Last Tuesday, the Government of South Africa made a giant stride for the popularization and development of chess in the country when it launched the Moves For Life chess programme at a gala dinner. President Jacob Zuma delivered the feature address and announced his support and recognition of chess as a problem-solving training activity. Here are some excerpts from President Zuma’s address:
“I agreed to be a patron and attend this launch because I believe that the time has come for us to mainstream chess as a sport in our country. Contrary to popular belief, chess is a serious sport, and it is a game young people should be encouraged to take part in.”

20101031nationalchess — The National Qualifying Chess Tournament concludes today with the ninth and final round being played this afternoon. The top seven finishers will participate in the National Championships. The current leader is Learie Webster who has not lost a game after six rounds. Learie is pictured at left battling for honours in a previous tournament.

“I learned to play chess under unfavourable conditions while on Robben Island serving a ten year prison sentence. Political prisoners used to sustain and strengthen themselves during incarceration through sports. We used to make chess boards from thin cardboard and chess pieces from corks. Given the opportunity, I would have loved to learn to play at an earlier stage of my life.

That is because knowing how to play the game can prove to be invaluable for any young person. That is why we want to convince parents and teachers that chess is one of the most powerful educational tools available to strengthen and enhance a child’s mind. No amount of video games can teach a child the same level of patience, strategic thinking, concentration, analytical skills and the attention to detail that they would gain from The new programme will carry chess to South African schools in a structured manner with government support.
The President of FIDE Kirsan Ilyumzhinov sent a message to President Jacob Zuma which read in part:
“Due to the inauguration ceremony of the Kalmykian Republic today, I am unable to be with you in Johannesburg for the launch of the ‘Moves For Life’ programme.

“Please accept my warmest regards on this most important occasion for chess and the education establishment in South Africa.”

Anand v Topalov

The ten-round double round robin 2010 Nanjing International Chess Tournament came to an end yesterday. Magnus Carlsen led the field ahead of France’s Etienne Bacrot at the time of writing. In the third position was Vishy Anand. Here is world champion Anand’s game with Veselin Topalov, the number two seed. The game ended in a draw.

Anand, V (2800) – Topalov, V (2803) [E10]
3rd Pearl Spring Nanjing CHN (8), 28.10.2010

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 0-0 7.0-0 c6 8.Qc2 b6 9.Rd1 Nbd7 10.Bf4 Ba6 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Rc8 14.Nc3 Ng4 15.h3 Nxf2 16.Kxf2 Bc5+ 17.Be3 Bxe3+ 18.Kxe3 b5 19.Qd3 Rc4 20.Nxd5 exd5 21.Bxd5 Qg5+ 22.Kf2
22…Qxe5?! 23.Bxc4 bxc4 24.Qd6? Qf5+ 25.Ke1 Qxh3 26.Qxa6.Qxg3+ 27.Kd2 Qf4+ 28.Kc2 Qe4+ 29.Kc1 Qe3+ 30.Kb1 Qe4+ 31.Kc1 ½-½. DRAW.