Lindores Abbey SFs: Nakamura fights back, Dubov reaches the final
Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura will fight it out in a Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge semi-final decider after the American squared their tie today. Nakamura, the world’s top-rated blitz chess player, was calm and controlled as he hit back hard in a must-win match against Norway’s World Champion. Carlsen, playing in his signature Magnus Carlsen Tour event, had convincingly won yesterday’s encounter 3-0. Speaking on a Twitch stream afterward he showed he was typically confident going into the second. But today was very different. The first game was a stunner – and it turned out to be extremely important. Carlsen launched a buccaneering attack on Nakamura involving a piece sacrifice. Carlsen was clearly winning at one point, but a blunder in a very tense position let Nakamura counter and Carlsen lost it. At one point, Carlsen – still confident – even turned down a draw by repetition and played 26…g3 which turned out to be a fatal error. “It was a pretty wild game, but I found a way to win,” said Nakamura afterward. “It was a little bit lucky to win this game, but I’ll take it.” Game 2, which Nakamura described as “a complete mess”, was no less dramatic – despite ending in a draw. Carlsen had a strong position but his advantage evaporated after an apparent mouse-slip. The resulting draw meant Nakamura retained the lead and went into the third game with a chance of ending the match early. Carlsen bided his time with the Black pieces and steered the game to a second draw that left him with all his chips on the final game. Yet with Carlsen straining for a win, Nakamura remained solid and played out a third draw that won him the match and got him right back into the seminal. Meanwhile, in the other match, Daniil Dubov was busy blowing away an out-of-sorts Ding Liren. The Russian smashed through China’s number one in the first game to build on his first mini-match win yesterday. “Dubov just checkmated Ding Liren in 23 moves with Black. What is going on?” said Jan Gustafsson in the commentary box. Dubov then went 2-0 up against Ding leaving the Chinese needing a minor miracle to reach the final. Ding, who was not his normal solid self, then could not stop Daniil’s steering the third game into a match-ending draw. Dubov goes through to the final with a 2.5-0.5 win against Ding today and 2-0 overall. Asked who he would like to play in the final, Dubov said: “I would definitely prefer to play Magnus. I just think it would be much more interesting to play him … I just prefer to play the best players. Obviously, Magnus is much stronger than Hikaru.” The event, which runs until June 3, is being put on in association with the Lindores Abbey Heritage Society, which maintains the historic site. Coverage begins with commentary in 10 languages at 16.00 CEST. You can watch it live here Highlights English FOR MORE INFORMATION:Leon Watsonleon@chessable.com+447786 078770
Judit Polgár awarded with honorary doctorate by the University of Physical Education
The best female player of chess history, who holds the highest Hungarian state honor, the Magyar Szent István Order, has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Physical Education (UPE) as decided by the University Senate on Thursday. FIDE Honorary Vice President, Judit Polgár becomes the 45th person to hold a degree of the kind awarded by UPE. Prof. Dr. h. c. Lajos Mocsai, the Rector of University has made the following comment to acknowledge Judit Polgár’s lifetime achievements: ’This title is awarded to excellent personalities who make notable achievements as sportspeople or sport diplomats, and who have tight relations with the University of Physical Education. As our mind sports department will be launched this summer, we have serious plans in which we count upon Judit Polgár. Her past has made sport history, and her diplomatic activity is outstanding in sport development and education as well.” A great Hungarian chess player, whose father, László Polgár raised all his three daughters to become world-class players to prove his education theory, undertakes outstanding educational activities. Her organization, the Judit Polgár Chess Foundation founded in 2012, aims to develop children’s competency in public education with a unique method. As a framework curriculum, competence development chess has made its way to the National Core Curriculum, and as of 2013, lower primary schoolchildren can choose it as a subject to learn. To help children’s learning process, a print series consisting of handbooks and exercise books called Sakkpalota (Chess Palace) has been released. The package also includes a teacher’s book. Judit Polgár has become the 45th honorary doctor of the 95-year-old university. Her name will be printed on the University of Physical Education’s marble slab along with other world-famous sportspeople and leaders such as Juan Antonio Samaranch, Joao Havelange, Primo Nebiolo, and Jacques Rogge. “A serious appreciation like this gives me a lot of energy,” said Judit Polgár on the university’s homepage. “I feel honored to get an honorary doctorate from the University of Physical Education that is an outstanding institute with almost a 100-year-old history. I hope that the title will turn young people’s attention towards the work I have been doing. Every time I receive an award or my name is mentioned I become a little bit nostalgic. The same happened to me when I was awarded, for the first time ever, the title of the European Chess Legend by the European Chess Association last November. I can recall what I have achieved so far and what directions I should take. As far as I can see, the competitive spirit, endurance, and perfectness in chess are as important as in education and in the promotion of chess. It really makes me feel relaxed that other people recognize and acknowledge it. Feedback has always been important to me because it gives me strength. Receiving the honorary doctorate from the University of Physical Education is nice and positive feedback on my career and the work I have done.” Judit Polgar added in a telephone interview following a two-hour international lecture she presented. The world-class chess player and mother of two, Judit Polgar is considered to be one of the three most famous Hungarians in the world along with Ferenc Puskás and Ernő Rubik. She will be presented with the title at the university’s opening ceremony of a new academic year this fall.