Play Chess Online at FIDE Arena: Exciting FAQ

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

Hi everyone, 

With its FIDE online ratings and highly advanced anti-cheating protection, FIDE Online Arena has generated great interest from chess players around the world. In the short period the limited test version of the arena has been operational, 2889 members have registered in 10 days, and over 30.000 games have already been played, 8.132 of those in the very popular Sit & Go tournaments.

We would like to invite chess players to visit FIDE online arena and see what's on offer; taking out FIDE online arena guest membership is simple and completely free. Just click here. http://arena.myfide.net

Upgrading to full membership
The current version of FIDE online arena is for testing purposes only and has only guest members. Full membership will be available only from October, which is when FIDE online arena becomes fully operational. At that time you will be able to upgrade from guest to full membership if you wish. Full members enjoy many benefits including FIDE online ratings, advanced anti-cheating protection, participation in master simuls and challenges, statistical analysis, free interactive master lessons and training facilites, a games archive, scheduled and Sit & Go tournaments.

Here are the answers to the questions most frequently asked by FIDE Online Arena members.

FAQ's

Will there be official FIDE scheduled tournaments and other events on the arena?
Yes, once FIDE online arena bcomes fully operational in October, full members will be able to participate in a a wide variety of official FIDE events.

Are my games saved?
From October, all full members' games will be automatically archived in PGN format onto a folder in their computers. The current test version of FIDE online arena has only guest members, for whom the most recent 5 games are available (lobby; details; played events). These games can be replayed immediately or saved as PGN files. Individual games can be saved one by one in PGN format at their conclusion by both guest and full members.

Why do some players have stars and crowns next to their names?
The users who have crown symbols and Fairness Index star ratings next to their names are members of national arenas who have access to the FIDE online arena for testing purposes only. They are not members of FIDE online arena. The current test version has only guest members, whose games are not monitored by the anti-cheating system. From October, all full members of FIDE online arena will receive a Fairness index star rating, which shows how many games they have played without breaching FIDE online arena's anti-cheating rules and code of conduct. Guest members of FIDE online will be able to upgrade to full membership from October.

Read more »

Awesome Chess Endgame Training Software - GM Panchenko's Course

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

Hi everyone,

Computer Chess Guru Steve Lopez describes the Chess King Training ENDGAME Software Series. A total of 300 THEORETICAL POSITIONS AND 350 PRACTICE EXERCISES, Recommended Level: INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED PLAYERS 1500-2400 ELO. For club, intermediate and advanced players. This course is composed by GM Panchenko.



Its aim is to teach the students the intricacies of the endgame through a theoretic section, which includes over 700 games/lectures, each of them illustrating theoretical and practical endgame methods. The training section has more than 300 practical endgame exercises, covering every type of endgame a tournament chess player should know, from endgames with few pieces to complicated pawn endgames, etc. Knowing how to play chess endgames well will give you a big edge in tournaments. You get plenty of feedback and opportunity to track your progress. Critical knowledge to increase your understanding of chess endgames. You can choose the number of positions in the tests, as well as the material covered. Studying chess endgames will give you many positive results in practical play. You can get the best deal (as one disk or in combos) exclusively on www.chess-king.com.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com

London Chess Classic Ticket Sales and Entry Forms

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

Hi everyone,

 

There are now less than 110 days to go before the start of the 4th London Chess Classic, at ensington Olympia, that will run 1-10 December 2012. The field is almost complete, and already this week online tickets have gone on sale to the public for the year-ending chess spectacular.

All proceeds raised from tickets sales will again go towards supporting the Chess in Schools and Communities charity. In 2011, more than 600 children came to the London Chess Classic for free chess lessons from GMs, IMs and top chess coaches. This year the organisers aim to increase the number of invitations to schools for free lessons and free tuition. The London Chess Classic team will also be regularly updating their new FaceBook page with event details, historical chess facts, trivia and competitions. You can also follow them on Twitter @londonclassic. The entry form(s) are also now available at the official website to download for the many side events running alongside the Classic. The main festival events taking place are:

• FIDE Rated Open: Sat 1 - Sun 9 December.
• 2 x Weekend Tournaments, Weekend Classic A: Saturday 1 - Sunday 2 December
• and Weekend Classic B: Friday 7 - Sunday 9 December.
• 2 x Rapidplays: Rapidplay A: Sun 2 December, Rapidplay B: Sun 9 December.
• Classic Blitz: Every evening from Saturday 1 to Sunday 9 December.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com

Online Chess $38,000 Blitz - You Can Qualify This Sunday

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

Hi everyone,

Are you keeping track of the Online Chess Blitz Grand Prix Open with prize money of $38,000 organised by the Russian Chess Federation with the ChessOK Playing Zone?

You can take part from anywhere in the world. More than $38,000 (1 USD = 32.45 RUB as of May 31, 2012) is the prize fund. Four qualifying tournaments on the last Sunday of each month, starting on June 3, 2012. Final and Super Final tournaments will take place August 14-15, 2012. All tournaments are at 16-00 UTC.

For more details, read the official regulation for the competition.

Qualifying Tournaments Schedule
1st qualifying tournament – June 3, 2012. 16-00 UTC;
2nd qualifying tournament – June 24, 2012. 16-00 UTC;
3rd qualifying tournament – July 1, 2012. 16-00 UTC;
4th qualifying tournament – July 29, 2012. 16-00 UTC.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

www.chessblog.com

Also see her personal blog at

www.chessqueen.com