Chess.com to Acquire ChessVibes

Amsterdam, October 3rd, 2013 — Chess.com today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire ChessVibes.com, the leading website for chess news. The agreement combines the strengths of Chess.com, the number #1 online chess community with almost 8 million members, and ChessVibes, known for its quality coverage of top tournaments. Peter Doggers, owner and CEO of ChessVibes, will join Chess.com full-time, effective immediately.

“Peter has done a fantastic job with top-notch chess coverage,” said Erik Allebest, CEO of Chess.com. “Chess.com and ChessVibes share a passion for serving our members, and while we have focused on playing and learning tools, ChessVibes is synonymous with quality chess journalism. We look forward to bringing the two companies together to provide the best service to chess fans of all levels.”

 

“By teaming up with the leading global chess platform, ChessVibes is able to leverage Chess.com's impressive userbase and resources to enhance its presence and impact a larger audience,” said Peter Doggers, owner/CEO of ChessVibes. “I am pleased to be able to work as a chess journalist on the biggest chess website around.” (Photo: Peter Doggers)

ChessVibes.com will continue to exist for several months while its archive of content is transferred to Chess.com. ChessVibes' two digital, subscription based magazines - ChessVibes Openings (CVO) and ChessVibes Training (CVT) – as well as many of the regular content contributors to ChessVibes.com will “find new homes” contributing to Chess.com's newly launched Master's Bulletin (the potential replacement for CVO and CVT) as well as contributions to Articles and Courses. Subscribers to CVO and CVT will be compensated in the form of Chess.com Premium Memberships and/or subscriptions to Chess.com's Master's Bulletin.

Peter Doggers, owner/CEO of ChessVibes will start working full time for Chess.com. Together with Mike Klein, Co-Director of Content, and Daniel Rensch, Vice President of Content & Professional Relations, he will focus on content creation, product and content management, as well as special projects and tasks related to marketing & professional relations. One of his first official projects for Chess.com will be the coverage of the Anand-Carlsen World Championship match in November in Chennai, India.

AboutChess.com is the #1 online chess community with almost 8 million members from around the world. Chess.com provides a safe and enjoyable environment where chess players of all skill levels can learn, play, and enjoy the game together. Chess.com was launched in 2007.

ChessVibes.com is the #1 website for chess news and stories. ChessVibes provides daily chess news, videos, columns, reviews, cartoons, puzzles and blogs. It started on February 6th, 2006 as a personal blog. Owner and founder Peter Doggers renamed it “ChessVibes” on January 1st, 2007.

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Indian Chess Supergirl Humpy wins Tashkent Grand Prix Easily, Harika 5th

Indian chess' supergirl Koneru Humpy has just won the Tashkent leg of the Women's Chess Grand Prix series. She picked up her second tournament victory, in as many events of the Grand Prix, with eight points out of 11. Bela Khotenashvili and Kateryna Lagno shared 2-3.

 

The winner's mother Koneru Latha and 

Harika Dronavalli with her grandmother Koganti Sudeshna behind.

India's Harika Dronavalli had a great run with strong chess leading the tournament right behind Humpy all along, but she self-destructed towards the end finishing the event at fifth place. 

Humpy started the tournament with three straight wins against Ju Wenjun, Elina Danielian and Alexandra Kosteniuk. She then drew her next games with Kateryna Lagno, Antoaneta Stefanova and Harika Dronavalli before beating Nafisa Muminova. She drew Xue Zhao before a shock loss to Bela Khotenashvili. However, Humpy was way ahead of the field already and convincingly beat Nakhbayeva Guliskhan in the next round. Koneru finished the tournament with a draw with Olga Girya.

 

Humpy is a strong contender to win the Series and, once again, take a crack at the Women's World Chess Championship. Her main rival Hou Yifan has played only one stage and gathered only 45 points to Humpy's 320 points. If Hou has to play the next World Championship, she will either have to win this Grand Prix series or the knockout Women's World Chess Championship next year. 

 

The official closing ceremony of tournament took place in the Gallery of Fine Art of Tashkent on 30th of September. One of the stages of Men's Grand Prix Series 2014-15 will be held in Tashkent again. (Photos: WFM Maria Emelianova)

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World Junior Chess 2013: Vidit Gujrathi wins Bronze for India

Kocaeli, Turkey: Former Under-14 world chess champion Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi won the bronze medal in the World Junior Chess Championship after settling for a quick draw with winner Yu Yangyi of China in the 13th and final round that concluded in Kocaeli, Turkey. (Photos: Photos by: Zeynep Yetisgin and Bengu Atli)

Gujrathi joined an elite list of Indians winning medals at the world junior champions starting from a gold medal by world champion V Anand in 1987, gold by Harikrishna in 2004, gold by Abhijeet Gupta in 2008 and Bronze by Sahaj Grover in 2011.

With Yangyi taking gold, the silver went to defending champion Alexander Ipatov of Turkey who defeated Aleksander Indjic of Serbia in the final round.

Yu Yangyi ended on 11 points from 13 rounds while Ipatov scored 10.5 in all.

Gujrathi tied for third spot along with Peruvian Grandmaster Jorge Cori and had the better tie break for his bronze medal.

Playing the black side of a Caro Kann, Gujrathi had little to do with black pieces as Yangyi was satisfied with a draw ensuring him the first place. On the second board Ipatop played it tough and defeated Indjic in a one sided affair.

 

"It's my best effort since winning the world under 14 a few years back," said Gujrathi after his medal winning performance adding quickly that he wants to break into the 2600 ELO rating club soon.

S P Sethuraman needed to win to be in contention of a medal and Jorgi Cori was not relenting as white. It was a Grunfeld defense wherein the Indian spurned down chance to repeat and draw and eventually ended on the losing side after gifting a handful of queen side pawns.

Grandmaster Sahaj Grover lost his second game in a row when he could not handle the complexities of a French Winawer against A R Saleh Salem of UAE.

 

Ending on 7.5 points, it turned out to be a mediocre performance for Grover who scored 50 per cent against the top three ranked players.

Debashish Das will have to wait for the confirmation of his Grandmaster title till the next tournament after he drew the final round game here. Needing a victory to complete his GM title, the Indian was held to a draw by Radoslav Dmitrov of Bulgaria.

In the girls' championship that concluded simultaneously, Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia won the gold scoring 10.5 points in all while the silver went to Zhansaya Abdumalik of Kazakhstan. Top seed Alina Kashlinskaya of Russia won the bronze.

Padmini Rout ended as the best Indian girl ending on eighth spot on eight points. -- PTI

Important and Indian results final round (Indians unless stated): Yu Yangyi (Chn, 11) drew with Vidit Gujrathi (9.5); Alexander Ipatov (Tur, 10.5) beat Aleksander Indjic (Srb, 8.5); Jorge Cori (Per, 9.5) beat S P Sethuraman (8.5); Debashis Das (8.5) drew with Radoslav Dimitrov (Bul, 8.5); A R Saleh Salem (Uae, 8.5) beat Sahaj Grover (7.5); N Srinath (7.5) drew with Jinshi Bai (Chn, 7.5); Sanal Vahap (Tur, 7.5) beat Rakesh Kulkarni (6.5); S L Narayanan (7.5) beat Fang Yan (Chn, 6.5); Atay Sergen (Tur, 4.5) drew with Sameer Kathmale (4.5).

Girls: Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus, 10.5) beat Andrea Paula Rueda Rodriguez (Col, 8.5); Padmini Rout (8.5) drew with Zhansaya Abdumalik (Kaz, 9.5); Dinara Saduakassova (Kaz, 8.5) drew with Irina Bulmaga (Rou, 8.5); Mitra Hejazipour (Iri, 9) beat Aulia Medina Warda (Ina, 8); Ivana Maria Furtado (7.5) beat Marvorii Nasriddinzoda (Tjk, 6.5); Fronda Jan Jodilyn (Phi, 7) drew with G K Monnisha (7); Irina Petrova (Ukr, 7) beat Rucha Pujari (6); Ayelen Martinez (Arg, 6) lost to Riya Savant (7); Vo Thi Kim Phung (Vie, 6.5) beat Shristi Shetty (5.5); J Saranya (6.5) beat Alymbay Kyzy Aizhan (Kgz, 5.5); Anjana Krishna (6) drew with Anu Bayar (Mgl, 6).

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World Junior Chess Round 12: Indians Going for medal Finish

Kocaeli, Turkey: Indian Grandmasters Vidit Gujrathi and SP Sethuraman placed themselves for a medal contention as they defeated Jorge Cori of Peru and Vladislav Kovalev of Belarus respectively in the 12th and penultimate round of World Juniors Chess Championship.

The victories took Gujrathi and Sethuraman to nine points out of a possible 12 and at least one of them looked poised to get a medal.

Yu Yangyi of China almost assured himself of the gold medal by beating Samvel Ter-Sahakyan of Armenia. The Chinese top seed took his tally to a whopping 10.5 points and a draw as white against Gujrathi in the last round will assure him of the title.

Alexander Ipatov of Turkey remained sole second on 9.5 points after drawing his game with Wei Yi of China. The defending champion can also ensure the silver with a draw in the last round.

Gujrathi played white and outclassed Cori from a side variation in the Grunfeld defense game. The opening gave Gujrathi a small but lasting advantage and he was quick to pounce on a pawn in the early middle game. Cori lost another pawn and did not get the desired counter play as the Indian romped home in 37 moves.

Sethuraman had to work harder against Kovalev from a King's Indian defense by the latter. Sethuraman went for an attack on the Kingside sensing his chances once black pushed the pawns ahead and got the advantage as Kovalev went for an error-filled plan. The game lasted 45 moves.

The other Indian boys had a mixed day. Grandmaster Sahaj Grover lost to Aleksander Indjic of Serbia while Debashish Das beat Simone De Filomeno to come within striking distance of becoming a Grandmaster.

In the girls' championship, Padmini Rout played out a hard fought draw with Alina Kashlinskaya of Russia and remained in with a chance to fight for the medal. Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia defeated Meri Arabidze of Georgia to lead this section on 9.5 points. --PTI

Important and Indian Results: Round 12 open (Indians unless specified): Samvel Ter-Sahakyan (Arm, 8) lost to Yu Yangyi (Chn, 10.5); Wei Yi (Chn, 8.5) drew with Alexander Ipatov (Tur, 9.5); Vidit Gujrathi (9) beat Jorge Cori (Per, 8.5); S P Sethuraman (9) beat Vladislav Kovalev (Blr, 7.5); Sahaj Grover (7.5) lost to Aleksandar Indjic (Srb, 8.5); Simone De Filomeno (Ita, 7) lost to Debashis Das (8); Jahongir Vakhidov (Uzb, 8) beat N Srinath (7); Rakesh Kulkarni (6.5) drew with Sebastian Iermito (Arg, 6.5); Ege Koksal (Tur, 6.5) drew with S L Narayanan (6.5); Sameer Kathmale (4) lost to Temizkan Denizcan (Tur, 5). 

Girls: Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus, 9.5) beat Meri Arabidze (Geo, 7.5); Andrea Paula Rueda Rodriguez (Col, 8.5) beat Irina Bulmaga (Rou, 8); Deysi Cori (Per, 7.5) lost to Zhansaya Abdumalik (Kaz, 9); Alina Kashlinskaya (Rus, 8) drew with Padmini Rout (8); Rucha Pujari (6) lost to Qiu Mengjie (Chn, 7); G K Monnisha (6.5) drew with Ivana Maria Furtado (6.5); Riya Savant (6) Anastasiya Rakhmangulova (Ukr, 6); Aisa Imeeva (Rus, 6.5) beat J Saranya (5.5); Aizhan Alymbay Kyzy (Kgz, 5.5) drew with Anjana Krishna (5.5); Shristi Shetty (5.5) beat Belen Matute Loja (Ecu, 4.5).

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World Junior Chess Round 11: Padmini Rout beats Leader in Exciting Show

Kocaeli (Turkey): Women's Grandmaster Padmini Rout caused a major flutter by defeating tournament leader Irina Bulmaga of Romania in the 11th round of World Junior Girls' chess championship on Wednesday.

Playing black, Padmini was at her best in tackling Bulmaga who went hay wire in the middle game and lost a pawn. With perfect technique, Padmini picked up another pawn and then a rook for a knight, leading to a won position.

The shocker meant changes in the rankings as Aleksandra Goryashkina of Russia emerged as the sole leader here with 8.5 points out of a possible 11.

Padmini with this victory jumped to 7.5 points and she now shares the fourth spot with two rounds still to come.

In the open section being organised simultaneously, S P Sethurman continued with his fine form and defeated Nasanjargal Urtnasan of Mongolia. Sethuraman took his tally to eight points in all along with compatriot Vidit Gujrathi who too had a good day against Debashish Das.

Yu Yangyi of China regained sole lead defeating Andrey Stukopin of Russia on a day when defending champion Alexander Ipatov of Turkey was held to a draw Samvel Ter-Sahakyan of Armenia. Ipatov again slipped to the second spot on nine points, a half point ahead of Jorge Cori of Peru.

The Indian duo of Sethurman and Gujrathi are now joint fourth on eight points and need to do well in the last two rounds to be in with a chance for a podium finish.

Among other Indians, Grandmaster Sahaj Grover bounced back with a victory over Fang Yan of China, while N Srinath defeated Mykola Bortnyk of Ukraine.

Sethuraman had an easy day out of a Nimzo Indian defense as black. Winning a pawn in the endgame, Sethuraman was precise in his calculations and his two passed pawns proved much faster than Urtnasan's.

Gujrathi also won with black pieces. Debashish Das had a level position in the middle game but missed the thread as the game progressed. Gujrathi's technique was perfect to get a full point.

Sahaj Grover sacrificed a piece in the endgame when the position looked absolutely drawn. It was a good comeback for Grover after losing to Chinese Wei Yei in the previous round. -- PTI

Important and Indian results round 11 open (Indians unless stated): Alexander Ipatov (Tur, 9) drew with Samvel Ter-Sahakyan (Arm, 8); Yu Yangyi (Chn, 9.5) beat Andrey Stukopin (Rus, 7.5); Urii Eliseev (Rus, 7) lost to Jorge Cori (Per, 8.5); Debashis Das (7) lost to Vidit Gujrathi (8); Nasanjargal Urtnasan (Mgl, 7) lost to S P Sethuraman (8); Wei Yi (Chn, 8) beat Marcel Kanarek (Pol, 7); Fang Yan (Chn, 6.5) lost to Sahaj Grover (7.5); N Srinath (7) beat Mykola Bortnyk (Ukr, 6); S L Narayanan (6) beat Barros Rivadeneira Cristhian (Ecu, 5); Rakesh Kulkarni (5) beat Zhanbai Uulu Zhokhar (Kgz, 4); Assad Mamyrbay (5) beat Sameer Kathmale (4).

Girls: Irina Bulmaga (Rou, 8) lost to Padmini Rout (7.5); Deysi Cori (Per, 7.5) lost to Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus, 8.5); Arabidze Meri (Geo, 7.5) drew with Aulia Medina Warda (Ina, 7.5); Mitra Hejazipour (Iri, 7) drew with Alina Kashlinskaya (Rus, 7.5); Abdumalik Zhansaya (Kaz, 8) beat Sabina Ibrahimova (Aze, 6.5); Ivana Maria Furtado (6) lost to Ekaterini Pavlidou (Gre, 7); J Saranya (5.5) lost to Maria Bezgodova (Rus, 6.5); Ayelen Martinez (Arg, 6) drew with Rucha Pujari (6); Lena Miladinovic (Srb, 5) lost to G K Monnisha (6); Caterina Leonardi (Slo, 4.5) lost to Riya Savant (5.5); Anjana Krishna (5) beat Firat Deniz (Tur, 4).

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World Jr Chess R10: Indians Joint Fifth

Kocaeli, Sept 24: Grandmaster S.P. Sethuraman came back into the reckoning with a thumping victory over Antonios Pavlidis of Greece in the 10th round of the World Junior Chess Championship here.

Playing the white side of a King’s Indian defense, Sethuraman went on the attack in the Saemisch variation and launched a direct assault with a pawn roller resulting in tremendous pressure. Pavlidis cracked when he ran out of useful moves and called it a day after 30 moves.

Sethuraman took his tally to seven points out of 10 games and given the fact that he has played the tougher opponents, he can now train his sight for a podium finish for which some more victories are needed in the rounds to come.

The Indian currently stands joint fifth in standings along with compatriots Debashish Das and Vidit Gujrathi (photo) who also have the same score.

Yu Yangyi of China, meanwhile joined Alexander Ipatov of Turkey in lead on 8.5 points disposing the challenge of Aleksandar Indjic of Serbia. Ipatov was held to a draw by Peruvian Grandmaster Jorge Cori on the top board.

These two are followed by Cori and Samvel Ter-Sahakkyan of Armenia on 7.5 points and the Indian trio is in joint fifth spot with five others. Sethuraman and Gujrathi have the best tiebreak among these players.

Debashish Das defeated Pouya Idani of Iran in a keenly contested game. Down a pawn in the middle game, Das never was in serious problems and worked his way for a fine counter play that left the Iranian defenseless.

Gujrathi accounted for N. Srinath in a miniature lasting a mere 20 moves. Out of an English opening, some lacklustre moves cost Srinath dearly as he fell way behind in development and it was all over in quick time. --PTI

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