EDU Commission announces its 17th “Preparation of Teachers” course
Have you long been waiting to earn the prestigious FIDE title of School Instructor? The FIDE EDU 17th edition of the “Preparation of Teachers” course is here to pave your way to success! When: June 7-9, 2024 Where: Online, conducted in English Presenters: Anzel Laubscher and Boris Bruhn, esteemed commission members Target audience: Teachers, chess educators, both novice and seasoned players with fundamental chess knowledge, and individuals with a passion for working with children. Bonus: Unlock exclusive, lifelong access to premium OPENING MASTER chess databases upon successful completion. Read the detailed course description here. Reserve your spot now by registering here. Registration closes on June 3, with only 20 spots available! Note: Titles are conferred during the subsequent FIDE Council meeting and will reflect on FIDE profiles approximately four weeks thereafter. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at edu.courses@fide.
FIDE World Senior Championships 2024: Registration is open
FIDE and the Portuguese Chess Federation invite all FIDE member federations to participate in the World Senior Chess Championships 2024. The competitions will be held in Porto Santo Island, Portugal, from November 16 (arrival) to 29 (departure) 2024. The participants will compete in four categories: age 50+ and 65+, Open and Women. All players shall have reached the ages of 50 and 65 (by December 31 of the year in which the tournament will commence). The top 3 players from each category of the previous World Senior Championships will have personal right to participate. In addition, the top 3 players from each category of the previous year’s Continental Senior Championships are qualified with personal rights and cannot be substituted. The total prize fund of the Championships amounts to 42,500 euros. The deadline for the registration is September 16, 2024. There will be several options to reach Porto Santo Island (43 km northeast of Madeira): direct flights from Lisbon and some other European cities (operated by Easyjet). Additionally, there are two daily direct flights from Funchal, Madeira Island and a ferry from Funchal Madeira Island to Porto Santo. Official website: worldsenior2024.fide.com E-mail: worldsenior@fide.com Invitation letter (pdf) Regulations (pdf) Press release in English (docx) Press release in Portuguese (docx)
FIDE Torch Relay heads to Latin America
The FIDE 100 Torch Relay, marking the centennial celebration of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is set to light up Latin America Following celebrations in India, Africa, Switzerland, Canada and Morocco, the FIDE100 Torch is making its way to Latin America. The nine-day event in Medellin, Colombia’s second-largest city, will bring together FIDE officials, players and chess fans from the continent. The central ceremony will take place on May 26, when the Torch Relay will make its journey through five public parks in Medellin, all having a chess theme connected to them. The caravan will depart from the Chess Park (Antioquia Chess League) – the only park in Latin America designed specifically for chess. From there, the caravan will make its way to the University of Antioquia, continue to the Jorge Eliecer Gaitan Park and then move to the Plazoleta San Ignacio. The caravan will continue to the Plazoleta of the Estadio subway station before returning to the chess park, a landmark location for chess in Latin America. The nine-day celebration will feature a classical chess tournament – the XVII Absolute Chess Championship of the Americas 2024. Organized by the Chess Confederation for America, the event is a part of the FIDE World Championship cycle and is open to all Chess Federations of the American Continent, featuring some of the best chess players from the Americas. In addition, there will be a Rapid and a Blitz tournament. In addition, the former world champion candidate Veselin Topalov will do social chess activities in a Colombian prison, a pediatric hospital and chess schools of Medellin. Other prominent chess players participating in the events are GM Shirov (Spain) and the U20 junior world champion from Argentina Candela Francisco. “It is a great honor for Colombia to be chosen as the Latin American host of the FIDE100 Torch Relay. Chess has an important place in our culture and a growing interest from the public, and this event will help promote the game further. Latin America has a prominent place in chess history so it’s only natural to have one of the torch ceremonies here. We are looking forward to welcoming the Torch and FIDE officials, and – for a few days – to take center stage in the chess world, celebrating 100 years of the International Chess Federation,” said Weymar Fernando Munoz, President of the Colombian Chess Federation. “We are proud that Colombia is part of our jubilee, and we are thankful for the event they have prepared. In recent years, Colombia and Latin America, in general, have seen chess grow in popularity, and it is only natural for FIDE to look for having more events and chess opportunities hosted in this part of the world,” said Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board.
Chess for Freedom Conference: List of speakers announced
FIDE is excited to announce the list of distinguished speakers for the upcoming Chess for Freedom Conference, scheduled to take place from June 19 to 21, 2024, in Pune, India. FIDE, in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation, is organizing the conference, hosted by the All India Chess Federation and the Maharashtra Chess Association. The event aims to explore the transformative power of chess as a rehabilitation tool in correctional facilities worldwide. Registration of participants is open until June 07, 2024, via the following link. Conference schedule: Day 1: June 19, 2024 Keynote Speakers: ● “Chess for Freedom project in India“: Chairman of Indian Oil Corp. will discuss the partnership project. ● “How to achieve 40 facilities in the Championship?“: Adolfo Jesus Toledo Infanzón from Mexico will share details on the Chess for Freedom initiative in Mexico. ● “Supporting Talents in Prisons“: Dr. Cris Fanning, Executive Director, Kansas Department of Corrections, will present online on statewide chess initiatives in the USA. ● “Achievements and the future: Intercontinental Chess Championship for prisoners“: Nebojsa Baralic will highlight past successes and future plans. ● “Chess puzzles in prisons, and their relevance to life on the outside“: Carl Portman from England will present online on the importance of chess puzzles for inmates. On Day 1, conference participants will also visit the Yerawada Correctional Facility, play chess with the inmates, and have a presentation by the prison authorities. The presentation will cover how Indian Oil is implementing chess and other sports programs. Day 2: June 20, 2024 Speakers and Presentations: ● All India Chess Federation will open the day, followed by personal stories from former inmates Steven Maruwo, Hector G. and Emanuel Garcia ● “Step-by-step to implement Chess for Freedom in prisons” by Grandmaster Kevin Goh Wei Ming outlines the exact program ● “Building Bridges: Tips, Tricks, and Encouragement for Successful Volunteer Engagement in Correctional Setting” Lāsma Kokoreviča from Latvia will discuss volunteer engagement in correctional settings. ● “Chess Reinvented: Tailoring Training Strategies for Inmate Learners” Boris Bruhn from Germany will talk about tailoring chess training for inmates. ● “Chess in prisons for resocialization: Evidence-based approach” Mikhail Korenman from the USA will present an evidence-based approach to using chess for resocialization. ● “Social Chess – so much more than a game” André Vögtlin, FIDE Social Commission Chair, will discuss the broader social impact of chess. Panel Discussions and Workshops: ● A panel discussion on “Chess for Youth Freedom” will feature David Acheampong, Kevin Goh Wei Ming, Nebojsa Baralic, and a representative from India. ● A workshop titled “Let’s Shape the Future of the Chess for Freedom” will be conducted by André Vögtlin. Gala and Networking Events: ● The conference will include a gala dinner and awards ceremony hosted by Indian Oil Corp. and FIDE, offering opportunities for networking and celebrating achievements. About the Speakers: Shrikant Madhav Vaidya Shrikant Madhav Vaidya is the Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., India’s largest oil refiner and fuel retailer. He is a Chemical Engineer from the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, with over 36 years of extensive experience in the downstream petroleum industry. Vaidya is a prominent figure in the global energy sector, known for his work on integrating refinery and petrochemical operations. Under his leadership, Indian Oil has embarked on a green transition path to achieve net-zero operational emissions by 2046. Vaidya has also been instrumental in launching initiatives like the ‘Prison to Pride’ program, which uses sports, including chess, to rehabilitate prison inmates (IndianOil). Adolfo Jesus Toledo Infanzón Toledo Infanzón is a key advocate for the Chess for Freedom initiative in Mexico. He has played a significant role in expanding the program to numerous correctional facilities, aiming to reach 40 facilities across the country. His efforts focus on using chess as a rehabilitative tool to help inmates develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Dr. Cris Fanning, Executive Director of Programs and Risk Management, Kansas Department of Corrections Dr. Cris Fanning oversees various programs and risk management initiatives within the Kansas Department of Corrections. She has been a strong proponent of integrating chess into correctional education programs, highlighting its benefits in supporting inmate talents and aiding in their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Nebojsa Baralic Nebojsa Baralic has been pivotal in organizing the Intercontinental Chess Championship for prisoners, which has seen significant success and growth. His work focuses on showcasing the achievements of inmate chess players and planning future expansions of the championship to include more countries and facilities. Carl Portman Carl Portman is an expert on the application of chess puzzles in correctional facilities and the author of the book “Chess Behind Bars.” He advocates for using these puzzles to help inmates develop strategic thinking and cognitive skills that are beneficial for their lives after release. He will present online on the relevance of chess puzzles to life skills. Steven Maruwo, Hector G. and Emanuel Garcia These former inmates will share their personal journeys of transformation through chess while incarcerated. Their stories provide powerful testimonies to the positive impact of chess on personal development and rehabilitation. Kevin Goh Wei Ming Grandmaster Goh Wei Ming is an accomplished chess player and coach who will discuss the step-by-step process for implementing the Chess for Freedom program in prisons. His presentation will focus on practical strategies and best practices for successful implementation. Lāsma Kokoreviča Lasma Kokoreviča is an officer of a penitentiary authority in Latvia, an expert in volunteer engagement within correctional settings. She will provide strategies for successfully involving volunteers in chess programs, emphasizing the importance of community support and involvement. Boris Bruhn Boris Bruhn specializes in adapting chess training to suit the needs of inmate learners. His presentation will cover innovative methods for making chess education engaging and effective for incarcerated individuals. Mikhail Korenman Mikhail Korenman will present an evidence-based approach to using chess for resocialization. His work emphasizes the measurable benefits of chess programs in correctional facilities, including improved cognitive skills and reduced recidivism rates. André Vögtlin, FIDE Social Commission Chair and President of the Swiss Chess Federation André Vögtlin will discuss the broader social impact of chess, highlighting its role beyond the game itself. As the FIDE Social Commission Chair, he has been instrumental in promoting chess as a tool for social good and rehabilitation.
Unveiling triumphs of 11th Dhamso International Chess Festival
IM Himal Gusain was crowned the DICF Player of the Year in the 11th Dhamso International Chess Festival 2024, while Sandithi Kusalya Alwis emerged as the Women’s Champion of the event. The 11th Dhamso International Chess Festival 2024 took place from 17th to 21st May 2024, boasting a record-breaking participation of 472 players. Held at the prestigious S. Thomas De Silva Memorial Auditorium, Dharmasoka College, the DICF 2024 was a FIDE-rated event offering both standard and blitz championships. The Old Boys’ Chess Association organized this esteemed competition with the affiliation of FIDE, the Asian Chess Federation, and the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. Inaugurated in 2011, the Dhamso International Chess Festival remains the first FIDE-rated event organized by a school-affiliated association in Sri Lanka. This year’s event offered a total prize fund of one million five hundred thousand LKR, including trophies, medals, and certificates for all participants, along with a special cash prize of One hundred and fifty thousand LKR for the DICF Player of the Year. The tournament featured top players from Sri Lanka and beyond, with International Master Himal Gusain of India leading the ranks. International Master Harshana Thilakarathna of Sri Lanka, second in starting list, also graced the event. Parallel to the main event, the Dhamso International Blitz Chess Championship 2024 unfolded on the evening of May 18th, 2024. Harsha Senatathne and WCM K M Dahamdi Sanudula emerged victorious in the Open and Women categories of the blitz event, respectively. T H D Thisarindu Induwara and C C Weerasinghe secured the first and second runners-up positions in the Open category, while Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage and M Esandi Newansa claimed the corresponding positions in the Women’s category. Left to right: IM Himal Gusain, Raweendra Pushpakumara, K A D Karunarathna, Sasith Nipun Piyumantha (Presiden of Dharmasoka College Old Boys’ Chess Association) In the main event, IM Himal Gusain clinched the Open Championship with a remarkable score of 9.5/10 points, conceding only one draw to IM Harshana Thilakarathne, who secured the first runner-up position with 9/10 points. G W D M Dabarera completed the podium, netting 8.5/10 points. Complete final standings In the Women’s Championship, Sandithi Kusalya Alwis emerged victorious, edging out competitors in a closely contested competition. Four players tied for first place with 7.5/10 points. Based on tiebreaks, Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage and B Yenuthi Sahanlee Perera took second positions, respectively, while J M Theruni Jayasundara had to settle for fourth place. Left to right: Raweendra Pushpakumara, K A D Karunarathna, Sasith Nipun Piyumantha (Presiden of Dharmasoka College Old Boys’ Chess Association),Sandithi Kusalya Alwis The University of Moratuwa claimed the championship title in the Higher Education Teams category, with Sabaragamuwa University finishing second. In the Government Service and Mercantile Teams category, Sri Lanka Navy Western Command and Sri Lanka Navy Southern Command emerged as the champions and runners-up, respectively. The awards ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including Mr. Raweendra Pushpakumara, the chief guest, who was the first chess coach of Dharmasoka College and former master in charge of chess, who currently serves as the Principal of Sri Sumangala College, Panadura. Additionally, Mr Luxman Wijesuriya, President of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, was present, along with Mr Saman Priyantha Wijewickrama and Mr K A D Karunarathna, Principal of Dharmasoka College, further highlighting the significance of the event in the chess community. The success of the 11th Dhamso International Chess Festival 2024 is owed to the generous support of sponsors, including Qatar Alumina of Dharmasoka College, Dharmasoka College Past Pupils’ Association – UAE, AKRA FOTO Digital Colourlab & Studio, INLUCK Computers & Printers, and Panhinda Bookshop. Congratulations to all the winners! Anticipation builds for the 12th edition of the Dhamso International Chess Festival in 2025. Written by Malith Akalanka Photos: Dhamso Chess Facebook
FIDE World Cup Under 8-12: Extra spots available
Dear Chess Friends, As you know, FIDE World Cup Under 8, 10 & 12 will take place in Batumi, Georgia, from June 22 to July 3, 2024. The World Cup will be held in 6 categories: Under 8, 10 & 12, with separate Open and Girls events. The number of players in each group is only 48. The competition will be played in two stages: ● Stage 1 – a 7-round Swiss tournament ● Stage 2 – players who finish in the same position in each group will play against each other. The total number of players is 288 (6 categories X 48 in each category). 228 players are already registered, while another another 28 players are in the process of registration. Since the African Youth Championship coincides with the World Cup, most of the African spots have remained unused. We have openings in the following categories: Open section Under 8 – 2 spots Open section Under 10 – 4 spots Open section Under 12 – 2 spots Girls section Under 8 – 9 spots Girls section Under 8 – 8 spots Girls section Under 12 – 8 spots High-rated players are still welcome to participate in the World Cup. Registration is possible via National federations and individuals (in some cases) until May 29, 18:00 CET. Contact emails – fideevents@fide.com, wcc@fide.com Invitation and regulations (pdf) Prizes (pdf) Promo video: youtube.com/watch?v=ecE8bjwmpl8
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships: Registration continues
The chess world is abuzz with excitement as the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2024 are set to take place in the vibrant capital city of Kazakhstan from August 1 to 6, 2024. Following the success of the inaugural event in Düsseldorf, Germany, last year, this year’s championships promise to be even bigger and better with the addition of a Blitz competition. This year’s championships will gather some of the world’s top chess professionals, including former World Champion Magnus Carlsen, who will lead WR Team in defending their title. Both current World Champions Ju Wenjun and Ding Liren will also be playing, and their participation underscores the event’s prestige and promises an exciting experience for both players and fans. Photo: Niki Riga Format The 5 days of chess will feature two formats: Rapid Tournament: A 12-round Swiss system with a time control of 15 minutes per game plus a 10-second increment per move. Blitz Tournament: The Blitz tournament is divided into two stages. In Stage 1, teams are grouped into pools and play a round-robin format. The top 16 teams advance to Stage 2, which is a knockout stage. The time control is 3 minutes per game with a 2-second increment per move. The total prize fund for the event is a staggering 350,000 euros, with 250,000 euros allocated for the Rapid Tournament and 100,000 euros for the Blitz Tournament. In addition to financial rewards, members of the top three teams in each category will receive medals. Registration Registration for the event is now open and will close on July 1, 2024, at 12 PM Lausanne time. Teams must comprise 6 to 9 players, including at least one female player and one recreational player (rated below 2000 Elo). Don’t miss the chance to compete against the best – register your team now to secure a spot in this prestigious tournament. To register, visit the official event website and complete the registration form. Remember, only 80 teams will be accepted, with priority given to the highest average ratings and earliest registrations. Venue Astana is ready to welcome the world’s best chess teams. With its modern infrastructure and rich cultural heritage, the city provides the perfect backdrop for this world-class event. Teams will enjoy the hospitality and vibrant atmosphere of Kazakhstan’s capital and will appreciate the state-of-the-art QazExpo Congress venue. Accommodation Lottery Special offers in the official hotels for the tournament are valid until June 1, 2024. The first 10 teams to book will participate in Accommodation Draw 1, with the winner receiving a full refund and free accommodation. The first 30 teams (excluding the winner of Draw 1) will enter Accommodation Draw 2, where two teams will receive a 50% refund. For more information, visit the official website and follow our social media channels for the latest updates. Don’t miss your chance to be part of chess history in Astana this August. Register now and let the games begin! Registration link: worldrapidblitzteams.fide.com/registration Official website: worldrapidblitzteams.fide.com/ Registration for media: worldrapidblitzteams.fide.com/mediaregistration
Magnus Carlsen triumphs in first Casablanca Chess Variant Tournament
The inaugural Casablanca Chess tournament took place over the weekend of May 18-19, 2024. This unique event featured chess grandmasters Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Viswanathan Anand, and Amin Bassem competing in the new “Casablanca chess variant,” a format designed to honor the history of chess. The play began from positions taken from historical games, chosen by Grandmasters Hicham Hamdouchi and Laurent Fressinet. On the second day, Magnus Carlsen, leading with 2.5 points out of 3, won another game and drew two for a final score of 4.5 out of 6. Carlsen is the winner of the first Casablanca chess variant tournament. Hikaru Nakamura finished second with 3.5 points, followed by Viswanathan Anand with 3 points and Bassem Amin with 1 point. The first game of the second day began from a position selected by Women Grandmasters Dana Reizniece-Ozola (Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board) and Anna Burtasova (Casablanca Chess Press Officer). The choice was between Botvinnik-Tal 1960, Alekhine-Euwe 1935, and Ju-Goryachkina 2020. Dana and Anna chose a second position, describing it as “dynamic with chances for both sides, perfect for spectators.” The original game, Game 3 from the 1935 World Championship match, was won by Alekhine in 41 moves. It derived from the double-edged Winawer Variation in the French Defense. The game continued 9.Ne2 Nbd7 10.Ng3 Rg6. Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen followed the original game for two moves before Carlsen deviated with 10…Qa5. Despite an initial advantage for White, the game soon balanced out. Carlsen found a beautiful way to force a draw by sacrificing his rook on g2. 19… Rxg2+ 20. Kxg2 Nf4+ 21. Kg1 Nh3+ 22. Kg2 Nf4+ 23. Kg1 Nh3+ ½-½ In another game, Bassem Amin, playing White against Hikaru Nakamura, deviated right away by playing 9. dxc5. The players quickly exchanged queens and reached an equal endgame. However, Nakamura gradually outplayed Amin and secured a win. Nakamura shared his thoughts after the game: “I thought that this position was actually a little bit better for White, a little easier with the two bishops; it felt like Black would have to prove the equality. I would have been much happier to play on the white side. I got a little bit lucky because my opponent tried to simplify, but the simplification was just bad, in my opinion.” The position for Round 5 was chosen by the YouTube and Twitch audience. It was a close run between Kasparov-Karpov 1987, Ushenina-Hou 2013, and Zhu-Kosteniuk 2001. The Kasparov-Karpov game won by a slight margin of 37.17% votes against Ushenina-Hou with 35.65%. The final game of the 1987 match between Kasparov and Karpov was selected. It finished in a 64-move win for Kasparov. “…someone ran into the meeting room to announce, “Karpov resigned!” It was, without question, the loudest and longest-standing ovation I had ever received outside my native country. […] I had done what Karpov had failed to do in 1985: won the final game and drawn the match to retain my title.” – wrote Garry Kasparov in “How Life Imitates Chess” (2007, Bloomsbury Publishing USA). The original game continued 9.Nc3 Ne4 10.Ne2 a5 11.d3 Bf6 12.Qc2 Bxb2 13.Qxb2 Nd6. Both Hikaru Nakamura, with White against Viswanathan Anand, and Magnus Carlsen, with White against Bassem Amin, chose 9. Qe2. Both Nakamura and Carlsen went for a plan of extending their kingside pawns, but with different effects: Nakamura-Anand ended in a draw, whereas Carlsen gained the upper hand against Amin. Going into the final round, Carlsen was in the lead with 4 points, followed by Nakamura with 3. The American player needed only a win with Black against the leader to force a playoff for first. The players chose the starting position for the final game from the three options from women’s games: Graf-Menchik 1934, Gaprindashvili-Alexandria 1975, and Xie-Galliamova 1999. All players except Amin chose the third one, and so they had to start the games from move 15 in Game 2 of the 1999 Women’s World Championship. The original game continued with immediate assault on the kingside: 15.g4 fxg4 16.h3 gxh3 17.Bxh3 Qc7 18.f5 O-O-O. Anand opted for 15. Ne2, following up with g4 a move later. He capitalized on Amin’s blunder on move 23 and quickly converted his advantage to a win. Magnus Carlsen repeated the original game, deviating on move 18 with 18. Qg1. On the 24th move, Carlsen got a great position after adventurous 24… Qf2 from Nakamura. However, on move 27, the Norwegian did not find the best continuation, giving away the advantage with 27. Rh8. After that, the game quickly ended with a repetition, making Carlsen the winner of the tournament. Magnus Carlsen expressed his enjoyment of the innovative format: “It was a fun format for sure, I would definitely like to try it again. With one exception in game two, all the positions were very rich with lots of play. It doesn’t really matter if you are playing White or Black, because you know that the position is equal and there are chances for both sides. It is also a lot of fun to end up in positions that I don’t play too often. I enjoyed it a lot.” At the closing ceremony, Tarik Senhaji, the CEO of the Casablanca Stock Exchange, said that the organizers of the Morocco Chess Week were very grateful for the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Senhaji expressed his gratitude to the event’s organizers and partners. These included the Casablanca Stock Exchange, Casablanca Events & Animation, the International Chess Federation, and the Royal Moroccan Chess Federation. He extended his heartfelt thanks to all those who worked tirelessly to ensure the event’s success. He also acknowledged the local chess enthusiasts whose daily presence and enthusiasm added to the vibrancy of the venue. Tarik Senhaji was joined on the stage by Dana Reizniece-Ozola (Deputy Chair of FIDE Management Board), Bouchra Kadiri (President of the Provisional Committee in charge of the Moroccan Royal Chess Federation), and the “board masters” Hicham Hamdouchi and Laurent Fressinet who selected the historical positions. As the audience erupted in applause, the players were presented with their well-deserved awards. Nakamura, Anand, and Amin each received traditional cups. Magnus Carlsen, the winner, was bestowed with a sophisticated trophy shaped like a knight. Photos
FIDE 100 celebrations reach Morocco
The centenary celebrations of the International Chess Federation are unfolding across the globe, and sunny Casablanca in Morocco has been chosen as the African host city for this momentous occasion. On Saturday, May 18, a significant event took place at the Parc de la Ligue Arabe in the heart of Casablanca. During the opening ceremony of Morocco Chess Week, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich delivered a speech emphasizing the historical significance of the celebration: “It’s not just an event; it’s one of the central elements of our 100-year anniversary celebration this year. We are looking at our history. We started in India, where chess was most likely born; we went to Switzerland, where, for many years, FIDE headquarters has been located, and now we are in Morocco, where chess most likely came to Europe. It’s about our roots.” The festivities commenced with the Chess Olympiad Torch Relay. The torch’s journey began in India, where the 44th Chess Olympiad took place in 2022. From there, it traveled to Ghana, Switzerland, Canada and finally arrived in Morocco. The enthusiastic crowd of chess fans gathered in the park, welcomed by live traditional Moroccan music performed by expressive musicians. FIDE officials graced the stage, with FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, Deputy Chair of Management Board Dana Reizniece-Ozola, and Continental President for Africa Tshepiso Lopang, among other distinguished guests. The audience erupted with excitement as grandmasters Hikaru Nakamura, Viswanathan Anand (FIDE Deputy President), and local hero, 7-time African champion Bassem Amin made their appearances. Later that day, Magnus Carlsen joined them in a rapid tournament, showcasing the innovative Casablanca chess variant. “Welcome to Morocco, welcome to Africa, and welcome to the Arab world!” exclaimed the ceremony’s host. The anthems of Morocco and FIDE were played. FIDE President delivered an inspired speech, finishing with words that caused great applause: “This celebration highlights the importance of Morocco and Casablanca in the chess world. It demonstrates our commitment to advancing the game and underscores our unity. The game is just beginning—another century for chess!” “To be honest, I’ve never seen such enthusiasm for chess. To see all the people who are out here today…” the words of Hikaru Nakamura were drowned in cheering from the crowd. “…I hope it will inspire you to play more chess and enjoy everything about the game!” Anand and Nakamura’s speeches ignited chants of “Bassem! Bassem! Bassem!” in honor of the African hero, who addressed the audience in Arabic. The torch relay continues, with upcoming stops in Colombia and Kazakhstan. The flame was passed to Darmen Sadvakasov, 1st Vice-President of the Kazakhstan Federation, and Executive Director Gulmira Dauletova. Following the torch ceremony, a massive 100-player simultaneous exhibition unfolded in one of the park’s shadowy alleys. The local talents were tested by IM Mohamed Tissir, GM Laurent Fressinet, GM Alexander Volzhin, WGM Atousa Pourkashiyan, WGM Gulmira Dauletova, WGM Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Nadezhda Marochkina, WIM Tshepiso Lopang, Benard Wanjala, and GM Bashar Kouatly; each of them faced ten opponents. The simul lasted for several hours, with some participants securing draws or even wins against the seasoned players. In another alley of the park, attendees admired brilliant photographs by Stev Bonhage. His exhibition, titled “Capture,” travels the world, showcasing the art of chess and photography. The pictures feature professional chess players, random strangers, the elderly, and children—all united by their love for the game. After the exciting day under the sun, the public and distinguished guests moved to the beautiful Mechouar Palace to watch Carlsen, Nakamura, Anand, and Amin battle in the Casablanca Chess rapid tournament. Written by Anna Burtasova, Casablanca Chess Press Officer Photos: Stev Bonhage
Casablanca Chess: Carlsen takes the lead on Day 1
Casablanca Chess made a strong impression on the first day of play in Morocco. The innovative format, where players begin in positions selected from historical games, brought excitement to both participants and spectators. Following three rounds and six rapid games Magnus Carlsen is leading with 2.5 points (wins against Anand and Nakamura, a draw with Amin). Hikaru Nakamura is in second place with 1.5 points (a win against Amin, a draw with Anand, and a loss from Carlsen). Viswanathan Anand and Bassem Amin both find themselves at the bottom of the tournament table with 1 point each (two draws and one loss). The first-round position was selected by the broadcast commentators, grandmasters Jan Gustafsson and Daniel Naroditsky. They had three options: Chigorin-Steinitz 1889, Lasker-Tarrasch 1908, and Rubtsova-Bykova 1958. “Just for pure excitement, we have to go with number 1,” said Gustafsson. “That’s an Evans Gambit, a 19th-century style!” Naroditsky chimed in. This is how the players transported themselves back to 1889, revisiting a World Championship match in Havana. They began from the 11th move, a departure from Wilhelm Steinitz’s original 11. dxe5 – a move that none of our participants replicated. Magnus Carlsen opted for 11. Na3. A few moves later, Viswanathan Anand took a daring path with his queen, only to find it trapped shortly afterward. White secured victory in just 20 moves. Hikaru Nakamura, with White against Bassem Amin, started with a solid 11. Bf1 but very soon sacrificed both rooks, gaining a queen in return and achieving a winning position. The American wrapped it up with a nice bishop sacrifice. 24. Bf6! h6 (24…fxf6 25. exf6 Bb4 26. Bd3) 25. Qf4 Bb4 26. Bd3 d5 27. Bxg7 Kxg7 28. Qf6+ 1-0 This game lasted a little longer, White won too, putting Carlsen and Nakamura in an early lead. Bassem commented, “The starting position may appear equal, but as Black, you’re on the defensive side, and one wrong move can destroy everything.” Offering his thoughts, Anand said, “I liked the idea [of the Casablanca chess variant], but I haven’t given it much thought; it just seemed like something fun. The position from the first game is challenging to grasp in rapid play. And having only two minutes before the start is very little to think of anything. It feels like being thrown into the deep end every time. Let’s see if it gets better!” For the second round, the players themselves voted on the position. The options were Graf-Menchik 1934, Xie-Galliamova 1999, and Smyslov-Botvinnik 1957. Not knowingly, Anand, Nakamura, and Bassem all chose different ones, so it was ultimately Carlsen’s decision that sealed the deal. The players began their game at move 11 in Game 10 of the Xie Jun vs. Alisa Galliamova Women’s World Championship Match in Kazan/Shenyang in 1999. In the original game, Xie chose 11. Be3. Bassem, playing White against Carlsen, followed a similar path. The players continued the game until move 19 when Carlsen deviated by playing 19… Rc8 instead of Galliamova’s 19… Re4. In the ensuing rook endgame, Carlsen managed to win a pawn, but it still resulted in an easy draw for White. The game concluded uneventfully on move 46. Anand also selected 11. Be3, but in this game, Nakamura (playing as Black) deviated earlier. At move 15, Nakamura opted for an intermediate move, 15… Bc5, rather than 15… Bf6.The game quickly transitioned into a drawish rook endgame, and the players split the point on move 49 through a threefold repetition. Notably, players are not allowed to offer a draw at any moment during the game. The third position was determined by a popular vote during the broadcast. The audience had to choose between three famous world championship matches: Alekhine vs. Capablanca (1927), Spassky vs. Fischer (1972), and Karpov vs. Kasparov (1985). Ultimately, they opted for the latter. Bassem vs Anand and Nakamura vs Carlsen started from move 12 in the 14th game of the 1985 Karpov-Kasparov match. The players followed the original game with 12. Nd5 Rc8 and 13. c3. However, Anand deviated by capturing a pawn on h4 (13… Bxh4), digressing from the predecessors, and the game finished in a draw by repetition just a couple of moves later. Carlsen, on the other hand, adhered to the original game with 13… Nf6 but then made an unorthodox move on the next turn, playing 14…Kxe7 instead of Kasparov’s 14…Qxe7. After 15. g5 Ng4 16. Bc1 hxg5 Hikaru made a serious mistake with 17. Bf3? (17. f3 Nf6 18. Bxg5 and White is fine). Magnus quickly gained an advantage with 17…Qd7! 18. Rg1 Nh2 19. Bg5+ f6 and won the game on move 35. After the day was over, Carlsen shared his impressions: “It’s a fun format. I think what happened in the second game was a bit of a shame as it all liquidated to a draw pretty quickly.” Answering whether he recognized any of the starting positions, Carlsen replied: “The last game looked very similar to Karpov-Kasparov games from the second match, and I seemed to remember that Garry’s knight ended up on g4 and maybe h2. But that was about it. The first game I thought it has to be a Steinitz game since he’s the only one who plays like that. Probably against Chigorin, as they had a World Championship match in 1889, and there were a lot of Evans gambits. The second one, I had no clue!” The play will resume on Sunday, May 19, with three more rounds. Photos (please attribute the photographer when using): DropboxLive Broadcast: Casablanca Chess 2024 – Chess.comOfficial Website: Casablanca-Chess Written by Anna Burtasova, Casablanca Chess Press Officer Photos by Lennart Ootes