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Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Korchnoi's wit and French team's sportsmanship - that's what chess is all about!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
Here are two incidents from the European Team Chess Championship 2011 currently on in Greece. One is about sportsmanship and the other is about legendary Korchnoi wit.
The first is the Viktor Korchnoi incident. We found it on www.chess-news.ru (Russian). The legendary grandmaster is playing on board two for Switzerland. In round four, he reached the above position, as Black, against the Welsh player Tim Kett. White, who is to play, is obviously dead lost. Kett, however, sat staring at the position or glancing at the board next to him, for some time.
Eventually, Viktor could contain himself no longer, and pointed out to his opponent that it was his move. Kett continued to ponder some more, and then resigned. Korchnoi’s reaction was “That is the correct move!”
France's offer of draw
Vugar Gashimov of Azerbaijan fell ill during the Round 4 match, after which France’s team offered to tie the games on all boards. Gashimov is better now but there, we have another incident of sportsmanship. That is what chess is all about never mind the occasional stupid incident of cheating etc.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
Sunday is traditionally a market day in the friendly villages of the city of Montpellier in France. Sometimes in the midst of flowers, fruits and vegetables, vendors gadgets, a real surprise. This Sunday's surprise came from a van (which can be seen here against the backdrop adorning the right door) parked near the market and the central square of this town. The owner of this vehicle is a fully decorated artist. He has many strings to his bow: Karate, Yoga, decorative painting, sculpture ... art, entertainment, spectacle.
Patrick Chevalier, designer and director of the original decor, is a versatile young entrepreneur. Company displayed its Micro currently on the roads of the south, before moving to the east of France. Excellent initiative! Thanks to Chessblog friend CaissaEnigma Blog for this delightful piece.
WFM is invited to Closed WIM Women Tournament in France
The secretary of the FIDE Commission for Women's ChessMartha Fierro let me know today that from the 19th to the 27th of February 2010 in the French town of Guingamp a closed women's tournament with WIM norms will take place. The first game will start on the 19th of February at 3 p.m. The closing ceremony will be on the 27th of February at 4 p.m.
The organizers kindly offered the commission for women's chess one spot for one participant with the title WFM and a rating of 2100 or higher. The organizers agree to provide full board for this participant. If you are interested in taking part in this event please send your application to Martha Fierro with copy to Alexandra Kosteniuk.
A new French movie "Joueuse" by Caroline Bottaro will come out on the screens of France on August 5, 2009.
Here is a preview of the movie:
It's a movie about one woman, who is a housemaid. She lives an ordinary life, going from work to home and back. All of a sudden, one day, she sees a couple playing chess and falls in love (not surprisingly, uh?;)) with our game.
More photos from the scene and about the movie can be found here.
Kevin Kline and Sandrine Bonnaire are playing the main roles and I'm already looking very-very much forward to seeing this movie. I hope it will be shown not only in France but also worldwide. You can be sure I'd go to the cinema as soon as I can to watch this movie!
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Best chess wishes to you! Alexandra Kosteniuk
12th Women's World Chess Champion
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