The year 2009 promises to be one with a packed schedule for the organization. The federation expects to be re-admitted to FIDE (World Chess Organization), and in so doing, obtain international rating points for its players. In the meantime, the federation is continuing with its efforts to develop the game locally in schools.
In September-October, the federation is thinking of fielding a small team to participate in the Suriname Open chess tournament. The tournament is FIDE rated , and participants usually come from Caricom countries, Aruba, Curacao and the Netherlands. Over the years, International Masters (one rank below that of Grandmasters) have played in the tournament.
There is also a plan by the federation to introduce chess at the Teachers’ Training College, since its student teachers originate from various parts of Guyana.
Some reside and teach in the hinterland communi-ties, and this circumstance would present a fine opportunity for chess to be taught in those communities, and to develop the game there.
‘Chess via the Internet,’ a programme where chess will be available to players at Internet cafes will be introduced to the public later this year. By sourcing the software at a cafe, players could determine whether they want to play against the computer at a certain level, or whether they would prefer to study an opening, the middlegame or the endgame − or simply play with other chess players from around the world. This is an ambitious project that would need the cooperation of the cafe owners from around the country. Schoolchildren can improve the quality of their play by leaps and bounds using such a facility. A person knowing nothing of the game can also learn quickly using this feature.
Kasparov plays on the net sometimes; Nigel Short is a regular; Fischer played on the net and so do a number of other grandmasters.
Tomashevsky v Malakhov
The European Championship in Montenegro produced a final between Russian grandmasters − Evgeny Tomashevsky and Vladimir Malakhov. Tomashevsky won the first rapid game, but lost the second one. An Armageddon (sudden death) game was therefore required. Malakhov had the Black pieces and four minutes on his clock to finish the game. Tomashevsky had White and five minutes. But Black needed only a draw, to win the title. Malakhov managed to create a winning position, but blundered a Rook and lost the game.
Tomashevsky, E (2664) – Malakhov, V (2692)
10th EICC Playoff Budva MNE (4.3), 18.03.2009
1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Be2 g6 6.0-0 Bg7 7.d4 0-0 8.Bd2 e6 9.Rc1 Nbd7 10.Qb3 Ne4 11.Rfd1 f5 12.Be1 Kh8 13.Bf1 g5 14.Nd2 g4 15.Ne2 Ndf6 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Nf4 Rf6 18.cxd5 exd5 19.f3 gxf3 20.gxf3 Ng5 21.Bg2 Rh6 22.Bg3 Qe7 23.Rf1 Be6 24.Rce1 Rg8 25.Qd3 Bc8 26.Kf2 Qf7 27.Rh1 Ne6 28.Reg1 Nxf4 29.Bxf4 Rg6 30.Bf1 Bf6 31.Rxg6 Qxg6 32.Qa3 Qg7 33.Qd6 Rd8 34.Qb4 Rg8 35.a4 h6 36.b3 Kh7 37.Qd2 Qe7 38.Qc2 Bg5 39.Bxg5 Qxg5 40.Qd3 Kh8 41.Qc3 f4 42.exf4 Qh4+ 43.Ke3 Re8+ 44.Kd2 Qxf4+ 45.Kc2 Re3 46.Qa5 Bf5+ 47.Kb2 Qxd4+ 48.Ka2
Black has a forced mate: 48…Bb1+ 49.Kxb1 Qd1+ 50.Ka2 Qxb3+ 51.Ka1 Qd1+ 52.Ka2 Qc2+ 53.Ka1 Ra3#, but in the heat of the battle Malakhov throws it away: 48…Re1?? 49.Qxe1 Bg6 50.Qa1 and it’s all over. Black Resigns. 1-0.
