Quantcast
Channel: CHESS NEWS BLOG: chessblog.com
Viewing all 1506 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

I will Play Chess as Long as it is Fun: Carlsen Video

September 6, 2013, 9:07 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 


Here is a cool interview with World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. He spoke to Business Insider on his love for chess, strategy and interests.



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

↧
Search

Pavel Eljanov Wins Anatoly Karpov Chess Tournament in Poikovsky

September 6, 2013, 10:26 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 
 
The International Chess Tournament named after the former world champion Anatoly Karpov took place from 27th August to 7th September in Poikovsky, Russia. In the longest game of the final round Pavel Eljanov held Viktor Laznicka to a draw with black pieces to claim a clear first place in the tournament. Eljanov concluded the race with 6,0/9 points, half a point ahead of the reserve player Alexander Motylev.

Among the other games of the last round, Viktor Bologan took advantage of Ernesto Inarkiev’s slip with 16…Be7 and quickly destroyed black’s position with combined threats against the clumsy pieces.

Ivan Cheparinov and Emil Sutovsky lived up to their reputation of fearless fighters as an innocent-looking Gruenfeld Indian quickly turned into a wild affair with hanging pieces and white king walking up all the way to h6. But it was the black counterpart that was in real danger as Cheparinov weaved a mating net.

Replay games with computer analysis

Round 9 results:
Alexander Onischuk – Dmitry Jakovenko ½-½
Ian Nepomniachtchi – Alexander Motylev ½-½
Ivan Cheparinov – Emil Sutovsky 1-0
Viktor Bologan – Ernesto Inarkiev 1-0
Viktor Laznicka – Pavel Eljanov ½-½

Final standings:
1. Eljanov Pavel UKR 2702 – 6,0
2. Motylev Alexander RUS 2663 – 5,5
3. Inarkiev Ernesto RUS 2693 – 5,0
4-7. Nepomniachtchi Ian RUS 2723, Onischuk Alexander USA 2667, Jakovenko Dmitry RUS 2724 and Sutovsky Emil ISR 2660 – 4,5
8. Bologan Viktor MDA 2672 – 4,0
9. Laznicka Viktor CZE 2677 – 3,5
10. Cheparinov Ivan BUL 2678 – 3,0

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

↧
↧

Indian Women's Chess Championship 2013: Mary Ann Gomes wins Third Title

September 6, 2013, 11:38 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 

Kolkata, September 5: Local favourite Mary Ann Gomes pipped Tania Sachdev and Soumya Swaminathan with a better tie-breaking score to clinch a hat-trick of titles in the 40th Indian Women’s National Premier Chess Championship on Thursday.

It was heartbreak for overnight leader Soumya as she lost to Padmini Rout in the final round to slip to third, while top seed Tania Sachdev who had suffered early losses finished second with six points from last seven rounds.

Mary Ann, who was on second spot, settled for a hard-fought draw against Ivana Maria Furtado and the result was enough to earn a third national title in a row.

Mary Ann, Tania and Soumya were locked on 7.5 points but the local girl had a better tie-breaking score (40.5) to pocket a prize purse of INR 1.75 lakh.

Subbaraman Vijayalaxmi had won the National women’s title five times in a row (1998-2002), while Rohini Khadilkar had won thrice in 1976, 1977 and 1979 — there was no championship in 1978.

Playing 14-year-old Ivana of Goa, Mary Ann found herself in an inferior position in a King’s Indian attack.

But Ivana was equally nervous as she offered a draw despite being a piece ahead on the 25th move and Mary Ann promptly accepted.

Odisha’s Padmini cleared the deck for Mary Ann later by outplaying the overnight leader Soumya, who was in tears after her loss.

Padmini, who had blundered last evening against Michelle Catherina, showed remarkable cool in handling a queen and rook ending and later converting her superior position into a winning rook and pawn ending to finish fourth.

The find of the championship was clearly the National junior girls champion, Ivana, who in her maiden National Premier gained 24 Elo points, while Bhakti Kulkarni lost 26 Elo points. (www.indianchessnews.com)
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel


↧

9 Queens Co-Founder Chess Patron Jean Hoffman is USCF Executive Director

September 6, 2013, 10:49 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra  Kosteniuk, 2013  

Hi everyone, 
 
The USCF is pleased to announce Jean Hoffman as the next Executive Director. Most recently Jean has been the Executive Director of 9 Queens in Arizona, an organization started by Jean and Jennifer Shahade. "This is an exciting time for the USCF and chess. I am thrilled and honored to join the USCF during such a pivotal time."

Jean has spent her adulthood serving the game of chess. In addition to 9 Queens, she has served as a Manager of Teams and Tournaments and as an Instructor in the Chess-in-the-Schools programs in New York.

Jean has a B.A. in history with distinction from Yale, and an ED.M. in Urban Education from Harvard. While working and living in Tucson, she was selected as a member of the 40 under 40 by the Arizona Daily Star in November 2012.

Jean has extensive experience with 501(c)(3) organizations, including taking 9 Queens through the IRS approval process. Jean is an experienced fundraiser and brings conviction for chess to the fundraising process. Jean will begin her service to the USCF on November 1, 2013, and her initial agreement with the USCF is for two years.

Please join us in welcoming Jean!
 
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal chess blog 
Don't miss Chess Queen™


↧

Bruce Pandolfini on Chess Great Bobby Fischer - Video

September 6, 2013, 11:08 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 

Bruce Pandolfini shares memories of Bobby Fischer in this video. Bruce Pandolfini (born September 17, 1947) is an American chess author, teacher, and coach. He is a USCF national master.

Pandolfini created and/or popularized several innovations in chess instructional writing of the time. Pandolfini also worked on summarizing chess principles into small phrases that could be studied at leisure, separate from a detailed presentation. He was portrayed by Ben Kingsley in the 1993 film Searching for Bobby Fischer, based on the book of the same name by Fred Waitzkin. He also has a unique and active FB Page.








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


↧
↧

FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship begins Sept 10 in China

September 7, 2013, 7:13 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone,


Women’s World Chess Championship Match 2013 between the current World Champion Anna Ushenina of Ukraine and her challenger, Hou Yifan of China (former World Champion 2010-2012), is scheduled to start on September 10.

The drawing of colours will be conducted during the opening ceremony which will take place at 3 p.m. The player getting the white colour in game one plays game five with the black pieces). The time control is: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move one.

The winner of the ten-game match is the first player to reach 5.5 points or more. If the scores are level after the regular ten games, after a new drawing of colours, four tie-break games will be played, with 25 minutes for each player and an increment of ten seconds after each move.

If the scores are level after the four rapid games, then, after a new drawing of colours, a match of two games will be played with a time control of five minutes plus three seconds' increment after each move. In case of a level score, another two-game match will be played to determine a winner. If there is still no winner after five such matches (i.e. after ten games), one sudden death game will be played. This involves a drawing of lots, the winner being able to choose the colour. The player with the white pieces receives five minutes, the player with the black pieces four minutes, with an increment of three seconds per move from move 61 on. In case of a draw, the player with the black pieces is declared the winner.

The prize fund for this match is 200,000 Euros and will be split between the players as follows:
60% for the winner and 40% to the loser if the match ends within the 10 regular games. In case the winner is decided by tie-break games, she will receive 55% and loser 45%.

Anna Ushenina holds the title after the 2012 Women's World Chess Championship (knockout format) in Khanty-Mansiysk while Hou Yifan had a right to challenge her after she became first in the Grand Prix Series 2011-2012. 

Anna Ushenina and Hou Yifan played their first game in 2006 during World Chess Olympiad (Turin, Italy) and the game ended in a draw. In 2007 another draw was signed during Russian team championship. Hou Yifan took the lead in their encounter in 2007-2008 when she won three games in a row. However, in the end of 2008 Anna Ushenina managed to outplay Chinese prodigy during the European Club Cup. Another draw in 2009 and the players stopped meeting over the board for the next 4 years, till 2013! Anna Ushenina defeated Hou Yifan with black pieces in their last encounter during Geneva Grand Prix.

Games between these two have been consistently hard-fought. Hou Yifan is one point ahead according to overall results. For her part, however, Anna Ushenina played 7 out of 8 games with Black and has victory in their last game at Geneva GP in 2013.

According to FIDE rating Hou Yifan (2609) holds the second position among women after Judit Polgar. Anna Ushenina (2500) is on 17th place.

The official hotel and playing venue: http://www.chunlanhotel.com/
The official website: taizhou2013.fide.com


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

↧

Great Chess Art - Video montage

September 7, 2013, 8:26 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013  

Hi everyone, 

Emanuele Bonomi, curator of B Project in Milan, has brought chess into the art sphere with one-of-a-kind, eye-popping chess sets designed by contemporary artists like Damien Hirst, Alastair Mackie and Tracy Emin. This is a must-watch chess video for sure.



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



↧

Meet the Chess Superstars of the Sinquefield Chess Cup Tournament beginning Sept 9

September 7, 2013, 9:32 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 

SAINT LOUIS (August 12, 2013) -- The 2013 Sinquefield Cup features GMs Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian (top two in the World) and GMs Hikaru Nakamura and Gata Kamsky (top two in the U.S.). The tournament takes place September 9-15 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL).

There also will be a special meet-and-greet autograph session on Sunday, September 8, from Noon to 1:30 p.m., where spectators will have the opportunity to get autographs from and take pictures with the players. This event is free, and fans will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Round one of the tournament begins at 1 p.m. CT on September 9.

Three different grandmaster commentary teams will be on site to offer live play-by-play and analysis of each round of this historic tournament.

Following their groundbreaking live commentary of the 2013 U.S. Championships, GMs Yasser Seirawan and Maurice Ashley will once again join WGM Jennifer Shahade on a closed set that will broadcast to thousands of viewers online via www.uschesschamps.com.

The Participants

Magnus Carlsen has transcended chess superstardom to become a world icon. He will challenge Viswanathan Anand for the World Championship title in November.

Hikaru Nakamura's playing style is brilliant and attacking, making him one of the most exciting players on the planet.

Grandmaster Levon Aronian of Armenia is currently ranked No. 2 in the world and holds a plus score agaisnt both of the U.S. competitors, Hikaru Nakamura and Gata Kamsky.

Grandmaster Gata Kamsky, the reigning U.S. Champion, will take on three of the world's best at the Sinquefield Cup.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal chess blog 
Don't miss Chess Queen™


↧
Search

5th London Chess Classic: Caruana, Gelfand, Svidler, Polgar Also Sign Up

September 8, 2013, 5:36 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,
 

Chess in Schools and Communities has announced that another four international stars, Fabiano Caruana, Boris Gelfand, Peter Svidler and Judit Polgar have accepted their invitation to play in the 5th London Chess Classic to be staged at the Olympia Conference Centre in Kensington, running from Saturday 7th Fabiano Caruana, 21, is the Miami-born, Brooklyn-raised former chess prodigy who beat Bobby Fischer’s record of becoming the youngest American Grandmaster. He holds both Italian and American citizenship, and plays under the Italian tricolour. In the last year or so, Caruana has burst onto the elite stage with some superb results. Currently, he is ranked World number five on the September 2013 FIDE rating list.

Boris Gelfand, 45, is the Belarus-born Israeli grandmaster who, nearly a quarter-century ago, became a World Top 10 player and qualified for a number of World Championship Candidates events. But just when everyone thought his best days were behind him, he
made a dramatic comeback to win the Candidates to challenge Vishy Anand in last year’s World Championship match, where he lost in the play-offs. And his Indian summer continues: this year, he tied for first in the Alekhine Memorial in Paris and St. Petersburg
followed by clear first at the Tal Memorial in Moscow.
Peter Svidler, 36, is the erudite and popular St. Petersburg grandmaster, former World Cup winner, and multi-time Candidates qualifier with a record-breaking six Russian championship titles to his name. But he’s not your stereotypical Russian grandmaster,
because Svidler is a big cricketing fan who owns a complete set of the cricketer’s almanac Wisden, and once had a letter read out by Henry Blofeld on the BBC’s Test Match Special. 

Judit Polgar, 37, from Budapest, Hungary is a phenomenon in the game. At the age of 15, she broke Bobby Fischer’s near 30-year record for becoming the youngest Grandmaster. Polgar is the best woman player of all time and the only woman currently in the world’s Top 100. At her peak she was in the Top 10 and would regularly do battle in Super GM tournaments with the likes of Kasparov, Karpov and Anand. 

Caruana, Gelfand, Svidler and Polgar now join World Champion Vishy Anand, recent World Cup winner Vladimir Kramnik and the US No.1, Hikaru Nakamura to have confirmed they will play in the 5th London Chess Classic. The rest of the 16-player field will
be announced early next week.

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

↧
↧

Ivan Salgado Lopez is Spain Chess Champion 2013

September 8, 2013, 9:31 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013  

Hi everyone,


The 78th Spanish Chess Championship took place from 29th August to 6th September in Linares. A total of 96 players competed in the 9-round Swiss event with Grandmaster Ivan Salgado Lopez becoming the new Spanish Champion after concluding the event with 7,5 points. A last round draw against GM David Anton Guijarro was sufficient to secure a clear first place for Salgado.

Miguel Illeskas, last year's champion Julen Luis Arizmendi, Oleg Korneev and David Anton shared the second place with 7,0 points each. (www.chessdom.com)


Final standings:
1 GM Salgado Lopez Ivan 2614 – 7.5
2 GM Illescas Cordoba Miguel 2608 – 7
3 GM Arizmendi Martinez Julen Luis 2577 – 7
4 GM Korneev Oleg 2625 – 7
5 GM Anton Guijarro David 2570 – 7
6 GM Narciso Dublan Marc 2505 – 6.5
7 IM Almagro Llamas Pablo 2474 – 6.5
8 GM Perez Candelario Manuel 2569 – 6
9 IM Castellanos Rodriguez Renier 2510 – 6
10 GM Ibarra Jerez Jose Carlos 2538 – 6
11 IM Teran Alvarez Ismael 2422 – 6
12 FM Andres Gonzalez Ivan 2311 – 6
13 FM Torres Ventosa Pedro Eugenio 2317 – 6
14 FM Astasio Lopez David 2392 – 6
15 IM Matnadze Ana 2390 – 6
16 GM Alonso Rosell Alvar 2550 – 6
17 IM Recuero Guerra David 2454 – 6
18 IM Gonzalez De La Torre Santiago 2472 – 6
19 FM Gavilan Diaz Mario 2225 – 6
20 GM Lopez Martinez Josep Manuel 2547 – 5.5
21 Rioboo De Larriva Alvaro 2247 – 5.5
22 FM Alvarado Diaz Alejandro 2313 – 5.5
23 IM Espinosa Aranda Angel 2392 – 5.5
24 WIM Hernandez Estevez Yudania 2230 – 5.5
25 FM Navarro Lopez-Menchero Daniel 2318 – 5.5
26 FM Sanchez Aller Fernando 2320 – 5.5
27 IM Vega Gutierrez Sabrina 2402 – 5
28 Villasenor Rubio Emilio Jose 2260 – 5
29 FM Suarez Garcia Carlos 2321 – 5
30 Romero Berruezo Francisco 2154 – 5
31 WIM Nicolas Zapata Irene 2253 – 5
32 GM Perez Mitjans Orelvis 2475 – 5
33 Sos Andreu Eric 2229 – 5
34 FM Chueca Forcen Alberto 2313 – 5
35 Navarrete Espi Samuel 2214 – 5
36 Santos Ruiz Miguel 2239 – 5
37 WIM Aranaz Murillo Amalia 2246 – 5
38 Quintin Navarro Alberto 2241 – 5
39 Shen Yue 2283 – 5
40 Ruiz Sanchez Miguel Angel 2221 – 5
41 GM Lariño Nieto David 2491 – 5
42 FM Alvarez Fernandez Enrique 2385 – 5
43 Martinez Lopez David 2238 – 5
44 Ruiz Sanchez Andres 2191 – 4.5
45 Perera Borrego Mariela 2062 – 4.5
46 Leon Acosta Miguel 2005 – 4.5
47 Silva Rodriguez Julio 2198 – 4.5
48 FM De Prado Rodriguez Oscar Bruno 2251 – 4.5
49 Lorente Penalva Diego 2178 – 4.5
50 Redondo Benavente Jose Carlos 1789 – 4.5
51 Bazan Solera Manuel 2007 – 4.5
52 Roman Lopez Jesus 1914 – 4.5
53 Zamarbide Iñarrea Daniel 2213 – 4.5
54 Vella Ramirez Alfonso 2087 – 4.5
55 Arboledas Fernandez Antonio A 2149 – 4
56 WIM Vega Gutierrez Belinda 2148 – 4
57 Jimenez De La Torre Jose A. 2038 – 4
58 Lopez Mulet Inigo 2120 – 4
59 Nicolas Zapata Javier 2084 – 4
60 Barrenechea Bahamonde Gustavo 2183 – 4
61 Galvez Extremera Francisco 2180 – 4
62 Valero Gutierrez Alvaro 1886 – 4
63 Sarto Ramos Angel 2002 – 4
64 Boutahar Belgasi Tarik 1980 – 4
65 Cucarella Montell Angels 1996 – 4
66 Juan Delgado Adrian 1865 – 3.5
67 Pena Torres Jose Carlos 2091 – 3.5
68 Lucena Moreno Rafael 2015 – 3.5
69 Perete Bernal Francisco Eugenio 2006 – 3.5
70 Mercado Larrea Adrian 1936 – 3.5
71 Alvarez Morales Miguel 1983 – 3.5
72 Lerma Moreno Juan Manuel 1923 – 3.5
73 Arroyo Rodriguez Jesus 2054 – 3.5
74 Redondo Benavente Ana 1549 – 3.5
75 Represa Perez Mireya 1705 – 3.5
76 Fernandez Calzada Juan A. 1844 – 3.5
77 Trapero Ibañez Pedro 1685 – 3.5
78 Gimenez Jimenez Jesus 2007 – 3
79 Gonzalez Del Campo Diego 1913 – 3
80 Benedicto Jimenez Jose 1795 – 3
81 Lechuga Cabrero Luis Miguel 1677 – 3
82 Garcia Martin Javier Antonio 0 – 3
83 Jordan Del Molino Jose 1794 – 3
84 Castilla Salinas Pedro 1799 – 3
85 Sanchez Camino Jose 1858 – 2.5
86 Zorrilla Leonardo Victor M 1890 – 2.5
87 Millan Reyes Antonio 0 – 2.5
88 Navarro Guirado Javier 1696 – 2.5
89 Ruiz Casado Francisco Javier 2029 – 2
90 Moreno Lerma Manuel 1803 – 2
91 Rodriguez Yague Fermin 1740 – 2
92 Sanchez Moreno Jose Carlos 1958 – 2
93 Moreno Bello Miguel 1601 – 2
94 Lechuga Cabrero Diego 1634 – 2
95 FM Fernandez Siles Luis 2281 – 0.5
96 Ballesteros Prieto Francisco 0 – 0

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal chess blog 
Don't miss Chess Queen™

↧

Cool Chess Video from Moscow City Games 2013

September 8, 2013, 9:59 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,


Enjoy your Sunday chess with this video by Ekaterina Sekenova on Chess at the Moscow City Games 2013. 



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


↧

Sinquefield Chess Cup: Jennifer Shahade on Reaching St Louis for power-packed Commentary

September 9, 2013, 8:18 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013  

Hi everyone,

Guess where's former American Women's Chess Champion, writer, commentator and poker player Jennifer Shahade? She's in Saint Louis where America's most high-powered chess event yet is set to take place from today! She is at the Sinquefield Chess Cup waiting for the games to start and her commentary. Here is her update from Chess Life Online of which she is the editor:


"I just arrived in Saint Louis for one of the most exciting events in US chess history, the Sinquefield Cup. The fun here kicked off Saturday with a drawing of the lots, where each player picked a custom designed DGT enabled House of Staunton set to determine pairings. In round one, Hikaru Nakamura (white) plays Levon Aronian while Magnus Carlsen (white) faces Gata Kamsky.On Sunday, the players hosted a Meet and Greet for photos and autographs at the Chess Club, which was naturally packed. Afterwards, all four players went to the Rams game.


It was Magnus Carlsen's first American football game, so GM Maurice Ashley kindly explained the rules to him and concluded, "He catches on quick." No doubt! At the end of the exciting game, the Saint Louis Rams edged out the Arizona Cardinals 27-24. Aronian and Carlsen were both high-fiving and cheering, clearly getting into the Saint Louis spirit. As an organizer and commentator, I predict that game is a premonition of how thrilling the tournament will be! 
Be sure to tune into my commentary at http://uschesschamps.com/live with GMs Maurice Ashley and Yasser Seirawan--between Maurice's energy and "Yaz's" eloquence, you're in for a treat! The coverage begins Monday at 1 local time/2 EST.

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

↧

Kings Chess in Bucharest Oct 6-17 with Fabiano Caruana, Ruslan Ponomariov, Wang Hao, Teimour Radjabov

September 9, 2013, 10:26 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013  


Hi everyone, 

The 7th edition of Kings Chess Tournament, aka Turneul Regilor, is going to take place 6-17 October, 2013, in Bucharest, Romania. The chess event is part of the Grand Slam Chess Association circuit. The participants of Kings Chess Tournament 2013 are Fabiano Caruana (2796), Ruslan Ponomariov (2756), Wang Hao (2747), Teimour Radjabov (2733) and a Romanian GM (to be announced).

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal chess blog 
Don't miss Chess Queen™


↧
↧

74th Armenian Chess Championship - 1st League Concludes

September 9, 2013, 10:43 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013 

Hi everyone, 

The Armenian Chess Federation organized the First League of the 74th Armenian Men's Chess Championship from 21st August to 3rd September in Yerevan.
Fourteen players competed in the round robin tournament. The average elo was 2413. GM Karen H Grigoryan is the convincing winner with 9,5/13 points.

Final standings:
1 GM Grigoryan Karen H. 2550 Yerevan - 9.5
2 GM Babujian Levon 2501 Yerevan - 8.5
3 GM Kotanjian Tigran 2500 Yerevan - 7.5
4 GM Gabuzyan Hovhannes 2540 Yerevan - 6.5
5 FM Harutyunian Tigran K. 2334 Yerevan - 6.5
6 GM Hayrapetyan Hovik 2486 Stepanakert - 6
7 GM Chibukhchian Artur 2454 Yerevan - 6
8 CM Petrosyan Manuel 2312 Stepanakert - 5.5
9 Dilanyan Grigor 2281 Ejmiatsin - 5
10 IM Kalashian David 2409 Gyumri - 5
11 Hayrapetyan Artavazd R. 2200 Yerevan - 4
12 FM Vardanian Haik G. 2339 Yerevan - 4
13 IM Baghdasaryan Vahe 2414 Yerevan - 4
14 GM Harutjunyan Gevorg D. 2458 Yerevan - 0

Official website

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



↧

Georgia Chess Stars Maya Lomineishvili, Lela Javakhishvili in SOCAR ad Video

September 9, 2013, 3:21 pm
$
0
0

Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013  

Hi everyone, 

Here's a cool advertisement by oil company SOCAR featuring Georgian chess players Maya Lomineishvili and Lela Javakhishvili. Maya Lomineishvili  has been Georgia national chess champion five times. Lela Javakhishvili has several individual chess gold medals. The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Respublikası Dövlət Neft Şirkəti) is the state-owned oil and natural gas corporation of Azerbaijan.







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





↧
Search

Sinquefield Chess Cup Round 1: Nakamura beats Aronian, Carlsen beats Kamsky

September 10, 2013, 11:45 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013  

Hi everyone, 

GM Hikaru Nakamura took advantage of a late blunder by World No. 2 GM Levon Aronian to defend his home turf in the first round of the 2013 Sinquefield Cup. Here is the report by Brian Jerauld and game annotations by GM Ronen Har-Zvi and GM Varuzhan Akobian.


SAINT LOUIS, September 9, 2013 -- Welcome to the Sinquefield Cup. Please check your cell phones, your tablets – and all expectations – at the door.

Anyone visiting Saint Louis hoping to witness something they have never seen before just got their wish. For a moment, time stood still during Monday’s first round of the Sinquefield Cup, where Armenia’s Levon Aronian – the world No. 2 – offered up something nobody expected to see: A blatant blunder.

Round 1 of the strongest chess tournament in American history, showcasing four of the world’s top-20 players, is in the books with the first two games complete – and two full points already awarded. World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen put a slow squeeze on U.S. Champion Gata Kamsky, while the U.S. No. 1-by-rating Hikaru Nakamura was quick to attack a fatal misstep by Aronian.


GM Hikaru Nakamura beats World No. 2 Levon Aronian

Despite the Ruy Lopez being one of Aronian’s main and productive lines, Nakamura showed no fear of familiarity by speeding quickly through the opening. Even as Aronian took the game into new territory with the first novelty of the tournament in 11. … Nfd7, Nakamura pushed 12. Nd4 with a nearly instant response, continuing with his own agenda. But Aronian’s response with an aggressive 12. … c5 sent Nakamura into his first deep think of the game, nearly 30 minutes before moving the seemingly natural 13. Nf5.

“I knew Nd7 was a novelty,” Nakamura said. “But after Nf5 and the correct response of Nf6, while I knew I could trade with Ne7, I had a feeling he was planning d5.”

Indeed, after Nakamura dropped Ne3 to bolster the pivotal square, Aronian challenged it just three moves later, eventually opening up the board to several avenues of attack for both sides. With the white queen open to attack, Aronian was able to equalize with 25. .. Nf4, ushering a trade of several minor pieces that had Nakamura admittedly ready to offer a draw.

But the move heard round the world was 30. … Qb5??, a severe blunder that ushered a trade-off of queens and Nakamura’s instant response of 32. Nd7 – winning an exchange and a slight smirk from the American. It left the world No. 2 visibly rattled, and the game was quickly liquidated into a full point for Nakamura.

“I prefer not to lose in such a way,” Aronian said. “But that’s something about the game of chess: It’s very humbling to lose after such a blunder.”

On the other board, Kamsky was tenacious with a bend-but-don’t-break attitude, but Carlsen’s grip with the white pieces turned into a slow strangulation of submission for the reigning U.S. Champion.

Perhaps bait to pull Kamsky into one of his most-familiar Slav lines, Carlsen showed little interest in finding an advantage in the opening and let the middle game decide fate. Standard lines continued until Kamsky offered an unprovoked 9. … Bxc3, providing Carlsen the lone bishop on the board.

The game’s pivotal move came with Kamsky’s 14. … h5 – the penultimate risk-reward that brought Kamsky his first taste of counterplay, but eventually served as his demise. Despite equal material, Carlsen’s white pieces proved incredibly active, owning the c-file with a rook battery and eventually placing two major pieces on Kamsky’s back rank – surrounding his desperately exposed king.


That said, Kamsky’s play in the weakened position was sharp and precise down the stretch, forcing Carlsen to be even more accurate. Claiming the full point was not a walk in the park for the World No. 1, several times being forced into finding the only correct move.

“I didn’t think h5 was a good move; it left his pawn a bit weak there,” Carlsen said. “But it did confuse me into making some stupid moves.”

GM Magnus Carlsen had to play with extreme accuracy to knock of the reigning U.S. Champion, GM Gata Kmasky, in round 1 of the Sinquefield Cup.

Pairings for Round 2
1 Aronian, Levon 2813 - Carlsen, Magnus 2862
2 Nakamura, Hikaru 2772 - Kamsky, Gata 2741

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



↧

Cesenatico Chess Open: GM Bogdan Lalic Wins Clear First

September 10, 2013, 8:12 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013  

Hi everyone, 

GM Bogdan Lalic of Croatia has won the 17th Torneo di Cesenatico that was held from August 31-September 8 with a strong performance from start to finish at the State Middle School n. 1 Viale Torino in Cesenatico, Italy. You can also locate him as quite an active Grandmaster on Facebook.

A total of 160 players competed in three groups – Open A (elo 1900 and higher), Open B (U2000) and Promotion (juniors born on 1997 and later). The Open A had 70 participants. In the last round GM Bogdan Lalic defeated the earlier leader IM Olga Zimina to secure a clear first place with 7,0/9 points.

The Open B had 102 participants. Simone Marangoni (ITA 1855) won the section with 7,5/9 points. In the “Promotion” event Luigi Doronzo (ITA 1410) and Marco Landi (ITA 1416) shared the first place with 6,5/8 points each.

Open A final standings:
1. GM Lalic Bogdan 2484 CRO – 7,0
2-5. IM Mrdja Milan 2377 CRO, IM Roeder Matthias 2412 GER, IM Zimina Olga 2337 ITA and FM Schacher Gerd 2347 ITA – 6,5
6-14. IM Stella Andrea 2447 ITA, FM Drei Andrea 2257 ITA, FM Dittmar Peter 2344 GER, GM Naumkin Igor 2445 RUS, GM Cebalo Miso 2440 CRO, FM De Santis Alessio 2289 ITA, FM Barlocco Carlo 2093 ITA, FM Schaufelberger Heinz 2262 SUI and FM Xia Jie 2287 ITA -6,0 etc.


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


↧
↧

Top Six English Players Register for 5th London Chess Classic

September 10, 2013, 9:32 am
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone,

Six leading English players, Michael Adams, Luke McShane, Nigel Short, Matthew Sadler, David Howell and Gawain Jones have accepted their invitation to play in the 5th London Chess Classic to be staged at the Olympia Conference Centre in Kensington, running from Saturday 7th December to Sunday 15th December.

Life begins at 41 for the UK No.1, Michael Adams, who was one of the world’s best players in the 1990s. He was a four-time semifinalist (1993, 1997, 1999 and 2000) in World Championship events, and in 2004 he made itto the final. He was ranked No.4 in the world in 2001 and 2002, but by 2009 had dropped to No.50.


Since then, the popular Cornishman has seen a renaissance in his game with a return to elite status; and this summer, he scored the biggest tournament victory of his career by winning the Sparkassen Chess Meeting in Dortmund, Germany, ahead of a field that included Vladimir Kramnik, the former world champion and world No. 3, and Fabiano Caruana of Italy, who is ranked fifth.

Luke McShane, 29, and Matthew Sadler, 39, both follow in that quaint English tradition -- much like C.H.O’D Alexander and Jonathan Penrose, who shocked top Soviet stars such as Botvinnik, Bronstein and Tal -- by being regarded as the world’s top two amateur players, as they hold down very demanding full-time professional jobs. McShane works in finance in the City, and Sadler in IT in The Netherlands - but while chess is now a “hobby” for both, the English No’s. 2 and 4 respectively still play to a very high standard.

Globe-trotting Nigel Short continues to add further successes to his long list of tournament victories, with this summer seeing the English No.3 share first prize in the Sigeman Invitational in Malmo, Sweden, and first on tiebreak in the Canadian Open Championship in Ottawa; and, on both occasions, ahead of talented younger rising stars.

Short, 48, consistently performs at or close to the elite GM 2700 rating level, as he fights off younger rivals by using his wealth of experience from a glittering career whose peaks include victory at the VAS Amsterdam tournament in 1991, ahead of Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov, a Candidates match victory over Karpov in 1992 and a world title challenge in 1993 to Kasparov. Short is also in demand as an online commentator for some of the world’s top tournaments -- but we are always glad to see him play!

David Howell, 22, and Gawain Jones, 25, are, respectively, the English No. 5 and 6, and also the last two winners of the British Championship titles - Howell storming to victory this summer in Torquay, for his second title (which he dedicated to his late father), and Jones, winning last year in North Shields. Both represented England at the very top at junior level, and have now become a regular fixture for their country at Olympiads and European Team Championships.

Adams, McShane, Short, Sadler, Howell and Jones will be cheered on by the patriotic home crowd expected to fill the Kensington Olympia, as they go into battle in the 5th London Chess Classic with the tough elite opposition of World Champion Vishy Anand, World Cup winner Kramnik, Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, Boris Gelfand, Peter Svidler and Judit Polgar. The composition of the remainder of the 16-player field will be announced next week.

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 Yaroslav Zinchenko Wins Amantea Chess Festival

September 10, 2013, 4:49 pm
$
0
0
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 
The 11th International Chess Festival “Città di Amantea” was held on 1-8th September at the Hotel La Tonnara in Amantea, Italy. The Festival consisted of three events: Master Open (for players rated above 1850), Open B (1500-1900 elo) and Open C (U1500).

Ukrainian Grandmaster Yaroslav Zinchenko won the Master Open with 7,0/9 points. In the last round Zinchenko defeated the earlier co-leader IM Axel Delorme with black pieces.

Master Open final standings:
1. GM Zinchenko Yaroslav 2520 UKR – 7,0
2-4. GM Sveshnikov Evgeny 2524 LAT, GM Maiorov Nikita 2538 BLR and IM Mullon Jean-Baptiste 2428 FRA – 6,5
5-11. IM Delorme Axel 2473 FRA, GM Romanishin Oleg M 2499 UKR, FM De Filomeno Simone 2392 ITA, IM Milchev Nikolay 2416 BUL, GM David Alberto 2591 ITA, FM Bentivegna Francesco 2292 ITA and FM Seletsky Grigory 2304 UKR – 6,0
12-19. GM Drasko Milan 2464 MNE, IM Bellia Fabrizio 2415 ITA, IM Sveshnikov Vladimir 2406 LAT, IM Mladenov Plamen 2390 BUL, GM Efimov Igor 2387 MNC, FM Rambaldi Francesco 2353 ITA, IM Estremera Panos Sergio 2369 ESP and FM Stromboli Ettore 2322 ITA – 5,5 etc (66 players)

The total prize fund was 6500 EUR. (www.chessdom.com)

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

↧

Jamaica’s Powell gets FM Chess Title Posthumously

September 5, 2013, 8:35 am
$
0
0
Alexandra Kosteniuk's Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) 2013

Hi everyone, 

The World Chess Federation (FIDE) recently awarded 9 titles to Jamaican chess players for past and recent performances. The titles awarded were 1 FIDE Master (FM), 4 Candidate Master (CM), and 4 Woman Candidate Master (WCM).

Former Jamaica Chess Federation (JCF) president, John Powell, who died in 2007, was recently awarded the FIDE Masters (FM) chess title, posthumously, based upon his outstanding board 4 silver medal performance at the 1984 Olympiad in Thessaloniki, Greece.


Jamaica’s team at the opening ceremony of the 23rd World Students’ Chess Olympiad in Caracas, Venezuela, 7-22 August, 1976. From left: Bob Wheeler, John Powell (deceased), Peter Mundell, David Hunt (deceased), Enos Grant (Captain/delegate, deceased), Orrin Tonsingh (deceased), and Sheldon Wong. Photo from Jamaica Ambassadors Chess Academy.

FM Powell scored 7/9 on board 4 with 6 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss, and earned a FIDE ELO rating of 2201, with a performance rating of 2421. At the time of his death in 2007, FM Powell was a FIDE International Arbiter. (~Bertram Scott via http://www.thechessdrum.net)

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



↧
Viewing all 1506 articles
Browse latest View live
Search