THE WEEK IN CHESS 795 1st February 2010 by Mark Crowther

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Contents

1) Introduction
2) Corus Wijk aan Zee 2010
3) Gibtelecom Masters 2010
4) Armenian Championship
5) Cuban Championship
6) III Carlos Gamarra Memorial
7) Dunav-Drava-Sava Tournament
8) Marianske Lazne
9) Georgian Championship
10) LX Abierto De Verano
11) 34th Queen City Open
12) Forthcoming Events and Links

Games Section
Corus Wijk aan Zee 2010105 games
Gibtelecom Masters 2010648 games
Armenian Championship25 games
Cuban Championship24 games
III Carlos Gamarra Memorial55 games
Dunav-Drava-Sava Tournament45 games
Marianske Lazne21 games
923 games

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1) Introduction

My thanks to Luiz Roberto Da Costa Jr, Michiel Abeln, Jan Mazuch, George Mirijanian, Adolivio Capece, John Saunders, Spyros Ilandzis, Zenon Franco Ocampos, Mihajlo Savic and everyone else who helped with the issue.

The 2010 Corus Chess tournament saw a terrific battle for first place with the result being in doubt until nearly the very last minute. Alexei Shirov led with 5/5 at the start but he was slowed by losses to Hikaru Nakamura and then World Champion Viswanathan Anand. Yet in the final round he nearly caught Magnus Carlsen with a win only to almost run out of time and lose. Anand had a low key tournament with two wins and the rest draws. but he did beat Vladimir Kramnik as well as Shirov and materially change the outcome. Magnus Carlsen thus took clear first place with five wins and a loss, to Vladimir Kramnik in a particularly exciting game. In the final round Carlsen miscalculated out of the opening and got into terrible trouble. It was only when this, the penultimate game to finish in the A-Group, that it was clear he had won. The Dutch players all struggled in the A-Group but they had a welcolme surprise when the rapidly improving Anish Giri took clear first place with 9/13 with only one loss. Early smooth wins gave him the lead and he continued to win throughout. This victory has come much earlier than expected and will take him to the A-Group in 2011.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) Corus Wijk aan Zee 2010

The 2010 Corus tournament took place in Wijk aan Zee Friday 15th January 2010 - Sunday 31st January 2010. Magnus Carlsen took clear first place after many adventures as he battled with Alexei Shirov and Vladimir Kramnik. Shirov impressed at the start and in truth had a bit of bad luck later on too but it was great to see him perform well in Wijk aan Zee. Vladimir Kramnik too seems to be back to close to his best. World Champion Viswanathan Anand never really got going, he beat Shirov and Kramnik but otherwise there were quite a lot of pretty dull games. He has sometimes struggled at the start of Wijk aan Zee and here he got going really too late. He tried but his mind seemed to be on upcoming world championship match against Topalov. This is by no means the first time this phenomenon has been seen. Level with Anand was Hikaru Nakamura. He has only recently started getting the invitations his talents demand and I think when he gets the chance to review the past year he'll be able to make some changes to improve his results even more. I would mention one more player, Vassily Ivanchuk, he never seems quite at his best in Wijk aan Zee, this year, he performed almost to his rating but he came close to getting an even better result. I enjoy his play almost anything style. Looking forward to next year already.

There was a final press conference with the winners of the A-Group and B-Group, Magnus Carlsen and Anish Giri. Tournament organiser Jeroen van den Berg announced the results of the Grand Slam meeting and the dates of events. He first said that he was pleased how this year's Corus tournament had gone with the A-Group being exciting to the very end.

He also made announcements of the dates of the Grand Slam events of which the Corus tournament is a part.

Linares 12th-25th February 2010

MTel Masters 25th May - June 5th 2010

Basna 10th-22th June 2010 (to be confirmed in two weeks)

The Grand Slam finals will be in two parts:

Shanghai 3rd-12th September 2010 and 6th-14th October 2010 in Bilbao.

Then the start of the 2010-11 series

Nanjing 17th-29th October 2010.

Wijk aan Zee 14th-30th January 2011

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

Corus A Wijk aan Zee (NED), 16-31 i 2010 cat. XIX (2719)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
1. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2810 * 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 8½ 2822
2. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2788 1 * ½ 0 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 8 2801
3. Shirov, Alexei g ESP 2723 ½ ½ * 0 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 8 2806
4. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2790 ½ 1 1 * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 7½ 2770
5. Nakamura, Hikaru g USA 2708 ½ 0 1 ½ * 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 ½ 7½ 2777
6. Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2720 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 7 2748
7. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2749 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 7 2746
8. Leko, Peter g HUN 2739 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ 1 6½ 2717
9. Dominguez Perez, Leinier g CUB 2712 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 6½ 2719
10. Caruana, Fabiano g ITA 2675 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ * ½ ½ 1 0 5½ 2665
11. Short, Nigel D g ENG 2696 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * 0 ½ ½ 5 2634
12. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2641 0 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 1 ½ ½ 1 * 1 0 5 2638
13. Tiviakov, Sergei g NED 2662 ½ ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 0 ½ 0 * 1 4½ 2613
14. Smeets, Jan g NED 2657 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 0 * 4½ 2614
Round 9 (January 26, 2010)
Carlsen, Magnus - Kramnik, Vladimir 0-1 38 E04 Catalan
Nakamura, Hikaru - Karjakin, Sergey 0-1 48 E21 Nimzo Indian 4.Nf3
Ivanchuk, Vassily - Shirov, Alexei ½-½ 28 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Short, Nigel D - Dominguez Perez, Leinier ½-½ 27 B23 Sicilian Closed
Van Wely, Loek - Leko, Peter 1-0 80 A30 English Symmetrical
Tiviakov, Sergei - Anand, Viswanathan ½-½ 63 B22 Sicilian Alapin
Smeets, Jan - Caruana, Fabiano 1-0 77 B41 Sicilian Paulsen
Round 10 (January 27, 2010)
Kramnik, Vladimir - Ivanchuk, Vassily ½-½ 40 D37 QGD 5.Bf4
Anand, Viswanathan - Shirov, Alexei 1-0 55 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Karjakin, Sergey - Carlsen, Magnus 0-1 45 C11 French Defence
Leko, Peter - Short, Nigel D ½-½ 69 B03 Alekhine's Defence
Dominguez Perez, Leinier - Nakamura, Hikaru ½-½ 70 B36 Sicilian Maroczy Bind
Caruana, Fabiano - Van Wely, Loek ½-½ 46 B84 Sicilian Scheveningen
Tiviakov, Sergei - Smeets, Jan 1-0 34 C43 Petroff's Defence
Round 11 (January 29, 2010)
Carlsen, Magnus - Dominguez Perez, Leinier 1-0 45 D97 Gruenfeld Russian
Shirov, Alexei - Kramnik, Vladimir ½-½ 51 C42 Petroff's Defence
Nakamura, Hikaru - Leko, Peter ½-½ 20 A30 English Symmetrical
Ivanchuk, Vassily - Karjakin, Sergey ½-½ 40 E06 Catalan
Short, Nigel D - Caruana, Fabiano ½-½ 37 B40 Sicilian Classical
Van Wely, Loek - Tiviakov, Sergei 1-0 88 E18 Queens Indian
Smeets, Jan - Anand, Viswanathan ½-½ 15 B81 Sicilian Keres Attack
Round 12 (January 30, 2010)
Anand, Viswanathan - Kramnik, Vladimir 1-0 45 C42 Petroff's Defence
Karjakin, Sergey - Shirov, Alexei ½-½ 40 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Leko, Peter - Carlsen, Magnus ½-½ 33 B90 Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Dominguez Perez, Leinier - Ivanchuk, Vassily ½-½ 56 B01 Centre Counter
Caruana, Fabiano - Nakamura, Hikaru ½-½ 62 B67 Sicilian Rauzer
Tiviakov, Sergei - Short, Nigel D ½-½ 33 B16 Caro Kann
Smeets, Jan - Van Wely, Loek 1-0 23 B96 Sicilian Najdorf
Round 13 (January 31, 2010)
Carlsen, Magnus - Caruana, Fabiano ½-½ 56 C77 Ruy Lopez Anderssen
Kramnik, Vladimir - Karjakin, Sergey ½-½ 21 E15 Queens Indian
Shirov, Alexei - Dominguez Perez, Leinier ½-½ 30 B94 Sicilian Najdorf with 6.Bg5
Nakamura, Hikaru - Tiviakov, Sergei 1-0 79 B01 Centre Counter
Ivanchuk, Vassily - Leko, Peter ½-½ 27 D45 Anti-Meran Variations
Short, Nigel D - Smeets, Jan ½-½ 14 C43 Petroff's Defence
Van Wely, Loek - Anand, Viswanathan ½-½ 39 D45 Anti-Meran Variations
Corus B Wijk aan Zee (NED), 16-31 i 2010 cat. XVI (2629)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
1. Giri, Anish g NED 2588 * ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 0 1 ½ 1 ½ 9 2773
2. Naiditsch, Arkadij g GER 2687 ½ * ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 8½ 2734
3. Ni Hua g CHN 2657 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 1 1 ½ ½ 1 1 8 2713
4. L'Ami, Erwin g NED 2615 ½ 0 ½ * ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 7½ 2687
5. So, Wesley g PHI 2656 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 ½ 7½ 2684
6. Harikrishna, P g IND 2672 0 1 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ ½ 6½ 2625
7. Negi, Parimarjan g IND 2621 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 0 1 6½ 2629
8. Howell, David W L g ENG 2606 0 ½ 1 0 ½ ½ ½ * 0 ½ ½ 1 1 0 6 2601
9. Sutovsky, Emil g ISR 2657 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 * ½ ½ 1 0 ½ 6 2597
10. Muzychuk, Anna m SLO 2523 1 0 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 5½ 2580
11. Nisipeanu, Liviu-Dieter g ROU 2681 0 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ 1 ½ 5½ 2568
12. Reinderman, Dimitri g NED 2573 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 1 0 0 0 ½ ½ * 0 1 5 2546
13. Nyback, Tomi g FIN 2643 0 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 0 1 ½ 0 1 * ½ 5 2541
14. Akobian, Varuzhan g USA 2628 ½ 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 1 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ * 4½ 2519
Round 9 (January 26, 2010)
Naiditsch, Arkadij - Nyback, Tomi 1-0 40 C63 Ruy Lopez Schliemann
So, Wesley - Sutovsky, Emil ½-½ 42 D83 Gruenfeld 4.Bf4
Harikrishna, P - Nisipeanu, Liviu-Dieter ½-½ 24 E61 King's Indian Defence
Negi, Parimarjan - Reinderman, Dimitri 1-0 40 B78 Sicilian Modern Dragon
Howell, David W L - L'Ami, Erwin 0-1 61 C05 French Tarrasch
Muzychuk, Anna - Giri, Anish 1-0 55 B51 Sicilian Rossolimo
Akobian, Varuzhan - Ni Hua 0-1 50 D85 Gruenfeld Defence
Round 10 (January 27, 2010)
Giri, Anish - Naiditsch, Arkadij ½-½ 22 D41 Semi-Tarrasch Defence
Ni Hua - Negi, Parimarjan ½-½ 51 D37 QGD 5.Bf4
L'Ami, Erwin - Nisipeanu, Liviu-Dieter ½-½ 21 E98 King's Indian Classical
Howell, David W L - Muzychuk, Anna ½-½ 47 B30 Sicilian Rossolimo
Sutovsky, Emil - Akobian, Varuzhan ½-½ 34 B07 Pirc Defence
Reinderman, Dimitri - Harikrishna, P 1-0 56 A20 English Opening
Nyback, Tomi - So, Wesley 0-1 61 D11 Slav Defence
Round 11 (January 29, 2010)
Naiditsch, Arkadij - Howell, David W L ½-½ 61 C69 Ruy Lopez Exchange
So, Wesley - Giri, Anish 0-1 36 C42 Petroff's Defence
Harikrishna, P - Ni Hua ½-½ 59 D17 Slav Defence
Negi, Parimarjan - Sutovsky, Emil ½-½ 77 B19 Caro Kann
Muzychuk, Anna - L'Ami, Erwin ½-½ 53 C01 French Exchange
Nisipeanu, Liviu-Dieter - Reinderman, Dimitri ½-½ 72 B31 Sicilian Rossolimo
Akobian, Varuzhan - Nyback, Tomi ½-½ 47 D45 Anti-Meran Variations
Round 12 (January 30, 2010)
Giri, Anish - Akobian, Varuzhan ½-½ 120 A41 Modern Defence
Ni Hua - Nisipeanu, Liviu-Dieter ½-½ 23 B83 Sicilian Scheveningen
L'Ami, Erwin - Reinderman, Dimitri ½-½ 19 A52 Budapest Defence Main Line
Howell, David W L - So, Wesley ½-½ 20 C07 French Tarrasch
Sutovsky, Emil - Harikrishna, P ½-½ 38 B17 Caro Kann
Muzychuk, Anna - Naiditsch, Arkadij 0-1 47 C69 Ruy Lopez Exchange
Nyback, Tomi - Negi, Parimarjan 1-0 41 D85 Gruenfeld Defence
Round 13 (January 31, 2010)
Naiditsch, Arkadij - L'Ami, Erwin 1-0 51 C12 French MacCutcheon
So, Wesley - Muzychuk, Anna ½-½ 38 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Harikrishna, P - Nyback, Tomi ½-½ 67 D31 Semi-Slav Defence
Negi, Parimarjan - Giri, Anish ½-½ 21 C43 Petroff's Defence
Nisipeanu, Liviu-Dieter - Sutovsky, Emil ½-½ 18 B90 Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Reinderman, Dimitri - Ni Hua ½-½ 32 A16 English Opening
Akobian, Varuzhan - Howell, David W L 1-0 45 D85 Gruenfeld Defence
Corus C Wijk aan Zee (NED), 16-31 i 2010 cat. IX (2455)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
1. Li Chao2 g CHN 2604 * ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 0 ½ 1 1 1 1 1 10.0 2654
2. Gupta, Abhijeet g IND 2577 ½ * 0 1 1 ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 0 ½ 1 1 8.5 2555
3. Van Kampen, Robin m NED 2456 ½ 1 * 0 1 1 ½ 0 1 0 ½ ½ 1 1 8.0 2542
4. Vocaturo, Daniele g ITA 2495 ½ 0 1 * 1 ½ 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 8.0 2539
5. Robson, Ray g USA 2570 0 0 0 0 * 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 7.5 2503
6. Swinkels, Robin m NED 2495 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 * 1 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 7.5 2509
7. Bok, Benjamin f NED 2322 0 ½ ½ 1 0 0 * 1 1 ½ 0 1 ½ 1 7.0 2494
8. Grandelius, Nils m SWE 2515 1 0 1 0 ½ 0 0 * 0 1 1 ½ 1 0 6.0 2421
9. Kuipers, Stefan f NED 2340 ½ 0 0 1 0 ½ 0 1 * 1 ½ 0 1 ½ 6.0 2435
10. Muzychuk, Mariya m UKR 2447 0 ½ 1 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 0 * 1 ½ 1 1 6.0 2426
11. Lie, Kjetil A g NOR 2547 0 1 ½ 1 0 ½ 1 0 ½ 0 * 0 ½ ½ 5.5 2391
12. Peng Zhaoqin g NED 2402 0 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 * 0 ½ 5.0 2372
13. Plukkel, Sjoerd NED 2279 0 0 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 0 0 ½ 1 * ½ 3.0 2257
14. Soumya, Swaminathan wg IND 2323 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ * 3.0 2254
Round 9 (January 26, 2010)
Li Chao2 - Robson, Ray 1-0 34 B77 Sicilian Modern Dragon
Van Kampen, Robin - Gupta, Abhijeet 1-0 30 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Vocaturo, Daniele - Muzychuk, Mariya 1-0 86 B33 Sicilian Sveshnikov
Bok, Benjamin - Kuipers, Stefan 1-0 39 B30 Sicilian Rossolimo
Lie, Kjetil A - Grandelius, Nils 0-1 46 A02 From's Gambit and Bird's Opening
Peng Zhaoqin - Soumya, Swaminathan ½-½ 63 D11 Slav Defence
Plukkel, Sjoerd - Swinkels, Robin 0-1 71 B50 Sicilian Defence
Round 10 (January 27, 2010)
Gupta, Abhijeet - Lie, Kjetil A 0-1 53 A41 Modern Defence
Robson, Ray - Van Kampen, Robin 0-1 37 C58 Two Knights Defence
Swinkels, Robin - Li Chao2 0-1 46 A15 English counter King's Fianchetto
Kuipers, Stefan - Vocaturo, Daniele 1-0 77 B96 Sicilian Najdorf
Muzychuk, Mariya - Plukkel, Sjoerd 1-0 55 C43 Petroff's Defence
Peng Zhaoqin - Bok, Benjamin 0-1 33 A15 English counter King's Fianchetto
Soumya, Swaminathan - Grandelius, Nils 1-0 36 B90 Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Round 11 (January 29, 2010)
Li Chao2 - Muzychuk, Mariya 1-0 37 B30 Sicilian Rossolimo
Van Kampen, Robin - Swinkels, Robin 1-0 51 B29 Sicilian Defence
Vocaturo, Daniele - Peng Zhaoqin 1-0 38 B48 Sicilian Paulsen
Bok, Benjamin - Soumya, Swaminathan 1-0 40 B96 Sicilian Najdorf
Grandelius, Nils - Gupta, Abhijeet 0-1 50 D85 Gruenfeld Defence
Lie, Kjetil A - Robson, Ray 0-1 41 B23 Sicilian Closed
Plukkel, Sjoerd - Kuipers, Stefan 0-1 37 B33 Sicilian Sveshnikov
Round 12 (January 30, 2010)
Robson, Ray - Grandelius, Nils ½-½ 36 C67 Ruy Lopez Berlin
Swinkels, Robin - Lie, Kjetil A ½-½ 19 B39 Sicilian Maroczy Bind
Bok, Benjamin - Vocaturo, Daniele 1-0 46 C99 Ruy Lopez Chigorin
Kuipers, Stefan - Li Chao2 ½-½ 9 C42 Petroff's Defence
Muzychuk, Mariya - Van Kampen, Robin 1-0 90 B51 Sicilian Rossolimo
Peng Zhaoqin - Plukkel, Sjoerd 0-1 65 A40 Unusual Replies to 1.d4
Soumya, Swaminathan - Gupta, Abhijeet 0-1 32 B67 Sicilian Rauzer
Round 13 (January 31, 2010)
Li Chao2 - Peng Zhaoqin 1-0 41 C18 French Winawer
Gupta, Abhijeet - Robson, Ray 1-0 80 D43 Anti-Meran Gambit
Van Kampen, Robin - Kuipers, Stefan 1-0 34 B30 Sicilian Rossolimo
Vocaturo, Daniele - Soumya, Swaminathan 1-0 31 B19 Caro Kann
Grandelius, Nils - Swinkels, Robin 0-1 49 B48 Sicilian Paulsen
Lie, Kjetil A - Muzychuk, Mariya 0-1 38 A20 English Opening
Plukkel, Sjoerd - Bok, Benjamin ½-½ 34 C45 Scotch Game

3) Gibtelecom Masters 2010

The Gibtelecom Masters takes place 26th January - 4 February 2010.

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

Gibtelecom Masters (ENG), 26 i - 4 ii 2010
Leading Round 6 (of 10) Standings:
Rank TiName Fed. Rating Score TPR W-We
1GMAdams, Michael ENG 2694528220.93
2GMGustafsson, Jan GER 2627528151.38
3GMSandipan, Chanda IND 2622527721.06
4WGMZhukova, Natalia UKR 2462527492.16
5GMBacrot, Etienne FRA 27134.52681-0.12
6GMMovsesian, Sergei SVK 27084.52660-0.28
7GMVallejo Pons, Francisco ESP 27054.52683-0.09
8GMKamsky, Gata USA 26934.52676-0.07
9GMFressinet, Laurent FRA 26704.527130.37
10GMCheparinov, Ivan BUL 26604.52545-0.63
11GMFridman, Daniel GER 26544.526860.28
12GMKoneru, Humpy IND 26144.526540.37
13GMFelgaer, Ruben ARG 25914.526280.47
14GMGeetha Narayanan Gopal IND 25844.526320.4
15GMHalkias, Stelios GRE 25664.526120.42
16IMLenderman, Alex USA 25604.525650.19
17GMMaze, Sebastien FRA 25544.526540.37
18GMMalakhatko, Vadim BEL 25494.526190.56
19GMStefanova, Antoaneta BUL 25454.526610.94
20GMBhat, Vinay S. USA 25404.52510-0.17
21GMCramling, Pia SWE 25284.525620.34
22GMNaumann, Alexander GER 25254.525430.24
23GMSpeelman, Jon S ENG 25254.525230.11
24GMGuliyev, Namig AZE 25164.524900
25GMHoffmann, Michael GER 25084.525880.68
26IMJavakhishvili, Lela GEO 24934.524890.08
27IMCori, Jorge PER 24834.525310.38
28IMHarika, Dronavalli IND 24714.525390.66
29GMEdouard, Romain FRA 260842601-0.01
30GMIstratescu, Andrei ROU 260742485-0.77
31GMLopez Martinez, Josep Manu ESP 259342454-0.85
32GMLemos, Damian ARG 255642450-0.67
33GMKosteniuk, Alexandra RUS 2523425570.33
34GMBindrich, Falko GER 2512425380.27
35IMKapnisis, Spyridon GRE 251042454-0.31
36GMDzagnidze, Nana GEO 250642475-0.06
37IMShankland, Samuel L USA 2491425290.37
38GMCarlsson, Pontus SWE 2476424920.25
39IMBoskovic, Drasko SRB 245442375-0.44
40IMVernay, Clovis FRA 2442425440.85
41GMBellon Lopez, Juan Manuel ESP 2440424430.12
42WIMCori T., Deysi PER 241242382-0.06
43Battaglini, Gabriel FRA 2411426021.49
44IMSarkar, Justin USA 237842343-0.19
45FMZaremba, Andrie USA 236042323-0.2
46IMSaravanan, V. IND 2356424270.69
47FMLovik, Lasse Ostebo NOR 234342299-0.23
48IMPeek, Marcel NED 2342423700.3
49WGMReizniece, Dana LAT 234142317-0.14
50IMSedina, Elena ITA 2335423420.2
51Kantans, Toms LAT 230342251-0.27
52IMKozlov, Oleg RUS 2279424271.14
53FMAvalos Parra, Joao CHI 2245423000.5
54Tate, Alan SCO 2211422920.5
55Ivanov, Stojan Emilov BUL 2198422220.33
56Demac, Elias NOR 2104423832.11
57GMSiebrecht, Sebastian GER 24683.52378-0.51
58IMZatonskih, Anna USA 24663.524740.2
59IMKrush, Irina USA 24553.524370.03
60IMHirneise, Tobias GER 24213.525661.21
61WGMKaravade, Eesha IND 24053.52368-0.18
62IMHouska, Jovanka ENG 24013.52334-0.37
63IMTania, Sachdev IND 23983.52352-0.26
64IMBenitah, Yohan FRA 23903.52262-0.86
65FMDegtiarev, Evgeny GER 23743.52310-0.35
66IMSolomon, Kenny RSA 23683.52324-0.24
67FMCamus de Solliers, Guillau FRA 23563.523890.35
68FMDittmar, Peter GER 23413.52290-0.26
69IMZozulia, Anna BEL 23213.523500.33
70FMWantiez, Fabrice BEL 23153.52268-0.24
71Andre, Gordon GER 23083.52217-0.61
72FMForsaa, Espen NOR 23013.523150.1
73Getz, Nicolai NOR 22803.52204-0.5
74Stephan, Axel GER 22523.523380.64
75Arvola, Benjamin NOR 22183.523340.89
76Tscharotschkin, Michael GER 22113.52167-0.2
77Byron, Alan M ENG 21963.522220.34
78FMLasinskas, Povilas LTU 21743.52163-0.12
79Gandrud, Vegar Koi NOR 21583.524261.61
80FMMolina, Antonio PHI 21483.522060.34
81CMOsuna Vega, Enrique ESP 21283.522470.85
82Tozer, Philip ENG 21193.523301.19
83Fokin, Sergey RUS 21093.523281.68
84Ogada-Osir, Ibrahim AUS 21043.523221.69
85Seitz, Benjamin SUI 20173.522871.6
86Carame Gonzalez, Francisco ESP 19773.522811.42
87IMCmilyte, Viktorija LTU 248932371-0.83
88GMArakhamia-Grant, Ketevan SCO 247032245-1.53
89IMNezad, Husein Aziz QAT 240832215-1.37
90IMDworakowska, Joanna POL 237432116-1.89
91WGMCalzetta Ruiz, Monica ESP 235932177-1.31
92FMPerez Pardo, Juan Carlos ESP 229732233-0.5
93FMNikolaidis, Konstantinos GRE 2266322770.06
94Meskovs, Nikita LAT 226432164-0.82
95Montero Melendez, Rafael ESP 224832091-0.91
96FMHartvig, Ove Weiss DEN 224532187-0.46
97FMMarchand, Francois FRA 2244322380
98Duhayon, Yves BEL 2241323550.77
99Al-Tamimi, Hamad QAT 2238322500.08
100Nuri, Kambez SUI 223532174-0.46
224 players

4) Armenian Championship

The 70th Armenian Championships 2010 took place in Yerevan Thursday 21st Jan 2010 - Sunday 31st Jan 2010. Avetik Grigoryan took clear first place with 7.5/9.

Anahit Kharatyan won the women's event, no games available.

Official site: http://www.chessfed.am/ and http://www.armchess.am/

70th ch-ARM Yerevan (ARM), 22-31 i 2010 cat. XII (2538)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Grigoryan, Avetik g ARM 2534 * ½ ½ 1 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 7½ 2811
2. Petrosian, Tigran L g ARM 2627 ½ * ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½ 0 1 5½ 2607
3. Andriasian, Zaven g ARM 2613 ½ ½ * 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 5½ 2609
4. Minasian, Artashes g ARM 2561 0 ½ 1 * 0 0 1 1 1 1 5½ 2615
5. Hovhannisyan, Robert m ARM 2473 0 0 ½ 1 * 1 1 0 ½ 1 5 2588
6. Melkumyan, Hrant g ARM 2583 0 0 ½ 1 0 * ½ 1 ½ ½ 4 2489
7. Chibukhchian, Artur m ARM 2498 ½ ½ 0 0 0 ½ * 1 1 ½ 4 2499
8. Kotanjian, Tigran g ARM 2537 0 ½ ½ 0 1 0 0 * 1 ½ 3½ 2457
9. Kalashian, David m ARM 2451 0 1 0 0 ½ ½ 0 0 * ½ 2½ 2381
10. Petrosian, Davit G m ARM 2501 0 0 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * 2 2321
Round 5 (January 26, 2010)
Minasian, Artashes - Andriasian, Zaven 1-0 61 A07 Barcza System
Hovhannisyan, Robert - Petrosian, Tigran L 0-1 24 B96 Sicilian Najdorf
Melkumyan, Hrant - Grigoryan, Avetik 0-1 46 D10 Slav Defence
Chibukhchian, Artur - Kotanjian, Tigran 1-0 57 D43 Anti-Meran Gambit
Kalashian, David - Petrosian, Davit G ½-½ 62 A33 English Symmetrical
Round 6 (January 27, 2010)
Grigoryan, Avetik - Hovhannisyan, Robert 1-0 58 D47 Queens Gambit Meran
Petrosian, Tigran L - Chibukhchian, Artur ½-½ 61 D02 Queen's Pawn Game
Andriasian, Zaven - Petrosian, Davit G 1-0 38 A34 English Symmetrical
Minasian, Artashes - Melkumyan, Hrant 0-1 72 A05 Various
Kotanjian, Tigran - Kalashian, David 1-0 35 E15 Queens Indian
Round 7 (January 28, 2010)
Hovhannisyan, Robert - Minasian, Artashes 1-0 51 B06 Modern Defence
Melkumyan, Hrant - Andriasian, Zaven ½-½ 26 D45 Anti-Meran Variations
Chibukhchian, Artur - Grigoryan, Avetik ½-½ 11 D20 QGA
Kalashian, David - Petrosian, Tigran L 1-0 41 D85 Gruenfeld Defence
Petrosian, Davit G - Kotanjian, Tigran ½-½ 34 B48 Sicilian Paulsen
Round 8 (January 29, 2010)
Grigoryan, Avetik - Kalashian, David 1-0 32 A42 Modern Defence
Petrosian, Tigran L - Petrosian, Davit G 1-0 54 E66 King's Indian Fianchetto
Andriasian, Zaven - Kotanjian, Tigran ½-½ 31 B92 Sicilian Najdorf with 6.Be2
Minasian, Artashes - Chibukhchian, Artur 1-0 33 C00 French Defence
Melkumyan, Hrant - Hovhannisyan, Robert 0-1 52 D46 Semi-Slav Defence
Round 9 (January 31, 2010)
Hovhannisyan, Robert - Andriasian, Zaven ½-½ 48 B90 Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Chibukhchian, Artur - Melkumyan, Hrant ½-½ 110 A48 King's Indian Defence /c2-c4
Kotanjian, Tigran - Petrosian, Tigran L ½-½ 10 D14 Slav Exchange
Kalashian, David - Minasian, Artashes 0-1 44 C04 French Tarrasch
Petrosian, Davit G - Grigoryan, Avetik 0-1 38 B12 Caro Kann Advanced

5) Cuban Championship

The initial stages of the 46th Cuban Championship took place in Ciego de Avila 13th-21st January 2010. The top four players moved on to a knockout. Lazaro Bruzon Batista beat Omar Almeida Quintana 2-0 in one semi-final and Jesus Nogueiras Santiago beat Yuniesky Quesada Perez 1.5-0.5 in the other. In the final Lazaro Bruzon Batista beat Jesus Nogueiras Santiago in game 2 to take the final Omar Almeida Quintana beat Yuniesky Quesada Perez to take 3rd (final 4 rapid games are missing).

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

Results of the final: http://chess-results.com/tnr29728.aspx

ChessBase report in Spanish: http://www.chessbase.com/espanola/newsdetail2.asp?id=7982

46th ch-CUB Ciego de Avila (CUB), 13-22 i 2010
Final Round 9 Standings:
Rk. Ti Name ELOFEDPts.
1GMQuesada Perez Yuniesky2565CUB7
1GMBruzon Batista Lazaro2615CUB7
3GMAlmeida Quintana Omar2538CUB5½
4GMNogueiras Santiago Jesus2570CUB5
5FMQuesada Perez Yasser2401CUB5
6GMVera Gonzalez-Quevedo Reynaldo2499CUB5
7GMDelgado Ramirez Neuris2595CUB5
8GMMartinez Duany Lelys Stanley2506CUB5
9IMOrtiz Suarez Isan Reynaldo2527CUB4½
10GMCorrales Jimenez Fidel2602CUB4½
11IMGomez Garrido Camilo2497CUB4
12GMArencibia Rodriguez Walter2499CUB4
13GMPerez Rodriguez Luis Manuel2487CUB4
14GMGonzalez Vidal Yuri2523CUB4
15FMJimenez Fraga Pedro Alejandro2453CUB4
16FMBacallao Alonso Yusnel2512CUB3½
17GMHernandez Carmenates Holden2567CUB3½
18GMDe La Paz Perdomo Frank2488CUB½
46th ch-CUB Ciego de Avila Final (CUB), 13-22 i 2010
Rk.TíNameELOFED12Pts.
1GMNogueiras Santiago Jesús2570CUB½0½
2GMBatista Bruzon Lazaro2615CUB½11½
46th ch-CUB Ciego de Avila 3rd-4th (CUB), 13-22 i 2010
Rk.TíNameELOFED123456Pts.
1GMAlmeida Quintana Omar2538CUB½½½½1½3½
2GMQuesada Perez Yuniesky2565CUB½½½½0½2½

6) III Carlos Gamarra Memorial

The III Carlos Gamarra Memorial took place in Asuncion, Paraguay, Category II (Elo Prom. 2279), January 20th-27th 2010. Alfeu Bueno Varela, and Manuel Latorre made an IM norm. Also Guillermo Vazquez (only 12 years old), won the Open tournament "Carlos Fausto Duria" with 7.5/9, followed by Antonio Almiron with 7, both from Paraguay, 33 players. News: Zenon Franco Ocampos.

III Carlos Gamarra Mem Asuncion (URU), 20-27 i 2010 cat. II (2279)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1. Bueno, Alfeu Junior Varela BRA 2314 * ½ 1 1 ½ 0 1 1 1 1 1 8 2515
2. Diaz Hollemaert, Nahuel m ARG 2456 ½ * 0 1 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 7 2410
3. Latorre, Manuel PAR 2268 0 1 * 0 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 7 2429
4. Peralta, Eduardo f PAR 2282 0 0 1 * ½ 1 ½ 1 1 0 1 6 2350
5. Brito, Luismar f BRA 2340 ½ 0 0 ½ * 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 5½ 2309
6. Kropff, Ricardo m PAR 2306 1 ½ ½ 0 0 * ½ ½ 0 1 1 5 2276
7. Valiente, Cristobal m PAR 2258 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ * 1 ½ ½ ½ 4½ 2245
8. Zacarias, M Ruben D PAR 2213 0 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 * 1 1 1 4 2213
9. Oddone, Cristhian URU 2242 0 ½ ½ 0 0 1 ½ 0 * 0 ½ 3 2133
10. Gattass, Allan BRA 2267 0 0 0 1 ½ 0 ½ 0 1 * 0 3 2131
11. Perez, Hernan PAR 2124 0 0 0 0 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 * 2 2054

7) Dunav-Drava-Sava Tournament

The Dunav-Drava-Sava tournament took place in Borovo (CRO) 11th-15th January 2010. IM Szuhanek Ranko won with 7,5/9. Martic Zlatko and Vukoje Vladimir made IM Norms. Chief arbiter was Milutin Lukic, IA

II Dunav-Drava-Sava Borovo (CRO), 11-15 i 2010 cat. III (2307)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Szuhanek, Ranko m ROU 2479 * ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 1 7½ 2560
2. Martic, Zlatko f CRO 2380 ½ * ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 1 ½ 7 2518
3. Vukoje, Vladimir f CRO 2315 0 ½ * 1 ½ 1 1 1 ½ 1 6½ 2471
4. Mrkonjic, Nenad m CRO 2382 ½ ½ 0 * ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 5½ 2378
5. Novakovic, Dragan m CRO 2315 ½ 0 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 4 2262
6. Markovic, Lazar f BIH 2245 0 0 0 0 ½ * ½ ½ 1 1 3½ 2233
7. Majeric, Zoran m CRO 2250 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 3 2188
8. Mladenovic, Velisa f CRO 2232 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ 3 2190
9. Savic, Mihajlo f SRB 2230 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ * 1 3 2190
10. Djuric, Zivorad BIH 2239 0 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 * 2 2094

8) Marianske Lazne

There were several tournaments in Marianske Lazne 16th-23rd January 2010. Dminik Orzech won the GM tournament with 6½/9. Games from the open in Round 7 now available. My thanks to Spiros Ilandzis.

Official site: http://www.czechtour.net/marienbad-open/results-and-games/

9) Georgian Championship

The 69th Championship of Georgia took place in Tbilisi 11th-24th Janaury 2010. Merab Gagunashvili and Tamaz Gelashvili both finished on 9/13. I'm unsure if there was a playoff or tie-break. The game file is still very incomplete.

Results: http://chess-results.com/tnr29278.aspx

Official site: http://www.chesspoti.ge/

Games in PGN

10) LX Abierto De Verano

The LX Abierto De Verano tournament took place 20th-31st January 2010 and Federico Perez Ponsa finished in first place on 7.5/9. Games from the first three rounds only are currently available. I will round them all up when a full file becomes available.

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

11) 34th Queen City Open

George Mirijanian reports: The 34th Queen City Open took place January 30-31, 2010 at the Comfort Inn in Manchester, New Hampshire, USA. U.S. Chess Federation-rated senior master Denys Shmelov of Pepperell, Massachusetts finished first with a score of 3.5-0.5. Tying for second-third place with 3-1 tallies were IM Danny Kopec of Merrick, New York, and FIDE master William Kelleher of Watertown, Mass. Kopec defeated Kelleher in the third round but lost to Shmelov in the final round. Among those tying for fourth place with 2.5-1.5 results and out of prize-money contention was IM Joseph Fang of Nashua, New Hampshire. The event drew 81 players in six sections and was directed by Henry "Hal" Terrie of Manchester, N.H., assisted by John Elmore of Stratham, N.H., for the sponsoring New Hampshire Chess Association.

12) Forthcoming Events and Links

XXVIII Andorra International Chess Open

The XXVIII Andorra International Chess Open takes place 17th-25th July 2010. Prizes: 10.000 Euros / 1st Prize: 2.100 Euros

Details: http://www.escacsandorra.com

Contact: open@escacsandorra.com - FEVA - Tel/Fax: 00.376.824465

1st Novy Bor Open

The 1st Novy Bor Open, takes place 13th-20th February 2010.

Official site: http://www.czechtour.net/novy-bor-open/

Czech Tour 2010-11

The 10th International Chess Festivals Series Czech Tour 2010-11 has the following preliminary list. (Subject to small changes.)

1st HRADEC KRALOVE OPEN (FIDE open, active chess, blitz tournament). 15th-22nd May 2010.

21st CZECH OPEN - Pardubice (European Youth Chess Teams Championship, European Amateurs Championship, GM open taken in ACP-TOUR, 4 FIDE opens, Open Championship of the Czech Republic in active chess taken in ACP-TOUR, Open Championship of the Czech Republic of 4-member teams, in blitz marathon, bughouse and Fischerandom chess, problem solving competition, blitz tournaments for individuals, pairs and teams, pairs active chess, youth tournament etc.). 15th July - 1st August 2010. http://www.czechopen.net

13th OLOMOUC CHESS SUMMER - Olomouc (FIDE open, closed GM and IM tournaments, seniors tournament, active chess, blitz chess tournament). 4th-12th August 2010.

9th Georgiev's and Kesarovsky´s Memorial - Sunny Beach, Bulgaria (FIDE open, active chess, blitz tournament). 28th August - 5th September 2010.

7th HIGHLANDS OPEN - Zdar nad Sazavou (FIDE open, active chess, blitz tournament). 25th September - 2nd October 2010.

11th LIBEREC OPEN (FIDE open, active chess, blitz tournament). 23rd-30th October 2010.

1st BRNO OPEN (FIDE open, active chess, blitz tournament). 14th-20th November 2010

4th SOUTH BOHEMIA OPEN - Cesky Krumlov (FIDE open, active chess, blitz tournament). 21st-27th November 2010.

2nd PILSNER OPEN (FIDE open, active chess, blitz tournament).4th-11th December 2010.

10th PRAGUE OPEN (2 FIDE opens, one of them with IM norm, active chess, blitz tournament). 7th-14th January 2011.

10th MARIENBAD OPEN (FIDE open, closed GM and IM tournaments, active chess, blitz tournament). 15th-22nd January 2011.

2nd NOVY BOR OPEN (FIDE open, active chess, blitz tournament). 12th-19th February 2011.

More detailed information: 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

http://www.czechtour.net

XXVIII Metz Open

The XXVIII Metz International Chess Open organised by the Metz Alekhine chess club takes place Saturday, April 10th - Friday, April 16th 2010. 9 Round Swiss over 7 days. Rate of play : 90min. + 30 spm (40 moves), f.b. 30 min. + 30 spm for each player.

Chief Tournament Officer : Salvatore CENTONZE - (+33) 6 10 87 86 95 -  salvat.111@free.fr 37 Rue de Queuleu 57070 METZ

Deputy Tournament Officer : Christophe HOLLER - (+33) 6 72 93 08 15 -  ch.holler@numericable.fr

Details: http://www.metzalekhine57.fr/opmetz2010_1578.htm

11th European Individual 2010

The 11th European Individual Men and Women's Chess Championship takes place 5th-19th March 2010 in Rijeka, Croatia. Applications through the individual Federations can only be made not later than 10th February 2010.

Details: http://www.eurorijeka2010.com/home/Services/Accommodation

4NCL

The 4NCL took place Sat 24th Oct 2009 - 3rd May 2010. 16th-17th January saw rounds 3 and 4. Pride & Prejudice (Adams, Rowson, Haslinger, Hebden) v Wood Green (Bacrot, McShane, Hammer, Baburin) which was 1st v 2nd. The match was tied 2-2.

Official site: http://www.4ncl.co.uk/index.htm

Live games: http://www.bcfservices.org.uk/livechess/4ncl/0910/index.htm

4NCL 2009-10 Sunningdale (ENG), 24 x 2009 - 3 v 2010
Division 1A Round 4 (of 11) Standings:
Team Won Drawn Lost Points
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 3 1 0 7
WOOD GREEN HILSMARK KINGFISHER 1 3 1 0 7
BARBICAN 4NCL 2 2 1 1 5
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY 1 2 0 2 4
THE ADS 1 1 2 3
GUILDFORD-A&DC 2 1 1 2 3
OXFORD 1 1 0 3 2
JUTES OF KENT 0 1 3 1
4NCL 2009-10 Sunningdale (ENG), 24 x 2009 - 3 v 2010
Division 1B Round 4 (of 11) Standings:
Team Won Drawn Lost Points
WOOD GREEN HILSMARK KINGFISHER 2 3 0 1 6
GUILDFORD-A&DC 1 3 0 1 6
BARBICAN 4NCL 1 3 0 1 6
WHITE ROSE 1 3 0 1 6
BETSSON.COM 2 0 2 4
SOUTH WALES DRAGONS 1 0 3 2
PANDORA'S BOX GRANTHAM 1 0 3 2
POISONED PAWNS 1 0 0 4 0

24th Pula Open 2010

The 24th International Chess Tournament "Pula Open 2010" takes place 19th-26th June 2010 in Hotel Histria, Pula, Croatia. Swiss system 9 rounds, 90 minutes + 30 seconds per every move (from the beginning of the game). Prize fund is 11 000 EUR net (in Croatian kunas). There are 53 prizes in total. The prizes are not cumulative. Entry fee is 50 EUR but players younger that 18 years pay 25 EUR and IM-s and GM-s do not pay. Last year 295 players from 25 counties participated.

Details: http://www.skpula.hr

E-mail: pulaopen@gmail.com

You can also contact the tournament director Mr. Denis Vretenar: +385/ 91/ 5268340

2010 Amber Blindfold and Rapid Tournament

The 19th Amber Blindfold and Rapid Tournament takes place at the Palais de la Mediterranée, a legendary hotel on the world-famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, March 12th-25th 2010. The event is organized by the Association Max Euwe of chess maecenas Joop van Oosterom, which is based in Monaco. The new number one in the world rankings, Magnus Carlsen, is the top-seed in Nice. Also present are Levon Aronian, the winner of the past two Amber tournaments, and Vladimir Kramnik, who won the Amber tournament a record six times.

Likely website: http://www.amberchess2010.com/

19th Amber Blindfold and Rapid Nice (FRA), 12-25 iii 2010 cat. XX (2746)
WRkNameTitleNATB-YearJa2010
1Carlsen, MagnusgNOR19902810
4Kramnik, VladimirgRUS19752788
5Aronian, LevongARM19822781
6Gelfand, BorisgISR19682761
7Gashimov, VugargAZE19862759
8Ivanchuk, VassilygUKR19692749
10Svidler, PetergRUS19762744
13Ponomariov, RuslangUKR19832737
17Morozevich, AlexandergRUS19772732
21Karjakin, SergeygRUS19902720
25Dominguez Perez, LeiniergCUB19832712
73Smeets, JangNED19852657

Women's Bundesliga

The Women's Bundesliga takes place 7th November 2009 - 28th March 2010. OSG Baden Baden leads the tournament after 5 rounds. I couldn't find a game file for the tournament.

Results: http://www.schachbund.de/SchachBL/bedh.php?liga=fb1

Bundesliga Women (GER), 7 xi 2009 - 28 iii 2010
Round 5 (of 9) Standings:
Pl Team 123456789101112 Sp MPBP
1.OSG Baden Baden + 5½ 3 54 5½5923
2.Hamburger SK 1830 + 2½ 4½4 5½55821½
3.USV Volksbank Halle 3½ + 2 4½5 3½ 5818½
4.SK Grosslehna ½ + 3½3½4 3½ 5815
5.SC Bad Koenigshofen 42½ + 2½ 45 5618
6.Karlsruher SF 1853 3 2½ + 3½2 45515
7.Rodewischer Schachmiezen 1½23½ + 52½ 5414½
8.SK Lehrte 1½1 + 3 435412½
9.SV Wolfbusch 12 2½ 3 + 55313½
10.SC Leipzig Gohlis 2 2½241 + 5211½
11.SAV Torgelow ½2½ 1 3½2 + 529½
12.SV Medizin Erfurt ½1 2 31 + 517½

Austrian Bundesliga

The second weekend of the Austrian Bundesliga (11 rounds) took place 14th-17th January 2010 in Graz, Austria.

Time control: 100 minutes for 40 moves an additional 50 minutes with 30 seconds per move starting from move 1.

Remaining fixtures: 27th-30th March 2010 in Baden.

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

Results: http://www.chess-results.com/tnr21147.aspx

Aeroflot Open 2010

The 9th International Chess Festival "Aeroflot Open 2010" takes place in Moscow 8th February (the day of arrival) - 19th February 2010 (the day of departure). For the fifth year the festival will take place in the major tourist  complex "Izmailovo", hotel "Gamma - Delta".

The festival has the same total prize fund as in 2009: € 180 000 (the prizes for the World Blitz Qualification Tournament included).

Four Open Tournaments (A1,A2, B and C) are made up according to the rating of the participants.

Tournament A1 for chessplayers with a FIDE rating higher than 2549. Prize fund 70000 €

Tournament A2 for chessplayers with a FIDE rating less than 2550, but higher than 2399. Prize fund: € 36000

Tournament B:for chessplayers with a FIDE rating less than 2400, but higher than 2199. Prize fund € 19500

Tournament C:for chessplayers with a FIDE rating lower than 2200 or without rating. Prize fund Group C: € 12000

All information regarding registration, the package payment details and the World Blitz QualificationTournament are published on the official site: http://www.aeroflotchess.com.

Contact details: e-mail: aeroflotchess@gmail.com

tel/fax: +7 (495) 691-8578 tel.: +7 (495) 690-6084

II Genset Cup

The II Genset Cup IM Tournament takes place 26th March - 3rd April 2010 Szombathely.

9 -11 round Robin 90 minutes/40 moves + 30 minutes , 30 sec addition after each move

INFORMATION: CSONKA Attila 0036-70-200-4233 attila_csonka@hotmail.com PERGEL László 0036-70-775-4901 pergell@citromail.hu

Dutch League

The Dutch League takes place 26th September 2009 - 18th April 2010. Round 5 took place on the 9th January 2010, Games are not yet available. A couple of matches were postponed.

Rounds: Round 1 - 26th September, Round 2 - 31 October, Round 3 - 21st November, Round 4 - 12th December 2009. Round 5 - 9th January Round 6 - 6th February, Round 7 - 6th March, Round 8 - 27 March, Round 9 - 18 April 2010.

Official site: http://www.schaakbond.nl/wedstrijdschaak/knsb-competitie.

Further info: http://www.schakers.info/

Dutch League (NED), 26 ix 2009 - 18 iv 2010
Round 5 Standings:
PlTeam Mp Bp 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 Groningen 1/Hotels.nl 10 32 x 6 . . . 7.5 6 6 6.5 .
2 Schrijvers Rotterdam 8 29½ 4 x . . 6 5.5 . 6.5 7.5 .
3 Utrecht 7 26½ . . x 1.5 5 . 5.5 . 7.5 7
4 HSG 6 28½ . . 8.5 x 7 8.5 . . 4.5 .
5 LSG 5 25 . 4 5 3 x . 7.5 . . 5.5
6 Homburg Apeldoorn 4 24½ 2.5 4.5 . 1.5 . x 8 . . 8
7 Braceland ESGOO 2 20 4 . 4.5 . 2.5 2 x 7 . .
8 HMC Calder 2 16½ 4 3.5 . . . . 3 x . 6
9 SMB 2 14 3.5 2.5 2.5 5.5 . . . . x .
10 HWP Sas van Gent 0 13½ . . 3 . 4.5 2 . 4 . x
Dutch League (NED), 26 ix 2009 - 18 iv 2010
Round 5 Standings:
Round 1 - 26 September
01 SMB - Schrijvers Rotterdam 2½ - 7½
02 Groningen 1/Hotels.nl - Braceland ESGOO 6 - 4
03 HMC Calder - HWP Sas van Gent 6 - 4
04 Homburg Apeldoorn - HSG 1½ - 8½
05 LSG - Utrecht 5 - 5
Round 2 - 31 October
01 Utrecht - SMB 7½ - 2½
02 HSG - LSG 7 - 3
03 HWP Sas van Gent - Homburg Apeldoorn 2 - 8
04 Braceland ESGOO - HMC Calder 7 - 3
05 Schrijvers Rotterdam - Groningen 1/Hotels.nl 4 - 6
Round 3 - 21 November
01 SMB - Groningen 1/Hotels.nl 3½ - 6½
02 HMC Calder - Schrijvers Rotterdam 3½ - 6½
03 Homburg Apeldoorn - Braceland ESGOO 8 - 2
04 LSG - HWP Sas van Gent 5½ - 4½
05 Utrecht - HSG 1½ - 8½
Round 4 - 12 December
01 HSG - SMB 4½ - 5½
02 HWP Sas van Gent - Utrecht 3 - 7
03 Braceland ESGOO - LSG 2½ - 7½
04 Schrijvers Rotterdam - Homburg Apeldoorn 5½ - 4½
05 Groningen 1/Hotels.nl - HMC Calder 6 - 4
Round 5 - 9 January
01 SMB - HMC Calder - *
02 Homburg Apeldoorn - Groningen 1/Hotels.nl 2½ - 7½
03 LSG - Schrijvers Rotterdam 4 - 6
04 Utrecht - Braceland ESGOO 5½ - 4½
05 HSG - HWP Sas van Gent - *
Round 6 - 6 February
01 HWP Sas van Gent - SMB -
02 Braceland ESGOO - HSG -
03 Schrijvers Rotterdam - Utrecht -
04 Groningen 1/Hotels.nl - LSG -
05 HMC Calder - Homburg Apeldoorn -
Round 7 - 6 March
01 SMB - Homburg Apeldoorn -
02 LSG - HMC Calder -
03 Utrecht - Groningen 1/Hotels.nl -
04 HSG - Schrijvers Rotterdam -
05 HWP Sas van Gent - Braceland ESGOO -
Round 8 - 27 March
01 Braceland ESGOO - SMB -
02 Schrijvers Rotterdam - HWP Sas van Gent -
03 Groningen 1/Hotels.nl - HSG -
04 HMC Calder - Utrecht -
05 Homburg Apeldoorn - LSG -
Round 9 - 18 April
01 LSG - SMB -
02 Utrecht - Homburg Apeldoorn -
03 HSG - HMC Calder -
04 HWP Sas van Gent - Groningen 1/Hotels.nl -
05 Braceland ESGOO - Schrijvers Rotterdam -

9th Czech Tour 2009/2010

13-20.2. 2010 1st NOVY BOR OPEN (the Prazak Grandhotel) http://www.czechtour.net/novy-bor-open/

8.-15.1. 2010 9th PRAGUE OPEN (TOP HOTEL Praha) http://www.czechtour.net/prague-open/

16.-23.1. 2010 9th MARIENBAD OPEN (the Kossuth hotel) http://www.czechtour.net/marienbad-open/

Dates of the first tournaments of the 10th jubilee CZECH TOUR 2010 / 2011 Series:

15.-22.5. 2010 1st HRADEC KRALOVE OPEN (the Cernigov hotel)

15.7.-1.8. 2010 21st CZECH OPEN (Pardubice, CEZ Arena)

4.-12.8. 2010 13th OLOMOUC CHESS SUMMER (the Sigma hotel)

Official site: http://www.czechtour.net/news/

Anand - Topalov World Championship is in Sofia in April/May 2010

The World Chess Championship takes place in Sofia, Bulgaria 23 April (1st round) to 12 May 2010 (possible tiebreaks). The match is between World Champion Viswanathan Anand and Veselin Topalov. An agreement was signed by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and the President of the Bulgarian Chess Federation Stefan Sergiev on the 16th December 2009. This was in the presence of the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Mr Boiko Borisov who is guaranteeing the match.

Linares 2010

The Linares tournament takes place in Spain (a pairing with Dubai fell through) 12th-25th February 2010. Players invited so far are: Veselin Topalov, Levon Aronian, Alexander Grischuk, Francisco Vallejo Pons and for the first time in a super-tournament Vugar Gashimov who deserves his chance in this company. (Source ChessDom who also speculate that Boris Gelfand will make up the field).

International Correspondence Chess Federation

The International Correspondence Chess Federation has announced the Preliminary Sections of the World Correspondence Chess Championship will start on March 10th. 2010.

Also Slovenia's 15 Years Membership of ICCF tournament semi-finals.

Details on the ICCF Official site: http://www.iccf.com/content/index.php

Reykjavik Open

The Reykjavík Open 2010 takes place 24th February - 3rd March 2010.

Details: http://www.chess.is and the contact e-mail of the organize commitee is reykjavikopen2010@gmail.com.

FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship

FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship - an Official FIDE World Chess Championship! 9R-SS G/90 + 30/sec increment. Holiday Inn Hotel: 5300 W Touhy Ave Skokie, IL 60077. 847.679.8900. $20,000 Guaranteed. Open to players with no FIDE title and rated under 2000 FIDE. All players compete in a single section. Please see tournament website for more detailed rating regulations.

Prizes: Overall: $3000-2000-1600-1400; Top Women: $1000-600-400-200; (1799-1600): $1000-600-400-200; (1599-1400): $1000-600-400-200; (U1400): $1000-600-400-200; (Unrated): $1000-600-400-200;

EF: $120 by 6pm 02/15, $150 by 6pm 03/15; $200 thereafter and onsite. No re-entries allowed. No half-point byes allowed (zero point byes only). Onsite registration from 3-5pm 03/19.

Rds: 3/19 - 6:30pm; 3/20-21 - 12pm and 6:30pm per day; 3/22-25 - 6:30pm per night.

Mail entries with registration information to: North American Chess Association (make checks payable to) 4957 Oakton Street, Suite 113, Skokie, IL 60077.

More information and online registration available at: http://www.worldchesschamps.com. Questions via email only: sevan@worldchesschamps.com

Schachbundesliga 2009-10

The Schachbundesliga in Germany is the strongest league in the world.

Rounds 8 and 9 are on 6th and 7th of February 2010. Baden-Baden are the only team left on 100%.

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

Bermuda open

2010 BERMUDA INTERNATIONAL OPEN 5th-7th February 2009, Cocktail party & Blitz on the 4th Fairmont Southampton Resort & C.C.

FIDE event with FIDE ratings available; 60 GP pts. PRIZES: 1st $1,000; 2nd $800; 3rd $600; 4th $400; 5th $200; U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600: $250, $150, $100 each group

Also airfare from NY area and hotel for 2011 to 1st overall and 1st untitled player Trophy for first place in each category. Entry fee $100 on site only. Rds. Fri 8pm, S&S 9 & 3 Sunday evening free dinner buffet & bar for all players and spouses Hotel 1-800-441-1414; $179+tax

Contacts: Nigel Freeman nigelfreeman@fide.com, C. Jarecki carolj10280@yahoo.com

South Lakes Congress

The South Lakes Congress is taking place on w/e of 11-13th June 2010 at The Grand Hotel, Grange-over-Sands. The contact for the event is: Trevor Blower, 18 Blackbutts Lane, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 3AP. email: trevor.blower@talktalk.net, Phone No 01229 472100.

Two Hungarian events

1. 26th of Nov until 4th of Dec.Tenkes Cup, Harkany, Link to: http://baranyasakk.hu/index.php?cat=naptar&id=3&age=0&vid=15&lang=en&det=12 - Open 9 rounds Swiss, 250 km West from Budapest, free thermal bathes, Organizer: Mr. Fulop, Csaba e-mail address: fulopcsa@invitel.hu First rize: bruttó 1800 Euros (in HUF)

2,5th-16th of December Budapest, First Saturday GM-IM-FM ELO tournaments, 9...11 rounds, Org: Nagy Laszlo, e-mail: firstsat@hu.inter.net - link to: http://www.firstsaturday.hu

Czech Tour 2009-10

5.-12.12. 2009 1st PILSEN OPEN (Central hotel) - http://www.czechtour.net/pilsen-open/

8-15.1. 2010 9th PRAGUE OPEN (TOP HOTEL Praha) - http://www.czechtour.net/prague-open/

16-23.1. 2010 9th MARIENBAD OPEN (Kossuth hotel) - http://www.czechtour.net/marienbad-open/

13-20.2. 2010 1st NOVY BOR OPEN (Grandhotel Prazak) - http://www.czechtour.net/novy-bor-open/

The registration deadline for 3rd SOUTH BOHEMIA OPEN, which takes place 14.-21.11. 2009 in the town of Cesky Krumlov (http://www.czechtour.net/south-bohemia-open/), which is one of the most beautiful places in the Czech Republic, has been prolonged without extra fee for the late enrolment till 9.11. 2009.

Preliminary starting lists on 4.11. 2009 should be found at http://www.czechtour.net/news/.

Moscow Non-Stop Chess Events of the World Chess Tour

Following round-robin tournaments (GM. IM. rating) of the "World Chess Tour 2009/10" series. Autumn / Winter 2009/10:

2009: 18-28.11, 29.11-10.12, 13-22.12.

2010: 2-13.01, 17-28.01, 9-19.02, 20.02-3.03 etc.

Since November 2009 also "Non-stop" events are available. in different formats (depending of participant's wish: 1) 5-6 days 2) 7-8 days 3) 9-11 days 4) 12-15 days 5) 16-21 days 6) 22-31 days 7) more than 1 month.

Contact: GM Igor Glek. Phone mobile: Russia: (7)903-5593052, (7)926-0523889 Germany: (49)152-04014194 Phone/Fax (Russia): (7)495-4336634 Skype: Prinzflorisel E-mail: wlct06@gmail.com, worldchesstour@gmail.com

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

Official site: www.chess-events.org/en_US/rr-tur.html

8th Nancy Chess Festival

The 8th Nancy (France) Chess Festival takes place 22nd-28th February 2010.

Website (with english informations page) : http://echecs54.free.fr Contact : philippe.chr@free.fr

Serie of closed tournaments round-robins 10 players each : Group A for GM-norm (in 2009 : category 13, average 2557, winner Harikrishna), group B for IM-norms, group C for 10 players over 2200 elo, group D for 10 players over 2100 elo, group E for 10 players over 2000 elo, group F for 10 players over 1900 elo ...etc...18 groups with 174 players in 2009. 9 rounds 90min/40moves+30min(+30sec). Entry fee : adult 56 euros young 28 euros. Possibilities of hotels with special chess prices : see tournament website.

Icelandic Teams

The Icelandic Team Championship takes place 25th September 2009 - 3rd March 2010. Rounds 1-4 have taken place.

Results: http://chess-results.com/tnr25745.aspx

Official site in Icelandic: http://www.skaksamband.is

Sydney International and Doeberl Cup

Entries are invited for the 2010 Sydney International Open and Challengers Chess Tournaments, to be held 7-11 April 2010.

The organisers have received financial support from a variety of sources and the principal sponsor for 2010 is GM Murray Chandler.

The venue is again the historic Parramatta Town Hall in Western Sydney and free hotel accommodation (twin share room) is offered to International Chess Grandmasters. There are two nine-round FIDE-rated swiss tournaments, the Sydney International Open (SIO) and the Sydney International Challengers (SIC). Cash prizes exceed A$16,000 and visas can be arranged on request for overseas players (please provide passport details). More Information is available at http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/index.cfm?site=open

For those players that want even more chess, the Doeberl Cup will be held in Canberra from 1-5 April 2010. See http://www.doeberlcup.com.au Transport from Canberra to Sydney on Tuesday 6 April 2010 will be provided free of charge for all overseas players.

Cappelle-la-Grande 2010

The 26th International Open of Cappelle-la-Grande will take place 13th-20th February 2010.

For every players wishing to be invited, please contact Mr GOUVART at the following address: stephanegouvart@gmail.com phone: +33671624629

Official site : http://www.cappelle-chess.fr/

Hungarian Tournaments October 2009 - April 2010

First Saturday chess tournaments, GM-IM-FM sections, 50-60-70 players usually out of 10-15 countries, for 9...14 days here.

Upcoming tournaments:

1. 3rd-15th of October, GM-IM-FM First Saturday Budapest, org: Nagy Laszlo, firstsat@hu.inter.net,

2. 23rd-31st of October, GM tmt, Pecs, 250 km West from Budapest,

3. 7th-19th of November, GM-IM-FM, First Saturday, Budapest, 4. 26th of Nov-3rd of Dec, Harkany Open, 250 km South-West from Budapest, org: Mr.Fulop, e-mail to: fulopcsa@invitel.hu

5. 5th-17th of December, GM-IM-FM, First Saturday, Budapest,

6. 8th-16th of January 2010 Perenyi memorial Open, 9 rounds Swiss, Budapest, info: Nagy Laszlo,

7. 6th-18th of February 2010 FS GM-IM-FM, Budapest,

8. 6th-18th of March 2010, FS GM-IM-FM Budapest,

9. 19th-28th of March 2010 26th Budapest Spring Festival, 9 rounds Swiss Open, org: Nagy Laszlo

10.3rd-16th of April 2010 FS GM-IM-FM Budapest

Contact: Nagy, Laszlo International chess organizer, member of the FIDE organizers' committee, "GENS UNA SUMUS" ET "PACTA SUND SERVANDA" http://www.firstsaturday.hu

Possible in the website online chat also... Mobile: +36-30-230-19-14 Phone-fax: +36-1-263-28-59 E-mail: firstsat@hu.inter.net ICC, SKYPE, YAHOO, MSN, www.chess.com nickname: mrfirstsaturday

Mundial Chess Internet Tournament

The organising Committee Mundial Chess invites all the players (from the amateurs to Grandmasters) to take part in the 1st Internet tournament with the prize fund of more than 130.000 EUR in cash and many special prizes. The 1st prize in the main tournament will be not less than 10.000 EUR.

Registration (and information in English) in the tournament is possible following the link - http://www.mundialchess.com/chess-online/en/zvfdxt6 Registration and information in Spanish - http://www.mundialchess.com/chess-online/es/zvfdxt6 Registration and information in Russian - http://www.mundialchess.com/chess-online/ru/zvfdxt6

Ajedrez 21 English site

Ajedrez 21 now has an English site: http://www.ajedrez21.com/en/

Kingpin Magazine

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

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

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

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.

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

European Union Website

The European Chess Union Website ECU website has changed address to http://www.europechess.org

Alushta Diary 2009

Alushta Diary 2009:

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, 5.09 - 13.09, Open tournament (under 16 years) 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, 10.07 - 18.07, 20.07 - 28.07, 22.08 - 30.08, Alushta Swiss 9 rounds Blitz tournament 7.07, 19.07, 29.07, Alushta Swiss 9 rounds Open tournament (rapid chess) 8.07 - 9.07, 30.07 - 31.07, Alushta Session of school of Gennadi Kuzmin 21.06 - 27.06, 15.07 - 24.07. Individual and group studying Further information: http://www.kaissa.com.ua phone +38 (06560)5-05-32, +380505828911 (for Russian speaking), + 380506692604 (for English speaking) e-mail: info@kaissa.com.ua

Chess Study

Dr Robert Howard is making a study of rated chess players.

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