Bits and pieces from this week
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
Levon Aronian dominated at the 2010 World Blitz Championship in Moscow, Russia. The Armenian scored 24.5 points out of 38 games and finished half a point ahead of Teimour Radjabov from Azerbaijan. Third came Magnus Carlsen from Norway, who won the title in 2009. CONGRATS!
ARONIAN WINS WORLD BLITZ TITLE!
Levon Aronian dominated at the 2010 World Blitz Championship in Moscow, Russia. The Armenian scored 24.5 points out of 38 games and finished half a point ahead of Teimour Radjabov from Azerbaijan. Third came Magnus Carlsen from Norway, who won the title in 2009. CONGRATS!
The World Blitz Championship took place at the GUM department store on Red Square in Moscow, from 16 to 18 November. It was a 20-player, double round-robin tournament with 14 rounds on the first day, 14 on the second and 10 on the final day. The rate of play for all games was 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment.
(courtesy of chessvibes)
The event was a great success especially from the mediatic point of view. You can find hours of video streaming at http://video.russiachess.org/ as well as numerous videos at youtube. A model organization for anyone interested in how to incorporate IT into your tournament coverage. Here are a few youtube videos that I got a big kick out of watching. Enjoy!
WHAT IS THE SECRET OF ARONIAN’S SUCCESS?
TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THIS PHOTO BELOW!
First, notice the half empty glass of red wine by Aronian’s board. It is well known that a glass of spirit has a relaxing effect on you. Second, notice how Aronian has placed all of those pieces around his King: there is just no way that anyone is going to have an easy time mating his King! Conclusion: protect your King and just relax and wait for those premature attacks! No one defends better than Lev Aronian….
____________________________________________________________________
4 TACTICS FROM TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK
RUSSIAN WOMEN CHAMPIONSHIP
POSITION AFTER WHITE’S 29th MOVE (29.Kh1)
SHADRINA
KOSTENIUK
Black played 29…Ng3ch which is good only for a draw. Instead, what is Black’s winning move?
_______________________________________________________
RUSSIAN WOMEN CHAMPIONSHIP
POSITION AFTER WHITE’S 22nd MOVE (22.Nh3-f4)
KOSINTSEVA, N
NEBOLSINA
White got too fancy here. Instead of playing the Knight, taking on f6 with the Queen would have given White the advantage. In this position, if Black now takes the Knight then 23.Rh3 is crushing.
What did Black play that wins immediately?
_______________________________________________________________
ISRAELI CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
POSITION AFTER BLACK’S 16th MOVE (16…Nb8??)
GM POSTNY
GM BERKOVITCH
Berkovitch won with the obvious 17.Bb7ch KxB 18.Nc5ch and capturing the Queen. However, White has an even stronger continuation than 17.Bb7ch. WHAT IS IT?
_________________________________________
ISRAELI CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
POSITION AFTER BLACK’S 25th MOVE (25…Bf6)
GIVON
PORAT
HOW DOES WHITE WIN?
___________________________________
SOLUTIONS
A. Kosteniuk vs Shadrina: 29…Qc8! wins immediately, in all lines
B. Nebolsina vs Kosintseva: 22…Qc4! is the winning move. Black’s counter-attack saves the day. Black threatens to take on d4 with check. The game continued 23.Re1 Qxd4ch 24.Kh1 Qd2! 25.Ne2 Rg4! etc
C. Berkovitch vs Postny: White missed the stronger 17.Nc5! (threatening mate!) and if 17…c6 18.Qa4! bxc4 19.Bf4! etc.
D: Porat vs Givon: The game continued 26.d6! Qd8 (taking the Queen allows Nxf6ch and NxQ with an easily won ending) 27.NxBch QxN 28.Qc8ch Kg7 29.d7 and Black resigned. White will Queen the pawn.