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
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Where on Earth is Ben ???
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
A day to remember ? or a day to forget ?
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 !)
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 !)
Monday, April 6, 2009
Zonal Champion once again !
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 !"
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
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 :(
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 :(
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Title still within reach for Ricnesh ? "Not too likely", said Ben 'Karpov'
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 deciding 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)
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 deciding 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)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Congrates Ben :)
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 !
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 !
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
