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Wednesday, July 2, 2014
US Chess Scoop Video from Las Vegas with GM Gata Kamsky
Hello chess friends, another cool chess video from our favourite channel, the US Chess Scoop. They spoke to US Chess Champion Gata Kamsky about his clear victory at the National Open in Las Vegas. The video includes cameos by G/10 co-champ Alejandro Ramirez and US Women's Chess Champion Irina Krush.
US Chess 2014 - Searching for 'Ms Fischer' worth $64,000!
Hello Chess Blog friends, women chess players in the US have a special chess prize to fight for -- the $64,000 Fischer Bonus Prize!
In the 1964 U.S. Chess Championship, the then 20-year-old Bobby Fischer dominated the event scoring a perfect 11-0 score. In 2014, it is the 50th anniversary of that record. Rex Sinquefield - the St Louis benefactor - wants to do his best to give away that prize this year!
This very generous chess benefactor has offered up the incentive $64,000 Fischer Bonus Prize numerous times to any U.S. Championship competitor who can match such convincing command of his challengers. On Friday, day two of the U.S. Chess Championships, all games were drawn so in the open section so none of the men can now go for the prize.
Sinquefield, however, has now offered that prize in the women's section. There are still two women players still with a perfect score after two rounds - Sabina Foisor and defending champion Irina Krush.
Catch live commentary of the event with GMs Yasser Seirawan, Maurice Ashley and WGM Jennifer Shahade at www.uschesschamps.com/live.
US Chess Championships 2014 Begin Today; World Chess Hall of Famers Inducted
Hello Chess Blog friends, US chess history is set for new action with the national championships beginning today. Here is the press update by Brian Jerauld from the Saint Louis World Chess Hall of Fame and the venue of the US National Chess Championships 2014. Get, set, stay tuned...
SAINT LOUIS (May 7, 2014) -- Grandmasters Gata Kamsky and Irina Krush: Please return your crowns.
Time expired on both champions’ reign over the nation Wednesday night in Saint Louis, with the opening ceremonies of the 2014 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women’s Championship ringing the bell for a new round of challengers to the national title.
GM Irina Krush, the reigning U.S. Women's Champion, is interviewed by a local news crew.
To earn his crown back - and the lion’s share of $172,000 in prizes - Kamsky will need to beat out 11 of America’s top grandmasters, including U.S. Open winner Josh Friedel and wildcard Mackenzie Molner; while Krush will be up against nine of the nation’s best females, including 13-year-old Ashritha Eswaran, for the U.S Women’s Championship. Rounds begin daily at 1 p.m. local time through May 20, with full coverage of the event on www.uschesschamps.com.
Wednesday’s opening ceremonies were held at the World Chess Hall of Fame, which sits directly across the street from the venue for the tournaments, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. The event featured the drawing of lots to determine pairings and colors for both round-robin tournaments. Here are the pairings for Wednesday’s first round, highlighted by an instant clash between top-seeded Kamsky and two-seed Timur Gareev.
In the U.S. Women’s Championship, the reigning champion Krush takes on WGM Katerina Nemcova, a University of Texas - Brownsville student who is a newcomer to the U.S. Women’s Championship.
The 2014 opening ceremonies also featured the induction of two new selections into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame, as well as two selections into the World Chess Hall of Fame, which are both housed in the same building. The U.S. Chess Trust added Abraham Kupchik, the 13-time winner of the Manhattan Chess Club Championship; as well as Jacqueline Piatigorsky, initiator of the U.S. Junior Closed Championships and organizer of two of the strongest American tournaments in history, the Piatigorsky Cups.
Added to the World hall was Maya Chiburdanidze, women’s world chess champion from 1978-1991 and only the second woman to earn the grandmaster title. Also honored was Paul Keres, the “crown prince of chess” who was seven times a World Championship candidate, yet never a winner.
The ceremonies also received remarks from International Arbiter Carol Jarecki, CCSCSL Executive Director Tony Rich, Jeff Rainford (Chief of Staff to St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay), as well as U.S. Championship sponsors Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield. Much attention and applause was spent on St. Louis’ recent designation by Congress as the U.S. capital of chess.
The 2014 U.S. Championship will offer a $64,000 “Fischer prize” to any player in the U.S. Championship who runs the table with all victories. The prize honors the 50th anniversary of the American legend accomplishing such a feat with a 11-0 score in the 1963-64 U.S. Championship. It has never been repeated.
Both tournaments begin Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m., with every move broadcast live and discussed by the powerful commentary team of GMs Yasser Seirawan, Maurice Ashley and WGM Jennifer Shahade on www.uschesschamps.com. Local viewers may enjoy live commentary by GMs Ben Finegold and Robert Hess. Entry to the event is free for annual members of the Chess Club but costs just $10 per day for non-members.
U.S. Chess Championships 2014 May 7-20: $250,000 at Stake in St Louis
Hello everyone,
For the sixth consecutive year, the best chess players in the U.S. will gather in Saint Louis to fight for the title of U.S. Champion and U.S. Women’s Champion.
GM Gata Kamsky will defend his title at the 2014 U.S. Championship while recently anointed Grandmaster Irina Krush will look for her sixth title at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Championship. The events will be held simultaneously May 7 through May 20 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL).
Ashritha Eswaran, 13, received the final wildcard invitation to the U.S. Women’s Championship to round out the fields.
This marks the sixth consecutive year that each of these prestigious events will be held in Saint Louis. The opening ceremony takes place on May 7, and the first round for both events will kick off at 1 p.m. Central on May 8.
The 2014 U.S. Championship will feature a 12-player round robin and a guaranteed prize fund of $172,000. In addition, the CCSCSL again will sponsor the “$64K Fischer Prize,” to be awarded to anyone that scores a perfect 11-0 in the U.S. Championship, in honor of Bobby Fischer’s result at the 1963-64 U.S. Championship.
GM Hikaru Nakamura declined his invitation to play in this year’s event, citing his desire to prepare for and compete against the world’s elite as he prepares for a run at the next Candidate’s cycle.
Tony Rich, executive director of the CCSCSL, said the competition will be fierce.
“Any one of these players has a shot at the title this year,” Rich said.
The complete list of players, and their current USCF ratings, for the 2014 U.S. Championship is as follows:
GM Gata Kamsky (2778) GM Timur Gareev (2751) GM Alex Onischuk (2751) GM Varuzhan Akobian (2732) GM Sergey Erenburg (2717) GM Ray Robson (2714) GM Sam Shankland (2698) GM Alex Lenderman (2693) GM Alejandro Ramirez (2679) GM Mac Molner (2634) GM Daniel Naroditsky (2632) GM Josh Friedel (2599)
The 2014 U.S. Women’s Championship will feature 10 players and a guaranteed prize fund of $72,000. IM Irina Krush looks to defend her U.S. Women’s Championship crown. The field for the 2014 U.S. Women’s Championship is as follows:
GM Irina Krush (2548) IM Anna Zatonskih (2526) WGM Tatev Abrahamyan (2475) WGM Camilla Baginskaite (2358) WIM Iryna Zenyuk (2352) WGM Sabina Foisor (2303) WIM Viktorija Ni (2302) WGM Katerina Nemcova (2297) FM Alisa Melekhina (2251) NM Ashritha Eswaran (2231)
“The U.S. Women’s Championship features seasoned veterans along with some exciting new faces as well,” Rich said. “I’m excited the Chess Club gets to showcase so many inspiring role models for Saint Louis area students.”
The well-established commentary team of GM Maurice Ashley, GM Yasser Seirawan and WGM Jennifer Shahade will once again offer Internet viewers live play-by-play and analysis for each round of the event. GM Robert Hess will join GM Ben Finegold to provide commentary for the live audience in Saint Louis.
Carol Jarecki will serve as the chief arbiter for both events.
Check www.uschesschamps.com for the latest updates, full player bios, info about past U.S. Championships and news about the top players in the U.S.
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Live streaming with commentary is available every afternoon with commentators GM Simon Williams and GM Irina Krush as from 3pm (Gibraltar time). Once again the tournament boasts the latest technology installed by Gibtelecom a great supporter of the festival in its 12 year history.
GM Irina Krush is the reigning US women's champion. GM Simon Williams was the joint winner of the London Chess Classic Open 2010. Irina and Simon are no strangers to Gibraltar, Irina having taken part in the Masters on many occasions.
In their opening remarks Irina and Simon welcomed all those who had especially tuned in for Round One of The Masters.
Irina Krush: “Gibraltar has long-established itself as one of the best open tournaments in the world but I think this year it is much stronger. There are 10 players over 2700 and 27 players over 2600 as well as some of the best women players in the world.”
Simon Williams: “There are so many people who can win this tournament this year. Twenty-five top players have a chance to win in this competition. It is really completely wide open.”
For all information, as well as live commentaries, Masterclasses, and interviews, the dedicated festival website, powered by Gibtelecom, is www.gibraltarchesscongress.com - well worth checking out on a daily basis.
The festival venue is the Caleta Hotel. The festival closes on Thursday, February 6th, with a banquet and prize-giving ceremony.
Trosman Chess Memorial Simul Becomes an Annual Event
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
We have here a very nice chess article on the Trosman Memorial Simul Becomes an Annual Event. The article is by Elina Cotler via the USCF official website.
It’s rare to meet a person who is devoted to his profession as resolutely as Mikhail Trosman was dedicated to teaching chess. GM Irina Krush, who began taking lessons with Mikhail when she was nine years old and trained with him until she was nearly an IM, recalls that “Mikhail was not just looking at coaching as a job but as a vocation.”
Lily Faerman, Irina Krush and Elina Cotler at the Trosman Memorial
While Irina and some of Mikhail’s other students across the globe continue to play chess professionally, those who’ve pursued other fields also realize the tremendous positive impact that Mikhail had on their development. Mikhail was interested in his students’ progress and proud of their achievements beyond the chess arena, providing them with life lessons and showing through his own example, what it is to be a dedicated, professional, responsible and caring person.
The Trosman Memorial Simul was established as a way to celebrate this man and provide inspiration to children and teens to follow their interests in chess and beyond.
On Sunday, December 8th, the Marks JCH of Bensonhurst in Brooklyn, New York hosted the 2nd Annual Trosman Memorial Chess Simultaneous Exhibition, paving the ground for the event to become an annual tradition. While the inaugural simul last year took place with 20 participants on the eve of Hurricane Sandy, this year’s event drew 30 players and coincided with the first snow day in New York City. Irina Krush was joined by the author to play against the participants and both managed to hold their own against the challengers, who included Mikhail’s grandson Mark Trosman. While playing, participants solved problems that arose on the board and listened to advice on their game and challenges in chess and other facets of life.
This year’s event marked Irina’s first appearance as a Grandmaster, and the” J” presented her with a hand-made artwork portraying the Brooklyn Bridge as a symbol of her Brooklyn origins. Irina was very touched and recalled her weekly childhood travels over the Brooklyn Bridge to the weekend chess tournaments at the Marshall Chess Club.
Irina provided the participants with context on what it meant for her to be a GM -the first US female player to earn the GM title and one of fewer than 50 women in the world who are GMs. After her first norm came at the Mayor’s Cup in NYC more than 10 years ago, she continued to persevere and work on her chess and this year she earned two more GM norms and the GM title. Irina’s goal is to continue to improve her chess and become a stronger GM while playing for more prestigious titles to add to her impressive and growing collection. Her advice to participants was to pursue their interest in chess by working hard and seeking the help of strong mentors as she had with Mikhail Trosman.
Many thanks to Alex Budnitsky, the Marks JCH Executive Director and Julia German, Marks JCH Program Coordinator, for hosting the event and to all the players and families who participated in the Trosman Memorial Chess Simultaneous Exhibition for making it happen.
U.S. Chess Championship 2013 Special to Air on FOX Sports Midwest May 25
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
SAINT LOUIS -- On May 25 at 6 p.m. CT, FOX Sports Midwest will air a one-hour recap special covering the 2013 U.S. and U.S. Women’s Chess Championships, which recently concluded at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.
The 2013 U.S. Championship and 2013 U.S. Women’s Championship were held concurrently May 2 through May 13 at the CCSCSL. This marked the fifth consecutive year these events, the two most prestigious chess tournaments in the nation, were held in Saint Louis.
Grandmasters Gata Kamsky and Alejandro Ramirez squared off in an intense, head-to-head, rapid playoff to determine the 2013 U.S. Champion while the 2013 U.S. Women’s Championship boiled down to a three-way race between Tatev Abrahamyan, Anna Zatonskih and Irina Krush.
The one-hour special premiering on FOX Sports Midwest on May 25 will introduce viewers to some of the unique personalities in the U.S. chess scene and recap all the exciting action, including the thrilling climax, of the most important chess tournaments in the country.
In addition to the premiere, the special will also air on the following dates and times:
Thursday, May 30 at 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 1 at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 5 at 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 8 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 13 at 11 p.m.
Live play-by-play of each round of the event also was streamed online to tens of thousands of viewers across the world through the websites of FOX Sports Midwest and USChessChamps.com, the U.S. Championships event website.
CCSCSL Executive Director Tony Rich said the live streaming show and televised recap special through FOX Sports Midwest both mark an important turning point for U.S. chess.
“This partnership with FOX Sports Midwest allows us to bring chess to a broader audience and to introduce the excitement and intensity of tournament chess to a whole new demographic,” Rich said. “Our goal is to showcase the talents of the top chess players in the nation and to create more fans and students of the sport of chess.”
The 2013 U.S. Championship featured a field of 24 players and a total prize fund of $180,000, and the 2013 U.S. Women’s Championship featured a 10-player field and a prize fund of $65,000.
“These players are the superstars of the U.S. chess scene,” Rich said. "We hope their play will inspire young chess players all across the country to achieve great things."
The CCSCSL has been home to the championships for each of the past five years, helping contribute to Saint Louis’ reputation as the hub of the U.S. chess scene.
US Chess Championship 2013: Gata Kamsky Wins Playoff vs Alejandro Ramirez to Secure 4th Title
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Maurice Ashley with Gata Kamsky.
SAINT LOUIS (May 13, 2013)--The 2013 U.S. Championship went extra innings today in a gripping tiebreak final. After splitting a pair of rapid games, GM Gata Kamsky won $30,000 and his fourth title in an Armageddon game against GM Alejandro Ramirez, who was seeking his first title.
In all three hours of competition, and for more than 150 moves, Kamsky was the aggressor. Despite the constant pressure, he could not break through the stalwart and creative endgame defense of Ramirez until the waning moments. “It feels a bit awkward,” Kamsky said. “I consider us equals. Someone just got luckier than the other.”
The two went into a playoff by virtue of being tied after nine rounds of classical chess. Both players had 6.5/9; they drew their face-to-face battle in round eight. Kamksy was undefeated with four wins and five draws, while Ramirez had a loss but also one more win, thus necessitating today’s action.
Games one and two were played at a time control of 25 minutes per player with a five second increment per move. Ramirez seemed determined not to get behind on the clock, but an early misstep allowed Kamsky to embed a knight on d5. Shortly after, black’s pawns were crippled, but Ramirez found all the necessary countermeasures to prevent any white pawn from reaching paydirt. Of the many players who were spectating, GM Robert Hess said Kamsky did not need to be so quick to exchange his best piece.
After a short break, they switched colors and resumed the rapid play. This time Kamsky broke through on the queenside, and probed Ramirez’s position with his rook. Sensing that the black bishop would soon enter the fray, Ramirez offered a pawn with the clever 35. g4, intending to occupy e4 with his knight. Kamsky offered a pawn in turn with 36…e4, preventing the knight from landing there. Naturally, Ramirez had one last rejoinder, 38. e5, clearing the square once and for all.
The minor pieces traded and another rook-and-pawn ending was reached, with Kamsky having all the chances. One again Ramirez was up to the task, using a stalemate tactic to extend the tiebreak. 64. Rg2+ was the only move to draw. The rare ending to a grandmaster game caused the supremely focused Kamsky to look at the crowd and laugh. Later, he said he had almost the same ending at the World Cup in 2011 against GM Ian Nepomniachtchi, but was able to win that game.
The rules dictated that in case of a 1-1 tie, the playoff would end in an Armageddon match, where players bid for time and color. In sealed envelopes, Ramirez wrote the time 19:45, while Kamsky’s envelope read 20 minutes even. Ramirez thus got 19:45 to Kamsky’s 45 minutes, while Ramirez had black and draw odds.
“I was starting to get really nervous,” Kamsky said. “It wasn’t clear until the last move.”
Ramirez said the experience of playing worse positions was “torture”, then he was reminded that he still pockets $20,000. “I’ve never won that much in chess, ever,” he said.
After the tense playoff, Kamsky seemed more relieved than elated. He flew in from a tournament in Switzerland just days before the championship, and he has less than one week until he competes against the world’s best in Greece. “I just want to get some sleep,” he said. (The detailed report by FM Mike Klein is at the official website.)
US Chess Championship 2013: GoddessChess Fighting Chess Award goes to Anna Zatonskih
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013 Hi everyone,
The GoddessChess Fighting Chess Award 2013 goes to four-time US Chess Champion Anna Zatonskih for her great fighting spirit at the US Women's Chess Championship 2013. The 12th Women's World Chess Champion, Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk, was the judge for the award and decided to give the award to Anna Zatonskih. Goddesschess has sponsored a special prize at the U.S. Women's Chess Championship since 2007, except for 2012.
As you know, Irina Krush has won the US Women's Chess Championship 2013 this Sunday. (Read the full Chess Blog post.) Zatonskih lost Round 3 to Irina Krush, but came back to continue fighting and winning games. In the end she stood second - behind the eventual champion - by only 1/2 point. It is indeed the mark of a true champion to come back after a loss and win game after game to get to the second spot in the standings. She never gave up and fought hard even when it required pretty long games against determined opponents. Here are the US Women's Chess Championship 2013 Final Standings:
Interestingly, either Krush or Zatonskih have been the clear favorite to win the US Women's Chess Champion title each of the past five years! Outside of chess, Anna has a variety of interests from bicycling to ping pong to scuba diving. She is coached by her husband, German Grandmaster Daniel Friedman.
US Chess Championships 2013: Krush Crowned; Kamsky, Ramirez Await Playoff
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
SAINT LOUIS (May 12, 2013) -- After four unsuccessful attempts, IM Irina Krush finally defended her U.S. Women’s Championship title. Her draw with WGM Camilla Baginskaite made her score 8/9 and put the tournament out of reach for IM Anna Zatonskih, who won but finished a half-point behind Krush. The U.S. Championship offered no such clarity, as GM Gata Kamsky nursed a half-point margin but could not defeat GM Ray Robson. Three players could have won to catch Kamsky, but only GM Alejandro Ramirez got a full point. The two will play on Monday at noon in a two-game rapid playoff.
“This has been my smoothest victory,” Krush said of her five championships, before pausing to recall them all. “Well, actually when I won my first with 8½ out of nine, that also went well.” That first title was in 1998, the only time she competed without Zatonskih in the field. The two have mostly traded titles the last few years. “We have to break this pattern,” Krush joked.
In the game, Krush got exactly the position she wanted against Baginskaite. There were no intricate tactics and no strategic imbalances. Krush won a pawn in a riskless knight-and-pawn endgame, so she decided to play for the win. “I’m supposed to win this endgame, but all of the sudden, I allowed all this counterplay. I decided to offer the draw before things got out of hand.” The win nets her $18,000, which she said she will use for a down payment on an apartment in Brooklyn. “I also like to take exotic vacations. Maybe Belize.”
Krush could not explain why she did so well. “Sometimes you just wonder why it all comes together. This is what I came to do, and I got the job done. I think I’m getting happier by the minute.” She said that her round three win as black against Zatonskih essentially set the table for the rest of the event. “That basically decided the result.” She also won as black in the penultimate round against the third seed and third-place finisher, WGM Tatev Abrahamyan.
Kamsky had a chance to clinch clear first place, and it looked for a time like a win as black would be possible. Robson, fighting for a top six finish for a 2013 World Cup qualification, mixed it up early by jettisoning some pawns to open lines.
“He surprised me with b4, sacrificing two pawns for an attack,” Kamsky said. “I thought I should be winning, but somehow he had all these tactical resources.” Later, Robson kept the fire burning by sacrificing an additional exchange to keep the initiative.
Robson said he would have played solidly if possible, but he took what the position gave him. “There’s no way you can force a win against Gata,” Robson said. “[Kamsky] can punish you if you go for a win too much. Probably I just overestimated my position.”
The draw might still have been good enough for clear first, were it not for the continued heroics of the much lower ranked GM Alejandro Ramirez. He first offered his a-pawn to tie down black’s bishop and rook, and then switched to probe the other side of the chessboard. Eventually weaknesses were created, and a passed e-pawn sealed the deal. “His queen is so badly placed on b6 that it is difficult to hold the kingside together,” Ramirez explained. “I didn’t see a defense for him.”
His game finished before Kamsky, so the only way he could be taken out of contention would have been for Robson to blunder. “I haven’t cheered for Ray this much ever,” Ramirez said about the waning moments of the top board.
“I really didn’t ever expect to be in this position,” Ramirez said of his impending playoff tomorrow. “It’s like a dream. Wow! It’s actually happening.” The two will meet Monday at noon in a pair of 25-minute rapid games, followed by an Armageddon bidding match if the score is tied 1-1.
“Tomorrow’s going to be very stressful. I’ve never played a rapid playoff,” Ramirez said. Kamsky has played several tiebreaks in the World Cup, and has been successful twice in Saint Louis at previous U.S. Championships.
US Chess Championships 2013 Round 8: Krush Cruises, Kamsky Holds
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
SAINT LOUIS (May 12, 2013) -- In a day in which both leaders could have at least guaranteed themselves a spot in a first-place tiebreak, only one built a safety net. Round eight of the 2013 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women’s Championship saw GM Gata Kamsky slip with a complicated position but dwindling clock, while IM Irina Krush snatched a pawn and squashed the limited compensation to maintain her one-point lead.
Both events will need the final round, and perhaps more, to decide a champion.
Due to the complicated FIDE pairing system, Kamsky got white for the second round in a row. GM Timur Gareev lined up for the black pieces. Luckily, he did not assume the pairings and checked them this morning. “I was a little surprised, but you still have to play,” Gareev said. IA Franc Guadalupe confirmed the colors were accurate according to the FIDE rules, which prioritize color history and equalization more than which player is due a certain color.
Once again, Kamsky got nothing special from his preparation. “Obviously I was very happy with the opening,” Gareev said. He knew his chances would only come from active play before the game opened up. “I was looking for something concrete. Strategically white’s position is better with the two bishops. Two of my knights jumping into the center squares; I felt I should be better.”
But a few moves later, Kamsky began to think that his sluggish start would be completely flipped into a win. “Considering the way I misplayed the opening, I feel a little lucky,” Kamsky explained. “Once I got the two extra pawns, I got really excited, but I was low on time.”
The game turned when Kamsky’s queen invaded the seventh rank. “After Qe7 I knew I am in trouble,” Gareev said. He decided to burn his bridges, sacrifice all of his queenside pawns, and hunt down an otherwise safely-guarded white king. “Going into the endgame is the least desirable result. I just had to go for it, come what may.”
Kamsky got a promotion to a second queen, but Gareev forced a draw by repetition. After opening with four straight wins, Kamsky has come back to the pack by drawing the last four games.
The draw left the door ajar for a pair of players on board two to gain equal footing with Kamsky. GMs Alejandro Ramirez and Alex Onischuk each stood a half-point back going into the round, but a lifeless two-hour draw kept them both nipping at Kamsky’s heels. “Against this guy, you can’t get anything,” Ramirez said of his opponent. “Of course I didn’t want a draw with white.” Ramirez is seeking his first ever U.S. Championship (this is only his second appearance), while Onischuk is trying for his first title since 2006.
In the women’s championship, almost everything hinged on the game between numbers one and three. WGM Tatev Abrahamyan, who has a tournament performance rating about 300 points above her expectation, had a chance to throw the women’s tournament into complete chaos. Starting only one point behind Krush, whom she played, she took the white pieces of an Open Sicilian. Krush equalized without issue and later won, although Abrahamyan missed an important rejoinder late in the game. “I was surprised by Tatev’s decision to sacrifice the g-pawn,” Krush said. “I didn’t see the compensation. I guess we just evaluated it differently.”
Abrahamyan missed a chance to get back in the game. If 44. Qd5, after the queens trade the e-pawn and possibility of a c5 break make the position volatile. “I think it would have cost me a few years of my life if I’d seen it,” Krush said.
Afterward, Krush would not accept any congratulatory remarks. “Clearly a tie for first doesn’t make me happy in any way. That’s the minimum maximum.”
The win, coupled with IM Anna Zatonskih’s win, means the new second-place chaser is Zatonskih. Abrahamyan is mathematically eliminated from winning her first U.S. Women’s Championship. The only way Krush could not defend her 2012 title would be to lose in round nine and Zatonskih wins, and then also lose to her in a tiebreak on Monday. One of these two women will be the champion for the eighth year in a row.
US Chess Championships 2013 Round 4: Kamsky, Krush Continue to Lead
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
SAINT LOUIS -- A pair of runaway trains kept up their furious pace in round four of the 2013 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women’s Championship, held at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. Both tournament leaders, GM Gata Kamsky and IM Irina Krush, won their fourth consecutive games to maintain their respective leads.
Kamsky took black against the fearless upstart GM Conrad Holt, who kept up his usual stoicism despite his first-ever game against the three-time champion. Kamsky said after some opening troubles in his first three matches, he wanted to get back to his comfort zone. “I decided to play something I know,” Kamsky said. “In the opening white posed me no problems.”
The win puts Kamsky at 4-0, and still eligible for the $64,000 “Fischer Prize” for a perfect score. He is the only player to remain unblemished for this many rounds since the prize was first introduced in 2009. For his part, Kamsky insisted the award is so far-fetched, he did not even read the amount. “I heard something about if you go 9-0, you get something super-duper? But I don’t think it’s possible this day in age. Back in Fischer’s time it was possible.”
In the women’s tournament, pre-round leader Krush kept up her own streak. She dispatched three-time champion WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia in what Krush called an “interesting, strategic game.” The finish was worthy of an endgame study – Krush transitioned her favorable rook-and-pawn ending into a pawn race. While both pawns reach the finish line, Krush gets the move, and plays the simple tactic …Qh8+ and …Qg8+, skewering black’s final two pieces. Her veteran opponent saw the idea and resigned.
Tune in for Live Grandmaster commentary at www.uschesschamps.com at 1:00 p.m. Central, 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Also read a detailed report by FM Mike Klein at the official website.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
SAINT LOUIS -- Two premium match-ups were the top layer on a chess cake that featured 13 winners in 17 games in round three of the 2013 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women’s Championship. The only two men with perfect scores, GMs Gata Kamsky and Larry Christiansen, took center stage in the U.S. Championship. The ladies enacted their yearly fan-favorite ritual of numbers one versus two – IMs Anna Zatonskih and Irina Krush.
Both games went into the sixth hour before two winners emerged. Both Krush and Zatonskih drained their clocks down to less than one minute before Zatonskih’s king was caught in a mating net and she resigned. The final dozen moves of the game, she could do nothing but shuttle her pieces aimlessly, waiting for Krush to find a plan to break through. “You can’t blame her,” Krush said. “She didn’t have much to do in that position.” Prior to the passivity, Krush surprised Zatonskih out of the opening, playing the King’s Indian Defense as black for the first time since 2009.
Finishing just minutes before was Kamsky-Christiansen. The underdog Christiansen promised to bring the fight to top-rated Kamsky, but after 75 moves of creative play, Kamsky liquidated the last of black’s drawing chances. “I missed some of his strong moves and I was thinking, ‘Damn, this is going to be a really, really hard game,’” Kamsky said. Still just days after flying back from a super-tournament in Switzerland, Kamsky said he chose to rest more than study. “I was sleeping all day and not really preparing. Against Larry, I knew we were going to play a long game.”
The win makes Kamsky the only player on 3-0 and thus the last contender for the $64,000 Fischer Prize for an unblemished 9-0 score. Read a detailed report by FM Mike Klein on the Round at the official tournament website of the US Chess Championships 2013.
Strongest-Ever Chess Teams from US for Chess Olympiad 2012
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Two strong teams are set to represent the United States at the 40th Olympiad in Istanbul from August 27th to September 10th, according to the US Chess Federation. The overall team is led by reigning US Chess Champion and World #5 Hikaru Nakamura. The team also includes GMs Gata Kamsky, Alexander Onischuk, Varuzhan Akobian and Ray Robson. GMs Yury Shulman and Ben Finegold will coach the team. Captain IM John Donaldson said, “The 2012 Olympiad will be super strong but our team, the first ever from the United States to average over 2700 FIDE, will have its chances if we play to the best of our ability.”
The women’s team includes reigning US Women’s Champ Irina Krush, Anna Zatonskih, Sabina Foisor, Tatev Abrahamyan and Rusudan (Rusa) Goletiani. FIDE Senior trainer Michael Khodarkovsky will be the captain and GM Melikset Khachiyan will coach. Khodarkovsky said, “I feel very good about the team, we all worked together before and I believe we have established a strong bond. Teams like China, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, India among favorites, but we will do our best to join them in the quest for medals.”
USCF Executive director Bill Hall said, “With the Olympics going on in London, this is a thrilling time to see our top players represent our country and root them on on their quest for medals. ”
Chess Life Online (CLO) editor Jennifer Shahade (former double US Chess Champion, writer, chess promoter, and more) says, "Look for CLO coverage throughout the Olympiad from award-winning journalist FM Mike Klein."
US Chess Scoop Video from World Open 2012 Featuring Sokolov, Shabalov, Others
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Here is the nice World Open (July 2-8, Philadelphia) US Chess Scoop video featuring tournament winners GMs Ivan Sokolov (the champ on tiebreak) and four-time US Chess Champion Alexander Shabalov. The video also features GMs Yury Shulman, Sam Shankland, US Women's Champion Irina Krush, James Black, and norm-earner Luke-Harmon Vellotti. Extreme Chess Champ Elliott Liu also has a special message for Marc Arnold, who earned a GM norm.
You can read our post on the tournament victory by GM Ivan Sokolov at this Chess Blog post.
Edmonton Chess: Short Wins Title; Nice Irina Krush Game
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
GM Nigel Short delivering a lecture in Edmonton.
British Grandmaster Nigel Short has just added another chess trophy to his 'private collection'. Nigel Short won the 7th Edmonton International by 3 points (3 points for a win) from Viktor Mikhalevski (who beat Short in the first round).
Players of the main event: IM Leon Piasetski, GM Anton Kovalyov, FM Vladimir Pechenkin, GM Nigel Short, IM Irina Krush, GM Victor Mikhalevski, NM Robert Gardner, IM Edward Porper
The seventh edition of the Edmonton International Chess Festival is one of only two annual competitions in Western Canada that offers international norms opportunities. The competition took in the Edmonton Chess Club and consisted of round robin with ten players. You can check out the official website for lots of photos and details.
Meanwhile, here is a nice game from the event with Irina Krush going for the big battle in an endgame against a gritty defence!
Krush Beats Zatonskih to Win U.S. Women's Chess Championship 2012
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone, IM Irina Krush has won both games in the rapid playoff match to become the 2012 U.S. Women's Chess Champion. Playing black, Krush beat defending champion IM Anna Zatonskih in the first encounter, then survived several exceptional blunders to win game two. An emotional Krush ran downstairs after the second game and hugged everyone in sight. Zatonskih and Krush have now alternated wins at the women's championship for the past four years. The duo have won the last seven titles combined, and this was Krush's fourth in her career. Krush wins $18,000 for the title, while Zatonskih pockets $12,000 for second place. You can find a lot of details at the official website of the event.
WGM Jennifer Shahade and GM Ben Finegold offered excellent commentary at the event.
US Chess Championship 2012 - Nakamura Wins Third Title; Krush, Zatonskih to Play Tiebreak
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
SAINT LOUIS, May 19, 2012 -- After a struggle of 11 exhausting days of play at the 2012 U.S. Championships, GM Hikaru Nakamura took 30 moves to beat GM Yasser Seirawan and become the 2012 U.S. Champion. It is his third title and his first since 2009. IMs Irina Krush and Anna Zatonskih both won also to remain tied for first in the U.S. Women's Championship. They will play a playoff at noon Central time on Sunday.
“It has been a long two weeks,” Nakamura said. “There's a lot of pressure to perform. I feel a lot of relief.” Nakamura was the top-seeded player and according to the live ratings list, he has now pushed his rating to 2782.6, a personal best. “If I hadn't won, I'd be pretty depressed.”
You can read an excellent report on the event at the official website. They will play two 25-minute rapid games, one with each color. If the score is tied 1-1, a final Armageddon with clock bidding will ensue.
The playoff between Krush and Zatonskih will begin tomorrow at Noon Central, 1 p.m. Eastern. Tune into www.uschesschamps.com to catch live commentary and analysis by GM Ben Finegold and WGM Jen Shahade.
US Chess Championships 2012: Kamsky in Clear First; Zatonskih, Krush Still in Joint Lead
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
SAINT LOUIS: GMs Hikaru Nakamura and Gata Kamsky went into round nine of the 2012 U.S. Championship tied with six points each. But the chess games of the ninth round had different results. Kamsky won by defeating GM Yasser Seirawan with a spectacular combination. Nakamura worked hard for six hours and 121 moves but had draw with GM Alex Lenderman. His matchup with Kamsky tomorrow will mean he is playing from behind for the first time in the tournament. Kamsky now has seven points, while Nakamura is at 6.5. In the 2012 U.S. Women's Chess Championship, both leaders won to keep pace with each other, though IMs Irina Krush and Anna Zatonskih were both worse in their respective games. The title will go to either Krush or Zatonskih. If one woman manages to win in round nine and the other does not, a clear winner will emerge. If not, a playoff Sunday will ensue. The women get an off day tomorrow while the U.S. Championship resumes Friday for round 10. Tune in to www.uschesschamps.com at 1 p.m. Central, 2 p.m. Eastern for live commentary from GM Ben Finegold and WGM Jennifer Shahade.
US Chess Championships 2012: Top Seeds Hold on To Lead in Both Men's, Women's Sections
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Top seeds continued to hold lead in both the men and women's sections of the 2012 U.S. Chess Championships. With the two top seeds in each division pulling away from the pack, GM Gata Kamsky exuded his usual perfection in positional chess to give GM Alex Lenderman his first loss of the event. That left the crowd watching to see if GM Hikaru Nakamura, the top seed in the U.S. Championship, could keep pace. But Nakamura went on to beat Stripunsky in an unusual French defense.
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL) is the host to the championships. Kamsky and Nakamura both have 6/8 and will play each other on Friday. Should there be a winner, he will be the betting favorite to win the title.
Chasing the two leaders is a trio of grandmasters. GMs Alex Onischuk, Varuzhan Akobian and Yury Shulman all have 4.5/8.
In the women’s section, the two leaders, IMs Zatonskih and Krush, drew their Round 7 game. They both still lead with 5/7.
Don't miss the excellent commentary at the
US Chess Championships by
WGM Jennifer Shahade and GM Ben Finegold.
Round nine for the U.S. Championship and round eight for the U.S. Women’s Championship will begin tomorrow at 1 p.m. Central, 2 p.m. Eastern. You can check more details at the official website: www.uschesschamps.org and also tune in to live commentary by WGM Jennifer Shahade and the club’s GM-in-Residence Ben Finegold.
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12th Women's World Chess Champion
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