IOC President welcomes FIDE Online Olympiad
We would like to thank IOC President Thomas Bach for the kind letter he sent to FIDE on the occasion of the International Chess Day and the First Online Chess Olympiad, that we reproduce here in full: Dear President, Dear participants, Please accept my congratulations on the occasion of the first-ever World Chess Day, as recognised by the United Nations. This celebration of one of the world’s most ancient mind sports is also an illustration of the important contribution that sport as a whole brings to society. Let me congratulate the World Chess Federation on launching the FIDE Online Olympiad 2020, which is bringing together the world’s best chess players, promoting the inclusive values of sport, excellence, friendship and respect, while at the same time setting an example of how to organise a competition in innovative and safe ways during this global health crisis. Please accept my best wishes for success to all the participants and organisers of the FIDE Online Olympiad 2020. The post-corona world will need sport, and sport will always build bridges and brings people together in peaceful competition. In this Olympic spirit of excellence, respect and fair-play, I wish you all a successful online competition.
Anna Ushenina wins Women’s Speed Chess Championship
Anna Ushenina (Ukraine) became the winner of the Women’s Speed Championship. In a dramatic Super Final that was decided in the last bullet game, she defeated the reigning European Blitz Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk 14.5-13.5. In this marathon duel full of twists and turns the opponents were worthy of each other. During 5+1 part Kosteniuk was slightly more precise and cool-headed at the critical moments – especially in time scramble – and pulled ahead 5.5-3.5. Known as an expert in faster time controls, Ushenina showed her prowess in the 3+1 portion of the match. The Ukrainian stormed back by winning three straight games and took the lead, but Kosteniuk recovered from the shock and leveled the score going into the final 1+1 stage. The final portion of this clash turned into a real thriller. After Ushenina edged ahead by two points with just about twelve minutes remaining on the clock many may have thought that it was all over for the Russian. However, Alexandra reeled off two straight wins to even the score once again. It came down to the wire in the end as the victory in final see-saw bullet game tipped the scale in favor of Anna Ushenina. “I tried to play solid chess because Alexandra is a very good player. I know that she is very strong in sharp, tactical positions and likes to attack, so I tried to avoid that… I am really happy to win the title” told the champion in a short interview after the match.
FIDE and Anatoly Karpov give masterclass to young players on International Chess Day
A true chess legend, the twelfth World Champion Anatoly Karpov delivered a lecture and played a simul against a dozen of talented young players. The event was held in Moscow in Chess Parlor named after a renowned arbiter Vladimir Dvorkovich. Anatoly Karpov: “I congratulate everyone on International Chess Day, which we have celebrated since 1966. On 12 December 2019, the General Assembly proclaimed 20 July as World Chess Day to mark the date of the establishment of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). I am glad that this master-class to young players, held in Dvorkovich Parlor where children pursue chess under the guidance of excellent coaches GM Sergey Dolmatov and Mikhail Klichev, became a part of our chess festivities. Chess prepares younger generations for successful work in various spheres as a personality develops along three avenues: science, art, and sport.” The event was honored by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich who greeted young players and wished them memorable chess battles and spectacular victories. On the occasion of International Chess Day, young players received souvenir balls signed by Anatoly Karpov and Arkady Dvorkovich.
High-level meeting at the UN: “Chess for recovering better”
The virtual meeting between the United Nations and FIDE on the occasion of the International Chess Day was held on July 20. Top chess personalities and representatives of the U.N. gathered to exchange views and insights to strengthen the productive collaboration. In his welcoming speech, H.E. Mr. Mher Margaryan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations, nodded to the chess movement’s success in Armenia where the game is a part of the schools’ curriculum. “Lessons offered by chess are important in teaching such values as respect for rules and players, fairness, equality, and discipline. Chess is essentially about progress and continuous quest for improvement with effort and decency,” he said. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich thanked the United Nations for their support and noted that “together, we can make chess a tool to improve the world and create better societies.” Melissa Ruth Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, was very positive about the opportunities that chess brings to communities and individuals. “Today is the celebration of the intellectual game that for centuries has also managed to entertain, to stimulate and sometimes even to confound billions of us over the world,” she said. Top chess grandmasters present at the meeting, Viswanathan Anand, Hou Yifan, Vladimir Kramnik and Levon Aronian, shared the valuable insights into the abilities and life lessons that chess taught them. Anand dived into the history of chess, while Hou Yifan concentrated on the psychological aspects of the game and women empowerment issues. Kramnik mentioned that scientific studies had proved the benefits of the game for kids. “No matter how good you are at chess, you are going to lose games. The ability to cope with negative emotions is one of the best things I learned from chess,” said Levon Aronian. Various issues and aspects of the development of chess were discussed in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. This meeting laid the foundation for further fruitful cooperation between FIDE and the United Nations. About International Chess Day FIDE has been celebrating the International Chess Day since 1966, following a recommendation of UNESCO. The date marks the establishment of the International Chess Federation, which was founded during the Paris 1924 Summer Olympics. On December 12, 2019, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution proclaiming 20 July as “World Chess Day”, as per their own denomination. The resolution was tabled by Armenia and co-sponsored by 52 other countries. Armenia’s delegate Mher Margaryan presented chess as a consensus builder that “can transcend national boundaries and break down racial, political and social barriers.” The impact of COVID-19 on sport Sport is a major contributor to economic and social development. Its role is well recognized by Governments, including in the Political Declaration of the 2030 Agenda, which reflects on “the contribution sports make to the empowerment of women and of young people, individuals and communities, as well as to health, education and social inclusion objectives.” Since its onset, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread to almost all countries of the world. Social and physical distancing measures, lockdowns of businesses, schools and overall social life, which have become commonplace to curtail the spread of the disease, have also disrupted many regular aspects of life, including sport and physical activity. This policy brief highlights the challenges COVID-19 has posed to both the sporting world and to physical activity and well-being, including for marginalized or vulnerable groups. It further provides recommendations for Governments and other stakeholders, as well as for the UN system, to support the safe reopening of sporting events, as well as to support physical activity during the pandemic and beyond. Magnus Carlsen, during a simul at the United Nations in May, 2018
WSCC GP: Alexandra Kosteniuk wins Leg 4
Alexandra Kosteniuk wins the final leg of the Women’s Speed Chess Grand Prix and qualifies for the Super Final match against Anna Ushenina. Kosteniuk dictated the proceedings in the final match against Humpy Koneru. She took the lead in the 5+1 minute games, however, Koneru bounced back in 3+1. The former world champion won the final game of this portion to enter the bullet stage with a minimal lead 4.5-3.5. Alexandra won two bullet games, sealed the victory (7-5) and claimed 12 GP points. In the match for third place, Hou Yifan defeated Sarasadat Khademalsharieh 7,5-3,5. The Super Final match for the overall winner of 2020 Women’s Speed Chess Championship between Kosteniuk and Ushenina will take place tomorrow, on July 20. Watch it live on our YouTube channel.
FIDE Online Olympiad 2020: Registration is over
July 18, 2020 163 teams registered for the FIDE Online Olympiad 2020. The list of registered teams and divisions is here Full team line-ups More information, including group lists for the Base Division, is to follow. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Dear members of the National Federations, We would like to inform you that the International Chess Federation has decided to extend the registration deadline for the upcoming FIDE Online Olympiad until July 16 by midnight (Lausanne time). That day FIDE will also announce the Continental nominations. All seeded divisions’ teams will be announced on July 18, 2020. Please remember that an invitation email with unique passwords and logins was sent to each one of the Presidents of all National Federations. You must register as at https://olymp.fide.com using these log in details. Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at reg.olympiad@fide.com. UPDATE The registration for FIDE Online Olympiad 2020 is open now. The invitation with unique passwords and logins were sent to the Presidents/Executives of all national federations. Please register for FIDE Online Olympiad 2020 using your unique login and password. Please note that the registration deadline is July 13th, 2020. The Continental nominations will be announced on July 16, 2020. All seeded divisions’ teams will be announced on July 18, 2020. The International Chess Federation is pleased to announce a new major competition: the FIDE Online Olympiad 2020, to be held between July 22nd and August 30th, 2020. The Online Olympiad is a national teams event in which all federations affiliated to FIDE have the right to participate. Each team will consist of six players, in a mixed format with a minimum of three female players and two junior players. Specifically, each team must include: – at least 1 player U-20 (born in 2000 or later)– at least 2 women– at least 1 girl U-20 (born in 2000 or later) The teams may have up to six reserves, plus a team captain. The time control for this event will be 15 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move. The event will consist of two main stages: the “Divisions stage”, and the Play-offs stage, from Round of 16 to the final. Since the Online Olympiad is a mixed event, for pairing purposes the ranking will be established in accordance with the final standings of the last “Gaprindashvili Cup”, which combines the results in the open and women’s sections at the Batumi Chess Olympiad 2018. FIRST STAGE: Divisions All the teams-participants will be divided into 5 divisions ranked from “Base Division” to “Top Division”. Base Division unifies registered teams placed in the bottom part of the final standings of the Gaprindashvili Cup. Base Division’s tournament system depends on the number of participating teams. The top fifteen teams of the Base Division qualify to Division 4. Base Division composition and tournament’s system as well as all divisions seeded team’s composition are announced on July 18th. Each pool is played within three days, three rounds per day. The exact dates and times for each pool tournament in each Division are announced two days prior to the beginning, teams’ time zones are taken into consideration. Division 4 is composed of 35 seeded registered teams ranked higher than teams of Base Division in Gaprindashvili Cup and 15 teams qualified from Base Division. 50 teams are divided into 5 pools (from A to E), 10 teams each, of approximately equal strength determined as the average rapid rating of six main players according to July FIDE rating list. Each pool plays a round robin of 9 rounds. The top three teams of each pool qualify for Divisio 3. Division 3 is composed of 35 seeded registered teams ranked higher than teams of Division 4 in Gaprindashvili Cup and 15 teams qualified from Division 4. 50 teams are divided into 5 pools (from A to E), 10 teams each, of approximately equal strength. Teams qualified from the same pool of Division 4 cannot be placed in the same pool again. Pool winners of Division 4 cannot be placed in the same pool. Each pool plays a round robin of 9 rounds. The top three first teams of each pool qualify for Division 2. Division 2 is composed of 35 seeded registered teams ranked higher than teams of Division 3 in Gaprindashvili Cup and 15 teams qualified from Division 3. 50 teams are divided into 5 pools (from A to E), 10 teams each, of approximately equal strength. Teams qualified from the same pool of Division 3 cannot be placed in the same pool again. Pool winners of Division 3 cannot be placed in the same pool. Each pool plays a round robin of 9 rounds. The top three first teams of each pool qualify for Top Division. Top Division is composed of 5 seeded registered teams placed on the top of Gaprindashvili Cup, 5 teams nominated by each of the four Continents (according to each Continent’s criteria, see Article 3.3) and 15 teams qualified from Division 2. 40 teams are divided into 4 pools (from A to D), 10 teams each, of approximately equal strength. Teams qualified from the same pool of Division 2 cannot be placed in the same pool again. Pool winners of Division 2 cannot be placed in the same pool. Each pool plays a round robin of 9 rounds. The top three first teams of each pool qualify for Stage 2 – Play-off SECOND STAGE: Play-off Twelve teams qualified from Stage 1 play a knock-out tournament. Each duel consists of two matches, alternating which team has white on the first board (and subsecuently, on the rest of even-numbered boards). Preliminary Round Duel I: Runner-up of Top DIVISION pool A vs Third place of Top DIVISION pool B Duel II: Runner-up of Top DIVISION pool B vs Third place of Top DIVISION pool A Duel III: Runner-up of Top DIVISION pool C vs Third place of Top DIVISION pool D Duel IV: Runner-up of Top DIVISION pool D vs Third place of Top DIVISION pool C Quarter-finals Duel V: Winner of Top DIVISION pool A vs
WSCC GP Leg 4: Koneru and Kosteniuk face-off in the final
Humpy Koneru and Alexandra Kosteniuk will meet in the final of the fourth and last leg of the Women’s Speed Chess Grand Prix on July 19. The semifinals saw two close battles. The rivalry between Hou Yifan and Humpy Koneru goes back to 2011 when the two played a world championship match, confidently won by the Chinese chess star. Today Indian #1 took revenge – the players went neck and neck until the last bullet game which Humpy won with Black by weaving the mating net around the white king to clinch the victory 6-5. It was a painful loss for the world’s highest-rated player as she failed to qualify for the Super Final spot. The second semifinal between Alexandra Kosteniuk and Sarasadat Khademalsharieh started as a very tight match too. Kosteniuk had a one-point lead going into the bullet portion but proved superior in the fastest time control extending it to comfortable four points, 7.5-3.5. “I was not too happy with my play. Early on, in the first games, I missed a lot of small tactics. That made me worried. But all’s well that ends well,” summarized Kosteniuk. With this victory, Kosteniuk eliminated one of the rivals on the way to the vacant Super Final spot. As Ushenina and Gunina are sitting on the top of the WSCCP standings with 22 GP points, it’s all in Kosteniuk’s hands now. If she wins the final against Koneru on Sunday, the July 20 Super Final match will be Kosteniuk vs Ushenina (the Ukrainian has a better tiebreak over Gunina). If Kosteniuk loses to Koneru (who is out of the race), the Super Final will become the third instance of Leg 1 and 2 finals – Ushenina vs Gunina.
United Nations: “Chess for recovering better”
To celebrate the International Chess Day, on 20 July (10:00-12:00 EST), top chess personalities, including the FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, Viswanathan Anand, Vladimir Kramnik, Levon Aronian, and Hou Yifan, will take part in a high-level virtual event – “Chess for Recovering Better”. The event will be attended by the United Nations and government officials, permanent missions to the UN, representatives of civil society, academia, and other relevant stakeholders. It will be broadcast live by the UN, and also at FIDE’s Youtube Channel. This meeting aims at providing a platform to discuss the unique capabilities leveraged by chess in supporting social cohesion, equality, and inclusion, with a focus on COVID-19 response and recovery efforts for building back better. From the concept note of the event: “Globally, chess is recognized as a powerful tool for promoting the values of discipline, equality, respect for rules, and mutual understanding. In 2019, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 74/22 under agenda items “Sport for development and peace” and “Culture of peace”, designating the 20th of July as World Chess Day. The resolution acknowledges the important opportunities offered by chess in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs, such as strengthening education and health, fostering solidarity and promoting cooperation, gender equality, inclusivity, and peace. Throughout history, games and sports have helped humanity to survive times of crisis by reducing anxieties and improving mental health. While the coronavirus outbreak has forced most gaming and sports activities to scale down, chess has demonstrated remarkable resilience, adaptability, and very strong convening power in time of the pandemic. Over the past few months, the overall interest in chess is reported to have doubled, with more players than ever coming together to participate in chess events that are being increasingly held through online platforms.” Chess for Sustainable Development The United Nations recognizes that sports, the arts, and physical activity have the power to change perceptions, prejudices, and behaviors, as well as to inspire people, break down racial and political barriers, combat discrimination and defuse conflict, and therefore contribute in promoting education, sustainable development, peace, cooperation, solidarity, social inclusion and health at the local, regional and international levels. Chess is one of the most ancient, intellectual, and cultural games, with a combination of sport, scientific thinking, and elements of art. As an affordable and inclusive activity, it can be exercised anywhere and played by all, across the barriers of language, age, gender, physical ability, or social status. Chess is a global game, which promotes fairness, inclusion, and mutual respect, and noting in this regard that it can contribute to an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding among peoples and nations. Chess also offers important opportunities in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, including strengthening education, realizing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls and fostering inclusion, tolerance, mutual understanding, and respect. About International Chess Day FIDE has been celebrating the International Chess Day since 1966, following a recommendation of UNESCO. The date marks the establishment of the International Chess Federation, which was founded during the Paris 1924 Summer Olympics. On December 12, 2019, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution proclaiming 20 July as “World Chess Day”, as per their own denomination. The resolution was tabled by Armenia and co-sponsored by 52 other countries. Armenia’s Ambassador to the UN, Mher Margaryan, presented chess as a consensus builder that “can transcend national boundaries and break down racial, political and social barriers.” The impact of COVID-19 on sport Sport is a major contributor to economic and social development. Its role is well recognized by Governments, including in the Political Declaration of the 2030 Agenda, which reflects on “the contribution sports make to the empowerment of women and young people, individuals and communities, as well as to health, education, and social inclusion objectives.” Since its onset, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread to almost all countries of the world. Social and physical distancing measures, lockdowns of businesses, schools, and overall social life, which have become commonplace to curtail the spread of the disease, have also disrupted many regular aspects of life, including sport and physical activity. This policy brief highlights the challenges COVID-19 has posed to both the sporting world and to physical activity and well-being, including for marginalized or vulnerable groups. It further provides recommendations for Governments and other stakeholders, as well as for the UN system, to support the safe reopening of sporting events, as well as to support physical activity during the pandemic and beyond.
Hou Yifan, Koneru, Kosteniuk and Khademalsharieh through to semifinals
Hou Yifan, Humpy Koneru, Alexandra Kosteniuk, and Sarasadat Khademalsharieh made it to the semifinals of the final leg of the Women’s Speed Chess Grand Prix. Three quarterfinal matches happened to be a rather lopsided affair. Playing with great speed and confidence Hou Yifan eliminated talented Zhansaya Abdumalik (7.5-3.5), Alexandra Kosteniuk steamrolled Harika Dronavalli (9-3), Sarasadat Khademalsharieh turned in another strong performance and swept aside Anna Muzychuk (7.5-3.5). Eager to secure her spot in the Super Final, Valentina Gunina pushed hard in her match with Humpy Koneru, but her opponent was also in a feisty mood. In the last bullet game, Valentina had an excellent chance to level the score by simply advancing her queenside pawns in a rook ending but she brought her king in the center instead and allowed Humpy to escape and win the match. Gunina finished her GP campaign and got two more points for this leg and caught up with Anna Ushenina on 22 GP points but the latter has better tiebreaks (more game points). It means that Anna Ushenina is guaranteed a place in the Super Final. Hou Yifan, Khademalsharieh, and Kosteniuk are still in the contest for the second spot. It will make semifinals even more exciting. One of the contenders for the Super Final spot, Kosteniuk shared her impressions of the event so far: “This tournament started very shaky, yesterday I was not happy with the way I performed [against Bibisara Assaubayeva] – too many blunders and I could not keep calm. Today it was a little bit better. Of course, I got lucky in some of the games, but this luck does not come out of anything. You’re playing against very strong opponents and in order to make them blunder you really need to work hard.”
WSCC GP Leg 4: Gunina catches up with Ushenina
The Women’s Speed Chess Championship is on the home stretch as Grand Prix Leg 04 started today with Round of 16. Interestingly enough, Sarasaddat Khademalsharieh and Irina Krush have been pitted against each other in the first round for the third time with the Iranian prevailing again. Most favorites convincingly won their matches, but in three encounters the higher-rated players had to work hard. Anna Muzychuk was on the verge of losing to 18-year-old Munkhzul Turmunkh. World’s #7 entered the bullet with a two-point deficit (2.5-4.5) but scored three straight victories to claim the match. Alexandra Kosteniuk vs. Bibisara Assaubayeva was a close affair utill the last two bullet games in which the European Blitz Champion downed her resilient opponent. It was nip and tuck in Humpy Koneru vs Olga Girya match until the last bullet game that the Indian won with White to advance into the quarterfinals. After Valentina Gunina got at least 2 GP points for progressing to the quarters of the last leg, Lagno is for sure out of the Super Final match. Kosteniuk, Hou Yifan, and Khademalsharieh hope to win the GP Leg 4 to get the maximum 12 points and catch up with the overall leaders Ushenina and Gunina (both have 22 points).