MARK RUBERY CHESS
On the web site Chess Siberia Boris Schipkov came up with some interesting statistics based on the Fide Rating list. There were, he notes, 133,549 players in the list, with an average rating of 1953.7. The greatest number of rated chess players resides in Germany who boasts a staggering 15,442 rated players. This total surprisingly eclipses Russia (who many would assume have far more than anyone else) into second place with their ‘mere’ 14,422 players with international ratings.
The countries with the most Fide rated players are: 1st Germany 2nd Russia 3rd Spain 4th France 5th India 6th Poland 7th Italy 8th Hungary 9th Czech Republic 10th Serbia 11th USA…
China has the highest average rating for players on the Fide list (2193), but that is skewed by the fact they have only 468 players with ratings.
Another list that Schipkov compiled concerned the countries with the most players who have earned chess’ ultimate accolade- the grandmaster title. On this occasion Russia was comfortably ahead of the field.
The countries that have the most grandmasters (not necessarily active, but certainly alive) are: 1st Russian 256 GMs 2nd USA 101 3rd Germany 96 4th Ukraine 93 5th Serbia 58 6th Hungary 58 7th Spain 56 8th France 50 9th China 48 10th Poland 45 11th Armenia 44…
There was also a qualitative analysis of each country revealing that the average Russian GM is rated 2540 whilst the average Serbian GM is 2486.
WHITE TO PLAY AND DRAW
Interesting advice from Russian blitz chess legend, Genrikh Chepukaitis… ‘Make your moves closer to the button on the clock. This is very important.
Remember: your hands must be quicker than your thoughts. Don’t move where you’re looking and don’t look where you’re moving. This is a chance! If your opponent has forgotten to press the clock, make an intelligent face , as if you’re thinking. As your opponent’s clock is running, you’ re getting closer to victory. When you reach the endgame, make random moves, following the only rule : all your moves must be as close as possible to the button on the clock. Never forget Chepukaitis’ button theory’.