Natalia Pogonina Beats the World

Hello everybody!

Just before leaving for the Russian Team Championship, my friend Natalia was able to win her game against the world, played on chess.com. Just in time, and in great style!

Congratulations, Natalia! (Read Natalia's Star Interview).

A short summary of the game:

Pogonina vs the World match took place from December 24, 2009 to March 28, 2010. During these three months a few thousand chess players from over 100 countries have been competing against top female grandmaster Natalia Pogonina. Among those who have revealed their identities were two IMs, two FMs, numerous NMs and CMs, as well as many strong correspondence players. Each side had one day per move. The World was offered a chance to discuss the course of the game at a special forum (not available to Natalia), come up with the best decision and vote. The move that received the most votes was automatically made. It’s important to mention that vote chess is perfectly suited for learning chess since more experienced players have a chance to teach and instruct their less experienced teammates along the way.

Read Natalia's impressions after the game, see the game itself, even on video, on Natalia's web site.

Posted by Alexandra Kosteniuk

Women's World Chess Champion

www.chessblog.com

ACP Women Series 2008-2009

On July 12th, the ACP (association of chess professionals) announced the winners of the 2nd ACP women series 2008-2009.

The first place with 1730 ACP points out of 6 events went to Tatiana Kosintseva (on the photo).

The second with 976 points out of 4 events was myself - Alexandra Kosteniuk and the third place went to Natalya Pogonina with 883 points out of 4 events.

The rules of the ACP women' series tour can be found here. The full standing with all the winners of 2008-2009 can be found here.

Posted by: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Women's World Chess Champion
Chess Blog for Women www.chessblog.com

Follow me on Twitter

Become my friend on Facebook

Watch my YouTube channel "ChessQueen"

Natalia Pogonina's New Web Site

Peter Zhdanov wrote to me to let me know that the redesign of Natalia Pogonina's web site has been completed, and that you can see it at www.pogonina.com.

Congratulations to Peter and Natalia for a very nicely designed site!

You will remember that Natalia played with me the 2008 Beijing Mind Sports Games on the second board of the Russian team and did a superb performance. Natalia is now definitely one of the top stars of Russian women's chess.

Here's a photo of her below, courtesy www.chesspics.com.

Posted by Alexandra Kosteniuk
Women's World Chess Champion
www.chessblog.com