Everything/Anything and…Chess…"Despite the documented evidence by chess historian HJR Murray, I've always thought that chess was invented by a goddess"–George Koltanowski: from the foreword to:"Women in chess, players of the Modern Age"
It’s Saturday night…that time of the weekend and guess what…no, you can look at this entry and I don’t have to ask you to guess! Classical music and all the other ingredients!… how romantic to have a game of chess with your “knight” and the music is playing, chocolates nearby, glass of South African red wine…hmm… I always say chess, chocolates and classical music go together, but don’t forget the red rose too! I was given Pinotage Cinsault as a present a few weeks ago and it’s quite nice red wine!
Have you tried to play chess with classical music on your ears and you have your partner opposite you staring in your eyes..hmmm… I forgot! It’s Saturday (k)night…wonder if the moon is out there, suddenly I have to go!
James Last: Elizabethan Serenade
James Last: Lara’s theme from Dr Zhivago
Sweet People: Barcarolle
Image:www.redwine.co.uk
SA red wine
Red wine increases the female sex drive
March 24, 2009
Lucy Shaw
Red wine increases the female libido, research has found. According to a study carried out by the Santa Maria Nuova Hospital in Florence, drinking one to two glasses of red wine a day increases female sexual desire.
The study investigated 789 Italian women aged between 18 and 50. Drinking red wine not only helps to release inhibitions, but also has a direct effect on sexual activity.
Women who drink one to two glasses of wine a day were found to be more sexually active than those who abstain. Dark chocolate, which is rich in antioxidants, has a similarly positive effect on the female libido.
Whoops! I found this article link on douglasgreen.wordpress.com’s blog
These chess graphics are from games I finished quite awhile ago. Sometimes I save a certain chess position with the intention to blog about the game, but for the past 8 months my time was very little to blog chess games in detail. If you’re a chess player, I’m quite certain you will be able to “read” these graphics. The last image is from a tourney I finished in April. I played white in the game and thought it was a good win. Actually, in all the games, I played the colour nearest to you when you look at the games.
These images were taken just after Christmas when I wanted to see “the largest shopping centre in Europe”. Westfield is in West London, just a stone-throw from where we live. I can now also say “I’ve been there”. I can also add and say this place is great, but it wasn’t more impressive than shopping centres in Pretoria, e.g Menlyn Shopping Centre and Kolonnade Shopping Centre and in Durbs the Pavillion Shopping Centre. I know there are more shopping centres to name and even new shopping centres that shoot up like mushrooms everywhere in SA. What I liked about Westfield, are the indicators of how many parking bays are available so you don’t have to drive around hoping for a space. On image 3 you’ll see I couldn’t miss De Beers and if you don’t know this South African name, you should google it straight away and I might say you know “nothing”..hehe…The 4th image might look great but I’ve thought they could have done better with the artificial display as it looked a bit shabby- for such a “posh” shopping centre. If you look closely, you can see a live model on the 3rd last image! She waved at us and first I thought my eyes took me for a ride and I had to look again. We took this shot with the mobile phone as we didn’t want her to know we were taking the photo, but she actually saw us! haha..she was fun and laughed when she saw us taking the photo. My general feeling about this place…a lot of wasted space. They could have had smaller shops and a bigger variety or even more levels with more shops. Of course I couldn’t resist the chocolates and it was difficult not to want something from everything!
This audio file is Sarie Marais played by the Royal Marines Any South African knows this song very well. If someone from South Africa doesn’t know this song, then he pretends his a South African- hehe. Sarie Marais is a song which runs in your blood if you’re a Saffa. Interesting to know that the British Royal Marines have adopted it…even the French! Near to the bottom of this post you can find the link to the Royal Marines’ site and I’ve found the translation of this song in English/French too. I grew up in the Transvaal, but the Eastern Transvaal, which is now called Mpumalanga and I will always sing…”bring me back to my dear Transvaal”! I have the history of Sarie Marais in Afrikaans and if you want it translated, give me a shout and I’ll do it in a week’s time. At the bottom of this post, you will find a link to an entry about Die Huisgenoot…uit Toeka se dae! http://www.geocities.ws/paulmare69/stories/sarie_marais.htm Sarie Marais Rose – image: sariemarais.com
Sarie magazine, first published in 1949 under the title, Sarie Marais
Susara Margaretha (Sarie) Maré
Die eerste dogter van Jacob Philippus Maré en Cornelia Susanna Jacoba Erasmus was Susara Margaretha. Sy is op die plaas Eendraght, Suikerbosrand, distrik Heidelberg, gebore op 15 April 1869. Haar pa was Jacob Maré, wat later ‘n lid van die uitvoerende raad van die Transvaal geword en na wie ‘n straat in Pretoria genoem is.
Hierdie is dié Sarie Marais (eintlik Maré) wat in die wyk van die Mooirivier gewoon het, ook bekend as Tant Mossie, volgens die SA biblioteek se katalogus-inskrywing AP.1998-227.
Haar ouers was Voortrekkers, en het hulle in die omgewing van die Suikerbosrand gevestig. Die dorpie Heidelberg het toe nog nie bestaan nie. Die grootste konsentrasie Voortrekkers het hulle in die wyk Mooirivier bevind, waar die dorp Potchefstroom aangelê is.
In hierdie tyd was daar vyf wyke in Transvaal:
Mooirivier (Potchefstroom)
Magaliesburg (Rustenburg)
Marico (Zeerust)
Ohrigstad
Zoutpansberg (Pietersburg).
Suikerbosrand was in die wyk van Mooirivier geleë, wat gestrek het vanaf Potchefstroom tot die huidige Wolmaransstad en Makwassie.
Toe sy 16 jaar oud was, het sy vir Jacobus Petrus Toerien, ‘n verslaggewer van Di Patriot van die Paarl, ontmoet. (Hy was toe in Pretoria om ‘n onderhoud met haar pa te voer). Hy het onder die skuilnaam Jepete in “Ons Kleintje” geskrywe in sy hoedanigheid as subredakteur van “Di Patriot”. Hulle is getroud en het 16 kinders gehad, van wie net 8 grootgeword het.
Hy het by Amerikaners wat in Transvaalse myne gewerk het die liedjie Sweet Ellie Rhee gehoor, wat sy oorsprong in die Amerikaanse Burgeroorlog gehad het en deur Septimus Winner (Alice Hawthorne) geskryf is. In die tydperk tussen die Eerste en Tweede Vryheidsoorloë het Jepete die woorde vertaal en só sy vrou, Sarie Maré, verewig. Die lied het ook nie aanvanklik al die versies en presies dieselfde woorde gehad het as wat ons vandag ken nie. Maré het later weens ‘n drukfout Marais geword.
Teen 1899 was Sarie Marais reeds ‘n treffer in Pretoria. In die Anglo-Boereoorlog het dit nie net gewild by die Boeremag geword nie, maar ook by ander soldate. Dit het later wêreldbekend geword omdat duisende Suid-Afrikaanse soldate dit in die Eerste en Tweede Wêreldoorlog gesing het.
Die gewildheid het het só gegroei dat die Britse Royal Marines dit as regimentsmars aangeneem het. Hul opleidingskip heet ook Sarie Marais. Dit is ook die regimentsmars van Paraguay se seinerskorps. Die eerste Suid-Afrikaanse seiljag se naam was ook Sarie Marais en duisende besoekers het al in die Durban-hawe op die Sarie Marais-plesierboot gevaar. Die eerste Suid-Afrikaanse rolprent se naam was Sarie Marais. Sarie, sustertydskrif van Die Volksblad, heet ook na haar. Tot hotels en woonstelblokke is na haar genoem.
Op die eerste internasionale radio-uitsending tussen Suid-Afrika, Brittanje en Amerika op die verjaardag van mev. Isie Smuts, vrou van die destydse premier, generaal Jan Smuts, het die sangeres Gracie Fields Sarie Marais gesing.
In die Tweede Wêreldoorlog het ‘n buitestasie van soldate in Noord-Afrika die naam “Sarie Marais Calling” gehad. Die Suid-Afrikaanse weermag is steeds lief om die mars op parades te speel, terwyl die Franse Vreemdelinge-legioen dit ook gebruik. Dit is ook die amptelike lied van die Girl Guides in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) wat dit aan die begin van die vorige eeu by die Boerekrygsgevangenes daar gehoor het. In die jare dertig van die vorige eeu is dit verkeerdelik op die Olimpiese Spele in Amerika as Suid-Afrika se amptelike volkslied gespeel. Duitsers het ‘n pienk roos met die naam Sarie Marais gekweek, waarvan voor die Pantserskool in Tempe, Bloemfontein, geplant is.
Inligting: sien die geocities-link soos hierbo aangedui.Daar word beweer dat “My Sarie Marais” se “oorsprong” is van die Amerikaanse liedjie:
Sweet Ellie Rhee
Sweet Ellie Rhee, so dear to me
Is lost forever more
Our home was down in Tennessee
Before this cruel war
Then carry me back to Tennessee
Back where I long to be
Amid the fields of yellow corn
To my darling Ellie Rhee.
My Sarie Marais
My Sarie Marais is so ver van my hart,
Maar ‘k hoop om haar weer te sien.
Sy het in die wyk van die Mooirivier gewoon,
Nog voor die oorlog het begin.
Koor:
O bring my trug na die ou Transvaal,
Daar waar my Sarie woon:
Daar onder in die mielies by die groen doringboom
Daar woon my Sarie Marais,
Daar onder in die mielies by die groen doringboom
Daar woon my Sarie Marais.
Ek was so bang, dat die kakies my sou vang,
En ver oor die see wegstuur;
Toe vlug ek na die kant van die Upington se sand
Daar onder langs die Grootrivier.
Koor
Die kakies is mos net soos ‘n krokodillepes
Hul sleep hou altyd watertoe.
Hulle gooi jou op ‘n skip vir ‘n lange lange trip
Die josie weet waarna toe.
Koor
Verlossing het gekom, en die huistoe gaan was daar,
Trug na die ou Transvaal,
My liewelingspersoon sal seker ook daar wees
Om my met ‘n kus te beloon.
Koor English translation:
Sarie Marais
My Sarie Marais is so far away from my heart,
But I hope to see her again.
She lives in the district of Mooiriver,
Since before the war began.
Refrain:
Oh, take me back to my dear Transvaal,
To where my Sarie lives:
There down by the maïsfields near the green thorn tree,
That’s where my Sarie lives.
There down by the maïsfields near the grren thorn tree,
That’s where my Sarie lives.
Refrain:
I was so scared that the English would catch me,
And send me away accross the sea;
That’s when I fled in the direction of the sandflats near Upington,
There down by the Orange River (formerly Great River)
Refrain:
The English are just like crocodiles,
They always drag you down to the water.
They trow you on a ship for a very long trip,
Only the Lord knows where to.
Refrain:
Liberation came, and it was time to return home,
Back to my dear Transvaal.
The person I love will certainly be there,
To reward me with a kiss.
SARIE MARAIS was also adopted by the French Army
Sarie Mares
Chant d’amour Sud-Africain du XVIII° siècle, il est chanté dès 1946 au peloton d’Extrême-Orient. A partir des années 1970, il s’impose comme chant de marche à l’EMIA.
O Sarie Mares, belle amie d’autrefois
En moi tu demeures vive.
L’amour est plus fort que la pluie et que le vent.
Qui peut arrêter son élan ?
Oui, je veux revoir, dans mon vieux Transvaal,
Ma ferme au toit de chaume.
Où le parfum du miel, et des conifères embaument.
L’air pur est clair comme un cristal. (bis pour les deux derniers)
O Sarie Mares est bien loin de mon coeur
Mais je crois en son amour.
Car c’est entre ses bras que j’ai connu le bonheur.
J’irai la revoir un jour. (bis pour les deux derniers)
Quand j’étais petit, je croyais qu’un démon
Venait me ravir ma maison.
Mais lorsque je fus grand, ce fut une horrible guerre
Qui m’emmena loin de mes terres. (bis pour les deux derniers) http://www.nationalanthems.us/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1136108511
Sarie Marais Arranged Sir Vivian Dunn
This march was adopted by the Royal Marines in 1953 as the offical march of the Royal Marines Commandos and is played after the Regimental March on ceremonial occassions. This recording is taken from the CD ‘The King’s Squad’ by the Band of HM Royal Marines Commando Training Centre and features the Adjudant giving that famous order “Royal Marines, to you duties… quick march”
I’ve come across this fantastic image. I love thunder/lightning and I do miss it here in London. You don’t get it here and if you do, you would think it was just another plane to touch down at Heathrow. I’ve taken the quote from this travelblog too. Also, enjoy the music of Bette Midler – The wind beneath my wings. South Africa, you are the wind beneath my wings!
Images here from a Cape Town-awardwinning-travelblog, worth to visit! The link will open in a new window.
Cape Town doesn’t get that many thunderstorms so when we do we tend to get very excited. This morning’s spectacular storm had us getting out the cameras and snapping away, but I think Cape Town local John Maarschalk wins with this incredible image.
John says:
“We had a marvellous electric show this morning around Cape Town. This was taken from inside my car with the camera balanced on the camera bag, with the wind blowing and the occassional squall of rain coming through. It wasn’t the best conditions to shoot, hence the movement in the image.
This is an Afrikaans poem I tried to write, you can slide down and listen to Any Williams. Ja, ek sê ‘probeer’ omdat ek nie voel dat ek heeltemal geslaagd was nie, maar gee maar jou opinie – wat dit ookal mag wees. Onthou ook: EK is NIE ‘n professionele digter nie. Ek *probeer* om ‘n paar woorde bymekaar te sit en hoop dit maak sin. As jy ‘n digter is, kyk asb met *ander* oë na hierdie ‘samevoegsel’ van woorde!
Geniet Andy Williams se Love Story!
Aksioom (stelling wat waar is sonder bewyse)
My beleë gedagtes
het danig met ‘n pyl
die dampkring om ons
huiwerig binnegedring
Afsydig het jy die die buikgord
van jou hart buitengewoon
ingetrek en daarmee saam
die sfeer om ons vernou
Balhorig het ek met woorde
jou gebombardeer
besimpeld-besluiteloos
het jy die dekmantel
gelig en stadig begin delf
in ‘n argaïese verlede
Domastrant en diktatoriaal
het jy ondersoekend erken:
‘n dilemma… en aanvaar jy
aanspreeklikheid as skipper
en red die breukeling
Selfversekerd en delikaat
het jy my gedagtes omvou
lugleegtes doodgelag en
doodluiters my hart bedraad.
This song by OMD is one of my favourite songs. Coincidentally, it was also today Joan of Arc’s info which I’ve found on “this day in history”. Enjoy this song on this Saturday night!
Joan’s birthplace is now a museum
Joan of Arc, or Jeanne d’Arc in French,(c. 1412 – May 30, 1431)was a 15th century national heroine of France. She was tried and executed for heresy when she was only 19 years old. The judgment was broken by the Pope and she was declared innocent and a martyr 24 years later. She was beatified in 1909 and canonized as a saint in 1920.
Joan of Arc was born to Jacques d’Arc and Isabelle Romée in Domrémy, a village which was then in the duchy of Bar (and later annexed to the province of Lorraine and renamed Domrémy-la-Pucelle). Her parents owned about 50 acres (0.2 square kilometers) of land and her father supplemented his farming work with a minor position as a village official, collecting taxes and heading the local watch. They lived in an isolated patch of northeastern territory that remained loyal to the French crown despite being surrounded by Burgundian lands. Several local raids occurred during her childhood and on one occasion her village was burned.
Joan said she was about 19 at her trial, so she was born about 1412; she later testified that she experienced her first vision around 1424 at the age of 7 years, or other sources say at the later age of 12 when she was out alone in a field when the voices appeared. She had said she cried when they left as they were so beautiful. She would report that St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret told her to drive out the English and bring the Dauphin to Reims for his coronation.
At the age of 16 she asked a kinsman, Durand Lassois, to bring her to nearby Vaucouleurs where she petitioned the garrison commander, Count Robert de Baudricourt, for permission to visit the royal French court at Chinon. Baudricourt’s sarcastic response did not deter her.She returned the following January and gained support from two men of standing: Jean de Metz and Bertrand de Poulengy. Under their auspices she gained a second interview where she made a remarkable prediction about a military reversal near Orléans.
She has remained an important figure in Western culture and many other nations. From Napoleon to the present, French politicians of all leanings have invoked her memory. Major writers and composers who have created works about her include Shakespeare, Voltaire, Schiller, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Twain, Shaw, Brecht, Anderson, Honegger, Cohen and Anouilh. Depictions of her continue in film, television, song, and even video games.
The Karoo is one of the beautiful places in South Africa. If you travel from Pretoria to Cape Town, you have no choice of travelling through the Karoo too! There are some spectacular places, like this small town called De Rust! We stayed a night at a B&B and I always say I would like to go back to De Rust one day! I have two Afrikaans songs about the Karoo, do yourself a favour and listen/watch it for the beautiful music firstly and secondly for the beautiful scenery. The second song is about the Trans Karoo Train that takes you to Cape Town. I haven’t travelled by this train, but by looking at the video, I think it can be fun! Oudtshoorn is famous for the ostrich farms and you can go and have a ride on an ostrich! I’ve done it…it’s great fun! All images in this post are from the different websites in this post. If you click on the “movie”-page of my blog, you will find 3 links to movie-entries on my blog about places in SA.
A poem about frogs – Karoo frogs! An Afrikaans poem for Primary children
Karoo-Kikkers (Uit: Goue Lint my storiebegint: Tafelberguitgewers) Kikkerland is op Kransplaas in die Karoo. elke dag as die son skyn, sit die kikkers on ‘n stokou karee by die diep, koel kuil op die klippe en kik. Snags, as die maan op sy rug in die kuildryf, sit hulle in die biesies in ‘n kring en sing in die kikkerkoor. Die klein kikkertjies klik-kliek-klik, klik-kliek-klik. Pappa-Kik en Mamma-Kik kwaak. Oupa-Kik maak sy keel dik en kra-a-a-k …. kra-a-a-k kontrabas. Klein Hikkie-Kwik wip na Oupa-Kik se sitklip en vra: “Oupa-Kik, hoekom staan ou Reier altyd op een been in die vlak water van die kuil?” “Ek wag en wag en wag en jy vra nou eers “ sê Oupa–Kik. Hyloeralkante toe en fluister toe asof hy bang is iemandluister: “Slim ou Reier staan op een been in die vlak water van diekuil om kleinkikkertjies tekul. Hulledink s lang, dun been is sommer ‘n rietjie. En as hulle naby kom – SWIEP!” “Swiep, Oupa-Kik?” “Ja-a-a, Dan rekhy net sylangsweepnek en hy kry ‘n kikkertjie met sysnawel beet!” “En dan, Oupa-Kik?” “O-o-o, Dan sluk hy die klein kik in!” Oupa-Kik maak sy keeldik en sy oë rekgroot. “Julle moetmooi loop virou Reier. Hier in die droë Karoo vang ou Reier koggelmanders en kewers, krieke en kwarteltjies, kiewietkuikens en klein kelkiewyntjies, as hy hulle kan kry. En kikkertjies!” Hikkie-Kik wip plieps! in die koelkuil in. Al die ander kikkertjies moet eers hoor wat Oupa-Kik gesê het: “Klik-kliek-klik,” klik die kikkertjies – “KIK! Die kikkies moet vir Reier Skrik!” Daardie aand dryf die goue maan op sy rug in die diep, koelkuil. Die kikkertjies sit op die koorklip. Hullesit in ‘n kring en sing: “Ou Reier, ou Reier Rietjiebeen, ou Reier met sysweepnek, ou Reier , ou Reier met sy Rietjiebeen het mos mooitjies sy nek verrek!” Die klein kikkertjies klik-kliek-klik, klik-kliek-klik. Pappa-Kik en Mamma-Kik kwaak. Oupa-Kik maak sy keeldik en kra-a-a-k … kra-a-a-k kontrabas. Hullesing tot die son opkom.
Image:themaxefiles.blogspot.co.uk/2010_05_01_archive.html
If you have thought you’ve seen all the “big game” of the Chess World the past week on my blog…then you haven’t seen these “Chess Engines” of the Chess World. These guys look very serious and I think they mean it serious when it comes to chess. Shirov is currently playing in Azerbaijan too! Topalov will again have a blindfolded game – like last year. Ivanchuk is last year’s winner, wonder what will happen this year. On the official site you can read more player info by clicking on their images. Click HEREto read the interview with Topalov about his chess.
Please click HERE for the Official site. On my blog’s side bar (top right) you will find the link to LIVE-games. All images: Ivan A. Grigorov for mtelmasters
Vassily Ivanchuk, is a Ukrainian Grandmaster. His an ELO of 2787 on the FIDE January 2008 list, making him number 9 in the World and Ukraine’s number one. He played board one on the victorious Ukraine team at the 2004 Calvia Olympiad. As of November 2007 he is the World Blitz Chess champion.
World Champion to comment M-Tel Masters The World Champion in chess Antoaneta Stefanova will comment the games from the fifth edition of the super chess tournament M-Tel Masters. The competition will start on 12 May. For the title up to 23 May will compete the leader in the world ranking Veselin Topalov, Magnus Carlsen from Norway, the last year’s winner Vassily Ivanchuk from Ukraine, Leinier Dominguez from Cuba, Alexei Shirov from Spain and Yue Wang from China. The average ELO of the participants is 2755, which makes the tournament FIDE 21st category. Only five tournaments in history have been of that rank so far.
Bulgaria’s all time strongest female player won the chess crown at the World Championship in Elista in 2004. She is currently fourth in the ladies’ world ranking with an ELO of 2549.
The commentator’s place of Stefanova will be meters away from glass pavilion where the games from the tournament will be played. Her guests will be Bulgarian GMs and after each game she will be able to analyze the game with the participants.
The comments and analysis of Stefanova will be heard also online in real time on the web site of the tournament www. mtelmasters.com. The games from the tournament will start every day at16:00 local time, only the last round’s games will begin at 15:00.
The Venue: A glass pavilion on the square in front of the National Theatre Ivan Vazov – image: Official site
The first move made by the mayor of Sofia. MTel has started.
The Glass house where the tournament is taking place – in front of the National Theatre Ivan Vazov
Topalov played a game blindfolded.
Players ready for round 1
The first move..by the mayor of Sofia.
The Mtel Chess Masters Round 2- Images: Mtel Official site
Shirov vs Topalov Round 2 move 7
Shirov vs Topalov Round 2 end position 1/2
Ivanchuk vs Wang round 2 move 7
Ivanchuk vs Wang round 2 end position 0-1
Dominguez vs Carlsen round 2 move 7
Dominguez vs Carlsen round 2 end position 1/2
Round 3
Magnus Carlsen - Images: MTel
Wang vs Shirov
MTel Chess Round 3 Wang vs Shirov end position 1/2
MTel Chess Round 3 Carlsen vs Ivanchuk move 41
MTel Chess Round 3 Topalov vs Dominguez move 41
Carlsen vs Ivanchuk
Topalov
Pairings Rounds: 4-5-6
Round 4 – Results: 16th May 2009
Round 4 Carlsen vs Shirov move 7
Round 4 Carlsen vs Shirov end position
Round 4 Dominguez vs Ivanchuk move 7
Round 4 Dominguez vs Ivanchuk end position
Round 4 Topalov vs Wang move 7
Round 4 Topalov vs Wang end position
In both problems white moves and mates in two moves
See the “news”-link on the official site for Kostadinov’s Challenge. You can send your solution to him, his email is on the link too.
Round 5: 17th May 2009
Topalov – round 5
Supporters follow the games outside the glass house
Round 5 Ivanchuk vs Topalov move 7
Round 5 Ivanchuk vs Topalov move 22
Round 5 Ivanchuk vs Topalov move 30
Round 5 Ivanchuk vs Topalov move 44
Chess football – results- MTel-United 8!
Players played football on their day of rest. This is the evidence to show chess players are good at football too!
Fortress Gate – image: wikitravel – a different view
Image: Wikipedia The two teams’ photos in the glass front of the theatre where they’re playing
Image: Chessbase
Azerbaijan vs Fide World 7-9 May 2009 in Baku
How is it possible to mis good chess! The world’s big champs play in this tournament and Baku is my favourite chess city! Braam…I hope you’re reading this…I know you live in Baku!
Please click hereto follow the games LIVE. For the official site, click here, links will open in new windows. Click on images for a larger view and follow the official site to see more player-info of the players that are taking part in this tournament. All images are from the official site.
The opening ceremony of “President’s Cup” tournament, that is devoted to great national leader Heydar Aliyev’s memory, will hold in “UNS” (creative stage) theatre at 05:00 p.m. in 07 May, 2009, the tournament will also hold there from 07 May till 09 May 2009.
The World champion Vishvanatan Anand (Indian), vice-champion Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), the finalist of the latest World’s Cup – Aleksey Shirov (Spain), and the winner of the latest authoritative tournament Veyk-ann-Zee – Sergey Karyakin (Ukraine) have taken part in the world team which will be hold by the “Sheveningen” system.
Teymur Radjabov, Vugar Hashimov, Shahriyar Mamedyarov, Gadir Huseynov and Rauf Mamedov will compete in the Azerbaijan team against them. The first day of the biggest chess event in the history of Azerbaijani sport – the Presidential Cup tournament in commemoration of Haydar Aliyev, the National Leader of Azerbaijan, left behind. Two rounds of the match between FIDE’s World picked team and Azerbaijani picked team were played in the building of Uns theater.
The impression from the first round was very positive. Teymur Rajabov tied with Vishvanatan Anand, and Vuqar Hasimov tied with Ex World Champion Vladimir Kramnik. The only win of the day was signed by Shahriyar Mammedyarov. He defeated the Spanish grandmaster Alexei Shirov. Qadir Huseynov who found himself in a very difficult situation has managed to take half point from the Ukrainian Sergey Karyakin due to right moves in the endgame.
The picked team of the world showed itself in the second round. Qadir and Vuqar were defeated by Shirov and Anand respectively. Teymur who played agains Kramnik and Shahriyar who played ahainst Karyakin gained half point each.
There is no doubt that Vishvanatan Anand and and Shahriyar Mammadov were central figures of the first day.
Both players have managed to gain 1.5 points each – more than their colleagues. Shahriyar will also be remembered as the author of our first victory during the first round. He also put his sign under the only victory of our players.
Round 3. Kramnik defeat Huseynov
Round 3 was played today at the ” President’s Cup” international chess tournament dedicated to the memory of nationwide leader Haydar Aliyev. All the opponents, except Gadir Guseynov who lost to Viswanathan Anand, reached an accord amongst each other. Hence, points were shared in the games between World Champion Vishvanatan Anand vs. Shahriyar Mamedyarov, the leader of team of Azerbaijan Teymur Radjabov vs. Aleksey Shirov, and Sergey Karyakin vs. Vugar Gashimov, respectively. After the Round 3 FIDE World Team is leading with the score of 7-5.
Round 4. FIDE improve the margin
FIDE World team increased the points of margin in the round 4 through the performance in the “President’s Cup” international chess tournament dedicated to the memory of nationwide leader Haydar Aliyev. There was a substitution in this round in the team of Azerbaijan. Rauf Mamedov substituted by Gadir Huseynov who shared points equally with Indian Grand Master Vishwanatan Anand. The leader of the team of Azerbaijan Teymour Rajabov lost to the latest winner of the Veyk An Zee tournament –Sergei Karyakin. The same result was destined for Shahriyar Mamedyarov. The hero of the yesterday, Resistance pursued by “Shah” against Kramnik turned out to be a disappointment. The game played between Vugar Gashimov vs. Aleksey Shirov ended with “peace”. Winning by 1-3 in the round 4, FIDE World Team secured the points to 10, totaling 10 – 6. – Report from the official site.
Kramnik – Fide World Team
Anand – Fide World Team
Radjabov – Azerbaijan Team
Shirov – Azerbaijan Team
Schedule
Azerbaijan vs Fide World…round 4 – click on chess graphics for a clear view
Round 4: Karjakin vs Radjabov 1-0
Round 4 Gashimov vs Shirov 1/2
Round 4 Mamedov vs Anand 1/2
Round 4 Kramnik vs Mamedjarov 1-0
Results after the 2nd day of the tournament
Round 6: Gashimov vs Anand 0-1
Round 6: Kramnik vs Radjabov 1/2
Round 6: Guseinov vs Shirov End position 1/2
Round 6: Karjakin vs Mamedjarov End position 1/2
Results: Round 6
Anand vs Mamedov round 8 – End position 1-0
Radjabov vs Karjakin Round 8 End Position 1-0
Round 8 : results
Final standings: Fide World Team – 21,5 Azerbaijan Team – 10,5
Click on the logo of CHESSA – (first image in this post) Chess South Africa – to visit the official site of Chess in South Africa. The link will open in a new window. You will find a link to the results on the Official site. I will try my best to get hold of results too as I am eager to blog this tournament. I have contacted some of the officials today – 1st July – and waiting to hear from them. For pairings of all the rounds -and results- please click here on this Chessa-link. The link will open in a new window.
Image: CHESSA
Players at the African Youth CC: Nina de Swart vs Ezet Roos and in the top image: two SA girls
The African Youth Chess Championship event is an historic first as it is the First African Age Group Championship taking place on the Continent. The first move was made by the Chessa President and Mr Dabilani Buthali, from the African Chess Union.
30th June to 9th July 2009
Cape Town – South Africa
Chess South Africa, under the auspices of the African Chess Union, has the pleasure of inviting all African Federations affiliated to FIDE to participate at the 1stAfrican Youth Chess Championship.
PRIZES
The winner of each age group (girls and boys) will have the personal right to participate in the 2009 World Youth Chess Championships in Turkey.
The winners in every age category (girls: WFM, WCM and boys: FM, CM) will be awarded FIDE Titles respectively as under
1 player in 1st place: FM Title
2 players in 1st place: 1st player FM Title. 2nd player CM Title
3 or more players in 1st place: 1st player FM, 2nd player CM and 3rd player CM.
Deadline for registration was 25th April 2009. Click HEREfor the Official site of Chess South Africa (CHESSA) to read all the details. The link will open in a new window.
PAIRINGS ROUND 6
Pairings round 6: boys U10, U12, U14 – click on the images for a larger view. Scores can also be seen
Pairings round 6: boys U16, U18
Pairings round 6: Girls U10, U12, U14
Pairings round 6: Girls U16, U18
Final Results: African Youth Chess Championships – click on the image for a larger view.
The Management of Mid Gauteng Chess Union are proud to announce that Stefan du Toit has won the under 14 Section and is therefore the new under 14 African Youth Champion. Stephan has been awarded the Fide Master Title!A fantastic performance by Roland Bezuidenhout has awarded him the second place in the under 12 section. The Management and Members congratulate you both on these excellent accomplishments.
I’ve thought to blog one of my most recent games – while I’m in blogging chess-stuff the last 2 days! Actually, I don’t have time to blog now, but hey, I need a break too, hehe..I am actually waiting for the South Africans! What’s going on with CHESSA’s site today! I can’t get the results for my entry about the SA Women’s! Can someone give them a shout ple….ase! Update: Thank you! They’re back online! I could hear alot of shouting going on!
This game was a friendly against of one my big favourite players. He’s a very good player and sometimes makes some moves just to let me win, that’s what I think, but he’s denying it completely by saying he hates to lose and therefore doesn’t do it on purpose. We started this game a few days ago and when I forked his King/Queen with my Knight, he made another blunder and then resigned. I preferred to capture his Bishop in the second fork, instead of his Rook as I knew how deadly his Bishops are. On the first image you can see my two Knights conferencing about some moves..hehe…I love my Knights and will always do everything to keep them. Although he’s a much stronger player than I am, I do like to play him as he’s racking my brains with his moves. Here are the moves in this game.
1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Bb5 e6 5. Bd2 Qd7 6. Bc3 a6 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. Nd2 c5 9. Ne2 Be7 10. O-O cxd4 11. Bxd4 c5 12. Be3 d4 13. Bf4 Bd8 14. c4 Ne7 15. b3 O-O 16. h3 h6 17. Nf3 Bh7 18. Bg3 Nf5 19. Bh2 Ba5 20. Ng3 Ne7 21. Nh5 Nc6 22. Nh4 Bc7 23. Re1 a5 24. Qg4 g6 25. Nf6+ Kh8 26. Nxd7 Bb6 27. Nxb6 Click on this Wiki-link for Chess Openings. Did you know that there are 318,979,564,000 possible ways to play the first four moves of a chess game on each side of of the board.
This game was a game against a different player and it shows you how you can get your Queen trapped when you bring her out too early. I prefer not to bring her out early unless I have to for a reason. I think this player learnt a good lesson and I myself saw what can happen if you play carelessly around with your Queen.
…and if Elmer can play chess…so can anyone else too..hehe.
SA Women players fltr: Anzel Solomons, Melissa Greeff, Carmen de Jager and Monique Sischy
Image:CHESSA
Schedule
Results: Round 3 – top 10
Pairings: Round 4 – top 10
SA Women’s Open: Results after round 4 – top 10
SA Women’s Open: Pairings round 5- top 10
SA Women’s Open CC: Results after round 5 – top 10
SA Women’s Open CC: Pairings round 6: top 10
SA Women’s Open Chess Championship 2009: Final Results of the top 20 positions in this Championship.
Congratulations to Melissa Greeff as winner of the South African Women’s Open Chess Championship 2009.
The Top 4 players in the SA Women’s Open CC: Melissa the Champion on the far right – image from CHESSA, the official site. Other players frtl:Anzel Solomons, Ezet Roos and Yolandi Sutil are all sharing the limelight with Melissa.
South Africa’s Top 20 Female players as by 28th April 2009. Click on this link to see the complete list of the Top 100 females in South Africa.
I clearly almost missed out on the SA Women’s Open Chess Championships! This tournament is taking place at the Woodlands Boulevard shopping centre in Pretoria East. It started the 30th April and it ends Sunday 3rd May! All links will open in a new window. CHESSAis the official body of South African Chess. Please click hereto follow the results. – if you follow the link and it’s inactive, then they’re busy updating the site with the results. I’ve tried it this morning – please check back later.Some of our top players like Anzel Solomons, Monique Sischy, Melissa Greeff, Carmen de Jager and Ezet Roos are also playing in this Tournament.
Players at the SA Women’s Open CC…Anzel Solomons and Melissa Greeff on board 1 in round 4 – image: CHESSA the official site.
It’s time for the South African Open 2009. It’s also time for you to enter this tournament, follow all the links which will open in a new window.
Click here for the Official site of Chess South Africa – Chessa – and click here to enter the SA Open 2009 that takes place in Cape Town from the 3-11th July 2009. Now is the chance to grab this opportunity to play chess and to see the country the same time! The venue is Wynberg Boys High School in Cape Town. Click herefor the venue-details. Chess Cube is a South African chess site, another site where you can play chess online. I’m quite sure you will be impressed with the interface of Chess Cube.
Chessa chess calendar. Follow this link for all details of chess tournaments in South Africa throughout the year.
Top 40 Chess players in South Africa, Anzel Solomons (F) is in position 41 with a rating of 2043 On this link you can see the complete list of the top 100 chess players in South Africa as by 28th April 2009.
Spoken by great men:"Give me 20 divisions of American soldiers and I will breach Europe. Give me 15 consisting of Englishmen and I will advance to the borders of Berlin. Give me two divisions of those marvellous fighting Boers and I will remove Germany from the face of the earth." - Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery, Commander of the Allied Forces during WW2.
"The Americans fight for a free world, the English mostly for honour, glory and medals, the French and Canadians decide too late that they have to participate. The Italians are too scared to fight, the Russians have no choice. The Germans for their Fatherland. The Boers? Those sons of Bitches fight for the hell of it." American General, George 'Guts and Glory' Patton.
Chessalee 
