Spassky, who took French nationality in 1978, was the 10th World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1969-1972, when he lost it to American Bobby Fischer in Reykjavik in a contest later dubbed as the “Match of the Century”.

During that match in the midst of the Cold War, which he lost 12.5-8.5 despite winning the first two games, Spassky showed great sportsmanship, applauding Fischer after losing the sixth game.

Former world champion Anatoly Karpov, who beat Spassky in the semi-finals of the Candidates tournament in 1974, paid a warm tribute.

“My idols in chess were Jose Capablanca and Boris Spassky. And when I managed to beat Spassky, it was the greatest of victories and, in a sense, defeating something inside me by beating my teacher,” Karpov told state news agency RIA.

“For me, Boris Spassky was an entire era for chess. He became most famous, of course, for being the man who handed over the title to Bobby Fischer.

“But he had chances to win that match. He may have lost by a wide margin, but when everything was in his favour, he let his chances slip away.”

Spassky had been the oldest living world chess champion.

“A great personality has passed away, generations of chess players have studied and are studying his games and his work. This is a great loss for the country,” Russian Chess Federation President Andrei Filatov told the TASS news agency.

Alexander Tkachev, executive director of the Russian Chess Federation, said Spassky’s death was a huge loss for the world of chess.

“Boris Vasilevich lived in Moscow and was in contact with everyone close to him… I knew him in a different way than from books. It was always interesting to speak with him. He was a very interesting story-teller and it’s hard for me to talk about him leaving us,” Tkachev told RIA news agency.

Spassky represented France in three chess Olympiads in 1984, 1986 and 1988, and was seen playing in the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris during the 1990s.

After his health deteriorated in the early 2000s, Spassky disappeared from Paris in August, 2012 before resurfacing in Moscow in October that year.

“It was my desire to return to Russia, because my time in France had run its course. It was time to start a new stage. I understood it was time to leave,” he said at the time.

-Reuters

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 The tournament was organized by the Management of Life and Chess Club and it was powered by Community Sport and Educational Development Initiative (CSED).

The event was held at the premises of Edo Innovates, along ICE Road in Benin City.

Despite the heavy rain, the participants were not deterred, as they did not want to miss this date in the chess calendar of Edo State.

The event was attended by chess players from far and wide, with no age limit and or high ranking on the chess board. The event which lasted for about six hours, is a seven rounds rapid FIDE rated tournament.

During and after the tournament event, participants were provided with light refreshment by the tournament organisers.

At the end of the tournament, participants of the event praised the efforts of the tournament Coordinator, Princess Omoyemwen Adeyinka-Afolabi, CSED Initiative and other sponsors of the event, for their unrelenting effort at developing chess at the grassroots level.

They also expressed their desire to continue to make good efforts in improving themselves in the game of chess, as well as pledged to take part in future IDSDP Chess Invitation Tournaments.

The Management of Life and Chess Club and CSED Initiative, are current working out modalities of how to introduce chess to some selected secondary school in Benin City, as well as in other interested secondary schools in the three senatorial areas of Edo State.

They hope to achieve this goal through a ‘Chess4schools’ community outreach programme, which will involve teaching the students other basic soft skills and emotional intelligence skills.

Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, better known as Sara Khadem, took part in the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships held in Kazakhstan in late December without the headscarf that is mandatory under Iran’s strict Islamic dress codes.

Laws enforcing mandatory hijab-wearing became a flashpoint during the unrest that swept Iran when a 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, died in the custody of the morality police in mid-September.

The 26-year-old has told Reuters she had no regrets over her gesture in support of the protest movement against her country’s clerical leadership.

Spain’s official gazette said the cabinet approved granting Khadem citizenship on Tuesday “taking into account the special circumstances” of her case.

-Reuters

Dressed head to toe in a burka and wearing spectacles, Stanley Omondi had registered himself as Millicent Awour.

But Omondi’s daring move was exposed as the organisers got suspicious by the unknown player’s success.

In his defence, he later wrote in an apologetic letter seen by the BBC that he had “financial needs”.

He also said that he was “ready to accept all consequences”. Omondi did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment.

Chess Kenya president Bernard Wanjala said that while he was likely to get a ban of “several years”, he would not be excluded from chess for ever.

“We didn’t have any suspicion at first, because wearing a hijab is normal,” Wanjala told BBC Sport Africa.

“But along the way, we noticed he won against very strong players… and it will be unlikely to have a new person who has never played a tournament [being very strong].”

His footwear and the fact that Omondi did not speak added to concerns.

“One of the red flags we also noticed [was] the shoes, he was wearing more masculine shoes, than feminine,” Wanjala said.

“We also noticed he was not talking, even when he came to collect his tag, he couldn’t speak, ordinarily, when you are playing, you speak to your opponent… because playing a chess game is not war its friendship.”

Despite their reservations, officials allowed him to continue, afraid they might be accused of profiling because of the religious attire and only ejected him in the fourth round.

“When he advanced, after he won a very strong match and we called him, he was not surprised,” according to Wanjala.

“He acknowledged that indeed he is a man. He regrets what happened, apologised and said he was only doing that because he had financial difficulties and thought winning the title will help him overcome.”

The Kenya Open, which was held last week, is an annual competition based in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

This year’s edition attracted over 400 players from 22 countries. Ninety-nine were registered in the women’s category where the winner would take home over $3,000 (£2,400).

Chess Kenya say Stanley Omondi’s case is the first of its kind in the country

Omondi is a known chess player, but Wanjala believes he thought his odds would be better in the women’s category given the higher standard of play in the men’s part of the tournament.

While Kenya’s chess federation has dealt with cases of age cheating before, this type of fraud is a first of its kind.

The case has been referred to the body’s disciplinary committee which is expected to give a ruling in the next couple of days.

“It is an extreme case, the verdict may include a ban. I rule out a life ban, but he may be given several years’ ban from playing chess,” Wanjala explained.

The case will also be referred to the international federal, he added.

-BBC

The event was organized by Life and Chess Club and Heritage and Sports. The event was powered by CSED (Community Sport and Educational Development) Initiative, in collaboration with Edo Innovation Hub.

 Participants from ten schools attended the event, which was officiated by arbiters from the Nigeria Chess Federation.

The Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Sports Commission was represented by Mrs Rosemary Amadasun (Head Coach of Edo State Chess Association). Princess Omoyemwen Adeyinka-Afolabi, Founder of Life and Chess Club was the Tournament Director.

The participants and guests were treated to a rich tea break and refreshments afterwards.

Participants at the event learned about the importance of using sport to promote peace and unity in their local community. As invited speakers took turn to enlighten all present about the importance of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP).

The participants at the event took part in the traditional “white card” photo session, which is a unique feature of the various peace and sport events that universally mark the 6^th of April, as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.

 At the end of the tournament, medals and trophies were presented to winners in the different age categories.

The tournament Director told our reporter that apart from the ongoing chess outreach programmes in schools in Benin City and environs, they are currently discussing with CSED Initiative on how to organize a chess summer camp in Benin City during the school holiday.

Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, 25, better known as Sara Khadem, arrived in Spain in early January. She had taken part in the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships held in Kazakhstan’s Almaty in late December without a hijab – a headscarf mandatory under Iran’s strict Islamic dress codes.

“How much I have learned today from a woman who inspires me,” Sanchez posted on his Twitter account after hosting Khadem at his official residence, the Moncloa Palace.

“All my support to women athletes. Your example contributes to a better world,” he added.

In footage provided by the prime minister’s office, Khadem is seen chatting with Sanchez on a couch while sporting a black suit and without wearing a hijab. They later appear to engage in a game of chess at a table.

Demonstrations against Iran’s clerical leadership have swept the country since mid-September when a 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, died in the custody of the morality police, which had detained her for wearing “inappropriate attire”.

Laws enforcing mandatory hijab-wearing have become a flashpoint during the unrest, with a string of sportswomen competing overseas appearing without their headscarves in public.

In a recent interview with newspaper El País, Khadem – who holds the title of Woman Grandmaster – said she only used to wear the headscarf at tournaments when there were cameras because she was representing Iran.

“With the hijab, I’m not me, I don’t feel good, and so I wanted to put an end to that situation,” she said. “So I decided not to wear it anymore.”

Khadem is ranked 771st in the world, according to the International Chess Federation’s website, and 9th in Iran.

-Reuters

Sara Khadem, born in 1997, took part in last week’s FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty without the hijab – a headscarf mandatory under Iran’s strict dress codes.

The source, who did not want to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Khadem subsequently received multiple phone calls in which individuals warned her against returning home after the tournament, while others said she should come back, promising to “solve her problem”.

The source also said Khadem’s relatives and parents, who are in Iran, had also received threats, without giving further details.

Iran’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the case.

Khadem, who is also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, arrived in Spain on Tuesday, the source said.

She has not responded to Reuters request for comment. Newspapers including Le Figaro and El Pais reported last week that Khadem would not be returning to Iran and moving to Spain.

The phone calls led to organisers deciding to provide security with the cooperation of Kazakh police, resulting in four bodyguards being stationed outside Khadem’s hotel room, the source said.

Iran has been swept by demonstrations against the country’s clerical leadership since mid-September, when 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini died in the custody of morality police who detained her for “inappropriate attire.”

Laws enforcing mandatory hijab wearing have become a flashpoint during the unrest, with a string of sportswomen competing overseas appearing without their headscarves in public.

Khadem is ranked 804 in the world, according to the International Chess Federation website. The website for the Dec. 25-30 event listed her as a participant in both the Rapid and Blitz competitions.

The protests mark one of the boldest challenges to Iran’s leadership since its 1979 revolution and have drawn in Iranians from all walks of life.

Women have played a prominent role, removing and in some cases burning headscarves, while protesters have taken heart from what they have seen as shows of support from both female and male Iranian athletes

-Reuters

A Reuters witness at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, saw Sara Khadem competing without a headscarf, a violation of Iran’s laws governing female dress code.

Iran has been swept by demonstrations against the country’s clerical leadership since mid-September, when 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini died in the custody of morality police who detained her for “inappropriate attire.”

Laws enforcing mandatory hijab wearing have become a flashpoint during the protests, with a string of sportswomen competing overseas appearing without their headscarves in public.

Khadem, born in 1997 and also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, is ranked 804 in the world, according to the International Chess Federation website. The website for the Dec. 25-30 event listed her as a participant in both the Rapid and Blitz competitions.

Iranian news outlets Khabarvarzeshi and Etemad in reports on Monday said that Khadem had competed at the championship in Almaty without a hijab.

-Reuters

Iran has been swept by demonstrations against the country’s clerical leadership since mid-September, when 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini died in the custody of morality police who detained her for “inappropriate attire”.

Iranian news outlets Khabarvarzeshi and Etemad, in reports on Monday, said Sara Khadem had competed at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, without the hijab – a headscarf mandatory under Iran’s strict dress codes.

Photos posted by both outlets appeared to show her with no headscarf during the tournament. Khabarvarzeshi also posted a photo of her wearing a headscarf but without saying if it was taken at the same event.

There was no comment on Khadem’s Instagram page about the tournament or the reports, and she did not immediately respond to a direct message from Reuters.

Khadem, born in 1997 and also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, is ranked 804 in the world, according to the International Chess Federation website. The website for the Dec. 25-30 event listed her as a participant in both the Rapid and Blitz competitions.

SHOWS OF SUPPORT

The protests mark one of the boldest challenges to Iran’s leadership since its 1979 revolution and have drawn in Iranians from all walks of life.

Women have played a prominent role, removing and in some cases burning headscarves, while protesters have taken heart from what they have seen as shows of support from both female and male Iranian athletes.

In October, Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi competed in South Korea without a headscarf, later saying she had done so unintentionally.

In November, an Iranian archer said she did not notice her hijab falling during an awards ceremony in Tehran, after a video appeared to show her allowing the headscarf to drop in what was also widely assumed to be a show of support for protesters.

In comments reported by state media in November, Iran’s deputy sports minister, Maryam Kazemipour, said some Iranian female athletes had acted against Islamic norms and then apologised for their actions.

Several national sports teams have refrained from singing the national anthem, notably before Iran’s opening match at the soccer World Cup. The team sang ahead of their second and third games.

Iranian authorities have cracked down hard on the protests, which they have declared riots fomented by foreign adversaries.

According to the activist HRANA news agency, 507 protesters had been killed as of Thursday, including 69 minors. Sixty-six members of the security forces have also been killed.

State officials have said up to 300 have been killed, including members of the security forces.

-Reuters

Flagship Nigerian Breweries brands, Gulder and Maltina, have jointly added an enormous boost to the ongoing Africa Individual Chess Championships (male and female) in Lagos.

The Africa Individual Chess Championships, which started last weekend in Lagos and will run to Wednesday, September 28th, is one of the top events on the African chess calendar.

The Championship, which is being hosted by the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), has over 10 countries in attendance.

Apart from Nigeria, the other participating countries include Cameroon, Togo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar, among others. 

Though with a strong presence in top sports like football and athletics, Nigerian Breweries in the past years have established a culture of supporting the ‘lesser sports’ which they have demonstrated yet again with the double support from Gulder and Maltina for the Africa Individual Chess Championships.

Senior Brand Manager for Gulder, Olufunmilayo Ogunbodede reckoned that the game of chess is for ultimate minds, hence it was a plausible move for the ultimate beer to be involved.

He said: We don’t even regard chess as a lesser sport; it is for the ultimate minds that is why the ultimate beer is giving its full support as Lagos welcomes the best chess players from across the continent.

On her part, the Senior Brand Manager Maltina, Onyebuchi Allanah described chess as a game which needs nourished minds and brains to excel, which Maltina guarantees for both the old and the young.

“If there is one game that tasks the brain, really it is chess and Maltina with its different flavours, guarantee nourishment. We are glad to be part of this and we sincerely wish all the visiting players from across Africa the very best.” 

As already announced, apart from cash prizes, the winner of this championship will earn the prestigious Grandmaster title, while other top performers could also earn International Master (IM), Fide Master (FM), and Candidate Master (CM), titles. 

It is also worth noting that Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, the president of FIDE (World Chess Federation) will be in Nigeria for the very first time in his capacity as President of the world body.