World Cup final: Ding Liren draws first blood
The second games of the FIDE World Cup Final and the match for the 3rd place were played on October 1. Ding Liren and Teimour Radjabov played a well-known line of the English Opening, in which White sacrifices a pawn. The Chinese grandmaster got significant compensation and launched an attack on the kingside, while the black pieces were blocked on the three back ranks. Most likely Radjabov committed the decisive mistake on the 23rd move by advancing his pawn from e6 to e5 – the white pieces flooded into the Black’s camp wreaking havoc. Ding Liren was building up pressure with precise play and forced his opponent to capitulate on the move 40. This is the first loss of the Azerbaijani player in this tournament. However, it does not seem to affect his spirits: “Psychologically I was ready for this result from the first round till the end of the tournament. Anything can happen; you can lose at any moment. I do not have any special thoughts about it. I am just playing game after game. Losses happen, it’s a part of chess life.” This victory is Ding Liren’s gift not only to himself but also to his compatriots who are celebrating a big day today – the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Yu Yangyi played the Petrov’s Defense. According to the French grandmaster, who had White in this game, he was exerting a certain pressure, but then underestimated a precise reply from the opponent, who was very well prepared for this variation. After the major pieces were exchanged, a balanced position arose, and the players agreed to a draw after the 30th move. The third games of both matches will be played on October 2, once again with colors reversed. Photo Video The competition is organized by the Government of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Ugra, International Chess Federation (FIDE), Ugra Chess Federation, and Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation. Official website: https://khantymansiysk2019.fide.com/en/ General partner – Gazpromneft-Khantos LCC.Official airline – Utair.Official partners of the competition: OJSC Rostelecom, Ugra Chess Academy, Russian Chess Federation, AB InBev Efes, and PJSC Rosneft.FIDE official partner – JSCo “RZD”.General media partner – News Agency TASS.Media partners – Match TV, World of Chess social network, OTRC “Ugra”, Ugra-news.ru News of Ugra regional newspaper, AIF-Ugra newspaper.
Koneru shoots up in the October rating list
FIDE October 1 rating listAll Top-100 listsAll rating lists – download Each month FIDE publishes a new official rating list. Right after the release, let’s take a look at the list and identify the most interesting developments. Since the FIDE World Cup 2019, that brought together almost all the best players, is not rated yet, the top 10 of the Open rating list remained intact with no movements inside it. In the November list, we will definitely see some changes. There are only two newcomers in top-100, namely Ray Robson and Alexey Sarana. Ray earned 17 points after his triumph in St Louis Fall A tournament and moved way up to 73rd position, whereas Alexey picked up 4 points in a small tournament in Linares and squeezed into the top-100.Ray Robson also stands out as the biggest gainer of the month, followed by Francisco Vallejo Pons and Radoslaw Wojtaszek. The Spaniard got 10 points in Linares while the Pole delivered a solid performance in Polish Extraleague netting him 9 rating points. FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Skolkovo became the main catalyst for rating changes among women. Humpy Koneru, on her way back from two-year hiatus, won the event, picked up 17 points and edged out Alexandra Goryachkina from the 3rd place. Despite losing one position, the Russian also increased her rating by 11 points. The Women’s World Champion Ju, Wenjun, who was second in the event, and Elizabeth Paehtz earned 10 points each. In the junior’s top 10, Alexey Sarana mounted to the fifth position, while Jorden Van Foreest returned to the elite group of young players. All players can check out the new ratings in the FIDE ratings section.
Uzbekistan dominates home Central Asia Junior Championship
The International Chess Festival organized by the Uzbekistan Chess Federation with the support of RosAtom Corporation, FIDE and the government of the Republic of Uzbekistan was successfully completed in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The Closing Ceremony was held right after the conclusion of the most important part of the festival, the Central Asia Junior Championship which saw a double success of the host team. The ceremony was attended by Ali Malak Zad Ghulam (the President of Afghanistan Chess Federation), Vyacheslav Pak (Deputy Director of the National Agency for Project Management under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan), Sayfullo Akhmedov (Deputy Chairman of the Uzbekistan Trade Unions Federation), Bakhodir Umurzakov (Deputy Minister of Employment and Labor relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan), Husan Turdialiev (First Vice President of the Chess Federation of Uzbekistan), Rajai Alsusi (Executive Manager of Sharjah Chess Club) and Abasin Mohibi (General Secretary of Afghanistan Chess Federation). As part of the development program, four Central Asia national chess federations (Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan) received 20 chess clocks each to help organize the events in their countries. These clocks were provided by the Uzbekistan Chess Federation with the support of RosAtom Corporation, FIDE and the government of the Republic of Uzbekistan Final standings of Central Asia Junior Championship: Open category: 1. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) – 7½2. Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) – 7½3. Saidakbar Saydaliev (UZB) – 6½ Girls category: 1. Nilufar Yakubbaeva (UZB) – 82. Xeniya Balabayeva (KAZ) – 7½3. Sitora Saparov (UZB) – 6½