The Week in Chess 276

THE WEEK IN CHESS 276 21st February 2000 by Mark Crowther

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1) Introduction

My thanks to Amir Ban, Shay Bushinsky, Inside Chess, GM Chess School, Narayanamoorthy Ganapathi, Sinisa Joksic, GMschach, Ales Drinovec, Nagy Laszlo, Luis Santos, Gagik Khanamirian, Antonio Bento, Per Rasmussen, ICC, Kasparovchess.com and all those who helped with this issue.

If you heard the news you might think that the controversy about the Deep Junior program's default in the Kasparovchess Grand Prix is the top story. It isn't. Acutely embarrassing for Kasparovchess it is, a very upsetting moment for the Deep Junior team, certainly, but forgotten soon, you can be sure. Especially if some sort of compensatory set of events can be organised for the computer. I've tried to sort out the timing of what happened when, I have no claims that my version is at all definitive. No the story this week is FIDE commercialisation. Not just of their organisation and events but of everyone else's events too! Until I read the FIDE commercialisation document in detail today I didn't realise it, but the potential for a war between the top players (much of what they suggest seems especially aimed at Kasparov) and FIDE is there. Either that or FIDE are set to become a laughing stock as everyone ignores them. Neither situation can do the game any good at all.

Hope you enjoy this issue

Mark

2) Kasparovchess Grand Prix

The Kasparovchess Grand Prix took place February 9th - 20th 2000 over the internet. Players had one hour for all their moves. The players competed from throughout the World. The first prize was $20,000. The event was won by Jeroen Piket who beat Garry Kasparov 1.5-0.5 in the final.

Day 7 (Tuesday) saw Piket beat Morozevich after a blitz playoff (note there were four blitz games). Day 8 (Wednesday) saw Michael Adams play Deep Junior. Game one was agreed drawn (even though the position was winning for the computer it was experiencing difficulties with its clock) due to internet problems. Then Deep Junior was controversially forfeited details below. Day 9 saw Kasparov defeat Adams 1.5-0.5 (Kasparov winning with white in game one). Jeroen Piket reached the final on day 10 surviving a terrible position against Peter Svidler in game one and winning game two. The final was delayed for a day when both players thought the other was to move. It seems Kasparov's last move wasn't transmitted to Piket's computer. The arbiter stepped in and the games were played the following day. After a draw in game one Piket won game two of the final and thus won the first Kasparovchess grand prix.

Official coverage: http://www.kasparovchess.com/

Day 7 Round 2 (February 15, 2000)

Piket, Jeroen             -  Morozevich, Alexander     1/2   53  D19  Slav defence
Morozevich, Alexander     -  Piket, Jeroen             1/2   39  C45  Scottish

Blitz Chess

Piket, Jeroen             -  Morozevich, Alexander     0-1   42  D19  Slav defence
Morozevich, Alexander     -  Piket, Jeroen             0-1   67  C45  Scottish
Piket, Jeroen             -  Morozevich, Alexander     1-0   39  D19  Slav defence
Morozovich,Alexander      -  Piket, Jeroen             0-1   54  C35  Kings gambit

Day 8 Round 2 (February 16, 2000)

Adams, Michael            -  Deep Junior               1/2   42  C54  Italian game
Deep Junior               -  Adams, Michael            0-1   Default

Day 9 Round 3 (February 17, 2000)

Kasparov, Gary            -  Adams, Michael            1-0   77  C45  Scottish
Adams, Michael            -  Kasparov, Gary            1/2   64  B90  Sicilian; Najdorf

Day 10 Round 3 (February 18, 2000)

Svidler, Peter            -  Piket, Jeroen             1/2   57  C95  Ruy Lopez
Piket, Jeroen             -  Svidler, Peter            1-0   23  A16  English; 1.c4

Day 11 Round 4 (February 19, 2000)

Kasparov, Gary            -  Piket, Jeroen             *   18  C95  Ruy Lopez

Day 12 Round 4 (February 20, 2000)

Kasparov, Gary            -  Piket, Jeroen             1/2   49  C97  Ruy Lopez
Piket, Jeroen             -  Kasparov, Gary            1-0   50  A05  Reti (1.Nf3)

Controversial Defaulting of Deep Junior

The Kasparovchess Grand Prix match between the computer program Deep Junior and English Grandmaster Michael Adams finished in extremely controversial fashion with the computer program being defaulted. In addition the reward for winning the match was a tie against Garry Kasparov. Opportunities for computer programs to play Kasparov are very thin on the ground and as Deep Junior was playing very well there was a great chance that the computer's programmers (Amir Ban and Shay Bushinsky) could make a name for themselves by winning that match.

The Adams-Deep Junior match was in the second round of the Kasparovchess event. Deep Junior had already defeated Miguel Illescas 2-0 in a very impressive display in the first round. Michael Adams was in Bermuda playing a match against American Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan. Both players competed in the Kasparovchess event also. The schedule was extremely tight for competing in both events and in the end the Adams-Seirawan match had to be held over 8 rather than 10 games. These scheduling difficulties had a key influence in the decision to default Deep Junior. I suspect that the Kasparovchess organisers definitely wanted Seirawan and Adams to play but the postponement of the event from December caused the clash with the match in Bermuda. Even though the organisers in Bermuda were sympathetic to the participation of the players in the Grand Prix, this clash caused problems for both events. In the future Kasparovchess should not allow multiple participation to happen.

Internet communication problems are part of the territory yet no set of event rules had been drawn up for such an eventuality. This despite problems during an earlier junior (kids not the computer program!) event where there were a number of delays.

The Adams-Deep Junior event seemed ill-starred from the start. The time difference between Israel and Bermuda added some scheduling problems. A couple of days before the match the Deep Junior team agreed to a start time two hours later than originally arranged so that the match didn't start too early in the day for Adams (although Adams did play his first round match at this time). Whilst Michael Greengard (Mig) was in Bermuda for the players first round matches he had returned to New York by the time of the second leaving arbiter Carol Jarecki to watch over the match. The first match was conducted using Mig's computer, he set up the software on Carol Jarecki's computer and tested it. However when came time for the match the playing program would not work. A switch to Yvette Seirawan's computer at least established communication but the computer then had to be fitted with a mouse and move verification (which protects against mouse slips such as occurred in the match Short-Svidler) was not available. After 40 minutes more delay it was decided to play without such verifiction. The total delay to the start of the match was 1 hour 40 minutes according to Amir Ban.

The game then started and Deep Junior gradually took control of the position with the black pieces. Deep Junior was based in the offices of Kasparovchess and was connected to the internet by Internet-Zahav. This service was having problems and there was a lag in communications which started to affect the transmission and receipt of moves for the computer. [There is a time-stamp facility (an anti-lag device) built into the Kasparovchess software but for some reason it was not being used.] Deep Junior had a winning position on the board when Internet-Zahav completely ground to a halt (the clock time for the computer when this happened is not entirely clear, it appeared to have only one and a half minutes to win the game, but this may have had to be corrected). At this time they were getting strange lag effects, they were receiving the moves from ICC, which in turn taking the moves from the Kasparovchess server, earlier than directly from the Kasparovchess site. Shortly after this happened the Deep Junior team offered Adams three options (in order of preference) - to replay the match the next day - to replay game 2 the next day - to replay game 2 as soon as possible. Michael Adams chose the third option.

According to Amir Ban (and no-one has suggested any more concrete timings) the game crashed at 1530 EST when their ISP (internet service provider) crashed, at 1600 EST the ISP came back on-line but was operating too slowly to play, at 1630 EST it was back to reasonable speed but the Deep Junior team did not at that time trust it. Through Aviv Bushinsky (Shay's brother, according to the Deep Junior team Mig had no official position in the match) who was coordinator the match at that time they agreed a draw for the first game at 1640 EST and a new start time for game two (not a final deadline as far as the Deep Junior Team were concerned) was agreed for 20 minutes time with Carol Jarecki. Mig (Michael Greengard) must have then phoned Bermuda almost as soon as this phone call finished giving a final deadline of 1655 EST for the game two to start otherwise Adams could claim the match (if it had been before then Carol Jarecki would surely have mentioned it). The Deep Junior team were not informed of this. When the Deep Junior team called Bermuda shortly after 1700 EST enquiring if they were ready to start they were informed they had been forfeited having missed a final deadline seven minutes earlier. Calls were then made to, amongst others Garry Kasparov who said they should contact the event arbiter Boris Postovsky. His decision made shortly before 1800 EST was that game two should start immediately. Michael Adams believed the original offer to him should stand.

The company (Kasparovchess) management mindful that reversing the decision would look bad decided (not that anything would look good at this moment) that the default should stand. This final decision was confirmed by Mr. Eyal Gutman, Kasparovchess's CEO.

Kasparovchess took responsibility for all communication failures and that it was unfair to ask Michael Adams after an extended wait to play the machine in a second game. In addition they did not want to further disrupt the Adams-Seirawan match by postponing to the following day which would have been the preferred option and the one used when there were communications problems in the Piket-Kasparov final. In addition they regarded Deep Junior as the house computer, whereas the programmers Shay Bushinsky and Amir Ban thought they were competitors and a seperate entity. Kasparovchess also said there should have been a second ISP available from their company's offices. The following day Michael Greengard wrote in several places on the internet that he accepted full responsibility for the problems that arose and in particular denied the accusations of poor sportsmanship on Michael Adams' behalf. He said also that a full rule book would be drawn up to provide for these contingencies and also said that telephone conferencing would be looked into so that everyone was in on conversations about the match when delays occurred.

I pretty much only have the Deep Junior team's view on this matter which can be summed up as they accuse Adams of being too quick to take a default from someone he knew had no official role in the match. The other side I'm sure would say, it was getting late, playing a computer when you are tired is just asking to get badly beaten, the delay was at Deep Junior's end (even if it wasn't their fault) and postponement to the following day was impossible due to the Adams-Seirawan match timetable. This is about as close to the train of events as its possible for me to get with the information available.

3) FIDE Commercialisation

In one of the most extraordinary documents I've ever seen FIDE are threatening a whole host of actions to take charge of World Chess. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has signed (undated in my copy) a "memorandum on the commercialisation of FIDE". I don't believe it is available anywhere on the internet at the moment. Here are some of the measures.

Firstly the housekeeping: FIDE commerce PLC was formed in May 1999 under the direction of Artiom Tarasov. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov's World Chess Foundation has the rights to the next eight World Championships (so if he were ever removed as FIDE President he would still have much control of the championships) and he acknowledges that this organisation is finanaced by him. Subject to agreement with the World Chess Foundation FIDE Commerce will exploit the rights to the FIDE Championships. Profits from FIDE Commerce will go 70% to FIDE 30% to FIDE commerce. Shares will be issued. There will also be FIDE Club Cards (a kind of FIDE Membership), with an international chess magazine (FIDE Forum) and ratings services. There will also be a banking service connected to FIDE which players will be encouraged to join.

The use of the phrase FIDE World Championships with its implication that there is another World Championships is to be discouraged and journalists such as myself are to be asked (told) not to use it.

All this is interesting and maybe controversial enough. But the main thrust of the document is to control all top class chess events, to the extent that permission has to be sought to hold them.

The key quote is "FIDE has just been appointed by the IOC as the sole body responsible for the game of chess and its championships." .... "I can tell you from our experience in dealing with the IOC that they expect total order and discipline in our organisation."

To this end all Federations are to help FIDE Commerce and presumably enforce FIDE's rulings. These include: All international events require approval at either national, intercontinental or FIDE level, all 2500+ events need FIDE approval. There will be a revision of fees payable for holding such events.

FIDE are in effect saying that they will control the individual events such as Linares, Wijk aan Zee and so forth. Players under suspension or censure by FIDE or their Federations won't be allowed to play. They will have to provide a special budget for internet coverage which will in most cases appear on FIDE's website using FIDE's equipment! Organisers can only exploit the commercial rights to the event with FIDE's approval. Events not meeting these conditions will not be rated and Federations are to expose the "negative reaction" to these events and do everything within their power to "prevent their players from participating in the event." They are to set up a Grand Prix of established tournaments (note established) to be publicised as "White Castle" tournaments. These events will have a special weighting and a World Ranking system (as opposed to rating) will be established on the basis of results there.

The chances of this vision coming about is practically zero. It is possible to see a split at the top along the lines of those who compete in the FIDE World Championships and those who don't. Kasparov is just one match away from censure and the possibility of being banned from chess events that accept FIDE's terms. Which is probably what they have in mind. The alternate vision is that organisers turn round and say "you have to be kidding" and ignore FIDE. Will FIDE try to follow this plan?

4) Adams-Seirawan Match

Michael Adams won his eight game match against Yasser Seirawan in Bermuda that ran February 8th to 19th 2000 (it was originally 10 but had to be reduced due to clashes with the Kasparovchess GP). The played a similar match last year which was drawn. This year the venue is the Hamilton Princess Hotel in Bermuda. The organiser was Nigel Freeman and the private sponsor, Nick Faulks

After last week games six, seven and eight were all drawn leaving Adams the winner by 5 points to 3 a lead he built up by winning games one and three.

Official site: http://www.insidechess.com

Adams, Michael    -  Seirawan, Yasser  1-0   49  C03  French; Tarrasch
Seirawan, Yasser  -  Adams, Michael    1/2   13  A17  English; 1.c4
Adams, Michael    -  Seirawan, Yasser  1-0   65  C07  French; Tarrasch
Seirawan, Yasser  -  Adams, Michael    1/2   31  A17  English; 1.c4
Adams, Michael    -  Seirawan, Yasser  1/2   14  C07  French; Tarrasch
Seirawan, Yasser  -  Adams, Michael    1/2   43  E34  Nimzo indian
Adams, Michael    -  Seirawan, Yasser  1/2   25  B17  Caro-Kann
Seirawan, Yasser  -  Adams, Michael    1/2   26  E34  Nimzo indian


Match Bermuda (BER), 8-22 ii 2000
-------------------------------------------------------------
                              1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 
-------------------------------------------------------------
Adams, Michael    g ENG 2715   1 = 1 = = = = =  5.0  2742
Seirawan, Yasser  g USA 2647   0 = 0 = = = = =  3.0  2628
-------------------------------------------------------------

5) Petroff Memorial

The Petroff Memorial is taking place in St. Petersburg, February, 7-16 2000. The event is a 9 round Swiss System event. Aleksej Aleksandrov was the impressive winner of the event, half a point clear of Aleksei Lugovoi and Andrey Nikitin.

Note that Alexandr Fedorov was given as the highly rated Alexey Fedorov in the games section at the start of last week, he is in fact unrated. This was corrected later in the week.

Official coverage by GM Chess School: http://www.gmchess.spb.ru/

Petroff Mem Open St Petersburg RUS (RUS), 5-17 ii 2000
------------------------------------------------------
  1 Aleksandrov, Aleksej     g BLR 2606  7.5  2758
  2 Lugovoi, Aleksei         g RUS 2515  7.0  2634
  3 Nikitin, Andrey          m RUS 2400  7.0  2687
  4 Balashov, Yuri S         g RUS 2534  6.5  2613
  5 Korotylev, Alexey        m RUS 2477  6.5  2602
  6 Vaulin, Alexander        g RUS 2540  6.5  2609
  7 Neverov, Valeriy         g UKR 2541  6.5  2562
  8 Shaposhnikov, Evgeny     f RUS 2503  6.5  2613
  9 Ionov, Sergey            g RUS 2558  6.5  2578
 10 Beshukov, Sergei         g RUS 2460  6.5  2607
 11 Aseev, Konstantin N      g RUS 2517  6.0  2568
 12 Ragozin, Evgeni          m RUS 2475  6.0  2611
 13 Alekseev, Evgeny           RUS 2475  6.0  2568
 14 Zakharevich, Igor        m RUS 2486  6.0  2558
 15 Fominyh, Alexander       g RUS 2551  6.0  2569
 16 Malaniuk, Vladimir P     g UKR 2572  6.0  2540
 17 Chernyshov, Konstantin   m RUS 2544  6.0  2552
 18 Frolov, Denis            f RUS 2428  6.0  2477
 19 Bu Xiangzhi              m CHN 2565  5.5  2553
 20 Najer, Evgeniy           g RUS 2572  5.5  2553
 21 Lastin, Alexander        g RUS 2510  5.5  2502
 22 Genba, Vladimir          m RUS 2454  5.5  2565
 23 Sivokho, Sergey            RUS 2436  5.5  2511
 24 Moiseenko, Alexander     m UKR 2573  5.5  2491
 25 Kokorev, Dmitry          f RUS 2370  5.5  2552
 26 Lunev, Andrey            f RUS 2491  5.5  2504
 27 Akhmetov, Artiom         f RUS 2438  5.5  2483
 28 Polovodin, Igor A        m RUS 2434  5.5  2501
 29 Driamin, D                 RUS 2230  5.5  2500
 30 Popov, Valerij           g RUS 2534  5.5  2460
 31 Iljushin, Alexei         m RUS 2515  5.5  2460
 32 Yandemirov, Valeri       g RUS 2472  5.5  2437
 33 Eliseev, A                 RUS 2325  5.5  2504
 34 Yevseev, Denis           m RUS 2496  5.5  2482
 35 Salinnikov, D.Y          m RUS 2403  5.5  2454
 36 Burmakin, Vladimir       g RUS 2567  5.5  2428
 37 Alekseev, Vadim          m BLR 2440  5.5  2405
 38 Kupreichik, Viktor D     g BLR 2480  5.5  2438
 39 Achang, Andrei             RUS 2332  5.5  2429
 40 Yemelin, Vasily          g RUS 2540  5.5  2363
 41 Bezgodov, Alexei         g RUS 2576  5.0  2473
 42 Vorobiov, Evgeny E       m RUS 2500  5.0  2431
 43 Shinkevich, V            m RUS 2440  5.0  2467
 44 Biriukov, Oleg V           RUS 2384  5.0  2447
 45 Belozerov, Andrei        m RUS 2487  5.0  2414
 46 Potkin, Vladimir         f RUS 2471  5.0  2454
 47 Ulko, Jaroslav           m RUS 2459  5.0  2448
 48 Tunik, Gennady           m RUS 2442  5.0  2429
 49 Bratchenko, Alexander    m RUS 2400  5.0  2438
 50 Kalashnikov, Konstantin    RUS 2403  5.0  2432
 51 Loginov, Valery A        g RUS 2512  5.0  2425
 52 Kashtanov, Ruslan        f RUS 2325  5.0  2443
 53 Kalygin, Sergey V        m RUS 2497  5.0  2412
 54 Kochyev, Alexander       g RUS 2429  5.0  2374
 55 Stjazhkina, Olga        wg RUS 2319  5.0  2316
126 players

6) Goodricke International

Narayanamoorthy Ganapathi reports: The Goodricke International takes place in Calcutta February 6th-17th 2000. Gregory Kaidanov led throughout drawing out his last few games to finish half a point clear of Vladimir Akopian and Mathias Roeder (who defeated Victor Korchnoi with black in the final round).

Internet coverage: http://www.goodrickechess.freeservers.com/

Final standings:

Goodricke Open Calcutta IND (IND), 5-16 ii 2000
------------------------------------------------
 1 Kaidanov, Gregory S         g USA 2599  8.5 
 2 Akopian, Vladimir           g ARM 2660  8.0 
 3 Roeder, Mathias             m GER 2413  8.0
 4 Vladimirov, Evgeny          g KAZ 2586  7.5
 5 Kunte, Abhijit              m IND 2487  7.5
 6 Sasikiran, Krishnan         m IND 2514  7.5
 7 Peng Xiaomin                g CHN 2624  7.5
 8 Yurtaev, Leonid             g KGZ 2536  7.5
 9 Korchnoi, Viktor            g SUI 2659  7.0
10 Prakash, G B                m IND 2435  7.0
11 Horvath, Jozsef             g HUN 2557  7.0
12 Iordachescu, Viorel         g MDA 2560  7.0
13 Lalic, Bogdan               g ENG 2548  7.0
14 Ravi, Thandalam Shanmugam   f IND 2373  7.0
15 Dao Thien Hai               g VIE 2550  7.0
16 Vakhidov, Tahir             m UZB 2505  6.5 
17 Rahman, Ziaur               m BAN 2465  6.5
18 Prasad, Devaki V            m IND 2421  6.5
19 Saravanan, V                m IND 2412  6.5
20 Sorokin, Maxim              g ARG 2572  6.0
21 Goloshchapov, Alexander     g UKR 2561  6.0
22 Blatny, Pavel               g CZE 2512  6.0
23 Qin Kanying                wg CHN 2475  6.0
24 Ganguly, Surya Shekhar        IND 2440  6.0
25 Sandipan, Chanda              IND 2424  6.0
26 Reefat, Bin-Sattar          m BAN 2379  6.0
27 Gokhale, Jayant Suresh        IND 2305  6.0
28 Harikrishna, P              f IND 2354  6.0
29 Bakre, Tejas                m IND 2352  6.0
30 Koshy, Varugeese            m IND 2346  6.0
31 Babu, N Sudhakar            m IND 2336  6.0
32 Shetty, Rahul                 IND 2307  6.0
33 Ibragimov, Ildar            g RUS 2611  5.5
34 Thipsay, Praveen M          g IND 2475  5.5
35 Webster, Andrew             m ENG 2401  5.5
36 Vijayalakshimi, Subbaraman wm IND 2383  5.5
37 Collas, Didier              m FRA 2365  5.5
38 Konguvel, Ponnuswamy        m IND 2356  5.5
39 Shankar, Roy                m IND 2338  5.5
40 Joshi, G B                    IND 2306  5.5
41 Aarthie, Ramaswamy            IND 2219  5.5
72 players

7) 2nd Novak Nikolic Memorial

Sinisa Joksic reports: The 2nd Novak Nikolic Memorial ran February 3rd-13th 2000 in Belgrade. Novak Nikolic was a chess enthusiast, worked all his life for the Belgrade's town transportation as the transportation engineer. The event was category XI (ave. 2501). There was a brilliant win for Zontakh over Zhukova in round 6.

Grandmaster Branko Damljanovic (39) won the 2nd Novak Nikolic memorial by half a point. The Category 9 event saw Aleksandar Kovacevic (26) and Bojan Vuckovic (20) make grandmaster norms. This was third and final norm for Kovacevic (his previous norms were a 9 game norm at Niksic 1997 in the Yugoslav championships the second was a 12 round norm at Bukuresti 1997) Young Bojan Vuckovic has already had good results in the World and European Junior Championships. In the last Yugoslav Junior Championships that finished at the end of the January, Vuckovic only finished 5th. There was an exciting final round event though all the games finished in draws. Kovacevic-Damljanovic was a short draw. Grandmaster Ruslan Sherbakov, the only unbeaten player in the event, refused a peace offer from Vuckovic and had some advantage but not enough for a win and after 100 moves he had to agree to a draw. Dejan Pikula had chances to win in the last round, he needed to beat Natalia Zhukova for a gm-norm. In the penultimate round Pikula won nice game against Zontakh to get himself the GM norm chance but Zhukova played solidly and the game finished in a draw. Apart from the top four (Damljanovic, Vuckovic, Kovacevic and Zontakh) there were good performances from Pikula and Natalia Zhukova from the Ukraine. In contrast Velimirovic played poorly. He hasn't played much in the last 5 months. Velimirovic blundered in the games with Pikula (Rd 5) and Govedarica (Rd 10). In round 2 in his "derby" game with Damljanovic, his flag fell on move 33rd in a winning position with piece up. Velimirovic thought that he had passed time-control because he had turned his score-sheet over and score-sheets has usually have 40 moves on the first page. Well, this one only had 30 moves. Surely one of the oddest stories in recent times! The quality of the games was very good.

Round 9 (February 11, 2000)

Damljanovic, Branko     -  Solak, Dragan           1-0   48  B97  Sicilian; Najdorf
Kovacevic, Aleksandar   -  Zontakh, Andrey         1/2    8  C11  French; Classical
Pikula, Dejan           -  Govedarica, Radovan     1/2   50  B30  Sicilian
Velimirovic, Dragoljub  -  Vuckovic, Bojan         1-0   25  B89  Sicilian
Popchev, Milko          -  Zhukova, Natalia        1/2   10  B02  Alekhine defence
Martinovic, Slobodan    -  Sherbakov, Ruslan       0-1   37  D02  Queen's pawn

Round 10 (February 12, 2000)

Damljanovic, Branko     -  Popchev, Milko          1-0   44  D30  Queen's gambit
Vuckovic, Bojan         -  Martinovic, Slobodan    1-0   44  B42  Sicilian
Zontakh, Andrey         -  Pikula, Dejan           0-1   44  B36  Sicilian
Solak, Dragan           -  Sherbakov, Ruslan       1/2   25  B65  Sicilian
Zhukova, Natalia        -  Kovacevic, Aleksandar   0-1   75  A48  Queen's pawn
Govedarica, Radovan     -  Velimirovic, Dragoljub  1-0   45  B22  Sicilian; Alapin (2.c3)

Round 11 (February 13, 2000)

Kovacevic, Aleksandar   -  Damljanovic, Branko     1/2    7  C90  Ruy Lopez
Sherbakov, Ruslan       -  Vuckovic, Bojan         1/2   76  A59  Benko gambit
Pikula, Dejan           -  Zhukova, Natalia        1/2   68  B01  Scandinavian
Velimirovic, Dragoljub  -  Zontakh, Andrey         1/2   50  C11  French; Classical
Popchev, Milko          -  Solak, Dragan           1/2   14  A48  Queen's pawn
Martinovic, Slobodan    -  Govedarica, Radovan     1/2   34  B20  Sicilian


2nd Novak Nikolic mem Belgrade YUG (YUG), 2-13 ii 2000    cat. XI (2501)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Damljanovic, Branko     g YUG 2534 * = = = = 1 1 0 1 1 1 =  7.5  2631
 2 Vuckovic, Bojan         m YUG 2427 = * = = = 1 = = 1 0 1 1  7.0  2609
 3 Zontakh, Andrey         g UKR 2576 = = * = = 0 1 1 1 = = 1  7.0  2596
 4 Kovacevic, Aleksandar   m YUG 2462 = = = * 0 1 0 1 1 = 1 1  7.0  2606
 5 Sherbakov, Ruslan       g RUS 2552 = = = 1 * = = = = = = 1  6.5  2561
 6 Pikula, Dejan           m YUG 2476 0 0 1 0 = * 1 = = 1 1 1  6.5  2568
 7 Solak, Dragan           m YUG 2515 0 = 0 1 = 0 * = 1 = = 1  5.5  2499
 8 Zhukova, Natalia       wg UKR 2471 1 = 0 0 = = = * 0 1 = =  5.0  2467
 9 Govedarica, Radovan     m YUG 2483 0 0 0 0 = = 0 1 * 1 = =  4.0  2400
10 Velimirovic, Dragoljub  g YUG 2558 0 1 = = = 0 = 0 0 * = 0  3.5  2362
11 Popchev, Milko          g BUL 2510 0 0 = 0 = 0 = = = = * =  3.5  2367
12 Martinovic, Slobodan    g YUG 2448 = 0 0 0 0 0 0 = = 1 = *  3.0  2330
------------------------------------------------------------------------

8) Bundesliga

The Bundesliga title for 2000-2001 went a long way to being decided with the two main rivals meeting on Saturday January 29th in Solingen in the 5th Bundesliga Weekend. The teams of SG 1868 Aljechin Solingen and SG Porz met and the result was a narrow win for Porz by 4.5-3.5. Matthew Sadler beat Alexander Khalifman on board 2 for Solingen but this win was balanced out by wins for Portz for Curt Hansen over Eric Lobron and Etienne Bacrot over Alexander Naumann. The sixth weekend took place this last weekend. I've given the games from the 5th weekend in this issue, the sixth should follow next weekend. In the meantime you can pick up the games as they become available from the gmschach site below.

Official site: http://www.gmschach.de/

5th Double Round

Venue: Magdeburg

Saturday 29th Jan 2000

Magdeburg    Dresden      3,5:4,5
Neukölln     Plauen       4:4

Sunday 30th Jan 2000

Dresden      Neukölln     2:6
Plauen       Magdeburg    3,5:4,5

Venue: Solingen

Saturday 29th Jan 2000

Solingen     Porz         3,5:4,5

SG 1868 Aljechin Solingen - SG Porz           3,5:4,5

1. Jussupow, Artur       -  Lutz,Christopher    1/2
2. Sadler,Matthew        -  Khalifman,Alexander 1-0
3. Hübner,Dr. Robert     -  Vaganian,Rafael     1/2
4. Kasimdzhanov,Rustam   -  Andersson, Ulf      1/2
5. Lobron, Eric          -  Hansen,Curt         0-1
6. Naumann, Alexander    -  Bacrot, Etienne     0-1
7. Chandler,Murray       -  Hort,Vlastimil      1/2
8. Schäfer,Markus        -  Van der Doel, Erik  1/2

Wattenscheid Duisburg     5,5:2,5

Sunday 30th Jan 2000

Porz         Wattenscheid 6,5:1,5
Duisburg     Solingen     2,5:5,5

Venue: Passau

Saturday 29th Jan 2000

Passau       Hamburg      4:4
Tegernsee    Lübeck       3:5

Sunday 30th Jan 2000

Hamburg      Tegernsee    4,5:3,5
Lübeck       Passau       2,5:5,5

Venue: Delmenhorst

Saturday 29th Jan 2000

Delmenhorst    Godesberg      5,5:2,5
Bremen         Castrop-Rauxel 2:6

Sunday 30th Jan 2000

Godesberg      Bremen         5,5:2,5
Castrop-Rauxel Delmenhorst    4,5:3,5

Venue: Dresden

Saturday 19th February 2000

Dresden      Delmenhorst   3,5:4,5
Plauen       Bremen        3:5

Sunday 20th February 2000

Delmenhorst  Plauen        3:5
Bremen       Dresden       4,5:3,5

Venue: Wattenscheid

Saturday 19th February 2000

Wattenscheid   Godesberg      2,5:5,5
Solingen       Castrop-Rauxel 5:3

Sunday 20th February 2000

Godesberg      Solingen       3:5
Castrop-Rauxel Wattenscheid   4:4

Venue: Porz

Saturday 19th February 2000

Porz         Passau        5,5:2,5
Duisburg     Tegernsee     4,5:3,5

Sunday 20th February 2000

Passau       Duisburg      5,5:2,5
Tegernsee    Porz          3:5

Venue: Lübeck

Saturday 19th February 2000

Lübeck       Neukölln      5,5:2,5
Hamburg      Magdeburg     5:3

Sunday 20th February 2000

Neukölln     Hamburg       4:4
Magdeburg    Lübeck        4:4

Standings Round 11

 1. SG Porz                 60.5:27.5   21: 1  
 2. Solinger SG             56.5:31.5   19: 3  
 3. SK Delmenhorst          47.5:40.5   15: 7  
 4. Godesberger SK          46.5:41.5   14: 8  
 5. SK Passau               46.5:41.5   12:10 
 6. SV Castrop-Rauxel       43.0:45.0   12:10 
 7. SV Werder Bremen        41.0:47.0   11:11 
 8. Lübecker SV             45.0:43.0   10:12 
 9. Hamburger SK            44.0:44.0   10:12 
10. SFR Neukölln            42.0:46.0   10:12 
11. Dresdner SC             41.0:47.0    9:13  
12. USC Magdebur            42.0:46.0    8:14  
13. SK König Plauen         39.0:49.0    8:14  
14. SV Wattenscheid         35.0:53.0    8:14  
15. SK Tegernsee            40.5:47.5    6:16  
16. PSV Duisburg            34.0:54.0    3:19

9) Cat VII in Ptuj

There is a Category VII tournament taking place in Ptuj (Slovenia) 10th-19th February 2000. The event was won by GM Adrian Mikhalchishin with 6.5/9. GM Georg Mohr finished in second place on 6 points. Zlatko Topalovic missed the last three rounds.

Internet coverage at: http://www.sah-zveza.si/ptuj/0002/

Final Standings:

Ptuj SLO (SLO), 10-19 ii 2000                       cat. VII (2405)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Mikhalchishin, Adrian  g SLO 2552 * = = 1 = = = 1 1 1  6.5  2554
 2 Mohr, Georg            g SLO 2488 = * = 1 = = = = 1 1  6.0  2520
 3 Abramovic, Bosko       g YUG 2501 = = * 0 = 1 = = 1 1  5.5  2474
 4 Kos, Toni              f SLO 2300 0 0 1 * 0 1 1 1 = 1  5.5  2496
 5 Kozakov, Mikhail       m UKR 2426 = = = 1 * 0 = = = 1  5.0  2445
 6 Podkriznik, Gregor     f SLO 2331 = = 0 0 1 * 1 = 0 1  4.5  2413
 7 Polajzer, Danilo       m SLO 2387 = = = 0 = 0 * = = 1  4.0  2364
 8 Krumpacnik, Domen        SLO 2384 0 = = 0 = = = * = 1  4.0  2364
 9 Zheliandinov, Viktor   m UKR 2411 0 0 0 = = 1 = = * 1  4.0  2361
10 Topalovic, Zlatko        CRO 2271 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 *  0.0      
-------------------------------------------------------------------

10) 8th Valle D´Aosta Open

The 8th Valle D´Aosta Open took place in Saint Vincent, Feburary 12th-20th 2000. There were than 112 players entered. There were seven players tied on 6.5/9 with Igor Novikov having the best Buchholtz tie-break.

Internet coverage at: http://www.netvallee.it/scacchi/barraopen2000/info2000.html

8th Valle d'Aosta Open Saint Vincent ITA (ITA), 12-20 ii 2000
-------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Novikov, Igor A              g UKR 2591  6.5   49.0
 2 Razuvaev, Yuri S             g RUS 2548  6.5   47.5
 3 Komarov, Dimitri             g UKR 2568  6.5   47.0
 4 Hamdouchi, Hichem            g MAR 2513  6.5   46.5
 5 Tiviakov, Sergei             g NED 2567  6.5   46.0
 6 Dorfman, Josif D             g FRA 2593  6.5   45.5
 7 Nevednichy, Vladislav        g ROM 2589  6.5   44.5
 8 Romanishin, Oleg M           g UKR 2578  6.0   49.0
 9 Yakovich, Yuri               g RUS 2580  6.0   45.5  5.0
10 Franco Ocampos, Zenon        g ESP 2511  6.0   45.5  4.0     4
11 Chatalbashev, Boris          g BUL 2522  6.0   45.5  4.0     4
12 Timoscenko, Genadij          g SVK 2519  6.0   45.5  4.0     4
13 Baburin, Alexander           g IRL 2591  6.0   45.0  4.5
14 Skembris, Spyridon           g GRE 2481  6.0   45.0  3.0
15 Vera, Reynaldo               g CUB 2546  6.0   44.5
16 Borgo, Giulio                m ITA 2382  6.0   44.0
17 Ortega, Lexy                 m CUB 2479  6.0   43.5
18 Colovic, Aleksandar          m FRM 2414  6.0   43.0
19 Cebalo, Miso                 g CRO 2553  6.0   42.5
20 Davies, Nigel R              g ENG 2497  6.0   42.0
21 Dittmar, Peter               f GER 2308  5.5   48.0
22 Miladinovic, Igor            g GRE 2538  5.5   46.0
23 Galkin, Alexander            g RUS 2566  5.5   44.0
24 Stefanova, Antoaneta         m BUL 2495  5.5   43.0
25 Sarno, Spartaco              m ITA 2391  5.5   42.0
26 Arlandi, Ennio               m ITA 2448  5.5   41.5
27 Loncar, Robert               m CRO 2406  5.5   41.0
28 Lanzani, Mario               m ITA 2417  5.5   40.0
29 De la Villa Garcia, Jesus M  g ESP 2460  5.5   39.0
30 Aldrovandi, Costantino       f ITA 2328  5.5   38.0

Igor Efimov, Vladimir Lazarev, Michele Gondina,
Nana Ioseliani, Igor Naumkin, Glenn Flear and
Robert Zelcic were amongst the 24 on 5 points.

112 players

11) First Saturday February

Nagy Laszlo reports: The First Saturday GM, IM and FM closed tournaments for February took place in Budapest, 5th-17th February. The GM event was won by Ni Hua who also scored a partial GM-norm. In the IMA event Adam Szeberenyi won with 9.5/13 and achieved his second IM-norm, 16 year old WIM Lena Dembo made two norms an IM part norm and a WGM-norm. The IMB event was won by Lajos Seres. Second placed Gergely Antal and Vaszilij Sikula scored IM-norms.

In March the top event is an IM event. The events take place 4th-17th March 2000. IM Yuri Zimmerman, IM Peter Sinkovics, IM Miklos Orso, WIM Anita Gara, Ticia Gara, Dan Rat, IM Miklos Kaposztas, Werner Ackermann, IM Oleg Gladyszev, IM Sandor Farago, FM Peter Froelich, Peter Muehlbach, GM Lenar Murzin, Martin Appleberry, IM Ali Habibi, Murugan Thiruchelvam, Naes Flovin, Jerzy Struk, WIM Nikoletta Lakos, Attila Jakab, FM Attila Parkanyi, Igor Kragelj, IM Laszlo Eperjesi, IM Evarth Kahn, Joost Berkvers, Stefan Van Blittersvijk, IM Zoltan Nemeth, Imre Hera, Yu Mingyuan and Dmitri Dremin (30 players) there are three groups planned and there are some vacancies to play.

Info: Nagy, Laszlo, e-mail: firstsat@elender.hu http://www.elender.hu/~firstsat Tel-fax: (361)-263-28-59 Mobile: (36)-30-230-1914 ICQ # 44805877.

Final standings:

FSGM February Budapest HUN (HUN), 5-17 ii 2000             cat. IX (2469)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Ni Hua               f CHN 2390 * 1 = = = = = = = 1 1 = = 1  8.5  2584
 2 Fogarasi, Tibor      m HUN 2429 0 * = 1 = = = 0 = 1 1 1 1 1  8.5  2581
 3 Horvath, Csaba       g HUN 2519 = = * = = = 1 = = = = 1 = 1  8.0  2551
 4 Zhang Pengxiang      m CHN 2562 = 0 = * = = = 1 1 1 = 1 0 1  8.0  2548
 5 Csom, Istvan         g HUN 2464 = = = = * = = 1 = = = = = 1  7.5  2525
 6 Volzhin, Alexander   g RUS 2548 = = = = = * = = 1 = = = = =  7.0  2491
 7 Yu Shaoteng          m CHN 2535 = = 0 = = = * = 1 0 = 0 1 1  6.5  2463
 8 Wang Rui             m CHN 2496 = 1 = 0 0 = = * = 0 = = 1 1  6.5  2466
 9 Li Wenliang          m CHN 2444 = = = 0 = 0 0 = * = 1 1 1 =  6.5  2470
10 Nguyen Anh Dung      m VIE 2496 0 0 = 0 = = 1 1 = * = 0 = 1  6.0  2437
11 Hoang Thanh Trang    m VIE 2448 0 0 = = = = = = 0 = * 1 = 1  6.0  2441
12 Burnett, Ronald      m USA 2437 = 0 0 0 = = 1 = 0 1 0 * 1 0  5.0  2383
13 Szabo, Zsolt Jozsef  m HUN 2429 = 0 = 1 = = 0 0 0 = = 0 * 0  4.0  2330
14 Ribshtein, Nati        ISR 2362 0 0 0 0 0 = 0 0 = 0 0 1 1 *  3.0  2265
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

FSIMA February Budapest HUN (HUN), 5-17 ii 2000         cat. III (2301)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Szeberenyi, Adam     HUN 2257 * = 1 1 = = = = 1 1 0 1 1 1  9.5  2479
 2 Eperjesi, Laszlo   m HUN 2365 = * = 0 1 = = = = 1 1 1 1 1  9.0  2436
 3 Dembo, Yelena        ISR 2269 0 = * 1 = 1 = = = = 1 1 = 1  8.5  2413
 4 Resika, Nathan A     USA 2190 0 1 0 * 0 1 1 1 = 0 = 1 1 1  8.0  2396
 5 Froehlich, Peter   f GER 2375 = 0 = 1 * = = 1 0 = = 1 = 1  7.5  2352
 6 Gara, Anita       wm HUN 2257 = = 0 0 = * 0 = 1 = 1 1 1 1  7.5  2361
 7 Kahn, Evarth       m HUN 2301 = = = 0 = 1 * = = 1 0 0 1 1  7.0  2329
 8 Balogh, Csaba        HUN 2356 = = = 0 0 = = * = = = 1 1 1  7.0  2325
 9 Sinkovics, Peter   m HUN 2331 0 = = = 1 0 = = * 0 1 0 1 1  6.5  2298
10 Yu Mingyuan          CHN 2419 0 0 = 1 = = 0 = 1 * = 0 1 1  6.5  2291
11 Parkanyi, Attila   f HUN 2362 1 0 0 = = 0 1 = 0 = * 1 0 1  6.0  2267
12 Khechumyan, Gagik    ARM 2236 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 * 1 1  5.0  2218
13 Rajlich, Vasik G     USA 2309 0 0 = 0 = 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 * 1  3.0  2089
14 Woolridge, Leon M    ENG 2185 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 *  0.0      
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FSIMB February Budapest HUN (HUN), 5-17 ii 2000         cat. IV (2331)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Seres, Lajos          m HUN 2394 * = 1 = 1 = 1 1 1 1 = 1  9.0  2587
 2 Antal, Gergely          HUN 2339 = * = = 0 1 = = 1 1 1 1  7.5  2463
 3 Sikula, Vaszilij        UKR 2346 0 = * 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1  7.5  2463
 4 Karatorossian, David    ARM 2345 = = 0 * = 1 1 0 1 0 1 1  6.5  2395
 5 Wong Zi Jing          f MAS 2324 0 1 0 = * 1 0 1 0 = = 1  5.5  2332
 6 Nemeth, Zoltan        m HUN 2379 = 0 1 0 0 * 0 1 0 1 1 1  5.5  2327
 7 Belotelov, Denis      f RUS 2280 0 = 0 0 1 1 * 0 = 1 = 1  5.5  2336
 8 Zimmerman, Yuri       m RUS 2397 0 = 1 1 0 0 1 * = 1 0 0  5.0  2289
 9 Vajda, Szidonia      wg ROM 2382 0 0 0 0 1 1 = = * 0 = 1  4.5  2261
10 Cooke, Eric             USA 2266 0 0 0 1 = 0 0 0 1 * 1 1  4.5  2272
11 Medvegy, Nora        wm HUN 2275 = 0 0 0 = 0 = 1 = 0 * =  3.5  2203
12 Goczo, Melinda          HUN 2250 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 = *  1.5  2029
----------------------------------------------------------------------

12) Portuguese Masters

Luis Santos reports: The Portuguese Masters took place 12th-20th February 2000 in the Caldas de Felgueira Hotel (near Viseu). There were 10 players (9 from Portugal and one from the USA) comprising of 4 IMs, 3 FMs and 3 candidates. The event was won by Luis Galego with 8/9 (just two draws) a point clear of Paulo Dias.

Internet coverage: http://www.ip.pt/~ip001018/

Final standings:

Portuguese Masters Viseu POR (POR), 12-20 ii 2000 cat. I (2265)
---------------------------------------------------------------
                                 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
---------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Galego, Luis       m POR 2451 * 1 = = 1 1 1 1 1 1  8.0  2595
 2 Dias, Paulo          POR 2267 0 * 1 = = 1 1 1 1 1  7.0  2484
 3 Rocha, Sergio      m POR 2380 = 0 * = 1 = 1 1 0 1  5.5  2332
 4 Damaso, Rui        m POR 2425 = = = * = = 0 1 = 1  5.0  2290
 5 Cordovil, Joao     f POR 2198 0 = 0 = * 1 = = 1 =  4.5  2272
 6 Leonardo, Joao     f POR 2280 0 0 = = 0 * 1 1 1 0  4.0  2220
 7 Ferreira, Nelson   m POR 2208 0 0 0 1 = 0 * = 0 1  3.0  2146
 8 Blalock, Rex         USA 2138 0 0 0 0 = 0 = * 1 1  3.0  2154
 9 Morais, Mario POR    POR 2095 0 0 1 = 0 0 1 0 * 0  2.5  2117
10 Ribeiro, Fernando  f POR 2207 0 0 0 0 = 1 0 0 1 *  2.5  2105
---------------------------------------------------------------

13) FAJR-open

Gagik Khanamirian reports that the FAJR-open 2000 in Teheran (Iran) took place 1st-10th, February, 2000. This 9 round swiss open had 104 participants and saw six players finish on 7/9.

Leading final standings:
1.  Khachian, Melikset    m  2462  ARM  7.0  38.0
2.  Nalbandian, Tigran    m  2448  ARM  7.0  38.0
3.  Guliev, Sarhan        g  2517  AZE  7.0  37.0
4.  Maksimenko, Andrei    g  2495  UKR  7.0  36.0
5.  Komliakov, Viktor     g  2463  MDA  7.0  34.0
6.  Petrosian, Tigran        2222  ARM  7.0  33.0
7.  Chekhov, Valerij      g  2520  RUS  6.5  36.5
8.  Mahjoub, Morteza         2298  IRI  6.5  36.5
9.  Ghaem Maghami, Ehsan  f  2446  IRI  6.5  35.5
10. Moradi, Elshan           2147  IRI  6.5  32.5
11. Akbarinia, Arash         2173  IRI  6.5  30.5
12. Ettehadi, Houtan         2163  IRI  6.5  27.5
13. Sahakian, Sergej         2337  ARM  6.0  34.0
14. Abbasifar, Hasan         2384  IRI  6.0  33.5
15. Avetisian, Manvel        2248  ARM  6.0  32.5
16. Akhavanerad, A.R.        2252  IRI  6.0  32.0
17. Bogdanovski, Vlatko   g  2479  FRM  6.0  32.0
18. Mamian, Tigran           2220  ARM  6.0  30.5
19. Karimi, Hadi             2128  IRI  6.0  30.0
20. Noroozi, Omid              --  IRI  6.0  29.0
21. Toumanian, Hamlet        2343  IRI  6.0  29.0
22. Ryahi, Naser               --  IRI  6.0  28.0
23. Faryad, Hasanali           --  IRI  6.0  25.0
24. Zaitsev, Igor         g  2417  RUS  5.5  35.0 
etc.

14) Steinitz Memorial

Antonio Bento reports: 18 year old Luis Coelho (rated 2091) won the Steinitz Memorial with a score of 5/6 (+4=2) for a performance of 2570!. The event was organised by the Clube de Xadrez Guanabara-RJ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Feb 9th to 18th 2000. 16 players competed in this 6 round swiss event. Coverage at http://www.xadreznet.com/cxg/steinitz1.htm

Final Standings 6 rounds:
  1   Coelho, Luis               BRA   2091     5    
  2   Teixeira, Ricardo da Silva BRA   2353     4.5 
  3   Rios Filho, Hilton Carlos  BRA   2295     4    
 4-7  Guimarães, Wagner Peixoto  BRA   2320     3.5   
      Benares, Ricardo           BRA   2236     3.5 
      Chaves, Jorge Antonio      BRA   2142     3.5  
      Achutti, Andre             BRA            3.5   
8-10  Okamura, Milton Kasuo      BRA   2258     3    
      Fernandes, Jose Costa Jr.  BRA   2272     3     
      Fucs, Paulo Moses          BRA   2188     3    
 11   Souza, Marco Andre         BRA   2184     2.5   
 12   Pereira, Celio Antunes     BRA            2      
13-14 Sant'Ana, Ricardo          BRA   2180     1.5   
      Mascarenhas, Alberto       BRA   2306     1.5   
15-16 Miranda, Marcio M.C.       BRA   2273     0   
      Rodrigues, Adriano         BRA   2312     0

15) 16th Cappelle La Grande

The 16th Cappelle La Grande Open is taking place February 19th-26th 2000. Gilberto Milos, Andrei Kharlov, Pavel Tregubov, Konstantin Landa, Vereslav Eingorn, Vladimir Malakhov, Semen Dvoirys, Simen Agdestein, Georgy Timoshenko, Alexandre Lesiege, Leonid Gofstein, Tony Miles, Alexei Bezgodov, Andrei Zontakh and Suat Atalik are amongst the 628 players.

Internet coverage: http://cappelle.free.fr. Results: http://cappelle.free.fr/result.htm and pairings: http://cappelle.free.fr/app.htm.

16) WIM Tournament in Hammershoj

Per Rasmussen reports: Tjele Efterskole in Hammershoj Jutland was the venue for a nine round WIM tournament in Denmark. Tjele Efterskole is a school which has the reputation for developing strong chessplayers in Denmark. The event was won by Gabriela Hitzgerova with 7/9 (and also scored a WIM norm) half a point clear of Ingrid Lauterbach on 6.5. Meri Grigorian became ill and missed the final two rounds. There are already plans for a bigger event next year.

WIM Hammershoj, Jutland DEN (DEN), 12-20 ii 2000
------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
------------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Hitzgerova, Gabriela    CZE 2174 * 1 = 1 = = = 1 1 1  7.0  2362
 2 Lauterbach, Ingrid   wm ENG 2182 0 * 1 0 1 1 = 1 1 1  6.5  2307
 3 Vovk, Oksana            DEN 2081 = 0 * 1 = = 1 1 = 1  6.0  2277
 4 Sikorova, Olga       wm CZE 2195 0 1 0 * = 1 1 = 1 1  6.0  2264
 5 Jackova, Jana        wm CZE 2303 = 0 = = * = 1 1 1 1  6.0  2252
 6 Guindy, Esmat           DEN 2185 = 0 = 0 = * 0 1 = 1  4.0  2097
 7 Milligan, Helen         SCO 2125 = = 0 0 0 1 * 0 1 1  4.0  2104
 8 Steffensen,Elena        DEN 2075 0 0 0 = 0 0 1 * = 1  3.0  2028
 9 Stewart, Tanya          DEN 2035 0 0 = 0 0 = 0 = * 1  2.5  1991
10 Grigorian, Meri         ARM 2097 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 *  0.0      
------------------------------------------------------------------

17) Forthcoming Events and Links

New York Open

Michael Atkins reports: The New York Open is back!! Long, the strongest Open tournament in the U.S., the NY Open is scheduled over the period of May 6-14, 2000. The Two Weekend schedule will start May 6-7, and the main Open section will play May 8-14. The class sections will play May 10-14. Playing at the New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan, the same site as the last two NYO's, the Open section will feature $50,000 in prizes which is about $10,000 more than in the open section in 1998. All other details will be announced in late January. For more details contact tournament organizer Mr. Jose Cuchi later in the month Stay tuned for upcoming announcements and full details in late January on the New York Open website http://w-w-w.com/nyopen/

Jakarta Invitational

Ruddy Lantang reports: The Jakarta Invitational takes place February 21-27 2000. Players: 1. Ardiansyah GM 2. Ivan Situru IM 3. Deny Yuswanto IM 4. Cerdas Barus IM 5. Dede Liu IM 6. Sukirman Teddy FM 7. Syarif Mahmud FM 8. Johny Jurmansyah National Master 9. Jacobus Sampouw National Master 10.Sugeng Prayitno National Master 11.Susanto Mergaranto National Master 12.Ruddy Lantang National Master 13.Fabian Lumentut National Master 14.Fritz 6.

GM Ariel Sorin vs World

GM Ariel Sorin will play against the World from January 31st 2000. The game will start at 17:00 (-03:00GMT). To play it is free. IM Guillermo Llanos will suggest some moves, and the people will choose one of them. GM Ariel Sorin will play: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. World will play: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Sunday will be a rest day. However, there will be an analysis of the position and the moves of the week.

Website: http://chessok.virtualave.net

Bergen NOR

Tournament name : Bergen Chess International Site: Bergen, Norway. Date: 21-29th July 2000 Prize Fund : NOK 10000/6000/4000/2000/1000 + rating prizes The prize fund is garanteed. Entry fee : No entry fee for foreigners with FIDE-ELO Conditions : May be offered to a limited number of IMs/GMs. Number of rounds : 9 System : Modifed Swiss Rate of play : 2 hours/40 moves, 1 hour/20 moves, 0.5 hour/rest Side events : Rapid tournaments, GM-simuls, blitz etc

Home page : http://home.sol.no/~eirikgu/bi2000.htm

40-50 participants are expected of which there will be 5-6 GMs and 6-8 IMs. Only 6 unrated players will take part. Confirmed titled players: GM Yakovich (2580), GM Volzhin (2548), GM Gausel (2492), GM Djurhuus (2484), IM L. Johannessen (2431), IM Fyllingen (2408), IM Bern (2379) and IM Gullaksen (2353).

Millennium Chess Festival

THE TOURNAMENT

MARCH 4-5, 2000 - PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA. 120 Grand Prix Points

$8,350 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND!

5-Round Swiss System Tournament, in Two Sections "Open' (Open to all) "Reserve" (Open to players under 1800) PRIZES OPEN: $$2,000-1,200-800-400, U2400/Unr. $400-200, U2200 $400, U2000 $200, "SWEEP PRIZE" $400 (bonus for winning all 5 games in Open section, to all players who do it!) RESERVE: First Place $1,000, Top B $250-100, Top C $250, Top D $250, Top E/Below $250, Top Unr $250 (Unrated not eligible for 1st in Reserve) Top Jr. = Trophy

TIME CONTROL

Game / 2 hours (USCF and FIDE Rated)

ROUNDS

Round 1 Saturday, March 4: 10:00am Round 2 Saturday, March 4: 2:30pm Round 3 Saturday, March 4: 7:00pm Round 4 Sunday, March 4: 10:00am Round 5 Sunday, March 4: 2:30pm

1/2-point Byes are available Must commit rounds 4-5 before round 2.

ADVANCE ENTRY FEE

Only $50!(Must be received by February 19, 2000)

Contact: E. Rodney Flores Address: 4 Witch Hazel 0. Portsmouth, VA 23703 Phone: 757-686-0822 Email: ergfjr@erols.com

AT-SITE ENTRY FEES

Registration Time: Saturday, March 4, 8:00am to 9:30arn Entry Fee $65

Cash only Please -- No checks or credit cards at site.

SITE: Olde Towne Holiday Inn -8 Crawford Pkwy, Portsmouth VA 23704 A beautiful site right on the Elizabeth River overlooking downtown Norfolk! Large well-lit playing Hall. FREE PARKING!

GM Rohde Lecture and Simultaneous Exhibition Friday, MARCH 3, 2000 A rare opportunity to play against one of America's most talented Grand Masters! He will give a lecture, and then take on a limited number of players. WHERE: Olde Towne Holiday Inn, Portsmouth (Driving Instructions) REGISTER: Between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. START TIME: 6:30pm FEES: Lecture is FREE - Open to all! Simul is $20 per player.

The number of players in the Simul may be limited, taken, on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring your own set and board-Spectators welcome. Inquiries: Rodney Flores 757 686-0822

The Tournament Directors Michael Atkins (Associate National TD) and David Pelleteir(Senior TD and member USCF Tournament Director Certification Committee)

WBCA BLITZ-CHESS TOURNAMENT $750 Guaranteed Prize Fund (More per Entries) Saturday Night, March 4 6-Round, Double Swiss (12 games total) 5-Minute Speed Chess WHERE: Olde Towne Holiday Inn, Portsmouth (Driving Instructions) REGISTER: Anytime until 10:00pm START TIME: About 10:30pm PRIZES: 1st Place $300 2nd Place $150 Top 1900-2099 $100 Top 1600-1899 $100 Top 1300-1599 $75 Top Under 1300 $50 First-round byes will be available for those whose 3rd round tournament games run late. Inquiries: Rodney Flores, 757-686-0822

9th Aurec Rapid tournament

The 9th Aurec Rapid tournament takes place Feb 26th - 27th in Aurec, France. There are 2 tournaments 7 rounds/ 20mins per game. More than FF 45 000 in prizes Invitations for GMs and IMs. Further info: Olivier Deville - Côtevière - F-43110 Aurec Tél. : 0033 4 77 35 41 21 Fax : 0033 4 77 35 23 76 E-mail : odeville@netcourrier.com

12 Hour Brussels Blitz

The 12 Hour Brussels Blitz takes place Feb 26th 2000. Salle Sippelberg Avenue Sippelberg, 3 (Metro Osseghem) 70.000 frs in prizes, 1st prize 15.000 frs. Entry: Senior - 400frs, Junior<18 - 250frs Timerate: 5 minutes. Info: B Asman tel 512.48.43 e-mail: asmanbenny@skynet.be M. Grede tel 538.35.75 Chess Club Anderlecht Caïssa Woluwé C.R.E.B. Les Fous du Roy

Oakham GM

The Oakham GM takes place 11th-19th April 2000, Oakham School, Rutland, Leicestershire. Chris Ward, Danny Gormally, Neil McDonald, Colin McNab, Irina Krush, Jacob Aagaard, Nick Pert, Yochanan Afek, Patrick Hummel and Alan Norris play.

Further details: http://www.circuit.demon.co.uk/oakham.htm

Politiken Cup 2000

The Politiken Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark takes place 17th-28th July 2000. There is a new venue at the Nørrebrohallen with room for 500-700 players.

Further information: http://www.kbhsu.dk

13th Ciudad de León Tournament

The 13th Ciudad de León Tournament will again use the "advanced chess" format (players will be allowed to use a computer for databases and a playing program). The competitors will be Anand, Shirov, Judith Polgar and Illescas. The event will run June 1st-5th 2000 (playing days: June 2nd Shirov-Illescas 2 game match, June 3rd Anand-Polgar 2 game match, June 3rd, final. The venue is the Junta de León” building, with the opening ceremony in the Conde Luna Hotel and the closing ceremony and Judit Polgar simul at the University.

19th Reykjavik International Open

The 19th Reykjavik International Chess Tournament takes place in the Reykjavík City Hall 5th-13th April 2000.

Minimum Prize fund: USD 15.000 1. prize USD 5.000 2. prize USD 3.000 3. prize USD 2.000 4. prize USD 1.500 5. prize USD 1.000 Under 2450 .USD 1.500 Under 2300 .USD 1.000.

9 rounds, Swiss System, Time Limit: 40 moves in 2 hours, 20 moves in 1 hour, and 30 minutes for the rest of the game.

Registration: Please contact the ICELANDIC CHESS FEDERATION, P.O. Box 8354, 128 Reykjavík, Iceland, before Feb. 1st 2000. Tel.: 354 568 9141 Fax: 354 568 9116 Email: siks@itn.is Conditions for titled players please contact ICF office. Eligible: All players rated 2000 or more (FIDE rating list). No entrance fee for foreign players.

Coverage at:http://www.simnet.is/hellir/Reykopen00.htm

Budapest Spring Festival

The 16th Budapest Spring Festival is a 9 round Swiss Open chess tournament, the event runs 17th-25th of March 2000, Budapest. The planned maximum is 100 participants, 1-3 GM-s, 6-8 IM-s, more, than 50 % ELO-rated, min. 20 % foreigners. Info: Nagy, Laszlo, e-mail: firstsat@elender.hu www.elender.hu/~firstsat Tel-fax: (361)-263-28-59 Mobile: (36)-30-230-1914 ICQ # 44805877.

XVIth Cappelle la Grande Open

The XVIth Cappelle la Grande Open takes place in the "Palais des Arts et des Loisir" 19th-26th February 2000.

Website: http://cappelle.free.fr/

Entries: by cheque or money order to "l’Echiquier Cappellois" to:

M. Michel GOUVART 2, Place de Flandre 59180 CAPPELLE LA GRANDE - FRANCE Tél./Fax : 33/ 03 28 64 94 98

Adults : 220 F Juniors and over 60s: 110 F

Dates: Opening ceremony and round 1 19th February 2000 Closing ceremony 26th Feb 2000.

Prizefund: 80 000 F minimum. 1st prize: 10 000 F / 2e: 5000 F / 3e: 4000F / 4e: 3000F / 5e: 2000F / 6e: 1500F / 7e à 10e : 1000F Other prize categories for Elo, Jeunes, Féminins, Vétérans