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OLD FRONT PAGE STORIES 2008
 
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
July
Sparkassen Chess-Meeting Dortmund


Leko-Naiditsch Final Round 7. Photo © http://www.chessvibes.com (who also have videos from the event)

The Sparkassen Chess-Meeting took place in Dortmund 28th June - 6th July 2008. 8 player all-play-all. Peter Leko took clear first place. Elo-Favourite Vladimir Kramnik finished in 7th place losing in the final round to Vassily Ivanchuk.

Malcolm Pein on rounds 6-7, Karjakin - Short and the start of Poikovsky

Malcolm Pein on rounds 1-4

Games in PGN

Details of all events including the open and other tournaments: http://www.sparkassen-chess-meeting.de

Sparkassen Dortmund (GER), 28 vi-6 vii 2008 cat. XVIII (2695)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. Leko, Peter g HUN 2741 * 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 4½ 2790
2. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2740 0 * ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 4 2738
3. Nepomniachtchi, Ian g RUS 2634 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 4 2753
4. Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar g AZE 2752 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 4 2736
5. Gustafsson, Jan g GER 2603 0 ½ ½ ½ * 1 ½ 1 4 2758
6. Naiditsch, Arkadij g GER 2624 ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 * 1 1 3½ 2705
7. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2788 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 * 1 3 2631
8. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2677 ½ ½ 0 0 0 0 0 * 1 2388
 
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Poikovsky Tournament

The Poikovsky tournament took place 8th-17th July 2008. There was a four way tie on 5.5/9 between Rublevsky, Jakovenko, Gashimov and Shirov.

Games in PGN

Malcolm Pein on rounds 5-6 Poikovsky. Winton Capital British Chess Solving Championship and Paris Championship.

Official site: http://russiachess.org/

9th Karpov Poikovsky (RUS), 8-17 vii 2008 cat. XVIII (2691)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Rublevsky, Sergei g RUS 2699 * ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 5½ 2770
2. Jakovenko, Dmitry g RUS 2709 ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 5½ 2769
3. Gashimov, Vugar g AZE 2717 0 ½ * 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 5½ 2768
4. Shirov, Alexei g ESP 2741 ½ ½ 0 * ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 5½ 2765
5. Wang Hao g CHN 2691 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ 1 1 ½ ½ 5 2734
6. Bologan, Viktor g MDA 2686 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 4 2649
7. Sutovsky, Emil g ISR 2654 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ * 0 ½ ½ 3½ 2615
8. Inarkiev, Ernesto g RUS 2675 ½ ½ ½ 0 0 ½ 1 * ½ 0 3½ 2613
9. Onischuk, Alexander g USA 2670 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ 3½ 2613
10. Volokitin, Andrei g UKR 2672 ½ 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ * 3½ 2613
 
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Lake Sevan 2008

The "Lake Sevan 2008" International tournament took place 10th-20th July, 2008, in Martuni, Armenia. Arman Pashikian won the event with 6.5/9.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.sevan.chessacademy.am/

Lake Sevan Martuni (ARM), 11-19 vii 2008 cat. XIII (2553)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Pashikian, Arman g ARM 2564 * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 6½ 2718
2. Zhou Jianchao g CHN 2604 ½ * ½ ½ 0 1 ½ 1 1 1 6 2672
3. Zhigalko, Sergei g BLR 2583 ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 0 1 ½ 1 5½ 2629
4. Andriasian, Zaven g ARM 2533 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 5 2598
5. Ter-Sahakyan, Samvel f ARM 2480 ½ 1 ½ ½ * ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ 4½ 2561
6. Melkumyan, Hrant m ARM 2507 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ * 1 ½ 1 ½ 4½ 2558
7. Meier, Georg g GER 2556 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ 0 * ½ 1 0 4 2509
8. Grigoryan, Avetik m ARM 2537 0 0 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ * 0 1 3½ 2475
9. Pantsulaia, Levan g GEO 2607 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 0 1 * ½ 3 2422
10. Amin, Bassem g EGY 2561 0 0 0 0 ½ ½ 1 0 ½ * 2½ 2386
 
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Karjakin - Short Rapid Match

Sergey Karjakin defeated Nigel Short by the convincing margin of 7.5-2.5 in Kiev (Kyiv) in a rapid match which took place 3rd-7th July 2008. Things went wrong for Short early when he blew a completely winning position in game two and Karjakin handed out a bit of a thumping in the end.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://chess.life.com.ua/index.php?lng=en

Gm1 Karjakin, Sergey - Short, Nigel D 1-0 37 B12 Caro Kann Advanced
Gm2 Short, Nigel D - Karjakin, Sergey 0-1 60 B23 Sicilian Closed
Gm3 Karjakin, Sergey - Short, Nigel D 1-0 38 B05 Alekhine's Defence
Gm4 Short, Nigel D - Karjakin, Sergey 1-0 32 B23 Sicilian Closed
Gm5 Karjakin, Sergey - Short, Nigel D 1-0 59 B12 Caro Kann Advanced
Gm6 Short, Nigel D - Karjakin, Sergey 1/2 57 B23 Sicilian Closed
Gm7 Karjakin, Sergey - Short, Nigel D 1-0 48 A52 Budapest Defence Main Line
Gm8 Short, Nigel D - Karjakin, Sergey 1-0 94 C32 Falkbeer Counter Gambit
Gm9 Karjakin, Sergey - Short, Nigel D 1-0 49 D37 QGD 5.Bf4
Gm10 Short, Nigel D - Karjakin, Sergey 0-1 74 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Rapid Match Kiev (UKR), 3-7 vii 2008
1234567890
Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2727 1 1 1 0 1 ½ 1 0 1 1 7½ 2821
Short, Nigel D g ENG2655 0 0 0 1 0 ½ 0 1 0 0 2½ 2561
 
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World Open


Lubomir Ftacnik. Photo from the World Open © Shelby Lohrman

The 36th World Open took place in Philadelphia 2nd-6th July 2008. There was a 4-way tie for 1st place, and according to the tiebreak rules, the two players with the best tiebreak points then fought a playoff for the title of champion. GM Evgeny Najer defeated GM Parmijaran Negi in the Armaegeddon playoff game to claim the title.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://monroi.com/2008-world-open-chess-tournament-home.html

World Open Philadelphia (USA), 2-6 vii 2008
Final Round 9 Standings
# Name Rtng Tot
1Evgeny Najer GM 26897
2Parmijaran Negi GM 26157
3Lubomir Ftacnik GM 25827
4Alexander Moiseenko GM 27167
5Victor Mikhalevski GM 26796.5
6Ilya Smirin GM 27636.5
7Alexander Ivanov GM 26216
8Jiri Stocek GM 27076
9Alex Yermolinsky GM 25966
10Surya She Ganguly GM 27296
11Alexander Shabalov GM 26626
12Arun Prasad IM 25656
13Jaan Ehlvest GM 26876
14Leonid G Yudasin GM 26206
15Sergey Kudrin GM 26096
16Kirill Kuderinov IM 25226
17Sergey Erenburg GM 26136
18Rajaram Laxman IM 25886
19Julio J Becerra GM 26365.5
20Varuzhan Akobian GM 26695.5
21Yury Shulman GM 26805.5
22K Rathnakaran IM 25885.5
23Melikset Khachiyan GM 25685.5
24Geetha Gopal GM 26625.5
25Renier Gonzalez IM 25655.5
26Justin Sarkar IM 24605.5
27Artur Yusupov GM 26985.5
28Bryan G Smith IM 24625.5
29John P Fedorowicz GM 25405.5
30Alex Lenderman IM 25185.5
31Abhijit Kunte GM 25955
32Michael A Rohde GM 24845
33Robert L Hess IM 25385
34John Bartholomew IM 24885
35Alejandro Ramirez GM 25895
36Daniel Ludwig 24545
37Vadim Milov GM 27505
38Alonso Zapata GM 25225
39Dashze Sharavdorj GM 24725
40Jonathan Tayar FM 23575
41Tegshsuren Enkhbat FM 24555
42Jon Jacobs FM 23145
43Dean J Ippolito IM 25045
44Eugen Perelshteyn GM 26195
45Eric Hansen 23685
46David Pruess IM 24805
47Nick E De Firmian GM 25715
48Samuel Shankland 23554.5
49Zviad Izoria GM 26924.5
50Daniel Naroditsky FM 23224.5
118 players
 
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June
Aerosvit-2008

The Aerosvit-2008 tournament took place in Foros, Crimea 7th-20th June 2008. Magnus Carlsen won the event with a fantastic 8/11 which will take him to number 2 in the world if the event is rated in the July list. Its not quite clear if it will or not.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.ukrchess.org.ua/aerosvit2008/index_e.htm

Aerosvit Foros (UKR), 8-19 vi 2008 cat. XIX (2712)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
1. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2765 * 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 8 2881
2. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2740 0 * ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 7 2811
3. Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2732 ½ ½ * ½ 0 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 6 2745
4. Eljanov, Pavel g UKR 2687 0 0 ½ * 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 6 2750
5. Volokitin, Andrei g UKR 2684 ½ ½ 1 0 * 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ 0 1 5½ 2714
6. Jakovenko, Dmitry g RUS 2711 ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 * 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 5½ 2711
7. Shirov, Alexei g ESP 2740 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 * ½ 1 0 1 1 5½ 2709
8. Alekseev, Evgeny g RUS 2711 ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ * 1 1 0 ½ 5 2675
9. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2746 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 0 * ½ ½ 1 5 2672
10. Nisipeanu, Liviu-Dieter g ROU 2684 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 0 ½ * 1 ½ 5 2678
11. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2677 0 0 ½ ½ 1 0 0 1 ½ 0 * ½ 4 2612
12. Onischuk, Alexander g USA 2664 ½ ½ ½ 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ * 3½ 2583
Yerevan Chess Giants. Karen Asrian Memorial

The Yerevan Chess Giants took place June 8th-15th 2008. After the death of Karen Asrian the Open Rapid Tournament alongside scheduled for June 12th-15th 2008, was cancelled along with two days of the main event. The tournament is now also known as the Karen Asrian Memorial and this will be for future years too. Time control 25 mins + 10 seconds a move. Karen Asrian Memorial. Levon Aronian took clear first place, half a point clear of Peter Leko.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.chessgiants.am/

Karen Asrian Mem Yerevan (ARM), 9-15 vi 2008 cat. XIX (2719)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2763 * * ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 8½ 2793
2. Leko, Peter g HUN 2741 ½ ½ * * 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 8 2766
3. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2774 0 ½ 1 ½ * * 1 ½ ½ 0 ½ 0 1 ½ ½ 1 7½ 2740
4. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2723 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ * * ½ 1 1 1 0 ½ 1 1 7½ 2747
5. Bu Xiangzhi g CHN 2708 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ 0 * * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 7 2720
6. Sargissian, Gabriel g ARM 2643 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 0 0 ½ ½ * * ½ ½ ½ ½ 6½ 2701
7. Adams, Michael g ENG 2729 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ * * ½ 1 6 2667
8. Akopian, Vladimir g ARM 2673 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 * * 5 2623
 
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Karen Asrian 1980-2008

Karen Asrian
Karen Asrian 1980-2008. Photo © Frits Agterdenbos http://www.chessvista.com/

There is shocking news that Karen Asrian has died at the age of 28. According to A1+ News Agency he died of a heart attack whilst driving his car.

He was the Armenian number 4 player and world number 92 and was their champion 3 times and also won Gold Medals at the 2006 Olympiad held in Turin.

Karen Asrian 24th April 1980 - 9th June 2008.

 
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Peter Leko vs Magnus Carlsen Rapid Match

There was an 8 game rapid match between Peter Leko and Magnus Carlsen 28th May - 1st June 2008 in Miskolc, Hungary. Magnus Carlsen won the match 5-3.

Games in PGN

Gm1 Leko, Peter - Carlsen, Magnus 1/2 36 B78 Sicilian Modern Dragon
Gm2 Carlsen, Magnus - Leko, Peter 1/2 18 B18 Caro Kann
Gm3 Leko, Peter - Carlsen, Magnus 1/2 98 B52 Sicilian Rossolimo
Leko played 97.b8=Q (rook upside down) which crashed the coverage. I find that funny for some reason!
Gm4 Carlsen, Magnus - Leko, Peter 1-0 58 B13 Caro Kann Exchange
Gm5 Leko, Peter - Carlsen, Magnus 1/2 64 B76 Sicilian Modern Dragon
Gm6 Carlsen, Magnus - Leko, Peter 1/2 32 E00 Catalan
Gm7 Leko, Peter - Carlsen, Magnus 0-1 53 D12 Slav Defence
Gm8 Carlsen, Magnus - Leko, Peter 1/2 27 E12 Queens Indian Petrosian

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

 
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Sarajevo Tournament

The traditional Bosnia Sarajevo tournament took place 23rd May - 2nd June 2008. Alexander Morozevich finished clear first with 7.5/10.

Games in PGN - A Group - Games in PGN - B Group

Official site: http://www.skbosna.ba/

GMA Sarajevo BIH (BIH), 23 v-2 vi 2008 cat. XVIII (2695)
1 2 3 4 5 6
1. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2774 * * ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 7½ 2872
2. Dominguez Perez, Lenier g CUB 2695 ½ ½ * * ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½ ½ 6 2766
3. Movsesian, Sergei g SVK 2695 0 ½ ½ ½ * * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 5 2694
4. Timofeev, Artyom g RUS 2664 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ * * ½ ½ ½ 1 4½ 2665
5. Predojevic, Borki g BIH 2651 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * * ½ 1 4 2631
6. Sokolov, Ivan NED g NED 2690 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 * * 3 2546
 
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Magistral Ciudad de Leon

Anand-Ivanchuk
Anand vs Ivanchuk in the final. Photo © http://www.advancedchessleon.com/

The 21st edition of the "Magistral Ciudad de Leon" took place May 29th - June 2nd 2008 in Leon, Spain. Vassily Ivanchuk won the final 2.5-1.5.

Anand - Vallejo Semi-Final Games in PGN - Ivanchuk - Shirov Semi-Final Games in PGN - Anand - Ivanchuk Final Games in PGN

The players were World Champion Viswanathan Anand, Ukrainian Vassily Ivanchuk, and the 2 best Spanish Players, Alexei Shirov and Francisco Vallejo Pons.

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

Final 1st June 2008. Anand - Ivanchuk

Gm1 Anand, Viswanathan - Ivanchuk, Vassily 0-1 40 B85 Sicilian Scheveningen
Gm2 Ivanchuk, Vassily - Anand, Viswanathan 0-1 26 B90 Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Gm3 Anand, Viswanathan - Ivanchuk, Vassily 1/2 56 B47 Sicilian Paulsen
Gm4 Ivanchuk, Vassily - Anand, Viswanathan 1-0 16 E55 Nimzo Indian

1st Semi-Final 30th May 2008. Anand 3.5-2.5 Vallejo

Gm1 Vallejo Pons, Francisco - Anand, Viswanathan 1/2 56 C65 Ruy Lopez Berlin
Gm2 Anand, Viswanathan - Vallejo Pons, Francisco 1-0 46 B13 Caro Kann Exchange
Gm3 Vallejo Pons, Francisco - Anand, Viswanathan 1-0 27 B12 Caro Kann Advanced
Gm4 Anand, Viswanathan - Vallejo Pons, Francisco 1/2 18 A09 Reti Opening
Tie-Break
Gm5 Vallejo Pons, Francisco - Anand, Viswanathan 0-1 58 B35 Sicilian Defence
Gm6 Anand, Viswanathan - Vallejo Pons, Francisco 1/2 29 B19 Caro Kann

2nd Semi-Final 31st May 2008. Ivanchuk 3-1 Shirov

Gm1 Ivanchuk, Vassily - Shirov, Alexei 1-0 45 B30 Sicilian Rossolimo
Gm2 Shirov, Alexei - Ivanchuk, Vassily 0-1 33 B96 Sicilian Najdorf
Gm3 Ivanchuk, Vassily - Shirov, Alexei 1/2 76 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Gm4 Shirov, Alexei - Ivanchuk, Vassily 1/2 29 B96 Sicilian Najdorf

 
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4th Pivdenny Bank Chess Cup

The 4th Pivdenny Bank Chess Cup took place in Odessa 30th May - 2nd June 2008. There was a four way tie on 9/14 with Pavel Tregubov taking first on tie-break from Yuri Drozdovskij, Boris Gelfand and Ruslan Ponomariov. They were half a point clear of Anatoly Karpov.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.worldcup.pivdenny.com

4th Pivdenny Bank Cup Odessa (UKR), 30 v-1 vi 2008 cat. XV (2613)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. Tregubov, Pavel V g RUS 2629 * * ½ 1 0 ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 0 9 2712
2. Drozdovskij, Yuri g UKR 2581 ½ 0 * * 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 9 2719
3. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2723 1 ½ 0 ½ * * ½ 0 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 1 9 2699
4. Ponomariov, Ruslan g UKR 2719 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 * * ½ 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 2699
5. Karpov, Anatoly g RUS 2655 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ 1 * * 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 8½ 2686
6. Korchnoi, Viktor g SUI 2598 ½ ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 0 0 ½ * * 0 ½ 1 0 4 2456
7. Beim, Valery g AUT 2523 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 0 0 0 0 1 ½ * * ½ 1 4 2467
8. Golubev, Mikhail g UKR 2474 0 1 ½ 0 0 0 0 0 ½ 0 0 1 ½ 0 * * 3½ 2439

 
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King's Tournament Bazna

The King's Tournament took place in Bazna, Romania 24th May - 4th June 2008. Nigel Short won the event with 7/10 with Lajos Portisch with his best result in years and Ulf Andersson taking second a point and a half behind.

Official site: http://www.clubulregilor.ro/

Games in PGN

King's Tournament Bazna (ROM), 24 v-3 vi 2008 cat. XIII (2573)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1. Short, Nigel D g ENG 2660 * ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 ½ 7 2713
2. Portisch, Lajos g HUN 2523 ½ * 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 5½ 2613
3. Andersson, Ulf g SWE 2537 0 1 * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 5½ 2612
4. Suba, Mihai g ROU 2487 ½ ½ ½ * 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 5 2581
5. Beliavsky, Alexander G g SLO 2641 ½ ½ ½ 0 * ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 5 2566
6. Khalifman, Alexander g RUS 2628 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 5 2567
7. Mecking, Henrique g BRA 2565 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ * 0 ½ 1 1 5 2573
8. Murariu, Andrei g ROU 2483 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 * ½ ½ 1 5 2581
9. Sokolov, Andrei1 g FRA 2596 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ 0 4 2498
10. Vaganian, Rafael A g ARM 2617 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ * 0 4 2496
11. Timman, Jan H g NED 2565 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 0 1 1 * 4 2501
 
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French Top 16

The winners Clichy
The winners Clichy. Photo © http://www.europe-echecs.com

The final pool stages (Haute and Basse) of the French League took place 29th May - 1st June 2008 in Evry. Clichy took the title by a point from Cannes. In the games section Fontaine-Philippe and Meier-Palac are identical so one of them has to be wrong.

Top scorers in the league as a whole by board: 1st Nakamura Hikaru (Antibes) 8,5/11 2nd Nisipeanu Liviu (Clichy) 6/8 3rd Kazhgaleyev Murtas (Cannes) 8,5/11 4th Tregubov Pavel (Clichy) 6/7 5th Philippe Christophe (Vandoeuvre) 8/11 6th Libiszewski Fabien (Montpellier) 8/11 7th Cornette Matthieu (Cannes) 5,5/8 8th Skripchenko Almira (Clichy) 9/10

Final Pool Games in PGN (Poule Basse Games from round 11 are missing)

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


French Team Championship Final Standings (FRA), 29 v - 1 vi 2008
1Clichy321140455
2Cannes311131409
3Montpellier2611133421
4Evry Grand Roque2611163115
5Gonfreville l'Orcher251162923
6Vandoeuvre2111-32427
7Mulhouse Philidor2111-161733
8Metz Fischer2011-62632
9Marseille Echecs2611133017
10Noyon221122624
11Strasbourg221142420
12Antibes201152823
13Bois-Colombes1911-92534
14Bischwiller1711-171835
15Hyères1311-351045
16Marseille Duchamps711-48452
 
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National Open

The National Open took place in Las Vegas USA 5th-8th June 2008. 6 players finished on 5/6 no news on any tie-breaks.

Games in PGN

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

National Open Las Vegas (USA), 6-8 vi 2008
No. Ttl Name NAT Rate Pts
1 GM Kamsky, Gata USA 2782 5.0
2 GM Fressinet, Laurent FRA 2706 5.0
3 GM Petrosian, Tigran L ARM 2666 5.0
4 GM Kolev, Atanas BGR 2620 5.0
5 IM Finegold, Ben USA 2594 5.0
6 IM Friedel, Josh USA 2504 5.0
7 GM Erenburg, Sergey ISR 2613 4.5
8 GM Khachiyan, Melikset USA 2566 4.5
9 IM Robson, Ray USA 2433 4.5
10 GM Nakamura, Hikaru USA 2747 4.0
11 GM Gurevich, Dmitry USA 2594 4.0
12 GM Paragua, Mark C PHI 2588 4.0
13 GM Yermolinsky, Alex USA 2584 4.0
14 IM Altounian, Levon USA 2531 4.0
15 IM Bradford, Joseph USA 2477 4.0
16 IM Pruess, David USA 2471 4.0
17 GM Laylo, Darwin PHI 2452 4.0
18 IM Vucic, Mladen USA 2415 4.0
19 FM Rensch, Daniel USA 2373 4.0
20 FM Adamson, Robby USA 2368 4.0
21 IM Tate, Emory A USA 2367 4.0
22 Schuyler, James USA 2357 4.0
23 FM Yanayt, Eugene USA 2280 4.0
24 GM Akobian, Varuzhan USA 2666 3.5
100 players
 
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May
MTel Masters

Closing ceremony image
Round 10. Ivanchuk needed just a draw to take the tournament but instead destroyed Cheparinov with the black pieces to finish on 8/10. Closing ceremony Photo © http://www.chessdom.com

http://www.europe-echecs.com had Videos of the event.

M-Tel Masters took place 7th-18th May 2008 in the Central Military Club in the Bulgarian capital Sofia. The event is a 10 round double round robin with a 5 hour time control.

Ivanchuk secured first place with a massive 8/10 score. He started with 5/5 in the first half. He slowed down with four draws in the second half before destroying Cheparinov with the black pieces in the final round. Topalov also scored a fine 6.5/10 to finish a point and a half behind. Teimour Radjabov was a further point behind. World number 6 Levon Aronian had a catastrophic 3/10 score in finishing joint last with Bu Xiangzhi. Cheparinov only lost a few points in finishing with 4/10.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.mtelmasters.com
Other coverage: http://www.chessvibes.com/, http://www.chessclub.com/ with on the spot videos and photo reports - http://en.chessfish.com/ and http://www.chessdom.com

4th M-Tel Masters Sofia (BUL), 8-18 v 2008 cat. XX (2738)
1 2 3 4 5 6
1. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2740 * * 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 8 2977
2. Topalov, Veselin g BUL 2767 0 ½ * * ½ ½ 1 1 1 0 1 1 6½ 2841
3. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2751 0 ½ ½ ½ * * ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 5½ 2770
4. Cheparinov, Ivan g BUL 2696 0 0 0 0 ½ ½ * * 1 1 ½ ½ 4 2673
5. Bu Xiangzhi g CHN 2708 0 ½ 0 1 ½ 0 0 0 * * ½ ½ 3 2594
6. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2763 0 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * * 3 2583
 
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Cez Chess Trophy

Navara - Kramnik in Prague
Navara - Kramnik press conference in Prague. Photo © http://www.praguechess.cz

Vladimir Kramnik beat David Navara 5.5-2.5 to win the Cez Chess Trophy. The match of 8 games in rapid chess was the main event of the festival CEZ CHESS TROPHY 2008 and will take place in the Czech Republic in Prague 14th-18th May 2008.

Vladimir Kramnik 5-1 David Navara.

Day 1 14th May 2008
Gm1 Kramnik, Vladimir - Navara, David 1-0 33 E04 Catalan
Gm2 Navara, David - Kramnik, Vladimir 0-1 62 C43 Petroff's Defence
Day 2 15th May 2008
Gm3 Kramnik, Vladimir - Navara, David 1-0 64 A37 English Symmetrical
Gm4 Navara, David - Kramnik, Vladimir 1/2 68 E46 Nimzo Indian Rubinstein
Day 3 17th May 2008
Gm5 Kramnik, Vladimir - Navara, David 1/2 36 B70 Sicilian Dragon
Gm6 Navara, David - Kramnik, Vladimir 0-1 36 D43 Anti-Meran Gambit
Day 4 18th May 2008
Gm7 Kramnik, Vladimir - Navara, David 1/2 44 A34 English Symmetrical
Gm8 Navara, David - Kramnik, Vladimir 1-0 41 D43 Anti-Meran Gambit

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.praguechess.cz

 
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FIDE Grand Prix Baku


Grischuk couldn't overcome Gashimov in round 12. Photo © http://www.chesspro.ru

The 1st FIDE Grand Prix took place in Baku, Azerbaijan 20th April - 6th May 2008. Vugar Gashimov, Wang Yue and Magnus Carlsen shared first place on 8/11.

Games in PGN

Malcolm Pein Commentary

Soltis Variation of the Sicilian Dragon
Michael Adams and Gata Kamsky in Baku
Fragments from Baku and Plovdiv

Official site: http://baku2008.fide.com/ and the site for the Grand Prix series as a whole http://grandprix.fide.com/ Also Daily live coverage with GM comments in Russian at http://www.chesspro.ru

FIDE GP Baku (AZE), 21 iv-5 v 2008 cat. XIX (2717)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
1. Gashimov, Vugar g AZE 2679 * ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 8 2807
2. Wang Yue g CHN 2689 ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½ ½ 8 2806
3. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2765 ½ ½ * 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 8 2800
4. Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar g AZE 2752 ½ ½ 1 * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 0 1 1 0 7½ 2771
5. Grischuk, Alexander g RUS 2716 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 7½ 2774
6. Adams, Michael g ENG 2729 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ * 1 ½ 0 0 1 1 ½ ½ 6½ 2716
7. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2746 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 * ½ 1 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 6½ 2715
8. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2751 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * 1 ½ 0 0 1 ½ 6 2685
9. Kamsky, Gata g USA 2726 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 0 0 * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 6 2687
10. Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2732 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 0 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 6 2687
11. Cheparinov, Ivan g BUL 2696 ½ 0 ½ 1 0 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ * 0 0 1 5½ 2661
12. Navara, David g CZE 2672 ½ ½ ½ 0 0 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 * ½ 0 5½ 2663
13. Bacrot, Etienne g FRA 2705 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ * 0 5 2631
14. Inarkiev, Ernesto g RUS 2684 ½ ½ 0 1 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 0 0 1 1 * 5 2632
 
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Argentine Championship

The 82nd Argentine Championship took place in Mendoza 20th-31st May 2008. There was a playoff after there was a triple tie for first won by Ruben Felgaer.

Games in PGN - Playoff Games in PGN

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

82nd ch-ARG Playoff Mendoza ARG (ARG), 1-1 vi 2008 cat. XII (2534)
1 2 3
1. Felgaer, Ruben g ARG 2574 * * 1 ½ 1 ½ 3 2707
2. Peralta, Fernando g ARG 2546 0 ½ * * 1 . 1½ 2543
3. Valerga, Diego m ARG 2482 0 ½ 0 . * * ½ 2291

82nd ch-ARG Mendoza ARG (ARG), 20-31 v 2008 cat. IX (2453)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
1. Felgaer, Ruben g ARG 2574 * 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 0 7 2544
2. Peralta, Fernando g ARG 2546 0 * 1 1 0 1 ½ 1 1 0 ½ 1 7 2546
3. Valerga, Diego m ARG 2482 ½ 0 * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 7 2552
4. Ricardi, Pablo g ARG 2515 ½ 0 ½ * ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 6½ 2512
5. Flores, Diego m ARG 2548 0 1 ½ ½ * 0 0 1 1 1 ½ 1 6½ 2509
6. Lemos, Damian m ARG 2458 ½ 0 0 ½ 1 * ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 6 2488
7. Real de Azua, Ernesto m ARG 2417 0 ½ ½ 0 1 ½ * ½ 0 ½ 1 1 5½ 2456
8. Alonso, Salvador m ARG 2420 ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 5 2420
9. Liascovich, Lucas m ARG 2419 ½ 0 ½ 0 0 ½ 1 ½ * ½ ½ 1 5 2420
10. Salguero, Francisco ARG 2320 ½ 1 0 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ * 0 1 4½ 2400
11. Mahia, Gustavo f ARG 2432 0 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ 1 * 1 4½ 2390
12. Luconi, Cristian ARG 2306 1 0 0 ½ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 * 1½ 2157
 
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Capablanca Memorial

The 43rd Torneo Capablanca In Memoriam took place in La Habana (Cuba) 8th - 17th May 2008, category 15 average 2602. Top seed Lenier Dominguez Perez took clear first with 6/9.

Games in PGN

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

43rd Capablanca Memorial Havana CUB (CUB), 8-17 v 2008 cat. XV (2605)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Dominguez Perez, Lenier g CUB 2695 * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 6 2719
2. Amonatov, Farrukh g TJK 2649 ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 5½ 2680
3. Khenkin, Igor g GER 2609 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 5½ 2684
4. Hernandez Carmenates, Holden g CUB 2568 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 0 1 5 2652
5. Tiviakov, Sergei g NED 2635 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 4½ 2601
6. Wojtaszek, Radoslaw g POL 2625 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 4½ 2602
7. Nogueiras Santiago, Jesus g CUB 2559 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 4 2567
8. Quezada Perez, Yuniesky g CUB 2567 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ 3½ 2529
9. Arencibia Rodriguez, Walter g CUB 2534 0 0 0 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ 3½ 2532
10. Bruzon Batista, Lazaro g CUB 2608 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ * 3 2479
 
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US Championship

The 2008 FKB US Chess Championship took place in Tulsa, OK, May 13th-21st 2008. Yuri Shulman took the men's title with 7/9 alone. Anna Zatonskih took the women's title by beating Irina Krush after an armageddon playoff game (they'd already drawn a rapid playoff 2-2).

Games in PGN Men - Games in PGN Women - Games in PGN Women's Playoff

Official site: http://monroi.com/the-2008-fkb-us-chess-championship-home.html

Frank K Berry ch-USA Tulsa (USA), 13-21 v 2008
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1. Shulman, Yuri g USA 2606 =12 +17 +10 =2 +11 +3 +7 =6 =4 7 2760
2. Onischuk, Alexander g USA 2664 =16 +21 +6 =1 =3 =7 +11 =5 +12 6½ 2707
3. Kudrin, Sergey g USA 2549 +24 +8 =11 +5 =2 -1 +13 =4 =6 6 2672
4. Friedel, Joshua E m USA 2484 -11 +23 =8 +10 =7 =6 +14 =3 =1 5½ 2614
5. Akobian, Varuzhan g USA 2601 =21 =16 +14 -3 =15 +18 +9 =2 =7 5½ 2596
6. Perelshteyn, Eugene g USA 2552 =18 +20 -2 =12 +17 =4 +15 =1 =3 5½ 2559
7. Becerra Rivero, Julio g USA 2575 =17 +12 +15 =11 =4 =2 -1 =13 =5 5 2597
8. Ivanov, Alexander g USA 2560 +19 -3 =4 -15 +22 =10 -12 +17 +16 5 2517
9. Finegold, Benjamin m USA 2539 =20 =18 =16 =17 +23 =13 -5 +15 =11 5 2508
10. Gulko, Boris F g USA 2559 +22 =15 -1 -4 =19 =8 +20 =16 +21 5 2501
11. Kaidanov, Gregory S g USA 2596 +4 +14 =3 =7 -1 =15 -2 =12 =9 4½ 2545
12. Fedorowicz, John P g USA 2459 =1 -7 +19 =6 -13 +23 +8 =11 -2 4½ 2543
13. Shabalov, Alexander g USA 2633 -15 +22 =18 =16 +12 =9 -3 =7 =14 4½ 2487
14. Gurevich, Dmitry g USA 2513 +23 -11 -5 =22 =20 +19 -4 +24 =13 4½ 2429
15. Yermolinsky, Alex g USA 2518 +13 =10 -7 +8 =5 =11 -6 -9 =19 4 2514
16. Kraai, Jesse g USA 2509 =2 =5 =9 =13 -18 =17 +24 =10 -8 4 2465
17. Pruess, David m USA 2425 =7 -1 +21 =9 -6 =16 +18 -8 =22 4 2455
18. Ludwig, Daniel USA 2357 =6 =9 =13 =19 +16 -5 -17 =23 =24 4 2423
19. Vigorito, David m USA 2405 -8 +24 -12 =18 =10 -14 =21 =20 =15 3½ 2351
20. Langer, Michael f USA 2254 =9 -6 -22 =24 =14 =21 -10 =19 +23 3½ 2352
21. Ippolito, Dean m USA 2425 =5 -2 -17 -23 +24 =20 =19 +22 -10 3½ 2342
22. Kaufman, Larry C m USA 2365 -10 -13 +20 =14 -8 =24 +23 -21 =17 3½ 2353
23. Shankland, Samuel L USA 2296 -14 -4 +24 +21 -9 -12 -22 =18 -20 2½ 2237
24. Galant, Sergey USA 2235 -3 -19 -23 =20 -21 =22 -16 -14 =18 1½ 2135

Frank K Berry ch-USA w Tulsa (USA), 13-21 v 2008 cat. I (2251)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Krush, Irina m USA 2479 * ½ ½ 1 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 7½ 2498
2. Zatonskih, Anna m USA 2458 ½ * 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 7½ 2500
3. Rohonyan, Katerina wg USA 2309 ½ 0 * 0 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 6 2369
4. Abrahamyan, Tatev wf USA 2239 0 0 1 * 0 1 1 1 1 1 6 2376
5. Tuvshintugs, Batchimeg wm USA 2278 0 1 0 1 * 0 ½ 1 1 1 5½ 2327
6. Battsetseg, Tsagaan wm USA 2254 0 0 ½ 0 1 * ½ ½ 1 1 4½ 2250
7. Zenyuk, Iryna wf USA 2233 ½ 0 0 0 ½ ½ * 1 0 1 3½ 2172
8. Epstein, Esther wm USA 2184 0 0 0 0 0 ½ 0 * 1 ½ 2 2037
9. Airapetian, Chouchanik wf USA 2092 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 * 1 2 2048
10. Jamison, Courtney USA 1979 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ½ 0 * ½ 1836
 
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III President's Cup

The III President's Cup took place 11th-21st May 2008 in Baku, Azerbaijan dedicated to the memory of Haydar Aliyev and had a prize fund of $85000. Evgeniy Najer took clear first with 7.5/9.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.chessclub.az/kubok3/regulations.htm

III President's Cup Baku (AZE), 11-21 v 2008
Final Leading Round 9 Standings
1 9 GM Najer Evgeniy 2627 RUS 7,5 53,0 50,0 45,5 6
2 28 GM Abbasov Farid 2528 AZE 7,0 54,5 51,0 46,0 5
3 10 GM Guseinov Gadir 2625 AZE 7,0 54,5 50,0 45,0 6
4 13 GM Lastin Alexander 2622 RUS 7,0 54,5 50,0 45,0 5
5 1 GM Milov Vadim 2690 SUI 7,0 53,0 49,0 43,5 6
6 19 GM Aleksandrov Aleksej 2582 BLR 7,0 53,0 48,5 44,0 5
7 12 GM Gelashvili Tamaz 2622 GEO 7,0 52,5 48,5 43,5 5
8 5 GM Jobava Baadur 2658 GEO 7,0 52,5 47,5 42,5 5
9 4 GM Short Nigel D 2660 ENG 7,0 51,5 46,5 41,5 5
10 23 GM Dzhumaev Marat 2557 UZB 6,5 54,5 50,0 44,5 6
11 7 GM Fridman Daniel 2640 GER 6,5 51,5 47,5 42,5 5
12 2 GM Sokolov Ivan 2690 NED 6,5 51,5 47,0 42,0 5
13 11 GM Naiditsch Arkadij 2624 GER 6,5 51,0 47,0 41,5 6
14 21 GM Timman Jan H 2565 NED 6,5 48,5 45,0 41,5 5
15 15 GM Kazhgaleyev Murtas 2617 KAZ 6,5 48,5 45,0 40,0 4
16 24 GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2538 BUL 6,5 48,0 45,0 40,5 6
17 51 FM Agaragimov Djakhangir 2343 AZE 6,5 42,0 39,5 36,0 5
18 18 GM Korchnoi Viktor 2598 SUI 6,0 53,0 49,0 44,0 5
19 14 GM Malakhatko Vadim 2621 BEL 6,0 53,0 49,0 44,0 4
20 29 GM Safarli Eltaj 2524 AZE 6,0 52,0 48,0 43,0 4
21 8 GM Mchedlishvili Mikheil 2635 GEO 6,0 51,5 47,5 42,5 3
22 47 IM Durarbeyli Vasif 2384 AZE 6,0 51,0 47,0 43,0 5
23 16 GM Mamedov Rauf 2617 AZE 6,0 51,0 46,5 42,0 4
24 6 GM Beliavsky Alexander G 2641 SLO 6,0 50,5 46,0 41,5 5
25 32 GM Guliev Sarhan 2487 AZE 6,0 49,0 45,5 41,5 5
26 31 IM Sulashvili Malkhaz 2491 GEO 6,0 49,0 45,5 41,5 4
27 35 IM Sanikidze Tornike 2458 GEO 6,0 49,0 45,5 41,0 5
28 37 IM Esen Baris 2451 TUR 6,0 49,0 45,0 40,5 5
29 36 Nigalidze Gaioz 2455 GEO 6,0 48,0 45,0 41,0 5
30 33 GM Babaev Rashad 2482 AZE 6,0 48,0 43,5 39,0 5
31 25 GM Ibrahimov Rasul 2535 AZE 6,0 46,5 43,0 38,5 5
32 72 Rzayev Bahruz 2225 AZE 6,0 45,5 43,0 38,5 5
33 22 GM Savchenko Stanislav 2560 UKR 6,0 45,5 42,0 38,0 4
34 57 Bayramov Vugar 2306 AZE 6,0 45,0 42,5 38,5 6
35 3 GM Van Wely Loek 2677 NED 6,0 44,0 40,5 37,0 5
36 53 Mammadov Ayaz 2333 AZE 6,0 43,5 40,0 36,0 6
179 players
 
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Moscow Championship

The Final tournament of the Moscow Chess Championship took place 12th-18th May 2008. Boris Savchenko took clear first with 5/7.

6 grandmasters and 2 international masters will play by the round robin system. Live games are available.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.chessmoscow.ru/index.php?topicID=442/ and http://www.chessmoscow.ru/index.php?topicID=442&offPage=10

ch-Moscow Moscow RUS (RUS), 12-18 v 2008 cat. XI (2516)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. Savchenko, Boris g RUS 2569 * ½ 0 ½ 1 1 1 1 5 2665
2. Vorobiov, Evgeny E g RUS 2536 ½ * 1 ½ 0 ½ 1 1 4½ 2614
3. Gabrielian, Artur m RUS 2494 1 0 * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 4 2568
4. Rustemov, Alexander g RUS 2552 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 4 2560
5. Deviatkin, Andrei m RUS 2568 0 1 ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 4 2558
6. Rychagov, Andrey g RUS 2565 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ 1 3½ 2508
7. Konovalov, Nikolay m RUS 2426 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * 1 3 2478
8. Gorbatov, Alexej m RUS 2414 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 * 0
 
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European Individual Championship


Champion Sergei Tiviakov. Photo © http://www.chessvista.com/

The IX European Individual Chess Championship took place in Plovdiv, Bulgaria 20th April - 4th May 2008. Sergei Tiviakov took the men's title with 8.5/11 half a point clear of the field, Sergei Movsessian took the silver after beating Sergey Volkov in the playoffs. Kateryna Lahno won the women's event also with 8.5/11 half a point clear. Viktorija Cmylite beat Anna Ushenina in the playoffs to take the silver.

Games in PGN and Women's Games in PGN Rd1-11

Men's Playoff Games in PGN and Women's Playoff Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.eicc2008.com/en/

IX EICC Plovdiv (BUL), 21 iv-2 v 2008
Final Round 11 Standings
1 GM Tiviakov Sergei 2634 NED 8.5 58.5 71.5 6 51.5 22.2
2 GM Volkov Sergey 2633 RUS 8.0 64.0 78.0 5 51.0 17.2
3 GM Tregubov Pavel V 2629 RUS 8.0 63.5 77.0 5 52.5 19.9
4 GM Movsesian Sergei 2695 SVK 8.0 59.5 72.5 5 54.5 10.7
5 GM L'Ami Erwin 2600 NED 8.0 59.5 72.5 5 48.0 16.7
6 GM Vachier-Lagrave Maxime 2632 FRA 8.0 58.0 71.0 6 48.5 16.6
7 GM Grachev Boris 2610 RUS 8.0 58.0 70.5 5 48.5 17.4
8 GM Baklan Vladimir 2647 UKR 8.0 57.0 69.5 5 47.0 12.8
9 GM Kryvoruchko Yuriy 2612 UKR 8.0 56.5 70.0 6 48.5 16.6
10 GM Nyback Tomi 2587 FIN 8.0 56.0 68.5 6 46.0 25.3
11 GM Sutovsky Emil 2630 ISR 7.5 64.5 78.0 5 55.0 16.1
12 GM Laznicka Viktor 2578 CZE 7.5 63.5 75.5 4 49.0 19.8
13 GM Pavasovic Dusko 2595 SLO 7.5 62.0 75.0 5 47.0 20.9
14 GM Efimenko Zahar 2660 UKR 7.5 61.5 75.0 5 48.0 8.9
15 GM Papaioannou Ioannis 2566 GRE 7.5 61.0 73.0 4 47.5 25.4
16 GM Khalifman Alexander 2628 RUS 7.5 60.0 74.0 4 48.0 10.6
17 GM Najer Evgeniy 2627 RUS 7.5 59.5 72.0 5 47.0 10.7
18 GM Mamedov Rauf 2617 AZE 7.5 58.0 71.0 6 49.5 13.8
19 GM Akopian Vladimir 2673 ARM 7.5 56.5 70.0 4 46.0 5.3
20 GM Areshchenko Alexander 2650 UKR 7.5 56.0 69.0 5 45.5 8.7
21 GM Fressinet Laurent 2656 FRA 7.5 56.0 69.0 5 44.5 7.1
22 GM Smirin Ilia 2630 ISR 7.5 56.0 68.5 6 45.0 9.4
23 GM Lupulescu Constantin 2558 ROU 7.5 56.0 67.5 6 45.5 19.4
24 GM Bologan Viktor 2665 MDA 7.5 55.5 69.0 6 44.0 6.0
25 GM Khismatullin Denis 2584 RUS 7.5 55.0 67.0 6 44.0 14.3
26 GM Galkin Alexander 2606 RUS 7.5 55.0 67.0 6 43.0 5.5
27 GM Gustafsson Jan 2603 GER 7.5 54.5 66.5 5 45.5 12.4
28 GM Sargissian Gabriel 2643 ARM 7.5 53.5 65.5 5 43.5 7.7
29 GM Andreikin Dmitry 2580 RUS 7.5 53.5 65.0 5 45.5 13.8
30 GM Hracek Zbynek 2613 CZE 7.5 52.5 65.0 5 46.0 11.6
31 GM Roiz Michael 2659 ISR 7.5 52.5 65.0 4 43.0 5.2
32 GM Vajda Levente 2582 ROU 7.5 52.5 64.0 6 42.5 8.3
33 GM Markowski Tomasz 2598 POL 7.5 52.0 63.5 6 44.0 9.8
34 GM Gurevich Mikhail 2611 TUR 7.5 51.5 63.5 5 43.5 6.7
337 players
 
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FIDE Grand Prix

The line ups for the FIDE Grand Prix events have been announced. The top four players in the world, along with players such as Morozevich and Shirov are missing. All this was more or less known beforehand. However the players who have signed up make this a very attractive and interesting series of events. The grand prix is organised by Global Chess which is headed by Bessel Kok.

Details: http://www.fide.com/news.asp?id=1607

See the full table of events and entrants: The Week in Chess 696

Event 1 April 20th - May 6th 2008, Baku, Azerbaijan
Event 2 July 30th - August 15th 2008, Sochi, Russia
Event 3 December 13th - 29th, 2008, Doha, Qatar
Event 4 April 14th - 28th, 2009, Montreux, Switzerland
Event 5 August 8th - 24th, 2009, Elista, Russia
Event 6 December 7th - 23rd, 2009, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
 
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April
FIDE Rating April 2008

Viswanathan Anand heads the April FIDE list alone with a rating of 2803 15 points clear of Vladimir Kramnik. Alexander Morozevich has moved into 3rd position after his win in the Russian Championships. Veselin Topalov lies in 4th place after losing 13 rating points. In 5th place is Magnus Carlsen who gains 32 points has arrived in the top 10 for the first and more than likely a very long stay.

April 2008 top 100

 
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16th Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament


Ralf Akesson. Photo © http://www.sigeman-chess.com

The 16th Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament took place 22nd - 30th April 2008 in Malmo,Sweden. Tiger Hillarp Persson took clear first place with 7.5/9 a point clear of Daniel Stellwagen.

Games in PGN

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

XVI Sigeman & Co Malmo (SWE), 22-30 iv 2008 cat. XII (2539)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Hillarp Persson, Tiger g SWE 2491 * ½ ½ 1 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 7½ 2817
2. Stellwagen, Daniël g NED 2621 ½ * ½ 0 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 6½ 2696
3. Hansen, Lars Bo g DEN 2563 ½ ½ * 1 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 6 2661
4. Akesson, Ralf g SWE 2466 0 1 0 * ½ ½ 1 0 1 1 5 2590
5. Timman, Jan H g NED 2565 0 0 0 ½ * ½ 1 1 1 1 5 2579
6. Agrest, Evgenij g SWE 2567 0 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 1 4½ 2536
7. Kotronias, Vasilios g GRE 2611 ½ ½ ½ 0 0 ½ * 0 ½ ½ 3 2406
8. Lie, Kjetil A g NOR 2558 0 0 0 1 0 ½ 1 * 0 ½ 3 2412
9. Smith, Axel SWE 2428 0 0 ½ 0 0 0 ½ 1 * ½ 2½ 2385
10. Portisch, Lajos g HUN 2523 0 0 ½ 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ * 2 2321
 
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Russian Team Championship 2008

The Russian Team Championship took place in Dagomys, Sochi 1st-14th April 2008. A very strong field competed. The winners with a round to spare were Ural - Ekaterinburg the only team with an average rating above 2700 (Radjabov, Shirov, Kamsky, Grischuk, Malakhov, Akopian, Dreev and Motylev). My thanks to Jonathan Berry for the final crosstable.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.russiachess.org/. Additional coverage: http://www.chessdom.com/

TCh-RUS Dagomys (RUS), 2-13 iv 2008
Final Round 11 Standings
# Team url ec1 tps fiG spa sha 64 shm tom plt sUr ec2 M G
1 Ural - Ekaterinburg X 2 1 1 2 1 0 2 2 2 2 2 17 39½
2 Economist 1 - Saratov 0 X 1 0 2 2 0 2 2 2 2 2 15 37
3 TPS - Saransk 1 1 X 1 2 2 1 0 2 0 2 2 14 37
4 FINEK Gasprom 1 2 1 X 1 0 2 2 0 1 2 2 14 35½
5 Spasio - Moscow 0 0 0 1 X 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 12 34½
6 Shatar - Buryatia 1 0 0 2 1 X 1 2 2 2 0 1 12 34
7 64 - Moscow 2 2 1 0 0 1 X 1 0 1 1 2 11 32
8 ShCM - Moscow 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 X 0 2 2 2 10 33½
9 Tomsk 400 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 X 0 2 2 10 31
10 Polit - Nizhni Tagil 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 2 X 0 2 9 31
11 South Ural - Chelya. 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 X 0 5 27½
12 Economist 2 - Saratov 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 X 3 23½
 
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Dutch Championship 2008

Jan Smeets
Jan Smeets just after winning the 2008 Dutch Championship. Photo © http://www.chessvista.com/

The Dutch Championship took place takes place 2nd - 13th April 2008 in a television studio (Studio 2) in Hilversum Media Park. First prize was EUR 10.000. Jan Smeets took the title with a final round win against Daniel Stellwagen. Peng Zhaoqin dominated the women's event and won with 8/9.

http://www.schaakbond.nl/nk2008/ and photos and reports at: http://www.chessvista.com/

Games in PGN and Women's Games in PGN

ch-NED Hilversum NED (NED), 2-13 iv 2008 cat. XII (2536)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
1. Smeets, Jan g NED 2578 * ½ 1 ½ ½ 0 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 7½ 2665
2. Reinderman, Dimitri g NED 2526 ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 7 2639
3. Stellwagen, Daniël g NED 2621 0 ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 ½ 1 7 2630
4. Ernst, Sipke g NED 2559 ½ ½ ½ * ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ 1 6½ 2599
5. L'Ami, Erwin g NED 2600 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 0 6½ 2595
6. Nijboer, Friso g NED 2558 1 ½ ½ 0 ½ * 0 1 1 0 1 ½ 6 2570
7. Tiviakov, Sergei g NED 2634 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 * ½ 0 1 ½ 1 6 2563
8. Visser, Yge g NED 2477 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ 0 ½ * ½ 1 1 1 5½ 2541
9. De Jong, Jan-Willem m NED 2474 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 0 1 ½ * ½ ½ ½ 4 2440
10. Janssen, Ruud m NED 2504 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 ½ * ½ 1 4 2437
11. Brandenburg, Daan m NED 2435 ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ * ½ 3½ 2412
12. Bosboom, Manuel m NED 2471 0 0 0 0 1 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 ½ * 2½ 2331

Round 11 (April 13, 2008)
Smeets, Jan - Stellwagen, Daniël 1-0 45 B82 Sicilian Scheveningen
Reinderman, Dimitri - Brandenburg, Daan 1-0 38 E70 King's Indian Fianchetto
L'Ami, Erwin - Bosboom, Manuel 0-1 37 E94 King's Indian Classical
Nijboer, Friso - Visser, Yge 1-0 66 C18 French Winawer
De Jong, Jan-Willem - Tiviakov, Sergei 1-0 61 E38 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Janssen, Ruud - Ernst, Sipke 1-0 50 A17 English Opening
 
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XIV Dos Hermanas tournament

The XIV Dos Hermanas tournament took place 18th-20th April 2008. The knockout featured four players Veselin Topalov, Alexei Shirov, Judit Polgar and Paco Vallejo. There were four game rapid matches of 20 minutes + 10 seconds a move. Tie blitz games of 5 minutes + 3 seconds a move followed by a final sudden death game were not required.

In the Semi-Finals Francisco Vallejo Pons beats Alexei Shirov 3-1 on the first day. Veselin Topalov beat Judit Polgar 3,5-2.5 but had already made sure of qualifying before the fourth game. Topalov won the final 2.5-1.5 against Vallejo after winning the first game and drawing the rest.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.doshermanas.net
 
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II Ruy Lopez Chess Festival

The II Ruy Lopez International Chess Festival took place in Merida, Spain 4th-13th April 2008. The main event was a category XV all-play-all won by Michael Adams with 5.5/7.

Games in PGN

Official web page http://ruylopez.juntaextremadura.net/modules/news/

II Ruy Lopez Masters Merida ESP (ESP), 5-11 iv 2008 cat. XV (2616)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. Adams, Michael g ENG 2726 * ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 5½ 2826
2. Zhang Pengxiang g CHN 2640 ½ * 0 ½ 1 1 1 1 5 2767
3. Sargissian, Gabriel g ARM 2676 ½ 1 * ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 4½ 2706
4. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2612 0 ½ ½ * 1 1 ½ 1 4½ 2715
5. Caruana, Fabiano g ITA 2598 0 0 0 0 * ½ 1 1 2½ 2513
6. Granda Zuniga, Julio E g PER 2588 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ * 0 ½ 2 2458
7. Hou Yifan wg CHN 2527 0 0 ½ ½ 0 1 * 0 2 2467
8. Perez Candelario, Manuel m ESP 2537 0 0 ½ 0 0 ½ 1 * 2 2465

Round 7 (April 11, 2008)
Zhang Pengxiang - Granda Zuniga, Julio E 1-0 27 B47 Sicilian Paulsen
Sargissian, Gabriel - Adams, Michael ½-½ 18 E17 Queens Indian
Caruana, Fabiano - Koneru, Humpy 0-1 40 C42 Petroff's Defence
Perez Candelario, Manuel - Hou Yifan 1-0 39 B96 Sicilian Najdorf

 
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Gausdal Chess Classic

The Gausdal Chess Classic took place 8th-16th April 2008.

Official site: http://www.bergensjakk.no/gausdal/classics2008/index.htm

Games in PGN

Gausdal Classics GMA Gausdal (NOR), 8-16 iv 2008 cat. XI (2517)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Kaidanov, Gregory S g USA 2596 * ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 7 2729
2. Gopal, G.N g IND 2562 ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½ 1 6 2638
3. Kotronias, Vasilios g GRE 2611 0 ½ * ½ 1 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 5½ 2588
4. Ikonnikov, Vyacheslav g RUS 2578 ½ ½ ½ * 0 ½ 1 0 1 1 5 2554
5. Macieja, Bartlomiej g POL 2599 ½ ½ 0 1 * 0 ½ ½ 1 1 5 2552
6. Sandipan, Chanda g IND 2585 ½ 0 0 ½ 1 * 0 1 1 1 5 2554
7. Lie, Kjetil A g NOR 2558 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 * 1 1 ½ 4½ 2514
8. Krush, Irina m USA 2479 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 0 0 * ½ ½ 3½ 2442
9. Hole, Oystein m NOR 2387 0 ½ ½ 0 0 0 0 ½ * 1 2½ 2367
10. Moskow, Eric USA 2229 0 0 0 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 * 1 2199
 
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10th Dubai Open

The 10th Dubai Open took place 6th-15th April 2008. Wesley So took first place on tie-break from Merab Gagunashvili, Ehsan Ghaem Maghami and Li Chao B after all finished with 7/9.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.arabfide.com/dubaiopen2008/

Rk. Name FED Rtg Pts.  TB1   TB3 
1 GM So Wesley PHI 2540 7,0 20234 39,5
2 GM Gagunashvili Merab GEO 2553 7,0 20085 39,0
3 GM Ghaem Maghami Ehsan IRI 2604 7,0 19789 35,0
4 GM Li Chao B CHN 2581 7,0 19605 37,0
5 GM Gupta Abhijeet IND 2521 6,5 20400 36,0
6 GM Drozdovskij Yuri UKR 2581 6,5 20135 36,0
7 IM Laxman R R IND 2488 6,5 19794 33,0
8 GM Neverov Valeriy UKR 2568 6,5 19658 34,0
9 GM Arutinian David GEO 2593 6,5 19546 34,5
10 GM Ibrahimov Rasul AZE 2535 6,5 19533 33,0
11 GM Guseinov Gadir AZE 2625 6,5 19527 31,0
12 GM Guliev Sarhan AZE 2487 6,5 18570 31,0
13 FM Salem A R Saleh UAE 2429 6,0 19985 36,0
14 GM Kuzubov Yuriy UKR 2603 6,0 19690 32,0
15 GM Kotanjian Tigran ARM 2570 6,0 19663 32,5
16 GM Adly Ahmed EGY 2578 6,0 19634 33,0
17 GM Ibrayev Nurlan KAZ 2507 6,0 19370 32,5
18 IM Sachdev Tania IND 2423 6,0 19184 29,5
19 FM Wu Xibin CHN 2351 6,0 19137 27,0
20 Zhou Weiqi CHN 2560 6,0 19088 32,5
21 IM Ashwin Jayaram IND 2446 6,0 18905 29,5
22 GM Negi Parimarjan IND 2514 6,0 18872 30,0
23 IM Guliev Logman AZE 2434 6,0 18559 29,5
24 GM Kotsur Pavel KAZ 2568 5,5 19920 33,5
25 GM Gelashvili Tamaz GEO 2622 5,5 19831 32,5
26 IM Frhat Ali EGY 2392 5,5 19669 30,5
27 GM Ramesh R B IND 2472 5,5 19625 29,5
28 GM Safarli Eltaj AZE 2524 5,5 19410 30,0
29 IM Ismagambetov Anuar KAZ 2492 5,5 19317 30,5
30 IM Tissir Mohamed MAR 2440 5,5 19257 29,5
31 FM Soozankar A M IRI 2221 5,5 19111 26,0
32 Noroozi Omid IRI 2274 5,5 18938 26,0
33 IM Durarbeyli Vasif AZE 2384 5,5 18811 28,0
34 Shiven Khosla IND 2086 5,5 18802 24,5
35 IM El Taher Fouad EGY 2486 5,5 18578 28,5
36 Wang Li CHN 2406 5,5 18392 27,0
37 IM Nedochetov Mikhail RUS 2355 5,5 18237 25,0
38 Praveen Kumar C IND 2287 5,5 18122 24,5
39 FM Somoff Abdo LIB 2278 5,5 16181 26,5
40 GM Gleizerov Evgeny RUS 2556 5,0 19386 30,5
132 players
 
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March
Morelia/Linares 2008

Viswanathan Anand against Veselin Topalov in round 14.
Viswanathan Anand against Veselin Topalov in round 14. Photo © ChessVibes.

The Morelia - Linares tournament took place 15th-23rd February (Mexican half) and then 28th February - 7th March 2008 (Spanish half). Viswanathan Anand took clear first half a point clear of Magnus Carlsen.

Index to TWIC videos, stories and annotations from Morelia and Linares 2008

PGN Games

Official site (Linares part): http://www.soloajedrez.com/ciudaddelinares/ and http://www.ajedrezmorelialinares.com.mx/

XXV SuperGM Morelia/Linares (MEX/ESP), 15 ii-7 iii 2008.
cat. XXI (2756)
1. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2799 8½ 2829
2. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2733 8 2808
3. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2739 7½ 2787
4. Topalov, Veselin g BUL 2780 7½ 2781
5. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2735 7 2758
6. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2751 6½ 2727
7. Lékó, Peter g HUN 2753 5½ 2676
8. Shirov, Alexei g ESP 2755 5½ 2675
 
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Heviz Category XVI Tournament

Round 10
Round 10 Csaba Balogh takes first place on tie-break. Photo © http://www.palace-heviz.hu

The Palace Hotel International Chess Tournament Heviz (Hungary) took place 18th-28th March 2008.

Games in PGN

Reports and Results from Heviz

Official site: http://www.palace-heviz.hu with live games.

Reports: Miklos Orso

Final Round 10: Four players tied at first place Almasi Z. - Balogh Cs. Catalan Opening When White regained the sacrificed c4-pawn black found just enough counter-play in the centre to hold on. Draw agreed in 23 moves. Naiditsch - Mikhalevski Ruy Lopez Open White had well-placed knights in the centre and created a strong outpost on d6. Black could also build a base on d3 for his knight. During a heavy battle Black rejected a three-fold repetition but overestimated his chances. 1-0 in 47 moves. Nisipeanu - Vallejo Pons Sicilian, Kalashnikov Defence Black's surprising choice of opening seemed to work well and the position was about equal after trading the Queens. Later Black let his opponent make an unpleasant pin oh the h-file but White missed the right moment to take advantage of it. Draw agreed in 26 moves. Final notes: The youngest GM, former youth European Champion Csaba Balogh of Hungary won the tournament with his solid style of play. His rating was the lowest having only 2575. Arkadij Naiditsch of Germany came second due to the Berger-Sonneborn tie-break. He got a bit tired during the second half. Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu of Romania recovered well after losing in Round 1. Zoltan Almasi HUN played well in all but one game. Francisco Vallejo Pons represented a colourful, romantic style but with less success this time while Viktor Mikhalevski of Israel was far short of his best. The fighting spirit and the average of number of moves was at an all the time high.

Palace Hotel GM Heviz (HUN), 18-28 iii 2008 cat. XVI (2645)

1 2 3 4 5 6
1 Balogh, Csaba g HUN 2575 * * ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 5½ 2695
2 Naiditsch, Arkadij g GER 2638 ½ 0 * * 1 0 ½ 1 1 0 ½ 1 5½ 2682
3 Nisipeanu, Liviu-Dieter g ROU 2684 ½ ½ 0 1 * * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 5½ 2673
4 Almasi, Zoltan g HUN 2667 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ * * ½ ½ 1 1 5½ 2676
5 Vallejo Pons, Francisco g ESP 2675 ½ ½ 0 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ * * 0 ½ 4½ 2603
6 Mikhalevski, Victor g ISR 2632 ½ ½ ½ 0 0 ½ 0 0 1 ½ * * 3½ 2537

Round 10 (March 28, 2008)
Nisipeanu, Liviu-Dieter - Vallejo Pons, Francisco ½-½ 26 B32 Sicilian Labourdonnais
Naiditsch, Arkadij - Mikhalevski, Victor 1-0 47 C80 Ruy Lopez Open
Almasi, Zoltan - Balogh, Csaba ½-½ 23 E20 Nimzo Indian
 
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17th Amber tournament

Kramnik and Aronian met in round ten. This is their rapid game.
Kramnik and Aronian during their rapid game in round 10. Photo © ChessVibes

The 17th Amber Rapid and Blindfold Chess Tournament took place March 14th-28th, 2008 at the Hotel Palais de la Mediterranée on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. Twelve grandmasters from ten different countries took part and the total prize-fund was 216,000 Euro. Levon Aronian having already secured victory with a round to go in the combined and rapid sections also shared first in the blindfold section along with Kramnik, Morozevich and Topalov.

Official site: http://www.amberchess2008.com

Blindfold Games in PGN and Rapid Games in PGN

Page of results and pairings

Amber Blindfold and Rapid 15-27 iii 2008.
cat. XXI (2752)
Thursday 27th March 2008 Round XI.
12.30 Blind Kramnik 1/2 Karjakin Anand 1/2 Van Wely Mamedyarov 1-0 Gelfand
14.00 Blind Topalov 1-0 Ivanchuk Leko 1/2 Aronian Morozevich 1/2 Carlsen
15.45 Rapid Karjakin 1/2 Kramnik Van Wely 1/2 Anand Gelfand 1-0 Mamedyarov
17.15 Rapid Ivanchuk 1-0 Topalov Aronian 1/2 Leko Carlsen 1/2 Morozevich
Amber Blindfold 14-28 iii 2008
Final Round 11 Standings
1. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2799 6½ 2813
2. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2739 6½ 2818
3. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2765 6½ 2816
4. Topalov, Veselin g BUL 2780 6½ 2814
5. Leko, Peter g HUN 2753 6 2788
6. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2799 6 2784
7. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2733 6 2790
8. Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2732 5 2718
9. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2681 5 2722
10. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2751 4½ 2687
11. Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar g AZE 2760 4½ 2686
12. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2737 3 2578
Amber Rapid 14-28 iii 2008
Final Round 11 Standings
1. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2739 8 2928
2. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2751 6½ 2817
3. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2737 6 2789
4. Leko, Peter g HUN 2753 6 2788
5. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2733 6 2790
6. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2799 5½ 2748
7. Topalov, Veselin g BUL 2780 5½ 2749
8. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2799 5 2712
9. Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar g AZE 2760 4½ 2686
10. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2765 4½ 2686
11. Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2732 4½ 2689
12. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2681 4 2656
Amber Blindfold and Rapid 14-28 iii 2008
Combined Final Standings
1. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2739 14.5 2870
2. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2799 12.0 2784
3. Leko, Peter g HUN 2753 12.0 2788
4. Topalov, Veselin g BUL 2780 12.0 2785
5. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2733 12.0 2790
6. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2751 11.0 2752
7. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2799 11.0 2748
8. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2765 11.0 2751
9. Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2732 9.5 2704
10. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2737 9.0 2688
11. Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar g AZE 2760 9.0 2686
12. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2681 9.0 2693
 
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February
24th Cappelle La Grande Open

Vugar Gashimov
Winner Vugar Gashimov. Photo © Official site: http://www.cappelle-chess.com/

The 24th Cappelle La Grande Open took place 16th-23rd February 2008. The winner was GM Vugar Gashimov who scored 7/9 and had the best tie-break ahead of 7 others on 7/9 (Arutinian, Fedorchuk, Kryvoruchko, Chernyshov, Deviatkin, Kotronias and L’Ami).

There were 14 norms (17 last year) : # GM : Kravtsiv - Salgado Lopez - Papp - Deviatkin # IM : Gosset - Nabaty - Grandelius - Hrabinska - Melia - Bijaoui - Rasmussen # WGM : Hoolt # WIM : Hoolt - Schuurman

Games in PGN Official site: http://www.cappelle-chess.com/

24th Cappelle La Grande Open (FRA), 16-23 ii 2008
Leading Final Round 9 Standings
Pl Surname First Name Ti NAT Rat PTS DEP
1 Gashimov Vugar GM AZE 2665 7.0 2741
2 Arutinian David GM GEO 2576 7.0 2736
3 Fedorchuk Sergey GM UKR 2652 7.0 2735
4 Kryvoruchko Yuriy GM UKR 2597 7.0 2735
5 Chernyshov Konstantin GM RUS 2543 7.0 2722
6 Deviatkin Andrei IM RUS 2543 7.0 2712
7 Kotronias Vasilios GM GRE 2628 7.0 2651
8 L'ami Erwin GM NED 2581 7.0 2637
9 Moiseenko Alexander GM UKR 2643 6.5 2665
10 Vitiugov Nikita GM RUS 2609 6.5 2664
11 Kazhgaleyev Murtas GM KAZ 2594 6.5 2662
12 Malakhatko Vadim GM BEL 2600 6.5 2653
13 Petrosian Tigran l GM ARM 2606 6.5 2653
14 Miroshnichenko Evgenij GM UKR 2647 6.5 2645
15 Kravtsiv Martyn IM UKR 2516 6.5 2642
16 Luther Thomas GM GER 2526 6.5 2632
17 Gulko Boris F GM USA 2550 6.5 2622
18 Kanep Meelis GM EST 2523 6.5 2614
19 Papp Gabor IM HUN 2484 6.5 2611
20 Ulibin Mikhail GM RUS 2518 6.5 2607
21 David Alberto GM LUX 2557 6.5 2606
22 Degraeve Jean-Marc GM FRA 2535 6.5 2601
23 Savchenko Stanislav GM UKR 2558 6.5 2601
24 Renet Olivier GM FRA 2513 6.5 2593
25 Rozentalis Eduardas GM LTU 2567 6.5 2568
26 Simutowe Amon IM ZAM 2457 6.5 2565
27 Sokolov Andrei GM FRA 2594 6.5 2541
28 Szelag Marcin IM POL 2484 6.5 2534
29 Maiorov Nikita GM BLR 2525 6.5 2506
30 Erdos Viktor GM HUN 2575 6.5 2503
31 Llaneza Vega Marcos IM ESP 2445 6.5 2477
32 Salgado Lopez Ivan IM ESP 2459 6.0 2637
33 Oleksienko Mikhailo GM UKR 2590 6.0 2631
34 Timoshenko Georgy GM UKR 2560 6.0 2624
35 Panarin Mikhail GM RUS 2511 6.0 2613
36 Gharamian Tigran IM FRA 2558 6.0 2585
37 Shneider Aleksandr GM UKR 2532 6.0 2567
38 Dervishi Erald GM ALB 2543 6.0 2561
39 Belov Vladimir GM RUS 2578 6.0 2553
40 Li Shilong GM CHN 2502 6.0 2552
41 Olszewski Michal IM POL 2430 6.0 2548
42 Aveskulov Valeriy GM UKR 2532 6.0 2547
43 Dzagnidze Nana IM GEO 2429 6.0 2547
44 Tissir Mohamed IM MAR 2428 6.0 2542
45 Burmakin Vladimir GM RUS 2611 6.0 2534
46 Hess Robert L IM USA 2445 6.0 2530
47 Martinez Martin David IM ESP 2395 6.0 2527
48 Spraggett Kevin GM CAN 2588 6.0 2527
49 Khruschiov Alexey GM MDA 2504 6.0 2526
50 Cyborowski Lukasz GM POL 2543 6.0 2521
51 Banusz Tamas IM HUN 2489 6.0 2520
52 Lalic Bogdan GM CRO 2507 6.0 2519
53 Butnorius Algimantas GM LTU 2441 6.0 2510
54 Sandipan Chanda GM IND 2593 6.0 2505
55 Ghane Shojaat IM IRI 2442 6.0 2503
56 Mamedov Nidjat GM AZE 2574 6.0 2502
57 Gutman Gennadi GM UKR 2496 6.0 2501
58 Grandelius Nils FM SWE 2371 6.0 2500
59 Moroz Alexander GM UKR 2512 6.0 2496
60 Danielian Elina IM ARM 2480 6.0 2494
61 Kharitonov Alexandr GM RUS 2524 6.0 2485
62 Van Der Weide Karel GM NED 2483 6.0 2473
63 Naumkin Igor GM RUS 2475 6.0 2472
64 Rasmussen Allan stig FM DEN 2468 6.0 2465
65 Vera Gonzalez Q Reynaldo GM CUB 2495 6.0 2464
66 Mogranzini Roberto IM ITA 2401 6.0 2461
67 Llorente Zaro Alfonso IM ESP 2435 6.0 2448
68 Khurtsidze Nino IM GEO 2441 6.0 2446
69 Sulskis Sarunas GM LTU 2553 6.0 2444
70 Petkevich Jusefs GM LAT 2434 6.0 2430
71 Wang Puchen IM NZL 2383 6.0 2425
72 Smith Axel CF SWE 2458 6.0 2420
73 Durarbeyli Vasif IM AZE 2392 6.0 2419
74 Grabinsky Vladimir IM UKR 2295 6.0 2416
75 Aloma Vidal Robert FM ESP 2393 6.0 2410
76 Klovans Janis GM LAT 2447 6.0 2359
77 Sandu Mihaela IM ROU 2313 6.0 2349
78 Petrosian Suren IM ARM 2404 6.0 2368
79 Vavrak Peter IM SVK 2472 5.5 2550
80 Zubarev Alexander GM UKR 2491 5.5 2528
612 players
 
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1st Pfalz Open

The 1st Pfalz Open took place in Neustadt a.d. Weinstraße 15th-23rd February 2008. Tomasz Markowski took clear first place with 7.5/9 half a point clear of the field.

Official site: http://www.pfalzopen.de/ - Live coverage at: http://www.schach.com/neustadt

Games in PGN


1st Pfalz Open Neustadt a.d. Weinstrasse (GER), 16-23 ii 2008
Leading Final Round 9 Standings
Pl Player Ti NAT Rat Pts Buchh BuSumm
1 Markowski,Tomasz GM 2585 POL 7.5 48 379.5
2 Tiviakov,Sergei GM 2649 NED 7 51 373
3 Greenfeld,Alon GM 2559 ISR 7 49.5 375.5
4 Postny,Evgeny GM 2627 ISR 7 49.5 372
5 Milov,Leonid IM 2482 GER 7 48.5 367.5
6 Kempinski,Robert GM 2590 GER 7 46.5 369
7 Korneev,Oleg GM 2645 RUS 7 42.5 343.5
8 Graf,Alexander GM 2586 GER 6.5 49 371.5
9 Khenkin,Igor GM 2602 GER 6.5 49 368
10 Epishin,Vladimir GM 2577 RUS 6.5 47 354
11 Berelovich,Aleksa GM 2606 UKR 6.5 46 366
12 Borovikov,Vladisl GM 2583 UKR 6.5 46 342
13 Kekelidze,Michail GM 2454 GEO 6.5 45.5 351
14 Dgebuadze,Alexand GM 2512 BEL 6.5 45 351.5
15 Teske,Henrik GM 2493 GER 6.5 44.5 349.5
16 Brener,Ilja IM 2394 GER 6.5 44 341
17 Djuric,Stefan GM 2448 SRB 6.5 43 357.5
18 Starostits,Ilmars IM 2500 LAT 6.5 43 343.5
19 Haba,Petr GM 2536 CZE 6 51.5 366.5
20 Manolache,Marius GM 2530 ROU 6 50 363
21 Drozdovskyy,Yuriy GM 2574 UKR 6 50 358
22 Moldovan,Daniel IM 2446 ROU 6 48.5 346.5
23 Morawietz,Dieter 2424 GER 6 48 352.5
24 Lauber,Arnd IM 2417 GER 6 47 344
25 Agopov,Mikael IM 2444 FIN 6 45 344
26 Chernov,Vadim IM 2505 ROU 6 45 342
27 Wegerle,Jörg FM 2415 GER 6 44.5 331
28 Mäurer,Christoph, FM 2266 GER 6 44 352
29 Helbig,Mark FM 2343 GER 6 43.5 331.5
30 Dyballa,Markus FM 2324 GER 6 42.5 345
31 Mezhlumian,Vahram 2264 ARM 6 42 334.5
32 Piasetski,Leon IM 2308 CAN 6 42 330
33 Heimann,Andreas 2403 GER 6 41.5 315
34 Zdebskaja,Natalia WGM 2313 UKR 6 40.5 326.5
35 Haker,Johann-Chri 2342 GER 5.5 45 349
36 Kopylov,Michael IM 2457 UKR 5.5 45 348
37 Schulze,Ulrich IM 2316 GER 5.5 44.5 351.5
38 Dittmar,Peter FM 2329 GER 5.5 44.5 342
39 Nekrasov,Michail IM 2375 UKR 5.5 44 345
40 Sorm,Daniel FM 2330 FID 5.5 44 315
41 Esterluss,Johanne 2126 GER 5.5 43 345
42 Hillenbrand,Micha 2167 GER 5.5 42.5 346
43 Krockenberger,Mar FM 2208 GER 5.5 42.5 334.5
44 Ferkingstad,Sjur 2232 NOR 5.5 42.5 332.5
45 Degenhardt,Horst FM 2286 GER 5.5 42.5 328.5
46 Meiser,Markus 2187 GER 5.5 41.5 333.5
47 Friedrich,Norbert FM 2306 GER 5.5 41 345.5
48 Frotscher,Thomas 2174 GER 5.5 41 332
49 De Andres Gonalon 2092 ESP 5.5 41 324.5
50 Vogel,Johannes 1954 GER 5.5 41 317.5
51 Wind,Lutz 2174 GER 5.5 40.5 338.5
52 Kopylova,Ljubov WIM 2218 GER 5.5 40.5 331
53 Piekors,Mark 2094 GER 5.5 38.5 317.5
54 Spitzer,Martin 2223 GER 5.5 37.5 311
55 Müller,Waldemar 2168 GER 5.5 36 327.5
56 Braun,Peter FM 2309 GER 5.5 35 302.5
57 Weisenburger,Hors 2135 GER 5.5 34.5 307
58 Dushatskiy,Fedor 2206 GER 5.5 32 301
59 Kunz,Konstantin 2161 GER 5 43.5 339
60 Feibert,Fred FM 2256 GER 5 43 327.5
61 Bongartz,Philipp 1993 GER 5 43 323
62 Busch,Lorenz 2098 GER 5 43 316.5
63 Meier,Volker FM 2246 GER 5 42.5 336.5
64 Martin,Stefan 2226 GER 5 40.5 329.5
65 Wilhelm,Jochen 2167 GER 5 40.5 319
66 Busch,Andreas 2115 GER 5 40.5 313
67 Schleich,Theodor, 2052 GER 5 40 304
68 Viebahn,Dirk 2177 GER 5 39.5 328.5
69 Dewenter,Ulf 2220 GER 5 39 334
70 Nowik,Volker 2171 GER 5 39 325
71 Frick,Christoph 2271 GER 5 39 321
72 Wurzel,Andre 2193 GER 5 38.5 339.5
73 Wüst,Hans-Heiner, 2072 GER 5 38 301.5
74 Scheeff,Volker 2130 GER 5 37.5 314
75 Schaefer,Michael 2219 GER 5 37 308.5
76 Inhoven,Stefan 2140 GER 5 37 307.5
77 Ludy,Klaus 2134 GER 5 37 304
78 Weber,Dominik 2097 GER 5 36.5 310
79 Hankel,Dennis 2208 GER 5 36.5 300
80 Hauck,Heiko 2170 GER 5 36 309
81 Zweschper,Erich 2146 GER 5 36 308
82 Ackermann,Hans We FM 2342 GER 5 35.5 315.5
83 Kastek,Thomas 2207 GER 5 35.5 306.5
84 Halt,David 2044 GER 5 35.5 290.5
85 Hansult,Manfred 2042 GER 5 35 301.5
86 Naundorf,Maik 2134 GER 5 34.5 320
87 Kaiser,Elmar 2142 GER 5 34 312.5
88 Bohne,Lutz 2135 GER 5 33 309.5
193 players
 
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Four Nations Chess Challenge

The Four Nations Chess Challenge between Norway, Sweden, England and Latvia took place in Oslo - Norway, 15th-17th February 2008. Sweden took clear first winning all their matches, England came in second place.

Official site: http://www.bergensjakk.no/four_nations_2008/ additional coverage: http://previews.chessdom.com/four-nations-chess-challenge

Four Nations Chess Challenge Oslo (NOR)
15-17 ii 2008 Team Results
Team Pl + = - Ind Pts Mpts
1. Sweden 3 3 0 0 20.0 6
2. England 3 2 0 1 14.0 4
3. Latvia 3 0 1 2 13.5 1
4. Norway 3 0 1 2 12.5 1
 
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Moscow Open 2008

The 4th International Chess Festival Moscow Open 2008 takes place 2nd-10th February 2008. Artyom Timofeev took first alone place after winning a marathon game against the leader Ernesto Inarkiev (who had just won 7 in a row).

Official site: http://moscowchessopen.ru/eng/index.shtml

Games in PGN

4th Open Moscow (RUS), 2-10 ii 2008
Leading Final Round 9 Standings:
Rank Ti Name Rtg FED Pts T/B
1 GM Timofeev Artyom RUS 2664 7,5 38,0
2 GM Riazantsev Alexander RUS 2628 7,0 37,5
3 GM Volkov Sergey RUS 2623 7,0 37,5
4 GM Efimenko Zahar UKR 2638 7,0 37,0
5 GM Lastin Alexander RUS 2604 7,0 37,0
6 GM Jobava Baadur GEO 2643 7,0 36,5
7 GM Inarkiev Ernesto RUS 2681 7,0 35,0
8 GM Kazhgaleyev Murtas KAZ 2594 7,0 34,5
9 GM Moiseenko Alexander UKR 2643 7,0 34,5
10 GM Kurnosov Igor RUS 2577 7,0 32,5
11 GM Motylev Alexander RUS 2644 6,5 34,5
12 GM Naiditsch Arkadij GER 2638 6,5 34,0
13 GM Kobalia Mikhail RUS 2623 6,5 33,5
14 GM Korobov Anton UKR 2573 6,5 33,5
15 GM Potkin Vladimir RUS 2609 6,5 33,5
16 GM Khairullin Ildar RUS 2544 6,5 32,0
17 FM Zabotin Alexander RUS 2495 6,5 32,0
18 GM Malakhov Vladimir RUS 2689 6,5 31,5
19 GM Areshchenko Alexander UKR 2645 6,5 31,0
20 GM Aleksandrov Aleksej BLR 2618 6,5 30,5
21 GM Rodshtein Maxim ISR 2614 6,5 27,5
 
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Aeroflot Open 2008

Aeroflot Round 9. Round 9 Ian Nepomniachtchi, standing, drew with Andrei Volokitin
Aeroflot Round 9 Ian Nepomniachtchi drew with Andrei Volokitin and combined with an early draw between Dreev and Motylev, took clear first place. Photo. © Robert Fontaine http://www.europe-echecs.com who also have videos of the tournament.

The Aeroflot Open took place 14th-22nd February 2008. This is usually regarded as the strongest open of the year with $30,000 US first place and $100,000 US total prizes in the top group (and good prizes in the lower groups). Ian Nepomniachtchi took clear first with 7/9 half a point clear of the field.

Games in PGN (One interesting result was the last (by some margin too) game to finish Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son against Maxime Vachier Lagrave which was a Rook and Bishop vs Rook endgame called off as a draw just two moves from mate due to the 50 move rule. Vachier Lagrave knew he was safe on move 113 (133...Ka6 is a draw) and didn't care how he defended after that.

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

Aeroflot Open Moscow (RUS), 14-22 ii 2008
Leading Final Round 9 Standings:
Rk Name Ti NAT Elo Score TPR
1 Nepomniachtchi, Ian GM RUS 2600 7.0 2822
2 Motylev, Alexander GM RUS 2644 6.5 2761
3 Dreev, Alexey GM RUS 2633 6.5 2767
4 Rodshtein, Maxim GM ISR 2614 6.0 2717
5 Volokitin, Andrei GM UKR 2674 6.0 2706
6 Grachev, Boris GM RUS 2601 6.0 2736
7 Guseinov, Gadir GM AZE 2617 6.0 2727
8 Amonatov, Farrukh GM TJK 2649 6.0 2701
9 Mamedov, Rauf GM AZE 2583 5.5 2694
10 Bologan, Viktor GM MDA 2663 5.5 2655
11 Asrian, Karen GM ARM 2621 5.5 2677
12 Predojevic, Borki GM BIH 2641 5.5 2659
13 Sutovsky, Emil GM ISR 2642 5.5 2653
14 Azarov, Sergei GM BLR 2594 5.5 2611
15 Khismatullin, Denis GM RUS 2564 5.0 2648
16 Le, Quang Liem GM VIE 2540 5.0 2650
17 Kotanjian, Tigran GM ARM 2545 5.0 2647
18 Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime GM FRA 2637 5.0 2599
19 Volkov, Sergey GM RUS 2623 5.0 2598
20 Nguyen, Ngoc Truong Son GM VIE 2551 5.0 2673
21 Zhou, Jianchao GM CHN 2551 5.0 2669
22 Minasian, Artashes GM ARM 2578 5.0 2647
23 Timofeev, Artyom GM RUS 2664 5.0 2643
24 Grigoriants, Sergey GM RUS 2583 5.0 2638
25 Najer, Evgeniy GM RUS 2634 5.0 2616
26 Akopian, Vladimir GM ARM 2700 5.0 2602
27 Jobava, Baadur GM GEO 2643 5.0 2609
28 Riazantsev, Alexander GM RUS 2628 5.0 2587
29 Dyachkov, Sergej GM RUS 2559 4.5 2613
30 Frolyanov, Dmitry GM RUS 2544 4.5 2615
31 Hou, Yifan WGM CHN 2527 4.5 2605
32 Bindrich, Falko GM GER 2497 4.5 2591
33 Khalifman, Alexander GM RUS 2638 4.5 2557
34 Lysyj, Igor GM RUS 2593 4.5 2521
35 Evdokimov, Alexander A. GM RUS 2569 4.5 2630
36 Safarli, Eltaj IM AZE 2496 4.5 2576
37 Zhigalko, Andrey GM BLR 2556 4.5 2597
38 Feller, Sebastien GM FRA 2522 4.5 2605
39 Iordachescu, Viorel GM MDA 2586 4.5 2566
40 Jussupow, Artur GM GER 2585 4.5 2564
66 players
 
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Daniel Noteboom Memorial

The Daniel Noteboom Memorial tournament took place in Leiden, Netherlands 1st-3rd February 2008. Predrag Nikolic edged out John Van der Wiel for the cup on Buchholz tie-break after both finished on 5.5/6.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://lsg-leiden.nl/noteboom/2008/noteboom2008.html. Frits Agterdenbos photo report: http://www.chessvista.com/

Noteboom Mem A Leiden (NED), 1-3 ii 2008.
Leading Final Round 6 Standings:
Pl. Name Ti. NAT ELO Sc # Bhlz SB
1 Nikolic, Predrag g BIH 2665 5.5 6 25.0 22.50
2 Van der Wiel, John g NED 2490 5.5 6 21.0 19.00
3 Li Shilong g CHN 2502 5.0 6 25.0 19.50
4 Roobol, Martin f NED 2288 5.0 5 23.0 18.50
5 Dgebuadze, Alexandre g BEL 2512 5.0 6 23.0 18.25
6 Lalic, Bogdan g CRO 2507 5.0 6 21.5 17.50
7 Wantola, Ivo NED 2229 4.5 5 24.0 16.75
8 Van den Doel, Erik g NED 2593 4.5 6 24.0 16.25
9 Nijboer, Friso g NED 2578 4.5 6 22.0 15.25
10 Plukkel, Sjoerd NED 2196 4.5 5 22.0 14.25
11 Lahaye, Rick NED 2377 4.5 6 21.5 14.00
12 Van Ketel, Raoul f NED 2339 4.5 6 20.0 14.25
13 Miedema, Roi f NED 2287 4.5 6 19.5 12.50
14 Pel, Bonno f NED 2299 4.5 5 19.5 12.25
15 Burg, Twan f NED 2262 4.0 6 25.5 15.50
16 Kuipers, Stefan NED 2302 4.0 6 22.5 13.75
17 Van Dongen, Cor NED 2315 4.0 5 22.5 13.00
18 Gorter, Yme NED 2084 4.0 5 22.0 13.00
19 Van Kampen, Robin NED 2243 4.0 6 22.0 12.50
20 Hagendijk, Klaas NED ---- 4.0 5 21.5 12.75
144 players
 
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January
Wijk aan Zee 2008

Aronian, Carlsen and Corus director Marjan Oudeman at the closing ceremony.
Aronian, Carlsen and Corus director Marjan Oudeman at the closing ceremony. Photo © Frits Agterdenbos: http://www.chessvista.com/

The Corus Chess Tournament 2008 took place 11th-27th January 2008 in Wijk aan Zee. The tournament venue was the De Moriaan Community Centre. Levon Aronian shared first place for the second year in a row. 17 year old Magnus Carlsen was joint first having made his breakthrough in the C-Group in only 2004.

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

Link to stories, annotations and full Wijk aan Zee 2008 tables

PGN

A-Group in PGN - B-Group in PGN - C-Group in PGN - Honorary-Group in PGN


Corus A Wijk aan Zee (NED), 12-27 i 2008 cat. XX (2742)
1. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2739 8 2829
2. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2733 8 2830
3. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2799 7½ 2794
4. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2735 7½ 2799
5. Lékó, Peter g HUN 2753 7 2770
6. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2751 7 2770
7. Adams, Michael g ENG 2726 6½ 2743
8. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2799 6½ 2737
9. Topalov, Veselin g BUL 2780 6 2710
10. Polgar, Judit g HUN 2707 6 2716
11. Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar g AZE 2760 6 2711
12. Eljanov, Pavel g UKR 2692 5 2659
13. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2681 5 2660
14. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2737 5 2655


Fred Lucas takes many photos at the event: http://www.fredlucas.eu. Frits Agterdenbos has daily photo reports: http://www.chessvista.com/. Commentary: http://www.chessdom.com/. Chess Videos: http://www.chessvibes.com/. http://www.chessclub.com/ has daily live coverage and also John Watson interviews Wijk tournament director Jeroen van den Berg on his Book show. Direct link - Etienne Bacrot annotates his own games: http://www.chess22.fr/ - Ian Rogers blogging from Wijk: http://main.uschess.org/ - John Lee Shaw on the spot: http://www.chessgateway.com/ - Europe Echecs has videos: http://www.europe-echecs.com/
 
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Gibraltar 2008

Jon Speelman drew against Hikaru Nakamura in round 3.
Jon Speelman drew against Hikaru Nakamura in round 3. Photo © John Saunders

The 6th edition of Gibraltar's Gibtelecom Chess Festival took place 22nd-31st January 2008 at the Caleta Hotel, one of Gibraltar's best hotels. Hikaru Nakamura beat Bu Xiangzhi in a playoff 2-0 to win the event after both players finished on 8/10.

Games in PGN

Offical site: http://www.gibraltarchesscongress.com/ -Chess Videos: http://www.chessvibes.com/

Coverage at: http://www.gibraltarchesscongress.com/gib2008/live/commentary.html (9 games). Another 50 are available live at http://www.monroi.com

Gibraltar's Gibtelecom Chess Festival 22nd-31st January 2008
Leading Final Round 10 standings:
Rank Name Ti Fed. Rating Score BH SB TPR
1 Bu, Xiangzhi GM CHN 2691 8.0 67.5 53.25 2834
2 Nakamura, Hikaru GM USA 2670 8.0 63.5 50.75 2747
3 Areshchenko, Alexander GM UKR 2645 7.5 61.5 45.5 2663
4 Bologan, Viktor GM MDA 2663 7.5 62.0 43.75 2680
5 Efimenko, Zahar GM UKR 2638 7.5 64.5 47.5 2687
6 Gopal, G.N. GM IND 2528 7.5 61.5 44.0 2703
7 Gurevich, Mikhail GM TUR 2607 7.5 58.0 42.75 2635
8 Ni, Hua GM CHN 2680 7.5 64.0 46.25 2742
9 Wang, Hao GM CHN 2665 7.5 60.5 43.75 2728
10 Akobian, Varuzhan GM USA 2599 7.0 58.5 38.0 2605
11 Banikas, Hristos GM GRE 2592 7.0 64.0 43.25 2691
12 Beliavsky, Alexander G GM SLO 2638 7.0 63.0 42.5 2636
13 Berg, Emanuel GM SWE 2583 7.0 63.5 42.5 2668
14 Georgiev, Kiril GM BUL 2662 7.0 64.5 44.0 2684
15 Kritz, Leonid GM GER 2592 7.0 60.5 40.25 2583
16 Petrosian, Tigran L. GM ARM 2606 7.0 60.5 41.0 2615
17 Sandipan, Chanda GM IND 2593 7.0 58.0 38.5 2565
18 Szabo, Krisztian IM HUN 2500 7.0 55.0 35.75 2505
19 Thomassen, Joachim FM NOR 2308 7.0 54.5 37.25 2517
20 Wang, Yue GM CHN 2698 7.0 60.0 41.75 2653
21 Al Sayed, Mohamad N. IM QAT 2486 6.5 52.0 32.0 2424
22 Arakhamia-Grant, Ketevan IM GEO 2457 6.5 55.5 34.5 2422
23 Bellon Lopez, Juan Manuel GM ESP 2455 6.5 49.5 31.0 2344
24 Butnorius, Algimantas GM LTU 2441 6.5 57.5 34.75 2455
25 Cmilyte, Viktorija IM LTU 2475 6.5 58.5 34.0 2578
26 Devereaux, Maxim L FM ENG 2348 6.5 55.0 33.75 2491
27 Harika, Dronavalli IM IND 2455 6.5 60.0 36.0 2472
28 Kuzubov, Yuriy GM UKR 2606 6.5 60.5 35.0 2545
29 Malakhatko, Vadim GM BEL 2600 6.5 62.0 38.25 2593
30 Papadopoulos, Ioannis IM GRE 2444 6.5 52.5 33.25 2398
31 Quillan, Gary   ENG 2362 6.5 52.5 30.75 2354
32 Socko, Bartosz GM POL 2635 6.5 65.0 39.25 2620
33 Speelman, Jon S GM ENG 2491 6.5 67.5 42.25 2690
34 Stefanova, Antoaneta GM BUL 2464 6.5 68.0 40.25 2690
35 Sulskis, Sarunas GM LTU 2553 6.5 60.0 36.5 2573
36 Zhao, Zong-Yuan IM AUS 2487 6.5 66.0 42.25 2642
37 Al-Modiahki, Mohamad GM QAT 2569 6.0 63.0 36.75 2519
203 players
 
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Croatian Championship 2008

The Croatian chess championship took place in Split, 16th-29th January 2008. Hrvoje Stevic won the event with 8/12 a point clear of Robert Zelcic. Elo favourite Zdenko Kozul trailed in 11th with only 5 points.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.a1split.hr/prvenstvo/prvenstvo.html

ch-CRO Split (CRO), 16-29 i 2008 cat. XII (2538)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3
1. Stevic, Hrvoje g CRO 2531 * 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 8 2663
2. Zelcic, Robert g CRO 2587 0 * ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 7 2591
3. Kurajica, Bojan g CRO 2556 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 1 1 6½ 2565
4. Hulak, Krunoslav g CRO 2552 0 ½ ½ * ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 0 1 6½ 2566
5. Jankovic, Alojzije g CRO 2541 0 1 ½ ½ * ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 1 0 6½ 2566
6. Jovanovic, Zoran g CRO 2525 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ * 1 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 6½ 2568
7. Saric, Ivan m CRO 2482 1 0 ½ ½ 1 0 * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 6 2542
8. Cvitan, Ognjen g CRO 2535 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 6 2538
9. Palac, Mladen g CRO 2575 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 5½ 2506
10. Dizdar, Goran g CRO 2564 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 5½ 2507
11. Kozul, Zdenko g CRO 2600 0 ½ 1 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ 5 2476
12. Rezan, Sasa m CRO 2390 ½ 0 0 1 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * 0 4½ 2463
13. Brkic, Ante g CRO 2558 0 ½ 0 0 1 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 * 4½ 2449
 
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Bobby Fischer 1943-2008

Bobby Fischer died from kidney failure 17th January 2008. He'd been in hospital for two months but was released to go home after the doctors said his case was hopeless, he may have also been in hospital for his final days. Born March 9th 1943 he became world champion in 1972.

Robert James Fischer 1943-2008 by Mark Crowther

Leonard Barden in the Guardian
Dick Cavett article and video of an interesting interview from 1972
 
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Armenian Championship 2008

The 68th Armenian Championship takes place 7th-21st January 2008 in Yerevan. Ashot Anastasian withdrew after 8 rounds. Karen Asrian edged out Artashes Minasian on tie-break after both finished on 8 points.

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

Games in PGN

68th ch-ARM Yerevan (ARM), 8-21 i 2008 cat. XII (2531)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3
1. Asrian, Karen g ARM 2621 * ½ 0 1 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 8 2648
2. Minasian, Artashes g ARM 2578 ½ * 0 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 8 2652
3. Ter-Sahakyan, Samvel f ARM 2369 1 1 * 0 1 ½ 0 0 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 7½ 2639
4. Kotanjian, Tigran g ARM 2545 0 0 1 * 0 1 1 1 ½ 1 0 1 1 7½ 2625
5. Petrosian, Tigran L g ARM 2606 0 ½ 0 1 * 0 1 ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 7½ 2620
6. Andriasian, Zaven g ARM 2532 ½ ½ ½ 0 1 * ½ ½ ½ 0 1 1 1 7 2588
7. Minasian, Ara g ARM 2466 ½ ½ 1 0 0 ½ * ½ ½ 0 1 1 1 6½ 2565
8. Lputian, Smbat G g ARM 2616 ½ ½ 1 0 ½ ½ ½ * 0 1 ½ 1 0 6 2524
9. Pashikian, Arman g ARM 2556 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 * ½ 1 0 1 6 2529
10. Babujian, Levon m ARM 2439 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 ½ * ½ 0 1 4 2414
11. Yegiazarian, Arsen g ARM 2512 ½ 0 ½ 1 0 0 0 ½ 0 ½ * 0 ½ 3½ 2374
12. Anastasian, Ashot g ARM 2562 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 * ½ 3½ 2370
13. Nalbandian, Tigran g ARM 2505 ½ 0 ½ 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 ½ ½ * 3 2340
 
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January 2008 FIDE Rating List

The January 2008 FIDE rating list see's Vladimir Kramnik number one on games played from Viswanathan Anand both are tied on 2799.

FIDE January 2008 Rating List: Top 100

January 2008 FIDE Rating List. Top 20
No Oc Name NAT YroB ja08 Gms
1 3 Kramnik, Vladimir RUS 1975 2799 9
2 1 Anand, Viswanathan IND 1969 2799 3
3 4 Topalov, Veselin BUL 1975 2780 14
4 6 Morozevich, Alexander RUS 1977 2765 12
5 12 Svidler, Peter RUS 1976 2763 19
6 7 Mamedyarov, Shakhriyaz AZE 1985 2760 35
7 10 Shirov, Alexei ESP 1972 2755 49
8 5 Leko, Peter HUN 1979 2753 9
9 2 Ivanchuk, Vassily UKR 1969 2751 30
10 9 Aronian, Levon ARM 1982 2739 16
11 11 Gelfand, Boris ISR 1968 2737 9
12 8 Radjabov, Teimour AZE 1987 2735 20
13 16 Carlsen, Magnus NOR 1990 2733 37
14 24 Karjakin, Sergey UKR 1990 2732 36
15 17 Kamsky, Gata USA 1974 2726 32
16 13 Adams, Michael ENG 1971 2726 31
17 19 Jakovenko, Dmitry RUS 1983 2720 33
18 21 Ponomariov, Ruslan UKR 1983 2719 40
19 42 Cheparinov, Ivan BUL 1986 2713 36
 
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Maalot-Tarshiha

There was an international tournament in Maalot-Tarshiha, Israel 7th-15th January 2008. Ilia Smirin and Evgeny Postny finished on 6/9.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.chess.org.il/sitefiles/1/30/3667.asp

It Maalot-Tarshiha (ISR), 7-15 i 2008 cat. XV (2620)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Smirin, Ilia g ISR 2616 * 1 ½ ½ 1 0 ½ ½ 1 1 6 2745
2. Postny, Evgeny g ISR 2627 0 * 0 ½ 1 1 1 ½ 1 1 6 2744
3. Khenkin, Igor g GER 2602 ½ 1 * ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 1 ½ 5 2665
4. Roiz, Michael g ISR 2659 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 5 2658
5. Avrukh, Boris g ISR 2628 0 0 ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 1 1 5 2662
6. Gyimesi, Zoltan g HUN 2605 1 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 4½ 2621
7. Rodshtein, Maxim m ISR 2614 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 4½ 2620
8. Moiseenko, Alexander g UKR 2643 ½ ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ ½ * ½ 0 4 2574
9. Macieja, Bartlomiej g POL 2617 0 0 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ * 1 3 2495
10. Kogan, Artur g ISR 2591 0 0 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 1 0 * 2 2403
 
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2nd ACP World Rapid Cup

The winner Teimour Radjabov is interviewed
The winner Teimour Radjabov is interviewed. Photo © Misha Savinov.

2nd ACP World Rapid Cup sponsored by the Pivdenny Bank took place in Odessa, Ukraine January 4th-7th, 2008. The event was a 16 player knockout. Teimour Radjabov overcame Alexander Grischuk in a blitz playoff to win the final 2.5-1.5

Time controls. 1st pair of games 20 mins+ 5 secs per move. Tie-breaks: If a match endws in a draw (1-1), two additional blitz games were played. Time control 3 min+2 sec per move. If a final tie-break was needed then a single blitz game where White has 5 mins and needs to win the game in order to win the match. Black, with draw odds only had 4 minutes. This final tie-break game was played without time increment.

Games in PGN

2nd ACP World Rapid Cup Odessa UKR 4-7 i 2008
Round 1 Day 1 4th Jan 2008
Savchenko, Boris g RUS 2589 0-2 Jakovenko, Dmitry g RUS 2720
Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2735 1.5-0.5 Drozdovskij, Yuri g UKR 2574
Eljanov, Pavel g UKR 2692 0.5-1.5 Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2751
Shirov, Alexei g ESP 2755 0.5-1.5 Inarkiev, Ernesto g RUS 2681
Round 1 Day 2 5th Jan 2008
Shabalov, Alexander g USA 2622 0-2 Svidler, Peter g RUS 2763
Najer, Evgeniy g RUS 2634 0.5-1.5 Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2737
Karpov, Anatoly g RUS 2655 1.5-2.5 Grischuk, Alexander g RUS 2711
Polgar, Judit g HUN 2707 0-2 Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2732
1/4 Final 6th Jan 2008
Jakovenko, Dmitry g RUS 2720 1.5-0.5 Inarkiev, Ernesto g RUS 2681
Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2735 3-2 Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2751
Svidler, Peter g RUS 2763 0.5-1.5 Grischuk, Alexander g RUS 2711
Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2732 3-1 Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2737
1/2 Final 7th Jan 2008
Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2735 2-0 Jakovenko, Dmitry g RUS 2720
Karjakin, Sergey g UKR 2732 2-3 Grischuk, Alexander g RUS 2711
Final 7th Jan 2008
Grischuk, Alexander g RUS 2711 1.5-2.5 Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2735


The official site of the event: http://worldcup.pivdenny.com
 
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Hastings Chess Congress

The Celebration 83rd Hastings International Congress took place 28th December 2007 to 6th January 2008. There was a three way tie between Vadim Malakhatko Nidjat Mamedov and Veleriy Neverov on 7.5/10.

Games in PGN

Official site: http://www.hastingschess.org.uk/

83rd Hastings International Congress 28 xii 2007 - 6 i 2008.
Official Leading Final Round 10 Standings
1 Malakhatko,Vadim BEL g 2596 7½
2 Mamedov,Nidjat AZE g 2565 7½
3 Neverov,Valeriy UKR g 2558 7½
4 Bindrich,Falko GER g 2512 7
5 Flear,Glenn ENG g 2493 7
6 Jones,Gawain ENG g 2567 7
7 Lalic,Bogdan CRO g 2500 7
8 Pavlovic,Milos SCG g 2536 7
9 Pert,Nicholas ENG g 2539 7
10 Chatalbashev,Boris BUL g 2581 6½
11 Conquest,Stuart ENG g 2540 6½
12 Eames,Robert ENG f 2304 6½
13 Gormally,Daniel ENG g 2484 6½
14 Greet,Andrew ENG m 2441 6½
15 Haslinger,Stewart ENG g 2502 6½
16 Hebden,Mark ENG g 2542 6½
17 Houska,Jovanka ENG m 2404 6½
18 Tahirov,Farhad AZE g 2540 6½
19 Collins,Sam IRL m 2401 6
20 Georgiev,Vladimir MKD g 2576 6
21 Huizer,Mark NDL 2201 6
22 Islam,Kh Aminul BAN f 2390 6
23 Lock,Gavin ENG 2215 6
24 Marusenko,Peter UKR m 2304 6
25 Prosviriakov,Vladimir USA m 2319 6
26 Roy Chowdhury,Saptarshi IND m 2418 6
27 Rudd,Jack ENG f 2332 6
28 Satyapragyan,Swayangsu IND m 2404 6
29 Sengupta,Deep IND m 2447 6
30 Williams,Simon ENG m 2475 6
31 Zozulia,Anna BEL w 2343 6
32 Bates,Richard ENG m 2378 5½
33 Bogner,Sebastian GER m 2383 5½
34 Goodger,Martyn ENG 2067 5½
35 Grant,Alan SCO 2251 5½
36 Jackson,Oliver ENG 2219 5½
37 Kwiatkowski,Feliks ENG c 2237 5½
38 Ledger,David ENG f 2266 5½
39 Radovanovic,Jovica SRB f 2355 5½
40 Shakil,Abu Sufian BAN f 2361 5½
41 Snape,Ian ENG 2230 5½
42 Afek,Youchanan ISR m 2349 5
43 Andersen,Daniel DEN 2013 5
44 Dinger,Florian GER f 2378 5
45 Formanek,Edward USA m 2276 5
46 Furman,Boris RUS f 2264 5
47 Gurbanzade,Erkin AZE 2179 5
48 Hagesaether,Arne NOR 2153 5
49 Hasan,Mehdi BAN f 2287 5
50 Heinis,Vincent FRA 2202 5
51 Knott,Simon ENG m 2366 5
52 Lyell,Mark ENG f 2197 5
53 Mansson,James ENG 2161 5
54 O'toole,George ENG 1987 5
55 Poobalasingam,Peter ENG 2158 5
56 Rayner,Francis WLS 2201 5
57 Rendle,Thomas ENG m 2397 5
58 Thompson,Ian ENG f 2309 5
59 Zhou,Yang-Fan ENG 2068 5
103 players
 
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50th "Torneo di Capodanno" in Reggio Emilia

Winner Zoltan Almasi.
Winner Zoltan Almasi. Photo © Giorgio Gozzi

The 50th "Torneo di Capodanno" in Reggio Emilia took place December 29th 2007 - January 6th 2008. Zoltan Almasi took clear first with 6/9 half a point clear of the field. Gashimov won the brilliancy prize for his win against Tiviakov.

Games in PGN [Correction to Harikrishna 1-0 Godena rd 2]

Official site: http://www.ippogrifoscacchi.it

50th "Torneo di Capodanno" Reggio Emilia
December 29th 2007 - January 6th 2008
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Almasi, Zoltan g HUN 2691 * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 6 2752
2. Gashimov, Vugar g AZE 2664 ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½ 5½ 2710
3. Ni Hua g CHN 2641 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 5½ 2713
4. Harikrishna, P g IND 2668 0 ½ ½ * 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 5½ 2710
5. Landa, Konstantin g RUS 2678 ½ ½ ½ 0 * ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 4½ 2628
6. Korchnoi, Viktor g SUI 2611 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * 0 ½ ½ ½ 4 2593
7. Navara, David g CZE 2656 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 * ½ ½ 1 4 2588
8. Tiviakov, Sergei g NED 2643 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * 0 1 3½ 2552
9. Marin, Mihail g ROU 2551 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ 1 * ½ 3½ 2563
10. Godena, Michele g ITA 2535 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ * 3 2519
 
All material © Mark Crowther

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