2014 World Mind Games (Beijing, China)

Mind Sport Games 2014

The fourth edition of the World Minds Sports Games in Beijing, China on December 11th-17th. This unique tournament featured five sports including bridge, go, draughts, xiangqi (Chinese chess) and international chess. Top players in each of these mind sports competed in various formats. This is the second time that chess will feature a variant known as “Basque Chess” which entails two players playing an opponent two games with opposite colors simultaneously. Rapid and Blitz are the mainstays and will be contested by 16 of the world’s top players in both the men’s and women’s categories.

GMs Levon Aronian (Armenia) and Hou Yifan (China)

The delegations of the five mind sports being introduced.
Hou Yifan is the official chess ambassador.
Photo by sportaccord2014.fide.com.

While Magnus Carlsen is the reigning Classical, Rapid and Blitz champion, there are several former World Champions (time category) including Levon Aronian of Armenia, Alexander Grischuk of Russia and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan. All of the top brass for the women are competing with Hou Yifan of China and Humpy Koneru of India leading the pack. Also strong competition from Valentina Guinana and Alexandra Kosteniuk of Russia, Ju Wenjun of China, Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria and Anna Muzychuk of the Ukraine. China has become the marquee location for these large-scale international events since the scintillating display at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Trailer for the 2014 World Mind Games

Video by sportaccord2014.fide.com.

SportAccord World Mind Games
December 11th-17th, 2014 (Beijing, China)
Participants
# MEN FED WOMEN FED
1 Grischuk, Alexander RUS
Hou, Yifan CHN
2 Aronian, Levon ARM
Koneru, Humpy IND
3 Ivanchuk, Vassily UKR
Stefanova, Antoaneta BUL
4 Nepomniachtchi, Ian RUS
Kosteniuk, Alexandra RUS
5 Radjabov, Teimour AZE
Ju, Wenjun CHN
6 Leko, Peter HUN
Gunina, Valentina RUS
7 Wang Yue CHN
Dzagnidze, Nana GEO
8 Dominguez Perez, Leinier CUB
Muzychuk, Anna UKR
9 Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar AZE
Kosintseva, Tatiana RUS
10 Ponomariov, Ruslan UKR
Ushenina, Anna UKR
11 Bacrot, Etienne FRA
Paehtz, Elisabeth GER
12 Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime FRA
Zhao, Xue CHN
13 Gelfand, Boris ISR
Muzychuk, Mariya UKR
14 Wang, Hao CHN
Cramling, Pia SWE
15 Harikrishna, Pentala IND
Stefanova, Antoaneta BUL
16 Wojtaszek, Radoslaw POL
Paehtz, Elisabeth GER

Results

Men (Rapid, Blitz, Basque)
Women (Rapid, Blitz, Basque)

Games

Rapid (men, women), Blitz (men, women), Basque (men, women)

Coverage

Official: https://www.worldmindgames.net/en/
FIDE: https://sportaccord2014.fide.com/en/main-page
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/mindgameschannel

21 Comments

  1. 2014 SportAccord World Mind Games
    * * *
    Day #1 (Highlights – no chess coverage)
    11 December 2014 (25:20 minutes)

    * * *
    Day #1 (Full Broadcast – no chess coverage)
    11 December 2014 (4:00:29 hours)

  2. Mind Sport Games 2014

    Georgia sits atop while the Chinese wall stands strong

    Mind Sport Games 2014

    Two former world championship opponents, Hou Yifan and Anna Ushenina

    Valentina Gunina (RUS) and Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) took to the board to face off for the first place spot. Black prevailed and Dzagnidze came out on top. However, let us not forget that local talent, Hou Yifan trails closely behind by half a point.

    GM Wang Yue, defending WMSG rapid champion. Photos by SportAccord.

    The unfortunate Koneru Humpy (IND), the highest rated woman player got off to a bad start with three zeroes, but managed to wrap up the day with a win over Mariya Muzychuk from Ukraine.

    Wang Hao and Wang Yue opened day 1 in confidence. Perhaps the home court advantage helped, both men were at the top of their form. White played out to be beneficial as Wang Hao now sits at the top of the leaderboard in the men’s rapid.

    The first day had some great matches, including one between Pentala Harikrishna (IND) and the ever-original Vassily Ivanchuk (UKR). Too early for predictions, but time will tell which players have what it takes to claim the gold.

    ~SportAccord

    Results: https://www.worldmindgames.net/en/results-schedule/

  3. Mind Sport Games 2014

    Russians take gold medals!

    An epic contest took place at the chess tables this afternoon, a pure treat for spectators and viewers across the world. A young lady from Russia brought her A-game to Beijing. Valentina Gunina (RUS), 25 years old, showed us how talented she really is, winning all her games of the second day of competition.

    The local favourite, Hou Yifan (CHN) was her challenger in round 6. The match was intense, gripping and one to watch. The two ladies knew that this was a decisive one to win. Gunina felt ”lucky but happy” and shared that she always “loves to play Hou Yifan”. Having played chess since the age of 5, her father was always there to coach her and encourage her to along the way. Now Gunina awaits the Blitz competition, “it is definitely my favourite discipline” she explained with a delightful smile.

    Mind Sport Games 2014

    Valentina Guinina defeated Anna Muzychuk in a thrilling battle to clinch gold.

    Today’s men’s competition was slightly more confusing. With a quick draw in round 6 and a loss in round 7 to Levon Aronian (ARM), Wang Hao (CHN) secured the bronze. Yesterday’s successful start proved more difficult to continue throughout today’s matchups.

    Alexander Grishchuk (RUS) claims the gold, while his opponent Ian Nepomniachtchi (RUS) agreed to a draw, leaving him out of contention for a medal. The Rapid tournament comes to a close, as the Russia flag soars above the rest.

    ~SportAccord

    RAPID (Medals)

    MEN

    GOLD- Alexander Grishuk (Russia)
    Russia

    SILVER- Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France)
    Hungary

    BRONZE – Wang Hao (China)
    China

    WOMEN

    GOLD – Valentina Gunina (Russia)
    Russia

    SILVER – Hou Yifan (China)
    China

    BRONZE – Anna Ushenina (Ukraine)
    China

    PGN Games (Men & Women)

  4. Mind Sport Games 2014

    Hou Yifan bolts out in the lead in blitz segment!

    As we put a close to the rapid format yesterday evening, today’s chess competitions at the World Mind Games 2014 reset the clocks to 3 minutes and counting. With 30 seconds left before the start of the games, Aronian and Grischuk came running in, blitz action was ready to start.

    Earlier this morning, Hou Yifan and Dominguez awoke for a head-to-head in front of the iconic bird’s nest. One might say that an early wake could be a disadvantage for a chess player, yet Hou Yifan proves the contrary. The lovely young lady, an exemplary role model for young players was more than happy to enjoy a great game of her favourite mind sport.

    Mind Sport Games 2014

    Hou Yifan puts blitz skills on display and lead after day one.

    She currently leads the blitz table with 7 out of 10, but nothing is set in stone as Gunina trails closely behind with 6.5. Let us not forget Muzychuk, the world’s highest rated blitz player who has yet to say her final words. Interestingly, Hou Yifan and Gunina faced off in round 10 and this time, Hou Yifan took the point.

    Three men lead as the rest are lurking behind. Ivanchuk, Aronian and Leko claimed 7 out of 10 this afternoon. All, hungry for medals and are determined to step up on the podium. Nepomniatchi however, famous for his blitz skills, seemed distraught, he walked up and down the isle of the chess halls, clearly disappointed with his results.

    With 20 rounds to be played, competition remains open. Tomorrow will be decisive for all players to set themselves apart.

    ~SportAccord

  5. Mind Sport Games 2014

    Hou Yifan expands lead… MVL at top after day two in Blitz

    At the SportAccord World Mind Games 2014, blitz chess requires an extremely fast-paced end game. When the time clock approaches the 0 second mark, a player must react to avoid losing the game on time. Today, Ivanchuk forgot that.

    GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave leads on 14/20!
    Photo by Alina L’Ami.

    Ahead for the most of the afternoon, and playing in an advantageous position against his opponent Vachier-Lagrave (one of the highest ranked blitz players), the clock read 0:00 and the arbitrator called the end of the match. Ivanchuk, deep in his thoughts and foreseeing his next moves, had not realised his time was up.

    Vachier-Lagrave now sits in first with 14 out of 20 points. He showed great skill today but nothing can tell who will take the medals.

    It seems at this year’s World Mind Games, Hou Yifan and Valentina Gunina have declared battle. The two ladies are here to win and nothing or no one seems to be stopping them.

    Hou Yifan currently leads the board with 15.5 out of 20 while Gunina sits 1.5 points behind. It appears that the cold Beijing weather plays a purpose in this tournament, as we watch Yifan quickly jog to the entrance to grab a breath of “fresh” air in between rounds. Something to consider should your chess play be disappointing you.

    SportAccord: https://media.sportaccord.com/wmg2013/articles/view/Ivanchuk-beaten-by-the-buzzer

  6. 2014 SportAccord World Mind Games
    * * *

    Day #4 (Highlights – chess coverage starts at 11:15)
    14 December 2014 (26:02 minutes)

    Day #4 (Full Broadcast – chess coverage starts at 2:35:23)
    14 December 2014 (4:00:08 hours)

  7. Mind Sport Games 2014

    Grischuk get 2nd gold. Hou Yifan dominates!

    Mind Sport Games 2014

    Fast and furious action on the last day in the blitz competition!

    A certain Alexander Grischuk will not be stopped. First rapids now blitz, Grischuk is on fire at this tournament. Does he have what it takes to conquer the basque tournament?

    As Ivanchuk continued down a slippery slope, Vachier-Lagrave was the man to watch. Both him and Grischuk were neck and neck. As the rounds progressed and reached the final stretch, one prevailed. Unfortunately, Vachier-Lagrave lost his concentration, finishing with a loss and a draw. Grischuk stood firm and played his final games carefully to go on and win his second gold medal at the World Mind Games. Great news for Radjabov from Azerbaijan who comes back to win a bronze medal after two years without promising results.

    It goes without say that in the women’s event; Hou Yifan is the player to beat. Her play is astoundingly good and her winning streak unmatchable. This time around she beats Gunina with 22.5 out of 30. When asked about the blitz event, she calmly said “there are so many different positions and you always need time to recover”. Pia Cramling came out in the last round and put in an impeccable performance to beat Muzychuk, who loses out on grabbing silver.

    Hou Yifan, winner of the women’s blitz competition.

    SportAccord: https://media.sportaccord.com/wmg2013/articles/view/Grischuk-dominates

    BLITZ (Medals)

    MEN

    GOLD- Alexander Grishuk (Russia)
    Russia

    SILVER- Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France)
    France

    BRONZE – Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan)
    Azerbaijan

    WOMEN

    GOLD – Hou Yifan (China)
    China

    SILVER – Valentina Gunina (Russia)
    Russia

    BRONZE – Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine)
    Ukraine

    PGN Games (Men & Women)

  8. Blitz Games-Men (Ranking Crosstable after Round 20)
    Rank SNo. Name Rtg FED Pts Res. Vict SB BL
    1 2 GM Grischuk Alexander 2819 RUS 19½ 0 14 278.75 15
    2 12 GM Vachier-Lagrave M. 2776 FRA 18½ 0 13 263.75 15
    3 10 GM Radjabov Teimour 2715 AZE 18 0 13 262.50 15
    4 15 GM Aronian Levon 2850 ARM 17½ 0 13 256.00 15
    5 8 GM Ivanchuk Vassily 2720 UKR 17 13 240.50 15
    6 4 GM Mamedyarov S. 2866 AZE 17 14 239.75 15
    7 9 GM Nepomniachtchi Ian 2788 RUS 17 1 15 250.50 15
    8 7 GM Ponomariov Ruslan 2758 UKR 15 0 12 213.50 15
    9 14 GM Leko Peter 2694 HUN 14½ 7 220.75 15
    10 1 GM Gelfand Boris 2757 ISR 14½ ½ 10 214.75 15
    11 3 GM Dominguez Leinier 2728 CUB 13 1 9 180.50 15
    12 6 GM Wang Hao 2693 CHN 13 1 8 185.00 15
    13 11 GM Wang Yue 2680 CHN 12½ 0 8 181.00 15
    14 16 GM Harikrishna P. 2728 IND 11½ 2 7 166.50 15
    15 13 GM Wojtaszek Radoslaw 2743 POL 11½ 0 7 176.50 15
    16 5 GM Bacrot Etienne 2739 FRA 10 0 6 145.75 15

    Blitz Games-Women (Ranking Crosstable after Round 20)
    Rank SNo. Name Rtg FED Pts Res. Vict SB BL
    1 16 GM Hou Yifan 2662 CHN 22½ 0 20 319.25 15
    2 13 GM Gunina Valentina 2582 RUS 19½ 1 17 278.00 15
    3 10 GM Muzychuk Anna 2665 UKR 19½ 1 17 275.00 15
    4 12 GM Harika Dronavalli 2533 IND 17 2 11 229.50 15
    5 9 GM Dzagnidze Nana 2591 GEO 17 0 12 229.75 15
    6 8 GM Zhao Xue 2576 CHN 16½ 14 232.75 15
    7 4 GM Kosteniuk Alexandra 2479 RUS 16½ ½ 12 233.75 15
    8 15 GM Koneru Humpy 2521 IND 16 0 10 215.50 15
    9 14 GM Ju Wenjun 2469 CHN 15½ 0 13 208.50 15
    10 11 GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2578 RUS 14 1 11 193.00 15
    11 1 GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2569 BUL 14 1 8 201.25 15
    12 3 GM Ushenina Anna 2467 UKR 13 0 8 188.00 15
    13 2 IM Paehtz Elisabeth 2522 GER 12½ 0 9 169.25 15
    14 5 GM Khotenashvili Bela 2457 GEO 10½ 5 148.25 15
    15 7 IM Muzychuk Mariya 2439 UKR 10½ ½ 6 144.75 15
    16 6 GM Cramling Pia 2433 SWE 0 2 80.00 15

  9. Mind Sport Games 2014

    Ian Nepomniachtchi and Zhao Xue lead after Day #1 in the Basque

    Mariya Muzychuk trying to get a rhythm on wheels. Photo by Alina L’Ami.

    Who would have ever thought that such a “static” board game like chess, will be in crying need for very “dynamic” players (literally)?! But chess and sport are not poles apart, not when it comes to the Basque system anyway, the third and final competition on the SportAccord World Mind Games’ agenda. After Day1, we have two clear leaders, both with half a point more than the runner-ups: Ian Nepomniachtchi (4.5/6) and Zhao Xue (5.5/6).

    This is a unique way of practicing our favourite sport, which eliminates the advantage of the White colour and the “boring” moments when the opponent sinks into deep thought. Play takes place at two boards simultaneously with each player having one White and one Black. The time rate is 20 minutes plus an increment of 10 seconds per move, but the real amount of time is shorter, since one has to permanently “navigate” with his chair (and his mind) from one game to the other. It is important to make the forced moves without hesitating, but how to do that when you are caught up in analyzing a critical situation of the other game? For players – quite a demanding competition, but what an entertaining show for the spectators…

    Mind Sport Games 2014

    Stefanova and Ushenine playing a “double simul”.

    FIDE: https://sportaccord2014.fide.com/en/main-page/1-news-en/342-shake-a-leg

  10. 2014 SportAccord World Mind Games
    * * *

    Day #6 (Highlights – chess coverage starts at 5:47 minutes)
    16 December 2014 (26:02 minutes)

    Day #6 (Full Broadcast – chess coverage starts at 1:30:15)
    16 December 2014 (4:00:08 hours)

  11. Basque Games-Men (Final Ranking)
    Rank SNo. Name Rtg FED Pts Res. Vict SB BL
    1 7 GM Nepomniachtchi Ian 2801 RUS 0 5 5 2747
    2 11 GM Radjabov Teimour 2776 AZE 6 0 4 5 2770
    3 4 GM Vachier-Lagrave M. 2728 FRA 6 0 3 5 2761
    4 5 GM Mamedyarov S. 2739 AZE 6 0 3 5 2747
    5 14 GM Dominguez Leinier 2763 CUB 2 3 5 2767
    6 2 GM Grischuk Alexander 2828 RUS 0 4 5 2760
    7 3 GM Leko Peter 2773 HUN 0 2 5 2767
    8 10 GM Wang Hao 2719 CHN 5 1 4 5 2783
    9 12 GM Aronian Levon 2813 ARM 5 1 2 5 2720
    10 6 GM Wojtaszek Radoslaw 2684 POL 0 1 5 2747
    11 1 GM Ponomariov Ruslan 2738 UKR 0 1 5 2742
    12 13 GM Wang Yue 2765 CHN 0 0 5 2754
    13 9 GM Harikrishna P. 2701 IND 4 0 2 5 2773
    14 8 GM Gelfand Boris 2719 ISR 4 0 0 5 2756
    15 16 GM Ivanchuk Vassily 2811 UKR 0 0 5 2740
    16 15 GM Bacrot Etienne 2731 FRA 3 0 1 5 2751

    Basque Games-Women (Final Ranking)
    Rank SNo. Name Rtg FED Pts Res. Vict SB BL
    1 1 GM Hou Yifan 2600 CHN 0 7 5 2544
    2 16 GM Kosteniuk Alexandra 2577 RUS 7 0 6 5 2491
    3 13 GM Zhao Xue 2485 CHN 6 0 5 5 2550
    4 2 GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2578 BUL 6 0 5 5 2526
    5 11 GM Koneru Humpy 2611 IND 0 5 5 2539
    6 12 GM Ju Wenjun 2555 CHN 0 5 5 2490
    7 6 GM Dzagnidze Nana 2547 GEO 0 4 5 2525
    8 9 GM Muzychuk Anna 2546 UKR 0 4 5 2522
    9 4 GM Gunina Valentina 2552 RUS 5 0 4 5 2515
    10 10 GM Ushenina Anna 2489 UKR 5 0 4 5 2511
    11 15 GM Harika Dronavalli 2421 IND 0 2 5 2524
    12 3 GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2505 RUS 0 3 5 2562
    13 7 GM Cramling Pia 2443 SWE 0 3 5 2498
    14 5 IM Muzychuk Mariya 2445 UKR 3 2 3 5 2499
    15 8 GM Khotenashvili Bela 2407 GEO 3 2 3 5 2499
    16 14 IM Paehtz Elisabeth 2485 GER 3 2 3 5 2464

  12. Mind Sport Games 2014

    Nepomniachtchi and Hou Yifan win the Basque…
    will variant reach mainstream chess?

    Mind Sport Games 2014

    Ian Nepomniachtchi was the best throughout the Basque segment.

    The celebrations of the Russians marked the close of the 4th edition of the World Mind Games 2014, organised in Beijing, China from December 11-17, 2014. The final competition of this year’s event ended with Ian Nepomnianchtchi (Russia) and Hou Yifan (China) being crowned the winners in the men’s and women’s chess basque competitions. With the final medals being awarded, the Russians emerged as the big winners in the whole competition as their players took home a total of 6 gold and 5 silver medals, and 1 bronze medal.

    Apart from Hou Yifan, Alexander Grishchuk from Russia (chess), Ilan Herbst and Ophir Herbst from Israel, Nicola Smith from England, Geir Helgemo from Monaco (all bridge), Mi Yuting and Yu Zhiying from China (both Go) emerged as the big winners in the 4th edition, taking home 2 gold medals each.

    Mind Sport Games 2014

    Jean-Marc N’Djofang won gold in the super-blitz in draughts. Here he poses with 7-time World Champion Aleksandr Georgiev who he will play next year for the classical draughts world championship.

    Announcing the closing of the World Mind Games 2014, SportAccord Director General Vlad Marinescu said, “In terms of scale, competition, organisation and broadcasting, this edition of the World Mind Games has set the benchmark for all future editions of the same, and even other SportAccord multi-sports games. We congratulate the athletes for their success, the international federations for their contributions and the local organising committee for their untiring efforts in ensuring the event’s conduct. We also thank the sponsors for providing their valuable support for the World Mind Games 2014. The venue became a big melting pot for all elements that contribute towards a successful event. The cultural programme touched over 2000 children, through the activities of our sporting ambassadors.

    Finally, we give a big vote of thanks to the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, the Board and Card Administrative Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and the people of Beijing people for welcoming us with open arms and making this the home of the World Mind Games for the last 4 years.”

    In total, there were 150 players from 37 countries, who took part in the World Mind Games 2014. There were 14 disciplines across 5 sports on offer, with 24 medal rounds being contested.

    SportAccord: https://media.sportaccord.com/wmg2013/articles/view/Final-move-for-World-Mind-Games-2014

    BASQUE (Medals)

    MEN

    GOLD- Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia)
    Russia

    SILVER- Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan)
    Azerbaijan

    BRONZE – Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France)
    France

    WOMEN

    GOLD – Hou Yifan (China)
    China

    SILVER – Alexandra Kosteniuk (Russia)
    Russia

    BRONZE – Zhao Xue (China)
    China

    PGN Games (Men & Women)

  13. Basque Games-Men (Final Ranking)
    Rank SNo. Name Rtg FED Pts Res. Vict SB BL
    1 7 GM Nepomniachtchi Ian 2801 RUS 0 5 5 2747
    2 11 GM Radjabov Teimour 2776 AZE 6 0 4 5 2770
    3 4 GM Vachier-Lagrave M. 2728 FRA 6 0 3 5 2761
    4 5 GM Mamedyarov S. 2739 AZE 6 0 3 5 2747
    5 14 GM Dominguez Leinier 2763 CUB 2 3 5 2767
    6 2 GM Grischuk Alexander 2828 RUS 0 4 5 2760
    7 3 GM Leko Peter 2773 HUN 0 2 5 2767
    8 10 GM Wang Hao 2719 CHN 5 1 4 5 2783
    9 12 GM Aronian Levon 2813 ARM 5 1 2 5 2720
    10 6 GM Wojtaszek Radoslaw 2684 POL 0 1 5 2747
    11 1 GM Ponomariov Ruslan 2738 UKR 0 1 5 2742
    12 13 GM Wang Yue 2765 CHN 0 0 5 2754
    13 9 GM Harikrishna P. 2701 IND 4 0 2 5 2773
    14 8 GM Gelfand Boris 2719 ISR 4 0 0 5 2756
    15 16 GM Ivanchuk Vassily 2811 UKR 0 0 5 2740
    16 15 GM Bacrot Etienne 2731 FRA 3 0 1 5 2751

    Basque Games-Women (Final Ranking)
    Rank SNo. Name Rtg FED Pts Res. Vict SB BL
    1 1 GM Hou Yifan 2600 CHN 0 7 5 2544
    2 16 GM Kosteniuk Alexandra 2577 RUS 7 0 6 5 2491
    3 13 GM Zhao Xue 2485 CHN 6 0 5 5 2550
    4 2 GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2578 BUL 6 0 5 5 2526
    5 11 GM Koneru Humpy 2611 IND 0 5 5 2539
    6 12 GM Ju Wenjun 2555 CHN 0 5 5 2490
    7 6 GM Dzagnidze Nana 2547 GEO 0 4 5 2525
    8 9 GM Muzychuk Anna 2546 UKR 0 4 5 2522
    9 4 GM Gunina Valentina 2552 RUS 5 0 4 5 2515
    10 10 GM Ushenina Anna 2489 UKR 5 0 4 5 2511
    11 15 GM Harika Dronavalli 2421 IND 0 2 5 2524
    12 3 GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2505 RUS 0 3 5 2562
    13 7 GM Cramling Pia 2443 SWE 0 3 5 2498
    14 5 IM Muzychuk Mariya 2445 UKR 3 2 3 5 2499
    15 8 GM Khotenashvili Bela 2407 GEO 3 2 3 5 2499
    16 14 IM Paehtz Elisabeth 2485 GER 3 2 3 5 2464

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