THE WEEK IN CHESS 695 3rd March 2008 by Mark Crowther

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Contact The Week in Chess Mark Crowther E-Mail mdcrowth@btinternet.com Mobile 07971 920016 http://www.chesscenter.com/twic/twic.html Contents 1) Introduction 2) Morelia - Linares Tournament 3) Ibero-Americano Championship 4) 4NCL 5) First Saturday March 6) 25th Bled Chess Festival 7) 65th Polish Championship 8) 65th Georgian Women's Championship 9) XII Israel University Winter Games 10) US Amateur Team East 11) XI Malaga Open 12) Lendas do Xadrez tournament 13) 17th Eastern Class Championship 14) Young hopes of the North-West 15) German Championships 16) Forthcoming Events and Links Games Section Morelia - Linares Tournament 16 games Ibero-Americano Championship 16 games 4NCL 96 games First Saturday March 11 games 25th Bled Chess Festival 182 games 65th Polish Championship 42 games 65th Georgian Women's Championship 35 games XI Malaga Open 225 games Lendas do Xadrez tournament 25 games Young hopes of the North-West 15 games 663 games

Contact the London Chess Centre E-Mail info@chess.co.uk Tel: +44 020-73882404 Fax:+44 020-73882407 USA Telephone Orders: 1 561 827 0993 http://www.chess.co.uk/ Join Chess Express and receive all the latest chess news straight into your inbox. Simply click here to start receiving chess express Links: New Shop: http://www.chess.co.uk/shop Alternatively download PDF version here Order Fritz 11

1) Introduction

My thanks to Sinisa Joksic, Peter Doggers, Gerry Graham, Javier Rubio Doblas, George Mirijanian, Varlam Vepkhvishvili, Marika Japaridze, Malcolm Armstrong, Miklos Orso, Roman M. Parparov, Jose Manuel Blanco, Bill Townsend, Juan Rodriguez Rey, Sergey Bystrov, Lennarth Eriksson, Doug Bake and everyone else who helped with the issue.

Last week I was talking to someone and they asked me well, who is going to win Linares, and in the end I said without a huge amount of conviction it would be Anand. After four rounds in Linares I think I'm more confident that he will win. He's been rock solid and with a lead he's certainly very much the man to beat, I really can't see him returning to the field only a winning run from one of the other players will do it. The games have been interesting if a bit uneven. No-one seems in absolute top form but Anand certainly looks the best. Time and another three rounds will tell.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) Morelia - Linares Tournament

The Morelia - Linares tournament takes place 15th-23rd February (Mexican half) and then 28th February - 7th March 2008 (Spanish half). The first half has been completed and the players now fly to Spain and restart on Friday. Viswanathan Anand leads by half a point from Alexei Shirov and Veselin Topalov but with seven rounds to go almost everyone is still in with a chance of winning.

Alongside was the III Morelia Open tournament which took place 14th-17th February 2008 won by Alejandro Ramirez. No games seem to be available.

Official site: http://www.ajedrezmorelialinares.com.mx/

3) Ibero-Americano Championship

The II Ibero-Americano Championship has started its second phase in Linares, Spain 28th February - 8th March 2008. There are two double round robin groups of four players.

Official sites: http://www.fibda.com/ and http://www.ajedrezmorelialinares.com.mx/

4) 4NCL

The 4th weekend of the 4NCL took place 1st-2nd March 2008. My thanks to Malcolm Armstrong for the games.

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

5) First Saturday March

The First Saturday February GM-IM-FM closed tournaments take place in Budapest 1st-14th March 2008. (break 2nd March for team events)

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

6) 25th Bled Chess Festival

The 25th Chess Festival BLED took place 23rd February - 2nd March 2008. Evgeny Sveshnikov won the event with 7/9.

Official site: http://www.sah-zveza.si/bled/2008/

7) 65th Polish Championship

The 65th Polish Chess Championship takes place in Lublin 25th February -9th March 2008. There is a three way tie on 5/7 with 6 rounds to go.

Official site: http://www.lzszach.lublin.pl/mpm2008/ There is live coverage.

8) 65th Georgian Women's Championship

The 65th Georgian Women's Championship takes place in Tbilisi 28th February - 12th March 2008. News: Varlam Vepkhvishvili, games entered by Marika Japaridze my thanks for her help.

9) XII Israel University Winter Games

Roman M. Parparov reports: The XII Israel University Winter Games including three chess events were held in Eilat in the south of Israel, on the shore of the Red Sea, 24th-27th February 2008.

The chess events are held in memory of Shlomo Har-Zvi who was the manager of Tel-Aviv University Chess Club for many years till his untimely death a few years ago. He was an outstanding chess enthusiast and sponsor, and his family provides great prizes for this yearly memorial. Tel-Aviv University's club main chess team "ASA Shlomo Har-Zvi" also carries his name.

This year's event was held in the very heat of the chess activity in Europe, thus failing to attract the regular number of GM and IM guest entries of previous years. Also, only five institutions entered the team event.

The team event was won relatively easily by the Tel-Aviv University team who defeated all its opponents, including the strong Open University Team. Technion managed to put a decent bid fighting for second place.

After GM Zifroni from the Open University had to retire after the first event, the clear favorite of the field remained IM Gaby Lifshitz, who held his mark by scoring 100% in both rapid and blitz event. IM Lifshitz maintained his reputation of top class blitz player he earned by qualification into the World Blitz Championship held in Israel in 2006.

IA Dr. Mordechay Shorek seamlessly ran this competition with humble assistance of these lines' author.

Team lineup highlights: Tel-Aviv - IM G. Lifshitz, NM M. Botvinnik, FM Y. Stepak, WIM O. Vassiliev et al. Open U - GM D. Zifroni, IM A. Kundin et al.

All players except Victor Lehocky (SVK) are ISR, and all ratings are local.

All players except Victor Lehocky (SVK) and Michael Bereslavsky (RUS) are ISR, and all ratings are local.

Contrary to previous years, individual student prizes weren't awarded for the blitz tournament this year.

10) US Amateur Team East

Bill Townsend reports: The U.S. Amateur Team tournaments were held over President’s Day weekend (February 16th-18th 2008) in four locations around the United States, but the East is where it all started in 1970 and it’s traditionally the largest by far. This year’s Team East, held in Parsippany, NJ, broke all previous records with 1251 players competing in 291 four-man teams. The previous record was set in 2005: 286 teams, 1205 players.

This year’s winner was actually a bit controversial: a team named "GGGg" featuring three grandmasters (Zviad Izoria, Eugene Perelshteyn and Roman Dzindzichashvili) and a 5 year old boy (Stephen Fanning) rated just 178. The grandmasters won all their games, except for a draw by Izoria in the final round, and they were the only team with a perfect 6-0 score.

All of which brings up the question: what are these grandmasters doing at an event with "Amateur" in its name? The rules state that the average team rating has to be below master strength (2,200 USCF) but beyond that, anything goes. There were other grandmasters playing in the event, among them former U.S. Champions Joel Benjamin, Larry Christiansen, Hikaru Nakamura and Arthur Bisguier.

There used to be a rule saying that there couldn’t be a rating difference of more than 1,000 points between boards three and four, but this was abandoned, at least in the East, some years ago. However that rule is still in place in some of the other Amateur Team events – would it be fair to let this stacked team in the Amateur Team playoffs? The whole matter was settled amicably – "GGGg" stepped aside in favor of the second place team, named simply "1.d4." This team was the only one to finish with 5½-½ and consists of: Daniel Yeager, Victor Shen, Scott Low and Jared Defibaugh. The setup of this team is much more traditional: only 214 rating points separate boards one and four.

This tempest in a teapot actually affected very few players, and a good time was had by all. Team East really is a unique event – average club players can find themselves across the table from some of the best players in the country, and yet it’s not a big money tourney – clocks and trophies are the only prizes.

11) XI Malaga Open

The XI Malaga Open took place 23rd February - 1st March 2008. Omar Almeida Quintana won the event on tie-break after 7 players finished tied on 7/9.

Official site: http://www.ajedrezmalaga.org/ and results updated at: http://chess-results.com/tnr10811.aspx

12) Lendas do Xadrez tournament

The Lendas do Xadrez (Legends of Chess) tournament takes place February 29th - March 9th 2008 and is organised by the chess club ALEX (Associación Leopoldinense de Xadrez), at the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), their first international round robin tournament with 9 rounds and the possibility of IM norms. IMs include: Diego di Berardino (Brazil), Leandro Perdomo (Argentina) and Dan Cramling (Sweden).

http://www.lendasdoxadrez.kit.net/

13) 17th Eastern Class Championship

George Mirijanian reports: The 17th Eastern Class Championship took place on 29th February to 2nd March, 2008 in the Host Hotel at Cedar Lake in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, USA. Capturing first place with a score of 4.5-0.5 was GM Alexander Shabalov of Pennsylvania. GM Darmen Sadvakasov of Kazakhstan finished second with a 4-1 tally. Tying for third place with 3-2 performances were GM Sergey Kudrin of Stamford, Connecticut; U.S. Chess Federation-rated senior master Jorge Sammour-Hasbun of Providence, Rhode Island; FMs Braden Bournival of Manchester, New Hampshire, and William Kelleher of Watertown, Massachusetts; and IM James Rizzitano of Southborough, Massachusetts. The tournament drew 183 players in 8 sections and was directed by international arbiter William Goichberg for the sponsoring Continental Chess Association. He was assisted by USCF senior TD Robert Messenger of Nashua, New Hampshire. Complete crosstables are available at: http://masschess.org/

14) Young hopes of the North-West

Sergey Bystrov give details of the chess festival "Young hopes of the North-West" which took place in Kirishi (Leningrad region) 23rd-25th February. Participants: Kirill Alekseenko (born 1997) - silver medalist in the u10 Russian Championship, Championship of Europe 2007, Maria Butuc (1993) - Champion of Russia 2007 u14, Alexander Ganichev (1994) - silver medalist of the NW Russian region between boys under 12-14, Vadim Pischikov (1994) - winner of the Leningrad region Cup, Evgeny Polonovsky (1994) - Champion of NW region of Russia un to 12, Champion of Leningrad region un to 10, 12, 14, Vladimir Smirnov (1994) - Champion of Kirishi un to 14. During the festival there took place: the rapid  chess tournament (23.02), classical chess tournament "Participants against computers" (23.02), round robin   tournament "Chess 960" (24.02), Scheveningen tournament between participants and local team club "Kinef"   (25.02), simuls by GM Evgeny Alekseev against the participants of Festival and GM Konstantin Sakaev against    local chess club "Gambit". Shahcom Company provided live coverage of the games of the rapid chess and    "Chess 960" tournaments in the playing hall and via Internet. The round started at 10 a.m. Moscow time (+3 GMT).     Chess 960 (24 February) Rapid chess (23 February).

Further info: http://somovs-memorial.ru/sz/ and http://www.bs-chess.com/latin/english.html

15) German Championships

The 79th German Championship took place in Bad Woerishofen 15th-23rd February 2008. The event was won by the ELO favourite Daniel Fridman, a point clear of Klaus Bischoff. Note if you downloaded TWIC soon after it came out that I corrected (23:00GMT 26/2/08) in the games section the entry for Yakov Meister. I picked up the wrong player initially. It should be right in all versions now. My thanks to long time TWIC reader Christoph Pfrommer for pointing this out.

Official site: http://www.schachclub-tuerkheim-bw.de/

16) Forthcoming Events and Links

Stockholm Ladies Open

The Stockholm Ladies Open tournament takes place 20th-25th March 2008. The prize money is over 100 000 Skr. The event has got the astonishing entry of s 60 WGMs and 47 WIMs and a total of 150 players making it the biggest women's event ever in Sweden and that mark may be a world one.

The Invitation are in english, Dutch and Russian http://www.scandinavian-chess.se/ and an update: http://www.scandinavian-chess.se/id_2008.asp?newsID=6

40th Belgrade Women's International

The 40th Belgrade Women's International takes place 3rd-11th. March 2008. Play takes place 16:00-21-00 local time.

Official site: http://www.beochess.org.yu

2nd Thun Open

The "Swiss Chess Tour 2008 continues in Thun with the 2nd "Rathaus Open Thun" May 9th-12th 2008. Thun is famous tourist town, 20 minutes from Bern by train, located on the lake of the same name. The venue is the Hotel-Restaurant "Rathaus" Thun, Open, Swiss system, 7 rounds and the games will last a maximum of 5 hours (40 moves for 2 hours and 30 minutes till the end). Prize are: 1.500 SF, 1.200, 900, 700, 500, 400, 300, 250, 200 and 150 SF. Special prizes for best Lady, senior (1947), junior(1988-91), schoolboy (1992) and 3 best local players. Entry fee 130 SF, FMs and juniors 60 SF, at the door 20 SF more (for everybody include GM, IM), GMs and IMs free. Venue: Hotel "City House". Time table: Round 1st 18.00-23.00 May 9th ; Rounds 2/3 09.30-14.30 and 15.00-20.00 May 10th; Round 4/5 9.30-14.30 and 15.00-20.00 May 11th; Rounds 6/7 09.30-14.30 and 15.00-20.00 May 12th; Closing ceremony May 12 at 20.30. Info: Beochess +41+62+965-46-50 (Robert Spoerri) or info@beochess.ch

Further info: http://www.beochess.ch

Cidade de Ferrol International

XXIII International Chess tournament Cidade de Ferrol Prizes : 14750 euros (different sections) Dates : 15th-20th July 2008 Time rate : 90’ + 30 Secunden Accomodation : 24,5 euros Full board in a Student house. There other posibilities. Entry: 30 euros . contact e-mail: xanrei@arrakis.es Other tournaments: Bernasque 3/7-12/7. Circuito Galego From 22/7 to 30/9

Further info: http://www.cfxadrez.org

X Sants Open

The X International Open of Sants, Hostafrancs and la Bordeta (Barcelona - Spain) takes place 22nd-31st August 2008. 10 round swiss system tournament with + 12.000 euros in prizes.

Other activities include a blitz tournament and rapid chess tournament with 1500 euros in prizes. Last year: 500 players from 40 countries including 70 titled players competed. There were 2 GM and 5 IM norms.

19th Pobeskydi Chess Festival

The 19th Pobeskydi Chess Festival takes place 20th-24th March 2008 in Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic. There will be at least two tournaments: - Round-robin with possibility to achieve IM and WGM norm - FIDE Open With very high probability, there will be more then one round-robin tournament.

Further details: http://www.chessfm.cz or more specifically in English at: http://www.chessfm.cz/English/Pobeskydi_eng/pobeskydi_e.php

FIDE Grand Prix Events

FIDE have announced their Grand Prix Circuit ( http://www.fide.com/news.asp?id=1588). The winner of the Grand Prix will play with the winner of the 2009 World Cup for the right to challenge the World Champion in 2010. Each Tournament will be a 14 player all play all. 14 players have the right to compete in the circuit and they have to play 4 of the 6 events (there will be local players too), these will be allocated to them.

Alexander Morozevich has declared he isn't playing in an interview in Sport Express and he claims Anand, Kramnik and Topalov won't play either although that has nothing to do with his decision. My doubts about this Grand Prix seem to be coming true. Reported in English at: http://www.chessdom.com/news/morozevich-grand-prix

Yerevan Open Rapid Chess Tournament 2008

The Chess Federation of Armenia is organizing an International Open Rapid Chess Tournament which takes place June 12th-15th, 2008, in Yerevan, Armenia. The event is organized simultaneously with the tournament "Chess Giants Yerevan 2008" with the participation of the world's top grandmasters.

The total prize fund of the open rapid tournament is 33000 USD with the following breakdown.

Grandmasters and chess players with an Elo above 2450 will pay no entry fee. For the other participants the following fees are fixed: International Masters with an Elo up to 2450 30 USD Chess players with an Elo from 2301 to 2450 50 USD Chess players with an Elo from 2151 to 2300 70 USD Chess players with an Elo up to 2150 and without an Elo 100 USD The board and lodging costs will be covered by the participants. The following accommodation options are offered: Ani Plaza Hotel Single room – 80 Euro Double room – 50 Euro Breakfast is included in the prices. Optionally lunch – 10 Euro, dinner – 10 Euro Erebuni Hotel Single room – 60 Euro Double room – 35 Euro Breakfast is included in the prices.

For further information please contact: Mr. Gaguik Oganessian General Secretary, Armenian Chess Federation President, FIDE Zone 1,5
Tel.: (374)10-554923
Fax: (374)10-570758
E-Mail armchess@arminco.com

Belgian Interteams

The Belgian Interteams takes place 30th September 2007 - 6th March 2008.

Websites with further information: http://users.pandora.be/vmaes/interclub/ and also the http://www.frbe-kbsb.be/Interclubsnationaux.php

Dutch Team Championship

The Dutch Team Championships take place 15th September 2007 - 17th May 2008. Round 7 is on 8th March 2008.

Links: Dutch Chess Federation: http://www.schaakbond.nl/- Meesterklasse Games side bar at: http://www.schakers.info/ and also photo coverage at: http://www.chessvista.com/

The 8th European Senior Championship

The "Swiss Chess Tour 2008" will present the 7th Chess Summer Festival in Davos from August 9th to 17th, 2008. The main event will be the 8th European Individual Senior Championship. The second tournament will be traditional, 7th Davos Open.

8th European Individual Senior Championship, August 9th to 17th 2008. "Sunstar Park Hotel" (4 stars) will be host festival in 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 1947 and earlier; women born 1957 and earlier. Prize (men): 2.500/1.700/1.000/700/600/500/2x400/2x300 CHF. 3-4 group rating prize (200/150/100 CHF). Women: 400/300/3x200 CHF; Entry fee 80 CHF; at the door 20 CHF more. Time table: Rounds 1 15.00-21.00 August 9th; Round 2/8 9.30-15.30 August 10th-16th; Round 9 9.30-15.30 August 17th.

7th Davos Open, 7 rounds and the games will last a maximum of 5 hours (40 moves for 2 hours and 30 minutes till the end). Prize are: 1.000 SF, 800, 600, 400, 300, 200, 2x150 CHF. Natural prizes for 4 and more points. Entry fee 130 CHF, FMs and juniors 60 CHF, GMs and IMs free; juniors lodging at Sunstar Park Hotel free; at the door 20 CHF more. Time table: Rounds 1 15.00-21.00 August 10th; Round 2/7 16.00-22.00 August 10th-16th. Venue: "Sunstar Park Hotel" Congress Center. Closing ceremony August 17th, 4 p.m. Info Beochess: +41+62+9654-650 (Robert Spoerri) Email beochess@bluewin.ch or read the website: http://www.beochess.ch

Bologne Easter tournament

There is an Easter international tournament in Bologna 20th-24th March 2008. IM norms will be available.

Details: http://www.accademiascacchistica.it/labacheca/torneo_internazionale_di_pasqua.html

VII Benidorm International Chess Festival 2008

The VII Benidorm International Chess Festival takes place 28th November - 8th December 2008. For information contact: E-Mail: eventosdeajedrez@yahoo.es festivaldebenidorm@gmail.com News: Patricia Claros Aguilar.

Bundesliga

The German Bundesliga for 2007-8 takes place 19th October 2007 - 20th April 2008. Rounds 10 and 11 take place 8th-9th March 2008.

Official site: http://www.schachbundesliga.de/ further coverage: http://www.schach.com and also at the national Federation site at: http://www.schachbund.de/SchachBL/index.phpand statistics also at: http://www.godesbergersk.de/bundesliga-statistik/.

3rd Kolkata Open

The 3rd Kolkata Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament takes place 24th March - 2nd April 2008.

Venue: Gorky Sadan, 3 Gorky Terrace, Kolkata 700017 (near Minto Park) Tournament Schedule Arrival 23rd March 2008. Inauguration 24th March 2008 at 1.00pm Players' meeting 23rd March 2008 at 7pm. Prize Distribution ceremony : 2nd April 08 at 17.00 hrs at Gorky Sadan. It is compulsory for all players to attend the Prize Distribution Ceremony. Prizes : Total Cash Prizes: Rs. 9,00,000/- ( 1 U.S.$ = Rs.41 approx.)

Contact: Alekhine Chess Club Gorky Sadan, 3 Gorky Terrace Kolkata 700017, West Bengal, India Tele fax:- 0091 33 22832746, Tel : 0091 33 22803957/3858 Email: alekhine_chess@rediffmail.com OR alekhinechessclub@hotmail.com

Web site: http://www.alekhinechessclub.com

Paleochora International Open 2008

The Paleochora (southern Crete) International Open takes place 21st-28th July 2008.

Further details: http://www.chaniachess.gr

Amber Rapid and Blindfold Chess Tournament 2008

The 17th Amber Rapid and Blindfold Chess Tournament takes 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 will take part and the total prize-fund is 216,000 Euro.

31st San Sebastian City Open

The 31st San Sebastian City Open takes place 16th-23rd of March 2008.

Details: http://www.fgajedrez.org/open/open.htm

Hévíz GM, IM and Open Tournaments 2008

The Palace Hotel International Chess Tournament Hévíz (Hungary) 18th-28th March 2008. There are GM, IM and Open sections.

Further details: http://www.lellechess.tar.hu/ and further info at: http://www.palace.heviz.hu

The Battle of Senta 1697 Chess Festival 2008

12th International Chess Festival "The Battle of Senta 1697" will be held 18th-25th. July 2008. in Senta (the Vojvodina /Serbia).

Further details: http://www.chess-senta.org.yuand in English: http://www.chess-senta.org.yu/select.php?lang=3&xid=2

XXVI International Chess Open of Andorra

The XXVI International Chess Open of Andorra takes place 19th-27th July 2008. Contact: open@escacsandorra.com FEVA - Tel/Fax: 00.376.824465

Further details: http://www.escacsandorra.com

Austrian Bundesliga

The second round of games from the Austrian Bundesliga took place in Jenbach 10th-13th January 2008. The final round of games (rounds 8-11) take place 13th-16th March 2008 in Graz (Novapark).

Official site: http://www.chess.at/

Offene Internationale Stuttgarter Stadtmeisterschaft 2008

Offene Internationale Stuttgarter Stadtmeisterschaft 2008, 1st-4th May 2008, in Ditzingen, South-Germany. 7 Rounds, Swiss System, A/B/C-tournament, over 7000 € prizes.

Further Details: http://www.stuttgarter-stadtmeisterschaft.de

Alushta Diary 2008

GM Norm events: 23.05 - 1.06, 2.06 - 12.06, 15.06 - 25.06, 2.09 - 12.09, 14.09 - 24.09, 26.09 - 6.10, IM Norm: 23.05 - 1.06, 2.06 - 12.06, 15.06 - 25.06, 2.09 - 12.09, 14.09 - 24.09, 26.09 - 6.10, Rating tournament: 4.06 - 12.06, 22.06 - 27.06, Open tournament (under 16 years) First prize - 200$ 3.06 - 11.06, 13.06 - 21.06, Alushta Swiss 9 rounds Open tournament First prize - 1000$ First prize (woman) - 500$ 28.06 - 6.07, Alushta Swiss 9 rounds Blitz tournament 7.07, Alushta Swiss 9 rounds Open tournament (rapid chess) 8.07 - 9.07, Alushta Session of school of Gennadi Kuzmin 21.06 - 27.06 Individual and group studying. phone +38 (06560)5-05-32,

Further information: http://www.kaissa.com.ua

20th Lenk International Chess Festival

The great jubilee, 20th Lenk International Chess Festival part of the "Swiss Chess Tour 2008" continues in Lenk March 20th-24th 2008. The venue is the Hotel "Kreuz", Grande Open, Swiss system, 7 rounds and the games will last a maximum of 5 hours (40 moves for 2 hours and 30 minutes till the end). The Main Prize are: 1.500 SF, 1.200, 800, 600 and 400 SF. Special prizes: Ladies senior (1947), junior(1988-91), schoolboy (1992) and amateur (under 2000) for all: 200/150/100 CHF. Golden prizes for the players who play more then 10 times: 300/200/150 CHF. Silver prizes for the players who play MORE THEN 5 TIMES 200/150/100 CHF. Entry fee 130 SF, FMs and juniors 60 SF, at the door 20 SF more, GMs and IMs free. The teams competition, with 4 members; 3 prizes: 4x100/4x75/4x50 SF; entry fee 10 SF. Venue: Hotel "Kreuz". Time table: Round 1st 18.00-23.00 March 20,; Rounds 2/3 09.30-14.30 and 15.30-20.30 March 21,; Round 4 13.30-18.30 March 22,; Rounds 5/6 09.30-14.30 and 15.30-20.30 March 23,; Round 7 9.30-14.30 March 24. Closing ceremony March 24 at 16.00. Gala jubilee dinner March 22 from 19-22 at Hotel "Kreuz". Info: Beochess +41+62+965-46-50 (Robert Spoerri) or info@beochess.ch or site http://www.beochess.chfor more details.

M-Tel Masters

M-Tel Masters takes 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. In case of a draw at the top there will be a tie break for determining the winner. Like in the previous three editions of M-Tel Masters the rule for the draws introduced in Sofia will be valid. According to it the players do not have the right to agree a draw. This can be decided only by the chef arbiter of the tournament.

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

Chess Classic Mainz 2008

The schedule for Chess Classic Mainz 2008 is now available. The event takes place 28th July - 3rd August 2008 in Mainz/Germany (a week later than originally advertised).

In addition there is a Chess Classic Calendar for the next year, which will be available in the first week of December. It is a big format (420 x 594 mm) and shows the stars and the biggest moments of the 14 years tournament history. The copies are limited to 200 (39,- Euro plus delivery) plus 64 with an autograph of World Champion Vishy Anand (48,- Euro plus delivery). Contact for order: juergen.wienecke@chesstigers.de

Further details: http://www.chesstigers.de

IX European Individual Chess Championship 2008

The IX European Individual Chess Championship takes place in Plovdiv, Bulgaria 20th April (day of arrival) - 4th May (day of departure) 2008.

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

Pula Open 2008

The Pula Open 2008 takes place 21st-28th June 2008 in Pula, Croatia. Contact e-mail: pulaopen@globalnet.hr

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

echiquier-nicois Website

Thierry Foissez's echiquier-nicois website reports on news and events in French daily.

http://www.echiquier-nicois.org

Hungarian Chess Tournaments March - June 2008

1. 1st-14th of March - First Saturday Budapest, org: Nagy L.

2. Hévíz GM, IM and Open Tournaments 2008

The Palace Hotel International Chess Tournament Hévíz (Hungary) 18th-28th March 2008. There are GM, IM and Open sections. Further details: http://www.lellechess.tar.hu/ and further info at: http://www.palace.heviz.hu

3. 21st-29th of March - Budapest Spring Festival 9 rounds Swiss Open, org.: Nagy Laszlo

4. 5th-18th of April First Saturday Budapest, org.NL,

5. 19th-28th of April, KECSKEMET, CAISSA IM tmt, org. Erdelyi

6. 3rd-15th of May First Saturday Budapest, org. NL,

7. 22nd-30th of May, ZALAKAROS Open, 9 rounds Swiss, 1st prize 500,000 Ft (brutto 2 thousand EURO), org: IM Horvath, Tamas, e-mail: mssz@zalaszam.hu Mobile: 36-20-9777003

8. 7th-19th of June First Saturday, Budapest, org: NL.,

9. 13th-21st of June, Balatonlelle Open, GM-IM round robin, org: IM Rigo, e-mail: me-ri@t-online.hu

Anand - Kramnik World Championship Match

A Press release from UEP Promotions announces that Viswanathan Anand will defend his World title against Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn, Germany October 11th-30th October, 2008. Main sponsor Evonik Industries AG and prizemoney 1,5 Million Euro. The match will be 12 games followed by playoffs if required. The contract was signed by both players 18th December 2007.

Website: http://www.uep-worldchess.com/

Mindsports

The World Mindsports games takes place in Beijing, China after the Olympics 3rd -18th October 2008.

Details: http://www.worldbridge.org/competitions/Calendar/files/WorldMindSportsGames2007.pdf.

XXI Benidorm Open

The XXI Open Internacional de Ajedrez Villa de Benidorm 2008 Benidorm organised an international tournament 1977 till 1995 now it has returned second year. The event takes place 25nd April - 4th May 2008 (10 rounds). 35.000 Euros in prizes. Information: Mr. Alfonso Vilches Tel: +34 695 91 56 78. E-mail: open@chessbenidorm.com

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

Icelandic Rapid Championships

The Icelandic Rapid Championships took place 18th-20th October 2007. Bragi and Björn Þorfinnsson will meet in the final in December which be on TV in Iceland.

Official site: http://www.skaksamband.is/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=5661&Itemid=387

Halkidiki Chess Festival 2008

Games Festival is a mass event organized for the third year in Halkidiki, Greece 28th April - 6th May 2008. The festival includes series of tournaments & exhibitions in prestigious sports like, chess, billiards, bridge, darts, streetbasketball and popular table games like scrabble, strategic games, pc games etc.

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

Etienne Bacrot's Website

Etienne Bacrot has a website at: http://www.chess22.fr/ with his analysis and news. Very worth while, especially when he's playing.

32nd Kings Head Rapidplay

The 32nd Kings Head Rapidplay takes place Saturday 5 April 2008 start time 11:00, details below: 6-round Swiss rapidplay (30 minutes), prize fund £700

The Porchester Hall Porchester Road Bayswater London W2 5HS

Contact: Colin Mackenzie 9 Allan Way Acton London W3 0PW 020 8992 1849 colin.mackenzie@atosorigin.com

Further details; http://www.khcc.org.uk

Alex Brunetti's TotoScacco Site

Alex Brunetti's TotoScacco Site allows predictions for current chess tournaments. http://e4e6.com/toto

Sydney International Open 2008

The 2008 Sydney International Open takes place at Parramatta Town Hall 25th-29th March 2008. Free accommodation and modest conditions are offered to GMs. All enquiries to the Tournament Organiser, FM Brian Jones, at info@chessaustralia.com.au

Details: http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/

ICC and FICS client for mobile phones

Mats Luthman has written a program that connects to ICC and FICS, compatable with many modern mobile phones. I've been looking for something like this for a while for watching live tournaments if I'm out and about. Its a nice free solution, you can also play but I haven't tried that.

Website: http://www.luthman.nu/Mobi/Mobi.html