Jesse Gilbert Update

Some months ago we reported on the terrible news of Jesse Gilbert's death. I understand that the 19-year old was well-known to some Australians, especially those in the junior chess scene. Chessbase also featured an item on her life.

Since that news broke, Jesse's father - Ian Gilbert, 48 - has actually been appearing in court on charges of five counts of rape. Mr Gilbert denies those charges. The latest update is that the jury is now out and will return today, Thursday UK time, to deliver the verdict.

We'll, of course, let you know of the result as soon as we pick up the news.

India Edge Closer to Gold

The Indian trio of Krishhan, Pentala and Koneru are powering forward to team gold as they hit the 18.5 points mark after 7 rounds of the mixed team's classical in the Doha Games. Yesterday they defeated the Iranians, coached by British GM Nigel Short, 2.5 points to half.

Team Philippines drew their encounter against Bangladesh at 1.5 points all. ROnald Dableo defeated GM Reefat Bin Sattar and while Darwin Laylo drew his game against IM Enamul Hossain. On board 3, RP's female rep Jedara Docena went down to Samima Akter. The Philippines now has 10 points in total.

Leading teams are:

18.5 - India
14 - China
13 - Kazakhsktan, Indonesia
12 - Iran, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan

Russian Police Raid Kasparov

The offices of former world chess champion Gary Kasparov was reportedly raided by Russian police. Kasparov, now one of the most vehement critics of Russian president Vladimir Putin, leads the so-called "The Other Russia" - a pro democracy group.

Reports by Bloomberg and India's DNA.

Cheating by Indian Player

Indian player Umakant Sharma was recently caught using some kind of electronic gadget during play. The All India Chess Federation is considering what to do with the guy.

From The Telegraph.

Levon Aronian in Queensland

We were a bit vague about this earlier but we now have permission to announce that Levon Aronian is in Australia. In fact, as I write these words he is on his way to visit Seaworld in the Gold Coast.

Doha Games Chess Update

We're trying folks, desperately trying to make an effort of updating - but the jet lag, sadly, is getting to me. I'm completely exhausted. I landed at 7.30AM last Sunday, home by 9AM, did my washing, then off to bed for a few hours. Still, the body clock hasn't quite readjusted.

Anyway there is a big sporting event happening in Doha, Qatar - the 15th Asian Games and chess, as I think you know, is one of the sporting events. So far six rounds have been played in the Mixed Team's Classical phase and team India is powering ever closer to gold. Yesterday - Krishan, Pentala and Koneru blanked out their Uzbek opposition 3 points to nil.

The Uzbeks comprised of Rustam Kasimdhanov, Aleksei Barsov and WIM Olga Sabirova.

Team Philippines (Laylo, Dableo and female player Jedara Docena), on the other hand lost out to Mongolia 2 games to 1. The boys drew their matches but Docena lost to WGM Munguntuul Batkhuyag.

Leading team scores after six rounds:

16.0 points – India
11.5 – Qatar, Iran
11 – China
10.5 – Kazakhstan
10 – Vietnam, Indonesia

The Philippines has 8.5 points.

The future of chess

In the wake of Fritz's victory over Vladimir Kramnik, George Dvorsky offers some interesting ideas about the way forward:

In regards to human versus machine situations, the only option at this point is to start handicapping the computer. Otherwise, there’s no point to these match-ups.

...

[A]s far as the advancement of chess is concerned, it is time for humans to take a backseat to the computers. Chessbots have moved beyond us now and are playing the most sophisticated matches in the history of the game.

From the Institute of Ethics and Emerging Technologies

On my way home

Aah, after a little under a fortnight - I'm finally on my way back home. Now sitting in this very comfy British Airways business lounge where I just had for myself a nice drop of Californian Cab Sav. Yumm! I should be landing back in Sydney on Sunday morning. And I know my dear avid fans just can't wait for me to get back to full steam ahead blogging.

My God, did we miss some real action? NSWCA annual general meeting, wanna-bes in Queensland failing to win office and, of course, the Doha Games were just some of the news we missed. No matter, there's always more to come. I hope so anyway.

Traffic to the blog has markedly fallen over the last few days. It'll take a lot to get it back up again. We need another Gormallygate!

Still, I really enjoyed my brief time here in the UK and Brussels. Loved the latter, especially the shopping. I don't know, maybe it was my already overheated credit card, but things seemed so cheap in Belgium! Couldn't help myself. Enough talk. I gotta catch my flight. See you when I get back.

Lost in Brussels

Just another quick update. After a few days in London (where a well-dressed Italian tried to rip me off just outside of Harrods for God's sake), I finally made it to the Brussels. This place is beautiful. I just spent a good couple of hours walking around the streets of the Grand Central Market. Tonight, the town put on a spectacular light show that illuminated the facades of the old buildings that surround the main square. Quite magical. And, of course, I could not really detain myself very much from immediately seeking out the city's most popular chess cafe, The Greenwich. Thanks to my old buddy Jelle Marechal, himself a Belgian, for recommending this place. This joint is exactly how one would have found it a hundred years ago. There were about two dozen old men playing there. It wasn't long before I found an opponent. He had an espresso, while I enjoyed a glass od Duvel. I won two games! Not a bad start.

That's about all the garbled post I can manage for now. My time is running out. The net access here in Europe is ridiculously expensive (not to mention the overpriced but hopelessly substandard sushi). See you next time.

Fischer's Partner Vows Silence

Ah, we have some time now to update. Just one post, though, on this very chilly English morning. I'm actually off on a go-kart race later today.

There are so many things that the chess world would like to know about Bobby Fischer. And there is one person who holds a wealth of knowledge on the ex-world champion. But Fischer's long-time companion, Miyoko Watai, says that she will never reveal those details.

Link: Bobby Fischer's longtime companion still angry over treatment of chess icon