<![CDATA[NIMBLE MINDS CHESS - Blog]]>Thu, 02 Jan 2025 15:10:49 +0000Weebly<![CDATA[GM Carlsen breached chess dress code]]>Wed, 01 Jan 2025 10:22:37 GMThttp://nimblemindschess.org/blog/carlsen-breached-chess-dress-codeGM Magnus Carlsen withdrew from the World Chess Rapid Championships on 27 December 2024 after attending one of the tournament rounds dressed wearing jeans in breach of the players conduct under 4.10 of the tournament regulations (see link to BBC news).  

To everyone's surprise Carlsen "rejoined" the tournament after "elegant adjustments" were made to the dress code (see link to FIDE statement).  Carlsen concluded the World Blitz Championship sharing the Open title with Nepomniachtchi (see link to FIDE news).









]]><![CDATA[Taster/Sample Chess Classes for Students]]>Tue, 17 Sep 2024 14:21:34 GMThttp://nimblemindschess.org/blog/tastersample-chess-classes-for-studentsWe are organising taster chess classes!

These classes are perfect for beginners to introduce them to the world of chess.  Beginners will learn the basic rules and piece movements to get them started on their chess journey.
Chess is not just a game but also a tool to improve concentration, mental calculation, and problem-solving skills.  
Whether you or your child is curious about chess or you're looking to introduce them to a new hobby, this taster class is the perfect opportunity to spark their interest in this timeless game.

To be added to the list send an email request to kean@smithkas.com before 1st October, 2024.]]><![CDATA[New Anti-cheating measures in chess: Voluntary Polygraph Test?]]>Sun, 01 Sep 2024 07:21:50 GMThttp://nimblemindschess.org/blog/new-anti-cheating-measures-in-chess-voluntary-polygraph-testWith the  continued rapid development of technology and wireless communications, the risk to the integrity of chess games and events by cheating methods has crystalised and must be addressed by international and national chess governing bodies.

"The chess world has been fraught with cheating allegations, including $100 million lawsuits."  

"In a move to solidify his stance and offer an example in transparency, as well as address persistent rumours, dating back to the 2006 World Championship match against Veselin Topalov—often referred to as "Toiletgate"—Kramnik voluntarily took a polygraph test. The test, [was] administered with the facilitation of Pinkerton, the famous detective agency, [and] by a former Scotland Yard Detective Superintendent ..." (extract taken from article of ChessBase, 23 August, 2024) 

en.chessbase.com/post/kramnik-takes-polygraph-test#discuss


]]><![CDATA[Tactics Corner]]>Tue, 27 Aug 2024 09:48:54 GMThttp://nimblemindschess.org/blog/tactics-corner3216200Today, the following position is taken from a well known game that was played in Paris in 1853.

Do you recognise this position?  

It is white to play and win by checkmate in three (3) moves. 

Include any comments/answers below.

Enjoy.
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]]><![CDATA[The Benefits of Critical Thinking in Chess for Children]]>Sun, 18 Aug 2024 21:27:58 GMThttp://nimblemindschess.org/blog/the-benefits-of-critical-thinking-in-chess-for-childrenTeaching children how to play chess offers significant benefits, particularly in enhancing their critical thinking skills. Chess is a game that requires players to analyze situations, consider various outcomes, and make strategic decisions. When children engage in playing chess, they learn to anticipate their opponent’s moves, evaluate different possibilities, and weigh the consequences of each decision. This process developes critical thinking skills.

As children practice chess, they develop the ability to think several steps ahead. This forward-thinking approach is crucial in real-life situations, where they must assess potential outcomes before making decisions. 

Moreover, chess teaches patience and discipline. Children learn that thoughtful, deliberate actions often yield better results than rushed decisions. These skills can be transferable to academic settings and everyday life, where critical thinking is essential for making informed choices.

In summary, playing chess helps children enhance their critical thinking abilities by encouraging strategic analysis, foresight, and disciplined decision-making, all of which are invaluable skills both on and off the chessboard.

(Initial research conducted by ChatGPT)]]><![CDATA[Parents: avoiding the Summer slide of your students' progress]]>Sat, 01 Jun 2024 15:07:54 GMThttp://nimblemindschess.org/blog/parents-avoiding-the-summer-slide-of-your-students-progressPicture

​Many parents with school age children are aware of the dreaded 'summer slide'.

​‘Summer slide’ refers to children’s loss of academic skills/knowledge between finishing their end of term in June/July and returning to school in August/September.
 
It is believed that during their summer vacation, children can lose a significant amount of what they have learnt the previous school year.  This results in both teachers and students spending additional time revising/catching up at the beginning of the next school year. 
​
There are many steps that parents can take to mitigate summer slide.  For example, engaging students in activities to learn new skills, and improve their concentration and focus.  Such an activity is Chess.  Chess is an ideal activity for children to develop and/or maintain learning skills like mental calculation, concentration, critical and analytical thinking,  Furthermore, learning chess allows students to learn and build a new vocabulary.

If you have any questions about summer chess classes then let us know. 




]]><![CDATA[17 year old player GM advances to the FIDE World Chess Championship]]>Sun, 12 May 2024 19:17:48 GMThttp://nimblemindschess.org/blog/17-year-old-player-gm-advances-to-the-fide-world-chess-championshipThe FIDE Candidates Tournament 20234 was held from 2nd to 23 April in Toronto, Canada at the Toronto's Great Hall and The Open and Women's Candidates Tournament was played at the same time at the same venue.

Eight (8) players in the Open section and eight (8) players in the Women's section played a double round-robin tournament.  The total prize fund for the event was £750,000 (£500,000 for the Open event and £250,000 for the Women's event).

Players (Open Section)
GM Ian Nepomniachtchi
GM Praggnanandhaa R
Fabiano Caruana
GM Nojat Abasov
GM Vidit Santosh Gujrathi
Hikaru Nakamura
GM Alireza Firouzja
GM Gukesh D

Players (Women's Section)
Lei Tingjie
Kateryna Lagno
Aleksandra Goryachkina
Nurgyul Salimova
Anna Muzychuk
Vaishali Rameshbabu
Tan Zhongyi
Humpy Koneru

At the end of the double round-robin tournament GM Gukesh D of India and GM Tan Zhongyi of China qualified as challenger for the Open and Women's FIDE World Chess Championship respectively.

GM Gukesh D, a 17 year old from India is the youngest chess player ever to qualify as a challenger for the World Chess Championship!






]]><![CDATA[Matteo named Bahamas' Primary School Student of the Year for 2023]]>Fri, 16 Jun 2023 18:12:48 GMThttp://nimblemindschess.org/blog/matteo-named-bahamas-primary-school-student-of-the-year-for-2023
​Nimble Minds Chess extends many congratulations to Matteo Davies who among other things is a chess student of Nimble Minds.




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]]><![CDATA[New World Chess Championship - GM Ding Liren]]>Mon, 01 May 2023 08:54:53 GMThttp://nimblemindschess.org/blog/new-world-chess-championship-gm-ding-lirenYesterday 30 April, 2023, GM Ding Liren won the World Chess Championship during the tie -break against GM Ian Nepomniachtchi.

The tiebreak consisted of four rapid games, with a time control of 25 minutes each, plus a 10-second increment per move.  Blitz games were to follow, if the winner was undecided after the rapid.  

GM Ding Liren was quoted by FIDE website as stating the following after his match:

"I started to learn chess from four years old… I spent 26 years playing, analyzing, trying to improve my chess ability with many different ways, with different changing methods. with many new ways of training." He continues: "I think I did everything. Sometimes I thought I was addicted to chess, because sometimes without tournaments, I was not so happy. Sometimes I struggled to find other hobbies to make me happy. This match reflects the deepness of my soul," said the new World Champion.

A full summary by FIDE of the games played can be found here - tiebreak games

 ]]><![CDATA[Male chess player wearing hijab disqualified for playing in women's category]]>Mon, 10 Apr 2023 08:47:48 GMThttp://nimblemindschess.org/blog/male-chess-player-wearing-hijab-disqualified-for-playing-in-womens-categoryA male chess player registered to play in the Women's section of the Kenya Open Chess Championship as Millicent Awuor.  The ​Kenya Open is being held at Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi from 6 - 10 April, 2023 with a top prize of Sh500,000 for the Women's section.

Organisers became suspicious of the player registered as Millicent Awuor following his results against Gloria Jumba, the former Kenya National Chess Champion, and Ampaira Shakira, Uganda's top player.  It was reported by Daily Nation online that to keep his identity hidden, the player, whose real name is Stanley Omondi covered his head and face completely.  Additionally, he wore sunglasses on the small opening that revealed his eyes. 
 
He was expelled from the tournament by organisers pending disciplinary action. 

See link to Daily Nation for additional information.
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