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Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Four-Nations Chess League: Guildford 1 Wins Title with Fressinet, Short, Edouard, Jones, Saddler, Kampen, Stefanova
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Guildford 1 won the Four Nations Chess League (4NCL) on Monday finishing on 13 points out of 7 matches. The team, which had e.g. Laurent Fressinet, Nigel Short, Romain Edouard, Gawain Jones, Matthew Sadler, Robin van Kampen and Antoaneta Stefanova playing this year, scored one match point more than Wood Green Hilsmark 1 (with e.g. Vassily Ivanchuk, Michael Adams, Alexei Shirov and Luke McShane), according to a ChessVibes report.
The Four Nations Chess League (4NCL) is a team tournament (league) over three divisions in the UK. Over 850 players are taking part and there's over £10,000 in cash prizes on offer. It is held at different venues over various weekends. The first eight rounds were played over four weekends, and the final three rounds took place last Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Like the German Bundesliga, the 4NCL is a company and not connected to an official body. Different from the Bundesliga and other leagues is that each team must have at least one female player.
For the final, decisive weekend some teams flew in a few really strong players. Especially reigning champion Wood Green's line-up was impressive: in the last three rounds Vassily Ivanchuk, Michael Adams, Alexei Shirov, Luke McShane, David Howell, Jonathan Rowson, Pia Cramling, Alexander Baburin, John Emms, Andrew Greet and Nicholas Pert all played at least one game.
But it was not enough. Instead, Guildford 1 took the title, playing with Laurent Fressinet, Gawain Jones, Romain Edouard, Nigel Short, Matthew Sadler, Robin van Kampen, Antoaneta Stefanova, Mark Hebden and Stuart Conquest.
Guildford had won all of their matches and they went into the final weekend a point ahead of Wood Green, who dropped a match point on February 23rd in their match with Cheddleton 1. All games ended in draws there.
Last Saturday, both Guildford and Wood Green won their matches. Wood Green's Michael Adams, who played his last game in the Alekhine Memorial in St Petersburg only three days before, slowly outplayed Peter Wells in a double rook endgame.
However, everything came down to the final round, in which the big clash would decide everything. 4-4 was enough for Guildford, and that's what happened! At some point the score was 3.5-3.5 and David Howell needed to win against Nigel Short for the title. In the end the former World Championship Candidate held the draw, and thus secured the championship for his team. Read the complete report and games here.
Congratulations to Anna Ushenina - Women's World Chess Champion 2012
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Congratulations to Anna Ushenina for winning the Women's World Chess Championship 2012. She won the second game of the tiebreak played in Khanty Mansiysk to take the title. The first game of the tiebreak was drawn. Ushenina was rated only 30 in the 64-player knockout tournament. Stefanova made Ushenina struggle right down to the rope in a Rook and pawn endgame. But, Ushenina had two connected passers and there was no blundering away the endgame. Stand by for more updates. Join the final press conference live at the official website.
Women's World Chess Championship 2012 Final Game 4: Stefanova Wins Back, Levels Score; Tiebreaks on Dec 1
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Former Women's World Chess Champion Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria struck back and levelled the score against Anna Ushenina of Ukraine in the fourth game of the final in Khanty Mansiysk on Friday. The return victory by the Bulgarian not only ensured that she would remain in the match but would also force a tiebreak that is to be played on Saturday, December 1.
The tiebreaks begin with two rapid games: 25 minutes plus 10 second per move for each player. If the score is level, they will continue with two quicker games: 10 minutes plus 10 seconds per move. If the winner is still not determined, the players will proceed to blitz games: 5 minutes plus 3 seconds per move. Finally, is the score remains equal, the Armageddon game steps up: White has 5 minutes, Black has 4 minutes, 3 seconds per move are added starting with the move 61, and a draw counts as a victory for Black.
Khanty Mansiysk Women's World Chess Championship 2012 Final Game 3: Anna Ushenina Beats Antoaneta Stefanova, Takes Lead
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012 Hi everyone,
Anna Ushenina of Ukraine has taken the lead in the final of the Women's World Chess Championship 2012 being played in Khanty Mansiysk. In the third game, she beat Antoaneta Stefanova's not-oft used Slav Defense. The Bulgarian went for the Chebanenko Variation (with 4…a6; also called the Chameleon Variation sometimes) which Stefanova has not played for a long time. Nevertheless, Ushenina was not caught by surprise. White played very well and got a small advantage. In an attempt to activate her pieces, Black carried out a pawn break in the center, which turned out very risky. White replied with an interesting tactical operation, trading two minor pieces for a rook and two pawns. Formally the material was still equal, however, White got a clear advantage: Black’s pieces were badly coordinated, and her king became weak. Soon White advanced the passed pawn, and her position became overwhelming. Stefanova got into time trouble and was unable to defend perfectly. Instead of seeking the vital counterplay on the kingside, she decided to play passively, which turned out to be a decisive mistake. Ushenina converted her advantage flawlessly, not giving her opponent any hope. Black resigned on the 37th move. By winning this game Anna Ushenina took the match lead – 2-1. The fourth game (and the last one with a classical time control) is scheduled on Friday, November 30th. Antoaneta Stefanova plays White and needs a win to stay in the match. You can replay the game with Chess King - your super-strong chess tutor! From Alexandra Kosteniuk's www.chessblog.com Also see her personal blog at www.chessqueen.com Don't miss Chess Queen™ YouTube Channel
Women's World Chess Championship 2012 Final Game 2: Stefanova, Ushenina Settle for Quick Draw
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012 Hi everyone,
The second game between Antoaneta Stefanova and Anna Ushenina was a short draw on Wednesday. The match score is 1-1. The second game of the Women’s World Championship match between Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria) and Anna Ushenina (Ukraine) featured an interesting theoretical discussion. The Bulgarian, playing White, decided to test her opponent’s knowledge in a very sharp opening variation known as the Slav Gambit: White sacrifices a central pawn, but forces Black to keep the king in the center and obtains long-lasting initiative. Ushenina, however, deviated from the main lines, and by the 10th move the players reached an original position with complicated strategic and tactical pattern.
The position looked more promising for White, but Stefanova possibly misplayed it on the next few moves. Ushenina could sacrifice a pawn for the initiative and try to utilize her development lead. This would create a very sharp game risky for both sides. However, the Ukrainian preferred a safer path, simplifying the position, and the players agreed to a draw already on the 17th move on a half-empty board.
The match score us 1-1. The third game of the final is to be played on Thursday, November 29th with Anna Ushenina playing White in the game. You can replay the game with Chess King.
Women's World Chess Championship 2012 Final Game 1: Ushenina Escapes Stefanova with Draw in Time Dash
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012 Hi everyone,
The first game of the final match for the Women's World Chess Championship 2012 in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia, was played on Tuesday between Anna Ushenina of Ukraine and Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria.
The Ukrainian had White. In a well-known opening variation White had certain initiative, but Black’s position was very solid. After the game Anna Ushenina said that she expected this opening, although her opponent does not use it often. After the opening Stefanova offered a draw, but Ushenina declined and, as she confessed at the press-conference, over-reacted, weakening her king too much. Soon Black won a pawn and got excellent winning chances. However, Stefanova, being under time pressure, made a mistake on the 31st move, moving the f-pawn and weakening her king as well. White activated her queen and rook, and within the next few moves Black’s advantage evaporated. In five more moves the players agreed to a draw. You can watch the game with Chess King.
The second game is being played on Wednesday with Stefanova having White. This is a best-of-four match. If the score after four games is 2-2, the players continue on tie-break. The tie-breaks begin with two rapid games: 25 minutes plus 10 second per move for each player. If the score is 1-1, they will continue with two quicker games: 10 minutes plus 10 seconds per move. If the winner is still not determined, the players will proceed to blitz games: 5 minutes plus 3 seconds per move. Finally, is the score remains equal, the Armageddon game steps up: White has 5 minutes, Black has 4 minutes, 3 seconds per move are added starting with the move 61, and a draw counts as a victory for Black.
Khanty-Mansiysk Women's World Chess 2012: Ushenina Knocks out Wenjun, Joins Stefanova in Final
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
What do you do with a lost game at the Women's World Chess Championship? The answer is 'fight it out'. That's the recipe Anna Ushenina of Ukraine used to knock out Ju Wenjun of China in the tiebreak games of the semi-final in Khanty Mansiysk on Sunday. Ushenina now meets Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria to vie for the World Women's Chess Champion 2012 title.
In the first tie-break game Anna, playing White, got an overwhelming position after the opening. Ju Wenjun had to sacrifice a piece in order to save her king from White’s attack. Black had some counterplay, but White calmly parried all threats, and soon the Chinese resigned.
In the second game Ju Wenjun got a better position, and Black sacrificed a pawn to avoid bigger trouble. White responded by sacrificing an exchange for two pawns, and had decent winning chances in the resulting position. However, she missed a number of winning continuations due to time trouble, and Ushenina avoided all traps and saved the game with accurate defending. The draw was enough for Ushenina to advance to the final of the Khanty-Mansiysk Women's World Chess Championship 2012. Watch the exciting second game with Chess King.
Semifinal results:Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria) – Harika Dronavalli (India) 1.5-0.5 Anna Ushenina (Ukraine) – Ju Wenjun (China) 2.5-1.5
Meanwhile, Harika Dronavalli (India) and Ju Wenjun (China) were also awarded the bronze medal by Khanty-Mansiysk Mayor and Ugra Chess Federation president Vassily Filipenko.
Monday, November 26, is a rest day. The final match begins on November 27. This is a best-of-four match. If the score after four games is 2-2, the players continue on tie-break. The tie-breaks begin with two rapid games: 25 minutes plus 10 second per move for each player. If the score is 1-1, they will continue with two quicker games: 10 minutes plus 10 seconds per move. If the winner is still not determined, the players will proceed to blitz games: 5 minutes plus 3 seconds per move. Finally, is the score remains equal, the Armageddon game steps up: White has 5 minutes, Black has 4 minutes, 3 seconds per move are added starting with the move 61, and a draw counts as a victory for Black.
Khanty-Mansiysk Women's World Chess 2012: Stefanova in Final; Ushenina, Wenjun to Play Tiebreak
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Antoaneta Stefanova - A second crack at the title!
The second games of the Women’s World Championship semifinals were played today in Khanty-Mansiysk. Bulgaria's Antoaneta Stefanova becomes the first to advance to the final match.
Harika Dronavalli (India) needed to win as White to tie the match score against Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria). In a slow maneuvering game the Indian advanced her pawns on the queenside, and Stefanova pushed on the kingside. As the game got more open, Black sacrificed a piece for White’s three central pawns and obtained a big advantage. However, Stefanova did not try to win the game outright and just forced a draw by repetition, securing the match victory. Now the former World Champion will have a chance to win her second title.
Tiebreak games to decide who goes home, and who plays Stefanova.
Anna Ushenina (Ukraine) and Ju Wenjun (China) agreed to an early draw. The Chinese was unable to get an opening advantage with White and offered a draw on the 18th move. Tomorrow, November 25th, the tie-break will determine the second participant of the final match. It will be the fifth tie-break at this championship for Ju Wenjun, and the second one for Ushenina.
Semifinal results: Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria) – Harika Dronavalli (India) 1.5-0.5 Anna Ushenina (Ukraine) – Ju Wenjun (China) 1-1
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The Women's World Chess Championship 2012 semi-final games were played in Khanty Mansiysk on Friday. Just two games, but the excitement packed in them was all worth it. In the first game, Antoaneta Stefanova beat Harika Dronavalli in a game of fireworks. In the other game, Anna Ushenina, who had displayed excellent form so far, let go of her splendid advantage allowing Ju Wenjun to draw the game.
Click on the links to view the respective games with Chess King:
Antoaneta Stefanova from Bulgaria took the lead against the Indian Harika Dronavalli, winning the first game of the match with White pieces. The former World Champion got a promising position after the opening. After lengthy maneuvering White made a break on the kingside and won a pawn. Black still had drawing chances and could equalize with accurate defending, but Harika impatiently went for a sharp counterattack. She sacrificed another pawn and then a piece, but miscalculated and did not get sufficient compensation for her losses. Stefanova combined defensive moves with threats to the black king and finished the game with a nice tactical blow that inevitably led to a checkmate.
Anna Ushenina (Ukraine) trapped her opponent Ju Wenjun (China) in the opening to obtain an overwhelming advantage. The Chinese did not defend perfectly, and her position soon became critical. However, the Ukrainian wrongly rejected the opponent’s exchange sacrifice, and Black managed to come back. A draw was agreed on the 28th move.
Women's World Chess 2012 Semi-Finals Today: Watch Live Stefanova vs Dronavalli, Ushenina vs Wenjun
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Marie Sebag vs Antoaneta Stefanova
The Women's World Chess Championship 2012 is all set for the semi-finals that begin in Khanty Mansiysk on Friday. The pairings are Antoaneta Stefanova vs Dronavalli Harika and Anna Ushenina versus Ju Wenjun. Watch all the action live on Friday at the official website.
Earlier, six participants had played the previous round tiebreaks on Thursday. Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria) convincingly defeated Marie Sebag (France). In the first game of the match emotions took over logic, and the spectators witnessed a completely crazy game with brilliant moves and horrible blunders coming from both sides at an alarming rate. Finally the French player got an overwhelming position with an extra piece, but the Bulgarian kept cool and capitalized on her opponent’s final blunder by promoting a passed pawn. Sebag had to return material, ended up down an exchange and resigned. The second game was one-sided, and Stefanova won convincingly, thus wrapping up the match 2-0. The former World Champion advanced to the semifinal.
Zhao Xue vs Harika Dronavalli
The match between Harika Dronavalli (India) and Zhao Xue (China) was just as tense. The Chinese, playing White in the first game, got a promising position, but her hesitation allowed the opponent to advance her passed pawn a bit too far. Harika combined threats in the center and on the kingside, and finished the game with a nice attack against the king. In the second game the Indian got an opening advantage, pushed in the middlegame, and found the right moment to transpose to a drawn ending, as she was content with a draw. Harika won the match 1.5-0.5 and looked very happy at the press-conference. She thanked her parents, friends, trainers, and especially her grandmother, who also came to Khanty-Mansiysk.
The Chinese Ju Wenjun and Huang Qian were unable to determine the winner in rapid games, drawing both after very tenacious struggle. In the first 10-minute game Ju Wenjun had a big advantage and excellent winning chances, but misplayed in the end, allowing the opponent to make a draw. The second game was also a roller coaster ride: Huang Qian obtained a big advantage with complete domination on the board, but then made several mistakes, and Black turned the tables. Ju Wenjun played flawlessly for the rest of the game, and secured the match victory.
Earlier, Anna Ushenina had already knocked out Nadezhda Kosintseva in the main games to be the first to make it to the semi-finals of the Women's World Chess Championship 2012.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012 Hi everyone,
The Khanty-Mansiysk Women's World Chess Championship 2012 continued with its unpredictable streak in the third round that began on Saturday. The first games of the round were played with five of the eight games turning out to be decisive.
Results: Round 3, First Game Alisa Galliamova - Marie Sebag 0-1 Mariya Muzychuk - Xue Zhao ½-½ Anna Ushenina - Natalija Pogonina 1-0 Lela Javakhishvili - Dronavalli Harika ½-½ Monika Socko - Antoaneta Stefanova 0-1 Qian Huang - Irina Krush 0-1 Tatiana Kosintseva - Nadezhda Kosintseva ½-½ Wenjun Ju - Natalia Zhukova 1-0
Monika Socko had knocked out reigning Women's World Chess Champion Hou Yifan in the previous round. She began Round with a loss. Socko's 20th move was a blunder and she could not recover thereafter. Ironically, Natalia Zhukova who had knocked out top-rated player Humpy Koneru also lost. Alisa Galliamova, who had knocked out Valentina Gunina also lost. Replay the game in the Chess King applet in the extended post below. In the position below, Socko plays 20.Qe3. Can you see the strong move from Black that eventually gave Stefanova her win as Black?
Women's Chess Grand Prix Ankara R9: Anna Muzychuk in Sole Lead
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Koneru Humpy-Anna Muzychuk at
Ankara Women's Chess Grand Prix.
The Women's Chess Grand Prix in Ankara saw the top seeds clash in the ninth round. Anna Muzychuk beat overnight leader Koneru Humpy and is now in the lead. You can see the Humpy-Muzychuk with Chess King. Former women's world chess champion Antoaneta Stefanova scored the first full point in the tournament by winning against Kubra Ozturk who sacrificed a pawn in the middle game but didn't get enough compensation later on. Tatiana Kosinsteva committed three times the same mistake until Betul Yildiz found the winning move and converted the score in her favour. Zhao Xue was persistent in finding winning chances against Monika Socko and eventually succeeded in winning. Two more games could have been decisive if Viktorija Cmilyte and Ju Wenjun would have converted their advantage. Standings after nine rounds have Anna Muzychuk with 7 points, Koneru Humpy at 6.5, Zhao Xue at 6.0, Ruan Lufei at 5.5, Viktorija Cmilyte and Ju Wenjun at 5 each, Munguntuul Batkhuyag has 4.5 points, Tatiana Kosintseva 4 points and Antoaneta Stefanova has 3 points. Monika Socko and Kubra Ozturk have 2 points each. Two more rounds are to played.
Women's Chess Grand Prix R3 in Ankara: Spot Socko's Draw vs Wenjun in Lost Position
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The third round saw exciting chess games at the FIDE Women's Chess Grand Prix in Ankara on Tuesday. The Vice President of the Turkish Chess Federation, the candidate for the TCF President Gulkiz Tulay, made the first symbolic move in the game Kubra Ozturk-Batkhuyag Munguntuul. Both drew their game.
The biggest sensation of the third round happened in the game Monika Socko against Ju Wenjun. Chinese player had absolutely winning position but Monika was not in a hurry to resign and successfully used her last chance! See the position below. Can you spot the draw?
Black could have easily won by playing almost anything but 70. ...Bf7-d5. Can you spot how White gets a draw now? Answer at the end of the post.
The Bulgarian chess player Antoaneta Stefanova got slightly better position after the opening against Indian Humpy Koneru. In the endgame former world champion started to play inaccurately and let her opponent grab the point.
Tatiana Kosintseva of Russia
Photos: Anastasiya Karlovich
Viktorija Cmilyte was in the trouble after the opening as she didn't get enough compensation for a pawn but later, her opponent Zhao Xue made a mistake and the evaluation of the position changed in favour of the Latvian player. Ruan Lufei won the third game in a row playing against Betul Yildiz. Anna Muzychuk and Tatiana Kosinsteva played a long and complicated game, but Muzychuk eventually won.
Answer: Bd5 was a blunder by Black. A simple 70...Qxf3+ 71.Kh2 (In case of 71.Qg2+ Qxg2+ 72.Kxg2 Black has got the "right" bishop.) 71...Qf4+ winning without any trouble. However, now White draws easily using the stalemate idea with 71.Qh8+! 71...Kf7 72.Qf6+ Kg8 73.Qh8+ Kf7 74.Qf6+ Kxf6 1/2-1/2
Women Chess Grand Prix R2: Yildiz Scores Upset Win over Cmilyte!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The second round at the Women's Chess Grand Prix saw an upset with Viktorija Cmilyte losing to Betul Yildiz. You can read the players' comments and replay the game with Chess King. Meanwhile, the game Humpy Koneru - Zhao Xue finished in a draw after three-time repetition comparatively quickly. Tatiana Kosintseva of Russia also drew with former Women's World Chess Champion Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria. Another draw of the second round was in the game between top seed Anna Muzychuk of Slovenia and the Mongolian Munguntuul Batkhuyag.
Tatiana Kosintseva-Antoaneta Stefanova (Eventually Tatiana played 1.e4 instead of 1.d4 as seen in photo!) Photo: Anastasiya Karlovich.
A surprising victory of the Turkish chess player Betul Yildiz against the Latvian Grandmaster and rating favorite in the match Viktoria Cmilyte followed soon after. The other Turkish player in the Grand Prix, Kubra Ozturk lost to Chinese player Ju Wenjun. Polish player Monica Socko tried to hold on to a an endgame, but eventually lost to the Chinese Ruan Lufei.
Here are the comments by the players on their games:
Humpy Koneru – Zhao Xue 1/2-1/2 Humpy Koneru: It was complicated position with many different possibilities. I was trying to prepare e5 but my opponent chose the rights move and it was tactically impossible to do it. I had some space advantage but at the same time my position was a bit shaky as I my pawns could become weak. In the final position I could not find the proper plan to continue the game, so I decided not to take the risk. Zhao Xue: I agree with Humpy that she had slightly better position because of space advantage, so I had to play carefully. I’m not sure if I played good or not. I didn’t prepare to this position exactly because I know I cannot prepare to Humpy as she always tries to surprise me (laughs). I was just trying to rest before the game and I think draw is a good result today.
Tatiana Kosintseva – Antoaneta Stefanova 1/2-1/2 Antoaneta Stefanova: I was thinking a lot in the position when I chose to go for ed4 and d5. I could have chosen something more quite but I had feeling that this was the right moment if I wanted to play those moves. Afterwards I thought that position could be slightly better for black but maybe my plan with a5 was too fast. Maybe I could have tried to put my bishop on d5, played g5 in one moment and then maybe to play a5. After a5 Tania immediately got some activity by playing Nc4 and Qb4. Tatiana Kosintseva: I didn’t get any advantage in the opening. Nf1 is not precise move - I think Bc2 was better. This move would not allow making that plan with ed4 and d5. So Black managed to equalize the position and until the end it was more or less equal. Anna Muzychuk – Munguntuul Batkhuyag 1/2-1/2 Anna Muzychuk: We repeated the game which Batkhuyag was playing yesterday. The position which appeared today was more or less the same, just yesterday rook was placed on d1 and today on e1. It’s not easy to prepare to this line as there are so many different choices. I thought the position was quite normal but when she started to attack I started to worry of course. In the endgame I thought that white should keep both rooks on the boards in order to have contra play, otherwise my opponent could get into troubles.
Munguntuul Batkhuyag: I think Anna improved the variation today as she has played Rd8 instead of Bf8. I had feeling that the position of white is quite good but at the same time if I don’t move black will consolidate by playing Rd8, Bc8, so that’s why I decided to play actively.
Monica Sochko – Ruan Lufei 0-1 Monica Sochko: I think I played more or less normal in the opening. Just later on I think 21…Bc6 was a mistake. I could have chosen 21…Rfe8 and position would be equal. I was slightly worse during the game but the crucial mistake was 33…g5 but I didn’t want to wait which was better actually. I could have played 33…Kf6 and just wait. I don’t think its easy to find good plan for white even my position is worse. Ruan Lufei: I didn’t prepare for the opening but I also agree that white has slightly better position because of isolated pawn d5. I didn’t see the winning plan and in the time troubles I just wanted to make some moves and wait. I agree that after g5 whote is better because f5-pawn became my target and after I won it was not easy for black to defend any more.
You can watch the live games at the official website of the Chess Grand Prix - sixth and last in the series 2011/12
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Humpy - Nice Win in Kazan Grand Prix
India's Koneru Humpy - joint winner of the Kazan Chess Grand Prix along with Slovakia's Anna Muzychuk - says, "It was the the highest ELO-ranked tournament also featuring former world champion Alexandra Kosteniuk.” She was speaking to Indian sports magazine Sportstar while on her way home to Vijayawada via Hyderabad.
“The first-half was very demanding with little scope of taking any risk. That was the reason for too many drawn games,” she added.
“One of the high-points of this tournament was the victory over former world champion Antoaneta Stefanova,” said Humpy, who is also looking at the Grand Prix series as part of her preparations for the World Championship knock-outs this December.
“Having fared badly in the first Grand Prix, I feel that the performance in this second one is very satisfying. The Grand Prix series (2011-2012) features six events in all and I hope to keep improving in the next two scheduled to be held in Armenia and Turkey later this year,” the World No. 4 said.
“You need to have a lot of patience and play more steadily in the Grand Prix. You cannot take risks just like that. You have to be really good at the waiting game,” said the ONGC manager. “Never before in my career was I involved in so many drawn games in a tournament. That shows the intensity of the competition,” Humpy concluded.
Koneru Humpy, by virtue of the Kazan Grand Prix win, is expected to move up from 2589 to 2598 ELO points in the next FIDE ratings to be released soon.
Kazan Chess Live - Women's World Chess Champions in Action
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
When did you see so many world chess champions in action at one place? It's Kazan Grand Prix time with former world chess champions Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk, Antoaneta Stefanova, and current women's world chess champion Hou Yifan. Also present are the world no. 2 and 3 Anna Muzychuk and Koneru Humpy. There's the whole Russian team that's the Chess Olympiad champions as well. Here is the line-up and the first round pairings. Chess games begin today and can be watched live at the official website.
Negroponte Chess Tournament from August 9 in Greece
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The latest chess news about tournaments is that the Chess Academy of Chalkida “Palamedes of Evia” is holding the “Negroponte 2012″ International Tournament from August 9 to 17 in the beautiful city of Chalkida in Greece.The tournament will be an Open 9-round Swiss event with a total prize fund of 10.000 Euros. First prize is 3.000 EUR, with special prizes for women, juniors, best performance minus rating, etc. to be awarded. Chalkida (named as Negroponte (i.e. Black Bridge) in the Venetian era) is situated in Evia (70 kms from Athens) and is worldwide famous for the tidal phenomenon of the Evripos Channel with the flow direction of the sea currents in the channel changing every six hours!
The tidal phenomenon has provoked the admiration and interest of humans from ancient times, not only from an astronomical and geophysical perspective but also from a philosophical one. The mystery and beauty of this phenomenon captivates the visitor, as its combination with the imprint of the channel creates a remarkable panorama.
The city of Chalkida is an ideal place to combine chess with quality vacations. The official website of the tournament at: http://www.negroponte.net. Top seed at th tournament is GM Suat Atalik. T0p rated woman chess player at the event is GM Antoaneta Stefanova.
According to Chess-News, the winners loved the organisation of the event!
The winners (from left) Bronze for Koneru Humpy of India, Gold for Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria, and Silver for Alexandra Kosteniuk of Russia. (More photos to follow)
There is also a detailed report at Chessdom: The Women’s World Rapid Championship 2012 took place from 30th May to 3rd June at the Sheraton Hotel in Batumi, Georgia. Three more former world champions – Nona Gaprindashvili, Maia Chiburdanidze and Zhu Chen, competed in the event. The festivities in Batumi continue with the Women’s World Blitz Chess Championship 2012 on 4-5th June.
Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk is Women's World Rapid Chess Vice-Champion; Stefanova wins Gold, Humpy Wins Bronze
Gold at Women's World Rapid Chess Antoaneta Stefanova (More Photos Coming Soon)
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
With a display of some fantastic attacking play, a rating performance of 2672, the 12th Women's World Chess Champion, Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk has become the Women's World Vice-Champion in Rapid Chess a few minutes back in Batumi, Georgia.
Congratulations to another former Women's World Chess Champion, Antoaneta Stefanova, for winning the gold and becoming the Women's World Rapid Chess Champion. Congratulations to Women's World Chess Title Challenger, Koneru Humpy, for picking up the bronze medal.
Further details are awaited. Here are the final standings. There were some of the world's strongest women chess players at the tournament making it one of the toughest women's chess tournaments ever!
Stay tuned right here at Chess Blog for more updates on the Women's World Rapid Chess that has just concluded and the Women's World Blitz Chess that begins tomorrow in Batumi.
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to share women's chess news
or to propose collaboration
Best chess wishes to you! Alexandra Kosteniuk
12th Women's World Chess Champion
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