Judit Polgar - Gregory Kaidanov Sicilian Theme Match

A wrap-up report.

I left you all in suspense, as at the end of Game 3 GM Kaidanov led the match 2 games to 1.  But GM Judit Polgar tied the match by winning the final game (Game 4) behind the white pieces, forcing a play-off series of  two games (each player won one game) and then a final Armageddon game, eek!   You can read the exciting report of the final as well as a review of each game at Susan Polgar's blog.  I won't keep you in suspense - Judit won!!!!

The match was sponsored by Jeff Smith, who funded a $22,000 purse divided between the two players ($22,000 per Monroi; $16,000 per Chessbase).

Chessbase has a report, Monroi provided live coverage of the games (includes photos and videos), and GM Alexandra Kosteniuk has included one of Judit's games (Game 2) at her blog as an excellent example of the Dragon variation of the Sicilian (like I know what that is - har!)  

Congratulations to Judit Polgar.  I hope this signals that we may be seeing more of her in the future - but if we do not, she has set the standard that other up-and-coming chess femmes are striving to reach. 

This is an exciting time to be covering news of female chessplayers.  In my mind, I compare the advancement of women in professional chess to what is happening in the world of Olympics-eligible female figure skaters.  It seems just a few years ago that a new young star burst on the scene.  Michelle Kwan.  She set the standard and elevated ladies' figure-skating to new heights, introducing an element of athleticism combined with artistry that rocked the skating world.  Kwan retired in 2006 - just in time for a new star to begin her rise.  At the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics South Korean skating star Kim Yu Na totally exploded the previous record for ladies' programs top scores (short program and free skate) under the new scoring system.  Yu Na is now the standard that other up-and-coming skaters are striving to reach., taking over the torch from Kwan, so to speak.

Who will be the new female star in chess to reach Judit Polgar's standard and take over her torch?

Judit Polgar - Gregory Kaidanov Scilian-Themed Match

Coverage at GM Susan Polgar's blog and Monroi.com. 

After Game 3, Kaidanov leads 2-1.  Round 4, the final game, starts on February 25th at 2:00 p.m.ET.  GM Susan Polgar provides analysis of the games at her website.  Monroi provides live coverage , games in PGN, a photo-gallery and video. 

This match is being sponsored by chess afficianado Jeff Smith.

Promotion Match Between Polgar and Kaidanov

Businessman Jeff Smith House is putting up money to sponsor a special closed match between GM Judit Polgar and GM Gregory Kaidanov that will be broadcast on the internet. Here are the details from Monroi: Sicilian Theme Match (Dragon, Scheveningen, Najdorf or Sveshnikov), GM Judit Polgar vs GM Gregory Kaidanov, 4 Classical 90min /40 move games, Possible Blitz playoff Purpose: Make a fun match for all to enjoy on the Internet. Onsite invitation only, closed to general view. The match will be webcast on the Internet. Click here to read more about the match. Host: Jeff Smith, Business Consultant. Jeff supports chess as a hobby and enjoys seeing others benefit from the game.

Chess Life Magazine January, 2009

Hola darlings! Damn, it is COLD outside. I was pelted smack in the kisser with sleety iceballs all the way home from the bus stop - 3/4th of a mile of sheer hell that would test the mettle of the most stalwart. Ach, I'm sounding like Hemingway - better stop now! The January 2009 issue of Chess Life magazine from USCF arrived in the mail today and there is one hot cover photo of a suited-up Gregory Kaidanov, he is just smoking in that photo! Well done to whomever took that photo, it's a great shot. The shot on the lead pages of the article (267-27) was nice too, but done in black and white. There was an equally fine shot of Jen Shahade on page 37 in the Hip Hop Variation article (about RZA's efforts to promote chess), also in black and white. Mostly I skip through Chess Life, because I do not play through any of the games or read any of the analysis, not being a "serious" chessplayer but a hopeless case -- my interest in chess stems from admiration for the people who actually play the game for something other than occasional amusement! I stop at photos that I find admirable and will read through an article occasionally if it about the ancient origins of the game, about a female or females playing chess or one of my favorite players. Now, I did not read this article, on the 2008 Women's World Championship by GM Pal Benko, but I will spend some time looking it over later because I admired his honesty in writing this - his lead-in says: As a conflict took place between Russian and Georgian troops, the women's world championship lost competitors to the political fallout. One consequence is the imprecision of many of the championship level end-games. I look forward to going over his insights in this article. I noticed last month - and again this month - in large ads, the 2009 National Open is not going to be held at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas in June! Why the hell not? What is, exactly, the "South Point Hotel" - the new venue? Off strip and out of the way and inconvenient! Ach! I think this is a big mistake, but hopefully the rooms will be LOTS cheaper for the patzer players who fork over their entry fees to pay for the prizes won by the big guns, and everyone will be happy - and, come to think of it - maybe some of those overweight dudes will walk off some of their bellies trekking to and from the South Point to the Strip, where all the action still, truly, is!