Final Standings: US Ultimate Blitz Challenge 2016

The last day of the challenge has finished, and Hikaru Nakamura came out to be the overall winner, followed by Wesley So with a full point behind. Garry Kasparov retained his 3rd rank from Day 1, and so did Fabiano Caruana, the champion of the US Chess Championship 2016, his tailender.

US Ultimate Blitz Challenge 2016 Final Standings

US Ultimate Blitz Challenge 2016 Final Standings

Wesley So’s round 10 win over Garry Kasparov was hailed by commentators as “one of the finest attacking game since Morphy!”. Here’s the game:

Thus, at the end of this challenge, the Wesley So vs. Garry Kasparov matchup stands at 4.0-2.0 in favor of Wesley So.

Wesley So leads Day 1 of the US Ultimate Blitz Challenge 2016

9 Rounds down, and 9 rounds to go.

Wesley So lost his very first game in this tournament/challenge against the legendary Garry Kasparov, but he managed to get back at the latter in their next two matchups (thus, their score so far is 2-1 in favor of So). He even come out ahead of the pack at the end of the day. He who scored 5.0 out of 9 games — tied with Hikaru Nakamura in points but leads after the tie-break was applied.

Day 1 Results: US Ultimate Blitz Chess Challenge 2016

Day 1 Results: US Ultimate Blitz Chess Challenge 2016

Garry Kasparov vs. Wesley So in Round 1, US Ultimate Blitz Challenge 2016

Wesley So is facing off Garry Kasparov in the very first round of the US Ultimate Blitz Challenge 2016, the continuation of the US Chess Championship 2016. We’re bringing it to you live!

UPDATE: Kasparov won the Round 1 game against Wesley So. Replay the game below.

Check out the update about the results of Day 1 where Wesley So is leading.

Replay Round 1 game of Garry Kasparov vs. Wesley So below:

Carlsen ahead by a full point with 2 rounds to go at Norway Chess 2016

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Chessbase reports on Norway Chess: Carlsen and Aronian win:

In round seven Magnus Carlsen played against Vladimir Kramnik, one of his predecessors as World Champion. Carlsen seemed well prepared and won a fine strategic game in which he exploited Black’s weak square f5 in textbook fashion. Levon Aronian used his space advantage to harass Black’s king and to win with a mating attack. The three other games were drawn.

With the way Carlsen is playing outstanding chess in recent months, I wonder if he gets to break the 2900 ELO rating barrier anytime soon?

Check out Carlsen’s win against Kramnik in Round 7 of Altibox Norway Chess 2016.

The Soviet Defector

The Guardian: I was a Soviet defector. Chess was my door to freedom by Lev Alburt:

Finally, I decided to defect in June 1979. But on an Aeroflot flight from Moscow to Frankfurt, I began to waver. I was already missing my family, my friends. Perhaps I would, after all, come back – one more time, just one? To stiffen my resolve, I grabbed a copy of Pravda, the Communist party’s propaganda paper.

Interesting read. The only thing questionable is his admiration for Vladimir Putin. Otherwise, a good trip down memory lane.

Wesley So vs. Garry Kasparov (2016)

You heard it right. It’s happening! In 6 blitz games.

BLITZ PROMO_v02

As a bonus to the US Chess Championship 2016 event, the top 3 finishers, which of course include Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, and Hikaru Nakamura, all members of the top 10 in the recent FIDE Ratings List, will play in a 4-way sextuple round robin with the legendary Garry Kasparov.

A Quiet Attack

Time for some puzzles. White to move and win.

[fen_compat]2r5/pp2kp2/3q1p1Q/4p3/6b1/1B6/P1P3PP/1K3R2 w – – 0 1[/fen_compat]

Submit your solution in the comments below.