The Candidates Tournament is a tournament to select the contender playing for the World Championship title. The reigning world champion, however continues.
The list for this year's Candidates tournament is on this URL.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Chess_Championship_2012
Other details of this year's Candidates tournament is also given here.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Chess Quotes
• "Chess is war over the board.
The object is to crush the opponent's mind." - Bobby Fischer
• I am the best player in the world and I am here to prove it." - Bobby Fischer
• One day you give your opponent a lesson, the next day he gives you one.-Bobby Fischer
• Even as a boy, Bobby was his own man. He knew what he wanted, he felt that he knew what was right, and he made his own decisions. Once convinced of something, his integrity, pride and absolute independence ruled out any compromise. Once he made up his mind there was no changing it. Many often had a go at it; Ethel and I never did. And even when the general consensus was that he was dead wrong, it turned out more often than not that he was right. As the heart has its own reasons, so has genius. -- Jack Collins
• What is chess, do you think? Those who play for fun or not at all dismiss it as a game. The ones who devote their lives to it for the most part insist that it's a science. It's neither. Bobby Fischer got underneath it like no one before and found at its center, art. -- Ben Kingsley (from Searching For Bobby Fischer)
• The beauty of his games, the clarity of his play, and the brilliance of his ideas have made him an artist of the same stature as Brahms, Rembrandt, and Shakespeare. -- David Levy (on Fischer)
• By this measure, I consider him the greatest world champion. -- Garry Kasparov
• There's no doubt that the title meant something to him. It meant more than anything. Proof of that is the fact that after winning it he stopped competing. But with or without the title, Bobby Fischer was unquestionably the greatest player of his time. -- Burt Hochberg
The object is to crush the opponent's mind." - Bobby Fischer
• I am the best player in the world and I am here to prove it." - Bobby Fischer
• One day you give your opponent a lesson, the next day he gives you one.-Bobby Fischer
• Even as a boy, Bobby was his own man. He knew what he wanted, he felt that he knew what was right, and he made his own decisions. Once convinced of something, his integrity, pride and absolute independence ruled out any compromise. Once he made up his mind there was no changing it. Many often had a go at it; Ethel and I never did. And even when the general consensus was that he was dead wrong, it turned out more often than not that he was right. As the heart has its own reasons, so has genius. -- Jack Collins
• What is chess, do you think? Those who play for fun or not at all dismiss it as a game. The ones who devote their lives to it for the most part insist that it's a science. It's neither. Bobby Fischer got underneath it like no one before and found at its center, art. -- Ben Kingsley (from Searching For Bobby Fischer)
• The beauty of his games, the clarity of his play, and the brilliance of his ideas have made him an artist of the same stature as Brahms, Rembrandt, and Shakespeare. -- David Levy (on Fischer)
• By this measure, I consider him the greatest world champion. -- Garry Kasparov
• There's no doubt that the title meant something to him. It meant more than anything. Proof of that is the fact that after winning it he stopped competing. But with or without the title, Bobby Fischer was unquestionably the greatest player of his time. -- Burt Hochberg
Friday, February 11, 2011
Jose Raul Capablanca
Jose Raul Capablanca. Who has not heard of him! He is one of the greatest players of all time.
He is my personal favourite also. His magical endgame play has captivated thousands.
So this is how it all started...
On the 19th November in 1888 Capablanca was born. He was born to a Spanish army officer in Havana,Cuba.
He learnt chess at the tender age of four, while watching his father play. There is a small story I would like to share with you. As I mentioned to you before, he learnt the game by watching his father play. And after some days, he pointed out a illegal move made by his father. His father was surprised, but suspected that Capablanca had a talent for chess. This suspicion was confirmed after he was defeated by Capablanca, a month later. There are many other such fascinating stories which I will relate to you later.
Capablanca was excellent at rapid chess games. Playing 602 games in 27 cities, he gained a distinction of 96.4% win (highest of that time).
In 1911, Capablanca challenged Emanuel Lasker( whom I will talk about later) for the World Championships. Lasker agreed to it. However, he proposed 17 conditions for the match. Capablanca objected to some of them and the match did not take place.
In a tournament in 1913, he won all the thirteen games.
Capablanca became the world champion after deafeating Lasker in 1921, in Havana, Cuba.
After this he played a match against Marshall, in which for the first time Marshall used his main weapon 'Marshall Attack". It is an attack, so complex that even great players such as Garry Kasparov avoid it. Even in this variation, he managed to pull out and gain a victory.
After this point, he was never defeated in the next eight years, until Richard Reti (another really good player; famous for the Reti opening) finally defeated him.
He passed away on 8 March 1942 at the age of 53. The world lost someone very special.
He is my personal favourite also. His magical endgame play has captivated thousands.
So this is how it all started...
On the 19th November in 1888 Capablanca was born. He was born to a Spanish army officer in Havana,Cuba.
He learnt chess at the tender age of four, while watching his father play. There is a small story I would like to share with you. As I mentioned to you before, he learnt the game by watching his father play. And after some days, he pointed out a illegal move made by his father. His father was surprised, but suspected that Capablanca had a talent for chess. This suspicion was confirmed after he was defeated by Capablanca, a month later. There are many other such fascinating stories which I will relate to you later.
Capablanca was excellent at rapid chess games. Playing 602 games in 27 cities, he gained a distinction of 96.4% win (highest of that time).
In 1911, Capablanca challenged Emanuel Lasker( whom I will talk about later) for the World Championships. Lasker agreed to it. However, he proposed 17 conditions for the match. Capablanca objected to some of them and the match did not take place.
In a tournament in 1913, he won all the thirteen games.
Capablanca became the world champion after deafeating Lasker in 1921, in Havana, Cuba.
After this he played a match against Marshall, in which for the first time Marshall used his main weapon 'Marshall Attack". It is an attack, so complex that even great players such as Garry Kasparov avoid it. Even in this variation, he managed to pull out and gain a victory.
After this point, he was never defeated in the next eight years, until Richard Reti (another really good player; famous for the Reti opening) finally defeated him.
He passed away on 8 March 1942 at the age of 53. The world lost someone very special.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Alexander Alekhine
Alexander Alexandrovich Alekhine, one of the greatest chess players was born onOctober 31, 1892 in Moscow Russia. He became the fourth world champion by defeating Jose Raul Capablanca in the year 1927. He was known for his innovative variations and strong endgames.
Early career in chess
Alexander was born in a rich family and was taught to play chess by his mother. His first known match was from a correspondence tournament which he played at the young age of 10! After that he won the all-Russia amateur chess championship at St. Petersburg. From then on he played in stronger tournaments. Many of them were outside Russia. At first his results were mixed, but later he established himself as one of the best chess players in all of Russia. In his first major victory he tied with Aron Nimzowitsch in the All Russian masters tournament. He played several tournaments in the same perios and his results were the same. They were mixed at first but consistent later on.
Grandmaster Alekhine
In April 1914 he stood third behind Jose Raul Capablanca and Emanuel Lasker in the St. Petersburg championship. It is here that Tsar Nicholas II gave the title grandmaster to the top five finalists.
The two world wars and his career
World War I
He was playing the Manheim tournament in Germany when the war broke out. Alekhine and 11 other Russian players were detained in Germany. Alekhine and three others were soon let go. The others returned later. He was leading the tournament with 9 wins and was to recieve 1100 marks as the prize. After he returned to Russia he held exhibtions to free the chess players interned in Germany. Rumours were moving around in the west stating that Alekhine was killed!
World war II
He joined the french army as a sanitation officer. Then in June 1940, France fell. Alekhine escaped to Marseilles. He seeked permission to get into Cuba promising to play against Capablanca. But he was denied. He had to cooperate with the Nazis who had looted his castle and also had to protect his wife. He tied the first place with Paul Felix Schmidt in the Salzburg 1942 tournament. He also took part in tournaments in Munich, Prague and Warsaw.
1927-1935 world champion-first reign
He defeated Capablanca in the year 1927 to become the world champion. This championship took place between September and November. This was the longest world chapionship before the Kasparov-Karpov 1984 championship.
Loss of the title 1935
In the year 1935 Alexander Alekhine challenger Max Euwe. Max Euwe defeated Alekhine and snatched the title. Max Euwe became the fifth world champion. He held the title for 2 years and the title shifted back to Alekhine in the year 1937.
1937-1946 World champion-second reign
Alekhine challenged Max in 1937 just 2 years after he had lost the title to the same person. Alekhine just won. He kept the title till 1946. He was to have a return match against Jose Raul Capablanca who held the title 19 years ago.
Alekhine's death
Alekhine was in Estoril, Portugal. He was thinking of the rematch with Capablanca. On March 24 1946 he died in his hotel room. The cause of his death is uncertain. Some say he was murdered. Some say he choked on a piece of meat. But the most believed story is that he had a heart attack.
Early career in chess
Alexander was born in a rich family and was taught to play chess by his mother. His first known match was from a correspondence tournament which he played at the young age of 10! After that he won the all-Russia amateur chess championship at St. Petersburg. From then on he played in stronger tournaments. Many of them were outside Russia. At first his results were mixed, but later he established himself as one of the best chess players in all of Russia. In his first major victory he tied with Aron Nimzowitsch in the All Russian masters tournament. He played several tournaments in the same perios and his results were the same. They were mixed at first but consistent later on.
Grandmaster Alekhine
In April 1914 he stood third behind Jose Raul Capablanca and Emanuel Lasker in the St. Petersburg championship. It is here that Tsar Nicholas II gave the title grandmaster to the top five finalists.
The two world wars and his career
World War I
He was playing the Manheim tournament in Germany when the war broke out. Alekhine and 11 other Russian players were detained in Germany. Alekhine and three others were soon let go. The others returned later. He was leading the tournament with 9 wins and was to recieve 1100 marks as the prize. After he returned to Russia he held exhibtions to free the chess players interned in Germany. Rumours were moving around in the west stating that Alekhine was killed!
World war II
He joined the french army as a sanitation officer. Then in June 1940, France fell. Alekhine escaped to Marseilles. He seeked permission to get into Cuba promising to play against Capablanca. But he was denied. He had to cooperate with the Nazis who had looted his castle and also had to protect his wife. He tied the first place with Paul Felix Schmidt in the Salzburg 1942 tournament. He also took part in tournaments in Munich, Prague and Warsaw.
1927-1935 world champion-first reign
He defeated Capablanca in the year 1927 to become the world champion. This championship took place between September and November. This was the longest world chapionship before the Kasparov-Karpov 1984 championship.
Loss of the title 1935
In the year 1935 Alexander Alekhine challenger Max Euwe. Max Euwe defeated Alekhine and snatched the title. Max Euwe became the fifth world champion. He held the title for 2 years and the title shifted back to Alekhine in the year 1937.
1937-1946 World champion-second reign
Alekhine challenged Max in 1937 just 2 years after he had lost the title to the same person. Alekhine just won. He kept the title till 1946. He was to have a return match against Jose Raul Capablanca who held the title 19 years ago.
Alekhine's death
Alekhine was in Estoril, Portugal. He was thinking of the rematch with Capablanca. On March 24 1946 he died in his hotel room. The cause of his death is uncertain. Some say he was murdered. Some say he choked on a piece of meat. But the most believed story is that he had a heart attack.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Bent Larsen
Bent Larsen in Buenos Aires,January 2010Bent Larsen, one of the greatest chess players in the world passed away on 9th September 2010. It is a big loss to the World of Chess. He suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage 14 days before and had to be rushed to the hospital. "It is especially sad that it happened in the year we had so much celebrations on his 75th Birthday.There would be another GM tournament this year but, it will probably be cancelled. Naturally we will have a memorial",said Vestergard.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Magnus Carlsen
Carlsen at the age of 13 playing against Kasparov!!Magnus Carlsen one of the world youngest players, was born on 30 of November (now aged 19) in Tonsberg in Norway. He played his first tournament at the age of eight and was later coached by one of the greatest player in Norway, GM Simen Agdestein. He came third in the European Championship (under 12 boys). He was recognized after he won the Corus chess tournament in the year 2004 at Wijk aan Zee [ʋɛik aːn zeː] . He became a Grandmaster at the age of 13, making him the third youngest grandmaster. At the age of 19, he became the YOUNGEST player ever in history to be ranked number 1!! His highest FIDE rating is 2862.
He recently defeated Viswanathan Anand in a Rapid tournament (20min +15s) each.
He recently defeated Viswanathan Anand in a Rapid tournament (20min +15s) each.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Anand - Topalov game 12
This is a really good game played between Veselin Topalov from Bulgaria and Viswanathan Anand from India. This series was played in Sofia, Bulgaria. This series was played between 24th April and 13th May. This was one of the reasons why Topalov took a lot of risk to win the game because he was defeated by Kramnik on the 13th of May 2009. So, he became a bit superstitious. Before this game the points of both the players were equal (5.5). Anand was Black and Topalov was White. This was a typical QP opening wherein White started of with d4. Before this series Anand had played just 67 games against Topalov. Anand won 17 games 13 as White and 4 as Black and drew 37 games (the rest were won by Topalov). This game was the only Black victory of the series. Anand later referred to this game as the toughest of his career. I have picked up a really good video with detailed analysis.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 O-O 7.e3 Ne4 8.Bxe7 Qxe7 9.Rc1 c6 10.Be2 Nxc3 11.Rxc3 dxc4 12.Bxc4 Nd7 13.O-O b6 14.Bd3 c5 15.Be4 Rb8 16.Qc2 Nf6!? 17.dxc5 Nxe4 18.Qxe4 bxc5 19.Qc2 Bb7 20.Nd2 Rfd8 21.f3 Ba6 22.Rf2 Rd7 23.g3 Rbd8 24.Kg2 Bd3 25.Qc1 Ba6 26.Ra3 Bb7 27.Nb3 Rc7 28.Na5 Ba8 29.Nc4 e5 30.e4 f5! 31.exf5? e4! 32.fxe4?? Qxe4+ 33.Kh3 Rd4 34.Ne3 Qe8! 35.g4 h5 36.Kh4 g5+ 37.fxg6 Qxg6 38.Qf1 Rxg4+ 39.Kh3 Re7 40.Rf8+ Kg7 41.Nf5+ Kh7 42.Rg3 Rxg3+ 43.hxg3 Qg4+ 44.Kh2 Re2+ 45.Kg1 Rg2+ 46.Qxg2 Bxg2 47.Kxg2 Qe2+ 48.Kh3 c4 49.a4 a5 50.Rf6 Kg8 51.Nh6+ Kg7 52.Rb6 Qe4 53.Kh2 Kh7 54.Rd6 Qe5 55.Nf7 Qxb2+ 56.Kh3 Qg7 0–1
Anand won the game thus retaining the World Title.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Evergreen Game
This game is another classic played by Adolf Anderssen and Dufresne. Anderrsen was playing white and Dufresne black. This called the Evan's gambit. In this opening white gives up material to gain advantage in development. The game went on like this:
White: Anderssen
Black: Durfesne
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Bc5
4. b4 Bxb4
In case white continued with c3 it would be called the Giuocco Piano (Italian Game) where in after...
4. c3 Nf6
5. d4 exd4
6. cxd4 Bb5 +
1)...there would be two possibilities here Nc3 which is a gambit where white sacrifices a pawn and develops his pieces. At the end of this variation the position would be unclear because black has more material but white has a solid position.
2)...the other possibility is Bd2. Here black exchanges his black bishop. At the end of this variation the position will be equal. Now, back to the game.
5. c3 Ba5
6. d4 exd4
7. O-O d3?!
8. Qb3!? Qf6
9. e5 Qg6
10. Re1! Nge7
11. Ba3 b5?!
12. Qxb5 Rb8
13. Qa4 Bb6
14. Nbd2 Bb7
15. Ne4 Qf5?
16. Bxd3 Qh5
17. Nf6+!? gxf6
18. exf6 Rg8
19. Rad1 Qxf3?
20. Rxe7+! Nxe7
21. Qxd7+! Kxd7
22. Bf5+ Ke8
23. Bd7+ Kf8
24. Bxe7# 1-0
The Immortal Game
This game was played between two great players, Adolf Anderrsen and Lionel Kieseritzky.
Anderrsen playing white chose to play the King's Gambit which was accepted by Black. Anderrsen sacrificed his two rooks, one bishop and his queen to mate Black.
- e4 e5
- f4 exf4
- Bc4 Qh4+?!
- Kf1 b5
- Bxb5 Nf6
- Nf3 Qh6
- d3 Nh5
- Nh4 Qg5
- Nf5 c6
- g4 Nf6
- Rg1! cxb5?
- h4! Qg6
- h5 Qg5
- Qf3 Ng8
- Bxf4 Qf6
- Nc3 Bc5
- Nd5!? Qxb2
- Bd6! Bxg1?
- e5! Qxa1+
- Nxg7+ Kd8
- Qf6+! Nxf6
- Be7#
Monday, May 17, 2010
Fischer-Spassky Game 6 - The match Of the Century
In the sixth game, for the first time in his life, Fischer opened with 1. c4, nullifying Spassky's extensive opening preparation. Yet again, Spassky played passively. After 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 b6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. Rc1 Be6 12. Qa4 c5 13. Qa3 Rc8 14. Bb5 a6 15. dxc5 bxc5 16. O-O Ra7 17. Be2 Nd7 18. Nd4 Qf8 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. e4 d4 21. f4 Qe7 22. e5 Rb8 23. Bc4 Kh8 24. Qh3 Nf8 25. b3 a5 26. f5, White had a crushing attack.
The game continued 26... exf5 27. Rxf5 Nh7 28. Rcf1 Qd8 29. Qg3 Re7 30. h4 Rbb7 31. e6 Rbc7 32. Qe5 Qe8 33. a4 Qd8 34. R1f2 Qe8 35. R2f3 Qd8 36. Bd3 Qe8 37. Qe4 Nf6 38. Rxf6 gxf6 39. Rxf6 Kg8 40. Bc4 Kh8 41. Qf4 1-0
After this game, Spassky joined the audience in applauding Fischer's win. Psychologically, he had already lost the match. He would later reluctantly refer to this game as the best of the match.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Anand
Viswanathan Anand was born on 11 December 1969 (1969-12-11) (age 40) in Mayiladutharai, Tamil Nadu, India. He is the undisputed World Chess Champion from 2007 till today. He defended his title against Vladimir Kramnik in 2008. With this win he became the world's first chess player to have won the World chamionship in all three formats: knockout, tournament and match. He defended his title once again against Topalov in a twelve match series in 2010. He became a grandmaster in 1988 at the age of 19. He is proud of the fact that his mother taught him chess. Anand held the FIDE World championship for two years from 2000 to 2002. He was the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award which was awarded in 1991-92, India's highest sporting honour. He has also been awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award.
Anand wins!!
Anand won in the 12th and final round against Topalov. He played black in this round and won. This was the one and only win by black. Topalov exchanged the queen for a rook and a bishop. He resigned after Anand's 56th move Qg7. This move is winning a piece for Anand.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Algebraic Notation
In chess one can record moves using symbols. There are symbols for different things in chess. 
For example : square names, pieces, analyzing symbols, etc.
Square names- The horizontal rows are called ranks and the vertical ones are called files.
The ranks are given the numbers from 1-8 and the files are given the alphabets a-h. So to note down a name of a square Note down the rank no. and file name.
For example : Rank number = 6, File name = f
Then the square name is f6. Note that the letter in the name of the square is written in lower caps. This rule must be followed.
The symbol for the pieces is written in capitals.
King-K
Queen-Q
Rook-R
Knight-N
Bishop-B
Pawn-(the square should alone be given).
For example : Rank number = 6, File name = f
Then the square name is f6. Note that the letter in the name of the square is written in lower caps. This rule must be followed.
The symbol for the pieces is written in capitals.
King-K
Queen-Q
Rook-R
Knight-N
Bishop-B
Pawn-(the square should alone be given).
Special Moves :Castling
Castling as I said before consists of rook and king. In this the rook and the king more or less swap places. The king moves 2 squares away from its initial position and the rook moves next to it (king) on the other side. However there are some requirements for this special move to be played.
Castling is permissible only if all of the following conditions hold:
- The king has not moved (prior to castling);
- The chosen rook has not moved (prior to castling);
- There must be no pieces between the king and the chosen rook;
- The king is not in check.
- The king must not pass through a square that is under attack by enemy pieces.
- The king must not end up in check (true of any legal move).
- The king and the chosen rook must be on the same rank.
Special Moves :Pawn Promotion
Pawn promotion is a simple and important part in chess. As the name suggests, a player can promote the pawn into any other piece (queen, bishop, knight or rook) upon the condition that the promoting pawn reaches the last rank or the last row. A player may already have one queen but, he can have more than one queen.The same applies for all the other pieces other than the king. A pawn cannot be promoted into a king.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Special Moves : En Passant
There are three special moves. They are pawn promotion, en passant, castling.
Pawn promotion and en passant are special moves of pawns whereas castling consists of the king and the rook.
En passant : This is a capturing move. In this if a pawn moves two squares forward the hostile pawn which is just next to pawn (after it is moved) can capture it. The pawn should be kept on the square in front of the initial position. You will understand better with the picture.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Anand - Topalov
The following results are of the World Chess Championship at Sofia in Bulgaria between Anand and Topalov:
- First game : Topalov wins after a 30 moves
- Second game :Anand wins after 43 moves
- Third game : DRAW
- Fourth game : Anand wins after 32 moves
- Fifth game : DRAW
- Sixth game : DRAW
- Seventh game : DRAW
- Eighth game : Topalov wins
- Ninth game : DRAW
- Tenth game : DRAW
- Eleventh game : DRAW
- Twelfth game : Anand wins in 56 moves and retains his title as World Chess Champion
Check and Checkmate
Check: When a hostile piece(queen, knight, rook, bishop) or pawn attacks the king. There are 3 ways of defending the checks i.e by capturing(killing) the hostile piece, by moving the king away or by bringing a piece in between the hostile piece and the game.
Checkmate: When the king cannot escape from check in any of the ways. This is the end of the game.
Chess game
Each chess set consists of a board with 64 squares (32 white 32 black), 32 chessmen (16 white(8 Pawns, 2 Rooks, 1 King, 2 Bishops, 2 Knights, 1 Queen) 16 black(8 Pawns, 2 Rooks, 1 King, 2 Bishops, 2 Knights, 1 Queen)).
The aim of the game is to move your chessmen (white or black) across the board to checkmate the opponent king.
Introduction
Hey Guys !! We are Rohit and Ashrit and we love to play chess, here are some of our experiences. We created this blog to encourage people to play chess. We are from Bengaluru (Bangalore) ,India. Actually, chess originated in India. It is called Chaturanga in the southern parts of India and Shatranj in norhthern parts. If you people have any doubts, questions or suggestions , you are welcome to send it to us at chessfundas@gmail.com .
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