THE WEEK IN CHESS 713 7th July 2008 by Mark Crowther

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1) Introduction

My thanks to Tarjei J. Svensen, Petr Pisk, Luiz Roberto Da Costa Jr, Bela Lengyel, Efstratios Grivas, Pat Reynolds, Peter Doggers, Dave Clayton and everyone else who helped with the issue.

Peter Leko had a much needed tournament victory in taking clear first in the Dortmund tournament. The regular winner of this event Vladimir Kramnik had his worst result since his treatment for his ill health and this may be his last event before playing Viswanathan Anand for the world title in October. This of course might be the reason his play was below form and the short 7 rounds left him little room to recover from the two losses he had in the Petroff. Elsewhere Sergey Karjakin dished out a heavy beating to Nigel Short in their rapid match and the World Open was won by Evgeny Najer after a tie-break.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) Sparkassen Chess-Meeting Dortmund

The Sparkassen Chess-Meeting took place in Dortmund 28th June - 6th July 2008. 8 player all-play-all. Peter Leko took clear first place. Elo-Favourite Vladimir Kramnik finished in 7th place losing in the final round to Vassily Ivanchuk.

Details of all events including the open and other tournaments: http://www.sparkassen-chess-meeting.de

Round 3 (July 1, 2008)
Ivanchuk, Vassily	- Nepomniachtchi, Ian	½-½	19	B90	Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	- Gustafsson, Jan	½-½	27	D43	Anti-Meran Gambit
Naiditsch, Arkadij	- Kramnik, Vladimir	1-0	42	C42	Petroff's Defence
Van Wely, Loek	- Leko, Peter	½-½	31	E15	Queens Indian
Round 4 (July 2, 2008)
Nepomniachtchi, Ian	- Van Wely, Loek	1-0	48	B90	Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Gustafsson, Jan	- Ivanchuk, Vassily	½-½	31	D37	QGD 5.Bf4
Naiditsch, Arkadij	- Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	½-½	41	B46	Sicilian Paulsen
Kramnik, Vladimir	- Leko, Peter	½-½	23	E15	Queens Indian
Round 5 (July 4, 2008)
Leko, Peter	- Nepomniachtchi, Ian	½-½	30	B52	Sicilian Rossolimo
Ivanchuk, Vassily	- Naiditsch, Arkadij	1-0	53	D37	QGD 5.Bf4
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	- Kramnik, Vladimir	½-½	40	E15	Queens Indian
Van Wely, Loek	- Gustafsson, Jan	0-1	18	D31	Semi-Slav Defence
Round 6 (July 5, 2008)
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	- Ivanchuk, Vassily	½-½	29	E25	Nimzo Indian Saemisch
Gustafsson, Jan	- Leko, Peter	0-1	45	E15	Queens Indian
Naiditsch, Arkadij	- Van Wely, Loek	1-0	26	B90	Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Kramnik, Vladimir	- Nepomniachtchi, Ian	½-½	39	D11	Slav Defence
Round 7 (July 6, 2008)
Leko, Peter	- Naiditsch, Arkadij	½-½	31	C89	Ruy Lopez Marshall
Ivanchuk, Vassily	- Kramnik, Vladimir	1-0	49	C42	Petroff's Defence
Nepomniachtchi, Ian	- Gustafsson, Jan	½-½	22	C77	Ruy Lopez Anderssen
Van Wely, Loek	- Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	0-1	39	D38	QGD Ragozin

3) Karjakin - Short Rapid Match

Sergey Karjakin defeated Nigel Short by the convincing margin of 7.5-2.5 in Kiev (Kyiv) in a rapid match which took place 3rd-7th July 2008. Things went wrong for Short early when he blew a completely winning position in game two and Karjakin handed out a bit of a thumping in the end.

Official site: http://chess.life.com.ua/index.php?lng=en

4) World Open

The 36th World Open took place in Philadelphia 2nd-6th July 2008. There was a 4-way tie for 1st place, and according to the tiebreak rules, the two players with the best tiebreak points then fought a playoff for the title of champion. GM Evgeny Najer defeated GM Parmijaran Negi in the Armaegeddon playoff game to claim the title.

Official site: http://monroi.com/2008-world-open-chess-tournament-home.html

5) Turkish Chess League

The Turkish Chess League first division took place 23rd June - 3rd July 2008.

Games from the rounds 12 and 15 are missing.

Official site: http://www.tsf.org.tr/. Some additional reports at: http://previews.chessdom.com/turkish-chess-league

6) Swedish Championship

The Swedish Championship takes place in Vaxjo 28th June - 13th July 2008. The event is a 13 player all-play-all.

Official site: http://www.schacksm2008.se/

ch-SWE Vaxjo (SWE), 28 vi-11 vii 2008														cat. IX (2463)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4
1.	Berg, Emanuel	g	SWE	2601	*	.	½	1	.	1	.	1	1	.	½	.	1	½	6½	2687
2.	Hillarp Persson, Tiger	g	SWE	2491	.	*	½	.	½	½	1	1	.	½	1	.	.	1	6	2649
3.	Agrest, Evgenij	g	SWE	2567	½	½	*	.	½	.	½	.	1	1	.	½	1	.	5½	2623
4.	Tikkanen, Hans	m	SWE	2437	0	.	.	*	1	½	½	½	½	1	½	.	.	.	4½	2506
5.	Hector, Jonny	g	SWE	2532	.	½	½	0	*	0	½	.	.	1	.	1	.	1	4½	2499
6.	Smith, Axel		SWE	2428	0	½	.	½	1	*	½	.	.	½	.	1	0	.	4	2488
7.	Akesson, Ralf	g	SWE	2466	.	0	½	½	½	½	*	.	.	0	.	1	1	.	4	2479
8.	Carlsson, Pontus	g	SWE	2514	0	0	.	½	.	.	.	*	1	½	1	½	½	.	4	2451
9.	Grandelius, Nils	f	SWE	2388	0	.	0	½	.	.	.	0	*	.	1	½	½	1	3½	2421
10.	Brynell, Stellan	g	SWE	2461	.	½	0	0	0	½	1	½	.	*	.	.	.	½	3	2387
11.	Nithander, Victor	f	SWE	2319	½	0	.	½	.	.	.	0	0	.	*	½	1	½	3	2376
12.	Lindberg, Bengt	m	SWE	2442	.	.	½	.	0	0	0	½	½	.	½	*	.	1	3	2360
13.	Karlsson, Lars	g	SWE	2475	0	.	0	.	.	1	0	½	½	.	0	.	*	1	3	2368
14.	Hedman, Erik	f	SWE	2363	½	0	.	.	0	.	.	.	0	½	½	0	0	*	1½	2212

7) Norwegian Championship

The Norwegian Championship takes place 5th-13th July 2008.

Official site: http://nm2008.sjakkweb.no/

8) Atlantis Festival Groningen

The Atlantis Festival took place in Groningen, Netherlands, 27th June - 4th July 2008. Dejan Bojkov won the main group with 6½/9.

Official site: http://www.cafeatlantis.nl/meestertienkamp2008/

9) Svein Johannessen Memorial

The Svein Johannessen Memorial International Open took place 27th June - 1st July 2008. Aloyzas Kveinys won the event with 7/9 half a point clear of Jon Ludvig Hammer. Svein Johannessen (October 17, 1937 - November 27, 2007) was Norway's second IM, four time champion and played a number of famous players in the 1950s and 60s.

Official site: http://sveinsminneturnering.blogspot.com/

10) Brno Chess Festival

The Brno Chess Festival took place 27th June - 6th July 2008. Alexander Mista won the Category IX GM Teplarny tournament with 7/10 (Roman Chytilek withdrew after 4 rounds and had his scores cancelled, Ilja Brener after 7 rounds).

Official site: http://www.skduras.cz/en/chess-festival-brno-2008.html - Results http://chess-results.com/tnr13825.aspx

Duras GM Teplarny Brno (CZE), 27 vi-6 vii 2008													cat. IX (2452)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Mista, Aleksander	g	POL	2537	*	½	½	1	½	1	½	0	1	1	1	.	7	2598
2.	Polak, Tomas	g	CZE	2553	½	*	½	½	½	½	1	1	½	1	½	.	6½	2558
3.	Bobras, Piotr	g	POL	2576	½	½	*	½	½	½	½	½	1	1	1	.	6½	2555
4.	Philippe, Christophe	m	FRA	2407	0	½	½	*	½	½	½	1	1	1	1	.	6½	2572
5.	Roussel-Roozmon, Thomas	m	CAN	2489	½	½	½	½	*	½	1	½	½	½	½	.	5½	2490
6.	Talla, Vladimir	m	CZE	2403	0	½	½	½	½	*	1	½	½	0	+	.	5	2463
7.	Simacek, Pavel	m	CZE	2461	½	0	½	½	0	0	*	1	½	1	+	.	5	2457
8.	Vyskocil, Neklan	f	CZE	2313	1	0	½	0	½	½	0	*	0	0	+	.	3½	2362
9.	Bernasek, Jan	m	CZE	2530	0	½	0	0	½	½	½	1	*	½	0	.	3½	2340
10.	Macak, Stefan		SVK	2342	0	0	0	0	½	1	0	1	½	*	½	.	3½	2359
11.	Brener, Ilja	m	GER	2423	0	½	0	0	½	-	-	-	1	½	*	.	2½	2268
12.	Chytilek, Roman	m	CZE	2390	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	.

Duras IM Dopravni Brno (CZE), 27 vi-6 vii 2008													cat. I (2255)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Narayanan, Srinath	f	IND	2220	*	1	½	½	1	1	½	½	½	1	1	1	8½	2468
2.	Murdzia, Piotr	m	POL	2471	0	*	½	½	1	1	½	½	1	1	1	1	8	2409
3.	Splosnov, Sergei	m	BLR	2355	½	½	*	½	½	½	½	1	½	1	1	1	7½	2378
4.	Lahner, Jakub	f	CZE	2314	½	½	½	*	½	1	½	½	1	0	1	1	7	2351
5.	Janko, Zoltan		SVK	2235	0	0	½	½	*	½	1	½	1	1	1	1	7	2358
6.	Holemar, David	f	CZE	2321	0	0	½	0	½	*	1	½	1	1	1	1	6½	2313
7.	Andonov, Bogomil	m	BUL	2334	½	½	½	½	0	0	*	½	½	1	1	1	6	2283
8.	Skacelik, Petr		CZE	2260	½	½	0	½	½	½	½	*	0	1	½	½	5	2218
9.	Kozak, Milos	f	CZE	2197	½	0	½	0	0	0	½	1	*	½	½	1	4½	2194
10.	Zavadil, Michal		CZE	2113	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	½	*	½	1	3	2092
11.	Chladek, Vaclav		CZE	2161	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	½	½	½	*	½	2	2001
12.	Vesely, Jaromir		CZE	2074	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	½	0	0	½	*	1	1888

Duras IM Tespo Engineering Brno (CZE), 27 vi-6 vii 2008													cat. II (2283)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Krejci, Jan	f	CZE	2354	*	½	1	1	½	1	½	½	1	1	1	1	9	2538
2.	Popchev, Milko	g	BUL	2426	½	*	½	½	½	½	1	½	1	1	1	1	8	2444
3.	Vymazal, Bronislav		CZE	2312	0	½	*	½	½	1	½	½	½	1	½	1	6½	2345
4.	Kulovana, Eva	wm	CZE	2315	0	½	½	*	½	1	½	½	½	½	1	1	6½	2344
5.	Luch, Michal	m	POL	2383	½	½	½	½	*	0	½	½	1	½	½	1	6	2309
6.	Daulyte, Deimante	wm	LTU	2249	0	½	0	0	1	*	½	1	1	½	1	½	6	2321
7.	Kuchynka, Lukas		CZE	2163	½	0	½	½	½	½	*	½	½	½	1	1	6	2329
8.	Rutkowski, Maciej	m	POL	2402	½	½	½	½	½	0	½	*	½	½	½	½	5	2235
9.	Roubalik, Jakub		CZE	2175	0	0	½	½	0	0	½	½	*	½	1	1	4½	2227
10.	Bartos, Jan	f	CZE	2192	0	0	0	½	½	½	½	½	½	*	½	½	4	2189
11.	Ponizil, Cyril		CZE	2304	0	0	½	0	½	0	0	½	0	½	*	1	3	2105
12.	Bolt, Graham		ENG	2118	0	0	0	0	0	½	0	½	0	½	0	*	1½	1988

11) IV Vila de Sort International Open

The IV Vila de Sort International Open took place 24th June - 2nd July 2008. Aleksander Delchev took clear first with 8/10.

Official site: http://www.opensort.org/

12) Villa de Benasque

The XXVIII Open Internacional "Villa de Benasque" takes place 3rd-12th July 2008. Leading players include: Vladimir Baklan, Vladimir Burmakin, Aleksander Delchev, Maxim Rodshtein, Kevin Spraggett, Julio E Granda Zuniga and Branko Damljanovic. There are live games but no archive in PGN currently.

Official site: http://www.turismobenasque.com/spain/ajedrez/open.html

13) Philadelphia International

The Phildelphia International took place 26th-30th June 2008. Parimarjan Negi took clear first with 7/9.

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

14) International Championship of Paris

The International Championship of Paris took place 28th June - 6th July 2008. Maxime Vachier Lagrave took first place on tie-break from Alberto David after both scored 7/9. Games from the final round not yet available.

Official site: http://www.idf-echecs.com

15) Merlo Tournament

The Italian Society of Merlo Chessclub takes place 13th June - 12th July 2008 in Buenos Aires.

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

16) Barbera del Valles Open

XXXI Open Internacional de Barbera del Valles 2008 takes place 4th-12th July 2008.

Official site: http://www.chess-results.com/tnr12362.aspx?lan=1

17) XIV Montcada Open

The XIV Open "Ciutat de Montcada" took place 25th June - 3rd July 2008. Julian Radulski took first place on tie-break from Yuri Gonzalez Vidal after both finished on 7/9.

Official site: http://unioescacs.montcada.cat - Results: http://www.chess-results.com/tnr13427.aspx?lan=1

18) Buenos Aires Open

The Buenos Aires Open took place June 23rd - 3rd July 2008. Ruben Felgaer took clear first with 8.5/9. I couldn't find a PGN file for the event.

Official site http://www.argentinodeajedrez.com.ar/torneo_despedida2008.htm

19) 19th Panamerican Youth Chess Festival

The 19th Panamerican Youth Chess Festival took place in Argentina 29th June - 6th July, 2008. The main under-18 event was won by Mauricio Flores Rios a point clear of the field. I give games from this section.

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

20) 115th Scottish Chess Championships

The 115th Scottish Chess Championships International Open (including Scottish Championships) takes place 5th-13th July 2008.

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

Live games: http://www.bcfservices.org.uk/livechess/scottish/2008/

21) Poikovsky

The Poikovsky tournament takes place 8th-17th July 2008. Participants: Alexei Shirov, Dmitry Jakovenko, Sergey Rublevsky, Wang Hao, Ernesto Inarkiev, Andrei Volokitin, Vugar Gashimov, Victor Bologan, Alexander Onischuk and Emil Sutovsky. I don't have a website yet.

22) Paraguayan Championship

The Paraguayan Championship takes place in Asuncion 31st May - 26th July 2008. Luis Patriarca leads with 5/6. Next round 11th July.

Official site : http://www.winner.com.py/feparaj/

ch-PAR Asuncion (PAR), 31 v-26 vi 2008
1.	Patriarca, Luis	f	PAR	2333	5.0	19.5	14.00
2.	Peralta, Eduardo	f	PAR	2245	4.5	23.0	15.50
3.	Hernandez, Angel C	f	PAR	2210	4.5	20.0	14.50
4.	Ferreira, Oscar	f	PAR	2290	4.0	21.0	14.50
5.	Butti, Enrique		PAR	2093	4.0	21.0	13.50
6.	Jodorcovsky, Paulo		PAR	2207	3.5	22.0	14.50
7.	Del Puerto, Rodrigo		PAR	1995	3.5	21.0	14.00
8.	Almiron, Antonio		PAR	2115	3.5	19.5	13.00
9.	Kropff, Ricardo	f	PAR	2282	3.5	19.0	12.50
10.	Piris Tillner, Eduardo		PAR	1909	3.0	19.0	12.00
11.	Forte, Fernando		PAR	1966	3.0	17.5	12.50
12.	Sartori, Spartaco		ITA	2182	3.0	16.5	10.00
13.	Recalde, Augusto		PAR	2005	3.0	16.0	10.50
14.	Galeano, Mario		PAR	2026	2.5	18.5	12.00
15.	Barrientos, Edgar		PAR	2080	2.5	16.5	12.00
16.	Perez Ferloni, Jose W		PAR	1996	2.5	16.5	11.50
17.	Recalde, Ariel		PAR	2010	2.0	15.5	11.00
18.	Gutierrez,Santiago		PAR	----	2.0	14.0	10.00
19.	Gamarra, Ramon		PAR	2035	2.0	14.0	10.00
20.	Zarza, Ronald		PAR	2075	2.0	4.5	1.50
21.	Lipiniks, Leonardo		PAR	2012	1.0	15.0	9.50
22.	Ibanez, Juan		PAR	1999	1.0	7.5	3.00
23.	Britez, G Jorge A		PAR	1904	0.5	10.0	7.00

23) First Saturday July

The First Saturday GM, IM and FM tournaments for July take place in Budapest, 5th-17th 2008. Official site: http://www.firstsaturday.hu

24) Bray Rapidplay

The Bray Rapidplay took place on June 15th 2008. Alexander Baburin took first from Petr Velicka on tie-break after both finished on 5.5/6.

Details: http://www.icu.ie/articles/display.php?id=189

25) Greek Team Cup

On 3rd and 4th July the Final-4 of the Greek Team’s Cup 2008 took place in Kallithea - Khalkidiki. The Greek Cup is being held with a knock-out system on four (1st and 3rd boards White for the Home players) boards (90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest of game + 30’’ for every move – for each player). On the first day (3rd of July) in the first semifinal ‘E.S.Thessalonikis’ easily outplayed the weak ‘S.O. Ikarias’ team but the real battle was seen in the second semifinal between ‘A.O. Kydon Chanion’ and ‘A.E.K.’. The first match was drawn 2:2 so a play-off (15 minutes for each player – opposite colours) was followed but still there was no decision (2:2). ‘A.O. Kydon Chanion’ qualified in the second play-off by beating ‘A.E.K.’ with the heavy 3½:½. The next day (4th of July) ‘A.E.K.’ won the battle for the 3rd place against ‘S.O. Ikarias’ with a perfect score (4:0). In the final there was no winner as also this match ended on a 2:2 tie. So, the ‘usual’ play-off was needed. After a tense fight and three play-offs (!), the team of ‘E.S. Thessalonikis’ emerged as the winner of the Greek Team’s Cup 2008. News: Efstratios Grivas.

More details: http://www.ChessFed.gr. I'll put the games in TWIC next week.

26) Forthcoming Events and Links

Mlada Boleslav Open

The Mlada Boleslav Open (Czech Republic) takes place 27th July - 3rd August 2008.

Official site: http//caissa.klain.cz

Corus, Wijk aan Zee 2009

The organizers of the 71st Corus Chess Tournament have invited the young Dutch Grandmasters Daniel Stellwagen (1987) and reigning Dutch Champion Jan Smeets (1985) for the Grandmaster group A in 2009. For both players it means a debut on the highest level. Together with Loek van Wely, they will represent the Netherlands in the traditional chess festival, that will be held from Friday January 16th to Sunday 1st of February 2009.

Besides the participation of the above mentioned three Dutch players, the following World Class players have confirmed their participation: Magnus Carlsen (Norway), Alexander Morozevich (Russia), Levon Aronian (Armenia), Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine), Gata Kamsky (United States) and Teymour Radjabov (Azerbaijan). Carlsen, Ivanchuk and Morozevich will be in the Top-6 of the new World Ranking list, that will be published on July 1st 2008.

The young Ukrainian Grandmaster Sergei Karjakin, as well as the winner of last year’s Grandmaster group B, Sergei Movsesian (Slovakia), have also confirmed their participation. The complete field with 14 participants will be presented in October 2008, as well as the names of the participants in the Grandmaster groups B and C.

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

Torino, Italy

The Torino tournament in (Italy) takes place 30th November 2008 - 8th December 2008. 9 Round swiss top group (B Group 7 rounds). Contact for entries and info tornei@scacchisticatorinese.it

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

Tal Memorial

The Tal Memorial in Moscow should take place in August; Magnus Carlsen will take part only in the blitz competition (August 29th-30th, according to http://Magnuschess.com).

Chess Classic Mainz

The Chess Classic Mainz takes place 28th July - 3rd August 2008. In the main event the players are Viswanathan Anand, Alexander Morozevich, Magnus Carlsen and Judit Polgar. The event will be a combine rapid and chess960 chess.

Official site: http://www.chesstigers.de/ccm8.php

ICC held an online chess960 event which was won by Hikaru Nakamura and he has free entry into the FiNet and Ordix opens, hotel room and breakfast at the Hilton Mainz Hotel along with Dmitry Andreikin who he beat 4-2 in the final.

Details of the ICC event: http://www.chessclub.com/activities/chess960_2008/

Grand Slam in Bilbao

The Chess Grand Slam Final takes place in Bilbao 1st-13th September 2008. There are 6 players. The first three are the winners of Corus 2008, Morelia - Linares 2008, and Mtel Masters 2008 - GM Levon Aronian, GM Viswanathan Anand, and GM Vassily Ivanchuk. Invitations have been sent also to the second place players - GM Magnus Carlsen and GM Veselin Topalov. The sixth player will be known after the next meeting of the board of the Chess Grand Slam. This news

Source: http://grandslam.chessdom.com/chess-grand-slam-bilbao

3rd Edmonton International

The 3rd Edmonton International takes place July 31st-August 4th, 2008 and is the main event of the 3rd Edmonton chess festival which will also include many events for all levels of players.

It is a masters only Swiss with GM/IM norm opportunities. The top participants so far are: GMs Alexander Moiseenko (2632, Ukraine), Surya She Ganguly (2631, India), Alexander Shabalov (2611, USA), Mark Bluvshtein (2548, Canada), GM elect Josh Friedel (2524, USA), GM Jesse Kraai (2513, USA) and more strong players. Besides the main event, sectional tournaments and other chess related events will be happening at the same time as part of the Edmonton Chess Festival. 

Official site: http://www.ecf2008.com

Ideal Max Euwe

The Ideal Max Euwe International Tournament takes place 22nd-31st August 2008. The 10 player round robin, time control 2 hours/40 moves + 1 hour/20 moves + 30 minutes KO (+ 30 seconds/move) features 3 players from BRAZIL + 7 players from another countries Cat. VII, VIII or IX. at the Clube de Xadrez Sao Paulo

Details: http://www.cxsp.com.br/

British Chess Championships 2008

The 95th Championships of The British Isles organised by the English Chess Federation takes place Sunday 27th July - Saturday 9th August 2008 in St. George's Hall, Liverpool. Contact e-mail: office@englishchess.org.uk.

Leading entries for the British championship so far include: Nicholas Pert, Gawain Jones, Mark Hebden, Bogdan Lalic, Glenn Flear, Daniel Gormally, Stewart Haslinger, Keith Arkell, Simon Williams, Nigel Davies, Richard Pert, Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant, Andrew Ledger, Graeme Buckley and Jovanka Houska.

Further details http://www.englishchessorg.uk/

Official site: http://www.britishchess08.com

Staunton Memorial

The Staunton Memorial takes place Simpsons in the Strand August 7th-18th 2008 (one rest day August 13th).

Players: Ivan Sokolov, Jan Timman, Jan Smeets , Jan Werle, Erwin L'Ami ,Loek Van Wely, Jonathan Speelman, Peter Wells, Michael Adams, Bob Wade, Alex Cherniaev and Nigel Short.

Details: http://www.bcf.org.uk/national/2008/staunton-mem_apr08.htm

Hastings Chess Congress

The Hastings Chess Congress takes place 28th December 2008 - 5th January 2009. Contact: Con Power at: conpowr@ol.com

Further details: http://www.hastingschess.org.uk

European Club Cup

The European Club Cup 2008 (24th European Club Cup for Men, 13th European Club Cup for Women) takes place in Kallithea, Greece 16th-24th October 2008.

Official site: http://ecc2008.chessdom.com/

Arad Open (Romania)

The Arad International Chess Open (Romania) takes place 25th-31st July 2008 9 rounds swiss open, prize fund 3600 euro, 1st prize - 1000 euro Contact: Alin Campeanu sahclubvados@yahoo.com. Arad City is in the western Romania - 270 km from Budapest, 510 km from Vienna, 530 km from Bucharest

More details http://www.vados.ro/next_turneu_en.php

Villa Martelli

There are tournaments in Villa Martelli 8th July - 19th August 2008.

Official site: http://www.ajedrezmartelli.org.ar/

Amizade International

The Amizade International at the Clube de Xadrez Sso Paulo takes place 23rd-31st August

Official site: http://www.cxsp.com.br

European Senior Championship

The European Senior Championship takes place 9th-17th August 2008 in the Parkhotel Sunstar in Davos, Switzerland (the is also a normal open alongside 10th-16th August 2008). Contact e-mail beochess@bluewin.ch

Details: http://www.beochess.ch

IV Alajuela International

The IV Alajuela International Chess Tournament (Costa Rica) takes place 8th-13th July 2008. Currently 8 GMs are in the entry list.

Details: http://www.internationaldealajuela.com

Chess Study

Do you have an FIDE rating?

Dr. Robert Howard of the University of New South Wales in Australia is carrying out a study of chess skill in internationally rated players. The study looks at effects of amount of practice, coaching and age of starting chess on chess skill and at chess players' views about chess skill. The study involves a short online survey. The survey is for anyone who has, or who ever has had, an FIDE rating.

The survey takes only about 5-10 minutes to complete. All responses are completely confidential. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Russian, and German.

To take part, you must know your exact FIDE ID number, which will be something like "14200887". ID numbers are posted on the FIDE website at http://www.fide.com

A summary and analysis of the study findings will be posted here when it is complete and will be emailed to any participant who requests it.

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

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

41st Biel International Chess Festival

The 41st Biel International Chess Festival takes place 19th July - 1st August 2008.

Details of all events including the open and other tournaments: http://www.bielchessfestival.ch/

Latvian Chess Tour - Riga Open

The VIII World chess championship Mikhail Tal Cup (Riga OPEN 2008) takes place 19th-24th August 2008.

Contact details: Riga Chess Federation, Braslas street 7, Riga, LV-1035. Ph.(+371) 28804664 Alberts Cimins or +371 25939234 Vadims Daskevics Fax +371 67718960, e-mail: acimins@yahoo.com or vadik.dashkevich@gmail.com

Details of this and other events on the Latvian Chess Tour: http://www.chess.lv/lv/vesture/

17th Martigny Open

The 17th Martigny Open takes placed 1st-4th August 2008 in the à l'Hôtel du Parc. 7 round swiss - 36 moves /1h30 + 30 minutes ko. 1st Prize: 1500 francs, 5650 francs total prize fund.

Details: http://www.uve-wsb.ch/openmartigny

Lipetsk

"There will be an international chess festival called "King's Gambit" in Lipetsk, Russia, between July 8 (arrival day) and July 19, 2008. The festival consists of two round-robin tournaments (one with GM norm and one with IM norm) and an open for FIDE rating. Opening ceremony: 2.30 p.m. on July 9, 1st round at 3 p.m. Festival director: Zimmerman, Yuri . Tel.: +7-4742-720064, or +7-919-255-9764. E-mail: zimmerman@lipetsk.ru."

Olomouc Chess Summer

Details: http://www.czechtour.net/olomouc-chess-summer/regulations/

5th Highlands Open

The 5th International Chess Festival Highlands Open 2008, takes place in the town of Zdar nad Sazavou 20th-28th September 2008.

Details: http://www.czechtour.net/highlands-open/regulations/

World Championship Match Anand vs Kramnik in Bonn

The World Championship match where Viswanathan Anand will defends his World title against Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn, Germany will now take place October 14th-2nd November, 2008. The main reason for the slight change in dates is to fit in with the sponsors and politicians ability to attend the opening. The main sponsor is Evonik Industries AG and the prizemoney 1,5 Million Euro. The contract was signed by both players 18th December 2007.

Dates for the match: Gm1: Oct 14th, Gm2: Oct 15th, Gm3: Oct 17th, Gm4: Oct 18th, Gm5: Oct 20th, Gm6: Oct 21st, Gm7: Oct 23rd, Gm8: Oct 24th, Gm9: Oct 26th, Gm10: Oct 27th, Gm11: Oct 29th, Gm12: Oct 31st, Tiebreak Nov 2nd.

Advanced booking for the World Chess Championship 2008 between Viswanathan Anand (India) and Vladimir Kramnik (Russia) has started. The tickets are available at the price of 35 Euro per day. The following benefits are included: - entrance to the playing hall - entrance to the commentary room with analysis by prominent grandmasters. The tickets are available at all ticket agencies in Germany. You can also buy tickets for the match in advance via BONNTICKET: http://www.bonnticket.de tickets@bonnticket.de. Tel. +49-(0)-180/5001812. Tickets for a possible tiebreak on November 02, 2008, will be available after the 12th game. Exclusive VIP tickets are also available. Details at the website below along with features on the leadup to the championships.

Website: http://www.uep-worldchess.com/

Porto Carras, Greece

3rd International Open Chess Tournament "Summer Cup 2008", takes place in Porto Carras, Greece 12th-19th July 2008

Further details: http://www.greekchess.com/cup2008

Panevezys Open

The 21st International Panevezys Open 2008 takes place in Panevezys, Lithuania 12th-18th August 2008. Two Open A and Open B and two closed norm tournaments second woman WGM and GM takes place in chess Festival program this year.

More details: http://www.chesslyga.lt/panevezys2008

For information e-mail: chessfanas@gmail.com

Open "Mediterranean 2017" Rijeka

The Open "Mediterranean 2017" Rijeka (CRO) takes place 29th November - 6th December 2008.

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

Baltic Sea Cup 2008

The Baltic Sea Cup 2008 (Bornholm Summer Chess) takes place in Denmark 29th July - 6th August 2008. 10 round swiss. Top players already signed up include: GM Michael Roiz 2659, GM Sergei Tiviakov 2635, GM Igor Khenkin 2609, itali Golod 2606, GM Yuriy Kuzubov and GM Zoltan Gyimesi 2600.

Details: http://www.balticseacup.dk

Hungarian Chess Tournaments May - December 2008

1. 16th-21th of May 2008 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.

2. 7th-19th of June 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 Phone-fax: +(361)-2632859, cellphone: +(36)-30-230-1914 /From 12:00 a.m. until midnight - Central European Time = GMT+1/

3. 22nd-30th of May, ZALAKAROS Open, 9 rounds Swiss, 1st prize 500,000 Ft (brutto 2 thousand EURO), org: IM Horvath, Tamas, e-mail: mssz@zalaszam.hu Mobile: 36-20-9777003

4.13th-21st of June, Balatonlelle Open, GM-IM round robin, org: IM Rigo, e-mail: me-ri@t-online.hu

5.21st-30th of June IM tmt Kecskemet, org: Mr. Erdelyi

6.5th-17th of July, GM-IM-FM, First Saturday Budapest, org: Nagy Laszlo

7.19th-28th of July IM Kecskemet, org Erdelyi,

8.23rd-27th of July, 32nd AGRIA chess festival, Open 9 rounds Swiss, EGER, 100 km North East from Budapest, org: rauch@freemail.hu www.eurochess.hu

9.2nd-14th of August GM-IM-FM First Saturday Budapest, org Nagy Laszlo

10.16th-25th of August, IM tmt, Kecskemet, org: Erdelyi

11.6th-18th of September GM-IM-FM First Saturday Budapest, org Nagy Laszlo,

12.20th -29th September IM tmt Kecskemet, org Erdelyi

13.4th-16th of October, GM-IM-FM tmt, First Saturday Budapest, org.Nagy L.

14.18th-27th of October IM tmt Kecskemet, org Erdelyi.

15.1st-13th of November GM-IM-FM First Saturday Budapest, org Nagy L.

16.14th-22nd of November Tenkes Kupa Open, Harkany, 300 km South-West from Budapst, 9 round Swiss, org: Ambrus Lajos, mobile: 36-30-851-4224 e-mail: info@baranyasakk.hu www.baranyasakk.hu

17.6th-18th of December GM-IM-FM tmt, First Saturday Budapest, org Nagy L.

18.27th of Dec 5th of January IM-FM tmt Kesckemet, org: Erdelyi.

Blackstone Chess Festival

Blackstone Chess Festival incorporating the New England Masters - 11th-17th August 2008.

The New England Masters will take place at the Blackstone Chess Academy, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA, from August 11-15, 2008. The event will be a 9 round Swiss with GM/IM norm opportunities and a prize fund of $3,300. The Masters is open to a maximum of 50 players rated FIDE 2100 or higher. Please visit http://www.NewEnglandMasters.com for more info.

The Masters event will be followed by the Blackstone Open on August 16-17, 2008, at the same location. This event will be a 4 round Swiss, split into two sections, an Open (minimum rating USCF 1600) and an Under 1900 Section. The total prize fund is $4,000. Please visit http://www.blackstonechess.com/event88g.htm for more info.

I Masters of Olalachess Academy Training Camp

The I Masters of Olalachess Academy Training Camp takes place in Salou, Spain 1st-7th September 2008.

Details: http://www.masters.olalachess.com

13th Pannonia Cup

The 13th Pannonia Cup takes place in Balatonalmádi (Hungary) 30th July - 3rd August 2008 International Open for FIDE ratings (without age limit)

Contact details: Fáncsy Imre: 8222. Balatonalmádi, Gábor Áron u. 15.; HUNGARY E-mail: almadikupa@freemail.hu

Details: http://fancsyimi.fw.hu

VI Gyorgy Marx Memorial

The VI.Gyorgy Marx Memorial takes place in Paks, Hungary 24th July - 4th August, 2008.

Players: Acs Peter, Aleksander Beliavsky, Berkes Ferenc, Gabriel Sargissian, Daniel Stellwagen, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave average:2617 cat XV.

Alongside is the XII.Paks Open 30th Julybv- 3rd August, 2008, 7 rounds, rapid, blitz and children tournaments Apply and information:Vidéki Sándor videkis2001@yahoo.com

Official site: http://www.ase.hu/marxgy

2nd Queenstown Chess Classic 2009

Queenstown Chess Classic takes place in Queenstown, South Island of New Zealand 15th-24th January 2009.

This will be the second such event, the first was held in Jan 2006.

The Tournament promoter is GM Murray Chandler. Over $50,000 (NZ) is being offered in prizes with additional prizes in the Rapid and Blitz events being held on January 25th-26th 2009.

Full details: http://www.queenstownchess.com

GM Boris Alterman's Chess Lessons

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

Website: http://chesslessons.wordpress.com/

19th Czech Open

The 19th Czech Open takes place 10th-27th July 2008 (Pardubice, CEZ Arena and Ideon)

THE BIGGEST INTERNATIONAL CHESS AND GAMES FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD (5908 starts of players from 50 countries in CZECH OPEN 2007!). Open grand master tournament (ELO FIDE >= 2200), Open European Amateurs Championships ( 1800,  2000,  2200), hundreds of other tournaments in chess and also in other games

Contacts: AVE-KONTAKT s.r.o., Sukova 1556, 530 02 Pardubice, Czech Republic, tel./fax +420 - 466 535 200, mobile phone + 420 - 608 203 007, e-mail: j.mazuch@avekont.cz,

Further information: http://www.czechopen.net

8th Savaria Summer

The 8th Savaria Summer International Chess Tournament takes place 14th-22nd August 2008, Szombathely, Hungary

Details: http://sakk.savaria.hu/main.php?Lang=EN

Chess Classic Mainz 2008

The schedule for Chess Classic Mainz 2008 is now available. The event takes place 27th July - 3rd August 2008 in Mainz/Germany. Anand , Morozevich, Carlsen and Polgar play.

In addition there is a Chess Classic Calendar for the next year, which will be available in the first week of December. It is a big format (420 x 594 mm) and shows the stars and the biggest moments of the 14 years tournament history. The copies are limited to 200 (39,- Euro plus delivery) plus 64 with an autograph of World Champion Vishy Anand (48,- Euro plus delivery). Contact for order: juergen.wienecke@chesstigers.de

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

Arctic Chess Challenge

The Arctic Chess Challenge 2008 takes place August 2nd - 10th in Tromsø, Norway. Contact address: simsim64@gmail.com

Details: http://www.arcticchess.org

Ikaros Chess Festival

The main event of the Ikaros Chess Festival, the International Aegean Open Championship takes place from 12th-20th July 2008. It is a 9 round swiss event with prize fund 3000 Euros in total (1st prize 800 Euros, special money prizes for ladies and veterans). Special conditions for GMs/IMs and WGMs/WIMs are provided. The URL of Ikaros Chess Festival is: http://www.chess.gr/ikaros . Our e-mail is: ikaros@chess.gr while to contact us on the phone one can try: +30 6932 478386 or +30 210 5010871 (Mr. Savas Kyriakou). For general information about the island of Ikaria one can also check at: http://www.island-ikaria.com

European Union Championships, Liverpool 2008

This years European Union Championships takes place in Liverpool, England 9th - 18th September 2008. The prize fund is 30,000 pounds with 6000 pounds first prize. Already 29 Grandmasters have entered including Michael Adams, Nigel Short, Alexander Beliavsky, Sergei Tiviakov and Maxim Vachier-Lagrave.

Details:  http://www.liverpoolchessinternational.co.uk            

VII Benidorm International Chess Festival 2008

The VII Benidorm International Chess Festival takes place 28th November - 8th December 2008. For information contact: E-Mail: eventosdeajedrez@yahoo.es festivaldebenidorm@gmail.com News: Patricia Claros Aguilar.

FIDE Grand Prix Events

The line ups for the FIDE Grand Prix events have been announced. The top four players in the world, along with players such as Morozevich and Shirov are missing. It seems that in the case of Kramnik and Topalov that they believe that the event doesn't have big enough prize money (according to quotes in Chess Today). All this was more or less known beforehand. However the players who have signed up make this a very attractive and interesting series of events. The grand prix is organised by Global Chess which is headed by Bessel Kok.

Details: http://www.fide.com/news.asp?id=1607

Event 1 April 20th - May 6th 2008, Baku, Azerbaijan
Event 2 July 30th - August 15th 2008, Sochi, Russia
Event 3 December 13th - 29th, 2008, Doha, Qatar
Event 4 April 14th - 28th, 2009, Montreux, Switzerland
Event 5 August 8th - 24th, 2009, Elista, Russia
Event 6 December 7th - 23rd, 2009, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

Canadian Open

The Canadian Open takes place in Montreal July 19th-27th 2008.

Further details: Fédération québécoise des échecs

Cidade de Ferrol International

XXIII International Chess tournament Cidade de Ferrol Prizes : 14750 euros (different sections) Dates : 15th-20th July 2008 Time rate : 90’ + 30 Secunden Accomodation : 24,5 euros Full board in a Student house. There other posibilities. Entry: 30 euros . contact e-mail: xanrei@arrakis.es Other tournaments: Bernasque 3/7-12/7. Circuito Galego From 22/7 to 30/9

Further info: http://www.cfxadrez.org

X Sants Open

The X International Open of Sants, Hostafrancs and la Bordeta (Barcelona - Spain) takes place 22nd-31st August 2008. 10 round swiss system tournament with + 12.000 euros in prizes.

Other activities include a blitz tournament and rapid chess tournament with 1500 euros in prizes. Last year: 500 players from 40 countries including 70 titled players competed. There were 2 GM and 5 IM norms.

The 8th European Senior Championship

The "Swiss Chess Tour 2008" will present the 7th Chess Summer Festival in Davos from August 9th to 17th, 2008. The main event will be the 8th European Individual Senior Championship. The second tournament will be traditional, 7th Davos Open.

8th European Individual Senior Championship, August 9th to 17th 2008. "Sunstar Park Hotel" (4 stars) will be host festival in Congress Center. Swiss system, 9 rounds and the games will last a maximum of 6 hours (40 moves for 2 hours and 60 minutes till the end). Valid for FIDE titles and rating: FIDE, Swiss (SSB) and German (DWZ). Seniors: men born 1947 and earlier; women born 1957 and earlier. Prize (men): 2.500/1.700/1.000/700/600/500/2x400/2x300 CHF. 3-4 group rating prize (200/150/100 CHF). Women: 400/300/3x200 CHF; Entry fee 80 CHF; at the door 20 CHF more. Time table: Rounds 1 15.00-21.00 August 9th; Round 2/8 9.30-15.30 August 10th-16th; Round 9 9.30-15.30 August 17th.

7th Davos Open, 7 rounds and the games will last a maximum of 5 hours (40 moves for 2 hours and 30 minutes till the end). Prize are: 1.000 SF, 800, 600, 400, 300, 200, 2x150 CHF. Natural prizes for 4 and more points. Entry fee 130 CHF, FMs and juniors 60 CHF, GMs and IMs free; juniors lodging at Sunstar Park Hotel free; at the door 20 CHF more. Time table: Rounds 1 15.00-21.00 August 10th; Round 2/7 16.00-22.00 August 10th-16th. Venue: "Sunstar Park Hotel" Congress Center. Closing ceremony August 17th, 4 p.m. Info Beochess: +41+62+9654-650 (Robert Spoerri) Email beochess@bluewin.ch or read the website: http://www.beochess.ch

Paleochora International Open 2008

The Paleochora (southern Crete) International Open takes place 21st-28th July 2008.

Further details: http://www.chaniachess.gr

The Battle of Senta 1697 Chess Festival 2008

12th International Chess Festival "The Battle of Senta 1697" will be held 18th-25th. July 2008. in Senta (the Vojvodina /Serbia).

Further details: http://www.chess-senta.org.yuand in English: http://www.chess-senta.org.yu/select.php?lang=3&xid=2

XXVI International Chess Open of Andorra

The XXVI International Chess Open of Andorra takes place 19th-27th July 2008. Contact: open@escacsandorra.com FEVA - Tel/Fax: 00.376.824465

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

Alushta Diary 2008

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. phone +38 (06560)5-05-32,

Further information: http://www.kaissa.com.ua

Anand - Kramnik World Championship Match

A Press release from UEP Promotions announces that Viswanathan Anand will defend his World title against Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn, Germany October 11th-30th October, 2008. Main sponsor Evonik Industries AG and prizemoney 1,5 Million Euro. The match will be 12 games followed by playoffs if required. The contract was signed by both players 18th December 2007.

Website: http://www.uep-worldchess.com/

Mindsports

The World Mindsports games takes place in Beijing, China after the Olympics 3rd -18th October 2008.

Details: http://www.worldbridge.org/competitions/Calendar/files/WorldMindSportsGames2007.pdf.

Etienne Bacrot's Website

Etienne Bacrot has a website at: http://www.chess22.fr/ with his analysis and news. Very worth while, especially when he's playing.

ICC and FICS client for mobile phones

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

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