Screen grab from special video on Judit Polgar.
Polgar's current rating on the FIDE list is 2693. She is followed by Hou Yifan of China at 2629 and India's Koneru Humpy at 2613.
-- Judit Polgar official website
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Chess World Record: Judit Polgar No. 1 Woman for 25 Years on Jan 1, 2014!
Anand vs Carlsen at Zurich Chess Jan 29-Strongest Tournament in History
Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 – The strongest tournament in chess history to date
On Wednesday, 29 of January 2014, the «Zurich Chess Challenge 2014» will commence at the Hotel Savoy. With six participants it is the first tournament in the history of chess to reach category 23 with an amazing average rating of 2801!
The star of the «Zurich Chess Challenge 2014» will be the newly crowned world-championMagnus Carlsen. During his first tournament appearance since winning the world title last November, the 23-year old Norwegian will compete against his predecessor and former world-champion, Viswanathan Anand of India (number 9 in the world-ranking), the Armenian Levon Aronian (2), the American Hikura Nakamura (3), the US-Italian Fabiano Caruana (6), as well as the Israeli Boris Gelfand (8).
For the «Zurich Chess Challenge 2014», a blitz tournament will determine the color distribution on the first day. Five rounds of classical chess will then be played from Thursday to Monday (30 January to 3 February), followed by a rapid tournament with reversed colors on the last day (4 February). A won game in the classical tournament counts two points, draws one point. Wins in the rapid tournament count one point and draws half a point. All games will be commented live by GM Yannick Pelletier and IM Werner Hug and broadcast world-wide live via Internet on www.zurich-cc.com. Admission to the classical and rapid games of this formidable event is free and no previous registration of spectators is required!
The «Zurich Chess Club» was founded in 1809 and is the oldest active chess club of the world. With the «Zurich Chess Challenge 2014» it will continue its long-standing tradition of hosting top-level tournaments, which have included such memorable events as the «Candidate's Tournament 1953», the simul and rapid tournament of all living world-champions at at the Zurich main train station 2009, the «Zurich Chess Challenge 2012» with Levon Aronian and Vladimir Kramnik as well as the «Zurich Chess Challenge 2013» with the four grand masters Vladimir Kramnik, Viswanathan Anand, Fabiano Caruana and Boris Gelfand.
The «Zurich Chess Club» is very proud to be the organizer and host of this unique event. Further, it would like to thank the main tournament sponsor and chess-enthusiast Oleg Skvortsov from the «International Gemological Laboratories» of Moscow, Russia, whose generous contribution has allowed for this extraordinary happening! We look forward to welcoming all our friends from throughout the chess world either at the Hotel Savoy or live via the Internet!
Participants (Elo rating according to FRL of January 2014)
Magnus Carlsen (Norway, Elo 2872, Nr 1)
Levon Aronian (Armenia, Elo 2812, Nr 2)
Hikaru Nakamura (USA, Elo 2789, Nr 3)
Fabiano Caruana (Italy, Elo 2782, Nr 6)
Boris Gelfand (Israel, Elo 2777, Nr 8)
Vishwanathan Anand (India, Elo 2773, Nr 9)
Schedule
Daily from 30 January to 4 February 2014.
The rounds start at 15.00 local time (CET), except for the last round, which begins at 13.00 CET.
Spectators are welcome, entrance free.
Main sponsor
«IGC International Gemological Laboratories» is a Russian institute providing gemological services, such as diamond grading reports, enhanced diamonds identification, man-made/synthetic diamonds and imitation detection, as well as certification of diamonds, gemstones and jewelry in the Russian Federation. IGC is the Russian branch of «GCI» a group of gemological laboratories located worldwide.
Co-sponsors
Aspeco, SurJewel, Savoy Chess Corner, Zurich Chess Club (founded in 1809, the oldest chess club of the world)
Partners
Hotels Savoy Baur en Ville, Rössli and Seehof in Zurich
Organization
Zurich Chess Club
On Wednesday, 29 of January 2014, the «Zurich Chess Challenge 2014» will commence at the Hotel Savoy. With six participants it is the first tournament in the history of chess to reach category 23 with an amazing average rating of 2801!
The star of the «Zurich Chess Challenge 2014» will be the newly crowned world-championMagnus Carlsen. During his first tournament appearance since winning the world title last November, the 23-year old Norwegian will compete against his predecessor and former world-champion, Viswanathan Anand of India (number 9 in the world-ranking), the Armenian Levon Aronian (2), the American Hikura Nakamura (3), the US-Italian Fabiano Caruana (6), as well as the Israeli Boris Gelfand (8).
This brilliant event, which will take place in the extraordinary familial environment of the ballroom of the Hotel Savoy, has already caught the attention and led to the registration of many journalists and top-players from throughout the world, including Peter Leko,Jan Timman and Gennadi Sosonko. Further, the Chinese women's world-championHou Yifan will attend this unique occasion and will be playing a simultaneous exhibition with clocks against 6 top Swiss juniors on 1 February at 1 p.m. at the Zurich «Zunfthaus zur Saffran».
For the «Zurich Chess Challenge 2014», a blitz tournament will determine the color distribution on the first day. Five rounds of classical chess will then be played from Thursday to Monday (30 January to 3 February), followed by a rapid tournament with reversed colors on the last day (4 February). A won game in the classical tournament counts two points, draws one point. Wins in the rapid tournament count one point and draws half a point. All games will be commented live by GM Yannick Pelletier and IM Werner Hug and broadcast world-wide live via Internet on www.zurich-cc.com. Admission to the classical and rapid games of this formidable event is free and no previous registration of spectators is required!
The «Zurich Chess Club» was founded in 1809 and is the oldest active chess club of the world. With the «Zurich Chess Challenge 2014» it will continue its long-standing tradition of hosting top-level tournaments, which have included such memorable events as the «Candidate's Tournament 1953», the simul and rapid tournament of all living world-champions at at the Zurich main train station 2009, the «Zurich Chess Challenge 2012» with Levon Aronian and Vladimir Kramnik as well as the «Zurich Chess Challenge 2013» with the four grand masters Vladimir Kramnik, Viswanathan Anand, Fabiano Caruana and Boris Gelfand.
The «Zurich Chess Club» is very proud to be the organizer and host of this unique event. Further, it would like to thank the main tournament sponsor and chess-enthusiast Oleg Skvortsov from the «International Gemological Laboratories» of Moscow, Russia, whose generous contribution has allowed for this extraordinary happening! We look forward to welcoming all our friends from throughout the chess world either at the Hotel Savoy or live via the Internet!
Participants (Elo rating according to FRL of January 2014)
Magnus Carlsen (Norway, Elo 2872, Nr 1)
Levon Aronian (Armenia, Elo 2812, Nr 2)
Hikaru Nakamura (USA, Elo 2789, Nr 3)
Fabiano Caruana (Italy, Elo 2782, Nr 6)
Boris Gelfand (Israel, Elo 2777, Nr 8)
Vishwanathan Anand (India, Elo 2773, Nr 9)
Schedule
Daily from 30 January to 4 February 2014.
The rounds start at 15.00 local time (CET), except for the last round, which begins at 13.00 CET.
Spectators are welcome, entrance free.
Main sponsor
«IGC International Gemological Laboratories» is a Russian institute providing gemological services, such as diamond grading reports, enhanced diamonds identification, man-made/synthetic diamonds and imitation detection, as well as certification of diamonds, gemstones and jewelry in the Russian Federation. IGC is the Russian branch of «GCI» a group of gemological laboratories located worldwide.
Co-sponsors
Aspeco, SurJewel, Savoy Chess Corner, Zurich Chess Club (founded in 1809, the oldest chess club of the world)
Partners
Hotels Savoy Baur en Ville, Rössli and Seehof in Zurich
Organization
Zurich Chess Club
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Kasparov Muscat Chess Simul Puzzle!
Former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov has just wrapped off a cool chess visit to Muscat, Oman. The Times of Oman reports, in an interview, 50-year-old Russian chess great said winning the world chess title was the best moment in his life!
Garry Kasparov making a move against one of the 20 hand-picked players of Oman during an exhibition battle. Kasparov moved around to play against the 20 players at the same time. Photo – JUN ESTRADA / Times of Oman
Here are some quotes that Garry Kasparov gave to Oman journalists, plus a video.
- "I think luck played only a minor role. It was pure hard work and patience that helped me win the championship. I think I played a better game than my opponent and when you play a good match, you deserve to win, don't you?"
"Winning the world championship was the best moment in my life. I don't think there was any world champion who won because he was lucky. The world championship title had been in contest since 124 years and we have only six world champions. So that makes the game extra special.
- On the simul he played in Muscat with 20 selected players: "They have great skills but they need to have more knowledge about the game. A proper League will benefit these players to attain international rating and for that, they need to have a federation. I am sure they will soon have one.
- Tips to young chess players: Practice makes you perfect. You need to regularly practice the game to hone your skills. The rest will fall in place automatically.
The simul was hosted by International Chess Academy of Oman. IM Karim Ismael of the Academy said, Kasparov normally completes such exhibition matches in not more than two hours but I think this was one with the longest duration.
Garry Kasparov's official website has this very interesting chess update from Oman
In the diagram, White to play and win...
For a full analysis of the actual game and the beautiful move that chess great Garry Kasparov hoped he would get to play, read the post at the the former World Chess Champion's official website.
Friday, January 3, 2014
South Asian Amateur Chess (u2000) in Kathmandu Feb 1-6
The latest chess news via FIDE is that the South Asian Amateur Chess Championship 2014 will be held in Kathmandu, Nepal from February 1-6.
(FIDE Rating under 2000)
2014 Feb. 1-6, Kathmandu.
Venue:Covered Hall, National Sports Council, Tripureshor, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Tournament Rules
* System of Play: As per FIDE Laws of chess & Swiss System 9 rounds game will be played. Swiss Manager Software will be use for pairings.
* Time Control: 90 min. + 30 sec. /per move from move 1.
* Tie- break: The latest FIDE Rules shall apply. The cash prizes won't be share.
* Special Rule: The tournament is only for players under FIDE rating 2000 or without rating. Feb. 2014 FRL will be used for the ranking list.
* Players with FIDE titles except CM are not allowed to participate in this event.
For more details download the brochure from the FIDE website.
(FIDE Rating under 2000)
2014 Feb. 1-6, Kathmandu.
Venue:Covered Hall, National Sports Council, Tripureshor, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Tournament Rules
* System of Play: As per FIDE Laws of chess & Swiss System 9 rounds game will be played. Swiss Manager Software will be use for pairings.
* Time Control: 90 min. + 30 sec. /per move from move 1.
* Tie- break: The latest FIDE Rules shall apply. The cash prizes won't be share.
* Special Rule: The tournament is only for players under FIDE rating 2000 or without rating. Feb. 2014 FRL will be used for the ranking list.
* Players with FIDE titles except CM are not allowed to participate in this event.
For more details download the brochure from the FIDE website.
