Chess thread

[Ant040689]

Not quite as formally attired as in previous London Chess Classics. A symptom of the more fun attitude of the comp this year.

Could you ever envisage a Barry Hearn revolution to the game?

[Tal]

In a word, no.

The game is run by a FIFA-style organisation, which likes to have control of what is going on in the game. Asia and Russia dominate the markets, while a lot of bigger comps take place in Europe.

You don't need a lot of knowledge to enjoy snooker, pool, boxing or darts. You can follow what is happening quite quickly and the commentator's job is really just to guide you through the extra stuff (spin, check-out, tactics, etc). That doesn't really apply to chess.

[Ant040689]

In a word, no.

The game is run by a FIFA-style organisation, which likes to have control of what is going on in the game. Asia and Russia dominate the markets, while a lot of bigger comps take place in Europe.

You don't need a lot of knowledge to enjoy snooker, pool, boxing or darts. You can follow what is happening quite quickly and the commentator's job is really just to guide you through the extra stuff (spin, check-out, tactics, etc). That doesn't really apply to chess.

Cheers, was a slightly facetious comment by me, but still wanted to know the answer

[Tal]

In a word, no.

The game is run by a FIFA-style organisation, which likes to have control of what is going on in the game. Asia and Russia dominate the markets, while a lot of bigger comps take place in Europe.

You don't need a lot of knowledge to enjoy snooker, pool, boxing or darts. You can follow what is happening quite quickly and the commentator's job is really just to guide you through the extra stuff (spin, check-out, tactics, etc). That doesn't really apply to chess.

Cheers, was a slightly facetious comment by me, but still wanted to know the answer

That's pretty much what I put you on

[Tal]

http://en.chessbase.com/post/nakamura-wins-london

The headline only tells half the story. The pre-comp favourite lifted the trophy, but not before he escaped a semi-final showdown with Vladimir Kramnik. The Russian had him against the ropes but - in all likelihood owing to the pressure of time - mistakes cost him his final place. The American gratefully accepted the donation and beat Gelfand in the final. Gelfand was himself an unlikely finalist, with quick chess not exactly his forte.

[Tal]

This is one of those articles you can enjoy without knowing anything about chess:

http://en.chessbase.com/post/2013-european-rapid-and-blitz-championships

Right. Two caption comps, please:

[Tal]

A: I told you I needed an opening book for Christmas!

B: "They say you know you're getting on when you're older than your opponent. Well, I'm older than everyone on the other side of the table put together..."

[Tal]

Back when I did the posts taking you through some of the game's greats (scroll back to the early days if you weren't around), I covered the 1935 world championship match from both sides, where Alekhine lost his title to Euwe.

Chessbase has come across some new photos of the occasion:

http://en.chessbase.com/post/alekhine-euwe-1935-powerful-images



There is also a walk through the most famous game of the match.

[Tal]

The closing ceremony of the London Chess Classic was as opulent as you would expect. Simpson's-in-the-Strand is one of the most iconic  and famous chess venues in the world. I suppose it is like Binion's or The Rainbow, in that the modern generation wouldn't have Amy reason to appreciate its significance.

Here is a nice pictorial report:

http://en.chessbase.com/post/london-closing-ceremony

Poker players can't go to Tesco without a punt on the price of lynx Africa, Maryland cookies and basmati rice. When chess blokes meet, chessers gotta chess.



From the bottom going clockwise, the back of McShane's head, Caruana, Howell, Nakamura and one of his sponsors.

[Tal]

My club team played a match the other night, which I couldn't attend. The report included the following gem:


During my game on board two an incident occurred !  Whilst leaning forward to analyse my position, there was suddenly the sound of Jingle Bells coming from under my jacket.
My opponent informed me that mobile phones should be switched off or the loss of the game could follow.

I informed him that I did not have a mobile phone and the music of Jingle Bells and We wish you a Merry Christmas was coming from my Christmas tie.

It was not possible to turn it off, so everyone to wait for it to stop playing.
This had been set off accidently by leaning against the table. After the music stopped, play resumed.
Will there be an addition to the rules next season about musical ties ?

[Tal]

With the game moving quickly forward, it's never a bad idea to see who's doing well in the youth events. Winners of the world youth comps are dotted all around the elite circles and we are halfway through this year's event in the UAE:

http://en.chessbase.com/post/world-youth-championship-the-challenges-and-results



Name a country, any country...

Under 18's right down to Under 8's, with Open and Girls sections.


Some compeitors will be too immersed in their work to notice a cameraman. But if you're eight...



We've all been there, kid...

[McGlashan]

Catching up on old news here, as a certain Spurs fan predicted, we had not heard the last of accused chess cheat Borislav Ivanov. He had some interesting things to say in previous interviews:

- Did the arbiter take your clothes off, or did they just check your pockets?

- Well, i know my body is handsome and beautiful but I didn't find it enough to show them the real sexual affection i have for other people around me so i just said no, although they checked my pockets very slowly and my jacket and after they found nothing.... well, may be they were a bit disappointed, cause they were 100% sure I was cheating and of course that's a total lie.



- Some people say that you are genius, other that you are cheat, what would you say to them?

- Genius or a cheat, that sounds interesting...Well, I'm not a genius nor a cheat but just a normal boy that wants to have fun playing chess.



- Do you have some other hobby but chess?

- Hanging out with friends of mine, visiting night clubs, meeting beautiful girls and so on.



His latest activities can be read over on chessbase http://en.chessbase.com/post/ivanov-in-navalmoral-the-real-deal

Cliffs Notes:
played another tourney
crushed
got searched
a device was spotted underneath his armpit
he refused to reveal it
he quit the tourney
 

[Tal]

Maths whizz, grandmaster and problem solver extraordinaire, Dr John Nunn sends his Christmas present to Chessbase:



White to play and mate in three.

[77dave]

Maths whizz, grandmaster and problem solver extraordinaire, Dr John Nunn sends his Christmas present to Chessbase:



White to play and mate in three.

king to D 5
king to C 6
queen to B7

[Tal]

I'm afraid not, 77dave. Black has to move inbetween (pretend this is a normal game). The best clue is the the black king currently can't move, so unless you change that, it will be a stalemate after your first move.