Latest Chess News from Namibia: Junior Championship Selections Held

July 4, 2013, 3:23 am

≫ Next: 1st Saturday Organo Chess Tilt Begins this Weekend (Philippines Chess News)

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Hi everyone,

The Namibia Chess Federation in collaboration with Pro-Ed Akademie hosted a successful open chess tournament on the 29th of June at the Swakopmund Town Hall where over 250 junior chess players from all around the country participated. The tournament comprised of 7 different age groups of under 8 to under 20 juniors chess players from all over the country. Boys and girls from schools and towns as far as Rosh Pinah and Keetmanshoop came in numbers to part-take in the annual tournament.

The top 10 of each age group qualified to participate in a closed (invitation only) tournament to be held in the capital in two weeks time. The one day long tournament kicked of on Saturday morning with short speeches by the deputy major of Swakopmund, Councillor Louise Madi, the school principal of Pro-Ed Akademie, Mr. Globberlaar and the NCF President, Otto Nakapunda.

The Swakopmund Town Hall nearly filled to the brim as parents, coaches, school teachers and chess enthusiast watched on in amazement as the junior players battled it out for 7 rounds straight. The winners emerged in each age group taking home cash prizes and certificates sponsored by different individuals and business in from Swakopmund. This was only the second time that the junior tournament was hosted outside Windhoek and it remarkably managed to attract a record number of participants.

The newly elected NCF Exco hopes to have the highly anticipated tournament hosted in other towns around the country to help promote the sport and to have more schools sending learners to take part in this fun filled national junior tournament.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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1st Saturday Organo Chess Tilt Begins this Weekend (Philippines Chess News)

July 4, 2013, 3:33 am

≫ Next: Elwin Retanal Wins Al Riyadh International Chess Open

≪ Previous: Latest Chess News from Namibia: Junior Championship Selections Held

Hi everyone,

MANILA, Philippines – The 66th edition of the 1st Saturday Chess Tournament will begin this weekend in Better Living Subivision, Parañaque City. The tournament is open to all untitled and rated players whose NCFP rating shall not exceed 1950. The champion will receive P3, 000 plus trophy, the runner up will get P2, 000 plus trophy and the third placer will pocket P1, 000 plus trophy. Category winners for the top senior, top college, top high school, top elementary and top female will receive P500 each.
The event is organized by Paranaque Chess Association and sponsored by NCFP secretary-general Cavite 7th district rep. Abraham "Bambol" Jr., Mayor Edwin Olivarez, Vice Mayor Rico Golez, Kagawad Chona Navarro, Boy Francisco, Spare and Strike, Shakeys Pizza (SM Bicutan Branch) and Organo Gold Philippines.

Registration fee is P250 (regular) and P150 (kiddies).For more details, please call or text Dr. Bong Perez at tel. no. (383-4996) (846-0304) and 09197227552, Mr. Cecil Padua, 09228418251, Mario Perez, 09151961235 and Tonton Barretto , 09326144563. (ABS-CBNnews.com/by Marlon Bernardino)

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Elwin Retanal Wins Al Riyadh International Chess Open

July 4, 2013, 5:35 am

≫ Next: Igor Kurnusov Opens Lead at Abu Dhabi Chess Festival

≪ Previous: 1st Saturday Organo Chess Tilt Begins this Weekend (Philippines Chess News)

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

Hi everyone,

National Master (NM) Elwin Retanal, who hails from Malita, Davao del Sur, emerged champion in the recently-concluded Al Riyadh International Chess Open Tournament at Al Riyadh Saladin Hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Retanal finished with 10 points in the 11-round Swiss System format competition to pocket the champion's prize of 5,000 Riyal, around P58,000. Retanal, with an ELO Rating of 2350, bested international master (IM) Tissir Mohamed of Morocco (9.5 points) and Fide master (FM) Ayyad Husain of Bahrain (8.5) who settled for second and third, respectively.

Alvin Alcala of the Philippines was fourth, leading other eight-pointers Abdel Ghani Wael of Egypt, Yassin Ahmed Ismail of Egypt, FM Ayya Maher of Bahrain and FM Samhouri A. of Jordan via superior tiebreaks.

Saudi-based Retanal, in a Facebook chat with Sun.Star Davao, said he is set to claim his FM title after one month.

"I'm just waiting for my title from Fide," said Retanal who crowned himself back-to-back champion after also bagging the title of the Riyadh Chess Open. The 84th-ranked Retanal posted 10 wins, including a stunning upset over top-seed IM Tissir Mohamed and second-seed FM Samhouri A. in the sixth and ninth rounds, respectively, and one loss to ninth-ranked Gaafar Hassan of Egypt in the seventh round.

He also obtained victories over Al Roki Mansour of KSA, Nimer Mohammad of Jordan, FM Janahi Zeyaad and Ayyad Husain of Bahrain, Al-Hajiri Bader of Kuwait, Alcala, Gamal Abdel Hakam of Egypt and Al Ghamdi Ahmed M. of KSA. He is set to compete in the Al Khobar International Chess Open slated today, hoping for another victory.

The Cebu City-born Retanal, 1997 Philippine Junior Open champion, works at Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University in KSA.

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Igor Kurnusov Opens Lead at Abu Dhabi Chess Festival

July 4, 2013, 2:44 pm

≫ Next: Beijing Chess Grand Prix Opening Ceremony Held

≪ Previous: Elwin Retanal Wins Al Riyadh International Chess Open

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

Hi everyone,

Igor Kurnosov (left) beat Romanian Grandmaster Mircea-Emilian Parligras in the fourth round at Abu Dhabi and French Grandmaster Andrei Istratescu in the fifth. (Image Credit: Abdul Rahman/Gulf News)

Abu Dhabi: Russian Grandmaster Igor Kurnosov became the sole leader of the Masters Championship at the ongoing Abu Dhabi Chess Festival after beating Romanian Grandmaster Mircea-Emilian Parligras in the fourth round and French Grandmaster Andrei Istratescu in the fifth to take his tally to 4.5 points.

Three other Grandmasters trail Kurnosov by half a point: Russians Aleksandr Rakhmanov and Sergey Volkov and Ukrainian Zahar Efimenko.

Kurnosov will play against Efimenko in the sixth round, while Rakhmanov will face Volkov.

Second seed Istratescu was forced to settle for a draw with Russian Vasily Papin in the fourth round and was beaten by Kurnosov in the fifth to stay on three points from five matches. He will face promising young Indian International Master R. Rajpara Ankit in the sixth round.

UAE players, siblings Hamdan and Mohammad Marshool, continued their dazzling performances by winning their matches in rounds four and five to collect five full points from as many matches to lead the Under-15 tournament along with their compatriot Abdullah Al Shai’ry, P. Derakhshani from Iran and S. Aliyev from Azerbaijan. The UAE’s Ahmad Farid is second with 4.5 points, while 21 other players are hot on their heels with four points each.

In the sixth round, Mohammad Marshool will face Aliyev and his brother will play Derakhshani. (Gulf News)

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Beijing Chess Grand Prix Opening Ceremony Held

July 4, 2013, 3:12 pm

≫ Next: International Chess Tournament of Forni di Sopra Concluded

≪ Previous: Igor Kurnusov Opens Lead at Abu Dhabi Chess Festival

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

Hi everyone,

The opening ceremony of the 5th stage of FIDE Grand Prix Series 2012-2013 took place in the New Century Grand Hotel in Beijing (China) on the 3rd of July. The players and guests were greeted by President of Chinese Chess Assosiation Yang Junan and FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.Kirsan Ilyumzhinov: “Generous support by the leadership of the Administrative Center of Cards of Board Games, FIDE Vice President Mr. Chu Bo, Chinese Chess Association and its President Mr. Yang Junan has been key in bringing this event to its realization, to which I’m deeply grateful.”

Yang Junan: “We think that holding FIDE Grand Prix Series in China is not only about the trust of FIDE to Chinese Chess Association, but also will promote the development of chess in China.” After the speeches FIDE Vice President Chu Bo announced the opening of Grand Prix in Beijing. Deputy arbiter Anastasiya Sorokina then proceeded with drawing of lots. She called up the players to come to the table and pick of the Chinese classical figure sculpture with the number inside.

The top seed of the tournament Alexander Grischuk picked number eight and will play against Gata Kamsky tomorrow. Anish Giri chose the number one to play against Sergey Karjakin at the first round.

Also attending the opening ceremony were FIDE CEO Geoffrey Borg, President of the European Chess Union Silvio Danailov, Director of FIDE Office in Moscow Berik Balgabaev, former world women champions Xie Jun, Xu Yuhua, and other distinguished guests. The players list in Beijing is impressive with former World Champion Veselin Topalov trying to repeat his performance in Zug, Switzerland earlier this year and clinching one of the two places for the forthcoming Candidates tournament in 2014.

He will be challenged by several world class players. Boris Gelfand, coming from his recent epic victory in Moscow Tal memorial, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov who has had a very good month of June starting with winning the world Rapid Championship in Khanty Mansiysk. Also not to forget world top ten players such as Sergey Karjakin, Alexander Grischuk as well as former Candidates players Vasily Ivanchuk, Peter Leko.

GM Teimur Radjabov has withdrawn from the Beijing Grand Prix for personal reasons and has been replaced by GM Wang Yue from China. The top Chinese player Wang Hao, who placed fourth in overall Grand Prix at the moment, will also play in Beijing.

Time control: 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves and then each player will be allotted 15 minutes after the second time control and an increment of 30 seconds per move will be allowed from move 61 onwards.

The Grand Prix Series consists of six tournaments to be held over two years (2012-2013). 18 top players participate in 4 of these 6 tournaments. The winner and second placed player overall of the Grand Prix Series will qualify for the Candidates Tournament to be held in March 2014.

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International Chess Tournament of Forni di Sopra Concluded

June 28, 2013, 12:12 pm

≫ Next: Fide Chess Title Norms: Deadline Extended to 31 July 2013

≪ Previous: Beijing Chess Grand Prix Opening Ceremony Held

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

Hi everyone,

The 3rd International Chess Tournament of Forni di Sopra took place on 15-22nd June, 2013, in Forni di Sopra, part of the Friulian Dolomites Natural Park and one of the jewels of the Italian Alps.
The A section was a nine-round Swiss event available to players rated above 2000. 72 players competed in this group.

International Masters Danyyil Dvirnyy (Italy) and Aman Hambleton (Canada) shared the first place with 7,0 points each. Dvirnyy was declared tournament winner on superior tie-break.

Danyyil Dvirnyy

The B section was eight-round Swiss event available for players rated between 1600 and 2000. 47 participants took part in this group with Gianluca Ottaviani (Italy) emerging champion on 6,5 points.

The C section was eight-round Swiss event open to players rated under 1600. Lorenzo Ranellucci (Italy) took a clear first place with 6,0 points in the field of 14 participants.

The tournament was organized by the Accademia Internazionale di Scacchi, Circolo Scacchistico Udinese, ScacchiRandagi, FSI and Comune Forni di Sopra. Tournament director was GM Roberto Mogranzini and Chief Arbiter was IA Renzo Renier.

The total prize fund was 10,000 EUR. (www.chessdom.com)

Final Standings Open A:
1. IM Dvirnyy Danyyil ITA 2540 – 7
2. IM Hambleton Aman CAN 2461 – 7
3. IM D’amore Carlo ITA 2485 – 6.5
4. IM Tania Sachdev IND 2408 – 6
5. IM Pancevski Filip MKD 2513 – 6
6. GM Sundararajan Kidambi IND 2428 – 6
7. GM Lazic Miroljub SRB 2467 – 6
8. GM Moskalenko Viktor ESP 2536 – 6
9. IM Bruno Fabio ITA 2422 – 6
10. FM Altini Nicola ITA 2323 – 6
11. GM Garcia Palermo Carlos ITA 2468 – 6
12. FM Rambaldi Francesco ITA 2340 – 6
13. IM Laketic Gojko SRB 2410 – 6
14. IM Vezzosi Paolo ITA 2274 – 6
15. FM Boscolo Federico ITA 2314 – 5.5
16. GM Horvath Csaba HUN 2516 – 5.5
17. Albano Marco ITA 2256 – 5.5
18. FM Cocchi Andrea ITA 2304 – 5.5
19. Tonon Alessandro ITA 2218 – 5.5
20. Basso Pier Luigi ITA 2231 – 5.5
21. IM Valsecchi Alessio ITA 2422 – 5
22. GM Levin Felix GER 2497 – 5
23. GM Naumkin Igor RUS 2457 – 5
24. FM Ceschia Ivano ITA 2235 – 5
25. IM Codenotti Marco ITA 2390 – 5
26. Capaliku Aleks ITA 2134 – 5
27. Formento Paolo ITA 2249 – 5
28. Zamengo Fulvio ITA 2113 – 5
29. Thingstad Even NOR 2274 – 5
30. IM Borgo Giulio ITA 2378 – 4.5
31. WIM Real Pereyra Diana Carime MEX 2062 – 4.5
32. Dobboletta Alex ITA 1978 – 4.5
33. IM Saravanan V. IND 2371 – 4.5
34. Gregori Giacomo ITA 2025 – 4.5
35. WFM Vargas Gabriela PAR 2099 – 4.5
36. Petrone Gianmario ITA 1956 – 4.5
37. Santagati Alessandro ITA 2216 – 4.5
38. Sardo Gabriele ITA 2208 – 4.5
39. CM Popa Claudio ITA 2149 – 4.5
40. Marsili Riccardo ITA 2090 – 4.5
41. Boraso Alessio ITA 2128 – 4.5
42. Teutsch Alexander ITA 2141 – 4.5
43. WFM Gutierrez Leonela VEN 2090 – 4.5
44. Carnicelli Valerio ITA 2065 – 4.5
45. WCM Rovira Tairu VEN 2074 – 4.5
46. Oussedik Elias CAN 2058 – 4
47. IM Medancic Rikard CRO 2238 – 4
48. Coppola Federico ITA 1930 – 4
49. Gueci Laura ITA 1884 – 4
50. Martinez Ayelen ARG 2106 – 4
51. Logallo Claudio ITA 2068 – 4
52. Rorato Renzo ITA 2015 – 3.5
53. Brociner Beniamino ITA 2014 – 3.5
54. Rothebarth Ana Vitoria De Pau BRA 2006 – 3.5
55. Cocconcelli Lorenzo ITA 2041 – 3.5
56. Laco Giuseppe ITA 2061 – 3.5
57. WFM Abarca Gonzalez Damaris CHI 2042 – 3.5
58. Manelidou Maria GRE 2032 – 3.5
59. FM Ricci Marco ITA 2089 – 3.5
60. Messina Roberta ITA 2020 – 3
61. Bellincampi Stefano ITA 2040 – 3
62. Pozzobon Davide ITA 1939 – 3
63. Pisacane Pietro ITA 2008 – 3
64. Falchi Claudio ITA 1936 – 3
65. Tirelli Mauro ITA 2028 – 3
66. Pegoraro Nicola ITA 2021 – 3
67. Picco Ruggero ITA 2017 – 3
68. Callier Christophe BEL 2089 – 2.5
69. Balzano Filli ITA 1964 – 2
70. Hansson Hakan SWE 2042 – 2
71. WFM Madrigal Ana Daniela NCA 2042 – 2
72. FM Bonfa Ileano ITA 2149 – 0

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Fide Chess Title Norms: Deadline Extended to 31 July 2013

June 28, 2013, 1:09 pm

≫ Next: Dilijan Chess Grand Prix 2013: Name all the Girls

≪ Previous: International Chess Tournament of Forni di Sopra Concluded

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

Hi everyone,

Here's an important Fide notification for chess players. Due to move of offices and upgrading of computers and technical software and hardware in the past 20 years, it has been an onerous task to verify norms achieved from old tournaments based on the then prevailing title regulations when the tournaments took place. Instead of tracking old regulations and old tournament results whenever an application is received, the QC recommended that norms achieved prior to 1st July 2005 be registered before 31st July 2013. Titles (FM/WFM/CM/WCM) achieved through a published rating or from an Olympiad result prior to 1st July 2005, must also be registered before 31st July 2013. Failing which, such norms or title claims will be considered to have expired on 31st July 2013. In addition with readily available information from the recent years, the QC hopes to move towards automation of title awards as soon as possible. The PB approved the recommendation of the QC.

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Dilijan Chess Grand Prix 2013: Name all the Girls

June 28, 2013, 1:21 pm

≫ Next: Indian Chess Hunk Trivia: Name the Bollywood Star

≪ Previous: Fide Chess Title Norms: Deadline Extended to 31 July 2013

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

Hi everyone,

Here's a nice group photo from the Dilijan Chess Grand Prix 2013 that has just been won by India's Koneru Humpy. Can you name all the players... and officials if you can ;)

Visit the official website of the Dilijan Chess Grand Prix 2013.

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Indian Chess Hunk Trivia: Name the Bollywood Star

June 29, 2013, 8:36 am

≫ Next: Magnus Carlsen Edges Out Borki Predojevic in Rapid Chess Match

≪ Previous: Dilijan Chess Grand Prix 2013: Name all the Girls

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

Hi everyone,

We found some interesting news about an Indian film super star working in an Indo-Russian movie project. The Indo-Russian movie is supposed to be a comedy about bikers. You can read the report (using Google translate) on the Radio Rus website (the Russian Radio broadcast in Hindi). However, we've got a nice cool photo of this Indian superstar with a chessboard before him! Can you name him?

Bollywood is the name for the Indian film industry and we've heard they have many chess fans there. Particularly, another movie great Aamir Khan, who has even played in a simul with World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand. For the answer to the chess trivia question, click on the photo to go to the super star's wikipedia page.

We would like to thank Chess Blog reader Kamini Gupta from New Delhi for pointing out this trivia question to us. You are welcome to send us your chess quiz questions as well.

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Magnus Carlsen Edges Out Borki Predojevic in Rapid Chess Match

June 30, 2013, 4:36 am

≫ Next: Koneru Humpy Wins Women's Chess Grand Prix in Dilijan ahead of Anna Muzychuk, Nana Dzagnidze

≪ Previous: Indian Chess Hunk Trivia: Name the Bollywood Star

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

Hi everyone,

The world’s top rated player Magnus Carlsen faced Grandmaster Borki Predojevic from Bosnia & Herzegovina in a four games rapid match in Lillehammer this Friday and Saturday (28-29th June).

The match was played at the Radisson Blu Lillehammer Hotel, and with the rapid time control 25 minutes plus 10 seconds per move.

In the first game Predojevic started cautiously with white and soon run into a passive position, but later he succeeded in trading all the pieces and holding a draw in the Rook endgame.

Magnus Carlsen

In the second game Carlsen was pressing with white, but his opponent obtained sufficient counterplay with the far-advanced d-pawn. Another Rook endgame and another draw.

In the third game Predojevic played Alapin Sicilian with white. The Queens quickly went off and Black even obtained a slight structural plus. After lots of maneuvering and probing, Black finally muscled his opponent into a lost ending.

In the final game another Queen-less opening and yet again the Norwegian was pushing for advantage. Predojevic, however, defended tenaciously and eventually salvaged a draw with moves repetition.

Magnus Carlsen won the match with the final score 2,5-1,5 (one win, three draws).

Borki Predojevic

The match has been initiated by Steinar Bryn, who is both a chess player and Senior adviser at The Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue in Lillehammer, where he mainly works on peace projects in the Balkan region.

The rapid match in Lillehammer coincides with this year’s Norwegian chess championship starting on Saturday 29th. (www.chessdom.com)

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Koneru Humpy Wins Women's Chess Grand Prix in Dilijan ahead of Anna Muzychuk, Nana Dzagnidze

June 30, 2013, 4:44 am

≫ Next: Kindergarten Chess Lesson by Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk

≪ Previous: Magnus Carlsen Edges Out Borki Predojevic in Rapid Chess Match

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

Hi everyone,

India's chess pride Grandmaster Koneru Humpy has won the FIDE Women’s Chess Grand Prix in Dilijan, Armenia, this Friday. She finished the tournament with a fantastic performance even piccking up a win in the final round against Mongolia’s Tuvshintugs Batchimeg.

The top seed from Vijayawada, India scored eight points from 11 rounds which was a full point ahead of Slovenia’s Anna Muzychuk, the second seed, and Nana Dzagnidze of Georgia. Humpy was the only unbeaten player in the field that contained 12 of the top women chess players in the world.

The other Indian chess player who attended the tournament, D. Harika, played well and finished with five points and tied for the sixth place, after drawing with former World Chess Champion Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria.

The FIDE Grand Prix is a six-part series that will determine the challenger for the 2015 Women’s World Chess Championship.

Koneru Humpy's victory at the Dilijan Chess Grand Prix included draw with D Harika, win over Elina Danielian, draw with Anna Ushenina, win over Tatiana Kosintseva, draw with Bela Khotenashvili, win over Anna Muzychuk, win over Anna Stefanova, draw with Viktorija Cmilyte, draw with Nana Dzagnidze, draw with Olga Girya and a win over Batchimeg Tuvshintugs.

The final standings:
1. Humpy 8; 2-3. Muzychuk and Dzagnidze 7; 4. Kosintseva 6; 5. Ushenina 5.5; 6-8. Stefanova, Batchimeg & Harika 5; 9-11.Girya, Cmylite & Danielian 4.5; 12. Khotenashvili 4. (www.blackandwhiteindia.com)

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Kindergarten Chess Lesson by Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk

June 29, 2013, 9:35 am

≫ Next: Chocolate Chess Set Prize at Latrobe Winterfest Tournament!

≪ Previous: Koneru Humpy Wins Women's Chess Grand Prix in Dilijan ahead of Anna Muzychuk, Nana Dzagnidze

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

Hi everyone,

We hope you’ll like this 18-minute Youtube video of Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk introducing the game of chess to a kindergarten class in the USA. If you do, please Like this post! Enjoy!

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Chocolate Chess Set Prize at Latrobe Winterfest Tournament!

June 30, 2013, 12:17 am

≫ Next: Chess Kids 20 Years Later - Documentary Trailer

≪ Previous: Kindergarten Chess Lesson by Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk

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

Hi everyone,

A chess set made from chocolate is being offered as a major prize at this year's Chocolate Winterfest at Latrobe. The round robin Chocolate Chess competition is one of many free activities that will be offered next Sunday. Chocolate Chess organiser David Hughes said the event would be open to anyone who wanted to play, of any age.

"Chess does a lot of things for young people in terms of developing cognitive skills and spatial awareness, and is something that they can do as well as sports," Mr Hughes said.

Other Chocolate Winterfest events include: Chocolate appreciation masterclass, House of Anvers, Bass Highway, Latrobe, from 9.30am until 1.30pm, Chocolate wonders of wearable art, a display of garments made from chocolate at the Latrobe Memorial Hall, Where's the Talent - singers, dancers, fire twirlers, comedians or magicians will be performing at the Latrobe Bowls Club, from 11am and Chocolate sculpture trail. For more information download a program at www.chocolatewinterfest.com.au

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Chess Kids 20 Years Later - Documentary Trailer

June 30, 2013, 9:35 am

≫ Next: 5th Chess Grand Prix in Beijing from July 3-17

≪ Previous: Chocolate Chess Set Prize at Latrobe Winterfest Tournament!

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

Hi everyone,

Weekend chess movie trailer: A follow-up to the acclaimed Chess Kids (1996), this Special Edition release delivers the original award-winning documentary remastered for DVD, and includes all new engaging interviews with the original players, nearly 20 years later!

This clip features internationally renowned chess masters Judit Polgar, Josh Waitzkin, Morgan Pehme, Victoria Fossum, Joseph Conlon, and more! Enjoy the chess clip.

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5th Chess Grand Prix in Beijing from July 3-17

July 1, 2013, 9:32 am

≫ Next: Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival Begins

≪ Previous: Chess Kids 20 Years Later - Documentary Trailer

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

Hi everyone,

Beijing, is the site for the fifth leg of the FIDE Grand Prix series. Many of the players have had the opportunity of playing in Beijing in the Sport Accord World Mind Games and therefore will have had some experience of this very busy, metropolitan city. Nevertheless, with such a long history and tradition behind it, Beijing offers so many places to visit and things to do.
The players' list in Beijing is impressive with former World Champion Veselin Topalov trying to repeat his performance in Zug, Switzerland earlier this year and clinching one of the two places for the forthcoming Candidates tournament in 2014.

He will be challenged by several world class players. Boris Gelfand, coming hot from his recent epic victory in Moscow Tal Memorial will be one of the prime challengers as will be Shakriyar Mamedyarov who has had a very good month of June starting with winning the World Rapid Championship in Khanty Mansiysk. Also not to forget world top-ten players such as Sergey Karjakin, Alexander Grischuk as well as former Candidates players Vasily Ivanchuk and Peter Leko.

Like all other Grand Prix the impressive line up means that round after round, we will witness the world's top players offering us some exciting chess at the highest level possible. Stay tuned for all the live coverage at the official website.

Players
Gelfand, Boris ISR
Giri, Anish NLD
Grischuk, Alexander RUS
Ivanchuk, Vassily UKR
Kamsky, Gata USA
Karjakin, Sergey RUS
Leko, Peter HUN
Mamedyarov, Shakriyar AZE
Morozevich, Alexander RUS
Topalov, Veselin BUL
Wang, Hao CHN
Wang, Yue CHN

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Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival Begins

July 1, 2013, 10:34 am

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

Hi everyone,

Abu Dhabi: No surprises were achieved in the first round of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, with the top seeds winning their encounters in the three competitions that got underway here on Sunday.

The annual event, held under the patronage of Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, was opened by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Society Development and the President of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare, at the Sofitel Hotel.

Hussain Abdullah Khory, Chairman of organisers the Abu Dhabi Chess and Culture Club, welcomed the players and said: “We achieved a great success this year with a record 342 players from 30 different countries taking part in the festival.” Khory wished all the competitors good luck in the competition.

A total of 49 highly-rated players are competing in the Masters Championship, with Grand Master Igor Kurnosov from Russia the top seed. Kurnosov won his first match by beating International Master Sergio Estremera Panos, while second seed GM Andrei Istratescu from France overcame Misratdin Iskandarov.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
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Follow Chess Queen Kosteniuk on Twitter!

July 2, 2013, 7:01 am

≫ Next: Cool Chess Feature on Luke Harmon-Vellotti

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

Hi everyone,

12th Women's World Chess Champion Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk is surely the most active GM on social sites. Her Twitter (verified) followers recently crossed the 300K mark! Check out this post from the personal chess blog regularly updated by the Chess Queen™. You can find links to her Facebook pages and accounts in this post as well. You can additionally take part in all the chess fun by registering for the 12th Women's World Chess Champion's email newsletter as well.

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

at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel

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Cool Chess Feature on Luke Harmon-Vellotti

July 2, 2013, 7:47 am

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

Hi everyone,

Here's a nice chess feature. The invitation Luke Harmon-Vellotti had been waiting years for finally arrived this spring; a place in the ten-person U.S. Junior Chess Championship Tournament.

The 14 year-old Boisean ranked ninth of the ten participants made the most of the opportunity, finishing tied for second place.

"There were two games were I was losing, and I managed to trick my opponent and win both of them," he said. "I was just hoping to do well and I did a lot better than I thought I would."

Harmon-Vellotti has played since he was four years old - not a surprise for the son of a former chess champion and current head of 'Vellotti's Chess School in Boise.'

"Luke's just incredibly talented and works very hard at it," father Daniel Vellotti said. "He has a killer instinct."

Luke describes himself as a tactical player.

"No matter what position, I'm in I always want to go for the win."

That aggressive style is comparable to U.S. chess legend Bobby Fischer, and current U.S. No. 1 Hikaru Nakamura - who Luke calls his favorite player.

Beating dad became a regular occurrence a couple years ago, and practicing at the highest level requires a computer program.

"He studies master games and likes to learn new techniques from old games," Daniel said.

Luke also logs and reviews his own games - much the same way college and professional coaches review practice and game film.

"He never stops practicing, except for his birthday and Christmas - he takes those days off," Daniel said. "A little bit every day is how you become a very good player."

Already a 'FIDE Master,' Luke is one good tournament showing from moving up a rank to 'International Master.' He could earn that rank this week in Washington, D.C. where he'll compete in the World Open.

"I hope to become a Grandmaster someday," he said. "I don't want to be a full-time chess player but one of the best in the US. But I still want to have a real job."

He's got a pretty good jump on that, too.

This fall, 15 year-old Luke will begin undergraduate study at UCLA on a full math and computer science scholarship. He also intends to help lead the Bruin chess team back to the President's Cup - the final four of American collegiate chess.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel

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Russian Chess Higher League in Yekaterinburg: Ernesto Inarkiev, Anastasia Bodnaruk Win Men, Women's Sections

July 2, 2013, 8:48 am

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Hi everyone,

The Russian Higher League for men and women was held on 19-30th June at the congress hall of business center “President” in Yekaterinburg. Both groups were played over nine rounds of Swiss system and draw offers were not allowed before the 40th move. Top five finishers from each event qualify for the Russian Championship Super Final.

Ernesto Inarkiev won the men’s Higher League after edging the 2010 Russian Champion Ian Nepomniachtchion tie-break. Both players finished on 6,5 points.

Ernesto Inarkiev

The third place was shared by Alexander Motylev, Aleksey Goganov, Anton Shomoev, Dmitry Jakovenko and Yuri Eliseev, each finishing with 6,0 points. Motylev, Goganov and Shomoev also qualify for the Super Final.

The winner of the tournament was also promised an invitation to the 2014 Tal Memorial. For a while there was a “scare” that Anton Shomoev, rated “only” 2565, might emerge the winner, but his hopes were ruined with a last round defeat against Nepomniachtchi.

The Russian Championship Super Final will take place in early October. Dmitry Andreikin, Peter Svidler and Sergey Karjakin qualified from the last year Championship, while Vladimir Kramnik and Alexander Grischuk are expected to take their places according to the elo criteria.

In the Higher League for women IM Anastasia Bodnaruk is the convincing winner with 7,5 points. WGM Alina Kashlinskaya and WGM Aleksandra Goryachkina shared the second place with 6,5 points each.

Also qualified for the Super Final are IM Ekaterina Kovalevskaya and WGM Baira Kovanova. (www.chessdom.com)

Higher League for men, final standings:
1 GM Inarkiev Ernesto 2680 – 6.5
2 GM Nepomniachtchi Ian 2717 – 6.5
3 GM Motylev Alexander 2655 – 6
4 IM Goganov Aleksey 2562 – 6
5 GM Shomoev Anton 2565 – 6
6 GM Jakovenko Dmitry 2713 – 6
7 IM Eliseev Urii 2557 – 6
8 GM Demchenko Anton 2639 – 5.5
9 GM Tomashevsky Evgeny 2709 – 5.5
10 GM Matlakov Maxim 2665 – 5.5
11 IM Prizant Jaroslav 2515 – 5.5
12 GM Alekseev Evgeny 2714 – 5.5
13 GM Dvoirys Semen I. 2533 – 5.5
14 GM Grachev Boris 2683 – 5
15 GM Riazantsev Alexander 2708 – 5
16 GM Vitiugov Nikita 2734 – 5
17 GM Khairullin Ildar 2658 – 5
18 GM Najer Evgeniy 2633 – 5
19 GM Gabrielian Artur 2545 – 5
20 GM Kokarev Dmitry 2639 – 5
21 GM Lysyj Igor 2656 – 5
22 GM Sjugirov Sanan 2647 – 5
23 GM Popov Ivan 2632 – 5
24 IM Artemiev Vladislav 2524 – 5
25 GM Khismatullin Denis 2658 – 4.5
26 GM Shimanov Aleksandr 2664 – 4.5
27 GM Ovetchkin Roman 2529 – 4.5
28 IM Oparin Grigoriy 2497 – 4.5
29 GM Ponkratov Pavel 2605 – 4.5
30 FM Nozdrachev Leonid 2389 – 4.5
31 FM Gordievsky Dmitry 2474 – 4
32 IM Ulanov Alexandr 2425 – 4
33 GM Panarin Mikhail 2565 – 4
34 GM Levin Evgeny A. 2512 – 4
35 GM Voitsekhovsky Stanislav 2523 – 4
36 IM Moiseenko Vadim 2473 – 4
37 IM Ovod Evgenija 2387 – 4
38 GM Dubov Daniil 2638 – 3.5
39 Predke Alexandr 2492 – 3.5
40 GM Vokarev Sergey 2472 – 3.5
41 GM Iskusnyh Sergei 2489 – 3.5
42 IM Korniushin Nikolay 2373 – 3.5
43 FM Egorov Dmitry 2355 – 3.5
44 FM Kozlitin Roman 2361 – 3.5
45 FM Kruchev Boris 2272 – 3.5
46 IM Airapetian Gor 2448 – 3
47 FM Khegay Dmitriy 2349 – 3
48 Sek Konstantin 2463 – 2.5
49 FM Yuferev Oleg 2284 – 1.5
50 Shishigin Dmitry 2230 – 1

Higher League for women final standings:
1 IM Bodnaruk Anastasia 2440 – 7.5
2 WGM Kashlinskaya Alina 2329 – 6.5
3 WGM Goryachkina Aleksandra 2401 – 6.5
4 IM Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2407 – 6
5 WGM Kovanova Baira 2371 – 6
6 WGM Charochkina Daria 2326 – 6
7 WIM Drozdova Dina 2315 – 5.5
8 IM Romanko Marina 2368 – 5.5
9 IM Vasilevich Irina 2370 – 5
10 WIM Tarasova Viktoriya 2292 – 5
11 WIM Ubiennykh Ekaterina 2344 – 5
12 WGM Ivakhinova Inna 2291 – 5
13 WIM Bivol Alina 2207 – 5
14 Dordzhieva Dinara 2081 – 5
15 Pustovidko Anastasia 1905 – 4.5
16 WIM Balaian Alina 2237 – 4.5
17 WFM Rodionova Daria 2109 – 4.5
18 WGM Iljushina Olga 2334 – 4
19 Nasybullina Alfia 2095 – 4
20 WGM Mirzoeva Elmira 2244 – 4
21 Monina Polina 1958 – 4
22 WGM Saunina Ludmila 2208 – 4
23 Adamova Tuyara 1927 – 4
24 WFM Sazonova Anastasia 2108 – 3.5
25 WFM Korchagina Viktoria 2068 – 3.5
26 Sukhareva Evgeniya 2248 – 3.5
27 Egorova Ayyyna 1991 – 3
28 Poliushkina Darjia 1940 – 2.5
29 Zasypkina Evgenia 1994 – 2

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

www.chessblog.com

Also see her personal chess blog

at www.chessqueen.com

Don't miss Chess Queen™

YouTube Channel

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Nepal Chess News: Tough Fights at NECOS Open

July 3, 2013, 8:53 am

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

Hi everyone,

KATHMANDU: Top players suffered shock defeats as former Nepal national chess champion Punya Man Karmacharya was in the pack of 12 to share third round lead in the NECOS second Nationwide FIDE Rating Chess Tournament with three points here at the Multipurpose Martial Arts Centre today.

Top seeded Badri Lal Nepali, 2131-rated former Nepal champion, lost his third round match against 1947-rated Bhagawati Prasad Sharma, while 1945-rated Prakash Nepal defeated 2050-rated another former Nepal champion Surbir Lama. The shock defeats of former Nepal champions continued when 1974-rated Naveen Tandukar suffered a loss at the hands of 1688-rated Bikram Dhwoj Shrestha.

Defending champion Ganesh Man Duwal suffered back-to-back defeat after the 2002-rated veteran lost to 1761-rated Deepak Maharjan in the second round before being beaten by 1574-rated Mohan Singh Pradhan in the third.

Sharing the third-round lead with Punya Man were Bhagawati, Prakash, Madan Krishna Kayastha (2092), Krishna Thapa (2022), Niraj Niraula (2012), Sudip Bajracharya (1917), Kamal Shrestha (1881), Rajan Puri (1977), Bibek Thing (1881), Dharam Bahadur Lama (1974), Purna Raj Khadka (1969) and Bhuwaneshwor Chaudhary (1777). FIDE Master Bilam Lal Shrestha missed on a chance to share the lead and was at the second spot with 2.5 points after playing a draw with 1820-rated Laba Kumar Shrestha in the second round.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel

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