Intellect of Capablanca won in Almaty

At the IV Blitz Chess Championship conducted in Almaty on November 7-8 grand master Leinier Dominguez Perez from Cuba won. He managed to win the tournament undefeated with 11.5 points, accumulated from his 8 victories and 7 draws against most of the major players in the world ranking. For such success Leinier, born on September 23rd 1983, was compared by specialists that attended this tournament, with late Jose Raul Capablanca (World Champion 1921-1927).

Second place was won by blitz champion of the last year Vassiliy Ivanchuk (Ukraine) - 11 grades. Bronze winner became 5-times Champion of Russia Peter Svidler - 10 grades.

Many expected that world blitz champions in 2007 and 2006 Vassiliy Ivanchuk (Ukraine) and Alexander Grishchuk (Russia), as well as Alexander Morozevich participant of championship, who has the highest FIDE rating, they would win.

However, according to commentator of tournament best Britain grand master of the last century Nigel Short, blitz chess - is unpredictable game, because in allowed 5 minutes for a play without additional time, it is important not only to advance on the chess board, but also will be able to realize it. Many participants just failed to do it on time.

Of course, tension of participants was colossal, perhaps it is a mere coincidence, but in the first day of the tournament during drawing session chess grand master from India fainted straight on the scene. Apart from that Nigel Short also told, that during his match with Garry Kasparov he lost 1kg weight.

According to Nigel Short, championship concentrated best participants on FIDE qualification, although such outstanding grand masters as Vishvanatan Anand, known Indian chess player, absolute world champion from September 30, 2007 and Russian chess player Vladimir Kramnik, absolute chess champion in 2006-2007. Mr Short considers that the Cuban grand master won due to good luck and fantastical time feeling. Although, it goes without saying that it is impossible to win 80 thousand Swiss francs just due to good luck.

Leinier Dominguez narrated in brief about his way to the chess Olympus. Firstly, he is playing chess since 7 years, when his father brought him to a club. At the moment he trains about 6- 8 hours a day. According to him chess is very popular in Cuba. Perhaps, the basis was laid by great Capablanca, in whose honour annually a prestigious chess championship has been organized since 1962. There is another vivid historical figure a revolutionist Che Guevara, who was a great admirer and chess player, what he inherited from his father. Thus, there is still mass interest toward chess. Chess are taught in schools, and in some as compulsory discipline.

Unfortunately, in Kazakhstan the situation is quite different. Perhaps, even because of it our participant of the last blitz championship Murtas Kazhgaleyev occupied just 7 place, but still could be at better position than one of the favorite of the tournament - Alexander Morozevich. He won 6 plays, 4 played in draw, 5 lost.