Archive for July 26th, 2008
Biel: The Friendly Super-Tournament no comments
Source: United States Chess Federation http://main.uschess.org/index2.php?option=com_rss&feed=RSS2.0&no_html=1
Unfortunately for American fans, Onischuk fell to Dominguez today, his first loss in the 2008 Biel Chess Festival. GM Ian Rogers’ onsite report focuses on the meteoric rise of Magnus Carlsen and how to define a Super-tournament.
Holding a drawn endgame no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Position after 53…Kxh4
Do you know how to hold this position as White? This is an actual game between GM Onischuk and GM Dominguez in round 6 in Biel.
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
A Troitsky Masterpiece no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
White to move. Is this a win, draw, or loss for White? How should White proceed?
8/2pp2pp/8/2PP1P2/1p5k/8/PP4p1/6K1 w - - 0 1
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Bacrot wins, clear lead to Carlsen no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
GM Bacrot (2691) - GM Alekseev (2707) [E00]
26.07.2008 / Biel - Round 6
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Be7 5.Nf3 d5 6.Qc2 0–0 7.Bg2 c6 8.0–0 Nbd7 9.Rd1 b6 10.b3 Ba6 11.Bf4 Rc8 12.Nc3 Nh5 13.Bc1 Nhf6 14.Bb2 Qc7 15.Rac1 dxc4 16.bxc4 Bxc4 17.Ne5 Nxe5 18.dxe5 Nd5 19.Ne4 b5 20.Nd6 Bxd6 21.exd6 Qd7 22.a4 f6 23.Ba3 Nb6 24.a5 Na4 25.Rd4 Bd5 26.Bc5 Bxg2 27.Kxg2 e5 28.Rd2 Rfd8 29.Qb3+ Qf7 30.Qe3 Rd7 31.a6 h6 32.f3 Qe6 33.Bxa7 Ra8 34.Rxc6 Raxa7 35.Qd3 b4 36.Rc8+ Kf7 37.Qh7 f5 38.Qg8+ Kf6 39.Rf8+ Rf7 40.Rxf7+ Rxf7 41.Qd8+ Kg6 42.d7 Nc5 43.Qe8 White wins 1–0
Click here to replay the game.
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Akobian in Lindsborg no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Akobian playing a simul at the 2008 U.S. Junior Open in Lindsborg, Kansas. The link to that site is: http://www.anatolykarpovchessschool.org/2008usjropen.html
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Carlsen back on winning track no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
GM Pelletier (2569) - GM Carlsen (2775) [E15]
26.07.2008 / Biel - Round 6
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.b3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Be7 7.Bg2 d5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Nc3 0–0 10.0–0 Bb7 11.Rc1 Nbd7 12.Bf4 c6 13.Qc2 Re8 14.Rcd1 Bb4 15.Bd2 Rc8 16.Qb2 Qe7 17.Rfe1 Qf8 18.Bh3 Rcd8 19.Qc2 h6 20.Nh4 c5 21.Nf5 a6 22.Qb2 Bxc3 23.Bxc3 Ne4 24.dxc5 Nxc3 25.Qxc3 bxc5 26.Qa5 Nf6 27.Qb6 Bc8 28.Kg2 Ne4 29.f3 Ng5 30.g4 h5 31.Rc1 g6 32.Ng3 Nxh3 33.Kxh3 hxg4+ 34.fxg4 Qh6+ 35.Kg2 Bxg4 36.Qxc5 Re3 37.Qd4 Qh3+ 38.Kg1 Rxg3+ 39.hxg3 Qxg3+ 40.Kh1 Bf5 Black wins 0–1
Click here to replay the game.
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Humpy’s Success no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
All the right moves
Saturday July 26 2008
17:05 IST N Jagannath Das
Winner of the World Under-14 Championship in 2001; Asia’s youngest International Woman Master in 1999; India’s youngest Woman Grandmaster in 2001; at 15 years, 1 month, 27 days, the youngest woman to become a Grandmaster, beating Judit Polgar’s record by three months, Koneru Humpy’s achievements are laudable.
Coached by her father, Dronacharya awardee Koneru Ashok, world number 2 Humpy has reached a career best Elo rating of 2,622 and is preparing for the Women’s World Chess Championship to be held in Nalchik, Kabardina-Balkaria, Russian Federation from August 28 to September 18.
Excerpts from an interview…
On how it feels to be the second best woman player in the world. In the July 2008 list, I had an Elo rating of 2,622 – my career-best. My target is to reach a rating of 2,650 and I feel confident about reaching that mark.
On how the change in timing and venue of the Women’s World Chess Championship from Greece in mid-June to Russia in Agust-September has affected her preparations The change in timing and venue hasn’t affected me much because I was busy with other tournaments till May and was yet to start my preparations when the initial announcement was made. Now, I have had sufficient time to prepare.
On the opponents she needs to watch out for at the World Championship Since it is a knockout tournament, every round will be crucial. Much depends on the pairing but I expect to meet tough opponents from Round 2 onwards.
On her opponent in the first round In the first round, I will meet Alaa El Din Yorsa of Egypt. On who is more dangerous between the Chinese and Russian players It is difficult to compare players in that manner.
Overall, Antoaneta Stefanova, Hou Yifan, Marie Sebag, Maya Chiburdanidze and Alexandra Kosteniuk are tough opponents. No opponent is difficult or easy to face as everything depends on the player’s form during an event.
On whether she has received any financial aid from the Centre, state government or chess federation to help her preparations for the World Championship The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has always been supportive. The Centre organises training camps but I have not attended them as I am trained by my father.
However, the Andhra Pradesh government has not been very supportive. In fact, I am yet to receive the cash awards promised to me after I won at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha.
On who will accompany her to the World Championship My father-cum-coach Koneru Ashok, a Dronacharya awardee, accompanies me to all tournaments.
On how the prize money offered at the Women’s World Championship compares with the men’s event The prize money is ,000 for the women and 6-8 times more for the men.
On whether the format of the World Championship needs to be changed The tournament has a 64-player knockout format. I feel it would be better divide the players into groups and turn it into a round-robin event with semifinals for the winners of the groups.
On her next major international tournament The North Urals Cup in Ekaterinburg, Russia, between July 26 and August 4. On how the North Urals Cup has changed The level of the tournament has gone up with many players having an Elo rating above 2,500. When I played in the tournament in 2005, I was the top seed with a rating of 2,487.
On major tournaments for women being practically non-existent in India It is true that we don’t have any major tournaments for women. Europe and Russia are ahead of India in this regard.
On chess gaining in popularity among Indian women India has become stronger in chess overall. We have 18 Grandmasters now. On whether she is under pressure to play international tournaments There is no such pressure. The AICF has always been supportive and given me the freedom to choose my tournaments.
On the advice she would give youngsters Youngsters should play chess according to their level of interest in the game. Hard work and determination are required, but one should also have the patience to wait for success.
Source: http://www.newindpress.com
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Saturday Open Forum no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
It’s Saturday Open Forum. There are a lot of chess actions this week.
Carlsen and Alekseev are leading Biel at the midway point. North Urals Cup super women’s tournament is starting tomorrow. Marx György Memorial just started yesterday.
It’s Saturday Open Forum. What would you like to discuss?
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Humpy’s Success no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
All the right moves
Saturday July 26 2008
17:05 IST N Jagannath Das
Winner of the World Under-14 Championship in 2001; Asia’s youngest International Woman Master in 1999; India’s youngest Woman Grandmaster in 2001; at 15 years, 1 month, 27 days, the youngest woman to become a Grandmaster, beating Judit Polgar’s record by three months, Koneru Humpy’s achievements are laudable. Coached by her father, Dronacharya awardee Koneru Ashok, world number 2 Humpy has reached a career best Elo rating of 2,622 and is preparing for the Women’s World Chess Championship to be held in Nalchik, Kabardina-Balkaria, Russian Federation from August 28 to September 18.
Excerpts from an interview…
On how it feels to be the second best woman player in the world. In the July 2008 list, I had an Elo rating of 2,622 – my career-best. My target is to reach a rating of 2,650 and I feel confident about reaching that mark.
On how the change in timing and venue of the Women’s World Chess Championship from Greece in mid-June to Russia in Agust-September has affected her preparations The change in timing and venue hasn’t affected me much because I was busy with other tournaments till May and was yet to start my preparations when the initial announcement was made. Now, I have had sufficient time to prepare.
On the opponents she needs to watch out for at the World Championship Since it is a knockout tournament, every round will be crucial. Much depends on the pairing but I expect to meet tough opponents from Round 2 onwards.
On her opponent in the first round In the first round, I will meet Alaa El Din Yorsa of Egypt. On who is more dangerous between the Chinese and Russian players It is difficult to compare players in that manner.
Overall, Antoaneta Stefanova, Hou Yifan, Marie Sebag, Maya Chiburdanidze and Alexandra Kosteniuk are tough opponents. No opponent is difficult or easy to face as everything depends on the player’s form during an event.
On whether she has received any financial aid from the Centre, state government or chess federation to help her preparations for the World Championship The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has always been supportive. The Centre organises training camps but I have not attended them as I am trained by my father.
However, the Andhra Pradesh government has not been very supportive. In fact, I am yet to receive the cash awards promised to me after I won at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha.
On who will accompany her to the World Championship My father-cum-coach Koneru Ashok, a Dronacharya awardee, accompanies me to all tournaments.
On how the prize money offered at the Women’s World Championship compares with the men’s event The prize money is ,000 for the women and 6-8 times more for the men.
On whether the format of the World Championship needs to be changed The tournament has a 64-player knockout format. I feel it would be better divide the players into groups and turn it into a round-robin event with semifinals for the winners of the groups.
On her next major international tournament The North Urals Cup in Ekaterinburg, Russia, between July 26 and August 4. On how the North Urals Cup has changed The level of the tournament has gone up with many players having an Elo rating above 2,500. When I played in the tournament in 2005, I was the top seed with a rating of 2,487.
On major tournaments for women being practically non-existent in India It is true that we don’t have any major tournaments for women. Europe and Russia are ahead of India in this regard.
On chess gaining in popularity among Indian women India has become stronger in chess overall. We have 18 Grandmasters now. On whether she is under pressure to play international tournaments There is no such pressure. The AICF has always been supportive and given me the freedom to choose my tournaments.
On the advice she would give youngsters Youngsters should play chess according to their level of interest in the game. Hard work and determination are required, but one should also have the patience to wait for success.
Source: http://www.newindpress.com
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Texas Tech welcomes SPNI participants no comments
Source: Susan Polgar Blog
Susan Polgar National Chess Invitational for Girls
www.SPICE.ttu.edu
July 27 – August 1, 2008
Frazier Alumni Pavilion
Texas Tech University
Alabama - Hannah Hellwig
Arizona - Sayaka Foley
Arkansas - Crystal Qian
California (Northern) - Rebekah Liu
California (Southern) - Nisha Deolalikar
Colorado - Alexandra Lasley
Connecticut - Alexandra Wiener
Delaware - Ann Marie Fitch
Florida - Rita Mirchandani
Georgia - Ananya Roy
Hawaii - Ashbea Oyadomari
Idaho - Erica Barkell
Illinois - Sonya Vohra
Indiana - Emily Tallo
Iowa - Dhrooti Vyas
Kansas - Katrina Pritchard
Maine - Sorel Edes
Maryland - Fiona Lam
Massachusetts - Michelle Chen
Michigan - Ashley Carter
Minnesota - Morgan Mahowald
Mississippi - Melanie Newell
Missouri - Joanna Gossell
Nebraska - Elizabeth Oliver
New Jersey - Eve Zhurbinskiy
New Mexico - Rebecca Anne DeLand
New York - Linda Diaz
North Carolina - Amelia Wheeless
Ohio - Brianna Conley
Ohio - Rebecca Lelko
Oklahoma - Michelle Farell
Oregon - Taylor Bailey
Pennsylvania - Shinan Jin
South Carolina - Hannah Whatley
South Dakota - Kaitlynn Loos
Tennessee - Autumn Douthitt
Texas - Sylvia Yang
Texas - Rheanna English
Utah - Jamie Olsen-Mills
Virginia - Susan Brown
Washington - Leanne Hwa
Wisconsin - Mira Ensley-Field
Special Invitation - Courtney Jamison
Special Invitation - Angel Bohannon
Special Invitation - Janice Chen
Special Invitation - Georgia Olvera
Special Invitation - Sarah Garza
SP National Open Qualifier - Claudia Munoz
SP World Open Qualifier - Annie Wang
SP World Open Qualifier - Alisha Chawla
Opening Ceremony
MC Paul Truong - Director of Marketing and PR, SPICE Office
National Anthem
Cactus Cuties
Welcoming Remarks
Susan Polgar, Director, SPICE Office
Dr. James E. Brink, Associate Vice Provost for Heritage Consortium
Lee Bobbitt, President, Student Government Association
Frank K. Berry, Chief Tournament Director
Dewain Barber, USCF Polgar Committee Chair
Introducing the participants and presenting each participant a Polgar Medallion
Schedule:
July 27
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m Opening Ceremony
3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Round 1 of SPNI
July 28
1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Round 2 of SPNI and round 1 of Parents/Friends Open
7:00 p.m. SPNI Chess Puzzle Solving Championship
7:30 p.m. Chess lecture by Susan
July 29
1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Round 3 of SPNI and round 2 of Parents/Friends Open
7:00 p.m. SPNI Blitz Championship
July 30
10:00 a.m. Basketball Game - Rec Center - Court 1
1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Round 4 of SPNI and round 3 of Parents/Friends Open
7:00 p.m. SPNI Bughouse Championship
July 31
1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Round 5 of SPNI and final round of Parents/Friends Open
August 1
10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Round 6 of SPNI
2:30 p.m. Closing Ceremony
Source: Susan Polgar Blog