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
Lindores Abbey: Nakamura eases into semifinals
Speed chess expert Hikaru Nakamura bulldozed his way into the semi-finals today to open up the chance of a mouth-watering clash with Magnus Carlsen. The American, the world’s top blitz player, made short work of Levon Aronian as he crushed the Armenian 3-1 in their Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge mini-match and 2-0 overall. Nakamura, already ahead in the tie after winning on Saturday, raced into the lead with a first game win in today’s second best-of-three rubber. “Absolutely monstrous play by Hikaru!” said IM Tania Sachdev in the commentary box. Two draws followed before the American overpowered a desperate Aronian in the fourth to take the mini-match and go through. Nakamura may now face Carlsen – if the World Champion can get past Wesley So. On potentially meeting Carlsen in the semis, he said: “I’m very lucky. I get three days off, so I have time to prepare!” The other quarter-final being played out was a much trickier affair. China’s Yu Yangyi, who went into today with the advantage, quickly fell behind against countryman Ding Liren. Two draws followed before a vital game 4 which Ding steered towards a safe draw. With a 2.5-1.5 win the match is leveled and now goes to a decider on Wednesday. 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 New files at around 23.00 CEST. FOR MORE INFORMATION:Leon Watsonleon@chessable.com+447786 078770
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Checkmate Coronavirus: week one Carlsen and Lagno take titles in Steinitz Memorial FIDE held the first Online Cup for People with Disabilities First online meeting of the FIDE Council Continents go online “We are all children of Informant” Anniversaries READ NEWSLETTER
FIDE QC on duration of leagues and national team championships
On 15th March, the FIDE Qualification Commission provided some guidance for events regarding the ongoing Coronavirus situation: https://fide.com/news/443 Earlier in May, we received a request from leagues in continental Europe about waiving rule 1.14 of the title regulations: 1.14 Leagues and national team championships may last longer than 90 days, but not more than one year. In the current circumstances, QC is happy to waive 1.14 of the title regulations for leagues that started before the lockdown in their countries. Federations that wish to do this for their League should write to QC to make this request before they resume their season so that QC can compile a list of these leagues to aid with checking any title norms that may be achieved in these events. Doing this is not an obligation that the league will resume, and if the Federation decides to abandon their league season anyway at some point in the future, then they will still be free to do so. National Federations should note that this exemption applies to any ongoing season only, and not any future season that has not yet started or been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. For the avoidance of doubt, please be assured that Nick Faulks (Chairman) and I both recused ourselves from voting for this rule to be waived, due to conflicts of interest. Voting on this proposal was restricted to the five other QC Councillors. Alex HolowczakQC Secretary
Checkmate Coronavirus: week one
The Checkmate Coronavirus initiative is in full swing, as it enters its second week of activity. We are very grateful for the warm welcome that the chess community has given to this project, with special mention all those to have contributed to its success. First and foremost our partners at Chess.com, Lichess.org, Chess24, FIDE Online Arena, and Playchess. Secondly, to the many National federations that have already organized events within the Checkmate Coronavirus project: so far, the list includes the European Chess Union, Colombia, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, Greece, Japan, Mongolia, Qatar, Romania, Syria, Uruguay, and Venezuela, but the number keeps growing by the day. We are also very grateful to the many private organizers who have tried to contribute. And last but not least, to the dedicated team who has been running this project, headed by Ilya Gorodetsky. One week and 170 hours into the project, a total of 520 chess online tournaments have been organized as a part of this initiative, with an average of 261 participants each. This amounts to an approximate total of half a million chess games played, and 74 tournaments per day. These numbers are already slightly above our initial expectations, so we hope to reach new heights as we are reaching cruise speed. If you want to be a part of this celebration of chess, you can still do it. On our website, you can find instructions on how to join the initiative. There is also a FAQ section at the dedicated website for Checkmate Coronavirus, with some additional information. And if you simply want to be a participant in one of the events, please check out our complete schedule of events. As the FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich explained in his letter addressed to all of you, this project wants “to promote the ideals of unity and solidarity which must be manifested in such times”, apart from providing “a creative outlet to those who have to spend many hours at home” under the global lockdown. We believe that both goals are being fulfilled, and we are very proud of how we, the whole chess community, have stood together in these trying times.