Chess Openings:

1.Alekhine's Defense

1.e4 Nf6
Alekhine's Defense is an example of a true Hypermodern opening. The Knight dares the White Pawns to start chasing it around the board. They usually oblige, creating the conditions for a classic battle against an overextended Pawn center.

2. Modern Variation
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 Bg4

3. Scandinavian Variation

1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5

4. Positional Play in Chess: Strong and Weak Squares:

To understand pawn structure, you have to understand strong squares and weak squares. Your strong squares are those which your pieces control; your weak squares are those which your opponent's pieces control. Your strong squares are usually your opponent's weak squares, and vice versa.
Pawns, more than any other chess piece, have built-in strong and weak squares. Their strong squares are the two diagonal squares where they can capture the opponent's pieces. Their weak square is the square directly in front, which can be occupied unhesitatingly by the opponent's pieces. When the square is occupied, the Pawn can't advance.
Consider two Pawns side by side on the same rank, like the White Pawns on d4 and e4 in the diagram. The Pawn on d4 guards e5, which is the weak square for the Pawn on e4. None of Black's major or minor pieces can move to e5, blocking the Pawn on e4, without risking capture by the Pawn on d4. In the same way, the Pawn on e4 guards d5. The two Pawns cover and complement each other.
The pawn structure determines how well the Pawns work together. In this diagram, the c5 and f5 squares are marked in green. They represent strong squares for White, but weak squares for Black.

White's pieces can move to c5 and f5 without the slightest worry that they will be attacked by a Black Pawn. Both of these squares would be ideal for a White Knight or a White Bishop.
The corresponding squares on the White side of the board -- c4 and f4 -- represent no particular danger for White. If a Black piece threatens to move to c4 with strong effect, White plays b2-b3, protecting the square.
Black also has weak squares on a5 and h5. These are less important because they are further from the center, but they would require constant attention during a game if White started to invade the Black position via one of these squares.
Strong and weak squares are not determined only by the pawn structure. In the initial position, before either player has made the first move, White has a weak square at f2 and Black has a weak square at f7. These squares are weak because they are protected only by the King, who is not a fierce fighter until the later stages of the game.

UAE chess opens doors to foreign players
By K.R. Nayar, Senior Reporter

March 11, 2008

Dubai: Chess players from abroad can play in UAE's domestic tournaments from this year.
Following a meeting of the development and marketing committee of the UAE Chess Federation, it has been decided to open the doors for players from abroad.
In the chess championship to be organised for the various companies in the UAE, the participating companies can hire players from any part of the world to represent them. It is part of the the federation's effort to make chess very competitive in the UAE.
The UAE Chess Federation has also decided to start five new championships as part of their effort to attract people from different community into the game.
The tournament for companies will commence from May 2008. It will be open for all companies in the UAE which can furnish a trade license. It will be team tournament (4+2 (reserve) event. The second tournament will be for government organisation (Local and Federal departments).
Inter-university event:
Plans are also on to stage a competition for Higher Education establishments. It will include an inter-Universities team tournament.
To spot talent at the grass root level a championship for private and public schools will also be held.
Though UAE stages some of the finest junior championships in the region, there has been a shortage of junior domestic tournaments.
These tournaments will be followed by a championship for embassies in the UAE and expatriate communities. The UAE Chess Federation will also host seminars. The first seminar will throw light on Internet and soft ware for chess. An invitation for all clubs and communities will given by the UAE Chess Federation to take active part in the promotion of the game here.

Anand beats Kramnik
15 March 2008

Although the Amber tournament is known as a friendly event, and there isn’t a single rating point involved, the players did show great fighting spirit already in the first round. Anand won his mini match against Kramnik 1½-½.
Two participants are playing Amber for the first time: Mamedyarov and Karjakin. Both had a satisfying start because the former drew both of his games against Morozevich, who must be considered one of the favorites here, whilst the young Ukrainian even won his mini match against Gelfand 1½-½. On his birthyday, Topalov beat Leko with the same figures and in two very interesting games Aronian defeated Van Wely, again 1½-½. The only player who started really disappointingly (at least for the many fans) was Carlsen; in his White (and blindfold) game against Ivanchuk his attack wasn’t succesful and in his Black game he escaped from what probably was a lost ending.

Classic Games:

M. Carlsen (2690) - A. Morozevich (2741)
Morelia/Linares, 2007

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nc3 d6 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Na5 9. Nd2 e5 10. b3 Ng4 11. h3 Nh6 12. Nde4 12. Bb2 f5 13. Qc2 Nf7 14. Rae1 g5 15. e3 h5 16. f3 Bd7 17. Nd1 b6 18. Nf2 Nh6 19. Nd3 Rf7 20. Qd1 g4 21. fxg4 hxg4 22. Nf2 Qg5 23. hxg4 fxg4 24. Nfe4 Qg6 25. Rxf7 Nxf7 26. Nf1 Bf5 27. Nf2 e4 28. Bxg7 Kxg7 29. Nd2 Re8 30. Qa1+ Kg8 31. Kf1 Ng5 32. Ke2 Nf3 33. Rh1 Re5 34. Nf1 Nb7 35. Bxf3 exf3+ 36. Kd2 Qg5 37. Rh4 Nd8 38. Kd1 Nf7 39. e4 Qg7 40. Qc3 Rxd5+ 41. Kc2 Re5 42. exf5 Re2+ 43. Nd2 Rxf2 44. Qxg7+ Kxg7 45. Rxg4+ Kf6 46. Rf4 Ng5 47. Kd3 Rg2 48. Ne4+ Nxe4 49. Kxe4 Rxg3 50. Kd5 Kg5 0-1, Tatai-Quinteros, Ljubljana/Portoroz 1973 12... f6 13. Nxd6!? It's hard to prove the correctness of such a move, but it shows fantastic fighting spirit. 13... Qxd6 14. Ne4 Qd8 15. Nxc5 f5 Deciding to give back the piece immediately. 15... Nf5 looks natural, stopping the d-pawn. 16. d6 e4 16... Bd7? isn't possible because of 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18. Bxh6 Bxh6 19. Qd5+ 17. d7 17. Bxh6!? 17... Nf7 18. Rb1 Qe7 19. dxc8=Q Raxc8 20. Na4 Rfd8 21. Qe1 Nc6 22. Nc3 Nd4 White has emerged with a pawn up but Black has some compensation. 23. Bb2 b5!? 24. Nd5 Qd6 25. Bxd4 Bxd4 26. Rd1 Be5 27. Qa5 bxc4 28. Ne3 Qc7 29. Qxc7 Bxc7 30. Nxc4 A very good phase by Magnus. 30... Ne5 31. Rxd8+ Rxd8 32. Rc1 Nxc4 33. Rxc4 Rd1+ 34. Bf1 Bd6 35. e3 a5 36. Kg2 Kf7 37. Rc2 Ke7 38. Be2 Rd5 39. Bc4 Rd1 40. g4 f4!? This allows a tactical shot with which White wins another pawn, but it might be the best try. 41. exf4 Bxf4 42. Re2 Rd4 43. Bd3! Kf6 44. Bxe4 Rd2 The was the idea of the pawn sac, because with the rooks on the board it's even easier for White. 45. Rxd2 Bxd2 46. Kg3 Be1 47. Kf3 Bb4 48. h4 h6 49. Ke2 Bd6 50. Kd3 Bc5 51. f4 h5 52. g5+ Kg7 53. Kc4 Bd6 54. Kb5 Bxf4 After this, the ending is lost. It takes a lot of analysis but 54... Bb4 might be more tough. 55. Kxa5 Bg3 56. Kb5 Bxh4 57. a4 Bxg5 58. a5 Kf6 59. a6 Be3 60. Kc6 g5 61. b4 Ke5 62. b5 Kxe4 63. b6 g4 64. a7 g3 65. a8=Q Kf3 66. b7 Bf4 67. Qf8 Ke4 68. Qe8+ A wonderful game that will make Magnus forget about Wijk aan Zee! 1-0.

Classic Games:
V. Topalov (2783) - V. Anand (2779)
Morelia/Linares, 2007

Result: Draw

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3 d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Nf6 13. e4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 14. a4 Nd5 15. cxd5 Bxf1 16. d6 Bxg2 17. dxe7 Qxe7 18. Kxg2 f5 19. b4 Qd7 20. Qe2 Qd5 21. f3 exf3+ 22. Nxf3 h6 23. Re1 Rfe8 24. Qc2 Rad8 25. Bd2 Qd7 26. Kf2 Rc8 27. Bf4 Qd5 28. Re5 Qd7 29. h4 Ra8 30. Bd2 Rac8 31. Qc4 Kh7 32. Bc3 Qd6 33. Ne1 b5 34. Qc5 Qd8 35. Nd3 1-0, Topalov-Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2007 14... b5 15. Qe2 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Bb4 Bxd4 17. Bxf8 Bxa1 18. Qxd8 Rxd8 19. Be7 Re8 20. Bg5 Bd4 21. Bxc6 Rb8 22. Rd1 e5 23. cxb5 Bxb5 24. Bxb5 Rxb5 25. Be3 Rd5 26. Kf1 g6 27. Bxd4 exd4 28. Ke2 Kg7 29. Kd3 Kf6 30. Rc1 g5 31. Rc6+ Kg7 32. Ra6 Rf5 33. f4 gxf4 34. gxf4 Rxf4 35. Rxa7 Rh4 36. b4 Rxh2 37. b5 Rb2 38. a4 Rb4 39. Ra6 h5 40. Ke4 h4 41. Kf3 d3 42. Rd6 Rxa4 43. Rxd3 Rb4 44. Rd5 Kg6 45. Rd6+ Kg5 46. Rb6 Rb3+ 47. Kf2 Rb2+ 48. Kg1 f5 49. Rb8 Kg4 50. b6 f4 51. b7 Kf3 52. Kh1 Rb1+ 53. Kh2 h3 54. Ra8 Rxb7 55. Ra3+ Kg4 56. Rc3 Rb2+ 57. Kg1 f3 58. Rc1 Kg3 59. Ra1 Rg2+ 60. Kh1 Rh2+ 0-1, Mateuta-Parligras, Sovata 2001 15. Nc5 Bxc5 16. dxc5 bxc4 17. Qe2 Nd5 18. Be5 Qg5 19. Bd6 Rfd8 20. bxc4 Rac8 21. Qc2 Nb6 22. cxb6 Rxd6 23. Qa4 Bb7 24. Qxa7 Qe7 25. Qa3 c5 26. Qa7 Rd7 27. Rad1 1-0, L'Ami-Iordachescu, Vlissingen 2006 15... bxc4 16. Rfd1 Nd5 17. Be1 Nb6 18. Nc5 Qc8 19. Nxa6 Qxa6 20. a4 20. Bxc6 Rac8 21. Bg2 Ba3 22. Bd2 Rfd8 is OK for Black. 20... Rab8! A great move. 21. Bf3 21. Bxc6 Qc8 and c4 is unpinned with tempo. 21. a5 Nd5 22. bxc4 Bf6= 21... Bf6 22. Rac1 Nd5 23. Qxc4 Qb7 24. Qxc6 Qxb3 With some fine manoeuvres, Anand has solved all his opening problems. 25. Be4 Nb4 26. Qd7 a5 27. Rb1 Qa2 28. Qa7 Qxa4 29. Ra1 Qb5 30. Qxa5 Nd5 1/2-1/2

Dear Friends,
This blog has been formed today (15th March, 2008) to cater to the needs of the Chess Lovers. I think you are aware that present day Chess is a variation of Chaturanga which originated in India sometime in the 6th century or earlier. The Chaturanga was played on an 8x8 board called the Ashtāpada. The game shows the four fold division of the ancient Indian Army consisting of the Infantry, elephants, cavalry and chariots. Anyway overlooking the aspect of wherever the chess originated, it is a wonderful mind game was flavoured, from time to time by the likes of Alexander Alekhine, Michail Chigorin, Bobby Fischer, Boris Spasky, José Raúl Capablanca, Dibendu Barua, Vishwanathan Anand, Praveen Thipsey, Surya Shkhar Ganguly, P Harikrishna, Shasi Kiran, Abhijit Kunte, Vagshree Thipsey, Koneru Humpy, etc. I hope the Chess aficianodos will get inputs from here regarding the International matches, any new developments in the circuit, end-games, openings, novelties etc.
In the left is the Photo of the Chess wizard and master craftsman GM Alexander Alekhine repesenting the then USSR and on the other side is Chess-madman and genius, GM Bobby Fischer (USA), who took on the might Russians (then USSR). But the Chess-king is Undoubtedly, the GM Garry Kasparov,the hero of many battles on board. However, one cannot overlook the strong end-game and positional play of another genius, GM Anatoly Karpov (then USSR) and our own "Speed Chess Hero", GM Vishwanathan Anand who is among the list of Chess Prodigies which included GM Paul Morphy, GM Jose Raul Capablanca, GM Samuel Reshevsky, GM Bobby Fischer, GM Garry Kasparov, WGM Susan Polgar (Hungary), WGM Judith Polgar (Hungary), WGM Koneru Humpy (India), etc. Ms Koneru Humpy, become the youngest female player in the history of chess to achieve a male grandmaster title. Humpy (that's her first name) achieved her final norm at the Elekes Memorial GM tournament at the age of 15 years, one month and 27 days, breaking Judit Polgar's previous record by three months.

Here are the updated statistics for GM titles so far:
Player-------------------------> Final GM norm at:
Bobby Fischer---------------------> 15 years, 6 months, 1 day
Judit Polgar------------------------> 15 years, 4 months, 28 days
Koneru Humpy---------------------> 15 years, 1 month, 27 days
Peter Leko--------------------------> 14 years, 4 months, 22 days
Etienne Bacrot----------------------> 14 years, 2 months, 0 days
Ruslan Ponomaryov-----------------> 14 years, 0 months, 17 days
Teimour Radjabov------------------> 14 years, 0 months, 14 days
Bu Xiangzhi---------------------------> 13 years, 10 months, 13 days
The USSR have always dominated the Wold-Chess-Arena. Surprisingly we do not have too many Americans doting this space. Even small countries like Hungary and Cuba did very well in this sphere.
Indian Grandmasters (GMs):Vishwanathan Anand, Sasikiran, P. Harikrishna, Koneru Humpy, Sandipan Chanda (Bengal), SS Ganguly (Bengal), Abhijjet Kunte, Parimarjan Negi, Gopal, Neelotpal Das (Bengal), Deepan Chakravarty (Bengal), P. Magesh Chandran, Pravin Thipsay, D.Barua (Bengal), Ramesh, Tejas Bakre.

At the end I would like to say that, In this blog one will find regular updates on the events related to Chess from across the globe. I had long wanted to create a blog on Chess which is one of my favourite mindsports and today my wish has been fulfilled. I hope the contents of this blog will be useful to one and all.

Investor/Traders/Readers of this blog,viz.www.sumanspeakschess.blogspot.com, can send me their feedbacks at:suman2005s@rediffmail.com/sumanm2007s@gmail.com. I wish you all the sucesss in all your future endeavours.

Best wishes,

Suman Mukherjee
15th March, 2008.
India.
http://www.sumanspeaks.blogspot.com/

www.sumanspeaksplus.blogspot.com

Origin of chess is UP

9 th Mar 2007

Akhilesh Kumar Singh

Times News Network

LUCKNOW: It's like a Taj-like glory for Uttar Pradesh. A group of German Indologists has claimed to have resolved the controversy over the origin of chess in favour of Kannauj, a township about 75 km from Kanpur in the state.

Different countries, at some point in time, have been associated with the game's invention including India, China, Persia (Iran), Egypt, Assyria, Arabia, Greece, Ireland and Uzbekistan. Many countries claim to have invented chess in some incipient form. But the Indologists' group has almost come to the conclusion that chess originated in Kannauj when it was the capital of Maukhari kingdom in the 6th century.

The Maukhari ruler Sharva Varman had gifted the game of 'chaturanga' to his contemporary Persian ruler Khushrau-II in lieu of saltpetre (a variety of gunpowder). "According to the research done by us so far, we have reached the conclusion that 'chaturanga' was the initial form of chess,"German researcher Manfred A J Eder told TOI. Eder heads the group which in the past one week visited Allahabad, Varanasi, Kannauj, Kanpur and Lucknow, tracing the origin of chess. Other members of the group are — chairman of Sacrmonte Institute for Public Policy Leander A Feiler, Munich University professor Habil Sayed Ranate and Robert S Dinsmore.

A recent book 'Kannauj, The Maukhari And Chaturanga — The origin of chess and its way from India to Persia,' authored by Ranate, laid the foundation for further research. The Maukhari rulers used to play 'chaturanga' with 16 cabinet terracotta before venturing into military campaigns, said Eder. Even Banbhatta in his 'Harshcharita' had mentioned a game called 'ashtapada' similar to chess, he added.

Historical accounts say during the later Gupta period there was an Indian army school where cadets were taught about warfare through terracotta pieces on 'ashtapada', which was again the game of chess in its primitive stage, said Eder. [From Times of India]