THE WEEK IN CHESS 687 7th January 2008 by Mark Crowther

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Contents

1) Introduction
2) 2nd ACP World Rapid Cup
3) 83rd Hastings International Congress
4) 50th Reggio Emilia
5) Groningen Chess Festival
6) XXXVII Rilton Cup
7) II Obert Internacional d'Escacs
8) 28th Bethune Open
9) Villa de Roquetas
10) XXXIII Ciudad de Sevilla
11) Mondariz Balneario
12) Australian Championships 2007-8
13) Vandoeuvre Open
14) Zurich Weihnachtsopen
15) 12th Bad Zwesten Open
16) XVIII Cracovia International Festival
17) 16th Donau Open
18) Carlos San José Memorial
19) Francesc Alsina Memorial
20) Czech Chess Christmas
21) Forthcoming Events and Links

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Games Section
2nd ACP World Rapid Cup 42 games
83rd Hastings Congress 312 games
50th Reggio Emilia 31 games
Groningen Chess Festival 48 games
XXXVII Rilton Cup 227 games
II Obert Internacional d'Escacs 40 games
Villa de Roquetas 66 games
Mondariz Balneario 90 games
Zurich Weihnachtsopen 102 games
XVIII Cracovia Festival 90 games
16th Donau Open 105 games
1153 games

1) Introduction

My thanks to Giorgio Gozzi, Johan Hut, Ricardo Montecatine, Luiz Roberto Da Costa Jr, Thierry Foissez, Steve Giddins, Adolivio Capece, Anton Mihailov, Torbjörn Engström, Laszlo Nagy, Georg Kradolfer, Harald Grafenhofer, Denis Vretenar, Michael J. Yeo, Lara Barnes, Jim Marfia and everyone else who helped with the issue.

The 2nd ACP World Rapid Cup sponsored by the Pivdenny Bank is an important part of their strategy for the future. Good prize money ensured a strong field and it saw Teimour Radjabov start off 2008 in the right way with a determined win when he defeated Alexander Grischuk in the final. Radjabov now travels to Wijk aan Zee for the first major tournament of the year (and there are strong reasons to call it the major tournament of the year). Wijk aan Zee not only has a tremendously strong A-Group but the B-Group is category XV also with Ivan Cheparinov and Etienne Bacrot with ratings over 2700. Should be good!

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) 2nd ACP World Rapid Cup

2nd ACP World Rapid Cup sponsored by the Pivdenny Bank took place in Odessa, Ukraine January 4th-7th, 2008. The event was a 16 player knockout. Teimour Radjabov overcame Alexander Grischuk in a blitz playoff to win the final 2.5-1.5.

Time controls. 1st pair of games 20 mins+ 5 secs per move. Tie-breaks: If a match endws in a draw (1-1), two additional blitz games were played. Time control 3 min+2 sec per move. If a final tie-break was needed then a single blitz game where White has 5 mins and needs to win the game in order to win the match. Black, with draw odds only had 4 minutes. This final tie-break game was played without time increment.

The official site of the event: http://worldcup.pivdenny.com

2nd ACP World Rapid Cup Odessa UKR 4-7 i 2008
Round 1 Day 1 4th Jan 2008
Savchenko, Boris g RUS 2589 0-2 Jakovenko, Dmitry g RUS 2720
Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2735 1.5-0.5 Drozdovskij, Yuri g UKR 2574
Eljanov, Pavel g UKR 2692 0.5-1.5 Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2751
Shirov, Alexei g ESP 2755 0.5-1.5 Inarkiev, Ernesto g RUS 2681
Round 1 Day 2 5th Jan 2008
Shabalov, Alexander g USA 2622 0-2 Svidler, Peter g RUS 2763
Najer, Evgeniy g RUS 2634 0.5-1.5 Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2737
Karpov, Anatoly g RUS 2655 1.5-2.5 Grischuk, Alexander g RUS 2711
Polgar, Judit g HUN 2707 0-2 Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2732
1/4 Final 6th Jan 2008
Jakovenko, Dmitry g RUS 2720 1.5-0.5 Inarkiev, Ernesto g RUS 2681
Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2735 3-2 Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2751
Svidler, Peter g RUS 2763 0.5-1.5 Grischuk, Alexander g RUS 2711
Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2732 3-1 Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2737
1/2 Final 7th Jan 2008
Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2735 2-0 Jakovenko, Dmitry g RUS 2720
Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2732 2-3 Grischuk, Alexander g RUS 2711
Final 7th Jan 2008
Grischuk, Alexander g RUS 2711 1.5-2.5 Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2735

3) 83rd Hastings International Congress

The Celebration 83rd Hastings International Congress took place 28th December 2007 to 6th January 2008. There was a three way tie between Vadim Malakhatko Nidjat Mamedov and Veleriy Neverov on 7.5/10. Simon Williams achieved a performance sufficient to take him over 2500 and to the GM title (he already has the norms) something that shouldn't be affected by his losses subsequently.

Full details http://www.hastingschess.org.uk/

83rd Hastings International Congress 28 xii 2007 - 6 i 2008.
Official Leading Final Round 10 Standings
1 Malakhatko,Vadim BEL g 2596
2 Mamedov,Nidjat AZE g 2565
3 Neverov,Valeriy UKR g 2558
4 Bindrich,Falko GER g 2512 7
5 Flear,Glenn ENG g 2493 7
6 Jones,Gawain ENG g 2567 7
7 Lalic,Bogdan CRO g 2500 7
8 Pavlovic,Milos SCG g 2536 7
9 Pert,Nicholas ENG g 2539 7
10 Chatalbashev,Boris BUL g 2581
11 Conquest,Stuart ENG g 2540
12 Eames,Robert ENG f 2304
13 Gormally,Daniel ENG g 2484
14 Greet,Andrew ENG m 2441
15 Haslinger,Stewart ENG g 2502
16 Hebden,Mark ENG g 2542
17 Houska,Jovanka ENG m 2404
18 Tahirov,Farhad AZE g 2540
19 Collins,Sam IRL m 2401 6
20 Georgiev,Vladimir MKD g 2576 6
21 Huizer,Mark NDL 2201 6
22 Islam,Kh Aminul BAN f 2390 6
23 Lock,Gavin ENG 2215 6
24 Marusenko,Peter UKR m 2304 6
25 Prosviriakov,Vladimir USA m 2319 6
26 Roy Chowdhury,Saptarshi IND m 2418 6
27 Rudd,Jack ENG f 2332 6
28 Satyapragyan,Swayangsu IND m 2404 6
29 Sengupta,Deep IND m 2447 6
30 Williams,Simon ENG m 2475 6
31 Zozulia,Anna BEL w 2343 6
32 Bates,Richard ENG m 2378
33 Bogner,Sebastian GER m 2383
34 Goodger,Martyn ENG 2067
35 Grant,Alan SCO 2251
36 Jackson,Oliver ENG 2219
37 Kwiatkowski,Feliks ENG c 2237
38 Ledger,David ENG f 2266
39 Radovanovic,Jovica SRB f 2355
40 Shakil,Abu Sufian BAN f 2361
41 Snape,Ian ENG 2230
42 Afek,Youchanan ISR m 2349 5
43 Andersen,Daniel DEN 2013 5
44 Dinger,Florian GER f 2378 5
45 Formanek,Edward USA m 2276 5
46 Furman,Boris RUS f 2264 5
47 Gurbanzade,Erkin AZE 2179 5
48 Hagesaether,Arne NOR 2153 5
49 Hasan,Mehdi BAN f 2287 5
50 Heinis,Vincent FRA 2202 5
51 Knott,Simon ENG m 2366 5
52 Lyell,Mark ENG f 2197 5
53 Mansson,James ENG 2161 5
54 O'toole,George ENG 1987 5
55 Poobalasingam,Peter ENG 2158 5
56 Rayner,Francis WLS 2201 5
57 Rendle,Thomas ENG m 2397 5
58 Thompson,Ian ENG f 2309 5
59 Zhou,Yang-Fan ENG 2068 5
103 players

4) 50th Reggio Emilia

The 50th "Torneo di Capodanno" in Reggio Emilia took place December 29th 2007 - January 6th 2008. Zoltan Almasi took clear first with 6/9 half a point clear of the field. Gashimov won the brilliancy prize for his win against Tiviakov. Correction to Harikrishna 1-0 Godena rd 2 from last week.

Official site: http://www.ippogrifoscacchi.it

50th "Torneo di Capodanno" Reggio Emilia
December 29th 2007 - January 6th 2008
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Almasi, Zoltan g HUN 2691 * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 6 2752
2. Gashimov, Vugar g AZE 2664 ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½ 2710
3. Ni Hua g CHN 2641 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 2713
4. Harikrishna, P g IND 2668 0 ½ ½ * 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 2710
5. Landa, Konstantin g RUS 2678 ½ ½ ½ 0 * ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 2628
6. Korchnoi, Viktor g SUI 2611 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * 0 ½ ½ ½ 4 2593
7. Navara, David g CZE 2656 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 * ½ ½ 1 4 2588
8. Tiviakov, Sergei g NED 2643 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * 0 1 2552
9. Marin, Mihail g ROU 2551 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ 1 * ½ 2563
10. Godena, Michele g ITA 2535 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ * 3 2519

5) Groningen Chess Festival

The Groningen Chess Festival included the Harmonie Open A which took place 21st-30th December 2007. Dimitrios Mastrovasilis (not Halkias as I stated last week) took first place from four other players on tie break after all finished on 6.5/9. Games from the final two rounds now available.

Official site: http://www.so-on.org/kerst2007/2007eng.html

Harmonie Open A Groningen (NED), 21-30 xii 2007 Final Round 9 Standings:
Rank Name Ti Fed. Rating Score BH SB TPR W-We
1 Halkias, Stelios GM GRE 2589 6.5 46.0 31.0 2559 -0.17
2 Mastrovasilis, Dimitrios GM GRE 2559 6.5 48.5 33.5 2654 +1.17
3 Ernst, Sipke GM NED 2539 6.5 48.0 33.75 2642 +1.30
4 Adly, Ahmed GM EGY 2494 6.5 45.0 30.25 2578 +1.05
5 Lobzhanidze, Davit IM GEO 2489 6.5 43.0 30.5 2490 +0.26
6 Banikas, Hristos GM GRE 2591 6.0 47.5 30.0 2598 +0.14
7 Li, Shilong GM CHN 2509 6.0 50.0 31.25 2600 +1.14
8 Hoffmann, Michael IM GER 2471 6.0 46.5 29.5 2532 +0.80
9 Nijboer, Friso GM NED 2559 5.5 52.0 31.0 2527 -0.30
10 Rotstein, Arkadij GM GER 2534 5.5 43.0 23.75 2475 -0.48
11 Swinkels, Robin IM NED 2433 5.5 46.5 27.0 2454 +0.41
12 Pruijssers, Roeland IM NED 2408 5.5 44.5 25.5 2425 +0.28
13 Burg, Twan FM NED 2275 5.5 39.0 20.5 2433 +1.84
14 Reinderman, Dimitri GM NED 2510 5.0 42.5 21.75 2367 -1.53
15 Simutowe, Amon IM ZAM 2446 5.0 43.5 23.5 2407 -0.40
16 Spoelman, Wouter IM NED 2445 5.0 43.5 21.5 2438 -0.03
17 Hendriks, Willy IM NED 2402 5.0 46.0 23.0 2410 +0.12
18 Van Oosterom, Chiel IM NED 2401 5.0 42.0 21.0 2332 -0.80
19 De Jong, Migchiel FM NED 2341 5.0 40.5 19.25 2396 +0.64
20 Clemens, Adrian FM NED 2316 5.0 38.5 19.25 2254 -0.69
21 Hovenga, Alje   NED 2186 5.0 39.5 19.5 2397 +2.39
22 Van Den Berg, Harmen   NED 2167 5.0 45.5 24.75 2438 +3.01
23 Otte, Marijn   NED 2155 5.0 43.0 22.75 2422 +3.00
24 Skatchkov, Pavel GM RUS 2509 4.5 39.0 19.0 2260 -2.60
25 Van Ketel, Raoul FM NED 2336 4.5 36.5 16.0 2195 -1.62
26 Michielsen, Joost   NED 2309 4.5 46.0 20.25 2347 +0.47
27 Kuipers, Stefan   NED 2283 4.5 37.0 16.25 2260 -0.33
28 Pijpers, Arthur   NED 2000 4.5 34.0 16.25 2242 +2.60
29 Brandenburg, Daan IM NED 2483 4.0 44.0 15.0 2276 -2.21
30 Hoeksema, Hendrik Pieter IM NED 2373 4.0 42.5 16.75 2212 -1.80
31 Geurink, Jasper   NED 2339 4.0 39.0 11.0 2229 -1.27
32 Pel, Bonno FM NED 2280 4.0 40.5 13.5 2277 -0.08
33 Van Kampen, Robin   NED 2252 4.0 38.5 16.5 2242 -0.10
34 Vinke, Andreas   GER 2173 4.0 41.0 15.75 2329 +1.66
35 Cooke, Eric   USA 2253 3.5 35.0 8.75 2053 -2.13
36 Ringoir, Tanguy   BEL 2236 3.5 45.0 19.5 2352 +1.09
37 Heemskerk, Wim FM NED 2230 3.5 42.0 14.75 2278 +0.38
38 Balje, Jan   NED 2222 3.5 37.0 12.75 2130 -1.14
39 Kuling, Lody   NED 2213 3.5 30.0 8.5 2184 -0.44
40 Cako, Laszlo   NED 2168 3.5 32.0 11.0 2156 -0.18
41 Hoffman, Ron   NED 2158 3.5 35.0 11.0 2163 +0.00
42 Jellema, Yme Jan   NED 2119 3.5 35.0 12.0 2191 +0.79
43 Pham, Toan Thanh   NOR 2100 3.5 33.0 10.25 2173 +0.75
44 Kamali, Mehran   NED 1988 3.5 32.5 8.25 2072 +0.67
45 Kodentsov, Grisja FM NED 2307 2.5 31.5 8.75 2093 -2.33
46 Goudriaan, Etienne   NED 2123 2.5 33.5 7.0 2077 -0.68
47 Vogel, Jaap FM NED 2218 2.0 38.0 14.0 2185 -0.29
48 Kleijn, Christov   NED 2210 2.0 38.5 9.25 2043 -1.94
49 Wielenga, Wiebe   NED 2118 2.0 29.5 5.5 1977 -1.55
50 Hartoch, Robert G. IM NED 2232 1.5 35.5 12.25 2110 -0.87

6) XXXVII Rilton Cup

XXXVII Rilton Cup took place 27th December 2007 – 5th January 2008 in Mälarsalen, Stockholm, Sweden. The event with a 9 way tie on 6.5/9. Radoslaw Wojtaszek had the best tie-break. There was an error in identifying one of the players last week, I will give all the games again.

Time rate: 40 moves in two hours, 20 moves in one hour and 30 minutes for the rest of the game. Radoslaw Wojtaszek leads with 4.5/5.

Further details: http://www.stockholmschack.nu

37th Rilton Cup Stockholm (SWE), 27 xii 2007 - 5 i 2008
Final Round 9 Standings
Rk. Name   FED Rtg Pts. TB1
1 Wojtaszek Radoslaw GM POL 2635 6,5 37,0
2 Cramling Pia GM SWE 2531 6,5 36,5
3 Agrest Evgenij GM SWE 2541 6,5 35,5
4 Berczes David IM HUN 2430 6,5 35,0
5 Kotronias Vasilios GM GRE 2614 6,5 35,0
6 Nybäck Tomi GM FIN 2565 6,5 35,0
7 Ivanov Sergey GM RUS 2537 6,5 34,0
8 Lindberg Bengt IM SWE 2439 6,5 31,0
9 Kulaots Kaido GM EST 2547 6,5 29,0
10 Berg Emanuel GM SWE 2593 6,0 32,5
11 Farago Ivan GM HUN 2505 6,0 31,5
12 Szabo Krisztian IM HUN 2492 6,0 31,5
13 Fontaine Robert GM FRA 2562 6,0 30,0
14 Karlsson Lars GM SWE 2485 6,0 26,0
15 Cicak Slavko GM SWE 2569 5,5 33,0
16 Grandelius Nils FM SWE 2377 5,5 30,0
17 Carlsson Pontus GM SWE 2481 5,5 29,5
18 Hansen Lars-Bo GM DEN 2572 5,5 29,0
19 Nyysti Sampsa IM FIN 2364 5,5 27,0
20 Furhoff Johan FM SWE 2392 5,5 27,0
21 Stokke Kjetil FM NOR 2372 5,5 26,0
22 Livner Anders   SWE 2281 5,5 25,5
23 Ask Josef   SWE 2235 5,5 24,0
24 Smith Axel   SWE 2384 5,0 29,5
25 Hillarp Persson Tiger GM SWE 2567 5,0 28,5
26 Ernst Thomas GM SWE 2450 5,0 28,5
27 Berczes Csaba IM HUN 2419 5,0 28,0
28 Bellon Juan GM ESP 2434 5,0 27,5
29 Dimitrijevic Radmilo   SRB 2070 5,0 26,5
30 Meskovs Nikita   SWE 2085 5,0 26,0
31 Nithander Victor FM SWE 2367 5,0 26,0
32 Blomqvist Erik   SWE 2334 5,0 26,0
33 Larsson Anders   SWE 2381 5,0 24,5
34 Bejtovic Jasmin FM BIH 2307 5,0 24,5
35 Henriksson Johan   SWE 2197 5,0 23,0
36 Åkesson Ralf GM SWE 2468 4,5 30,0
37 Jiretorn Eva   SWE 2121 4,5 25,0
38 Tamas Ruck FM HUN 2343 4,5 24,0
39 Karlsson Tomas   SWE 2249 4,5 23,0
40 Stjazhkina Olga WGM RUS 2315 4,5 22,0
41 Lindberg Henrik   SWE 2254 4,5 21,5
42 Frisk Kockum Anton   SWE 2206 4,5 21,0
43 Dede Erno FM HUN 2275 4,5 21,0
44 Andersson Fredrik   SWE 2229 4,5 20,5
45 Hedman Erik FM SWE 2396 4,5 20,5
46 Nyberg Ulf   SWE 2146 4,5 17,5
47 Wickström Lucas   SWE 2115 4,5 17,0
48 Åkesson Joel FM SWE 2344 4,0 23,5
49 Niemi Mikko   FIN 2188 4,0 23,0
50 Luukkonen Tommi   FIN 2238 4,0 22,5
51 Sisättö Olli   FIN 2264 4,0 22,0
52 Sevkan Akdag Dara   DEN 2042 4,0 21,5
53 Holving Rasmus   SWE 2210 4,0 21,5
54 Ãngskog Kent   SWE 2271 4,0 19,0
55 Adler Bo   SWE 2208 4,0 19,0
56 Marttala Thomas   SWE 2253 4,0 18,5
57 Eriksson Jörgen   SWE 2238 4,0 18,5
58 Vovk Ilja   EST 2325 4,0 18,5
59 Lissäng Christopher   SWE 2080 4,0 18,0
60 De Verdier Michael   SWE 2121 4,0 17,5
61 Glimbrant Torbjörn   SWE 2275 4,0 16,5
62 Johansson Viktoria WIM SWE 2203 4,0 15,5
84 players

7) II Obert Internacional d'Escacs

II Obert Internacional d'Escacs Illes Medes took place 28th December 2007 - 4th January 2008. Josep Manuel Lopez Martinez won the tournament alone on 7.5/9. The games section is a bit patchy with some top pairings missing in some rounds.

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

II Obert Internacional d'Escacs Illes Medes L'Estartit ESP
28 xii 2007 - 4 i 2008 Final Standings
Rk. Name   FED Rtg Pts. TB1 rtg+/-
1 Lopez Martinez Josep Manuel GM ESP 2563 7,5 52,0 16,6
2 Aroshidze Levan GM GEO 2523 7,0 52,5 11,6
3 Czakon Jakub IM POL 2510 7,0 47,0 6,8
4 Narciso Dublan Marc GM ESP 2546 7,0 46,5 8,3
5 Rasmussen Allan Stig FM DEN 2485 6,5 53,5 14,7
6 Moskalenko Viktor GM UKR 2575 6,5 50,5 2,9
7 Bartel Mateusz GM POL 2608 6,5 49,0 -3,0
8 Rombaldoni Denis FM ITA 2402 6,5 46,5 16,8
9 Terrieux Kevin FM FRA 2367 6,5 45,0 21,0
10 Groetz Harald IM AUT 2321 6,0 53,0 45,0
11 Fluvia Jordi IM ESP 2508 6,0 52,0 5,6
12 Buhmann Rainer GM GER 2567 6,0 48,0 -7,3
13 Cruz Filemon FM PER 2402 6,0 46,0 11,7
14 Vocaturo Daniele IM ITA 2443 6,0 45,0 -2,6
15 Hansen Torbjorn Ringdal FM NOR 2354 6,0 44,5 18,8
16 Alsina Leal Daniel FM ESP 2435 5,5 51,5 8,8
17 Cruz Cristhian FM PER 2464 5,5 51,0 9,4
18 Edouard Romain IM FRA 2472 5,5 50,0 -1,2
19 Almagro Llamas Pablo FM ESP 2429 5,5 49,0 4,2
20 Gerber Richard IM SUI 2386 5,5 48,0 4,3
21 Hartikainen Markku FM FIN 2310 5,5 46,0 19,5
22 Perez Mitjans Orelvis FM CUB 2421 5,5 45,5 3,5
23 Benitah Yohan IM FRA 2421 5,5 45,5 -0,2
24 Fluvia Poyatos Joan IM ESP 2469 5,5 43,0 -9,4
25 Hagen Andreas Skytte FM DEN 2300 5,5 40,5 12,9
26 Matthiesen Arne FM DEN 2317 5,5 40,5 -15,0
27 Przezdziecka Marta WIM POL 2259 5,5 37,5 -1,0
98 players

8) 28th Bethune Open

The 28th International Open, Hall Olof Palme, Commercial centre La Rotonde, Bethune, France (Pas-de-Calais) took place December 26th-30th 2007. Sergey Fedorchuk won the main event ahead of Vladimir Burmakin and Jean Marc Degraeve. Games not yet available.

Official site: http://www.bethunechess.com Results/Games http://www.bethunechess.com/OpendeNoel/OpenA/tournoi_A_general.htm

28th Bethune International Open 26-30 xii 2007
Pl. Nom Elo Fede Pts Bré. Per.
1 Fedorchuk Sergey A. g 2645 UKR 7 46 2697
2 Burmakin Vladimir g 2582 RUS 7 45,5 2689
3 Degraeve Jean-Marc g 2546 FRA 7 44 2627
4 L'ami Erwin g 2577 NED 6,5 46 2628
5 Sokolov Andrei g 2588 FRA 6,5 45 2604
6 Komarov Dimitri g 2533 UKR 6,5 41,5 2507
7 Grabarczyk Miroslaw g 2464 POL 6,5 40,5 2508
8 Housieaux David f 2348 FRA 6,5 40 2439
9 Bakalarz Mietek m 2342 LUX 6,5 38,5 2384
10 Shchekachev Andrei g 2522 FRA 6 44 2480
11 Shirazi Kamran m 2408 FRA 6 42 2408
12 Van Beek Alexander f 2338 NED 6 40,5 2333
13 Ten Hagen Yorick 2078 NED 6 38,5 2363
14 Jossien Remy 2257 FRA 6 37,5 2337
15 Suez-Panama Gilles 2095 FRA 6 36,5 2333
16 Sprangers Remco 2196 NED 6 33 2235
17 Amigues Emmanuel m 2378 FRA 5,5 42,5 2353
18 Simon Olivier m 2397 FRA 5,5 39,5 2361
19 Bedouin Xavier f 2342 FRA 5,5 39 2212
20 Le Quang Kim f 2278 BEL 5,5 38,5 2260
21 Friess Nicolas 2199 FRA 5,5 38 2285
22 Motoc Alina gf 2300 ROM 5,5 37,5 2324
23 Wiley Tom E f 2332 ENG 5,5 37 2274
24 Soors Stef 2122 BEL 5,5 37 2181
25 Miedema Roi 2303 NED 5,5 36,5 2215
26 Van Der Stricht Geert m 2428 BEL 5,5 36,5 2188
27 Kludacz Magdalena mf 2221 POL 5,5 35,5 2224
28 Rolland Benjamin 2098 FRA 5,5 34,5 2165
29 Barj Julien 2126 FRA 5,5 34 2171
30 Szylar Eric 2087 FRA 5,5 30,5 2102
106 players

9) Villa de Roquetas

The XIX Open Internacional Villa de Roquetas took place 2nd-6th January, 2008. Elizbar Ubilava edged out Julio Granda Zuniga on tie-break.

I didn't understand the comment on chess-results.com that "WTie-Breaks 1 Penalty of premature agreements" as this tie-break was 1 for everyone making it irrelevant so I didn't include it.

Official site: http://villaderoquetas.ajedrezroquetas.com/directo/ and results http://www.chess-results.com/tnr9552.aspx

XIX Open Villa de Roquetas ESP (ESP), 2-6 i 2008
Rk. Name   FED RtgI Pts. TB2 TB3 rtg+/-
1 Ubilava Elizbar GM ESP 2544 7,5 44,5 2641 13,8
2 Granda Zuñiga Julio E GM PER 2588 7,5 43,0 2628 7,9
3 Cossin Sebastien IM FRA 2438 7,0 42,0 2394 3,9
4 Meijers Viesturs GM LAT 2507 6,5 41,0 2421 -4,3
5 Shoker Samy IM FRA 2381 6,5 40,5 2379 4,2
6 Clement Gomez Jose Antonio FM ESP 2321 6,5 39,5 2419 21,0
7 Barsov Alexei GM UZB 2521 6,5 38,5 2404 -7,4
8 Ferrer Sanchez Pedro J. FM ESP 2297 6,5 35,0 2264 8,1
9 Cifuentes Parada Roberto GM ESP 2520 6,0 45,0 2453 -3,6
10 Ivanov Jordan IM BUL 2371 6,0 44,5 2466 14,0
11 Kovacevic Slobodan IM SRB 2413 6,0 44,0 2452 8,0
12 Dolezal Cristian IM ARG 2425 6,0 43,0 2378 -0,9
13 Djuric Stefan GM SRB 2448 6,0 41,5 2399 -2,6
14 Hernandez Montalvo Ivan FM PER 2314 6,0 40,0 2371 16,0
15 Carbonell Bofill Carlos Eloy FM ESP 2239 6,0 37,0 2225 3,5
16 Fernandez Barrera Victor   ESP 2247 5,5 43,0 2359 23,5
17 Penades Ordaz Victor   ESP 2179 5,5 41,0 2210 6,8
18 Garcia Moral Garcia Jose Danie   ESP 2280 5,5 40,5 2298 6,6
19 Cruz Ravina Francisco Javier FM ESP 2361 5,5 39,5 2270 -12,8
20 Walton Colin   ENG 2130 5,5 39,0 2179 18,0
21 Parfenov Pavel   RUS 2238 5,5 38,5 2263 9,1
22 Borrego Mata Benito Enrique   ESP 2176 5,5 38,0 2127 -6,6
23 Navarro Lopez-Menchero Daniel   ESP 1955 5,5 37,0 2214 38,8
24 Alcaraz Carcel Antonio   ESP 2003 5,5 36,0 2157 26,5
25 Fernandez Siles Luis FM ESP 2333 5,5 36,0 2061 -31,6
26 Cañabate Carmona Francisco   ESP 2084 5,5 33,5 2231 17,1
27 Simpson James   ENG 2270 5,5 33,5 2110 -33,8
28 Garcia Fernandez Carlos IM ESP 2380 5,0 42,5 2276 -6,1
29 Bendayan Claros Aaron   ESP 1984 5,0 39,0 2105 15,0
30 Frih Ameur   FRA 2112 5,0 38,0 2079 -1,8
31 Rioboo De Larriva Alvaro   ESP 1896 5,0 37,5 2272 54,9
32 Amat Sanchez Pedro Antonio   ESP 2088 5,0 36,5 2117 5,1
33 Vandersmissen Mathieu   BEL 2174 5,0 35,5 1984 -27,5
34 Camacho Vargas Francisco J.   ESP 2045 5,0 34,5 2036 0,8
35 Garcia Lopez Juan Antonio   ESP 1971 5,0 33,0 1976 3,2
36 Garcia Domingo Jose Antonio   ESP 1996 5,0 32,0 1882 -4,7
37 Cuesta Bustos Sergio   ESP 2164 5,0 30,0 1891 -34,5
93 players

10) XXXIII Ciudad de Sevilla

The XXXIII Abierto Internacional "Ciudad de Sevilla" takes place 5th-12th January 2008.

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

XXXIII Abierto Internacional "Ciudad de Sevilla" 5-12 i 2008
Round 3 Standings
Rank SNo. Name FED Rtg Pts BH. Fide
1 3 KHAMRAKULOV Ibragim S GM ESP 2589 3 2 6
7 CAMPORA Daniel H GM ARG 2535 3 2 6
10 MOVSZISZIAN Karen GM ARM 2527 3 2 6
12 MIRZOEV Azer GM AZE 2518 3 2 6
16 ZHAO Zong-Yuan IM AUS 2487 3 2 6
19 ESCOBAR FORERO Alder IM COL 2461 3 2 6
7 11 PAUNOVIC Dragan GM SRB 2522 3 2 6
13 NARCISO DUBLAN Marc GM ESP 2513 3 2 6
31 VEHI BACH Victor M IM ESP 2373 3 2 6
10 6 LOPEZ MARTINEZ Josep Manuel GM ESP 2550 3 2 6
11 17 KOMLJENOVIC Davorin GM CRO 2482 3 6
12 1 KORNEEV Oleg GM RUS 2645
2 BURMAKIN Vladimir GM RUS 2611
5 EPISHIN Vladimir GM RUS 2577
14 RIZOUK Aimen GM ALG 2498
18 FERNANDEZ ROMERO Ernesto IM ESP 2462
20 ROEDER Mathias IM GER 2461
18 9 MATAMOROS FRANCO Carlos S GM ECU 2529
21 BELEZKY Alexander IM UKR 2449
26 TERAN ALVAREZ Ismael IM ESP 2404
33 KARIM Ismael ESP 2366
42 ROBLES GARCIA Claudia WFM ESP 2203
23 50 BARRANTES MUNOZ Hugo Pedro ESP 2180
24 81 CALVO GOMEZ-ALVAREZ Juan Pedro ESP 2007 5
25 28 RAZMYSLOV Alexander FM UKR 2392 5
26 4 SPRAGGETT Kevin GM CAN 2588 2 5
27 29 GARCIA LUQUE Agustin IM ESP 2387
41 MEDINA CARRASCO Santiago ESP 2213
29 48 PEREIRA FIGUEROA Manuel ESP 2181 5
75 SURIOL PEINADO Alberto ESP 2042 5
31 23 LARINO NIETO David IM ESP 2439
32 39 CARRETERO ORTIZ Francisco ESP 2233
232 players

11) Mondariz Balneario

There were two tournaments in Mondariz-Balneario 26th December 2007 - 5th January 2008. Zhao Zong Yuan won the category IX GM tournament with 6.5/9.

Official site: http://www.ajedrezmarcote.com/2007/7festival_gema/bases_festival_gema.php

CERRADO GM Mondariz-Balneario ESP (ESP), 26 xii 2007 - 5 i 2008 cat. IX (2452)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Zhao Zong-Yuan m AUS 2491 * 1 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 2613
2. Suarez Pousa, Diego f ESP 2406 0 * 0 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 ½ 6 2581
3. Larino Nieto, David m ESP 2428 0 1 * 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 2534
4. Ortega Hermida, Daniel m ESP 2389 ½ 0 1 * ½ ½ ½ 1 0 1 5 2501
5. Franco Ocampos, Zenon g PAR 2516 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 5 2487
6. Paunovic, Dragan g SRB 2535 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 1 5 2485
7. Galego, Luis g POR 2530 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ 1 1 2442
8. Movsziszian, Karen g ARM 2531 0 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ * 1 ½ 2362
9. Hernando Rodrigo, Jose Maria m ESP 2359 ½ 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 * ½ 2 2241
10. Vega Gutierrez, Sabrina wg ESP 2331 0 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ * 2 2245

CERRADO IM Mondariz-Balneario ESP (ESP), 26 xii 2007 - 5 i 2008 cat. II (2298)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Matnadze, Ana m GEO 2390 * ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 2453
2. Pena Gomez, Manuel f ESP 2320 ½ * 1 ½ 0 0 1 1 1 1 6 2420
3. Astaneh Lopez, Alex f IRL 2342 1 0 * ½ ½ 1 ½ 0 1 1 2372
4. Garcia Castro, Pablo m ESP 2386 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 2367
5. Moreno Gracia, Daniel ESP 2234 0 1 ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 0 1 5 2347
6. Frois, Antonio m POR 2354 ½ 1 0 ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 0 2291
7. Andres Gonzalez, Ivan f ESP 2381 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * 0 1 ½ 2208
8. Hernandez Leon, Alberto ESP 2207 0 0 1 0 0 ½ 1 * ½ ½ 2227
9. Vega Gutierrez, Belinda wf ESP 2085 0 0 0 ½ 1 0 0 ½ * ½ 2155
10. Padeiro, Jose POR 2278 0 0 0 0 0 1 ½ ½ ½ * 2133

12) Australian Championships 2007-8

The 2007-8 Australian Championships take place 2nd-11th January 2008 in Parramatta RSL Chess Club. Stephen Solomon leads by a point with 6/8 in the 11 round event. Games section is a bit of a mess currently.

Official site: http://www.parramattachess.org/auschamps2008/results.html

ch-AUS 2007-8 Parramatta RSL Chess Club 2-11 ii 2008
Standings Round 8 (of 11)
Place Name Feder Rtg Loc Score Progr. Buch.
1 Solomon, Stephen J QLD 2468 2429 6 32.0 32.5
2-5 Antic, Dejan OS 2480 2490 5 27.0 35.5
Van Riemsdijk, Herman OS 2391 2355 5 26.0 34.0
Ly, Moulthun QLD 2319 2306 5 26.0 33.5
Xie, George NSW 2413 2414 5 21.0 28.5
6-9 Johansen, Darryl K VIC 2475 2439 4.5 24.0 32.0
Goldenberg, Igor VIC 2395 2355 4.5 22.0 32.5
Illingworth, Max NSW 2152 2224 4.5 21.5 29.0
Chow, Samuel VIC 2240 2316 4.5 20.0 26.0
10-17 Boyd, Tristan WA 2270 2233 4 23.0 31.5
Rej, Tomek NSW 2283 2279 4 22.0 30.5
Sales, Jesse Noel OS 2299 2280 4 22.0 28.5
Klein, Felix OS 2205 2227 4 21.0 29.5
Canfell, Gregory J NSW 2315 2304 4 20.5 33.0
Pecori, Ascaro VIC 2129 2097 4 20.0 33.5
Broekhuyse, Paul NSW 2130 2100 4 19.0 29.0
Yu, Ronald NSW 2192 2212 4 19.0 28.5
18-21 Lane, Gary W NSW 2412 2377 3.5 22.5 32.0
Lazarus, Benjamin QLD 2143 2126 3.5 20.5 29.5
Hamilton, Douglas G VIC 2229 2140 3.5 18.0 29.5
Oliver, Gareth ACT 2164 2158 3.5 17.0 31.0
22-30 Ikeda, Junta ACT 2201 2233 3 17.0 30.0
Bjelobrk, Igor NSW 2381 2416 3 16.5 29.5
Charles, Gareth NSW 2180 2114 3 14.0 27.5
Booth, Stewart VIC 2142 2097 3 14.0 26.5
Hu, Jason NSW 2120 2118 3 14.0 26.0
Morris, Michael NSW 1985 2163 3 13.5 23.0
Pyke, Malcolm L VIC 2191 2100 3 12.0 24.5
Hacche, David J VIC 2182 2091 3 12.0 21.0
Atzmon-Simon, Barak NSW 2142 2086 3 10.0 21.5
31-33 Stojic, Dusan VIC 2155 2150 2.5 12.5 26.0
Yadao, Israel OS 2266 2334 2.5 10.5 22.0
Morris, James VIC 2096 2035 2.5 9.0 25.5
34-37 Suttor, Vincent NSW 2139 2172 2 11.5 27.0
Bird, Andrew NSW 2148 2147 2 10.5 26.0
Wei, Michael ACT 2139 2106 2 9.0 22.5
Malik, Hani NSW 2009 2124 2 6.5 20.0
38 Capilitan, Romeo NSW 2134 2074 1.5 7.0 22.5

13) Vandoeuvre Open

The 4th Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy Open took place 26th-30th December 2007. Thorsten-Michael Haub won with 7/9. No games were available.

Official site: http://vandoeuvre-echecs.com/tournois.php?type=grille and Reports: http://reports.chessdom.com/vandoeuvre-open including one over controversy surrounding the start of Anna Rudolf: http://www.chessdom.com/news/anna-rudolf

4th Open Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy FRA 26-30 xii 2007
Pl Nom Fede Elo Pts Tr. Bu. Perf.
1 HAUB Thorsten-Michael m GER 2469 7 42,5 53,5 2597
2 LAZAREV Vladimir g FRA 2488 6,5 43 53 2501
3 STAROSTITS Ilmars m LAT 2511 6,5 42,5 52 2446
4 MARZOLO Cyril m FRA 2478 6,5 41,5 51 2501
5 VITOUX Colomban f FRA 2394 6,5 41 49,5 2449
6 VELICKA Petr g CZE 2519 6,5 40,5 50 2463
7 BAUER Christian g FRA 2634 6,5 40 48,5 2505
8 NIKOLOV Momchil BUL 2489 6,5 40 48 2377
9 RUDOLF Anna mf HUN 2273 6 45 55,5 2541
10 COSSIN Sebastien m FRA 2437 6 42,5 53 2476
11 GOZZOLI Yannick m FRA 2486 6 41 51,5 2387
12 TADDEI Benoit f FRA 2257 6 41 50,5 2425
13 PHILIPPE Christophe m FRA 2376 6 40,5 50 2447
14 SAATDJIAN Thomas FRA 2295 6 40,5 48,5 2343
15 KRIVONOSOV Oleg m LAT 2418 6 40 48 2404
16 JEITZ Christian LUX 2183 6 39,5 47,5 2311
17 NEBOLSINA Vera mf RUS 2349 6 38,5 47 2304
18 WAGENER Anna gf LUX 2257 6 36,5 44,5 2274
19 KOZHUHAROV Spas m BUL 2463 5,5 42 51,5 2335
20 SHOKER Samy m FRA 2359 5,5 41,5 50 2300
21 GENZLING Alain FRA 2279 5,5 41,5 49,5 2344
22 OKHOTNIK Vladimir m FRA 2433 5,5 40,5 50,5 2337
23 BRUNNER Nicolas m FRA 2428 5,5 40 48 2308
24 STEIL-ANTONI Fiona ff LUX 2104 5,5 40 46,5 2276
25 SPIELMANN Alain f FRA 2273 5,5 39 48 2242
26 IGLESIAS Joachim FRA 2127 5,5 39 48 2221
27 REINHART Emmanuel f FRA 2295 5,5 39 47,5 2270
28 CONGIU Mathilde ff FRA 2160 5,5 36,5 45 2114
29 DELORME Laurie FRA 2071 5,5 36 43,5 2176
107 players

14) Zurich Weihnachtsopen

The Zurich Weihnachtsopen 2007 took place 26th-30th December 2007 and there were two large fields. 117 played in the master section and 234 at the "Allgemeines Turnier". This year were the same two Swiss in front as last year, but in changed order. GM Florian Jenni (SUI) won the event with 6/7 and a better Buchholz tiebreaker than GM Yannick Pelletier (SUI) who also finished on 6 points. The 4 players are behind them who scored 5.5 were IM Petar Benkovic (SRB), GM Davit Shengelia (GEO), GM Tomas Likavsky (SVK) and IM Oliver Kurmann (SUI). News: Georg Kradolfer.

Official site: http://www.kradolfer-informatik.ch/schach/wop/resultate2007.html

Weihnachtsopen Meister Zurich (SUI), 26-30 xii 2007
Rang Teilnehmer Titel TWZ Land Punkte Buchh BuSumm
1. Jenni Florian GM 2529 SUI 6.0 35.0 206.0
2. Pelletier Yannick GM 2630 SUI 6.0 33.0 204.0
3. Benkovic Petar IM 2469 SRB 5.5 34.0 205.5
4. Shengelia Davit GM 2565 GEO 5.5 30.5 199.0
5. Likavsky Tomas GM 2496 SVK 5.5 30.5 194.0
6. Kurmann Oliver IM 2396 SUI 5.5 26.0 172.5
7. Klauser Markus IM 2384 SUI 5.0 31.0 199.0
8. Zude Arno IM 2439 GER 5.0 30.0 193.0
9. Fleck Jürgen IM 2431 GER 5.0 30.0 192.5
10. Cherniaev Alexander GM 2487 RUS 5.0 29.0 186.5
11. Knoedler Dieter FM 2371 GER 5.0 29.0 177.5
12. Pikula Dejan GM 2527 SCG 5.0 29.0 162.5
13. Kelecevic Nedeljko IM 2387 BIH 5.0 28.5 187.5
14. Moor Olivier IM 2365 SUI 5.0 24.5 180.5
15. Bjarnason Oskar 2278 ISL 5.0 23.5 161.0
16. Andersson Ulf GM 2528 SWE 5.0 23.5 147.5
17. Friedrich Norbert FM 2313 SUI 4.5 30.5 178.0
18. Lendwai Reinhard IM 2432 AUT 4.5 28.0 176.0
19. Dresen Ulrich FM 2315 GER 4.5 27.0 192.0
20. Milliet Sophie WGM 2395 FRA 4.5 27.0 183.5
21. Bucher Michael FM 2346 SUI 4.5 26.0 187.0
22. Domont Alexandre IM 2354 SUI 4.5 26.0 179.0
23. Papa Severin IM 2470 SUI 4.5 25.5 182.0
24. Rosenthal Jonathan 2239 SUI 4.5 24.5 176.5
25. Troyke Christian IM 2392 GER 4.5 23.5 188.0
26. Widmer Simon 2207 SUI 4.5 23.5 170.5
27. Akermann Thomas 2171 SUI 4.5 22.0 181.5
28. Lehmann Marco 2269 SUI 4.5 18.5 169.0
117 players

15) 12th Bad Zwesten Open

The 12th Bad Zwesten Open 2008 takes place 2nd-8th January 2008. No games available.

Official site: http://www.schachturniere-nordhessen.de/html/a_open.html

12th Bad Zwesten Open 2-8 i 2008. Round 8 Standings:
Pl Player Ti TWZ NAT Pts PktSum Buchh
1. Porper,Eduard IM 2467 ISR 6.5 27.0 27.5
2. Mainka,Romuald GM 2499 GER 5.5 23.5 29.5
3. Donchenko,Anatoly IM 2361 GER 5.0 22.0 34.0
4. Gutman,Lev GM 2470 GER 5.0 22.0 30.5
5. Bischoff,Klaus GM 2537 GER 5.0 20.5 31.5
6. Thinius,Marco IM 2335 GER 5.0 20.5 30.0
7. Kummerow,Heiko FM 2353 GER 5.0 20.0 26.0
8. Koller,Jens 2228 GER 5.0 20.0 25.5
9. Sorm,Daniel FM 2330 CR 5.0 19.5 27.5
10. Wasiluk,Kevin M 2123 USA 5.0 18.0 27.5
11. Tereick,Benjamin FM 2372 GER 4.5 22.5 33.0
12. Geske,Julian 2181 GER 4.5 19.0 28.0
13. Sohl,Jan 2140 GER 4.5 17.5 23.5
14. Mittendorf,Frank 2149 GER 4.5 17.0 25.5
15. Kersten,Uwe FM 2282 GER 4.5 17.0 25.0
59 players

16) XVIII Cracovia International Festival

The XVIII Cracovia International Chess Festival took place in Kracow, 27th December 2007 - 4th January 2008. Dariusz Szoen took clear first with 8/9.

Official site: http://www.lipska.net/~mzszach/online/cracovia2006/en/index.html

XVIII Cracovia Krakow (POL), 27 xii 2007 - 4 i 2008
Pl N Player Fed Rank Pts MBch Buch Prog
1 6 Szoen Dariusz POL 2481 8.0 39.0 49.0 41.0
2 3 Jakubiec Artur POL 2524 7.0 40.0 51.5 38.0
3 1 Czarnota Pawel POL 2554 6.5 40.5 53.5 34.5
4 4 Kveinys Aloyzas LTU 2517 6.0 40.0 51.5 33.0
5 29 Swiercz Dariusz POL 2274 6.0 40.0 51.0 34.0
6 19 Piorun Kacper POL 2353 6.0 39.5 51.5 33.0
7 5 Kravtsiv Martyn UKR 2498 6.0 39.5 51.0 33.0
8 13 Baryshpolets Andrey UKR 2399 6.0 37.0 48.0 32.0
9 12 Shkapenko Pavel RUS 2404 6.0 36.5 46.5 31.0
10 22 Granovski Aleksandar KAZ 2338 5.5 38.0 49.0 31.5
11 28 Beinoras Mindaugas LTU 2280 5.5 37.5 47.0 28.5
12 9 Kuzmicz Krystian POL 2422 5.5 36.5 47.0 28.5
13 55 Klimciauskas Domantas LTU 2147 5.5 36.0 45.5 24.5
14 18 Vaznonis Vytautas LTU 2357 5.5 36.0 44.5 29.5
15 15 Golichenko Ilija UKR 2369 5.5 35.0 45.0 27.5
16 24 Kachur Alexander UKR 2320 5.5 34.5 44.5 29.0
17 11 Mikrut Dariusz POL 2409 5.5 34.5 43.5 30.0
18 17 Kosiorek Marek POL 2358 5.5 31.5 40.5 28.5
19 23 Maciejczak Jakub POL 2328 5.5 31.0 40.0 26.5
20 21 Gumula Daniel POL 2344 5.0 35.5 45.0 29.0
21 32 Panocki Adrian POL 2266 5.0 35.5 44.5 27.5
22 27 Miroslaw Michal POL 2282 5.0 34.5 44.5 25.5
23 16 Savickas Airidas LTU 2368 5.0 34.0 42.5 29.5
24 31 Bartel Michal POL 2268 5.0 33.0 38.5 24.5
25 42 Kaim Piotr POL 2203 5.0 32.5 40.5 23.0
26 7 Tazbir Marcin POL 2464 5.0 31.5 40.5 25.0
27 36 Kalvaitis Sigitas LTU 2245 5.0 31.0 39.0 25.0
28 20 Tverdohlebov Viktor UKR 2351 5.0 30.5 38.5 18.5
29 34 Meyer Lars A. DEN 2256 5.0 29.5 38.0 23.0
30 8 Brodowski Piotr POL 2425 5.0 29.0 37.0 23.0
31 35 Narmontas Tauras LTU 2255 5.0 28.0 35.5 23.5
32 2 Jedynak Radoslaw POL 2543 5.0 27.0 34.7 21.5
73 players

17) 16th Donau Open

The 16th Donau Open took place 26th-31st December 2007. Stanislav Cifka won with 6/7. Games now available.

Official site: http://www.aschach.at/schach/

16th Donau Open 26-31 xii 2007.
Final Round 9 Standings
Rg. Name Tit Elo Nat Pts RF Rp
1 Cifka Stanislav FM 2406 CZE 6 21,5 2498
2 Neuman Petr IM 2415 CZE 21,5 2467
3 Horvath Jozsef GM 2543 HUN 21,0 2472
4 Bellia Fabrizio IM 2392 ITA 21,0 2445
5 Jurek Josef IM 2351 CZE 5 22,5 2409
6 Havlik Jan 2282 CZE 5 22,0 2373
7 Manole Vasile 2380 ROM 5 19,0 2348
8 Winiwarter Felix Dr. OE 2193 AUT 5 17,5 2304
9 Danilov Vladimir IM 2414 ROM 22,5 2361
10 Testor Sebastian MK 2188 AUT 21,0 2431
11 Szuhanek Ranko IM 2485 ROM 21,0 2347
12 Bernal Moro Luis Javier IM 2443 ESP 20,5 2318
13 Ungureanu Vlad 2319 ROM 19,5 2318
14 Wagner Stefan 2126 AUT 17,0 2244
15 Sadilek Peter 2110 AUT 17,0 2226
16 Glantz Robert 2071 GER 16,5 2341
17 Zojer Thomas MK 2157 AUT 16,5 2240
18 Rapport Richard 2197 HUN 4 19,5 2358
19 Hofbauer Peter 2091 AUT 4 19,0 2317
20 Poley Vladimir IM 2321 BLR 4 18,5 2216
21 Lau Ralf GM 2468 GER 4 17,5 2192
22 Sandhoefner Florian FM 2253 AUT 4 17,5 2138
23 Lautner Josef Mag. 2245 AUT 4 17,0 2165
24 Dumancic Pero 2175 CRO 4 16,0 2196
25 Knechtel Roland FM 2288 GER 4 14,5 2122
26 Huber Guenther 2046 AUT 4 13,0 2133
66 players

18) Carlos San José Memorial

The I Festival de Ajedrez Memorial Carlos San José took place 22nd-30th December 2007. Judit Polgar was guest of honour and gave a simultaneous display. Azer Mirzoev took clear first with 7.5/9. No games available.

Official site: http://www.ajedrezstadiumcasablanca.es/resultados.htm

I Festival de Ajedrez Memorial Carlos San José 22-30 xii 2007.
Final Round 9 Standings
Rank Name Club Pts ratP BH. BH. SB.
1 Mirzoev Azer Azerbaijan 2584 54 45 43,75
2 Adla Diego Stadium Casablanca 7 2519 50 43 36,75
3 Garza Marco Sergio Jaime Casas 7 2473 54½ 45 40,50
4 Vassily Yemelin Rusia 7 2448 52½ 43½ 39,25
5 Ubilava Elizbar España 2506 56½ 47 38,75
6 Ramiro Ovejero Juan Luis Caissa-Exalumnos Ee.pp. 2417 51½ 43½ 34,25
7 Meijers Viesturs Letonia 2392 53½ 43½ 36,75
8 Barsov Alexei Uzbequistan 2350 50½ 42 34,75
9 Gomez Anadon Daniel Stadium Casablanca 2344 48½ 42 32,75
10 Chueca Forcen Alberto Cai Olivar 2234 46 38½ 32,25
11 Lana Rodriguez David Caissa-Exalumnos Ee.pp. 2197 44 36 29,75
12 Navarro Alonso Jorge Luis Stadium Casablanca 6 2310 46 38 25,50
13 Martin Alvarez Inigo Euskadi 6 2271 47 39 28,75
14 Astasio Lopez David Euskadi 6 2238 48½ 41 29,00
15 Avila Jimenez Javier Cataluña 6 2216 47 39 29,00
16 Gimenez Martinez Alberto Stadium Casablanca 6 2146 41½ 37 22,50
17 Lopez Guaita Fernando Cai Olivar 6 2136 40½ 32½ 22,00
18 Villuendas Valero Adrian Stadium Casablanca 2272 51 41½ 29,00
19 Leon Fernandez Mario Stadium Casablanca 2233 47½ 39½ 24,25
20 Forcen Esteban Daniel Ibercaja 2146 42½ 36½ 21,75
21 Montes Santos Lorenzo Caissa-Exalumnos Ee.pp. 2137 45 37 21,00
22 Gracia Suarez Jesus Ugt Aragón 2125 43½ 37 21,75
23 Jaques Burguete Raul Stadium Casablanca 2110 44 36 22,00
24 Valiente Roy Jose Javier Ramiro 2109 41½ 34 24,25
25 Antolin Concha Diego Ibercaja 2061 42 34½ 22,75
26 Artal Alegria Francisco Javier Las Fuentes 2035 44 39½ 24,00
27 Lopez Gracia Fernando Stadium Casablanca 2034 44 37½ 25,75
28 Labena Bernal Antonio Stadium Casablanca 1983 41½ 34 24,25
103 players

19) Francesc Alsina Memorial

The Francesc Alsina Memorial took place in Parets del Vallès 30th December 2007. 8 round Swiss 20 mins per game. Jose Gonzalez won the event with 7/8. No games available.

Official site: http://www.paretana.com/htm/m_alsina.htm

Francesc Alsina Memorial 30 xii 2007 Final Round 8 Standings:
Pl Pos Ti NAT Rtg Pts Buch.-M Progr Buch
1 Gonzalez, Jose g MEX 2549 7 35.5 33.5 44.5
2 Cuartas, Jaime m COL 2496 6.5 35.5 30.5 44.0
3 Paehtz, Elisabeth m GER 2420 6 36.0 31.5 44.0
4 Panelo, Marcelo m ARG 2403 6 35.5 29.5 43.0
5 Lopez Santana, Oscar ESP 2238 6 34.0 29.0 42.5
6 Gonzalez, Raul Omar f ESP 2278 6 34.0 29.0 41.5
7 Canal, Joan   ESP 2222 6 30.0 29.0 38.0
8 Pellus, Josep   ESP 2198 5.5 33.5 28.0 41.0
9 Muñoz Pantoja, Miguel m PER 2464 5.5 33.5 27.5 41.0
10 Veciana, Pau ESP 1827 5.5 31.0 25.5 37.5
11 Subirachs, Guillem ESP 2043 5.5 30.0 26.5 35.5
12 Alfonso, Beatriz   ESP 2112 5.5 28.5 25.0 35.5
13 Fernandez, Antonio ESP 2070 5.5 28.5 24.5 35.0
14 Esquivel, Luis f PAN 2175 5 33.0 25.0 39.5
15 Bardera, Sergi ESP 2017 5 31.5 24.5 37.5
16 Fernandez, Julio ESP 2105 5 29.5 24.0 37.5
17 Llerins, Ricard ESP 2104 5 29.5 24.0 36.0
18 Rafols, Josep ESP 2143 5 29.5 23.0 37.5
19 Rosell, Jaume ESP 2108 5 28.0 23.0 33.5
20 Blas, Jordi ESP 2020 5 27.0 21.0 33.0

20) Czech Chess Christmas

The Czech Chess Christmas 2007 tournament took place in Litomysl (CZE) 26th December 2007 - 1st January 2008. David Kanovsky won the event with 7.5/9. No games available.

Official site: http://www.a64.cz/tournaments/litomysl2007/

Czech Chess Christmas Litomysl (CZE) 26 x 2007 - 1 i 2008.
Final Round 9 Standings
Rk. Name Typ   FED RtgI Pts. TB1 Rp
1 Kanovsky David   IM CZE 2396 7,5 52,5 2567
2 Cernousek Lukas   IM CZE 2405 7,0 51,5 2496
3 Petr Martin   IM CZE 2440 7,0 50,0 2488
4 Spirin Oleg   FM RUS 2404 7,0 49,5 2461
5 Cerveny Petr     CZE 2395 7,0 49,0 2466
6 Manik Mikulas   GM SVK 2420 7,0 47,5 2450
7 Swicarz Maciej     POL 2265 6,5 51,5 2440
8 Mudrak Josef   FM CZE 2324 6,5 48,5 2376
9 Krejci Jan U16 FM CZE 2397 6,5 48,0 2335
10 Skliba Martin     CZE 2255 6,5 47,0 2386
11 Zeberski Jakub   IM POL 2411 6,5 47,0 2305
12 Cerveny Martin   FM CZE 2291 6,0 53,5 2376
13 Zawadzka Jolanta   WGM POL 2371 6,0 51,0 2385
14 Hoffmann Paul   FM GER 2302 6,0 51,0 2377
15 Jasik Krzysztof     POL 2310 6,0 50,5 2411
16 Kubecka David     CZE 2271 6,0 49,0 2379
17 Klima Lukas   IM CZE 2422 6,0 48,5 2363
18 Plat Vojtech U16   CZE 2296 6,0 48,5 2344
19 Stachowiak Kamil     POL 2307 6,0 48,5 2309
20 Sabol Marian     CZE 2333 6,0 48,0 2375
21 Simacek Pavel   IM CZE 2472 6,0 48,0 2367
22 Biolek Richard Jr     CZE 2277 6,0 47,0 2267
23 Dobrowolski Piotr   IM POL 2425 6,0 46,0 2322
24 Molnar Peter   FM SVK 2257 6,0 43,5 2280
25 Andre Gordon     GER 2315 5,5 47,5 2265
26 Novotny Michal     CZE 2278 5,5 47,0 2295
27 Blecha Miroslav     CZE 2195 5,5 47,0 2259
28 Degtiarev Evgeny   FM GER 2371 5,5 46,0 2259
29 Jirasek Pavel     CZE 2271 5,5 45,5 2284
30 Jackova Jana   IM CZE 2375 5,5 45,5 2271
31 Schuetze Norman     GER 2324 5,5 45,5 2250
32 Korpalski Robert     POL 2131 5,5 45,0 2290
33 Jurkiewicz Krzysztof     POL 2218 5,5 45,0 2185
34 Schaefer Reyk     GER 2126 5,5 43,5 2123
35 Valenta Vit     CZE 2203 5,5 38,5 2068
36 Hagenbach Udo     GER 2203 5,5 35,5 2096
132 players

21) Forthcoming Events and Links

Corus Wijk aan Zee 2008

The field for the 2008 Corus tournament in Wijk aan Zee has been announced at http://www.coruschess.com Five of the top 6 in the world are playing including the new World Champion Anand and new World number 2 Ivanchuk. Also Kramnik and Gelfand who finished 2nd in Mexico City. The full field for all tournaments is now available.

The Corus Chess Tournament 2008 will be held from 11-27 January 2008 in Wijk aan Zee. The tournament venue is the De Moriaan Community Centre

Corus Wijk aan Zee 2008 A-Group 11th-27th January 2008
Ti Name NAT Y of B Rating W rnk
GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS 1975 2799 1
GM Viswanathan Anand IND 1969 2799 2
GM Veselin Topalov BUL 1975 2780 3
GM Shakhryar Mamedyarov AZE 1985 2760 6
GM Peter Leko HUN 1979 2753 8
GM Vassily Ivanchuk UKR 1969 2751 9
GM Levon Aronian ARM 1982 2739 10
GM Boris Gelfand ISR 1968 2737 11
GM Teymour Radjabov AZE 1987 2735 12
GM Magnus Carlsen NOR 1990 2733 13
GM Michael Adams ENG 1971 2726 16
GM Judit Polgar HUN 1976 2707 22
GM Pavel Eljanov UKR 1983 2692 27
GM Loek van Wely NED 1972 2681 35
Average rating: 2742 Category: 20

Corus Wijk aan Zee 2008 B-Group 11th-27th January 2008
Ti Name NAT Rating W rnk
GM Ivan Cheparinov BUL 2713 19
GM Etienne Bacrot FRA 2700 24
GM Sergey Movsesian SLK 2677 42
GM Gabriel Sargissian ARM 2676 43
GM Pentala Harikrishna IND 2664 53
GM Nigel Short ENG 2645 72
GM Michal Krasenkow POL 2636 86
GM Daniel Stellwagen NED 2625 --
GM Koneru Humpy IND 2612 --
GM Ian Nepomniachtchi RUS 2600 --
GM Erwin l'Ami NED 2581 --
GM Jan Smeets NED 2573 --
WGM Hou Yifan CHI 2527 --
IM Wouter Spoelman NED 2424 --
Average rating: 2618 Category: 15

Corus Wijk aan Zee 2008 C-Group 11th-27th January 2008
Ti Name NAT Y of B Rating
GM Evgenij Miroshnichenko UKR 1978 2647
GM Fabiano Caruana ITA 1992 2598
GM Friso Nijboer NED 1965 2578
IM Arik Braun GER 1988 2536
GM Dimitri Reinderman NED 1972 2533
GM Parimarjan Negi IND 1993 2526
GM Efstratios Grivas GRE 1966 2509
GM Pontus Carlsson SWE 1982 2501
GM John van der Wiel NED 1959 2490
WGM Anna Ushenina UKR 1985 2484
WGM Irina Krush USA 1983 2473
GM Zhaoqin Peng NED 1968 2461
IM Mark van der Werf NED 1968 2389
  Dennis Ruijgrok NED 1985 2329
Average rating: 2503 Category: 11

Corus Wijk aan Zee 2008 Honorary Group
18th-27th January 2008
  Name NAT Rating
GM Viktor Kortchnoi SUI 2605
GM Jan Timman NED 2561
GM Ljubomir Ljubojevic SRB 2543
GM Lajos Portisch HUN 2530
Average rating: 2560 Category: 13

IX European Individual Chess Championship 2008

The IX European Individual Chess Championship takes place in Plovdiv, Bulgaria 20th April (day of arrival) - 4th May (day of departure) 2008.

Official site: http://www.eicc2008.com

Pula Open 2008

The Pula Open 2008 takes place 21st-28th June 2008 in Pula, Croatia. Contact e-mail: pulaopen@globalnet.hr

Further details: http://www.skpula.hr

Évadnyitó Open

The Traditional Season's Opening (Évadnyitó) Open chess tournament in Budapest takes place 11th-19th January 2008.

Further details: http://www.firstsaturday.hu/

echiquier-nicois Website

Thierry Foissez's echiquier-nicois website reports on news and events in French daily.

http://www.echiquier-nicois.org

Hungarian Chess Tournaments January - June 2008

1. 11th-19th of January 2008 Open in Budapest, Season opening, org: IA FAZEKAS, György, e-mail: srcolonel@freemail.hu http://www.chess.hu/download/hirek/mssz_evadnyito_nk_nyilt_20070827_141136.doc More info: http://www.firstsaturday.hu

2. 19th-28th of January 2008 KECSKEMET, IM Berger tmt, org: Dr.Erdelyi, Tamas, e-mail: postmaster@caissa.t-online.hu Website: http://www.caissachessbooks.hu Usually also in the second half of the month IM tmt-s in Kecskemet. 100 km South-East from Budapest.

3. 2nd-14th of February FIRST SATURDAY Budapest GM-IM-FM, GM-IM-FM round robins (BERGER), 9…13 games, GM-IM norm possibilities in Budapest, venue: Hungarian Chess Federation, Falk Miksa Str.10. 2nd floor. Organisation: Nagy Laszlo, FIDE International Chess Organizer /NL/, E-mail: firstsat@hu.inter.net Website: http://www.firstsaturday.hu Phone-fax: +(361)-2632859, cellphone: +(36)-30-230-1914 /From 12:00 a.m. until midnight - Central European Time = GMT+1/

4. 16th-25th of February - IM tmt Kecskemet, org. Erdelyi

5. 1st-14th of March - First Saturday Budapest, org: Nagy L.

6. 21st-29th of March - Budapest Spring Festival 9 rounds Swiss Open, org.: Nagy Laszlo

7. 5th-18th of April First Saturday Budapest, org.NL,

8. 19th-28th of April, KECSKEMET, CAISSA IM tmt, org. Erdelyi

9. 3rd-15th of May First Saturday Budapest, org. NL,

11. 22nd-30th of May, ZALAKAROS Open, 9 rounds Swiss, 1st prize 500,000 Ft (brutto 2 thousand EURO), org: IM Horvath, Tamas, e-mail: mssz@zalaszam.hu Mobile: 36-20-9777003

12. 7th-19th of June First Saturday, Budapest, org: NL.,

13. 13th-21st of June, Balatonlelle Open, GM-IM round robin, org: IM Rigo, e-mail: me-ri@t-online.hu

Anand - Kramnik World Championship Match

A Press release from UEP Promotions announces that Viswanathan Anand will defend his World title against Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn, Germany October 11th–30th October, 2008. Main sponsor Evonik Industries AG and prizemoney 1,5 Million Euro. The match will be 12 games followed by playoffs if required. The contract was signed by both players 18th December 2007.

Website: http://www.uep-worldchess.com/

Morelia Linares 2008

The field has been announced for the Morelia - Linares tournament, with only Alexei Shirov not playing at Wijk aan Zee the event is a category stronger than that event but with far fewer players and also missing Vladimir Kramnik who will probably be world number 2 when the event takes place. As usual the first half is in Morelia, Mexico and the second half in Linares, Spain.

Official site:http://www.ajedrezmorelialinares.com.mx/

Morelia/Linares MEX/ESP 15-23 ii + 28 ii - 7 iii 2008
Name Year of birth Rating W rnk
GM Viswanathan Anand 1969 2801 1
GM Vassily Ivanchuk 1969 2787 2
GM Veselin Topalov 1975 2769 4
GM Peter Leko 1979 2755 5
GM Teymour Radjabov 1987 2742 8
GM Levon Aronian 1982 2741 9
GM Alexei Shirov 1972 2739 10
GM Magnus Carlsen 1990 2714 17
Category: 21

10th Hotel Hilton Basle

10. Hotel Hilton Basle chess meeting The Swiss Chess Tour 2008 traditional start in the Hilton Basle. Next year is jubilee 10th edition – Memorial Werner Hafner, 1st and 2nd January 2008, a rapid tournament.. Memorial Werner Hafner (1-2.1.2008.) 9 rounds, one hour, 30 minutes each. Prizes: 1.000/700/600/500/400/300/250/200/150/100 CHF. Special prizes 4 rating groups: 200/150/100 CHF; best Lady, senior (1948); junior (1988-1991), schoolboy (1992). Enter fee: 60 CHF (FM and juniors 30 CHF) GM & IM free. At the door 10 CHF. Jubilee dinner 60 CHF. Time-table: 1st Day/Tuesday, 1st Jania 2008: 1200: registration; 1400-1500: Round 1; 1530-1630: Round 2; 1700-1800: Round 3; 1830-1930: Round 4; 2000-2100: Round 5. 2nd Day/Wednesday, 2nd January 2008: 1330-1430: Round 6; 1500-1600: Round 7; 1630-1730: Round 8; 1800-1900: Round 9. 1930-2000: Prize giving; 2000-2200: Jubilee dinner “10 Years Hilton Chess Festival”. Players so far for Hilton: GM Sokolov (FRA), GM Glek (GER), GM Lazarev (RUS), WGM Sedina (ITA), WGM Safranska (LAT), IM Starostits (LAT), IM Benkovic (SRB), IM Filipovic (CRO), IM Krivonosov (LAT), IM Maier (GER) etc.

More information and registration: Robert Spoerri tel. +41+62+9654-650, fax +41+62+9654-651 E-mail info@beochess.ch Further information: http://www.beochess.ch

Mindsports

The World Mindsports games takes place in Beijing, China after the Olympics 3rd –18th October 2008.

Details: http://www.worldbridge.org/competitions/Calendar/files/WorldMindSportsGames2007.pdf.

Gibtelecom Chess Festival 2008

The 6th edition of Gibraltar's Gibtelecom Chess Festival will be held from 22nd-31st January 2008 at the Caleta Hotel, one of Gibraltar's best hotels. In previous years players of the quality of Alexei Shirov, Michael Adams and Nigel Short have played in the Masters section. Usually the Masters field includes at least 30 grandmasters. In 2008 the first prize in the Masters has gone up to £12,000 and the tournament is so strong at the top that it even offers a £2,000 prize for the best score by a player rated under 2600 (we think that might be unique worldwide) as well as the same amount for other rating categories down to sub-2200. There is also big money to be won in the Under 2250 (£1,500 first prize) and Under 1850 (£1,000 first prize) events. Even the relatively light-hearted evening events (which cost nothing to enter) have a combined prize fund of £1,200.

Full details and entry form: http://www.gibraltarchesscongress.com/

6th Gibraltar Gibtelecom Chess Festival 22-31 i 2008
Grischuk Alexander RUS GM 2715
Wang Yue CHN GM 2703
Bu Xiang CHN GM 2692
Bologan Viktor MDA GM 2657
Georgiev Kiril BUL GM 2649
Nakamura Hikaru USA GM 2648
Beliavsky Alexander SLO GM 2646
Socko Bartosz POL GM 2646
Pengxiang Zhang CHN GM 2644
Hao Wang CHN GM 2643
Ni Hua CHN GM 2641
Areshchenko Alexander UKR GM 2638
Efimenko Zahar UKR GM 2624
Fridman Daniel GER GM 2621
Pelletier Yannick SUI GM 2609
Petrosian Tigran ARM GM 2604
Mikhalevski Victor ISR GM 2598
Malakhatko Vadim BEL GM 2596
Berg Emanuel SWE GM 2593
Sandipan Chanda IND GM 2593
Agdestein Simen SWE GM 2589
Akobian Varuzhan USA GM 2585
Ganguly SS IND GM 2585
Modiahki Mohamed QAT GM 2572
Jones Gawain ENG GM 2567
Persson Tiger SWE GM 2567
Felgaer Ruben ARG GM 2539
Chen Zhu QAT GM 2531
Cramling Pia SWE GM 2531
Zhao Xue CHN IMe 2530
Sulskis Sarunas LTU GM 2527
Gopal GN IND GMe 2520
Cabrera Alexis COL GM 2499
Speelman Jon ENG GM 2492
Dronavalli Harika IND IM 2480
Socko Monika POL IM 2473
Mohamed Al Sayed QTR IM 2469
Muzychuk Anna SLO WGM 2469
Cmylite Victoria LTU IM 2464
Stefanova Antoaneta BUL GM 2463
Zatonskih Anna USA IM 2458
Paehtz Elisabeth GER IM 2452
Zhukova Natalia UKR WGM 2452
Shen Ying CHN WGM 2450
Greet Andrew ENG IM 2441
Bellon Juan ESP GM 2434
Dzagnidze Nana GEO IM 2416
Van Haastert Edwin NED IM 2414
Butnorius Algimentas LTU GM 2413
Sachdev Tania IND WGM 2413
Houska Jovanka ENG IM 2404
Hammer Jon Ludvig NOR FM 2402
Bellin Robert ENG IM 2400
Nisha Mohota IND WGM 2398
Rendle Thomas ENG IM 2397
Foisor Ovidiu ROU IM 2397
Milliet Sophie FRA IM 2395
Foisor Cristina ROU IM 2388

Dutch Team Championship

The Dutch Team Championships take place 15th September 2007 - 17th May 2008.

Links: Dutch Chess Federation: http://www.schaakbond.nl/ - Meesterklasse Games side bar at: http://www.schakers.info/

Bundesliga

The German Bundesliga for 2007-8 takes place 19th October 2007 - 20th April 2008. The first games were on Friday 19th October as part of the special round 7 - fixtures from this round are played before various weekend programs. Most of Rounds 3 and 4 took place 24th-25th November 2007 but the fixtures at Baden Baden take place on 15th-16th December. Rounds 5 and 6 took place 8th-9th December 2007 but there was also an extensive round 7 program on the Friday. The next games take place 8th-10th February 2008.

Official site: http://www.schachbundesliga.de/ further coverage: http://www.schach.com and also at the national Federation site at: http://www.schachbund.de/SchachBL/index.php and statistics also at: http://www.godesbergersk.de/bundesliga-statistik/. Games from Baden Baden at: http://www.rochade.de/live.htm

Stockholm Ladies Open

The Stockholm Ladies Open tournament takes place 20th-25th March 2008. The prize money is over 100 000 Skr

The Invitation are in english, Dutch and Russian http://www.scandinavian-chess.se/

25th Bled Chess Festival

The 25th Chess Festival BLED takes place 23rd February - 2nd March 2008 (the main event finishes 1st March which allows participation in other events around that time).

Details: http://www.sah-zveza.si/bled/2008/

13th Euro Chessweek in Leutersdorf

The 13th Euro Chessweek in Leutersdorf (Germany) takes place 3rd-7th February 2008.

http://www.scoberland.de/

XXI Benidorm Open

The XXI Open Internacional de Ajedrez Villa de Benidorm 2008 Benidorm organised an international tournament 1977 till 1995 now it has returned second year. The event takes place 25nd April - 4st May 2008 (10 rounds). 35.000 Euros in prizes. Information: Mr. Alfonso Vilches Tel: +34 695 91 56 78. E-mail: open@chessbenidorm.com

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

Chess Classic Mainz 2008

The schedule for Chess Classic Mainz 2008 is now available. The event takes place 21st-28th July 2008 in Mainz/Germany.

In addition there is a Chess Classic Calendar for the next year, which will be available in the first week of December. It is a big format (420 x 594 mm) and shows the stars and the biggest moments of the 14 years tournament history. The copies are limited to 200 (39,- Euro plus delivery) plus 64 with an autograph of World Champion Vishy Anand (48,- Euro plus delivery). Contact for order: juergen.wienecke@chesstigers.de

Further details: http://www.chesstigers.de

Icelandic Rapid Championships

The Icelandic Rapid Championships took place 18th-20th October 2007. Bragi and Björn Þorfinnsson will meet in the final in December which be on TV in Iceland.

Official site: http://www.skaksamband.is/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=5661&Itemid=387

Games Festival Halkidiki 2008

Games Festival is a mass event organized for the third year in Halkidiki, Greece 28th April - 6th May 2008. The festival includes series of tournaments & exhibitions in prestigious sports like, chess, billiards, bridge, darts, streetbasketball and popular table games like scrabble, strategic games, pc games etc.

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

Halkidiki Chess Festival 2008

The Halkidiki Chess Festival takes place in Kallithea, 28th April - 5 May 2008.

The Organizing Committee of the Halkdiki Chess Festival 2008. Tel/fax: +30 2310 865778 - e-mail: teotsorb@otenet.gr V.Olgas 285, Thessaloniki, Greece.

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

Moscow Open 2008

The 4th International Chess Festival Moscow Open 2008 takes place 2nd-10th February 2008. Venue - the Russian State Social University. Minimal gartanted prize fund of full festival is RUR 5 000 000 (nearly EUR 150 000 or USD 200 000, two times more than in 2007!) There are Open “A” (for all, 1st prize RUR 500 000 - also possible to play 6- or 7 days like last two years), Open “B” (<2300, 1st RUR 150 000), Women Open (new! 1st prize RUR 150 000), open tournaments for school chidrens (qualify for World School Ch). Conditions for GMs 2600+ and best rated women GMs will be given probably, for GMs 2550+ it’s still unclear. More details in the middle of September. Some days later (13-22.2) “Aeroflot Open 2008” will start. As preparation to the World Mind Games in China – 2008 there are probably "Moscow Open Mind Games 2008" - Chess 960, Bridge, Go, Shogi, Damen tournaments etc. Some days later (13-22.2) “Aeroflot Open 2008” will start.

Contact: wlct06@gmail.com

Further details: http://www.chess-events.org

Etienne Bacrot's Website

Etienne Bacrot has a website at: http://www.chess22.fr/ giving news about himself, some comments on recent events including the World Championships in Mexico City etc. Worth check out.

32nd Kings Head Rapidplay

The 32nd Kings Head Rapidplay takes place Saturday 5 April 2008 start time 11:00, details below: 6-round Swiss rapidplay (30 minutes), prize fund £700

The Porchester Hall Porchester Road Bayswater London W2 5HS

Contact: Colin Mackenzie 9 Allan Way Acton London W3 0PW 020 8992 1849 colin.mackenzie@atosorigin.com

Further details; http://www.khcc.org.uk

10th European Senior Team-Championship

10th European Senior Team-Championship take place 11th-19th February 2008 in RAMADA-Hotel in Dresden.

Further info contact: ZMD Schachfestival Dresden e.V., Oskar-Mai-Straße 6, D-01159 Dresden, Fon +49 (0)351 416 16 29, Fax: +49 (0)351 416 16 39 Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, Hepkestraße 131, D-01277 Dresden, Fon +49 (0)351 251 34 20, E-Mail: gerhard.schmidt@schachfestival.de

Alex Brunetti's TotoScacco Site

Alex Brunetti's TotoScacco Site allows predictions for current chess tournaments. http://e4e6.com/toto

Sydney International Open 2008

The 2008 Sydney International Open takes place at Parramatta Town Hall 25th-29th March 2008. Free accommodation and modest conditions are offered to GMs. All enquiries to the Tournament Organiser, FM Brian Jones, at info@chessaustralia.com.au

Details: http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/

ICC and FICS client for mobile phones

Mats Luthman has written a program that connects to ICC and FICS, compatable with many modern mobile phones. I've been looking for something like this for a while for watching live tournaments if I'm out and about. Its a nice free solution, you can also play but I haven't tried that.

Website: http://www.luthman.nu/Mobi/Mobi.html