Category Archives: Chess
PH team ready for FIDE World Youth Chess Championship tilt in … – PhilBoxing.com
PH team ready for FIDE World Youth Chess Championship tilt in Montesilvano, Italy
By Marlon BernardinoPhilBoxing.comFri, 10 Nov 2023
MANILA--- Members of the Philippine chess team said they are ready and confident in the upcoming FIDE World Youth Chess Championships that gets underway on November 12-25 in Montesilvano, Italy.
I will do my very best for flag and country, said FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo, who added that he hopes to earn ELO Standard rating points in the FIDE tournament.
Hes ready to play. Hes actually doing really well," said Filipino and United States chess master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr., Head of Delegation who is also part of the coaching staff that inludes Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza and Ederwin Estavillo.
Bacojo has already earned his first of three IM Norms during the 18th IGB Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last September.
He will need to improve his current ELO Standard rating of 2335 to 2400 as a FIDE requirement for International Master title.
Joining Bacojo are FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca, National Master Oscar Joseph Cantela, Woman National Master Bonjoure Fille Suyamin, Woman National Master Kaye Lalaine Regidor and Woman National Master Franchesca Largo.
The organizing committee (UNI Chess) also invited Jirah Floraive Cutiyog, Maureiin Lepaopao, Anica Shey Dimatangihan, Mark Gabriel Usman and Charly Jhon Yamson.
The PH chess team campaign was made possible with the support of the NCFP, PSC, POC, DFA, City Of Dasmarinas (Cavite), City of General Trias (Cavite), City of Santa Rosa (Laguna) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) .-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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PH team ready for FIDE World Youth Chess Championship tilt in ... - PhilBoxing.com
Kcb in search for glory at Kisumu chess open – The Star Kenya
Kcb chess team is gearing up for a gruelling weekend ahead of the 2023 Kisumu Open Classical Chess Championship on November 11-12at The Scottish Tartan Hotel, Kisumu County.
The tournament, which has attracted top players from Kenya and Uganda, will see the winner in the open section bag Sh25,000.
The first and second runners-up get Sh12,500 and Sh7,500, respectively.
In the ladies' category, the winner will go home with Sh10,000 while second and third-place finishers will bag Sh6,000 and Sh2,500 respectively.
KCBs and Fide Masters Martin Njoroge and Joyce Nyaruai, Candidate Master Ben Magana, Bernard Nguku, and national junior chess champion Robert McLigeyo will represent the bankers in the competition.
We have been training rigorously and are ready to take on this challenging competition. We know we are facing top players from across the region, and this wont be easy. As a team, we must stay together, support each other, and make sure that in the end, we win as a team, not just as individuals. Njoroge said.
Njoroge is a former national champion.
In the recently held Mombasa Open Championship, Joyce Nyaruai emerged as the winner in the ladies section with an impressive tally of 5.5 points out of six rounds.
Martin Njoroge, in the open section, narrowly missed securing the top position due to a tie-break, finishing second to bag a silver medal.
In Nairobi, top chess clubs will converge for the 3rd edition of the Kenya National Chess Championship for the PWDs on Saturday at the Kcb Sports Club.
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Kcb in search for glory at Kisumu chess open - The Star Kenya
Kashvi Chess School invites you to highest ever prize fund for a … – ChessBase India
by Shahid Ahmed - 09/11/2023
Kashvi Chess School Kundapura invites you to1st Kashvi's Rapid Rating Open 2023. The inaugural edition of this rapid rating open is offering a total prize fund of 2600000. The firstprize is105000. There are 16 prizes which has a prize of 50000 or more. Total 165 prizes are up for grabs. This is the highest everprize fund offered in a two-day rapid ratingopen tournament in India. It is exactly a month away from now. This is a tournament you cannot afford to miss especially if you like rapid rating open events. Entry is FREE for GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs. For everyone else, entry fee is 6500 till 20th November. After that, entry fee increases. Check out the article for all information. All tournament info photos are from tournament circular.
Kashvi's 1st Rapid Rating Open 2023 will take placeon 9th and 10th December
The tournament will take place at Indiana Convention Centre in Mangaluru, Karnataka on 9th and 10th December 2023. Check out the image below for tournamentrules and regulations.
Tournament rules and regulations
There will be five rounds on Saturday 9th December and four on Sunday 10th December 2023. Check out the image below for complete schedule of the tournament.
Tournament schedule
The total prize fund is 2600000. The overall top three prizes are 105000, 70000 and 50000 along with a trophy each There are 20 main prizes. Each of the five rating categories including Unrated has ten prizes each. The top three prizes in those categories are 50000, 25000 and 15000 along with a trophy each respectively.Each of the eight age group categories also have cash prizes along with a trophy. There top three prizes are 50000, 30000 and 20000 along with a trophy each. There are also Best Dakshina Kannada, Best Udupi, Best Women (Above 18 years), Specially Abled and Best Veteran (Above 55 years) prizes - they all have cash prizes. Apart from these, there are also special prizes in various age group categories which has a chess clock and trophy as the prize.
Prize details
Check out theofficial and arbiter panel in the image below:
Official and Arbiter panel names
Indiana Convention Centre in Mangaluru, Karnataka is the venue.
Tournament venue
Entry is FREE for GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs.For everyone else, entry fee is 6500 till 20th November. From 21st - 30th November, entry fee will be 7500. From 1st to 8th December 2023, entry fee will be 8500. Check out the image below for all information including a selfie contest to win 10000 cash:
Important info about the tournament
IM Manish Anto Cristiano F is the sole confirmed titled player till now
Details
Official site
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Kashvi Chess School invites you to highest ever prize fund for a ... - ChessBase India
Everywhere Shop Opens in Uptown Kingston | Shopping | Hudson … – Chronogram
Ashley Molesso and Chess Needham, the queer and trans couple behind online stationery brand Ash + Chess, are embarking on a new venturethe opening of their very first brick-and-mortar retail store. Opening on November 11 at 44 North Front Street in Uptown Kingston, the duos upcoming Everywhere Shop will offer a range of bright and colorful products, including from their own stationery to gift items, home decor, and greeting cards.
Molesso, originally from Arkansas, studied textile design at the Fashion Institute of Technology and convinced Needham to join her to create the stationery business. I met Chess on a dating app, says Molesso. Eventually, I took him to a trade show for a wallpaper company that I used to work at, and at the same time, there was a stationery show going on. So we watched that together, and I kind of convinced him to start a business with me.
Molessos background in textile design, along with experience in the home goods industry, played a pivotal role in the brands creation. Needham, on the other hand, was a stationery newcomer. I dont really have the art background that Ash has, says Needham. I was a special ed teacher in the city for seven years, until Ash + Chess really picked up and we realized it was something that we could put all of our effort into. I ended up quitting my job, and Ash taught me pretty much everything about art and design.
As the couple transitioned into the world of stationery, they set out to create a brand that represented and supported the queer community. We first started off our brand six years ago by saying that we were a queer-owned brand, says Needham. A lot of people were like, Don't do that. Youre going to lose customers. You just make cards, why does that part matter? Weve been trying to hold true to the fact that it does matter and that representation is important. In their ongoing endeavor to produce art and products that represent the queer community, Ash + Chess has collaborated with major names such as Target and Skittles. Now, over 700 retailers throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia sell their art and stationery.
The business started out based in Richmond, Virginia, but the couple decided to move to the Hudson Valley after three years. I grew up going to the Adirondacks every summer, says Needham. We would drive through the area and see how beautiful it was. Richmond just didnt feel like home, so when we came back to New York, we decided to come up to Kingston, and it felt very right for us.
In Kingston, they initially rented out space in an office building, until Molesso discovered the building previously occupied by Arties Bar & Grill during a walk last November. After they toured the space this February, the couple realized it was exactly what they wanted. It was actually two spaces next to each other, connected in the middle, which is something that we were looking for specifically, says Molesso. So one storefront part is now our office side where we run the Ash + Chess wholesale, and the other side is going to be the Everywhere Shop.
Ash + Chesss ethos of inclusivity extends to the Everywhere Shop, including its name. Everywhere came from the sentiment that queer and trans people are everywhere and that theyve always been everywhere, says Molesso. Needham adds, For me as a trans person, I just feel safe when I go into a store where I see myself representedand not in a way thats an afterthought. So we have a lot of products and signage that indicate to people that theyre seen here, that theyre welcome in the shop, and that its for them.
The ADA accessible space will offer small gift items, including cards, pens, notepads, notebooks, puzzles, candles, and of course, stationery. Many of the showcased products will come from LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, AAPI, Latinx, and local makers, including Chunks, Goddex, Loam, Palate Polish, The Wednesday Co., Not Picasso, and Barry Lee. The duo are also hoping to continue adding products from additional businesses and are open for product submissions. On top of products, the shops displays are all hand-built, and a free art box outside the store is stocked with gifts for passersby to take home and enjoy.
On Friday, November 10, from 6-9 PM, the Everywhere Shop will host an opening party, complete with snacks and beverages provided by local queer chefs Julia Turshen and Emmet Moeller from Common Table. Molesso and Needham describe it as an opportunity to mix, mingle, and shop, and will be giving away goodie bags to celebrate the occasion.
As the Everywhere Shop gears up for its launch, the duo hope that it can be a hub for the community. We want to be able to help other people, other businesses, other organizers, and other queer people in need of a place to meet, host a workshop, or gather, says Needham. It might be our project, but its more than that, and it wouldnt exist without the people who are out here.
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Everywhere Shop Opens in Uptown Kingston | Shopping | Hudson ... - Chronogram
Murdaugh Murders: Inside The Post-Trial Chess Moves – FITSNews
Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh lost his double homicide trial on February 6, 2023. Sure, it would take another four weeks for a Colleton County, South Carolina jury to find him guilty, but that was the day he lost the case. On that day, S.C. circuit court judgeClifton Newman ruled a veritable cavalcade of evidence and testimony related to Murdaughs since-acknowledged financial crimes admissible in the murder trial.
This evidence is admissible, Newman said from the bench, arguing the evidence was more probative than prejudicial and would aid the jury in understanding the context in which the crime occurred.
Did it ever
At the time he stood trial for the graphic killings of his wife, 52-year-oldMaggie Murdaugh, and youngest son, 22-year-oldPaul Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh was staring down 99 individual charges related to schemes to defraud victims of nearly $10 million.
He is now facing more than 100 state financial charges and is scheduled to stand trial on the first batch of those charges later this month in Beaufort, S.C. Those trials are expected to go swimmingly for the state considering Murdaugh admitted most of the financial misdeeds while testifying under oath at his murder trial. He has also pleaded guilty to nearly two dozen financial crimes at the federal level.
Should the evidence of these crimes have been allowed into the double homicide trial, though?
(Click to view)
South Carolinas rules of criminal procedure expressly provide that evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person. However, this rule Rule 404 does allow prior bad acts to be admitted in order to show motive, identity, the existence of a common scheme or plan, the absence of mistake or accident, or intent.
The state argued Murdaugh was motivated to kill his wife and son because he was about to be exposed as a financial fraud and for several weeks in Walterboro, S.C. they conducted a trial within a trial related to this evidence.
As I noted at the time, if (the trial within a trial) a preview of potential testimony the jurycouldhear in the days to come is any indication of where this trial is going,the defense is in serious trouble.
Which it was
Specifically referring to damning testimony from Murdaughs former law firm financial officer, Jeanne Seckinger, and his childhood friend, attorneyChris Wilson, I noted at the time that if jurors hear substantive testimony like that from either of these two witnesses,Murdaugh could be finished.
Which he was
Given the decisive impact of this evidence and testimony, it is only natural that Newmans decisions are now coming under scrutiny especially as Murdaughs attorneys are asking the S.C. supreme court to disqualify the judge from further involvement in the case.
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In a written ruling (.pdf) accompanying his admissibility decision on February 6, 2023, Newman concluded the financial crimes evidence was relevant as it tends to support the contention of the state that (Murdaugh) sought to divert attention from the looming exposure of theft, fraud and deceit that he committed against his clients, friends, family, law firm and business associates.
The state is entitled to have the jury consider whether the apparent desperation of (Murdaugh) resulted in the commission of the crimes alleged, he noted.
Furthermore, Newman argued the defense opened the door to this evidence and testimony being admitted when it allegedly sought to have prosecution witnesses serve as character references for Murdaugh. Accordingly, Newman overruled an objection from Murdaughs attorneys related toRule 403of the South Carolina rules of criminal procedure.
Rule 403 holds that relevant evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury. The rule also allows for the exclusion of evidence resulting in undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.
According to Newman who allowed repetitive recapitulations of Murdaughs myriad fraudulent schemes to be laid out before the jury ad nauseam this evidence and testimony was not unfairly confusing or misleading to them. Specifically, it did not suggest to the jury that (Murdaugh) has a tendency to commit murder and would not lure the jury into declaring guilt on a ground different than the specific charges of murder.
Maybe not but Newmans decisions clearly changed the complexion of the case.
(Click to view)
Murdaughs attorneys Dick Harpootlian,Jim Griffin,Phillip BarberandMargaret Fox have argued those admissibility decisions were central to the prosecutions successful bid to conflate the circumstantial murder charges with Murdaughs demonstrable financial misconduct. Had none of the financial crime allegations been introduced, its unlikely Murdaugh would have taken the fateful step of taking the witness stand in his own defense which, our audience will recall, he did against the advice of his counsel.
Obviously, Murdaughs testimony was a definitional example of a defendant digging his own grave as lead prosecutor Creighton Waters masterfully maneuvered Murdaugh into a corner using nothing but the defendants own words.
Had the financial crimes information not come into play, its doubtful Murdaugh would have testified.
To be clear: I had no issue with Newmans rulings. I believe he conducted a thoughtful review of the evidence and testimony and reached a determination based on the law and the facts. Furthermore, the defense did open the door to at least some discussion of the prosecutions theory of motive.
But did Newman allow too much in? That point is certainly debatable assuming the debate is had.
These admissibility rulings are expected to form the basis of Murdaughs appeal of his murder convictions and the ensuing life sentences Newman handed down. For the moment, though, the appeals process has been paused pending a hearing on claims of jury tampering leveled against Colleton County clerk of court Becky Hill. Hill has denied those allegations, and early indicators point to there being some substance to her denials. In fact, as this story was going to press Hill supplied the state with a sworn affidavit (.pdf) providing point-by-point refutations of the allegations against her.
According to several well-placed sources within the Palmetto State judiciary, the pause of Murdaughs appeal has been a welcome development.
How come?
They dont want to rule on the admissibility questions, one source familiar with the situation told us.
Wait what?
(Click to view)
According to our sources, the jury tampering allegations against Hill and Murdaughs request for a new trial on those grounds could potentially make moot all of the admissibility questions raised by Newmans rulings during the trial. Which is exactly what the the states two highest courts are hoping will happen.
In other words, if Murdaugh is granted a new trial on the basis of alleged jury tampering South Carolinas court of appeals and its supreme court would be spared from having to issue rulings on whether to uphold or overturn these decisions.
No one wants that fight, a source close to the appellate court told us. No one wants these rulings as precedent. But no one wants to smack down Clifton Newman, either.
A public defender following the Murdaugh case spoke at length with me on background about the potential fallout from Newmans rulings being upheld.
The constitutional protections enshrined in (Rules) 403 and 404(b) would be gutted, the defender said. The doctrine of prior bad acts being disqualified as a means of establishing criminal propensity would be obliterated. The right to a fair trial in South Carolina would cease to exist.
Alex Murdaughs reprehensibility notwithstanding, it is incumbent upon officers of the court to consider the implications to the system for all criminal defendants raised by these rulings, the defender added.
The jury tampering allegations against Hill and Newmans status as potential witness to them give the higher courts a clear and compelling out to avoid having to address those implications, which even prosecutors have acknowledged could rewrite case law on 403 and 404(b) in South Carolina for decades to come.
Will the high court avail itself of this out?
We could get a sense of the justices thinking sooner rather than later
The court is expected to decide soon whether to put all Murdaugh-related cases on hold pending a decision regarding Newmans status. Shortly thereafter, it must decide whether to allow Newman to continue on as a trier of fact in multiple Murdaugh matters (which I have previously argued he should not do).
A decision to take Newman off the case and appoint another judge to hear the jury tampering allegations would seem to be a clear indicator the court is inclined to steer clear of the admissibility questions inherent in the Murdaugh appeal although there is no guarantee a new judge would grant the notorious defendant a new trial.
Count on this news outlet to not only keep our audience in the loop on the latest developments in this case but to provide the sort of background analysis critical to understanding those developments.
***
Will Folksis the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children.
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Murdaugh Murders: Inside The Post-Trial Chess Moves - FITSNews
Mallorcan Player Clinches Chess Crown In Italy Euro Weekly News – Euro Weekly News
A seasoned chess player from Mallorca has forged a remarkable record of victories in womens chess, a testament to her combative spirit.
On the chessboard in Terrasini, Italy, Monica Calzetta Ruiz, claimed victory in the over-50 category at the Veterans World Championships. This event, marking her latest triumph, took place on Sunday, November 5. Calzettas record of eight wins, two losses, and a strategic draw in the last round, which secured her the gold, speaks volumes of her dedication and strategic prowess, writes Palmesana.
Chess has helped the Mallorcan player develop resilience, a virtue she highly values. Calzetta, who lives in Palma, reflects on her journey, noting that her swift recovery post-defeats and her focus on self-improvement were pivotal. The setbacks were mere stepping stones that propelled her towards the ultimate prize.
Her husband, International Master Sergio Estremera, doubles as her coach and has been instrumental in her chess career. His adept match preparations have been a cornerstone of her success. Calzettas triumph is more than personal glory; it symbolises the ascent of women in sports and stresses the importance of celebrating female achievements in chess.
Calzetta has been vocal against the Spanish Chess Federations (FEDA) proposal to scrap the Spanish Womens Championships. She stands firm on her belief that these competitions are crucial for equality and are a stepping stone to international platforms. Despite the positive change towards women in chess, she still perceives an annoying attitude at the federation level, Calzetta comments, highlighting the ongoing struggle for respect and recognition in the chess community.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Do remember to come back and check The Euro Weekly News website for all your up-to-date local and international news stories and remember, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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Mallorcan Player Clinches Chess Crown In Italy Euro Weekly News - Euro Weekly News
Chess: Adams and Nunn score golden England double in world senior championships – Financial Times
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Chess: Adams and Nunn score golden England double in world senior championships - Financial Times
Chess tournament for kids hosted by 4-H – newschannel20.com
Chess tournament for kids hosted by 4-H
by Geno Reynolds
Macon County 4-H invites kids ages 5 to 18 to participate in an upcoming chess tournament. (KHQA)
DECATUR, Ill. (WRSP)
Macon County 4-H invites kids ages 5 to 18 to participate in an upcoming chess tournament.
The 2023 4-H Winter Chess Tournament will be on December 9th from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Macon County Extension Office, 3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd, Decatur.
There will be four age divisions. Kids will play others within their division, and teams are also welcome to participate.
This is our third 4-H chess tournament, says Ben Steele, 4-H youth development educator. We look forward to seeing players of all abilities spend the day with us playing chess.
The tournament will consist of six rounds, and there is no entry fee. The top three finishers in each division will receive trophies.
Players will need to register by December 8th. To register, go this the website here.
For more information, contact Ben Steele at bsteele2@illinois.edu or call 217-877-6042.
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Chess tournament for kids hosted by 4-H - newschannel20.com
Chess tables to be installed in Hull parks to tackle loneliness – BBC.com
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Chess tables to be installed in Hull parks to tackle loneliness - BBC.com
Fast growing in India, chess boxing sees players chase knockout then checkmate – South China Morning Post
Such is chess boxing, in which players alternate between rounds of chess and boxing, requiring mental and physical alertness.
It starts with four minutes of chess, followed by three in the ring. During the minutes break between rounds, players must don or remove gloves and headphones. There are six rounds of chess and five of boxing, with players able to end the contest by knockout or checkmate.
The challenge is to get yourself under control after a round of boxing so that you can make a strong move on the chessboard, Montu Das, president of the World Chess Boxing Organisation (WCBO), said.
The championships fifth edition featured 82 participants in more than a dozen categories, with five continents represented. Das indicated that the governing body, whose membership has grown to 52 countries, hopes to expand it further next time.
Fast gaining popularity, especially in India, chess boxing is said to have developed from an image of men boxing on a chessboard in 1992 comic book The Nikopol Trilogy. Dutch artist Iepe Rubingh was inspired to try it, staging the first known bout in Amsterdam in 2003 and founding the Berlin-based WCBO.
The first European championship took place in the German city in 2005 when Tihomir Dovramadjiev of Bulgaria vanquished the host countrys Andreas Schneider, who conceded in the seventh (chess) round.
However, some believe the sports provenance can be traced to the 1970s in London, when two brothers grabbed headlines for playing chess after a few rounds of boxing at their gym.
This was picked up by Taiwanese filmmaker Joseph Kuo, whose 1979 kung fu movie The Mystery of Chess Boxing narrates the story of a boy who sets about avenging his fathers death by applying principles of Chinese chess, or xiangqi, to martial arts.
Das, who introduced the sport in his native India, is driving the WCBO to spread the word by promoting it, staging fights and building a worldwide structure of clubs and organisations.
Were hoping the sport will soon be included as an Olympic discipline and have written to the International Olympic Committee about it, he said.
Tournaments have mushroomed across India, where the number of registered players has surged to about 1,200 a third being women while Aryan Surya underlined its growth by winning under-15 gold at last years global championships in Turkey.
Surya has been an avid chess player since he was six, and said his interest in chess boxing began during the pandemic.
I underwent intense training for three months because it requires extreme agility and alertness, he said. You cant have a strategy for winning. A single move on the chess board, or a punch, can make you lose or win.
There are challenges in securing sponsorship or government help, but Das is hopeful that will change as visibility will organically lead to sponsors and organisers stepping in.
Unlike chess, chess boxing matches take place in a closed ring, with thousands of people watching and cheering, Das said. Loud noise and harsh lights are part of the package. So one needs to develop a lot of mental acuity and control.
Sneha Waykar, the Asian champion who took world silver last December, said unpredictability was its big draw.
Unlike chess, one cannot go into boxing with a particular plan, the 24-year-old said. You have to be alert always.