World Cup: Champion to be determined on tiebreak
The fourth games of the Final and the 3rd place match of the FIDE World Cup were played on October 3 in Khanty-Mansiysk. The playing venue was visited by Yury Yuzhakov and Alexander Tirtoka, Deputy Governors of Ugra, and FIDE Vice-President Mahir Mammedov. Ding Liren and Teimour Radjabov played a variation of the English Opening, in which Black sacrifices a pawn, but obtains certain compensation in the form of insecure position of the white king. The game quickly transposed to an endgame, where White’s ruined pawn structure left him little chance of converting his extra material. According to Ding Liren, he was not prepared for 11… Bg2. Black regained a pawn in a rook ending and fully equalized the position. A draw was agreed on the 31st move. “Although he was slightly worse, I think we played a correct game, and none of us made mistakes so a draw is a very normal result,” commented Ding Liren after the game. “I really don’t know what games are suitable for us. Maybe we will play one hundred bullets or Fischer Random – ten games would be fine and fun as well. Generally, we will try to rest and play the match tomorrow,” Teimour quipped when asked about his expectations of the tiebreak. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Yu Yangyi once again played the Petrov’s Defense. According to the Frenchman, his position was better, however, he was unable to increase this advantage, and after multiple exchanges, the position equalized. The opponents agreed to a draw in a queen ending. Since the classical parts of both matches ended in a 2-2 tie, the winners will be determined on tiebreaks on Friday, October 4. In the first rapid game, Teimour Radjabov and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave will have White against Ding Liren and Yu Yangyi respectively. 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.
Dvorkovich and Chiburdanidze open FIDE School in Minsk
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich made an official visit to Minsk where he had a brief but intense agenda. First, Mr. Dvorkovich had a working meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus and the chairman of the organizing committee for the 45th World Chess Olympiad Igor Petrishenko.Together with the 6th women’s world champion Maia Chiburdanidze, Arkady Dvorkovich also participated in the opening ceremony for the renovated FIDE Chess School in Minsk on October 2. A true legend of women’s chess, nine-time winner of Chess Olympiads, Maia Chiburdanidze became the Goodwill Ambassador of the 45th World Chess Olympiad 2022 in Minsk. FIDE Chess School is the only chess school accredited by FIDE in Belarus. In his speech on the occasion, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich stressed that FIDE would continue supporting chess schools and academies around the world. The ribbon was cut by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and FIDE Vice President, President of Belarus Chess Federation Anastasia Sorokina.
First year in office
Time flies fast – just mere 365 working days, and the first year of my tenure as a FIDE President becomes a history. A history full of major decisions, vitally important new projects and steady improvement of the situation in the chess world. I and my team are as enthusiastic about making the chess world a better place as we were last year. But we kept not only our enthusiasm – we kept our promises – and we will keep delivering. First year laid a very good foundation, and soon we expect a real breakthrough – working for you and together with you, my fellow chess friends. Thanks for your support, and have my word – we are going to bring a major change. Because we can. Because we care. Because it is our and my personal responsibility. Yours,Arkady Dvorkovich