THE WEEK IN CHESS 746 23rd February 2009 by Mark Crowther

1) Introduction

My thanks to Miklos Orso, Bela Lengyel, Axel Fritz, Tomas Dvorak, Luiz Roberto Da Costa Jr, Frank Berry, Frits Agterdenbos, Massimo Casa, Attila Czonka and everyone else who helped with the issue.

Its difficult to complain about the chess on offer this week. Veselin Topalov took the lead again against Gata Kamsky in their match to decide who will play Viswanathan Anand for his world title. This has been a very tough match so far and although Topalov is now favourite he's far from home and dry just yet.

World Champion Anand is in action also in the category XXI Linares tournament now back in Spain for it's entire duration. Levon Aronian and Alexander Grischuk lead with 3/4 half a point clear of Anand, although but for quite a bad one move blunder against Aronian Anand would probably have 3.5/4. Plenty of rounds to go.

These two events would be enough but a 3rd event, the Aeroflot Open with a huge number of strong players is taking place. Igor Kurnosov who has had some recent good results leads with 5.5/7 but his tournament has been already ruined by Shakhriyar Mamedyarov raising suspicions that he is computer cheating. It is practically impossible to prove things either way as we have seen with various allegations against Veselin Topalov and then by Veselin Topalov against Vladimir Kramnik and we know it can only lead to bad things. The only protection for the game and players is to have robust anti-cheating regulations so that players on both sides can protect themselves both from cheating and from allegations of cheating. It is very important to stop this kind of thing getting out of control. I know I for one can't really watch the 100m because I know practically every major 100m runner and record holder has at one time or another been caught cheating (including Carl Lewis, who should probably never have won a single Olympic medal, in spite of his holier than thou attitude). We can't have the situation where allegations of this type can be made with impunity where proof simply isn't possible (incidently Mamedyarov should have called the arbiter during the game as soon as he suspected cheating). We also can't have the situation where players think I have to cheat because others are cheating because then we will have a problem. I personally don't think it is happening at the top level at the moment (outside of online chess), but that's just a gut feeling.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) Topalov - Kamsky World Chess Challenge

Veselin Topalov plays Gata Kamsky in Sofia in an 8 game match for the right to play World Champion Viswanathan Anand later in the year. The match takes place 17th-27th February with playoffs on the 28th if required.

Game one drawn saw Kamsky draw quite comfortably with Topalov on the black side of a Gruenfeld. Game two saw Topalov defeat Kamsky on the black side of a very complex Berlin Defence. Game three was a Gruenfeld drawn in 37 moves. Game four was a Closed Ruy Lopez that saw extensive manoevering before Kamsky gradually came out on top. Game five was a French Tarrasch where black was left with an isolated d-pawn. Kamsky looked to have pretty much equalised, but miscalculated in exchanging pieces off the board which left him completely lost.

Official site: http://www.wccc2009.com/

World Chess Challenge Sofia BUL Results
Topalov, Veselin	-	Kamsky, Gata	½-½	36	D86	Gruenfeld Simagin
Kamsky, Gata	-	Topalov, Veselin	0-1	32	C65	Ruy Lopez Berlin
Topalov, Veselin	-	Kamsky, Gata	½-½	37	D81	Gruenfeld Botvinnik
Kamsky, Gata	-	Topalov, Veselin	1-0	73	C92	Ruy Lopez Chigorin
Topalov, Veselin	-	Kamsky, Gata	1-0	55	C07	French Tarrasch

World Chess Challenge Sofia (BUL), 17-27 ii 2009
Name	Ti	NAT	Rtng	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Total	Perf
Topalov, Veselin	g	BUL	2796	½	1	½	0	1	.	.	.	3	2797
Kamsky, Gata	g	USA	2725	½	0	½	1	0	.	.	.	2	2724

3) XXVI Linares

The XXVI Linares 2009 tournament takes place only in Spain this year (their co-operation with Morelia in Mexico was ended last year). The tournament takes place 18th February - 8th March 2009 and has 314,000 Euros in prizes. There are no appearance fees for the players. The winner takes 100,000 Euros and the trophy 2nd and 3rd take 75,000 and 50,000 Euros.

World Champion Viswanathan Anand defends the Linares title after winning the event last year. Other players are Vassily Ivanchuk, Magnus Carlsen, Teimour Radjabov, Levon Aronian, Wang Yue, Alexander Grischuk and Leinier Dominguez Perez.

Schedule: Rd1 19th Feb, Rd2 20th Feb, Rd3 21st Feb, Rd4 22nd Feb, Rd5 24th Feb, Rd6 25th Feb, Rd7 26th Feb, Rd8 28th Feb, Rd9 1st Mar, Rd10 2nd Mar, Rd11 3rd Mar, Rd12 5th Mar, Rd13 6th Mar, Rd14 7th Mar.

Official site: http://www.ajedrez.ciudaddelinares.es/index.htm

XXVI SuperGM Linares (ESP), 19 ii-7 iii 2009											cat. XXI (2756)
					1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8
1.	Aronian, Levon	g	ARM	2750	*	*	.	.	1	.	½	.	.	.	1	.	½	.	.	.	3	2954
2.	Grischuk, Alexander	g	RUS	2733	.	.	*	*	.	.	.	.	½	.	½	.	1	.	1	.	3	2942
3.	Anand, Viswanathan	g	IND	2791	0	.	.	.	*	*	.	.	.	.	½	.	1	.	1	.	2½	2836
4.	Carlsen, Magnus	g	NOR	2776	½	.	.	.	.	.	*	*	½	.	½	.	.	.	½	.	2	2746
5.	Ivanchuk, Vassily	g	UKR	2779	.	.	½	.	.	.	½	.	*	*	.	.	½	.	½	.	2	2752
6.	Dominguez Perez, Leinier	g	CUB	2717	0	.	½	.	½	.	½	.	.	.	*	*	.	.	.	.	1½	2675
7.	Radjabov, Teimour	g	AZE	2761	½	.	0	.	0	.	.	.	½	.	.	.	*	*	.	.	1	2570
8.	Wang Yue	g	CHN	2739	.	.	0	.	0	.	½	.	½	.	.	.	.	.	*	*	1	2576

Round 1 (February 19, 2009)
Aronian, Levon	- Carlsen, Magnus	½-½	37	E06	Catalan
Anand, Viswanathan	- Radjabov, Teimour	1-0	61	B33	Sicilian Sveshnikov
Dominguez Perez, Leinier	- Grischuk, Alexander	½-½	30	C19	French Winawer
Wang Yue	- Ivanchuk, Vassily	½-½	31	E11	Bogo Indian Defence
Round 2 (February 20, 2009)
Grischuk, Alexander	- Wang Yue	1-0	57	D17	Slav Defence
Anand, Viswanathan	- Aronian, Levon	0-1	53	D47	Queens Gambit Meran
Carlsen, Magnus	- Dominguez Perez, Leinier	½-½	18	A33	English Symmetrical
Radjabov, Teimour	- Ivanchuk, Vassily	½-½	42	E94	King's Indian Classical
Round 3 (February 21, 2009)
Aronian, Levon	- Radjabov, Teimour	½-½	42	E61	King's Indian Defence
Ivanchuk, Vassily	- Grischuk, Alexander	½-½	65	E21	Nimzo Indian 4.Nf3
Dominguez Perez, Leinier	- Anand, Viswanathan	½-½	42	B90	Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Wang Yue	- Carlsen, Magnus	½-½	57	D37	QGD 5.Bf4
Round 4 (February 22, 2009)
Aronian, Levon	- Dominguez Perez, Leinier	1-0	92	D27	QGA
Anand, Viswanathan	- Wang Yue	1-0	33	D15	Slav Defence
Carlsen, Magnus	- Ivanchuk, Vassily	½-½	34	D81	Gruenfeld Botvinnik
Radjabov, Teimour	- Grischuk, Alexander	0-1	41	E17	Queens Indian

4) Aeroflot Open

The mega Aeroflot Open takes place in Moscow 16th February (the day of arrival) to 27th February 2009 (the day of departure).

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

Mamedyarov withdraws after accusing Kurnosov of cheating

Leader Igor Kurnosov's behavior was criticised by Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (see this ChessBase report) after he beat him in round 6. He accused Kurnosov of suspicious behaviour in leaving the board every move after his move 12, an unusual move according to Mamedyarov. The first novelty came from Kurnosov with 16...Qd6. Mamedyarov further claimed that the moves Kurnosov produced were the same as those chosen by Rybka up until he resigned after black's move 21.

This account is considerably less than proof that Kurnosov was cheating but Mamedyarov has backed this up by withdrawing from the tournament. Looking at the game, an alternate reading of the game would be Mamedyarov played a bad variation and got thumped. It is also noteworthy that 16...Nxb2!! 17.Kxb2 c5! would be a far more brutal and computer effective way of winning the game.

The only protection both against cheats and against cheating allegations is proper anti-computer and communication proceedures. I personally think that it isn't enough now for mobile phones to be switched off, I don't think players can be permitted to carry communication devices during games and they should be given to the arbiters or not brought to the venue at all. Having said that an event as massive as the Aeroflot Open is going to be pretty much impossible to police unless players are also not permitted to leave the playing area as well.

Aeroflot Open Moscow (RUS), 16-27 ii 2009
Rank	Ti	Name	Flags	Score	Fed.	Rating	TPR	W-We
1	GM	Kurnosov, Igor		5.5	RUS	2602	2862	2.29
2	GM	Moiseenko, Alexander		5	UKR	2676	2765	0.83
3	GM	Tomashevsky, Evgeny		5	RUS	2664	2767	0.96
4	GM	Predojevic, Borki		5	BIH	2650	2723	0.67
5	GM	Pashikian, Arman		5	ARM	2621	2745	1.18
6	GM	Zhou, Jianchao		5	CHN	2612	2785	1.65
7	GM	Zhigalko, Sergei		5	BLR	2587	2806	2.08
8	GM	Bacrot, Etienne		4.5	FRA	2722	2702	-0.16
9	GM	Sargissian, Gabriel		4.5	ARM	2677	2710	0.33
10	GM	Zvjaginsev, Vadim		4.5	RUS	2636	2696	0.59
11	GM	Riazantsev, Alexander		4.5	RUS	2634	2665	0.31
12	GM	Potkin, Vladimir		4.5	RUS	2613	2734	1.18
13	GM	Ehlvest, Jaan		4.5	USA	2595	2686	0.91
14	GM	Khairullin, Ildar		4.5	RUS	2574	2718	1.41
15	GM	Zhou, Weiqi		4.5	CHN	2542	2730	1.84
16	IM	Kosintseva, Tatiana	w	4.5	RUS	2497	2720	2.15
17	GM	Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar		4	AZE	2724	2735	0.07
18	GM	Amonatov, Farrukh		4	TJK	2647	2619	-0.24
19	GM	Smirin, Ilia		4	ISR	2647	2616	-0.27
20	GM	Bareev, Evgeny		4	RUS	2645	2619	-0.22
21	GM	Aleksandrov, Aleksej		4	BLR	2636	2624	-0.1
22	GM	Kazhgaleyev, Murtas		4	KAZ	2630	2638	0.1
23	GM	Nepomniachtchi, Ian		4	RUS	2628	2600	-0.25
24	GM	So, Wesley	j	4	PHI	2627	2586	-0.38
25	GM	Landa, Konstantin		4	RUS	2626	2620	-0.04
26	GM	Zhigalko, Andrey		4	BLR	2572	2710	1.34
27	GM	Grigoriants, Sergey		4	RUS	2565	2693	1.27
28	GM	Safarli, Eltaj	j	4	AZE	2564	2684	1.19
29	IM	Yudin, Sergei		4	RUS	2562	2674	1.09
30	GM	Minasian, Artashes		4	ARM	2557	2684	1.24
31	GM	Filippov, Anton		4	UZB	2556	2679	1.22
32	GM	Dyachkov, Sergej		4	RUS	2553	2671	1.15
33	GM	Ajrapetjan, Yuriy		4	UKR	2490	2641	1.47
34	GM	Dreev, Alexey		3.5	RUS	2688	2564	-1.18
78 players

5) 2nd Pfalz Open

The 2nd Pflaz Open takes place 15th-22nd February 2009 in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse. Favourite Sergei Tiviakov took clear first place with 7.5/9. My thanks to Axel Fritz for the news.

Official site: http://www.pfalzopen.de and http://www.schach.com/neustadt

2nd Pfalz Open (GER), 15-22 ii 2009
1	Tiviakov,Sergei	NED	GM	2684	7.5	51.5	388.0
2	Bogner,Sebastian	GER	IM	2467	7.0	50.0	376.5
3	Kuzubov,Yuriy	UKR	GM	2626	7.0	50.0	375.0
4	Borovikov,Vladislav	UKR	GM	2582	7.0	50.0	374.0
5	Drozdovskyy,Yuriy	UKR	GM	2607	7.0	48.5	374.5
6	Mamedov,Nidjat	AZE	GM	2607	7.0	48.0	359.5
7	Sulskis,Sarunas	LTU	GM	2573	7.0	48.0	359.0
8	Buhmann,Rainer	GER	GM	2565	7.0	48.0	358.5
9	Gharamian,Tigran	FRA	IM	2581	7.0	47.5	374.5
10	Kempinski,Robert	POL	GM	2584	7.0	47.5	363.0
11	Iotov,Valentin	BUL	GM	2556	6.5	50.5	373.5
12	Markowski,Tomasz	POL	GM	2605	6.5	50.0	372.5
13	Milov,Leonid	GER	IM	2539	6.5	50.0	366.0
14	Baklan,Vladimir	UKR	GM	2627	6.5	49.5	364.5
15	Malakhatko,Vadim	BEL	GM	2610	6.5	49.0	371.0
16	Epishin,Vladimir	RUS	GM	2587	6.5	49.0	357.0
17	Jankovic,Alojzije	CRO	GM	2571	6.5	46.5	358.5
18	Kveinys,Aloyzas	LTU	GM	2522	6.5	46.5	352.0
19	Muzychuk,Anna	SLO	IM	2540	6.5	46.0	349.5
20	Kunin,Vitaly	GER	GM	2546	6.5	45.5	367.5
21	Yemelin,Vasily	RUS	GM	2578	6.5	45.5	353.0
22	Vavrak,Peter	SVK	IM	2488	6.5	45.0	347.0
23	Muzychuk,Mariya	UKR	IM	2427	6.5	44.5	362.5
24	Teterev,Vitaly	BLR	GM	2530	6.5	44.5	351.0
25	Skembris,Spyridon	GRE	GM	2413	6.5	44.0	359.0
26	Gopal, Geetha Narayanan	IND	GM	2555	6.5	42.5	348.0
27	Paehtz,Elisabeth	GER	IM	2455	6.5	42.5	346.0
28	Rau,Hannes	GER	IM	2429	6.5	42.5	343.5
29	Maiorov,Nikita	BLR	GM	2524	6.0	50.0	373.5
30	Galdunts,Sergey	ARM	GM	2437	6.0	49.5	358.0
31	Luther,Thomas	GER	GM	2536	6.0	49.0	350.5
32	Lupulescu,Constantin	ROU	GM	2608	6.0	48.0	352.0
33	Nabaty,Tamir	ISR		2488	6.0	47.5	365.0
34	Greenfeld,Alon	ISR	GM	2548	6.0	47.5	342.0
35	Beinoras,Mindaugas	LTU	IM	2426	6.0	47.0	337.0
36	Tania,Sachdev	IND	IM	2435	6.0	46.5	354.0
37	Lubbe,Nikolas	GER		2269	6.0	46.0	343.5
38	Chernov,Vadim	ROU	IM	2455	6.0	45.5	343.0
39	Podgaets,Mikhail	UKR	IM	2465	6.0	45.0	352.5
40	Dinger,Florian	GER	FM	2343	6.0	45.0	346.5
41	Helbig,Mark	GER	FM	2332	6.0	45.0	335.5
42	Hoffmann,Michael	GER	IM	2474	6.0	44.5	355.0
43	Wirig,Anthony	FRA	IM	2464	6.0	44.5	354.5
44	Morawietz,Dieter	GER	IM	2445	6.0	44.0	352.0
45	Gopaln,Rene	GER	IM	2492	6.0	43.5	348.0
46	Ringoir,Tanguy	BEL	FM	2366	6.0	43.5	327.5
47	Meijers,Viesturs	LAT	GM	2493	6.0	43.0	348.0
48	Kasparov,Sergey	BLR	GM	2488	6.0	42.5	351.5
49	Friedrich,Norbert	GER	FM	2342	6.0	42.0	344.0
50	Nekrasov,Michail	UKR	IM	2372	6.0	41.5	326.0
51	Klenburg,Mikhail	UKR	IM	2426	6.0	41.0	340.0
52	Radovanovic,Jovica	SRB	FM	2345	6.0	41.0	317.5
53	Hirneise,Tobias	GER	FM	2426	6.0	40.5	330.5
54	Wegerle,Joerg	GER	IM	2431	6.0	40.5	324.5
55	Meszaros,Michal	SVK	IM	2376	6.0	40.0	339.5
56	Dausch,Rene	GER	FM	2401	6.0	38.5	330.0
57	Busch,Lorenz	GER		2119	6.0	38.5	311.5
58	Zozulia,Anna	BEL	IM	2376	6.0	38.0	340.0
59	Espig,Lutz	GER	GM	2345	6.0	37.0	327.0
60	Chirila,Ioan Christian	ROU	IM	2485	6.0	35.0	309.0
61	Gaponenko,Inna	UKR	IM	2450	5.5	47.5	346.0
300 players

6) Czech Republic Championship

The Championship of the Czech Republic took place 10th-20th February 2009 in Decin, Czech Republic. Pavel Simacek edged out Robert Cvek by the tiniest of margins. After Sonnenberger tie-break and their result against each other were level the tie-break came down to the best result against the highest finishing player. Tomas Studnicka finished ahead of Eduard Meduna on Sonnenberger tie-break, Simacek beat Studnicka and Cvek only drew so he became champion. I give the games again. The Junior event was won by Jan Krejci.

Official site: http://www.chess.cz/www/ - http://www.chess-teplice.cz/news.php and results http://chess-results.com/tnr19388.aspx

ch-CZE Decin (CZE), 10-20 ii 2009													cat. IX (2473)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Simacek, Pavel	m	CZE	2493	*	½	½	½	½	½	½	1	1	½	½	1	7	2573
2.	Cvek, Robert	g	CZE	2531	½	*	½	½	½	½	½	1	½	1	½	1	7	2569
3.	Talla, Vladimir	m	CZE	2407	½	½	*	½	½	½	1	½	0	½	1	1	6½	2544
4.	Mirumian, Vigen	g	CZE	2508	½	½	½	*	½	½	½	½	½	1	1	½	6½	2534
5.	Konopka, Michal	m	CZE	2445	½	½	½	½	*	1	1	0	0	½	½	½	5½	2475
6.	Velicka, Petr	g	CZE	2464	½	½	½	½	0	*	0	½	1	½	1	½	5½	2473
7.	Stocek, Jiri	g	CZE	2586	½	½	0	½	0	1	*	½	½	½	½	½	5	2426
8.	Rausis, Igor	g	CZE	2501	0	0	½	½	1	½	½	*	1	0	½	½	5	2434
9.	Studnicka, Tomas	f	CZE	2317	0	½	1	½	1	0	½	0	*	½	½	0	4½	2422
10.	Meduna, Eduard1	g	CZE	2461	½	0	½	0	½	½	½	1	½	*	0	½	4½	2409
11.	Polak, Tomas	g	CZE	2553	½	½	0	0	½	0	½	½	½	1	*	½	4½	2400
12.	Plat, Vojtech	f	CZE	2410	0	0	0	½	½	½	½	½	1	½	½	*	4½	2413

ch-CZE Juniors Decin (CZE), 10-20 ii 2009
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Krejci, Jan	f	CZE	2426	*	½	½	1	1	1	1	½	½	½	1	1	8½	2406
2.	Ponizil, Cyril	f	CZE	2245	½	*	0	1	½	1	1	½	½	1	1	1	8	2387
3.	Rojicek, Vojtech	f	CZE	2375	½	1	*	1	½	1	1	½	1	0	0	1	7½	2333
4.	Mrazek, Lumir		CZE	2036	0	0	0	*	½	1	½	½	1	1	1	½	6	2267
5.	Bures, Jaroslav		CZE	2264	0	½	½	½	*	0	½	1	0	1	½	1	5½	2210
6.	Zwardon, Vojtech		CZE	2210	0	0	0	0	1	*	½	1	1	1	½	½	5½	2215
7.	Vlasak, Lukas		CZE	2163	0	0	0	½	½	½	*	½	½	1	½	1	5	2183
8.	Cuhra, Martin		CZE	2230	½	½	½	½	0	0	½	*	½	1	½	0	4½	2148
9.	Svoboda, Vaclav		CZE	2288	½	½	0	0	1	0	½	½	*	0	½	1	4½	2143
10.	Klement, Lukas		CZE	2061	½	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	*	1	1	4½	2164
11.	Oresky, Jan		CZE	2110	0	0	1	0	½	½	½	½	½	0	*	0	3½	2091
12.	Havlikova, Kristyna	wf	CZE	2172	0	0	0	½	0	½	0	1	0	0	1	*	3	2043

7) First Saturday February

The First Saturday tournaments took place 7th-20th February in Budapest. Daniel Ludwig won the GM Group with 7.5/10 and made a GM norm. Mark Lyell made an IM norm in the IM Group finishing on 7.5/10 along with Andras Csirik.

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

FSGM February Budapest (HUN), 7-19 ii 2009												cat. VII (2425)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1
1.	Ludwig, Daniel		USA	2421	*	½	½	½	1	1	1	½	1	1	½	7½	2623
2.	Farago, Ivan	g	HUN	2482	½	*	½	½	½	½	½	½	1	1	1	6½	2534
3.	Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy	m	VIE	2465	½	½	*	½	½	½	1	1	½	0	1	6	2498
4.	Banusz, Tamas	m	HUN	2501	½	½	½	*	½	½	½	½	½	1	1	6	2494
5.	Duong The Anh	m	VIE	2418	0	½	½	½	*	½	½	1	½	1	1	6	2502
6.	Kosic, Dragan	g	MNE	2521	0	½	½	½	½	*	½	½	1	1	½	5½	2456
7.	Ilincic, Zlatko	g	SRB	2555	0	½	0	½	½	½	*	½	1	1	1	5½	2453
8.	Paschall, William M	m	USA	2354	½	½	0	½	0	½	½	*	½	½	1	4½	2401
9.	Wittmann, Walter	m	AUT	2269	0	0	½	½	½	0	0	½	*	½	½	3	2296
10.	Konnyu, Janos		HUN	2405	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	½	½	*	1	3	2283
11.	Szalanczy, Emil	m	HUN	2336	½	0	0	0	0	½	0	0	½	0	*	1½	2143

FSIM February Budapest (HUN), 7-19 ii 2009
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1
1.	Lyell, Mark	f	ENG	2287	*	1	0	1	½	1	0	1	1	1	1	7½	2430
2.	Csirik, Andras	f	HUN	2271	0	*	½	1	1	½	½	1	1	1	1	7½	2431
3.	Kahn, Evarth	m	HUN	2290	1	½	*	0	1	½	1	½	½	1	1	7	2385
4.	Kislik, Erik Andrew		USA	2310	0	0	1	*	0	0	1	1	1	1	1	6	2306
5.	Simonyi, Zoltan	f	SRB	2226	½	0	0	1	*	½	1	0	½	1	1	5½	2279
6.	Parkanyi, Attila	m	HUN	2334	0	½	½	1	½	*	½	½	½	0	½	4½	2196
7.	Vybiral, Zdenek		CZE	2232	1	½	0	0	0	½	*	½	0	1	1	4½	2206
8.	Farago, Sandor	m	HUN	2263	0	0	½	0	1	½	½	*	1	½	½	4½	2203
9.	Bacso, Gabor	f	HUN	2123	0	0	½	0	½	½	1	0	*	½	0	3	2104
10.	Toth, Lili	wm	HUN	2190	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	½	½	*	1	3	2097
11.	Cox, Tristan A		ENG	2131	0	0	0	0	0	½	0	½	1	0	*	2	2012

8) 1st Maravilhosa Festival

The 1st Maravilhosa Festival took place in Rio de Janeiro, 9th-18th February, 2009. Diogo Fernando took clear first place with 7½/9.

Official site: http://www.cxg.org.br/festcxg09.htm

I Maravilhosa Festival Rio de Janeiro (BRA), 9-18 ii 2009												cat. II (2280)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
1.	Fernando, Diogo	m	POR	2482	*	1	½	1	½	1	½	1	1	1	7½	2530
2.	Brito, Luismar	f	BRA	2327	0	*	1	1	½	½	1	1	1	1	7	2494
3.	Perdomo, Leandro	m	ARG	2387	½	0	*	½	½	1	1	1	1	1	6½	2433
4.	Guimaraes, Wagner Peixoto	f	BRA	2253	0	0	½	*	½	½	1	1	1	1	5½	2362
5.	Galego, Luis	g	POR	2494	½	½	½	½	*	½	1	½	½	½	5	2299
6.	Rego, Vinicius V. de Almeida		BRA	2227	0	½	0	½	½	*	0	½	1	1	4	2242
7.	Santos Filho, Tadeu Souza		BRA	2092	½	0	0	0	0	1	*	½	½	½	3	2175
8.	Maia, Marco Aurelio Ferreira		BRA	2135	0	0	0	0	½	½	½	*	½	½	2½	2129
9.	Mascarenhas, Alberto Pinheiro	f	BRA	2228	0	0	0	0	½	0	½	½	*	½	2	2065
10.	Chauca, Jose		PER	2173	0	0	0	0	½	0	½	½	½	*	2	2071

9) 7th Nancy Chess Festival

The 7th International Chess Festival took place in Nancy (France) 16th-22nd February 2009. 174 players in total (200 with a kids tournament) took part in 18 closed tournaments (8 or 10 players each). The A-group was a strong category 13 won easily by GM Harikrishna with 7/9 and a very good performance of 2758. The german GM Georg Meier finished 2nd with 6/9, and 17 year old French GM Sebastien Feller finished 3rd with 5,5/9. The B-group was dominated by IM Ninov with 7,5/9 who qualified for the A-group of next year. The local player Cedric Paci almost made an IM-norm. My thanks to Christophe Philippe.

Official site: http://echecs54.free.fr/

It A Nancy (FRA), 16-22 ii 2009												cat. XIII (2556)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
1.	Harikrishna, P	g	IND	2673	*	½	1	1	½	½	½	1	1	1	7	2763
2.	Meier, Georg	g	GER	2608	½	*	½	½	½	½	½	1	1	1	6	2675
3.	Feller, Sebastien	g	FRA	2525	0	½	*	½	1	½	1	½	½	1	5½	2639
4.	Krasenkow, Michal	g	POL	2620	0	½	½	*	½	1	1	½	1	½	5½	2628
5.	Edouard, Romain	m	FRA	2562	½	½	0	½	*	0	½	1	1	1	5	2598
6.	Tregubov, Pavel V	g	RUS	2647	½	½	½	0	1	*	1	½	0	½	4½	2545
7.	Gozzoli, Yannick	m	FRA	2503	½	½	0	0	½	0	*	1	½	1	4	2518
8.	Bauer, Christian	g	FRA	2610	0	0	½	½	0	½	0	*	1	1	3½	2470
9.	Nezar, Mustapha	m	FRA	2399	0	0	½	0	0	1	½	0	*	0	2	2353
10.	Brunner, Nicolas	m	FRA	2413	0	0	0	½	0	½	0	0	1	*	2	2351

It B Nancy FRA (FRA), 16-22 ii 2009												cat. IV (2343)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
1.	Ninov, Nikolai	m	BUL	2526	*	½	½	1	1	1	½	1	1	1	7½	2596
2.	Marzolo, Cyril	m	FRA	2484	½	*	½	½	1	0	1	1	1	1	6½	2493
3.	Gladyszev, Oleg	m	RUS	2423	½	½	*	½	½	½	1	1	1	1	6½	2500
4.	Paci, Cedric	f	FRA	2300	0	½	½	*	½	1	1	½	1	½	5½	2428
5.	Wiley, Tom E	f	ENG	2293	0	0	½	½	*	1	½	½	½	1	4½	2349
6.	Lagarde, Maxime	f	FRA	2343	0	1	½	0	0	*	0	0	1	1	3½	2263
7.	Delorme, Alban	f	FRA	2251	½	0	0	0	½	1	*	½	0	1	3½	2273
8.	Spielmann, Alain	f	FRA	2324	0	0	0	½	½	1	½	*	0	1	3½	2265
9.	Pucher, Olivier	f	FRA	2338	0	0	0	0	½	0	1	1	*	0	2½	2178
10.	Sondermann, Johannes		GER	2152	0	0	0	½	0	0	0	0	1	*	1½	2091

10) Curitaba ITT

There was an international rating tournament in Curitiba, Brazil 2nd-8th February 2009. Sandro Mareco took first place with 7.5/10. Games now available in good format.

Details: http://www.fexpar.esp.br/ and http://rodrigodisconzi.blogspot.com/2009/02/itt-iep-final.html

ITT IEP Curitiba (BRA), 3-8 ii 2009										cat. IV (2335)
					1		2		3		4		5		6
1.	Mareco, Sandro	m	ARG	2503	*	*	½	1	½	1	½	1	1	1	½	½	7½	2494
2.	Disconzi da Silva, Rodrigo	m	BRA	2368	½	0	*	*	1	½	½	½	½	1	1	0	5½	2364
3.	Choma, Ernani Francisco	f	BRA	2281	½	0	0	½	*	*	1	1	½	0	1	1	5½	2381
4.	Gonzalez, Bolivar Ribeiro	f	BRA	2269	½	0	½	½	0	0	*	*	1	1	1	1	5½	2384
5.	Giardelli, Sergio C	m	ARG	2378	0	0	½	0	½	1	0	0	*	*	1	1	4	2254
6.	Jabbar, Toyfeeq		IRQ	2211	½	½	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	*	*	2	2119

11) I Magistral d’Escacs Ajuntaments L’Alcudia de Crespins & Silla

The I Magistral d’Escacs Ajuntaments L’Alcudia de Crespins & Silla took place 9th-20th February 2009. Liuben Spassov just edged out Cristian Dolezal and Manuel Fenollar Jorda on Sonnenberger tie-break after all scored 6½/9.

Official site: http://www.tabladeflandes.com/valencia/alcudia_2009/alcudia_crepins_2009.php

I Silla & Alcudia Crespins (ESP), 9-20 ii 2009												cat. I (2253)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
1.	Spassov, Liuben	g	BUL	2417	*	½	1	1	½	1	½	½	1	½	6½	2400
2.	Dolezal, Cristian	m	ARG	2411	½	*	½	1	1	1	0	1	½	1	6½	2401
3.	Fenollar Jorda, Manuel	f	ESP	2341	0	½	*	½	½	1	1	1	1	1	6½	2409
4.	Ortiz Suarez, Isam	m	CUB	2522	0	0	½	*	½	½	1	1	1	1	5½	2303
5.	Torres Sanchez, Jose		ESP	2330	½	0	½	½	*	½	1	½	½	1	5	2287
6.	Valmana Canto, Jaime	f	ESP	2343	0	0	0	½	½	*	1	1	1	1	5	2286
7.	Calvo Alfonso, Vicente		ESP	2202	½	1	0	0	0	0	*	½	½	1	3½	2178
8.	Ibanez Aullana, Jose Ramon		ESP	2308	½	0	0	0	½	0	½	*	½	1	3	2121
9.	Molina Rodriguez, Borja		ESP	1702	0	½	0	0	½	0	½	½	*	1	3	2189
10.	Cucarella Montell, Angels		ESP	1954	½	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	*	½	1842

12) Stillwater Winter Open

The Winter Open - Stillwater, OK USA took place 14th-16th February 2009. It ended up a 3-way tie between FM Michael Langer of Austin, Texas, Richard Ding of Arizona and Conrad Holt of Wichita, Kansas each with 5.5 points out of 7 games. Players from 8 states competed for $5,000 in prize money. Frank Berry was chief TD assisted by Jim Berry and Dennis Glascock. Tom Braunlich was the organizer. Half (27) of the 54 players had FIDE ratings. My thanks to Frank Berry for the games and news.

Winter Open Stillwater (USA), 14-16 ii 2009
1	Michael Langer	FM	2264	USA	5½	$435
2	Richard Ding		2124	USA	5½	$435
3	Conrad Holt		2254	USA	5½	$435
4	Camilla Baginskaite	WGM	2309	USA	5	$100
5	Alex Yermolinsky	GM	2518	USA	5	$100
6	David Adelberg		2131	USA		$300 class prize
7	Movses Movsisyan	FM	2194	USA	4½
8	Terry Wright		1997	USA	4½	$200 class prize
9	Kevin Cao		1924	USA	4½	$100 class prize
10	Tom Braunlich		2173	USA	4½	$100 class prize
11	John M. Williams		1992	USA	4½	$200 class prize
12	Sergey Galant		2187	USA	4½	$100 class prize
13	Robert Stepp		1907	USA	4½	$300 class prize
14	William Orton		2162	USA	4½
15	Judson Temple		1923	USA	4½	$200 class prize
16	Devin Hughes		2013	USA	4
17	Andy Widener		1924	USA	4
18	Dennis Glascock		1953	USA	4
19	Kenny Lin		1892	USA	4	$200 class prize
20	David Zelnick		2013	USA	4
21	Jaime Fernandez		2028	USA	4
22	John Schuller		1866	USA	4
23	James E. Berry		2060	USA	4
54 players

13) Bunratty Chess Festival

The Bunratty Chess Festival took place 20th-22nd February 2009. Peter Svidler returned and successfully defended his title with a 5.5/6 score a point clear of Bogdan Lalic (who held the winner to his only draw), Gawain Jones, Peter Wells and Alex Lopez who all finished on 4.5 points. Chess Today's Alex Baburin (who lost to Svidler in the final round) and London Chess Centre owner IM Malcolm Pein (losses to Baburin (from a good position Baburin played really well in time trouble) and Wells (played a move he knew ought to be bad for reasons he can't fathom)) both finished on 4 points. 38 players competed in the top group.

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

Bunratty Chess Festival (IRL), 20-22 ii 2009
No	Name		Loc	NAT	Total	1	2	3	4	5	6
1	Peter Svidler	GM	2723	RUS	5.5	37:W	8:W	13:W	4:W	2:D	6:W
2	Bogdan Lalic	GM	2538	CRO	4.5	27:W	14:D	5:W	3:D	1:D	12:W
3	Gawain Jones	GM	2540	ENG	4.5	16:W	15:W	9:D	2:D	18:W	4:D
4	Peter Wells	GM	2513	ENG	4.5	31:W	23:W	11:W	1:L	7:W	3:D
5	Alex Lopez	FM	2367	IRL	4.5	36:W	6:D	2:L	8:W	17:W	9:W
6	Alexander Baburin	GM	2541	IRL	4	19:W	5:D	7:W	9:D	11:W	1:L
7	Malcolm Pein	IM	2391	ENG	4	28:W	20:W	6:L	15:W	4:L	18:W
8	Chris Baker	IM	2351	ENG	3.5	24:W	1:L	12:W	5:L	19:W	16:D
9	Adam Hunt	IM	2431	ENG	3.5	30:W	26:W	3:D	6:D	10:D	5:L
10	Mark Heidenfeld	IM	2367	IRL	3.5	32:W	12:D	14:D	13:D	9:D	15:D
11	Simon Ansell	IM	2405	ENG	3.5	25:W	35:W	4:L	19:W	6:L	14:D
12	Gavin Wall	IM	2302	ENG	3.5	38:W	10:D	8:L	25:W	13:W	2:L
13	Simon Williams	GM	2507	ENG	3.5	22:W	18:W	1:L	10:D	12:L	25:W
14	Lawrence Cooper	IM	2313	ENG	3.5	34:W	2:D	10:D	18:L	27:W	11:D
15	Philip Short	FM	2309	IRL	3.5	33:W	3:L	31:W	7:L	24:W	10:D
16	Daniel McGowan		2098	SCO	3.5	3:L	24:D	32:D	31:W	22:W	8:D
17	Callum Kilpatrick		2211	ENG	3.5	35:L	28:W	25:D	23:W	5:L	22:W
18	Karl McPhillips		2220	IRL	3	29:W	13:L	30:W	14:W	3:L	7:L
19	Frans Wolferink		2130	NED	3	6:L	36:W	26:W	11:L	8:L	33:W
20	Mark Orr	IM	2249	SCO	3	26:L	7:L	33:D	38:W	29:D	23:W
21	Clement Sreeves		1974	SCO	3	23:L	22:L	28:D	36:D	37:W	30:W
22	Andrew Mendelson		2087	IRL	2.5	13:L	21:W	23:D	35:W	16:L	17:L
23	Paul Wallace		2253	IRL	2.5	21:W	4:L	22:D	17:L	32:W	20:L
24	Justin Daly		2003	IRL	2.5	8:L	16:D	37:W	27:D	15:L	29:D
25	Lasha Tsaboshvili		2038	ROU	2.5	11:L	38:W	17:D	12:L	35:W	13:L
26	Stephen Moran		1971	IRL	2.5	20:W	9:L	19:L	28:D	30:D	27:D
27	John Keaveney		2096	ENG	2.5	2:L	34:W	35:D	24:D	14:L	26:D
28	Sam Osborne		2021	IRL	2.5	7:L	17:L	21:D	26:D	38:D	35:W
29	Rory Delaney		1962	IRL	2.5	18:L	30:L	36:D	34:W	20:D	24:D
30	Anthony Fox		2085	IRL	2	9:L	29:W	18:L	32:D	26:D	21:L
31	Eamon Keogh		2092	IRL	2	4:L	33:W	15:L	16:L	34:L	38:W
32	Maria Yurenok	WFM	2035	ENG	2	10:L	37:D	16:D	30:D	23:L	34:D
33	Brian Galligan		1998	IRL	2	15:L	31:L	20:D	37:D	36:W	19:L
34	David Oswald		2002	SCO	2	14:L	27:L	38:D	29:L	31:W	32:D
35	Oisin P. Benson		1951	IRL	1.5	17:W	11:L	27:D	22:L	25:L	28:L
36	Anthony Aherne		2006	IRL	1.5	5:L	19:L	29:D	21:D	33:L	37:D
37	Jan Heinrich		2133	SVK	1.5	1:L	32:D	24:L	33:D	21:L	36:D
38	Darren McCabe		1897	IRL	1	12:L	25:L	34:D	20:L	28:D	31:L

14) Noteboom Memorial

The Noteboom Memorial took place 20th-22nd February 2009. Yuri Solodovnichenko edged out Friso Nijboer on tie-break after both finished on 5.5/6.

Official site: http://lsg-leiden.nl/noteboom/2009/noteboom2009.html and a nice photo report at: http://www.chessvista.com/ccms.6558.ChessVista.Daniel-Noteboom-Tournament-2009.html

Noteboom Memorial Leiden (NED), 20-22 ii 2009
Rk	Name	Ti	NAT	ELO	Pnts	Bhlz	SB	TPR
1	Solodovnichenko, Yuri	g	UKR	2571	5.5	23	20.5	2824
2	Nijboer, Friso	g	NED	2560	5.5	19.5	17.25	2692
3	Nikolic, Predrag	g	BIH	2623	5	24	19.25	2619
4	Miedema, Roi	f	NED	2325	5	21	17.25	2451
5	Meng, Roger		NED	1917	5	21	16.75	2484
6	Beeke, Bob		NED	2181	5	19.5	15	2449
7	Van den Doel, Erik	g	NED	2574	4.5	26.5	18.25	2520
8	Roobol, Martin	f	NED	2329	4.5	22.5	14.75	2520
9	Van Ketel, Raoul	f	NED	2287	4.5	22	14.75	2466
10	Van de Griendt, Jan Willem	f	NED	2355	4.5	21.5	15	2325
11	Straver, Robert		NED	2206	4.5	21	15	2313
12	Kleijn, Christov		NED	2314	4.5	20.5	12.75	2412
13	Meijer, Dolf		NED	2217	4.5	19	12.75	2459
14	Wantola, Ivo		NED	2300	4	25	15	2384
15	Soors, Stef		BEL	2236	4	22.5	14	2336
16	Leeuwenburgh, Evert		NED	2068	4	22.5	14	2147
17	De Graaf, Dick		NED	2064	4	22.5	13.5	2202
18	Slingerland, Fred	f	NED	2399	4	21.5	13	2254
19	Vrancken, Gilbert		NED	----	4	21.5	12.5	2263
20	Timmermans, Mark		NED	2123	4	21	13.25	2336
146 players

15) Aivars Gipslis Memorial

The Aivars Gipslis Memorial took place 12th-18th February 2009. Deniss Nikolajevs edged out Vladimirs Svesnikovs on tie-break after both scored 7/9. No games currently available. Organised by the Riga Chess Federation.

Riga Chess Federation

Aivars Gipslis Memorial Riga (LAT), 12-18 ii 2009
1	NIKOLAJEVS, Deniss	MK	2435	7	47.5	39.0
2	SVESNIKOVS, Vladimirs	FM	2451	7	38.5	28.0
3	KRUSTKALNS, Kristaps	FM	2340	6	49.0	32.0
4	KANTANS, Toms	MK	2338	5.5	45.5	28.5
5	BERZINA, Ilze	WIM	2339	5.5	44.5	29.0
6	LAVENDELIS, Egons	MK	2374	5.5	44.5	27.5
7	KURPNIEKS, Vairis	MK	2106	5.5	37.0	21.5
8	VOLODINS, Igors	MK	2305	5.5	36.0	24.5
9	ROGULE, Laura	WGM	2200	5	48.5	28.0
10	SKINKE, Katrina	M	2327	5	41.0	28.0
11	ISAKOVS, Janis	MK	2153	5	32.0	19.0
12	MELDERIS, Uldis	MK	2146	4.5	47.0	27.5
13	GRASIS, Janis	FM	2306	4.5	46.5	26.0
14	BERNOTAS, Arturs	MK	2086	4.5	41.0	20.5
15	CEHLOVS, Aleksandrs	FM	2292	4	42.5	23.0
16	PETROVS, Aleksandrs	1	1987	4	38.0	19.0
17	RESCENKO, Pavels	1	1981	4	35.0	18.0
146 players

16) I Felix Alexander Sonnenfeld Memorial

The I Felix Alexander Sonnenfeld Memorial Festival took place in Praca Seca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1st-8th February 2009. Eduardo Arruda da Gama A Cunha won with 7/9. Games from the final two rounds are still missing.

Official site: http://sonnenfeld.webnode.com/

17) Romanian Championships

The Romanian Championships took place 31st January - 8th February 2009 in Eforie Nord on the Black Sea Coast. Prize fund: 7000 Euro. A 9th women's title for Corina-Isabela Peptan and first men's for Eduard-Andrei Valeanu. I will round up the games when the become available. My thanks to Dinu-Ioan Nicula for the news.

Official site: http://www.clubulregilor.ro/

18) Forthcoming Events and Links

Tournament of Young Talents

The 30th annual Tournament of Young Talents takes place 9th - 13th April 2009 in Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic. It is a festival of three tournaments: Tournament of young talents - several groups for youth players under 14 years Up to 8 years children championship - open Czech Championship under 8 years Pobeskydi - FIDE open and at least one round-robin with the possibility to achieve IM/WGM norm.

Further details: http://www.chessfm.cz

European Youth Championships

The European Youth Championships (U10 - U18) takes place in Fermo/Italy 30th August - 10th September 2009.

Details: http://www.euroyouth2009.com

European Senior Championships

The European Individual Senior Championship takes place in Rogaska Slatina/Slovenia 22nd - 31st July 2009. For the first time just before the event a European Senior Rapid Championship will be organised. The dates are 19th - 21st July.

Further details are published under http://www.sahohlacnik.com/eu-sen/

European Union Website

The European Chess Union Website ECU website has changed address to http://www.europechess.org

Szombathely IM

There is an IM tournament in Szombathely (HUN) 26th March - 3rd April 2009 9-11 rounds 100 minutes/40 moves + 30 minutes , 30 sec addition after each move Chief Arbiter: PERGEL Laszlo International Arbiter Accomodation: Pansion (tv, bathroom, wifi) 40 Eur/night/room/2 person Entry Fee: 120 euro Schedule: Opening Ceremony: 26th March 2009 15.30 Rounds: 26th March - 3rd April every day 16.00 Information: CSONKA Attila 0036-70-200-4233 attila_csonka@hotmail.com PERGEL László 0036-70-775-4901 pergell@citromail.hu

Dutch Teams

The Dutch Team Championship takes place 27th September 2008 - 10th May 2009. Round 6 on 7th March ( Schrijvers Rotterdam - BSG, Homburg Apeldoorn - Hotels.nl, LSG - HMC Calder, HSG - Utrecht and Voerendaal - ESGOO ) I think there may be playoffs after that.

Great coverage at: http://www.schakers.info/ and also the http://www.schaakbond.nl/wedstrijdschaak/knsb-competitie/

X Pamplona Chess Festival

The X Pamplona Chess Festival takes place 5th-10th October 2009.

Details: http://www.festivalcinepamplona.com/

Alushta Diary 2009

Alushta Diary 2009:

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, 5.09 - 13.09, Open tournament (under 16 years) 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, 10.07 - 18.07, 20.07 - 28.07, 22.08 - 30.08, Alushta Swiss 9 rounds Blitz tournament 7.07, 19.07, 29.07, Alushta Swiss 9 rounds Open tournament (rapid chess) 8.07 - 9.07, 30.07 - 31.07, Alushta Session of school of Gennadi Kuzmin 21.06 - 27.06, 15.07 - 24.07. Individual and group studying Further information: http://www.kaissa.com.ua phone +38 (06560)5-05-32, +380505828911 (for Russian speaking), + 380506692604 (for English speaking) e-mail: info@kaissa.com.ua

I Costa del Sol International

The I Costa del Sol International takes place 22nd February - 28th March 2009 over several weekends if I understand the press release correctly. Details: http://es.geocities.com/clubajedrezsanpedro/

Chess in School Conference

There will be a Chess in Schools conference 25th-27th February 2209 in Turin (Torino-Italy).

The opening ceremony will be attended by the President of FIDE, Mr Ilyumzhinov. Among the speakers in the 3 days there will be many GMs, representatives of Fide and of many chess Federations, and obviously Italian teachers and experts.

Official web site and the complete program: http://www.turinchessinschools.com

21st Lenk International Chess Festival

After a great jubilee with the 20th Lenk Chess Festival, last year has come the shock news that the, 21st Lenk International Tournament, April 9th-13th 2009 will be the last chess event in the Simmental region, a very attractive tourist area. "Beochess" with "Swiss Chess Tour" this year close all their chess activity. During 21 years Lenk became very popular in chess world and it will be pity if nobody keeps on the tremendous tradition.

So, last time, Hotel Kreuz will be venue, Lenk 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 prizes: 1.500 SF, 1.200, 800, 600, 400, 2x300 and 3x200 SF. Special prizes: Ladies, senior (1948), junior(1989-92), schoolboy (1993) and amateur (under 2000) for all: 200 CHF. Entry fee 130 SF, FMs and juniors 60 SF, at the door 20 SF more, GMs and IMs free. Venue: Hotel "Kreuz". Time table: Round 1st 18.00-23.00 April 9,; Rounds 2/3 10.00-15.00 and 16.00-21.00 April 10,; Round 4 14.00-19.00 April 11,; Rounds 5/6 10.00-15.00 and 16.00-21.00 April 12,; Round 7 10.00-15.00 April 13. Closing ceremony April 13 at 16.00.

Info: Beochess +41+62+965-46-50 (Robert Spoerri) or event@beochess.ch or site http://www.beochess.ch for more details.

Zuerich Chess Club 200th Anniversary

Dr. Christian Rohrer reports: The world's oldest chess club celebrates its 200th year with spectacular jubilee events, including World Champions Spassky, Kasparov and Anand.

The Schachgesellschaft Zuerich celebrates 200th anniversary with spectacular jubilee events

The Schachgesellschaft Zuerich, the world's oldest chess club, celebrates its 200th year in 2009 with spectacular jubilee events. To mark the anniversary, some of the greatest masters of the last five decades, including World Champions Spassky, Kasparov and Anand, will play at the event. Highlights will be a simultaneous exhibition and a rapid chess tournament on the 22nd and 23rd of August, held in Zurich Main Railway Station. With generous sponsor support from Credit Suisse the Schachgesellschaft Zuerich continues its long standing tradition of world class chess tournaments.

On Saturday the 22nd of August, in simultaneous games 200 amateurs will be honoured to face eight word-class chess players, who have made historical contributions to world chess over the last 50 years: Viswanathan Anand, Anatoly Karpov, Garry Kasparov, Viktor Korchnoi, Vladimir Kramnik, Boris Spassky, Ruslan Ponomariov and Veselin Topalov. On Sunday the 23rd of August, these champions will compete against each other in an exciting rapid chess format. Judit Polgar, the strongest female chess player ever, and Werner Hug of Schachgesellschaft Zuerich, former world junior chess champion, will replace Kasparov and Spassky, who have retired from competitive chess.

A huge number of spectators, from enthusiasts to the generally curious, is expected for the events at Zurich Railway Main Station. And no one need miss it: All commemorative events will be streamed live via Internet.

The jubilee commences with an open tournament; certain to be one of the most exciting open chess tournaments of 2009. Players of every skill level, from beginners to the elite world class, are expected and will be welcomed at the Zurich Kongresshaus from August 9th to the 15th, 2009. They will compete in two tournaments, 9 rounds each, for CHF 100.000 guaranteed prize money and many attractive prizes.

To further honour the occasion, Richard Forster, reputable chess historian, will release his comprehensive book, researched in great detail, on the unique history of the Schachgesellschaft Zuerich. Entitled "Schachgesellschaft Zuerich: 1809 bis 2009", Forster's work will analyze the development of the Schachgesellschaft Zuerich from the times of Napoleon to the present day.

Details: http://www.sgzurich2009.ch

5th Thessaloniki Games Festival

The 5th Thessaloniki Games Festival takes place 26th April - 4th May 2009.

Official site: http://www.gamesfestival.com/ (wasn't working when I checked) and a full listing of the event.

32nd Ikaros Chess Festival 2009

The traditional 32nd Ikaros Chess Festival 2009 takes place on Ikaria island.

The main event of the festival, the International Aegean Open Championship takes place 11th-19th July 2009. It is a 9 round swiss event with prize fund 3600 Euros in total (1st prize 1000 Euros, special money prizes for ladies and veterans). Special conditions for GMs/IMs and WGMs/WIMs are provided, special discounts for families and club teams are also offered (more information will be available in the official announcement of the festival that will be out soon on the official webpage.

Contact info: ikaros@chess.gr while to contact us on the phone one can try: +30 6932 478386 or +30 210 5010871 (Mr. Savas Kyriakou). For general information about the island of Ikaria one can also check at: http://www.island-ikaria.com

Official site: http://www.chess.gr/ikaros

32nd San Sebastian Open

32nd San Sebastian International Open, takes place 5th-12th April 2009 in the Spanish northern city of San Sebastian (near french border).

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

Tancats de la Societat Coral

The Tancats de la Societat Coral Colon Grup GM takes place 23rd January - 20th March 2009.

Official site: http://chess-results.com/tnr18677.aspx

Pula Open 2009

The 23rd International Chess Tournament "Pula Open 2009" takes place 27th June - 4th July 2009 in Pula, Croatia. Official site: http://www.skpula.hr and contact e-mail: pulaopen@globalnet.hr.

Hungarian Chess Tournaments March-October 2009

1. 7th-19th of February, FIRST SATURDAY GM-IM-FM Budapest FIRST SATURDAY Budapest, 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/

2.20th-28th of February IM-Rating Caissa, Kecskemet, org: Dr.Erdelyi, Tamás, cellphone: +36-30-271-33-38, Landline phone-fax: +36-76-481-685 e-mail: postmaster@caissa.t-online.hu Website: http://www.caissachessbooks.hu Usually also in the second half of the month IM and rating tournaments in Kecskemet, a city 80 km South-East from Budapest.

3.7th-19th of March, First Saturday, Budapest, GM-IM-FM, org Nagy L.

4.20th-28th of March, 25th BUDAPEST SPRING FESTIVAL 9 rounds Swiss Open, org: Nagy L. - e-mail: firstsat@hu.inter.net

5.4th-16th of April First Saturday Budapest, org.Nagy L.

6.18th-26th of April Caissa, IM + rating Kecskemet, Org.Erdelyi,

7.2nd-14th of May, First Saturday GM-IM-FM Budapest, org Nagy L.

Kecskemet Caissa IM + rating tournaments more: 16th-25th of May, 20th-28th of June, 18th-27th of July, 15th-24th of August, 19th-28th of September. FIRST SATURDAY Budapest GM-IM-FM tournaments more: 6th-18th of June, 4th-16th of July, 1st-13th of August, 5th-17th of September.

4NCL

The 4NCL takes place 4th October 2008 - 4th May 2009. Rounds 3-4 took place 6th-7th December 2008 in the Barcelo Hotel, Hinckley Island.

Official site: http://www.4ncl.co.uk

Fixtures 2008-9

Rounds 1 and 2: 4th/5th October 2008 De Vere Venues, Sunningdale Divisions 1-2

Rounds 3-4: 6th/7th December 2008 Barcelo Hotel, Hinckley Island Divisions 1-3

Rounds 5-6: 17th/18th January 2009 De Vere Venues, Sunningdale Divisions 1-2

Rounds 7-8: 21st/22nd March 2009 Barcelo Hotel, Hinckley Island Divisions 1-3

Rounds 9-11: 2nd-4th May 2009 De Vere Venues, Staverton Park Divisions 1-2

Novi Sad Open

1) Open turnir , 10-11 jan. 2009 , Srpska Nova g. u N. Sadu , 5 kola , rejtinguje se !!, fide tempo http://www.drazic.co.rs

2) IM , berger, 10-18.jan.2009. , 10 rounds, fide tempo, Novi SAd, for elo and norms fide, http://www.drazic.co.rs

3) Open turnir , 16-18 jan.2009, Novi Sad "Zima u Novom Sadu", 5 kola , rejtinguje se !!, fide tempo http://www.drazic.co.rs

4) cuger turnir , Olimpik, 12. jan.2009, Novi Sad, start 20 h , http://www.drazic.co.rs

5) program of chess edukation, every day from 12-15 jan. 2009 chess lessons with varius GM and Im (available in 3 languages),,,, some of teachers GM Kosanovic G. , GM SEdlak Nikola, GM Kovacevic A , GM DRazic Sinisa etc...

6) Open t. , "Dunav-Drava -Sava" , Banja Junakovic(87km from N.Sad), 9 rounds, fide tempo, possible norms fide and elo, date - 21-25.01.2009., special package , only 130 eur, 4 days full board with available swiming pool, and include also entry fee !! more http://www.drazic.co.rs Special discount for people who take part in more than one events.

Luis Scalise

Luis Scalise's chess pages have moved to: http://scalise.fortunecity.com/

Grand Slam Masters Final

The 2nd edition of the Grand Slam Masters Final will be played in Bilbao, September 2-15th 2009. The winners of Corus-Wijk aan Zee, Ciudad de Linares and Mtel Masters-Sofia tournaments will qualify directly for the Masters Final in Bilbao, where the first edition (played at a central square, inside a glass cube) was a very big success last September.

More details on the 2009 tournament (number of players, system of play, etc) will be announced at the end of the Corus tournament in Wijk aan Zee. The Grand Slam is in negotiations to include one more high level tournament in the 2009 circuit.

Grand Slam Chess Association (GSCA)

Dresden, 23 November 2008

Austrian Team Championship

The Austrian team championship started in St Veit 7th-9th November 2008, the 11 round competition has further rounds 22nd-25th January and 19th-22nd March 2009. Players in the first three rounds included: Sergei Movsesian, Hikaru Nakamura, Emil Sutovsky, Jan Gustafsson and Alexander Beliavsky.

Official site: http://www.chess.at/ and results: http://www.chess-results.com/tnr12353.aspx

Chess Study

Dr Robert Howard is making a study of rated chess players.

The full article: http://education.arts.unsw.edu.au/fidestudy/results

If you would like to participate, please go to this website: http://education.arts.unsw.edu.au/fidestudy/

For any queries, please contact Dr Robert Howard, University of New South Wales, on rwh@unsw.edu.au

Bundesliga

The Schachbundesliga season 2008/09 runs 3rd-5th October and runs until March 2009. 16 Teams compete with team rosters of 16-18 players but only eight play each weekend. There will be live coverage of all the games.

Dates: 4th-5th October 2008 25th-26th October 2008 29th-30th November 2008 12th-14th December 2008 (Here the official seventh round will be played. Although some will be played at other times) 31st January 2008 - 1st February 2009. 28th February - 1st March 2009. 28th-29th March 2009.

Official site of the Schachbundesliga (http://www.schachbundesliga.de/index.aspx) Further information (in German) and the entrance site for the live coverage: http://www.schachbundesliga.de/index.aspx

European Youth U-16 winners Texas Scholarships

The University of Texas at Dallas (USA) has offered scholarships to the winners of the U-16 European Youth Chess Championships since 2007. The agreement with the European Chess Union has been extended for another three years. The total value of the scholarships during this five-year period will be approximately 1 million USD, said James A. Stallings, Director of the UTD chess program.

Interview on the ECU website: http://www.europechess.org/home518.aspx?art=ft

27th Elba Island Festival

The 27th International Chess Festival of Elba Island "Luigi Amalfi", takes place at the Hotel Lacona 10th-17th May 2009.

Details: http://www.tuscanhotels.it/en/cmsx.asp?IDPg=23

Icelandic Team Championship

Icelandic Team Champ 1st div first half took place 3rd-5th October 2008. The 2nd set of games are March 21st-22nd March 2009 if I understand the website correctly. A small number of games are available.

Official site: http://www.skaksamband.is/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=5982&Itemid=499# and results: http://chess-results.com/tnr16443.aspx

Doeberl Cup and Sydney International 2009

The 2009 Doeberl Cup is in Canberra 9th-13th April 2009. See http://www.doeberlcup.com.au/

The 2009 Sydney International Open takes place 15th-19th April 2009. See http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/index.cfm?site=open

Free entry to GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs.

Free accommodation for selected GMs and WGMs.

For further information, please contact Brian Jones info@chessaustralia.com.au

GM Boris Alterman's Chess Lessons

GM Boris Alterman has a blog with free chess lessons on it.

Website: http://chesslessons.wordpress.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.

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