THE WEEK IN CHESS 748 9th March 2009 by Mark Crowther

1) Introduction

My thanks to Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam, Michael Rahal, Emmanuel Variniac, Miklos Orso, Varlam Vepkhvishvili, Luiz Roberto Da Costa Jr and everyone else who helped with the issue.

The most exciting news of the week is the London Chess Centre announcement from Malcolm Pein that they will be organising a strong super tournament in London for the first time in 25 years. A number of exciting players have been approached and the field will be settled by April. It's a real thrill.

With a few scares along the way and the advantage of a favourable tie-break Alexander Grischuk took first place from Vassily Ivanchuk by virtue of winning more games than the Ukrainian (their head to head results were two draws).

In an interesting comment to Jesus Boyero in Marca he said: "The truth is that a few years ago I came to hate chess, I spent months studying the Petroff Defence and couldn't find a refutation." He seems to have recovered his enthusiasm since. I, in fact, more or less shared the same view, there was a period where elite chess was incredibly depressing to watch. The Petroff is a terrible blow for anyone who plays 1.e4 with the idea of winning and it is lousy chess to watch. At the moment all main lines lead to well known drawish positions and black is further rewarded in that white now generally play inferior variations in order to keep some pieces on and some interest in the game. This problem hasn't gone away, it's just fortunate that many of the leading players simply became bored of getting half points this way. The kind of chess you play when you use the Petroff as black is presumably not the reason why you came to love the game and get good enough to turn professional in the first place. These things go in cycles and just as this opening is not as prevailant anymore it is also possible that white will find a way to get more promising positions eventually. It is interesting that Viswanathan Anand didn't even bother trying to find an answer to Kramnik's Petroff and Ruy Lopez and simply changed to 1.d4. In addition I think its great news that Grischuk is back and winning such an event. I enjoy his chess and hopefully this will encourage more invitations for him.

Vassily Ivanchuk took 2nd place on tie-break and again showed that he is one of the very best players in the world. Magnus Carlsen might well have won the event on tie-break, in the penulimate round he allow a draw to Radjabov after obtaining a decisive advantage. Viswanathan Anand will be disappointed with his performance, but he is often stale after layoffs and also World Champions (and now no-one can argue in any way, shape or form he hasn't made it there, which in the past they might when he won a title in a knockout, or in a tournament) sometimes do struggle to get going again after achieving their life's ambition. Its a bit early to write him off on the basis of this result which was really just a bit sub-par rather than terrible, his loss in round 2 from a winning position against Aronian seemed to derail him a bit.

Most of these players plus Topalov, Kramnik, Morozevich, Kamsky etc get to do it all again except faster, and half the time without sight of the board at the Amber tournament that starts on the 14th.

In addition the European Invididual Championships are taking place in Budva for the men and St Petersburg for the women. There can't be many strong women players not playing this week with three major tournaments all on at the same time, something that can't really be said to be good but I suppose does indicate that actually the health of the women's game isn't that bad at the moment. I might not really like the way they do it but it is true that the players do quite a bit more to sell themselves than the men do (Etienne Bacrot is probably the only really strong male player with a personal website) and perhaps this is working.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) London super-tournament in December 2009

Cream of world chess to play in new London tournament. [Press release 9th March 2009]

London Chess Centre is proud to announce a world-class chess tournament to be held in London in December, 2009. The event will be an elite eight-player all-play-all in the most prestigious tournament in the capital since former world champion Anatoly Karpov won the Phillips and Drew Masters in 1984.

Since then, despite London hosting three world title contests, there has not been a tournament in which England's leading players could lock horns with the world's best on home soil. The December 09 tournament will be the first in a series of events designed to reinvigorate UK chess and promote the game and its undoubted educational benefits in schools and communities.

The tournament will be FIDE Category 19 with an average FIDE rating of 2700 and a minimum prize fund of €100,000. The eight players will comprise of three English and five world-class Grandmasters from abroad. Included in the prize fund will be a €10,000 Brilliant Game award along with separate prizes for each victory with the White and Black pieces. Matches will be covered live online where fans will be able to vote for Game of the Day.

The tournament has applied for membership of the prestigious annual Grand Slam of Chess which culminates in Bilbao and boasts a €400,000 prize fund.

The games will be under Classical Chess time control; 40 moves in two hours, 20 in the subsequent hour then an additional 15 minutes plus an increment of 30 seconds a move until the end of the game. The tournament will further benefit from the use of Sofia Rules which disallow early draws. Players will receive three points for a win and one for a draw.

The opening ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 10 and will include a blindfold chess display and charity simultaneous. Play will take place daily from Friday, December 11 to Thursday, December 17 inclusive.

The list of players and venue will be announced in April.

Malcolm Pein (IM) Director London Chess Centre

Notes for editors: All communications to Malcolm Pein IM at London Chess Centre: 020 7388 2404. E-Mail: info@chess.co.uk. Website: www.chess.co.uk

3) XXVI Linares

The XXVI Linares 2009 tournament took place only in Spain this year (their co-operation with Morelia in Mexico was ended last year and now they have an agreement to play half the event in the UAE from next year). The tournament took place 18th February - 8th March 2009 and had 314,000 Euros in prizes. There were no appearance fees for the players. The winner took 100,000 Euros and the trophy 2nd and 3rd took 75,000 and 50,000 Euros respectively.

Alexander Grischuk took first place from Vassily Ivanchuk by the tie-break of winning more games after both tied on 8/11. If Magnus Carlsen hadn't blown his totally winning position against Teimour Radjabov in round 13 he would have also finished on 8 and taken the tournament on tie-break.

Official site: http://www.ajedrez.ciudaddelinares.es/index.htm

There has been a deal to share half the tournament with a venue in the United Arab Emirates from 2010. http://www.topnews.in/arab-power-buys-linares-wimbledon-chess-2130363

XXVI SuperGM Linares (ESP), 19 ii-7 iii 2009											cat. XXI (2756)
					1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8
1.	Grischuk, Alexander	g	RUS	2733	*	*	½	½	½	0	½	½	1	½	1	½	1	½	½	½	8	2809
2.	Ivanchuk, Vassily	g	UKR	2779	½	½	*	*	½	½	½	½	½	½	½	½	1	1	½	½	8	2802
3.	Carlsen, Magnus	g	NOR	2776	½	1	½	½	*	*	1	½	½	½	½	0	½	0	½	1	7½	2781
4.	Anand, Viswanathan	g	IND	2791	½	½	½	½	0	½	*	*	1	½	1	½	0	½	½	½	7	2750
5.	Radjabov, Teimour	g	AZE	2761	0	½	½	½	½	½	0	½	*	*	½	½	½	1	½	½	6½	2726
6.	Wang Yue	g	CHN	2739	0	½	½	½	½	1	0	½	½	½	*	*	½	½	½	½	6½	2729
7.	Aronian, Levon	g	ARM	2750	0	½	0	0	½	1	1	½	½	0	½	½	*	*	1	½	6½	2727
8.	Dominguez Perez, Leinier	g	CUB	2717	½	½	½	½	½	0	½	½	½	½	½	½	0	½	*	*	6	2711

Round 10 (March 2, 2009)
Grischuk, Alexander	- Ivanchuk, Vassily	½-½	41	C42	Petroff's Defence
Carlsen, Magnus	- Wang Yue	0-1	64	D10	Slav Defence
Anand, Viswanathan	- Dominguez Perez, Leinier	½-½	35	D97	Gruenfeld Russian
Radjabov, Teimour	- Aronian, Levon	1-0	56	A07	Barcza System
Round 11 (March 3, 2009)
Ivanchuk, Vassily	- Carlsen, Magnus	½-½	22	D56	Queens Gambit Lasker's Defence
Grischuk, Alexander	- Radjabov, Teimour	½-½	44	E97	King's Indian Classical
Wang Yue	- Anand, Viswanathan	½-½	27	E21	Nimzo Indian 4.Nf3
Dominguez Perez, Leinier	- Aronian, Levon	½-½	56	C88	Ruy Lopez Closed
Round 12 (March 5, 2009)
Carlsen, Magnus	- Grischuk, Alexander	1-0	37	B84	Sicilian Scheveningen
Anand, Viswanathan	- Ivanchuk, Vassily	½-½	32	C67	Ruy Lopez Berlin
Radjabov, Teimour	- Dominguez Perez, Leinier	½-½	65	B22	Sicilian Alapin
Aronian, Levon	- Wang Yue	½-½	31	B13	Caro Kann Exchange
Round 13 (March 6, 2009)
Ivanchuk, Vassily	- Aronian, Levon	1-0	35	D45	Anti-Meran Variations
Grischuk, Alexander	- Anand, Viswanathan	½-½	33	B97	Sicilian Najdorf
Carlsen, Magnus	- Radjabov, Teimour	½-½	53	B30	Sicilian Rossolimo
Wang Yue	- Dominguez Perez, Leinier	½-½	48	D80	Gruenfeld 4.Bg5
Round 14 (March 7, 2009)
Anand, Viswanathan	- Carlsen, Magnus	½-½	29	E60	King's Indian without Nc3
Radjabov, Teimour	- Wang Yue	½-½	29	D15	Slav Defence
Aronian, Levon	- Grischuk, Alexander	½-½	41	E92	King's Indian Classical
Dominguez Perez, Leinier	- Ivanchuk, Vassily	½-½	35	C88	Ruy Lopez Closed

4) 25th Cappelle la Grande

The 25th Cappelle la Grande Open took place 28th February - 7th March 2009. Yuri Vovk won the tournament with 7.5/9. My thanks to Emmanuel Variniac for his help.

Official site: http://www.cappelle-chess.fr

25th Open Cappelle la Grande (FRA), 28 ii-7 iii 2009 Leading final standings:
Place	Name	Titre	FED	Elo	Points	Perf
1	Vovk, Yuri	GM	UKR	2545	7.5	2814
2	Zakhartsov, Viacheslav	GM	RUS	2529	7	2714
3	Dzhumaev, Marat	GM	UZB	2529	7	2700
4	Jaracz, Pawel	GM	POL	2518	7	2652
5	Jojua, Davit	IM	GEO	2484	6.5	2717
6	Miroshnichenko, Evgenij	GM	UKR	2667	6.5	2688
7	Gelashvili, Tamaz	GM	GEO	2622	6.5	2686
8	Hammer, Jon ludvig	IM	NOR	2532	6.5	2676
9	Dvoirys, Semen i	GM	RUS	2547	6.5	2670
10	Mamedov, Nidjat	GM	AZE	2607	6.5	2659
11	Balogh, Csaba	GM	HUN	2604	6.5	2647
12	Olszewski, Michal	IM	POL	2518	6.5	2645
13	Rozentalis, Eduardas	GM	LTU	2590	6.5	2639
14	Sveshnikov, Evgeny	GM	LAT	2535	6.5	2623
15	Rychagov, Andrey	GM	RUS	2514	6.5	2612
16	Bobras, Piotr	GM	POL	2554	6.5	2607
17	Geetha Narayana, Gopal	GM	IND	2555	6.5	2607
18	Zubarev, Alexander	GM	UKR	2566	6.5	2606
19	Solodovnichenko, Yuri	GM	UKR	2571	6.5	2598
20	Sumets, Andrey	GM	UKR	2546	6.5	2597
21	Gordon, Stephen j	IM	ENG	2524	6.5	2592
22	Sokolov, Andrei	GM	FRA	2552	6.5	2578
23	Leon Hoyos, Manuel	GM	MEX	2542	6.5	2577
24	Brodsky, Michail	GM	UKR	2517	6.5	2571
25	Corrales Jimene, Fidel	GM	CUB	2586	6.5	2540
26	Baramidze, David	GM	GER	2548	6.5	2539
27	Apicella, Manuel	GM	FRA	2517	6.5	2537
28	Shneider, Aleksandr	GM	UKR	2539	6.5	2534
29	Kharitonov, Alexandr	GM	RUS	2537	6.5	2533
30	Sanchez, Joseph	IM	PHI	2461	6.5	2519
31	Korobov, Anton	GM	UKR	2613	6	2637
32	Kuzubov, Yuriy	GM	UKR	2626	6	2620
33	Graf, Alexander	GM	GER	2644	6	2610
34	Degraeve, Jean-Marc	GM	FRA	2553	6	2596
35	Gharamian, Tigran	IM	FRA	2581	6	2584
36	Radulski, Julian	GM	BUL	2580	6	2580
37	Smirnov, Igor	GM	UKR	2505	6	2578
38	Salgado Lopez, Ivan	GM	ESP	2554	6	2573
39	Heberla, Bartlomiej	GM	POL	2500	6	2572
40	Vorobiov, Evgeny E	GM	RUS	2591	6	2571
41	Arutinian, David	GM	GEO	2585	6	2568
42	Malakhatko, Vadim	GM	BEL	2610	6	2564
43	David, Alberto	GM	LUX	2603	6	2560
44	Sieciechowicz, Marcin		POL	2341	6	2559
45	Iturrizaga, Eduardo	GM	VEN	2528	6	2557
46	Vazquez Igarza, Renier	GM	ESP	2558	6	2552
47	Friedel, Joshua E	GM	USA	2511	6	2551
48	Akesson, Ralf	GM	SWE	2480	6	2545
49	Todorov, Todor	GM	BUL	2507	6	2545
50	Baklan, Vladimir	GM	UKR	2627	6	2544
51	Genov, Petar	GM	BUL	2465	6	2544
52	Simutowe, Amon	IM	ZAM	2485	6	2531
53	Kononenko, Dmitry	GM	UKR	2574	6	2527
54	Gasanov, Eldar	GM	UKR	2553	6	2526
55	Iskusnyh, Sergei	GM	RUS	2458	6	2515
56	Kravtsiv, Martyn	IM	UKR	2510	6	2508
57	Berkovich, Mark A	IM	ISR	2412	6	2504
58	Frolyanov, Dmitry	GM	RUS	2564	6	2501
59	Borovikov, Vladislav	GM	UKR	2582	6	2489
60	Bhat, Vinay s	GM	USA	2495	6	2488
61	Khotenashvili, Bela	GM	GEO	2350	6	2481
62	Guidarelli, Laurent	IM	FRA	2433	6	2479
63	Ovetchkin, Roman	GM	RUS	2546	6	2476
64	Drozdovskij, Yuri	GM	UKR	2607	6	2474
65	Tunik, Gennady	GM	RUS	2506	6	2464
66	Savchenko, Stanislav	GM	UKR	2571	6	2462
67	Lalic, Bogdan	GM	CRO	2537	6	2440
68	Pruess, David	IM	USA	2422	6	2434
69	Mcnab, Colin	GM	SCO	2472	6	2431
70	Hasangatin, Ramil	GM	RUS	2505	6	2426
71	Laurent, Bruno	IM	BEL	2351	6	2418
72	Borsuk, Angela	IM	ISR	2366	6	2400
73	Philippe, Christophe	IM	FRA	2458	6	2391
74	Sandu, Mihaela	GM	ROU	2285	6	2388
75	Valuet, Bertrand	FM	FRA	2336	6	2351
76	Husari, Satea	IM	SYR	2332	6	2316
77	Sveshnikov, Vladimir	FM	LAT	2397	6	2292
78	Danielian, Oganes	GM	ARM	2519	5.5	2599
79	Burmakin, Vladimir	GM	RUS	2622	5.5	2560
80	Zinchenko, Yaroslav	GM	UKR	2527	5.5	2543
611 players

5) 10th European Individual Budva Montenegro

The 10th European Individual Budva takes place in Montenegro 6th-17th March 2009. Vallejo Pons and Akopian are the two 2700+ players.

Official site: http://www.eurobudva2009.com

10th ch-EUR Budva (MNE), 6-19 iii 2009 Round 3 (of 11) Standings:
Rank	SNo.	Ti	Name	Rtg	FED	Pts	BH.	BH.	vict	Fide
1	42	GM	Van Wely Loek	2625	NED	3	2	6	3	6
2	20	GM	Inarkiev Ernesto	2656	RUS	3	2	5½	3	6
	53	GM	Meier Georg	2608	GER	3	2	5½	3	6
	75	GM	Banikas Hristos	2582	GRE	3	2	5½	3	6
5	65	GM	Kozul Zdenko	2594	CRO	3	2	5	3	6
	71	GM	Hillarp Persson Tiger	2586	SWE	3	2	5	3	6
7	38	GM	Fedorchuk Sergey A	2633	UKR	3	1½	5	3	6
8	72	GM	Gagunashvili Merab	2585	GEO	3	1½	4½	3	6
9	133	IM	Nanu Ciprian-Costica	2506	ROU	3	1½	3½	3	6
10	14	GM	Volokitin Andrei	2671	UKR	2½	2	6	2	5½
	17	GM	Tomashevsky Evgeny	2664	RUS	2½	2	6	2	5½
12	6	GM	Bologan Viktor	2687	MDA	2½	2	5½	2	5½
	25	GM	Predojevic Borki	2650	BIH	2½	2	5½	2	5½
	52	GM	Lupulescu Constantin	2608	ROU	2½	2	5½	2	5½
	62	GM	Kurnosov Igor	2602	RUS	2½	2	5½	2	5½
	64	GM	Bartel Mateusz	2594	POL	2½	2	5½	2	5½
	69	GM	Damljanovic Branko	2587	SRB	2½	2	5½	2	5½
	78	GM	Bosiocic Marin	2578	CRO	2½	2	5½	2	5½
	82	GM	Romanov Evgeny	2576	RUS	2½	2	5½	2	5½
	98	GM	Sjugirov Sanan	2562	RUS	2½	2	5½	2	5½
	126	GM	Drazic Sinisa	2513	SRB	2½	2	5½	2	5½
22	3	GM	Naiditsch Arkadij	2693	GER	2½	2	5½	2	5
23	143	IM	Spoelman Wouter	2493	NED	2½	2	5	2	5½
24	19	GM	Sokolov Ivan	2657	NED	2½	1½	5	2	5½
	36	GM	Kobalia Mikhail	2634	RUS	2½	1½	5	2	5½
	81	GM	Yemelin Vasily	2578	RUS	2½	1½	5	2	5½
27	13	GM	Timofeev Artyom	2671	RUS	2½	1½	4½	2	5
	43	GM	Nikolic Predrag	2623	BIH	2½	1½	4½	2	5
	51	GM	Papaioannou Ioannis	2609	GRE	2½	1½	4½	2	5
	115	GM	Lopez Martinez Josep Manuel	2540	ESP	2½	1½	4½	2	5
31	1	GM	Vallejo Pons Francisco	2702	ESP	2½	1½	4½	2	4½
	27	GM	Bocharov Dmitry	2647	RUS	2½	1½	4½	2	4½
	58	GM	Parligras Mircea	2605	ROU	2½	1½	4½	2	4½
34	80	GM	Maze Sebastien	2578	FRA	2½	1½	4	2	5
35	70	GM	Zhigalko Sergei	2587	BLR	2½	1½	4	2	4½
36	148	GM	Mastrovasilis Athanasios	2485	GRE	2½	1½	3½	2	5
37	91	GM	Shomoev Anton	2567	RUS	2½	1	4½	2	5½
	92	GM	Deviatkin Andrei	2566	RUS	2½	1	4½	2	5½
	111	GM	Kovacevic Aleksandar	2543	SRB	2½	1	4½	2	5½
40	147	IM	Anisimov Pavel	2488	RUS	2½	1	3½	2	5½
41	63	GM	Azarov Sergei	2599	BLR	2½	1	3½	2	5
42	74	GM	Erdos Viktor	2583	HUN	2½	1	3	2	4½
	138	GM	Djukic Nikola	2500	MNE	2½	1	3	2	4½
44	109	GM	Kunin Vitaly	2546	GER	2½	½	2½	2	4½
45	2	GM	Akopian Vladimir	2700	ARM	2	2	7	2	5
	187	IM	Rukavina Josip	2417	CRO	2	2	7	2	5
47	54	GM	Mikhalevski Victor	2608	ISR	2	2	6	2	5
48	5	GM	Dreev Alexey	2688	RUS	2	2	6	1	4½
	7	GM	Vitiugov Nikita	2687	RUS	2	2	6	1	4½
	208	FM	Rasulov Vugar	2391	AZE	2	2	6	1	4½
51	83	GM	Vuckovic Bojan	2576	SRB	2	2	5½	2	5
	104	GM	Maletin Pavel	2557	RUS	2	2	5½	2	5
	114	GM	Popov Ivan	2541	RUS	2	2	5½	2	5
54	32	GM	Mamedov Rauf	2638	AZE	2	2	5½	1	4½
	73	GM	Iordachescu Viorel	2584	MDA	2	2	5½	1	4½
	94	GM	Grigoriants Sergey	2565	RUS	2	2	5½	1	4½
	102	GM	Jovanovic Zoran	2558	CRO	2	2	5½	1	4½
	210	IM	Marinkovic Slavisa	2388	SRB	2	2	5½	1	4½
59	223	FM	Leniart Arkadiusz	2360	POL	2	2	5½	1	4
60	116	GM	Ragger Markus	2540	AUT	2	2	5	2	5
	132	IM	Szabo Krisztian	2508	HUN	2	2	5	2	5
62	8	GM	Tiviakov Sergei	2685	NED	2	2	5	1	4½
	23	GM	Postny Evgeny	2652	ISR	2	2	5	1	4½
	24	GM	Berkes Ferenc	2651	HUN	2	2	5	1	4½
	35	GM	Georgiev Kiril	2634	BUL	2	2	5	1	4½
	37	GM	Riazantsev Alexander	2634	RUS	2	2	5	1	4½
	45	GM	Khalifman Alexander	2622	RUS	2	2	5	1	4½
	79	GM	Halkias Stelios	2578	GRE	2	2	5	1	4½
	85	GM	Andersson Ulf	2571	SWE	2	2	5	1	4½
	87	GM	Pikula Dejan	2570	SRB	2	2	5	1	4½
	95	GM	Andriasian Zaven	2564	ARM	2	2	5	1	4½
	96	GM	Iljushin Alexei	2564	RUS	2	2	5	1	4½
	108	GM	Lenic Luka	2547	SLO	2	2	5	1	4½
	122	GM	Novikov Stanislav	2523	RUS	2	2	5	1	4½
75	99	GM	Popov Valerij	2561	RUS	2	2	4½	1	4½
	152	GM	Gallagher Joseph G	2480	SUI	2	2	4½	1	4½
77	113	GM	Maslak Konstantin	2541	RUS	2	2	4	1	4½
	118	GM	Drasko Milan	2533	MNE	2	2	4	1	4½
	120	GM	Jovanic Ognjen	2527	CRO	2	2	4	1	4½
	124	GM	Saric Ante	2514	CRO	2	2	4	1	4½
81	107	GM	Brkic Ante	2550	CRO	2	1½	5½	2	4
82	9	GM	Cheparinov Ivan	2679	BUL	2	1½	5	2	4
	47	GM	Lysyj Igor	2620	RUS	2	1½	5	2	4
84	16	GM	Fressinet Laurent	2666	FRA	2	1½	5	1	4
	48	GM	Mchedlishvili Mikheil	2619	GEO	2	1½	5	1	4
	50	GM	Potkin Vladimir	2613	RUS	2	1½	5	1	4
87	101	GM	Nijboer Friso	2559	NED	2	1½	4½	2	5
88	31	GM	Nyback Tomi	2644	FIN	2	1½	4½	2	4
	61	GM	Huzman Alexander	2602	ISR	2	1½	4½	2	4
	192	IM	Zueger Beat	2408	SUI	2	1½	4½	2	4
91	11	GM	Nisipeanu Liviu-Dieter	2675	ROU	2	1½	4½	1	4½
	29	GM	Caruana Fabiano	2646	ITA	2	1½	4½	1	4½
	89	GM	Perunovic Milos	2568	SRB	2	1½	4½	1	4½
94	18	GM	Guseinov Gadir	2661	AZE	2	1½	4½	1	4
	41	GM	Belov Vladimir	2627	RUS	2	1½	4½	1	4
	46	GM	Pashikian Arman	2621	ARM	2	1½	4½	1	4
97	4	GM	Malakhov Vladimir	2692	RUS	2	1½	4	1	3½
98	123	GM	Sanikidze Tornike	2522	GEO	2	1½	3½	1	4½
99	146	IM	Vavrak Peter	2489	SVK	2	1	5	2	4
100	173	IM	Kapnisis Spyridon	2440	GRE	2	1	5	2	3
101	68	GM	Stevic Hrvoje	2592	CRO	2	1	4½	2	4
	110	GM	Evdokimov Alexander A	2545	RUS	2	1	4½	2	4
	139	GM	Antic Dejan	2495	SRB	2	1	4½	2	4
104	156	IM	Swiercz Dariusz	2472	POL	2	1	4½	2	3
105	15	GM	Jobava Baadur	2669	GEO	2	1	4	2	4
	33	GM	Navara David	2638	CZE	2	1	4	2	4
	88	GM	Kotanjian Tigran	2568	ARM	2	1	4	2	4
	93	GM	Saric Ivan	2566	CRO	2	1	4	2	4
	97	GM	Safarli Eltaj	2564	AZE	2	1	4	2	4
	103	GM	Ruck Robert	2558	HUN	2	1	4	2	4
	105	GM	Minasian Artashes	2557	ARM	2	1	4	2	4
	125	GM	Berczes David	2513	HUN	2	1	4	2	4
	130	GM	Dobrov Vladimir	2510	RUS	2	1	4	2	4
	131	GM	Cebalo Miso	2509	CRO	2	1	4	2	4
	150	IM	Levin Evgeny A	2484	RUS	2	1	4	2	4
	153	IM	Nikolov Momchil	2478	BUL	2	1	4	2	4
117	34	GM	Aleksandrov Aleksej	2636	BLR	2	1	4	2	3
	55	GM	Wojtaszek Radoslaw	2608	POL	2	1	4	2	3
	155	IM	Arsovic Zoran	2475	SRB	2	1	4	2	3
	158	IM	Can Emre	2471	TUR	2	1	4	2	3
	195	IM	Talla Vladimir	2407	CZE	2	1	4	2	3
122	129	IM	Prohaszka Peter	2512	HUN	2	1	3½	2	4
	135	IM	Nyzhnyk Illya	2503	UKR	2	1	3½	2	4
	137	IM	Banusz Tamas	2501	HUN	2	1	3½	2	4
	144	IM	Larino Nieto David	2489	ESP	2	1	3½	2	4
	149	IM	Chirila Ioan-Cristian	2485	ROU	2	1	3½	2	4
127	12	GM	Areshchenko Alexander	2673	UKR	2	1	3½	2	3
	59	GM	Kotronias Vasilios	2603	GRE	2	1	3½	2	3
	160	IM	Pap Misa	2469	SRB	2	1	3½	2	3
130	84	GM	Khairullin Ildar	2574	RUS	2	1	3½	1	4
131	26	GM	Rodshtein Maxim	2650	ISR	2	1	3½	1	3½
	44	GM	Petrosian Tigran L	2623	ARM	2	1	3½	1	3½
	49	GM	Sakaev Konstantin	2619	RUS	2	1	3½	1	3½
134	21	GM	Grachev Boris	2655	RUS	2	1	3	2	3
135	140	IM	Ekstroem Roland	2495	SUI	2	1	2	2	3
136	117	GM	Godena Michele	2537	ITA	2	½	3	1	4
	127	GM	Wells Peter K	2513	ENG	2	½	3	1	4
	134	IM	Szabo Gergely-Andras-Gyula	2506	ROU	2	½	3	1	4
139	154	IM	Doric Darko	2477	CRO	1½	2½	5½	1	2½
	180	IM	Martinovic Sasa	2427	CRO	1½	2½	5½	1	2½
141	128	IM	Ibarra Jerez Jose Carlos	2513	ESP	1½	2½	5	1	4
	136	GM	Lajthajm Borko	2502	SRB	1½	2½	5	1	4
	151	IM	Lintchevski Daniil	2481	RUS	1½	2½	5	1	4
306 players

6) FIDE Women's Grand Prix Istanbul

The FIDE Women's Grand Prix takes place in Istanbul 5th-20th March 2009.

Official site: http://istanbul2009.fide.com/

FIDE Women's Grand Prix Instanbul (TUR), 7-19 iii 2009													cat. X (2481)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Koneru, Humpy	g	IND	2621	*	.	.	.	.	.	1	.	.	1	½	.	2½	2692
2.	Hou Yifan	wg	CHN	2571	.	*	.	.	½	1	.	.	.	.	.	1	2½	2751
3.	Zhao Xue	g	CHN	2508	.	.	*	.	½	.	.	.	1	.	.	1	2½	2715
4.	Fierro Baquero, Martha L	m	ECU	2403	.	.	.	*	.	½	.	.	.	1	.	1	2½	2762
5.	Chiburdanidze, Maia	g	GEO	2516	.	½	½	.	*	.	.	½	.	.	.	.	1½	2536
6.	Stefanova, Antoaneta	g	BUL	2557	.	0	.	½	.	*	.	.	.	.	1	.	1½	2396
7.	Danielian, Elina	m	ARM	2496	0	.	.	.	.	.	*	1	½	.	.	.	1½	2532
8.	Sebag, Marie	g	FRA	2529	.	.	.	.	½	.	0	*	½	.	.	.	1	2361
9.	Shen Yang	wg	CHN	2448	.	.	0	.	.	.	½	½	*	.	.	.	1	2386
10.	Cramling, Pia	g	SWE	2548	0	.	.	0	.	.	.	.	.	*	1	.	1	2287
11.	Yildiz, Betul Cemre	wm	TUR	2214	½	.	.	.	.	0	.	.	.	0	*	.	½	2302
12.	Mamedjarova, Zeinab	wg	AZE	2362	.	0	0	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	0

Round 1 (March 7, 2009)
Hou Yifan	- Chiburdanidze, Maia	½-½	48	B19	Caro Kann
Zhao Xue	- Shen Yang	1-0	29	D17	Slav Defence
Fierro Baquero, Martha L	- Mamedjarova, Zeinab	1-0	30	C77	Ruy Lopez Anderssen
Sebag, Marie	- Danielian, Elina	0-1	66	B12	Caro Kann Advanced
Cramling, Pia	- Koneru, Humpy	0-1	50	D38	QGD Ragozin
Yildiz, Betul Cemre	- Stefanova, Antoaneta	0-1	74	B06	Modern Defence
Round 2 (March 8, 2009)
Koneru, Humpy	- Danielian, Elina	1-0	31	A39	English Symmetrical
Chiburdanidze, Maia	- Zhao Xue	½-½	37	E12	Queens Indian Petrosian
Stefanova, Antoaneta	- Fierro Baquero, Martha L	½-½	63	C41	Philidor's Defence
Shen Yang	- Sebag, Marie	½-½	62	D48	Queens Gambit Meran
Cramling, Pia	- Yildiz, Betul Cemre	1-0	22	D21	QGA
Mamedjarova, Zeinab	- Hou Yifan	0-1	43	A70	Benoni
Round 3 (March 9, 2009)
Hou Yifan	- Stefanova, Antoaneta	1-0	78	C54	Giuoco Piano
Zhao Xue	- Mamedjarova, Zeinab	1-0	38	D94	Gruenfeld Closed
Fierro Baquero, Martha L	- Cramling, Pia	1-0	74	B48	Sicilian Paulsen
Danielian, Elina	- Shen Yang	½-½	64	D11	Slav Defence
Sebag, Marie	- Chiburdanidze, Maia	½-½	43	B12	Caro Kann Advanced
Yildiz, Betul Cemre	- Koneru, Humpy	½-½	122	B30	Sicilian Rossolimo

7) 10th European Individual Women's Championship

The 10th European Individual Women's Chess Championship takes place March 7th - 21st 2009 in St. Petersburg, Russia. Anna Muzychuk (2540) is the top seed. It is obviously crazy that it clashes with the FIDE women's Grand Prix in Istanbul.

Read on the crazy scheduling of all these events together. It's not as if women's chess has so many important tournaments that conflicts are inevitable. But three at the same time is clearly bonkers.

Official site: http://www.wiecc2009.com/

10th European Individual Women's Championship St Petersburg (RUS), 8-21 iii 2009 Round 1 (of 11) Standings:
Rank	Name	Ti	Fed.	Rating	Score	TPR
1	Dzagnidze, Nana	GM	GEO	2518	1	2996
2	Ushenina, Anna	IM	UKR	2499	1	2991
3	Lahno, Kateryna	GM	UKR	2488	1	2981
4	Hoang Thanh Trang	GM	HUN	2483	1	2980
5	Peng, Zhaoqin	GM	NED	2461	1	2975
6	Mkrtchian, Lilit	IM	ARM	2460	1	2966
7	Paehtz, Elisabeth	IM	GER	2455	1	2966
8	Romanko, Marina	WGM	RUS	2451	1	2962
9	Gaponenko, Inna	IM	UKR	2450	1	2962
10	Socko, Monika	GM	POL	2449	1	2960
11	Kovalevskaya, Ekaterina	IM	RUS	2442	1	2959
12	Lomineishvili, Maia	IM	GEO	2437	1	2957
13	Ovod, Evgenija	IM	RUS	2430	1	2954
14	Muzychuk, Mariya	IM	UKR	2427	1	2953
15	Matveeva, Svetlana	IM	RUS	2422	1	2949
16	Melia, Salome	IM	GEO	2422	1	2943
17	Khukhashvili, Sopiko	IM	GEO	2416	1	2938
18	Foisor, Cristina-Adela	IM	ROU	2412	1	2917
19	Rajlich, Iweta	IM	POL	2399	1	2910
20	Zawadzka, Jolanta	WGM	POL	2385	1	2903
21	Bodnaruk, Anastasia	WFM	RUS	2384	1	2900
22	Turova, Irina	IM	RUS	2379	1	2896
23	Gvetadze, Sopio	IM	GEO	2377	1	2888
24	Cherednichenko, Svetlana	WGM	UKR	2367	1	2869
25	Zaiatz, Elena	IM	RUS	2364	1	2866
26	Zimina, Olga	IM	ITA	2363	1	2866
27	Demina, Julia	WGM	RUS	2361	1	2860
28	Motoc, Alina	WGM	ROU	2358	1	2860
29	Majdan, Joanna	WIM	POL	2351	1	2848
30	Malgina, Tatiana	WFM	RUS	2342	1	2845
31	Gritsayeva, Oksana	WFM	UKR	2341	1	2842
32	Aginian, Nelly	WGM	ARM	2335	1	2838
33	Grabuzova, Tatiana	WGM	RUS	2332	1	2836
34	Shumiakina, Tatiana	WGM	RUS	2324	1	2819
35	Solovjova, Valentina	WIM	RUS	2324	1	2818
36	Charochkina, Daria	WIM	RUS	2316	1	2805
37	Galojan, Lilit	WIM	ARM	2316	1	2803
38	Kochetkova, Julia	WGM	RUS	2315	1	2795
39	Paulet, Iozefina	WIM	ROU	2315	1	2793
40	Girya, Olga	WFM	RUS	2315	1	2787
41	Nebolsina, Vera	WGM	RUS	2312	1	2784
42	Kharashuta, Ekaterina	WIM	RUS	2304	1	2772
43	Chasovnikova, Eugenia	WIM	RUS	2302	1	2764
44	Bulmaga, Irina	WIM	MDA	2300	1	2759
45	Manakova, Maria	WGM	SRB	2299	1	2754
46	Kadziolka, Beata	WGM	POL	2295	1	2688
47	Zakurdjaeva, Irina	WGM	RUS	2295	1	2685
48	Dolzhikova, Kateryna	WIM	UKR	2294	1	2679
49	Botsari, Anna-Maria	WGM	GRE	2289	1	2674
50	Komiagina, Maria	WIM	RUS	2283	1	2668
51	Guramishvili, Sopiko	WIM	GEO	2281	1	2666
52	Stjazhkina, Olga	WGM	RUS	2280	1	2665
53	Fominykh, Maria	WFM	RUS	2279	1	2664
54	Daulyte, Deimante	WIM	LTU	2278	1	2663
55	Lomako, Anna	WFM	RUS	2277	1	2662
56	Cherenkova, Kristina	WIM	RUS	2270	1	2655
57	Iljushina, Olga	WIM	RUS	2269	1	0
58	Kursova, Maria	WGM	RUS	2268	1	0
59	Popova, Natalija	WIM	BLR	2266	1	0
60	Makropoulou, Marina	WGM	GRE	2262	1	0
61	Korchagina, Viktoria	WFM	RUS	2187	1	0
62	Lupik, Marina		RUS	2163	1	3115
63	Cedikova, Katerina	WIM	CZE	2150	1	3107
64	Ni, Viktorija	WFM	LAT	2150	1	3106
65	Kushka, Alena	WFM	RUS	2124	1	3087
66	Brunello, Marina	WFM	ITA	2106	1	3075
67	Sorokina, Anastasia	WFM	RUS	2087	1	3062
68	Muzychuk, Anna	IM	SLO	2540	0.5	2262
69	Arakhamia-Grant, Ketevan	IM	SCO	2500	0.5	2257
70	Kosintseva, Tatiana	IM	RUS	2497	0.5	2255
71	Zhukova, Natalia	WGM	UKR	2490	0.5	2246
72	Pogonina, Natalija	WGM	RUS	2467	0.5	2245
73	Khurtsidze, Nino	IM	GEO	2421	0.5	2206
74	Shadrina, Tatiana	WGM	RUS	2416	0.5	2190
75	Peptan, Corina-Isabela	IM	ROU	2401	0.5	2177
168 players

8) 41st Belgrade Women's Tournament

The 41st Belgrade Women's Tournament took place in Belgrade, Slavija Hotel, 3rd-11th March 2009. A 3rd women's event with overlapping dates.

Official site: http://www.beochess.rs/2009/8mart2009/8mart2009en.html

41st WGM Belgrade (SRB), 3-11 iii 2009												cat. II (2281)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
1.	Benderac, Ana	wg	SRB	2304	*	½	1	½	1	.	.	.	1	½	4½	2464
2.	Chelushkina, Irina	wg	SRB	2359	½	*	0	.	.	1	1	1	.	1	4½	2452
3.	Petrenko, Svetlana	m	MDA	2251	0	1	*	1	0	.	.	1	1	.	4	2417
4.	Maksimovic, Suzana	wg	SRB	2284	½	.	0	*	½	1	½	1	.	.	3½	2343
5.	Rakic, Marija		SRB	2284	0	.	1	½	*	.	½	½	1	.	3½	2341
6.	Voiska, Margarita	wg	BUL	2339	.	0	.	0	.	*	½	½	1	1	3	2272
7.	Cosma, Elena Luminita	wg	ROU	2343	.	0	.	½	½	½	*	.	½	½	2½	2229
8.	Djukic, Sandra		SRB	2196	.	0	0	0	½	½	.	*	.	1	2	2148
9.	Meenakshi, Subbaraman	wg	IND	2327	0	.	0	.	0	0	½	.	*	1	1½	2081
10.	Eric, Jovana	wf	SRB	2126	½	0	.	.	.	0	½	0	0	*	1	2038

9) First Saturday March

The First Saturday tournaments (GM, IM and FM) take place 7th-20th March in Budapest.

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

FSGM March Budapest (HUN), 7-17 iii 2009													cat. VIII (2448)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
1.	Ilincic, Zlatko	g	SRB	2555	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	1
2.	Pap, Gyula	m	HUN	2468	.	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	.	1
3.	Balog, Imre1	m	HUN	2431	.	.	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	.	.	1
4.	Kosic, Dragan	g	MNE	2521	.	.	.	*	.	½	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	2371
5.	Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy	m	VIE	2465	.	.	.	.	*	.	½	.	.	.	.	.	½	2488
6.	Rapport, Richard	f	HUN	2371	.	.	.	½	.	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	2521
7.	Varga, Zoltan	g	HUN	2488	.	.	.	.	½	.	*	.	.	.	.	.	½	2465
8.	Agopov, Mikael	m	FIN	2433	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	.	.	.	.	0
9.	Fodor, Tamas jr	f	HUN	2400	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	.	.	.	0
10.	Duong The Anh	m	VIE	2418	.	.	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	.	.	0
11.	Galyas, Miklos	m	HUN	2456	.	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	.	0
12.	Kjartansson, Gudmundur	f	ISL	2365	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	0

FSIMA March Budapest (HUN), 7-17 iii 2009
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1
1.	Berczes, Csaba	m	HUN	2383	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	.	.	1
2.	Corke, Anya	wg	HKG	2260	.	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	.	1
3.	Mihok, Oliver	f	HUN	2355	.	.	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	1
4.	Arsenault, Nicolas		CAN	2229	.	.	.	*	.	½	.	.	.	.	.	½	2268
5.	Jones, Richard M		ENG	2075	.	.	.	.	*	.	½	.	.	.	.	½	2285
6.	Lengyel, Bela	m	HUN	2268	.	.	.	½	.	*	.	.	.	.	.	½	2229
7.	Vegh, Endre	m	HUN	2285	.	.	.	.	½	.	*	.	.	.	.	½	2075
8.	Tesik, Csaba		HUN	2145	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	.	.	.	0
9.	Bach, Matthias	f	GER	2276	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	.	.	0
10.	Bacso, Gabor	f	HUN	2123	.	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	.	0
11.	Sebestyen, Balazs	f	HUN	2283	.	.	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	0

FSIMB March Budapest (HUN), 7-16 iii 2009											cat. II (2278)
					1		2		3		4		5		6
1.	Carlstedt, Jonathan		GER	2293	*	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	0
2.	Farago, Sandor	m	HUN	2263	.	.	*	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	0
3.	Kahn, Evarth	m	HUN	2290	.	.	.	.	*	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	0
4.	Kislik, Erik Andrew		USA	2310	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	*	.	.	.	.	0
5.	Szalanczy, Emil	m	HUN	2336	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	*	.	.	0
6.	Volman, Horacio		ISR	2175	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	*	0

10) Dutch Teams

The Dutch Team Championship takes place 27th September 2008 - 10th May 2009. Round 6 took place on the 7th March. Round 7 is on the 28th March 2009.

Great coverage at: http://www.schakers.info/ and also the http://www.schaakbond.nl/wedstrijdschaak/knsb-competitie/

Dutch Teams (NED), 27 ix 2008 - 10 iv 2009 Round 6 (7th March 2009) results
Schrijvers Rotterdam	BSG	8-2
Homburg Apeldoorn	Hotels.nl	4-6
LSG	HMC Calder	2.5-7.5
HSG	Utrecht	8.5-1.5
Voerendaal	ESGOO	4.5-5.5

Dutch Teams (NED), 27 ix 2008 - 10 iv 2009 Round 6 Standings:
	Meesterklasse	Mp	Bp	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
1.	HSG	12	44½	x	.	.	.	8½	8½	6½	7½	5½	8
2.	Hotels.nl	10	39½	.	x	6	6½	8½	4½	6	.	.	8
3.	HMC Calder	8	35	.	4	x	4	5½	.	5½	.	7½	8½
4.	Schrijvers Rotterdam	8	33½	.	3½	6	x	4½	5½	.	6	.	8
5.	Utrecht	6	25	1½	1½	4½	5½	x	.	5½	.	6½	.
6.	ESGOO	5	24½	1½	5½	.	4½	.	x	2½	5½	5	.
7.	Homburg Apeldoorn	4	29½	3½	4	4½	.	4½	7½	x	5½	.	.
8.	Voerendaal	4	29	2½	.	.	4	.	4½	4½	x	6½	7
9.	LSG	3	27	4½	.	2½	.	3½	5	.	3½	x	8
10.	BSG	0	12½	2	2	1½	2	.	.	.	3	2	x

11) Brazilian Interclubs

The Brazilian Interclub Championship takes place 28th February - 8th March 2009.

Official site: http://www.fpx.com.br/

12) I Costa del Sol International

The I Costa del Sol International takes place 22nd February - 29th March 2009. Abel Carrascoso Morales and Antonio Naranjo Moreno lead on 5.5/6. Details: http://es.geocities.com/clubajedrezsanpedro/

13) Amber Blindfold and Rapid

The 18th Amber Blindfold and Rapid tournament takes place March 14th (first round) - March 26 (last round) at the five-star hotel Palais de la Mediterranee, splendidly located on the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France. The event is organised by the Association Max Euwe in Monaco.

The total prize-fund is - 216,000 Euros.

This year's field is stronger than ever with all the world's best players taking part.

The twelve participants are (in alphabetical order): World Champion Viswanathan Anand (India), Levon Aronian (Armenia), Magnus Carlsen (Norway), Vasily Ivanchuk (Ukraine), Gata Kamsky (United States), Sergey Karjakin (Ukraine), Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), Peter Leko (Hungary), Alexander Morozevich (Russia), Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan), Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria) and Wang Yue (China).

Every day four sessions will be played, two blindfold sessions and two rapid sessions. The first session starts at 14.30 hrs. The fourth session finishes around 20.00 hrs. (Note: the final round on March 26 starts at 12.30 hrs. March 18 and 23 are rest days.)

Official website: http://www.amberchess2009.com

14) Tancats de la Societat Coral

The Tancats de la Societat Coral Colon Grup GM takes place 23rd January - 20th March 2009.

Official site: http://chess-results.com/tnr18677.aspx

Tancats de la Societat Coral C Sabadell (ESP), 23 i-20 iii 2009												cat. IX (2466)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
1.	Moskalenko, Viktor1	g	UKR	2538	*	1	½	½	.	1	.	1	.	1	5	2723
2.	Alsina Leal, Daniel	m	ESP	2510	0	*	0	½	1	.	.	.	1	1	3½	2515
3.	Cruz, Filemon	f	PER	2411	½	1	*	.	.	0	½	0	1	.	3	2479
4.	Aloma Vidal, Robert	m	ESP	2399	½	½	.	*	½	.	½	.	0	1	3	2487
5.	Almeida Quintana, Omar	g	CUB	2521	.	0	.	½	*	½	½	1	.	½	3	2461
6.	Perpinya Rofes, Lluis Maria	f	ESP	2381	0	.	1	.	½	*	.	1	0	0	2½	2425
7.	Rodriguez, Amador	g	ESP	2479	.	.	½	½	½	.	*	½	½	0	2½	2402
8.	Cruz, Cristhian	m	PER	2545	0	.	1	.	0	0	½	*	1	.	2½	2402
9.	Panelo, Marcelo	m	ARG	2425	.	0	0	1	.	1	½	0	*	.	2½	2397
10.	Fluvia Poyatos, Jordi	m	ESP	2454	0	0	.	0	½	1	1	.	.	*	2½	2414

15) Forthcoming Events and Links

Masterskill Commonwealth Chess Championships

The Masterskill Commonwealth Chess Championships takes place 14th-21st July 2009 in Ipoh, Malaysia.

Details: http://www.fide.com/component/content/article/4-tournaments/3827-commonwealth-chess-championship-2009-in-malaysia

Maia Chiburdanidze Cup

The "Maia Chiburdanidze Cup" (International Open Women's Chess Tournament) takes place in the Chess Palace, Tbilisi (Georgia) 4th-13th June 2009. The Tournament is open to all women players. Each player must herself (or her federation) cover all her expenses: entry fee, transportation, accommodation and board. 9 round Swiss. Rate of play: 90 min for all moves, increment 30 seconds per move. Details available from the addresses below.

Contact IA, FM Varlam Vepkhvishvili E-mail: chessgeorgia@hotmail.com or chessvarlam@hotmail.com.

Phone:
(995)32-997736 - Federation
(995)32-960199 - Home
(995)99-771974 - Mobile

1st International Open Tbilisi

The 1st International Open Tbilisi Chess Tournament takes place 14th-24th June 2009.

Official site: http://www.chess.tbilisi.ge (not yet up and running)

9 round Swiss. Rate of play: 90 min for all moves, increment 30 seconds per move. Details available from the addresses below.

e-mail: chessvarlam@hotmail.com - Varlam Vepkhvishvili
e-mail: ggrs92@hotmail.com - Giorgi Khomeriki

10th Internet Chess Tournament - Ciudad de Dos Hermanas

This year, one of Spain’s most famous chess cities celebrates the tenth anniversary of its Internet Chess Event. The 10th Internet Chess Tournament "Ciudad de Dos Hermanas" (Spain) will be held on the ICC Internet Chess Club playing zone (http://www.chessclub.com).

This event is the most important Internet chess tournament in the world. In last year’s edition, 2282 players took part. For the second year running, former prodigy child and under-10 World Champion IM Jorge Sammour-Hasbun defeated all the big names to take the 2000 Euros first prize. Other finalists were GM’s Hikaru Nakamura (2670), Baadur Jobava (2643) and Zhang Zhong (2617).

This year the prize fund is 7.500 euros, again with 2.000 euros for the winner. In addition, there are many class prizes and special cash prizes for amateur players.

The playing system remains unchanged: twelve 12-round Swiss qualifiers with 3/0 games. Qualifiers will be held twice a day from March 13th to 18th, and the finals are held on March 20th and 21st.

Entry is completely free for all ICC members. The Dos Hermanas website: http://www.doshermanas.net/ has the rules and registration page.

Varna Chess Festival

The 1st International Chess Festival Varna, takes place at the Grand Hotel Varna 11th-20th June 2009. Contact: seahorse@abv.bg for more details.

Website: http://euroschoolchess.org/ (although I couldn't find the event myself)

Tournament of Young Talents

The 30th annual Tournament of Young Talents takes place 9th - 13th April 2009 in Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic. It is a festival of three tournaments: Tournament of young talents - several groups for youth players under 14 years Up to 8 years children championship - open Czech Championship under 8 years Pobeskydi - FIDE open and at least one round-robin with the possibility to achieve IM/WGM norm.

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

European Youth Championships

The European Youth Championships (U10 - U18) takes place in Fermo/Italy 30th August - 10th September 2009.

Details: http://www.euroyouth2009.com

European Senior Championships

The European Individual Senior Championship takes place in Rogaska Slatina/Slovenia 22nd - 31st July 2009. For the first time just before the event a European Senior Rapid Championship will be organised. The dates are 19th - 21st July.

Further details are published under http://www.sahohlacnik.com/eu-sen/

European Union Website

The European Chess Union Website ECU website has changed address to http://www.europechess.org

Szombathely IM

There is an IM tournament in Szombathely (HUN) 26th March - 3rd April 2009 9-11 rounds 100 minutes/40 moves + 30 minutes , 30 sec addition after each move Chief Arbiter: PERGEL Laszlo International Arbiter Accomodation: Pansion (tv, bathroom, wifi) 40 Eur/night/room/2 person Entry Fee: 120 euro Schedule: Opening Ceremony: 26th March 2009 15.30 Rounds: 26th March - 3rd April every day 16.00 Information: CSONKA Attila 0036-70-200-4233 attila_csonka@hotmail.com PERGEL Laszlo 0036-70-775-4901 pergell@citromail.hu

Alushta Diary 2009

Alushta Diary 2009:

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, 5.09 - 13.09, Open tournament (under 16 years) 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, 10.07 - 18.07, 20.07 - 28.07, 22.08 - 30.08, Alushta Swiss 9 rounds Blitz tournament 7.07, 19.07, 29.07, Alushta Swiss 9 rounds Open tournament (rapid chess) 8.07 - 9.07, 30.07 - 31.07, Alushta Session of school of Gennadi Kuzmin 21.06 - 27.06, 15.07 - 24.07. Individual and group studying Further information: http://www.kaissa.com.ua phone +38 (06560)5-05-32, +380505828911 (for Russian speaking), + 380506692604 (for English speaking) e-mail: info@kaissa.com.ua

21st Lenk International Chess Festival

After a great jubilee with the 20th Lenk Chess Festival, last year has come the shock news that the, 21st Lenk International Tournament, April 9th-13th 2009 will be the last chess event in the Simmental region, a very attractive tourist area. "Beochess" with "Swiss Chess Tour" this year close all their chess activity. During 21 years Lenk became very popular in chess world and it will be pity if nobody keeps on the tremendous tradition.

So, last time, Hotel Kreuz will be venue, Lenk 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 prizes: 1.500 SF, 1.200, 800, 600, 400, 2x300 and 3x200 SF. Special prizes: Ladies, senior (1948), junior(1989-92), schoolboy (1993) and amateur (under 2000) for all: 200 CHF. Entry fee 130 SF, FMs and juniors 60 SF, at the door 20 SF more, GMs and IMs free. Venue: Hotel "Kreuz". Time table: Round 1st 18.00-23.00 April 9,; Rounds 2/3 10.00-15.00 and 16.00-21.00 April 10,; Round 4 14.00-19.00 April 11,; Rounds 5/6 10.00-15.00 and 16.00-21.00 April 12,; Round 7 10.00-15.00 April 13. Closing ceremony April 13 at 16.00.

Info: Beochess +41+62+965-46-50 (Robert Spoerri) or event@beochess.ch or site http://www.beochess.ch for more details.

Zuerich Chess Club 200th Anniversary

Dr. Christian Rohrer reports: The world's oldest chess club celebrates its 200th year with spectacular jubilee events, including World Champions Spassky, Kasparov and Anand.

The Schachgesellschaft Zuerich celebrates 200th anniversary with spectacular jubilee events

The Schachgesellschaft Zuerich, the world's oldest chess club, celebrates its 200th year in 2009 with spectacular jubilee events. To mark the anniversary, some of the greatest masters of the last five decades, including World Champions Spassky, Kasparov and Anand, will play at the event. Highlights will be a simultaneous exhibition and a rapid chess tournament on the 22nd and 23rd of August, held in Zurich Main Railway Station. With generous sponsor support from Credit Suisse the Schachgesellschaft Zuerich continues its long standing tradition of world class chess tournaments.

On Saturday the 22nd of August, in simultaneous games 200 amateurs will be honoured to face eight word-class chess players, who have made historical contributions to world chess over the last 50 years: Viswanathan Anand, Anatoly Karpov, Garry Kasparov, Viktor Korchnoi, Vladimir Kramnik, Boris Spassky, Ruslan Ponomariov and Veselin Topalov. On Sunday the 23rd of August, these champions will compete against each other in an exciting rapid chess format. Judit Polgar, the strongest female chess player ever, and Werner Hug of Schachgesellschaft Zuerich, former world junior chess champion, will replace Kasparov and Spassky, who have retired from competitive chess.

A huge number of spectators, from enthusiasts to the generally curious, is expected for the events at Zurich Railway Main Station. And no one need miss it: All commemorative events will be streamed live via Internet.

The jubilee commences with an open tournament; certain to be one of the most exciting open chess tournaments of 2009. Players of every skill level, from beginners to the elite world class, are expected and will be welcomed at the Zurich Kongresshaus from August 9th to the 15th, 2009. They will compete in two tournaments, 9 rounds each, for CHF 100.000 guaranteed prize money and many attractive prizes.

To further honour the occasion, Richard Forster, reputable chess historian, will release his comprehensive book, researched in great detail, on the unique history of the Schachgesellschaft Zuerich. Entitled "Schachgesellschaft Zuerich: 1809 bis 2009", Forster's work will analyze the development of the Schachgesellschaft Zuerich from the times of Napoleon to the present day.

Details: http://www.sgzurich2009.ch

5th Thessaloniki Games Festival

The 5th Thessaloniki Games Festival takes place 26th April - 4th May 2009.

Official site: http://www.gamesfestival.com/ (wasn't working when I checked) and a full listing of the event.

32nd Ikaros Chess Festival 2009

The traditional 32nd Ikaros Chess Festival 2009 takes place on Ikaria island.

The main event of the festival, the International Aegean Open Championship takes place 11th-19th July 2009. It is a 9 round swiss event with prize fund 3600 Euros in total (1st prize 1000 Euros, special money prizes for ladies and veterans). Special conditions for GMs/IMs and WGMs/WIMs are provided, special discounts for families and club teams are also offered (more information will be available in the official announcement of the festival that will be out soon on the official webpage.

Contact info: ikaros@chess.gr while to contact us on the phone one can try: +30 6932 478386 or +30 210 5010871 (Mr. Savas Kyriakou). For general information about the island of Ikaria one can also check at: http://www.island-ikaria.com

Official site: http://www.chess.gr/ikaros

32nd San Sebastian Open

32nd San Sebastian International Open, takes place 5th-12th April 2009 in the Spanish northern city of San Sebastian (near french border).

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

Pula Open 2009

The 23rd International Chess Tournament "Pula Open 2009" takes place 27th June - 4th July 2009 in Pula, Croatia. Official site: http://www.skpula.hr and contact e-mail: pulaopen@globalnet.hr.

Hungarian Chess Tournaments March-October 2009

1. 7th-19th of February, FIRST SATURDAY GM-IM-FM Budapest FIRST SATURDAY Budapest, GM-IM-FM round robins (BERGER), 9-13 games, GM-IM norm possibilities in Budapest, venue: Hungarian Chess Federation, Falk Miksa Str.10. 2nd floor. Organisation: Nagy Laszlo, FIDE International Chess Organizer /NL/, E-mail: firstsat@hu.inter.net Website: http://www.firstsaturday.hu Phone-fax: +(361)-2632859, cellphone: +(36)-30-230-1914 /From 12:00 a.m. until midnight - Central European Time = GMT+1/

2.20th-28th of February IM-Rating Caissa, Kecskemet, org: Dr.Erdelyi, Tamas, cellphone: +36-30-271-33-38, Landline phone-fax: +36-76-481-685 e-mail: postmaster@caissa.t-online.hu Website: http://www.caissachessbooks.hu Usually also in the second half of the month IM and rating tournaments in Kecskemet, a city 80 km South-East from Budapest.

3.7th-19th of March, First Saturday, Budapest, GM-IM-FM, org Nagy L.

4.20th-28th of March, 25th BUDAPEST SPRING FESTIVAL 9 rounds Swiss Open, org: Nagy L. - e-mail: firstsat@hu.inter.net

5.4th-16th of April First Saturday Budapest, org.Nagy L.

6.18th-26th of April Caissa, IM + rating Kecskemet, Org.Erdelyi,

7.2nd-14th of May, First Saturday GM-IM-FM Budapest, org Nagy L.

Kecskemet Caissa IM + rating tournaments more: 16th-25th of May, 20th-28th of June, 18th-27th of July, 15th-24th of August, 19th-28th of September. FIRST SATURDAY Budapest GM-IM-FM tournaments more: 6th-18th of June, 4th-16th of July, 1st-13th of August, 5th-17th of September.

4NCL

The 4NCL takes place 4th October 2008 - 4th May 2009. Rounds 7-8 take place 21st-22nd March 2009 in the Barcelo Hotel, Hinckley Island.

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

Fixtures 2008-9

Rounds 1 and 2: 4th/5th October 2008 De Vere Venues, Sunningdale Divisions 1-2

Rounds 3-4: 6th/7th December 2008 Barcelo Hotel, Hinckley Island Divisions 1-3

Rounds 5-6: 17th/18th January 2009 De Vere Venues, Sunningdale Divisions 1-2

Rounds 7-8: 21st/22nd March 2009 Barcelo Hotel, Hinckley Island Divisions 1-3

Rounds 9-11: 2nd-4th May 2009 De Vere Venues, Staverton Park Divisions 1-2

Novi Sad Open

1) Open turnir , 10-11 jan. 2009 , Srpska Nova g. u N. Sadu , 5 kola , rejtinguje se !!, fide tempo http://www.drazic.co.rs

2) IM , berger, 10-18.jan.2009. , 10 rounds, fide tempo, Novi SAd, for elo and norms fide, http://www.drazic.co.rs

3) Open turnir , 16-18 jan.2009, Novi Sad "Zima u Novom Sadu", 5 kola , rejtinguje se !!, fide tempo http://www.drazic.co.rs

4) cuger turnir , Olimpik, 12. jan.2009, Novi Sad, start 20 h , http://www.drazic.co.rs

5) program of chess edukation, every day from 12-15 jan. 2009 chess lessons with varius GM and Im (available in 3 languages),,,, some of teachers GM Kosanovic G. , GM SEdlak Nikola, GM Kovacevic A , GM DRazic Sinisa etc...

6) Open t. , "Dunav-Drava -Sava" , Banja Junakovic(87km from N.Sad), 9 rounds, fide tempo, possible norms fide and elo, date - 21-25.01.2009., special package , only 130 eur, 4 days full board with available swiming pool, and include also entry fee !! more http://www.drazic.co.rs Special discount for people who take part in more than one events.

Luis Scalise

Luis Scalise's chess pages have moved to: http://scalise.fortunecity.com/

Grand Slam Masters Final

The 2nd edition of the Grand Slam Masters Final will be played in Bilbao, September 2-15th 2009. The winners of Corus-Wijk aan Zee, Ciudad de Linares and Mtel Masters-Sofia tournaments will qualify directly for the Masters Final in Bilbao, where the first edition (played at a central square, inside a glass cube) was a very big success last September.

More details on the 2009 tournament (number of players, system of play, etc) will be announced at the end of the Corus tournament in Wijk aan Zee. The Grand Slam is in negotiations to include one more high level tournament in the 2009 circuit.

Grand Slam Chess Association (GSCA)

Dresden, 23 November 2008

Austrian Team Championship

The Austrian team championship started in St Veit 7th-9th November 2008, the 11 round competition has further rounds 22nd-25th January and 19th-22nd March 2009. Players in the first three rounds included: Sergei Movsesian, Hikaru Nakamura, Emil Sutovsky, Jan Gustafsson and Alexander Beliavsky.

Official site: http://www.chess.at/ and results: http://www.chess-results.com/tnr12353.aspx

Chess Study

Dr Robert Howard is making a study of rated chess players.

The full article: http://education.arts.unsw.edu.au/fidestudy/results

If you would like to participate, please go to this website: http://education.arts.unsw.edu.au/fidestudy/

For any queries, please contact Dr Robert Howard, University of New South Wales, on rwh@unsw.edu.au

Bundesliga

The Schachbundesliga season 2008/09 runs 3rd-5th October and runs until March 2009. 16 Teams compete with team rosters of 16-18 players but only eight play each weekend. There will be live coverage of all the games.

Dates: 4th-5th October 2008 25th-26th October 2008 29th-30th November 2008 12th-14th December 2008 (Here the official seventh round will be played. Although some will be played at other times) 31st January 2008 - 1st February 2009. 28th February - 1st March 2009. 28th-29th March 2009.

Official site of the Schachbundesliga (http://www.schachbundesliga.de/index.aspx) Further information (in German) and the entrance site for the live coverage: http://www.schachbundesliga.de/index.aspx

European Youth U-16 winners Texas Scholarships

The University of Texas at Dallas (USA) has offered scholarships to the winners of the U-16 European Youth Chess Championships since 2007. The agreement with the European Chess Union has been extended for another three years. The total value of the scholarships during this five-year period will be approximately 1 million USD, said James A. Stallings, Director of the UTD chess program.

Interview on the ECU website: http://www.europechess.org/home518.aspx?art=ft

27th Elba Island Festival

The 27th International Chess Festival of Elba Island "Luigi Amalfi", takes place at the Hotel Lacona 10th-17th May 2009.

Details: http://www.tuscanhotels.it/en/cmsx.asp?IDPg=23

Icelandic Team Championship

Icelandic Team Champ 1st div first half took place 3rd-5th October 2008. The 2nd set of games are March 21st-22nd March 2009 if I understand the website correctly. A small number of games are available.

Official site: http://www.skaksamband.is/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=5982&Itemid=499# and results: http://chess-results.com/tnr16443.aspx

Doeberl Cup and Sydney International 2009

The 2009 Doeberl Cup is in Canberra 9th-13th April 2009. See http://www.doeberlcup.com.au/

The 2009 Sydney International Open takes place 15th-19th April 2009. See http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/index.cfm?site=open

Free entry to GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs.

Free accommodation for selected GMs and WGMs.

For further information, please contact Brian Jones info@chessaustralia.com.au

GM Boris Alterman's Chess Lessons

GM Boris Alterman has a blog with free chess lessons on it.

Website: http://chesslessons.wordpress.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.

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