04-08-2014, 12:52 PM
Round 2 – Training and critical moments
Bo. 52 Scotland (SCO) Rtg - 40 Belarus (BLR) Rtg 0 : 4
27.1 GM Arakhamia-Grant, Ketevan 2394 - IM Ziaziulkina, Nastassia 2407 0 - 1
27.2 WFM Bamber, Elaine 2077 - FM Stetsko, Lanita 2261 0 - 1
27.3 Roy, Ali 1913 - Nevioselaya, Maria 2032 0 - 1
27.4 WFM Durno, Joy 1862 - Kaliadzich, Maryia 2020 0 - 1
I attended the first of four sessions for one of three training seminars running in Tromsø during the Olympiad. FIDE Senior Trainer/GM Grivas explained the new regulations from 1 July 2014. They are driven by Kirsan’s desire for chess to, one day, feature in the Olympics. So, like all other sports, chess has to have doping controls and licenses for its trainers and arbiters. FIDE’s training framework is a system of five levels with titles reflecting the type of training done and the level of the trainer.
The session also covered a whistlestop tour round the surprisingly deep resources on <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://trainers.fide.com/">http://trainers.fide.com/</a><!-- m --> which include pdf training material surveys and recommended book lists. It is worth checking out by any Scot currently involved in any level of training from primary kids upwards. Other topics included “Physical and Psychological Factors”; “Nutritional Practices of Chess Grandmasters”; and “Differences Between Boys and Girls in Chess”. I was delighted to learn about the positive benefits of dark chocolate during the game and less than chuffed to hear that it should be taken in very small quantities.
Scotland’s only previous encounter with Belarus was an excellent 1-1 draw, in a Euro Teams, many moons ago. Carey played in that match but sat out today so everyone is involved in the tournament early.
Joy is still shaking off signs of rust after her late call up into the squad. Playing solidly, if a little passively, allowed her opponent to develop an initiative in a Symmetrical type of Tarrasch. Castling was too ambitious and White won a key pawn. Joy fought hard but wasn’t allowed to get going today. Keti’s aggressive Anti Sicilian set-up demanded pushing f5 early to get the kingside attack rolling. Omitting it allowed timely action by Black in the centre to blunt the light squared bishop. Keti's last opportunity, in time trouble, was to exchange rooks and seek practical chances in the minor piece ending.
Avoiding Elaine’s Marshall with h3 was a small concession and White followed up with a few others. The critical moment arrived. Black’s pieces stood well and it was time to consider improving the queen. However the move chosen allowed Rxc5 sacrificing an exchange to bring White’s bishops to life. At first sight it looks creative but White was effectively pushed to adopt desperate measures. Ali was also involved in a Ruy Lopez and quickly reached a position she had prepared in the Breyer. These are among some of the most complex positions in chess and offer multiple options to both players on almost every move. The key moment centred around the fight for the a-file and when Ali allowed a knight to remain there unchallenged she faced an uphill struggle.
A difficult day for the team but not one to be downhearted about: the games were rich for long periods. I was encouraged that they sensed critical moments even if the correct solution wasn’t always found.
Bo. 52 Scotland (SCO) Rtg - 40 Belarus (BLR) Rtg 0 : 4
27.1 GM Arakhamia-Grant, Ketevan 2394 - IM Ziaziulkina, Nastassia 2407 0 - 1
27.2 WFM Bamber, Elaine 2077 - FM Stetsko, Lanita 2261 0 - 1
27.3 Roy, Ali 1913 - Nevioselaya, Maria 2032 0 - 1
27.4 WFM Durno, Joy 1862 - Kaliadzich, Maryia 2020 0 - 1
I attended the first of four sessions for one of three training seminars running in Tromsø during the Olympiad. FIDE Senior Trainer/GM Grivas explained the new regulations from 1 July 2014. They are driven by Kirsan’s desire for chess to, one day, feature in the Olympics. So, like all other sports, chess has to have doping controls and licenses for its trainers and arbiters. FIDE’s training framework is a system of five levels with titles reflecting the type of training done and the level of the trainer.
The session also covered a whistlestop tour round the surprisingly deep resources on <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://trainers.fide.com/">http://trainers.fide.com/</a><!-- m --> which include pdf training material surveys and recommended book lists. It is worth checking out by any Scot currently involved in any level of training from primary kids upwards. Other topics included “Physical and Psychological Factors”; “Nutritional Practices of Chess Grandmasters”; and “Differences Between Boys and Girls in Chess”. I was delighted to learn about the positive benefits of dark chocolate during the game and less than chuffed to hear that it should be taken in very small quantities.
Scotland’s only previous encounter with Belarus was an excellent 1-1 draw, in a Euro Teams, many moons ago. Carey played in that match but sat out today so everyone is involved in the tournament early.
Joy is still shaking off signs of rust after her late call up into the squad. Playing solidly, if a little passively, allowed her opponent to develop an initiative in a Symmetrical type of Tarrasch. Castling was too ambitious and White won a key pawn. Joy fought hard but wasn’t allowed to get going today. Keti’s aggressive Anti Sicilian set-up demanded pushing f5 early to get the kingside attack rolling. Omitting it allowed timely action by Black in the centre to blunt the light squared bishop. Keti's last opportunity, in time trouble, was to exchange rooks and seek practical chances in the minor piece ending.
Avoiding Elaine’s Marshall with h3 was a small concession and White followed up with a few others. The critical moment arrived. Black’s pieces stood well and it was time to consider improving the queen. However the move chosen allowed Rxc5 sacrificing an exchange to bring White’s bishops to life. At first sight it looks creative but White was effectively pushed to adopt desperate measures. Ali was also involved in a Ruy Lopez and quickly reached a position she had prepared in the Breyer. These are among some of the most complex positions in chess and offer multiple options to both players on almost every move. The key moment centred around the fight for the a-file and when Ali allowed a knight to remain there unchallenged she faced an uphill struggle.
A difficult day for the team but not one to be downhearted about: the games were rich for long periods. I was encouraged that they sensed critical moments even if the correct solution wasn’t always found.