Saturday, March 31, 2007

The April 2007 Fide List is Out!

Well, no major changes to the rating list have take place. Rogers, Zhao, Johansen and Smerdon are still at the top of list!

posted by Webbaron @ 10:13 PM 0 comments

Friday, March 30, 2007

Special Deal for Melbourne Chess Players!

Online chess lessons are fun..but not quite as much fun as face-to-face ones!

Thus, I decided to introduce a special Deal for the Melburnians. You can get a 2 hr introductory lesson for the price of an 1 hour lesson!

Hurry Up! The offer expires on April, 30th.

posted by Webbaron @ 3:01 PM 0 comments

Amber 2007: Kramnik Wins!

Final Round 11 Standings:

Blindfold 1. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2766 9.0; 2. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2741 7.0; 3. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2733 7.0; 4. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2750 6.5; 5. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2728 6.5; 6. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2744 6.0; 7. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2729 5.0; 8. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2779 5.0; 9. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2690 4.0; 10. Leko, Peter g HUN 2749 4.0; 11. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2683 3.5; 12. Vallejo Pons, Francisco g ESP 2679 2.5.

Rapid 1. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2779 8.5; 2. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2766 6.5; 3. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2690 6.5; 4. Leko, Peter g HUN 2749 6.5; 5. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2750 6.5; 6. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2744 6.0; 7. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2728 5.5; 8. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2733 4.5; 9. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2741 4.5; 10. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2729 4.0; 11. Vallejo Pons, Francisco g ESP 2679 4.0; 12. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2683 3.0.

Combined 1. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2766 15.5; 2. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2779 13.5; 3. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2750 13.0; 4. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2728 12.0; 5. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2744 12.0; 6. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2741 11.5; 7. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2733 11.5; 8. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2690 10.5; 9. Leko, Peter g HUN 2749 10.5; 10. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2729 9.0; 11. Vallejo Pons, Francisco g ESP 2679 6.5; 12. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2683 6.5.

posted by Webbaron @ 2:57 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Melbourne Chess Club Championship 2007: An exiting last round to look forward to

The MCC championship has come to an exiting finish (possibly the most exiting finish in years). 4 (or possibly 5 depending on the outcome of the postponed game) players are going into the last round on 6/8. Thus, the tournament's outcome is anybody's guess.

Jagger, Hamilton, Rujevic and Skyotis are on 6/8. Richard Voon is on 5/7 and has a postponed game against someone rated below him. Some of the pre-tournament favorites like Guy West and Malcolm Pyke appear to be out of contention for the top spot.

posted by Webbaron @ 4:47 PM 0 comments

Sydney International: 140 Entries Recieved!

The field for the Sydney International Chess Tourament (www.chessaustralia.com.au/open) has been been growing like mushrooms after a rain. There are now 140 entries (including 9 GMs) in the field.

Luckily for the male participants, the field includes a number of extremely attractive female players.

posted by Webbaron @ 4:43 PM 0 comments

Monday, March 26, 2007

Hope against Hope: A Miraculous Escape!

In the following chess problem, white finds a miraculous escape out of a seemingly hopless position.

G.Zakhodiakin
1930
W. Ka2, Bf8, Ne5, pp. g5, g6.
B. Kh8, Nf5, pp. h7, f2.
White to move and draw.
When your position appears to be in such a miserable state, do not you feel like resigning? Hang on! You can actually draw it, believe it or not :).
1. g7! Nxg7 2. Nf7+ Kg8 3. Bc5! f1Q 4. Nh6+ Kh8 5. Bd6! with a draw!

posted by Webbaron @ 11:50 PM 0 comments

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Amber 2007: Kramnik is still in the lead

Vladimir Kramnik maintans his lead at the Amber 2007. However, the struggle for first is still very close!

Round 7 Standings:

Blindfold 1. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2766 6.5; 2. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2733 5.0; 3. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2750 4.5; 4. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2728 4.5; 5. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2741 3.5; 6. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2729 3.5; 7. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2779 3.0; 8. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2744 3.0; 9. Leko, Peter g HUN 2749 3.0; 10. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2690 2.5; 11. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2683 1.5; 12. Vallejo Pons, Francisco g ESP 2679 1.5.

Rapid 1. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2779 5.5; 2. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2744 5.0; 3. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2750 5.0; 4. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2766 4.0; 5. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2741 3.5; 6. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2690 3.5; 7. Leko, Peter g HUN 2749 3.5; 8. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2728 3.0; 9. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2729 2.5; 10. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2733 2.5; 11. Vallejo Pons, Francisco g ESP 2679 2.5; 12. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2683 1.5.

Combined 1. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2766 10.5; 2. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2750 9.5; 3. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2779 8.5; 4. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2744 8.0; 5. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2728 7.5; 6. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2733 7.5; 7. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2741 7.0; 8. Leko, Peter g HUN 2749 6.5; 9. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2690 6.0; 10. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2729 6.0; 11. Vallejo Pons, Francisco g ESP 2679 4.0; 12. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2683 3.0.

posted by Webbaron @ 9:39 PM 0 comments

8th Poikovsky Karpov tournament: The Siberian Chess Party is over!

The 8th Karpov tournament ended in a convincing victory for Dmitry Jakovenko.

Final Round 9 Standings:

1. Jakovenko, Dmitry g RUS 2691 6.0; 2. Onischuk, Alexander g USA 2663 5.0; 3. Alekseev, Evgeny g RUS 2661 5.0; 4. Bologan, Viktor g MDA 2658 5.0; 5. Istratescu, Andrei g ROM 2619 4.5; 6. Rublevsky, Sergei g RUS 2677 4.5; 7. Dreev, Alexey g RUS 2658 4.0; 8. Sutovsky, Emil g ISR 2629 4.0; 9. Tkachiev, Vladislav g FRA 2649 3.5; 10. Zhang Pengxiang g CHN 2643 3.5.

posted by Webbaron @ 9:19 PM 0 comments

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Lasker's Most Spectacular Win: Lasker-Bauer (1889)

Emmanuel Lasker is rightfully regarded as one of the greatest chess-players of all times. After all, he was the World Champion for 27 years! So far, noone else managed to surpass this outstanding achievement of his. However, his most famous game was played when he was 21 years of age and his great victories were still to come.

Lasker - Bauer
Amsterdam, 1889
1.f4 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.b3 e6 4.Bb2 Be75.Bd3 b6 6.Nc3 Bb7 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.O-O O-O9.Ne2 c5 10.Ng3 Qc7 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.Bxe5 Qc613.Qe2 a6 14.Nh5 Nxh5 15.Bxh7+ Kxh7 16.Qxh5+ Kg817.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Qg4+ Kh7 19.Rf3 e5 20.Rh3+ Qh621.Rxh6+ Kxh6 22.Qd7 Bf6 23.Qxb7 Kg7 24.Rf1 Rab825.Qd7 Rfd8 26.Qg4+ Kf8 27.fxe5 Bg7 28.e6 Rb729.Qg6 f6 30.Rxf6+ Bxf6 31.Qxf6+ Ke8 32.Qh8+ Ke733.Qg7+ Kxe6 34. Qxb7 Rd6 35. Qxa6 d4 36. exd4 cxd4 37. h4 d3 38. Qxd3 1-0.

posted by Webbaron @ 5:03 PM 0 comments

Chess Logo Competition

GM Baggeri has recently announced start of his "Chess Logo" competition. The winner's logo will serve as the official logo of the Chess Website and Playing Zone that are currently under development! The first prize is a beautifully crafted chess set. Interesed? Please drop me a line for more info.

posted by Webbaron @ 10:31 AM 0 comments

Thursday, March 22, 2007

An opening for all seasons: 1.e4 e5 2.d4!?

I have spent today's afternoon on a long chess lesson with a student of mine. During the lesson, we were examining sharp and original positions arising out of the extremely sharp but yet rare Central Opening (1.e4 e5 2.d4!?). The student was facinated...and so was I :).

Shortly after the lesson, I tried the Central Opening in an internet allegro game.

[Event "GCS"][Site "GCS"][Date "2007.03.22"][White "MichaelBaron"][Black "Petrosk"][Result "1-0"][WhiteElo "2399"][BlackElo "2067"][TimeControl "900+0"]

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 b6 5. Nc3 Bb7 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. e5 Bc5 8. Qf4 Qe7 9. Nf3 O-O 10. O-O Nh5 11. Qe4 Na5 12. Bd5 c6 13. Bb3 Nxb3 14. axb3 f5 15. Qc4+ Qe6 16. Rd1 Rfd8 17. Bg5 d5 18. Qh4 Qe8 19. Bxd8 Rxd8 20. Rxa7 Rb8 21. Qg5 b5 22. Raa1 g6 23. Qd2 Ng7 24. h4 Ne6 25. Re1 Kg7 26. Ne2 Qe7 27. Nf4 h6 28. b4 Bxb4 29. Nxe6+ Kh7 30. c3 Bxc3 31. Neg5+ hxg5 32. Nxg5+ Kg8 33. Qxc3 c5 34. Ra7 d4 35. Qb3+ c4 36. Qxb5 Qc7 37. e6 Qc6 38. Rxb7 Qxb7 39. Qxb7 Rxb7 40. e7 1-0.

posted by Webbaron @ 11:31 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

want to know more about resuts of the great tournaments from the past? then visit www.chessmetrics.com

I have recently stumbled across www.chessmetrics.com and it turned out to be a great website! It contains all the tournament results since 1850's or so as well as "historical ratings" that enable chess fans worldwide to compare chess players from different genrations. This is truly an amazing website!

posted by Webbaron @ 8:40 PM 0 comments

Who is Australia's Greatest Chess-Player ever?

There is a big debate going on at http://chesschat.org. The debate is about determining Australia's strongest chess player of all times and it has sparcled a lot of controversy. There are about as many different oppinions as there are participants to the debate.

In my opinion, the title of the "strongest Australian chess-player ever" should be awarded to Lajos Steiner. Back in 1927-1930, he was rightfully considered as a "World's top 10" player. It is thrilling to think that an Australian chessplayer was taking part (and fairly successfully) in the very same events as Alekhine, Capablanca, Rubinstein and other great champions.

posted by Webbaron @ 8:27 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Amber 2007

Round 2 Standings:
Blindfold:
1. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2766 2.0; 2. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2741 1.5; 3. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2744 1.5; 4. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2728 1.5; 5. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2750 1.5; 6. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2733 1.0; 7. Vallejo Pons, Francisco g ESP 2679 1.0; 8. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2779 1.0; 9. Leko, Peter g HUN 2749 0.5; 10. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2690 0.5; 11. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2729 0.0; 12. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2683 0.0.

Rapid
1. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2744 2.0; 2. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2779 1.5; 3. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2750 1.5; 4. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2766 1.5; 5. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2741 1.0; 6. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2690 1.0; 7. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2733 1.0; 8. Leko, Peter g HUN 2749 1.0; 9. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2729 0.5; 10. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2728 0.5; 11. Vallejo Pons, Francisco g ESP 2679 0.5; 12. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2683 0.0.

Combined
1. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2744 3.5; 2. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2766 3.5; 3. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2750 3.0; 4. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2741 2.5; 5. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2779 2.5; 6. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2733 2.0; 7. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2728 2.0; 8. Leko, Peter g HUN 2749 1.5; 9. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2690 1.5; 10. Vallejo Pons, Francisco g ESP 2679 1.5; 11. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2729 0.5; 12. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2683 0.0.

posted by Webbaron @ 12:54 AM 0 comments

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Student Files: Update

Last night, a chess student of mine who is rated in the 700s was playing an experience 2265-rated FM. Unfortunately, he lost in the end. However, he did manage to give the Master a very good game.

Well done!

posted by Webbaron @ 10:41 AM 0 comments

Noble Park CC Championship: A Cut-Throat Competition

Noble Park CC championship turned out to be one of the strongest club tournaments in Australia. There are an IM and 2 FMs as well as a bunch of upcoming juniors participating. After 5 rounds, there is a 5-way tie for first between the Stojic brothers, Lin, Rujevic and Dizdarevic. The joint leaders are on 4/5. FM Jesse Sales is on 3.5/5 and is tracing the leaders by o.5. FM Abdulwahab Rashid is on 3/5 and is equal 7th with 6 others.

posted by Webbaron @ 10:36 AM 0 comments

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Speed Up, My Friend! : The new Fide Time Control is Announced

Fide has just announced introduction of a new time control to be used in the official FIDE events. Believe it or not, it is going to be 1 hr/per game plus 10 seconds/per move. ...

What can I say... Introduction of this new time control is going to mean the end of the classical chess the way we know it! From my personal prospective, I have no reason to be sad. After all, I play fairly fast! Also, the new time limit will almost certainly make the top level chess more spectacular than it is now. However, quality of the chess games played is about to become a secondary factor.

posted by Webbaron @ 2:28 PM 0 comments

Friday, March 16, 2007

8th Poikovsky Karpov Tournament

A strong 10-player round robin has started at a small (but rich!) Siberian town of Poikovsky.

Round 1 Standings:
1. Jakovenko, Dmitry g RUS 2691 1.0; 2. Dreev, Alexey g RUS 2658 0.5; 3. Istratescu, Andrei g ROM 2619 0.5; 4. Onischuk, Alexander g USA 2663 0.5; 5. Rublevsky, Sergei g RUS 2677 0.5; 6. Sutovsky, Emil g ISR 2629 0.5; 7. Tkachiev, Vladislav g FRA 2649 0.5; 8. Zhang Pengxiang g CHN 2643 0.5; 9. Alekseev, Evgeny g RUS 2661 0.5; 10. Bologan, Viktor g MDA 2658 0.0.

posted by Webbaron @ 10:51 PM 0 comments

Happy Birthday, Veselin

Veselin Topalov is celebrating his birthday today. In my opinion, Topalov is the one of the most brilliant players ever. Fellow grandmasters who say that he is a computer-cheat are simply envious of his great talent!

posted by Webbaron @ 12:01 AM 0 comments

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Good News! My student beats someone rated 800 points above him!

Some good news have just arrived from sunny queensland. My 700-rated student has won a tournament game against someone rated 1500! Good on you, Victor! Keep up the good work!

posted by Webbaron @ 11:53 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Chess-Players: Are They Sane?

I have noticed that quite a large percentage of chess-players have some form of mental sickness or disorder. I am wondering if chess can be regarded as a 'contributing factor" for these disorders to develop. Otherwise, it could be an indicator of chess players being "superspecial". After all, intellectuals always have more mental problems than others :).

posted by Webbaron @ 4:36 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

The Battle of the World Champions: Berliner-Fisher (1957)

How relevant are correspondence chess achievements in evaluating one's chess strength? The vast majority of the world's top correspondence players have been at least Master strength at the OTB events!
In the following game, 14 yo Robert Fisher (future world champion) faced Hans Berliner, future correspondence chess world champion.

Berliner - Fisher
New-York State Championship, 1957
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 e5 6. Nge2 O-O 7. Be3 c68. d5 cxd5 9. cxd5 Ne8 10. Qd2 f5 11. O-O-O Nd7 12. Kb1 Nef6 13. Nc1fxe4 14. fxe4 Ng4 15. Bg1 Bh6 16. Qe1 Nc5 17. Nd3 Nxd3 18. Bxd3 Bd719. Bb5 Bxb5 20. Nxb5 a6 21. Na3 Rc8 22. h3 Nf6 23. Be3 Bxe3 24. Qxe3Qa5 25. Rhe1 b5 26. Rc1 Qa4 27. Nc2 Rf7 28. a3 Rfc7 29. Nb4 Rxc1+30. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 31. Qxc1 a5 32. Qc8+ Kg7 33. Qc7+ Kh6 34. Qc1+ g5 35. h4Nxe4 36. Nc6 b4 37. Qe1 bxa3 38. hxg5+ Kg7 39. Nxa5 a2+ 40. Ka1 Nc541. b4 Nb3+ 42. Nxb3 Qxb3 43. Qe4 Kg8 44. g6 h6 45. Qf5 Qxd5 46. Qd7 Kf847. b5 Qd1+ 48. Kxa2 Qa4+ 49. Kb2 Qb4+ 50. Kc2 Qc5+ 51. Kb3 Qd5+ 52. Ka3e4 53. Qh7 Qd3+ 54. Ka4 Qd4+ 55. Ka5 Qa1+ 56. Kb6 Qf6 57. Kc7 Qg7+1/2-1/2.

posted by Webbaron @ 11:21 PM 0 comments

Monday, March 12, 2007

Sydney International: Looking Forward to the strongest tournament to take place in Australia ever!

Sydney International appears to be living up to the expectations. So far, 82 chess-players have entered already and the field includes 10 GMs, 9 IMs and countless FMs :). The tournament is to take place in Sydney early in April.
For more information, visit www.chessaustralia.com.au

posted by Webbaron @ 1:37 PM 0 comments

Computers are Laughing at us: Rybka crushes GM Ehlvest in a Handicap Match

A match between GM Ehlvest (World championship candidate and one on the world's top Grandmasters in the late 80's). and Rybka has taken place in New Jersey, USA. GM Ehlvest was given a pawn handicap in each and every one of the 8 games played. The match outcome turned out to be devastating for the human kind!

Rybka won 5.5:2.5 (+4-1=3). So is there any point in playing computers?

posted by Webbaron @ 1:25 PM 0 comments

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Australia's Chess Beauty Queen is back!

This year' Ballarat Begonian Open is indeed a special event! WIM Katrin Aladjova-Wills - Australia's most beautiful female chess player ever is making her comback to competitive chess. Lets wish Katrin good luck with the tournament and hope that she will play in many more Australian events.

posted by Webbaron @ 5:46 PM 0 comments

Morelia-Linares 2007: The Chess Party is Over!

The innagural Morelia-Linares chess tournament has just finished in Linares, Spain. Vish Anand was successful in holding on to his lead till the very end!

Final Round 14 Standings:

1. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2779 8.5; 2. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2690 7.5; 3. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2741 7.5; 4. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2744 7.0; 5. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2728 7.0; 6. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2750 6.5; 7. Topalov, Veselin g BUL 2783 6.0; 8. Leko, Peter g HUN 2749 6.0.

posted by Webbaron @ 5:42 PM 0 comments

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Beating the Great: Bologan - Anand (2003)

Even the world's strongest players are mortal! Vishy Anand is currently leading 2007 Morelia-Linares tournament with 1 round to go. However, even the best of us are "capable" of playing badly every now and then. In the following game, Anand is getting crashed comprehensively!

Bologan - Anand
Dortmund, 2003
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Ngf6 11. Bf4 e6 12. O-O-O Be7 13. Kb1 Qa5 14.Ne5 Rd8 15. Qe2 O-O 16. Ng6 Rfe8 17. Nxe7+ Rxe7 18. Rd3 Ree8 19. Rhd1 Qd520. Rg1 b5 21. Qd2 a5 22. Ne2 b4 23. g4 Ne4 24. Qe3 Ng5 25. Rc1 Nb6 26. b3a4 27. Bc7 Qa5 28. f4 Nh7 29. g5 hxg5 30. fxg5 Rd7 31. Bxb6 Qxb6 32. Rg1axb3 33. cxb3 Qa5 34. g6 fxg6 35. hxg6 Nf6 36. Rg5 Rd5 37. Re5 Ng4 38. Rxe6Rf8 39. Qh3 Nh6 40. Rxc6 Rdf5 41. d5 1-0.

posted by Webbaron @ 8:59 PM 0 comments

Friday, March 09, 2007

The Server is Back to normal!

There have been some "service outages" on the USChessLive Chess Server (the server that i am using for my online chess lessons). The good news is that things appear to be getting back to normal and the server is accessible at all times once again!

posted by Webbaron @ 11:02 AM 0 comments

Is this the Best Game Ever Played?: Botvinnik - Capablanca (1938)

Some years ago, a Dutch Television Show surveyed its viewers about the best game of chess ever played. The game below was voted as the best game ever! Is it really that great? Feel free to judge for yourself!

Botvinnik-Capablanca
Avro-Tournament
Amsterdam, 1938
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 d55.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Bd3 O-O9.Ne2 b6 10.O-O Ba6 11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.Bb2 Qd713.a4 Rfe8 14.Qd3 c4 15.Qc2 Nb8 16.Rae1 Nc617.Ng3 Na5 18.f3 Nb3 19.e4 Qxa4 20.e5 Nd721.Qf2 g6 22.f4 f5 23.exf6 Nxf6 24.f5 Rxe125.Rxe1 Re8 26.Re6 Rxe6 27.fxe6 Kg7 28.Qf4 Qe829.Qe5 Qe7 30.Ba3 Qxa3 31.Nh5+ gxh5 32.Qg5+ Kf833.Qxf6+ Kg8 34.e7 Qc1+ 35.Kf2 Qc2+ 36.Kg3 Qd3+37.Kh4 Qe4+ 38.Kxh5 Qe2+ 39.Kh4 Qe4+ 40.g4 Qe1+41.Kh5 1-0.

posted by Webbaron @ 10:45 AM 0 comments

Should chess be encouraged at all Times?

I have cought some of my students playing chess on the internet during university tutorials. While I always encourage people (students included) to persue chess, in this particular instance - I had to put an end to their chess activities. Sad, isn't it?

posted by Webbaron @ 12:10 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Chess Website: Anyone interested?

I have been thinking for some time about developing an e-commerce friendly chess website (since there are not many commercial chess sites around). Any interested Web developers out there?

posted by Webbaron @ 10:41 AM 0 comments

Ballarat Begonia Open 2007: A Gentle Reminder

Just a gentle reminder to the Blog's readers that Ballarat Begonia Open is taking place this weekend in Ballarat School of Mines. It has established itself as one of Australia's biggest weekend tournaments.

So do not miss it!

posted by Webbaron @ 10:15 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

The birth of the variation: Capablanca - Marshall (1918)

Marshall attack in Ruy Lopez is arguably one of the most facinating opening lines. It has been around for nearly 90 years, but it is yet to go out of fashion.

The following game is of historic significance as it has given birth to the variation.

Capablanca - Marshall
New York, 1918.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d59.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 Nf6 12.Re1 Bd6 13.h3 Ng4 14.Qf3 Qh4 15.d4Nxf2 16.Re2 Bg4 17.hxg4 Bh2+ 18.Kf1 Bg3 19.Rxf2 Qh1+ 20.Ke2 Bxf2 21.Bd2 Bh422.Qh3 Rae8+ 23.Kd3 Qf1+ 24.Kc2 Bf2 25.Qf3 Qg1 26.Bd5 c5 27.dxc5 Bxc5 28.b4Bd6 29.a4 a5 30.axb5 axb4 31.Ra6 bxc3 32.Nxc3 Bb4 33.b6 Bxc3 34.Bxc3 h635.b7 Re3 36.Bxf7+ 1-0.

posted by Webbaron @ 5:24 PM 0 comments

Monday, March 05, 2007

It is easy to get carried away: Alpen - Michael Baron (2007)

In the following Internet blitz game, National master from Island got carried away with his attack. I think this game is a very good illustration of how it is possible to overpress in a simple position.

[Event "GCS"][Site "GCS"][Date "2007.03.05"][White "alpen"][Black "MichaelBaron"][Result "0-1"][WhiteElo "2195"][BlackElo "2399"][TimeControl "300+0"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. h3 f6 6. O-O Be6 7. Qe2 Qd7 8. Rd1 O-O-O 9. d3 Bc5 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Qxe3 Ne7?!! - an interesting provocation. White is invited to pentrate black's position with his Queen.
12. Qa7 Qd6 13. Qa8+?! Kd7 14. Qxb7?? Ra8 15. Nbd2 Rhb8 16. Nc4 Rxb7 17. Nxd6 cxd6 18. b3 Kc7 19. d4 Bf7 20. c4 c5 21. dxe5 dxe5 0-1.

posted by Webbaron @ 10:22 PM 0 comments

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Morelia-Linares 2007: Anand and Carlsen are still in the Lead

Anand and Carlsen are still sharing the lead at the Linares super tournament. 16 year-old Carlsen appears to be extremely lucky to be holding on to his lead. His play is far from perfect and all of his victories have been scored when his opponents overpressed in promising positions. Or well, this is the treatment underdogs get from the established chess gurus.

Round 9 Standings:

1. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2779 5.5; 2. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2690 5.5; 3. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2750 5.0; 4. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2744 4.5; 5. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2728 4.5; 6. Topalov, Veselin g BUL 2783 4.0; 7. Leko, Peter g HUN 2749 3.5; 8. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2741 3.5.

posted by Webbaron @ 10:36 PM 0 comments

From Bill Jordan "With Love"

The following simple but instructive position was shown to me by Bill Jordan at Melbourne Chess Club today.

W. Kg8, p. a2.
B. Kg6, p. a3.

White to move and Draw.

1. Kf8? loses. However, 1. Kh8! draws.

posted by Webbaron @ 12:41 AM 0 comments

Friday, March 02, 2007

Ballarat Begonia Open 2007: Do not Miss one of the Biggest Weekenders of the Year!

41st Ballarat Begonia Open will take place in Ballarat School of Mines, March 10 - 12 2007.

This tournament promises to be build on the success of previously held tournaments and is growing in popularity every year.Due to the increasing number of entries received for the tournament in recent years, it is proposed to utilise accelerated pairings in the early rounds, at the discretion of the arbiter.Refreshments and light snacks will be available at the tournament canteen. Neat casual dress is considered desirable, and NO SMOKING is permitted within the tournament building.


Prizes
Open +Rating Groups (3 sections)

Note: all prizes are guaranteed!

posted by Webbaron @ 11:25 PM 0 comments

MCC Grand Scandal: What happened at Melbourne Chess Club?

There is currently a grand scandal going on at Melbourne Chess Club. Scott Stewart (the Club's Tournament Organizer) has been accused of stealing funds from the MCC and expelled from the club. The details are yet to be confirmed!

posted by Webbaron @ 11:21 PM 0 comments

Thursday, March 01, 2007

What is Happening with the World Championship?

Fide is changing the World Championship rules at the "speed of light". During his last press-conference, Illumzhinov announced that if Kramnik fails to win the next world championship tournament that is planned to take place in Mexico at the end of this year, he will be entitled to challenge the tournament's winner to a title match.

Simply Amazing!

posted by Webbaron @ 11:24 PM 0 comments

2007 South European Championship: Atalik wins

2007 South European championship has just ended in France. The tournament was won by Suat Atalik from Turkey. Silva went to Manuel Apicella from France, with Bronze goin to Selim Belhodia from Tunisia. Congratulations to all the prize winners!

posted by Webbaron @ 11:12 PM 0 comments