Author: NM Jesse Cohen

US Judge Dismisses $100 Million Defamation Lawsuit Filed by Hans Niemann Against Magnus Carlsen and Others

A US judge has dismissed the $100 million defamation lawsuit filed by American chess grandmaster Hans Niemann against Magnus Carlsen, online platform Chess.com, its chief chess officer Daniel Rensch and popular streamer Hikaru Nakamura.

The lawsuit alleged that the defendants had been “egregiously defaming him and unlawfully colluding to blacklist him from the profession to which he has dedicated his life.” Niemann said in the lawsuit that the saga caused him “devasting damages.”

The judge dismissed the accusations of an antitrust violation with prejudice, meaning Niemann cannot file again about antitrust violation allegations against these defendants on this evidence.

However, the judge dismissed the claims of libel and slander without prejudice, meaning Niemann can refile another suit based on those allegations.

Niemann’s lawsuit described the cheating scandal which sent shockwaves through the sport, beginning in September 2022 when world No. 1 Carlsen accused Niemann of cheating at the $350,000 Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis, Missouri.

Niemann has previously admitted publicly to cheating in online matches at the ages of 12 and 16 but the investigation alleged he had cheated more recently. Niemann has denied these accusations.

In his second amendment, Niemann alleged that Carlsen paid a friend $328 (€300) to shout “Cheater Hans” from the stands at the closing ceremony of a tournament. Carlsen has not responded to this allegation.

The judge’s decision is a victory for Carlsen and Chess.com, who have been accused of unfairly targeting Niemann. The case had cast a shadow over the chess world, and its resolution will allow the sport to move on from the controversy.

About Summit School of Chess

Summit School of Chess is a leading online chess school that teaches students of all ages and skill levels.

Our experienced and passionate instructors use a variety of teaching methods to help students improve their chess skills and knowledge.

We offer a variety of courses and programs, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes, as well as private lessons.

We also offer a variety of tournaments and events throughout the year.

If you are interested in learning more about Summit School of Chess, please visit our website at https://summitschoolofchess.com/.

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We are thrilled to see Alice Lee’s recent accomplishments in chess. Her achievement of becoming the third youngest female international master in history is a testament to her dedication and hard work. We are proud to have Alice as a member of our school, and we look forward to seeing her continued success in the years to come.

Alice’s story is an inspiration to all young chess players. She started playing chess at a young age, and she quickly showed a natural talent for the game. She has worked hard to improve her skills, and she has received excellent coaching from GM Dmitry Gurevich.

Alice’s recent success is a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. She is an example of how hard work and dedication can lead to great things. We are excited to see what she accomplishes in the future.

In addition to Alice’s accomplishments, we would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the other great things happening at Summit School of Chess.

• We have recently expanded our curriculum to include more advanced topics, such as endgame studies and opening theory.
• We have also added a new coaching staff, which includes several grandmasters and international masters.
• We are currently offering a summer camp for students of all ages.

We invite you to learn more about Summit School of Chess and to sign up for one of our upcoming classes or camps. We are confident that you will be impressed with our program and our staff.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

The Summit School of Chess Team

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1. COMPLICATE & CREATE ROOM FOR MISTAKES If you’re losing, and you and your opponent continue to make normal moves, you’ll eventually lose. Your only chance to save a losing game is if your opponent makes a mistake. So complicate the position. “Help” the opponent to go wrong.

2. AVOID EXCHANGES More pieces = more chance for the opponent to go wrong. It also means having the chance to use your pieces to target the opponent’s King. One exception: In losing endgames, trade pawns. Because many endgames are drawn once you remove the pawns.

3. MAKE ADJUSTMENTS When losing, some ‘normal rules’ don’t apply. Like you can’t fight for open lines, exploit weaknesses if it means trading more pieces. Instead, you often have to do the opposite and forget some common chess principles. Make those adjustments to your game.

4. TARGET THE KING If your attack succeeds, you win no matter the material count. If you expose the enemy King, your chances of making a draw by perpetual checks increase. Attacking could make the opponent nervous and cause them to blunder. So go after the King!

5. SACRIFICE FEARLESSLY If you had a 3m debt and it becomes 3.1m, would you feel much difference? Mostly not. Similarly, if you’re a Queen down, do you think twice about sacrificing a pawn? Not really, right? You have nothing to lose so you can sacrifice fearlessly.

6. MAKE YOUR PIECES HAPPY The happier our pieces, the more headache the opponent will have. Dealing with just 1 active piece is far easier than dealing with 5 active. And in which direction should we activate our pieces? Towards the opponent’s king!

7. MAKE PRACTICAL DECISIONS Look for the PRACTICAL best moves! They may/may not be the objective best but they’ll give your opponent all the chances to go wrong. And in SLP mode, it’s always good to encourage the opponent to make a mistake.

8. CREATE TRAPS Usually, playing for traps isn’t a good idea. But when lost, it’s an absolute must-have weapon. If you see a nice trap, and there is even a 10% chance the opponent can fall in, think about it. And if it doesn’t damage your position too much – just go for it!

9. STALEMATE Most stalemates happen in the endgames. But sometimes they can happen even in the middlegames. GM Robert Hovhannisyan has made a name for himself, saving lost positions with stalemates. Below is one. Robert makes a miracle happen: 1.g3! Qg3 2.Qh5!!

10. DIRTY TRICKS AND LAST CHANCES Put on your shameless masks! The tricks are dirty but ethical. Every top player uses them. Even though they don’t work always, saving 1-5% of lost positions with them can be worth a lot long-term. EXAMPLE 1…Qd3+??! 2.Kg2?? (2.Qxd3 wins) Qxh7.

11. PSYCHOLOGICAL DYNAMICS When losing, most get upset, giving the winning side a big psychological edge. Instead, a skilled defender of lost positions puts themselves in a mental state of joy and fun. This subtle shift makes a big difference to the quality of the moves.

If you are interested in learning more about Summit School of Chess, please visit our website at https://summitschoolofchess.com/.

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Winning and losing is just a part of the game. There are valuable lessons that all children can learn with either result. Therefore, it is up to the parents and coaches to motivate them to learn and do the right things. Here are some of my suggestions to the parents and coaches of young players: 1. Control yourself I realize that parents and coaches are disappointed when their youngsters do not win. But that is when they need you the most. Screaming, yelling, and hitting will not help and it can backfire. The children can get intimidated and may not be able to play at their full strength. In addition, they may start to hate chess or hate competing. 2. Stay strong, give support and encouragement When your youngsters win, that’s great. Congratulate them. However, when they lose, give them even more support and encouragement. That’s when they need you the most. That is when their psyche is most vulnerable and when they need reassurance that you still love and support them. 3. Make it fun and motivating Young children usually have difficulty focusing and concentrating for a long period of time. Therefore, you should take one game at a time and avoid discussing future games or opponents. Teach them to focus and concentrate on each move and each game, and when that game is over then focus and concentrate on the next game. 4. Rating does not matter Too many parents and coaches are preoccupied with ratings. It’s just a number. Ratings are unimportant at such a young age and they tend to be skewed depending on where the youngsters live. Additionally, many children play chess on the Internet and can improve in between tournaments, so their over the board rating may not reflect this. Teach the youngsters to play the positions and not the opponents. Do not let your youngsters overestimate or underestimate their opponents. 5. Follow the principles of chess:   Teach your children to follow the basic principles of chess: a) Control the Center! b) Develop Your Pieces as Soon as Possible! c) Castle as Soon as Possible! d) Keep Your Pieces Protected! e) Have Fun! Win with Grace and Lose with Dignity! 6. Do not dwell on the past Every youngster will have bad games here and there. If you want to go over the game quickly to learn from the mistakes, that is fine. But do not be so preoccupied with the loss. The players need to move on and focus on the next game. Help your youngsters relax and concentrate in subsequent rounds. It will not help getting angry and upset over a bad loss. Otherwise, it can affect the next few games. 7. Don’t play too quickly Teach your children to use their time properly in all phases of the game. Too many children move at the speed of their opponents. Don’t! Play at your own pace. Even when they have a winning position, they should still take their time and be very careful of traps and counter-attacks. As the saying goes, it isn’t over until it’s over. Therefore, every move in every position is important. 8. Conserve energy I understand that this is tough to do. However, try to help your children conserve their energy. Many children want to run around and play actively. That is OK but not 15-30 minutes before the round. They should take a walk, get some fresh air, concentrate, and get their minds ready for the next battle.

#ChessCoaching

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If you are interested in learning more about Summit School of Chess, please visit our website at https://summitschoolofchess.com/.

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Hikaru Nakamura is the new champion of Norway Chess! The American grandmaster won the tournament with a round to spare, after defeating Fabiano Caruana in a thrilling final-round game.

Nakamura’s victory is a historic one. He is the first American to win Norway Chess since Paul Morphy in 1851. It is also Nakamura’s third straight tournament victory, following his wins at the American Cup and the Chessable Masters.

Nakamura’s performance in Norway Chess was simply outstanding. He scored 8.5/9 points, including three wins and six draws. He also had a positive score against the world’s top players, defeating Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and Alireza Firouzja.

Nakamura’s win is a major boost for American chess. He is now the clear number two player in the United States, behind only Fabiano Caruana. Nakamura’s success is also a sign of the strength of American chess at the moment. There are a number of young American players who are on the rise, and Nakamura’s victory will only help to inspire them.

Nakamura is a true champion, and his win at Norway Chess is a testament to his skill and dedication. He is a role model for chess players of all ages, and his success is a great source of pride for the United States.

What’s Next for Nakamura?

Nakamura is now the clear favorite to win the Candidates Tournament, which will be held later this year. The Candidates Tournament is a round-robin tournament that determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship. Nakamura will face some tough competition in the Candidates Tournament, including Fabiano Caruana, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren. However, Nakamura is in good form, and he will be confident of winning the tournament and challenging for the world title.

Nakamura is also scheduled to play in the Grand Chess Tour, which is a series of six super-tournaments held throughout the year. The Grand Chess Tour is a great opportunity for Nakamura to earn money and points, and he will be looking to win as many tournaments as possible.

Nakamura is in the midst of a great run of form, and he is one of the best chess players in the world. He is a true champion, and he will be looking to continue his success in the years to come.

If you are interested in learning more about Summit School of Chess, please visit our website at https://summitschoolofchess.com/.

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Ukrainian grandmaster Vadim Malakhatko passed away suddenly on Monday, June 6, 2023, at the age of 46. He suffered a heart attack while playing in a rapid tournament in Kyiv.

Malakhatko was born in Kyiv in 1977 and began playing chess at the age of six. He quickly showed great talent for the game, and by the age of 19, he had already won the Ukrainian U20 championship. He went on to become a grandmaster in 1999, and over the course of his career, he won numerous tournaments around the world.

Malakhatko was also a passionate organizer of chess tournaments. He was the driving force behind the Kyiv Spring Festivals, which have become one of the most popular chess events in Ukraine. He also organized several grandmaster norm tournaments, and it was largely thanks to his efforts that chess life in Kyiv continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to his playing and organizing skills, Malakhatko was also a gifted coach. He worked with many young players, including Yan Domin, who won the Ukrainian U14 Championship just two weeks before Malakhatko’s death.

Malakhatko was a true champion on and off the chessboard. He was a kind and generous man who always put others before himself. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the entire chess community.

Rest in peace, Vadim.

Introduction: Chess history is filled with remarkable players who have left a lasting impact on the game. One such player is Magnus Carlsen, who, for over a decade, dominated the chess world as the undisputed champion. However, in a surprising turn of events, Carlsen announced in 2022 that he would not be defending his title, citing a lack of motivation. In this blog, we delve into Magnus Carlsen’s journey from a young prodigy to a renowned chess superstar and explore the factors that led to his decision.

The Early Years: Magnus Carlsen’s chess journey began at the age of 8 when he developed a keen interest in the game. Motivated by the desire to beat his older sister, he quickly immersed himself in chess, dedicating hours each night to playing and improving his skills. Carlsen’s natural talent was evident from a young age, and he rapidly surpassed his peers, becoming Norway’s best chess player.

Rise to Stardom: Carlsen’s breakthrough on the international stage came when he became a Grandmaster at the age of 13. He caught the attention of the chess world with his strategic brilliance, earning the nickname “Mozart of chess.” With each passing year, Carlsen’s prowess continued to grow, and in 2010, at the age of 19, he became the youngest world No. 1, breaking records set by legends of the game.

Challenges and Successes: Carlsen’s journey to the top was not without hurdles. He faced criticism for his training methods, which were perceived as less intense compared to some of his peers. Despite the doubts, Carlsen consistently demonstrated his dominance in tournaments and defended his title successfully in several world championships. His unique playing style, characterized by flexibility and unpredictability, made him a force to be reckoned with on the chessboard.

Quest for Motivation: Over time, Carlsen’s passion for chess began to wane. Despite his remarkable achievements, he confessed to a lack of motivation and a feeling that there was not much more to gain from the game. Winning four world championships and achieving immense success, Carlsen felt content with his accomplishments. His decision to not defend his title was driven by a desire to explore new avenues and find fulfillment beyond the chessboard.

The Influence of External Factors: Carlsen’s journey was not limited to his performance on the chessboard. He became a genuine celebrity, expanding his reach beyond the chess community. His involvement in various ventures, such as co-founding the company “Play Magnus,” further diversified his interests. These external pursuits, coupled with the pressure of expectations, may have contributed to his waning motivation.

The Niemann Controversy: In 2021, Carlsen faced a highly unusual situation when he accused a fellow player, Hans Niemann, of cheating during a tournament. This incident, along with the subsequent discovery of Niemann’s alleged involvement in cheating, added to Carlsen’s frustration and disillusionment with the game. It likely further solidified his decision to step back from defending his title.

Conclusion: Magnus Carlsen’s journey from a young chess prodigy to the world’s best player and subsequent decision to not defend his title highlights the complexities of a champion’s mindset. The combination of immense success, personal motivations, external pressures, and controversies can shape a player’s relationship with the game. Carlsen’s story serves as a reminder that even the greatest chess players may reach a point where they seek new challenges and redefine their path.

At the Summit School of Chess, we believe in nurturing the passion and potential of chess players at all levels. We understand the importance of motivation and personal growth in the pursuit of chess excellence. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, our dedicated coaches and comprehensive programs are designed to inspire and empower you on your chess journey.

Sources: The Guardian, CNN, New Yorker, Wall Street Journal