The Week in Chess 241

THE WEEK IN CHESS 241 - 21st June 1999 by Mark Crowther

TWIC Home | The London Chess Center | | Shop

1) Introduction

My thanks to Scott Pendergrast, Michael Atkins, Laszlo Nagy, Emmanuel Frank-Opigo, Zsuzsa Polgar, Heiner Matthias, Michael Aitkins, Jay Scott and all those who helped with this issue.

A number of interesting tournaments in Portoroz, Malmoe (where Gelfand scored a find victory) and Moscow (a chance to see some veteran's in action to comemorate Petrosian) make up the main interest on the playing side. Off the board the reports (that appeared firstly on Club Kasparov) that the Women's World Champion Zsuzsa Polgar has been defaulted and that FIDE have arranged a match between Xie Jun and Galliamova for the title in China makes the news. Whilst is it clear why FIDE have done this, they have their next Championships with a sponsor in September Zsuzsa Polgar makes an extremely forceful case that this crisis was of FIDE's making and that the default is entirely against their own rules.

The Week saw the First TWIC TV Broadcast. Hopefully this is something we will develop more fully in the future. The broadcast is in co-operation with Diagonale and CanalWeb in France. This Week's Broadcast had Anand talking about the World Championship situation and his Advanced Chess Match with Karpov, aswell as Shirov putting forward his opinions on how he has been shut out of a match against Kasparov. I made an appearance for ten minutes talking about the early years of TWIC.

The IOC recognition of FIDE as a member of its movement has been one of the few things both Kasparov and Karpov have campaigned for together for. It may mean that State funding throughout the World has been made easier overnight in almost every country.

Hope you enjoy this issue

Mark

2) IOC Recognises FIDE

The Executive Board of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) decided at a meeting in Seoul (June 13th-15th 1999). FIDE was granted recognition as under Rule 29 of the Olympic Charter. The decision should make it easier to gain sports funding from National Governments and paves the way for its eventual inclusion in the Olympics.

3) Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament, Malmoe

The Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament took place in Malmo, Sweden June 8th-16th. Boris Gelfand, Jan Timman, Sergei Movsesian, Nick deFirmian, Joel Lautier, Evgeny Agrest, Jesper Hall, Jonny Hector, Ralf Åkesson and Lars Karlsson play. Boris Gelfand coasted to a fine victory in the final rounds to score 7/9 a point clear of Sergei Movsesian.

Official site: http://www.sigeman-chess.com/english/intro.html

Round 8 (June 16, 1999)

Agrest, Evgenij    -  Lautier, Joel      1/2   22  D46  Semi-Slav
Timman, Jan H      -  Movsesian, Sergei  0-1   36  B48  Sicilian
Karlsson, Lars     -  Gelfand, Boris     1/2   15  A29  English; 1.c4 e5
Hall, Jesper       -  DeFirmian, Nick E  1-0   20  A45  Queen's pawn
Hector, Jonny      -  Akesson, Ralf      1-0   39  B43  Sicilian

Round 9 (June 17, 1999)

Gelfand, Boris     -  Timman, Jan H      1/2   46  A35  English; 1.c4 c5
Movsesian, Sergei  -  Agrest, Evgenij    1/2   21  B40  Sicilian
DeFirmian, Nick E  -  Karlsson, Lars     0-1   28  B75  Sicilian; Dragon
Lautier, Joel      -  Hector, Jonny      1-0   25  D18  Slav defence
Akesson, Ralf      -  Hall, Jesper       1/2   10  A33  English; 1.c4 c5


Malmoe SWE (SWE), vi 1999                       cat. XIV (2578)
---------------------------------------------------------------
                                 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
---------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Gelfand, Boris     g BLR 2691 * 1 1 = 1 = = 1 = 1  7.0  2785
 2 Movsesian, Sergei  g CZE 2650 0 * = = = 1 = 1 1 1  6.0  2694
 3 Agrest, Evgenij    g SWE 2533 0 = * = = = 1 = 1 1  5.5  2662
 4 DeFirmian, Nick E  g USA 2610 = = = * = 1 0 0 1 1  5.0  2617
 5 Lautier, Joel      g FRA 2596 0 = = = * = 1 = 1 =  5.0  2618
 6 Timman, Jan H      g NED 2670 = 0 = 0 = * = 1 1 1  5.0  2610
 7 Karlsson, Lars     g SWE 2470 = = 0 1 0 = * = = =  4.0  2546
 8 Hall, Jesper       m SWE 2486 0 0 = 1 = 0 = * 1 =  4.0  2545
 9 Hector, Jonny      g SWE 2542 = 0 0 0 0 0 = 0 * 1  2.0  2361
10 Akesson, Ralf      g SWE 2530 0 0 0 0 = 0 = = 0 *  1.5  2310
---------------------------------------------------------------

4) 13th Dr Milan Vidmar Memorial

The Slovenian Chess Federation is organising the 13th Dr Milan Vidmar Memorial Category XIV tournament. 6 players play in this double round robin event. Zvjaginsev (RUS), Beliavsky (SLO), Kozul (CRO), Stohl (SVK), Pavasovic (SLO), Aronian (ARM). The event takes place in the Hotel Bernardin in Portoroz and runs June 13th-23rd 1999. This is also the 30th Anniversary of the first Milan Vidmar memorial tournament (the 1st was in 1969). Alexander Beliavsky leads with 6/8 with two rounds to go. Early leader Kozul who lies in second place had a disaster against Beliavsky in round 7 and followed this up with another loss to Aronian in the following round.

Official coverage: http://www.sah-zveza.si/mv13/

Round 3 (June 15, 1999)

Beliavsky, Alexander G  -  Kozul, Zdenko           1-0   59  E95  Kings indian; Classical
Aronian, Levon          -  Stohl, Igor             1/2   42  A36  English; 1.c4 c5
Pavasovic, Dusko        -  Zvjaginsev, Vadim       1/2   79  A34  English; 1.c4 c5

Round 4 (June 16, 1999)

Zvjaginsev, Vadim       -  Kozul, Zdenko           0-1   34  E92  Kings indian; Classical
Stohl, Igor             -  Beliavsky, Alexander G  1/2   15  E15  Nimzo indian
Pavasovic, Dusko        -  Aronian, Levon          1/2   23  B22  Sicilian; Alapin (2.c3)

Round 5 (June 17, 1999)

Beliavsky, Alexander G  -  Pavasovic, Dusko        1-0   43  D30  Queen's gambit
Kozul, Zdenko           -  Stohl, Igor             1-0   31  A48  Queen's pawn
Aronian, Levon          -  Zvjaginsev, Vadim       1/2   52  A04  Reti (1.Nf3)

Round 6 (June 19, 1999)

Beliavsky, Alexander G  -  Aronian, Levon          1/2   41  E00  Nimzo indian
Kozul, Zdenko           -  Pavasovic, Dusko        1-0   37  A90  Dutch defence
Zvjaginsev, Vadim       -  Stohl, Igor             1/2   21  B53  Sicilian

Round 7 (June 20, 1999)

Kozul, Zdenko           -  Beliavsky, Alexander G  0-1   30  E05  Nimzo indian
Zvjaginsev, Vadim       -  Pavasovic, Dusko        1/2   28  D31  Queen's gambit
Stohl, Igor             -  Aronian, Levon          1/2   28  E20  Nimzo indian

Round 8 (June 21, 1999)

Beliavsky, Alexander G  -  Zvjaginsev, Vadim       1/2   16  D30  Queen's gambit
Aronian, Levon          -  Kozul, Zdenko           1-0   43  D02  Queen's pawn
Pavasovic, Dusko        -  Stohl, Igor             0-1   38  B52  Sicilian


Portoroz SLO (SLO), vi 1999                       cat. XIV (2578)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1  2  3  4  5  6 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1 Beliavsky, Alexander G  g SLO 2650 ** 11 == =. 1= 1.  6.0  2763
2 Kozul, Zdenko           g CRO 2585 00 ** 1. 1. 10 11  5.0  2662
3 Zvjaginsev, Vadim       g RUS 2658 == 0. ** 1= =. ==  4.0  2567
4 Stohl, Igor             g SVK 2573 =. 0. 0= ** == 11  4.0  2569
5 Aronian, Levon          m ARM 2502 0= 01 =. == ** =.  3.5  2554
6 Pavasovic, Dusko        m SLO 2502 0. 00 == 00 =. **  1.5  2347
-----------------------------------------------------------------

5) Petrosian Memorial

The Tigran Petrosian Memorial is underway in Moscow, running June 18th-27th. The event celebrates the 70th Anniversary of his birth on June 17th 1929. The players are all those who were rivals during his playing career.

Round 1 (June 18, 1999)

Portisch, Lajos      -  Spassky, Boris V     1/2   16  E14  Nimzo indian
Hort, Vlastimil      -  Balashov, Yuri S     1/2   24  D03  Queen's pawn
Smyslov, Vassily     -  Ivkov, Borislav      1/2   14  E11  Bogo indian
Gligoric, Svetozar   -  Tseshkovsky, Vitaly  0-1   26  B08  Pirc; Classical
Larsen, Bent         -  Taimanov, Mark E     1/2   29  A17  English; 1.c4

Round 2 (June 19, 1999)

Portisch, Lajos      -  Larsen, Bent         1-0   26  E14  Nimzo indian
Spassky, Boris V     -  Ivkov, Borislav      1/2   17  B51  Sicilian
Balashov, Yuri S     -  Smyslov, Vassily     1/2   10  C42  Petroff defence
Tseshkovsky, Vitaly  -  Hort, Vlastimil      1/2   67  C67  Ruy Lopez
Taimanov, Mark E     -  Gligoric, Svetozar   1/2   17  A06  Reti (1.Nf3)

Round 3 (June 20, 1999)

Ivkov, Borislav      -  Balashov, Yuri S     1/2   17  E19  Nimzo indian
Hort, Vlastimil      -  Taimanov, Mark E     1/2   19  B47  Sicilian
Smyslov, Vassily     -  Tseshkovsky, Vitaly  1/2   12  C48  Four knights
Gligoric, Svetozar   -  Portisch, Lajos      1/2   30  E52  Nimzo indian
Larsen, Bent         -  Spassky, Boris V     1/2   27  A30  English; 1.c4 c5

Round 4 (June 21, 1999)

Portisch, Lajos      -  Hort, Vlastimil      1/2   49  D93  Gruenfeld indian
Spassky, Boris V     -  Balashov, Yuri S     1/2   19  E46  Nimzo indian
Tseshkovsky, Vitaly  -  Ivkov, Borislav      0-1   63  C91  Ruy Lopez
Taimanov, Mark E     -  Smyslov, Vassily     1/2   13  A06  Reti (1.Nf3)
Larsen, Bent         -  Gligoric, Svetozar   1/2   34  C50  Giuoco piano


Petrosian Memorial, Moscow (RUS), vi 1999          cat. XI (2513)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Ivkov, Borislav      g YUG 2444 * . . = = = 1 . . .  2.5  2637
 2 Portisch, Lajos      g HUN 2555 . * = . = . . . = 1  2.5  2615
 3 Hort, Vlastimil      g GER 2526 . = * . . = = = . .  2.0  2528
 4 Smyslov, Vassily     g RUS 2485 = . . * . = = = . .  2.0  2500
 5 Spassky, Boris V     g FRA 2549 = = . . * = . . . =  2.0  2527
 6 Balashov, Yuri S     g RUS 2578 = . = = = * . . . .  2.0  2501
 7 Tseshkovsky, Vitaly  g RUS 2556 0 . = = . . * . 1 .  2.0  2482
 8 Taimanov, Mark E     g RUS 2424 . . = = . . . * = =  2.0  2504
 9 Gligoric, Svetozar   g YUG 2476 . = . . . . 0 = * =  1.5  2429
10 Larsen, Bent         g DEN 2532 . 0 . . = . . = = *  1.5  2414
-----------------------------------------------------------------

6) St. Petersburg vs Beer Sheva

There was an informal 10 round Scheveningen system match between Beer-Sheva and the Petersburg Kings that took place in St. Petersburg 5-15th June 1999. The final score was Peterburg Kings 27 - Beer Sheva 23.

Full details at: http://www.gmchess.spb.ru

Round 10 (June 15, 1999)

Ivanov, Sergey        -  Greenfeld, Alon       1/2   21  D31  Queen's gambit
Khalifman, Alexander  -  Mikhalevski, Victor   1-0   45  D85  Gruenfeld indian
Lugovoi, Aleksei      -  Huzman, Alexander     1/2   10  D91  Gruenfeld indian
Yemelin, Vasily       -  Avrukh, Boris         1/2   13  B66  Sicilian
Aseev, Konstantin N   -  Tseitlin, Mark D      1/2   13  C92  Ruy Lopez


St Petersburg RUS (RUS), vi 1999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Avrukh, Boris         g ISR 2609  + 7 = 2 + 4 = 8 = 3 + 7 = 2 - 4 + 8 = 3  6.5  2654
 2 Khalifman, Alexander  g RUS 2616  = 5 = 1 = 9 + 6 =10 = 5 = 1 + 9 = 6 +10  6.5  2655
 3 Yemelin, Vasily       g RUS 2550  + 9 + 6 +10 = 5 = 1 = 9 - 6 +10 = 5 = 1  6.5  2655
 4 Ivanov, Sergey        g RUS 2528  +10 = 5 - 1 = 9 - 6 +10 = 5 + 1 + 9 = 6  6.0  2617
 5 Huzman, Alexander     g ISR 2575  = 2 = 4 = 8 = 3 + 7 = 2 = 4 = 8 = 3 = 7  5.5  2580
 6 Greenfeld, Alon       g ISR 2521  = 8 - 3 = 7 - 2 + 4 + 8 + 3 - 7 = 2 = 4  5.0  2544
 7 Lugovoi, Aleksei      g RUS 2510  - 1 + 9 = 6 =10 - 5 - 1 = 9 + 6 =10 = 5  4.5  2509
 8 Aseev, Konstantin N   g RUS 2519  = 6 =10 = 5 = 1 = 9 - 6 -10 = 5 - 1 = 9  3.5  2435
 9 Tseitlin, Mark D      g ISR 2490  - 3 - 7 = 2 = 4 = 8 = 3 = 7 - 2 - 4 = 8  3.0  2395
10 Mikhalevski, Victor   g ISR 2531  - 4 = 8 - 3 = 7 = 2 - 4 + 8 - 3 = 7 - 2  3.0  2395
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7) Fan Adams International 1999

The Fan Adams International got underway in the Marshall Chess Club in New York on Sunday June 13th. The event consists of several stages. The Scheveningen qualifier event has just finished. There were rather unbalanced results as the first group Leonid Sokolin, Boris Kreiman, Josh Waitzkin, Jan Gustafsson, David Gross (of Germany) and William Morrison scored 23.5 against the 2nd group of Arnaud Hauchard, Yury Lapshun, Ronald Burnett, Arnaud Payen, Jonathan Ady and Gregory Shahade that only scored 12.5.

The Finals are underway and have two groups, Final A is a Category 9, First Round Results: Miron Sher 1/2 Ron Burnett, G Kacheishvili 1-0 Greg Shahade, Leonid Sokolin 1/2 Pavel Blatny, Josh Waitzkin 0-1 Jon Fedorowicz. Final B is a Category 6, First Round Results: Jay Bonin 1/2 J Gustafsson, R Furdzik unf W Morrison, Jonathan Ady 1-0 S Robovic, Yuri Lapshun 1-0 E Encarnacion. [Games and results next week]

Official coverage at: http://masterchess.com/marshallchessclub/ and http://masterchess.com/marshallchessclub/pairings.html

Round 2 (June 14, 1999)

Gustafsson, Jan    -  Burnett, Ronald    1/2   20  D00  Queen's pawn
Morrison, William  -  Ady, Jonathan J    1-0   33  B91  Sicilian; Najdorf
Shahade, Gregory   -  Waitzkin, Joshua   1/2   47  B43  Sicilian
Gross, David GER   -  Hauchard, Arnaud   1-0   67  B32  Sicilian
Payen, Arnaud      -  Kreiman, Boris     0-1   69  B08  Pirc; Classical
Lapshun, Yury      -  Sokolin, Leonid M  0-1   67  C50  Giuoco piano

Round 3 (June 15, 1999)

Gustafsson, Jan    -  Shahade, Gregory   1/2   23  D91  Gruenfeld indian
Waitzkin, Joshua   -  Lapshun, Yury      1-0   68  B06  Modern defence
Morrison, William  -  Payen, Arnaud      1/2   13  C50  Giuoco piano
Burnett, Ronald    -  Sokolin, Leonid M  1-0   40  B30  Sicilian
Hauchard, Arnaud   -  Kreiman, Boris     1-0   39  A42  Queen's pawn
Ady, Jonathan J    -  Gross, David GER   1-0   57  B47  Sicilian

Round 4 (June 16, 1999)

Sokolin, Leonid M  -  Ady, Jonathan J    1-0   33  D85  Gruenfeld indian
Waitzkin, Joshua   -  Payen, Arnaud      1-0   25  B78  Sicilian; Dragon
Kreiman, Boris     -  Burnett, Ronald    1-0   49  C41  Philidor defence
Hauchard, Arnaud   -  Gustafsson, Jan    1/2   24  D85  Gruenfeld indian
Shahade, Gregory   -  Gross, David GER   1/2   25  B47  Sicilian
Lapshun, Yury      -  Morrison, William  1/2   84  D37  Queen's gambit

Round 5 (June 17, 1999)

Sokolin, Leonid M  -  Hauchard, Arnaud   1-0   51  D10  Slav defence
Morrison, William  -  Shahade, Gregory   1/2   42  B52  Sicilian
Gross, David GER   -  Burnett, Ronald    0-1   55  B08  Pirc; Classical
Payen, Arnaud      -  Gustafsson, Jan    0-1   40  A48  Queen's pawn
Ady, Jonathan J    -  Waitzkin, Joshua   0-1   21  B42  Sicilian
Lapshun, Yury      -  Kreiman, Boris     1/2   65  B22  Sicilian; Alapin (2.c3)

Round 6 (June 18, 1999)

Gustafsson, Jan    -  Lapshun, Yury      1-0   35  A85  Dutch defence
Waitzkin, Joshua   -  Hauchard, Arnaud   1/2   20  B01  Scandinavian
Kreiman, Boris     -  Ady, Jonathan J    1/2   10  B53  Sicilian
Burnett, Ronald    -  Morrison, William  0-1   44  C88  Ruy Lopez
Shahade, Gregory   -  Sokolin, Leonid M  0-1   25  B06  Modern defence
Payen, Arnaud      -  Gross, David GER   1-0   36  A48  Queen's pawn


Marshall Chess Club (USA), vi 1999 cat. VIII (2435)
----------------------------------------------------
                                 1 2 3 4 5 6 
----------------------------------------------------

Group 1
 1 Gustafsson, Jan      GER 2416 = = = 1 1 1  4.5  2628
 2 Sokolin, Leonid M  m USA 2515 0 1 1 = 1 1  4.5  2628
 3 Waitzkin, Joshua   m USA 2467 = = = 1 1 1  4.5  2628
 4 Morrison, William  f USA 2367 1 = = = 1 =  4.0  2560
 5 Kreiman, Boris     m USA 2474 1 0 = 1 = =  3.5  2492
 6 Gross, David GER   f GER 2371 0 1 = 0 0 1  2.5  2378
--------------------------------------------------------
                                             23.5
--------------------------------------------------------
Group 2
 1 Burnett, Ronald    m USA 2420 = 1 = 0 0 1  3.0  2435
 2 Hauchard, Arnaud   m FRA 2524 = 0 = = 1 0  2.5  2378
 3 Shahade, Gregory   f USA 2386 = 0 = = = =  2.5  2378
 4 Payen, Arnaud      m FRA 2415 0 = 0 = 0 1  2.0  2310
 5 Ady, Jonathan J    f HKG 2412 0 0 0 0 = 1  1.5  2242
 6 Lapshun, Yury      f USA 2455 0 0 0 = = 0  1.0  2162
--------------------------------------------------------
                                             12.5
--------------------------------------------------------

8) World Computer Chess Championships

Heiner Matthias reports: The 9th World Computer Chess Championships were held in Paderborn, Germany 14th-20th June 1999. The event ended in a victory for Shredder, programmed by Stefan Meyer-Kahlen. After seven rounds there was a tie between Shredder and Bruce Moreland's Ferret, who both scored 5.5 out of 7. In the play-off Shredder only needed a draw to win the title as it had a better tie-break in the main event. The favorite Fritz lost in the final round to Ferret and finished third with five wins and two losses. The Man-Machine-Contest on the last day saw Fritz demolish Ivan Sokolov, whilst Ferret was outplayed by Rafael Vaganian in a fine positional game. The other three games (Junior vs Van Wely, Cilkchess vs Alterman and Shredder vs Lutz) were drawn.

The winner Shredder was started in 1995 as a University project by Stefan Meyer-Kahlen of Germany, and the program took first place in the 1996 WMCCC in Jakarta and has been commercially available since then. It was 3rd in the WCCC in Paris in 1997 and ran on a Micro-computer. 2nd placed Ferrett was programmed by Bruce Moreland of the USA and he helpfully describes it on the website as "a normal chess program using null-move forward pruning and end-point evaluation". [Information the official website below]

Full coverage at: http://www.uni-paderborn.de/~wccc99/

In addition to Heiner Matthias, Jay Scott also wrote to me with some explanation of the different platforms used in the event. "Cilkchess, P.Conners, and Zugwang ran on massively parallel computers with hundreds of processors. But also Fritz, Junior, Ferret, and Diep ran on four-processor ("quad") machines. The extra speed of an expensive machine makes quite a difference in a program's strength. "

He quotes a message by Bruce Moreland (originally posted at the Computer Chess Club and a good place to go for further explanations http://www.icdchess.com/ccc/index.html)

Hardware.  "Stock" means PII/450 supplied machine.

Source Tony Marsland

Arthur           420 mhz G3
Centaur          Stock
Chess Tiger      650 mhz K6-P3 Kryotech
Cilkchess        240 x 250 mhz
Dark Thought     500 mhz 21264 (Alpha)
Diep             4 x 400 mhz
Eugen            Stock
Ferret           4 x 450 mhz Xeon
Francesca        Stock
Fritz            4 x 500 mhz
Gromit           450 mhz
Hiarcs           550 mhz P3
Ikarus           Stock
Isichess         500 mhz P3
Junior           4 x 500 mhz
Lambchop         Stock
Mchess           500 mhz P3
Mini             400 mhz P2
Neurologic       Stock
Nimzo            500 mhz
Now              400 mhz
P.Conners        186 x 450 mhz P2
Patzer           450 mhz P2
Rebel            600 mhz
Ruz Lopez        450 mhz P2
Shredder         550 mhz P3
Sos              Stock
Virtual Chess    Stock
XXXX2            400 mhz + 450 mhz
Zugzwang         512 x 300 mhz (Alpha)

Final Standings:

World Computer Championships (GER), vi 1999
------------------------------------------------------------
                              1   2   3   4   5   6   7 
------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Shredder          GER    +29 + 4 + 8 = 7 =10 = 2 + 5  5.5  
 2 Ferret            USA    +20 +15 -10 +24 +13 = 1 + 4  5.5  
 3 Cilkchess         USA    +23 +24 - 5 =13 +11 = 6 +10  5.0 
 4 Fritz             GER    +27 - 1 +26 +12 + 5 +10 - 2  5.0  
 5 Junior            ISR    +14 + 6 + 3 =10 - 4 + 7 - 1  4.5  
 6 DarkThought       GER    +13 - 5 +23 =11 +16 = 3 = 8  4.5  
 7 Nimzo             AUT    =26 +21 +16 = 1 + 8 - 5 = 9  4.5  
 8 Rebel             NED    +25 +11 - 1 +18 - 7 +12 = 6  4.5  
 9 ChessTiger        GUA    -10 -12 +30 +21 +15 +19 = 7  4.5  
10 Hiarcs            UK     + 9 +17 + 2 = 5 = 1 - 4 - 3  4.0  
11 LambChop          NZL    +18 - 8 +14 = 6 - 3 +24 =16  4.0  
12 Virtual_Chess_X   FRA    -24 + 9 +19 - 4 +26 - 8 +18  4.0  
13 Francesca         UK     - 6 +28 +17 = 3 - 2 =16 +20  4.0  
14 EUGEN             ESP    - 5 +30 -11 +23 =24 =20 +19  4.0  
15 GromitChess       GER    +28 - 2 -18 +22 - 9 +27 +25  4.0  
16 Zugzwang          GER    =19 +22 - 7 +17 - 6 =13 =11  3.5  
17 MChess            USA    +30 -10 -13 -16 =25 +26 +24  3.5  
18 P.ConNerS         GER    -11 +20 +15 - 8 -19 +23 -12  3.0  
19 Isichess          GER    =16 =26 -12 +25 +18 - 9 -14  3.0  
20 Diep              NED    - 2 -18 =29 +28 +21 =14 -13  3.0  
21 Mini              USA    =22 - 7 =28 - 9 -20 +29 +27  3.0  
22 Now               USA    =21 -16 -27 -15 =28 +30 +26  3.0  
23 Patzer            GER    - 3 +27 - 6 -14 +29 -18 +30  3.0  
24 SOS               GER    +12 - 3 +25 - 2 =14 -11 -17  2.5  
25 Arthur            NED    - 8 +29 -24 -19 =17 +28 -15  2.5  
26 Ikarus            GER    = 7 =19 - 4 +27 -12 -17 -22  2.0  
27 Centaur           RUS    - 4 -23 +22 -26 +30 -15 -21  2.0  
28 RuyLopez          ESP    -15 -13 =21 -20 =22 -25 =29  1.5  
29 Neurologic        GER    - 1 -25 =20 -30 -23 -21 =28  1.0  
30 XXXX2             GER    -17 -14 - 9 +29 -27 -22 -23  1.0  
--

Man-Machine Event June 19th 1999
Cilkchess           -  Alterman, Boris     1/2   53  B08  Pirc; Classical
Fritz               -  Sokolov, Ivan       1-0   22  C67  Ruy Lopez
Ferret              -  Vaganian, Rafael A  0-1   77  C08  French; Tarrasch
Lutz, Christopher   -  Shredder            1/2   41  C82  Ruy Lopez
Junior              -  Van Wely, Loek      1/2   20  B97  Sicilian; Najdorf

9) CCA-ChessWise International

Scott Pendergrast reports: The CCA-ChessWise International took place June 11th-17th. The event with a $20,000 prize fund, saw 17 GMs and 4 IM's turn up to the Vermont Resort. GM Jan Ehlvest defeated GM Giorgi Kacheishvili and GM Victor Bologan defeated GM John Fedorowicz in the 9th and final round to emerge co-winners of the first CCA-ChessWise International. Ehlvest went undefeated in the tournament. The two earned $5500 each for their efforts. National High School Champ Patrick Hummel won his last two games to earn his first International Master Norm. The tournament will be held again next year after the World Open (beginning July 10th, 2000).

Official coverage: http://www.chesswise.com/ccacw/ includes audio interviews with the players.

In addition the World Open is soon to take place, website at: http://www.worldopen.com

  Name                     rtng rd 1  rd 2  rd 3  rd 4  rd 5  rd 6  rd 7  rd 8  rd 9   TOT

1  Bologan, Victor.........2608 W 33  W 17  L  2  W 29  W 20  D  4  D 14  W  8  W  5   7.0
2  Ehlvest, Jan............2593 W 39  W 28  W  1  D 12  D  4  W  5  D  8  D  3  W 14   7.0
3  Yermolinsky, Alex.......2597 W 23  W 42  D  4  D 14  D  8  D 11  W 25  D  2  D  7   6.0
4  Minasian, Artashes......2594 W 31  W 35  D  3  W 25  D  2  D  1  W 11  L  5  D 10   6.0
5  Fedorowicz, John P......2574 W 37  D  8  W 11  D 20  W  9  L  2  W 16  W  4  L  1   6.0
6  Wojtkiewicz, Alek.......2570 L 21  W 37  D 31  W 27  L 24  W 32  W 36  D 14  W 25   6.0
7  Blatny, Pavel...........2468 W 40  D 11  H---  L  8  W 33  W 10  D 12  W 24  D  3   6.0
8  Akopian, Vladimir.......2640 W 26  D  5  D 25  W  7  D  3  W 15  D  2  L  1  D 13   5.5
9  Shabalov, Alexander.....2620 W 48  L 25  W 21  W 35  L  5  L 14  D 20  W 31  W 24   5.5
10 Gulko, Boris............2620 W 29  H---  L 14  H---  W 39  L  7  W 23  W 18  D  4   5.5
11 Kaidanov, Gregory.......2606 W 22  D  7  L  5  W 26  W 18  D  3  L  4  W 21  D 12   5.5
12 Novikov, Igor...........2601 W 30  D 21  W 16  D  2  D 14  D 24  D  7  D 13  D 11   5.5
13 Timoshenko, George......2592 W 34  H---  D 24  L 23  W 44  D 19  W 31  D 12  D  8   5.5
14 Kacheishvili, Giorgi....2570 D 20  W 19  W 10  D  3  D 12  W  9  D  1  D  6  L  2   5.5
15 Goldin, Alexander.......2585 D 27  W 43  L 20  W 22  W 23  L  8  D 24  D 25  D 17   5.0
16 Ziatdinov, Rashid.......2511 H---  W 45  L 12  W 31  D 25  W 17  L  5  D 20  D 19   5.0
17 Garcia, Gildardo........2446 W 41  L  1  L 23  W 37  W 29  L 16  W 34  D 19  D 15   5.0
18 Sammour-Hasbun, Jo......2410 D 19  L 20  W 43  W 32  L 11  D 34  W 29  L 10  B---   5.0
19 Kelleher, William.......2387 D 18  L 14  D 30  W 42  W 28  D 13  D 21  D 17  D 16   5.0
20 Miton, Kamil............2383 D 14  W 18  W 15  D  5  L  1  L 21  D  9  D 16  W 29   5.0
21 Kalantarian, Norair.....2381 W  6  D 12  L  9  L 39  W 35  W 20  D 19  L 11  W 30   5.0
22 Eisen, Lewis............2270 L 11  W 38  D 32  L 15  L 36  W 45  W 26  D 28  W 42   5.0
23 Hummel, Patrick A.......2270 L  3  W 40  W 17  W 13  L 15  L 25  L 10  W 33  W 28   5.0
24 Ivanov, Alexander.......2505 D 45  W 27  D 13  H---  W  6  D 12  D 15  L  7  L  9   4.5
25 Sevillano, Enrico.......2471 W 44  W  9  D  8  L  4  D 16  W 23  L  3  D 15  L  6   4.5
26 Paschall, William.......2321 L  8  W 34  D 39  L 11  L 31  W 40  L 22  W 43  W 32   4.5
27 Young, Ronald M.........2299 D 15  L 24  W 36  L  6  L 34  W 42  D 39  D 32  D 31   4.0
28 Belakovskaia, Anje......2286 W 36  L  2  L 35  W 38  L 19  D 33  W 37  D 22  L 23   4.0
29 Shapiro, Daniel E.......2278 L 10  W 46  W 42  L  1  L 17  W 35  L 18  W 34  L 20   4.0
30 Rajlich, Vasik G........2270 L 12  D 41  D 19  L 44  L 32  W 47  W 38  W 35  L 21   4.0
31 Salman, Joel............2262 L  4  W 47  D  6  L 16  W 26  W 39  L 13  L  9  D 27   4.0
32 Hoekstra, Matthew.......2171 L 42  W 48  D 22  L 18  W 30  L  6  W 33  D 27  L 26   4.0
33 Yermolinsky, Camil......2275 L  1  D 36  D 41  W 43  L  7  D 28  L 32  L 23  W 45   3.5
34 Mirabile, Tim...........2255 L 13  L 26  D 40  W 41  W 27  D 18  L 17  L 29  D 38   3.5
35 Friedman, Josef I.......2171 W 47  L  4  W 28  L  9  L 21  L 29  W 40  L 30  D 37   3.5
36 Fernandez, Daniel.......2135 L 28  D 33  L 27  W 40  W 22  W 44  L  6  U---  U---   3.5
37 Chutter, John D.........2000 L  5  L  6  W 47  L 17  D 45  W 43  L 28  D 38  D 35   3.5
38 Boor, Carl B............2000 L 43  L 22  W 48  L 28  D 42  W 41  L 30  D 37  D 34   3.5
39 Rogers, Norman..........2258 L  2  W 44  D 26  W 21  L 10  L 31  D 27  U---  U---   3.0
40 Langdon, Peter..........2000 L  7  L 23  D 34  L 36  W 47  L 26  L 35  D 42  W 43   3.0
41 Lerner, David B.........2000 L 17  D 30  D 33  L 34  D 43  L 38  U---  D 45  W 47   3.0
42 Gebhardt, David.........2000 W 32  L  3  L 29  L 19  D 38  L 27  D 47  D 40  L 22   2.5
43 Karnazes, Alexander.....2000 W 38  L 15  L 18  L 33  D 41  L 37  W 45  L 26  L 40   2.5
44 Ardaman, Miles F........2351 L 25  L 39  W 45  W 30  L 13  L 36  U---  U---  U---   2.0
45 Turner, Bill A..........2000 D 24  L 16  L 44  D 47  D 37  L 22  L 43  D 41  L 33   2.0
46 Tamarkin, Lawrence......2150 U---  L 29  U---  U---  U---  U---  U---  W 47  U---   1.0
47 Karnazes, Zachary.......2000 L 35  L 31  L 37  D 45  L 40  L 30  D 42  L 46  L 41   1.0
48 Bhat, Vinay S...........2312 L  9  L 32  L 38  U---  U---  U---  U---  U---  U---   0.0

10) 1999 Frederickburg Open

Michael Atkins reports: 88 players came to the annual Fredericksburg Open this weekend and two walked away with perfect scores. GM Alec Wojtkiewicz turned in a perfect 4-0, defeating GM George Timoshenko in the last round. Finishing with 3.5 was GM Igor Novikov, IM Rashid Ziatdinov and expert Andrew Johnson. The three GMs and 1 IM entered the final round with perfect 3-0 scores, and were caught by JOhnson as Novikov and Ziatdinov drew and Wojtkiewicz won a wild game with Timoshenko. Barry Quillon and Steve Jablon, the two highest rated in the Amateur section, started play in the fifth round with perfect 4-0 scores, and with the win, Barry won the section with a 5-0 score. Michael Atkins directed for the Virginia Chess Federation and VCF President Catherine Clark organized.

Further internet coverage at: http://www.wizard.net/~matkins/fred99.htm

11) First Saturday, June

Laszlo Nagy reports: The June First Saturday events started June 5th in Budapest. The main event was an 11 player Category IX GM tournament. Jens-Uwe Maiwald achieved his 3rd and final GM-norm with 7 points out of 10. He finished in second place behind Andrey Zontakh on 8.5.

The next First Saturday events start on the 3rd of July in Budapest

You can contact Laszlo Nagy about his First Saturday events. E-mail: firstsat@elender.hu webpages: http://www.elender.hu/~firstsat and http://www.illawarra.net.au/chesscentral/ Tel-fax: (361)-263-28-59

FSGM June 
Budapest HUN (HUN), vi 1999                         cat. IX (2454)
------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 
------------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Zontakh, Andrey     g UKR 2530 * = = 1 = 1 1 1 1 1 1  8.5  2742
 2 Maiwald, Jens-Uwe   m GER 2467 = * 1 0 1 1 = = = 1 1  7.0  2601
 3 Varga, Zoltan       g HUN 2518 = 0 * = = = = 1 = 1 1  6.0  2519
 4 Hoang Thanh Trang  wg VIE 2450 0 1 = * 1 = = 0 1 0 1  5.5  2490
 5 Anastasian, Ashot   g ARM 2529 = 0 = 0 * 1 = 1 = 1 =  5.5  2482
 6 Nguyen Anh Dung     m VIE 2485 0 0 = = 0 * 1 1 = 1 =  5.0  2450
 7 Czebe, Attila       m HUN 2420 0 = = = = 0 * = = 1 1  5.0  2457
 8 Hoffmann, Michael   m GER 2407 0 = 0 1 0 0 = * 1 = 1  4.5  2422
 9 Seres, Lajos        m HUN 2428 0 = = 0 = = = 0 * 1 1  4.5  2420
10 Llanos, Guillermo   m ARG 2437 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 = 0 * 1  2.5  2262
11 Lorscheid, Gerhard  f GER 2323 0 0 0 0 = = 0 0 0 0 *  1.0  2101
------------------------------------------------------------------

12) 6th Nakhsh National Chess Festival

Emmanuel Frank-Opigo the Co-ordinator of the Board Games Dept. of the Shell Club, Port Harcourt, Nigeria reports:

GM Sergey Tiviakov took on 25 Nigerian players in a pre-tournament simul in the 6th Nakhsh National Chess Festival in Port Harcourt, June 11-13, scoring +17=5-3. 209 players vied for 53 prizes in five main categories.

MASTERS: 1st GM Sergey Tiviakov (4.5/5), 2-3 A. Adebayo, C. Campbell (4); OPEN: 1-2 G. Ipalibo, C. Michael (5/5); LADIES: 1st 11 year old T. Olatunji (5/5), 2nd R. Dappa (4/5); UNDER-16: 1st F. Oladeinde (4.5/5), 2nd A. Chikwere (4), 3rd S. Nsirim (3.5); UNDER-12: 1st K. Edunwale (4/5), 2nd P. Obinna (3), 3rd B. Kigigha (2); BLITZ (knockout): 1st A. Adebayo, 2nd O. Aikhoje, 3rd GM S. Tiviakov; QUIZ: 1st R. Dasaolu (45/60), 2nd A. Babajide (29), 3rd E. Ogugua (25).

13) Letter from Zsuzsa Polgar

Zsuzsa Polgar has reacted to reports that FIDE have decided to hold a match in Shenyang, China from 3 July to 27 July 1999, between Xie June and Alisa Galiamova for the Women's World Championships, claiming that Polgar has "effectively declined to defend her title".

Zsuzsa Polgar replies:

As people may recall, the women's world championship was supposed to be held sometime in 1998 (2 years cycle), after the candidate's tournament was successfully held by FIDE at the end of 1997, where Xie Jun and Galliamova qualified to play the semi-final match. I have delayed my family plans, in order to accommodate my title defense and did not get pregnant for that reason, and was prepared to defend my title at that time. When I realized later that FIDE is not ready to stage the match, I decided to go ahead with my family plans and I became pregnant. In other words, it is not my pregnancy and child birth that forced FIDE to change plans, but exactly the opposite. In addition, I would like to emphasize that I am willing, ready and able to defend my title, as I have declared numerous times to the FIDE officials. I requested from FIDE 6 months delay after the birth of Tom (my son), which means, I can play in September of 1999. After not having the women's championship for over three years, I did not think a matter of couple of months would make any difference. Few weeks ago I received a ridiculous offer to play the match with Xie Jun, in China for a prize fund of $100,000 in June, 1999. This offer violated firstly my doctors orders (3 opinions), who stressed to me that I should not play such an intense competition, before 6 months after delivery. Secondly, this offer violated 2 of FIDE's own rules. The rules stipulate that in the final match one player can not be forced to play in the domicile of her opponent, and also that the minimum prize fund should be $200,000. Obviously I refused the offer. Hungary could have offered the same conditions there, but the Hungarian federation did not see it appropriate and did not think their offer would be accepted by FIDE. In addition to China being the native country of Xie Jun, the American government recently recommended American residents (such as myself), not to travel to China, for security reasons. I was not (and am not) ready to travel to China under any circumstances (I conveyed this to FIDE as well)

The excuse by FIDE, was : "No one wanted to host the women's world championship, so China is the only option". This excuse is not valid. If the FIDE president can spare 5 Million for the knockout tournament of 1997/98, (also $50,00 for a journalists tournament by the way) and 3 Million Dollars for the Las Vegas event in July, 1999, and can not find the $200,000 to stage the women's final, than my conclusion is, that he and FIDE do not have any respect for women's chess, and therefore I don't accept it (the excuse). If FIDE really, honestly wanted to have me defend my title, they could have staged it alongside with the men's knockout in Las Vegas for the minimum prize fund (an idea I raised, but was rejected by Mr. Iljumzhinov). The fact of the matter is that FIDE did not want to spend even one penny for the women's final, even for the price of suffering more harm to their reputation as a world chess organization.

As you and other people may recall, Galliamova - Xie Jun was supposed to be the semi final, and the winner had to play with me for the title. If they play in July of this year, does it change anything? who will see the winner there as a world champion?

I have hired an attorney in case FIDE goes ahead with their unsound decision, and I will sue FIDE for my title, my money for this match and from future potential earnings as women's world champion. In addition, I see myself as the women's world champion, until some other woman defeats me in a match.

Also, I am working on finding a sponsor for the "Ultimate women's world championship", between myself and my sister Judit Polgar (for much higher than the FIDE minimum). This match would be the equivalent of Kasparov - Anand.

Zsuzsa Polgar New York

14) Forthcoming Events and Links

International Festivals in Italy

The internet site http://www.aurumhotels.com/chess advertises upcoming events in Italy. Events include Isola di Ischia (9-16 July 1999), Festival "Gubbio" (28-20 July), Città di Catania (10-17 August 1999)

Lausanne Open

Championnat de Lausanne Open takes place 17th-20th September in Lausanne (SUI) in the Hotel Continental, Pl de la Gare,Lausanne. This 7 round Swiss system event has Prize money: total CHF 8000.- 1er CHF 2000,1500,1000,... 15 money prizes + many other prizes Registration fee:CHF 110.-(GM,IM free), Juniors CHF 60.- Infos: Paul J.Ouwehand,Coquelicots 4,1009 Pully Tel: +41 21 310 01 80 -- Fax: 41 21 311 11 31 http:/www.euroipo.ch/lausanne -- e-mail : chess@euroipo.ch

5th Chess Festival Schneider Bohemia Plzen 99

5th Chess Festival "JUNIOR FESTIVAL SCHNEIDER BOHEMIA - PLZEN 99" (The Czech Republic) played also as Bohemia-Men-Championship 99 will take place from 16. to 22.8.1999. Further Informations are avaliable http://sachinfo.spinet.cz/ or by festival Ing.Petr Herejk, tel.+fax. ++420-2-523163, e-mail: herejk@cstv.cz

Tournaments in Georgia

INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL "MARTVE-OPEN-99' 31 July - 09 August

ORGANIZERS: Head Department of Physical & Military Training of Ministry of Education of Georgia, Chess school for children and teenagers of the Kobuleti region named after Nana Ioseliani and Zurab Azmaiparashvili.

PLACE & TIME: "Martve-99" 31 July-09 August, drawing lots - 31 July, 20.00.Address: 154, Rustaveli St., town Kobuleti, Georgia. Contact phones: 6-33-17, 6-52-72, code + (995) 88236/

Address: 154, Rustaveli St., town Kobuleti, Georgia. Contact phones: 6-33-17, 6-52-72, code + (995) 88236/

EVENT SYSTEM: 9 rounds, Swiss. TOURNAMENT TYPE: Type A - for men and women, B - for boys and girls under 16, C - for boys and girls under 14, D - for boys and girls under 12, E - for boys and girls under 10, F - for boys and girls under 8. Simultaneously with these tournament there will be a Team Tournament. The team will consist of three boys or three girls. The members of teams will not play against each other.

PARTICIPATION FEE A - 30 Lari (men with rating not less than 2400 and women with rating not less than 2300 are free of tournament fees), B,C,D,E,F - 20 Lari (1 $ ~ 2 Lari).

TIME LIMIT: 40 mover per two hour + 30 minutes up to the end of the game for each player. DESIGNATION OF WINNERS: according to number of points, in case of equality the winner is designated by the sum of progressive scores. The prizes shall not be shared.

PRIZE FUND: the Prize fund is formed out of 60% of fees paid. Tournament A - among men: 1st place - 30%, 2nd place - 20%, 3st place - 15%, 4st place - 7%, among women: 1st place - 15%, 2nd place - 7%, 3st place - 6%. Tournaments B,C,D,E,F - among youth: 1st place - 30%, 2nd place - 25%, 3st place - 20%, 4st place - 15%, 5st place - 10%, among girls: 1st place - 30%, 2nd place - 25%, 3st place - 20%, 4st place - 15%, 5st place - 10%. The teams-winners will be awarded with prizes. It will be awarded special prizes for boys and girls under 18, 17, 15, 13, 11, 9,7 and 6.

ACCOMODATION & MEALS: Hotel and full board - 36-44 Lary a day, in private sector: accomodation 4-8 Lari a day, full board - 6-12 Lari a day. The applications with indication of number of booked beds in the hotel in private sector shall be submitted to Chess Federation of Georgia 15 days prior the beginning of the tournament. FAX:=(995) 32-98-70-53, Phone: +(995) 32-999521 (Attn.: David Gurgenidze), e-mail: allach@viam.hepi.edu.ge OTHER CONDITIONS: The participant of the all tournaments except tournament A shall submit their Birth certificates. Within the tournament it will be carried out varios tournaments in football, basketball, excursions in Botanic Garden and night discotheques.

INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL "REMKA-OPEN-99" August 10-19

INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL "KOBULETI-OPEN-99" August 20-29

ORGANIZERS: The Chess Federation of the Kobuleti region, Chess school for children and teenagers of the Kobuleti region named after Nana Ioseliani and Zurab Azmaiparashvili, youth cinema center "REMKA" named after Giorgi Revishvili. PLACE & TIME: "REMKA-99" -10-19 August, drawing lots - 10 August, 20.00. "KOBULETI-99" -20-29 August, drawing lots - 20 August, 20.00.

Address: 154, Rustaveli St., town Kobuleti, Georgia. Contact phones: 6-33-17, 6-52-72, code +(995)-88236/

EVENT SYSTEM: 9 rounds, Swiss.

TOURNAMENT TYPE: Type A - for men and women, B - for boys and girls under 16, C - for boys and girls under 14, D - for boys and girls under 12, E - for boys and girls under 10, F - for boys and girls under 8. PARTICIPATION FEE A - 30 Lari (men with rating not less than 2400 and women with rating not less than 2300 are free of tournament fees), B,C,D,E,F - 20 Lari (1 $ ~ 2 Lari). TIME LIMIT: 40 mover per two hour + 30 minutes up to the end of the game for each player. DESIGNATION OF WINNERS: according to number of points, in case of equality the winner is designated by the sum of progressive scores. The prizes shall not be shared. PRIZE FUND: the Prize fund is formed out of 60% of fees paid. Tournament A - among men: 1st place - 30%, 2nd place - 20%, 3st place - 15%, 4st place - 7%, among women: 1st place - 15%, 2nd place - 7%, 3st place - 6%. Tournaments B,C,D,E,F - among youth: 1st place - 30%, 2nd place - 25%, 3st place - 20%, 4st place - 15%, 5st place - 10%, among girls: 1st place - 30%, 2nd place - 25%, 3st place - 20%, 4st place - 15%, 5st place - 10%. According to results of the both tournaments there will be awarded Grand Prix of Kobuleti: Tournament A - among men: 1st place - colored TV set, 2nd place - tape recorder, 3st place - tape recorder, among women: 1st place -video player, 2nd place - tape recorder, 3st place - tape recorder. Tournaments B - among youth: 1st place - camera, 2nd place - player, 3st place - radio set; among girls: 1st place - camera, 2nd place - player, 3st place - radio set. Tournaments C - among youth: 1st place - tape recorder, 2nd place - player, 3st place - radio set; among girls: 1st place - tape recorder, 2nd place - player, 3st place - radio set etc. ACCOMODATION & MEALS: Hotel and full board - 36-44 Lary a day, in private sector: accomodation 4-8 Lari a day, full board - 6-12 Lari a day. The applications with indication of number of booked beds in the hotel in private sector shall be submitted to Chess Federation of Georgia 15 days prior the beginning of the tournament by FAX:=(995) 32-98-70-53, PHONE: +(995) 32- 999521 David Gurgenidze; E-MAIL: allach@viam.hepi.edu.ge OTHER CONDITIONS: The participant of the all tournaments except tournament A shall submit their Birth certificates. Kobuleti is a health result on the Black Sean not far from Batumi.

The Chess Federation of Canada Events

The Canadian Youth Chess Championships is for the top players in five (5) age groups, under 10,12 14,16 and 18. The winner of each group will represent Canada at the next World Championships. Play takes place all day Thursday, July 1st and Friday July 2nd. Spectators are very welcome. This is by far the strongest and most successful Canadian Youth Chess Championship ever. You can find all the details including a complete list of registered players at the web site : http://www.chess.ca/junior.htm

The 1999 Canadian Open Chess Championships is an 11 round single section swiss starting on Friday, July 2nd 1999. Over 150 players have already registered representing every Province of Canada. Fighting hard for the Championship Title will be former World Championship Candidates GMs Kevin Spraggett (CAN), Jesus Nogueiras (CUB), Eduard Gufeld (USA) as well as IM Dr. Anthony Saidy (Canadian Open Champion of 1969), Super IM Georgi Orlov and IMs David Cummings and Tom O'Donnell. The tournament is FIDE rated and will be held under FIDE rules. Further details: http://www.escape.ca/~chessman/NewPGN/COV/COV99.htm

3rd Mind Sports Olympiad

The prize fund for this year's Mind Sports Olympiad has been set at 100,000 pounds. There may also be some additional prizes to be announced later. In addition to the cash prizes the leading players will also receive the traditional MSO gold, silver and bronze medals. There will be additional medals for the leading juniors in each tournament. The prize funds for some of the games are listed below. All figures are in pounds sterling.

Chess £20,000; Bridge £10,000; Go £8,500; 10x10 Draughts £8,000; Othello £7,000; Chinese Chess £6,000; Scrabble £6,000; Shogi £5,000; Stratego £5,000; 8x8 Draughts £4,000; Memory Skills £3,000; Cribbage £2,000; Dominoes £2,000; Intelligence £2,000

Prize funds for other games will be announced in due course. The detailed tournament schedule will be announced on their web site http://www.mindsports.co.uk/ in early June and printed entry forms will be available shortly thereafter.

Voronezh Open-99

The Voronezh Open-99 started 12 June 1999 in Voronezh, Russia. There are 118 participants (2GMs, 17 IMs, 5 FMs, 1 WIM, 1 WFM) from Russia, Ukraine, Byelorussia, France, Hungary, Romania, Uzbekistan and Mexico. Official sites:

http://www.relex.ru/~xuser/voronezh_open/index.htm (in Russian) or http://www.relex.ru/~xuser/voronezh_open/index_e.htm (in English)