Geneva Chess Masters 2013 Begins June 26: Watch Top Stars Nakamura, Kramnik, Kosteniuk, Polgar, Mamedyarov, Pelletier, Bacrot, Edouard in Action

12th Women's World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk's Chess Blog for Latest Chess News and Trivia (c) 2013

Hi everyone, 

The Geneva Chess Masters Festival 2013 is taking place from June 26-30 at the Pitoeff Theater, a renovated cathedral in the centre of Geneva. The main event will be the highlight of the big chess festival that includes two open chess tournaments and several age-group event for players U-10, U-12 and U-14.

The main event - a rapid masters - will witness in action (two groups of four each in the single-round robin format) former world champion Vladimir Kramnik, former US champion Hikaru Nakamura, top-rated woman player Judit Polgar, former world champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Etienne Bacrot, Yannick Pelletier and Romain Edouard. Each group will have the top two players advance to the semi-finals.

Every match between 2 players consists of 2 games of 25 minutes + 10 seconds; if it’s necessary a tie-break of two games of 4 minutes + 2 seconds will be played; in case of a tie, a decisive game with 4 minutes + 2 seconds for white and 3 minutes + 2 seconds for black (with draw odds) will be necessary. Access the official website of the Geneva Chess Masters here.

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International Chess Rapid Festival Bansko 2012 in February

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011

Hello everyone,


Here is the latest tournament chess news update via www.chessdom.com. The Сhess Academy of Thessaloniki and Razlog Chess Club will organise the 2012 edition of the traditional Bansko Rapid International Festival. It will take place 25-26 Februrary 2012 in Hotel Orphey, Bansko.


Won in 2010 by Iva Videnova and in 2011 by FM Velislav Kukov, the rapid festival is gaining popularity every year. In 2012 places for participants are limited up to 120 players.


Download full regulations at this link




WGM Iva Videonova won the event with perfect score in 2010.

Bansko, Bulgaria’s # 1 ski resort, offers its visitors a unique mixture of modern sporting facilities, breathtaking nature, excellent accommodation, rich cultural and gastronomic heritage. Bansko has the best snow record and the longest ski season on the Balkans – it is an ideal place for a strong winter chess tournament and ski vacation.


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