Mamedov takes Silkway Cup
At the end of May, a popular chess platform playchess.com hosted Silkway Cup, an online blitz tournament dedicated to the Republic Day of Azerbaijan (28 of May), and Independence Day of Georgia (26 of May). The 15-round competition held with time control 3+2 brought together the best Azerbaijani and Georgian chess players including 25 grandmasters. With SOCAR as a sponsor, the event had a whopping 20,000 Euro prize fund. The tournament rating favorites occupied all the top positions in the final standings but not according to the starting ranking. The fifth rated Rauf Mamedov (AZE) scored 11.5 out of 15 and came clear first, defeating the rating favorite Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (the champion said that this victory had given him a real confidence boost), Ivan Cheparinov, Luka Paichadze, and others on the way. Baadur Jobava was in the contest for the title all the way, but after making a draw in his last round game with Aydin Suleymanli he finished second with 11 points. The leader after the first day Nijat Abasov is third with 10.5. Final standings: 1 Rauf Mamedov AZE 2654 11.5 2 Jobava Baadur GEO 2603 11.0 3 Nijat Abasov AZE 2664 10.5 4 Vugar Rasulov AZE 2478 10.0 5 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov AZE 2764 10.0 6 Giga Quparadze GEO 2463 10.0 7 Aydin Suleymanli AZE 2512 9.5 8 Levan Pantsulaia GEO 2553 9.5 9 Nidjat Mamedov AZE 2609 9.5 10 Vasif Durarbayli AZE 2606 9.0 11 Tornike Sanikidze GEO 2458 9.0 Official website: http://www.world2020.ge/
Lindores Abbey: Nakamura topples Carlsen to ride into the final
Hikaru Nakamura shocked World Champion Magnus Carlsen today to book his place in the Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge final. The American blitz king finally overpowered his 29-year-old rival in a dramatic Armageddon tiebreak after their regular match ended 2-2. It sealed an epic comeback after Carlsen thrashed Nakamura 3-0 in the first match of their semifinal before Nakamura recovered to square the tie yesterday. Speaking afterward, Nakamura said: “It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but it’s great to beat Magnus. At least one time I found a way to win, so I’m pretty happy.” On Carlsen, Nakamura added: “When I saw him on the webcam, he seemed a little bit off… In general, I got the sense that he wasn’t completely feeling it so that gave me a lot of confidence as well throughout.” Nakamura now goes through to meet Russian star Daniil Dubov in the final of Carlsen’s signature Magnus Carlsen Tour event. Today’s match was always going to be tense but the fireworks didn’t start straight away. Game 1 was quiet and finished with a comfortable draw as Nakamura appeared to calmly neutralize Carlsen. By Game 2 Carlsen’s jacket was off and he was pushing for a win. Nakamura, however, again calmly diffused the champion and then, with precise play, turned the screw. The American had gone 1.5-0.5 ahead and was now, in such a tight situation with games running out, the huge favorite. Any suspicions that the match was over were quickly scotched, though, when Carlsen showed incredible resilience to immediately roar back in the third. It was a huge win and the score was all-square again. “It’s nice to see Magnus started to do the right things,” said Daniil Dubov, commentating on his potential opponent for the final. “We had a short talk yesterday and I told him to stop this 1.e4 nonsense!” Predictably, Game 4 was tense – and with neither player willing to risk the match it ended in another draw to take it to an Armageddon tiebreak. Carlsen, with the White pieces, had to win while Nakamura with the Black and a time disadvantage needed a draw. But it was Carlsen who blinked first as he missed a study-like winning maneuver 37.Bf7 (more natural 37.Nb3 was played instead) and then blundered the game, the match, and the semi-final. It sets up a mouth-watering final starting on Monday between two in-form speed chess specialists. Nakamura and Dubov are going for the $45,000 top prize while the beaten semi-finalists, Carlsen and Ding Liren, both pick up $15,000. The event, which runs until June 3, is being put on in association with the Lindores Abbey Heritage Society, which maintains the historic site. Coverage resumes with the final on Monday with commentary in 10 languages at 16.00 CEST. You can watch it live here Highlights English FOR MORE INFORMATION:Leon Watsonleon@chessable.com+447786 078770
Wesley So takes Clutch Chess title
Wesley So became the inaugural winner of Clutch Chess, a new online tournament that was created by Grandmaster Maurice Ashley and hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club. As the grand prize winner, Wesley So has won a total of $40,000 during the competition. Grandmaster (GM) Fabiano Caruana (World number 2), GM Wesley So (World number 8), GM Leinier Dominguez (World number 6 in Rapid) and GM Hikaru Nakamura (World number 1 in Blitz) were the top four American chess superstars that battled online during Clutch Chess from Tuesday, May 26, 2020, through Friday, May 29, 2020. Compared to other chess tournaments, Clutch Chess featured a different type of prize breakdown and scoring. Bonus money of $10,000 was awarded to players who delivered victories in the clutch games in each match, while drawn clutch games rolled the money into the end of the match. This new prize structure means the final two games could be worth as much as $30,000 for a victory – as much as the first-place prize. In the semifinals So gritted out a victory over Nakamura, while Caruana dominated in his match with Dominguez. The final match was a very close battle with the opponents finishing neck-to-neck but Wesley So came out on the top thanks to a better tiebreak as he scored more points in critical clutch games. “I am so happy right now to win the first-ever Clutch Chess tournament. Today was up and down but I am so relieved on the final outcome as in a two-game blitz match anything can happen. I’ve had the opportunity to play some of the strongest players, Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana, in this new tournament,” said So. Expert commentary was provided by Grandmaster’s Yasser Seirawan and Maurice Ashley and Woman Grandmaster Jennifer Shahade throughout the tournament. The exciting knockout format led to unexpected and uncompromising play throughout the tournament, including: Nakamura demonstrated why he’s an incredibly rapid and online player when he went into what Maurice Ashley called “swindle mode.” While down three pawns, he caused enough complications to ultimately save a draw in the second game of his match against Wesley So. Caruana was unstoppable in his first match, winning four out of the first six games. He was in the driver’s seat the entire time, winning another four games on day two to clinch the match. Caruana pocketed $10,000 in clutch prizes during the semifinals and went on to win a total of $38,000 by the tournament’s end. Dominguez, one of the highest-rated rapid players on earth, played with tenacious defense throughout the match, snagging several wins against Caruana. His ability to maintain a strong defense, combined with the unique scoring system, gave chances to the very end. In his postgame interview, Fabiano said “it still came down to the last two games. I realized if he wins the last two he can catch me. It was strange; I felt like after I won that Berlin endgame [game 10] I should win, the match should be over, but I realized there was still a lot to play for.” Wesley So ended the first day of the semifinals trailing Hikaru Nakamura by one point; he took his revenge on day two, winning rounds 7, 8, and 9 and finally the match. The final match between Wesley So and Fabiano Caruana was a back-and-forth affair, with Wesley winning a crucial victory early on. That decisive win ultimately secured him the match victory and the 1st place prize. Final standings: Place Name Total Winnings Clutch Bonus 1 Wesley So $40,000 $10,000 2 Fabiano Caruana $38,000 $18,000 3-4 Hikaru Nakamura $12,000 $2,000 3-4 Leinier Dominguez $10,000 $0 Total prize fund $100,000 “Despite this unprecedented time and the inability to hold in-person tournaments, we’re passionate about continuing to innovate and bring new opportunities to the world of chess, not only to the players but also to the fans,” said Tony Rich, Executive Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “We’re thrilled with how the first Clutch Chess tournament went and are excited for the upcoming Clutch Chess International scheduled for June 6 – 14, 2020, and expanding to an international field with eight players.” “We were extremely impressed by everyone’s enterprising and aggressive play throughout the Clutch Chess tournament,” said Maurice Ashley. “I was most definitely in awe of how Wesley So showed so much heart to come back and win after losing a devastating game eight.” For more information about Clutch Chess, read daily recaps and re-watch the games with commentary, visit uschesschamps.com. Text and photo: Official site
Lindores Abbey SFs: Nakamura fights back, Dubov reaches the final
Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura will fight it out in a Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge semi-final decider after the American squared their tie today. Nakamura, the world’s top-rated blitz chess player, was calm and controlled as he hit back hard in a must-win match against Norway’s World Champion. Carlsen, playing in his signature Magnus Carlsen Tour event, had convincingly won yesterday’s encounter 3-0. Speaking on a Twitch stream afterward he showed he was typically confident going into the second. But today was very different. The first game was a stunner – and it turned out to be extremely important. Carlsen launched a buccaneering attack on Nakamura involving a piece sacrifice. Carlsen was clearly winning at one point, but a blunder in a very tense position let Nakamura counter and Carlsen lost it. At one point, Carlsen – still confident – even turned down a draw by repetition and played 26…g3 which turned out to be a fatal error. “It was a pretty wild game, but I found a way to win,” said Nakamura afterward. “It was a little bit lucky to win this game, but I’ll take it.” Game 2, which Nakamura described as “a complete mess”, was no less dramatic – despite ending in a draw. Carlsen had a strong position but his advantage evaporated after an apparent mouse-slip. The resulting draw meant Nakamura retained the lead and went into the third game with a chance of ending the match early. Carlsen bided his time with the Black pieces and steered the game to a second draw that left him with all his chips on the final game. Yet with Carlsen straining for a win, Nakamura remained solid and played out a third draw that won him the match and got him right back into the seminal. Meanwhile, in the other match, Daniil Dubov was busy blowing away an out-of-sorts Ding Liren. The Russian smashed through China’s number one in the first game to build on his first mini-match win yesterday. “Dubov just checkmated Ding Liren in 23 moves with Black. What is going on?” said Jan Gustafsson in the commentary box. Dubov then went 2-0 up against Ding leaving the Chinese needing a minor miracle to reach the final. Ding, who was not his normal solid self, then could not stop Daniil’s steering the third game into a match-ending draw. Dubov goes through to the final with a 2.5-0.5 win against Ding today and 2-0 overall. Asked who he would like to play in the final, Dubov said: “I would definitely prefer to play Magnus. I just think it would be much more interesting to play him … I just prefer to play the best players. Obviously, Magnus is much stronger than Hikaru.” The event, which runs until June 3, is being put on in association with the Lindores Abbey Heritage Society, which maintains the historic site. Coverage begins with commentary in 10 languages at 16.00 CEST. You can watch it live here Highlights English FOR MORE INFORMATION:Leon Watsonleon@chessable.com+447786 078770
Judit Polgár awarded with honorary doctorate by the University of Physical Education
The best female player of chess history, who holds the highest Hungarian state honor, the Magyar Szent István Order, has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Physical Education (UPE) as decided by the University Senate on Thursday. FIDE Honorary Vice President, Judit Polgár becomes the 45th person to hold a degree of the kind awarded by UPE. Prof. Dr. h. c. Lajos Mocsai, the Rector of University has made the following comment to acknowledge Judit Polgár’s lifetime achievements: ’This title is awarded to excellent personalities who make notable achievements as sportspeople or sport diplomats, and who have tight relations with the University of Physical Education. As our mind sports department will be launched this summer, we have serious plans in which we count upon Judit Polgár. Her past has made sport history, and her diplomatic activity is outstanding in sport development and education as well.” A great Hungarian chess player, whose father, László Polgár raised all his three daughters to become world-class players to prove his education theory, undertakes outstanding educational activities. Her organization, the Judit Polgár Chess Foundation founded in 2012, aims to develop children’s competency in public education with a unique method. As a framework curriculum, competence development chess has made its way to the National Core Curriculum, and as of 2013, lower primary schoolchildren can choose it as a subject to learn. To help children’s learning process, a print series consisting of handbooks and exercise books called Sakkpalota (Chess Palace) has been released. The package also includes a teacher’s book. Judit Polgár has become the 45th honorary doctor of the 95-year-old university. Her name will be printed on the University of Physical Education’s marble slab along with other world-famous sportspeople and leaders such as Juan Antonio Samaranch, Joao Havelange, Primo Nebiolo, and Jacques Rogge. “A serious appreciation like this gives me a lot of energy,” said Judit Polgár on the university’s homepage. “I feel honored to get an honorary doctorate from the University of Physical Education that is an outstanding institute with almost a 100-year-old history. I hope that the title will turn young people’s attention towards the work I have been doing. Every time I receive an award or my name is mentioned I become a little bit nostalgic. The same happened to me when I was awarded, for the first time ever, the title of the European Chess Legend by the European Chess Association last November. I can recall what I have achieved so far and what directions I should take. As far as I can see, the competitive spirit, endurance, and perfectness in chess are as important as in education and in the promotion of chess. It really makes me feel relaxed that other people recognize and acknowledge it. Feedback has always been important to me because it gives me strength. Receiving the honorary doctorate from the University of Physical Education is nice and positive feedback on my career and the work I have done.” Judit Polgar added in a telephone interview following a two-hour international lecture she presented. The world-class chess player and mother of two, Judit Polgar is considered to be one of the three most famous Hungarians in the world along with Ferenc Puskás and Ernő Rubik. She will be presented with the title at the university’s opening ceremony of a new academic year this fall.
Lindores Abbey Challenge SFs: Carlsen and Dubov strike first
Magnus Carlsen struck first in his Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge semi-final clash against Hikaru Nakamura as the pair appeared to be trolling each other online. The World Champion, sporting a new haircut, raced into a commanding two-game lead before securing the decisive third to take today’s mini-match. It was a thumping first-day win and means he takes a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three tie into tomorrow’s mini-match. Nakamura needs to win that or be eliminated. The question is, can he recover? During the match, however, there was extra spice as Carlsen left fans and commentators alike wondering whether he was also landing blows on social media. Following a Twitter exchange between the pair last week, Nakamura had tweeted “Good luck” to Carlsen before the match started – which was interpreted by some as a jibe. Then, between his wins, Carlsen tweeted “monkaS” which had many fans googling its meaning. According to the first result rivalry.com, MonkaS is an emote featuring an illustration of Pepe the Frog appearing frightened while sweating. Meanwhile, in the other semifinal, Ding Liren and Daniil Dubov traded blows in the first two games. Then after a draw in the third and what appeared a drawish position in the fourth left the match looking like it would go to an Armageddon tiebreak. But Ding decided against going for the draw and Dubov capitalized in a rook ending to grab a 2.5-1.5 win against the favorite. “I think it is safe to say, that it was pretty much an equal match, which is already an achievement for me. Usually, I lose against any Chinese player 2500+, but now I put some resistance against Ding Liren.” Daniil humbly said in an interview after the match. So Dubov moves 1-0 ahead in the tie and has the chance to go through tomorrow, while Ding – like Nakamura – needs to win. The event, which runs until June 3, is being put on in association with the Lindores Abbey Heritage Society, which maintains the historic site. Coverage begins with commentary in 10 languages at 16.00 CEST. You can watch it live here Highlights English FOR MORE INFORMATION:Leon Watsonleon@chessable.com+447786 078770
Danila Pavlov wins online problem-solving contest
On May 23, 2020, ChessKing.com hosted the first online chess problem-solving contest with video control, officiated by the chief arbiter, FIDE chess composition director, international GM in chess composition Andrey Selivanov. Under the tournament regulations, the participants were to solve 30 two-movers, one minute per problem. The first invitational round was held for experienced solvers only. For each solved problem, a participant was given 10 points. Danila Pavlov (Moscow, Russia), a 17-year old composition GM from Moscow took first place scoring 280 points out of 300. Despite starting late for the first couple of problems, Marjan Kovacevic, composition GM, and multiple composition champion from Serbia finished second with 260 points. A 14-year old solver Ural Khasanov (Salavat, Russia) also scored 260 points but came in third as he spent 1204 seconds against Marjan’s 714 seconds. Serafim Bunin (Saratov, Russia) aged just 12, is fourth with an excellent result of 250 points. With 200 points each, Nikita Ushakov (1060 seconds) and Egor Sokolov (1205 seconds) finished 5th and 6th respectively (the former spent less time). Another young participant, Aleksandra Safronova (Tula, Russia) scored 150 points and found herself in 7th place. The second round was held one hour later on the same day with 235 players came to try and solve the same problems but without video control. This time round a 12-year old player Artyom Turin (Volgograd, Russia) took the first place with 280 points. You can put yourself in participants’ shoes and test your skills by tackling one of the problems from this contest (one minute for solving): William A. Shinkman 1903 Checkmate in two
Chess in Slums initiative offers life-changing opportunities
Tunde Onakoya, the founder of the “Chess in Slums” initiative in Nigeria, shared this amazing story on his Twitter. He writes, “happy birthday to the little girl whose smile changed my entire world.” Truly moved and inspired by this story, we publish a slightly abridged version: “It all started about two years ago when I walked into the slums of Majidun Ikorodu in Lagos with a chessboard and a pocket full of dreams. I wanted to introduce chess to vulnerable children living in slum communities as a way to promote learning and enhance intellectual development. It was my own way of giving them a new kind of leverage as most of them couldn’t afford to go to school. It was on this day I met Basirat – a five-year-old girl who kept tugging at my trousers to give her a chess piece to hold on to. We introduced the kids to the game of kings and queens and took memorable pictures. I felt fulfilled when I got home on that day. As I wasn’t sure how to teach children who could neither read nor write that a rook could move vertically and horizontally. Surprisingly they were able to master the basics in one day. It was supposed to be a one-off thing as I didn’t have the resources to sustain the training. But I couldn’t get my mind off the particular picture of this girl holding on to a queen with the most beautiful smile in the world. I wanted to know more about her so I went back to the community to look for her. When I found her, I lifted her into my arms and asked her what she wanted to be. She said “Nurse” with a deep Yoruba accent. She could barely speak an English word but she was sure of that one thing. Such lofty ambitions for a little girl who had never seen the four walls of a classroom, I thought to myself. Amidst such vast and faded flowers, she dared to dream. I watched her for a little while, she housed the greatest spirit I had ever seen and was always filled with laughter. I was greatly inspired so I went home and wrote about my experience with the little girl I had just found who dared to dream. The story went viral. Someone reached out and offered to sponsor her through school. It was the best news ever! We made out to share the good news with her parents and realized they were living in abject poverty. We enrolled Basirat in one of the best Montessori schools in Ikorodu. She had to start from the foundational class so she could learn to read and write. It was the beginning of her journey. Afterall in chess, a pawn could march on to become a queen. The Chess in slums initiative was birthed. I made a resolve to pursue this dream of using chess as a tool to help other children find life-changing opportunities. We have been doing this consistently for about two years and successfully trained over a hundred kids. Some have gone on to win chess tournaments. We currently have 13 other children on livelong scholarships.”
Lindores Abbey: Ding and Dubov through to semifinals
It was the D-Day today in Lindores Abbey Challenge as China’s Ding Liren won an epic see-saw battle to set up a D-Day semi-final clash against Daniil Dubov who whitewashed his compatriot Sergey Karjakin. Ding Liren – Yu Yangyi all-Chinese battle was decided in an Armageddon play-off after three days of rapid chess left it all-square. Meanwhile, Dubov battered his countryman Sergey Karjakin 3-0 to end a fascinating Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge tie on top. Ding and Dubov, who revealed he’s been playing with a touchpad, will now meet on Friday in the second of the Rapid Challenge semi-finals. Following the match, Dubov said he was “really pessimistic” about his upcoming semi because he always loses against Chinese players. “When you play the Chinese it’s sort of a masochistic experience – they beat you and you go home!” he said. Yu – Ding was the tighter quarter-final than Dubov’s and it started predictably with yet another draw. But in the second, “The Chinese Wall” Ding uncharacteristically collapsed with the White pieces leaving Yu in the lead. Then from 1.5-0.5 behind, Ding came back into it with a vital win in the third. The final game ended in a draw to take the match into Armageddon tiebreak in which both opponents were playing for time as the clock ran down. Meanwhile, in the other decider, there were plenty of fireworks in the Dubov – Karjakin match despite the 3-0 final score in Dubov’s favor. It suffices to say, that in the second game Karjaking just blundered a rook in an absolutely winning position. It ended a thrilling quarter-final tie that saw no draws over the pair’s total of 10 rapid games. Speaking afterward, Dubov said: “I sort of felt more pressure because of the fact it is Karjakin and he is my compatriot and he knows his stuff…. It’s obviously always tough matches against him. I did not really think about qualifying for something, I just wanted to beat the guy.” The semis start tomorrow when World Champion Magnus Carlsen takes on Hikaru Nakamura, before Dubov and Ding face-off the following day. The event, which runs until June 3, is being put on in association with the Lindores Abbey Heritage Society, which maintains the historic site. Coverage of Carlsen-Nakamura begins tomorrow with commentary in 10 languages at 16.00 CEST. You can watch it live here Highlights English FOR MORE INFORMATION:Leon Watsonleon@chessable.com+447786 078770
Lindores Abbey QFs: Carlsen in semis, Karjakin bounces back
Magnus Carlsen declared he’s “pretty optimistic” about a Lindores Abbey semi-final clash against Hikaru Nakamura after breezing past Wesley So today. The World Champion went ahead quickly, drew, and then won a wild third game as he dominated the second day of his last-eight match with So. Carlsen’s quick 2.5-0.5 win sets up a mouth-watering Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge semi-final against blitz king Hikaru Nakamura on Thursday. Speaking about his next opponent, Carlsen said: “He’s done tremendously well, but… I’m pretty optimistic.” On today’s win, Carlsen said: “I’m obviously happy about the result. But I have got to say the last game was just a ridiculous mess and I had very little clue about what was going on. “I felt like I was doing pretty well early on and then at some point the wheels came off and I might as well have been lost.” In the commentary box, IM Lawrence Trent had been full of praise for the champion. “It is what it is,” he said when Carlsen’s match ended. “Sometimes the WC does a number on you and today it was Wesley So. Magnus Carlsen was sublime.” Today’s other quarter-final tuned in to a real roller-coaster. Russia’s Daniil Dubov showed a touch of magic to fight back after losing the first game against countryman Sergey Karjakin, then in the third game of the mini-match, the famously solid Karjakin appeared to implode. Dubbed the “Minister of Defence”, Karjakin played too quickly, mixed something up in the opening, and simply collapsed after Dubov played the offbeat Scandinavian against him. Dubov only needed a draw with white to seal the match, but it did not happen as he blundered easy tactics in a roughly equal position in game four. It all came down to Armageddon in which the younger Russian had white pieces. Dubov launched a crushing attack on the kingside but when it was time for a final blow he unexpectedly went astray. First Daniil missed a couple of not-so-hard-to-find winning continuations then went for an exchange and all of the sudden position became unclear. This turn of events threw Dubov off completely and he went down in severe time trouble. “Speaking about the last game, of course, it was just winning for white, but when you play Armaggeddon you try to play fast, but when you play fast you are not so good. I just want to say that in the fourth game I was trying hard as I knew that I can win some decisive games because of my experience against Peter.” Karjakin said in a short interview, referring to his famous final match with Peter Svidler at FIDE World Cup 2014, which he won after being 0-2 down. Karjakin and Dubov are now to play a decider for a spot in the semifinals. The event, which runs until June 3, is being put on in association with the Lindores Abbey Heritage Society, which maintains the historic site. Coverage begins with commentary in 10 languages at 16.00 CEST. You can watch it live here Highlights English FOR MORE INFORMATION:Leon Watsonleon@chessable.com+447786 078770