This traditional tournament will take place on May 6th-16th in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. List of participants for the main group is confirmed: GM Vladimir Malakhov (RUS 2694), GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu (ROM 2693), GM Krishnan Sasikiran (IND 2670), GM Arkadij Naiditsch (GER 2657), GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR 2625) and young Bosnian star GM Borki Predojevic (BIH 2553). Tournament format is double round robin.
"B" group will feature 10 players. GM Adrian Mihalcisin (SLO 2529), GM Milan Drasko (SCG 2507), GM Bojan Kurajica (BIH 2524) and GM Emir Dizdarevic (BIH 2506) have confirmed arrival. Other 6 participants will be chosen between following IMs: Ibro Saric, Luka Lenic, Dusan Popovic, Ante Saric, Dejan Stojanovski, Vitomir Arapovic and Ante Brkic.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Amber tournament: Morozevich and Anand shared first place
This tournament saw an impressive run of Alexander Morozevich who won blindfold section with 9.5 points out of 11 rounds. Unfortunately, this was not enough for first place in overall standings as Alexander collected only 5 points in rapid games. As usual, Viswanathan Anand won rapid section with 8.0/11 to catch Morozevich on first place tie.
Francisco Vallejo Pons must be in excellent physical shape. Amber was something like his 4th tournament in a row, yet he took high 3rd place in a very tough competition.
Final Overall Standings:
1-2. Alexander Morozevich RUS 2721 and Viswanathan Anand IND 2792 with 14.5/22
3. Francisco Vallejo Pons ESP 2650 12.0
4. Alexander Grischuk RUS 2717 11.5
5-6 Veselin Topalov BUL 2801 and Peter Leko HUN 2740 11.0
7-8. Levon Aronian ARM 2752 and Boris Gelfand ISR 2723 10.5
9. Loek Van Wely NED 2647 10.0
10. Peter Svidler RUS 2765 9.5
11. Vassily Ivanchuk UKR 2729 9.0
12. Peter Heine Nielsen DEN 2644 8.0
Games can be found on TWIC site.
Official website
Francisco Vallejo Pons must be in excellent physical shape. Amber was something like his 4th tournament in a row, yet he took high 3rd place in a very tough competition.
Final Overall Standings:
1-2. Alexander Morozevich RUS 2721 and Viswanathan Anand IND 2792 with 14.5/22
3. Francisco Vallejo Pons ESP 2650 12.0
4. Alexander Grischuk RUS 2717 11.5
5-6 Veselin Topalov BUL 2801 and Peter Leko HUN 2740 11.0
7-8. Levon Aronian ARM 2752 and Boris Gelfand ISR 2723 10.5
9. Loek Van Wely NED 2647 10.0
10. Peter Svidler RUS 2765 9.5
11. Vassily Ivanchuk UKR 2729 9.0
12. Peter Heine Nielsen DEN 2644 8.0
Games can be found on TWIC site.
Official website
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Shirov finished first at Poikovsky tournament
Alexei Shirov and Alexey Dreev went to the final round with 5/8 points each. Having white pieces, Shirov attacked Dreev's Caro-Kan to earn an exchange and finally win the game on move 48. This has left him as a clear winner with one point ahead of the competition.
Final standings:
1. Alexei Shirov 2709 6.0
2-5. Ruslan Ponomariov 2723, Vadim Zvjaginsev 2664, Alexey Dreev 2697 and Evgeny Bareev 2698 5.0
6-7. Ivan Sokolov 2689 and Evgeniy Najer 2652 4.5
8. Sergei Rublevsky 2665 4.0
9. Alexander Onischuk 2650 3.5
10. Viktor Bologan 2661 2.5
Alexei Shirov 2709 - Alexey Dreev 2697
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Be3 e6 5. Nd2 Nd7 6. Be2 Qb6 7. Nb3 Bg6 8. h4 f6 9. h5 Bf7 10. Nf3 Nh6 11. Bxh6 gxh6 12. exf6 a5 13. a4 Bb4+ 14. Kf1 Qd8 15. Qc1 Qxf6 16. Nh2 Rg8 17. Ng4 Qg5 18. g3 Bf8 19. Kg2 Qxc1 20. Raxc1 Rg5 21. f4 Rxh5 22. Rhe1 Be7 23. Ne3 Nf6 24. Bxh5 Bxh5 25. f5 Bd6 26. c4 Bb4 27. Rf1 Be2 28. Rf2 Bxc4 29. Nxc4 dxc4 30. Rxc4 Ne4 31. Re2 exf5 32. Nc5 O-O-O 33. Nxe4 fxe4 34. Rxe4 Kd7 35. Rh4 Bf8 36. Rh5 Ra8 37. d5 Bg7 38. b3 Kd6 39. Rg4 Bf8 40. dxc6 bxc6 41. Rg8 Ke6 42. Rxh6+ Kf7 43. Rh8 Ra6 44. R6xh7+ Bg7 45. Rc8 Kg6 46. Rh4 Rb6 47. Rg4+ Kh6 48. Rc4 1-0
Related post
Final standings:
1. Alexei Shirov 2709 6.0
2-5. Ruslan Ponomariov 2723, Vadim Zvjaginsev 2664, Alexey Dreev 2697 and Evgeny Bareev 2698 5.0
6-7. Ivan Sokolov 2689 and Evgeniy Najer 2652 4.5
8. Sergei Rublevsky 2665 4.0
9. Alexander Onischuk 2650 3.5
10. Viktor Bologan 2661 2.5
Alexei Shirov 2709 - Alexey Dreev 2697
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Be3 e6 5. Nd2 Nd7 6. Be2 Qb6 7. Nb3 Bg6 8. h4 f6 9. h5 Bf7 10. Nf3 Nh6 11. Bxh6 gxh6 12. exf6 a5 13. a4 Bb4+ 14. Kf1 Qd8 15. Qc1 Qxf6 16. Nh2 Rg8 17. Ng4 Qg5 18. g3 Bf8 19. Kg2 Qxc1 20. Raxc1 Rg5 21. f4 Rxh5 22. Rhe1 Be7 23. Ne3 Nf6 24. Bxh5 Bxh5 25. f5 Bd6 26. c4 Bb4 27. Rf1 Be2 28. Rf2 Bxc4 29. Nxc4 dxc4 30. Rxc4 Ne4 31. Re2 exf5 32. Nc5 O-O-O 33. Nxe4 fxe4 34. Rxe4 Kd7 35. Rh4 Bf8 36. Rh5 Ra8 37. d5 Bg7 38. b3 Kd6 39. Rg4 Bf8 40. dxc6 bxc6 41. Rg8 Ke6 42. Rxh6+ Kf7 43. Rh8 Ra6 44. R6xh7+ Bg7 45. Rc8 Kg6 46. Rh4 Rb6 47. Rg4+ Kh6 48. Rc4 1-0
Related post
Monday, March 27, 2006
Bojan Vuckovic Wins Sozina Open
GM Bojan Vuckovic and GM Milan Drasko have tied for the first place at the 7th Sozina Open with 7 points each. Bojan had better tiebreaks to grab winning trophy.
Best U20 finisher is Nikola D.Nestorovic (2361) with 5 points. Aleksandar Toth (2302) had 4.5. Most pleasant surprise was brought by 14-years old Jovana Vojinovic, who has earned WIM norm. Being coached by her father IM Goran Vojinovic, she can hope to reach the glory of Alisa Maric.
Final standings:
1-2. GM Bojan Vuckovic (2506) and GM Milan Drasko (2507) 7.0
3-10. FM Borko Lajthajm (2464), IM Zoran Arsovic (2417), GM Miroljub Lazic (2466), GM Dragan Kosic (2489), IM Goran Arsovic (2450), FM Milos Pavlovic (2426), GM Igor Miladinovic (2607) and Dritan Mehmeti (ALB 2378) with 6.5 each
FM Milos Pavlovic 2426 - GM Dragisa Blagojevic 2531
Round 9
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 Bg4 5. e4 e5 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. O-O Be7 8. Be3 O-O 9. d5 a6 10. Nd2 Bxe2 11. Qxe2 Qb8 12. Rfc1 Rc8 13. b4 cxd5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. cxd5 Bd8 16. Nb3 Bb6 17. Bxb6 Nxb6 18. Na5 Na4 19. Qe3 Rc7 20. Rxc7 Qxc7 21. Rc1 Qd7 22. Qh3 Qxh3 23. gxh3 f5 24. f3 fxe4 25. fxe4 b5 26. Nb7 Kf8 27. Nxd6 a5 28. bxa5 Rxa5 29. Nb7 Ra8 30. d6 Nb6 31. Rc7 Rxa2 32. d7 Nxd7 33. Rxd7 b4 34. Nc5 Rc2 35. Ne6+ Ke8 36. Rb7 Rc4 37. Ng5 h6 38. Nf7 Kf8 39. Nd6 Rc6 40. Rb8+ Ke7 41. Nf5+ Kf6 42. Rxb4 Kg5 43. Rb2 g6 44. Ng3 Kh4 45. Kg2 Rc3 46. Rb6 Rc2+ 47. Kf3 h5 48. Rxg6 Rf2+ 49. Kxf2 1-0
GM Dejan Antic 2505 - Nikola D.Nestorovic 2361
Round 9
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 c5 5. Bxb4 cxb4 6. g3 a5 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O d6 9. Qd3 Qc7 10. e4 e5 11. Nbd2 Nc6 12. h3 b6 13. Rfd1 Re8 14. Rac1 Nd8 15. a3 bxa3 16. bxa3 Ne6 17. Qc3 Bb7 18. Re1 Nd7 19. Qb2 Qd8 20. c5 dxc5 21. dxe5 Ba6 22. Bf1 b5 23. Bxb5 Bxb5 24. Qxb5 Nxe5 25. Nxe5 Qxd2 26. Nf3 Qh6 27. Kg2 Qf6 28. Rcd1 Qc3 29. Re3 Qc2 30. Rd2 Qc1 31. Rd7 c4 32. Ng5 Rab8 33. Rb7 Rxb7 34. Qxe8+ Nf8 35. e5 h6 36. e6 fxe6 37. Rf3 1-0
IM Zoran Arsovic 2417 - GM Miodrag R.Savic 2517
Round 9
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Qc2 Bb4 8. Bd2 d6 9. Rd1 Nbd7 10. O-O Bxc3 11. Bxc3 Be4 12. Qc1 Qb8 13. Bh3 Bxf3 14. exf3 c6 15. d5 cxd5 16. cxd5 e5 17. f4 Re8 18. Rfe1 b5 19. fxe5 dxe5 20. Ba5 Rc8 21. Qe3 Qd6 22. a3 Re8 23. Bb4 Qb6 24. d6 a5 25. Qxb6 Nxb6 26. Bc3 Nfd7 27. Bg2 Ra7 28. Bc6 b4 29. axb4 axb4 30. Bxb4 f6 31. Ra1 Rxa1 32. Rxa1 Rc8 33. Bb5 Kf7 34. Ra7 Ke6 35. Rc7 Rb8 36. Ba3 h5 37. h4 g6 38. Kf1 Ra8 39. Bd3 f5 40. Bc2 Kf6 41. Bb3 Rd8 42. Bc5 1-0
Best U20 finisher is Nikola D.Nestorovic (2361) with 5 points. Aleksandar Toth (2302) had 4.5. Most pleasant surprise was brought by 14-years old Jovana Vojinovic, who has earned WIM norm. Being coached by her father IM Goran Vojinovic, she can hope to reach the glory of Alisa Maric.
Final standings:
1-2. GM Bojan Vuckovic (2506) and GM Milan Drasko (2507) 7.0
3-10. FM Borko Lajthajm (2464), IM Zoran Arsovic (2417), GM Miroljub Lazic (2466), GM Dragan Kosic (2489), IM Goran Arsovic (2450), FM Milos Pavlovic (2426), GM Igor Miladinovic (2607) and Dritan Mehmeti (ALB 2378) with 6.5 each
FM Milos Pavlovic 2426 - GM Dragisa Blagojevic 2531
Round 9
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 Bg4 5. e4 e5 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. O-O Be7 8. Be3 O-O 9. d5 a6 10. Nd2 Bxe2 11. Qxe2 Qb8 12. Rfc1 Rc8 13. b4 cxd5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. cxd5 Bd8 16. Nb3 Bb6 17. Bxb6 Nxb6 18. Na5 Na4 19. Qe3 Rc7 20. Rxc7 Qxc7 21. Rc1 Qd7 22. Qh3 Qxh3 23. gxh3 f5 24. f3 fxe4 25. fxe4 b5 26. Nb7 Kf8 27. Nxd6 a5 28. bxa5 Rxa5 29. Nb7 Ra8 30. d6 Nb6 31. Rc7 Rxa2 32. d7 Nxd7 33. Rxd7 b4 34. Nc5 Rc2 35. Ne6+ Ke8 36. Rb7 Rc4 37. Ng5 h6 38. Nf7 Kf8 39. Nd6 Rc6 40. Rb8+ Ke7 41. Nf5+ Kf6 42. Rxb4 Kg5 43. Rb2 g6 44. Ng3 Kh4 45. Kg2 Rc3 46. Rb6 Rc2+ 47. Kf3 h5 48. Rxg6 Rf2+ 49. Kxf2 1-0
GM Dejan Antic 2505 - Nikola D.Nestorovic 2361
Round 9
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 c5 5. Bxb4 cxb4 6. g3 a5 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O d6 9. Qd3 Qc7 10. e4 e5 11. Nbd2 Nc6 12. h3 b6 13. Rfd1 Re8 14. Rac1 Nd8 15. a3 bxa3 16. bxa3 Ne6 17. Qc3 Bb7 18. Re1 Nd7 19. Qb2 Qd8 20. c5 dxc5 21. dxe5 Ba6 22. Bf1 b5 23. Bxb5 Bxb5 24. Qxb5 Nxe5 25. Nxe5 Qxd2 26. Nf3 Qh6 27. Kg2 Qf6 28. Rcd1 Qc3 29. Re3 Qc2 30. Rd2 Qc1 31. Rd7 c4 32. Ng5 Rab8 33. Rb7 Rxb7 34. Qxe8+ Nf8 35. e5 h6 36. e6 fxe6 37. Rf3 1-0
IM Zoran Arsovic 2417 - GM Miodrag R.Savic 2517
Round 9
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Qc2 Bb4 8. Bd2 d6 9. Rd1 Nbd7 10. O-O Bxc3 11. Bxc3 Be4 12. Qc1 Qb8 13. Bh3 Bxf3 14. exf3 c6 15. d5 cxd5 16. cxd5 e5 17. f4 Re8 18. Rfe1 b5 19. fxe5 dxe5 20. Ba5 Rc8 21. Qe3 Qd6 22. a3 Re8 23. Bb4 Qb6 24. d6 a5 25. Qxb6 Nxb6 26. Bc3 Nfd7 27. Bg2 Ra7 28. Bc6 b4 29. axb4 axb4 30. Bxb4 f6 31. Ra1 Rxa1 32. Rxa1 Rc8 33. Bb5 Kf7 34. Ra7 Ke6 35. Rc7 Rb8 36. Ba3 h5 37. h4 g6 38. Kf1 Ra8 39. Bd3 f5 40. Bc2 Kf6 41. Bb3 Rd8 42. Bc5 1-0
Memorial "Arso Todorov"
This tournament took place on March 19th-24th in Bosilegrad. Dragan Subasic, Milos Popovic and Dragoslav Nikolic have earned IM norms.
Final standings:
1. IM Alija Muratovic (SCG 2437) 7.5
2-3. Dragan Subasic (SCG 2351) and GM Evgeni Janev (BUL 2494) 6.5
4-5. FM Milos Popovic (SCG 2320) and FM Dragoslav Nikolic (SCG 2278) 6.0
6. IM Dimitar Marholev (BUL 2427) 5.5
7. GM Milko Popchev (BUL 2432) 5.0
8. IM Ognjan Todorov (BUL 2322) 4.0
9. Mitko Aleksandrov (SCG 2061) 3.0
10-11. IM Bogomil Andonov (BUL 2410) and FM Oliver Organdziev (MKD 2336) 2.5
Final standings:
1. IM Alija Muratovic (SCG 2437) 7.5
2-3. Dragan Subasic (SCG 2351) and GM Evgeni Janev (BUL 2494) 6.5
4-5. FM Milos Popovic (SCG 2320) and FM Dragoslav Nikolic (SCG 2278) 6.0
6. IM Dimitar Marholev (BUL 2427) 5.5
7. GM Milko Popchev (BUL 2432) 5.0
8. IM Ognjan Todorov (BUL 2322) 4.0
9. Mitko Aleksandrov (SCG 2061) 3.0
10-11. IM Bogomil Andonov (BUL 2410) and FM Oliver Organdziev (MKD 2336) 2.5
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Pascal C. in La Roche-sur-Yon 2006
This 12th category tournament was held on March 15th-24th in La Roche-sur-Yon, France. All participants were under 26 years old and they were not allowed to offer draws except in obviously drawn positions.
In spite of losses in the last round, Krishnan Sasikiran and Christian Bauer kept their first and second place. Pascal Charbonneau finished 8th after dropping few good-looking positions. His comments on the event and games can be found here.
Final standings:
1. GM Krishnan Sasikiran (IND 2670) 6.0
2. GM Christian Bauer (FRA 2627) 5.5
3-6. IM Jan Werle (NED 2514), GM Andrei Istratescu (ROM 2618), IM Aurelien Dunis (FRA 2534) and GM Yannick Pelletier (SUI 2579) 5.0
7. IM Sebastien Maze (FRA 2518) 4.5
8. IM Pascal Charbonneau (CAN 2496) 4.0
9. IM Enrique Rodriguez Guerrero (ESP 2464) 3.0
10. FM Denis Rombaldoni (ITA 2292) 2.0
IM Pascal Charbonneau - GM Yannick Pelletier
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. Qg4 O-O 8. Bd3 f5 9. exf6 Rxf6 10. Bg5 Rf7 11. Qh5 h6 12. Bxe7 Rxe7 13. Nf3 c4 14. Bg6 Nc6 15. O-O Bd7 16. Rfe1 Be8 17. Nh4 Qd6 18. Re3 Bxg6 19. Nxg6 Rf7 20. Rae1 Rf6 21. Qg4 Re8 22. h4 Nd8 23. a4 Kh7 24. h5 Qd7 25. f4 Qxa4 26. R1e2 Rg8 27. Ne7 Rgf8 28. f5 R8f7 29. Ng6 Rxf5 30. Ne5 R7f6 31. Rg3 Rg5 32. Qh4 Qa1+ 0-1
IM Jan Werle - GM Krishnan Sasikiran
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4 d6 9. Rd1 Nbd7 10. Be3 Rc8 11. Rac1 O-O 12. Qh4 a6 13. b3 Rc7 14. Bh3 Qb8 15. Bh6 Bxh6 16. Qxh6 Bxf3 17. exf3 b5 18. Bxd7 Rxd7 19. Rd4 b4 20. Nd5 Nxd5 21. cxd5 e5 22. dxe6 fxe6 23. Qd2 a5 24. Rc6 Rfd8 25. f4 Kf7 26. Ra6 Qb5 27. Raxd6 Rxd6 28. Rxd6 Rxd6 29. Qxd6 h5 30. Qe5 Qb6 31. Qe3 Qc7 32. h3 h4 33. g4 Qc3 34. Qa7+ Kf8 35. Qa8+ Kf7 36. Qb7+ Kf8 37. Qe4 Kf7 38. Kg2 Qc5 39. Qb7+ Kf8 40. Qa8+ Kf7 41. Qb7+ Kf8 42. Qd7 e5 43. f5 gxf5 44. Qxf5+ Ke7 45. g5 Qd5+ 46. Kh2 Qd6 47. Qh7+ Ke8 48. Qxh4 Qd2 49. Qh8+ Kd7 50. Qg7+ Kc6 51. Qf6+ Kb7 52. g6 Qxa2 53. Qf7+ Ka6 54. g7 1-0
Official website
In spite of losses in the last round, Krishnan Sasikiran and Christian Bauer kept their first and second place. Pascal Charbonneau finished 8th after dropping few good-looking positions. His comments on the event and games can be found here.
Final standings:
1. GM Krishnan Sasikiran (IND 2670) 6.0
2. GM Christian Bauer (FRA 2627) 5.5
3-6. IM Jan Werle (NED 2514), GM Andrei Istratescu (ROM 2618), IM Aurelien Dunis (FRA 2534) and GM Yannick Pelletier (SUI 2579) 5.0
7. IM Sebastien Maze (FRA 2518) 4.5
8. IM Pascal Charbonneau (CAN 2496) 4.0
9. IM Enrique Rodriguez Guerrero (ESP 2464) 3.0
10. FM Denis Rombaldoni (ITA 2292) 2.0
IM Pascal Charbonneau - GM Yannick Pelletier
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. Qg4 O-O 8. Bd3 f5 9. exf6 Rxf6 10. Bg5 Rf7 11. Qh5 h6 12. Bxe7 Rxe7 13. Nf3 c4 14. Bg6 Nc6 15. O-O Bd7 16. Rfe1 Be8 17. Nh4 Qd6 18. Re3 Bxg6 19. Nxg6 Rf7 20. Rae1 Rf6 21. Qg4 Re8 22. h4 Nd8 23. a4 Kh7 24. h5 Qd7 25. f4 Qxa4 26. R1e2 Rg8 27. Ne7 Rgf8 28. f5 R8f7 29. Ng6 Rxf5 30. Ne5 R7f6 31. Rg3 Rg5 32. Qh4 Qa1+ 0-1
IM Jan Werle - GM Krishnan Sasikiran
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4 d6 9. Rd1 Nbd7 10. Be3 Rc8 11. Rac1 O-O 12. Qh4 a6 13. b3 Rc7 14. Bh3 Qb8 15. Bh6 Bxh6 16. Qxh6 Bxf3 17. exf3 b5 18. Bxd7 Rxd7 19. Rd4 b4 20. Nd5 Nxd5 21. cxd5 e5 22. dxe6 fxe6 23. Qd2 a5 24. Rc6 Rfd8 25. f4 Kf7 26. Ra6 Qb5 27. Raxd6 Rxd6 28. Rxd6 Rxd6 29. Qxd6 h5 30. Qe5 Qb6 31. Qe3 Qc7 32. h3 h4 33. g4 Qc3 34. Qa7+ Kf8 35. Qa8+ Kf7 36. Qb7+ Kf8 37. Qe4 Kf7 38. Kg2 Qc5 39. Qb7+ Kf8 40. Qa8+ Kf7 41. Qb7+ Kf8 42. Qd7 e5 43. f5 gxf5 44. Qxf5+ Ke7 45. g5 Qd5+ 46. Kh2 Qd6 47. Qh7+ Ke8 48. Qxh4 Qd2 49. Qh8+ Kd7 50. Qg7+ Kc6 51. Qf6+ Kb7 52. g6 Qxa2 53. Qf7+ Ka6 54. g7 1-0
Official website
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Women`s World Chess Championship
Women`s World Chess Championship was held on March 10th-25th in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Chinese Xu Yuhua (2502) is new champion after beating Alisa Galliamova 2.5-0.5 in the final match. 2004 champion Antoaneta Stefanova (2499) was knocked in the 2nd round.
Irina Krush won round one against Claudia Amura (ARG 2366) in rapid tiebreaks, but then got eliminated by Tatiana Kosintseva (RUS 2479).
Alisa Galliamova 2467 - Xu Yuhua 2502
1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 c5 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Ne4 11. Bxd8 Nxc3 12. Bc7 Na6 13. Bf4 Ne4 14. Nb5 g5 15. Be3 Ke7 16. Rd1 d5 17. f3 Nf6 18. Bd4 Rhd8 19. e3 Rd7 20. h4 Nc7 21. hxg5 hxg5 22. c5 a6 23. Nxc7 Rxc7 24. cxb6 Rc6 25. a4 Nd7 26. a5 Nc5 27. Bc3 Na4 28. Bb4+ Kf6 29. b3 Nc5 30. Rb1 Nd7 31. Be2 Rc2 32. Rh6+ Kg7 33. Rh5 Kf6 34. g3 Rac8 35. f4 gxf4 36. gxf4 Ra2 37. Rd1 Nc5 38. Bc3+ Ke7 39. f5 Ne4 40. Bb4+ Kf6 41. Bd3 Rg8 42. Rh6+ Ke5 43. Rh1 Rg3 44. Bxe4 Rxe3+ 45. Kf1 dxe4 46. fxe6 Kxe6 47. Rh6+ Kf5 48. Rd7 Rf3+ 49. Ke1 Rxb3 50. Bd2 e3 51. Bc1 Rb1 52. Rc7 Bf3 53. Rhc6 Bxc6 54. Rxc6 Raa1 55. Ke2 Rxa5 56. Bxe3 Rb2+ 57. Kf3 Rb3 58. Rc7 Re5 0-1
Irina Krush 2447 - Claudia Amura 2366
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 d4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nge7 6. Bg2 Ng6 7. Bg5 Qd7 8. e6 fxe6 9. h4 Bb4+ 10. Kf1 a5 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. h5 Nge5 13. h6 Bxd2 14. Qxd2 g6 15. Rc1 Nxf3 16. exf3 e5 17. f4 Qf5 18. Re1 Bd7 19. Rh4 Rae8 20. fxe5 Rxe5 21. Rxe5 Qxe5 22. Bd5+ Kh8 23. Rf4 Bf5 24. g4 Bd3+ 25. Kg1 Rxf4 26. Bxf4 Qf6 27. Bg5 Qe5 28. f4 1-0
Official website
Irina Krush won round one against Claudia Amura (ARG 2366) in rapid tiebreaks, but then got eliminated by Tatiana Kosintseva (RUS 2479).
Alisa Galliamova 2467 - Xu Yuhua 2502
1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 c5 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Ne4 11. Bxd8 Nxc3 12. Bc7 Na6 13. Bf4 Ne4 14. Nb5 g5 15. Be3 Ke7 16. Rd1 d5 17. f3 Nf6 18. Bd4 Rhd8 19. e3 Rd7 20. h4 Nc7 21. hxg5 hxg5 22. c5 a6 23. Nxc7 Rxc7 24. cxb6 Rc6 25. a4 Nd7 26. a5 Nc5 27. Bc3 Na4 28. Bb4+ Kf6 29. b3 Nc5 30. Rb1 Nd7 31. Be2 Rc2 32. Rh6+ Kg7 33. Rh5 Kf6 34. g3 Rac8 35. f4 gxf4 36. gxf4 Ra2 37. Rd1 Nc5 38. Bc3+ Ke7 39. f5 Ne4 40. Bb4+ Kf6 41. Bd3 Rg8 42. Rh6+ Ke5 43. Rh1 Rg3 44. Bxe4 Rxe3+ 45. Kf1 dxe4 46. fxe6 Kxe6 47. Rh6+ Kf5 48. Rd7 Rf3+ 49. Ke1 Rxb3 50. Bd2 e3 51. Bc1 Rb1 52. Rc7 Bf3 53. Rhc6 Bxc6 54. Rxc6 Raa1 55. Ke2 Rxa5 56. Bxe3 Rb2+ 57. Kf3 Rb3 58. Rc7 Re5 0-1
Irina Krush 2447 - Claudia Amura 2366
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 d4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nge7 6. Bg2 Ng6 7. Bg5 Qd7 8. e6 fxe6 9. h4 Bb4+ 10. Kf1 a5 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. h5 Nge5 13. h6 Bxd2 14. Qxd2 g6 15. Rc1 Nxf3 16. exf3 e5 17. f4 Qf5 18. Re1 Bd7 19. Rh4 Rae8 20. fxe5 Rxe5 21. Rxe5 Qxe5 22. Bd5+ Kh8 23. Rf4 Bf5 24. g4 Bd3+ 25. Kg1 Rxf4 26. Bxf4 Qf6 27. Bg5 Qe5 28. f4 1-0
Official website
Notebook for Maya
- Is computer important in your life?Maya Chiburdanidze: Even at my age I managed to study it. I’ve used it for half a year now.
- It means that you didn’t use computer preparing for the last championship?
Maya Chiburdanidze: You know, small papers and notebooks are more convenient for me. Despite all the opportunities of computers it can’t substitute people, real communication.
Maya Chiburdanidze, a living legend of chess, gave an interview during the Women's World Championship. Read the entire article.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Stanley Kubrick
During this time, Stanley was playing in chess tournaments at the Marshall and Manhattan Chess Clubs. He as also playing in the parks such as Washington Square in Greenwich and elsewhere for money as a chess hustler.
It was at the Marshall Chess Club that Kubrick met Alton Cook, a film critic for the New York Telegram and Sun. This got Kubrick interested in making movies and finding the right contacts.
Kubrick was quoted as saying, "Chess helps you develop patience and discipline in choosing between alternatives at a time when an impulsive decision seems very attractive."
He also said, "Chess teaches you to control the initial excitement you feel when you see something that looks good and it trains you to think objectively when you're in trouble."
Read the entire article by Bill Wall
For his next movie Stanley wanted to make a full-length feature film. To help produce money for the movie Stanley played chess at Washington Square Park and made $20- $30 a week.
More about Stanley Kubrick at FilmMakers website
Wikipedia: Stanley Kubrick
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Poikovsky Tournament
7th Poikovsky tournament is being held on March 18th-28th. Poikovsky is in same Siberia region as another famous chess arena - Khanty Mansiysk.
After four defeats in a row, Viktor Bologan finally managed to win a game against Ruslan Ponomariov. Other participants are showing good efforts, but still we see too many draws.
Standings after round 5:
1-4. Sergei Rublevsky 2665, Vadim Zvjaginsev 2664, Alexei Shirov 2709 and Evgeniy Najer 2562 with 3.0 points
5-8. Evgeny Bareev 2698, Ivan Sokolov 2689, Ruslan Ponomariov 2723 and Alexey Dreev 2697 with 2.5
9. Alexander Onischuk 2650 2.0
10. Viktor Bologan 2661 1.0
Alexei Shirov - Vadim Zvjaginsev
Round 5
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e5 4. O-O Nge7 5. b4 cxb4 6. Bb2 Ng6 7. d4 exd4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Qg5 10. e5 Nf4 11. Qe4 a6 12. Bd3 Be7 13. Nd2 Nxd3 14. Qxd3 Qg6 15. Ne4 b5 16. Rae1 Bb7 17. Nf6+ Kf8 18. Nxd7+ Kg8 19. Qh3 h5 20. Re3 h4 21. f4 Qe6 22. Qxe6 fxe6 23. f5 Bc6 draw
Viktor Bologan - Ruslan Ponomariov
Round 5
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3 Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Qd7 11. Nbd2 Rae8 12. c3 d5 13. a4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Rd8 15. axb5 axb5 16. Ng3 h6 17. Bc2 Rfe8 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. Rxe5 Bd6 20. Rxe8+ Rxe8 21. Bd2 c5 22. Qf1 Qc7 23. Ne4 Bxe4 24. dxe4 Qc6 25. c4 Bh2+ 26. Kh1 Bc7 27. e5 Bxe5 28. cxb5 Qd6 29. Rd1 Qb6 30. b3 Bb8 31. Bc3 Qc7 32. g3 Qb7+ 33. Kg1 Nd7 34. Qd3 Nf8 35. Re1 Rxe1+ 36. Bxe1 Ne6 37. Bc3 Kf8 38. b4 Qc7 39. Bb3 Nd4 40. b6 Qxb6 41. bxc5 Qxb3 42. Qxd4 f6 43. c6 Bc7 44. Bb4+ Kg8 45. Bd6 Bb6 46. Bc5 Ba5 47. Qd6 Qf7 48. Qb8+ Kh7 49. Qb7 Qc7 50. Qb1+ Kg8 51. Qe4 Qd8 52. Qe6+ Kh8 53. Bd6 Bb6 54. Kh2 Kh7 55. h4 h5 56. Qf5+ g6 57. Qe6 Kg7 58. Kg2 Ba5 59. Be7 Qd4 60. Qd7 Qe4+ 61. Kh2 Qc2 62. Bc5+ Kh6 63.
Bf8+ 1-0
Official website (Russian language)
After four defeats in a row, Viktor Bologan finally managed to win a game against Ruslan Ponomariov. Other participants are showing good efforts, but still we see too many draws.
Standings after round 5:
1-4. Sergei Rublevsky 2665, Vadim Zvjaginsev 2664, Alexei Shirov 2709 and Evgeniy Najer 2562 with 3.0 points
5-8. Evgeny Bareev 2698, Ivan Sokolov 2689, Ruslan Ponomariov 2723 and Alexey Dreev 2697 with 2.5
9. Alexander Onischuk 2650 2.0
10. Viktor Bologan 2661 1.0
Alexei Shirov - Vadim Zvjaginsev
Round 5
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e5 4. O-O Nge7 5. b4 cxb4 6. Bb2 Ng6 7. d4 exd4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Qg5 10. e5 Nf4 11. Qe4 a6 12. Bd3 Be7 13. Nd2 Nxd3 14. Qxd3 Qg6 15. Ne4 b5 16. Rae1 Bb7 17. Nf6+ Kf8 18. Nxd7+ Kg8 19. Qh3 h5 20. Re3 h4 21. f4 Qe6 22. Qxe6 fxe6 23. f5 Bc6 draw
Viktor Bologan - Ruslan Ponomariov
Round 5
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3 Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Qd7 11. Nbd2 Rae8 12. c3 d5 13. a4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Rd8 15. axb5 axb5 16. Ng3 h6 17. Bc2 Rfe8 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. Rxe5 Bd6 20. Rxe8+ Rxe8 21. Bd2 c5 22. Qf1 Qc7 23. Ne4 Bxe4 24. dxe4 Qc6 25. c4 Bh2+ 26. Kh1 Bc7 27. e5 Bxe5 28. cxb5 Qd6 29. Rd1 Qb6 30. b3 Bb8 31. Bc3 Qc7 32. g3 Qb7+ 33. Kg1 Nd7 34. Qd3 Nf8 35. Re1 Rxe1+ 36. Bxe1 Ne6 37. Bc3 Kf8 38. b4 Qc7 39. Bb3 Nd4 40. b6 Qxb6 41. bxc5 Qxb3 42. Qxd4 f6 43. c6 Bc7 44. Bb4+ Kg8 45. Bd6 Bb6 46. Bc5 Ba5 47. Qd6 Qf7 48. Qb8+ Kh7 49. Qb7 Qc7 50. Qb1+ Kg8 51. Qe4 Qd8 52. Qe6+ Kh8 53. Bd6 Bb6 54. Kh2 Kh7 55. h4 h5 56. Qf5+ g6 57. Qe6 Kg7 58. Kg2 Ba5 59. Be7 Qd4 60. Qd7 Qe4+ 61. Kh2 Qc2 62. Bc5+ Kh6 63.
Bf8+ 1-0
Official website (Russian language)
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
7th Sozina Open
This traditional open tournament is being held on 18-26th March in Bar, big harbor on the Adriatic coast. There are 100 participants with 11 GMs among them. I'm glad to see my friend Aleksandar Toth is doing fine with 2.5 points after 4 rounds. 14-years old Jovana Vojinovic won against experienced IM Slavisa Marinkovic (2403).
In spite of great tradition, good prize fund and excellent organization, this tournament has been poorly advertised. There was no website and we had to wait 4 days to see first results and games posted at the SCG Chess Federation website. By reading Garry Kasparov article, younger readers can hear that old Yugoslavia was Mecca for tournament players from around the globe. Nowadays, even those few tournaments are not properly promoted.
Round 4 standings:
1-2. FM Borko Lajthajm (2464) and GM Bojan Vuckovic (2506) with 4 points
3-4. IM Blazo Kalezic (2435) and GM Miroljub Lazic (2466) 3.5, and then 22 players tied with 3 points.
GM Bojan Vuckovic 2506 - IM Goran Arsovic 2450
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 8. Nb3 Be7 9. Be2 Nbd7 10. Qd2 h6 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. O-O-O Qc7 13. Bf3 e5 14. Kb1 b5 15. g4 Bb7 16. h4 exf4 17. Qxf4 Nd7 18. g5 Ne5 19. Nd4 hxg5 20. hxg5 Rxh1 21. Rxh1 O-O-O 22. Nd5 Bxd5 23. exd5 Qc5 24. Nc6 Nxc6 25. dxc6 Qxg5 26. Qb4 Qc5 27. Qa5 Qa7 28. a4 d5 29. axb5 1-0
Aleksandar Toth 2302 - Alija Ikic 2132
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Be2 c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. O-O Qxc5 8. Be3 Qa5 9. Nd4 Nc6 10. f4 Bd7 11. Nb3 Qd8 12. Bf3 O-O 13. Qe2 Qc8 14. h3 Be6 15. Nd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 Nb4 17. c4 Na6 18. Rac1 Nd7 19. Nd4 Nc7 20. g3 a6 21. Kg2 Re8 22. Qd2 e6 23. dxe6 fxe6 24. Nb3 Bf8 25. Na5 b6 26. Nc6 a5 27. h4 Nc5 28. h5 e5 29. fxe5 dxe5 30. Bxc5 Bxc5 31. Bd5+ Nxd5 32. Qxd5+ Qe6 33. Ne7+ Rxe7 34. Qxa8+ Re8 35. Qe4 Bd4 36. b3 Rc8 37. Rcd1 Qc6 38. Rde1 Qxe4+ 39. Rxe4 a4 40. hxg6 hxg6 41. Rf6 axb3 42. axb3 Kg7 43. Rd6 Kf7 44. Rh4 Rg8 45. Rh7+ Ke8 46. Rdd7 Rh8 47. Rhe7+ Kf8 48. Rf7+ 1-0
Jovana Vojinovic 2035 - IM Slavisa Marinkovic 2403
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. c4 Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Qc2 Na6 8. O-O c5 9. d5 exd5 10. Nh4 Nb4 11. Qd1 Ne4 12. Nf5 Nxc3 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. bxc3 Qf6 15. Bb2 Rfe8 16. cxd5 Ba6 17. Re1 Bc4 18. a3 Na6 19. e4 Qd6 20. Qg4 b5 21. a4 f6 22. axb5 h5 23. Qh4 Bxb5 24. c4 Bxc4 25. e5 fxe5 26. Qxc4 Nb4 27. Ra5 a6 28. Bxe5 Rxe5 29. Rxe5 Qxe5 1-0
In spite of great tradition, good prize fund and excellent organization, this tournament has been poorly advertised. There was no website and we had to wait 4 days to see first results and games posted at the SCG Chess Federation website. By reading Garry Kasparov article, younger readers can hear that old Yugoslavia was Mecca for tournament players from around the globe. Nowadays, even those few tournaments are not properly promoted.
Round 4 standings:
1-2. FM Borko Lajthajm (2464) and GM Bojan Vuckovic (2506) with 4 points
3-4. IM Blazo Kalezic (2435) and GM Miroljub Lazic (2466) 3.5, and then 22 players tied with 3 points.
GM Bojan Vuckovic 2506 - IM Goran Arsovic 2450
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 8. Nb3 Be7 9. Be2 Nbd7 10. Qd2 h6 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. O-O-O Qc7 13. Bf3 e5 14. Kb1 b5 15. g4 Bb7 16. h4 exf4 17. Qxf4 Nd7 18. g5 Ne5 19. Nd4 hxg5 20. hxg5 Rxh1 21. Rxh1 O-O-O 22. Nd5 Bxd5 23. exd5 Qc5 24. Nc6 Nxc6 25. dxc6 Qxg5 26. Qb4 Qc5 27. Qa5 Qa7 28. a4 d5 29. axb5 1-0
Aleksandar Toth 2302 - Alija Ikic 2132
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Be2 c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. O-O Qxc5 8. Be3 Qa5 9. Nd4 Nc6 10. f4 Bd7 11. Nb3 Qd8 12. Bf3 O-O 13. Qe2 Qc8 14. h3 Be6 15. Nd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 Nb4 17. c4 Na6 18. Rac1 Nd7 19. Nd4 Nc7 20. g3 a6 21. Kg2 Re8 22. Qd2 e6 23. dxe6 fxe6 24. Nb3 Bf8 25. Na5 b6 26. Nc6 a5 27. h4 Nc5 28. h5 e5 29. fxe5 dxe5 30. Bxc5 Bxc5 31. Bd5+ Nxd5 32. Qxd5+ Qe6 33. Ne7+ Rxe7 34. Qxa8+ Re8 35. Qe4 Bd4 36. b3 Rc8 37. Rcd1 Qc6 38. Rde1 Qxe4+ 39. Rxe4 a4 40. hxg6 hxg6 41. Rf6 axb3 42. axb3 Kg7 43. Rd6 Kf7 44. Rh4 Rg8 45. Rh7+ Ke8 46. Rdd7 Rh8 47. Rhe7+ Kf8 48. Rf7+ 1-0
Jovana Vojinovic 2035 - IM Slavisa Marinkovic 2403
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. c4 Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Qc2 Na6 8. O-O c5 9. d5 exd5 10. Nh4 Nb4 11. Qd1 Ne4 12. Nf5 Nxc3 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. bxc3 Qf6 15. Bb2 Rfe8 16. cxd5 Ba6 17. Re1 Bc4 18. a3 Na6 19. e4 Qd6 20. Qg4 b5 21. a4 f6 22. axb5 h5 23. Qh4 Bxb5 24. c4 Bxc4 25. e5 fxe5 26. Qxc4 Nb4 27. Ra5 a6 28. Bxe5 Rxe5 29. Rxe5 Qxe5 1-0
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
40th anniversary of Chess Informant
My chess youth and mature years came just at the period of the Chess Informant’s peak popularity. I remember how, in 1973, with beating heart, I opened my first “fount of all wisdom” – Volume 15. And how later, having learned from my teachers (and especially from Mikhail Botvinnik) how to analyze deeply, and diligently work out urgent opening problems, I carefully studied each new volume, feasting on everything that seemed the most theoretically valuable and interesting. This enormous flow of information offered the richest trove of material for research and directed preparation, both for tournaments and for particular opponents.
Garry Kasparov
In order to celebrate its 40th birthday, Chess Informant, one of the oldest and most respectable publishing house, has invited Garry Kasparov to write an article with exclusive analyses of 13 of his best games.
Read the entire article on ChessCafe
Chess Informant homepage
Monday, March 20, 2006
Humphrey Bogart
When interviewed in 1945, he said chess was one of those things that mattered to him most. Bogie added that he played every day between those tedious waits between takes when making movies. So did John Wayne and, more recently, Will Smith.
GM Larry Evans, in his latest article for WCN, reminded us about the best chess player in Hollywood.
There was a surprisingly large chess following in the Old Hollywood of the studio era. Permanently ensconced actors, writers, producers and directors needed diversions that helped fragile egos to claim intellectual credentials. Among those who played the game were Lew Ayres, John Barrymore, Lauren Bacall, Charles Boyer, Jose Ferrer, Katharine Hepburn, Louis Jourdan and John Wayne. But Bogie was different. He became a director of the U.S. Chess Federation, involved himself in the California State Chess Association and pushed wood at every opportunity. He could beat John Wayne easily and taught the game to fellow Rat Packer Dean Martin.
Read also an earlier writing by Larry Parr.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Spanish Version of "Chess Chronicle"
Chess Chronicle Team has announced Spanish version of the magazine and website. Next issue should be out by Saturday.
No es imposible encontrar información de ajedrez en internet, pero es muy difÃcil y lleva mucho tiempo. Y conseguir la información que queremos requiere de muchÃsima paciencia. Nos hemos encargado de ese problema por tÃ. Nos orgullece presentar una revista de ajedrez que satisface todos tus apetitos ajedrecÃsticos.
Amber Tournament - Round 1
Participants get to play two games every day - one rapid and one blindfold.
Round 1 results:
Loek Van Wely - Levon Aronian 1-1
Peter Leko - Peter Heine Nielsen 1.5-0.5
Vassily Ivanchuk - Veselin Topalov 0-2
Francisco Vallejo Pons - Peter Svidler 1.5-0.5
Viswanathan Anand - Alexander Morozevich 0.5-1.5
Boris Gelfand - Alexander Grischuk 1-1
Alexander Morozevich - Viswanathan Anand
Round 1, Rapid game
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bf5 5. d4 e6 6. c4 Nbd7 7. Nc3 dxc4 8. Nh4 Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. g4 Nd5 11. e4 N5b6 12. Nf5 exf5 13. gxh5 fxe4 14. Nxe4 Be7 15. Qg4 g6 16. Bh6 f5 17. Rfe1
17...Qb8 18. Qf3 fxe4 19. Rxe4 Nd5 20. Rae1 Qd6 21. Re6 Qb4 22. a3 Qb5 23. Bg5 O-O-O 24. Bxe7 Rde8 25. hxg6 hxg6 26. Qg4 Rxe7 27. Rxe7 Nxe7 28. Rxe7 Rd8 29. h4 Qxb2 30. Bh3 Qb1+ 31. Kg2 Qf5 32. Qxf5 gxf5 33. Bxf5 c3 34. Re3 Rf8 35. Bxd7+ draw
Official website
Round 1 results:
Loek Van Wely - Levon Aronian 1-1
Peter Leko - Peter Heine Nielsen 1.5-0.5
Vassily Ivanchuk - Veselin Topalov 0-2
Francisco Vallejo Pons - Peter Svidler 1.5-0.5
Viswanathan Anand - Alexander Morozevich 0.5-1.5
Boris Gelfand - Alexander Grischuk 1-1
Alexander Morozevich - Viswanathan Anand
Round 1, Rapid game
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bf5 5. d4 e6 6. c4 Nbd7 7. Nc3 dxc4 8. Nh4 Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. g4 Nd5 11. e4 N5b6 12. Nf5 exf5 13. gxh5 fxe4 14. Nxe4 Be7 15. Qg4 g6 16. Bh6 f5 17. Rfe1
17...Qb8 18. Qf3 fxe4 19. Rxe4 Nd5 20. Rae1 Qd6 21. Re6 Qb4 22. a3 Qb5 23. Bg5 O-O-O 24. Bxe7 Rde8 25. hxg6 hxg6 26. Qg4 Rxe7 27. Rxe7 Nxe7 28. Rxe7 Rd8 29. h4 Qxb2 30. Bh3 Qb1+ 31. Kg2 Qf5 32. Qxf5 gxf5 33. Bxf5 c3 34. Re3 Rf8 35. Bxd7+ draw
Official website
Friday, March 17, 2006
15th Amber Chess Tournament
15th Amber Rapid and Blindfold Tournament will take place on 18th-30th March at the Fairmont Monte Carlo Hotel in Monaco.
Participants: Veselin Topalov BUL 2801, Viswanathan Anand IND 2792, Peter Svidler RUS 2765, Levon Aronian ARM 2752, Peter Leko HUN 2740, Vassily Ivanchuk UKR 2729, Boris Gelfand ISR 2723, Alexander Morozevich RUS 2721, Alexander Grischuk RUS 2717, Francisco Vallejo Pons ESP 2650, Loek van Wely NED 2647 and Peter Heine Nielsen DEN 2644.
Official website
Participants: Veselin Topalov BUL 2801, Viswanathan Anand IND 2792, Peter Svidler RUS 2765, Levon Aronian ARM 2752, Peter Leko HUN 2740, Vassily Ivanchuk UKR 2729, Boris Gelfand ISR 2723, Alexander Morozevich RUS 2721, Alexander Grischuk RUS 2717, Francisco Vallejo Pons ESP 2650, Loek van Wely NED 2647 and Peter Heine Nielsen DEN 2644.
Official website
Thursday, March 16, 2006
SCG Championship - Damljanovic and Pikula are the winners
Serbia & Montenegro chess championship has ended on Sunday March 12th. I had so many things in mind for posting that I have completely forgotten about this event. After strong finish, GM Branko Damljanovic (2615) and GM Dejan Pikula (2530) have tied for the first place with the score of 9/13. GM Pikula should be candidate for the 6th board of SCG Olympiad Team. FM Borko Lajthajm, who was leading most of the race, finished with 7.5 points to earn IM norm.
Final standings:
1-2. GM Dejan Pikula 2530 and GM Branko Damljanovic 2615 with 9/13
3. GM Milos Perunovic Milos 2508 8.5/13
4-5. GM Igor Miladinovic 2607 and GM Bosko Abramovic 8/13
6-7. FM Borko Lajthajm 2464 and GM Miodrag R.Savic 2517 7.5/13
8. GM Aleksandar Kovacevic 2535 7/13
9. GM Bojan Vuckovic 2506 6.5/13
10. IM Branko Tadic 2491 5.5/13
11-12. IM Djordjije Kontic 2355 and GM Nikola Djukic 2523 4/13
13. Marko Krivokapic 2352 3.5/13
14. GM Dejan Antic 2505 3/13
Official website
Branko Damljanovic - Branko Tadic
1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 a6 8. e4 d6 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Qc7 11. Be3 Nbd7 12. Rc1 O-O 13. f4 Rfe8 14. g4 Nc5 15. Bf2 g6 16. b4 Rad8 17. Bf3 h6 18. f5 e5 19. Nc2 Ncd7 20. Ne3 Rc8 21. Qd3 Qd8 22. Kg2 Nh7 23. Rh1 Ng5 24. h4 Nxf3 25. Kxf3 Nf6 26. Ned5 b5 27. Nxf6+ Bxf6 28. Nd5 bxc4 29. Rxc4 Rxc4 30. Qxc4 Kg7 31. a4 h5 32. g5 Bxg5 33. hxg5 Qxg5 34. Rg1 Bxd5 35. Qxd5 Qf4+ 36. Ke2 Rc8 37. Qd3 d5 38. fxg6 fxg6 39. exd5 e4 40. Qg3 Rc2+ 41. Kf1 Qf5 42. d6 h4 43. Qxg6+ Qxg6 44. Bd4+ Kf7 45. Rxg6 1-0
Dejan Pikula - Marko Krivokapic
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Be3 a6 7. g4 e5 8. Nf5 g6 9. g5 gxf5 10. exf5 d5 11. Qf3 Bb4 12. gxf6 Nc6 13. O-O-O Bxc3 14. bxc3 Qxf6 15. Rxd5 Qxf5 16. Qg3 Be6 17. Qg7 Rf8 18. Bh6 Ke7 19. Bg5+ Ke8 20. Rd6 Qf3 21. Bg2 Qxc3 22. Bxc6+ 1-0
Branko Damljanovic - Bojan Vuckovic
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c5 3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 O-O 6. e5 Ne8 7. h4 d6 8. e6 fxe6 9. h5 gxh5 10. dxe6 Bxe6 11. Ng5 Qd7 12. Qxh5 Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 Nf6 14. Qe2 Bf5 15. f3 e5 16. Be3 Nc6 17. g4 Bg6 18. O-O-O b6 19. Rh6 d5 20. Qh2 Nd4 21. cxd4 cxd4 22. Rxg6+ hxg6 23. Bb5 Qg7 24. Bd2 a6 25. Ne6 Qe7 26. Qh6 Qa3+ 27. Kb1 Kf7 28. Ng5+ Ke7 29. Qg7+ Kd6 30. Bd3 Kc6 31. Qxg6 Qd6 32. Nf7 Qe6 33. Nxe5+ Qxe5 34. g5 Qg3 35. gxf6 Qxg6 36. Bxg6 Rxf6 37. Bh5 Raf8 38. Bc1 Rh8 39. Bg4 Rhf8 40. Rxd4 Rxf3 41. Bxf3 Rxf3 42. Rf4 Rh3 43. Bd2 a5 44. Kb2 Kc5 45. Bc3 1-0
Branko Tadic - Borko Lajthajm
1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 a6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 Rb8 8. e4 Be7 9. Qe2 O-O 10. Rd1 b5 11. Bf4 Bb7 12. Bh3 Nb4 13. Ne1 Nd3 14. a3 Nxf4 15. gxf4 c5 16. d5 exd5 17. e5 d4 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. Bg2 Re8 20. Qg4 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 dxc3 22. Bxb7 Rxb7 23. Rad1 Qa8 24. bxc3 h5 25. Qxh5 Bxc3 26. Re3 g6 27. Qh4 Bd4 28. Rh3 Kg7 29. f5 Bf6 30. Qh6+ Kg8 31. Qh7+ Kf8 32. Qh8+ Bxh8 33. Rxh8+ Kg7 34. Rxa8 b4 35. axb4 c3 36. f6+ Kh6 37. Rd5 1-0
Final standings:
1-2. GM Dejan Pikula 2530 and GM Branko Damljanovic 2615 with 9/13
3. GM Milos Perunovic Milos 2508 8.5/13
4-5. GM Igor Miladinovic 2607 and GM Bosko Abramovic 8/13
6-7. FM Borko Lajthajm 2464 and GM Miodrag R.Savic 2517 7.5/13
8. GM Aleksandar Kovacevic 2535 7/13
9. GM Bojan Vuckovic 2506 6.5/13
10. IM Branko Tadic 2491 5.5/13
11-12. IM Djordjije Kontic 2355 and GM Nikola Djukic 2523 4/13
13. Marko Krivokapic 2352 3.5/13
14. GM Dejan Antic 2505 3/13
Official website
Branko Damljanovic - Branko Tadic
1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 a6 8. e4 d6 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Qc7 11. Be3 Nbd7 12. Rc1 O-O 13. f4 Rfe8 14. g4 Nc5 15. Bf2 g6 16. b4 Rad8 17. Bf3 h6 18. f5 e5 19. Nc2 Ncd7 20. Ne3 Rc8 21. Qd3 Qd8 22. Kg2 Nh7 23. Rh1 Ng5 24. h4 Nxf3 25. Kxf3 Nf6 26. Ned5 b5 27. Nxf6+ Bxf6 28. Nd5 bxc4 29. Rxc4 Rxc4 30. Qxc4 Kg7 31. a4 h5 32. g5 Bxg5 33. hxg5 Qxg5 34. Rg1 Bxd5 35. Qxd5 Qf4+ 36. Ke2 Rc8 37. Qd3 d5 38. fxg6 fxg6 39. exd5 e4 40. Qg3 Rc2+ 41. Kf1 Qf5 42. d6 h4 43. Qxg6+ Qxg6 44. Bd4+ Kf7 45. Rxg6 1-0
Dejan Pikula - Marko Krivokapic
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Be3 a6 7. g4 e5 8. Nf5 g6 9. g5 gxf5 10. exf5 d5 11. Qf3 Bb4 12. gxf6 Nc6 13. O-O-O Bxc3 14. bxc3 Qxf6 15. Rxd5 Qxf5 16. Qg3 Be6 17. Qg7 Rf8 18. Bh6 Ke7 19. Bg5+ Ke8 20. Rd6 Qf3 21. Bg2 Qxc3 22. Bxc6+ 1-0
Branko Damljanovic - Bojan Vuckovic
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c5 3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 O-O 6. e5 Ne8 7. h4 d6 8. e6 fxe6 9. h5 gxh5 10. dxe6 Bxe6 11. Ng5 Qd7 12. Qxh5 Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 Nf6 14. Qe2 Bf5 15. f3 e5 16. Be3 Nc6 17. g4 Bg6 18. O-O-O b6 19. Rh6 d5 20. Qh2 Nd4 21. cxd4 cxd4 22. Rxg6+ hxg6 23. Bb5 Qg7 24. Bd2 a6 25. Ne6 Qe7 26. Qh6 Qa3+ 27. Kb1 Kf7 28. Ng5+ Ke7 29. Qg7+ Kd6 30. Bd3 Kc6 31. Qxg6 Qd6 32. Nf7 Qe6 33. Nxe5+ Qxe5 34. g5 Qg3 35. gxf6 Qxg6 36. Bxg6 Rxf6 37. Bh5 Raf8 38. Bc1 Rh8 39. Bg4 Rhf8 40. Rxd4 Rxf3 41. Bxf3 Rxf3 42. Rf4 Rh3 43. Bd2 a5 44. Kb2 Kc5 45. Bc3 1-0
Branko Tadic - Borko Lajthajm
1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 a6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 Rb8 8. e4 Be7 9. Qe2 O-O 10. Rd1 b5 11. Bf4 Bb7 12. Bh3 Nb4 13. Ne1 Nd3 14. a3 Nxf4 15. gxf4 c5 16. d5 exd5 17. e5 d4 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. Bg2 Re8 20. Qg4 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 dxc3 22. Bxb7 Rxb7 23. Rad1 Qa8 24. bxc3 h5 25. Qxh5 Bxc3 26. Re3 g6 27. Qh4 Bd4 28. Rh3 Kg7 29. f5 Bf6 30. Qh6+ Kg8 31. Qh7+ Kf8 32. Qh8+ Bxh8 33. Rxh8+ Kg7 34. Rxa8 b4 35. axb4 c3 36. f6+ Kh6 37. Rd5 1-0
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Gabriel Sargissian Wins In Reykjavik
Remember magical touch of Phil's hand? If I win Hasting Chess Congress the theory will be proven! Latest in a row of "lucky" people is Armenian GM Gabriel Sargissian who has won very strong Reykjavik Open (on tiebreaks).
Final standings:
1-5. Gabriel Sargissian (ARM 2603), Ahmed Adly (EGY 2473), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE 2709), Igor-Alexander Nataf (FRA 2553) and Pentala Harikrishna (IND 2673) with 7 points out of 9 rounds
6-9. Magnus Carlsen (NOR 2625), Ivan Sokolov (NED 2689), Luis Galego (POR 2538) and Christopher Ward (ENG 2475) 6.5 etc.
There were 103 participants. Serbian GM's Ivan Ivanisevic (2588) and Milos Pavlovic (2494) have scored 6 and 5.5 points respectively. Final standings can be found here. The Closet Grandmaster was also reporting about this event.
Helgi Dam Ziska 2286 - Jan Timman 2630
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. g4 h6 7. h4 Be7 8. Rg1 d5 9. Bb5+ Kf8 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Qd3 Bxh4 13. Bc4 Qd7 14. g5 hxg5 15. Be3 e5 16. Qa3+ Kg8 17. Nb5 g4 18. Rd1 Qc6 19. Nd6 Be7 20. Nxf7 1-0
Final standings:
1-5. Gabriel Sargissian (ARM 2603), Ahmed Adly (EGY 2473), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE 2709), Igor-Alexander Nataf (FRA 2553) and Pentala Harikrishna (IND 2673) with 7 points out of 9 rounds
6-9. Magnus Carlsen (NOR 2625), Ivan Sokolov (NED 2689), Luis Galego (POR 2538) and Christopher Ward (ENG 2475) 6.5 etc.
There were 103 participants. Serbian GM's Ivan Ivanisevic (2588) and Milos Pavlovic (2494) have scored 6 and 5.5 points respectively. Final standings can be found here. The Closet Grandmaster was also reporting about this event.
Helgi Dam Ziska 2286 - Jan Timman 2630
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. g4 h6 7. h4 Be7 8. Rg1 d5 9. Bb5+ Kf8 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Qd3 Bxh4 13. Bc4 Qd7 14. g5 hxg5 15. Be3 e5 16. Qa3+ Kg8 17. Nb5 g4 18. Rd1 Qc6 19. Nd6 Be7 20. Nxf7 1-0
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Blogging Grandmasters
Two of my favorite Grandmasters have joined blogger family! I hope Pascal Charbonneau and Gata Kamsky will have regular input for chess addicts out there.
IM Ben Finegold, who already has a rating of strong GM, is making daily entries on his blog.
Hat Tip: OnlineChess.ca Weblog
IM Ben Finegold, who already has a rating of strong GM, is making daily entries on his blog.
Hat Tip: OnlineChess.ca Weblog
Corus Coincidence
From the keyboard of Phil Harris, "Sportsman" himself
I have a story, about an evening in a hotel in Holland which, depending on what you like to believe, is either mildly curious, or the work of the Devil. I will let you decide which.
I am lucky enough to be able to visit the Corus tournament in Wijk am Zee Holland every year. I would recommend every chess enthusiast go there at least once. It’s a wonderful tournament, one of the worlds best, and the people there are charming and welcoming. The whole town gets taken over by chess, and there are games in every bar, and famous players in every restaurant.
So, I am there this year (2006), staying in the same hotel as usual. On my first night, I go to the bar about 10 in the evening. Sitting at the bar is a player I recognised, but wasn’t sure of the name of.
As the bar was quiet, a conversation started and I found out he was GM Baduur Jobava from Georgia, playing in group B. He had not been too well, with a heavy cold, and was standing at 2/5 for the tournament.
We chatted for some time, I had a few beers; he had a few cups of tea. At the end of the conversation I wished him luck for the rest of the tournament, and promised I would buy him a drink if he won the next day. As we parted, he joked that with my support, he was certain to win.
His game the next day was against GM Ivan Cheparinov from Bulgaria, perhaps better known for being Topalovs second than for his own play, his rating is a little higher than Baduurs.
I followed the game, and was pleased to see Baduur win with the white pieces.
That night I met Baduur in the bar, and congratulated him on a good win, he joked that my support had made all the difference, and I bought him the promised drink.
After a little while, GM Levon Aronian appeared, with his second GM Sargassian. He was a friend of Baduurs and I was introduced. During our conversation some comment was made about me having brought luck to Baduurs game, and Levon joked that he hoped I would have the same affect on him.
After Aronian left, I set up my laptop in the bar, to show Baduur WCN, my favourite chess site, by coincidence Anna Zatonskih was hosting an audio event at the time.
It turns out Baduur and Anna are old friends, and he took the opportunity to say hello, using my account name. After a few moments of confusion about why this guy was talking to her in Russian, Anna realised who it was, and they had a conversation. He later played a Master Challenge game against her, after my friend and Admin Goran Urosevic had created an account for him, a fun game followed, with Anna winning on time.
So, that evening, directly or indirectly, I had spoken to Jobava, Aronian and Zatonskih. I don’t think Sargassian was comfortable speaking English, so although we shook hands, we didn’t actually talk.
Baduur went on to get a very solid forth place in group B scoring 5/7 in his remaining games
In the following couple of months, the results achieved by those three players have lent some credence to the idea that I might bring good luck to chess players….
Baduur Jobava went to the hugely competitive Aeroflot tournament in Moscow, and won it outright after a thrilling last round. Levon Aronian won Linares, after a thrilling last round. Anna Zatonskih won the US Women’s Championship, also in fine style.
I am not even slightly superstitious myself, and believe the idea of someone being "lucky" to be quite silly really. Though it did remind me that I had sat next to GM James Plaskett during an online tournament on WCN, which he had also won...
As a great fan of coincidences, he might find this story of some slight interest.
What Phil didn't know while writing this story is the fact that GM Sargassian is current leader of the very strong 22nd Reykjavik Open. See? Even shaking Phil's hand does miracles. I just hope he will save some of this magic for me to win next Hastings Chess Congress (I'll meet him there).
I have a story, about an evening in a hotel in Holland which, depending on what you like to believe, is either mildly curious, or the work of the Devil. I will let you decide which.
I am lucky enough to be able to visit the Corus tournament in Wijk am Zee Holland every year. I would recommend every chess enthusiast go there at least once. It’s a wonderful tournament, one of the worlds best, and the people there are charming and welcoming. The whole town gets taken over by chess, and there are games in every bar, and famous players in every restaurant.
So, I am there this year (2006), staying in the same hotel as usual. On my first night, I go to the bar about 10 in the evening. Sitting at the bar is a player I recognised, but wasn’t sure of the name of.
As the bar was quiet, a conversation started and I found out he was GM Baduur Jobava from Georgia, playing in group B. He had not been too well, with a heavy cold, and was standing at 2/5 for the tournament.
We chatted for some time, I had a few beers; he had a few cups of tea. At the end of the conversation I wished him luck for the rest of the tournament, and promised I would buy him a drink if he won the next day. As we parted, he joked that with my support, he was certain to win.
His game the next day was against GM Ivan Cheparinov from Bulgaria, perhaps better known for being Topalovs second than for his own play, his rating is a little higher than Baduurs.
I followed the game, and was pleased to see Baduur win with the white pieces.
That night I met Baduur in the bar, and congratulated him on a good win, he joked that my support had made all the difference, and I bought him the promised drink.
After a little while, GM Levon Aronian appeared, with his second GM Sargassian. He was a friend of Baduurs and I was introduced. During our conversation some comment was made about me having brought luck to Baduurs game, and Levon joked that he hoped I would have the same affect on him.
After Aronian left, I set up my laptop in the bar, to show Baduur WCN, my favourite chess site, by coincidence Anna Zatonskih was hosting an audio event at the time.
It turns out Baduur and Anna are old friends, and he took the opportunity to say hello, using my account name. After a few moments of confusion about why this guy was talking to her in Russian, Anna realised who it was, and they had a conversation. He later played a Master Challenge game against her, after my friend and Admin Goran Urosevic had created an account for him, a fun game followed, with Anna winning on time.
So, that evening, directly or indirectly, I had spoken to Jobava, Aronian and Zatonskih. I don’t think Sargassian was comfortable speaking English, so although we shook hands, we didn’t actually talk.
Baduur went on to get a very solid forth place in group B scoring 5/7 in his remaining games
In the following couple of months, the results achieved by those three players have lent some credence to the idea that I might bring good luck to chess players….
Baduur Jobava went to the hugely competitive Aeroflot tournament in Moscow, and won it outright after a thrilling last round. Levon Aronian won Linares, after a thrilling last round. Anna Zatonskih won the US Women’s Championship, also in fine style.
I am not even slightly superstitious myself, and believe the idea of someone being "lucky" to be quite silly really. Though it did remind me that I had sat next to GM James Plaskett during an online tournament on WCN, which he had also won...
As a great fan of coincidences, he might find this story of some slight interest.
What Phil didn't know while writing this story is the fact that GM Sargassian is current leader of the very strong 22nd Reykjavik Open. See? Even shaking Phil's hand does miracles. I just hope he will save some of this magic for me to win next Hastings Chess Congress (I'll meet him there).
Miroslav Shvartz's Letter
IM Miroslav Shvartz responded to information about decision of FIDE Ethics Commission. He has sent an email to Schachverband Sachsen e.V. website. From my limited knowledge of German language, I managed to translate this much:
FIDE responded by placing statement of the Ethics Commission on the official website homepage.
"...fact that exists a Word file, which comes allegedly from ethics commission of the FIDE and where the decisions concerning the potash tournament goes to... fact is that this Word file contains no date and signature. There is no FIDE logo either. This file cannot to be recognized as coming from the official organ of FIDE. Thus, the file does not contain any legal substance. Yours sincerely Miroslav Shvartz"
FIDE responded by placing statement of the Ethics Commission on the official website homepage.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Onischuk and Zatonskih are US Champions
US Chess Championship was held in San Diego on 1st-12th March. After preliminary tournament with two groups of 32 players each, Alexander Onischuk and Yuri Shulman (on tiebreaks) have qualified for the final match. Best placed womens were WGM Anna Zatonskih and WGM Rusadan Goletiani to also qualify for the final match. I have to add that many participants, including Gata Kamsky, have complained about the tournament regulations (groups, rapid games, pieces colors, tiebreaks...).
Results:
Alexander Onischuk - Yuri Shulman 1.5-0.5
Anna Zatonskih - Rusudan Goletiani 1.5-0.5
Yuri Shulman 2581 - Alexander Onischuk 2650
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1 dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. O-O cxd4 11. exd4 Rd8 12. Ne4 Qf4 13. Qe2 Nc6 14. g3 Qc7 15. Rfd1 Bd7 16. a3 Bf8 17. b4 a6 18. Ba2 Be8 19. Bb1 Qe7 20. h4 g6 21. h5 gxh5 22. Nc5 Bg7 23. Qe4 Rd6 24. Qh7+ Kf8 25. d5 Rad8 26. Ba2 exd5 27. Nh4 Nd4 28. Rxd4 Bxd4 29. Nf5 Qg5 30. Re1 Qd2 31. Re3 Rg6 32. Nxd4 Qxd4 33. Bb1 Rdd6 34. Bxg6 Rxg6 35. Nd3 Qg7 36. Qxg7+ Rxg7 37. Nc5 Bc6 38. a4 Rg4 39. b5 axb5 40. axb5 Bxb5 41. Nxb7 d4 42. Re5 Rg5 43. Rxg5 hxg5 44. Nd6 Bd3 45. Nb7 Ke7 46. Nc5 Bc2 47. f3 Kd6 0-1
Rusudan Goletiani 2378 - Anna Zatonskih 2433
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. O-O e5 7. d4 e4 8. Ne5 Be7 9. Nc3 h6 10. f3 exf3 11. exf3 O-O 12. Be3 Na5 13. Qa4 a6 14. Rad1 b5 15. Qc2 Bb7 16. Qf2 Rc8 17. Bh3 Rc7 18. Rc1 Bd6 19. Bf5 Re8 20. Rfd1 Rce7 21. f4 Rc7 22. Bb1 Bc8 23. Ne2 Ng4 24. Qf3 Nc4 25. Bd2 Nf6 26. Be1 Nxb2 27. Ba5 Rxc1 28. Bxd8 Rxd1+ 29. Kg2 Rxd8 30. Bc2 Rd2 31. Bb3 Bxe5 32. fxe5 Bg4 33. Qc3 Rxe2+ 34. Kg1 Rc8 0-1
Results:
Alexander Onischuk - Yuri Shulman 1.5-0.5
Anna Zatonskih - Rusudan Goletiani 1.5-0.5
Yuri Shulman 2581 - Alexander Onischuk 2650
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1 dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. O-O cxd4 11. exd4 Rd8 12. Ne4 Qf4 13. Qe2 Nc6 14. g3 Qc7 15. Rfd1 Bd7 16. a3 Bf8 17. b4 a6 18. Ba2 Be8 19. Bb1 Qe7 20. h4 g6 21. h5 gxh5 22. Nc5 Bg7 23. Qe4 Rd6 24. Qh7+ Kf8 25. d5 Rad8 26. Ba2 exd5 27. Nh4 Nd4 28. Rxd4 Bxd4 29. Nf5 Qg5 30. Re1 Qd2 31. Re3 Rg6 32. Nxd4 Qxd4 33. Bb1 Rdd6 34. Bxg6 Rxg6 35. Nd3 Qg7 36. Qxg7+ Rxg7 37. Nc5 Bc6 38. a4 Rg4 39. b5 axb5 40. axb5 Bxb5 41. Nxb7 d4 42. Re5 Rg5 43. Rxg5 hxg5 44. Nd6 Bd3 45. Nb7 Ke7 46. Nc5 Bc2 47. f3 Kd6 0-1
Rusudan Goletiani 2378 - Anna Zatonskih 2433
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. O-O e5 7. d4 e4 8. Ne5 Be7 9. Nc3 h6 10. f3 exf3 11. exf3 O-O 12. Be3 Na5 13. Qa4 a6 14. Rad1 b5 15. Qc2 Bb7 16. Qf2 Rc8 17. Bh3 Rc7 18. Rc1 Bd6 19. Bf5 Re8 20. Rfd1 Rce7 21. f4 Rc7 22. Bb1 Bc8 23. Ne2 Ng4 24. Qf3 Nc4 25. Bd2 Nf6 26. Be1 Nxb2 27. Ba5 Rxc1 28. Bxd8 Rxd1+ 29. Kg2 Rxd8 30. Bc2 Rd2 31. Bb3 Bxe5 32. fxe5 Bg4 33. Qc3 Rxe2+ 34. Kg1 Rc8 0-1
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Another big success of Levon Aronian
Armenian GM Levon Aronian won against tournament leader GM Peter Leko is the last round of Morelia/Linares to grab a clean first place. This is his 2nd great result after winning World Chess Cup in December. Francisco Vallejo Pons forced a draw against World Champion Veselin Topalov holding him off on the 2nd place tie.
Final standings:
1. Levon Aronian (ARM 2752) 8.5
2-3. Veselin Topalov (BUL 2801) and Teimour Radjabov (AZE 2700) 8.0
4. Peter Leko (HUN 2740) 7.5
5-6. Vassily Ivanchuk (UKR 2729) and Peter Svidler (RUS 2765) 6.5
7. Etienne Bacrot (FRA 2717) 6.0
8. Francisco Vallejo Pons (ESP 2650) 5.0
Peter Leko 2740 - Levon Aronian 2752
Morelia/Linares
Round 14
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d3 d6 10. a5 Be6 11. Nbd2 Qc8 12. Nc4 Rb8 13. Bg5 Kh8 14. h3 Ng8 15. c3 bxc3 16. bxc3 f5 17. Ba4 fxe4 18. Bxc6 exf3 19. Bxe7 Nxe7 20. Bxf3 Ng6 21. Bg4 Nf4 22. Ra2 Qb7 23. Bf3 Qb3 24. Rc2 Nxd3 25. Qxd3 Qxc4 26. Qxc4 Bxc4 27. Bc6 Rb3 28. g3 g5 29. Re3 Ra3 30. Be4 Rxa5 31. g4 Bd5 32. f3 Bxe4 33. fxe4 Ra1+ 34. Kg2 Rff1 35. Ree2 Rg1+ 36. Kh2 Rh1+ 37. Kg3 Rag1+ 38. Rg2 Re1 39. Rgf2 Re3+ 40. Kg2 Rexh3 0-1
Francisco Vallejo Pons 2650 - Veselin Topalov 2801
Morelia/Linares
Round 14
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Qb3 O-O 13. O-O Bxb5 14. Nxb5 Nc6 15. c4 Rad8 16. Qg3+ Kh8 17. Qh4 Kg7 18. Qg3+ Kh8 19. Qh4 Kg7 20. f4 Qd2 21. e5 fxe5 22. Qg5+ Kh8 23. Qf6+ Kg8 24. Qg5+ Kh8 25. Qf6+ Kg8 26. Rf3 Rd3 27. Qg5+ Kh8 28. Qf6+ Kg8 29. Qg5+ Kh8 30. Qf6+ Kg8 draw
Final standings:
1. Levon Aronian (ARM 2752) 8.5
2-3. Veselin Topalov (BUL 2801) and Teimour Radjabov (AZE 2700) 8.0
4. Peter Leko (HUN 2740) 7.5
5-6. Vassily Ivanchuk (UKR 2729) and Peter Svidler (RUS 2765) 6.5
7. Etienne Bacrot (FRA 2717) 6.0
8. Francisco Vallejo Pons (ESP 2650) 5.0
Peter Leko 2740 - Levon Aronian 2752
Morelia/Linares
Round 14
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d3 d6 10. a5 Be6 11. Nbd2 Qc8 12. Nc4 Rb8 13. Bg5 Kh8 14. h3 Ng8 15. c3 bxc3 16. bxc3 f5 17. Ba4 fxe4 18. Bxc6 exf3 19. Bxe7 Nxe7 20. Bxf3 Ng6 21. Bg4 Nf4 22. Ra2 Qb7 23. Bf3 Qb3 24. Rc2 Nxd3 25. Qxd3 Qxc4 26. Qxc4 Bxc4 27. Bc6 Rb3 28. g3 g5 29. Re3 Ra3 30. Be4 Rxa5 31. g4 Bd5 32. f3 Bxe4 33. fxe4 Ra1+ 34. Kg2 Rff1 35. Ree2 Rg1+ 36. Kh2 Rh1+ 37. Kg3 Rag1+ 38. Rg2 Re1 39. Rgf2 Re3+ 40. Kg2 Rexh3 0-1
Francisco Vallejo Pons 2650 - Veselin Topalov 2801
Morelia/Linares
Round 14
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Qb3 O-O 13. O-O Bxb5 14. Nxb5 Nc6 15. c4 Rad8 16. Qg3+ Kh8 17. Qh4 Kg7 18. Qg3+ Kh8 19. Qh4 Kg7 20. f4 Qd2 21. e5 fxe5 22. Qg5+ Kh8 23. Qf6+ Kg8 24. Qg5+ Kh8 25. Qf6+ Kg8 26. Rf3 Rd3 27. Qg5+ Kh8 28. Qf6+ Kg8 29. Qg5+ Kh8 30. Qf6+ Kg8 draw
Pennsylvania Championship
My friend Vladimir Stoicescu, who was promoting WorldChessNetwork during this event, sent me photos from K3 - Scholastic area of the tournament.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Four Aces on the Top
World Champion Veselin Topalov, Teimur Radjabov, Peter Leko and Levon Aronian are tied on the first place at the Morelia/Linares Super-Tournament. Another exciting event with many beautiful games and open cards till the very last move. Veselin Topalov beat Peter Leko in 13th round to catch up on the race.
Round 13 standings:
1-4. Veselin Topalov (2801), Teimour Radjabov (2700), Peter Leko (2740) and Levon Aronian (2752) 7.5/13 each
5-6. Vassily Ivanchuk (2729) and Peter Svidler (2765) 6
7. Etienne Bacrot (2717) 5.5
8. Francisco Vallejo Pons (2650) 4.5
Last round pairings:
Etienne Bacrot - Teimour Radjabov
Peter Svidler - Vassily Ivanchuk
Francisco Vallejo - Veselin Topalov
Peter Leko - Levon Aronian
Vassily Ivanchuk 2729 - Francisco Vallejo Pons 2650
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. a4 c6 8. e5 h6 9. exf6 hxg5 10. fxg7 Rg8 11. g3 Bb7 12. Bg2 c5 13. O-O g4 14. Nh4 Bxg2 15. Nxg2 Rxg7 16. axb5 cxd4 17. Ne4 f5 18. Nf4 Kf7 19. Rc1 fxe4 20. Rxc4 Bc5 21. Rxc5 Nd7 22. Rh5 Nf6 23. Re5 Qd6 24. Rxe6 1-0
Official site
Live Linares coverage with audio commentary
Round 13 standings:
1-4. Veselin Topalov (2801), Teimour Radjabov (2700), Peter Leko (2740) and Levon Aronian (2752) 7.5/13 each
5-6. Vassily Ivanchuk (2729) and Peter Svidler (2765) 6
7. Etienne Bacrot (2717) 5.5
8. Francisco Vallejo Pons (2650) 4.5
Last round pairings:
Etienne Bacrot - Teimour Radjabov
Peter Svidler - Vassily Ivanchuk
Francisco Vallejo - Veselin Topalov
Peter Leko - Levon Aronian
Vassily Ivanchuk 2729 - Francisco Vallejo Pons 2650
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. a4 c6 8. e5 h6 9. exf6 hxg5 10. fxg7 Rg8 11. g3 Bb7 12. Bg2 c5 13. O-O g4 14. Nh4 Bxg2 15. Nxg2 Rxg7 16. axb5 cxd4 17. Ne4 f5 18. Nf4 Kf7 19. Rc1 fxe4 20. Rxc4 Bc5 21. Rxc5 Nd7 22. Rh5 Nf6 23. Re5 Qd6 24. Rxe6 1-0
Official site
Live Linares coverage with audio commentary
Thursday, March 09, 2006
22nd Reykjavik Open
This tournament will be held from March 6th - March 14th in Reykjavik Chess Center. There are 99 participants including some of the World famous Grandmasters - Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Magnus Carlsen, Jan Timman, Ivan Sokolov, Emil Sutovsky...
Serbia & Montenegro's GM Ivan Ivanisevic and GM Milos Pavlovic are also playing.
List of participants
Official website
GM Throstur Thorhallsson 2455 - GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2709
Round 2
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Bc4 Nb6 5.Bb3 dxe5 6.Qh5 e6 7.dxe5 c5 8.c3 Nc6 9.Qe2 g5 10.Bc2 Bd7 11.Nd2 Be7 12.Ne4 Nd5 13.Nh3 h6 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.exd6 Qb8 16.f4 Qxd6 17.fxg5 hxg5 18.Bxg5 f6 19.Bd2 O-O-O 20.O-O-O Rdg8 21.Kb1 Be8 22.Rde1 Bg6 23.Bxg6 Rxg6 24.Rhf1 e5 25.Bc1 Qe6 26.Rd1 Nce7 27.Ka1 Qg4 28.Qb5 b6 29.Nf2 Qxg2 30.c4 Nb4 31.Qd7+ Kb8 32.Qxe7 Nc2+ 33.Kb1 Nd4 34.Be3 Ka8 35.Bxd4 cxd4 36.Nd3 Qb7 37.Qe6 Qc8 38.Qd5+ Qb7 39.Qe6 Qc8 40.Qe7 1-0
Speaking of Iceland, their new resident Robert James Fischer is turning 63 today. Happy birthday Bobby!
Serbia & Montenegro's GM Ivan Ivanisevic and GM Milos Pavlovic are also playing.
List of participants
Official website
GM Throstur Thorhallsson 2455 - GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 2709
Round 2
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Bc4 Nb6 5.Bb3 dxe5 6.Qh5 e6 7.dxe5 c5 8.c3 Nc6 9.Qe2 g5 10.Bc2 Bd7 11.Nd2 Be7 12.Ne4 Nd5 13.Nh3 h6 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.exd6 Qb8 16.f4 Qxd6 17.fxg5 hxg5 18.Bxg5 f6 19.Bd2 O-O-O 20.O-O-O Rdg8 21.Kb1 Be8 22.Rde1 Bg6 23.Bxg6 Rxg6 24.Rhf1 e5 25.Bc1 Qe6 26.Rd1 Nce7 27.Ka1 Qg4 28.Qb5 b6 29.Nf2 Qxg2 30.c4 Nb4 31.Qd7+ Kb8 32.Qxe7 Nc2+ 33.Kb1 Nd4 34.Be3 Ka8 35.Bxd4 cxd4 36.Nd3 Qb7 37.Qe6 Qc8 38.Qd5+ Qb7 39.Qe6 Qc8 40.Qe7 1-0
Speaking of Iceland, their new resident Robert James Fischer is turning 63 today. Happy birthday Bobby!
IX Torneio Internacional Recreio da Juventude
This nice little rapid tournament was held on the weekend 4-5th March in Caxias do Sul, Brasil. The reason I'm posting about this event is 2nd tour of my good friend FM Dragan Stamenkovic to Brasil. Not so many Europeans are playing there, so he was real atraction for the local media. Legendary GM Henrique Costa Mecking was also playing.
Final standings:
1. GM Andrés Rodrigues (2515) 7/7
2. GM Henrique Costa Mecking (2560) 6.5/7
3-6. FM Dragan Stamenkovic (2334), Allan de Arriada Gattass (2197), Vitório Chemin (2294) and Daniel Izquierdo (2297) 6/7
There were 171 participants. See the entire crosstable.
Final standings:
1. GM Andrés Rodrigues (2515) 7/7
2. GM Henrique Costa Mecking (2560) 6.5/7
3-6. FM Dragan Stamenkovic (2334), Allan de Arriada Gattass (2197), Vitório Chemin (2294) and Daniel Izquierdo (2297) 6/7
There were 171 participants. See the entire crosstable.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Not to be forgotten
Larry Evans: Do you know of any other critics of FIDE who have been punished or attacked apart from yourself and Parr?
Ricardo Calvo: Yes. During the Moscow title match Ratko Knezevic was punished because he published an interview with Kasparov in Belgrade that was very damaging to the FIDE leadership. They denied him a visa at the critical moment when he had to stay in Moscow. Ratko said that Campomanes was the hand behind the scene. And David Goodman of the AP has spoken ot direct threats by Campomanes. That in the Philippines they know what to do with journalists like him. It reflects very well to the reader the mentality of these FIDE people.
GM Larry Evans, in his Monday column, reminded us of elections for FIDE Presidency back in 1986 and ruthless censure of Dr.Ricardo Calvo in 1987.
Boris Kreiman
Last round game at the 41st Annual American Open 2005. This win allowed Boris to finish 4th on tiebreak and qualify for the US Championship.
Ricardo De Guzman 2458 - Boris Kreiman 2542
1. d4 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. Nbd2 c6 7. c3 Na6 8. e3 Bf5 9. Re1 Qc8 10. Qe2 Re8 11. Nb3 Bg4 12. Bd2 Ne4 13. Rec1 Qf5 14. h3 Bxh3 15. Bxh3 Qxh3 16. Qf1 Qf5 17. Kg2 Bf6 18. Qh1 h5 19. Be1 c5 20. Qh3 Qxh3+ 21. Kxh3 c4 22. Nbd2 Nd6 23. b3 b5 24. Kg2 Nc7 25. bxc4 bxc4 26. Kf1 e6 27. Rab1 Rab8 28. Ng1 g5 29. f3 g4 30. f4 Be7 31. Ne2 Kg7 32. Rxb8 Rxb8 0-1
Comments by Clint Ballard can be read here. Related item, others that were at http://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/archives/cheating_heart_attack.htm, http://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/archives/64_chosen_ones.htm and http://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/archives/2006_us_ch_rules.htm are deleted.
Ricardo De Guzman 2458 - Boris Kreiman 2542
1. d4 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. Nbd2 c6 7. c3 Na6 8. e3 Bf5 9. Re1 Qc8 10. Qe2 Re8 11. Nb3 Bg4 12. Bd2 Ne4 13. Rec1 Qf5 14. h3 Bxh3 15. Bxh3 Qxh3 16. Qf1 Qf5 17. Kg2 Bf6 18. Qh1 h5 19. Be1 c5 20. Qh3 Qxh3+ 21. Kxh3 c4 22. Nbd2 Nd6 23. b3 b5 24. Kg2 Nc7 25. bxc4 bxc4 26. Kf1 e6 27. Rab1 Rab8 28. Ng1 g5 29. f3 g4 30. f4 Be7 31. Ne2 Kg7 32. Rxb8 Rxb8 0-1
Comments by Clint Ballard can be read here. Related item, others that were at http://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/archives/cheating_heart_attack.htm, http://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/archives/64_chosen_ones.htm and http://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/archives/2006_us_ch_rules.htm are deleted.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
SCG Championship - Round 8
FM Borko Lajthajm is firmly holding the lead with 6 points. GM Miodrag R.Savic catches GM Milos Perunovic on 2nd place after having 3 consecutive wins.
Standings after round 8:
1. FM Borko Lajthajm (2464) 6
2-3. GM Milos Perunovic (2508) and GM Miodrag R.Savic (2517) 5.5
4-6. GM Dejan Pikula (2530), GM Branko Damljanovic (2615) and GM Bosko Abramovic (2607) 5
7. GM Aleksandar Kovacevic (2535) 4.5
8. GM Bojan Vuckovic (2506) 4
9. GM Igor MIladinovic (2607) 3.5
10. IM Branko Tadic (2491) 3
11-12. GM Nikola Djukic (2523) and IM Djordjije Kontic (2355) 2.5
13-14. GM Dejan Antic (2505) and Marko Krivokapic (2352) 2
Branko Damljanovic launched nice attack after Dejan Antic's passive play.
GM Dejan Antic 2505 - GM Branko Damljanovic 2615
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Na6 8. Be3 c6 9. d5 Ng4 10. Bg5 f6 11. Bh4 c5 12. Ne1 Nh6 13. a3 Qe7 14. f3 Nf7 15. Nd3 Bh6 16. b4 Bd7 17. Kh1 Be3 18. Rb1 b6 19. Qe1 g5 20. Bg3 Rac8 21. Nb5 cxb4 22. axb4 Bxb5 23. cxb5 Nc7 24. Nb2 Bd4 25. Bd3 f5 26. Qe2 f4 27. Bf2 Bxf2 28. Qxf2 Qd7 29. Qe2 Ne8 30. Rfc1 Rxc1+ 31. Rxc1 Nf6 32. Nd1 g4 33. Qc2 Ng5 34. Be2 Qg7 35. Qd3 Qh6 36. Bf1 Qh5 37. Rc3 Kh8 38. Qe2 Qh4 39. Qf2 g3 40. Qg1 Nfxe4
41. fxe4 Nxe4 42. Rf3 Nd2 43. h3 Nxf3 44. gxf3 Rc8 45. Qg2 Qh5 46. Qe2 Rc1 47. Kg1 Qg6 48. Qd2 Qc2 49. Qxc2 Rxc2 0-1
Pay attention to the endgame execution by Bosko Abramovic
GM Bosko Abramovic 2507 - GM Nikola Djukic 2523
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. O-O dxc4 7. Na3 c3 8. bxc3 c5 9. e3 Nc6 10. Qe2 Qa5 11. Bb2 Bf5 12. Nd2 Bg4 13. f3 Be6 14. Rfc1 Qa4 15. Nb5 Ne8 16. f4 Rd8 17. Na3 cxd4 18. Bxc6 bxc6 19. cxd4 Rb8 20. Nb3 Bxb3 21. axb3 Qxb3 22. Nc4 Nd6 23. Ba3 Nf5 24. Bc5 h5 25. Kf2 Qb7 26. Rxa7 Qc8 27. Qa2 Qe6 28. Ne5 Rb3 29. Ra3 Rxa3 30. Qxe6 fxe6 31. Bxa3 Ra8 32. Rc3 Bxe5 33. dxe5 Kf7 34. Kf3 Ra6 35. Bc5 Ra2 36. e4 Nh6 37. h3 Ke8 38. Rb3 Rc2 39. Rb8+ Kf7 40. Be3 Ng8 41. g4 hxg4+ 42. hxg4 c5 43. Rc8 c4 44. Rc6 Rc3 45. f5 gxf5 46. gxf5 exf5 47. exf5 Rb3 48. Ke4 Kg7 49. Rxc4 Nh6 50. Bxh6+ Kxh6 51. Rc6+ Kg7 52. Rc7 Kf8 53. Kf4 Rb1 54. Ke4 Rb6 55. Kd5 e6+ 56. Kc5 Rb1 57. f6 Rd1 58. Kb6 Rd5 59. Rc5 Rd1 60. Rc8+ Kf7 61. Rc7+ Kg6 62. Rg7+ 1-0
Official website
Standings after round 8:
1. FM Borko Lajthajm (2464) 6
2-3. GM Milos Perunovic (2508) and GM Miodrag R.Savic (2517) 5.5
4-6. GM Dejan Pikula (2530), GM Branko Damljanovic (2615) and GM Bosko Abramovic (2607) 5
7. GM Aleksandar Kovacevic (2535) 4.5
8. GM Bojan Vuckovic (2506) 4
9. GM Igor MIladinovic (2607) 3.5
10. IM Branko Tadic (2491) 3
11-12. GM Nikola Djukic (2523) and IM Djordjije Kontic (2355) 2.5
13-14. GM Dejan Antic (2505) and Marko Krivokapic (2352) 2
Branko Damljanovic launched nice attack after Dejan Antic's passive play.
GM Dejan Antic 2505 - GM Branko Damljanovic 2615
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Na6 8. Be3 c6 9. d5 Ng4 10. Bg5 f6 11. Bh4 c5 12. Ne1 Nh6 13. a3 Qe7 14. f3 Nf7 15. Nd3 Bh6 16. b4 Bd7 17. Kh1 Be3 18. Rb1 b6 19. Qe1 g5 20. Bg3 Rac8 21. Nb5 cxb4 22. axb4 Bxb5 23. cxb5 Nc7 24. Nb2 Bd4 25. Bd3 f5 26. Qe2 f4 27. Bf2 Bxf2 28. Qxf2 Qd7 29. Qe2 Ne8 30. Rfc1 Rxc1+ 31. Rxc1 Nf6 32. Nd1 g4 33. Qc2 Ng5 34. Be2 Qg7 35. Qd3 Qh6 36. Bf1 Qh5 37. Rc3 Kh8 38. Qe2 Qh4 39. Qf2 g3 40. Qg1 Nfxe4
41. fxe4 Nxe4 42. Rf3 Nd2 43. h3 Nxf3 44. gxf3 Rc8 45. Qg2 Qh5 46. Qe2 Rc1 47. Kg1 Qg6 48. Qd2 Qc2 49. Qxc2 Rxc2 0-1
Pay attention to the endgame execution by Bosko Abramovic
GM Bosko Abramovic 2507 - GM Nikola Djukic 2523
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. O-O dxc4 7. Na3 c3 8. bxc3 c5 9. e3 Nc6 10. Qe2 Qa5 11. Bb2 Bf5 12. Nd2 Bg4 13. f3 Be6 14. Rfc1 Qa4 15. Nb5 Ne8 16. f4 Rd8 17. Na3 cxd4 18. Bxc6 bxc6 19. cxd4 Rb8 20. Nb3 Bxb3 21. axb3 Qxb3 22. Nc4 Nd6 23. Ba3 Nf5 24. Bc5 h5 25. Kf2 Qb7 26. Rxa7 Qc8 27. Qa2 Qe6 28. Ne5 Rb3 29. Ra3 Rxa3 30. Qxe6 fxe6 31. Bxa3 Ra8 32. Rc3 Bxe5 33. dxe5 Kf7 34. Kf3 Ra6 35. Bc5 Ra2 36. e4 Nh6 37. h3 Ke8 38. Rb3 Rc2 39. Rb8+ Kf7 40. Be3 Ng8 41. g4 hxg4+ 42. hxg4 c5 43. Rc8 c4 44. Rc6 Rc3 45. f5 gxf5 46. gxf5 exf5 47. exf5 Rb3 48. Ke4 Kg7 49. Rxc4 Nh6 50. Bxh6+ Kxh6 51. Rc6+ Kg7 52. Rc7 Kf8 53. Kf4 Rb1 54. Ke4 Rb6 55. Kd5 e6+ 56. Kc5 Rb1 57. f6 Rd1 58. Kb6 Rd5 59. Rc5 Rd1 60. Rc8+ Kf7 61. Rc7+ Kg6 62. Rg7+ 1-0
Official website
Monday, March 06, 2006
Storming The Barricades!
GM Larry Christiansen played brilliant game in round 3 of US Chess Championship. His well known crushing style. Also worth of mention is Hikaru Nakamura loss to WGM Camilla Baginskaite (2365).
GM Larry Christiansen 2546 - GM Alexander Wojtkiewicz 2554
US Championship
Round 3
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 b5 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. Bg5 Nbd7 10. O-O-O Be7 11. e5!
This move is novelty. White is starting the fight before Black completes development.
11...Bb7 12. Qg3 Nxe5
12... b4 13. exf6 gxf6 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. Bxd5 exd5 16. Bf4; 12... dxe5 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Nxe6 Qc6 15. Nxg7+ Kf7 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nf5 (17. Ne4 Bxg7 18. Nd6+ Kf8 19. Qb3)
13. Bxe6!
13...fxe6 14. f4 Ng6
14... Nc4 15. Nxe6 Qa5 16. Nxg7+ (16. Rhe1 Qb4) 16... Kf7 17. Rde1 Qb4 (17... Bd8) 18. Rxe7+ Kxe7 19. Bxf6+ Kxf6 20. Nh5+ Ke6 21. Qg4+ Ke7 22. Qg7+
15. Nxe6 Qd7 16. Rhe1 Kf7
A mistake. Only move was 16... b4 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Nd5. Now White wins in couple of moves.
17. f5! Nf8 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Rxd6 Qc8 20. Ng5+ Kg8 21. Rxf6 gxf6 22. Nge4+ Ng6 23. fxg6 1-0
GM Larry Christiansen 2546 - GM Alexander Wojtkiewicz 2554
US Championship
Round 3
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 b5 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. Bg5 Nbd7 10. O-O-O Be7 11. e5!
This move is novelty. White is starting the fight before Black completes development.
11...Bb7 12. Qg3 Nxe5
12... b4 13. exf6 gxf6 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. Bxd5 exd5 16. Bf4; 12... dxe5 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Nxe6 Qc6 15. Nxg7+ Kf7 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nf5 (17. Ne4 Bxg7 18. Nd6+ Kf8 19. Qb3)
13. Bxe6!
13...fxe6 14. f4 Ng6
14... Nc4 15. Nxe6 Qa5 16. Nxg7+ (16. Rhe1 Qb4) 16... Kf7 17. Rde1 Qb4 (17... Bd8) 18. Rxe7+ Kxe7 19. Bxf6+ Kxf6 20. Nh5+ Ke6 21. Qg4+ Ke7 22. Qg7+
15. Nxe6 Qd7 16. Rhe1 Kf7
A mistake. Only move was 16... b4 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Nd5. Now White wins in couple of moves.
17. f5! Nf8 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Rxd6 Qc8 20. Ng5+ Kg8 21. Rxf6 gxf6 22. Nge4+ Ng6 23. fxg6 1-0
Saturday, March 04, 2006
US Chess Championship
I'm glad GM Walter Browne is back. He played good game against Gata Kamsky in round one of US chess championship, although he lost. GM Maxim Dlugy is also playing.
Last year champion Hikaru Nakamura lost to IM Josh Friedel in round one and then barely pulled a draw against Jake Kleiman (2279).
Mig is in bragging mode over there at ChessNinja. I'm sure people will run to buy his newsletters.
Jake Kleiman 2279 - Hikaru Nakamura 2644
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Bg7 5. c4 Nc6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Ng4 8. Qxg4 Nxd4 9. Qd1 Ne6 10. Qd2 Qa5 11. Rc1 g5 12. Be2 b6 13. Qd5 Rb8 14. Qxa5 bxa5 15. b3 Bb7 16. f3 Ra8 17. h4 h6 18. Nd5 Rg8 19. hxg5 hxg5 20. Kf2 d6 21. g3 Kf8 22. Rcd1 Bb2 23. Bf1 Bc6 24. Bh3 Bd7 25. Nc7 Nxc7 26. Bxd7 Na6 27. Bc6 Rd8 28. Bb5 Nc7 29. Bc6 Ba3 30. Bxa7 Ne6 31. Rd5 Nc5 32. Bb6 Rc8 33. Bb5 Bb4 34. Ke3 Rb8 35. Bxc5 Bxc5+ draw
Abrahamyan 2254 - Browne 2434
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Bg5 12. Nc2 Rb8 13. Be2 a5 14. a3 O-O 15. O-O Ne7 16. Nce3 Bxe3 17. Nxe3 Bb7 18. Qd3 Qc7 19. Rfd1 Rfd8 20. Bf3 Bc6 21. b4 Qb7 22. c4 axb4 23. axb4 bxc4 24. Nxc4 Qxb4 25. Rab1 Qc5 26. Rxb8 Rxb8 27. Qxd6 Qxd6 28. Rxd6 Rb1+ 29. Rd1 Rxd1+ 30. Bxd1 Bxe4 31. Nxe5 draw
There is a plenty of coverage for this event:
Official site
TWIC
Live Audio Broadcast
Last year champion Hikaru Nakamura lost to IM Josh Friedel in round one and then barely pulled a draw against Jake Kleiman (2279).
Mig is in bragging mode over there at ChessNinja. I'm sure people will run to buy his newsletters.
Jake Kleiman 2279 - Hikaru Nakamura 2644
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Bg7 5. c4 Nc6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Ng4 8. Qxg4 Nxd4 9. Qd1 Ne6 10. Qd2 Qa5 11. Rc1 g5 12. Be2 b6 13. Qd5 Rb8 14. Qxa5 bxa5 15. b3 Bb7 16. f3 Ra8 17. h4 h6 18. Nd5 Rg8 19. hxg5 hxg5 20. Kf2 d6 21. g3 Kf8 22. Rcd1 Bb2 23. Bf1 Bc6 24. Bh3 Bd7 25. Nc7 Nxc7 26. Bxd7 Na6 27. Bc6 Rd8 28. Bb5 Nc7 29. Bc6 Ba3 30. Bxa7 Ne6 31. Rd5 Nc5 32. Bb6 Rc8 33. Bb5 Bb4 34. Ke3 Rb8 35. Bxc5 Bxc5+ draw
Abrahamyan 2254 - Browne 2434
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Bg5 12. Nc2 Rb8 13. Be2 a5 14. a3 O-O 15. O-O Ne7 16. Nce3 Bxe3 17. Nxe3 Bb7 18. Qd3 Qc7 19. Rfd1 Rfd8 20. Bf3 Bc6 21. b4 Qb7 22. c4 axb4 23. axb4 bxc4 24. Nxc4 Qxb4 25. Rab1 Qc5 26. Rxb8 Rxb8 27. Qxd6 Qxd6 28. Rxd6 Rb1+ 29. Rd1 Rxd1+ 30. Bxd1 Bxe4 31. Nxe5 draw
There is a plenty of coverage for this event:
Official site
TWIC
Live Audio Broadcast
Friday, March 03, 2006
Ghost Tourney in Hungary - Frauds Busted
Mr. Goran Tomic published interesting information about the false tourney investigation results. It all started when IM Miroslav Shvarts informed German Chess Federation about his third GM norm achieved in double round robin tourney in Kali Cup GM 2004, which was supposedly played in Mindzentkalla, Hungary.
German chess federation official Mr. Christian Krause found this suspicious and asked Hungray Chess Federation (HCF) for more information about this event. HCF started proper investigation and afterwards sent report to FIDE Ethics Commission:
"Tournament named Kali Cup GM 2004 is complete deception. Such event was never held. HCF Disciplinary Commission decided to punish participants.
- Organizer IM Lajos Istvandi is suspended from all chess activities for the next two years.
- IA Gyorgy Fazekas, who wrote rating reports on the organizers request, is suspended for 18 months.
After receiving this report, FIDE Ethics Commission has suspended other players who have "participated" in this event:
- IM Vadim Eschenko (Ukraine), IM Timofey Galinsky (Ukraine), GM Mato Damjanovic (Croatia, 80 years old!) and GM Attila Czebe (Hungary) for one year starting from March 1st, 2006.
- IM Miroslav Shvarts is suspended for 30 months starting of March 1st.
- GM Juraj Nikolac (Croatia) is free of charge as he always claimed that he never played in this tournament. This has probably helped the investigation.
If you look at FIDE website, Shvarts is already removed from rating list. Certainly good news for chess world which is sick and tired of things like that. Hopefully, this will encourage other people to report similar attempts. We still have "Alushta" case unresolved. There is also "Kreiman" case in US. And I know that some of SCG titled players have bought their norms in fixed tournaments in Russia, Ukraine and Hungary. But it's not my job to investigate that.
German chess federation official Mr. Christian Krause found this suspicious and asked Hungray Chess Federation (HCF) for more information about this event. HCF started proper investigation and afterwards sent report to FIDE Ethics Commission:
"Tournament named Kali Cup GM 2004 is complete deception. Such event was never held. HCF Disciplinary Commission decided to punish participants.
- Organizer IM Lajos Istvandi is suspended from all chess activities for the next two years.
- IA Gyorgy Fazekas, who wrote rating reports on the organizers request, is suspended for 18 months.
After receiving this report, FIDE Ethics Commission has suspended other players who have "participated" in this event:
- IM Vadim Eschenko (Ukraine), IM Timofey Galinsky (Ukraine), GM Mato Damjanovic (Croatia, 80 years old!) and GM Attila Czebe (Hungary) for one year starting from March 1st, 2006.
- IM Miroslav Shvarts is suspended for 30 months starting of March 1st.
- GM Juraj Nikolac (Croatia) is free of charge as he always claimed that he never played in this tournament. This has probably helped the investigation.
If you look at FIDE website, Shvarts is already removed from rating list. Certainly good news for chess world which is sick and tired of things like that. Hopefully, this will encourage other people to report similar attempts. We still have "Alushta" case unresolved. There is also "Kreiman" case in US. And I know that some of SCG titled players have bought their norms in fixed tournaments in Russia, Ukraine and Hungary. But it's not my job to investigate that.
3rd GM Scalp!
FM Borko Lajthajm (2464) has won against another Grandmaster in 4th round of SCG chess championship! This time his victim was GM Nikola Djukic (2523).
Borko is current leader with 3.5 points, with GM Milos Perunovic on 2nd place with 3 points.
Official website
FM Borko Lajthajm - GM Nikola Djukic
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. Bf4 c5 4. f3 Nf6 5. dxc5 e5 6. Bxe5 Bxc5 7. Bd4 Qb6 8. Bxc5 Qxc5 9. Qd2 O-O 10. Nc3 d5 11. e3 Nc6 12. O-O-O Re8 13. Nge2 Rxe3 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Qxd5 Qe7 16. Qd6 Qe8 17. Nc3 Bf5 18. Bb5 Rc8 19. Bxc6 Rxc6 20. Qd8 h6 21. a3 Kh7 22. Qxe8 Rxe8 23. Rhe1 Be6 24. Nb5 Rc5 25. Nd4 Bd7 26. Rxe8 Bxe8 27. g3 Rc7 28. Re1 Rc8 29. Re7 Rb8 30. Kd2 Kg6 31. c4 Kf6 32. Re2 a5 33. Kc3 Bd7 34. b4 axb4+ 35. axb4 Ra8 36. c5 Ra3+ 37. Kc4 Bh3 38. Rd2 Bf1+ 39. Kd5 Ra8 40. Kd6 Rc8 41. Kd7 Ra8 42. Kc7 Ra4 43. Nc2 Ba6 44. Kb6 Ra2 45. b5 Rb2 46. Rd6+ Ke5 47. f4+ Kf5 48. Nd4+ Ke4 49. Ka5 Ra2+ 50. Kb4 Bxb5 51. Nxb5 Rxh2 52. Rd7 Kf3 53. Rxb7 1-0
Borko is current leader with 3.5 points, with GM Milos Perunovic on 2nd place with 3 points.
Official website
FM Borko Lajthajm - GM Nikola Djukic
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. Bf4 c5 4. f3 Nf6 5. dxc5 e5 6. Bxe5 Bxc5 7. Bd4 Qb6 8. Bxc5 Qxc5 9. Qd2 O-O 10. Nc3 d5 11. e3 Nc6 12. O-O-O Re8 13. Nge2 Rxe3 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Qxd5 Qe7 16. Qd6 Qe8 17. Nc3 Bf5 18. Bb5 Rc8 19. Bxc6 Rxc6 20. Qd8 h6 21. a3 Kh7 22. Qxe8 Rxe8 23. Rhe1 Be6 24. Nb5 Rc5 25. Nd4 Bd7 26. Rxe8 Bxe8 27. g3 Rc7 28. Re1 Rc8 29. Re7 Rb8 30. Kd2 Kg6 31. c4 Kf6 32. Re2 a5 33. Kc3 Bd7 34. b4 axb4+ 35. axb4 Ra8 36. c5 Ra3+ 37. Kc4 Bh3 38. Rd2 Bf1+ 39. Kd5 Ra8 40. Kd6 Rc8 41. Kd7 Ra8 42. Kc7 Ra4 43. Nc2 Ba6 44. Kb6 Ra2 45. b5 Rb2 46. Rd6+ Ke5 47. f4+ Kf5 48. Nd4+ Ke4 49. Ka5 Ra2+ 50. Kb4 Bxb5 51. Nxb5 Rxh2 52. Rd7 Kf3 53. Rxb7 1-0
Thursday, March 02, 2006
US Chess Championship Coverage
Since all possible news sites and blogs are mentioning only ICC and PlayChess coverage, I decided to post WorldChessNetwork schedule for the broadcast with audio commentary.
Some of WCN best commentators, GM Larry Christiansen, IM Irina Krush and WGM Anna Zatonskih, will participate in US championship. So the choice for Julie Trottier, our Director of Events, will be somehow limited. Other WCN site pros, like GM Gata Kamsky and GM Boris Gulko, will be also playing in San Diego.
Thursday, March 2nd
16:00 EST - Live US championship broadcast with audio comments of FM Dragan Drasko
Friday, March 3rd
9:30 EST - Live Linares coverage with audio comments of GM Alex Finkel
16:00 EST - Live US championship coverage with audio comments of FM Dragan Drasko
Saturday, March 4th
9:30 EST - Live Linares coverage with audio comments of GM Victor Mikhalevski
Sunday, March 5th
9:30 EST - Live Linares coverage with audio comments by GM Victor Mikhalevski
16:00 EST - Live US championship coverage with audio comments of GM Alex Finkel
Friday, March 3rd, will be "Gold for a Day" when all members will have full access to all events.
Some of WCN best commentators, GM Larry Christiansen, IM Irina Krush and WGM Anna Zatonskih, will participate in US championship. So the choice for Julie Trottier, our Director of Events, will be somehow limited. Other WCN site pros, like GM Gata Kamsky and GM Boris Gulko, will be also playing in San Diego.
Thursday, March 2nd
16:00 EST - Live US championship broadcast with audio comments of FM Dragan Drasko
Friday, March 3rd
9:30 EST - Live Linares coverage with audio comments of GM Alex Finkel
16:00 EST - Live US championship coverage with audio comments of FM Dragan Drasko
Saturday, March 4th
9:30 EST - Live Linares coverage with audio comments of GM Victor Mikhalevski
Sunday, March 5th
9:30 EST - Live Linares coverage with audio comments by GM Victor Mikhalevski
16:00 EST - Live US championship coverage with audio comments of GM Alex Finkel
Friday, March 3rd, will be "Gold for a Day" when all members will have full access to all events.
SCG Women Championship
Individual SCG Women Championship was held on February 21st to March 1st in seaside place Tivat. WGM Irina Chelushkina (2312) and WGM Suzana Maksimovic (2276) have tied for the first place and they will play additional 4 game match for the title.
Irina Chelushkina also played additional match last year and lost to WIM Marija Petrovic.
Final standings:
1-2. WGM Irina Chelushkina (2312) and WGM Suzana Maksimovic (2276) 7/9
3. WFM Andjelija Stojanovic (2193) 6
4. WGM Ana Benderac (2302) 5.5
5. Sandra Djukic (2152) 4.5
6-7. Jovana Vojinovic (2035) and WIM Marija Petrovic (2246) 3.5
8-9. FM Ljilja Drljevic (2213) and Marija Rakic (2130) 3
10. Svetlana Bulajic 2
Official site
Irina Chelushkina also played additional match last year and lost to WIM Marija Petrovic.
Final standings:
1-2. WGM Irina Chelushkina (2312) and WGM Suzana Maksimovic (2276) 7/9
3. WFM Andjelija Stojanovic (2193) 6
4. WGM Ana Benderac (2302) 5.5
5. Sandra Djukic (2152) 4.5
6-7. Jovana Vojinovic (2035) and WIM Marija Petrovic (2246) 3.5
8-9. FM Ljilja Drljevic (2213) and Marija Rakic (2130) 3
10. Svetlana Bulajic 2
Official site
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
SCG Chess Championship - Round 2
FM Borko Lajthajm (2464) is leading after winning against two strong GMs (Dejan Antic and Branko Damljanovic). Today he is playing with Black pieces against GM Aleksandar Kovacevic (2535).
FM Borko Lajthajm
Standings after round 2:
1. FM Borko Lajthajm (2464) with 2 points
2-4. GM Aleksandar Kovacevic (2535), GM Bojan Vuckovic (2506) and IM Branko Tadic (2491) 1.5
5-9. Marko Krivokapic (2352), GM Dejan Pikula (2530), GM Nikola Djukic (2523), GM Milos Perunovic (2508) and GM Bosko Abramovic (2507) 1
10-14. GM Dejan Antic (2505), GM Miodrag R.Savic (2517), GM Branko Damljanovic (2615), IM Djordjije Kontic (2355) and GM Igor MIladinovic (2607) 0.5
GM Bojan Vuckovic 2506 - GM Igor Miladinovic 2607
2nd SCG individual championship
Round 1
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qc7 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8. O-O-O Bb4 9. f3 b5 10. Bf4 Ne5 11. Kb1!
An excellent novelty! This profilactic move is usefull in most of sicilian lines. White now has direct threat of Ncb5 (Bd2 is not check). 11.Nc6 was tested in Vallejo Pons-Miladinovic 2001.
11...Be7 12. Ndxb5!
Nb5 anyway! For two Knights, White will get exchange, two pawns and huge initiative in return. (12. Bxe5 Qxe5 13. f4 Qc7 14. e5 b4 15. Nce2 Ne4 16. Qe3 Bb7)
12... axb5 13. Nxb5 Qb8 14. Qc3 d6 15. Bxe5 dxe5 16. Nc7+ Kf8 17. Nxa8 Qxa8 18. Qxe5
This was all forced after Nb5. Black has problem with pieces development and coordination. In addition, there is always possibility of pawns advance after potential Q's trade. White is clearly better.
18... h5 19. Bb5!
Good move. Connecting rooks while having eye on d7 square.
19... Qb7 20. Rd3 h4 21. Rhd1 Kg8
(21... Rh5 22. Rd8+ Bxd8 23. Rxd8+ Ne8 24. Rxe8#)
22. a4 (22. Rc3 Rh5 23. Qc7) (22. Rd8+ Bxd8 23. Rxd8+ Kh7)
22... Rh5 23. Qd4 e5 24. Qc3 Be6 25. Bc4 Qa7 26. Bxe6 fxe6 27. Qc6!
Final attack is starting
27... Kf7 28. Rb3 Rg5 29. Rb7 Qf2 30. Rxe7+ Kxe7 31. Qc7+ Kf8 32. Rd8+ Ne8 33. Qc6 1-0
GM Bojan Vuckovic
FM Borko Lajthajm 2464 - GM Branko Damljanovic 2615
Round 2
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Be3 Nbd7 7. Nf3 a6 8. Be2 c6 9. O-O b5 10. e5 Ne8 11. Bf4 bxc4 12. Bxc4 Nb6 13. Bb3 a5 14. Re1 d5 15. Na4 Nxa4 16. Bxa4 Ra6 17. Rc1 Bb7 18. Qb3 Ba8 19. Qd3 Bb7 20. Rc3 Nc7 21. Rec1 Ne6 22. Be3 Qd7 23. Ng5 Nxg5 24. Bxg5 Rc8 25. Rc5 f6 26. exf6 exf6 27. Bd2 Qd8 28. Qb3 Ba8 29. Qxd5+ Qxd5 30. Rxd5 f5 31. Bb3 Kh8 32. Rxa5 Rxa5 33. Bxa5 Bxd4 34. Bc3 Bxc3 35. Rxc3 Kg7 36. Ba4 Kf6 37. b4 Ke5 38. f3 Kd4 39. Rc1 Bb7 40. h4 f4 41. Rc5 Rc7 42. Kh2 Ke3 43. Rc4 Kd3 44. Rxf4 Kc3 45. b5 c5 46. b6 Rc8 47. Rf7 Rb8 48. Rxh7 Ba6 49. Rc7 c4 50. Rc6 Kb4 51. Bc2 Bb7 52. Rxg6 Rd8 53. Rg7 Bd5 54. Be4 1-0
GM Bosko Abramovic 2507 - GM Miodrag R.Savic 2517
Round 2
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 a6 8. e4 Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 e5 11. d5 Nd4 12. Bg2 c5 13. dxc6 bxc6 14. b4 Nd7 15. Be3 Nb6 16. Qd3 Qd7 17. Rfd1 Qe6 18. Bf1 Rfd8 19. Rac1 a5 20. b5 Nd7 21. Bg2 Nc5 22. Qf1 cxb5 23. cxb5 Rab8 24. Rb1 Rdc8 25. Nd5 Kh8 26. b6 Qd7 27. h4 f5 28. exf5 gxf5 29. Rdc1 Qf7 30. Bxd4 exd4 31. Qb5 f4 32. Nxf4 Bh6 33. Qc4 Qg7 34. Ne6 Qf6 35. Ng5 Rf8 36. f4 Bg7 37. Kh2 d3 38. Rd1 h6 39. Ne4 Nxe4 40. Qxe4 d5 41. Qxd5 Rxb6 42. Rxb6 Qxb6 43. Rxd3 Qb4 44. Rb3 Qe1 45. Qd6 Qf2 46. a3 Qd4 47. Qc7 Qd8 48. Rb7 Qxc7 49. Rxc7 Bd4 50. Rd7 Bc5 51. a4 Rf6 52. Rc7 Bb4 53. Be4 Kg8 54. Kg2 Rd6 55. Kf3 Rd1 56. Rc6 h5 57. Bg6 Rf1+ 58. Kg2 Ra1 59. Bxh5 Rxa4 60. Rc8+ Kg7 61. Rc7+ Kf8 62. Bg6 Ra2+ 63. Rc2 Ra3 64. Re2 a4 65. h5 Kg7 66. Be8 Bc3 67. g4 Ra1 68. Bd7 a3 69. Be6 Kh6 70. Rc2 Bb2 71. Rc6 Bd4 72. Ra6 Rg1+ 73. Kf3 Bb2 74. Bc4+ Kh7 75. g5 Rc1 76. Ra7+ Kh8 77. Ra8+ Kh7 78. Bd3+ Kg7 79. h6+ Kf7 80. g6+ Ke7 81. g7 Rg1 82. Bc4 1-0
Official website
FM Borko Lajthajm
Standings after round 2:
1. FM Borko Lajthajm (2464) with 2 points
2-4. GM Aleksandar Kovacevic (2535), GM Bojan Vuckovic (2506) and IM Branko Tadic (2491) 1.5
5-9. Marko Krivokapic (2352), GM Dejan Pikula (2530), GM Nikola Djukic (2523), GM Milos Perunovic (2508) and GM Bosko Abramovic (2507) 1
10-14. GM Dejan Antic (2505), GM Miodrag R.Savic (2517), GM Branko Damljanovic (2615), IM Djordjije Kontic (2355) and GM Igor MIladinovic (2607) 0.5
GM Bojan Vuckovic 2506 - GM Igor Miladinovic 2607
2nd SCG individual championship
Round 1
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qc7 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8. O-O-O Bb4 9. f3 b5 10. Bf4 Ne5 11. Kb1!
An excellent novelty! This profilactic move is usefull in most of sicilian lines. White now has direct threat of Ncb5 (Bd2 is not check). 11.Nc6 was tested in Vallejo Pons-Miladinovic 2001.
11...Be7 12. Ndxb5!
Nb5 anyway! For two Knights, White will get exchange, two pawns and huge initiative in return. (12. Bxe5 Qxe5 13. f4 Qc7 14. e5 b4 15. Nce2 Ne4 16. Qe3 Bb7)
12... axb5 13. Nxb5 Qb8 14. Qc3 d6 15. Bxe5 dxe5 16. Nc7+ Kf8 17. Nxa8 Qxa8 18. Qxe5
This was all forced after Nb5. Black has problem with pieces development and coordination. In addition, there is always possibility of pawns advance after potential Q's trade. White is clearly better.
18... h5 19. Bb5!
Good move. Connecting rooks while having eye on d7 square.
19... Qb7 20. Rd3 h4 21. Rhd1 Kg8
(21... Rh5 22. Rd8+ Bxd8 23. Rxd8+ Ne8 24. Rxe8#)
22. a4 (22. Rc3 Rh5 23. Qc7) (22. Rd8+ Bxd8 23. Rxd8+ Kh7)
22... Rh5 23. Qd4 e5 24. Qc3 Be6 25. Bc4 Qa7 26. Bxe6 fxe6 27. Qc6!
Final attack is starting
27... Kf7 28. Rb3 Rg5 29. Rb7 Qf2 30. Rxe7+ Kxe7 31. Qc7+ Kf8 32. Rd8+ Ne8 33. Qc6 1-0
GM Bojan Vuckovic
FM Borko Lajthajm 2464 - GM Branko Damljanovic 2615
Round 2
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Be3 Nbd7 7. Nf3 a6 8. Be2 c6 9. O-O b5 10. e5 Ne8 11. Bf4 bxc4 12. Bxc4 Nb6 13. Bb3 a5 14. Re1 d5 15. Na4 Nxa4 16. Bxa4 Ra6 17. Rc1 Bb7 18. Qb3 Ba8 19. Qd3 Bb7 20. Rc3 Nc7 21. Rec1 Ne6 22. Be3 Qd7 23. Ng5 Nxg5 24. Bxg5 Rc8 25. Rc5 f6 26. exf6 exf6 27. Bd2 Qd8 28. Qb3 Ba8 29. Qxd5+ Qxd5 30. Rxd5 f5 31. Bb3 Kh8 32. Rxa5 Rxa5 33. Bxa5 Bxd4 34. Bc3 Bxc3 35. Rxc3 Kg7 36. Ba4 Kf6 37. b4 Ke5 38. f3 Kd4 39. Rc1 Bb7 40. h4 f4 41. Rc5 Rc7 42. Kh2 Ke3 43. Rc4 Kd3 44. Rxf4 Kc3 45. b5 c5 46. b6 Rc8 47. Rf7 Rb8 48. Rxh7 Ba6 49. Rc7 c4 50. Rc6 Kb4 51. Bc2 Bb7 52. Rxg6 Rd8 53. Rg7 Bd5 54. Be4 1-0
GM Bosko Abramovic 2507 - GM Miodrag R.Savic 2517
Round 2
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Nc3 a6 8. e4 Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 e5 11. d5 Nd4 12. Bg2 c5 13. dxc6 bxc6 14. b4 Nd7 15. Be3 Nb6 16. Qd3 Qd7 17. Rfd1 Qe6 18. Bf1 Rfd8 19. Rac1 a5 20. b5 Nd7 21. Bg2 Nc5 22. Qf1 cxb5 23. cxb5 Rab8 24. Rb1 Rdc8 25. Nd5 Kh8 26. b6 Qd7 27. h4 f5 28. exf5 gxf5 29. Rdc1 Qf7 30. Bxd4 exd4 31. Qb5 f4 32. Nxf4 Bh6 33. Qc4 Qg7 34. Ne6 Qf6 35. Ng5 Rf8 36. f4 Bg7 37. Kh2 d3 38. Rd1 h6 39. Ne4 Nxe4 40. Qxe4 d5 41. Qxd5 Rxb6 42. Rxb6 Qxb6 43. Rxd3 Qb4 44. Rb3 Qe1 45. Qd6 Qf2 46. a3 Qd4 47. Qc7 Qd8 48. Rb7 Qxc7 49. Rxc7 Bd4 50. Rd7 Bc5 51. a4 Rf6 52. Rc7 Bb4 53. Be4 Kg8 54. Kg2 Rd6 55. Kf3 Rd1 56. Rc6 h5 57. Bg6 Rf1+ 58. Kg2 Ra1 59. Bxh5 Rxa4 60. Rc8+ Kg7 61. Rc7+ Kf8 62. Bg6 Ra2+ 63. Rc2 Ra3 64. Re2 a4 65. h5 Kg7 66. Be8 Bc3 67. g4 Ra1 68. Bd7 a3 69. Be6 Kh6 70. Rc2 Bb2 71. Rc6 Bd4 72. Ra6 Rg1+ 73. Kf3 Bb2 74. Bc4+ Kh7 75. g5 Rc1 76. Ra7+ Kh8 77. Ra8+ Kh7 78. Bd3+ Kg7 79. h6+ Kf7 80. g6+ Ke7 81. g7 Rg1 82. Bc4 1-0
Official website
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