FIDE approves hybrid format for World Cup 2021 qualifiers
FIDE approves proposals of the four Continental Federations related to their qualification structures for the next FIDE World Cup to be held in July 2021. As the epidemical situation remains complicated all over the World, a significant number of qualifiers will be held in the hybrid format. This decision is considered inevitable and exceptional in order to enable the qualification process. Specific Technical Requirements for the World Cup 2021 qualifiers held with the Hybrid format in addition to the Online Chess Regulations, Part III b Tournament Regulations The specific tournament regulations shall be approved by GSC. Arbiters Arbiters for each playing venue are nominated by the Continental Presidents in consultation with GSC. According to Art. 16.8 of the FIDE Online Chess Regulations, at least two arbiters will be appointed for each playing venue: a Local Chief Arbiter (LCA) and a Local Technical Arbiter (LTA). If there are more than 10 players in a playing venue, then one additional arbiter is required for every 10 extra players or part thereof. Supervision In each playing venue, the necessary number of panoramic cameras shall be installed to ensure ample supervision. Additionally, each player shall be supervised by a camera (web or panoramic). In each playing venue, if the playing devices are not provided by the Local Organiser, Zoom calls with screen sharing are mandatory. The event’s Chief Arbiter shall be provided with all Zoom recordings. OTB games In case two players playing from the same playing venue are paired together, LCA may decide the game between them to be played over the traditional board. Such a decision may be taken, only if the playing conditions are suitable and both players agree. Then, for such games, the FIDE Laws of Chess shall apply. Time control Time control shall not be less than 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1, or 120 minutes for the whole game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1. International titles International title norms and direct titles are unavailable. Rating calculations (Decision pending)
FIDE resumes development funding programme for 2021
Last week, FIDE informed about the resumption of the development funding programme for 2021, effective March 1, 2021. The announcement was made by FIDE’s Managing Director Dana Reizniece-Ozola, in a personal letter addressed to all member associations. As discussed in the General Assembly in December, the Development fund is budgeted at EUR 1 Million for 2021. This fund is administrated by the Planning and Development Commission (PDC), and its ultimate aim is the institutional strengthening of the Federations, the Continental Bodies, and FIDE itself. Like in previous years, Federations, Continents, Affiliated Associations and Commissions can apply for funding: in order to do so, they have to complete an “applications package”, available at the PDC website: https://pdc.fide.com/funding-applications. This document contains not only the application to receive funds and the agreement to be established between the two parties, but also complete guidelines about key performance indicators, and the reporting procedures and obligations. In a first step, PDC assesses submissions based on pre-determined criteria, which include alignment with FIDE priorities, scope, clear project description and documentation of activities, and value for money. Then, FIDE Managing Director and FIDE Treasurer provide approval. In 2020, 58 different National Federations received support from the development fund, for a total of 184,918€. Of them, 19 Federations were from the Americas (93,000€, or 33%), 16 from Africa (80,000€, or 28%), 12 from Asia (60,918€, or 21%) and 11 from Europe (51,000€, or 18%). The complete information is available in the PDC report to the FIDE Congress (December 2020). Besides, all the reports submitted by the Federations and Continental Associations that benefitted from this funding in 2019 and 2020 are accessible on the PDC website.
University of Sri Jayawardenapura wins Sri Lanka Inter Club Championship
University of Sri Jayawardenapura Chess Club team emerged as a champion of Sri Lanka National Inter Club Super League Chess Championship 2021 with two rounds to spare. The team turned in a dominating performance scoring 17 out 18 possible and finished 5 points ahead of the runner-up, Anandians. The National Chess Champion, Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage showed the best result (8 ½ out of 9) and passed the 2200 raring mark. Chamika Perera, SL National Chess Champion of 2011, performed his captain duties very well and contributed 8 points in 9 games. Lakshitha Randhil did a great job on the first board netting 6 points (no losses). The strongest team event in the country, the Sri Lanka National Inter Club Chess Championship 2021 was held by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka from February 26 to March 2, 2021 at Sanhinda hall, Gangodawila. The round-robin event attracted the top ten local chess clubs. The last two teams in the final standings were relegated to the SL National Inter Club B Championship whereas the two best will play in the top league next year. Anandians Chess Club won the silver medal with the better tiebreaks after tying with Super Knight Chess Club team with 12 points. Theeksana Denuwan played a key role in Anandians’ success scoring 7 points out of 9. Kudos to Super Knights the only team that debuted in Super League after qualifying from Inter Club B last year. The renitent newcomers showed some spine and took bronze. The games with commentaries by the former National Chess Champions, Dulan Edirisinghe, and Harshana Thilakarathne were streamed on Chess Federation of Sri Lanka FB page. Final standings: 1. University of Sri Jayawardenapura CC – 172. Anandians CC – 123. Super Knights CC – 124. Blue and Gold CC – 115. SL Navy CC – 116. Sokians CC – 97. Grand Prix CC – 58. Kandy YMCA – 59. Maroons CC – 410. Black and Gold CC – 4 Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage receiving a prize for the best performance in the event Board prize winners: Board 1 – Laksith Randhil (USJP CC)Board 2 – Damith Karunarathne (Blue Gold CC)Board 3 – Chamil Priyankara (SL Navy CC)Board 4 – CM WCC Perera (USJP CC)Board 5 – FM Minul Doluweera (Blue & Gold CC)Board 6 – CM Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage (USJP CC)Board 7 – TN Alahakoon (Grand Prix CC)Board 8 – S Harishman (Blue & Gold CC) Text and photo: Godigamuwa Wijesuriya
List of Open Tournaments to receive FIDE aid packages
FIDE has received 54 applications from event organisers around the world. In view of the high demand, the FIDE Council has decided to allocate an additional €20,000 for this purpose, raising the total to €120,000. We hope that this increase will allow us to support as many Opens as possible, helping these tournaments to increase their prize fund and the number of titled players invited to their events. From all the applicants, FIDE has selected 27 events according to the announced criteria. Each one of them will receive an amount that goes from 7% to 20% of the total budget for the event. An individual agreement will be signed with each selected event, describing the procedures regarding payment and reporting. Country Open Dates ARG Rio Grande (Fireland) 7 – 11.07 ARM Asrian Mem, Yerevan 20 – 30.06 BRA Floripa open, Florianopolis Jan’22 CAN Banff 12 – 14.11 CHI Arica 14 – 21.12 CRO Zadar Dec’21 CUB Capablanca Mem, La Habana 13 – 24.11 CZE Czech open, Pardubice 15.07 – 1.08 ENG Caplin Hastings Masters 29.12 – 7.01 ESP Sunway Sitges, Barcelona 11 – 22.12 FRA Noisiel 23 – 28.08 GHA President’s Cup, Accra 16 – 20.07 GEO Gaprindashvili’s Cup, Tbilisi 24.09 – 3.10 GER Boblingen 26 – 30.12 ITA Imperia 5 – 12.09 LAT Technical University open, Riga 5 – 11.08 NED Groningen 21 – 30.12 POL Irena Warakomska Mem, Suwalki Aug’21 POR Guimaraes 24 – 29.08 RUS Voronezh 12 – 21.06 SRB Open Championship of Serbia TBA SUI Biel 19 – 28.07 THA Bangkok TBA TUN RIDEF, Djerba 13 – 22.11 UKR Kyiv Spring 23 – 30.03 USA Charlotte Jan’22 UZB Tashkent 20 – 30.06
Ahmed Adly and Ghayda Alattar clinch AAOIOCC 2021
Following the success of the Africa Online Individual Chess Championship (AOICC) 2021, the Arab Chess Federation and the Africa Chess Confederation partnered to stage the Arab-African Online Individual Open Chess Championships (AAOIOCC). The event was held online on lichess.org from February 25-27 in four stages: Preliminary Stage (February 25), Men’s Semifinal (February 26), Women’s Final (February 26), Men’s Final (February 27). All the games were played with the time control of 3+2. Photo: Timothy Babatunde The women’s final turned into an exciting race as 25 ladies battled it out in brilliant fashion under the watchful eyes of the organizers. Besa Masaiti (LaraCroft_1, pictured above) of Botswana and Boshra Alshaeby (Joqueen90) of Jordan jumped out of the gate both scoring 4.5 out of 5 and drawing their encounter. However, they both went on to lose their subsequent Round 6 games against Wafa Shahenda (LadyCactus) and Moaataz Ayah (Silvermist15) respectively, paving the way for both Egyptians to join the party. After Shahenda showed Besa “how not to play a dragon variation of the Sicilian opening”, she fell against her countrywoman while trying to use the Leningrad system of Dutch Defense. However, both Egyptians did not manage to keep pace with the top finishers. Coming on the back of her second loss in the tournament, Jordanian Ghayda Alattar (Jordanleader1) stormed to an amazing five straight wins in the final five games to secure her top place in the final standings (8.5 of 11). Her compatriot Alshaeby Boshra scored an equal amount of points with the champion but had to settle for silver due to inferior tiebreaks. Final standings: 1. Ghayda Alattar (Jordan) – 8.52. Alshaeby Boshra (Jordan) – 8.53. Moaataz Ayah (Egypt) – 84. Wafa Shahenda (Egypt) – 7.55. Lina Nassr (Algeria) – 7 Ezat Mohammed (Mezat) and Koniahli Malek (MaLeKkoNihli) were in fine form at the start of the open final. They had a perfect score after three rounds beating Bassem Amin (Dr-BassemAmin) and Bilel Bellahcene (Bilelou) respectively. In Round 4, the leaders followed the route taken by the ladies in the women’s final and suffered the same fate. In Round 5 the Egyptian blitz maestro, Ahmed Adly (GMadly) bested Ezat Mohammed and took full control over the proceedings. His only hiccup on the way to the champion title came in Round 9. Adly chose a wrong plan in the opening and Hesham Abdelrahman duly punished him, not minding the number of pawns he had to sacrifice to get his way. GM Ahmed Adly playing from home This defeat cost Ahmed Adly the top position, but in the subsequent round, Hesham Abdelrahman held the leader Bilel Bellahcene to a draw and gave GMadly a chance that he did not miss. The future champion scored two critical victories in Rounds 10 and 11 and came out on top (8.5 out of 11), just a half-point ahead of Bilel Bellahcene who drew his last round game as well and finished second. Five players tied of third place with 7 points each with GM Mohamed Haddouche (mardgos) taking bronze thanks to better tiebreaks. Final standings: 1. Ahmed Adly (Egypt)2. Bellahcene Bilel (Algeria)3. Mohamed Haddouche (Algeria)4. Adham Fawzy (Egypt)5. Khumalo Keith (South Africa) With the success of the Arab-Africa Online Individual Open Chess Championships (#AAOIOCC) 2021, the closing ceremony was an avenue for the FIDE President, Arkady Dvorkovich to show his support for the initiative and the partnership between the Arab Chess Federation and the African Chess Confederation. The FIDE President welcomed all the participants, informing them that FIDE will continue to support these types of initiatives to ensure that chess players are active during the pandemic. The ACC President, Mr. Lewis Ncube, also got the opportunity to say a few words, appreciating everyone who participated in the championship, the organization, as well as Sheikh Saud for the hand of friendship that has been received by the African Chess Confederacy. Text: Ogunsiku Babatunde (africachessmedia.com/)
Baltag and Petrenko clinch Moldova championship
IM Iulian Baltag and IM Svetlana Petrenko are 2021 Moldovian Champions. Iulian Baltag defended his title in a Swiss-tournament, brushing aside the competition of 22 players, including eight International Masters. On the road to the title, he drew four games and scored five wins (7 out of 9), including a very important last-round victory. This is his third triumph in the national championship after 2012 and 2020. Photo: Iulian Baltag Facebook page Andrei Macovei finished just a half-point behind the champion; Ivan Schitco shared the third position with Nichita Morozov but took bronze thanks to better tiebreaks. Final standings: 1. Baltag Iulian (2393) – 72. Macovei Andrei (2453) – 6½3. Schitco Ivan (2473) – 64. Morozov Nichita (2400) – 65. Soltanici Ruslan (2410) – 5½6. Ceres Dragos (2244) – 5½7. Zajarnyi Anatolyi (2289) – 5½8. Agafii Victor (2236) – 59. Bargan Sergiu (2259) – 510. Buzdugan Alexandru (1658) – 5 In the women’s section Svetlana Petrenko and defending champion, Valentina Verbin both netted 6/9 and tied for first place. The tiebreak put Petrenko on top as she emerged as a winner in their direct encounter in Round 3. This is Petrenko’s 13th (!) national title. Twelve players took part in this 7-round Swiss tournament held at the beginning of February. Photo: https://sahmoldova.md/ Final standings: 1. Petrenko Svetlana (2030) – 62. Verbin Valentina (2014) – 63. Mihailova Alina (1741) – 54. Petricenco Ana (1720) – 45. Bargan Victoria (1542) – 46. Bitca Emilia (1238) – 3½7. Dulteva Anastasia (1268) – 38. Varekha Anna (1707) – 2½9. Golban Liudmila (1652) – 2½10. Grebeniuc Alexandra (1228) – 2
FIDE Athletes Commission composition announced
The International Chess Federation is pleased to announce the composition of the newly created Athletes Commission: GM A. R. Saleh Salem (UAE) GM Ahmed Adly (Egypt) IM Alina Kashlinskaya (Russia) GM Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria) IM Carolina Lujan (Argentina) GM David Navara (Czech Republic) IM Dinara Saduakassova (Kazakhstan) IM Ekaterina Atalik (Turkey) IM Jomo Pitterson (Jamaica) GM Joshua Daniel Ruiz Castillo (Colombia) GM Ju Wenjun (China) IM Odion Aikhoje (Nigeria) IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (Iran) By the deadline of December 21, FIDE had received nine candidacies for the ten elected positions. Therefore, as decided by the FIDE Council, voting was not required and these nine candidates made it directly into the Commission. Along with these athletes who presented their candidacy, four other members were appointed by the FIDE Council: IM Alina Kashlinskaya, IM Ekaterina Atalik, IM Jomo Pitterson, and IM Odion Aikhoje. The FIDE Council reserves itself the right to appoint two more members, in order to reach a total composition of 15 representatives of the players as stipulated in the regulations. The term of election and appointment of all members will be four years, but exceptionally the first term is limited to two years, until the 2022 FIDE Congress. Dinara Saduakassova (Kazakhstan) will be the first athlete to chair this commission for a period of half a year, followed by Ju Wenjun, and Ahmed Adly, in a six-month rotation.
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First anniversary of the FIDE Newsletter India on the rise Gabuzyan and Gaboyan, Armenian champions 2021 EDU Commission launches new training program Chess as a therapeutic tool “The Chess Saga of Fridrik Ólafsson” Birthdays READ NEWSLETTER
Seminar on chess and autism announced
The International Chess Federation, together with its Commission for People with Disabilities and the Social Commission, is pleased to announce the 1st FIDE Introductory Seminar “Chess for children with an autism spectrum disorder. How chess can help children with autism”. The aim of this course is to inform Federations and FIDE Academies about opportunities for using chess in educating kids with this disorder and share the existing experience. FIDE also wants to identify the interest of Federations, provide the necessary training of teachers, and support the development of related projects. WHAT:At this seminar speakers will talk about the possibility of teaching chess to children with autism spectrum disorder covering the following topics: • What is an autism spectrum disorder• Teaching chess to someone with autism• Chess could become the bridge between two worlds• Role of social projects in National Chess Federations WHEN:29 March 2021, from 14.00 to 16:00 CET WHO:Moderator: Anastasia Sorokina, FIDE Vice-President Speakers:• Natalia Popova – WIM, FIDE Trainer, Trainer of the FIDE Chess Academy in Belarus, leader of the 2 years long project teaching chess to children with autistic spectrum disorder (Belarus). • Ala Mishchanka, Special needs educational assistant, more than 15 years of experience (Canada);• Līga Bērziņa, Head of the Autism Society of Latvia, developer of games for reduction of behavioural disorders (Latvia).• Anna Charchyan, Lilit Karapetyan (Armenia) How to register:For registration, please send an email with the name and contact details (email, telephone number in Whatsapp) of the representative of the National Chess Federation or FIDE Academy to Anastasia Sorokina, FIDE Vice President: a.sorokina@fide.com. We expect your registration by 22 March 2021. After registration, you will receive a link to the online seminar. Over two years in Belarus has been operating a chess club for children with autism. Children study according to a special program developed by Natalia Popova, the coach of FIDE Chess Academy in Belarus. During this time, noticeable results have been achieved, which the parents of children can best say about: С
Van Foreest and Esipenko hit 2700 mark in March rating list
Although chess competitions all around the world are still suspended due to restrictive measures caused by COVID-19, some things remain the same under any circumstances. The traditional Tata Steel tournament, also known as “chess Wimbledon” did take place in Wijk aan Zee in the second half of January with its results being incorporated into the March rating list. Since several elite-level players participated in the Tata Steel 2021 we see some changes in the top-10. 1. Magnus Carlsen – 2847 (-15)2. Fabiano Caruana – 2820 (-3)3. Ding Liren – 27914. Ian Nepomniachtchi – 27895. Levon Aronian – 27816. Alexander Grischuk – 27777. Anish Giri – 2776 (+12)8. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov – 27709. Wesley So – 277010. Teimour Radjabov – 2765 Magnus Carlsen was far from his best in Wijk aan Zee and lost 15 rating points there but his top position is still impregnable. Fabiano Caruana dropped 3 rating points despite solid performance (+3) but comfortably occupies the second line in the rating list. Anish Giri (pictured below) did a great job in Tata Steel – his +4 score translates into 13 rating points which allowed Dutchman to break into the top-10 leapfrogging four players and climbing to the seventh position in the rating list. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave most likely wants to turn his Tata Steel 2021 page and move on. Indeed, the Frenchman’s lackluster performance in Wijk aan Zee cost him 26 rating points and the place in the top-10. Two Polish GMs Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Radoslaw Wojtaszek also suffered rating losses dropping 14 and 11 points respectively. Biggest gains: Jorden Van Foreest – 2701 (+30)Andrey Esipenko – 2701 (+24)Anish Giri – 2776 (+12)Alireza Firouzja – 2759 (+10)Nils Grandelius – 2670 (+7) Jorden Van Foreest and Andrey Esipenko are the main beneficiaries in this category after a very strong showing in Wijk aan Zee. The Dutchman became the winner of the event, picked 30 (!) rating points, and hit a 2700-mark for the first time in his career. The same applies to the Russian teenager who netted 24 points and cemented his #2 position in the junior rating list. The gap between him and Amin Tabatabaei bumped up to 72 points. Alireza Firouzja continues his ascent in the open rating list. The Iran-born teenager earned another 10 points in the Tata Steel 2021 and climbed to 13th position – the coveted top-10 is not that far away now. Nils Grandelius’ result (-1) in Wijk aan Zee does not seem very impressive but owing to the so-called low base effect it was enough to get 7 points and move up by ten positions in the open rating list. Photo: Jurriaan Hoefsmit – Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2021