6/8/2010 – ¡Viene un Genio! That was just one of the modest headlines that ran before Garry Kasparov's visit to Nicaragua last weekend. The 13th world champion was there, together with Nigel Short, to campaign for the 12th, Anatoly Karpov, who is running for FIDE President. Most of the region's federation presidents met with Kasparov and several of them pledged their support.
new: ChessBase 16 - Mega package Edition 2022
Your key to fresh ideas, precise analyses and targeted training!
Everyone uses ChessBase, from the World Champion to the amateur next door. It is the program of choice for anyone who loves the game and wants to know more about it. Start your personal success story with ChessBase and enjoy the game even more.
Your key to fresh ideas, precise analyses and targeted training! Everyone uses ChessBase, from the World Champion to the amateur next door. It is the program of choice for anyone who loves the game and wants to know more about it. Start your personal success story with ChessBase and enjoy the game even more.
The Semi-Slav, Chebanenko system and the Slav triangle are solid and flexible weapons for Black. The repertoire examined on this Video-Course meets them all in a provocative way.
€29.90
Central American Conference with a Special Guest
Garry Kasparov's arrival in Managua to campaign for his old rival Anatoly Karpov
turned into a remarkable regional reunion. From our rapid research it's the
first time any world champion has visited the area. The visit also
made waves because it was part of a listening tour by the Karpov2010 campaign
that brought together many of the Central American federations, several of whom
were meeting each other for the first time. Kasparov was accompanied on his
trip by Richard Conn Jr., the American attorney who is Karpov's deputy president
candidate.
This video clip shows the amazing welcome Kasparov received in Managua.
His trip had been greatly anticipated in the media for over a week.
Kasparov and Conn were met by the former Nicaraguan Federation president Dr. Guy
Bendaña and his son, Julian. They were whisked directly to a big reception at
a country club setting outside of the capital of Managua. Kasparov said he was
amazed by the number of people. "It seemed like every chessplayer in the
country was there with the entire family as well!" he said. There was also
a press conference that attracted every major and minor media outlet in the
country. Well, see for yourself with this behind-the-scenes view.
Here's a brief video of the press conference
The host was Jean-Pierre Chamorro, the president of the Nicaraguan Chess Federation.
Along with neighboring El Salvador and its federation president Marvin Guevara,
Chamorro was an early supporter of Karpov's candidacy, surprising some who believed
Ilyumzhinov would hold a lock on the region. Even more surprises were to come
during this visit, however, as Honduras and the federation president Denis Diaz
also signed on for Karpov. You may recall that several days ago Kirsan Ilyumzhinov's
presidential ticket
was published, with a list of supporting federations. That list included
Honduras.
Gens Una Sumus or the Four Musketeers? Richard Conn Jr. with Marvin Guevara,
Jean-Pierre Chamorro, and Denis Diaz signing a joint letter of support for Karpov.
Costa Rica was also represented, turning the event into a regional conference
and exchange of ideas. But another old friend had come from much further away...
Yes, that was indeed GM Nigel Short, the former world championship challenger,
who has become a globe-trekking chess ambassador – all while raising his
rating! Nigel's personal visits with seemingly 90% of the chess world over the
years, from Central America to Africa to, well, everywhere in between, have
made him an invaluable strategist and advance man for the Karpov campaign. Sandwiched
between the competitors of the 1993 world championship is Gerardo Avellán, vice-president
of the Nicaraguan Federation and the person who kindly helped us with this report,
videos, and photographs. There are more at his
website here.
The Five Musketeers?! Kasparov joins the fun after the scenic river boatride,
which included a pass by Monkey Island.
Richard Conn, who lived and traveled extensively in Latin America and who speaks
fluent Spanish (and Russian), enjoyed the trip and the conversations with his
hosts and fellow visitors. "First I have to thank Jean-Pierre and everyone
else here. The hospitality here has been amazing and the meetings have been
incredibly useful. These gentlemen know what they are doing, they understand
what needs to be done here to promote chess, and they have many ideas about
what FIDE can do to help, instead of hinder, this development. It's a shame
they have been ignored when they are willing to do so much and have shown what
they can do with so few resources."
Asked for specifics by a Nicaraguan paper about what Karpov's administration
would do differently, Conn gave as one example: "These federations are
supposed to receive support and aid from FIDE. Instead, in our meeting one president
pointed out that they had to pay FIDE $16,000 in fees and over the same period
had received $6,500 in development funds! We will reverse that flow. Money needs
to go out to develop chess where it is needed most and where it can do the most
good, instead of taking from them."
Kasparov and Richard Conn Jr. enjoy the attention of young chess fans.
It would appear that Latin America has become a real battleground in the 2010
FIDE election. Now we hear that Kirsan Ilyumzhinov is headed to Costa Rica and
Kasparov will visit Honduras. Karpov and Kasparov will be together in Peru later
this month as well, with other stops to come. No matter who wins the election,
the tight campaign is proving to be an excellent vehicle to promote chess, or
ajedrez, in the region.
As so often happens, Kasparov gets the last word: "This sort of event
is what FIDE should be doing around the world, all the time! There is tremendous
interest and potential. It is very good news for chess that here there are leaders
who see that potential and want to work with Karpov and a new FIDE to make it
happen. Small countries can have a big impact, especially if they come together
like this."
Information, videos, and photographs by Gerardo Avellán
The new Komodo Dragon 3 engine has gained 100 Elo points in playing strength over its predecessor when using a processor core in blitz. That's a huge improvement for a program that already reached at
an Elo level of over 3500!
The new European champion, Matthias Bluebaum, comments. New video series by Jan Markos: "Practical tips for the tournament player". Opening videos by Sokolov, Rogozenco and Marin. 10 opening articles for your oening repertoire and much more!
These video courses feature a black repertoire against 1.d4, 1.Nf3 and 1.c4. The recommended variations are easy to learn and not difficult to remember, but also pose White serious challenges.
Besides covering all the critical lines after 1.d4 & 2.c4, popular systems such as the Trompovsky, London/Jobava System, Torre Attack, Colle System and Veresov are dealt with as well.
This video course offers you a complete, clear repertoire for Black against the moves 1.Nf3 and 1.c4. The recommended variations are easy to learn and not difficult to remember, but also pose White serious challenges.
his video course is aimed as a tactical guide for Black, featuring the most typical combinations for the French structures.
€29.90
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.
Pop-up for detailed settings
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies, analysis cookies and marketing cookies. You can decide which cookies to use by selecting the appropriate options below. Please note that your selection may affect the functionality of the service. Further information can be found in our privacy policy.
Technically required cookies
Technically required cookies: so that you can navigate and use the basic functions and store preferences.
Analysis Cookies
To help us determine how visitors interact with our website to improve the user experience.
Marketing-Cookies
To help us offer and evaluate relevant content and interesting and appropriate advertisement.