THE WEEK IN CHESS 752 6th April 2009 by Mark Crowther

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Mark Crowther
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Contents

1) Introduction
2) April FIDE Rating List
3) Russian Team Championships
4) Reykjavik Open
5) Mar de Ajo International
6) Arnold Eikrem Memorial
7) Battle of the GMs Dapitan
8) Vietnam Championships
9) 11th European Senior Teams
10) Belgrade Spring Open
11) V Ciocaltea Memorial
12) I Costa del Sol International
13) Genset Cup Szombathely
14) First Saturday April
15) ITT Proyeccion U20
16) Serbian Championship
17) Nashua Open
18) San Sebastian GM
19) Dortmund
20) 40th Mar del Plata International
21) 32nd San Sebastian Open
22) Thailand Open Championship
23) Chance to play against Kasparov or Anand
24) Forthcoming Events and Links

Games Section
Russian Team Championships256 games
Reykjavik Open495 games
Mar de Ajo International11 games
Arnold Eikrem Memorial15 games
Battle of the GMs Dapitan56 games
Vietnam Championships206 games
11th European Senior Teams50 games
Belgrade Spring Open159 games
V Ciocaltea Memorial18 games
I Costa del Sol International20 games
Genset Cup Szombathely45 games
First Saturday April65 games
ITT Proyeccion U2045 games
Serbian Championship35 games
Nashua Open38 games
1516 games

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1) Introduction

My thanks to Alex Relyea, Christian Rohrer, Attila Csonka, David Llada, Dragan Babic, Jose Mariano Acosta, Luis Scalise, Luiz Roberto Da Costa Jr, Neklan Vyskocil, Miklos Orso, Per Rasmussen, Franz Rulitz, Stewart Reuben, Tarjei J. Svensen Thomas Henrich, Manfred Mussnig, Petr Pisk, Varuzhan Akobian and everyone else who helped with the issue.

Veselin Topalov duely did top the FIDE rating list in April ahead of World Champion Viswanathan Anand. There should be a good case for sponsorship of their world title match but every week brings worse economic news, so whether there is money out there is open to question. The Russian Team Championship Premier League is two rounds short as two teams had to withdraw for economic reasons. Nevertheless there are many good players competing and already some interesting chess.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) April FIDE Rating List

Source: http://www.fide.com. The full list is available for download there.

Veselin Topalov tops the rating list for the 3rd time in a row. World Champion Viswanathan Anand is 2nd in the world. Magnus Carlsen moves up to three in the world in spite of some up and down performances recently. A funny indication as to what has happened in this list is Kramnik's move from 8 to 4 in the world without playing a rated game. Radjabov is up from 6 to 5 in the world but losing rating points. Alexander Morozevich dropped 20 points, Vassily Ivanchuk drops 33 points and out of the top 10, a real drop in form and consistancy for him. Alexander Grischuk goes into the top 10.

FIDE Rating List April 2009 Top 100
Rkja09NameTiNATYroBju07oc07ja08ap08ju08oc08ja09ap09Gms
11Topalov, VeselingBUL19752769276927802767277727912796281217
22Anand, ViswanathangIND19692792280127992803279827832791278314
34Carlsen, MagnusgNOR19902710271427332765277527862776277027
48Kramnik, VladimirgRUS1975276927852799278827882772275927590
56Radjabov, TeimourgAZE19872746274227352751274427512761275627
611Aronian, LevongARM19822750274127392763273727572750275437
77Jakovenko, DmitrygRUS1983273527102720271127092737276027535
85Morozevich, AlexandergRUS19772758275527652774278827872771275113
99Leko, PetergHUN1979275127552753274127412747275127510
1014Grischuk, AlexandergRUS19832726271527112716272827192733274814
1110Movsesian, SergeigSVK19782667267026772695272327322751274723
123Ivanchuk, VassilygUKR19692762278727512740278127862779274637
1312Shirov, AlexeigESP1972273527392755274027412726274527450
1413Wang, YuegCHN19872696270326982689270427362739273838
1515Gelfand, BorisgISR1968273327362737272327202719273327330
1619Gashimov, VugargAZE19862655266326652679271727032723273010
1721Bacrot, EtiennegFRA1983269526952700270526912705272227289
1820Svidler, PetergRUS19762735273227632746273827272723272625
1916Ponomariov, RuslangUKR1983270627052719271927182719272627260
2018Mamedyarov, ShakhriyargAZE1985275727522760275227422731272427256
2126Ni, HuagCHN19832681264126802703270527102709272416
2223Dominguez Perez, LeiniergCUB19832680268326912695270827192717272127
2327Karjakin, SergeygUKR19902678269427322732272727302706272119
2417Kamsky, GatagUSA19742718271427262726272327292725272020
2522Alekseev, EvgenygRUS1985268927162711271127082715271827165
2637Malakhov, VladimirgRUS19802676269026892689268926752692270926
2729Bu, XiangzhigCHN19852685269226912708271027142702270418
2824Adams, MichaelgENG19712724272927262729273527342712270313
2930Rublevsky, SergeigRUS1974267926762695269526992702270227020
3032Nakamura, HikarugUSA19872647264826702686269727042699270110
3135Naiditsch, ArkadijgGER19852644263926382623266526782693270021
3244Tiviakov, SergeigNED19732648264326492634264526862684269738
3313Wang, HaogCHN19892696270326982689270427362739269629
3431Akopian, VladimirgARM19712708271327002673267326792700269611
3542Kasimdzhanov, RustamgUZB19792683269026812681267926722687269514
3634Eljanov, PavelgUKR1983270126912692268727162720269326930
3736Polgar, JuditgHUN1976270727082707270927112711269326930
3848Moiseenko, AlexandergUKR19802641264626432650263226782676269015
3943Bologan, ViktorgMDA19712650265726632665268626822687269011
4028Vallejo Pons, FranciscogESP19822666266026752684265026642702268831
4141Vitiugov, NikitagRUS19872608259426092617261626382687268820
4255Jobava, BaadurgGEO19832644264426432658266526642669268716
4351Harikrishna, P.gIND19862664266826642679266826592673268630
4445Almasi, ZoltangHUN1976268226912667267426682663268026859
4565Onischuk, AlexandergUSA19752650267426642664267026442659268428
4660Tomashevsky, EvgenygRUS19872654264626462658264626462664268424
4733Vachier-Lagrave, MaximegFRA19902595263426372632268127162696268410
4825Sasikiran, KrishnangIND19812676266126772679268426942711268220
4940Efimenko, ZahargUKR19852624262426382660267026802688268219
5058Miroshnichenko, EvgenijgUKR19782671265126472642259326322667268017
5146Cheparinov, IvangBUL19862657267027132695268726962679267811
5249Motylev, AlexandergRUS19792648264526442666267426722676267729
5353Timofeev, ArtyomgRUS19852650263726642664265026702671267720
5468Inarkiev, ErnestogRUS19852663267426812684267526692656267627
5550Nisipeanu, Liviu-DietergROU19762683266826842684269226842675267511
5661Short, Nigel DgENG19652683264926452660265526422663267413
5754Volokitin, AndreigUKR19862681267826742684267226592671267123
5866Sokolov, IvangNED19682666267326862690265826502657266923
5956Najer, EvgeniygRUS1977262326352634262726702682266926690
6039Dreev, AlexeygRUS19692606260726332657265726702688266838
6163Nielsen, Peter HeinegDEN1973264926382626262926522662266026683
6259Fressinet, LaurentgFRA19812646265426562656267326762666266411
6347Sargissian, GabrielgARM19832667267326762643266026422678266023
6464Sutovsky, EmilgISR1977265626552642263026542651266026600
6562Guseinov, GadirgAZE19862612261426172625264326502661265920
6657Milov, VadimgSUI19722675267626902690270526812669265918
67Kurnosov, IgorgRUS19852579259225772593261726062602265838
6852Areshchenko, AlexandergUKR19862645263826452650266426642673265739
6967Tkachiev, VladislavgFRA1973265526612657265726642664265726570
70Fedorchuk, Sergey A.gUKR19812618264526522671262426032633265625
71Pashikian, ArmangARM19872528253425562537256426112621265543
7271Savchenko, BorisgRUS19862577258325892569257826482654265529
7387Nyback, TomigFIN19852567256525792587263926342644265513
7495Navara, DavidgCZE19852656265626802672264626332638265424
7570Grachev, BorisgRUS19862601260226012610264026532655265229
7674Predojevic, BorkigBIH19872628264526412651263426152650265220
7791Lastin, AlexandergRUS1976258325972604262226392651264326509
7884Caruana, FabianogITA19922549259425982620263026402646264931
7978Amonatov, FarrukhgTJK1978259826372649????265026342647264818
8072Postny, EvgenygISR19812598259926272649266126742652264811
8181Delchev, AleksandergBUL1971259126132630263926182632264726487
8285Avrukh, BorisgISR19782645264126282632265626572645264710
8375Fridman, DanielgGER1976262826212627264026372630265026469
84102Kobalia, MikhailgRUS19782634263126232627261826302634264526
8594Mamedov, RaufgAZE19882591258225832617262726312638264520
8689Karpov, AnatolygRUS1951266826702655265526512651264426440
87Li, Chao bgCHN19892529255325662581259026222628264346
88Meier, GeorggGER19872546255825702560255625582608264137
89So, WesleygPHI19932516253125262540257726102627264129
9080Smirin, IliagISR1968264926392616263026372649264726419
9183Beliavsky, Alexander GgSLO19532653264626382641260626192646264021
9273Berkes, FerencgHUN19852597260626182618264526452651263821
9369Zhang, PengxianggCHN1980263426342617261326322649265626386
9499Georgiev, KirilgBUL19652663264926622665267126452634263711
95Socko, BartoszgPOL19782660264626352644262726312631263710
9686Bareev, EvgenygRUS1966265326532677267726552647264526369
97Zhou, JianchaogCHN19882572257225512580260426122612263535
98100Riazantsev, AlexandergRUS19852615262326282638261726562634263528
9997Zvjaginsev, VadimgRUS19762658267426772674266326462636263522
10079Roiz, MichaelgISR19832630264426592659268026772647263517

Dropping out of the list: Zhang Zhong, Maxim Rodshtein, Dmitry Bocharov, Pavel Tregubov, Igor Khenkin, Alexander Graf, Yuri Shulman, Giovanni Vescovi, Jan Gustafsson.

3) Russian Team Championships

The Russian Team Championship takes place in Dagomys 4th-10th April 2009. (7 rounds after the economic situation caused a couple of teams to be missing). The Higher League (basically the 2nd level and 9 rounds) and Women's League takes place 2nd-10th April 2009. (7 Rounds).

Official site: http://www.russiachess.org also Europe-Echecs has Videos.

16th Russian Club Cup, Premier League Dagomys (RUS), 4-10 iv 2009
Round 3 (of 7) Standings:
PlaceSNo.TeamFed.LocalMatch PointsTotalvs+WinsB.1
17ShSM-64RUS26725.012.02;4;21.0
26Tomsk-400RUS26855.011.04;5;21.5
38Economist-SGSEU - 1RUS26995.010.01;2;21.5
45TPSRUS26453.010.04;11.5
53UralRUS27013.09.001.0
61SPbChFedRUS26842.08.502.0
72Eurasia-LogisticRUS25661.07.502.0
84M.Chigorin CCRUS24590.04.001.5
10th Russian Club Cup, Women's League Dagomys (RUS), 2-10 iv 2009
Round 4 (of 7) Standings:
PlaceSNo.TeamFed.LocalMatch PointsTotalvs+WinsB.1
18SpartakRUS25108.012.01;5;2;6;42.0
23Economist-SGSEU - 1RUS24396.011.56;2;23.5
35AVSRUS24866.010.04;6;7;33.0
47SPb Chess FedRUS24325.09.02;4;23.0
51AFGANVET-PetroDomRUS23804.09.02;12.0
66Economist-SGSEU - 2RUS23602.05.54;11.5
74ShSMRUS24251.05.501.0
82M.Chigorin CCRUS23000.01.500.0
16th Russian Club Cup, Higher League Dagomys (RUS), 2-10 iv 2009
Round 4 (of 7) Standings:
PlaceSNo.TeamFed.LocalMatch PointsTotalvs+WinsB.1
16PolytechnikRUS25656.015.05;7;8;32.0
28YugraRUS25746.014.03;4;5;33.0
39BelGURUS25186.013.52;4;5;32.0
43PerspektivaRUS25185.014.09;1;21.5
510Economist-SGSEU - 2RUS25745.012.06;7;21.5
64ZAO "OMZ"RUS24774.012.57;1;21.0
72Etude-ContactRUS25294.012.010;12.5
87GrifonRUS25072.012.55;12.0
91SC MEPhIRUS24812.09.002.5
105Gostinaya DvorkovichaRUS23330.05.502.0

4) Reykjavik Open

The Reykjavik Open took place 24th March - 1st April 2009. Hedinn Steingrimsson edged out Yuriy Kryvoruchko, Hannes Stefansson and Mihail Marin on tie-break after all finished on 7/9.

Paul Frigge produced the PGN bulletin, very nicely too. I give all the games again because firstly when I first released TWIC last week I mis-spelled Reykjavik (I keep trying to end it in a c) and also I mismatched a player in turning it into the TWIC format.

Official site: http://www.skaksamband.is/. Results: http://www.chess-results.com/tnr18947.aspx?lan=1 and blog: http://reykjavikchess.blogspot.com/

Open Reykjavik (ISL), 24 iii-1 iv 2009
Leading Final Round 9 Standings:
Rk.Ti NameFEDRtgPts. TB1 TB2 TB3 RpKrtg+/-
1GMSteingrimsson HedinnISL25477,051,039,539,2526731014,5
2GMKryvoruchko YuriyUKR26047,051,039,538,252674108,5
3GMStefansson HannesISL25637,049,038,537,5026671012,2
4GMMarin MihailROU25567,049,038,537,5026541012,1
5GMAreshchenko AlexanderUKR26736,553,042,537,50261710-4,0
6GMShulman YuriUSA26396,551,039,535,002627100,4
7IMVocaturo DanieleITA24456,550,540,033,7526421024,6
8IMRoussel-Roozmon ThomasCAN24796,544,534,531,252536107,9
9IMPopovic Milos TSRB24006,542,532,529,0024711013,4
10IMShytaj LucaITA24536,542,032,529,002486105,7
11GMMaze SebastienFRA25796,049,539,032,50255510-1,5
12GMConquest Stuart CENG25316,049,538,030,002553103,7
13IMGrandelius NilsSWE24646,048,036,531,002511106,9
14GMGupta AbhijeetIND25696,046,035,529,00250210-5,4
15GMNataf Igor-AlexandreFRA25336,045,034,527,75250810-1,6
16GMWilliams Simon KENG25076,043,534,028,50243710-6,8
17GMSiebrecht SebastianGER24406,043,033,525,252458104,2
18IMHarika DronavalliIND24736,040,532,526,50238110-7,7
19IMRis RobertNED24365,548,037,026,252427101,8
20IMBreder DennisGER24275,546,036,026,252465108,3
21GMDanielsen HenrikISL24825,546,035,525,25240810-4,1
22IMCaspi IsraelISR24025,545,036,024,752442107,9
23IMLund EsbenDEN24215,544,534,524,752412102,0
24FMKjartansson GudmundurISL23655,542,032,021,752379156,9
25GMBhat Vinay SUSA24955,541,532,524,50238710-11,0
26IMKristjansson StefanISL24725,541,531,523,75234610-10,3
27GMThorhallsson ThrosturISL24425,541,531,523,00239710-3,9
28IMThorfinnsson BragiISL23835,541,031,522,75234610-2,0
29IMGunnarsson Jon ViktorISL24635,540,033,023,25222410-15,4
30IMArngrimsson DagurISL24045,540,030,022,25229610-9,5
31FMLucaroni MassimilianoITA23105,536,029,519,75223115-1,6
32IMMeszaros MichalSVK23765,055,043,528,5025031016,9
33GMHillarp Persson TigerSWE25865,052,040,526,50247010-13,0
34GMOleksienko MikhailoUKR25505,050,039,526,00245810-10,6
35IMRombaldoni DenisITA24185,050,038,525,252454106,4
36GMLeon Hoyos ManuelMEX25425,049,538,026,25247110-7,8
37FMRombaldoni AxelITA23095,047,539,025,0024481530,1
38Andersen MadsDEN21905,047,037,023,0023861533,6
39Gretarsson Hjorvar SteinnISL22795,044,537,521,0023801524,1
40Carlhammar MagnusSWE23505,044,534,521,752344154,5
41FMCohen OrISR22865,043,534,520,752268154,5
42Gislason GudmundurISL23515,043,032,520,75226215-9,1
43IMPerunovic MiodragSRB24395,042,032,522,25224110-16,3
44FMCori JorgePER23705,041,532,520,50228315-11,7
45IMMacak StefanSVK25275,039,031,020,25223910-24,1
46Zak UriISR21984,550,038,523,5024631541,8
110 players

5) Mar de Ajo International

The Mar de Ajo International took place 23rd-31st March 2009. Andres Rodriguez Vila, Andre Diamant and Salvador Alonso finished in that order on Sonnen-Berger tie-break after they all scored 6.5/9.

Official site: http://scalise.fortunecity.com/ajo09/ajo09ini.htm

Magistral Mar de Ajo (ARG), 23-31 iii 2009 cat. VIII (2439)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Rodriguez Vila, Andres g URU 2524 * 0 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 2595
2. Diamant, Andre m BRA 2472 1 * ½ ½ ½ 0 1 1 1 1 2601
3. Alonso, Salvador m ARG 2441 0 ½ * 1 1 ½ ½ 1 1 1 2604
4. Garcia Palermo, Carlos g ITA 2484 ½ ½ 0 * 0 1 1 ½ ½ 1 5 2476
5. Hobaica, Juan Pablo m ARG 2402 0 ½ 0 1 * ½ ½ ½ 1 1 5 2486
6. Rodriguez, Jorge Luis f ARG 2393 0 1 ½ 0 ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 2444
7. Slipak, Sergio g ARG 2452 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ * 1 ½ ½ 4 2394
8. Ginzburg, Maximiliano m ARG 2455 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 * ½ 1 3 2312
9. Van Riemsdijk, Herman C m BRA 2392 0 0 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ 2278
10. Claverie, Raul ARG 2374 ½ 0 0 0 0 0 ½ 0 ½ * 2173

6) Arnold Eikrem Memorial

The Arnold Eikrem Memorial takes place 4th- 12th April 2009. It is a part of the 125th anniversary celebrations of Oslo Chess Club. There is also a FIDE rated open alongside with 40 players.

Official site: http://sjakkselskapet.no/jubileum/

Arnold Eikrem Memorial Oslo NOR (NOR), 4-12 iv 2009 cat. X (2486)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Macieja, Bartlomiej g POL 2601 * . 1 . . . . . 1 1 3
2. Hammer, Jon Ludvig g NOR 2566 . * . . . ½ 1 1 . . 2776
3. Elsness, Frode m NOR 2441 0 . * . 1 . . . 1 . 2 2610
4. Kveinys, Aloyzas g LTU 2534 . . . * . ½ ½ . . 1 2 2611
5. Johannessen, Leif Erlend g NOR 2540 . . 0 . * 1 . . . 1 2 2593
6. Berg, Emanuel g SWE 2610 . ½ . ½ 0 * . . . . 1 2421
7. Handke, Florian g GER 2496 . 0 . ½ . . * ½ . . 1 2376
8. Ogaard, Leif g NOR 2403 . 0 . . . . ½ * ½ . 1 2333
9. Trygstad, Kristian f NOR 2314 0 . 0 . . . . ½ * . ½ 2208
10. Moen, Andreas f NOR 2353 0 . . 0 0 . . . . * 0

7) Battle of the GMs Dapitan

The Battle of the GMs took place in Dapitan City 24th-31st March 2009. Wesley So ran away with the category XI event with 9/11. Most of the games from the final two rounds are missing.

Battle of the GMs Dapitan (PHI), 24-31 iii 2009 cat. XI (2505)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
1. So, Wesley g PHI 2627 * ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 9 2755
2. Antonio, Rogelio jr g PHI 2519 ½ * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 0 7 2605
3. Torre, Eugenio g PHI 2560 0 ½ * ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 2564
4. Paragua, Mark g PHI 2537 ½ ½ ½ * ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ 0 1 1 6 2537
5. Gomez, John Paul m PHI 2539 0 0 0 ½ * ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 1 6 2537
6. Bitoon, Richard m PHI 2473 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ * ½ ½ 1 0 0 ½ 2507
7. Laylo, Darwin g PHI 2504 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ * 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ 2504
8. Sadorra, Julio Catalino m PHI 2439 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 * 1 1 1 ½ 2510
9. Nolte, Rolando m PHI 2488 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 0 * ½ ½ 1 2441
10. Gonzales, Jayson g PHI 2468 0 0 ½ 1 0 1 0 0 ½ * ½ ½ 4 2406
11. Villamayor, Buenaventura g PHI 2471 0 0 0 0 0 1 ½ 0 ½ ½ * 1 2374
12. Dableo, Ronald m PHI 2432 0 1 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 0 * 3 2336

8) Vietnam Championships

The Vietnamese Championships took place in Hanoi, 14th-28th February 2009. The event saw a 9 Round swiss followed by either Semi Finals or playoffs for places and then a Final and 3rd-4th playoff. Bui Vinh beat Dao Thien Hai in the final, Hoang Canh Huan beat Nguyan Hoang Nam 1.5-0.5 in a rapid playoff after they both won a game in the initial playoffs.

Official site: http://www.vietnamchess.com.vn

9) 11th European Senior Teams

The 11th European Senior Team Championships take place in Velden, Carinthia (Kaernten), the southernmost province of Austria 5th-13th April 2009.

The Russian team, title holders the Czech Republic and Germany's team are the strongest competitors, closely followed by an Austrian quartet, including Velden local Franz Hoelzl. Viktor Korchnoi plays for the Swiss team.

Official site: http://www.velden-schach.at/european-senior-championship and http://www.chess-results.com/tnr19361.aspx

10) Belgrade Spring Open

The Belgrade Spring Open took place 21st-31st March 2009. Nikola Ostojic took first place on tie-break from Bozidar Marinovic, Balind Nadj Hedjesi and Ilija Grubisic after all finished with 7/9.

Official site: http://www.beochess.rs

Spring Open Belgrade (SRB), 21-31 iii 2009
Pl.NameTiRtg Pts.BK. BK. SB. pobd
1Ostojic Nikola IM 2388750½ 53½ 40.55
2Marinovic Bozidar M 2395749½ 54½ 41.755
3Nadj Hedjesi Balind M 23487464937.256
4Grubisic Ilija MK 2265744½ 47½ 35.755
5Radlovacki Jovan M 238748½ 5336.55
6Skare Goran FM 23104751½ 35.55
7Nestorovic Lazar MK 22074751355
8Andrijevic Milan IM 23844649½ 33.755
9Maksimovic Marko MK 2155464932.56
10Djokic Nenad FM 2350434733.54
11Cetkovic Miodrag IM 228339½ 43½ 30.55
12Elez Nikola MK 207834½ 36½ 26.756
13Brujic Bozidar FM 219464649315
14Maksimovic Miroslav MK 226964548½ 30.254
15Svetac Nenad MK 23226424527.754
16Damjanovic Dragan FM 222964142½ 27.755
17Petrovski Igor I 196763941½ 23.56
18Pusonja Nikola I 1660637½ 38½ 25.56
19Dimitrijevic Radmilo MK 22184649½ 274
20Vlahovic Svetozar FM 2175444724.54
21Mrsa Ferdinand MK 222943½ 46½ 25.254
22Jakovljevic Zivota FM 212543½ 4623.55
23Ivanovic Nikola MK 2224434726.54
24Jevtic Miroljub MK 2164434726.254
25Stankovic Ivan G MK 20944347255
26Starcevic Goran FM 222742½ 4626.55
27Nesic Tomislav I 1390424626.754
28Cicmil Slobodan MK 21354245½ 24.755
29Bulatovic Nikola MK 208341½ 44½ 26.253
30Mihajlovic Miodrag FM 218341½ 44½ 25.755
31Vujadinovic Milan MK 21744144½ 25.254
32Jovicic Radosav MK 223440½ 4425.755
33Tasic Zoran T MK 2212394123.255
34Kosovac Milan MK 20293941225
35Bulatovic Ilija MK 1899542½ 46½ 25.752
113 players

11) V Ciocaltea Memorial

The Victor Ciocaltea Memorial took place in Bucharest, Romania 23rd March - 2nd April 2009. Gergely-Andras-Gyula Szabo, Constantin Lupulescu and Ioan Cristian Chirila finished on 7½/11. The table below is constructed from the game file, I couldn't find an official final table.

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

Victor Ciocaltea Mem Bucharest (ROM), 23 iii-2 iv 2009 cat. X (2484)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
1. Szabo, Gergely-Andras-Gyula m ROU 2506 * ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 2614
2. Lupulescu, Constantin g ROU 2608 ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 2605
3. Chirila, Ioan Cristian m ROU 2485 0 ½ * 1 ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 ½ ½ 2616
4. Miron, Lucian-Costin m ROU 2443 ½ ½ 0 * 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 2552
5. Jianu, Vlad-Cristian g ROU 2544 ½ ½ ½ 0 * ½ ½ 1 0 1 ½ 1 6 2514
6. Shishkin, Vadim UKR g UKR 2493 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ 2482
7. Abasov, Nijat Azad AZE 2397 ½ 0 0 0 ½ ½ * ½ 1 ½ 1 1 2491
8. Haznedaroglu, Kivanc m TUR 2451 0 0 0 ½ 0 1 ½ * 1 1 1 0 5 2450
9. Roganovic, Milos f SRB 2475 ½ ½ 0 0 1 ½ 0 0 * 0 1 ½ 4 2382
10. Erdogdu, Mert m TUR 2460 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 1 * ½ 1 4 2383
11. Murariu, Andrei g ROU 2490 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 0 0 ½ * ½ 2350
12. Burnoiu, Nicolae-Costel m ROU 2453 0 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ 0 1 ½ 0 ½ * 2353

12) I Costa del Sol International

The I Costa del Sol International took place 22nd February - 29th March 2009. Daniel Lopez Gonzalez took first place on tie-break from Antonio Naranjo Moreno after both finished on 7½/9.

Official site: http://es.geocities.com/clubajedrezsanpedro/

Costa del Sol Open Malaga (ESP), 22-29 ii 2009
Final Round 9 Standings:
Rank Name Elo FED Ano de Nac. Typ Pts BH.
1 Lopez Gonzalez Daniel 2209 ESP 1980 MA 43
2 Naranjo Moreno Antonio 2275 ESP 1988 MA 40½
3 Marquez Bernal Florencio 1980 ESP 1969 MA 7 37½
4 Carrascoso Morales Abel 2220 ESP 1986 MA 6 46½
5 Naranjo Rivera Antonio 1952 ESP 1952 MA 5 38
6 Dominguez Marin Jose Miguel 0 ESP 1996 MA 5 37½
7 Moreno Guerrero Idelfonso 1852 ESP 1971 MA 42
8 Alcazar Cordon Antonio Luis 0 ESP 1961 MA 36
9 Mesa Rojas Victor 0 ESP 1994 MA 33
10 Anillo Fernandez Isabel 0 ESP 1996 MA 28½
11 Becerra Melgar Rafael 1605 ESP 1972 MA 29
12 Chaves Medina Daniel 1716 ESP 1985 MA 3 33
13 Gonzalez Capacete Jose Miguel 0 ESP 1999 MA 3 29½
14 Cortes Fernandez Juan 0 ESP 1964 MA 3 27½
15 Cortes Cabeza Cameron 0 ESP 1999 MA 3 26½
16 Garcia Garrido Jose Carlos 0 ESP 1968 MA 29½
17 Sanchez Corrales Jose 0 ESP 1992 MA 2 36
18 Colomer Luque Francisco 0 ESP 1981 MA 2 35
19 Navia Martin Sergio 1896 ESP 1993 MA 2 34½
20 Benarque Lopez Francisco Jose 1902 ESP 1992 MA 1 36
21 Galindo Garcia Adrian 1670 ESP 1992 MA 1 36
22 Le Rigoleu Toni 0 ESP 1994 MA 1 29
23 Andrades Marquez Mario 0 ESP 1994 MA 1 27½
24 Chacon Castro Juan Antonio 0 ESP 1994 MA 1 27

13) Genset Cup Szombathely

The Genset Cup took place in Szombathely (HUN) 26th March - 3rd April 2009. 100 minutes/40 moves + 30 minutes , 30 sec addition after each move

Istvan Sipos won the event with 6.5/9. News: Attila Csonka.

Official site: http://sakk.savaria.hu/main.php?Lang=HU

Genset Cup Szombathely (HUN), 26 iii-3 iv 2009 cat. IV (2330)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Sipos, Istvan f HUN 2380 * ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 2490
2. Rapport, Richard f HUN 2371 ½ * 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 1 6 2450
3. Kantorik, Marian m SVK 2356 ½ 1 * 1 ½ ½ 1 0 0 ½ 5 2369
4. Csiba, Dominik SVK 2268 0 ½ 0 * 1 1 0 ½ 1 1 5 2379
5. Kiss, Attila m HUN 2369 ½ 0 ½ 0 * ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 2325
6. Rachela, Milan f SVK 2380 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ * ½ ½ 1 1 2324
7. Csiszar, Csaba m HUN 2450 ½ ½ 0 1 0 ½ * ½ 0 1 4 2273
8. Stavrianakis, Ioannis GRE 2214 0 0 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ 4 2299
9. Kislik, Erik Andrew USA 2310 ½ 0 1 0 0 0 1 ½ * ½ 2251
10. Buzeti, Jernej SLO 2199 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ * 2 2124

14) First Saturday April

The First Saturday tournaments (GM, IM and FM) take place 4th-17th April in Budapest.

Also I messed up the March IMA tournament table and games by confusing Richard S Jones with a much weaker player. I give the table and games again.

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

FSGM April Budapest (HUN), 4-12 iv 2009 cat. VII (2416)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Heinz, Axel GER 2398 * . . . . . . . . 1 1
2. To, Nhat Minh f HUN 2367 . * . . . . . . 1 . 1
3. Duong The Anh m VIE 2434 . . * . . ½ . . . . ½ 2484
4. Ilincic, Zlatko g SRB 2545 . . . * ½ . . . . . ½ 2351
5. Muir, Andrew J m SCO 2351 . . . ½ * . . . . . ½ 2545
6. Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy m VIE 2484 . . ½ . . * . . . . ½ 2434
7. Kosic, Dragan g MNE 2512 . . . . . . * ? . . 0
8. Horvath, Peter1 g HUN 2445 . . . . . . ? * . . 0
9. Csirik, Andras f HUN 2302 . 0 . . . . . . * . 0
10. Gara, Anita wg HUN 2326 0 . . . . . . . . * 0

FSIMA April Budapest (HUN), 4-14 iv 2009
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
1. Bacso, Gabor f HUN 2171 * . . . . . . . . 1 . . 1
2. Kislik, Erik Andrew USA 2314 . * . . . . . . . . 1 . 1
3. Simonyi, Zoltan f SRB 2225 . . * . . . . . . . . 1 1
4. Corke, Anya wg HKG 2237 . . . * ½ . . . . . . . ½ 2268
5. Lengyel, Bela m HUN 2268 . . . ½ * . . . . . . . ½ 2237
6. Eperjesi, Laszlo m HUN 2294 . . . . . * . ? . . . . 0
7. Farago, Sandor m HUN 2255 . . . . . . * . ? . . . 0
8. Kahn, Evarth m HUN 2285 . . . . . ? . * . . . . 0
9. Magyar, Otto f HUN 2296 . . . . . . ? . * . . . 0
10. Frick, Christoph GER 2246 0 . . . . . . . . * . . 0
11. Katzir, Moshe ISR 2279 . 0 . . . . . . . . * . 0
12. Grigoryan-Lyell, Meri wf ENG 2084 . . 0 . . . . . . . . * 0

FSIMB April Budapest (HUN), 4-13 iv 2009
1 2 3 4 5 6
1. Lyell, Mark f ENG 2300 * * . . . . . . 1 . . . 1
2. Szalanczy, Emil m HUN 2295 . . * * . . . . . . 1 . 1
3. Parkanyi, Attila m HUN 2315 . . . . * * ? . . . . . 0
4. K('a)rolyi, Tibor jr m HUN 2328 . . . . ? . * * . . . . 0
5. Cox, Tristan A ENG 2090 0 . . . . . . . * * . . 0
6. Koppenhoefer, Bernhard GER 2151 . . 0 . . . . . . . * * 0

FSIMA March Budapest (HUN), 7-17 iii 2009 cat. I (2266)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1. Berczes, Csaba m HUN 2383 * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 7 2403
2. Lengyel, Bela m HUN 2268 ½ * 1 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 2375
3. Corke, Anya wg HKG 2260 ½ 0 * ½ ½ 1 1 0 1 1 ½ 6 2338
4. Mihok, Oliver f HUN 2355 ½ 0 ½ * ½ ½ 1 1 1 0 1 6 2329
5. Vegh, Endre m HUN 2285 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ 0 1 ½ ½ 1 2300
6. Jones, Richard S f WLS 2318 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ * 0 1 1 1 1 2296
7. Sebestyen, Balazs f HUN 2283 ½ ½ 0 0 1 1 * 0 0 1 1 5 2264
8. Bach, Matthias f GER 2276 0 ½ 1 0 0 0 1 * 0 1 1 2228
9. Bacso, Gabor f HUN 2123 0 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 1 1 * ½ 1 2244
10. Arsenault, Nicolas CAN 2229 0 ½ 0 1 ½ 0 0 0 ½ * ½ 3 2120
11. Tesik, Csaba HUN 2145 0 ½ ½ 0 0 0 0 0 0 ½ * 1982

15) ITT Proyeccion U20

The ITT Proyeccion U20 tournament took place in Buenos Aires 25th-31st March 2009. Federico Perez Ponsa won the event with 7/9.

Official site: http://www.ajedrez.com.ar/ITT-FADA-GEBA-20.htm

ITT Proyeccion U20 Buenos Aires (ARG), 25-31 iii 2009 cat. III (2309)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Perez Ponsa, Federico f ARG 2390 * ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 ½ ½ 1 7 2519
2. Goldwaser, Christian ARG 2356 ½ * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 1 2469
3. Real de Azua, Ernesto m ARG 2445 ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 2459
4. Della Morte, German m ARG 2383 0 ½ ½ * 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 2380
5. Guerrero, Alvaro URU 2178 0 0 ½ 0 * ½ 1 1 1 1 5 2366
6. Meza, Hugo ARG 2318 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ * ½ 1 1 ½ 2307
7. Granara Barreto, Sebastian A f URU 2220 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ * ½ 0 1 2238
8. Mayorga, Nicolas f ARG 2306 ½ 0 0 0 0 0 ½ * 1 1 3 2184
9. Contin, Daniel m ITA 2321 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 0 1 0 * ½ 2141
10. Shcherbine, Andrei RUS 2171 0 0 0 0 0 ½ 0 0 ½ * 1 1973

16) Serbian Championship

The Serbian Championship takes place in Kragujevac 2nd-15th April 2009.

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

ch-SRB Kragujevac (SRB), 2-15 iv 2009 cat. XI (2516)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
1. Ivanisevic, Ivan g SRB 2625 * . . . . 1 ½ . 1 . . . 1 1 2856
2. Vuckovic, Bojan g SRB 2572 . * . ½ . . . ½ . ½ . 1 1 . 2603
3. Drazic, Sinisa g SRB 2533 . . * ½ . . ½ . ½ . . . 1 1 2638
4. Pikula, Dejan g SRB 2568 . ½ ½ * . . . ½ . 1 . ½ . . 3 2568
5. Bogosavljevic, Boban g SRB 2526 . . . . * 1 ½ . . . 0 ½ . 1 3 2623
6. Damljanovic, Branko g SRB 2573 0 . . . 0 * . . . . 1 1 . 1 3 2623
7. Perunovic, Milos g SRB 2580 ½ . ½ . ½ . * 0 . . 1 . . . 2548
8. Rajkovic, Dusan g SRB 2486 . ½ . ½ . . 1 * ½ . . . 0 . 2511
9. Antic, Dejan g SRB 2513 0 . ½ . . . . ½ * ½ 1 . . . 2507
10. Sarenac, Ivan SRB 2320 . ½ . 0 . . . . ½ * . ½ 1 . 2510
11. Miladinovic, Igor g SRB 2571 . . . . 1 0 0 . 0 . * . . 1 2 2459
12. Sedlak, Nikola g SRB 2572 . 0 . ½ ½ 0 . . . ½ . * . . 2362
13. Popovic, Aleksandar M SRB 2325 0 0 0 . . . . 1 . 0 . . * . 1 2267
14. Zlatic, Mihajlo m SRB 2463 0 . 0 . 0 0 . . . . 0 . . * 0

17) Nashua Open

George Mirijanian reports: The Nashua Open took place 28th-29th March 2009 at the Holiday Inn in Nashua, New Hampshire, USA. GM Alexander Ivanov, 52, of Newton, Massachusetts posted a perfect score of 5-0 to capture first place. Taking second place with a 4-1 tally was FIDE master William Kelleher, 59, of Watertown, Mass. Deadlocked in third place with 3-2 results were national master Henry "Hal" Terrie of Manchester, N.H., and U.S. Chess Federation-rated experts Sheriff Khater of Nashua and Carlos Avalos of Pawutcket, Rhdoe Island. The FIDE-rated event drew 44 players in two sections and was directed by F. Alexander Relyea of Bedford, N.H., with assistance from Nital Patel, also of Bedford.

Alex Relyea sends games from the event.

18) San Sebastian GM

There is a tournament in San Sebastian July 6th-16th 2009.

GMA San Sebastian (ESP), 6-16 vii 2009
cat. XVIII (average elo: 2687)
Sergei Movsesian2747SVK
Peter Svidler2726RUS
Rustam Ponomariov2726UKR
Hikaru Nakamura2701USA
Rustam Kasimzhanov2695UZB
Francisco Vallejo2688SPA
Maxime Vachier-Lagraeve2684FRA
Anatoly Karpov2644RUS
Julio Granda2610PER
Pablo San Segundo2560SPA

Prizes in Euros: 1.- 9.000 2.- 6.000 3.- 4.000 4.- 3.500 5.- 3.000 6.- 2.500 7.- 2.000 8.- 1.500 9.- 1.000 10.- 500

There will be also a B tournament (cat. XI), C tournament (cat. VIII), and D tournament (female players). The games will be played in the same hall that held the historic tournament in 1911 won by Capablanca and the organisers are hoping for a special event to commemorate the centenary. News David Llada. Website to be announced.

19) Dortmund

The Dortmund Chess Meeting takes place 2nd-12th July 2009. Players: Kramnik, Leko, Carlsen, Jakovenko, Bacrot, and Naiditsch play.

Details: http://www.chess-international.de/?p=429

20) 40th Mar del Plata International

The 40th Mar del Plata International takes place 5th-12th April 2009.

Official site: http://www.mdpajedrez.org.ar/arch800/abierto40.htm

21) 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).

Official site: http://www.fgajedrez.org/open/open.htm

22) Thailand Open Championship

The Thailand Open Chess Championship 2009 & 9th Bangkok Chess Club Open takes place at the Aisawan Resort & Spa at Wongamart Beach, only 2km from Pattaya Beach, 1st-6th April 2009. The title sponsor is the Thailand Chess Association.

I couldn't find any results or games anywhere but Nigel Short plays.

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

23) Chance to play against Kasparov or Anand

Press Release / Zurich, 2nd April 2009 Dr. Christian Rohrer

Schachgesellschaft Zuerich the world's oldest chess club is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for chess enthusiasts: To play against champions such as Kasparov or Anand. Further information is provided in the press release below.

Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity to Play Against a World Champion at the Schachgesellschaft Zuerich's Jubilee!

The celebrations in August 2009 to mark the 200th anniversary of the Schachgesellschaft Zuerich will be a dream come true for a few chess players. The world's oldest chess club is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at the simultaneous exhibition at Zurich Main Station on 22 August: 100 chess enthusiasts will get the chance to cross swords with champions such as Kasparov or Anand in simultaneous games. Taking place alongside this event are an open tournament featuring a world-class line-up, which is being held from 9 to 15 August, and the Champions Rapid, the rapid chess tournament on 23 August.

100 chess enthusiasts will be picked from those who answer the 10 competition questions correctly and will be given the chance to fulfill their dreams. On 22 August 2009, they will play at Zurich Main Station in the Champions Simultan against a World Chess Champion: Viswanathan Anand, Anatoly Karpov, Garry Kasparov, Viktor Korchnoi, Vladimir Kramnik, Boris Spassky, Ruslan Ponomariov, Veselin Topalov -- each of these players will take on 25 amateurs. 200 matches to represent each year of the Schachgesellschaft Zuerich, which was founded in 1809. 16 simultaneous matches -- each champion's first two games -- will be broadcast live on the Internet.

All information regarding the competition can be found in the recently published official jubilee programme, which is available for download at http://www.sgzurich2009.ch. The programme also contains information on the Champions Rapid -- the rapid chess tournament for the champions -- starting on 23 August, the Jubilee-Open from 9 to 15 August as well as the history of the world's oldest chess club. Richard Forster's book entitled "Die Schachgesellschaft Zuerich. 1809 bis 2009", which outlines the club's history, will be appearing from the end of May to commemorate the jubilee.

The Jubilee-Open at the Kongresshaus Zurich is set to welcome an extraordinarily high-class line-up. In the Alois Nagler Memorial (master tournament) and in the Accentus (Swiss Chess) Open -- the general tournament -- players ranging from beginners to world-class players will fight it out for a total of 100,000 Swiss Francs in prize money. 16 grandmasters have already registered, including the opening specialist and former World Championship Candidate Alexey Dreev. Many grandmasters have already expressed interest in taking part in the competition, including super-grandmasters who have an Elo rating of over 2700. Entrants have until 4 August to register for the Jubilee-Open; the easiest way to do this is to fill in the online form on the jubilee website at http://www.sgzurich2009.ch.

Please visit http://www.sgzurich2009.ch for further information about the Schachgesellschaft Zuerich's jubilee.

Dr. Christian Rohrer Schachgesellschaft Zuerich Jubilee 2009 Communications http://www.sgzurich2009.ch. Email: rohrer@sgzurich2009.ch

24) Forthcoming Events and Links

Akobian vs Shulman Rapid Match

Varuzhan Akobian takes on Yuri Shulman in a four day rapid match in California USA April 22nd-25th 2009. Organiser Thomas Southerland (contact@tacbase.com)

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

Brno Chess Festival

The Duras Chess Club organises the Brno Chess Festival in the Czech Republic. The GM Brno, IM Tespo Engineering and IM Dopravni stavby tournaments take place 26th June - 5th July 2009. Open tournaments start on the 27th June 2009.

Applications and details contact Rudolf Moulis: e-mail: moulis@kroknet.cz , phone +420 548 522 186, mobile phone: +420 607 900 656

Further info at: http://www.skduras.cz/cz/propozice.html and http://www.skduras.cz/cz/brnensky-sachovy-festival-2009.html

Foxwoods Open

The Foxwoods Open takes place 8th-12th April 2009.

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

Toronto Open

The Pricewaterhouse Coopers Toronto Open Chess Championship takes place April 17th-19th 2009.

Official site: http://monroi.com/pwc-toronto-open-chess-championship-home.html and http://www.gtachessevents.memberlodge.com/

World Open

The World Open Chess Tournament takes place June 29th - July 5th 2009 in Philadelphia.

Details: http://www.chesstour.com/wo09.htm and http://monroi.com/2009-world-open-chess-tournament-home.html

US Championships

The 2009 US Chess Championship takes place in St Louis, United States, May 18th-29th 2009. 24 players compete including: Varuzhan Akobiana, Julio Becerra Rivero, Joel Benjamin, Michael Brooks, Larry Christiansen, Jaan Ehlvest, Josh Friedel, Boris Gulko, Robert Hess, Tyler Hughes, Ildar Ibragimov, Gregory Kaidanov, Gata Kamsky, Melik Khachiyan, Irina Krush, Charles Lawton, Hikaru Nakamura, Alexander Onischuk, Ray Robson, Enrico Sevillano, Alexander Shabalov, Yury Shulman and Anna Zatonskih.

The women's championship takes place 2nd-12th October 2009 at the same venue.

Official site: http://www.saintlouischessclub.org/. Live coverage by Monroi.

British Championships

The 96th British Chess Championships take place 26th July - 8th August 2009 in Torquay.

Official site: http://www.britishchess09.com/

Zone 2.3 Guayaquil Ecuador

Zone 2.3 takes place in Guayaquil Ecuador 10th-21st May 2009.

Details: http://www.ajedrezenecuador.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=443

Argentine Championships

The Championships of Argentina 2009 take place in April and May. Semifinals: 30th April - 6th May, 2009 in La Plata. Final: 9th-20th May, 2009 in La Plata. Place: Club Espanol de la Plata.

Official site: http://www.ajedrez.com.ar/

XVIII La Roda Open

The XVIII La Roda Open takes place 8th-12th April 2009.

Official site: http://www.cplaroda.com/ajedrez/

Asian Individual Open

The Asian Individual Open and Women’s Chess Championship in Subic Bay, Philippines from May 12th-24th 2009. No official site.

South American U20

The South American U20 Championship takes place in Cochabamba - Bolivia 8th-14th April 2009.

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

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

4th FIDE Grand Prix Tournament in Nalchik

FIDE Grand Prix Series Tournament Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia 14th - 29th April 2009

The fourth FIDE Grand Prix Series Tournament will be held in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia, during 14th -29th April 2009 at the Intour - Hotel "Sindica".

14 participants are: Vladimir Akopian (Armenia), Evgeny Alekseev (Russia), Levon Aronian (Armenia), Etienne Bacrot (France), Pavel Eljanov (Ukraine), Boris Gelfand (Israel), Alexander Grischuk (Russia), Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine), Gata Kamsky (USA), Sergey Karjakin (Ukraine), Rustam Kasimdzhanov (Uzbekistan), Peter Leko (Hungary), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan), Peter Svidler (Russia).

The fourth FIDE Grand Prix will be the strongest one in the series, and one of the strongest tournaments of the world this year. New functions on the FIDE website allow us to see the current rating changes of top-grandmasters. The average rating of the tournament in Nalchik will be around 2725 points based on the April 2009 list to be published soon. Previously the highest average rated tournament was held in the third stage of the series, Elista (2715 points).

The top-rated player of the competition is the World Cup 2005 and Olympiad winner Levon Aronian.

Two players have also shown excellent results this year: Alexander Grischuk - the winner of Linares and Elista super tournaments, and Sergey Karjakin, who has won the Corus tournament in January in Wijk-an-Zee.

World Cup 2007 winner Gata Kamsky this year has shown also a good performance during the Challenge match against Veselin Topalov.

The tournament is so evenly balanced that everyone of the 14 participants who comes to Nalchik is in a good position to win the tournament.

Time control: 120 minutes for the first forty moves, 60 minutes for the next twenty moves and then each player will be allotted 15 minutes after the second time control and an increment of 30 seconds per move will be allowed from move 61 onwards.

Games will be played 15th-29th April 2009. Rest days: April 20th and 25th. The total prize-fund is 162,000 Euros.

Official website: http://www.nalchik2009.fide.com

For more information please contact: moscowchess@gmail.com

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

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.

14th Pannonia - Nitrokemia Cup

The 14th Pannonia - Nitrokemia Cup takes place in Balatonalmadi, 29th July - 2nd August, 2009.

Group A: International Open Tournament for FIDE ratings. Group B: International Open Tournament for FIDE ratings, for players under 2000 ELO System used: 7 Rounds Swiss without age limit for both Groups Venue: The air-conditioned Conference Hall of Pannonia Cultural Centre & Library Address: Balatonalmadi, Városház Square 6. Organiser: Recreation Association of Vorosbereny Time Limit: Group A: 90-90 minutes + 30sec after each move Group B: 120-120 minutes for all moves

Details: http://fancsyimi.fw.hu. Entries and further information IM Fancsy Imre E-mail: almadikupa@freemail.hu

4NCL

The 4NCL takes place 4th October 2008 - 4th May 2009. Rounds 7-8 took place 21st-22nd March 2009 in the Barcelo Hotel, Hinckley Island. The 8 team Groups 1A and 1B concluded with round 7 and the top 4 teams from each group went on to the Championship Pool and the bottom four to the Relegation Pool. The teams have already played the three other teams from their preliminary groups and these results will stand. The first of the four remaining rounds was round 8 played on March 22nd. This system is used in the French TOP 16.

Official site: http://www.4ncl.co.uk - Live coverage: http://www.bcfservices.org.uk/livechess/4ncl/0809/index.htm

Dutch Teams

The Dutch Team Championship takes place 27th September 2008 - 10th May 2009. Round 7 was on the 28th March 2009. Round 8 is on 18th April 2009.

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

Dutch Teams (NED), 27 ix 2008 - 10 iv 2009
Round 7 (28th March 2009) results
BSG ESGOO 3.5-6.5
Utrecht Voerendaal 6-4
HMC Calder HSG 4.5-5.5
Hotels.nl LSG 5-5
Rotterdam Apeldoorn 5.5-4.5

Dutch Teams (NED), 27 ix 2008 - 10 iv 2009
Round 7 Standings:
Meesterklasse Mp Bp 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1. HSG 14 50 x . . 5.5 8.5 8.5 6.5 7.5 5.5 8
2. Hotels.nl 11 44½ . x 6.5 6 8.5 4.5 6 . 5 8
3. Schrijvers Rotterdam 10 39 . 3.5 x 6 4.5 5.5 5.5 6 . 8
4. HMC Calder 8 39½ 4.5 4 4 x 5.5 . 5.5 . 7.5 8.5
5. Utrecht 8 31 1.5 1.5 5.5 4.5 x . 5.5 6 6.5 .
6. ESGOO 7 31 1.5 5.5 4.5 . . x 2.5 5.5 5 6.5
7. Homburg Apeldoorn 4 34 3.5 4 4.5 4.5 4.5 7.5 x 5.5 . .
8. Voerendaal 4 33 2.5 . 4 . 4 4.5 4.5 x 6.5 7
9. LSG 4 32 4.5 5 . 2.5 3.5 5 . 3.5 x 8
10. BSG 0 16 2 2 2 1.5 . 3.5 . 3 2 x

M-Tel Masters

The 5th M-Tel Masters takes place in Sofia 12th-23rd May 2009 (rest day 18th May).

The Category XXI event sees Veselin Topalov, Magnus Carlsen, Vassily Ivanchuk, Wang Yue, Leinier Dominguez Perez and Alexei Shirov play in a double round robin format. The games will be played in a glass pavilion on the square in front of the National Theatre Ivan Vazov.

The time control is 90 minutes for 40 moves per player and 60 minutes per player till the end of the game. The maximum period for a single game is 5 hours. "Sofia rules" will again be used. They are that: Opponents cannot communicate during the games and cannot offer a draw. Proposals for a draw can be made only through the Chief Arbiter in three cases: triple repetition, eternal chess and theoretical draw position. When making the decisions the Chief Arbiter will be consulted by Zurab Azmaiparashvili, Vice President of FIDE.

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

French League Top 16

The French Team Championship (TOP 16) took place in 4 towns (Clichy, Cannes, Metz, Mulhouse) 20th-22nd March 2009. The next rounds take place 30th April - 3rd May 2009.

Official site: http://www.echecs.asso.fr/Equipes.aspx

14th International Stuttgart Championship

The 14th "International Stuttgart Championship" in Germany takes place 21th-24th May 2009. Contact Michael Meier e-mail: info@stuttgarter-stadtmeisterschaft.de

For further information on the event: http://www.stuttgarter-stadtmeisterschaft.de

20th International Chess and Games Festival Czech Open

The 20th International Chess and Games Festival Czech Open 2009 takes place 16th July - 2 August 2009 in Pardubice (the Czech Republic). There are more than 100 tournaments in chess and other games, eg. European Youth Chess Teams Championship, ISCU Children Clubs Chess Championship and European Amateurs Championship in Chess.

More detailed information: http://www.czechopen.net/news/index.php. the festival website will be ready at the end of April.

6th Summer Catalan Chess Circuit

The 6th Summer Catalan Chess Circuit takes place May - September every year as part of the Catalan Chess Circuit, which is composed of 28 International Tournaments, and held in Spain, extended beyond Catalonia.

In 2009 there will be 14 Opens with traditional time control to be played over 9-10 days, as well as 14 Opens in Rapid Chess, played over 1-2 days (see Tournament Calendar).

During 120 days of tournaments, around 22.000 chess games will be played with selected ones broadcast.

Approximately 3,000 players from more than 30 different countries. The prize fund will reach 175.000 euros.

Apart from the traditional tournament prizes, the Catalan Chess Federation establishes a special classification composed of player´s results in each Circuit tournament, based on which players will be able to claim such special Circuit Prizes as General Final Standings, Prizes by Categories, Specific Prizes for best Catalan Players.

Prizegiving Ceremony will be held at Fiesta Catalana (Catalan Chess Party), on September, 27th, 2009

For more information please contact the Catalonia Chess Federation on federacio@escacs.cat or visit the official website: http://escacs.cat/circuit2009/torneigs.html

6th Summer Catalan Chess Circuit (ESP), 5 v - 20 ix 2009
5-13 May VILA DE SALOU SALOU 9 Rd Swiss B CFrancesc Linan 616094289
17 May VILA DE CANOVELLES CANOVELLES 9 Rd Swiss b bDaniel Flores 938493564
24 May VILA DE L'AMPOLLA L'AMPOLLA 9 Rd Swiss a bEnric Gallimo 666187061
31 May VILA DE STA COLOMA DE QUERALT SANTA COLOMA DE QUERALT 8 Rd Swiss a a supSalvador Barrot 654095338
20 June CIUTAT DE REUS REUS 9 Rd Swiss a a supJoan Pinol 649341056
21 June MOLLET DEL VALLES MOLLET DEL VALLES 9 Rd Swiss b aFrancesc Fernandez 647625832
24 June-2 July VILA DE SORT SORT 9 Rd Swiss B CJoan A. Conesa 609825066
25 June-3 July VILA DE MONTCADA MONTCADA 9 Rd Swiss A AReyes Cantero 938152902
4-12 July BARBERÀ DEL VALLES BARBERA DEL VALLES 9 Rd Swiss A A supVíctor Pont 629386528
4-12 July TORREDEMBARRA TORREDEMBARRA 9 Rd Swiss C BJordi Salvat 649061984
13-22 July CIUTAT DE BALAGUER BALAGUER 10 Rd Swiss A sup AAntoni Montoliu 679082837
18-26 July ANDORRA LES ESCALDES 9 Rd Swiss A sup A supOscar la Riva 00376-347085
22-30 July VILA DE SITGES SITGES 9 Rd Swiss A AFrancesc González 600923277
25 July CERVELLO CERVELLO 8 Rd Swiss b bJuan Mª Santiago 936840402
26 July OLOT OLOT 8 Rd Swiss b bJosep Ma Mir 606119678
1-8 August FIGUERES "MIQUEL MAS" FIGUERES 9 Rd Swiss C AJordi Serra 699848479
1-9 August CIUTAT DE BADALONA BADALONA 9 Rd Swiss A A supManel Triquell 609683157
2-10 August LA POBLA DE LILLET LA POBLA DE LILLET 9 Rd Swiss C CJosep Salvador 630625152
15-16 August VILA DE POBLENOU BARCELONA 10 Rd Swiss a sup aJoan Lorda 659529581
21-30 August SANTS BARCELONA 10 Rd Swiss A sup A supCotxeres 932918701
22-23 August AJEDREZND BARCELONA 9 Rd Swiss a sup aJordi Morcillo 620341266
1-10 September FESTIVAL DE SABADELL SABADELL 9 Rd Swiss B BIvan Aguilar 666346958
6 September VILA DE SANTPEDOR SANTPEDOR 9 Rd Swiss b bJosep Mascaro 616477533
11 September DIADA DE L'11 DE SETEMBRE SABADELL 9 Rd Swiss a a supIvan Aguilar 666346958
12 September RIBERA D'EBRE MORA D'EBRE 8 Rd Swiss a aJosep Terrones 696204203
13 September CIUTAT DE TORTOSA TORTOSA 8 Rd Swiss b bAbraham Pla 680532570
19-20 September VALLFOGONA DE BALAGUER VALLFOGONA DE BALAGUER Suís 11 rondes a sup aJaume Parramon 649960831
Potential
13-21 July SANT MARTI BARCELONA 9 Rd Swiss Ricard Llerins 933082425

9th Znojmo Open

The 9th International Chess Festival Znojmo Open 2009, takes place 30th April -3rd May 2009 in the town of Znojmo (the Czech Republic). Events include FIDE open with 7 rounds, the Znojmo Queen - Open Women’s Czech Championship in Active Chess, the Znojmo Princess-active chess for girls up to 14 years of age and Ing. Turek’s Memorial Competition. Open Local Championship of South Moravian Chess Federation in Active Chess for individuals. More detailed information at http://www.czechtour.net/znojmo-open/

.

Czech Tour 2009/2010 http://www.czechtour.net/news/

5th Thessaloniki Games Festival

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

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

Chess Classic Mainz

The Chess Classic Mainz takes place 27th July - 2nd August 2009 in the Rheingoldhalle in Mainz.

The world championships in rapid chess and Chess960 will be staged in a tried and trusted double round robin format with four players, after which the players battle it out in mini-matches to determine the top spot. The players for the main events have already been contracted.

The GRENKELEASING Rapid World Championship sees the World Chess Champion and Chess Classic serial winner Vishy Anand will try to defend his title for the 11th time in a row. He faces Levon Aronian, Ian Nepomniachtchi and Arkadij Naiditsch.

Other events include the gigantic ORDIX rapid chess Open, the FiNet Ches960 Open, the open tournaments for U14 talents, the 40 board simultaneous exhibition with Levon Aronian, the Livingston Chess960 Computer World Championship, etc., etc.

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

XXVII Andorra International Chess Open

The XXVII Andorra International Chess Open takes place 18th-26th July 2009. Contact: open@escacsandorra.com

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

27th Elba Chess Festival

The 27th Elba Chess Festival takes place 10th-17th May 2009.

Official site: http://www.tuscanhotels.it/cmsx.asp?IDPg=10

Calgary International

Calgary, Alberta (Canada) stages a small 9 round international norm event May 14th-18th, 2009. A host of GM's and IM's will be in attendance, IM norms will be available.

Official site:http://www.albertachess.org/Calgary_International.html

For more info, email the tournament organiser Tony Ficzere at tficzere@telus.net

London super-tournament in December 2009

Cream of world chess to play in new London tournament. [Press release 9th March 2009]

London Chess Centre is proud to announce a world-class chess tournament to be held in London in December, 2009. The event will be an elite eight-player all-play-all in the most prestigious tournament in the capital since former world champion Anatoly Karpov won the Phillips and Drew Masters in 1984.

Since then, despite London hosting three world title contests, there has not been a tournament in which England's leading players could lock horns with the world's best on home soil. The December 09 tournament will be the first in a series of events designed to reinvigorate UK chess and promote the game and its undoubted educational benefits in schools and communities.

The tournament will be FIDE Category 19 with an average FIDE rating of 2700 and a minimum prize fund of €100,000. The eight players will comprise of three English and five world-class Grandmasters from abroad. Included in the prize fund will be a €10,000 Brilliant Game award along with separate prizes for each victory with the White and Black pieces. Matches will be covered live online where fans will be able to vote for Game of the Day.

The tournament has applied for membership of the prestigious annual Grand Slam of Chess which culminates in Bilbao and boasts a €400,000 prize fund.

The games will be under Classical Chess time control; 40 moves in two hours, 20 in the subsequent hour then an additional 15 minutes plus an increment of 30 seconds a move until the end of the game. The tournament will further benefit from the use of Sofia Rules which disallow early draws. Players will receive three points for a win and one for a draw.

The opening ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 10 and will include a blindfold chess display and charity simultaneous. Play will take place daily from Friday, December 11 to Thursday, December 17 inclusive.

The list of players and venue will be announced in April.

Malcolm Pein (IM) Director London Chess Centre

Notes for editors: All communications to Malcolm Pein IM at London Chess Centre: 020 7388 2404. E-Mail: info@chess.co.uk. Website: www.chess.co.uk

Masterskill Commonwealth Chess Championships

The Masterskill Commonwealth Chess Championships takes place 14th-21st July 2009 in Ipoh, Malaysia.

Details: http://www.fide.com/component/content/article/4-tournaments/3827-commonwealth-chess-championship-2009-in-malaysia

Maia Chiburdanidze Cup

The "Maia Chiburdanidze Cup" (International Open Women's Chess Tournament) takes place in the Chess Palace, Tbilisi (Georgia) 4th-13th June 2009. The Tournament is open to all women players. Each player must herself (or her federation) cover all her expenses: entry fee, transportation, accommodation and board. 9 round Swiss. Rate of play: 90 min for all moves, increment 30 seconds per move. Details available from the addresses below.

Contact IA, FM Varlam Vepkhvishvili E-mail: chessgeorgia@hotmail.com or chessvarlam@hotmail.com.

Phone:
(995)32-997736 - Federation
(995)32-960199 - Home
(995)99-771974 - Mobile

Official site: http://www.gcf.org.ge

1st International Open Tbilisi

The 1st International Open Tbilisi Chess Tournament takes place 14th-24th June 2009.

Official site: http://www.chess.tbilisi.ge (not yet up and running)

9 round Swiss. Rate of play: 90 min for all moves, increment 30 seconds per move. Details available from the addresses below.

e-mail: chessvarlam@hotmail.com - Varlam Vepkhvishvili
e-mail: ggrs92@hotmail.com - Giorgi Khomeriki

Varna Chess Festival

The 1st International Chess Festival Varna, takes place at the Grand Hotel Varna 11th-20th June 2009. Contact: seahorse@abv.bg for more details.

Website: http://euroschoolchess.org/ (although I couldn't find the event myself)

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

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

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

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

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, Tamas, 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.

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

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

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