Archive for July 22nd, 2008
US teams announced no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
USCF Announces 2008 Olympiad Teams
By Jerry Nash
July 17, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jerry Nash
jnash@uschess.org
(Crossville, July 18, 2008) The United States Chess Federation (USCF) announced the teams and captains for the 38th Chess Olympiad scheduled for November 12 – 25, 2008, in Dresden, Germany.
The Chess Olympiads, begun in 1924, are the most prestigious of the world team tournaments organized by the World Chess Federation (FIDE).
Teams from more than 100 nations participate in this event scheduled every two years. In the previous two Olympiads, US teams achieved success in bringing home medals. In 2004, the US Women’s team won the Silver in Calvia, Spain, and in 2006, the US Men’s team captured the Bronze in Turin, Italy.
The 38th Chess Olympiad United States Teams
Men’s Team: Varuzhan Akobian, Gata Kamsky, Hikaru Nakamura, Alexander Onischuk, Yury Shulman, Captain - John Donaldson.
Women’s Team: Tatev Abrahamyan, Rusudan Goletiani, Irina Krush, Katerina Rohonyan, Anna Zatonskih, Captain - Michael Khodarkovsky and Coach - Gregory Kaidanov.
The players were selected by a formula which takes into account several factors including USCF and FIDE ratings. Yury Shulman and Anna Zatonskih also qualified by winning the 2008 US Men’s and Women’s Chess Championships.
The captains and coaches were selected by a vote of the players of each team. Significant modifications in the tournament format will impact the play at the 2008 Olympiad. The event has been reduced from 14 rounds to 11 rounds and scoring has been changed from game to match points.
Another change is the composition of the teams themselves. The men’s teams have been reduced by one alternate player to the current Four Boards plus One Board alternate player. The women’s teams have been increased by one player to an identical 4+1 composition.
Official Olympiad Website: www.dresden2008.com
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Rules or no rules no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Peru’s Chess Federation changes rules - Top players may not see Olympics
Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz
Official Olympiad Website: www.Dresden2008.com
If the Peruvian Chess Federation does not put its initial regulations back into effect, the country’s top female chess players will not be able to take part in the 2008 World Chess Olympics to be held in Germany.
Complications began when the Peruvian Chess Federation announced that regulations had been changed and that female chess players could not automatically qualify to play in Germany but would have to take part in a qualifying match in La Oroya, a town outside of Lima in the Andes.
Despite the fact the Federation had officially announced last year that International Masters Luciana Morales (ELO 2189) and Deysi Cori (ELO 2280) would represent the country at the World Chess Tournament, it has stated that rules had been changed and they would have to attend the qualifying match in La Oroya.
According to Milton Iturry, the head of the Andean country’s Chess Federation, female players can no longer automatically qualify for the World Tournament.
In an ambiguous explanation to El Comercio daily, Iturry stated that only Emilio Córdova and Julio Granda could automatically qualify because there was “a much bigger difference”.
“In the case of the women, the level is much more even,” said the head of the Federation.
Because Luciana Morales lives in Beijing with her mother, she has affirmed that she will not be able to attend the event in La Oroya, which Iturry has stated “is nearby, just three hours outside of Lima”.
Morales has affirmed that changing regulations is a lack of respect on behalf of the Federation, stating she was the captain of the female team at the last Olympics and is one of Peru’s three female International Masters.
Source: http://www.livinginperu.com/
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Special Interview with North Urals Organizer no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Special Interview
Only several weeks ago hardly anybody could imagine that a small town in the North of Sverdlovsk region will attract attention of millions of people from all over the world and that annually for several days Krasnoturinsk will be the centre of world women chess. However the time showed that actually it is true. On the 26th of July the sixth international women chess supertournament “North Urals Cup” is beginning. On the eve of this event we talk to one of the organizers of this chess festival in the North Ural Vice-President of FIDE and Honorary President of the Russian Chess Federation Andrey Selivanov.
Will the “North Urals Cup 2008” be different from tournaments of previous years?
From year to year the level of the tournament is higher and higher. This year eight participants from eight countries take part in it. They are: the participant with the highest rating and the winner of “North Urals Cup - 2005” Humpy Koneru (India), world champion 2004 Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria), Europe champion 2003 Pia Cramling (Sweden), champion of France Marie Sebag (France), Olympic champion in the Ukrainian team Anna Ushenina (Ukraine), the winner of “Moscow – Open 2008” Anna Muzychuk (Slovenia), international grandmaster Natalya Pogonina (Russia) and current world champion Xu Yuhua (China) who gained this title in Yekaterinburg in 2006.
The average rating of participants of the tournament is 2522, that corresponds to the 19 FIDE category. There was no women tournament of such category before. Of course all of us are waiting for bright games.
How do the organizers of the tournament manage to gather such strong participants?
In 2003 when we held the first “North Urals Cup” in Krasnoturinsk this competition became a real breakthrough for women chess. There was no systematic women chess tournament in the world before. Many chess admirers heard about Dortmund, Linares, Veik-an-See but with the connection of men chess.
In 2003 the idea of holding of the women chess supertournament in Krasnoturinsk was supported by A. Sysoev who was the General Director of Bogoslovsky Aluminium Smelter at that time and sponsored all following tournaments. It is symbolic that this year A. Sysoev as the President of Sverdlovsk Chess Federation is the main organizer of the tournament and he is also the Head of the group of companies “SAVIAK” which is the General sponsor of the competition.
Today the tournament is so popular that almost all chess players dream to take part in it. The experience of Krasnoturinsk was adopted in other countries and now we can speak about the so called competition among tournaments. Similar tournaments are held in Azerbaijan and Turkey, the women tournament that is held in the framework of “Moscow Open” became a separate competition. By the way, this year the winner of “Moscow Open – 2008” Anna Muzychuk is going to play in Krasnoturinsk.
Is it possible to say that the “North Urals Cup” contributed to the development of chess in Sverdlovsk region?
The tournament is included into the official calendar of the Russian Chess Federation. It is held under the support of the Governor of Sverdlovsk region E. Rossel and regional Ministry of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism. There are a lot of mass tournaments held during the Cup, chess players from different cities of the region take part in them. Traditionally honorary guests visit the tournament, their presence also contribute to the chess popularization. Owing to the “North Urals Cup” repeated world champion Nona Gaprindashvili, the 10th and 11th world champions Boris Spassky and Anatoly Karpov, a famous grandmaster, coach and journalist Yury Averbakh visited Krasnoturinsk. A five-time world champion Maya Chiburdanidze was cordially welcomed in the North Ural. Many chess fans specially came to Krasnoturinsk to look at this legendary person.
Also today we can surely say that the tournament gave a definite impulse to the chess development in our region. Of course it happened to a large extent owing to people who support the tournament and like chess very much. The head of the Administration of the Governor of Sverdlovk region A. Levin and the Head of Northern Administrative District I. Gramatik who supports the chess development in the North of Sverdlovsk region are among them.
Taking into account the great experience of organizing Krasnoturinsk tournament the decision of holding two world championships (individual and team) in Sverdlovsk region was made. They were held at the highest level in Yekaterinburg. On the initiative of the Governor of Sverdlovsk region E. Rossel the building of Chess Academy was started. It must become the centre of chess popularization and development in Sverdlovsk region and the whole Ural. Today many heads of cities understand that this kind of sport should be paid attention to. Last year a new chess club was opened in Serov under the support of the Head of the city V. Anisimov. The head of Krasnoturinsk V. Mikhel also intends to actively support chess players and find the building for city chess club. And on behalf of FIDE and the Russian Chess Federation I express the appreciation of the these people’s great contribution to chess development.
Now I can already say one thing that must be a very good news for chess admirers. International Chess Federation (FIDE) made the decision that women Grand Prix will be organized since 2009, it will consist of 6 tournaments. And most probably the tournament in Krasnoturinsk will be one of its rounds.
WIM Anna Burtasova
Press-attache of women chess super-tournament ‘North Urals Cup 2008′
anna_burtasova@hotmail.com
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Onischuk Scores in Biel no comments
Source: United States Chess Federation http://main.uschess.org/index2.php?option=com_rss&feed=RSS2.0&no_html=1
American GM Alexander Onischuk scored against GM Yannick Pelletier in round three of the Biel Chess Festival (July 20-August 1.) Onischuk, who tied for first last year with Magnus Carlsen, is currently tied for second.
Kasparov drew Cuba’s Bruzon no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
GM S. Kasparov drew GM Bruzon yesterday to stay in contention at the Open de Balaguer.
GM Kasparov (2486) - GM Bruzon (2592) [B41]
21.07.2008 - Open de Balaguer
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Bd3 Qb6 6.Nb3 Qc7 7.0–0 a6 8.c4 d6 9.Nc3 Nbd7 10.Be2 b6 11.Be3 Be7 12.f3 0–0 13.a4 Rb8 14.Qd2 Nc5 15.Qc2 Bb7 16.Rfc1 Ba8 17.Nd4 Rfe8 18.Qd1 Ncd7 19.Qf1 Rbc8 20.Nd1 Qb8 21.Kh1 Bd8 22.Rab1 Bb7 23.b4 Qa8 24.Bg1 h5 25.Nf2 Ne5 26.Nb3 Ned7 27.a5 d5 28.exd5 exd5 29.axb6 dxc4 30.Na5 Nxb6 31.Nxb7 Qxb7 32.Bxc4 Nxc4 Game drawn ½–½
Click here to replay the game.
Official website: http://www.openbalaguer.org/htm/inici_a.htm
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
What to do? no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
White to move. How should White proceed? How do you assess this position?
Liburkin 1949, presented by Andreas
5R2/1n6/P6k/8/1P5r/8/3K1p2/8 w - - 0 1
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Continental Champs Comes to Florida no comments
Source: United States Chess Federation http://main.uschess.org/index2.php?option=com_rss&feed=RSS2.0&no_html=1
The 2008 Pan-American/Continental Championship will take place November 1-7 in Boca Raton, Florida. If you’re over 2100 USCF or 2000 FIDE, this is your chance to earn a spot in the 2009 World Cup!
Carlsen wins again! no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
What can we say about Carlsen? He gets it done again so far in Biel. There is no limit to what this kid can do.
GM Carlsen (2775) - GM Bacrot (2691) [D43]
22.07.2008 / Biel - Round 3
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.cxd5 exd5 7.e3 Be7 8.Qc2 Nh5 9.Bxe7 Qxe7 10.0–0–0 Nb6 11.h3 Be6 12.Bd3 0–0–0 13.Kb1 Kb8 14.Nd2 g6 15.Nb3 Ng7 16.f3 Bf5 17.Bxf5 Nxf5 18.Rhe1 Nc4 19.Qc1 Qg5 20.g4 Ng7 21.f4 Qh4 22.e4 Qxh3 23.exd5 cxd5 24.Nc5 Ne6 25.b3 Nxc5 26.dxc5 Na5 27.b4 Nc4 28.Nxd5 Na3+ 29.Ka1 Rhe8 30.c6 bxc6 31.Qxc6 White wins 1–0
Click here to replay the game.
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Find the best move no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
White to move. Does White have enough compensation for the pawn? How should White proceed?
4r1k1/1R4p1/2Pq1p1p/p7/6P1/p4Q1P/r5P1/5RK1 w - - 0 1
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Kasparov drew Cuban’s Bruzon no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
GM S. Kasparov drew GM Bruzon yesterday to stay in contention at the Open de Balaguer.
GM Kasparov (2486) - GM Bruzon (2592) [B41]
21.07.2008 - Open de Balaguer
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Bd3 Qb6 6.Nb3 Qc7 7.0–0 a6 8.c4 d6 9.Nc3 Nbd7 10.Be2 b6 11.Be3 Be7 12.f3 0–0 13.a4 Rb8 14.Qd2 Nc5 15.Qc2 Bb7 16.Rfc1 Ba8 17.Nd4 Rfe8 18.Qd1 Ncd7 19.Qf1 Rbc8 20.Nd1 Qb8 21.Kh1 Bd8 22.Rab1 Bb7 23.b4 Qa8 24.Bg1 h5 25.Nf2 Ne5 26.Nb3 Ned7 27.a5 d5 28.exd5 exd5 29.axb6 dxc4 30.Na5 Nxb6 31.Nxb7 Qxb7 32.Bxc4 Nxc4 Game drawn ½–½
Click here to replay the game.
Official website: http://www.openbalaguer.org/htm/inici_a.htm
Source: Susan Polgar Blog