Winners Lose Out In Gulf News BlockBuster!

In the 2009 edition of Gulf News Blockbuster, last year champions will not be allowed to compete.

What a shame!

This brings us to the question about any competetion - why do we have them?

Imagine Roger Federer not being allowed to play in Wimbledon because "you have already won so many times, you should give others also a chance"!

This kind of thinking is the breeding ground of mediocrity.

It is also taking away shine from the winners - the win will always be mentioned with a "however so and so did not compete because they were not allowed to, otherwise they would definitely have won".

It is asking this year's players who enjoy playing the game more than being tagged as champions to lose in the finals - so that next year they are not barred from playing!

It is making this year's winners uncomfortable with the win. In fact it is making a mockery of words like "Champion", "Winner", "Number 1", "The Best".

It brings down sporting spirit a few notches down.

More than for last year winners, I feel sorry for this years players who will be unable to challenge last year's winners and rightfully claim to be the best in 2009.

But the maximum pity I have is for the organizers of Gulf News Blockbuster for bringing a game to Dubai and yet not understanding what a sport is all about. For them it is perhaps just about distributing those sponsored gift boxes after each game. As I said earler, what a shame!

Yahoo! Viswanathan Anand Is Chess Viswanathan!

By drawing 11th game Vishy boy has retained world chess championship. Hoorray!

Well fought Kramnik. Great blog by Susan Polgar - thanks.

Will Anand Remain Chess Vishwanathan on 27th Oct 2008

If Anand wins the game on 27th, he will remain Chess Vishwanathan (Lord of Universe).

O' Anand, please give us anand (happiness) after retaining your lordship in the universe of chess!

Anand, Kramnik, Susan Polgar and WCC 2008

I found a fantastic blog where Susan Polgar is giving live expert comments on the ongoing World Chess Championship 2008 games between Anand and Kramnik. During her comments, she gives an advice or two which can help an average player like me a lot.

Her one comment was that when Queens are off chess board, it is well known that Kings should come into play. I'll remember this. It makes sense, kings can move in all directions like a queen (though just one square) and with queens off the chess board, the danger is much reduced.

Another thing she told was that when you can't think of a plan, make logical moves.

It really an 'aha moment' for me! I always have this problem, that in the middle of a chess game, I can't think of a plan to defeat my opponent. I am simply clueless as to how to proceed to capture the enemy king! It seems even GMs have this problem!!

What I understand now is: it's okay if you can't think of a plan as of now. Just make moves for the time being that ensure you do not blunder and that they generally make your position better or at least not worse. After few such moves perhaps you will see the light and a game plan may appear, or hopefully the opponent may blunder!

Here is a link that promises to improve your game tremendously and is worth a look.

Such small but important 'thumb rules' can go a long way in winning more chess games.