THE WEEK IN CHESS 761 8th June 2009 by Mark Crowther

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1) Introduction

My thanks to Aard Daanen, Adolivio Capece, Peter Doggers, Attila Csonka, Elisabeta Polihroniade, Gerard Demuydt, Gorka Bravo, Graeme Gardiner, Luiz Roberto Da Costa Jr, Leontxo Garcia, Miklos Orso, Ray Cannon, Rolf Sander, Valery Maes, Varlam Vepkhvishvili, Alexis Marrero Rodriguez and everyone else who helped with the issue.

This has been an amazingly dense week of chess. The Poikovsky tournament has seen some excellent chess as befits a tournament named after Anatoly Karpov. World Champion Viswanathan Anand had an extremely comfortable win against Peter Leko in an 8 game rapid match. The Leon Rapid saw Magnus Carlsen narrowly defeat Vassily Ivanchuk in the final of the Leon knockout tournament. Finally Nigel Short showed some vintage chess in smashing the field of the Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament with a score of 4.5/5 and the field was quite lucky to get a half. So plenty to look at.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) XXII Leon Rapid Tournament

The XXII Leon tournament was a rapid knockout tournament 4 games at 20 minutes plus 10 seconds a move, two 5' blitz playoff and finally an Armageddon games which took place 5th-7th June 2009.

Magnus Carlsen beat Vassily Ivanchuk 4-3 after a blitz playoff in the final.

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

3) Leko vs Anand in Miskolc

Peter Leko was defeated 5-3 by World Champion Viswanathan Anand in his traditional rapid match in Miskolc, Hungary 3rd-7th June 2009.

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

4) Poikovsky Tournament

The 10th Karpov tournament takes place in Poikovsky Russia 3rd-12th June 2009. There is a free day on 8th June.

Official site: http://www.admoil.ru/chess2009/index_chess_2009.htm

Peter Doggers has a lengthy interview with Alexei Shirov in Hamburg after his win in Sofia on his chessvibes site.

ChessVibes interview with Alexei Shirov on May 28th in Hamburg, Germany.

5) Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament

The Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament 2009 took place 3rd - 7th June 2009.

For 17 years in a row the tournament has been played in Malmo, Sweden and this time will be no different. The tournament was played at the classical Hipp Theater in central Malmo, for the twelfth time. Nigel Short lived up to his pre-event promise to play fighting chess. He finished on an impressive 4.5/5.

Official site: http://www.sigeman-chess.com

6) 1st GM Lublin

The 1st GM tournament in Lublin took place 29th May - 6th June 2009. Boris Grachev won the event with 6/9.

Official site: http://www.lzszach.lublin.pl/arc2009/info.html

7) Chinese Championships

The Chinese Championship took place in Xinghua Jiangsu, China 26th May - 6th June 2009.

Liren Ding won the Championship after long time leader Wang Hao lost in the final round. However the story is more dramatic than that. 16 year old Ding won his final round game by default after his opponent arrived late, I can't even imagine what impact this had on Wang's frame of mind. This follows the round 8 default where Hou Yifan arrived 5 seconds late against Liang Chong. I can't begin to say how idiotic these new FIDE regulations are.

Official site: http://live.chinaqiyuan.com/chess.html

Results: http://chess-results.com/tnr22320.aspx and http://chess-results.com/tnr22318.aspx

Chinese blog on Chess (in English): http://blog.sina.com.cn/chessnews

8) French League Top 16

The French Team Championship (TOP 16) took place in Mulhouse (group A) and Chalons-en-Champagne (group B) 30th April - 3rd May 2009. The Poule Haute and Basse took place 28th-31st May 2009 in Marly. Evry Grand Roque emerged top of the Poule Haute with Svidler, Vachier Lagrave and Nakamura leading the way. Games section now complete, I give the games in their entirity again.

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

Detailed coverage: http://www.europe-echecs.com/actualites/actualites-evry-grand-roque-au-top-1807.html

9) Belgian Interteams

The Belgian Interteams took place 5th October - 22nd March 2009. Newcomers Wirtzfeld beat Eynatten in the final round to take the title. My thanks to Valery Maes for the news.

Official site: http://users.telenet.be/vmaes/interclub/

10) 1st Chess Scotland International Open Chess Challenge

1st Chess Scotland International Open Chess Challenge took place 23rd-24th May and 6th-7th June 2009.

Jonathan Rowson reports: Edinburgh based top seed English IM Andrew Greet eased to victory in the inaugural event with 7.5/8. Top Scottish Juniors Clement Sreeves and Andrew McClement took 2nd (plus top U21) and 3rd (plus second U21) respectively with 5/8, pipping Andrew Burnett and John McBride on sum of progressive scores tiebreak. This followed a tense final game of the tournament where Andrew Green and Andrew McClement fought to a standstill at the end of the quickplay finish. The event was supported by the Scottish Junior Chess Association Educational Trust, the Internet Chess Club and Edinburgh Chess Club."

Official site: http://www.chessscotland.com/international/CS_FIDE_ECC.htm

11) Maia Chiburdanidze Cup

The "Maia Chiburdanidze Cup" (International Open Women's Chess Tournament) takes place in the Chess Palace, Tbilisi (Georgia) 4th-13th June 2009. The Tournament is open to all women players. 9 round Swiss. Rate of play: 90 min for all moves, increment 30 seconds per move.

Official site: http://www.gcf.org.ge

12) First Saturday June

The First Saturday tournaments take place 7th-19th June 2009 in Budapest.

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

13) Championship of Uzbekistan

The Championship of Uzbekistan takes place 29th May - 9th June 2009. Khamrakulov Dzhurabek leads on 5/6 after 7 rounds.

Official site: http://uzchess.uz/

14) Ukrainian Women's Championship

The Ukrainian Women's Championship took place 23rd-31st May 2009. Evgeniya Doluhanova edged out Tatjana Vasilevich on tie-break after both finished on 7.5/9.

15) Brescia International

The Brescia International Tournament takes place June 6th-14th 2009. 3 points for a win.

Details: http://www.puntoesclamativo.org/

16) 12th Internationale Hamburger EM

The 12th Internationale Hamburger EM took place 30th May - 7th June 2009. Jeroen Bosch edged out Sebastian Siebrecht after both finished on 6½/9. My thanks to Rolf Sander.

Official site: http://www.hamburger-schachverband.de/ihem2009/ihem2009.htm

17) Ukrainian Team Championship

The Ukrainian Team Championship took place in Alushta 21st-29th May 2009. PVK Kiev won the event. Final round games are still missing.

Official site: http://www.ukrchess.org.ua/turnir/t198.html

18) Final Camp Nal Mayores Absoluto

Final Camp Nal Mayores Absoluto takes place in Buga (Valle) Hotel Guadalara 3rd-8th June 2009. Martin Castano Duvan has an 8/8 score going into today's final round.

Further details: - http://www.torneosajedrez.com/ajedrez47/html/26/torneos/1565/resultados/final%20buga.html

19) Buenos Aires Champions League

The Argentine Chess Club in Buenos Aires has a team event (Champions League) that started on May 2nd 2009. Take part several International Masters, FIDE Masters and strong players not titled yet compete. News: Marcelo Pagano.

Players include: IM Ginzburg M. 2455, IM Diaz N. 2443, IM Dos Santos R. 2441, IM Liascovich L. 2439, IM Bronstein LM 2401, IM Della Morte G 2382, IM Mela B 2373, FM Goldwaser C 2361, IM Filgueira H 2354, IM Schweber 2349, IM Garcia R 2342, FM Barrionuevo P 2320, IM Quiroga F 2329, FM Varela G 2323, FM Villanueva M 2311, Gibson T 2272, Airando M 2250 and FM Cuevas A 2244 Nine teams played every Saturday, Round Robin.

Official site: http://www.cargentinodeajedrez.com.ar/2009/torneos/ChampionsLeague/Champions_League.htm

20) Subic Open

The Subic Open took place 25th-31st May 2009. Ehsan Ghaem Maghami won the event with 7/9. Games from the final two rounds still not available.

Official site: http://www.ncfphilippines.org/news.php?extend.59.1

21) 16th Guillermo Garcia

The 16th Guillermo Garcia in Memoriam took place in Santa Clara, Cuba May 21st - June 4th 2009. Fidel Corrales won the event with 6/9. I hope for games eventually. Results have only appeared in the Cuban press.

Final Standings: 1) Fidel Corrales 6 (+4=4-0) 2) Emilio Cordova 5 (+3=4-1) 3-4) Holden Hernandez 4.5 (+1=7-0) and Lazaro Bruzón 4.5 (+2=5-1) 5) Neuris Delgado 4 (+1=6-1) 6-7) Yuniesky Quesada 3.5 (+0=7-1) and Real de Azua 3.5 (+1=5-2) 8-9) Rodney Perez 2.5 (+0=5-3) and Karsten Rasmusen 2.5 (+0=5-3) Alder Escobar withdrew after losing rounds 1-3.

22) 39th Capablanca in Memoriam

The 39th Capablanca in Memoriam takes place in La Habana starting on June 7th 2009. Cat. XVII - (2657).

Official site: http://www.capablanca.co.cu/

23) 24th Hasslocher Schachtage

The 24th Hasslocher Schachtage takes place 29th May - 1st June 2009. Leonid Milov took clear first place with 6/7. No games appear to be available.

Official site: http://schachclub-1926-hassloch.de/

24) III Wunsiedel International Chess Festival

The III Wunsiedel International Chess Festival took place 22nd-24th May 2009. Jacek Stopa edged out Aleksanda Berelovich and Michael Prusikin in the Master tournament after all finished on 5.5/7. No games seem to be available.

Official site: http://www.schach-info.de/wunsiedel/ergebnisse.html

25) Grand Slam Masters Final

The 2nd edition of the Grand Slam Masters Final will be played in Bilbao, September 2-15th 2009. The winners of Corus-Wijk aan Zee, Ciudad de Linares and Mtel Masters-Sofia tournaments qualify directly for the Masters Final in Bilbao, where the first edition (played at a central square, inside a glass cube) was a very big success last September.

More details on the 2009 tournament (number of players, system of play, etc) will be announced at the end of the Corus tournament in Wijk aan Zee. The Grand Slam is in negotiations to include one more high level tournament in the 2009 circuit.

Alexei Shirov received his invitation this week after winning in Sofia. Shirov will come up against Veselin Topalov - winner of the Pearl Spring Tournament, in Nanking, China. Sergey Karjakin - winner of Corus 2009, Wijk ann Zee in the Netherlands. Alexander Grischuk, winner of "Ciudad de Linares", Spain, who have already received their invitations to the Final in Bilbao.

Grand Slam Chess Association (GSCA)

Dresden, 23 November 2008

26) Forthcoming Events and Links

Kingpin Magazine

The humourous and satirical chess magazine Kingpin has a new website.

New website address: http://www.kingpinchess.net

Efimenko vs. Short Match

There is a six-game match between GMs Zahar Efimenko (Ukraine) and Nigel Short (England) in Mukachevo, Ukraine 20th-26th (rest day 23rd) September 2009.

Info at: http://www.uepworldchess.com (Universal Event Promotion) and the Mukachevo club website http://www.chess32x64.org

Bazna Tournament

The Turneul Regilor takes place in Bazna Romania 14th-25th June 2009. 10 rounds 6 player double round robin. Category XX (ave 2729).

Official site: http://www.turneulregilor.ro/en/index.php

Arvier (Aosta valley) Open

The Festival des Echecs Francophone takes place in Arvier (Aosta valley) September 26th - October 3rd 2009. The final round has been moved back a day as the 4th is the start of the European Club Team Championship. More information will appear at: http://www.scacchivda.com.

If you require further details contact by email (in French) to a.scalfi@scacchivda.com

IX Szombathely Chess Festival

The IX Szombathely Chess Festival takes place 15th-23rd August 2009. GM, IM Round Robins and Open Tournament.

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

III Ruy Lopez International Chess Festival

The main event of the Festival is the master Tournament (from 13th to 19th June 2009) with the participation of Adams, Cheparinov, Pia Cramling, Koneru, Granda, Larino, Caruana and Candelario. The games will be transmitted on Internet with commentaries by Leontxo Garcia who will be present in the analysis room (open to all fans).

To complete the Children´s Tournament (13th and 14th June) and the III Open "Ruy Lopez Opening" (20th and 21st June 2009) where all the games will start in the following order:- 1. e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Ab5 with more than 11,000 Euros as prizes.

Official site: http://ruylopez.juntaextremadura.net/modules/news/

Oceania Zonal

Oceania Zonal Gold Coast Australia 20th-26th June 2009. Graeme Gardiner press release.

Being a World Cup qualifying event, this is probably the most important chess tournament in Queensland for at least 10 years

The new king of Australian Chess, GM Zong Yuan Zhao will be replacing the old king of Australian chess, GM Ian Rogers, who held that title for some 25 years (Ian Rogers will be present to commentate and front the media). Zong Yuan will not have things all his own way however, as David Smerdon, holding four GM norms, who only finalised his GM title this weekend by passing the 2500 mark, will give him a hard fight.

Unfortunately, two big names of chess in the region will be missing, GMs Murray Chandler of New Zealand, and Darryl Johansen of Australia. Otherwise, virtually all the top players will be playing. An open field of around 80 is expected, and about 20 in the women.

Whatever happened to WIM Arianne Caoili of 'Dancing with the Stars' fame? Well she's been getting on with her uni studies, continuing to date world number five Armenian star Levon Aronian, victim of the famous dance floor punch in Turin, and travelling the world...and is playing here in the zonal. She will be trying very hard to defeat the top seed in the Women's event, IM Irina Berezina. Irina has done very well in Australia since recovering from the infamous 1997 Maccabiah Games bridge collapse.

Troubled nation Fiji is well represented. Papua New Guinea will be present, as will smaller nations such as Palau and Solomon Islands who have never been represented at this event before. It will be interesting to talk with their players, and discuss chess in their countries.

FIDE Secretary-General Ignatius Leong will be making his first visit to the region, and is keen to talk with as many players, coaches, arbiters, parents and administrators as possible.

Full information at http://www.gardinerchess.com/oceaniazonal/oceaniazonal2009.htm. Several live games will be shown each day using DGT boards and Monroi.

Zone 3.4

Zone 3.4 for men and women takes place 16th-27th June 2009 in Tashkent. Players from Afganistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

Official site: http://uzchess.uz/

Commonwealth Chess Championships

The Masterskill Commonwealth Chess Championships take place 9th-15th December 2009 in conjunction with the 6th Singapore International Chess Festival.

It has been moved from 14th-21st July 2009 in Ipoh, Malaysia.

Details of the change: http://www.fide.com/component/content/article/4-tournaments/3991-commonwealth-chess-championship-2009

Zuerich Chess Club 200th Anniversary Quiz

Visit the official website look at a quiz with information contained in Richard Forster's recently published book "Schachgesellschaft Zürich: 1809 bis 2009" the prize of playing in a Simul against a chess legend.

Dr. Christian Rohrer reports: The world's oldest chess club celebrates its 200th year with spectacular jubilee events, including World Champions Spassky, Kasparov and Anand.

The Schachgesellschaft Zuerich celebrates 200th anniversary with spectacular jubilee events.

The Schachgesellschaft Zuerich, the world's oldest chess club, celebrates its 200th year in 2009 with spectacular jubilee events. To mark the anniversary, some of the greatest masters of the last five decades, including World Champions Spassky, Kasparov and Anand, will play at the event. Highlights will be a simultaneous exhibition and a rapid chess tournament on the 22nd and 23rd of August, held in Zurich Main Railway Station. With generous sponsor support from Credit Suisse the Schachgesellschaft Zuerich continues its long standing tradition of world class chess tournaments.

On Saturday the 22nd of August, in simultaneous games 200 amateurs will be honoured to face eight word-class chess players, who have made historical contributions to world chess over the last 50 years: Viswanathan Anand, Anatoly Karpov, Garry Kasparov, Viktor Korchnoi, Vladimir Kramnik, Boris Spassky, Ruslan Ponomariov and Veselin Topalov. On Sunday the 23rd of August, these champions will compete against each other in an exciting rapid chess format. Judit Polgar, the strongest female chess player ever, and Werner Hug of Schachgesellschaft Zuerich, former world junior chess champion, will replace Kasparov and Spassky, who have retired from competitive chess.

A huge number of spectators, from enthusiasts to the generally curious, is expected for the events at Zurich Railway Main Station. And no one need miss it: All commemorative events will be streamed live via Internet.

The jubilee commences with an open tournament; certain to be one of the most exciting open chess tournaments of 2009. Players of every skill level, from beginners to the elite world class, are expected and will be welcomed at the Zurich Kongresshaus from August 9th to the 15th, 2009. They will compete in two tournaments, 9 rounds each, for CHF 100.000 guaranteed prize money and many attractive prizes.

To further honour the occasion, Richard Forster, reputable chess historian, will release his comprehensive book, researched in great detail, on the unique history of the Schachgesellschaft Zuerich. Entitled "Schachgesellschaft Zuerich: 1809 bis 2009", Forster's work will analyze the development of the Schachgesellschaft Zuerich from the times of Napoleon to the present day.

Details: http://www.sgzurich2009.ch

12th Olomouc Chess Summer International Festival

The 12th Olomouc Chess Summer International Chess Festival 2009, takes place in the city of Olomouc on 5th-13th August 2009. Closed GM and IM tournaments, FIDE open, seniors tournament, active chess and blitz tournament are part of the festival.

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

6th Highlands Open International Chess Festival

6th Highlands Open International Chess Festival 2009, takea place in the town of Zdar nad Sazavou 26th September - 4th October 2009. IM tournament, FIDE open, active chess and blitz tournament are part of the festival.

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

XI Hostafrancs Open

The XI Open Internacional D'escacs de Sants, Hostafrancs I La Bordeta takes place 21st-30th August 2009.

Details: http://www.cotxeres.org/open/

23rd Pula Open

The 23rd Pula Open takes place 27th June - 4th July 2009.

Details: http://www.skpula.hr/

British Championships

The 96th British Chess Championships take place 26th July - 8th August 2009 in Torquay. There are many different events, lasting from 1-12 days. That of greatest interest to non-British Isles players is the Major Open, restricted to players under 2350 - an unusual event for middle-ranking players.

Official site: http://www.britishchess09.com/

Lithuanian University of Agriculture CUP

Lithuanian University of Agriculture CUP August 22nd - 28th 2009.

Organizers. Kaunas Chess Federation, Lithuanian University of Agriculture (http://www.lzuu.lt), Youth chess club "Three zeros" (http://www.0-0-0.lt).

1st Olimpiada de Ajedrez del Mercosur

1st Olimpiada de Ajedrez del Mercosur takes place 19th-27th June, 2009.

Official site; http://www.ajedrez.com.ar

XIII Magistral de la Republica

The XIII Magistral de la Republica takes place in Villa Martelli 4th-14th August 2009.

Official site: http://www.ajedrezmartelli.org.ar/magistrales/2009/cronograma09.htm

The London Chess Classic in December

The dates for the London Chess Classic at the end of the year are now confirmed with the tournament taking place 7th-16th December 2009. The field is close to being finalised and it can be announced that Magnus Carlsen, Vladimir Kramnik, Nigel Short, Ni Hua and Luke McShane and now Hikaru Nakamura will be competing. There will be 8 players in a 7 round all-play-all.

Cream of world chess to play in new London tournament. [Press release 9th March 2009]

London Chess Centre is proud to announce a world-class chess tournament to be held in London in December, 2009. The event will be an elite eight-player all-play-all in the most prestigious tournament in the capital since former world champion Anatoly Karpov won the Phillips and Drew Masters in 1984.

Since then, despite London hosting three world title contests, there has not been a tournament in which England's leading players could lock horns with the world's best on home soil. The December 09 tournament will be the first in a series of events designed to reinvigorate UK chess and promote the game and its undoubted educational benefits in schools and communities.

The tournament will be FIDE Category 19 with an average FIDE rating of 2700 and a minimum prize fund of €100,000. The eight players will comprise of three English and five world-class Grandmasters from abroad. Included in the prize fund will be a €10,000 Brilliant Game award along with separate prizes for each victory with the White and Black pieces. Matches will be covered live online where fans will be able to vote for Game of the Day.

The tournament has applied for membership of the prestigious annual Grand Slam of Chess which culminates in Bilbao and boasts a €400,000 prize fund.

The games will be under Classical Chess time control; 40 moves in two hours, 20 in the subsequent hour then an additional 15 minutes plus an increment of 30 seconds a move until the end of the game. The tournament will further benefit from the use of Sofia Rules which disallow early draws. Players will receive three points for a win and one for a draw.

Malcolm Pein (IM) Director London Chess Centre

Notes for editors: All communications to Malcolm Pein IM at London Chess Centre: 020 7388 2404. E-Mail: info@chess.co.uk. Website: www.chess.co.uk

18th Maccabiah Games

The 18th Maccabiah Games take place July 12th-23td 2009.

The Maccabiah Games have included chess tournaments for more than 30 years. Now, especially for the 18th Maccabiah Games, we have organized for the first time a super-tournament, with the participation of elite chessplayers from all over the world.

The Festival will include four main events:

• International Super-Torunament, featuring top players from all over the world such as Boris Gelfand (Israel), Judit Polgar (Hungary), Pavel Eljanov (Ukraine), Evgeniy Najer (Russia), Alexander Beliavsky (Slovenia) etc.
• International Invitational Chess Tournaments, Norm opportunity for top players.
• International Open Tournament.
• International Youth Tournament, for players who were born between 1991 and 1994.
• Simultaneous Chess Exhibitions , GM's will play against many opponents at the same time.

Official site: http://mchess.co.il/

Regular Round Robins in Moscow

Venue - International Chess Education Center of the Russian State Social University (RGSU), Moscow, Begovaya Str., 14, building 1, 2 floor (close to Metro & Railway Station 'Begovaya').

Contact: GM Igor Glek. Phone mobile: (7)903-5593052, (49)179-7030605

Phone / Fax: (7)495-4336634 E-mail: wlct06@gmail.com, acpsecretary@gmail.com

Official site: http://www.chess-events.org

7th Mediterranean Chess Championship

The 7th Mediterranean Chess Championship takes place 11th-19th September 2009. Open to everyone.

Official site: http://www.medchess.com/ although I can't see details of the new tournament.

42nd Biel International Chess Festival

The 42nd Biel International Chess Festival takes place 18th-31st July 2009. There will be around 10 different Tournaments (Open, Rapid, Blitz, Youth and for the first time Chess 960). The main Category IXX tournament sees Morozevich, Ivanchuk, Gelfand, Alekseev, Vachier-Lagrave and Caruana compete.

Official site: http://www.bielchessfestival.ch

I Vitoria-Gasteiz Open

I Open Internacional De Ajedrez Vitoria-Gasteiz Nazioarteko I. Xake Opena. 26th July - 3rd August 2009.

Official site: http://sites.google.com/site/openvitoria/

Continental Absolute Chess Championship of Americas

The Continental Absolute Chess Championship of Americas takes place in Sao Paolo 25th July - 2nd August 2009.

Details: http://www.continental2009.com/cont09eng.htm

Zonal 2.3

Zonal 2.3 will now take place in San Jose 18th-25th June 2009 not in Guayaquil Ecuador as initially indicated.

Details: http://fcacrc.blogspot.com/

Zonal 2.4

Zone 2.4 takes place in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil in Guanabara Chess Club (Clube de Xadrez Guanabara) 8th-18th June 2009. Brazilian GMs Henrique Mecking, Gilberto Milos, Vescovi, Leitao, Fier, Diamant and Lima will be present), 2 Peruvians (probably including Granda Zunia) and 1 player from Bolivia will compete.

Official site: http://www.cxg.org.br/nova/index.htm

Further details: http://www.fideamerica.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2025

Live coverage likely at: http://www.cxg.org.br

Zonal 2.5

Zonal 2.5 takes place in Asuncion, Paraguay 10th-18th June 2009.

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

116th Scottish Chess Championships (International Open) and other Edinburgh Events

Jonathan Grant sends news of events in Scotland including the Scottish Championships which will be strong as outside entries will play in the tournament as an international open.

The strongest ever Scottish Championship is International Open 116th Scottish Chess Championships ( International Open) - 11th to 19th July 2009 Prestigious central venue, Edinburgh City Chambers, hosts the strongest ever Scottish Chess Championships 2009 from 11th to 19th July. One of the oldest continually running chess events in the world, this international open event will welcome strong players from countries as diverse as India and Slovakia. In the Year of Homecoming Scotland, Belgium-based GM Paul Motwani and London-based GM Jonathan Rowson will be among the favourites. Play takes place from 14:00 to 20:00 BST every day and games will be transmitted live to the web. With over £5000 in prizes, excellent IM and GM norm opportunities, and a sparkling new venue, the 2009 Scottish Chess Championship is set to become the strongest open in the UK this year.

The Scottish Championship is the highpoint of the year as Chess Scotland continues to strengthen its international level chess activity.

Simul by GM Keti Arakhamia-Grant - 13th June 2009

A 12 board rolling simultaneous display by GM Keti Arakhamia-Grant from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday 13 June in the National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh (home of the Lewis chessmen in Scotland).

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

VIII Benidorm International Chess Festival

VIII Benidorm International Chess Festival 2009 takes place 27th November - 8th December 2009.

Website: http://www.ajedrezbali.com

7th Howard Staunton Memorial 2009 fields announced

The 7th Howard Staunton Memorial takes place 7th (opening ceremony) - 17th August 2009. This year there will be a UK vs The Netherlands double round Scheveningen match and an interesting Category IX all-play-all. The UK has a small Elo rating advantage in the Scheveningen match but the teams are well matched. The tournament is taking place in its usual venue - Simpson's In The Strand. The opening ceremony will take place on the evening of Friday 7th August. The final rounds and the closing ceremony will take place on Monday 17th August.

The organisers are hoping that the tournament will be a big media event with the Chinese and the Dutch Ambassadors hoping to attend the opening ceremony and surprise guest visits from other chess loving celebrities throughout. They thank their generous benefactor.

There will be live coverage of the games this year.

Official site: http://howardstaunton.com/index.shtm.

Torch Real Estate Cup

The Chinese team competition the Torch Real Estate Cup started in Chengdu China on 4th May 2009. I'm hoping for a full game file.

Live games: http://live.chinaqiyuan.com/chess/tfd.htm

Official site: http://chess.sport.org.cn/

Results: http://chess-results.com/tnr21650.aspx

Zonal 2.5 Asuncion

Zonal 2.5 with 2 qualification places for the Word Cup takes place in Asuncion, Paraguay, June 10th-18th 2009. Zone 2.5 includes Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay.

Official web is http://www.winner.com.py/feparaj - Details

Acropolis Open

The Acropolis Open takes place 10th-18th August 2009 in Chalkida, Greece. Organizers: Greek Chess Federation (GCF), Ministry of Tourism in Attiki, Chalkida Chess Academy.

Regulations: Swiss System 9 rounds, invitational FIDE rated tournament, 70-80 players, minimum required FIDE rating 2200 (women 2000), GM & IM title norms possible, FIDE time-control (90 minutes for 40 moves followed by 30 minutes until the end of the game plus increment of 30 seconds per move from move 1).

Contact info: Sotiris Logothetis (Tournament Coordinator) Tel: (+30) 6947324933, Email: middlewave74@gmail.com Greek Chess Federation (GCF) Tel.: (+30) 2109221465, Fax: (+30) 2109221620, Email: info@chessfed.gr

Official site: http://www.chessfed.gr/acropolis2009

Leiden Chess Tournament

The Leiden Chess Tournament takes place 9th-19th August 2009.

Official site: http://www.leidenchess.nl/

Historical Elo Ratings

http://www.shakki.net/history/elotop.htm has a list of historical top ten FIDE lists. The text is in Finnish but is understandable anyhow.

Chess Classic Mainz

The Chess Classic Mainz takes place 27th July - 2nd August 2009 in the Rheingoldhalle in Mainz.

The world championships in rapid chess and Chess960 will be staged in a tried and trusted double round robin format with four players, after which the players battle it out in mini-matches to determine the top spot. The players for the main events have already been contracted.

The GRENKELEASING Rapid World Championship sees the World Chess Champion and Chess Classic serial winner Vishy Anand will try to defend his title for the 11th time in a row. He faces Levon Aronian, Ian Nepomniachtchi and Arkadij Naiditsch.

Other events include the gigantic ORDIX rapid chess Open, the FiNet Ches960 Open, the open tournaments for U14 talents, the 40 board simultaneous exhibition with Levon Aronian, the Livingston Chess960 Computer World Championship, etc., etc.

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

XXXV Sitges Open

The XXXV Open Internacional d'Escacs "Vila de Sitges" takes place 22nd-30th July 2009.

Official site: http://www.casinoprado.cat/open.html

Details: http://chess-results.com/tnr20620.aspx?lan=2

"King's Gambit" in Lipetsk

There will be an international chess festival called "King's Gambit" in Lipetsk, Russia, between June 22nd (arrival day) and July 3rd, 2009. 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 23, 1st round at 3 p.m. Festival director: Zimmerman, Yuri . Tel.: +7-4742-720064, or +7-919-255-9764. E-mail: zimmerman@lipetsk.ru."

Reno Far West Open

The Far West Open Chess Tournament took place April 10th-12th 2009 in Reno Nevada. Sergey Kudrin edged out Enrico Sevillano and Gergerly Antal who finished on 5/6. Games should follow.

Official site: http://www.renochess.org/fwo/index.html

32nd Taminco Gent Open

The 32nd Taminco Open International Chess Tournament Gent (Belgium) takes place 18th-22nd July 2009, 9 rounds Swiss, two hours KO chess, prize money 8400 euro for 400 participants. This traditional open tournament takes place near the center of the medieval town of Gent in the week of the famous annual Gent festivities. Email: open2009@kgsrl.be

Information and registration: http://www.kgsrl.be

Info Gent annual festivities: http://www.gentsefeesten.be/

Voronezh-2009

The 13th "Voronezh-2009" traditional chess festival takes place 10th-21st June 2009.

Details: http://www.relex.ru/~xuser/voronezh_open

13th Hogeschool Zeeland Tournament 2009

The 13th Hogeschool Zeeland Tournament takes place August 1st-8th 2009 in Vlissingen, Netherlands.

Official site: http://www.hztoernooi.nl and contact e-mail: hgroffen@zeelandnet.nl.

Canadian Open

The Canadian Open takes place in Edmonton, Alberta Canada July 11th-19th 2009. Alexei Shirov adn Michael Adams are among the early entrants.

Details: http://monroi.com/2009-canadian-open-chess-championship-home.html

San Sebastian GM

There is a tournament in San Sebastian July 6th-16th 2009.

Prizes in Euros: 1.- 9.000 2.- 6.000 3.- 4.000 4.- 3.500 5.- 3.000 6.- 2.500 7.- 2.000 8.- 1.500 9.- 1.000 10.- 500

There will be also a B tournament (cat. XI), C tournament (cat. VIII), and D tournament (female players). The games will be played in the same hall that held the historic tournament in 1911 won by Capablanca and the organisers are hoping for a special event to commemorate the centenary. News David Llada. Website to be announced.

Dortmund

The Dortmund Chess Meeting takes place 2nd-12th July 2009. Players: Kramnik, Leko, Carlsen, Jakovenko, Bacrot, and Naiditsch play.

Details: http://www.chess-international.de/?p=429

Brno Chess Festival

The Duras Chess Club organises the Brno Chess Festival in the Czech Republic. The GM Brno, IM Tespo Engineering and IM Dopravni stavby tournaments take place 26th June - 5th July 2009. Open tournaments start on the 27th June 2009.

Applications and details contact Rudolf Moulis: e-mail: moulis@kroknet.cz , phone +420 548 522 186, mobile phone: +420 607 900 656

Further info at: http://www.skduras.cz/cz/propozice.html and http://www.skduras.cz/cz/brnensky-sachovy-festival-2009.html

World Open

The World Open Chess Tournament takes place June 29th - July 5th 2009 in Philadelphia.

Details: http://www.chesstour.com/wo09.htm and http://monroi.com/2009-world-open-chess-tournament-home.html

14th Pannonia - Nitrokemia Cup

The 14th Pannonia - Nitrokemia Cup takes place in Balatonalmadi, 29th July - 2nd August, 2009.

Group A: International Open Tournament for FIDE ratings. Group B: International Open Tournament for FIDE ratings, for players under 2000 ELO System used: 7 Rounds Swiss without age limit for both Groups Venue: The air-conditioned Conference Hall of Pannonia Cultural Centre & Library Address: Balatonalmadi, Városház Square 6. Organiser: Recreation Association of Vorosbereny Time Limit: Group A: 90-90 minutes + 30sec after each move Group B: 120-120 minutes for all moves

Details: http://fancsyimi.fw.hu. Entries and further information IM Fancsy Imre E-mail: almadikupa@freemail.hu

20th International Chess and Games Festival Czech Open

The 20th International Chess and Games Festival Czech Open 2009 takes place 16th July - 2 August 2009 in Pardubice (the Czech Republic). There are more than 100 tournaments in chess and other games, eg. European Youth Chess Teams Championship, ISCU Children Clubs Chess Championship and European Amateurs Championship in Chess.

More detailed information: http://www.czechopen.net/news/index.php. the festival website will be ready at the end of April.

6th Summer Catalan Chess Circuit

The 6th Summer Catalan Chess Circuit takes place May - September every year as part of the Catalan Chess Circuit, which is composed of 28 International Tournaments, and held in Spain, extended beyond Catalonia.

In 2009 there will be 14 Opens with traditional time control to be played over 9-10 days, as well as 14 Opens in Rapid Chess, played over 1-2 days (see Tournament Calendar).

During 120 days of tournaments, around 22.000 chess games will be played with selected ones broadcast.

Approximately 3,000 players from more than 30 different countries. The prize fund will reach 175.000 euros.

Apart from the traditional tournament prizes, the Catalan Chess Federation establishes a special classification composed of player´s results in each Circuit tournament, based on which players will be able to claim such special Circuit Prizes as General Final Standings, Prizes by Categories, Specific Prizes for best Catalan Players.

Prizegiving Ceremony will be held at Fiesta Catalana (Catalan Chess Party), on September, 27th, 2009

For more information please contact the Catalonia Chess Federation on federacio@escacs.cat or visit the official website: http://escacs.cat/circuit2009/torneigs.html