29.04.2010 – Four local grandmaster (Mamadyarov, Rajabov, Mamadov and Guseinov) are joined by four foreigners (Kramnik, Kamsky, Polgar and Sutovsky) are taking part in an eight-player rapid round robin event in Baku, Azerbaijan. After two rounds Shakhriyar Mamedyarov is in the lead, after having beaten Vladimir Kramnik in the second round. Illustrated report.
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Viktor Bologan:
The Fighting Philidor The pawns are the soul of chess! And he put his money where his mouth was! The famous chessplayer and composer André Danican Philidor not only focused the attention of coming generations on the importance of pawns in the game of chess, he also worked out the basis of a new opening in which Black from the very first moves is trying to construct a solid pawn setup in the centre. It is an opening underpinned by his deep philosophy.
This eight-player round robin event is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from
29th April to 2nd May 2010. The time controls are 25 minutes per side per game,
with two or three games per day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Sunday
there is blitz tournament. All games are being broadcast live on the official
site and on . Here is the schedule:
29 April
1st round
19:00
2nd round
20:15
30 April
3rd round
18:00
4th round
19:15
5th round
20:30
1 May
6th round
12:00
7th round
13:15
2 May
Blitz tournament
14:00
The "President's Cup" is dedicated to the memorial of the national
leader Haydar Aliyev and is being held in the Park Inn hotel. Half of the players
are from Azerbaijan and half from abroad. The Azeris are Shakhriyar Mamadyarov,
Teimour Rajabov, Rauf Mamadov and Gadir Guseinov (or Qədir Hüsynov in Azerbaijani),
the foreign players are Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), Gata Kamsky (USA), Judit
Polgar (Hungary) and Emil Sutovsky (Israel).
The drawing of lots Azeri style – with Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and organiser
Emil Sutovsky, Israel, picks a carpet and with that draws a number
Shakhriyar Mamadyarov beat the only female player of the tournament, Judit
Polgar; Rauf Mamadov lost to ex-world champion Vladimir Kramnik; Gadir Guseinov
lost with white to Emil Sutovsky; and Teymur Rajabov lost to Gata Kamsky. So
all four games were decisive.
In the first round Gata Kamsky (USA, right) defeated Teimour Radjabov from
Azerbaijan
Judit Polgar drew Teimour Radjabov in an unusual Sicilian in 25 moves; the
local players Rauf Mamadov and Gadir Guseinov drew their game, as did Emil Sutovski
and Gata Kamski; and in the most important pairing Shakhriyar Mamadyarov beat
Vladimir Kramnik in 48 moves, on the black side of a Ragozin. Shakh became the
leader of the table, which was good news for the editor who had asked our readers
about the identity of a future GM.
Kamsky vs Sutovsky and Guseinov vs Mamedov in round two – in front of
the giant portrait
of (1923-2003),
who dominated political life in Azerbaijan for over 30 years.
A critical game: Shakh Mamedyarov beats Vladimir Kramnik in round two
The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and, with
friendly support of the organisers, on the chess server .
If you are not a member you can download the free PGN reader ChessBase
Light, which gives you immediate access. You can also use the program
to read, replay and analyse PGN games. New and enhanced: CB Light 2009!
29.04.2010 – This event, which is taking place from April 25th to May 8th in the Kabardino-Balkaria region of Russia, has produced eight white win (and zero with black) in three rounds. In the first bottom seed Betul Cemre Yildiz of Turkey produced a shock win against the Grand Prix leader Zhao Xue of China. GM Tatiana Kosintseva leads with 2.5/3 points. Illustrated report.
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Viktor Bologan:
The Fighting Philidor The pawns are the soul of chess! And he put his money where his mouth was! The famous chessplayer and composer André Danican Philidor not only focused the attention of coming generations on the importance of pawns in the game of chess, he also worked out the basis of a new opening in which Black from the very first moves is trying to construct a solid pawn setup in the centre. It is an opening underpinned by his deep philosophy.
Women's
Grand Prix in Nalchik
The Third Women's Chess Grand Prix is taking place in Nalchik, Russia, from
April 25th (arrival) to May 8th (departure) 2010. Games start at 15:00 Local
Time (GMT+3). The participants are:
No.
Name
Title
Rating
Country
1
Koneru, Humpy
GM
2622
IND
2
Yifan, Hou
GM
2570
CHN
3
Kosintseva, Tatiana
GM
2524
RUS
4
Cramling, Pia
GM
2523
SWE
5
Mkrtchan, Lilit
IM
2503
ARM
6
Danielian, Elina
IM
2491
ARM
7
Zhao, Xue
GM
2490
CHN
8
Dzagnidze, Nana
GM
2479
GEO
9
Chen, Zhu
GM
2476
QAT
10
Batkhuyag, Munguntuul
WGM
2428
MGL
11
Kovanova, Baira
WGM
2385
RUS
12
Yildiz, Betul Cemre
WIM
2244
TUR
Results of the first three rounds
Round one
Kosintseva, Tatiana
1-0
Hou Yifan
Dzagnidze, Nana
½-½
Zhu Chen
Yildiz, Betul Cemre
1-0
Zhao Xue
Kovanova, Baira
1-0
Munguntuul, Batkhuyag
Cramling, Pia
½-½
Mkrtchian, Lilit
Koneru, Humpy
1-0
Danielian, Elina
Four games in the first round ended with victories for the players with the
white pieces. The big surprise was the defeat of the leader of the Grand Prix
Series, Zhao Xue, at the hands of an outsider from Turkey, Juldiz Betul. The
Chinese player chose the Alekhine Defense and easily equalized, but then Zhao
committed a blunder.
51...Nxb6?? You have to take the pawn, Xue! You simply gotta. 52.cxb6 Kxf5. 52...bxa6 53.Nc5 Kxf5 54.b7 Rxb7 55.Nxb7 wins
for White. 53.a7 Re8 54.Nc5 Ke5 55.Nd7+ Ke4 56.Nb8 Rg8 57.a8Q Rg2+ 58.Kc1
Rg1+ 59.Kb2 d3 60.Qa4+ Ke3 61.Qa5 Rf1 62.Qe5+ Kd2 63.Nxc6 Kd1 64.Qe3 1-0.
Russian GM Tatyana Kosintseva played a sharp variant of the French Defense
against the vice-world champion Hou Yifan from China. Tatyana took the initiative
and got an advantage in the middlegame. However, Hou managed to balance the
position after the series of exchanges. But in time trouble the Chinese player
chose a false plan on the 34 move and, having received the advantage a second
time, Kosintseva confidently won the game.
Round two
Dzagnidze, Nana
1-0
Kovanova, Baira
Zhu Chen
1-0
Mkrtchian, Lilit
Munguntuul, Batkhuyag
1-0
Koneru, Humpy
Zhao Xue
½-½
Kosintseva, Tatiana
Hou Yifan
½-½
Cramling, Pia
Danielian, Elina
½-½
Yildiz, Betul Cemre
Once again there were only white wins in round two, and again there was a big
upset. Top seed Koneru Humpy came a cropper
against WGM Munguntuul Batkhuyag of Mogolia, two hundred points her inferior
on the Elo scale. Humpy typically chose a sharp line of the Sicilian but then
overreached.
16...Nxe4 17.Rxe4 Bxc5 18.Nbxc5 [18.Rxc4 Qc6 leads to mate] 18...Bxe4 19.Nxe4. Two pieces for a rook and pawn – but
Black does not have enough attacking potential. 19...Qc6 20.Bxc4 Qxc4
21.Nd6 Qc6 22.c3 bxc3 23.Nxc3 Rab8 24.Rc1 Rb4 25.Ne2 Qf3 26.Qd2 Rb6 27.Nc3 Rc6
28.Re1 Qf6 29.Rd1 Qe6 30.b4 Rb8 31.Nce4 h6 32.a4 Qb3 33.b5 axb5 34.axb5 Rc2
35.Qd5 Qf3 36.b6 Rb2 37.b7 Kf8 38.Rc1 Rxf2 39.Rc8+ Ke7 40.Qxe5# 1-0.
The third round was the most peaceful so far, with just one win, again with
the white pieces.
Round three
Kosintseva, Tatiana
1-0
Danielian, Elina
Yildiz, Betul Cemre
½-½
Munguntuul, Batkhuyag
Kovanova, Baira
½-½
Zhu Chen
Cramling, Pia
½-½
Zhao Xue
Koneru, Humpy
½-½
Dzagnidze, Nana
Mkrtchian, Lilit
½-½
Hou Yifan
Standings after three rounds
Nalchik – Kabardino-Balkaria
The city of Nalchik is situated at an altitude of 550 meters (1,804 ft) in
the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. It covers an area of 131 square kilometers
(50.6 sq mi). Population: 275,000. The city is named after the Nalchik River,
on the shores of which it is located. The word "Nalchik" literally
means "small horseshoe" in Kabardian – it is a diminutive of
nal, the Turkic and Turkish word for "horseshoe". Nalchik was chosen
the "second cleanest city of Russia" in 2003.
There is a lot of chess activity in the above region. We have marked off
twenty-two hotspots on the map, which you can find by moving your mouse cursor
over it. Each is linked to a memorable event or story linked to the town Can
you find them all?
A picture from the opening ceremony of the Women's Grand Prix
Giant slayer (in round two) Munguntuul Batkhuyag of Mongolia
Munguntuul, which coming here you liked more: this time or your first
experience?
Munguntuul Batkhuyag: This time I haven’t been anywhere
yet, but two years ago we were taken to Chegemsky Waterfalls, Blue Lakes, Elbrus
mountain – we even managed to climb up to the mountains. The impressions
are unforgettable.
One of the stages of Grand Prix tournament will be organized in Mongolia.
Can you tell us some details of preparations for it?
They are preparing in a very serious way. I can say that participants will
be seated in the “Chinggis Khan” or “Kempinski” hotels,
which have also good playing halls. I think we’ll have good conditions
there.
The fact that one of the stages will be held in Mongolia tells us much
about the people’s interest in chess in this country. And how far is
it popularized in Mongolia and why have you chosen chess?
Every member of a Mongolian family plays chess; it is loved in the country.
My father used to play, taught my elder brother and sister, and then me. The
elders gave up playing because of me.
You have a good command of Russian, accordingly we can draw the conclusion
that you study in Russia.
You are absolutely right. I’m a fifth year student of the Russian State
Social University.
Third seed GM Tatiana Kosintseva, of Russia is in the lead
Do you feel most comfortable in a leader position or prefer to sit out
on start, and then to do your best on finish?
Tatiana Kosintseva: I did not think about it, I just try
to play each round with all efforts; I try to use all chances in each round.
Then the choice of the tactics and game strategy depends on the results of the
previous game.
Two years ago, the World Championship became a knockout system and at
that time your father and sister were with you. Now the system is a round
robin and you are without your relatives….
First, these tournaments are absolutely different. Of course when your relatives
are with you, you have great psychological support. Despite their absence I
feel their support, I always ask Nadya for an advice.
What result will satisfy you at this tournament?
I do not place an accent on the result. The quality of the game interests
me. It is more important for me to play beautifully and productively.
Former Women's World Champion Zhu Chen of Qatar in interview
In what are you interested in except chess?
Zhu Chen: The most important thing for me is to spend time
with my kids, parents and husband. I used to devote most of my time to chess,
that’s why I wanted now to do my duties.
How do you feel yourself in Qatar? Do you have any fans?
I feel great. I hope that I have many of them around the world. We have a
lot of amateur players, and I think they believe in me
Do you use the Internet for communication?
I have my own page on the Facebook I have a lot of interesting friends there.
I like Facebook, as far as you can find people you haven’t seen for a
long time.
The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the
chess server .
If you are not a member you can download the free PGN reader ChessBase
Light, which gives you immediate access. You can also use the program
to read, replay and analyse PGN games. New and enhanced: CB Light 2009!
29.04.2010 – Nigel Short called game four "superb stuff from Anand," while NIIT wrote: "Anand goes into the second rest day tomorrow with a psychological edge, while it's another sleepless night for Topalov." We have collected another bunch of news stories and, after the very detailed on-the-spot analysis by GM Anish Giri yesterday, we bring you new commentary by IM Malcolm Pein.
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Viktor Bologan:
The Fighting Philidor The pawns are the soul of chess! And he put his money where his mouth was! The famous chessplayer and composer André Danican Philidor not only focused the attention of coming generations on the importance of pawns in the game of chess, he also worked out the basis of a new opening in which Black from the very first moves is trying to construct a solid pawn setup in the centre. It is an opening underpinned by his deep philosophy.
Commentary on game four by IM Malcolm Pein
The following commentary for reading and download is by our colleague IM
Malcolm Pein, who is posting daily analysis on The
Week in Chess web site. There is a replay link
and at the end of the game, which takes you to a JavaScript board. There you
can click on the notation to follow the analysis on the graphic chessboard.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3. I think we get Anand's match strategy
now: play like Kramnik and remind Topalov of his favourite person. 4...dxc4
5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 a5 7.Qc2 Bxd2+. The seventh world champion preferred 7...Nc6
8.Qxc4 Qd5 9.Qxd5 exd5= Browne-Smyslov Las Palmas. 8.Qxd2. The Catalan
has been all the rage since Kramnik started to play it. For the latest theory
it is best to consult the brilliant book by Boris Avrukh – see a sample
PDF .
I refer to it all the time. 8.Nbxd2 b5 9.a4 c6 10.b3 cxb3 11.Nxb3 0-0. White
has some play but not enough for advantage – Avrukh. 8...c6 9.a4.
9.Ne5 b5 10.Nxc6 Qc7= Avrukh 11.Qg5 Nxc6 12.Qxg7 Ke7 13.Qxh8 Bb7 14.Qg7 Nxd4–/+. 9...b5 10.Na3
A novelty! 10.axb5 cxb5 11.Qg5 0-0 12.Qxb5 Ba6 13.Qa4 Qb6 14.0-0 Qxb2
15.Nbd2 Bb5 16.Nxc4 Bxa4 17.Nxb2 Bb5 18.Ne5 Ra7+/= Kramnik-Topalov game 1 Elista
2006, but Avrukh suggests Black can improve. 10...Bd7 [10...Ba6 11.Ne5
Nd5 12.Nxc6 Nxc6 13.axb5+/=. 11.Ne5. 11.axb5 cxb5 12.Qg5 h6! 13.Qxg7
Rh7!–+. 11...Nd5 12.e4
12...Nb4. 12...Nb6 Anand is already ahead on the clock after the novelty
13.axb5 cxb5 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.Qg5!+/- Qxd4? 16.Rd1 Qf6 17.Qxb5+. 13.0-0 0-0
14.Rfd1
A new but typical Catalan position where White has full compensation. Black
has to watch out for d4-d5 opening the Catalan bishop and undermining his queenside
pawn chain. 14...Be8. 14...Qe7 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.d5 exd5 17.exd5 cxd5
18.axb5 Rd8 19.Qg5+/=. 15.d5! Well timed and I guess still preparation 15...Qd6. 15...exd5 16.exd5 cxd5 17.axb5 Nd7 18.Nc6 Nxc6 19.Qxd5!+/–. 16.Ng4. 16.dxc6!? Qxe5 17.axb5 looks promising but Black can sacrifice
back and is only a bit worse. 16...Qc5 17.Ne3
The perfect square supporting d5. Topalov's problem is capturing on d5 opens
the Bg2 but leaving it allows dxc6. 17...N8a6 18.dxc6 bxa4. 18...Bxc6
19.axb5 Bxb5 20.Naxc4! Bxc4 21.Rac1 with a nice edge. 19.Naxc4 Bxc6 20.Rac1
White looks more comfortable here but nothing could prepare us for what follows.
Topalov's sense of danger deserted him 20...h6?! Stops Qg5 in some lines
and challenges Anand to do something constructive which he declines to do and
does something very destructive instead! Getting the queen near the kingside
made sense: 20...Qe7 21.Nxa5 (21.Nd6!?) 21...Rfd8 22.Nxc6 Nxc6
23.Qc3. 21.Nd6 Qa7 22.Ng4! Suddenly it's critical. The black pieces have
deserted the king.
22...Rad8? 22...Nc5 Speelman 23.Nxh6+ (23.Rc4 maybe best here.) 23...gxh6 24.Qxh6 Ncd3; 22...f6 is better than the game but still very bad
for black.; 22...Rfd8 23.Nxh6+ gxh6 24.Qxh6 Qe7 25.e5 Bxg2 26.Rd4 Bf3 27.Rcc4!
sums up the attacking plan. 23.Nxh6+ gxh6 24.Qxh6 f6 25.e5
Anand reached to play this move, the brought his hand back then played it
a minute later. Nerves? Not surprising. It took him ten minutes in total, but
now it's game over. 25...Bxg2. 25...Qg7 26.Qxg7+ Kxg7 27.Bxc6. 26.exf6!
The winner Viswanathan Anand in the post-game press conference
Veselin Topalov discussing the game with the press
Links and stories
Anand wins fourth game to go one up
Anand, who had lost the first game unceremoniously won the second in sparkling
fashion and after drawing the third and winning the fourth game comprehensively,
the fans are looking up to him to do what he did to Russian Vladimir Kramnik
a couple of years ago at Bonn in Germany. The Indian ace came up with a resounding
sacrifice of a knight to rip apart Topalov's king side and once he decided on
that there was no respite for the challenger. Anand simply squeezed out black's
resources with some high quality moves. Down a piece, the world champion created
havoc in the Bulgarian's territory with some deft manoeuvres and went on to
score a memorable victory. After the rest day on Thursday, Topalov will have
white in the fifth game and the Bulgarian won't leave any stones unturned for
his comeback attempt. Full
article...
Anand crushes Topalov in fourth game – by Ian Rogers
“Anand really played brilliantly today,” said commentator Zurab
Azmaiparashvili, having watched the World champion sacrifice a pawn, then a
knight and then a bishop to create a winning assault against Topalov's exposed
king. Anand was coy when asked if the sacrifices were prepared with his team.
“I won't be able to tell you that until the match is over,” said
Anand, who has managed to keep the identity of some of his helpers secret as
well. Anand explained that in a key variation he was prepared to give away both
his rooks as well to ensure a checkmate: “Once I saw that I knew I was
winning.” Full
article...
Speed
king Anand demolishes Topalov – by Manisha Mohite
Nightmares are best forgotten while pleasant encounters need to be repeated.
Viswanathan Anand after tasting success with the Catalan Opening against Veselin
Topalov in the second round of the World Chess Championship in progress at Sofia
was hungry for more! So out came the Catalan in the fourth game once again with
both players wanting to prove a point. While Anand wanted an encore, Topalov
wanted to wipe out memories and show that in all probability, the second round
loss might just be an aberration and he was well equipped to fight and win in
this Opening.
Topalov may have lost a crucial point here but he has lost much more in terms
of confidence and would be under tremendous psychological pressure, which was
evident at the press conference after the game. He was preoccupied and kept
shaking his head as if in denial mode, wanting to mentally erase the mistakes
he committed on board. A few questions to him had to be repeated but the Bulgarian
had no hesitation in singling out his bad move, the pawn one, on the 20th turn.
The game was a far cry from the second one where Anand demonstrated his positional
prowess with a clinical and precise play victory. The fourth game was much more
exciting. Anand was at his tactical best, his killer instinct aroused and was
a far cry from the strong, solid and cautious approach he adopted on Tuesday
where the game ended in a draw. Full
article...
Viswanathan
Anand takes lead with tactical play
“This has been a brilliant game by Anand. First, he used great skill
to obtain an edge but the tactical punishment of the careless h6 has been brutal.
This has been superb stuff from Anand,” commented former World Championship
challenger Nigel Short. Full
article...
NIIT
Press Release on round four
Sofia, 28 April
Another superb victory by reigning World Champion Viswanathan Anand over Veselin
Topalov in the fourth game of the World Chess Championship Match at Sofia, Bulgaria
has him taking charge of the lead with a 2.5-1.5 score in the twelve-game match.
NIIT MindChampion Anand was at his devastating best with the white pieces
– incidentally his first victory was also wielding the white pieces in
game two. Topalov had won the first game while the third game had ended in a
draw. If Anand powered a positional win in the second game in the Catalan Opening,
then the fourth game involved some terrific tactics and combinations, also in
the Catalan Opening. For the second time in a row, Anand goes into the second
rest day tomorrow with a psychological edge, while it would be another sleepless
night for Topalov.
The opening play was on the queenside with both players posting their pieces
there. Anand had sacrificed a pawn in the opening but had plenty of piece play.
“At the 15th move I thought that my position was better “ said Anand
after the game.
Anand’s two knights were active on the chessboard while Topalov’s
queen was cut off in the corner on the queenside. At this point Anand’s
attack started taking shape on the kingside. With a knight sacrifice on the
23rd turn he ripped out Topalov’s king from his castled shelter. Anand’s
queen was the next piece to invade Topalov’s territory and suddenly his
king was terribly exposed. Anand's pawn was already advanced onto the sixth
rank and by now even both his rooks sprang into action. Topalov’s pieces
were stranded and could not rush to the king’s defence. Topalov resigned
on the 37th turn, when faced with an inevitable checkmate or heavy loss of material.
Updates on Viswanathan Anand sent by Team Anand at NIIT. For further inquiries
contact:
28.04.2010 – That is not a picture of Judit Polgar with her badly mangled opponent it is an unusual art prize she received for resoundingly defeating her opponent, top Czech GM David Navara, in the eight-game rapid chess match held by the Prague Chess Society. Judit once again demonstrated that she is the best female player of all time, with this 2900 performance.
Advertisement
Viktor Bologan:
The Fighting Philidor The pawns are the soul of chess! And he put his money where his mouth was! The famous chessplayer and composer André Danican Philidor not only focused the attention of coming generations on the importance of pawns in the game of chess, he also worked out the basis of a new opening in which Black from the very first moves is trying to construct a solid pawn setup in the centre. It is an opening underpinned by his deep philosophy.
Polgar vs Navara - ČEZ Chess Trophy 2010
Between April 22nd and April 24th, Judit Polgar, 33, the strongest woman player
in the world, and rated 2682 Elo, faced the top Czech GM David Navara, 25, and
rated 2708, in an eight-game rapid match. The match was organized as a part
of the high-profile ČEZ Chess Trophy 2010 festival held by the Prague Chess
Society.
Judit Polgar (33) is by far the strongest and most famous
woman player in history, reaching the number one women's ranking at the ripe
age of twelve years old, a position she has held for over twenty years. She
is the only woman in the history of chess ever to enter the Top Ten world's
chart (no other female ranks among the first hundred), even managing to beat
one of the best chess players ever, Garry Kasparov.
David Navara (25) has been for several years the best Czech
chessplayer. He regularly represents his country at the Chess Olympiads, not
to mention international tournaments and the annual festivals of the Prague
Chess Society. He has played matches with Anatoly Karpov, Viktor Kortchnoi,
Vladimir Kramnik, Nigel Short, Boris Gelfand, Alexei Shirov and Vasily Ivanchuk.
His best position in the world rankings was thirteen (from 1st January till
30th June 2007), now he is 27th (Elo 2708).
The match was hard fought, and had several extremely sharp games, typical of
the Polgar so admired. After a draw in game one, game two set the tone for the
match.
Judit really had her way in the match despite solid results in the openings
by Navara, and even escaped a certain loss in game five, when his flag dropped
in a dead won position. Game seven once again highlighted her famous tactical
abilities.
The match ended in a rout in favor of the Hungarian genius with a no-nonsense score of 6-2, deservedly winning the artistic trophy.
Judit Polgar with a very unusual prize (not depicting her opponent after
the match!)
A Polgar simul with a number of celebrities and notable figures. That's
Czech President
Václav Klaus kibitzing in the striped shirt
The festival also enjoyed a number of exhibits with chess themes, some which
drew
a lot of curious stares. Lubomir Kavalek admiring a cross between chess and
cubism.
Vlastimil Hort trying to imagine a world championship match with the set
They say chess reflects life. Here that is literally true.
GM Lubomir Kavalek with organiser and businessman Bessel Kok
Former World Championship Candidate Vlastimil Hort
To read, replay and analyse the PGN games we adivse you to download the free PGN
reader ChessBase Light. This program also gives you immediate access
to the chess server .
28.04.2010 – Here's another puzzle from our early-pictures scrapbook: who is the young boy in this photo? His middle name is Hamid oglu and he is of oriental origin or maybe not. He himself never succeeded in achieving an IM title, but amongst his immediate siblings there are three grandmasters. He has played played against and occasionally beaten no less than six world champions. Do you know who it is?
Advertisement
Viktor Bologan:
The Fighting Philidor The pawns are the soul of chess! And he put his money where his mouth was! The famous chessplayer and composer André Danican Philidor not only focused the attention of coming generations on the importance of pawns in the game of chess, he also worked out the basis of a new opening in which Black from the very first moves is trying to construct a solid pawn setup in the centre. It is an opening underpinned by his deep philosophy.
Who is this well-known player?
Can you guess who the young boy in this photo is?
Once again we provide you with some clues, this time genuinely helpful
ones – hey, we are having a good day...
He is of oriential origin, or maybe not – difficult to decide.
His middle name is Hamid oglu.
He tried but never succeeded in making an IM title.
He has played against and occasionally beaten no less than six world
champions.
Amongst his immediate siblings there are three grandmasters.
He is the only player in the world to have won the World Junior Chess
Championship title twice.
He has just launched his own ambitious chess web site, with pictures,
videos, live games, blog and forum.
Googling is for sissies. The answer will be provided in a couple of day.
Women's
Speed
Viswanathan
