Chess News
March 8th is Women's Day, celebrated throughout the world. In Belgrade it even has its own tournament, this year celebrating its 50th edition, which runs through March 13th.
The first Women's International Tournament was organised between March 8th and 24th, 1965. Since then it has become an annual tradition in the Serbian capital, with the exception of 1980 (cancelled due to lack of funding) and 1984 (when only local players participated so it wasn't "international").
Twelve players from Serbia, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, France and Bosnia and Hercegovina are participating this year. After five rounds, Jovana Rapport (wife of Richard) is in clear first with 5.0 / 6.
The women of the 50th International Tournament | Photo: Courtesy the city of Belgrade
The live games transmission has been spotty, but when games are broadcast we'll have them on live.chessbase.com.
In anticipation of Women's Day in Moscow, the "most beautiful chess tournament in the city" was played last Sunday, and "Blondes vs. Brunettes", as it's known, has also become a traditional competition, albeit one with a bit more flair. Organiser WGM Maria Forminykh instigated the event for the eighth time, which was played in the famous Central Chess Club on Gogolevsky Boulevard.
Blonds vs. Brunettes | Photo: Vladimir Barsky
Among the participants were two former world champions: Alexandra Kosteniuk and Anna Ushenina. Also in the mix were Valentina Gunina, Olga Giryaa, Natalia Zhukova, Daria Charochkina, Daria Voit, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Karina Ambartsumova, Alexandra Goryachkina, Marina Nechaeva, Elmira Mirzoeva, Dina Drozdova, Irina Sudakova, Alina Bivol and last, but not least, Maria Fominykh herself.
Daria Charochkina, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Karina Ambartsumova | Photo: Vladimir Barsky
The two teams played a match using the Scheveningen system. Each blond played a blitz game against each brunette at a rate of 3 minutes plus 2 seconds per move. All players were decked out in with dresses by designer Olga Grinyuk.
At the end of the day, the brunettes left with the edge, the final score, 37 : 27. Alexandra Kosteniuk was the best performer with 7 out of 8. Anna Ushenina was close behind, with 6½ out of 8.
Alexandra Kosteniuk | Photo: Vladimir Barsky
Anna Ushenina | Photo: Vladimir Barsky
Here's a brief video highlight:
"What if the queen, the symbol of strength is rendered powerless?"
So asks the new social activism site from Project Nanhi Kali, which "works with parents and communities to counsel them of the importance of sending their girls to school."
The initiative gets a boost from IM Tania Sachdev, who posted this promotional video:
Something for all of us to think about. To take action. And to change. Just as in chess one can't win if the queen is powerless, how can a nation succeed if half of its population is powerless. Take up the challenge on https://t.co/AfGF93l7Vx @NanhiKali #powerlessqueen pic.twitter.com/z6cW2nFDHi
— Tania Sachdev (@TaniaSachdev) March 7, 2018
The challenge itself is simply a 30-second chess game against the computer, but with a twist, you'll quickly discover if you give it a go. It's a bit of a gimmick, but one which makes a profound point about fairness.
Andre Schulz contributed to this story
