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Archive for June, 2009

Attacking chess tactic

Published by Contact Information June 30th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

White to move. How should White proceed?

Source: ChessToday.net

White to move and win

Published by Contact Information June 30th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

White to move and win.

Missiaen, 2000

Italian Youth Chess Championship

Published by Contact Information June 30th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Italian Youth Chess Championship
Report by Adolivio Capece and Gustavo Kuzel
Chessdom.com

The U16 Italian Youth Chess Championship for girls and boys started on Monday June 29th, in Courmayeur, a beautiful mountain town in Aosta Valley. There are almost 900 participants, from 5 to 15-years old, divided in five age groups. The playing room is inside the Forum Sport Center, a grand construction suitable for all kinds of sports. The official opening of the Championship was made on the ice-skating platform, by the lord mayor of the town Mrs Fabrizia Derriard and by the regional assessor Aurelio Marguerettaz.

The official website BODY,.aolmailheader {font-size:10pt; color:black; font-family:Arial;} a.aolmailheader:link {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; font-weight:normal;} a.aolmailheader:visited {color:magenta; text-decoration:underline; font-weight:normal;} a.aolmailheader:active {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; font-weight:normal;} a.aolmailheader:hover {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; font-weight:normal;} http://www.scacchivda.com/ has the pairings, results and daily live broadcast of 10 selected games.

On Sunday evening there was a spectacular event with a giant simultaneous exhibition on 100 chess boards, hosted by four famous players: WGM Martha Fierro from Ecuador, GM Lexy Ortega now Italian but born in Cuba and siblings IM Sabino Brunello and WFM Marina Brunello (soon WIM). Each of them took on 25 juniors. After three hours only one boy succeed to win – Stefano Sicilia from Viterbo against GM Lexy Ortega.

More info and pics available on chessdom.com

Quebec Invitational

Published by Contact Information June 30th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Quebec Invitational
Montreal, Canada

Final Standings

1. GM Kovalyov (ARG) – 7½/9
2. GM Bluvshtein (CAN) – 7
3. GM Bhat (USA)- 6½
4. IM Roussel Roozmon (CAN) – 5½
5. GM Sambuev (RUS)- 4½
6. FM Barbeau (CAN) – 3½
7-8. IM Castellanos (ESP) and FM Leveille (CAN) – 3
9. FM Hua (CAN) – 2½
10. Ling Feng Ye (CAN) – 2

Official website: http://www.fqechecs.qc.ca/

Former chess world champ to play convicts

Published by Contact Information June 30th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Former chess world champ to play convicts
30 June, 2009, 12:31

Chess grandmaster and former undisputed champion of the world, Anatoly Karpov, will play an online chess tournament with a Krasnoyarsk prisoner Sergey Bryukhov and his fellow inmates.

Bryukhov’s participation in the tournament is no surprise, as he is the Krasnoyarsk regional champion, a source in the region’s prison administration reports.

During the online game, Karpov will be in Moscow at the Russian prison administration headquarters. The tournament, during which several Russian prisoners – including the Krasnoyarsk champ Bryukhov – will challenge Karpov, will be held via the Internet through webcams and a special program called ‘Chessboard’. This will be the first time this kind of event has been held in Russia.

However, this is not the first time Bryukhov will meet Karpov on a chessboard. Two years ago, Karpov visited Sergey’s prison for a simultaneous chess display. Sergey’s team lost back then and now Bryukhov has a chance to get his own back.

Anatoly Karpov was undisputed World Champion from 1975 to 1985, and repeatedly challenged Garry Kasparov to regain the title from 1986 to 1990. Then he was FIDE World Champion from 1993 to 1999. For his decades-long standing among the world’s elite chess players, Karpov is reckoned as one of the greatest players of all time.

Source: http://www.russiatoday.com

Young wiz battling it out

Published by Contact Information June 30th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Press Release

30 June 2009

Young masters battle it out

South Africa hosts the inaugural African Youth Chess Championship

The African Youth Chess Championship takes place at the Rochester House in Salt River, Cape Town, from Wednesday to 09 July, Chess South Africa announced today.

In a first of its kind, all African chess federations affiliated to the World Chess Federation (FIDE) are invited to send one player in the age groups of U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18 to compete in the tournament. South Africa as the host country is allowed to have two players per age group.

“We are honoured to partner with South Africa to host the first African Youth Chess Championship and welcome all participants”, says Dabilani Buthali, President of African Chess Union, “We chose South Africa to host because of their well established chess development policies, structures and their proven ability to stage world class sporting events.”

Winners for each age group will get the opportunity to participate at the World Youth Chess Championship in Turkey this year from the 11th – 23rd November, and also earn FIDE accredited titles such as Woman Fide Master or Woman Candidate Master for the girls and Fide Master or Candidate Master titles for the boys.

Emelia Ellappen, President of Chess South Africa adds “This championship indicates our success in advocating for more international competitions in Africa.”

“As the host nation we are pleased with the exposure our young players are getting, as they showcase potential to represent our country internationally.”

“We anticipate very strong competition from our Northern African neighbours, players from Egypt and Algeria are exposed to many international tournaments and have much higher chess ratings. However in recent years, due to the growth and strength level of chess in SA we are confident some of our players will cause upsets.”

Nine countries will be participating in this prestigious tournament: Madagascar, Sao Toama, Mozambique, Kenya, Algeria, Egypt, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The championship will be played in accordance with FIDE regulations of a Round Robin System.

The event is sponsored by FIDE, City of Cape Town, Mazars Moores Rowland (Cape Town) the National Lotto and Chess South Africa (CHESSA).

ISSUED BY: FD Beachhead

Senzi Dlamini 011 214 2420 / 073 494 0030

Senzi.dlamini@fd.com

Pearl Mogadima 011 214 2412 / 083 458 0319

Pearl.mogadima@fd.com

ON BEHALF OF: CHESSA (CHESS SOUTH AFRICA)

For more Information contact:

President: Emelia Ellappen

021 696 1076/082 713 6162 /ellappen@telkomsa.net

Vice President: Brian Atchison

082 552 9324/ brian@chessa.co.za

35th Mercantile Bank National Chess Championship

Published by Contact Information June 30th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Final round of National Chess Championship begins
Internet Edition. June 30, 2009,
Updated: Bangladesh Time 12:00 AM

UNB, DhakaThe final round of the 35th Mercantile Bank National Chess Championship, organized by Bangladesh Chess Federation and sponsored by Mercantile Bank Limited, began Monday at the National Sports Council (NSC) conference room.

Abdul Jalil MP, chairman of Mercantile Bank Limited, inaugurated the final round as chief guest.

Fourteen players, including four grandmasters, are taking part in the final phase.

Participating players: Mahtabuddin Ahmed Robin, Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan, Jamal Uddin, GM Niaz Murshed, GM Reefat Bin Sattar, reigning champion GM Ziaur Rahman, FM Abu Sufian Shakil, GM Enamul Hossain Razib, Aminul Islam Polash, Debaraj Chatterjee, FM Mohammad Javed, FM Taibur Rahman, Mohammad Hasan Emam and Mohammad Ali.

Source: http://nation.ittefaq.com

Helping children

Published by Contact Information June 30th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Trusting children
By Jennifer Rodrigo

Mature minds are a product of age, some think. With tears-filled eyes and an aching heart, Karoshee Nathasha Vijayasekere, as a young child, sat before the TV in France watching the hopelessness of children in Ethiopia, Sudan and many other places of the world. Their suffering from malnutrition and sickness, owing to lack of proper food, shelter or medical care, pinched the tenderness within her and she refused to eat her own dinner for the images of emaciated children played in her mind.

The expenses of Karoshee’s concerts in Sri Lanka are borne by her parents but their total revenue is banked in the account of ‘Trust Children’. So far, 13 Student Scholarships are awarded monthly, to bright but needy children of Sri Lanka. The first scholarship-holder is Lasanthika – a regional chess champion.

Source: http://www.dailymirror.lk

White to move and checkmate in 4

Published by Contact Information June 30th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

White to move and checkmate in 4. For those of you who are frustated with the checkmate in 17, here is one which is more reasonable

3r4/r4pk1/1pb1pNp1/2p1P1P1/2n2Q2/2P5/qP4P1/2K4R w – - 0 1

Your votes

Published by Contact Information June 30th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

65% of you picked Nakamura to finish 2009 with the #1 ranking in the U.S. while only 18% picked Kamsky. Onischuk is 3rd with 13%. You can vote by clicking here.

42% of you believe that Topalov will end 2009 as the #1 player in the world while 29% believe that Anand will. Carlsen is 3rd with 18%. You can vote by clicking here.

Checkmate in 17!

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Razumenko, 1999

White to move and checkmate in 17!! This is one of the most difficult puzzles I have posted. Enjoy!

k1K5/6r1/5QP1/4p1pp/4P2p/1r1p4/8/8 w – - 0 1

Special game analysis (Fischer vs. Petrosian, 71)

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Bobby Fischer – Tigran Petrosian
Candidate Match (7), Buenos Aires, October 19, 1971
Analysis by Susan Polgar for www.ChessCafe.com

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.0–0 d5 8.c4! Nf6

8…d4 9.e5; 8…dxe4 9.Bxe4; 8…dxc4 9.Bxc4.
9.cxd5

9.Nc3 d4 10.Ne2 e5 11.f4.

9…cxd5 10.exd5 exd5

10…Nxd5 11.Be4 Ra7 (11…Be7 12.Nc3 Bb7 13.Qa4+ Qd7 14.Qxd7+ Kxd7 15.Rd1) 12.Qd4 Rd7 13.Nc3; 10…Qxd5 11.Nc3 Qd7 12.Bg5 Be7 13.Qe2 Bb7 14.Rac1.

11.Nc3

Bobby spent 20 minutes on this move.

11…Be7

11…Be6 12.Qa4+ Nd7 13.Qc6 Be7 (13…d4 14.Ne2 Bc5 15.Nf4) 14.Nxd5 Rc8 15.Qb7.

12.Qa4+! Qd7?

12…Bd7 13.Qc2 (13.Qd4 Be6 14.Bf4) 13…0–0 14.Be3.

13.Re1!

13.Bb5 axb5 14.Qxa8 0–0 15.Qa5 d4 16.Rd1 (16.Nxb5 Bb7 17.f3 Bc6 18.Na3 d3) 16…Ng4 17.Nxb5 Bh4 18.f3 Bf2+ 19.Kh1 Nxh2 20.Nxd4 Nxf3 21.Be3 Bxe3 22.Nxf3.

13…Qxa4

13…Ra7 14.Qd4 0–0 15.Re5! (15.Bg5) 15…Bd6 16.Rg5 h6 17.Rxg7+! Kxg7 18.Bxh6+ Kxh6 19.Qxf6+ Kh5 20.Be2+; 13…d4 14.Qxd7+ Bxd7 15.Ne2.

14.Nxa4 Be6 15.Be3 0–0

15…Nd7 16.Bd4 (16.f4) 16…0–0 17.f4 (17.a3 a5 18.f4 g6) 17…g6 18.Rac1 (18.g4 Rfb8 19.f5 Rb4 20.fxe6 fxe6 21.Rxe6 Bf8).

16.Bc5!

16.Nc5 a5 17.Bd4 Bxc5 18.Bxc5 is less advantageous than the game.

16…Rfe8 17.Bxe7 Rxe7 18.b4! Kf8

18…Rc7 19.Rac1; 18…a5 19.b5; 18…Rb8 19.a3 Ra7 20.Nc5 Rb6 21.Rac1 Kf8 22.f4 g6 23.Kf2.

19.Nc5 Bc8 20.f3 Rea7?!

20…Nd7 21.Rec1; 20…Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Ne8 (21…Nd7 22.Rc1) 22.Kf2 Nc7 23.a3 h6 (23…Nb5 24.Re5) 24.f4.

21.Re5! Bd7 22.Nxd7+!!

A brilliant decision, masterfully transforming one kind of advantage into another.

22…Rxd7 23.Rc1

Threatening both Bxa6 and Rc6.

23…Rd6

23…g6 24.Rc6.

24.Rc7 Nd7 25.Re2 g6

25…Nb6 26.Ree7; 25…a5 26.bxa5; 25…Re8 26.Rxe8+ Kxe8 27.Ra7 Nb8 28.b5 (28.a4) 28…axb5 29.Bxb5+.

26.Kf2 h5

26…Re8 27.Rxe8+ Kxe8 28.Ra7 Rb6 29.a3 Nb8 30.Ke3; 26…Rb8 27.a3 a5 28.bxa5 Rb3 29.Rd2 Ne5 30.Be2 Rxa3 31.a6.

27.f4!

27.Ke3 Ne5.

27…h4?!

27…Nb6 28.Ree7 Rf6 29.g3 Rd8; 27…Rb8 28.a3 Rbb6.

28.Kf3 f5?! 29.Ke3 d4+?!

29…Nf6 30.Kd4 Ne4 31.Rec2.

30.Kd2

The threat is Bc4, Kd3 and Re6.

30…Nb6

30…Kf7 31.Bc4+ Kf6 32.a3; 30…a5 31.bxa5 (31.b5 Nf6 32.Bc4 Ne4+ 33.Kd3 Rb8 34.g4) 31…Rxa5 32.Rc8+ Kg7 33.Bc4 Kf6 34.Rce8 Nc5 35.Rf8+ Kg7 36.Rf7+ Kh6 37.Ree7.

31.Ree7 Nd5 32.Rf7+ Ke8 33.Rb7 Nxb4?

33…Rb6 34.Rxb6 Nxb6 35.Rg7; 33…Rb8 34.Ra7 Nf6 (34…Ra8 35.Rxa8+ Kxf7 36.Bc4; 34…Nxf4 35.Rh7 Ne6 36.Bc4) 35.a3 Rbb6 36.Bc2; 33…Nxf4 34.Bc4 Nd5 (34…g5 35.Rg7 Rf6 36.Rg8+ Rf8 37.Bf7+) 35.Rh7.

34.Bc4 (planning Rh7) 1–0

This analysis and many others can be found here in my DVD series.

Volume 5: Bobby Fischer’s Most Brilliant Games and Combinations

40-Something

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Chess Column
By Lubomir Kavalek
Special to The Washington Post
Monday, June 29, 2009; 9:00 AM

40-Something

Give or take a few years, the successful career of a professional chess player lasts roughly a quarter of a century and goes through four stages. From the time we pick up the game to the early 20s, we are learning how to succeed. Around age 22, things get serious. We decide how big a part chess will play in our lives, and chess professionals are born. In the next decade, the great players separate from the large crowd and champions emerge. From then on to the age of 40, we reach our peak. After 40 it goes down for those who let it slip; some players retire, others hang on and just enjoy the game. But, of course, there are exceptions.

The world champion Vishy Anand of India is going to be 40 later this year. He seems to take it in stride and enjoys playing. The former world champion Garry Kasparov, who retired from professional chess shortly before turning 42, thought that it is difficult to compete at 40 even for such a brilliant player as Anand. To which the Indian grandmaster replied: “I find it strange that in October 2008 [after Anand beat Vladimir Kramnik in the world championship match], when I was 38, Kasparov said I had a great future. In December, after turning 39, I was too old to continue for long.”

A few years ago, the great Ukrainian grandmaster Vassily Ivanchuk panicked. He was approaching 40, and the prospect of not being invited to elite tournaments weighed heavily on his mind. Trying to wage a war on aging, Ivanchuk played everywhere, going from one tournament to another as if each were his last. Not surprisingly, he began to slip, losing many rating points. During the last several weeks, though, Ivanchuk has started to climb back, beating the Czech grandmaster David Navara in Prague and narrowly losing to Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the final in Leon, Spain.

Here is the full article.

Difficult challenge

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

White to move and win. This is another very difficult puzzle (10 moves long). No computer lines please

7n/8/8/1p6/R7/6K1/Np5p/kr4b1 w – - 0 1

Additional sponsorship for SPICE

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

www.ChessCafe.com has agreed to donate one dozen beautiful triple weighted chess sets to SPICE (and the Susan Polgar Foundation) for the Texas Tech Chess Park, as well as clocks, books, and many other items. On behalf of SPICE and the Susan Polgar Foundation, I would like to thank www.ChessCafe.com, Sandia Construction, and Texas Tech University for making this wonderful occasion possible!

Please join us for the

Ribbon Cutting of the Texas Tech Chess Park

Associate Vice Provost for Heritage Consortium
Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE)

Monday, July 27, 200910:00 a.m.

Texas Tech Chess Park (between the SUB and Main Library)15th and Akron Ave.

Texas Tech UniversityWe’re currently expecting more than 200 people to attend the ceremony.

Vacuum tubes populate unique chessboard

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Vacuum tubes populate unique chessboard

This must be one of the coolest chess sets ever made. Artist Paul Fryer used 32 vacuum tubes to create “Chess Set for Tesla,” with each tube sporting an icon up top showing which chess piece it is. Make a move by unplugging the tube, and then plugging it into the destination square.

Only seven of these unique chessboards were created, but the idea is good enough to be mass-produced — if they could find enough tubes. Kinda reminds us of those gorgeous nixie clocks. Here are more pictures.

Source: http://dvice.com

$15,000 Ravana Challenge International

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

$15,000 Ravana Challenge International Slated September in Sri Lanka

The Blue & Gold Chess Club in collaboration with the Excalibur Consultants has the honor of inviting all Chess players to participate in the inaugural “The Ravana Challenge International Chess Tournament” under the auspices of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, from September 12th (arrival) to September 20th, 2009 (departure) in Colombo, Sri Lanka with a total of USD 15,000 in cash prizes. Download the prospectus.

Official website: http://www.blueandgoldchessclub.com/Ravana/index.html

Information provided by Muditha
Organiser- Ravana International

Norms for Shankland and Lenderman in Philly

Published by United States Chess Federation June 29th, 2009 in USCF Chess. 0 Comments

Young IMs Sam Shankland and Alex Lenderman both earned their second GM norms at the Philadelphia International! Meanwhile IM Jacek Stopa tied for first with Lenderman with 7/9.

Five U.S. Championship Spots up For Grabs at the U.S. Open

Published by United States Chess Federation June 29th, 2009 in USCF Chess. 0 Comments

Five spots into the 2010 U.S. Championships (tentatively scheduled for Spring, Saint Louis) are up for grabs at the 2009 U.S. Open in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Wang Yue confirmed for Nanjing 2009

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Wang Yue confirmed as a participant for Nanjing 2009
he joins Topalov, Anand, Carlsen, Jakovenko, and Radjabov
Report by Chessdom.com

Wang Yue has been confirmed as the sixth and final participant for the Nanjing Perl Spring chess tournament, that will take place in China in September.

Earlier this month the organizers released a participants list with five names – Veselin Topalov, Magnus Carlsen, Vishwanathan Anand, Dmitry Jakovenko, and Teimour Radjabov, stating that “a Chinese player is to be announced.” After several speculations around the names of Xingzhi Bu, Wang Hao, and Ni Hua, the player confirmed is Wang Yue.

More about Nanjing 2009

Official site

Nisipeanu wins France’s Chess Cup

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Chess: Romanian Nisipeanu wins France’s Chess Cup
June 29, 2009

Bucharest, June 29 /Agerpres/ Romania’s international grandmaster Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu, currently Romania’s best chess player and a former European champion, a member of the French team Clichy Echecs 92, on Sunday won France’s Chess Cup, playing against Evry Grand Roque.

Clichy Echecs 92 defeated 3:1 the 2009 French champion Evry Grand Roque.

Nisipeanu is a professional player, playing for various clubs of Romania, France and Germany.

Nisipeanu came to play in Frances’ Chess Cup directly from a Kings’ Tournament match in Bazna, Romania, that was won by Ukraine’s international grandmaster Vasily Ivanchuk.

AGERPRES [by Romaniapress]

[www.Roumanie.com]

School-level chess begins in Nepal

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

School-level chess begins
Published on 2009-06-28 23:51:39

REPUBLICA KATHMANDU, June 28: The hosts, Annapurna Higher Secondary School, dominated the first round of the Fourth Nationwide School-level Annapurna Friendly Open Chess Tournament that kicked off on Sunday on the school premises.

Bijay Dangol, Asmita Panthi, Akriti Pandey, Binita Kapali, and Jenisa Thapa of the hosts won the first round matches while Nabin Kumar Jaiswal, Rupesh Jaiswal, Prajwal Simkhada, Prasant Thapa, Tara Ghale and Purnima Jaiswal of Deep Jyoti School, too, emerged victorious.

Likewise, Srikrishna Prajapati and Matina Kusi of Khowpring School, Prasanta Vasima of Tyodh, Suraj Lohani and Ashis Sapkota of Greenland, Susmita Bhusal and Sujen Shrestha of Bhanubhakta, Nitesh Yadav and Sanjay Raj Aryal of North Point and Bijayman Thaiba from Butwal also won their respective matches.

Altogether, 132 players from 29 schools are participating in the tournament.

Earlier, chief guest of the program Sitaram Agrahari, the former president of Nepal Chess Association, inaugurated the tournament amid a function.

Source: http://www.myrepublica.com

Reigning supreme in Oceania

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Caoili reigns supreme in Oceania chess zonals
Written by Ian Brion / Reporter
Monday, 29 June 2009 19:23

FILIPINO-Australian Women International Master Arriane Caoili went undefeated to rule the women’s division of the World Chess Championship Oceania Zonal 2009 last week at the Outrigger Twin Towns Resort in Gold Coast, Australia.

The 22-year-old Caoili, who once donned the Philippine tricolors, won seven matches and settled for a draw in her two other assignments to amass a nine-round Swiss System aggregate of 8.0 points that put her atop the 18-woman field.

Seeded No. 2 in the tournament, Caoili began her campaign by beating No. 10 Luthien Russel of Australia, No. 8 Vivian Smith and No. 4 Sue Maroroa of New Zealand and No. 7 Sally Yu also of Australia.

In the fifth round, she drew with top seed Irina Berezina, before resuming her winning ways by trampling No. 5 Emma Guo, No. 15 Tamzin Oliver and No. 6 Vaness Reid.

With victory secured, Caoili settled for a draw with Sarah Anton in the final round.

The former Dancing with the Stars contender finished a whole point ahead of Berezina and two points ahead of third-placer Maroroa.

Reid (5.5), Anton (5.0), Guo (5.0), Jessica Kinder (5.0), Judy Gao (5.0), Yu (5.0) and Tamzin (4.5) rounded up the top 10.

It was Caoili’s first major triumph since shunning competitive chess to concentrate on her studies.

Caoili represented the Philippines in the 35th World Chess Olympiad in Bled, Slovenia, in 2002.

In June 2006 Caoili caught the attention of the British media after it was reported that British Grandmaster (GM) Danny Gormally punched Armenian GM Levon Aronian in a Turin nightclub during the Olympiad. Gormally apparently became jealous when he saw Aronian dancing with Caoili.

Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph

Grischuk wins Mainz ICC Chess960

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

GRISCHUK WINS MAINZ CHESS960 ONLINE TITLE ON ICC

Top seed GM Alexander Grischuk (depressnyak) of Russia was in majestic form on Sunday as he easily won the Mainz Chess Classic Chess960 online title hosted on ICC.

En route to the main event of the 16-player final, the Muscovite beat with ease IM Anatoly Bykhovsky of Israel (3-1) and GM Dmitry Koneonenlo of Ukraine (3-1) to face fellow Russian IM Artur Gabrielian (Dinamit) – who caused an upset by beating second seed and last year’s champion GM Hikaru Nakamura (Smallville) in the quarter-finals – in a Moscow showdown for the title.

But again Grischuk proved unstoppable as he eased to victory by a resounding score of 3.5-0.5 to take the 750 Euro first prize, invitation and hotel to the upcoming Mainz Chess Classic later next month in Germany.

Four open qualifiers were held on ICC earlier last week to determine the 16-player final that saw a record number of 973 ICC members playing Chess960 (FischerRandom). The full list of finalists, results and game downloads can be found at our dedicated Mainz Chess960 page by clicking here.

Report by John Henderson

3-way tie for first at Colby tournament

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Chess tournament at Colby a 3-way tie
BY COLIN HICKEY
Staff Writer
06/29/2009

WATERVILLE — Three players tied for top honors at Saturday’s ChessMaine.net Championships at Colby College.

Adam Schaff, Roger Morin and Phil Lowell Jr. each finished with three wins and one draw in the four-round tournament, which drew 54 players, a record for the tournament, according to event director Dan DeLuca.

“I think it is one of the largest non-scholastic tournaments we’ve had for many, many years in Maine,” DeLuca said.
Schaff, a New Gloucester resident, was the event’s only expert rated player, a designation given to those with a U.S. Chess Federation rating between 2,000 and 2,199. Schaff holds a rating of 2,008.

DeLuca said tournament rules called for the three men to divide the $150 first place prize and $75 in Class A winnings. But DeLuca said Schaff, who received free entry into the tournament on the basis of his expert rating, declined to take any prize money.

Morin, a Houlton resident, and South Portland’s Lowell, president of the Maine Chess Association, split the $225 as a result.

Prize money also was awarded in five other classes ($75 in each category). Classes are based on chess ratings, ranging from 1,800 to 1,999 for Class A players to 1,000 to 1,199 for Class E participants.

The tournament also had a category for players rated under 1,000 points.

Class B had the following four players tie for first: Tom Sanford of Veazie, Nathaniel Bryans of Portland, Jon Buxton and Kevin Townsend, a student at Purdue University who grew up in Holden.

Matthew Fishbein, 11, of Cape Elizabeth captured first in Class C.

Ethan DiNinno was the Class D winner, and Brett Parker prevailed in Class E. Both are from Cape Elizabeth.

Daniel Honeycutt, a senior at John Bapst High School in Bangor, won the under-1,000 division.

Source: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com

Over 150 pictures from SPWO 2009

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

S
Here is the link to over 150 pictures from the Closing Ceremony of the 2009 SP World Open for Boys and Girls at the South Point Resort in Las Vegas.

Here is the link to the rest of the pictures from the 2009 SPWO.

Checkmate in 4

Published by Contact Information June 29th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

White to move and checkmate in 4!

Euwe vs. Najdorf (Zurich, 1953)

2009 SPNI – 57 confirmed

Published by Contact Information June 28th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Rules and regulations can be found here. Additional important information can be found here.

Here is just the third preliminary list of the confirmed qualifiers. If you qualified but did not confirm or if you confirmed but your name is not on this list, please contact me (SusanPolgar@aol.com) or Mr. Dewain Barber (amchesseq@aol.com) as soon as possible.

If you know of qualifiers from states which have no representatives listed, please ask them to contact us as soon as possible.

State – (C)onfirmed – Name

Alabama C Kelly Chen

Alaska C Hannah Warren

Arizona C Sayaka Foley

Arkansas C Dana Weston

N. California C Samyukta Bhat

S. California C Joanne Koong

Colorado C Alexandra Lasley

Connecticut C Alexandra Wiener

Delaware C Ann Marie Fitch

D.C. ——————-

Florida C Rachel Gita Gologorsky

Georgia C Ananya Roy

Hawaii C Marissa Wai

Idaho C Erica Barkell

Illinois C Victoria Bian

Indiana C Emily Tallo

Iowa ——————-

Kansas C Hannah Purdy

Kentucky C Caroline Folz

Louisiana C Amelia Wyzywany

Maine C Margaret Bryan

Maryland C Fiona V. Lam

Massachusetts C Michelle Chen

Michigan C Apurva Virkud

Minnesota C Morgan Mahowald

Mississippi C Melanie Newell

Missouri C Margaret Hua

Montana ——————-

Nebraska ——————-

Nevada ——————-

New Hampshire C Jenny Ma

New Jersey C Eve Zhurbinskiy

New Mexico C Rebecca Anne DeLand

New York ——————-

North Carolina C Indira Puri

North Dakota ——————-

Ohio C Rebecca Lelko

Oklahoma C Michelle Farell

Oregon C Dana Hannibal

Pennsylvania ——————-

Rhode Island ——————-

South Carolina C Kristen Snowdeal

South Dakota C Kaitlynn Loos

Tennessee C Autumn Douthitt

Texas C Courtney Jamison (Defending Champion)

Texas C Julia Jones

Texas C Sadia Qureshi

Utah ——————-

Vermont C Natalia Lopez

Virginia C Yang Dai

Washington C Alexandra Botez

West Virginia ——————-

Wisconsin C Mira Ensley-Field

Wyoming C Sara Locker

Special Invitation C Isabel James (DC)

Special Invitation C Claudia Munoz (TX)

Special Invitation C Brianna Conley (OH)

Special Invitation C Angel Bohannon (TX)

Special Invitation C Nicole Spencer (NC)

Special Invitation C Georgia Olvera (TX)

Special Invitation C Sarah Garza (TX)

AZ SPNOGirls C Diamond Abdus-Shakoor (OH)

AZ SPNOGirls C Kristen Sarna (TX)

AZ SPNOGirls C Aiya Cancio (AZ)

AZ SPNOGirls C Rebekah Liu (CA)

LV SPWOGirls C Linda Diaz (NY)

LV SPWOGirls C Emily Nguyen (TX)

All Star Team C Epiphany Peters (MI)

Basic chess principles to help you become a better player

Published by Contact Information June 28th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Try these basic chess principles to help you become a better player

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Sunday, June 28, 2009

Here is the question of the week: What are some of the most important things novice/ scholastic chess players need to know about chess?

Chess is a very easy game to learn, but harder to master. Here are some very important principles in chess that will help you become a better player.

• Control the center

The center of the board includes the squares e4, d4, e5, and d5. When you start a game, place your pawns in the center to occupy and control as many of these squares as you can. Location, location, location.

• Develop your pieces as soon as possible

Get your knights and bishops out right away. This should be done before you try to checkmate your opponent, some time in the first 6 or 7 moves if possible.

• Castle as soon as possible

The first chance you have, castle immediately to keep your king safe. Remember: you can’t win if your king is not safe and you get checkmated first. So, don’t forget to castle! Then after you castle, connect your rooks by developing your queen.

• Keep your pieces protected

Don’t leave your pieces hanging without protection. Each and every piece you have is very valuable, so don’t forget to protect them. Protecting means if your opponent can take your piece, then you can take your opponent’s piece.

• Have lots of fun. Win with grace. Lose with dignity.

That is my motto in chess. The most important thing in chess should be to have fun, whether you win or lose. When you win, be a good sport. When you lose, be an even better sport. Shake hands and congratulate your opponent. This will go a long way in making good friends.

Besides the five valuable principles above, there are others that you should try to remember. Chess is a game with logic, strategies, planning, and tactics. Keep the following principles in mind as you play.

• Every move should have a purpose.

• What is the idea behind your opponent’s move?

• Always think before you move. There is no take back in chess. So make your decision carefully.

• Learn to make plans. Planning is one of the most important elements of the game of chess.

• Analyze your games and learn from your mistakes. Every player, from beginner to world champion, makes mistakes. It is very important to go over your games to find mistakes and learn from them.

• Pace yourself wisely.

There are many different time controls in chess. Use your allotted time wisely. If you have 30, 60, or 90 minutes to play your game, use your time to find the best plans and moves. Don’t rush just because your opponents play fast.

These and many more tips can be found in my best-selling chess instructional book “A World Champion’s Guide to Chess.” It is aimed for absolute beginners and novice players. It is also perfect for parents and teachers to introduce chess to young players. You can find it on my Web store at www.PolgarChess.com.

Source: Avalanche Journal

Sunday afternoon brain teaser

Published by Contact Information June 28th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Ryabinin 1999

White to move and win. This is another very difficult puzzle and it is over 10 moves long. Please no computer analysis.

Shocker in the making?

Published by Contact Information June 28th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

With 20 minutes remaining, the U.S. is leading Brazil 2-1! They led 2-0 in the first half. Could this be the biggest upset since team USA defeated the Soviet in hockey in 1980 Winter Olympics?

Brazil just scored a magnificent goal to tie 2-2!

Brazil just scored again to lead 3-2 with about 5.5 minutes left!

Final score: Brazil 3-2 USA

LIVE chess ratings

Published by Contact Information June 28th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Rank	Name	Rating	# games	Born
01	Topalov	2812,8	10	1975
02	Anand	2788,3	2	1969
03	Carlsen	2772,4	12	1990
04	Aronian	2768,4	13	1982
05	Gelfand	2764,6	37	1968
06	Jakovenko	2759,5	15	1983
07	Kramnik	2759,0	0	1975
08	Radjabov	2756,6	10	1987
09	Leko	2755,9	13	1979
10	Morozevich	2751,0	0	1977
11	Gashimov	2740,0	9	1986
12	Svidler	2738,6	36	1976
13	Shirov	2734,3	48	1972
13	Wang Yue	2734,3	12	1987
15	Grischuk	2733,0	20	1983
16	Ponomariov	2726,6	3	1983
17	Bacrot	2721,0	32	1983
17	Dominguez	2721,0	20	1983
19	Ivanchuk	2719,9	40	1969
20	Karjakin	2716,9	13	1990
21	Mamedyarov	2716,5	17	1985
22	Movsesian	2716,3	31	1978
23	Eljanov	2715,7	44	1983
24	Alekseev	2713,6	20	1985
25	Akopian	2711,6	13	1971
26	Nakamura	2709,7	35	1987
27	Motylev	2709,6	16	1979
28	Malakhov	2706,7	7	1980
29	Ni	2702,6	20	1983
30	Vachier-Lagrave	2702,8	31	1990
31	Rublevsky	2702,5	16	1974

Source: http://chess.liverating.org/

USA #1?

Published by Contact Information June 28th, 2009 in Susan Polgar Chess. 0 Comments

Projected ratings on July 1, 2009

Kamsky: 2717
Nakamura: 2710
Onischuk: 2698
Shulman: 2648.5
Akobian: 2626

Which player will end 2009 with the #1 U.S. ranking on the FIDE rating list? Click here to vote.

#	Name	Title	Fed	Rating	G	B-Year
1	Zatonskih, Anna	m	USA	2466	16	1978
2	Krush, Irina	m	USA	2458	13	1983
3	Goletiani, Rusudan	wg	USA	2391	0	1980
4	Rohonyan, Katerina	wg	USA	2329	0	1984
5	Baginskaite, Camilla	wg	USA	2317	0	1967
6	Zenyuk, Iryna	c	USA	2312	17	1986
7	Foisor, Sabina-Francesca	wg	USA	2304	3	1989
8	Abrahamyan, Tatev	wf	USA	2273	0	1988
9	Melekhina, Alisa	wm	USA	2270	19	1991
10	Grinfeld, Alla B	wg	USA	2259	0	1953

Rank	Name	Title	Country	Rating	Games	B-Year
1	Polgar, Judit	g	HUN	2687	1	1976
2	Koneru, Humpy	g	IND	2623	11	1987
3	Hou, Yifan	g	CHN	2584	21	1994
4	Zhao, Xue	g	CHN	2544	18	1985
5	Muzychuk, Anna	m	SLO	2542	14	1990
6	Kosintseva, Tatiana	m	RUS	2539	7	1986
7	Dzagnidze, Nana	g	GEO	2536	9	1987
8	Stefanova, Antoaneta	g	BUL	2535	8	1979
9	Sebag, Marie	g	FRA	2531	14	1986
10	Cramling, Pia	g	SWE	2525	5	1963

Rank	Name	Title	Country	Rating	Games	B-Year
1	Carlsen, Magnus	g	NOR	2772	12	1990
2	Karjakin, Sergey	g	UKR	2717	13	1990
3	Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime	g	FRA	2703	31	1990
4	Wang, Hao	g	CHN	2690	38	1989
5	Caruana, Fabiano	g	ITA	2670	25	1992
6	Andreikin, Dmitry	g	RUS	2648	20	1990
7	So, Wesley	g	PHI	2646	22	1993
8	Kuzubov, Yuriy	g	UKR	2635	19	1990
9	Li, Chao b	g	CHN	2634	22	1989
10	Nepomniachtchi, Ian	g	RUS	2632	15	1990

Rank	Name	Title	Country	Rating	Games	B-Year
1	Hou, Yifan	g	CHN	2584	21	1994
2	Muzychuk, Anna	m	SLO	2542	14	1990
3	Lahno, Kateryna	g	UKR	2481	7	1989
4	Shen, Yang	wg	CHN	2453	22	1989
5	Tairova, Elena	m	RUS	2450	19	1991
6	Harika, Dronavalli	m	IND	2445	31	1991
7	Ju, Wenjun		CHN	2443	33	1991
8	Muzychuk, Mariya	m	UKR	2441	18	1992
9	Gunina, Valentina	wf	RUS	2437	34	1989
10	Tan, Zhongyi		CHN	2435	22	1991

Archive for June, 2009

Attacking chess tactic

White to move and win

Top US players

New FIDE rating lists

Italian Youth Chess Championship

Quebec Invitational

Former chess world champ to play convicts

Young wiz battling it out

35th Mercantile Bank National Chess Championship

Helping children

White to move and checkmate in 4

Your votes

Checkmate in 17!

Special game analysis (Fischer vs. Petrosian, 71)

40-Something

Difficult challenge

Additional sponsorship for SPICE

Vacuum tubes populate unique chessboard

$15,000 Ravana Challenge International

Norms for Shankland and Lenderman in Philly

Five U.S. Championship Spots up For Grabs at the U.S. Open

Wang Yue confirmed for Nanjing 2009

Nisipeanu wins France’s Chess Cup

School-level chess begins in Nepal

Reigning supreme in Oceania

Grischuk wins Mainz ICC Chess960

3-way tie for first at Colby tournament

Over 150 pictures from SPWO 2009

Checkmate in 4

2009 SPNI – 57 confirmed

Basic chess principles to help you become a better player

Sunday afternoon brain teaser

Shocker in the making?

LIVE chess ratings

USA #1?

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