Tag Archives: Chessdom.com

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Armchair Warrior Random Chess

During the recent US Chess Championships hosted by the St. Louis Chess Campus Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan

mentioned something about Alexander Shabalov

wanting him to consider playing for the US team at the World Senior Championship. Yasser said he did not want to spend the untold hours it would take studying openings, but that he would consider playing in a Fischer Random, aka Chess960, type tournament because a player must create his own theory. From the interviews of the young players participating in the US Chess Championships it was obvious they come prepared with computer program generated lines that extend into the middle game. There is no longer any human creativity in Chess. The human players simply copy what the strongest computer Chess programs create.

I never understood what is called “Fischer Random Chess.” The game begins with a position chosen by a COMPUTER. I would prefer “Armchair Warrior Random Chess.” The game would begin with two players facing each other behind a board with only pawns on the second rank of each side of the board. White would make the first move, the Black would answer with the next two moves. Then it would continue with White placing a piece, followed by Black placing a piece until all the pieces have been placed on the board. The best thing about AWRC is there is no need for a computer to determine the initial set-up of the pieces. Think about it…the power goes out and you can still play some kind of random Chess.

Hikaru Nakamura Wins 2022 Fisher Random World Championship

https://en.chessbase.com/post/hikaru-nakamura-is-fischer-random-world-champion

What, exactly, is Naka holding? The first thought after seeing the above picture was of something my friend, Ron “Lieutenant Shoulders” Sargent said about performing when the game is on the line and “that little lump of shit gets caught in your throat.” Whatever it is, a sculpture made of lava stone says the article, congratulations to Hikaru Nakamura on his deserved World Championship, because in many ways it is more meaningful than the actual World Chess Championship, at least according to GM Yasser Seirawan, and this writer.

https://www.chessdom.com/hikaru-nakamura-on-his-frc-world-championship-title/
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Chess Has Been Rear Ended

What with the recent onslaught of negative publicity concerning the obviously rampant cheating in Chess I had not intended on watching the US Chess Championships thinking it akin to watching a train wreck. Then again, inquiring minds wast to know and there I was, again glued to the screen watching, and listening, to the action. Younger people accustomed to seeing the game as it is being played will not understand what it means to we wily ol’ veterans who had to be there, as I was in San Antonio in 1972,

to watch the action. To not watch the US Chess Championships emanating from the house that Rex built and miss all the drama and excitement when the first round began was simply not possible. After all, how many train wrecks have been seen with these old eyes? I did not want to read about it, but wanted to see for myself what has become a soap opera, “As The Chess World Turns.” As round time approached my thinking gravitated to something my friend Brian McCarthy was so fond of saying, “Just get me to the round on time!” The coverage of the US Chess Championships has again been excellent and I have immensely enjoyed watching the games.

The plan for today was to show the picture that follows with a headline of, “Is that a banana in your pocket or are trying to cheat me?”

There was a picture of players still in line waiting to be checked out by Mr. Security after the round had already started. Irena Krush was pacing like a caged animal with Hans Niemann standing near her, also waiting to be examined. “Trust, but verify” is obviously the M.O. of the Chess tournament.

That was prior to seeing the headline of the lead article at Chessdom, which has become one of, it not the best sources of information on the internet:

Hikaru Nakamura: Hans Niemann is trying to play the victim (https://www.chessdom.com/hikaru-nakamura-hans-niemann-is-trying-to-play-the-victim/)

Yeah, well, Hans Niemann is playing for the title of US Chess Champion, Naka, and where are you?

https://www.chessdom.com/hikaru-nakamura-hans-niemann-is-trying-to-play-the-victim/

Then there is GM Ivan Sokolov:

https://chess4less.com/products/ivans-chess-journey-games-and-stories-ivan-sokolov?_pos=4&_sid=4ee385f60&_ss=r

Cheating in chess discussions… Many claim cheating online is not as bad as OTB. Sorry! It is exactly the same! The ONLY reason online cheaters do not do OTB is they did not (yet) figure out how to do it but -would LOVE to! Cheating – life time ban! Game has to be clean!

from Mayrhofen, Austria·Twitter for Android (https://www.chessdom.com/ivan-sokolov-cheating-in-chess-online-is-as-bad-as-cheating-otb/)

Sounds nice, Ivan, until you realize that if the true numbers are ever published by Chess.com there would not be enough players left for the game to survive because if one wants to win at Chess.com one MUST CHEAT! GM Solokov obviously lives in a fantasy world, oblivious to the current situation at Chess.com.

Then there was the article seen this morning with my first cuppa Joe: KNIGHT MARE Chess ‘cheat’ goes through full body scan at US Championships – including his BUM

https://www.the-sun.com/news/6386433/chess-cheat-bum-scan-championships/

“A TEEN chess champ accused of cheating got a full body scan — including his bum — before his latest tournament.

A security guard checked out Hans Niemann and raised a laugh when he got to his rear.”

Chess has been pilloried and ridiculed in the press and made a laughingstock by the media, yet I still love the game and cannot wait to see what today will bring. How about you?

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FIDE Finally Decides To Close The Barn Door After The Horse Has Bolted

In the press release given today, FIDE announces to form an investigatory panel for the Carlsen-Niemann controversy. Three members of the FIDE Fair-Play Commission will form the panel with the possibility to call external experts for consultation. The focus of investigation will be to check Magnus Carlsen’s claims of alleged cheating by Niemann and Niemann’s self-statement regarding online cheating.

“Following the recent developments in the Carlsen-Niemann controversy, FIDE’s Fair Play Commission (FPL) has decided to act ex-officio and create an Investigatory Panel (IP). Three members of the Commission will form this panel, and it will also have the possibility to call for a consultation with external experts wherever analysis is required.

The focus of the investigation would be twofold: checking the World Champion’s claims of alleged cheating by Niemann and Niemann’s self-statement regarding online cheating.

As stated by Fair Play Chairperson Salomeja Zaksaite, the FPL is ready to examine the circumstances, compile and analyze all the data and evidence available, and ascertain the facts and allegations that have been made public. The panel will ensure a fair ruling, protecting the rights of both parties during the investigation.

“In the best interest of the chess community, we would kindly ask the public to refrain from speculations on the outcomes and potential sanctions until all available facts are well considered, and a proper investigation is finalized,” added Mrs Zaksaite.” (https://www.chessdom.com/fides-fair-play-commission-forms-the-investigatory-panel-for-the-carlsen-niemann-controversy/)

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Young American Hans Niemann Defeats World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen at the Sinquefield Cup

The AW had not planned on putting together a post today but things changed when Grandmaster Hans Niemann

Niemann: “I believe that these [first] three games have encapsulated my strength and potential as a player, but I’m still improving, I’m still learning…you don’t become World Champion in a day, it’s a gradual process. […] If I didn’t have this opportunity, who knows how long it would take me to show that I can beat top players. | Photo Courtesy of Saint Louis Chess Club, Lennart Ootes (https://www.chessdom.com/hans-niemann-beats-magnus-carlsen-to-be-in-the-sole-lead-of-the-sinquefield-cup-2022/)

defeated the best, and highest rated Chess player on the planet, the current World Chess Champion, Magnus Carlsen, yesterday. If you are an American, young or old, and you defeat the World Chess Champ your game will be published here, too.

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Arkady Dvorkovich’s Dirty Laundry In The News

Dvorkovich in the news

by kevinspraggettonchess · Published July 15, 2018 · Updated July 16, 2018

Accuses Makro of Corruption and Nepotism

http://www.spraggettonchess.com/dvorkovich-in-the-news/

Arkady Dvorkovich in the pre-sanctions list of the US Treasury: New problems for FIDE?

Jul 26, 2018

After the inclusion of its former president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov in the sanctions list of the US Treasury, the banking problems of FIDE seem to never end.

According to our sources, this week one more European financial institution, LHV Bank with branches in London and Tallinn, refused to open an account for FIDE although it is now public knowledge that Kirsan Ilyumzhinov is not running.

Facing the reality of Ilyumzhinov not getting re-elected after the infamous Glen Stark scandal, Russia replaced him with another candidate: the former Russian deputy prime minister Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich.

The problem is that Russia’s new candidate is also included in a pre-sanctions list of the US Treasury for, among others, alleged “human rights violations, annexation of Crimea and ongoing military operations in eastern Ukraine” by Russia: http://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/30/politics/full-us-list-of-russian-oligarchs-with-putin-ties-intl/index.html , a risk factor that might have influenced the decision of LHV Bank to reject FIDE as a customer, at least until the elections in October are over.
http://www.chessdom.com/arkady-dvorkovich-in-the-pre-sanctions-list-of-the-us-treasury-new-problems-for-fide/

Dvorkovich: “Hopefully, we will be able to avoid a dirty campaign”

by Georgios Souleidis 7/27/2018

https://en.chessbase.com/post/fide-election-interview-with-arkady-dvorkovich

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Glen Stark Responds

I read about a fellow named “Glen Stark” at Chessdom (http://www.chessdom.com/virtual-candidate-in-ilyumzhinovs-ticket/) the other day.

“In the CV of the person named “Glen Stark”, as sent to several members of the chess community including members of FIDE and the Russian Chess Federation (see the images below), it is written that Glen Stark’s website is http://www.glstark.com and, among others, his CV (RUS) states that he is:

a) vice-president of the US government controlled executive board of Office of American Innovation https://www.darpa.mil,
b) a “member” of several private companies,
c) a member of the Board of the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania and
d) a member of the Writers Guild of America.”

The article gave an email for Mr. Stark so I sent him an email:

Mr. Stark,

I write a quasi Chess blog, the Armchair Warrior. (https://xpertchesslessons.wordpress.com/)

Having read articles at Chessdom.com concerning your being on Kirsan Ilyumzhinov’s ticket I thought an email from you would help clear up the question(s) concerning your existence.

I checked the name “Glen Stark” at the USCF, finding that someone named Glen Stark joined the USCF recently. Would that happen to be you?

16712307 Unrated Unrated Unrated NJ 2019-04-30 STARK, GLEN, V

Regards,

Michael Bacon

We were gone most of the day. Upon returning the following reply was found in my inbox:

Glen Stark
To:Michael Bacon
May 6 at 8:56 PM
Hello Michael:

Sorry to say that I am not the Glen Stark you are looking for. Looks like you have a Glen V. Stark. I am C. Glen Stark.

All the best.

Glen

My reply:

I greatly appreciate your response, sir. You need to be aware your email has been published at Virtual candidate in Ilyumzhinov’s ticket? (update 3) | Chessdom

We just returned home and I will post your reply, and notify you when published.

All the best to you, too!

Michael