NICK BARNETT CHESS

The Superbet Chess Classic was won by GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov who took home the the $90,000 first prize. At the time of writing, it would have translated into R1,238,452.86. (To give you some comparison, the golfer Phil Mickelson recently earned a first-place prize of $2.16 million). Nevertheless, Mamedyarov was grinning from ear to ear as he secured victory with an easy draw against GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. The rest of the prize money was divided between Grischuk, So and Aronian, as the three grandmasters shared second place on a +1 score.

The rest of the Grand Tour:

• Croatia Grand Chess Tour Rapid & Blitz: July 5 - 12, 2021, Zagreb, Croatia

• St Louis Rapid & Blitz: August 9 - 16, 2021, St. Louis, Missouri USA

• Sinquefield Cup: August 16 – 28, 2021, St. Louis, Missouri USA

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Garry Kasparov at 58 and seemingly still on form, will make a rare comeback next month when the 2021 over-the-board Grand Tour reaches Zagreb. Kasparov will play 18 games in the five-minute blitz section on 10-11 July, when his leading opponent will be the current world title challenger, Ian Nepomniachtchi, who is not playing the full Tour but is competing in Zagreb as a wildcard.

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Reflections on Chess in the Rainbow nation, My Journey: Division and Unity, Volume 2 is a recent publication by Dr Lyndon Bouah. Dr Omar Esau from the Stellenbosch University reviewed the book: ‘It gives the reader a good insight into the memories of Lyndon as he narrates his journey as a chess player. Although Lyndon’s book focuses on his chess journey, it has much wider resonance. He commences his story as a young novice chess player in 1983 and then within a decade, in 1992 he represents South Africa on the highest stage as a Chess Olympiad player.’

The launch will take place at the Collective Arts Theatre (opposite DF Malan high school) at 13h00 and 14h30 (two sessions). The venue takes 40 people at a time, so book your seat early. Register by sending an email to lyndon.bouah@gmail.com or sending a message on 071 363 1306.

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I have been watching a video biography of Paul Morphy (June 22, 1837 – July 10, 1884): At different times he had these views about the game: ‘Chess never has been and never can be aught but a recreation. It should not be indulged in to the detriment of other and more serious avocations.’ And ‘It is not only the most delightful and scientific, but the most moral of amusements.’ ***

Remember to check facebook.com/ SACHESSPLAYERS for tournaments in South Africa. You need to do it often because notice is usually quite short.

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For comment or news please write to thechessnik@ gmail.com