Challenge Diary

August, 8. All four parties of today's round played by finalists of Challenge tournament of applicants were finished by drawn result. Before all the party of clubmates Alexander Georgiev and Vladimir Mil'shin was finished. Sergey Nosevich and Rob Clerc also after 40 moves of struggle have started peace talks. The duel Jean Mark Nd'ofang - Ron Heusdens rather sharply proceeded, but also it has not brought to contenders of treasured two points.
Alexander Shvartsman in a meeting with Alexander Getmansky was closest to a victory from finalists today, but also this party was finished in a draw. So, results of the finished peace round, have not brought in changes to position of participants. Alexander Georgiev is in the lead still.
Today solemn opening and the first round of III International tournament on Vladimir Ptitsyn's prizes was held. On start send 40 checkers players from 16 countries which will play prizes on a distance in nine rounds on the Swiss system. Open tournament has collected very strong structure.
According to a rating all checkers players were are devided on two groups on 20 persons. 1-st number from the first group played with first number of the second group, the second with the second and so on. It is interesting, that world champion Alexey Chizhov met with world champion Tamara Tansykkuzhina. The stronger sex appeared really more strongly. Generally speaking, the original match of the first and second group was finished with account 16 - 4. In whose benefit, guess.
The two world champions arrived today at 5 o'clock in the morning, having carried out almost day in Khabarovsk (because of smog, caused by fires the airport of Yakutsk did not accept). Even if they also would be late for the first round all the same would play with each other. As they say, from destiny you will not leave.
As Vladimir Il'ich Ptitsyn has declared on opening, the prize-winning fund of this tournament will make 4 thousand American dollars and it will be distributed on 8 places. The winner will receive 1000 $, a 2-place - 800 $, 3-place - 600 $, 4 place - 500 $, 5 place - 400 $, 6 place - 300 $, 7 place - 200 $, 8 place-100 $.

August, 7. In the first round of the ending one party - a duel, in the common opinion, favorites of the ending was productively finished: Alexander Shvartsman and Alexander Georgiev. On 63-rd course already in a hopeless position the ex-world champion has delayed time. It is known, that this year Shvartsman two times were started with tournament with defeat: in Spanish Salou in May and in the championship of Russia on the international checkers, finished recently in Ufa. So loss on start are for him habitual business. However at so short distance and such strong structure loss to the basic competitor puts under doubt of his claim for the first place in Challenge tournament of applicants. And Ishimbai Alexander Georgiev has made this victory the serious application for a victory in the final. We shall live we shall see. The first round was finished only.
Other parties were finished in a draw. In a meeting Jean - Mark Nd'ofang Sergey Nosevich advantage at the end of a party owned white, that is Ndjofang, but nevertheless the Byelorussian managed to be rescued.
In a duel of clubmates Vladimir Mil'shin and Alexander Getmansky (both play Bashkir club Bashneft') the drawn result on 53-rd move also is fixed.
And both representatives of the country of tulips Ron Heusdens and Rob Clerc have decided to not tempt destiny and having made the fixed 40 moves send on global. Henk Fokkinka (Netherlands) has desided to divide eight finalists into two subgroups, in one Russian players, in the second, accordingly representatives of other countries. And, thus, players will carry out first three rounds in the subgroups.
Tomorrow will start III International tournament in prizes I of vice-president FMJD, the president of the Asian confederation of checkers Vladimir Ptitsyn. The number of participants of this tournament will make 40 persons. They are the participants who have not broken through in a final part of Tournament of applicants plus of 13 best Yakut players plus two working world champions: Alexey Chizhov and Tamara Tansykkuzhina. Last two may not reach our capital in any way: because of strong smog owing to strong fires the airport of Yakutsk does not accept. Both this day the both champions have carried out in Khabarovsk. If they not will have time on the first round they should play with each other. It is interesting, whether the truth?

August, 6. Dramatic struggle for revealing of three staying places in the ending has turned out. Have begun to play 10 mornings, have finished in the eighth o'clock in the evening. For definition it was required three matches - tournaments. But nevertheless for draughts boards it was not possible to find out, who deserve to continue tournament and it was necessary to extend a lot. But about all under the order.
In the first match - tournament participated the seven checkers players who have collected on plus two. Unfortunately, unique hope Yakut Gavril Kolesov has unsuccessfully carry out the two first round, having lost Vladimir Mil'shin and Rob Clerk. In the third round he has carried out a beautiful combination against Anatoly Gantvarg which, in our opinion, is worthy a prize " For the best combination of tournament of applicants ". In penultimate round in a duel with Jean Mark Nd'ofang of the Yakutian grandmaster the victory arranged only. In the arisen difficult and confusing position the happiness has smiled, alas, Cameroon and Gavril has lost all chances of an exit in the final.
In a result after six-hour struggle and the three which left in the ending of Tournament of applicants was not revealed. Identical quantity of points have collected Jean Mark Nd'ofang, Rob Clerk, Guntis Valneris and Vladimir Mil'shin. They also should reveal the fourth superfluous.
The second stage where at contenders was for 10 minutes on a party plus of 5 seconds on each course began. Here all parties were finished in a draw. One more further has followed same tournament. Here again in each party contenders be dispatched with the world. It is interesting, that only in a parties with Jean Mark Nd'ofangom struggle was in each meeting. In other parties of three checkers players among themselves did not impose each other struggle.
So, there has come the culmination moment. Now, according to the rules, all four by a toss-up it was offered to reveal the loser. In four sheets of a paper four numbers were entered: 1, 2, 3, 4. Extended fourth number also remained behind a board of the ending. It appeared ex-world champion Guntis Valneris, in opinion of many, he would be a favorite and in a final part. But, alas, the blind choice of a lot is those.
Jean Mark Nd'ofang who has kissed almost all in a hall of spectators has most emotionally reacted to the hit in the ending. His jog on the Palace of sports has reminded reaction of the football player who has hammered solving gool in a match. So, in the ending to a muscovite to Alexander Shvartsman have joined: Alexander Georgiev, Alexander Getmansky, Vladimir Mil'shin (all Russia), Rob Clerk, Ron Heusdens (both Netherlands), Sergey Nosevich (Byelorus) and Jean Mark Nd'ofang (Cameroon). Tomorrow finalists play the first round.

August, 5. Doing the forecast for this round, all of us were mistaken in two parties. And it is a duel Jean - Mark Nd'ofang - Gavril Kolesov in whom there was a persistent struggle. Advantage was for our grandmaster, but for a victory as usually, there was no one rate.
The third victory was in succession gained by Dutch Ron Heusdens. This time his victim became the French of Arno Cordier. Uncertain game Cordier has given occasion Heusdens to hope on more best result, than a drawn game. And the Dutch has won. What the French when only the drawn game guaranteed to him a place in the treasured seven has interestingly thought after loss? We offer visitors of our site to choose variant of the answer: 1. "Se lya Ve" 2. "And lya ger whom and lya ger" 3. "Shershe lya fam." We vote! It was the joke. Other parties of leaders were finished in a draw, including, unfortunately, and party Ibrahim Adiatu (Cot D'evuare) - Ivan Tokusarov, left the Yakut grandmaster behind a board with his collected plus one.
And to those who will continue struggle for a place in the ending, Russian Vladimir Mil'shin, which has joined has changed Dul Erdenebileg (Mongolia). The recognized favorite (before the beginning of competitions) Alexander Baljakin (FMJD) very much wanted to win. He even has tried to play endgame four kings against two. But his contender Russian Murod Amrilloev has a rank of the grandmaster and to lose in such situation did not gather at all.
So, plus three have collected Alexander Georgiev, Alexander Getmansky (both Russia), Sergey Nosevich (Belorus) and Ron Heusdens (Netherlands). All four have reached the final And to other seven to participants of tournament of applicants, and it: Arno Cordier (France), Jean Mark Nd'ofang (Cameroon), Rob Clerk (Netherlands), Guntis Valneris (Latvia), Anatoly Gantvarg (Belorus), Vladimir Mil'shin and Gavril Kolesov (both Russia), is necessary to struggle for the treasured staying three places. The structure very strong, is necessary more than serious struggle which will demand from the participant of huge physical and psychological quotation.
The day after tomorrow, III International tournament in prizes of vice-president FMJD, the president of the Asian confederation of checkers Vladimir Ptitsyn in whom those participants of Tournament of applicants who have not reached the final will play August, 8 will begin. The best Yakut checkers players will join them. And still. Tomorrow to Yakutsk arrive world champion Alexey Chizhov and world champion Tamara Tansykkuzhina who also will take part in the International tournament.

August 4.

What the round last to us prepares?

In the finished round the record on fast playing of a consignment is established. In total for 20 minutes Alexander Georgiev and Gavril Kolesov played fast a drawn game, having made fixed 40 courses. At that truth, what for to risk for two rounds up to the end of a preliminary stage? And Cameroon Jean-Mark Ndjofang not that does not know this true, not that aspiration to play above than any tournament strategy. He again has gone on a risk position. The opponent, Аlexander Getmansky only was happy from such decision of African. Alexander has understood complicated position better Jean-Mark Ndjofang.
Other consignments of the leaders were finished in a draw. Including duel Guntis Valneris and Ivan Tokusarov. Having offered piace in sharp zeitnot Ivan has reached desirable draw of harbour. Tomorrow Tokusarov was lucky with a toss-up has gone on descent and will play with Ibrahim Adiatu from Kot D'vuare. Only victory removes Yakutiya grandmaster on match - tournament for hit in seven best. Forward, Ivan - there is no place to recede!
Before the last round 13 points have Alexander Georgiev, Аlexander Getmansky (both Russia), Sergey Nosevich (Belarus) and Аrno Cordier (France). On point behind Jean-Mark Ndjofang (Cameroon), Guntis Valneris (Latvia), Rob Clerk, Ron Heusdens (both Netherlands), Аnatoly Gantwarg (Belarus) and Gavril Kolesov (Russia).
There was a decisive round. If to attempt to make the forecast, match - tournament including collected plus two precisely to not avoid. More probably all get in the ending at peace outcome in a duel Sergey Nosevich and Аlexander Getmansky. Hardly somebody in this situation would go on struggle. Even Don Kihot.
Also it is very difficult to wait battle in consignments Аlexander Georgiev - Аnatoly Gantwarg and Ron Heusdens - Аrno Cordier. If Аlexander and Аrno the drawn game absolutely removes in the ending, Аnatoly and Ron the defeat can become the last result on this tournament.
The Clerk will be very difficult to the contenders psychologically to play in meetings Kolesov, Ndjofang, Valneris. You see though the victory opens a direct road to the ending, but the defeat puts a cross on the further participation in Tournament of the applicants.
To collected plus two can will join also winners in consignments Dul Erdenebileg (Mongolia), Vladimir Milshin (Russia), and also Аlexander Balyakin (Belorus), Мurod Amrilloev (Russia). By him that precisely could not be lost.
For others the last round of a preliminary stage becomes valid by the latter on this tournament.
Under the rules affirmed FMJD, the match - tournament will pass on circular system with the control of time 20 minutes on a consignment plus 10 seconds for each made course. If and after that seven will not be defined, the control of time becomes even more rigid: 10 minutes on a consignment plus 5 seconds for each course. There will be a show for the fans.

Alexandra Burnasheva