CHESS: MANILA: LET’S PLAY CHESS By Edgar De Castro – 22-year-old tops world rapid chess
The 2018 world rapid championship, which ended Friday in St. Petersburg (Russia), paid off for Russian chess.
Local GM Daniil Dubov, 22, who is growing in strength, topped the table with 11.0 of 15.0 and added another porcupine quill to his fearsome reputation in speed chess.
Tied for second-fifth at 10.5 apiece were Azeri Shakriyar Mamedyarov (second), American Hikaru Nakamura (third), Russian Vladislav Artemiev (fourth) and Norwegian Magnus Carlsen (fifth).
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Rounding out the top 10 in tie-break order were Firouza Alireza (Iran), Yu Yangi (China), Anish Giri (Netherlands), Sergey Kariakin (Russia) and Tigran Petrosian (Armenia).
The tourney featured the participation of 206 players from various countries.
In the women’s championship, Ju Wenjun of China ran away with the top prize. The reigning world champion scored an impressive 10.0 of 12.0, without a loss in the 124-field that included several former world champions. Biting the dust in a tie for second-third were Sarasadat Khademalsharieh of Iran and Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia, a full point behind at 9.0.
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The following game is considered the gem of the tournament. Its every facet sparkles with light and fire.
World Rapid Championship 2018
W) P. Svidler (Russia)
B) D. Andreikin (Russia)
Reti Opening
1. Nf3 Nf6
2. c4 b6
3. g3 Bb7
4. Bg2 g6
5. O-O c5
6. e3 Bg7
This is the hypermodern setup, applicable also in a number of other lines.
7. d4 O-O
8. Nc3 Ne4
9. Ne2 Nc6
10. Nf4 e6
11. Re1 f5
12. d5 exd5
13. Nxd5 Ne7
14. Nf4 Qc7
15. a4 g5
16. Nh5 4
17. Nh4 Ng6
18. Nxg7?! ….
Embarking on some interesting complications. A safer alternative is 18. Nxg6 and after 18…hxg6 19. Nxg7 Kxg7 20. a5, the game hangs in the balance.
18…. Nxh4
19. gxh4 Kxg7
20. Qc2 Rf6
21. b3 Rh6
22. Bb2ch Kf7
23. Bxe4 Bxe4
24. Qc3 Rg8
25. a5? ….
Even in rapid chess, one cannot ignore precision play. Punishment in the form of mating combination comes quickly. Correct is 25. Qe5 and White can probably hold out.
25…. Qxh2ch!!
The start of a powerful combination (starring a Queen sacrifice), in which the White King walks from one treacherous vis-a-vis to another.
26. Kxh2 Rxh4ch
27. Kg3
. . . .
27. Kg1 leads to instant mate after 27….Rh1.
27…. Rh3ch
28. Kf4 Rf3ch
29. Ke5 Rg6!
0-1
Mate is unavoidable. Apart from the threat 30….Re6, there’s another in 30…d6..
Solution to last week puzzle
White to move and draw.
white=Kd1, Bg6,
black=Kb2, Bf4, Pb3, Pe3
Black is threatening to win with ….Ka1 followed by …b2-b1, so White played.
1. Bf7! Ka2
If 1….Ka3/Kc3, then White plays 2. Bg6 b2 3. Bb1 and draw.
2. Be6 Ka3
Again 2…Kb2 3. Bf7 and draws.
3. Bf5! and draw.
(The Philippine Star) – December 30, 2018 – 12:00am
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St. Petersburg: World Rapid Championship 2018 opens
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“King Salman World Chess Championships”
The Rapid and Blitz World Cup has been named after the Saudi Arabian ruler since last year. The oil and gas producers regularly sponsor major sporting events, and a year ago the World Championships took place in Riyadh, the capital of the country. That was initially planned to remain the case in 2018, but the event was relocated to St. Petersburg on short notice. The reasons for this are probably diverse, but the fact that players from Israel were not allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia a year ago, even though they would have been eligible to participate in the championships, has been the focus of public debate. Grandmaster Emil Sutovsky, President of the Association of Chess Professionals — and now FIDE Director General — has been a powerful advocate for the Israelis. Of course, the new FIDE President is Russian, while at the same time Saudi Arabia has been politically on the defensive of late. As a result, there is now apparently an unusual cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia in the hosting of the World Championships, which would be quite unthinkable in other sports. Anyway, during the next five days, “King Salman” and “St. Petersburg” will be referred to in the same breath.
Opening Ceremony of the championships | FIDE YouTube channel
There were, naturally, no visa problems for the large Israeli delegation led by Boris Gelfand [although the location diminished turnout among the top Ukrainian men due to Russia’s involvement in the ongoing military conflict in Eastern Ukraine -Ed.]. The dress code was also an issue last year and is more relaxed for women in the regulations for the tournament, however, T-shirts, sneakers, baseball caps, jeans or shorts (not that you’d want them in the St. Petersburg winter!) are not allowed. Instead, shirts with collars and blazers are required for men and shirt/blouse with a collar, jacket/blazer, trousers/skirt or dress for women.
Ju Wenjun and Magnus Carlsen were centre stage at the opening press conference
A mass of cameras in Russia’s second city
Prize funds
The guaranteed prize fund is distributed as follows: USD $350,000 to the Rapid World Championship (Open), $150,000 to the Rapid World Championship (Women).
Player starting rank — Open Rapid Championship (top 30)
No. | Name | FED | RtgI | ||
1 | GM | Carlsen Magnus | NOR | 2903 | |
2 | GM | Nakamura Hikaru | USA | 2844 | |
3 | GM | Artemiev Vladislav | RUS | 2812 | |
4 | GM | Fedoseev Vladimir | RUS | 2810 | |
5 | GM | Aronian Levon | ARM | 2802 | |
6 | GM | Mamedyarov Shakhriyar | AZE | 2786 | |
7 | GM | Wang Hao | CHN | 2782 | |
8 | GM | Karjakin Sergey | RUS | 2774 | |
9 | GM | Nepomniachtchi Ian | RUS | 2771 | |
10 | GM | Harikrishna Pentala | IND | 2758 | |
11 | GM | Yu Yangyi | CHN | 2758 | |
12 | GM | Kamsky Gata | USA | 2757 | |
13 | GM | Svidler Peter | RUS | 2753 | |
14 | GM | Le Quang Liem | VIE | 2752 | |
15 | GM | Korobov Anton | UKR | 2740 | |
16 | GM | Giri Anish | NED | 2739 | |
17 | GM | Mamedov Rauf | AZE | 2739 | |
18 | GM | Tomashevsky Evgeny | RUS | 2737 | |
19 | GM | Grischuk Alexander | RUS | 2732 | |
20 | GM | Guseinov Gadir | AZE | 2732 | |
21 | GM | Jakovenko Dmitry | RUS | 2731 | |
22 | GM | Andreikin Dmitry | RUS | 2725 | |
23 | GM | Zhigalko Sergei | BLR | 2724 | |
24 | GM | Anand Viswanathan | IND | 2723 | |
25 | GM | Dubov Daniil | RUS | 2723 | |
26 | GM | Sjugirov Sanan | RUS | 2722 | |
27 | GM | Jobava Baadur | GEO | 2718 | |
28 | GM | Gelfand Boris | ISR | 2715 | |
29 | GM | Anton Guijarro David | ESP | 2708 | |
30 | GM | Akopian Vladimir | ARM | 2707 |
… 204 players
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The score for the winner in the World Rapid Championship:
2017: 10,5 points (Anand)
2016: 11 points (Ivanchuk)
2015: 11,5 points (Carlsen)
2014: 11 points (Carlsen)
2013: 10,5 points (Mamedyarov)#WRBC2018 #nrksjakk— Tarjei J. Svensen (@TarjeiJS) December 26, 2018
Player starting rank — Women’s Rapid Championship (top 30)
No. | Name | FED | RtgI | ||
1 | GM | Muzychuk Anna | UKR | 2595 | |
2 | GM | Ju Wenjun | CHN | 2584 | |
3 | GM | Lei Tingjie | CHN | 2545 | |
4 | GM | Kosteniuk Alexandra | RUS | 2540 | |
5 | GM | Lagno Kateryna | RUS | 2539 | |
6 | GM | Dzagnidze Nana | GEO | 2515 | |
7 | IM | Paehtz Elisabeth | GER | 2506 | |
8 | GM | Muzychuk Mariya | UKR | 2493 | |
9 | GM | Harika Dronavalli | IND | 2484 | |
10 | GM | Koneru Humpy | IND | 2479 | |
11 | GM | Goryachkina Aleksandra | RUS | 2477 | |
12 | GM | Ushenina Anna | UKR | 2471 | |
13 | GM | Danielian Elina | ARM | 2470 | |
14 | GM | Stefanova Antoaneta | BUL | 2466 | |
15 | IM | Abdumalik Zhansaya | KAZ | 2444 | |
16 | GM | Tan Zhongyi | CHN | 2442 | |
17 | IM | Bodnaruk Anastasia | RUS | 2442 | |
18 | IM | Arabidze Meri | GEO | 2431 | |
19 | IM | Atalik Ekaterina | TUR | 2429 | |
20 | GM | Khotenashvili Bela | GEO | 2428 | |
21 | GM | Zhao Xue | CHN | 2425 | |
22 | WGM | Girya Olga | RUS | 2425 | |
23 | GM | Cramling Pia | SWE | 2420 | |
24 | WIM | Shuvalova Polina | RUS | 2411 | |
25 | IM | Khademalsharieh Sarasadat | IRI | 2402 | |
26 | GM | Gunina Valentina | RUS | 2396 | |
27 | IM | Javakhishvili Lela | GEO | 2388 | |
28 | GM | Batsiashvili Nino | GEO | 2382 | |
29 | IM | Mammadova Gulnar | AZE | 2382 | |
30 | IM | Saduakassova Dinara | KAZ | 2381 |
… 123 Players
Schedule
All times are local time in Moscow (UTC+3).
Date |
Event |
Rounds |
Time |
26 Dec 2018 |
Rapid – day 1 |
1-5 |
15:00 |
27 Dec 2018 |
Rapid – day 2 |
6-10 |
15:00 |
28 Dec 2018 |
Rapid – day 3 |
11-15 |
15:00 |
29 Dec 2018 |
Blitz – day 1 |
1-12 |
15:00 |
30 Dec 2018 |
Blitz – day 2 |
13-21 |
14:00 |
30 Dec 2018 |
Closing Ceremony |
18:00 |
|
31 Dec 2018 |
Departure |
Translation from German: Macauley Peterson
Links
- Official site
- Tournament page of the Russian Chess Federation
- Full results (Chess-Results)
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