fácil para las blancas, y completaron la victoria. Definitivamente una experiencia significativa para todas las niñas.
Luego, nuestra invitada tomo unos minutos para charlar con las ajedrecistas. Les dio consejos para mejorar su ajedrez, de lo importante que es tomarlo como diversión, practicarlo y estudiar para mejorarlo. En esta parte de la actividad nuestra invitada principal aprovechó la oportunidad de obsequiarles libros y material ajedrecístico a todas nuestras pequeñas invitadas, autografiados nada más y nada menos que por la campeona del mundo, Alexandra Kosteniuk. DVD’s de sus mejores partidas, así como también sus anécdotas de cómo llego a ser Gran Maestra y Campeona del Mundo; eran los temas principales.
Una noche que fue todo un éxito. La comunidad ajedrecística de Guaynabo, Puerto Rico y sus pueblos cercanos disfrutó de una actividad diferente. Una colaboración entre Martha, la Comisión Femenina de la FIDE, la Federación de Ajedrez de Puerto Rico y nuestro club que esperemos sea la primera de muchas.
Agradecemos a CHOICE CABLE TV y GIOVANNA’S LATIN BUFFET quienes fueron nuestros auspiciadores principales y también a nuestros siempre presentes auspiciadores, y los diferentes clubes del área que asisten y auspician este tipo de actividades que el Club de Guaynabo planifica con tanto esfuerzo para toda la comunidad ajedrecística de Puerto Rico. Pero, nuestro gran agradecimiento es para la MI Martha Fierro quien se robo el corazón de cada uno de nuestras niñas y jóvenes participantes que aún continúan comentando de su maravillosa experiencia.
Posted by: Alexandra Kosteniuk Women's World Chess Champion Labels: FIDE Women's Commission, goodwill, Martha Fierro
Martha Fierro FIDE Goodwill Chess Events
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess (WOM) will be organizing in March 2010 several goodwill lectures and simultaneous exhibitions: in San Juan – Puerto Rico; in Guayaquil – Ecuador; and in Detroit – United States to help promote chess among female chess players.
The events will be given by WGM Martha Fierro, reigning Women Continental Champion and Secretary of the WOM. The events are free, Martha is donating her time to promote chess.
I am thankful to Martha for this beautiful initiative, if every woman chess champion would work as she does for the promotion of chess, it would be great! So if you're a woman champion, try to follow her example, at least once in awhile. And if you're a chess fan in the locations visited by Martha, go and visit her and give her your support!
Planned events:
Puerto Rico:
March 9, 2010 - Two days full training sessions with young talent CM Danitza Vasquez (10 years old)
March 11, 2010 - Simultaneous Exhibition at the Club de Ajedrez Guaynabo
Ecuador:
March 16-17, 2010 - Various visits to schools to give an impulse to girls to play chess March 18, 2010 Lecture at the Federacion Deportiva Del Guayas March 19, 2010 Simultaneous Exhibition at the Federacion Deportiva Del Guayas
United States:
March 23, 2010 Lecture for girls, Detroit (exact place to be confirmed) March 24, 2010 Simultaneous Exhibition, Detroit (exact place to be confirmed)
The FIDE Commission for women’s chess thinks that these good-will events will encourage the participants to increase their interest in chess and will play an important role in promoting chess in general and women’s chess in particular in the world.
The WOM is working on organizing different good-will events around the world every year, if you think your federation or local club who are doing a lot for chess but need an additional push to make chess even more popular, might be interested in hosting a FIDE Goodwill event, let us know by sending an email to Alexandra or to Martha.
Posted by Alexandra Kosteniuk Women's World Chess Champion Co-Chair of the FIDE Commission on Women's Chess
Labels: FIDE Women's Commission, Martha Fierro
STAR interview: Martha Fierro
I'm glad to introduce another woman chess star - Martha Fierro from Ecuador. Martha was introduced to the game of chess only at the age of 13, nevertheless she's collected many awards. She's been her country's chess leader since 1992 and has been successfully representing Ecuador at the Chess Olympiads playing on the first board. In October 2008 Martha, together with her partner Carlos Matamoros won a sensational Gold Medal in the Blitz pair competition in the World Mind Sports Games in Beijing, winning in the final match against India. In March 2009 Martha was appointed the Secretary for the FIDE Commission for Women's Chess. I'm looking forward to working with Martha and hope that together we'll do many wonderful things for promoting women's chess in the world!
1. What is your place and date of birth?
Rhode Island, USA, September 6, 1977.
2. How did you start playing chess?
When I was 13 my father taught me to play chess.
3. What are your main achievements in chess?
I have won 5 times the Junior Pan American Championship, 2 times silver medalist at the Chess Olympiad (playing first board), my titles of WGM and IM , Gold Medalist in the World Mind Sport Games and have been the top rated women in Ecuador since 1992.
4. What is your peak rating?
2411.
5. Do you consider yourself a professional chess player?
Yes.
6. How often do you study chess? How many hours a day?
Everyday, depends of my schedule, because I also do a lot of coaching to many top junior and women players but I try at least 2 hours per day.
7. Do you have a chess trainer or you study chess by yourself?
I mostly study by myself, but in some occasions I do study with a chess trainer.
8. What do you study most: openings, middle game or endgames?
Middle games and endgames.
9. Do you prefer to play chess with men or with women?
I really don't have a preference in this case, for me it's the same.
10. Why do you think men are stronger than women in chess?
Because they are many more men playing and maybe there hasn't been a plan to increase and attract more women into chess.
11. When did you feel happiest about being a chess player? Why?
When I represented my country for the first time in an International Tournament.
12. If you had not become a chess player what career would you have chosen?
I would probably work in TV and radio production, this is what I studied at University.
13. How many brothers and sisters are there in your family?
I have one younger sister and an elder brother.
14. What is your favorite non-chess book?
I like to read Paulo Coelho.
15. Whom do you consider the best chess player in history?
I really like Kasparov' style and games and in my opinion he has been the best.
16. What is the best game you have ever played?
Very difficult question, because I am very critic with my games, I do have a few games that I have liked how I played but don't know my best game.
17. What do you like doing besides playing chess?
I coach a few talented young players and the top Italian women players. Apart from chess I love reading, listening to music and watching movies.
18. Do you believe in the future of women’s chess?
Yes, I believe that, with a right planning and motivation for women players we could increase the number and very important to organize more women events.
19. What is the best chess country in the world?
I think it is Spain, there are so many good tournaments and the conditions are good.
20. What is the best organized women’s tournament you took part in?
Apart from the Olympiads , World Youth and Pan Americans, I have just played 2 women tournaments so I cant really respond.
21. What is your dream in chess?
To become a GM.
22. What is your favorite chess piece?
I like the Bishop.
23. What is your favorite place in the world?
Home.
24. What is your favorite kind of food?
I love trying new and exotic food, but in general my favorite is Italian food.
25. What are your future plans for this year?
I am preparing for the the 2nd tournament of the Grand Prix circle and I have planned a few open tournaments.
26. Is chess popular in your country - Ecuador? Do you have any support from the government or your chess federation?
Chess has become very popular in the media, apart from football, is the other sport that gets a full front page in the sports section. After winning the gold medal at the WMSG (World Mind Sports Games) and silver medal at the last chess Olympiad I have received personal congratulations from the President of the Republic. Seems this new government will be an important supporter for chess.
Unfortunately I cannot say the same thing for the Federation, they dont work to improve chess in the country and all the top players are against the way the federation acts.
27. How is it to play chess for Ecuador?
I am very proud and happy to represent Ecuador. When I am in a tournament the media follows my result daily and I receive many emails from (Ecuadorians) non chess players supporting me each round.
28. What do you think we should do in order to make women’s chess more attractive to the media?
I think we should organize more women tournaments and invite the media, also I think is a nice idea to organize simuls around the world (given by a woman). Start talking more about women players. I think in general women chess could be more attractive for the media, specially because the draw statistic is lower than in the men's competition.
Posted by Alexandra Kosteniuk Women's World Chess Champion
Labels: Martha Fierro
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