THE WEEK IN CHESS 696 10th March 2008 by Mark Crowther

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Mark Crowther
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Contents

1) Introduction
2) Morelia - Linares Tournament
3) Reykjavic Open
4) Bundesliga
5) Ibero-Americano Championship
6) First Saturday March
7) 65th Polish Championship
8) 65th Georgian Women's Championship
9) 24th Bad Wörishofen Schachfestival
10) L'Ami vs Stellwagen Complete Chess Match
11) 3rd l'Ouest Toulousain Open
12) Breizh Masters Guingamp
13) Russian u20 Championships
14) Blackpool Chess Congress
15) 126th Varsity Match
16) Reykjavic Championship
17) 43rd Cyprus Championship
18) Mediterranean Flowers WGM tournament
19) Bunratty Chess Festival
20) 10th Rector Cup
21) Match of Champions in Kharkiv
22) 4th Rectors Cup Belgorod
23) Romanian Championship
24) Russian Women's First League Final
25) US Amateur Team East
26) Belgian Interteams
27) Dutch Team Championship
28) Finnish Team Championships
29) Lendas do Xadrez tournament
30) 40th Belgrade Women's International
31) World Championship Match Anand vs Kramnik in Bonn
32) FIDE Grand Prix Events
33) Forthcoming Events and Links


Games Section
Morelia - Linares Tournament12 games
Reykjavic Open216 games
Bundesliga128 games
Ibero-Americano Championship16 games
First Saturday March80 games
65th Polish Championship42 games
65th Georgian Women's Championship36 games
24th Bad Wörishofen Schachfestival279 games
L'Ami vs Stellwagen Complete Chess Match4 games
3rd l'Ouest Toulousain Open100 games
Breizh Masters Guingamp90 games
Russian u20 Championships24 games
Blackpool Chess Congress122 games
126th Varsity Match8 games
Reykjavic Championship252 games
43rd Cyprus Championship188 games
Mediterranean Flowers WGM tournament55 games
Bunratty Chess Festival140 games
10th Rector Cup90 games
Match of Champions in Kharkiv6 games
4th Rectors Cup Belgorod45 games
Romanian Championship139 games
Russian Women's First League Final392 games
US Amateur Team East288 games
Belgian Interteams96 games
Lendas do Xadrez tournament15 games
40th Belgrade Women's International40 games
2903 games

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1) Introduction

My thanks to Henri Koskinen, Snorri G. Bergsson, Varlam Vepkhvishvili, Zenón Franco Ocampos, Jürgen Wempe, Nebojsa Baralic, Thomas Henrich, Miklos Orso, Valery Maes, Boris Yeshan, Eduard Piacun, Manuel Rodríguez García, Luiz Roberto Da Costa Jr, Thierry Paris, Yochanan Afek, Vladica Andrejic, Gerry Graham, Michael Rahal, Dave Clayton, Sinisa Joksic, Doug Bake, Rolf Behovits, Bill Townsend and everyone else who helped with the issue.

A huge issue of games this week and quality too. Viswanathan Anand takes the headlines as he won the Morelia Linares tournament and he will definitey be world number one alone in April (the event will be rated) and with his world title he has strengthened his grip to be recognised as the best player in the world. Magnus Carlsen was less steady but in coming second he really strengthens the idea that he will become world champion one day. Elsewhere there too many events team, all-play-all and swiss to mention. Plenty to keep you busy for the week.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) Morelia - Linares Tournament

The Morelia - Linares tournament took place 15th-23rd February (Mexican half) and then 28th February - 7th March 2008 (Spanish half). Viswanathan Anand took clear first half a point clear of Magnus Carlsen.

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


Round 12 (March 4, 2008)
Anand, Viswanathan - Lékó, Peter ˝-˝ 37 C88 Ruy Lopez Closed
Carlsen, Magnus - Topalov, Veselin 1-0 37 A28 English Four Knights
Ivanchuk, Vassily - Radjabov, Teimour ˝-˝ 58 B45 Sicilian Classical
Shirov, Alexei - Aronian, Levon ˝-˝ 77 C89 Ruy Lopez Marshall
Round 13 (March 6, 2008)
Aronian, Levon - Carlsen, Magnus ˝-˝ 28 E17 Queens Indian
Topalov, Veselin - Lékó, Peter 1-0 48 C88 Ruy Lopez Closed
Radjabov, Teimour - Shirov, Alexei 1-0 29 B92 Sicilian Najdorf with 6.Be2
Ivanchuk, Vassily - Anand, Viswanathan ˝-˝ 23 B86 Sicilian Sozin Attack
Round 14 (March 7, 2008)
Anand, Viswanathan - Topalov, Veselin ˝-˝ 23 B92 Sicilian Najdorf with 6.Be2
Carlsen, Magnus - Radjabov, Teimour ˝-˝ 69 C63 Ruy Lopez Schliemann
Lékó, Peter - Aronian, Levon ˝-˝ 34 C88 Ruy Lopez Closed
Shirov, Alexei - Ivanchuk, Vassily ˝-˝ 30 C12 French MacCutcheon

XXV SuperGM Morelia/Linares (MEX/ESP), 15 ii-7 iii 2008 cat. XXI (2756)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2799 * * 1 ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ 1 1 2829
2. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2733 0 ˝ * * 1 ˝ 1 1 0 ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ 0 ˝ 1 8 2808
3. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2739 1 ˝ 0 ˝ * * 0 1 ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ 2787
4. Topalov, Veselin g BUL 2780 ˝ ˝ 0 0 1 0 * * ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ 1 1 0 1 2781
5. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2735 ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ * * ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ 0 1 7 2758
6. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2751 ˝ ˝ ˝ 0 0 ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ ˝ * * 1 1 ˝ ˝ 2727
7. Lékó, Peter g HUN 2753 0 ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ ˝ 0 0 1 ˝ 0 0 * * ˝ ˝ 2676
8. Shirov, Alexei g ESP 2755 0 0 ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ 1 0 1 0 ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ * * 2675

3) Reykjavic Open

The Reykjavic Open takes place 3rd-11th March 2008.

Official site for the Reykjavic Open

The event will be followed by the Icelandic Rapid Championships which act as the Bobby Fischer Memorial. Special guests will arrive for some days of rememberance, and festivity, including Boris Spassky, Lajos Portisch, Vlastomil Hort, and other older masters.

Official site: http://www.skaksamband.is

XXIII Open Reykjavik (ISL), 3-11 iii 2008
Leading Round 7 (of 9) Standings:
Rk. Name Ti FED Rtg Pts. TB1 Rp
1 Wang Hao GM CHN 2665 6,0 21,0 2772
2 Stefansson Hannes GM ISL 2564 5,5 20,0 2634
3 Wang Yue GM CHN 2698 5,5 20,0 2649
4 Caruana Fabiano GM ITA 2598 5,0 22,5 2666
5 Kveinys Aloyzas GM LTU 2521 5,0 22,5 2632
6 Halkias Stelios GM GRE 2580 5,0 21,5 2648
7 Mikhalevski Victor GM ISR 2632 5,0 21,5 2616
8 Hillarp Persson Tiger GM SWE 2535 5,0 19,5 2545
9 Lie Kjetil A GM NOR 2556 5,0 19,5 2590
10 Malakhatko Vadim GM BEL 2600 5,0 19,0 2610
11 Thorfinnsson Bragi IM ISL 2406 5,0 18,5 2502
12 Al-Modiahki Mohamad GM QAT 2569 5,0 18,5 2533
13 Gaponenko Inna IM UKR 2422 4,5 22,0 2608
14 Stefanova Antoaneta GM BUL 2464 4,5 20,0 2507
15 Meier Georg GM GER 2570 4,5 20,0 2507
16 Carlsson Pontus GM SWE 2501 4,5 19,5 2522
17 Paehtz Elisabeth IM GER 2420 4,5 19,5 2563
18 Arakhamia-Grant Ketevan IM SCO 2457 4,5 19,0 2461
19 Dizdar Goran GM CRO 2564 4,5 19,0 2507
20 Thorfinnsson Bjorn FM ISL 2364 4,5 18,5 2505
21 Tania Sachdev IM IND 2417 4,5 18,5 2532
22 Vavrak Peter IM SVK 2472 4,0 23,0 2556
23 Adly Ahmed GM EGY 2551 4,0 22,5 2505
24 Lie Espen IM NOR 2428 4,0 22,0 2561
25 Robson Ray FM USA 2389 4,0 21,5 2497
26 Galego Luis GM POR 2529 4,0 21,0 2479
27 Bjornsson Sigurbjorn FM ISL 2286 4,0 20,0 2455
28 Malisauskas Vidmantas GM LTU 2489 4,0 19,5 2438
29 Kristjansson Stefan IM ISL 2476 4,0 19,5 2395
30 Gunnarsson Jon Viktor IM ISL 2429 4,0 19,5 2493
31 Nataf Igor-Alexandre GM FRA 2552 4,0 19,5 2371
32 Jankovic Alojzije GM CRO 2541 4,0 19,0 2404
33 Bojkov Dejan IM BUL 2523 4,0 19,0 2392
34 Miezis Normunds GM LAT 2553 4,0 18,5 2410
35 Danielsen Henrik GM ISL 2506 4,0 18,5 2392
36 Nyzhnyk Illya FM UKR 2405 4,0 18,0 2359
37 Popovic Milos T IM SRB 2405 4,0 17,5 2326
38 Grover Sahaj FM IND 2242 4,0 17,0 2378
39 Lagerman Robert FM ISL 2348 4,0 16,0 2303
40 Bjarnason Saevar IM ISL 2226 4,0 15,5 2318
41 Jackova Jana IM CZE 2375 4,0 13,0 2218
42 Simutowe Amon IM ZAM 2457 3,5 21,0 2394
43 Perunovic Miodrag IM SRB 2440 3,5 2364
91 players

4) Bundesliga

The German Bundesliga for 2007-8 takes place 19th October 2007 - 20th April 2008. Rounds 10 and 11 took place 8th-9th March 2008. Next rounds 5th-6th April 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.phpand statistics also at: http://www.godesbergersk.de/bundesliga-statistik/.

Bundesliga Rounds 10-11 8-9 iii 2008
Round 10 8/3/2008
Venue: Bindlach
Bindlach-Aktionä 4˝-3˝ SC Kreuzberg
1 Navara,David 0-1 Sargissian,Ga 2
2 Baklan,Vladim 1-0 Luther,Thomas 5
3 Laznicka,Vikt 1-0 Kalinitschew, 7
4 Baramidze,Dav 1-0 Volke,Karsten 8
5 Bindrich,Falk 0-1 Moser,Eva 10
7 Slobodjan,Rom ˝-˝ Loeffler,Stef 11
9 Markos,Jan 0-1 Schilow,Vladi 12
10 Stohl,Igor Dr 1-0 Huth,Kevin 16
Erfurter SK 4-4 SK Zehlendorf
1 Kraemer,Marti 0-1 Maksimenko,An 3
2 Votava,Jan 1-0 Novikov,Stani 4
3 Haba,Petr ˝-˝ Berczes,David 6
4 Kuczynski,Rob ˝-˝ Prohaszka,Pet 8
5 Machelett,Hei ˝-˝ Meister,Jakov 9
6 Mueller,Matth 0-1 Berger,Steve 10
7 Enders,Peter ˝-˝ Orzech,Domini 12
8 Casper,Thomas 1-0 Brener,Ilia 15
Venue: Eppingen
SC Eppingen 3-5 OSC Baden Baden
1 Tiviakov,Serg ˝-˝ Svidler,Peter 2
2 Berkes,Ferenc ˝-˝ Bacrot,Etienn 5
3 Braun,Arik 0-1 Nisipeanu,Liv 6
4 Gyimesi,Zolta ˝-˝ Movsesian,Ser 7
5 Balogh,Csaba ˝-˝ Harikrishna,P 9
6 Acs,Peter 0-1 Naiditsch,Ark 10
7 Guliyev,Namig ˝-˝ Schlosser,Phi 13
8 Medvegy,Zolta ˝-˝ Doettling,Fab 14
TV Tegernsee 4-4 SC Trier
1 Volokitin,And 1-0 Cyborowski,Lu 2
4 Khenkin,Igor ˝-˝ Flumbort,Andr 4
5 Sokolov,Andre ˝-˝ Jaracz,Pawel 5
6 Ribli,Zoltan 0-1 Parligras,Mir 6
7 Rozentalis,Ed 1-0 Gonda,Laszlo 7
10 Boensch,Uwe ˝-˝ Galyas,Miklos 8
11 Kindermann,St ˝-˝ Seger,Ruedige 9
14 Gross,David 0-1 Cioara,Andrei 11
Venue: Muelheim
SV Mülheim Nord 5˝-2˝ SC Remagen
2 Landa,Konstan ˝-˝ Miroshnichenk 3
3 Fridman,Danie ˝-˝ Avrukh,Boris 4
4 Vachier-Lagra ˝-˝ Fedorchuk,Ser 5
5 Tregubov,Pave 1-0 Goloshchapov, 6
7 Golod,Vitali ˝-˝ Degraeve,Jean 7
8 Berelovich,Al 1-0 Popovic,Petar 8
10 Levin,Felix 1-0 Mainka,Romual 9
13 Schebler,Gerh ˝-˝ Swinkels,Robi 12
SF Katernberg 6-2 Godesberger SK
1 Motylev,Alexa ˝-˝ Kasimdzhanov, 1
2 L'Ami,Erwin ˝-˝ Lutz,Christop 2
4 Postny,Evgeny 1-0 Sprenger,Jan- 3
6 Chuchelov,Vla 1-0 Likavsky,Toma 7
7 Firman,Nazar 1-0 Breder,Dennis 8
9 Senff,Martin ˝-˝ Jackelen,Thom 9
11 Ris,Robert 1-0 Seul,Georg 10
12 Souleidis,Geo ˝-˝ Dranov,Alexan 11
Venue: Hamburg
Hamburger SK 3˝-4˝ SG Aljechin Soli
2 Gustafsson,Ja 1-0 Stellwagen,Da 1
3 Ftacnik,Lubom ˝-˝ Nikolic,Predr 2
4 Kempinski,Rob ˝-˝ Jussupow,Artu 3
7 Mueller,Karst 1-0 Naumann,Alexa 5
8 Heinemann,Thi 0-1 Werle,Jan 6
9 Beikert,Guent ˝-˝ Hoffmann,Mich 7
11 Sebastian,Dir 0-1 Ragger,Markus 8
15 Huschenbeth,N 0-1 Ernst,Sipke 10
Werder Bremen 5-3 SV Wattenscheid
1 McShane,Luke 0-1 Eljanov,Pavel 1
2 Efimenko,Zaha 0-1 Najer,Evgeniy 2
3 Areshchenko,A ˝-˝ Rustemov,Alex 4
4 Fressinet,Lau 1-0 Johannessen,L 5
7 Hracek,Zbynek ˝-˝ Appel,Ralf 8
8 Nyback,Tomi 1-0 Holzke,Frank 9
9 Babula,Vlasti 1-0 Handke,Floria 10
11 Fish,Gennadij 1-0 Straeter,Timo 13
Round 11 9/3/2008
Venue: Bindlach
SC Kreuzberg 3-5 Erfurter SK
2 Sargissian,Ga 1-0 Kraemer,Marti 1
5 Luther,Thomas ˝-˝ Votava,Jan 2
6 Tischbierek,R 0-1 Haba,Petr 3
7 Kalinitschew, ˝-˝ Kuczynski,Rob 4
8 Volke,Karsten ˝-˝ Machelett,Hei 5
10 Moser,Eva 0-1 Mueller,Matth 6
11 Loeffler,Stef 0-1 Enders,Peter 7
12 Schilow,Vladi ˝-˝ Casper,Thomas 8
SK Zehlendorf 3-5 Bindlach-Aktionä
3 Maksimenko,An ˝-˝ Navara,David 1
4 Novikov,Stani ˝-˝ Baklan,Vladim 2
6 Berczes,David 0-1 Laznicka,Vikt 3
8 Prohaszka,Pet 0-1 Baramidze,Dav 4
9 Meister,Jakov ˝-˝ Bindrich,Falk 5
10 Berger,Steve ˝-˝ Slobodjan,Rom 7
12 Orzech,Domini ˝-˝ Markos,Jan 9
15 Brener,Ilia ˝-˝ Stohl,Igor Dr 10
Venue: Eppingen
OSC Baden Baden 5˝-2˝ TV Tegernsee
2 Svidler,Peter 1-0 Volokitin,And 1
5 Bacrot,Etienn ˝-˝ Khenkin,Igor 4
6 Nisipeanu,Liv ˝-˝ Sokolov,Andre 5
7 Movsesian,Ser ˝-˝ Ribli,Zoltan 6
9 Harikrishna,P ˝-˝ Rozentalis,Ed 7
10 Naiditsch,Ark 1-0 Boensch,Uwe 10
13 Schlosser,Phi ˝-˝ Kindermann,St 11
14 Doettling,Fab 1-0 Gross,David 14
SC Trier 2-6 SC Eppingen
2 Cyborowski,Lu 0-1 Tiviakov,Serg 1
4 Flumbort,Andr ˝-˝ Berkes,Ferenc 2
5 Jaracz,Pawel 0-1 Braun,Arik 3
6 Parligras,Mir ˝-˝ Gyimesi,Zolta 4
7 Gonda,Laszlo ˝-˝ Balogh,Csaba 5
8 Galyas,Miklos 0-1 Acs,Peter 6
9 Seger,Ruedige 0-1 Guliyev,Namig 7
11 Cioara,Andrei ˝-˝ Medvegy,Zolta 8
Venue: Muelheim
SC Remagen 4-4 SF Katernberg
3 Miroshnichenk ˝-˝ Motylev,Alexa 1
4 Avrukh,Boris ˝-˝ L'Ami,Erwin 2
5 Fedorchuk,Ser 0-1 Postny,Evgeny 4
6 Goloshchapov, 1-0 Chuchelov,Vla 6
7 Degraeve,Jean 0-1 Firman,Nazar 7
8 Popovic,Petar ˝-˝ Senff,Martin 9
9 Mainka,Romual 1-0 Siebrecht,Seb 10
12 Swinkels,Robi ˝-˝ Ris,Robert 11
Godesberger SK 1˝-6˝ SV Mülheim Nord
1 Kasimdzhanov, ˝-˝ Landa,Konstan 2
2 Lutz,Christop ˝-˝ Fridman,Danie 3
3 Sprenger,Jan- 0-1 Vachier-Lagra 4
7 Likavsky,Toma 0-1 Tregubov,Pave 5
9 Jackelen,Thom ˝-˝ Golod,Vitali 7
11 Dranov,Alexan 0-1 Berelovich,Al 8
13 Armbruster,Al 0-1 Levin,Felix 10
15 Samorukova,Ja 0-1 Schebler,Gerh 13
Venue: Hamburg
SG Aljechin Soli 3˝-4˝ Werder Bremen
1 Stellwagen,Da ˝-˝ McShane,Luke 1
2 Nikolic,Predr ˝-˝ Efimenko,Zaha 2
3 Jussupow,Artu ˝-˝ Areshchenko,A 3
5 Naumann,Alexa ˝-˝ Fressinet,Lau 4
6 Werle,Jan ˝-˝ Hracek,Zbynek 7
7 Hoffmann,Mich ˝-˝ Nyback,Tomi 8
8 Ragger,Markus 0-1 Babula,Vlasti 9
10 Ernst,Sipke ˝-˝ Fish,Gennadij 11
SV Wattenscheid 4˝-3˝ Hamburger SK
1 Eljanov,Pavel ˝-˝ Gustafsson,Ja 2
2 Najer,Evgeniy 1-0 Ftacnik,Lubom 3
4 Rustemov,Alex ˝-˝ Kempinski,Rob 4
5 Johannessen,L ˝-˝ Mueller,Karst 7
8 Appel,Ralf ˝-˝ Heinemann,Thi 8
9 Holzke,Frank ˝-˝ Beikert,Guent 9
10 Handke,Floria ˝-˝ Reeh,Oliver 10
13 Straeter,Timo ˝-˝ Sebastian,Dir 11

Bundesliga Rounds 11 Standings
1 OSC Baden Baden 11 22 61˝
2 SV Mülheim Nord 11 17 54˝
3 Werder Bremen 11 16 50˝
4 Bindlach-Aktionä 11 15 47˝
5 TV Tegernsee 11 13 44˝
6 SF Katernberg 11 12 44˝
7 SG Aljechin Soli 11 11 47
8 SC Eppingen 11 10 42˝
9 SC Trier 11 10 40˝
10 SV Wattenscheid 11 10 40˝
11 Hamburger SK 11 9 43˝
12 Erfurter SK 11 8 38˝
13 SC Remagen 11 7 39˝
14 SK Zehlendorf 11 7 37˝
15 SC Kreuzberg 11 5 40
16 Godesberger SK 11 4 31˝

5) Ibero-Americano Championship

The II Ibero-Americano Championship saw its second phase take place in Linares, Spain 28th February - 8th March 2008. There were two double round robin groups of four players followed by a final won by Julio Granda Zuniga against Eduardo Iturrizaga and a 3rd-4th playoff won by Giovanni Vescovi.

Official sites: http://www.fibda.com/ and http://www.ajedrezmorelialinares.com.mx/


II ch-Ibero-Americano Gp A Linares (ESP), 15-19 ii 2008 cat. XIII (2571)
1 2 3 4
1. Granda Zuniga, Julio E g PER 2588 * * 1 0 ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ 2622
2. Flores, Diego m ARG 2558 0 1 * * 1 ˝ 0 1 2632
3. Hernandez Carmenates, Holden g CUB 2590 ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ * * 1 0 2507
4. De la Riva Aguado, Oscar g AND 2548 0 ˝ 1 0 0 1 * * 2521

II ch-Ibero-Americano Gp B Linares (ESP), 15-19 ii 2008 cat. XII (2550)
1 2 3 4
1. Iturrizaga, Eduardo m VEN 2470 * * 1 ˝ 0 1 ˝ 1 4 2701
2. Vescovi, Giovanni g BRA 2617 0 ˝ * * ˝ 1 0 1 3 2527
3. Bruzon Batista, Lazaro g CUB 2607 1 0 ˝ 0 * * 0 1 2473
4. Bachmann, Axel g PAR 2505 ˝ 0 1 0 1 0 * * 2507

II ch-Ibero-Americano Gp A Linares Playoff 5 iii 2008
Flores, Diego - Granda Zuniga, Julio E 0-1 56 D36 QGD Exchange
Granda Zuniga, Julio E - Flores, Diego ˝-˝ 52 B07 Pirc Defence

II ch-Ibero-Americano Gp A P/O Linares ESP (ESP), 5 iii 2008
1 2
Granda Zuniga, Julio E g PER 2588 1 ˝ 2751
Flores, Diego m ARG 2558 0 ˝ ˝ 2395

II ch-Ibero-Americano 3rd-4th Linares ESP (ESP), 6-7 iii 2008
Vescovi, Giovanni - Flores, Diego 1-0 68 E91 King's Indian Classical
Flores, Diego - Vescovi, Giovanni 0-1 35 D40 Semi-Tarrasch Defence

II ch-Ibero-Americano 3rd-4th
Linares (ESP), 6-7 iii 2008
1 2
Vescovi, Giovanni g BRA 2617 1 1 2
Flores, Diego m ARG 2558 0 0 0

II ch-Ibero-Americano Final Linares ESP (ESP), 6-7 iii 2008
Granda Zuniga, Julio E - Iturrizaga, Eduardo 0-1 129 D38 QGD Ragozin
Iturrizaga, Eduardo - Granda Zuniga, Julio E 0-1 41 E15 Queens Indian
Granda Zuniga, Julio E - Iturrizaga, Eduardo ˝-˝ 77 E20 Nimzo Indian
Iturrizaga, Eduardo - Granda Zuniga, Julio E 0-1 52 D45 Anti-Meran Variations

II ch-Ibero-Americano Final Linares ESP (ESP), 6-7 iii 2008
1 2 3 4
Granda Zuniga, Julio E g PER 2588 0 1 ˝ 1 2565
Iturrizaga, Eduardo m VEN 2470 1 0 ˝ 0 2501

6) First Saturday March

The First Saturday February GM-IM-FM closed tournaments take place in Budapest 1st-14th March 2008. (break 2nd March for team events)

Official site: http://www.firstsaturday.hu


FSGM March Budapest HUN cat. VIII (2448)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
1. Ilincic, Zlatko g SRB 2561 * 0 . ˝ . 1 ˝ 1 . . . . 1 ˝ 2525
2. Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy f VIE 2398 1 * ˝ . . . . ˝ . ˝ . ˝ ˝ 1 2526
3. Fodor, Tamas jr f HUN 2407 . ˝ * ˝ . ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ . ˝ . . . 4 2516
4. Roussel-Roozmon, Thomas m CAN 2442 ˝ . ˝ * ˝ . . . 1 ˝ ˝ ˝ . . 4 2523
5. Varga, Zoltan g HUN 2506 . . . ˝ * . . ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ . 1 ˝ 4 2480
6. Garbisu de Goni, Unai m ESP 2464 0 . ˝ . . * . . ˝ ˝ 1 1 . ˝ 4 2513
7. Bui Vinh m VIE 2482 ˝ . ˝ . . . * . 0 1 . 0 1 1 4 2479
8. Antal, Gergely m HUN 2467 0 ˝ 0 . ˝ . . * . . . 1 1 1 4 2482
9. Szabo, Krisztian1 m HUN 2500 . . ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ 1 . * ˝ ˝ . . . 2456
10. Wang Puchen m NZL 2383 . ˝ . ˝ ˝ ˝ 0 . ˝ * ˝ . . . 3 2421
11. Kosic, Dragan g MNE 2511 . . ˝ ˝ ˝ 0 . . ˝ ˝ * ˝ . . 3 2399
12. Llaneza Vega, Marcos m ESP 2445 . ˝ . ˝ . 0 1 0 . . ˝ * 0 . 2331
13. Porat, Ido f ISR 2272 0 ˝ . . 0 . 0 0 . . . 1 * 1 2368
14. Rajlich, Iweta m POL 2437 ˝ 0 . . ˝ ˝ 0 0 . . . . 0 * 2220

FSIM March Budapest HUN, 1-14 iii 2008 cat. II (2285)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3
1. To, Nhat Minh HUN 2293 * . . ˝ . ˝ ˝ 1 1 1 . . 1 2493
2. Werner, Dimo m GER 2293 . * 1 ˝ . ˝ ˝ . . 1 . ˝ ˝ 2379
3. Balla, Tamas f ROU 2341 . 0 * . . ˝ 1 . . 1 1 ˝ . 4 2371
4. Gara, Anita wg HUN 2325 ˝ ˝ . * 1 . . 0 1 . 1 0 . 4 2344
5. Duong The Anh f VIE 2381 . . . 0 * 1 . 1 ˝ 0 . . 1 2317
6. Schmidt, Raul ROU 2160 ˝ ˝ ˝ . 0 * . 0 . . 1 1 . 2303
7. Szamoskozi, Gabor HUN 2280 ˝ ˝ 0 . . . * . . ˝ ˝ 1 . 3 2278
8. Lorand, Norbert HUN 2259 0 . . 1 0 1 . * 0 . . . ˝ 2241
9. Llaneza Vega, Patricia wm ESP 2281 0 . . 0 ˝ . . 1 * . 0 . 1 2254
10. Porat, Maya ISR 2190 0 0 0 . 1 . ˝ . . * 0 1 . 2204
11. Lengyel, Bela m HUN 2261 . . 0 0 . 0 ˝ . 1 1 * . 0 2173
12. Szegi, Tomas SVK 2293 . ˝ ˝ 1 . 0 0 . . 0 . * . 2 2139
13. Szeberenyi, Adam m HUN 2350 0 ˝ . . 0 . . ˝ 0 . 1 . * 2 2169

7) 65th Polish Championship

The 65th Polish Chess Championship took place in Lublin 25th February - 9th March 2008. Bartosz Socko took clear first place with 9/13.

Official site: http://www.lzszach.lublin.pl/mpm2008/

65th ch-POL Lublin (POL), 2 ii-9 iii 2008 cat. XIII (2553)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
1. Socko, Bartosz g POL 2635 * ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 1 ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ ˝ 1 1 9 2687
2. Macieja, Bartlomiej g POL 2617 ˝ * 1 ˝ 0 1 ˝ 1 ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ 1 ˝ 2658
3. Wojtaszek, Radoslaw g POL 2614 ˝ 0 * ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 1 1 ˝ 1 ˝ ˝ 1 2658
4. Dziuba, Marcin g POL 2556 ˝ ˝ ˝ * 0 ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ 1 1 1 ˝ 1 2662
5. Gajewski, Grzegorz g POL 2594 0 1 ˝ 1 * ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 1 1 8 2636
6. Miton, Kamil g POL 2609 0 0 ˝ ˝ ˝ * ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ 1 ˝ 1 1 2605
7. Bobras, Piotr g POL 2581 ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ ˝ * ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 2550
8. Bartel, Mateusz g POL 2613 ˝ 0 0 0 1 ˝ ˝ * ˝ ˝ 0 1 1 1 2548
9. Heberla, Bartlomiej g POL 2506 ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ * ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 6 2527
10. Grabarczyk, Miroslaw g POL 2476 0 ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ * ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 6 2529
11. Czakon, Jakub m POL 2504 ˝ 0 0 0 ˝ 0 ˝ 1 ˝ ˝ * 0 1 1 2499
12. Moranda, Wojciech m POL 2533 ˝ ˝ ˝ 0 0 ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ 1 * ˝ 0 5 2467
13. Lubczynski, Rafal m POL 2413 0 0 ˝ ˝ 0 0 ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ * 1 4 2422
14. Szoen, Dariusz m POL 2491 0 ˝ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 * 2221

8) 65th Georgian Women's Championship

The 65th Georgian Women's Championship takes place in Tbilisi 28th February - 12th March 2008. News: Varlam Vepkhvishvili, games entered by Marika Japaridze my thanks for her help. Sopio Gvetadze has withdrawn and her games won't count towards the final standings. I have reworked the table to reflect that.

65th ch-GEO w Tbilisi GEO 28 ii-12 iii 2008 cat. IV (2328)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3
1. Melia, Salome wg GEO 2362 * ˝ . ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 . 1 1 1 ˝ 1 2524
2. Dzagnidze, Nana m GEO 2429 ˝ * ˝ . 1 1 . 1 1 0 1 0 1 7 2460
3. Khukhashvili, Sopiko m GEO 2387 . ˝ * 1 1 ˝ ˝ 1 1 ˝ 0 . ˝ 2435
4. Lomineishvili, Maia m GEO 2410 ˝ . 0 * ˝ 0 1 0 ˝ . 1 1 1 2333
5. Charkhalashvili, Inga wg GEO 2369 ˝ 0 0 ˝ * 1 ˝ . ˝ 1 0 1 ˝ 2335
6. Tsatsalashvili, Keti wf GEO 2214 ˝ 0 ˝ 1 0 * ˝ ˝ . 1 . ˝ ˝ 5 2346
7. Guramishvili, Sopiko wm GEO 2300 0 . ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ * 1 1 0 1 ˝ . 5 2321
8. Tereladze, Sopiko wm GEO 2195 . 0 0 1 . ˝ 0 * 0 1 ˝ 1 1 5 2333
9. Khotenashvili, Bela wg GEO 2271 0 0 0 ˝ ˝ . 0 1 * ˝ 1 1 . 2309
10. Khurtsidze, Nino m GEO 2441 0 1 ˝ . 0 0 1 0 ˝ * 0 1 ˝ 2244
11. Khurtsilava, Inga wm GEO 2312 0 0 1 0 1 . 0 ˝ 0 1 * . ˝ 4 2276
12. Nikoladze, Sopio wm GEO 2251 ˝ 1 . 0 0 ˝ ˝ 0 0 0 . * 1 2220
13. Batsiashvili, Nino wm GEO 2317 0 0 ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ . 0 . ˝ ˝ 0 * 2144

9) 24th Bad Wörishofen Schachfestival

The 24th Bad Wörishofen Schachfestival took place 28th February - 7th March 2008. Vladimir Burmakin took first place on Buchholz tie-break after 6 players finished on 7/9.

Official site: http://chessorg.de/bad_woerishofen.php

24th Bad Wörishofen Schachfestival 28th ii - 7th iii 2008
Platz Name Pkt. Buch. Feinw.
1. Burmakin Vladimir 7.0 56.50 461.00
2. Georgiev Vladimir 7.0 54.50 453.50
3. Borovikov Vladislav 7.0 54.00 456.50
4. Drozdovsky Yuriy 7.0 53.50 452.00
5. Teske Henrik 7.0 53.00 437.00
6. Rozentalis Eduardas 7.0 51.00 445.00
7. Iotov Valentin 6.5 53.50 449.00
8. Kunin Vitaly 6.5 53.50 431.00
9. Epishin Vladimir 6.5 52.50 448.00
10. Lupor Andre 6.5 51.50 423.50
11. Pirrot Dieter 6.5 49.00 423.50
12. Anistratov Dimitrij 6.5 49.00 403.50
13. Ivanov Michail 6.5 46.50 426.00
14. Babar Michael 6.5 46.00 401.00
15. Skembris Spyridon 6.0 53.00 423.50
16. De Francesco Klaus 6.0 52.00 424.50
17. Zdebskaja Natalia 6.0 49.00 420.00
18. Karpatchev Alexander 6.0 49.00 417.50
19. Loew Gerald 6.0 48.50 423.50
20. Bronznik Valeri 6.0 48.50 412.00
21. Salvermoser Bernd 6.0 47.00 411.50
22. Trabert Bettina 6.0 44.50 394.00
23. Stuemer Paul 6.0 44.00 403.50
24. Gerstner Bernhard 6.0 44.00 395.00
167 players

10) L'Ami vs Stellwagen Complete Chess Match

The "Chess Events Maastricht Foundation" organised a four game "complete chess" match between Erwin L'Ami and Daniel Stellwagen 3rd-6th March 2008. The rules were that both players were allowed to use a computer during the games, as in Advanced Chess. The time limit was 40 moves in two hours, followed by 20 in one hour and finally 15 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. Advanced Chess with the time limits of Classic Chess is called Complete Chess. The first moves were forced: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6, the Two Knights Defence. The first and second game continued with the main line 4. d4, the third and fourth game with the classical move 4. Ng5. The match finished in a 2-2 draw.

http://www.chessevents.nl/ast_match.shtml

Complete Chess Match Maastricht (NED), 3-6 iii 2008
Stellwagen, Daniël - L'Ami, Erwin ˝-˝ 43 C56 Two Knights Defence
L'Ami, Erwin - Stellwagen, Daniël ˝-˝ 40 C56 Two Knights Defence
L'Ami, Erwin - Stellwagen, Daniël ˝-˝ 53 C59 Two Knights Defence
Stellwagen, Daniël - L'Ami, Erwin ˝-˝ 36 C58 Two Knights Defence

Complete Chess Match Maastricht (NED), 3-6 iii 2008
1 2 3 4
L'Ami, Erwin g NED 2581 ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ 2 2625
Stellwagen, Daniël g NED 2625 ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ 2 2581

11) 3rd l'Ouest Toulousain Open

The 3rd Open de l'Ouest Toulousain, Colomiers took place 25th February - 2nd March 2008. Ramon Mateo won the event with 7.5/9.

Official site: http://www.colomiers-chess.com/

"3rd l'Ouest Toulousain Open Colomiers (FRA), 25 ii-2 iii 2008
Pl Name ti NAT Rat. Pts Tr. Bu. Perf. FFE
1 Mateo, Ramon m DOM 2484 7,5 44 53 2631 2636
2 Kasparov, Sergey g BLR 2458 7 44,5 55 2594 2636
3 Libiszewski, Fabien m FRA 2468 7 40 49,5 2509 2503
4 Abbasov, Farid g AZE 2519 6,5 44,5 53,5 2550 2548
5 Miladinovic, Igor g SRB 2604 6,5 44 52,5 2524 2442
6 Arutinian, David g GEO 2576 6,5 43 53 2559 2544
7 Fomichenko, Eduard m RUS 2476 6,5 43 52,5 2492 2486
8 Babaev, Rashad g AZE 2468 6,5 42,5 51,5 2511 2513
9 Barsov, Alexei g UZB 2521 6,5 42 50 2504 2488
10 Doncea, Vladimir ROU 2444 6 46 56 2526 2545
11 Abergel, Thal m FRA 2517 6 43 52 2464 2445
12 Sasu-Ducsoara, Andreea-Teodora wm ROU 2223 6 42 48,5 2383 2461
13 Marholev, Dimitar m BUL 2401 6 40,5 49,5 2389 2381
14 Kasparova, Tatiana wm BLR 2167 6 40,5 47 2317 2337
15 Ivanova, Svetlana wg UKR 2302 6 38,5 45,5 2260 2244
16 Hervet, Gilles FRA 2010 6 35 40 2206 2240
17 Collas, Didier m FRA 2441 5,5 44 52,5 2463 2469
18 Peric, Slavisa m SRB 2258 5,5 42,5 50 2230 2222
19 Leconte, Maria wg FRA 2345 5,5 39 47 2271 2250
20 Leconte, Jean-Olivier f FRA 2316 5,5 38,5 47 2313 2313
21 Sanchez Rojo, Gustavo ESP 2245 5,5 38 45,5 2147 2135
22 Sanchez, Nicolas FRA 2216 5,5 38 45 2238 2247
23 Iwanesko, Alexandre FRA 2010 5,5 38 44 2203 2237
24 Prasad, Devaki V m IND 2409 5,5 37,5 45 2269 2199
25 Cesbron, Guy FRA 2108 5,5 34,5 41,5 2014 1989
26 Ouerk, Yanis FRA 1875 5,5 34,5 41 2068 2101
27 Laurain, Dominique FRA 2035 5,5 34,5 40,5 2073 2082
28 Collas, Silvia m FRA 2405 5,5 34 41 2204 1974
29 Zarrouati, Pierre FRA 2160 5 40,5 48 2218 2234
30 Troubat, Michael FRA 2085 5 40 47 2112 2116
91 players

12) Breizh Masters Guingamp

The Breizh Masters took place in Guingamp, France 22nd February - 1st March 2008. The main GM group was won by Dragos-Nicolae Dumitrache with 6.5/9 he also made a GM norm. Spas Kozhuharov won the IM Group with 7.5/9. Jean-Francois Jolly was second a point behind and he made an IM norm. There was an open won by Colin Vincent ahead of Sergey Fedorchuk on tie-break after both finished on 7.5/9. No games from the open are available.

Breizh Masters A Guingamp (FRA), 22 ii-1 iii 2008 cat. VIII (2441)
Name Ti NAT Elo 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pts SB Ko. Perf
1 Dumitrache, Dragos-Nicolae m ROM 2495 * 1 1 0 ˝ 1 ˝ 1 ˝ 1 6,5 27,75 3,5 +12,44
2 Benitah, Yohan m FRA 2413 0 * 1 ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ 1 ˝ 5,5 22,75 2,5 +13,93
3 Flear, Glenn C g ENG 2493 0 0 * 1 1 1 ˝ 1 0 1 5,5 22,5 3 +2,69
4 Kozakov, Mikhail g UKR 2445 1 ˝ 0 * ˝ 1 ˝ 1 ˝ 0 5 23 3 +4,49
5 Eliet, Nicolas m FRA 2453 ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ * ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ 4,5 19 2 -1,65
6 Janev, Evgeni g BUL 2485 0 ˝ 0 0 ˝ * 1 1 ˝ 1 4,5 17 1 -6,19
7 Le Roux, Jean-Pierre m FRA 2491 ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ ˝ 0 * ˝ ˝ 1 4 17 2 -12,06
8 Monroy, Charles f FRA 2380 0 ˝ 0 0 ˝ 0 ˝ * 1 1 3,5 13 1 -1,45
9 Terrieux, Kevin f FRA 2363 ˝ 0 1 ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ 0 * 0 3 15,5 2,5 -4,13
10 Vernay, Clovis f FRA 2391 0 ˝ 0 1 ˝ 0 0 0 1 * 3 13 2 -7,94

Breizh Masters B Guingamp (FRA), 22 ii-1 iii 2008 cat. III (2318)
Name Ti NAT Elo 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Pts SB Ko. Perf
1 Kozhuharov, Spas m BUL 2456 * 1 ˝ 1 ˝ 1 ˝ 1 1 1 7.5 28.5 3 +11.70
2 Jolly, Jean-Francois f FRA 2290 0 * 1 ˝ 1 0 1 1 1 1 6.5 22.5 2.5 +24.05
3 Koziak, Vitali m UKR 2481 ˝ 0 * 0 ˝ 1 1 1 1 1 6 19.5 1 -6.19
4 Guilleux, Fabien FRA 2345 0 ˝ 1 * ˝ 1 ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ 5 20.25 2 +1.33
5 Le Goff, Damien FRA 2217 ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ * 0 1 0 1 1 4.5 15.25 1.5 +13.85
6 Alanic, Xavier FRA 2284 0 1 0 0 1 * ˝ 0 ˝ 1 4 15.25 2 -0.19
7 Mullon, Jean-Baptiste f FRA 2329 ˝ 0 0 ˝ 0 ˝ * 1 ˝ ˝ 3.5 13.5 1 -11.40
8 Piankov, Evgenij m UKR 2348 0 0 0 ˝ 1 1 0 * ˝ ˝ 3.5 12.25 1.5 -14.05
9 Van Dongen, Patrick f FRA 2371 ˝ ˝ * 1 2 5.25 0 +2.60
10 Ringoir, Tanguy BEL 2229 0 0 0 ˝ 0 0 ˝ ˝ 0 * 1.5 6 0.5 -17.68
11 Aurel, Luc f FRA 2148 0 0 0 ˝ 0 ˝ * 1 4.25 0.5 -5.19

12th Guingamp Open (FRA), 23 ii-1 iii 2008
Pl Nom Elo Fede Pts Bu. Tr. Cu. FFE
1 COLIN Vincent m 2396 FRA 7,5 52,5 43,5 39,5 2486
2 FEDORCHUK Sergey A. g 2652 UKR 7,5 50 43 34,5
3 BAUDON Andrew 1926 FRA 6,5 49,5 41,5 29,5 2194
4 LAURENT Bruno m 2359 BEL 6,5 49,5 40,5 33 2097
5 INKIOV Ventzislav g 2451 BUL 6,5 47 40 32,5 2401
6 FOSSET Francois 1999 BEL 6,5 47 39 32 2123
7 PEYRE Thomas 1894 FRA 6,5 44 36,5 28,5 2044
8 CROUAN Stephane f 2206 FRA 6 54,5 45 36 2275
9 BODENEZ Vincent 2175 FRA 6 48,5 40 33,5 2141
10 LUCO Alain 2092 FRA 6 48,5 39,5 31,5 2150
11 BOUVET Laurent 2127 FRA 6 48 39,5 31 2081
12 STEPHAN Victor 2094 FRA 6 47 38,5 28,5 1993
13 BARRE Yann 1943 FRA 6 46 38 30 2083
14 NGUYEN-HUU Hoang 2100 FRA 6 43,5 36,5 28,5 2094
15 GERARD Nicolas f 2283 FRA 5,5 55,5 45 34,5 2171
16 VIDENOVA Iva ff 2188 BUL 5,5 50 41,5 31,5 2116
17 MARCILLE Florian 1985 FRA 5,5 47,5 40,5 31,5 2091
18 LE TALBODEC Emmanuel 1933 FRA 5,5 47,5 40,5 30 2112
19 PICART Laurent 2122 FRA 5,5 47,5 39,5 31,5 2041
20 SERRALTA Michel 2133 FRA 5,5 46,5 39 29,5 2038
21 MIGOT Tanguy 2023 FRA 5,5 46 38 28 2011
22 FOUSSARD Gervais 1764 FRA 5,5 43,5 38 22,5 1948
80 players

13) Russian u20 Championships

The Russian under-20 Championships for boys and girls takes place in St-Petersburg 8th-18th March 2008. News Boris Yeshan.

The winners qualify to participate in the World Championships under 20.

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

ch-RUS Boys u20 St Petersburg (RUS), 8-18 iii 2008 cat. X (2500)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
1. Sjugirov, Sanan m RUS 2491 * . . . . . . 1 . 1 . . 2
2. Lintchevski, Daniil m RUS 2440 . * . . . . . . . 1 1 . 2
3. Chadaev, Nikolai m RUS 2471 . . * ˝ . . . . . . . 1 2709
4. Romanov, Evgeny g RUS 2543 . . ˝ * . . . . . . 1 . 2657
5. Nechepurenko, Roman V f RUS 2495 . . . . * ˝ . . . . . 1 2724
6. Andreikin, Dmitry g RUS 2573 . . . . ˝ * ˝ . . . . . 1 2509
7. Rakhmanov, Aleksandr g RUS 2524 . . . . . ˝ * . ˝ . . . 1 2524
8. Shimanov, Aleksandr m RUS 2441 0 . . . . . . * 1 . . . 1 2483
9. Papin, Vasily m RUS 2475 . . . . . . ˝ 0 * . . . ˝ 2289
10. Popov, Ivan RUS g RUS 2595 0 0 . . . . . . . * . . 0
11. Lovkov, Roman f RUS 2457 . 0 . 0 . . . . . . * . 0
12. Ponkratov, Pavel m RUS 2489 . . 0 . 0 . . . . . . * 0

ch-RUS Girls u20 St Petersburg RUS (RUS), 8-18 iii 2008 cat. I (2275)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
1. Bodnaruk, Anastasia wf RUS 2317 * . . . . . 1 . . . 1 . 2
2. Charochkina, Daria wm RUS 2383 . * . . . . . . . 1 1 . 2
3. Gunina, Valentina wf RUS 2295 . . * . . . . . 1 . . 1 2
4. Savina, Anastasia RUS 2202 . . . * . ˝ . 1 . . . . 2472
5. Shlakich, Anna RUS 2244 . . . . * ˝ . . . . . 1 2506
6. Vasilkova, Svetlana wm RUS 2359 . . . ˝ ˝ * . . . . . . 1 2223
7. Ivakhinova, Inna wm RUS 2250 0 . . . . . * . 1 . . . 1 2272
8. Severiukhina, Zoja wf RUS 2199 . . . 0 . . . * . 1 . . 1 2272
9. Ambartsumova, Karina wf RUS 2228 . . 0 . . . 0 . * . . . 0
10. Girya, Olga wf RUS 2342 . 0 . . . . . 0 . * . . 0
11. Meleshko, Anna wm RUS 2215 0 0 . . . . . . . . * . 0
12. Tarasova, Viktoriya wm RUS 2267 . . 0 . 0 . . . . . . * 0

14) Blackpool Chess Congress

The Blackpool Chess Congress took place 7th-9th March 2008. Alexandre Dgebuadze won the event with 4.5/5 full details next week.

Official site: http://www.blackpoolchess.org.uk/

Reports: http://www.bcfservices.org.uk/livechess/blackpool/2008/index.htm

15) 126th Varsity Match

The 126th Varsity Match took place at the RAC Club, Pall Mall, London on 8 March 2008, sponsored by Henry Mutkin. The match was drawn 4-4. Cambridge still lead the series with 56 wins Oxford have 51. 19 matches have been drawn.

Coverage: http://www.bcmchess.co.uk/news/varsity2008.html

Varsity Match London (ENG), 8 iii 2008
Eckersley-Waites, Tom Oxf 0-1 Cam Wu, Li 54 B52 Sicilian Rossolimo
Roberson, Peter T Cam 1/2 Oxf Kangur, Alvar 44 B27 Sicilian Early Fianchetto
Wagner, Benedikt Oxf 0-1 Cam Eckersley-Waites, Adam 32 B07 Pirc Defence
Robertson,J Stuart Cam 0-1 Oxf Heaton, Robert J 24 A90 Dutch Classical
Schaper,Steffen Oxf 1-0 Cam Tyomkyn, Mikhail 53 B23 Sicilian Closed
Rohrmeier,Martin Cam 1/2 Oxf Bicknell,Carl 42 A57 Volga Gambit
Morris, Graham P Oxf 1-0 Cam Oozeerally,Tariq Hassen 41 B33 Sicilian Sveshnikov
Kourtseva,Julie Cam 1-0 Oxf Salputra,Agnese 38 A00 Irregular Openings

16) Reykjavic Championship

The Reykjavic Championship took place 6th-25th January 2008. David Kjartansson won the event from Henrik Danielsen due to an unusual tie-break that I couldn't quite follow, conventional tables had him the winner.

Official site: http://www.taflfelag.is

ch-Reykjavik (ISL), 6-25 i 2008
1 Danielsen Henrik GM ISL 2506 7,0 43,0
2 Kjartansson David FM ISL 2288 7,0 42,5
3 Kjartansson Gudmundur FM ISL 2307 6,5 43,5
4 Bjornsson Sigurbjorn FM ISL 2286 6,5 40,0
5 Omarsson Dadi ISL 1999 6,5 39,5
6 Bjornsson Sverrir Orn ISL 2116 6,5 39,0
7 Johannesson Ingvar Thor FM ISL 2338 6,0 44,0
8 Sigfusson Sigurdur FM ISL 2313 6,0 43,5
9 Gretarsson Hjorvar Steinn ISL 2247 6,0 42,0
10 Loftsson Hrafn ISL 2248 6,0 40,0
11 Olafsson Thorvardur ISL 2144 6,0 38,5
12 Eliasson Kristjan Orn ISL 1917 6,0 35,0
13 Ragnarsson Johann ISL 2085 5,5 42,0
14 Einarsson Halldor FM ISL 2279 5,5 39,0
15 Thorgeirsson Sverrir ISL 2120 5,5 38,5
16 Oskarsson Aron Ingi ISL 1868 5,5 35,0
17 Thorsteinsdottir Hallgerdur ISL 1867 5,5 33,0
18 Bjarnason Saevar IM ISL 2226 5,0 39,5
19 Edvardsson Kristjan ISL 2261 5,0 38,5
20 Baldursson Haraldur ISL 2033 5,0 35,5
21 Asbjornsson Ingvar ISL 2020 5,0 35,0
22 Haraldsson Sigurjon ISL 2046 5,0 31,5
23 Jonsson Bjorn ISL 0 5,0 30,0

17) 43rd Cyprus Championship

The 43rd Cyprus Championship took place 19th January - 2nd March 2008. The 11 round swiss was won by Vassilis Aristotelous with 8.5/11.

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

ch-CYP Limassol (CYP), 19 i-9 iii 2008
Pl Name Ti NAT Rat Pts M-Buch. Buch Progr. Wins
1 Aristotelous, Vassilis CYP 1941 8.5 56.5 67.5 46.5 8
2 Antoniou, Antonis CYP 2183 8 61 74.5 50 5
3 Paunescu,Valentin CYP ---- 8 59.5 71.5 54.5 7
4 Klerides, Paris f CYP 2199 8 58 71 47 6
5 Savva, Panikos CYP 2086 7.5 63 76 48 6
6 Sarmadi, Ashkan CYP 1970 7.5 59 70 45.5 7
7 Constantinou,Pavlos CYP ---- 7 61.5 75 45 6
8 Florentiades, Michalis CYP 2080 7 53.5 65 44.5 5
9 Abatzidis, Stelios CYP 2036 6.5 53.5 65 40 5
10 Avsitidiysky,Andrey CYP ---- 6.5 53 64 38 4
11 Markidou,Christianna CYP ---- 6 57.5 70.5 39 6
12 Lazaris,Stelios CYP ---- 6 54 65.5 37 5
13 Vassiliou,Costas CYP ---- 6 52 63 38 5
14 Georgiades,Michalis CYP ---- 6 50.5 62 37 6
15 Alepides,Soullis CYP ---- 6 46 56.5 33 4
16 Papouis,Diomidis CYP ---- 6 44.5 55 29 4
17 Kassinopoullos, Doros CYP 2118 5.5 60.5 74 42.5 4
18 Zacharoplastis,Pambos CYP ---- 5.5 51.5 62.5 31.5 4
19 Georgiou,Andreas CYP ---- 5.5 50 63 32.5 5
20 Katsikides,Pavlos CYP ---- 5.5 46 57 28.5 4
21 Damianou,Pantelis CYP ---- 5.5 43.5 54 30.5 4
22 Evdokiou,Neofytos CYP ---- 5.5 43.5 53.5 29.5 4
23 Panagiotou,Andreas CYP ---- 5 46.5 57.5 33 5
24 Jebejian,Vahe CYP ---- 5 45.5 55 31.5 1
25 Poullis,Giannos CYP ---- 5 40.5 49.5 25.5 4
26 Economides,Neofytos CYP ---- 5 40 50 22 3
27 Kelires,Andreas CYP ---- 4.5 41.5 51 24.5 2
28 Zardiles,Nikos CYP ---- 4 45.5 56.5 23 2
29 Alepides,Alexis CYP ---- 4 45 56 28 4
30 Touzopoullos,Panayiotis CYP ---- 4 42 52.5 16 1
31 Theofylou,Andreas CYP ---- 4 40.5 50 25 3
32 Kasparis,Nikolas CYP ---- 2.5 46.5 58 22.5 1
33 Andreou,Andreas CYP ---- 2.5 43 52.5 24.5 1
34 Pavlou,Giannis CYP ---- 2.5 41.5 51 18.5 2
35 Adamou,Christodoulos CYP ---- 3.5 41.5 50 18.5 1
36 Athanasiou,Giorgos CYP ---- 0 8 8 0 0

18) Mediterranean Flowers WGM tournament

The Mediterranean Flowers Women's GM Chess Tournament took place in Rijeka, Croatia 1st-9th March 2008. Carolina Lujan took clear first with 8.5/10.

Results &smp; games: http://sah.posluh.hr/draga/rijeka/rijeka.htm

Cvijet Mediterana Rijeka (CRO), 1-8 iii 2008
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1. Lujan, Carolina m ARG 2365 * ˝ 1 1 1 ˝ ˝ 1 1 1 1 2500
2. Ionica, Iulia-Ionela wm ROU 2251 ˝ * ˝ 1 1 ˝ 1 ˝ ˝ 1 1 2409
3. Voicu, Carmen wg ROU 2290 0 ˝ * 1 ˝ ˝ ˝ 0 1 1 1 6 2284
4. Vojinovic, Jovana MNE 2207 0 0 0 * 1 ˝ 1 ˝ 1 1 ˝ 2256
5. Maisuradze, Nino wm GEO 2270 0 0 ˝ 0 * 1 ˝ 1 1 ˝ 1 2250
6. Medic, Mirjana wg CRO 2248 ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ 0 * ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 5 2216
7. Sargac, Rajna wm CRO 2197 ˝ 0 ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ * ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ 2185
8. Franciskovic, Borka wm CRO 2238 0 ˝ 1 ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ * 0 ˝ ˝ 4 2145
9. Jelica, Mara wm CRO 2163 0 ˝ 0 0 0 ˝ ˝ 1 * ˝ 1 4 2152
10. Coimbra, Margarida wf POR 2124 0 0 0 0 ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ * ˝ 2035
11. Berke, Ana CRO 2059 0 0 0 ˝ 0 0 ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ * 2 1995

19) Bunratty Chess Festival

The Bunratty Chess Festival took place 22nd-24th February 2008. Peter Svidler won the event with 5.5/6. Games now available.

Official site: http://members.aol.com/bunrattychess/

Bunratty Chess Festival 22-24 ii 2008
Final Round 6 Standings:
Pl Name Ti NAT Rat Pts
1 Svidler, Peter GM RUS 2763 5.5
2 Baburin, Alexander GM IRL 2542 5
3 Pert, Nicholas GM ENG 2528 4.5
4 Lopez, Alex FM IRL 2340 4.5
5 Thorfinnsson, Bjorn FM ISL 2364 4.5
6 Johannesson, Ingvar Thor FM ISL 2338 4.5
7 Quinn, Mark IM IRL 2403 4
8 Jones, Gawain GM ENG 2562 4
9 Wall, Gavin IM ENG 2305 4
10 Heidenfeld, Mark IM IRL 2343 4
11 Collins, Sam IM IRL 2394 3.5
12 Short, Philip FM IRL 2300 3.5
13 Cooper, Lawrence IM ENG 2306 3.5
14 Heinrich, Jan SVK 2133 3.5
15 Gunnarsson, Jon IM ISL 2429 3.5
16 McPhillips, Karl IRL 2236 3.5
17 Murphy, Dara IRL 1956 3.5
18 Williams, Simon GM ENG 2482 3
19 Galligan, Brian IRL 2041 3
20 Bjornsson, Gunnar ISL 2149 3
21 Einarsson, Kristinn ISL 2067 3
22 Aoustin, Arnaud FRA 2130 3
23 Griffiths, Ryan-Rhys IRL 2039 3
24 Quinn, Rory IRL 2122 3
25 Fleuren, Jan NED 2123 3
26 Wolferink, Frans NED 2163 3
27 Healy, Tom IRL 2016 3
28 Wijnhoven, Theo NED 2039 3
29 O'Shea, Kevin IOM 2035 3
30 Fox, Anthony IRL 2100 2.5
31 Fitzsimons, David IRL 2115 2.5
32 Osborne, Sam IRL 2045 2.5
33 Murray, David IRL 2019 2.5
34 Wilson, Alexandra WFM SUI 2070 2.5
35 Orr, Mark IM SCO 2258 2.5
36 Hanly, Steven IRL 2020 2.5
37 Cafolla, Peter IRL 2048 2.5
38 Schoonenberg, Olav NED 2036 2.5
39 O'Connor, Eddie IRL 2003 2.5
40 Armstrong, Malcolm ENG 2109 2
41 Lyons, Brendan IRL 2115 2
42 McCabe, Darren IRL 2106 2
43 O'Donoghue, D.J. IRL 2090 2
44 Delaney, Killian IRL 2001 2
45 Short, Stephen IRL 2033 1.5
46 Crichton, Martin ENG 2109 1.5
47 Eliens, Arno NED 2004 1.5
48 Duffy, Seamus IRL 1873 1

20) 10th Rector Cup

The 10th Rector Cup took place in Kharkiv (UKR) 27th February - 4th March 2008. Vladimir Onischuk edged out Michail Brodsky and Gervorg Harutjunyan on tie-break in the main GM event after all finished on 6/9.

Official site: http://www.chesslaw.kharkov.ua

10th Rector Cup Kharkiv (UKR), 27 ii-4 iii 2008 cat. IX (2460)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Onischuk, Vladimir m UKR 2474 * ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ 1 ˝ 1 6 2583
2. Brodsky, Michail g UKR 2572 ˝ * ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ ˝ 1 1 6 2572
3. Harutjunyan, Gevorg ARM 2423 ˝ ˝ * 0 1 ˝ ˝ 1 1 1 6 2589
4. Aveskulov, Valeriy g UKR 2532 ˝ ˝ 1 * ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ 1 1 2532
5. Kovchan, Alexander g UKR 2515 ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ * 1 ˝ 1 1 0 5 2497
6. Simonian, Hrair m ARM 2435 0 0 ˝ 1 0 * 1 ˝ 1 1 5 2505
7. Firman, Nazar m UKR 2501 ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ 0 * 0 1 1 2455
8. Kharchenko, Boris m UKR 2440 0 ˝ 0 ˝ 0 ˝ 1 * 1 1 2462
9. Khakimov, Timur m RUS 2380 ˝ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 * 1 2196
10. Hadzimanolis, Antonios f GRE 2329 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 * 1 2123

10th Rector Cup w Kharkiv (UKR), 27 ii-4 iii 2008
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Sukandar, Irine Kharisma wm INA 2266 * 1 ˝ 0 ˝ 1 1 1 1 0 6 2316
2. Breslavska, Galina wf UKR 2216 0 * 0 1 ˝ ˝ 1 1 1 1 6 2322
3. Karlovich, Anastazia wg UKR 2198 ˝ 1 * ˝ ˝ ˝ ˝ 1 ˝ ˝ 2279
4. Vozovic, Oksana wg UKR 2327 1 0 ˝ * 1 1 0 1 0 1 2264
5. Doluhanova, Evgeniya wg UKR 2223 ˝ ˝ ˝ 0 * 1 1 0 ˝ 1 5 2239
6. Borisova, Elizaveta RUS 2305 0 ˝ ˝ 0 0 * 1 ˝ 1 1 2187
7. Ostroverkhova, Elena UKR 2055 0 0 ˝ 1 0 0 * ˝ ˝ 1 2134
8. Dvoretska, Olena wm UKR 2164 0 0 0 0 1 ˝ ˝ * ˝ 1 2122
9. Grapsa, Georgia GRE 2103 0 0 ˝ 1 ˝ 0 ˝ ˝ * 0 3 2084
10. Bulmaga, Irina wf MDA 2132 1 0 ˝ 0 0 0 0 0 1 * 2040

21) Match of Champions in Kharkiv

A match (Match of Champions) between the teams of the Juridical Academy Kharkiv and Kievchess took place in Kharkiv on March 5th 2008. Kiev won 4.5-1.5.

Official site: http://www.chesslaw.kharkov.ua and Kiev coverage at: http://ukrchess.org.ua/

Match of Champions Khakiv (UKR), 5 iii 2008
Eljanov, Pavel Kharkiv 0-1 Kiev Ponomariov, Ruslan 22 D00 Queen's Pawn Game
Efimenko, Zahar Kiev 1-0 Kharkiv Moiseenko, Alexander 57 B30 Sicilian Rossolimo
Aveskulov, Valeriy Kharkiv ˝-˝ Kiev Baklan, Vladimir 42 B63 Sicilian Rauzer
Beliavsky, Alexander G Kiev 1-0 Kharkiv Brodsky, Michail 38 E17 Queens Indian
Kovchan, Alexander Kharkiv 0-1 Kiev Areshchenko, Alexander 35 B82 Sicilian Scheveningen
Vysochin, Spartak Kiev 0-1 Kharkiv Firman, Nazar 28 B07 Pirc Defence

22) 4th Rectors Cup Belgorod

The 4th Rectors Cup took place in Belgorod (Russia) 25th February - 4th March 2008. Hrant Melkumian won with 7.5/9 and he along with Avetik Grigoryan and Alexander Ivanov all made GM norms.

Result table http://www.fide.com/ratings/view_source.phtml?code=12464

4th Rectors Cup Belgorod (RUS), 25 ii-4 iii 2008 cat. IX (2454)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Melkumyan, Hrant m ARM 2485 * ˝ ˝ 1 1 1 1 ˝ 1 1 2723
2. Grigoryan, Avetik m ARM 2509 ˝ * ˝ 1 1 ˝ 1 ˝ ˝ 1 2614
3. Ivanov, Alexander Al m RUS 2430 ˝ ˝ * ˝ ˝ 1 1 ˝ 1 1 2622
4. Gasanov, Eldar g UKR 2541 0 0 ˝ * ˝ 1 1 1 1 1 6 2569
5. Solodovnichenko, Yuri g UKR 2541 0 0 ˝ ˝ * 0 1 1 1 1 5 2487
6. Benza, Artem RUS 2333 0 ˝ 0 0 1 * 0 1 1 1 2467
7. Zakharevich, Igor g RUS 2457 0 0 0 0 0 1 * ˝ 1 1 2373
8. Danin, Alexandre m RUS 2480 ˝ ˝ ˝ 0 0 0 ˝ * ˝ ˝ 3 2326
9. Gubajdullin, Alexei f RUS 2504 0 ˝ 0 0 0 0 0 ˝ * ˝ 2175
10. Uzhva, Andrey RUS 2261 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ˝ ˝ * 1 2124

23) Romanian Championship

The Romanian Championships took placein Cluj 25th February - 2nd March 2008. Vladislav Nevednichy took first place on tie-break after 5 players tied on 7/9. Game from the first 7 rounds only available.

Official site: http://www.brokerasigurare.ro/sah/

ch-ROU Cluj ROU (ROU), 25 ii-2 iii 2008
Final Round 9 Standings:
Pl Name Ti NAT Rat Pts BH EloP SB Gain
1 Nevednichy, Vladislav g ROU 2538 7.0 44.5 2623 41.00 5
2 Szabo, Gergely-Andras-Gyula m ROU 2509 7.0 41.5 2549 39.75 5
3 Lupulescu, Constantin g ROU 2553 7.0 41.0 2605 39.50 5
4 Manolache, Marius g ROU 2530 7.0 40.5 2508 38.25 6
5 Jianu, Vlad-Cristian g ROU 2530 7.0 40.0 2508 37.50 6
6 Grecescu, Gabriel-Andrei ROU 2383 6.5 42.0 2510 38.25 5
7 Mateuta, Gabriel m ROU 2503 6.5 41.0 2465 36.75 5
8 Ardelean, George Catalin m ROU 2475 6.5 40.5 2474 35.50 4
9 Badea, Bela g ROU 2491 6.5 40.5 2412 36.25 5
10 Breahna, Radu f ROU 2294 6.5 38.5 2494 34.00 5
11 Chirila, Ioan Cristian f ROU 2400 6.5 38.5 2427 33.00 6
12 Parligras, Mircea g ROU 2574 6.5 38.5 2403 34.00 5
13 Filip, Lucian ROU 2462 6.5 38.5 2390 34.25 5
14 Danilov, Vladimir m ROU 2432 6.5 37.0 2397 32.50 5
15 Grunberg, Mihai-Lucian m ROU 2424 6.0 42.0 2487 33.75 5
16 Anton, Teodor ROU 2242 6.0 41.5 2493 33.00 4
17 Raceanu, Valentin m ROU 2407 6.0 41.0 2520 31.75 5
18 Nemeth, Francisc m ROU 2451 6.0 40.5 2442 33.50 5
19 Miron, Lucian-Costin f ROU 2408 6.0 39.5 2426 31.50 5
20 Nanu, Ciprian-Costica m ROU 2527 6.0 39.5 2399 32.50 4
21 Georgescu, Tiberiu f ROU 2356 6.0 38.5 2434 31.00 4
22 Manea, Alexandru m ROU 2380 6.0 38.5 2343 30.50 4
23 Berescu, Alin g ROU 2498 6.0 37.0 2386 29.50 4
24 Marinescu, Mircea ROU 2252 6.0 37.0 2350 27.75 4
25 Taras, Ioan-Iulian ROU 2269 6.0 34.5 2347 25.75 5
26 Moldovan, Daniel m ROU 2446 6.0 34.5 2262 28.50 5
27 Mures, Cristian ROU 2204 6.0 33.5 2269 25.50 6
28 Pessi, Emil-George f ROU 2274 6.0 33.5 2221 27.50 5
29 Barzanu, Iulian ROU 2268 6.0 32.0 2257 26.25 4
30 Dragomirescu, Robin-Alexandru ROU 2142 5.5 41.0 2413 30.25 4
31 Grigore, George-Gabriel g ROU 2532 5.5 39.0 2361 28.25 3
154 players

24) Russian Women's First League Final

The Russian Women's Championship 1st liga final took place in Smolensk 27th February - 6th March 2008. Anastasia Savina won with 7.5/9.

Official site: http://www.smolchess.ru

58th ch-RUS w 1st liga Smolensk (RUS), 27 ii-6 iii 2008
Rank Ti Name NAT Pts BH SB Rating TPR
1 Savina, Anastasia RUS 7.5 46 36.5 2202 2456
2 WGM Romanko, Marina RUS 7 51 38 2322 2369
3 WFM Tomilova, Elena RUS 7 55 41.75 2276 2420
4 WIM Solovjova, Valentina RUS 7 51 37.25 2221 2435
5 WGM Meshcheriakova, Evgenia RUS 6.5 47.5 32 2318 2338
6 WFM Akatova, Ekaterina RUS 6.5 54.5 37.75 2296 2350
7 WGM Semenova, Irina RUS 6.5 48.5 33 2270 2335
8 WIM Ivakhinova, Inna RUS 6.5 52 36.75 2250 2334
9 WIM Dolgova, Olga RUS 6.5 46.5 31.25 2217 2311
10 Schepetkova, Margarita RUS 6.5 44.5 29.75 2173 2284
11 WFM Kalmykova, Anastasia RUS 6 41 25 2124 2136
12 Gusarchuk, Anastasija RUS 6 40 23.5 2101 2138
13 Kindinova, Ekaterina RUS 6 43.5 27.75 2097 2278
14 Bezgodova, Maria RUS 6 47 28 2050 2276
15 WFM Lomako, Anna RUS 5.5 49.5 28.25 2283 2244
16 WIM Iljushina, Olga RUS 5.5 44.5 22.25 2268 2098
17 Bezgodova, Svetlana RUS 5.5 44.5 25.75 2237 2138
18 Lupik, Marina RUS 5.5 49.5 28.75 2222 2208
19 Krestianova - Tsepeleva, T RUS 5.5 49.5 28.75 2208 2189
20 WFM Manakova, Irina RUS 5.5 49.5 28.5 2200 2240
21 WFM Avdeenko, Tatiana RUS 5.5 46 25.75 2194 2186
22 WFM Shulakova, Svetlana RUS 5.5 48 28.25 2190 2207
23 WFM Bannikova, Anastasia RUS 5.5 46.5 24.5 2187 2193
24 WFM Zainullina, Nataliya RUS 5.5 45 26.75 2186 2187
25 WFM Korchagina, Viktoria RUS 5.5 40 23.25 2182 2100
26 WFM Karibaeva, Elvira RUS 5.5 45 23.25 2153 2122
27 Travkina, Anastasia RUS 5.5 44 23.75 2083 2167
28 Ivanova, Anna RUS 5 41.5 21.5 2169 2078
29 WFM Repina, Varvara RUS 5 41.5 20.25 2158 2041
30 Petrova, Olga RUS 5 44 22 2102 2057
31 WFM Semenova, Inna RUS 5 49.5 24 2086 2181
32 Bukhteeva, Viktoria RUS 5 40.5 16.75 2065 1960
33 Kuznetsova, Tatiana RUS 5 44 21 2051 2110
34 Miloserdova, Irina RUS 5 48 25 2015 2251
35 Semenova, Elena RUS 5 42 20.25 2012 2096
36 Smolyaninova, Marina RUS 5 39 20.75 2004 2085
37 WFM Kharmunova, Nadejda RUS 4.5 41.5 17.75 2170 2013
38 WFM Airapetian, Tatevik RUS 4.5 46.5 19 2162 2070
39 WFM Dotdaeva, Aminat RUS 4.5 42 18.25 2136 2035
40 WFM Kuular, Valeria RUS 4.5 42 19.75 2122 2058
41 WIM Lomakina, Galja RUS 4.5 36 14.25 2114 1976
42 WFM Ter-Steponianc, Antonina RUS 4.5 40 18.5 2100 2068
43 Grigorian, Marine RUS 4.5 41 16.5 2082 1984
44 WFM Malinicheva, Lidia RUS 4.5 40 14.5 2075 2046
45 Gorozhankina, Julia RUS 4.5 38 15.75 2037 2047
46 Yarullina, Alina RUS 4.5 38.5 16.5 2022 1946
47 WFM Abuladze, Lana RUS 4.5 39 14 2016 2034
48 Barinova, Valerija RUS 4.5 37 14.25 1984 1768
49 Chudinovskikh, Zinaida RUS 4.5 39 17.5 1944 2091
50 Karavaeva, Nadezhda RUS 4.5 34.5 12.5 1938 1817
51 Kulikova, Ekaterina RUS 4.5 34.5 14.25 0 1994
89 players

25) US Amateur Team East

Bill Townsend reports: The U.S. Amateur Team tournaments were held over President’s Day weekend (February 16th-18th 2008) in four locations around the United States, but the East is where it all started in 1970 and it’s traditionally the largest by far. This year’s Team East, held in Parsippany, NJ, broke all previous records with 1251 players competing in 291 four-man teams. The previous record was set in 2005: 286 teams, 1205 players.

This year’s winner was actually a bit controversial: a team named "GGGg" featuring three grandmasters (Zviad Izoria, Eugene Perelshteyn and Roman Dzindzichashvili) and a 5 year old boy (Stephen Fanning) rated just 178. The grandmasters won all their games, except for a draw by Izoria in the final round, and they were the only team with a perfect 6-0 score.

All of which brings up the question: what are these grandmasters doing at an event with "Amateur" in its name? The rules state that the average team rating has to be below master strength (2,200 USCF) but beyond that, anything goes. There were other grandmasters playing in the event, among them former U.S. Champions Joel Benjamin, Larry Christiansen, Hikaru Nakamura and Arthur Bisguier.

There used to be a rule saying that there couldn’t be a rating difference of more than 1,000 points between boards three and four, but this was abandoned, at least in the East, some years ago. However that rule is still in place in some of the other Amateur Team events – would it be fair to let this stacked team in the Amateur Team playoffs? The whole matter was settled amicably – "GGGg" stepped aside in favor of the second place team, named simply "1.d4." This team was the only one to finish with 5˝-˝ and consists of: Daniel Yeager, Victor Shen, Scott Low and Jared Defibaugh. The setup of this team is much more traditional: only 214 rating points separate boards one and four.

This tempest in a teapot actually affected very few players, and a good time was had by all. Team East really is a unique event – average club players can find themselves across the table from some of the best players in the country, and yet it’s not a big money tourney – clocks and trophies are the only prizes.

Bill Townsend has sent a file of games including the stronger players in the event.

26) Belgian Interteams

The Belgian Interteams takes place 30th September 2007 - 6th March 2008.

Valery Maes reports: Leaders Bredene despite an elo average of 2584, narrowly escaped defeat against Rochade Eupen (2440) and face runner-ups CREC Charleroi in the last round trailing only by 5 board points. In the relegation zone there is no more hope for Eynatten 2 and Boey Temse.

Websites with further information: http://users.pandora.be/vmaes/interclub/ and also the http://www.frbe-kbsb.be/Interclubsnationaux.php

Belgian Interteams Round 10 Results
KGSRL - Brussels 19 - 13
KBSK - Boey Temse 19 - 13
Namur - Borgerhout 13 - 19
Rochade - Bredene 16 - 16
CRELEL - Eynatten 1 16 - 16
CREC - Eynatten 2 20 - 12

Belgian Interteams Round 10 (of 11) Standings
Standings BP MP
1 Bredene 189 8,5
2 CREC 184 8,5
3 SK Rochade 178 8,5
4 KGSRL 164 6
5 Eynatten 1 164 5,5
6 CRELEL 163 4,5
7 KBSK 159 5,5
8 Borgerhout 149 4,5
9 Brussels 149 3
10 Namur 144 4
11 Eynatten 2 136 1
12 Boey Temse 133 0,5

27) Dutch Team Championship

The Dutch Team Championships take place 15th September 2007 - 17th May 2008. Round 7 was on 8th March 2008.

Results: Schrijvers Rotterdam - HMC Calder 7-3; ESGOO - HWP Sas van Gent 5-5; LSG - Homburg Apeldoorn 4-6; HSG - Utrecht 7.5-2.5; LSG 2 - Hotels.nl 3.5-6.5.

I will round up the games next week. Details available from http://www.schakers.info/.

Links: Dutch Chess Federation: http://www.schaakbond.nl/- Meesterklasse Games side bar at: http://www.schakers.info/ and also photo coverage at: http://www.chessvista.com/

28) Finnish Team Championships

The final two rounds of the Finnish Team Championship took place 8th-9th March 2008. After four consecutive silver medals Matinkylä finally managed to get its first Championship since 1993. Defending Champion OpusCapita got silver and HSK Helsinki with topboard GM Dr R.Huebner was third. FM P.Kekki made his final IM-norm. News:Henri Koskinen.

Games, individual results etc. can be found on the website: http://www.shakki.net/pelaaminen/turnaukset/liiga.html. I will round them up for TWIC next week.

Finnish Team Championships Final Standings
1 MatSK, Espoo 16 23
2 OpusCapita, Tampere 14 16
3 HSK, Helsinki 11 8
4 JoeSK, Joensuu 10 4
5 Velhot, Helsinki 9 -4
6 EtVaS, Vantaa 8 1
7 Aatos, Helsinki 8 -7
8 JyS, Jyväskylä 6 -12
9 SalSK, Salo 4 -9
10 TuTS, Turku 4 -20

29) Lendas do Xadrez tournament

The Lendas do Xadrez (Legends of Chess) tournament takes place February 29th - March 9th 2008 and is organised by the chess club ALEX (Associación Leopoldinense de Xadrez), at the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), their first international round robin tournament with 9 rounds and the possibility of IM norms. IMs include: Diego di Berardino (Brazil), Leandro Perdomo (Argentina) and Dan Cramling (Sweden).

http://www.lendasdoxadrez.kit.net/


Lendas do Xadrez Rio de Janeiro (BRA), 29 ii-9 iii 2008
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Di Berardino, Diego Rafael m BRA 2430 * ˝ 1 1 ˝ 1 . 1 1 1 7 2603
2. Teixeira, Ricardo da Silva f BRA 2394 ˝ * ˝ ˝ 1 . 1 1 1 1 2512
3. Perdomo, Leandro m ARG 2354 0 ˝ * 0 ˝ 1 1 1 . 1 5 2367
4. Cramling, Dan m SWE 2425 0 ˝ 1 * . 0 0 1 1 1 2316
5. Ferreira, Kleber Victor BRA 2105 ˝ 0 ˝ . * ˝ ˝ ˝ 0 ˝ 3 2186
6. Fontes, Carlos Henrique Batista BRA 2232 0 . 0 1 ˝ * 1 0 0 ˝ 3 2174
7. Maia, Jose Eduardo Bastos O BRA 2149 . 0 0 1 ˝ 0 * ˝ ˝ ˝ 3 2180
8. Bottari, Raimondo ITA 2178 0 0 0 0 ˝ 1 ˝ * 1 . 3 2197
9. Chauca, Jose PER 2186 0 0 . 0 1 1 ˝ 0 * ˝ 3 2185
10. Mascarenhas, Alberto Pinheiro f BRA 2263 0 0 0 0 ˝ ˝ ˝ . ˝ * 2 2091

30) 40th Belgrade Women's International

The 40th Belgrade Women's International takes place 3rd-11th. March 2008. Play takes place 16:00-21-00 local time.

Official site: http://www.beochess.org.yu

40th WGM Belgrade (SCG), 3-11 iii 2008 cat. IV (2339)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Bojkovic, Natasa m SRB 2408 * ˝ . 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2762
2. Petrenko, Svetlana m MDA 2282 ˝ * ˝ . ˝ 1 0 ˝ 1 1 5 2434
3. Matveeva, Svetlana m RUS 2433 . ˝ * ˝ ˝ 0 1 1 ˝ 1 5 2413
4. Houska, Jovanka m ENG 2393 0 . ˝ * ˝ ˝ 1 1 ˝ 1 5 2434
5. Rakic, Marija SRB 2218 0 ˝ ˝ ˝ * ˝ ˝ ˝ . 1 4 2357
6. Benderac, Ana wg SRB 2324 0 0 1 ˝ ˝ * ˝ . ˝ ˝ 2288
7. Makropoulou, Marina wg GRE 2250 0 1 0 0 ˝ ˝ * ˝ ˝ . 3 2260
8. Foisor, Cristina Adela m ROU 2412 0 ˝ 0 0 ˝ . ˝ * 1 ˝ 3 2244
9. Stojanovic, Andjelija wg SRB 2310 0 0 ˝ ˝ . ˝ ˝ 0 * 1 3 2270
10. Chelushkina, Irina wg SRB 2357 0 0 0 0 0 ˝ . ˝ 0 * 1 2025

31) World Championship Match Anand vs Kramnik in Bonn

The World Championship match where Viswanathan Anand will defends his World title against Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn, Germany will now take place October 14th– 2nd November, 2008. The main reason for the slight change in dates is to fit in with the sponsors and politicians ability to attend the opening. The main sponsor is Evonik Industries AG and the prizemoney 1,5 Million Euro. The contract was signed by both players 18th December 2007.

Dates for the match: Gm1: Oct 14th, Gm2: Oct 15th, Gm3: Oct 17th, Gm4: Oct 18th, Gm5: Oct 20th, Gm6: Oct 21st, Gm7: Oct 23rd, Gm8: Oct 24th, Gm9: Oct 26th, Gm10: Oct 27th, Gm11: Oct 29th, Gm12: Oct 31st, Tiebreak Nov 2nd.

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

32) FIDE Grand Prix Events

The line ups for the FIDE Grand Prix events have been announced. The top four players in the world, along with players such as Morozevich and Shirov are missing. It seems that in the case of Kramnik and Topalov that they believe that the event doesn't have big enough prize money (according to quotes in Chess Today). All this was more or less known beforehand. However the players who have signed up make this a very attractive and interesting series of events. The grand prix is organised by Global Chess which is headed by Bessel Kok.

Details: http://www.fide.com/news.asp?id=1607


FIDE Grand Prix 2008-9
Surname First Name NAT Elo 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ck 08 Criteria WRk
Svidler Peter RUS 2763 2763 2763 2763 2763 4 2 Pres Nom 5
Mamedyarov Shakhriyar AZE 2760 2760 2760 2760 2760 4 2 Rating 6
Leko Peter HUN 2753 2753 2753 2753 2753 4 1 Rating 8
Ivanchuk Vassily UKR 2751 2751 2751 2751 2751 4 1 Rating 9
Aronian Levon ARM 2739 2739 2739 2739 2739 4 1 Rating 10
Gelfand Boris ISR 2737 2737 2737 2737 2737 4 1 Rating 11
Radjabov Teimour AZE 2735 2735 2735 2735 2735 4 3 Rating 12
Carlsen Magnus NOR 2733 2733 2733 2733 2733 4 2 Wcup 13
Karjakin Sergey UKR 2732 2732 2732 2732 2732 4 2 Wcup 14
Adams Michael ENG 2726 2726 2726 2726 2726 4 2 Reserve 16
Kamsky Gata USA 2726 2726 2726 2726 2726 4 2 Matches 15
Jakovenko Dmitry RUS 2720 2720 2720 2720 2720 4 2 Hcity 17
Cheparinov Ivan BUL 2713 2713 2713 2713 2713 4 3 Pres Nom 19
Grischuk Alexander RUS 2711 2711 2711 2711 2711 4 3 Reserve 21
Bacrot Etienne FRA 2700 2700 2700 2700 2700 4 2 Pres Nom 22
Wang Yue CHN 2698 2698 2698 2698 2698 4 3 Pres Nom 25
Inarkiev Ernesto RUS 2681 2681 2681 2681 2681 4 2 Hcity 34
Navara David CZE 2680 2680 2680 2680 2680 4 2 Hcity 37
Gashimov Vugar AZE 2665 2665 2665 2665 2665 4 3 Hcity 48
Pelletier Yannick SWZ 2600 2600 2600 2600 2600 4 1 Hcity 165
Al Modiahki Mohamad QTR 2569 2569 2569 2569 2569 4 2 Hcity 274
AVERAGE RATING 2715.9 2709.9 2697.4 2714.9 2707.7 2708.9
Player Count 21 2709.1 14 14 14 14 14 14 84 42

Event 1 April 20th - May 6th 2008, Baku, Azerbaijan
Event 2 July 30th - August 15th 2008, Sochi, Russia
Event 3 December 13th - 29th, 2008, Doha, Qatar
Event 4 April 14th - 28th, 2009, Montreux, Switzerland
Event 5 August 8th - 24th, 2009, Elista, Russia
Event 6 December 7th - 23rd, 2009, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

Grand Prix 2008-9 Prizes Each Event
Place EUR Points
1 30,000 140 + 40 bonus
2 22,500 130 + 20
3 20,000 120 + 10
4 15,000 110
5 12,500 100
6 11,000 90
7 10,000 80
8 8,500 70
9 7,500 60
10 6,000 50
11 5,500 40
12 5,000 30
13 4,500 20
14 4,000 10


Grand Prix 2008-9
Prizes for Final Standings
(Best three events)
Pl Prize (Euros)
1st 75,000
2nd 50,000
3rd 40,000
4th 30,000
5th 25,000
6th 20,000
7th 18,000
8th 16,000
9th 14,000
10th 12,000

33) Forthcoming Events and Links

Magistral Ciudad de León

The 21st edition of the “Magistral Ciudad de León” takes place May 29th - June 2nd in León, Spain.

The players will be World Champion Viswanathan Anand, Ukrainian Vassily Ivanchuk, and the 2 best Spanish Players, Alexei Shirov and Francisco Vallejo Pons.

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

The players will be World Champion Viswanathan Anand, Ukrainian Vassily Ivanchuk, ant the 2 best Spanish Players, Top-10 Alexei Shirov and Francisco Vallejo Pons.

XIX Internet Chess Tournament "Ciudad de Dos Hermanas"

For the ninth year running the XIX Internet Chess Tournament "Ciudad de Dos Hermanas" (Spain) is being held on the ICC Internet Chess Club playing zone (http://www.chessclub.com). Registration for the event is completely free both for ICC members and non-members.

This event is clearly the most important Internet chess tournament in the world, featuring the biggest number of participants. In the 2007 edition, nearly 2000 players from all over the world took part. The winner, former prodigy child and under-10 World Champion IM Jorge Sammour-Hasbun, overcome an impressive field of 300 IM/GM’s, including top players Shahriyar Mamedyarov, Tigran L. Petrosian, Gata Kamsky, Hikaru Nakamura, Kiril Georgiev and Sergey Shipov.

This year the prize fund is 7.700 euros, with 2.000 euros for the winner. In addition, there are many class prizes and special cash prizes for amateur players. Also, winners can achieve the opportunity to travel to Dos Hermanas for the main Event, with Topalov, Shirov, Polgar and Vallejo, at the end of April.

As in previous editions, the playing system is as follows: twelve 12-round Swiss qualifiers using the playing rate: 3 minutes per game. Qualifiers are held twice a day from March 28th to April 2nd, and the finals are held on April 4th and 5th. The 12 qualifier winners plus the 20 best scores qualify to the 32 KO final.

Full rules and registrations can be found on the Dos Hermanas website http://www.doshermanas.net/aje_9torneo.asp

Dvoretsky-Jussupow Chess School in Paris

The Dvoretsky-Jussupow Chess School will hold lessons in Paris in June.

The first stage will be held in the "Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris" 11th-15th June 2008. The training sessions (3 hours with Dvoretsky and 3 hours with Jussupow)are given in english (with possible translation into french), and the trainers will deliver written lessons (available both in English and French).

Groups : limited to 16 persons a day, groups of 8 persons maximum for each trainer.

Charges : 220 € per day.

Wednesday : under 1700 elo.

Thursday :1700-2100

Friday :1800-2199

Saturday :+2200

Sunday :+2200

Send your reservations to : L’Ecole Parisienne du jeu d’Échecs, 2 rue des Goncourt, 75011 Paris, France (cheque 220 €, order E.P.J.E.). The lessons will be delivered in la Cité Internationale Universitaire, Maison internationale, 19 Bd Jourdan, 75014 Paris. From 10h to 13h and from 14h to 17h. Further information: eneiman@free.fr or phone: +33 6 81 48 64 58

Official site (in French): http://epje.free.fr/

British Chess Championships 2008

The 95th Championships of The British Isles organised by the English Chess Federation takes place Sunday 27th July - Saturday 9th August 2008 in St. George's Hall, Liverpool.

Details: http://www.englishchess.org.uk/events/bc2008/index.html

Serbian Championships

The Serbian Championships take place in Mataruška 15th-28th March 2008. 14 player all-play-all.

Official site: http://www.serbiachess.net/

Serbian Championships 2008
Br. Ti Name Rating Birthday
1 GM Ivanisevic Ivan 2649 1977
2 GM Miladinovic Igor 2604 1974
3 GM Damljanovic Branko 2582 1961
4 GM Markus Robert 2575 1983
5 GM Kovacevic Aleksandar 2575 1974
6 GM Perunovic Milos 2570 1984
7 GM Sedlak Nikola 2568 1983
8 GM Vuckovic Bojan 2556 1980
9 GM Pikula Dejan 2524 1969
10 FM Bogosavljevic Boban 2492 1988
11 GM Drazic Sinisa 2489 1967
12 IM Leskur Dejan 2468 1972
13 IM Pavlovic Milos M 2457 1984
14 IM Velickovic Sasa 2401 1951

Canadian Open

The Canadian Open takes place in Montreal July 19th-27th 2008.

Further details: Fédération québécoise des échecs

II Ruy López International Chess Festival

The II Ruy López International Chess Festival takes place in Mérida 4th-13th April 2008 in the headquarters of the Parliament of Extremadura (Assemblea de Extremadura) which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary.

The main event of the Festival is a masters tournament which takes place 5th-11th April 2008 with the participation of Michael Adams, Gabriel Sargissian, Zhang Pengxiang, Humpy Koneru, Julio Granda Zuniga, Hou Yifan, Fabiano Caruana and Manuel Perez Candelario. The games will be transmitted on Internet with commentaries by Leontxo García who will be present in the analysis room (open to all fans).

There are various other events including children's tournaments and a themed event with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 as the starting moves. Also on the 10th April in the Art School of Mérida there will be a day of "Art and Chess" attended by Fernando Arrabal who will give a conference.

All the relevant information about the Festival can be found in it´s official web page http://ruylopez.juntaextremadura.net/modules/news/

Bobby Fischer Memorial

The Bobby Fischer Memorial takes place in Villa Martelli Buenos Aires, Argentina, 11th-19th March 2008. Players: GM Oscar Panno, GM Andrés Rodríguez, GM Sergio Slipak, MI Diego Flores, MI Diego Valerga, MI Mauricio Flores Rios, MI Krikor Mekhitarian, MI Luis Coelho, Raul Claverie, etc.

Official site: http://ajedrezmartelli.org.ar/

Stockholm Ladies Open

The Stockholm Ladies Open tournament takes place 20th-25th March 2008. The prize money is over 100 000 Skr. The event has got the astonishing entry of s 60 WGMs and 47 WIMs and a total of 150 players making it the biggest women's event ever in Sweden and that mark may be a world one.

The Invitation are in english, Dutch and Russian http://www.scandinavian-chess.se/ and an update: http://www.scandinavian-chess.se/id_2008.asp?newsID=6

2nd Thun Open

The "Swiss Chess Tour 2008 continues in Thun with the 2nd "Rathaus Open Thun" May 9th-12th 2008. Thun is famous tourist town, 20 minutes from Bern by train, located on the lake of the same name. The venue is the Hotel-Restaurant "Rathaus" Thun, Open, Swiss system, 7 rounds and the games will last a maximum of 5 hours (40 moves for 2 hours and 30 minutes till the end). Prize are: 1.500 SF, 1.200, 900, 700, 500, 400, 300, 250, 200 and 150 SF. Special prizes for best Lady, senior (1947), junior(1988-91), schoolboy (1992) and 3 best local players. Entry fee 130 SF, FMs and juniors 60 SF, at the door 20 SF more (for everybody include GM, IM), GMs and IMs free. Venue: Hotel "City House". Time table: Round 1st 18.00-23.00 May 9th ; Rounds 2/3 09.30-14.30 and 15.00-20.00 May 10th; Round 4/5 9.30-14.30 and 15.00-20.00 May 11th; Rounds 6/7 09.30-14.30 and 15.00-20.00 May 12th; Closing ceremony May 12 at 20.30. Info: Beochess +41+62+965-46-50 (Robert Spoerri) or info@beochess.ch

Further info: http://www.beochess.ch

Cidade de Ferrol International

XXIII International Chess tournament Cidade de Ferrol Prizes : 14750 euros (different sections) Dates : 15th-20th July 2008 Time rate : 90’ + 30 Secunden Accomodation : 24,5 euros Full board in a Student house. There other posibilities. Entry: 30 euros . contact e-mail: xanrei@arrakis.es Other tournaments: Bernasque 3/7-12/7. Circuito Galego From 22/7 to 30/9

Further info: http://www.cfxadrez.org

X Sants Open

The X International Open of Sants, Hostafrancs and la Bordeta (Barcelona - Spain) takes place 22nd-31st August 2008. 10 round swiss system tournament with + 12.000 euros in prizes.

Other activities include a blitz tournament and rapid chess tournament with 1500 euros in prizes. Last year: 500 players from 40 countries including 70 titled players competed. There were 2 GM and 5 IM norms.

Details: http://http://www.cotxeres.org/open

19th Pobeskydi Chess Festival

The 19th Pobeskydi Chess Festival takes place 20th-24th March 2008 in Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic. There will be at least two tournaments: - Round-robin with possibility to achieve IM and WGM norm - FIDE Open With very high probability, there will be more then one round-robin tournament.

Further details: http://www.chessfm.cz or more specifically in English at: http://www.chessfm.cz/English/Pobeskydi_eng/pobeskydi_e.php

Yerevan Open Rapid Chess Tournament 2008

The Chess Federation of Armenia is organizing an International Open Rapid Chess Tournament which takes place June 12th-15th, 2008, in Yerevan, Armenia. The event is organized simultaneously with the tournament "Chess Giants Yerevan 2008" with the participation of the world's top grandmasters.

The total prize fund of the open rapid tournament is 33000 USD with the following breakdown.

Breakdown of the Prize Fund
1st place 6 000 USD
2nd place 4 000 USD
3rd place 3 500 USD
4th place 2 500 USD
5th place 2 000 USD
6th place 1 800 USD
7th place 1 600 USD
8th place 1 500 USD
9th place 1 400 USD
10th place 1 300 USD
11th-20th 800 USD

Grandmasters and chess players with an Elo above 2450 will pay no entry fee. For the other participants the following fees are fixed: International Masters with an Elo up to 2450 30 USD Chess players with an Elo from 2301 to 2450 50 USD Chess players with an Elo from 2151 to 2300 70 USD Chess players with an Elo up to 2150 and without an Elo 100 USD The board and lodging costs will be covered by the participants. The following accommodation options are offered: Ani Plaza Hotel Single room – 80 Euro Double room – 50 Euro Breakfast is included in the prices. Optionally lunch – 10 Euro, dinner – 10 Euro Erebuni Hotel Single room – 60 Euro Double room – 35 Euro Breakfast is included in the prices.

For further information please contact: Mr. Gaguik Oganessian General Secretary, Armenian Chess Federation President, FIDE Zone 1,5
Tel.: (374)10-554923
Fax: (374)10-570758
E-Mail armchess@arminco.com

The 8th European Senior Championship

The "Swiss Chess Tour 2008" will present the 7th Chess Summer Festival in Davos from August 9th to 17th, 2008. The main event will be the 8th European Individual Senior Championship. The second tournament will be traditional, 7th Davos Open.

8th European Individual Senior Championship, August 9th to 17th 2008. "Sunstar Park Hotel" (4 stars) will be host festival in Congress Center. Swiss system, 9 rounds and the games will last a maximum of 6 hours (40 moves for 2 hours and 60 minutes till the end). Valid for FIDE titles and rating: FIDE, Swiss (SSB) and German (DWZ). Seniors: men born 1947 and earlier; women born 1957 and earlier. Prize (men): 2.500/1.700/1.000/700/600/500/2x400/2x300 CHF. 3-4 group rating prize (200/150/100 CHF). Women: 400/300/3x200 CHF; Entry fee 80 CHF; at the door 20 CHF more. Time table: Rounds 1 15.00-21.00 August 9th; Round 2/8 9.30-15.30 August 10th-16th; Round 9 9.30-15.30 August 17th.

7th Davos Open, 7 rounds and the games will last a maximum of 5 hours (40 moves for 2 hours and 30 minutes till the end). Prize are: 1.000 SF, 800, 600, 400, 300, 200, 2x150 CHF. Natural prizes for 4 and more points. Entry fee 130 CHF, FMs and juniors 60 CHF, GMs and IMs free; juniors lodging at Sunstar Park Hotel free; at the door 20 CHF more. Time table: Rounds 1 15.00-21.00 August 10th; Round 2/7 16.00-22.00 August 10th-16th. Venue: "Sunstar Park Hotel" Congress Center. Closing ceremony August 17th, 4 p.m. Info Beochess: +41+62+9654-650 (Robert Spoerri) Email beochess@bluewin.ch or read the website: http://www.beochess.ch

Bologne Easter tournament

There is an Easter international tournament in Bologna 20th-24th March 2008. IM norms will be available.

Details: http://www.accademiascacchistica.it/labacheca/torneo_internazionale_di_pasqua.html


Bologne Easter tournament 20-24 iii 2008
Players:
Player NAT Ti Rating
Laketic Gojko SRB IM 2443
Martinez Rolly PHI IM 2447
Berzinsh Roland LAT IM 2417
Ronchetti Niccolo’ ITA FM 2431
Scalcione Michelangelo ITA FM 2431
Rombaldoni Axel ITA FM 2394
Tomba Ivan ITA MF* 2301
Vancini Edoardo ITA FM 2277
Barillaro Luca ITA M 2180
Gilevich Artem UKR CM 2069

VII Benidorm International Chess Festival 2008

The VII Benidorm International Chess Festival takes place 28th November - 8th December 2008. For information contact: E-Mail: eventosdeajedrez@yahoo.es festivaldebenidorm@gmail.com News: Patricia Claros Aguilar.

3rd Kolkata Open

The 3rd Kolkata Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament takes place 24th March - 2nd April 2008.

Venue: Gorky Sadan, 3 Gorky Terrace, Kolkata 700017 (near Minto Park) Tournament Schedule Arrival 23rd March 2008. Inauguration 24th March 2008 at 1.00pm Players' meeting 23rd March 2008 at 7pm. Prize Distribution ceremony : 2nd April 08 at 17.00 hrs at Gorky Sadan. It is compulsory for all players to attend the Prize Distribution Ceremony. Prizes : Total Cash Prizes: Rs. 9,00,000/- ( 1 U.S.$ = Rs.41 approx.)

Contact: Alekhine Chess Club Gorky Sadan, 3 Gorky Terrace Kolkata 700017, West Bengal, India Tele fax:- 0091 33 22832746, Tel : 0091 33 22803957/3858 Email: alekhine_chess@rediffmail.com OR alekhinechessclub@hotmail.com

Web site: http://www.alekhinechessclub.com

Paleochora International Open 2008

The Paleochora (southern Crete) International Open takes place 21st-28th July 2008.

Further details: http://www.chaniachess.gr

Amber Rapid and Blindfold Chess Tournament 2008

The 17th Amber Rapid and Blindfold Chess Tournament takes place March 14th-28th, 2008 at the Hotel Palais de la Mediterranée on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. Twelve grandmasters from ten different countries will take part and the total prize-fund is 216,000 Euro.

Amber Rapid and Blindfold 14-28 iii 2008
No Name NAT YroB ja08 Gms Wrnk
1 Kramnik, Vladimir RUS 1975 2799 9 1
2 Anand, Viswanathan IND 1969 2799 3 2
3 Topalov, Veselin BUL 1975 2780 14 3
4 Morozevich, Alexander RUS 1977 2765 12 4
5 Mamedyarov, Shakhriyaz AZE 1985 2760 35 6
6 Leko, Peter HUN 1979 2753 9 8
7 Ivanchuk, Vassily UKR 1969 2751 30 9
8 Aronian, Levon ARM 1982 2739 16 10
9 Gelfand, Boris ISR 1968 2737 9 11
10 Carlsen, Magnus NOR 1990 2733 37 13
11 Karjakin, Sergey UKR 1990 2732 36 14
12 Van Wely, Loek NED 1972 2681 16 35

31st San Sebastian City Open

The 31st San Sebastian City Open takes place 16th-23rd of March 2008.

Details: http://www.fgajedrez.org/open/open.htm

Hévíz GM, IM and Open Tournaments 2008

The Palace Hotel International Chess Tournament Hévíz (Hungary) 18th-28th March 2008. There are GM, IM and Open sections.

Further details: http://www.lellechess.tar.hu/ and further info at: http://www.palace.heviz.hu

The Battle of Senta 1697 Chess Festival 2008

12th International Chess Festival "The Battle of Senta 1697" will be held 18th-25th. July 2008. in Senta (the Vojvodina /Serbia).

Further details: http://www.chess-senta.org.yuand in English: http://www.chess-senta.org.yu/select.php?lang=3&xid=2

XXVI International Chess Open of Andorra

The XXVI International Chess Open of Andorra takes place 19th-27th July 2008. Contact: open@escacsandorra.com FEVA - Tel/Fax: 00.376.824465

Further details: http://www.escacsandorra.com

Austrian Bundesliga

The second round of games from the Austrian Bundesliga took place in Jenbach 10th-13th January 2008. The final round of games (rounds 8-11) take place 13th-16th March 2008 in Graz (Novapark).

Official site: http://www.chess.at/

Offene Internationale Stuttgarter Stadtmeisterschaft 2008

Offene Internationale Stuttgarter Stadtmeisterschaft 2008, 1st-4th May 2008, in Ditzingen, South-Germany. 7 Rounds, Swiss System, A/B/C-tournament, over 7000 € prizes.

Further Details: http://www.stuttgarter-stadtmeisterschaft.de

Alushta Diary 2008

GM Norm events: 23.05 - 1.06, 2.06 - 12.06, 15.06 - 25.06, 2.09 - 12.09, 14.09 - 24.09, 26.09 - 6.10, IM Norm: 23.05 - 1.06, 2.06 - 12.06, 15.06 - 25.06, 2.09 - 12.09, 14.09 - 24.09, 26.09 - 6.10, Rating tournament: 4.06 - 12.06, 22.06 - 27.06, Open tournament (under 16 years) First prize - 200$ 3.06 - 11.06, 13.06 - 21.06, Alushta Swiss 9 rounds Open tournament First prize - 1000$ First prize (woman) - 500$ 28.06 - 6.07, Alushta Swiss 9 rounds Blitz tournament 7.07, Alushta Swiss 9 rounds Open tournament (rapid chess) 8.07 - 9.07, Alushta Session of school of Gennadi Kuzmin 21.06 - 27.06 Individual and group studying. phone +38 (06560)5-05-32,

Further information: http://www.kaissa.com.ua

20th Lenk International Chess Festival

The great jubilee, 20th Lenk International Chess Festival part of the "Swiss Chess Tour 2008" continues in Lenk March 20th-24th 2008. The venue is the Hotel "Kreuz", Grande Open, Swiss system, 7 rounds and the games will last a maximum of 5 hours (40 moves for 2 hours and 30 minutes till the end). The Main Prize are: 1.500 SF, 1.200, 800, 600 and 400 SF. Special prizes: Ladies senior (1947), junior(1988-91), schoolboy (1992) and amateur (under 2000) for all: 200/150/100 CHF. Golden prizes for the players who play more then 10 times: 300/200/150 CHF. Silver prizes for the players who play MORE THEN 5 TIMES 200/150/100 CHF. Entry fee 130 SF, FMs and juniors 60 SF, at the door 20 SF more, GMs and IMs free. The teams competition, with 4 members; 3 prizes: 4x100/4x75/4x50 SF; entry fee 10 SF. Venue: Hotel "Kreuz". Time table: Round 1st 18.00-23.00 March 20,; Rounds 2/3 09.30-14.30 and 15.30-20.30 March 21,; Round 4 13.30-18.30 March 22,; Rounds 5/6 09.30-14.30 and 15.30-20.30 March 23,; Round 7 9.30-14.30 March 24. Closing ceremony March 24 at 16.00. Gala jubilee dinner March 22 from 19-22 at Hotel "Kreuz". Info: Beochess +41+62+965-46-50 (Robert Spoerri) or info@beochess.ch or site http://www.beochess.chfor more details.

M-Tel Masters

M-Tel Masters takes place 7th-18th May 2008 in the Central Military Club in the Bulgarian capital Sofia. The event is a 10 round double round robin with a 5 hour time control. In case of a draw at the top there will be a tie break for determining the winner. Like in the previous three editions of M-Tel Masters the rule for the draws introduced in Sofia will be valid. According to it the players do not have the right to agree a draw. This can be decided only by the chef arbiter of the tournament.

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

M-Tel Masters Sofia BUL 7-18 v 2008
Veselin Topalov BUL 2780
Vassily Ivanchuk UKR 2751
Levon Aronian ARM 2739
Teimour Radjabov AZE 2735
Ivan Cheparinov BUL 2713
Bu Xiangzhi CHN 2691
Average rating: 2735 Category: 20

Chess Classic Mainz 2008

The schedule for Chess Classic Mainz 2008 is now available. The event takes place 28th July - 3rd August 2008 in Mainz/Germany (a week later than originally advertised).

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

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

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 March - June 2008

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

2. Hévíz GM, IM and Open Tournaments 2008

The Palace Hotel International Chess Tournament Hévíz (Hungary) 18th-28th March 2008. There are GM, IM and Open sections. Further details: http://www.lellechess.tar.hu/ and further info at: http://www.palace.heviz.hu

3. 21st-29th of March - Budapest Spring Festival 9 rounds Swiss Open, org.: Nagy Laszlo

4. 5th-18th of April First Saturday Budapest, org.NL,

5. 19th-28th of April, KECSKEMET, CAISSA IM tmt, org. Erdelyi

6. 3rd-15th of May First Saturday Budapest, org. NL,

7. 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

8. 7th-19th of June First Saturday, Budapest, org: NL.,

9. 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/

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.

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 - 4th 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

Icelandic Rapid Championships

The Icelandic Rapid Championships took place 18th-20th October 2007. Bragi and Björn Ţorfinnsson 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

Halkidiki Chess Festival 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/

Etienne Bacrot's Website

Etienne Bacrot has a website at: http://www.chess22.fr/ with his analysis and news. Very worth while, especially when he's playing.

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 Ł700

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

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