Chess Club Black & White (CCBW)

Saturday, June 16, 2012

124-Move Chess Game at a World Chess Championship 1978 - Of Korchnoi-Karpov Missed Checkmate and Stalemate

WEEKEND CHESS STORY#1
The Anatoly Karpov-Viktor Korchnoi World Chess Championship 1978 began with four draws. The fifth game was drawn as well, but not without 124 moves - the longest in the world chess championship match history - and spills, chills and thrills aplenty.

Korchnoi-Karpov, World Chess Championship, 1978

Korchnoi began the game with clear attacking signals going for the kill from the word go. By the 42 move, it was almost clear that Karpov was going to lose this. The game was adjourned and Karpov sealed his move.

Korchnoi played 42. Rh1 Can you guess the
move Anatoly Karpov sealed for the adjourned game? The main threat is 43.Bh4 and Black must also protect the f pawn.

Remember this is a time before those chip-powered things made chess so machine-like! Karpov sealed not the best move. He had sealed an unexpected move and Korchnoi went for the mating attack after accepting a sacrifice. Karpov led his King on a long-escape for life across the board. Korchnoi went on to miss a checkmate on the 55th move in extreme time trouble and diluted to an endgame with a piece up.

Korchnoi played here 55.Be4. Can you see
what Korchnoi could have played here for the
checkmate combination and changed world chess history?

However, what ensued is the an unforgettable endgame in chess history.

The 1978 World Chess Championship was played in Baguio City, Philippines from July 18-October 18, 1978 with Anatoly Karpov winning in the end. The match had controversies both on and off the board. There were the hypnotist and the blueberry yogurt, but all that's another story.

For now, check out the full game in our Chess King applet.

Click here to read the complete post

Kazan Chess Round 5: Muzychuk, Danielian in Lead; Humpy Right Behind

The fifth day at the Kazan Chess Grand Prix for Women saw two decisive games right after the free day. Armenia's Elina Danielian held on to her lead with a draw against Viktorija Cmilyte. However, Anna Muzychuk defeated Betul Yildiz to join Elina Danielian in the lead. Katerina Lahno also beat Alexandra Kosteniuk to move up the table. Antoaneta Stefanova and Tatiana Kosintseva missed important wins against Alisa Galliamova and Humpy Koneru. Nadezhda Kosinsteva also drew with Hou Yifan. However, the field is still wide open and there are four players just half or a point behind. Anything could happen in the last few rounds at this exciting women's chess event.

Anna Muzchuk on her way to joining the lead

Round 5 standings:

1-2. Elina Danielian and Anna Muzychuk 3.5

3-6. Katerina Lahno, Viktorija Cmilyte, Nadezhda Kosintseva, Humpy Koneru 3

7. Antoaneta Stefanova 2.5 points

8-10. Alexandra Kosteniuk, Hou Yifan, Alisa Galliamova 2

11. Tatiana Kosintseva 1.5

12. Betul Yildiz

Don't forget to watch the sixth round live today India time at the official website: http://kazan2012.fide.com/. There is a live feed of both the chess games and the playing hall.

Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, is hosting the FIDE Women's Grand Prix from From June 9 to 23, 2012. This event is part of the series of elite events organised by FIDE and Global Chess. There will be six chess grand prix events over two years in various countries around the world. The winner of each tournament wins 6,500 euros from a total prize fund of 40,000 euros. The overall winner also wins an extra 15,000 euros at the end of the series.

Creative Chess Wall Art with Apo Avedissian

Apo Avedissian painting and stenciling his original work 'Headshot Checkmate' on an 8x10 in. canvas and 'Queen Checkmate' graffiti on a 17 ft. wall in a private property near Los Angeles, CA. (First seen via www.chessblog.com - the #1 Chess Blog in the US by 12th World Chess Champion GM Alexandra Kosteniuk.)