Assaubayeva beats Koneru to advance into quarters
Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) turned in a dominating performance in the first Round of 16 match against Humpy Koneru (IND) and advanced to the quarterfinals of the WSCC 2021 Main Event. The youngest participant in the field (Bibisara is just 17), who had qualified for the main event, won all three segments (5+1, 3+1 and 1+1) of the duel against the top-rated opponent. Bibisara was particularly strong in the fastest 1+1 stage to finish the match comfortably 14½ : 7 ½ . In the second Round of 16 match scheduled for June 13 – Katerina Lagno takes on Valentina Gunina. The FIDE Chess.com 2021 Women’s Speed Chess Championship is an online competition for titled female players. The qualifiers for the event took place from May 28-June 6, while the main event runs from June 10 to July 3. Players are battling for their share of a total prize fund of $66,000. Fans can follow the FIDE Chess.com Women’s Speed Chess Championship by watching the live broadcast with expert commentary on Chess.com/TV and Chess.com’s Twitch channel. They will also be able to enjoy the event through Chess.com’s Events page (https://www.chess.com/events). More info and a full schedule of the FIDE Chess.com Women’s Speed Chess Championship can be found here.
FIDE World Cup 2021: Accommodation guide
The Organizing Committee secured a limited number of rooms at discount prices at the following five hotels (“Official Hotels”) in Sochi (Krasnaya Polyana District) for the accommodation of players during the FIDE World Cup. The rooms will be allocated on a “first come first served” basis. The rates include all applicable taxes and charges except Resort Fee 10 RUR (approximately equal to USD 0.14) per person per night, which according to local laws must be paid to hotels directly by hotel guests. Transportation from Official Hotels to/from the Adler / Sochi International Airport (AER) and to/from the playing venue will be provided free of charge. Accommodation costs for players staying at Official Hotels booked via the Organizing Committee will be paid to hotels by the Organizing Committee and deducted from the players’ prize money. All extra costs (room service, early check-in/late check-out, mini bar, laundry, etc.) shall be settled with hotels by players during check-out. In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, all payments to hotels shall be made in Russian Rubles (all major payment cards are accepted). PARK INN ROZA KHUTOR 4*Distance to the competition venue – 2.6 km.Accommodation will be guaranteed by Organizing Committee only for the period from July 10th until July 18th Room rates: Rate for single accommodation (One person per room): Standard Breakfast only – 7 500 RUR per room per night, Full Board – 11 100 RUR Rate for double accommodation (Two persons per room, 2 twin beds): Standard Breakfast only – 8 300 RUR per room per night, Full Board – 15 500 RUR All taxes except Resort Fee (10 RUR per person per night) are included. There are no rooms left in this hotel at our special rates GRAND HOTEL POLYANA 5*Distance to the competition venue – 950 mAccommodation will be guaranteed by Organizing Committee from July 10th Room rates: Rate for single accommodation (One person per room): Deluxe (with a balcony) Breakfast only – 16 400 RUR per room per night, Full Board – 20 400 RUR Extra costs for additional person: Breakfast only – 1 650 RUR per night, Full Board – 5 650 RUR All taxes except Resort Fee (10 RUR per person per night) are included. There are no rooms left in this hotel at our special rates SOCHI MARRIOTT KRASNAYA POLYANA HOTEL 5*Distance to the competition venue – 2.4 kmAccommodation will be guaranteed by Organizing Committee from July 14th Room rates: Rate for single accommodation (One person per room): Deluxe (one bed) Breakfast only – 16 900 RUR per room per night, Full board – 20 900 RUR. Executive Deluxe (one bed) Breakfast only – 20 200 RUR per room per night, Full board – 24 200 RUR. Suite (one bed) Breakfast only – 21 900 RUR per room per night, Full board – 25 900 RUR.Extra costs for additional person: Breakfast only – 1 650 RUR per night, Full board – 5 650 RUR per night. Rate for double accommodation in Deluxe (Two persons per room, 2 twin beds): Breakfast only – 18 200 RUR per room per night. Full Board – 26 200 RUR per room per night. All taxes except Resort Fee (10 RUR per person per night) are included. COURTYARD SOCHI KRASNAYA POLYANA 4*Distance to the competition venue – 1.7 km.Accommodation will be guaranteed by Organizing Committee from July 10th There are no rooms left in this hotel at our special rates MERCURE ROZA KHUTOR 4*Distance to the competition venue – 2.4 km.Accommodation will be guaranteed by Organizing Committee from July 10th There are no rooms left in this hotel at our special rates Dear participants: you should choose the accommodation via the registration system: https://wc2021registration.fide.com/. Please indicate your check-in date as the date of your arrival in Sochi. Indicate your check-out date as the 7th of August. Once you have completed your participation in the tournament, visit the registration system and update your check-out date. Information about Tournament Hall: Gazprom mountain resort, Galaktika center (Achipsinskaya street, 12). Official FIDE World Cup 2021 website: https://worldcup.fide.com
2021 Superbet Chess Classic – Day 6 Recap
It was an exciting day of chess as Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Alexander Grischuk both won their games today to remain in the lead after Round 6 of the 2021 Superbet Chess Classic. The two leaders are currently on 4.0/6, while previous co-leader Wesley So is just a half-point behind with three rounds left to play. Vachier-Lagrave – Caruana An extremely sharp Neo-Moller Variation of the Ruy Lopez tested the opening preparation of both players, where Vachier-Lagrave was the first to slip, mixing up his move order in a critical position (18.f4 instead of 18.Rg5). Caruana spotted the opportunity to seize the initiative, but faltered a few moves later, allowing MVL back into the game. After Fabiano’s slip, neither player had chances to play for a win and a repetition was forced to draw the game. Mamedyarov – Aronian A surprising blunder from Aronian allowed Mamedyarov to win two pawns and achieve a virtually decisive advantage, with the safer king in addition to the extra material. Despite resistance from Aronian, the win was never in doubt and Mamedyarov won his second game of the event, moving to a +2 score. Aronian played 22…Re8, which allowed 23.Rxe8+ Bxe8 24.Bxf7! Deac – Radjabov A quiet 5.Re1 Berlin led to a symmetrical position out of the opening, with neither player able to create any real imbalance. After most of the pieces were traded off on the open e-file, the game was eventually drawn in an equal king and pawn endgame. Grischuk – Lupulescu In a complex Richter-Rauzer Sicilian Grischuk managed to pose some serious problems for Lupulescu, who made a strategic mistake with 17…Bb5, trading off light-squared bishops. After the trade of bishops, White was able to dominate the light-squares in the center, which soon led to material losses for Black. Facing a trade of queens into a hopeless endgame, Lupulescu resigned, giving Grischuk his second win of the event as well. So – Giri The last game of the day to finish saw Wesley So pressing his advantage for many moves in a slightly better endgame. Despite winning an extra pawn, So wasn’t able to generate much progress, as Giri defended with fantastic precision, keeping his pieces active throughout the endgame. The game was later drawn after all the pawns were finally traded off. The coverage of the 2021 Superbet Chess Classic continues Saturday, June 12, at 6:50 AM CDT with live coverage from GMs Alejandro Ramirez, Yasser Seirawan, and Maurice Ashley on grandchesstour.org/live. Text: IM Kostya Kavutskiy Photo: Grand Chess Tour, Lennart Ootes Official website: grandchesstour.org/