Category Archives: Chess
Ukraine-Russia: Chess grand master Garry Kasparov tells the West ‘Ukraine is not Vladimir Putin’s. Stop treating it like it is’ – The Scotsman
Mr Kasparov, who is now chairman of the Human Rights Foundation and has stood as an opposition politician in Russia, claimed as soon as the first Russian tank crossed the border of Ukraine, "the West declared Putin the ruler of the largest country in Europe".
He said: I was called a warmonger in 2014 when I said Putin would not stop with Crimea and East Ukraine. Now everyone admits that I was right, but wants to repeat the same mistake now. Letting Putin destroy Ukraine increases the threat of a greater conflict, including nuclear.
Former world chess champion Mr Kasparov formed the United Civil Front movement and joined as a member of The Other Russia, a coalition opposing the administration and policies of Mr Putin.
He announced his intentions to stand as a presidential candidate in the 2008 election, but withdrew, blaming "official obstruction". He fled to New York in 2013 out of fear of persecution and now lives in Croatia.
Mr Kasparov said: This isn't about Nato. There is only fear, the same fear that kept them from acting in 2014 and led us here.
"As soon as the first Russian tank crossed the border of Ukraine, the West declared Putin the ruler of the largest country in Europe. No longer sovereign, no longer allowed to invite allies to fight in its own territory in its defence. Only Putin can do that.
The chess grand master accused US and European leaders of wanting to go back to their comfortable corruption, buying Russian oil and gas, applying weak sanctions, lip service about democracy, inviting Putin to summits and Davos.
He added: The West loves to lose slowly, to pass the hard choices to the next admin, shift the consequences to buffer states.
"Now Ukraine has exposed them because Ukraine doesn't want to lose slowly or lose at all. Ukraine wants to win. Help them win. Give jets, drones and long-range weapons that allow Ukraine to strike at the source and protect their people. Ukraine is not Putin's. Stop treating it like it is."
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Ukraine-Russia: Chess grand master Garry Kasparov tells the West 'Ukraine is not Vladimir Putin's. Stop treating it like it is' - The Scotsman
Can a chess grandmaster save the world? – Chess News
Iart Luca Shytaj
He was born in Albania (Tirana) in 1986. His parents moved to Italy when he was six years old and he became an Italian citizen in 2007.
Luca (as he is known to friends) is a very strong player whowon the Albanian Chess Championship in 2003 and represented Albania twice in Olympiads (Calvia 2004 and Turin 2006) and Italy once in an Olympiad (Dresden 2008 the picture above, by Cathy Rogers, was taken there) and once in a European Team Championship (Novi Sad 2009).
He won the Albanian Championship (2003), the Italian Rapid Championship (2009), and the Italian Team Championship in 2016 playing for the Fischer Chieti team.
Luca was awarded the title in October 2018, the 14th Italian player to achieve the title of GM.
In the scientific field Luca holds a master degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology (from the La Sapienza University in Rome). He obtained a PhD in Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, working on an HIV cure project under the supervision of Andrea Savarino. Later he performed his research at the Italian Institute of Health in Rome and at Heidelberg University in Germany. He is currently a visiting Professor at the Federal University of Sao Paulo in Brazil.
When I showed Luca the click-baittitle of my article, he asked me if I knew Betteridge's law, which states that "any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word no". I definitely hope that this is not the case here. I have urged Luca to abandon his attempts to rearrange little pieces of wood on a checkered board slightly better than other people, and concentrate on the more urgent global tasks that need to be solved.
Luca and his team have been working on Cobicistat, a drug used in HIV/AIDS therapy, showing that it could have an effect against COVID-19. That is the result of a study, until now conducted only in vitro and in an animal model, published in the journal of the American Society of Microbiology, mBio.
The international team of authors proved thatCobicistat inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 with a different mechanism from those of the drugs currently used, i.e. by blocking the fusion of the virus to its target cells. Furthermore, the drug can attenuate the progression of the disease in a hamster animal model (Mesocricetus auratus), by enhancing the effect of another drug previously tested against COVID, i.e. Remdesivir.
If you are interested in the details of the research, the article on COVID is now published and free to read:
Combinations of direct-acting antivirals are needed to minimize drug resistance mutations and stably suppress replication of RNA viruses.
Currently, there are limited therapeutic options against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and testing of a number of drug regimens has led to conflicting results.
Here, we show that cobicistat, which is an FDA-approved drug booster that blocks the activity of the drug-metabolizing proteins cytochrome P450-3As (CYP3As) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication. Two independent cell-to-cell membrane fusion assays showed that the antiviral effect of cobicistat is exerted through inhibition of spike protein-mediated membrane fusion. In line with this, incubation with low-micromolar concentrations of cobicistat decreased viral replication in three different cell lines including cells of lung and gut origin.
When cobicistat was used in combination with remdesivir, a synergistic effect on the inhibition of viral replication was observed in cell lines and in a primary human colon organoid. This was consistent with the effects of cobicistat on two of its known targets, CYP3A4 and P-gp, the silencing of which boosted the in vitro antiviral activity of remdesivir in a cobicistat-like manner.
When administered in vivo to Syrian hamsters at a high dose, cobicistat decreased viral load and mitigated clinical progression. These data highlight cobicistat as a therapeutic candidate for treating SARS-CoV-2 infection and as a potential building block of combination therapies for COVID-19.
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Can a chess grandmaster save the world? - Chess News
World chess body FIDE suspends Russia and Belarus from its official events – The Tribune India
PTI
Lausanne, March 16
World chess governing body FIDE on Wednesday suspended Russia and Belarus from all its tournaments until further notice due to the invasion of Ukraine, jeopardising the two countries participation in the 44th Chess Olympiad in India later this year.
FIDE, however, said in individual tournaments of the World Championship cycle, players from these two countries can participate under the world bodys flag. Russia invaded Ukraine in February and found support from Belarus.
Taking into account the current recommendations of the IOC, the FIDE Council suspends the national teams of Russia and Belarus from participation in official FIDE tournaments until further notice, the FIDE said in a statement.
In the individual tournaments of the FIDE World Championship cycle, players from these countries will be able to participate under the FIDE flag.
The International Olympic Committee had recommended all the sports federations to exclude Russia and Belaruswhich has extended support in the invasionfrom international events, but had left the final decision to individual governing bodies.
Several international federations have since then banned athletes from Russia and Belarus from their events.
The recently concluded Beijing Winter Paralympics had also excluded athletes from these two countries just before the start of the showpiece.
The 44th Chess Olympiad will be organised in Chennai later this year, making it the second major global event of the sport to be held in India after the World Championship match in 2013.
Link:
World chess body FIDE suspends Russia and Belarus from its official events - The Tribune India
WNBA star Brittney Griner is the latest pawn on Putins chess board – The Dallas Morning News
In recent days, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to imprison journalists who dare to report truthfully about Russias merciless invasion of Ukraine. His police also have arrested scores of anti-invasion protesters across Russia. Nor is it a secret that for years Putin has imprisoned hundreds of political dissidents with remarkable impunity.
Now the latest target and pawn in Putins mayhem seems to be Brittney Griner, the former Baylor University basketball star and WNBA player from Houston.
As she was leaving Russia last month, Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport and charged with transporting vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage, a drug offense that could draw a 10-year prison sentence. While little else about the incident is known publicly, including when exactly it occurred, this smacks of Putin returning to a familiar playbook of trumped up arrests and detentions to seek concessions and political leverage.
American detainees in Russia receiving harsh treatment from their judicial system is not uncommon, which is why the U.S. State Department intensified calls for Americans to leave Russia immediately to avoid potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials. In addition to Griner, two other Americans are being held in Russia for offenses that U.S. officials say are trumped up.
Paul Whelan, a BorgWarner executive, is serving a 16-year prison sentence for espionage for allegedly possessing a flash drive of Russian secrets. Whelan, who was arrested in 2018 and later convicted in a secret trial, says he received the flash drive from an acquaintance and thought it contained family photos.
Trevor Reed, a North Texan and former Marine security guard, was convicted in 2020 and sentenced to nine years in prison on charges of intentionally endangering the lives of police after a night of drinking. U.S. officials said the evidence was so flimsy and preposterous. Reeds family in Granbury says he is suffering from tuberculosis and has been denied medicine, phone calls with his relatives, or written communications with his attorneys in recent weeks. His parents told The Dallas Morning News that they were disappointed after the White House declined their request to meet with President Joe Biden when he visits Fort Worth Tuesday.
Griner, who like many WNBA players was playing overseas for a payday that is much larger than they could earn in the United States, apparently was the only player still in Russia and Ukraine, according to a WNBA spokeswoman. Her prominence may have made her a convenient target.
Griner, Reed and Whelan should be released and allowed to return to the United States.
Although the United States promises to provide every possible assistance, getting detained American citizens out of Russia during a time of heightened tensions figures to be a very heavy lift.
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WNBA star Brittney Griner is the latest pawn on Putins chess board - The Dallas Morning News
ECU suspends the Russian and Belarusian Chess Federations – ChessBase
Press release by the European Chess Union
The Board of the European Chess Union met in extraordinary session on Thursday, 3rd of March to discuss the situation in Ukraine and appropriate measures.
The European Chess Union strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the involvement of Belarus, and expresses its solidarity and support for the Ukrainian people. We feel deep sorrow for all the victims of the war and their families.
The ECU condemns the members of the chess community who have expressed their support for the brutal and unacceptable invasion of Ukraine.
Facing the World Champions
During his career, Vlastimil Hort, who himself belongs to the same generation as Bobby Fischer, met no less than eight world champions over the board. In the early 60s he crossed swords with Mihail Tal, and at the end of the eighties he was sitting over the board from Garry Kasparov. Between the two there were meetings with chess legends Botvinnik, Petrosian, Smyslov, Spassky, Fischer and Karpov.
The ECU is setting up a special communication channel for any person or entity willing to assist the Ukrainian #Chess Community. For this purpose, the special hashtag #supportUkraineChess has been established. Already several offers of assistance have been received from European federations.
The ECU Board, taking in consideration the recent decisions of FIDE Council, the recommendations of the IOC and acting within its constitutional powers declares:
*Official application to FIDE: federations@fide.com
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ECU suspends the Russian and Belarusian Chess Federations - ChessBase
Cover Stories with Chess Life #43: Harold Scott – uschess.org
Todays guest on Cover Stories is a man in demand.
Image Caption
Harold Scott (courtesy subject)
By my count Harold Scott is making his third podcast recording today. He has been a guest on Evan Rabins Premier Chess Podcast along with GM Joel Benjamin, a feat that he repeated in a joint appearance with Ben Johnson and the Perpetual Chess Podcast.
But today its just him.
Harold is the author of our March cover story about eight year old Megan Paragua, who recently became a rated expert. Megans uncle is New York GM Mark Paragua, but as we learn from Harolds piece, shes doing a lot of the hard work to improve on her own!
Harold Scott is a chess teacher and coach currently residing in the Bronx, New York. He is also a FIDE Instructor, a US Chess Senior tournament director, a rated expert, and a writer to boot. His first book, Winning the World Open, is co-authored with GM Joel Benjamin and released in January of this year. Its an absolutely fantastic read, and any fan of American chess history and lore would do well to pick it up.
Podcast website|iTunes|Spotify|Google Podcasts
Podcast website|iTunes|Spotify|Google Podcasts
Podcast website|iTunes|Spotify| Google Podcasts
Podcast website|iTunes|Spotify|Google Podcasts
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Cover Stories with Chess Life #43: Harold Scott - uschess.org
4D Chess: U.S.-Mexico Border Disguised As Ukrainian Border So Democrats Will Defend It – The Babylon Bee
EL PASO, TXIn a last-ditch effort to get Democrats to start caring about border security, the Texas government has disguised their southern border as the border between Ukraine and Russia.
"Oh please, won't someone please help us?" said Texas Governor Greg Abbot while hoisting blue and yellow flags all along the border fence. "Putin's forces have encircled us from the south and are entering our country uninhibited!"
Having fallen for the clever ruse, WEF ChairmanKlaus Schwab called his pal George Soros and ordered him to assemble the dark united forces of media, corporations, and the Illuminatiand unite the world in solidarity over the urgency of protecting the southern border. Soon everyone was changing their social media profile pictures and holdingcandlelight vigils to raise awareness for border security.
"WE MUST PROTECT THE SOUTHERN BORDER! WE MUST PROTECT THE SOUTHERN BORDER!" said the media, Hollywood, every world power, every late-night talk show host, and David Frenchall in perfect robotic unison.
Texans are hoping global powers can help them gain a little border security before everyone figures out they've been tricked.
Do you have an addiction to CNN? If so, we're here to help diagnose your problem and address it head-on.
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4D Chess: U.S.-Mexico Border Disguised As Ukrainian Border So Democrats Will Defend It - The Babylon Bee
Chess | Divya Deshmukh in sight of title – The Hindu
Scores her seventh straight victory after facing top seed R. Vaishali
Scores her seventh straight victory after facing top seed R. Vaishali
Continuing her dream-run, Divya Deshmukh brushed aside top seed R. Vaishali to move within a draw of winning the MPL National womens chess championship here.
On Tuesday, the youngster from Maharashtra posted her seventh consecutive victory from eight rounds by foxing Vaishali in the opening phase and closing out in 37 moves by bringing the queen back on the board.
Armed with a one-point lead, Divya needs only a draw against Soumya Swaminathan in the final round on Wednesday to win the title.
N. Priyanka (6.5) defeated Pratusha Bodda to hold the second place. Trailing half-a-point from Priyanka are Soumya, Padmini Rout, Arpita Mukherjee, Sakshi Chitlange, Srija Seshadri and Isha Sharma.
Important results:
Eighth round: R. Vaishali (5.5) lost to Divya Deshmukh (7.5); Soumya Swaminathan (6) drew with Padmini Rout (6); N. Priyanka (6.5) bt Pratyusha Bodda (5.5); Arpita Mukherjee (6) drew with Mary Ann Gomes (6); Sakshi Chitlange (6) bt Bhakti Kulkarni (5); Isha Sharma (6) bt Saina Salonika (5); Vrushali Deodhar (0) lost to Srija Seshadri (6).
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Chess | Divya Deshmukh in sight of title - The Hindu
Indian chess IM in Ukraine is safe in Kyiv but faces tough call on trek to border – ESPN
Anwesh Upadhyaya, the Indian chess IM who is stranded in war-torn Kyiv, has to decide whether to risk traveling to the Polish border through the siege or stay home and await the consequences. His coach, Grandmaster Georgy Timoschenko, has joined the swelling number of Ukraine civilian fighters who've volunteered to take up arms against the invading Russians. For now, he says he is on his own.
The situation on-ground is complicated. There have been several reports of Indians facing a torrid time at the hands of Ukrainian border guards while trying to cross over to neighbouring European Union countries. "It's a bit tricky and emotional for them I believe," Anwesh told ESPN. "When their brothers and sisters are dying, here we are asking them to help us leave. A few people I know have left for smaller cities nearby and some others who were trying to make it to Poland are stranded midway."
The 30-year-old is a resident doctor at city hospital No 8, apprenticing in gastroenterology and has been living in the Ukrainian capital city. He had moving to have better tournament opportunities. Now, he is unsure of his next step.
2 Related
In an advisory on Sunday, the Indian Embassy informed its citizens that they would be arranging 10 buses on the Ukraine side of the Polish border from Monday. For Anwesh, the dilemma of how he'd make it to the pick-up points, several blocks away by road through a city that's under siege, remains. "The Indian embassy has asked us to manage our own transportation to the nearest EU borders or to stay home, if we feel unsafe. I have to decide whether to risk it outside trying to cross the border or stay home risk being collateral damage. Right now, it appears that we are on our own."
In an interview to the Associated Press, when asked if there are plans to evacuate citizens if Russian troops manage to take Kyiv, the once heavyweight boxing world champion and current Kyiv mayor, Vitali Klitschko replied - "We can't do that because all ways are blocked. Right now we are encircled."
Back in Bhubaneshwar, Anwesh's father Netaji is an understandably anxious man. A retired Zoology professor, he speaks haltingly, worried when he will be able see his only child. "I'm in constant touch with Anwesh. The Indian embassy's directions haven't been clear, I think," he said.
Before leaving for the battlefront, his coach Timoschenko had a request for his Indian student. "He asked me to take care of myself and check on his wife and kid in the bomb shelter and his daughter who lives in a flat." Not just Anwesh's trainer, national team coach GM Oleksandr Sulypa too has taken up arms and shared a picture of himself from the west Ukrainian city of Lviv, about 70 kms from Polish border, on social media.
For now, part of staying alive involves staying alert. Anwesh sleeps light and keeps his ears pricked to sounds of alarm as Russian air raids pummel Kyiv. He can't get himself to play any chess and re-watching Netflix shows serves as an occasional distraction. He is grateful that the power and heating systems at home are still functional and he spends a large part of his day refreshing news feeds on social media, searching for a sliver of hope. Some of it is pinned on the peace talks that are scheduled to take place on Monday between both sides on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border.
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Indian chess IM in Ukraine is safe in Kyiv but faces tough call on trek to border - ESPN
What links chess, water and dead? The Saturday quiz – The Guardian
Questions
1 Whose murder in 1610 was the first to be called an assassination?2 Who wrote Twilight fan fiction under the name Snowqueens Icedragon?3 Which US decision-making body has 538 members?4 What is Britains most colourful corvid?5 Which African language is named from the Arabic for coastal?6 A cosmic year is the time taken to do what?7 Which classic dystopian film is set in 2022?8 Iznik ware came from which country?What links:9 Miriam; Deborah; Huldah; Noadiah; Anna?10 Eric Spear; Simon May; Tony Hatch?11 Luvironza River, Burundi, and Lake Tana, Ethiopia?12 Dead; Chess; Sermon; Water; Said?13 373; 100; 212?14 Gila monster; Komodo dragon; Mexican beaded lizard?15 Wrong (plant pot); Lucky (gingham bonnet); Snooty (topper); Snow (bowler)?
1 King Henri IV of France.2 EL James (origin of Fifty Shades series).3 Electoral college.4 Jay.5 Swahili.6 The solar system to revolve once around the centre of the Milky Way (c225m years).7 Soylent Green.8 Turkey (Ottoman empire).
Sign up to our Inside Saturday newsletter for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the magazines biggest features, as well as a curated list of our weekly highlights.
9 Female prophets (named in the Bible).10 Wrote TV soap theme tunes: Coronation Street; EastEnders; Crossroads, Emmerdale and Neighbours.11 Origins (probable) of the White and Blue Niles.12 The Waste Land poem: last words of the five sections.13 Boiling point of water: kelvin; celsius; fahrenheit.14 Venomous lizards.15 Headwear of Mr Men and Little Misses.
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What links chess, water and dead? The Saturday quiz - The Guardian