The Family man in Chess

They call him the family man in the chess world and I got to experience it up close. After the Weissenhaus Freestyle Chess tournament ended, Amruta and I had a week before the Prague Masters would begin. We decided to spend that time in Hague, Netherlands - the city where Anish Giri lives. The idea was to record a video series on openings with Anish. It was an ambitious project as we had to cover all the openings and get Anish's viewpoint on each one of them - this included the Sicilian, the French, the Nimzo Indian, the London and so many more. They call him the family man in the chess world and I got to experience it up close. After the Weissenhaus Freestyle Chess tournament ended, Amruta and I had a week before the Prague Masters would begin. We decided to spend that time in Hague, Netherlands - the city where Anish Giri lives. The idea was to record a video series on openings with Anish. It was an ambitious project as we had to cover all the openings and get Anish's viewpoint on each one of them - this included the Sicilian, the French, the Nimzo Indian, the London and so many more.

On day 1 we sat down to structure the material. I asked Anish if we could have one of his favourite games in each of the openings that we were going to discuss. And with that at the end of each opening discussion he could tell a story about the game. Anish liked the idea and I thought he would think about it in the night and then when we would sit down to record it next day he would have it ready. Well, turns out that wasn't the case. Anish began instantly. He opened his database of games from both colours, put in the moves of the Ruy Lopez - and then exclaimed "Ah yes, this one against Magnus! from Norway Blitz. I went on an attack and that was a big surprise for him. Let's add this one." I started noting down the games on a pad and he moved to the next opening. Before you knew it, in around an hour he had gone through hundreds of his games, and had found a special one in each opening!

I learnt from Anish that in order to be a family man and world no.5, you have to have the ability to focus and make use of the best of your time that is on hand. That is the only way you can take your eldest son for the skiing class in the morning, then record for 2.30 hours for a video course, babysit the kids, be there on the stream for chesscom playing as a pair with Danny Rensch, or commentating on their community Najdorf event or winning Titled Tuesday. And amidst all of this you can see him active on all platforms - Twitter, Instagram and of course not to forget Wildr. The secret to all of this is the intensity. The ability to zone in to the task on hand and do it with 100% focus. And when the time is over, to zone out from that task and focus on the next one at hand. Truly, an amazing skill he has managed to develop.

While Anish's abilities are extraordinary, the person who inspired me tremendously in the house was Sopiko Guramishvili. An IM, and one of Georgia's finest players, Sopiko had a career high rating of 2430. At some point she was one of the best commentators in the world of chess, being part of the official commentary team for the World Championship 2014 between Carlsen and Anand. Known for being miss tactics along with Anna Rudolph (who was miss strategy) for chess24, recording courses, playing in tournaments, commentating - Sopiko was an extremely well-recognized face in the chess world. But then she stopped everything. Being a mother to 3 kids - Daniel (7 years), Michael (2 years) and Rianna (6 months) is a full-time job. And not just a mother - being a mother who is 100% present for her little ones. This is where Sopiko found her peace. This is what she loves doing. This is what brings a smile on her face every morning she wakes up (if she manages to get some sleep!).

Sopiko's culinary skills are absolutely amazing. Try her ramen and you will be in heaven! She manages to cut the vegetables, boil the noodles, make the broth - all of this, she manages to do in less than 20 minutes and having one eye on the kids all the time. And not to forget the Television in the living room is all the time running with some chess show where Anish is taking part. Miss Efficiency is a fitting name for her. But this is not lifeless efficiency that we so often see in this modern world. This efficiency is filled with warmth and love. This efficiency is very human - or more super human I would say.

What Sopiko and Anish are building together is just amazing. Their home is a place filled with love. The kids are full of energy, ideas and enthusiasm. They have all the freedom in the world and yet one stare from Sopiko and they know they are in trouble. While Anish is busy being one of the best players in the world and maintains his place at the top, Sopiko is the backbone of the family. They both make me believe that if you respect each other in a relationship beautiful things can happen. While I did record 7 hours of video course with Anish and this will be enjoyed by chess enthusiasts all across the world in due course, for me this trip was a lot about experiencing the dynamics of a family life filled with love, respect and understanding.

Bangladesh Police regains Bangabandhu Premier League 2024

Bangladesh Police regained their Bangabandhu Premier Division Chess League title in a dominant fashion. The defending champion, SAIF Sporting Club did not take part in this edition. Bangladesh Police won the tournament with a round to spare. They still defeated Bangladesh Biman in the last round to finish with 19/20, four points ahead of the runners-up teams. Palli Sanchay Bank and Titas Club scored 15/20 each. They were placed second and third respectively according to tie-breaks. IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh earned his final GM-norm. The reigning National Under-17 and Under-15 Girls champion, Mrittika Mallick secured her maiden WIM-norm. Photos: Bangladesh Chess Federation

IMPROVE YOUR PIECES - A WINNING SYSTEM YOU NEED TO KNOW!

One of the most effective ways to improve your chess understanding is to know where your pieces belong and how to adapt when the board situation changes. When there’s no forced tactics, one must formulate a plan for what to do. Instead of looking for a win or advantage, it’s often easier to identify a piece that can improve its position and function!

And who better to learn from, than one of the best trainers in the world? RB Ramesh has trained thousands of chess players including the top players in the world. He’s the trainer of rising Indian prodigy Praggnanandhaa, and he helps many improving Indian Juniors attain the highest level. He has carefully selected examples that underline the importance of regrouping your pieces and giving you rules of thumb which are easy to remember.

Do check out this 4-hour-long ChessBase video course by Grandmaster Ramesh RB - you will start looking at positional chess in a new light, and see the results in your own games!

LATEST NEWS OF THE WEEK

Registration starts for the ChessBase India Training Camp in April

After many wonderful training camps organized in 2023, ChessBase India is bringing them once again in 2024! The first training camp of this year will be organized from 2nd to 7th April at the ChessBase India Training Academy located in Bhopal. Just like last time, a total of 12 players can participate in this camp. FIDE instructor Niklesh Jain and Women International Master Angela Franco of Colombia will be the trainers! This camp will run from Tuesday, 2nd April till Saturday, 6th April - after that, the next day on Sunday, 7th April, the participants of the camp will get a chance to participate in the ChessBase India Khelo Chess India Rapid Tournament among the players from all over the state! Read the article below to get more information:

"Magnus Carlsen and Freestyle Chess is coming to India" - Jan Buettner

Jan Buettner is the sponsor and organizer behind the Weissenhaus Freestyle Chess 2024. We speak to him about what he feels about the entire event and the future of Freestyle Chess Tour. Jan also gives us the breaking news that the next edition of Freestyle chess is coming to India! Check out the full interview linked below.

Anton Sitnikov triumphs at 15th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit 2024, Karthik Rajaa second

IM Anton Sitnikov scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win 15th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament 2024. He finished a full point ahead of the field. The winner of the 13th edition, FM Karthik Rajaa scored 6.5/9 to secure second place. GM Manik Mikulas (SVK) scored an unbeaten 6/9 to finish third. The six-day ten-player round robin tournament was organized by Tamil Nadu State Chess Association at Hotel Applettree in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu from 23rd to 28th January 2024. Tournament Coordinator and Chief Arbiter - IA V Vijayaraghavan writes the tournament report. Photos: IA V Vijayaraghavan

20 years of the Bangkok Chess Open

The BCC Open steps into the third decade of the critically acclaimed tournament. What makes this tournament special, is the utmost care given to the playing conditions. Peter Long writes the history of this tournament which will have the 21st edition this April. How did an engineer, a huge chess enthusiast - Kai Tuorila made Thailand, a must visit destination for chess players from all around the globe. Why he has been so successful in the creation of a long-lasting tradition where there is always a strong line-up of GMs and IMs always ready to play, most importantly many returning players. Peter Long mentions them all in this article which covers the history of this tournament. Photos: FM IA FT Peter Long