The tournament was held on 14-26th January in Bucharest, Romania. IM Constantin Lupulescu has earned GM norm.
Final standings:
1. IM Constantin Lupulescu (ROM 2528) 10 points out of 12 rounds
2. IM Vasile Sanduleac (MDA 2479) 9
3. IM Andrei Murariu (ROM 2441) 8,5
4. GM Mikhail Golubev (UKR 2517) 7,5
5. GM Bela Badea (ROM 2492) 7
6-9. GM Constantin Ionescu (ROM 2450), IM Dragos-Nicolae Dumitrache (ROM 2476), IM Corina-Isabela Peptan (ROM 2404) and IM George Catalin Ardelean (ROM 2442) 6
10. Vladimir Hamitevici (MDA 2284) 5
11. FM Ioan Cristian Chirila (ROM 2376) 4
12. IM Alexey Diulger (MDA 2294) 2,5
13. Mihai Osman (FRA 2161) 0,5
Monday, January 30, 2006
St.Sava Day - More Events
Chess club "Petar Smederevac" and Mr.Nikola Pervan from Chicago have organized strong rapid tournament in Zemun, near Belgrade. Average rating of 58 participants was impressive - 2151!
Final standings:
1. GM Ivanisevic Ivan (2588) with 8 points out of 9 rounds
2. GM Miladinovic Igor (2607) 7
3-5. GM Damljanovic Branko (2615), IM Nestorovic Dejan (2399) and GM Perunovic Milos (2508) 6,5
6-12. Todorovic Jovan (2371), GM Todorovic M Goran (2480), IM Tadic Branko (2491), GM Djuric Stefan (2460), IM Todorovic N Goran (2436), Radlovacki Jovan (2384) and Mihic Bojan (2335) 6 etc.
I was member of the Chess Club "Studentski Grad" in Belgrade for the four beautiful years. Studenski Grad (Academic City) has organized rapid tournament in order to celebrate St.Sava day. 27 students of the Belgrade University were playing in this event.
Final standings:
1. FM Dragan Stamenkovic (2334) 8 points out of 9 rounds
2-3. Ivan Radivojevic (2316) and Milan Mitic 7
4-5. WFM Marija Stojanovic (2187) and Vaso Blesic (2278) 6
6-9. Ivan Bugarcic (2201), Djordje Duvnjak (2079), Filip Naskovic (2183) and Dusan Krpic with 5,5 etc.
"Studentski Grad" in 2004 (team on the right): FM Dragan Stamenkovic, Ivan Martic, Nebojsa Baralic, Goran Urosevic
Final standings:
1. GM Ivanisevic Ivan (2588) with 8 points out of 9 rounds
2. GM Miladinovic Igor (2607) 7
3-5. GM Damljanovic Branko (2615), IM Nestorovic Dejan (2399) and GM Perunovic Milos (2508) 6,5
6-12. Todorovic Jovan (2371), GM Todorovic M Goran (2480), IM Tadic Branko (2491), GM Djuric Stefan (2460), IM Todorovic N Goran (2436), Radlovacki Jovan (2384) and Mihic Bojan (2335) 6 etc.
I was member of the Chess Club "Studentski Grad" in Belgrade for the four beautiful years. Studenski Grad (Academic City) has organized rapid tournament in order to celebrate St.Sava day. 27 students of the Belgrade University were playing in this event.
Final standings:
1. FM Dragan Stamenkovic (2334) 8 points out of 9 rounds
2-3. Ivan Radivojevic (2316) and Milan Mitic 7
4-5. WFM Marija Stojanovic (2187) and Vaso Blesic (2278) 6
6-9. Ivan Bugarcic (2201), Djordje Duvnjak (2079), Filip Naskovic (2183) and Dusan Krpic with 5,5 etc.
"Studentski Grad" in 2004 (team on the right): FM Dragan Stamenkovic, Ivan Martic, Nebojsa Baralic, Goran Urosevic
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Vishy Anand wins Corus on tiebreak
Boris Gelfand made an early mistake with 15...Rb8 and Anand then sacrificed exchange for the long-term initiative. Veselin Topalov drew Peter Leko and waited for the outcome. Anand beat Gelfand in deep endgame and took the trophy thanks to Gata Kamsky and better tiebreak.
Magnus Carlsen is invited to play at Corus Group "A" next year.
Final standings:
1. Viswanathan Anand (IND 2792) 9.0; 2. Veselin Topalov (BUL 2801) 9.0; 3. Michael Adams (ENG 2707) 7.5; 4. Vassily Ivanchuk (UKR 2729) 7.5; 5. Boris Gelfand (ISR 2723) 7.0; 6. Sergey Karjakin (UKR 2660) 7.0; 7. Sergei Tiviakov (NED 2669) 6.5; 8. Peter Leko (HUN 2740) 6.5; 9. Levon Aronian (ARM 2752) 6.5; 10. Loek Van Wely (NED 2647) 6.0; 11. Etienne Bacrot (FRA 2717) 5.5; 12. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE 2709) 4.5; 13. Gata Kamsky (USA 2686) 4.5; 14. Ivan Sokolov (NED 2689) 4.0;
Viswanathan Anand - Boris Gelfand
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3 Nbd7 9. Qd2 b5 10. O-O-O Nb6 11. Qf2 Nc4 12. Bxc4 bxc4 13. Na5 Qd7 14. Rd2 Be7 15. Rhd1 Rb8 16. Bc5 Qc7 17. Rxd6 Qxa5 18. Rxe6 fxe6 19. Bxe7 Rb7 20. Bd6 Nd7 21. Qh4 Qd8 22. Qh5+ g6 23. Qh6 Qf6 24. Ne2 Kf7 25. h4 g5 26. hxg5 Qxh6 27. gxh6 Rg8 28. g4 Rg6 29. Rh1 Rb6 30. Ba3 Rf6 31. Rh3 Kg6 32. Kd2 Rf7 33. Ke3 Nf6 34. Nc3 Rd7 35. Rh1 Rc6 36. Na4 Rb7 37. Nc3 Rb8 38. Nd1 Ng8 39. Rh5 Nxh6 40. Rxe5 Nf7 41. Rh5 Rb5 42. Rh1 e5 43. Nc3 Rb7 44. Nd5 Re6 45. Bb4 Kg7 46. Rh2 Ng5 47. Bc3 Kg8 48. Rf2 Rf7 49. Rf1 Re8 50. Ke2 Ref8 51. Bxe5 Nxe4 52. Ke3 Nc5 53. f4 Re8 54. Kd4 Nd7 55. Re1 Re6 56. Re2 Nxe5 57. fxe5 Rg7 58. Nf6+ Kf7 59. Kxc4 Rg5 60. Kd4 Rb6 61. c4 Ke6 62. b3 Rb8 63. Re4 h6 64. Nd5 Rbg8 65. Nf4+ Ke7 66. e6 1-0
Game in progress
Concerned look - Veselin Topalov and his second Ivan Cheparinov 
St. Sava Tournament
Saint Sava has established first Serbian school and hospital back in 13th century. In order to celebrate his day, SK "Kablovi" from Jagodina has organized tournament for kids born 1990 and later. There were 28 participants from 5 cities. Winners of the 4th Christmas Tournament "Nole 2006" have made another excellent display to take top five awards.
Final standings:
1. Nemanja Zivkovic (Nis) 7,5
2. Uros Cvetanovic (Cuprija) 7
3-5. Aleksandar Stanojevic (Nis), Dusan Velickovic (Nis) and Darko Stankovic (Nis) 6,5
6. Sasha Milosevic (Jagodina) 5,5 etc.
I still dont have photos from this tournament, but you can see the winners on Christmas Tournament page.
Final standings:
1. Nemanja Zivkovic (Nis) 7,5
2. Uros Cvetanovic (Cuprija) 7
3-5. Aleksandar Stanojevic (Nis), Dusan Velickovic (Nis) and Darko Stankovic (Nis) 6,5
6. Sasha Milosevic (Jagodina) 5,5 etc.
I still dont have photos from this tournament, but you can see the winners on Christmas Tournament page.
From Brighton
Luciano Baldauf is guitar teacher and lives in Brighton, England. He is good friend of mine and I was preparing him for Hastings Chess Congress 2004/2005. Unfortunately, his time for chess is very limited nowadays.
Luciano (in black shirt) and his band are performing Brazilian music once a week in a bar in Brighton.
Luciano (in black shirt) and his band are performing Brazilian music once a week in a bar in Brighton.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Slow Motion
I wanted to avoid "boring" classical French defence and then run into even worse Slav line. The game was played during the Regional League.
[Event "Regional League"]
[White "Goran, Urosevic"]
[Black "Nikola, Sosic"]
[WhiteTeam "Radnicki Cuprija"]
[BlackTeam "Morava Supska"]
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 e6 8. f3 Be7 9. e4 Bg6 10. Be3 O-O 11. Be2 c5 12. O-O cxd4 13. Bxd4 Bc5 14. Bxc5 Nxc5 15. b4 Na6 16. Rb1
(My opponent played a bit passive opening. Now I have nice space advantage but the maneuvering will last to long for my taste)
16...Nd7 17. Qd4 Nb6 18. Nd6
(18. Qxd8 Rfxd8 19. Nxb6 axb6 20. f4 was also giving nice advantage. However, I wanted to keep Queens on the board)
18... Nc8 19. Ncb5 Nxd6 20. Nxd6 Qe7
(20... Nc7 was better defence 21. Rfd1 b6 22. a5 bxa5 23. bxa5 Nd5 24. Nb7 Qf6 25. Qxf6 Nxf6 26. Rbc1 +/-; Doubled pawns are now serious weakness. But I won't even have to bother with them)
21. Bxa6 bxa6 22. Rfd1 Rfd8 23. Qc5 Rd7 24. Rd2 Rad8 25. Rbd1 h5 26. a5 h4 27. h3 Qf6?
(27... Rc7 28. Qe5 Rb8 29. Kh2 Rxb4 30. Ne8; White wins exchange)
28. Ne8 Rxe8 29. Rxd7 e5 30. Qxa7 Bh5 31. Qe3 Re6 32. R7d5 Qg6 33. b5 axb5 34. Rxb5 Qg3 35. Rb6 1-0
[Event "Regional League"]
[White "Goran, Urosevic"]
[Black "Nikola, Sosic"]
[WhiteTeam "Radnicki Cuprija"]
[BlackTeam "Morava Supska"]
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 e6 8. f3 Be7 9. e4 Bg6 10. Be3 O-O 11. Be2 c5 12. O-O cxd4 13. Bxd4 Bc5 14. Bxc5 Nxc5 15. b4 Na6 16. Rb1
(My opponent played a bit passive opening. Now I have nice space advantage but the maneuvering will last to long for my taste)
16...Nd7 17. Qd4 Nb6 18. Nd6
(18. Qxd8 Rfxd8 19. Nxb6 axb6 20. f4 was also giving nice advantage. However, I wanted to keep Queens on the board)
18... Nc8 19. Ncb5 Nxd6 20. Nxd6 Qe7
(20... Nc7 was better defence 21. Rfd1 b6 22. a5 bxa5 23. bxa5 Nd5 24. Nb7 Qf6 25. Qxf6 Nxf6 26. Rbc1 +/-; Doubled pawns are now serious weakness. But I won't even have to bother with them)
21. Bxa6 bxa6 22. Rfd1 Rfd8 23. Qc5 Rd7 24. Rd2 Rad8 25. Rbd1 h5 26. a5 h4 27. h3 Qf6?
(27... Rc7 28. Qe5 Rb8 29. Kh2 Rxb4 30. Ne8; White wins exchange)
28. Ne8 Rxe8 29. Rxd7 e5 30. Qxa7 Bh5 31. Qe3 Re6 32. R7d5 Qg6 33. b5 axb5 34. Rxb5 Qg3 35. Rb6 1-0
Friday, January 27, 2006
Tense Game
At precisely this moment an official brought him coffee. Alekhine thanked him, while all the time staring at the board. Then, instead of sugar, he absent-mindedly put a white pawn into the cup! It was not clear to me why he was so ruffled.
Following the post about Gligoric and his concentration, here is the testimony of the late Estonian master Vlad Mikenas. He played Alexander Alekhine at Kemeri 1937.
Lightning Strikes
The LS match GM Larry Christiansen-IM Miodrag Perunovic was fun to watch. Those of you who saw "Free Friday" post over at BCC weblog had a chance to enjoy it. Both players are excellent blitzers and gifted tacticians, but Larry has many years of attacking experience. I'll post few games, but please note the time control was 1 minute per player. The result was 14-12 in Larry's favor.
IM Miodrag Perunovic - GM Larry Christiansen
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 Qa5 8. O-O O-O 9. Nb3 Qc7 10. Be2 b6 11. Bg5 e6 12. f4 a6 13. e5 Ne8 14. Ne4 Bb7 15. Nf6+ Nxf6 16. exf6 Bh8 17. h4 Qd8 18. Bh6 Bxf6 19. Bxf8 Kxf8 20. c3 Bxh4 21. Qd6+ Be7 22. Qd2 Kg7 23. Rad1 d5 24. c4 d4 25. Nxd4 Nxd4 26. Qxd4+ Qxd4+ 27. Rxd4 Bc5 28. Kh2 Bxd4 29. Rd1 Rd8 0-1
IM Miodrag Perunovic - GM Larry Christiansen
1. d4 c5 2. e4 cxd4 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 b5 7. O-O Bb7 8. Bf3 Nc6 9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. Re1 Be7 11. e5 c5 12. Bxb7 Qxb7 13. Qg4 g6 14. Ne4 Rd8 15. Bg5 h5 16. Qf4 Rd4 17. c3 Bxg5 18. cxd4 Bxf4 19. Nd6+ Ke7 20. Nxb7 cxd4 21. Re4 Bg5 22. f4 Bh6 23. Rxd4 Kf8 24. Rad1 Ne7 25. Rd8+ Kg7 26. Rxh8 Kxh8 27. Nc5 Bxf4 28. Nxa6 Bxe5 29. b3 Nd5 30. a4 bxa4 31. bxa4 Nc3 32. Rd8+ Kg7 33. a5 Bc7 34. Nxc7 1-0
IM Miodrag Perunovic - GM Larry Christiansen
1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 g6 6. dxc5 Qxc5 7. Be3 Qa5 8. Na3 Bg7 9. Nc4 Qc7 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Rd8 12. Qc2 Bf5 13. Qb3 Nc6 14. Rfd1 Ng4 15. Bd2 b6 16. h3 Nf6 17. Ne3 Be6 18. Qc2 Rac8 19. Be1 h6 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Rd1 Nd5 22. Nxd5 Bxd5 23. Bd2 e5 24. a3 Na5 25. Be3 Kh7 26. Qc1 Nb3 27. Qb1 Be6 28. Rxd8 Qxd8 29. Qd1 Qc7 30. Nd2 Nc5 31. b4 Nd7 32. c4 f5 33. Qc2 e4 34. g3 Ne5 35. Bf4 Qd7 36. Bxe5 Bxe5 37. c5 bxc5 38. bxc5 Qc6 39. Bc4 Bd4 40. Bxe6 Qxe6 41. c6 Qd6 42. c7 Qxg3+ 43. Kh1 Qxh3+ 44. Kg1 Qg3+ 45. Kh1 Bxf2 46. Nf1 Qg1# 0-1
GM Larry Christiansen - IM Miodrag Perunovic
1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qa5 7. Bd2 Qa4 8. Qb1 c4 9. h4 Nc6 10. h5 h6 11. Rh3 Nge7 12. Ne2 Bd7 13. Nf4 O-O-O 14. Rg3 Nf5 15. Rf3 Rdf8 16. g4 Nfe7 17. Bg2 f6 18. exf6 Rxf6 19. Ne2 Rxf3 20. Bxf3 Rf8 21. Bg2 Ng8 22. Kf1 Nf6 23. Bh3 Ne4 24. Be1 Ne7 25. Kg1 e5 26. dxe5 Nc6 27. e6 Bxe6 28. Nf4 Rxf4 29. Qc1 Rf8 30. Qe3 Qa5 31. f3 Qc5 32. Qxc5 Nxc5 33. Bf2 Nd7 34. a4 b6 35. Bg2 Kc7 36. a5 Nxa5 37. Bd4 Rf7 38. Re1 Nf8 39. f4 Bxg4 40. Bxd5 Rd7 41. Bg2 Nc6 42. Bf2 Bxh5 43. f5 Kc8 44. Bxc6 Rd2 45. Bg3 Nd7 46. Re8+ Bxe8 0-1
IM Miodrag Perunovic - GM Larry Christiansen
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Qc2 Re8+ 9. Ne2 h6 10. O-O Qc7 11. Ng3 Nd7 12. Bd2 Nf8 13. f4 c5 14. dxc5 Bxc5+ 15. Kh1 b6 16. Nh5 Bb7 17. Rae1 Qc6 18. Bc1 Ne6 19. Be4 Qc7 20. Bxb7 Qxb7 21. Qf5 Bf8 22. Qg4 Kh7 23. h3 Nc5 24. Qf5+ Kg8 25. Qg4 Kh8 26. f5 b5 27. Bxh6 gxh6 28. Nxf6 Bg7 29. Rxe8+ Rxe8 30. Nxe8 Be5 31. Re1 Qe7 32. f6 Qxe8 33. Qg7# 1-0
IM Miodrag Perunovic - GM Larry Christiansen
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be2 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8. Be3 O-O 9. f4 e5 10. Nb3 a5 11. a4 Nb4 12. Kh1 Bd7 13. f5 Bc6 14. Bf3 Rc8 15. g4 h6 16. g5 hxg5 17. Bxg5 Rc7 18. Rg1 Rd7 19. Qf1 Ne8 20. Bh6 Bf6 21. Rg3 Nxc2 22. Rc1 Nd4 23. Nxd4 exd4 24. Nd5 Bxd5 25. exd5 Qe7 26. Qh3 Qe5 27. Rcg1 d3 28. Qh5 d2 29. Rh3 g6 30. Bxd2 1-0
IM Miodrag Perunovic - GM Larry Christiansen
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Be7 6. Bd3 Ngf6 7. Qe2 Nxe4 8. Bxe4 c5 9. O-O O-O 10. Rd1 Qc7 11. Bg5 Bxg5 12. Nxg5 Nf6 13. Bd3 cxd4 14. Ne4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 g6 16. Qxd4 b6 17. c4 Bb7 18. b3 Rad8 19. Qe3 Qc6 20. Bf1 Qc5 21. Qxc5 bxc5 22. f3 Kg7 23. Kf2 f5 24. Ke3 Kf6 25. f4 h6 26. Be2 g5 27. g3 a5 28. fxg5+ hxg5 29. Rxd8 Rxd8 30. Rd1 Rxd1 31. Bxd1 e5 32. h4 f4+ 33. Kf2 gxh4 34. gxh4 e4 35. a3 e3+ 36. Ke2 Ke5 37. Bc2 Kd4 38. h5 f3+ 39. Kf1 Bc8 40. h6 Bh3+ 41. Kg1 f2+ 42. Kh2 f1=Q 43. Be4 Kxe4 0-1
GM Larry Christiansen - IM Miodrag Perunovic
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. Ne5 Bf5 8. Bc4 e6 9. c3 Be7 10. g4 Bg6 11. h4 Be4 12. f3 Bd5 13. Bd3 b5 14. Qe2 Nd7 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. Bf4 h5 17. g5 g6 18. a4 bxa4 19. Rxa4 c5 20. dxc5 Qxa4 21. Bb5+ Bc6 22. Bxa4 Bxa4 23. Qe4 O-O 24. Qxa4 Bxc5 25. Be5 Rfd8 26. Rh2 Rd5 27. f4 Rad8 28. Re2 a5 29. Kf1 Rd1+ 30. Re1 R1d2 31. Re2 Rd1+ 32. Kg2 Rg1+ 33. Kh2 Rdd1 34. Qe8+ Bf8 35. Bf6 Rh1+ 36. Kg3 Rhg1+ 37. Rg2 Rxg2+ 38. Kxg2 Rd2+ 39. Kf3 Rd3+ 40. Ke2 Rd7 41. Qxd7 Bc5 42. Qe8+ Bf8 43. Be7 Kh7 44. Qxf8 f6 45. Bxf6 1-0
IM Miodrag Perunovic - GM Larry Christiansen
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 Qa5 8. O-O O-O 9. Nb3 Qc7 10. Be2 b6 11. Bg5 e6 12. f4 a6 13. e5 Ne8 14. Ne4 Bb7 15. Nf6+ Nxf6 16. exf6 Bh8 17. h4 Qd8 18. Bh6 Bxf6 19. Bxf8 Kxf8 20. c3 Bxh4 21. Qd6+ Be7 22. Qd2 Kg7 23. Rad1 d5 24. c4 d4 25. Nxd4 Nxd4 26. Qxd4+ Qxd4+ 27. Rxd4 Bc5 28. Kh2 Bxd4 29. Rd1 Rd8 0-1
IM Miodrag Perunovic - GM Larry Christiansen
1. d4 c5 2. e4 cxd4 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 b5 7. O-O Bb7 8. Bf3 Nc6 9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. Re1 Be7 11. e5 c5 12. Bxb7 Qxb7 13. Qg4 g6 14. Ne4 Rd8 15. Bg5 h5 16. Qf4 Rd4 17. c3 Bxg5 18. cxd4 Bxf4 19. Nd6+ Ke7 20. Nxb7 cxd4 21. Re4 Bg5 22. f4 Bh6 23. Rxd4 Kf8 24. Rad1 Ne7 25. Rd8+ Kg7 26. Rxh8 Kxh8 27. Nc5 Bxf4 28. Nxa6 Bxe5 29. b3 Nd5 30. a4 bxa4 31. bxa4 Nc3 32. Rd8+ Kg7 33. a5 Bc7 34. Nxc7 1-0
IM Miodrag Perunovic - GM Larry Christiansen
1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 g6 6. dxc5 Qxc5 7. Be3 Qa5 8. Na3 Bg7 9. Nc4 Qc7 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Rd8 12. Qc2 Bf5 13. Qb3 Nc6 14. Rfd1 Ng4 15. Bd2 b6 16. h3 Nf6 17. Ne3 Be6 18. Qc2 Rac8 19. Be1 h6 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Rd1 Nd5 22. Nxd5 Bxd5 23. Bd2 e5 24. a3 Na5 25. Be3 Kh7 26. Qc1 Nb3 27. Qb1 Be6 28. Rxd8 Qxd8 29. Qd1 Qc7 30. Nd2 Nc5 31. b4 Nd7 32. c4 f5 33. Qc2 e4 34. g3 Ne5 35. Bf4 Qd7 36. Bxe5 Bxe5 37. c5 bxc5 38. bxc5 Qc6 39. Bc4 Bd4 40. Bxe6 Qxe6 41. c6 Qd6 42. c7 Qxg3+ 43. Kh1 Qxh3+ 44. Kg1 Qg3+ 45. Kh1 Bxf2 46. Nf1 Qg1# 0-1
GM Larry Christiansen - IM Miodrag Perunovic
1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qa5 7. Bd2 Qa4 8. Qb1 c4 9. h4 Nc6 10. h5 h6 11. Rh3 Nge7 12. Ne2 Bd7 13. Nf4 O-O-O 14. Rg3 Nf5 15. Rf3 Rdf8 16. g4 Nfe7 17. Bg2 f6 18. exf6 Rxf6 19. Ne2 Rxf3 20. Bxf3 Rf8 21. Bg2 Ng8 22. Kf1 Nf6 23. Bh3 Ne4 24. Be1 Ne7 25. Kg1 e5 26. dxe5 Nc6 27. e6 Bxe6 28. Nf4 Rxf4 29. Qc1 Rf8 30. Qe3 Qa5 31. f3 Qc5 32. Qxc5 Nxc5 33. Bf2 Nd7 34. a4 b6 35. Bg2 Kc7 36. a5 Nxa5 37. Bd4 Rf7 38. Re1 Nf8 39. f4 Bxg4 40. Bxd5 Rd7 41. Bg2 Nc6 42. Bf2 Bxh5 43. f5 Kc8 44. Bxc6 Rd2 45. Bg3 Nd7 46. Re8+ Bxe8 0-1
IM Miodrag Perunovic - GM Larry Christiansen
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Qc2 Re8+ 9. Ne2 h6 10. O-O Qc7 11. Ng3 Nd7 12. Bd2 Nf8 13. f4 c5 14. dxc5 Bxc5+ 15. Kh1 b6 16. Nh5 Bb7 17. Rae1 Qc6 18. Bc1 Ne6 19. Be4 Qc7 20. Bxb7 Qxb7 21. Qf5 Bf8 22. Qg4 Kh7 23. h3 Nc5 24. Qf5+ Kg8 25. Qg4 Kh8 26. f5 b5 27. Bxh6 gxh6 28. Nxf6 Bg7 29. Rxe8+ Rxe8 30. Nxe8 Be5 31. Re1 Qe7 32. f6 Qxe8 33. Qg7# 1-0
IM Miodrag Perunovic - GM Larry Christiansen
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be2 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8. Be3 O-O 9. f4 e5 10. Nb3 a5 11. a4 Nb4 12. Kh1 Bd7 13. f5 Bc6 14. Bf3 Rc8 15. g4 h6 16. g5 hxg5 17. Bxg5 Rc7 18. Rg1 Rd7 19. Qf1 Ne8 20. Bh6 Bf6 21. Rg3 Nxc2 22. Rc1 Nd4 23. Nxd4 exd4 24. Nd5 Bxd5 25. exd5 Qe7 26. Qh3 Qe5 27. Rcg1 d3 28. Qh5 d2 29. Rh3 g6 30. Bxd2 1-0
IM Miodrag Perunovic - GM Larry Christiansen
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Be7 6. Bd3 Ngf6 7. Qe2 Nxe4 8. Bxe4 c5 9. O-O O-O 10. Rd1 Qc7 11. Bg5 Bxg5 12. Nxg5 Nf6 13. Bd3 cxd4 14. Ne4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 g6 16. Qxd4 b6 17. c4 Bb7 18. b3 Rad8 19. Qe3 Qc6 20. Bf1 Qc5 21. Qxc5 bxc5 22. f3 Kg7 23. Kf2 f5 24. Ke3 Kf6 25. f4 h6 26. Be2 g5 27. g3 a5 28. fxg5+ hxg5 29. Rxd8 Rxd8 30. Rd1 Rxd1 31. Bxd1 e5 32. h4 f4+ 33. Kf2 gxh4 34. gxh4 e4 35. a3 e3+ 36. Ke2 Ke5 37. Bc2 Kd4 38. h5 f3+ 39. Kf1 Bc8 40. h6 Bh3+ 41. Kg1 f2+ 42. Kh2 f1=Q 43. Be4 Kxe4 0-1
GM Larry Christiansen - IM Miodrag Perunovic
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. Ne5 Bf5 8. Bc4 e6 9. c3 Be7 10. g4 Bg6 11. h4 Be4 12. f3 Bd5 13. Bd3 b5 14. Qe2 Nd7 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. Bf4 h5 17. g5 g6 18. a4 bxa4 19. Rxa4 c5 20. dxc5 Qxa4 21. Bb5+ Bc6 22. Bxa4 Bxa4 23. Qe4 O-O 24. Qxa4 Bxc5 25. Be5 Rfd8 26. Rh2 Rd5 27. f4 Rad8 28. Re2 a5 29. Kf1 Rd1+ 30. Re1 R1d2 31. Re2 Rd1+ 32. Kg2 Rg1+ 33. Kh2 Rdd1 34. Qe8+ Bf8 35. Bf6 Rh1+ 36. Kg3 Rhg1+ 37. Rg2 Rxg2+ 38. Kxg2 Rd2+ 39. Kf3 Rd3+ 40. Ke2 Rd7 41. Qxd7 Bc5 42. Qe8+ Bf8 43. Be7 Kh7 44. Qxf8 f6 45. Bxf6 1-0
Do you know....
....which player has won both USSR and USA Chess Championships?
Hint: He is also the only player to have positive score against Gary Kasparov.
Hint: He is also the only player to have positive score against Gary Kasparov.
Faroese Beauty Game
One of my most loyal readers, Jaspur Gaard from Faroe Islands, who is with me since the very first post, has sent me a game that was played on the last year Faroese Championship. How can I not publish it? :-) I would also like to encourage other regular readers to send me their games and stuff. There is this "Email me" button on the right :-)
I am posting the original article. No changes have been made. Thanks J!
Faroese Championship 2005 - The Beauty Game
Besides winning the championship, which was held during Easter in Oyrabakka last year, his dream gets fulfilled, it's been decided that he too should take home the "beauty trophy".
The chosen game was between Carl Eli Nolsøe Samuelsen and Torkil Nielsen in the ninth and final round of the championship.
Torkil is a previous Faroese champion and he was majestic in club tournaments that year, even of his lack of international experience (compared to the other contestants), he was look at as a good bet on the next champion.
White: Carl Eli Nolsøe Samuelsen VT 2263
Black: Torkil Nielsen ST 2097
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 (Torkil is known for playing the same sort of openings in every game, this helped Carl Eli to properly choose a satisfying opening) 3. d4 (And he chose the Scottish) exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Ba6 9. b3 Nb6 10. Bb2 Qe6 (He could possibly play something like d6, d5 or 0-0-0 instead) 11. a3 Be7 12. f4 O-O-O 13. Qc2 (This leaves the opportunity for 13...Qg4. But possible after that is 14. Qf2, which does look playable) ... Bb7 14. Bd3 Kb8 15. O-O (Now the king is safe and the attack can start develop) ... f6 16. Nd2 fxe5 17. Rae1 (Seems logical to get the rook in play like this) Rhf8 (Probably the first mistake by Torkil, looks like a very odd position to put the rook) 18. Bxe5 Qf7 19. Bxh7 (Well, why not ? :) .. Another possibility is c5 to try and tighten the bishops a bit more, but then again, his knight will be more mobile) ... Bxa3 20. Bg6 Bc5+ 21. Kh1 Qg8 22. Qc3 Bd6 (Now his mind went thinking, he probably took more time here than in any other game of the tournament, but then again the title was on the line and Martin Poulsen was actually in a very strong position against Rana Nolsøe) 23. Bxd6 cxd6 24. Ne4 d5 25. Qe5+ Ka8 26. Ra1 (The knight is screwed because of: 26...dxe4 27.Rxa7+ Kxa7 28.Ra1+ Ba6 29.Qc7+ Ka8 30.Rxa6++) ... a6 (Rc8 was probably best, but black's position looks hopeless now). 27. Qc7 (Now it's all done for black, to many treats and little to do) ... Nxc4 28.Rxa6+ (Black will be mated after 28. Bxa6 29.Ra1) 1-0
This was a very vital game, as it secured Carl Eli a rematch against Martin Poulsen (double reigning champion and looking for a hat trick - besides a very good friend of mine) as they both shared equal points after this game. Carl Eli eventually went on the clinch the title in an almost equally good 3 game session between the two.
I can mention that the "wonder boy" Helgi D. Ziska went up 179 rating points in this tournament on a shared 3rd position! His most recent tournament was in the Hastings Masters 05 - 06 where he finished with a very respectable 5½ / 10 putting him on a shared 25th position out of 50, but more importantly he broke through the 2200 mark this time.
I am posting the original article. No changes have been made. Thanks J!
Faroese Championship 2005 - The Beauty Game
Besides winning the championship, which was held during Easter in Oyrabakka last year, his dream gets fulfilled, it's been decided that he too should take home the "beauty trophy".
The chosen game was between Carl Eli Nolsøe Samuelsen and Torkil Nielsen in the ninth and final round of the championship.
Torkil is a previous Faroese champion and he was majestic in club tournaments that year, even of his lack of international experience (compared to the other contestants), he was look at as a good bet on the next champion.
White: Carl Eli Nolsøe Samuelsen VT 2263
Black: Torkil Nielsen ST 2097
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 (Torkil is known for playing the same sort of openings in every game, this helped Carl Eli to properly choose a satisfying opening) 3. d4 (And he chose the Scottish) exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Ba6 9. b3 Nb6 10. Bb2 Qe6 (He could possibly play something like d6, d5 or 0-0-0 instead) 11. a3 Be7 12. f4 O-O-O 13. Qc2 (This leaves the opportunity for 13...Qg4. But possible after that is 14. Qf2, which does look playable) ... Bb7 14. Bd3 Kb8 15. O-O (Now the king is safe and the attack can start develop) ... f6 16. Nd2 fxe5 17. Rae1 (Seems logical to get the rook in play like this) Rhf8 (Probably the first mistake by Torkil, looks like a very odd position to put the rook) 18. Bxe5 Qf7 19. Bxh7 (Well, why not ? :) .. Another possibility is c5 to try and tighten the bishops a bit more, but then again, his knight will be more mobile) ... Bxa3 20. Bg6 Bc5+ 21. Kh1 Qg8 22. Qc3 Bd6 (Now his mind went thinking, he probably took more time here than in any other game of the tournament, but then again the title was on the line and Martin Poulsen was actually in a very strong position against Rana Nolsøe) 23. Bxd6 cxd6 24. Ne4 d5 25. Qe5+ Ka8 26. Ra1 (The knight is screwed because of: 26...dxe4 27.Rxa7+ Kxa7 28.Ra1+ Ba6 29.Qc7+ Ka8 30.Rxa6++) ... a6 (Rc8 was probably best, but black's position looks hopeless now). 27. Qc7 (Now it's all done for black, to many treats and little to do) ... Nxc4 28.Rxa6+ (Black will be mated after 28. Bxa6 29.Ra1) 1-0
This was a very vital game, as it secured Carl Eli a rematch against Martin Poulsen (double reigning champion and looking for a hat trick - besides a very good friend of mine) as they both shared equal points after this game. Carl Eli eventually went on the clinch the title in an almost equally good 3 game session between the two.
I can mention that the "wonder boy" Helgi D. Ziska went up 179 rating points in this tournament on a shared 3rd position! His most recent tournament was in the Hastings Masters 05 - 06 where he finished with a very respectable 5½ / 10 putting him on a shared 25th position out of 50, but more importantly he broke through the 2200 mark this time.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Exclusive Interview: GM Peter Svidler
This interview has been made thanks to big help of Mr.Abdul Karim from Chess Chronicle magazine.
Q: Greetings Mr.Svidler. Year 2005 was very successful for you. You have tied 2nd place at the World Chess Championship and got the highest rating ever of 2765. Can you tell us something about your preparations?
A: I only prepared seriously for San Luis, and I think it has paid off. A lot of credit must go to my friend Alex Motylev, who has helped me a lot during the event. But in general I spend most of my spare time with my wife and kids, so my relative success in 2005 was a pleasant surprise.
Q: Playing at the highest level is very demanding. How do you keep good physical shape?
A: Not very well, as anyone who has ever seen me can confirm. I've been planning to start working on that for the last 5 years, and it is still in my plans.
Q: Your next tournament will be Linares in February. What are your expectations?
A: Linares is very strong this year, as usual - and it is also split between Mexico and Spain, which will put even more pressure on the players. Still, I hope to do well there.
Q: You have won "Fischer Random" World Championship three years in a row. Is there anyone to give you serious challenge?
A: Of the three matches I played, I only had one that was relatively easy - last year against Almasi. The 1st World Champion, Peter Leko, is a very good player - but he obviously does not want to go thru the Open to qualify for the matches. This year I will again play Levon Aronian - we played in 2004 - and he is a formidable opponent in all kinds of chess. Our previous match was very tense, and I only won by winning the last game.
Q: Do you think it would be possible to play real tournaments with long time control over the internet? Would you participate in one?
A: Internet tournaments are becoming more and more popular, but I think in the near future Internet events will be limited to blitz and maybe fast rapid. For me, the idea of a serious tournament from home is not very appealing - I would miss the camaraderie, and playing a game without seeing your opponent's face would be strange.
Q: Russia lost gold medal on two of three most important competitions. Can you reclaim the throne at the next Olympiad?
A: We've had two bad events - Calvia 04 and Gothenburg 2005 - but I don't think there is a feeling of crisis. Of course Turin will not be easy, but the Russian team in form is still a favorite to win the Olympiad. I am not sure I am in favour of reducing the number of players from 6 to 5 however - for a 14-round event you might need more than one player on the bench.
Q: You have played for Serbian club Partisan for several years. What are your impressions about players from Serbia and Montenegro?
A: Yugoslavia, and Serbia and Montenegro after that, has always been one of the most knowledgeable chess countries in the world. What has always impressed me is that the spectators understand the game as well as the players, and the questions they ask after the game are always the most critical ones. There are a lot of promising youngsters around, and I am sure the chess future in your country must be bright.
Thank you for your time Mr.Svidler
Q: Greetings Mr.Svidler. Year 2005 was very successful for you. You have tied 2nd place at the World Chess Championship and got the highest rating ever of 2765. Can you tell us something about your preparations?
A: I only prepared seriously for San Luis, and I think it has paid off. A lot of credit must go to my friend Alex Motylev, who has helped me a lot during the event. But in general I spend most of my spare time with my wife and kids, so my relative success in 2005 was a pleasant surprise.
Q: Playing at the highest level is very demanding. How do you keep good physical shape?
A: Not very well, as anyone who has ever seen me can confirm. I've been planning to start working on that for the last 5 years, and it is still in my plans.
Q: Your next tournament will be Linares in February. What are your expectations?
A: Linares is very strong this year, as usual - and it is also split between Mexico and Spain, which will put even more pressure on the players. Still, I hope to do well there.
Q: You have won "Fischer Random" World Championship three years in a row. Is there anyone to give you serious challenge?
A: Of the three matches I played, I only had one that was relatively easy - last year against Almasi. The 1st World Champion, Peter Leko, is a very good player - but he obviously does not want to go thru the Open to qualify for the matches. This year I will again play Levon Aronian - we played in 2004 - and he is a formidable opponent in all kinds of chess. Our previous match was very tense, and I only won by winning the last game.
Q: Do you think it would be possible to play real tournaments with long time control over the internet? Would you participate in one?
A: Internet tournaments are becoming more and more popular, but I think in the near future Internet events will be limited to blitz and maybe fast rapid. For me, the idea of a serious tournament from home is not very appealing - I would miss the camaraderie, and playing a game without seeing your opponent's face would be strange.
Q: Russia lost gold medal on two of three most important competitions. Can you reclaim the throne at the next Olympiad?
A: We've had two bad events - Calvia 04 and Gothenburg 2005 - but I don't think there is a feeling of crisis. Of course Turin will not be easy, but the Russian team in form is still a favorite to win the Olympiad. I am not sure I am in favour of reducing the number of players from 6 to 5 however - for a 14-round event you might need more than one player on the bench.
Q: You have played for Serbian club Partisan for several years. What are your impressions about players from Serbia and Montenegro?
A: Yugoslavia, and Serbia and Montenegro after that, has always been one of the most knowledgeable chess countries in the world. What has always impressed me is that the spectators understand the game as well as the players, and the questions they ask after the game are always the most critical ones. There are a lot of promising youngsters around, and I am sure the chess future in your country must be bright.
Thank you for your time Mr.Svidler
Aleksandar Toth
My good friend Aleksandar Toth finally broke this magical border of 2300 FIDE points. His FM title will be attached soon. Congratulations!
Aleksandar took 2nd place in 2005 Serbia & Montenegro U18 Championship. He is also an excellent blitz player.
Aleksandar took 2nd place in 2005 Serbia & Montenegro U18 Championship. He is also an excellent blitz player.
Play worth of GM Norm
IM Josh Friedel has earned his first GM norm at recently played Berkeley Masters Tournament.
Here are few games from this event.
Josh Friedel 2453 - Alan Stein 2422
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. d5 Nb8 13. Nf1 Nbd7 14. N3h2 c6 15. dxc6 Bxc6 16. Bg5 Qc7 17. Qf3 Qb7 18. Ng3 d5 19. Ng4 dxe4 20. Qf5 Nd5 21. Nxe4 Re6 22. Rad1 Rae8 23. Rd3 Rg6 24. Rf3 N5f6 25. Bxf6 Nxf6 26. Nexf6+ gxf6 27. Rg3 Bg7 28. Nxf6+ Bxf6 29. Qxf6 Bd5 30. Rxe5 Rxe5 31. Qxe5 Bxg2 32. Bc2 Bf3 33. Bxg6 hxg6 34. Qf6 Be4 35. Re3 Qd5 36. Kh2 Qc6 37. Qd8+ 1-0
Ricardo De Guzman 2383 - Josh Friedel 2453
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 e5 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. e4 Bb4 6. Nf3 Qa5 7. Bd2 Nf6 8. a3 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 Qb6 10. dxe5 Nxe4 11. Bd4 Qg6 12. Qb3 Nc6 13. Qxd5 Be6 14. Qb5 O-O 15. Be3 Rfd8 16. h3 Bd5 17. Rd1 Qe6 18. Be2 Nxe5 19. Nxe5 Qxe5 20. O-O a6 21. Qb6 Rd6 22. Qd4 Qe7 23. Bf4 Rdd8 24. Qe3 Qc5 25. Rd4 Nf6 26. Rc1 Qf8 27. Be5 Qe7 28. Qg5 h6 29. Qg3 Bc6 30. Rxd8+ Rxd8 31. Bxa6 Bxg2 32. Rc7 Qe6 33. Bc4 Bd5 34. Bxd5 Rxd5 35. Bxf6 Qxf6 36. Qc3 Rd1+ 37. Kg2 Qg6+ 38. Kf3 Rd3+ 0-1
Vinay Bhat 2429 - Josh Friedel 2453
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 d6 8. a4 Rb8 9. d4 Bb6 10. Na3 O-O 11. axb5 axb5 12. Nxb5 Bg4 13. Bc2 d5 14. h3 Bh5 15. exd5 Qxd5 16. dxe5 Qxb5 17. Ba4 Qc4 18. exf6 Rfd8 19. Qe1 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Qh4 21. Kg2 Qxf6 22. Qe4 Ne5 23. Bc2 Ng6 24. Re1 c6 25. Ra4 Rd5 26. Qg4 Bc7 27. Rae4 h5 28. Re8+ Kh7 29. Qc4 Rbb5 30. Rc8 Rbc5 31. Ree8 Bd8 32. Qe4 Rg5+ 33. Bxg5 Qxg5+ 34. Kh2 f5 35. Qe3 Nf4 36. Rh8+ Kxh8 37. Rxd8+ Kh7 0-1
Josh Friedel 2453 - Vladimir Mezentsev 2409
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8. Bb3 d6 9. f3 Bd7 10. h4 Na5 11. Qd2 Rc8 12. h5 Nc4 13. Bxc4 Rxc4 14. hxg6 fxg6 15. O-O-O Rf7 16. Nde2 b5 17. Bh6 b4 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. Bxg7 Qa5 20. Rxh7 Nf4 21. Nxf4 Kxh7 22. Rh1+ Kxg7 23. Nd5 Kg8 24. Qg5 Bf5 25. exf5 Rg7 26. Nxe7+ 1-0
Here are few games from this event.
Josh Friedel 2453 - Alan Stein 2422
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. d5 Nb8 13. Nf1 Nbd7 14. N3h2 c6 15. dxc6 Bxc6 16. Bg5 Qc7 17. Qf3 Qb7 18. Ng3 d5 19. Ng4 dxe4 20. Qf5 Nd5 21. Nxe4 Re6 22. Rad1 Rae8 23. Rd3 Rg6 24. Rf3 N5f6 25. Bxf6 Nxf6 26. Nexf6+ gxf6 27. Rg3 Bg7 28. Nxf6+ Bxf6 29. Qxf6 Bd5 30. Rxe5 Rxe5 31. Qxe5 Bxg2 32. Bc2 Bf3 33. Bxg6 hxg6 34. Qf6 Be4 35. Re3 Qd5 36. Kh2 Qc6 37. Qd8+ 1-0
Ricardo De Guzman 2383 - Josh Friedel 2453
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 e5 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. e4 Bb4 6. Nf3 Qa5 7. Bd2 Nf6 8. a3 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 Qb6 10. dxe5 Nxe4 11. Bd4 Qg6 12. Qb3 Nc6 13. Qxd5 Be6 14. Qb5 O-O 15. Be3 Rfd8 16. h3 Bd5 17. Rd1 Qe6 18. Be2 Nxe5 19. Nxe5 Qxe5 20. O-O a6 21. Qb6 Rd6 22. Qd4 Qe7 23. Bf4 Rdd8 24. Qe3 Qc5 25. Rd4 Nf6 26. Rc1 Qf8 27. Be5 Qe7 28. Qg5 h6 29. Qg3 Bc6 30. Rxd8+ Rxd8 31. Bxa6 Bxg2 32. Rc7 Qe6 33. Bc4 Bd5 34. Bxd5 Rxd5 35. Bxf6 Qxf6 36. Qc3 Rd1+ 37. Kg2 Qg6+ 38. Kf3 Rd3+ 0-1
Vinay Bhat 2429 - Josh Friedel 2453
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 d6 8. a4 Rb8 9. d4 Bb6 10. Na3 O-O 11. axb5 axb5 12. Nxb5 Bg4 13. Bc2 d5 14. h3 Bh5 15. exd5 Qxd5 16. dxe5 Qxb5 17. Ba4 Qc4 18. exf6 Rfd8 19. Qe1 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Qh4 21. Kg2 Qxf6 22. Qe4 Ne5 23. Bc2 Ng6 24. Re1 c6 25. Ra4 Rd5 26. Qg4 Bc7 27. Rae4 h5 28. Re8+ Kh7 29. Qc4 Rbb5 30. Rc8 Rbc5 31. Ree8 Bd8 32. Qe4 Rg5+ 33. Bxg5 Qxg5+ 34. Kh2 f5 35. Qe3 Nf4 36. Rh8+ Kxh8 37. Rxd8+ Kh7 0-1
Josh Friedel 2453 - Vladimir Mezentsev 2409
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8. Bb3 d6 9. f3 Bd7 10. h4 Na5 11. Qd2 Rc8 12. h5 Nc4 13. Bxc4 Rxc4 14. hxg6 fxg6 15. O-O-O Rf7 16. Nde2 b5 17. Bh6 b4 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. Bxg7 Qa5 20. Rxh7 Nf4 21. Nxf4 Kxh7 22. Rh1+ Kxg7 23. Nd5 Kg8 24. Qg5 Bf5 25. exf5 Rg7 26. Nxe7+ 1-0
Match Karpov-Spassky
Ex-World Champions Boris Spassky and Anatoly Karpov will play a match on "the first week of February" in Novi Sad, capitol of province Vojvodina in Serbia & Montenegro. They should also play a simul against the best Vojvodina juniors.
Information about this event is very limited, not even the exact dates are confirmed.
Information about this event is very limited, not even the exact dates are confirmed.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Queenstown Classic 2006
Our friend The Closet Grandmaster was reporting about this event in detail. He also played there and finally made 4 points. Good luck in the future events!
GM Murray Chandler of England won this prestigious tournament by scoring 8,5 points out of 10 rounds. Best placed NZD player was IM Igor Bjelobrk with 7,5 points.
GM Murray Chandler of England won this prestigious tournament by scoring 8,5 points out of 10 rounds. Best placed NZD player was IM Igor Bjelobrk with 7,5 points.
Gibtelecom Chess Festival
In order to promote this event, which is starting today, GM Alexei Shirov and 7 year old Peter Andreev have played "alternative" blitz game against GM Jon Speelman and 8 year old Edmund Harding. Move order: Shirov (white), Speelman (black), Andreev (white), Harding (black) etc. This game was played on 24th October 2005.
Alexei Shirov/Peter Andreev - Jon Speelman/Edmund Harding
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. d4 Bb6 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 Bg4 9. d5 Nb8 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. b4 Nd7 13. Be2 Qe7 14. a4 c6 15. a5 Bc7 16. c4 Rfe8 17. a6 cxd5 18. cxd5 bxa6 19. Rxa6 Bb6 20. Bb5 Red8 21. h3 Bh5 22. Bc6 Rab8 23. g4 Bg6 24. Re1 Nf6 25. Nh4 Nh7 26. Nxg6 fxg6 27. Kg2 Rf8 28. Nc4 Rxf2+ 29. Kg3 Qf6 30. Qc1 Qf3+ 31. Kh4 g5+ 32. Kh5 Qf7+ 0-1
First round is now almost over, there is only one game left, as far as I can see on the live webcam from the playing hall. Big favorites Alexei Shirov and Kiril Georgiev pulled only draws against Natalia Zhukova and Watu Kobese (who recently had great result at Hastings Chess Congress, if I remember correctly). Other top guns, Vladimir Akopian, Nigel Short, Viktor Bologan, Mikhail Kobalia and Mikhail Gurevich won their first round games.
Alexei Shirov/Peter Andreev - Jon Speelman/Edmund Harding
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. d4 Bb6 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 Bg4 9. d5 Nb8 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. b4 Nd7 13. Be2 Qe7 14. a4 c6 15. a5 Bc7 16. c4 Rfe8 17. a6 cxd5 18. cxd5 bxa6 19. Rxa6 Bb6 20. Bb5 Red8 21. h3 Bh5 22. Bc6 Rab8 23. g4 Bg6 24. Re1 Nf6 25. Nh4 Nh7 26. Nxg6 fxg6 27. Kg2 Rf8 28. Nc4 Rxf2+ 29. Kg3 Qf6 30. Qc1 Qf3+ 31. Kh4 g5+ 32. Kh5 Qf7+ 0-1
First round is now almost over, there is only one game left, as far as I can see on the live webcam from the playing hall. Big favorites Alexei Shirov and Kiril Georgiev pulled only draws against Natalia Zhukova and Watu Kobese (who recently had great result at Hastings Chess Congress, if I remember correctly). Other top guns, Vladimir Akopian, Nigel Short, Viktor Bologan, Mikhail Kobalia and Mikhail Gurevich won their first round games.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Anna vs. Baadur
WGM Anna Zatonskih was hosting an audio Master Challenge on the WCN chess club, when my friend Phil Harris (who was visiting Corus) told me that GM Baadur Jobava would like to play Anna as they are good friends from Ukraine. Baadur is participating in Corus Group "B" this year and so far his score is 4,5/8.
So I made him quick account and he took the place in the line. Needless to say, Anna and the audience were delighted with this exhibition :-) At some point Anna said: "He promised he will only watch. You should never trust men". It was hilarious.
In the friendly game Baadur was real gentlemen, he didn't play too fast and Anna won on time. It was interesting however, Anna was piece up at the end, but can that Bb8 go out?
GM Baadur Jobava 2614 - WGM Anna Zatonskih 2433
Site: WorldChessNetwork.com
Date: 2006.01.21
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nf3 f5 4. d3 Nf6 5. g3 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 10. Nd2 a5 11. Rb1 Na6 12. a3 Nc5 13. b4 axb4 14. axb4 Ne6 15. b5 Kh7 16. e3 g5 17. Qc2 Nc5 18. Nd5 Qf7 19. Nb3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 Be6 21. b6 c6 22. Nc7 Rad8 23. Ra1 Bc8 24. Ra8 g4 25. Qc2 Kh8 26. Qe2 f4 27. exf4 exf4 28. gxf4 Qxf4 29. Qe4 Qf7 30. f3 Qf6 31. fxg4 Qd4+ 32. Qxd4 Bxd4+ 33. Kh1 Rxf1+ 34. Bxf1 Bxb6 35. g5 Bxc7 36. gxh6 c5 37. Bg2 b6 38. Ra7 Bb8 39. Rg7 Bf5 40. Bd5 Bxd3 41. Rg3 Bf5 42. Rg5 Bh7 43. Rg7 Rf8 44. Rb7 Rd8 45. Kg2 Rf8 46. Kg3 Re8 47. Kf4 Rf8+ 48. Kg5 Re8 49. Kf6 Rf8+ 50. Rf7 Rd8 0-1
Good luck in the tournament Baadur, hope we'll see you again on WCN!
So I made him quick account and he took the place in the line. Needless to say, Anna and the audience were delighted with this exhibition :-) At some point Anna said: "He promised he will only watch. You should never trust men". It was hilarious.
In the friendly game Baadur was real gentlemen, he didn't play too fast and Anna won on time. It was interesting however, Anna was piece up at the end, but can that Bb8 go out?
GM Baadur Jobava 2614 - WGM Anna Zatonskih 2433
Site: WorldChessNetwork.com
Date: 2006.01.21
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nf3 f5 4. d3 Nf6 5. g3 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 10. Nd2 a5 11. Rb1 Na6 12. a3 Nc5 13. b4 axb4 14. axb4 Ne6 15. b5 Kh7 16. e3 g5 17. Qc2 Nc5 18. Nd5 Qf7 19. Nb3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 Be6 21. b6 c6 22. Nc7 Rad8 23. Ra1 Bc8 24. Ra8 g4 25. Qc2 Kh8 26. Qe2 f4 27. exf4 exf4 28. gxf4 Qxf4 29. Qe4 Qf7 30. f3 Qf6 31. fxg4 Qd4+ 32. Qxd4 Bxd4+ 33. Kh1 Rxf1+ 34. Bxf1 Bxb6 35. g5 Bxc7 36. gxh6 c5 37. Bg2 b6 38. Ra7 Bb8 39. Rg7 Bf5 40. Bd5 Bxd3 41. Rg3 Bf5 42. Rg5 Bh7 43. Rg7 Rf8 44. Rb7 Rd8 45. Kg2 Rf8 46. Kg3 Re8 47. Kf4 Rf8+ 48. Kg5 Re8 49. Kf6 Rf8+ 50. Rf7 Rd8 0-1
Good luck in the tournament Baadur, hope we'll see you again on WCN!
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Rare Thing
As Carla Amse witnessed, GM Ivan Sokolov is regularly coming late for his games at the Corus tournament. Photographers can flash for only 5 minutes after the round start and Ivan desperately wants to avoid them. Then something "amazing" happened. Carla managed to not only catch him, but he is even smiling!
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Saint John's Day
BK University from Belgrade has organized blitz tournament in the honor of St.John's day. There were 56 participants, with 14 GMs, 3 WGMs, 14 IMs and 6 FMs among them.
Final Standings:
1. GM Perunovic Milos (2508) with 10,5 points out of 13 rounds
2-4. GM Miladinovic Igor (2607), GM Cabrilo Goran (2458) and GM Ivanisevic Ivan (2588) 9,5
5. IM Stojanovic Mihajlo (2532) 9
6-7. IM Pap Misa (2402) and GM Lazic Miroljub (2466) 8,5
8-14. GM Drazic Sinisa (2488), IM Tadic Branko (2491), GM Djuric Stefan (2460), GM Damljanovic Branko (2615), GM Abramovic Bosko (2507), IM Arsovic Zoran (2417) and FM Lajthajm Borko (2464) 8 points etc.
Final Standings:
1. GM Perunovic Milos (2508) with 10,5 points out of 13 rounds
2-4. GM Miladinovic Igor (2607), GM Cabrilo Goran (2458) and GM Ivanisevic Ivan (2588) 9,5
5. IM Stojanovic Mihajlo (2532) 9
6-7. IM Pap Misa (2402) and GM Lazic Miroljub (2466) 8,5
8-14. GM Drazic Sinisa (2488), IM Tadic Branko (2491), GM Djuric Stefan (2460), GM Damljanovic Branko (2615), GM Abramovic Bosko (2507), IM Arsovic Zoran (2417) and FM Lajthajm Borko (2464) 8 points etc.
How to evaluate
Here is how GM Doru Rogozenko did it during his Banter game against GM Boris Gulko.
Doru Rogozenko: Someone like Botvinnik would consider it easily winning (from both sides of the board). A guy like Tal would lose interest already. A guy like Petrosian would never reach such a position anyway.
Doru Rogozenko: and a guy like me lost too much time God knows where
Doru Rogozenko: Someone like Botvinnik would consider it easily winning (from both sides of the board). A guy like Tal would lose interest already. A guy like Petrosian would never reach such a position anyway.
Doru Rogozenko: and a guy like me lost too much time God knows where
Friday, January 20, 2006
BIG Kamsky
After few unpleasant loses in the previous rounds, Gata Kamsky shined today to win against Vishy Anand in opposite-colored Bishop's endgame. Michael Adams scored another fine win versus Vassily Ivanchuk.
Round 6 results:
Kamsky-Anand 1-0
Adams-Ivanchuk 1-0
Sokolov-Leko draw
Bacrot-Aronian draw
van Wely-Karjakin draw
Mamedyarov-Gelfand draw
Tiviakov - Topalov draw
Standings:
1-2. GM Viswanathan Anand (India 2792) and GM Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria 2801) 4.0
3-6. GM Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine 2729), GM Boris Gelfand (Israel 2723), GM Sergey Karjakin (Ukraine 2660) and GM Michael Adams (England 2707) 3.5
7-8. GM Levon Aronian (Armenia 2752) and GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan 2709) 3.0
9-12. GM Peter Leko (Hungary 2740), GM Ivan Sokolov (Netherlands 2689), GM Sergey Tiviakov (Netherlands 2669) and GM Loek van Wely (Netherlands 2647) 2.5
13-14. GM Etienne Bacrot (France 2717) and GM Gata Kamsky (USA 2686) 2.0
GM Gata Kamsky - GM Viswanathan Anand
1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. Bxc4 Nb6 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. Ne2 Be6 8. Nbc3 Qd7 9. Ne4 Bd5 10. Be3 O-O-O 11. a3 Qe8 12. Qc2 f5 13. N4c3 Bxg2 14. Rg1 Bf3 15. Bxf5+ e6 16. Bh3 Kb8 17. Rg3 Bxe2 18. Nxe2 Nd5 19. Nc3 Nxe3 20. fxe3 Qh5 21. Qe2 Qxe2+ 22. Kxe2 Re8 23. Rf1 Nd8 24. Ne4 g6 25. Ng5 Re7 26. Rgf3 Bh6 27. Nf7 Nxf7 28. Rxf7 Rhe8 29. R1f6 a5 30. Rxe7 Rxe7 31. Rxe6 Rxe6 32. Bxe6 Bg5 33. d5 Ka7 34. Bg8 h6 35. Bf7 Kb6 36. Bxg6 Kc5 37. Bf7 h5 38. Kd3 h4 39. h3 b5 40. Ke4 b4 41. axb4+ axb4 42. b3 Bh6 43. Bh5 Bg5 44. Be2 Bh6 45. Bc4 Bg5 46. Kf5 Bxe3 47. d6 1-0
GM Michael Adams - GM Vassily Ivanchuk
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. a4 b6 8. g4 Bb7 9. Bg2 Nfd7 10. f4 Nc6 11. O-O Rc8 12. Nxc6 Rxc6 13. f5 g6 14. fxe6 fxe6 15. Ne2 Bg7 16. Nd4 Bxd4 17. Bxd4 e5 18. Be3 Rf8 19. Qe2 Qe7 20. c3 Qe6 21. Rxf8+ Nxf8 22. a5 b5 23. Qf2 Qe7 24. h4 Ne6 25. Rd1 Rc4 26. g5 Nc5 27. Bxc5 Rxc5 28. Rd3 Bc8 29. Rf3 Be6 30. Rf6 Rc6 31. Kh2 Rc5 32. Qe3 Qd7 33. Qf3 Qe7 34. h5 b4 35. cxb4 Rc2 36. Qd3 Rxb2 37. Qc3 Ra2 38. Qc6+ Kd8 39. Qb6+ Kd7 40. Qxa6 gxh5 41. Qb7+ Kd8 42. Qb8+ Kd7 43. a6 Kc6 44. Qb7+ 1-0
Gata Kamsky shows his win vs. Vishy Anand
Round 6 results:
Kamsky-Anand 1-0
Adams-Ivanchuk 1-0
Sokolov-Leko draw
Bacrot-Aronian draw
van Wely-Karjakin draw
Mamedyarov-Gelfand draw
Tiviakov - Topalov draw
Standings:
1-2. GM Viswanathan Anand (India 2792) and GM Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria 2801) 4.0
3-6. GM Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine 2729), GM Boris Gelfand (Israel 2723), GM Sergey Karjakin (Ukraine 2660) and GM Michael Adams (England 2707) 3.5
7-8. GM Levon Aronian (Armenia 2752) and GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan 2709) 3.0
9-12. GM Peter Leko (Hungary 2740), GM Ivan Sokolov (Netherlands 2689), GM Sergey Tiviakov (Netherlands 2669) and GM Loek van Wely (Netherlands 2647) 2.5
13-14. GM Etienne Bacrot (France 2717) and GM Gata Kamsky (USA 2686) 2.0
GM Gata Kamsky - GM Viswanathan Anand
1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. Bxc4 Nb6 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. Ne2 Be6 8. Nbc3 Qd7 9. Ne4 Bd5 10. Be3 O-O-O 11. a3 Qe8 12. Qc2 f5 13. N4c3 Bxg2 14. Rg1 Bf3 15. Bxf5+ e6 16. Bh3 Kb8 17. Rg3 Bxe2 18. Nxe2 Nd5 19. Nc3 Nxe3 20. fxe3 Qh5 21. Qe2 Qxe2+ 22. Kxe2 Re8 23. Rf1 Nd8 24. Ne4 g6 25. Ng5 Re7 26. Rgf3 Bh6 27. Nf7 Nxf7 28. Rxf7 Rhe8 29. R1f6 a5 30. Rxe7 Rxe7 31. Rxe6 Rxe6 32. Bxe6 Bg5 33. d5 Ka7 34. Bg8 h6 35. Bf7 Kb6 36. Bxg6 Kc5 37. Bf7 h5 38. Kd3 h4 39. h3 b5 40. Ke4 b4 41. axb4+ axb4 42. b3 Bh6 43. Bh5 Bg5 44. Be2 Bh6 45. Bc4 Bg5 46. Kf5 Bxe3 47. d6 1-0
GM Michael Adams - GM Vassily Ivanchuk
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. a4 b6 8. g4 Bb7 9. Bg2 Nfd7 10. f4 Nc6 11. O-O Rc8 12. Nxc6 Rxc6 13. f5 g6 14. fxe6 fxe6 15. Ne2 Bg7 16. Nd4 Bxd4 17. Bxd4 e5 18. Be3 Rf8 19. Qe2 Qe7 20. c3 Qe6 21. Rxf8+ Nxf8 22. a5 b5 23. Qf2 Qe7 24. h4 Ne6 25. Rd1 Rc4 26. g5 Nc5 27. Bxc5 Rxc5 28. Rd3 Bc8 29. Rf3 Be6 30. Rf6 Rc6 31. Kh2 Rc5 32. Qe3 Qd7 33. Qf3 Qe7 34. h5 b4 35. cxb4 Rc2 36. Qd3 Rxb2 37. Qc3 Ra2 38. Qc6+ Kd8 39. Qb6+ Kd7 40. Qxa6 gxh5 41. Qb7+ Kd8 42. Qb8+ Kd7 43. a6 Kc6 44. Qb7+ 1-0
Gata Kamsky shows his win vs. Vishy Anand
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Corus: Anand in sole lead
Vishy Anand crushed Peter's Leko Naidorf sicilian today to take the lead half point ahead of Ivanchuk and Topalov. Ivanchuk beat Kamsky while Topalov couldn't break Mamedyarov. Karjakin won against Bacrot in the Zaitsev variation of Ruy Lopez.
Young star Magnus Carlsen and Dortmund's winner Arkadij Naiditsch are playing in great shape to hold the throne in "B" Group with 4 points out of 5 games. It's a real shame that these two didn't have the spot in the main group, but as Carla Amse (WCN reporter from Corus) told me, organizers are making lineup sometimes around April.
Group A standings:
1. GM Viswanathan Anand (India 2792) 4
2- 3. GM Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine 2729) and GM Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria 2801) 3,5
4- 5. GM Boris Gelfand (Israel 2723) and GM Sergey Karjakin (Ukraine 2660) 3
6- 8. GM Michael Adams (England 2707), GM Levon Aronian (Armenia 2752) and GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan 2709) 2,5
9-12. GM Peter Leko (Hungary 2740), GM Ivan Sokolov (Netherlands 2689), GM Sergey Tiviakov (Netherlands 2669) and GM Loek van Wely (Netherlands 2647) 2
13. GM Etienne Bacrot (France 2717) 1,5
14. GM Gata Kamsky (USA 2686) 1
Group B standings:
1- 2. GM Magnus Carlsen (Norway 2625) and GM Arkadij Naiditsch (Germany 2657) 4
3- 6. GM Zoltan Almasi (Hungary 2646), GM Alexander Motylev (Russia 2638), GM David Navara (Czech Republic 2660) and GM Giovanni Vescovi (Brazil 2633) 3,5
7. GM Humpy Koneru (India 2537) 3
8. GM Erwin l'Ami (Netherlands 2550) 2,5
9-10. GM Ivan Cheparinov (Bulgaria 2625) and GM Baadur Jobava (Georgia 2614) 2
11. GM Alexander Beliavsky (Slovenia 2626) 1,5
12. GM Jan Smeets (Netherlands 2550) 1
13-14. IM Kateryna Lahno (Ukraine 2500)Daniel Stellwagen (Netherlands 2573) 0,5
GM Magnus Carlsen - GM Alexander Beliavsky
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. d3 Bc5 8. Nc3 d6 9. a4 Na5 10. Ba2 b4 11. Ne2 Bc8 12. c3 bxc3 13. bxc3 Bb6 14. Ng3 Be6 15. d4 Bxa2 16. Rxa2 O-O 17. Bg5 exd4 18. Nh5 dxc3 19. Nh4 Kh8 20. Nf5 1-0
GM Viswanathan Anand - GM Peter Leko
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. Bc4 O-O 9. O-O Be6 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. Bg5 Nd7 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Nd5 Qd8 14. c3 Na5 15. Re1 Rc8 16. h3 Nb6 17. Nxb6 Qxb6 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Re2 Rc6 20. Qd3 Qc7 21. Rd1 Nc4 22. b3 Nb6 23. c4 Nc8 24. Red2 h6 25. Qe2 Kh7 26. h4 Qb6 27. h5 Qc5 28. Ne1 Rc7 29. Nd3 Qc6 30. c5 Ne7 31. Qg4 Rf6 32. b4 d5 33. Nxe5 Qa4 34. Qg3 Rc8 35. Ng4 Rf7 36. Qd6 Rcf8 37. Qxe6 Qxb4 38. exd5 Qxc5 39. d6 Nc6 40. d7 Nd8 41. Qe4+ Qf5 42. Re2 Qxe4 43. Rxe4 b5 44. f3 a5 45. Ne5 Rf6 46. Ng6 Rg8 47. Re8 Rf7 48. Rd5 b4 49. Ne7 1-0
GM Sergey Karjakin - GM Etienne Bacrot
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a4 h6 13. Bc2 exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. Bb1 c5 16. d5 Nd7 17. Ra3 f5 18. Nh2 Nf6 19. Rf3 fxe4 20. Nxe4 Nbxd5 21. Ng4 Kh8 22. Bd2 Nxe4 23. Rxe4 Rxe4 24. Bxe4 Nc3 25. Bxc3 Bxe4 26. Rf4 Bg6 27. Nxh6 Qg5 28. Qf3 Qxh6 29. Bd2 Qxf4 30. Bxf4 Re8 31. axb5 axb5 32. Qc6 Kh7 33. Qxb5 d5 34. Qd7 d4 35. h4 Re4 36. Bg3 Be7 37. h5 Bxh5 38. f3 Re2 39. Kf1 Rxb2 40. Qxe7 Rb1+ 41. Kf2 1-0
Young star Magnus Carlsen and Dortmund's winner Arkadij Naiditsch are playing in great shape to hold the throne in "B" Group with 4 points out of 5 games. It's a real shame that these two didn't have the spot in the main group, but as Carla Amse (WCN reporter from Corus) told me, organizers are making lineup sometimes around April.
Group A standings:
1. GM Viswanathan Anand (India 2792) 4
2- 3. GM Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine 2729) and GM Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria 2801) 3,5
4- 5. GM Boris Gelfand (Israel 2723) and GM Sergey Karjakin (Ukraine 2660) 3
6- 8. GM Michael Adams (England 2707), GM Levon Aronian (Armenia 2752) and GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan 2709) 2,5
9-12. GM Peter Leko (Hungary 2740), GM Ivan Sokolov (Netherlands 2689), GM Sergey Tiviakov (Netherlands 2669) and GM Loek van Wely (Netherlands 2647) 2
13. GM Etienne Bacrot (France 2717) 1,5
14. GM Gata Kamsky (USA 2686) 1
Group B standings:
1- 2. GM Magnus Carlsen (Norway 2625) and GM Arkadij Naiditsch (Germany 2657) 4
3- 6. GM Zoltan Almasi (Hungary 2646), GM Alexander Motylev (Russia 2638), GM David Navara (Czech Republic 2660) and GM Giovanni Vescovi (Brazil 2633) 3,5
7. GM Humpy Koneru (India 2537) 3
8. GM Erwin l'Ami (Netherlands 2550) 2,5
9-10. GM Ivan Cheparinov (Bulgaria 2625) and GM Baadur Jobava (Georgia 2614) 2
11. GM Alexander Beliavsky (Slovenia 2626) 1,5
12. GM Jan Smeets (Netherlands 2550) 1
13-14. IM Kateryna Lahno (Ukraine 2500)Daniel Stellwagen (Netherlands 2573) 0,5
GM Magnus Carlsen - GM Alexander Beliavsky
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. d3 Bc5 8. Nc3 d6 9. a4 Na5 10. Ba2 b4 11. Ne2 Bc8 12. c3 bxc3 13. bxc3 Bb6 14. Ng3 Be6 15. d4 Bxa2 16. Rxa2 O-O 17. Bg5 exd4 18. Nh5 dxc3 19. Nh4 Kh8 20. Nf5 1-0
GM Viswanathan Anand - GM Peter Leko
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. Bc4 O-O 9. O-O Be6 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. Bg5 Nd7 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Nd5 Qd8 14. c3 Na5 15. Re1 Rc8 16. h3 Nb6 17. Nxb6 Qxb6 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Re2 Rc6 20. Qd3 Qc7 21. Rd1 Nc4 22. b3 Nb6 23. c4 Nc8 24. Red2 h6 25. Qe2 Kh7 26. h4 Qb6 27. h5 Qc5 28. Ne1 Rc7 29. Nd3 Qc6 30. c5 Ne7 31. Qg4 Rf6 32. b4 d5 33. Nxe5 Qa4 34. Qg3 Rc8 35. Ng4 Rf7 36. Qd6 Rcf8 37. Qxe6 Qxb4 38. exd5 Qxc5 39. d6 Nc6 40. d7 Nd8 41. Qe4+ Qf5 42. Re2 Qxe4 43. Rxe4 b5 44. f3 a5 45. Ne5 Rf6 46. Ng6 Rg8 47. Re8 Rf7 48. Rd5 b4 49. Ne7 1-0
GM Sergey Karjakin - GM Etienne Bacrot
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a4 h6 13. Bc2 exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. Bb1 c5 16. d5 Nd7 17. Ra3 f5 18. Nh2 Nf6 19. Rf3 fxe4 20. Nxe4 Nbxd5 21. Ng4 Kh8 22. Bd2 Nxe4 23. Rxe4 Rxe4 24. Bxe4 Nc3 25. Bxc3 Bxe4 26. Rf4 Bg6 27. Nxh6 Qg5 28. Qf3 Qxh6 29. Bd2 Qxf4 30. Bxf4 Re8 31. axb5 axb5 32. Qc6 Kh7 33. Qxb5 d5 34. Qd7 d4 35. h4 Re4 36. Bg3 Be7 37. h5 Bxh5 38. f3 Re2 39. Kf1 Rxb2 40. Qxe7 Rb1+ 41. Kf2 1-0
38th Annual Liberty Bell Open
This 7 round tournament was played on 13-16th January in Wyndham Hotel, Philadelphia. I can't find entire crosstable but here are the top 7 finishers:
1-5. GM Alexander Shabalov 2680, GM Jaan Ehlvest 2678, IM David E Vigorito 2413, GM Sergey Kudrin 2619 and GM Aleks Wojtkiewicz 2527 with 5,5 points each
6-7. Pieter A Bierkens 2189 and FM Boris Privman 2351 with 5 points etc.
1-5. GM Alexander Shabalov 2680, GM Jaan Ehlvest 2678, IM David E Vigorito 2413, GM Sergey Kudrin 2619 and GM Aleks Wojtkiewicz 2527 with 5,5 points each
6-7. Pieter A Bierkens 2189 and FM Boris Privman 2351 with 5 points etc.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
31. Abierto Internacional Ciudad de Sevilla
This open tournament was held on 7th-15th January in Sevilla, Spain. There were 247 players who fought during the 9 rounds of swiss system. GM Campora, GM Spraggett and IM D.Paunovic tied for the first place.
Final standings:
1-3. GM Daniel Campora Sivori (ARG 2541), GM Kevin Spraggett (CAN 2581) and IM Dragan Paunovic (SCG 2475) 7,5
4-11. GM Juan Mario Gomez Esteban (ESP 2490), GM Oleg Korneev (RUS 2649), GM Alejandro Hoffman (ARG 2461), IM Ibragim Khamrakulov (UZB 2499), GM Goran Dizdar (CRO 2531), GM Azer Mirzoev (AZE 2498), GM Carlos S.Matamoros Franco (ECU 2510) and GM Salvador G.Del Rio Angelis (ESP 2497) with 7 points etc.
GM Alejandro Hoffman 2461 - GM Kevin Spraggett 2581
1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 d6 8. e4 Nbd7 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Qc7 11. b3 O-O 12. Be3 a6 13. Rc1 Rac8 14. f3 Rfe8 15. Bf2 Qb8 16. Bh3 Bf8 17. Qd2 Ba8 18. Bf1 Ne5 19. h3 h6 20. f4 Ned7 21. Bg2 Rcd8 22. Nc2 Bb7 23. Qe2 Rc8 24. Nd4 e5 25. fxe5 Rxe5 26. g4 h5 27. Bg3 hxg4 28. Bxe5 dxe5 29. Nf5 g6 30. Ne3 Bc5 31. Ncd5 Bxd5 32. cxd5 Nh5 33. hxg4 Nf4 34. Qd2 a5 35. Kh2 Qd6 36. Kg3 Qf6 37. Rf1 Qg5 38. Rf3 Nf6 39. Qc2 Kg7 0-1
Final standings:
1-3. GM Daniel Campora Sivori (ARG 2541), GM Kevin Spraggett (CAN 2581) and IM Dragan Paunovic (SCG 2475) 7,5
4-11. GM Juan Mario Gomez Esteban (ESP 2490), GM Oleg Korneev (RUS 2649), GM Alejandro Hoffman (ARG 2461), IM Ibragim Khamrakulov (UZB 2499), GM Goran Dizdar (CRO 2531), GM Azer Mirzoev (AZE 2498), GM Carlos S.Matamoros Franco (ECU 2510) and GM Salvador G.Del Rio Angelis (ESP 2497) with 7 points etc.
GM Alejandro Hoffman 2461 - GM Kevin Spraggett 2581
1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 d6 8. e4 Nbd7 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Qc7 11. b3 O-O 12. Be3 a6 13. Rc1 Rac8 14. f3 Rfe8 15. Bf2 Qb8 16. Bh3 Bf8 17. Qd2 Ba8 18. Bf1 Ne5 19. h3 h6 20. f4 Ned7 21. Bg2 Rcd8 22. Nc2 Bb7 23. Qe2 Rc8 24. Nd4 e5 25. fxe5 Rxe5 26. g4 h5 27. Bg3 hxg4 28. Bxe5 dxe5 29. Nf5 g6 30. Ne3 Bc5 31. Ncd5 Bxd5 32. cxd5 Nh5 33. hxg4 Nf4 34. Qd2 a5 35. Kh2 Qd6 36. Kg3 Qf6 37. Rf1 Qg5 38. Rf3 Nf6 39. Qc2 Kg7 0-1
GM Aleksa Strikovic wins in Jaén
17th Open Internacional de Ajedrez Ciudad de Jaén was held on 15th January. This was rapid event (time control 20 minutes) with 7 rounds of swiss pairings.
Final standings:
1. GM Aleksa Strikovic (SCG 2499) 6 points
2-8. GM Julen Luis Arizmendi Martinez (ESP 2534), GM Javier Moreno Carnero (ESP 2508), GM Alfonso Romero Holmes (ESP 2509), IM Enrique Rodriguez Guerrero (ESP 2464), FM Fabiano Caruana (ITA 2409), IM Boris Zlotnick (RUS 2447) and GM Roberto Cifuentes Parada (ESP 2501) 5,5 points each etc.
There were 86 participants
GM Aleksa Strikovic
Final standings:
1. GM Aleksa Strikovic (SCG 2499) 6 points
2-8. GM Julen Luis Arizmendi Martinez (ESP 2534), GM Javier Moreno Carnero (ESP 2508), GM Alfonso Romero Holmes (ESP 2509), IM Enrique Rodriguez Guerrero (ESP 2464), FM Fabiano Caruana (ITA 2409), IM Boris Zlotnick (RUS 2447) and GM Roberto Cifuentes Parada (ESP 2501) 5,5 points each etc.
There were 86 participants
GM Aleksa Strikovic
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Cheer for TCG!
Our fellow blogger The Closet Grandmaster is currently participating in the Queenstown Chess Classic tournament. He is also writing reports from the tournament. Read more about this event on his blog.
Anand takes the lead
Vassily Ivanchuk had nice opening advantage with White against Vishy Anand, but he started to lose strings after grabbing pawn instead of increasing the pressure. Anand used his chance to start strong attack on 22.Rfe1? seeing Ivanchuk resigning only 6 moves later.
Round 3 results:
Topalov - Bacrot 1-0
Ivanchuk - Anand 0-1
Gelfand - Adams 1-0
Mamedyarov - Sokolov draw
Karjakin - Kamsky 1-0
Aronian - Leko draw
Tiviakov - Van Wely draw
Vassily Ivanchuk 2729 - Vishy Anand 2792
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. e3 e5 5. Be2 d5 6. d4 exd4 7. exd4 Be6 8. Be3 dxc4 9. Qa4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bd7 11. Qxc4 Rc8 12. O-O Bd6 13. Nxc6 (13. Ncb5 Be7 14. Nxc6 Rxc6 15. Qd3 O-O 16. Nxa7 +/-) 13... Rxc6 14. Qh4 O-O 15. Bxa7?! (15. Bf3! Rc8 16. Rfd1 Qc7 17. Rac1 Qb8 18. Bd4! +/-) 15... b6 16. Rad1 Bc5 17. b4 Be7 18. Qd4 Rd6 19. Qc4 Be6 20. Qa6 Nd5 21. Nxd5 Bxd5 22. Rfe1? (22. Rxd5 Rxd5 23. Bxb6=) 22... Rg6! -/+ 23. g3 Bxb4 24. Bc4 Bxe1 25. Bxd5 Qe7 (25... Bxf2+! 26. Kxf2 Rd6 27. Qb5 Qe7 -+) 26. a4? (26. Bxb6 Bxf2+ 27. Kxf2 Qf6+ -/+) 26... Rf6 -+ 27. f4 Qe3+ 28. Kh1 Bxg3 0-1
Round 3 results:
Topalov - Bacrot 1-0
Ivanchuk - Anand 0-1
Gelfand - Adams 1-0
Mamedyarov - Sokolov draw
Karjakin - Kamsky 1-0
Aronian - Leko draw
Tiviakov - Van Wely draw
Vassily Ivanchuk 2729 - Vishy Anand 2792
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. e3 e5 5. Be2 d5 6. d4 exd4 7. exd4 Be6 8. Be3 dxc4 9. Qa4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bd7 11. Qxc4 Rc8 12. O-O Bd6 13. Nxc6 (13. Ncb5 Be7 14. Nxc6 Rxc6 15. Qd3 O-O 16. Nxa7 +/-) 13... Rxc6 14. Qh4 O-O 15. Bxa7?! (15. Bf3! Rc8 16. Rfd1 Qc7 17. Rac1 Qb8 18. Bd4! +/-) 15... b6 16. Rad1 Bc5 17. b4 Be7 18. Qd4 Rd6 19. Qc4 Be6 20. Qa6 Nd5 21. Nxd5 Bxd5 22. Rfe1? (22. Rxd5 Rxd5 23. Bxb6=) 22... Rg6! -/+ 23. g3 Bxb4 24. Bc4 Bxe1 25. Bxd5 Qe7 (25... Bxf2+! 26. Kxf2 Rd6 27. Qb5 Qe7 -+) 26. a4? (26. Bxb6 Bxf2+ 27. Kxf2 Qf6+ -/+) 26... Rf6 -+ 27. f4 Qe3+ 28. Kh1 Bxg3 0-1
Monday, January 16, 2006
Good afternoon!
...I also experienced an interesting case of concentration. It happened while I was playing in England. I got up from my board and noticed my wife. I realized that her face was familiar and I said ‘Good afternoon!’. She ran away...
Legendary GM Svetozar Gligoric gave an interview back on 1999. He is 83-years old now and still in great shape.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Kamsky strikes back!
After his very bad display in round one, Gata Kamsky was first to score a win today. His opponent Boris Gelfand chooses Slav defence, but Kamsky played nice maneuver Qc1, a4-a5-a6 and forced him to sacrifice the exchange.
Mickey Adams simply crushed World Champion Veselin Topalov in the Naidorf Sicilian. The opening went quiet, but Mickey played few strong moves later 22.f5! 23.Nd5! and finally 29.Rf7! to break Topa's resistance.
Vassily Ivanchuk beat Ivan Sokolov with Black pieces after he surprised him with 9....dc6 novelty. He is now leading the race with 2 points out of 2 games.
Etienne Bacrot won against Sergei Tiviakov after 41 moves in the Sicilian Maroczy Bind.
Van Wely-Mamedyarov, Anand-Aronian and Leko-Karjakin were draws.
All the photos are made by Carla Huppeldepup
Gata Kamsky 2686 - Boris Gelfand 2723
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Qc7 8. g3 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 11. Qc1 g6 12. Bg2 Bg7 13. O-O O-O 14. a5 Be6 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. a6 bxa6 17. Rxa6 Rab8 18. Qa1 Qb7 19. Ra5 Nc4 20. Rxa7 Qxb2 21. Bxb8 Qxb8 22. Rb1 Qe5 23. Rc1 Nd2 24. Rc2 Nb3 25. Qa3 Qb8 26. Bxc6 Bxc3 27. Rxc3 Nd4 28. Ra8 Nxe2+ 29. Kg2 Qxa8 30. Bxa8 Nxc3 31. Qa5 Nb5 32. f3 Nd6 33. g4 Rc8 34. Kg3 Nc4 35. Qa1 Rd8 36. h4 Ne3 37. Be4 Nd5 38. Qe5 h6 39. Bxg6 Rd7 40. Be4 Ne7 41. Qf6 1-0
Michael Adams 2707 - Veselin Topalov 2810
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O Be7 8. a4 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. f4 Qc7 11. Kh1 Re8 12. Bf3 Bf8 13. Qd2 Na5 14. b3 Rb8 15. Rad1 Nc6 16. Bf2 Nd7 17. Bg3 Nxd4 18. Qxd4 b5 19. axb5 axb5 20. b4 g6 21. e5 d5 22. f5 gxf5 23. Nxd5 Qc4 24. Qd2 h6 25. h3 exd5 26. Bxd5 Qxb4 27. c3 Qc5 28. Rxf5 Re6 29. Rxf7 Nb6 30. Rdf1 Nxd5 31. Rxf8+ Qxf8 32. Rxf8+ Kxf8 33. Qxd5 Ke8 34. Bh4 Bd7 35. Bf6 b4 36. Qe4 Bc8 37. cxb4 Rb7 38. Qg6+ Kd7 39. Qxh6 Kc7 40. Qf4 Kb8 41. h4 Rc7 42. h5 1-0
Ivan Sokolov 2689 - Vassily Ivanchuk 2729
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Ba5 7. Bg5 Bb7 8. dxc5 Na6 9. c6 dxc6 10. Qc2 c5 11. Rd1 Qc7 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. g3 Ke7 14. Bg2 Nb4 15. Qb3 Nc6 16. O-O Rad8 17. Ne4 h6 18. Qe3 Ne5 19. Nxe5 Qxe5 20. Rxd8 Rxd8 21. Nxf6 Qxe3 22. fxe3 Ba6 23. Ng4 Rd2 24. b3 Bc3 25. Nxh6 f5 26. g4 Bg7 27. g5 Rxe2 28. e4 Bb7 29. Rf4 Be5 30. Rf1 Bxe4 31. Bxe4 Rxe4 32. Kg2 Rh4 33. Re1 Rxh2+ 34. Kg1 Rh5 35. Nxf5+ Kd7 36. Rd1+ Kc7 37. Ne3 Bd4 38. Rd3 Rxg5+ 39. Kf1 Kc6 40. Nc2 e5 41. Rh3 e4 42. Rh6+ Kd7 43. Rh4 Rg1+ 44. Ke2 Rg2+ 45. Kd1 e3 46. Re4 Rd2+ 47. Kc1 a5 48. b4 a4 49. bxc5 bxc5 50. Ne1 Rf2 51. Kd1 Kd6 52. Re8 Be5 53. Nd3 Rd2+ 54. Kc1 Bd4 55. Ne1 Rh2 56. Kd1 Rb2 57. Nc2 Rb3 58. Re4 Rd3+ 59. Kc1 Be5 60. Nxe3 Rxe3 61. Rxe3 Bf4 62. Kd2 Bxe3+ 63. Kxe3 Ke5 64. Kd3 Kf4 65. Kd2 Ke4 66. Ke2 Kd4 67. Kd2 Kxc4 68. Kc2 Kd4 69. Kd2 c4 70. Kc2 c3 71. Kc1 Kc5 72. Kd1 Kd5 73. Kc1 Kd4 0-1
Etienne Bacrot 2717 - Segei Tiviakov 2669
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nc2 Bg7 8. Be2 Nd7 9. Bd2 Nc5 10. O-O O-O 11. b4 Ne6 12. Rc1 Ned4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Be3 Nxe2+ 15. Qxe2 Be6 16. Nd5 Qd7 17. Rfd1 b6 18. b5 f5 19. exf5 Rxf5 20. Nb4 Bf7 21. Nc6 Re8 22. Qd3 Rc8 23. Qe4 Rc7 24. a4 h5 25. h3 Qe6 26. Qxe6 Bxe6 27. Re1 Bc8 28. a5 bxa5 29. Bxa7 Kf7 30. Bb6 Rxc6 31. bxc6 a4 32. Red1 a3 33. Bd4 Bxd4 34. Rxd4 Be6 35. Rd5 Ke8 36. Rxf5 gxf5 37. Ra1 Kd8 38. Rxa3 Kc7 39. Re3 Bxc4 40. Rxe7+ Kxc6 41. f3 1-0
Mickey Adams simply crushed World Champion Veselin Topalov in the Naidorf Sicilian. The opening went quiet, but Mickey played few strong moves later 22.f5! 23.Nd5! and finally 29.Rf7! to break Topa's resistance.
Vassily Ivanchuk beat Ivan Sokolov with Black pieces after he surprised him with 9....dc6 novelty. He is now leading the race with 2 points out of 2 games.
Etienne Bacrot won against Sergei Tiviakov after 41 moves in the Sicilian Maroczy Bind.
Van Wely-Mamedyarov, Anand-Aronian and Leko-Karjakin were draws.
All the photos are made by Carla Huppeldepup
Gata Kamsky 2686 - Boris Gelfand 2723
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Qc7 8. g3 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 11. Qc1 g6 12. Bg2 Bg7 13. O-O O-O 14. a5 Be6 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. a6 bxa6 17. Rxa6 Rab8 18. Qa1 Qb7 19. Ra5 Nc4 20. Rxa7 Qxb2 21. Bxb8 Qxb8 22. Rb1 Qe5 23. Rc1 Nd2 24. Rc2 Nb3 25. Qa3 Qb8 26. Bxc6 Bxc3 27. Rxc3 Nd4 28. Ra8 Nxe2+ 29. Kg2 Qxa8 30. Bxa8 Nxc3 31. Qa5 Nb5 32. f3 Nd6 33. g4 Rc8 34. Kg3 Nc4 35. Qa1 Rd8 36. h4 Ne3 37. Be4 Nd5 38. Qe5 h6 39. Bxg6 Rd7 40. Be4 Ne7 41. Qf6 1-0
Michael Adams 2707 - Veselin Topalov 2810
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O Be7 8. a4 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. f4 Qc7 11. Kh1 Re8 12. Bf3 Bf8 13. Qd2 Na5 14. b3 Rb8 15. Rad1 Nc6 16. Bf2 Nd7 17. Bg3 Nxd4 18. Qxd4 b5 19. axb5 axb5 20. b4 g6 21. e5 d5 22. f5 gxf5 23. Nxd5 Qc4 24. Qd2 h6 25. h3 exd5 26. Bxd5 Qxb4 27. c3 Qc5 28. Rxf5 Re6 29. Rxf7 Nb6 30. Rdf1 Nxd5 31. Rxf8+ Qxf8 32. Rxf8+ Kxf8 33. Qxd5 Ke8 34. Bh4 Bd7 35. Bf6 b4 36. Qe4 Bc8 37. cxb4 Rb7 38. Qg6+ Kd7 39. Qxh6 Kc7 40. Qf4 Kb8 41. h4 Rc7 42. h5 1-0
Ivan Sokolov 2689 - Vassily Ivanchuk 2729
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Ba5 7. Bg5 Bb7 8. dxc5 Na6 9. c6 dxc6 10. Qc2 c5 11. Rd1 Qc7 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. g3 Ke7 14. Bg2 Nb4 15. Qb3 Nc6 16. O-O Rad8 17. Ne4 h6 18. Qe3 Ne5 19. Nxe5 Qxe5 20. Rxd8 Rxd8 21. Nxf6 Qxe3 22. fxe3 Ba6 23. Ng4 Rd2 24. b3 Bc3 25. Nxh6 f5 26. g4 Bg7 27. g5 Rxe2 28. e4 Bb7 29. Rf4 Be5 30. Rf1 Bxe4 31. Bxe4 Rxe4 32. Kg2 Rh4 33. Re1 Rxh2+ 34. Kg1 Rh5 35. Nxf5+ Kd7 36. Rd1+ Kc7 37. Ne3 Bd4 38. Rd3 Rxg5+ 39. Kf1 Kc6 40. Nc2 e5 41. Rh3 e4 42. Rh6+ Kd7 43. Rh4 Rg1+ 44. Ke2 Rg2+ 45. Kd1 e3 46. Re4 Rd2+ 47. Kc1 a5 48. b4 a4 49. bxc5 bxc5 50. Ne1 Rf2 51. Kd1 Kd6 52. Re8 Be5 53. Nd3 Rd2+ 54. Kc1 Bd4 55. Ne1 Rh2 56. Kd1 Rb2 57. Nc2 Rb3 58. Re4 Rd3+ 59. Kc1 Be5 60. Nxe3 Rxe3 61. Rxe3 Bf4 62. Kd2 Bxe3+ 63. Kxe3 Ke5 64. Kd3 Kf4 65. Kd2 Ke4 66. Ke2 Kd4 67. Kd2 Kxc4 68. Kc2 Kd4 69. Kd2 c4 70. Kc2 c3 71. Kc1 Kc5 72. Kd1 Kd5 73. Kc1 Kd4 0-1
Etienne Bacrot 2717 - Segei Tiviakov 2669
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nc2 Bg7 8. Be2 Nd7 9. Bd2 Nc5 10. O-O O-O 11. b4 Ne6 12. Rc1 Ned4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Be3 Nxe2+ 15. Qxe2 Be6 16. Nd5 Qd7 17. Rfd1 b6 18. b5 f5 19. exf5 Rxf5 20. Nb4 Bf7 21. Nc6 Re8 22. Qd3 Rc8 23. Qe4 Rc7 24. a4 h5 25. h3 Qe6 26. Qxe6 Bxe6 27. Re1 Bc8 28. a5 bxa5 29. Bxa7 Kf7 30. Bb6 Rxc6 31. bxc6 a4 32. Red1 a3 33. Bd4 Bxd4 34. Rxd4 Be6 35. Rd5 Ke8 36. Rxf5 gxf5 37. Ra1 Kd8 38. Rxa3 Kc7 39. Re3 Bxc4 40. Rxe7+ Kxc6 41. f3 1-0
First Round of Corus
I am a bit late (2nd round is about to end soon). Topalov beat Kamsky in a game full of mistakes from both players. Anand was well prepared for Karjakin's attempts in Naidorf Sicilian and Ivanchuk unleashed an counterattack to beat Aronian.
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2709 - Etienne Bacrot 2717 draw
Sergey Karjakin 2660 - Viswanathan Anand 2792 0-1
Veselin Topalov 2801 - Gata Kamsky 2686 1-0
Boris Gelfand 2723 - Peter Leko 2740 draw
Loek Van Wely 2647 - Ivan Sokolov 2689 draw
Levon Aronian 2752 - Vassily Ivanchuk 2729 0-1
Sergei Tiviakov 2669 - Michael Adams 2707 draw
Veselin Topalov 2801 - Gata Kamsky 2686
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nxd5 4. d4 Bf5 5. Bd3 Bxd3 6. Qxd3 e6 7. O-O Nc6 8. c4 Nb6 9. Nc3 Be7 10. Bf4 g5 11. Bg3 g4 12. Ne5 Nxd4 13. c5 Bxc5 14. Rad1 O-O 15. Ne4 Be7 16. Nxg4 c5 17. b4 Nd5 18. bxc5 Nf5 19. Qf3 Rc8 20. Bd6 Nxd6 21. cxd6 Bh4 22. d7 Rc6 23. Ne5 Rc7 24. Qg4+ Kh8 25. Nd6 1-0
Sergey Karjakin 2660 - Viswanathan Anand 2792
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3 Be7 9. Qd2 O-O 10. O-O-O Nbd7 11. g4 b5 12. g5 b4 13. Ne2 Ne8 14. f4 a5 15. f5 a4 16. Nbd4 exd4 17. Nxd4 b3 18. Kb1 bxc2+ 19. Nxc2 Bb3 20. axb3 axb3 21. Na3 Ne5 22. h4 Ra5 23. Qc3 Qa8 24. Bg2 Nc7 25. Qxc7 Rc8 26. Qxe7 Nc4 27. g6 hxg6 28. fxg6 Nxa3+ 29. bxa3 Rxa3 30. gxf7+ Kh7 31. f8=N+ Rxf8 32. Qxf8 Ra1+ 33. Kb2 Ra2+ 34. Kc3 Qa5+ 35. Kd3 Qb5+ 36. Kd4 Ra4+ 37. Kc3 Qc4+ 0-1
Levon Aronian 2752 - Vassily Ivanchuk 2729
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c6 5. Nc3 d5 6. Qb3 O-O 7. Bg2 Qb6 8. O-O Rd8 9. h3 Be6 10. Ng5 Bf5 11. Qxb6 axb6 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. e4 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Bd7 15. f4 Na6 16. g4 Nc7 17. f5 Nb5 18. Bb2 Bh6 19. h4 f6 20. Nf3 gxf5 21. exf5 Nd6 22. Rfe1 Kf7 23. Bh3 Rg8 24. Kf2 Bf4 25. Ne5+ fxe5 26. dxe5 Nc4 27. e6+ Kf8 28. exd7 Nxb2 29. Re4 Bd6 30. Ke3 b5 31. Rb1 Nc4+ 32. Rxc4 bxc4 33. Rxb7 Kg7 34. Bg2 Kf6 35. g5+ Kxf5 36. Bxc6 Rab8 37. Kd4 Kg4 38. a4 Kxh4 39. a5 Rxb7 40. Bxb7 Kxg5 41. a6 Bb8 42. Kxc4 Kf6 43. Kb5 e5 44. Kb6 Ke7 45. Bc8 Rg2 0-1
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2709 - Etienne Bacrot 2717 draw
Sergey Karjakin 2660 - Viswanathan Anand 2792 0-1
Veselin Topalov 2801 - Gata Kamsky 2686 1-0
Boris Gelfand 2723 - Peter Leko 2740 draw
Loek Van Wely 2647 - Ivan Sokolov 2689 draw
Levon Aronian 2752 - Vassily Ivanchuk 2729 0-1
Sergei Tiviakov 2669 - Michael Adams 2707 draw
Veselin Topalov 2801 - Gata Kamsky 2686
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nxd5 4. d4 Bf5 5. Bd3 Bxd3 6. Qxd3 e6 7. O-O Nc6 8. c4 Nb6 9. Nc3 Be7 10. Bf4 g5 11. Bg3 g4 12. Ne5 Nxd4 13. c5 Bxc5 14. Rad1 O-O 15. Ne4 Be7 16. Nxg4 c5 17. b4 Nd5 18. bxc5 Nf5 19. Qf3 Rc8 20. Bd6 Nxd6 21. cxd6 Bh4 22. d7 Rc6 23. Ne5 Rc7 24. Qg4+ Kh8 25. Nd6 1-0
Sergey Karjakin 2660 - Viswanathan Anand 2792
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3 Be7 9. Qd2 O-O 10. O-O-O Nbd7 11. g4 b5 12. g5 b4 13. Ne2 Ne8 14. f4 a5 15. f5 a4 16. Nbd4 exd4 17. Nxd4 b3 18. Kb1 bxc2+ 19. Nxc2 Bb3 20. axb3 axb3 21. Na3 Ne5 22. h4 Ra5 23. Qc3 Qa8 24. Bg2 Nc7 25. Qxc7 Rc8 26. Qxe7 Nc4 27. g6 hxg6 28. fxg6 Nxa3+ 29. bxa3 Rxa3 30. gxf7+ Kh7 31. f8=N+ Rxf8 32. Qxf8 Ra1+ 33. Kb2 Ra2+ 34. Kc3 Qa5+ 35. Kd3 Qb5+ 36. Kd4 Ra4+ 37. Kc3 Qc4+ 0-1
Levon Aronian 2752 - Vassily Ivanchuk 2729
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c6 5. Nc3 d5 6. Qb3 O-O 7. Bg2 Qb6 8. O-O Rd8 9. h3 Be6 10. Ng5 Bf5 11. Qxb6 axb6 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. e4 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Bd7 15. f4 Na6 16. g4 Nc7 17. f5 Nb5 18. Bb2 Bh6 19. h4 f6 20. Nf3 gxf5 21. exf5 Nd6 22. Rfe1 Kf7 23. Bh3 Rg8 24. Kf2 Bf4 25. Ne5+ fxe5 26. dxe5 Nc4 27. e6+ Kf8 28. exd7 Nxb2 29. Re4 Bd6 30. Ke3 b5 31. Rb1 Nc4+ 32. Rxc4 bxc4 33. Rxb7 Kg7 34. Bg2 Kf6 35. g5+ Kxf5 36. Bxc6 Rab8 37. Kd4 Kg4 38. a4 Kxh4 39. a5 Rxb7 40. Bxb7 Kxg5 41. a6 Bb8 42. Kxc4 Kf6 43. Kb5 e5 44. Kb6 Ke7 45. Bc8 Rg2 0-1
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Corus Madness
Corus Chess Festival is about to start. I hope Gata Kamsky will make a great result. WorldChessNetwork will broadcast games every day at 9am est (3pm cet) with live audio commentary provided by some of the leading site pros. GM Alex Finkel is scheduled for Saturday and GM Victor Mikhalevski for Sunday.
Round one pairings:
L. van Wely - I. Sokolov
S. Mamedyarov - E. Bacrot
S. Tiviakov - M. Adams
V. Topalov - G. Kamsky
B. Gelfand - P. Leko
S. Karjakin - V. Anand
L. Aronian - V. Ivanchuk
From the opening ceremony (photos are made by Carla Huppeldepup)
Sleepy Ivanchuk
"Reporter" Karjakin
Round one pairings:
L. van Wely - I. Sokolov
S. Mamedyarov - E. Bacrot
S. Tiviakov - M. Adams
V. Topalov - G. Kamsky
B. Gelfand - P. Leko
S. Karjakin - V. Anand
L. Aronian - V. Ivanchuk
From the opening ceremony (photos are made by Carla Huppeldepup)
Sleepy Ivanchuk
"Reporter" KarjakinFriday, January 13, 2006
Way to go Pascal!
Canadian IM Pascal Charbonneau has earned his third and final GM norm by winning Chicago Winter tournament with 6 points out of 9 rounds. He won his last round game against WGM Rusudan Goletiani.
Irina Krush, Ben Finegold and Eugene Perelshteyn will have to wait for the next opportunity to claim GM title.
Irina Krush, Ben Finegold and Eugene Perelshteyn will have to wait for the next opportunity to claim GM title.
Verona Open
The event was held on 2nd-9th January in Verona, Italy. IM Milan Mrdja (2332) won the tournament and earned a GM norm. He had performance of 2653! Italian junior Sabino Brunello achieved IM norm.
Final standings:
1. IM Mrdja (2332, CRO) 7 points out of 9 rounds
2. IM Stojanovic (2532, SCG) 6,5
3-7. GM Rowson (2599, SCO), GM Godena (2505, ITA), FM Shytaj (2425, ITA), GM Skembris (2451, GRE) and GM Lazic (2466, SCG) 6 etc
I have met IM Stojanovic in Vrnjacka Banja and he told me the prizes are very small nowdays. He played another open tournament in Italy and there were only 5 prizes with 7 GMs participating. On my question if there is some kind of boycott possible, he answered "No way. There will always be some GM(s) to play even in the worst conditions". Basically, organizers can do whatever they want. Chess market rules are on their side.
Final standings:
1. IM Mrdja (2332, CRO) 7 points out of 9 rounds
2. IM Stojanovic (2532, SCG) 6,5
3-7. GM Rowson (2599, SCO), GM Godena (2505, ITA), FM Shytaj (2425, ITA), GM Skembris (2451, GRE) and GM Lazic (2466, SCG) 6 etc
I have met IM Stojanovic in Vrnjacka Banja and he told me the prizes are very small nowdays. He played another open tournament in Italy and there were only 5 prizes with 7 GMs participating. On my question if there is some kind of boycott possible, he answered "No way. There will always be some GM(s) to play even in the worst conditions". Basically, organizers can do whatever they want. Chess market rules are on their side.
First Grandmasters
Do you know which players were awarded by first GM titles? And those were like real "royal" titles given by Russian Tsar Alexei II. The players who had the honor were Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, Tarrasch and Marshall.
The Oldest Chess Club
Probably the oldest chess club on the world is Manchester Chess Club, founded back in 1817. Check out Manchester Chess Club vs. Liverpool Chess Club game played in 1825.
Back
Ok, I'm back from Vrnjacka Banja. Uros Cvetanovic, a junior from my chess club, finished 2nd in Serbian U12 championship for boys. Uros is one of the most perspective kids in Serbia & Montenegro. He was already U10 federal champion.
We had the "tournament" rules - Uros never analyses games or prepares for the next round during the tourney. We wanted to keep his head cool. After having big problems with Taimanov sicilian (the only opening he uses with Black) and with his well prepared opponents, we decided to modify rules in the future.
Aleksandar Dimitrijevic finished 11th in the same group. Milica Milosavljevic is Serbian U14 champion for girls and her sister Marija took the silver medal. This family rules their age groups in last 4 years. We are all very proud of kids from Cuprija.
Nemanja Zivkovic, winner of the Fourth Christmas Tournament "Nole 2006" which was held on Jan 4th, is Serbian U14 champion for boys. This modest kid was running away from me during the entire event as he thought I am TV reporter :-)
We had the "tournament" rules - Uros never analyses games or prepares for the next round during the tourney. We wanted to keep his head cool. After having big problems with Taimanov sicilian (the only opening he uses with Black) and with his well prepared opponents, we decided to modify rules in the future.
Aleksandar Dimitrijevic finished 11th in the same group. Milica Milosavljevic is Serbian U14 champion for girls and her sister Marija took the silver medal. This family rules their age groups in last 4 years. We are all very proud of kids from Cuprija.
Nemanja Zivkovic, winner of the Fourth Christmas Tournament "Nole 2006" which was held on Jan 4th, is Serbian U14 champion for boys. This modest kid was running away from me during the entire event as he thought I am TV reporter :-)
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Dropped Advantage Syndrome
This is the game I played in the Regional League few months ago.
Goran Urosevic - Nenad Radosavljevic
"Radnicki" Cuprija - "Postar" Jagodina
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3 e6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bf4 Nf6 6. Qd3 Nh5!? 7. Be3
(7. Be5 Nd7 =/+)
7... Qh4+ 8. Bf2 dxe4?!
(8... Qe7 9. O-O-O O-O =)
9. fxe4 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Qe7 11. Nf3 +/- Nd7 12. e5
Grabbing some space on the Kingside and taking away f6 square from Nh5. On the other side, White's center is losing much of its flexibility now (12. Qd2 e5 13. Bd3 Nf4 14. O-O Nxd3 15. cxd3 +/-; 12. g4? Nf4 13. Qd2 e5! 14. de5 Ne6)
12... Nf4 13. Qd2 Ng6 14. h4
Aiming to ruin Black's pawn structure. Also gaining tempo by attacking Ng6.
14... Qa3
A cunning one. Here I realized that my opponent is stronger then I thought. Fritz also chooses this move. Queen looks misplaced on a3 but it does important defending tasks. Having eye on my Q-side weaknesses, Qa3 reduces attacking potential of my pieces.
15. Bd3 b6 16. Ng5!
(16. h5 Ne7 17. h6 gxh6 (17... g6 18. O-O O-O 19. Ng5 +-) 18. Be3 Rg8 19. Bxh6 Ba6; 16. O-O Ba6 17. c4 c5 18. h5 Ne7 19. c3 +/-)
16... Ba6 17. Ne4
(17. c4! was better. Bd3 can be important for the attack 17... c5 18. h5 Ne7 19. c3)
17... O-O 18. h5 Ne7 19. h6 Bxd3
(19... g6 20. Bh4 f5 21. exf6 Nf5 22. Bg5 +-)
20. cxd3 g6 21. Bh4 Nd5 22. O-O c5 23. dxc5 Nxe5
(23... Nxc5 24. Nf6+ Nxf6 25. Bxf6 +- Weakness of the dark squares and f7 pawn are giving decisive advantage to White; 23... bxc5 24. c4 Nb4 25. Qg5)
24. c4
(24. Bf6 Nd7 25. Bg7)
24... Nb4? (24...f5 Only move 25. cxd5 fxe4 26. dxe4 Qxc5+ 27. Bf2 Qe7 +/-)
25. Nf6+ ??
A mistake dropping a great deal of advantage. 25. Qf4 was winning at least a piece. Funny thing is that I played this 23.dc5 combo just in order to remove Nd5 from guarding f4. I went Nf6 without thinking, like "It's the same. Now everything wins". After Nf6 Kh8 White is still much better, but I was in shock because I saw missed Qf4 few mins later. We all know about that psychological U-turn of "dropping a win". At that moment I lost this game.
25... Kh8 26. d4?
Another mistake. 26. Nd5 was still winning. Simple 26. cb6 gives advantage to White. Now the game should be equal but I am still in shock incapable to come back in the game. Last 2 mins on the clock...
26... Nxc4 27. Qg5
(27. Qc1=)
27... Qe3+ 28. Qxe3 Nxe3 29. Nd7?!
(29. Rf2 Nf5 30. Bg5 Nxd4? 31. cxb6 axb6 32. Nd7 +/-)
29... Nxf1 30. Bf6+?! Kg8 31. Bg7?! Nd5 32. Bxf8 Rd8 33. Nxb6? axb6 0-1
Goran Urosevic - Nenad Radosavljevic
"Radnicki" Cuprija - "Postar" Jagodina
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3 e6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bf4 Nf6 6. Qd3 Nh5!? 7. Be3
(7. Be5 Nd7 =/+)
7... Qh4+ 8. Bf2 dxe4?!
(8... Qe7 9. O-O-O O-O =)
9. fxe4 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Qe7 11. Nf3 +/- Nd7 12. e5
Grabbing some space on the Kingside and taking away f6 square from Nh5. On the other side, White's center is losing much of its flexibility now (12. Qd2 e5 13. Bd3 Nf4 14. O-O Nxd3 15. cxd3 +/-; 12. g4? Nf4 13. Qd2 e5! 14. de5 Ne6)
12... Nf4 13. Qd2 Ng6 14. h4
Aiming to ruin Black's pawn structure. Also gaining tempo by attacking Ng6.
14... Qa3
A cunning one. Here I realized that my opponent is stronger then I thought. Fritz also chooses this move. Queen looks misplaced on a3 but it does important defending tasks. Having eye on my Q-side weaknesses, Qa3 reduces attacking potential of my pieces.
15. Bd3 b6 16. Ng5!
(16. h5 Ne7 17. h6 gxh6 (17... g6 18. O-O O-O 19. Ng5 +-) 18. Be3 Rg8 19. Bxh6 Ba6; 16. O-O Ba6 17. c4 c5 18. h5 Ne7 19. c3 +/-)
16... Ba6 17. Ne4
(17. c4! was better. Bd3 can be important for the attack 17... c5 18. h5 Ne7 19. c3)
17... O-O 18. h5 Ne7 19. h6 Bxd3
(19... g6 20. Bh4 f5 21. exf6 Nf5 22. Bg5 +-)
20. cxd3 g6 21. Bh4 Nd5 22. O-O c5 23. dxc5 Nxe5
(23... Nxc5 24. Nf6+ Nxf6 25. Bxf6 +- Weakness of the dark squares and f7 pawn are giving decisive advantage to White; 23... bxc5 24. c4 Nb4 25. Qg5)
24. c4
(24. Bf6 Nd7 25. Bg7)
24... Nb4? (24...f5 Only move 25. cxd5 fxe4 26. dxe4 Qxc5+ 27. Bf2 Qe7 +/-)
25. Nf6+ ??
A mistake dropping a great deal of advantage. 25. Qf4 was winning at least a piece. Funny thing is that I played this 23.dc5 combo just in order to remove Nd5 from guarding f4. I went Nf6 without thinking, like "It's the same. Now everything wins". After Nf6 Kh8 White is still much better, but I was in shock because I saw missed Qf4 few mins later. We all know about that psychological U-turn of "dropping a win". At that moment I lost this game.
25... Kh8 26. d4?
Another mistake. 26. Nd5 was still winning. Simple 26. cb6 gives advantage to White. Now the game should be equal but I am still in shock incapable to come back in the game. Last 2 mins on the clock...
26... Nxc4 27. Qg5
(27. Qc1=)
27... Qe3+ 28. Qxe3 Nxe3 29. Nd7?!
(29. Rf2 Nf5 30. Bg5 Nxd4? 31. cxb6 axb6 32. Nd7 +/-)
29... Nxf1 30. Bf6+?! Kg8 31. Bg7?! Nd5 32. Bxf8 Rd8 33. Nxb6? axb6 0-1
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Hastings International Chess Congress
The tournament with the longest tradition on the world was held on Dec 28th 2005 to Jan 6th 2006. Russian Vladimir Belov and Serbian Milos Pavlovic were leading the race but then lost some important games. GM Valerij Neverov from Ukraine eventually won the tournament while IM Vincent Colin made a great success by sharing 2nd place in this lineup.
Final standings:
1. GM Valerij Neverov (UKR 2569) 8 points out of 10 rounds
2-4. IM Vincent Colin (ENG 2376), GM Sergey Erenburg (ISR 2582) and GM Merab Gagunashvili (GEO 2542) 7,5
5-10. GM Vladimir Belov (RUS 2620), GM Piotr Bobras (POL 2563), GM Mark Hebden (ENG 2514), IM Watu Kobese (RSA 2400), GM MIlos Pavlovic (SCG 2507) and IM Simon Williams (ENG 2452) 7 points etc.
There were 104 participants.
Final standings:
1. GM Valerij Neverov (UKR 2569) 8 points out of 10 rounds
2-4. IM Vincent Colin (ENG 2376), GM Sergey Erenburg (ISR 2582) and GM Merab Gagunashvili (GEO 2542) 7,5
5-10. GM Vladimir Belov (RUS 2620), GM Piotr Bobras (POL 2563), GM Mark Hebden (ENG 2514), IM Watu Kobese (RSA 2400), GM MIlos Pavlovic (SCG 2507) and IM Simon Williams (ENG 2452) 7 points etc.
There were 104 participants.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Photos from the Christmas Tournament
Fourth Christmas Tournament "Nole 2006" was held in Cuprija on Jan 4th 2006 (Russian and Serbian Christmas is on Jan 7th). It was open for kids U16 and the event had 7 rounds. Nemanja Zivkovic, talented youngster from Nis and National champion, scored second consecutive win in this traditional tournament.
Chess has bright future in Central Serbia. As promised, here are few photos.
Tournament winner, Nemanja Zivkovic
Uros Cvetanovic (in blue shirt) against Dusan Velickovic
Aleksandar Dimitrijevic
Young lions in action. In the background - Arbiter Boban Milojevic, FM Djordje Popovic and FM Branko Komnenic
4th Christmas Tournament "Nole 2006"
SK "Radnicki" in Cuprija had the pleasure to host this traditional tournament for kids born 1990 and after. There were 22 participants and among them few state champions in different age categories. Girls and boys played in the same group and the atmosphere was wonderful. This tourney is always taking place on Jan 4th.
Nemanja Zivkovic, SCG champion for boys U14, defended his last year's victory by grabbing another trophy yesterday. Chess School "Economist" from Nish proved its superiority in the Central Serbia as top 3 finishers are members of this club.
Uros Cvetanovic, SCG vice-champion for boys U10 and members of Chess Club "Radnicki", made excellent result by taking 4th place just behind Economists. He drew Nemanja Zivkovic in the last round in a winning rook endgame. We have to work better on that part :-)
Nemanja Zivkovic and best-placed girl Milica Milosavljevic were awarded with one year of gold membership on the online chess club WorldChessNetwork. Nemanja also grabbed a prize from "Chess Chronicle" e-zine, a 3 months of subscription. Top 3 players got money prizes and all participants received a chess book and one issue of "Chess Chronicle".
Final standings:
1-2. Nemanja Zivkovic (2127 Nis) and Dusan Velickovic (Nis) with 5,5 points out of 7 rounds
3. Vladimir Trickovic (Nis) 5
4-7. Uros Cvetanovic (Cuprija), Darko Stankovic (Nis), Milica Milosavljevic and Marija Milosavljevic (both from Supska) 4,5
8-10. Stefan Mladenovic (Nis), Aleksandar Dimitrijevic (Cuprija) and Milos Zivkovic (Paracin) 4 etc.
There were also juniors from Osipaonica, Kragujevac and Jagodina. I will post photos some time before Monday.
Sponsors were Express restaurant "Nole", WorldChessNetwork and "Chess Chronicle".
Individual donators: Radomir Milojkovic, Dragan Gajovic, Nebojsa Cvetanovic, Vladan Stanisavljevic and Goran Urosevic.
On Jan 9th-13th, Vrnjacka Banja spa will be hosting Serbian championship for juniors. Most of the kids who played in Cuprija will enter this competition. I will join them on Jan 10th to help Uros Cvetanovic and Aleksandar Dimitrijevic with preparations. This means I won't post here for few days :-)
Nemanja Zivkovic, SCG champion for boys U14, defended his last year's victory by grabbing another trophy yesterday. Chess School "Economist" from Nish proved its superiority in the Central Serbia as top 3 finishers are members of this club.
Uros Cvetanovic, SCG vice-champion for boys U10 and members of Chess Club "Radnicki", made excellent result by taking 4th place just behind Economists. He drew Nemanja Zivkovic in the last round in a winning rook endgame. We have to work better on that part :-)
Nemanja Zivkovic and best-placed girl Milica Milosavljevic were awarded with one year of gold membership on the online chess club WorldChessNetwork. Nemanja also grabbed a prize from "Chess Chronicle" e-zine, a 3 months of subscription. Top 3 players got money prizes and all participants received a chess book and one issue of "Chess Chronicle".
Final standings:
1-2. Nemanja Zivkovic (2127 Nis) and Dusan Velickovic (Nis) with 5,5 points out of 7 rounds
3. Vladimir Trickovic (Nis) 5
4-7. Uros Cvetanovic (Cuprija), Darko Stankovic (Nis), Milica Milosavljevic and Marija Milosavljevic (both from Supska) 4,5
8-10. Stefan Mladenovic (Nis), Aleksandar Dimitrijevic (Cuprija) and Milos Zivkovic (Paracin) 4 etc.
There were also juniors from Osipaonica, Kragujevac and Jagodina. I will post photos some time before Monday.
Sponsors were Express restaurant "Nole", WorldChessNetwork and "Chess Chronicle".
Individual donators: Radomir Milojkovic, Dragan Gajovic, Nebojsa Cvetanovic, Vladan Stanisavljevic and Goran Urosevic.
On Jan 9th-13th, Vrnjacka Banja spa will be hosting Serbian championship for juniors. Most of the kids who played in Cuprija will enter this competition. I will join them on Jan 10th to help Uros Cvetanovic and Aleksandar Dimitrijevic with preparations. This means I won't post here for few days :-)
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Rilton Cup
This festival was held from 27th December 2005 - 5th January 2006 in Stockholm, Sweden. It had 269 participants with 127 of them playing in the main section. After 9 rounds, five players have tied for the first place with 7 points each.
Final standings:
1-5. GM Eduardas Rozentalis (LTU 2585), GM Sergey Ivanov (RUS 2538), GM Tomy Nybäck (FIN 2563), GM Evgeny Postny (ISR 2571) and GM Normund Miezis (Lat 2469) with 7 points
6-11. GM Lars Karlsson (SWE 2501), GM Leif Erlend Johannessen (NOR 2564), GM Emanuel Berg (SWE 2540), GM Slavko Cicak (SWE 2496), IM Mikael Nouro (FIN 2349) and GM Stellan Brynell (SWE 2496) 6,5 etc
Final standings:
1-5. GM Eduardas Rozentalis (LTU 2585), GM Sergey Ivanov (RUS 2538), GM Tomy Nybäck (FIN 2563), GM Evgeny Postny (ISR 2571) and GM Normund Miezis (Lat 2469) with 7 points
6-11. GM Lars Karlsson (SWE 2501), GM Leif Erlend Johannessen (NOR 2564), GM Emanuel Berg (SWE 2540), GM Slavko Cicak (SWE 2496), IM Mikael Nouro (FIN 2349) and GM Stellan Brynell (SWE 2496) 6,5 etc
North American Open 2005
This strong open tournament was held on December 26th-29th 2005 in Las Vegas. There were 713 participants (20 GMs) and prize fund was around 140.000$. US Champion GM Hikaru Nakamura took the clear first place half point ahead of competition.
Final standings (Ratings are USCF):
1. GM Hikaru Nakamura (2762) with 6 points out of 7 games
2-7. GM Julio Becerra (2624), GM Ildar Ibragimov (2702), IM Eugene Perelshteyn (2590), GM Nikola Mitkov (2635), GM Alexander Shabalov (2680) and GM Jaan Ehlvest (2678) 5,5 etc
Final standings (Ratings are USCF):
1. GM Hikaru Nakamura (2762) with 6 points out of 7 games
2-7. GM Julio Becerra (2624), GM Ildar Ibragimov (2702), IM Eugene Perelshteyn (2590), GM Nikola Mitkov (2635), GM Alexander Shabalov (2680) and GM Jaan Ehlvest (2678) 5,5 etc
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
The Berkeley Masters Tournament
Somehow I missed this important tournament, but it's never to late to post the results. The event was held on December 17th-23rd 2005 at East Bay Chess Club. I said important tournament as one of the US hot prospects IM Josh Friedel has earned his (first?) GM norm! In addition, FM David Pruess earned IM norm. Congratulations!
Here are the final standings (Ratings are FIDE):
1. IM Josh Friedel (2453) 7 points out of 9 games
2. GM Jaan Ehlvest (2618) 6,5
3-4. GM John Fedorowicz (2502) and IM Jesse Kraai (2428) 6
5. IM Ricardo de Guzman (2383) 5,5
6-8. FM David Pruess (2400), FM Alan Stein (2422) and IM Justin Sarkar (2315).
There were 24 participants.
Here are the final standings (Ratings are FIDE):
1. IM Josh Friedel (2453) 7 points out of 9 games
2. GM Jaan Ehlvest (2618) 6,5
3-4. GM John Fedorowicz (2502) and IM Jesse Kraai (2428) 6
5. IM Ricardo de Guzman (2383) 5,5
6-8. FM David Pruess (2400), FM Alan Stein (2422) and IM Justin Sarkar (2315).
There were 24 participants.
New Year's Tournament in Jagodina
This traditional rapid tournament is being held on Jan 2nd since 1985. Jagodina is only 12km north of Cuprija and our best players joined the celebration. There were 70 participants who played 9 rounds of swiss system with time control of 15 mins.
Final standings:
1. Goran Pavlovic (2363 Kragujevac) with 7,5 points
2-5. FM Dejan Brankovic (2394 Paracin), Rade Milosevic (2183 Kragujevac), FM Branko Komnenic (2238 Kragujevac) and Ivan Djuretanovic (Kragujevac) with 7 points each
6-8. FM Djordje Popovic (2312 Cuprija), FM Boroljub Zlatanovic (2331 Cuprija) and FM Tomislav Dmitrovic (2274 Pozarevac) 6,5 etc.
Other players from Cuprija:
25. Nebojsa Grujic (2198) 5
32. Nebojsa Cvetanovic 5
34. Vladan Stanisavljevic 4,5 (great result for this uncategorized player)
40. Dejan Pantic 4
46. Uros Cvetanovic 4 (junior)
49. Rade MIlojkovic 4 (one of the tournament sponsors)
50. Aleksandar Dimitrijevic 4 (junior)
Final standings:
1. Goran Pavlovic (2363 Kragujevac) with 7,5 points
2-5. FM Dejan Brankovic (2394 Paracin), Rade Milosevic (2183 Kragujevac), FM Branko Komnenic (2238 Kragujevac) and Ivan Djuretanovic (Kragujevac) with 7 points each
6-8. FM Djordje Popovic (2312 Cuprija), FM Boroljub Zlatanovic (2331 Cuprija) and FM Tomislav Dmitrovic (2274 Pozarevac) 6,5 etc.
Other players from Cuprija:
25. Nebojsa Grujic (2198) 5
32. Nebojsa Cvetanovic 5
34. Vladan Stanisavljevic 4,5 (great result for this uncategorized player)
40. Dejan Pantic 4
46. Uros Cvetanovic 4 (junior)
49. Rade MIlojkovic 4 (one of the tournament sponsors)
50. Aleksandar Dimitrijevic 4 (junior)
Monday, January 02, 2006
Conquering ChessBase
Well, sort of. Thanks to WCN Marketing Director Michel Gagne, ChessBase has posted the interview I made earlier with Bessel Kok. (By mistake, they signed Michel as author, but he is not).
I am grateful to Mr.Geoffrey Borg who arranged the interview.
I am grateful to Mr.Geoffrey Borg who arranged the interview.
Questions
I've just read somewhere that entry fee for HB Global Chess Challenge was 400$. There were around 1500 players who paid the ticket and guaranteed prize fund was 500.000$. Are those numbers correct?
I knew that fees are high in the US but this is beyond my understanding. Do organizers expect participators to sponsor most of the prize fund? How can anyone expect that US can produce top players if they have to pay thousands of $$ only to play tourneys, while progressing from 1500 to master level. Not to mention coaching. Does chess becomes privilege of rich people. Look at your top players, most of them came to US as formed IMs and GMs.
In Serbia entry fees range from 5$ for rapid and weekend events (and people usually get a sandwich and refreshment) to 15$ for FIDE rated tournaments (this goes for rating and arbiters). Moreover, every year we get one young GM with population that is only 2% of US.
I hope DG or Michael Goeller have to say something on this subject.
I knew that fees are high in the US but this is beyond my understanding. Do organizers expect participators to sponsor most of the prize fund? How can anyone expect that US can produce top players if they have to pay thousands of $$ only to play tourneys, while progressing from 1500 to master level. Not to mention coaching. Does chess becomes privilege of rich people. Look at your top players, most of them came to US as formed IMs and GMs.
In Serbia entry fees range from 5$ for rapid and weekend events (and people usually get a sandwich and refreshment) to 15$ for FIDE rated tournaments (this goes for rating and arbiters). Moreover, every year we get one young GM with population that is only 2% of US.
I hope DG or Michael Goeller have to say something on this subject.
Italian Shame
About one week ago I was reading TWIC site and saw the lineup for Reggio Emilia tournament. GM Igor Miladinovic (SCG 2607 ) and Ivan Ivanisevic (SCG 2588) were announced as top seeds. You can imagine my surprise when I saw GM Landa and GM Kotronias replaced them. Not a single word about the switch on the official site or TWIC. This is also first tournament dedicated to the memory of the late GM Enrico Paoli.
30 mins ago I was talking with GM Ivanisevic and asked what happened. He said Italian embassy simply declined to issue visa for him and Igor. With no clarification. Was there a time pressure or late application? No, they did everything on time, more then 30 days before the tournament started. I will not report about this tournament, if you are interested, visit TWIC site.
Referring to top chessplayers as with terrorists. Shame on you!
30 mins ago I was talking with GM Ivanisevic and asked what happened. He said Italian embassy simply declined to issue visa for him and Igor. With no clarification. Was there a time pressure or late application? No, they did everything on time, more then 30 days before the tournament started. I will not report about this tournament, if you are interested, visit TWIC site.
Referring to top chessplayers as with terrorists. Shame on you!
Sunday, January 01, 2006
14th International Donau-Open
IM Sasha Belezky drove my attention to this tournament. I was complaining how hard is to find information about chess events in Germany (they have at least one tourney every week) and then while googling "Aschach an der Donau" (name he gave me) I found nice list of tournaments on Zeitschrift Schach website.
Aschach an der Donau was held on 26th-31st December. It had 78 participants fighting during the 7 rounds of Swiss pairing system.
Final standings:
1. IM Gyorkos Lajos (2424 HUN) 6 points
2-6. IM Butunoi Alexandru (2418 ROM), IM Tratar Marko (2440 SLO), IM Szuhanek Ranko (2444 ROM), Havlik Jan (2218 CZE) and GM Balinov Ilia (2431 AUT) 5,5
7-11. GM Lau Ralf (2467 GER), IM Jurek Josef (2373 CZE), GM Pavasovic Dusko (2527 SLO), IM Belezky Sasha (2364 UKR) and FM Schneider-Zinner Harald (2365 AUT) 5 points etc.
Aschach an der Donau was held on 26th-31st December. It had 78 participants fighting during the 7 rounds of Swiss pairing system.
Final standings:
1. IM Gyorkos Lajos (2424 HUN) 6 points
2-6. IM Butunoi Alexandru (2418 ROM), IM Tratar Marko (2440 SLO), IM Szuhanek Ranko (2444 ROM), Havlik Jan (2218 CZE) and GM Balinov Ilia (2431 AUT) 5,5
7-11. GM Lau Ralf (2467 GER), IM Jurek Josef (2373 CZE), GM Pavasovic Dusko (2527 SLO), IM Belezky Sasha (2364 UKR) and FM Schneider-Zinner Harald (2365 AUT) 5 points etc.
FIDE Rating List 1.1.2006.
Serbia and Montenegro is ranked 17th at the Country Top players list (was 19th in the October list) according to average rating of top 10 players. SCG has 50 GM's and 105 IM's with total titled players of 516. Here are the national top 10 (The form is rank, name, title, federation, rating, number of games rated, year of birth):
1. Damljanovic, Branko g SCG 2615 15 1961
2. Miladinovic, Igor g SCG 2607 28 1974
3. Markus, Robert g SCG 2595 22 1983
4. Ivanisevic, Ivan g SCG 2588 31 1977
5. Ljubojevic, Ljubomir g SCG 2565 0 1950
6. Solak, Dragan g SCG 2560 11 1980
7. Ilincic, Zlatko g SCG 2545 32 1968
8. Kovacevic, Aleksandar g SCG 2535 25 1974
9. Stojanovic, Mihajlo m SCG 2532 23 1977
10. Blagojevic, Dragisa g SCG 2531 26 1966
Players living in Cuprija:
1. Zlatanovic, Boroljub f SCG 2331 4 1977
2. Popovic, Djordje f SCG 2312 9 1957
3. Urosevic, Goran SCG 2210 0 1978
4. Grujic, Nebojsa SCG 2198 2 1963
5. Madic, Zivko SCG 2175 0 1956 (inactive)
6. Milenkovic, Blagoje SCG 2072 6 1957
Some of the strongest players Miroslav Milenkovic Bone (born on 1933) and Dragan Gajovic (born on 1968) are not listed.
Happy New Year everyone!
1. Damljanovic, Branko g SCG 2615 15 1961
2. Miladinovic, Igor g SCG 2607 28 1974
3. Markus, Robert g SCG 2595 22 1983
4. Ivanisevic, Ivan g SCG 2588 31 1977
5. Ljubojevic, Ljubomir g SCG 2565 0 1950
6. Solak, Dragan g SCG 2560 11 1980
7. Ilincic, Zlatko g SCG 2545 32 1968
8. Kovacevic, Aleksandar g SCG 2535 25 1974
9. Stojanovic, Mihajlo m SCG 2532 23 1977
10. Blagojevic, Dragisa g SCG 2531 26 1966
Players living in Cuprija:
1. Zlatanovic, Boroljub f SCG 2331 4 1977
2. Popovic, Djordje f SCG 2312 9 1957
3. Urosevic, Goran SCG 2210 0 1978
4. Grujic, Nebojsa SCG 2198 2 1963
5. Madic, Zivko SCG 2175 0 1956 (inactive)
6. Milenkovic, Blagoje SCG 2072 6 1957
Some of the strongest players Miroslav Milenkovic Bone (born on 1933) and Dragan Gajovic (born on 1968) are not listed.
Happy New Year everyone!
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