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Fide Chess Ratings July 2013: Guess the top-10

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

Hi everyone, 

The International Chess Federation has published the July 2013 ratings list. Magnus Carlsen remains way ahead of his colleagues in first place, he is 49 points above Levon Aronian. The main highlight is the presence of Fabiano Caruana in third place. The 20-year old Italian has risen straight to the top of the charts in the last year and a half and seems to be ready to fight for first place with Carlsen in the upcoming years.

World Champion Viswanathan Anand did not have a good run lately, and has fallen to the eighth place, staying right above his two last challengers for the crown, Boris Gelfand (9th) and Veselin Topalov (10th).

Even though he has not been playing as much as before, Alexander Grischuk continues showing his great strength and is now fifth with 2780 elo points. However, the player who had the biggest leap forward was Cuban star Leinier Dominguez, who won 30 points thanks to his victory in Thessaloniki; he is now 13th in the list.

Judit Polgar still leads the women’s list with a big margin. Dilijan Grand Prix winner Humpy Koneru is second, followed closely by Hou Yifan and Anna Muzychuk.

Anish Giri leads the juniors list, while Hou Yifan is first among the girls. (www.chessdom.com)


Top 100 players – July 2013:
1 Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2862
2 Aronian, Levon g ARM 2813
3 Caruana, Fabiano g ITA 2796
4 Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2784
5 Grischuk, Alexander g RUS 2780
6 Karjakin, Sergey g RUS 2776
7 Nakamura, Hikaru g USA 2775
8 Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2775
9 Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2773
10 Topalov, Veselin g BUL 2767
11 Kamsky, Gata g USA 2763
12 Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar g AZE 2761
13 Dominguez Perez, Leinier g CUB 2757
14 Ponomariov, Ruslan g UKR 2756
15 Wang, Hao g CHN 2752
16 Svidler, Peter g RUS 2746
17 Adams, Michael g ENG 2740
18 Leko, Peter g HUN 2737
19 Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2736
20 Giri, Anish g NED 2734
21 Vitiugov, Nikita g RUS 2734
22 Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2733
23 Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2733
24 Andreikin, Dmitry g RUS 2727
25 Korobov, Anton g UKR 2720
26 Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime g FRA 2719
27 Nepomniachtchi, Ian g RUS 2717
28 Navara, David g CZE 2715
29 Bacrot, Etienne g FRA 2714
30 Ding, Liren g CHN 2714
31 Alekseev, Evgeny g RUS 2714
32 Jakovenko, Dmitry g RUS 2713
33 Le, Quang Liem g VIE 2712
34 Naiditsch, Arkadij g GER 2710
35 Areshchenko, Alexander g UKR 2709
36 Malakhov, Vladimir g RUS 2709
37 Tomashevsky, Evgeny g RUS 2709
38 So, Wesley g PHI 2708
39 Fressinet, Laurent g FRA 2708
40 Riazantsev, Alexander g RUS 2708
41 Almasi, Zoltan g HUN 2707
42 Vallejo Pons, Francisco g ESP 2706
43 Wang, Yue g CHN 2705
44 Eljanov, Pavel g UKR 2702
45 Van Wely, Loek g NED 2701
46 Wojtaszek, Radoslaw g POL 2701
47 Moiseenko, Alexander g UKR 2699
48 Kasimdzhanov, Rustam g UZB 2699
49 Movsesian, Sergei g ARM 2699
50 McShane, Luke J g ENG 2697
51 Shirov, Alexei g LAT 2696
52 Polgar, Judit g HUN 2696
53 Rublevsky, Sergei g RUS 2695
54 Rapport, Richard g HUN 2693
55 Jobava, Baadur g GEO 2693
56 Akopian, Vladimir g ARM 2691
57 Bruzon Batista, Lazaro g CUB 2689
58 Volokitin, Andrei g UKR 2688
59 Short, Nigel D g ENG 2688
60 Berkes, Ferenc g HUN 2687
61 Li, Chao b g CHN 2686
62 Laznicka, Viktor g CZE 2684
63 Grachev, Boris g RUS 2683
64 Ragger, Markus g AUT 2680
65 Harikrishna, P. g IND 2680
66 Inarkiev, Ernesto g RUS 2680
67 Granda Zuniga, Julio E g PER 2679
68 Kryvoruchko, Yuriy g UKR 2678
69 Cheparinov, Ivan g BUL 2678
70 Gareev, Timur g USA 2676
71 Bologan, Viktor g MDA 2672
72 Sargissian, Gabriel g ARM 2671
73 Nisipeanu, Liviu-Dieter g ROU 2670
74 Dreev, Aleksey g RUS 2668
75 Fedorchuk, Sergey A. g UKR 2667
76 Onischuk, Alexander g USA 2667
77 Matlakov, Maxim g RUS 2665
78 Bu, Xiangzhi g CHN 2664
79 Shimanov, Aleksandr g RUS 2664
80 Smirin, Ilia g ISR 2663
81 Edouard, Romain g FRA 2662
82 Romanov, Evgeny g RUS 2662
83 Ni, Hua g CHN 2661
84 Zhigalko, Sergei g BLR 2661
85 Petrosian, Tigran L. g ARM 2660
86 Safarli, Eltaj g AZE 2660
87 Sasikiran, Krishnan g IND 2660
88 Sutovsky, Emil g ISR 2660
89 Zvjaginsev, Vadim g RUS 2659
90 Khairullin, Ildar g RUS 2658
91 Khismatullin, Denis g RUS 2658
92 Nielsen, Peter Heine g DEN 2658
93 Yu, Yangyi g CHN 2657
94 Efimenko, Zahar g UKR 2657
95 Kurnosov, Igor g RUS 2657
96 Lysyj, Igor g RUS 2656
97 Gharamian, Tigran g FRA 2655
98 Motylev, Alexander g RUS 2655
99 Tiviakov, Sergei g NED 2654
100 Gajewski, Grzegorz g POL 2653

Top 100 women – July 2013:
1 Polgar, Judit g HUN 2696
2 Koneru, Humpy g IND 2607
3 Hou, Yifan g CHN 2600
4 Muzychuk, Anna g SLO 2594
5 Dzagnidze, Nana g GEO 2558
6 Zhao, Xue g CHN 2553
7 Lagno, Kateryna g UKR 2542
8 Ju, Wenjun wg CHN 2531
9 Kosintseva, Nadezhda g RUS 2531
10 Kosintseva, Tatiana g RUS 2528
11 Sebag, Marie g FRA 2528
12 Cramling, Pia g SWE 2524
13 Khotenashvili, Bela m GEO 2512
14 Gunina, Valentina g RUS 2507
15 Ruan, Lufei wg CHN 2501
16 Ushenina, Anna g UKR 2500
17 Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2497
18 Cmilyte, Viktorija g LTU 2497
19 Zhu, Chen g QAT 2494
20 Harika, Dronavalli g IND 2489
21 Kosteniuk, Alexandra g RUS 2489
22 Huang, Qian wg CHN 2487
23 Muzychuk, Mariya m UKR 2484
24 Krush, Irina m USA 2480
25 Tan, Zhongyi wg CHN 2478
26 Pogonina, Natalija wg RUS 2478
27 Zatonskih, Anna m USA 2473
28 Zhukova, Natalia g UKR 2471
29 Danielian, Elina g ARM 2470
30 Hoang, Thanh Trang g HUN 2467
31 Javakhishvili, Lela m GEO 2465
32 Galliamova, Alisa m RUS 2458
33 Mkrtchian, Lilit m ARM 2454
34 Paehtz, Elisabeth m GER 2454
35 Munguntuul, Batkhuyag m MGL 2452
36 Alexandrova, Olga m ESP 2449
37 Hunt, Harriet V m ENG 2449
38 Dembo, Yelena m GRE 2448
39 Guo, Qi wg CHN 2446
40 Moser, Eva m AUT 2446
41 Khurtsidze, Nino m GEO 2443
42 Skripchenko, Almira m FRA 2441
43 Bodnaruk, Anastasia m RUS 2440
44 Cori T., Deysi wg PER 2439
45 Peptan, Corina-Isabela m ROU 2439
46 Girya, Olga wg RUS 2437
47 Socko, Monika g POL 2436
48 Ding, Yixin wg CHN 2432
49 Tania, Sachdev m IND 2430
50 Atalik, Ekaterina m TUR 2430
51 Melia, Salome m GEO 2428
52 Gomes, Mary Ann wg IND 2423
53 Zaiatz, Elena m RUS 2423
54 Guramishvili, Sopiko m GEO 2421
55 Bojkovic, Natasa m SRB 2415
56 Matnadze, Ana m ESP 2412
57 Rajlich, Iweta m POL 2411
58 Kovalevskaya, Ekaterina m RUS 2407
59 Shen, Yang m CHN 2405
60 Batsiashvili, Nino wg GEO 2405
61 Bulmaga, Irina wg ROU 2403
62 Vega Gutierrez, Sabrina m ESP 2402
63 Goryachkina, Aleksandra wg RUS 2401
64 Wang, Jue wg CHN 2399
65 Karavade, Eesha m IND 2398
66 Houska, Jovanka m ENG 2398
67 Pham, Le Thao Nguyen m VIE 2397
68 Milliet, Sophie m FRA 2396
69 Li, Ruofan m SIN 2396
70 Wang, Pin wg CHN 2394
71 Vijayalakshmi, Subbaraman m IND 2393
72 Zawadzka, Jolanta wg POL 2393
73 Gaponenko, Inna m UKR 2393
74 Peng, Zhaoqin g NED 2389
75 Foisor, Cristina-Adela m ROU 2387
76 Ovod, Evgenija m RUS 2386
77 Michna, Marta wg GER 2385
78 Arakhamia-Grant, Ketevan g SCO 2385
79 Melamed, Tatjana wg GER 2384
80 Lujan, Carolina m ARG 2383
81 Nemcova, Katerina wg USA 2382
82 Szczepkowska-Horowska, Karina wg POL 2380
83 Matveeva, Svetlana m RUS 2380
84 Shadrina, Tatiana wg RUS 2377
85 Vojinovic, Jovana wg SRB 2376
86 Zhang, Xiaowen wg CHN 2375
87 Majdan-Gajewska, Joanna wg POL 2375
88 Khukhashvili, Sopiko m GEO 2374
89 Repkova, Eva m SVK 2374
90 Kovanova, Baira wg RUS 2371
91 Vasilevich, Irina m RUS 2370
92 Kononenko, Tatiana m UKR 2369
93 Savina, Anastasia m RUS 2368
94 Paikidze, Nazi m GEO 2368
95 Romanko, Marina m RUS 2368
96 Schleining, Zoya wg GER 2368
97 Sukandar, Irine Kharisma wg INA 2365
98 Daulyte, Deimante wg LTU 2363
99 Fierro Baquero, Martha L. m ECU 2362
100 Kachiani-Gersinska, Ketino m GER 2362
101 Sudakova, Irina wg RUS 2362
102 Stockova, Zuzana m SVK 2359
103 Wang, Yu A. m CHN 2359
104 Linares Napoles, Oleiny wg CUB 2358
105 L’Ami, Alina wg ROU 2356
106 Ciuksyte, Dagne m ENG 2355
107 Nakhbayeva, Guliskhan wg KAZ 2354
108 Charkhalashvili, Inga wg GEO 2353
109 Batchimeg, Tuvshintugs wg MGL 2351
110 Lomineishvili, Maia m GEO 2351
111 Kursova, Maria wg ARM 2351
112 Manakova, Maria wg SRB 2351
113 Purtseladze, Maka m GEO 2349
114 Gara, Ticia wg HUN 2349
115 Vajda, Szidonia m HUN 2349
116 Medvegy, Nora Dr. m HUN 2346
117 Ubiennykh, Ekaterina wm RUS 2344
118 Pokorna, Regina wg SVK 2343
119 Guichard, Pauline wg FRA 2342
120 Gvetadze, Sofio m GEO 2341

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


Grandmaster Bhakti Kulkarni Lives Asian Chess Dream in South Korea

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

Hi everyone, 

A nice feature article on GM Bhakti Kulkarni from Goa, India. It is the only place in the country that still reflects the cultural influence of the Portuguese. The Portuguese landed in India in the early 16th century and Goa remained Portuguese overseas territory as late as 1961. Goa has a nice chess tradition. Read this feature by Marcus Mergulhao.

PANAJI: Woman Grandmaster Bhakti Kulkarni pinched herself hard and when it pained, she realized all of what she was witnessing was true. The mild-mannered Goan chess star had just realized her dream of winning a medal and as she shared the podium with Chinese duo of former world champion Hou Yifan (2595) and former World junior girls champion Zhao Xue (2565), she seemed like the odd one out.

After all, Bhakti's third place stopped former world woman champion Zhu Chen (2494) from making it an all Chinese podium finish at the Asian Indoor Games at Incheon in South Korea on Wednesday. "It was like a dream come true. It was too wonderful to be true," Bhakti said after her stupendous achievement.
Just a day earlier, Bhakti had realized another of her dream when she was drawn to meet former world woman champion Hou Yifan (2595) of China. "I could feel the pressure when I was playing Hou Yifan. But I fought well to keep it level only to lose a pawn in time trouble," said Bhakti. Hou won the game on 48th move and finished as the eventual champion.

Once the championship was over, Bhakti could spend more time with the former world champion and gold medalist. "Hou Yifan knows English well and she was talking freely with me," said Bhakti.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
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Latest Chess News from Namibia: Junior Championship Selections Held

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

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



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

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

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)

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
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Elwin Retanal Wins Al Riyadh International Chess Open

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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.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
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Igor Kurnusov Opens Lead at Abu Dhabi Chess Festival

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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)

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog 
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
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Beijing Chess Grand Prix Opening Ceremony Held

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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.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
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Heady Mix of Art, Fashion and Chess in St. Louis

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

Hi everyone, 
Dress from Korean-born designer Rejina Pyo coming to the World Chess Hall of Fame exhibit, "A Queen Within."

For a game based on the strict caste system of feudalism, chess is surprisingly democratic. Though popular with the mathematically inclined, artists also have an affinity for chess. The chessboard manifests the art of strategy. There is a beauty to chess that even non-players appreciate.

That beauty will be central to the World Chess Hall of Fame’s upcoming exhibit showcasing an array of fashion by top internationally recognized designers.

The exhibition is titled, “A Queen Within: Adorned Archetypes, Fashion & Chess.”

The exhibition will also involve a host of events and educational programs aimed at getting more women to play and benefit from chess.

Chessmaster Jennifer Shahade author of 'Play Like a Girl' and 'Chess Bitch' will participate in multiple events and workshops for girls and women during the exhibition.

"I really think learning chess is great for adults, but it can be like learning a language," Shahade said. "But adults can appreciate it on an aesthetic level. They tend to appreciate it on a majestic level.
"Adults get more excited about how the pieces move. They have a better feel for how the pieces should harmonize and where to position the pieces than children do, especially people who appreciate art. It's like music, an appreciation for chess can really enrich their lives."

And though at first blush, fashion and chess seem disparate, the thesis of the exhibit will probably change your mind.

It’s not the first time the World Chess Hall of Fame has featured clothing on its exhibition floor, but this ambitious presentation seeks to rival the top-tier conceptual offering of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

And as if to put an exclamation mark on that statement, the World Chess Hall of Fame and a group of St. Louis supporters hosted a preview of the exhibition at Christie’s New York on June 4. It was attended by 400 guests, including a bevy of New York press who have been singing their praises about the novelty, creativity and aspirations of the exhibit being curated by Sofia Hedman, who helped catalog “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” the blockbuster exhibition at the Met in 2011.

The full exhibition of “A Queen Within” will open at the World Chess Hall of Fame on Oct. 19. Select pieces will later be auctioned off by Christie’s when the show closes next year.

The exhibit will revolve around nine queen archetypes based on Carl Jung’s theory: mother figure, heroine, magician, sage, enchantress, explorer, ruler, Mother Earth and orphan. The story of each persona will be told through examples of fashion, photography, film and art.

Not coincidentally, nine is the total number of queens that a player can technically possess at once if all eight pawns are elevated to queen status.

Another democratic and poetic element of chess is that a lowly pawn can be elevated to queen, which is considered the most powerful piece in the game. Despite reflecting a rigid social hierarchy of a royal caste, the queen is the most liberated chess piece. She can move and capture, traveling the length of the board in any direction.

“The queen gets to break the rules,” said Susan Barrett, the director of the World Chess Hall of Fame at one of the many presentations she’s been giving about the exhibition and its nearly sold-out gala.

Sure, the game is over when someone captures the king, but the queen is the heart of the game, Barret said. “She’s powerful. She’s fabulous.”

Those attributes are surely what many designers attempt to present when they subtly or explicitly use iconic queenly imagery within their work, or at least that's what “A Queen Within” explores.

Highlights of the exhibition will include an Alexander McQueen cocktail dress emblazoned with an image of muse and provocateur Isabella Blow; Hussein Chalayan’s iconic bubble dress from Spring 2007; Maison Martin Margiela’s Spring 2001 vest made entirely from baseball gloves; and Iris van Herpen’s snake dress from her Capriole Haute Couture collection.

Select works from famed photographer Anne Deniau’s recent book, "Love Looks Not With the Eyes," which contains more than 400 never-before-seen photos of Alexander McQueen shot during his working process and fashion shows, will be highlighted in conjunction with an exhibition at Phillip Slein Gallery.

“A Queen Within” plans to explores the relationship of power, risk-taking, and the queen’s inherent femininity.

So it was not without irony that the exhibition committee took note that despite the value and dominance of this prized female game piece, the ranks of female chess players are relatively few.

There are statistics that girls and boys start playing chess in equal numbers as young children, but something happens around the age of 11.

"We have started chess classes and lo and behold there's not one lady in that room," said Mary Beth McGivern, head of Metro East Montessori School. "It just boggled my mind. It sort of got me upset. It's a magnificent mind game, and I want them in there."

She suspected that some girls were intimidated.

Peggy Meyer, principal of Woerner Elementary in St. Louis, explained that they have had a chess program at the school for a few years, but it wasn't until they adopted single-gender classes that the girls started playing chess.

"They love it. I haven't heard one complaint," said Meyer. "Now I'm wondering if not having the boys in class really made that much of a difference. I never thought of it before."

But, Meyer said, "We do know that more girls are likely to step up into leadership roles when boys are out of the equation."

Meyer said that around fifth grade, the age of their chess program, "girls start to become young ladies and are a little bit more worried about their appearance and how girly they look. So it's kind of a challenge to get them interested in something like chess ... but if you pull boys out of the equation, it works."

Shahade who had the benefit of a chessmaster father said there's a Catch-22. The ranks of women playing chess is getting better, "but I think the deterrent is that more women don't already play."

"What's funny is that those who do (play) tend to dress very feminine. I do. Maybe it's because we are constantly surrounded by men and want to assert ourselves. It's interesting."

Sounds like something a queen would do. ( By Debra D. Bass Post-Dispatch Fashion Editor dbass@post-dispatch.com)

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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GM Zahar Efimenko in Lead at 20th Abu Dhabi Chess Open

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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: Ukrainian Grandmaster Zahar Efimenko took the lead at the Masters Championship of the 20th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival after defeating top seed and former leader, the Russian Grandmaster Igor Kurnosov. He now has collected five points from six rounds.

Efimenko is now ahead of five players who are tied in second spot with four-and-a-half points. They are Kurnosov, GM Sergey Volkov, of Russia, who drew with his compatriot GM Aleksandr Rakhmanov; Indian IM Bhunvanesh R. Ramnath, who defeated Russian GM Vasily Papin; and Ukrainian GM Mikhailo Olekslenko, who overcame GM Gadir Guseinov from Azerbaijan. In the key seventh-round clashes, Efimenko will play Volkov, Kurnosov will face Ramnath and Olekslenko comes up against Rakhmanov.

In the Under-15 Tournament, Ismayil Shahaleiv, from Azerbaijan became the sole leader of the competition with six points after beating UAE’s Mohammad Marshool, while Hamdan Marshool was forced to settle for a draw against Iranian Borna Derakhshani. They both picked up five-and-a-half points to take second place together with UAE’s Ahmad Fareed, who beat his countryman Abdullah Al Shaeri.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Parimarjan Negi Wins D.C. International Chess

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

Hi everyone, 

The D.C. International Chess was held from June 27-July 1, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia. The tournament was played as a single section over nine rounds of Swiss system. 71 players took part in the competition.

Indian Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi took a clear first place with 7,5 points, leaving the second placed Canadian IM Bindi Cheng half a point behind. Prize fund $8000: $2000-1200-800-700-600-500-400-300, top FIDE under 2300 or unrated $1000-500. The 41st Annual World Chess Open continues at the same playing venue.

Final standings:
1. GM Parimarjan Negi 2634 IND – 7.5
2. IM Bindi Cheng 2406 CAN – 7.0
3-4. GM Conrad Holt 2531 KS and FM Adarsh Jayakumar 2340 IL – 6.5
5-13. GM Gregory Kaidanov 2577 KY, GM Magesh C Panchanathan 2570 IND, IM Leonid Gerzhoy 2469 CAN, IM Daniel Fernandez 2396 TX, IM Max Cornejo 2395 PER, FM Yian Liou 2385 CA, FM Michael H Bodek 2339 NY, FM Atulya Shetty 2320 MI and Mario Alexis Arias 2130 PER – 6.0 etc

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Scottish Chess Championships coming to Helensburgh

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

Hi everyone, 

An international master of chess is hoping to become king of the game again as the Scottish Championships comes to town. Dumbarton man Andrew Muir is preparing to take part in the prestigious event, taking place at Helensburgh’s Victoria Halls from Saturday, July 6, until Sunday, July 14.

Some of the top chess players from around the world, including countries such as Argentina, Hong Kong and Serbia, will take part in the championships – but only a Scot can win. And 54-year-old Andrew, who has been playing chess since he was aged nine, hopes to repeat his success of 2007, when he lifted the national championship trophy. He said: “The Scottish Championships are usually held in bigger cities like Edinburgh or Glasgow so it is a real coup for the area and convenient for myself.

“Players from outside Scotland are ineligible to win the competition but can take part and give the Scottish players a test on their way to the title.
“When I won the competition it involved 10 Scottish players all playing against each other and it was not thought to be particularly exciting.

“This year there are around 70 players taking part, including about 20 from other parts of the world. “I am in the top 10 Scottish players so hopefully I have a good chance of winning the trophy again.” The competition will take place under a Swiss Pairs format, with winners and losers playing against each other over nine rounds. And for Andrew, who lives in Crosslet Avenue and works as an actuary, the tournament offers a chance to enjoy one of his favourite hobbies. He added: “My parents were both mathematicians and gave me a copy of the Encyclopaedia Britannica for Christmas. “I noticed chess and thought it would be interesting to play – and it certainly has been.” (Andrew Galloway/Lennox Herald)


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Talking with Hikaru Nakamura: Video Interview in Spain

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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 is a nice video interview with talented American chess player Hikaru Nakamura. The Grandmaster was interviewed during his visit to Spain by eljornal.cat.






From Alexandra Kosteniuk'swww.chessblog.com
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at www.chessqueen.com
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More Chess News from Nepal: Madan Krishna Kayastha Wins NECOS Tournament

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Chess Blog for Latest Chess News and Trivia (c) 2013

Hi everyone, 
 
More chess news from Nepal coming your way: Madan Krishna Kayastha of Golden Gate International College claimed the NECOS second Nationwide FIDE Rating Chess Tournament title here today.

Despite losing the 10th and final round to 1996-rated fellow collegemate and Candidate Master Rupesh Jaiswal, the 2092-rated Madan clinched the trophy after former Nepal champion Punya Man Karmacharya lost to Krishna Thapa of Gajurmukhi Chess Club.

Madan Krishna, who went to the final round as an undefeated player, accumulated 8.5 points to win a cash prize of Rs 50,000. Despite tying on eight points with Rupesh, the 2022-rated Krishna finished second on Sonneborn-Berger tie-break system and took home Rs 30,000, while Rupesh received Rs 18,000.

The 2104-rated FIDE Master Bilam Lal Shrestha finished fourth with 7.5 points after playing a draw with former Nepal champion Surbir Lama, a 2050-rated from Golden Gate, in the final round. Likewise, 2012-rated Niraj Niraula of Jhapa finished sixth with a win over former Nepal champion Badri Lal Nepal, the 2131-rated top seed rounding up one of his worst outings with a loss. Punya Man and 1945-rated Prakash Nepal of Jhapa, who beat 2002-rated Ganesh Man Duwal today, finished on seventh and eighth spots respectively.

Dharam Bahadur Lama (1974), FM Sujendra Prasad Shrestha (1925), Janardan Shrestha (2025), Naveen Tandukar (1974), Prem Krishna Maharjan (1979) and Shyam Sundar Shrestha (1924) secured top 14 spots with seven points each, while 1881-rated Bibek Thing ended up on 15th spot with 6.5 points.

Other winners included Binita Kapali (women), Nabin Jaiswal (college), Lava Kumar Shrestha (above -60yrs) and Nabaraj Humagain (unrated). Likewise, Rajendra Langwa (Mechi), Mani Raj Dangi (Koshi), Nabin Kumar Chaudhary (Sagarmatha), Himal Lama (Janakpur), Shyam Lal Das (Narayani), Bhagawati Prasad Sharma (Bagmati), Mohan Singh Pradhan (Gandaki), DB Karki (Dhaulagiri), Saurav Pradhan (Lumbini), Uttam Reule (Bheri), Dirgha Raj Joshi (Seti) and Bhim Dutta Pandey (Mahakali) were declared the zone winner.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Play Vote Chess with World Champion Viswanathan Anand on July 14

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Chess Blog for Latest Chess News and Trivia (c) 2013

Hi everyone, 


World Champion Viswanathan Anand will play a match against the World via Chess.com's “Vote Chess” platform on July 14th at 10:30 AM PST. Chess.com LLC and Metropolitan Chess, Inc. have partnered up once again to make this amazing event possible – the second year with such a collaboration. 

Join "Team World" NOW! Go here!


Vishy will be a head instructor at the 3rd Metropolitan Chess Camp from July 10th to July 14th which will be held at The Radisson Hotel at Los Angeles Airport – teaching the various groups at the camp. Alongside him, other coaches at the camp include: Grandmasters Vadim Milov, Dejan Bojkov, and Melikset Khachiyan, as well as International Masters Armen Ambartsoumian, Andranik Matikozyan, and Zhanibek Amanov.

He will conclude his instructional activities on the earlier days by playing a Simultaneous Exhibition the morning of July 14th against a group of individuals from the camp. Of those simul boards, one board will be dedicated to the Chess.com community. In an aggregate style of play, the community will vote for their suggested move, and the move that gets the most votes will be played.

The World Champion will play the white pieces and "The World" will have 3 minutes to vote on their move choice. Vishy may be alloted more time if he is unable to make his way around the "Live Simul" in time. Chess.com will have a relayer to play on the actual board for Vishy as he moves from board to board during the Simul, who will play the World’s move.


This format of the event -- World Vote Chess Match within a Simul is a rarity only having been done once before – with Vishy as the trendsetter last year. Last year’s match between the World Champion and the World concluded in a draw:

The entire match, with the inclusion of other interesting games from the simultaneous exhibition, will be covered on Chess.com/TV. International Master Daniel Rensch and other co-hosts will bring you all the action live, including on site interviews with the players of the simul, and the staff of the 3rd Metropolitan Chess Camp.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Chocolate Chess Set Prize at Latrobe Winterfest Tournament!

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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

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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.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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5th Chess Grand Prix in Beijing from July 3-17

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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

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival Begins

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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
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Follow Chess Queen Kosteniuk on Twitter!

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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
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Also see her personal chess blog 
at www.chessqueen.com
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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, 


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™
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