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hosted by Chess Queen™ & 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
US Chess Record: Sam Sevian Youngest US Grandmaster at 13!
Hello chess blog friends, s chess record is specially for the US. A nice report by Brian Jerauld on the youngest-ever Grandmaster in US history. Can you guess who held that record before him? Sevian, 13, Youngest-Ever American Grandmaster Report via USChess.org The 13-year-old Sam Sevian -- or, for history’s sake: 13 years, 10 months and 27 days-old Sam Sevian -- just dropped the bar on one of America’s highest records.
On Saturday night at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, Sevian toppled International Master Andrei Gorovets in the fourth round of the Club’s invitational norm event -- for a win that proved far less-important than the moment. The rating boost he received from the victory, his fourth-consecutive win of the event, pushed Sevian past a FIDE 2500 rating, notching the last requirement needed to achieve chess’ most-elite title.
Sevian set the new record for the youngest American Grandmaster in history, besting the record previously set by Webster University star Ray Robson by nearly a full year. Sevian had already achieved all of his necessary Grandmaster norms, his third coming at the Washington International earlier this year, and needed only for his rating to crest FIDE’s necessary watermark to earn the elite title. The completion of all requirements immediately dubbed Sevian as “GM-elect,” with the official title to be approved at the next FIDE Congress.
$100,000 Chess Showdown - Nakamura vs Aronian in St Louis
Hello chess blog friends, there's a superstrong chess event taking place in St Louis, US. On Friday began a chess match between two of the world’s chess heavyweights.
The United States’ super Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura is set to square off against GM Levon Aronian, the World No. 4, in the Showdown in Saint Louis, a five-round contest for the lion’s share of a $100,000 purse. The special head-to-head exhibition will include four classical games of chess and a final round featuring 16 games of Blitz. The event will run from Friday, Nov. 21 to Tuesday, Nov. 25, with each round’s first move made at 2:00 p.m. daily.
Nakamura, the top American player ranked No. 9 in the world according to FIDE’s November 2014 rating list, is in the hunt for his first Candidates Tournament appearance and today holds second place, halfway through the 2014-2015 FIDE Grand Prix cycle. Aronian, a veteran to the world ranks, has long-been regarded as the main rival to World Champion Magnus Carlsen and reached his career-peak rating of 2830 earlier this year. Along with providing both players with elite head-to-head match experience, the Showdown in Saint Louis will also settle the score from the players’ last meeting: drawing twice at the 2014 Sinquefield Cup in the U.S. Capital of Chess last September.
GM HIKARU NAKAMURA vs. GM LEVON ARONIAN, SHOWDOWN IN SAINT LOUIS Friday, November 21, 2:00 p.m. Classical Round 1 Saturday, November 22, 2:00 p.m. Classical Round 2 Sunday, November 23, 2:00 p.m. Classical Round 3 Monday, November 24, 2:00 p.m. Classical Round 4 Tuesday, November 25, 2:00 p.m. Blitz Round (16 games, one every 15 minutes)
Alongside the Showdown are two specialized invitational tournaments designed for up-and-coming players attempting to earn chess’ elite master titles: International Master and, the superior, Grandmaster. The 2014 GM/IM Invitational events are two 10-player, round-robin tournaments designed to award title “norms,” or superior performances required by FIDE for player titles.
Of special focus in the GM norm event is Samuel Sevian and Ashwin Jayaram, two players who have already collected three Grandmaster norms and need just a handful of rating points to pass the necessary FIDE watermark of 2500. If Sevian clears the mark, the 13-year-old will become the youngest American Grandmaster in the history of chess.
The Showdown in Saint Louis will be streamed live in its entirety on www.uschesschamps.com, featuring live play-by-play commentary and analysis from the renowned commentary team of GM Yasser Seirawan, GM Maurice Ashley and WGM Jennifer Shahade. Live spectators may take in all the action as it unfolds in the upstairs tournament hall of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, with admission free-of-charge for annual, monthly and day members. From Alexandra Kosteniuk's www.chessblog.com Also
see her personal chess blog at www.chessqueen.com Don't miss Chess Queen™ YouTube
Channel
2014 U.S. Junior Closed Chess Championship from June 19-29
Hello chess blog friends, it's the St Louis Chess Club in the news again. June 19-29 are the dates for the U.S. Junior Closed Chess Championships 2014. For the fifth consecutive year, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis will host the Junior Closed Championship, the premier, invitation-only tournament in the country for the nation's top rising stars.
This event showcases the top students in the country and serves as the perfect example for two of our important goals: Promoting chess at the scholastic level and supporting chess at the top level by providing a professional environment for the country's top tournaments.
Meet the Players (USCF Ratings from May supplement): GM Kayden Troff (2573) IM Sam Sevian (2545) IM Aleksandr Ostrovskiy (2521) IM Luke Harmon-Vellotti (2515) IM Jeffrey Xiong (2513) FM Michael Bodek (2486) FM Arthur Shen (2458) NM Joshua Colas (2426) FM Justus Williams (2366) NM Matt Larson (2215)
Find the complete schedule and other details at the official website. From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
June 1 Last Date to Apply for the US NATO Chess Team
Hello chess friends, Col. David Hater's announcement on the US Chess Federation website calls for a chess players for a very special team selection. The U.S. will be sending a military chess team to the NATO Championship in Quebec from 8-12 September 2014. Individuals must be selected for the team and must pay their own expenses. For further information and to apply, please contact Colonel David Hater at dhater1@aol.com. Applications must be received by 1 June.
The #1 US player Hikaru Nakamura has a new and exciting sponsor: Redbull. "Always try to win at all costs", he says on his page on the Redbull website. Nakamura is currently the #8 player in the World.
Hi, my name is Hikaru Nakamura. My discipline ischess. My friends call me Hikaru, but I’ve been known by my handles: Smallville, CapilanoBridge, and Star Wars. I was born on 9 December 1987 in Osaka, Japan. My special talent istrying to win at all costs. My philosophy of life is live every moment, every game as though it is your last. The most important person in my life ismy mother. My favourite food ispasta. My favourite music is a mix of rock and folk/indie.
YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenian GM Levon Aronian will lead a summer chess camp July 9-13, 2014 in Glendale, California. The Chess Federation of Armenia informed “Armenpress” that the camp is organized by Metropolitan Chess Company and the American Chess Academy (director Armen Ambartsoumian). The assistants of Aronian during the camp will be particularly Armenian chess players - GM Melikset Khachiyan, IM Andranik Matikozyan, IM Armen Ambartsoumian, WGM Tatev Abrahamian.
Levon Aronian is an Armenian chess Grandmaster. On the May 2012 FIDE list, he was ranked number two in the world and had an Elo rating of 2825, making him the third highest rated player in history.
Aronian won the Chess World Cup 2005. He led the Armenian national team to the Gold medals in the 2006 (Turin), 2008 (Dresden) and 2012 (Istanbul) Chess Olympics and at the World Team Chess Championship in Ningbo 2011. He won the FIDE Grand Prix 2008–2010, qualifying him for the Candidates tournament for the World Chess Championship 2012, where he was knocked out in the first round. He was also World Chess960 Champion in 2006 and 2007, World Rapid Chess Champion in 2009, and World Blitz Chess Champion in 2010. Levon Aronian was declared the best sportsman of Armenia in 2005 and was awarded the title of "Honoured Master of Sport of the Republic of Armenia" in 2009.
Texas Tech to host World Series of Chess Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Event
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
For the first time ever, Texas Tech will host the Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship, Dec. 28-30 at the Overton Hotel and Conference Center.
The championship, sometimes called the “World Series of Chess” is open to all post-secondary schools in North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean. The event is open to spectators.
Round one will take place at 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 27, on the second floor of the tournament hall. Play will continue until the awards ceremony at 3 p.m., Monday, Dec. 30. From Alexandra Kosteniuk's www.chessblog.com Also see her personal chess blog at www.chessqueen.com Don't miss Chess Queen™ YouTube Channel
Alexandra Kosteniuk's Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) 2013
Hi everyone,
GM Julio Sadorra, a Senior at University of Texas at Dallas, is set to defend his U.S. Class title, but it will not be easy. Last year, Sadorra finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Masters Division, with IMs Justin Sarkar and Salvijus Bercys, but won the Champion’s plaque on tie-breaks. With the event almost a month away, Sadorra will have plenty of competition as there are five GMs already registered for the event!
Joining Sadorra for this National event in Houston, will be his teammates from the University of Texas at Dallas, Grandmasters Leonid Kritz, Conrad Holt, Ioan Cristian Chirila, and George Margvelashvili. With four players, so far, rated over 2600 USCF, this will be the strongest U.S. Class ever!
The event will take place in the beautiful and spacious facilities of the Marriott Houston South by the Hobby Airport, 27 – 29 September. The originally announced $11,100, based on 200 paid entries, Prize Fund has been increased to $11,500 Guaranteed! Players will compete for National titles and prize money in eight different Classes. In addition to the main event, there will be a one-day, five-round Scholastic tournament on Saturday, 28 September.
Many of the games will be transmitted live on Monroi.com. Check out all the tournament details at http://www.uschess.org/tournaments/2013/class/. The early registration ends on 8 September.
Alexandra Kosteniuk's Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) 2013
Hi everyone,
Front row: Jessica Regam, Maggie Feng, Shaileja Jain, Kevin Chor, Aasa Dommalapati, Naomi Bashkansky, Chase Frutas, Cole Frutas. Back row: Michael Khodarkhovsky, Aviv Friedman, Armen Ambartsoumian, Shyam Gandhi, Alvin Cao, Ethan Bashkansky, Shaurya Jain, Agata Bykhovtsev.
The Brazilian South-Western spa city of Pocos de Caldas was the venue for the 2013 Pan American Youth championships, held between July 25-August 1, writes FST & FM Aviv Friedman.
The president of the Brazilian chess federation, main organizer GM Darcy Lima and his able crew, once again did a fine job in running this multi-country event. We owe them a debt of gratitude for obliging our unique travel and accommodations needs!
Our delegation quickly acclimated at the comfy Golden Park hotel, up the hill from the convention center, where all the games took place. The steep circular road from the hotel to the hall was a slalom skier’s dream (or a mountain climber trainee’s going back up!), but the organizers thoughtfully arranged for a continuous shuttle to and fro.
As its name implies, the event is open for youth players up to age 18, from the American continents (19 countries were represented this year), divided to sectionals under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 years of age – both for girls and open. Our delegation was smaller than previous years – 17 players plus parents, family members, and coaches. Team coaches were IM and FST Armen Ambartsoumian, FST Michael Khodarkovsky, and your narrator, who served as the head of delegation, while GM Dejan Bojkov and IM Andranik Matikozian came as private coaches.
Airfares were sky high, due to the Pope’s visit to Brazil at the same dates, and many chose the North American Youth, scheduled right after the event, in the much-closer Toronto, Canada. A 10+ hour flight (and more to some!), ‘complemented’ by a 4-5 hour bus ride from Sao Paulo is not for everyone! The silver lining in this cloud was that with a good coach to player ratio (even with a crammed schedule of 9 round over 6 days), we have managed to maximize our pre game prep sessions, and post game analysis ones. (Continue reading at the US Chess Federation official website)
Bloomington Chess Activist Scott Set for National Honor
Alexandra Kosteniuk's Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) 2013
Hi everyone,
Garrett Scott, founder of the Bloomington-Normal Martin Luther King Jr. Chess Day Chess Tournament, talks with his Kingsley Junior High School chess team before the start of competition Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, at Bone Student Center at Illinois State University. Scott will receive the United States Chess Federation's lifetime achievement award on Wednesday, July 31, 2013. (Pantagraph file photo, David Proeber)
BLOOMINGTON — Local chess players and coaches say the lifetime achievement award that Garrett Scott will receive Wednesday from the United States Chess Federation is definitely well deserved.
“I can’t think of a more deserving person than Garrett Scott to get a lifetime achievement award,” said Dan Irvin, an organizer and fan of chess tournaments in Bloomington-Normal. “He is the real heart blood of youth chess.”
Scott, 69, is retiring from decades of work with the national-level chess organization, but he will remain active at the local level. He said he is pleased with what he has accomplished.
“I am happy,” he said.
Irvin described Scott as a role model with a communitywide impact. “Beyond my parents, (he is) one of the people that had the most impact on my life and that of several generations in Bloomington-Normal,” he said.
Scott, a former Normal City Council member and speech pathologist for Bloomington District 87 schools, has coached dozens of promising young chess players. Among his students were members of state championship teams at University High School and Kingsley and Parkside junior high schools, all in Normal, and Bloomington High School and Oakland and Washington elementary schools, all in Bloomington.
He also has organized a myriad of chess tournaments — perhaps most notably the Bloomington-Normal Martin Luther King Jr. Day Chess Tournament, which started in 1988.
Each year, he tells students about his interaction with King and reminds them of the importance of making good decisions and working together.
Scott said he believes the award he will receive at the federation’s annual meeting in Wisconsin is not for him alone. It also honors the active chess community in Bloomington-Normal, he said.
In 1994, Bloomington and New York City shared the federation’s title of Chess City of the Year. “It was an honor to be considered on equal basis as New York City,” Scott said.
Some of the best young players across the nation competed in events that Scott helped arrange locally.
“A generation of American chess players came through Bloomington,” Irvin said, who worked with Scott during the 1990s in organizing the Maurice Irvin Chess Festival.
That tradition continues as Scott continues to mentor young chess players. Among them is Benjamin Nielsen, 16, of Normal. The teenager’s summer job is teaching 10 to 12 novice chess players in one-hour, weekly lessons.
“A few years ago I got lessons from Mr. Scott; now I give lessons,” Nielsen said.
“I am very happy Mr. Scott was part of my learning experience. I can’t tell you how much I respect him,” the teenager said. (Pantagraph.com)
US Chess Talent 8-Year-Old Chris Shen on Playing the Game
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone, Chris Shen, an eight-year-old from Powell who, just two years after he picked up the game, is known as the No. 1 player of his age in the country. He is featured in this nice video by Columbus Dispatch.
US Chess Open, Blitz for Seniors 2013: May 28-June 2 in Tarrytown
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013 Hi everyone,
The U.S. Chess Federation and Chess Educators are now accepting entries for participation in the 2013 U.S. Senior Open from May 28-June 2. Where: Doubletree Tarrytown Hotel; 455 South Broadway; Tarrytown, NY 10591 USA Tournament Organizer: IO Beatriz Marinello; Chess Educators Chief TD: IA Carol Jarecki
Eligibility: Open to USCF members born on or before May 27, 1963. Tournament Format: 6 Rounds, Swiss System. Two 1/2-point byes allowed if requested before end of Rd 2. Time Control: 40 moves in two hours, plus one hour sudden death (40/2, SD/1) Rating: USCF Rated & FIDE Rated.
Prizes and Awards: $5,500 GTD! Plaques for the top 10 players overall. • 1st $1,250 • 2nd 850 • 3rd $600 • 4th 300 • Under 2300 $500 & $300 • Under 2000 $300 & $150 • Under 1800 $300 & 150 • Under 1500/unr $300 & $150 • Top Woman $350
World Chess Hall of Fame New Inductions for 2013: Two Women!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
An induction ceremony on May 2, 2013, will recognize five exceptional chess players as three are inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame and two into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame. The World Chess Federation (FIDE) nominated and selected Elizaveta Bykova, Nona Gaprindashvili, and Mikhail Chigorin for the World Chess Hall of Fame. They join 16 other players to receive the honor since the World Chess Hall of Fame’s creation in 2001. These are the first new inductees since 2011. “This year’s World Chess Hall of Fame induction is particularly unique because it includes two women. The first and only woman who had previously received this honor was Vera Menchik,” said Beatriz Marinello, FIDE Senior Vice President.
The U.S. Chess Federation Hall of Fame Committee considers and sends candidates for the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame to the U.S. Chess Trust each year. The Trust votes on candidates, selecting Gregory Kaidanov and Mona May Karff to join the 50 other players currently in the Hall of Fame. “These two players join luminaries like Bobby Fischer and Frank Marshall as some of the top players in U.S. history. Their contributions to the sport are numerous and lasting,” said Harold Winston, chairman of the U.S. Chess Federation Hall of Fame Committee.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
A total of 5,335 young people traveled to Nashville, TN to play in the fifth edition of SuperNationals, making it the biggest rated chess tournament in history. The US Chess Scoop spoke to a wide range of participants including the High School Champion, Atulya Shetty, captain of the High School Championship team Edward R Murrow, Aleksander Ostrovskiy, and members of the K-8 Championship team, Masterman. Luke Harmon-Vellotti and John Hughes, also tied for second place, appear as well.
Did you see all the photos and videos that Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk post at www.chessqueen.com. The 12th Women's Chess Championship was invited to the SuperNationals for a simul, book-signing, and chess fun activities.
Upcoming Chess Events in the US: Mark the Calendar
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013 Hello everyone, We found this nice compilation by Chessdom of upcoming chess events in the US. So, how many are you going to play? The 14th Annual Pittsburgh Open will be held from March 1-3, 2013, at the Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh Green Tree, 500 Mansfield Ave, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 7th Annual Long Island Open will be held from March 1-3, 2013, at the Holiday Inn Long Island – Islip Airport, 3845 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, New York.
The March Madness Championship is set to take place on 1-3rd March at the Bay Area Chess Center, 1639A South Main Street, Milpitas, California. The Thousand Dollar Prize Fund Open is set to take place on 2nd March at the Douglas Youth Center, 902 S. 2nd, Kingsville, Texas 78363. The 3rd Dallas Chess Club FIDE Open in 2013 is scheduled to take place on 2-3rd March at the Club’s headquarters, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr. #C, Richardson, Texas 75080. The 20th Annual Western Class Championships will be held from March 8-10, 2013, at the Sheraton Agoura Hills Hotel, 30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, California. The 22nd Annual Eastern Class Championships will be held from March 15-17, 2013, at the Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, 366 Main St, Sturbridge, Massachusetts. The 45th Virginia Open is scheduled to take place on 15-17th March at the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott Hotel, 45020 Aviation Dr., Dulles, Virginia. From Alexandra Kosteniuk's www.chessblog.com Also see her personal blog at www.chessqueen.com Don't miss Chess Queen™ YouTube Channel
Scholastic Chess Recognition: 5th Annual Schein-Friedman Awards Announced
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Jeffrey Xiong, Photo Courtesy of The Saint Louis Chess Club
These are one of the most valuable scholastic chess awards in the US. Here are all the details by Mark Schein and Aviv Friedman as announced on the US Chess Trust website. Once again the Schein – Friedman Scholastic Recognition Project (with the help of the American Chess Academy) is happy to announce its annual scholarships recipients!
First, words of thanks to all the very worthy young players who have applied – once again the choices were not easy ones. The winner of our first place, and a $4000 scholarship is Sam Sevian, from California. 12-year-old Sam’s meteoric rise breezed by records such as the youngest American expert, and later youngest National Master, to a current IM-elect status. His long list of successes has culminated with a gold medal, and a title of a World Champion in the boys under 12 category, in the last World Youth Championships in Slovenia.
Texan Jeffery Xiong, and Californian Cameron Wheeler tied for 2nd -3rd and will each receive a scholarship in the amount of $2500.
Age 12, Jeffery is the leading player from the Dallas chess club ‘greenhouse’ of young talents. A Senior Master at age 12, among his achievements Jeffery is a former national scholastics champion, and a former silver medallist and world vice champion (tie for first) in the boys under 12 section of the World Youth (Greece, 2010).
Cameron, who is a National Master at age 12, holds multi state and national scholastics championship titles. He is twice a top 10 finisher in the World Youth – 5th in Greece, 2010 and a tie for first, with second place and a silver medal in Slovenia, in 2012.
The Schein – Friedman project is designed to help some of our younger champions improve and dedicate themselves more to chess, while offsetting the financial expenses that usually come with those. Hopefully the project will reward excelling youngsters, and help them become tomorrow’s best players and Grandmasters. At the same time they would be serving as role models and an inspiration to the entire scholastic community.
The American Chess Academy is a non-profit organization, dedicated to “developing strong US chess talent, and exposing the game of chess to as many neighborhood children as possible”.
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