Archives: News

Aleksandra Goryachkina Tops FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2022-23 in New Delhi

New Delhi, 6th April 2023: The FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2022-23 in New Delhi came to a dramatic conclusion with the top three players finishing on the same points. However, Aleksandra Goryachkina sealed the top spot due to a better tie-breaker score. The top three contenders for first place in the third leg of the Women’s Grand Prix all drew their final round games, finishing on six points. After tiebreaks, Aleksandra Goryachkina was awarded first place, Bibisara Assaubayeva second and Zhu Jiner third.
Dr. Sanjay Kapoor, President, AICF, and Jagdish Mitra, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Growth, Tech Mahindra felicitated the top three contenders, Aleksandra Goryachkina, Bibisara Assaubayeva, and Zhu Jiner. With a loud cheer from the background, all three players received their respective trophies.
On the Occasion Dr. Sanjay Kapoor, President, AICF said, “It’s a great honour for India to host such a big event. This shows the position of the country in the chess world. I’m thankful to everyone involved who supported us to make this happen. I would also like to thank FIDE and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. And also credit must be given to the All India Chess Federation (AICF) for moving very fast and I am confident that the competition will be a great success.”
Jagdish Mitra, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Growth, Tech Mahindra, said, “Our long-standing collaboration with AICF and FIDE has been centered on advancing the global chess ecosystem. Our partnership with the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix exemplifies our commitment to promoting and discovering new talent and driving engagement in the legacy-rich sport of chess. We are excited to empower strategy and execution enabled by technology, something which is close to the heart of both our business and of this sport. I congratulate all the Women’s Grand Prix winners and participants and wish them continued success in their future endeavors. Their unwavering dedication to the game of chess has elevated the status of women’s chess and inspired millions worldwide. I’m looking forward to seeing some of these players compete in the Global Chess League 2023 in June.”
The tournament in New Delhi was the third in a series of four which make up the Women’s Grand Prix (WGP). Altogether 16 players are taking part in the series, with each participating in three of the four tournaments. The two players who score the greatest number of cumulative points in the series shall qualify for the FIDE Women Candidates Tournament 2023-24. The next and final event in the Women’s Grand Prix cycle will be held in Cyprus between the 15th and 28th of May.
About FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2022-23The Women’s Grand Prix Series 2022-23 will comprise 16 players, each of whom will compete in three of the four WGP tournaments. Each WGP tournament features a round-robin format with 12 players. Every player earns WGP points in each WGP tournament based on her position in the final standings. The WGP Series winner is the player with the most cumulative points earned in all three WGP tournaments she played.

The total prize fund for each one of the four events is €80,000, with another €80,000 being distributed among the top 8 finishers in the overall standings for the Grand Prix series. The two players with the highest cumulative points total in the WGP series advance to the FIDE Women Candidates Tournament 2023-24.

Mind Power Chess Team Wins GM Eugene Torre Rapid Seniors Chess Team Tournament

Mind Power Chess Team swept the last two rounds to clinch the team rapid title and cap its fruitful stint in the GM Eugene Torre FIDE Rapid Seniors Chess Team Tournament held at Robinson Townville Buhay na Tubig Branch here Sunday, March 26, 2023.

The Mind Power Chess Team scored double of 2.5-0.5 wins over Zugzwang Knights Kimurs and Team Balinas in the fifth and sixth and final rounds, respectively, boosting their tally to 14.0 points to best 11 other squads to  bag the top pot of 20,000 PHP plus the Perpetual Trophy.

The Mind Power Chess Team, composed of International Master Angelo Abundo Young (photo above), Roberto Biron and Gary Legaspi bagged the team rapid crown in the event organized by Inter-Agency Chess Group and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

“This was a tough tournament but we are proud and grateful that we will be bringing home honors for our squad,” said Young,  an 8-time Illinois USA Champion.

“It was truly a team effort on our part. Everybody did his share in winning the rapid championship,” added Young, who is best to remember winning an over-all eight place finish in the +50 division of the 2019 World Seniors Chess Championships in Bucharest, Romania.

In round 5, it was Young and Legaspi who carried the Mind Power Chess Team on their shoulders with wins over their highly touted rivals.

Young outplayed International Master Chito Garma on board 1 while Legaspi upended Eugene Trasfiero on board 3. Biron and Jerry Areque to a fight draw on board 2.

On the other hand, Biron and Legaspi were the heroes in the Mind Power Chess Team’s conquest of powerhouse Team Balinas in round 6.

Biron subdued Rodolfo “Jun” Panopio Jr. while Legaspi outplayed Ronnie Sebastian. Young had drawn Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. on top board.

Backed up by Atty. Rodolfo Enrique Rivera, the RG Warriors headed by National Master Edmundo Gatus, Dennis San Juan and Primitivo Virtudazo could only muster a runner up finish with 13.5 points total output to bring home the runner-up purse of 10,000 PHP.

RG Warriors halved the point with Cavite Knights, 1.5-1.5, in Round 5 then blanked Senior Incontrovertible, 3-0, in Round 6.

Against Cavite Knights, Gatus split the points with International Master Barlo Nadera on board 1 while San Juan dismantled Eduardo Tunguia on board 2.

However, Virtudazo was beaten by Alfred Jumanan on board 3.

Against Senior Incontrovertible, the trio of Gatus, San Juan and Virtudazo crushed Anthony Avellanada, Agrifino Camposano and Esmael Abas, in order.

Meanwhile, IM Garma pocketed the top honors in the blitz individual event.

The Tondo, Manila native IM Garma collected six points in six outings to went home 1,500 PHP plus trophy.
Garma scored victories over Queen Angelus Dacallos in the first round, Biron in the second round, Vincent Paolo Constantino in the third round, IM Young in the fourth round, IM Nadera in the fifth round and GM Antonio in the sixth and final round.

A file photo shows International Master Angelo Abundo Young (left) ponder his next moves against Bayanihan Chess Club legal counsel Atty. Rodolfo Enrique Rivera.

Final Standings: (Six Round Swiss System)
14.0 points—Mind Power Chess Team
13.5 points—RG Warriors
12.0 points—Cavite Knights
10.0 points—Zugzwang Knights Kimurs
9.5 points—Team Balinas, Magic Mandaluyong Tigers
8.5 points—DPWH1
7.5 points—Senior Incontrovertible
7.0 points— Team Duterte, DPWH 2
6.0 points—The Legends
3.5 points—Djsiayngco Chess Club Team

Bangladesh Police win the WALTON 1st Division Women’s Chess League

Bangladesh Police won the honor of becoming the undefeated champion in the WALTON 1st Division Women’s Chess League sponsored by WALTON Hi-Tech Industries Plc and organized by Bangladesh Chess Federation held at Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall-Room, 2nd Floor of National Sports Council old building.

Bangladesh Police won the title by getting maximum 14 points in 7 games. Bangladesh Police defeated defending champions Bangladesh Navy by 2½-1½ game points, in the 7th or final round games held today (Tuesday).

Two Indian WGM Srija Seshadri and WGM Velavan Bharshini of Bangladesh Police defeated WCM Ahmed Walijah and Warsia Khushbu of Bangladesh Navy respectively in the title deciding match in round 7th. WFM Tanima Parveen of Bangladesh Police drew with WFM Noshin Anjum of Bangladesh Navy. Wadifa Ahmed of Bangladesh Navy defeated Nusrat Jahan Alo of Bangladesh Police.

The captain of the Bangladesh Police team is Dr. Shoeb Reaz Alam and the players are: WCM Jannatul Ferdous, Nushrat Jahan Alo, Indian WGM Srija Seshadri, WFM Master Tanima Parveen, Indian WGM Velavan Varshini and WIM Rani Hamid. Last time champion Bangladesh Navy finished runners-up with 12 points.

Bangladesh Navy Captain is FM Sheikh Nasir Ahmed and the players are: Wadifa Ahmed, WCM Ahmed Walijah, WFM Noshin Anjamu, Kazi Zarin Tasnim and Warsia Khusbu. Shahin Chess Club became third place with 10 points. Shahin Chess Club defeated Basir Memorial Chess Academy by 4-0 game points in the final round of play. Nusrat Jahan Liza, Afrin Jahan Munia, Neelava Choudhury, Sabikun Nahar Tonima, Kishoara Sajrin Evana and Jannatul Preety participated on behalf of Shahin Chess Club.

Basir Memorial Chess Club became 4th and Uttara Central Chess Club became 5th with 7 points each,

Basir Memorial Chess Academy became 6th and Sheikh Russel Chess Club became 7th with 3 points each.

Team Barisal finished 8th without getting any match point. In the last round: Uttara Central Chess Club beat Sheikh Russel Chess Club by 4-0 game points and Basir Memorial Chess Club beat Team Barisal by 3½-½ game points. Total 8 teams participated in this year’s First Division Women’s Chess League in round robin league system.

Singapore Chess Festival Slated 4-11 June 2023

Organised by the Singapore Chess Federation, this event seeks to bring together chess lovers in this region and from around the world to celebrate the royal game of chess.

The highlight of the festival is the Professor Lim Kok Ann International Open 2023 which features some of Singapore’s best local players and strong masters from all over the region. We also have a rich array of events and activities catered to players of all levels.

Simultaneous exhibitions, beginner classes, tournaments with various time controls – there will be something of interest whether you are an experienced tournament player or someone who is new to the game.

Visit SG Chess Festival

Walton First Division Women’s Chess League

   

Three teams are sharing leads in the points table with maximum 4 points each after 2nd round matches of the WALTON 1st Division Women’s Chess League-2023 sponsored by WALTON Hi-Tech Industries PLC and organised by Bangladesh Chess Federation is now being held at Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall-Room, on the 2nd floor of the old building of National Sports Council. They are: Reigning champion Bangladesh Navy, reigning runners-up Bangladesh Police & Shahin Chess Club.

2nd round matches were held 23rd March. In the 2nd round: Bangladesh Navy beat Basir Memorial Chess Club by 4-0 game points. Wadfa Ahmed, WCM Ahmed Walijah, WFM Noshin Anjum and Kazi Zarin Tasnim of Bangladesh Navy won against Kaumudi Nargis, Afroza Hoque Chowdhury, Mahjabbeen Islam and Fahmida Afroze of Basir Memorial Chess Club respectively.

Bangladesh Police beat Uttara Central Chess Club 4-0 game points. Nusrat Jahan Alo, Indian WGM Srija Seshadri, WFM Tanima Parenn and WGM Velavan Varshini of Bangladesh Police won against Nazmin Akter, Warisa Haider, Raiba Sobhan Adhora & Fariha Sumona of Uttara Central Chess Club.

 Shahin Chess Club beat Team Barisal by 4-0 game points. Afrin Jahan Munia, Neelava Choudhury, Sabikun Nahar Tonima and Kishoara Sajrin Evana of Shahin Chess Club won against Sidratul Muntaha, Sonia Akhter, Tahira Amani & Ramisa Sayeara Mumina of Team Barisal respectively.

Basir Memorial Chess Academy drew with Sheikh Russel Chess Club by  2-2 game points. Rashma Alam and Monika Kundu of Basir Memorial Chess Academy won against Nazia Jafrin Mohona, Jarin Tasnim of Sheikh Russel Chess Club, Zowena Mehbish and Fatiha Eyenoon Diya of Sheikh Russel Chess Club won against Sayeda Nusaibah Mahmud and Dibbayangana Biswas of Basir Memorial Chess Academy respectively. 

FIDE President and ACF General Secretary Visit Saudi Arabia

Following the invitation from the Saudi Arabia Chess Federation to participate in their board meeting represented by the new members and as per invitation from Mr Turki Al-Sheikh to meet on the occasion of Riyadh Calendar Chess Championship 2023, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich (above photo, center) and Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher (fourth from right) visited Saudi Arabia Chess Federation headed by President Dr. Abdullah Al Wahshi (fifth from left).

Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher (standing, left) and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich oversee the MOA between Saudi president Dr. Abdullah Al Wahshi (seated, left) and Egypt President Dr. Hesham Elgendy for cooperation and technical suport to the 2023 World Cadets Championship in Egypt. 

Follow us on   facebook, instagram and   twitter

FIDE President had a chance to check and test the playing conditions of the championship and praised both the venue and the organizers’ efforts. Arkady Dvorkovich used the visit as an opportunity to discuss further chess development in Saudi Arabia, reiterating FIDE’s support for children’s education, social initiatives, professional chess events and the possibility of hosting the World Teams Championship.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich in conference with Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher.

Saudi Arabia has been very supportive of the FIDE Year of Women in Chess celebration by initiating a new tradition of Queens Awards that allows paying tribute to the great personalities in women’s chess. Improving gender balance is one of the top priorities for Saudi Arabia and FIDE, which both intend to pursue in their policies and development projects.

When asked about his impressions on the Saudi Arabia Chess Federation board meeting, the future of chess in the world in Saudi Arabia in particular, FIDE President said: “I really appreciated the invitation by the Saudi Arabia Chess Federation to come to the first board meeting. The board members are very active in supporting chess in the country. We, in our turn, are ready to contribute our share to chess development in the country, supporting new initiatives, especially in chess education and training young talents and hosting big international events here in Saudi Arabia. We stimulate professional chess but also believe in the social role of our game in helping disabled and incarcerated people. We are eager to ensure a good gender balance so young girls and ladies can play chess actively. I think we can do all this together here, in Saudi Arabia.”

From fide.com.

Checkmate.live joins forces with Tencent Cloud to accelerate Speed Chess

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Tuesday, 14 March 2023)

Checkmate.live a next-gen esports-first chess and broadcasting platform, today announced that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global technology company Tencent to accelerate Chess as an esport and bring fair play back to the game.

Checkmate is the latest initiative by VADR Media, focusing on producing and broadcasting XR linear and online chess tournaments for a new generation of players. At its heart, Checkmate is a cloud-based platform that leverages cutting-edge technology to provide the opportunity to compete for cash prizes, credits, and collectables.

Both Checkmate and Tencent Cloud share a unified vision where the convergence of media and technology can be harnessed to level up the realm of competitive play, broadcasting, and chess – one of the world’s largest sports and the next big thing in esports. Tencent Cloud, with its expertise in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, anti-cheat protection, gaming, and XR, along with its global footprint, brings immense value to the table. Chess’s universal appeal serves as a unique platform that facilitates the connection of players through social and competitive play.

Checkmate will leverage a number of Tencent Cloud’s services, ranging from cloud infrastructure to its recently launched Metaverse-in-a-Box offerings to optimise its platform. At the same time, the two parties have agreed on a range of future collaborations to accelerate the game.

“From providing the best hyperscale infrastructure to creating a one-stop shop for cloud solutions, we aim to support the global esports and Metaverse community to adopt critical technologies to drive deeper connections between the virtual and real worlds,” says Leo Li, Vice President, Tencent Cloud International.

XR in event broadcasting hit an inflection point in 2020; at the same time, online Chess also saw a global boom due to the shift online, which hasn’t slowed down. Only last week, the International Olympic Committee, which recognises Chess as a sport, also recognised Chess’s role as an esport with the addition of the game to its 2023 Olympic Esports Series.

An estimated 700 million people play the 1500-year-old skill-based game, making it the world’s largest esport and sport. It is estimated that up to 420 million of these players are aged between 18-34, which mirrors esports.

“It’s fair to say were delighted This will be an exciting era for the world of chess; Tencent and Tencent Cloud, have years of experience in the fields of gaming, media and cloud services. Their technical prowess and global footprint accelerate our shared vision. This capability, combined with the rapid acceleration of AI, has unlocked new opportunities for broadcasters to engage and immerse players and fans.”, said John McRae, Managing Director of VADR Media.

The partnership was announced at the conclusion of the Inaugural Asian Chess Federation Summit in Abu Dhabi, where McRae was invited as the keynote speaker.

The Asian Chess Federation recently announced its strategic partnership with Checkmate as exclusive online data, broadcast and tournament platform. His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahayan, a member of the Abu Dhabi Ruling Family, is President of The Asian Chess Federation. During the opening of the summit, Sheikh Sultan announced.

“I am particularly delighted to welcome Mr John McRae, who will guide us through our journey into the digital world with integrity. As we navigate the complex and rapidly evolving landscape of technology and digital innovation, Mr McRae’s expertise will be invaluable in helping us to leverage the power of technology while staying true to the values of sportsmanship and fair play that lie at the heart of our game.”

Checkmate is also the exclusive online data, broadcast and tournament platform for the Arab Esports Federation. The two international Federations represent 71 national chess and esports Federations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East (and GCC) and Oceania.

 

About Tencent Cloud

Tencent Cloud, one of the world’s leading cloud companies, is committed to creating innovative solutions to resolve real-world issues and enabling digital transformation for smart industries. Through its extensive global infrastructure, Tencent Cloud provides businesses across the globe with stable and secure industry-leading cloud products and services, leveraging technological advancements such as cloud computing, Big Data analytics, AI, IoT and network security. Its constant mission is to meet the needs of industries across the board, including the fields of gaming, media and entertainment, finance, healthcare, property, retail, travel and transportation.

 Checkmate.live

w: www.checkmate.live
t:  @playcheckmate

Asia Chess Federation

The Asian Chess Federation (ACF) is the international governing body of chess across the Asian Continent. Its membership comprises 53 national associations across Asia, the Middle East ( and GCC) and Oceania.

www.asianchess.com

 

VADR Media

VADR is an Australian-UAE-based executive production firm that produces and promotes new media, sports and entertainment. The project is VADR’s second major play in the gaming and esports space following the sale of Let’s Play Live, Oceania’s largest esports platform and linear and online broadcaster.

www.vadr.media

 

Checkmate Media Contacts

 

John McRae

Managing Director

VADR Media

john@vadr.media

+61421001766 [Mobile | WhatsApp]

 

David Jenns, MA LLM

White Wolf Strategies

info@whitewolfconsultancy.com

+971506180752 [Mobile | WhatsApp | Telegram]