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Indian S.P. Sethuraman first at Leiden Chess Tournament

July 23, 2013, 4:42 am
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Two Indian players were clearly superior than the opposition at the A Group of the Leiden Chess Tournament. S.P. Sethuraman edged his compatriot Deep Sengupta on tiebreaks to get the title in Holland.

Despite losing in the third round against Russian GM Ramil Hasangatin, the Indian was able to recover with five wins and one draw in the final six rounds. This performance was enough to score 7.5 points and share first place with Deep Sengupta.

Bosnian GM Predrag Nikolic was the only player able to arrive a whole point behind the leaders and took home the third prize without needing any tiebreaks calculations.

Marco de Mooij was the winner of the B Group with 7/9 points.

Location and host were once again the Leidse Denksportcentrum (Leiden’s Mindsport Centre) at Robijnstraat 4 in Leiden.

Official website

Final Standings – A Group (top finishers):

1 GM Sethuraman, S.P. IND 2562 7.5
2 GM Sengupta, Deep IND 2555 7.5

3 GM Nikolic, Predrag BIH 2622 6.5

4 IM Zaragatski, Ilja GER 2494 6
5 GM Prohaszka, Peter HUN 2554 6
6 GM Hasangatin, Ramil RUS 2489 6
7 GM Epishin, Vladimir RUS 2598 6
8 GM Howell, David W L ENG 2639 6
9 IM Bernal Moro, Luis Javier ESP 2423 6
10 Pijpers, Arthur NED 2338 6
11 FM Dahm, Jochen GER 2304 6

12 GM Iljin, Artem RUS 2540 5.5
13 IM Zhou, Yang-Fan ENG 2469 5.5
14 Blom, Vincent NED 2167 5.5
15 Wilschut, Peter NED 2232 5.5
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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SPF Girls' Invitational round 2 pairings

July 23, 2013, 4:43 am
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Pairings for Round 2
1 Miranda Liu (1656) - Ellen Xiang (2072)
2 Becca Lampman (2065) - Rebecca Deland (1699)
3 Carmen Pemsler (1635) - Luisa Mercado Mendoza (2049)
4 Alexandra Botez (2043) - Shayna Provine (1656)
5 Aiya Cancio (1527) - Jackie Peng (2035)
6 Evan Xiang (1944) - Olga Cherepakhin (1609)
7 Andrea Botez (1566) - Margaret Hua (1941)
8 Jennifer Yu (1938) - Shreya Mangalam (1560)
9 Heidi Darsey (1492) - Kiana Hajiarbabi (1871)
10 Annastasia Wyzywany (1861) - Cassie Parent (1497)
11 Anastacia Lopez Sanchez (1450) - Danitza Vazquez Maccarini (1859)
12 Katya Davis (1841) - Hiya Ghosh (1483)
13 Amelia Wyzywany (1409) - Thanu Avirneni (1818)
14 Katherine Vescovi (1782) - Sasha Konovalenko (1438)
15 Janet Peng (1600) - Elizabeth Miller (1395)
16 Janice Evans (unr.) - Sheena Zeng (1375)
17 Hannah Farell (1382) - Alana McGuinness (984)
18 Katerina Baumgartner (1330) - Katlyn Bonnell (946)
19 Tori Whatley (964) - Jacinda Lee (1270)
20 Ellison Van Scoy (1241) - Ananya Murali (807)
21 Gisele Delgado (850) - Jessica Ross (1224)
22 Skyler Hsu (1210) - Anna Lee (672)
23 Sarah Farell (674) - Sara Lin (1206)
24 Diamond Abdus-Shakoor (1201) - Talia Buxbaum (579)
25 Rebekah Farell (589) - Teresa Knecht (1198)
26 Iris Zhou (1174) - Madison Ford-McKnight (390)
27 Sofia Saggiante (513) - Anjana Murali (1081)
28 Kate Bergeron (350) - Ioana Murgulet (1077)
29 Isabel Brieler (1015) - Baylie Redman (unr.)

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/116302832360230031699/SPFGirlsInvitational2013InStLouis#
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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Big surprise at Minsk Open

July 23, 2013, 4:46 am
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Aleksandr Kocheev surprises everybody at Minsk Open

The 2013 edition of the Minsk Open had a surprise winner. Even though there was a player with an Elo over 2600 and many more close behind on the 2500s, an untitled local player was the clear champion of the event. Aleksandr Kocheev did not need tiebreaks to claim first place after getting 7.5/9 points.

Kocheev put himself in a position to dream about first place when he beat first seed GM Sergei Zhigalko in the fifth round. From then on, the Belorussian proved it was not just a fluke and kept first place with great play against strong opposition.

Six players arrived with 7/9, but Zhigalko got second place on tiebreaks, followed by Ukrainian IM Vitaliy Bernadskiy, who got the bronze medal.

The 9-round event had 128 participants from six countries, including ten Grandmasters and ten International Masters.

Official website

Final Standings (top finishers):

1 Kocheev Aleksandr BLR 2309 7,5

2 GM Zhigalko Andrey BLR 2604 7
3 IM Bernadskiy Vitaliy UKR 2500 7
4 GM Brodsky Michail UKR 2562 7
5 GM Gabuzyan Hovhannes ARM 2535 7
6 IM Nozdrachev Vladislav RUS 2463 7
7 IM Bortnyk Olexandr UKR 2418 7

8-9 IM Kovalev Vladislav BLR 2558 6,5
8-9 IM Pavlov Sergey UKR 2479 6,5
10 GM Ter-Sahakyan Samvel ARM 2582 6,5
11 IM Smirnov Valerij BLR 2332 6,5

12 GM Podolchenko Evgeniy BLR 2447 6
13 FM Meribanov Vitaly BLR 2433 6
14 IM Gorovets Andrey BLR 2481 6
15 Vorontsov Pavlo UKR 2313 6
16 IM Aliavdin Nikolai BLR 2349 6
17 FM Grib Roman BLR 2362 6
18 GM Lutsko Igor BLR 2377 6
19 IM Romanko Marina RUS 2368 6
20 GM Minasian Artashes ARM 2493 6
21 GM Tunik Gennady RUS 2435 6
22 Harshkou Mikita BLR 2194 6
23 IM Kolesnik Eduard BLR 2314 6
24 Maksimov Dmitri RUS 2006 6

25 GM Teterev Vitaly BLR 2518 5,5
26 FM Burdalev Kirill UKR 2265 5,5
27 Bazeev German RUS 2322 5,5
28 GM Tihonov Jurij BLR 2421 5,5
29 Cherepov Alexej BLR 2213 5,5
30 Prikhodko Anton RUS 2319 5,5
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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2 share 1st at SPF Girls Invitational Blitz Championship, Hua wins Armageddon

July 23, 2013, 4:52 am
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Becca Lampman (left) and Margaret Hua (right) before the Armageddon game

After 10 grueling blitz rounds, Becca Lampman of Washington State and Margaret Hua of Missouri were tied for 1st with the score of 9-1. They are co-champions of the 2013 SPF Girls' Invitational Blitz Championship. 

However, an Armageddon took place to determine who will get the trophy.

The rule is black gets 3 minutes and draw odd while white gets 5 minutes but must win. Becca won the coin toss and chose black. The game came all the way down to the endgame and Margaret won.

Congratulations to both!

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/116302832360230031699/SPFGirlsInvitational2013InStLouis# 

 
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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Biel LIVE!

July 23, 2013, 5:00 am
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Nearly 30 players for the SPF Girls' Invitational Parents & Friends tournament

July 23, 2013, 8:33 am
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2nd Fano on the Sea & Carnival International Open Tournament

July 23, 2013, 10:15 am
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The 2nd Fano on the Sea & Carnival International Open Tournament is set to take place from 29th July to 4st August in Fano, Italy, next to the Adriatic Sea.

The last-year edition was a complete success with 144 players in the field and overall victory by GM Yuri Solodovnichenko. Hungarian Grandmasters Banusz and Prohaska shared the second place.

The tournament is organized by the Fano Chess Club 1988 and Dario Pedini. The club celebrates 25th anniversary in 2013.

The organizing team is already holding the Italian Rapid Championships for the past three years, and this April they gathered 500 players for the third edition!

In the upcoming Festival Mare di Fano the players will be divided in four groups – Open A for those rated above 1900, Open B for the U2000 participants, Open C for U1600 and Juniors U16.

Open A and Open B will be held over 9 rounds of Swiss system; 7 rounds for Open C and U16.
Time control: 90′ x 40 + 30′ + 30” from beginning
Top prize in the Open A is 700 EUR. The total prize fund is 6.000 EUR.

Top players are Ivan Ivanisevic (SRB 2653), Yuri Solodovnichenko (UKR 2570), Tamas Banusz (HUN 2600), Burmakin (RUS 2590), Prohaska (2560 HUN), Drazic (SRB), Stella (ITA), Shytaj (ITA), Caprio (ITA), Karina Ambartsumova (RUS 2300).

The playing venue is SportPark Center. Partner Hotel *** Continental, Angela, Cristallo, Delaville and Nettuno, starting from 52 € in FB.
Partner Restaurant: Cheffishhouse for a romantic dinner on the sea and yacht club, and LaCoppa for HQ Italian food.

On the final days of Fano Festival there will be a special guest star!
GM Richard Rapport (2693 HUN), World n°1 U18 and 1-ex aequo in U20 World Championship and Wijk Aan Zee B 2013, will come to Fano directly from Biel Chess Festival. He will take part in various exhibitions like simul (3 august), rapid tournament, (4) and lecture (5).

There will be a rich program with additional chess events throughout the week:
- 3 free lessons with International Masters Stella and Shytaj, H 9 AM
- Free piano concert at yacht club Marina dei Cesari, from romantic terrace with sea-view. H 20.30
- Awesome dinner at LaCoppa restaurant under the stars H21
- a blitz tournament and a bowling tournament, H 9.30 PM
- the summer edition of the traditional Fano Carnival, established in 1347!
- 3rd August H 21.30: Simul with Richard Rapport
- 4th August H 15.00: Open Rapid Tournament (1.500€) with Richard Rapport
- 5th August H 10.00: Lecture with Richard Rapport

Full players list here

Official website: www.fano2013.com
Email: scacchifano@yahoo.it
Mobile: +39-335-224916
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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SPF Girls' Invitational round 3 pairings

July 23, 2013, 11:30 am
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Round 3 pairings

1 Ellen Xiang (2072) - Jennifer Yu (1938)
2 Luisa Mercado Mendoza (2049) - Annastasia Wyzywany (1861)
3 Danitza Vazquez Maccarini (1859) - Alexandra Botez (2043)
4 Jackie Peng (2035) - Katya Davis (1841)
5 Thanu Avirneni (1818) - Evan Xiang (1944)
6 Margaret Hua (1941) - Katherine Vescovi (1782)
7 Heidi Darsey (1492) - Becca Lampman (2065)
8 Kiana Hajiarbabi (1871) - Rebecca Deland (1699)
9 Sheena Zeng (1375) - Miranda Liu (1656)
10 Shayna Provine (1656) - Katerina Baumgartner (1330)
11 Jacinda Lee (1270) - Carmen Pemsler (1635)
12 Olga Cherepakhin (1609) - Skylar Hsu (1210)
13 Jessica Ross (1224) - Andrea Botez (1566)
14 Shreya Mangalam (1560) - Diamond Abdus-Shakoor (1201)
15 Iris Zhou (1174) -  Aiya Cancio (1527)
16 Cassie Parent (1497) - Isabel Brieler (1015)
17 Hiya Ghosh (1483) - Anjana Murali (1081)
18 Ioana Murgulet (1077) - Anastacia Lopez Sanchez (1450)
19 Sasha Konovalenko (1438) - Sarah Farell (674)
20 Rebekah Farell (589) - Amelia Wyzywany (1409)
21 Ananya Murali (807) - Hannah Farell (1382)
22 Elizabeth Miller (1395) - Ellison Van Scoy (1241)
23 Sara Lin (1206) - Janice Evans (unr.)
24 Teresa Knecht (1198) - Anna Lee (672)
25 Shahrzad Hajiarbabi (1079) - Talia Buxbaum (579)
26 Alana McGuinness (984) - Sofia Saggiante (513)
27 Madison Ford-McKnight (390) - Tori Whatley (964)
28 Katlyn Bonnell (946) - Kate Bergeron (350)
29 Baylie Redman (unr.) - Gisele Delgado (850)
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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All decisive results in round 2 at Biel

July 23, 2013, 2:24 pm
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The most successful team in College Chess history

July 23, 2013, 10:02 pm
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Webster University created a brand new chess program in the Summer of 2012. In spite of this, Webster had by far the most successful year in College Chess history (of over 100 years). Here are just some of the facts / accomplishments by Webster (August 15, 2012 to June 15, 2013) during that time: 

Webster University top 10 players

- Grandmaster Wesley So
- Grandmaster Georg Meier
- Grandmaster Ray Robson
- Grandmaster Fidel Corrales Jimenez
- Grandmaster Manuel Leon Hoyos
- Grandmaster Anatoly Bykhovsky
- Grandmaster Denes Boros
- Grandmaster Andre Diamant
- IM Vitaly Neimer
- FM Jake Banawa

Chess Team Accomplishments

The Webster University chess team has been ranked #1 in Division I College Chess since its inception in August 2012. It has never relinquished the top ranking.
 
National Championships (9)
 
August 2012

- 2012 U.S. Open Championship: 1st place (GM Manuel Leon Hoyos)
- 2012 U.S. Open Rapid (g/15) Championship: 1st place (GM Andre Diamant and IM Vitaly Neimer)
- 2012 U.S. Open Blitz Championship: 1st place (GM Andre Diamant), 2nd place (GM Anatoly Bykhovsky)
 
December 2012
 
- 2012 PanAm Intercollegiate Championship: Both A and B team tied for 1st place
- 2012 PanAm Intercollegiate Championship: Top reserve player (GM Manuel Leon Hoyos)
 
April 2013
 
- 2013 College Chess Final Four: 1st place (GMs Georg Meier, Wesley So, Ray Robson, Fidel Corrales Jimenez, Manuel Leon Hoyos, and Anatoly Bykhovsky) 

June 2013 

- 2013 National Open: 1st place (GMs Wesley So and Manuel Leon Hoyos)
- 2013 National Open Blitz Championship: 1st place (GM Wesley So)
- 2013 National G/10 Championship at National Open: 1st place (GM Wesley So)

State Championships (3)
 
September 2012

- 2012 Missouri State Championship: 1st place (GM Denes Boros and GM Anatoly Bykhovsky)
- 2012 Missouri State Rapid Championship: 1st place (GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez)
- 2012 Missouri State Blitz Championship: 1st place (GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez)
 
Major International Events

August 2012

- 2012 World Chess Olympiad (Istanbul, Turkey): Team Silver in Group A (GM Ray Robson - USA)
- 2012 World Chess Olympiad (Istanbul, Turkey): Team Bronze in Group B (GM Wesley So - Philippines)

January 2013

- 2013 World Cup Qualifier: GM Wesley So qualified for the 2013 World Cup which will take place in Tromsø, Norway in August 2013 

February 2013 

- 2013 Reykjavik Open: Co-champion (GM Wesley So)
 
May 2013
 
- 2013 Calgary International: 1st place (GM Wesley So)
- 2013 Calgary International Blitz: 1st place (GM Wesley So)
 
Major U.S. Events (7)

October 2012
 
- 2012 SPICE Cup Open: 1st place (GM Ray Robson), 2nd place (GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez), 3rd place (IM Vitaly Neimer)
 
November 2012
 
- 2012 Thanksgiving Open in St. Louis: 1st place (GMs Georg Meier, Fidel Corrales Jimenez, Denes Boros)
- 2012 SLCC GM Invitational: 1st place (IM Vitaly Neimer)
 
January 2013

- 2013 Cardinal Open: 1st place (GM Andre Diamant)
 
March 2013

- 2013 Philadelphia Open: 1st place (GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez)

April 2013

- 2013 St. Louis Open Championship: 1st place (GMs Wesley So, Georg Meier, and Manuel Leon Hoyos)
- 2013 Chicago Open: 1st place (Ray Robson)
 
Additional collegiate chess records

• 1st team in history (Webster University) to be ranked #1 in the nation in the first year of forming a team (August 2012 - now)
• 1st team in history (Webster University) to qualify for the Final Four in the first year of forming a team (December 2012)
• 1st team in history (Webster University) to be seeded #1 in the Final Four in the first year of forming a team (April 2013)
• 1st female (Susan Polgar) to coach a men's team to the National Championship (2011)
• 1st female (Susan Polgar) to coach a men’s team to back to back National Championships (2011-2012)
• 1st female (Susan Polgar) to coach a men’s team to 3 straight National Championships (2011-2013)
• 1st coach, male or female, to win National Championships with 2 different schools (TTU 2011-2012, and Webster U 2013)
• 1st college team with 8 GMs (Fall 2012)
• Most points scored in the Final Four (April 2013 - Webster University finished with 9.5 points)
• Largest margin of victory in the Final Four (April 2013 - Webster University finished 2.5 points ahead of 2nd place UTD)
• 1st person (Susan Polgar) to be named College Chess Coach of the Year (April 2013)
 
Webster University sponsored and organized (in partnership with the Susan Polgar Foundation):

- The 2012 SPICE Cup (category 18 - highest rated round robin tournament in US history)
- The 2012 SPICE Cup Open (over $10,000 in cash prizes with no entry fees to provide norm opportunities for players)
- The 2012 SPF Girls’ Invitational (the most prestigious all-girls event in the U.S. with tournament budget and prizes over $200,000)

Members of Webster University Chess Program (rating from 1,200 to over 2,700) have an average grade point of average of over 3.5

Compiled and written by Paul Truong
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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SPF Girls Invitational Blitz Championship

July 23, 2013, 10:10 pm
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SPF Girls' Invitational Blitz Championship
(5 Double Rounds - 10 games)

1st Place: 9 pts (Co-Champions)
• Margaret Hua (MO) (Winner of Armageddon playoff)
• Becca Lampman (WA)

3rd Place (3-way tie): 8 pts
• Ellen Xiang (NH)
• Luisa Mendoza (COL)
• Katherine Vescovi (BRA)

6th Place: 7.5 pts
• Jackie Peng (CAN)

7th Place (6-way tie): 7 pts
• Alexandra Botez (CAN)
• Evan Xiang (TX)
• Jennifer Yu (VA)
• Kiana Hajiarbabi (KS)
• Anna Wyzywany (LA)
• Danitza Vasquez Maccarini (PR)

6.5 pts
• Katya Davis (NY)
• Thanu Avirneni (GA)
• Shayna Provine (IL)
• Andrea Botez (CAN)

6 pts
• Rebecca Deland (NM)
• Olga Cherapakhin (WA)
• Aiya Cancio (AZ)
• Cassie Parent (IL)
• Hiya Ghosh (CA)
• Anastacia Lopez Sanchez (MEX)

5.5 pts
• Carmen Pemsler (ID)
• Sasha Konovalenko (MI)
• Hannah Farell (OK)

5 pts
• Miranda Liu (IL)
• Janet Peng (CAN)
• Shreya Mangalam (IL)
• Amelia Wyzywany (LA)
• Diamond Abdus-Shakoor (MO)
• Anjana Murali (WI)
• Gisele Delgado (TX)
• Janice Evans (HI)

4.5 pts
• Heidi Darsey (NM)
• Jacinda Lee (UT)
• Tori Whatley (SC)

4 pts
• Sheena Zeng (KS)
• Katerina Baumgartner (OH)
• Ellison Van Scoy (OH)
• Jessica Ross (OR)
• Skylar Hsu (MD)
• Sara Lin (TX)
• Teresa Knecht (IA)
• Iris Zhou (MO)
• Isabel Brieler (MO)
• Alana McGuinness (RI)
• Sharzad Hajiarbabi (KS)
• Katlyn Bonnell (IN)
• Rebekah Farell (OK)

3.5 pts
• Talia Buxbaum (MS)

3 pts
• Madison Ford McKnight (PA)
• Baylie Redman (MT)

2 pts
• Elizabeth Miller (NY)
• Ioana Murgelet (TX)
• Ananya Murali (WI)
• Sarah Farell (OK)
• Anna Lee (UT)
• Sofia Saggiante (MEX)
• Kate Bergeron (LA)

Please Note: Ties are NOT listed in Tiebreak Order.
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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Meet the teenage Irish Chess Queen

July 23, 2013, 10:30 pm
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Check mates: Meet the teenage chess queen

Diana Mirza's dad has nurtured her talent but many of our gifted children need more support

Chrissie Russell – 22 July 2013

Like many 13-year-olds Diana Mirza is a big Rihanna fan. The Limerick schoolgirl is also a devotee of top teen fiction writer Jacqueline Wilson and has been engrossed in her hit Queenie.

So far, so standard but Diana's third idol is a little unusual. "Bobby Fischer," she says proudly, "he's my absolute favourite."

There aren't many teenage girls who could tell you the name of the deceased American chess grandmaster (let alone list him as a hero) but Diana Mirza isn't just any teenager.

The pretty, quietly spoken girl has just been crowned Irish Women's Chess Champion, is the only Irish chess player to win silver and bronze medals at the European Union Youth Chess Championships and, when she entered the World Youth Chess Championships last year, she was ranked 36th in the world.

Today, she is competing with the Irish Chess Union's national team against the cream of young chess talent from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in the Glorney Cup in Cardiff.

Her father, Gabriel Mirza (47), knew he had a prodigy on his hands when his daughter picked up the complicated board game at the tender age of five and, spurred on by his promise of a one-off €100 cash prize, beat him in a game aged just 11.

The Romanian-born chess coach, who runs a chess club at Limerick's St Michael's sports club, now tries to support his daughter's talent by bringing her to tournaments where she can improve by competing against more demanding opposition.

But perhaps the biggest challenge Diana faces is the lack of support – financial or otherwise – for young talent in the chess world.

"In 2011 I almost didn't go to the World Youth Chess Championship in Brazil because it was so expensive," she explains.

"My school helped me raise some money but this year I have the same problem with going to the EU Youth Championships in Austria in a few weeks. I think this year I could win gold but flights and accommodation are expensive and I need funding."

While typically attending a tournament can run to around €1,000 a pop – and Diana tries to enter more than 20 a year – chess prize money is meagre.

Today's Glorney Cup is for a trophy and title only while even the larger events on the Irish circuit only run to a top prize of a few hundred euro.

This hopeful future grandmaster's only means of honing her skills is competing against her eight-year-old brother, reading books and practising two hours daily on the laptop she bought with her winnings.

Unfortunately as a child prodigy or gifted child, Diana is far from alone in lacking support to hone her skill.

While America, Russia, China and other densely populated countries can afford to set up centres of excellence for their skilled youngsters, Ireland lags behind.

Perhaps as far as prodigies go – children who excel in one area and require hours of dedication to their discipline – they're rare and it's understandable that Ireland might not have a dedicated facilities to cater to each niche skill.

But the fact is that 'gifted' students – children who display a learning capability and potential beyond that of their peers – are often likewise lacking in support.

Peter Lydon specialises in working with gifted and talented youths (giftedandtalented.ie) and estimates that some 2.5pc of the population under 19, around 2,500 children, could be classed as gifted.

"The problem is, in mixed-ability classrooms, the curriculum is targeted at the middle, meaning students at either end of the spectrum tend to miss out," he explains. "There's a lot of support at the 'lower' end – which is right and important – but most classrooms don't tend to have support for the highly capable and teachers aren't getting the training they need to identify and challenge these students."

He adds: "Most other countries are streets ahead in providing for children with huge potential and I think we're doing down that part of the population by not doing more."

Any support available tends to be extra-curricular, such as the summer programmes run at Dublin's Centre for Talented Youth Ireland (CTYI).

It doesn't help that as a self-deprecating nation we tend to shy away from being perceived as pushy parents.

"As a liberal society we want the kids to be driving their ambition themselves," says Dr Colm O'Reilly, director of CTYI.

"In China or Russia a child might be identified as excelling at maths or a sport at five or six and then pushed academically in that area because there's a culture of identifying exceptional students and it's seen as positive to have them excel at a national and international level.

"In Ireland, if a child displays a talent and is hungry to peruse it, it's generally down to the parents to find them opportunities."

He adds: "At extreme levels of performance it's been well documented that some parents can be 'pushy' but often they're put in a difficult situation.

"They have to decide: Is it right to push their child who is hungry to pursue their interest but maybe too young to make their own decisions or do you turn round and tell them you can't support them, get a different interest and perhaps never let them achieve the level they're capable of?"

At the moment Diana, who also plays basketball, camogie and enjoys swimming, insists she wants to keep competing and would love to turn her talent into a professional pursuit.

But her father says he accepts that when she starts secondary school, she might chose to leave the game, and her favourite Simpsons chess set, behind.

"I honestly would be happy if she said 'Dad, no more chess'," he insists. "I think perhaps she spends too much time on it and it's important to have balance."

He adds: "I've never pushed her to play, but as long as she wants to and it makes her happy I want to support her as much as I can."

Source: http://www.independent.ie
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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No draw in day 2 in Biel

July 23, 2013, 11:00 pm
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After an opening day with three exciting draws, we enjoyed three decisive results in the second round. Two of these games finished with wins for the player that was leading the black pieces. Etienne Bacrot, Alexander Moiseenko and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave are now the early leaders of the event. With such a fighting spirit, they will need to keep their winning ways if they want to take home the winner’s trophy.

In today’s games we saw both tactical struggle and great technique. It is very refreshing to see the variety of styles shown by these players: from Moiseenko’s cold-blooded play to Vachier-Lagrave’s aggressive repertoire with black.

Follow the games live / Full preview here / Play free online chess at Chessdom Arena

The first decisive result of the tournament was Alexander Moiseenko’s win with black over Richard Rapport. The Ukrainian took advantage of his rival’s mistakes in time trouble to get the full point after 38 moves of play. The Hungarian got in trouble right after the opening and could not handle the pressure with the clock ticking down dangerously.

Rapport answered to Moiseenko’s Sicilian with a quick Bb5, giving up the pair of bishops in exchange of quick activity against the black king. This was enough to prevent the monarch from castling. Moiseenko did not remain passive and replied with strong actions on the kingside. His pair of bishops was the key factor later when he got to totally dominate the board and force Rapport to resign.


Rapport- Moiseenko

Etienne Bacrot has always been a principled player that goes for small advantages from the opening in order to show his great technique to defeat his opponents. The young Chinese Ding Liren was not patient enough today and ended up falling against Bacrot’s style.

Ding Liren played the second King’s Indian Defense at this event, but this was not a very lucky decision for him today. Bacrot played positionally keeping a healthy pawn structure throughout the game. It seemed like the struggle would go for the long haul with the closed central position, but the Chinese blundered on move 30 and allowed his opponent to get a winning advantage. The French GM showed his class and converted the full point until move 43.


Nepomniachtchi – Bacrot

A very long fight was seen in the game Ian Nepomniachtchi– Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. The French got his first point with his pet defense, the Gruenfeld. This point is very important for the standings because it was achieved with the black pieces. This also might be good news for the chess fans because Nepomniachtchi is known for his fighting style with both colors; he will probably go all-in in the next rounds.

As soon as move 10, the computer disagrees with the Russian’s decision to play e3. This might be because he was not prepared for this line, or that he wanted to dazzle his opponent with a strange choice. From then on, Vachier-Lagrave handled the initiative masterfully, increasing the pressure gradually until getting to an endgame with a pawn up. Nepomniachtchi gave up on move 62 when the French is about to exchange bishops and convert his advantage easily.


Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

24.07.2013 14:00: Round 3

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave - Etienne Bacrot
Alexander Moiseenko - Ian Nepomniachtchi
Ding Liren - Richard Rapport

Official website
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SPF Girls' Invitational Crosstable after 3 rounds

July 23, 2013, 11:20 pm
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Results after 3 rounds 

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Epic Swindle?

July 23, 2013, 11:24 pm
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What Are the Most Amazing Draws in Chess History?
By Quora Contributor
Posted Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at 2:27 PM

The Swindle of the Century

In the 1963-64 U.S. Chess Championship, a young Bobby Fischer was widely regarded as the overwhelming favorite to win. He did so in spectacular style, winning all of his 11 matches without a single loss or draw.

In that tournament, a famous draw was played between Sam Reshevsky, an eight-time U.S. champion and by then the godfather of U.S. chess, and Larry Evans, like Fischer a sharp New York native, and also a former U.S. champion. The game would come to be known as "The Swindle of the Century," in reference to the highly unlikely ruse that Evans used to get a draw from a losing position.

With the position below, it was Evans, playing with White, to move. The situation looked bleak: Black (Reshevsky) was up a knight and should have easily gone on to win:


As Evans put it, however, instead of resigning, he “offered a little prayer” by playing 47. h4:


The game continued: 47...Re2+, 48. Kh1, Qxg3, with Reshevsky still unwitting to the predicament he had gotten himself into:


Here came Evans' spectacular touch: sacrificing his queen, Evans played 49. Qg8+, Kxg8:


After 50. Rxg7+ (below), the match ended in a stalemate: if Black chose not to capture the rook, it would perpetually check the Black king; if Black captured the rook, White had no more legitimate moves and the game ended. Both players quickly agreed to a draw.


The draw was not inconsequential either: although Fischer had won the tournament by then, it allowed Evans to finish in second place.

Source: http://www.slate.com
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SPF Girls Invitational rd 4 pairings

July 23, 2013, 11:30 pm
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Round 4 pairings

1 Margaret Hua (1941) - Luisa Mercado Mendoza (2049)
2 Danitza Vazquez Maccarini (1859) - Jackie Peng (2035)
3 Becca Lampman (2065) - Thanu Avirneni (1818)
4 Kiana Hajiarbabi (1871) - Ellen Xiang (2072)
5 Jennifer Yu (1938) - Alexandra Botez (2043)
6 Evan Xiang (1944) - Aiya Cancio (1527)
7 Annastasia Wyzywany (1861) - Anastacia Lopez Sanchez (1450)
8 Katya Davis (1841) - Cassie Parent (1497)
9 Katherine Vescovi (1782) - Jacinda Lee (1270)
10 Amelia Wyzywany (1409) - Shayna Provine (1656)
11 Hannah Farell (1382) - Olga Cherepakhin (1609)
12 Andrea Botez (1566) - Sasha Konovalenko (1438)
13 Anjana Murali (1081) - Miranda Liu (1656)
14 Rebecca Deland (1699) - Elizabeth Miller (1395)
15 Sheena Zeng (1375) - Shreya Mangalam (1560)
16 Janice Evans (unr.) - Heidi Darsey (1492)
17 Diamond Abdus-Shakoor (1201) - Janet Peng (1567)
18 Carmen Pemsler (1635) - Ioana Murgulet (1077)
19 Tori Whatley (964) - Hiya Ghosh (1483)
20 Katerina Baumgartner (1330) - Alana McGuinness (984)
21 Katlyn Bonnell (946) - Jessica Ross (1224)
22 Skylar Hsu (1210) - Ananya Murali (807)
23 Sarah Farell (674) - Teresa Knecht (1198)
24 Baylie Redman (unr.) - Iris Zhou (1174)
25 Isabel Brieler (1015) - Rebekah Farell (589)
26 Talia Buxbaum (579) - Ellison Van Scoy (1241)
27 Sofia Saggiante (513) - Sara Lin (1206)
28 Gisele Delgado (850) - Madison Ford-McKnight (390)
29 Anna Lee (672) - Kate Bergeron (350)
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The Accelerated Dragon with GM Perelshteyn ... and more

July 23, 2013, 10:01 pm
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The Accelerated Dragon with GM Perelshteyn



The Accelerated Dragon with GM Perelshteyn
Posted on July 22,2013 By William in Strategy & Game Review, Chess Openings, All Articles w/ Videos. The Accelerated Dragon is one of the most aggressive chess opening systems that black can employ against the King Pawn set-ups. The Accelerated Dragon is an exceptionally versatile weapon for the black player as it can be easily transposed to from a variety of Sicilian Defense variations. The follow chess video is an excerpt from the 2.5+ hour chess DVD ¨Destroy White with the Accelerated Dragon¨ by renown Grandmaster Eugene Perelshteyn, who intr[...]

The Janisch Gambit by GM Leonid Kritz
Posted on July 15,2013 By William in Strategy & Game Review, Chess Openings, All Articles w/ Videos. The Janisch Gambit is one of the most aggressive systems that black can play against the Ruy Lopez, closely resembling a reverse Vienna Gambit or King's Gambit as black offers a very early pawn sacrifice with 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5!? The Janisch Gambit (also known as the Schliemann Defense) is an extremely effective way for black to immediately fight for the initiative and put the pressure on white. The Janisch Gambit may look completely c[...]

Caro-Kann, Exchange Variation by GM Perelshteyn
Posted on July 08,2013 By William in Strategy & Game Review, Chess Openings, All Articles w/ Videos. The Caro-Kann Defense is an extremely tough nut to crack with the white pieces. Although it is certainly not one of the most popular chess openings ever played, you will see this eclectic system pop up from time to time at the Grandmaster level (and beginner/intermediate levels as well!). Notable Super-GMs playing the Caro-Kann Defense these days are Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Hikaru Nakamura, and they are achieving some pretty good results with i[...]

Ivan Sokolov vs Peter Leko – Tata Steel 2013 (GM Damian Lemos)
Posted on July 05,2013 By William in Strategy & Game Review, Chess Openings, Tournament Updates, All Articles w/ Videos, General Chess Articles. GM Damian LemosToday we’re going to review a game from the 10th round of the 2013 Tata Steel Chess Tournament, played between GMs Ivan Sokolov and Peter Leko. This game is an excellent example of the Nimzo-Indian Defense with the main line 4. e3, demonstrating a very aggressive plan for the white pieces by GM Sokolov who rapidly sought to expose the defects in Leko’s solid defensive set-up. The main factors in Sokolov’s attack are the various sho[...]

OnlineChessLessons.net is a producer of thousands of free chess articles and free chess videos by FIDE chess masters. They recently released the renowned Empire Chess series that has been taking the chess world by storm. Please consider checking out their chess blog and chess shopwith tons of free updated previews.
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Endgame tactic review

July 24, 2013, 12:00 am
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8/8/4r2p/2R3p1/k4p2/n2N1P1P/6PK/8 w - - 0 1

White to move. Is this a drawn endgame? How should White proceed?
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Bondarevsky Memorial

July 24, 2013, 5:00 am
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Rapid tournament dedicated to the memory of legendary Grandmaster Igor Bondarevsky was held on 19-20th July at the VertolExpo Сongress & Еxhibition Сentre in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.

The event was completed over 11 rounds of swiss pairings with the rapid time control 15′+10”. The results are valid for the Rapid Grand Prix Cup of Russia.

Grandmasters Ivan Popov, Vladimir Belous, Alexander Riazantsev and Sanan Sjugirov have shared the first place with 8,5/11 points each. Ivan Popov took the winner’s trophy on best Buchholz score. Standings below.

129 players competed for the prize fund of 11,800 EUR. There were 15 regular awards, and also prizes for women, veterans and juniors.

Tournament website
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Games from the 3rd round in Biel

July 24, 2013, 5:00 am
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