Breaking: Kasparov to Contest FIDE Presidency Election 2014

Former World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov had, in June this year, said in an interview to Swiss newspaper 'Nasha Gazeta' that he thought Garry Kasparov would run for FIDE presidency in 2014. 

A few minutes back, Kasparov formally made the announcement at the 84th 84th FIDE Congress in Tallinn. The news is already all over the Internet and we first picked it up via the Chess-News.ru twitter. The current President of FIDE Kirsan Ilymzhinov had already announced his candidature earlier in the morning session of the Congress. Ilyumzhinov also announced that he would be further putting in one million euros for the Chess In School program. 

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has been President of FIDE since 1995. He won a second time in 2010 after defeating Anatoly Karpov with 95 votes to 55. Later, Karpov and Ilyumzhinov had supposedly buried their "differences".  

Garry Kasparov became the World Chess Champion in 1985 after beating Anatoly Karpov. Kasparov announced his ticket on Monday and his team as including Rex Sinquefield, Ignatius Leong, Afrika Msimang, Jan Callewaert and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Ahmed Al Hamed.

Karpov had, in June, said: "I... (hesitates). You know, I am so fed up with Ilyumzhinov's team that... I have a good relationship personally with Ilyumzhinov, but his team is totally corrupt, absolutely useless in managing chess. They, however, set up a system that struck on the image of the International Olympic Committee in Salt Lake City, as well as on the image of different federations. I think exactly this system has reached its peak in chess. Unfortunately, this isn't actively discussed and covered, but something has to be done with the current situation - apart from making useless decisions, they also intervene with chess rules, which is intolerable."

In another question by 'Nasha Gazeta' on whether Kasparov could count on support in Russia, Karpov had said, "No, he can't. Moreover, the Russian Chess Federation will work against him, this is obvious. When I was running for FIDE presidency, against Ilyumzhinov, the federation first voted for me. Russia supported me and then "changed" the position of federation under wild pressure."

The FIDE Chess game begins and we thought all the excitement would end with the Anand vs Carlsen World Chess Championship 2013 in Chennai.  

Read more »

Russian Chess Super Final Begins, Watch Live India Time 4.30 pm

How many World Chess Champions and how many Grandmasters can you spot? Photos: Eteri Kublashvili

Which chess country can boast of the strongest national chess tournament in the world? It has to be Russia. The Russian Chess Superfinal opening ceremony was held in Nizhny Novgorod today. The event was attended by the sponsor of the tournament Gennady Timchenko, the Chairman of the Board of RCF Ilya Levitov and Deputy Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Dmitry Svatkovsky, Olympic champion in 2000 on the Olympic pentathlon.

Gennady Timchenko and Ilya Levitov told the audience that the project "Chess in museums" will continue, and the Russian Chess Federation, together with the charitable foundation "Ladoga" and will continue to promote chess in the Russian regions. Former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik said so far he has not won the Russian national chess championship and that will be a strong incentive for him to fight for first place. 

Dmitry Svatkovsky welcomed the guests to Nizhniy Novgorod expressed the hope that the Super Final will help promote chess in his hometown.

After the press conference, the draw was held for the Round 1 pairings:

Men.

Kramnik - A. Shomo, P. Svidler - Ya Nepomnyashchii, D. Andrejkin - S. Karjakin, A. Goganov - Vitiugov N. and A. Motylev-E. Inarkiev.

Women.
D. Charochkina - Kosintzeva T., A. Bodnaruk - Kashlinskaya A., V. Gunina - Goryachkina A., B. Kovanova - Kosteniuk, A. and N. Pogonina - E. Kovalevskaya.

After the draw, a concert was organised with performances by Honored Artist of Russia, pianist Nikolai Lugansky and outstanding cellist Alexander Knyazev.

The live broadcast of the event will be held daily at the official Russian Chess Federation website from India time 4.30 pm. 

Read more »

ACO Chess School: Scientific 5-Step Method for YOUR Individual Level

Many chess players have 10, 20, 25, and some even have more than 30 chess books and DVDs about chess openings on their bookshelf. Although they spend a lot of time and money, they can not achieve the progress that they expect.

Why is that?
Publications that deal with a specific topic in detail, are usually only relevant for the Grandmaster level or theoretical discussions. Books can, nowadays, be created only with the help of powerful computers. No writer can afford to be later criticised by one of his readers or Grandmaster colleagues. Moreover, an author cannot write a book for an individual. He needs to reach out to a cross-section of readers. Everyone is also at a different level of learning.

And, let's be honest, what amateur player has the the time, all of these variants to remember?

Amateurs do not need Grandmaster theory, but have to start learning from their level of chess strength. 

The ACO Online Chess School has developed a scientific 5-step approach that makes learning of openings easy for amateur players. Through specially designed databases and analyzes, they show you the opening lines that are found at your level of play... and all in a way so that YOU can remember and improve.

The ACO Online School Concept:
Step 1) You buy the ACO questionnaire
Step 2) evaluation of the questionnaire by the team (cost of questionnaire and evaluation 20 €)
Step 3) Written evaluation and individual suggestions for further training
Step 4) selection of proposals and creating the database by the expert team
Step 5) guidance

The ACO Online chess school team creates your opening lines individually based on your strengths, weaknesses, skill level and preferences. They calculate them using the questionnaire, which consists of over 100 questions and chess tests on all areas of chess.

You need only a single variant or a single system to complete your existing repertoire?  For example, a variant of white against the Sicilian or a variant for Black against the Trompowsky variant?
Or do you want your entire repertoire of example 1.e4 on 1.d4 move and look great masterly advice and concrete suggestions variant? Or you want to check your repertoire or individual variants or leave brush? Or have a completely different challenge with your openings?

Contact the ACO Chess School team of Grandmasters and International Masters and obtain a free custom quote. Read all about the ACO Chess School at their official website and their scientific method of training to play professional chess from whichever level you are at. 

Over €2000 worth of chess videos FREE

• Over 45 hours of video training
• 1-year access to all 200 videos of GM Zigurds Lanka (in German language)
• 1-year access to all 20 videos by GM Alexei Shirov (in plain English)
• In addition to access to our videos you have the exclusive opportunity with our team to get in touch and let us know your suggestions or requests for more videos.
• Access automatically ends after 365 days and can be extended.
• No subscription.
• After acquisition of the 1-year access, please contact us by email your login information to the online video library.

"ACO Online Chess School videos will always show a realistic chessboard. The team wants you to learn chess as you later see it on the board. Realistic - and thus better multiples received in your long term memory!"

Read more »

Chess.com to Acquire ChessVibes

Amsterdam, October 3rd, 2013 — Chess.com today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire ChessVibes.com, the leading website for chess news. The agreement combines the strengths of Chess.com, the number #1 online chess community with almost 8 million members, and ChessVibes, known for its quality coverage of top tournaments. Peter Doggers, owner and CEO of ChessVibes, will join Chess.com full-time, effective immediately.

“Peter has done a fantastic job with top-notch chess coverage,” said Erik Allebest, CEO of Chess.com. “Chess.com and ChessVibes share a passion for serving our members, and while we have focused on playing and learning tools, ChessVibes is synonymous with quality chess journalism. We look forward to bringing the two companies together to provide the best service to chess fans of all levels.”

 

“By teaming up with the leading global chess platform, ChessVibes is able to leverage Chess.com's impressive userbase and resources to enhance its presence and impact a larger audience,” said Peter Doggers, owner/CEO of ChessVibes. “I am pleased to be able to work as a chess journalist on the biggest chess website around.” (Photo: Peter Doggers)

ChessVibes.com will continue to exist for several months while its archive of content is transferred to Chess.com. ChessVibes' two digital, subscription based magazines - ChessVibes Openings (CVO) and ChessVibes Training (CVT) – as well as many of the regular content contributors to ChessVibes.com will “find new homes” contributing to Chess.com's newly launched Master's Bulletin (the potential replacement for CVO and CVT) as well as contributions to Articles and Courses. Subscribers to CVO and CVT will be compensated in the form of Chess.com Premium Memberships and/or subscriptions to Chess.com's Master's Bulletin.

Peter Doggers, owner/CEO of ChessVibes will start working full time for Chess.com. Together with Mike Klein, Co-Director of Content, and Daniel Rensch, Vice President of Content & Professional Relations, he will focus on content creation, product and content management, as well as special projects and tasks related to marketing & professional relations. One of his first official projects for Chess.com will be the coverage of the Anand-Carlsen World Championship match in November in Chennai, India.

AboutChess.com is the #1 online chess community with almost 8 million members from around the world. Chess.com provides a safe and enjoyable environment where chess players of all skill levels can learn, play, and enjoy the game together. Chess.com was launched in 2007.

ChessVibes.com is the #1 website for chess news and stories. ChessVibes provides daily chess news, videos, columns, reviews, cartoons, puzzles and blogs. It started on February 6th, 2006 as a personal blog. Owner and founder Peter Doggers renamed it “ChessVibes” on January 1st, 2007.

Read more »

Indian Chess Supergirl Humpy wins Tashkent Grand Prix Easily, Harika 5th

Indian chess' supergirl Koneru Humpy has just won the Tashkent leg of the Women's Chess Grand Prix series. She picked up her second tournament victory, in as many events of the Grand Prix, with eight points out of 11. Bela Khotenashvili and Kateryna Lagno shared 2-3.

 

The winner's mother Koneru Latha and 

Harika Dronavalli with her grandmother Koganti Sudeshna behind.

India's Harika Dronavalli had a great run with strong chess leading the tournament right behind Humpy all along, but she self-destructed towards the end finishing the event at fifth place. 

Humpy started the tournament with three straight wins against Ju Wenjun, Elina Danielian and Alexandra Kosteniuk. She then drew her next games with Kateryna Lagno, Antoaneta Stefanova and Harika Dronavalli before beating Nafisa Muminova. She drew Xue Zhao before a shock loss to Bela Khotenashvili. However, Humpy was way ahead of the field already and convincingly beat Nakhbayeva Guliskhan in the next round. Koneru finished the tournament with a draw with Olga Girya.

 

Humpy is a strong contender to win the Series and, once again, take a crack at the Women's World Chess Championship. Her main rival Hou Yifan has played only one stage and gathered only 45 points to Humpy's 320 points. If Hou has to play the next World Championship, she will either have to win this Grand Prix series or the knockout Women's World Chess Championship next year. 

 

The official closing ceremony of tournament took place in the Gallery of Fine Art of Tashkent on 30th of September. One of the stages of Men's Grand Prix Series 2014-15 will be held in Tashkent again. (Photos: WFM Maria Emelianova)

Read more »

World Junior Chess 2013: Vidit Gujrathi wins Bronze for India

Kocaeli, Turkey: Former Under-14 world chess champion Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi won the bronze medal in the World Junior Chess Championship after settling for a quick draw with winner Yu Yangyi of China in the 13th and final round that concluded in Kocaeli, Turkey. (Photos: Photos by: Zeynep Yetisgin and Bengu Atli)

Gujrathi joined an elite list of Indians winning medals at the world junior champions starting from a gold medal by world champion V Anand in 1987, gold by Harikrishna in 2004, gold by Abhijeet Gupta in 2008 and Bronze by Sahaj Grover in 2011.

With Yangyi taking gold, the silver went to defending champion Alexander Ipatov of Turkey who defeated Aleksander Indjic of Serbia in the final round.

Yu Yangyi ended on 11 points from 13 rounds while Ipatov scored 10.5 in all.

Gujrathi tied for third spot along with Peruvian Grandmaster Jorge Cori and had the better tie break for his bronze medal.

Playing the black side of a Caro Kann, Gujrathi had little to do with black pieces as Yangyi was satisfied with a draw ensuring him the first place. On the second board Ipatop played it tough and defeated Indjic in a one sided affair.

 

"It's my best effort since winning the world under 14 a few years back," said Gujrathi after his medal winning performance adding quickly that he wants to break into the 2600 ELO rating club soon.

S P Sethuraman needed to win to be in contention of a medal and Jorgi Cori was not relenting as white. It was a Grunfeld defense wherein the Indian spurned down chance to repeat and draw and eventually ended on the losing side after gifting a handful of queen side pawns.

Grandmaster Sahaj Grover lost his second game in a row when he could not handle the complexities of a French Winawer against A R Saleh Salem of UAE.

 

Ending on 7.5 points, it turned out to be a mediocre performance for Grover who scored 50 per cent against the top three ranked players.

Debashish Das will have to wait for the confirmation of his Grandmaster title till the next tournament after he drew the final round game here. Needing a victory to complete his GM title, the Indian was held to a draw by Radoslav Dmitrov of Bulgaria.

In the girls' championship that concluded simultaneously, Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia won the gold scoring 10.5 points in all while the silver went to Zhansaya Abdumalik of Kazakhstan. Top seed Alina Kashlinskaya of Russia won the bronze.

Padmini Rout ended as the best Indian girl ending on eighth spot on eight points. -- PTI

Important and Indian results final round (Indians unless stated): Yu Yangyi (Chn, 11) drew with Vidit Gujrathi (9.5); Alexander Ipatov (Tur, 10.5) beat Aleksander Indjic (Srb, 8.5); Jorge Cori (Per, 9.5) beat S P Sethuraman (8.5); Debashis Das (8.5) drew with Radoslav Dimitrov (Bul, 8.5); A R Saleh Salem (Uae, 8.5) beat Sahaj Grover (7.5); N Srinath (7.5) drew with Jinshi Bai (Chn, 7.5); Sanal Vahap (Tur, 7.5) beat Rakesh Kulkarni (6.5); S L Narayanan (7.5) beat Fang Yan (Chn, 6.5); Atay Sergen (Tur, 4.5) drew with Sameer Kathmale (4.5).

Girls: Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus, 10.5) beat Andrea Paula Rueda Rodriguez (Col, 8.5); Padmini Rout (8.5) drew with Zhansaya Abdumalik (Kaz, 9.5); Dinara Saduakassova (Kaz, 8.5) drew with Irina Bulmaga (Rou, 8.5); Mitra Hejazipour (Iri, 9) beat Aulia Medina Warda (Ina, 8); Ivana Maria Furtado (7.5) beat Marvorii Nasriddinzoda (Tjk, 6.5); Fronda Jan Jodilyn (Phi, 7) drew with G K Monnisha (7); Irina Petrova (Ukr, 7) beat Rucha Pujari (6); Ayelen Martinez (Arg, 6) lost to Riya Savant (7); Vo Thi Kim Phung (Vie, 6.5) beat Shristi Shetty (5.5); J Saranya (6.5) beat Alymbay Kyzy Aizhan (Kgz, 5.5); Anjana Krishna (6) drew with Anu Bayar (Mgl, 6).

Read more »

World Junior Chess Round 12: Indians Going for medal Finish

Kocaeli, Turkey: Indian Grandmasters Vidit Gujrathi and SP Sethuraman placed themselves for a medal contention as they defeated Jorge Cori of Peru and Vladislav Kovalev of Belarus respectively in the 12th and penultimate round of World Juniors Chess Championship.

The victories took Gujrathi and Sethuraman to nine points out of a possible 12 and at least one of them looked poised to get a medal.

Yu Yangyi of China almost assured himself of the gold medal by beating Samvel Ter-Sahakyan of Armenia. The Chinese top seed took his tally to a whopping 10.5 points and a draw as white against Gujrathi in the last round will assure him of the title.

Alexander Ipatov of Turkey remained sole second on 9.5 points after drawing his game with Wei Yi of China. The defending champion can also ensure the silver with a draw in the last round.

Gujrathi played white and outclassed Cori from a side variation in the Grunfeld defense game. The opening gave Gujrathi a small but lasting advantage and he was quick to pounce on a pawn in the early middle game. Cori lost another pawn and did not get the desired counter play as the Indian romped home in 37 moves.

Sethuraman had to work harder against Kovalev from a King's Indian defense by the latter. Sethuraman went for an attack on the Kingside sensing his chances once black pushed the pawns ahead and got the advantage as Kovalev went for an error-filled plan. The game lasted 45 moves.

The other Indian boys had a mixed day. Grandmaster Sahaj Grover lost to Aleksander Indjic of Serbia while Debashish Das beat Simone De Filomeno to come within striking distance of becoming a Grandmaster.

In the girls' championship, Padmini Rout played out a hard fought draw with Alina Kashlinskaya of Russia and remained in with a chance to fight for the medal. Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia defeated Meri Arabidze of Georgia to lead this section on 9.5 points. --PTI

Important and Indian Results: Round 12 open (Indians unless specified): Samvel Ter-Sahakyan (Arm, 8) lost to Yu Yangyi (Chn, 10.5); Wei Yi (Chn, 8.5) drew with Alexander Ipatov (Tur, 9.5); Vidit Gujrathi (9) beat Jorge Cori (Per, 8.5); S P Sethuraman (9) beat Vladislav Kovalev (Blr, 7.5); Sahaj Grover (7.5) lost to Aleksandar Indjic (Srb, 8.5); Simone De Filomeno (Ita, 7) lost to Debashis Das (8); Jahongir Vakhidov (Uzb, 8) beat N Srinath (7); Rakesh Kulkarni (6.5) drew with Sebastian Iermito (Arg, 6.5); Ege Koksal (Tur, 6.5) drew with S L Narayanan (6.5); Sameer Kathmale (4) lost to Temizkan Denizcan (Tur, 5). 

Girls: Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus, 9.5) beat Meri Arabidze (Geo, 7.5); Andrea Paula Rueda Rodriguez (Col, 8.5) beat Irina Bulmaga (Rou, 8); Deysi Cori (Per, 7.5) lost to Zhansaya Abdumalik (Kaz, 9); Alina Kashlinskaya (Rus, 8) drew with Padmini Rout (8); Rucha Pujari (6) lost to Qiu Mengjie (Chn, 7); G K Monnisha (6.5) drew with Ivana Maria Furtado (6.5); Riya Savant (6) Anastasiya Rakhmangulova (Ukr, 6); Aisa Imeeva (Rus, 6.5) beat J Saranya (5.5); Aizhan Alymbay Kyzy (Kgz, 5.5) drew with Anjana Krishna (5.5); Shristi Shetty (5.5) beat Belen Matute Loja (Ecu, 4.5).

Read more »