Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 Pairings Blitz: Anand Gifts Magnus a Checkmate in Three!

Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 Pairings Blitz: The strongest chess tournament in history has two other attractions - First, the new World Chess Champion is playing his first chess tournament after picking up the world title. Second, he is meeting his 'victim' former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand for the first time after the November, 2013 debacle.

Magnus Carlsen on his way to crushing Viswanathan Anand in the Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 pairings blitz Round 4 on Wednesday night.

A blitz chess tournament was played on Wednesday, January 29, to determine the colour distribution for the main Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 which includes five rounds of classical chess to be played from Thursday to Monday (30 January to 3 February), followed by a rapid tournament with reversed colors on the last day (4 February).

Everyone was focused on just one game really particularly after Magnus Carlsen 'lost' the first round blitz game to Fabiano Caruana! 

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen and his predecessor met in Round 4 and the Indian Grandmaster handed the Norwegian a cool checkmate in three that is bound to keep Carlsen fans exulting and Anand fans gnashing their teeth for a long time to come. 

Take a try at the chess position yourself: Carlsen-Anand 1-0. Anand has just played 20. ...Nc6. Anand resigned on Magnus Carlsen's next move which actually forces a checkmate in three!

What did Magnus Carlsen play and Anand resign?

(Expect the position to go down in chess puzzle books across the planet)

Here is also the livestream video of the game Carlsen - Anand from the Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 pairings blitz. All games were commented by GM Yannick Pelletier and IM Werner Hug and broadcast live via the Internet. Don't miss their excellent commentary and chat.

Here are the pairings for the 'actual' Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 tournament with classical and rapid games:

PAIRINGS

Classical Games

Round 1 Magnus Carlsen - Boris Gelfand
Levon Aronian - Viswanathan Anand
Hikaru Nakamura - Fabiano Caruana

Round 2 
Boris Gelfand - Fabiano Caruana
Viswanathan Anand - Hikaru Nakamura
Magnus Carlsen - Levon Aronian

Round 3 
Levon Aronian - Boris Gelfand
Hikaru Nakamura - Magnus Carlsen
Fabiano Caruana - Viswanathan Anand

Round 4 Boris Gelfand - Viswanathan Anand
Magnus Carlsen - Fabiano Caruana
Levon Aronian - Hikaru Nakamura

Round 5 
Hikaru Nakamura - Boris Gelfand
Fabiano Caruana - Levon Aronian
Viswanathan Anand - Magnus Carlsen

Rapid Games

Round 1 
Boris Gelfand - Magnus Carlsen
Viswanathan Anand - Levon Aronian
Fabiano Caruana - Hikaru Nakamura

Round 2 
Fabiano Caruana - Boris Gelfand
Hikaru Nakamura - Viswanathan Anand
Levon Aronian - Magnus Carlsen

Round 3 
Boris Gelfand - Levon Aronian
Magnus Carlsen - Hikaru Nakamura
Viswanathan Anand - Fabiano Caruana

Round 4 
Viswanathan Anand - Boris Gelfand
Fabiano Caruana - Magnus Carlsen
Hikaru Nakamura - Levon Aronian

Round 5 
Boris Gelfand - Hikaru Nakamura
Levon Aronian - Fabiano Caruana
Magnus Carlsen - Viswanathan Anand 

Replay the full game Magnus Carlsen - Viswanathan Anand 1-0:

PGN: [Event "Zurich CC Blitz 2014"]
[Site "Zurich SUI"]
[Date "2014.01.29"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteTitle "GM"]
[BlackTitle "GM"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[ECO "A06"]
[Opening "Reti"]
[Variation "Nimzovich-Larsen attack"]
[WhiteFideId "1503014"]
[BlackFideId "5000017"]
[EventDate "2014.01.29"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 c5 3. e4 dxe4 4. Ng5 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Ncxe4 Nxe4 10. Nxe4 e5 11. f4 exf4 12. Qh5 Nd4 13. Rxf4 g6 14. Qe5 b6 15. Raf1 Bf5 16. g4 Be6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Rxf8+ Bxf8 19. Nf6+ Kh8 20. c3 Nc6 21. Ne8+ 1-0

For complete tournament reports on the Zurich Chess Challenge 2014, continue to follow our main website www.blackandwhiteindia.com. You can also access the official website of the Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 here. -- Rajat Sinha

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Anand, Carlsen meet Again after World Chess Championship: Zurich Chess Challenge begins Jan 29

Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 — The strongest tournament in chess history to date begins Wednesday, January 29 at the Hotel Savoy. This is going to be the first chess tournament in the history of the game to claim a level of Category 23 with an amazing average rating of 2801!

Destiny is cruel and chess destiny can be crueler still: The newly-crowned World Chess Champion and his 'victim' Viswanathan Anand will meet again for the first time after the November 2013 World Chess Championship. This will be Magnus Carlsen's first tournament appearance after winning the world title. Anand has already played the London Chess Classic in December 2013 which Carlsen did not attend.

The chess greats - Anand and Carlsen - are to meet twice over the board in Zurich not counting the blitz event for deciding the pairings.

A blitz tournament will determine the color distribution on the first day (29 January). Five rounds of classical chess will then be played from Thursday to Monday (30 January to 3 February), followed by a rapid tournament with reversed colors on the last day (4 February). 

We expect a 'respectful' draw between Anand and Carlsen in the classical game without any fodder for the hungry fans or salivating journalists. But, if Anand were to win he would make a point: That he did have the requisite weapons ready in November 2013 itself, but "read Carlsen wrong" as he has commented before. If Carlsen were to win... it's going to be driving the nail back in with greater pain. Anand chess fans, keep fingers crossed. 

The other players are the Armenian Levon Aronian (2), the American Hikaru Nakamura (3), the US-Italian Fabiano Caruana (6), as well as the Israeli Boris Gelfand (8).

This brilliant event, which will take place in the extraordinary familial environment of the ballroom of the Hotel Savoy, has already caught the attention throughout the world and led to the registration of many journalists and top-players, including Peter Leko, Jan Timman and Gennadi Sosonko. 

Further, the Chinese women's world-champion Hou Yifan will attend this unique occasion and will be playing a simultaneous exhibition with clocks against 6 top Swiss juniors on 1 February at 1 p.m. at the Zurich 'Zunfthaus zur Saffran'.

The owner of IGC International Gemological Laboratories», Mr. Oleg Skvortsov, is the creator of this chess event. He not only loves chess, but also plays chess and supports chess events. Furthermore, Mr. Skvortsov knows many of the greatest chess players in the world personally and has played a lot of games with them.

A press release states, the Zurich Chess Club is very proud to be the organizer and host of this unique event and it would like to thank the main tournament sponsor and chess-enthusiast Oleg Skvortsov, whose generous contribution has allowed for this extraordinary event to take place! 

All games will be commented by GM Yannick Pelletier and IM Werner Hug and broadcast live via the Internet.

Admission to the classical and rapid games is free, no previous registration is required. Due to limited room capacity, the Opening Ceremony and the blitz tournament are for official guests only. 

Participants (Elo rating according to FRL of January 2014)

Magnus Carlsen (Norway, Elo 2872, Nr 1)
Levon Aronian (Armenia, Elo 2812, Nr 2)
Hikaru Nakamura (USA, Elo 2789, Nr 3)
Fabiano Caruana (Italy, Elo 2782, Nr 6)
Boris Gelfand (Israel, Elo 2777, Nr 8)
Vishwanathan Anand (India, Elo 2773, Nr 9)

Schedule

Daily from 30 January to 4 February 2014.
The rounds start at 15.00 local time (CET), except for the last round, which begins at 13.00 CET.
Spectators are welcome, entrance free.

Main sponsor

«IGC International Gemological Laboratories» is a Russian institute providing gemological services, such as diamond grading reports, enhanced diamonds identification, man-made/synthetic diamonds and imitation detection, as well as certification of diamonds, gemstones and jewelry in the Russian Federation. IGC is the Russian branch of «GCI» a group of gemological laboratories located worldwide.

Co-sponsors

Aspeco, SurJewel, Savoy Chess Corner, Zurich Chess Club (founded in 1809, the oldest chess club of the world)

Partners

Hotels Savoy Baur en Ville, Rössli and Seehof in Zurich

Organization
Zurich Chess Club 

-- Rajat Khanna

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Bill Gates demolished by World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen in 9 Moves on Skavlan Talk Show

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen demolished the second richest man on the planet, Bill Gates, in a chess game lasting just nine moves and a few seconds over a minute this Thursday.

Screenshot: Skavlan.com

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen took virtually no time in demolishing the world's richest man for a long, long time, Bill Gates, Thursday night on a Norwegian-Swedish television talk show hosted by Norwegian journalist Fredrik Skavlan. It was a checkmate in nine moves and just about one minute, 20 or so seconds. Gates had already said, "The outcome is a foregone conclusion," as the chessboard was being brought to the stage.

Carlsen said, "He was a bit unlucky and eventually fell to my tactics, but he otherwise made good, healthy moves. I think with a little more time, he could certainly be a pretty good player."

"When you are not smart?" Fredrik Skavlan asked Bill Gates. "When I play chess against him," responded the Microsoft founder, nodding towards Carlsen. "Want to try?" asks Skavlan. "The outcome is a foregone conclusion, responded Gates. The program, clips of which Reuters received in advance, was recorded on Wednesday in London, Norwegian TV NRK said.

Read a Reuters story at this link and a Yahoo story at this link.

Bill Gates was doing pretty okay till he decided to get greedy and go for a piece overlooking a single checkmate in one! Replay the game below:

Gates, Bill - Carlsen, Magnus

Result: 0-1

Site: Skavlan Talk Show

Date: 2014.01.22

[...] 1.e4 ♘c6 2.♘f3 d5 3.♗d3 ♘f6 4.exd5 ♕xd5 5.♘c3 ♕h5 6.O-O ♗g4 7.h3 ♘e5 8.hxg4 ♘fxg4 9.♘xe5 ♕h2#

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World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen in Conversation with Tech Entrepreneur Peter Thiel Video:

There is no missing this fantastic interview/conversation between World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen and tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel hosted by the Silicon Valley Bank and the Churchill Club. 

Speakers:
Magnus Carlsen, World Chess Champion

Moderator:
Peter Thiel, Technology entrepreneur and investor; Partner, Founders Fund; Co-founder, Mithril Capital Management

Magnus Carlsen took the world by storm as a child prodigy, becoming an international Grand Master at 13. At 19, he was the youngest chess player to be ranked number one in the world, and at 22, in November 2013, he defeated five-time former world champion Viswanathan Anand. Now, at age 23, Magnus holds a record rating of 2872.

Be inspired by Magnus as he is interviewed by entrepreneur and investor Peter Thiel, former US-rated Chess Master with a lifelong passion for chess. Topics covered are Magnus' views on the game, his experience winning the championship, and the role he believes chess can play in advancing young people's critical thinking, social skills, and ability to achieve academically.

Prior to the onstage program, Magnus played in a six-board simultaneous chess demonstration. Participants entered in a drawing benefiting First Move, a dynamic non-profit organization that brings chess to second and third graders across the country—and the winner became one of the six brave players.

Program Partners:
Silicon Valley Bank
First Move

Gold Sponsor:
Silicon Valley Bank

Silver Sponsors:
Innovation Norway
The Mendell Family Foundation

* The Churchill Club
Igniting Conversations to Encourage Innovation and Economic GrowthThis is our focus: to cultivate a one-stop-shop of world-class people—people like yourself—that ignites the kinds of conversations that lead to new ideas, enlivened dreams and personal motivation. A tall order, for sure, but one we’ve been successful at for 25 years.

Over the past two-and-a-half decades, the Churchill Club has hosted industry and government leaders and luminaries such as Marc Andreessen, Steve Ballmer, Craig Barrett, Ursula Burns, John Chambers, Jim Clark, Bill Clinton, Larry Ellison, Bill Gates, Andy Grove, William Hewlett, Arianna Huffington, Bill Joy, Dean Kamen, John McCain, Scott McNealy, Lew Platt, Eric Schmidt, and many more.

It’s an impressive list, but it would be no more than a roster if we weren’t committed to the idea of an independent forum that facilitates the open and timely exchange of ideas, opinions and viewpoints among business leaders and innovators. At the Churchill Club, collaborators and competitors meet on stage to share and discuss their newest thinking. They commit to have unscripted conversations that go beyond the hype. Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions directly of speakers, uncensored by the moderator.

* Preview at Chess Magazine Black and White
* Magnus Carlsen $1 Million Critical Thinking Grant with First Move 

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World Chess Champion Joins America's Foundation for Chess: First Move Announces Magnus Carlsen Grants

World Chess Champion Makes a Winning Move with America's Foundation for Chess
 

SILICON VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 16, 2014 -- /PRNewswire/ -- How will Magnus Carlsen top 2013, the history-making year he became World Chess Champion and holds the highest rating of all time? He's joining forces with America's Foundation for Chess (AF4C) to bring the First Move chess program into elementary school classrooms as a tool for enhancing critical and creative thinking skills.

As part of this effort, Magnus Carlsen has agreed to be Honorary Chairman for the non-profit joining a prestigious group of sponsors including Paul Tudor Jones, Silicon Valley Bank, Concur, Qualcomm, ZMD and Two Sigma. This initial grant is the first step toward raising $5M to bring the First Move program to half a million students by 2017. Optimized for second and third grade classrooms, this formal and interactive chess curriculum gives teachers a powerful tool to engage children in learning chess while providing critical skills that will benefit them for years to come.

Carlsen has seen first-hand how First Move engages students, regardless of gender or background. He also recognizes the importance of teaching chess during the school day to give every student the opportunity to learn and benefit from the centuries old game.

"I love the way chess empowers kids," said Carlsen. "I consider First Move to be the most strategic way to give kids an advantage and help them live up to their full potential."

As Honorary Chairman, Carlsen will announce his partnership with America's Foundation for Chess tonight at a special event hosted by Silicon Valley Bank and the Churchill Club, sponsored by Innovation Norway. Magnus will play six people simultaneously while blindfolded followed by an interview with avid chess player Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Facebook investor, to talk about Magnus' rise in the chess world, the value of chess and the impact on kids.

About Magnus Carlsen: At age 23, Carlsen's already storied career makes him a dream champion for the cause. Born in 1990 in Norway, Magnus became a Grandmaster at thirteen years and four months. He was the youngest player ever to be ranked number one in the world at the age of 19. In January 2013, he achieved the highest rating in the history of chess beating Garry Kasparov's legendary record from 1999. In November 2013, he became the World Chess Champion making him the first World Champion from a Western country since Bobby Fischer in 1972. His many accolades extend beyond the chess world; but the game remains his passion, and he welcomes the chance to share it.

For more information about Magnus Carlsen, visit his website at http://magnuscarlsen.com.

About First Move: America's Foundation for Chess developed the First Move curriculum based on the belief that chess is good for kids and schools need powerful tools to engage students and teach critical thinking skills. The interactive program currently reaches over 80,000 students in 24 states and four countries, and builds coveted skills both on and beyond the chess board, including concentration and focus, self-motivation, memory-building and the ability to analyze, plan and execute.

"We worked hard to develop an engaging and turnkey program that helps teachers inspire new avenues of thinking, levels the playing field and builds confidence," said Erik Anderson, Founder of America's Foundation for Chess. "The program has been a great success; we have schools on a wait list and over 300,000 kids in line to receive First Move."

America's Foundation for Chess encourages districts and elementary schools that are interested in First Move and the Magnus Carlsen Critical Thinking Grant to contact them at info@af4c.org or to visit http://af4c.org.

SOURCE First Move

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Magnus Carlsen Crushes 20 in Las Vegas Chess Simul with 'Steady Heart Rate' at Nordic Semi Exhibition

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen easily beat 20 chess players at an exhibition chess simul at CES, Las Vegas, on Friday. The event was based on an innovative idea by Nordic Semiconductor - Magnus Carlsen's sponsors. 

Photo: NRK.no/Nordic Semi Facebook Page

The idea was to hook the World Chess Champion and all the players with heart-monitoring, low-energy, bluetooth equipment. Nordic Semiconductor stated, the World Chess Champion was up to the challenge and beat everyone with a steady and normal heart rate. Nordic Semiconductor stated on their Facebook page, "We believe Heart Rate Monitoring will add a new element to chess tournaments both for the audience and the players. Will our new thinking with the #HRMchess tournament at International CES?"

A screen grab from a VG TV video (and report) showing heart rate of World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen and his opponents during the simul.

Yes, the World Chess Champion's heart rate remained steady as he went around beating all the 20 players.

NRK.no also had a neat report on the event with a cool video of the World Chess Champion crushing his simul opponents! The report quoted Magnus Carlsen as saying, "I think it was fun to watch the pulse rate of the people. That was entertainment for me." Magnus Carlsen has said he would be interested in using the pulse monitor at the upcoming Zurich Chess Tournament 2014.

Nordic Semiconductor commercial director said the gadget would be great for the audience at a chess tournament. For example, the audience would be able to see how a chess player's heart reacts to a blunder or mistake

Nordic Semiconductor is an industry leader in ultra low-power wireless devices. With a world-class mixed-signal R&D team Nordic develops innovative ground-breaking devices for Bluetooth low energy, ANT and 2.4GHz proprietary markets. The ARM Cortex M-series lie at the core of Nordic's highly flexible, ultra low-power wireless SoC solutions. Ultra-low power (ULP) wireless sensors that are small enough to be worn on the body are transforming the sports and fitness world by making it easy to track and log training data – such as heart-rate, speed, and distance – and share the results on-line with others. 

This benefits everyone from elite athletes seeking to fine-tune their training regimes to those who simply want to get fit and stay motivated by seeing the results of their hard work. Typical products in this segment are:Wearable sensors, Heart-rate belts, Speed-distance foot pods, GPS pods, Pedometers Activity sensors, Bike cadence sensors, Bike speed sensors, Bike power sensors and Weight scales.

 The International CES is the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology and America’s largest annual tradeshow of any kind. With more than four decades of success, the International CES reaches across global markets, connects the “who’s who” of the industry and enables consumer electronics (CE) innovations to grow and thrive.

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World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen at Sports Gala: I will Continue to be One Step ahead of Others

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen continues to overwhelm Norway (and the world) with his wow factor. The World Chess Champion - even though not eligible to win the Athlete of the Year Award - at Norway's annual Sports Gala (Idrettsgallaen) on Saturday night - won in every category he was nominated for. 

Carlsen won for

- Name of the Year 

- Open Class 

- Top sporting personalities (peer-nominated) shared with Norway Golf Queen Suzann Pettersen.

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen quotes:- There are some who’ve complained that I haven’t prepared a speech. No, I haven’t prepared a third speech. That’s what I can say. Now I’ve already thanked those who should be thanked.”- In his earlier speeches, Carlsen paid tribute to his family, the jury, and co-winner Pettersen. - “I will continue to be one step ahead of all the others. I don’t want to be a world champion who doesn’t care so much about tournaments, but just sits and clutches onto the title.”

Golf star Suzann Pettersen and chess prodigy Magnus Carlsen share the athletes’ choice award. Photo: newsinenglish.no/NRK screen grab

* Read a detailed report by NewsInEnglish.no

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World Chess Championship 2013 Prizes Trivia: Medals, Trophy, Prize Money, Garland...

World Chess Championship Anand vs Carlsen 2013: Here is some interesting trivia about the prizes at the World Chess Championship. Magnus Carlsen earned a special 22-carat gold medal by winning the title.  

Photo: Official website of the World Chess Championship 2013

Chief Minister J Jayalalitha had personally designed and overseen the creation of the World Chess Champion gold medal. The medal weighed 103.600 grams (ei­ght grams make a sovereign). Viswanathan Anand received a silver medal. Magnus Carlsen also recei­ved 60 per cent of the prize money, which amounted to Rs 9.9 crore, while Anand got Rs 6.03 crore (40 per cent).

The Chief Minister also presented World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen with a specially carved trophy made of 3.51 kg silver and coated with gold. The World Chess Champion was also presented with a traditional olive garland specially sourced from the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu. Anand received a silver plaque weighing 1.395 kg.

The Tamil Nadu Government allocated Rs 29 crore during the Tamil Nadu Assembly on April 8 this year. -- Team Chess Magazine Black and White

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World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen voted 'Name of the Year 2013' by Norwegian Sports Journalists

World Chess Magnus Carlsen of Norway continues to wow experts and fans alike. Norway sports journalists have also voted World Chess Champion the Sportsperson of 2013: The Name of Sports 2013, to be specific. This is the first time a chess player (as expected) has been voted to the title by the journalists. 

Norwegian news agency NTB has reported that Norwegian Sports Journalists' Association voted for the chess prodigy ahead of Suzann Pettersen - Norway's golf queen! 

The award is given out annually in Norway since its inception in 1948. The final votes' list was: 1) Magnus Carlsen, chess 147 points, 2) Suzann Pettersen, golf 98, 3) Tora Berger, biathlon 24, 4) Marit Bjoergen, cross 22, 5) Aksel Lund Svindal, Alpine 17, 6) UEFA Europa Svendsen, biathlon 14, 7) Mats Zuccarello Aasen, ice hockey 13, 8) Anders Bardal jumps 8, 9) Strømsgodset soccer 5, 10) Karl-Erik Bohn, handball 4, 11) Cecilia Brækhus, boxing, Carl Yngvar Christiansen, powerlifting, Johaug, cross country and Egil Olsen, football 1

The winners since 2000:2013: Magnus Carlsen, chess
2012: Tora Berger, biathlon
2011: Alexander Dale Oen, swimming
2010: Thor Hushovd, cycling
2009: Petter Northug, cross country
2008: Andreas Thorkildsen, athletics
2007: Aksel Lund Svindal, alpine ski racer

2006: Kjetil André Aamodt, alpine ski racer

2005: Marit Bjoergen, cross country

2004: Andreas Thorkildsen, athletics
2003: Petter Solberg, motorsport
2002: Ole Einar Bjoerndalen, biathlon
2001: Olaf Tufte, rowing
2000: Trine Hattestad, athletics.

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Magnus Carlsen Likes the Richest Duck in the World! (Must-watch Interview with Mads A. Andersen of VGTV)

VGTV's Mads A. Andersen meets World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway. The Chess World Champion talks about how everything went his way in Chennai, the rumours, the nightmares, the obsessions, his embarrassing meeting with a Bond babe... and lots more!

The World Chess Champion talks about nibbling nuts, drinking chocolate milk in Chennai, a Tal-Botvinnik book superstition, his energy levels, studying chess... and more... including training in Oman. 

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World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen is Times Young Person of the Year 2013

The Times has named World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen as the Times Young Person of the Year 2013. The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785. 

Ruth Gledhill, in an intro to the article, writes: He is active on Facebook and Twitter, loves football and jumped into a pool in his dinner suit to celebrate winning the world championship. This is the impossibly cool Magnus Carlsen who, at just 23. is achieving film-star style kudos with his brilliance.

"Carlsen is currently the world No. 1 player at chess and the reigning world champion. Next spring and summer he stars with Lily Cole, the model and unconventional beauty, in the 2014 campaign by G-Star Raw, the urban-clothing designer brand.

You can access the full article behind a pay wall at the Times website. 

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The Hunger to Win is Still There: Former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand in Kolkata

Kolkata, Dec 22 A month after losing the chess world chess championship crown to Norwegian talent Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand Sunday said he he still retained the hunger for a comeback, but conceded age was catching up with him.

"I want to come back into the reckoning. The hunger is still there. I will continue to try. Only time can say whether I can do that successfully," Anand told media persons here.

"Age is a factor, but there is not much one can do about it. The top ten players are all younger.. But I don't look at this that way," said the 44-year-old Anand.

He said he wanted to focus on getting results by changing his approach to the game.

"I still want to play challenging tournaments including rapid chess."

The five-time world champion said he did not intend to continue beyond 50.

"Every player has a shelf life. I don't think I will continue beyond 50. But I can't set a definite number of years for myself. I will continue as long as I enjoy the game."

Anand said he would concentrate on fixing some issues which have crept into his game after taking a break.

The top rated grand master did not rule out playing the Candidates Tournament slated to be played in the Russian city of Khanty Mansiysk in March, but said he would take the final decision later.

On the loss to Vladimir Kramnik in the quarter final of the London Classic, he said: " I adopted a different style, wanted to play freely. It worked in initials rounds but in knockout it didn't work out the way I wanted."

On Sachin Tendulkar being nominated for Bharat Ratna ahead of him, Anand said: "I don't feel hard done, as my achievements speak for themselves". -- IANS/Photo via www.chesspics.com.

* Anand was in Kolkata as part of an NIIT Mind Champions programme

Video by NNIS News Agency

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Khanty-Mansiysk Chess Candidates 2014: Viswanathan Anand might not play; Slot may go to Fabiano Caruana

Former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand has hinted that he might not play in the Khanty-Mansiysk Chess Candidates 2014 for a chance at taking a shot at the next World Chess Championship. Anand lost the World Chess Champion title to Magnus Carlsen of Norway a month back in Chennai.

Former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand was speaking to journalists in Pune after launching an NIIT Mind Champions programme. Asked if he had decided about playing in the Chess Candidates, the 44-year-old said: "No, not at the moment. I mean, most likely I won't play. Zurich is the only confirmed event for me right now. There are many interesting invitations for the second half of the year. And possibly I will be playing in Ukraine, where I will be playing rapid." 

Anand also told journalists, about analysing his loss to Magnus Carlsen, "To be honest I have actually preferred not to do any of it (post-match analysis). I think sometimes you just accept that things can go horribly wrong and then it's more important to recover and focus on the next tournament rather than be obsessive about what you did wrong. Clearly, there will be some broad lessons and they are accepted as well."

When asked, by another local journalist, if World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen had an attitude problem, Anand said, "You know you can’t really control what other people do. If you lose at the chessboard then you should not pay attention to anything else. Therefore, I don’t care what he does. I lost on the chessboard and you just have to accept it." 

As regards chess being included in the Olympics, Anand said, "It has been like that for a while. I don’t think there any prospect for the sport now. The procedure itself is going to take too long. It will take a lot of time for the sport to be approved. Even if it happened today it will take eight years.” On his chances of being awarded a Bharat Ratna after Sachin Tendulkar, Anand said, "I don’t know. It is not something that you lobby for." 

The qualifiers for the Khanty-Mansiysk Chess Candidates 2014 are Levon Aronian (rating), Sergey Karjakin (rating), Vladimir Kramnik (World Cup), Dmitry Andreikin (World Cup), Veselin Topalov (Grand Prix winner), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Grand Prix runner-up) Vishy Anand (the loser of the World Chess Championship 2013) and Peter Svidler (wild card chosen by the organiser - Russia Chess Federation). The 2014 Chess Candidates tournament will be a double round robin of 14 rounds. 

The eight-player Candidates tournament in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia, starts on March 12, 2014. The winner of the tournament will become the Challenger for Magnus Carslen in the World Chess Championship in November 2014.

The World No. 9, Viswanathan Anand (2773) was in Pune to launch the NIIT's Mind Champion Chess programme. Anand's slot will go to 21-year-old Fabiana Caruana of Italy, the world No. 7 (elo 2782).  

Viswanathan Anand has automatically qualified for the Khanty-Mansiysk Chess Candidates 2014 after losing the World Chess Championship 2013 match. Anand has to convey his decision to FIDE at least 30 days before the start of the Candidates to allow Caruana to play else the replacement might not take place. -- Rajat M Khanna

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Playing against Anand was a Great Challenge: World Chess Champion's Father Henrik Carlsen

Chennai, Nov 23 (ANI): Father of newly-crowned World Chess Champion praised Viswanathan Anand and said that Magnus Carlsen has learned a lot from him. Magnus Carlsen became the world chess champion as Game 10 of the chess championship ended in a draw in Chennai. Father of Magnus Carlsen, Henrik Carlsen expressed happiness and said everything has come out in the best possible way. While talking to journalists after the match, Henrik Carlsen praised Anand and said Magnus had learnt a lot from him.

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World Chess Champion - Inspired Essay Contest for Indian Kids by Embassy of Norway, New Delhi

New Delhi: Do you aspire to be the World Champion of Chess in your life? Have Carlsen’s moves and game talent at the recent World Chess Championship hooked you to this game like never before? Would you like to be in Carlsen’s shoes one day?

Send your thoughts in not more than 500 words on “How Magnus Carlsen has inspired you by winning the World Chess Champion title at the young age of 23” and “What lessons you have learnt from seeing his hard work and dedication to a game that originated in India thousands of years ago”.

Instructions/Rules:
- Entries should be only in English and typed (not handwritten)
- Entries should not be more than 500 words.
- Entries only from students between 13-15 years will be accepted. - An age certificate from your school is compulsory.
- Only one entry per student is allowed.
- Bulk entries from schools will not be accepted. Only individual entries should be sent.
- Competition is valid for Indian students only.
- Please provide your full name, name of your school, address, a passport size photograph and contact details along with your entry.

Deadline for submission: 30 January 2014
No phone calls/email enquiries please.Results will be announced only to the winners directly, and via the Embassy’s website.

Entries to be sent via postal mail/courier (email entries will not be accepted) to:

Subject: ‘I want to be in Carlsen’s shoes one day’ Essay Competition

Attn: M. Arya, Royal Norwegian Embassy, 50-C, Shantipath, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi.

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Why World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen defeated Viswanathan Anand: A Numerologist's Theory

World Chess Champion 2014 Magnus Carlsen: An Indian numerologist's take on why Magnus Carlsen of Norway defeated former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand to become the World Chess Champion 2013 in Chennai a few weeks back.

Astrology and numerology are part of the Indian psyche and Indian cultural traditions. Some view it as a science, while others consider it a matter of superstition or personal whims! We expected, sooner or later, an astrologer or numerologist to come up with a theory surrounding the Magnus Carlsen versus Viswanathan Anand World Chess Championship 2013 in Chennai. We found one. Here is a video for those interested in the astro-numerology of the Carlsen - Anand World Chess Championship 2013 in Chennai:

(Chess Magazine Black & White team found this video on YouTube. The views expressed in the video are the numerologist's own.)

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Okay not Nominated in Norway Athlete of Year Poll: World Chess Champ Magnus Carlsen; Fans Disagree!

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen's bio on his Facebook page states he is an "athlete". However, Norway's National Athletics Federation disagrees and has not included him in the nominations for 'Norway’s Best Male Athlete of the Year' poll. 

Norway's annual sports gala takes place January 4, 2014 and has the World Chess Champion nominated in other categories: Årets navn (The Name of the Year) and Åpen klasse (Open class). 

The World Chess Champion, on his part, is happy with the nominations and “understands that he can’t be nominated as male athlete of the year” in Norway, according to his manager Espen Agdestein who spoke to NRK. Agdestein told NRK, "He thinks it’s nice to be nominated for the two titles at the gala."

Aftenpost quotes former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov as saying, "Carlsen is a victim of stupid prejudices”. Kasparov feels, "If we had a prize for the best athlete in the world, I think he would have won.” Kasparov said Magnus Carlsen was “bigger than Norway’ with an important role that extends far beyond Norway’s borders.  

The Norwegian Chess Federation (Norges Sjakkforbund) is not a part of the National Athletics Federation which, technically seems is a logical reason for disallowing World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, or any other chess player in Norway, from being nominated.

Magnus Carlsen fans took to social media sites to vent their anger these last few days on his exclusion from the nomination for the title. -- Team Chess Mag B&W

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World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen spends evening with Norwegian Young Talents

Norwegian “Dream Team” – the luckiest chess talents in the world. Who else could boast about getting a two-hour instruction by the champion himself? :-) All the pictures and a report from the event are at the Stormester & Stormester Web site:

It was a great evening where World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen spent more than two hours with Norway's junior chess talents. Magnus Carlsen spoke individually to each player about chess training, playing tournaments and their aspirations. Much of the time, of course, was spent studying and analysing chess games. Carlsen also took up games he had played at the World Chess Championship in Chennai versus Viswanathan Anand. (Lots of photos at the Facebook page of Stormester & Stormester)

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'Because there is No Shame in Admitting that I'm a Fan of Magnus Carlsen...'

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen in Chennai at the closing ceremony of the World Title Match versus Viswanathan Anand. Photo: official website

Times of India sports editor in Pune, Amit Karmakar declares all the reasons why Magnus Carlsen is so special! (This post first appeared: Times of India blogs dated Nov 28, 2013). 

WHY MAGNUS CARLSEN IS SO SPECIAL

• Because there is no shame in admitting that I'm a fan of Magnus Carlsen. Outrageous young talent has this tendency to 'normalise'!
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• Because the way he plays the game: Uncompromising! When asked why he didn't offer a draw to Anand in the 10th game of the World championship match which could have sealed his title, he told his father and manager: "I'm a chess player. I'm supposed to PLAY chess!"
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• Because there can't be a more powerful slap than the above quote for those who play agreed, spineless, fightless, disgraceful draws at the top level. Agreed draws is the biggest threat to the game of chess after lack of corporate sponsorship.
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• Because the distribution of seven draws in the Anand-Carlsen match was thus: two with three-fold repetition, two dead draws; two insufficient material, one agreed draw. It came as an oasis after last year's Anand-Gelfand match.
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• Because he has openly said that opening preparation is a bit over-rated.
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• Because in his hands black or white pieces aim to attain the same terrain: equality (opening), quality (middlegame), superiority (endgame).
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• Because he has proved that majority of players agree for half-baked draws because they are mutually not confident about their endgame skills!
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• Because he is a pathbreaker. He can bypass opening preparation of the best opposition. And that may suggest that his understanding of openings is better than those who 'scholarise' it.
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• Because he calculates better than the computer in endgame.
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• Because he gives hope to all those by proving that one can excel in chess with smart work, not necessarily hard work which kills creativity, confidence and ability to fight till the end.
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• Because being an outgoing, sporty and fun person, he is the best brand ambassador for the game if you want to attract youth to the sport. 
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• Because he plays on equal, or slightly minus positions, as if nothing has happened. When others psychologically suffer due to lack of initiative on the board, he maintains his composure and plays with confidence.
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• Because he is the "most undisputed" world champion since Garry Kasparov. Of course, Kramnik and Anand proved their credentials beyond doubt. But they got a shot at the matchplay titles in dubious circumstances. Kramnik didn't prove before his 2000 match against Kasparov that he was a worthy challenger. And when Anand became the challenger through Mexico win in 2007, Topalov was not eligible to play that tournament.
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• Because he is undisputed world No. 1 and won a right to challenge Anand though a proper candidates tournament. It's a poetic justice that one win there counted for more than Kramnik's two draws. 
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• Because he defeated Anand 3-0. Not via tie-breaks or not with +1 score. He showed his strength and deep understanding of the game on the highest stage.
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• Because Anand responded to a somewhat irritating question after losing his title (would he have chosen a better challenger to his throne than Carlsen?): "I didn't choose him." Well, Anand is spot on. Magnus was chosen by the bigger force.

* Mumbai kids crazy about Magnus Carlsen

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Recent Chess Trend is away from Openings as Computers have killed Opening Phase: Vishy Anand

Here is another cool interview with former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand after yesterday's IBNLive video interview with Rajdeep Sardesai. Excerpts from FirstPost interview with Grandmaster Vishy Anand of India:

Q: Magnus Carlsen has, at various points, mentioned that once he sits down on the chess board he doesn’t believe that anyone could beat him. He carried that same confidence into the World Championship match too. What were your thoughts at the start of the match? Did you feel invincible too? 

Viswanathan Anand: I thought that if I had a good start, I would be able to play well. I thought that if I had a good start, I could force him out of his comfort zones. I was under no illusions that I would have to raise my game – but that’s exactly what I had worked so hard for. I knew I had a chance. I knew my recent shape had not been very good. But I was hoping that I had managed to turn all that around. 

 

Viswanathan Anand at World Chess Championship 2013 closing ceremony. Photo: Official website 

Q: A match like this is always tough. In the sense, it almost feels like you are locked in a cage at times. At what point did you think it was over for you?

Viswanathan Anand: Well, it was staggered. The first few games were probably okay. I thought I held my own. The fifth game (his endgame errors cost game five) loss hit me really hard. It was precisely the thing that I had worked so hard on; the areas that I had sought to improve in my preparation and I was unable to execute. In that sense, I failed. The 9th game blunder didn’t change things very much – I didn’t see a win, it would have been a draw. The 10th game was really nothing.

Q: So what is it about Carlsen? Did any aspect of his game surprise you?

Viswanathan Anand: He surprised me by changing so little. I know how he plays. But I expected him to come out and try something different. But he stuck to his guns – it was brave. It was also unexpected for me. Usually for a World Championship match, people work on something different… maybe something to surprise the opponent. Carlsen just stayed the same.

Q: You have said that you couldn’t figure out Carlsen’s style. What does that mean?

Viswanathan Anand: I thought I could get a grip on him. I thought that I could force him to make mistakes. I thought that if I stayed with him in the early going, I would be able to match him. But his style makes it difficult. In a sense, he is an all-rounder. He can do everything well and he makes mistakes – but they aren’t big enough to take advantage of. He is also unconventional – there are times when he will play something and take it back on the next move… to the same place.

Q: Did it feel like you were playing a computer?

Viswanathan Anand: His approach resembles… I hesitate to say… computer. Put him in front of one and he’d lose easily. But he is very confident of his calculating ability – so in that sense… yes, probably like a human computer – if that makes sense.

Q: One of the things that were mentioned before the start of the match was that Anand was the openings specialist and Carlsen took over in the middle and end game. Do you think you did enough with that advantage?

Viswanathan Anand: I think what is not understood about Carlsen is that he is not bad at openings. He is not a specialist but a generalist. He can play a lot of opening and he can play them at a fairly high level. His aim is to get a solid position and you can’t do that at the top level if you are bad with openings. This thing about openings is an exaggeration.

Q: So if Carlsen were to play Kasaprov – you have played them both – who wins?

Viswanathan Anand: One thing that is clear about Carlsen is that he is one of a kind. I am a big believer in comparisons. I would say both are very good, very strong. But these are the kind of kind of comparisons that chess buffs all over the world make all the time. It probably just adds to the fun… Well, Carlsen is a more all-round player. His strengths are harder to determine. Kasaparov was a specialist. He thought hard about his game and had very specific strengths. So if anything, I would Carlsen the edge there. Being an all-rounder is not easy – you are backing yourself to keep up the level throughout the game but somehow Carlsen has managed it.

Q: In interviews to the Norwegian press, Carlsen has criticised your approach, saying that you blamed tournament losses to preparation for the world championships. He has also said that he will never do that. Your thoughts?

Viswanathan Anand: I guess you have to put up with some snide remarks when you have lost. But honestly, what can I say…

Q: You have spoken about wanting to play in the Candidates next year. Does this loss change anything? Will your method change? Will you change?

Viswanathan Anand: I think the recent trend is away from openings. In a sense, computers have killed the opening phase. There is only so much that you can do. So if anything can be done, it is to rebalance the game. That can only happen by concentrating on the middle and end game. For now though, I have taken a break from chess. Then I got to London for a tournament. Then I take another break – a long break. That’s when I will give it some serious thought – what I want to do and how I want to do it.

Q: Do you think about your legacy? Is it about time to start thinking about it?

Viswanathan Anand: Well, there are times when you wonder what you have done for the sport. I am happy at the kind of response that the match got in India and I feel I played some part in it. I would like to believe that India understands chess and with NIIT Mind Champions academy, I hope to help more players in the country. A legacy though is not just about what I think. Finally, how are you going to wind down? Probably with a game of Blitz – maybe on the internet, maybe just at home. Blitz would be fun. For the moment, I just want to enjoy chess without thinking of results; without thinking really.

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