Armour is so far stronger than weapons

The opponents continued their Slav Defence duel that started in the second game of the match. White was the first to deviate from the previous game and managed to get the so-called two-bishop advantage in the middlegame. After a series of exchanges, the game transformed into an ending with somewhat better chances for White. In the resulting technical position, the game could have had either of two results: a draw or a victory for White. It turned out, however, that the white pieces were not sufficiently well coordinated and that the bishop’s advantage over the knight was not enough for a win: with precise play, Viswanathan Anand built a “fortress” and deflected all threats. A draw on the 34th move.

During the press conference, Boris Gelfand noted that there were no critical moments in the game as such, but the question was whether White would manage to gain an advantage or Black would find a clear way to equalise. “Even though I got the two-bishop advantage, the coordination between the pieces was not very good, so Black did not have any major problems.” The opponents considered the possibility of going into a knight against bishop endgame after 32. Rc6, but concluded that the white king lacked the tempo to occupy square d4, so White’s chances in this variation were also minimal.
The challenger showed the position after 18…h6, which produced a great aesthetic impression on him. At that moment, each square on the d-file was occupied by black and white pieces, Black’s rooks were on squares c8 and e8, and the whole array resembled a T-shaped figure that is rarely seen on a chessboard.

Assessing the situation in the match after the first four games, the world champion said the match was just developing and the rivals were still trying each other out. “You don’t really want to start doing evaluations, but so far it’s a pretty tough match,” commented Viswanathan Anand. Boris Gelfand refused to give any assessment of individual parts of the match and stressed that any analysis was pointless until after the 12th game. 

Asked by a journalist what scenario the players would have preferred during the game and if something had gone wrong at some point, Gelfand answered jokingly: “Well, of course I would have loved my opponent to choose some doubtful variation that I know well. Then I would have used a strong novelty and won the game, say, by the 20th move. I would be too naïve to count on that, however, so of course one has to be ready for any course of events.” The match score is equal: 2-2. May 16 is a rest day for the opponents, with the fifth game to be played out on 17 May. The world champion will play with white pieces.  

Official website: http://moscow2012.fide.com/en/

Round 4 Photo Gallery

Perpetual check saves the challenger

In the 14th move Boris Gelfand sacrificed a pawn in order to mobilise his pieces. Viswanathan Anand managed to rebuff all his opponent's threats with some precise moves and got some serious chances to win. In the 32nd move the chess players moved to a heavy piece ending in which White's extra passed pawn was very dangerous. However, in the 34th–35th moves the World Champion played inaccurately, after which both of Black's rooks penetrated into the opponent's rear, and Gelfand declared a perpetual check. A draw on the 37th move. The score for the match is level – 1.5-1.5. The fourth game in the match will be played tomorrow, 15 May.

Official website: http://moscow2012.fide.com/en/

Photo Gallery of the 3rd Round

THE SECOND GAME OF THE FIDE WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP IS DRAWN

The second game of the FIDE World Chess Championship Match was played on 12 May in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

Today the rivals did not bring any big surprises to each other, having played a relatively new, but a very solid variation of the Slav Defence. After Black’s 14th move Boris Gelfand thought for a long time and finally chose a line which led to an endgame with a slight edge for White. According to Gelfand, a seemingly sharper continuation 15. Bg5 would actually have resulted in an equal position. At the end of the game a few precise moves helped Viswanathan Anand to get sufficient counterplay. On the 25th move the challenger offered a draw, which the champion accepted. The match score is equal - 1:1. Tomorrow is the rest day. The next game will be played on 14 May.

The FIDE World Chess Championship Match between World Champion, Viswanathan Anand (India), and challenger, Boris Gelfand (Israel), is taking place from 10 till 31 May 2012 in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery. The organisers of the match are FIDE (the World Chess Federation) and the RCF (the Russian Chess Federation). The initiator and sponsor of the match in Moscow is the Russian entrepreneur Andrey Filatov (co-owner of N-Trans Group). Other sponsors of the competition are businessman Guennadi Timtchenko, as well as the Ladoga charity foundation, NVision Group the company Novatek and Academician A.A. Raspletin Almaz-Antei OJSC SHDB.

Official website: http://moscow2012.fide.com/en/

THE FIRST GAME OF THE FIDE WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP IS DRAWN
 

The first game of the FIDE World Chess Championship Match was played on 11 May in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

The World Champion played white. The two contenders immediately engage in open combat. Boris Gelfand chose an opening that was unusual for him, while Viswanathan Anand responded with surprise after surprise, playing a fairly rare but subtle variation. The challenger reacted in the most radical way: he took a flank pawn, thus subjecting his king, which remained in the centre, to a certain risk. Black rebuffed all threats with precise play and forced a transition to an ending that was somewhat better for itself. However, the assessment of the position did not depart much from parity, and literally within a few moves the contenders agreed to a draw.
 

At the press conference Boris Gelfand attributed his decision to the fact that he could not see any specific ways for Black to fight for an advantage. So the challenger, who has successfully entered the game and will play white six times during the rest eleven games, is retaining a certain moral advantage.
 

The video from the players’ press conference is available at the match official web site - http://moscow2012.fide.com/en/

Round 1 Photo Gallery

On the 10th of May the opening ceremony of the World Chess Championship Match took place in Mikhail Vrubel Hall of the Tretyakov State Gallery. Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, FIDE President, Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, Chairman of Supervisory Council of RCF and Ms. Irina Lebedeva, General Director of the State Tretyakov Gallery welcomed the participants and guests. Also present were Mikhail Gorbachev, the 1st President of USSR, Aleksandr Zhukov, Chairman of Russian Olympic Committee and the 12th World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov.

The drawing lots procedure was conducted by the Chief Arbiter Ashot Vardapetyan in an original style, underlining an indissoluble connection between chess and the world culture. The easels with "paintings", diagrams of the previously played games by Anand and Gelfand in the 90s, were set up on the stage. One diagram showed the victory of the current World Champion, another one of the challenger. Two wooden boxes with brushes and paint inside were prepared for the Grand Masters. The right to choose was given to Anand as to the World Champion. Both players stepped to their own diagrams, dipped brushes in the paint and left their autographs on the “paintings”. At that moment the spectators could see that Anand signed with white paint and Gelfand with black one. So, in the first game the current World Champion will play white pieces.

The opening ceremony was preceded by a press-conference. The Grand Masters revealed who will be their seconds. Peter-Heine Nielsen, Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Radoslaw Wojtaszek, and Surya Ganguly will help Anand. Aleksandr Khuzman, Maxim Rodstein and Pavel Eljanov will help Gelfand.

Opening Ceremony Photo Gallery

Press-conference Photo Gallery

The first game of the match will begin at 3.00pm on 11 May. Full schedule on the official website.

Drawing of lots procedure

Anand left white autograph on his "painting"

And Gelfand left black autograph on his "painting"

Press-conference

Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand inspect match venue

In accordance with the match regulations for the chess crown, the World Champion and the Challenger for the title conducted an inspection of the match hall in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

The ceremony was attended by Chairman of the Management Board of the Russian Chess Federation Ilya Levitov, Chief arbiter Ashot Vardapetyan, Match supervisor FIDE Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos, Appeals Committee Chairman Kurt Jungwirth, FIDE Vice President Israel Gelfer, Assistant to the FIDE President Berik Balgabaev and Chairman of the Israeli Chess Federation Moshe Slav.

Both chess players were satisfied with the match venue and organisation. After inspecting the match area, Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand gave an interview to channel "Russia-24".

Perpetual check saves the challenger

In the 14th move Boris Gelfand sacrificed a pawn in order to mobilise his pieces. Viswanathan Anand managed to rebuff all his opponent's threats with some precise moves and got some serious chances to win. In the 32nd move the chess players moved to a heavy piece ending in which White's extra passed pawn was very dangerous. However, in the 34th–35th moves the World Champion played inaccurately, after which both of Black's rooks penetrated into the opponent's rear, and Gelfand declared a perpetual check. A draw on the 37th move. The score for the match is level – 1.5-1.5. The fourth game in the match will be played tomorrow, 15 May.

Official website: http://moscow2012.fide.com/en/

Photo Gallery of the 3rd Round

THE SECOND GAME OF THE FIDE WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP IS DRAWN

The second game of the FIDE World Chess Championship Match was played on 12 May in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

Today the rivals did not bring any big surprises to each other, having played a relatively new, but a very solid variation of the Slav Defence. After Black’s 14th move Boris Gelfand thought for a long time and finally chose a line which led to an endgame with a slight edge for White. According to Gelfand, a seemingly sharper continuation 15. Bg5 would actually have resulted in an equal position. At the end of the game a few precise moves helped Viswanathan Anand to get sufficient counterplay. On the 25th move the challenger offered a draw, which the champion accepted. The match score is equal - 1:1. Tomorrow is the rest day. The next game will be played on 14 May.

The FIDE World Chess Championship Match between World Champion, Viswanathan Anand (India), and challenger, Boris Gelfand (Israel), is taking place from 10 till 31 May 2012 in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery. The organisers of the match are FIDE (the World Chess Federation) and the RCF (the Russian Chess Federation). The initiator and sponsor of the match in Moscow is the Russian entrepreneur Andrey Filatov (co-owner of N-Trans Group). Other sponsors of the competition are businessman Guennadi Timtchenko, as well as the Ladoga charity foundation, NVision Group the company Novatek and Academician A.A. Raspletin Almaz-Antei OJSC SHDB.

Official website: http://moscow2012.fide.com/en/

THE FIRST GAME OF THE FIDE WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP IS DRAWN
 

The first game of the FIDE World Chess Championship Match was played on 11 May in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

The World Champion played white. The two contenders immediately engage in open combat. Boris Gelfand chose an opening that was unusual for him, while Viswanathan Anand responded with surprise after surprise, playing a fairly rare but subtle variation. The challenger reacted in the most radical way: he took a flank pawn, thus subjecting his king, which remained in the centre, to a certain risk. Black rebuffed all threats with precise play and forced a transition to an ending that was somewhat better for itself. However, the assessment of the position did not depart much from parity, and literally within a few moves the contenders agreed to a draw.
 

At the press conference Boris Gelfand attributed his decision to the fact that he could not see any specific ways for Black to fight for an advantage. So the challenger, who has successfully entered the game and will play white six times during the rest eleven games, is retaining a certain moral advantage.
 

The video from the players’ press conference is available at the match official web site - http://moscow2012.fide.com/en/

Round 1 Photo Gallery

On the 10th of May the opening ceremony of the World Chess Championship Match took place in Mikhail Vrubel Hall of the Tretyakov State Gallery. Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, FIDE President, Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, Chairman of Supervisory Council of RCF and Ms. Irina Lebedeva, General Director of the State Tretyakov Gallery welcomed the participants and guests. Also present were Mikhail Gorbachev, the 1st President of USSR, Aleksandr Zhukov, Chairman of Russian Olympic Committee and the 12th World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov.

The drawing lots procedure was conducted by the Chief Arbiter Ashot Vardapetyan in an original style, underlining an indissoluble connection between chess and the world culture. The easels with "paintings", diagrams of the previously played games by Anand and Gelfand in the 90s, were set up on the stage. One diagram showed the victory of the current World Champion, another one of the challenger. Two wooden boxes with brushes and paint inside were prepared for the Grand Masters. The right to choose was given to Anand as to the World Champion. Both players stepped to their own diagrams, dipped brushes in the paint and left their autographs on the “paintings”. At that moment the spectators could see that Anand signed with white paint and Gelfand with black one. So, in the first game the current World Champion will play white pieces.

The opening ceremony was preceded by a press-conference. The Grand Masters revealed who will be their seconds. Peter-Heine Nielsen, Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Radoslaw Wojtaszek, and Surya Ganguly will help Anand. Aleksandr Khuzman, Maxim Rodstein and Pavel Eljanov will help Gelfand.

Opening Ceremony Photo Gallery

Press-conference Photo Gallery

The first game of the match will begin at 3.00pm on 11 May. Full schedule on the official website.

Drawing of lots procedure

Anand left white autograph on his "painting"

And Gelfand left black autograph on his "painting"

Press-conference

Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand inspect match venue

In accordance with the match regulations for the chess crown, the World Champion and the Challenger for the title conducted an inspection of the match hall in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

The ceremony was attended by Chairman of the Management Board of the Russian Chess Federation Ilya Levitov, Chief arbiter Ashot Vardapetyan, Match supervisor FIDE Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos, Appeals Committee Chairman Kurt Jungwirth, FIDE Vice President Israel Gelfer, Assistant to the FIDE President Berik Balgabaev and Chairman of the Israeli Chess Federation Moshe Slav.

Both chess players were satisfied with the match venue and organisation. After inspecting the match area, Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand gave an interview to channel "Russia-24".

The President of FIDE, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, arrived today on a working visit to Astana where he took part in the press conference devoted to the World Blitz and Rapid Championships to be held in the capital of Kazakhstan on the 1-10th of July. Also present were Mr. Darmen Sadvakasov, Vice President of Kazakhstan Chess Federation, Mr. Daulet Toykenov, Executive Director of Kazakhstan CF. World Blitz and Rapid Championships are dedicated to the Astana Day. Prize fund of the championships is $ 400, 000 and sponsor is “SAT and Company”, a metallurgical holding company.

THE SECOND GAME OF THE FIDE WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP IS DRAWN

The second game of the FIDE World Chess Championship Match was played on 12 May in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

Today the rivals did not bring any big surprises to each other, having played a relatively new, but a very solid variation of the Slav Defence. After Black’s 14th move Boris Gelfand thought for a long time and finally chose a line which led to an endgame with a slight edge for White. According to Gelfand, a seemingly sharper continuation 15. Bg5 would actually have resulted in an equal position. At the end of the game a few precise moves helped Viswanathan Anand to get sufficient counterplay. On the 25th move the challenger offered a draw, which the champion accepted. The match score is equal - 1:1. Tomorrow is the rest day. The next game will be played on 14 May.

The FIDE World Chess Championship Match between World Champion, Viswanathan Anand (India), and challenger, Boris Gelfand (Israel), is taking place from 10 till 31 May 2012 in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery. The organisers of the match are FIDE (the World Chess Federation) and the RCF (the Russian Chess Federation). The initiator and sponsor of the match in Moscow is the Russian entrepreneur Andrey Filatov (co-owner of N-Trans Group). Other sponsors of the competition are businessman Guennadi Timtchenko, as well as the Ladoga charity foundation, NVision Group the company Novatek and Academician A.A. Raspletin Almaz-Antei OJSC SHDB.

Official website: http://moscow2012.fide.com/en/

THE FIRST GAME OF THE FIDE WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP IS DRAWN
 

The first game of the FIDE World Chess Championship Match was played on 11 May in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

The World Champion played white. The two contenders immediately engage in open combat. Boris Gelfand chose an opening that was unusual for him, while Viswanathan Anand responded with surprise after surprise, playing a fairly rare but subtle variation. The challenger reacted in the most radical way: he took a flank pawn, thus subjecting his king, which remained in the centre, to a certain risk. Black rebuffed all threats with precise play and forced a transition to an ending that was somewhat better for itself. However, the assessment of the position did not depart much from parity, and literally within a few moves the contenders agreed to a draw.
 

At the press conference Boris Gelfand attributed his decision to the fact that he could not see any specific ways for Black to fight for an advantage. So the challenger, who has successfully entered the game and will play white six times during the rest eleven games, is retaining a certain moral advantage.
 

The video from the players’ press conference is available at the match official web site - http://moscow2012.fide.com/en/

Round 1 Photo Gallery

On the 10th of May the opening ceremony of the World Chess Championship Match took place in Mikhail Vrubel Hall of the Tretyakov State Gallery. Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, FIDE President, Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, Chairman of Supervisory Council of RCF and Ms. Irina Lebedeva, General Director of the State Tretyakov Gallery welcomed the participants and guests. Also present were Mikhail Gorbachev, the 1st President of USSR, Aleksandr Zhukov, Chairman of Russian Olympic Committee and the 12th World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov.

The drawing lots procedure was conducted by the Chief Arbiter Ashot Vardapetyan in an original style, underlining an indissoluble connection between chess and the world culture. The easels with "paintings", diagrams of the previously played games by Anand and Gelfand in the 90s, were set up on the stage. One diagram showed the victory of the current World Champion, another one of the challenger. Two wooden boxes with brushes and paint inside were prepared for the Grand Masters. The right to choose was given to Anand as to the World Champion. Both players stepped to their own diagrams, dipped brushes in the paint and left their autographs on the “paintings”. At that moment the spectators could see that Anand signed with white paint and Gelfand with black one. So, in the first game the current World Champion will play white pieces.

The opening ceremony was preceded by a press-conference. The Grand Masters revealed who will be their seconds. Peter-Heine Nielsen, Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Radoslaw Wojtaszek, and Surya Ganguly will help Anand. Aleksandr Khuzman, Maxim Rodstein and Pavel Eljanov will help Gelfand.

Opening Ceremony Photo Gallery

Press-conference Photo Gallery

The first game of the match will begin at 3.00pm on 11 May. Full schedule on the official website.

Drawing of lots procedure

Anand left white autograph on his "painting"

And Gelfand left black autograph on his "painting"

Press-conference

Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand inspect match venue

In accordance with the match regulations for the chess crown, the World Champion and the Challenger for the title conducted an inspection of the match hall in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

The ceremony was attended by Chairman of the Management Board of the Russian Chess Federation Ilya Levitov, Chief arbiter Ashot Vardapetyan, Match supervisor FIDE Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos, Appeals Committee Chairman Kurt Jungwirth, FIDE Vice President Israel Gelfer, Assistant to the FIDE President Berik Balgabaev and Chairman of the Israeli Chess Federation Moshe Slav.

Both chess players were satisfied with the match venue and organisation. After inspecting the match area, Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand gave an interview to channel "Russia-24".

Official website: http://moscow2012.fide.com/en/

THE FIRST GAME OF THE FIDE WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP IS DRAWN

The first game of the FIDE World Chess Championship Match was played on 11 May in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

The World Champion played white. The two contenders immediately engage in open combat. Boris Gelfand chose an opening that was unusual for him, while Viswanathan Anand responded with surprise after surprise, playing a fairly rare but subtle variation. The challenger reacted in the most radical way: he took a flank pawn, thus subjecting his king, which remained in the centre, to a certain risk. Black rebuffed all threats with precise play and forced a transition to an ending that was somewhat better for itself. However, the assessment of the position did not depart much from parity, and literally within a few moves the contenders agreed to a draw.

At the press conference Boris Gelfand attributed his decision to the fact that he could not see any specific ways for Black to fight for an advantage. So the challenger, who has successfully entered the game and will play white six times during the rest eleven games, is retaining a certain moral advantage.

The video from the players’ press conference is available at the match official web site - http://moscow2012.fide.com/en/

Round 1 Photo Gallery

On the 10th of May the opening ceremony of the World Chess Championship Match took place in Mikhail Vrubel Hall of the Tretyakov State Gallery. Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, FIDE President, Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, Chairman of Supervisory Council of RCF and Ms. Irina Lebedeva, General Director of the State Tretyakov Gallery welcomed the participants and guests. Also present were Mikhail Gorbachev, the 1st President of USSR, Aleksandr Zhukov, Chairman of Russian Olympic Committee and the 12th World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov.

The drawing lots procedure was conducted by the Chief Arbiter Ashot Vardapetyan in an original style, underlining an indissoluble connection between chess and the world culture. The easels with "paintings", diagrams of the previously played games by Anand and Gelfand in the 90s, were set up on the stage. One diagram showed the victory of the current World Champion, another one of the challenger. Two wooden boxes with brushes and paint inside were prepared for the Grand Masters. The right to choose was given to Anand as to the World Champion. Both players stepped to their own diagrams, dipped brushes in the paint and left their autographs on the “paintings”. At that moment the spectators could see that Anand signed with white paint and Gelfand with black one. So, in the first game the current World Champion will play white pieces.

The opening ceremony was preceded by a press-conference. The Grand Masters revealed who will be their seconds. Peter-Heine Nielsen, Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Radoslaw Wojtaszek, and Surya Ganguly will help Anand. Aleksandr Khuzman, Maxim Rodstein and Pavel Eljanov will help Gelfand.

Opening Ceremony Photo Gallery

Press-conference Photo Gallery

The first game of the match will begin at 3.00pm on 11 May. Full schedule on the official website.

Drawing of lots procedure

Anand left white autograph on his "painting"

And Gelfand left black autograph on his "painting"

Press-conference

Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand inspect match venue

In accordance with the match regulations for the chess crown, the World Champion and the Challenger for the title conducted an inspection of the match hall in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

The ceremony was attended by Chairman of the Management Board of the Russian Chess Federation Ilya Levitov, Chief arbiter Ashot Vardapetyan, Match supervisor FIDE Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos, Appeals Committee Chairman Kurt Jungwirth, FIDE Vice President Israel Gelfer, Assistant to the FIDE President Berik Balgabaev and Chairman of the Israeli Chess Federation Moshe Slav.

Both chess players were satisfied with the match venue and organisation. After inspecting the match area, Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand gave an interview to channel "Russia-24".

On the 10th of May the opening ceremony of the World Chess Championship Match took place in Mikhail Vrubel Hall of the Tretyakov State Gallery. Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, FIDE President, Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, Chairman of Supervisory Council of RCF and Ms. Irina Lebedeva, General Director of the State Tretyakov Gallery welcomed the participants and guests. Also present were Mikhail Gorbachev, the 1st President of USSR, Aleksandr Zhukov, Chairman of Russian Olympic Committee and the 12th World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov.

The drawing lots procedure was conducted by the Chief Arbiter Ashot Vardapetyan in an original style, underlining an indissoluble connection between chess and the world culture. The easels with "paintings", diagrams of the previously played games by Anand and Gelfand in the 90s, were set up on the stage. One diagram showed the victory of the current World Champion, another one of the challenger. Two wooden boxes with brushes and paint inside were prepared for the Grand Masters. The right to choose was given to Anand as to the World Champion. Both players stepped to their own diagrams, dipped brushes in the paint and left their autographs on the “paintings”. At that moment the spectators could see that Anand signed with white paint and Gelfand with black one. So, in the first game the current World Champion will play white pieces.

The opening ceremony was preceded by a press-conference. The Grand Masters revealed who will be their seconds. Peter-Heine Nielsen, Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Radoslaw Wojtaszek, and Surya Ganguly will help Anand. Aleksandr Khuzman, Maxim Rodstein and Pavel Eljanov will help Gelfand.

Opening Ceremony Photo Gallery

Press-conference Photo Gallery

The first game of the match will begin at 3.00pm on 11 May. Full schedule on the official website.

Drawing of lots procedure

Anand left white autograph on his "painting"

And Gelfand left black autograph on his "painting"

Press-conference

Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand inspect match venue

In accordance with the match regulations for the chess crown, the World Champion and the Challenger for the title conducted an inspection of the match hall in the Engineering Building of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

The ceremony was attended by Chairman of the Management Board of the Russian Chess Federation Ilya Levitov, Chief arbiter Ashot Vardapetyan, Match supervisor FIDE Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos, Appeals Committee Chairman Kurt Jungwirth, FIDE Vice President Israel Gelfer, Assistant to the FIDE President Berik Balgabaev and Chairman of the Israeli Chess Federation Moshe Slav.

Both chess players were satisfied with the match venue and organisation. After inspecting the match area, Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand gave an interview to channel "Russia-24".

On the 8th of May an Agreement on Cooperation was signed by the FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and the Head of the Tibetan Administration Lobsang Sangay in Dharamshala. The joint activities on realization of the FIDE programme "Chess in Schools" as well as the organization of different chess events in Dharamshala are stipulated in the agreement. According to Ilyumzhinov the agreement will give the opportunity for chess to be widely developed in comprehensive schools of Dharamshala and to be included to the school curriculum. Moreover, FIDE will assist in organization of chess seminars for trainers and teachers, methodological and other support.

After the ceremony Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Lobsang Sangay played chess.

Later the FIDE President had a meeting with the State Oracle of Tibetan Administration Thupten Ngodup. The latter broke his retreat specially for this meeting. The meeting was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere and the State Oracle sent best wishes to the people of the Republic of Kalmykia. Thupten Ngodup noted that he remembers all his visits to Kalmykia and highly appreciates the efforts of the first President of Kalmykia and Sajin Lama of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche by restoration of Buddhism.

In conclusion of his visit Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met with the Patriarch of one of four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism H.H. the 17th Karmapa. Sajin Lama of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche was also present at the meeting.

The U.N. Women Executive Director, Dr. Michelle Bachelet and FIDE Vice President, Beatriz Marinello met to discuss a partnership between both organizations.

Meaningful dialect with global organizations such as U.N. Women serve as a positive motivator for great accomplishments, in and outside of the chess community. Working towards a common goal can result in a very positive exchange, one which can have great benefits for humanity.

The United Nations General Assembly approved the creation of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women—known simply as U.N. Women in 2010. Intended to give (in Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s words) “a much stronger voice for women and for gender equality” around the world, the organization replaced four underfunded and obscure bureaucracies devoted to women with a single entity that would finally give half the world’s population the high-profile platform it deserved.

Leading the new organization and charged with boosting it’s profile is one of the world’s most powerful and inspiring women, Dr. Michelle Bachelet, the former president of Chile.

Both U.N. General Secretary Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that they worked hard to persuade Dr. Bachelet to accept the post, pledging their support, convincing her that U.N. Women would be more than the sum of it’s predecessors, and appealing to her sense of duty to help women.

For the World Chess Federation (FIDE), partnering with like-minded organizations for a common goal is key to the betterment of our societies. For those of us who have dedicated our lives to chess and the promotion of it’s educational value, it makes perfect sense to make the connections in and outside of our communities because we have witnessed first-hand the benefits of chess.

Chess as a tool to promote positive change has long been a focus across many countries including the United States. Many organizations are working to bridge the gap between the social and economic differences that impact people across the world.

Chess involves all levels of critical thinking, improving areas of your brain across the two hemispheres - it’s the “brain booster”. It also encourages socialization skills that extend across cultures and generations. It only makes sense that we promote chess, not solely for the game, but the benefits it provides.

How can chess extend it’s impact and make a greater difference? This is a question which searches for many answers, there is no one ‘right way’, there are many ways.

The World Chess Federation "FIDE" has been moving in the direction of integrating more women in leadership roles within the organization. The current FIDE Vice President, Beatriz Marinello, was the first woman elected as a member of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) Presidential Board (2010), and she was also the first woman elected President of the U.S. Chess Federation in 2003. As a member of the chess community for over 34 years, she has worked hard promoting chess both on a national and international level.

The meeting between the U.N. Women Executive Director, Dr. Michelle Bachelet and FIDE Vice President, Beatriz Marinello included talks about chess, women’s role in chess, the importance of empowering girls and women aiming for equality and building a better world for all of us.

The initial projects will focus on leadership and participation by introducing chess to young girls ages 4-6. Gender equality in chess is a big issue, 19% of the FIDE National Federations don't have women with FIDE ratings, and the percentage of women and girls who play chess in the world is around 2% of the overall population of chess players (including casual players).

The second project discussed during this meeting was support for women in prisons aiming to empower them and increase their self esteem.

There will be a follow up meeting to touch base on the process of the strategic plans for these two new projects. GM Darcy Lima, FIDE Advisor for Social Projects, Mr. Pablyto Ribeiro, and Mr. Charles Neto are also expected to attend the meeting at U.N. Women to give a presentation of the Brazilian Model for the Prison system and the connection with chess.

This partnership is the beginning of a new approach that can help women to increase their participation in chess and break the cultural barriers to empower girls and women to excel in mathematics, science and as leaders for the future.



For more information about these projects, contact:

Beatriz Marinello
FIDE Vice President
PB Adviser to Social Projects
Email: beatriz@chesseducators.com

On the 7th of May the spiritual leader of all Buddhists in the world, Laureate of Nobel Peace Prize, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama met with the FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Telo Tulku Rinpoche, Sajin Lama of Kalmykia. The meeting took place in the Indian city Dharamshala, in the residence of H. H. the 14th Dalai Lama. During the two-hour conversation they discussed the issues of development of Buddhism in the Russian Federation and particularly in the Republic of Kalmykia. The meeting was held at the invitation of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama who invited K. Ilyumzhinov to visit Dharamshala when they participated in the 12th Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in Chicago.

A special attention during the talks was drawn to the possibility of pastoral visit of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama to the Russian Federation. And according to Dalai Lama it would be of great importance for him to visit not only the regions where traditionally the majority of people practice Buddhism (Kalmykia, Buryatia, Tuva) but also Saint Petersburg and Moscow. The 14th Dalai Lama added that nowadays a lot is done by government of Russia for restoration of spirituality and support of traditional religions. In this connection a process of restoration of Buddhism as one of the traditional religions of Russia is taking place in the country.

The 14th Dalai Lama also noted that it is important for him to meet with the Russian Buddhists as the Buddhist monk with the followers of Buddhism. Moreover, he doesn't hold any post in the Tibetan administration in Dharamshala at present time. The 14th Dalai Lama hopes that the meeting will take place and he will be able to visit all Buddhists regions of Russia, Saint Petersburg and Moscow. As the result of the meeting Kirsan Ilyumzhinov noted that they discussed the possibility of two weeks visit of H. H. the 14th Dalai Lama to the Russian Federation.

- Such wish was expressed by His Holiness Dalai Lama the 14th, - said K. Ilyumzhinov.

The FIDE President presented the 14th Dalai Lama with the photo album with pictures of Kalmykia, the art work of the famous Kalmyk photographer Garya Lidzhiev. While viewing the photos His Holiness paid attention to the photos of tulips in the steppe. He said that he had seen the picturesque fields of tulips in Netherlands during his visit to the country.

In his turn Dalai Lama the 14th asked to give as a present to the President-elect Vladimir Putin his book with a compliment slip in which he wished him all the success at the post of the Russian President and extended good wishes of prosperity to all Russian people.

In conclusion of the meeting H. H. the 14th Dalai Lama warmly thanked Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Sajin Lama Telo Tulku Rinpoche for the efforts taken by them for restoration of Buddhism in Kalmykia, Russia and other countries of the world.

- His Holiness highly appreciated a selfless activity of Sajin Lama of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche in restoration of Buddhism in Kalmykia, in the sphere of strengthening of Kalmyk people spirituality, - Kirsan Ilyumzhinov noted after the meeting.

- It was a warm and friendly meeting, - said Sajin Lama of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche, - and His Holiness underlined that Kirsan Iliyumzhinov is his old friend with whom he settled warmest and direct contact. Dalai Lama the 14th also noted that feels sympathy with the Russian people and hopes to have a pastoral visit to Kalmykia, Buryatia and Tuva, but only if this visit will not put to inconvenience the Russian government.

INVITATION

World Chess Olympiad 2012

83rd FIDE Congress

Dear Friends,

Turkish Chess Federation, under the auspices of Sport and Youth Ministry and World Chess Federation, invites all member federations of FIDE to take place in the 40th FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul. As an experienced organizing federation, the Turkish Chess Federation promises you a very good Olympiad and FIDE Congress with all necessary conditions.

The playing venue of Olympiad will be 9,10,11 Halls of Istanbul World Trade Center, on the exit of Atatürk Airport. The hotels will be WOW Hotels, Radisson Blu Airport, Holiday Inn Airport Hotel, Green Park Merter Hotel, Courtyard Marriott Hotel, Ataköy Marina Hotel, Adela Hotel, Titanic Airport Hotel, Polat Renaissance Hotel.

This invitation is also an official invitation for Congress participants to the 83rd FIDE Congress which will be held from 1st to 10th September 2012 in the congress center of Polat Renaissance Hotel.

Full details, prices, transportation, accreditation will be announced on 8th May 2012 on the official website of Olympiad.

http://istanbul2012.tsf.org.tr/en/

Gens Una Sumus!

Ali Nihat YAZICI
President of Turkish Chess Federation

2 May 2012 - Ankara

Invitation (pdf)

The Presidential Board in Elista decided that, following the sad death of Mikko Markkula, Ignatius Leong would be temporary Chairman of the Qualification Commission and Boris Kutin of the Development Commission. These appointments are valid until the Istanbul General Assembly.

In Chicago the FIDE President met with Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev and His Holiness Dalai Lama the 14th. The meeting was held in a very friendly and warm atmosphere where Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev was also present. He highly appreciated the work of Mr. Ilyumzhinov.

"Our young friend Kirsan has decided to take under control the whole world. He has found ways that are more just and more humane and that help the intellectual development of people. No one did more than he did. He did one mistake that he beats me in chess", said Mr. Gorbachev.

His Holiness Dalai Lama the 14th noted that Gorbachev is the only person who made a great contribution to the changing of the world. And Mr. Gorbachev added that they had done it together, someone contributed more, someone less, someone a lot, but all of us need humility.

Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov invited His Holiness Dalai Lama the 14th to visit the biggest Buddhist temple in Europe (Elista, Republic of Kalmykia), the only one temple with seventeen statues - teachers of Buddha.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov to lead a Coordinating Committee of the Permanent Secretariat of the Nobel Peace Laureates Summits

According to the information provided by the FIDE President's Assistant, Director of the representation office of this international organization to Russia, Mr. B. Balgabaev, the first President of the Republic of Kalmykia, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was offered a position of the head of the Coordinating Committee of the Permanent Secretariat of Nobel Peace Laureates Summits.

Mr. Balgabaev said that this was the initiative of the Summit's participants, including the Nobel Peace Laureates. Consultations on this issue are being held right now.

INFORMATION 

The Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates is an annual event and gathers prominent political, religious and public figures as well as world show-biz stars. The Permanent Secretariat Headquarters is in Rome.

The Nobel Peace Prize is part of the annual international Nobel prizes. It is awarded since 1901 and to date is the most famous and prestigious international award in the sphere of social, political and humanitarian activities. The Peace Prize includes a winner's diploma, a medal and a money cheque. The amount of the prize varies depending on the Nobel Foundation income.

The Nobel Peace Prize winners are:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama 14th, ex-President of Poland, Lech Wałęsa, USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev, a US religious figure Martin Luther King, a US politologist and state figure Henry Kissinger, Mother Teresa of Albania, ex-US President Jimmy Carter, incumbent US President Barack Obama, 7th UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, an Academician Andrei Sakharov etc.

Yesterday was the final day of the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates where the FIDE President was taking part at the invitation of Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev, patron of Chess in Schools programme. His visit to Chicago turned out to be very productive; Mr. Ilyumzhinov met with many prominent political, religious and public figures such as Mr. Frederic Willem de Klerk, former President of South Africa, Messrs. Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, former US Presidents, Mr. Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland, Mr. Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago, Mr. Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois, 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, a Bangladeshi economist and founder of the Grameen Bank, an institution that provides microcredit, and many other famous people.

Mr. Ikyunzhinov with 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus

Fruitful discussions took place with His Holiness Dalai-Lama the 14th and Mr. Gorbachev. The latter said that he wanted to promote chess and noted a great role of this game in the educational process. Mr. Ilyumzhinov and patron of CIS programme discussed the possibility of mutual cooperation between FIDE and summit in promoting a peace and democracy. 

With the patron of the Chess in Schools programme Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev

His Holiness Dalai-Lama the 14th and Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov

His Holiness Dalai-Lama the 14th highly appreciated the FIDE President’s work in the development of Buddhism and chess as well. They spoke about the bilateral cooperation between FIDE and the Government of Tibet and agreed to continue the discussion during the President's visit to Tibet in May.

Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, His Holiness Dalai-Lama the 14th, Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev, Mr. Songay Lobsang

Mr. Songay Lobsang, Tibet's Prime Minister, and FIDE President 

FIDE President with Mr. Songay Lobsang and 1997 Nobel Peace Laureate Prof. Jody Williams

With an American film director and Oscar winner Mr. Oliver Stone

Another remarkable meeting was with Mr. Oliver Stone, an American film director, producer and screen writer who directed such movies as Platoon, Alexander, World Trade Center, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps and others. Messrs. Stone and Ilyumzhinov discussed the role of cinema in a struggle for peace, the younger generation and the influence of chess on this process.

Mr. Sean Penn and FIDE President

It should be noted that an Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn received a 2012 Peace Summit Award for his work to rebuild and aid the victims of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The award was presented by Mr. Gorbachev.

With former US President Bill Clinton

With former US Presidents Messrs. Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton the FIDE President spoke about the chess development in the country, possibility of recognition of chess as a sport and the role of chess in the educational process.

With Ms. Kerry Kennedy, President of Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights

With Ms. Kerry Kennedy, President of Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights, the FIDE President discussed the possibility of using of chess in one the RFK Center programmes. Ms. Kennedy expressed a great interest in this matter.

FIDE President with Mr. Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland

Another summit laureate who expressed his willingness and intention to support chess among children was the former President of Poland Mr. Lech Wałęsa who actively follows the chess events.

Chicago

During his visit to Chicago the FIDE President met with the Cook County Sheriff Mr. Thomas Dart and Mrs. Joellen Balley, his assistant. Cook County is the second county in the USA by population, there are more than 6 million people. It includes the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs as well as the largest prison in the United States. Nearly 11,000 prisoners serve a sentence there. The issues of the social rehabilitation of the former prisoners, their leisure organization, introduction of chess education in the penitentiary institutions and other issues of possible mutual cooperation were discussed at the meeting. It was decided to organize a chess tournament between prisoners, including a national championship among the convicts. FIDE President appealed to sheriff to help in organizing a chess club in the county where the released could continue their mastering in chess.

Also the FIDE President visited the chess club headed by IO, IA Sevan Muradian and participated in the Blitz Tournament.

Playing in Blitz tournament

On April 23rd, 2012, the FIDE President arrived in the USA where at the invitation of Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev, patron of the Chess in Schools programme, Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov is taking part in the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. The summit is held in the University of Illinois at Chicago. On Monday Mr. Ilyumzhinov attended a dinner with laureates where the main speaker was the former US President Jimmy Carter. It is worth to mention that this summit is attended by five former heads of states who have received this honorable award. Together with Messrs. Mikhail Gorbachev and Jimmy Carter, these are Mr. Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland, Mr. Oscar Arias Sanchez, former President of Costa Rica, Mr. Frederic Willem de Klerk, former President of South Africa as well as His Holiness Dalai-Lama the 14th.

The UN is also well represented by its various divisions, such as UNICEF, international intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, academics, representatives of government and humanitarian institutions, teachers and students. The US President Mr. Barak Obama addressed the participants with a recorded video message at the first plenary session. Among other speakers who shared their thoughts about the rights and freedom were Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev, Mr. Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago, Mr. Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois, Mr. Walter Petroni, co-Chairman of Summit, Mr. Kerry Kennedy, President of Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights, Mr. Robert Gallucci, President of the MacArthur Foundation.

The FIDE President had a detailed discussion with the former South African President Frederic Willem de Klerk. Mr. Ilyumzhinov has shared his impressions about his trip to the South Africa where he attended the Junior Chess Championships and invited Mr. Frederic Willem de Klerk to be a guest of honor of the World Youth Championships which will be held in South Africa in 2014.

South African President Mr. Frederic Willem de Klerk and Kirsan Ilyumzhinov at a dinner

Former US President Mr. Jimmy Carter and FIDE President



Mr. Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago, delivering a speech

The US President Mr. Barak Obama addressing the participants with a recorded video message

Nobel Peace Laureates

The FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship 2012 was held in the 5-star Porto Carras Grand Resort in Halkidiki, Northern Greece from 16 April (1st round) to 22 April (9th round).

Haralambos Tsakiris from Kavala, Greece, won his last round direct encounter to claim the title of FIDE World Amateur Champion. The win gives Tskiris the title of FIDE master and a rating of 2200.

Second place is for Akinci Muzaffer Ege (Turkey) who gets the Silver Medal and will be awarded a rating of 2100.

Johannesson Oliver (Iceland), Manelidis Savvas, Kafetzis Georgios (both Greece) and Reyes Rios Juan Camilo (Colombia) share the 3rd place with 7.0 points each. Johannesson is best on tie-breaks and takes the Bronze Medal and a rating of 2050.

Laura Perez from Colombia scored four consecutive victories in the final rounds to finish with a total of 6.5 points and win the title of the Women’s World Amateur Champion. She will be awarded the title of Woman FIDE Master and a rating of 2050.
Silver Medal is for Torill Skytte (Norway) and Bronze is for Olga Benavides Moncayo (Colombia)

All winners section by section here 

Official website / Final Standings / photo gallery

The FIDE World Amateur Champion Haralambos Tsakiris receiving the trophy

In the last round of the parallel Alexander the Great Open the top two boards were drawn and eventually four Grandmasters shared the first place with 6.5 points each – Kivanc Haznedaroglu from Turkey, Dejan Antic from Serbia, Athanasios Mastrovasilis from Greece and Petar Drenchev from Bulgaria.

Haznedaroglu, who held the sole lead until the 8th round loss to Antic, took the winner’s trophy on best tie-break.

IM Rasmus Skytte from Denmark won in the last round and emerged clear 5th with 6.0 points.

Results round 9 / Final standings

GM Kivanc Haznedaroglu

After Dnepropetrovsk the FIDE President visited the capital of the Ukraine where he had working meetings with the Minister for Family, Youth and Sports of Ukraine Mr Ravil Safiullin and the leadership of the Ukrainian Chess Federation.
At the meetings the issues of mutual cooperation including a bill for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine “On the support of Chess in the Ukraine”, as well as the implementation of Chess in Schools programme and a possibility of holding the top FIDE events such as World Chess Cup and Chess Olympiad in the country were discussed.
In Kiev Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met with a legendary sportsman Valery Borzov, IOC member since 1984, President of the Ukrainian NOC (1991-1998). Messrs. Borzov and Ilyumzhinov discussed the perspectives and a possible way of FIDE's entering in the Olympic family.

From left to right: Mr Berik Balgabaev, Director of Moscow FIDE office, Mr Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, FIDE President, Mr Oleg Savchuk, Head of the Geo Social Games project, Mr Valery Zhulev, Deputy Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Communications, Mr Artemyev, Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Communications, Mr Ravil Safiullin, Minister for Family, Youth and Sports of Ukraine, Mr Viktor Kapustin, President of the Ukrainian CF, Mr Anatoly Yatsenko, President of the Ukrainian Draughts Federation

Meeting with leadership of the Ukrainian Chess Federation