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While Scotland has a clear history of playing the game, arguably chess has lost its way in this country against its continuing popularity in many parts of the world. Enter stage left Gareth Williams and Andrew Green Williams the co-founder and longtime CEO of online travel site Skyscanner and Green the nations only full-time chess coach.

On Sturday an online chess tournament was staged by Green with the backing of Williams and saw more than 600 Scots kids from Dingwall to Dubai play in competition for prizes totalling 10,000, the largest prize fund of its kind anywhere in the UK.

The aim of the game, so to speak, is to get more kids into playing chess in this country. Securing government funding would help. Most European countries receive public funding for chess in schools and the lack of funding is one of the factors at the root of the problem in Scotland.

The benefits of the game to kids are well proven. Research points to the educational benefits of chess, including around cognitive and emotional skills, maths and problem-solving. And with chess increasingly played in an online environment without language barriers, its never been easier or cheaper to get into the game no need to keep replacing the chess sets in the school cupboards when a bishop and a few pawns go missing.

From a campaign point of view, it has been great to work with Andrew, Gareth and the team to get the story out there and featured in the national media. The mainstream UK press hasnt taken much of an interest in the game, to the extent that when the World Chess Championship took place in London in 2018 there was relatively little coverage of the event.

We brought in social media agency Sunshine Communications to support the campaign, and the Jenny Emslie-led outfit who have offices in Edinburgh and London have done a great job of amplifying the story via social channels.

Unsurprisingly, the kids were the real stars of the show, not least a ten-year-old from Edinburgh who has been putting fabled Grandmasters to the sword in competition play. On a personal level, I was pleased to get our daughter into playing the game under the expert tutelage of Andrew Green himself. With kids spending so much time on devices these days, chess can certainly be seen as good gaming in comparison to many of the so-called shoot em up games available online.

Some say The Queens Gambit has helped to put chess back on the map, and perhaps the Netflix series has made chess cool to those who didnt previously see it in this light, but its great to see Andrew Green and Gareth Williams put real building blocks in place in the hope that they can help to grow the game here.

Nick Freer is the Founding Director of corporate communications agency the Freer Consultancy

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Gareth and Andrew's gambit is putting chess back on the map - Nick Freer - The Scotsman

Loneliness has been a universal experience during lockdown.

More people were calling mental health helplines throughout the pandemic suffering from mental ill-health caused by the isolation. The number of adults showing symptoms of depression has doubled since the pandemic began.

Now one Cambridgeshire man is hoping to address this global feeling of disconnection in his own unique way - through chess.

If you walk past Cambridge Market in the city centre on a Tuesday you might see some people playing chess at Shelley and Sarahs cafe van. This isnt any old chess game, however.

Its a paired-back game that is easier to pick up and quicker to play and it also has a secondary purpose instead of just being a way to pass the time.

The game was designed by Oakington based Ross Smith with his business partner Ian McKay in 2015 after they decided to do something about the levels of disconnection and inequality they saw in society.

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Ross said: People are afraid to talk to each other nowadays. We all harbour stranger danger and are stuck on our phones. Chess is a device we can all use to get people to talk.

He chose the universal language of chess to encourage a connection over a game and a coffee.

Ross and volunteer Sam Jermyn trialled a five-a-side chess session for the first time since the pandemic on June 8 at Cambridge Market to see who would play.

He said: Shelley and Sarah have been established as part of Cambridges community for decades. They greet everyone by name and many who pass are the lost, lonely or dispossessed. Their faces light up at the connection.

The chess games help Sams social skills by practising speaking to people, but it also encourages strangers, especially men, to talk.

As a Cambridge local, Ross wanted to address the divide seen in the city between the top few and the bottom many. In 2019 Cambridge was named the UKs most unequal city in terms of earnings.

Chess was used as a form of therapy in Baghdad in the 9th century and has since been used to treat ADHD and dementia. It demonstrates empathy by predicting other players moves and aims to encourage problem-solving and build rapport between the players.

Ross said: Chess isnt about elitism or champions. It crosses social divides. I watch my eight-year-old granddaughter play with the elderly in care homes. You can play our cardboard version of chess by text like battleships.

"Sam has been playing with people virtually who have been shielding throughout the pandemic. It gives people an excuse to start talking.

Since Ross started his enterprise six years ago he has seen benefits including increased self-esteem and confidence and a reduction in loneliness in the communities hes worked with.

He has also taken his chess sets into prisons across the country. In the last year, he has received 292 letters from inmates who opened up about their lives and their mental health because of these chess sets.

Ross describes these sets as a self-help tool kit to help with life skills, bring some company and contribute to mental wellness.

He said: When you receive a chess set we set you a challenge to play with different people. When you complete it you get a certificate. My granddaughters goal is to play 25 games in Milton Keynes shopping centre. I saw her approach some kids in McDonalds and watched their faces turn from concern to beaming smiles as she sat down and started to play with them.

Learning to play chess was what helped pull the famous chess player and author John Healy out of prison and alcoholism. Healy, who is a friend of Ross, was taught to play by a cellmate during a stint in a prison and went on to become a chess champion.

Ross said: Healys story isnt of redemption. Its a story of peer to peer connection. It took an insider to get through to him. To us, chess can be a conversation starter and an important life tool.

To connect with a fellow stranger and play some chess, head to Shelley and Sarahs cafe van on the northside of Cambridge Market every Tuesday from roughly 9am-2pm.

Quote Your first move is hello to receive a free chess set valued at 7.50 and start your course to share the game further.

Learn more on the 5asideCHESS website.

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The man behind the five-aside chess set in Cambridge Market helping the lonely to reconnect - Cambridgeshire Live

HIGHWOOD Not a lot goes on in the small community Highwood, according to resident Ashton Pasha. Despite that, the seventh-grade student always finds ways to stay busy - and her most recent activities have her packing a suitcase for next month.

Ashton is a state champion chess player and qualified for the national K-8 chess tournament at the annual U. S. Open Chess Championship in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

I did not win the overall tournament so when they said I qualified it was pretty shocking to me, Ashton said.

Not only did she qualify for nationals, but she did so after playing just one tournament. That state tourney in Helena a few weeks ago was her first ever, and she left quite the impression on the field and her family.

On top of that she juggled several sports in the same time frame, competing in track events that same week.

Her mother Andrea was equally shocked when she got the email saying Ashton could play chess with the best next month: Ashton is the hardest worker Ive ever met. Shell prioritize multiple things and just go for it. I couldnt be prouder of her.

Ashton contemplates her next move

The Pashas have a family chess board they have used for years, and Andrea said they all play chess as a family, but only recently did things start to heat up.

I like playing with them and it usually goes pretty well, Ashton said with a smirk.

If you have Netflix, you probably know about the movie "The Queens Gambit" and how it stormed the Internet when it was released. It also gave Ashton some inspiration in her chess game as well: It was cool to see because she chased her dream, Ashton added.

She will be a long way from home come July, but she will have her family right there with her chasing her dream.

If you would like to help with Ashton's travel expenses, click here.

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Chess whiz-kid from Highwood set for national tournament - KRTV Great Falls News

Image Caption

The 30th Annual Chicago Open was held on the 2021 Memorial Day weekend after a 15-month break. // photo Sean Sean Hennessy

Overthe 2021Memorial Dayweekend,Grandmaster Dariusz Swiercz wonthe30thAnnual Chicago Open and theContinental Chess Associations(CCA) return toOver-The-Board chessin Wheeling, Illinois.

The last OTB event prior to the Chicago Openwas the Western Class Championshipnearly15 months ago!Just as players may have had to shake some rust off their play, tournament directors also needed to regain some skills that may have declined.

CCA President BillGoichbergcommentedthat very difficult decisionswere requiredwhen shutting down OTB chess,buteven more difficultwasdeciding how and when to bringitback again.BalancingCOVID protectionand regulationswithplayerscomfortandconveniencewas a constant challenge for the organizer and directing staff.While most players were appreciative that OTB chess had returned,there was a split between those who feltthe eventwenttoofar with COVID restrictions, and othersnot enough.Maskswererequiredand socialdistancingwas encouraged, with most players acceptingthese as necessaryregulations.On the bright side, everyone played attheir own six-foot table, so playing conditions were very spacious!

Restarting a major event under such unique conditionswas a challenge, the least of which was planning how many people would come to Chicago to play.While COVID conditions have trended mostly betterover the past months, advertisingchanged as new detailswere learned.One game per tablemeant twice as muchspace, andplanningnew details with the hotel,in turn,meant coordinating withlocalgovernmentto determine necessary protections.

Despite these challenges, the30thedition of the Chicago Openwas held with 559 total players, battling over chess boards for $100,000 in prizes.The Open section featured 69 players,including 8 Grandmasters, 9 International Masters, and 14 FIDE Masters.Champion Swiercz entered as the highest-rated player and led the event in its entirety, playing every round on Board 1 and finishing undefeated 7/9. He scored five wins, including victories over second-placefinisher GM Christopher Repka andthreeIMsPraveen Balakrishnan, SamSchmakeland Josiah Stearman.

Image Caption

The 30th Annual Chicago Open Final Standings

There was little drama in the first round, withall titled players scoringfull points.GM OleksandrBortnyk, who would go on to tie for second place,played a nice tactic to bring home the full point.Can you find the winning combination?

Image Caption

GM Oleksandr Bortnyk - FM Matthew Stevens after 20. ... Nxf6 -- can you find the winning combination for White?

Grandmasterswere being paired with International Mastersby Round 2, and most of the GMs made it to 2-0 though not all.FM Justus Williams knocked off GMAwonderLiang on the top board, andFM Joshua Posthuma nicked GM Alexander Shabalov for a drawon Board 3.Williams wenton toscore 6/7 andtie for the U2400 FIDEprizewith anIM-worthyperformance,though he did not receive anorm because he did not play enoughplayers from a foreign federation.

Image Caption

FM Justus Williams tied for the U2400 FIDE Prize with an IM-worthy performance in the 30th Annual Chicago Open, though missed the norm. // photo Sean Hennessy

In this equal position,NM MikeZaloznyymadethenatural-looking15. Ne7, but his opponentNM Andrew Titusshowedthe positional move fails to a tactic.

Image Caption

NM Andrew Titus NM Mike Zaloznyy after 15. Ne7. Black saw 16. Qc3 and intended Nxd5, however that fails to 16. Qc3 Nxd5 17. Nf5! And black gets mated.

More GMs paired with IMs in Round 3, withonly one draw on the top boards.GM Swierczrecountsthis win over IMSchmakelas one of his best games of the event.In the game, hegives up an exchangebut stays betterdespite the material deficit,ultimately earningthe full point.

Onlyfive playersremained with perfect scores after three rounds:GMsDariuczSwiercz, OlexandrBortnyk, Hans Niemann, Christopher Repka and IM Robby Kevlishvili.GM Repkawas served his only loss of the tournament, to the champion. Here, Swiercz has been winning for many moves andRepkas position is desperate, though Black has a miracle defense that could have saved equality.

White has manythreatsand it looks likeBlack might be lost, but he has a defense.44. Rd445. gxf6 Bd5 saves the game for black.

Swierczslowed his pace with a draw in Round 5, allowingGM Niemann back intoa first-place tie with this win overGM Shabalov.

Image Caption

GM Hans Niemann at the 30th Annual Chicago Open. // photo credit Sean Hennessy

Niemann dropped from the leadersgroupafteran uncharacteristic blunder in the opening of his Round 7 game against IM Praveen Balakrishnan, and Swiercz separated himself from the pack in Round 8, defeating Balakrishnanwith the Black pieces after turning down an early draw offer.

Section winners for the 30th Annual Chicago Open:

U2300: NMCaleb Denby, 6.5/7

U2100: Kameron Tolliver, 6.5/7

U1900: Stephen Jennings and DaniloBucal, 6/7

U1700: Mohammad Khan, Theodore Epstein, and Aaron Marian, 6/7

U1500: Louisa Zhang, 6.5/7

U1250: Nathan Melnikov, 7/7

Mixed Doubles: BadakhandNorovsambuuand Max Zinski; Nura Baala and Aditya Gupta,10.5/14

Blitz: FM Aydin Turgut, 9/10

NTD Boyd Reed directed for Continental Chess assisted by David Hater, SteveImmitt, Jeff Wiewel, Jeff Smith, Tracey Vibbert, Terry Winchester, Chris Baumgarter, AdamRubinberg, Harold Scott, Gary Janssen, Danny Rohde, and Steve Plotnick.

Full tournament details can be found atwww.chicagoopen.net.Previous Continental Chess tournaments can be found at the Continental Chess website athttp://www.chesstour.com/cross.html.

Solution to GM OlexandrBortnykn - FM Matthew Stevens above:21. Rxf6Qxa122. Qxg6 Qc1(22. . Re723. Nf5)23. Qf7+Kh824.Rf5 Qh625.Rh5 Qxh526. Qxh5+ Kg827.Nf5

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CCA Returns to OTB Chess with 30th Chicago Open - uschess.org

Indias three strongest woman players are all set to make their best moves as yet another high profile online chess tournament kicks off on Saturday.

Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika and R. Vaishali could face some of the biggest names in the game at the Womens Speed Chess championship, organised by FIDE and chess.com.

The second edition of the tournament features 16 players, including World No. 1 Hou Yifan of China, the Russian trio of Kateryna Lagno, Alexandra Kosteniuk and Valentina Gunina, Ukraines Anna Muzychuk and Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria.

The knockout event will have games of varying time controls, from one to five minutes. Humpy, the reigning womens World champion in rapid chess, said the format made the tournament unpredictable. Anything can happen in a knockout tournament, she told The Hindu.

Last years event was held over four legs, so you could play right through the event till the two finalists were decided, she said.

Humpy had finished runner-up in the fourth leg and seventh overall. I had played with no expectations and I wasnt too keen on playing online chess then, she said. This time, I have been preparing for the tournament by playing against the computer.

Though she is one of the eight players seeded directly for the tournament Harika and Vaishali made it after winning qualifying events she is taking nothing for granted.

It is a very strong tournament with so many fine players, she said.

I am glad that three Indians are in the fray.

Humpy will take on Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan in the opening round on Saturday. Harika will face a stronger challenge on June 16, against Kosteniuk, a former World champion. Vaishali too has a tough opponent in Chinas Lei Tingjie.

The final will be played on July 3. All games will be streamed live on YouTube.

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Womens Speed Chess from May 12 - The Hindu