Chessable Masters: Giri sets up final with Carlsen
Dutch star Anish Giri beat Russian # 1 Ian Nepomniachtchi to set up a Chessable Masters final against Magnus Carlsen. The World Champion Carlsen said “see you in the final!” a week ago after both he and Giri won their preliminary groups, and he did his job with a day to spare. Giri’s match went to a decider and he fell behind after his opponent went for the jugular in the first game of the day. The Dutchman pounced on a mistake to level in game two, and then, after a war of attrition, crashed through in style in the 6th and final encounter. Giri has much improved on the chessboard since lockdowns began, but besides that he has always been a social media star, fighting a trash-talk war against Magnus. Anish commented after his win: “He’s the favorite always and he’s shown good chess in this tournament. He beat (world no. 2) Fabi and (world no. 3) Ding like they’re babies, but they don’t have active Twitter accounts and they don’t have the social media skills I possess!” The final starts Friday and continues Saturday and Sunday, with a huge online audience guaranteed. About the tournament The event, broadcast live on chess24, is the next stage of the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour which carries a total prize pot of $1 million, a record for the online game. The Chessable Masters, which runs until July 5, is being put on in association with Chessable and the tour’s Education Partner, leading Swiss private banking group, Julius Baer. Players were split into two groups (A and B) of six for the preliminary stage before eight progressed to the knockouts. The final winner will take home the top prize of $45,000 and a ticket to the $300,000 tour Grand Final. Coverage begins with commentary in 10 languages at 16.00 CEST. You can watch it live here: https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/chessable-masters-2020-group-a#live Highlights English:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dpG2c-dmqs58tSDSZvxzGNqzgquJyO0g?usp=sharing FOR MORE INFORMATION:Leon Watsonleon@chessable.com+447786 078770
WSCC GP Leg 2: Anna Ushenina eliminates Hou Yifan
Anna Ushenina, Valentina Gunina, Sarasadat Khadamalsharieh, and Kateryna Lagno advanced to the semifinals of the second leg of the Women’s Speed Chess Grand Prix. The members of the Russian national team Valentina Gunina and Kateryna Lagno scored very confident victories in their quarterfinal matches. Gunina defeated Vaishali Rameshbabu 7-3 and the reigning women’s blitz champion routed Zhansaya Abdumalik 10.5-1.5. The Grand Prix leader after the first leg, Anna Ushenina took down the highest-rated female player Hou Yifan. Despite the 200-point difference in standard FIDE rating between the opponents, it was a very hard-fought match. Hou Yifan took the lead a couple of times but Ushenina immediately bounced back so they entered the bullet portion with an even score of 4-4. In 1+1 games the Ukrainian grandmaster proved to be stronger, finishing the battle with 6.5-4.5 on the scoreboard. The match Sarasadat Khadamalsharieh – Olga Girya was another close affair. They were going neck and neck almost all the way and reached the bullet portion scoring four points each. The runner-up of the 2018 Women’s World Blitz Championship, Khadamalsharieh won the first 1+1 game. The second game became the decisive one. Full of swings, as a bullet game can be, it ended with a winning queen sacrifice by White that gave Sarasadat a comfortable two-point lead. Girya scored a last-minute goal in the final encounter but there simply was not enough time for a comeback. The final score is 6-5. In the semifinals, Gunina takes on Lagno while Ushenina is pitted against Khadamalsharieh. The games start on June 03 at 14:30 CEST.
2020 2nd quarter FIDE Online Council Meeting: List of Decisions
Decisions of the 2nd quarter FIDE Online Council Meeting 23 June 2020 Q2OC-2020/1 To approve the Treasurer’s report. Q2OC-2020/2 To consider a possibility of raising funds for medical and other assistance for chess players. Q2OC-2020/3 To postpone an approval of 2019 accounts due to late submission. Q2OC-2020/4 To adopt a Declaration regarding the Swiss Financial Marketing Infrastructure Act (PDF) Q2OC-2020/5 To hold the FIDE General Assembly online at the end of November 2020. To prepare the GA Agenda by July 10. Q2OC-2020/6 To acknowledge the FIDE President’s intention to have a conference call with both parties in the AICF dispute in nearest future, and to come forward with a proposal for the FIDE Council. Q2OC-2020/7 To approve the FIDE President’s proposal to postpone decisions on the cases with the South African, the UAE and Cote d’Ivoire Chess Federations till new developments and documents appear. Q2OC-2020/8 To reach a final decision on the dates and location of the second part of the FIDE Candidates tournament 2020 in July 2020. Q2OC-2020/9 To continue monitoring the situation and discussing the logistics of the World Chess Championship Match 2021 with the World Expo organizers in Dubai, keeping in mind two possible dates (spring and autumn 2021) and considering all possible adjustments/changes in the FIDE official calendar. Q2OC-2020/10 To move the dates of the Women’s World Cup 2020 to April 2021 under the condition of signing an additional agreement with the Organizers Q2OC-2020/11 To move the dates of the 2021 World Cup to September 2021, subject to signing an additional agreement with the organizers. Q2OC-2020/12 To continue monitoring the opening of EU borders in order to finalize the Women’s Grand Prix series by the end of 2020, with several possible venues. Q2OC-2020/13 To reach a final decision on the 2022 Chess Olympiad in August, while keeping informal discussions with all potential organizers. Q2OC-2020/14 To approve the dates of the 2020 Online Olympiad as last week of July – first week of September 2020. Draft regulations to be presented to the Council for further e-vote. Q2OC-2020/15 To approve organization of the following online tournaments (regulations to follow): – Online top Junior event– Online cadet and youth events– Online senior event– World Bullet Chess Championship Q2OC-2020/16 To note great success of the Checkmate Coronavirus festival and to express gratitude to its organizers. Q2OC-2020/17 To express dissatisfaction with the nature of the current agreement regarding FIDE Online Arena and to authorize the President to seek legal advice to revise or terminate the agreement for the FIDE Online Arena. Q2OC-2020/18 To postpone making a decision on the Online Tournament Guidelines; to ask all interested parties to provide comments directly to the Arbiters’ Commission. Q2OC-2020/19 To request the FIDE Qualification Commission to study the situation with online titles. Q2OC-2020/20 To request the FIDE Arbiters’ Commission to publish the criteria for arbiters’ selection and to hold an online meeting to explain them. Q2OC-2020/21 To approve new ARB titles. Q2OC-2020/22 To approve the Arbiters’ Commission report. Q2OC-2020/23 To approve the Chess in Education Commission report. Q2OC-2020/24 To approve the Commission for Disabled report. Q2OC-2020/25 To approve the Commission for Women’s Chess report. Q2OC-2020/26 To approve the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission report. Q2OC-2020/27 To approve the proposal of the FIDE President to endorse two members of the Fact-Finding Committee Mr Ralf Alt (GER) as chairperson and Ms Yumiko Hiebert (JPN) as a member. To have consultations between the FIDE President, Mr. Strydom and Mr. Ncube to set up online voting for the third member. Q2OC-2020/28 To approve new EVE titles. Q2OC-2020/29 To approve the Events Commission report. Q2OC-2020/30 To request Events Commission to study a suggestion to introduce a new FIDE Organiser title. Q2OC-2020/31 To approve postponement of the FIDE EVE World Championships according to the Events Commission’s proposal: to postpone the remaining 2020 competitions to 2021 (except World Amateur 2020); to postpone the 2021 competitions to 2022; to postpone the bidding procedure of 2023 events to 2021. Q2OC-2020/32 To approve the Medical Commission report and the Medical security policy and protocol for upcoming over-the-board chess events subject to updates based on the situation changes. Q2OC-2020/33 To approve the Planning and Development Commission report. Q2OC-2020/34 To note that the proposal of Mr. Vega requires further consideration and flexibility in respect of the financial ways to support National Federations and Continents. Q2OC-2020/35 To approve the amendments to the Title Regulations proposed by the QC, with an editorial change that would clarify the terms used. Q2OC-2020/36 To approve the amendments to the Rating Regulations proposed by the QC. Q2OC-2020/37 To approve new QC titles. Q2OC-2020/38 To approve the Qualification Commission report. Q2OC-2020/39 To approve the Rules Commission report and to further discuss the proposal on Appendix E – Online chess. Q2OC-2020/40 To approve the Systems of Pairings and Programs Commission report. Q2OC-2020/41 To note the personal changes in the Social Commission. Q2OC-2020/42 To approve the Technical Commission report; to request that the final proposal regarding changes in Handbook shall be prepared for the next GA. Q2OC-2020/43 To approve new TRG titles. Q2OC-2020/44 To approve new FIDE Chess Academies. Q2OC-2020/45 To postpone making a decision on the Trainers’ Commission regarding a new system of titles and licenses; to ask all interested parties to cooperate with TRG in drafting a final proposal. Q2OC-2020/46 To approve the Data Protection Committee report and the GDPR-related amendments to the Handbook. Q2OC-2020/47 To approve the Constitutional Commission report. Q2OC-2020/48 To note the Media and Marketing report. Q2OC-2020/49 In the light of exceptional circumstances, the Council has approved the granting the GM title to Mr. Brandon Jacobson. Q2OC-2020/50 To request the Qualification Commission to revise a paragraph regarding the required number of foreign players number in view of the current situation. Q2OC-2020/51 To hold the next FIDE Council meeting online by the end September 2020.
Decisions of the 2nd quarter FIDE Online Council Meeting
Decisions of the 2nd quarter FIDE Online Council Meeting 23 June 2020 Q2OC-2020/1 To approve the Treasurer’s report. Q2OC-2020/2 To consider a possibility of raising funds for medical and other assistance for chess players. Q2OC-2020/3 To postpone an approval of 2019 accounts due to late submission. Q2OC-2020/4 To adopt a Declaration regarding the Swiss Financial Marketing Infrastructure Act (PDF) Q2OC-2020/5 To hold the FIDE General Assembly online at the end of November 2020. To prepare the GA Agenda by July 10. Q2OC-2020/6 To acknowledge the FIDE President’s intention to have a conference call with both parties in the AICF dispute in nearest future, and to come forward with a proposal for the FIDE Council. Q2OC-2020/7 To approve the FIDE President’s proposal to postpone decisions on the cases with the South African, the UAE and Cote d’Ivoire Chess Federations till new developments and documents appear. Q2OC-2020/8 To reach a final decision on the dates and location of the second part of the FIDE Candidates tournament 2020 in July 2020. Q2OC-2020/9 To continue monitoring the situation and discussing the logistics of the World Chess Championship Match 2021 with the World Expo organizers in Dubai, keeping in mind two possible dates (spring and autumn 2021) and considering all possible adjustments/changes in the FIDE official calendar. Q2OC-2020/10 To move the dates of the Women’s World Cup 2020 to April 2021 under the condition of signing an additional agreement with the Organizers Q2OC-2020/11 To move the dates of the 2021 World Cup to September 2021, subject to signing an additional agreement with the organizers. Q2OC-2020/12 To continue monitoring the opening of EU borders in order to finalize the Women’s Grand Prix series by the end of 2020, with several possible venues. Q2OC-2020/13 To reach a final decision on the 2022 Chess Olympiad in August, while keeping informal discussions with all potential organizers. Q2OC-2020/14 To approve the dates of the 2020 Online Olympiad as last week of July – first week of September 2020. Draft regulations to be presented to the Council for further e-vote. Q2OC-2020/15 To approve organization of the following online tournaments (regulations to follow): – Online top Junior event– Online cadet and youth events– Online senior event– World Bullet Chess Championship Q2OC-2020/16 To note great success of the Checkmate Coronavirus festival and to express gratitude to its organizers. Q2OC-2020/17 To express dissatisfaction with the nature of the current agreement regarding FIDE Online Arena and to authorize the President to seek legal advice to revise or terminate the agreement for the FIDE Online Arena. Q2OC-2020/18 To postpone making a decision on the Online Tournament Guidelines; to ask all interested parties to provide comments directly to the Arbiters’ Commission. Q2OC-2020/19 To request the FIDE Qualification Commission to study the situation with online titles. Q2OC-2020/20 To request the FIDE Arbiters’ Commission to publish the criteria for arbiters’ selection and to hold an online meeting to explain them. Q2OC-2020/21 To approve new ARB titles. Q2OC-2020/22 To approve the Arbiters’ Commission report. Q2OC-2020/23 To approve the Chess in Education Commission report. Q2OC-2020/24 To approve the Commission for Disabled report. Q2OC-2020/25 To approve the Commission for Women’s Chess report. Q2OC-2020/26 To approve the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission report. Q2OC-2020/27 To approve the proposal of the FIDE President to endorse two members of the Fact-Finding Committee Mr Ralf Alt (GER) as chairperson and Ms Yumiko Hiebert (JPN) as a member. To have consultations between the FIDE President, Mr. Strydom and Mr. Ncube to set up online voting for the third member. Q2OC-2020/28 To approve new EVE titles. Q2OC-2020/29 To approve the Events Commission report. Q2OC-2020/30 To request Events Commission to study a suggestion to introduce a new FIDE Organiser title. Q2OC-2020/31 To approve postponement of the FIDE EVE World Championships according to the Events Commission’s proposal: to postpone the remaining 2020 competitions to 2021 (except World Amateur 2020); to postpone the 2021 competitions to 2022; to postpone the bidding procedure of 2023 events to 2021. Q2OC-2020/32 To approve the Medical Commission report and the Medical security policy and protocol for upcoming over-the-board chess events subject to updates based on the situation changes. Q2OC-2020/33 To approve the Planning and Development Commission report. Q2OC-2020/34 To note that the proposal of Mr. Vega requires further consideration and flexibility in respect of the financial ways to support National Federations and Continents. Q2OC-2020/35 To approve the amendments to the Title Regulations proposed by the QC, with an editorial change that would clarify the terms used. Q2OC-2020/36 To approve the amendments to the Rating Regulations proposed by the QC. Q2OC-2020/37 To approve new QC titles. Q2OC-2020/38 To approve the Qualification Commission report. Q2OC-2020/39 To approve the Rules Commission report and to further discuss the proposal on Appendix E – Online chess. Q2OC-2020/40 To approve the Systems of Pairings and Programs Commission report. Q2OC-2020/41 To note the personal changes in the Social Commission. Q2OC-2020/42 To approve the Technical Commission report; to request that the final proposal regarding changes in Handbook shall be prepared for the next GA. Q2OC-2020/43 To approve new TRG titles. Q2OC-2020/44 To approve new FIDE Chess Academies. Q2OC-2020/45 To postpone making a decision on the Trainers’ Commission regarding a new system of titles and licenses; to ask all interested parties to cooperate with TRG in drafting a final proposal. Q2OC-2020/46 To approve the Data Protection Committee report and the GDPR-related amendments to the Handbook. Q2OC-2020/47 To approve the Constitutional Commission report. Q2OC-2020/48 To note the Media and Marketing report. Q2OC-2020/49 In the light of exceptional circumstances, the Council has approved the granting the GM title to Mr. Brandon Jacobson. Q2OC-2020/50 To request the Qualification Commission to revise a paragraph regarding the required number of foreign players number in view of the current situation. Q2OC-2020/51 To hold the next FIDE Council meeting online by the end September 2020.