December 4, 2013, 10:00 am
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Chess Boss, Adeyemi, Lauds NB Plc on Sponsorship
04 Dec 2013
President of the Nigerian Chess Federation (NCF), Mr. Lekan Adeyemi, has commended Nigerian Breweries Plc, for it's partnership with the federation in the sponsorship of the major chess championship in the country.
The Chess boss, at a crowded press conference yesterday to usher in the 36th edition of the chess championship which will run from 12th-15th of this month, said the unbroken sponsorship over the years, had helped Nigerian players to compete with some of the best in the world to some extent.
According to him, "our partnership over the years has continued to yield positive results. The cerebral sport in the country has made tremendous progress from a relatively modest status but has grown into homes and institutions as favorite sport and past time intellectually inclined," he commented.
Already, over 220 participants have registered for the four-day tournament which will come up at the Mobolade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports hall of Teslim Balogun stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
The federation boos explained that prizes would be won in seven categories namely; Masters section, Open, Amateur one and two, VIP section and Under 14 boys and girls.
In his response, the Corporate Media and Brand PR Manager, Nigerian breweries Plc, Mr. Edem Vindah, who represented the Corporate Affairs Adviser, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, noted that the company's partnership with chess federation is perhaps the longest sponsored chess tournament in the country and probably the longest partnership between Nigerian sport and a private sector company.
"We are proud to be associated with Chess federation I their march towards producing world class players. The enthusiasm shown towards the game and the discovery of budding talents over the years has no doubt confirmed that Nigerian Breweries' continuous partnership with NCF is not in vain," he stated.
The tournament will be in seven round Swiss event paring with the star prize winner going home with N250,000 and corporate gift from the sponsor. In all a total of N1.5m cash prizes would be won in the four day tournament that will attract a great assemblage of best chess players in the country.
Kolade Onabogun was the champion of the last edition.
Source: http://www.thisdaylive.com
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December 4, 2013, 11:00 am
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London Chess Classic seeds announced
Hikaru Nakamura, Vishy Anand, Peter Svidler and Fabiano Caruana make up the top pool, reports
By Malcolm Pein, Chess correspondent
1:49PM GMT 04 Dec 2013
The seedings for the London Chess Classic Super-16 have been prepared. The players will be divided into four groups consisting of one from each pool (below) in a draw to be performed by the chess team of Ravenscroft Primary School in Newham, London, who were the first school to take part in the Chess in Schools and Communities scheme in 2010. The school has excelled in local competition and will receive an award for outstanding achievement from the British Chess Educational Trust at the London Chess Classic next week.
Seedings are based on FIDE rapid play ratings. If a player has no rapid play rating, the standard rating is used:
Pool 1: Hikaru Nakamura 2812; Vishy Anand 2794; Peter Svidler 2789; Fabiano Caruana 2783.
Pool 2: Vladimir Kramnik 2777; Michael Adams 2746; Boris Gelfand 2718; Nigel Short 2711.
Pool 3: Luke McShane (2684); Judit Polgar 2669; David Howell 2649; Matthew Sadler (2646).
Pool 4: Gawain Jones 2615; Jonathan Rowson (2569). Plus two qualifiers from the FIDE Open.
Full article here.
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December 4, 2013, 12:00 pm
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International Grandmasters Chess Tournament in Kolkata
Press Trust of India | Kolkata
December 4, 2013 Last Updated at 20:27 IST
Surya Sekhar Ganguly will be the top seed with a rating of 2646 when 100 players including 24 GMs from 14 countries battle it out at the SREI International Grandmasters Chess Tournament at the Town Hall here between December 6-14.
Besides Surya, there will be two other GMs with a 2600-plus rating and the field will also have 25 IMs, 2 WGMs, 1 WIM, 2 FMs and 1 WFM in the Rs 10 lakh prize money event that has a winner's purse of Rs 2 lakh.
This is the last leg of the International GM Series held in Chennai, Hyderabad by the AICF in celebration of the World Chess Championship.
The tournament will provide an opportunity to Indian Norm aspirants for FIDE titles.
The championship will be of 10 rounds with time control of 90 minutes each plus 30 seconds increment from move 1 for the entire game.
The tournament will be inaugurated tomorrow. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly will give away the prizes on the concluding day, the organisers said.
Source: http://www.business-standard.com
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December 4, 2013, 1:00 pm
The 27th Belgrade International Open Championship (Belgrade Trophy) was held from 24th November to 2nd December in Obrenovac. 182 players competed in the nine round Swiss event.
Grandmaster Miroslav Tosic and IM Dusan Lekic shared the first place with 7,5 points each. Tosic counted a slightly better tie-break and is awarded with the winner’s trophy.
Final standings (top finishers):
1. GM Tosic Miroslav SRB 2404 – 7.5
2. IM Lekic Dusan MNE 2417 – 7.5
3. GM Stanojoski Zvonko MKD 2417 – 7
4. Vucinic Gojko SRB 2294 – 7
5. IM Firat Burak TUR 2435 – 7
6. FM Posedaru Bogdan ROU 2324 – 6.5
7. GM Savic Miodrag R SRB 2537 – 6.5
8. GM Antic Dejan SRB 2465 – 6.5
9. IM Georgescu Tiberiu-Marian ROU 2459 – 6.5
10. FM Sredojevic Ivan SRB 2402 – 6.5
11. GM Atalik Suat TUR 2572 – 6.5
12. GM Abramovic Bosko SRB 2426 – 6.5
13. GM Todorovic Goran M SRB 2480 – 6.5
14. IM Velickovic Sasa SRB 2365 – 6.5
15. Deac Bogdan-Daniel ROU 2276 – 6.5
16. IM Nenezic Marko SRB 2417 – 6.5
17. Danov Lyubomir BUL 2178 – 6.5
18. FM Draskovic Luka MNE 2261 – 6
19. GM Gleizerov Evgeny RUS 2548 – 6
20. GM Cabrilo Goran SRB 2404 – 6
21. GM Damljanovic Branko SRB 2569 – 6
22. GM Kislinsky Alexey CZE 2504 – 6
23. Ratkovic Milovan SRB 2267 – 6
24. IM Andrijevic Milan SRB 2342 – 6
25. Stamatovic Aleksandar SRB 2156 – 6
26. FM Lukovic Vladimir SRB 2400 – 6
27. Tasic Zoran T SRB 2158 – 6
28. Jovanovic Aleksandar D SRB 2209 – 6
29. Mladenovic Stefan SRB 2274 – 6
30. FM Blesic Vaso SRB 2383 – 6
31. Demir Gokhan TUR 2194 – 6
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December 4, 2013, 2:00 pm
A homeless man from Vancouver, Wash., says he's never taken a music lesson and that he can't read music -- but his impromptu piano playing has moved people to tears.
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December 4, 2013, 3:00 pm
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December 4, 2013, 4:40 pm
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The 15th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships are scheduled to take place on 3-12th June, 2014, at the Conrad Macao, Cotai Central in Macau.
Standard Chess: Each player has 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.
Rapid Chess: Each player has 15 + 10 seconds increment.
Blitz Chess: Each player has 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment.
Each Federation may register any number of players to participate in the U-8, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, U-18 and U-20 Age-Groups for Girls and Open. Players who are entitled to participate must not reach the respective ages before 1st January 2014.
Each Federation may register any number of players to participate in the Senior >50 and >65 Age-Groups. Players who are entitled to participate must reach the required age during 2014.
Players outside The Association of Southeast Asian Nations are welcome to play in these Championships.
In the last 2 rounds, where possible, players from the same Federation and who have scored more than 50% shall not be paired to play each other.
In the determination of FIDE Direct Title Awards applicable to Standard Chess only, the tiebreak shall be used in case of more than one Gold, or more than one Silver or more than one Bronze were awarded. FM/WFM titles are awarded to the winners (regardless of ASEAN or Non-ASEAN players) of the youth categories. In the case of a tie, after the tie-break, only the top three finishers shall be awarded. CM/WCM titles are awarded, after the tie-break, to Silver and Bronze Medal winners, and not more than one title shall be awarded for each (2nd/3rd) position. IM/WIM titles are awarded for the ASEAN U-20 category.
Please send your registration and provide the name, gender, date of birth, FIDE Rating/ID No., type of room required and rooming list via email to both: fideleong@gmail.com and kkchan.hkg@gmail.com.
Final Deadline for Registration is 30th April 2014, subject to availability of space.
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December 4, 2013, 5:15 pm
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Heart of America Chess TournamentSpring April 19-20, 2014
Ramada Inn, 1601 N Universal Ave., Kansas City MO 64120
HR: $59 for 1-4 in a room or $59 for a King room reserve by 4/3 or rate increases mention Heart of America Chess for the group rate
6 Sections: Open, A, B, C, D, Under 1200 & Unrated
Prizes: $5,000 UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED!!!
Open: $600-$400-$300; Under 2300: 250-150-100-75
A/B/C/D/U1200& Unrated: 250-175-125-75 each section!
EF: 45 postmarked by April 7, 2014 - $60 at the door
On site registration 8-9:30 on 4/19
Rounds: 10, 2:30, 7; Sunday 9&2
Byes: any round must commit by 5pm on 4/19.
Advance entries: Bob Holliman, PO Box 1871, Indepence MO 64055
Discounts: group entries, families contact the organizer via email
Questions: chess_entries@comcast.net - put HOA Spring in the subject line Other information: www.chessmasterbob.com
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December 4, 2013, 10:01 pm
Kasparov's Incredible Rook SacrificeKasparov's Incredible Rook SacrificePosted on December 03,2013 By William in General Chess Articles. Today we are going to look at a fascinating attacking game from the 1989 World Cup, featuring Garry Kasparov with the white pieces and Jon Speelman with the black pieces. GM Speelman is one of my favorite chess players of 1980s and 1990s because he was exceptionally creative and always strove to create new and different types of positions. However, sometimes GM Speelman was a little too creative and neglected basic rules of development and solid [...]
Susan Polgar Explains the French Defense, Tarrasch VariationPosted on November 28,2013 By William in General Chess Articles. The Tarrasch Variation is one of the most common lines against the French Defense, starting with 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 as white protects his pawn on e4 but does not want to allow 3. Nc3 Bb4 - pinning the knight and doubling white's pawns for the rest of the game. However the Tarrasch Variation also has it's drawbacks as white will spend a lot of extra time to complete his development because his knight on d2 will be blocking natural developing[...]
How to Attack like a Grandmaster by GM Damian LemosPosted on November 25,2013 By GM Damian Lemos in General Chess Articles. Many beginner chess players are nervous at the board and this translates into timid play. If you prefer to build a solid position and wait for a mistake by your opponent, you are not playing good chess! If you want to win games, you have to attack your opponent at every chance. You must capitalize on every opportunity to make threats against your opponent and create problems that your opponent will be forced to solve. In this chess video excerpt [...]
Master the French Defense with GM Susan PolgarPosted on November 25,2013 By OnlineChessLessons.NET Contributor in General Chess Articles. The French Defense is the perfect opening choice for the beginner and intermediate chess player as it is an extremely solid defense against 1. e4, relying on a clear positional foundation to guide play in the opening and middlegame. The French Defense has been played by countless top players including Mikhail Botvinnik, Ulf Andersson, Vassily Ivanchuk, Hikaru Nakamura, Magnus Carlsen, etc.. so it is clear that this is an opening you can play thro[...]
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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December 4, 2013, 10:30 pm
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December 5, 2013, 12:00 am
White to move. How should white proceed?
Source: ChessToday.net
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December 5, 2013, 1:00 am
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December 5, 2013, 1:01 am
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December 5, 2013, 1:30 am
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Chess Column
By: Cecil Rosner
Posted: 11/30/2013 1:00 AM
One of the most absurd aspects of the recent world chess championship match was the press conference that followed each encounter.
After hours of gruelling play, Vishy Anand and Magnus Carlsen were forced to answer some strange and often inane questions. Much of it was almost too painful to watch.
As a professional journalist, I am generally in favour of full transparency and expansive media access. Sometimes grandmasters can offer interesting insights into the games they have just played, but that doesn't mean it always makes sense.
I think back to some of the gruelling and emotionally draining games I played in my career and wondered what it would be like to have to answer questions immediately following a harrowing loss. What can you say? Yes, I was an idiot. No, I guess I should not have blundered.
Here is one exchange that occurred after Game 6, when Anand had just suffered his second straight loss to Carlsen.
"Mr. Anand, you said it was a blow to you," said Ole Rolfsrud of Norwegian television. "How will you now work out of this blow?"
"Well, you just do your best," was Anand's polite and sensible answer.
After another question from an Indian journalist who wanted Anand to comment on the retirement of a popular Indian cricket player ("There are other things on my mind," said Anand), Rolfsrud was back for more.
"I am still wondering if Mr. Anand will elaborate by what you mean by doing your best?"
This seemed to be the final straw for the former world champion, who snapped back: "Doing your best means doing your best. I don't know why you don't understand English."
My full sympathies are with Anand on this. In football or hockey, you can sometimes blame conditioning or injuries or a variety of other factors for a lack of success. In chess, it usually comes back to your own mind. The reason you lost or didn't play well is because you screwed up. The synapses in your brain were not firing as well as the other guy's.
The post-game press conference seems like a strange sort of public flagellation for the losing player. They are forced to explain the unexplainable. Then when they fall short of doing so to the satisfaction of the flagellators, they are asked to elaborate on the unexplainable.
Here is my unsolicited advice to the organizers of major matches: Make the press conferences voluntary. Let the loser grieve in peace. Internet audiences all around the world will thank you.
Source: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com
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December 5, 2013, 7:00 am
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December 5, 2013, 8:20 am
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December 5, 2013, 9:30 am
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December 5, 2013, 10:30 am
Polgar: My Top 10 Most Memorable Moments in Chess (Part 1)
By Susan Polgar
July 23, 2011
Over the years, one of the most popular questions which I am being asked is what are some of the most memorable moments in my career? I have experienced hundreds if not thousands of exciting, wonderful and memorable moments during my chess career that has spanned almost 40 years. It was not easy, but I have narrowed it down to the top 10.
10. Meeting Bobby Fischer
If you randomly ask someone on the street to name one chess player, chances are the name Bobby Fischer will come up. Some consider him the greatest world champion ever. Some consider him the most eccentric. People may disagree with his views on various issues. However, no one can ever dispute what he has done for chess. No one can doubt his love and passion for the game and definitely no one can question his skills in chess.
Bobby Fischer is a chess genius. He is a chess legend. He raised chess to another level. One of my memorable moments in chess was meeting him. He visited my family and me in Hungary and stayed in our summer home. Even though it was supposed to be a secret, he could not escape the media frenzy.
When Bobby did not talk about issues that were very dear to his heart or chess, he was a very friendly, funny, and definitely a “normal” person. When he talked about issues he feels strongly about, he became very “passionate”. Whether I agree with his views or not is irrelevant. It does not change my respect and admiration for his abilities, knowledge and accomplishments in chess. He was simply one of best ever. And he was definitely one of the most colorful and one of the most recognized world champions ever.
It was such a unique experience for me to be able to play (Fischer Random Chess) against Bobby. Some of the games were blitz at home. Others were played while we were in restaurants. We also analyzed some positions.
Everyone knew what Bobby used to think about women’s chess. After our many games, even though I was not able to change his mind about many other topics, I am sure that I changed his mind about women’s chess. I had very good results against Bobby. But the final score is something I have not revealed out of respect for him. Trust is something that was very important to him.
We even agreed to play an official “Battle of the Sexes Fischer Random Chess Match” on the world stage. Bobby believed that Fischer Random Chess is a true test of skills and talents, without just relying on home analysis. I agree with him. I wish this game would be more popular. Unfortunately, the match did not happen. Now that he has passed, it never will. Overall, it was a very good and, undoubtedly, a memorable moment in my chess career.
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9. Scoring 10-0 at the 1973 Budapest Championship for girls under 11 at the age of 4!
When I first started to play chess at the age of 4, no one could ever predict what the future would hold for me. I of course did not know it myself. But when I competed and won the Budapest Championship for Girls under 11 with a perfect 10-0 score, my life was changed once and for all. Winning any tournament with a 10-0 result is incredible. To do so at the tender age of 4 against other girls who were as much as twice my age was something I can never forget.
I was so small I could not reach the chessboard. I had to sit on pillows just to be able to see the pieces. I was just a little munchkin. After this tournament, I realized that I could compete. My parents began to recognize my potential in the game. This one tournament changed my life. It set a direction for my future. Four world championships and ten Olympic medals later, I looked back and understood that this tournament was the turning point of my life.
8. Winning the 1981 World Junior Championship for girls under 16
Another milestone in my life was winning the 1981 World Junior Championship for girls under 16-years old. Some may wonder what is so special about a winning a World Junior Championship when I have won many other prestigious titles? Because it was another confirmation during my career that I could compete in chess at a world-class level.
Prior to this tournament, I had never been allowed to travel to the West to play chess. When one has not competed against a wide range of international players, it is difficult to validate one’s ability. In addition, to be able to win a big tournament the first time out under extreme pressure and incredible expectations from countless people was a test for me to see. Not only that, if I did not do well, I may not have been allowed to travel to compete and represent my country again.
I succeeded with flying colors. It confirmed once again that I could play chess. It proved that I could handle pressure. That is why this event was a memorable one. In a way, it helped shape my chess career and my future. It resulted in headlines in many newspapers in the West. The name (Susan) Polgar would now be a name to be reckoned with.
7. Winning the gold medal at the 1990 Olympiad
Prior to Hungary winning the gold medal in the 1988 Chess Olympiad, the Soviet women had ruled the chess world. Because the Polgar sisters usually only competed in men’s tournaments until then, many people felt that we would not do well in a women’s tournament.
After the Polgar sisters stunned the chess world by taking the gold medal in the 1988 Olympiad, becoming the first non-Soviet team to do so, many people still did not
believe that we were good. Many people believed that we were just lucky. This is why returning two years later with the same unit to win the gold again was important to us. We wanted to prove to the world, not to mention ourselves, that we could do it. In a long and nerve-wracking event such as the Olympiad, anything can happen. Nothing can be taken for granted.
We did what we had to do. We took care of business. We came away with back-to-back gold medals, ahead of the Soviets once again. I think this victory shut down all talk about the Polgar sisters not being able to compete against other women. This myth has been put to rest for good. It certainly was a memorable moment of my career.
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December 5, 2013, 11:51 am
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December 5, 2013, 1:20 pm
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