October Family Chess Night
October’s Chess Puzzle celebrates Russian Women Chess Players
Can you find the checkmate? White to move and mate in three.
This puzzle is from a game with Alexandra Kosteniuk and Irina Zakurdjaeva, Russia 1998
Bring your puzzle solution to Bookman’s on Speedway Family Chess Night, 6:30-8:30pm, first Wednesday of every month–this month Wednesday, October 5–and win a free prize. The whole family, new and experienced players are all invited to join us to play chess.
Russian Women’s Superfinals 2011
Russia has long held a strong presence in world chess and this holds true with women players.
The 61st Women’s Russian Championship (August 19-August 28) recently concluded in Moscow. Ten invited women chess masters competed in the event. You can read a player’s report–4th place winner Natalia Pogonina. The tournament was won by Valentin Gunina with a score of 6.5/9.
The Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk, a former Women’s World Chess Champion who visited Tucson and 9Queens in December 2009, finished in 7th place with a score of 4/9. You can explore some of the 2011 Russian Women’s Superfinals games and view a summary of tournament play.
Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk and 9Queen’s Jean Hoffman December 2009
Jennifer, Vicki, Alexandra and Jean at the World Chess Hall of Fame, September 2011
Alexandra and Jean Hoffman recently showed up at the grand opening of the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Missouri. They were joined by 9Queens Co-founder Jennifer Shahade and 9Queens Marketing Director Vicki Lazaro.
Vera Menchik inducted into World Chess Hall of Fame 2011
Recently inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame was the world’s first Women’s World Chess Champion, Vera Menchik. Vera was born in Russia 1906, learned to play chess at age 9 and moved to England in 1921. She became the first Women’s World Champion in 1927, successfully defending her title six times over the next 17 years.
October’s puzzle comes from Chapter 11: Vera Menchik, Play Like a Girl published by 9Queens. More about great women chess players in puzzles to come.
Postscipt
Solution to September’s Paul Morphy puzzle: Ra6 is the winning move for white.
