CHESS #632

The statistical study of chessplayers’ ratings by Leo Battesti has kicked off a storm. It’s been pointed out that several national federations have their own internal rating systems similar to the Fide rating but not the same. The USCF for example, has a national rating system. Hence, quite a few active players would not be represented on the Fide databases.

More than statistical conclusions, there is controversy about the political agenda. The study pressed for a proportional voting system where federations with more rated players got a larger weight in the Fide electoral college (rather the current one nation = one vote).

India would be a massive gainer but it would completely upset the status quo. Any electoral system can be gamed (Kenneth Arrow won an Economics Nobel for proving this) and while the current system is open to abuse, others would also be.

The upcoming Fide elections promise much contention. It’s not clear if Karpov’s nomination as presidential candidate by the Russian Federation will stand. ‘Defending’ president Kirsan would like the Russian nomination and complex machinations are in progress.

Sergei Karjakin won the Fourth ACP Rapid World Cup in Odessa. He came through Armageddon in the final against Dmitry Jakovenko. He also won a tiebreak in the semis against Alexander Grischuk and Armageddon in the quarters versus Alexey Shirov . The surprise factor was the 51-year-old Mikhail Gurevich making it till the semis — ‘Guru’ eliminated Gashimov and Ivanchuk.

Anish Giri had a dominating 2935 performance in the Sigeman when he belted out 4.5 from 5 games. His nearest rivals were Nil Grandelius (third with 2.5) and Jon Ludvig Hammer (second with 3.5). The key last round game saw Giri beat Hammer. Meanwhile, Bu Xiangzhi leads with 7 points from 10 games in the 12-player round robin Chinese Championship. He’s followed by Zhou Jianchao and Wang Hao , who have both scored 6.5.

The diagram, WHITE TO PLAY, (Giri Vs Hammer, Sigeman 2010) is a moment of truth. Giri had assumed 38. Rc6 was winning but then realised that 38. - Rxc6 39.Bxc6 Ke7 was very difficult to convert. So he tried 38.Rc5 Ra2 ? However., 38. - Ra4! 39. Bxb5 Rxb4 40. Bd3 f5! 41. Rc2 e5! probably holds the draw due to the active play after e4.

Now white finishes efficiently enough with 39.Bxb5 h4 - black loses because 39. - Rxb2 40. Rxg5 etc, and after 40.b3 hxg3+ 41.hxg3 g4 42.Ba4 gxf3 43.Kxf3 Rd2 44.Rc7 Nf5 45.b5 Rd6 46.g4 Ne7 47.Rc2 Rb6 48.Ke4 Ke8 49.Kd4 Rb8 50.Ke5 Nd5 51.e4 Ne7 52.Rc7 Rb6 53.Kd4 Kd8 54.Rxe7 Kxe7 55.Kc5 Rb8 56.b6 Kd8 57.e5 Rc8+ 58.Bc6 Rb8 59.b4 Kc8 60.b5 (1-0).

Devangshu Datta is an internationally rated chess and correspondence chess player