THE WEEK IN CHESS 116 27/01/97 Mark Crowther
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Produced for Thoth Communications Corporation part
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1) Introduction
2) Hoogovens tournament Wijk aan Zee.
3) Michael Adams vs Ivan Morovic Fernandez in Santiago, Chile.
4) The retirement of Gata Kamsky.
5) XIV Cuidad de Linares International Chess Tournament
6) Johansen Wins Australian Open by Ian Rogers
7) 4 Nations Chess League 1996-7
8) Israel League 1997: round 3 results + games by Ram Soffer
9) 8th International Open Chess Tournament "Ano Liosia '97"
10) Theoretical Corner By Marco R. Martini (ITA)
Games Section
Hoogovens, Wijk aan Zee NED 1997 56
Hoogovens B, Wijk aan Zee NED 1997 36
Israel 1997 45
Match, Santiago CHI 1997 6
4 NCL 19
1) Introduction
------------------
My thanks to the Lost Boys site, Pablo Rodriguez , Ian Rogers, Argiris Kotsis,
Ram Soffer, Nigel Johnson and Marco Martini for their help with this issue.
A quietish week of chess with the focus on the Hoogovens tournament in
Wijk aan Zee. The leader is Jeroen Piket. Michael Adams scored what was
in the end a convincing win against Ivan Morovic in Chile. This week the story
of Gata Kamsky's retirement broke to the wider press with an interview originally
with the Russian press agency.
Hope you enjoy this issue
Mark
2) Hoogovens tournament Wijk aan Zee.
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Jeroen Piket of the Netherlands leads the annual Hoogovens tournament in
Wijk aan Zee with 6/8, half a point in front of Ivan Sokolov.
There is web coverage on the Lost Boys www site.
http://lostcity.nl/chess/hoogovens/
The event has garnered some publicity in the Netherlands with one radio
program interviewing Piket for an hour. He has played some very
controlled chess and perhaps has finally put behind him a number of
years poor form.
The B event is being led by Etienne Bacrot. His sound technique has lead
to a number of very sound strategic wins so far.
Hoogovens A event.
-----------------
Round 3 (1997.01.21)
Piket, Jeroen - Illescas Cordoba, Miguel 1/2 23 E52 Nimzo indian
Sokolov, Ivan - Van Wely, Loek 1/2 21 E70 Kings indian
Korchnoi, Viktor - Onischuk, Alexander 1-0 34 A85 Dutch defence
Granda Zuniga, Julio E - Nikolic, Predrag 1-0 39 A09 Reti (1.Nf3)
Timman, Jan H - Salov, Valery 1/2 62 B82 Sicilian
Short, Nigel D - Lautier, Joel 1/2 27 B90 Sicilian; Najdorf
Glek, Igor V - Yermolinsky, Alex 1/2 25 C51 Evans gambit
Round 4 (1997.01.22)
Onischuk, Alexander - Piket, Jeroen 1/2 42 C92 Ruy Lopez
Salov, Valery - Glek, Igor V 1-0 45 A46 Queen's pawn
Lautier, Joel - Yermolinsky, Alex 1/2 53 E59 Nimzo indian
Van Wely, Loek - Korchnoi, Viktor 1/2 29 E12 Nimzo indian
Illescas Cordoba, Miguel - Granda Zuniga, Julio E 1-0 40 B85 Sicilian
Nikolic, Predrag - Timman, Jan H 1-0 30 D44 QGD; Botwinnik
Short, Nigel D - Sokolov, Ivan 1/2 46 C88 Ruy Lopez
Round 5 (1997.01.23)
Piket, Jeroen - Van Wely, Loek 1-0 32 E74 Kings indian
Sokolov, Ivan - Lautier, Joel 1/2 27 D28 QGA;
Korchnoi, Viktor - Short, Nigel D 1-0 62 D15 Slav defence
Granda Zuniga, Julio E - Onischuk, Alexander 1/2 61 E52 Nimzo indian
Yermolinsky, Alex - Salov, Valery 0-1 47 A30 English; 1.c4 c5
Timman, Jan H - Illescas Cordoba, Miguel 1-0 28 A57 Benko gambit
Glek, Igor V - Nikolic, Predrag 1/2 30 C47 Four knights
Round 6 (1997.01.25)
Sokolov, Ivan - Korchnoi, Viktor 1-0 57 E37 Nimzo indian
Onischuk, Alexander - Timman, Jan H 1/2 49 C82 Ruy Lopez
Lautier, Joel - Salov, Valery 1/2 42 E54 Nimzo indian
Van Wely, Loek - Granda Zuniga, Julio E 0-1 57 E12 Nimzo indian
Illescas Cordoba, Miguel - Glek, Igor V 1/2 64 D73 1.d4 d5 2.c4 g6
Nikolic, Predrag - Yermolinsky, Alex 1/2 74 D77 1.d4 d5 2.c4 g6
Short, Nigel D - Piket, Jeroen 0-1 74 C86 Ruy Lopez
Round 7 (1997.01.26)
Piket, Jeroen - Sokolov, Ivan 1/2 15 D15 Slav defence
Salov, Valery - Nikolic, Predrag 1-0 56 E11 Bogo indian
Korchnoi, Viktor - Lautier, Joel 1/2 36 A33 English; 1.c4 c5
Granda Zuniga, Julio E - Short, Nigel D 1-0 45 B44 Sicilian
Yermolinsky, Alex - Illescas Cordoba, Miguel 1-0 38 D19 Slav defence
Timman, Jan H - Van Wely, Loek 0-1 38 E81 Kings indian; Saemisch
Glek, Igor V - Onischuk, Alexander 0-1 29 C47 Four knights
Round 8 (1997.01.27)
Sokolov, Ivan - Granda Zuniga, Julio E 1-0 48 E21 Nimzo indian
Onischuk, Alexander - Yermolinsky, Alex 1-0 24 B57 Sicilian
Lautier, Joel - Nikolic, Predrag 1-0 31 E45 Nimzo indian
Korchnoi, Viktor - Piket, Jeroen 1/2 47 A28 English; 1.c4 e5
Van Wely, Loek - Glek, Igor V 1-0 61 E94 Kings indian; Classical
Illescas Cordoba, Miguel - Salov, Valery 1/2 28 A09 Reti (1.Nf3)
Short, Nigel D - Timman, Jan H 1/2 27 C43 Petroff defence
Wijk aan Zee NED (NED), I-II 1997 cat. XVI (2635)
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
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1 Piket, Jeroen g NED 2640 * = = 1 . = 1 . . . = 1 1 . 6.0 2833
2 Sokolov, Ivan g BIH 2615 = * = . = 1 = 1 . . 1 . = . 5.5 2775
3 Onischuk, Alexander g UKR 2580 = = * . . 0 . = 1 = . . 1 1 5.0 2730
4 Salov, Valery g RUS 2665 0 . . * = . . = 1 = = 1 . 1 5.0 2727
5 Lautier, Joel g FRA 2630 . = . = * = 0 . = . . 1 = 1 4.5 2687
6 Korchnoi, Viktor g SUI 2635 = 0 1 . = * = . . . = 0 1 . 4.0 2636
7 Van Wely, Loek g NED 2645 0 = . . 1 = * 0 . 1 . . 0 1 4.0 2635
8 Granda Zuniga, Julio E g PER 2620 . 0 = = . . 1 * 0 . 0 1 1 . 4.0 2639
9 Yermolinsky, Alex g USA 2630 . . 0 0 = . . 1 * = 1 = . = 4.0 2629
10 Timman, Jan H g NED 2630 . . = = . . 0 . = * 1 0 = 1 4.0 2640
11 Illescas Cordoba, Miguel g ESP 2635 = 0 . = . = . 1 0 0 * . . = 3.0 2544
12 Nikolic, Predrag g BIH 2655 0 . . 0 0 1 . 0 = 1 . * . = 3.0 2546
13 Short, Nigel D g ENG 2690 0 = 0 . = 0 1 0 . = . . * . 2.5 2483
14 Glek, Igor V g RUS 2620 . . 0 0 0 . 0 . = 0 = = . * 1.5 2382
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Hoogovens B event.
-----------------
Round 1 (1997.01.21)
Van der Sterren, Paul - Van der Wiel, John T.H 1/2 31 D43 Semi-Slav
Nijboer, Friso - Peng Zhaoqin 1/2 65 B90 Sicilian; Najdorf
Cifuentes Parada, Roberto - Dao Thien Hai 1/2 73 D46 Semi-Slav
Kalinin, Alexander - Bacrot, Etienne 1/2 39 B66 Sicilian
Riemersma, Liafbern - Janssen, Ruud 1-0 26 E12 Nimzo indian
David, Alberto - Atalik, Suat 0-1 36 B66 Sicilian
Round 2 (1997.01.22)
Van der Sterren, Paul - Riemersma, Liafbern 1-0 61 D77 1.d4 d5 2.c4 g6
Atalik, Suat - Cifuentes Parada, Roberto 1-0 39 D43 Semi-Slav
Dao Thien Hai - Kalinin, Alexander 1/2 21 E31 Nimzo indian
Van der Wiel, John T.H - Bacrot, Etienne 0-1 76 B70 Sicilian; Dragon
Peng Zhaoqin - David, Alberto 1/2 40 E97 Kings indian; Main line
Janssen, Ruud - Nijboer, Friso 0-1 52 E92 Kings indian; Classical
Round 3 (1997.01.23)
Bacrot, Etienne - Dao Thien Hai 1/2 30 D30 Queen's gambit
Nijboer, Friso - Van der Sterren, Paul 0-1 26 B92 Sicilian; Najdorf
Cifuentes Parada, Roberto - Peng Zhaoqin 1/2 66 D13 Slav defence
Kalinin, Alexander - Atalik, Suat 1/2 39 D41 QGD; Tarrasch Defence
Riemersma, Liafbern - Van der Wiel, John T.H 1/2 36 E12 Nimzo indian
David, Alberto - Janssen, Ruud 1-0 33 B53 Sicilian
Round 4 (1997.01.25)
Van der Sterren, Paul - David, Alberto 1-0 40 E66 Kings indian
Atalik, Suat - Bacrot, Etienne 0-1 31 D43 Semi-Slav
Van der Wiel, John T.H - Dao Thien Hai 1-0 61 B85 Sicilian
Riemersma, Liafbern - Nijboer, Friso 1/2 46 E81 Kings indian; Saemisch
Peng Zhaoqin - Kalinin, Alexander 1/2 26 E15 Nimzo indian
Janssen, Ruud - Cifuentes Parada, Roberto 1/2 19 D45 Semi-Slav
Round 5 (1997.01.26)
Bacrot, Etienne - Peng Zhaoqin 1-0 36 E61 Kings indian
Nijboer, Friso - Van der Wiel, John T.H 1-0 33 B92 Sicilian; Najdorf
Cifuentes Parada, Roberto - Van der Sterren, Paul 1-0 41 D54 QGD;
Kalinin, Alexander - Janssen, Ruud 1-0 44 A30 English; 1.c4 c5
Dao Thien Hai - Atalik, Suat 1/2 65 D85 Gruenfeld indian
David, Alberto - Riemersma, Liafbern 1/2 35 B66 Sicilian
Round 6 (1997.01.27)
Van der Sterren, Paul - Kalinin, Alexander 1/2 30 E05 Nimzo indian
Nijboer, Friso - David, Alberto 1-0 1 A40 Queen's pawn
Van der Wiel, John T.H - Atalik, Suat 1/2 40 C60 Ruy Lopez
Riemersma, Liafbern - Cifuentes Parada, Roberto 0-1 1 A40 Queen's pawn
Peng Zhaoqin - Dao Thien Hai 0-1 1 A40 Queen's pawn
Janssen, Ruud - Bacrot, Etienne 0-1 53 A29 English; 1.c4 e5
Wijk aan Zee NED (NED), I-II 1997 cat. X (2482)
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
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1 Bacrot, Etienne m FRA 2500 * . . 1 . = = 1 . 1 . 1 5.0 2741
2 Van der Sterren, Paul g NED 2515 . * 1 . 0 = . = 1 . 1 . 4.0 2615
3 Nijboer, Friso g NED 2555 . 0 * . . . . 1 = = 1 1 4.0 2571
4 Atalik, Suat g TUR 2555 0 . . * 1 = = = . . 1 . 3.5 2557
5 Cifuentes Parada, Roberto g NED 2515 . 1 . 0 * . = . 1 = . = 3.5 2520
6 Kalinin, Alexander m RUS 2425 = = . = . * = . . = . 1 3.5 2531
7 Dao Thien Hai g VIE 2555 = . . = = = * 0 . 1 . . 3.0 2486
8 Van der Wiel, John T.H g NED 2555 0 = 0 = . . 1 * = . . . 2.5 2462
9 Riemersma, Liafbern m NED 2435 . 0 = . 0 . . = * . = 1 2.5 2433
10 Peng Zhaoqin m NED 2370 0 . = . = = 0 . . * = . 2.0 2375
11 David, Alberto m LUX 2455 . 0 0 0 . . . . = = * 1 2.0 2338
12 Janssen, Ruud NED 2350 0 . 0 . = 0 . . 0 . 0 * 0.5 2079
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3) Michael Adams defeats Ivan Morovic in Santiago.
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Michael Adams more than recovered the rating points he lost at Hastings
in beating Ivan Morovic in a six game match in Santiago. Adams won the
first game when Morovic got his rook trapped on the Queenside. The match
then had three draws. Adams is quite an experienced match player and he
waited his chance. Morovic has quite a dangerous style but Adams kept
the tactics under control and won a fine positional game in game 5. The
sixth game saw Morovic being drastically punished for overambitious
opening play.
Pablo Rodriguez sent games played between the 16th and 22nd January.
Adams, Michael - Morovic Fernandez, Ivan 1-0 35 B93 Sicilian; Najdorf
Morovic Fernandez, Ivan - Adams, Michael 1/2 42 C89 Ruy Lopez
Adams, Michael - Morovic Fernandez, Ivan 1/2 30 B50 Sicilian
Morovic Fernandez, Ivan - Adams, Michael 1/2 18 B04 Alekhine defence
Adams, Michael - Morovic Fernandez, Ivan 1-0 49 B90 Sicilian; Najdorf
Morovic Fernandez, Ivan - Adams, Michael 0-1 21 C78 Ruy Lopez
Santiago (CHI), I 1997
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1 2 3 4 5 6
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Adams, Michael g ENG 2660 1 = = = 1 1 4.5 2773
Morovic Fernandez, Ivan g CHI 2580 0 = = = 0 0 1.5 2467
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4) The retirement of Gata Kamsky.
------------------------------
At first I think many did not believe it, in an interview in Inside
Chess Rustam Kamsky (Gata's contraversial father) announced that Gata
Kamsky would be retiring from chess to take up medical studies, but the
withdrawal of Gata from Wijk aan Zee seemed to confirm it. Now in an
interview with Russian radio Rustam has repeated this decision and it
seems to be so.
The retirement of Kamsky is something to be regretted and it mirrors the
kind of disaffection that lead to Reuben Fine and Bobby Fischer to give
up too.
"I will stress that my withdrawal is a matter of principle and a sign of
protest against what modern chess has turned into" Gata Kamsky is quoted
as saying. The blame is firmly laid at the door of Gary Kasparov and
Anatoly Karpov. Kasparov broke away to hold his match with Nigel Short
under the banner of the Professional Chess Association an organisation
that now seems defunct. This also precipitated a crisis within FIDE.
The situation now is that there is no World Championship cycle to
challenge either of the World Chess Champions. There are two Champions,
FIDE Champion Anatoly Karpov and PCA Champion Gary Kasparov. Most sound
judges believe Kasparov to be the better player but the gap between him
and players such as Anand and Kramnik has narrowed greatly. If the
finance can be raised then Karpov and Kasparov will playoff for the
title of World Champion. This agreement is one between Karpov and
Kasparov and involves no-one else. Even if the winner resolved to defend
their title every two years it would mean that even though there hasn't
been a World Championship cycle started for four years that we will
have to wait for at least a further year before anything can be done.
There are no such guarantees and the situation is very much in limbo.
FIDE have resolved to have an annual World Championship which will
consist of two game matches followed by speed chess playoffs. This
introduces an absolutely unacceptable degree of luck into the title and
is almost guaranteed to produce random results. FIDE may call it the
World Chess Championships but it will not find wide acceptance. It is
more like the Grand Slam Cup of tennis. An event rich in prizes but its
prestege is not that of the French, US and Australian opens and
Wimbledon. With their problems in raising money for the traditional
cycle in recent years it is inconceivable that they will be able to run
this event every year. The decision is to run an annual World
Championships is an attempt by FIDE to raise money to save the
organisation from a severe financial crisis which occurred under the
Presidency of Florencio Campomanes. It cannot work.
Reading between the lines this decision seems to be more one of Gata
Kamsky rather than a joint one with his father. The volume of
preparation which was the hallmark of his chess must have taken a
sickening amount of effort. He is reported to have said to some people
that he didn't really enjoy chess anymore. Whilst this amount of
dedication and effort is not that unusual in top class sport, the final
straw will have been the disintegration of the World Championship
structure. It is mentally impossible to keep this level of effort up for
an indefinite amount of time without a target to aim for. Kamsky failed
in the Candidates final of the PCA World Championships against
Viswanathan Anand and was beaten last year by Anatoly Karpov in the
final of the FIDE version of the Championships. He was very critical of
the timing of the PCA match against Anand just over a week after his
FIDE match against Salov. Also there was controversy over his match
against Karpov. The match took place a year late and he accused Anatoly
Karpov of delaying the match. Gata Kamsky played very little chess in
the years delay.
It does raise an interesting point however. Kamsky was almost on a
"mission from God" to become World Champion. There have been 13 World
Champions and almost all share this single minded approach. Fischer's 15
year drive towards this goal was a great story, his successes and
failures were simply stepping stones to that ambition. His single minded
approach actually increased the value of the title greatly in the eyes
of the general public. There doesn't seem to be quite the same drive
from the younger pretenders for the World Championships. Perhaps
unfairly I get the feeling that they believe it would be "quite nice"
to be World Chess Champion. It is only in this way that I can explain
their lack of complaint about the collapse of the traditional World
Championship cycle. All competitive sport is about striving to win the
ultimate title, to be the undisputed champions. Chess is in very serious
trouble with the removal of this as a goal.
I don't think anyone expects Gata Kamsky never to play chess again.
Indeed one can't just decide to become a doctor. We know that he has the
organisation and intellegence to become a doctor but we don't know about
his general education. Perhaps he may have to study basic biology,
chemistry and maths before even embarking upon his real studies. He will
have to train for at least six years before he qualifies. If he's like
most students he'll have to find some supplementary income from
somewhere!
Indeed perhaps it would be nice to see him simply play chess for
enjoyment. In my opinion his chess stopped developing once he got
seriously involved in the matches for the World Championships. His rapid
improvement came to a halt as he maximised his results and didn't enter
many tournaments. His lack of flexibility in approaching some middlegame
problems cost him dearly against Karpov. He would be free to play a more
open style of chess. But perhaps if he doesn't think he can win the
World Championships he would prefer not to play at all.
I don't hold with the conspiracy theories expounded in the interview
with Kasparov and Karpov being a hidden hand trying to prevent Kamsky
becoming World Champion. I'm very much a believer in the cock-up theory
of history. Kasparov certainly acted in his own interest in forming the
PCA but his personal record against Kamsky is so overwhelming that I
doubt he gave any thought to him. However Kasparov himself I'm sure
would be making similar noises to Kamsky if he was faced with the World
Championship situation as we have now when he was first trying to
become World Champion.
Kasparov seems to have given up the idea of running the World
Championship cycle. He remarked in an interview in "Rochade Europa"
[with GM Dr. Helmut Pfleger with Garri Kasparov (5/96, p.33-36)] that
the PCA lost a lot of money ["a disaster"] over the FIDE-like World
Championship cycle. He adds that FIDE can organise a World Championship
cycle if they want to and that he is interested in co-operating. If this
is the case then it is up to the Federations to force the issue. It is
both realistic and essential to organise a cycle even with lowered
financial rewards. Indeed it is unrealistic to try and match the levels
of finance that were obtained for the 1990 World Championships which was
at a time of prosperity in the World economy. The attempts to match this
level of funding for two seperate World title matches has caused all the
problems of recent years.
However an interzonal, and especially a Candidates tournament have their
attractions to sponsors and a World title match does get the requisite
publicity to have a considerable value. Whilst FIDE remains in the hands
of those who are more interested in their ego's than administration no
solution will be possible. The winning of political battles and the
bending of rules, aswell as the FIDE financial crisis are Florencio
Campomanes' legacy to the chess World. The man has been an unmitigated
disaster for chess. It is said that he still exerts influence behind the
scenes today as honourary President. Perhaps the only way to remove this
poisonous man from chess is to create a new chess Federation.
I for one shall miss Gata Kamsky, his father may have caused a lot of
trouble for chess but Gata Kamsky's hard, self-disciplined chess is not
seen in any of his top class rivals and will be missed.
5) XIV Cuidad de Linares International Chess Tournament
----------------------------------------------------
Almost as soon as I produced TWIC last week someone reported that the
official press release was wrong and that Karpov was not playing in
Linares. This is the list as I believe it to be currently, it remains to
be seen whether other players are not, in fact playing the event.
Kasparov, Gary...................g RUS 2795 11
Anand, Viswanathan...............g IND 2765 9
Ivanchuk, Vassily................g UKR 2740 32
Nikolic, Predrag.................g BIH 2655 29
Adams, Michael...................g ENG 2660 38
Polgar, Judit (GM)...............g HUN 2645 58 w
Dreev, Alexey....................g RUS 2650 34
Gelfand, Boris...................g BLR 2700 52
Topalov, Veselin.................g BUL 2725 44
Kramnik, Vladimir................g RUS 2740 41
Shirov, Alexei...................g ESP 2690 49
6) Johansen Wins Australian Open by Ian Rogers
--------------------------------------------
Grandmaster Darryl Johansen of Melbourne scored a narrow victory in the
biennial Australian Open which concluded in Sydney on January 9.
Johansen was a heavy pre-tournament favourite in the 136 player field
but trailed sixth seed Tim Reilly until the ninth round, when Reilly
suffered his first and only loss against tephen Solomon. Johansen
completed the event undefeated, conceding draws only to Reilly, New
Zealand's Adrian Lloyd, and second seed Dmitry Gedevani in the final
round.
1996/7 Australian Open
Sydney December 28-January 9
Leading final scores (136 players, 11 rounds):
1. GM Johansen 9.5;
2. FM Reilly 9;
=3. FM Gedevani, Allen 8.5;
=5. IM Solomon, Pizzato, Bolens, Cabilin, Walsh 8.
7) 4 Nations Chess League 1996-7
-----------------------------
Nigel Johnson sends some games and the results of round 5 of the 4
Nations Chess League last weekend.
Round 5 - Saturday 25th January 1997
Moat House Hotel - Wigan Ref : 007
Note : The Elo and BCF grades displayed are those published in Summer
1996.
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Another effective result for the current champions, keeping them just
behind the leaders.
Slough Result Croydon 1859
1 w B. Lalic 2565 1 - 0 J. Naylor 2265
2 b A. Kosten 2525 - J. Wilson 2285
3 w A. Summerscale 2500 - A. Harley 2265
4 b S. Lalic 2365 1 - 0 S. Ledger 2250
5 w R. M. Webb 2290 - D. Rosen 2110
6 b Miroslav Houska 2265 1 - 0 D. Gunter 2155
7 w A. P. Smith 2265 1 - 0 J. McGrath 186
8 b J. Houska 2115 1 - 0 S. Turvey 128
6-1
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The Monarchs are not as strong in depth but this does not seem to stop
them.
Midland Monarchs Result North West Eagles
1 w K. Arkell 2545 1 - 0 J. Littlewood 2275
2 b M. Hebden 2530 - B. Lund 2260
3 w J. Parker 2470 1 - 0 G. Quillan 2320
4 b M. Ferguson 2385 1 - 0 R. Sheldon 2230
5 w A. Collinson 2380 1 - 0 D. Tebb 2320
6 b M. Barnes 2260 - J. Merriman 2275
7 w Don Mason 2275 1 - 0 D. R. James 2250
8 b N. Regan 2155 0 - 1 A. A. Smith 2225
6 - 2
In playing John Nunn, Invicta Knights revealed additional strength to an
already impressive squad. The message to all those teams with
aspirations of winning the Championship is clear.
Na Fianna Result Invicta Knights
1 w D. King 2535 - J. Nunn 2605
2 b C. O'Shaughnessy 2260 0 - 1 N. McDonald 2500
3 w M. Lyell 2235 0 - 1 C. Ward 2460
4 b R. McMichael 2200 0 - 1 E. Sakhatova 2325
5 w C. MacKenzie 187 0 - 1 D Gormally 2300
6 b R. Pearce 185 1 - 0 A. Harakis 2175
7 w S. Connelly 155 - L. Gurr 181
8 b M. O'Siochru 160 0 - 1 C. Howell 2160
2 - 6
This match was closer then the score reveals!! Both teams had their
chances and Wood Green can thank Paul Littlewood for finally dispatching
the Vikings.
Wood Green Result Northumbria Vikings
1 w J. Emms 2500 0 - 1 A. Ledger 2415
2 b Jon Levitt 2435 - C. McNab 2465
3 w K. Arakhamia-Grant 2455 0 - 1 T. Wall 2320
4 b P. Littlewood 2440 1 - 0 S. Bell 2365
5 w A. Law 2370 0 - 1 D. Ledger 2235
6 b P. Sowray 2350 1 - 0 C. Waters 2235
7 w G. Lee 2375 1 - 0 J. King 2115
8 b S. Jackson 2150 1 - 0 L. Barnes 83
4-3
David Norwood joins the ever lengthening list of the top British player
who have played in the 4NCL. With David and John Nunn both having now
played in the 4NCL, the number of those who have not has been
significantly reduced.
B.C.M. Result Hertford
1 w M. Chandler 2550 0 - 1 S. Knott 2335
2 b D. Norwood 2520 1 - 0 C. Duncan 2340
3 w J. Mestel 2510 1 - 0 S. Swanson 2265
4 b S. Giddins 2345 - D. Coleman 2280
5 w B Cafferty 2240 - E. Dearing 2185
6 b J. Bellin 2215 - B. Cheal 183
7 w D. Anderton 2200 0 - 1 J. Denton 176
8 b J. Wareing 161 1 - 0 J. Badger 143
4-3
Witney are not having a good season and with their usual lady player not
being available, their cause has not been helped.
Witney Result Richmond
1 w S. Ansell 2420 - L. McShane 2385
2 b T. Headlong 2250 0 - 1 S. Williams 2350
3 w R. Haydon 2220 0 - 1 R. Bates 2315
4 b M. Truran 2255 - A Trifunovic 2250
5 w P. Cooksey 2150 0 - 1 G Wall 2305
6 b S. Elliott 0 - 1 M. Franklin 2255
7 w D. Hackett 175 1 - 0 B. Beake 189
8 b I. Houska 101 0 - 1 Ruth Bates 160
2 - 6
The Dragons were missing their top board, David Cummings, but in a close
match edged out Wessex.
South Wales Dragons Result Wessex
1 w J Cooper 2370 - J. Poulton 2360
2 b D James 2260 0 - 1 A. Corkett 2285
3 w C Morris 2215 1 - 0 D. Neil 2295
4 b S Zeidler 2265 - M. Yeo 2205
5 w J Saunders 2240 1 - 0 I. Upton 2235
6 b J Smith 2200 - A. Brameld 199
7 w Andrew Dyce 2135 - R. Noyce 2205
8 b A Cast (nee Dyce) 150 - E. Howard 163
4-3
The Barbican have the best record in the BCF National Club KO, but were
one weekend to late to add this record to their collection!
Celtic Knights Result Barbican
1 w C. Walsh 2180 0 - 1 C. Crouch 2375
2 b A. Borg 0 - 1 C. Pritchett 2325
3 w J. Gibert 2150 0 - 1 S. Dishman 2300
4 b A. Musson 162 0 - 1 A. Plueg 2310
5 w M. Adams 2100 0 - 1 J. Rogers 2300
6 b A. Sheehan 0 - 1 D. Sands 2260
7 w G. Synnett 0 - 1 J. C. Moore 2155
8 b J. Wilson 0 - 1 H. Lang 2065
0 - 8
After a slow start to the season, Guildford record their second win at
the expense of Bristol.
Guildford Result Bristol
1 w A. Kinsman 2400 1 - 0 C. Baker 2370
2 b N. Povah 2375 0 - 1 C. Beaumont 2300
3 w C. Kennaugh 2290 1 - 0 K. Mah 2245
4 b R. Granat 202 - G. Copeland 2335
5 w I. Thompson 2300 1 - 0 R. Phillips 2120
6 b R. Abayasekera 2255 0 - 1 D. Collier 2225
7 w M. Anderton 2175 1 - 0 D. Grossiter
8 b P. Nunn 2080 1 - 0 M. Buckley 2040
5-2
Standings after 5 Rounds
With the exception of Northumbria all the top six teams won, but round 6
will see the first of the matches between the top teams.
4NCL P W D L MP GP
Invicta Knights 6.0 6.5 5.0 6.0 6.0 5 5 00 10 29.5
Midland Monarchs 6.0 6.0 5.5 5.5 6.0 5 5 00 10 29.0
Wood Green 6.5 5.5 4.5 6.0 4.5 5 5 00 10 27.0
Slough 4.5 5.0 8.0 4.0 6.5 5 4 10 9 28.0
BCM 5.0 5.0 5.0 3.5 4.5 5 4 01 8 23.0
Barbican 4.5 3.5 4.0 4.5 8.0 5 3 11 7 24.5
Northumbria 5.5 5.5 4.0 4.0 3.5 5 2 21 6 22.5
Richmond 3.0 4.0 3.5 4.5 6.0 5 3 02 6 21.0
SWales Dragons 2.0 4.5 5.5 2.0 4.5 5 3 02 6 18.5
North West Eagles 3.5 4.5 3.0 6.0 2.0 5 2 03 4 19.0
Na Fianna 6.0 2.0 5.0 2.0 2.0 5 2 03 4 17.0
Guildford 2.0 3.0 0.0 6.0 5.5 5 2 03 4 16.5
Wessex 5.0 3.0 2.5 3.5 3.5 5 1 04 2 17.5
Witney 3.5 2.5 3.0 5.0 2.0 5 1 04 2 16.0
Hertford 1.5 2.5 4.5 3.0 3.5 5 1 04 2 15.0
Croydon 1859 3.0 2.5 3.0 2.0 1.5 5 0 05 0 12.0
Bristol 2.5 1.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 5 0 05 0 11.5
Celtic Knights 2.0 3.0 3.5 2.0 0.0 5 0 05 0 10.5
8) Israel League 1997: round 3 results + games by Ram Soffer
---------------------------------------------------------
The round 3 results are as follows:
16/1/96 Beer-Sheva II - Elitzur Petach-Tikva 1.5:4.5
Elitzur Jerusalem - Herzliya 5:1
18/1/96 Bikurei Haitim Tel-Aviv - Ashdod 5:1
Maccabi Afek - Hapoel Kfar-Sava 0.5:5.5
ASA Technion Haifa - Hapoel Rishon-Lezion 1:5
1/2/96 ASA Tel-Aviv - Beer-Sheva I (postponed)
(results in detail will follow later)
Standings after Round 3
=======================
Rishon-Lezion 14.5
Elitzur PT 12.0
Jerusalem 11.5
Haifa 9.0
Kfar-Sava 9.0
Bikurei Haitim TA 8.5
Afek 8.0
Beer-Sheva I 7.0 *
Herzliya 7.0
Beer-Sheva II 5.5
ASA TA 3.5 *
Ashdod 3.5
* - postponed match
9) 8th International Open Chess Tournament "Ano Liosia '97"
--------------------------------------------------
The 11th-19th January 1997 saw an international open organised by the
Ano Liosia Chess Club in Athens Greece. Some games were covered live on
the internet on the Hellas Chess Club page compiled by Argiris Kotsis.
Games will follow next week.
http://www.compulink.gr/chess/tourn/1997/ano_liosia_97/index.html
Finals leading Standings.
1) Agnos, Dimitri...................g GRE 2495 44 7.5
2) Gadjilu, Rauf.................... AZE 2290 0 7.5
3) Ulibin, Mikhail..................g RUS 2555 37 7.0
4) Georgiev, Krum...................g BUL 2490 32 7.0
5) Kotronias, Vasilios..............g GRE 2590 27 7.0
6) Grivas, Efstratios...............g GRE 2510 30 7.0
7) Lirindzakis, Timotheos...........m GRE 2380 22 7.0
8) Skembris, Spyridon...............g GRE 2450 54 6.5
9) Tzermiadianos, Andreas...........m GRE 2370 37 6.5
10) Vouldis, Angelos.................m GRE 2410 21 6.5
11) Kobalija, Mihail.................g RUS 2545 57 6.5
12) Miladinovic, Igor................g GRE 2510 39 6.5
13) Tzoumbas, Anastasios.............f GRE 2365 15 6.5
14) Gesos, Pavlos....................m GRE 2385 0 6.5
15) Agamaliev, Gamil.................m AZE 2475 0 6.5
16) Shariyazdanov, Andre.............m RUS 2525 6.5
17) Papastavropoulos, Andreas........ GRE 2305 26 6.5
18) Nikolaidis, Ioannis..............g GRE 2565 29 6.5
19) Gocheva, Rumiana.................m BUL 2215 w 6.5
20) Shahtahtinsky, Alekper...........f RUS 2325 12 6.5
21) Vul, Arkadi Eremeevich...........m RUS 2395 19 6.5
10) Theoretical Corner By Marco R. Martini (ITA)
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