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
Teimour Radjabov to be replaced by Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the Candidates Tournament
Lausanne, March 6, 2020 Teimour Radjabov has informed FIDE about his decision to withdraw from the Candidates Tournament, citing personal reasons. The Grandmaster from Azerbaijan had qualified for the Candidates by winning the 2019 World Cup, held in Khanty-Mansiysk. Radjabov will be replaced following the procedure described in the Article 2.1.E of the tournament regulations: “One place is reserved for the player with the highest average FIDE rating. For the purpose of deciding the qualifier, the average ELO rating from the twelve (12) FIDE Standard Rating Lists from February 2019 to January 2020 is used (…)”. Therefore, the French player Maxime Vachier-Lagrave will be Radjabov’s replacement, since he has the highest average rating during the aforementioned period of twelve months. The player has already been informed and he is ready to take part in the tournament. His travel arrangements are being made at the time of this announcement.
Titles approved by 2020 Executive Board in Abu Dhabi, UAE
FIDE publishes the list of titles approved by 2020 Executive Board in Abu Dhabi, UAE. GRANDMASTER GM 113816 Tristan, Leonardo ARG GM 13400312 Iskandarov, Mistratdin AZE GM 3507815 Obregon Rivero, Juan Carlos CUB GM 1444948 Bjerre, Jonas Buhl DEN GM 1438832 Thybo, Jesper Sondergaard DEN GM 621650 Flom, Gabriel FRA GM 12961523 Engel, Luis GER GM 12940690 Keymer, Vincent GER GM 753246 Kozak, Adam HUN GM 35093487 Sadhwani, Raunak IND GM 12513342 Gholami, Aryan IRI GM 24101940 Zanan, Evgeny ISR GM 12804444 Stremavicius, Titas LTU GM 5105048 Ibarra Chami, Luis Fernando MEX GM 4901541 Bilguun, Sumiya MGL GM 1026356 ten Hartog, Hugo NED GM 3804623 Vera Siguenas, Delvy PER GM 1132717 Klekowski, Maciej POL GM 1132199 Krzyzanowski, Marcin POL GM 4180887 Bocharov, Ivan RUS GM 4197143 Demidov, Mikhail RUS GM 24153729 Khegay, Dmitriy RUS GM 24114928 Tilicheev, Viacheslav RUS GM 950122 Ivic, Velimir SRB GM 14114224 Golubka, Petro UKR GM 14119846 Omelja, Artem UKR GM 14204223 Vokhidov, Shamsiddin UZB GM 12401064 Nguyen, Van Huy VIE INTERNATIONAL MASTER IM 4700066 Ashiku, Franc ALB IM 13308300 Gharibyan, Mamikon ARM IM 223654 Verstraeten, Rein BEL IM 2614782 Chiku-Ratte, Olivier-Kenta CAN IM 1440640 Olsen, Filip Boe DEN IM 32067607 Ayats Liobera, Gerard ESP IM 600261 Lamard, Guillaume FRA IM 36048763 Philippe, Guillaume FRA IM 13604058 Lortkipanidze, Nodar GEO IM 13608207 Oboladze, Luka GEO IM 1270337 Gschnitzer, Adrian GER IM 4615646 Kersten, Uwe GER IM 4208935 Goumas, Georgios GRE IM 26093189 Vlachos, Anatole GRE IM 760056 Krstulovic, Alex HUN IM 7101570 Aulia, Medina Warda INA IM 25009141 Anand, Nadar IND IM 35070924 Anuj, Shrivatri IND IM 25072846 Aronyak, Ghosh IND IM 25059009 Harshavardhan, G B IND IM 25041142 Krishnater, Kushager IND IM 25064967 Moksh, Amit Doshi IND IM 35080350 Mullick, Raahil IND IM 25002112 Rathanvel, V S IND IM 5073421 Sammed Jaykumar, Shete IND IM 5016193 Soumya, Swaminathan IND IM 2813408 Parkhov, Yair ISR IM 872555 Barp, Alberto ITA IM 13703404 Igambergenov, Alibek KAZ IM 4901592 Baterdene, Tsogbayar MGL IM 15000770 Lazov, Toni MKD IM 1021133 Haast, Mark NED IM 1520857 Vestby-Ellingsen, Mads NOR IM 1141724 Lewtak, Damian POL IM 1211854 Dobre, Claudiu-Cristian ROU IM 4165314 Bryakin, Mikhail RUS IM 24108138 Kardashevskiy, Evgeny RUS IM 4169123 Khlebovich, Alexander RUS IM 24199443 Ofitserian, Boris RUS IM 34134015 Remizov, Yaroslav RUS IM 4112253 Samusenko, Maksim RUS IM 14607913 Janzelj, Tim SLO IM 14606518 Spalir, Jernej SLO IM 903809 Djokic, Nenad SRB IM 914517 Ratkovic, Miloje SRB IM 14907534 Jurcik, Martin SVK IM 6357415 Ozenir, Ekin Baris TUR IM 34543279 Tanriverdi, Enes TUR IM 14152894 Larkin, Vladyslav UKR IM 14133040 Rytenko, Vsevolod UKR IM 14112256 Vypkhaniuk, Ihor UKR IM 2084058 Bick, Gabriel James USA IM 2075512 Ludwig, John USA IM 30920019 Mishra, Abhimanyu USA IM 2090732 Yip, Carissa USA IM 3501604 Ravelo Gil, Eddy VEN IM 3902498 Romero Barreto, Jaime Jose VEN WOMAN GRANDMASTER WGM 13308130 Sargsyan, Anna M ARM WGM 8606161 Xiao, Yiyi CHN WGM 8608059 Zhu, Jiner CHN WGM 5050847 Nandhidhaa, P V IND WGM 5091241 Varshini, V IND WGM 24633569 Osmanodja, Filiz GER WGM 24165956 Chernyak, Viktoria RUS WGM 34127035 Garifullina, Leya RUS WOMAN INTERNATIONAL MASTER WIM 2916711 Peycheva, Gergana BUL WIM 2915405 Radeva, Viktoria BUL WIM 8607664 Li, Yunshan CHN WIM 14534215 Cvitan, Ena CRO WIM 5045118 Cholleti, Sahajasri IND WIM 35006665 Isha, Sharma IND WIM 25011944 Makhija, Aashna IND WIM 5082986 Priyanka, K IND WIM 45004722 Kanyamarala, Trisha IRL WIM 13711261 Nurgali, Nazerke KAZ WIM 3819400 Hilario, Aleyla PER WIM 24173606 Afonasieva, Anna RUS WIM 14126869 Potapova, Margarita RUS WIM 24173770 Goltseva, Ekaterina RUS WIM 14611481 Urh, Zala SLO WIM 14605511 Vidic, Teja SLO WIM 1305620 De Serouz, Camille SUI WIM 1331973 Georgescu, Lena SUI WIM 6364063 Caglar, Sila TUR WIM 14132400 Shpanko, Nadiia UKR WIM 14204487 Yakubbaeva, Nilufar UZB WIM 12408956 Bach, Ngoc Thuy Dong VIE INTERNATIONAL ARBITER IA 145572 Vilte, Hector Eduardo ARG IA 3220257 Zuccala, Christopher AUS IA 13403087 Abdullayev, Elshad AZE IA 1928090 Carapinha, Francisco Manuel CPV IA 6501435 Angulo Cubero, Oscar CRC IA 14527677 Birk, Bojan CRO IA 14511436 Stankovic, Sasa CRO IA 3516490 Garcia Beltran, Ibrahin CUB IA 305235 Buchnicek, Petr CZE IA 330701 Kudla, Richard CZE IA 305405 Sikora, Jan CZE IA 2289180 Gonzalez Gandara, David ESP IA 2224690 Pareja Lopez, Francisco Jesus ESP IA 675270 Regaud, Denis FRA IA 13617273 Beria, Giorgi GEO IA 12949639 Haase, Carsten GER IA 12961914 Weber, Michael GER IA 16209060 Winker, Fabian GER IA 25042050 Beig, Saleem IND IA 5068746 Bhaskar, V. IND IA 25075551 Bhatt, Swati IND IA 5065062 Chitaranjan, Taorem IND IA 35016350 Chockalingam, Balaji Ulaganathan IND IA 5045541 Kavlekar, Sanjay R. IND IA 25061550 Mrityunjay, Singh IND IA 25042408 Naveen, Kumar T IND IA 35004220 Rupesh, Kumar IND IA 25024590 Saini, Rashmi IND IA 25027042 Selva, Manikandan S IND IA 45022062 Shivakant, Mishra IND IA 25088327 Stella, Sharmila P IND IA 12501506 Mirzapour, Hanieh IRI IA 12598771 Mishani, Shideh IRI IA 12500666 Paridar, Shadi IRI IA 13707019 Bauyrzhan, Kausar KAZ IA 13700570 Kim, Sergey KAZ IA 5707579 Muniyan, Genkeswaran MAS IA 5727588 Thiagarajoo, Kumaressan MAS IA 1523988 Gressli, Kristoffer NOR IA 1514237 Lovaas, Roger NOR IA 5228506 Cruz, Reden PHI IA 4153723 Gluhov, Viktor RUS IA 24182370 Shelokov, Valery RUS IA 9907513 Anuradha, Sanjeewa SRI IA 6330320 Saglam, Emrah Sitki TUR IA 14106469 Bodnar, Nikolay UKR IA 14136660 Kovalenko, Maxim UKR IA 14175630 Larkin, Sergii UKR IA 14136422 Pepa, Yurij UKR IA 3900371 Gonzalez, Jose Luis VEN FIDE ARBITER FA 7903014 Bir, Boubekar ALG FA 7922574 Brahim, Billel ALG FA 7907176 Ghafoul, Omar ALG FA 7909551 Larabi, Abdelkader ALG FA 7907869 Mousli, Abdelkarim ALG FA 134775 Kiszkiewicz, Ivan ARG FA 13300610 Movsisyan, Naira ARM FA 3228460 Harmon, Martin AUS FA 3203689 Stojic, Dusan AUS FA 1627090 Zozin, Walter AUT FA 13400860 Budagova, Lala AZE FA 13424912 Guliyeva, Laman AZE FA 13437488 Gurbanova, Irana AZE FA 10204695 Anisuzzaman, Jewel BAN FA 1203095 Chowdhury, Mahmuda Hoque BAN FA 10200592 Hossain, Showkat Pollab BAN FA 10201653 Kabir, Shajahan BAN FA 10235000 Md., Mazedul Hoque Chowdhury BAN FA 10200533 Parveen, Tanima BAN FA 10208658 S. M., Tareq BAN FA 2603136
FIDE approves media accreditation policy
The International Chess Federation has approved the following media accreditation policy, to be applied in our top official events – starting with the Candidates Tournament. This policy was developed following the model of other sports associations. In particular, in the making of this document the following policies were taken as a reference: – Media accreditation process for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. – Accreditation procedure for the United Nations conferences and events. – Accreditation process for the 2nd European Games in Minsk 2019. – Media accreditation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. – IOC Social and Digital Media Guidelines for the Winter Games, Pyeong Chang 2018. – Accreditation for the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020. – Accreditation Process for the Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals. – Media accreditation for the Wimbledon tennis championship. DOWNLOAD: FIDE media accreditation policy (pdf)
Joint statement by FIDE and the ECU
As you know, three major events are planned for April 2020 in Crete, Greece. 1. World Cadet & Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 20202. World Amateur Chess Championship 20203. European School Championships 2020. These events involve the travel and presence of hundreds of players and others at the venue. Given the current health situation in Europe and worldwide with the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), recommendations and instructions of WHO, sports and national authorities, as also concerns expressed by many participants and national federations, both organizations believe that priority is the protection of the public health. In view of the above, and after consultation with the organizers, FIDE and ECU have decided that all three events listed above will be postponed. The events are rescheduled for after the 15th of June 2020 and the new dates and venue in Greece will be announced the next days. Bookings have been already made and deposits will be transferred to the new dates and in case that participants will not be able to attend will be fully refunded for their hotel bookings and registration fees. We would like to note that since that the reason for the postponement is force majeure and a recognized worldwide big threat for public health, neither FIDE, nor EСU, nor the organizers can be responsible for other expenses incurred by participants, including travel expenses and air tickets. Many companies decided to redirect to new dates/destinations or refund tickets that canceled due to the global threat of (COVID-19).
WGP Round 5: Dzagnidze wins; Goryachkina and Dronavalli still lead
The fifth round of the Women’s FIDE Grand Prix in Lausanne features just one decisive game. World Champion Ju Wenjun escapes after more than 5 hours. The battle of the two leaders Harika Dronavalli and Aleksandra Goryachkina unfolded quietly, as the balance never significantly tilted for either side. Both remain in the lead, as none of their pursuers managed to win. In fact, as many as five games were tied on this fifth day. The only winner of the day was Nana Dzagnidze, who overcame Anna Muzychuk with Black. The Georgian confessed afterward that she misplayed the opening and ended up in a difficult position. She decided to sacrifice an exchange with 21…Be6 and could not understand why her opponent refused to take it. To be fair, White only erred later and collapsed in the complications. Mariya Muzychuk could have restored the balance in the family score by beating Ju Wenjun, but she failed to convert a decisive advantage in the endgame. The World Champion is visibly struggling to find her shape in Lausanne, but there is still a whole second tournament half to recover. The encounter between Zhansaya Abdumalik and Alina Kshalinskaya saw the advantage change hands. The Russian clearly got an upper hand around move 20 but slipped with 27…Rxe5, instead of 27…fxe5. The endgame seemed balanced afterward, but Black allowed the exchange of rooks, which could have cost her dearly. Zhansaya probably missed 43…b4 later on, which allowed Alina to escape. Alexandra Kosteniuk made a draw with Black against Antoaneta Stefanova and finally recovered from three defeats in a row. Pia Cramling and Marie Sebag played a balanced game and eventually reached a draw. Results of Round 5: Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ) – Alina Kashlinskaya (RUS) ½-½Antoaneta Stefanova (BLG) – Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) ½-½Harika Dronavalli (IND) – Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS) ½-½ Anna Muzychuk (UKR) – Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) 0-1Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) – Ju Wenjun (CHN) ½-½Pia Cramling (SWE) – Marie Sebag (FRA) ½-½ Standings after Round 5: 1-2. Harika Dronavalli (IND) and Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS) – 3½ 3.-4. Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) and Alina Kashlinskaya (RUS) – 35.-8. Anna Muzychuk (UKR), Pia Cramling (SWE), Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) and Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ) – 2½ 9.-11. Ju Wenjun (CHN), Antoaneta Stefanova (BUL) and Marie Sebag (FRA) – 2 12. Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) – 1 Program of round 6, 7 March at 3 pm: Alina Kashlinskaya (RUS) – Marie Sebag (FRA)Ju Wenjun (CHN) – Pia Cramling (SWE)Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) – Mariya Muzychuk (UKR)Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS) – Anna Muzychuk (UKR)Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) – Harika Dronavalli (IND)Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ) – Antoaneta Stefanova (BLG) 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
FIDE Trainer Seminar on teaching players with disabilities
The Competition for the disabled at the World Chess Olympiad 2020 will see a FIDE Trainer Seminar on teaching players with disabilities. This seminar will be held daily for one hour, starting 30 minutes after the start of play, during rounds one to five. All participating teams are invited to register one or more members to attend. Trainer license requirements are also waived for all team captains attending, who will all be awarded the Developmental Instructor title. Four FIDE Commissions have come together for this program – the FIDE Trainers Commission (TRG), the FIDE Commission for the Disabled (DIS), the FIDE Events Commission (EVE) and the FIDE Medical Commission (MED). The lead lecturer and moderator will be FIDE Senior Trainer and Grandmaster Thomas Luther, Chairman of the DIS commission. His expert co-lecturers will be FIDE International Organiser and International Arbiter Ozgur Solakoglu (Chairman of the Events Commission) and Dr. Amelia Hernandez (Member of the Medical Commission). The program coordinator will be Peter Long (Secretary of the Trainers Commission).