CHESS#1250

Chess doesn't have a dress code beyond the broad one of not wearing something (or behaving in a manner) that may distract your opponent. People have tried wraparound reflective glass cargo shorts, three-piece suits and track-pants. Unfortunately the last world championship in Tehran was marred by a mandatory hijaab in the dress code. That provoked withdrawals. The Chess Federation of Iran could at least plead extenuating circumstances since the Islamic Republic imposes that on every woman. However, Iran then proceeded to ban 18-year-old WGM Dorsa Derakhshani for playing in Gibraltar, sans hijab.
 
The latest outrage involves a 12-year-old at the National Scholastic Chess Tournament in Putrajaya, Malaysia. A reigning district champion who is one of the most promising players in Malaysia was warned for “dress code violation”. The chief arbiter said her clothes were “seductive”, and “a temptation from a certain angle”. She was wearing a striped outfit which looks like a normal school uniform.

 
The girl and her family were very upset and withdrew. Her family and coach have since threatened legal action. Without delving into the mind of someone who finds 12-year-olds a temptation, this is the kind of publicity chess doesn't need. There is a huge gender disparity anyway. A “dress code” like this will drive girls away.
 

In other news, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov defended his title at the Gashimov Memorial. That's terrific, given a super strong field. “Shakh” scored 5.5 from 9, with a loss to Radek Wojtaszek balanced off by wins versus Wesley So, Pavel Eljanov and Vladimir Kramnik. He broke So's streak of 69 unbeaten games.

 
So, Kramnik and Veselin Topalov shared second place with 5 each. Wojtaszak, Michael Adams and Sergei Karjakin scraped 50 per cent (4.5 each) while Teimour Radjabov (4), Pentala Harikrishna (3.5) and Eljanov (3.5) brought up the rear.
 
Anish Giri won the Reyjavik Open scoring 8.5 /10. Abhijeet Gupta (8) tied for second and Dronavalli Harika (7) won the prize for the best score by a woman. The “disappointments” were the youngsters, Praggnanandhaa R (6), Vaishali R (5) and Nihal Sarin (6). All of them gained rating but missed norms.     
 
The Diagram, WHITE TO PLAY, (White: Gawain Jones Vs Black: Praggnanandhaa, Reykjavik 2017) shows how even a very strong GM goes wrong, faced with stubborn resistance. Black's been close to a loss for the last 30 moves but hung on.

 
White played 48.Rxf7?! [This draws while 48.Bb3 keeps crushing pressure] Play went 48...Qxf7 49.Bb3? [49. Rxe6 Rc5 has compensation. Now Black's winning with pluperfect play.] Pragga found 49...Rc1+ 50.Kh2 R8c5!! 51.Qe4 Kf8! 52.Rxe6 Qc7+! [Or 52.Bxe6 Qc7! loses too] 53.g3 Qf7!! [Ice-cold courage] 54.Qg2 Qxe6! 55.Qf2+ Ke7 [Jones may have missed 55.Qf3+ Rf5! 56. Qxf5+ Qxf5 57. gf5 Rb1] (0-1).
 
Devangshu Datta is an internationally rated chess and correspondence chess player