Carlsen's Lost Game Against Ivanchuk, Round 12, Candidates

30 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur – The official website reported that after seven hours of play, the chess world was shocked as Magnus Carlsen lost his first game of the tournament, and with it his lead in the tournament. But if anyone could beat him it was the erratic Vassily Ivanchuk, who had the upper hand in their first mutual game as well. In a Taimanov Sicilian, the Ukrainian quickly got a pleasant ending. “When 10.Nb3 appeared on the board I understood that this structure resembles the French Defence and it’s interesting to play. Objectively it’s not better for him but there were many tricks and traps,” said Ivanchuk.

Quite upset about his loss, Carlsen did attend the press conference and was very critical of his play. “First of all I think I played absolutely disgracefully from move 1.” He admitted that it was Black who had an edge in the ending, but after the weakening move 18…a5 he started to play for a win again. But then his 24.Nb5 was "extremely stupid”. “I can do anything. Probably I'm actually not better but I should never lose it.” About the position after move 30, the Norwegian said: “I think there's still not too many problems for me but I just kept on missing more and more stuff.”

Ivanchuk kept pressing, but even the rook ending should have ended in a draw, e.g. with 71.c6. However, there Carlsen made the decisive mistake: “Here I was actually pretty sure that I would draw, which is why I played so carelessly. I hadn’t seen 71…Ke4 at all.” Although he wasn’t sure about his technique, Ivanchuk didn’t make a single mistake, converted the full point and made Kramnik the new sole leader.

After twelve rounds the standings are as follows: Kramnik leads with 8 points, followed by Carlsen with 7.5. Aronian is third with 6.5 points and Svidler fourth with 6. Grischuk and Gelfand are tied for fifth place with 5.5 points, Ivanchuk has 5 and Radjabov 4 points. Saturday, March 30th is a rest day. After the clock is set one hour forward, the 13th round will be played on Sunday, March 31st at 14:00 British Summer Time (BST) with the games Radjabov-Carlsen, Grischuk-Aronian, Kramnik-Gelfand and Svidler-Ivanchuk.

The FIDE Candidates' Tournament is taking place March 14th-April 1st, 2013 at IET London, Savoy Place. It is sponsored by the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and organized by AGON and the World Chess Federation (FIDE). Games and information can be found at http://london2013.fide.com.

Kramnik Leads After Round 12, Candidates

30 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur – In London we have a new leader, Vladimir Kramnik with a win over Radjabov while Carlsen lost to Ivanchuk as white. Kramnik has 8 points and Carlsen 7.5 points after Round 12 of FIDE Candidates Tournament 2013.

 

The position shown in the picture left is the last position before Carlsen resigned as white after black (Ivanchuk) played 90…Ke3. With the black pawn menacingly moving forwards to its queening square at e1, white has no answer to that threat. White King pinned to the h column by the castle, unable to assist it’s own rook to prevent the pawn from advancing.

 

Link: Results - http://london2013.fide.com/en/component/turnuva/?task=fileview&kid=1

Wong Jianwen Wins 1st Quarter Allegro

 

25 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur – At the DAT Chess Connections last Sunday, Wong Jianwen won the 14th CAS First Quarter Allegro organised by Chess Association of Selangor (CAS) with a score of 6.5 points from 7 rounds of rapid play.

Meanwhile in the second category of the 14th CAS First Quarter Allegro had 81 players registered. Teoh Poh Jian of Wilayah Persekutuan won with 6.0 points and a superior tie-break points from 7 rounds of play. Second, Asadullah Qamar and third, Sri Kabelen Srimuralitharan, both scored 6.0 points too.

Since 87 players participated in the second category (rating below 1400) indicate a fierce competition for the top three spots.

To see more results, please visit chess-results.com or click here.

Mohd Amin Mohd Noor wins UPM Chess Open 2013

19 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur – The UPM Chess Open 2013 was held on Sunday, 17 March 2013. Mohd Amin Mohd Noor won all seven rounds scoring the perfect 7/7 points!

For information, here is the top 10 winners in UPM Chess Open 2013 last sunday.

1. Mohd Amin Mohd Noor                     7/7

2. Mohd Hanif Basri                            6.5/7

3. Ainul Hakim Abdul Razak                 6/7

4. Mohd Fairin Zakaria                         6/7

5. Ting Shih Chieh @ ALFRED TING        6/7

6. Tang Wei Chiat                               6/7

7. A Jalal Md Shah                               6/7

8. Mohd Ikhbal Mohd Jawahar                6/7

9. Mohd Khairul Nizam Johariy              5.5/7

10. Faizal Mat Ariffin                          5.5/7

(results courtesy of cambridge.chek@yahoo.com)

Round 4, Candidates Tournament

19 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur – In London, Carlsen plays white against Grischuk in round 4 and Aronian plays white against Svidler. Meanwhile Kramnik plays black against Radjabov and Gelfand plays white against Ivanchuk during the Candidates Tournament 2013 at IET, Savoy Place, London.

Levon Aronian is sole leader with two points. Followed closely by Svidler, Carlsen and Radjabov at one point after round 3 standings.

The weekinchess website reported that during round 3, Svidler seems in good form and well prepared and looks in the mix for the whole thing. Magnus Carlsen won his first game, and as he stressed a win with black is a particular achievement in an event of this sort. He won in his normal style. A slight surprise was his use of the Cambridge Springs and then the use of a sideline caused Boris Gelfand to have to use a lot of time. This proved important and Carlsen kept the pressure up without really being much better.

Meanwhile Levon Aronian won a second game in a row to lead the FIDE World Chess Championship Candidates tournament in London after 3 of the 14 rounds. Aronian took full advantage of a combination of Ivanchuk's optimism over the board and complete mishandling of the clock.

Links:

World Chess Candidates 2013 (London ENG)
Fri 15th Mar 2013 - Mon 1st Apr 2013 - Official Site - Results - Live

Candidates 2013 (8 players 14 Rds DRR Indiv TC:120m:60m:15m+30spm(61)) - Games in PGN: Games | Live

Candidates 2013 (8 players 14 Rds DRR Indiv TC: 120m:60m:15m+30spm(61)) - Games in PGN: Games

Rakan Muda Tebrau Open, 21 April 2013

19 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur - a new chess  tournament  called Rakan Muda Tebrau Open 2013, venue: Plaza Pelangi, Johor Bharu on 21 April 2013. Please visit jbchess.blogspot.com for more details.

Aronian leads, round 3 results, Candidates

18 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur – In London, Aronian wins a second time in the third round while both Carlsen and Svidler won their first game in round 3 of the Candidates Tournament 2013.

Official website reported that Levon Aronian is the sole leader at the FIDE World Chess Candidates’ Tournament after three rounds of play. On Sunday the Armenian grandmaster beat Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine, who overstepped the time limit for the second day in a row. In what was a very exciting round, co-leader Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan lost to Russia’s Peter Svidler in a Sämisch King’s Indian. Magnus Carlsen of Norway beat Boris Gelfand of Israel with Black in 57 moves from the old Cambridge Springs variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined. Russian grandmasters Vladimir Kramnik and Alexander Grischuk drew a Grünfeld game in 35 moves.

Standings:

Here is the round 3 game between Boris Gelfand and Magnus Carlsen at the IET, Savoy Place, London during the Candidates Tournament 2013. Carlsen won with the black pieces.

 

Today is a rest day at the Candidates Tournament 2013, London. They will resume round 4 on Tuesday, 19 March 2013.

Links:

World Chess Candidates 2013 (London ENG)
Fri 15th Mar 2013 - Mon 1st Apr 2013 - Official Site - Results - Live

Candidates 2013 (8 players 14 Rds DRR Indiv TC:120m:60m:15m+30spm(61)) - Games in PGN: Games | Live

Candidates 2013 (8 players 14 Rds DRR Indiv TC: 120m:60m:15m+30spm(61)) - Games in PGN: Games

Radjabov, Aronian win 2nd Round, Candidates Tournament 2013

17 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur – In the ongoing Candidates Tournament 2013 in London, the second round saw two definitive wins. One for GM Radjabov Teimour and the other for GM Aronian Levon.

The official website reported that Levon Aronian and Teimour Radjabov are in shared first place after two rounds at the FIDE World Chess Candidates' Tournament in London. Aronian won against Boris Gelfand, who blundered material. Radjabov outplayed Vassily Ivanchuk, who eventually lost on time in what should be a lost position. Magnus Carlsen got no opening advantage against Vladimir Kramnik and the two quickly drew. Alexander Grischuk and Peter Svidler also split the point, but not before both players had had an advantage in the game.

Standings:

Radjabov vs Ivanchuk

 

Official website: http://london2013.fide.com/en/component/turnuva/?task=fileview&kid=2

Round 2, Candidates Tournament 2013

16 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur – In London, round 2 of the Candidates Tournament 2013 is underway and the current moves between move 7 on board 4 to move 18 on board 1 as shown below.

To watch live games, please visit official website: http://candidates2013.worldchess.com/#todays-pairings-view

After round 1, it is still all even. Let’s see if anyone falters in round 2.

Standings:

First Round Games End in Draws

16.3.2013, Kuala Lumpur – All games drawn in Candidates Tournament in London. Peter Svidler vs Vladimir Kramnik was the first game to finish – draw in 23 moves. Levon Aronian vs Magnus Carlsen lasted 31 moves before a draw was agreed. Gelfand-Radjabov lasted 36 moves and Ivanchuk-Grischuk 44. This is clearly a waiting game.

Aronian vs Carlsen ended in a drawn game and symmetrical position above.

Candidates Tournament begins today in London!

15 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur – The Candidates Tournament begins today in London and the chess world is abuzz as to who will qualify to challenge the reigning World Chess Champion, Vishy Anand later this year.

It seems as if the event had already taken over the year before it began  its looming presence being felt through Wijk aan Zee, with everyone keenly eyeing the top boards for an indication of things to come. Naturally, the question everybody is asking themselves is who it will be to challenge Viswanathan Anand for the World Championship. The combined masses of the chess world will converge on London for arguably the chess spectacle of the year (second only to the World Championship Match itself of course, which is scheduled for November).

All of the players have traversed a long and arduous path just to reach this stage and the combined prize fund of Euro 510,000 (to be shared amongst the participants) reflects this monumental feat. The real prize, though, is a shot at the title  who is your money on?

The venue is at Savoy Place, London.

Round 1 pairings
GM Aronian Levon 2809 - GM Carlsen Magnus 2872 
GM Gelfand Boris 2740 - GM Radjabov Teimour 2793 
GM Ivanchuk Vassily 2757 - GM Grischuk Alexander 2764 
GM Svidler Peter 2747 - GM Kramnik Vladimir 2810

Official website: http://london2013.fide.com

Fantastic Rapid Chess Weekend, 17 March 2013

11 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur - Here is a new tournament for you to consider.

DATCC will organize its first rapid series for 2013 with the FANTASTIC RAPID WEEKEND on 17th March 2013 starting at 9:00am followed by Round 1 at 10:00am. The 7 Round Swiss tournament will use a time control of 25 minutes per player played to the finish, with a total prize fund of RM 1,100. The prize giving presentation is expected to start at 6:30pm.

The eventual winner will earn RM300 for his/her effort followed by RM200 for the runner up, and 6 other main prizes up to the 8th spot. Special prize of RM30 each have been allocated for the best U12/U17/Unrated player whilst another RM40 each for the top Veteran and Best Lady player. For the special prizes, there must be at least 3 players or more vying for the tops spots in each category. For DATCC members, there is an additional fund of RM50 and RM40 for the top 2 DATCC members who is not able to win any prizes in the main category - no minimal number of members playing in order to be eligible for the prize.

Students can request for Certificate of Participation/Achievement provided the request is made before the start of the round.

Entry fees for adults are RM25 for non-members and RM15 for members. Entry fees for the junior players below 12 years old are RM10 for members and RM20 for non-members. Closing date is 16th March before 6pm and those who register late for the event will incur an additional RM15. No late penalty charges will be imposed to members but, entries are only limited to the first 80 players hence, once all the seats are filled, it may be difficult to squeeze more people in.

For more information, please download our entry forms by clicking HERE and submit your entries to mailto:datcc@chess-malaysia.com or mailto:najib.wahab@chess-malaysia.com. Payments can be made to our bank rch account as per the details contained in the entry forms but players are requested to scan their transaction slip and email it together with their entry forms. Please retain the payment slip and bring it to the centre at 9:00am to confirm your registration.

Come have fun and join us for our rapid event. It is going to be FANTASTIC!!!

Please contact Najib Wahab, 016-338 2542.

Foo Chee Kin Wins Seremban Parade Open 2013

10 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur – Mr Foo Chee Kin smiles for the camera as he is declared the Champion of the Seremban Parade Open Chess Tournament 2013 held today in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.

Top ten winners: Foo, faizal roslan, jonathan augustine, nabil azman hisham, hermano, chek kin kew, kamaludin yusof, faiezul zainal, subramaniam sivanesan, mohd salimin ismail.

(source: Alen Syazrin Rahman’s facebook)

Pesta Catur Kedah 2013, 15-16 March 2013

8 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur – The Alor Star Mall is organising the upcoming Pesta Catur Kedah 2013 at the Alor Star Mall in Alor Setar, Kedah, jointly organised by Chinese Chess College North Kedah and North Kedah Chess Association and the event will be held on 15-16 March 2013.

Please contact Syed Iskandar, hp:019-4641001 for details or visit PERCAK’s website here.

The Amanjaya Mall Open Chess Championship 2013 has been postponed to 11 May 2013. For more details, please visit PERCAK’s website here.

First Qtr Allegro on 24th March 2013

5 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur – The 14th Chess Association of Selangor (CAS) First Quarter Allegro Championship 2013 will be held on the 24th March 2013, Sunday.

Please contact En. Fariz, 012-643 9636, Mr Yeoh, 012-6199816, Mr Lim, 012-2984922 for further details.

Or visit  facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/SelangorChess

UTEM Wins Melaka Sports Carnival 2013

3 March 2013, Kuala Lumpur – In Malacca, the Universities Sports Carnival Malacca State 2013 was held today. Chess was among them. University of Technical Malaysia Melaka won with five solid wins. Congrats to UTEM Melaka for their excellent win and emerging the Champions of the chess event at the Universities Sports Carnival Malacca state 2013.

Round 5 Team Results:

Round 5 Board Pairings:

To see more results, please visit chess-results.com or click here.