London withdraws 2012 World Chess Championship Bid

IM Malcolm Pein has released a statement on behalf of Chess Promotions Ltd of which he his CEO announcing that they could not arrive at an agreement with the International Chess Federation FIDE to host the World Chess Championships in London in 2012. After lengthy negotiations with FIDE they put a proposal to the organization and a final deadline of Saturday 29th January 2011. Once that deadline passed without agreement they had to withdraw from the process as they felt there was too little time left to organize the event properly. A specific problem was that there was a deadline to sign an agreement to obtain their preferred venue that passed once agreement couldn't be found.

www,ormocknightschessclub.blogspot.com

Imagine a world where people all have excellent problem solving skills, where they are patient and respectful of each other on a daily basis. A society where citizens live for the future and plan long term, thinking of where their children’s children will be, following through, seeing each goal to its conclusion with ease.

Now add to that an indefinable quality of artistic imagination, dreaming for more than can be reasonably expected, reaching beyond the status quo.What does this have to do with chess? Everything!I learned the game when I was young and to this day I see the world as a giant chess game where any barrier can be conquered and any victory can be achieved. No goal is impossible and when I have a target in sight there is no stopping me. The same glint I had in my eye when I faced an opponent at a chess tournament still exists today when I face a challenge, along with the insouciant grin that comes from the pure joy of the experience.Intuitively most would agree that chess improves a student’s grades and ability to study.

Numerous studies have been done over the years throughout the world that show this to be the case. IQ increases, reading test results improve as do math and science scores. However there are so many other skills children pick up naturally from learning and becoming good at chess. Imagination is a must in chess. You cannot form strategies and tactical plans without being able to envision your goals. It is impossible to win a game without first imagining the victory. You are the one to make the pieces dance to the rhythm you choose. Without the player the pieces just sit dormant on a dusty board.

A child’s self confidence soars as the victories pile up, especially when that child can routinely trounce adults. Allow that child to teach other children or perhaps even the adults and he or she will master the game quickly. Nothing helps someone learn faster than teaching others and nothing does more for one’s pride than to see someone improve under one’s tutelage. In order to achieve a victory one must consistently play well throughout the game. You can make forty excellent moves and one thoughtless blunder and lose the game instantly. As a result you quickly learn to be thorough in your analysis and patient with your moves. Imagine if we all applied this little lesson to our daily lives. Thoughtless comments, heat of the moment bursts of anger, crimes of passion might just become things of the past to be studied as a part of a history lesson.

If every parent initiated regular family chess nights and if every school taught chess as part of their daily lesson plan imagine where our country could be. Children naturally are drawn to chess. If you don’t believe me try an easy experiment. Go to an area populated with children, put out a chess set and see what happens. I promise you they will flock to the board and become immersed in a game. We all have the power to fuel our children’s existing passion for learning and help our next generation soar. Let’s make a difference!

Garry Kasparov turned 46

Garry Kasparov, one of the greatest chess legends, turned 46 today. He expressed his views on his past and on the game : "For most of my life, my life was chess. That will not be the case for most in this room, " he told the students participating in this year's Super Nationals.On this special occasion, we are posting his videos and few of his famous games.

Kasparov said, "What is important is to take chess, and what chess teaches you, everywhere for the rest of your life. The enjoyment, the concentration, the work ethic, the pride, the friendship - all are more important than rating points or the ability to find a mate in four. But for a few, chess is like a native language, as beautiful as any music, as any work of art. And maybe it will become as special to you as it was, and is, to me."

Vishya is favourite, but I hope to capture his world champion title: Topalov

NTV's chess editor Marina Makarycheva performed an extensive interview with world's highest rated player and world championship challenger Veselin Topalov. Ms. Makarycheva asked about the match with Kamsky, upcoming match with Anand, changes in the world championship cycle and other issues, the interview is published in Russian newspaper Gazeta. Chessdom has posted excerpts of this interesting interview.

Makarycheva: On the match with Anand. When it will be held, and when do you plan to start with preparation?Topalov: Honestly, it does not depend only on me, but on Anand and, of course, on the FIDE as well. But most important - on the potential sponsors who can make their own suggestions. As for training, now I will carefully monitor all games played by Vishy. By the way, I have already examined carefully all of Anand's games played in Linares.But returning to my play in Sofia, I can say that if I make the same mistakes in the match with Vishy, he will not forgive me.Makarycheva: And why, in your opinion, Vishy Anand appeared in Linares not as convincing as in previous years?Topalov: Well, first of all, Vishy Anand's result in Linares can not be seen as failure. Linares is a very strong tournament.As for the reasons ... I do not exclude the possibility that numerous celebrations and receptions for the world champion at his home in India, after Anand brilliantly defended his title, have played a role.

It seems to me that Vishy was not able yet to fully restore his power.But in addition, Anand, of course, was under the severe pressure which all of the champions experienced sometime. First, everyone wants to play their best game against the champion, and second, the champion feels that, being in the focus of attention, he is required to show the play of the champions, and the result of the champions, but this is not always possible. I felt something similar three years ago, so I do not judge by hearsay.We should not forget that we have replaced the champions like Robert Fischer, Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov, all of whom proved their superiority, which did not mean being merely first among equals, but ahead of everyone else, so the fans are expecting a similar feat from us, but with the current competition of such a high standard it is very, very difficult.

How to Start a High School Chess Course?

As a teacher of Gifted and Special Education and an avid chess player, I have been interested in chess as it relates to education for well over 20 years. It all started at William Beagle, a small high-school in Surrey, BC. The way I ran my chess club as a teacher was to run it hard, every single lunch hour...no staff room breaks for me, but plenty of fun, memories and CHESS. Through the years, the numbers would fluctuate between 4 to 30 members. It was during the times that I had 30+ students, I would say to myself, "Why the ‘heck’ aren't I teaching this as a real course?!"

The first hurdle was always getting past the principals, who quite frankly just didn’t care. The real issue for them is that a teacher costs money and so it’s more important to have them covering regular classes. In an effort to bolster my argument that chess is not a frill, I researched several leads and found that in Canada, chess has been taught in the school curriculum in various forms but usually piggy-backed into the Math curriculum or left for volunteers to bring it into the classroom for short periods of time. My dream was a chess course that could stand by itself and be taught on an equal footing with Science, Math or Socials Studies. Pursuing this endeavour, I was once invited to chess legend, Nathan Divinsky’s home near UBC. He gave me a video, some kindly advice and later sent me some of the fascinating research that showed the latest educational benefits of chess. Although I was undaunted and enthusiastic, the dream that I had nurtured just didn’t look like it would succeed.

About seven years ago, in a new school, Fleetwood Park, I discovered that all locally developed courses had to follow new Provincial (Board Approved and Authorized) BAA guidelines and templates. Once more, my chess club was packed, so I started to climb that Everest again. First, convince the principal, next, write up a course following the provincial BAA guidelines, next, meet with the School Trustees, and then get it past the School Board. Then, get it past the Ministry of Education. Finally, get enough students to take the course as a selection for the following school year.

I worked very, very hard and had almost succeeded about three years ago when I unexpectedly got a ‘plum job’ offered in a new school district. I felt like Mallory turning back. But then I said to myself, 'Why not offer all the groundwork to other teachers across BC and Canada?'. After putting out the proposed BAA chess course I had developed, through the BC Teacher's Magazine, Luke Campbell of School District #23 Okanagan, took up the challenge and was finally able to make it to the top by getting the final approval.

What is the significance? Now that chess is listed as a legitimate BAA course in BC (course number YLRA-12F) any teacher can apply to teach it in their school district. It will still take some effort on their part but the precedent is set and so it will be a much easier road. Although the course is the first of its kind in Canada that I know of, it is my hope that teachers in other districts and provinces country-wide may use Luke Campbell’s and my experiences to use the course as a template for the introduction and teaching of chess into their high-school curriculum too.

Interview with GM Alisa Maric

Alisa Maric was introduced to chess at the age of four, together with her 21 minutes younger twin sister Mirjana Maric. Alisa and Mirjana are the only twins with grandmaster titles in the history. She is considered to be the best Serbian female chess player ever and best American-born female chess player ever. She was World's U20 Women's Champion in 1985 and Yugoslavian Women's Champion in 1986. At 20, she was third ranked female player in the world!

Alisa Maric has done Ph.D in Economics and she's working as Marketing professor at Megatrend University in Belgrade. She is co-author of students book “Principles of marketing“. She is also a member of Presidential Board of Serbian Olympic Committee. Many times, she was anchor of TV chess shows such as “Alisa in the Wonderland of Chess”.In this interview with Alisa Maric, she talks about managing sports as well as academics career, chess in schools, Judith Polgar, role of glamour in chess etc. In the end she has a special message for Indians!

Aronian wins Amber Blindfold and Rapid Championship 2009

In the eleventh and final round, Levon Aronian drew in both the games against Topalov to win the 18th Amber Blindfold and Rapid Tournament. The Armenian grandmaster, survived scary moments in his blindfold game against Veselin Topalov and next comfortably drew the rapid game to take the title. Report with games and videos.

Second place was shared by Vishy Anand and Vladimir Kramnik. The World Champion defeated Wang Yue 1½-½, while his predecessor routed Peter Leko 2-0.In the blindfold competition three players shared first place. Magnus Carlsen, who had long dominated the competition, lost his last game and this allowed Levon Aronian and Vladimir Kramnik to catch up with him.The rapid competition also ended in a three-way tie for first. This year the best rapid players were Vishy Anand, Levon Aronian and Gata Kamsky.