THE WEEK IN CHESS 731 10th November 2008 by Mark Crowther

1) Introduction

My thanks to Arthur Brameld, Holger Lieske, James Alvis, Jeroen van den Berg, John Henderson, Louis Caruana, Luiz Roberto Da Costa Jr, George Mirijanian, Nebojsa Baralic, Miklos Orso, Patricia Claros Aguilar, Petar Stajic, Pedro Alberdi and Robert Howard and everyone else who helped with the issue.

The IV World Blitz Championship took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan and had a surprise winner in Leinier Dominguez Perez who took clear first place half a point clear of Vassily Ivanchuk who is the master of all time rates these days. This is a nice warm up for the Olympiad which starts in Dresden this week. FIDE will have their own share of problems to deal with in trying to organise the Kamsky vs Topalov match. We seem to be in the same mess time after time in bids and yet again we've seen a bid for a match collapse. The Olympiad and FIDE assembly is the time to sort this out.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) IV World Blitz Championships

The IV World Blitz Championships took place in Almaty Kazakhstan 7th (opening) - 8th (play) November 2008. 5 minutes per game. First place went to Leinier Dominguez Perez half a point clear of Vassily Ivanchuk (the game file had Ivanchuk beating Kamsky when he actually lost, this decisive game is unfortunately incomplete). Blitz is always trying on electronic boards. There are clearly errors and incomplete games.

Official site: http://worldblitz2008.kz/

IV World Blitz Almaty KAZ (KAZ), 8-8 xi 2008															cat. XIX (2702)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
1.	Dominguez Perez, Leinier	g	CUB	2719	*	½	½	1	1	½	1	1	½	1	1	½	½	1	½	1	11.5	2911
2.	Ivanchuk, Vassily	g	UKR	2786	½	*	½	1	0	1	1	½	0	1	1	½	1	1	1	1	11.0	2871
3.	Svidler, Peter	g	RUS	2727	½	½	*	½	0	½	1	½	1	1	0	1	1	1	1	½	10.0	2825
4.	Grischuk, Alexander	g	RUS	2719	0	0	½	*	1	1	½	1	1	1	½	½	1	0	1	1	10.0	2825
5.	Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	g	AZE	2731	0	1	1	0	*	½	1	0	0	1	1	1	1	1	0	1	9.5	2794
6.	Radjabov, Teimour	g	AZE	2751	½	0	½	0	½	*	½	1	1	½	1	1	0	1	1	1	9.5	2793
7.	Kazhgaleyev, Murtas	g	KAZ	2640	0	0	0	½	0	½	*	1	1	0	½	1	1	1	½	1	8.0	2726
8.	Morozevich, Alexander	g	RUS	2787	0	½	½	0	1	0	0	*	0	1	0	½	1	1	1	1	7.5	2696
9.	Kamsky, Gata	g	USA	2729	½	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	*	½	½	0	½	0	1	1	7.0	2679
10.	Gelfand, Boris	g	ISR	2719	0	0	0	0	0	½	1	0	½	*	½	½	1	1	1	1	7.0	2679
11.	Tkachiev, Vladislav	g	FRA	2664	0	0	1	½	0	0	½	1	½	½	*	½	½	0	1	½	6.5	2654
12.	Rublevsky, Sergei	g	RUS	2702	½	½	0	½	0	0	0	½	1	½	½	*	0	½	1	1	6.5	2651
13.	Vaganian, Rafael A	g	ARM	2590	½	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	½	0	½	1	*	1	1	0	5.5	2614
14.	Amin, Bassem	g	EGY	2560	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	½	0	*	0	1	4.5	2562
15.	Sasikiran, Krishnan	g	IND	2694	½	0	0	0	1	0	½	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	*	½	3.5	2491
16.	Polgar, Judit	g	HUN	2711	0	0	½	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	½	0	1	0	½	*	2.5	2428

3) 1st Gedeon Barcza Memorial

The 1st Gedeon Barcza Memorial took place 27th October - 5th November 2008. I only have the final standings from the games and results and they say that Robert Ruck, Gabor Papp and Kaido Kulaots finished on 5.5/10.

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

I Gedeon Barcza Mem (HUN), 27 x-5 xi 2008											cat. XII (2532)
					1		2		3		4		5		6
1.	Ruck, Robert	g	HUN	2574	*	*	½	½	½	1	1	½	0	½	½	½	5½	2559
2.	Papp, Gabor	m	HUN	2509	½	½	*	*	½	½	½	0	1	0	1	1	5½	2572
3.	Kulaots, Kaido	g	EST	2556	½	0	½	½	*	*	1	0	½	½	1	1	5½	2563
4.	Romanishin, Oleg M	g	UKR	2532	0	½	½	1	0	1	*	*	1	½	0	½	5	2532
5.	Szabo, Krisztian1	m	HUN	2520	1	½	0	1	½	½	0	½	*	*	½	½	5	2534
6.	Skoberne, Jure	m	SLO	2501	½	½	0	0	0	0	1	½	½	½	*	*	3½	2428

4) Dresden Olympiad

The Olympiad takes place in Dresden 12th-25th November 2008. The England team will be sponsored by Liverpool Victoria which means their best players Adams and Short will take part.

Official site: http://dresden2008.de

5) XV Bora Kostic Memorial

15th Bora Kostic Memorial took place in Vrsac, Serbia, from 26th October to 4th November 2008. The average elo: 2581 (Category 14). Stelios Halkias and Nikola Sedlak finished with 6/9.

Details: http://chess.vrsac.com

XV Bora Kostic Memorial Vrsac SRB (SRB), 26 x-4 xi 2008												cat. XIV (2581)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
1.	Halkias, Stelios	g	GRE	2584	*	½	½	0	1	½	1	1	½	1	6	2705
2.	Sedlak, Nikola	g	SRB	2553	½	*	½	½	½	½	1	½	1	1	6	2708
3.	Miton, Kamil	g	POL	2604	½	½	*	½	1	½	½	½	½	½	5	2621
4.	Vorobiov, Evgeny E	g	RUS	2577	1	½	½	*	½	0	½	½	½	1	5	2624
5.	Bogosavljevic, Boban	g	SRB	2541	0	½	0	½	*	1	1	½	½	1	5	2628
6.	Solak, Dragan	g	SRB	2595	½	½	½	1	0	*	½	½	½	½	4½	2579
7.	Damljanovic, Branko	g	SRB	2596	0	0	½	½	0	½	*	1	1	1	4½	2579
8.	Spraggett, Kevin	g	CAN	2597	0	½	½	½	½	½	0	*	½	½	3½	2499
9.	Kovacevic, Aleksandar	g	SRB	2581	½	0	½	½	½	½	0	½	*	0	3	2455
10.	Perunovic, Milos	g	SRB	2580	0	0	½	0	0	½	0	½	1	*	2½	2414

6) Casino De Barcelona

The Casino De Barcelona tournament took place in Barcelona October 30th - November 7th, 2008. Alexei Dreev won the event with 7/9.

Official site: http://www.directefcde.org/ and http://escacs.cat/ciutat08/index.html

Casino de Barcelona Barcelona (ESP), 30 x-7 xi 2008												cat. XIV (2583)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
1.	Dreev, Alexey	g	RUS	2670	*	½	1	½	1	½	1	1	½	1	7	2793
2.	Georgiev, Kiril	g	BUL	2645	½	*	1	½	½	½	1	½	1	1	6½	2742
3.	Jobava, Baadur	g	GEO	2664	0	0	*	1	½	½	1	1	1	½	5½	2654
4.	Gulko, Boris F	g	USA	2552	½	½	0	*	½	1	½	0	1	1	5	2629
5.	Stefanova, Antoaneta	g	BUL	2548	0	½	½	½	*	½	½	1	½	½	4½	2586
6.	Corrales Jimenez, Fidel	m	CUB	2552	½	½	½	0	½	*	0	½	1	1	4½	2586
7.	Lopez Martinez, Josep Manuel	g	ESP	2547	0	0	0	½	½	1	*	½	½	1	4	2544
8.	Hernandez Carmenates, Holden	g	CUB	2580	0	½	0	1	0	½	½	*	½	0	3	2458
9.	Narciso Dublan, Marc	g	ESP	2511	½	0	0	0	½	0	½	½	*	½	2½	2425
10.	Kogan, Artur	g	ISR	2561	0	0	½	0	½	0	0	1	½	*	2½	2419

7) World Seniors

The 18th World Seniors takes place in Bad Zwischenahn 28th October - 9th November 2008. Mihai Suba was the top seed but was edged out on tie-break by Karry Kaufman after both scored 9/11. Games from the final three rounds are missing.

Official site: http://www.seniorenschach.de/

SenWM Bad Zwischenahn (GER), 28 x-8 xi 2008 Final Round 11 Standings:
No	Players	Ti	Pkt.	PktS.
1	Kaufman,Larry C	IM	9	2342
2	Suba,Mihai	GM	9	2338
3	Cebalo,Miso	GM	8.5	53.5
4	Khanukov,Boris	FM	8.5	52.5
5	Zakharov,Alexander	IM	8.5	52
6	Klovans,Janis	GM	8.5	51
7	Onoprienko,Vladimir	IM	8	56.5
8	Uhlmann,Wolfgang	GM	8	54.5
9	Jansa,Vlastimil	GM	8	53
10	Rotstein,Efim	FM	8	52
11	Bogdanov,Valentin	IM	8	52
12	Podgayets,M ykhaylo	IM	8	49.5
13	Brinck-Claussen,Bjørn	IM	8	47.5
14	Piankov,Evgenij	IM	8	47.5
15	Chernikov,Oleg L	GM	8	47
16	Kivipelto,Kaj		8	45.5
17	Holm,Sejer		8	45
18	Malisov,Boris		7.5	50
19	Mishuchkov,Nikolai	FM	7.5	49.5
20	Danner,Georg	IM	7.5	49.5
21	Butnorius,Algimantas	GM	7.5	48.5
22	Gutman,Lev	GM	7.5	48
23	Karasev,Vladimir	IM	7.5	47.5
24	Davydov,Sergey	FM	7.5	46.5
25	Opl,Klaus	FM	7.5	46.5
26	Rahls,Peter	FM	7.5	43
301 players
SenWM Women Bad Zwischenahn (GER), 28 x-8 xi 2008 Final Round 11 Standings:
No	Players	Ti	Pkt.	PktS.
1	Vilerte,Tamara	WFM	8	51.5
2	Strutinskaya,Galina	WIM	7.5	52
3	Fomina,Tatyana	WIM	7.5	45
4	Epstein,Esther	WIM	7.5	43.5
5	Saunina,Ludmilla	WGM	7	46
6	Khmiadashvili,Tamara	WGM	7	41.5
7	Khropova,Larisa	WFM	7	37.5
8	Erenska-Barlo,Hanna	WGM	6.5	42
9	Miednikova,Svetlana	WFM	6.5	41
10	Sorokina,Tamara	WIM	6.5	38.5
11	Voronova,Tatjana	WIM	6	43.5
12	Bilunova,Rimma	WIM	6	40.5
13	Dragasevic,Antonina	WIM	6	39.5
14	Komysheva,Margarita	WFM	6	39
15	Abdikasova,Panu		6	36.5
16	Kierzek,Mira	WFM	6	34
17	Fatalibekova,Elena	WGM	6	34
18	Kabanova,Irina		6	31.5
35 players

8) Pan American

The Pan-American Continental Chess Championship took place in Florida November 2nd-7th 2008. Jaan Ehlvest won with 7/9.

Getting games one by one from Monroi was not really a fun process. Also three games displayed correctly but the PGN was completely wrong so I had to type them in.

Official site: http://chesseducators.com/ and Live Games: http://www.monroi.com/

Pan-American Continental Boca Raton (USA), 1-11 xi 2008
1	Jaan Ehlvest	GM	USA	2581	7
2	Alexander Ivanov	GM	USA	2546	6.5
3	Joshua Ed Friedel	IM	USA	2498	6.5
4	Julio J Becerra	GM	USA	2602	6
5	Alexander Stripunsky	GM	USA	2553	6
6	Manuel Leon Hoyos	GM	MEX	2535	6
7	Vinay S Bhat	GM	USA	2497	6
8	Darcy Lima	GM	BRA	2488	6
9	Ray S Robson	IM	USA	2466	6
10	Sergio Barrientos	IM	COL	2450	6
11	Renato Terry	FM	PER	2349	6
12	Alexander Shabalov	GM	USA	2585	5.5
13	Alder Escobar	IM	COL	2482	5.5
14	Everaldo Matsuura	IM	BRA	2469	5.5
15	Dionisio Aldama	IM	MEX	2457	5.5
16	Justin Sarkar	IM	USA	2451	5.5
17	Gildardo J Garcia	GM	COL	2410	5.5
18	Daniel M Rensch	FM	USA	2354	5.5
19	David Arenas	IM	COL	2323	5.5
20	Ilye Figler	FM	USA	2322	5.5
21	Alfonso A Almeida	IM	MEX	2378	5
22	Alex Betaneli	FM	USA	2318	5
23	Orlando Ossa		COL	2314	5
24	Jeffrey Haskel		USA	2096	5
25	Blas Lugo	IM	USA	2403	4.5
26	Mauricio Rios Parra	FM	COL	2334	4.5
27	Jake Kleiman	FM	USA	2315	4.5
28	Alfredo Pena	FM	COL	2309	4.5
29	Alisa Melekhina	WFM	USA	2299	4.5
30	Fabio La Rota	FM	USA	2252	4.5
31	Manuel Robledo Gonzales		PER	2223	4.5
32	Erik F Santarius		USA	2213	4.5
33	Jose Luis Fonseca		NIC	2200	4.5
34	Boris Ferrufino	CM	BOL	2182	4.5
63 players

9) OIBM Bad Wiessee

The 12th Offene Internationale bayerische Meisterschaft 2008 took place in Bad Wiessee 1st-9th November 2008. Eduard Romain took clear first with 7.5/9. Games from rounds 1-4 and 9 are available to me at the moment but I usually get a full file so I will wait and see if one turns up.

Official site: http://www.ti-bad-wiessee.de/Schach_cms/

12th OIBM Bad Wiessee (GER), 1-9 xi 2008 Final Round 9 Standings:
Pl	Player	Ti	Nat	Elo	Pts	Buchh	GegWrt
1	Edouard,Romain	IM	FRA	2531	7.5	57	2405
2	Burmakin,Vladimir	GM	RUS	2625	7	55	2395
3	Eingorn,Vereslav	GM	UKR	2557	7	55	2328
4	Prusikin,Michael	GM		2538	7	54	2277
5	Schneider,Ilja			2486	7	53.5	2322
6	Naumann,Alexander	GM		2518	7	53	2375
7	Zude,Arno	IM		2451	7	53	2334
8	Teske,Henrik	GM		2513	7	53	2279
9	Khmelniker,Ilya	IM	ISR	2443	7	52.5	2384
10	Meins,Gerlef	IM		2460	7	52.5	2308
11	Yemelin,Vasily	GM	RUS	2573	7	52	2346
12	Hossain,Enamul	GM	BAN	2494	7	52	2310
13	Jaracz,Pawel	GM	POL	2513	7	50.5	2312
14	Devereaux,Maxim	IM	ENG	2415	7	50.5	2288
15	Hoffmann,Michael	IM		2469	7	48.5	2228
16	Bachmann,Axel	GM	PAR	2555	6.5	55	2354
17	Meister,Peter	IM		2388	6.5	51.5	2291
18	Farago,Ivan	GM	HUN	2489	6.5	51.5	2281
19	Handke,Florian	GM		2498	6.5	51.5	2279
20	Llaneza Vega,Marc	IM	ESP	2485	6.5	49.5	2274
21	Weber,Ulrich	FM		2411	6.5	49.5	2245
22	Raykhman,Alexande			2262	6.5	49	2250
23	Nagel,Bernhard			2234	6.5	49	2237
24	Jugelt,Tobias			2394	6.5	48.5	2186
25	Köpke,Christian	FM		2356	6.5	48	2244
26	Jussupow,Ekaterin			2140	6.5	48	2242
27	Graf,Felix			2287	6.5	48	2176
28	Forchert,Martin	FM		2385	6.5	47.5	2212
29	Lupor,Andre	FM		2321	6.5	47	2204
30	Morawietz,Dieter			2449	6.5	46.5	2213
31	Schrems,Hermann			2126	6.5	46	2138
32	Pena Gomez,Manuel	FM	ESP	2467	6.5	45	2213
33	Andersson,Ulf	GM	SWE	2562	6.5	40	2257
34	Henrichs,Thomas	IM		2485	6	55.5	2366
35	Kaplan,Sasha	IM	ISR	2425	6	52.5	2205
36	Mainka,Romuald	GM		2482	6	50	2290
37	Korsus,Bernd			2272	6	50	2180
38	Pirrot,Dieter	IM		2446	6	49	2239
38	Skembris,Spyridon	GM	GRE	2422	6	49	2239
40	Böhle,Lars			2245	6	49	2185
41	Reefschläger,Helm	IM		2321	6	48	2203
42	Haub,Thorsten Mic	IM		2454	6	47.5	2201
43	Salvermoser,Bernd	FM		2304	6	47	2227
44	Krüger,Rainer,Dr.			2216	6	46.5	2129
45	Löw,Gerald	FM		2307	6	46	2203
46	Arnaudov,Petar G.	FM	BUL	2344	6	46	2200
47	Krämer,Stefan			2264	6	45.5	2213
48	König,Dietrich	FM		2353	6	45	2113
49	Wichmann,Daniel,D			2197	6	43	2097
50	Wegerer,Fred	FM	AUT	2227	6	42.5	2107
51	Markl,Martin			2198	6	42	2040
52	Hajenius,Willem		BEL	2045	6	40.5	2057
353 players

10) First Saturday

The First Saturday tournaments take place in Hungary 1st-11th November 2008.

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

FSGM November Budapest (HUN), 1-11 xi 2008													cat. VIII (2428)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Ilincic, Zlatko	g	SRB	2542	*	½	½	½	.	½	1	.	1	.	1	½	5½	2563
2.	Varga, Zoltan	g	HUN	2494	½	*	½	.	.	1	½	.	1	1	½	½	5½	2556
3.	Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy	m	VIE	2452	½	½	*	½	½	½	½	.	.	.	1	1	5	2545
4.	Prohaszka, Peter2	m	HUN	2502	½	.	½	*	.	.	1	0	½	1	½	1	5	2495
5.	Kosic, Dragan	g	MNE	2511	.	.	½	.	*	½	½	½	½	1	½	1	5	2481
6.	Gunnarsson, Jon Viktor	m	ISL	2430	½	0	½	.	½	*	.	1	½	½	1	.	4½	2481
7.	Martinovic, Sasa	f	CRO	2416	0	½	½	0	½	.	*	1	.	1	½	.	4	2453
8.	Prasanna, Rao	f	IND	2311	.	.	.	1	½	0	0	*	½	0	½	1	3½	2374
9.	Thorfinnsson, Bragi	m	ISL	2383	0	0	.	½	½	½	.	½	*	½	.	½	3	2345
10.	Arngrimsson, Dagur	f	ISL	2392	.	0	.	0	0	½	0	1	½	*	.	1	3	2329
11.	Recuero Guerra, David	f	ESP	2425	0	½	0	½	½	0	½	½	.	.	*	.	2½	2316
12.	Wittmann, Walter	m	AUT	2281	½	½	0	0	0	.	.	0	½	0	.	*	1½	2197

FSIMA November Budapest (HUN), 1-11 xi 2008													cat. I (2268)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Konnyu, Janos		HUN	2316	*	½	1	½	1	.	1	.	.	1	1	1	7	2594
2.	Horvath, Andras	f	HUN	2251	½	*	.	½	½	½	.	½	½	.	1	1	5	2365
3.	Kjartansson, Gudmundur	f	ISL	2284	0	.	*	.	0	.	½	1	½	1	1	1	5	2349
4.	Szeberenyi, Adam	m	HUN	2310	½	½	.	*	1	1	.	0	½	0	1	.	4½	2306
5.	Kislik, Erik Andrew		USA	2278	0	½	1	0	*	0	.	1	1	.	.	1	4½	2314
6.	Humphrey, Jonathan	f	AUS	2330	.	½	.	0	1	*	½	½	1	½	0	.	4	2262
7.	Werner, Dimo	m	GER	2328	0	.	½	.	.	½	*	½	½	1	0	1	4	2255
8.	Toth, Lili	wm	HUN	2194	.	½	0	1	0	½	½	*	.	0	½	.	3	2189
9.	Lengyel, Bela	m	HUN	2309	.	½	½	½	0	0	½	.	*	½	.	½	3	2181
10.	Denisov, Ivan		RUS	2189	0	.	0	1	.	½	0	1	½	*	.	0	3	2194
11.	Naslund, Mikael	f	SWE	2243	0	0	0	0	.	1	1	½	.	.	*	½	3	2187
12.	Bacso, Gabor	f	HUN	2181	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	.	½	1	½	*	2	2081

FSIMB November Budapest (HUN), 1-11 xi 2008											cat. I (2263)
					1		2		3		4		5		6
1.	Henriksson, Jacob		SWE	2250	*	*	0	1	1	½	1	.	1	1	1	.	6½	2530
2.	Farago, Sandor	m	HUN	2251	1	0	*	*	½	½	½	.	½	.	1	.	4	2317
3.	Kahn, Evarth	m	HUN	2297	0	½	½	½	*	*	½	.	½	.	1	½	4	2248
4.	Adams, Nick A		USA	2205	0	.	½	.	½	.	*	*	½	½	1	½	3½	2277
5.	Parkanyi, Attila	m	HUN	2361	0	0	½	.	½	.	½	½	*	*	1	½	3½	2192
6.	Pochinkov, Andrey		RUS	2211	0	.	0	.	0	½	0	½	0	½	*	*	1½	2027

11) National Chess League Argentina

The National Chess League took place in Villa Martelli 9th August - 4th October 2008. Martelli - Vte. Lopez won the event with 5 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss. Games section has the final round 9 games missing.

Official site: http://www.lna.org.ar/liga08/lna2008.htm

12) 34th Fortis Guernsey Festival

The 34th Fortis Guernsey Festival took place 19th-25th October 2008. Tiger Hillarp-Persson won with 6/7. My thanks to Arthur Brameld for the games.

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

Guernsey Open (GCI), 19-25 x 2008 Final Round 7 Standings:
No	Name	IN	Ti	NAT	Elo	Pts
1	Hillarp-Persson	T	GM	Sweden	2543	6.5
2	Kurajica	B	GM	Croatia	2540	5.5
3	Spraggett	K	GM	Canada	2597	5.5
4	Bisby	D		England	2287	5
5	Broek	T		Netherlands	2229	5
6	Burrows	MP		England	2196	5
7	Cornelisse	J		Netherlands	2203	5
8	Kett	T		Wales	2272	5
9	Timmermans	I		Netherlands	2226	5
10	Bellin	R	IM	England	2405	4.5
11	De Kruif	K		Netherlands	2038	4.5
12	Havenaar	J		Netherlands	2170	4.5
13	Heppell	IN		England	2168	4.5
14	Minnican	A		Scotland	2086	4.5
15	Thurlow	KJ	CM	England	2062	4.5
16	Wallace	PA		Ireland	2259	4.5
17	Blijlevens	P		Netherlands	1849	4
18	Brown	T		Wales	1966	4
19	Goris	AA		Netherlands	2077	4
20	Ippel	CJ		Netherlands	2065	4
21	Jackson	O		England	2182	4
22	Prins	J		Netherlands	2045	4
23	Simmons	M		Jersey	2067	4
24	Spice	A		Wales	2173	4
25	Collier	DO		England	2089	3.5
67 players

13) Corus Qualifier on ICC

Corus Qualifier Eduardo Iturrizaga

Venezuelan GM Eduardo Iturrizaga, beat Brazilian GM Alexander Fier to win the Corus 'C' Group satellite qualifier hosted on the Internet Chess Club.

Iturrizaga, 19, won 3-1 in the blitz tiebreakers after two tough draws in the rapid matches, to take the top prize of the Corus C Group invite, round-trip ticket to Amsterdam, Hotel & Breakfast in Wijk aan Zee, plus $1300 appearance fee.

The result of a place in the famous Corus tournament is a dream come true for the young three-time Venezuelan champion, who is a national hero being his country's one and only grandmaster. It also comes on the back of some promising results during the summer for Iturrizaga, who was runner-up (behind Peruvian GM Julio Granada Zuniga) in the 2008 Iberamerican Championship before going on to win the Central America & Caribbean Fide Sub-Zonal.

16-players - selected by Corus, in consultation with ICC - from around the globe originally fought it out in this unique online rapid knockout tournament. And to ensure fair-play for all, at each location and for each match, an independent "proctor" was in place to oversee the proceedings, many of whom being national chess officials, international arbiters, national arbiters and ICC administrators.

Games in PGN

Details: http://www.chessclub.com/activities/corusqual08/

Corus Internet Qualifier ICC (INT), 1-9 xi 2008
¤	1/8 FINAL	1/4 FINAL	1/2 FINAL	FINAL
1 16	GM Alexander Fier (BRA, 2581) 1.5 FM Graham Morrison (SCO, 2328) 0.5	GM Fier 1.5 IM Mekhitarian 0.5	GM Fier 2.5 GM Salgado 1.5	GM Fier 1 GM Iturrizaga 3
8 9	IM Manuel Rodriguez (CUB, 2521) 0 IM Sevak Mekhitarian (BRA, 2511) 2.0	GM Fier 1.5 IM Mekhitarian 0.5
5 12	GM Ivan Salgado (ESP, 2556) 2.5 FM Anish Giri (RUS, 2466) 1.5	GM Salgado 1.5 GM Bluvshtein 0.5
4 13	GM Mark Bluvshtein (CAN, 2557) IM Robert Ris (NED, 2417) bye/no-show	GM Salgado 1.5 GM Bluvshtein 0.5
3 14	GM Georg Meier (GER, 2558) FM Marcus Santo (BRA, 2394) bye/no-show	GM Meier 1.5 IM Robson 0.5	GM Meier 0.5 GM Iturrizaga 1.5
6 11	IM Sanan Sjugirov (RUS, 2549) 2.0 IM Ray Robson (USA, 2466) 3.0	GM Meier 1.5 IM Robson 0.5
7 10	GM Eduardo Iturrizaga (VEN, 2538) IM David Smerdon (AUS, 2470) bye/no-show	GM Iturrizaga 3 GM Safarli 1
2 15	GM Eltaj Safarli (AZE, 2568) 2.0 WGM Dagne Ciuskytev (ENG, 2339) 0	GM Iturrizaga 3 GM Safarli 1

14) Brazilian Championship Semi-Finals

The 75th Brazilian Championship Semi-Finals took place 17th-19th October 2008. Jorge Bittencourt took first place with 5.5/7.

Official site: http://www.fgx.org.br/classificacao.htm

15) Spanish Teams

The finals of the Spanish CECLUB Championships saw four teams compete in Motril over the weekend of 1st-2nd November 2008. The event went to a rapid playoff between Linex-Magic and Cajacanrias after both teams finished tied 3-3. The rapid playoff also finished 3-3 and Cajacanrias took the title. Missing round one games now available.

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

CECLUB Finals Motril ESP, 1-2 xi 2008
Semi-Finals 1st November 2008
LINEX-MAGIC	4-2	MERIDA PATRIMONIO AJOBLANCO
Shirov, Alexei	1-0	Karjakin, Sergei
Adams, Michael	1/2	Jakovenko, Dimitri
Ponomariov. Ruslan	1-0	Eljanov, Pavel
Akopian, Vladimir	1/2	Volokitin, Andrei
Sargissian, Gabriel	1/2	Khamrakulov, Ibrahim
Pérez Candelario, Manuel	1/2	Llanes, Miguel
CAJACANARIAS	4.5-1.5.	SOLVAY
Alekseev, Evgeny	1/2	Harikrishna, Pentala
Motylev, Alexander	1-0	Ganguly, Surya
Bareev, Evgeny	1-0	Mamedov, Nidjat
Korneev, Oleg	1/2	Negi, Parimarjan
Illescas, Miguel	1-0	Ubilava, Elizbar
San Segundo, Pablo	1/2	Bernal, Luis J
Finals 2nd November 2008
LINEX-MAGIC	3-3	CAJACANARIAS
Shirov, Alexei	1/2	Ivanchuk, Vassily
Adams, Michael	1-0	Alekseev, Evgeny
Ponomariov. Ruslan	1/2	Motylev, Alexander
Akopian, Vladimir	1/2	Bareev, Alexander
Sargissian, Gabriel	1-0	Illescas, MIguel
Pérez Candelario, Manuel	1/2	San Segundo, Pablo
Playoff
CAJACANARIAS	3-3	LINEX-MAGIC
Ivanchuk, Vassily	0-1	Shirov, Alexei
Alekseev, Evgeny	0-1	Adams, Michael
Motylev, Alexander	1/2	Ponomariov. Ruslan
Bareev, Alexander	1-0	Akopian, Vladimir
Illescas, MIguel	1/2	Sargissian, Gabriel
San Segundo, Pablo	1-0	Pérez Candelario, ManLe
3rd-4th Places 2nd November 2008
MERIDA PATRIMONIO AJOBLANCO	2-4	SOLVAY
Karjakin, Sergei	0-1	Harikrishna, Pentala
Jakovenko, Dimitri	1-0	Ganguly, Surya
Eljanov, Pavel	0-1	Mamedov, Nidjat
Volokitin, Andrei	0-1	Negi, Parimarjan
Khamrakulov, Ibrahim	1/2	Ubilava, Elizbar
Llanes, Miguel	1/2	Bernal, Luis J

16) US Chess League

The 2008 season of the US Chess League started 25th August 2008. Quarter finals start on 10th November 2008.

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

US Chess League ICCINT, 27 viii-29 xi 2008 Final Round 10 Results:
29th October 2008
	Carolina			vs	Philadelphia
1	IM	Lev Milman	CAR	vs	GM	Sergey Kudrin	PHI	1/2
2	FM	Tom Bartell	PHI	vs	FM	Oleg Zaikov	CAR	1-0
3	FM	Ron Simpson	CAR	vs	WGM	Jennifer Shahade	PHI	1-0
4	FM	Michael Shahade	PHI	vs	NM	Craig Jones	CAR	0-1
	Boston			vs	Queens
1	GM	Larry Christiansen	BOS	vs	IM	Dmitry Schneider	QNS	1-0
2	IM	Eli Vovsha	QNS	vs	GM	Eugene Perelshteyn	BOS	0-1
3	SM	Marc Esserman	BOS	vs	IM	Alex Lenderman	QNS	1/2
4		Benjamin Katz	QNS	vs	NM	Ilya Krasik	BOS	0-1
	New York			vs	New Jersey
1	GM	Pascal Charbonneau	NY	vs	GM	Joel Benjamin	NJ	1-0
2	IM	Dean Ippolito	NJ	vs	IM	Irina Krush	NY	1-0
3	SM	Gregory Braylovsky	NY	vs	SM	Mackenzie Molner	NJ	1/2
4		Andrew Ng	NJ	vs	NM	Matthew Herman	NY	0-1
	Tennessee			vs	Baltimore
1	GM	Jaan Ehlvest	TEN	vs	GM	Sergey Erenburg	BAL	1/2
2	FM	Tegshsuren Enkhbat	BAL	vs	FM	Todd Andrews	TEN	1-0
3	FM	Jonh Bick	TEN	vs	FM	Ralph Zimmer	BAL	1-0
4	NM	Aaron Kahn	BAL	vs		Gerald Larson	TEN	0-1
	Miami			vs	San Francisco
1	GM	Julio Becerra	MIA	vs	GM	Vinay Bhat	SF	1/2
2	IM	David Pruess	SF	vs	FM	Bruci Lopez	MIA	1/2
3	FM	Osmany Perea	MIA	vs	FM	Dmitry Zilberstein	SF	1-0
4	NM	Gregory Young	SF	vs		Matan Prilleltensky	MIA	1/2
	Dallas			vs	Chicago
1	IM	Davorin Kuljasevic	DAL	vs	FM	Emory Tate	CHC	1-0
2	FM	Mehmed Pasalic	CHC	vs	IM	John Bartholomew	DAL	1-0
3	FM	Andrei Zaremba	DAL	vs	IM	Angelo Young	CHC	1/2
4		Adam Strunk	CHC	vs	WFM	Bayaraa Zorigt	DAL	0-1
	Arizona			vs	Seattle
1	IM	Levon Altounian	ARZ	vs	GM	Gregory Serper	SEA	1/2
2	FM	Slava Mikhailuk	SEA	vs	IM	Mark Ginsburg	ARZ	1-0
3	FM	Robby Adamson	ARZ	vs	WGM	Katerina Rohonyan	SEA	1-0
4	NM	Michael Lee	SEA	vs	NM	Warren Harper	ARZ	0-1

US Chess League ICC INT, 27 viii-31 x 2008 Final Round 10 Standings
EASTERN DIVISION	W	L	Game Points	Opp Avg Rating	Opps Record
Carolina	7	3	24.0/40 (60%)	2388	38.5-47.5 (45%)
Queens	7	3	23.5/40 (59%)	2401	41.0-45.0 (48%)
Boston	6	4	23.0/40 (58%)	2406	41.0-45.0 (48%)
New York	5	5	18.0/40 (45%)	2416	41.5-44.5 (48%)
New Jersey	4.5	5.5	20.0/40 (50%)	2419	41.0-45.0 (48%)
Philadelphia	2	8	15.0/40 (38%)	2429	44.0-42.0 (51%)
Baltimore	1.5	8.5	14.0/40 (35%)	2398	40.0-46.0 (47%)
WESTERN DIVISION	W	L	Game Points	Opp Avg Rating	Opps Record
Miami	7	3	26.5/40 (66%)	2407	47.5-38.5 (55%)
San Francisco	6.5	3.5	23.5/40 (59%)	2404	46.5-39.5 (54%)
Dallas	6.5	3.5	21.0/40 (53%)	2409	46.5-39.5 (54%)
Seattle	4.5	5.5	18.0/40 (45%)	2400	42.5-43.5 (49%)
X- Arizona	4.5	5.5	17.5/40 (44%)	2398	48.5-37.5 (56%)
Chicago	4	6	19.5/40 (49%)	2392	42.0-44.0 (49%)
Tennessee	4	6	16.5/40 (41%)	2398	41.5-44.5 (48%)

US Chess League ICC Quarter Finals INT, 10 xi 2008 Final Round 10 Standings
1	Boston Blitz	vs	Queens Pioneers	7:00 ET	(Queens receives draw odds)
2	New York Knights	vs	Carolina Cobras	7:30 ET	(Carolina receives draw odds)
3	San Francisco Mechanics	vs	Dallas Destiny	8:30 ET	(SF receives draw odds)
4	Miami Sharks	vs	Seattle Sluggers	9:00 ET	(Miami receives draw odds)

17) Rhode Island Open

George Mirijanian reports: The 2008 Rhode Island Open took place on November 8th-9th at Rhode Island College in Providence, RI. IM David Vigorito, 38, of Lowell, Massachusetts tallied 4.5-0.5 in a three-section field of 25 players to finish first. Stuart Finney, a 13-year-old U.S. Chess Federation-rated expert from Barrington, RI, captured second place with a 4-1 score, including a draw with tournament winner Vigorito in the second round. Tied for third place with 2.5-2.5 results were fellow experts David Harris, 55, of Providence and Stephen Brudno, 66, of Brookline, Massachusetts, as well as Class A participant William Smirnov, 41, of East Wareham, Massachusetts. Directing the event for the sponsoring Rhode Island Chess Association was Frank Vogel III, assisted by Eric Berkey.

Crosstables are available at http://masschess.org

18) Chess Study

Preliminary Results of FIDE Chess Survey by Robert Howard

Thanks to everyone who took part in this survey. Here are the preliminary results. The sample consist of 581 players to date, with five grandmasters, 25 international masters, 67 FIDE masters, two woman's grandmasters, two woman's international masters, and two woman's FIDE masters. The results are only preliminary, however.

Some highlights:

Players learned the moves at a median age of eight years old (masters about two years younger). The median age of starting serious play and taking part in the first rated tournament is 14, 12 for masters. Most players have had coaching. Players average around five or six hours of chess study a week, but the range is huge (0 to 60 hours). Number of hours of study of chess material is a factor in expertise level but only a relatively minor one.

Most players firmly believe in natural talent for chess and most believe that top ten players have some special traits, that few really can reach that level. However, many believe that a lot of study and practice can take a player a long way. Some believe that almost everyone can get to FIDE master with enough practice and study.

Views on what natural talent for chess consists of vary, but some common ideas are good spatial ability, high IQ, good memory, creativity, high motivation, a strong will to win, control over emotions, and psychological hardiness.

Eventual grandmasters take a median 390 FIDE-rated games from rating list entry to gain the title. Most players do not play anywhere near enough rated games in their careers to have a realistic chance of becoming a grandmaster. About two thirds of those who do play over 900 games actually succeed in becoming a grandmaster. However, those who play over 740 games without becoming a grandmaster on average seem to strike an impassable barrier at around 2400 level.

Analysis of rating data of players who played over 900 FIDE-rated games show that eventual top ten players indeed are identifiable from list entry. They get on the rating list much younger on average, get the grandmaster title much younger and much faster, and rise in the ratings much faster than other grandmasters.

Most believe that playing rated games and studying are equally important in developing skill.

The full article: http://education.arts.unsw.edu.au/fidestudy/results

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

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

19) Fascinating field for Corus A-Group 2009

The 71st Corus Chess tournament takes place Friday, January 16th to Sunday, February 1st, 2009 in Wijk aan Zee, The Netherlands. Alexander Morozevich, Vassily Ivanchuk, Magnus Carlsen, Levon Aronian and Teimour Radjabov are the favourites for the event in the absence of world champion Viswanathan Anand, challenger Vladimir Kramnik and World Number one Veselin Topalov. This shake up of the field with these three regular missing has really freshened things up and should make for exciting chess, in the usual way they do things they'll probably be all back next year.

Five players will make their debut in the A-group: the young Dutch grandmasters Jan Smeets and Daniel Stellwagen, the sensational Wang Yue from China, who climbed up to the 11th place on the latest world ranking list, the winner of Grandmastergroup B in 2008, Sergei Movsesian, and Leinier Dominguez from Cuba (ranked 21st on the FIDE October rating list).

The official participants lists of Grandmaster groups B and C will be published later this year. Together with all amateur players and participants in the special groups, approximately 2,000 chess players are expected to come to Wijk aan Zee for the traditional chess festival in the small beach village at the west coast of The Netherlands, approximately 25 kilometers from Amsterdam.

As from January 2009, the rate of play in Grandmaster groups A, B and C will change. The rate of play will be: 40 moves in 2 hours, then 20 moves in 1 hour, followed by 15 minutes with 30 seconds per move increment to finish the game.

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

71st Corus Wijk aan Zee A-Group (NED), 16 i - 1 ii 2009
Alexander Morozevich	RUS	2	2787	1977
Vassily Ivanchuk	UKR	3	2786	1969
Magnus Carlsen	NOR	4	2786	1990
Levon Aronian	ARM	7	2757	1982
Teimour Radjabov	AZE	8	2751	1987
Wang Yue	CHN	11	2736	1987
Michael Adams	ENG	12	2734	1971
Sergei Movsesian	SLW	13	2732	1978
Sergei Karjakin	UKR	15	2730	1990
Gata Kamsky	USA	16	2729	1974
Leinier Dominguez	CUB	21	2719	1983
Loek van Wely	NED		2618	1972
Daniel Stellwagen	NED		2605	1987
Jan Smeets	NED		2604	1985

20) Topalov - Kamsky match awarded to Bulgaria

FIDE have given everyone involved until 14 November 2008 to agree to hold the match with a prize fund of 250,000 USD (an increase) plus 50,000 USD as contribution to FIDE in Bulgaria. The dates will remain 29th November - 12th December 2008 after a bid from Lviv organised by Kamsky's manager Alexander Chernenko fell through. If the Bulgarian Chess Federation can't raise this money then bid for the match will reopen. If Topalov refuses to play then Kamsky goes through to play world champion Anand, if Kamsky refuses then he will be replaced by Shirov.

Although its really not ideal at all that Topalov has home advantage I believe Kamsky has to sign up for this and I don't believe FIDE have any choice either (although this announcement is way too late), who else is going to sponsor this match? But its same old, same old from FIDE, dodgy managers with dodgy offers ($750,000 for this match?) and comments from Kamsky's dad http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5000 and Kamsky himself http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5000 who rejects the idea of playing in Bulgaria. There is also the point that Bulgaria has to find extra money for the match and may not have it or be minded to come up with it when there are no other bidders. The idea of Kamsky fighting FIDE would be nice but after the last election its clear that the leadership won't change, its effectively been in the same hands since 1982 when Campomanes came to power with a hand over with all the in-voting in 1995 to Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. Its a built in perpetual majority no-matter what the merits of the candidates for the sitting president. Last time we were promised professionalism but we're right back in the same place we've been many times in recent years.

I have a general rule of not covering these kind of negotiations these days. So much of what is said and announced is just wrong. No doubt this will drag on and on too and its all just embarrassing.

Press Release Moscow, 6 November 2008

Announcement of the FIDE President concerning the match Topalov - Kamsky

Dear chess friends,

As already known, FIDE had initially reached a decision to award the Challenger's Match Topalov - Kamsky to the Bulgarian Chess Federation which offered a prize fund of 150,000 USD.

Afterwards, and following consultations with both sides, FIDE gave the opportunity to Alexander Chernenko, the manager of GM Gata Kamsky, to bring in an improved bid with Lviv suggested by Mr Chernenko as the host city. The prize fund offered by GM Gata Kamsky's manager was 750,000 USD. Since then, FIDE received several letters, by banks supposed to co-operate with Mr Chernenko, stating that the funds were "on their way". But up to this moment, and despite numerous reminders to Alexander Chernenko, no bank guarantees have been provided and of course no transfer of the prize fund has been made to the bank account of FIDE.

At this point I must say that I have deeply regretted the trust which I had shown to Alexander Chernenko, concerning the reliability of his offer. The actions of Mr Chernenko indicate an abuse of right to invoke my guarantee which was declared after his own request and in good faith to help him secure the necessary funds. Furthermore, I understand the complaints of the Bulgarian Chess Federation concerning the procedure followed, although FIDE was only trying to improve the financial conditions for both players.

In order to restore the procedure towards holding this very important match, FIDE announces the following:

a) The Bulgarian Chess Federation will be re-awarded with the event if it accepts in written form, by 14 November 2008 12:00 GMT, to hold the match with a prize fund of 250,000 USD plus 50,000 USD as contribution to FIDE and all organising expenses covered. In this case, the dates of the match Topalov - Kamsky remain as already announced (29 Nov. - 12 Dec. 2008) and I intend to nominate FIDE Vice President Mr William Kelleher of USA as the FIDE Supervisor of the Organising Committee (*duties of the FIDE Supervisor as annex 1 attached to this announcement). The confirmation letter of the Bulgarian Chess Federation should be sent by email at office@fide.com and by registered post to the FIDE Secreteriat, address: 9 Syggrou Ave, 11743 Athens, Greece.

b) By 14 November 2008, 12:00 GMT, both players have to officially confirm, in written form and in a clear and explicit way, that they will play the match. If GM Topalov refuses to confirm his participation, then GM Kamsky qualifies automatically for the 2009 WCC match. If GM Kamsky refuses to confirm his participation, he will be replaced by GM Shirov (the runner-up of the World Cup 2007). The confirmation letters should be sent by email at office@fide.com and by registered post to the FIDE Secreteriat, address: 9 Syggrou Ave, 11743 Athens, Greece.

c) If the Bulgarian Chess Federation will not confirm that it accepts the financial requirements of (a), an open bidding procedure will be launched with a deadline of 31 December 2008. The best bid will be awarded with the event which will then be held in February or March 2009.

The unfortunate handling of the situation by Alexander Chernenko has brought us to a point where the time limits are very tight. With this procedure, FIDE puts the Challengers Match back on track and with a clear timetable. We are all looking forward to a great match which will produce a worthy challenger to World Champion Vishy Anand for the year 2009.

Gens Una Sumus!

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov FIDE President

21) Forthcoming Events and Links

Benidorm Stars

The VII Benidorm International Chess Festival takes place 28th November - 8th December 2008. The stars section sees Vassily Ivanchuk, Alexei Shirov, Sergey Tiviakov, Katherine Lahno, Xavi Vila, Sabrina Vega etc compete.

Official site: http://www.ajedrezbali.com and http://www.eventosdeajedrez.com

18th Pamplona International

18th Pamplona International consists of a invitational Grandmaster tournament, and an open 9 round tournament. Both tournaments take place from 22nd December - 29th December 2008.

The invitational Grandmaster tournament is an eight-player round robin. Players are: GM Sasikiran, Krishnan (2694, IND), GM Roiz, Michael (2677,ISR), GM Malakhov, Vladimir (2675, RUS), GM Vallejo, Pons Francisco (2664,ESP), GM Caruana, Fabiano (2640,ITA), GM Delchev, Aleksander (2632,BUL), GM Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2616,RUS), and GM Salgado Lopez, Ivan (2556,ESP).

Official website: http://www.chesspamplona.com/

21st Belgrade Trophy 2008

The 21st Belgrade Trophy 2008 takes place in Obrenovac (near Belgrade). The Belgrade Open, Belgrade Trophy, or International Belgrade Open Chess Championship takes place November 27th - December 5th, 2008. Prize fund is 6000 EUR (1st Place - 1200 EUR) consists of 15 best place and 8 special prizes. The Championship will be played in 9 rounds according to the FIDE Swiss System (computer pairing). The rate of play is 2 hours for 40 moves plus 30 minutes till the end of the game. The organizer has provided participation of minimum 20 foreign players, to make possible achievemnet of international norms for FIDE titles. Tournament protector is Parliament of Belgrade City. Organizers: Belgrade Chess Federation and Obrenovac City.

All informations you can get on the phone +381 11 2656 846 or E-mail: beochess@EUnet.yu (Belgrade Chess Federation)

Official site: http://www.beochess.org.yu/2008/trofej_beograda2008/english_bgopen2008.html

Jose Marca Memorial

The III Open Internacional ITT Jose Marca Memorial takes place in 10th-18th Lima January 2009. Grandmasters Sergey Tiviakov, Julio Granda, Bartolomiej Macieja and Emilo Cordova compete.

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

Bundesliga

The second Bundesliga weekend took place 25th-26th October 2008.

The Schachbundesliga season 2008/09 runs 3rd-5th October and runs until March 2009. 16 Teams compete with team rosters of 16-18 players but only eight play each weekend. There will be live coverage of all the games.

Dates: 4th-5th October 2008 25th-26th October 2008 29th-30th November 2008 12th-14th December 2008 (Here the official seventh round will be played. Although some will be played at other times) 31st January 2008 - 1st February 2009. 28th February - 1st March 2009. 28th-29th March 2009.

Official site of the Schachbundesliga (http://www.schachbundesliga.de/index.aspx) Further information (in German) and the entrance site for the live coverage: http://www.schachbundesliga.de/index.aspx

European Youth U-16 winners Texas Scholarships

The University of Texas at Dallas (USA) has offered scholarships to the winners of the U-16 European Youth Chess Championships since 2007. The agreement with the European Chess Union has been extended for another three years. The total value of the scholarships during this five-year period will be approximately 1 million USD, said James A. Stallings, Director of the UTD chess program.

Interview on the ECU website: http://www.europechess.org/home518.aspx?art=ft

Gjovik International Festival 2008-9

The Gjovik International Chess Festival 2008-9 takes place 29th December - 7th January 2009.

Magnus Carlsen, Peter Svidler, Hikaru Nakamura (USA) and Simen Agdestein play in a Super rapid tournament January 2nd-5th 2009.

The tournament has a similar format to the Mainz Classic, with a double round tournament followed by final and bronze final games. The Norwegian audience will be eager to see Magnus Carlsen on home-gound again, as he hasn't played in Norway during 2008.

The rapid contest is part of a chess festival with a big and varied program, held on occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Gjovik chess club. The festival starts on December 29th, and the main tournament is a 9 round GM-Swiss open to players with a rating abov 2100. Reigning European champion Sergei Tiviakov (NL) 2686 is the highest rated player of the preliminary list of participants. There is also a parallell group open for all players rated below 2100.

Official site: http://www.gjovikfestival.sjakkweb.no

4NCL

The 4NCL takes place 4th October 2008 - 4th May 2009.

Fixtures 2008-9

Rounds 1 and 2: 4th/5th October 2008 De Vere Venues, Sunningdale Divisions 1-2

Rounds 3-4: 6th/7th December 2008 Barcelo Hotel, Hinckley Island Divisions 1-3

Rounds 5-6: 17th/18th January 2009 De Vere Venues, Sunningdale Divisions 1-2

Rounds 7-8: 21st/22nd March 2009 Barcelo Hotel, Hinckley Island Divisions 1-3

Rounds 9-11: 2nd-4th May 2009 De Vere Venues, Staverton Park Divisions 1-2

68th Italian Championship

The 68th Italian Championship takes place 3rd December - 14th December 2008. 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 Carlos Garcia Palermo, IM Luca Shytaj, IM Sabino Brunello, IM Fabio Bruno, IM Denis Rombaldoni, IM Pierluigi Piscopo, IM Daniel Contin, FM Daniyyl Dvirnyy, FM Daniele Genocchio, and Alessio Valsecchi.

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

27th Elba Island Festival

The 27th International Chess Festival of Elba Island "Luigi Amalfi", takes place at the Hotel Lacona 10th-17th May 2009.

Details: http://www.tuscanhotels.it/en/cmsx.asp?IDPg=23

Milan

Milano, Italy, organized by Società Scacchistica Milanese (founded in 1881) Master group: December 6th-13th 2008, 9 rounds, global prizes 3.000 euro - with GMs and IMs Good conventions with hotels Address - via S.Uguzzone 8 = closed to the underground (MM1 - Villa SG). The Mediterranean Championship will start in Courmayeur (Aosta valley) The dates are December 13th-21st 2008. It is possible to travel and play both.

Web site: http://www.scacchisticamilanese.it

25th Bermuda Open

The 25th Bermuda Open takes place 30th January - 1st February 2008 at the luxurious Fairmont Southampton Resort on the South Shore with private tennis courts, golf course, beach, walking trails, ferry into Hamilton for duty-free shopping 5 round Swiss. Register & pay on site. For info contact Nigel Freeman at cadilly@northrock.bm or Carol Jarecki at carolj10280@yahoo.com

9th Liberec Open

The 9th Liberec Open takes place 15th-22nd November 2008. Open FIDE, active chess and blitz tournament are part of the festival. More detailed information can be found in English, German, Russian and Polish at http://www.czechtour.net/liberec-open/

Icelandic Team Championship

Icelandic Team Champ 1st div first half took place 3rd-5th October 2008. The 2nd set of games are March 21st-22nd March 2009 if I understand the website correctly. A small number of games are available.

Official site: http://www.skaksamband.is/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=5982&Itemid=499# and results: http://chess-results.com/tnr16443.aspx?tnr=16443&art=16&lan=2&flag=30&m=-1

Doeberl Cup and Sydney International 2009

The 2009 Doeberl Cup is in Canberra 9th-13th April 2009. See http://www.doeberlcup.com.au/

The 2009 Sydney International Open takes place 15th-19th April 2009. See http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/index.cfm?site=open

Free entry to GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs.

Free accommodation for selected GMs and WGMs.

For further information, please contact Brian Jones info@chessaustralia.com.au

Czech Litomysl Chess Christmas

Czech Chess Christmas 2008 Litomysl (CZE) 26.12.2008-2.1.2009

10th 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 = 750 EUR), 10 financial prizes redeemable by drawings, 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, web: http://www.a64.cz/tournaments/litomysl2008/

Leon Open

The city of Leon open takes place 26th-28th December 2008.

Details: http://www.openmundialdeleon.com

North American FIDE Invitationals

North American FIDE Invitationals. Are you on the hunt for your GM or IM norms? Visit http:/www.nachess.org/fide for the tournament schedule or contact Sevan A. Muradian at info@nachess.org for more information.

So - Torre Match 2009

14-year-old Wesley So and 56-year-old Eugene Torre play a 12 game match starting February 10, 2009 at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City. Two games each will be played in Quezon City, Davao and Iloilo, and if the match remains undecided, the protagonists will return to Quezon City and finish the match. A knockout game will be played if the duel ends up 6-6. The winner will take home P600,000 while the loser will earn P400,000.Another P100,000 goes to the winner of each provincial leg while the loser will get P50,000.

VII Benidorm International Festival

The VII Benidorm International Festival of Chess takes place 29th November - 8th December 2008.

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

For information contact: E-Mail: eventosdeajedrez@yahoo.es festivaldebenidorm@gmail.com News: Patricia Claros Aguilar.

VI Transcarpathian Rapidtournament Chess Decyk

VI Transcarpathian Rapidtournament "Chess Decyk" Ukraine, Uzhgorod, 28-29.08.2008

Organizers of tournament: Chess Federation of Uzhgorod Organizational committee: B. Borshosh, A. Samoylenko, V. Prokopishin Place: Ukraine, Uzhgorod, Pub-museum "Deca u notaria", Gagarin street, 98 Also Traditional Beer blitz-tournament will take place in Pub-museum "Deca u notaria"! Phone: +380503723900, +380503179153, (+3803122) 2-25-87 E-mail: chessfeduzh@rambler.ru Details: http://www.chessfeduzh.narod.ru

2nd Berkeley Masters

The 2008 Berkeley Masters takes place December 14th-23rd 2008 in Berkeley, California, finishing two days before the start of the North American Open in Las Vegas. It is a 10 round swiss, open to players rated fide 2200+. Space in the tournament and conditions for some Grandmasters are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Prize fund $5000 US. Info at http://dotq.org/chess

British Rapidplay

The British Rapidplay takes place 29th-30th November 2008.

Details: http://www.british-rapidplay.org.uk/

Hungarian Chess Tournaments July 2008 - March 2009

1. 19th-28th of July 2008 KECSKEMET, IM-FM 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. 2nd-14th of August, 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.

3.16th-25th of August, IM-FM tmt, Kecskemet, org: Erdelyi

4.6th-18th of September GM-IM-FM First Saturday Budapest, org Nagy L,

5.20th -29th September IM-FM tmt Kecskemet, org Erdelyi

6.4th-16th of October, GM-IM-FM tmt, First Saturday Budapest, org.Nagy L.

7.18th-30th of October, SAKKAKADEMIA, GM-IM closed, org: WGM Csonkics, Tunde, info: firstsat@hu.inter.net

8.18th-27th of October IM-FM tmt Kecskemet, org Erdelyi.

9.1st-13th of November GM-IM-FM First Saturday Budapest, org Nagy L.

10. 15th-23rd of November, Kecskemet, IM dr.Erdelyi.

11.14th-22nd of November Tenkes Kupa Open, Harkany, 300 km South-West from Budapest, 9 round Swiss, org: Ambrus Lajos, mobile: 36-30-851-4224 e-mail: info@baranyasakk.hu www.baranyasakk.hu

12.6th-18th of December GM-IM-FM tmt, First Saturday Budapest, org Nagy L.

13.27th of Dec - 5th of January IM-FM tmt Kecskemet, org: Erdelyi.

14.9th-17th of January, EVADNYITO Open 9 rounds Swiss, Budapest, org: IA FAZEKAS, info: firstsat@hu.inter.net

15.23rd of January - 2nd of February, BALASSAGYARMAT WINTER, GM-IM closed, 100 km North from Budapest, Org: Nagy Laszlo, info: firstsat@hu.inter.net

16.7th-19th of February, FIRST SATURDAY GM-IM-FM Budapest - org: Nagy Laszlo, www.firstsaturday.hu - info: firstsat@hu.inter.net

17.7th-19th of March, First Saturday, Budapest, GM-IM-FM, org Nagy L.

18.20th-28th of March, 25th BUDAPEST SPRING FESTIVAL 9 rounds Swiss Open, org: Nagy L. - e-mail: firstsat@hu.inter.net

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

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

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

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/

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

FIDE Grand Prix 2008-9
Surname	First Name	NAT	Elo	1	2	3	4	5	6	Ck	08	Criteria	WRk
Svidler	Peter	RUS	2763	2763	2763		2763		2763	4	2	Pres Nom	5
Mamedyarov	Shakhriyar	AZE	2760	2760		2760	2760		2760	4	2	Rating	6
Leko	Peter	HUN	2753			2753	2753	2753	2753	4	1	Rating	8
Ivanchuk	Vassily	UKR	2751		2751		2751	2751	2751	4	1	Rating	9
Aronian	Levon	ARM	2739		2739		2739	2739	2739	4	1	Rating	10
Gelfand	Boris	ISR	2737		2737		2737	2737	2737	4	1	Rating	11
Radjabov	Teimour	AZE	2735	2735	2735	2735	2735			4	3	Rating	12
Carlsen	Magnus	NOR	2733	2733		2733	2733		2733	4	2	Wcup	13
Karjakin	Sergey	UKR	2732	2732	2732		2732	2732		4	2	Wcup	14
Adams	Michael	ENG	2726	2726		2726		2726	2726	4	2	Reserve	16
Kamsky	Gata	USA	2726	2726	2726		2726	2726		4	2	Matches	15
Jakovenko	Dmitry	RUS	2720		2720	2720		2720	2720	4	2	Hcity	17
Cheparinov	Ivan	BUL	2713	2713	2713	2713			2713	4	3	Pres Nom	19
Grischuk	Alexander	RUS	2711	2711	2711	2711	2711			4	3	Reserve	21
Bacrot	Etienne	FRA	2700	2700		2700	2700	2700		4	2	Pres Nom	22
Wang	Yue	CHN	2698	2698	2698	2698		2698		4	3	Pres Nom	25
Inarkiev	Ernesto	RUS	2681	2681		2681		2681	2681	4	2	Hcity	34
Navara	David	CZE	2680	2680	2680			2680	2680	4	2	Hcity	37
Gashimov	Vugar	AZE	2665	2665	2665	2665		2665		4	3	Hcity	48
Pelletier	Yannick	SWZ	2600			2600	2600	2600	2600	4	1	Hcity	165
Al Modiahki	Mohamad	QTR	2569		2569	2569	2569		2569	4	2	Hcity	274
AVERAGE RATING				2715.9	2709.9	2697.4	2714.9	2707.7	2708.9
Player Count	21		2709.1	14	14	14	14	14	14	84	42

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

Grand Prix 2008-9 Prizes Each Event
Place	EUR	Points
1	30,000	140 + 40 bonus
2	22,500	130 + 20
3	20,000	120 + 10
4	15,000	110
5	12,500	100
6	11,000	90
7	10,000	80
8	8,500	70
9	7,500	60
10	6,000	50
11	5,500	40
12	5,000	30
13	4,500	20
14	4,000	10

Grand Prix 2008-9 Prizes for Final Standings (Best three events)
Pl	Prize (Euros)
1st	75,000
2nd	50,000
3rd	40,000
4th	30,000
5th	25,000
6th	20,000
7th	18,000
8th	16,000
9th	14,000
10th	12,000

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