[author: Noel Diem]

As the face of HR changes, so too do the methodologies used. HR technology has paved the way for streamlined operations, seamless collaboration, and data-driven decision-making. From recruitment and onboarding to performance management and employee engagement, this powerful solution empowers organizations to optimize their workforce like never before.

But does all of this change truly benefit employees, HR leaders, and organizations? Lets take a look.

Over the years, HR technology has undergone a remarkable transformation alongside the importance of the department. Today, organizations rely on sophisticated software systems to streamline their HR processes and enhance overall efficiency while keeping the heart of HR the same.

In the early stages, HR technology mainly focused on automating administrative tasks such as payroll processing and employee record management. However, as businesses recognized the potential for greater optimization, more advanced solutions were developed.

One notable evolution is the rise of employee self-service portals. These online platforms empower employees to independently manage their personal information and professional development.This shift towards self-service not only reduces administrative burden but also enhances employee engagement by providing instant access to critical resources.

With the emergence of mobile applications explicitly tailored for HR functions such as recruitment apps or performance tracking tools accessing vital information has become even more accessible through smartphones or tablets.

As we continue into an increasingly digital age with rapid technological advancements including data analytics capabilities like predictive analytics its safe to say that this evolution will persist. The future holds exciting possibilities for leveraging AI-powered chatbots for candidate sourcing or utilizing virtual reality simulations for immersive training experiences. It also holds hope for Human Resources compliance, a growing area of risk and concern for organizations.

HR technology has revolutionized how businesses manage their workforce, bringing numerous benefits to the workplace. One of the key advantages is increased efficiency and productivity. With automated processes for tasks such as recruitment, onboarding, and performance management, HR professionals can save time and focus on more strategic initiatives.

Alongside this shift is an improvement in data accuracy and analysis. HR technology enables organizations to collect and analyze vast amounts of employee data, providing valuable insights for decision-making. From identifying skill gaps to tracking employee engagement levels, this data-driven approach helps companies make informed choices about talent management.

Additionally, HR technology enhances compliance with labor laws and regulations. By automating processes related to payroll calculations or leave management, companies can ensure accurate record-keeping while minimizing errors that could lead to legal issues.

Implementing HR technology can revolutionize the way organizations manage their workforce, but it has its challenges. One of the main hurdles companies face when adopting HR technology is resistance to change. Employees may be hesitant to embrace new systems and processes, causing a reluctance to fully engage with the technology.

Another challenge is ensuring that the chosen HR technology aligns with the organizations needs and goals. With numerous options available in the market, selecting the right solution can be overwhelming and time-consuming. It requires careful evaluation of various factors such as scalability, integration capabilities, and user-friendliness.

Integration with existing systems poses yet another challenge. Many organizations have legacy systems in place that need to seamlessly integrate with new HR technology platforms. This can require significant effort from IT departments to ensure smooth data migration and synchronization between systems.

Data security is also a concern when implementing HR technology. Organizations must ensure that sensitive employee information remains protected from unauthorized access or breaches. This means investing in robust cybersecurity measures and staying up-to-date on compliance regulations.

While there are challenges involved in adopting HR technology, they can all be overcome through proper planning, communication, training, and support from management teams.

The world of HR technology is constantly evolving, with new trends and advancements emerging each year. As organizations strive to stay ahead in the competitive market, its essential to keep an eye on the future of HR technology. Here are some exciting trends and predictions that we can expect to see in this field.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a bigger role in HR processes. From automating repetitive tasks to analyzing employee data for better decision-making, AI will revolutionize HR operations.

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will be used for immersive training experiences. Imagine employees being able to practice their skills in a virtual environment or attending virtual meetings from anywhere in the world.

Data analytics will become even more crucial in driving strategic decisions within organizations. With advanced analytics tools, HR professionals can gain valuable insights into workforce patterns, engagement levels, and talent acquisition strategies.

Mobile-friendly applications will continue dominating the HR tech landscape as employees increasingly rely on smartphones for work-related activities such as accessing payroll information or requesting time off.

Employee well-being technologies will take center stage as organizations recognize the importance of promoting physical and mental wellness among their workforce.

Blockchain technology may find its way into HR systems, ensuring secure storage and verification of sensitive employee data like certifications or performance records.

Personalization will be key when it comes to delivering tailored experiences for candidates during recruitment processes or providing customized learning opportunities for employees professional development.

Gen Z-focused tools and platforms specifically designed to cater to younger generations entering the workforce are likely to emerge as companies adapt their practices accordingly.

As these trends unfold, its clear that technological innovations have immense potential when it comes to transforming traditional human resource management practices.

HR technology has revolutionized the way organizations manage their human resources. With advanced software and tools, companies can streamline their HR processes, improve efficiency, and drive organizational success.

One key benefit of HR technology is its ability to automate time-consuming tasks such as payroll processing and employee onboarding. By automating these processes, HR professionals can focus on more strategic activities that contribute to the overall success of the organization.

Another advantage of HR technology is its ability to provide real-time data and analytics. This allows managers to make informed decisions about talent acquisition, performance management, and employee engagement. By having access to accurate data, organizations can identify trends and patterns that help them optimize their workforce.

HR technology has the ability to change the way HR departments function within an organization, but it has to be done in a way that makes sense and that is often not up to the HR leaders, unfortunately, but other decision-makers within the company. Collaborating with the people using these products will yield greater results in terms of implementation, ROI, and understanding.

The evolution of HR technology has been remarkable, with advancements in artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and cloud-based platforms revolutionizing the HR industry. These innovations have enabled businesses to automate processes, gain valuable insights into their workforce, and make data-driven decisions.

All of the benefits of adopting HR technology are evident across various aspects of the workplace. Improved efficiency in recruitment and onboarding allows organizations to attract top talent quickly and seamlessly integrate them into the company culture. Performance management systems help managers provide regular feedback and coaching, leading to increased productivity and employee satisfaction.

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How HR Technology Drives Organizational Success | Mitratech ... - JD Supra

Timing is everything. For early risers and late-nighters alike, listening to your internal clock may be the key to success. From the classroom to the courtroom and beyond, people perform best on challenging tasks at a time of day that aligns with their circadian rhythm.

Circadian rhythms are powerful internal timekeepers that drive a persons physiological and intellectual functioning throughout the day. Peaks in these circadian rhythms vary across individuals. Some people, known as larks or morning chronotypes, peak early and feel at their best in the morning. Others, known as owls or evening chronotypes, peak later in the day and perform best in the late afternoon or evening. Some people show neither morning nor evening preferences and are considered neutral chronotypes.

As a researcher seeking ways to improve cognitive function, Ive explored whether your chronotype affects your mental performance. Understanding the kinds of mental processes that vary or remain stable over the course of a day may help people schedule their tasks in a way that optimises performance.

Chronotype can be measured with a simple questionnaire that assesses things like your perceived alertness, preferred rising and retiring times and performance throughout the day. Even without a questionnaire, most people have a sense of whether they are a lark or an owl or fall somewhere in between. Do you wake up early, without an alarm, feeling sharp? Are you mentally drained and ready for pjs by nine? If so, you are likely a morning type. Do you sleep late and wake feeling sluggish and foggy? Are you more energised late at night? If so, you are likely an evening type.

People perform best on many challenging mental tasks from paying attention and learning to solving problems and making complex decisions when these actions are synchronised with their personal circadian peaks. This is known as the synchrony effect. Whether you are an air traffic controller scanning the radar, a CFO reviewing an earnings report or a high school student learning chemistry, synchrony can affect how well you perform.

Much of the evidence for synchrony effects comes from lab studies that test both larks and owls early in the morning and late in the day. People with strong chronotypes are more vigilant and better able to sustain attention at their peak relative to off-peak times. Their memories are sharper, with better list recall and more success in remembering to-do tasks like taking medication.

People are also less prone to mind wandering and less distracted at their optimal time. For example, a study I conducted gave participants three weakly related cue words (such as ship, outer and crawl). They were tasked to find another word that linked all three (such as space). When my team and I presented misleading words alongside the cue words (such as ocean for ship, inner for outer and baby for crawl), those who were tested at synchronous times were better at ignoring the misleading words and finding the target solution than those who werent.

Synchrony also affects high-level cognitive functions like persuasion, reasoning and decision-making. Studies on consumers have found that people are more discerning, skeptical and analytical at their peak times. They invest more time and effort in assigned tasks and are more likely to search for important information. Consequently, people make better investment decisions, are less prone to bias and are more likely to detect scams.

At off-peak times it takes people longer to solve problems, and they tend to be less careful and more reliant on mental shortcuts, leaving them vulnerable to flashy marketing schemes. Even ethical behavior can be compromised at non-optimal times, as people are more likely to cheat at their off-peak times.

The basic mental abilities that are affected by synchrony including attention, memory and analytical thinking are all skills that contribute to academic success. This connection is especially significant for teens, who tend to be night owls but typically start school early.

One study randomly assigned over 700 adolescents to exam times in the early morning, late morning or afternoon. Owls had lower scores relative to larks in both morning sessions, but this disadvantage disappeared for owls taking the exam in the afternoon. Early start times may put student owls a step behind larks.

Time of day may also be a consideration when conducting assessments for cognitive disorders like attention-deficit disorder or Alzheimers disease. Scheduling time may be particularly significant for older adults, who tend to be larks and often show larger synchrony effects than young adults. Performance is better at peak times on several key neuropsychological measures used to assess these conditions. Failing to consider synchrony may affect the accuracy of diagnoses and subsequently have consequences for clinical trial eligibility and data on treatment effectiveness.

Of course, synchrony doesnt affect performance on all tasks or for all people. Simple, easy tasks like recognising familiar faces or places, dialing a close friends phone number or making a favorite recipe are unlikely to change over the day. Furthermore, young adults who are neither larks nor owls show less variability in performance over the day.

For those who are true early birds or night owls, tackling the toughest mental tasks at times that align with their personal circadian peaks could improve their outcomes. When small improvements in performance offer an essential edge, synchrony may be one secret to success.

Cindi May is Professor of Psychology, College of Charleston.

This article was first published on The Conversation.

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Night owl or early bird: Knowing your chronotype may be the key to ... - Scroll.in

By derekStreat

An AI competition at the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a great example of how Biden's order can be inclusive and ignite a market

It's a global sprint to codify regulatory guardrails for Artificial Intelligence (AI). Bias, security, job displacement and economic control are just some of the risks that come with transformational leaps in technology. And yet, what possibilities in AI-driven healthcare, in particular, risk never reaching their potential if over-burdensome regulation stifles their growth?

President Biden's executive order on "safe, secure and trustworthy" AI is a laudable framework, establishing sensible guidelines to protect American interests. The order is also a necessary step to make AI a central pathway to improve healthcare in our country. And the hurdles we face are steep.

For instance, suicide ranks as the second-leading cause of death among veterans, a stark reminder of the urgency for greater mental health access to our heroes in uniform. The average American waits 26 days to see a doctor. And we have a workforce crisis, as doctors and nurses cut back hours or drop out of the profession altogether.

Read: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman steps down as board loses confidence in his leadership

As we look over the horizon, AI is poised to unravel the complexity that hinders health systems from delivering exceptional care to every American. But before we reach a steady state of AI -- the advanced capabilities and societal harmony we all picture -- the right technologies must prevail.

With more than 14,000 AI companies in the U.S., we don't yet know the technology nor the applications that will ultimately win out. And therein lies the rub -- weighing the risks of AI, while not stifling ingenuity.

Overreaching measures and broad regulatory oversight put companies at risk. While Amazon(AMZN), Microsoft(MSFT) and Google parent Alphabet(GOOGL) have legal armies and billions in the bank, it's the emerging growth companies and the ideas sparked in dim-lit garages that will suffer.

Biden and future administrations must heed the adage to regulate with a feather and not a hammer to level the playing field, while safeguarding national interests.

The CEO of Suki AI warns that "it's imperative to have industry representation in these committees and task forces that are representative of the vibrant startup AI ecosystem, not just those who can afford lobbying power."

He's right and goes on to argue that detailed guidance on usage, infrastructure and data are necessary to address bias, leakage and to mitigate risks. And with universal standards, we create an impartial arena to prevent corporations from political capture and market control.

Administrative work consumes one-sixth of a doctor's working hours and contributes to burnout and a dwindling workforce that can't keep up with America's aging population.

We're now inventing what AI will become, and the government must preserve the pioneering spirit that undergirds American exceptionalism.

In fact, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a great example of how Biden's order can be both inclusive and ignite a market. On the heels of the executive order, the VA launched a $1million AI tech competition to reduce workforce burnout in healthcare. Calling upon apps, ideas, algorithms and the entire AI-value chain, the competition unifies the industry to solve for a common good.

Clearly, the competition comes at the right time. Today, the VA delivers more care and benefits to more veterans than ever before. Unfortunately, administrative work consumes one-sixth of a doctor's working hours and contributes to burnout and a dwindling workforce that can't keep up with America's aging population. Paperwork isn't why doctors and nurses pursued medicine.

The tech sprint also outlines a welcome and narrow scope.

Participants are asked to focus on two main areas: the development of ambient dictation solutions to transcribe patient visits, and AI-ingestion systems that can harmonize massive datasets, from care records to complex medical documents. In essence, how can AI tear up the paperwork to let doctors get back to caring for people?

The implications of data fidelity and aggregation are non-trivial. In healthcare -- an industry beset by data isolation -- the analytics of care is more important than ever. Generative AI will crowdsource and create life-saving data linkages that pull from patient records, population disparities, and propensity models to better diagnose, treat and cure.

AI will break archaic models and refocus healthcare back to the consumer.

Collaboration multiplies success, and Biden's order calls upon our nation's largest healthcare systems in the first 90 days to help shape regulatory action.

Three top officials, including Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra, VA Secretary Denis McDonough, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, have been directed to create an HHS AI Task Force. Twelve months later, the task force will outline a plan that informs the responsible "deployment and use of AI and AI-enabled technologies in the health and human services sector."

Opinion: How Microsoft's new chip for AI could disrupt big tech -- especially Nvidia, AMD and Intel

The challenges healthcare faces are daunting. But the arrival of AI will break archaic models and refocus healthcare back to the consumer, who demands greater access to care.

We're all amazed by ChatGPT. But what's to come will transform our lives and reshape how we manage our personal wellness. While the White House is right to promote the ethical use of AI, we must also protect the pace of innovation to ensure every American has access to the best care to prevent and cure illness.

We don't yet know the name of the moonshot technology, but we can't alter its trajectory either.

Derek Streat is CEO of DexCare, a healthcare software company that helps patients find their best-fit care options.

-d -e -r -e -k -S -t -r -e -a -t

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

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Biden must preserve the AI moonshot. U.S. healthcare depends on it. - Morningstar

The robust turnout for a kids chess tournament in northeast Colorado Springs has event officials feeling optimistic about the growing popularity of the game.

Nearly 80 young competitors spent their Saturday at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church to play in the Scholastic Chess Tournament, an informal, unrated competition designed to help players from kindergarten through eighth grade sharpen their skills. Tournament organizers also want to nurture a chess culture in the Colorado Springs area.

People have been playing chess, which was invented in India, for more than 1,500 years. But in 2020, two events contributed to a surge in the games popularity in the U.S. and abroad.

Pikes Peak Library District patrons are borrowing electronic materials in steadily increasing numbers and have reached a major usage milestone

The COVID-19 pandemic forced school closures, made people go out in public with their lower faces covered like Wild West stagecoach bandits, and altered everyday life for at least two years. But it also brought an increase in online chess participation, according to Chess.com.

Rebecca Graham, a tournament coordinator whose three children competed, said that during the pandemic her son, Caleb, learned the nuances of the game while playing with his grandfather, who has polio.

Saturdays competition was a Swiss tournament, a round-robin series of games where no one is eliminated. The player with the most points at the end is the winner.

Krish Ravi placed first in the K-3 division. Diya Thoutem won all five of her games to garner the First Place trophy in the Grade 4-8 division. Caleb Graham, Rebeccas son, placed second.

My father couldnt run around and play with the grandkids because of his condition, Graham said. But chess was something they could do together.

Also in 2020, Netflix released The Queens Gambit, a hugely popular miniseries that led to a spike in chess set sales and online chess platform registrations.

A typical day for Dacia Loconte begins well before sunrise, while most of her Mesa Ridge High School classmates are still asleep. A competitiv

Most of the kids here are a little young to watch The Queens Gambit, but theres no denying that the show has had an effect on the popularity of the game, said Earle Wikle, president of the Colorado State Chess Association and tournament director.

Because her kids school didnt have a chess club and because Caleb and Katelyn have become too competitive to play against each other Graham decided to start an informal chess group by extending a social media invitation to some local parents. The turnout, she said, was stunning.

It was just a little mom blog on Facebook, she said. We had 40 kids show up!

I think its funny that my wife accidentally started a chess club, just because she wanted to find some kids to play with ours, said Jason Graham, Rebeccas husband.

Library 21c is where Graham met Wikle, a chess instructor and former candidate master-level player.

We kind of ran into each other when I was giving lessons one day, Wikle said. Now, were running tournaments together.

In 1898, William McKinley was president of the United States. Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii had yet to be admitted to the U

Saturdays tournament was split into two divisions kindergarten through third grade, and fourththrough eighth with trophies for the top players in each division and several prizes.

Official tournaments are really structured and a little subdued, and they kind of need to be, Graham said. We wanted something a little more fun and festive.

Chess advocates say that, in addition to being fun, the game helps kids develop valuable skills, including critical thinking, visualization, planning and problem solving. According to tournament organizer George Krasnopolskiy, sportsmanship is also a key component of the game.

It teaches kids that losing is not the end of the world, and it teaches them how to win gracefully, said Krasnopolskiy, who was born in Russia. The kids dont even have to speak the same language as the kids theyre playing against, because chess is a universal language.

According to the National Scholastic Chess Foundation, the game also helps with academic development, particularly in math.

Saturdays competition was a Swiss tournament, a round-robin series of games where no one is eliminated. The player with the most points at the end is the winner.

Krish Ravi placed first in the K-3 division. Diya Thoutem won all five of her games to garner the first-place trophy in the grade 4-8 division. Caleb Graham, Rebeccas son, placed second.

I like that age doesnt matter in chess, Caleb said. You can play someone whos 8, or you can play someone whos 80.

I love that whenever I lose, I get to learn something, a new strategy or tactic, said Thoutem, who was also named the tournaments Queen of Chess. And when I win, I feel happy.

Krasnopolskiy said he hopes the accessibility of chess will continue to draw young people to the game.

When we came to this country, we didnt really have any money, so there were a lot of activities we couldnt participate in, he said. If you wanted to play on a football team, you had to pay for pads. For hockey, you needed skates. For baseball, you needed cleats and a glove. But a standard chess set doesnt cost much. Chess is completely accessible.

Originally posted here:

Chess surge in Colorado Springs? - Colorado Springs Gazette

As per a recommendation from the Ratings Committee earlier this year, US Chess will be changing the bonus factor on Monday, October 30, lowering the threshold from 14 to 12. This is the first change since 2017.

While we encourage you to read the full US Chess rating system explanation, the practical effect of this shift will be that more bonus points are earned for excellent performances.

This change will be retroactive to all tournaments that ended after (or on) February 1, 2023, and we will be doing a rerate of all rated games back to at least January 2023 beginning Tuesday. Some players may see increases in their ratings since February 1, and all updated ratings should begin to appear on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Note that the annual ratings list, which is prepared in mid-November in conjunction with the December ratings list, will incorporate and reflect this lowered bonus threshold.

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Change to US Chess Ratings: Bonus Threshold Lowered - uschess.org

Arlen Abdrashev won the 2000+ knockout of the ChessPunks Champs 2023, defeating NM Alexander Balkum in a final playoff.

Tushar Anand went undefeated in every round to win the 1700-1999 division. Ivan Zhuk swept all of his matches to win the 1300-1699 section, making comebacks in both his games vs. Kristan Klimczak in the final.

Mark Manucharyan clinched the under-1300 division by winning every game except one, which was a brilliancy by his opponent, Oladipupo Lekan.

After the Qualifier stage on September 17-18, eight players from each section emerged at the top out of hundreds. Over the next month, to prepare for the championship, each of the competitiors received weekly one-on-one training sessions from one of the top-notch coaches below:

These sessions proved to be rewarding for the teachers and students alike. Kingcoach of the winner of the Game of the Day, Lekanrevealed the unusual yet inspiring circumstances for his last lesson with one of his proteges.

Additionally, several players themselves have shared about their learning experiences.

On Sunday, the 32 competitors had the chance to show their improvement in the Knockout stage of the ChessPunks Champs.

Abdrashev went toe-to-toe with Anastasios Koukas in a double-overtime quarterfinals match. Ultimately, the Kazakh competitor gained the upper hand with tactical play in a rook ending in the last blitz playoff game.

Abdrashev swept Mr Dodgy in the semifinals and faced Balkum in the final, where every game came down to bishops of opposite colors. After a deadlocked initial two duels, Abdrashev swindled a victory from a position that seemed to be leading to a draw. In the time scramble, Abdrashev caught Balkum in a premove and snuck one of his pawns by its counterpart to create a passer, which he promoted in the end.

Abdrashev won a $1,000 stipend for his chess improvement and $1,000 for premium Chessable courses of his choice.

Many of the competitors posted about their tournament experiences.

Bracket - 2000+

In the quarterfinals, Anand's passed pawns were the stars in both his games vs. Orla Dorman, as he sealed the match with a pawn breakthrough.

Anand won his semifinals games vs. Harel Davidson with a similar consistency, outpacing his opponent's attack in both. After a level first game in the final, Anand capitalized on Michael Porcelli's weakened structure by snatching an extra pawn in the knight vs. bishop ending.

Anand earned a $1,000 chess training stipend and $1,000 for Chessable courses.

Adding onto his 9-0 in the qualifier, Zhuk won all six of his games in the knockout, starting with an exchange sacrifice that allowed him to rip apart Abhishek G.'s structure in the quarterfinals.

The Polish competitor sealed victory in the semifinal with stellar time management, which allowed him to turn an inferior ending into a winning one vs. Shareef Shaiden.

In the final vs. Kristan Klimczak, Zhuk made a comeback to win a pawn-down rook ending in the first game. In the second, Klimczak conjured a dangerous king attack with a bishop sacrifice, but Zhuk escaped alive to the endgame by forcing a queen trade. With the reduced material, Zhuk generated winning chances by creating a passer.

Zhuk took home a $1,000 learning stipend and $1,000 for premium Chessable courses.

Bracket - 1300-1699

Manucharyan won almost every game in the knockout with one notable exception. In the quarterfinal, in a must-win position after losing the first game, Oladipupo Lekan spawned a menacing king attack that continued to rage even after the queens were traded. Lekan's brilliant victory featured a scintillating rook sacrifice:

Here is GM Daniel King discussing the game above:

Manucharyan achieved 2-0 sweeps of Faisal Madi in the semifinals and Rajbir Chakraborty in the final. In game one of the final, Manucharyan's impending attack prompted an inaccurate bishop sacrifice by his opponent.

Manucharyan won a $1,000 chess stipend and $1,000 in Chessable courses.

One quarterfinalist, Charlotte Ruddy, went out with a bang in her match vs. Emery Reusch.

Omar Mills, another quarterfinalist, focused on turning his losses into positive learning experiences.

Other competitors simply focused on enjoying the ride.

Bracket - 0-1299

Knockout - Winners

The ChessPunks Champs is a knockout tournament for the ChessPunks community of adult improvers. The event's qualifiers occurred on September 16-17 at 12 p.m. ET/18:00 CEST, while the main event happens on October 22 at 1 p.m. ET/19:00 CEST. The 32 qualifying players will receive a year of Chessable PRO and Chess.com diamond memberships and compete for additional opportunities to grow their chess knowledge.

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GM Daniel Naroditsky continued his domination of October's Bullet Brawls after finishing three points ahead of 10-time winner GM Hikaru Nakamura in a race to the finish on Saturday. In a tournament graced by the presence of top players such as GMs Magnus Carlsen, Andrew Tang, and Nihal Sarin, Naroditsky's 70-win run is his best yet and he is the deserving winner of the $400 first prize.

Behind the two bullet juggernauts, Tang claimed the $150 third prize while the newly crowned "I'M Not A GM" Speed Chess Champion, IM Polina Shuvalova, took the $100 top female prize. In the community event, "advancedrook" once again triumphed in the event with 69 wins, one draw, and eight losses.

The next edition of Bullet Brawl will take place on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 1 p.m. ET/19:00 CEST.

How to review games?The games from October's third Bullet Brawl can be found here.

In Saturday's two-hour titled arena, 125 players competed, and this week's tournament was the most top-heavy in recent times, courtesy of the 2023 Qatar Masters ending and relieving several of the world's top players who turned up and showed their bullet prowess.

For Naroditsky, winning his eighth Bullet Brawl title was more difficult than usual. However, having toppled Nakamura in the very first game, the American commentator showed he was up to the challenge.

Though Naroditsky's overall scores against Nakamura and Carlsen, arguably the world's best online speed chess players, were 2/6 and 1/3 respectively, it was his superiority over the rest of the field and trademark quick finishes that allowed him to take the title.

Finishing ahead of Nakamura in Bullet Brawl has been an impossible task for anyone but Naroditsky thus far, and doing so required several clutch moments.

With 10 minutes left on the arena clock and Nakamura ahead by a single win, it appeared as though he would storm home off the back of an eight-game winning streak. The world number-four found himself paired with the dangerous IM Kirill Klukin and was held to a draw after 45 moves, a result that would allow Naroditsky to tie things up.

The final minute of the event was quite possibly the most intense that Bullet Brawl has seen in its short history, and Nakamura, on the cusp of victory against CM Artem Bardyk, missed a timely rook sacrifice that led to a stalemate, while Naroditsky simultaneously flagged his opponent in the last moments.

Remarkably, Naroditsky and Nakamura have won 78% (or 18 out of 23) of Bullet Brawls events since its inception and are now locked in a battle for the most wins (currently Nakamura leads Naroditsky 10 to eight).

Viewers can expect the rivals to up the ante over the next few weeks as the race becomes tighter and more top players show their faces.

Standings

Bullet Brawl is an exciting new titled arena that features Chess.com's top bullet specialists and now takes place weekly on Saturdays. The format is a two-hour arena with a 1+0 time control; the prize fund is $1,000.

Much like Titled Tuesday and Arena Kings, Bullet Brawl often features top GMs, including Hikaru Nakamura, Daniel Naroditsky, Andrew Tang, Tuan Minh Le, and many more!

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Naroditsky Stuns In Photo Finish With Nakamura - Chess.com

SAINT LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 27, 2023--

The final two legs of the 2023 Grand Chess Tour will bring the worlds best chess players to Saint Louis to compete in the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz and Sinquefield Cup to determine the overall tour winner. Currently Grandmaster (GM) Fabiano Caruana holds the lead, followed by GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda and GM Richard Rapport. GM Ding Liren has withdrawn from both events and will be replaced with GM Lim Quang L and GM Levon Aronian, respectively.

This year's Grand Chess Tour is one of the strongest ever because we will have all the top players competing in different tournaments across the world. There has been a lot of excitement throughout the season and I look forward to seeing who will win following the last tour stop in Saint Louis, said legendary World Champion Garry Kasparov, one of the world's greatest ambassadors for chess, who inspired the Grand Chess Tour and helped solidify the partnership between the organizers.

Final Rapid & Blitz Event to Take Place in Americas Chess Capital

An integral component of the Grand Chess Tour since 2017, the 2023 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz tournament is set to be filled with fast-paced action and drama. This will be the third and final rapid and blitz event of the tour, with another $175,000 in prize money on the line for the participants. The tournament will be hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club at the World Chess Hall of Fame from November 13-19, 2023 in Saint Louis, MO. The Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz field will feature:

Player Name

Highlights

Current Ranking

FIDE Rating

Country

GM Fabiano Caruana

2022 American Cup Champion; 2022 and 2023 U.S. Champion

2

2786

USA

GM Alireza Firouza

2022 GCT Overall Champion and 2022 Sinquefield Cup Champion

5

2777

FRA

GM Ian Nepomniachtchi

2021 World Championship challenger, 2022 Candidates Tournament Champion, 2023 World Championship challenger

6

2771

FIDE

GM Anish Giri

Four-time Dutch Champion and 2023 Tata Steel Masters Champion

7

2760

NED

GM Wesley So

2021 Grand Chess Tour Overall Champion, 2022 GCT runner-up

10

2753

USA

GM Lim Quang L

2013 World Blitz Chess Championship Champion; 2014-2017 Presidents Cup (Chess) Champion

18

2733

VIE

GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

2021 Grand Chess Tour runner-up, 2021 Sinquefield Cup Champion, 2021 Croatia Grand Chess Tour Champion

21

2727

FRA

GM Ray Robson

2015 U.S. Chess Championship Runner-up, 2023 Prague Masters Champion

36

2699

USA

GM Sam Sevian

2023 Champions Showdown: Chess9LX Champion

37

2698

USA

GM Jeffery Xiong

2020 US Chess Championship Runner-up; fourth youngest U.S. player to qualify for the grandmaster title

45

2693

USA

The commentary team will feature GM Yasser Seirawan, GM Peter Svidler and Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Tania Sachdev. Coverage will begin daily during the tournament at 1:20 p.m. CT.

Sinquefield Cup Set to Conclude 2023 Tour

The 2023 Sinquefield Cup featuring a traditional classical format will serve as the final stop on the tour and will be held November 21-December 1, 2023 at the Saint Louis Chess Club. With a $350,000 total prize fund, the strongest tournament on American soil will be the final opportunity for competitors to earn points for the 2023 Grand Chess Tour. And at the end of the tournament, a new tour champion will be crowned. The Sinquefield Cup field will feature:

Player Name

Highlights

Current Ranking

FIDE Rating

Country

GM Fabiano Caruana

2022 American Cup Champion; 2022 and 2023 U.S. Champion

2

2786

USA

GM Alireza Firouza

2022 GCT Overall Champion and 2022 Sinquefield Cup Champion

5

2777

FRA

GM Ian Nepomniachtchi

2021 World Championship challenger, 2022 Candidates Tournament Champion, 2023 World Championship challenger

6

2771

FIDE

GM Anish Giri

Four-time Dutch Champion and 2023 Tata Steel Masters Champion

7

2760

NED

GM Wesley So

2021 Grand Chess Tour Overall Champion, 2022 GCT Runner-up

10

2753

USA

GM Richard Rapport

2022 Danzhou Tournament Champion

11

2752

ROU

GM Leinier Dominguez

2008 World Blitz Champion, five-time Cuban Champion, 2021 Champions Showdown Champion, 2019 & 2022 U.S Championship Runner-up

See the article here:

Grand Chess Tour Names Field for Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz and ... - Joplin Globe

By Philipp Hillebrand

Some time ago I wrote a review of Yannick Pelletier's Fritztrainer about the Hedgehog. In his new course on the Hedgehog Herman Grooten does not want to present big theoretical innovations, but he wants to explain the ideas of the Hedgehog-structure, and his vast experience in communicating ideas and concepts is immediately apparent. Although Grooten may not be as well known as Pelletier, he is in no way inferior to him when it comes to conveying ideas, plans, strategies and tactics that can be understood by less experienced chess players thanks to the way they are didactically presented.

This Fritztrainer is very structured, moving from individual elements of a strategic or tactical nature to a discussion of games that the author has played. I think this is absolutely justified, as playing the hedgehog contains many psychological elements, and an author can discuss these much more authentically if he has played these games himself. So the "summary" is as follows:

I. Introduction

II. Learning from the Hedgehog Classics

III. Typical Plans for White

IV. Typical Plans for Black

V. The Marozcy Bind in relationship to the Hedgehog

VI. Games of the author

VII. Exercises

About I.

The author provides schematic plans and background knowledge, discussing the diagrams at this point with only the relevant pieces and, of course, the pawns:

The structure of the black pawns is what gives the "Hedgehog" its name, as Black's pawns control the center and the queenside on the fifth rank, making it very difficult for White to establish an outpost there. Especially, square d5 is one that both sides aim to fully utilize. The white pawns on e4 and c4 keep a close watch on this strategically important square, also aiming to keep the backward black pawn on d6 under control.

However, the Hedgehog possesses some unique dynamics, and from my own experience, both with the white and black pieces, I know that the more pressure you apply to these pawns, the fiercer the counterattacks tend to be, especially when the breakthrough ...d6-d5 occurs, unleashing the power of the black pieces. Therefore, it's not uncommon to employ the lever ...b6-b5 to weaken the d5 square. Consequently, the player with the white pieces must always consider three possible levers: the move ...b6-b5, the move ...d6-d5, or a combination of both.

This realization alone leads you to expect tactics. And White cannot simply wait to enjoy its spatial advantage, for when the Hedgehog unfurls its spines, it can become very painful for White. Space is also tricky in the Hedgehog. It is a misconception to believe that Black is worse because Black's pieces seem to lack space. In fact, Black's pieces can be very effective, even when standing on the back rank:

This position comes from the game Wintzer, J - Grooten, H, 0-1 (47), Lugano 1989. Black's last move was 47...Qb6-b8!, after which White resigned.

The diagram position illustrates many elements of the Hedgehog, as White can often make significant progress on the queenside, but on the other hand has to take care of his king, particularly when queens are still on the board and White pushes his f-pawn. Therefore, Black should usually avoid to exchange queens, despite Black's spatial disadvantage. The more pieces leave the board, the more vulnerable the black d6 pawn becomes, and the spatial disadvantage can then become more pronounced. Hence, Black should seek his chances in a king-side attack, and that's what the Hedgehog player desires a wild king hunt!

About II:

In a TV game (with a time control of 60 minutes) played between the future World Champion Robert Fischer and the emerging Swedish talent Ulf Andersson, an Hedgehog position emerged on the board, albeit with colors reversed:

Here, it is White who has a Hedgehog structure and here Fischer played 13.Kh1!!, a move with attacking purposes as White wants to follow up with Rg1 and g2-g4-g5. Fischer won the game with logical and energetic play, inspiring pioneers like GM Adorjan, GM Ribli, and especially GM Suba, to take a closer look at the Hedgehog. They played very instructive and aesthetically pleasing games with this structure, and it's worth exploring these classics.

Unfortunately, they are not found on this Fritztrainer, as they are on a very high level, especially in terms of the subtleties in the opening, and Grooten's course aims to show and to accompany the first steps and concepts of the Hedgehog. Therefore, it's worth revisiting GM Pelletier's work!

About III:

Above I mentioned the significance of the d5 square, and sometimes White can sacrifice or pseudo-sacrifice a knight on d5:

The knight jump to d5 gains strength whenever it comes with pinning motifs along the c-file. There are cases when White sacrifices the knight and gets compensation, however, when the heavy pieces are lined up along the c-file, the move Nd5 is often a pseudo-sacrifce. And often it is strong. Usually, Black cannot allow White to exchange the knight on d5 against Black's bishop on e7 as the bishop is a key defender of Black's weak pawn on d6 and often important to create counterplay against the white king.

But after the sequence ...exd5 cxd5 and the subsequent capture on c6, Black is usually left with a ruin, not least because d5 can now be used by other white pieces. In the third chapter, the author talks about "shaving the spines," which is a fitting metaphor as it helps clarify some general strategic ideas.

Grooten also shows other ideas to put Black under pressure, e.g. the advance of the a-pawn, the breakthrough with c4-c5, which is usually first prepared by b2-b4, and the central breakthrough e4-e5.

Often, it's the black pawn on a6 that becomes a target for the white pieces in the endgame. And one must not forget that if the queens disappear from the board, the white king can quickly become active in the center via f2-e3-d4. Therefore, both sides need to keep an eye on possible breakthroughs that transpose to the endgame.

About IV:

The pawn breakthroughs ...d6-d5 and ...b6-b5 are examined in more detail in this section. Additionally, the plan introduced into tournament practice by Robert Fischer with reversed colors against Ulf Andersson (see above) is discussed. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile for Black to consider this attacking scheme:

Black's pieces are in very aggressive and promising positions, especially Black's bishop on c7 plays an important role in many positions after ...d6-d5, as the square h2 might become vulnerable. And Black's knight on f6 might go to h5 to threaten a devastating check on g3.

This position appeared in a blitz game between Sergey Kasparov and Sergei Azarov. Kasparov's namesake also plays the Hedgehog with Black and knows what Black can do. As a result, he has already played preventive moves like Kg1-h1 and Be3-g1 to safeguard the critical square h2. Still, Black has more firepower on the kingside, which makes the defense extremely challenging.

As mentioned earlier, such king-side attacks are the objective of the player with the black pieces. It's worth studying games by Sergey Shipov, who has also written two significant books on the Hedgehog. The following example is thematically related to the "breakthrough ...b6-b5":

This position arose in a game between Sergei Pestov and Sergei Shipov during an open tournament in Moscow in 1994.

The exchange of the white bishop on g2 often aids the player with the black pieces for two reasons. Firstly, the white king becomes more vulnerable to attacks, and secondly, control over the d5 square diminishes. It's also typical for the black queen to appear on b7 in such cases, from where it eyes g2 but also keeps an eye on the b5 square.

About V:

I particularly like this section because the author looks at White's various opening moves and explains how Black can reach Hedgehog positions after 1.e4, 1.d4, 1.c4, and 1.Nf3. However, usually, both players must be willing to enter a Hedgehog, which means that Black cannot always get a Hedgehog.

About VI:

In my opinion, the games of the Dutch author are particularly valuable because, being personally involved in these games, he describes the emotions and psychological effects well:

This position occurred between Ingo Bhme and Hermann Grooten in 1995 during an open tournament in Bochum, resulting in win for Black after 25 moves. Currently, the black position appears to be quite precarious, as the black king on e8 seems to be in great danger. However, the possibilities for Black are quite impressive, and the final position illustrates how much fun the pursuit of the white monarch can bring to Black:

Black's last move was 23...Rd2! and according to the author, his opponent almost fell from his chair when it appeared on the board. Such games remain in one's memory for a long time and emphasize the fighting spirit of the Hedgehog.

VII:

I find the exercises to be very well chosen, and they are accompanied by appealing commentary:

This position occurred between Igor Bjelobrk and Ian Rogers in 2004 during the Australian Championship, resulting in a victory for Black after 43 moves.

It appears as though the player with the white pieces has the situation well under control, but once again, the floodgates against the white king are opened with the move ...d6-d5.

This Fritztrainer is packed with instructive material on the Hedgehog, and even those without prior knowledge can learn a lot from the Dutch author. His extensive experience in conveying complex concepts is evident, and a solid grasp of basic English is sufficient to follow the explanations. Like the recent Fritztrainers, it also offers interactive tests, and the integration with ChessBase apps and streaming functions allows for convenient learning, often showcasing exemplary king-side attacks.

While players who opt for Hedgehog structures must accept a certain level of risk, the numerous attractive attacking opportunities make up for it.

I recommend this Fritztrainer to those who want to make the most of counterattacking chances and initiate king-side attacks with the black pieces. It allows you not only to play for a win but also to create attractive and aesthetically pleasing games!

Buy Herman Grooten "Key Concepts of Chess - The Hedgehog in the shop...

Read more here:

Herman Grooten: Key concepts of Chess The Hedgehog - A review - ChessBase

The 8th edition of the European Small Nations Team Chess Championship starts this weekend in the Pomme dOr Hotel, St Helier, Jersey. The main supporter of the event is the European Chess Union which annually supports the major events of the European Small Nations.

The event will be played from 29 October to 4 November with the participation of the following teams: Andorra, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Guernsey, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco and San Marino. Each team consists of four players and one reserve player.

The top-seeded teams are Cyprus, Liechtenstein and Jersey, and the best rated players participating in the event are: IM Michael Wiedenkeller (LUX, 2442), GM De La Riva Aguado Oscar (AND, 2437), GM Bagheri Amir (MNC, 2388), FM Nielsen Hogni Egilstoft (FAI, 2386), FM Porras Mateo Felipe (AND, 2350) and GM Efimov Igor (MNC, 2329).

Starting lists of teams and players can be found here.

The time control of the event will be 90 minutes for 40 moves, with 30 minutes for the rest of the game, and 30 seconds increment per move from move one.

The official hotel and the playing venue of the event will be****Pomme dOr Hotellocated on the Liberation Square.

The Opening ceremony of the event will take place tomorrow evening, as well as the Technical meeting. The first round is scheduled for Sunday, 29th of October, with start at 15:00 (local time).

Tournament schedule:

The main supporter of the event is the European Chess Union which annually supports the major events of the European Small Nations.

The Small Nations meeting will be held concurrently with the tournament, on Saturday, 4th of November, 2023.

Featured photo by Maxian (iStock)

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European Small Nations Team Chess Championship 2023 starts in ... - European Chess Union