Σκακιστικά νέα

Chess Informant 119 Viking is largely dedicated to the newly crowned world champion, Magnus Carlsen.

Azerbaijan will hold two round robin tournaments in memory of Vugar Gashimov from 19 to 30 April in Shamkir, Teymur Tushiev of ExtraTime.az confirmed for Chessdom.

“I am pleased to announce that today, March 13, 2014 the inclusion of Chess in the school curriculum of Basic and Secondary Education across the country was finally approved in both chambers of our Parliament.” (Victor Oxley, Draft Legislative Counsel)

These matters take time and there is still one more step – the President of Paraguay, Horacio Cartes, must sign the legislation. Hopefully, that will be a formality.

CIS FIDE

Viswanathan Anand didn’t get advantage from the opening against Vladimir Kramnik and the game was quickly drawn, but the Indian retained the lead after round 4 of FIDE World Candidates Tournament.

In the other matches Levon Aronian outplayed Peter Svidler, while Shakhriyar Mamedyarov won an exciting game against Dmitry Andreikin. Veselin Topalov forced perpetual check to hold Sergey Karjakin to a draw.

The reigning US Champion Gata Kamsky won the Master section of the 23rd Annual Eastern Class Championships that were held on March 14-16 at the Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

Kamsky finished clear first with 4,5/5 points, ahead of a group of American Grandmasters. Last weekend he shared the first place in Marchand Open.

An year from now a unique experience is going to take place in the Mediterranean Sea – a Mind Games Cruise is going to travel the route Marseille – Genoa – Rome – Carthage – Palermo – Barcelona – Marseille. Chess is included in the special cruise, alongside bridge, scrabble, backgammon, and others.

Grandmasters Bartlomiej Macieja and Varuzhan Akobian ascended above the rest of the field in the UT Dallas Spring FIDE Open to finish joint winners with 7,0/9 points each, point

The 48th Begonia Open was held over the Labour Day long weekend from Saturday 8 March to Monday 10 March 2014, at the Ballarat Clarendon College: Sewell Pavilion, 1425 Sturt Street, Ballarat, Australia.

The event incorporated the 2014 Oceania Chess Championship which was open to all players from Oceania Chess Federations.

Despite the loss in the first round, Levon Aronian didn’t hesitate to repeat the Ruy Lopez Anti-Marshall. Veselin Topalov chose the line that was earlier seen in Grischuk’s games.

Black conceded the bishop’s pair to get a pawn on d4 and the position appeared to be equal. White decided to complicate the matters with the queen’s excursion to h5.

Aronian thought for a long time but eventually decided not to take the pawn on e4. Soon-after he played 22…Ba6 allowing wild complications after 23.Bd6.