E-MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020

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CORPORATE EVENT Sberbank wins European Online Corporate Championship

6th GLOBAL FESTIVAL Team Asia wins Intercontinental Youth Team Online Chess Cup

MAGNUS CARLSEN WINS ALTIBOX CHESS Photo by: Lennart Ootes Briefly...

European Online Corporate Chess Championship took place on 3rd and 4th of October 2020 trough the Tornelo Online playing platform. The Winner of the event became team of Sberbank from , after winning both blitz and rapid events.

Intercontinental Youth Team Online Chess Cup, organised by Judit Polgar Chess Foundation and European Chess Union, took place as part of Global Chess Festival on 10th of October 2020. Team of Asia, won the event with score of 11 match points (5 victories and 1 ).

European Online Women’s Club Cup, under the high European Chess Union has its seat in Switzerland, Address: Rainweidstrasse 2, CH-6333, Hunenberg patronage of his serene highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, See, Switzerland will take place online from 19th-22nd December 2020. European Chess Union is an independent association founded in 1985 in Graz, Austria; European Chess Union has 54 National Federation Members; Every year ECU organizes more than 20 Balkan Youth Online Chess Championship organised by prestigious events and championships. Balkan Chess Federation in five age categories: U10,U12,U14,U16 and U18 (open and girls sections separetly) www.europechess.org [email protected] took place from 31st October to 1st November 2020 contents

Intercontinental Cup Online Chess Camps Balkan Youth Online 03 Final report on Intercontinental 08 Online Youth Chess Camps 14 Balkan Youth Online Chess Youth Online Chess Cup and announcement of ECU Championship Annual training program Judit Polgar Masterclass EOWCC2020 Altibox 05 Masterclass with GM Judit Polgar 11 European Online Women 15 Upcoming Tornelo for the participants of Club Cup preview Intercontinental Youth Cup introduction webinar ECOCC2020 ECU101 Courses Legends Questions 06 European Online Corporate 12 The SMART Method to Teach 17 Arbiters corner Chess Championship 2020 Chess Training Courses Fun Zone Reports

Newsletter October 2020 TEAM ASIA WINS INTERCONTINENTAL YOUTH ONLINE CHESS CUP

Intercontinental Youth Team Online Chess Cup, organised by Judit Polgar Chess Foundation and European Chess Union, took place as part of Global Chess Festival on 10th of October 2020. Team of Asia, won the event with score of 11 match points (5 victories and 1 draw).

Newsletter October 2020 3 Intercontitental Youth Online Chess Cup

Second place went to Team Four teams from four continents All the participants received as a Europe with score of 9 match participated the event: Europe, prize an invitation for the points (4 victories, 1 draw and 1 Asia, Africa and America. masterclass (1.5 hour) by GM loss). Team America got the third Each team consisted of 16 Judit Polgar in two Groups of 32 place, while team Africa came boards (age categories): players altogether with invitation fourth. boys – (2 of each to participate in Global Chess U12-U14-U16-U18 categories) Festival 2020 which was held All results, pairings and Ranking girls – (2 of each online this year. Crosstable can be found here. U12-U14-U16-U18 categories) . E-certificates of participation All 6 matches played in Round- were also presented to all 64 Robin double matches system young players who took were LIVE Broadcasted through participation in the event. chess24.com page, as the official broadcaster of the event. Details about the event can be found on ECU Website.

Opening ceremony Shortly before the start of the first round today, the Opening ceremony took place Online, through the participants’ zoom call meeting. ECU Vice President, Dana Reizniece-Ozola, ECU Secretary General, Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou and Chairperson of FIDE Planning and Development Commission, Sonja Johnson, addressed and welcomed all the players and opened the event. Judit Polgar sent to participants the video message, which was played to them during the opening ceremony.

Newsletter October 2020 4 MASTERCLASS WITH JUDIT POLGAR

Masterclass sessions with GM Judit Polgar for the participants of International Youth Online Chess Cup took place on 18th October trough Zoom Meeting Call.

The first Masterclass session with the best female chess player ever was organised for Asia and Europe team participants of International Online Youth Team #Chess Cup. Shortly before the start of the class, ECU President Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashivli opened the event and welcomed all the players.

The second session of the Masterclass was organised for America and Africa team participants who were, on behalf of European Chess Union, welcomed by ECU Secretary General, Mr.Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou.

During the masterclass, with a lot of joy participants were able to ask questions and get detailed answers and advices from GM Judit Polgar.

Newsletter October 2020 5 SBERBANK RUSSIA WINS EUROPEAN ONLINE CORPORATE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

First European Online Corporate Chess Championship took place on 3rd and 4th of October 2020 trough the Tornelo Online playing platform.

After two days of play, 7 rounds in rapid and 9 rounds in blitz time control, the Winner of the event became team of Sberbank from Russia, after winning both blitz and rapid events.

Newsletter October 2020 6 Silver medal went to Khareba from . ECU President Mr. Zurab Georgia which took two second The best player individual players: Azmaiparashvili opened the event places during each day. 1. Myshakov Fyodor (Sberbank) from the local playing venue of team Two teams tied for the third place 2. GM Jojua Davit (Khareba) Khareba from Georgia. with the same score: UE 3. Kadatsky Alexander (Sberbank) “Information and Computing 3. Shanava Konstantine (Khareba) Center Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus” and PROBIT The best players in special category Sp. z o.o. from so the third for players rated U2000: place and prize are divided equally 1. Vekua Temur (Khareba) PRIZES between these two teams. 2. Petrov Viktor (Kaspersky) European Online Corporate 3. Rodjero Mateo (Rambler Group) Chess Championship The Team Medalists are awarded with ECU Medals and special The best players of special category The best ranked three teams invitations for European Golden for unrated players: were awarded with VIP Ceremony in Monaco. 1. Tsakhnakia Gogi (Khareba) invitation for the European 2. Unton Andrei ( UE “Information Golden Pawn Ceremeny, while The Chess for Life Grand Award and Computing Center Ministry of the best individual players received e-medal certificate and is presented to Kaspersky Finance of the Rep. of Belarus”) money prizes. E-madal (Russia)- the company entering the 3. Zinkou Aliaksandr (UE certificates were also sent to most participants. The award “Information and Computing Center the best players of special recognises the achievement of a Ministry of Finance of the Rep. of categories, while all the players very special Organisation whose Belarus”). received the certificate for management and staff have participation. responded to the challenge of team spirit and morale in the workplace.

Newsletter October 2020 7 ECU Online Youth Camps for the Winners of European Youth Online Chess Championship launched on Monday, 19th of October 2020, trough the Zoom meeting call.

ONLINE YOUTH CHESS CAMPS FOR THE WINNERS OF #EYOCC2020

he best ranked 8 players of each The lecturers of the group for age category at the European Youth players aged from 15-18 are: Online Chess Championship were > GM Alojzije Jankovic awarded with free participation in > GM Alexander Khalifman T ECU Online Youth Camps with top > GM Ivan Sokolov trainers. > GM Antoaneta Stefanova > GM Artur Yussupow The lecturers of group for players aged from 10-14 are: The Camps contain 24 lecturing > GM Adrian Mikhalchishin hours and are organised by > GM Iossif Dorffman European Chess Union and > GM Miguel Illescas European Chess Academy, > GM Lasha Janjghava supported by FIDE Development > GM Georg Mohr Fund.

Newsletter October 2020 8 The first lecture for the younger The second lecture for the U18 participants was held by GM Lasha participants took place on 22nd of Janjgava who talked about Role of October 2020. GM Artur Jussupow in chess. explained opposite coloured bishops The event was opened by ECU Vice endgames. President GM Adrian Mihalcisin who welcomed the participants at the The lessons for the young chess beginning of the lecture. talents were held by one of the best During the second lecture, GM coaches for young players in the Lasha Janjgava talked about the world- GM Adrian Mikhalchishin. power of the bishops pair. One of the theme of the lecture was also always interesting ONLINE YOUTH Online Youth Chess camp U18, for . CHESS CAMPS the winners of the European Online Online Youth Chess Camps are Youth Chess Championship has Next on the schedule was Croatian organised by European Chess started on Tuesday 20th of October. GM Alojzije Jankovic, known as one Union and European Chess ECU Vice President GM Ivan of the experts of the Rauzer Sicilian. Academy, supported by FIDE Sokolov and camp co-ordinator has Development fund, for the winners of first European Online welcomed all participants before the Short reports on the event, altogher Youth Chess Championship start of the lecture by GM Artur with photos and themes of the which recently took place Jussupow. The theme of the first lectures are available on European trough Tornelo online platform. lecture was "Fortresses and Chess Academy page. The best ranked 8 players of ". each category got invitation to participate the event with top chess trainers!

Newsletter October 2020 9 ECU ANNUAL TRAINING PROGRAM- Develop practical way of thinking!

European Chess Union and European Chess Academy, supported by FIDE Development Fund, organise the annual training program in period from December 5th 2020 to June 5th 2021. Two nominees per European Chess CU annual training program is open for Federation are supported by the all ages and levels and will be organised European Chess Union (55 spots) and within four levels: FIDE Development Fund (55 spots). > LEVEL 1 – for players below 1300ELO > LEVEL 2 – for players between 1300 The registration form for all participants E and 1600 ELO and federations nominees in separate >LEVEL 3 – for players between 1600 form is available on the ECU Website. and 1900 ELO >LEVEL 4 – for players above 1900ELO The lecturers are: >GM, FST Adrian Mikhalchishin – The lectures will be held every Saturday More than 40 years of coaching at 10:00 am CET time (for level 1 and 3) experiences and every Saturday at 12:00 pm CET >GM, FST Georg Mohr – More than 35 time (for level 2 and 4). Tuition fee is years of coaching experiences 200 eur and registrations can be done >IM, FT Tadej Sakelsek – More than 15 until November 25th 2020. year of coaching experiences

The registration is completed with tuition payment on European chess Academy Detailed information about the event can Bank account or PayPal. be found in invitation down bellow or on the European Chess Academy website.

Newsletter October 2020 10 INVITATION

EUROPEAN ONLINE WOMEN’S CLUB CUP- Official Regulations

European Online Women’s Club Cup is organised by European Chess Union and Monte Carlo , under the high patronage of his serene highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. It will take place online from 19th-22nd December 2020 through playing platform Tornelo.

he event is open to all European Chess The event will be played within Clubs, but only 32 Teams will be Qualification groups of 8 teams, Round accepted by priority and strength. Robin 7 rounds and the first two teams ECU keeps the right to accept and of each qualification group will qualify for additional teams. Final Group which will consist of 8 T teams. Time control: 15min + 5 sec per Each team consists of 4 basic players player. and one reserve player. The composition of the team is open without any Groups will be divided according the restrictions for the female players average classic rating of 4 basic players. belonging to any FIDE member FIDE December 1st, 2020 list will be federation. During the event, each team taking in account. will appoint one captain/representative Group A : 1, 8, 9, 16, 17, 24, 25, 32 for the technical meeting and Group B : 2, 7, 10,15, 18, 23, 26, 31 communication during the event. Group C : 3, 6, 11,14, 19, 22, 27, 30 By signing in the tournament, all teams Group D : 4, 5, 12,13, 20, 21, 28, 29 and participants confirm to have read System and rate of play and accepted these regulations the The first Team is the European Women’s terms and conditions of the event. Club Cup Champion 2020 and will European Online receive the “Coupe Princesse Charlène” Women's Club Cup All the teams and players are during the opening ceremony of the The event will be played within recommended to play with a club 2021 European Women’s Club Cup. four Qualification groups (A, B, branded attire and background visible The second and third team will receive C and D) of 8 teams, Round for the event’s livestream coverage. silver and bronze e-medals. Robin 7 rounds and the first two Top ranked four teams will be awarded teams of each qualification Registrations are made by the Clubs also with money prizes: 1st Winner group will qualify for Final through the online entry form. Team 2500 euros, 2nd Winner Team Group which will consist of 8 Registrations are accepted till Friday 2000 euros, 3rd Winner Team 1500 teams. 4th December 2020. euros and 4th Winner Team 1000 euros. Groups will be divided Individual e- Medals are won by 1st, according the average classic Entry fee per each team is 150 EUR. rating of basic players. 2nd, and 3rd place of each board of final Group. The first winner of each Board of Time control: 15min + 5 sec per final group will receive 200 euros (5 x player. 200). ECU Certificates will be available for all Teams and players.

Newsletter October 2020 11

BALKAN YOUTH ONLINE CHESS CHAMPIONS ANNOUNCED

Balkan Youth Online Chess Championship organised by Balkan The Winners are: Chess Federation in five age categories: U10,U12,U14,U16 and O10 Gkavardinas Antonios (GRE), 6/7 U18 (open and girls sections separetly) took place from 31st O12 Lavrencic Matic (SLO) 5.5/7 October to 1st November 2020 trough Tornelo Online playing O14 Stefanou Dimitrios (GRE) 6/7 O16 Budisavljevic Luka (SRB) 6/7 platform. O18 Gavrilescu David (ROU) 6.5/7 G10 Ciocirlan Bianca-Alexandra (ROU) he event gathered 188 players from 7/7 10 Balkan federations: Albania, G12 Tirpan Ceren (TUR) 5.5/7 G14 Mihelic Vesna (SLO) 5.5/7 Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Republic G16 Ciolacu Alessia-Mihaela (ROU) 6/7 of North Macedonia, Montenegro, G18 Obada Ema (ROU) 6.5/7 T , Slovenia, Serbia and Turkey. Team Winners Open section: 1.Greece 27.5 points After 7 rounds played in Swiss 2.Romania 25.5 points system, with time control of 25 3.Serbia 25 points minutes + 5 seconds of an increment per each move, starting Team Winners Girls section: from the move one, the Balkan 1.Romania 28.5 points Online Youth Chess Champions 2.Greece 23 points 3.Turkey 21 points were announced altogether with Team Balkan Chess Champions. ECU President Mr. Zurab All the results can be found on the Azmaiparashvili congralatued all the chess-results website. teams captains and the winners.

Newsletter October 2020 14 wins Altibox Norway Chess

Reigning World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen won the first super grandmasters tournament to be organised during the pandemic of corona virus in , Norway.

Magnus Carlsen was racing for the top together with , but in the direct encounter in the penultimate round Magnus took a victory in basic pawns drawn endgame and won the event with the round to spare. Firouzja Alireza won the last round and came second lagging behind the World Champion for only one point, scoring 18.5 points. Leading Armenian chess player and Photos by: Lennart Ootes world No.9 Aronian Levon took the third place with score of 17.5 points. Caruana Fabiano was fourth with The event took place from 5th-16th 15.5 points. October at Clarion Hotel Energy in Stavanger Norway and was played Polish prodigy Duda Jan-Kzysztof as 10 rounds double robin round ended the event on the 5th place but tournament. his advent on the event will be Players got following points per remembered since he was the one round: to bring the conclusion of Magnus -Victory main game: 3 points Carlsen’s 125-games unbeaten -Loss main game: 0 points streak in classical chess which has - Draw main game & victory ended after two years and two Armageddon: 1.5 points months. Five rounds later, Magnus - Draw main game & loss suffered another loss against Armageddon: 1 point Aronian in the final round. Norwegian Champion 2019 Tari Details are available on the Official Aryan scored 3.5 points and came Website of the event on the 6th place.

Magnus Carlsen wins Altibox Norway Chess ALTIBOX NORWAY CHESS Altibox Norway Chess, first super grandmaster tournament to be organised after covid19 virus pandemic, took place from 5-16 October 2020 in Stavanger, Norway, with 6 Top World Grandmasters fighting for a total prize fund of aorund 165.000 EUR.

Newsletter October 2020 15 UPCOMING

Εuropean Chess Union and its official Partner Tornelo organise a free webinar on Monday 9th November (15.00 CET) on how to use the server organising chess events.

INTRODUCTION TO TORNELO - WEBINAR

he invitation is for The new role model T European federations, presented through 3 official clubs, organisers, arbiters ECU online competitions but can be extended or and have been already rescheduled and for the adopted from major other continents according organisations, federations the interest. The last three and organisers. months ECU worked intensively with Tornelo in You can register here for order to present a new way free: for the organisation of https://home.tornelo.com/ #Chess events. webinar/

Newsletter October 2020 16 LEGENDS QUESTIONS

MEET GM KOZUL ZDENKO - European Champion 2006 10 questions by GM Adrian Mikhalchishin

1 What are You doing in life in the current moment? For many years I work for Croatian Chess Federation and last four years I an National Team Trainer.Still I am active as player-just recently I got silver medal in National Championship. But mostly I play in different Team Championships –except my native Zagreb, I play in German Bundesliga, Slovenian, Hungarian and Bosna Championships.

2 Your recollections with meetings with World Champions? In my long career I met many World Champions, but the most dear for me are two tournaments and two games with legendary Misha Tal, in Tbilisi 1988. And Marseilles 1989.I achieved even positive score 1,5-0,5 but the most important was to spend time and analyse post mortem with him. After Marseille tournament it was big reception with important persons and in one moment Misha told me –let us sit on the road and have a good smoke!

3 Your best game I can not say the best ,but the most adventurous was definetly game Kjetil Lie - Kožul, Tromso ol 2014.

4 Which Your achievement You Zdenko Kozul- Grenke Open 2016 consider to be most important. Nominally my best achievments are –Title of European Champion 2006 and place among World Top 16 on World Championship 2004.But for me very important are numerous wins in Opens all around Europe plus many team titles 7 Your favorite openings. in surrounding countries-around 50!Plus 10 Favorite city, food and drink. Easy answer... and City : Zagreb Of course, I am very three wins in European Cups with my Kings Indian for my whole chess career! subjective, but it is really great Bosna Sarajevo! place t;lo live. To play chess –the 8 Who was the most difficult and best place is Bled ,Slovenia! 5 Best and most important chess easiest opponent during Your career. Food-definetly good steak! Drink – I am not interesting here, books. I don’t want to comment about easiest Let us say My System, Aron as all my career I use to drink just opponent , but most difficult were Mickey water Nimzowitsch Adams and then Kirche Georgiev.

6 How did You start Your career. 9 Non chess –best ,book, film and It was usual for young players from my singer for You. surroundings- it started first playing Book : The Secret of The Kindom, Mika Mother and Father at home, then school Waltari, competitions, chess club school then Film : I am not special filmofil, but I tournaments and later decision to enjoyed to see few times film Ben Hur, become professional chess player. Singer : Roy Orbison

Newsletter October 2020 17 ARBITERS CORNER

Text by: IA Tomasz Delega Chairman of ECU Arbiters Council

Fair play and good manners in chess

What is a fair play in chess and what are He made a move and his opponent its limits? Or maybe there aren't any? having about eight minutes on his clock, This time, in the arbiter's corner, we started thinking and after about two present two cases bordering on the rules minutes later held out his hand and said of chess, fair play and good manners. "Okay, I won't continue this". The white player, a bit surprised, shook First case – in a blitz tournament, one the opponent's hand and, convinced that of the players playing black has a black has resigned, reported the win to completely winning position. the arbiter. e promoted a pawn into the , After making the pairing for the next "checking" the opponent. Unfortunately, round, black player complained to the by mistake he promoted his pawn into arbiter, that he has half a point less and the Queen of opposite color (the color of his previous game ended in a draw. the opponent pieces). He claimed that white offered a draw The opponent replied by , escaping and he agreed. under the . Having realized the What should the arbiter do? Please write your comments to situation, the black player tried to The mere handshake can be interpreted [email protected] change "his" Queen into black piece, but both as agreeing to a draw and also as m the opponent didn't agree and called the resignation, although it does not mean We will publish the most arbiter. anything in itself. interesting in the next edition The arbiter stated that an incorrect move So it would be appropriate to interpret has been made ( of a pawn the words "Okay, I won't continue that", of ECU Magazine. into a Queen of the opposite color), but but what do they mean? They can also since the opponent has not complained be interpreted in two ways, but I think if about it and another move has already someone says they will not continue, it been made, the game should be means resignation rather than agreeing continued with the "bad" white Queen. to a draw. The black player resigned. This time we The arbiter asked the players to don’t ask if the arbiter did the right thing, reconstruct the position, what white but if the white player broke the fair play player did and black agreed that position principles, seeing the opponent's is correct. Based on unclear, complex mistake and benefiting from it? position, the arbiters decided to change In my opinion, it would undoubtedly be the result into the draw. very noble if he let the opponent replace What do you think about it? the queen, but on the other hand, chess is a game of mistakes, so if the The lesson from the second case is that opponent makes them they can be used. it is very important good to be sure what What do you think about it? kind of intention has the opponent before shaking his hand. The second case – in a rapid But how to do this in good manner way? tournament, the player playing white has I remember from my own practice when an exchange up but the position is still I reached out my hand to my opponent, so complex, that there is no clear way who was a teenage boy, with the for winning. intention of resigning, and he asked He has about a minute and a half left on loudly to the entire playing hall "do you the clock. resign", I felt very confused.

Newsletter October 2020 18 FUN ZONE

In this edition of the ECU E- Magazine we prepared for The Queen's , an American you three winning positions "The Queen's drama television miniseries based by Beth Harmon. on Walter Tevis's 1983 novel of the White is on the move! same name, was released on Netflix on October 23rd. Gambit" by Ever since then, the chessworld analyses, comments and watch the Solutions from September Netflix first episode of the series. The Queen's Gambit is a fictional overwhelms story which begins in the mid #Puzzle 1 1950s-1960s and follows the life of 1.Qd8+!! Kxd8 2.Rf8# Beth Harmon, . the chess The series follow her from the age of #Puzzle 2 eight to twenty-two during her quest 1.Qb8+!! Nxb8 2.Rd8# to become the world's greatest world chess player while struggling with #Puzzle 3 emotional issues and with drug and 1.Ne7+! Kh8 2.Ng6# alcohol dependency. #Puzzle 4 1.Rxg7+!! Kxg7 2.Qxh7#

Newsletter October 2020 19