Vasily Smyslov took chess as a hobby until the age of 14.  He was inspired by the appearances of Jose Capablanca and Emanuel Lasker in Moscow to pursue competitive chess.  As Smyslov improved he won the All-Union Boys’ Championship and the Moscow City Championship in 1938. 

Smyslov finished third in 1940 USSR Championship and second in 1944.  

He began to attract international attention when he defeated Samuel Reshevsky twice in the famous U.S.-USSR radio match of 1945. His first of eight Candidates Tournament appearances came in 1948, where he finished third. He would advance to and win the World Championship on his fourth attempt, in 1957. Though he held the title for only a year—losing to former champion Botvinnik in 1958—the success of his career both before and after this period testify to Smyslov’s greatness as a chess player.

He would qualify as a Candidate on four more occasions, including the 1985 tournament at age 64! 
He was earned a record 17 Chess Olympiad medals and won the inaugural World Senior Chess Championship title in 1991.

In addition to being a World Chess Champion, Smyslov was an opera singer.

Click here for additional information.

(content of this post was taken substantially from World Chess Hall of Fame.

By Resolution A/RES/67/296, the United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace.  The Resolution was adopted on 23 August, 2013.

"Due to its vast reach, unparalleled popularity and foundation of positive values, sport is ideally positioned to contribute towards the United Nations’ objectives for development and peace." (https://www.un.org/en/observances/sport-day/background)







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​"As vaccines spread hope and spectators begin to return to arenas, the world of sport has crucial contributions to make in forging a safe and sustainable recovery.  [...]  We will play and cheer again when everyone is safe from the pandemic." - António Guterres, UN Secretary-General


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On 11 March, 2020 the World Health Organisation, WHO, declared COVID-19 a pandemic. 
On 8 July, 2020 the World Chess Federation, FIDE, published its COVID-19 protocols for over-the-board chess events.







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​The protocols that are specific to chess are shared at the link below for your information.
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Click here to view the FIDE COVID-19 protocols. 

Mikhail Botvinnik was crowned the 6th World Chess Champion in 1948. He would attain the title twice more, regaining it from Smyslov in 1958 and Tal in 1961. 

As the first in a long line of Soviet world champions, Botvinnik was a respected figure even within an already strong Russian field.  His intense training regimen distinguished him from his peers. He advocated logic, extensive theoretical research, and a strong degree of both physical and mental discipline. While these attitudes were novel at the time, his writings on the subject became legendary and eventually served as a model for a new generation of players. His scientific style emphasized whole systems of play that extended from the opening to the endgame.  Botvinnik mentored and trained numerous young Soviet players, including a young Garry Kasparov.

Botvinnik retired from competitive chess play in 1970.

For more information click here to see a short biography of Mikhail Botvinnik.

(content of this post was taken substantially from  World Chess Hall of Fame)

“To truly leave no one behind in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, we must realize the rights of all persons with disabilities, including persons with autism, ensuring their full participation in social, cultural and economic life.” - António Guterres

“The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day (A/RES/62/139) to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society."

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Photo by Félix Prado on Unsplash


What is autism?
"Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status. The term Autism Spectrum refers to a range of characteristics. Appropriate support, accommodation and acceptance of this neurological variation allow those on the Spectrum to enjoy equal opportunity, and full and effective participation in society.
Autism is mainly characterized by its unique social interactions, non-standard ways of learning, keen interests in specific subjects, inclination to routines, challenges in typical communications and particular ways of processing sensory information.” – (https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day/background)

Tournament
The 1st FIDE World University Individual Online Rapid Championship 2021 was held on 20, 21 and 25,  March.  This event was organised by The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in consultation with the FIDE Global Strategy Commission. 

The event was open to students who met the following  requirements:
a) Have their secondary education completed;
b) Are currently officially registered as proceeding towards a degree or diploma at a university;
c) Were born in 1995 or later; and
d) Are not banned by the Hosting Internet Platform

884 university students took part in this first time chess event.  According to GM Bartlomiej Macieia, Tournament Director, students from about 100 countries participated.  

The top three finishers in the Open and Women's sections were as follow:

1st FIDE World University Online Chess Championship (Open Section)
GM Shevchenko Kirilll (UKR) - 4.0/5.0 pts.
Ivan Boberskyj Lviv State Universit

GM Antipov Mikhail AI (RUS) - 3.0/5.0 pts
University of Missouri

GM Oparin Grigoriy (RUS) - 3.0/5.0 pts.
University of Missouri

1st FIDE World University Online Chess Championship (Women Section)
WIM Antolak Julia (POL) - 4.0/5.0 pts.
University of Texas Rio Grande Vall

WGM Sargsyan Anna M. (ARM) - 3.5/5.0 pts.
Armenian State Institute of Physica

IM Badelka Olga (BLR) - 2.5/5.0 pts.
University of Missouri


Controversy of disqualified players
Twenty (20) players from the World University Individual Online Rapid Championship were disqualified for breach of Fair Play.  The disqualification of players by the Fair Play Panel (FPP) of the FIDE World University Chess Championships took place after investigating and reviewing 5,036 games.  

It is being reported that IM Iujila Osmak, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, who finished first place before the review of games by FPP was one of the 20 players disqualified.  One of the most controversial issues about this investigation is that the decision of FPP to disqualify players for suspected fair play violation is final and is not subject to any appeal, review or other challenge.  Furthermore, the disqualified players have lost their right to participate in the next events of the 2021 Online University Championships.  

In its statement FPP indicated that "[n]either FIDE, nor the Hosting Internet Platform claims that the determination of a suspected fair play violation is proof of actual cheating or an admission of guilt by the disqualification player." (FIDE World University Online Chess Championship 2021 Fair Play - 26 March 2021)

Being disqualified without an appeal process must be for the players a very "bitter bill to swallow".

If you are reading this blog then you are probably searching for information or activities that will assist your child with developing or enhancing their learning skills.
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Although there are many other reasons, here are three reasons why your child should learn how to play chess:

1. Chess helps promote intellectual growth and has been shown to improve academic performance;
2. Chess is a powerful tool for developing thinking and memory in children;
3. Chess also helps children build up their decision-making tools.  It educates them to be responsible for their decisions and the consequences of those decisions. (Chess - A Tool for Education & Health (2008))

Summer leave for students is approaching.  If you wish to receive additional information about our ongoing chess classes or updates about our summer chess programme then contact us by email - [email protected] 

Alexander Alekhine was born in Moscow in 1892 and is known throughout the chess world for his brilliant attacking style of chess play.

Alekhine defeated Jose Capablanca in 1927 to become the World Chess Champion.  He successfully defended his title in 1929 and 1934 before losing it to Max Euwe of The Netherlands.  Alekhine won the rematch against Max Euwe in 1937 and remained champion until his death in 1946.

One of Alekhine's well known chess games was Efim Bogojubov v Alexander Alekhine  in 1922.  This game had a total of three queen sacrifices!

For more information click here to see a short biography of Alexander Alekhine.
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