It's not very often that a South African beats a super Grandmaster! I remember the game Watu Kobese won against Peter Leko in the 2001 FIDE knockout championship. Before that, there was the win by Wolfgang Heidenfeld versus former world champion Max Euwe at the 1955 Johannesburg international. Now Henry Steel has joined this elite club at the Tromso Olympiad earlier this month. In all fairness, Kamsky was completely winning after his 23rd move, but made things difficult for himself with his poor 28th and 33rd moves. The ending reached after Black's 40th move looks about equal to me, but Steel outplayed his super-strong opponent for an historic win. Here is the game, with light notes:
Monday 25 August 2014
Monday 18 August 2014
ILembe Youth Trials, 16th-17th August 2014
This weekend saw the last of this year's youth trials, held over 2 days at Umhlali Preparatory School in the ILembe district. Close to a hundred players took part and enjoyed 6 rounds of rated chess. The surprising winner of the under 20 section (and best under 16 player) was Yasheel Maharaj, who scored 5 out of 6. He drew with top seed Miguel Murugan in the last round, and defeated number 2 seed Gregory Hall with a very nice piece sacrifice in round 3 - unfortunately his game score was not legible so I cannot show you this game. Best under 18 player was Llewellyn Iyer and best under 20 player was Miguel Murugan. Here are some photos I took of the under 20 section:
Llewelyn Iyer vs Yasheel Maharaj on board 1 |
Gregory Hall, Richard Paterson and Yasheel Maharaj
|
Kayler Hulett and Frederick Paynter in u14 section |
Dylan Atherstone went on to win this game vs Paynter |
Here are the final results for each age group:
For more information, contact Welcome Gwamanda.
Monday 11 August 2014
Amajuba tournament, 9th August 2014
Mashumi Nhlapo reports from Newcastle: Amajuba Chess staged its inaugural district tournament on Saturday
9th August 2014 at Newcastle Recreation Center. There were 52 entrants
from all over the Amajuba District. The tournament was divided into two
categories, namely an under-20 section with 40 entrants and an over-20 section
with 12 entrants. The winner in the under-20 section was Maseko Nkululeko; winner of the over-20 section was Nxumalo Nhlakanipho; the best female player was Magagula
Ayanda and the best young player was Mnguni Lwandle.
There was tough competition in the under 20 section |
Lwandle Mnguni receiving Best Young Player prize from Lulama Nqubuka (right) and Blessing Zambuko |
Nkululeko Maseko (in black top) won first prize in under 20 section |
Nhlakanipho Nxumalo (middle) won first prize in over 20 section |
Prize winners and Amajuba Chess committee members. Ayanda Magagula (second from right in front row) won Best Female prize |
For more information, contact Mashumi Nhlapo.
Labels:
amajuba
Thursday 7 August 2014
Uthungulu Youth Trials - team photos
combined under 10/12 teams |
players sponsored by BHP Billiton |
under 16 team |
under 18 team |
under 20 team |
Wednesday 6 August 2014
Uthungulu Youth Trials, 2nd-3rd August 2014
I was invited to Richards Bay as chief arbiter of the Uthungulu Youth Trials by Lisa Griffiths, the chairperson of the Uthungulu Chess Association. Her committee did a good job in organising the tournament, setting up the playing venue, keeping track of the scores and so forth. I really liked their table numbers, which were easy to see at a distance.
On the first day we had a tournament for the under 12 players. There were no defaults and the juniors played so quickly that I was able to do pairings sooner than expected, so we finished the day early. As there were not enough under 10 players for a full team, the best under 10 players were included with the best under 12 players for team selections.
On the second day we had a full house of players from under 14's to under 20's. Despite lots of late entries we started on time, but then ran late as there were so many defaulters (players who had entered but who failed to pitch up) who had to be removed from the draw before round 2. We later caught up on the playing schedule and held the selectors meeting and prize-giving on time.
On both days there were a lot of new and inexperienced players, with a surprising number of games ending in draws due to stalemate or the 50-move rule (when trying to mate with K+Q vs K or K+R vs K). That's something for Head coach Makhosonke to sort out before Nationals in January! Here are some pictures from both days of the youth trials:
Here are the final results for each age group:
under 8/10/12 results
under 14 results
under 16/18/20 results
For more information, contact Lisa Griffiths.
On the first day we had a tournament for the under 12 players. There were no defaults and the juniors played so quickly that I was able to do pairings sooner than expected, so we finished the day early. As there were not enough under 10 players for a full team, the best under 10 players were included with the best under 12 players for team selections.
On the second day we had a full house of players from under 14's to under 20's. Despite lots of late entries we started on time, but then ran late as there were so many defaulters (players who had entered but who failed to pitch up) who had to be removed from the draw before round 2. We later caught up on the playing schedule and held the selectors meeting and prize-giving on time.
On both days there were a lot of new and inexperienced players, with a surprising number of games ending in draws due to stalemate or the 50-move rule (when trying to mate with K+Q vs K or K+R vs K). That's something for Head coach Makhosonke to sort out before Nationals in January! Here are some pictures from both days of the youth trials:
Stefan Britz vs Mongezi Shoba, they both scored 6/7 and tied for 1st place |
Tlhoni Tsotetsi also scored 6/7 in the under 12 |
Khandisiwe Mbambo |
Scorers Nishi and Michelle were kept busy |
Lisa Griffiths with best girls Lungelo Vilakazi and Londeka Buthelezi |
This game ended in stalemate! |
Sandile Mdunge vs Nikash Baboolal, the top 2 seeds in under 14 |
Here are the final results for each age group:
under 8/10/12 results
under 14 results
under 16/18/20 results
For more information, contact Lisa Griffiths.
Thursday 31 July 2014
World Youth - 50 days to go!
The 2014 World Youth Chess Championships starts in Durban in 50 days! The venue will be the International Convention Centre, the same venue that we used for the 2013 SA Junior Chess Championships in December 2013.
For more information, go to the 2014 World Youth Chess Championships home page.
Labels:
world youth
Tuesday 22 July 2014
Mandela 67 mins chess - report by Sandile Xulu
The
inaugural MANDELA 67MIN CHESS was held over two days on 19th to 20th July 2014 at Berea Primary School in Durban SA. From as young as
5 years old to more senior citizens, from amateurs to International
Masters, from Jo'burg to East London, from Malawi to Zimbabwe, black
and white all descended down to South Africa’s warmest place, Ethekwini – all to play in the very first chess tournament
named ‘MANDELA 67MIN CHESS’. No one wanted to miss out on this
historic chess tournament, the first one ever to be played in honour
of one man who was larger than life, gone but certainly not
forgotten, a man who dedicated his life to the struggle of a better
life for all – Dr Nelson
Rolihlahla Mandela.
Thabiso Junior Ramatsepiso (12yrs) from JHB shakes hands with Lance Leslie Smith (11yrs) DBN |
What
is unique and special about this tournament is the fact that 67
minutes is actually being set on the chess clock – What this means
is that each player will emulate Mandela’s ‘long
walk to freedom’
on the chess board by taking only 67min to conquer their opponent.
“Chess is life” - just like life, chess has got its ups and
downs, but if you play well you will emerge victorious. In chess the
playing field is leveled, chess is indeed a great equalizer.
Honour
and pride, all to play for
|
The
tournament ‘MANDELA 67MIN CHESS’ will be played every year around
the month of July. The idea is to align this tournament with Madiba’s
month of birth – July, as people around the world celebrate
‘Mandela Day’
on 18 July by giving of their time to do something for others in
order to make the world a better place for all – KZN
CHESS ASSOCIATION
will use this chess initiative to fundraise for the disadvantaged
community schools and for special projects aimed at promoting women
and physically challenged chess. MANDELA 67MIN CHESS is aimed at
promoting unity, positive change and advancing the ideals of a nation
living together in harmony while at the same time using the
opportunity to further popularize chess in South Africa.
Happy
faces after a struggle of 67 minutes
|
Youngsters
can never complain when paired with an older opponent, age has got no
advantage whatsoever when it comes to chess. The Mandela 67MIN CHESS is a rated tournament and open to all regardless of ones rating or
age, however, age group prizes are awarded. The overall winner walks
away with a gold medal, a big trophy and some of course a handsome
cheque!
We
read that former President Nelson Mandela was a chess player and that
he used to play a lot of chess while he was jailed in Robben Island. In fact, he even ordered a chess book. Many political prisoners also
played chess - President Jacob Zuma who served his 10 years in Robben
Island is amongst those who became passionate about the game of
chess. President Zuma’s continued support in promoting chess has
contributed in popularizing chess especially in SA’s townships and
rural areas.
Those
who missed out on this year’s tournament will have to wait another
12 months before they can make their names in the history book. The
organizers will have a headache finding a bigger venue as numbers are
expected to increase in next year’s tournament. Sponsors are
encouraged to come on board and support this initiative led by KZN
CHESS ASSOCIATION.
Everybody wanted a MANDELA
67MIN CHESS T-shirt
|
The convener of Commonwealth
Chess Championships 2013 from Nelson Mandela Bay – Dr Brian van Zyl - provided much needed support, his generous sponsorship made it
possible for KZN CHESS ASSOCIATION to launch this tournament.
Sandile
Xulu – President of KZN Chess Association (left), Mrs Williams –
Principal of Berea Primary School (right)
|
Many
thanks to all the sponsors, partners and individuals who joined hands with KZN CHESS ASSOCIATION for making the inaugural MANDELA
67MIN CHESS such a great success.
Sponsors
and partners:
Berea Primary School, Dr Brian van Zyl, Mr Rajiv Jaynath –
Bhekaphambili Geo-Contractors, Tsogo Sun – Garden Court, Vellan
Moodley - ‘In Your Dreams’, Erick Takawira Chess initiative
Article
by – Sandile Xulu
Labels:
mandela 67
Monday 21 July 2014
Mandela day puzzle solutions
Black to move resigned. On Saturday I asked you what did the players miss? The answer was that the spectator saw that 1... Qf1+ forces 2.Kxf1 with a most unusual stalemate position.
Sunday's puzzle, with Black to move, was more difficult. From the diagram, if 1... Rxe6 2.c4 Re8 3.a6 c6 I asked what White could do to escape his troubles. The answer was that White has a quite astonishing win by 4.c5!! cxd5 (4... dxc5 5.d6 and the Bishop is blocked) 5.c6 d4 6.c7 Bxb7 7.axb7 d3 8.b8=Q d2 9.Qxe8+ Kxe8 10.c8=Q+ and 11.Ke2. White's c-pawn turned out to be a fearsome warrior!!
Labels:
games,
mandela 67
Sunday 20 July 2014
Mandela 67 minutes chess day 2
Congratulations to Joseph Mwale on taking the first place trophy on tiebreak, ahead of IM Rodwell Makoto. Here are the Mandela 67 mins chess final results.
The following diagram is from a round 6 game that I found fascinating. It was between Craig Atkinson and Nadean Gopaulsingh, with Black to move. What would you play here?
Nadean correctly played 1... Rxe6! based on the pin 2.dxe6 Bxb7 winning for Black. Craig had seemingly overlooked this, as he took a couple of minutes to come up with 2. c4! cutting off the Bishop from the a8 square. The game then ended 2... Re8 3. a6 Ra8? 4. a7 Ke7 5. Rxc7+ Kd8 6. Rxh7 Kc8 7. Ke3 and White won. Watching the game I thought that 3... c6 worked, because of 4.a7 cxd5 5.Rb8 dxc4 etc, but I had also overlooked something. The all-seeing computer tells me that 3... Bd3 is best and results in an equal position. The position looks so simple, but is full of tricks - so what does White play after 3... c6 to escape? Answers on Monday.
The following diagram is from a round 6 game that I found fascinating. It was between Craig Atkinson and Nadean Gopaulsingh, with Black to move. What would you play here?
Nadean correctly played 1... Rxe6! based on the pin 2.dxe6 Bxb7 winning for Black. Craig had seemingly overlooked this, as he took a couple of minutes to come up with 2. c4! cutting off the Bishop from the a8 square. The game then ended 2... Re8 3. a6 Ra8? 4. a7 Ke7 5. Rxc7+ Kd8 6. Rxh7 Kc8 7. Ke3 and White won. Watching the game I thought that 3... c6 worked, because of 4.a7 cxd5 5.Rb8 dxc4 etc, but I had also overlooked something. The all-seeing computer tells me that 3... Bd3 is best and results in an equal position. The position looks so simple, but is full of tricks - so what does White play after 3... c6 to escape? Answers on Monday.
Labels:
games,
mandela 67,
results
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