Benjamin Tan VS Alexis Migel, Round 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.