THE WEEK IN CHESS 635 8th January 2007 by Mark Crowther

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Contents

1) Introduction
2) ACP Rapid
3) Hastings Congress
4) Reggio Emilia
5) Yitshak Steinhart Memorial
6) Rilton Cup
7) 27th Bethune Open
8) 13th Tuzla International
9) Zurich Weihnachtsopen
10) XVII Cracovia Festival
11) Illes Medes Open
12) Aniversario del Par de Alfiles
13) Iranian Championship
14) Harmonie Tournament
15) 13th Zadar Open
16) Dutch Team Championship
17) 5th Crikvenica Rapid
18) 114th New Zealand Championship
19) 16th IPCCC Paderborn
20) Czech Chess Christmas
21) Nassau Chess Club Championship
22) 3rd Singapore International Chess Convention
23) Subzonal 2.3.4
24) Helyilapok Season Opening Open
25) Caissa IM
26) Forthcoming Events and Links

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Games section

ACP Rapid                          41 games
Hastings Congress                 241 games
Reggio Emilia                      35 games
Yitshak Steinhart Memorial         45 games
Rilton Cup                        102 games
27th Bethune Open                 184 games
13th Tuzla International           45 games
Zurich Weihnachtsopen             127 games
XVII Cracovia Festival            138 games
Illes Medes Open                  155 games
Aniversario del Par de Alfiles     54 games
Iranian Championship               30 games
Harmonie Tournament                45 games
13th Zadar Open                   198 games
Dutch Team Championship            50 games
114th New Zealand Championship     36 games
16th IPCCC Paderborn               35 games
Nassau Chess Club Championship    120 games
3rd Singapore Masters             422 games
Subzonal 2.3.4                    181 games
2254 games

1) Introduction

My thanks to Yochanan Afek, John Saunders, Matthew Tapp, Bognár Csaba, Michael Freeman, Laszlo Nagy, Thomas Henrich, Anjo Anjewierden, Albert Muratet, Steve Giddins, Georg Kradolfer, Joaquim De Deus Fº, Mikhail Golubev, Steffen Wirth, Istvan Brindza, Jeroen Noomen, Larry S Tamarkin, Osvaldo Orozco and everyone else who helped with the issue.

The first ACP Rapid took place in Odessa in the Ukraine 4th-8th January 2007. Its a big achievement to get such an event going and I hope it will lead to more from this players organisation. Peter Leko won first prize in the event with a $136,000 fund. Leko defeated Vassily Ivanchuk in the final. Elsewhere there were many traditional Christmas and New Year Events including Hastings, Reggio Emilia, Rilton Cup and so forth. By this time next week the exciting Corus tournament in Wijk aan Zee will be under way, should be great.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) ACP Rapid

The 1st ACP World Rapid Cup took place in Odessa in the Ukraine 4th-8th January 2007. The event was sponsored by the Bank Pivdennyi based in Odessa and took place in the Hotel Londonskaya. The tournament organisers were the Bank Pivdennyi and the Association of Chess Professionals. The total prize fund was 136,000 US Dollars. 16 grandmasters participated in this Knock-Out tournament. The time control was 20 minutes for the whole game with an increment of 5 seconds per move, with blitz games (3mins + 2sec/m) to settle ties. Peter Leko won the second blitz playoff game against Vassily Ivanchuk in the final, their first three games were drawn.

Official site: http://worldcup.pivdenny.com/en/ with additional live coverage at: http://www.ruschess.com/

1st ACP World Rapid Cup Odessa UKR 2007

Final 08.01.2006
----------------

Leko,P 2.5
Ivanchuk,V 1.5

Semi-final 08.01.2006
---------------------

Gelfand,B 2.0
Leko,P 3.0

Ivanchuk,V 2.0
Radjabov,T 0.0

Quarter-finals 07.01.2006
-------------------------

Shirov,A 0.5
Gelfand,B 1.5

Leko,P 2.0
Rublevsky,S 0.0

Bacrot,E 0.5
Ivanchuk,V 1.5

Morozevich,A 0.5
Radjabov,T 1.5

Round 1
-------
06.01.2007

Smirin,I 0.5
Shirov,A 1.5

Gelfand,B 2.0
Nakamura,H 0.0

Sokolov,Iv 0.5
Leko,P 1.5

Rublevsky,S 1.5
Naiditsch,A 0.5

Round 1
-------
05.01.2007
Bologan,V 2.0
Bacrot,E 3.0

Ivanchuk,V 2.0
Amonatov,F 0.0

Harikrishna,P 2.0
Morozevich,A 3.0

Bareev,E 0.5
Radjabov,T 1.5

3) Hastings Congress

The Hastings Congress took place 28th December 2006 - 7 January 2007. Merab Gagunashvili took the Masters title on tie-break from defending champion Valerij Neverov. Round 4 Corrections to Vul - Pavlovic, Williams - Gagunashvili and Gofshtein - Chernaiev plus the remain games now available.

Games from Steve Giddins of the official website: http://www.hastingschess.org.uk/

Ranking after round 9 of Hastings Masters
No.  PNo.  Name                       Score WP    SB     PS    rat.  TPR  W-We
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1.    1  GAGUNASHVILI, Merab         7.0  53.5  40.75  38.5  2611 2675 +0.71
        5  NEVEROV, Valerij            7.0  45.5  34.00  32.5  2538 2534 +0.08
  3.    2  IKONNIKOV, Wacheslav        6.5  52.0  37.00  34.0  2588 2552 -0.22
        6  GOFSHTEIN, Zvulon           6.5  50.5  34.00  36.0  2509 2574 +0.87
        7  PAVLOVIC, Milos             6.5  50.5  34.75  36.5  2507 2576 +0.91
        8  PERT, Nicholas              6.5  52.0  36.50  34.0  2502 2558 +0.75
        9  LALIC, Bogdan               6.5  47.0  33.00  32.5  2491 2478 +0.01
       11  CHERNIAEV, Alexander        6.5  50.0  34.25  36.5  2472 2554 +1.15
  9.   10  WILLIAMS, Simon             6.0  49.5  30.00  32.0  2473 2497 +0.39
       13  GREET, Andrew               6.0  47.5  30.25  32.5  2439 2409 -0.22
       19  ANSELL, Simon               6.0  50.5  30.50  35.0  2394 2549 +1.95
       20  GROOTEN, Herman             6.0  43.5  25.75  26.5  2387 2337 -0.42
       21  RENDLE, Thomas              6.0  46.5  29.00  30.0  2382 2403 +0.35
       22  KNOTT, Simon                6.0  42.5  27.50  29.0  2375 2382 +0.18
       30  RUDD, Jack                  6.0  47.0  29.75  29.5  2310 2435 +1.53
       55  BRISCOE, Christopher        6.0  44.5  29.25  27.0  2121 2465 +3.83
 17.    3  HEBDEN, Mark                5.5  44.0  26.50  29.0  2545 2382 -1.67
       15  HASLINGER, Stewart          5.5  50.0  28.50  31.0  2438 2391 -0.42
       16  MCNAB, Colin                5.5  44.0  24.75  28.5  2433 2332 -1.00
       17  JONES, Gawain               5.5  49.5  27.00  32.0  2430 2438 +0.29
       18  WALLACE, John-Paul          5.5  43.5  24.25  28.5  2418 2320 -0.99
       23  PEEK, Marcel                5.5  45.5  26.00  29.5  2367 2413 +0.65
       38  KWIATKOWSKI, Feliks         5.5  44.5  25.50  26.5  2226 2316 +1.09
       52  NARAYANAN, Srinath          5.5  48.0  27.25  27.5  2141 2448 +3.42
       56  MANSSON, James              5.5  36.0  19.00  22.0  2120 2261 +1.59
 26.   12  CIUKSYTE, Dagne             5.0  45.5  24.75  27.5  2440 2219 -2.34
       14  HENDRIKS, Willy             5.0  45.5  21.75  30.5  2439 2345 -0.98
       24  VUL, Arkadi                 5.0  44.5  24.00  27.0  2365 2200 -1.64
       25  HOUSKA, Jovanka             5.0  48.0  24.00  29.5  2364 2420 +0.75
       26  PROSVIRIAKOV, Vladimir      5.0  42.5  22.00  23.5  2346 2205 -1.55
       28  MARUSENKO, Peter            5.0  46.0  23.25  27.5  2330 2364 +0.46
       29  EAMES, Robert               5.0  43.5  20.75  27.0  2311 2295 -0.17
       31  ASHTON, Adam                5.0  43.5  20.25  28.5  2304 2332 +0.42
       33  FURMAN, Boris               5.0  44.5  22.50  28.0  2263 2347 +1.05
       35  RAYNER, Francis             5.0  39.5  19.25  24.5  2247 2218 -0.32
       36  EGGLESTON, David            5.0  40.5  18.50  23.0  2239 2235 -0.14
       40  SNAPE, Ian                  5.0  38.0  20.25  24.0  2217 2140 -0.66
       42  GRAF, Felix                 5.0  42.5  22.25  25.0  2207 2275 +0.86
       43  GRANT, Alan                 5.0  42.5  21.75  26.0  2206 2315 +1.04
       44  FOWLER, Simon               5.0  38.5  19.25  24.5  2201 2174 -0.24
       53  VRBAN, Damir                5.0  33.0  17.00  20.0  2130 2145 +0.10
       60  HUMPHREYS, Jerry            5.0  39.5  20.25  21.5  2106 2163 +0.55
       88  FOORD, Dominic              5.0  38.5  19.25  22.5  1894 2222 +3.54
 44.   27  HUSS, Andreas               4.5  44.5  19.75  26.5  2338 2257 -0.82
       32  LEDGER, David               4.5  46.5  20.50  28.0  2276 2319 +0.52
       34  BRITTON, Richard            4.5  42.0  16.75  26.0  2261 2261 -0.02
       37  SCHUURMAN, Petra            4.5  48.0  22.00  25.0  2238 2306 +0.69
       39  JACKSON, Oliver             4.5  38.0  16.25  22.5  2225 2133 -1.05
       41  CAFFERTY, Bernard           4.5  43.0  19.50  24.0  2207 2171 -0.26
       47  GROFFEN, Hans               4.5  36.5  15.25  22.5  2180 2133 -0.50
       50  SUGDEN, John                4.5  40.5  17.25  23.5  2158 2100 -0.64
       51  MUTER, Donny                4.5  43.5  19.00  23.5  2146 2220 +0.73
       67  PICKERSGILL, Adrian         4.5  36.5  16.50  19.0  2093 2117 +0.15
       70  POOBALASINGAM, Peter        4.5  35.5  13.50  21.5  2077 2132 +0.54
       91  COHEN, Ronnie               4.5  39.0  18.00  19.5  1841 2133 +3.07
 56.   46  MULLIGAN, Stephen           4.0  37.0  16.00  21.0  2199 1964 -1.84
       49  DICKSON, George             4.0  41.0  15.75  20.5  2171 2117 -0.69
       54  ALMOND, Richard             4.0  35.0  14.00  16.5  2124 2063 -0.72
       57  DONOVAN, Nigel              4.0  38.5  11.75  19.5  2119 2120 -0.08
       62  ARMSTRONG, Malcolm          4.0  44.0  18.50  21.0  2101 2179 +0.73
       64  HUTCHINSON, Norman          4.0  36.5  12.00  20.0  2097 1931 -1.51
       66  CHEVANNES, Sabrina          4.0  38.5  14.75  17.0  2093 2011 -0.99
       69  LUNN, Timothy               4.0  37.0  13.50  20.0  2079 2075 -0.13
       71  HAYDON, David               4.0  29.5   9.75  15.5  2073 2029 -0.53
       72  CALVERT,  D. Ian            4.0  38.5  15.75  17.5  2064 2069 +0.11
       77  JAIN, Akash                 4.0  32.0  13.25  15.5  2036 1944 -1.03
       87  SNOWDEN, James              4.0  34.5  13.50  16.5  1903 2059 +1.38
       94  SALIMBENI, George           4.0  41.5  18.00  21.5  0000 2158  2158
 69.    4  TAHIROV, Farhad             3.5  46.5  22.50  24.5  2545 2254 -2.36
       58  KULAGO, Alexander           3.5  42.5  11.50  19.5  2114 2123 -0.12
       59  RICE, Christopher           3.5  41.0  12.75  19.0  2110 1989 -1.38
       61  GRIFFITHS, Ryan-Rhys        3.5  42.5  13.25  20.5  2104 2110 -0.04
       68  HENRICHSEN, Jens            3.5  40.0  11.50  17.0  2089 2017 -0.84
       73  HICKMAN, John               3.5  31.0   8.75  12.0  2058 1980 -0.83
       74  WILSON, Alexandra           3.5  35.0  10.50  15.0  2056 1992 -0.74
       80  WEBSTER, Richard            3.5  32.5   9.25  17.0  1983 2005 +0.18
       83  RETY, John                  3.5  37.0  11.25  14.5  1965 1968 -0.04
       85  GOLDSWORTHY, Patrick        3.5  34.0  11.50  15.0  1936 2014  2014
       89  THILAGANATHAN, Jessica      3.5  39.5  13.75  16.5  1871 2040 +1.73
 80.   45  ANDERSON, John              3.0  41.5  19.00  21.0  2199 2175 -0.11
       99  REUBEN, Stewart             3.0  37.0  19.25  17.0  2146 2828 +0.43
       63  FRYER, David                3.0  37.5   9.25  15.5  2101 1928 -1.89
       65  NORINKEVICIUTE, Rasa        3.0  33.5   9.50  15.0  2094 1798 -3.07
       76  SPANTON, Timothy            3.0  31.0   6.50  12.0  2051 1731 -2.58
       78  DENNIS, Nigel               3.0  30.5   5.75   9.5  2020 1969 -0.49
       86  O'TOOLE, George             3.0  33.5  10.50  13.5  1935 1979 +0.36
       90  AUCKLAND, Elliott           3.0  33.5  11.00  14.5  1850 1970 +1.14
       93  MACRAE, James               3.0  29.5   6.00  12.0  1759 1854 +0.71
       95  MESSAM-SPARKS, Lateefah     3.0  27.0   5.50   9.5  0000 1801  1801
       96  CUMMING, Rhys               3.0  31.0   9.00  13.0  0000 1903  1903
 91.   48  HAGESAETHER, Arne           2.5  40.5  14.75  18.5  2178 2104 -0.69
       75  GIBSON, Christopher         2.5  40.0  10.50  15.5  2056 1950 -1.05
       79  FRASER, Joe                 2.5  40.5  18.00  15.5  1983 2114 +0.93
       84  TUCKER, Andrew              2.5  33.5  12.50  12.5  1956 1931 -0.19
 95.   81  PARMAR, Amisha              2.0  38.5  13.50  13.5  1981 2050 +0.46
       82  BARRON, David               2.0  28.0   1.50   8.0  1966 1322 -2.66
       92  KENYON, Scott               2.0  33.0   6.50  12.5  1759 1846 +0.70
 98.   97  WEIDMAN, Mark               1.5  28.0   1.50   5.0  0000 1343  1343
 99.  100  NORIS, Alan                 0.5  40.5  20.25   0.5  2307 2146 -0.21
100.   98  VAN DE LAAR, Michael        0.0  30.0   0.00   0.0  0000 1268  1268

4) Reggio Emilia

The 49th edition of the Reggio Emilia Torneo di Capodanno took place December 30 2006 - January 7 2007. 9 rounds at the hotel Astoria Mercure starting 2,30 pm. Time rate: 1h and 40 min x 40 moves then 50 min to end, plus 30 sec starting from the first move. Viorel Iodeachescu won the event with 7/9 half a point clear of Konstantin Landa and Igor Khenkin.

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------
49th It Reggio Emilia ITA (ITA), 30 xii 2006 - 7 i 2007cat. X (2482)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Iordachescu, Viorel   g MDA 2564  * = = = 1 1 1 = 1 1  7.0  2692 
 2. Landa, Konstantin     g RUS 2570  = * = = 1 1 1 1 0 1  6.5  2638 
 3. Khenkin, Igor         g GER 2620  = = * = = = 1 1 1 1  6.5  2632 
 4. Shytaj, Luca          m ITA 2441  = = = * = = 0 = 1 =  4.5  2486 
 5. Romanishin, Oleg M    g UKR 2542  0 0 = = * 1 = = 1 =  4.5  2475 
 6. Brunello, Sabino      f ITA 2460  0 0 = = 0 * 1 1 = =  4.0  2441 
 7. Mogranzini, Roberto   f ITA 2401  0 0 0 1 = 0 * 1 1 =  4.0  2448 
 8. Rombaldoni, Denis     f ITA 2377  = 0 0 = = 0 0 * = 1  3.0  2368 
 9. Manca, Federico       m ITA 2425  0 1 0 0 0 = 0 = * =  2.5  2322 
10. Borgo, Giulio         m ITA 2420  0 0 0 = = = = 0 = *  2.5  2322 
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 3 (January 1, 2007)

Iordachescu, Viorel  -  Brunello, Sabino     1-0   31  C89  Ruy Lopez Marshall
Shytaj, Luca         -  Khenkin, Igor        1/2   23  B14  Caro Kann Panov
Romanishin, Oleg M   -  Landa, Konstantin    0-1   38  E04  Catalan
Mogranzini, Roberto  -  Borgo, Giulio        1/2   56  B01  Centre Counter
Manca, Federico      -  Rombaldoni, Denis    1/2   34  E54  Nimzo Indian

Round 4 (January 2, 2007)

Iordachescu, Viorel  -  Mogranzini, Roberto  1-0   49  B42  Sicilian Paulsen
Landa, Konstantin    -  Manca, Federico      0-1   35  E97  King's Indian Classical
Brunello, Sabino     -  Khenkin, Igor        1/2   10  C45  Scotch Game
Rombaldoni, Denis    -  Shytaj, Luca         1/2   73  A58  Volga Gambit
Borgo, Giulio        -  Romanishin, Oleg M   1/2   31  A28  English Four Knights

Round 5 (January 3, 2007)

Khenkin, Igor        -  Rombaldoni, Denis    1-0   38  D37  QGD 5.Bf4
Shytaj, Luca         -  Landa, Konstantin    1/2   15  B01  Centre Counter
Romanishin, Oleg M   -  Iordachescu, Viorel  0-1   40  D77  Gruenfeld 3.g3
Mogranzini, Roberto  -  Brunello, Sabino     0-1   37  C88  Ruy Lopez Closed
Manca, Federico      -  Borgo, Giulio        1/2   16  B22  Sicilian Alapin

Round 6 (January 4, 2007)

Iordachescu, Viorel  -  Manca, Federico      1-0   34  B07  Pirc Defence
Landa, Konstantin    -  Khenkin, Igor        1/2   23  C42  Petroff's Defence
Brunello, Sabino     -  Rombaldoni, Denis    1-0   44  B43  Sicilian Paulsen
Mogranzini, Roberto  -  Romanishin, Oleg M   1/2   31  C84  Ruy Lopez Centre Attack
Borgo, Giulio        -  Shytaj, Luca         1/2   34  A28  English Four Knights

Round 7 (January 5, 2007)

Khenkin, Igor        -  Borgo, Giulio        1-0   35  D22  QGA
Shytaj, Luca         -  Iordachescu, Viorel  1/2   31  B14  Caro Kann Panov
Romanishin, Oleg M   -  Brunello, Sabino     1-0   49  E17  Queens Indian
Rombaldoni, Denis    -  Landa, Konstantin    0-1   38  E10  Blumenfeld Counter Gambit
Manca, Federico      -  Mogranzini, Roberto  0-1   65  B22  Sicilian Alapin

Round 8 (January 6, 2007)

Iordachescu, Viorel  -  Khenkin, Igor        1/2   21  B19  Caro Kann
Romanishin, Oleg M   -  Manca, Federico      1-0   70  D34  Tarrasch Defence, Main Line
Brunello, Sabino     -  Landa, Konstantin    0-1   36  B46  Sicilian Paulsen
Mogranzini, Roberto  -  Shytaj, Luca         1-0   73  B90  Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Borgo, Giulio        -  Rombaldoni, Denis    0-1   31  A47  Queen's Indian without c2-c4

Round 9 (January 7, 2007)

Landa, Konstantin    -  Borgo, Giulio        1-0   42  B01  Centre Counter
Khenkin, Igor        -  Mogranzini, Roberto  1-0   39  D87  Gruenfeld Botvinnik
Shytaj, Luca         -  Romanishin, Oleg M   1/2   24  C45  Scotch Game
Rombaldoni, Denis    -  Iordachescu, Viorel  1/2   10  E15  Queens Indian
Manca, Federico      -  Brunello, Sabino     1/2   32  C92  Ruy Lopez Chigorin

5) Yitshak Steinhart Memorial

The Yitshak Steinhart Memorial International Tournament took place in Herzeliya, Israel 07th-30th December 2006. Tournament Chief Arbiter Shlomo Kandelshine - International Arbiter Tournament Director & Arbiter Alon Shulman - International Arbiter. Konstatin Lerner won the event with 6/9. News: Yochanan Afek.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Steinhart Mem Herzeliya ISR (ISR), 7-30 xii 2006      cat. VII (2415)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Lerner, Konstantin Z   g UKR 2529  * = = 1 = 1 = = = 1  6.0  2527 
 2. Kaplan, Sasha          f ISR 2402  = * = = = 1 = = = 1  5.5  2496 
 3. Deutsch, Eyal          f ISR 2363  = = * = = 0 = 1 1 1  5.5  2500 
 4. Grinshpun, Eduard      m RUS 2410  0 = = * 1 = = 1 = =  5.0  2458 
 5. Haimovich, Tal         m ISR 2436  = = = 0 * = 1 = = 1  5.0  2455 
 6. Caspi, Israel            ISR 2359  0 0 1 = = * 1 = 1 =  5.0  2464 
 7. Bykhovsky, Avigdor     g RUS 2458  = = = = 0 0 * 1 = 1  4.5  2410 
 8. Zifroni, Dov           g ISR 2523  = = 0 0 = = 0 * 1 1  4.0  2359 
 9. Lev, Ronen             g ISR 2414  = = 0 = = 0 = 0 * 0  2.5  2249 
10. Shutzman, Joseph         USA 2255  0 0 0 = 0 = 0 0 1 *  2.0  2212 
---------------------------------------------------------------------

6) Rilton Cup

The Rilton Cup took place 27th December 2006 - 5th January 2007. Robert Fontaine of France took clear first place with 7.5/9 half a point clear of the field.

Malcolm Pein reports: David Howell, a 16 year old Sussex schoolboy qualified as the UK's youngest ever Grandmaster on Friday by finishing equal second at the Rilton Cup in Stockholm with a score of 7/9. Howell was 16 years 52 days old and he achieved this milestone at an age four months younger than the previous record holder, Luke McShane, who secured the title in 2000. Howell is rated 2501 and as a rating of 2500 is required he should become the 18th youngest Grandmaster ever. Howell’s achievements do not make him a world beater, yet, but his success has been achieved with little outside support. He does not even have a proper trainer as the former BCF was never been able to find the funds or commercial backing. In contrast, Howell’s rivals such as Magnus Carlsen of Norway and Sergey Karjakin play chess full time and have full time assistance. Yesterday Howell, who attends Eastbourne College, was revising mathematics rather than analysing his games or preparing for his next tournament. Howell’s first GM norm was in the 4NCL playing for Guildford ADC in 2004-5. His second was in May 2005 at the Continental

Official site: http://www.rilton.se/

Leading Final Round 9 Standings: 
-------------------------------------------------------------
Rilton Cup 2006-7 Stockholm SWE (SWE), 27 xii 2006 - 5 i 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------
Place Name                    Ti FED Rtg   Sco  Progr.
  1   Fontaine, Robert        gm FRA 2557  7.5  38.5
  2   Kotronias, Vassilios    gm GRE 2587  7    39.5
  3   Howell, David           im ENG 2471  7    36.5
  4   Berg, Emanuel           gm SWE 2582  7    34.0
  5   Furhoff, Johan          fm SWE 2370  7    33.5
  6   Gleizerov, Evgenij      gm RUS 2560  6.5  36.5
      Berczes, David          im HUN 2415  6.5  36.5
  8   Hansen, Lars Bo         gm DEN 2575  6.5  35.5
  9   Lindberg, Bengt         im SWE 2428  6.5  35.0
 10   Cramling, Pia           gm SWE 2528  6.5  34.5
      Bindrich, Falko         im GER 2482  6.5  34.5
 12   Hillarp-Persson, Tiger  gm SWE 2557  6.5  32.5
      Åkesson, Ralf           gm SWE 2467  6.5  32.5
 14   Rozentalis, Eduards     gm LTU 2591  6    33.0
 15   Cicak, Slavko           gm SWE 2532  6    32.0
      Ernst, Thomas           gm SWE 2441  6    32.0
 17   Gagarin, Vasili         im RUS 2406  6    31.0
      Tikkanen, Hans             SWE 2320  6    31.0
 19   Netzer, Jean            fm FRA 2404  6    28.5
 20   Ulibin, Mikhail         gm RUS 2506  5.5  35.0
 21   Nybäck, Tomi            gm FIN 2575  5.5  34.5
 22   Karlsson, Lars          gm SWE 2479  5.5  33.0
 23   Brynell, Stellan        gm SWE 2502  5.5  32.0
 24   Berczes, Csaba          im HUN 2414  5.5  31.5
 25   Smith, Axel                SWE 2215  5.5  30.5
 26   Nithander, Victor       fm SWE 2309  5.5  29.5
      Hamark, Jesper             SWE 2269  5.5  29.5
 28   Kolbus, Dietmar         im GER 2397  5.5  29.0
      Åkesson, Joel           fm SWE 2338  5.5  29.0
 30   Sammalvuo, Niina       wgm FIN 2259  5.5  28.5
      Blomqvist, Erik            SWE 2200  5.5  28.5
 32   Leer-Salvesen, Bjarte   im NOR 2389  5.5  28.0
      Byklum, Björnar         fm NOR 2275  5.5  28.0
 34   Kosmo, Santul              FIN 2280  5.5  27.0
 35   Aguettaz, Maxime        fm FRA 2300  5.5  26.5
      Eriksson, Jörgen           SWE 2234  5.5  26.5
      Agrest, Inna               SWE 1973  5.5  26.5
 38   Marttala, Thomas           SWE 2262  5.5  24.5
 39   Ask, Josef                 SWE 2222  5.5  22.5
 40   Bellon, Juan            gm ESP 2438  5    31.0
 41   Barhudarian, Rafael        RUS 2259  5    28.0
 42   Andersson, Fredrik         SWE 2219  5    27.5
 43   Lindberg, Henrik           SWE 2258  5    27.0
      Rouhani, Arash             SWE       5    27.0
 45   Steneskog, Per             SWE 2209  5    26.5
 46   Engqvist, Thomas        im SWE 2364  5    26.0
      Couso, Luis             fm SWE 2294  5    26.0
      Semcesen, Daniel           SWE 2286  5    26.0
 49   Adler, Bo                  SWE 2185  5    24.5
      Hansen, Evgenia        wim DEN 2173  5    24.5
      Engman, Rickard            SWE 2142  5    24.5
 52   Jansson, Anders Owen       SWE 2215  5    24.0
 53   Nyland, Thomas             NOR 2124  5    23.5
 54   Agafonov, Yuri             LAT 2221  5    23.0
 55   Lögdahl, Harald            SWE 2265  5    22.5
 56   Jensen, Leif               DEN 2084  5    22.0
      Hedén, Gustav              SWE 2030  5    22.0
 58   Örndahl, Markus            SWE 2026  5    21.0
 59   Hartvig, Ove W          fm DEN 2225  5    20.5
      Johansson, Thomas          SWE 2134  5    20.5
133 players

7) 27th Bethune Open

The 27th Bethune Open took place 26th-30th December 2006. Vladimir Burmakin won the event on tie-break from Erwin L'Ami both finished on 7/9.

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

------------------------------------------------------------------
27th Open A Bethune FRA (FRA), 26-30 xii 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Burmakin, Vladimir        g  RUS 2559  7        45       2658
 2. L'Ami, Erwin              g  NED 2593  7        44       2588
 3. Feller, Sebastien         f  FRA 2424  6,5      43       2544
 4. Gladyszev, Oleg           m  RUS 2463  6,5      43       2537
 5. Shchekachev, Andrei       g  RUS 2561  6,5      42,5     2574
 6. Marholev, Dimitar         m  BUL 2391  6,5      41,5     2521
 7. Savchenko, Stanislav      g  UKR 2532  6,5      41,5     2485
 8. Degraeve, Jean-Marc       g  FRA 2551  6,5      40       2540
 9. Gharamian, Tigran         m  FRA 2467  6,5      40       2426
10. Ninov, Nikolai            m  BUL 2500  6        44,5     2540
11. Grabarczyk, Miroslaw      g  POL 2463  6        43       2528
12. Abergel, Thal             m  FRA 2474  6        42       2511
13. Van der Stricht, Geert    m  BEL 2414  6        40       2426
14. Fedorchuk, Sergey A       g  UKR 2599  6        39,5     2493
15. Simon, Olivier            m  FRA 2388  6        39       2391
16. Swinkels, Robin              NED 2378  6        39       2330
17. Jossien, Arnaud           f  FRA 2322  6        37,5     2387
18. Vanderhallen, Nicolas        BEL 2175  6        37,5     2331
19. Cappon, John                 FRA 2240  6        35,5     2300
20. Thorfinnsson, Bragi       m  ISL 2387  5,5      42       2387
21. Foisor, Ovidiu Doru       m  ROM 2422  5,5      41       2336
22. Giffard, Nicolas          m  FRA 2372  5,5      40       2361
23. Thorfinnsson, Bjorn       f  ISL 2317  5,5      38       2294
24. Tissir, Mohamed           m  MAR 2490  5,5      37,5     2234
25. Bouhallel, Rabah          f  FRA 2330  5,5      37       2264
26. Bjornsson, Sigurbjorn     f  ISL 2335  5,5      36,5     2275
27. Nijs, Nils                   BEL 1912  5,5      36       2332
28. Sprangers, Remco             NED 2188  5,5      36       2242
29. Lewis, John                  FRA 2111  5,5      35,5     2206
30. Moussard, Jules           f  FRA 2172  5,5      35,5     2165
31. Roger, Mehdi                 FRA 2212  5,5      35       2196
32. Camus, Berenger              FRA 2166  5,5      32,5     2242
114 players

8) 13th Tuzla International

The 13th Tuzla International took place 23rd-28th December 2006. Sahbaz Nurkic edged out Nenad Mrkonjic on tie-break after both scored 5.5/9.

Official site: http://www.bihchess.com/tuzla06/index.htm

--------------------------------------------------------------------
13th Int Tuzla BIH (BIH), 23-28 xii 2006              cat. IV (2332)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Nurkic, Sahbaz        m BIH 2404  * = = = = = = 1 = 1  5.5  2404 
 2. Mrkonjic, Nenad       m CRO 2379  = * = = = = = = 1 1  5.5  2407 
 3. Majeric, Zoran        m CRO 2308  = = * = = 1 = = = =  5.0  2377 
 4. Solomunovic, Igor     f GER 2412  = = = * 1 = = = 0 1  5.0  2366 
 5. Avdic, Adnan            BIH 2288  = = = 0 * = = 1 1 0  4.5  2337 
 6. Karahmetovic, Adnan     BIH 2287  = = 0 = = * = 1 = =  4.5  2337 
 7. Tomic, Bosko          f BIH 2338  = = = = = = * 0 = =  4.0  2288 
 8. Rosic, Slavko1        f SCG 2307  0 = = = 0 0 1 * 1 =  4.0  2292 
 9. Budimir, Boris        f BIH 2319  = 0 = 1 0 = = 0 * =  3.5  2253 
10. Iveljic, Igor           BIH 2280  0 0 = 0 1 = = = = *  3.5  2258 
--------------------------------------------------------------------

9) Zurich Weihnachtsopen

The Zurich Weihnachtsopen 2006 again had two large fields. 2006 saw its 30th edition and 116 played in the master section and 228 in the "Allgemeines Turnier". This year there were two Swiss winners. The Master event was won by GM Yannick Pelletier (SUI) with 6 points out of 7. 4 players were behind him with 5.5 (GM Florian Jenni (SUI), GM Aloyzas Kveiny s (LIT), IM Arno Zude (GER) and GM Vadim Malakhatko (UKR)). News: Georg Kradolfer.

Details: http://www.weihnachtsopen.ch

Leading Final Round 9 Standings:
---------------------------------------------------------------
Weihnachtsopen Masters Zurich SUI (SUI), 26-30 xii 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------
Rang Teilnehmer             Titel TWZ  Land Punkte Buchh BuSumm
 1.   Pelletier Yannick      GM    2588 SUI  6.0    32.5  201.5
 2.   Jenni Florian          GM    2542 SUI  5.5    33.0  200.5
 3.   Kveinys Aloyzas        GM    2540 LTU  5.5    32.5  198.5
 4.   Zude Arno              IM    2410 GER  5.5    31.0  192.0
 5.   Malakhatko Vadim       GM    2617 UKR  5.5    30.0  192.5
 6.   Warakomski Tomasz      FM    2446 POL  5.0    32.0  190.0
 7.   Miralles Gilles        GM    2502 FRA  5.0    30.5  186.0
 8.   Andersson Ulf          GM    2542 SWE  5.0    29.0  177.0
 9.   Fleck Jürgen           IM    2429 GER  5.0    28.0  185.5
 10.  Pikula Dejan           GM    2542 SRB  5.0    27.0  194.5
 11.  Nemet Ivan             GM    2367 SUI  5.0    27.0  190.0
 12.  Ginsburg Gennadij      GM    2506 GER  5.0    27.0  189.0
 13.  Milliet Sophie         WGM   2394 FRA  5.0    26.5  192.5
 14.  Milov Leonid           IM    2505 GER  5.0    25.0  190.0
 15.  Galdunts Sergey        GM    2502 ARM  5.0    22.5  179.0
 16.  Idrizaj Abedin               2249 SRB  5.0    18.5  175.5
 17.  Lehmann Marco                2219 SUI  4.5    32.5  185.5
 18.  Knoedler Dieter              2366 GER  4.5    28.5  189.5
 19.  Müller Matthias        IM    2401 GER  4.5    28.5  188.0
 20.  Rukavina Josip         IM    2373 CRO  4.5    28.5  186.5
 21.  Klauser Markus         IM    2393 SUI  4.5    27.5  192.5
 22.  Likavsky Tomas         GM    2480 SVK  4.5    27.5  171.5
 23.  Hess Christian         FM    2306 GER  4.5    27.0  188.0
 24.  Düssel Udo                   2298 GER  4.5    27.0  181.0
 25.  Troyke Christian       IM    2390 GER  4.5    26.5  197.0
 26.  Gantner Matthias             2276 SUI  4.5    26.0  184.5
 27.  Fierz Martin           FM    2331 SUI  4.5    25.5  191.0
 28.  Habibi Ali             IM    2298 GER  4.5    24.0  183.0
 29.  Zozulia Anna           WGM   2363 UKR  4.5    24.0  182.0
 30.  Bucher Michael               2327 SUI  4.5    22.5  180.0
116 players

10) XVII Cracovia Festival

The XVII Cracovia International Chess Festival took place 27th December 2006 - 4th January 2007. Artur Jakubiec won the event with 7.5/9 a point clear of the field.

Official site: http://www.cracoviachess.net/en/index.html

GROUP A - STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 9
Pl  Player                  Rank Fed Pts MBch Buch Prog
1   Jakubiec Artur          2488 POL 7.5 40.0 50.5 40.0
2   Firman Nazar            2495 UKR 6.5 41.5 53.0 35.5
3   Shishkin Vadim          2484 UKR 6.5 41.0 53.0 34.5
4   Szelag Marcin           2472 POL 6.5 40.5 51.0 33.5
5   Solodovnichenko Yuri    2574 UKR 6.5 40.0 51.0 33.5
6   Malaniuk Vladimir P     2534 UKR 6.5 38.5 48.5 32.5
7   Jedynak Radoslaw        2559 POL 6.0 39.0 50.0 32.0
8   Gritsak Orest           2542 UKR 6.0 38.5 50.5 32.0
9   Jakubowski Krzysztof    2497 POL 6.0 36.5 46.5 31.5
10  Moranda Wojciech        2462 POL 6.0 36.0 45.5 29.5
11  Savickas Airidas        2360 LTU 6.0 32.0 41.5 27.0
12  Przybylski Wojciech     2329 POL 5.5 39.0 50.0 29.0
13  Marszalek Maciej        2402 POL 5.5 38.0 49.0 30.5
14  Tazbir Marcin           2425 POL 5.5 37.0 47.0 30.5
15  Kosiorek Marek          2374 POL 5.5 35.5 46.0 29.5
16  Gumula Daniel           2359 POL 5.5 35.0 44.5 32.0
17  Caba Tomasz             2225 POL 5.5 34.0 44.0 29.0
18  Panocki Adrian          2293 POL 5.5 34.0 42.5 28.0
19  Brzeski Maciej          2323 POL 5.5 33.0 44.0 25.5
20  Bulski Krzysztof        2400 POL 5.5 33.0 43.0 28.5
21  Mickiewicz Piotr        2312 POL 5.5 33.0 43.0 27.0
22  Cherednichenko Svetlana 2273 UKR 5.5 31.0 39.5 25.5
23  Kanarek Marcel          2244 POL 5.5 31.0 39.0 24.0
24  Markiewicz Jacek        2300 POL 5.5 30.2 39.2 25.0
25  Miroslaw Michal         2254 POL 5.0 38.5 49.0 28.0
26  Czerwonski Aleksander   2382 POL 5.0 35.5 44.0 30.0
27  Swiercz Dariusz         2311 POL 5.0 33.5 44.0 27.5
28  Meyer Lars A.           2291 DEN 5.0 33.5 42.5 26.0
29  Hera Imre Jr.           2510 HUN 5.0 32.5 42.0 25.0
30  Worek Joanna            2298 POL 5.0 32.0 41.0 26.5
31  Hagesaether Ellen       2193 NOR 5.0 30.5 38.5 21.0
32  Warakomska Anna         2049 POL 5.0 29.0 36.0 20.0
33  Willumsen Henrik        2232 DEN 5.0 28.0 35.5 21.5
77 players

11) Illes Medes Open

The 1st Illes Medes Open took place 28th December 2006 - 4th January 2007. Games from the final round not currently available.

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

Final Round 9 Standings: 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Open Illes Medes ESP (ESP), 28 xii 2006 - 4 i 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Rk. Player                          FED FIDE Pts. T/B1 T/B2 T/B3 Rp
1   Bartel Mateusz              GM  POL 2569 7,5  39,5 48,5 37,0 2682
2   Campos Moreno Javier B      GM  CHI 2446 7,0  43,0 51,5 37,0 2665
3   Mirzoev Azer                GM  AZE 2543 7,0  40,5 50,5 37,0 2646
4   Cornette Matthieu           IM  FRA 2480 6,5  44,5 54,5 35,5 2585
5   Moskalenko Viktor           GM  UKR 2543 6,5  44,0 53,5 36,5 2595
6   Delchev Aleksander          GM  BUL 2628 6,5  42,0 51,0 33,0 2536
7   Fluvia Poyatos Joan         IM  ESP 2457 6,5  41,0 49,0 34,5 2557
8   Maze Sebastien              IM  FRA 2510 6,5  40,5 49,5 36,0 2581
9   Cruz Filemon                FM  PER 2371 6,5  39,5 47,0 31,5 2464
10  Chatalbashev Boris          GM  BUL 2534 6,5  39,0 48,0 32,5 2502
11  Edouard Romain              FM  FRA 2431 6,5  39,0 47,0 33,0 2497
12  Suba Mihai                  GM  ROM 2535 6,5  38,5 47,0 30,5 2380
13  Doric Darko                 FM  CRO 2448 6,5  36,0 43,5 28,0 2432
14  Lopez Martinez Josep Manuel IM  ESP 2508 6,0  42,0 52,0 33,5 2486
15  Oussama Omar                    ESP 2299 6,0  40,0 46,0 30,5 2343
16  Shengelia Davit             GM  GEO 2504 6,0  39,5 49,0 34,0 2513
17  Fluvia Poyatos Jordi        IM  ESP 2458 6,0  39,5 47,5 31,0 2448
18  Kozhuharov Spas                 BUL 2420 6,0  39,0 47,5 32,5 2483
19  Matnadze Ana                IM  GEO 2392 6,0  38,5 46,5 30,0 2394
20  Pereira Ruben               FM  POR 2320 6,0  38,5 45,0 31,0 2286
21  Hamdouchi Hichem            GM  MAR 2582 5,5  46,0 56,0 36,0 2527
22  Guidarelli Laurent          IM  FRA 2449 5,5  43,0 52,5 32,5 2448
23  Lubczynski Rafal            FM  POL 2343 5,5  42,5 50,5 30,5 2433
24  Fernandes Antonio           GM  POR 2453 5,5  41,0 48,0 30,5 2403
25  Kukov Velislav                  BUL 2265 5,5  40,5 50,0 28,5 2371
26  Krzesaj Robert              FM  POL 2308 5,5  40,5 46,5 29,0 2365
27  Jankovic Alojzije           GM  CRO 2533 5,5  40,0 46,5 31,0 2301
28  Arnaudov G Petar                BUL 2271 5,5  39,5 47,5 29,0 2366
29  Bronowicki Mateusz              POL 2338 5,5  39,5 47,5 28,5 2364
30  Estremera Panos Sergio      IM  ESP 2380 5,5  39,5 47,0 29,5 2405
31  Karim Ismael                    MAR 2288 5,5  39,5 46,0 30,5 2378
32  Susterman Anna              WGM LUX 2275 5,5  38,5 44,0 28,0 2313
33  Formichenko Eduard          IM  RUS 2426 5,5  38,0 46,5 29,5 2352
34  Landenbergue Claude         IM  SUI 2446 5,5  37,5 46,0 31,0 2405
35  Aloma Vidal Robert          FM  ESP 2337 5,5  37,5 45,0 28,5 2284
36  Carlsson Pontus             IM  SWE 2461 5,5  37,5 44,5 29,5 2391
37  Cruz Cristhian              FM  PER 2338 5,5  37,5 44,5 27,5 2301
38  Luch Michal                 IM  POL 2332 5,5  37,0 44,0 27,5 2155
39  Anibar Ahmed                    MAR 2185 5,5  36,5 44,0 25,5 2366
40  Lacrosse Marc               FM  BEL 2238 5,5  36,5 42,5 27,5 2284
41  Burnier David               FM  SUI 2316 5,5  36,0 42,5 25,5 2200
42  Benitah Yohan               IM  FRA 2412 5,5  35,5 43,0 26,5 2308
43  Milchev Nikolay                 BUL 2340 5,5  34,5 42,5 25,5 2249
44  Bruned Yvain                FM  ESP 2333 5,5  33,5 40,0 26,0 2221
45  Gerber Richard              IM  SUI 2365 5,0  44,0 52,0 30,0 2403
139 players

12) Aniversario del Par de Alfiles

The Aniversario del Par de Alfiles took place in Asuncion 5th-12th December 2006. Ernesto Real de Azua won the event with 8.5/11 undefeated. Correction to the name Zacarias, M Ruben D in the PGN and table. Games from the final two rounds are missing.

Links: Results and http://www.ajedrez.com.py/m/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aniversario del Par de Alfiles Asuncion PAR (PAR), 5-12 xii 2006cat. I (2253)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Real de Azua, Ernesto   f ARG 2396  * = = = = = 1 1 1 1 1 1  8.5  2450 
 2. Cubas, Jose Fernando    m PAR 2426  = * = = = 1 1 = = 1 1 =  7.5  2370 
 3. Bronstein, Luis         m ARG 2334  = = * 1 = = = 1 = = 1 1  7.5  2378 
 4. Zacarias, M Ruben D       PAR 2095  = = 0 * 1 1 = = 1 1 0 0  6.0  2303 
 5. Sosa Harrison, Jorge    f PAR 2283  = = = 0 * = = = = = = 1  5.5  2250 
 6. Kropff, Ricardo         f PAR 2329  = 0 = 0 = * = = = = 1 1  5.5  2245 
 7. Latorre, Manuel           PAR 2247  0 0 = = = = * 1 = = 0 1  5.0  2217 
 8. Peralta, Eduardo        f PAR 2279  0 = 0 = = = 0 * = = 1 1  5.0  2214 
 9. Escofet, Jaime            URU 2165  0 = = 0 = = = = * = = =  4.5  2195 
10. Valiente, Cristobal     m PAR 2276  0 0 = 0 = = = = = * = 1  4.5  2185 
11. Deus Fo., Joaquim         BRA 2064  0 0 0 1 = 0 1 0 = = * 1  4.5  2204 
12. Lipiniks, Leonardo        PAR 2139  0 = 0 1 0 0 0 0 = 0 0 *  2.0  2001 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

13) Iranian Championship

The Iranian Championships (Shahid Modarres Cup) took place Tehran/Iran December 22nd-30th 2006. Ehsan Ghaem Maghami won the event with 8.5/11. Games from the final rounds now available.

Results: http://chess-results.com/Tnr5139.aspx?ix=1&art=1&lan=1&mm=1&m=1&turdet=YES

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ch-IRI Tehran IRI (IRI), 22-30 xii 2006                    cat. VI (2386)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Ghaem Maghami, Ehsan   g IRI 2581  * = = 1 0 1 1 = 1 1 1 1  8.5  2578 
 2. Mahjoob, Morteza       m IRI 2465  = * 1 0 1 = 1 1 = 0 1 1  7.5  2511 
 3. Golizadeh, Asghar        IRI 2233  = 0 * 1 1 = 0 1 1 = = 1  7.0  2501 
 4. Darban, Morteza        f IRI 2396  0 1 0 * 1 1 0 1 1 0 = 1  6.5  2449 
 5. Alavi, Sayed Javad     f IRI 2369  1 0 0 0 * = = = 1 1 1 1  6.5  2452 
 6. Bagheri, Amir          g FRA 2486  0 = = 0 = * 1 = = 1 1 1  6.5  2441 
 7. Toufighi, Homayoon     f IRI 2386  0 0 1 1 = 0 * 1 = 0 1 =  5.5  2385 
 8. Ardeshi, Mehrdad       f IRI 2379  = 0 0 0 = = 0 * 0 1 1 1  4.5  2321 
 9. Roghani, Arash         f IRI 2383  0 = 0 0 0 = = 1 * 1 0 =  4.0  2283 
10. Ghorbani, Mohsen       m IRI 2304  0 1 = 1 0 0 1 0 0 * 0 0  3.5  2259 
11. Moradi, Behrooz          IRI 2299  0 0 = = 0 0 0 0 1 1 * 0  3.0  2218 
12. Moosavian, S.Hamed       IRI 2345  0 0 0 0 0 0 = 0 = 1 1 *  3.0  2214 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

14) Harmonie Tournament

The Harmonie tournament took placein Groningen 23rd-30th December 2006. Sipke Ernst won the event with 7/9.

Official site: http://www.so-on.org/kerst2006/2006eng.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Harmonie Groningen NED (NED), 23-30 xii 2006          cat. VI (2385)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Ernst, Sipke          m NED 2512  * 1 0 = 1 = 1 1 1 1  7.0  2590 
 2. Pruijssers, Roeland     NED 2339  0 * = 1 = = 1 1 1 1  6.5  2555 
 3. Hanley, Craig         m ENG 2427  1 = * = = = = = = 1  5.5  2460 
 4. Ragger, Markus        m AUT 2476  = 0 = * = = = 1 1 1  5.5  2454 
 5. Bitalzadeh, Ali         NED 2345  0 = = = * = 1 = 1 =  5.0  2432 
 6. Degtiarev, Evgeny       GER 2393  = = = = = * 0 = = 1  4.5  2383 
 7. Geirnaert, Steven     f BEL 2338  0 0 = = 0 1 * 1 = 1  4.5  2389 
 8. Michielsen, Joost       NED 2334  0 0 = 0 = = 0 * = 1  3.0  2265 
 9. Van Beek, Alexander   f NED 2379  0 0 = 0 0 = = = * 1  3.0  2260 
10. Burg, Twan              NED 2304  0 0 0 0 = 0 0 0 0 *  0.5  1949 
--------------------------------------------------------------------

15) 13th Zadar Open

The 13th Zadar Open took place 11th-17th December 2006. Aleksandar Kovacevic won the event with 6.5/9

Official site: http://www.crochess.com/turniri/zadar/06/index.htm

------------------------------------------------
13th Open A Zadar CRO (CRO), 11-17 xii 2006
------------------------------------------------
Rk     Name                  FED Rtg    Pts BH.
 1 GM  Kovacevic Aleksandar  SCG 2541   6½  38½
 2 GM  Kurajica Bojan        CRO 2555   6   38½
 3 GM  Sedlak Nikola         SCG 2549   6   36½
 4 GM  Cvitan Ognjen         CRO 2529   6   36
 5 IM  Brkic Ante            CRO 2541   6   34
 6 IM  Sakelsek Tadej        SLO 2468   5½  37½
 7 GM  Blagojevic Dragisa    SCG 2534   5½  36½
 8 IM  Sebenik Matej         SLO 2417   5½  36
 9 IM  Saric Ante            CRO 2489   5½  35½
10 IM  Ragger Markus         AUT 2476   5½  35
11 IM  Ferèec Nenad          CRO 2504   5½  33½
12     Dimitrov Pavel        BUL 2371   5½  33
13 GM  Zelèic Robert         CRO 2556   5½  32½
14 IM  Jovanic Ognjen        CRO 2458   5   37
15 GM  Ermenkov Evgenij      PLE 2455   5   35
16 GM  Tratar Marko          SLO 2483   5   33½
17 IM  Kovaèevic Blazimir    CRO 2471   5   33
18 FM  Asèic Pero            CRO 2387   5   31½
19 FM  Martinovic Sasa       CRO 2390   5   30½
20 GM  Pavasovic Dusko       SLO 2575   4½  35
21 IM  Gagarin Vasilij       RUS 2406   4½  34
22 IM  Rezan Sasa            CRO 2414   4½  33½
23 IM  Mestrovic Zvonimir    SLO 2308   4½  32½
24 IM  Armanda Ivica         CRO 2342   4½  27
25 FM  Plenkovic Zdenko      CRO 2380   4½  23½
26 IM  Zufic Miroslav        CRO 2427   4   38
27 IM  Ljubièic Filip        CRO 2404   4   30½
28 IM  Feletar Darko         CRO 2407   4   30½
29 IM  Jeric Simon           SLO 2337   4   30½
30 IM  Franic Milan          CRO 2402   4   29½
31 IM  Zivkovic Vjekoslav    CRO 2412   4   29½
32 NM  Mandekic Ivan         CRO 2254   4   29½
33 WGM Sudakova Irina        RUS 2392   4   28½
34 NM  Draganic Stjepan      CRO 2247   4   28
35 FM  Biliskov Vjekoslav    CRO 2346   4   25
36     Arnaudov G Petar      BUL 2271   3½  31
37     Dimitrov Radoslav     BUL 2207   3½  28½
38 FM  Orak Ljubomir         CRO 2298   3½  25
39     Sutkovic Damir        BIH 2311   3   29
40 IM  Majeric Zoran         CRO 2308   3   27
41     Gochev Mladen         BUL 2242   3   26
42 IM  Levaèic Patrick       CRO 2309   2½  28
43 IM  Hoelzl Franz          AUT 2351   2½  27½
44 FM  Titz Heimo            AUT 2264   2   26

16) Dutch Team Championship

The Dutch Team Championship Meesterklasse takes place 23rd October 2006 - 12th May 2006. The fourth round took place on December 16th 2006.

Dutch Chess Federation: http://www.schaakbond.nl/ - Meesterklasse Games side bar at: http://www.schakers.info/ - Photo reports at: http://www.chessvista.com

17) 5th Crikvenica Rapid

The 5th Crikvenica Rapid took place 29th December 2006 - 1st January 2007. Zdenko Kozul won the event, no games available.

Details: http://www.crochess.com/turniri/crikvenica/crikvenica_06.htm

Leading Final Standings: 
  1   Kozul, Zdenko        2589 7.5      42.0  53.5   40.5    6
 2-3  Jovanic, Ognjen      2458 7        42.0  53.5   38.0    5
      Jurkovic, Hrvoje     2438 7        38.5  49.5   37.0    5
 4-9  Mohr, Georg          2478 6.5      43.5  55.0   36.0    4
      Cvitan, Ognjen       2529 6.5      43.0  55.5   36.0    5
      Bosiocic, Marin      2448 6.5      38.5  49.5   34.0    6
      Krumpacnik, Domen    2407 6.5      37.0  48.5   33.0    6
      Lovric, Branko       2301 6.5      34.5  44.0   33.0    6
      Saric, Ivan          2482 6.5      34.0  44.5   32.5    6
10-13 Brigljevic, Milan    2266 6        38.5  48.5   31.0    5
      Savic, Miroslav      2238 6        36.5  46.5   30.5    5
      Krkljes, Slaven      2169 6        35.5  45.0   29.0    6
      Istvandi, Lajos      2342 6        32.0  42.0   27.0    6
14-20 Horvath, Imre        2313 5.5      36.5  47.0   29.5    5
      Kovacevic, Veljko    2337 5.5      36.0  46.0   30.5    5
      Cucancic, Sinisa     2250 5.5      34.0  42.5   29.0    5
      Juranic, Bruno       2051 5.5      33.0  40.0   24.5    5
      Kragelj, Igor        2254 5.5      30.0  38.0   22.5    5
      Jaksa, Cvetko        1994 5.5      29.5  36.0   24.0    5
      Stefan, Mario        2131 5.5      28.0  36.5   26.5    5
72 players

18) 114th New Zealand Championship

114th New Zealand Championship - the oldest in the world, is being played 2nd-12th January in Wanganui. Championship has 11 NZ players and Australian visitor Tim Reilly, playing in a round-robin. There is a Major Open taking place alongside. News: Michael Freeman

Further info: http://www.nzchess.co.nz and http://www.aucklandchesscentre.co.nz/webcontent/nz+congress.aspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ch-NZL 2006-7 Wanganui NZL (NZL), 2-12 i 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Wang Puchen                  f NZL 2290  * . . . = 1 1 1 . 1 1 .  5.5  2572 
 2. Dive, Russell John           m NZL 2350  . * . . = . = 1 1 1 1 .  5.0  2410 
 3. Ker, Anthony F               m NZL 2330  . . * 0 1 . . 1 = 1 1 .  4.5  2351 
 4. Steadman, Michael              NZL 2265  . . 1 * 0 . . . 1 = = 1  4.0  2262 
 5. Smith, Robert W              f NZL 2293  = = 0 1 * . . . = . . 1  3.5  2281 
 6. Reilly, Tim                  f AUS 2307  0 . . . . * = 0 . = 1 1  3.0  2121 
 7. Stuart, Peter                  NZL 2139  0 = . . . = * = . = . =  2.5  2147 
 8. Spain, Graeme                  NZL 2200  0 0 0 . . 1 = * . . . 1  2.5  2180 
 9. Thornton, Giovanni Antonio     NZL 2105  . 0 = 0 = . . . * . 0 1  2.0  2085 
10. Goodhue, Nathan                NZL 2073  0 0 0 = . = = . . * . .  1.5  2087 
11. Burns, Christopher John        NZL 2017  0 0 0 = . 0 . . 1 . * .  1.5  2081 
12. Forster, William               NZL 2009  . . . 0 0 0 = 0 0 . . *  0.5  1817 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

19) 16th IPCCC Paderborn

The 16th IPCCC (International Paderborn Computer Chess Championship) ended in the German city of Paderborn on December 30th 2006. The tournament was won by Rybka, with the score of 6.5 points out 7 games, ahead of Shredder (6 points). A much better game file is now available. News: Jeroen Noomen.

Official site: http://wwwcs.uni-paderborn.de/~IPCCC/

----------------------------------------------
16th IPCCC Paderborn GER (GER), 27-30 xii 2006
----------------------------------------------
 1     Rybka      6.5  24.5
 2     Shredder   6    25
 3     Gandalf    4.5  25
 4     Jonny      3    27
 5     Gridchess  3    26.5
 6     Spike      3    24.5
 7     Diep       2.5  25
 8     Ikarus     2.5  23.5
 9     Isichess   2.5  23
10     Chiron     1.5  21
----------------------------------------------

20) Czech Chess Christmas

The Czech Chess Christmas 2006 tournament took place at 26.12.2006-1.1.2007 in Litomysl (CZE). There were 105 participants from 13 countries including 2 GMs (Dydyshko, Manik) and 10 IMs. In the main event Viacheslav Dydyshko edged out Cernousek Lukas and Mihai-Lucian Grunberg on tie-break after they all tied on 7/9. No games currently available.

Daily results and pairings is published at http://www.a64.cz/tournaments/litomysl2006

Rk.      Name                     FED RtgI Pts. TB1  TB2  TB3
1    GM  Dydyshko Viacheslav      BLR 2562 7,0  54,0 42,5 2376
2    IM  Cernousek Lukas          CZE 2408 7,0  52,5 41,0 2360
3    IM  Grunberg Mihai-Lucian    ROM 2414 7,0  51,0 39,5 2321
4    IM  Petr Martin              CZE 2417 6,5  53,5 42,0 2342
5    IM  Simacek Pavel            CZE 2479 6,5  53,0 41,0 2368
6    IM  Slaby Jerzy              POL 2437 6,5  51,5 40,0 2322
7    FM  Zilka Stepan             CZE 2375 6,5  49,5 38,0 2274
8    IM  Berescu Alin             ROM 2485 6,5  46,5 35,0 2265
9    FM  Mudrak Josef             CZE 2343 6,0  49,5 39,0 2276
10   FM  Rutkowski Maciej         POL 2296 6,0  47,5 38,5 2320
11   GM  Manik Mikulas            SVK 2454 6,0  45,5 36,0 2214
12   WIM Toma Katarzyna           POL 2268 6,0  45,5 34,5 2197
13       Cerveny Martin           CZE 2297 6,0  45,0 35,0 2226
14   FM  Groetz Harald            AUT 2399 6,0  44,5 34,5 2218
15       Sabol Marian             CZE 2310 6,0  44,0 35,0 2177
16       Grecescu Gabriel-Andrei  ROM 2405 6,0  42,0 33,5 2141
17   WIM Krupa Monika             POL 2309 5,5  48,0 37,0 2273
18   IM  Kraemer Martin           GER 2435 5,5  47,0 38,0 2239
19   FM  Spirin Oleg              RUS 2345 5,5  46,5 36,5 2232
20   IM  Zawadzki Stanislaw       POL 2422 5,5  46,5 36,5 2225
21       Plischki Sebastian       GER 2389 5,5  46,5 36,0 2243
22   WGM Kadziolka Beata          POL 2346 5,5  45,5 35,0 2203
23       Cerveny Petr             CZE 2286 5,5  44,0 34,0 2171
24       Plat Vojtech             CZE 2252 5,5  43,5 33,5 2178
25       Vanek Tomas              CZE 2218 5,5  41,0 33,0 2184
105 players

21) Nassau Chess Club Championship

The Nassau Chess Club Championship took place in Mineola 16th October - 18th December 2006. The tournament finished in a 3-way tie for first between International master, Jay R. Bonin, Tim Mirabile and Larry S. Tamarkin (Tamarkin had a first round bye), each winning $564. and change. Mirabile held the lead throughout but was slowed down by draws in the last 3 rounds by Jasan Luchan, Ilya Solonkovich and finally Andrew Hellenschmidt, Allowing Bonin and Tamarkin to tie for first by last-round wins against Ilya Solonkovich and George Berg respectively.

Results and full-placing information will probably later also appear on the Nassau Chess Club's web page (Maintained by Tim Mirabile), http://www.webcom.com/timm/chess/nassau/welcome.html

22) 3rd Singapore International Chess Convention

The 3rd Singapore International Chess Convention 2006 incorporated a Masters & Challengers Open 26th-31st December 2006. Zhang Pengxiang won with 7.5/9 as Chinese players took the top six places.

Details of all events at: http://www.singaporechess.org.sg/

Leading Final Standings: 
Rk.Name                        FED Rtg   Pts. TB1  TB2   TB3
1  Zhang Pengxiang          GM CHN 2636  7,5  54,5 44,75 38,0
2  Wang Hao                 GM CHN 2622  7,0  54,5 41,50 36,5
3  Zhang Zhong              GM CHN 2609  7,0  52,5 38,75 38,5
4  Zhao Jun                 GM CHN 2539  6,5  53,5 35,75 38,0
5  Ni Hua                   GM CHN 2621  6,5  51,0 35,00 32,0
6  Li Shilong               GM CHN 2524  6,5  50,0 34,50 35,5
7  Le Quang Liem            GM VIE 2519  6,5  49,0 33,75 33,5
8  Li Chao (b)                 CHN 2508  6,5  48,0 32,50 33,5
9  Megaranto Susanto        GM INA 2492  6,5  44,5 30,75 32,5
10 Wu Wenjin                GM CHN 2476  6,0  48,0 29,00 32,5
11 Wen Yang                    CHN 2416  6,0  48,0 29,00 28,0
12 Nguyen Anh Dung          GM VIE 2541  6,0  47,0 31,00 29,5
13 Shen Siyuan                 CHN 2292  6,0  46,5 29,50 30,5
14 So Wesley                IM PHI 2411  6,0  46,0 28,25 30,5
15 Sadorra Julio Catalino   FM PHI 2374  6,0  44,5 28,00 26,5
16 Zhou Weiqi                  CHN 2435  5,5  53,5 30,50 32,0
17 Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son   GM VIE 2534  5,5  51,5 29,00 33,5
18 Bui Vinh                 IM VIE 2485  5,5  47,5 27,25 29,0
19 Toh Chun-Eng Terry       IM SIN 2410  5,5  44,5 24,50 28,0
20 Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman IM IND 2424  5,5  44,5 23,25 26,5
21 Goh Weiming              FM SIN 2408  5,5  44,5 22,75 26,0
22 Wu Xibin                 FM CHN 2394  5,5  42,5 22,50 26,5
23 Paciencia Enrique        IM PHI 2432  5,5  41,0 23,50 27,0
24 Dao Thien Hai            GM VIE 2557  5,5  41,0 23,50 24,0
25 Lim Yee-Weng             FM MAS 2307  5,5  41,0 22,50 25,0
26 Nadanian Ashot           IM ARM 2436  5,5  40,5 23,50 27,5
27 Chandrashekhar S Gokhale IM IND 2375  5,5  39,5 22,75 25,0
95 players

23) Subzonal 2.3.4

The Colombian Federation has sucessfully finished the Tournament Subzonal 2.3.4 that have given ten international titles, five in men and five in women. In this Tournament have played 32 men and 10 women. Daniel Tapia has been first with a point ahead 7.5 to the second in a nine round swiss. Angela Franco has been the winner in women with 8 points from 9 in a round robin tournament. Daniel Tapia and Rafael Mendoza will play in the Zonal 2.3 that will be held at Domican Republic in the beginning of the next year. Also, Angela Franco and Martha Martheus will play in the Dominican Republic Zonal. News: Osvaldo Orozco.

---------------------------------------------
Sub-Zt 2.3.4 Bogota COL (COL), 18-22 xii 2006
---------------------------------------------
1  Tapia, Daniel           2295 7.5
2  Mendoza, Rafael         2387 6.5
3  Vittorino, Carlo        2328 6  
4  Marin Posada, Sebastian 2339 6  
5  Remicio Duque, John H        6  
6  Zuluaga, Cesar          2278 6  
7  Morales, Jhon Alexander 2350 5.5
8  Ossa, Orlando Jose      2182 5.5
9  Aponte, Ernesto         2115 5  
10 Renteria, Jorge Eliecer 2302 5  
11 Ramirez, Carlos         2273 5  
12 Sanchez, Victor Hugo    2267 5  
13 Ruiz, Pablo             2244 5  
14 Castro R, Oscar H       2383 5  
15 Guerrrero, Juan Carlos  2073 4.5
16 Peña, Alfredo           2274 4.5
17 Garcia, Alvaro          2191 4.5
18 Gonzalez, Sergio        2307 4.5
19 Paez, David                  4  
20 Beltran, Carlos Armando 2281 4  
21 Narvaez, Faber               4  
22 Mateus, Luis Alejandro  2042 4  
23 Molina, Rafael               4  
24 Perez, Cesar Camilo     1960 3.5
25 Barros Lizcano, Raul    2052 3.5
26 Alvarez, Javier         2071 3.5
27 Bermudez, Eduardo       2162 3.5
28 Contreras, Henry        2293 3  
29 Ruiz, Alciguel          2242 3  
30 Guerrero, Hernando           2.5
31 Buitrago, Juan Carlos   2172 2.5
32 Valderrama, Jaime       2124 0  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub-Zt 2.3.4 Femino Bogota COL (COL), 18-26 xii 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Franco, Angela         wf COL 2108  * 1 = 1 = 1 1 1 1 1  8.0  2373 
 2. Mateus, Martha            COL 2094  0 * 1 = 1 1 1 1 1 1  7.5  2297 
 3. Franco, Beatriz        wf COL 2097  = 0 * 1 1 1 1 1 1 1  7.5  2297 
 4. Salazar,Dirsa Marcela     COL ----  0 = 0 * 1 0 = 0 1 1  4.0  1991 
 5. Panesso,Lina Maria        COL ----  = 0 0 0 * 0 1 = 1 1  4.0  1991 
 6. Gomez,Maria Helena        COL ----  0 0 0 1 1 * 0 1 0 1  4.0  1991 
 7. Perez,Laura               COL ----  0 0 0 = 0 1 * 1 0 1  3.5  1954 
 8. Rua, Nora                 COL 2014  0 0 0 1 = 0 0 * 1 1  3.5  1953 
 9. Orozco,Luz Helena         COL ----  0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 * 1  3.0  1909 
10. Rodriguez,Paula           COL ----  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 *  0.0       
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

24) Helyilapok Season Opening Open

The Helyilapok Season Opening Open chess tournament, Budapest, 5th-13th of January 2007.

There are 80 people competing, from 5 countries - HUN, ITA, USA, NOR, GER including 14 Norwegian players from the IGM Agdestein's chess school. There are 4 IM-s and 7 FM-s amongst the players. The venue is the Hungarian Chess Federation, the venue for the FIRST Saturday chess tournaments in the other months. The sponsor Helyilapok www.helyilapok.hu reports local news of the Hungarian towns and villages.

Official site: http://www.firstsaturday.hu Results, standings and pairings.

25) Caissa IM

Bognár Csaba reports: the Caissa IM and FM New Year tournament took place 27th December 2006 - 4th January 2007 in Kecskemet, Hungary. Mr. Bontempi won the IM tournament with 7 pts. He made IM norm from 9 games, although he lost in the last round against Ms. Toth. The 15-year-old Varga Milan von the FM group with 7.5 pts.

More info, next events in the near future: http://www.caissachessbooks.com contact: Dr. Tamas Erdelyi postmaster@caissa.t-online.hu

Ranking after round 11 of Caissa IM New Year
 No.    Name                  Nat. Score WP    SB     PS    rat. TPR  W-We
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1.    Bontempi, Piero       ITA   7.0  60.5  42.00  44.5  2341 2370 +0.51
  2.    Balogh, Laszlo        HUN   6.5  60.5  35.25  42.0  2189 2346 +2.11
  3.    Keresztes, Richard    HUN   6.0  60.5  33.25  35.5  2291 2298 +0.19
  4.    Farkas, Tibor         SCG   5.5  60.5  31.75  31.5  2296 2261 -0.39
        Sutorikhin, Vladimir  RUS   5.5  60.5  29.75  35.0  2354 2255 -1.19
  6.    Erdelyi, Tamas        HUN   5.0  60.5  29.75  32.0  2250 2230 -0.26
        Csirik, Andras        HUN   5.0  60.5  27.50  32.0  2051 2248 +2.41
        Brustkern, Juergen    GER   5.0  60.5  25.75  27.5  2224 2232 +0.12
  9.    Meszaros, Gyula       HUN   4.5  60.5  27.50  27.0  2419 2182 -2.95
 10.    Toth, Sarolta         HUN   2.5  60.5  15.75   9.0  2038 2055 +0.06
        Lorand, Norbert       HUN   2.5  60.5  14.00  14.0  2094 2052 -0.61

26) Forthcoming Events and Links

Offene Internationale Stuttgarter Stadtmeisterschaft 2007

The Offene Internationale Stuttgarter Stadtmeisterschaft 2007, takes place 17.5. - 20.5.2007, in Gerlingen, South-Germany. 7 Rounds, Swiss System, A/B-tournament, over 7000 € prizes.

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

30th San Sebastian Open

The 30th San Sebastian International Chess Open takes place 1st to 8th of April 2007. Rate of Play: 90 minutes + 30 sec/move

Contact Phone: +34 943474604 +34 943396149 Email: xake@fgajedrez.org

Further details: http://www.fgajedrez.org

Banyoles Chess Festival 2007

The Banyoles Chess Festival includes two tournaments: The Rapid-Chess Tournament is on 15th of August. And from the 16th until 24th of August is held the International Chess Tournament. Here, you will find more information about them: 3rd. "Lluís Muratet" Rapid-Chess Tournament This will be played the 15th of August of 2007. Rapid-Chess (20 minutes or 15min+5"). 9 Rounds. Prizes: 1st. 800 €; Prize fund: 2.000 €. (Valid for Catalan Chess Circuit) 10th Banyoles International Chess Tournament From 16th until 24th of August of 2007. Swiss System. 9 Rounds. 105 minutes + 30 seconds/movement. Prizes: 1st. 2.000 € (4.000 € if the winner achieves 9 points); Prize fund: 8.000 €. (Valid for the Catalan Chess Circuit). Nigel Short has announced his participation.

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

Battle of Senta tournament

The 11th International Chess Festival "The Battle of Senta 1697" takes place 20th-30th July 2007 in Senta (the Vojvodina / Serbia).

Details: http://www.chess-senta.org.yu

Corus and Linares 2007

The Corus tournament in Wijk aan Zee takes place 12th-28th January 2007. The fields for the top two groups have been announced.

Participants grandmaster group A
GM  Veselin Topalov         BUL  2813  1
GM  Viswanathan Anand       IND  2779  2
GM  Vladimir Kramnik        RUS  2750  3
GM  Peter Svidler           RUS  2750  4
GM  Levon Aronian           ARM  2741  7
GM  Teymour Radjabov        AZE  2729  11
GM  David Navara            CZE  2725  13
GM  Alexey Shirov           ESP  2720  14
GM  Ruslan Ponomariov       UKR  2703  20
GM  Magnus Carlsen          NOR  2698  21
GM  Sergey Tiviakov         NED  2680  27
GM  Loek van Wely           NED  2676  29
GM  Sergey Karjakin         UKR  2672  35
GM  Alexander Motylev       RUS  2662  44
Average rating  : 2721
Category  : 19

Participants grandmaster group B
  Name  Country  Rating  Position
GM  Dmitry Jakovenko        RUS  2671  38
GM  Bu Xiangzhi             CHN  2671  38
GM  Gabriel Sargissian      ARM  2667  43
GM  Viorel Bologan          MLD  2659  47
GM  Pavel Eljanov           UKR  2658  49
GM  Friso Nijboer           NED  2641  68
GM  Erwin L’Ami             NED  2593  152
GM  Suat Atalik             TUR  2583  187
GM  Maxime Vachier-Lagrav   FRA  2579  209
GM  Daniel Stellwagen       NED  2576  220
GM  Jan Werle               NED  2551  311
GM  Vladimir Georgiev       MKD  2532  437
GM  Jan Smeets              NED  2525  487
IM  Tatiana Kosintseva      RUS  2458  1121
Average rating  : 2597
Category  : 14

Participants grandmaster group C
  Name  Country  Rating  Position
GM  Michal Krasenkow        POL  2647  61
GM  Emanuel Berg            SWE  2582  192
IM  Ian Nepomniachtchi      RUS  2545  336
GM  Parimarjan Negi         IND  2538  390
GM  John van der Wiel       NED  2522  509
GM  Stellan Brynell         SWE  2502  680
IM  Nadezhda Kosintseva     RUS  2493  750
WFM  Hou Yifan              CHN  2481  872
IM  Wouter Spoelman         NED  2450  1214
GM  Zhaoqin Peng            NED  2436  1429
GM  Harmen Jonkman          NED  2431  1506
IM  Edwin van Haastert      NED  2393  2446
IM  Thomas Willemze         NED  2384  2692
IM  Manuel Bosboom          NED  2375  2927
Average rating  : 2484
Category  : 10

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

Alex Finkel Preview

In addition the line up for the Morelia / Linares tournament (again in Mexico and Spain) has been announced. The Morelia half takes place 16th-25th February 2007 and Linares 2nd-11th March 2007.

The field is: Veselin Topalov, Viswanathan Anand, Peter Leko, Peter Svidler, Levon Aronian, Teimour Radjabov, Magnus Carlsen and one of either Alexander Morozevich (it may be that marca has is right as they are the official site and its Moro), Alexei Shirov or Francisco Vallejo Pons depending on who you read. (Mexican Story - or Marca story)

Monroi Grand Prix for Women

Women in chess are being recognized by a Grand-Prix series of international chess events. The events will be broadcast live using the MonRoi system. “The world’s best women chess players have the opportunity to qualify in some of the top tournaments in the world. We invite you to follow live games, pictorial and video reports! Join us in Gibraltar, Cannes, Zagreb, Dresden, Liechtenstein, St. Petersburg and Philadelphia and Montreal!” said Brana Giancristofaro, Founder & CEO of MonRoi Inc. The Grand-Prix Finale will be held in Montreal, Canada July 21-28, 2007. Qualifiers will be selected on the basis of top performance and will compete for Finale prizes! The Grand-Prix starts on January 23rd, 2007, in Gibraltar! Qualifying events are the following:

GibTelecom, Gibraltar, January 23 - February 1
Cannes Open, FRA, February 18-25
Zagreb Open, CRO, March 17-25
ECU Individual, Dresden GER, April 2-15
Liechtenstein Open, May 11-19
White Nights, St. Petersburg RUS, June 16-24
World Open, Philadelphia USA, June 28 - July 4
Montreal Chess Festival Finale, July 21-28

Further details: http://www.monroi.com/GP

Sydney International Open

SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL OPEN (10/04/2007-14/04/2007) - Australia's strongest Open tournament ever held.

More information at http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/open or contact info@chessaustralia.com.au

Novi Sad Chess

Novi Sad will host the 2009 Europian National Team Championship. In the run up to that the Championship of Novi Sad takes place 18th-25th March 2007.

Further detail: http://www.drazic.co.yu

Politiken Cup

The 29th Copenhagen Open Politiken Cup takes place 21st-29th July 2007.

Official site: http://www.politikencup.dk/

Coulsdon Christmas International

The Coulsdon Christmas International takes place 11th-15th December 2006. The organisers need 2 titled and 1 non-titled players for the 10 player all-play-all event for IM norms. In addition, we there are 3 spaces in their Challengers' event. If interested contact Scott Freeman chess@ccfworld.com

Details: http://www.ccfworld.com/Chess/Results/2006-12-15_International.htm

Hungarian tournaments January - May 2007

The list of the chess tournaments from January - May 2007 in Hungary:

1. 27th of December until 4th of January, Kecskemet, IM Berger tmt, org: Dr.Erdelyi, Tamas, e-mail: postmaster@caissa.t-online.hu Website: www.caissachessbooks.hu Usually also in the second half of the month IM tmt-s in Kecskemet. 100 km South from Budapest.

2. 5th-13th of January 2007 - EVADNYITO (SEASON STARTING) Open, First prize: brutto 100 000 Ft (1 EURO = 258 Ft now) Prize found: 300 000 Ft. Budapest, org: Marti György, more info: Nagy Laszlo, firstsat@hu.inter.net http://www.firstsaturday.hu

3. 3rd-16th of February 2007 FIRST SATURDAY Budapest GM-IM-FM, GM-IM-FM round robins (BERGER- ROUND ROBIN), 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 Other website: http://home.hu.inter.net/~firstsat Phone-fax: +(361)-2632859, cellphone: +(36)-30-230-1914 /From 12:00 a.m. until midnight - Central European Time - GMT+1 hour/..

4. 3rd-16th of March FS Budapest, GM-IM-FM, org: NL.

5. 16th-24th of March Budapest Spring Festival 9 round Swiss Open, org: Nagy L. www.firstsaturday.hu

6. 25th of March - 7th of April, GM closed tournament in SIKONDA, South-West 250 km from Budapest, org: Mr.Gruenwald, mobile phone: +36-30-9971005

7. 7th-20th of April, FS GM-IM-FM, Budapest, org: NL

8. 21st of April - 1st of May GM tmt minimal cat.9. Planned /2451-2475 Elo range/, Org: NL,

9. 5th-18th of May, GM-IM-FM Budapest, org NL,

10. 19th-29th of May, ELEKES MEMORIAL, GM-IM closed, Org: IM Zsinka, e-mail: zsinkala@t-online.hu

Prague Open 2007

PRAGUE OPEN 2007 (11.-18.1. 2007 - 2 FIDE opens, one of them with a possibility to fulfill IM norm, active chess and blitz tournament, more information at the address http://www.czechtour.net/praha/index.php

Marienbad Open 2007

MARIENBAD OPEN 2007 Marienbad is the second largest spa town in the Czech Republic, 19.-27.1. 2007 - closed GM tournament, closed IM tournament, FIDE open, active chess and blitz tournament, http://www.czechtour.net/marlazne/index.php

Swiss Chess Tour 2007

The Swiss Chess Tour 2007 starts in Basle in the New Year (1.-7.1.2007.). Venue of Chess Festival for 9th time is Hotel Hilton in Basle.

Hilton Open (1-7.1.2007.) 7 Rounds, 6 hours (2 hours for 40 moves + 60 minutes for complete the game.) Prizes: 2000/1500/1200/800/600/500/2x400/2x300/5x200 CHF. Special prizes 200 CHF for best Lady, Senior (1947), junior (1987-90), schoolboy (1991). Enter fee: 140 CHF (FM and juniors 70 CHF) GM & IM free. At the door 20 CHF.

Players so far for Basle: GM Ulf Andersson (SWE), GM Borislav Ivkov (SCG), GM Andrei Sokolov (FRA), GM Miso Cebalo (CRO), GM Igor Rausis (BAN), GM Nenad Sulava (CRO), GM Stefan Djuric (SCG), IM Martin Senff (GER), IM Simon Kuemin (SUI) etc.

Basle amateur (1-7.1.2007.) 7 Rounds, 4 hours (90 minutes 30 moves + 30 minutes to complete the game). Players under 1900 rating (FIDE or national). Enter fee: 120 CHF (juniors 60 CHF). At the door 20 CHF. Prizes: 500/400/2x300/2x200/4x150 CHF.

Basle juniors (2.1.2007.) 7 Rounds, 15 minutes for the game. Juniors 1987 and younger. Enter fee 5 CHF. Natural prizes for all players.

Basel Lighting Chess (6.1.2007. from 14.00 to 16.00) 9 Rounds, 5 minutes. Enter fee: 20 CHF (juniors 5 CHF). Prizes 300/200/150/2x100/2x50 CHF natural prizes for everybody 50% and more points.

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

Austrian Team Championship

The first three rounds of the Austrian Team Championship took place in Graz 3rd-5th November 2006.

Schedule: R 01-03: 03.11.-05.11.2006, Graz (Hotel Novapark) R 04-07: 18.01.-21.01.2007, Leoben (Gösserbräu) R 08-11: 08.03.-11.03.2007, Mattersburg

Official site: http://www.chess.at/staatsligen/stl_a.htm

Slovenian Chess Centre

The Slovenian Chess Federation opened a centre on the 21st October 2006.

Official site: http://www.sah-zveza.si/news/0610/sahdom/

Pierre Barthélémy Chess Blog

Pierre Barthélémy Chess Blog in French: http://echecs-info.blogspot.com

66th Italian Championship

The 66th Italian Championship takes place 21st November - 4th December 2006. The tournament will consist of 11 players in a round robin at Hotel Impero in Cremona. Games will be played on DGT boards, and viewable live at the Italian Chess Federation web site.

Official tournament information: http://federscacchi.it/doc/notcom/d20060902032222_bando_66.pdf

Official federation site: http://www.federscacchi.it/

Sydney International Open 2007

The 2007 Sydney International Open will be held as a 9-round FIDE-rated Swiss event from 10th-14th April 2007. The venue is Parramatta Town Hall, an historic centre and business hub just 30 minutes by train from Central Sydney and International Airport. Some conditions are offered to titled players. It is also possible to play in Australia's largest weekender, the Doeberl Cup, a 7-round FIDE-rated event held in Canberra 6-9 April 2007. An information sheet, registration form and other details are available at http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/open. The organisers are Australian Chess Enterprises. Contact is Brian Jones at info@chessaustralia.com.au

GibTelecom Chess Festival

The GibTelecom Chess Festival takes place 23rd January - 1st February 2007. including a 9 round Masters with a rest day. Also two 5 round Swisses for players under 2200 and two separately for players under 1800. Total prize fund £71,000, including £9000 awards specifically for females with a first of £4000; £12000 for players under 2200, where such a player could win £6000; seniors £2000; junior £1000. So far Arishchenko, Efimenko, Kuzubov, Milov, Krush, Ganguly, Kunte, Sand ipan, Bellon, Cramling have accepted invitations. further details Judy Whurr conf.banq@caletahotel.gi

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

Czech Tour 2006-7

There is new information about the Czech Tour 2006/2007 including:

6th PRAGUE OPEN (TOP HOTEL Praha) 11th-18th January 2007.

6th MARIENBAD OPEN (the Evropa hotel) 19th-27th January 2007.

Further details: http://www.czechtour.net or Dr. Jan Mazuch, Director of CZECH OPEN & CZECH TOUR - j.mazuch@avekont.cz

In addition there is the 27th Tournament of Chess Hopes and 17th Pobeskydi Tournament organised by the town of Frydek-Mistek 13th-17th April 2006.

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

Russia vs ROW Correspondence

The Russian Chess Federation is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is using this occasion to challenge the rest of the world to a match over 64 boards with 2 games for each and the start is 15.02 2004. Players include Joop van Oosterom

http://www.mychessweb.com/Tables/Internationale/Play/russia-world.htm