Source: ChessToday.net
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Erratic form gives hope to rivals
Magnus Carlsen's erratic form gives hope to rivals such as Vishy Anand
Leonard Barden
The Guardian, Friday 24 May 2013
There is a paradox at the top of international chess. The world No1, Magnus Carlsen, leads the ratings by a wide margin, yet his recurrent form dips during major tournaments give hope to his rivals. Carlsen faltered at the end of last month's London candidates, then again a few days ago at the Norway elite event, which was expected to be a hometown victory lap watched online by the thousands of fans who voted the 22-year-old as Norway's Sportsman of 2012.
Carlsen began with four nondescript draws, rallied strongly to close on the leader Sergey Karjakin, then failed at the finish when he lost a level endgame, the kind where he normally grinds out a win, to China's Wang Hao. So Karjakin won with 6/9, ahead of Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura 5.5. World champion Vishy Anand scored 5, Wang Hao 4.5.
It was a career-best result for Karjakin, 23, the Muscovite who is being groomed to regain the world crown which Russia once monopolised. The forex company Alpari sponsors him, and will continue to so for several title campaigns. He has a specially designed €5,000 computer to help him prepare, but claims that Carlsen has a superior multiprocessor model, €50,000 and top secret, which can create and calculate unique and extremely deep variations. Their mutual games are increasingly tense, though Carlsen has the edge. At Wijk earlier this year he won a 92-move marathon, while in Norway Karjakin stood better but was overcome by a counter-attack.
So the future for chess could be Norway v Russia, but Anand, 42, stands in the way. India's world champion is playing with much more ambition than a year ago, won some imaginative attacks in Norway, and would have tied with his title challenger Carlsen but for overpressing in the final round. He is buoyed by the prospect of defending his crown in his home city Chennai, and also by the recent signs of Carlsen's fallibility which could influence their match.
More here.
Chess Wiz-Kid Just Keeps Winning!
Chess wizard Tanraj Sohal has won the 2013 Canadian Chess Championship held in Ottawa, Ontario on May 19-20, 2013 in his grade level.
SURREY – Chess wizard Tanraj Sohal has won the 2013 Canadian Chess Championship held in Ottawa, Ontario on May 19-20, 2013 in his grade level
Sohal, a sixteen-year old Grade 11 student from Surrey, has won won the Canadian Chess Championship trophy in his grade level for the eighth time. He earlier won the 2013 Fraser Valley Regional in Surrey and BC Provincial Chess Championship held in Richmond, BC. Canadian Chess Challenge is the annual event where each province is represented by their 12 Provincial Champions (one player from Grades 1 to 12).
Canadian Chess Challenge is organized and sponsored by the Chess’n Math Association, Canada’s National Scholastic Chess Organization. Each player plays 9 round robin matches over two days in their respective grade against each of the provincial champions.
Source: http://thelinkpaper.ca
$21,000 Greater Midwest Classic (July 5-7, 2013)
$21,000 Unconditionally Guaranteed!
Prizes: Billy Colias Memorial Invitational Sections A, B, C (FIDE rated): $500-300-200 per section.
Classic Sections: U2200 (FIDE rated): Overall - $1500-1200-1000-700; 1951-2100 - $400-200-100; 1800-1950 - $400-200-100; Biggest Upset - $200; U1800: Overall - $1500-1200-1000-700; Top 1551-1700 - $400-200-100; Top 1400-1550 - $400-200-100; Biggest Upset - $200; U1400: Overall - $1500-1200-1000-700; 1151-1300 - $400-200-100; 1150 and below - $400-200-100; Biggest Upset - $200;
Billy Colias Memorial Invitational Sections: 5R-RR Game-90 + 30/sec: Fri 5:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am and 3:30pm.
Classic Sections: 6R-SS Game-90 + 30/sec: Fri: 12pm and 5:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am & 3:30pm each day.
On-site reg: 9:30-11:30am Fri or 8:30-9:30am Sat. Limit 2 byes. Last rd. bye must commit prior to start of Rd 3.
Side Events: Grandmaster Simul (9am Fri), Blitz (8:30pm Sat). FREE raffle prizes before round 6 with free entry, free room and free airfare to 2014 tournament. Site: Hyatt Regency O’Hare 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave Rosemont, IL 60018.
HR: $99/night – call 847-696-1234 and ask for CHESS rate. Reserve by June 1. Discounted parking – only $5. 10 minute walk from CTA Blue Line. FREE hotel shuttle from/to O’Hare airport. Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, less than one mile away.
Entries: If postmarked or online by 06/01 $89; $109 online or postmarked by 06/15; $129 thereafter. Re-entry $50. $25 to play up 1 section only; Credit Cards onsite OK. No checks onsite. Mail entries to: North American Chess Association (payable to) 4957 Oakton Street Suite 113 Skokie, IL 60077. Register online at http://www.nachess.org/classic.
Other info: Boards, sets, and clocks provided. None for skittles. Must use organizer provided equipment. Chess store onsite. July rating supplement used. Questions: sevan@nachess.org or 847-423-8626.
Attacking tactic review
White to move. What is the best continuation for White?
3R4/1r3pk1/b3q2p/4P1p1/2p1N3/pr4N1/5QPP/6K1 w - - 0 1
The c3 Sicilian - Pawn-Snatching Lines! ... and more
IM Andrew Martin Presents: 1. ..b6 for Black - Busy Man's Chess Openings
IM Andrew Martin Presents: 1. ..b6 for Black - Busy Man's Chess Openings
Posted on May 24,2013 By OnlineChessLessons.NET Contributor in Strategy & Game Review, Chess Openings, All Articles w/ Videos, Beginner's Corner. The Owens Opening with 1. e4 b6 is an extremely exciting defense for black however many players think this eclectic hypermodern opening system is simply bad for bad. In the below chess video excerpt from the 2.5+ hr chess DVD ¨1. ..b6 for Black: Busy Man's Chess Openings¨ IM Andrew Martin is quick to point out that the Owens Opening is a very viable choice for black against 1. e4. Although black contradicts classical opening ideology by refusing [...]
The c3 Sicilian - Pawn-Snatching Lines!
Posted on May 22,2013 By William in Strategy & Game Review, Chess Openings, All Articles w/ Videos. Crushing Black - the c3 Sicilian is a 5-Volume, 20+ hour chess DVD series produced by experienced chess trainer GM Ron W. Henley. GM Henley's resume as a chess instructor is unquestionable as he has prepared and trained legends like Anatoly Karpov, Hikaru Nakamura, and Irina Krush. In the follow chess video excerpt from the extensive DVD series, Grandmaster Henley presents a very interesting variation in the c3 Sicilian where white snatches the c[...]
Devastate White with The Sniper! by GM Ron Henley
Posted on May 20,2013 By William in Strategy & Game Review, Chess Openings, All Articles w/ Videos. The Sniper Opening is an exceptionally versatile weapon for black as it can be played against virtually any set-up by the white pieces. And who better to explain the basic concepts and subtle positional intricacies of the Sniper Opening than the world's leading expert in this effective opening system for black - Grandmaster Ron W. Henley! Not only has GM Henley played the Sniper Opening with incredibly solid results at the Grandmaster level for n[...]
Destroy the Grunfeld Defense by GM Rafael Leitão
Posted on May 20,2013 By William in Strategy & Game Review, Chess Openings, All Articles w/ Videos. Although in the early and mid 20th century the Gruenfeld Defense was thought to be a very dry chess opening that black would play to achieve a draw, in today's game it is one of the most dynamic chess openings that black can employ against 1. d4 - played at one time by nearly every leading Grandmaster (Svidler, Caruana, Giri, Topalov, Gelfand, etc..) In the following chess video, viewers are going to receive a special treat as Brazilian Grandmast[...]
OnlineChessLessons.net is a producer of thousands of free chess articles and free chess videos by FIDE chess masters. They recently released the renowned Empire Chess series that has been taking the chess world by storm. Please consider checking out their chess blog and chess shop with tons of free updated previews.
IM Andrew Martin Presents: 1. ..b6 for Black - Busy Man's Chess Openings
Posted on May 24,2013 By OnlineChessLessons.NET Contributor in Strategy & Game Review, Chess Openings, All Articles w/ Videos, Beginner's Corner. The Owens Opening with 1. e4 b6 is an extremely exciting defense for black however many players think this eclectic hypermodern opening system is simply bad for bad. In the below chess video excerpt from the 2.5+ hr chess DVD ¨1. ..b6 for Black: Busy Man's Chess Openings¨ IM Andrew Martin is quick to point out that the Owens Opening is a very viable choice for black against 1. e4. Although black contradicts classical opening ideology by refusing [...]
The c3 Sicilian - Pawn-Snatching Lines!
Posted on May 22,2013 By William in Strategy & Game Review, Chess Openings, All Articles w/ Videos. Crushing Black - the c3 Sicilian is a 5-Volume, 20+ hour chess DVD series produced by experienced chess trainer GM Ron W. Henley. GM Henley's resume as a chess instructor is unquestionable as he has prepared and trained legends like Anatoly Karpov, Hikaru Nakamura, and Irina Krush. In the follow chess video excerpt from the extensive DVD series, Grandmaster Henley presents a very interesting variation in the c3 Sicilian where white snatches the c[...]
Devastate White with The Sniper! by GM Ron Henley
Posted on May 20,2013 By William in Strategy & Game Review, Chess Openings, All Articles w/ Videos. The Sniper Opening is an exceptionally versatile weapon for black as it can be played against virtually any set-up by the white pieces. And who better to explain the basic concepts and subtle positional intricacies of the Sniper Opening than the world's leading expert in this effective opening system for black - Grandmaster Ron W. Henley! Not only has GM Henley played the Sniper Opening with incredibly solid results at the Grandmaster level for n[...]
Destroy the Grunfeld Defense by GM Rafael Leitão
Posted on May 20,2013 By William in Strategy & Game Review, Chess Openings, All Articles w/ Videos. Although in the early and mid 20th century the Gruenfeld Defense was thought to be a very dry chess opening that black would play to achieve a draw, in today's game it is one of the most dynamic chess openings that black can employ against 1. d4 - played at one time by nearly every leading Grandmaster (Svidler, Caruana, Giri, Topalov, Gelfand, etc..) In the following chess video, viewers are going to receive a special treat as Brazilian Grandmast[...]
OnlineChessLessons.net is a producer of thousands of free chess articles and free chess videos by FIDE chess masters. They recently released the renowned Empire Chess series that has been taking the chess world by storm. Please consider checking out their chess blog and chess shop with tons of free updated previews.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Rules & Conditions for the 10th Annual Susan Polgar Foundation Girls' Invitational ($200+ K in prizes and scholarships)
July 20 – 25, 2013 at Webster University (St. Louis, Missouri)
THIS WILL BE THE STRONGEST AND BIGGEST SPGI EVER! More than 50 players have already registered with many more states to submit names shortly.
- Approximately $200,000 in chess scholarships, chess prizes, and iPad mini, etc. (Full tuition and fees scholarship to the top finisher! *)
- Webster University will provide complimentary room and meal accommodation on campus for qualifiers!
The annual Susan Polgar Girl’s Invitational, the most prestigious all-girls event in the United States, will be held at Webster University (St. Louis, Missouri).
• There will be an intense training session with Susan Polgar, followed by a 6 round (g/90+30) FIDE rated championship tournament.
• The traditional Blitz, Puzzle Solving, Bughouse events will stay the same as in previous years.
• There will be many chess prizes awarded, including iPad mini, and scholarships to Webster University.
Each state is allowed one representative to be nominated by June 1, 2013. Official representative alternates may be substituted no later than June 15. (Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee may allow the host state to enter an additional qualified player.) Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee may allow exceptions to the June 1 entry/alternate deadline. Should the state affiliate fail to respond to the notice for this tournament, Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee may determine the candidate from that state.
Players must have been enrolled in a school (up to 12th grade) located in the state they represent, also of the year in which the tournament is held. Home-schooled students who are under the age of 19 on July 25th of the year in which the event is held or students who have never attended college on a full time basis prior to June 1 of the year in which the tournament is held, are eligible to represent the state in which they reside.
Exception: If a player graduates from high school early and is already attending college, she may still represent her state if nominated. This is the decision of each state affiliate.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: The participants of the Susan Polgar Girl’s Invitational DO NOT have to be high school students. Any qualifier under the age of 19 (by July 25th of the year in which the tournament is held) is eligible!
Special invitation for this year only: All past participants of the SPNI and SPGI (Susan Polgar National Invitational/Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational 2004-2012) are invited to participate in the 2013 SPGI. The idea is to have the past participants learn my method of training so they can go back home and share their knowledge with the younger players. However, registration MUST be made ASAP since space is limited. There will be mutual training sessions for all, however separate section & prizes for alumni participants over the age of 19.
Players are required to furnish the organizer an emergency phone number and the e-mail address of a parent/guardian.
There is no entry fee to participate in the 2013 SPGI; however, players are responsible for their own travel. For all state representatives, and qualifiers from the SPNO or SPWO, Webster University will provide complimentary room and meal accommodation on campus.
For alumni participants, wild card/special invites, coaches, parents, or other family members, inexpensive accommodations are available for housing and dining on Webster’s campus. Please note that all reservations and registrations MUST be made (and accommodation expenses prepaid) no later than June 25, 2013.
Prizes: Trophies / plaques will be awarded to the winners of the Susan Polgar Foundation Girl’s Invitational Puzzle Solving, Blitz, and the SPGI Championship. Co-champions are recognized in the case of a tie, with each champion receiving a Champion’s Plaque or Trophy. The Champion (or Co-Champions) will automatically be invited to defend her/their title (must meet age requirement).
Champion: Webster University scholarship (approximately $23,000+ per year x 4 years *) + iPad mini + Champion's Plaque / Trophy
2nd and 3rd place: Webster University scholarship (approximately $13,000+ per year x 4 years)
Top under 13: iPad mini
Top under 10: iPad mini
* The scholarship must be exercised no later than the Fall of 2016.
The New Polgar Committee’s goal is to have all 50 states (including two representatives for California, two for Texas, and two for Missouri) and the District of Columbia represented. We strongly encourage each state and the District of Columbia affiliate to hold a scholastic championship tournament to determine each state’s champion and representative. Failing this, rating criteria may be acceptable. A scholastic girls’ champion or the highest rated girls’ scholastic player in a state who has no state affiliate of the USCF should contact the Polgar Committee as soon as possible.
Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee and its members may elect to award wild cards each year for the Susan Polgar Girl’s Invitational.
Special qualifying events: The Polgar Committee will award automatic qualifying spots to the reigning winners in each section of the annual Susan Polgar NO for Girls (New Orleans) and the Susan Polgar World Open for Girls (Chicago).
The new SPGI Chairperson is Martha Underwood (AZ).
NOTICE TO ALL STATE OFFICIALS: Please send the nomination from your state to the Polgar Committee (PolgarCommittee@gmail.com).
Contact info: Polgar Committee (PolgarCommittee@gmail.com)
The Susan Polgar Foundation can be contacted at 806-281-7424 or through info@PolgarFoundation.org.
Webster University is located at 470 E. Lockwood Avenue Webster Groves, MO 63119
BIG THANKS to President Dr. Beth Stroble and Webster University for hosting and sponsoring this very prestigious event for girls!
* Scholarships may be upgraded but may not be stacked. For previous winners of partial scholarships, a maximum of $1,000 per year may be added to the previous scholarship.
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