Boris Spassky (1937 - 2025)

 Former World Champion Boris Spassky has passed away, at the age of 88. He was the World Junior Champion in 1955 and World Champion from 1969-1972. For most casual chess players he was most famous for losing the 19821972 World Championship title to Bobby Fischer, but for more serious players, he was an incredibly strong player who chess career was far more than one match. He was a serious tournament competitor up until the early 1990's, but still played exhibition matches and tournaments after that.

He visited Australia in 1989, touring the country and playing simuls. I was fortunate to handle the Canberra leg of his visit, showing the sights of the nations capital and other tourist spots. He was very taken by his trip to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve where he was able to see native wild life and plants. He said it reminded him of his time working in the forests of the USSR, before he became a full time chess player.

Long considered one of the chess world's true gentlemen, his passing will be mourned by the chess community.

FIDE website redesign

 The FIDE website ( fide.com ) has undergone a bit of a redesign. Certainly the look has changed (to a 'flatter' style), but more importantly, things like the Ratings and Directory pages have improved how information is displayed. The previous version of the Ratings page (ratings.fide.com) had some technical issues re searching for information and events, but at least at first glance, these seem to have been fixed. There are also a couple of extra tools for calculating ratings (new and changed) although my initial test did find a flaw in one of them.

I've already received feedback (in my capacity as Secretary of the Qualification Commission), but I probably should explain, we 9QC) weren't involved in this project, so any issues should go straight upstairs!

An arbiting first for me

 One of the strangest rules in the Laws of Chess is 

"A.5.4    If the arbiter observes both kings are in check, or a pawn stands on the rank furthest from its starting position, he/she shall wait until the next move is completed. Then, if an illegal position is still on the board, he/she shall declare the game drawn."

This applies to Rapid and Blitz games (without adequate supervision). I have always thought it a silly rule, even when I was at the meeting where the rule was drafted.

However at todays ACT Junior Chess League Lightning Championship I enforced this rule for the very first time. I was wandering past one of the top board games, and both players were engaged in a pawn race in an ending. At some point previously (I assume), one of the players had moved his king out of the way of his rook pawn to let it run. But in doing so he had moved it next to the opponents king. But the opponent was so intent on pushing his own pawn, he did not claim (or even notice), and I witnessed both players play not 1 but 2 pawn moves before I stepped in. Informing of the rule (and convinced that neither would have taken action until after they had both promoted), I explained the rile to them, and declared the game a draw. 

Afterwards I kind of realised why the law kind of makes sense, although I'm still not convinced it is necessary. My decision in this specific case was probably influenced by 2 factors. Firstly, the position was materially even, and the pawn race was unlikely to change that. Secondly, if I did not take action now, the position would have been more chaotic later (and someone was going to come off worse).

The system hacked

 Another lesson for players who overly rely on "Hot to beat the ..." opening books. Up against a GM, white tries the formula hack against the Pirc. This usually involves an early Bh6 (after Qd2) and long castling. Black cleverly avoided castling too early, instead launching queenside counterplay with the annoying c6-b5 plan. It turns out that Whites 'attack' didn't amount to much, but in failing to realise this, failed to defend against the attack on the other side of the board.

Kothari,Jai (2070) - Chatalbashev,Boris (2489) [B07]
Isle of Wight Round 1 2025

2025 Dubbo Open

 An early shout out for the 2025 Dubbo Open. It will be on the weekend of the 29th & 30th March at the usual venue of the Dubbo RSL Club, Corner Brisbane and Wingewarra Streets, Dubbo NSW 2830.

It will be a 6 round swiss with a time control of 60m+10s. Entry fees are Adults $45, Concession $35, Juniors $25, and the 1st prize will be at least $450

The event usually gets a good mix of players from country NSW, Canberra, and Sydney. While the occasional GM and IM have dropped in to play, the majority of players are below 2000 (ACF). There is also a novelty blitz event on the Saturday night, after the tournament dinner.

Further information can be found at  www.facebook.com/DubboOpenChess

Chess and Bach

 I ran across the following on ABC Classic FM. It is from a video game (It Takes Two) , but is also based an earlier work by JS Bach. No animation, just music. Enjoy.

More found scoresheets

 This is what happens when you leave your scoresheet lying around at the chess club (although i suspect it is the winners discarded copy)

White v Black
Gungahlin Chess Club 2025