Webster University / SPICE - Full and partial chess scholarships available

March 2, 2014, 10:06 pm

≫ Next: Ivanchuk confirmed for Capablanca Memorial

≪ Previous: Castle Camp Scholarship 2014

If you would like to be a part of the #1 College Chess program in the United States, please feel free to contact me. Full and partial scholarships available for qualified student players.

Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE)

* 20 national, 5 state, and many additional titles, in addition to the national #1 ranking in College Chess in 5 years (2007-2012).

Now a new chapter at Webster University (www.WebsterChess.com) as the #1 College Chess program in the United States.

* 2 world and 19 national championships since August 2012!

Webster students are around the world. There are 22,000+ students enrolled at Webster University - with students from 50 states and 148 countries around the world.

Five schools and colleges. Guided by Webster’s interdisciplinary vision to ensure that every student receives a highly personal education.

College of Arts and Sciences
George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology
Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts
School of Communications
School of Education

Webster University offers academic excellence in more than 100 programs offered at a vibrant home campus and at locations throughout the world, with all the benefits of a student-centered education and a real-world perspective.

http://www.webster.edu

The Webster University Chess Team is ranked #1 in the United States, and the reigning National Champion.

Current roster:

GM Le Quang Liem, Vietnam (reigning World Blitz Champion)
GM Wesley So, Philippines (reigning World University Champion)
GM Georg Meier, Germany (European Team Champion)
GM Ray Robson, USA (US Junior Champion / Final Four Champion)
GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez, Cuba (Final Four Champion)
GM Manuel Leon Hoyos, Mexico (Final Four Champion / US Open Champion)
GM Anatoly Bykhovsky, Israel (3-time Collegiate Final Four Champion)
GM Denes Boros, Hungary (2-time Collegiate Champion)
GM Andre Diamant, Brazil (3-time Collegiate Champion)
IM Vitaly Neimer (Israel), FM Jake Banawa (Philippines), WIM Inna Agrest (Sweden)...

If you would like to be a part of the #1 College Chess program in the United States, please feel free to contact me at SusanPolgar@aol.com. Full and partial scholarships available for qualified student players of all levels.

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.

About Webster University

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 14, 2011 – Webster University’s Study Abroad programs rank in the top 2 percent of the 1,600 colleges and universities surveyed in the just-released “America’s Best Colleges” 2012 edition of U.S. News & World Report. Webster is one of just 27 U.S. institutions to share this distinction, which recognizes study abroad programs that involve substantial academic work for credit and considerable interaction between the student and the culture.

In addition to Webster, other schools cited for their excellent study abroad programs include American University, Boston University, Carleton College, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Georgetown University, Middlebury College, New York University and Syracuse University, according to the U.S. News report.

“The U.S. News & World Report rankings are a confirmation of everything that makes Webster University a first-choice institution for students seeking global academic excellence,” said Webster University President Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble. “The report highlights our longtime and growing commitment to global study and global citizenship, which is recognized throughout the United States and around the world.”

Overall, Webster University continues as a Tier 1 institution. With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University is the only Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based university providing a network of international residential campuses.

Founded in 1915, Webster University’s campus network today includes metropolitan, military and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional residential campuses in Asia, Europe and North America. The university is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.

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Ivanchuk confirmed for Capablanca Memorial

March 2, 2014, 10:30 pm

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Ivanchuk confirms participation in Havana's chess tour
Mar 03,2014

HAVANA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian Grandmaster Vassily Ivanchuk will be the main figure to participate in the Capablanca Memorial Chess Tournament, to be held in Havana, Cuba, from May 7 to 18, organizers informed on Sunday.

Ivanchuk, with 2,739 points in Elo ranking, confirmed his participation among the six elite-group players invited to the tournament.

Ivanchuk's presence consolidates Copablanca Memorial tournament as one of the best ones with high rivalry among the elite group, according to Jose Luis Ramirez, spokesman of the Cuban Chess Federation.

The Ukrainian player, winner of the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010 editions of the Havana's tour, will visit the island for the sixth time, where the chess fans consider him an idol.

Ivanchuk leads the ranking of winners of the oldest chess tournament in the continent.

He will play in the elite group against grandmasters Hungary's Zoltan Almasi (2,707), who is the current champion, Spain's Francisco Paco Vallejo (2,707), the Philippines' Wesely So (2,738) and Cubans Lazaro Bruzon (2,676) and Leinier Dominguez (2,757).

The players from the elite group have an average Elo ranking of 2,720.6 pints.

Copablanca Memorial tournament was born in 1962, as an initiative of legendary Ernesto "Che" Guevara. The first winner was Argentine Miguel Najdorf, followed by Russians Boris Spassky, Vassily Smyslov and Lev Polugaesky.

Since 1974, the Copablanca Memorial included two groups, while in 1980 it increased to four groups until 2006, when it established the current division of one double-round elite group including six players, making the tournament the most important one held in Cuba.

Source: http://www.shanghaidaily.com

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Practical attacking tactic

March 3, 2014, 12:00 am

≫ Next: Mediterranean Flower Chess 2014 LIVE!

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Black to move. How should black proceed?

Source: ChessToday.net

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Mediterranean Flower Chess 2014 LIVE!

March 3, 2014, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Cappelle La Grande 2014 LIVE!

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Cappelle La Grande 2014 LIVE!

March 3, 2014, 7:00 am

≫ Next: European Individual Chess Championship 2014 LIVE!

≪ Previous: Mediterranean Flower Chess 2014 LIVE!

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European Individual Chess Championship 2014 LIVE!

March 3, 2014, 8:00 am

≫ Next: Les joueurs d’échecs

≪ Previous: Cappelle La Grande 2014 LIVE!

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Les joueurs d’échecs

March 3, 2014, 10:00 am

≫ Next: Roxbury wins NJHS Championship

≪ Previous: European Individual Chess Championship 2014 LIVE!

Honoré Daumier: Les Joueurs d’échecs (The chess players), 1863. Oil on canvas, Petit Palais

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Roxbury wins NJHS Championship

March 3, 2014, 11:00 am

≫ Next: 100m jackpot for Tanzania Grandmaster

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Roxbury chess team wins NJ Junior High State Championship
By Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger
on March 03, 2014 at 10:46 AM, updated March 03, 2014 at 10:48 AM

ROXBURY— The Roxbury Scholastic Chess Club of Eisenhower Middle School won the 2014 Junior High School State Chess Championship last month, beating defending champion Sparta by half a point.

The six eighth graders from Roxbury — known as the Knight-Eagles — earned their first state win in a tournament that featured 22 schools from across the state.

Sanctioned by the United States Chess Federation, the tournament featured five rounds of 30-minute games. Two of Roxbury’s players placed in the Top 10 as individuals.

The champs are coached by Jeffrey Mittag, a media specialist at Eisenhower Middle School. Team members include Andrew Jaffe, Storm Moeller, Ryan Johnson, Pavan Hirpara, Anavil Patel and Ian Rasmussen.

Last year, the team launched a “Quick Game” chess league for after school matches with local schools. Teams interested in participating should contact the Roxbury team here.

Source: http://www.nj.com

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100m jackpot for Tanzania Grandmaster

March 3, 2014, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Braille Chess championships for visually impaired

≪ Previous: Roxbury wins NJHS Championship

Source: http://dailynews.co.tz

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Braille Chess championships for visually impaired

March 3, 2014, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: 2014 SPNO with more than $100K in scholarships

≪ Previous: 100m jackpot for Tanzania Grandmaster

Braille Chess championships for visually impaired
1:30pm Monday 3rd March 2014

A CHESS championship for visually impaired players is to take place in North Yorkshire next weekend.

The Braille Chess Association is hosting its general meeting and chess congress at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate from Friday, March 7 to Sunday, March 9.

About 30 visually impaired chess players are expected to take part.

The game involves a specially constructed board with slightly raised black squares and chess pieces that attach to the board by a peg on the base. The black pieces are also specially marked to help players distinguish them.

Reigning British champion Bill Armstrong will be up against former British Champion Chris Ross. They will also be taking on players from all over UK including Stan Lovell from Scarborough.

The players will take a break on the Saturday afternoon for the AGM when chairman Norman Wragg OBE will report on the year’s progress and speak on recent developments in projects for young, visually impaired players being taught in mainstream schools.

He said: “This promises to be one of the most tightly contested competitions for some time. It is the third year we have staged the tournament at the Old Swan and we are delighted to be back.

“It means our Yorkshire players come out in force and we always have great support from the staff and interest from guests.”

The event will end with a prize-giving at 5pm on Sunday, March 9.

Source: http://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk

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2014 SPNO with more than $100K in scholarships

March 3, 2014, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Multiple surprises at round 1 of EICC 2014

≪ Previous: Braille Chess championships for visually impaired

SPNO 2014 in New Orleans

Venue: Hilton Garden Inn, 1001 South Peters Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.
6 Round Swiss G/45 d5 USCF Rated
Up to 8 sections: grades K- 2, 3-5, 6-8 & 9-12, separate for Girls & Boys (T.D. may combine any sec.w/ < 10players)

Side events:

3 hour chess camp (max.30)
GM Susan Polgar Simul (limited to first 20 entries)
Blitz Championship,G/5 d0, K-6 and 7-12
Bughouse
Puzzle Solving Championship
"Breakfast with Susan"

Schedule:

Rounds: Saturday:, 3/22: 10-12-2, Sunday 3/23: 10-12-2:15;
Side events: Friday 3/21 - Camp 2-5 p.m.; Puzzles, 6 p.m., Bughouse 7 p.m.;
Saturday. 3/22 - Simul 4 p.m., Blitz 7 p.m.;
Sun 3/23 - Breakfast 8:30 a.m.
Awards ceremonies: side event awards before rounds 4&5; main event awards 4p.m.

Prizes:

Over $100,000 in Webster U. Scholarships, tablet computers & chess prizes;
Trophies to at least top 5 each section (more possible in large sections; top 20% based on pre-registered as of 2/21)

Side event awards: Blitz - top 3 boys & top 3 girls each section; Bughouse - top 3 teams.
Puzzles-top 3 in rating groups: Under 800,Under 1500 & Open.
All players receive commemorative medals.
Team awards: Top 2 school or club teams each section of main event & blitz (Student may rep. only 1 team; commit by round 2).

Entry fees:

All sections of G/45 Main Event: $45 by 1/31/14; then $55 by 3/20/14; $65 on site.
Camp - $40 by 1/31/14; then $50. Puzzles $10 by 1/31/14; then$15.
Bughouse - $20/team by1/31/14; then$30.
Blitz - $15 by 1/31/14; then $20.
Simul - $25;
"Breakfast with Susan" $35 adults; $15 children under 12.

Host Hotel:

Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center, King or 2 Doubles $149/night, (2 night minimum) until sold out or 2/18/14. Limited King suites available w/ $40 upgrade. Free wi-fi, microwave & mini- fridge in every room; business center, fitness center, pool. To reserve call 1-877-782-9444 & request Chess Rate.

http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/groups/personalized/M/MSYGIGI-CHESS-20140320/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

Alternative/Overflow hotel (15-20 min. drive from tourney site): Hampton Inn Elmwood, 5150 Mounes St., Harahan, LA 70123, $109/night, tel: 1-504-733-5646.

Email questions to ChessNOLA@yahoo.com.

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Multiple surprises at round 1 of EICC 2014

March 3, 2014, 6:00 pm

≫ Next: Amazing drama determined the winner of Stage 1b

≪ Previous: 2014 SPNO with more than $100K in scholarships

The 15th European Individual Chess championship that takes place 3-15 March, 2014, in Yerevan, was officially opened with a beautiful opening ceremony (photos here).

More than 250 participants, including 130 GMs and more than 200 players with international titles from 27 different countries, started playing round 1 today. With 23 World Cup places at stake, all players entered the long battle with high desire for decisive games. Exactly this desire, combined with the high rating of the opponents, led to multiple surprises on the boards. Among the stunning results in round 1, we find the two ex European Champions – GM Moiseenko and GM Jakovenko – which were featured in Issue 1 of Chess Insider.

Here are all results of the round, replay the top games with analysis.

EICC 2014, round 1 results

1 IM Petenyi Tamas 2468 0 – 1 GM Bacrot Etienne 2739
2 GM Eljanov Pavel 2723 1 – 0 GM Danielian Elina 2467
3 IM Mkrtchian Lilit 2465 ½ – ½ GM Jakovenko Dmitry 2723
4 GM Korobov Anton 2719 0 – 1 FM Alekseenko Kirill 2461
5 GM Hayrapetyan Hovik 2458 0 – 1 GM Malakhov Vladimir 2717
6 GM Jobava Baadur 2716 1 – 0 IM Sipila Vilka 2457
7 IM Schreiner Peter 2455 0 – 1 GM Khismatullin Denis 2714
8 GM Wojtaszek Radoslaw 2713 1 – 0 IM Melia Salome 2453
9 IM Givon Asaf 2449 ½ – ½ GM Moiseenko Alexander 2712
10 GM Tomashevsky Evgeny 2711 1 – 0 GM Chibukhchian Artur 2446
11 IM Kreisl Robert 2437 0 – 1 GM Fressinet Laurent 2709
12 GM Kryvoruchko Yuriy 2706 1 – 0 GM Minasian Ara 2432
13 GM Petrosian Davit G. 2431 0 – 1 GM Areshchenko Alexander 2705
14 GM Almasi Zoltan 2704 1 – 0 FM Grishchenko Sergey 2431
15 IM Simonian Tigran 2425 0 – 1 GM Navara David 2700
16 GM Inarkiev Ernesto 2698 1 – 0 FM Petrosyan Tigran S. 2425
17 IM Tari Aryan 2424 ½ – ½ GM Matlakov Maxim 2695
18 GM Polgar Judit 2693 1 – 0 WGM Goryachkina Aleksandra 2424
19 IM Paravyan David 2423 0 – 1 GM Alekseev Evgeny 2692
20 GM Rodshtein Maxim 2691 1 – 0 FM Harutyunian Tigran K. 2422
21 IM Berchtenbreiter Maximilian 2421 0 – 1 GM Riazantsev Alexander 2689
22 GM Akopian Vladimir 2682 ½ – ½ IM Dastan Muhammed Batuhan 2416
23 IM Kanter Eduard 2410 0 – 1 GM Cheparinov Ivan 2681
24 GM Laznicka Viktor 2681 ½ – ½ IM Meribanov Vitaly 2410
25 IM Nakar Eylon 2409 0 – 1 GM Dreev Aleksey 2679
26 GM Sargissian Gabriel 2676 ½ – ½ GM Bagaturov Giorgi 2408
27 IM Nadanian Ashot 2399 1 – 0 GM Grachev Boris 2675
28 GM Volokitin Andrei 2674 ½ – ½ IM Schachinger Mario 2398
29 IM Lugovskoy Maxim 2397 0 – 1 GM Zhigalko Sergei 2671
30 GM Bartel Mateusz 2662 ½ – ½ IM Sanal Vahap 2390
31 WGM Arabidze Meri 2388 1 – 0 GM Saric Ivan 2661
32 GM Khairullin Ildar 2657 ½ – ½ Gevorgyan David 2388
33 IM Ali Marandi Cemil Can 2380 ½ – ½ GM Motylev Alexander 2656
34 GM Lysyj Igor 2655 ½ – ½ IM Kalashian David 2380
35 IM Qashashvili Alexandre 2378 ½ – ½ GM Socko Bartosz 2654
36 GM Sjugirov Sanan 2653 ½ – ½ FM Oganian Miran 2376
37 IM Bulmaga Irina 2375 ½ – ½ GM Zvjaginsev Vadim 2653
38 GM Sutovsky Emil 2652 1 – 0 WGM Charochkina Daria 2374
39 FM Ben Artzi Ido 2370 ½ – ½ GM Balogh Csaba 2651
40 GM Popov Ivan 2650 1 – 0 IM Baghdasaryan Vahe 2368
41 IM Hayrapetian Arman 2367 0 – 1 GM Shimanov Aleksandr 2649
42 GM Hammer Jon Ludvig 2647 1 – 0 IM Chighladze Iveri 2365
43 FM Kozlitin Roman 2365 1 – 0 GM Ragger Markus 2644
44 GM Smirin Ilia 2644 1 – 0 Beradze Irakli 2364
45 IM Codenotti Marco 2362 ½ – ½ GM Beliavsky Alexander G 2643
46 GM Lupulescu Constantin 2643 1 – 0 FM Nuber Blasius 2359
47 FM Shahinyan David 2356 0 – 1 GM Kuzubov Yuriy 2642
48 GM Fedoseev Vladimir 2641 1 – 0 IM Birnboim Nathan 2353
49 FM Pavlidis Anastasios 2340 ½ – ½ GM Oleksienko Mikhailo 2640
50 GM Petrosian Tigran L. 2639 1 – 0 Musalov Ruslan 2340
51 Salomon Johan 2340 ½ – ½ GM Postny Evgeny 2635
52 GM Ivanisevic Ivan 2633 ½ – ½ FM Ramazian Arshak 2336
53 CM Petrosyan Manuel 2336 0 – 1 GM Najer Evgeniy 2633
54 GM Swiercz Dariusz 2631 1 – 0 IM Morchiashvili Bachana 2335
55 FM Rozhko Dmitry 2335 0 – 1 GM Kovalenko Igor 2626
56 GM Potkin Vladimir 2625 1 – 0 FM Vardanian Haik G. 2327
57 WGM Kursova Maria 2326 0 – 1 IM Artemiev Vladislav 2621
58 GM Dubov Daniil 2618 1 – 0 Deac Bogdan-Daniel 2322
59 IM Galojan Lilit 2317 0 – 1 GM Perunovic Milos 2617
60 GM Ipatov Alexander 2614 1 – 0 FM Aharon Ofir 2316
61 FM Alaverdyan Gevorg 2311 ½ – ½ GM Tregubov Pavel V. 2614
62 GM Melkumyan Hrant 2613 1 – 0 Mikaelyan Arman 2291
63 IM Chudinovskikh Alexander M 2280 0 – 1 GM Pashikian Arman 2612
64 GM Schlosser Philipp 2612 1 – 0 IM Khachatryan Vahagn 2278
65 WGM Cherednichenko Svetlana 2270 0 – 1 GM Hovhannisyan Robert 2611
66 GM Solak Dragan 2610 ½ – ½ Vardanian Hakob 2270
67 FM Manukyan Sargis V. 2268 ½ – ½ GM Volkov Sergey 2610
68 GM Pantsulaia Levan 2606 1 – 0 FM Dilanyan Grigor 2266
69 IM Karatorossian David 2262 0 – 1 GM Salgado Lopez Ivan 2605
70 GM Fridman Daniel 2604 1 – 0 Poghosyan Suren 2257
71 FM Galoyan Levon 2251 0 – 1 GM Zhigalko Andrey 2603
72 GM Andriasian Zaven 2600 1 – 0 FM Oganisian Roman 2243
73 Sargissyan Sargis 2242 0 – 1 GM Brunello Sabino 2593
74 GM Nevednichy Vladislav 2591 ½ – ½ Sibashvili Giorgi 2239
75 FM Zanan Evgeny 2236 0 – 1 GM Roiz Michael 2591
76 GM Grigoryan Avetik 2583 ½ – ½ FM Martirosyan Haik M. 2234
77 FM Pogosian Georgy 2234 0 – 1 GM Iordachescu Viorel 2583
78 GM Onischuk Vladimir 2583 1 – 0 Gharagyozyan Artur 2216
79 Torosyan Norayr 2216 1 – 0 GM Svetushkin Dmitry 2582
80 GM Shomoev Anton 2581 ½ – ½ Matevosyan Sedrak 2213
81 Tiraturyan David 2201 + – - GM Michalik Peter 2579
82 IM Bok Benjamin 2575 ½ – ½ WIM Hairapetian Anna 2188
83 WIM Pavlidou Ekaterini 2188 ½ – ½ IM Dvirnyy Danyyil 2575
84 GM Grigoriants Sergey 2574 1 – 0 Hovhannisyan Karen 2188
85 FM Nikolaidis Konstantinos 2186 0 – 1 GM Jianu Vlad-Cristian 2574
86 GM Golod Vitali 2573 1 – 0 Basencyan Mark 2186
87 WFM Gevorgyan Maria 2180 0 – 1 GM Grigoryan Karen H. 2572
88 GM Parligras Mircea-Emilian 2572 1 – 0 Vatinyan Gor 2176
89 Gasparian Tigran 2165 ½ – ½ GM Ter-Sahakyan Samvel 2572
90 GM Vaganian Rafael A 2570 1 – 0 Cerbulenco Liviu 2160
91 Antinyan Armen 2155 0 – 1 GM Goganov Aleksey 2569
92 GM Huzman Alexander 2569 1 – 0 IM Mnatsakanian Eduard A 2144
93 Vardanian Hamazasp 2138 ½ – ½ GM Kuljasevic Davorin 2567
94 GM Duda Jan-Krzysztof 2563 1 – 0 Tutisani Noe 2137
95 Apresyan Zohrak 2136 ½ – ½ GM Esen Baris 2563
96 GM Palac Mladen 2561 1 – 0 Ghvamberia Nika 2133
97 Bykova Anastasia 2132 0 – 1 GM Gabrielian Artur 2560
98 GM Savchenko Boris 2560 ½ – ½ Manukyan Sargis A. 2123
99 Avetisyan Ashot 2121 0 – 1 GM Anton Guijarro David 2559
100 GM Yilmaz Mustafa 2557 1 – 0 Hudyakov Sergey 2107
101 Hakobyan Aram 2103 1 – 0 GM Mastrovasilis Athanasios 2554
102 GM Halkias Stelios 2551 1 – 0 Imnadze Nato 2100
103 Sargsyan Shushanna 2093 0 – 1 GM Kovalev Vladislav 2548
104 GM Dzagnidze Nana 2546 1 – 0 Erenberg Ariel 2092
105 Bykov Egor 2089 ½ – ½ GM Aleksandrov Aleksej 2544
106 IM Stukopin Andrey 2544 1 – 0 Babayan Armine 2085
107 Henseler Jorgen 2075 0 – 1 GM Gabuzyan Hovhannes 2537
108 IM Prizant Jaroslav 2534 + – - IM Chubar Vladimir 2072
109 Barseghyan Harutyun 2067 0 – 1 GM Kotanjian Tigran 2531
110 GM Paichadze Luka 2529 1 – 0 Kanjaryan Vladimir 2067
111 Nersisyan Garnik 2063 ½ – ½ GM Oral Tomas 2528
112 IM Nigalidze Gaioz 2527 1 – 0 Gaboyan Susanna 2043
113 CM Sargsyan Shant 2027 ½ – ½ GM Oparin Grigoriy 2526
114 GM Can Emre 2524 1 – 0 Sayadyan Edvard 2010
115 Aleksanyan Hrant 2003 0 – 1 GM Lie Kjetil A. 2509
116 GM Neverov Valeriy 2508 1 – 0 Kleinert Juergen 2000
117 Karapetyan Lusine 1985 0 – 1 GM Antipov Mikhail Al. 2507
118 IM Quparadze Giga 2507 ½ – ½ Yayloyan Konstantin 1963
119 Kuehn Matthias 1957 0 – 1 IM Rozum Ivan 2505
120 GM Zoler Dan 2504 1 – 0 Danielyan Vahe 1919
121 Mkrtchyan Sargis R. 1909 0 – 1 GM Popilski Gil 2503
122 FM Aghasaryan Robert 2503 1 – 0 Porfireanu Serban 1903
123 Hoghmrtsyan Artur 1878 0 – 1 GM Stupak Kirill 2498
124 GM Babujian Levon 2491 1 – 0 Machkalyan Haik 1874
125 Hakobyan Hovhannes H. 1869 0 – 1 IM Raznikov Danny 2490
126 GM Minasian Artashes 2482 1 – 0 Davtyan Artur 1843
127 Parvanyan Ashot 1804 0 – 1 IM Jurcik Marian 2481
128 IM Firat Burak 2480 1 – 0 Simonyan Latush 1799
129 Rusek Walter 1794 0 – 1 GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2476

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Amazing drama determined the winner of Stage 1b

March 3, 2014, 8:00 pm

≫ Next: 2nd GM norm for Gujarat

≪ Previous: Multiple surprises at round 1 of EICC 2014

An amazing drama determined the winner of Stage 1b of the strongest computer championship TCEC.

Just a game before the end, Stockfish and Naum had equal point sharing first in the table. It was all going to boil down to the tiebreak SB score, and ironically, this depended on the game of Jazz, the last one of the standings rated just a little over 2000 ELO. In case of a win for Jazz against Tornado, Stockfish would be first on SB, in case of a draw SB would be equal, but Stockfish would be declared winner on more games with black, and in case of Tornado win the stage winner would be Naum.

As it turned to be, Tornado won the game and Naum was proclaimed winner of the stage. This dramatic moment will certainly remain in history and make any future Naum – Stockfish direct encounter a derby match.

Official website / Live games / Standings and results / Play free online at Chessdom Arena

Third place is for the other 3000+ ELO engine in the field, Fire 3.1. It finished a full point behind Naum and Stockfish, and 1,5 points ahead of the rest.

The last minute ticket was for Spike and Shredder, thus making all 2900+ engines qualify and not allowing a single surprise at the group stage.

Right now starts Stage 1c, where finally you will be able to watch last season’s champion Komodo. Follow the TCEC Stage 1c games here.

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2nd GM norm for Gujarat

March 3, 2014, 9:33 pm

≫ Next: Blind kid from Odisha earning a berth for IBCA World Individual Championship

≪ Previous: Amazing drama determined the winner of Stage 1b

In Rajpara, Gujarat gets 2nd grandmaster norm
Ajit Bezbaruah, TNN | Mar 4, 2014, 08.01 AM IST

RAJKOT: Ankit Rajpara, 20, became the second grandmaster (GM) from Gujarat after Tejas Bakreearned the title a decade ago. Hailing from Mehsana in north Gujarat, Rajpara, who scored his second GM norm in Austria last week, finished on top in the XXVIII Chess Festival in Cannes with seven points from 12 rounds. He was tied with Argentine Fernando Peralta (2613) but emerged on top with a better tie-break score.

Eighteen grandmasters and 19 international masters were in the fray in this tournament. After the victory of Ashkaray Kore last year, Rajpara became the second Indian and the first Gujarati to win this title. While doing so he got his third GM norm and also crossed the 2500 Elo points required to become a GM. Rajpara now has 2,506 points.

Rajpara remained unbeaten in both the tournaments, in Graz (Austria) and in Cannes, and his best result came when he defeated the higher ranked Peralata in the third round.

Talking to TOI from Cannes, Rajpara said, "When I started playing chess I never really thought that I would come this far. My parents sacrificed a lot for me and were always there to support me. I owe a lot to them for what I have achieved in chess today."

And how did he celebrate his success? "I am staying in an apartment here with a family and went to an Indian restaurant for dinner. That was all for celebration," added Rajpara.

"I am thrilled to hear the news. It has been a decade since I became a GM. So this is a positive development for chess in Gujarat," said Bakre.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Blind kid from Odisha earning a berth for IBCA World Individual Championship

March 3, 2014, 9:38 pm

≫ Next: Smerdon wins Batavia

≪ Previous: 2nd GM norm for Gujarat

Youngster from Odisha village wins Greece ticket
Tuesday, 4 March 2014 - 8:30am IST | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA
Adit Ganguly

Soundarya Pradhan - a 15-year-old blind chess player from Boden - is all set to compete in World Championships

"Sometimes you need to feel, not see," is what Soundarya Pradhan firmly believes in. He may not be able to watch the chessboard but his inner eye took him to third place in the 10th AICFB National 'A' Chess Championship for the blind in Vasai on Monday. Coming from Boden in Odisha, the 15-year-old was the youngest of the 13 participants in the tournament.

The success here also ensured his qualification into the 13th IBCA World Individual Chess Championship for Blind and Visually Impaired Chess Players 2014 to be held in Katerini, Greece in May. He will accompany Kishan Gangolli, Darpan Inani and Krishna Udupa who finished first, second and fourth in this tournament respectively.

The notion associated with blind and visually challenged chess players is that they form a mental image of the game being played. But Pradhan feels he needs lots of practice to reach there. The element of touch holds the key for the lad.

"It's not about memory, I still have to reach that level where I shall rely on it rather than touch. It's my dream to play a game blindfold. (a form of chess play wherein the players do not see the positions of the pieces or touch them. This forces players to maintain a mental model of the positions of the pieces) In the start, my mind is fresh, thus calculations in the mind can be made. But as the game goes on, I end up touching the pieces," says the eighth standard lad from SSD Government High School.

His plus point is that chess is his family sport. It was introduced to him by his 17-year-old elder brother Prachurya, who gave him company in this tournament finishing eighth. And Pradhan spends hours on his laptop listening to move notations on Skype dictated by his uncle who is his coach.

"There has been a lot of love back home. My school has been the biggest backbone," says Pradhan who shifted from a blind school to a government high school in the sixth standard. He uses a writer for his exams.

He's been to Spain and Serbia, but the Greece outing will be one of a kind for him. "Those two events were team events. This time I shall wear the Indian flag on my shirt as as individual participant. There won't be a better feeling," adds Pradhan, who is not a fan of a Magnus Carlsen or a Viswanathan Anand like every other Indian.

"I prefer the classical approach shown by Bobby Fischer and José Raúl Capablanca," he assers.

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com

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Smerdon wins Batavia

March 3, 2014, 10:04 pm

≫ Next: FIDE President at the European Individual Chess Championship

≪ Previous: Blind kid from Odisha earning a berth for IBCA World Individual Championship

Australian GM David Smerdon emerged as the outright winner of the 6th Batavia tournament which ended on Sunday in the well known Cafe in Amsterdam despite a last round defeat that finally left none of the participants unbeaten.

The winner scored 6 points out of his nine games after losing rather quickly to Belgian IM Steven Geirnaert.

Nevertheless Smerdon was lucky to keep an unshared tournament victory after the runner-up IM Twan Burg lost to GM Sipke Ernst in a won position.

In the prize-giving tournament organizer and café owner Peter Tames thanked all those who helped to make the tournament a successful and memorable one, praised the fighting spirit of all participants and the very pleasant social and sportive atmosphere throughout the entire event.

Arbiter Aart Strik handled the prize giving and awarded the two IM norm diplomes to Alina Lámi and Jorden van Foreest.

The plans for the seventh edition of the tournament are underway.

Report by IM Yochanan Afek

Final standings:

1. GM Smerdon David AUS 2508 - 6,0
2. IM Burg Twan NED 2494 - 5,5
3-4. FM Van Foreest Jorden NED 2371 and GM Williams Simon ENG 2449 - 5,0
5. WGM L'Ami Alina ROU 2398 - 4,5
6-8. GM Ernst Sipke NED 2575, IM Van Delft Merijn NED 2423 and IM Van Eijk Sander NED 2438 - 4,0
9-10. IM Geirnaert Steven BEL 2391 and GM Peng Zhaoqin NED 2398 - 3,5

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FIDE President at the European Individual Chess Championship

March 3, 2014, 10:10 pm

≫ Next: Checkmate in 3

≪ Previous: Smerdon wins Batavia

On March 2, the FIDE President arrived to Yerevan where he participated in the opening ceremony of the European Individual Chess Championship dedicated to the anniversary of the ninth World Champion Tigran Petrosian. Before the opening the FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, ECU President Silvio Danailov together with the President of the Republic of Armenia, President of the Armenian Chess Federation, Serzh Sargsyan visited an art exhibition opened in the hall of the National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Then a colorful and stylish show was presented dedicated to Tigran Petrosian’s life, his chess career and achievements. All participants, guests and spectators were impressed by the great musical performed at the opening ceremony.