NEWSLETTER 73 (April 30, 2012)

ECU PRESIDENT SILVIO DANAILOV OPENED SEMINAR DEDICATED TO THE CHESS IN SCHOOL PROGRAM IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA

ECU President Silvio Danailov opened seminar dedicated to the Chess in School program in Vienna, Austria. The theme of the seminar was “Translating Political Support to Funding for Projects and Improving Existing Programmes”.

Mr. Danailov spoke on the topic “What Politicians think about Chess in Schools” sharing his reflections on his lobbying L-R: Veselin Topalov, Robert Zsifkovits, Vice President of the Austrian Federation, and Silvio effort at the European Parliament in Danailov Strasbourg. The other speakers was: Mr. Jan Callewaert, President of Kasparov Chess Foundation Europe, Hermann Zemlicka, President of the Chess Federation of Upper Austria, Malcolm Pein, Chess in Schools and Communities London and Stanislav Vlcek, School Chess Coordinator Western Slovakia Slovak Chess Federation. The meeting was chaired and organised by Stefan Loeffler from the charity Spielend Schlauer, whose aim is to bring chess into primary schools.

Mr. Jan Callewaert – Mr. Stanislav Vlcek

The seminar was held on 27th of April, 2012 and was part of the Vienna Children Chess Festival, which hosted hundred children to play chess at one of the most prestigeous locations of the Austrian capital, museum Albertina. The sporting highlight was a clock simul given by the former world chess champion Veselin Topalov against the top U18 players from Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

The Seminar in Vienna was the first stop of the European tour of the ECU President Silvio Danailov for promotion of the program ‘Chess in school’.

Photos by Regine Hendrich for Spielend Schlauer

Official website: www.schulschach.at

SILVIO DANAILOV VISITED CARDIFF, WALES TO PROMOTE THE ECU PROGRAM ‘CHESS IN SCHOOL’

On 28th of April, 2012 ECU President Silvio Danailov visited Cardiff, Wales in order to promote the ECU program ‘Chess in School’.

The President Danailov gave a presentation to the WCU Management Board, members trainers and organizers.

The Head Teacher from Peterson-Super-Ely Primary School, Vale of Glamorgan was thrilled to be hosting the event.

The school has a tradition of encouraging their children to learn chess.

During the meeting Mr. Danailov met members as senior as Hugh Price from Cardiff YMCA chess club who has supported chess in Wales since 1940.

Mr. Danailov promised future support from his contacts with great players expected to arrive in Wales in the future from around the world.

“Chess is a sport and much more” said the President. He told of the tremendous cultural impact chess can have in society since it offers the opportunity to bring generations together, across ethnic groups and economic differences. Chess as a sport is a great equaliser and relatively low in cost to organise. He also expressed how in Chess we do not need stadiums or golf courses, fancy footwear or expensive gear.

During his European Tour the President has been inundated with positive feedback on the social benefits Chess can have on, for instance, children with learning difficulties and physical disabilities and how wonderful it is that girls and boys can learn this international language for life.

Accompanying Mr. Danailov on his visit was former World Champion from 2005 Bulgarian Grand Master Veselin Topalov. At the end of three and a half hours play in a 25 person Simultaneous chess match the GM enthused about the high quality of games from a number of the local players.

Amongst the group playing Topalov were two current British Girls Champions U 9 and U 15 Stephanie Du Toit (Monmouth) coached by Ion Rees (Caerphilly) and Megan Owens who has won the chess scholarship to attend the prestigious Millfield School, Somerset where she is coached by an International Master.

Official website: www.europechess.net

SILVIO DANAILOV VISITED EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND AS A PART FROM HIS EUROPEAN PROMOTIONAL TOUR On 29th of April, 2012 Silvio Danailov visited Edinburgh, Scotland as a part from his European promotional tour.

The ECU President had a meeting dedicated to the ECU program ‘Chess in School’ with the President of the Scottish Chess Federation Michael Hanley, the Delegate Andy Howie and the Arbiter IA Alex McFarlane.

Silvio Danailov was accompanied on his visit by the former World Champion’ 2005 GM Veselin Topalov.

At the second oldest chess club in the world, Edinburgh Chess Club (founded 1822), he played a simultaneous chess match against 20 local players with final result 16.5 – 3.5 (14 wins, 1 lost, 5 draws) in favour of the Grand Master. IM Andrew Greet, the 2010 Scottish Champion, was the only player to win. Draws were secured by GM Jacob Aagaard, Hugh Brechin, Adam Bremner, Roberta Brunello, Robert Lawson and Boris Mitrovic. Official website: www.europechess.net

ECU PRESIDENT SILVIO DANAILOV MET WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF FAROE ISLANDS KAJ LEO JOHANNESEN

ECU President Silvio Danailov met with the Prime Minister of Faroe Islands Kaj Leo Johannesen.

The meeting took place during the official visit of Mr. Danailov, which is part of his tour for promotion of the ECU program ‘Chess in school’.

The ECU President visited Faroe Island from 30th of April to 1st of May. L-R: Mr. Kaj Leo Johannesen, Mr. Silvio Danailov

Mr. Danailov and the Prime Minister had interesting and constructive discussion concerning the implementation of the program among the Faroese schools, the current development of the game of chess in Faroe Islands and the vision of the ECU to help to the so called ‘small nations’ to develop their chess.

The Prime Minister Kaj Leo Johannesen promised to Mr. Danailov his full support for the program ‘Chess in school’. Mr. Kaj Leo Johannesen is big chess lover and former goalkeeper for the Faroe Islands national football team.

L-R: Minister of Education Bjørn Kalsø, ECU President Silvio Danailov

Silvio Danailov had a meeting also with the Minister of Education, Research and Culture, Mr. Bjørn Kalsø and with the President and the Board of the national chess federation of Faroe Islands.

Official website: www.europechess.net

INTERVIEW WITH MR. LEO BATTESTI CONCERNING THE ECU PROGRAM ‘CHESS IN SCHOOL’

Mr. Leo Battesti, Vice-President of the French Chess Federation and League President of the Corsican Circuit, gave a special interview for the newsletter of the European Chess Union, concerning the topic of ECU program ‘Chess in school’.

Here is the full text of the interview: Mr. Leo Battesti- Source of the photo: Chessbase

1. Why is necessary, according to your opinion, the game of chess to be introduced as a part of the educational process in the European schools? What are the benefits?

- The social and educational virtues of Chess are considerable and especially beneficial in this current context of global crisis. This sport teaches, in particular, the respect of the rules and the respect of each other. It also teaches to think before acting, and how to face one’s own responsibilities. It is a kind of school citizenship.

2. What does the endorsement of the ECU Chess in School program by the European Parliament means for the game of chess and the European society?

- This is a fantastic achievement and I want to congratulate the ECU, its President and Garry Kasparov for this great initiative that gives more influence to national federations in order to interact with their institutions.

Photo by Mr. Leo Battesti

3. How do you see the development of the program from now on?

- I am very optimistic. The development can be very quick. Let’s take for instance Corsica, of which I am the League President. 15 years ago, there were 120 registered players. There are 5500 today, out of a population of 300 000 inhabitants! A world record. Simply because we worked on the ground to develop chess teaching during school time and above all, this is an indispensable condition, in synergy with the Chess clubs. We are reaping today, all the benefits of this policy that moves away from a disastrous elitist conception. © Europechess.net Page 6

We have a large number of international tournaments. And I am pleased to welcome, in the beginning of June, the ECU board in Bastia during an european tournament. The final of this tournament will be followed by 4000 spectators !

4. Do you think that the example with the introducing of the chess among the European schools will be infectious for the other continents?

- I am confident about that. The example will be followed. But many countries have already set up the same policy in other continents. The oldest sport in the world is also the most modern one ! And this choice of mass development will also contribute to change the international chess system : the rules of play (for example, the corsican-sofia rules ultimately impose themselves), the rate of play will be faster, and by greatly expanding the base of the pyramid, professional players will have more opportunities to live with dignity from their talent. www.europechess.net

THE TEAM OF OBIETTIVO RISARCIMENO-PADOVA WON THE 44TH ITALIAN TEAM CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

The team of Obiettivo Risarcimeno-Padova won the 44th Italian Team Chess Championship with final result of 13 points from possible 14. Second finished Scavolini-Datagest, Pesaro with 12 points, third is Chieti with 9 points.

The team championship was held from 27th of April to 1st of May, 2012 in Arvier, Italy. Chief-Arbiter was Renzo Renier. All photos by Adolivio Capece

Team composition of the champions was: GMs Fabiano Caruana (ITA), Kiril Georgiev (BUL), Igor Eftimov (MNC), Hikaru Nakamura (USA), Michele Godena (ITA) and IMs Duilio Collutiis (ITA) and Fabio Bellini (ITA).

Final Ranking-first 10 positions

Rk. Team Games TB1 TB2 TB3 + = - 1 Ob. Risarcimento Padova 7 6 1 0 13 19 0 2 Scavolini Datagest Pesaro 7 6 0 1 12 21 0 3 Chieti 7 4 1 2 9 17 0 4 Libertas Nereto 7 3 2 2 8 17 0 5 Centro Studi Test Palermo 7 2 3 2 7 16 0 6 SS Triestina 7 3 1 3 7 14 0 7 Latina 7 3 1 3 7 14 2 8 Acc. Scacch. Italiana Bologna 7 3 1 3 7 14 0 9 SS Milanese 7 2 2 3 6 13 0 10 L'Arrocco A di Roma 7 2 2 3 6 12 0 In the women’s section Chieti won the 5th Italian Team Chess Championship for Women with final result of 10 points from possible 10. Second is Scacchisti.it, Bologna with 8 points, third is the team of Vitinia with 6 points. Chief-Arbiter of the championship was Cristina Pernici Rigo.

The composition of the winning team was: GM Marie Sebag (FRA), IM Martha L Fierro Baquero (ECU), IM Olga Zimina (ITA), WFM Mariagrazia de Rosa (ITA) and Eugenia di Primio.

Final Ranking after 5 rounds-Women

Rk. Team 1 3 4 5 6 TB1 TB2 TB3 2 2 1 Chieti * ½ 3 ½ 3 10 13 0 2 Scacchisti.it 1 * 2 3 3 3 8 12 0 3 Vitinia ½ * 3 2 3 6 9,5 0 1 4 Accademia Milanese 0 0 * ½ 2 3 3,5 0 1 1 5 SS Torinese ½ 1 ½ * ½ 2 4,5 0 1 6 Chieti U16 0 0 1 ½ * 1 2,5 0 Official website: http://scacchivda.com

GM IVAN CHEPARINOV AND WGM IVA VIDENOVA ARE THE NEW BULGARIAN CHESS CHAMPIONS

GM Ivan Cheparinov and WGM Iva Videnova are the new Bulgarian Chess Champions.

Ivan Cheparinov won the 76th Bulgarian Individual Chess Championship with final result of 10 points from possible 11, second finished GM Krasimir Rusev with 8.5

points, third is GM Vasil Spasov with 7.5 GM Ivan Cheparinov points.

The Championship was held on April 18-28 in Panagiurishte, Bulgaria. Time control was 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes to the end of the game + 30 seconds increment per move, starting from move one. Chief-Arbiter of the Championship was Ventzislav Inkiov.

WGM Iva Videnova - photo by Vladimir Jagr

Final Ranking - MEN - first 10 positions Final Rankings-WOMEN

Rk. Name Rtg. Pts. Rk. Name Rtg. Pts.

1. Cheparinov Ivan 2664 10 1. Videnova Iva 2301 8

2. Rusev Krasimir 2516 8.5 2. Raeva Elitsa 2292 7.5

3. Spasov Vasil 2571 7.5 3. Galunova Tsveta 2046 5.5

4. Nikolov Momchil 2550 7 4. Nikolova Adriana 2293 5.5

5. Petkov Vladimir 2509 6 5. Genova Lyubka 2259 5

6. GM Radulski Julian 2552 5.5 6. Voiska Margarita 2316 4.5

7. Delchev Aleksander 2622 5 7. Chilingirova Pavlina 2109 4

8. Arnaudov Petar 2476 4.5 8. Yordanova Svetla 2116 3

9. Milchev Nikolay 2421 4 9. Ivanova Simoneta 1963 1.5

10. Enchev Ivajlo 2432 4 10. Tsekova Viktoria 1876 0.5

WGM Iva Videnova won the tournament with 8 points from possible 9. Second finished WIM Elitsa Raeva with 7.5 points, third is Tsveta Galunova with 5.5 points. Time control of the championship was 90 minutes for 40 moves+30 minutes for the rest of the game+30 second increment per move, starting from move one.

Official website: http://bulchamp2012w.chessmix.com

ALOYZAS KVEINYS WON THE LITHUANIAN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP’2012

Aloyzas Kveinys won the Lithuanian Chess Championship’2012. He finished with final result of 6.5 points, second on a half point distance is Vidmantas Malisauskas, third is Mindaugas Beinoras with 5.5 points.

The Lithuanian Chess Championship was held on April 21-29, 2012 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Chief-Arbiter of the tournament was IA Plunge,Gintautas Jurgis. GM Aloyzas Kveinys – source of the photo: www.lrytas.lt

Final Ranking-MEN-after 9 rounds

Rk. Name Pts. TB1 TB2 TB3 1 Kveinys Aloyzas 6,5 27 0 4 2 Malisauskas Vidmantas 6 25,3 0 3 3 Beinoras Mindaugas 5,5 24 0 2 4 Pileckis Emilis 4,5 19,5 0 2 5 Vedrickas Tautvydas 4,5 18,5 0 2 6 Labeckas Kestutis 4 16,5 0 1 7 Laurusas Tomas 4 15,8 0 3 8 Zickus Simonas 3,5 14,3 1 2 9 Kalvaitis Sigitas 3,5 14,3 0 2 10 Dambrauskas Virginijus 3 15,5 0 0

In the women’s section winner became WGM Deimante Daulyte who won the championship with final result of 7 points from possible 8. Second is WFM Vesta Kalvyte with 6.5 points, on the third place finished Jovita Ziogaite with 5.5 points.

The Lithuanian Women Chess Championship was held on April 24-29, 2012 in Vilnius.

Twenty two chess players took part in this section. WGM Deimante Daulyte- source of the photo: www.lrytas.lt

Final Ranking-WOMEN-first 10 positions

Rk. Name Pts. TB1 TB2 TB3 1 Daulyte Deimante 7 35 38 33 2 Kalvyte Vesta 6,5 37 40 32 3 Ziogaite Jovita 5,5 34 37 24 4 Paulauskaite Gintare 5,5 31 34 24 5 Zaksaite Salomeja 5 35 37 21 6 Apanaviciute Kristina 4,5 39 42 25 7 Malisauskiene Marina 4,5 35 39 23 8 Beinoraite Viktorija 4,5 31 34 20 9 Jakaityte Ruta 4,5 31 31 21 10 Batkovskyte Dominyka 4,5 30 32 17

Official website: www.chessfed.lt

GM EMIR DIZDAREVIC WON THE 6TH INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF FEDERATION OF BOSNIA&NERZEGOVINA

GM Emir Dizdarevic won the 6th Individual Chess Championship of Federation of Bosnia & Herzegovina. He finished with final result of 5.5. points, second with the same score is IM Denis Kadric, on the third place is Dalibor Stojanovic with 5 points.

The Championship was held on April 27-30, 2012 in Neum, BiH. Chief-Arbiter of the tournament was IA Mirza Miralem.

Final Ranking after 7 rounds-first 10 positions

Rk. Name Pts. TB1 TB2 TB3 1 Dizdarevic Emir 5,5 22 29 0 2 Kadric Denis 5,5 21 30 0 3 Stojanovic Dalibor 5 24 33 0 4 Kurajica Bojan 5 21 29 0 5 Trkulja Goran 5 20 28 0 6 Kojic Tigran 5 19 27 0 7 Bajramovic Halid 5 19 26 0 8 Jefic Srdjan 4,5 21 28 0 9 Boric Elena 4,5 20 28 0 10 Sutkovic Damir 4 23 33 0 Official website: www.sah.ba

RUSSIAN YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHPS’2012

Russian Youth Chess Championships was held on April 17-29, 2012 in Loo, Russia.

The Classical tournament was held on April 17-25, the Rapid tournament – on April 26-27, the Blitz section – on 28th of April.

The time control of the classical section was 90 minutes for the entire game+30 seconds increment per move, starting from move one.

Final Rankings-Classical tournament

Boys-U20 Girls-U20

1. Alexander Shimanov 6.5 1. Anastasia Bodnaruk 7.0

2. Vladimir Belous 5.5 2. Alexandra Goriachkina 5.0

3. Vladislav Nozdrachev 5.0 3. Anastasia Savina 5.0

Boys-U18 Girls-U18

1. Rail Mahmutov 7.0 1. Darja Pustovoitova 6.5

2. Viatcheslav Tilicheev 6.5 2. Tatiana Hlichkova 6.5

3. Konstantin Nikologorskij 6.5 3. Olga Grigorjeva 6.5

Boys-U16 Girls-U16

1. Yurij Eliseev 7.0 1. Alina Bivol 7.0

2. Darsen Sanzhaev 7.0 2. Ekaterina Smirnova 7.0

3. Maxim Chigaev 7.0 3. Alena Bogachkova 7.0

Boys-U14 Girls-U14

1. David Paravian 7.5 1. Anastasia Paramzina 8.0

2. Maxim Vavulin 7.0 2. Ekaterina Djakonova 7.0

3. Vladimir Minjko 6.5 3. Alena Semenova 6.5

Boys-U12 Girls-U12

1. Savelij Golubov 7.0 1. Alexandra Obolenceva 7.5

2. Semen Elistratov 7.0 2. Svetlana Tishova 7.0

3. Alexey Sarana 6.5 3. Alina Bichkova 6.5

Boys-U10 Girls-U10

1. Egor Sedih 7.5 1. Ekaterina Goljceva 8.0

2. Andrej Esipenko 7.0 2. Ekaterina Trjapicina 6.5

3. Semen Lomasov 6.5 3. Elena Badzgaradze 6.5

Final Rankings-Rapid tournament

Boys-U18 Girls-U18

1. Mihail Cherniuk 7.5 1. Darja Pustovojtova 8.5

2. Yurij Eliseev 7.5 2. Marina Baraeva 6.5

3. Rahim Pasiev 6.5 3. Yulija Andreeva 6

Boys-U16 Girls-U16

1. Kiril Alexeenko 7.5 1. Olga Belova 7.5

2. Zhamsaran Cidipov 7 2. Karina Ivanova 6.5

3. Roman Yanchenko 7 3. Anastasiya Bikova 6.5

Boys-U14 Girls-U14

1. Maxim Vavulin 7.5 1. Darja Rodionova 7.5

2. Kiril Kozionov 7.5 2. Alena Semenova 7

3. Vladimir Minjko 7 3. Darja Hohlova 7

Boys-U12 Girls-U12

1. Alexey Sarana 7.5 1. Polina Shuvalova 8.5

2. Savelij Golubov 7.5 2. Tatjana Kosheparova 6.5

3. Mihail Opanasenko 7.5 3. Darja Gorovenko 6.5

Boys-U10 Girls-U10

1. Arvind Shuvalov 8 1. Alexandra Maljcevskaya 7.5

2. Vitalij Gurvich 8 2. Zlata Fridman 7

3. Maxim Shinkevich 7 3. Kristina Avetisjan 7

Final Rankings-Blitz tournament

Boys-U18 Girls-U18

1. Yurij Eliseev 7.5 1. Darja Pustovoitova 7

2. Ivan Bukavshin 7.5 2. Maria Severina 7

3. Alexander Predke 7 3. Vlada Sviridova 6.5

Boys-U16 Girls-U16

1. Zhamsaran Cidipov 8 1. Anastasiya Bikova 7

2. Maxim Chigaev 7.5 2. Ljubov Kosticina 7

3. Dmitry Gordievskij 7 3. Alexandra Dobrinina 7

Boys-U14 Girls-U14

1. Vladimir Minjko 8.5 1. Anastasiya Paramzina 7.5

2. Kiril Kozionov 7.5 2. Darja Rodionova 7

3. Egor Kuzmin 7 3. Rufina Valieva 6.5

Boys-U12 Girls-U12

1. Alexey Sorokin 8 1. Polina Shuvalova 8

2. Nikita Afanasiev 7.5 2. Darja Gorovenko 7.5

3. Nikita Abramov 7 3. Alina Bichkova 7

Boys-U10 Girls-U10

1. Vitalij Gurvich 8 1. Alexandra Maljcevskaya 8.5

2. Semen Lomasov 8 2. Evgeniya Koroleva 7

3. Viktor Permin 7 3. Irina Popova 6.5

Official website: http://russiachess.org

TOP 50 PLAYERS – MAY’2012

Rank Name Title Country Rating Games B-Year

1 Carlsen, Magnus G NOR 2835 0 1990

2 Aronian, Levon G ARM 2825 3 1982

3 Kramnik, Vladimir G RUS 2801 0 1975

4 Anand, Viswanathan G IND 2791 4 1969

5 Radjabov, Teimour G AZE 2784 0 1987

6 Karjakin, Sergey G RUS 2779 7 1990

7 Nakamura, Hikaru G USA 2775 5 1987

8 Caruana, Fabiano G ITA 2770 26 1992

9 Morozevich, Alexander G RUS 2769 7 1977

10 Ivanchuk, Vassily G UKR 2764 0 1969

11 Grischuk, Alexander G RUS 2761 0 1983

12 Topalov, Veselin G BUL 2752 0 1975

13 Svidler, Peter G RUS 2741 12 1976

14 Kamsky, Gata G USA 2741 0 1974

15 Tomashevsky, Evgeny G RUS 2738 6 1987

16 Wang, Hao G CHN 2738 6 1989

17 Gashimov, Vugar G AZE 2737 5 1986

18 Jakovenko, Dmitry G RUS 2736 17 1983

19 Adams, Michael G ENG 2728 9 1971

20 Gelfand, Boris G ISR 2727 0 1968

21 Ponomariov, Ruslan G UKR 2726 11 1983

22 Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar G AZE 2726 8 1985

23 Dominguez Perez, Leinier G CUB 2725 7 1983

24 Leko, Peter G HUN 2723 6 1979

25 Jobava, Baadur G GEO 2721 24 1983

26 Sasikiran, Krishnan G IND 2720 17 1981

27 Wojtaszek, Radoslaw G POL 2717 20 1987

28 Bologan, Viktor G MDA 2716 30 1971

29 Nepomniachtchi, Ian G RUS 2716 7 1990

30 Fressinet, Laurent G FRA 2715 27 1981

31 Riazantsev, Alexander G RUS 2714 18 1985

32 Almasi, Zoltan G HUN 2713 9 1976

33 Malakhov, Vladimir G RUS 2712 18 1980

34 Bruzon Batista, Lazaro G CUB 2711 8 1982

35 Moiseenko, Alexander G UKR 2711 6 1980

36 Polgar, Judit G HUN 2709 0 1976

37 Inarkiev, Ernesto G RUS 2707 16 1985

38 Navara, David G CZE 2706 40 1985

39 McShane, Luke J G ENG 2706 10 1984

40 Short, Nigel D G ENG 2705 9 1965

41 Volokitin, Andrei G UKR 2704 28 1986

42 Vitiugov, Nikita G RUS 2703 24 1987

43 Le, Quang Liem G VIE 2703 9 1991

44 Li, Chao b G CHN 2703 0 1989

45 Andreikin, Dmitry G RUS 2700 17 1990

46 Naiditsch, Arkadij G GER 2698 36 1985

47 Movsesian, Sergei G ARM 2698 28 1978

48 Shirov, Alexei G LAT 2698 13 1972

49 Akopian, Vladimir G ARM 2697 20 1971

50 Vallejo Pons, Francisco G ESP 2697 20 1982

Official website: www.fide.com