Sweden is now a regulated market, which means that as a player you can only play at casinos with a license. See all regulated casinos in Sweden by Mr casinova.
N - Natalia Pogonina Black to move (game analysis)
When playing a game on Chess Elite, I stumbled upon this little puzzle - one of the variations. If my opponent took on d7 (see the diagram), I was going to perform a nice combination. Can you spot it?
It's time for the weekly Q&As! Feel free to send me new ones:
Q1: How much do you spend on beauty products each month?
A1: I hardly ever wear any make-up, don't have a personal cosmetologist, etc. Don't know the exact sum, but it's not substantial. Polishing openings isn't fun, but polishing nails is even duller.
Q2: What computer do you you use when preparing for serious tournaments? A2: If you are expecting a story about a cluster or a computer lab working day and night to supply me with novelties, you will be disappointed. I'm using just a nice, relatively powerful and slim laptop for my preparation both at tournaments and at home.
Q3: If you were asked to choose another profession, what would you choose?
A3: I don't know for sure. Would have probably taken advantage of my MA in Law and worked as a lawyer.
Q4: Is there a correlation between IQ and chess strength? Do you know your IQ and can you share this information? A4: Few studies have been conducted in this field. People tend to view chess as an intelligent sport and think that high IQ is a strong requirement for playing chess well. There was even a dead wrong formula along the lines of (max. ELO one can reach)=1000+IQ*10. I don't know my IQ (since such tests are not popular in Russian schools), but don't think that it's extraordinary high. In fact, some people with ordinary IQ play really good chess. On the contrary, my husband qualifies for the Triple Nine Society, but is not playing professionally. To sum it all up, the good news is that you don't have to be an overall genius in order to play chess on a high level.
Q5: When did you get a rating for the first time? A5: It's better to get a high initial rating, otherwise you will have a very tough time climbing the ladder. I've seen kids who got their 1500s and improved to 2000 in a year or two, but were still at their 1700s. My first rating was 2136 in year 2000, in 2001 I reached 2265, in 2002 - 2397, etc., and am 2501 now.
Q6: Should I solve tactics timed or untimed? A6: In a real game you always have to keep in mind how much time you've got left. Therefore, I suggest timing yourself. If you can't solve a problem after 10-20 minutes, leave it (don't peek into the answers!) and return to it later. Sometimes it's inconvenient to time oneself (e.g. in trips, or when solving tactics blindfoldedly). However, generally it's a good idea. Also note that we're talking about a relatively large amount of time. I am not an advocate of solving a few hundred "2 seconds per move" cheapos per day - that type of "training" is likely to get your chess killed, not improved.
Q7: Do you like playing bullet? A7: Bullet is a way of having fun while detoriating one's chess skills. The common arguments against this are that bullet "helps learn to recognize patterns", "try out openings"; "the level of play is still very high". Re patterns - strong GMs know them anyway, and amateurs will hardly spot those within a few secs. Even if they do, it has little instructive value. Trying out openings - you can't afford to spend even 10-15 seconds on thinking about a novelty, coming up with a plan. It's pure reflexes. Yes, some people can create quite impressive games even within 1-min frame. However, they are capable of playing way more stronger within longer time controls. And beauty in bullet is overrated due to a large amount of people who value a simple two-move tactical shot above a long and creative strategic plan (which looks boring to them).
The Anand-Topalov is certainly one of the most exciting matches in chess history. No short draws, incredible tension every game and outstanding chess.
In game 9 Anand tried the Nimzovitch defense and, after a very complicated game, reached an endgame where he had two rooks for Topalov's queen. Veselin tried to complicate things and confuse Vishy, but blundered and lost a knight. However, his witty play helped him create some counter-play. In order to stop Black's pawns, Vishy had to give up his knight and allow Topalov to draw with a perpetual. 83 moves, evals skipping from "won" to "draw" a few times - that chess struggle was a real thriller!
In round 10 Topalov had to face the Gruenfeld by the World Champion. Eventually things led to a rather unpeculiar endgame where Veselin had the two bishop (vs bishop and knight) advantage. However, Vishy managed to equalize without investing too much effort into it, so the game ended in a draw.
With only two rounds to go, the match is tied. Each of the contenders has one White and one Black shot.
Who will win the duel?
P.S. Many people seem confused about the format. In case of a tie the World Champion does NOT retain the title. A 4-game rapid tie-break takes place.
Tatiana Kosintseva wins the FIDE Grand Prix in Nalchik
Written by Natalia Pogonina
Friday, 07 May 2010
An impressive achievement by two-times European Champion Tatiana Kosintseva: she won the FIDE Grand Prix in Nalchik 1,5 points ahead of the nearest competitor! The field included such notable figures as World Vice-Champion Hou Yifan, 2nd highest rated female player in the world Koneru Humpy, ex-World Champion Zhu Chen, reigning European Champion Pia Cramling and others.
Her sister, IM Nadezhda Kosintseva, is also keeping up. For her rapid rating increase (she's #5 on the Women's World FIDE rankings now) in 2009 she has received the Caissa award as player of the year.
Final Ranking
Rank
SNo.
Name
Rtg
FED
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Pts.
1
5
GM
Kosintseva Tatiana
2524
RUS
*
1
1
1
½
1
½
1
1
½
½
1
9
2
8
GM
Hou Yifan
2570
CHN
0
*
0
½
½
1
1
1
½
1
1
1
7½
3
1
GM
Dzagnidze Nana
2479
GEO
0
1
*
½
½
½
½
1
½
½
1
1
7
6
GM
Cramling Pia
2523
SWE
0
½
½
*
½
½
1
1
½
½
1
1
7
5
3
GM
Koneru Humpy
2622
IND
½
½
½
½
*
0
0
½
1
0
1
1
5½
11
WGM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag
2428
MGL
0
0
½
½
1
*
1
0
1
0
½
1
5½
12
GM
Zhu Chen
2476
QAT
½
0
½
0
1
0
*
½
1
½
1
½
5½
8
2
WGM
Kovanova Baira
2385
RUS
0
0
0
0
½
1
½
*
0
1
1
1
5
7
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit
2503
ARM
0
½
½
½
0
0
0
1
*
1
1
½
5
9
GM
Zhao Xue
2490
CHN
½
0
½
½
1
1
½
0
0
*
0
1
5
11
4
WIM
Yildiz Betul Cemre
2244
TUR
½
0
0
0
0
½
0
0
0
1
*
½
2½
12
10
IM
Danielian Elina
2491
ARM
0
0
0
0
0
0
½
0
½
0
½
*
1½
I'm glad for my team mates and would like to congratulate them in public with their achievements!
In case you haven't seen this videos by Europe Echecs before, there the legendary Judit Polgar speaks about her attitude towards money, women in chess and computers. A must-watch!
- I told my father that you are a chess player. He was actually very delighted
- Wow, that's good news!
- Don't get too excited, my Dad doesn't like chess.
- Then what made him happy?
- The last boyfriend of mine whom he tried to kick out of our house was a boxer...
#2
An attractive girl invited a young grandmaster to her place. After traditional weather talk there came a long pause. She decided to cheer the shy guy up and said: "Ok, what do you do when you are in a room with a good-looking girl and there is nothing to discuss?". "Oh, yes" - he looked relieved, snatched out a handheld computer and started vigorously analyzing an interesting position.
#3
A young and slightly drunk lady appears out of a restaraunt and calls for a taxi. - Sir, are you free? - Yes, Mam. - Let's... (then she sees a taxi sign - chess squares) play chess!
