Mastering The Art Of Chess

Kosteniuk beats Vishy Anand

2010-12-18T01:49:00.002+08:00

Kosteniuk beats Vishy Anand

Watch Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk beat reigning World Chess Champion Vishy Anand at the 2009 World Blitz Chess Championship in Moscow. In what other sport can the reigning women's world champion beat the overall (men's) world champion?

USM Kubang Kerian Chess Open 16th October 2010

2010-10-15T21:51:00.004+08:00

I am not updating this blog very long-long time. Just want to share one information about this chess tournament which will be organize as below:

Date : 16th October 2010 (Saturday)
Time : 08:00 to 19:00.
Venue : USM Kubang Kerian
Category: Open, Under 18 and under 12
Fee : RM10 adult and RM5 for student/usm

Those interested to play in this chess tournament can contact the person as per pamphlet given.

Michael Adams wins Second Ruy López International in Mérida

2008-04-14T10:57:00.002+08:00

Grandmaster Michael Adams; The winner, with a 2822 performance

"He led all the way, and top English GM Michael Adams never let it slip. He won the eight player round robin event with 5.5/7 and a 2822 performance. Second was Chinese GM Zhang Pengxiang, third and fourth were shared by GM Gabriel Sargissian, Armenia, and Indian GM Koneru Humpy. A special guest at the tournament was Spanish playwright and chess aficionado Fernando Arrabal." - Chessbase

Final Standings Result

12th Chessmaster Bandaraya Johor Bahru Open

2008-04-13T01:48:00.002+08:00

Dewan Jubli Intan Johor Bahru

Venue : Dewan Jubli Intan Johor Bahru
Date & Time :Sunday - 20th April 2008 from 8.30 am to 5.30pm
Time Control : Swiss System of 7 rounds with 25 minutes per player to complete game
Entry Fee : Entry Fees for the open category : RM50
Entry fee for under 16 : RM12
Entry Fee for under 16 : RM10.00

Closing Date : 18th April 2008

Prizes : ( 10 cash prizes )

Open Category : RM1500, RM1000, RM700, RM600, RM400, RM200,RM200, RM200
RM200, RM200

Under 16 : RM300, RM200, RM100, RM80, RM70, RM50m RM50, RM50, RM50
RM50

Under 12 : RM200, RM150, RM60, RM70, RM60, RM50, RM50,RM50, RM50, RM50

Samurai Chess: Mastering Art of the Mind (Paperback)

2008-04-10T18:19:00.002+08:00

Anyone has owned this book? Is it worth to purchase? Then you should sharing here.

Samurai Chess

A Guide for Chess Players at All Levels

"With expertise, passion, and skillful storytelling, Gelb and Keene bring together two fascinating sports of body and mind"

—George Leonard, author of Mastery and The Ultimate Athlete

Whether you are just learning the game, are an intermediate player, or are an expert, Samurai Chess will offer you special advice through the unique collaboration of its authors. A world leader in creative strategy, Michael Gelb has a third degree black belt in aikido and is an accomplished chess player in his own right. Author of more than 100 books, Raymond Keene is an International Chess Grandmaster with a sixth kyu certificate in aikido. Merging their skills and interests, they have created an uncommon book that adapts the seven samurai principles to the game of chess.

These principles are a prescription for victory, and by demonstrating how each can be applied, the authors offer a wealth of original advice on improving your game. At the same time, they make clear how playing chess will help develop your talent as a strategic thinker. Gelb and Keene offer new ideas on achieving razor-sharp mental fitness–from training techniques to lessons and strategic decisions from chess and martial arts grandmasters.

To Gelb and Keene, chess is both a scintillating game and a metaphor for success in business, life, and any creative enterprise. As they say, "in mastering chess, you master in microcosm all forms of combat and strategy, for any application you choose."

List of World Chess Champion 1886 to 2007

2008-01-20T21:38:00.000+08:00

I got this list from Wikipedia. Just for sharing.

Acknowledge World Champions 1886 - 1993

Name	Years	Country
Wilhelm Steinitz	1886–1894	Austria / United States
Emanuel Lasker	1894–1921	Prussia / Germany
José Raúl Capablanca	1921–1927	Cuba
Alexander Alekhine	1927–1935	Soviet Union ( Russia) / France
Max Euwe	1935–1937	Netherlands
Alexander Alekhine	1937–1946	France
Mikhail Botvinnik	1948–1957	Soviet Union ( Russia)
Vasily Smyslov	1957–1958	Soviet Union ( Russia)
Mikhail Botvinnik	1958–1960	Soviet Union ( Russia)
Mikhail Tal	1960–1961	Soviet Union ( Latvia)
Mikhail Botvinnik	1961–1963	Soviet Union ( Russia)
Tigran Petrosian	1963–1969	Soviet Union ( Armenia)
Boris Spassky	1969–1972	Soviet Union ( Russia)
Robert J. Fischer	1972–1975	United States
Anatoly Karpov	1975–1985	Soviet Union ( Russia)
Garry Kasparov	1985–1993	Soviet Union / Russia

FIDE world champions 1993–2006

Name	Years	Country
Anatoly Karpov	1993–1999	Russia
Alexander Khalifman	1999–2000	Russia
Viswanathan Anand	2000–2002	India
Ruslan Ponomariov	2002–2004	Ukraine
Rustam Kasimdzhanov	2004–2005	Uzbekistan
Veselin Topalov	2005–2006	Bulgaria

Acknowledge World Champions 2006–Present

Name	Years	Country
Vladimir Kramnik	2006–2007	Russia
Viswanathan Anand	2007–present	India

Classical World Champions 1993–2006

Name	Years	Country
Garry Kasparov	1993–2000	Russia
Vladimir Kramnik	2000–2006	Russia

Who will be the next person to wear the crown?

Pesta Catur USM Ke-14 2007/2008

2008-01-17T20:29:00.000+08:00

This morning I heard in radio Era that USM Penang will organize open chess tournament this week. I also got email from my friend and the details as below;

PESTA CATUR USM PENANG TERBUKA KE-14 2007/200
1.0 Tarikh dan Tempat
Acara individu : 12 –13 Januari 2008
Acara berpasukan : 19 – 20 Januari 2008

Tempat : Dewan Utama Pelajar (DPA dan DP B), Kampus Induk, USM Pulau Pinang.

2.0 Hadiah-hadiah

Acara Individu

Acara Berpasukan

Tempat Pertama : RM 500.00

Tempat Kedua : RM 250.00

Tempat Ketiga : RM 150.00

Tempat Keempat : RM 150.00

Tempat Kelima : RM 80.00

Tempat Keenam : RM 80.00

Tempat Ketujuh : RM 80.00

Tempat Kelapan : RM 80.00

Tempat Pertama : RM 800.00

Tempat Kedua : RM 500.00

Tempat Ketiga : RM 400.00

Tempat Keempat : RM 300.00

Tempat Kelima : RM 250.00

Tempat Keenam : RM 200.00

Tempat Ketujuh : RM 150.00

Tempat Kelapan : RM 150.00

Hadiah Pemain Terbaik:

Hadiah Pasukan Terbaik:

Pemain Veteran

Wanita

Pelajar USM

Pelajar Universiti

18 tahun ke bawah lelaki (3)

18 tahun ke bawah wanita (3)

15 tahun ke bawah lelaki (3)

15 tahun ke bawah wanita (3)

12 tahun ke bawah lelaki (3)

12 tahun ke bawah wanita (3)

10 tahun ke bawah lelaki (3)

10 tahun ke bawah wanita (3)

8 tahun ke bawah lelaki (3)

8 tahun ke bawah wanita (3)

Organisasi Awam

Institusi Pengajian Tinggi

Sekolah menengah

Sekolah rendah

18 tahun ke bawah Pertama(2)

15 tahun ke bawah Pertama lelaki(2)

15 tahun ke bawah perempuan

12 tahun ke bawah Pertama lelaki(2)

12 tahun ke bawah perempuan

Wanita

Keluarga

Hadiah Papan Terbaik:

Papan Pertama

Papan Kedua

Papam Ketiga

Papan Keempat

Papan Kelima (simpanan)

Papan Keenam (simpanan)

* Tahun pelajar adalah dikira pada 01 Januari 2008

** Sijil Penyertaan akan diberikan kepada semua peserta Institusi Pengajian Tinggi dan sekolah

*** Had bilangan pemain individu: 200 orang sahaja.

Had bilangan pasukan: 66 pasukan sahaja.

3.0 Tentatif program

Acara Individu

Hari pertama 12 Januari 2008 (Sabtu)

0900 - 1100 Pendaftaran

1100 - 1300 Rehat

1300 - 1420 Pusingan Pertama

1440 - 1600 Pusingan Kedua

1620 – 1740 Pusingan Ketiga

Hari Kedua 13 Januari 2008 (Ahad)

0830 - 0950 Pusingan Keempat

1010 - 1130 Pusingan Kelima

1130 - 1230 Rehat

1230 - 1350 Pusingan Keenam

1410 - 1530 Pusingan Ketujuh

1550 - 1710 Pusingan Kelapan

1730 - 1830 *Perasmian Pesta Catur Ke-13 dan penyampaian hadiah

Acara Berpasukan

Hari pertama 19 Januari 2008 (Sabtu)

0900 - 1100 Pendaftaran

1100 - 1300 Rehat

1300 – 1430 Pusingan Pertama

1450 - 1620 Pusingan Kedua

1640 – 1810 Pusiangan Ketiga

Hari Kedua 20 Januari 2008 (Ahad)

0830 - 1000 Pusingan Keempat

1020 - 1150 Pusingan Kelima

1200 - 1300 Rehat

1300 - 1430 Pusingan Keenam

1450 - 1620 Pusingan Ketujuh
1640 - 1740 Penutupan Pesta Catur Ke-14 dan penyampaian hadiah oleh YB Wong Mun Hoe.

You can contact this email if you are interested to participate usm_chess_club@yahoo.com.

Currently I am quite busy with my 8 to 5 daily job. Almost 1 year none of the tournaments in Malaysia I participate. Maybe after mid year 2008.

Chess Endgame

2007-12-05T17:20:00.000+08:00

If you wanna improve your chess game, you should learn and study the basic chess endings. The end is a good place to start. As you study a lot of endgame studies example, try to predict the next best move for both black and white. By doing this, you will train yourself to win a won position, or perhaps swindle a better score from a bad position. Once you know the secrets of the endgame, you will surprise that most of your games will end up with good result.

Here I attach one of the simple endgame position. Try first to solve this puzzle before you read the answer below.

White to play and win 1...?

The answer: 1. g6! fxg6 2. h6! gxh6 3. f6 passed pawn. White win 1-0 Even black has an extra knight, but can do nothing to avoid the white passed pawn to promotion. This is what we want to learn. That's it!

"The passed Pawn is a criminal that must be kept under lock and key. Mild measures, such as police surveillance, are not sufficient" -- Nimzovich

Recognize Mating Pattern - Chess Puzzle

2007-11-29T21:53:00.000+08:00

One way to improve your skills in playing chess is solving chess puzzles. Chess problem solving is ultimately not only will increase your game's quality but also sharping your game played. The composition exist in chess puzzles can be considered an art form.

To complete this article, here I post one chess puzzle for you to solve. This is an easy one. Try on your own move first then see the result.

White to play and win in 4 moves... 1. ?

The answer: 1. Nf7+ Kg8 2. Nh6+! double check! Kf8 will instantly mate by Qf7++. Black to move Kh8. White should not gain material by simply play Nxd8 even also lead to win instead the fast winning route is only 2 move ahead.
3. Qg8+!! Rxg8 4. Nf7++ Mate.

How do you feel? This chess game combination should be practice and repeat frequently until you master how and when to take advantage of such position using your Queen and Knight combination. Always remember to recognize this mating pattern and set pieces. Apply to your chess games. Early detection on this will lead you to the victory. You will appreciate it and I am sure you will love it! Happy learning and continue enjoy this reading!

"I like to play combination, some of them intuitive and not fully calculated!"
-- Rudolph Spielmann

Related articles that may interest you...

Bobby Fischer the Chess Legend
Playing Chess

Bobby Fischer the Chess Legend

2007-11-25T16:00:00.000+08:00

Bobby Fischer One of The Greatest Chess Player Ever!

"Chess is war over the board. The object is to crush the opponent's mind" -- Bobby Fischer

Who is Bobby Fischer? A very natural talented chess player ever! I look up to him as a legend and genius of the great chess game played ever. He inspired me to love the game of chess for whatever it is. Bobby Fischer is considered to be one of the most gifted chess players of all time. Short biography of the world great chess player Bobby Fischer:

Full Name : Robert James Fischer (known as Bobby Fischer)
Country : United States
Born :March 9th, 1943 - Chicago, Illinois United States
Start : 6^th years old (1949)
Awards :
: US Junior Chess Championship 1956
: Age 12^th – US National Master
: US Open Championship 1957
: Age 14^th – International Master
: Age 15^th – Grandmaster
: World Chess Champion in 1972
: 2785 the highest rating (1972)

Fischer's road to the world championship shows highly controversial with a lot of demand by Fischer on his own good reason. In 1972, Fischer beat the World Champion Boris Spassky 12.5 – 8.5 with 7 won, 1 lose and 11 draw conquering the world crown for the title 11^thWorld Chess Champion, meaning that Fischer has already broke the Soviet monopoly of the world title in history. After winning the world championship, Bobby Fischer never returns to defend his title against Anatoly Karpov in 1975. He disappeared for a long time and no more active in chess competition. Nevertheless, he is still among the best known of all chess players around the world.

I like very much the games played by Bobby Fischer. Most of the games showing very high quality and stand at its own class. Wonderful and brilliant! This is what I say before 'the beautiful art of chess'.

For the introduction, I post one of his game played when he is 16th years old. How Bobby Fischer played against his opponent in this position?

Bobby Fischer VS Shocron Leonardo, Mar Del Plata 1959

How white continue to winning this game?

Rxe6! A good move by Fischer! An exchange sacrifice. Now if Black plays fxe6 White will reply with Qxe6+ followed by Qxe5. White then has a winning position, although material is level, with Bd4 coming up and the Black King in trouble. But instead Black tried a clever defense: Qc8 pinning the Rook. How did Fischer get out of that one?

The brilliant answer (not easy to find, I guess) was Bd7!!. Now if Black plays Qxd7 his Queen is now undefended so White can play Rxg6+ winning the Queen. If Black does anything else with his Queen the White Rook will escape.

I will bring more interesting and wonderful games played by Bobby Fischer in the future. Hopefully you will like it. Thanks.

Playing Chess

2007-11-11T21:51:00.000+08:00

When you are playing chess, you develop list in your head of opponent’s moves which you should explore by playing as many moves ahead in your mind as you can and evaluating the potential outcomes. That’s the secret how the chess experts conquering the world of chess battle. Can you?

Unfortunately, starting out with this is very difficult and time consuming. Chess experts do this instinctively and can play very fast naturally. But it is not easy task to do. To be at the chess master level, intensive practice is required. Memorization and mastering of various openings, middle game, and endgame can be crucial. This is how the master did it. How about us?

The easier way to learn and more interesting are to approach professional’s games, grandmaster's games level for sure and try to understand the reasoning behind each move they did. The idea is not to memorize or copy their moves or tactics, like many do, but to appreciate the strategies and the logical reasoning that led to them.

Skill only comes with the great amounts of practice. But it doesn’t mean that to experiment every possible move of your games instead of to learn from the proven winners which is far more efficient.

The reason why I am blogging here, talking about chess definitely not to show you a way to become a chess grandmaster but to share with my reader all about the art of chess. My focus is studying the beautiful art of chess from variety of grandmaster's games level. It’s all about the great set pieces, terrific piece sacrifice, brilliant combination and thinking in advance which all stated might catch my interest. That’s it.

Happy learning and continue enjoy this reading on my journey!