WCN Dictionary

Paint hasn't gone dry on my previous post and Luiz Franz turns up with another masterpiece - 1st WCN Dictionary! The dictionary has been posted on WorldChessNetwork forum, more items are expected to be added. For the blog, couple of excerpts...


Starting off with the expressions that are familiar for all internet chess players:

Internet Chess – Excellent opportunity to make 12 new friends and 8650 enemies that want to eat your liver
Opening – First moves of a chess game, also known as "the moments when my loss was designed"
Lag – The space of time between your move and the instant your opponent starts insulting you
Lagger – Of course you're not
Your Info - What, my gold membership is almost over again?
Mid Game - Did you arrive there? Congratulations!
Lucky – If you win a game, that's what your opponent will call you
Robert Fischer – Mythological chess player that people expect to arrive on WCN every Halloween Day
Standard Chess – A perfect opportunity to see how a chess program can beat you easily
Tourney – Something you register for and wait and wait and nothing happens
Time Win – A cheap victory that is not cheap for your ego
Game History - A record of your games that shows how pathetic you are
Gambit – Excuse for a blunder
Chat Room – A space for nice and light conversations about gardening and Paris Hilton
Rating – A chess skills measurement system created to show you how bad you are


Now the personal refferances. You gotta know these people to understand what Luiz had on his mind:

Goran – A famous brand of Serbian dishwashers
Urosevic – Another brand of Serbian dishwashers
Stamenkovic – Serbian word meaning "I lost my wallet again"
Spiro Sclavos – Ancient ruins in Mikonos Island, Greece, dated from 1650 BC. More than 12 millions people visit those useless old stones every year
Phil Harris – A very famous English chef. You may ask for a free copy of his latest book on Mediterranean cuisine in WCN – Features – Phil's Book
PJ Ingram – The last man alive that drank vodka with Trotsky in Berlin, 1911
Roberto Gaspar – A fictional character created by Herman Melville in 1788
Jim Nix – Title used in WCN for very good players. If you get a good rating you will be promoted to Jim Nix
Carla - Checkmate lady from your nightmares
Average WCN Player – A vice-president of the 3rd greater Madonna Fan Club
Bogdan - Romanian name for God Apolon


And couple of general expressions:

1 Min Marathon – A long tourney of bullet games. After the 11th game you can't find your mouse, after the 18th you start making backgammon moves
Kon – Slang for a long list containing more than 1349 excuses for losing a game of chess. You can consult Kon for a good excuse hitting the Help button. (See Oh, Plz!)
Dragon – Slang for a confuse game of chess, where no player has idea of what's happening
Yugoslavia – A nation that exists only in WCN
Zugzwang – German word that means "Waiter, this fish is not fresh"
Idiot – Yes, people will say that about you
PAM - One heck of an addictive lady! Horrible withdraw symptoms if regular fix is interrupted
SC – Acronym for Automobiles de Belgique. Yes, I know these words don't start with S and C, and that's what makes this acronym so interesting


For couple of more

Larry vs Rybka Rematch

GM Larry Christiansen is challenging Rybka chess program to a rematch that will be played this Friday at 17:00 est on WorldChessNetwork. Rybka won the first game that was played two weeks ago.

Famous chess author Luiz Franz, who wrote biographies of many WCN members (including mine), once again pushes the boundaries of chess journalism by interviewing world champion in computers category - Rybka.


Update: GM Larry Christiansen lost another game to silicon monster.

Larry Christiansen - Rybka Chess Program
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 c6 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Ne5 Ng4 9. Nxg4 Bxg4 10. Nc3 Nc6 11. h3 Bd7 12. Be3 e6 13. Qd2 Na5 14. b3 b5 15. f4 Qb6 16. Bf2 b4 17. Nd1 Rfc8 18. e3 Bb5 19. Re1 Qa6 20. Rc1 Rxc1 21. Qxc1 Rc8 22. Qd2 Nc6 23. g4 Bd3 24. Bh4 Bb1 25. Re2 Nxd4 26. exd4 Rc2 27. Qxc2 Bxd4+ 28. Bf2 Bxc2 29. Rxc2 Qd3 30. Rc8+ Kg7 31. Bxd4+ Qxd4+ 32. Nf2 Qa1+ 33. Bf1 Qxa2 34. Rc7 a5 35. Nd3 Qxb3 36. Kf2 Qa2+ 37. Be2 b3 38. Ne5 b2 39. Rxf7+ Kg8 40. Ra7 b1=Q 41. Ra8+ Kg7 42. Ra7+ Kf8 43. Ra8+ Ke7 44. Ra7+ Kd8 45. Nc6+ Ke8 46. Ra8+ Kd7 47. Ne5+ Kc7 48. Ra7+ Kc8 0-1

Obrenovac 2006

19th International Open Championship of Belgrade will be held on 22-30 November in Obrenovac. Prize fund is 5250 euros, for more information visit the BCF website. I might be playing, good chance to restore some of the self-confidence lost earlier in Senta.


Official website

Belgrade Trophy Report
Games from Obrenovac
GM Bosko Abramovic wins the Trophy

3th Calvià International Open

The Calvia Festival is being held on 20st-28th October in the Polideportivo Municipal de Magaluf. Serbian GMs Aleksa Strikovic and Branko Damljanovic are playing and leading in front of the strong competition.


1-4. GM Aleksa Strikovic (SCG 2535), GM Oleg Romanishin (UKR 2542), GM Stuart Conquest (ENG 2530) and GM Branko Damljanovic (SCG 2595) with 4.5/5
5-11. GM Kevin Spraggett (CAN 2610), GM Pia CRamling (SWE 2528), IM Marcin Dziuba (POL 2535), GM Francisco Vallejo Pons (ESP 2674), IM Holden Hernandez (CUB 2524), GM Lazaro Bruzon (CUB 2648) and GM Friso Nijboer (NED 2641) with 4.0

Top rated Sergei Tiviakov (NED 2680) is in group of players with 3.5 points. There are 170 participants.


GM Grzegorz Gajewski 2515 - GM Branko Damljanovic 2595
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Na5 9. Bd2 e5 10. a3 b6 11. b4 Nb7 12. Ne1 Nd7 13. Nd3 f5 14. f4 Qe7 15. Bf3 Nd8 16. exf5 gxf5 17. fxe5 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Bxe5 19. Rc1 Nf7 20. Ne2 Bd7 21. Nf4 Ng5 22. Kh1 Ne4 23. Qe2 Nxd2 24. Qxd2 Qg5 25. g3 Rf6 26. bxc5 bxc5 27. Rb1 Rh6 28. Rb7 Bc8 29. Rb3 Kh8 30. Kg2 Ba6 31. Rfb1 Rg8 32. Rb8 Rxh2+


33. Kxh2 Qxg3+ 34. Kh1 Qxf3+ 35. Qg2 Qxg2+ 36. Nxg2 Bxc4 37. Ne3 Bd3 38. Rxg8+ Kxg8 39. Rb8+ Kf7 40. Rb7+ Kg6 41. Rxa7 Be4+ 42. Ng2 f4 43. Kg1 Bxd5 44. a4 Bd4+ 45. Kf1 Kg5 46. Re7 h5 47. Ne1 f3 48. Nxf3+ Bxf3 49. a5 h4 50. Rf7 Bd5 51. Rh7 Kg4 0-1


GM Pia Cramling 2528 - GM Juan Borges Mateos 2431
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nbd2 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. e4 Nf4 11. g3 Ng6 12. Be2 b6 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. b4 Nb7 15. Qb3 Nd6 16. h4 e5 17. h5 Nh8 18. h6 g6 19. Qd5 Be6 20. Qxe5 f6 21. Qb2 Nhf7 22. Kf1 Ng5 23. Nxg5 fxg5 24. Kg2 Rf7 25. Rhf1 Re8 26. Bd3 Qd7 27. Kg1 Nb5 28. Bxb5 Qxb5 29. Rfe1 g4 30. e5 Bd5 31. Ne4 Bxe4 32. Rxe4 Qd5 33. e6 Rfe7 34. Re5 Qf3 35. Rce1 Rd8 36. Qc1 Qf6 37. R5e4 Qf5 38. Rf4 Qd5 39. Qb2 Qd2 40. Rf8+ 1-0


Update:
Dutch GM Friso Nijboer has earned 4000 euros for winning the Calvia Open. He beat Serbian GM Branko Damljanovic in the last round. Still some good news for serbian fans as GM Aleksa Strikovic tied for 2nd place with legendary Oleg Romanishin.

Final standings:
1. GM Friso Nijboer (NED 2641) 7.5
2-3. GM Aleksa Strikovic (SCG 2535) and GM Oleg Romanishin (UKR 2542) 7.0
4-10. GM Francisco Vallejo Pons (ESP 2674), GM Stuart Conquest (ENG 2530), GM Kevin Spraggett (CAN 2610), GM Hichem Hamdouchi (MAR 2582), GM Bartlomiej Heberla (POL 2569), GM Michele Godena (ITA 2522) and IM Gawain Jones (ENG 2530) 6.5 etc


Damljanovic Branko - Friso Nijboer
1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. e4 d6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. Be3 Ng4 8. Bg5 f6 9. Bc1 exd4 10. Nxd4 f5 11. h3 Nh6 12. exf5 Nxf5 13. Nxf5 Bxf5 14. Be3 Nc6 15. Qd2 Kh8 16. Rd1 Qf6 17. O-O Rae8 18. Bg5 Qf7 19. Bh6 Bxh6 20. Qxh6 Ne5 21. b3 g5 22. f4 Ng6 23. fxg5 Qe6 24. Bh5 Rf7 25. Nd5 c6 26. Bxg6 Qxg6 27. Qxg6 Bxg6 28. Nf6 Re6 29. Rde1 Rfe7 30. Rxe6 Rxe6 31. h4 Kg7 32. Rf2 a6 33. Kh2 b5 34. g4 bxc4 35. bxc4 Bd3 36. Rb2 Re2+ 37. Rxe2 Bxe2 38. Ne8+ Kf7 39. Nxd6+ Ke6 40. c5 Bxg4 41. Kg3 Bh5 42. Kf4 Kd5 43. Ne4 Bg6 44. Nf6+ Kxc5 45. Nxh7 Bxh7 46. h5 Bb1 47. g6 Kd6 48. Kg5 Ke7 49. h6 Kf8 50. Kf6 Kg8 51. a4 a5 52. h7+ Kh8 53. Kf7 Ba2+ 54. Kf6 Bb3 0-1


Aleksa Strikovic - Sergei Tiviakov
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 a6 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. O-O g6 8. Bg5 Bg7 9. Qd2 b5 10. Bf4 Qb6 11. b4 Bb7 12. a4 Ne4 13. Nxe4 Bxe4 14. axb5 axb5 15. Ra5 O-O 16. Rxb5 Qc6 17. Ra5 Rad8 18. b5 Qb6 19. Ra6 Qb7 20. Qa5 e5 21. Ra7 Qb6 22. Qxb6 cxb6 23. Nxe5 Nxe5 24. dxe5 Bxc2 25. Be3 Bd3 26. Bxd3 Rxd3 27. Rb7 Bxe5 28. Rxb6 Rfd8 29. Rb7 Bd4 30. Bh6 Bf6 31. g3 Bg7 32. Bg5 Rc8 33. Rb1 Bd4 34. Bh6 Rf3 35. Rd7 Bxf2+ 36. Kg2 Rf6 37. Rf1 g5 38. Bxg5 Rg6 39. Rxf2 Rxg5 40. b6 Rf8 41. Rb2 Re5 42. b7 Ree8 43. Kf3 Kg7 44. Rb6 Rb8 45. Rc6 Rbe8 46. g4 h6 47. h4 Rh8 48. Kf4 Rhf8 49. Kf5 Rh8 50. Rg6+ Kf8 51. Rf6 Rh7 52. Rc6 1-0


Official website

Belgrade beat Dallas

Belgrade University won the intense match against University of Texas in Dallas by 8.5-7.5! Great games, many unexpected u-turns. Bojan Vuckovic lost winning position against Magesh Panchanathan while Yoshodhan Gogte drew when everyone expected his win. Best game was played by Balind Nadj Hedjesi who blasted Amon Simutowe's Naidorf defence. Match was played via ICC, see previous posts here and here. The crowd was awarding wins with loud ovations, see Kramnik's Praise.


Belgrade - Dallas
GM Bojan Vuckovic 2544 - GM Magesh Panchanathan 2500 0-1
GM Veljko Jeremic 2533 - GM Alejandro Ramirez Alvarez 2485 1-0
FM Milos Pavlovic 2440 - IM Jacek Stopa 2470 1-0
IM Aleksandar Danilovic 2406 - IM Marko Zivanic 2464 draw
FM Vladimir Podinic 2403 - IM Drasko Boskovic 2444 0-1
FM Dusko Prelevic 2320 - IM Davorin Kuljasevic 2419 draw
MK Balind Nadj Hedjesi 2351 - IM Amon Simutowe 2417 1-0
MK Ivan Radivojevic 2316 - IM John Bartholomew 2406 draw
MK Ivan Martic 2325 - FM Igor Schneider 2367 0-1
MK Vaso Blesic 2289 - NM Keaton Kiewra 2267 0-1
MK Aleksandar Vrbljanac 2251 - NM Alexander Chua 2227 1-0
MK Mladen Strbac 2290 - NM Christopher Toolin 2219 1-0
MK Milos Sibinovic 2195 - NM Christopher Toolin 2219 draw
MK Milos Mitic - EX Ryan Milisits 2181 0-1
WFM Ljilja Drljevic 2199 - WFM Lilia Doibani 2178 1-0
WFM Marija Stojanovic 2185 - EX Nelson Lopez 2144 draw

Vuk Draskovic, Serbian Minister for Foreign Affairs, opening the match in Belgrade

GM Bojan Vuckovic, Belgrade first board

Balind Nadj Hedjesi, the executor

Balind Nadj Hedjesi 2351 - Amon Simutowe 2417
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Rg1 h5 7. h3 b5 8. g4 hxg4 9. hxg4 Bb7 10. g5 Nxe4 11. g6 Nf6 12. Bd3 e5 13. gxf7+ Kxf7 14. Bg6+ Kg8 15. Ne6 Qe7 16. Ng5 Rh4 17. Bf7+ Kh8 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Ra7 20. Qg4 Rh2 21. Qg3 Rh7 22. Nxh7 Bxd5 23. Ng5 Kg8 24. Qd3 1-0


Milos Pavlovic 2440 - Jacek Stopa 2470
1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 Bg4 3. c4 Nd7 4. Nc3 Bxf3 5. exf3 g6 6. h4 h5 7. Bg5 Bg7 8. Qd2 c5 9. dxc5 Nxc5 10. Be2 Rc8 11. O-O Nf6 12. b4 Ne6 13. Be3 O-O 14. Rac1 b6 15. Rfd1 Qd7 16. a4 Rfd8 17. Qa2 Qb7 18. a5 Nc7 19. f4 e5 20. fxe5 dxe5 21. Nb5 Rxd1+ 22. Rxd1 Nxb5 23. cxb5 Qe4 24. axb6 axb6 25. Qa6 Re8 26. Qxb6 Qxb4 27. Rd8 Rxd8 28. Qxd8+ Kh7 29. Qd2 Qxd2 30. Bxd2 Bf8 31. Bc4 Kg8 32. b6 Bd6 33. b7 Nd7 34. Bb5 Nb8 35. Kf1 Kf8 36. Ke2 Ke7 37. Kd3 f6 38. Kc4 Bc7 39. Kd5 Bd6 40. Be3 f5 41. Bg5+ 1-0


Bojan Vuckovic 2544 - Magesh Panchanathan 2500
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Ba6 9. b3 g6 10. f4 Qb4+ 11. Bd2 Qb6 12. Qf3 Nb4 13. Kd1 Bb7 14. Nc3 c5 15. Qe3 O-O-O 16. a3 Na6 17. Nd5 Qe6 18. Kc2 d6 19. Bc3 Bg7 20. Bd3 Rhe8 21. Rae1 Qd7 22. Qg3 c6 23. Nf6 Bxf6 24. exf6 Nc7 25. f5 d5 26. Ba5 Qd6 27. Rxe8 Nxe8 28. Bxd8 Qxd8 29. fxg6 hxg6 30. Rf1 Nd6 31. Qe5 Qd7 32. Re1 Kc7 33. Qe7 Bc8 34. g4 a5 35. a4 Qxe7 36. Rxe7+ Kb6 37. h3 g5 38. Re5 Be6 39. Rxe6 fxe6 40. Bg6 Kc7 41. f7 Nxf7 42. Bxf7 Kd6 43. Be8 e5 44. Kd3 e4+ 45. Ke3 Ke5 46. Bxc6 d4+ 47. Kd2 Kf4 48. Bd5 Ke5 49. Bb7 Kf4 50. Ke2 Ke5 51. Bd5 Kf4 52. Kd2 Ke5 53. Bf7 Kf4 54. Bd5 Ke5 55. Bb7 Kf4 56. Bc6 Ke5 57. Bd5 Kf4 58. b4 e3+ 59. Ke2 axb4 60. Be6 d3+ 61. Ke1 e2 62. Kf2 b3 63. Bf5 e1=Q+ 64. Kxe1 Ke3 65. Bxd3 Kxd3 66. a5 b2 67. a6 b1=Q+ 68. Kf2 Ke4 0-1

Magistral d’Escacs Ciutat de Barcelona 2006

The Magistral d’Escacs Ciutat de Barcelona - Casino de Barcelona 2006 will be held on October 19th-27th.

Round 1 results:
GM Julio Granda Zuniga 2646 - GM Jan Timman 2565 draw
GM Marc Narciso Dublan 2511 - IM Jose Lacasa Diaz 2410 draw
GM Fernando Peralta 2574 - IM Josep Lopez Martinez 2508 draw
GM Vassily Ivanchuk 2741 - GM Oleg Korneev 2657 0-1
GM Viktor Bologan 2659 - GM Lenier Dominguez 2655 0-1


Viktor Bologan 2659 - Lenier Dominguez
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Nc6 10. h3 Nge5 11. f3 Bg7 12. Bf2 Ng6 13. Nd5 Rb8 14. Qd2 e6 15. Nc3 Be5 16. O-O-O Qf6 17. Nb3 b5 18. Kb1 Bb7 19. Be2 O-O 20. h4 Nxh4 21. g3 Nxf3 22. Bxf3 Qxf3 23. Rxh6 Bg7 24. Qxg5 f6 25. Qh5 Ne5 26. Qxf3 Nxf3 27. Rh5 b4 28. Na4 Ng5 29. Nd2 Nxe4 30. Nxe4 Bxe4 31. Rh2 Rfc8 32. Be1 d5 33. b3 f5 34. Nb2 a5 35. Rc1 Kf7 36. Bd2 Rh8 37. Re2 Rbc8 38. Bf4 e5 39. Be3 Rc6 40. Nd3 Bxd3 41. cxd3 Rxc1+ 42. Bxc1 Rh1 43. Kc2 e4 44. dxe4 fxe4 45. a3


45...a4 46. Bb2 Bxb2 47. Kxb2 bxa3+ 48. Kxa3 axb3 49. Kxb3 Rg1 0-1


Official website
Games in PGN


Update:
Cuban GM Lenier Dominguez won the tournament with fantastic 8.0 points out of 9 rounds. In the last round he beat Vassily Ivanchuk, the main competitor for the trophy.

Final Standings:
1. GM Lenier Dominguez (CUB 2665) 8.0/9
2. GM Vassily Ivanchuk (UKR 2741) 6.5
3. GM Oleg Korneev (RUS 2657) 5.5
4. GM Viktor Bologan (MDA 2659) 5.0
5-7. GM Fernando Peralta (ARG 2574), GM Marc Narciso Dublan (ESP 2511) and GM Julio Granda Zuniga (PER 2646) 4.0
8. IM Josep Lopez Martinez (ESP 2508) 3.5
9. GM Jan Timman (NED 2565) 2.5
10. IM Jose Lacasa Diaz (ESP 2410) 2.0


Lenier Dominguez 2665 - Marc Narciso Dublan 2511
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. d4 c6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Be3 Nd7 7. h3 Bh5 8. g4 Bg6 9. d5 cxd5 10. Qxd5 Qxd5 11. Nxd5 O-O-O 12. O-O-O Ngf6 13. Nc3 Ne4 14. Na4 a6 15. Bg2 Nd6 16. Nb6+ Kb8 17. Nxd7+ Rxd7 18. Ne5 Rc7 19. Rd2 f6 20. Nxg6 hxg6 21. Bb6 Rc8 22. b3 f5 23. c4 e5 24. Rhd1 Ne4 25. Rd7 Ba3+ 26. Kc2 Rc6 27. Rd8+ Rxd8 28. Rxd8+ Rc8 29. Rxc8+ Kxc8 30. Bxe4 fxe4 31. Kd2 Kd7 32. Ke3 Ke6 33. Kxe4 Bb2 34. Be3 Ba1 35. Bd2 Bb2 36. f3 Ba1 37. Kd3 Bd4 38. Bc3 1-0


Josep Lopez Martinez 2508 - Lenier Dominguez 2665
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. g3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. a4 Nc6 9. Bg2 Nb4 10. Bg5 Be6 11. O-O Rc8 12. Re1 O-O 13. Qe2 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. a5 Qd7 16. Qd2 Rfd8 17. h4 Rc7 18. Red1 Rdc8 19. Nc1 Bd8 20. Nd3 Nxd3 21. cxd3 Rc5 22. d4 exd4 23. Qxd4 Bxa5 24. Rac1 Kf8 25. e5 d5 26. Qd3 Kg8 27. Qe3 Bxc3 28. Rxc3 Rxc3 29. bxc3 Qc6 30. Rd3 Qc4 31. Kh2 a5 32. Qd2 Rc5 33. f4 h5 34. f5 Bxf5 35. Rxd5 Rxd5 36. Bxd5 Qd3 37. Qa2 Qc2+ 38. Qxc2 Bxc2 0-1

Horrible Night

I was just preparing to go to bed at 3:45 when I heard the sound like someone is throwing hand-grenades on the street. I looked at the window but the street was empty. The sound was repeating every 30-60 secs and I went outside to see what's happening. The sky on the south from the direction of Paracin was burning. Suddenly, huge detonation throws me on the wall and two of my windows were broken. Detonations continued every second and I had no idea what's happening. During Nato bombing I knew there were airplanes but this looked much worse. Phone lines were established 30 mins later and my friend called to say that munitions storage between Paracin and Cuprija exploded. Tonight I heard on news that storage had 3500 tons of explosive material (Hiroshima bomb had power of 15000 tons). Cuprija and Paracin are covered with broken glass and gunpowder, all of my windows on south side are broken. Detonations are still ongoing, no one can come near the site in next 3 days. 11 people in Paracin and 12 in Cuprija are injured.

B92 report (english)

Video taken in Paracin at 6am

Photos by Sasa Dimitrijevic, www.cuprija.com

Dallas vs. Belgrade Update

I owe you team lineups from the original post. Curious fact is that two IM's from Belgrade will play in Dallas team. Marko Zivanic and Drasko Boskovic are now UTD students.


Belgrade:
1. GM Bojan Vuckovic 2544
2. GM Veljko Jeremic 2533
3. FM Milos Pavlovic 2440
4. IM Aleksandar Danilovic 2406
5. FM Vladimir Podinic 2403
6. FM Dusko Prelevic 2320
7. MK Balind Nadj Hedjesi 2351
8. MK Ivan Radivojevic 2316
9. MK Ivan Martic 2325
10. MK Vaso Blesic 2289
11. MK Aleksandar Vrbljanac 2251
12. MK Mladen Strbac 2290
13. MK Milos Sibinovic 2195
14. MK Milos Mitic
15. WFM Ljilja Drljevic 2199
16. WFM Marija Stojanovic 2185


1. GM Magesh Panchanathan 2500
2. GM Alejandro Ramirez Alvarez 2485
3. IM Jacek Stopa 2470
4. IM Marko Zivanic 2464
5. IM Drasko Boskovic 2444
6. IM Davorin Kuljasevic 2419
7. IM Amon Simutowe 2417
8. IM John Bartholomew 2406
9. FM Igor Schneider 2367
10. NM Keaton Kiewra 2267
11. NM Alexander Chua 2227
12. NM Christopher Toolin 2219
13. EX Yoshodhan Gogte 2189
14. EX Ryan Milisits 2181
15. WFM Lilia Doibani 2178
16. EX Nelson Lopez 2144


I bet Ivan Radivojevic will beat John Bartolomew ;) Incstructions on getting free ICC account can be downloaded here (PDF).

Mikhail Tal Memorial

Mikhail Tal 2006 Memorial will be held on November 5th-20th in Moskow. The festival will consist of 20th category round robin tournament and Blitz Cup of Mikhail Tal. Main tournament will be played on November 6th-16th in Central Chess Club, Moskow.

November 3rd Update:
A press conference was held at the Central Chess House. Main prize fund will be 100.000 USD with many additional prizes - AMD will award best combination etc. Representative of sponsors' pool expressed its pleasure to support the tournament celebrating one of the favorite players of all time. The sponsors are keen to support future chess events in Russia.

Alexander Grigorevich explained why Vishy Anand is not playing the main tournament. The negotiations have started back in January but by the start of Turin Olympiad, Anand has agreed to play match against Kasimdzhanov (?) and thus declined the invitation. It looks like both of them will participate in the blitz tournament.


November 6th Update: WorldChessNetwork (from 2nd round) and ICC are providing live audio broadcast, games are starting at 7am EST.

Round 1 results:
GM Peter Svidler 2750 - GM Peter Leko 2741 draw
GM Levon Aronian 2741 - GM Alexander Morozevich 2747 1-0
GM Magnus Carlsen 2698 - GM Boris Gelfand 2733 0-1
GM Alexei Shirov 2720 - GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2728 draw
GM Ruslan Ponomariov 2703 - GM Alexander Grischuk 2710 1-0

In my humble opinion, game of the day was Aronian-Morozevich. Instead of trading pieces in Queens Gambit Declined, Moro went for kingside attack. But his Ng2 sacrifice was nicely refuted by Bf7 counter-sacrifice to give strong initiative to white. Aronian kept cool head to combine deadly threats over a2-g8 diagonal and along h-file.

Levon Aronian

Young star Magnus Carlsen pushed his game a bit too far allowing the opponent activate its heavy pieces. Also nice example how two knights can be much stronger then two bishops in open position.

Boris Gelfand

Ruslan Ponomariov displayed nice technique by trading pieces to win black a-pawn. His weak pawn on e3 was never a factor in this game. Shirov-Mamedyarov was drawn after moves were repeated in a sharp Breyer Ruy Lopez. WCN commentator Alex Finkel thought that Shirov missed decisive advantage. Svidler-Leko was the only boring game today. Will those GMs ever drop Anti-Marshall?

Games in PGN will be posted on TWIC.

Official website


Round 2 results:
GM Peter Leko 2741 - GM Alexander Grischuk 2710 draw
GM Boris Gelfand 2733 - GM Ruslan Ponomariov 2703 draw
GM Alexander Morozevich 2747 - GM Magnus Carlsen 2698 draw
GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2728 - GM Levon Aronian 2741 draw
GM Peter Svidler 2750 - GM Alexei Shirov 2720 draw


November 8th Update:
Ruslan Ponomariov played another technically perfect game to disarm Alexander Morozevich's Naidorf defence. The Rd6 and c5 deflection looks particularly nice. Levon Aronian blundered his back rank against Peter Svidler while Magnus Carlsen-Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Alexei Shirov-Peter Leko ended with moves repetition. Alexander Grischuk-Boris Gelfand...zzzzzzz...Petroff...


Round 3 results:
GM Levon Aronian - GM Peter Svidler 0-1
GM Magnus Carlsen - GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov draw
GM Alexander Grischuk - GM Boris Gelfand draw
GM Ruslan Ponomariov - GM Alexander Morozevich 1-0
GM Alexei Shirov - GM Peter Leko draw

Standings after 3rd round:
1. GM Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukraine 2703) 2.5; 2-3. GM Boris Gelfand (Israel 2733) and GM Peter Svidler (Russia 2750) 2.0; 4-7. GM Levon Aronian (Armenia 2741), GM Peter Leko (Hungary 2741), GM Alexei Shirov (Spain 2720) and GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan 2728) 1.5; 8-9. GM Magnus Carlsen (Norway 2698) and GM Alexander Grischuk (Russia 2710) 1.0; 10. GM Alexander Morozevich (Russia 2747) 0.5


November 9th Update:
Mikhail Tal was born on this day 1936. Grandmasters in the main tournament are having day off.

WorldChessNetwork continues live audio broadcast of this event:
Friday, November 10 - Audio comments by IM Irina Krush
Saturday, November 11 - Audio comments by IM Martha Fierro
Sunday, November 11 - Audio comments by GM Larry Christiansen


November 10th Update:
Again Grischuk sacrificed exchange on black side of English Naidorf attack but this time he played against Morozevich who found fast and efficient way to penetrate over black weaknesses.

Peter Leko got "only" pair of bishops after the opening but that was good enough to grab the advantage. He gave up one of the bishops at the good moment to transpose to winning endgame.

Peter Leko

Shirov tried to break another Marshall's gambit but only to find himself in bad rook vs bishop endgame with constant threat of zugzwang. It is very instructive how Levon Aronian handled this endgame, make sure to review the games at TWIC website.

Mamedyarov-Ponomariov and Svidler-Carlsen were drawn but not without the fight.

Peter Svidler - Magnus Carlsen draw
Alexei Shirov - Levon Aronian 0-1
Alexander Morozevich - Alexander Grischuk 1-0
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov - Ruslan Ponomariov draw
Peter Leko - Boris Gelfand 1-0

Standings after 4rd round:
1. GM Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukraine 2703) 3.0; 2-4. GM Levon Aronian (Armenia 2741), GM Peter Leko (Hungary 2741) and GM Peter Svidler (Russia 2750) 2.5; 5-6. GM Boris Gelfand (Israel 2733) and GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan 2728) 2.0; 7-9. GM Alexei Shirov (Spain 2720), GM Magnus Carlsen (Norway 2698) and GM Alexander Morozevich (Russia 2747) 1.5; 10. GM Alexander Grischuk (Russia 2710) 1.0;


November 15th Update:
Peter Svidler's inflexibility costed him another point. It is really not that hard for his opponents to concentrate on finding weaknesses in his favorite Gruenfeld defence.

Alexander Grischuk sacrificed a piece in the opening and started to spend alot of his time. Perhaps it was nice psychological trap as Alexei Shirov played very fast to spoil his equal chances and run into lost endgame.

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov

Alexander Morozevich dropped endgame that looked easy winning to all the viewers on WorldChessNetwork. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov saved his game by forcing stalemate. Peter Leko also dropped huge advantage against Magnus Carlsen while Ponomariov and Aronian signed draw after the brief battle in the opening.


Round 7 results:
Ruslan Ponomariov - Levon Aronian draw
Boris Gelfand - Peter Svidler 1-0
Alexander Grischuk - Alexei Shirov 1-0
Magnus Carlsen - Peter Leko draw
Alexander Morozevich - Shakhriyar Mamedyarov draw

Round 7 Standings:
1-3. Ruslan Ponomariov (UKR 2703), Peter Leko (HUN 2741) and Levon Aronian (ARM 2741) 4.5
4. Boris Gelfand (ISR 2733) 4.0
5-6. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE 2728) and Alexander Grischuk (RUS 2710) 3.5
7. Peter Svidler (RUS 2750) 3.0
8-10. Alexei Shirov (ESP 2720), Alexander Morozevich (RUS 2747) and Magnus Carlsen (NOR 2698) 2.5


Live audio commentary on WorldChessNetwork:
Wednesday Nov 15 - WGM Anna Zatonskih
Thursday Nov 16 - GM Larry Christiansen

Danailov calls for rematch

Danailov: "FIDE regulations allow every world champion that has lost the title to challenge the title holder. The total prize fund is 1,5 million dolars. We will find this money and will request the game to take place in Sofia. We will offer an exact date, 3rd of March 2007."

Tip: Topalov fan website

Preparing The Field

Mig from ChessNinja hinted couple of times that Topalov would be allowed to play in Mexico 2007. Topalov himself is saying "there will be changes in the regulations soon".

GM Slugfest Tournament

GM Slugfest Tournament will be held on October 13th-15th in Seattle. Organizer Clint Ballard wants to promote BAP scoring system to discourage draws. Scoring system: Black wins = 3 points; White wins = 2 points; Black draw = 1 point; White draw = 0 points; any loss = 0 points. Some of the games can be seen live on ICC.


Participants (USCF ratings):
GM Victor Mikhalevski 2670, GM Varuzhan Akobian 2654, GM Alexander Shabalov 2650, GM Julio Becerra 2605, GM Lubomir Ftacnik 2600, GM Greg Serper 2574, IM Josh Friedel 2530, IM Eric Tangborn 2475, IM David Pruess 2461, John Readey 2326, Jonathan Berry 2284, Nat Koons 2283, Ignacio Peres 2241 and Andy May 1952


Official website
Article in The Seattle Times

Larry lost to Rybka

GM Larry Christiansen played banter game vs Rybka today. There were more then 100 people watching the game on WCN. Operator Michael Chio was using the latest version release of the engine which is 2.1o mp (multi-processor). System specs were as follows: CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ (which is a dual core processor) with each core running at stock 2.4 GHz; RAM: 4 GB XMS; Operating System: Windows XP Pro 32-bit.

They have repeated the Slav defence we have seen so many times in Topalov-Kramnik match. Rybka won in the rook endgame.

Rybka - GM Larry Christiansen
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Be2 Nbd7 8. Bd2 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Bd6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. h3 Qe7 12. Qc2 a6 13. O-O O-O 14. Bd3 c5 15. Rac1 Rac8 16. Ne4 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Nf6 18. Bf3 e5 19. dxe5 Bxe5 20. Rfd1 b5 21. Ba5 Bc7 22. Bxc7 Rxc7 23. Qc3 Rfc8 24. Qa5 Qe6 25. Rd2 c4 26. Rcd1 Ne4 27. Bxe4 Qxe4 28. Qxa6 Qe8 29. Qa5 Kh7 30. Qc3 Re7 31. a3 Re5 32. Rd7 Rf5 33. R1d4 Qe5 34. g4 Rf3 35. Rxc4 Rg3+ 36. Kh2 Qxc3 37. Rxc3 Rxc3 38. bxc3 Rf3 39. Kg2 Rf6 40. h4 Kg8 41. Rd8+ Kh7 42. Rf8 Rc6 43. Rxf7 Rxc3 44. Ra7 Rb3 45. Kg3 b4 46. axb4 Rxb4 47. Ra6 Rb1 48. e4 Rg1+ 49. Kf4 Rh1 50. Kg5 Rb1 51. f4 1-0

Che is doing happy dance

Vladimir Kramnik played brave in rapid games to earn the World Champion title. The tiebreak score was 2.5-1.5 and I think the quality was even better then in games with slow time control.

Chessaholic (Todd Shannon), one of the biggest fans of Vladimir Kramnik, passed away on July 10th at the age of 46. Thanks to the help of Phil Harris, Kramnik signed a cap for Todd during the Turin Olympiad. He even waived at the camera and said "Hi, Chessaholic".

Unfortunately, Todd couldn't watch live broadcast on WCN with his friends. But I am sure he is replaying those games on his chessboard up there in Heaven. When the match started, we were saying Kramnik has to win, he owes that to our friend. Vladimir fulfilled his obligation, Che is doing his happy dance now.


Chessaholic (USA) says: T had the webcam aimed at Phil when he got Kramnik to sign a hat and then say Howdy and wave to the camera
Chessaholic (USA) says: was way cool
Chessaholic (USA) says: I could swear he said Howdy Chessaholic

Dallas vs. Belgrade

Famous chess team of University of Texas in Dallas has accepted to play 16-board match via video conference against Belgrade University. Match will be played over ICC on October 20th. Belgrade students will be located in Amphitheater "A" of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering which can accept 700 people in the audience. Dallas students will be playing from The Davidson Auditorium of the UTD School of Management. Grandmasters and other titled players will provide commentary for viewers over the interactive demonstration boards.

This event is being organized in memory of great USA-SFRJ telegraph match back in 1950. Some of the original participants will be present during this match: GM Svetozar Gligoric, GM Borislav Ivkov, WGM Vera Nedeljkovic, IM Srecko Nedeljkovic and IM Nikola Karaklajic.

For all fans interested in following this match, ICC will provide 2-weeks of free membership. Simply email dro@chessclub.com with your preferred username and notification that you want to watch these games.

Kasparov Mated

Last night Serbia played Armenia in Uefa Euro 2008 qualifications. Armenian goalkeeper Gevorg Kasparov conceded three goals, executors were Dejan Stankovic, Danko Lazovic and "Tower" Nikola Zigic.

Nikola Zigic, photo B92

Serbian Under-21 team qualified for European championship after defeating Sweden 5-0 in Trollhattan to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit.

Having looked in disarray and out of contention following a 3-0 first-leg defeat, Serbia regrouped superbly to win 5-0 in Sweden and maintain their proud recent record in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

UEFA.com

Under-21 team, photo B92

Larry Christiansen vs Machine

GM Larry Christiansen will play banter game against Rybka this Friday at 17:00 EDT. Time control is 25+5 and Larry and Rybka operator will explain their moves to the audience. Friday is "Gold for a Day" on WorldChessNetwork, so everybody can watch.

For those that don't have account yet, you can download WCN software and create username.

Kramnik's Praise

"Yes, some people applauded after the game… I heard applause in Dortmund, after I defeated Leko in the last game, and won the tournament. The crowd boos more often after my games, but sometimes they applaud, too (smiles). The best reaction I ever heard was in Belgrade – there were more than a thousand observers, and they were giving ovation after each game, if it was not a dull draw. I felt like in a theatre."

Press conference after 10th game
Hint: ICC Webcast

Seattle Sluggers Caught

Jaan Cochrinov, Assistant Manager of the San Francisco Mechanics, finally proved that Seattle Sluggers moves in USCL are matching with top 20 choices of Shredder.

Read Jaan's open letter.

Evgeni Vasiukov

73-years old Russian GM is currently playing in "Veselin Boskovic Memorial" in Belgrade. Age doesn't matter in chess and Evgeni is proving this by fighting young lions on the equal terms. Bellow is his win against IM Sasa Velickovic.


Evgeni Vasiukov 2502 - Sasa Velickovic 2397
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 d6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Be7 7.g4 0-0 8.g5 Nfd7 9.Rg1 Nc6 10.Be3 Re8 11.Rg3 Nf8 12.Qh5 a6 13.0-0-0 Nxd4 14.Bxd4 Qa5 15.Kb1 Bd7 16.Bd3 Bc6 17.Nd5


17...Bxd5 18.exd5 e5 19.Bc3 Qc7 20.f4 g6 21.Qh6 f5 22.Bxf5 Bd8 23.fxe5 dxe5 24.d6 Qxc4 25.Bc2 Qf4 26.Rgg1 Ne6 27.Bb3 Kh8 28.Bxe6 Rxe6 29.Rdf1 1-0

The Susan Polgar Way

Many websites have reported that Boris Spassky suffered stroke while giving lecture in San Francisco. Good news is that he is feeling much better now.

What amazed me is low moral of Susan Polgar. She mentions this on her blog writing her usual stuff "I would like to wish Boris a fast and full recovery! I have known Boris for many years and we had many intriguing conversations as well as some wonderful chess battles. He has always been very kind to me and he is a true gentleman of chess!" and then a point "I even wrote a section about him in my latest book Breaking Through."

Edit: they put my comment back
Edit: Susan removed the link from her post.

10th Essent Chess Tournament

The 10th Essent chess tournament will be held on October 20th-28th in Hoogeveen, Netherlands. This will be first event for Topalov after the World Championship Match. Judit Polgar makes comeback after being absent for awhile and Netherlands will be represented by GM Ivan Sokolov. I hope youngster Shakhryar Mamedyarov will win.


Participants:
Veselin Topalov (BUL 2813)
Shakhryar Mamedyarov (AZE 2728)
Judit Polgar (HUN 2710)
Ivan Sokolov (NED 2670)


Official website

New Place

While I was doing lectures on WCN, my favorite topic was middlegame strategy. Tired of news, I'm going to spend some time on writing "theoretical" posts. Address is http://www.chesslodge.com

PHP can be annoying, especially when one is clueless about it. But I can't describe my happiness when I finally manage to edit the template looking the way I wanted :-) Wish my wordpress could look at least half good as Doggers Schaak.

Interview: Teimour Radjabov

I asked Teimour for a quick interview and on my delight, he accepted! Real Goodwill Ambassador.


Goran: Greetings Mr. Radjabov, thank you for accepting the interview with WorldChessNetwork. Let's start with the hot topic - World Championship unification. What do you think about the match so far? Who will win?

Teimour: Now, I think that Kramnik has more chances of success in a match. However, if Veselin will play with the strength he has shown before, I am not sure about the outcome of the match.




Goran: You have scheduled World Chess Championship match against Veselin Topalov (if he wins his current match). Supposedly Kramnik wins match in Elista, would you play him on the same terms you were/will to play Topalov?

Teimour: I think that it is a question of our managers. If Kramnik wins against Topalov, and he agrees to play a match with me, ofcourse, I want to play! Also I hope to win this match for a Title of the world champion both against Kramnik and Topalov.


Goran: You have already broken many records, youngest GM back then, youngest player to enter the top 100, youngest player to beat world *1 (Kasparov...) What will be the next record set up by Teimour?

Teimour: I never think of breaking records, it just happens. I do not know what record I might break next. But new records will undoubtedly come.


Goran: Which game of yours do you consider as best so far?

Teimour: I am very proud of my victory over Garry Kasparov. He is the great chess player and I have won against him a brilliant game. Furthermore I have many beautiful victories over the strongest chess players of the world (Topalov, Anand, Ivanchuk, Svidler, Gelfand, Karpov, Korchnoi and many more).




Goran: How do you prepare for the tournaments?

Teimour: I can write so many things about this. I don’t have any special technique. Every single Grandmaster and every single tournament demands a special and different approach. It all depends on the conditions and on the moment..


Goran: Playing at the highest level is very demanding. How do you keep good physical shape?

Teimour: I am still young and I have no special physical preparation. Ofcourse I am doing several sports, but it is more for my soul than for my body. I just like sports.


Goran: You are also Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. What are your duties?

Teimour: I can use my reputation to bring media attention to various health problems affecting children. At the moment I am working with the problem of children that have an iodine deficiency in Azerbaijan especially, and in the world in general


Goran: Azerbaijan has many young Grandmasters in world's top 100. Can you take the gold medal on next Olympiad?

Teimour: Yes! That I hope very much! It is my dream, and it will be a very happy moment in my life!

Goran: Thank you for your time Mr. Radjabov


Garry Kasparov 2847 - Teimour Radjabov 2624
XX Ciudad de Linares, 2003
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 a6 8. Qd2 b5 9. a3 Qb6 10. Ne2 c4 11. g4 h5 12. gxh5 Rxh5 13. Ng3 Rh8 14. f5 exf5 15. Nxf5 Nf6 16. Ng3 Ng4 17. Bf4 Be6 18. c3 Be7 19. Ng5 O-O-O 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Be2 Ngxe5 22. Qe3 Nd7 23. Qxe6 Bh4 24. Qg4 g5 25. Bd2 Rde8 26. O-O-O Na5 27. Rdf1 Nb3+ 28. Kd1 Bxg3 29. Rf7 Rd8 30. Bxg5 Qg6 31. Qf5 Qxf5 32. Rxf5 Rdf8 33. Rxf8+ Nxf8 34. Bf3 Bh4 35. Be3 Nd7 36. Bxd5 Re8 37. Bh6 Ndc5 38. Bf7 Re7 39. Bh5 Nd3 0-1

Boris Spassky Hospitalized

Boris Spassky was held in San Francisco hospital after doctors have discovered that he suffered a stroke. Boris was playing 6 hours simul at Mechanics Institute (20 wins, 5 draws) and then started 2 hours lecture. He felt dizzy and confused and was taken to the hospital where he will remain for the next week.

IM Anthony Saidy talked to Boris on the phone and said that he is feeling well (but hungry).

Source: Sah-Mat Lista

Titled Players About Elista Events

Julie Trottier, WCN Events Director, has collected feedback from site pro team about the happenings around Topalov-Kramnik match:

Apparently, they are human, too, in spite of being such giants on the board. What a pitty that they did not realize that the whole World was watching them while the whole toilet-war was going on. Anyway, we should be happy that at last they sat down again to play.
GM Mihail Marin

Ok, here goes:
A disgrace for FIDE and for Topalov. I have never been a Kramnik fan, but for decency's sake I very much hope he wins this match.
Best regards,
IM Tomas Hutters


Rest of the post on World Chess Network News

FIDE Vice President About Elista Events

While we are waiting to see if Kramnik will accept the score imposed by Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, I have emailed FIDE Vice President Geoffrey D. Borg asking him about his opinion. Geoffrey, being very professional, has replied within few hours.

"This debacle in the World Championship match should have never been allowed to go so far, since either there should have been a clear accusation with proof by Topalov’s team, or else the whole claim should have been thrown immediately out of the window..."

Read the entire message on World Chess Network News

GM Pikula - GM Damljanovic Match

Dejan Pikula and Branko Damljanovic have tied first place on the SCG championship played back in March. Since Serbia and Montenegro have split in May, this match will determinate who will be the first champion of Serbia. Match will be played on October 1st-4th in Primary School "4. Kraljevacki bataljon", Kraljevo. Curious fact is that music teacher in this school Lidija Spaski is cousin of famous Boris Spassky.

Both players have promised fearless battle and started with sharp Sicilian in the 1st game. Pikula was just that bit faster with attack to take his opponent into the mating net. The match will consist of 4 games.


GM Dejan Pikula 2542 - GM Branko Damljanovic 2595
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bd7 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. f3 Be7 9. O-O-O b5 10. h4 h6 11. Be3 b4 12. Nce2 e5 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. exf5 d5 15. f4 e4 16. Nd4 h5 17. Be2 Bc5 18. Nb3 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 Qd6 20. Rh3 Nc6 21. Rg3 O-O 22. Rg5 Rfc8 23. g4 hxg4 24. Kb1 a5 25. Bxg4 a4 26. Nc1 b3 27. cxb3 a3 28. Qd2 d4 29. bxa3 Rxa3 30. Rg1 Kf8 31. Be2 d3 32. Rxg7 Nd4


33. Bh5 Rc7 34. Qg2 Nb5 35. Rg8+ Ke7 36. Qg7 Nc3+ 37. Ka1 Nxh5 38. Qf8+ Kd7 39. Qe8# 1-0


2nd round update:
Branko Damljanovic strikes back by winning the 2nd game.

GM Branko Damljanovic 2595 - GM Dejan Pikula 2542
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb7 6. Bg2 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 a5 8. O-O O-O 9. Nc3 Ne4 10. Nxe4 Bxe4 11. Bf4 Ba3 12. Qd2 Na6 13. d5 Qe7 14. Rad1 d6 15. dxe6 fxe6 16. Qe3 Bb7 17. Ne1 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Bb2 19. Bg5 Qe8 20. Qe4 a4 21. Nd3 Nc5 22. Nxc5 bxc5 23. Rb1 axb3 24. Rxb2 bxa2 25. Ra1 Qf7 26. Be3 d5 27. Qe5 d4 28. Bf4 h6 29. h4 Ra4 30. Rbxa2 Rxc4 31. Ra8 Rxa8 32. Rxa8+ Kh7 33. Rc8 1-0


3rd round update:
Same variation was seen in the 1st game, but Pikula was well prepared to gain advantage this time. However, Damljanovic made an exchange sacrifice that pretty much confused Pikula who continued with passive moves. Black grabbed initiative and won the game.

GM Dejan Pikula 2542 - GM Branko Damljanovic 2595
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bd7 6.Bg5 e6 7.Ndb5 Bc6 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.Qh5 a6 10.Nd4 Bd7 11.0-0-0 Nc6 12.Nb3 Qb6 13.Rd2 Rc8 14.Kb1 Ne7 15.g3 Bg7 16.Bh3 0-0 17.Rhd1


17...Rxc3 18.bxc3 Bc6 19.Bg2 f5 20.Qg5 Qc7 21.c4 fxe4 22.c3 d5 23.c5 h6 24.Qh5 Ba4 25.Rc2 Bxb3 26.axb3 Qxc5 27.b4 Qc4 28.Rdc1 Rc8 29.Bf1 Qb3+ 30.Rb2 Qa3 31.Ra2 Qb3+ 32.Rb2 Qa4 33.Qh4 Ng6 34.Qh5 Rxc3 0-1


4th round update:
GM Branko Damljanovic is first champion of Serbia! Pikula missed his chance to win rook ending with two extra pawns and the 4th game was drawn. Final score is 2.5-1.5

GM Areshchenko Wins 15th Monarch Assurance

15th Monarch Assurance Isle of Man International was held on September 23rd - October 1st in Port Erin. Ukranian GM Alexander Areshchenko and Russian GM Sergey Volkov (famous ICC spammer) are tied on the 1st place with 7 points out of 9 rounds. Areshchenko grabs winner's trophy on a better tiebreak.


Final standings:
1-2. GM Alexander Areshchenko (UKR 2641) and GM Sergey Volkov (RUS 2628) 7.0/9
3-7. GM Mateusz Bartel (POL 2561), GM Vitali Golod (ISR 2576), GM Mikhail Kobalia (RUS 2647), GM Yuri Kuzubov (UKR 2554) and GM Yuri Yakovich (RUS 2583) 6.5
8-11. GM Vladimir Akopian (ARM 2713), GM Mikhal Krasenkow (POL 2635), GM Konstantin Landa (RUS 2584) and GM Vadim Malakhatko (UKR 2594) 6.0 etc

Photo: Official website