Benjamin 'Karpov' Tan

Benjamin Tan vs Peter Lloyd

2011-06-06T04:47:00.000-07:00

Benjamin Tan vs Mikhail Katov

2011-06-06T04:43:00.000-07:00

Ranked as the 3rd prettiest win by GM Benjamin Tan in his short but wonderful career so far. Katov crumbles in 14 moves after a horrible blunder. Takes nothing away from Ben who played this game ever so well. Two thumbs-up !

Benjamin Tan vs Matthew Howard

2011-06-06T04:39:00.000-07:00

Benjamin Tan vs George Tandros

2011-06-06T04:29:00.000-07:00

RCI Cup Undisputed Champion Final - Darren Chan vs Benjamin Tan (Game 1)

2011-06-06T04:26:00.000-07:00

This is the opening game of the 2010 RCI Cup Undisputed Champion Final.

2010 RCI Cup Undisputed Champion Final - Benjamin Tan vs Darren Chan (Game 2)

2011-06-06T04:10:00.000-07:00

This is the 2nd game of the 2010 RCI Undisputed Champion Cup Final.

Benjamin Tan vs Dersin Kojke

2011-06-06T04:03:00.000-07:00

"People don't need to tell me what to do" - GM Benjamin Tan

2010-10-18T23:36:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of Asians gather at the official chess convention in Russia to protest to Ben's citizenship. Some protestor carry banners saying "We dont need Ben, %$@# him and his family", others said "Kill Him".

This campaign is organized in accordance to the Russian-Connection revolutionary transfer, which negotiate the Russian citizenship offered to Singapore leading chess star GM Benjamin Tan. Tens of thousand of chess fans around the world sounded their anger and frustration, of these protestor more than 96% of them are Japanese and Chinese.

Former Chess SuperBowl Cup winner Hanrol Steniken sympathises with Benjamin Tan, "he (Ben) has met with cruel and merciless critiques ever since this whole incident started, it's a case of wanting to come here and stay, just as simple as that and there's no need to blow the whole incident up, I hope people can be more understanding".

Meanwhile Ben is in Singapore, he declined to say if he would be too bored by it. "There are something that's out of my control and frankly spoken I really don't care what those people do, it's not going to shake me and my spirit, people hates me because they think I betray my country, but they don't understand a thing - People dont need to tell me what to do".

Poor health forces Ben to pull out of Commonwealth Games

2010-10-07T02:44:00.000-07:00

Once again Singapore would be without the service of their top chess star. GM Benjamin Tan, 19 has made an emergency withdrawal from the Games 3 days before New Dehli could pull up their curtains. Said to be suffering from poor health the World Junior number 38 would not be following the rest of the team to India.

But meanwhile he has played a few bullet games (1 minute per side) here in Singapore, one of the games is even recorded by a fan. Enjoy.

Singapore struggles without Grandmaster Benjamin Tan

2010-10-07T02:36:00.001-07:00

Singapore were without their talisman and top chess star at the 2010 Chess Olympiad and this proved decisive. His stand-in replacement IM Daniel Howard Fernandez could only manage 2 wins and 2 draws, finishing the tournament with 7 lost.

Despite that, GM Benjamin Tan maintained that he's proud of IM Daniel Fernandez. "He went there and played a few nice games, this trip serves more as an experience-getter for him rather than a real fight, he's still young".

Without the service of their top marksman Singapore could only attain 73rd position, winning 4, drawing 3 and losing 3 - including a devastating 4-0 reverse to Georgia.

Ben sees red as match-fixing scandal resurfaced

2010-09-27T23:44:00.000-07:00

This year's Singapore Polytechnic Chess Open once again ended in dramatic style.

A volcanic Benjamin Tan burst out of the tournament room and went straight home before the last round, the Singaporean leading chess star refused to entertain the host further when his suspicious of the match-fixing scandal exceeded its limit.

A year ago in this very same event Ben raised the same complain, but any allegation was quickly denied by the organizer. This year Ben's suspicious grew when he found out that Singapore Polytechnic are using a tie-break system to protect their player from the top spots, at the same time feeding them with "easier opponents". He also found out that the organizer delibrately send three leading foreign players from NTU to "take him out".

Said Ben just before his dramatic storm off "those three (NTU) players are not going to affect me too much, but it certainly forces me to take the longer path to victory as compared to that SP guy who had a considerable more comfortable time, also the tie-break system they adopted is specially designed to benefit their own players and target me, you call that fair ? very clearly SP are trying to protect their own player, and I as an outsider has no say, forget it ! If they wants to win so badly so be it, I'm done with what I have to say goodbye".

Ben also vow not to come back to this tournament ever again.

A fury Ben promised to follow up in this issue and might even call in the World Chess Federation for further investigation if neccessary.

2010 Salto Angel International Chess Cup

2010-08-28T22:41:00.000-07:00

"Magnificient Eight" announced

The eight participants invited for the annual super-tournament is officially announced.
Featuring newly-crowned chess superbowl winner and four-times RCI Cup winner Singaporean Grandmaster Benjamin Tan.

Two other former superbowl winner GM Andrei Jantovoltski (1999 - 2003) and GM Hanrol Steniken (2004-2005) are invited too.

Other participants includes Vietnam's superstar IM Le Kong Nam - winner of the 2009 King's Cup, Indonesian star FM Sarat Tohatmatai - winner of the 2009 SEA Chess Congress Class B, Malaysian star FM Dave Wong Wei Zi - winner of the 2009 Baltic Warrior Cup, Indian super prodigy IM Kashmov Kashima - 1st runner up of the 2010 Salzburg Emerald and American IM Ray Evans - winner of the Bulls Cup 2010.

Games would be played at the time control of 15 minutes per side without time increment.
In case of a tie-break, a "first-to-six-points" format of blitz games would be played, with draws counting too.

The first round would start on January 18 2011

Round 1 pairing would look something like this

Dave Wong vs Benjamin Tan
Sarat Tohatmatai vs Hanrol Steniken
Andrei Jantovoltski vs Le Kong Nam
Ray Evans vs Kashmov Kashima

Ben VS Alexis. After Round 20

2010-08-11T01:07:00.001-07:00

GM Benjamin Tan wins 2010 Chess SuperBowl !

At first the world thought he's finally cracking under pressure when GM Benjamin Tan played his 14th move of the game. Ben sacrificed the exchange only to win it back at move number 33, he simplify the game to a 2 v 2 pawn position with a winning outside passed-pawn for him. Facing inevitable defeat the defending champion shook hands and conceeded his title in the process. Benjamin Tan ended up beating Alexis Migel by 12.5 to 7.5, not needing to play the remaining 4 games.

This is Ben's greatest grand-slam title in his life and also his first SuperBowl ever.

Way to go Benjamin Tan, congratulation on your victory.

The notation for round 20 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl
11th August 2010
Benjamin Tan vs Alexis Migel

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 h6 3. Bxf6 exf6 4. c4 d5 5. Nf3 dxc4 6. e3 Be6 7. Be2 Nc6 8. 0-0 Be7 9. a4 0-0 10. Na3 Bxa3 11. Rxa3 a6 12. a5 b6 13. Nd2 Nxa5?? 14. Rxa5!! bxa5 15. Nxc4 c6 16. Qa4 Bxc4 17. Bxc4 Qb6 18. b3 Rab8 19. Ra1 Rfe8 20. Qxa5 Qb7 21. Qxa6 Qxa6 22. Rxa6 Rbc8 23. Kf1 Re7 24. Ke2 Kf8 25. Kd2 g5 26. g4! Ke8 27. Kc3 Rd7? 28. Kb4 Rdc7 29. Kc5 Rd8 30. e4 Rcd7 31. d5 cxd5 32. Bb5 dxe4 33. Bxd7+ Kxd7 34. Rxf6 Ke7 35. Rxh6 Rd2 36. Rh3 Rxf2 37. Re3! Rxh2 38. Rxe4+ Kf6 39. b4 Rf2 40. b5 Rf4 41. Kd5 resign

Final Score

GM Benjamin Tan 12.5
GM Alexis Migel 7.5

Alexis vs Ben. After Round 19

2010-08-11T00:39:00.000-07:00

Migel threw everything down but still NO WAY THROUGH...

For the first time in this game Russia finally admits their man is lost, Moscow officially congratulated Benjamin Tan on his stunning victory over Migel. Meanwhile on the board the 31 years old Russian fought for every inch, threw everything at Benjamin Tan but was still held to a crucial draw.

A lost in the next game for Migel would essentially end the match - at high note.

The notation for round 19 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 19
7th August 2010
Alexis Migel vs Benjamin Tan

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. c4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Ne5 0-0 7. Bg2 Na5 8. cxd5 exd5 9. 0-0 Be6 10. f4 Bf5 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. e4 f6 13. Na3 Be6 14. f5 Nb6 15. fxe6 Qxd4+ 16. Nf2 Nc6 17. Qb3 Na5 18. Qc2 Rac8 19. Bf4 Nac4 20. b3 Ne5 21. a4 a5 22. Rfd1 Qc5 23. Qb2 Qb4 24. Rd4 Qc5 25. Rd2 c6 26. Rc2 Qb4 27. Rf1 Ra8 28. Bd2 Qd6 29. Be3 Nc8 30. Bh3 Qb4 31. Rd1 Bd6 32. Bg2 c5 33. Nd3 Qb6 34. Nxc5 35. b4 axb4 36. Qb3 Kh8 37. Bf1 Ng4 38. Bd4 Be5 39. Bb5 Rd8 40. Qxb4 Ne7 41. Nd7 Qxe6 42. Bxe5 fxe5 43. Rd6 Qf7 44. h3 Rac8 45. Bc4 Qe8 46. hxg4 Rxd7 47. Bf7 Rxd6 48. Qxd6 Rd8 49. Rc7 Rxd6 50. Bxe8 Ng8 51. Rc8 Ne7 52. Rb8 g5 53. a5 Kg7 54. Rxb7 Kf6 55. Rb6 Ke6 56. Kf2 Nc8 57. Rc6 Rxc6 58. Bxc6 Kd6 59. Bb7 Na7 60. Ke3 Kc5 61. Kd3 Nb5 62. Bc8 h6 63. Be6 Kc6 64. Bd5+ Kc5 65. Ke3 Nd6 66. a6 Kb6 67. Bb7 Nxb7 68. axb7 Kxb7 69. Kd3 Kc7 70. Kd2 Kc6 71. Kc2 Kc5 72. Kc3 draw agreed 0.5 - 0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 11.5
GM Alexis Migel 7.5

Ben VS Alexis. After Round 18

2010-08-04T01:17:00.000-07:00

Deadlock to endgame

Round 18 saw both players stepping into tactical water, with Ben down a pawn but easily converting it into a drawn endgame. Great game for Ben.

The notation of round 18 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 18
4th August 2010
Benjamin Tan vs Alexis Migel

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 Nc6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bg4 6. Be3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. 0-0 Qd7 9. e5 Bxc3 10. exf6 Bxb2 11. fxg7 Rg8 12. Rb1 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Bxf3 14. Bxd4 Nxd4 15. Qxb7 Ke7 16. Rfd1 Rad8 17. Qb4+ Ke8 18. Bb5 draw agreed 0.5 - 0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 11
GM Alexis Migel 7

Alexis VS Ben. After Round 17

2010-08-04T01:08:00.000-07:00

Lethagic Draw ??

This game saw Alexis taking the white piece again, but unable to break down a solid Benjamin Tan's defence, when Ben threatened to counterplay both side decide to shake hands.

The notation of round 17 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 17
31st July 2010
Alexis Migel vs Benjamin Tan

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e5 Bg4 4. d4 e6 5. Be2 Nd7 6. 0-0 Ne7 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Bxf3 Ng6 9. c3 Be7 10. Be3 Rc8 11. Qd2 0-0 12. Bh5 Nh4 13. Be2 Nf5 14. Bg4 Nxe3 15. fxe3 a6 16. Bd1 b5 17. Bc2 c5 18. Qd3 g6 19. Qe2 cxd4 20. exd4 Nb8 21. Nd2 draw agreed 0.5 - 0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 10.5
GM Alexis Migel 6.5

Ben VS Alexis. After Round 16

2010-07-24T00:26:00.000-07:00

Accurate defending frustrates Migel

Just when he though he would be getting his first win things when wrong again... accurate defending from Benjamin denied Migel a single win in 16 games.

The notation of round 16 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 16
24th July 2010
Benjamin Tan vs Alexis Migel

1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nge2 Nc6 5. Be3 e6 6. a3 Nd5 7. g3 f5 8. Nxd5 exd5 9. c4 Bd6 10. Rc1 0-0 11. cxd5 Ne7 12. Nc3 Ng6 13. Be2 f4 14. gxf4 Bf5 15. Qb3 Nxf4 16. h4 Nd3+ 17. Bxd3 exd3 18. h5 Rb8 19. Nb5 Rf7 20. h6 g6 21. Nxd6 Qxd6 22. Rg1 Be4 23. Rg5 Qf6 24. f4 Bf5 25. Rc6 Qd8 26. Re6 Kh8 27. Bd2 Qf8 28. Kd1 Qxh6 29. Re1 Qh3 30. Rgg1 Qf3+ 31. Kc1 Rd7 32. Re5 b6 33. Rge1 Rbd8 34. Qc3 Kg8 35. Qc4 Rf7 36. Qa4 Kg7 37. Qxa7 Qg2 38. Qa4 h5 39. b3 h4 40. Qb4 Rdd7 41. Qc3 h3 42. Kb2 h2 43. Qc1 Rxd5 44. Re8 Rxd4 45. a4 c5 46. a5 bxa5 47. Ka3 Qc6 48. R8e3 Rfd7 49. Rh1 Qg2 50. Re8 Rd8 51. Qxc5 Rxe8 52. Qxd4+ Kh6 53. Re1 Rg8 54. Qf6 h1=Q 55. Qg5+ Kh7 56. Qf6 Be6 57. Rxe6 Rg7 58. Re7 Rxe7 59. Qxe7+ Kh6 60. Qe5 Qa8 61. f5+ Kh5 62. fxg6+ Kxg6 63. Qe6+ Kh5 64. Qf5+ Kh4 65. Bg5+ Kg3 66 . Qf4+ Kh3 67. Qh4+ Kg2 68. Qg4+ Kf2 69. Bh4+ draw agreed due to perpetual checks o.5 - 0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 10
GM Alexis Migel 6

Alexis vs Ben. After Round 15

2010-07-23T23:20:00.000-07:00

Stalemate in Firework

One might argue that game 15 is the most entertaining game so far, with both players having attacking chances but the final score of the game remains as boring as ever, with Ben once again holding out for a draw.

The notation of round 15 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 15
Alexis Migel vs Benjamin Tan
20th July 2010

1. d4 f5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. e3 d5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. 0-0 Bd6 8. Bd2 a6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Rc1 Be7 12. Qb3 0-0 13. Na4 Ne4 14. Nb6 Nxd2 15. Nxd2 Bb4 16. Nxa8 Bxd2 17. Rc5 Qe7 18. Rc2 Ba5 19. Nb6 Bxb6 20. Qxb6 f4 21. Bxa6 Qe4 22. Rc3 f3 23. g3 Qe6 24. Kh1 Qh3 25. Rg1 Ne5 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27. Qxb7 Rc6 28. Qa8+ Kf7 29. g4 Nxg4 30. Qb7+ Kg8 31. Qb8+ Kf7 32. Qf4+ Ke6 33. Qxg4+ Qxg4 34. Rxg4 Rxa6 35. a3 Rc6 36. h4 Rc2 37. Kg1 Rxb2 38. Rxg7 Rb1+ 39. Kh2 Rf1 40. Rxh7 Rxf2+ 41. Kg3 Ra2 42. Kxf3 Rxa3 43. Rh6+ Ke5 44. Rh5+ Ke6 45. Kf2 Ra4 46. Rh6+ Kf7 47. h5 d4 48. e4 Ra5 49. Ke2 Kg7 50. Rd6 Rxh5 draw agreed 0.5 - 0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 9.5
GM Alexis Migel 5.5

Ben VS Alexis. After Round 14

2010-07-23T23:08:00.000-07:00

No way through

Migel started off lively but Ben quickly prevented that by blocking up the position, the two shook hands in move number 30.

The notation of round 14 is as followed

2010 Chess Superbowl Round 14
Benjamin Tan vs Alexis Migel
17th July 2010

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 c6 6. Bd3 c5 7. d5 0-0 8. Nge2 Nbd7 9. Bc2 a6 10. a4 Ne5 11. b3 e6 12. 0-0 exd5 13. exd5 Re8 14. Bb2 Nh5 15. Qc1 f5 16. Qd2 Bd7 17. a5 Qh4 18. Ra2 Qe7 19. Bc1 Nf7 20. Qd3 Rac8 21. Bb1 Rb8 22. Bd2 b5 23. axb6ep Rxb6 24. Ra3 Bc8 25. Qc2 Rb8 26. Qc1 Bb7 27. Bc2 Qh4 28. Ra2 Be5 29. f4 Bg7 30. Rf3 draw agreed 0.5 - 0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 9
GM Alexis Migel 5

Alexis VS Ben. After Round 13

2010-07-14T03:31:00.000-07:00

Ben held on to 4 games lead

From game 12 to 13, spectators saw the Singaporean superstar played the white pieces twice in a roll, yet Ben managed a win and a draw out of the two games. Game 13 can be described as unambitious by the leader, holding a 4-0 lead he would only need to draw 9 of the remaining 12 games to lift the SuperBowl Title. Ben did just that and went home with half a point in the bag.

The notation of game 13 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 13
Alexis Migel vs Benjamin Tan
13th July 2010

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e4 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 Be7 6. 0-0 Bg6 7. c4 dxc4 8. Bxc4 Nd7 9. a4 Nb6 10. Be2 Nd5 11. Nc3 Nh6 12. Qb3 b6 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. Bxh6 gxh6 15. Bb5+ Kf8 16. Qe3 Kg7 17. Rac1 a6 18. Bc6 Rc8 19. Bb7 Rxc1 20. Rxc1 Qb8 21. Bxa6 Qa7 22. Bb5 Qb7 23. Bc6 Qa6 24. Bb5 Qb7 draw agreed 0-5 - 0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 8.5
GM Alexis Migel 4.5

Alexis VS Ben. After Round 12 - The Halfway Mark

2010-07-06T22:06:00.000-07:00

Ben lead 4-0 at the halfway mark

Singaporean superstar GM Benjamin Tan took a commanding 4-0 lead against his Russian opponent at the halfway mark. The two played 12 games with 8 ending in draws and 4 decisively, all in favour of the Chinese-Japanese chess star.

In the 12th game Ben hold a slight inituitive while Migel needed accurate play to claw back half a point. It is debatable if Ben's 18th move is a blunder, which allows Migel back into the game. At last at the 22nd moves when too much possibility are opened up both decided to shake hands and call it a day.
The notation of round 12 is as followed

2010 Chess Superbowl Round 12
6th July 2010
Alexis Migel vs Benjamin Tan

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 0-0 6. a3 Bxc5 7. Nf3 Nc6 8. b4 Nd4 9. Qd1 Nxf3+ 10. exf3 Be7 11. Bd3 a5 12. Ra2 d5 13. c5 d4 14. Na4 Nd5 15. 0-0 axb4 16. Qc2 Bd7 17. Nb6 Nxb6 18. cxb6 bxa3? 19. Bxh7+ Kh8 20. Qd3 g6?! 21. Bxg6 fxg6 22. Bh6

draw agreed 0.5 - 0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 8
GM Alexis Migel 4

Ben VS Alexis. After Round 11

2010-06-27T23:54:00.000-07:00

GM Benjamin Tan on a roll in SuperBowl

GM Ben shocked the chess world by recording consecutive victory over Russian Superstar Alexis Migel. Both players started out brightly but it was Ben's two central pawn that decided the game, some chess commentators even said that Migel had resigned prematurely - apparently out of fear for Ben's superior talent, some other argued that the position was a lost one for black and Migel did the right thing to give up.

Overall it was a superb game for Ben, he breezed through the game without having to spend too much time on any move.

The notation of round 11 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 11
25th June 2010
Benjamin Tan vs Alexis Migel

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 0-0 7. e3 c6 8. Bd3 Bg4 9. Qb3 a5 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Bxf3 12. gxf3 b6 13. Rg1 Re8 14. c4 Nbd7 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. Bb5 Re6 17. Ke2 Nf8 18. Rac1 Rc8 19. f4 Rxc1 20. Rxc1 Rd6 21. f5 Qa8 22. Qc2 h6 23. Bxh6 Qb7 24. Bf4 Rd8 25. Qc7 Qxc7 26. Rxc7 Nh5 27. Be5 Nh7 28. Rc6 N5f6 29. f3 Nd7 30. Rd6 Nhf8 31. Rxd5 f6 32. Bf4 Kf7 33. e4 g5 34. Bg3 a4 35. Be1 Ke8 36. e5 Black resigns 1-0

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 7.5
GM Alexis Migel 3.5

Alexis VS Ben. After Round 10

2010-06-23T01:15:00.000-07:00

Moscow to push panic button

Russia is in a state of shock after their man suffered a stunning defeat in the hand of Singapore ace GM Benjamin Tan. Widely expected to drift past his slightly lower-rated opponent Migel found himself trailing by 3-0 with 10 games played.

In round 10 Ben controlled the game brilliantly, neutralising every threat and eventually defeated Migel's king with is own ! The notation of round 10 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 10

22nd June 2010

Alexis Migel vs Benjamin Tan

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 h6 7. Bxf6 Bxf6 8. Be2 0-0 9. 0-0 Nd7 10. Bd3 Be7 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Rc1 Nf6 13. Ne5 b6 14. Nc6 Qd7 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Qf3 Bb7 17. Nb5 Rfc8 18. Qf4 Ne8 19. Rxc8 Bxc8 20. Rc1 Bb7 21. f3 a6 22. Na3 Rc8 23. Rxc8 Bxc8 24. Nc2 Qd6 25. Qxd6 Nxd6 26. Kf2 b5 27. a3 Nc4 28. b3 Na5 29. Na1 Kf8 30. Kg3 Ke7 31. h4 g6 32. Kf4 Kd6 33. g4 Bd7 34. g5 h5 35. e4 Bc6 36. a4 Bxa4 37. e5+ Kc7 38. bxa4 Bxa4 39. Bxa6 Kb6 40. Bd3 Bb5 41. Bc2 Nc4! 42. Nb3 Na3 43. Bd1 Ba4 44. Ke3 Kb5 45. Ke2 Kb4 white resigns 0-1

Current score

GM Benjamin Tan 6.5

GM Alexis Migel 3.5

Ben VS Alexis. After Round 9

2010-06-19T00:27:00.000-07:00

Drawn in 19 as two recorded 2nd quickest tie

Alexis Migel played like a man who hadn't slept for days and when Ben offered a draw he accepted after a minute of positional evaluation.

This game set the record as the quickest draw in the series so far.

The notation of round 9 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 9
June 18th 2010
Benjamin Tan vs Alexis Migel

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 0-0 11. Bc4 f5 12. 0-0 fxe4 13. Ng5 Re8 14. Rfe1 h6 15. Nxe4 Nc6 16. Qf4 Rf8 17. Qd6 Nxd4 18. Rad1 Qxd6 19. Nxd6 drawn agreed 0.5 - 0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 5.5
GM Alexis Migel 3.5

Alexis VS Ben. After Round 8

2010-06-16T06:11:00.000-07:00

Alexis Fires Blanks

Alexis is getting more and more desperate in search of a full point, but the Russian superstar hasn't been lucky so far, failing to win in any of the opening 8 games. In game 8, he shook hands with Ben when the Singaporean asked for a draw despite having the better position for most of the game and a pawn up in the endgame.

The notation of round 8 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 8
15th June 2010
Alexis Migel vs Benjamin Tan

1. c4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. cxd5 Nf6 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bxd7+ Qxd7 7. Nc3 Nxd5 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. d4 e5 10. dxe5 0-0-0 11. Qxd5 Qxd5 12. Nxd5 Rxd5 13. 0-0 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Rxe5 15. Bf4 Re6 16. Rac1+ Rc6 17. Rxc6+ bxc6 18. Rc1 Kd7 19. Rd1+ Re6 20. Rd8 g6 21. Re8+ Kd7 22. Ra8 Bg7 23. Rxa7+ Ke6 24. b3 Rc8 25. Rc7 Rxc7 26. Bxc7 Kd5 27. a4 c5 28. Kf1 c4 29. bxc4+ Kxc4 draw agreed 0.5 - 0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 5
GM Alexis Migel 3

Ben VS Alexis. After Round 7

2010-06-16T05:34:00.000-07:00

Ben happy with draw

Ben appeared to be in a composed mood after his round 7 tie with Alexis Migel, the Singaporean superstar played solidly, shutting out any real threat by his Russian opponent. The two shook hands in the 56th move.

The notation of round 7 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 7
11 June 2010
Benjamin Tan vs Alexis Migel

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 0-0 7. e3 h6 8. Bxf6 Qxf6 9. Qb3 Qe7 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. Qxc3 Bf5 12. Bd3 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Nd7 14. Qb3 Nb6 15. 0-0 Rfe8 16. Rac1 c6 17. Ne5 Nc8 18. e4 dxe4 19. f3 e3 20. Rfe1 Nb6 21. Rxe3 Qc7 22. Ng4 Qf4 23. Rd1 Rad8 24. Ne5 Re7 25. Nc4 Rxe3 26. Qxe3 Nd5 27. Qe5 Kf8 28. Re1 f6 29. Qe4 Qxe4 30. fxe4 Nf4 31. d5 cxd5 32. exd5 Rxd5 33. g3 Nh3+ 34. Kf1 Ng5 35. h4 Nf3 36. Re3 Nd4 37. Rd3 Ke8 38. Kg2 Rd7 39. h5 b6 40. Kf2 b5 41. Nd2 Nc6 42. Rxd7 Kxd7 43. Ke3 Ke6 44. Ne4 Ne7 45. Nc3 Nd5+ 46. Kd4 Nxc3 47. bxc3 Kd6 48. c4 Kc6 49. cxb5+ Kxb5 50. Kd5 a5 51. Ke6 Ka4 52. Kf7 Kxa3 53. Kxg7 a4 54. Kxh6 Kb3 55. Kg6 a3 56. h6 draw agreed 0.5 - 0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 4.5
GM Alexis Migel 2.5

Alexis VS Ben. After Round 6

2010-06-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

All square as Migel failed to take advantage

Migel would have to wait for his first win after he once again failed to convert his white-pieces-advantage into a full point. The Russian arguable has the better position throughout the game, but the Singaporean superstar showed positional-understanding prowness and held onto his 2 points lead.

The notation of round 6 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 6
6th June 2010
Alexis Migel vs Benjamin Tan

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 d5 4. exd5 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nxd5 6. Qe2+ Be7 7. Nc3 Be6 8. Nxd5 Bxd5 9. d4 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Qxd4 11. Qxf4 Nc6! 12. Bxf7+ Kf8 13. Bd5+ Bf6 14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. Qxd4 Bxd4 16. Rf1+ Kg8 17. Rf3 Re8+ 18. Kf1 Rf8 19. Bf4 Bxb2 20. Rb1 Bd4 21. Rb7 h6 22. c3 Bxc3 23. Rxa7 Kh7 24. a4 Bd4 25. Rxc7 Ra8 26. Rxc6 Rxa4 27. Rc1 Rf8 28. Bg3 Rxf3+ 29. gxf3 Ra1 30. Rxa1 Bxa1 31. Ke2 Kg6 32. Kd3 Kf5 33. Kc4 Be5 34. Kd3 Bf4 35. Ke2 h5 36. Kf2 Kg5 37. h4+ Kf5 38. Kg2 Bxg3 39. Kxg3 Ke5 40. Kf2 Kf4 41. Kg2 Ke3 42. Kg3 g6 43. Kg2 Kd4 44. Kf2 Ke5 45. Ke2 Kf5 46. Ke3 Ke6 47. Ke4 Kf6 48. Kf4 g5+ 49. hxg5+ Kg6 50. Ke5 Kxg5 51. f4+ draw agreed 0.5 - 0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 4
GM Alexis Migel 2

Ben VS Alexis. After Round 5

2010-05-26T21:01:00.000-07:00

2nd crushing defeat stunned the Russians

Alexis Migel must be feeling like a volcano about to erupt any moment after suffering a shock thrashing in the hand of Singaporean premeir chess-player GM Benjamin Tan. Widely tipped to breeze through the match, Migel now find himself having a mountain to climb. Everyone predict Migel to win easily but found himself in the wrong end of the defeat.

The Russian superstar crumbled like dust and within 27 moves he was in a completely hopeless position and has to shake hands. The playing standard of both players is clearly exposed in this game. While the Singaporean fans cheered like they had just won the World Cup, the Russian could only stare at thin air, mouth hanging open in utter disbelief......

The notation of round 5 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 5
Benjamin Tan vs Alexis Migel

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Bd3 Bxd3 7. Qxd3 dxc4 8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qd3 b4 10. Ne4 Nxe4 11. Qxe4 Bd6 12. 0-0 0-0 13. b3 Qf6 14. Bb2 Rd8 15. Rac1 a5 16. Rfd1 a4 17. Ne5 axb3 18. axb3 Ra2 19. Qb1 Ra6 20. f4 g5 21. d5 Qe7 22. dxc6 gxf4 23. Qe4 fxe3?? 24. Qg4+ Kf8 25. Rxd6!! Qxd6 26. Nxf7 Qd2 27. Qg7+ Black Resigns

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 3.5
GM Alexis Migel 1.5

Alexis VS Ben. After Round 4

2010-05-26T19:45:00.000-07:00

No Way Through For Migel

No question who has been the busier of the two, hot favorite Alexis Migel fell behind after a shocked defeat in the last round, he would be looking to equalize the series. Migel has been the more aggressive of the two players, but Ben defended solidly and hold on to all his resources for an eventually draw on move number 46.

Ben defended Alexis' 1. e4 with his trademark Alekhine Defence - Benekan Variation, retreating the knight back to g8, giving up a tempo to save a tempo and good position for his king's knight. The result was a brick wall which deservingly frustrated Migel who could not find an opening in Ben's defence, eventually the two shook hands and shared points on move number 46.

The notation of round 3 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 4
Alexis Migel vs Benjamin Tan

1. e4 Nf6 2. d3 d5 3. e5 Ng8 4. h3 Bf5 5. Nf3 e6 6. d4 Nd7 7. Bd3 Bxd3 8. Qxd3 c5 9. c3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Bb4+ 11. Bd2 Bxd2+ 12. Nbxd2 Rc8 13. 0-0 Ne7 14. Rac1 0-0 15. Nb3 h6 16. Rxc8 Qxc8 17. Rc1 Qb8 18. Qb5 Nb6 19. Nc5 Rc8 20. Rc3 Rc7 21. g4 Qc8 22. Kg2 Nd7 23. Nxd7 Qxd7 24. Qxd7 Rxd7 25. b4 a6 26. a4 Nc6 27. b5 axb5 28. axb5 Na5 29. Rc5 Nc4 30. Kf1 Kf8 31. Ke2 Ke7 32. Kd3 Kd8 33. Kc3 g6 34. Nd2 Nxd2 35. Kxd2 Rc7 36. Kc3 Rxc5+ 37. dxc5 Kc7 38. Kd4 g5 39. f3 Kd7 40. Kc3 Kc7 41. Kb4 Kd7 42. Ka5 Kc7 43. Kb4 Kd7 44. Kc3 Kc7 45. Kd4 Kd7 46. Kc3 Kc7 draw agreed 0.5 - 0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 2.5
GM Alexis Migel 1.5

Ben VS Alexis. After Round 3

2010-05-19T22:26:00.000-07:00

Benjamin Tan crushed Migel to take the lead

Round 3 sparked the most life into both players so far. Ben dominated the opening, controlled the middlegame magnificently and crushed his superstar opponent in the endgame. Out of the three games (so far) this is the only game in which Ben played to his full potential, according to some Professional Chess Commentators. A shell-shocked Alexis Migel never knew what hit him when he was repeatedly slugged down at full-force.

Ben started with his usual d4 and Migel opted for a King's Indian, the opening which earned him a draw at round 1, but Ben chose the Bayonet Attack this time and dominated the game with crushing initiative, eventually Migel was wore down and Ben threatened to queen his a-pawn, unable to take it anymore Migel shook hands and conceeded.

The notation of round 3 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 3
Benjamin Tan vs Alexis Migel

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 0-0 6. Be2 e5 7. 0-0 Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. b4 Nh5 10. Re1 f5 11. Ng5 Nf4 12. Bxf4 exf4 13. Rc1 Bf6 14. Ne6 Bxe6 15. dxe6 Bxc3 16. Rxc3 fxe4 17. Bf1 Nc6 18. Rxe4 Qe7 19. c5 Rad8 20. cxd6 cxd6 21. b5 Ne5 22. Qd5 Rde8 23. Qd4 h5 24. f3 h4 25. h3 g5 26. Qxa7 Rc8 27. Rxc8 Rxc8 28. Qb6 Rc2 29. a4 Rd2 30. a5 Kg7 31. a6 bxa6 32. bxa6 Ra2 33. Rd4 Qxe6 34. Rxd6 Qf7 35. Re6 Qf5 36. Qa7+ Qf7 37. Qd4+ Kf8 38. Rf6 Qb1 39. Qd5 Rxg2+ 40. Kxg2 Qb2+ 41. Kh1 Qxf6 42. a7 Black Resigns 1-0

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 2
GM Alexis Migel 1

Benjamin Tan VS Alexis Migel, Round 3

2010-05-18T21:32:00.000-07:00

The match reach the third round, but what would we see from Ben and Alexis ? Would we see some crazy novelty from GM Benjamin Tan, rock-solid defensive resources from Alexis Migel ? or another boring GM draw ? Would Ben open with e4 finally ? or would he stick to his favourite first move - d4

We would find out !

Odds -
Alexis Migel 68%
Benjamin Tan 4%
Draw 28%

GM Ben to pull out of Serangoon Garden International Chess Challenge

2010-05-17T00:46:00.000-07:00

GM Benjamin Tan stunned the Serangoon Garden Chess Committe by withdrawing from the prestigious chess competition at the very last minute.

"Ben would not be appearing to grace the event", said former Fair Cup winner Karl Tigran Jankovik. His withdrawal is reported to be inspired by the neccessity to prepare for the 2010 Chess SuperBowl match against Alexis Migel. The Russian, who is widely expected to play against Benjamin Tan in the year's end RCI Cup Undisputed Champion added that his (Ben's) presence would be badly missed amist the tournament.

"The chess world wanted to see a good match between Benjamin Tan and Alexis Migel and Ben is doing his part to fulfil their wishes" added Mr Jankovik.

Alexis VS Ben. After Round 2

2010-05-12T18:32:00.000-07:00

Draw Benefits Benjamin

In round 2 both players are starting to become slightly more motivated than they are from round 1, but not quite yet. Ben gained an early initiative and tried to build on it, but time trouble prevented him from converting his microsopic advantage into a vital victory against his Russian counterpart, in the end Ben offered a draw which is accepted by Migel after no less than 10 seconds of positional evaluation.

The notation of round 2 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 2
Alexis Migel vs Benjamin Tan

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. d3 d5 4. Bf4 Bd6 5. Bxd6 Qxd6 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. e3 Nxc3 8. bxc3 c5 9. Nf3 b6 10. d4 cxd4 11. Qa4+ Bd7 12. Qxd4 Qxd4 13. Nxd4 Nc6 14. Bb5 Rc8 15. Ba6 Rd8 16. Rd1 0-0 17. Bb7 Na5 18. Be4 Ba4 - draw agreed, 0.5-0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 1
GM Alexis Migel 1

2010 Chess SuperBowl - Round 2

2010-05-11T19:45:00.000-07:00

This might only be the second game of the tournament, but the tension is already very high, with Ben's odds to win the match falling to 28 percent (from 32) if he were to fall to a defeat in this round.

Meanwhile over in Russia, Alexis Migel's team firmly believe that their man is still the clear favourite, as they cannot forsee anything standing in their way to a clear-cut victory. Some predicted that Alexis would not need to go beyond the 18th game to seal the match.

While things might look grim for Benjamin Tan, the Singaporean sensation has a reputation for fighting till the very last drop of blood, however this match would turn out round 2 has to come first, and what would be the outcome of it ?? - we will find out !

Benjamin Tan VS Alexis Migel. After Round 1

2010-05-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

Honor-even at Raffles Town Club

Both players held their nerves to hold out a draw on their 5th May's encounter. It's evidental that both players were still trying to get use to the tournament. Ben gain the upper-hand in the first ten moves only to allow Alexis to break out, sacrifice a bishop and deliver perpectual check. Neither players were too keen on taking any risk, with Ben surprisingly being the meeker of the two.

The notation of round 1 is as followed

2010 Chess SuperBowl Round 1
Benjamin Tan vs Alexis Migel

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 b6 6. Be3 Bb7 7. Qd2 Nc6 8. a3 e5 9. d5 Nd4 10. Bxd4 exd4 11. Qxd4 o-o 12. Qd2 Re8 13. Bd3 c6 14. Ne2 a6 15. 0-0 16. Rfd1 bxc4 17. Bxc4 cxd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Bxd5 20. Qxd5 Bxb2 21. Ra2 Be5 22. Nc1? Qh4 23. g3 Bxg3 24. hxg3 Qxg3+ 25. Rg2 Qxf3 26. Rf1 Qe3+ 27. Kh1 Qh3+ 28. Kg1 Qe3+ 29. Kh1 Qh3+ 30. Kg1 Qe3+ 31. Kh1 Qh3+ draw 0.5-0.5

Current Score

GM Benjamin Tan 0.5
GM Alexis Migel 0.5

Ben to open with the white pieces

2010-05-04T23:21:00.000-07:00

Ben's draw overcome Alexis' 2 to 1 to start round 1 with the white pieces. The Singaporean superstar would be playing white in round 1 and the color would rotate after every round.

GrandmasterBenjaminTan.blogspot.com would be the official coverage for the 2010 Chess SuperBowl, every games would be posted here and analysis would be provided, spectators would be allowed (and encouraged) to share their views right here.

We shall await for round 1 to get underway...

I am not losing any sleep - said Benjamin

2010-05-03T19:41:00.000-07:00

Arguably the most anticipated match in the history of the Chess SuperBowl is about to get underway on the 5th of May 2010. Singaporean superstar Benjamin Tan would be locking horns with Russian Superstar Alexis Mikhailvich Migel over the board for the very first time.

The draw for who to open with the white pieces (and who to open with the black) will be completed in a few hours time.

Said GM Benjamin Tan, "It really does not matters who plays white or who plays black first, at the end of the day the player who plays better would be the one to go home with the point". When asked how much confidence he has in himself Ben responded negatively, "I come here expecting to get last, Migel would have an easy time".

However anyone who had seen or heard about Ben's chess would know it would be far from easy for his Russian opponent, former RCI Classical Cup-finalist Lee Wei Cheng would be expecting a tough fight to the very last game.

But the lurking question that might drives some crazy would be - How would the 2 players prepare for this big match ? and what would the King of Novelty, Grandmaster Benjamin Tan had installed for his opponent this time round ?? we will find out...

The first game starts tomorrow at Raffles Town Club at 10am.

Scandal-hit Ben booked spot in top 5

2010-04-04T23:12:00.000-07:00

GM Benjamin Tan denies accusation that he has been the beneficial party of a "match-fixing scandal". Said the Singaporean superstar on sunday, "the pairings are entirely up to the officials, I have no knowledge whatsoever of how things are done in the courtyard, and certainly there are no words exchanged behind closed doors, I don't know where those rumours came from and why it was brought up in the first place, but I find the whole incident offending to my reputation and its level of ridicule is totally off the scale".

The incident rose because of fellow participant at Sunday's National Fair Cup Championship, B-Division had found Ben to be paired up against "easier" opponent. They smelled a rat when he was consistantly up against people lesser of his calibre, something which GM Ben ruled out, "there are certainly no easy opponent here, everyone who made it here has something to show".

Despite the outbreak of the rumor Ben managed to keep a cool head and finished in the top 5 zone with a 5.5 points out of a possible 7 - in front of approxiamately 115 participants.

Admirable sporting behaviour by GM Ben

2010-02-28T20:20:00.000-08:00

Despite failling to achieve the number one place, GM Benny remained unfazed, insisting on putting up a sporting front.

He surprisingly opted to shake hands with the champion and personally congratulating him on the stage - in public view, demostrating excellent sportsmanship in a highly competitive tournament. Something that Wayne Bridge might want to note down in his future meetings with John Terry...

The 19 years old International Superstar attained a respectable 4th place in the recent National Festival Chess Championship - just three places away from his targeted position.

On a tournament where several of the participants were predicting Ben to capture the championship position, the Singaporean-born Russian star failed to live up to that hefty demand from his fans. Instead he won 4 straight games and the 4th game proved to be his last win of the tournament, having drawn his last three games against the top 7 players in the tournament (7th, 5th and the champion himself)

The player who become champion is 17 years old Tan Han Liang, whom had 6 straight wins before conceeding half a point to GM Ben. The two seems to be sharing a few laughter during their game and appear to be in no mood for winning each other.

Game 5 and 6 Ben lived dangerously, in game 5 Ben was an exchange down before regaining material and soon found a way to deliver perpertual check and ended the game in a draw.

Game number 6, Ben - who was down to a few minutes on his clock called for the arbiter to claim a (much needed) draw, the opponent was proposal to win on time was rejected and the arbiter awarded half a point to both side. However spectators agreed that it was a clear draw in a opposite colored bishop endgame where the pawns are fixed to their squares.

The last game both side appeared to be in friendly terms, they played for 9 moves and agreed on a 'grandmaster draw'

Said private chess commentator and former RCI Classical Champion Abdul Jidi, who was there to witness all 7 of Ben's game - "J (Benny) played very solidly in all his games, and never looked like losing any of them, although he was very tired, he never gave up and his effort duly paid off, 4 stars to his performance".

The Openings

Round 1 - Caro-Kann Defence Exchange 0-1, win
Round 2 - Benko-English Transposer 1-0, win
Round 3 - Alekhine Defence Benikan Variation 0-1, win
Round 4 - Benjamin Tan Opening (London System) 1-0, win
Round 5 - Caro-Kann Defence Exchange 1/2-1/2, draw
Round 6 - (facing) Sicillian defence, O kelly Variation 1/2-1/2, draw
Round 7 - Caro-Kann Defence Classical 1/2-1/2, draw

As an added bonus, Ben finished the tournament unbeatable :)

Ben roars back - in style

2010-01-24T22:56:00.000-08:00

Despite going down in two consecutive games (round 2 and 3) GM Benjamin Tan did not give up, he fought to the very end and was duly rewarded for his effort.

The Russian International came back brilliantly, winning all of his last 4 games and clinching top 7 position, with his last game the most spectacular of all.

Openings
- Round 1 (white) Faced French (exchanged) 1-0
- Round 2 (black) Caro-Kann (classical) 1-0
- Round 3 (white) Faced Sicillian (sozin system) 0-1
- Round 4 (black) Indian game 0-1
- Round 5 (white) Benko-English 1-0
- Round 6 (black) Caro-Kann (advanced) 0-1
- Round 7 (white) Benjamin Tan Opening 1-0

Total - 5/7

No lost love between Melissa and Ben

2010-01-24T22:23:00.000-08:00

Ben approaches the last round with cautious, knowing that only a win would see him squeeze into the top 10. He cannot ask for a more heated encounter after looking at his last round pairing - he was paired with Melissa Lo AGAIN.

The two met in a gritty encounter in the National Age Group barely a month ago. The conclusion of the game saw Ben edging out his tough opponent. Melissa went all the way down to 2 minutes plus in the 2 hours per side game.

Ben opted for an interesting and deep bishop sacrifice some 25 plus move into the game, only to activate his pieces tie his opponent's position up and win back the piece 10 moves later, reducing the position to king and pawns before promoting an extra pawn.

This time he knew it would be more challenging. With only 25 minutes on the clock, the time-pressured Russian star knew that he would have to think and act fast. He started the game with his trademark Benjamin Tan Opening (1. d4 d5 2. c3), Melissa looks like she has expected Queens Gambit, but it's not to be. An unknown spectator who witness the brilliant game jokingly said that the game was as good as won when Ben played 2. c3. The game ended in extreme gore when Ben (this time) sacrificed a knight to smash Melissa's kingside's pawn shelter, only to win it back some 5 moves later. The defending king was brutally exposed and checkmated in cold blood just only after 25 moves.

Both players left the playing table immediately after the game without even shaking hands or muttering 'good game'

Ben personally commented that 'it feels very good to defeat her in both standard and rapid!'

GM Benjamin Tan hails 'five-star' IM Darren Chan

2009-11-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

GM Ben praised his new team mate on sunday following his stunning display at SP.

IM Darren Chan Bai-Hong had won an incredible 5 out of 5 games in the tournament without even breaking a sweat, smiling in every single game he played.

The new signing had so far managed 7 wins and only 1 defeat after confirming his new contract at August.

In the other event GM Benjamin Tan himself came in 3rd in the Poly/JC and University category, after a neat game in his final round of the competition.

He also received 1st position in the Poly category.

Candidate Champion !

2009-08-25T06:46:00.000-07:00

Singapore-International chess superstar Grandmaster Benjamin Tan swipt the board at last weekend's Linares Queenstown International Super-Tournament. The child-prodigy took 2nd place (out of 143 players) to finish as the Candidate Champion.

Out of the 7 games he played he managed to win 5, draw 2 and lost NONE !!. Of the 7 games he played 3 were against top-5 seeded players in the tournament. This successful outing has marked a different course in his chess career, the positionally gifted master has choosen chess as his permanent career and is one more step away from confirming his choice.

Beside winning the Candidate Champion, the young master also took home two more brilliancy prizes, the game of the tournament award - both positional (game 4) and attacking variation (game 6). However he created an uproar at the last round when he 'cowardly' accepted an early draw offer offered by his Indonesian opponent.
(his games would be posted up soon)

Final match ended in tears for IM Ricnesh

2009-08-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

GM Benjamin Karpov 12 IM Ricnesh 1

The worst has finally came ! There is no disputed in who is king, the result speaks for itself. The final confrontation between the two ended in tragedy with only one man walking away alive, the other guy was ripped apart - 12 to 1 !

The final score is confirmed - Out of the 105 games they played GM Ben Karpov won 72, drew 13 and lost 20.

Ben crushed Sean

2009-08-25T06:33:00.000-07:00

GM Benjamin 'Benny' Karpov is crowned the 2009 RCI Cup Classical Champion after demolishing fellow finalist Sean Benedict Guttenson 13-0. The match is originally designed to host 24 games, but was cut down to 13 when Ben won all his games.

I can't celebrate yet, Ben explained "there is still the Undisputed Championship Match with GM Darren Chan next month.

Another thrashing for Ricnesh

2009-07-24T00:32:00.000-07:00

22nd July 2009
Wednesday

Premeirship Match

GM Ben Karpov 5 IM V.Ricnesh R 1

Another solid performance by International Grandmaster Benjamin Karpov sunk the ego of IM Ricnesh Ramash. Ric was trailing by 3-0 when he got a consolation win before losing the remaining 2 games in dramatic style.

Ricnesh's French defence could not save him, adding on from Ben's Caro-Kann defence and English Opening.

Now after 90 games, Ben Karpov lead his rival at 60 wins to 19, with 11 draws.

The Title is finally in his hands !!!

2009-07-01T02:31:00.000-07:00

30 June 2009
Tuesday

Junior Chess Premeirship

Ben Karpov 5 Ricnesh 2

With this win under his belt ZM Ben Karpov finally clinch the title. To add salt to his opponent's wound this is the widest winning-margin in the history of the tournament. After 7 months of gruelling fight a winner is finally emerged... in the like of Ben Karpov.
Some of their games have been widely studied and analysed. After this devastating lost, IM Ricnesh would be ineligible for next year's Junior Chess Premeirship Final.

2009 Junior Chess Premeirship Champion - ZM Benjamin Karpov

Final score (81 games)
- Ben Karpov wins by 54 to 17, with 10 hard fought draws
(67% wins - 12% draws - 21% losts)

He's back !!!

2009-06-30T00:34:00.000-07:00

28-6-09
Sunday

National Junior Blitz Chess Championship 2009

7 out of 9 points

ZM Ben Karpov marked his return to the top-flight with a storming performance in the National Junior Blitz. The local junior master attained 7 points out of a possible 9 on Sunday.

On-lookers reportedly said that Ben Karpov literally breezed through the tournament's first 4 games before dropping point in the 5th. However he recovered and won his next three consecutive games and picked up 5th place (out of 200+) in the tournament.

But would Karpov stay on in the industry ? Or will he still quit after all ? We'll find out

Where on Earth is Ben ???

2009-06-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

Ben is officially declared gone !

The organizer are getting frantic running everywhere looking for the National star. News that Ben might have retired early spread like wild fire, it is reportedly said that the young star has been hit with a series of off-board issues that wore his moral down to bare bones, while it is not exactly sure of what is it we believe that it might have linked with a party that the official have been trying to contact for further investigations.

It is also reported that Ben might have already made up his mind to withdraw from this saturday's National Blitz Championship.

It is two-weeks since Ben had last pushed a pawn.

A day to remember ? or a day to forget ?

2009-05-05T05:59:00.000-07:00

3rd May 2009
Sunday

May Day National Chess Championship 2009

ZM Ben continues his impressive national tournament run with a 3rd place credit to his name this competition.

He started out as the favourite to attain 2nd place for this tournament. Comments by observers said that they've not seen the Zonal Master playing so well in a very long time, one of them states that : "he (Benny) kept standing up and walking all over the place, it's really amusing just seeing him play". However the joy of this tournament success is shrouded in another two controversial issue...

The first one happens on the first day, when ZM Benny was allegically accused of cheating ! Ben "Karpov" said that : " When I returned from my analysis I heard one of the supporter said IN FRONT OF ME 'ooh I know already - he cheat'. "I am naturally shocked over such accusation, who's she to say I cheat, and of course everyone knows me, what kind of substance I'm made up of, do I need to cheat to win a game ? NO ! absolutely NOT ! I'm not a cheater and that's final" the National Master defended. Later he went to clarify with the officials, who is more understanding to his explanation.

The second issue happens on the last game, ZM Ben Karpov stormed to a successful 5th consecutive victory just hours ago (before the last game). He would now face the other 5 pointer, Filipino Star Bong Branzuela, it is a game which would be a decisive one, whoever wins would clinch the championship position !

Ben knew the importance of this game and consulted the officials, he sent out 5 request.
The first : The game be held in a seperate room
The second : The air-con be switched-off and the fan be used instead
The third : Clear out all the spectators, leaving only an arbitar behind
The fourth : Provide a coffee machine and some refreshment in the room for them
The last : In case of a tie let the fate of the title be decided by 6 rounds of blitz, the first player to win 4 of the blitz game would win.

The official respected his decision and gave in to his first, third and last request. Ben 'Karpov' was not happy that his 2nd and 4th request have not been accepted, therefore he pressed the officials for his proposal to be accepted, 3 minutes before the game started his proposal was still not accepted and Ben decide to forfeit his title by refusing to play his last game with Bong Branzuela by storming out of the playing hall (a little like what former World Champion Bobby Fischer had done with his World Champion title against Anatoly Karpov some 34 years ago...)

If Ben had played the game he would have a huge chance of clinching championship position, but nevertheless it was an impressive performance from the National Master - Winning 3rd place in a 6-game tournament just by playing 5 games !)

Zonal Champion once again !

2009-04-06T00:28:00.000-07:00

5 April 2009
Sunday

Seng Kang
Anchorvale Community Centre

Swiss System Rapid Tournament

7 games
4 wins - 3 draws - 0 lost !!!

Ben 'Karpov' returned to top form once again by retaining his National honor by grabbing Zonal Champion once again in Sunday's gritty encounter.

The National Master drew trice coming from a worse position to finish the tournament unbeatable. His only fourth unbeatable tournament so far. (the first is the Ngee Ann Open in 2005 - second at National School Team Championship * where he created history by becoming the first Gabrielite in history to win 6 out of 6 games in the most prestigous National Team tournament - and the third was the Singapore Poly Open where he achieved 2.5 out of a possible 3 points * he could have gotten 3 points if he had not gone for a walk half way through the third game !!!)

Said Ben after the game : "I am absolutely delighted with the win this time round, it was an outstanding performance from me and no one can deny that. But only God Himself can claim full credit for this successful outing, praise the Lord !"

Ben clocked 70% victories

2009-04-06T00:20:00.000-07:00

The latest statistic shows that while it is still mathematically possible for Ricnesh to catch up, the title chase is beginning to take shape - while being on the side of one of the two players.

Ben, after their 50th game, now lead fellow title-contender IM V.Ricnesh to a massive gap of 35 wins to 11 lost, with only 4 draws !

Ben, now only needs 14 wins in their next 50 games to mathematically win the title from his rival ! - but of course Ben being Ben, would not seek to win by the minimum margin, we could only fear for Ricnesh's safety :(

Title still within reach for Ricnesh ? "Not too likely", said Ben 'Karpov'

2009-03-19T00:06:00.000-07:00

March 19, 2009
Wednesday

Premeirship Game

ZM Ben 'Karpov' 6 IM V.Ricnesh 1

Despite the heavy humilation, arch-rival Ricnesh seems to have a change of heart about decide the fate of the title. Said the 18 superstar after the game yesterday : "It is still mathematically possible for me to catch up and slowly close in the gap".

Is Ricnesh for real or is he out for publicity ? Ben has been on the high-end of improvement ever since the start of the year - staying up virtually every night to study different opening, middle-game and endgame stradegy, traps and psychological attacks.

Does Ricnesh still thinks his arch-rival is still the naive 17 years old little boy he was - a year (in fact a few months ago) ? If he thinks he can do something about his title quest then he is doing nothing to show it. Apart from the fact that each time they plays the score's gap widen, Ricnesh also allowed Ben 'Karpov' to inflict the heaviest defeat on him since the unforgettable 7-1 routing last year at November - a cheeky 6-1 whipping.

Or is he having cold feet in the presence of his master opponent ? Failure to concentrate on the game, busy wiping away the sweat collected on his forehead. The title chase suddenly looks very one-sided and one 'little boy' is about to get way with the title - before his opponent can even mutter "resign".

Overall Score

Ben 'Karpov' 31 IM Ricnesh 11 (with 4 draws)

Congrates Ben :)

2009-03-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

16th March 2009
Monday

National School Individual Champion 2009

5.5 point out of 8 games

Yesterday at Civil Service Club Ben fought all out to clinch his third NSI medal in 4 years, even defying the odds to trash an opponent who has a rating almost 400 more than him. (which would be posted sometime later), it was a close fight with 198 participants present for the annual national competition, Ben later achieved a respectable 23rd position out of 198 (top 11.61%).

Said after the game : "True to be said, I might have played like a true Grandmaster in the 3rd round, was narrowly beaten by the 4th best player in the tournament, after that I seems to lost steam and blundered horribly in the 5th round and practically threw away a win in the 6th round. It looks to me that the medal is starting to run away from me, I told myself to buck up or never to see it again - then I went on to win the 7th and 8th round in considerable ease to clinch 23rd position".

Psychology boost
Ben 'Karpov' has been said to be a dedicated follower of psychological practises.
Said the boy himself : "I have designed a neat psychological tactics and it goes like this - I would delay the start of the game to frustrate my opponent and destory his mental preparation. For example, in the 3rd and 7th round I spent more than 5 minutes of my time thinking of the first move, whether pushing the routine e-pawn (which would lead to a more certain, relatively safer but more dull position for me) or the d-pawn (which I would strive for uncertainty and confuse my opponent with numerous classy manoevering but at a passive positional risk) or even playing the English (1. c4 - which lead to a more solid position for both side, but can be also be pretty dull when both side defends 'perfectly').
My opponent tried to hurried me into play my first move - clearly my plan is working, he (or she) is losing his (or her) patience, this would be good news for me. In my mind I am planning my moves, at the same time (very) accurately anticipating my opponent's next move and this goes on until I began to plan the middle game ! (like what kind of pawn structure I would like to have and what should I do to achieve it ?
After three minutes, my opponent started to grow restless and began to lose his concentration, I know the longer I delay, the higher "his (or her) desire to play would escalate".
When after 6 minutes when I finally played my first move my opponent was relieved (no doubt he is ! - the board beside me is almost in the endgame !) I delibrately played fast - and according to plan, my opponent played fast too, but the difference is that he played fast without a plan ! and I easily had the psychology upper-hand, due to his (or her) lost in patience and concentration, both of them slummed to horrible defeat in the most humilating fashion - and not to mention one of them is a very highly rated player !

Ben's clip

2009-03-12T04:39:00.000-07:00

Credit

Lead Actor - Benjamin Tan (2009 - Academy Award Winner)

Supporting Actor/Actress - Joey Chin

- MH Khalil Bin MHM

Director - ???

Producer - ???

Ben - I must stay focus !

2009-03-10T00:18:00.000-07:00

9th March, 2009
Monday

Premeirship Match

Ben 2 Ricnesh 0

Two world-class games by local favourite Ben 'Karpov' Tan sealed the fate of his opposite number.

Game number 1, Ben demostrated minority pieces power. He trade a rook for a pawn and two bishops (which his opponent wrongly accepted). With his speciality in manoevering Ben has no problem forcing his opponent to his grave with his double knight, 7th rank rook and a powerful pawn (that promoting seems imminent) !

Game number 2 strongly highlighted Ben's prowness in restraining. He successfully prevented his opponent from developing his knights, bishops, rooks and even (later in the game) succeeded in smashing up his pawn structure (beyond recognition). With a bad pawn structure and a knight and a bishop literally shut out of the game, Ricnesh is in no match for his super-master opponent.

Overall Score

Ben Karpov 24 Ricnesh 10 (with 4 draws)

Ricnesh - Title may be OUT of my grasp already

2009-03-05T22:28:00.000-08:00

Thursday, March 5, 2009
5th March, 2009
Thursday

Premeirship Game

ZM Ben 'Karpov' 4 IM V.Ricnesh 0

Another great performance by our local star, Ben has once again manage to outclass, outshine and outwit his opponent to a hard-fought match, where he humilated him 4 to 0.

Clearly not at his best, IM Ricnesh has to admit defeat to his much stronger counterpart. Said Ben after the match : "It was a great match played with great determination, at the end of the day the stronger man win".

Overall Score
ZM Ben 'Karpov' 20 IM Ricnesh 9 (with three hard-fought draws)

ZM Ben 'Karpov' widens gap

2009-03-02T21:42:00.000-08:00

2nd March, 2009
Monday

Premeirship League Game

ZM Ben Karpov 3 IM V Ricnesh 1

Ben once again is at the winning end, but the local-based master is more concerned about his opponent's rise in form than the win itself.

Said Ben at a post-game interview, "Ric had made things really tough for me, he defended well and made some very interesting move, but I had patience and soon caught up that's what seperate the victor from the unfortunate today".

Ben lead by two game to zero before slumming to an unexpected "failed-to-calculate-properly-defeat" at the third game. The colorful master than pounced on a "death-error" by his opponent on the fourth game to claim the game 3-1.

After this game Ben widens the gap to a 7 game lead. (This match would consist of 100 games)

Overall score
Ben 'Karpov' 16 IM V Ricnesh 9 (with three draws) - 28 games

Stalemate in Northern derby

2009-02-26T23:06:00.000-08:00

23th Feb, 2009

Premeirship Games
Yishun Sports Stadium

Ricnesh 2 Ben 2 (with a draw)

Ben might be hammering down on his opponent two days ago, but when these two top-class masters meet anything can happen, Ben has two superb win and two doubious lost and a hard-fought draw.

Ricnesh was trailing till the very last minute, but credit to the Indian master, he fought back well and equalized at the very last game.

Current Overall Score
Ben 13 Ricnesh 8 (with 3 hard-fought draws) - 24 games played

Complete Demolish !!! 4-0

2009-02-26T22:58:00.000-08:00

21st Feb, 2008

Premeirship Game

ZM Ben Karpov 4 IM V.Ricnesh 0

Ben geefully extended his lead over deadly rival Ricnesh last saturday in the Yishun Stadium Sports Complex.
The two locked horns in four highly entertaining games, but it was Ben who preveiled 4 wins to 0, scoring the biggest win over his rival since last year's 7-1 routing.
Twice Ben took black and twice he took white.

Current Overall Score
Ben 11 Ricnesh 6 (with 2 draws)

Nothing, but happy

2009-02-08T20:43:00.000-08:00

Once again ZM Ben Karpov has to go home empty-handed, but this time he seems to be in a better mood after the whole tournament.

The local based star grabbed 5 points out of a possible 7. He won 4, drew 2 and lost only once in 7 games.

Out of the 7 games, he played the English Opening and Caro-Kann defence three times each and used the Ponziani (Unusual Line) once in the last game. In all Ben is unbeatable at home (white).

Said Ben at a post tournament interview: "I can be proud of my effort today, I did well, and played sanely, I have no regrets, if they were to give out eight more prizes I would have gotten something, as a whole I am happy about it".

The next tournament featuring Ben would be at March 17, at the national school individuals.

Until then, farewell...

Narrow win !

2009-01-29T20:27:00.000-08:00

FIDE Intercontinental U-21 Championship
League Game 2009

Set 4

ZM Ben Karpov 3 IM V.Ricnesh 2

Ben twice came from behind to defeat deadly rival V.Ricnesh 3:2 in the heated encounter league game on 29 January 2009, Thursday.

Just as Ricnesh look set to equalize, Ben's wonder play snatched a two-point lead. Sharp play prevented his opponent from gaining further advantage.

Karpov on fire !!!!!

2008-12-15T19:06:00.000-08:00

FIDE Intercontinental Junior U-21 Championship 2008

Ben Karpov 9 Ricnesh 1

Zonal-Master Ben-Karpov thumped deadly rival V.Ricnesh 9-1 in a closely contested 10 rounded match yesterday.

Ben won all 5 games away (as black) and managed to win 4 out of 5 of his home (as white) games. 3 of the games were highly controversial, the second game - where Ben came from one rook and 5 pawns down to win. The 5th game when Ben is position down but manage to fight-back and sprung a shock win in the endgame and the 6th game when he is 5 pawns and one queen down Ben fought back to win - with the help of a passed-pawn at the 7th rank.

Death rival Ricnesh was stunned by the unexpected trashing. Said the 17 years-old star : "I did not expect to lose, let alone take a trashing, right not I'm really pissed, but I have to admit he (Ben Karpov) played really sharply and made things difficult for me".

Openings Ben Karpov used

1st game. White. Ruy Lopez Classical. Won. 1-0
2nd game. Black. Guika Piano. Won. 2-0
3rd game. White. Ruy Lopez Steiniz. Lost. 2-1
4th game. Black. Sicillian (black plays a6 on 2nd move). Won. 3-1
5th game. White. English Opening (white plays Nc3 on 2nd move). Won. 4-1
6th game. Black. Sicillian (black plays a6 on 2nd move). Won. 5-1
7th game. White. English (white plays b4 on 3rd move - Polish). Won. 6-1
8th game. Black. Pettrof - Russian game. Won. 7-1
9th game. White. English (white plays g3 on 3rd move). Won. 8-1
10th game. Black. Sicillian (black plays a6 on 2nd move). Won. 9-1

Empty-handed, but "IT'S OKAY"

2008-11-30T17:40:00.000-08:00

Ben once again returned home with anything, as he once again crashed out of the top 10, but this time only just. Achieving an unconvincing 11th position in the 100 odds strength tournament last week end.

When asked, Ben simply responded with a sigh, "it's ok... silverwares are not everything, what it matters is that I have tried my best and have fun, I know in my heart that I have not tried my best, in fact I am taking things too casual and not even taking the tournament seriously".

Ben also stated that if he were to play seriously, all the other contestants "would-not-stand-a-chance". "I have to give others a chance to show their potential", said Ben Karpov.

Bottom-line, Ben has not regret.

"Karpov" to major in Blitz

2008-11-27T04:42:00.000-08:00

Ben 'Karpov' promise that after a series of 'tragic', he's going to make use of the next tournament as an opportunity to take home something.

Said the master : "this is a perfect for me to grab something, the timing can't be anymore right. Playing a double tournament in a single venue is not going to be an easy task but I think I can handle it better than anyone expect me to, also I expect myself to play in top flight for the blitz category".

So would we see the first double Ben did or would it be another disappointing outing for the Singaporean-born international ?

Ben crashes out of top 10 !!!!!!

2008-11-16T23:13:00.000-08:00

No words could adequetly describe how Ben must have been feeling after the tournament last sunday. The highly-rated chess master had once again fail to squeeze into the top ten.

Leaving the hall he could only look down and frown.

Said Ben Karpov at a brief interview: "I don't know what happen out there, I just did my work but I didn't get into the top 10, maybe they (the organizers) have made a mistake somewhere".

Even though he might be overcame by grief Ben had chosen not to comment too much on the tradegy. Rather he would look forward to the Blitz Championship at the end of the month.

Ben's back - for good !!!!!!

2008-11-13T20:00:00.000-08:00

After finally ending his silverware drought two months ago, Zonal Master Ben 'Karpov' is back again - this time for the annual Toa Payoh Open Championships.

The highly-rated chess player has not been performing up to standard for his past few tournaments. But has this raise any concern to him ?

"No, I am not afraid of it, no not at all". Ben 'Karpov' denied. "I would be doing my best, and that's for sure".

Ben has refused to give too much comments, he chose to talk after the tournament instead.

FINALLY ... The Wait is OVER !!!

2008-08-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Tears were shed yesterday at Queenstown CC when under-fired Ben Karpov finally achieved his first silverware in 17 months !
This achievement has lighten Ben's burden, when interviewed by the BBC, Ben was overcame by emotion. He said between tears, " for the past 10 months or so I have tons of people coming up to me, asking me when would I receive my next silverware, or would I even... , some even said I do not deserve my ZM title and complained that I was under-achieving ". Ben Karpov later then added, " the pressure was really intense, it was the longest silverware-drought I ever gone through in my career, I am just glad now that is over ". He signed off with a polite bow.
Talking about silverware-drought, it was indeed the longest in Ben Karpov's career. He had came back from not 1, not 2 and not even 3 but 5 tournaments empty-handed. Namely the 2007 National School Team, 2008 National School Individual, 2008 POLITE, 2008 SP Open and 2008 National Rapid Championship. Never before this has happened ... but Ben is right, it's finally over, he had finally received his first silverware yesterday, the first one since March 10 2007 ! (National School Individual 07, where he came in 19 out of 270 !)
There would be celebration till dawn ! Lets all look forward to Ben Karpov's next silverware !
Until then ... this is Freddy Marshall ... Catch you guys soon ! Good Bye .

The Vos Royale System (Modern Variation)

2008-07-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

On the morning of 11th August 2008 a new system is proposed...
ZM, Ben 'Karpov' has suggested the highly debatable opening stradegy - the Vos Royale system (Modern Variation).

The Vos Royale system starts with white playing e4 then black follows with Nc6.

Vos Royale enjoys a wide variety of follow-ons, thus it is classified as one of the most lively opening system of all-time.

The main idea of the system is to play out the knight first and see what the opponent plays. At the same time black concentrates on controlling the important e5 and d4 square. Black snatches the initiative from white from the very beginning and never want to let go. Lastly, black would also enjoys a healthy development and a very organized structure.

White then can chose to play d4 and black follows with e6. (The Closed Variation) or black can play e5 for the highly debatable continuation (The French Connection), it is called the French Connection as black can choose to play d5 for the next move (and black should play Ne7 and d6 next).

If white were to play Nf3 at the second then black can either choose between the more passive e5 (which turn the game to Ruy Lopez), d6 (Withdraw Variation Number 2) or d5 the doubious Teavee Variation.

What if white chooses to play Nc3 in the second move?
Withdraw Variation, d6 would still be a good move. Black chooses to keep pressure on the critical e5 square, black concentrates on getting more reinforcement for the e5 square and would rather delay the pushing of his e-pawn (to e5). In more aggressive proposal black would choose to fianchetto his dark-squared bishop (this is known as the Dublin's Cannon) to provide a more solid structure for black (and also to strengthen his e5 square).

If white were to play f4 on the second move then I guess e5 would be a sound move, but in that case black would have a little trouble taking over the center. (e4, Nc6, f4, e5, fxe5, Nxe5, Nf3, Nc6 or Nxf3 then white plays d4 to capture the four main center squares).

I have to say that while the Vos Royale may looks relatively new, fresh theories are being discovered everyday - the research team headed by me!
Let me assure that there would be more to come!

Greatest Regard,
With Respect
Zonal Master

Benny Ben 'Karpov' Tan

The Rainway Defence System

2008-06-29T20:35:00.000-07:00

On the eve of July 2008 , a new chess opening system is borned ...

ZM , Benjamin 'Karpov' Tan has came out with a new defence system called the Rainway Defence .

It generally starts with :

1. e4 , e5
2. d3 , Nf6
3. Nf3 , Bb5
4. Be2 , Nc3
5. 0-0 , 0-0
6. Re1 , d6
7. Nd2 , h6
8. Nf1 , Bf5
9. Be3 , Rfe8
10. Qd2 , Rad8
11. c3 , ...

Or the move's sequence can change with the Sicilian .

Opening Concept
ZM , Ben 'Karpov' propose this new system as an organize , low-risked opening .
According to him , the concept behind the opening is to guard the f , g and h-file vertically . With a double knight defence , the squares would be protected vertically with the reinforcement of a double bishop at e2 and e3 . The Queen at d2 protects the c3 and b2 pawn , and also keep an eye on the two bishop at the e-file . The two rooks are connected at a1 and e1 . The King is safely tucked away at the g1 square (beside the King is the Knight) .

Pieces power

Knight

The double-knight at f1 and f3 guarding the vital h2 square which might be vulnerable to the opponent queen .
In the case of the g2 pawn being threaten , the knight can move to g3 to block the g-file (the King might want to move to h1 and the light-squared bishop to f1) .

Bishop

The two colored bishop do different roles . The light-squared bishop is used more for defence , where-as the dark-squared bishop can be rushed for the offence . The light-squared bishop can control the f1 , e2 , d1 , f3 , g4 and h5 square (at the same time protecting the d3 pawn) . The dark-squared bishop controls the f4 , g5 , h6 , d4 , c5 , b6 and a7 . It also protects the f2 pawn .

Pawns

The pawns can be very aggressive at the endgame at the same time solid defensively at middle-game . It depends on where you choose to anchor your 'mother'- pawn . (the pawn which holds the defence of the entire pawn structure). Usually it is advisable to use two or more protection for your 'mother'-pawn , so as to keep your pawn-structure intact .

Rooks

The two rooks are connected and possible to double them up , they can be also be used to help in the defence .
However at the endgame it is important to note that Rainway Defence can result in very weak rook-endgame . One blunder could give your opponent a significant advantage .

Queen

Nothing much a queen could do here except for defending the King , bishop and the 'mother'-pawn . It is advisable to trade off the queen at the endgame , and concentrate on a solid pawn endgame !

King

The King usually is a defensive piece , but the Rainway Defence feature an active King . According to ZM , Ben 'Karpov' the King is "assumed to be old enough to take-care of himself and could play out-field" . In fact the King is said to be the most aggressive piece at the endgame . (As it could force Zug-Zuang) , and force a victory .

More information
You are more than welcome to feedback or ask more about this opening .
Ben "Karpov" at RFA_HQ@yahoo.com .

Karpov Matches

2008-04-23T00:35:00.000-07:00

Morale : Hot !!!
Rock bottom , awful , bad , average , good , excellent , Hot and Sizzling !

17 April 2008
Republic Poly , Agora Hall
(White)
VS Jidi

Ben Karpov 2 Jidi 0 .

21 April 2008
Republic Poly , North Library
VS Job

Ben Karpov 6 Job 0 .

21 April 2008
Republic Poly , North Library
VS Mark ?

Ben Karpov 3 Mark 0 .

22 April 2008
Internet
Royal Chess
VS Spartacus

Ben Karpov 5 Spartacus 0 .

23 April 2008
Internet
Royal Chess
VS Edwin King

E . King 2 Ben Karpov 0 .

23 April 2008
Internet
Royal Chess
VS Hametite

Ben Karpov 9 Hametite 0 .

24 April 2008
Internet
Royal Chess
VS Kaw

Ben 1 Kaw 0

30 April 2008
FIDE World Junior Championship
Round 1 (6 games)
VS Harley Phillips

Ben 3 Phillips 3 . ( Ben won 5:3 on deuse )

2 April 2008
FIDE World Junior Championship
Round 2 (12 games)
VS Eileen Jackson Mary

Ben 8.5 Eileen 3.5 .

6th May 2008
RP , North Library
Ben 3 Jidi 1 .

20th May 2008
Royal Chess
Internet .
Ben 7 Hahh54 0 .

25th June 2008
Rebel 12
Engine
Ben 1.5 Rebel 3.5

30th June 2008
Eileen J Mary
FIDE World Junior Game (24 Games)
Ben Karpov 12 : Eileen J Mary 12
Ben wins 2:0 on deuse .
(Ben fought from 11:4 down to draw 12:12)

8th July 2008
Helen Lim (Junior Open , 12 Matches)
Ben Karpov 12 : Helen 0

13th September 2008
Internet Simoul Exhibition (by Ben Karpov)
21 matches
17 wins, 2 draws, 2 lost

Dasher ICC Database

2008-04-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

Dasher Internet Chess Club

Matches Played : 64

Wins : 53

Draws : 8

Lost : 3

Percentage

Wins : 82.8125%

Draws : 12.5%

Lost : 4.6875%

General Match Stats :

Benjamin VS (IM) Ling Fong (2400) : 36 Games Played

Benjamin 'Karpov' Tan thrashed (IM) Ling Fong : 31 - 5 .

First Half : 10 Wins , 6 Draws , 2 Lost .

Second Half : 18 Wins , 0 Draws , 0 Lost .

Full Time Score : 28 Wins , 6 Draws and 2 Lost .

Benjamin VS Phillip (1200) : 1 Game Played

Benjamin trailing 1-0 .

Benjamin VS Scott (1000) : 2 Games Played

Benjamin leading 2-0

Benjamin VS David (2000) : 1 Game Played

Ben 'Karpov' leading 1-0

Ben Karpov VS IM Ignazio (2450) : 24 Games Played

Ben Karpov stun International Master Ignazio 23 : 1

First Half : 10 Wins , 2 Draws , 0 Lost .

Second Half : 12 Wins , 0 Draw , 0 Lost .

Full Time Score : 22 Wins , 2 Draws , 0 Lost .

Rating : 2712

Title : Super GrandMaster

Youngest Dasher ICC GM .

17 years , 1 month and 17 days .

Youngest Dasher ICC SGM

17 years , 1 month and 19 days .

The Royal Chess Database

2008-04-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

Match played : 659

White , Black ratio : around 1 to 1

Games Statistics :

Wins : 590

Draws : 16

Lost : 53

Percentages :

Wins : 89.52959 %

Draws : 2.4279 %

Lost : 8.0425 %

Rating : 2092

Title : Expert

Youngest Royal Chess Expert (rating 2000 - 2199)
17 years , 1 month , 6 days .

Benjamin 'Karpov' Tan J.M.

2008-04-13T21:02:00.000-07:00

Name : Benjamin 'Karpov' Tan J.M.
Date of Birth : 1st March 1991
Place of Birth : East Coast Road , Singapore , SEA
Year started chess : 1995
Handed : Left

Specialized opening (White) : English Opening , King's Gambit (Bishop Gambit) .
(Black) : Caro-Kann Defence , English Hybrid , Falkbeer Countergambit .
Ranking : ijji Royal Chess Expert / ZM (Zonal Master)
Rating : ( Dasher ICC ) : 2714
( Royal Chess ) : 2085
(Rating to be updated every friday after 6pm)

National U-18 Ranking (2006) : 18 / 250
( 2007 ) : 19 / 270
Historical Record : First Gabrielite (Students from St Gabriel , Monfort and Assumption English High) in history (56 years) to win every single games in a National School Team Tournament .

Ben 'Karpov' won 6 out of 6 games he played in the 2007 NST .

Ben 'Karpov' holds the All-time record for the most number of National Games consecutives victories in the history of Gabrielite . (56 years) . - 8 consecutives wins .

He also smashed the 'All-time' Gabrielite record for the longest National Tournament unbeatable run . An impressing run that stretches from March 2007 to 10 , March 2008 . Across three seperate tournaments (2007 National School Individual Chess Championship , 2007 National School Team Championship and the 2008 National School Individual Championship)

Unbeatable runs : 9 Games !

Introduction of Ben 'Karpov' life :

Ben is born in the quiet country of Singapore on 1st March 1991 . He is parented by Edward and Grace . It is said that when he is 4 , his father predicted that his son would be a chess great later on in his life . A quiet boy that prefer to work alone and thus having minimum friends in school . He attended Rivervale School when he is in primary school and move on to St Gabriels Institution later on . His chess prodigy is discovered when he is 8 . One of his then classmate introducted him to chess and he picked it up fast . But Ben is too 'chicken' to attend any competition until 2 years later . He picked up his first trophy in his first tournament ( which is a team tournament ) . Ben started representing school and is an iconic figure in the school team for 7 straight years . Most of the time he played in the 2nd board and captained his team . He is most remembered as an all-rounded player , as he is deadly in both deep defence and intense attack . Thus making him the most feared player in the North-East zone . Ben is also said to be able to defeat every single player in his neighboorhood school ; Sengkang Secondary , Compassvale Secondary , Nan Chiau High , North Vista Secondary , Hougang Secondary , Pei Hwa Secondary and Ponggol Secondary . (All 7 schools) . Ben spends 7 hours playing online chess everyday . He is arguable the most exciting upcoming talent in Singapore .

His Achievements :

Ben 'Karpov' Tan's achievement till today includes 32 trophies/medals in 44 tournaments . Although he started playing chess at 8 , he did not attain a silverware until he is 10 . He is a three times national medal achiever ; twice at 2006 and once at 2007 . Ben 'Karpov' is the fourth guy in the history of Gabrielite (56 years) to attain the National School Individual Chess Championship medal in back-to-back years . He had captained his school for more than 50 games and 7 tournaments , in which one of the tournament he lead his school to National 6 in the National School Team Tournament 2006 behind RI , ACSI , Hwa Chong , Catholic High and bitter rival Maris Stella . In which St Gabriel drew rival Maris 2:2 , beat ACSI 2:1 , NUS High 3:1 and thrashed St.Hilda's and CHIJ 4:0 ! Most of his 32 silverwares are 1st Runner-Up . His only two champion silverware comes from coming in 1st in the 2005 Yio Chu Kang CC Open section Champion and St.Gabriel's 'Champions League' 2005 . He came in first in his school chess league , which lasted for the whole year . This achievement highlights his strengh in consistancy . The year 2005 and 2006 is a good one for Ben , in two years he won around 20 trophies and medals and even won his very first National medal at the NSI Championship . He participated in 25 tournaments in Serangoon Garden Country Club and won a trophies in every tournaments he played in , and is therefore one of the most feared player in the country club .

Chess Prodigy ?

Ben is also remembered as a chess prodigy . At age 13 when he joined St Gabriel Institute's chess club , the club legend Jude Tan Ju Hui and then club vice-chairman reportedly announced that "throughout life he had not came across a chess player like Ben , he could see the best move in an instant . Ben also can see about 10 moves ahead , his reading of the game is stunning".

Controversial Medal :

This debatable issue happens in the 2007 National School Individual Championship . The tournament consist of 9 matches and Ben have completed 8 , he has 5.5 pts . The last game would totally determines whether he would attain the National medal for that year , and he Must need a win . His last round opponent comes from rival school Maris Stella and he happens to be the best player there , Ben knows him , he is a China player called Jiang Zeliang and plays very well . His opponent is also desperate for a win . It is going to be a death match . Saint Gabriel Number 1 VS Maris Stella Number 1 . The Match of the year ! 25 minutes per side , the game started . Ben started out strongly , he attacked well , Zeliang defended and counterattacked . Although Ben's King is exposed he defended tremendously and manage to force trade several key pieces and drag the game to endgame . It is a very drawish position and both side are fighting all out . Finally the game reached a point where draw is inevitable . Ben was about to give up when someone shouted "Flag Drop !" . Ben looked at the clock , his opponent's flag dropped . Without hesitation he claims win . However Zeliang countered that Ben won by prompting , this sparked a serious argument for both side . The chief arbiter is being called in to settle after 30 minutes of intense verbal fighting , the chief arbiter gave Ben the win and the vital point , then he went on to collect his 2nd consecutive National medal . It was a controversial match , no doubt .

The Three Big Matchs that Ben never forgets

Ben 'Karpov' Tan played a grandmaster when he is 14 . It is a simou game , the GM played 11 games in one go . All the other board got thrashed except for him , he drew . Then three years later he played 2 games against GrandMaster Mark Paragua (Elo rating 2521) and held him to a 1 : 1 draw . (Ben drew him twice) .

Club of commitment

Ben 'Karpov' started out his chess career in the quiet school of Rivervale Chess Club. He was 8 years old then. He is still very young and inexperience. 'Karpov' have trouble finding his place in the school and almost gave up on chess, but thanks to his good friends he struggled and continue and play for Rivervale chess club for another 4 years. He was voted 2003 Rivervale Chess Club Player of the Year.
Next he went on and signed a 4 years contract at Saint Gabriel Chess Club. Even though he was their new signing, 'Karpov' quickly found his way into the school team starting line-up. That year he played 3rd board for his club. His club debute against ACS Independent ended in tradegy where he lost to ACSI third boarder. However Ben created a record in his debute tournament. He checkmated his Yu Jing Secondary opponent in 34seconds, the fastest in the history of Gabrielite Chess Club.
In his third year of playing for Saint Gabriel, Ben established himself as the first choice player in the club, following the departure of club legend Ben Lee and Jude Tan. He is also said to be the 'dream player' for the club. 'Ben' being the first name of Ben Lee and 'Tan' being the last name of the other club legend, Jude Tan.
Later that year Ben led the Saint Gabriel Chess Team to national glory. The 6th in Singapore in the National School Team Championship.
In the final year of his time with Saint Gabriel Chess Club he once again brought honor to his club by coming in 19 out of 270 players and completed his hat-trick of National Medals.
He was a legend on the off the board and is no wonder why the club fell following the departure of him at 2008. Ben 'Karpov' joined the league of legends alongside with Ben Lee, Jude Tan, Abraham Pitono and team-mate Ng Ming Sheng.
Kevin Chong, member of the club has this to say when 'Karpov' dissolves his contracts after 4 years of service 'we had undoubtly lost one of our greatest star, you cannot simply replace Ben like that, in fact he is irreplaceable'.
Now he is in Republic Poly Chess Club but planning to play for some other club. Now the burning question... Which club would be lucky enough to capture his signature?

Ben 'Karpov' Tan of the future .

Ben will surely fight on , no mater what . His dream is to be a GrandMaster and play in World Champion Level . Cheer , Go Ben - Go !!!