Women's Chess Grand Prix Round 9: Hou Yifan in Sole Lead

China's Ju Wenjun, who had been leading since the beginning, gave way for the lead to Women's World Chess Champion Hou Yifan in the ninth round at the Women's Chess Grand Prix currently on in Jermuk. Wenjun has earned a men’s GM norm, while Ruan Lufei, with a nice tactical win, secured a men’s IM norm. Ruan beat Zhao Xue with a nice tactical win. The game between Kosintseva – Danielian was very tense, and though it went into a drawish position, Danielian ended up losing. Ekaterina Kovalevskaya lost to Hou Yifan. The clash between Lahno – Khurtsidze was a captivating game. After a balanced opening, the Ukrainian star sacrificed a pawn for the initiative, and looked to be in full control after some inaccurate responses from the Georgian. However, just when it appeared that the end would be near, it was white’s turn to stumble. The game ended in a draw. 

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Kosteniuk’s Chess Video vs Wang Hao Viral on YouTube

In less than 24 hours of being posted, a chess video of 12th World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk against China's No. 1 player Wang Hao has gone viral on the Internet. The video shows the confident looking Chinese #1 Super Grandmaster Wang Hao blundering against an opponent ranked close to 300 elo points below him, and the brutal shock he gets with the checkmating of his king. The moves are in extreme slow-motion, and you can imagine the thought process that went into the Chinese GM’s mind when he was holding on to his knight on f5. Don't forget to click “Thumbs Up” or “Like” if you appreciate the video and would like more chess videos by Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk. Some more “classic” chess videos you must watch: Anand, Aronian, Carlsen, Judit Polgar.

Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk has also just been featured in the special Vogue issue of the USA. 

The special feature in fashion magazine VOGUE, USA Edition, in the August 2012 issue, which hits newsstands on July 24, 2012. It is called the “Vogue Age Issue“, and it puts six very different women, ages 28 to 89, in the spotlight. One of them is Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk. She has been featured to show why chess is a cool game and how she promotes chess around the world!  From the chess champion to the recent widow to the last surviving child of Winston Churchill, each one of the featured women has a fascinating story to tell. For a complete profile of the beautiful and intelligent 12 world chess champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, check her personal blog site ChessQueen.com.

Kosteniuk is credited for being the most Internet-active and Internet-savvy chess Grandmaster who has singlehandedly done much to promote chess and give the sport a makeover with her twitter accounts, chess blogs and sites. She has brought a wave of glamour and style to women's chess unthought of before. Kosteniuk is also the most Facebook-active former world chess champion taking out several hours on a daily basis to reply to fans' letters, emails and messages. Her YouTube channels have thousands of videos on chess training, chess puzzles, chess events, etc. for chess lovers and learners to improve chess - all for free!

You might also like to read why Kosteniuk was once 'held' at a US airport security check!

Pretty Chess Queen 'Caught' in US Airport Security Check

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WFM Kholood Al Zarouni Wins UAE Ramadan Chess

Kholood Al Zarouni

ABU DHABI — UAE’s Kholood Al Zarouni won the women’s open chess championship title in the 16th Armed Forces Officers Club Ramadan Sports Festival at the club premises late on Tuesday night. Kholood won the title following a Fide tie-breaker after she and her sister had finished as joint leaders with 6.5 points each. The Ramadan Sports Festival is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs. Kholood defeated Clara Wajeeh of Egypt in the final round, while sister Ayesha defeated top seed Huda Al Najjar of Syria.

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University Chess Nepal: Madan Krishna Kayastha Wins Kathford Trophy

KATHMANDU: Madan Krishna Kayastha of Golden Gate International College edged Purushottam Chaulagain of Shanker Dev Campus under head-to-head superiority to clinch the Kathford First National University Chess Tournament. Both Madan Krishna and Purushottam finished the tournament tied on 8.5 points but the former won the tournament on the basis of winning the seventh round duel on Tuesday. Sushil Chaudhary of CBM College finished third with 7.5 points.

Madan started the final day with a victory over Prakash Nepal of Damak Campus in the eighth round and played a draw with College-mate Roshan Kumar Jaiswal in the ninth. Purushottam defeated Nikesh Duwal of Advance Engineering College and Sajin Maharjan of Patan Multiple Campus in the eighth and ninth round respectively.

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Judit Polgar signs up for the 4th London Chess Classic 2012

World No. 1 Judit Polgar

Judit Polgar celebrates her 36th birthday today with the news that she’s confirmed her participation for the 4th London Chess Classic, at Kensington Olympia, 1-10 December, 2012, according to the official press release. Polgar now joins World No 1 Magnus Carlsen, World Champion Vishy Anand, World No 2 Levon Aronian, the defending champion Vladimir Kramnik, and the UK No 1 Mickey Adams as those that have so far confirmed their invitations to play in the year-ending elite chess spectacular in the Capital City.

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Women's Chess Grand Prix Jermuk R6: Ju Wenjun in Sole Lead

Ju Wenjun in Lead

The Fide Women's Chess Grand Prix is currently on in Jermuk. After six rounds, China's Ju Wenjun continues to lead with a well-earned 4.5 points. In Round six, only two games were decisive. Koneru Humpy beat Ekaterina Kovalevskaya and Nino Khurtsidze lost to Ruan Lufei. The other games - Zhao Xue-Munguntuul Batkhuyag, Mkrtchian Lilit-Lahno Kateryna, Ju Wenjun-Kosintseva Nadezhda, Danielian Elina-Hou Yifan were draws.

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Surprise Chess Gift Goes Out to 86 City Mayors Worldwide from Moscow!

MOSCOW, July 22, 2012: Mayors of 86 global and regional cities around the world got a surprise gift for the International Chess Day on Friday, July 20 – a competition chess set, with a note from Vladimir Palikhata, President of the Moscow Chess Federation (MCF), extolling the virtues and benefits of chess – "a wise and ancient game," which, according to the release, can "help reduce stress associated with managing a city" and "bring pleasure."

Vladimir Palikhata decided to use this opportunity to reach out to the chief administrators of sister cities of Moscow, including London, Chicago, Vienna, Tokyo, and Santiago, to establish and reinforce relations with the chess-playing community in these cities.

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Exhibition Chess Live from India Time 5.30 PM to Mark Biel Chess Fest 45th Anniversary

At the Opening Ceremony

The Grandmasters played a garden chess game against Hans Altherr (president of the council of states) and Erich Fehr (mayor of biel). The game ended in a draw.

In a few hours from now, the superstar-studded Biel Chess Festival is going to be open in Switzerland. First up is the Exhibition Blitz Tournament. You can watch it live at the official website from India time 5.30 pm. The festival includes a GM tournament, a masters tournament, several chess exhibitions, blitz, rapid, etc. in the coming days. Stay tuned at Chess Magazine Black & White blog site for regular updates. 

Invitation Blitz Tournament to celebrate the 45 years of the Biel Chess Festival
KO System, with 8 players
Magnus Carlsen NOR (Seeded Nr 1)
Hikaru Nakamaura USA (Seeded Nr 2)
Alexander Morozevich RUS (Seeded Nr 3)
Wang Hao CHN (Seeded Nr 4)
Etienne Bacrot FRA (Nr 5)
Pentala Harikrishna IND (Nr 6)
Yannick Pelletier SUI (Nr 7)
Alexandra Kosteniuk RUS (Nr 8)
System: Two games with 5‘+ 2‘‘/move. If 1-1, one Armageddon game with 5’ for white (has to win) and 4’ for black. The draw will made according the FIDE Elo rankings of 1st July 2012.

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Commonwealth Chess in Chennai from Nov 22

The Commonwealth Chess Championship is going to be held in Chennai, India from November 22-December 1, 2012. The tournament will be conducted as per FIDE Laws of Chess and FIDE Swiss System with 11 rounds. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded in Open, Women, Under-20 (Boys and Girls), Under-18 (Boys and Girls), Under-16 (Boys and Girls), Under-14 (Boys and Girls), Under-12 (Boys and Girls), Under-10 (Boys and Girls), Under-8 (Boys and Girls) categories. The medal winners will be referred to as Commonwealth Medalists. The defending champion is GM Gawain Jones of England.

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Jermuk Chess Grand Prix Round 2: Humpy, Wenjun in Joint Lead

Humpy

Women's chess is always quite exciting with the players not willing for draws easily. The Jermuk Women's Chess Grand Prix - fifth edition of the series 2011/12 - has begun. India's Koneru Humpy has won both the rounds to lead with China's Ju Wenjun. The latter has won both the rounds as well.

Watch live India time Round 3 today from 4.30 pm at the official website. Round 3 will see following pairings: Khurtsidze-Zhao, Danielian-Humpy, Yifan-Wenjun, Lufei-Mkrtchian, Kovalevskaya-Munguntuul and Kosintseva-Lahno. 

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Women's Chess Grand Prix Begins in Jermuk; Watch Live India Time 4.30 pm

The fifth leg of the Women's Chess Grand Prix begins in Jermuk, Armenia begins today with the first games being played on July 17. The list of participants includes:

1 Hou Yifan GM CHN 2617
2 Humpy Koneru GM IND 2598
3 Zhao Xue GM CHN 2556
4 Kateryna Lahno GM UKR 2537
5 Ju Wenjun WGM CHN 2518
6 Nadezhda Kosintseva GM RUS 2516
7 Ruan Lufei WGM CHN 2483
8 Elina Danielian GM ARM 2480
9 Nino Khurtsidze WGM GEO 2456
10 Lilit Mkrtchian WGM ARM 2450
11 Munguntuul Batkhuyag WGM MGL 2447
12 Ekaterina Kovalevskaya WGM RUS 2417

The word Jermuk comes from the Armenian word for warmth, a reference to its plentiful hot natural springs and mineral waters. A resort town located about 170 km south-east from Armenia's capital Yerevan, this picturesque and pristine resort is nestled in mountains rising over 2two kms in altitude. Today Jermuk is a revitalized growth of tourism as health spas, medical treatment and tourism, and more traditional touristic destinations offer their services to both local and international guests. 

Watch the Women's Chess Grand Prix - Jermuk live at this link from India time 4.30 pm

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Leiden Chess: Negi Wins Second Place With Cool Games

The reigning Asian chess champion and former national chess champion, India's Parimarjan Negi, has come second at the Leiden Open Chess in The Netherlands. Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi beat Benjamin Bok of the Netherlands in the ninth round to finish sole second. Negi had lost to British GM David Howell in the previous round, but he bounced back to get back into the top slots. Negi finished the event with seven points. Negi's last-round game is a must-watch for all fans of the young Grandmaster for it's neat Queen manoeuvre at our Chess King page.
 
Howell (7.5) won the title with a last-round draw with Predrag Nikolic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Indian Grandmasters S Arun Prasad and M R Lalith Babu finished in a six-way tie for the third place. Bartosz Socko of Poland, Evgeny Vorobiov of Russia, Csaba Horvath of Hungary and Nikolic were the other four players who scored 6.5 points. In the tiebreaker, Arun Prasad finished sixth while Babu was declared eighth. The other Indian GM S Kidambi finished 17th with 5.5 points.

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Chess is Too Hard as Profession: GM Akopian

Armenian Chess Grandmaster Vladimir Akopian says chess is way too hard to be taken up as a profession. He says, "I don't want my boys to be professional chess players, because it's too hard." He was speaking after a win in the Chinese Chess League Division A. When he was 14 in 1986, Akopian was crowned the World Under-16 champion. Three years ago, he was named "Honoured Master of Sport of the Republic of Armenia".

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Weekend Chess Tactic Test: Three Chess Puzzles!

Chess tactics help you capitalize on all the effort you put into improving your position. Here are three positions from real games. Can you figure out the best way to win? Test your chess tactics this weekend with Chess King!

Position 1: White to play and win. Mendoza-Diaz, Colombia, 1996. Should White retreat the Bishop from h6 as the mate threat on g7 is thwarted by the Black Queen on f6? Check your answer with Chess King.

Position 2: White to play and win. Balinov-Cebalo, Graz, 1996. This position has an unusual tactical idea that is normally difficult to spot. Can you find the trick move for a win? Check your answer with Chess King.

Position 3: White to play and win. Alekhine-Reshevsky, Kemeri, 1937. Black is not only a pawn up but is training forces on the g2 pawn. However, Rd2 by Black was actually a blunder. Do you know how Alekhine goes on to win? Check the answer with Chess King.

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Anand's Huge Support to Blind Chess

Chennai: World chess champion Viswanathan Anand has asked the All India Chess Federation to extend the official status for `Blind Chess` at district, state and national levels. The five-time world champion said: "The fact is that the normal as well as the blind players faced the same kind of situations while playing and trying to improve. It was good to see that chess for the blind was being encouraged but it was high time it is included as one of the categories of regular competitions."

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Chess legend Kasparov to play Croatian President in Split

Russian chess grandmaster and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov will challenge Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, the Mayor of Split Zeljko Kerum and Croatian popstar Severina, in an exhibition game of chess in the city of Split on July 21, reports daly newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija. The project titled 'Chess together with School' is aimed at getting kids into the game of chess. One of the organisers of the social - sport event is photographer Fedja Klaric, and he says that the game of chess is great for the brain and helps with kids development.

"The manifesto 'Chess together with School' is aimed at motivating kids to play the game of chess. According to the latest research, playing chess actively uses both sides of the brain, unlike most other activities, contributing to a child's maximum development. Kasparov is a great promoter of the idea," said Klaric.

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5th Mora Kings International Chess in Sri Lanka from Aug 3

The 5th 'Mora Kings' International Rating Chess Championships 2012 organised by the University of Moratuwa will be held at the University of Moratuwa from August 3-9, 2012, with a total cash prize of nearly Rs.2,50,000. 

Eligibility: Open to all
Prizes:
Champion - Trophy, Gold Medal & Rs. 50,000/=
1st Runner up - Silver Medal & Rs. 25,000/=
2nd Runner up - Bronze Medal & Rs. 15,000/=
4th -5th - Rs. 10,000/= each
6th to 12th - Rs. 5,000/= each

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Turkish Chess League Game of the Day: Judit Polgar-Rauf Mamedov 1-0

The Turkish Isbank Chess League has begun in Konya Rixos Hotel (Turkey) with defending champions Aquamatch losing to Besiktas Jimnastik Club with a 7-3 score. The only player from Aquamatch club who won was the world's strongest woman chess player Judit Polgar. She beat Rauf Mamedov and later, wrote on her FB page, "For a start, it is always great to have a win!...Black made his final mistake with 34...Bc6 in his time trouble, and I grabbed my chance and did not let it go!”

Want to replay the Judit Polgar-Rauf Mamedov game? Check out the Chess King Game Page.

 

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World Blitz Chess Champion 2012 is Alexander Grischuk of Russia

Russia continues to rule the chess world. Not only the World Rapid Chess Champion 2012 belongs to them, but now even the World Blitz Chess Champion 2012. Alexander Grischuk won the World Blitz Chess Champion 2012 title in Astana, Kazakhstan on Monday - half-a-point ahead of World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. 

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Download your Free GigaKing Database Update with 115K new Chess Games for Chess King Software

Good news! All users of the GigaKing Chess Games Database, which is included for free in Chess King and Chess King Pro Software, can download for free, in either CA or PGN format, an update that includes the world’s main tournaments from October 2011 to the end of June 2012. That’s over 115,000 fresh new chess games that you need to have to be at he cutting edge of chess analysis.

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World Chess Blitz - Grischuk Leads after Day 1 in Astana

Blitz chess is always crazy thanks to the time control. There are always blunders or wins that would have technically gone the other way with such strong grandmasters. The first day of the World Blitz Chess Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan witnessed several such mad games. After 15 rounds that were played on Day one, it was Alexander Grischuk who pulled away for a one-point lead from the rest of the pack. Grischuk leads with 10.5/15 and has one point more than Dmitry Andreikin, Vassily Ivanchuk and Sergey Karjakin. Magnus Carlsen, who started with a loss, is in fifth place with 8.5/15. 

The World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships are being held in Astana, Kazakhstan from July 1-11, 2012. Russia's Sergey Karjakin won the World Rapid Chess Championship yesterday. 

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New Chess Fiction Review: Queen Sacrifice by Tony Riches

Click on photo to buy Kindle edition $0.99
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Chess Fiction Review by Zainab Raza Undulusi

Fierce loyalty, treachery, love and palace intrigue woven into 10th Century Welsh history with a chess thread make 'Queen Sacrifice' the hot new chess fiction of the season. 

Tony Riches is a full-time author and chess player from Pembrokeshire, one of the most unspoilt areas of the United Kingdom. Best known for his non-fiction books, Tony told Chess Magazine B&W that he was exploring the early history of Wales. Suddenly he realised how the battles between rival kings reminded him of chess. There were bishops and early knights supporting both sides with ‘bondsmen’ as the pawns in their civil wars.

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Carlsen 'Chuks' It; Karjakin is World Rapid Chess Champion 2012

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen going into the third day at the Astana World Rapid Chess Championship 2012 'chuk'ed his title win with back-to-back losses to Vassily Ivanchuk and Alexander Grischuk in the 12th and 13th rounds. In fact, he came close to losing the last round as well against Veselin Topalov.

The three winners: Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria (third), Sergey Karjakin of Russia (World Champion) and Magnus Carlsen (second).

Russia's Sergey Karjakin - with only one loss to Magnus Carlsen - steady performance and quality chess is the new World Rapid Chess Champion. Karjakin quickly got over his Carlsen debacle to post four wins on the final day!  

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Magnus Carlsen Unstoppable at World Rapid Chess Championship in Astana

World No. 1 Norway's Magnus Carlsen is going to run away with the World Rapid Chess Championship currently on in Astana, Kazakhstan. Magnus Carlsen is leading with a massive 1.5-point lead with 8.5/10. Five games had been played on Day. Karjakin and Carlsen were in joint lead at the beginning of second day's play. By the end of the day, Karjakin had lost two games against Mamedyarov and Carlsen. Carlsen, earlier in the day, drew with Gelfand and Dreev, but beat Mamedyarov and Tkachiev as well.

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Saturday Chess Puzzles - White Checkmates in Two

Making a habit of solving chess puzzles is one of the best things you could do to improve your chess. Chess magazine B&W presents weekend edition of two chess puzzles. Have fun.

1. White to play and checkmate in two.

Check your answer with Chess King.

2. White to play and checkmate in two.

Check your answer with Chess King.

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Pakistan Chess Champion Mahmood Lodhi Retains National Title With One Round to Go

Pakistan National Chess Champ Mahmood Lodhi

This chess news comes from the beautiful city of Karachi. Defending chess champion Mahmood Ahmed Lodhi won the 28th National Chess Championship with a round to go after a draw  with Waqar Ahmed Madni in the 10th round at Beach Luxury Hotel Hall here on Friday.

Lodhi, Pakistan’s highest rated chess star ever, however, failed to break the 50-year-old record of securing all a perfect 11 points. With nine and half points, Lodhi was assured of the 13th national title. With one round on Saturday, Lodhi was one and a half point ahead of the trio of Anwar Qureshi, Waqar Ahmed Madni and Asif-ur-Rehman, who got seven points apiece.

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World Rapid Chess Championship Day 1 Today: Karjakin, Carlsen Lead After Five Rounds

The world's best players are in Astana for the first-ever World Rapid Chess Championship that began today in Kazakhstan. Five rounds were played on the first day of the tournament. Sergey Karjakin and Magnus Carlsen both notched up four wins and a draw each to lead the field with 4.5 points each.

Karjakin's wins came against Gelfand, Tkachiev, Ismgambetov and Grischuk plus a draw against Topalov in round 5. Carlsen picked up wins against Kazhgaleyev, Morozevich, Bologan, Kurnosov and a draw against Svidler in the third round.

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Pakistan Chess 2012 Round 5 - Defending Champion Lodhi Leads

Nida Siddiqui, Defending
Champion among women

Pakistan national chess champion Mehmood Lodhi is defending his title at the 2012 championship in Karachi and is leading after five rounds. He beat Raees Ansari on the third day of the event and remains unbeaten in the tournament so far. He is followed by Anwar Qureshi in second place with 4.5 points. Eight other players are still vying for third place in the event that features 80 players from four provinces and sports departments of Pakistan. Meanwhile, in the women’s championship, national champion Nida Siddique, Zenobia Wasif and Ghazala have secured two points each.The championships are also being held to select the Pakistan chess team for the forthcoming chess olympiad to be held in Istanbul, Turkey in August.

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World Chess Championship Blitz & Rapid Inauguration Ceremony Today in Astana

The chess world is going to witness the first-ever World Chess Championship in Rapid and Blitz formats of the sport in Astana, Kazakhstan. The head of the country of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev will officially declare open the World Rapid and Blitz Championship in Astana today - July 5.

The inauguration ceremony would be held in Astana at the Radisson hotel and would include the drawing of colours for the pairings. Not only is the format exciting, but so is the line-up of players: the strongest in the world.

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Igor Kurnosov, Alexey Dreev, Vladislav Tkachiev Qualify for World Rapid Chess 2012

GM Igor Kurnosov has won the qualifier of the World Rapid Chess Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan. He was already leading on the first day and finished the qualifier with a point ahead of the rest of the field. Second place was shared by four players, but 2nd and 3rd on tiebreak were Alexey Dreev and Vladislav Tkachiev, who also qualified for the World Rapid Chess 2012 finals.

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Gull Rukh Wins Pak Punjab Women's Chess Championship

Gull Rukh

Gull Rukh of Lahore won the Punjab Women's Chess Championship 2012 by upsetting top seed Samina Kanwal of Faisalabad in Lahore on Wednesday. She remained unbeaten in all the five rounds of the championship. Samina Kanwal of Faisalabad was the runner-up while young prodigy Mehak surprised everyone by clinching the third position.

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India's Abhijeet Gupta Wins Philadelphia International Chess; M Venkatesh is India's 28th GM (Video Link Updated)

Chess Video link

GM Abhijeet Gupta

Indian National chess champion GM Abhijeet Gupta has won the Philadelphia Chess Open and $2000 with a clear first ahead of Indian mate IM Marani Venkatesh. IM Venkatesh earned his GM title!

Gupta won his final round game against IM Dean Ippolito for the title. Meanwhile, both IM Marani Venkatesh and WGM Padmini Rout, earned their GM norm and IM norms respectively. There were several other Indians in the line-up who did fairly well. GM SP Sethuraman was fourth, GM Deepan Chakkravarthy was tenth, WGM Eesha Karvade was 16th and Rout was 17th. The opposition Rout faced was strong enough for the norm for her. 

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Pakistan National Chess Round 3: Lodhi, Asif, Raees Lead

The Pakistan National Chess Championship is currently on in Karachi. Reigning national chess champion Mahmood Ahmed Lodhi, national master Raees Ansari and Asif-ur-Rehman are leading with three points each after the second day of the 28th National Chess Championship at Hotel Beach Luxury Hall. International Master Mahmood Lodhi of Punjab bidding for his 13th title got a walkover against Muhammad Shafiq Senior. Asif-ur-Rehman of Hyderabad also maintained his winning sequence when he beat Nawaz Zehri of Baluchistan. Raees Ansari beat Sajid Moosa of Balochistan.

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Benasque Chess Open Begins in Spain July 5

The 32nd Benasque International Chess Open will be played over 10 rounds of swiss system from 5th to 14th July at the Benasque Sport Pavilion. The tournament is valid for FIDE and FEDA rankings and provides the opportunity of winning title norms. The total prize fund is 20.000 EUR. 1º- 4.000€ // 2º- 3.000€ // 3º-2.000€ // 4º-1.000€…etc. The 2011 edition had 471 players from 42 countries: 35 GM, 7 WGM, 31 IM, 8 WIM and 390 players with Elo FIDE. 11 title norms were obtained. There will be lots of parallel activities at the event including football, tennis, conference, etc. There will also be two chess simuls:

July 8 (Sunday), 2012
40 boards: 2/3 Grand Masters / as International.
Hours: 11 hours.
Location: Plaza Mayor Benasque

July 8th (Sunday) 2012
40 boards - 2/3 International Grand Masters.
Time: 11:00 hours.
Place: Major Square of Benasque

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World Senior Chess Championship in Greece at Galini Wellness Spa from Nov 12

22nd World Senior Chess Championships
12 - 25 November 2012 @ Kamena Vourla, GREECE
GALINI Wellness Spa and Resort Hotel*****
The World Senior Chess Championships 2012 will be held in the 5-star GALINI Wellness Spa & Resort Hotel in Kamena Vourla, Greece from 12 November (arrivals) to 25 November (departures). The opening ceremony, the games and the closing ceremony will take place in the Congress Center of GALINI Wellness Spa & Resort Hotel.

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Anand, Carlsen Sign Up for Most Exciting Chess Event of 2012 - London Chess Classic from Dec 1

Photo © Ray Morris-Hill

Is the London Chess Classic going to be the most exciting chess event of 2012? World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand and World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen have both confirmed their entry for the fantastic event already.

World Champion 1st to sign-up for London Chess Classic
Fresh from yet another successful title defence, World Champion Viswanathan Anand, of India, became the first player to sign-up to play in the 4th London Chess Classic, at Kensington Olympia, 1-10 December, 2012. It is no secret that London is one of Anand’s favourite cities, and this will be his third successive appearance in the tournament.

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World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2012 Begin in Astana - Magnus Carlsen Top Seed; Gelfand is Playing

The qualifiers to the World Rapid Chess Championship 2012 and World Blitz Chess Championship have begun in Astana Kazakhstan. In fact, the championships of this format of chess tournament are being held for the first time in the history of chess. The championships will be held in Astana from July 1-11. The top ten players of the current FIDE rating list were invited to take part in the event. Kazakhstan had nominated Murtas Kazhgaleyev and Anuar Ismagambetov in rapid chess and Pavel Kotsur and Rinat Dzhumabayev in blitz. Three winners of the blitz and rapid qualifiers would receive an entry into the finals. World Chess Champion India's Viswanathan Anand qualifies according to rating, but is not playing. However, his challenger, Israel's Boris Gelfand is playing.

Qualifiers by rating for finals (6-10 July)

01. Magnus Carlsen 2835
02. Teimour Radjabov 2784
03. Sergey Karjakin 2779
04. Alexander Morozevich 2769
05. Vassily Ivanchuk 2764
06. Alexander Grischuk 2761
07. Veselin Topalov 2752
08. Peter Svidler 2741
09. Boris Gelfand 2727
10. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2726

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Macau - From Casinos to Chess!

The Las Vegas of Asia is Macau. Gambling and casinos have been legal in the very beautiful Macau since the 1850s during the tenure of the Portuguese Government. Macau is known as the 'Monte Carlo of the Orient'! Gambling tourism is also Macau's biggest source of revenue making up about 50% of the economy. Western-style casinos came to Macau in the 20th century. It is delightful that chess is now coming to Macau as well!

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July Chess Ratings: Magnus Carlsen at Record 2837; Anand Slips to 5th Place for Winning World Chess Championship!

World's Highest Rated Chess Player
Norway's Magnus Carlsen

Fide has released the July chess ratings which have World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen on a runaway lead with a record rating of 2837. The highest ever rating record is held by legendary 13th World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov of an 'Everest elo' worth 2851!

The list of top players is published at dedicated page of FIDE ratings website. All players can check new ratings at the main page of FIDE ratings website or download TXT version from downloads page.

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