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Saturday, December 4, 2010

Women's World Chess Championship 2010 begins in Antakya, Turkey

Chess news and chess trivia blog (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2010

Antakya Chorus of Civilizations performing at the
opening ceremony of the Women's World Chess Championship 2010.

Turkish players Kubra Ozturk and Betul Yildiz with
their coach Adrian Mikhalchishin.

Hoang Thanh Trang and Humpy Koneru at the opening ceremony.

Hello Everyone,

A beautiful December day - partly cloudy with 23 degrees Centigrade - is here and the Women's World Chess Championship 2010 has begun in Antakya, Turkey.

The opening ceremony was held in the nice Hotel Anemon and was attended by President of the Turkish Chess Federation Ali Nihat Yazici, the governor of Hatay M.Celalettin Lekesiz and the mayor of Antakya Lutfu Savas who welcomed the participants.

After the official ceremony, Antakya Choir of Civilizations sang prayers of different religions of the world. You can check the official website here for more updates, live broadcast of games and super photos. Live video is available here.

You can follow the live streaming on your iPhone here.

The 2010 Women World Championship, organized by the Turkish Chess Federation, is taking place from December 2-25 in Antakya, Hatay, Turkey. Antakya is the seat of the Hatay Province in southern Turkey, near the border with Syria. It is located on the banks of the Orontes River, approximately 22 km (14 mi) inland from the Mediterranean.

Time control

The time control is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move from move one. If the scores are level after the regular games, after a new drawing of colours, two tie break games will be played. The time control is 25 minutes on the clock for each player with an addition of 10 seconds after each move. If the scores are level after the rapid games, then, after a new drawing of colours, two five-minute games will be played with the addition of 10 seconds after each move.

If the score is still level after the blitz games, the players will play one sudden death game. The player with the white pieces shall receive 5 minutes, the player with the black pieces shall receive 4 minutes whereupon, after the 60th move, both players shall receive an increment of 3 seconds from move 61. The winner qualifies for the next round. In case of a draw the player with the black pieces qualifies for the next round.

Prize money

1st round: 32 losers get 3,750 USD
2nd round: 16 losers get 5,500 USD
3rd round: 8 losers get 8,000 USD
4th round: 4 losers get 12,000 USD
5th round: 2 losers get 20,000 USD
6th round: 1 loser gets 30,000 USD
Women’s World Champion gets 60,000 USD

You can find more details about the schedule here. Also, find an excellent preview report at www.chessvibes.com. Find a very nice photo report at www.chessdom.com.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal blog at






18 comments:

  1. Alexis Cochran, New ZealandDecember 4, 2010 at 7:05 AM

    For You Chess Queen I will post this comment every day so please don't delete it.

    Prayer for Victory
    A Psalm of David.

    JEHOVAH answer thee in the day of trouble;
    The name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high;
    Send thee help from the sanctuary,
    And strengthen thee out of Zion;
    Remember all thy offerings,
    And accept thy burnt sacrifice; [Selah
    Grant thee thy heart’s desire,
    And fulfil all thy counsel.
    We will triumph in thy salvation,
    And in the name of our God we will set up our banners:
    Jehovah fulfil all thy petitions.
    Now know I that Jehovah saveth his anointed;
    He will answer him from his holy heaven
    With the saving strength of his right hand.
    Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
    But we will make mention of the name of Jehovah our God.
    They are bowed down and fallen;
    But we are risen, and stand upright.
    Save, Jehovah:
    Let the King answer us when we call.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sebastian Wolff, MarylandDecember 4, 2010 at 7:09 AM

    Hey folks, I found this real funky comment at www.chessvibes.com where this blog post led me to. Couldn't resist posting it here.

    Belarus on December 2nd, 2010 19:26
    There is a possibility for Carlsen to play in this woman WCC.
    He has nothing to lose.

    But I know Chess Queen has beaten him once so well... what can we say. heh heh.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Saira Fernando, MadridDecember 4, 2010 at 7:18 AM

    Hey Chess Queen I want to know what naughty things are you whispering in your http://photos.chessdom.com/women-world-chess-championship-2010 photo?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Please check our Tourism Guide. We provide good offers to you Chess Queen.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Türkiye'ye selamla. En mükemmel talih.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Just focus okay Chess Queen. See I am supporting you so better win.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My advice Chess Queen - Just Kill 'Em Baby. Read about your father creating the 'Chess Terminator' Robot http://robotzeitgeist.com/ Nice video. So, take some hint okay and terminate all competition.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sushant Sharma, New DelhiDecember 4, 2010 at 9:09 AM

    East or West, Chess Queen is the best. Roses are red, violets are blue, forever is my love for you... Go Alexandra Go.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Aniruddha Pathan, NepalDecember 4, 2010 at 9:20 AM

    We have decided to visit the nightclub every day when you win Alexandra so keep your spirits high so we can keep our 'spirits' high. Ha ha. You rock.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Biju Thapa, KathmanduDecember 4, 2010 at 9:23 AM

    Watch out for Tatiana, Koneru, Stefanova and Hou Yifan... rest is all easy. And, you already know about our celebrations plan from my friend Aniruddha. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Focus is the key Alexandra. And, don't let the pressure get to you. You have nothing to prove it's all fun from now on.

    ReplyDelete
  12. All the best. I almost forgot it's December already. Best Wishes from Cambodia.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am waiting for the www.chesspics.com photo album. That would be cool like the one from the Russian Superfinal.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Amrit Puri, Knights Chess Club, New DelhiDecember 4, 2010 at 11:27 AM

    @Saira You're so cute in your ChessDom photo. I also want to know what you whispering. Ha Ha.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Most of these contestants are there with a second/companion. You're one hell courageous to battle it on your own. All the best A.K.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Tina David, New DelhiDecember 4, 2010 at 12:11 PM

    Set the board on fire Chess Queen. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

    ReplyDelete

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