World Junior 2014 launched in Mumbai

World Junior Chess Championship 2014 launched in Mumbai

By Manisha Mohite

After winning the World Junior Chess Championship in 1987 in the Philippines, Viswanathan Anand revisited some fond memories of the event after exactly 27 years. Only this time he is backing the premier event as its Brand Ambassador, and in his own country India. Pune, the land of the Peshwas (Maratha Warriors), is all set to host the tournament from 5th to 20th October at the Hotel Hyatt.

The media launch was conducted by the five-time World Champion Anand along with Ashok Jain, President of the Maharashtra Chess Association (MCA) and Aniruddh Deshpande, Vice President MCA and Chairman of the World Junior Chess Championship (WJCC) Organizing Committee at the Garware Club in Wankhede Stadium at Mumbai on 9th August.

From left to right: GM Abhijit Kunte, Aniruddh Deshpande, Viswanathan Anand,
Ashok Jain and Dilip Pagay. Your’s truly at the rostrum.

The WJCC-2014 will be jointly organized by the MCA and Pune District Chess Circle under the auspices of the AICF and FIDE. About 250 players from 65 countries are expected to pit their wits in this event. The organizing committee of WJCC 2014 comprises prominent chess players and key personalities of various chess associations.

Media and guests at the press conference

The day before the press conference Anand along with other member of the
organizing committee met the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Prithviraj Chavan,
who agreed to be the ‘Patron of the tournament” and extended all possible help.

MCA President Ashok Jain talking about Maharashtra Chess League and its recent activities –
the MCA, the first chess league in India and also about chess in schools (CIS)

Ashok Jain said "The Association has been very active conducting International and National tournaments. We have initiated the novel Maharashtra Chess League (MCL), the first Chess League in the country which has been a big hit in both its editions. MCA has also been committed to the development of chess and introduced Chess in Schools (CIS), another initiative to introduce chess at the grass roots. Currently there are 186 schools with about 9,500 students enrolled in the programme, and the target is to reach out to 500 schools and about 50,000 students in the next couple of years”.

Aniruddh Deshpande, Chairman of the WJCC 2014, speaking at the press conference

During the press conference Aniruddh Deshpande announced, “It is mandatory for every country participating in this event to be affiliated with the FIDE and field their top player for this championship.” He further added, “Pune City is known not only for its excellence in academics, but also as a thriving hotspot for sports and other curricular activities. The rich tradition and chess culture in our city has resulted in the emergence of many grandmasters. By hosting WJCC in Pune, we would like our other talented players to be exposed to International platforms in their backyards.”

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Pune (or Poona in British era) is the seventh largest city in India, and, after neighboring Mumbai, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra. It is situated 560 metres (1,837 feet) above sea level on the Deccan plateau. Pune is known to have existed as a town since 847 AD. It was the first capital of the Maratha Empire, and in the 18th century it became the political centre of Indian subcontinent, as the seat of Peshwas who were the prime ministers of the Maratha Empire. Today the city is known for manufacturing, automobile, government and private sector research institutes, information technology as well as educational, management and training institutes that attract migrants, students and professionals not only from India but also from South East Asia, Middle East and African countries.

Group photo: GM Abhijit Kunte, GM Viswanathan Anand, GM Vidit Gujrathi,
WGM Soumya Swaminathan and WGM Swati Ghate

Vidit Gujrathi, a bronze medallist at the last edition of the World Junior, will spearhead Indian challenge and will be a strong contender for the title. Vidit (2602) sensationally won the strong Category 16 tournament Lake Sevan in Armenia last week.

Perhaps a tactical tip or two for Vidit? “You are our best bet for the title,
but please don’t pile pressure on yourself” is Anand's adivce to the youngster.

As usual the media has lot of queries for Anand

Speaking on the occasion Anand said “The importance of this Under-20 event can be gauged from the fact that stalwarts of game of chess and world champions like Boris Spassky, Anatoly Karpov, Gary Kasparov and many others first hit the limelight as World Junior Champs. I also gained entry into the big league of chess after winning the World Junior title in 1987. Pendyala Harikrishna, Abhijeet Gupta, Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika and Soumya Swaminathan are the other Indians who have won this tournament in the past.”

Anand admitted that he was surprised by the intensity with which the Chief Minister followed
chess news. “He is the first CM who actually asked me what my current rating is” grinned Anand.

Invited players (top)

• Total No. of Participants – 50
• Total No. Grand Masters – 12
• Total No. of International Masters – 9
• Total No. of FIDE Masters – 7
• Total No. of Candidate Masters – 1
• Total No. of Countries Represented – 25
• Total No. of Indian Players – 10
• Total No. Invited Players – 23
• Total No. Extra Players – 27
• Average Rating of the Participants – 2300

Girls

• Total No. of Participants – 37
• Total No. Women Grand Masters – 1
• Total No. of Women International Masters – 9
• Total No. of FIDE Masters – 2
• Total No. of Countries Represented – 23
• Total No. of Indian Players – 3
• Total No. Invited Players – 15
• Total No. Extra Players – 21
• Average Rating of the Participants – 2090
• Total No. of Participants – 85
• Total No. of Countries Represented – 30
• Total No. of Indian Players – 13
• Total No. Invited Players – 38
• Total No. Extra Players – 47

Tornament information

1. The FIDE World Junior Chess Championships 2014 (for boys & girls under 20) will be held in Pune, INDIA from 5th October (arrival) to 20th October. The Championship will be organized and conducted by Maharashtra Chess Association under the auspices of AICF and FIDE. The Championship will be organized at the Hyatt Pune, adjacent to Aga Khan Palace, 88 Nagar Road, Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411006.

2. Eligibility: Players born on or after 01st January, 1994 are eligible
   a. FIDE Title Holder GMs / WGMs / IMs / WIMs / FMs / WFMs; b. Asian / World Youth Medalist (Gold, Silver and Bronze); c. Boys Elo rating 2000 and above; d. Girls ELO Rating 1800 and above

3. Entry Fee: Rs.12,000 (€147, US $ 197) should be sent to AICF.

4. Mode of Registration: Players desirous of participating should send their entries as duly recommended by the respective state chess associations. The entry form together with a demand draft for Rs.12,000/- favouring All India Chess Federation, payable at Chennai should be sent before 05 August, 2014 to the All India Chess Federation, Room No.70, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Chennai-3. Indian chess players registered with All India Chess Federation alone can participate in the Championships. All applications should be accompanied by date of birth certicate and such certicates should have been obtained from the competent authorities within one year of the birth of the player. All such applications shall be scrutinized by the AICF and if found fit, they will be accepted. The AICF decision will be finnal and binding on such matters.

5. Accommodation: Full board accommodation will be offered in the five star hotel in Pune booked by the organizing committee. Where free wireless connection to all participants is arranged. Free accommodation and full board will be provided to the invited players from the 5th of October (lunch) to the 20th of October (breakfast). Invited participants will be accommodated in double rooms in the official hotels. Every participant accepted as additional (extra) player and all accompanying persons have to make their registration and bookings through the official registration form provided by the Organizing Committee. Hotel payments for all extra players and accompanying persons must be made 50% by the registration deadline of 5th August, and the rest 50% should be before or after arrival and settlement. All payments must be made in Euros (€). No future payments of hotel bills will
   be accepted. Indian players and accompanying persons are free to make their own arrangements for stay and food. However, those who need accommodation at the official hotel, both players and accompanying persons have to compulsorily register through the organizers. Lodging for additional extra players and accompanying persons will cost (upon availability): a. Single room: 1350.00 € Euros (15 days x 90 € Euros per person full board - 3 meals daily included); b. Double room: 900.00 € Euros (15 days x 60 € Euros per person full board - 3 meals daily included); If the invited players request to upgrade his/her room to single room he/she shall pay additional 30 € Euros per day.

6. In the month of October the weather in Pune will be pleasant and the temperature around 30ºC.
    

Rules and regulations

1. The tournament will be played according to the Swiss System in 13 rounds. Only FIDE ratings will be used for the pairings.
2. The FIDE time control is 90 minutes for the rst 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from the the 1st move.
3. No draw offers are allowed before move 30. All other regulations apply as per FIDE Handbook, including zero default time (article 6.6.a of the Laws of Chess).
4. Tie-breaks: After eliminating the lowest rated opponent, the sum of the player’s opponent ratings. The highest total wins. If still tied, elimination of the rating of the next lowest rated opponent(s) until a decision is possible.
5. The winner of the 2014 World Junior Championship u20 (open/boys) receives the GM title. He also qualies to the World Cup 2016, part of the World Championship Cycle 2015-2017.
6. The winner of the 2014 World Girl Junior Championship u20 receives the WGM title. She also qualies to the World Women’s Championship 2015.
7. The silver and bronze medalists of both categories (open/boys u20 and girls u20) receive the IM and WIM titles respectively.
8. GM and IM norms are also possible for the other players based on their performance and their opponent’s titles/ratings as per FIDE handbook requirements.
9. All players and arbiters will be given diplomas for participation.
10. Top three places in every category will be awarded with trophies and medals.

Prizes

The total Prize Fund for the whole tournament, for both Open and Girls Category, is INR 600,000 (€7,400 or US $10,000). Top three places in every category will be awarded with trophies and medals. All players and arbiters will be given diplomas for participation. A special trophy will be given by the Mayor of Pune for Best Indian Male player and Female player.

Playing Schedule

Links Official tournament site All games in PGN The games will be broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.