The Women’s World Chess Championship takes place on March 17 – April 7 in Sochi (Krasnaya Polyana, Estosadok, CS Galactica, Achipsinskaya street, 12). The knock-out tournament is attended by 64 players, including the former World Champions Alexandra Kosteniuk (Russia), Anna Ushenina (Ukraine), and Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria), the three-time Russian champion Valentina Gunina, the World Vice-Champion Humpy Koneru (India), and other leading grandmasters from China, India, USA, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and other countries.
The first five rounds consist of two games with 90 moves per 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game with bonus 30 seconds per each move. The final match consists of four games.
If the match score is tied, its winner is determined on the tie-break: two rapid games of 25 minutes + 10 seconds per move. If the score remains equal, the players proceed to another two games with a slightly faster time control – 10 minutes + 10 seconds per move. If these games do not determine the winner as well, then there are two blitz games: 5 minutes + 3 seconds per move. Finally, if the score is still even, there is an Armageddon game: White has 5 minutes, Black has 4 minutes, 3 seconds per move are added after the move 61, and a draw counts as a win for Black. The tie-break for the final match consists of four rapid games.
The opening ceremony takes place on March 16 at 8 pm in the Okhotnichij Hall of the Grand Hotel Polyana (Krasnaya Polyana, Estosadok, Achipsinskaya street, 16B).
Press-conferences
March 16, 7 pm, at the press-center in CS Galactica, attended by
A. V. Dvorkovich, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Russian Deputy Prime Minister,
K. N. Ilyumzhinov, the FIDE President,
A. V. Filatov, the RCF President,
Alexandra Kosteniuk (Russia), the 12th World Champion,
Humpy Koneru (India), the highest rated player of the championship.
March 17, 3:30 pm, at the press-center in CS Galactica, attended by
K. N. Ilyumzhinov, the FIDE President,
A. V. Filatov, the RCF President,
Z. Vereczi, Chief Arbiter of the championship,
T. A. Gvilava, President of the “Sistema” Charity Fund,
Galina Roketskaya, Chairman of the All-Russian NPO “Women in Business”,
Elena Pakhomova, Head of the Sochi branch of the All-Russian NPO “Women in Business”, the topic of chess at schools will be discussed.
Schedule: Round 1 – March 17-19, Round 2 – March 20-22, Round 3 – March 23-25, Quarterfinals – March 26-28, Semifinals – March 29-31, Finals – April 2-5.
April 1 is a day off. All games start at 15.00 msk.
For press credentials please contact the RCF Press Officer Eteri Kublashvili: ekublashvili@gmail.com.
In order to get the car access to the GTZ Gazprom one should send the car brand and registration plate as well as the driver’s passport details.
The credentials will be distributed on March 16 at 6:30 pm in CS Galactica, and on March 17 at 2 pm in CS Galactica. For other days one should contact the Press-Officer.
About FIDE
International Chess Federation (FIDE) is an international organization that connects the various national chess federations around the world and acts as the governing body of international chess competition. FIDE was founded in Paris, France, on July 20, 1924, and has its flag and anthem. Its motto is Gens una sumus, Latin for “We are one people”.
Since 1980 FIDE is a member of UNESCO. There are other international chess federations linked to FIDE – ICCF (correspondence chess), IBCA (Braille chess), AIPE (chess media), Chess Composition Committee, etc.
Russian Chess Federation (RCF) – a non-governmental non-profit organization uniting individuals and chess federations of republics, krais, regions, federal cities, autonomous regions and okrugs of Russian Federation. RCF develops and promotes chess in Russia. Founded on February 15, 1992. RCF is managed by Congress and RCF Supervisory Council. The RCF Guardian Council is a consulting body, acting on a non-profit basis.
RCF organizes the All-Russian Junior championships, the Belaya Ladya educational institutions tournament, the Russian Individual Championship, and other chess events. Since 2012 the RCF promotes the Chess in Museums project.
RCF develops and implements chess development programs, including junior chess, assists in creating new chess clubs and sections in Russian regions. It strengthens Russian chess on the international level, develops bonds with other national chess federations and international organizations, including FIDE.
For more information contact Kirillos Zangalis, RCF PR Director +7 (968) 732 0080; e-mail: zangalis@mail.ru