Another astronomical discovery

Congratulations to Dr Daniel Bayliss for the discovery of planet WASP-17b, a planet that travels in the opposite direction to the spin of the star it orbits. This is the first planet discovered that exhibits this behaviour, and bucks the established theory that planets are formed from the same rotating material that form stars, and therefore should rotate in the same direction.

Apart from being an astronomer Daniel was a foundation member of the Australian National University Chess Club, although his academic career has taken precedence in recent years.

The full story on this discovery is here.

Three days of chess

At the top level, playing more than one round a day is an outrage, while further down the ladder, playing only one round a day is not enough chess! The distance between both positions is most evident in Australia over the Queens Birthday Weekend. Taking advantage of the long weekend, a number of tournaments are being held around the country. Queensland is holding the State Championship (with a particularly strong field this year), while other states are holding big weekenders. Both NSW and Victoria are holding their state Open's, and both events normally attract large fields (almost 150 at the NSW Open last year).

However the schedule can be brutal, with 2-3-2 as the number of rounds on each day. Sunday sees 3 rounds played with a 90m+30s time control, so it is hardly surprising that a games are still going after midnight, even with the 10 am start to the day! Not conducive to perfect chess, but no denying that players are getting value for money.

It's a fair cop, guv

In a breaking story from the 2011 German Championship as player has been expelled from the tournament for using his smartphone to assist him during his final round game. FM Christoph Natsidis was questioned following the completion of his final round game against GM Sebastien Siebrecht, and was found to have a smartphone on his person, with a position from his game still in the chess engine. He then confessed to using the program during the game and was expelled from the event.
While it is too early to know what final punishment awaits Natsidis, he has already lost the IM norm he scored in the event. In fact he had already wrapped it up by round 8, and the result of his final game in fact did not matter (except for final placing/rating points/ prize money).
There is a full report on Chessvibes including quotes from Siebrecht. In one quote Siebrecht claims the arbiter 'did nothing', during the game, but then says that after the game the arbiter then questioned the player, with Siebrecht present. Given the outcome I would tend to think the arbiter instead did the right thing, as the burden of proof in such situations should be necessarily high (unless of course players are willing to be searched by arbiters at any stage during the game!).
The final sting in the tale is that Natsidis is a law student, so I suspect his behaviour may end up having ramifications beyond the world of chess.

Anand hooks into Shirov

World Champion Viswanathan Anand leads his exhibition match with Alexei Shirov 1.5-0.5 after the first days actions in Leon, Spain. The first game was drawn, while the second game saw Anand lay into Shirov's positions after the latter dropped 2 pawns in the opening. Despite Anand having a clear advantage it was still an attractive win, with the final position especially nice.

Anand,Viswanathan (2817) - Shirov,Alexei (2709) [D43]

24th Leon Masters Leon ESP (2), 03.06.2011

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 dxc4

7.e4 g5 8.Bg3 b5 9.Be2 Bb7 10.Qc2 Nbd7 11.Rd1 Nh5 12.d5 Nxg3 13.hxg3 Qb6 14.dxe6 fxe6 15.Nxg5 Bc5 16.Bh5+ Ke7 17.Nxe6 Ne5 18.Nxc5 Qxc5 19.Be2 Raf8 20.0-0 Rhg8 21.b4 Qxb4 22.Qd2 Qc5 23.Qxh6 Bc8 24.Qh4+ Ke6 25.Qh6+ Ke7 26.Qh5 Kf6 27.Qh4+ Ke6 28.Nd5 cxd5 29.Rxd5 Qb6 30.Qh5 Qb8 31.Rfd1 Rf6 (D)

32.Rxe5+ Qxe5 33.Bg4+ Rxg4 34.Qe8# 1-0

Anand v Shirov

In what may be a timely antidote to the recent candidates matches, a exhibition match between World Champion Viswanathan Anand and former challenger Alexei Shirov is starting tonight in Leon, Spain. The match is over 6 games and will be played with the fast time limit of G45m+30s per move. The schedule calls for 2 games a day, with a blitz playoff if the match is tied 3-3.

The first game begins at 12:30am Canberra time, and live coverage is at the event website.

A chess themed video game

Ever since I was a teenager I always wondered how chess and video games could be combined in a workable way. My own ideas didn't amount to much, as I tended to think along the 'problem solving' style of game, rather than the shoot-em up format which is obviously more popular.
Assuming I wasn't the only one thinking about this topic, it has taken quite a while for someone to come up with a solution. Now it looks like someone has.
A new game for the iPhone/iPad/iPod platform combines the action of an arcade shooter, with the strategy of chess pieces. In Knight Defense, you use your pieces to stop enemy pieces descending down the board. Your pieces attack the enemy pieces in the same way as they move (ie bishops shoot diagonally, rooks up and across), all in real time. They also have the opportunity to 'power-up', just like in classic arcade games.
At this stage I haven't downloaded the game to have a look at it, but this article makes it look pretty good. However I plan to do so in the next few days, if only to say 'Why didn't I think of that?'

The fun is in the analysis

Even one sided games can produce a bit of fun, especially during the post mortem. In the given position White is clearly winning, and Black (to move) blundered with 23. ... Kf8. White pounced with 24.Qh8+ Ke7 25.Qe8# In the instant post mortem White suggested 23. ... Rxc7 as he could only see 24.Qh8+ Kf7 25.Qxh7+ Ke8 26.Qxc7 when Black fires back with 26. ... Bh3! This offers a second rook, but the mate threat requires White to begin returning material straight away eg 27.Qxb8+ Kd7 28.Rf2 exf2+ 29.Kxf2 Qxg2 30.Ke1Qg1+ 31.Kd2 Now Black can take a draw with 31. ... Qe3+ or try for a little more with 31. ... Qxb1 Having reached this position the collaborative effort of players and spectators then found a number of mates for Black, although none of them were exactly forced.
Sadly, White doesn't have to give Black so many chances to get back into the game as 24.Qh8+ Kf7 25.Bd4 (or even 25.h4) ruins the party. If Black tries 25. ... Bh3 then 26.Qxh7+ doesn't win the rook on c7, but simply cleans up the bishop on h3.