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Grandmaster Yaroslav Zinchenko Wins Amantea Chess Festival

September 10, 2013, 10:56 am
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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
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Women's World Chess Championship 2013 Anna Ushenina vs Hou Yifan begins in Taizhou, China

September 11, 2013, 3:46 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013  

Hi everyone, 


The opening ceremony of the Women's World Chess Championship 2013 between Anna Ushenina of Ukraine and Hou Yifan of China was held at the Taizhou Hotel. Xiao Min, the vice-president of Chinese Olympic Committee and Assistant Director of National Sports Bureau, declared the Women’s World Championship Match open. 

The drawing of the colour for the first game was the important moment of the ceremony. FIDE Vice President Mr. Chu Bo was offered to choose from two red boxes and found the name of Hou Yifan. That meant she was the one to choose from two other boxes which hid black and white queens inside. Hou Yifan got a black queen – this means that the World Champion Anna Ushenina will have white pieces in the first game.

Yang Junan, the President of Chinese Chess Association welcomed everybody to Taizhou and pointed out that Taizhou is a city with chess traditions. “Through years’ development, under the lead of government and chess association, chess in Taizhou is very popular and contributes a lot to the development of chess in China. Here also comes out many excellent chess players among whom Hou Yifan is the outstanding representative. I believe that this event held in Taizhou will further raise the reputation of Taizhou and promote chess in this city,” said Yang Junan.

FIDE President Kirsan Iljumzhinov congratulated everybody with the start of the Match, expressed his gratitude to Ms. Xiao Min, the Vice president of Chinese Olympic Committee and Assistant Director of National Sports Bureau, the Mayor of Taizhou city Mr. Xu Guoping, FIDE Vice-President Mr. Chu Bo, the President of Chinese Chess Association Mr.Yang Junan, for the attention which chess receives here.

After the opening ceremony the Women’s world champion Anna Ushenina, FIDE President Kirsan Iljumzhinov and guests were invited for the excursion to impressive China Medical City.

In the evening the world champion Anna Ushenina and challenger Hou Yifan inspected the playing venue and checked the lighting. The Chief Arbiter Panagiotis Nikolopoulos drew the attention of the participants to time control, "zero tolerance" rule and the absence of any restrictions concerning draw offer. The members of the Appeals Committee Chairman Jorge Vega, David Jarett and FIDE Supervisor Ali Nihat Yazici were introduced to players.

The first game will start at 3 p.m. local time on 11th of September.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal chess blog 
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Women's World Chess match Game 1: Anna Ushenina loses to Hou Yifan after Time Struggle

September 11, 2013, 8:01 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone, 


The first game of the Women's World Chess Championship between Anna Ushenina and Hou Yifan has been won by Black in China. Ushenina, playing White, managed to get a good position with white pieces in the first game, but her time management got her into serious trouble. 

The position was about equal when the reigning Women’s World Chess Champion lost track and let her opponent get in with a dangerous attack on the Kingside. The first game of the Match has finished after 41 moves. You can replay the full game with Chess King. But, before that, can you try and checkmate in three with Black from this position?

Anna Ushenina has just played 40.BxRd3. 
How did Hou Yifan win? Replay the game with Chess King.


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Sinquefield Chess Cup Round 2: Hikaru Nakamura Leads with Perfect Score

September 11, 2013, 8:56 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013  

Hi everyone, 


With his victory on Tuesday, GM Hikaru Nakamura moved up to No. 5 in the world on the live rating list and is less than a point away from overtaking GM Alexander Grischuk for the No. 4 spot, writes Brian Jerauld in his report on the second round at the Sinquefield Chess Cup. Nakamura is also at perfect score after two rounds in this high-powered event. Read the full report:

SAINT LOUIS (September 10, 2013) -- Hikaru Nakamura is done with the side dishes. Now bring on the main course.

Through the first two rounds of the inaugural Sinquefield Cup, the American No. 1 has already gotten fat from both number-twos in the quartet, first gobbling up a blunder by World No. 2 Levon Aronian on Monday, and then chewing through U.S. No. 2 Gata Kamsky on Tuesday to remain perfect through the tournament. Nakamura’s two points hold him in clear first in the six-game, double round-robin Sinquefield Cup, after World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen equalized early and convincingly in his 36th classical game against Aronian – but could not find a way to topple the Armenian king. The draw gave Aronian his first half point of the tournament and pulled Carlsen into second with 1.5/2. Kamsky still seeks his first tally.

Both number-ones – America’s Nakamura and the World’s Carlsen – will meet on Wednesday for the last game of the first cycle. Kamsky will command white for the first time in the tournament, against Aronian.



It would seem the United States’ top two players would have more of a history with each other, especially considering the world travelers have traded the title of U.S. Champion for the past five years, but much of 25-year-old Nakamura’s uprising came during 39-year-old Kamsky’s eight-year hiatus from the game. The two had met just eight times before the Sinquefield Cup, with six draws and a victory each; Tuesday proved to be a tiebreaker.

Despite his usual selections of 1. d4 or 1. Nf3 against Kamsky, Nakamura opened with 1. e4 for the second day in a row, to which Kamsky – on the attack after Monday’s loss to Carlsen – answered with the Kan variation of the Sicilian. Though both players would be nearly playing the increment by the 40th move time control, the game’s opening sped off at a furious pace for the first dozen moves, with early action.

Nakamura’s 9. Re1 looked innocuous, but his intentions became clear when Kamsky chased the white knight on c3, ushering 11. Nd5 – a square that black attacked twice, but with dangerous consequences upon capture. And still on his fast opening attack, Nakamura dropped 12. Qh5 with authority, immediately getting up from the board to let Kamsky think about the already dangerous position. But it was Nakamura who would give the game its first deep think, dropping nearly 30 minutes from his clock after Kamsky’s novelty response of 12. … Ne7.

Early signs of trouble turned into the real deal by 20. Qxf6, leaving Kamsky with a permanently weak king, a disharmonious army and a mounting white attack on the doorstep. The silver lining to his dreadful position, however, was Nakamura’s clock, which was 30 minutes lighter than Kamsky’s by the 22nd move.

Nakamura converted the first material advantage with 24. Bxh7, though it seemed to stifle his railroad momentum. At the cost of several tempi to pull his bishop back to safety, Kamsky found counterplay and eventually equalization with 28. … Qd6. Nakamura was under five minutes after 29. Rf1.
But 32. … Kb7 was a question mark for Kamsky, and Nakamura – a blitz world champion – was up to the task of keeping this new advantage. 35. Qc5 brought the white queen thrashing into the black camp, easily cracking open the position despite the threatening clock. The game was all-but over by time control.

“Probably around move 28-29, I was much more concerned about the time pressure mainly because there were many moves to consider, plans to consider for both sides; you can’t just make moves instantly,” Nakamura said. “When you’re playing at this level, any mistake is one too many. It’s quite nerve-racking, but I feel like I defended it quite well.”

Replay the full game Nakamura - Kamsky with Chess King.

Looking ahead to their Tuesday matchup after Aronian’s devastating blunder-loss on Monday, Carlsen proclaimed that he would “try to kick him while he’s down.” But nobody expected Carlsen to wear steel-toed boots.


The World’s best stomped all over the opening of the world’s next-best, first shocking Aronian’s 1. d4 with a Dutch defense that had spent nearly a decade on the Norwegian’s shelf, and then finding early equalization by move 11. … Ng5.

“I thought Aronian’s game against the Dutch hadn’t been particularly impressive,” Carlsen said. “I thought ‘Why not give it a try?’ especially as I was in a very good mood after my win yesterday. I got an excellent position, nothing to complain about there.”

Indeed, after an ugly looking 13. f4 was needed to chase the black queen, Aronian shifted fully into defensive mode after 15. … c5 locked Carlsen’s knight onto a brutal d4 outpost. Picking his poison, Aronian pushed 20. a4 to stop the b5 break, though it exposed weak squares on the white queenside. Smelling blood in the water, Carlsen was quick to redeploy his queen, stringing Qd8-Qa5-Qb4 and pushing his position to a near full-point advantage – seemingly with material on the way.

But Carlsen could not find a way to break the back of Aronian, who weathered the storm and slowly traded pieces to drown black’s attack. Despite spending most of the game in time trouble and without initiative, Aronian had all major pieces traded off the board by 37. Kxe1 and needed no use of the 40-move time bonus. Carlsen accepted his handshake before the 41st move.

“I was a bit too indecisive,” Carlsen said. “There were a lot of attractive options, and I didn’t choose the right one, evidently. For instance, I could have sacrificed my rook for a bishop at some point and gotten a fat pawn and some very active pieces. But I didn’t see anything really clear in that line, so I decided to postpone the critical moment a bit - and then it all just fizzled out. It was disappointing, but (Aronian) also deserves credit for defending such a grim position.

Replay the full game Aronian - Carlsen with Chess King.

Standings After Round 1
No.NameRatingTotal
1 Hikaru Nakamura 2772 2
2 Magnus Carlsen 2862 1.5
3 Levon Aronian 2813 0.5
4 Gata Kamsky 2741 0

Pairings for Round 3 - 09/11/2013
No.WhiteRatingResultBlackRating
1 Carlsen, Magnus 2862 - Nakamura, Hikaru 2772
2 Kamsky, Gata 2741- Aronian, Levon 281


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal chess blog 
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Sinquefield Chess Cup Round 3: Nakamura in Lead at Halfway Point

September 12, 2013, 7:20 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013  

Hi everyone, 
 
 
American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura is in lead after three rounds at the Sinquefield Chess Cup. Here is the report by Brian Jerauld.

SAINT LOUIS (September 12, 2013) -- At the 1959 Candidates Tournament, Hungarian GM Pal Benko, desperate to refute the “hypnotic stare” of the legendary Mikhail Tal, pulled from his pocket a defense never tried before: Reflective sunglasses. Tal had decisively won every match of their career to that point.

In the third round of the Sinquefield Cup, GM Hikaru Nakamura decided to try out "Benko’s variation".

The eccentric American No. 1 strolled into the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis on Wednesday, donning a pair of shades for his game against Norway’s Magnus Carlsen. Carlsen, perhaps through hypnotism, decisively held the lifetime series between the two at 7-0 with 13 draws.

“For the first time in his life, Carlsen has to look at his opponent and see himself," quipped GM Ian Rogers, who was offering live commentary to a crowd at Lester's restaurant nearby the Chess Club. "That will be scary.”

The plan didn’t work out so well for Benko, who was wiped off the board in 20 moves. Tal eventually threw him a bone by allowing perpetual check saying: “When I want to win against Benko, I win; when I want to draw, I draw.”

Nakamura’s version of the defense was good enough for a legitimate draw against Carlsen, maintaining the standings at the tournament’s halfway point.

Heading into the rest day, Nakamura stands as the front-runner with 2.5/3 points, while Carlsen trails just a half-point behind in second place. Armenia’s Levon Aronian sits in third with 1/3 after battling to a draw with reigning U.S. Champion Gata Kamsky, who earned his first half-point of the tournament.

“I just felt like doing something different,” Nakamura said with a smile. “Why not? Life is short, might as well have some fun every once in a while, considering how overly serious chess seems to be at times.”

It was Nakamura's first time commanding the black pieces this week, and he responded with the King’s Indian Defense after Carlsen’s 1. d4, which had produced positive results against the American in the past. But Carlsen’s 10. b3 brought the game into fresh territory, and Nakamura’s response of 10. … g5 gave the battle a sharp edge.

Though both players each had an hour on their clock by the 16th move, the board had ventured into a position that Nakamura normally enjoys – a unique pawn structure and heavy tactical lines with plenty of potential pitfalls. Eventually, the Norwegian’s clock became a factor.

“It was a complicated game so, to some extent, I needed to use time,” said Carlsen, whose clock fell under a minute while he thought on his 31st move, still nine moves away from time control. “But often when you think for a long time, you don’t come up with the best moves.”

To the contrary, the play of both Grandmasters down the stretch was incredibly accurate, setting off fireworks when Carlsen recaptured with 21. Rxc3, allowing 21. … Bf5, winning the exchange. 34. … Rxb7 was dangerously interesting and Nakamura’s only choice to push forward, despite bringing a white pawn to the seventh rank. This became a liability that ultimately locked all the remaining major pieces to their current squares. Nakamura offered a handshake after 42. … h5.

Kamsky had been aggressive coming into the Sinquefield Cup. “This is an event where you can just play chess and there are not consequences,” he said after a first-round loss to Carlsen. Yet heading into round 3 he had nothing to show for it and appeared to change his strategy for his matchup against Aronian.

Kamsky seemed less interested in finding an advantage in the opening, allowing early equalization but simultaneously working his army into a rock-solid position by move 13. From there, the U.S. No. 2 leaned on his position to slowly increase white’s advantage – but something fizzled along the way.

“I just didn’t want to lose today,” Kamsky said. “I had a really nice edge, and then there was an opportunity to increase the edge. At the moment, that was my original intention, but then somehow I got sidetracked and actually got into a worse position, which I was actually really lucky to save.”

Kamsky blamed his 22. Rac1 for leading him astray, not executing on his plan to push e5 and getting his knight to e4. A temporary lack of solid ideas for white ushered in opportunities for Aronian’s black army, equalizing with 25. … Qe7 and going on the attack by 32. … f5. Momentarily, the advantage seemed greater for Aronian, who opted out of a draw by repetition with 37. … Bd5. Regardless, it allowed Kamsky to trade the queens off the board and go on to defuse the situation. The players agreed to a draw six moves later.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal chess blog 
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Women's World Chess Championship 2013: Game 2: Hou Yifan - Anna Ushenina - 1/2-1/2

September 12, 2013, 8:52 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 



The second game of the Women’s World championship match finished in a draw after 33 moves and 2,5 hours of play. Anna Ushenina held her ground as Black.

Hou Yifan had white pieces and decided to play differently as compared to the previous games against Anna Ushenina’s Sicilian. Soon Sveshnikov variation appeared on the board and the challenger didn’t manage to get any edge out of the opening. 

After many exchanges the game was converted into the drawish ending. After 2 games the score is 1, 5:0,5 in favor of Hou Yifan. On the 13th of September the players have a rest day. You can replay the game with Chess King.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Also see her personal chess blog
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Special Chess Tournament to Celebrate IM Alexander Zakharov's 70th Birthday begins in Russia

September 12, 2013, 9:24 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 

A chess tournament dedicated to the 70th birthday of International Master Alexander Zakharov (Rostov on Don) started today in Loo. The Russian Chess Federation reports that 24 Grandmasters are taking part in the event. Among them are Sanan Sjugirov, Vladimir Fedoseev, Pavel Tregubov, Aleksei Aleksandrov, Yuri Yakovich, Vladimir Malaniuk, Mikhail Brodsky.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Why 16 Rapid Chess Experts ignored Friday the 13th Omen in Riga?

September 13, 2013, 10:39 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013


Hi everyone,

Legend has it that on top of the oldest Riga Churches - Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s, St. John’s and St. Jacob’s – are decorations of roosters (weathercock). According to Christian tradition, the rooster is a vigilant defender against evil, and with his morning song he can drive away all bad things.

No wonder then, 16 experts of Rapid Chess trooped in to play the ACP Rapid Chess Cup with a total prize fund of $75,000 this weekend. So, sit back and enjoy the exciting chess show this weekend.


The Gentlemen in Riga Photo: Lennart Ootes


The live coverage and live Grandmaster commentary will be relayed on the official website : www.acp-cup.com.

The ACP Cup is organised by the Association of Chess Professionals together with the Latvian Chess Federation. The venue for the tournament is provided by Rietumu Bank, which has one of the best premises in Riga for hosting exhibitions, auctions and other cultural and intellectual events. The bank is also participating in the financing of the tournament. 

The Association of Chess Professionals (ACP) is a not-for-profit organisation, whose main purpose is the protection of chess professionals’ rights and the practice and promotion of chess worldwide, in particular through the organisation of chess tournaments and other chess events.

ACP CUP WINNERS
2010 Sergey Karjakin
2009 Boris Gelfand
2008 Teimour Radjabov
2007 Peter Leko

Winners Women's ACP Cup
2012 Nana Dzagnidze
2009 Alexandra Kosteniuk


Rapid Knock Out Contestants


Alexander Grischuk  
Federation: Russia
Birth Date: October 31, 1983
Birth Place: Moscow, Russia
Residence: Moscow, Russia / Odessa, Ukraine
Title: Grandmaster since 2000
World ranking: 4
FIDE Rating: 2785
World Rapid ranking: 2
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2830

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov
Federation: Azerbaijan
Birth Date: April 12, 1985
Birth Place: Sumgayit, Azerbaijan
Residence: Sumgayit, Azerbaijan
Title: Grandmaster since 2002
World ranking: 7
FIDE Rating: 2775
World Rapid ranking: 4
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2822

Yan Nepomniachtchi
Federation: Russia
Birth Date: July 14, 1990
Birth Place: Bryansk, Russia
Residence: Moscow, Russia
Title: Grandmaster since 2007
World ranking: 29
FIDE Rating: 2717
World Rapid ranking: 6
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2804

Peter Svidler
Federation: Russia
Birth Date: June 17, 1976
Birth Place: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Residence: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Title: Grandmaster since 1994
World ranking: 15
FIDE Rating: 2746
World Rapid ranking: 10
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2761

Teimour Radjabov
Federation: Azerbaijan
Birth Date: March 12, 1987
Birth Place: Baku, Azerbaijan
Residence: Baku, Azerbaijan
Title: Grandmaster since 2001
World ranking: 21
FIDE Rating: 2733
World Rapid ranking: 11
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2760

Vladimir Malakhov
Federation: Azerbaijan
Birth Date: March 12, 1987
Birth Place: Baku, Azerbaijan
Residence: Baku, Azerbaijan
Title: Grandmaster since 2001
World ranking: 21
FIDE Rating: 2733
World Rapid ranking: 11
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2760

Alexander Morozevich
Birth Date: July 18, 1977
Birth Place: Moscow, Russia
Residence: Moscow, Russia
Title: Grandmaster since 1994
World ranking: 18
FIDE Rating: 2739
World Rapid ranking: 16
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2742

Radoslaw Wojtaszek
Federation: Poland
Birth Date: January 13, 1987
Birth Place: Elbląg, Poland
Residence: Elbląg, Poland
Title: Grandmaster since 2005
World ranking: 47
FIDE Rating: 2701
World Rapid ranking: 19
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2735


Vassily Ivanchuk
Federation: Ukraine
Birth Date: March 18, 1969
Birth Place: Kopychyntsi, Ukraine
Residence: Lviv, Ukraine
Title: Grandmaster since 1988
World ranking: 22
FIDE Rating: 2731
World Rapid ranking: 24
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2725

Ruslan Ponomariov
Federation: Ukraine
Birth Date: October 11, 1983
Birth Place: Horlivka, Ukrainian
Residence: Kiev, Ukraine
Title: Grandmaster since 1998
World ranking: 14
FIDE Rating: 2756
World Rapid ranking: 25

Pavel Eljanov
Federation: Ukraine
Birth Date: May 10, 1983
Birth Place: Kharkov, Ukraine
Residence: Kharkov, Ukraine
Title: Grandmaster since 2001
World ranking: 42
FIDE Rating: 2706
World Rapid ranking: 29
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2712

Alexei Shirov
Federation: Latvia
Birth Date: July 4, 1972
Birth Place: Riga, Latvia
Residence: Riga, Latvia
Title: Grandmaster since 1990
World ranking: 55
FIDE Rating: 2696
World Rapid ranking: 39
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2706



Laurent Fressinet
Federation: France
Birth Date: November 1, 1981
Birth Place: Dax, France
Residence: Paris, France
Title: Grandmaster since 2000
World ranking: 38
FIDE Rating: 2708
World Rapid ranking: 46
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2690

Dmitry Jakovenko
Federation: Russia
Birth Date: June 29, 1983
Birth Place: Omsk, Russia
Residence: Nizhnevartovsk and Moscow, Russia
Title: Grandmaster since 2001
World ranking: 23
FIDE Rating: 2724
World Rapid ranking: 53
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2678

Alexander Moiseenko
Federation: UkraineBirth Date: May 17, 1980
Birth Place: Severomorsk, Russia
Residence: Kharkov, Ukraine
Title: Grandmaster since 2000
World ranking: 41
FIDE Rating: 2706
World Rapid ranking: 63
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2669

Igor Kovalenko
Federation: Latvia
Birth Date: December 29, 1988
Birth Place: Novomoskovsk, Ukraine
Residence: Riga, Latvia
Title: Grandmaster since 2011
World ranking: 117
FIDE Rating: 2644
World Rapid ranking: 128
FIDE Rapid Rating: 2633

The opening ceremony of the ACP Rapid Chess Cup took place in the art gallery of the Rietumu Bank, Riga. The first round matches are split between two shifts. And so, the pairings are:

Afternoon shift (starts at 14:00 Riga time = 13:00 CET)
Mamedyarov - Kovalenko
Nepomniachtchi - Moiseenko
Malakhov - Eljanov
Wojtaczek - Ivanchuk

Night shift (starts at 18:00 Riga time = 17:00 CET)
Grischuk - Fressinet
Svidler - Jakovenko
Radjabov - Shirov
Morozevich - Ponomariov 
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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World Junior Chess Championship 2013 Opening Video

September 13, 2013, 1:16 pm
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone,


The World Junior Chess Championship 2013 has begun in Turkey. Here is a video of the opening ceremony - attended by top politicians and eminent chess world guests - and the first round. The videos are by well-known chess videographer Vijay Kumar.




In some important results of Round 1, Chinese player Yan Fang(2281) drew with GM Jorge Cori (2587) from Peru on the third board. CM Luthfi Ali Muhammad (2277) from Indonesia defeated GM Samvel Ter-Sahakyan' (2575) on the 5th board. On the 7th board, Chinese Chao Chu Wei (2270) beat IM Vladislav Kovalev (2568).

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
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Kosintseva, Berczes, Margvelashvili on New UT Dallas Chess Team

September 14, 2013, 8:42 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 
The UT Dallas chess team started the 2013-14 season with a strong showing at the 79th Annual Southwest Open, which was held Aug. 30-31 in Irving. The top spots in the tournament went to UT Dallas students, including Grandmaster (GM) George Margvelashvili, a finance graduate student who finished first. GM Julio Sadorra, a senior studying business administration, tied teammate GM David Berczes, an international political economy freshman, for second and third.

“We are ready for another good year,” said Jim Stallings, director of the UT Dallas chess program. “With new recruits joining our team, combined with our returning players, this is the strongest we have ever been.”

Margvelashvili, whose home country is Georgia, is among the new players entering the University this year. Also new to the team are Berczes from Hungary; GM Nadezda Kosintseva, an accounting major from Russia; GM Leonid Kritz, a finance graduate student from Germany; Woman International Master (WIM) Mariam Danelia, an international political economy freshman from Georgia; and Ryan Moon, an economics freshman from Duluth, Ga.

“We are very excited to now have a total of eight players with a Grandmaster title, the highest chess rating possible,” said chess team coach Rade Milovanovic. “They are a talented group of young men and women from across the world.”

The team will play next in the U.S. Class Championships, Sept. 28-29 in Houston. (www.chessdom.com)


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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Women's World Chess Championship Round 3: Hou Yifan Leads by Two Points

September 14, 2013, 9:53 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 
Former Women's World Chess Champion, Hou Yifan appears to be heading for a one-sided victory as Challenger against reigning Women's World Chess Champion Anna Ushenina.

Hou Yifan won the third game of the Women’s World Championship Match on Saturday and is now two points ahead of Anna Ushenina. The event is being held in Taizhou, China. Although both opponents seemed well-prepared in the sharp line of Nimzo-Indian, Black’s 15...Rc8 forced World Champion to sink into deep thought. 

After 40 minutes Anna Ushenina came up with a dubious decision which turned out to be the start of her troubles. Hou Yifan didn’t miss her chance to fight for initiative, made few very precise decisions and after 24 moves the game was over. You can replay the game with Chess King.

Here is another nice chess video that we recall and you would enjoy watching for sure:



From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal chess blog 
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Sinquefield Chess Cup 2013 Last Round Today: Nakmura, Aronian, Carlsen Fighting for Title Win

September 15, 2013, 7:53 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 
 

The super-strong chess tournament in the US, the Sinquefield Chess Cup reaches its climax today in the final round: GM Hikaru Nakamura, GM Levon Aronian and GM Magnus Carlsen all have chances at winning the inaugural tournament!
 
Both games were drawn on Saturday: Magnus Carlsen (3.5/5) - Hikaru Nakamura (3.0/5) and Levon Aronian (2.5/5) - Gata Kamsky (1.0/5). All three - Nakamura, Aronian and Carlsen have a chance to win the title.

Yes, before we forget, US No. 1 Hikaru Nakamura turned up with shades for his game against Carlsen like he had done for the first game against the world No. 1 in Round 3! We received an interesting article on the subject via www.worldchesschampionship2013.com: Does Chess Prodigy World No. 1 practice chess hypnotism? We're not commenting on it, but you just might enjoy reading it. ;)

Standings After Round 51 Magnus Carlsen 2862 Points: 3.5
2 Hikaru Nakamura 2772 Points 3
3 Levon Aronian 2813 Points 2.5
4 Gata Kamsky 2741 Points 1

Pairings for Round 6 - 09/15/20131 Carlsen, Magnus 2862 - Aronian, Levon 2813
2 Kamsky, Gata 2741 - Nakamura, Hikaru 2772

Be there for the live broadcast at the official websiteLive Coverage of the Sinquefield Cup will begin at 1 p.m. CST each day. Tune in to live commentary with GMs Yasser Seirawan, Maurice Ashley and WGM Jennifer Shahade!

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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World Chess Championship Anand vs Carlsen Clash of Generations: Chief Arbiter Ashot Vardapetyan

September 15, 2013, 8:44 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013


Hi everyone, 
 
Chess lover and chess arbiter Armenia’s Ashot Vardapetyan will be the chief arbiter at the forthcoming World Chess Championship in November in Chennai, India. Reigning World Chess Champion, Viswanathan Anand will try to win the title for the sixth time. We will have to see whether World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen can stop him. In either case, this is going to be a very special chess match.

Ashot Vardapetyan says, in an e-mail interview to Indian newspaper, The Hindu, "I would prefer not to discuss the players. I respect them equally and think that they both have their worthy place in the history of chess. All are anxiously awaiting this championship, the main feature of which is a clash of generations."

Ashot also said, "It’s been a long time since I stopped playing chess. The last time I played was in 1984. I have a title of Candidate of Masters of the former USSR. I have been an arbiter for 39 years. During these years I held many FIDE top events though for many years I was considering it as my hobby."

"I am an economist and an engineer filling different high level positions in the field of urban development in Armenia, but gradually they were pushed to the background yielding their place to chess in my life."

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
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Bradford Chess Festival held in Honour of Late MP Marsha Singh

September 15, 2013, 9:54 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 

Here is this nice chess report from the United Kingdom, Bradford to be precise. The brothers of late Bradford MP Marsha Singh were among 125 keen amateur chess players who took on masters of the game. The Chesstival in the Park event, held around the Mirror Pool in Bradford’s City Park, was organised to mark the 125th anniversary of the Bradford International Chess Congress and to commemorate the life of Mr Singh, the former Labour MP for Bradford West, who died last year, and was himself a keen chess player. You can read the full report at Telegraph & Argus. 
Grandmaster Gawain Jones, last year’s British champion, and four International Masters, each took on 25 members of the public in simultaneous games. Among their opponents were Marsha Singh’s brothers, Nermal and Balbir.


From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Women's World Chess Championship 2013 Round 4: Hou Yifan holds on to 2-point Lead over Anna Ushenina

September 15, 2013, 10:33 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 



The fourth game of the Women’s World Championship Match finished in a draw. Sicilian, Keres Attack appeared in the game and already after 14 moves the queens were traded. Former World Champion could have tried to create more problems for her opponent to solve but preferred playing without risk and the game finished in a draw after three-time repetition. Every draw brings the challenger closer to her goal, while the World Champion needs to start seeking victories to catch up with Hou Yifan.

After 4 games Hou Yifan is leading with 3 points. Anna Ushenina has 1 point.

On the 16th of September the players have a rest day. The match will continue on the 17th of September. Hou Yifan will have white pieces again. The measure of changing the colors after the fourth game has a goal to prevent the same player to have white pieces after each of the rest days throughout the match because this might give her an advantage in preparation. 

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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ACP Chess Rapid Knockout: Alexander Grischuk wins Battle of Nerves vs Ian Nepomniachtchi in Final

September 15, 2013, 11:26 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 
 
Photos: Lennart Ootes

The high-energy ACP Rapid Chess Knockout has just concluded in Riga, Latvia. The final was an exciting battle of nerves with Alexander Grischuk beating fellow Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi in the final.

The entire tournament had excellent live commentary in Russian and English. There was quite a friendly atmosphere as well. In fact, that's what chess is all about. Just before the last game, Grischuk and Nepomniachtchi engaged in an animated conversation even though they were going to start the battle for the top prize within a few seconds!
 

The ACP Cup was organised by the Association of Chess Professionals together with the Latvian Chess Federation. The venue for the tournament is provided by Rietumu Bank, which has one of the best premises in Riga for hosting exhibitions, auctions and other cultural and intellectual events. The bank is also participating in the financing of the tournament. 

The Association of Chess Professionals (ACP) is a not-for-profit organisation, whose main purpose is the protection of chess professionals’ rights and the practice and promotion of chess worldwide, in particular through the organisation of chess tournaments and other chess events.

Also Read: Why 16 Rapid Chess Experts ignored Friday the 13th Omen in Riga?

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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at www.chessqueen.com
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GM Bator Sambuev wins Montreal Open Chess Championship 2013

September 16, 2013, 9:05 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 
The Quebec Chess Federation staged the 2013 Montreal Open Championship on 6-8th September at Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, 3200 Côte Sainte-Catherine, Montréal.

The tournament was held in four sections: Section A Open, Section B (U2000), Section C (U1600) and Section D (U1200). All sections were played over five rounds of Swiss system.

The Open section had 34 participants. GM Bator Sambuev took the top prize with perfect 5,0/5 score, a full point ahead of IM Jean Hebert. Full standings below.

The U2000 section had 40 participants. Jonathan Turcotte (elo 1990) is the sole winner with 4,5/5 points.

The U1600 section had 44 participants. Matthieu Johnson-Constantin (elo 1561) took the first place with 5,0/5 points.

The U1200 section had 35 participants. Allison Tsypin (elo 1138) conceded only one draw to finish clear first with 4,5/5 points.

The total prize fund was 5000$. Top prizes in the Open section were $1000/500/300/150. (www.chessdom.com)

Quebec Chess Federation

Open section final standings:

1. Sambuev Bator CAN 2562 – 5
2. Hebert Jean CAN 2421 – 4
3. Qin Ziyi CAN 2333 – 3.5
4. Nicula Marius CAN 2184 – 3.5
5. Masse Hugues CAN 2169 – 3.5
6. Ibrahim Anthony CAN 2157 – 3.5
7. Prahov Valentin CAN 2135 – 3.5
8. Khashper Arkady CAN 2134 – 3.5
9. Kleinman Michael CAN 2292 – 3
10. Libersan Thierry CAN 2143 – 3
11. Le Duin Thierry CAN 2015 – 3
12. Chiku-Ratte Olivier-Kenta CAN 2263 – 2.5
13. Beaulieu Eric CAN 2252 – 2.5
14. Nikulich Oleksandr CAN 2117 – 2.5
15. Trahan Daniel CAN 2115 – 2.5
16. Cardona Misael CAN 2109 – 2.5
17. Robichaud Louis CAN 2083 – 2.5
18. Yu Zong Yang CAN 2070 – 2.5
19. Lopez Linares Lizandro Fernand CAN 2059 – 2.5
20. Zhou Qiyu CAN 2007 – 2.5
21. Luo Zhao Yang CAN 1981 – 2.5
22. Sprumont Oscar CAN 1964 – 2.5
23. Zhu Hong Rui CAN 2066 – 2
24. Nunez Omar CAN 1993 – 2
25. Dumont Félix CAN 2144 – 1.5
26. Vidal Liewellyn CAN 2102 – 1.5
27. Poulin Mathieu CAN 2080 – 1.5
28. Corriveau Philippe CAN 2048 – 1.5
29. Bouchard Jean-Marc CAN 1979 – 1.5
30. Cvetkovic Siméon CAN 1964 – 1.5
31. Barre Michel CAN 1956 – 1.5
32. Gueorguiev Valentin CAN 1887 – 1.5
33. Langlois-Remillard Alexis CAN 1941 – 1
34. Sarrazin-Gendron Roman CAN 2020 – 0

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Two International Chess Open Tournaments in New Delhi area in January 2014

September 16, 2013, 9:17 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013  

Hi everyone, 

Would you like to spend an entire January in India in 2014? Two special chess tournaments are being organised back-to-back in India in January, 2014. The 2nd Gurgaon Open and the 12th Delhi Open will be held between 1st and 16th January in the Indian capital and nearby Gurgaon (20km distance).

The 2nd Gurgaon International Open Chess Tournament will take place on from 1-8th January, 2014, at the Suncity School, Suncity Township, Sector 54, in Gurgaon. The tournament is organized by the Haryana Chess Association and Gurgaon Chess Association under the aegis of All India Chess Federation. The tournament will be conducted as per FIDE Laws of Chess and FIDE Swiss System. 10 rounds will be played. 

Download full regulations (.doc)

The 12th Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament will take place on 9-16th January, 2014, at the Ludlow Castle Sports Complex Civil Lines in New Delhi.

There will be three playing groups: Category A (for players rated 2000 and above), Category B (U1999) and Category C (U1599). The tournament will be conducted as per FIDE Laws of Chess and FIDE Swiss System with 10 rounds. 

Download full regulations (PDF)

The organizers are giving combined conditions to Grandmasters for both events. Contacts with phone numbers and email addresses are provided in attached files. 

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World's Oldest Chess Club hosts Zurich Chess Challenge Jan, 2014: Carlsen, Anand, Aronian, Nakamura, Gelfand, Caruana to Play

September 17, 2013, 4:22 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 
Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk during a simul at Zurich Chess Club. Read post at www.chessqueen.com.

The Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 will be the first encounter between India’s Viswanathan Anand and Norway’s Magnus Carlsen after their forthcoming world championship match in Chennai. 
From Wednesday, 29 January to Tuesday, 4 February 2014, they will compete in the 3rd Zurich Chess Challenge along with four other great chess stars Levon Aronian
(Arm), Hikaru Nakamura (USA), Fabiano Caruana (It) and Boris Gelfand (Isr). With an average of 2794 Elo points (according to the September 13 rating list) this is going to be the strongest tournament in chess history.
The main sponsor is Oleg Skvortsov of the International Gemological Laboratories, Moscow, with the Zurich Chess Club acting as organizer.

The first Zurich Chess Challenge in 2012 was a match between Kramnik and Aronian. The second event in 2013 was a double-round robin with Kramnik, Anand, Caruana and Gelfand. For the 2014 edition, a blitz tournament will determine the color distribution. A round-robin tournament of five rounds with a classical time control is then followed by a rapid tournament with colors reversed on the last day of play. A won game in the classical tournament counts 2 points, a draw 1 point. Wins in the rapid tournament count 1 point and draws half a point. All games will be commented by Yannick Pelletier and Werner Hug and broadcast live via Internet.

ParticipantsMagnus Carlsen (Norway, Elo 2862, Nr 1)
Levon Aronian (Armenia, Elo 2813, Nr 2)
Fabiano Caruana (Italy, Elo 2779, Nr 5)
Vishwanathan Anand (India, Elo 2775, Nr 7)
Hikaru Nakamura (USA, Elo 2772, Nr 9 )
Boris Gelfand (Israel, Elo 2764, Nr 11)

ScheduleDaily from 29 January to 4 February 2014.
Spectators are welcome, entrance free.

Main sponsorIGC International Gemological Laboratories is a Russian institute providing gemological services, such as diamond grading reports, enhanced diamonds identification, man-made/synthetic diamonds and imitation detection as well as certification of diamonds, gemstones and jewelry in the Russian Federation. IGC is the Russian branch of GCI – a group of gemological laboratories located worldwide.

Co-sponsors
Savoy Chess Corner, Zurich Chess Club (founded in 1809, the oldest chess club of the world)

Here is a flashback post: Click to read original post

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The Chess Girls who will Spend September in Tashkent

September 17, 2013, 5:31 am
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Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013  

Hi everyone, 

The third event of the Women's Chess Grand Prix Series 2013-14 begins in Tashkent September 17. Some of the best women players have enlisted to play including both Anna Ushenina and Hou Yifan (who are currently fighting for the world title in Tanzhou, China). There is also the 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk playing. Which means three women's world chess champions. Then check the list... you have another form world champion - Antoaneta Stefanova. Not a bad line-up at all!

Here is the complete list. The games will be telecast daily beginning Wednesday on the official website.


The participants
Muzychuk, Anna g SLO 2585
Dzagnidze, Nana g GEO 2556
Kosintseva, Tatiana g RUS 2517
Khotenashvili, Bela m GEO 2514 160 10 * * 170
Koneru, Humpy g IND 2607
Ushenina, Anna g UKR 2500
Batchimeg Tuvshintugs wg MGL 2295 20 60 * * 80
Ju, Wenjun wg CHN 2535
Lagno, Kateryna g UKR 2532
Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2496
Harika, Dronavalli g IND 2475
Hou, Yifan g CHN 2609
Kosteniuk, Alexandra g RUS
Girya, Olga wg RUS 2439
Danielian, Elina g ARM 2470
Zhao, Xue g CHN 2579
Nakhbayeva, Guliskhan wg KAZ 2307
Muminova, Nafisa wg UZB 2293

GM Viktorija Cmilyte had to skip the Tashkent Grand Prix due to illness and her place went to WGM Guliskhan Nakhbayeba of Kazakhstan. We wish GM Viktorija Cmilyte good health.

Two of the six Women's chess grand prix events have taken place so far as part of the 2013-2014. GM Anna Muzichuk is currently leading with 250 points, GM Nana Dzagnidze is right behind with 220, and third is GM Tatiana Kosintseva, who has replaced her sister Nadezhda for the entire Grand Prix Series, with 190. Our regular Chess Blog readers would know that GM Nadezhda Kosintseva has joined UT Dallas in the United States.




From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal chess blog 
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