THE WEEK IN CHESS 678 5th November 2007 by Mark Crowther

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1) Introduction

My thanks to Snorri G. Bergsson, David Llada, Javier Rubio Doblas, Miklos Orso, John Saunders, Luiz Roberto Da Costa Jr, Valery Maes, John Kara, Patricia Claros Aguilar, Wilhelm Loder, Joaquim De Deus Fº, Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou, Stewart Reuben, Ray Cannon, Alfonso Vilches, Tarjei J. Svensen, Alex Brunetti and everyone else who helped with the issue.

Another great week of chess. The Russian's will be pleased and relieved to regain the European Team Championship trophy with a round to go. Their team has looked strong and resolute throughout with big performances from Peter Svidler and Alexander Morozevich (in spite of his loss to Shirov today in round 8). The Liga de Campeones got off to a rocky start after it emerged that Alexander Khalifman was in hospital in Russia and unable to play, I wish him well. Anatoly Karpov got back into the top 50 of the FIDE rating list with a return to chess at the GM tournament in Valjevo in June followed by some rapid and blitz more recently. Its nice to see him back but I did wonder if he could really survive at the top level with his opening repertoire. Its looking like he might not with two losses in the first three rounds, I rather fear for him and remember what happened to Gata Kamsky in Wijk aan Zee in 2006 where his lack of preparation was ruthlessly punished. Veselin Topalov is strong favourite for the event but at this early stage he shares first with Ruslan Ponomariov. The event isn't just about chess with many side events aimed at raising money for a hospital in Mbuji-Mayi, one of the poorest regions in the Congo.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) Liga de Campeones

The "Chess Champions League" (Jesus de Lafuente memorial) takes place 1st-15th November 2007 in Vitoria Gasteiz. Khalifman was replaced by Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu at the last minute after it emerged he was admitted to hospital almost at the time he was supposed to travel and later contacted the organisers to say that he was home for a week, but then he will have to go under surgery again. The nature of his illness isn't clear.

The main event is the "Tournament of Champions" which is a 6 player, 10 round event which takes place 2nd-4th, 6th-7th, 9th-11th and 13th-14th Nov 2007.  

The event is called the "Chess Champions League - Playing for a better world". This is because: a) Initially, only former world players were invited to take place (plus Judit, as the best woman ever) b) The aim behind the tournament is to get funds to build up and/or send equipment to a Hospital in Mbuji-Mayi, one of the poorest regions in the Congo. Side events which aim to raise this money include: To begin with, the the Moscow Orchestra will play several times in Vitoria duting the tournament (including at the opening ceremony), and they will donate all the benefits they got from the concerts to the project. -- The models and fashion designers from the Pasarela Cibeles Fashion Show (Madrid) will make an special appearance in the tournament, and some of the most famous fashion designers and models will offer a fashion show next to the playing hall. They will then give us the dresses and customs to be sold at auction. -- Some of the best Spanish sportsmen (the likes of Rafa Nadal and Miguel Indurain) will donate some items to be sold at auction. Topalov, for instance, has donated the medal he got when he became World Junior Champion in Puerto Rico 1989!

Website http://www.ajedrez-hotelakua.com/ - David Llada's Blog  

3) European Team Chess Championships

The European Team Chess Championships (ETCC) takes place 27th October - 7th November 2007 in the luxurious Creta Maris Conference Hotel in Crete, Greece. 39 countries confirmed their participation for the European National Team Championships in Crete, Greece 27 October - 7 November 2007, including all the chess power houses of the continent. Note in the games section for this event and the European Club Cup Jones,RS rated 2327 is playing not Jones,Ri 2086 I've corrected TWICs 674, 675 and 677.

Russia regained the Russian Championships with one round to go Russia drew 2-2 with Spain whilst the only team that could conceivably catch them Armenia were also held 2-2 by Azerbaijan. This after a catastophic 15th place in Gothenburg in 2005. Russia (and the former Soviet Union) have won 11 of the 15 events to run (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Team_Championship). The women's event also saw a decisive round 8 with Russia winning convincingly against the Netherlands whereas Poland lost to Armenia having been top on board points after round 7.

Official site: http://www.euroteams2007.org there are now interviews including with Veselin Topalov at: http://videos.chessdom.com/. Also check out Etienne Bacrot's blog site (under "My Tournaments") commented games day by day in French then translated into English.

4) XI Corsica Masters

The XI Corsica Masters took place 28th-30th October 2007. Hikaru Nakamura won the knockout event beating Rustam Kasimdzhanov in the final. The tournament was in two parts. A 10 round preliminary event which all but Karpov had to qualifiy from then a knockout. The time rate was g/10min + 3 seconds a move.

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

5) US Chess League

The new US Chess League took place August 27th - October 31st 2007 which established Philadelphia vs New York and San Francisco vs Miami as the first playoff pairings on November 7th. Boston and Dallas receive the first round byes as they topped the two divisions. The final placings will be decided on 14th and 28th November 2007. Games are played on ICC. My thanks to Greg Shahade.

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

6) Romanian Superliga

The Romanian Superliga took place in , Predeal 13th-21st October 2007. AEM-Luxten Timisoara (1.Solak Dragan 2.Nevednichy Vladislav 3.Pârligras Mircea 4.Lupulescu Constantin 5.Murariu Andrei 6.Grunberg Mihai-Lucian 7.Berescu Alin 8.Bogdan Dan 9.Chirila Ioan-Cristian ) were convincing winners ahead of CS Stud.Medicina Timisoara (1.Miroshnicenko Evgeny 2.Baklan Vladimir 3.Jianu Vlad-Cristian ).

Official site: http://www.sahclub.ro/toma/071013live/ and also details at: http://www.frsah.ro/

7) Promesas Ronda

The Promesas tournament took place in Ronda (Malaga) 31st October - 4th November 2007. Claudio Javier Minzer, Juan Reyes and local player Daniel Lopez Gonzalez all finished on 6/9 the latter obtaining an IM norm.

Official site: http://www.clublaurus.we.bs/

8) Figueira da Foz

The IV Festival Figueira da Foz (Portugal) took place 27th October - 4th November 2007. Kevin Spraggett edged out Anton Kovalyov on tie-break after both finished on 7/9.

Official site: http://xadrez.nafigueira.com/paginas/abertura.php

9) First Saturday November

The First Saturday tournaments for November takes place 3rd-13th November 2007. There are two IM and two FM events, the IMB is down to a 5 player double round robin after the withdrawal of one player.

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

10) 6th North American FIDE Invitational

The 6th North American FIDE Invitational took place October 28th - November 3rd, 2007. FM Ray Robson won the event with 7/9 and scored his 1st IM Norm.

Official site: http://www.nachess.org/fide/

11) CIPS and AICA Man-Machine match

The computer event CIPS 2007 was won by Delfi 5.2 programmed by Fabio Cavicchio, the winner of the past 5 years, with 5.5/6 over a field of 16 participants.

The AICA Man-Machine match saw Ronchetti draw with Delfi 5.2 - White played with 100 minutes + 30 seconds, Black with 10 minutes + 3 seconds.

Website: http://e4e6.com/g6

12) Icelandic Championships

The Icelandic Championships took place 28th August - 8th September 2007. The category V event was won by Hannes Stefansson with 8/11.

Official site: http://www.skaksamband.is/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=558&Itemid=303 - Results: http://chess-results.com/tnr7696.aspx

13) Reykjavik Chess Club Invitational

The Reykjavik Chess Club Invitational took place 17th-25th September 2007. Jon Viktor Gunnarsson won with 8/9.

Official site: http://www.taflfelag.is/?c=webpage&id=146&lid=162&option=links

14) Icelandic Rapid Championships

The Icelandic Rapid Championships took place 18th-20th October 2007. Bragi and Björn Þorfinnsson will meet in the final in December which be on TV in Iceland.

Official site: http://www.skaksamband.is/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=5661&Itemid=387

15) Bendigo Bank Chess Championship

The Bendigo Bank Chess Championship takes place 3rd-6th November 2007. Live coverage but no games in PGN at the moment.

Official site: http://www.global1t.com/chess

16) Lendas do Xadrez

The Lendas do Xadrez FIDE (Jerônimo Marques Pimenta Cup) tournament took place in Rio de Janeiro 12th-21st October 2007 and was won by Ricardo da Silva Teixeira with 8/9.

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

17) 22nd Le Touquet International Open

22nd Le Touquet International Open Internationnal took place 27th October - 2nd November 2007. Sebastian Feller won with 8/9. No games currently available.

Official site: http://www.opalechecs.com/accueil.php

18) 7th Rohde Open

The 7th Rohde Open took place in Sautron, France 27th October - 3rd November 2007. Definitive standings for round 8 only seem to be available but it seems Farid Abbasov won the event on tie-break from Vladimir Potkin and Vitali Koziak after all finished on 7/9.

Official site: http://www.sautronechecs.fr

19) Belgian Team Championships

The game Knoppert-Grafl round 2 is now complete.

20) I Magistral Internacional Joan Casals

The I Magistral Internacional Joan Casals took place in Maó, Menorca Illes Balears, Spain 25th October - 1st November 2007. Jakob Vang Blud won with 6.5/9. Games don't appear to be available.

Official site: http://www.chessmallorca.com/ - Results: http://chess-results.com/tnr8455.aspx

21) Guernsey Chess Festival Open

33rd Fortis Guernsey International Chess Festival GM Tiger Hillarp-Persson wins with 6 out of 7 having taken a half point bye in round 1. GM Vladimir Epishin was equal second. Games may become available.

Official site: http://www.guernseychessclub.org.gg/

22) Forthcoming Events and Links

Games Festival Halkidiki 2008

Games Festival is a mass event organized for the third year in Halkidiki, Greece 28th April - 6th May 2008. The festival includes series of tournaments & exhibitions in prestigious sports like, chess, billiards, bridge, darts, streetbasketball and popular table games like scrabble, strategic games, pc games etc.

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

Vados Cup

The Vados Cup, international rapid chess open takes place 17th-18th November 2007 in Arad (Romania). Prize fund: over 2000 euro. 1st prize: 1800 RON (~535 euro). - The organisers can provide free accommodation for IMs and can give conditions to GMs (please contact the organizer).

More info: http://www.vados.ro - http://www.vados.ro/next_turneu_en.php

Campeanu, Alin - tel. +40-722-613128, email:sahclubvados@yahoo.com

Glitnir Blitz

The Glitnir Blitz took place in Oslo last Saturday, Grischuk beat Carlsen 3-1 in the final and Agdestein beat Nielsen 3-0 in the semi-final. Would really like to find some games.

Official site: http://www.sjakk.no/glitnirblitz/resultater.html

67th Italian Championship

The 67th Italian Championship takes place 23rd November - 4th December 2007. The tournament will consist of 12 players in a round robin at the 4 star Park Hotel San Michele in Martina Franca. Games will be played on DGT boards, and viewable live at the Italian Chess Federation´s web site. The players are: GM Fabiano Caruana, GM Michele Godena, GM Carlo Garcia-Palermo, IM Sabino Brunello, IM Fabio Bruno, IM Giulio Borgo, IM Roberto Mogranzini, IM Federico Manca, IM Daniel Contin, FM Daniele Genocchio, FM Denis Rombaldoni, and Alessandro Bonafede.

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

I Avanzado International

The I Torneo Internacional de Ajedrez Avanzado (Tecnológico) takes place 1st-9th December 2007

Further details: http://www.ajedrezbali.com and http://www.eventosdeajedrez.com

Bundesliga

The German Bundesliga for 2007-8 takes place 19th October 2007 - 20th April 2008. The first games were on Friday 19th October as part of the special round 7 - fixtures from this round are played before various weekend programs. Rounds 3 and 4 take place 24th-25th November 2007.

Official site: http://www.schachbundesliga.de/ further coverage: http://www.schach.com and also at the national Federation site at: http://www.schachbund.de/SchachBL/index.php and statistics also at: http://www.godesbergersk.de/bundesliga-statistik/

Corus Wijk aan Zee 2008

The field for the 2008 Corus tournament in Wijk aan Zee has been announced at http://www.coruschess.com Five of the top 6 in the world are playing including the new World Champion Anand and new World number 2 Ivanchuk. Also Kramnik and Gelfand who finished 2nd in Mexico City.

The Corus Chess Tournament 2008 will be held from 11-27 January 2008 in Wijk aan Zee. The tournament venue is the De Moriaan Community Centre

28th Bethune Open

The Bethune chess club is preparing his 28th International Open, Hall Olof Palme, Commercial centre La Rotonde, Bethune, France (Pas-de-Calais) from December 26 to 30. 9 rounds The tournament is divided in 2 tournaments: - Tournament A for players whose Elo rating is above or equal to 1600, 1st price : 1500 euros - Tournament B for players strictly below 1900, 1st price : 400 euros, Fischer pace 1h30+30s KO for each game in both tournaments. At least 6000 euros of prices, prices for Elo categories in both tournaments. Inscription fee : 40 euros (adults), 20 euros (youngsters under 20), free for IM, GM and FIDE Masters. Conditions for IM and GM and special conditions for GM>2600, contact us at open@bethunechess.com

For more information visit: http://www.bethunechess.com

Harmonie Chess Tournament

The Harmonie Chess Tournament takes place 21st-30th December 2007.

Official site: http://www.so-on.org/kerst2007/2007eng.html

XVII Pampona International

The XVII Pampona International takes place 21st-29th December 2007.

Details: http://www.chesspamplona.com/

Chigorin Memorial 2007

The Chigorin Memorial takes place in St Petersburg 29th November - 9th December 2007.

Details: http://www.totalchess.spb.ru/kalend/2007/chigorin.html

VI Bali International Chess Festival

The VI Bali International Chess Festival takes place 30th November 9th December 2007. Many events including the tournament of stars 6th-9th December 2007 which has the participation of the new world champion Viswanathan Anand.

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

Czech Chess Christmas 2007

The Czech Chess Christmas 2007 tournament takes place in Litomysl (CZE) 26th December 2007 - 1st January 2008

9th christmas chess FIDE tournament, swiss system of 9 round, rate of game 2 x 1,5h + 30s/move, prize fund 64.000 CZK (1st prize 20.000 CZK = 700 EUR), special conditions for IM, WGM and GM, New Year’s Eve programme. Contact: Proclient s.r.o., Jaroslav Fuksik, Svedska 3, 772 00 Olomouc, mobile: +420 608 364 664, e-mail: a64@proclient.cz,

Further details: http://www.a64.cz/tournaments/litomysl2007/

8th Liberec Open

The 8th Liberec Open takes place 10th-17th November 2007. Open FIDE, active chess and blitz tournament are part of the festival.

More detailed information should be found in English, German, Russian and Polish at http://www.czechtour.net/liberec-open/

Hungarian Chess Tournaments October 2007 - March 2008

1. 6th-19th of October 2007 FIRST SATURDAY Budapest GM-IM-FM, GM-IM-FM round robins (BERGER), 9 -13 games, GM-IM norm possibilities in Budapest, venue: Hungarian Chess Federation, Falk Miksa Str.10. 2nd floor. Organisation: Nagy Laszlo, FIDE International Chess Organizer /NL/, E-mail: firstsat@hu.inter.net Website: http://www.firstsaturday.hu 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/

2. 24th-31st of October, HÉVÍZ Open - 200 km West from Budapest, 9 rounds Swiss, org: IM Rigo, http://www.lellechess.tar.hu

3. 22nd-30th of October KECSKEMET, IM Berger tmt, org: Dr.Erdelyi, Tamas, e-mail: postmaster@caissa.t-online.hu

Website: http://www.caissachessbooks.hu Usually also in the second half of the month IM tmt-s in Kecskemet. 100 km South-East from Budapest.

4. 3rd-15th of November, FS GM-IM-FM Budapest, org.:NL

5. 15th-23rd of November, XXXI. TENKES CUP, 9 round Swiss Open, Harkany, 300 km South-West from Budapest, org: Mr.FULOP, Csaba, e-mail: fulopcsa@invitel.hu

Website:http://www.baranyasakk.hu/index.php?cat=naptar&id=3&age=0&vid=15⟨=hu&det=12

6. 1st-13th of December, FS GM-IM-FM, Budapest, org.NL

7. 15th-21st of Dec, Kecskemet, IM tmt

8. 27th Dec- 5th Jan Kecskemet IM tmt,

9. 11th-19th of January 2008 Open in Budapest, Season opening, org: IA FAZEKAS, György, e-mail: srcolonel@freemail.hu

10. 19th-28th of January - IM tmt, Kecskemet

11. 2nd-15th of February - First Saturday Budapest,

12. 16th-25th of February - IM tmt Kecskemet,

13. 1st-13rd of March - First Saturday Budapest,

14. 21st-29th of March - Budapest Spring Festival Open, org.: Nagy Laszlo

Halkidiki Chess Festival 2008

The Halkidiki Chess Festival takes place in Kallithea, 28th April - 5 May 2008.

The Organizing Committee of the Halkdiki Chess Festival 2008. Tel/fax: +30 2310 865778 - e-mail: teotsorb@otenet.gr V.Olgas 285, Thessaloniki, Greece.

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

4th Singapore International Chess Convention

4th Singapore International Chess Convention, 16 - 22 December 2007: - Singapore Masters 2007 - Seminar for Coaches - Seminar for Arbiters The offical website of the organiser is the website of the Singapore Chess Federation:

Official site: http://www.singaporechess.org.sg

Computer Chess Events

On Saturday 29th September will take place the 1st AICA Man-Machine Match, Accademia Due Torri, Bologna, Italy. Delfi, current italian computer champion, will play FM Nicolò Ronchetti, who has just scored his third IM norm. Time control: Ronchetti 2 hours, Delfi 10 seconds per move. The game will be relayed on PlayChess, from 10:00 (CET). Site: http://e4e6.com/g6. On the same place, on 29 and 30 September will take place the 2nd Chess Computer Cup, also valid as 7th italian computer chess championship (CIPS 2007). 7 rounds, around 20 players. First two boards will be relayed on PlayChess, from 13:00 (CET).

John Watson's Book Show

Regular TWIC contributer John Watson has a book radio show on chess.fm on Tuesdays. This week Nigel Short appears. You can catch the show by signing up for ICC trial membership. Link: http://www.chessclub.com/chessfm/

Moscow Open 2008

The 4th International Chess Festival Moscow Open 2008 takes place 2nd-10th February 2008. Venue - the Russian State Social University. Minimal gartanted prize fund of full festival is RUR 5 000 000 (nearly EUR 150 000 or USD 200 000, two times more than in 2007!) There are Open “A” (for all, 1st prize RUR 500 000 - also possible to play 6- or 7 days like last two years), Open “B” (<2300, 1st RUR 150 000), Women Open (new! 1st prize RUR 150 000), open tournaments for school chidrens (qualify for World School Ch). Conditions for GMs 2600+ and best rated women GMs will be given probably, for GMs 2550+ it’s still unclear. More details in the middle of September. Some days later (13-22.2) “Aeroflot Open 2008” will start. As preparation to the World Mind Games in China – 2008 there are probably "Moscow Open Mind Games 2008" - Chess 960, Bridge, Go, Shogi, Damen tournaments etc. Some days later (13-22.2) “Aeroflot Open 2008” will start.

Contact: wlct06@gmail.com

Further details: http://www.chess-events.org

Etienne Bacrot's Website

Etienne Bacrot has a website at: http://www.chess22.fr/ giving news about himself, some comments on recent events including the World Championships in Mexico City etc. Worth check out.

1st South Bohemia Open

1st SOUTH BOHEMIA OPEN 2007 International Chess Festival which takes place in one of the most beautiful Czech towns – Cesky Krumlov on 13.-20.10. 2007. Open FIDE, active chess and blitz tournament are part of the festival.

Details: http://www.czechtour.net/south-bohemia-open/

32nd Kings Head Rapidplay

The 32nd Kings Head Rapidplay takes place Saturday 5 April 2008 start time 11:00, details below: 6-round Swiss rapidplay (30 minutes), prize fund £700

The Porchester Hall Porchester Road Bayswater London W2 5HS

Contact: Colin Mackenzie 9 Allan Way Acton London W3 0PW 020 8992 1849 colin.mackenzie@atosorigin.com

Further details; http://www.khcc.org.uk

Baltic Sea Cup

The Baltic Sea Cup (Bornholm, Denmark) took place July 30th - August 5th 2007. Reynaldo Vera and Allan Stig Rasmussen finished on 7.5/9. A games file is on its way from the organisers.

Details: http://www.bornholms-skakklub.dk/balticseacup07/

 
Baltic Sea Cup July 30th - August 5th 2007
Standing
--------

No        Name                              Fed ELO  Nat  # Points
  1 - 2   GM Reynaldo Vera Gonzalez-Quevedo     2479          7.5
  1 - 2   FM Allan Stig Rasmussen               2450 2451     7.5
  3 - 5   GM Igor Khenkin                       2602          7
  3 - 5   GM Eduardas Rozentalis                2551          7
  3 - 5   GM Jonny Hector                       2550 2550     7
  6 - 9   GM Vadim Malakhatko                   2596          6.5
  6 - 9   GM Sune Berg Hansen                   2574 2580     6.5
  6 - 9   GM Tiger Hillarp-Persson              2568 2568     6.5
  6 - 9   IM Thorbjørn Bromann                  2413 2414     6.5
 10 - 20  GM Boris Savchenko                    2577          6
 10 - 20  GM Sergey Kasparov                    2500          6
 10 - 20  IM Kim Pilgaard                       2448 2453     6
 10 - 20  IM Jens Kristiansen                   2436 2439     6
 10 - 20  IM Jacob Vang Glud                    2435 2434     6
 10 - 20  GM Carsten Høi                        2422 2427     6
 10 - 20  Esben Lund                            2396 2408     6
 10 - 20  Ashwin Jayaram                        2399          6
 10 - 20  FM Jorge Cabrera Trujillo             2324          6
 10 - 20  FM Jake Kleiman                       2312          6
 10 - 20  Andreas Skytte Hagen                  2256 2278     6
 21 - 32  GM Alexander Stripunsky               2589          5.5
 21 - 32  Martin Matthiesen                     2363 2353     5.5
 21 - 32  WGM Anna Zozulia                      2332          5.5
 21 - 32  IM Bjørn Brinck-Claussen              2324 2300     5.5
 21 - 32  FM Jacob Carstensen                   2304 2293     5.5
 21 - 32  FM Tobias Hirneise                    2293          5.5
 21 - 32  FM Teddy Coleman                      2239          5.5
 21 - 32  FM Ove Weiss Hartvig                  2232 2210     5.5
 21 - 32  Andreas Wiwe                          2187 2152     5.5  
 21 - 32  Parker Zhao                           2180          5.5  
 21 - 32  Morten Kock Møller                    2178 2141     5.5  
 21 - 32  CM Andreas Arnold Schmitz             2081          5.5  
118 players

10th European Senior Team-Championship

10th European Senior Team-Championship take place 11th-19th February 2008 in RAMADA-Hotel in Dresden.

Further info contact: ZMD Schachfestival Dresden e.V., Oskar-Mai-Straße 6, D-01159 Dresden, Fon +49 (0)351 416 16 29, Fax: +49 (0)351 416 16 39 Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, Hepkestraße 131, D-01277 Dresden, Fon +49 (0)351 251 34 20, E-Mail: gerhard.schmidt@schachfestival.de

83rd Hastings International Congress

The Celebration 83rd Hastings International Congress takes place 28 December 2007 to 6 January 2008. This includes a 10 round Master Swiss, and an open FIDE Rated tournament 5-6 January. Celebrating what? The lives of the many people who have died within the past four years, who have so enriched the chess scene with their work. Full details http://www.hastingschess.org.uk/ Contact: Con Power conpowr@aol.com

Entries so far include:  
Vugar Gashimov    GM  AZE 2655
Vadim Malakhatko  GM  BEL 2596
Nidjat Mamedov    GM  AZE 2548
Stuart Conquest   GM  ENG 2546
Mark Hebden       GM  ENG 2540
Nicholas Pert     GM  ENG 2536
Gawain Jones      GM  ENG 2526
David Howell      GM  ENG 2519
Glenn Flear       GM  ENG 2479
Stewart Haslinger GME ENG 2468
Anna Zozulia   IM/WGM BEL 2332 

Gibtelecom Chess Festival 2008

The 6th edition of Gibraltar's Gibtelecom Chess Festival will be held from 22nd-31st January 2008 at the Caleta Hotel, one of Gibraltar's best hotels. In previous years players of the quality of Alexei Shirov, Michael Adams and Nigel Short have played in the Masters section. Usually the Masters field includes at least 30 grandmasters. In 2008 the first prize in the Masters has gone up to £12,000 and the tournament is so strong at the top that it even offers a £2,000 prize for the best score by a player rated under 2600 (we think that might be unique worldwide) as well as the same amount for other rating categories down to sub-2200. There is also big money to be won in the Under 2250 (£1,500 first prize) and Under 1850 (£1,000 first prize) events. Even the relatively light-hearted evening events (which cost nothing to enter) have a combined prize fund of £1,200.

Full details and entry form: http://www.gibraltarchesscongress.com/

XXXVII Rilton Cup

XXXVII Rilton Cup takes place 27th December 2007 – 5th January 2008 in Mälarsalen. Münchenbryggeriet, Torkel Knutssonsgatan 2, Stockholm, SWEDEN Stockholm Chess Federation welcomes all chess players to the 37th Rilton Cup. This year’s tournament, with a prize fund of more than SEK 200 000 (about 22 000 euro) will be played in three groups: Rilton Cup, Rilton Elo and Rilton Open (Rilton Open is only open for Nordic players with a rating lower than national 1800). Rilton Cup and Rilton ELO is Elo registrated Rilton Cup and Rilton Elo plays 9 rounds Fide Swiss. The first round starts at 13:00 on the 27th of December and the following rounds start at 11:00 every day until the 5th of January. The 1st of January (New Year’s Day) is free. Send your entry by mail, fax or e-mail, not later than the 17th of December to Stockholm Chess Federation, attention “Rilton Cup”. Mobile telephones or computers are not allowed in the playing hall. Rilton Cup Open for players with an Elo rating or national rating >= 2200. Reflection time: 40 moves in two hours, 20 moves in one hour and 30 minutes for the rest of the game.

Entry fees: 800 SEK, 400 for FM, 300 for players born 1987 or later. IGM and IM free. Prizes (SEK): 1st 20 000 2nd 16 000 3rd 12 000 4th 10 000 5th 8 000 6th 6 000 7:th 5 000 8th 4 000 9th 3 000 10th 3 000 10th 3 000 Rating prizes: 3 000, 2 000 and 1000 (not for GMs and IMs). Prizemoney is not divided. Rilton Elo Open for all players with a n Elo rating or national rating up to 2199. Reflection time: 40 moves in two hours, then one hour for the rest of the game. Entry fees: 600 SEK, 400 for FM, 300 for players born 1987 or later. Prizes (SEK): 1st 8 000 2nd 5000 3rd 3 000 4th 2 000 5th 1 000 6th 500 Rating prizes: 3 000, 2 000 and 1000 Prizemoney is not divided.

Stockholms Schackförbund Hornsgatan 82 118 21 Stockholm Tel: 08-669 36 54 Mobil: 073-613 19 73 Fax: 08-669 64 44 Spellokal: 08-668 21 35 (under turneringen) E-mail:stockholms.schackfrbund@telia.com

Further details: http://www.stockholmschack.nu

Alex Brunetti's TotoScacco Site

Alex Brunetti's TotoScacco Site allows predictions for current chess tournaments. http://e4e6.com/toto

olimpbase

Its always worth mentioning Wojciech Bartelski's excellent http://www.olimpbase.org which covers not only Olympiads but all team chess.

New events: European U18 Team Championship has recently finished in Subotica, Serbia. http://www.olimpbase.org/2007eb/2007in.html (boys' results) and http://www.olimpbase.org/2007eg/2007in.html (girls' results)

The 9th All-Africa Games took place in Algiers, Algeria 11th-23rd July There were 13 men's team in a four board round robin (rate of play was Active Chess 25+10). No games available. See details: http://www.olimpbase.org/2007f/2007in.html

Sydney International Open 2008

The 2008 Sydney International Open takes place at Parramatta Town Hall 25th-29th March 2008. Free accommodation and modest conditions are offered to GMs. All enquiries to the Tournament Organiser, FM Brian Jones, at info@chessaustralia.com.au

Details: http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/

XX Belgrade International Open

The XX International Open Championship of Belgrade "OBRENOVAC 2007" takes place 22nd-30th November 2007.

Prizes : EUR 5,600.00 The championship will be played in 9 rounds according to the FIDE Swiss System (computer pairing). Rate of play is 40 moves for 2 hours and 30 minutes til the end of game.

Contact information: BELGRADE CHESS INFORMATION 11000 Belgrade, Deligradska 27/III, Serbia Tel/Fax; +381-11 -2656 846 E-mail: beochess@eunet.yu

Further details: http://www.beochess.org.yu

GM Amir Bagheri's Website and Match

GM Amir Bagheri's Website: http://amirbagheri.freehostia.com/

Amir Bagheri (Iran, rating 2481) will play a 2-game match vs. members of the ICCF Forum. The games (one with White and one with Black pieces) will be played on the ICCF Webserver and are intended to start on June 20th 2007, with the reflection time rule "10 moves/100 days". http://www.iccf-webchess.com

World Youth Chess Championships

The World Youth Chess Championships take place 17th-29th November 2007 in Antalya.

Official site: http://wycc2007.tsf.org.tr/

Maxim Dlugy

Former World Junior Champion GM Maxim Dlugy now has a website. http://www.dlugy.com/

MyChess correspondence Chess Server

There is a correspondence chess server designed by Matthias Karkowski at: http://www.mychess.de/

Details: http://www.ajedrezbali.com/

British Chess Problem Society

Brian Stephenson of the British Chess Problem Society has a new website: http://www.bstephen.me.uk/. The site has much info on the Winton Capital British Chess Solving Championship.

Endgame Studies

Alexander Rueb Vereniging voor SchaakEindspelStudie. Endgame studies: http://www.arves.org/

Lugano tournament November

There is a Lugano tournament at the end of November 2007. Details: http://www.chessevent.ch/

Mediterranean 2013" Open Rijeka Croatia

The "Mediterranean 2013" Open chess tournament takes place in Rijeka Croatia, 25 November - 2 December 2007

System of play: Swiss / 9 rounds. Tempo of play: 90 minutes per player + 30 extra seconds for each move played starting with the first. The tournament will be registered with FIDE in order to assign the rating and title norms.

Prizes Awards fund: about 10 000 Euros. 1st award - 12 000,00 kunas 2nd award - 8 000,00 kunas 3rd award - 6 000,00 kunas

WEB: http://www.mediteran2013.com/en/default.asp

e-mail: club@sah-rijeka.hr

ICC and FICS client for mobile phones

Mats Luthman has written a program that connects to ICC and FICS, compatable with many modern mobile phones. I've been looking for something like this for a while for watching live tournaments if I'm out and about. Its a nice free solution, you can also play but I haven't tried that.

Website: http://www.luthman.nu/Mobi/Mobi.html

Alushta Diary 2007

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

Individual and group studying Further information: http://www.kaissa.com.ua phone +38 (06560)5-05-32, +380505828911 (for Russian speaking) + 44 7717890632 (for English speaking, call after 18.00) e-mail: info@kaissa.com.ua

Pierre Barthélémy Chess Blog

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

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