Category-18 Chess in New Delhi with GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek as Top Seed
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012Hi everyone,
Former Indian national chess champion GM Parimarjan Negi with journalists.
The AIFC-AAI Chess Cup is being held in New Delhi, India from Dec 20-30, according to a press release. The six-player double round-robin format category-18 tournament will be played at the Airport Authority of India Club (AAI) here. his is the second edition of the AICF-AAI Cup, which was a category-17 event last year. The tournament was won by Fabiano Caruana of Italy in its inaugural edition and the player has subsequently moved into the top-10 of the FIDE world rankings.
All India Chess Federation (AICF) secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan said, "The list of players for this tournament is the best line up India have ever seen and we are expecting very tough competition in the ten days of the tournament."
This year's star attraction would be GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek of Poland. Wojtaszek is a top-50 player and would be looking to add valuable rating points to his tally. Leading the charge of challengers against him would be GM Anton Korobov of Ukraine, who boasts of a 2700+ rating and Russia's in-form player GM Evgeny Alekseev.
Former Indian national champion GM K. Sasikiran would lead the Indian challenge with 2008 World Junior champion GM Abhijeet Gupa and Asian champion Parimarjan Negi completing the line up.
"It is a great achievement for Indian chess that an event of such a stature is happening in India. Personally I am thrilled to be part of the tournament and would do my best to keep the title in the country after the 10 rounds of competition," said Negi.
"I haven't had great performances in the last few months starting with the Oympiad. For the amount of preparations that have gone into it, I haven't played well. So this tournament would be the right opportunity for me to stage a comeback of sorts and get back to winning ways," he added.
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Labels: aifc-aai chess, parimarjan negi
48th Annual American Chess Open: GM Melikset Khachiyan Wins Clear First
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012Hi everyone,
Grandmaster Melikset Khachiyan has won the 48th Annual American Open was held on 22-25th November at the Doubletree Hotel Anaheim, Orange County, California. The playing format was 8 Round Swiss System USCF Rated Tournament with a 4-day and a 3-day options. There were six playing sections: Open, Under 2200, Under 2000, Under 1800, Under 1600 and Under 1400. Grandmaster Melikset Khachiyan emerged winner of the Open section by collecting 6,5 points from eight games. There were 26 players in this group.
Open section final standings:
1. GM Melikset Khachiyan 2546 – 6.5
2-3. IM Andranik Matikozyan 2510 and FM John Daniel Bryant 2518 – 6.0
4. FM Julian Landaw 2349 – 5.5
5-7. GM Enrico Sevillano 2596, GM Josh Friedel 2576 and Varun Krishnan 2374 – 5.0
8-11. FM Eduardo Ortiz 2292, IM Jack Peters 2434, IM Roman Yankovsky 2560 and FM William Duckworth 2309 – 4.5 etc
The U2200 section had 34 participants. Simone Liao 2122, John Ward 2015 and Jonathan Homidan 2123 shared the honours with 6/8 points each.
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Labels: american chess open, Grandmaster Melikset Khachiyan
Secret Chess Discount Deals in Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk Newsletter: Sign Up Now
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Don't miss out on secret discount deals on super chess software in Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk's newsletter only. To subscribe, click on snapshot below that takes you to the 12th Women's World Chess Champion's Facebook page. Follow the arrow sign to the envelope icon and sign up. You don't want to miss out on great chess goodies this season.
Labels: Alexandra Kosteniuk, Chess King, Chess Queen, chess software deals, chess software discounts, chess tutor
Uganda Chess Players Dominate Bungoma International Chess
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Ugandans dominated the just concluded Bungoma international chess tournament, bagging top two places in the open category. FIDE Master Herold Wanyama (right) was the overall winner in the open category after scoring 100 percent, according to a news report.
Bob Bibasa finished runners-up with six points after losing his fifth round to Jacob Onditi in a bizarre. Bibasa lost on technicality after his phone rang hence contravening chess rule which demands that all phones be switched off.
Olympiads included Kenya team captain Brian Kidula and Hinga Githinji, who garnered five points each with a tie break of 31.0 each. Joseph Atwoli, an Olympiad, chickened out on Day One and simply ran away due to the Uganda Cranes claws.
Other Kenyans who performed well include John Mukabi (women's team coach), who came third with 5.5 points and Jacob Onditi ,who came fourth with 5 points and a tie break of 33.5.
Kenya's Gyena Jumba posted 4 points to win the women's category and was followed by the Ugandan women's chess master Ivy Amoko with 4 points with a tie break of 24.0. The third position went to Maureen Njeri (MMUST) and Ann Kung'u (Kenya Polytechnic).
The top three for junior category was taken by Trevor Rombora, Rushit Hasmukh and Faith Rachel--all members Bungoma Chess Club and pupils's at Marrel Academy.
Kenya Polytechnic won the University and college category and were followed by Masinde Muliro. The tournament director Humphrey Nyongesa said the tournament had proved that the game was fast growing in the country.
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Labels: bob bibasa, bungoma international chess, herold wanyama
Khanty Mansiysk Women's World Chess Championship 2012 Final Game 3: Anna Ushenina Beats Antoaneta Stefanova, Takes Lead
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Anna Ushenina of Ukraine has taken the lead in the final of the Women's World Chess Championship 2012 being played in Khanty Mansiysk. In the third game, she beat Antoaneta Stefanova's not-oft used Slav Defense. The Bulgarian went for the Chebanenko Variation (with 4…a6; also called the Chameleon Variation sometimes) which Stefanova has not played for a long time.
Nevertheless, Ushenina was not caught by surprise. White played very well and got a small advantage. In an attempt to activate her pieces, Black carried out a pawn break in the center, which turned out very risky. White replied with an interesting tactical operation, trading two minor pieces for a rook and two pawns. Formally the material was still equal, however, White got a clear advantage: Black’s pieces were badly coordinated, and her king became weak.
Soon White advanced the passed pawn, and her position became overwhelming.
Stefanova got into time trouble and was unable to defend perfectly. Instead of seeking the vital counterplay on the kingside, she decided to play passively, which turned out to be a decisive mistake. Ushenina converted her advantage flawlessly, not giving her opponent any hope. Black resigned on the 37th move.
By winning this game Anna Ushenina took the match lead – 2-1. The fourth game (and the last one with a classical time control) is scheduled on Friday, November 30th. Antoaneta Stefanova plays White and needs a win to stay in the match. You can replay the game with Chess King - your super-strong chess tutor!
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Labels: anna ushenina, antoaneta stefanova, khanty mansiysk chess, women's world chess championship 2012
GM Chess Video: How a Grandmaster Explains a Blunder!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Here is an interesting chess video: How a Grandmaster explains a blunder by his opponent. We are going to say nothing more, just watch! It's of course Teimour Radjabov from Azerbaijan at the Tata Steel Chess in an official post-game interview video. Czech GM David Navara had blundered his piece against Radjabov in the Tata Steel 2012 Chess tournament in the third round.
Okay, take a look at the game - spot the blunder - and return to the video! Tata Steel Chess 2013 is going to be held from January 11-27 in Wijk aan Zee.
Read more »Labels: Chess video, david navarra, tata steel chess, teimour radjabov, wijk aan zee
Tashkent Chess Grand Prix R6: Morozevich Beats Dominguez, Regains Lead
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012Hi everyone,
The sixth round at the Tashkent Chess Grand Prix witness only one decisive game. Alexander Morozevich won against Leinier Dominguez and regained the sole lead in the tournament. Boris Gelfand and Pete Leko got promising positions playing against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Wang Hao respectively, but could not convert. Everyone settled for a draw.
The second stage of the 2012-2013 FIDE Grand Prix Series is taking place from November 21 to December 5 in the Gallery of Fine Art in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Replay the Morozevich-Leinier game with Chess King in the extended post.
Read more »Labels: dominguez, morozevich, tashkent chess grand prix
US 2012 K-12 Chess Championships Begin Nov 30
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The US 2012 National K-12 Chess Championships will be played from November 30 to December 2 in Orlando, Florida. There will be a bughouse and blitz event on November 29. The USCF hosts several National Chess Tournaments each year. The event is being held at the Marriott Orlando World Center Resort. There are a huge number of prizes and trophies to be won in lots of sections for the children. There's also going to be a chess event for parents and friends! More information is available at the US Chess Federation official website.
Click on icon to check @chessqueen - the twitter feed of 12th Women's World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk - and find out why she is attending the event!
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Labels: Alexandra Kosteniuk, Chess Queen, marriott orlando world center resort, orlando chess, us k-12 chess, uscf
Women's World Chess Championship 2012 Final Game 2: Stefanova, Ushenina Settle for Quick Draw
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The second game between Antoaneta Stefanova and Anna Ushenina was a short draw on Wednesday. The match score is 1-1. The second game of the Women’s World Championship match between Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria) and Anna Ushenina (Ukraine) featured an interesting theoretical discussion. The Bulgarian, playing White, decided to test her opponent’s knowledge in a very sharp opening variation known as the Slav Gambit: White sacrifices a central pawn, but forces Black to keep the king in the center and obtains long-lasting initiative. Ushenina, however, deviated from the main lines, and by the 10th move the players reached an original position with complicated strategic and tactical pattern.
The position looked more promising for White, but Stefanova possibly misplayed it on the next few moves. Ushenina could sacrifice a pawn for the initiative and try to utilize her development lead. This would create a very sharp game risky for both sides. However, the Ukrainian preferred a safer path, simplifying the position, and the players agreed to a draw already on the 17th move on a half-empty board.
The match score us 1-1. The third game of the final is to be played on Thursday, November 29th with Anna Ushenina playing White in the game. You can replay the game with Chess King.
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Labels: anna ushenina, antoaneta stefanova, khanty mannsiysk chess, women's world chess championship 2012
Girls' Chess Trivia: Name Them
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Can you identify these chess players? For the answers check the award-winning chess photo database of the world's top players at Chesspics.com.
Cat Chess Video: She's the One for Every Chess Lover!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
This home chess video is going to make your day. Dare let a cat run over your chess board after you have played 1.c4? Okay guys, here's the 'cat' for every chess lover out there ;)
Labels: cat chess, Chess video
Tashkent Chess Grand Prix R5: Ponomariov beats Morozevich
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The fifth round at the Chess Grand Prix in Tashkent witnessed Ruslan Ponomariov, Rustam Kasimdzhanov and Gata Kamsky winning their first games at the event. Ruslan Ponomariov beat sole leader Alexander Morozevich allowing Karjakin, Kasimdzhanov, Mamedyarov, Caruana to join Morozevich in the lead. Peter Svidler had good chances to join the group of leaders but didn't succeed to win the position with advantage against Leinier Dominguez. Two other games Karjakin – Leko and Mamedyarov-Caruana were drawn. You can replay the nice Ponomariov-Morozevich game in the extended post with Chess King.
Read more »Labels: Alexander Morozevich, Ruslan Ponomariov, tashkent chess memorial
London Chess Classic 2012 from Dec 1: Are You Ready for the Magic?
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012Hi everyone,
The 4th London Chess Classic runs from 1-10 December 2012 at the Olympia Conference. This year’s line-up is stronger than ever, with an average rating higher than any previous chess tournament held in the UK. Heading the list are world champion Vishy Anand, former world champion Vladimir Kramnik, and the top two players on the world rating list, Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian. Playing for the first time is the world’s best ever woman player Judit Polgar. Completing the line-up are US champion Hikaru Nakamura and three leading players from Britain, Luke McShane, Michael Adams and Gawain Jones.
On November 30 at 1400 GMT 0900 EST there will be a press conference at the venue, followed by a London Classic Stars versus the Twittersphere exhibition match played via Twitter, allowing the world’s chess players to test their mettle against Carlsen, Anand and others. The press conference will be streamed live via the net: questions are welcome and may be
sent in advance to director@londonchessclassic or in real-time via the official Twitter feed,
which is @LondonClassic. (Please use the hashtag #londonchess in your tweets.) The opening ceremony for the Classic will take place at 1345 GMT on 1 December, with play beginning at 1400 GMT 0900 EST. Play will be streamed live via the official website. Live play, timetable, course details and tickets are available here: www.londonchessclassic.com.
CHESS IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES
The London Chess Classic is a festival of the world’s most enduring game, which is staged by Chess in Schools and Communities, a UK registered charity whose mission is to deliver
chess to primary schools in UK inner cities.
Labels: london chess classic
Women's World Chess Championship 2012 Final Game 1: Ushenina Escapes Stefanova with Draw in Time Dash
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The first game of the final match for the Women's World Chess Championship 2012 in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia, was played on Tuesday between Anna Ushenina of Ukraine and Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria.
The Ukrainian had White. In a well-known opening variation White had certain initiative, but Black’s position was very solid. After the game Anna Ushenina said that she expected this opening, although her opponent does not use it often. After the opening Stefanova offered a draw, but Ushenina declined and, as she confessed at the press-conference, over-reacted, weakening her king too much. Soon Black won a pawn and got excellent winning chances. However, Stefanova, being under time pressure, made a mistake on the 31st move, moving the f-pawn and weakening her king as well. White activated her queen and rook, and within the next few moves Black’s advantage evaporated. In five more moves the players agreed to a draw. You can watch the game with Chess King.
The second game is being played on Wednesday with Stefanova having White. This is a best-of-four match. If the score after four games is 2-2, the players continue on tie-break. The tie-breaks begin with two rapid games: 25 minutes plus 10 second per move for each player. If the score is 1-1, they will continue with two quicker games: 10 minutes plus 10 seconds per move.
If the winner is still not determined, the players will proceed to blitz games: 5 minutes plus 3 seconds per move. Finally, is the score remains equal, the Armageddon game steps up: White has 5 minutes, Black has 4 minutes, 3 seconds per move are added starting with the move 61, and a draw counts as a victory for Black.
Labels: anna ushenina, antoaneta stefanova, khanty mansiysk, women's world chess championship 2012
Jamaica Chess Open: Warren Elliott Wins Clear First
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012Hi everyone,The Jamaica Chess Open took place recently at the Negril Escape Resort and Spa. The event, which is the flagship open tournament of the Jamaica Chess Federation, was staged outside of Kingston for the first time in over a decade. The ultimate goal is to spread chess, the fastest growing sport in Jamaica, to all fourteen parishes.The tournament boasted the highest prize fund for any open event this year and consisted of three sections open to amateurs and players of various ratings. International players included Americans National Master Devlin Sinclair and Tyrell Harriott battling among top local players, notably FIDE Master Warren Elliott and current national co-champions Damion Davy andAndrew Mellace.Six-time national champion Warren Elliott successfully claimed first place after defeating Harriott, Shreyas Smith and National Master Ryan Blackwood. He finished on 3.5 points from four games as a result of a hard fought draw with ten-time women’s champion Deborah Porter in the penultimate round. FIDE Candidate Master Damion Davy, and National Masters Russell Porter, Andrew Mellace, Peter Meyers, Devlin Sinclair and Ryan Blackwood all shared second prize with three points. Porter was awarded the silver medal based on tiebreak.
Warren Elliott (front, left) was held to a draw by Deborah Porter (front, right) at the 2012 Jamaica Chess Open, however Elliott defeated the rest of his opponents to claim first place.
In the section for intermediate level players, Kevin Merritt won with a perfect score of five points from five games while Donavon Merritt, Nathan Belifante and Rochelle Porter shared second place with 4 points each.
Queston Warren was crowned the top amateur after securing an immaculate score of six points from six games in the ‘Amateur Section’. Oneil White,Nathalene Gardner and Davini Tulsie trailed closely behind and tied for second place.
The tournament was sponsored by the Negril Escape Resort and Spa, the Rockhouse Hotel, the Magnificent Chess Foundation, FIDE Master Grantel Gibbs and the Westmoreland Chess Association which was officially launched at the event.
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Labels: jamaica chess open, negril escape resort and spa, warren elliot
Thanksgiving Chess Event Results from the US
Exhibition Chess Match in Macau: Kasparov vs Chinese Chess Woman Master
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
João Riquito and the Konstantin Bessmertny-designed special chess set
Former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov is going to play a chess exhibition match in Macau against Xiong Junyang, a woman Chinese chess master and two-time winner of the Chinese National Chess Championship in the junior category. Junyang resides in Macau. The match is being organised by the 'Riquito Advogados” solicitors’ office and is scheduled for December 2, at the University Library of the University of Macau. The event is part of a series of activities as João Riquito, who himself is a passionate chess player, believes “there are more interesting things to do than to deal with the law.”
Kasparov will also lecture on “The theory of decisions” on December 1 in Macau. The chess match is special also because it will be played on an artistic chessboard which has been conceived by Russian painter and sculptor Konstantin Bessmertny, who works in Macau. “Each piece is different and unique.” The sculpted pieces include “a Churchill, a Napoleon, a Cesar, and the hands of a pianist”. Mr Riquito commissioned the artwork in 2009 and obtained it from the artist in 2011. The board is on exhibition in the university hall and the exhibition match will also be artistically choreographed. The organisers have particularly said it's not a commercial event.
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Labels: Garry Kasparov, joão riquito, konstantin bessmertny, macau chess, xiong junyang
GM Levon Aronian Named 'Man of the Year' by Armenia Magazine 'De Factor'
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
“De Factor” magazine has named Armenian Grandmaster Levon Aronian “Man of the Year.”
“I’m very grateful, this is a great honor for my,” Aronian said, speaking at the award ceremony. “As sportsmen, we are more used to receiving awards after victories,” he added.
Aronain says he always tries not to think about the nationality of his opponent. “I think there are no hostile nations. Simply, there are bad people in every nation.”
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Labels: armenia chess, de factor, levon aronian
Master Chess Puzzle: Seirawan-Lobron
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
A nice chess puzzle from Chess King. Here is a position from the game Yasser Seirawan-Eric Lobron, Amsterdam, 1983. White has just played 22.Rxa7 threatening Ra8. What is Black’s strongest move to win the game? You can find the answer at Chess King.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Labels: chess puzzle, lobron, seirawan
Easy Chess Photo Trivia: Name these Photogenic Chess Newsmakers
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The Women's World Chess Championship 2012 is down to the finalists. Can you name them? Can you also name the two players they knocked out to reach the final? The final match to crown the new champion begins on Tuesday in Khanty-Mansiysk. Stay tuned at Chess Blog for all the regular chess news and updates from the tournament.
For the answer and an album of super photos, surf to 1.Chesspics.com and 2.Chesspics.com.
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Cool Chess Video from Chess-is-Life Club in Niles, Ohio
Magnus Carlsen beats 'The World' in Mexico Vote Chess
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen has beaten the World in a special vote chess match at the 2nd Grand Chess Festival held at Mexico's National Autonomous University, or UNAM, in Mexico. The match lasted two hours and Carlsen faced off thousands of players online. The audience comprising 'the world' selected from among three potential moves presented to them at every step in the match, and the move receiving the most votes was the one made against Carlsen, who then responded with his own move. On the 38th move, "The World," which played black, resigned.
This was not the only triumph of the day for Carlsen, who at the same time played black against a portion of the crowd in the Nezahuacoyotl hall at UNAM and eventually forced them to resign also. The 21-year-old grandmaster's activities at the chess festival will conclude on Monday with a rapid, blind match against the winner of Sunday's game between grandmasters Judith Polgar of Hungary and Mexico's Manuel Leon Hoyos.
You can replay the game with Chess King: Magnus Carlsen vs the World in Mexico in the extended post.
Read more »
Play Chess to Keep Brain Fit: New Study by Radiological Society of North America
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Researchers from Rush University Medical Center and Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, who studied the effect of late-life cognitive activity on the brain’s white matter, have concluded that reading newspapers, writing letters and playing games like chess, do contribute to a healthier brain.
The researchers used a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method known as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to generate data on diffusion anisotropy, a measure of how water molecules move through the brain. In white matter, diffusion anisotropy exploits the fact that water moves more easily in a direction parallel to the brain's axons, and less easily perpendicular to the axons, because it is impeded by structures such as axonal membranes and myelin.
Read more »Labels: chess and science, chess research, radiological society of north america
Tashkent Chess Grand Prix 2012 Round 4: Morozevich Leads
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012Hi everyone,
Svidler on his way to beating Ponomariov in Tashkent.
Four rounds have been played at the FIDE Grand Prix in Tashkent. The fourth round witnessed the maximum number of decisive games so far - three! But, the draws have not been without a fight. The rating favorite of the tournament Fabiano Caruana managed to win his second game in a row whilst Wang Hao outplayed Gata Kamsky in the deep endgame and Peter Svidler won his first game in the tournament against former FIDE World Champion Ruslan Ponomariov. The main game of the fourth round was clearly between the sole leader of the tournament Alexander Morozevich and the in-form Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, who was in second place, and ultimately finished in a draw. As a result, Morozevich still keeps leading with half a point ahead of Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Sergey Karjakin, Wang Hao and Fabiano Caruana.
The third round witnessed two decisive games. Fabiano Caruana outplayed Gata Kamsky and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov defeated Peter Svidler. Chinese player Wang Hao was very close to gain the first victory in the tournament but failed to find the winning idea in the opposite color bishops endgame. Alexander Morozevich made a draw against Boris Gelfand and keeps leading in the tournament. You can replay the Morozevich-Caruana game with Chess King.
Labels: Alexander Morozevich, peter svidler, Ruslan Ponomariov, tashkent chess grand prix
GM Sanikidze wins 10th Open International d’Echecs du Jura on Tiebreak
Malta Chess Open: GM Heberla Bartlomiej wins on Tiebreak
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
GM Heberla Bartlomiej has won the 2nd Malta Chess Open on tiebreak versus GM Petrov Marian. Both scored a total of 7,5 points each, but Heberla took the trophy on higher tie-break. A total of 159 players from 28 countries took part in the chess event that has found support from Malta Touristic Agency and Cheverny International. A total of 12 GMs and seven IMs came to the island to play the chess tournament south of Sicily.
Players from the north of Europe were especially attracted by 20 degree and many hours of sunlight. Maltese culture and history could be explored during the day as the games began at 5 p.m.
Daniel Lam from Hong Kong, Torres und Quinteros from Venezuela have traveled a long distance to play this tournament.
In round 7 GM Brynell has had the lead but lost his game against GM Burmakin. The next day GM Epishin beat the new #1 Burmakin.
In the end Grandmasters Heberla Bartlomiej and Petrov Marian shared the first place with 7,5 points each, but Heberla took the trophy on higher tie-break.
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Labels: heberla bartlomiej, malta chess open, petrov marian
Khanty-Mansiysk Women's World Chess 2012: Ushenina Knocks out Wenjun, Joins Stefanova in Final
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
What do you do with a lost game at the Women's World Chess Championship? The answer is 'fight it out'. That's the recipe Anna Ushenina of Ukraine used to knock out Ju Wenjun of China in the tiebreak games of the semi-final in Khanty Mansiysk on Sunday. Ushenina now meets Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria to vie for the World Women's Chess Champion 2012 title.
In the first tie-break game Anna, playing White, got an overwhelming position after the opening. Ju Wenjun had to sacrifice a piece in order to save her king from White’s attack. Black had some counterplay, but White calmly parried all threats, and soon the Chinese resigned.
In the second game Ju Wenjun got a better position, and Black sacrificed a pawn to avoid bigger trouble. White responded by sacrificing an exchange for two pawns, and had decent winning chances in the resulting position. However, she missed a number of winning continuations due to time trouble, and Ushenina avoided all traps and saved the game with accurate defending. The draw was enough for Ushenina to advance to the final of the Khanty-Mansiysk Women's World Chess Championship 2012. Watch the exciting second game with Chess King.
Semifinal results:Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria) – Harika Dronavalli (India) 1.5-0.5
Anna Ushenina (Ukraine) – Ju Wenjun (China) 2.5-1.5
Meanwhile, Harika Dronavalli (India) and Ju Wenjun (China) were also awarded the bronze medal by Khanty-Mansiysk Mayor and Ugra Chess Federation president Vassily Filipenko.
Monday, November 26, is a rest day. The final match begins on November 27. This is a best-of-four match. If the score after four games is 2-2, the players continue on tie-break. The tie-breaks begin with two rapid games: 25 minutes plus 10 second per move for each player. If the score is 1-1, they will continue with two quicker games: 10 minutes plus 10 seconds per move. If the winner is still not determined, the players will proceed to blitz games: 5 minutes plus 3 seconds per move. Finally, is the score remains equal, the Armageddon game steps up: White has 5 minutes, Black has 4 minutes, 3 seconds per move are added starting with the move 61, and a draw counts as a victory for Black.
Labels: anna ushenina, antoaneta stefanova, harika dronavalli, ju wenjun, khanty mansiysk chess, women's world chess championship 2012
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