Popov claims 14th Delhi International Open chess title

January 18, 2016

Russia’s Ivan Popov suffered a surprise last-round loss but was not to be denied the 14th Delhi International Open chess title. Popov claimed the winner’s trophy and Rs. three lakh. Ukraine’s Valeriy Neverov inflicted a 43-move defeat with white pieces to force a three-way tie at eight points. But Popov clinched the title on a superior tie-break score ahead of runner-up Hungarian Attila Czebe and third-placed Neverov.

In fact, Vitaly Sivuk did Popov a favour by holding Czebe in 30 moves on the second board. After Popov’s loss, a victory for Czebe would have given him the title. M.R. Lalith Babu justified his presence in the event as the highest-rated Indian and defeated Ukraine’s Yuri Solodovnichenko in 68 moves to be among the six players tied for the fourth spot with 7.5 points.

Facts about Chess

Chess is believed to originate out of India during the Gupta empire, and subsequently made its way to the West in the 9^th century.
The word “Checkmate” in Chess comes from the Persian phrase “Shah Mat,” which means “the King is dead.”
Blindfold chess is real and documented in world records. It is as it sounds: a player makes all of his or her moves without looking at a board.
Blindfold chess is an impressive skill that many stronger chess players possess. It certainly requires a keen ability to see the board clearly, which can get difficult after many moves.
During World War II, some of the top Chess players were also code breakers. British masters Harry Golombek, Stuart Milner-Barry and H. O’D. Alexander was on the teamwhich broke the Nazi Enigma code.