World Senior Championship 2024 crosses halfway mark
Golden Island’s late summer has brought both literal and figurative heat to the 2024 World Senior Championship. After six rounds of intense chess battles in Porto Santo, Portugal, the competition has entered its second half. In the 50+ age group, GMs Alexander Shabalov (USA) and Michal Krasenkow (Poland) share the lead with 5/6 points. Both secured critical victories in Round 6, with Shabalov defeating Viktor Mikhalevsky (the overnight leader) and Krasenkow prevailing over Uffe Vinter-Schou. The leaders have each conceded two draws, including their Round 5 encounter. In that game, Shabalov, playing Black, came close to victory in a rook endgame, but Krasenkow escaped with a miraculous draw. A large group of eight players, including top seed Kiril Georgiev (Bulgaria), trail the leaders but just a half-point. In the 65+ age group, five grandmasters are tied for first place sitting on 5/6: Jaime Sunye Neto (Brazil), Rainer Knaak (Germany), Zurab Sturua (Georgia), Lubomir Ftacnik (Slovakia) and Alonso Zapata (Colombia). The women’s tournament, merging the +50 and +65 age categories, is also very closely contested. WIM Sopio Tereladze (Georgia) and IM Masha Klimova (Israel) drew their Round 6 game, maintaining their co-lead with 4.5/6. Joining them at the top is IM Silvia Alexieva (France), who defeated Galina Strutinskaia (FIDE). With five rounds remaining, all three tournaments are still wide open, promising a thrilling finish. Saturday, November 23, is a well-deserved rest day, with many players taking the chance to explore the natural beauty of Porto Santo. For those eager to return to the chessboard, a blitz tournament is organized in Vila Baleira Hotel. Additionally, a masterclass by GM Michael Gurevich was held on November 19, World Chess Day, providing valuable insights for the audience. Pairings, results and standings Written by Paulo Felizes, FPX Head Press Officer Photos: FPX Official website: worldsenior.fpx.pt/
World Cadet Championship 2024 reaches midpoint
The 2024 World Cadet Chess Championship has passed its halfway mark, with six rounds completed. After a rest day on November 21, the competition will resume on November 22. Each age group currently has a sole leader, but with many players close behind, the remaining five rounds promise thrilling games and potential upsets. Here’s a detailed recap of Round 6: Opening of Round 6: Round 6 was inaugurated by Geert Bailleul of Belgium, Chairman of the European Arbiters’ Council, who made the first ceremonial move in the game between David Lacan Rus and Antoni Radzimski (U-12 Open). Under-8 Girls: Round 6 featured a clash between the two leaders, top seed Stella Xin (USA) and Chen Zhihan (China). Xin opened with 1.d4, leading to the Queen’s Gambit Declined. She tried to attack, but a misstep on move 26 with a pawn move allowed Chen to grab the initiative. Despite time pressure, Chen played precisely and won a marathon game that lasted 112 moves, taking the sole lead in the section. After six rounds, Chen leads the group with a perfect score, while Valeryia Zhyttkevich, Reana Kinzyabulatova (FIDE); Stella Xin, Allyson Yu (USA), Eliza-Ioana Badescu (Romania) and Defne Karaman (Turkey) are trailing her by one point with 5/6. Under-8 Open Round 6 began with three leaders. On Board 1, top seed Timofei Demchenko (Spain) faced Sattwik Swain (India). Playing with the white pieces, Timofei chose the Scotch Opening. Sattwik handled the attack well until he misplayed with the move 33 in the endgame, giving Timofei a significant advantage. However, on move 37, Timofei miscalculated, resulting in a draw after 47 moves. Meanwhile, on Board 2, Li Aiden Linyuan (USA) defeated Xu Zhihan (Samuel) (Canada) to seize the lead with 6/6. Sattwik and Timofei are close behind with 5.5 points. In the next round, the leader will face Sattwik. Under-10 Girls Kazakhstan’s Alanna Berikkyzy demonstrated her exceptional calculation skills once again. Playing with the black pieces, she opted for the Sicilian Defense against Cetin Beren (Turkey) but ended up in a difficult position. However, Cetin first missed a tactical opportunity and then declined a knight sacrifice by Alanna, which was a decisive mistake. Alanna capitalized on her pawn advantage to win in 34 moves. With a perfect 6/6 score, Alanna remains the leader. Ider Tselmuun (Mongolia); Alisa Genrietta Yunker (FIDE); Zhansaya Sholpanbek (Kazakhstan); Angelina Nguyen Doan Bao Anh (Poland); Mehriban Ahmadli (Azerbaijan) and Pooja Shree R (India) follow with five points each. Under-10 Open Roman Shogdzhiev (FIDE) continued his winning streak, defeating top seed Sameh Mohamed Abdalrahman (Egypt). Playing with the white pieces, Roman countered Sameh’s Modern Defense, and after Sameh misplaced his queen on move 16, White emerged clearly better. Roman confidently converted his advantage and wrapped it up on move 39. After six rounds, Roman leads with six points, followed by Boris Kolodziejczyk (France) with 5.5 points. Advik Amit Agrawal (India), Tsogtbileg Anand (Mongolia), Marc Llari (France), and Ling Chenxuan (USA) are on five points each. Under-12 Girls Khanzada Amanzhol of Kazakhstan retained her lead with a draw on Board 1 against Batpelden Buyankhishig from Mongolia, bringing her total to 5.5 points. All games on boards 2-5ended decisively. Tatyana Mozolevskaya (FIDE); Nika Venskaya (FIDE); Batpelden Buyankhishig (Mongolia); Zahra Allahverdi (Azerbaijan) and Xue Tianhao (China) share second place on five points each. Under-12 Open The strongest section of the World Cadet Chess Championship saw an intense battle on Board 1. Antoni Radzimski (Poland) defeated overnight leader David Lacan Rus (France). Playing with the white pieces against the Nimzo-Indian Defence David had a chance to obtain significant advantage, but a few hesitant moves allowed Black to strike in the center and grab the initiative. Antoni’s knights became very active, leading to his victory in just 29 moves. As many as seven players, including top seed Wiktor Golis (Poland) are tied for second place on 5/6. Results, parings and standings Rest Day Highlight For the first time, the inaugural World Cadet Chess Solving Championship 2024 was organized on the rest day, attracting 247 players from 47 countries to this historic event. Written by Niklesh Jain Photos: Patricia Claros Aguilar and Niklesh Jain | ChessBase India Official website: worldcadetschess2024.com/
Showdown in Singapore: Ding Liren vs Gukesh
Featuring a landmark title sponsorship from global technology leader Google, the 2024 FIDE World Championship match will take place in Singapore from November 23 to December 13. Current World Champion Ding Liren, representing China, and challenger Gukesh Dommaraju, from India, will face each other in a fourteen-game classical chess match. The player who scores 7.5 points or more will claim the title, picking up the better part of the $2.5 million total prize fund. The champion Photo: Anna Shtourman Rated 2728, Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren is the reigning World Champion. At 32, he will defend his title for the first time, after defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in 2023, in arguably one of the most exciting matches in history. He is the highest-rated Chinese player of all time, with a peak rating of 2816 in 2018, and a three-time Chinese champion. Amongst his many unbelievable achievements is a 100-game unbeaten streak, one of the longest in history, which will forever remain in the memories of chess fans all over the world. Notwithstanding, the 2023 World Championship match took its toll. Personal difficulties including depression led to a nine-month hiatus from competitive chess, during which he focused on his mental health. His return to the board at Tata Steel at the beginning of 2024 didn’t go as expected, while Norway Chess in June also turned into another unremarkable performance. Recent events such as the 11th Sinquefield Cup and the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest don’t give the impression that Ding is fully recovered, but without a doubt if he is able to bring his best game to Singapore he will be a formidable opponent. The challenger Photo: Michal Walusza 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju has taken the chess world by storm. Currently boasting a whopping 2783 FIDE rating, number five in the world, Gukesh qualified for this match by dominating the 2024 April Candidates tournament in Toronto; in his first-ever appearance he claimed first, becoming the youngest-ever challenger in the history of chess. An under-12 World Youth Champion in Spain, multiple gold medalist in the Asian games, dominating many international tournaments all over the world, Gukesh has built an extraordinary career over the past six years. His recent achievements also include an impressive gold medal on board one of the Indian team that brilliantly won the 45th Chess Olympiad, renewing an individual gold that he secured in his hometown, Chennai, two years before. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen if Gukesh will be able to continue this seemingly untrue run of success, avoiding the inevitable spotlights and attention that he will experience. The favourite Most of the world’s top players consider Gukesh the clear favourite, but the opinion of former World Champion and number one player in the world Magnus Carlsen carries much weight: “Obviously, Gukesh is a significant favourite, and if he strikes first he will win the match without any trouble. However, the longer it goes without a decisive game, the better it is for Ding Liren, because he has the ability but he doesn’t have the confidence”. In addition to Carlsen’s analysis, their head-to-head record may bolster up Ding Liren’s self-assurance. Due to the age gap, Gukesh and Ding Liren have only faced each other on three occasions in classical chess, with a total score of 2.5 to 0.5 for the Chinese Grandmaster, who defeated his opponent twice at the Tata Steel Masters in 2023 and 2024. Photo: Saint Louis Chess Club | Lennart Ootes All in all, the endless appeal of competitive sport is the uncertainty of the result. The match The match is scheduled for 14 classical games. The winner will be the first to score 7.5 points or more. Each game will feature a time control of 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment kicking in on move 41. If the match ends in a tie after 14 games, a rapid-play tie-break will determine the champion. The official website with all the results, stats, games, and other useful information can be found here: worldchampionship.fide.com/ You can also follow the action with live commentaries by England’s David Howell and Jovanka Houska on FIDE YouTube channel. The venue The match will take place in Singapore, a city-state and island country in Southeast Asia. For many years it has been a major aviation, financial, and maritime shipping hub and features one of the highest GDP per capita in the world. The Singapore Chess Federation has played a decisive role in the organization and promotion of the event, securing the luxurious Resorts World Sentosa as an outstanding venue for this exciting encounter. The playing hall is located in the magnificent Equarius Hotel, a 5-star facility with stunning views of the surrounding rainforest canopies. Game-day access tickets can be purchased here: worldchampionship.fide.com/tickets.php The side-events The match in Singapore will also host an unforgettable chess festival. Exhibitions, presentations, and simultaneous matches will offer unique opportunities to meet and play with top Grandmasters and experts in other fields. A dedicated fan zone has been designated, in which visitors can enjoy in-person commentary by renowned world-class commentators such as GM Maurice Ashley and former Women’s World Champion Xie Jun. Other highlights include interactions with 5-times World Champion Viswanathan Anand and simultaneous exhibitions by former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk and former World Champion Challenger Boris Gelfand. And if you feel like playing yourself, the Singapore International Open 2024, will be held alongside the World Championship – a once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in the most important chess event of the year. The full programme can be found here: worldchampionship.fide.com/Side-events.php Written by IM Michael Rahal (Barcelona, Spain)
Inspiring refugee girls through chess in Kakuma
The Girls Club “Chess for Protection” was launched by FIDE and UNHCR in 2021 as part of the Chess for Refugees program in the northwestern region of Kenya. Kenya is one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in Africa and the world, with over 500,000 refugees. Over 40% of these refugees reside in the Kakuma refugee camp, and the majority of the population in Kakuma are children and youth. The goal of this initiative? To help young refugee girls learn the game of chess, acquire important life skills, improve their mental well-being, and give them the belief that great things are possible in life; all in a safe environment. The first classes at the start of the project were held at Angelina Jolie Primary School in Kakuma, with 40 students in attendance. Three years in, the project now operates in three girls’ boarding schools in the region: Angelina Jolie Primary School, Morneau Shepell Secondary School, and Bhar-El-Naam Primary School. Over 250 refugee girls attend chess classes each year. Photo: Stev Bonhage “This project is very special to me personally. I truly believe in the FIDE motto, “Gens una sumus,” and the motto of Judit Polgar’s Global Chess Festival, “Chess Connects Us.” I have experienced it many times in my life, and I have seen how chess and the chess community can transform people’s lives. It can uplift in seemingly hopeless situations, open minds, and give confidence. I know this project will help us witness it once again in Kakuma,” shared Anastasia Sorokina, leader of this project and Chairperson of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess. Empowerment through education and leadership The chess training combines online lessons with experienced coaches, training with a local tutor, and workshops featuring inspiring guests as well as the Girls Book Club. The online trainers, WGM Anastasiya Karlovich (UKR) and IM Salome Melia (GEO), are both exceptional educators and accomplished chess players. The Girls Chess Club aims to give the girls in Kakuma Camp new life skills and confidence, and these coaches are excellent leaders in achieving that goal. Anastasiya Karlovich is a Woman Grandmaster who has also served as a Press Officer at multiple major events and was awarded FIDE’s “Best Chess Photographer of the Century.” Salome Melia, an International Master and Woman Grandmaster, is a top female player who has won medals at the European Championships and World Team Championship title with the Georgian team in 2015. Both coaches bring their chess expertise and personal experiences to inspire the girls to dream big and pursue their dreams bravely. Photo: Stev Bonhage Book Club The “Girls Book Club”, a part of a chess project for girls from the Kakuma refugee camp, is an opportunity to fall in love with books, find inspiration in them and, let’s be honest, gain an escape tool; an escape from the completely non-fairy-tale reality in which children live in Kenya. The club is run by Natalia Ryzhenko and Anastasiia Karlovich, who presents books, read, and invites the girls to conversation. During the discussion, students watch short videos and cartoons to understand the material better since the lessons are online. Workshops with inspiring personalities The most recent special guest was author and chess enthusiast Kyla Zhao. Her book, May the Best Player Win, is, in her own words, “a story about not letting other people’s opinions nor your own doubts hold you back.” Kyla gave a thought-provoking presentation about her journey, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and hard work. She echoed the words of Judit Polgar, the greatest female chess player of all time, to highlight that gender is never a barrier to success. We are really grateful to Kyla Zhao for her time and for leading by example. Chess lessons During the months of chess training, the girls learn the basic rules and continue to practice even after the online course ends. Refugee students also participate in competitions, including school tournaments in Kakuma. Modern technology is integrated into the training to make lessons engaging and impactful. Girls play chess with their peers and tutors, solve puzzles, compete against chess robots, watch educational materials from “ChessKid,” and have discussions about the chess world and the lives of chess players. Physical workouts are also part of the program to keep the lessons dynamic and fun. The curriculum, designed by Anastasiya Karlovich and Martina Skogvall, was specifically tailored to teach chess in refugee camps. Visit to Kakuma Camp and refugee teams To support and develop the project further, FIDE representatives, including FIDE Managing Director Dana Reizniece-Ozola and Project Leader and WOM Chairperson Anastasia Sorokina, visited Kakuma Camp to meet with the girls and other refugees. Photo: Stev Bonhage One of the important initiatives of FIDE and UNHCR is the inclusion of refugee teams in the Chess Olympiad. The teams for both open and women sections have been carefully selected and had months of training and preparation to participate in the biggest chess event in the world. Two girls from our Girls Chess Club have also managed to win spots in the women’s team, proving how powerful the project is. To prepare for this historic participation, the teams had training sessions with experienced Latvian coach FM Sergejs Klimakovs, first online and then in Kakuma, in August. Although technical challenges prevented participation this year, significant progress has been made, and we hope to see refugee teams competing in the next Olympiad. We cannot wait to see what they will achieve. Photo: Stev Bonhage Girls Club “Chess for protection” will continue to uplift girls in Kakuma The project is set to continue in 2025. Chess lessons and workshops will remain a focus, and girls will also have the opportunity to participate in the Queens’ Festival, competing in the Princess section – our global online festival for female chess players. Next year could be historic for the project, as we aim to reach over 1,000 students since the initiative began.
FIDE and Google create the Efficient Chess AI Challenge, hosted on Kaggle
The International Chess Federation and the world’s top tech company challenge enthusiasts to make chess-playing programs which work well without requiring powerful computers to run them. Chess has long been a grand challenge for artificial intelligence, a proving ground for pushing the boundaries of algorithms and computational power. While advancements like AlphaZero and Stockfish engines have achieved superhuman performance, they often rely on vast resources inaccessible to most developers. The project, being part of Google’s sponsorship activities for the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024, emphasizes ingenuity and efficiency over computing force. Participants are tasked with making smart chess programs that use limited computer power and memory, instead of relying on brute computing strength and huge amounts of data. The prize fund of the competition of $50,000 has been generously donated by Kaggle. The initiative is inspired by a 1950 concept put forward by Claude Shannon, a mathematician who is widely recognized as the father of information theory: “Thinking rigorously about the construction of a chess-playing computer might act as a wedge in attacking other problems of a similar nature and of greater significance.” The exploration of novel, optimized techniques can address a growing complexity and scale of problems, like advancements in modeling and inference techniques and improvements upon traditional heuristic-based algorithms, beyond the field of chess. The competition and evaluation are open to coders across the world. From the moment a participant or team joins, they are able to submit up to five agents (bots) to the competition each day. Each submission will play episodes (games) against other bots on the leaderboard that have a similar skill rating. Over time, skill ratings will go up with wins, down with losses, or even out with ties. Every bot submitted will continue to play episodes until the end of the competition, with newer bots selected to play more frequently. Once a team has reached two active submissions, older entries will be deactivated. The project is hosted on Google’s platform Kaggle – a place for data science and machine learning where users can compete in challenges, and learn through collaborative coding and tutorials. Individuals or teams participating must submit their programs by February 11, 2025, the latest. More information about the event and registration can be found here: FIDE & Google Efficient Chess AI Challenge | Kaggle More activities involving Google and its products planned to enhance the Championship experience for chess fans globally will be announced shortly!