Bridge | Chess | Draughts | Go | Xiangqi
Today marks the start of a flourishing competition re-uniting the world's finest mind sport players.
The 2013 SportAccord World Mind Games opens its doors to 150 of the best players from 37 different regions and nations including World Champions and Grand Masters who have all confirmed their presence for this big occasion.
An amalgamation of game types in Bridge, Chess, Draughts, Go & Xiangqi began today.
SportAccord inaugurates its third consecutive edition of the event and wishes all competitors a wonderful time during their stay in Beijing.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS
6 year old ties with Grandmaster
Today, the SportAccord team visited the Fangcaodi Teaching and Tutoring Center, here in Beijing. This event marked the kick-off of the 2013 World Mind Games Cultural Programme.
SportAccord and FIDE representatives along with chess Grandmasters visited the Tutoring Center Once in the class room it was clear that not only the students but also the official representatives could not wait to challenge each other. However, it didn’t take long for the children to prove how well prepared they were. Mr. Yerolimpos, SportAccord Multi Sport Games Executive Director was the first to taste defeat after an exciting 15 minute match with a 7-year-old.
For both Grandmasters, this was the third time that they took part in a social activity associated with the World Mind Games Cultural Programme.
Grandmaster Barek Heberla commented that he will “...be happy to keep repeating the experience for many years to come”. He believes that stimulating children to play chess from an early age will not only help them to do better in school but also “...teach them the concept of winning and losing, to respect their opponents and acquire important life skills”. He was reminded of his own lesson by a 6-year-old who managed to draw the game against him, one of the best players in the world. The little boy was overwhelmed with joy as Mr. Heberla shook his hand acknowledging the potential future world champion.
Grandmaster Peter Heine Nielsen couldn’t agree more as he was once a student competing against a top chess player aspiring to become a top player himself.
Seeing the students' faces lighting up when playing the Grandmasters and receiving the official 2013 World Mind Games Swatch watch and t-shirt was a great reward to all present.
The Men’s teams and Women’s individual events launch the Go competitions at the SportAccord World Mind Games
Chinese Taipei was on the brink of defeating the higher ranked Koreans, when they failed to close the match and gave the Koreans a chance to recuperate. The Koreans can be very happy with that win.
In the match-up between Asia and Europe, Asia clearly had the upper hand. With China beating north America and Japan out playing Europe, the first round of Go stays in the eastern hemisphere.
Men's teams: China beat North America 3-0, Korea beat Chinese Taipei 2-1, Japan beat Europe 3-0.
Women's individual: Yu Zhiying beat Dina Burdakova, Chang Cheng-Ping beat Natalia Kovaleva, Oh Jeonga beat Sarah Jin Yu, Fujisawa Rina beat Svetlana Shikshina.
For a summary of today's men's results, click here
For a summary of today's women's results, click here
Xiangqi: World Class Start to the competition
The Xiangqi competition of the 2013 Beijing SportAccord World Mind Games kicked off with a world class match up today. The reigning World Champion Tang Dan from China was challenged by the runner-up Nguyen Hoang Yen in the first round and it proved to be a highlight. Better time management and a critical mistake finally decided the match in favour of the Chinese Star Tang Dan.
In men`s first round the SportAccord reigning Champion Wang Tianyi from China faced the runner up from the World Championship, Cao Yanlei from Macau. Cao Yanlei did not have an answer to Wang`s aggressive style and suffered a first round defeat, with the hopes of Wang defending his title intact.
Today was a real treat for Xiangqi enthusiasts.
For a summary of today's men's results, click here
For a summary of today's men's results, click here
Draughts Ambassador Darya Tkachenko and World Champion Alexander Georgiev compete and represent their mind sport
Draught`s World Champion Alexander Georgiev was faced with a “Dutch Wall” during his first three matches, playing Netherland`s top 3 players. Except for a draw with Roel Boomstra, Georgiev mastered his task perfectly and is leading the race after the first day.
One of the local stars, youth world champion and draughts ambassador Hanqing Zhao, has not yet managed to fulfil the high expectations with 2 losses and 1 draw.
An unexpected highlight was provided to us by Alexander Shvartsman (Russia) as he let a secure win slip. Schwarzman analysed his obvious mistake after the match: “I missed this possibility, I've not yet gotten into my flow, I did not yet 'feel' the board and the pieces, and it took me a lot of energy to focus my attention“. His comments highlight how important it is to be in the zone from the start of the competition as at this level small mistakes decide matches.
For a summary of today's men's results, click here
For a summary of today's women's results, click here
Two clear leaders after the first day of Men’s and Women’s Chess events
SportAccord Director General Mr Vlad Marinescu and World Chess Federation Vice President Mr Chu Bo make the first moves for Chess at the SportAccord World Mind Games
GrandMaster Peter Leko from Hungary earned 3.5 out of 4 after winning against Vachier-Lagrave from France in round 4. As expected former Rapid World Champion Karjakin has managed to position himself as one of the favourites after taking three wins in the first day.
Reigning Women’s World Blitz Champion GM Valentina Gunina from Russia managed to defeat two former World Champions Alexandra Kosteniuk also from Russia and Antoaneta Stefanova (current Women’s World Champion) from Bulgaria. Tomorrow’s competition will feature a key match between the current World Champion and prodigy Hou Yifan.
For a summary of today's Men's Rapid Event results, click here.
For a summary of today's Women's Rapid Event results, click here.
Bridge Team Events open the 7 day tournament
Poland was the only team to win all three of their open match on the first days, beating the US, China and Monaco.
In the womens competition China and the US are top ranked with both teams winning 2 of 3 matches. Enlgand and Isreal hope to challenge the leaders on Gamed day 2.
For Bridge Teams Open Results, click here
For Bridge Teams Women, click here
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