Raj Parakh & Jay Narale in FIDE Rating List: 30.06.2009

Raj Parakh (1876) and Jay Narale (1420) have entered the July 2009 FIDE Rating List. On behalf of the entire Chess School I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to both of them. Keep the momentum going!!

Partial Rating for Abhishek Shetty, Romil Shah & Priya Lotlikar: 30.06.2009

14-year old Abhishek Shetty, 12-year old Romil Shah and 15-year old, Priya Lotlikar have achieved partial rating by virtue of their performance in the FIDE Rating tournaments held between April-June 2009. I hope that these players would be able to complete their full rating performance and find their names in the September 2009 list - FIDE would now be publishing the list every 2-months!!

Triumph of Two 'R'!!: 29.06.2009

This edition of the bi-monthly Inter-Class event was dominated by two 'R' - Romil Shah from the Senior's section and Rohit Panicker from the Junior's section. They both won with a perfect score of 4/4!! Check the results and see the photos:

Enjoyed Movie: 13.06.2009

Today we had the screening of 'Searching for Bobby Fischer', which was thoroughly enjoyed by all the trainees (and some of the parents!).

When asked for the best scene from the movie, most of the trainees enjoyed Vinnie's training to Josh!!

Classes now twice a Week!!: 01.06.2009

The new academic year rings in renewed vigour and enthusiasm at the School so as to achieve Chess excellence.

In pursuit of these dreams, the ICS will now function twice a week on Saturdays (Practice/Tournament games/Analysis) from 5.15 to 6.45 and 1-hour training on Sundays!!

Results of Level-2 Exams: 31.05.2009

The following students have successfully passed the Level-2 Exams conducted in April 2009:

1. Karan Shah 2. Siddharth Chandarana 3. Varun Gajaria 4. Kushal Ramaiah 5. Mandar Deshpande

Time-Table of BCA Tournament: 31.05.2009

BCA would be conducting its District level tournament as per the following Schedule:

And, We have a Perfect Score!!: 27.05.2009

You can click here to see the much awaited results of the level-1 exams for the beginning students conducted in April 2009 and, for the first time we have a perfect score!!

12-year old Vatsal Shah has the honour of scoring 200/200!! My congratulations to Vatsal and all other trainees in the merit list.

I am confident that the knowledge acquired by them in the training sessions would be translated into victories in the tournaments.

The trainees/parents/guardians can verify their papers on 07th June 2009 after which, the Diploma would be awarded to the successful students.

Jai Ho !!: 26.05.2009

You can see my report on the Mumbai Mayor's by clicking the following link:

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5432

Great Results !!: 24.05.2009

The hard work before the tournament has paid off in the form of great results in the 2nd edition of the Mumbai Mayor's International Rating Tournament.

The following trainees were able to complete full/partial rating performance:

1) Jay Narale (Completed rating Performance)

2) Priya Lotlikar (Completed rating Performance)

3) Romil Shah (Partial Rating Requirements)

Besides the above performance, I would like to make a special mention of one of my ex-student, Raj Parakh, a former Inter-School champion (He has also played against the now super GM P.Harikrishna at the Bikaner Sub-Junior Nationals in the late nineties!!).

He is now a software specialist, working at Pune and was making a comeback to Chess after a gap of more than 10-years! However, it seems that he has not lost his touch as he completed his rating performance in just 1-event. He played with 11-rated players and secured 50% results!! In fact, he was in contention for the best Un-rated player as he had 5.5/9 however; two losses in the last two rounds to a FM Shardul Gagare and also a higher rated player, V.S. Negi ended his aspirations. Raj will enter the July 2009 rating list with 1876 ELO Rating. Bravo!!

All the Best!!: 29.04.2009

In the inaugural Mumbai Mayor's International Chess Tournament 2008 held last year, 3-trainees of Indian Chess School were able to get their FIDE Ratings. To continue this success story, a 12-day camp was conducted for 14-trainees (inclusive of 2-rated and 1-partially rated who would be participating in the 2 nd edition of the Mumbai Mayor's event scheduled to commence from 1st May 2009. Read More

Summer Chess Coaching Camp: 29.03.2009

Indian Chess School would be conducting Summer Chess Coaching Camp at Bima Nagar High School, Vallabh Nagar, Opp. Shanti Ashram Bus Depot, Borivali (West), Mumbai - 400103 from 16th - 30th April 2009 as per details given below:

1. Advanced Players (50-hours)
2. Intermediate Players (30-hours)
3. Beginning Players (30-hours)

The School has done away with the conventional methods of Chess training with Demo Boards and instead would be using Multimedia Presentation using latest Chess software through Projector, Giant Screen and Laptoop!!

1. Download Prospectus in pdf
2. Download Prospectus in word
3. Download Registration Form in Word

Traxler's Windmills: - 07.03.2009

One of the most complicated openings; 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5!?, originally known as Wlkes Baree variation of the "Two Knight's Defense" can be credited to the Czech Master Karel Traxler.

To quote Dr. Savelly Tartakover from his '100 Master Games of Modern Chess' "the honor of discovering this brilliant line belongs to the players of the American Wilkes Barre Club, although Czechs affirm Karel Traxler to be its spiritual father".'

"Karel Traxler, a priest from the Dubi village near Strakonice (Czechoslovakia), suggested the Rook sacrifice as early as 1896. K.Traxler was undoubtedly a talented player, which is proven by his formidable performance in the national tournament at Veseli in 1902. He scored 100 per cent and finished in front of O.Duras, who he outplayed in a convincing manner."

This book contains references to several correspondence games played by the Wilkes-Barre Chess Club, circa 1931. Also games by Karel Traxler himself, from the 1890s!

Have a look at Traxler's Windmills and enjoy!! Chess at its best!!

The deep analysis of the variation is the hard work of Dan Heisman in his enjoyable "The Traxler Variation of the Two Knights"

Welcome to "Zero Start" Rule: 06.02.2009

The "Zero Start" rule would be made mandatory for all FIDE events by July 2009. Now what is this rule and what bearing does it have on a game?

The new FIDE regulation on 'Zero Start" stipulates that the beginning of the playing session/s (respective rounds) shall be announced by the Chief Arbiter or by a single acoustic signal. At this instant, any Player who is not seated at his/her Match (board) shall be defaulted immediately. Where both Players are absent at the beginning of the playing session, both Players shall lose the game by default.

This regulation was very much necessary because Chess was the only sport wherein one player had the luxury to come come at any time before the stipulated walk-over time (an hour!!), which is bad for sports.

The next logical rule, which FIDE would definitely bring it in near future is the 'Dress Code' for players (used successfully at the last European Union). Wouldn't it be great if all the players adhere to a pre-determined Chess code? Such etiquettes also help in attracting sponsors, which is a need in Chess!

It would be in fitness of things if the District, State and National Chess bodies in India start implementing this rule in all the official tournaments well before 01st July 2009 so that players can get accustomed to it.

Well done FIDE!!

1st Scholastic Chess Tournament :

Jay Pradhan (Under-15), Vrushali Deodhar (Under-13), Akshay Umare (Under-11), current state and national medalist, Anand Nadar (Under-09) and Aayush Dalvi (Under-07) were crowned as champions in the Indian Chess School's 1st Scholastic Chess Tournament held at Bima Nagar High School on 01 st February 2009. Pictorial Report

Overwhelming Response -

Entries Closed!! :

Indian Chess School would like to thank the Mumbai Chess fraternity for the overwhelming response for its 1st 'ICS Scholastic Chess Tournament' (I have re-christened it !!).

The entries for this event stands 'closed'.

Reti's Problem World!! :

Richard Réti (1889-1929) is considered as one of the greatest chess player, chess author, and composer of endgame studies.

Source: Wikipedia

One of the top players in the world during the 1910s and 1920s, he began his career as a fiercely combinative classical player, favoring openings such as the King's Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. f4). However, after the end of the First World War , his playing style underwent a radical change, and he became one of the principal proponents of hyper modernism , along with Aron Nimzowitsch and others. Indeed, with the notable exception of Nimzowitsch's acclaimed book My System , he is considered to be the movement's foremost literary contributor. The Réti Opening (1. Nf3) is named after him. Réti famously defeated the world champion José Raúl Capablanca in New York in 1924 using this opening – Capablanca's first defeat for eight years, the only one to Réti, and the first since becoming World Champion . Réti was also a notable composer of endgame studies .

His writings have also become "classics" in the chess world. Modern Ideas in Chess (1923) and Masters of the Chess Board (1933) are still studied today.

We will have a look at one of his famous studies with white to play and win. Have a look at the Solution if you are not able to solve.

Republic Day Greetings!! : 26.01.2009

Indian Chess School salutes the Nation on its 60th Republic Day!!

Anshul, Karan, Atit & ShubhamTriumphs: 25.01.2009

Anshul Bhosale (C-group), Karan Shah (B-group) and FIDE rated, Atit Gupta/Shubham Kumethekar (A-group) were crowned as champions in the ICS Inter-Class Chess Tournament held at its school today.

The event had attracted 52 entries comprising of students from all the batches including 4-FIDE rated players!

Congratulations winners! The prize distribution ceremony for this event would be held on 01st Feb., 2009 along with the ICS Age-group open.

Results and Photographs in PDF File

Dhanashree Meets her Idol & Plays with him!! :

It is not everyday that you get an opportunity to meet your idol and, the icing is when you get an opportunity to play with him!

Dhanashree Pandit, a very familiar name in Mumbai' Chess circuit got an opportunity to meet her Idol - GM Anand and also a game against her in the NIIT Simul at Pune.

She justified her strength by holding the World Championship for more than 35 moves. Have a look at the game!!

Colombo International Chess Festival: 22.01.2009

My friend from Sri Lanka, Mr.Luxman Wijesuriya is conducting the 2nd Colombo International Chess Festival 2009 from 19th to 25th February 2009.

I had the opputunity to play (with fair bit of success!!) at Colombo in 2007 and, I recommend this event and enjoy fantastic hospitality. This being an off-season, you can get return tickets for as low as Rs.7500!! Circular

Aum Biyani - Shaping the future: 20.01.2009

Aum Biyani – A promising 8-year old Chess Player from Mumbai and, an environmentalist – His article – “Shaping the Future” makes an interesting reading!! You can browse through this article on www.latestchess.com.

My thanks to Sandeep Gohad, editor of the latestchess for encouraging young kids by publishing their achievements.

Shubh Shah is the 'School Champion':

9-year old and 3rd grade student of Gundecha High School, Kandivali East won his School Championship. Congrats Shubh!! Besides this, he has also won prizes in the MCF 2007 Chess Championship

Indian Chess School's Age-Group Open: 14.01.2009

While wishing everyone a 'Happy Makarsankrati', I also take pleasure in informing that the much awaited Indian Chess School's Age-group Tournament has materialized and is now scheduled on 1st February 2009!! Click here to download the entry form.

Kindly send the entries as early as possible because the tournament hall can accommodate only 100 players.

01.01.2009

Indian Chess School Wishes 'A Very Happy New Year 2009'