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The Rwanda Chess Federation (Ferwade) general assembly on Sunday, June 14, elected a new executive committee to help steer the ship for an interim period of 12 months.

This came after the general assembly last week agreed to hold elections using any viable virtual platform due to limitations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Elections to usher in a new leadership team could not be held in April when the outgoing team's four-year term ended because of the Covid-19 lockdown.

The last poll was held in April 2016.

The totally new team has Ben Tom Zimurinda as president, Valentin Rukimbira, vice president, Elysee Tuyizere, secretary general, and Eddy Christian Nkuyubwatsi as treasurer.

The outgoing team was led by Kevin Ganza, deputised by Rugema Ngarambe. Niyibizi Alain Patience and Christella Rugabira were secretary general and treasurer, respectively.

During the meeting before Sunday's poll, it was agreed that an interim leadership team be set up. Its job is to urgently, among others, help ailing clubs get their houses in order before another poll can be called in a year's time.

Zimurinda's team is tasked with designing a roadmap that clearly defines desired outcomes and the major steps needed to succeed.

"I thank everyone who voted. But I also wish to make it clear that taking on such responsibilities is not about prestige. It's a struggle," Zimurinda told the general assembly.

Zimurinda knows that his team has a huge task. But he is undeterred.

For the federation to function as a legal entity, at least three member clubs must be fully registered. But only one, Vision Chess Club, currently fulfills requirements. There must be at least three registered clubs for a proper election to be held.

So much will, therefore, depend on how the new leadership team manages to rally people with divergent opinion and interest as well as bringing clubs back to life.

"We will need to come up with an action plan, and that's urgent. In not more than 30 days we must have a clear roadmap."

Besides contending with the problem of dormant clubs, Zimurinda must also mind major characteristics of good governance such as transparency and accountability if he is to succeed in steering the ship in the right direction.

jkaruhanga@newtimesrwanda.com

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Chess: Interim executive team elected to run federation for a year - The New Times

Are you looking for a great chess shop London? Do you want to know how to find the very best chess sets for sale? Whether youre looking for a staunchly traditional set or some unusual chess sets UK, consider the following guide to buying chess sets in London.

How to Find Chess Sets for Sale in London

If you are looking for chess sets for sale in London, then you are in luck: there are countless chess shop London options available to the public. These shops range from chess speciality shops to game shops and even standard retail shops. Some of the best chess sets for sale can be found in Londons many chess shops, especially if you know where to look.

If you are looking for a specialized chess set, such as a set made with specific materials or specific types of pieces or themed sets, then your best bet is to look for a chess speciality shop. These specialty shops will have a wider variety of options and, if they dont currently have something in stock, will likely be able to order something for you personally.

If youre looking for something a bit more standard, check out game shops and retail shops where you can find typical chess sets. You can usually find a typical beginners chess set or everyday chess set at these stores, along with some mild specialty sets such as magnetic sets for children or travel.

What Chess Set Should You Buy? Consider These 3 Factors

If you arent sure exactly what type of chess set you want to buy, you can narrow down your options by considering three important factors. These factors will help you make the difficult decision about which chess set to add to your collection.

Budget

Do you have a specific budget? The fancier the chess set, the higher the price; you will also find that specialty and themed sets have a higher price than ordinary beginners sets. Once you have a budget, you will find it much easier to narrow down your chess set choices.

Type of Set

You must also consider what type of chess set you want to buy. There are beginners chess sets designed to teach children or adults how to play the game; chess sets with specialty games such as three way sets; sets with gimmicks such as magnetic sets; sets with exceptionally large pieces; and so on.

Set Theme

Finally, you will want to consider the set theme. Are you looking for a standard chess set that you might find in professional tournaments? Or are you looking for something more unique and original? Chess set themes can range from a bit unusualsuch as historical figuresto downright wacky, such as cartoon characters, so you will have plenty of options if you are looking for something out of the ordinary.

If you are looking to buy chess sets for sale at a London chess shop, keep the above guide in mind.

Read more:
How to Find Chess Sets for Sale in London - London Post

Anish Giri committed the equivalent of chess murder as heflagged the nicest man in chess, David Navara, in Game 1 of the final of the MrDodgy Invitational. It was a powerful statement of intent, and David nevermanaged to get into the match, failing to win a game as Giri raced to a 7:2victory. Its Anish who will be the proud owner of a signed photo of tournamentorganiser Mr Dodgy on a horse, at least unless he succeeds in selling it toPeter Svidler.

You can replay all the games from the Mr Dodgy Invitationalusing the selector below (click on a result to open the game with computeranalysis):

And heres Jan Gustafssons commentary on the final day,including the final interview with the players:

David Navara won a close match against David Howell and thensurprisingly crushed Peter Svidler in the semifinals of the Mr DodgyInvitational, and the Czech no. 1 also showed dedication away from thechessboard:

Anish Giri won 10 games and lost just 2 as he beat LaurentFressinet and Anton Korobov, but not for the last time in the tournament hecame up with unconvincing excuses for failing to take a photo with a horse. Forthe final, however, he came through! (click the photo to see it in all its glory)

If that showed how seriously he was taking the match it wasnothing compared to the first game. Anish outplayed his opponent to win a pawn,but the position looked destined to end in a draw:

David was behind on the clock, but with exactly 1 minute to 1minute 11 seconds it was nothing too serious, and he played relatively quicklyand confidently. It was to no avail, however, since Anish, whos been workinghard on eliminating any weaknesses in online chess, went on to blitz out hismoves like a man possessed and ultimately win on time while still having 37seconds remaining.

Hed done it against a man who a day previously had offeredPeter Svidler a draw in the first game of that match when Peter was down to 1 second to his 23.

Did Anish feel guilty?

Yeah, for the next three games I was mentally justifyingmyself, trying to find excuses.

A good lawyer would have advised Anish to stay silent, but

To be frank, first of all the easiest excuse that people cansay is that when you are the one with an extra pawn you can do it. The otherexcuse you can say is that before that it was not so easy if it was a draw, andI simplified into it with an intention to flag. There can be many excuses, butof course I feel its part of the game without increment

Peter Svidler later had to check hed heard that right:

Peter understood the thought process, but went on

In my head this is like pre-meditated murder, this is not anexcuse It makes it much worse, I think!

Mr Dodgy understandably also took offense

So you had three different excuses and you didnt just say,I wanted to win the picture of the horse?

While Anish kept digging

Its definitely nothing personal. I would have done itagainst absolutely anyone and I would expect anyone to do it against me aswell, especially if you have less time.

In this case, however, it was hard to imagine David everflagging his opponent in a similar situation, with Jan raising the issue of whetheradhering to a personal code of chess etiquette was a liability in online chess:

It might become a competitive disadvantage if it becomes thenorm to flag in such positions.

And what did David himself think? Well, he admitted it was hisfault to lose a pawn, but pushed back when Anish suggested there were somewinning chances, and then made a polite statement that you might say for himwas the equivalent of Gata Kamsky rage quitting:

I admit you had your right to play for the win. I just wasunderstandably unhappy about the way how the game ended.

Why have we dwelt so long on that moment? Well, partlybecause its genuinely a hot topic in the new world of high stakes online chess,but also because the match from there on was disappointingly one-sided:

Giri was extremely impressive, playing fast but building upadvantages in most of the games so that the scoreline could if anything havebeen more in his favour. There were some memorable moments. For instance:

36.Rg5+! brought this game to an abrupt end, with Davidresigning a move before mate after 36hxg5 37.Qf6+.

The best chance for David was in fact in the final gameafter 30g6:

If David had played 31.Ne7+! Kg7 32.Nc6 and then e.g. 32Rb733.Re7! he would have been completely winning, but that was a win pointed outby Giri after the game. David admitted hed been nervous as he went for31.Nxh6+? and went on to get trapped in a mating net.

Nothing had gone right for the Czech no. 1. When asked if hed played worse, or Giri better than Svidlerthe day before, he explained:

Both. With me in blitz much depends on my form, andyesterday I slept well, so it was fine, but today I had a very silly idea toprepare for the match seriously, because I had not prepared seriously for abouttwo months. Ok, I prepared for the European Online Championship, but otherwiseI was not studying openings. But ok, six hours its not a good idea, to say theleast. I was just playing too slowly and I was tired, but its my own faultthat I prepared so much.

Anish Giri was an absolutely deserving winner, however, andwas right to bask in the glory

even if the haters are never far away!

Anish had won the grand first prize of a signed photo of ahorse, and understood its value:

People think the first prize is a joke, or not serious,unlike the Magnus Carlsen Invitational where its 80,000 euro or whatever, butI have a suspicion that this picture could be worth a lot, you just have tofind the right customer, which is why I took part as well. Im hoping to makeuse of this victory!

Plan A is to sell the photo to Peter Svidler, who might betempted to buy it if for no other reason than to make up for his unconscionablefaux pas of insulting the horse.

Peter also tried to rescue the situation with praise for the man on the horseand his tournament:

An incredibly fun thing, I hope it reemerges! Thanks to Dodgyfor not giving up on it when the whole world was laughing at him hysterically,and well-played to the winners.

The question now, of course, is where you can go from here...

More RadioJan (or RadioJan is no more)?

Bigger, better angrier?

We hope you enjoyed the event and will join us for that rivalMagnus Carlsen Chess Tour that reaches its third stage on Saturday with theChessable Masters.

See also:

Read the original:
Ruthless Giri wins the Mr Dodgy Invitational - chess24

GMMagnus Carlsenwon theClutch Chess International. In the second half of the final, played on Sunday, the Norwegian grandmaster was on the verge of defeat after losing the first clutch game to GMFabiano Caruanabut then delivered in the second.

Carlsen was back to "sssh'ing," holding an index finger in front of his mouth when he was sure of victory in the last clutch game. Used by many NBA players to demonstrate their dominance, Carlsen had shushed prematurely in a game against the same opponent in the 2018 Sinquefield Cupwhere he failed to convert a promising position and admitted his gesture "kind of backfired."

Almost two years later, Golden State Warrior fan Carlsen was sure this time and delivered. He won a must-win game.

"I've been advocating doing the shush when you got a good chance to win because I feel like when you do it after you won you don't actually risk being humiliated," Carlsen said. "Why would you try and do this... there should be some skin in the game. But this time I felt like it was an appropriate moment to do it. But I promise next time I do it when I have something to lose!"

The final saw an incredible run of score. After two draws at the start, the next 10 games were all decisive except one! Carlsen used another basketball analogy there:"There were no consecutive wins in the whole match which is pretty sick so it was really like both teams scoring on every possession."

The final day saw Carlsen starting with a good win, but he admitted that his opponent was playing better chess in the next four games. After a draw in game eight, Caruana leveled the score in game nine, but Carlsen took the lead again in game 10 (see the game viewer below).

We'll pick up the match with the first clutch game. From 6.5-5.5 down, Caruana jumped straight to 7.5-5.5. It was the first time he was leading, and his fourth(!) comeback in the match, after a game where he took full control in the early middlegame:

"That was an important game, and I also thought it was quite a good game," Caruana said.

Carlsen wasn't too stressed when this happened."To be honest I was fairly calm," he said. "I knew I would have one more chance and the way game 11 had gone I had sort of reconciled with the fact that I was probably gonna lose that game for a while so at that point I just relished the challenge."

The final game couldn't have gone better for him: "The way it went was a dream since everything worked just out very well and I didn't really have to squeeze it out, I could go for the jugular at an early point and that was it."

"I didn't believe I would lose the last game but yeah, something just went very wrong," said Caruana. "To be honest I didn't expect him to repeat this. The first day I saw that 6...b5 is supposed to be a decent move and I'd take it from there, which was probably a bit too casual because I obviously misplayed it.It wasn't a very good final game; I was blundering everything. I'm sure he played the game well but from my side, it was just like I wasn't there in the last game."

Carlsen complimented his opponent and agreed with the commentators that Caruana's reputation of not being great at faster time controls is outdated:"I gotta say that Fabi has made incredible strides in rapid and blitz chess. Judging by the way we played today he was as deserved a winner as I was. He deserves credit for a very good match."

And what about that shushing? "At the very least I've given my opponents more ammunition and I'm sure I'll see a lot of shushing when I lose games, not only by GM Anish Giri!"

Games final, day 2

The Clutch Chess International Champions Showdown was an eight-player knockout event that ran on lichess June 6-14 in association with the Saint Louis Chess Club. The prize fund was $265,000 with a first prize of $50,000.

The time control was 10 minutes for all moves with a five-second increment after each move.Each match consisted of 12 games with six games played each day. The final two games of each day were "clutch" games that were worth double the points on day one and triple on day two, as well as a $2,000 bonus per game on day one and $3,000 on day two.

Previous reports:

Excerpt from:
Winning On Demand, Carlsen Clinches Clutch Chess International - Chess.com

League of Legends streamer Albert Boxbox Zheng adored chess in elementary school, but stopped playing when he was around nine. One day, after hearing about some grandmaster chess guys stream popping off, he dropped into Nakamuras channel to watch him play blindfolded. I wrote in his chat afterwards, like, That was amazing. Then he saw my name in the chat, and was like, Is that the BoxBox? Nakamura fished Zheng out and asked him to come on stream and play against him.

He blew my mind with how deep chess goes, says Zheng.

Nakamura challenged Zheng to a game, but Nakamura would start without a queen. Zheng thought, Theres no way he can beat me without a queen. Of course, Nakamura crushed him. Nakamura began removing more pieces, starting the game with fewer and fewer, until, Zheng says, I finally won when he basically had nothing. I was hooked.

Nakamuras impressive, lightly trollish chess gimmicksblindfolded matches, matches without queens or rooks, solving as many puzzles as he can in five minuteshave spurred Twitchs top personalities to try the game for themselves. Instead of looking down his nose at these pro gamers who come to him for guidance, he exudes respect for Lengyel (legendary character), who has three million followers, or Saqib Lirik Zahid, who has 2.6 million followers (honored by his visit). Now, top Hearthstone, Fortnite, and Valorant streamers are sliding into Nakamuras DMs asking for coaching. Nakamura has in turn developed his own streaming persona, somewhere between a proud dad and a laughing supergenius.

On stream, Nakamura has described his new role as Twitchs chess ambassador as his calling. In retrospect, he says, it makes sense; after winning his first championship in 2005, Nakamura says he went over to the hotel lobby to play blitz, or speed, games against random audience members until two or three in the morning. (Nakamura is now the top blitz player in the world.) Ive always wanted to bring it to the masses, he says. In his chat, viewers tell Nakamura that they hadnt played or watched chess since they were kids, but were intrigued by their favorite streamers newfound interest.

When I work with streamers, Im trying to get them to have fun, but also these aha! moments, says Nakamura. Moments where they see little combinations or little tricks, thats really the goal. Theyre not going to be great, but if they can learn something from it and theyre having fun, for me, that means Im doing a good job.

Nakamuras mission to bring a populist movement to chess runs up against the games marked culture of elitism. Theres a tendency among some chess devotees to look down on streamers learning, and sometimes making mistakes, so publicly. Zheng has been shocked at how antagonistic his Twitch chat gets when he streams chess; sometimes, he cant even look at it. League is known for toxicity. Chess, surprisingly, is even worse, he says, describing the phenomenon as backseat gaming.

There are a lot of people who are miles better than meI dont deny thatwho get mad that me, a new player, cant pick up the game and instantly be an expert at it, says Zheng. People will shove and yell moves down my throat. Not only is it annoying, oftentimes its wrong and very aggressive.

"Ive always wanted to bring chess to the masses."

Hikaru Nakamura

Chess mastermind and Twitch streamer Alexandra Botez, a Woman FIDE Master, who has also seen huge growth in her channel, says that elitism extends to the broader chess community, too. Your worth is really determined by your ranking, especially in the tight-knit circles of people who dedicated their lives to chess. Shes watched on as a lot of other top chess players have tried streaming on Twitch without seeing anywhere near her or Nakamuras success. She attributes it to Nakamuras ability to engage with Twitch culture on its own terms, memeing with viewers and gamely replying to their questions. Other top players prefer to remain distant, viewing Twitch as a platform rather than a cultural organism.

Read more from the original source:
The Grandmaster Who Got Twitch Hooked on Chess - WIRED