Judit Polgar signs up for the 4th London Chess Classic 2012

World No. 1 Judit Polgar Judit Polgar celebrates her 36th birthday today with the news that she’s confirmed her participation for the 4th London Chess Classic, at Kensington Olympia, 1-10 December, 2012, according to the official press release. Polgar now joins World No 1 Magnus Carlsen, World Champion Vishy Anand, World No 2 Levon Aronian, the defending champion Vladimir Kramnik, and the UK No 1 Mickey Adams as those that have so far confirmed their invitations to play in the year-ending elite chess spectacular in the Capital Ci...

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Women's Chess Grand Prix Jermuk R6: Ju Wenjun in Sole Lead

Ju Wenjun in Lead The Fide Women's Chess Grand Prix is currently on in Jermuk. After six rounds, China's Ju Wenjun continues to lead with a well-earned 4.5 points. In Round six, only two games were decisive. Koneru Humpy beat Ekaterina Kovalevskaya and Nino Khurtsidze lost to Ruan Lufei. The other games - Zhao Xue-Munguntuul Batkhuyag, Mkrtchian Lilit-Lahno Kateryna, Ju Wenjun-Kosintseva Nadezhda, Danielian Elina-Hou Yifan were draw...

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Surprise Chess Gift Goes Out to 86 City Mayors Worldwide from Moscow!

MOSCOW, July 22, 2012: Mayors of 86 global and regional cities around the world got a surprise gift for the International Chess Day on Friday, July 20 – a competition chess set, with a note from Vladimir Palikhata, President of the Moscow Chess Federation (MCF), extolling the virtues and benefits of chess – "a wise and ancient game," which, according to the release, can "help reduce stress associated with managing a city" and "bring pleasure."Vladimir Palikhata decided to use this opportunity to reach out to the chief administrators of sister cities of Moscow, including London, Chicago, Vienna, Tokyo, and Santiago, to establish and reinforce...

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Exhibition Chess Live from India Time 5.30 PM to Mark Biel Chess Fest 45th Anniversary

At the Opening Ceremony The Grandmasters played a garden chess game against Hans Altherr (president of the council of states) and Erich Fehr (mayor of biel). The game ended in a draw. In a few hours from now, the superstar-studded Biel Chess Festival is going to be open in Switzerland. First up is the Exhibition Blitz Tournament. You can watch it live at the official website from India time 5.30 pm. The festival includes a GM tournament, a masters tournament, several chess exhibitions, blitz, rapid, etc. in the coming days. Stay tuned at Chess Magazine Black & White blog site for regular updates.  Invitation Blitz Tournament...

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Commonwealth Chess in Chennai from Nov 22

The Commonwealth Chess Championship is going to be held in Chennai, India from November 22-December 1, 2012. The tournament will be conducted as per FIDE Laws of Chess and FIDE Swiss System with 11 rounds. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded in Open, Women, Under-20 (Boys and Girls), Under-18 (Boys and Girls), Under-16 (Boys and Girls), Under-14 (Boys and Girls), Under-12 (Boys and Girls), Under-10 (Boys and Girls), Under-8 (Boys and Girls) categories. The medal winners will be referred to as Commonwealth Medalists. The defending champion is GM Gawain Jones of England....

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Jermuk Chess Grand Prix Round 2: Humpy, Wenjun in Joint Lead

Humpy Women's chess is always quite exciting with the players not willing for draws easily. The Jermuk Women's Chess Grand Prix - fifth edition of the series 2011/12 - has begun. India's Koneru Humpy has won both the rounds to lead with China's Ju Wenjun. The latter has won both the rounds as well. Watch live India time Round 3 today from 4.30 pm at the official website. Round 3 will see following pairings: Khurtsidze-Zhao, Danielian-Humpy, Yifan-Wenjun, Lufei-Mkrtchian, Kovalevskaya-Munguntuul and Kosintseva-Lahno.&nbs...

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Women's Chess Grand Prix Begins in Jermuk; Watch Live India Time 4.30 pm

The fifth leg of the Women's Chess Grand Prix begins in Jermuk, Armenia begins today with the first games being played on July 17. The list of participants includes: 1 Hou Yifan GM CHN 26172 Humpy Koneru GM IND 25983 Zhao Xue GM CHN 25564 Kateryna Lahno GM UKR 25375 Ju Wenjun WGM CHN 25186 Nadezhda Kosintseva GM RUS 25167 Ruan Lufei WGM CHN 24838 Elina Danielian GM ARM 24809 Nino Khurtsidze WGM GEO 245610 Lilit Mkrtchian WGM ARM 245011 Munguntuul Batkhuyag WGM MGL 244712 Ekaterina Kovalevskaya WGM RUS 2417 The word Jermuk comes from the Armenian word for warmth, a reference to its plentiful hot natural springs and mineral waters. A resort...

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