THE WEEK IN CHESS 697 17th March 2008 by Mark Crowther

1) Introduction

My thanks to Juhász Gergely, Peter Doggers, Arvind Aaron, Petr Pisk, Harald Grafenhofer, Luiz Roberto Da Costa Jr, Frits Agterdenbos, Steffen Pedersen, Brian Jones, Miklos Orso, Varlam Vepkhvishvili, Rustam Najafov, Csaba Jergler, Vincent Broman, Özgür Akman, Emin Gashimov, Benny Asman, Askell Karason, Dave Clayton, Henri Koskinen and everyone else who helped with the issue.

The Amber tournament is the main tournament of the week. The early rounds see World Champion Viswanathan Anand in good form. Elsewhere there are many national championships and team events to report. Plenty to keep you busy.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) Amber Rapid and Blindfold Tournament

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.

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

Amber Blindfold Results

Amber Blindfold Nice FRA (FRA), 15-27 iii 2008													cat. XXI (2752)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Ivanchuk, Vassily	g	UKR	2751	*	.	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	½	.	2	2842
2.	Morozevich, Alexander	g	RUS	2765	.	*	.	½	.	.	.	.	1	.	.	½	2	2889
3.	Carlsen, Magnus	g	NOR	2733	0	.	*	.	.	.	1	.	.	.	1	.	2	2846
4.	Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	g	AZE	2760	.	½	.	*	½	½	.	.	.	.	.	.	1½	2787
5.	Anand, Viswanathan	g	IND	2799	.	.	.	½	*	½	.	.	½	.	.	.	1½	2779
6.	Kramnik, Vladimir	g	RUS	2799	.	.	.	½	½	*	.	.	.	.	.	½	1½	2770
7.	Karjakin, Sergey	g	UKR	2732	.	.	0	.	.	.	*	½	.	1	.	.	1½	2736
8.	Aronian, Levon	g	ARM	2739	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	*	.	½	½	.	1½	2716
9.	Topalov, Veselin	g	BUL	2780	.	0	.	.	½	.	.	.	*	.	.	1	1½	2772
10.	Gelfand, Boris	g	ISR	2737	½	.	.	.	.	.	0	½	.	*	.	.	1	2615
11.	Van Wely, Loek	g	NED	2681	½	.	0	.	.	.	.	½	.	.	*	.	1	2616
12.	Lékó, Peter	g	HUN	2753	.	½	.	.	.	½	.	.	0	.	.	*	1	2656

Round 1 (March 15, 2008)
Anand, Viswanathan	- Kramnik, Vladimir	½-½	23	C42	Petroff's Defence
Carlsen, Magnus	- Ivanchuk, Vassily	0-1	53	C80	Ruy Lopez Open
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	- Morozevich, Alexander	½-½	71	D07	Tchigorin Defence
Aronian, Levon	- Van Wely, Loek	½-½	31	D39	QGD Ragozin
Gelfand, Boris	- Karjakin, Sergey	0-1	46	A11	Reti Opening
Topalov, Veselin	- Lékó, Peter	1-0	45	E05	Catalan
Round 2 (March 16, 2008)
Ivanchuk, Vassily	- Gelfand, Boris	½-½	57	C48	Four Knights Rubinstein
Anand, Viswanathan	- Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	½-½	46	B04	Alekhine's Defence
Morozevich, Alexander	- Topalov, Veselin	1-0	34	D31	Semi-Slav Defence
Kramnik, Vladimir	- Lékó, Peter	½-½	25	B10	Caro Kann
Karjakin, Sergey	- Aronian, Levon	½-½	49	C65	Ruy Lopez Berlin
Van Wely, Loek	- Carlsen, Magnus	0-1	26	E36	Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Round 3 (March 17, 2008)
Carlsen, Magnus	- Karjakin, Sergey	1-0	44	B92	Sicilian Najdorf with 6.Be2
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	- Kramnik, Vladimir	½-½	29	C43	Petroff's Defence
Aronian, Levon	- Gelfand, Boris	½-½	53	D13	Slav Exchange
Van Wely, Loek	- Ivanchuk, Vassily	½-½	26	D46	Semi-Slav Defence
Lékó, Peter	- Morozevich, Alexander	½-½	32	B44	Sicilian Paulsen
Topalov, Veselin	- Anand, Viswanathan	½-½	59	E05	Catalan

Amber Rapid Results

Amber Rapid Nice FRA (FRA), 15-27 iii 2008													cat. XXI (2752)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Anand, Viswanathan	g	IND	2799	*	.	½	.	.	.	.	.	1	1	.	.	2½	3052
2.	Aronian, Levon	g	ARM	2739	.	*	.	0	.	1	.	.	.	.	1	.	2	2841
3.	Topalov, Veselin	g	BUL	2780	½	.	*	.	.	.	.	½	.	.	.	1	2	2897
4.	Gelfand, Boris	g	ISR	2737	.	1	.	*	0	½	.	.	.	.	.	.	1½	2740
5.	Ivanchuk, Vassily	g	UKR	2751	.	.	.	1	*	.	½	.	.	.	0	.	1½	2717
6.	Karjakin, Sergey	g	UKR	2732	.	0	.	½	.	*	1	.	.	.	.	.	1½	2736
7.	Carlsen, Magnus	g	NOR	2733	.	.	.	.	½	0	*	.	.	.	1	.	1½	2721
8.	Lékó, Peter	g	HUN	2753	.	.	½	.	.	.	.	*	.	0	.	1	1½	2781
9.	Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	g	AZE	2760	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	1	.	½	1½	2787
10.	Kramnik, Vladimir	g	RUS	2799	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	0	*	.	.	1	2645
11.	Van Wely, Loek	g	NED	2681	.	0	.	.	1	.	0	.	.	.	*	.	1	2616
12.	Morozevich, Alexander	g	RUS	2765	.	.	0	.	.	.	.	0	½	.	.	*	½	2491

Round 1 (March 15, 2008)
Ivanchuk, Vassily	- Carlsen, Magnus	½-½	62	B22	Sicilian Alapin
Karjakin, Sergey	- Gelfand, Boris	½-½	46	C24	Bishop's Opening
Lékó, Peter	- Topalov, Veselin	½-½	38	B12	Caro Kann Advanced
Kramnik, Vladimir	- Anand, Viswanathan	0-1	43	E15	Queens Indian
Van Wely, Loek	- Aronian, Levon	0-1	34	D94	Gruenfeld Closed
Morozevich, Alexander	- Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	½-½	42	B07	Pirc Defence
Round 2 (March 16, 2008)
Aronian, Levon	- Karjakin, Sergey	1-0	51	A29	English Four Knights
Topalov, Veselin	- Morozevich, Alexander	1-0	48	E97	King's Indian Classical
Gelfand, Boris	- Ivanchuk, Vassily	0-1	73	D46	Semi-Slav Defence
Carlsen, Magnus	- Van Wely, Loek	1-0	30	D43	Anti-Meran Gambit
Lékó, Peter	- Kramnik, Vladimir	0-1	38	A29	English Four Knights
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	- Anand, Viswanathan	0-1	42	B20	Sicilian Wing Gambit
Round 3 (March 17, 2008)
Anand, Viswanathan	- Topalov, Veselin	½-½	47	B19	Caro Kann
Gelfand, Boris	- Aronian, Levon	1-0	55	C03	French Tarrasch
Ivanchuk, Vassily	- Van Wely, Loek	0-1	67	B14	Caro Kann Panov
Karjakin, Sergey	- Carlsen, Magnus	1-0	40	B04	Alekhine's Defence
Kramnik, Vladimir	- Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	0-1	39	A52	Budapest Defence Main Line
Morozevich, Alexander	- Lékó, Peter	0-1	56	D45	Anti-Meran Variations

Amber Combined Results

Amber Combined Nice FRA (FRA), 15-27 iii 2008																										cat. XXI (2752)
					1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		11		12
1.	Anand, Viswanathan	g	IND	2799	*	*	½	½	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	1	.	.	.	.	½	1	.	.	.	.	4	2904
2.	Topalov, Veselin	g	BUL	2780	½	½	*	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	0	1	.	.	1	½	.	.	3½	2829
3.	Ivanchuk, Vassily	g	UKR	2751	.	.	.	.	*	*	.	.	1	½	.	.	.	.	½	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	0	3½	2774
4.	Aronian, Levon	g	ARM	2739	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	*	.	.	½	1	.	.	½	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	1	3½	2773
5.	Carlsen, Magnus	g	NOR	2733	.	.	.	.	0	½	.	.	*	*	1	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	1	3½	2778
6.	Karjakin, Sergey	g	UKR	2732	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	0	0	1	*	*	.	.	1	½	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	3	2736
7.	Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar	g	AZE	2760	½	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	*	.	.	½	½	½	1	.	.	.	.	3	2787
8.	Gelfand, Boris	g	ISR	2737	.	.	.	.	½	0	½	1	.	.	0	½	.	.	*	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	2½	2683
9.	Morozevich, Alexander	g	RUS	2765	.	.	1	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	½	.	.	*	*	.	.	½	0	.	.	2½	2707
10.	Kramnik, Vladimir	g	RUS	2799	½	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	0	.	.	.	.	*	*	½	1	.	.	2½	2713
11.	Lékó, Peter	g	HUN	2753	.	.	0	½	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	1	½	0	*	*	.	.	2½	2724
12.	Van Wely, Loek	g	NED	2681	.	.	.	.	½	1	½	0	0	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	*	2	2616

3) Reykjavic Open

The Reykjavic Open took place 3rd-11th March 2008. Wang Hao finished first with the better tie-break from Hannes Stefansson and Wang Yue after all finished on 7/9.

Official site for the Reykjavic Open

Alongside the open was the Bobby Fischer Memorial. Boris Spassky and William J. Lombardy were special guests, Lajos Portisch and Vlastomil Hort finished with 4/6 in the special 6 round double round robin event (these results were taken from the games).

Official site: http://www.skaksamband.is

XXIII Open Reykjavik (ISL), 3-11 iii 2008 Leading Final Round 9 Standings:
Rk.	Name	Ti	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	Rp
1	Wang Hao	GM	CHN	2665	7,0	40,0	2721
2	Stefansson Hannes	GM	ISL	2564	7,0	38,5	2679
3	Wang Yue	GM	CHN	2698	7,0	38,0	2684
4	Kveinys Aloyzas	GM	LTU	2521	6,5	39,5	2664
5	Caruana Fabiano	GM	ITA	2598	6,5	38,5	2679
6	Meier Georg	GM	GER	2570	6,5	35,0	2583
7	Halkias Stelios	GM	GRE	2580	6,0	39,5	2629
8	Mikhalevski Victor	GM	ISR	2632	6,0	39,0	2603
9	Stefanova Antoaneta	GM	BUL	2464	6,0	37,5	2550
10	Malakhatko Vadim	GM	BEL	2600	6,0	37,0	2601
11	Lie Kjetil A	GM	NOR	2556	6,0	36,0	2568
12	Dizdar Goran	GM	CRO	2564	6,0	36,0	2557
13	Grover Sahaj	FM	IND	2242	6,0	34,0	2478
14	Thorfinnsson Bjorn	FM	ISL	2364	6,0	33,0	2562
15	Danielsen Henrik	GM	ISL	2506	6,0	32,5	2483
16	Thorfinnsson Bragi	IM	ISL	2406	6,0	31,0	2469
17	Carlsson Pontus	GM	SWE	2501	5,5	37,5	2517
18	Gaponenko Inna	IM	UKR	2422	5,5	37,5	2587
19	Al-Modiahki Mohamad	GM	QAT	2569	5,5	35,5	2481
20	Lie Espen	IM	NOR	2428	5,5	34,5	2597
21	Nyzhnyk Illya	FM	UKR	2405	5,5	34,0	2424
22	Gunnarsson Jon Viktor	IM	ISL	2429	5,5	34,0	2499
23	Kristjansson Stefan	IM	ISL	2476	5,5	33,5	2434
24	Tania Sachdev	IM	IND	2417	5,0	36,5	2487
25	Simutowe Amon	IM	ZAM	2457	5,0	36,0	2424
26	Robson Ray	FM	USA	2389	5,0	36,0	2470
27	Hillarp Persson Tiger	GM	SWE	2535	5,0	35,5	2481
28	Paehtz Elisabeth	IM	GER	2420	5,0	35,5	2500
29	Jankovic Alojzije	GM	CRO	2541	5,0	34,5	2416
30	Malisauskas Vidmantas	GM	LTU	2489	5,0	34,0	2397
31	Grandelius Nils	FM	SWE	2371	5,0	33,5	2439
32	Moradiabadi Elshan	GM	IRI	2506	5,0	33,0	2414
33	Hammer Jon Ludvig	IM	NOR	2441	5,0	32,5	2412
34	Arngrimsson Dagur	FM	ISL	2359	5,0	30,0	2312
35	Lagerman Robert	FM	ISL	2348	5,0	30,0	2355
36	Thomassen Joachim	FM	NOR	2308	5,0	29,5	2426
37	Nemcova Katerina	WIM	CZE	2342	5,0	29,5	2325
38	Bergsson Snorri	FM	ISL	2333	5,0	29,5	2388
39	Kjartansson David	FM	ISL	2288	5,0	27,5	2368
91 players

Bobby Fischer Memorial Rapid Reykjavik (ISL) 10-11 iii 2008									cat. IX (2464)
					1		2		3		4
1.	Portisch, Lajos	g	HUN	2530	*	*	½	½	½	1	½	1	4	2566
2.	Hort, Vlastimil	g	GER	2477	½	½	*	*	½	½	1	1	4	2584
3.	Olafsson, Fridrik	g	ISL	2440	½	0	½	½	*	*	½	½	2½	2414
4.	Benko, Pal C	g	USA	2408	½	0	0	0	½	½	*	*	1½	2289

4) World University Chess Championship

The World University Chess Championship took place in Novokuznetsk, Russia 3rd-11th March 2008.

Official site: http://www.wucc2008.org/

10th WCh-University Novokuznetsk (RUS) 3-11 iii 2008
RANK	TEAM	SCORE
1	Russia	4	7	9	13	16.5	18.5	21	24.5	27
2	China	3.5	5	8.5	11.5	14	16.5	17.5	20	22.5	142.5
3	Mongolia	3.5	6	8.5	10.5	12.5	14.5	18	20.5	22.5	134.5
4	Kazakhstan	3	5.5	7	10.5	12	14.5	17	18.5	20.5
5	Iran	3	5.5	8.5	9	11	12.5	15.5	17	19.5
6	Netherlands	2	4.5	5.5	8.5	9.5	11.5	14	14	16
7	Switzerland	1	3.5	5.5	5.5	6.5	8	9	10	11
8	Brazil	1	2	2.5	3	4.5	5	5	7	8
9	Portugal	0	0	1	2	3	3.5	4.5	5.5	7
10	Japan	0	1	2	2	2.5	3.5	4	5	6
11	Republic of South Africa	0	1	1	1.5	2.5	2.5	3	3.5	4	52
12	Uzbekistan	0.5	1.5	1.5	2.5	3	4	4	4	4	34.5

10th WCh-University Men Novokuznetsk (RUS) 3-11 iii 2008
Nr	Pno	Title	Name	Fed	Rating	Score	WPhl	WP	PS	RC	TPR	W-WE
1	1	GM	Bocharov, Dmitry	RUS	2600	7	39.5	51	37.50	2459	2679	0.91
2	3	GM	Lysyj, Igor	RUS	2593	7	38.5	49	34.50	2452	2672	0.91
3	2	GM	Smirnov, Pavel	RUS	2599	6.5	40	50.5	36.00	2464	2630	0.45
4	4	GM	Maletin, Pavel	RUS	2573	6	39.5	50	32.50	2446	2571	0.07
5	5	GM	Zhou, Jianchao	CHN	2551	6	33.5	43.5	27.00	2382	2575	0.44
6	10	IM	Zhumabayev, Rinat	KAZ	2436	5.5	38	46.5	31.00	2441	2521	1.11
7	12	IM	Kuderinov, Kirill	KAZ	2416	5.5	36	46.5	27.00	2430	2571	1.68
8	7	GM	Liang, Chong	CHN	2488	5.5	31.5	41.5	27.50	2395	2438	-0.44
9	18		Battulga, Namhai	MGL	2306	5.5	30.5	40.5	22.50	2342	2422	1.32
10	8	IM	Alavi, Sayed Javad	IRI	2461	5.5	30.5	40	27.00	2373	2453	-0.02
11	14	FM	Moosavian, S.Hamed	IRI	2349	5	34.5	43.5	29.00	2400	2443	1.04
12	9	IM	Mekhitarian, Krikor Sevag	BRA	2456	5	34	44	25.00	2331	2374	-0.93
13	16		Gundavaa, Bayarsaihan	MGL	2320	5	33.5	43.5	28.00	2429	2472	1.6
14	11	FM	Batchuluun, Cegmed	MGL	2432	5	33.5	43.5	26.50	2354	2397	-0.34
15	15	FM	Yurkov, P	KAZ	2332	5	28	36	20.50	2288	2288	-0.47
16	13	IM	Pokazanjev, Nikolai	RUS	2405	4.5	36.5	47	26.00	2399	2399	-0.03
17	24		Bilegt, Batkhorol	MGL	2211	4.5	33.5	43	21.50	2368	2368	1.74
18	23		Noroozi, Omid	IRI	2222	4.5	30.5	39	20.50	2348	2348	1.3
19	26		Otte, Marijn	NED	2192	4.5	29.5	37.5	18.00	2326	2283	0.8
20	29		Viela, Marco	POR	2161	4.5	28	34	16.00	2229	2186	0.21
21	6	IM	Filippov, Anton	UZB	2502	4	34.5	44	25.00	2336	2293	-2.37
22	32		Baimoldinov, Aidar	KAZ	0	4	27.5	35.5	17.50	2319	2269	2269
23	25		Kojima, Shinya	JPN	2205	4	27	34.5	15.00	2249	2162	-0.58
24	20		Van Eijk, Sander	NED	2283	3.5	33.5	42	19.50	2373	2293	-0.03
25	19	FM	Vuilleumier, Alexandre	SUI	2285	3.5	29.5	39	20.00	2330	2189	-1.09
26	31		Akhanov, Dauren	KAZ	2135	3.5	29.5	38	20.00	2328	2241	0.9
27	22	FM	Soozankar, A.M.	IRI	2253	3.5	28	35.5	16.50	2290	2149	-1.16
28	17	FM	Hindermann, Felix	SUI	2307	3.5	28	35	19.00	2332	2102	-1.79
29	21		Van Assendelft, Floris	NED	2282	3.5	27.5	35.5	17.50	2299	2141	-1.39
30	28		Widmer, Simon	SUI	2176	3.5	26.5	33.5	14.50	2285	2144	-0.35
31	33		Mohale, T	RSA	0	3.5	26	33	17.50	2253	2023	2023
32	30		Castro, Francisco	POR	2152	2.5	25	31.5	10.50	2257	1984	-1.16
33	27		Wyss, Jonas	SUI	2181	2	22.5	29.5	10.00	2247	1925	-2.33

10th WCh-University Women Novokuznetsk (RUS) 3-11 iii 2008
Nr	Pno	Title	Name	Fed	Rating	Score	WPhl	WP	PS	RC	TPR	W-WE
1	4	IM	Vasilevich, Irina	RUS	2378	6.5	36	46	32.00	2277	2443	0.81
2	1	WGM	Pogonina, Natalija	RUS	2476	6.5	35	44.5	33.00	2289	2455	-0.11
3	6	WGM	Zhang, Jilin	CHN	2345	6	38	49	34.00	2295	2420	0.94
4	5	WGM	Kovanova, Baira	RUS	2348	6	37	48	30.00	2297	2422	0.92
5	3	WGM	Mongontuul, Bathuyag	MGL	2389	6	35.5	45.5	28.50	2297	2438	0.58
6	10	WIM	Yanjindulam, Dulamsuren	MGL	2256	6	35	45	31.50	2218	2343	1.17
7	15	WFM	Cheremnova, Tamara	RUS	2156	5.5	28.5	38	22.50	2113	2254	1.07
8	2	IM	Wang, Yu A.	CHN	2391	5	39.5	49.5	30.50	2299	2342	-0.53
9	8	WIM	Dauletova, Gulmira	KAZ	2261	5	38	48	25.50	2261	2304	0.53
10	11	WIM	Anhchimeg, Bayanmonh	MGL	2245	5	33	40	25.00	2168	2168	-0.73
11	9	WIM	Bensdorp, Marlies	NED	2259	4.5	41	50.5	28.00	2276	2276	0.28
12	17	WFM	Tashimova, Nadiya	KAZ	2073	4.5	35	43	23.50	2190	2147	0.65
13	12	WGM	Paridar, Shadi	IRI	2225	4.5	30.5	38.5	23.00	2224	2181	-0.49
14	16	WFM	Salman, Mahini Mona	IRI	2085	4.5	30.5	37.5	21.50	2173	2130	0.35
15	18		Dagiisuren, Jargalsaikhan	MGL	2045	4.5	24	30.5	14.50	2085	2085	0.32
16	7	WIM	Seps, Monika	SUI	2264	4	32	40.5	21.00	2176	2089	-1.78
17	20		Tajik, Sareh	IRI	1992	4	31	40	19.00	2128	2085	1.01
18	13	WIM	Kharashuta, Ekaterina	RUS	2222	3.5	31.5	38.5	17.00	2180	2039	-1.89
19	19		Springelkamp, Henriet	NED	1992	3.5	29.5	36	18.00	2194	1964	-0.26
20	21		Hemmatizadeh, N	IRI	1915	3.5	28	34.5	16.50	2100	1870	-0.47
21	14	WFM	Imanbaeva, Aigul	KAZ	2205	3.5	27	33.5	15.50	2135	1905	-2.6
22	22		Coelho, Tatiane Cristina	BRA	1799	3	26	31	13.00	2069	1839	0.23
23	24		Uchida, Narumi	JPN	0	2	26.5	31.5	11.00	2065	1814	1814
24	23		Sebola, Modjadji Sarah	RSA	0	0.5	26	33	1.50	2064	1329	1329

5) First Saturday March

The First Saturday February GM-IM-FM closed tournaments took place in Budapest 1st-14th March 2008. Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy, Thomas Roussel-Roozmon and Zlatko Ilincic all finished with 8/13 in the main GM group.

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

FSGM March Budapest HUN cat. VIII (2448)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4
1.	Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy	f	VIE	2398	*	½	1	½	½	½	½	1	½	½	½	½	1	½	8	2539
2.	Roussel-Roozmon, Thomas	m	CAN	2442	½	*	½	1	½	½	½	½	½	½	½	½	1	1	8	2535
3.	Ilincic, Zlatko	g	SRB	2561	0	½	*	0	½	1	½	½	½	1	1	1	½	1	8	2526
4.	Szabo, Krisztian1	m	HUN	2500	½	0	1	*	½	½	1	½	½	½	½	½	½	1	7½	2501
5.	Varga, Zoltan	g	HUN	2506	½	½	½	½	*	½	1	½	½	½	½	½	½	1	7½	2500
6.	Garbisu de Goni, Unai	m	ESP	2464	½	½	0	½	½	*	1	1	½	1	½	½	½	½	7½	2504
7.	Bui Vinh	m	VIE	2482	½	½	½	0	0	0	*	1	½	0	1	1	1	1	7	2474
8.	Kosic, Dragan	g	MNE	2511	0	½	½	½	½	0	0	*	½	½	½	1	1	1	6½	2443
9.	Fodor, Tamas jr	f	HUN	2407	½	½	½	½	½	½	½	½	*	0	½	1	0	½	6	2422
10.	Llaneza Vega, Marcos	m	ESP	2445	½	½	0	½	½	0	1	½	1	*	½	0	½	0	5½	2391
11.	Wang Puchen	m	NZL	2383	½	½	0	½	½	½	0	½	½	½	*	1	0	½	5½	2396
12.	Antal, Gergely	m	HUN	2467	½	½	0	½	½	½	0	0	0	1	0	*	1	1	5½	2389
13.	Rajlich, Iweta	m	POL	2437	0	0	½	½	½	½	0	0	1	½	1	0	*	0	4½	2339
14.	Porat, Ido	f	ISR	2272	½	0	0	0	0	½	0	0	½	1	½	0	1	*	4	2320

FSIM March Budapest HUN, 1-14 iii 2008 cat. II (2285)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3
1.	Duong The Anh	f	VIE	2381	*	1	½	½	0	1	1	½	½	1	1	1	1	9	2470
2.	To, Nhat Minh		HUN	2293	0	*	½	½	½	1	½	1	0	½	1	1	1	7½	2379
3.	Szamoskozi, Gabor		HUN	2280	½	½	*	½	½	0	½	½	½	1	1	1	½	7	2342
4.	Werner, Dimo	m	GER	2293	½	½	½	*	½	1	½	½	½	½	0	½	1	6½	2313
5.	Gara, Anita	wg	HUN	2325	1	½	½	½	*	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	1	6½	2310
6.	Balla, Tamas	f	ROU	2341	0	0	1	0	1	*	½	0	1	½	1	½	1	6½	2309
7.	Schmidt, Raul		ROU	2160	0	½	½	½	1	½	*	0	1	1	0	½	½	6	2295
8.	Llaneza Vega, Patricia	wm	ESP	2281	½	0	½	½	0	1	1	*	0	0	1	1	½	6	2285
9.	Lengyel, Bela	m	HUN	2261	½	1	½	½	0	0	0	1	*	½	½	0	1	5½	2258
10.	Szegi, Tomas		SVK	2293	0	½	0	½	1	½	0	1	½	*	1	½	0	5½	2255
11.	Lorand, Norbert		HUN	2259	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	0	½	0	*	½	1	5	2230
12.	Szeberenyi, Adam	m	HUN	2350	0	0	0	½	0	½	½	0	1	½	½	*	½	4	2154
13.	Porat, Maya		ISR	2190	0	0	½	0	0	0	½	½	0	1	0	½	*	3	2100

6) 65th Georgian Women's Championship

The 65th Georgian Women's Championship took place in Tbilisi 28th February - 12th March 2008. Nana Dzagnidze beat Salome Melia in a playoff after they both finished on 9/12. The Rapid games were 25m + 10s a move and the blitz 5m + 10s a move. News: Varlam Vepkhvishvili, games entered by Marika Japaridze my thanks for her help. Sopio Gvetadze withdrew and her games did't count towards the final standings.

65th ch-GEO w Tbilisi GEO 28 ii-12 iii 2008 cat. IV (2328)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3
1.	Dzagnidze, Nana	m	GEO	2429	*	½	½	1	1	1	1	1	1	0	1	0	1	9	2512
2.	Melia, Salome	wg	GEO	2362	½	*	½	1	½	½	½	1	1	1	1	½	1	9	2517
3.	Khukhashvili, Sopiko	m	GEO	2387	½	½	*	1	1	1	½	½	1	½	0	½	½	7½	2417
4.	Khotenashvili, Bela	wg	GEO	2271	0	0	0	*	½	½	1	0	1	½	1	1	1	6½	2361
5.	Charkhalashvili, Inga	wg	GEO	2369	0	½	0	½	*	½	1	½	½	1	0	1	½	6	2324
6.	Lomineishvili, Maia	m	GEO	2410	0	½	0	½	½	*	0	1	0	½	1	1	1	6	2320
7.	Tsatsalashvili, Keti	wf	GEO	2214	0	½	½	0	0	1	*	½	½	1	½	½	½	5½	2308
8.	Guramishvili, Sopiko	wm	GEO	2300	0	0	½	1	½	0	½	*	1	0	1	½	½	5½	2300
9.	Tereladze, Sopiko	wm	GEO	2195	0	0	0	0	½	1	½	0	*	1	½	1	1	5½	2309
10.	Khurtsidze, Nino	m	GEO	2441	1	0	½	½	0	½	0	1	0	*	0	1	½	5	2261
11.	Khurtsilava, Inga	wm	GEO	2312	0	0	1	0	1	0	½	0	½	1	*	½	½	5	2271
12.	Nikoladze, Sopio	wm	GEO	2251	1	½	½	0	0	0	½	½	0	0	½	*	1	4½	2246
13.	Batsiashvili, Nino	wm	GEO	2317	0	0	½	0	½	0	½	½	0	½	½	0	*	3	2135

7) Ataturk International Women Masters

The Ataturk International Women Masters takes place 10th-20th March 2008.

Official site: http://awm2008.tsf.org.tr/

Isbank Ataturk Women's Masters Istanbul TUR (TUR), 11-20 iii 2008												cat. IX (2461)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
1.	Cramling, Pia	g	SWE	2524	*	½	1	½	1	½	.	1	1	.	5½	2677
2.	Hou Yifan	wg	CHN	2527	½	*	.	½	½	1	.	1	1	1	5½	2688
3.	Atalik, Ekaterina	m	TUR	2408	0	.	*	.	1	½	½	1	1	1	5	2609
4.	Zhao Xue	wg	CHN	2517	½	½	.	*	½	.	0	1	0	1	3½	2459
5.	Harika, Dronavalli	m	IND	2455	0	½	0	½	*	.	1	½	.	1	3½	2448
6.	Krush, Irina	m	USA	2473	½	0	½	.	.	*	½	0	1	½	3	2402
7.	Javakhishvili, Lela	m	GEO	2470	.	.	½	1	0	½	*	0	½	½	3	2391
8.	Yildiz, Betul Cemre	wm	TUR	2207	0	0	0	0	½	1	1	*	.	.	2½	2380
9.	Zhu Chen	g	QAT	2548	0	0	0	1	.	0	½	.	*	½	2	2328
10.	Ushenina, Anna	m	UKR	2484	.	0	0	0	0	½	½	.	½	*	1½	2255

8) Ukrainian u20 Championships

The Ukrainian under-20 Championships for boys and girls took place in Odessa 5th-15th March 2008.

Official site: http://www.ukrchess.org.ua/turnir/t149.htm

ch-UKR Boys u20 Odessa UKR (UKR), 5-15 iii 2008													cat. V (2355)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Kravtsiv, Martyn	m	UKR	2516	*	1	0	½	1	1	1	1	½	0	1	1	8	2515
2.	Ipatov, Alexander		UKR	2323	0	*	½	1	1	½	½	1	1	1	½	1	8	2533
3.	Tukhaev, Adam	g	UKR	2524	1	½	*	0	0	1	½	1	1	1	1	1	8	2515
4.	Kononenko, Dmitry1	g	UKR	2484	½	0	1	*	1	0	1	½	1	1	1	½	7½	2476
5.	Borsuk, Konstantin		UKR	2297	0	0	1	0	*	½	½	1	1	1	½	1	6½	2425
6.	Bogdanovich, Stanislav		UKR	2286	0	½	0	1	½	*	1	½	½	0	½	0	4½	2296
7.	Kovalenko, Igor		UKR	2450	0	½	½	0	½	0	*	½	0	1	½	1	4½	2281
8.	Grinev, Valeriy		UKR	2266	0	0	0	½	0	½	½	*	1	½	½	1	4½	2298
9.	Bagrationi, Alexander		UKR	2178	½	0	0	0	0	½	1	0	*	1	½	½	4	2269
10.	Polyakov, Maxim		UKR	2305	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	½	0	*	½	½	3½	2227
11.	Tishin, D	m	UKR	2260	0	½	0	0	½	½	½	½	½	½	*	0	3½	2231
12.	Grekh, Andrey	f	UKR	2376	0	0	0	½	0	1	0	0	½	½	1	*	3½	2220

ch-UKR Girls u20 Odessa UKR (UKR), 5-15 iii 2008
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Muzychuk, Mariya	wg	UKR	2357	*	½	½	1	1	1	1	½	1	1	1	1	9½	2427
2.	Dolzhikova, Kateryna	wm	UKR	2308	½	*	½	1	1	1	½	1	1	½	1	1	9	2385
3.	Huda, Maryana	wg	UKR	2278	½	½	*	0	1	1	1	1	1	½	1	1	8½	2336
4.	Andrenko, Irina		UKR	2216	0	0	1	*	0	1	½	½	1	½	1	1	6½	2196
5.	Maiko, Alina		UKR	2053	0	0	0	1	*	½	½	1	0	1	1	1	6	2182
6.	Chulivska, Vita	wm	UKR	2291	0	0	0	0	½	*	1	1	1	1	0	1	5½	2124
7.	Zingaylo, Anastasiya		UKR	2090	0	½	0	½	½	0	*	1	0	½	1	½	4½	2077
8.	Tsirulnik, Maritsa		UKR	2060	½	0	0	½	0	0	0	*	1	1	1	½	4½	2080
9.	Kalinina, Marianna		UKR	1717	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	*	1	1	½	4½	2111
10.	Stasenko, Julia		UKR	1961	0	½	½	½	0	0	½	0	0	*	½	0	2½	1943
11.	Kalinina, Olga		UKR	2231	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	½	*	1	2½	1919
12.	Orlyanskaya, Darya	wf	UKR	2100	0	0	0	0	0	0	½	½	½	1	0	*	2½	1931

9) Russian u20 Championships

The Russian under-20 Championships for boys and girls takes place in St-Petersburg 8th-18th March 2008. News Boris Yeshan.

The winners qualify to participate in the World Championships under 20.

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

ch-RUS Boys u20 St Petersburg (RUS), 8-18 iii 2008 cat. X (2500)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Chadaev, Nikolai	m	RUS	2471	*	.	1	.	½	½	1	1	1	½	½	1	7	2730
2.	Sjugirov, Sanan	m	RUS	2491	.	*	½	½	1	1	1	½	0	1	1	.	6½	2674
3.	Ponkratov, Pavel	m	RUS	2489	0	½	*	1	.	1	1	½	.	1	1	½	6½	2655
4.	Lintchevski, Daniil	m	RUS	2440	.	½	0	*	½	½	1	½	½	.	1	1	5½	2589
5.	Andreikin, Dmitry	g	RUS	2573	½	0	.	½	*	1	½	.	½	½	½	1	5	2538
6.	Romanov, Evgeny	g	RUS	2543	½	0	0	½	0	*	½	1	.	.	1	1	4½	2492
7.	Shimanov, Aleksandr	m	RUS	2441	0	0	0	0	½	½	*	1	1	1	.	.	4	2457
8.	Papin, Vasily	m	RUS	2475	0	½	½	½	.	0	0	*	½	1	.	1	4	2440
9.	Rakhmanov, Aleksandr	g	RUS	2524	0	1	.	½	½	.	0	½	*	0	0	1	3½	2413
10.	Nechepurenko, Roman V	f	RUS	2495	½	0	0	.	½	.	0	0	1	*	½	1	3½	2421
11.	Popov, Ivan RUS	g	RUS	2595	½	0	0	0	½	0	.	.	1	½	*	½	3	2373
12.	Lovkov, Roman	f	RUS	2457	0	.	½	0	0	0	.	0	0	0	½	*	1	2160

ch-RUS Girls u20 St Petersburg RUS (RUS), 8-18 iii 2008 cat. I (2275)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Bodnaruk, Anastasia	wf	RUS	2317	*	1	.	½	1	0	1	1	0	1	.	1	6½	2439
2.	Charochkina, Daria	wm	RUS	2383	0	*	.	1	1	1	0	.	1	½	1	1	6½	2429
3.	Gunina, Valentina	wf	RUS	2295	.	.	*	0	0	0	1	1	1	1	1	1	6	2381
4.	Girya, Olga	wf	RUS	2342	½	0	1	*	½	.	0	1	.	½	1	1	5½	2341
5.	Savina, Anastasia		RUS	2202	0	0	1	½	*	½	1	½	.	.	1	1	5½	2367
6.	Vasilkova, Svetlana	wm	RUS	2359	1	0	1	.	½	*	1	0	½	0	½	.	4½	2265
7.	Severiukhina, Zoja	wf	RUS	2199	0	1	0	1	0	0	*	.	½	1	1	.	4½	2293
8.	Ivakhinova, Inna	wm	RUS	2250	0	.	0	0	½	1	.	*	1	½	1	0	4	2231
9.	Shlakich, Anna		RUS	2244	1	0	0	.	.	½	½	0	*	1	0	½	3½	2199
10.	Tarasova, Viktoriya	wm	RUS	2267	0	½	0	½	.	1	0	½	0	*	.	1	3½	2209
11.	Ambartsumova, Karina	wf	RUS	2228	.	0	0	0	0	½	0	0	1	.	*	1	2½	2110
12.	Meleshko, Anna	wm	RUS	2215	0	0	0	0	0	.	.	1	½	0	0	*	1½	2007

10) Blackpool Chess Congress

The Blackpool Chess Congress took place 7th-9th March 2008. Alexandre Dgebuadze won the event with 4.5/5. Extra final round games now available. My thanks to Dave Clayton.

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

Reports: http://www.bcfservices.org.uk/livechess/blackpool/2008/index.htm

Open Blackpool (ENG), 7-9 iii 2008 Leading Final Round 5 Standings:
1	Dgebuadze, Alexandre	g	BEL	2512	4½
2	Rausis, Igor	g	CZE	2520	4
3	Radovanovic, Jovica	f	SRB	2340	4
4	Eggleston, David J	f	ENG	2346	4
5	Davies, Nigel R	g	ENG	2480	4
6	Mason, Donald J		ENG	2246	3½
7	Wolstencroft, Darryl		ENG	2173	3½
8	Kilpatrick, Callum		ENG	2201	3½
9	Lund, D Brett		ENG	2269	3½
10	Salem, Ihab		PLE	2189	3½
11	Pedersen, Nicolai Vesterb	m	DEN	2425	3½
12	Poobalasingam, Peter S		ENG	2165	3
62 players

11) Belgian Interteams

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

Leaders Bredene beat second placed CREC Charleroi in the last round to secure the title. In the relegation zone Eynatten 2 and Boey Temse were already relegated. My thanks to Valery Maes throughout the season. All games except Temse - Namur are available.

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

Belgian Interteams Round 11 Results
KSK47-Eynatten 1	KGSRL 1	20 - 12
KSK47-Eynatten 2	CRELEL 1	22 - 10
Bredene 1	CREC 1	20 - 12
Borgerhout 1	SK Rochade 1	13 - 19
Boey Temse 1	Namur 1	12 - 20
Brussels 1	KBSK 1	19 - 13

Belgian Interteams Final Round 11 Standings
Pl	Team	BP	MP
1	Bredene 1	209	9.5
2	SK Rochade	197	9.5
3	CREC 1	196	8.5
4	KSK47-Eynatten 1	184	6.5
5	KGSRL 1	176	6
6	CRELEL 1	173	4.5
7	KBSK 1	172	5.5
8	Brussels 1	168	4
9	Namur 1	164	5
10	Borgerhout 1	162	4.5
11	KSK47-Eynatten 2	158	2
12	Boey Temse 1	145	0.5

12) Dutch Team Championship

The Dutch Team Championships take place 15th September 2007 - 17th May 2008. Round 8 is on 29th April 2008.

Results: Schrijvers Rotterdam - HMC Calder 7-3; ESGOO - HWP Sas van Gent 5-5; LSG - Homburg Apeldoorn 4-6; HSG - Utrecht 7.5-2.5; LSG 2 - Hotels.nl 3.5-6.5.

Details available from http://www.schakers.info/.

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/

Dutch Team Championships Round 7 Standings
Pl	Team	Mp	Bp
1	HSG	14	51
2	Hotels.nl	11	40
3	Schrijvers Rotterdam	10	40
4	HMC Calder	8	35
5	ESGOO	7	34½
6	Homburg Apeldoorn	6	38
7	Utrecht	6	32½
8	LSG 1	5	34
9	HWP Sas van Gent	3	28½
10	LSG 2	0	16½

13) Finnish Team Championships

The final two rounds of the Finnish Team Championship took place 8th-9th March 2008. After four consecutive silver medals Matinkylä finally managed to get its first Championship since 1993. Defending Champion OpusCapita got silver and HSK Helsinki with topboard GM Dr R.Huebner was third. FM P.Kekki made his final IM-norm. News:Henri Koskinen.

Games, individual results etc. can be found on the website: http://www.shakki.net/pelaaminen/turnaukset/liiga.html. Games are in the magazine this week.

Finnish Team Championships Final Standings
1	MatSK, Espoo	16	23
2	OpusCapita, Tampere	14	16
3	HSK, Helsinki	11	8
4	JoeSK, Joensuu	10	4
5	Velhot, Helsinki	9	-4
6	EtVaS, Vantaa	8	1
7	Aatos, Helsinki	8	-7
8	JyS, Jyväskylä	6	-12
9	SalSK, Salo	4	-9
10	TuTS, Turku	4	-20

14) Lendas do Xadrez tournament

The Lendas do Xadrez (Legends of Chess) tournament took place February 29th - March 9th 2008 and was organised by the chess club ALEX (Associación Leopoldinense de Xadrez), in the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), their first international round robin tournament. Diego Di Berardino won with 8/9 two points clear of the field. The gap would have been only one point but Teixeira-Mascarenhas (6) was awarded as a win to black on appeal in a losing position, there is no explanation on the website as far as I can see but they give a table with the arbiters decision ignored as well as with the appeal result. I give just the one with the appeal decision.

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

Lendas do Xadrez Rio de Janeiro (BRA), 29 ii-9 iii 2008
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
1.	Di Berardino, Diego Rafael	m	BRA	2430	*	½	1	1	1	1	1	½	1	1	8	2605
2.	Teixeira, Ricardo da Silva	f	BRA	2394	½	*	½	½	½	0	1	1	1	1	6	2383
3.	Perdomo, Leandro	m	ARG	2354	0	½	*	0	1	1	1	½	1	1	6	2387
4.	Cramling, Dan	m	SWE	2425	0	½	1	*	0	1	1	1	0	1	5½	2334
5.	Fontes, Carlos Henrique Batista		BRA	2232	0	½	0	1	*	½	0	½	1	0	3½	2196
6.	Mascarenhas, Alberto Pinheiro	f	BRA	2263	0	1	0	0	½	*	½	½	½	½	3½	2192
7.	Bottari, Raimondo		ITA	2178	0	0	0	0	1	½	*	½	½	1	3½	2202
8.	Ferreira, Kleber Victor		BRA	2105	½	0	½	0	½	½	½	*	½	0	3	2165
9.	Maia, Jose Eduardo Bastos O		BRA	2149	0	0	0	1	0	½	½	½	*	½	3	2160
10.	Chauca, Jose		PER	2186	0	0	0	0	1	½	0	1	½	*	3	2156

15) 40th Belgrade Women's International

The 40th Belgrade Women's International took place 3rd-11th. March 2008. Natasa Bojkovic completely outclassed the field finishing with 8/9 a full two and a half points clear of the field.

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

40th WGM Belgrade (SCG), 3-11 iii 2008 cat. IV (2339)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
1.	Bojkovic, Natasa	m	SRB	2408	*	½	½	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	8	2682
2.	Petrenko, Svetlana	m	MDA	2282	½	*	½	½	½	1	0	½	1	1	5½	2425
3.	Matveeva, Svetlana	m	RUS	2433	½	½	*	½	½	0	1	1	½	1	5½	2408
4.	Houska, Jovanka	m	ENG	2393	0	½	½	*	½	½	1	1	½	1	5½	2412
5.	Rakic, Marija		SRB	2218	0	½	½	½	*	½	½	½	½	1	4½	2352
6.	Benderac, Ana	wg	SRB	2324	0	0	1	½	½	*	½	½	½	½	4	2297
7.	Makropoulou, Marina	wg	GRE	2250	0	1	0	0	½	½	*	½	½	½	3½	2268
8.	Foisor, Cristina Adela	m	ROU	2412	0	½	0	0	½	½	½	*	1	½	3½	2250
9.	Stojanovic, Andjelija	wg	SRB	2310	0	0	½	½	½	½	½	0	*	1	3½	2261
10.	Chelushkina, Irina	wg	SRB	2357	0	0	0	0	0	½	½	½	0	*	1½	2063

16) Bobby Fischer Memorial

The Bobby Fischer Memorial takes place in Villa Martelli Buenos Aires, Argentina, 11th-19th March 2008. Players: GM Oscar Panno, GM Andrés Rodríguez, GM Sergio Slipak, MI Diego Flores, MI Diego Valerga, MI Mauricio Flores Rios, MI Krikor Mekhitarian, MI Luis Coelho, Raul Claverie, etc.

Official site: http://ajedrezmartelli.org.ar/

Bobby Fischer mem Villa Martelli ARG (ARG), 11-19 iii 2008												cat. IX (2457)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
1.	Flores Rios, Mauricio	f	CHI	2391	*	½	.	1	.	1	.	½	1	1	5	2757
2.	Valerga, Diego	m	ARG	2478	½	*	½	½	.	.	1	1	.	½	4	2563
3.	Panno, Oscar	g	ARG	2429	.	½	*	½	1	½	.	½	½	.	3½	2551
4.	Lemos, Damian	m	ARG	2460	0	½	½	*	½	.	1	.	.	1	3½	2480
5.	Mekhitarian, Krikor Sevag	m	BRA	2456	.	.	0	½	*	1	½	½	.	½	3	2466
6.	Flores, Diego	m	ARG	2558	0	.	½	.	0	*	1	1	½	.	3	2447
7.	Coelho, Luis Henrique	m	BRA	2392	.	0	.	0	½	0	*	.	1	1	2½	2408
8.	Rodriguez Vila, Andres	g	URU	2566	½	0	½	.	½	0	.	*	½	.	2	2335
9.	Slipak, Sergio	g	ARG	2448	0	.	½	.	.	½	0	½	*	½	2	2330
10.	Claverie, Raul		ARG	2394	0	½	.	0	½	.	0	.	½	*	1½	2244

17) Austrian Bundesliga

The final round of games from the Austrian Bundesliga took place in Jenbach 13th-16th March 2008 in Graz (Novapark) and SK Advisory Invest Baden won the title. I will round these games up next week.

Official site: http://www.chess.at/, results chess-results.com

18) Serbian Championships

The Serbian Championships take place in Mataruška 15th-28th March 2008. 14 player all-play-all.

Official site: http://www.serbiachess.net/

ch-SRB Mataruska Banja SRB (SRB), 15-28 iii 2008														cat. XII (2536)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4
1.	Pikula, Dejan	g	SRB	2524	*	.	.	.	1	.	½	.	.	.	1	.	.	.	2½	2857
2.	Markus, Robert	g	SRB	2575	.	*	.	.	.	½	.	.	.	1	.	½	.	.	2	2649
3.	Kovacevic, Aleksandar	g	SRB	2575	.	.	*	.	.	½	.	.	.	.	.	½	1	.	2	2660
4.	Vuckovic, Bojan	g	SRB	2556	.	.	.	*	.	½	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	1	2	2638
5.	Sedlak, Nikola	g	SRB	2568	0	.	.	.	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	1	2	2596
6.	Ivanisevic, Ivan	g	SRB	2649	.	½	½	½	.	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	1½	2568
7.	Miladinovic, Igor	g	SRB	2604	½	.	.	.	.	.	*	½	½	.	.	.	.	.	1½	2528
8.	Bogosavljevic, Boban	f	SRB	2492	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	*	½	.	½	.	.	.	1½	2585
9.	Perunovic, Milos	g	SRB	2570	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	½	*	½	.	.	.	.	1½	2517
10.	Pavlovic, Milos M	m	SRB	2457	.	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	*	.	1	.	.	1½	2537
11.	Damljanovic, Branko	g	SRB	2582	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	.	.	*	.	.	1	1½	2472
12.	Leskur, Dejan		SRB	2468	.	½	½	.	.	.	.	.	.	0	.	*	.	.	1	2410
13.	Drazic, Sinisa	g	SRB	2489	.	.	0	½	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	.	½	2293
14.	Velickovic, Sasa	m	SRB	2401	.	.	.	0	0	.	.	.	.	.	0	.	.	*	0

19) Danish Championship

The Danish Championship takes place in Silkeborg March 15th-24th 2008. Peter Heine Nielsen plays for the first time in five years and was in real trouble against Esben Lund in the first round before escaping with a draw. Defending champion Sune Berg Hansen has three consecutive titles.

Official site: http://www.skak-dm.dk/2008/

ch-DEN Silkeborg (DEN), 15-23 iii 2008
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
1.	Nielsen, Peter Heine	g	DEN	2625	=10	+15	+9	.	.	.	.	.	.	2½	2671
2.	Rasmussen, Karsten	m	DEN	2505	=18	+12	+11	.	.	.	.	.	.	2½	2620
3.	Schandorff, Lars	g	DEN	2526	=15	+10	=5	.	.	.	.	.	.	2	2514
4.	Hansen, Sune Berg	g	DEN	2549	+20	=5	=6	.	.	.	.	.	.	2	2528
5.	Kristiansen, Jens	m	DEN	2441	+19	=4	=3	.	.	.	.	.	.	2	2585
6.	Hoi, Carsten	g	DEN	2404	=12	+18	=4	.	.	.	.	.	.	2	2519
7.	Glud, Jakob Vang	m	DEN	2486	-13	+17	+14	.	.	.	.	.	.	2	2451
8.	Jakobsen, Ole	m	DEN	2372	=16	=14	+13	.	.	.	.	.	.	2	2424
9.	Rasmussen, Allan Stig	f	DEN	2468	+17	+13	-1	.	.	.	.	.	.	2	2551
10.	Lund, Esben	m	DEN	2403	=1	-3	+19	.	.	.	.	.	.	1½	2485
11.	Antonsen, Mikkel	m	DEN	2409	=14	+16	-2	.	.	.	.	.	.	1½	2362
12.	Petersen, Tom Petri		DEN	2309	=6	-2	+20	.	.	.	.	.	.	1½	2424
13.	Jacobsen, Bo		DEN	2316	+7	-9	-8	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	2317
14.	Matthiesen, Arne	f	DEN	2327	=11	=8	-7	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	2297
15.	Holmsgaard, Henrik		DEN	2324	=3	-1	=16	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	2344
16.	Teplyi, Igor		DEN	2256	=8	-11	=15	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	2243
17.	Boe, Mads	f	DEN	2337	-9	-7	+18	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	2301
18.	Kristensen, Kaare	f	DEN	2325	=2	-6	-17	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	2142
19.	Knudsen, Per	f	DEN	2305	-5	=20	-10	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	2130
20.	Matthiesen, Martin		DEN	2365	-4	=19	-12	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	2114

20) 67th Georgian Championships Men

The Georgian Men's Championships take place 15th-30th March 2008. The event is a knockout with rapid playoffs of 25-25 mins. +10 sec. a move. Games from the first round are in the PGN section. News: Varlam Vepkhvishvili.

21) Bulgarian Championships

The Bulgarian Championships for men and women take place in Plovdiv 14th-24th March 2008.

Official site: http://www.chessmix.com/en/events/2930/

72nd ch-BUL Plovdiv BUL (BUL), 14-24 iii 2008														cat. VIII (2428)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4
1.	Rusev, Krasimir	m	BUL	2521	*	½	.	.	.	.	.	1	.	½	.	1	.	1	4	2618
2.	Spasov, Vasil	g	BUL	2579	½	*	½	.	.	1	.	.	½	.	.	.	1	.	3½	2620
3.	Vasilev, Milen	m	BUL	2470	.	½	*	½	.	.	.	½	.	1	.	.	.	1	3½	2588
4.	Janev, Evgeni	g	BUL	2485	.	.	½	*	.	½	½	.	.	.	1	.	1	.	3½	2565
5.	Radulski, Julian	g	BUL	2511	.	.	.	.	*	.	½	.	½	½	.	1	.	1	3½	2516
6.	Iotov, Valentin	m	BUL	2495	.	0	.	½	.	*	.	½	.	1	1	.	.	.	3	2499
7.	Kozhuharov, Spas	m	BUL	2456	.	.	.	½	½	.	*	.	.	.	½	½	½	.	2½	2368
8.	Petkov, Vladimir	g	BUL	2434	0	.	½	.	.	½	.	*	.	.	½	.	1	.	2½	2429
9.	Nikolov, Momchil	m	BUL	2500	.	½	.	.	½	.	.	.	*	0	.	½	.	1	2½	2394
10.	Tsvetkov, Ilia		BUL	2352	½	.	0	.	½	0	.	.	1	*	.	.	.	.	2	2427
11.	Mladenov, Plamen		BUL	2288	.	.	.	0	.	0	½	½	.	.	*	.	½	.	1½	2299
12.	Lilov, Valeri		BUL	2323	0	.	.	.	0	.	½	.	½	.	.	*	.	½	1½	2317
13.	Milchev, Nikolay	f	BUL	2373	.	0	.	0	.	.	½	0	.	.	½	.	*	.	1	2208
14.	Arnaudov, G. Petar	f	BUL	2345	0	.	0	.	0	.	.	.	0	.	.	½	.	*	½	2071

57th ch-BUL w Plovdiv BUL (BUL), 14-24 iii 2008
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Raeva, Elitsa	wf	BUL	2258	*	½	.	1	.	.	.	.	1	.	.	.	2½	2503
2.	Nikolova, Adriana	wf	BUL	2194	½	*	.	.	.	.	½	1	.	.	.	.	2	2348
3.	Videnova, Iva	wf	BUL	2188	.	.	*	.	.	½	.	.	½	1	.	.	2	2243
4.	Voiska, Margarita	wg	BUL	2333	0	.	.	*	.	.	.	1	.	.	1	.	2	2288
5.	Chilingirova, Pavlina	wm	BUL	2213	.	.	.	.	*	.	1	0	.	.	.	1	2	2252
6.	Genova, Lyubka	wm	BUL	2232	.	.	½	.	.	*	.	.	.	½	.	1	2	2163
7.	Velcheva, Maria	wg	BUL	2266	.	½	.	.	0	.	*	.	.	.	.	1	1½	2126
8.	Jordanova, Svetla	wf	BUL	2145	.	0	.	0	1	.	.	*	.	.	.	.	1	2121
9.	Savova, Stefka	wm	BUL	2165	0	.	½	.	.	.	.	.	*	.	½	.	1	2053
10.	Trifonova, Sandra		BUL	1957	.	.	0	.	.	½	.	.	.	*	½	.	1	2044
11.	Bednikova, Stefi		BUL	2088	.	.	.	0	.	.	.	.	½	½	*	.	1	2026
12.	Vladimirova, Maria		BUL	1971	.	.	.	.	0	0	0	.	.	.	.	*	0

22) XXXIX Mar del Plata Open

The XXXIX Mar del Plata Open takes place 15th-22nd March 2008.

Official site: http://www.mdpajedrez.org.ar/mdpajedrez/arch800/abierto39.htm

23) Hypercube Blitz Chess Tournament

The Hypercube Blitz Chess Tournament took place on Saturday 15th March 2008 and was won by Daniel Fridman (1000 Euros).

Full report with photos at: http://www.chessvista.com

24) Lugano Open

The Lugano Open took place Michele Godena and Namig Guliyev finished first.

Official site: http://scacchi.xvidium.ch/

25) Forthcoming Events and Links

Hévíz Category XVI Tournament 2008

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

The main event is a Category XVI tournament with Almasi Zoltan (HUN) 2667, Balogh Csaba (HUN) 2575, Fancisco Vallejo Pons (ESP) 2675, Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu (ROM) 2684, Victor Mikhalevski (ISR) 2632 and Arkadij Naiditsch (GER) 2638

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

8th Brno Chess Festival

The 8th Brno Chess Festival 2008 takes place 27th or 29th June - 6th July 2008) in the luxury hotel BOBYCENTRUM****. Two open tournaments (FIDE and national) and closed tournaments (one grandmaster and 2-3 masters) are proposed. More details at: http://www.skduras.cz/en

Brussels International Chess Festival

The Brussels International Chess Festival rapid chess tournament (11 rounds - 25 minutes) Open to all rated and unrated players takes place Saturday 24th May - Sunday 25th May 2008

Details: http://www.creb.be/

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

Official site: http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/

Doeberl Cup Premier

The Doeberl Cup Premier takes place March 20th-24th 2008

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

III President's Cup Baku

The III President's Cup takes place 11th-21st May 2008 in Baku, Azerbaijan dedicated to the memory of Haydar Aliyev has a prize fund of $85000. Details: http://www.chessclub.az/kubok3/regulations.htm

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

Magistral Ciudad de León

The 21st edition of the "Magistral Ciudad de León" takes place May 29th - June 2nd in León, Spain.

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

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

The players will be World Champion Viswanathan Anand, Ukrainian Vassily Ivanchuk, ant the 2 best Spanish Players, Top-10 Alexei Shirov and Francisco Vallejo Pons.

2nd Annual Ennis Open

The 2nd Annual Ennis Open will take place on Friday 18th, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th April 2008 at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, Galway Road, Ennis, Co Clare, Ireland (http://www.auburnlodge.com/). The tournament will incorporate the 2008 North Munster Championship, with the title of North Munster Champion going to the best performing player in the Open who is resident in or orginally from North Munster.

Alongside the Open an Under 1400 tournament will be run. Players rated under 1400 have the option of playing in either tournamet. A report of last years tournament can be viewed at the website of the Irish Chess Union (www.icu.ie)

Entries to: John Cassidy 065 6824642/ 087 2495913 or Rory Quinn 065 6821835 ennischessclub@hotmail.com

Tournament Venue: Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare Prizes: Subject to entries. Minimum first prize of Euro 700 in the Open. System: Swiss system of 6 rounds Starting Time: 8 pm sharp Time Control: All moves in 105 mins. Application deadline: 17th April Entry Fee: Titled players free, Adults Euro 40, Under 18 Euro 25 (players can deduct Euro 5 if fee received before closing date)

XIX Internet Chess Tournament "Ciudad de Dos Hermanas"

For the ninth year running the XIX Internet Chess Tournament "Ciudad de Dos Hermanas" (Spain) is being held on the ICC Internet Chess Club playing zone (http://www.chessclub.com). Registration for the event is completely free both for ICC members and non-members.

This event is clearly the most important Internet chess tournament in the world, featuring the biggest number of participants. In the 2007 edition, nearly 2000 players from all over the world took part. The winner, former prodigy child and under-10 World Champion IM Jorge Sammour-Hasbun, overcome an impressive field of 300 IM/GM’s, including top players Shahriyar Mamedyarov, Tigran L. Petrosian, Gata Kamsky, Hikaru Nakamura, Kiril Georgiev and Sergey Shipov.

This year the prize fund is 7.700 euros, with 2.000 euros for the winner. In addition, there are many class prizes and special cash prizes for amateur players. Also, winners can achieve the opportunity to travel to Dos Hermanas for the main Event, with Topalov, Shirov, Polgar and Vallejo, at the end of April.

As in previous editions, the playing system is as follows: twelve 12-round Swiss qualifiers using the playing rate: 3 minutes per game. Qualifiers are held twice a day from March 28th to April 2nd, and the finals are held on April 4th and 5th. The 12 qualifier winners plus the 20 best scores qualify to the 32 KO final.

Full rules and registrations can be found on the Dos Hermanas website http://www.doshermanas.net/aje_9torneo.asp

Dvoretsky-Jussupow Chess School in Paris

The Dvoretsky-Jussupow Chess School will hold lessons in Paris in June.

The first stage will be held in the "Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris" 11th-15th June 2008. The training sessions (3 hours with Dvoretsky and 3 hours with Jussupow)are given in english (with possible translation into french), and the trainers will deliver written lessons (available both in English and French).

Groups : limited to 16 persons a day, groups of 8 persons maximum for each trainer.

Charges : 220 Euro per day.

Wednesday : under 1700 elo.

Thursday :1700-2100

Friday :1800-2199

Saturday :+2200

Sunday :+2200

Send your reservations to : L’Ecole Parisienne du jeu d’Échecs, 2 rue des Goncourt, 75011 Paris, France (cheque 220 Euro, order E.P.J.E.). The lessons will be delivered in la Cité Internationale Universitaire, Maison internationale, 19 Bd Jourdan, 75014 Paris. From 10h to 13h and from 14h to 17h. Further information: eneiman@free.fr or phone: +33 6 81 48 64 58

Official site (in French): http://epje.free.fr/

World Championship Match Anand vs Kramnik in Bonn

The World Championship match where Viswanathan Anand will defends his World title against Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn, Germany will now take place October 14th - 2nd November, 2008. The main reason for the slight change in dates is to fit in with the sponsors and politicians ability to attend the opening. The main sponsor is Evonik Industries AG and the prizemoney 1,5 Million Euro. The contract was signed by both players 18th December 2007.

Dates for the match: Gm1: Oct 14th, Gm2: Oct 15th, Gm3: Oct 17th, Gm4: Oct 18th, Gm5: Oct 20th, Gm6: Oct 21st, Gm7: Oct 23rd, Gm8: Oct 24th, Gm9: Oct 26th, Gm10: Oct 27th, Gm11: Oct 29th, Gm12: Oct 31st, Tiebreak Nov 2nd.

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

FIDE Grand Prix Events

The line ups for the FIDE Grand Prix events have been announced. The top four players in the world, along with players such as Morozevich and Shirov are missing. It seems that in the case of Kramnik and Topalov that they believe that the event doesn't have big enough prize money (according to quotes in Chess Today). All this was more or less known beforehand. However the players who have signed up make this a very attractive and interesting series of events. The grand prix is organised by Global Chess which is headed by Bessel Kok.

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

FIDE Grand Prix 2008-9
Surname	First Name	NAT	Elo	1	2	3	4	5	6	Ck	08	Criteria	WRk
Svidler	Peter	RUS	2763	2763	2763		2763		2763	4	2	Pres Nom	5
Mamedyarov	Shakhriyar	AZE	2760	2760		2760	2760		2760	4	2	Rating	6
Leko	Peter	HUN	2753			2753	2753	2753	2753	4	1	Rating	8
Ivanchuk	Vassily	UKR	2751		2751		2751	2751	2751	4	1	Rating	9
Aronian	Levon	ARM	2739		2739		2739	2739	2739	4	1	Rating	10
Gelfand	Boris	ISR	2737		2737		2737	2737	2737	4	1	Rating	11
Radjabov	Teimour	AZE	2735	2735	2735	2735	2735			4	3	Rating	12
Carlsen	Magnus	NOR	2733	2733		2733	2733		2733	4	2	Wcup	13
Karjakin	Sergey	UKR	2732	2732	2732		2732	2732		4	2	Wcup	14
Adams	Michael	ENG	2726	2726		2726		2726	2726	4	2	Reserve	16
Kamsky	Gata	USA	2726	2726	2726		2726	2726		4	2	Matches	15
Jakovenko	Dmitry	RUS	2720		2720	2720		2720	2720	4	2	Hcity	17
Cheparinov	Ivan	BUL	2713	2713	2713	2713			2713	4	3	Pres Nom	19
Grischuk	Alexander	RUS	2711	2711	2711	2711	2711			4	3	Reserve	21
Bacrot	Etienne	FRA	2700	2700		2700	2700	2700		4	2	Pres Nom	22
Wang	Yue	CHN	2698	2698	2698	2698		2698		4	3	Pres Nom	25
Inarkiev	Ernesto	RUS	2681	2681		2681		2681	2681	4	2	Hcity	34
Navara	David	CZE	2680	2680	2680			2680	2680	4	2	Hcity	37
Gashimov	Vugar	AZE	2665	2665	2665	2665		2665		4	3	Hcity	48
Pelletier	Yannick	SWZ	2600			2600	2600	2600	2600	4	1	Hcity	165
Al Modiahki	Mohamad	QTR	2569		2569	2569	2569		2569	4	2	Hcity	274
AVERAGE RATING				2715.9	2709.9	2697.4	2714.9	2707.7	2708.9
Player Count	21		2709.1	14	14	14	14	14	14	84	42

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

Grand Prix 2008-9 Prizes Each Event
Place	EUR	Points
1	30,000	140 + 40 bonus
2	22,500	130 + 20
3	20,000	120 + 10
4	15,000	110
5	12,500	100
6	11,000	90
7	10,000	80
8	8,500	70
9	7,500	60
10	6,000	50
11	5,500	40
12	5,000	30
13	4,500	20
14	4,000	10

Grand Prix 2008-9 Prizes for Final Standings (Best three events)
Pl	Prize (Euros)
1st	75,000
2nd	50,000
3rd	40,000
4th	30,000
5th	25,000
6th	20,000
7th	18,000
8th	16,000
9th	14,000
10th	12,000

British Chess Championships 2008

The 95th Championships of The British Isles organised by the English Chess Federation takes place Sunday 27th July - Saturday 9th August 2008 in St. George's Hall, Liverpool.

Details: http://www.englishchess.org.uk/events/bc2008/index.html

Canadian Open

The Canadian Open takes place in Montreal July 19th-27th 2008.

Further details: Fédération québécoise des échecs

II Ruy López International Chess Festival

The II Ruy López International Chess Festival takes place in Mérida 4th-13th April 2008 in the headquarters of the Parliament of Extremadura (Assemblea de Extremadura) which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary.

The main event of the Festival is a masters tournament which takes place 5th-11th April 2008 with the participation of Michael Adams, Gabriel Sargissian, Zhang Pengxiang, Humpy Koneru, Julio Granda Zuniga, Hou Yifan, Fabiano Caruana and Manuel Perez Candelario. The games will be transmitted on Internet with commentaries by Leontxo García who will be present in the analysis room (open to all fans).

There are various other events including children's tournaments and a themed event with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 as the starting moves. Also on the 10th April in the Art School of Mérida there will be a day of "Art and Chess" attended by Fernando Arrabal who will give a conference.

All the relevant information about the Festival can be found in it´s official web page http://ruylopez.juntaextremadura.net/modules/news/

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

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.

Details: http://http://www.cotxeres.org/open

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

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.

Breakdown of the Prize Fund
1st place	6 000 USD
2nd place	4 000 USD
3rd place	3 500 USD
4th place	2 500 USD
5th place	2 000 USD
6th place	1 800 USD
7th place	1 600 USD
8th place	1 500 USD
9th place	1 400 USD
10th place	1 300 USD
11th-20th	800 USD

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

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

Bologne Easter tournament 20-24 iii 2008 Players:
Player	NAT	Ti	Rating
Laketic Gojko	SRB	IM	2443
Martinez Rolly	PHI	IM	2447
Berzinsh Roland	LAT	IM	2417
Ronchetti Niccolo’	ITA	FM	2431
Scalcione Michelangelo	ITA	FM	2431
Rombaldoni Axel	ITA	FM	2394
Tomba Ivan	ITA	MF*	2301
Vancini Edoardo	ITA	FM	2277
Barillaro Luca	ITA	M	2180
Gilevich Artem	UKR	CM	2069

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.

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

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

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 Euro 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

M-Tel Masters Sofia BUL 7-18 v 2008
Veselin Topalov	BUL	2780
Vassily Ivanchuk	UKR	2751
Levon Aronian	ARM	2739
Teimour Radjabov	AZE	2735
Ivan Cheparinov	BUL	2713
Bu Xiangzhi	CHN	2691
Average rating: 2735 Category: 20

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

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