THE WEEK IN CHESS 598 24th April 2006 by Mark Crowther

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Contents

1) Introduction
2) XIII Russian Club Championship
3) 7th European Individual Chess Championships
4) Indian Championship
5) Foxwoods Open
6) 10th Neckar Open
7) Memorialul Pius Brinzeu
8) XXIX San Sebastian Open
9) Canada de Calatrava Rapid
10) 12th Cutro International
11) Gausdal Classics
12) Lenk International Chess Festival
13) CE Martigny 12 hour Blitz
14) ACP Tour Report March
15) 4th V.Nabokov Memorial
16) Ukrainian Team Championship
17) Byelorussian U-20 Championship
18) Wolfgang Unzicker 1925-2006
19) 44th Doeberl Cup
20) 8th Dubai Open
21) Spring North American FIDE Invitational
22) Karpov - Portisch Rapid Match
23) Caissa IM April
24) Forthcoming Events and Links

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Games section

XIII Russian Club Championship            88 games
7th European Individual Championships     78 games
Indian Championship                       29 games
Foxwoods Open                            126 games
10th Neckar Open                          72 games
Memorialul Pius Brinzeu                   80 games
XXIX San Sebastian Open                  172 games
Canada de Calatrava Rapid                 28 games
Gausdal Classics                          10 games
4th V.Nabokov Memorial                    66 games
Ukrainian Team Championship              210 games
Byelorussian U-20 Championship            45 games
44th Doeberl Cup                          90 games
Spring North American FIDE Invitational  135 games
Karpov - Portisch Rapid Match              4 games
1231 games

1) Introduction

My thanks to Thomas Henrich, Holger Lieske, Marcelo Pagano, Ali Nihat Yazici, Csaba Bognar, Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh, Anders Hansen, Jovan Petronic, Dave Clayton, Paul Dunn, Karlheinz Zoechling, Laszlo Nagy, Mikel Larreategi, Misha Savinov, Tarjei J. Svensen, Alin Berescu, Gary Suffield, Matthew Herman, Michael Atkins, Doug Bake, Rob Vlaardingerbroek, Frank Berry and everyone else who helped with the issue.

The Russian Club Championships see many of the strongest players in the world compete for their teams. Next week we see Magnus Carlsen take on Loek van Wely and the start of the Sigeman & Co Chess tournament. Also their is the sad news of the death of Wolfgang Unzicker who was a very strong player in the 1950s and 1960s in spite of being an amateur.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) XIII Russian Club Championship

The XIII Russian Club Championship and VII Russian Women’s Club Championship takes place 19th April - 1st May 2006 in Sochi. 11 rounds. Morozevich, Grischuk, Akopian, Bologan, Volkov, Ivanchuk, Radjabov, Dreev and Ponomariov are amongst the stronger players. Four teams qualify for the European Club Cup. Some games from each of the first four rounds are available.

Official site: http://www.chessliga.ru

3) 7th European Individual Chess Championships

The 7th European Individual Chess Championships took place 4th - 17th April 2006, in Kusadasi, Turkey. Zdenko Kozul won the event half a point clear of Vassily Ivanchuk. Results and some games from the playoffs now available. I've tried to give some order to the games and made educated guesses as to the sub-rounds for the games. But they are mostly guesses.

Official site: http://www.tsf.org.tr/

Leading Final Men's Standings after playoffs
Rk SNo.  Name                   Rtg  FED Pt PO Rtg+/- Ra   Rp
 1 17 GM Kozul Zdenko           2606 CRO 8½    26     2580 2791
 2  1 GM Ivanchuk Vassily       2731 UKR 8      1     2567 2742
 3  2 GM Georgiev Kiril         2677 BUL 7½  3  6     2582 2715
 4  3 GM Naiditsch Arkadij      2664 GER 7½  4  5     2559 2692
 5  5 GM Izoria Zviad           2647 GEO 7½  5  7     2562 2695
 6 22 GM Inarkiev Ernesto       2602 RUS 7½  6 15     2568 2701
 7 25 GM Nikolic Predrag        2596 BIH 7½  7 15     2562 2695
 8 21 GM Belov Vladimir         2599 RUS 7½  8 13     2558 2691
 9 30 GM Macieja Bartlomiej     2584 POL 7½  9 17     2566 2699
10 57 GM Baramidze David        2545 GER 7½ 10 18     2529 2662
11 68 GM Mamedov Rauf           2538 AZE 7  11 19     2604 2597
12 11 GM Fressinet Laurent      2633 FRA 7  12  3     2551 2653
13 37 GM Balogh Csaba           2576 HUN 7  13 15     2575 2677
14  8 GM Gurevich Mikhail       2643 TUR 7  14  4     2568 2670
15 61 GM Berg Emanuel           2539 SWE 7  15 14     2529 2631
16 50 GM Gagunashvili Merab     2560 GEO 7  16  7     2509 2611
17  6 GM Jobava Baadur          2646 GEO 7  17  2     2558 2660
18 24 GM Miroshnichenko Evgenij 2608 UKR 7  18  4     2535 2637
19 31 GM Nijboer Friso          2584 NED 7  19 10     2551 2653
20 48 GM Palac Mladen           2561 CRO 7  20 16     2571 2673
21 69 IM Czarnota Pawel         2529 POL 7  21 19     2596 2589
22 18 GM Socko Bartosz          2606 POL 7  22  2     2520 2622
23 10 GM Sakaev Konstantin      2637 RUS 7  23 -5     2506 2608
24 73 GM Zelcic Robert          2525 CRO 7  24 14     2521 2623
138 players

Leading Final Women's Standings after playoffs
Rk SNo.   Name                   Rtg  FED Pt PO Rp
 1 25 WGM Atalik Ekaterina       2393 TUR 8½    2549
 2 24  IM Bosboom Lanchava Tea   2380 NED 8     2525
 3  3  IM Mkrtchian Lilit        2453 ARM 7½  3 2391
 4  8  IM Gaponenko Inna         2430 UKR 7½  4 2464
 5  1  GM Stefanova Antoaneta    2502 BUL 7½  5 2464
 6  2  IM Dembo Yelena           2464 GRE 7½  6 2480
 7 14 WGM Muzychuk Anna          2418 SLO 7½  7 2487
 8 46 WGM Kadimova Ilaha         2310 AZE 7½  8 2423
 9 10 WGM Zhukova Natalia        2425 UKR 7½  9 2457
10 54 WIM Gvetadze Sopio         2361 GEO 7½ 10 2488
11 27  IM Sedina Elena           2373 ITA 7½ 11 2373
12 18 WGM Ushenina Anna          2397 UKR 7     2418
13  6  IM Paehtz Elisabeth       2438 GER 7     2443
14  7  IM Sebag Marie            2434 FRA 7     2375
15 56 WGM Velcheva Maria         2279 BUL 7     2437
16 58 WFM Przezdziecka Marta     2265 POL 7     2367
17 23  IM Moser Eva              2384 AUT 7     2346
18 21 WGM Melia Salome           2391 GEO 7     2343
96 players

The 7th European Individual Chess Championship   
Tie break matches  

     15 min + 5 sec   5 min + 0 sec   5/4 min   Final
   c  1st  c  2nd   c  1st  c  2nd   c   result
 Tie-break match for bronze medal   
   
  1st round, start at 12.15  
    
A  3  GM Georgiev Kiril      b  0  w  1   b  0  w  1   b  1    3
  10  GM Baramidze David     w  1  b  0   w  1  b  0   w  0    2
    
B  4  GM Izoria Zviad        w  1  b  1                        2
   9  GM Belov Vladimir      b  0  w  0                        0
    
C  5  GM Macieja Bartlomiej  b  0  w  ½                         ½
   8  GM Naiditsch Arkadij   w  1  b  ½                        1½
    
D  6  GM Nikolic Predrag     w  0  b  0                        0
   7  GM Inarkiev Ernesto    b  1  w  1                        2
    
  2nd round, start at 15.00   
    
E  3  GM Georgiev Kiril      w  1  b  ½                        1½
   7  GM Inarkiev Ernesto    b  0  w  ½                         ½
    
F  4  GM Izoria Zviad        w  0  b  ½                         ½
   8  GM Naiditsch Arkadij   b  1  w  ½                        1½
    
G  10  GM Baramidze David    b  0  w  0                        0
   6  GM Nikolic Predrag     w  1  b  1                        2
    
H  9  GM Belov Vladimir      w  1  b  0   w  0  b  1   b  1    3
   5  GM Macieja Bartlomiej  b  0  w  1   b  1  w  0   w  0    2
    
   
  3rd round, start at 17.45   
    
I  3  GM Georgiev Kiril      b  0  w  1   b  1  w  1           3
   8  GM Naiditsch Arkadij   w  1  b  0   w  0  b  0           1
    
K  7  GM Inarkiev Ernesto    w  1  b  0   b  0  w  0           1
   4  GM Izoria Zviad        b  0  w  1   w  1  b  1           3
    
L  6  GM Nikolic Predrag     w  ½  b  1                        1½
   9  GM Belov Vladimir      b  ½  w  0                         ½
    
M  10  GM Baramidze David    b  0  w  0                        0
   5  GM Macieja Bartlomiej  w  1  b  1                        2

   15 min + 5 sec   5 min + 0 sec   5/4 min   Final
   c  1st  c  2nd   c  1st  c  2nd   c   result
    
 Tie-break matches for qualification   
    
  1st round, start at 09.30  
    
    
N  21  GM Berg Emanuel       b  1  w  0   b  1  w  1           3
   24  GM Zelcic Robert      w  0  b  1   w  0  b  0           1
    
O  22  GM Sakaev Konstantin  w  ½  b  0                         ½
   23  GM Gagunashvili Merab b  ½  w  1                        1½
    
  
  2nd round, start at 15.00   
    
P  11  GM Jobava Baadur      w  ½  b  0                         ½
   23  GM Gagunashvili Merab b  ½  w  1                        1½
    
R  12  GM Miroshnichenko E   w  0  b  1   w  0  b  ½           1½
   21  GM Berg Emanuel       b  1  w  0   b  1  w  ½           2½
    
S  13  GM Mamedov Rauf       w  0  b  1   b  1  w  0   w  1    3
   20  GM Socko Bartosz      b  1  w  0   w  0  b  1   b  0    2
    
T  14  GM Nijboer Friso      w  ½  b  0                         ½
   19  GM Gurevich Mikhail   b  ½  w  1                        1½
   
U  15  GM Fressinet Laurent  w  ½  b  1                        1½
   18  IM Czarnota Pawel     b  ½  w  0                         ½
    
V  16  GM Palac Mladen       w  ½  b  0                         ½
   17  GM Balogh Csaba       b  ½  w  1                        1½


    The 7th European Individual Women’s Chess Championship   
  Tie break matches  
  
  
   15 min + 5 sec   5 min + 0 sec   5/4 min   Final
   c  1st  c  2nd   c  1st  c  2nd   c   result
 Tie-break match for bronze medal   
   
  qualification, start at 09.30  
    
A  10  IM Mkrtchian Lilit    b  1  w  ½                        1½
   11  IM Sedina Elena       w  0  b  ½                         ½
    
  1st round, start at 12.15   
    
B  3  WGM Zhukova Natalia    b  ½  w  ½   w  0  b  ½            ½
   10  IM Mkrtchian Lilit    w  ½  b  ½   b  1  w  ½           1½
    
C  4  GM Stefanova Antoaneta w  1  b  1                        2
   9  WGM Kadimova Ilaha     b  0  w  0                        0
    
D  5  WIM Gvetadze Sopio     b  0  w  0                        0
   8  IM Gaponenko Inna      w  1  b  1                        2
    
E  6  WGM Muzychuk Anna      w  0  b  1   w  0  b  1   w  0    2
   7  IM Dembo Yelena        b  1  w  0   b  1  w  0   b  1    3
    
  2nd round, start at 15.00   
    
F  10  IM Mkrtchian Lilit    b  ½  w  1                        1½
    7  IM Dembo Yelena       w  ½  b  0                         ½
    
G  4  GM Stefanova Antoaneta b  0  w  ½                         ½
   8  IM Gaponenko Inna      w  1  b  ½                        1½
    
H  3  WGM Zhukova Natalia    b  0  w  0                        0
   6  WGM Muzychuk Anna      w  1  b  1                        2
    
I  9  WGM Kadimova Ilaha     w  1  b  1                        2
   5  WIM Gvetadze Sopio     b  0  w  0                        0
    
    
     
  
   15 min + 5 sec   5 min + 0 sec   5/4 min   Final
   c  1st  c  2nd   c  1st  c  2nd   c   result
    
    
  3rd round, start at 17.45   
    
K  10  IM Mkrtchian Lilit    b  ½  w  ½   b  0  w  1   w  1    3
    8  IM Gaponenko Inna     w  ½  b  ½   w  1  b  0   b  0    2
    
L  7  IM Dembo Yelena        w  1  b  0   w  0  b  0           1
   4  GM Stefanova Antoaneta b  0  w  1   b  1  w  2           3
    
M  6  WGM Muzychuk Anna      w  ½  b  1                        1½
   9  WGM Kadimova Ilaha     b  ½  w  0                         ½
    
N  3  WGM Zhukova Natalia    b  1  w  ½                        1½
   5  WIM Gvetadze Sopio     w  0  b  ½                         ½
    
    
    
   15 min + 5 sec   5 min + 0 sec   5/4 min   Final
   c  1st  c  2nd   c  1st  c  2nd   c   result
    
 Tie-break matches for qualification   
    
  1st round, start at 12.15  
    
O  13  IM Paehtz Elisabeth  b  1  w  1                         2
   18  WGM Melia Salome     w  0  b  0                         0
    
P  14  IM Sebag Marie       w  1  b  0   b  1  w  1            3
   17  IM Moser Eva         b  0  w  1   w  0  b  0            1
    
R  15  WGM Velcheva Maria   b  ½  w  ½   w  0  b  1   b  0     2
   16  WFM Przezdziecka M   w  ½  b  ½   b  1  w  0   w  1     3
  
  2nd round, start at 15.00   
    
S  12  WGM Ushenina Anna    b  0  w  1   b  0  w  1   b  1     3
   16  WFM Przezdziecka M   w  1  b  0   w  1  b  0   w  0     2
    
T  13  IM Paehtz Elisabeth  w  0  b  0                         0
   14  IM Sebag Marie       b  1  w  1                         2
    
  
  3rd round, start at 17.45   
    
U  12  WGM Ushenina Anna    w  ½  b  ½   w  0  b  1   b  1     3
   14  IM Sebag Marie       b  ½  w  ½   b  1  w  0   w  0     2 

4) Indian Championship

The 43rd National 'A' Indian Men's Chess Championship 2006 took place in Visakhapatnam 3rd-17th April 2006. Surya Shekhar Gangualy took first place on tie-break from Sandipan Chanda and DP Singh, all scored 14/20. Swathi Ghate took the women's title with 14/18 a point clear of Mary Ann Gomes. Correction to the result of the game Ramya 1/2 Amruta (16) from the women's section.

Official site: http://www.avdca.cjb.net/ and http://www.indianchessfed.org

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43rd ch-IND Visakhapatnam IND (IND), 3-17 iv 2006                               cat. VIII (2440)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Ganguly, Surya Shekhar     g IND 2578  * = 1 0 = = 1 = 1 1 = 1 1 1 = 1 0 1 1 0 1  14.0  2582 
 2. Sandipan, Chanda           g IND 2546  = * = 0 1 1 0 = = = = 1 1 = 1 = 1 1 1 1 1  14.0  2584 
 3. Singh, D.P                   IND 2395  0 = * = 0 1 = 0 1 1 1 1 1 = 1 0 1 1 1 1 1  14.0  2591 
 4. Kunte, Abhijit             g IND 2536  1 1 = * = = = = = 1 1 0 = = 1 = 1 1 1 = =  13.5  2568 
 5. Deepan, Chakkravarthy J    m IND 2428  = 0 1 = * 0 1 = 1 = 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 = = 1 =  13.5  2573 
 6. Koneru, Humpy              g IND 2548  = 0 0 = 1 * = 1 0 = 1 1 = 1 = 1 1 = 1 1 1  13.5  2567 
 7. Venkatesh, M.R             m IND 2438  0 1 = = 0 = * = 1 = = = 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 = 1  13.0  2550 
 8. Roy Chowdhury, Saptarshi   m IND 2376  = = 1 = = 0 = * = = 1 = = = 1 0 = = = 1 =  11.0  2479 
 9. Sundararajan, Kidambi      m IND 2495  0 = 0 = 0 1 0 = * = = = = = 1 1 = = = 1 1  10.5  2458 
10. Ramesh, R.B                g IND 2507  0 = 0 0 = = = = = * = = 0 1 0 1 1 = = = =   9.0  2401 
11. Thejkumar, M. S              IND 2365  = = 0 0 0 0 = 0 = = * 1 1 = = 1 0 = = 1 =   9.0  2408 
12. Arun Prasad, S             m IND 2384  0 0 0 1 0 0 = = = = 0 * = = 0 1 1 1 1 = =   9.0  2407 
13. Gupta, Abhijeet            m IND 2449  0 0 0 = 0 = 0 = = 1 0 = * 1 1 1 = 1 = = 0   9.0  2403 
14. Sharma, Dinesh K           m IND 2379  0 = = = 1 0 0 = = 0 = = 0 * = = = = 1 0 =   8.0  2371 
15. Ravi, Lanka                m IND 2423  = 0 0 0 0 = 1 0 0 1 = 1 0 = * = = = 0 = 1   8.0  2369 
16. Girinath, P.D.S            m IND 2350  0 = 1 = 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 = = * = = 1 = =   7.0  2334 
17. Himanshu, Sharma             IND 2398  1 0 0 0 0 0 0 = = 0 1 0 = = = = * = 0 1 =   7.0  2332 
18. Sivanandan, B.S              IND 2425  0 0 0 0 = = 0 = = = = 0 0 = = = = * = 1 =   7.0  2331 
19. Das, Arghyadip               IND 2399  0 0 0 0 = 0 0 = = = = 0 = 0 1 0 1 = * = 1   7.0  2332 
20. Sriram, Jha                m IND 2444  1 0 0 = 0 0 = 0 0 = 0 = = 1 = = 0 0 = * =   6.5  2315 
21. Kamble, Vikramaditya         IND 2384  0 0 0 = = 0 0 = 0 = = = 1 = 0 = = = 0 = *   6.5  2318 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32nd ch-IND w Visakhapatnam IND (IND), 3-17 iv 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Swathi, Ghate              wg IND 2262  * = = = 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 = 1 1 1 1 1  14.0  2426 
 2. Gomes, Mary Ann            wm IND 2239  = * = 1 0 = = = 1 = = 1 1 1 1 1 = 1 1  13.0  2373 
 3. Harika, Dronavalli         wg IND 2358  = = * = = = 1 = 1 1 1 = = = 1 = = 1 1  12.5  2342 
 4. Meenakshi, S1              wg IND 2282  = 0 = * 1 = = = 1 1 0 1 0 1 = 1 1 1 1  12.0  2330 
 5. Mohota, Nisha              wg IND 2314  0 1 = 0 * 0 = 1 0 1 = 1 1 1 = 1 1 1 1  12.0  2328 
 6. Vijayalakshmi, Subbaraman   m IND 2472  0 = = = 1 * 0 1 = 1 1 0 = 0 1 1 1 1 1  11.5  2296 
 7. Karavade, Eesha            wg IND 2332  0 = 0 = = 1 * = 1 0 = 1 1 = = 1 1 = 1  11.0  2282 
 8. Ramaswamy, Aarthie         wg IND 2239  0 = = = 0 0 = * = = = 1 = 1 1 0 1 = =   9.0  2207 
 9. Amrutha, Mokal                IND 2126  0 0 0 0 1 = 0 = * = 1 = 1 1 0 1 0 1 1   9.0  2214 
10. Swati, Mohota                 IND 2153  1 = 0 0 0 0 1 = = * 1 0 0 = 1 1 = 1 0   8.5  2191 
11. Kiran, Monisha Mohanty        IND 2104  0 = 0 1 = 0 = = 0 0 * = 1 = 0 1 = 1 1   8.5  2194 
12. Ramya, Krishna I              IND 2155  0 0 = 0 0 1 0 0 = 1 = * 1 = 0 1 1 1 =   8.5  2191 
13. Nimmy, A.G                    IND 2120  1 0 = 1 0 = 0 = 0 1 0 0 * 0 1 0 1 1 0   7.5  2157 
14. Kavitha, J.E                  IND 2131  = 0 = 0 0 1 = 0 0 = = = 1 * 0 0 1 0 1   7.0  2133 
15. Supriya, Maji                 IND 2116  0 0 0 = = 0 = 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 * 0 0 0 1   6.5  2112 
16. Iswarya, Shobana L            IND 2153  0 0 = 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 * 1 = =   6.5  2110 
17. Soumya, Swaminathan           IND 2162  0 = = 0 0 0 0 0 1 = = 0 0 0 1 0 * = 1   5.5  2071 
18. Alka, Das                     IND 2057  0 0 0 0 0 0 = = 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 = = * =   4.5  2024 
19. Gokhale, Anupama           wm IND 2203  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 = 0 1 0 = 1 0 0 = 0 = *   4.0  1989 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5) Foxwoods Open

The Foxwoods Open took place April 12-16, 2006. The Open finished in a three-way tie between Ilya Smirin, Loek Van Wely and Eugene Perelshteyn. Van Wely won the playoff and the free hotel room next year.

Michael Atkins reports:

Foxwoods Open has become one of the largest and most popular tournaments in the US over the last 8 years. Held at the fabulous Foxwoods Resort and Casino, on the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal reservation. it is one of the small number of norm tournaments held in the US each year. Sponsored by Continental Chess Association (long run by Bill Goichberg, current USCF President), it had a 5-day 9 round Norm-producing Open and six 4-day seven round Class Sections.

Three people earned norms this year. Eugene Perelshteyn earned his final GM norm, Elizabeth Vicary earned an WIM norm and Farai Mandizha from Zimbabwe earned an IM norm. Mandizha started off with a first round bang, a win over last year's champ GM Hikaru Nakamura.

The tournament ended in a three-way tie for first with a score of 7-2 among GMs Ilya Smirin and Loek Van Wely and IM (now GM-elect) Eugene Perelshteyn. Smirin and Van Wely took the first two spots on tiebreak and played a FIDE-style blitz odds game for the title and a free room at next year's tournament. Van Wely won the game as white and it is included in the 125 game database. Complete results are on the Foxwoods Open website - http://www.foxwoodsopen.com/

The tournament was also a qualifier for the next US Championship. For a number of reasons not expounded here, it was decided to make every one in the Open section eligible for qualification except foreign players and anyone taking a bye. GM-elect Perelshteyn took the first spot, and the next three went on tiebreaks to GMs Alex Stripunsky, Alexander Ivanov and Alexander Shabalov, a real case of Alexander the Greats!

In the class sections:
U 2200 Aaron E Kahn and Batsa Tserendorj
U 2000 Dyland Xue
U 1800 Severo Caluza,
U 1600 Teofilo Hernandez
U 1400 Ilya Zhurbinskiy
U 1200 Eric Ferreira

The Foxwoods Open Blitz was won late Sunday night by GM Alex Wojtkeiwicz

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

Leading Final Round 9 Standings:
--------------------------------------------------------------
Foxwoods Open Ledyards USA (USA), 12-16 iv 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------
  1. Smirin, Ilia             g  ISR 2662 7  43.5  51    37.5
  2. Van Wely, Loek           g  NED 2655 7  42    51    35.5
  3. Perelshteyn, Eugene      m  USA 2526 7  39.5  47.5  34  
  4. Stripunsky, Alexander    g  USA 2569 6½ 43    52    35  
  5. Ivanov, Alexander        g  USA 2588 6½ 41.5  51    35  
  6. Shabalov, Alexander      g  USA 2605 6½ 41.5  50    34  
  7. Ehlvest, Jaan            g  USA 2607 6½ 41.5  49    33.5
  8. Shulman, Yuri            g  USA 2576 6½ 41    49    34.5
  9. Mikhalevski, Victor      g  ISR 2566 6  43.5  51.5  35.5
 10. Golod, Vitali            g  ISR 2571 6  43    52.5  34.5
 11. Wojtkiewicz, Aleksander  g  USA 2552 6  41.5  50    32  
 12. Akobian, Varuzhan        g  USA 2575 6  41    49.5  34  
 13. Zapata, Alonso           g  COL 2470 6  39.5  48.5  33  
 14. Friedel, Joshua E        m  USA 2465 6  38    45.5  31  
 15. Antic, Dejan             g  SCG 2491 6  37    45.5  30.5
 16. Enhbat, Tegshsuren       f  USA 2383 6  36    44    28.5
 17. Bonin, Jay R             m  USA 2299 6  36    40.5  29  
 18. Yermolinsky, Alex        g  USA 2528 5½ 40.5  48.5  33  
 19  Becerra Rivero, Julio    g  USA 2565 5½ 40    48.5  32  
 20. Margvelashvili, Giorgi   m  GEO 2441 5½ 39    47    31  
 21. De Firmian, Nick E       g  USA 2560 5½ 39    39    30  
 22. Sharavdorj, Dashzegve    g  MGL 2449 5½ 38.5  46.5  29.5
 23. Zlotnikov, Mikhail       m  USA 2364 5½ 38    44    28  
 24. Mandiza, Farai           f  ZIM 2256 5½ 36    43.5  27  
 25. Sarkar, Justin           m  USA 2355 5½ 35.5  42.5  25  
 26. Smith, Bryan G           f  USA 2384 5  40    47.5  28.5 
117 players

6) 10th Neckar Open

The 10th Neckar Open took place in the Gemeindehalle Deizisau in the Stuttgart Region, 13th-17th April 2006. Dusko Pavasovic edged out Dariusz Szoen and Jop Delemarre on tie break, all finished on 7.5/9.

Official site: http://www.neckar-open.de/10no/index_e.html - live coverage: http://www.neckar-open.de/10no/turniere/live/tfd.htm

Final Round 9 Standings: 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
10th Neckar Open A Deizisau GER (GER), 13-11 iv 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Pavasovic, Dusko              g  SLO 2534  7.5  53.0  421.0
 2. Szoen, Dariusz                m  POL 2440  7.5  48.5  416.0
 3. Delemarre, Jop                m  NED 2433  7.5  47.0  416.0
 4. Gelashvili, Tamaz             g  GEO 2576  7.0  54.0  438.5
 5. Halkias, Stelios              g  GRE 2528  7.0  52.5  432.0
 6. Miezis, Normunds              g  LAT 2496  7.0  51.0  415.5
 7. Zysk, Robert                  m  GER 2458  7.0  50.0  440.5
 8. Kalod, Radek                  g  CZE 2495  7.0  50.0  423.0
 9. Jaracz, Pawel                 g  POL 2488  7.0  49.0  430.0
10. Zeller, Frank                 m  GER 2412  7.0  48.0  416.0
11. Bromberger, Stefan            m  GER 2481  7.0  47.5  416.5
12. Likavsky, Tomas               g  SVK 2492  7.0  44.5  391.5
13. Slobodjan, Roman              g  GER 2523  6.5  55.0  428.5
14. Zaragatski, Ilja                 GER 2423  6.5  51.0  437.0
15. Farago, Ivan                  g  HUN 2534  6.5  49.5  409.0
16. Kekelidze, Mikheil            g  GEO 2520  6.5  49.0  415.0
17. Abeln, Michiel                f  NED 2377  6.5  47.5  406.0
18. Drabke, Lorenz                m  GER 2393  6.5  47.0  419.5
19. Jurek, Josef                  m  CZE 2381  6.5  47.0  406.5
20. Heinzel,Olaf                  m  GER 2374  6.5  47.0  400.5
21. Bobras, Piotr                 g  POL 2535  6.5  46.5  424.0
22. Siebrecht, Sebastian          m  GER 2394  6.5  46.5  406.0
23. Handke, Florian               g  GER 2450  6.5  44.5  385.0
24. Markowski, Tomasz             g  POL 2554  6.5  42.0  375.0
296 players

7) Memorialul Pius Brinzeu

The Memorial Pius Brinzeu Open took place in Timisoara, 18th-26th March 2006. Vladislav Nevednichy edged out Constantin Lupulescu on tie-break after both finished on 7/9. Games now available for all but the final round.

Official site: http://ajsahtimis.ro/

Place Name                      Feder Rtg  Score  M-Buch Buch
 1-2  Nevednichy, Vladislav     ROM   2581  7     42.0  53.5
      Lupulescu, Constantin     ROM   2513  7     41.0  52.0
 3-9  Malaniuk, Vladimir P      UKR   2532  6.5   42.0  54.0
      Ardelean, George Catalin  ROM   2449  6.5   41.0  52.0
      Mateuta, Gabriel          ROM   2460  6.5   40.5  52.0
      Milanovic, Danilo         SCG   2486  6.5   40.5  51.5
      Nanu, Ciprian-Costica     ROM   2436  6.5   38.0  49.5
      Jianu, Vlad-Cristian      ROM   2492  6.5   38.0  48.0
      Moldovan, Daniel          ROM   2425  6.5   37.5  48.5
10-18 Rogozenko, Dorian         ROM   2532  6     41.5  54.0
      Manolache, Marius         ROM   2488  6     41.0  52.5
      Berescu, Alin             ROM   2433  6     40.5  51.5
      Cabrilo, Goran            SCG   2458  6     40.5  51.0
      Grunberg, Mihai-Lucian    ROM   2416  6     38.5  49.0
      Baratosi, Daniel          ROM   2253  6     38.0  48.0
      Bodiroga, Predrag         SCG   2423  6     37.0  47.0
      Vukic, Radivoje           SCG   2262  6     34.5  44.5
      Manea, Alexandru          ROM   2290  6     34.0  44.0
19-31 Bylino, Oleg              UKR   2316  5.5   38.5  49.5
      Loos, Roland              GER   2337  5.5   38.5  49.0
      Russu, Eduard             ROM   2174  5.5   37.0  46.5
      Bach, Adrian-Kalman       ROM   2287  5.5   36.5  46.0
      Domanyek, Ernest-Iosif    ROM   2237  5.5   36.5  46.0
      Manescu, Tiberiu          ROM   2281  5.5   36.0  46.5
      Chereches, Marius         HUN   2293  5.5   35.0  45.5
      Sfarlog, Tudor-Vlad*      ROM   2068  5.5   35.0  45.0
      Neamtu, Serban-Constantin ROM   2297  5.5   35.0  44.5
      Todoran, Ioan George      ROM   2169  5.5   34.5  43.0
      Dragomirescu, Calin       ROM   2259  5.5   34.0  44.0
      Oprisoni, Gratian-Doru    ROM         5.5   34.0  41.0
      Dragomirescu, Robin*      ROM   2066  5.5   31.5  41.0
97 players

8) XXIX San Sebastian Open

The XXIX San Sebastian Open took place 8th-15th April 2006. 3 players got title norms: GM norm for Das Neetlopal (IND) IM norm for Santiago Gonzalez de la Torre (ESP) (3rd norm) IM norm for Ivan Andres Gonzalez (ESP) (1st norm). News and games IA Mikel Larreategi.

Official site: http://www.fgajedrez.org/

Leading Final Round 9 Standings:
1   GM Conquest Stuart                 ENG 2505 7.0  38.5  43.5    2624
2   GM Spraggett Kevin                 CAN 2578 7.0  37.5  41.5    2593
3   GM Prie Eric                       FRA 2475 7.0  37.5  40.0    2573
4   IM Neelotpal Das                   IND 2514 7.0  37.0  42.0    2580
5   IM Ivanov Jordan                   BUL 2364 7.0  34.0  36.0    2387
6   IM Cornette Matthieu               FRA 2448 6.5  36.0  41.0    2362
7   IM Ninov Nikolai                   BUL 2494 6.5  35.5  44.0    2497
8   IM Colovic Aleksandar              MKD 2459 6.5  35.5  43.0    2458
9   GM Genov Petar                     BUL 2465 6.5  34.5  39.5    2365
10  GM Gomez Esteban Juan Mario        ESP 2495 6.5  33.5  39.0    2430
11  IM Andres Gonzalez Alberto         ESP 2410 6.5  33.5  39.0    2354
12  FM Andres Gonzalez Ivan            ESP 2330 6.5  33.5  40.0    2445
13  FM Gonzalez Menendez Ivan          ESP 2413 6.5  33.0  39.5    2325
14  FM Argandona Rivero Inigo          ESP 2382 6.5  32.5  37.5    2314
15     Moreto Quintana Alex            ESP 2133 6.5  27.5  33.0    2041
16  GM Flear Glenn C                   ENG 2465 6.0  35.0  43.0    2362
17  IM Bergez Luc                      FRA 2340 6.0  33.0  40.0    2347
18  IM Petrov Marijan                  BUL 2427 6.0  32.5  39.5    2347
19  IM Jakobsen Ole                    DEN 2388 6.0  32.5  38.5    2328
20  FM Gonzalez De La Torre Sant       ESP 2317 6.0  32.0  37.5    2369
21  GM Cifuentes Parada Roberto        ESP 2494 6.0  31.5  36.0    2287
22  IM Guerra Bastida Diego            ESP 2373 6.0  29.0  32.5    2182
130 players

9) Canada de Calatrava Rapid

A very strong rapid play took place 14th-16th April 2006 in Canada de Calatrava, Spain. Favourite Alexander Grischuk and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov finished on 7.5/9 in the g/25 rapid play event. Some games from the final three rounds are available.

Official site: http://www.koali.com/festival/principal_en.html

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Rapid Canada de Calatrava ESP (ESP), 14-16 iv 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Grischuk, Alexander         g  RUS 2719   7.5      42.5   41.0    6  54.0
    Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar      g  AZE 2699   7.5      42.5   39.5    6  54.5
 3. Dreev, Alexey               g  RUS 2673   7        42.0   37.5    5  53.5
    Damljanovic, Branko         g  SCG 2615   7        40.0   36.0    7  51.0
    Munoz Pantoja, Miguel       m  PER 2469   7        39.5   35.0    6  50.0
    Shchekachev, Andrei         g  RUS 2592   7        38.0   35.0    6  50.0
    Tregubov, Pavel V           g  RUS 2563   7        37.5   34.0    7  47.0
    Matamoros Franco, Carlos S  g  ECU 2509   7        32.5   32.0    7  42.0
 9. Vaganian, Rafael A          g  ARM 2601   6.5      43.5   38.5    5  55.0
    Shirov, Alexei              g  ESP 2699   6.5      43.5   37.5    5  55.5
    Bacrot, Etienne             g  FRA 2708   6.5      41.5   34.0    6  53.5
    Harikrishna, P              g  IND 2680   6.5      41.0   36.5    5  53.0
    Grigoriants, Sergey         g  RUS 2568   6.5      40.5   37.0    4  52.0
    Volokitin, Andrej           g  UKR 2660   6.5      40.0   33.0    6  51.5
    Bauer, Christian            g  FRA 2638   6.5      40.0   33.0    6  51.0
    Sadvakasov, Darmen          g  KAZ 2619   6.5      38.5   35.5    6  49.0
    Potkin, Vladimir            g  RUS 2547   6.5      38.0   34.0    3  49.0
    Riazantsev, Alexander       g  RUS 2593   6.5      37.5   33.5    4  48.0
    Chatalbashev, Boris         g  BUL 2488   6.5      37.0   31.5    6  48.0
    Vallejo Pons, Francisco     g  ESP 2666   6.5      35.5   32.0    5  45.0
21. Savchenko, Boris            m  RUS 2568   6        41.5   34.5    5  53.0
    Epishin, Vladimir           g  RUS 2565   6        38.0   34.5    5  48.5
    Guliyev, Namig              g  AZE 2580   6        37.5   34.0    4  48.0
    Aleksandrov, Aleksej        g  BLR 2634   6        37.5   33.5    5  48.0
    Korotylev, Alexey           g  RUS 2618   6        36.0   32.0    4  47.0
    Ubilava, Elizbar            g  ESP 2521   6        35.0   32.0    5  43.0
    Khamrakulov, Ibragim        g  ESP 2513   6        35.0   31.0    5  44.5
    Ibrahimov, Rasul            g  AZE 2527   6        35.0   30.0    6  45.0
    Rustemov, Alexander         g  RUS 2565   6        34.5   32.5    5  44.5
    Najer, Evgeniy              g  RUS 2653   6        34.0   28.0    5  43.5
    Djuric, Stefan              g  SCG 2457   6        33.0   30.0    6  42.0
    Fluvia Poyatos, Joan        m  ESP 2454   6        31.5   29.0    6  40.0
177 players

10) 12th Cutro International

The 12th Cutro International Chess Festival 2006 takes place 23rd April-May 1st in Cutro, Italy. Events: Masters open, National open, Under 14. Prizes for 7,400 Euros.

Official site: http://e4e6.com/cutro.

Round 1 Standings: 
  1 Blagojevic Dragisa       SCG GM 10N+   6B   = 1
  2 Drasko Milan             SCG GM 11B+   7N   = 1
  3 Lazic Miroljub           SCG GM 13N+   8B   = 1
  4 Kasparov Sergey          BLR IM 14B+   9N   = 1
  5 Wohl Aleksandar H.       AUS IM 15N+  20B   = 1
  6 Marholev Dimitar         BUL IM 16B+   1N   = 1
  7 Naumkin Igor             RUS GM 17N+   2B   = 1
  8 Mrdja Milan              CRO IM 18B+   3N   = 1
  9 Roeder Mathias           GER IM 19N+   4B   = 1
 10 DI-CARO Calogero         AG  FM  1B-  12N   = 0
 11 Voiska Margarita         BUL WG  2N-  17B   = 0
 12 BENTIVEGNA Francesco     EN  -M 21R=  10B   = .5
 13 BRANCALEONI Maurizio     RN  FM  3B-  16N   = 0
 14 Van Hoolandt Patrick     MNC FM  4N-  19B   = 0
 15 SARDO Gabriele           SR  -M  5B-  18N   = 0
 16 SCERBO Antonio           CZ  -M  6N-  13B   = 0
 17 Cetkovic Sergio          SCG -M  7B-  11N   = 0
 18 CORDI' Domenico          RC  CM  8N-  15B   = 0
 19 SERRATORE VINCENZO       SVI CM  9B-  14N   = 0
 20 BLASCO Domenico          CZ  -M 22F+   5N   = 1
 21 Bye                             12R-  22R-  = 0
 22 Bye                             20R-  21R-  = 0

11) Gausdal Classics

The Gausdal Classics International Chess Tournament takes place in Norway, 23rd April - 1st May 2006.

Official site: http://home.online.no/~eirikgu/gausdal2006-2/index.htm

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Classics GMA Gausdal NOR (NOR), 23 iv-1 v 2006          cat. X (2482)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Karlsson, Lars         g SWE 2506  * = . . . 1 . . . .  1.5  2703 
 2. Porper, Eduard         m ISR 2469  = * . . . . . . . 1  1.5  2692 
 3. Rozentalis, Eduardas   g LTU 2596  . . * . . . . = 1 .  1.5  2593 
 4. Kulaots, Kaido         g EST 2557  . . . * . . . . = 1  1.5  2573 
 5. Bromberger, Stefan     m GER 2481  . . . . * 0 1 . . .  1.0  2458 
 6. Romanishin, Oleg M     g UKR 2552  0 . . . 1 * . . . .  1.0  2493 
 7. Dworakowska, Joanna    m POL 2364  . . . . 0 . * 1 . .  1.0  2506 
 8. Kveinys, Aloyzas       g LTU 2532  . . = . . . 0 * . .  0.5  2287 
 9. Moskow, Eric             USA 2268  . . 0 = . . . . * .  0.5  2383 
10. Reinderman, Dimitri    g NED 2493  . 0 . 0 . . . . . *  0.0       
---------------------------------------------------------------------

12) Lenk International Chess Festival

The "Swiss Chess Tour 2006" the 18th "Kreuz-Open" April 13th-17th 2006 in Lenk. Lothar Vogt took clear first with 6/7

Official site http://www.beochess.ch

Final Round 7 Standings:
 1.  Vogt Lothar        GM  2481 GER  6.0  29.0  166.0
 2.  Sokolov,Andrei     GM  2628 FRA  5.5  31.5  161.0
 3.  Rukavina,Josip     IM  2384 CRO  5.5  30.5  162.5
 4.  Raetsky,Alexander  GM  2468 RUS  5.5  27.5  172.5
 5.  Nemet,Ivan         GM  2346 SUI  5.5  27.5  163.0
 6.  Jenni,Florian      GM  2513 SUI  5.5  27.0  162.5
 7.  Kuemin,Simon       IM  2390 SUI  5.5  26.5  170.5
 8.  Burnier,David      FM  2310 SUI  5.5  25.5  163.0
 9.  Lehmann,Marco          2205 SUI  5.5  21.5  153.5
10.  Bucher,Michael         2248 SUI  5.0  27.5  164.5
11.  Gerber,Richard     IM  2356 SUI  5.0  26.5  161.0
12.  Nuri,Kambez            2109 SUI  5.0  23.5  146.5
13.  Jaeggi Dorian          2271 SUI  5.0  22.5  154.5
98 players

13) CE Martigny 12 hour Blitz

The CE Martigny 12 hour Blitz took place Saturday 15th April 2006. Venue: 5 minutes per player per game, 40 games

Further details: http://www.uve-wsb.ch/

Leading final Standings:
 1  Stojanov Svetlin   Bulgarie       32,5  256,5
 2  FM Carron Julien   Sion           30,5  255,5
 3  IM Aco Alvir       Autriche       30,5  254,5
 4  Patuzzo Fabrizio   Mendrisio      28,0  253,0
 5  Deschenaux Yves    Fribourg       27,0  244,5
 6  Paleolugu Vladimir Lugano         25,5  251,5
 7  Ambrosini Nicola   Lugano         25,5  244,5
 8  Sadeghi Hassan     Echallens      24,5  237,5
 9  Golay Pascal       Nyon           24,5  224,5
10  Piazza Carlo       Mendrisio      24,0  218,0

14) ACP Tour Report March

Below is the summary of the ACP tour report by Misha Savinov. It contains a full review of the results and the link.

Six of ten top players in the ACP Tour overall standings got some points in March - it was quite a busy month! Alexey Shirov and Teimour Radjabov entered the top 8. Harikrishna and Bareev solidified their positions. And, of course, Aronian’s fantastic performance in Linares almost secured him the 1st spot, as he is 730 points ahead of Anand. Still, Vishy has a chance to work on this gap in Sofia, while Levon will be playing for his team at the Olympiad. The race is not over yet.

Full review of the month by Misha Savinov: http://www.chess-players.org/eng/news/viewarticle.html?id=520

#   Name                    NAT  Pts  Diff
 1  Aronian, Levon          ARM  2041  +805
 2  Anand, Viswanathan      IND  1311  
 3  Harikrishna, Pentala    IND  1210  +186
 4  Naiditsch, Arkadij      GER  954  
 5  Bareev, Evgeny          RUS  818  +198
 6  Shirov, Alexey          ESP  809  +600
 7  Rublevsky, Sergey       RUS  765  
 8  Radjabov, Teimour       AZE  747  +387
 9  Nakamura, Hikaru        USA  720  +66
10  Volokitin, Andrey       UKR  704  
11  Svidler, Peter          RUS  703  
12  Sasikiran, Krishnan     IND  657  
13  Motylev, Alexander      RUS  566  
14  Bacrot, Etienne         FRA  561  
    Bologan, Viorel         MDA  561  
16  Gelfand, Boris          ISR  556  
17  Eljanov, Pavel          UKR  464  
18  van Wely, Loek          NED  462  
19  Sokolov, Ivan           NED  454  +40
20  Vallejo Pons, Francisco ESP  418  
21  Jakovenko, Dmitry       RUS  408  
22  Moiseenko, Alexander    UKR  403  
23  Khalifman, Alexander    RUS  400  
24  Zvjaginsev, Vadim       RUS  373  +198
25  Dreev, Alexey           RUS  372  +198
26  Sargissian, Gabriel     ARM  362  +186
27  McShane, Luke           ENG  340  
    Morozevich, Alexander   RUS  340  
29  Bruzon, Lazaro          CUB  328  
30  Adams, Michael          ENG  304  

15) 4th V.Nabokov Memorial

4th V.Nabokov Memorial International Chess Title Tournament Kyiv (Ukraine) 3rd-12th April 2006.

Official site: http://ukrchess.org.ua/turnir/t087.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
4th V.Nabokov Mem Kyiv UKR (UKR), 3-12 iv 2006              cat. IV (2338)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Onischuk, Vladimir     m UKR 2388  * = 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 =  9.0  2595 
 2. Koziak, Vitali         m UKR 2462  = * 1 1 = 1 = = 1 = 1 1  8.5  2538 
 3. Aliavdin, Nikolai      f BLR 2355  1 0 * = 1 = 1 1 1 = 1 1  8.5  2547 
 4. Pavlov, Sergey2          UKR 2451  0 0 = * = = = = = = 1 1  5.5  2328 
 5. Kernazhitsky, Leonid   m UKR 2354  0 = 0 = * = = 1 = = = =  5.0  2300 
 6. Khamitskiy, Sergei       BLR 2201  0 0 = = = * = = 1 0 = 1  5.0  2314 
 7. Stopkin, Vladimir      f RUS 2310  0 = 0 = = = * 0 0 1 1 =  4.5  2275 
 8. Podgursky, Sten        f MDA 2314  0 = 0 = 0 = 1 * 0 1 0 1  4.5  2275 
 9. Kruglyakov, Pavlo        UKR 2300  0 0 0 = = 0 1 1 * 1 0 =  4.5  2276 
10. Moliboga, V              RUS 2297  0 = = = = 1 0 0 0 * = =  4.0  2240 
11. Dolzhikova, Kateryna  wm UKR 2284  0 0 0 0 = = 0 1 1 = * =  4.0  2241 
12. Solomaha, Andrey         UKR 2344  = 0 0 0 = 0 = 0 = = = *  3.0  2162 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

16) Ukrainian Team Championship

The Ukrainian Team Championship took place in Alushta 15th-21st April 2006. The Lviv University team won the event.

Official site: http://ukrchess.org.ua/turnir/t088.htm

17) Byelorussian U-20 Championship

The Byelorussian U-20 Championship took place 7th-15th April 2006. Sergei Zhigalko and Andrey Gorovets finished on 6/9.

Official site: http://www.bychess.info/

---------------------------------------------------------------------
ch-BLR u20 Minsk BLR (BLR), 7-15 iv 2006               cat. II (2282)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Zhigalko, Sergei       m BLR 2505  * = 1 = = 1 1 0 = 1  6.0  2382 
 2. Gorovets, Andrey       f BLR 2352  = * 1 = = = 0 1 1 1  6.0  2399 
 3. Nesterenko, Pavel        BLR 2331  0 0 * 0 = 1 1 1 1 1  5.5  2357 
 4. Podolchenko, Evgeniy     BLR 2252  = = 1 * = = 1 = 0 =  5.0  2328 
 5. Stupak, Kirill           BLR 2414  = = = = * 0 0 1 1 1  5.0  2310 
 6. Redko, Stepan            BLR 2228  0 = 0 = 1 * 1 = 1 0  4.5  2288 
 7. Pogosian, Manvel         BLR 2144  0 1 0 0 1 0 * 1 0 1  4.0  2254 
 8. Smolich, Pavel           BLR 2142  1 0 0 = 0 = 0 * = 1  3.5  2218 
 9. Rakitskij, Dmitrij       BLR 2268  = 0 0 1 0 0 1 = * 0  3.0  2159 
10. Mokriy, Alexander        BLR 2188  0 0 0 = 0 1 0 0 1 *  2.5  2126 
---------------------------------------------------------------------

18) Wolfgang Unzicker 1925-2006

Wolfgang Unzicker 26th June 1925 - 20th April 2006. The strongest West German Grandmaster before Robert Huebner has died of a heart attack on holiday in Portugal at the age of 80. Unzicker was an amateur player throughout his career being a judge of an administrative court. He became a Grandmaster in 1954. He won the German Championship 7 times and played in 12 Olympiads, on top board in 10 of them.

His best results were probably joint 1st with Spassky in the Chigorin Memorial Sochi 1965 and 4th= in the famous 2nd Piatigorsky-Cup behind Spassky, Fischer and Larsen. He never made any serious impact in the world championship only playing two Interzonals finishing 9th in 1952 and 16th in 1956. His top board status in the Olympiad meant he played all the greats of the time and in 1950, he shared the prize for best top-board score (+9 =4 -1) with Miguel Najdorf for his performance on first board for the West German team at the Dubrovnik Chess Olympiad. A quick flick through his games reveals he had at least one victory over Tartakower, Bogoljubov, Gligoric, Keres, Reshevsky, Fischer, Botvinnik, Smyslov, Larsen, Donner, Timman, Ljubojevic, Korchnoi and Tal. He had a solid classical style and had draws against most of the world's best players of his era in addition to the list above such as Petrosian, Euwe, Karpov and Short.

Although he seems to have stopped playing major events in 2002 he played for his team club "Tarrasch Munich" almost to the end and the Mainz Chess Classic organised an 80th birthday rapid event where he competed with Karpov, Korchnoi and Spassky in August of 2005 (http://www.chesstigers.de/ccm5_index.php?lang=1&kat=1).

Further obituary: http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=3061

19) 44th Doeberl Cup

Tthe 44th Doeberl Cup was played in Canberra over the Easter weekend (14th-17th April 2006). FM Igor Goldenberg after an 18 year layoff from chess has come back with a vengeance to take the Doeberl Cup on a countback. He shared 1st place with GM Darryl Johansen and one of Australia's up and coming Juniors, Dusan Stojic. The tournament was very hard fought and there were many upsets which forced some of the fancied players, e.g. Gary Lane and Ian Rogers, back into the field.

The full crosstables are at http://www.netspeed.com.au/ianandjan/IansPage/results/weekenders/2006Doebe rlCup.htm.

The Major event was won by Arthur Huynh and the Minor was shared by Kenzo Selby, Joshua Christensen and Yi Yuan. The number of Juniors in the prize money shows the growth of Junior chess in Australia. Attached is a selection of games from the Premier event. News: Paul Dunn Organiser Doeberl Cup.

-------------------------------------------------------
44th Doeberl Cup Canberra AUS (AUS), 14-17 iv 2006
-------------------------------------------------------
 1. Goldenberg, Igor            f  AUS 2328  6   +36.7
 2. Johansen, Darryl K          g  AUS 2452  6   +7.9
 3. Stojic, Dusan                  AUS 2054  6   +64.0
 4. Zhao Zong-Yuan              m  AUS 2452  5½  -17.8
 5. Smerdon, David              m  AUS 2460  5½  -7.0
 6. Ly, Moulthun                   AUS 2188  5   +39.4
 7. Bjelobrk, Igor              f  NZL 2404  5   -20.7
 8. Pecori, Ascaro                 AUS 2107  5   +46.2
 9. Charles, Gareth                AUS 2196  5   +7.7
10. Obst, James                    AUS 2026  5   +44.7
11. Rogers, Ian                 g  AUS 2564  4½  -48.4
12. Farrell,Roger                  AUS ----  4½  +57.9
13. Song, Raymond                  AUS 2157  4½  +5.3
14. Oliver, Gareth                 AUS 2120  4½  +26.0
15. Xie, George Wendi           f  AUS 2376  4½  -21.3
16. Lane, Gary W                m  AUS 2440  4½  -48.8
17. Ikeda, Junta                   AUS 2089  4½  +15.2
18. Dragicevic, Domagoj            AUS 2130  4½  -12.3
19. Chow, Sam                      AUS 2200  4½  -21.6
20. Suttor, Vincent                AUS 2129  4½  +19.8
21. Denis Bourmistrov              AUS 2138  4½   +2.2
76 players

20) 8th Dubai Open

The 8th Dubai Open Chess Championship takes place 22nd April - 2nd May 2006 and the players will be competing for the Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum's Cup.

Leading players: 1 GM Izoria Zviad GEO 2647 2 GM Sadvakasov Darmen KAZ 2619 3 GM Sargissian Gabriel ARM 2612 4 GM Pantsulaia Levan GEO 2611 5 GM Miroshnichenko Evgenij UKR 2608 6 GM Kacheishvili Giorgi GEO 2605 7 GM Ghaem Maghami Ehsan IRI 2584 8 GM Fedorchuk Sergey A UKR 2576 9 GM Gelashvili Tamaz GEO 2576 10 GM Neverov Valeriy UKR 2572 2572 11 GM Petrosian Tigran L ARM 2571

Official site: http://www.dubaichess.com/DxbOp06/index.htm

21) Spring North American FIDE Invitational

The 2006 Spring North American FIDE Invitational took place in Schaumburg, Illinois 18th-22nd April 2006. Three events. The GMA was won by Victor Mikhalevski GM-B by Vitali Golod and IMC Gilberto Hernandez. There were norms for Giorgi Margvelashvili and Mehmed Pasalic.

Official site: http://www.monroi.com/tournament/index.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spring NAm GMA Schaumburg USA (USA), 18-22 iv 2006          cat. X (2498)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Mikhalevski, Victor       g ISR 2566  * = 1 1 = 1 1 = 1 1  7.5  2763 
 2. Shulman, Yuri             g USA 2576  = * = = 1 = 0 1 1 1  6.0  2614 
 3. Margvelashvili, Giorgi    m GEO 2441  0 = * = 1 1 = 1 1 =  6.0  2629 
 4. Finegold, Benjamin        m USA 2563  0 = = * = = 1 = = 1  5.0  2533 
 5. Mitkov, Nikola            g MKD 2561  = 0 0 = * = 1 = 1 1  5.0  2533 
 6. Smetankin, Stanislav      m BLR 2486  0 = 0 = = * = 1 = 1  4.5  2499 
 7. Zatonskih, Anna          wg USA 2433  0 1 = 0 0 = * = = =  3.5  2424 
 8. Kriventsov, Stanislav G   m USA 2449  = 0 0 = = 0 = * 0 =  2.5  2337 
 9. Krush, Irina              m USA 2437  0 0 0 = 0 = = 1 * 0  2.5  2338 
10. Friedel, Joshua E         m USA 2465  0 0 = 0 0 0 = = 1 *  2.5  2335 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spring NAm GMB Schaumburg USA (USA), 18-22 iv 2006       cat. VII (2420)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Golod, Vitali            g ISR 2571  * 1 = 1 = 1 = = 1 1  7.0  2622 
 2. Lawson, Eric             m CAN 2369  0 * 1 = 1 1 0 1 = =  5.5  2505 
 3. Gurevich, Dmitry         g USA 2503  = 0 * = 1 1 1 = 0 1  5.5  2490 
 4. Georgiev, Vladimir       g MKD 2535  0 = = * = 0 1 1 1 1  5.5  2486 
 5. Burnett, Ronald          m USA 2390  = 0 0 = * 0 1 1 1 1  5.0  2465 
 6. Scekic, Milos            m SCG 2391  0 0 0 1 1 * = 1 0 =  4.0  2379 
 7. Almeida Saenz, Alfonso   m MEX 2400  = 1 0 0 0 = * 0 1 1  4.0  2378 
 8. Goletiani, Rusudan      wg USA 2371  = 0 = 0 0 0 1 * = 1  3.5  2344 
 9. Kopec, Danny             m USA 2362  0 = 1 0 0 1 0 = * 0  3.0  2300 
10. Bereolos, Peter          f USA 2303  0 = 0 0 0 = 0 0 1 *  2.0  2212 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Spring NAm IMC Schaumburg USA (USA), 18-22 iv 2006     cat. II (2298)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Hernandez, Gilberto    g MEX 2530  * 1 = = 1 1 1 1 1 1  8.0  2623 
 2. Pasalic, Mehmed        f GER 2363  0 * = 1 = 1 1 1 1 1  7.0  2511 
 3. Hess, Robert L         f USA 2354  = = * = = 1 = = 1 1  6.0  2417 
 4. Sher, Miron N          g USA 2431  = 0 = * = = = 1 1 =  5.0  2326 
 5. Sorkin, Igor             ISR 2356  0 = = = * 0 1 1 = 1  5.0  2334 
 6. Tsyganov, Igor M       f USA 2281  0 0 0 = 1 * = = = 1  4.0  2257 
 7. Chow, Albert           f USA 2220  0 0 = = 0 = * = 1 0  3.0  2181 
 8. Arjun, Vishnuvardhan     IND 2221  0 0 = 0 0 = = * = =  2.5  2140 
 9. Shankar,Gauri            IND ----  0 0 0 0 = = 0 = * 1  2.5  2165 
10. Karagianis, Pete         USA 2226  0 0 0 = 0 0 1 = 0 *  2.0  2086 
---------------------------------------------------------------------

22) Karpov - Portisch Rapid Match

Anatoly Karpov beat Lajos Portisch 2.5 – 1.5 in a g/20 match on 3rd February 2006 in Novi Sad to celebrate GM Svetozar Gligoric's 83rd birthday.

Games were broadcast at: http://www.monroi.com/news.php?id=33

Portisch, Lajos  -  Karpov, Anatoly  0-1   34  E14  Queens Indian
Karpov, Anatoly  -  Portisch, Lajos  1/2   28  A31  English Symmetrical
Portisch, Lajos  -  Karpov, Anatoly  1/2   20  E14  Queens Indian
Karpov, Anatoly  -  Portisch, Lajos  1/2   33  E38  Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2

Gligoric 83rd g/20 Match Novi Sad SCG (SCG), 3-3 ii 2006
--------------------------------------------------------
                               1   2   3   4 
--------------------------------------------------------
Karpov, Anatoly g  RUS 2672    1   =   =   =   2.5  2628
Portisch, Lajos g  HUN 2533    0   =   =   =   1.5  2585
--------------------------------------------------------

23) Caissa IM April

Csaba Bognar reports on the Caissa IM April (Easter) tournament which took place 15-23 April 2006 in Kecskemet (HUN). Mr. Katzir won the event with 7.5 pts, achieved the IM norm, 7 pts from 9 games.

More info, next events: http://www.caissachessbooks.com Dr. Tamas Erdelyi postmaster@caissa.t-online.hu

Ranking after round 10 of Caissa IM April
No.  PNo.  Name                       Score WP    SB     PS    rat.  TPR  W-We
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1.    5  Katzir, Moshe   ISR             7.5  45.0  31.75  42.0  2239 2437 +2.58
  2.    4  Farkas, Tibor   SCG IM          6.0  48.0  26.00  34.0  2334 2297 -0.44
  3.    2  Erdelyi, Tamas  HUN IM          5.0  50.0  22.25  29.0  2249 2242 -0.06
        3  Bogumil, Pavel  RUS IM          5.0  50.0  22.25  26.0  2280 2236 -0.58
  5.    1  Kragelj, Igor   SLO FM          4.5  51.0  21.75  24.5  2260 2204 -0.76
  6.    6  Andriska, Zsolt HUN             2.0  56.0   9.50   9.5  2099 2032 -0.74

24) Forthcoming Events and Links

IbeatGarry.com: The Six Degrees of Kasparov

If you've won a game that's appeared in Chessbase Megabase 2005 then find out a series of results which by separation means you beat Garry Kasparov! Fun stuff from Karlheinz Zoechling. I'm not in Megabase but have beaten someone who has a separation of two, giving me a separation of three!

Site: http://ibeatgarry.com/

Final Weekend of the 4NCL

The final three rounds of the 4NCL will take place Saturday 29th April 2006 to Bank Holiday Monday 1st May 2006. Live coverage: http://www.bcfservices.org.uk/4ncl/

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

15th Open International D’Echecs de Martigny

The 15th Open International D’Echecs de Martigny takes place 4th-7th August 2006.

Further detail: http://www.uve-wsb.ch/openmartigny/

IRT Buenos Aires

An IRT (International Rated Tournament) takes place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, organized by FAOGBA (Federación de Ajedrez del Oeste del Gran Buenos Aires) Federation of Chess of the West of Great Buenos Aires. Apr, 19th-May, 20th 2006. 11 players, average ELO 2118 (eight rated players) It takes place in the halls of the Italian Society of the city of Merlo, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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

15th Kavala Open

The 15th Kavala Open takes place 4th-11th August 2006. There is one (traditional) Open Tournament, which is at the same time the Greek Championships. This year they decided to form two groups with very low elo players competing separately, so as not to create great elo differences and discourage high-ranked players from participating (and being paired with a 1400 player, when a game loss, or draw might mean an "elo catastrophy") on a swiss tournament such as this one. This separation of low elos and the bigger ones is done for the first time in Greece, previously all competed in one tournament. The 1st group players will be eligible for Greek Open titles in men's and women's competitions.

Entries must be sent by fax to + 30.2510.226871 or by e-mail : vliog@tee.gr, not later than July 24th and should include full name, ELO Rating, telephone and dates of arrival and departure. Telephone communication : Vassilis Liogkas : +30.2510.622370 and 6977474684

Further info: http://www.chesskavala.gr or http://www.chesskavala.com

5th Knokke Open

The 5th Knokke Open International Chess Tournament  takes place 12th-15th August 2006  The Belgium Chess Club 'Cnoc Is Ier' located at the coast city Knokke Belgium, the tournament accredited by the Flemish Chess Federation exists of 7 rounds 'Swiss system 2 hours K.O'.  

Prize money provided for a total amount of 2275 Euro 1st prize: 750 euro -  2e prize: 375 euro - 3e prize: 200 euro 4e prize: 125 euro -  6e until 13e prize: 25 euro. The best youth player (born after 15 Aug. 1990): 50 euro - Best senior (born before 12 Aug. 1946): 50 euro

The participants who win no money prize will rewarded with a gift prize.  

Tournament participation Before 31 July 2006 one pays 20 euro, afterwards 25 euro. Participation is for nobody free. Maximum 120 players are allowed. Registrations happen in order of recieved payment. Participants must present themselves on the 12 of Augusts between 10 and 12 O'clock.

Register by e-mail sk_knokke@hotmail.com

Further details: http://users.telenet.be/schaakknokke/SchaakClubKnokkeTornooiMain.htm

Argentine Championship

The Argentine Championship take place in San Luis, 25th April - 2nd May 2006.

Coverage: http://www.ajedrez.com.ar

Jonathan Speelman charity chess simultaneous

Jonathan Speelman is playing a charity chess simultaneous for the Seafarers UK on Saturday April 22nd. 2006. The venue will be HMS BELFAST, a floating museum on the Thames moored opposite the Tower of London. Registration for the event will begin from 12 noon for a 1pm start. All chess enthusiasts, including club players, are invited to join in. Players are asked to donate £25. They should contact Hugh Breidenbach on 07808 067049 or wafu@orange.net for a reference number, and can then pay online using the fundraising webpage http://www.justgiving.com/bridey

Only 40 places are available. The event will take 3-4 hours. Tea and coffee will be served from the cash bar in the playing This will benefit SEAFARERS UK, supporting survivors of accidents in the fishing fleet, which suffers 10 lost vessels and 2 fatalities each month, and also those invalided out of the Merchant Navy and Royal Navy/Royal Marines who would be disadvantaged or homeless without their help.

These details can also be found on the English Chess Federation website http://www.englishchess.org.uk/ (Directly to the document download at: http://www.englishchess.org.uk/national/2006/seafareres-uk-simul_feb06.doc)

Seafarers UK is also known as King George?s Fund for Sailors, registered charity number 226446. You can find out more about them at http://www.kgfs.org.uk

16th Chess Tournament of Pobeskydi

16th Chess Tournament of Pobeskydi takes place 13th March - 17th April 2005 in Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic. There will be at least two tournaments. Round-robin with possibility to achieve IM and WGM norm and FIDE Open.

Details: http://www.chessfm.cz/

Van Wely - Carlsen Match

There will be a match between Loek van Wely and Magnus Carlsen 28th April - 1st May match with 4 games (2H/40 + 1H/20 + 15 min/rest + 30 sec./move for the last period) - tiebreak games are possible. The venue is described as the ROC-vestiging aan de Hofstraat which is in the town of Schagen in the North Holland region of the Netherlands.

Further info: http://www.schaakbond.nl/nieuws/njk2006/dsb.htm and http://www.tussendetorens.nl/

Sigeman & Co Chess tournament

The Sigeman & Co Chess tournament takes place 27th April – 7th May 2006.

Category: 13                 (2552)
GM Suat Atalik           TUR (2627)
GM Jan Timman            NED (2616)
GM Alexei Fedorov        BLR (2614)
GM Igor Khenkin          GER (2602)
GM Daniel Stellwagen     NED (2543)
GM Emanuel Berg          SWE (2539)
GM Tiger Hillarp-Persson SWE (2524)
GM Jonny Hector          SWE (2514)
GM Slavko Cicak          SWE (2506)
IM Pontus Carlsson       SWE (2433)

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

Dutch Team Championship

The Dutch Team Championship Meesterklasse takes place 24th September 2005 - 23rd April 2006. After eight rounds HSG (Loek van Wely, Predrag Nikolic, Yasser Seirawa, Friso Nijboer, Daniel Stellwagen, Jan Smeets, Erwin l' Ami, Ljubomir Ljubojevic, Ian Rogers etc ) lead by a point from their only serious rivals U-Boat Worx (Ivan Sokolov, Michael Adams, Jan Timman, Laurent Fressinet, Sergei Movsesian, Vladimir Chuchelov, Mikhail Gurevich etc) by a point with a round to go. They met on March 25th in round 8 and drew 5-5. Although the final standings are established by a playoff amongst the top four teams at the end of the season. Games now available.

Dutch Chess Federation: http://www.schaakbond.nl/ - Meesterklasse Games side bar at: http://www.schakers.info/

Also some interesting material at: http://www.thewildknights.nl./ including Ian Rogers on his win against Jan Timman. In Dutch but with English version if you click on the flag.

Olympiad Qualifier in Peru

There was a qualifier for Peru's Olympiad team in Lima Peru. It qualified 5 players to the Olympiad. News: Rafael LLanos. I need a little longer to process the games.

The games and crosstable: http://www.mastersierra.com/

Dortmunder Sparkassen Chess Meeting

The Dortmunder Sparkassen Chess Meeting takes place 29th July - 6th August 2006. Players: Arkadij Naiditsch, Vladimir Kramnik, Levon Aronian, Peter Svidler, Peter Leko, Boris Gelfand, Michael Adams and Baadur Jobava.

Official site was http://www.chessgate.de/ last year.

Aarhus GM

The Grundfosis a GM-tournament cat. X-XI in Aarhus, Denmark, August 5th-13th 2006 with a special event on August 4.

There will also be an IM-tournament, cat. V (5 women vs. 5 men) and Soren Sogaard (soren@seagaard.dk) needs female players with an ELO between 2350 and 2450.

Canadian Open

The Canadian Open takes place July 15th-23rd 2006 in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

Further details: http://www.chessfest.ca/can_open.htm

10th Anniversary of correspondencechess.com

correspondencechess.com is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. It has a 10th Anniversary Commemorative Coin: http://www.correspondencechess.com/coin.htm

Home of: Grandmaster V.V. Palciauskas' The World of Correspondence Chess Senior International Master Knudsen's The Correspondence Chess Place The Campbell Report Ralph Marconi's Chess Pages The Canadian Correspondence Chess Association (CCCA) American Postal Chess Tournaments (APCT) The Correspondence Chess Message Board (TCCMB)   and much, much more!

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

FIDE Presidential Election Websites

Both Presidential tickets for the upcoming FIDE Elections in Turin now have websites.

FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov: http://www.chessfidelity.com

Bessel Kok: http://www.rightmove06.org

Bosna Sarajevo 2006

Unconfirmed reports say the Bosna Sarajevo 2006 takes place place May 5th-16th 2006. According to reliable sources, the players are GM Vladimir Malakhov (RUS 2691), GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu (ROM 2695), GM Krishnan Sasikiran (IND 2692), GM Arkadij Naiditsch (GER 2664), GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR 2646) and GM Borki Predojevic (BIH 2566) in a double round robin tournament.

Official site will be: http://www.skbosna.ba (no 2006 information yet)

15th Monarch Assurance Isle of Man International

15th Monarch Assurance Isle of Man International Dates: 23 September - 1 October 2006 Venue: Ocean Castle Hotel, Port Erin, Isle of Man Total Prize Fund: £17,500

Three sections: (1) Masters (9-round FIDE Rated swiss, ACP registered, GM/IM norms achievable, first prize £3,000) (2) Under 2000 / ECF grade 175 (7 round swiss, starts 25 Sept) (3) Under 1640 / ECF grade 130 (7 round swiss, starts 25 Sept)

Confirmed entries so far include nine 2600+ rated players (Korneev, Efimenko, Kobalia, Krasenkow, Volkov, Socko, Shabalov, Khenkin, Iordachescu, Landa) plus US women's champion Anna Zatonskih, etc.

For entry details, consult the tournament website ( http://www.bcmchess.co.uk/monarch2006/index.html) or contact tournament director Dennis Hemsley, 3 Links Avenue, Port St Mary, Isle of Man IM9 5EY, tel. 44(0)1624 833742, fax 44(0)1624 833583, email chess@manx.net

Dutch Championship

The Dutch Championship takes place in Hilversum 16th June - 2nd July 2006.

Official site: http://www.schaakbond.nl/nieuws/nk2006/

Men's Event
 1.  Ivan Sokolov       Lelystad    2676  GM 
 2.  Sergei Tiviakov    Groningen   2669  GM
 3.  Loek van Wely      Tilburg     2655  GM
 4.  Jan Timman         Amsterdam   2616  GM
 5.  Friso Nijboer      Amsterdam   2584  GM
 6.  Erwin l' Ami       Woerden     2565  GM
 7.  Daniel Stellwagen  Soest       2543  GM
 8.  Jan Smeets         Oegstgeest  2535  GM
 9.  Jan Werle          Groningen   2529  GM - elect
10.  John van der Wiel  Voorschoten 2511  GM
11.  Yge Visser         Groningen   2480  IM
12.  Jeroen Bosch       Nijmegen    2465  IM


Women's Championship
 1.  Zhao Qin Peng        Rotterdam  2395  GM 
 2.  Tea Lanchava         Winschoten 2380  IM
 3.  Petra Schuurman      Eindhoven  2258  FM
 4.  Bianca Muhren        Rosmalen   2253  WIM
 5.  Marlies Bensdorp     Maarssen   2251  WIM
 6.  Linda Jap Tjoen San  Den Haag   2191  WIM  
 7.  Mariska Bertholee-de Mie Haarlem2153  
 8.  Arlette van Weersel  Etten Leur 2148  
 9.  Maartje de Jonge     Utrecht    2136  
10.  Pauline van Nies     Zoetermeer 2107  

Open Internet Chess Blitz Cup 2006

Central Chess Club, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and the Chess Assistant Club invites chess players and chess clubs from your country to take part in the Open Internet chess blitz Cup dedicated to 50 year jubilee of the Central Chess Club (Moscow) for the prizes of FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.

The prize-winning fund of the Cup makes 10 000 USD that will be played off in 10 qualifying tournaments (April 1 - May 3) and 2 final tournaments (May 6 and 10). The closing ceremony and winners rewarding will be made by Kirsan Ilyumzhinov in May during the 37th Chess Olympiad in Turin (Italy).

The Cup tournaments will be held at Chess Assistant playing zone (www.ChessAssistant.com).

E-mail for contacts: info@chessassistantclub.com

Regulations: http://www.chessassistantclub.com/botv_50.html

Christophe Bouton Chess Blog

Christophe Bouton has started a chess blog in French at: http://echecs64.blog.20minutes.fr/

Galati Chess Open

Galati Chess Open 26th of April to 3rd of May. The open is part of Romanian Chess Grand Prix 2006. 9 rounds. At least 7000 Euro in cash prizes. GMs please ask for conditions. Contact info: Doru Ionescu contact@chess-romania.ro, +40 742 064 336. Website http://www.chess-romania.ro.

4th Solingen chess weeks

The 4th Solingen chess weeks will be held in Solingen (Germany) June 10th- June 18th. Festival consists of Blitz tournament (June 10th, 22 games (11 rounds with 2 games));

Rapid Tournament (9 rounds, 20 min/game) will take place June 11th.

Main tournaments are two Open from June 15th to 18th; 7 rounds Swiss system 2h/40+ 1h/ Rest; A-tournament is open for all players and Elo-rated. Top prizes 800/500/400 euros

B-tournament is open for all players with a rating below 2000; top prizes 300/200/150 euros

Further information: Andreas Peschel: 0175-5912407; peschel@schachgesellschaft.de

Tournament site: http://www.schachwochen.de

Czech Tour 2006/2007

There is new information about the Czech Tour 2006/2007 including:

CZECH OPEN 2006 17th International Festival of Chess, Bridge and Games European Amateurs Championship in Chess Pardubice 13th-30th July 2006, Czech Republic

2nd WORLD SCHOOL CHESS TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP Tournaments for school chess teams in categories U12, U14, U16 Pardubice, July 12th-20th, 2006

6th ZNOJMO OPEN (the Dukla hotel and Monastery of Louka) 13th-21st May 2006 .

9th OLOMOUC CHESS SUMMER (the Sigma hotel) 2nd-10th August 2006.

3rd HIGHLANDS OPEN (Havlickuv Brod, the Slunce hotel) 23rd September - 1st October 2006.

7th LIBEREC OPEN (the Liberec hotel) 11th-18th November 2006.

6th PRAGUE OPEN (TOP HOTEL Praha) 11th-18th January 2007.

6th MARIENBAD OPEN (the Evropa hotel) 19th-27th January 2007.

Further details: http://www.czechtour.net or Dr. Jan Mazuch, Director of CZECH OPEN & CZECH TOUR - j.mazuch@avekont.cz

In addition there is the 27th Tournament of Chess Hopes and 17th Pobeskydi Tournament organised by the town of Frydek-Mistek 13th-17th April 2006.

Further details: http://www.chessfm.cz

Computer chess calendar

New updates to the Computer chess calendar with the latest official computer chess tournaments and an updated PGN database. The latest events added:

01. CCT-8 2006, Rybka won
02. IPCCC 2005, Rybka won
03. Dutch-open 2005, Zappa won
04. WCCC, Zappa won
05. Australasian NCC-ch 2005, Bodo won
06. Polish-ch, Gosu won

Next events are: 06th International CSVN Tournament Leiden, 2006-05-05 up to 2006-05-07 14th WCCC Torino, 2006-05-25 up to 2006-06-01 Please note: The information are now again available under the older domain: http://www.amateurschach.de (selection: CC-Calendar).

The *.pgn database with official computer chess tournaments have now 8.673 games and 726 games from older tournaments (time before 1990).

21st North Sea Cup

The Esbjerg Chess Union organises the 21st North Sea Cup July 8th-15th 2006.

Further information and registration: Jens Nielsen, Storegade 66, 6700 Esbjerg, (+45)75123975, e-mail: Jerneif@get2net.dk. Registration not later than Sunday July 2nd.

Further details: http://www.northseacup.dk/nsc2006/2index.htm

30th Blackpool Chess Conference

The 30th Blackpool Chess Conference took place 10th-12th March 2006. Open results Results from the 30th Blackpool Chess Conference, 10-12 March 2006, held at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England 1st= on 4.5/5 GM Mark Hebden & John Merriman £550 each 3rd Lawrence Trent 4/5 £200

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

Hungarian tournaments April-December 2006

1. 23rd- 31st of March 22nd Budapest SPRING FESTIVAL 9 rounds Swiss Open org.: NL.

2. 1st-14th of April, GM-IM-FM round robins, 9-13 games, norm possibilities, in Budapest, Hungarian Chess Federation, Falk Miksa Str.10. 2nd floor. Organisation: Nagy Laszlo, FIDE International Chess Organizer /NL/, E-mail: firstsat@hu.inter.net Website: http://www.firstsaturday.hu Other website: http://home.hu.inter.net/~firstsat Phone-fax: +(361)-2632859, cellphone: +(36)-30-230-1914 /From 12:00 a.m. until midnight - Central European Time - GMT+1 hour/..

3. 15th-23rd of April Kecskemet, IM tmt, org: Dr.Erdelyi, Tamas, e-mail: postmaster@caissa.t-online.hu Website: www.caissachessbooks.hu Usually also in the second half of the month IM tmt-s in Kecskemet. 100 km South from Budapest.

4. 6th - 18th of May, Budapest, FIRST SATURDAY GM-IM-FM, org.NL.

5.. 20th-30th of May, Budapest, ELEKES memorial GM-IM closed tmt, org.IM Zsinka, e-mail: zsinkala@axelero.hu

6. 19th-27th of May, ZALAKAROS Open, 9 rounds Swiss, Info: IM Horvath, Tamas, e-mail: mssz@zalaszam.hu website: www.csutisk.hu

7. 3rd-16th of June, FIRST SATURDAY GM /cat.VII and cat IX together/ - IM-FM closed tournaments, Budapest, Org.NL.

8.. 17th-25th of June, BALATONLELLE Open, GM-IM closed, 130 km West from Budapest, org. IM RIGO, e-mail: me-ri@t-online.hu Website: www.lellechess.tar.hu

9.. 1st-13th of July, FIRST SATURDAY GM-IM-FM closed, Bp. Org.NL,

10. 15th-23rd of July, AGRIA Open 9 rounds Swiss, Eger, 100 km North from Budapest, Org. RAUCH Ferenc, e-mail: rauch@freemail.hu

11.. 24th-30th of July, SZOMBATHELY SUMMER Open 9 rounds Swiss, 300 km West from Budapest, Org: FM KORPICS, Zsolt, e-mail: korpicschess@axelero.hu

13. 5th-17th of August, FIRST SATURDAY, Bp, GM /cat.XII-IX-VII/ - IM-FM closed, Org: NL.

14. 21st -29th of August, TALENTUM Kupa, Open, Zamárdi , org. Valis János. E-mail: husi_sc@hu.inter.net

15. 2nd-14th of September FS GM-IM Budapest, org.Nagy László

16. 7th-19th of October, FS GM-IM, Bp. Org.Nagy László.

17. 4th-16th of November FS GM-IM-FM closed tmt, info NL.

18. Second half of November, TENKES KUPA, Harkány, 250 km South West from Budapest, Organizer: Mr FULOP, Csaba E-mail: fulopcsa@invitel.hu

19. 2nd-15th of December, FS GM-IM-FM, info NL.

6th Znojmo Open

The 6th International Chess Festival Znojmo Open 2006 takes place 13th-21st May 2006 in Znojmo (the Czech Republic). Among others European Women Rapid Chess Championship (the prize fund 5 000 EUR), FIDE open, The Znojmo Little Queen and Open Championship of the Southmoravian chess federation in active chess will be a part of the festival.

Contact: Dr. Jan Mazuch, Director of CZECH OPEN & CZECH TOUR - j.mazuch@avekont.cz

Website for the Czech Tour: http://www.czechopen.net

Free "How good is your chess" articles in German

For German Readers The excellent series "How good is your chess", written by the english Grandmaster Daniel King, appears also in the german language as "Test & Training". You can download a free sample in the section "Training" at http://www.schach-magazin.de

Vladimir Kramnik vs. Deep Fritz Match Announced

Vladimir Kramnik will play the ChessBase computer program Deep Fritz in a 6 game match 25th November - 5th December 2006 in the German’s Art and Exhibition Hall in Bonne. Kramnik stands to win a prize of $1 Million US for a win in the match doubling his starting fee.

Asked how he estimates his chances, Kramnik reacted cautiously: "Fritz examines millions of moves per second. It is extraordinarily difficult to play against such a calculating monster. Right from the start you are walking on a very narrow ridge, and you know that any inattentiveness will be your downfall. It is a scientific experiment and I will have to fight very hard for my chance." The WCC is being organized by Universal Event Promotion (UEP), in cooperation with the Art and Exhibition Hall.

Schedule: Game 1: Saturday 25.11.2006 16h Game 2: Monday 27.11.2006 16h Game 3: Wednesday 29.11.2006 16h Game 4: Friday 01.12.2006 16h Game 5: Sunday 03.12.2006 16h Game 6: Tuesday 05.12.2006 16h During the entire period of the match the Art and Exhibition Hall will offer a varied program.

Information: http://www.bundeskunsthalle.de

MTel Masters Sofia

The Mtel Masters takes place in Sofia 9th (opening ceremony) - 21st (closing) May 2006. Players: Veselin Topalov, Viswanathan Anand, Peter Svidler, Etienne Bacrot, Gata Kamsky and Ruslan Ponomariov.

Website: http://www.mtelmasters06.com/

Battle of Senta 1697 Chess Festival

The 10th Anniversary Chess Festival "The Battle of Senta 1697" takes place 21st-30th July 2006. Events: A Main tournament, B tournament, rapid-transit ( ,, Blitz ,, ) tournament, rapid-transit tournament, children’s rapid-transit tournament, women’s rapid-transit tournament

Information, registration for tournaments and private accommodation bookings at Seles Ambrus, 27 Fruskogorska street, 24400 Senta Serbia-Montenegro . Telephone number : +381-24-813-251 or mob. +381-63-8-754-713, E-mail : kajari@sksyu.net , szelescs@sabotronic.co.yu, novaklaslo@ptt.yu, brindzai@stcable.co.yu.

Further details: http://www.chess-senta.org.yu/

Politiken Cup

The Copenhagen Chess Festival, including the Politiken Cup will take place 22nd-30th July 2006. Nigel Short has already agreed to participate.

Further details: http://www.politikencup.dk/

3rd South Wales International

The 3rd South Wales International Chess Tournament takes place 8-13 July 2006.

Official site: http://www.southwaleschess.co.uk/SWI/

RC Sport Open 2006

The 1st RC Sport Open takes place 29th April - 6th May 2006 in Ústí nad Orlicí (Czech republic).

Further details: http://sachy.rcsport.info

Brno Chess Festival

The Brno Chess Festival takes place in the Czech Republic, 30th June - 9th July 2006.

Events: A. Grandmasters close tournament 30.6.-9.7.2006 SKANSKA BRNO 2006 B. 2 masters close tournament 30.6.-9.7.2006 DS BRNO 2006 and ZS BRNO 2006 C. Open tournament FIDE 1.7.-9.7.2006 OPEN DURAS BVK FIDE D. Open tournament national 1.7.-9.7.2006 OPEN DURAS BVK national E. Open blitz tournament 8.7.2006 Memorial Vaclav Felix F. Simultaneous games 5.7.2006

Further details: http://www.skduras.wz.cz/indexe.htm

World Youth Under 16 Chess Olympiad

The World Youth Under 16 Chess Olympiad takes place in 5th-13th August 2006 in Dogubeyazit, Agri Turkey.

Official site: http://www.tsf.org.tr

Andrew Martin Chess Academy

The Official web site for the Andrew Martin Chess Academy goes live on Wednesday, March 1st featuring A Game Annotation Service A personal on-line tuition and coaching service A regular newsletter A Series of (real OTB) tournaments for Children under 14 years.

Official site: http://www.andrewmartinchessacademy.com/ (http://www.andrewmartinchessacademy.com/main.php)

XIX edition of the Ciudad de León

The XIX edition of the Ciudad de León chess tournament takes place 8th-12th June 2006 at the Junta de Castilla y León building in León, Spain.

Players: Veselin Topalov, Viswanathan Anand, Paco Vallejo and Lázaro Bruzón.

There will be 2 semi finals (June 9th and June 10th) and a final (June 11th)

Official sites: http://www.advancedchessleon.com and/or http://www.elajedrezdelfuturo.com

Spanish Championship

The Spanish closed and open Championships will be held in León November 22nd-30th 2006. The Hotel Conde Luna from León will be the venue and the official hotel of the organization.

2nd San Marino Open

The 2nd San Marino International Chess Open takes place in the Republic of San Marino June 5th-11th 2006, at the end of the Turin World Chess Olympiad. Prize fund € 40.000, 1st prize € 10.000. For any related information visit the internet website http://www.sanmarinoscacchi.sm

For further info: info@sanmarinoscacchi.sm

Las Vegas Masters

Las Vegas Masters Chess Tournament June 10th-14th, 2006

School House Chess Center, Las Vegas, USA FIDE rated, 9 round Swiss, open to players rated FIDE 2200 and higher. $3,800 prize fund, free entry to GMs and non-US IMs.

Website: http://www.clarkcountychessclub.com/masters/. Info: Chris Bird, (702)575-0635, chris@clarkcountychessclub.com.

National Open

National Open Chess Tournament June 16th-18th, 2006

Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, USA 6 round Swiss, 8 sections: Open, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, U1200 and Unrated. Estimated $100,000 total prize fund! Free entry to GMs. Side events include Susan Polgar World Championship for Girls and National Open Blitz Championship.

Website: http://www.lvchessfestival.com

Alushta Tournaments

01.02.06 Tournaments in Alushta:

GM Norm: 29.04-9.05, 11.05-21.05, 23.05-1.06, 2.06-12.06, 16.06-26.06, 2.09-12.09, 14.09-24.09, 26.09–6.10,

IM Norm: 29.04-9.05, 11.05-21.05, 23.05-1.06, 2.06-12.06, 16.06-26.06, 2.09-12.09, 14.09-24.09, 26.09–6.10,

Rating tournament: 5.06-13.06, 23.06–27.06

Open tournament (under 16 years) First prize - 200$ 14.06-22.06, Swiss 9 rounds.

Open tournament First prize - 1000$ First prize (woman)- 500$: 28.06-6.07, Swiss 9 rounds. Open tournament (rapid chess) 7.07–8.07, Swiss 9 rounds. Blitz tournament 9.07. Session of school of Gennadi Kuzmin 23.06–27.06. Individual and group studying.

Further information: http://www.kaissa.com.ua phone +38 (06560)5-05-32, +380505828911 (for Russian speaking) + 38 050 669-26-04 (for English speaking) e-mail: info@kaissa.com.ua

20th Pula Open 2006

The 20th Pula Open (Croatia) takes place 18th-25th June 2006.

Further details and entry: http://www.skpula.hr/

GM against the World - Olympiads of Chess, Turin 2006

The second GM against the World game on the Olympiad site will be GM Misho Cebalo (Croatia) and he it start on Monday, January 9th. Just Register on the Olympiad website and wait to receive your password by email. Then Enter the game in PlayArea/play on line

Further details: http://www.chessolympiad-torino2006.org

Lodi International Chess Festival

The 2nd Festival Scacchistico Internazionale "Città di Lodi" takes place in Lodi, Italy, 5th-11th June 2006. Prize fund Euros20.000,00.

Further details: http://www.lenuvole.org/ or scacchi@lenuvole.org

14th Donau Open

The 14th Donau Open took place 26th-31st December 2005. I couldn't get the official site: http://www.aschach.info/schach/english.htm to work correctly.

Asian Youth Championships

The Asian Youth Championships took place in New Delhi December 7th-14th 2005.

Games, Results, photos are available at http://www.delhichess.com.

Davos Festival 2006

Swiss Chess Tour Davos Festival 2006 with Viktor Korchnoi playing the first time in individual senior championship

The "Swiss Chess Tour 2006" will continue in Davos with Chess Summer Festival from August 5-13, 2006. Main event will be the 6th European Individual Senior Championship. The second tournament will be 5. Davos Open. The first time Davos host an official event. Just to remind, Davos is one of the most popular tourist places in Europe (summer and winter), with specific micro clime, unique in the world.

6th European Individual Senior Championship, August 7th to 13th 2006. "Sunstar Park Hotel" (4 stars) will be host festival in the new, comfortable Congress Center. Swiss system, 9 rounds and the games will last a maximum of 6 hours (40 moves for 2 hours and 60 minutes till the end). Valid for FIDE titles and rating: FIDE, Swiss (SSB) and German (DWZ). Seniors: men born 1945 and earlier; women born 1955 and earlier. Prize (men): 2.500/1.700/1.000/700/600/500/2x400/2x300 SF. 3 group rating prize (200/150/100 SF). Women: 400/300/3x200 SF; Entry fee 70 SF; at the door 10 SF more. Time table: Rounds 1 15.00-21.00 August 5th; Round 2/8 9.30-15.30 August 6th-12th; Round 9 9.30-15.30 August 13th.

5th Davos Open, 7 rounds and the games will last a maximum of 6 hours (40 moves for 2 hours and 60 minutes till the end). Prize are: 1.500 SF, 1.200, 900, 700, 500, 400, 300, 250, 200 and 150 SF. Natural prizes for 4 and more points. Special prizes for best Lady, best local player. Entry fee 140 SF, FMs and juniors 70 SF, GMs and IMs free; juniors lodging at Sunstar Park Hotel free; at the door 10 SF more. Time table: Rounds 1 15.00-21.00 August 6th; Round 2/7 16.00-22.00 August 7th-12th. Venue: "Sunstar Park Hotel" Congress Center. Closing ceremony August 13th, 4 p.m. Unbelievable chess-rates. Info Beochess: +41+62+9654-650 (Robert Spoerri) beochess@bluewin.ch or http://www.beochess.ch or http://yubc.net/~yuchess

Iranian Super League

The second Season of the Iranian Super League starts from 3rd October 2005. News: Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh.

Further details: http://schach.wienerzeitung.at/asp/turniere.asp?tnr=2350&lan=1 and http://www.iranchess.com/indexen.htm

Seagaard ChessReviews

Soren Sogaard has announced that his site Seagaard ChessReviews will be updated after receiving a lot of positive e-mails, "I decided to try to keep running the site. I also got two new reviewers, and the well known danish IM Steffen Pedersen reviews his first book." He'll see if he can keep it going another 6 months.

Website: http://seagaard.dk/review

Mezezers International Open 2006

The Mezezers International Open 2006 (110 km from Riga Latvia) takes place 1st-6th July 2005.

Details; http://www.mezezers.viss.lv

Jovan Petronic Website

Jovan Petronic has a new website with some news on it.

http://www.jovanpetronic.com/chessnews.htm

New RSS Chess Website

Chess Samizdat is a new portal which offers free syndicated chess content to the world via JS and RSS feed.

http://www.correspondencechess.com/samizdat/

European Team Championship

In addition to Olympiad history there is now European Team Championship history (1957-2005) available at: http://www.olimpbase.org

Winton Capital British Chess Solving Championship

Winton Capital British Chess Solving Championship, 2005-2006 The starter round of this competition has now finished and the solution to the starter problem, and other details, is available at the website: http://www.bstephen.freeuk.com/0506/bcsc.html

Peter Leko Official Site

Peter Leko now has a web site. http://www.lekochess.com/

1st ICCF Webchess Open Tournament

The ICCF have announced the 1st WebChess Open Tournament and invites every player worldwide to participate in the event. The event is to be played on the ICCF dedicated Webserver http://www.iccf-webchess.com. This tournament is open to all correspondence chess players worldwide, also for those without any previous ICCF experience. Multiple entries are allowed. The tournament will be played in three stages - preliminaries, semifinal and final.

Details: http://www.iccf-webchess.com/Message.aspx?message=19

Russia vs ROW Correspondence

The Russian Chess Federation is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is using this occasion to challenge the rest of the world to a match over 64 boards with 2 games for each and the start is 15.02 2004. Players include Joop van Oosterom

http://www.mychessweb.com/Tables/Internationale/Play/russia-world.htm

TWIC Messageboard

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