WGP Round 08: Fighting day in Lausanne
The 8th round was extremely hard-fought in Lausanne. Only two games were drawn, and the longest battle concluded after six hours. Nana Dzagnidze joins Aleksandra Goryachkina in the lead. The symbolic first move was made by Jacky Delapierre, Executive Director of Athletissima. This charismatic and popular figure in Lausanne founded the famous athletics meeting in 1977, which now belongs to the Diamond League. He opened 1.e4 for Zhansaya Abdumalik, and the young Kazakhstani went on to castle long against Anna Muzychuk’s Sveshnikov Sicilian. The Ukrainian sacrificed two pawns to develop an attack on the king, but White found a way to force a draw by repetition, constantly attacking the opponent’s queen. Alina Kashlinskaya, one of the two leaders before this round, got clearly caught off balance by Ju Wenjun’s opening choice. The Russian found herself under pressure and blundered an exchange. The World Champion did not ask for more in order to score her first victory in this tournament. In her commentary afterward, the World Champion expressed her relief to finally win a game in this very strong field. Nana Dzagnidze won her game against Marie Sebag after the French strangely forgot that White could exchange her bishop on move 23. Thanks to this third victory, the Georgian moves to joint first place with 5 points out of 8. Aleksandra Goryachkina has the same score after she drew a 129-move-long marathon which lasted over 6 hours. She squeezed an edge out of nothing in a symmetrical position, but Pia Cramling defended well. The Swedish legend was so exhausted after the game that she even packed a white Bishop with other belongings in her handbag. The arbiter discovered the disappearance of the piece only later and managed to convince Cramling to give back the prisoner over dinner. The miseries of Alexandra Kosteniuk do not seem to end, as she lost her game to Mariya Muzychuk and remains on clear last place. The Ukrainian wins her first game in this event and moves to 4,5 points. Same luck for another former World Champion. Antoaneta Stefanova slowly outplayed Harika Dronavalli and won after 95 moves. Results of round 8: Alina Kashlinskaya (RUS) – Ju Wenjun (CHN) 0-1Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) – Marie Sebag (FRA) 1-0Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS) – Pia Cramling (SWE) ½-½Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) – Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) 0-1Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ) – Anna Muzychuk (UKR) ½-½Antoaneta Stefanova (BLG) – Harika Dronavalli (IND) 1-0 Standings after round 8: 1-2. Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) and Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS) – 5 points3-6. Alina Kashlinskaya (RUS), Anna Muzychuk (UKR), Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) and Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ) – 4½7-8. Harika Dronavalli (IND), Pia Cramling (SWE) and Ju Wenjun (CHN) – 410. Antoaneta Stefanova (BUL) – 3½11. Marie Sebag (FRA) – 2½12. Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) – 2 Program of round 9, 11 March at 3 pm: Harika Dronavalli (IND) – Alina Kashlinskaya (RUS)Anna Muzychuk (UKR) – Antoaneta Stefanova(BLG)Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) – Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ)Pia Cramling (SWE) – Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS)Marie Sebag (FRA) – Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS)Ju Wenjun (CHN) – Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) Follow all the action live with commentary by grandmasters Mikhail Gurevich and Keti Tsatsalashvili on the tournament website http://wgp2019.fide.com. Pictures in high resolution are available for the press at our official Flickr account. Text: Yannick PelletierPhotos: David LladaContact: press@fide.com
WGP Lausanne: Side events at the International House of Sportt
Two side events took place this weekend alongside the Women’s FIDE Grand Prix in Lausanne. They were organized by FIDE and the Swiss Chess Federation with the help of local clubs and held in the premises of the International House of Sport, where FIDE has its office since May 2019. The “1st FIDE rapid open of the Olympic Capital” brought together 54 participants on Saturday, including seven titled players. Three of them scored 6 points in 7 games: GM Pavel Tregubov from Russia, GM Rodrigo Vasquez Schroeder from Chile, and local FM Aurelio Colmenares. The Russian took first place on tie-break. A rapid tournament for girls under 18 years old was organized among 22 participants on Sunday, on the occasion of the International Women’s Day. French University champion Estée Aubert won the event with the perfect score of 9 out of 9, ahead of both Swiss representatives Gülüzar Hüseynova (8 points) and Angie Pecorini (7 points). FIDE constantly makes endeavors to work with local federation or clubs in order to contribute to the popularization and development of chess on a larger scale. Tournaments such as these side events provide incentives, attract amateurs to the royal game while giving them the opportunity to closely watch great champions in action. Pictures in high resolution are available for the press at our official Flickr account. Text: Yannick PelletierPhotos: David LladaContact: press@fide.com
WSTCC 2020: 5th round will be played!
Today´s round 5 will be played. Playing halls will be divided into smaller parts. Visitors will not be allowed to go to the playing halls. Based on the resolution of the Czech government, all events with more than 100 people will be restricted. To follow this, playing halls will be divided into smaller, separated parts. Visitors will not be allowed to go to the playing halls. Further information will be provided before the start of the game. FIDE General Director Emil Sutovsky: “A lot of efforts and good cooperation with Czech organizers allowed us to split the venue into six different zones, complying with the demands of Czech authorities. Thanks to the chief organizer of the event, Jan Mazuch, and his team, to Ozgur Solakoglu – the chairman of FIDE events commission, to my old time Prague-based comrade Evgeny Neimer who came up with some important ideas and help.” Special thanks from the entire chess community to the Deputy Minister of Health of the Czech Republic Roman Prymula who, besides being a FIDE master, is also an epidemiologist – the biggest authority of the country in this field. He personally supervised the situation of the World Senior Team Championship. Mr. Prymula also assisted before the tournament started: when there was a shortage of sanitizers and masks, he helped the organizer to get supplies, so the tournament could follow all the advice and recommendations from the medical commission.
WSTCC 2020 Round 4: Two leaders emerge in both categories
The fight for the top position is getting more and more intense at the World Senior Team Chess Championship in Prague. Round 4 saw the leaders clash in both 50+ and 65+ categories. 50+ category Six teams came to Round 4 with 100% result, but after the dust settled, only two squads can boast of four victories in four matches. The defending champion team USA made short work of England 1 3-1, with Alex Shabalov winning his fourth game in a row (he has had a clean sore so far). Czech Republic 1 prevailed over Iceland thanks to the victory by Michal Konopka on the fourth board. The match Lasker Schachstiftung GK vs. Slovakia was drawn – the teams exchanged blows on the first and fourth boards. Czech Republic 2 somewhat unexpectedly beat Yamal 2½ – 1½. USA and Czech Republic 1 are leading the field and will face each other in Round 5. Standings after Round 4: 1. USA – 82. CZECH REPUBLIC 1 – 83. LASKER SCHACHSTIFTUNG GK – 74. SLOVAKIA – 75. YAMAL – 66. MOSCOW – 67. CANADA – 68. USA TOO – 69. ENGLAND 1 – 610. ISLAND – 6 65+ category Similarly, there are only two leaders left in the older category. In Round 4 Russia crushed France 3½ – ½ (only Anatoly Vaisser managed a draw on the first board); Germany 1 downed Czech Republic 1, whereas one of the leaders Israel suffered a painful defeat in the match vs. Schachfeunde Leipzig. Russia and Germany 1 tops the standings both with a 100% score and will face off in Round 5. Standings after Round 4: 1. RUSSIA – 82. GERMANY 1 – 83. SCHACHFREUNDE LEIPZIG – 74. GERMANY 3 – 65. GERMANY 2 – 66. ISRAEL – 67. CZECH REPUBLIC 1 – 68. AUSTRIA 1 – 69. EPPINGEN – 610. HUNGARY – 6 Photo: Vladimir Jagr
WGP Round 7: Status quo maintained in Lausanne
The seventh round produces only one decisive result when Anna Muzychuk overcomes Alexandra Kosteniuk. Both Alina Kashlinskaya and Aleksandra Goryachkina remain in the lead. The free day definitely instilled fighting intentions into most players, as two games lasted more than 5 hours on Monday. Yet, as many as five games ended with a draw. Only Anna Muzychuk managed to earn the full point. She quickly got an edge in a queenless position of the Petroff and skillfully increased the pressure. She convincingly converted the ensuing bishop vs. knight endgame with an extra pawn into a full point. Her opponent Alexandra Kosteniuk is thus falling back to the last place in this tough tournament. Both leaders managed to stay in front thanks to solid draws with the black pieces. The encounter between Antoaneta Stefanova and Alina Kashlinskaya finished very early when the Bulgarian decided to repeat moves in a well-known line of the Catalan Opening. Mariya Muzychuk ventured upon the entertaining and aggressive Evans Gambit against Aleksandra Goryachkina but the Russian reacted well and achieved equality, after which the game was drawn in a bishop endgame. The longest game of the day brought together Marie Sebag and Ju Wenjun. The fight went deep into the endgame but never significantly shifted to one side or another. The World Champion still struggles in Lausanne, as she has not won a single game yet. Harika Dronavalli did not achieve much against Zhansaya Abdumalik and even had to be careful, after Black found the ingenious move 16…e4. The Indian defended strenuously and secured the draw on move 30. The game between Pia Cramling and Nana Dzagnidze was balanced over the course of five hours. The Georgian sacrificed a pawn in order to simplify in an endgame, where all pawns were on the kingside. The Swedish legend pushed for a while, though without creating any serious chances. Results of round 7: Antoaneta Stefanova (BLG) – Alina Kashlinskaya (RUS) ½-½Harika Dronavalli (IND) – Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ) ½-½Anna Muzychuk (UKR) – Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) 1-0Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) – Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS) ½-½Pia Cramling (SWE) – Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) ½-½Marie Sebag (FRA) – Ju Wenjun (CHN) ½-½ Standings after round 7: 1-2. Alina Kashlinskaya (RUS) and Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS) – 4½3-6. Harika Dronavalli (IND), Anna Muzychuk (UKR), Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) and Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ) – 47-8. Pia Cramling (SWE) and Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) – 3½9. Ju Wenjun (CHN) – 310.-11. Antoaneta Stefanova (BUL) and Marie Sebag (FRA) – 2½ 12. Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) – 2 Program of round 8, 10 March at 3 pm: Alina Kashlinskaya (RUS) – Ju Wenjun (CHN)Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) – Marie Sebag (FRA)Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS) – Pia Cramling (SWE)Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) – Mariya Muzychuk (UKR)Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ) – Anna Muzychuk (UKR)Antoaneta Stefanova (BLG) – Harika Dronavalli (IND) Follow all the action live with commentary by grandmasters Mikhail Gurevich and Keti Tsatsalashvili on the tournament website http://wgp2019.fide.com. Pictures in high resolution are available for the press at our official Flickr account. Text: Yannick PelletierPhotos: David LladaContact: press@fide.com
Call for Bids: Reopening Bidding procedure for FIDE World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad 2021
FIDE did not receive any bids till the second bidding deadline for FIDE World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad 2021. Due to the decision of FIDE Executive Board, FIDE Events Commission has re-opened the bidding procedure FIDE World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad 2021 with the bidding deadline 20th March 2020. · A bid for any FIDE Competitions onwards shall include the name of a FIDE licensed International Organizer. · All bids should be submitted by the due date in a sealed envelope or scanned documents to the FIDE Secretariat postal address: Avenue de Rhodanie 54, 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland, Tel: + (41) 21 6010039, email office@fide.com by 20th March 2020, 16:00 local time. · Each bid should be accompanied with a bid fee. · Bid Fees are not refundable. Bid fees should be paid the latest 27th March 2020 to the FIDE bank account (free of charges) or to be enclosed in the bid envelope. · All bidders must fill in the bid form and the new bid form annex. · Prices of hotels, details about the accommodation and tournament hall must be written in the bid. · FIDE EVE will make first bid inspections and send its report together with a bid evaluation form. There will be a second inspection of the awarded organisation two to four months prior to the event. FB accommodation in a Single room and local transfer costs of the inspections must be paid by organizers. · FIDE Officials – Appeals Committee, Chief Arbiter, Deputy Arbiter(s) – will be decided and appointed by FIDE following the proposal of organizers. The bid form and new added annex can be downloaded here. Download BID FORM Download BID FORM ANNEX
Introducting Candidates: Ian Nepomniachtchi
Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia)Born July 14, 1990 (29 years old)Rating 2774Qualified for the FIDE Candidates Tournament through the FIDE Grand Prix. It will be his debut in a Candidates Tournament. Ian was born and spent his childhood in Bryansk, a city located 379 km southwest of Moscow. Nepomniachtchi picked up the game of chess at the age of four and three years later enjoyed good results and early success. In the years that followed, Ian won Russian, European and World Junior championships in different age groups. Nepomniachtchi made his first steps in chess under the guidance of a local coach, Valentin Evdokimenko, who later entrusted his pupil to Valery Zilberstein. Later a well-known Russian coach and GM Sergei Janovsky took Nepomniachtchi under his wing and became not just his mentor but also an older friend. Another respected Russian chess coach, Sergei Shipov, who trained Ian for several years, also contributed a lot in Nepomniachtchi’s evolvement into a real professional. For the last several years, Nepomniachtchi has been working with a renowned theorist, GM Vladimir Potkin. After his graduation from the Russian State Social University, the GM settled in Moscow. The year 2010 became a real breakthrough in Ian’s chess career – Nepomniachtchi did well in all the events he took part, having won the European Individual Championship (three years later he tied for first place in the same tournament) and the super-final of the Russian Championship and scored big in team competitions. Ian’s impressive chess resume includes medals from the World Rapid and Blitz Championships, victories in the prestigious Aeroflot Open (2015), the Hainan Danzhou (2016), the Tal Memorial (2016) and the Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting (2018). On many occasions, Nepomniachtichi was the leading scorer when playing for team Russia at the Olympiads, European and World Championships. For quite a long time Ian has been the most difficult opponent for Magnus Carlsen, whom he first met over the board at the European Junior Chess Championship U-12 back in 2002. Nepomniachtchi is a big fan of various sports including cyber-sport (he was one of the best in Dota2, playing under the alias FrostNova) and trivia and quiz games (Ian plays for a Moscow team “Crazy rook”). In 2019, Nepomniachtchi, a permanent resident at the top-10, fulfilled his long-cherished dream and finally qualified for the Candidates Tournament through the Grand Prix FIDE. After winning two legs in Moscow & Jerusalem, Ian got a chance to contest for the right to challenge Magnus Carlsen. Short – Nepomniachtchi (Capablanca Memorial, 2010) 23… Re8 24. Qa1 Ne3 25. Rg1 Nxg2! 26. Rgxg2 Rxa2!! 27. Rxa2 Qxa2! 28. Bf1 Bxg2+ 0-1
WSTCC 2020: Favorites make a prompt start
For the first time ever Olympik and Olympik Tristar hotels belong to chess. The participants of the World Senior Team Chess Championship (WSTCC 2020) sat down to the chessboards in two spacious halls with first-class facilities. The teams in the 50+ category play under the luxurious chandeliers that enhance the festive atmosphere of the tournament. After finishing their games, the participants can analyze their encounters in the adjacent areas, watch other ongoing games online on a screen, plan trips or sit in the hotel café. 65+ category In the first round only 4 teams confirmed the status of favorites, whitewashing their opponents 4:0. Russia, Israel, Germany 2 and Germany 3 did not allow their opponents even a half-point. In two cases their victims were the Czech teams Tanvald and Praha S-70. The match between the Czech Republic 3 and the Czech Republic 1 was won by IM Ivan Hausner and GM Jiří Lechtýnský. Players of the Czech Republic 2 – Coriolus CZ team managed to draw all their games, but since they had only three players the final score is 2,5:1,5 in favor of the Swedish team. Two other Czech teams started the tournament with a draw, Polabiny Pardubice did not succumb to the selection of England 1 and Wallachia Seniors to a Danish team Norresundby. Remaining Czech teams lost their matches, worth mentioning that WFM Eva Možná, playing for the Czech Republic Women team, scored half a point on the first board. In the second round, the Czech Republic 1 will play on the eighth table against the German team Die Franken, Polabiny Pardubice on the thirteenth table with Scotland. The Czech Republic 2 – Coriolus CZ team encounters Golden Oldies from Norway and the Czech Republic 3 plays with Finland. The Czech Republic Women team will compete with the Austrian team Steiermark. 50+ category Also in this category, the vast majority of seeded teams swept their opponents aside. On the first table, the United States did not give a chance to the Welsh, on the second table the German team Lasker Schachstiftung GK allowed only one draw to England Women. The Czech Republic 1, however, did not give up to England 2 even a half-point. Both German women teams had too heavy rivals in the first round, Yamal and England 1. Slovakia also won over Vysočina team with a clean score. The second team of the Czech Republic (2) defeated German Alb-Schwarzwald safely 0.5:3.5 and the same score and result was achieved by the Czech women team against the German Kaltenkirchen. Officilal site: http://www.wstcc2020.net/ Text: Venuše Souralová Photo: Vladimír Jágr
Happy International Women’s Day
The International Chess Federation would like to wish a happy International Women’s Day to all women in chess in any capacity: players, arbiters, supporters, and spectators. FIDE is committed to improving gender equality in all areas of the sport, on and off the board. FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess (WOM) tirelessly works for the best of women in chess. There are six women in the FIDE Council [previously known as Presidential Board] and many more in key positions in the management and the FIDE commissions. We want to thank them and their numerous colleagues around the world for their invaluable contribution! On this day, we would also like to bring back this statement by the FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, initially published last summer:“Fiercely competitive and universally established, chess has enchanted athletes and enthusiasts for centuries, regardless of their age, social status, gender, or faith. Chess appeals to the intellect, and it helps us to focus on the things we have in common with other people, rather than the superficial differences between us. It is part of FIDE’s core mission to endorse this cherished diversity across all levels of engagement, from early learning to world-class players. FIDE’s renewed policies are rooted in our firm commitment to women empowerment and gender equity. We believe that sport equates fairness, and equality of opportunity requires the recognition and understanding of social context. It is also our responsibility to address and dismantle any barriers that girls or women face at engaging in this sport. FIDE can only fulfill its global mission if we can inspire young girls and pave their way to immerse themselves in the game, foster their talent and provide every opportunity for them to compete at the very top level. With the aim to increase women’s participation in the professional game, FIDE maintains a female track in all professional series and an open track for all athletes. It is one of our goals to establish specific corporate partnerships to help female athletes reach their full potential and be rewarded accordingly. Finally, FIDE aims to increase women’s participation in executive roles within our organization, as well as to promote female leaders as our international partners and ambassadors of the game.” Arkady DvorkovichGeneva, June 10th, 2019
WGP Round 6: Change of leaders in Lausanne
The last round before the rest day produces significant changes in the standings, as leader Harika Dronavalli loses her game and swaps places with Alina Kashlinskaya. The sixth round was launched by Irina Gladikh, who played the first move for her countrywoman Alexandra Kosteniuk. The IOC Associate Director must have a lucky hand, as Kosteniuk finally recovered from her disastrous start thanks to a win against Harika Dronavalli. The Indian was under pressure throughout the game but could have held in the end had she hanged Queens. Instead, she tragically blundered a checkmate. This slip actually benefits the three Russian players, as Aleksandra Goryachkina and Alina Kashlinskaya are now joint leaders. The vice world champion did not achieve any advantage against Anna Muzychuk and made a quiet draw. Kashlinskaya clearly took Marie Sebag by surprise with her opening choice. In a well-known position, the French spent 35 minutes to play her ninth move and later committed some inaccuracies. Kashlinskaya played very forcefully and scored a convincing victory. Zhansaya Abdumalik surprised Antoaneta Stefanova with the Scotch and especially with the rare move 5.Ne2. Black eventually obtained a decent position but underestimated the pawn grab 31.bxa4. There was no compensation and the Kazakhstani convincingly converted her advantage into a full point. The youngest participant moves up to 3,5 points and stands right behind the leaders. The World Champion Ju Wenjun had some pressure with White on the position of Pia Cramling in the opening but after the queen’s exchange was held to a draw by the experienced Swede. Results of round 6: Alina Kashlinskaya (RUS) – Marie Sebag (FRA) 1-0Ju Wenjun (CHN) – Pia Cramling (SWE)Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) – Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) ½-½Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS) – Anna Muzychuk (UKR) ½-½Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) – Harika Dronavalli (IND)Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ) – Antoaneta Stefanova (BLG) 1-0 Standings after round 6: 1-2. Alina Kashlinskaya (RUS) and Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS) – 43-5. Harika Dronavalli (IND), Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) and Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ) – 3½6-8. Anna Muzychuk (UKR), Pia Cramling (SWE) and Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) – 39. Ju Wenjun (CHN) – 2½10-12. Antoaneta Stefanova (BUL), Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) and Marie Sebag (FRA) – 2 points. 8 March will be a rest day. Play will be resumed for the 7th round on March 9, at 3 pm: Antoaneta Stefanova (BLG) – Alina Kashlinskaya (RUS)Harika Dronavalli (IND) – Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ)Anna Muzychuk (UKR) – Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS)Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) – Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS)Pia Cramling (SWE) – Nana Dzagnidze (GEO)Marie Sebag (FRA) – Ju Wenjun (CHN) Follow all the action live with commentary by grandmasters Mikhail Gurevich and Keti Tsatsalashvili on the tournament website http://wgp2019.fide.com. Pictures in high resolution are available for the press at our official Flickr account. Text: Yannick PelletierPhotos: David LladaContact: press@fide.com