THE WEEK IN CHESS 789 21st December 2009 by Mark Crowther

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Mark Crowther
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Contents

1) Introduction
2) London Chess Classic
3) Russian Championships 2009
4) 9th Amplico Life Warsaw 2009
5) Spassky - Korchnoi Match
6) 19th Pamplona tournament
7) First Saturday December
8) 4th Edmonton International
9) 16th Zadar Open
10) Antalya Championship
11) Pilsen Open
12) Slovenian Team League
13) Dutch League
14) Commonwealth Chess Championships
15) Anand - Topalov World Championship is in Sofia in April/May 2010
16) Linares 2010
17) Groningen Chess Festival 2009
18) Forthcoming Events and Links

Games Section
London Chess Classic129 games
Russian Championships 200920 games
9th Amplico Life Warsaw 2009640 games
Spassky - Korchnoi Match4 games
First Saturday December24 games
4th Edmonton International35 games
16th Zadar Open236 games
Antalya Championship127 games
Pilsen Open201 games
Slovenian Team League270 games
Dutch League50 games
Groningen Chess Festival25 games
1765 games

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Kasparov vs Karpov 3

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1) Introduction

My thanks to Luiz Roberto Da Costa Jr, Miklos Orso, Adolivio Capece, Jovan Petronic, Sandra Angarita, Nemeth Gheorghe, Gunnar Bjornsson, Uwe Staroske, Bartlomiej Macieja and everyone else who helped with the issue.

The London Chess Classic was a wonderful tournament that takes us into the Christmas period. Magnus Carlsen took clear first place and with this win he will be World Number one in January. After an impressive win against Vladimir Kramnik he did start to look a little tired after a very busy year. Later in the tournament he started to make small calculation errors, but he was still good enough to take first place. Carlsen announced that he will continue to work with Garry Kasparov next year, this shows his continued ambition to improve, it's frightening to think that the new number one is still very much work in progress.

The Russian Championships is the top current event which takes us into the busy Christmas period.

Seasonal greetings to everyone.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) London Chess Classic

The London Chess Classic took place in the Olympia Conference Centre 7th-15th December 2009. Magnus Carlsen took clear first with 13/21 (3 points for a win, 1 for a draw) undefeated a point clear of Vladimir Kramnik who he beat in the first round in what turned out to be the decisive game. Carlsen rode his luck, especially against Michael Adams who had a winning position in Round 6. Carlsen's score ensures that he will be world number one in January. Kramnik was impressive after his first round loss and he will also gain rating points and with his win in the Tal Memorial in Moscow looks nearly back to his best. David Howell was the top finishing English player with 6 draws and a win (with black) a superb result in by far the strongest event he has ever appeared in. Michael Adams also finished on +1 and if he had beaten Magnus Carlsen, as he had the chance to do, it would have been even more impressive. Luke McShane was the main beneficiary of the scoring system his two wins and four losses and just one draw netting him 7 points. If he returns to full time chess there should be more to come. Ni Hua did not seem at his best but his single win took him to 6 points. Hikaru Nakamura lost just one game and drew the rest. He didn't seem quite at his best but he still came up with some interesting ideas, the final round against Vladimir Kramnik was a complex battle for instance. Nigel Short never seemed to quite recover from his 163 move loss in Round 1, he had chances in the next few rounds but a futher loss left him in the basement. Hopefully he'll have a bit more luck in Wijk aan Zee.

The event was a triumph for my sponsor Malcolm Pein. He looked at something like 37 venues before choosing the Olympia Conference Centre and the space he had proved ideal for the tournament and the organisation as a whole drew wide praise. The sponsors too were very happy and there is to be another event next year and plans with their Chess in Schools and Communities charity and they are also looking into the possibility of bringing the World Chess Championships to London in 2012.

Full details at: http://www.londonchessclassic.com

1st London Chess Classic (ENG), 8-16 xii 2009. Cat XVIII (2696.25). Venue: Olympia Conference Centre.
Final Standings: (3pts for a win 1 for a draw)
NrTiNameEloFedSco+=-TPRTie break
1GMCarlsen, Magnus2801NOR133402839
2GMKramnik, Vladimir2772RUS123312787
3GMHowell, David W L2597ENG91602760Win with black
4GMAdams, Michael2698ENG91602746Win with white
5GMMcShane, Luke J2615ENG72142606
6GMNi, Hua2665CHN61332599One game won
7GMNakamura, Hikaru2715USA60612644No games won
8GMShort, Nigel D2707ENG50522593
Chess Classic London (ENG), 8-15 xii 2009 cat. XVIII (2696)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2801 * 1 ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½ 13 2839
2. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2772 0 * ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 12 2787
3. Howell, David W L g ENG 2597 ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 9 2760
4. Adams, Michael g ENG 2698 ½ ½ ½ * 1 ½ ½ ½ 9 2746
5. McShane, Luke J g ENG 2615 0 0 ½ 0 * 0 1 1 7 2605
6. Ni Hua g CHN 2665 0 0 0 ½ 1 * ½ ½ 6 2598
7. Nakamura, Hikaru g USA 2715 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ * ½ 6 2643
8. Short, Nigel D g ENG 2707 ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ * 5 2592

Round 1 (December 8, 2009)
Carlsen, Magnus - Kramnik, Vladimir 1-0 43 A29 English Four Knights
Howell, David W L - Adams, Michael ½-½ 45 C45 Scotch Game
Nakamura, Hikaru - Ni Hua ½-½ 46 D11 Slav Defence
McShane, Luke J - Short, Nigel D 1-0 163 C45 Scotch Game
Round 2 (December 9, 2009)
Carlsen, Magnus - McShane, Luke J 1-0 61 E94 King's Indian Classical
Kramnik, Vladimir - Ni Hua 1-0 48 D10 Slav Defence
Adams, Michael - Nakamura, Hikaru ½-½ 60 C03 French Tarrasch
Short, Nigel D - Howell, David W L ½-½ 44 C42 Petroff's Defence
Round 3 (December 10, 2009)
Howell, David W L - Carlsen, Magnus ½-½ 79 B22 Sicilian Alapin
Nakamura, Hikaru - Short, Nigel D ½-½ 43 E44 Nimzo Indian Rubinstein
McShane, Luke J - Kramnik, Vladimir 0-1 36 C24 Bishop's Opening
Ni Hua - Adams, Michael ½-½ 36 C89 Ruy Lopez Marshall
Round 4 (December 12, 2009)
Carlsen, Magnus - Nakamura, Hikaru ½-½ 45 D17 Slav Defence
Kramnik, Vladimir - Adams, Michael ½-½ 46 D37 QGD 5.Bf4
Short, Nigel D - Ni Hua ½-½ 64 C11 French Defence
McShane, Luke J - Howell, David W L ½-½ 40 A15 English counter King's Fianchetto
Round 5 (December 13, 2009)
Adams, Michael - Short, Nigel D ½-½ 43 C80 Ruy Lopez Open
Howell, David W L - Kramnik, Vladimir ½-½ 53 C42 Petroff's Defence
Nakamura, Hikaru - McShane, Luke J 0-1 55 E94 King's Indian Classical
Ni Hua - Carlsen, Magnus 0-1 42 B51 Sicilian Rossolimo
Round 6 (December 14, 2009)
Carlsen, Magnus - Adams, Michael ½-½ 61 E46 Nimzo Indian Rubinstein
Kramnik, Vladimir - Short, Nigel D 1-0 40 D38 QGD Ragozin
Howell, David W L - Nakamura, Hikaru ½-½ 41 C03 French Tarrasch
McShane, Luke J - Ni Hua 0-1 80 C07 French Tarrasch
Round 7 (December 15, 2009)
Adams, Michael - McShane, Luke J 1-0 46 C95 Ruy Lopez Breyer
Nakamura, Hikaru - Kramnik, Vladimir ½-½ 34 D38 QGD Ragozin
Short, Nigel D - Carlsen, Magnus ½-½ 71 B76 Sicilian Modern Dragon
Ni Hua - Howell, David W L 0-1 40 C77 Ruy Lopez Anderssen
London Classic FIDE Open London (ENG), 8-15 xii 2009
Final Round 9 Standings:
Rank Name TiFed. Rating Score TPR W-We
1Hammer, Jon Ludvig GMNOR 2588827561.46
2Williams, Simon K GMENG 2550726160.78
3Hebden, Mark L GMENG 2522726101.02
4Houska, Jovanka IMENG 2391725201.51
5Wells, Peter K GMENG 24896.525040.3
6Cherniaev, Alexander GMRUS 24656.524650.26
7Arkell, Keith C GMENG 24646.52440-0.13
8McDonald, Neil GMENG 24126.524810.91
9Pcola, Pavol IMSVK 23866.524340.76
10Conquest, Stuart C GMENG 256362380-1.64
11Berzinsh, Roland IMLAT 242462404-0.11
12Barle, Janez IMSLO 242062368-0.49
13Loeffler, Stefan IMGER 2416624190.04
14Ferguson, Mark IMENG 241062365-0.44
15Crawley, Gavin IMENG 240762369-0.33
16Gullaksen, Eirik IMNOR 2400623940.04
17Buckley, Graeme N IMENG 2388623960.25
18Ansell, Simon T IMENG 238762325-0.6
19Rendle, Thomas E IMENG 2382624921.42
20Cox, John J IMENG 2377624230.56
21Lagerman, Robert FMISL 235862312-0.33
22Collyer, Curt D USA 2294623350.64
23Rowe, Duane JAM 2194622991.06
24Summerscale, Aaron P GMENG 24495.52321-1.32
25Quillan, Gary IMENG 23945.52231-1.67
26Hennigan, Michael T IMENG 23855.524000.34
27Crouch, Colin S IMENG 23465.52298-0.41
28Piper, Matthew S ENG 23045.523941.05
29Aikhoje, Odion IMNGR 22525.523831.62
30Coleman, David J CMENG 22445.52203-0.34
31Roberson, Peter T ENG 22365.523381.39
32Osborne, Marcus E ENG 22325.522590.5
33Hodgson, John H ENG 21895.52134-0.5
34Friedland, Jon S CMENG 21625.521580.13
35Tozer, Philip ENG 21065.522180.78
36Slavin, Alexei FMRUS 239252244-1.59
37Rudd, Jack IMENG 2296522940.05
38Storey, Charles H FMENG 229252106-1.55
39Sinanan, Joshua C USA 224952221-0.31
40Dimitrijeski, Boris GER 223652198-0.25
41Anderton, Matthew N ENG 2232523090.83
42Stephan, Axel GER 2225523511.52
43Chapman, Terry P D ENG 222252220-0.03
44Regan, Natasha K WIMENG 217052091-0.63
45Pedersen, Carsten DEN 2155521880.35
46Yeo, Michael J ENG 215352119-0.4
47Player, Edmund C ENG 2149521870.46
48Fegan, Chris ENG 2078522361.26
49Healey, Michael W ENG 2058522372.09
50Har-Even, Abir ISR 2045521941.11
51Lenier, Jude ENG 1828522243.21
52Britton, Richard L FMENG 22544.52101-1.67
125 players
London Classic Women London (ENG), 8-15 xii 2009
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Caoili, Arianne wm AUS 2206 * 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 2421
2. Lalic, Susan K m ENG 2310 1 * 0 1 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 1 6 2183
3. Van Weersel, Arlette wm NED 2193 0 1 * 1 0 ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 2151
4. Ikonomopoulou, Maria GRE 2065 0 0 0 * 1 1 1 1 1 0 5 2128
5. De Seroux, Camille SUI 1989 0 1 1 0 * ½ 1 1 0 0 2094
6. Winkelmann, Elena GER 2119 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ * ½ 0 1 1 4 2036
7. Yurenok, Maria S wf ENG 1968 0 0 ½ 0 0 ½ * 1 ½ 1 2016
8. Smith, Olivia wf WLS 2026 0 ½ 0 0 0 1 0 * ½ 1 3 1965
9. Chevannes, Sabrina L wf ENG 2042 0 0 0 0 1 0 ½ ½ * 1 3 1963
10. Frick, Denise wm RSA 1920 0 0 ½ 1 1 0 0 0 0 * 1936

3) Russian Championships 2009

The Russian Championships run 20th-30th December 2009. Both men's and women's events are 10 player round robins. Peter Svider, Alexander Grischuk and Dmitry Jakovenko star in the men's tournament.

The venue is the Central Chess House on Gogolevsky Boulevard in Moscow. The prizefund is $100,000.

After two rounds Peter Svidler and Alexander Grischuk are on 1.5/2.

Official site: http://tal.russiachess.org/

62nd ch-RUS Moscow (RUS), 20-29 xii 2009 cat. XVIII (2691)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Grischuk, Alexander g RUS 2736 * . ½ . . . . 1 . . 2894
2. Svidler, Peter g RUS 2754 . * ½ . . . 1 . . . 2861
3. Vitiugov, Nikita g RUS 2694 ½ ½ * . . . . . . . 1 2745
4. Timofeev, Artyom g RUS 2651 . . . * ½ ½ . . . . 1 2725
5. Alekseev, Evgeny g RUS 2715 . . . ½ * . . . . ½ 1 2631
6. Jakovenko, Dmitry g RUS 2736 . . . ½ . * . . ½ . 1 2656
7. Khismatullin, Denis g RUS 2643 . 0 . . . . * . 1 . 1 2707
8. Tomashevsky, Evgeny g RUS 2708 0 . . . . . . * . 1 1 2674
9. Riazantsev, Alexander g RUS 2661 . . . . . ½ 0 . * . ½ 2496
10. Sjugirov, Sanan g RUS 2612 . . . . ½ . . 0 . * ½ 2518

Round 1 (December 20, 2009)
Grischuk, Alexander - Tomashevsky, Evgeny 1-0 75 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Svidler, Peter - Vitiugov, Nikita ½-½ 51 C11 French Defence
Timofeev, Artyom - Jakovenko, Dmitry ½-½ 46 D15 Slav Defence
Khismatullin, Denis - Riazantsev, Alexander 1-0 41 E21 Nimzo Indian 4.Nf3
Sjugirov, Sanan - Alekseev, Evgeny ½-½ 76 C97 Ruy Lopez
Round 2 (December 21, 2009)
Vitiugov, Nikita - Grischuk, Alexander ½-½ 41 A29 English Four Knights
Alekseev, Evgeny - Timofeev, Artyom ½-½ 62 B40 Sicilian Classical
Khismatullin, Denis - Svidler, Peter 0-1 44 E60 King's Indian without Nc3
Tomashevsky, Evgeny - Sjugirov, Sanan 1-0 77 D11 Slav Defence
Riazantsev, Alexander - Jakovenko, Dmitry ½-½ 30 D37 QGD 5.Bf4
59th ch-RUS w Moscow (RUS), 20-29 xii 2009 cat. VIII (2439)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Galliamova, Alisa m RUS 2460 * . . . . 1 . . . 1 2
2. Kosintseva, Nadezhda m RUS 2518 . * . 1 . . . . . 1 2
3. Pogonina, Natalija wg RUS 2501 . . * . . . . 1 1 . 2
4. Gunina, Valentina wf RUS 2446 . 0 . * 1 . . . . . 1 2445
5. Bodnaruk, Anastasia wg RUS 2372 . . . 0 * . 1 . . . 1 2484
6. Zaiatz, Elena m RUS 2390 0 . . . . * . . 1 . 1 2402
7. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2522 . . . . 0 . * ½ . . ½ 2217
8. Romanko, Marina m RUS 2449 . . 0 . . . ½ * . . ½ 2318
9. Manakova, Maria wg SRB 2344 . . 0 . . 0 . . * . 0
10. Stepovaia, Tatiana wg RUS 2384 0 0 . . . . . . . * 0

Round 1 (December 20, 2009)
Galliamova, Alisa - Stepovaia, Tatiana 1-0 63 E09 Catalan
Kosintseva, Nadezhda - Gunina, Valentina 1-0 54 B12 Caro Kann Advanced
Pogonina, Natalija - Romanko, Marina 1-0 30 B60 Sicilian Rauzer
Bodnaruk, Anastasia - Kosintseva, Tatiana 1-0 34 C48 Four Knights Rubinstein
Manakova, Maria - Zaiatz, Elena 0-1 29 C45 Scotch Game
Round 2 (December 21, 2009)
Pogonina, Natalija - Manakova, Maria 1-0 54 B32 Sicilian Labourdonnais
Gunina, Valentina - Bodnaruk, Anastasia 1-0 42 A48 King's Indian Defence /c2-c4
Zaiatz, Elena - Galliamova, Alisa 0-1 38 D11 Slav Defence
Romanko, Marina - Kosintseva, Tatiana ½-½ 45 B89 Sicilian Sozin Attack
Stepovaia, Tatiana - Kosintseva, Nadezhda 0-1 38 B67 Sicilian Rauzer

4) 9th Amplico Life Warsaw 2009

The 9th Amplico Life rapid tournament took place in Warsaw 19th-20th December 2009. Vladimir Malakhov held off the challenge of Vassily Ivanchuk by beating Alexei Shirov with black in the final round. This European Rapid tournament always has a tremendous and deep field. My thanks to Bartlomiej Macieja for the game file.

Official site; http://www.poloniachess.pl/amplico2009/

9th Amplico Life Warsaw (POL), 19-20 xii 2009
Leading final Round 13 Standings:
PlNameTiFed.EloPkt.MBch.
1Malakhov, VladimirGMRUS270611.5103
2Ivanchuk, VassilyGMUKR273911102
3Wojtaszek, RadoslawGMPOL263710.589.5
4Movsesian, SergeiGMSVK271810.598.5
5Fridman, DanielGMGER264910.596.5
6Dreev, AlexeyGMRUS265510.598.5
7Krasenkow, MichalGMPOL26561098
8Shirov, AlexeiGMESP27191095.5
9Zubov, AlexanderIMUKR25811095.5
10Hracek, ZbynekGMCZE26241095.5
11Rozentalis, EduardasGMLTU26111095
12Kurnosov, IgorGMRUS26661092
13Neiksans, ArtursIMLAT24871091
14Warakomski, TomaszIMPOL24851086.5
15Gashimov, VugarGMAZE27589.5103.5
16Stupak, KirillIMBLR24569.599
17Bartel, MateuszGMPOL26189.598.5
18Gritsak, OrestGMUKR25219.597
19Tomczak, JacekIMPOL25009.596
20Moranda, WojciechGMPOL25799.595.5
21Muzychuk, AnnaIMSLO25329.595
22Dziuba, MarcinGMPOL25739.594
23Socko, BartoszGMPOL26439.593.5
24Miton, KamilGMPOL25869.593.5
25Czarnota, PawelGMPOL25289.593
26Aleksandrov, AleksejGMBLR26179.591.5
27Macieja, BartlomiejGMPOL26279.591.5
28Heberla, BartlomiejGMPOL25159.590.5
29Schmidt, WlodzimierzGMPOL23959.589.5
30Grabarczyk, MiroslawGMPOL24759.589
31Swiercz, DariuszGMPOL24939.589
32Sergeev, VladimirGMUKR24289.588.5
33Manik, MikulasGMSVK24359.588.5
34Tiviakov, SergeiGMNED26649.586.5
35Markowski, TomaszGMPOL2629996.5
36Szelag, MarcinIMPOL2456995
37Maiorov, NikitaGMBLR2511994.5
38Piorun, KacperIMPOL2475994
39Kempinski, RobertGMPOL2617994
40Paehtz, ElisabethIMGER2480993.5
41Rajlich, IwetaIMPOL2457992.5
42Yemelin, VasilyGMRUS2584992.5
43Vovk, AndreyGMUKR2512991
44Sakalauskas, VaidasIMLTU2418991
45Vovk, YuriGMUKR2546990.5
46Nedilko, VasilyUKR2400990
47Marchlewicz, KamilI+POL2030989
48Najbar, Marcink+POL2222988
49Lubczynski, RafalIMPOL2428987.5
50Drozdowski, KacperI++POL2198987.5
51Strzemiecki, ZbigniewFMPOL2333986
52Czerwonski, AleksanderIMPOL2385985
53Paterek, MichalFMPOL2272985
54Laurusas, TomasLTU2242981.5
55Kukula, Pawelk+POL2261981.5
56Szymanski, MarcinIMPOL2411980.5
57Sotsky, AlexanderIMRUS2410980.5
58Kantans, TomsLAT2281979.5
59Castaldo, FolcoFMITA2401978.5
60Olszewski, MichalGMPOL25418.596.5
697 games

5) Spassky - Korchnoi Match

Boris Spassky vs Viktor Korchnoi is an 8 game Match Elista, Russia, 17th-27th Dec, 2009. 400th Aniversary Kalmykia - Russia. Prize Fund US$ 20.000. Time control 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move.

Match Kalmykia
Korchnoi, Viktor - Spassky, Boris V 1-0 47 E21 Nimzo Indian 4.Nf3
Spassky, Boris V - Korchnoi, Viktor ½-½ 46 C00 French Defence
Korchnoi, Viktor - Spassky, Boris V ½-½ 50 E21 Nimzo Indian 4.Nf3
Spassky, Boris V - Korchnoi, Viktor ½-½ 22 C14 French Classical

Match Kalmykia (RUS), 19-27 ix 2009
Name Ti NAT Rtng 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total Perf
Korchnoi, Viktor g SUI 2567 1 ½ ½ ½ . . . . 2643
Spassky, Boris V g FRA 2548 0 ½ ½ ½ . . . . 2480

6) 19th Pamplona tournament

19th Pamplona tournament takes place 21st-29th December 2009.

Official site: http://www.chesspamplona.com/English.html

XIX Magistral Pamplona (ESP), 21-29 xii 2009 cat. XIII (2575)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Alsina Leal, Daniel m ESP 2523 * . . . . ? . . . . 0
2. Georgiev, Kiril g BUL 2672 . * . . . . . . . ? 0
3. Granda Zuniga, Julio E g PER 2640 . . * . ? . . . . . 0
4. Huerga Leache, Mikel m ESP 2435 . . . * . . ? . . . 0
5. Laznicka, Viktor g CZE 2637 . . ? . * . . . . . 0
6. Lopez Martinez, Josep Manuel g ESP 2589 ? . . . . * . . . . 0
7. Meier, Georg g GER 2653 . . . ? . . * . . . 0
8. Mirzoev, Azer g AZE 2617 . . . . . . . * ? . 0
9. Recuero Guerra, David m ESP 2494 . . . . . . . ? * . 0
10. Reinaldo Castineira, Roi m ESP 2488 . ? . . . . . . . * 0

Round 1 (December 21, 2009)
Georgiev, Kiril - Reinaldo Castineira, Roi *
Laznicka, Viktor - Granda Zuniga, Julio E *
Lopez Martinez, Josep Manuel - Alsina Leal, Daniel *
Meier, Georg - Huerga Leache, Mikel *
Recuero Guerra, David - Mirzoev, Azer *

7) First Saturday December

The First Saturday GM-IM all-play-all tournaments took place Budapest 5th-16th of December 2009. Attila Turzo and Ervin Toth finished on 8/11.

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

FSIM December Budapest (HUN), 5-20 xii 2009 cat. II (2288)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
1. Turzo, Attila m HUN 2276 * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 8 2464
2. Toth, Ervin m HUN 2388 ½ * ½ 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 8 2454
3. Parkanyi, Attila m HUN 2317 ½ ½ * 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 7 2387
4. Paschall, William M m USA 2386 0 0 0 * ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 2381
5. Kislik, Erik Andrew f USA 2349 ½ 0 1 ½ * ½ 0 1 1 1 ½ ½ 2347
6. Stigar, Petter f NOR 2269 ½ 0 1 ½ ½ * ½ 1 0 ½ ½ 1 6 2326
7. Lengyel, Bela m HUN 2271 ½ 1 0 0 1 ½ * ½ 0 ½ 1 1 6 2325
8. Szalanczy, Emil m HUN 2295 0 1 0 0 0 0 ½ * 1 1 1 1 2287
9. Erdei, Andras HUN 2146 ½ 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 * ½ 0 1 4 2199
10. Denisov, Ivan RUS 2241 0 0 1 0 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ * ½ 1 4 2190
11. Adams, Nick A USA 2236 0 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 0 1 ½ * ½ 3 2118
12. Chan, Mark f SIN 2286 0 0 0 0 ½ 0 0 0 0 0 ½ * 1 1905

8) 4th Edmonton International

The 4th Edmonton International takes place 17th-21st December 2009.

Official site: http://www.albertachess.org/EICF2009/EICF_Games.html

4th Int Edmonton (CAN), 17-21 xii 2009 cat. VII (2412)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Friedel, Joshua E g USA 2551 * 1 ½ . ½ 1 ½ 1 . 1 2614
2. Mikhalevski, Victor g ISR 2607 0 * . 1 ½ . 1 1 1 1 2615
3. Esserman, Marc m USA 2408 ½ . * ½ 1 ½ ½ . 1 1 5 2573
4. Kraai, Jesse g USA 2509 . 0 ½ * ½ ½ 1 1 1 . 2521
5. Antal, Gergely m HUN 2495 ½ ½ 0 ½ * . . ½ 1 1 4 2446
6. Hansen, Eric f CAN 2409 0 . ½ ½ . * ½ ½ 1 1 4 2423
7. Porper, Edward m CAN 2445 ½ 0 ½ 0 . ½ * ½ . 1 3 2351
8. Haessel, Dale R f CAN 2201 0 0 . 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ . 2 2326
9. Pechenkin, Vladimir f CAN 2372 . 0 0 0 0 0 . ½ * ½ 1 2084
10. MacKinnon, Keith CAN 2125 0 0 0 . 0 0 0 . ½ * ½ 2047

Round 1 (December 17, 2009)
Esserman, Marc - Antal, Gergely 1-0 40 B12 Caro Kann Advanced
Kraai, Jesse - Haessel, Dale R 1-0 30 A46 Queen's Pawn Opening
Hansen, Eric - Pechenkin, Vladimir 1-0 35 A55 Old Indian Defence
Porper, Edward - Friedel, Joshua E ½-½ 44 E17 Queens Indian
MacKinnon, Keith - Mikhalevski, Victor 0-1 81 C77 Ruy Lopez Anderssen
Round 2 (December 18, 2009)
Friedel, Joshua E - Haessel, Dale R 1-0 37 A34 English Symmetrical
Mikhalevski, Victor - Kraai, Jesse 1-0 31 A62 Benoni
Antal, Gergely - MacKinnon, Keith 1-0 55 B51 Sicilian Rossolimo
Porper, Edward - Hansen, Eric ½-½ 41 D87 Gruenfeld Botvinnik
Pechenkin, Vladimir - Esserman, Marc 0-1 65 A03 Bird's Opening
Round 3 (December 18, 2009)
Esserman, Marc - Porper, Edward ½-½ 61 B03 Alekhine's Defence
Kraai, Jesse - Antal, Gergely ½-½ 37 A16 English Opening
Hansen, Eric - Friedel, Joshua E 0-1 46 E46 Nimzo Indian Rubinstein
Haessel, Dale R - Mikhalevski, Victor 0-1 43 E06 Catalan
MacKinnon, Keith - Pechenkin, Vladimir ½-½ 53 B04 Alekhine's Defence
Round 4 (December 19, 2009)
Friedel, Joshua E - Mikhalevski, Victor 1-0 60 C95 Ruy Lopez Breyer
Antal, Gergely - Haessel, Dale R ½-½ 35 C42 Petroff's Defence
Hansen, Eric - Esserman, Marc ½-½ 37 D90 Gruenfeld Flohr
Porper, Edward - MacKinnon, Keith 1-0 37 E15 Queens Indian
Pechenkin, Vladimir - Kraai, Jesse 0-1 36 A03 Bird's Opening
Round 5 (December 19, 2009)
Mikhalevski, Victor - Antal, Gergely ½-½ 55 D90 Gruenfeld Flohr
Esserman, Marc - Friedel, Joshua E ½-½ 46 C87 Ruy Lopez
Kraai, Jesse - Porper, Edward 1-0 34 D12 Slav Defence
Haessel, Dale R - Pechenkin, Vladimir ½-½ 31 A90 Dutch Classical
MacKinnon, Keith - Hansen, Eric 0-1 31 B67 Sicilian Rauzer
Round 6 (December 20, 2009)
Friedel, Joshua E - Antal, Gergely ½-½ 61 B12 Caro Kann Advanced
Esserman, Marc - MacKinnon, Keith 1-0 28 B01 Centre Counter
Hansen, Eric - Kraai, Jesse ½-½ 42 A77 Benoni
Porper, Edward - Haessel, Dale R ½-½ 34 D37 QGD 5.Bf4
Pechenkin, Vladimir - Mikhalevski, Victor 0-1 64 A03 Bird's Opening
Round 7 (December 20, 2009)
Mikhalevski, Victor - Porper, Edward 1-0 49 D15 Slav Defence
Kraai, Jesse - Esserman, Marc ½-½ 53 A34 English Symmetrical
Antal, Gergely - Pechenkin, Vladimir 1-0 30 B03 Alekhine's Defence
Haessel, Dale R - Hansen, Eric ½-½ 29 E63 King's Indian 6...Nc6
MacKinnon, Keith - Friedel, Joshua E 0-1 20 C57 Two Knights Defence Fritz's Var

9) 16th Zadar Open

The 16th Zadar Open took place 13th-19th December 2009. Robert Zelcic took clear first place with 6.5/9.

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

Results: http://chess-results.com/tnr28251.aspx

16th Open A Zadar (CRO), 13-19 xii 2009
Rk.NameTiFEDRtgIPts.TB1 TB2 TB3
1Zelcic RobertGMCRO25456.53544.534
2Saric IvanGMCRO25756395032
3Drasko MilanGMMNE2527637.54731.5
4Brkic AnteGMCRO256063747.531
5Saric IbroGMBIH2553636.54731
6Delchev AleksanderGMBUL26355.537.548.530.5
7Ragger MarkusGMAUT25655.537.548.530
8Jovanovic ZoranGMCRO25325.5374631.5
9Martinovic SasaIMCRO24835.5354428.5
10Drazic SinisaGMSRB25195.534.54429
11Jovanic OgnjenGMCRO25525.5334326.5
12Sedlak NikolaGMSRB2576537.54831
13Milanovic DaniloGMSRB25465344328
14Platzgummer FabianFMAUT2380533.542.524.5
15Saric AnteGMCRO247153241.527
16Dimitrov RadoslavIMBUL2380531.54121
17Nikolov SashoIMBUL241053138.525.5
18Gagarin VasilijIMRUS2422527.534.520.5
19Bukal Vladimir Jr.IMCRO23875273617.5
20Feletar DarkoIMCRO23794.5344423.5
21Kreisl RobertIMAUT23804.532.54123
22Franic MilanIMCRO23994.531.539.523.5
23Paljusaj EdmondNMCRO22974.530.538.520
24Lekic DusanIMMNE23874.5303822
25Baumegger SiegfriedIMAUT24564.52937.517
26Zivkovic VjekoslavIMCRO23974.52936.520.5
27Kovacevic BlazimirIMCRO24304.5283620.5
28Rezan SasaIMCRO24284.527.53522
29Schachinger MarioFMAUT2339433.54221.5
30Biliskov VjekoslavFMCRO2290432.539.516.5
31Brulic DenisFMCRO232343242.523.5
32Zufic MiroslavIMCRO24534324225
33Mazi LeonIMSLO235243241.517
34Blagojevic DragisaGMMNE255743038.520
35Orak LjubomirFMCRO23394303818
36Hoelzl FranzIMAUT233943037.515
37Stojanovic AndjelijaWGMSRB2329428.535.517
38Armanda IvicaIMCRO2343427.53518
39Titz HeimoFMAUT22633.534.54521.5
40Dimitrov PavelIMBUL237132734.516.5
41Halvax GeorgAUT22943263310.5
42Tomazini AljosaSLO22392.52734.516
43Matejovic JurajSVK22392263311.5
16th Open B Zadar (CRO), 13-19 xii 2009
Rk.NameFEDRtgIPts.TB1 TB2 TB3
1Pandurevic MiroNMCRO22777.540.55336.5
2Medancic RikardIMCRO22517.539.55142
3Mihalj Miroslav MFMSRB22786.5395133.5
4Ivanov BorislavBUL21036.5374832
5Pasalic EnioICRO20686.532.54230.5
6Jelecevic IvoMKCRO2187639.550.530.5
7Sutkovic DamirBIH2297638.549.532
8Ivic MateoFMCRO224463849.534
9Solic KristinaWIMCRO219063646.532.5
10Curic DrazenMKCRO220263645.530.5
11Djurovic GoranFMCRO2294634.544.528.5
12Franciskovic VinkoMKCRO21085.539.549.529.5
13Medic MiljenkoFMCRO22565.5395032
14Brkic IvicaMKCRO21915.536.546.528.5
15Music TomislavICRO20215.535.54525.5
16Kljako DamirFMCRO21625.5334228
17Tomazini ZanSLO2157538.54930
18Draskovic LukaMNE2113537.54727.5
19Sadikovic JasminBIH205453643.527
20Sevo IgorMKCRO2235535.54728.5
21Solomun IvicaMKCRO200753443.524
22Jeraj ZlatkoSLO21375324226.5
23Seferovic ReljaICRO20715324125.5
24Bilus-Gagic AnteIICRO2012528.538.520
25Tisma NebojsaICRO2085528.53624
26Borin FabioITA21044.53443.525
27Vidovic AnteMKCRO20794.533.54224.5
28Logar MetodSLO20714.53341.523.5
29Ciglar MilanMKCRO04.532.542.520
30Petrusic ToniMKCRO20444.532.541.524.5
31Prusac MiljenkoMKCRO19884.5324221
32Deur ZrinkaNMCRO20894.5304122.5
33Bradaric RatomirMKCRO21044.53038.522
34Malesevic ElvinoICRO04.5303818.5
35Svaljek RadmilaWFMCRO19944.52938.520
36Kolega MarinIICRO20504.52937.519
37Martinovic FerdoMKCRO19564.52633.520
38Pesusic BorisIIICRO1944434.54322.5
39Popovic DarkoBIH208143442.525
40Soric RomeoMKCRO2153431.53924
41Totic ZeljkoIIICRO0431.53821
42Glavicic TinoICRO0430.53917.5
43Jambresic JuricaIICRO1895430.537.518
44Saric BrankoIICRO1904429.53717.5
45Kozina ZdenkoIICRO1983428.535.518
46Sindija FilipIICRO19604283620.5
47Zezelj VladislavMKCRO20973.531.54121.5
48Sindija JerolimIIICRO03.5293614
49Peric DavorIICRO19403.528.536.519
50Vrankovic IvanIIICRO17763.528.53616
51Stancic KresimirIIICRO18423.52734.515.5
52Novak IvoCRO03.5253415.5
53Plenca JadrankoIVCRO03.5253212
54Dunatov KresimirIICRO185333037.517
55Sagi Kotlar MarioCRO0325.531.512
56Mileusnic SlobodanICRO0324.53114.5
57Stipic MarkoMKCRO22122.532.542.520.5
58Kolanovic KazimirIVCRO16732.528.53614
59Colak DominikIVCRO02.528.535.59.5
60Glavan MarkoIIICRO18032.52533.514
61Gumzej ZaraIICRO02.523.529.57.5
62Kolanovic DavidCRO02.521298.5
63Miletic KarlaCRO01.523.530.57.5

10) Antalya Championship

The Antalya Championship took place 5th-6th and 12th-13th December 2009. Two teenagers (Melih Yurtseven and Ufuk Sezen Arat) won the event.

Official Site: http://www.satranc07.com/

Antalya Championship (TUR), 5-13 xii 2009
Pl Name NRtg IRtg Pts BH. BH. SB. vict
1 Yurtseven Melih 2017 1892 28½ 24½ 29,75 6
2 Arat Ufuk Sezen 2043 1884 27 23½ 28,25 6
3 Reyhan Zeynel 1884 0 5 30 26 18,50 5
4 Kemaloglu Kadri Yavuz 2095 2061 5 25 21 20,00 5
5 Ertekin Ramazan 1992 1918 5 22½ 20 17,00 5
6 Burcu Cagatay 1906 1754 28 25½ 15,25 4
7 Kutlu Turgut Can 1675 0 28 24½ 12,75 4
8 Arayici Ozkal 1881 0 24 21½ 11,75 4
9 Sari Yasin 1886 1794 23½ 20 15,75 4
10 Tekeli Taylan Can 1959 1863 23 19½ 15,75 4
11 Avci Adem 1922 1746 4 30½ 27 14,00 4
12 Unal Onur 1680 0 4 28 24½ 15,00 3
13 Durmaz Ayca Fatma 1935 1838 4 24 21 13,00 4
14 Taner Harun 1807 0 4 22½ 20 8,50 4
15 Barik Ertunc Bahadir 1677 0 4 20 18½ 8,50 4
16 Demir Zeki 1985 1951 4 19½ 17 11,00 4
17 Ilbilgi Bulut 1807 0 27 24 13,00 3
18 Bener Berk Alperen 1628 0 23½ 21 8,75 3
19 Uyar Mehmet Ali 1569 0 22½ 20 11,25 3
20 Canbek Ragib 1692 0 22 19½ 9,75 2
21 Ozturk Fikri 1747 0 22 19½ 8,75 3
22 Ay Erhan 1455 0 20½ 18 9,25 2
23 Demirlioglu Cihan 1628 0 3 23 20 8,00 3
24 Aydin Sukru Ozgur 1676 0 3 22½ 20 1,50 2
25 Yazici Huseyin 1454 0 3 21½ 19 6,50 3
26 Yuksel Hasan 1558 0 3 20½ 18 3,00 3
27 Sahiner Altug 1417 0 3 18 16 5,00 3
28 Aligil Fadli 1930 0 25½ 21½ 9,75 2
29 Oztuzun Esat Can 1681 0 22 19½ 4,75 2
30 Cimen Serdar 1676 0 2 20½ 18½ 3,00 2
31 Gulebay Tolga Mert 1526 0 2 19 17 2,00 2
32 Kutlu Gokcen 1319 0 2 16 13½ 1,00 1
33 Tasdogen Tansel 1529 0 2 15½ 14 3,00 2
34 Ertugrul Mehmet Fatih 1425 0 1 19½ 17½ 0,00 0
35 Varol Ozgur 1344 0 1 16½ 14 2,00 1
36 Kara Karahan 1328 0 1 14½ 12½ 0,00 0
37 Dogan Erdogan 1190 0 ½ 19 16 2,00 0
38 Yolcu Abdullah Erkan 1351 0 0 16½ 14 0,00 0

11) Pilsen Open

The Pilsen Open took place 5th-12th December 2009. Sebastian Plischki won on tie-break from Pawel Szablowski after both finished from 7/9. Games from the final 3 rounds are now available. I give the games again as there are one or two corrections.

Official site: http://www.czechtour.net/pilsen-open/results-and-games/

Open Pilsen (CZE), 5-12 xii 2009
Rk.NameTiFEDRtgIPts. TB1 TB2 TB3
1Plischki SebastianIMGER234775139.52177
2Szablowski PawelPOL2217744.5352055
3Gunajew RafalPOL22256.549382155
4Nguyen PiotrPOL23536.54837.52130
5Golcman EvgenyRUS2290652402146
6Stachanczyk JacekPOL224265038.52160
7Blecha MiroslavCZE2218646362056
8Folkova MartinaCZE21065.54938.52120
9Palek MiroslavGER22335.548.5382133
10Folk PetrCZE21975.548.5382094
11Suder RyszardPOL21765.54737.52110
12Zakharchenko ArnoldIMUKR22065.546.5362075
13Turner RadekCZE20795.545.5372099
14Stolarczyk AnnaPOL20655.539.532.51959
15Mikulas DusanFMSVK2210549382089
16Janocko PetrCZE207754837.52055
17Renkowski PiotrPOL1793541331982
18Hubka RolandCZE201754131.51890
19Paldus PetrCZE2041541311966
20Jiruse JosefCZE207454031.51929
21Vacha JaroslavCZE191953829.51939
22Horyna JosefCZE19274.544.5342029
23Wojcieszyn ZdzislawPOL20374.541.5311866
24Cecil PavelCZE20104.541321938
25Skokan FrantisekCZE19094.538.530.51823
26Ufimtsev EgorRUS17534.53628.51899
27Kantor JozefSVK19394.535.528.51858
28Hruby VaclavCZE17824.534261842
29Strzelczyk AnnaPOL1826447.5362075
48 players

12) Slovenian Team League

Slovenian Team League took place 11th-16th December in Rogaska Slatina. There were 29 GM’s and 24 IM’s registered for 10 teams (6 players), top 10 were: Berkes Ferenc, Predojevic Borki, Beliavsky Alexander, Markuc Robert, Stevic Hrvoje, Kozul Zdenko, Nikolic Predrag, Kryvoruchko Yuriy, Lenic Luka, Pavasovic Dusko.

ZSK Maribor (Predojevic, Kozul etc) won the event by a point from SD Tehcenter Ptuj (Beliavsky, Kryvoruchko etc).

Official site: http://www.sah-zveza.si/rez/0912/si09lgdm/

TCh-SLO League (SLO), 11-16 xii 2009
Pl Team MT Tock MTB
1. ZSK Maribor 17 38 232.0
2. SD Tehcenter Ptuj 16 34.5 235.5
3. SK Branik ZM Maribor 9 28 242.0
4. SD Radenska Pomgrad MS 9 26 244.0
5. LSK Metalka Trgovina Lj. 9 25.5 244.5
6. SD Vrhnika 9 25.5 244.5
7. SK Triglav Krsko 9 25.5 244.5
8. SK Nova Gorica 6 24.5 245.5
9. Celjski SK 4 22.5 247.5
10. SD dr. Milan Vidmar Lj. 2 20 250.0

13) Dutch League

The Dutch League takes place 26th September 2009 - 18th April 2010. Round 4 took place on the 12th December 2009, the games are now available.

Rounds: Round 1 - 26th September, Round 2 - 31 October, Round 3 - 21st November, Round 4 - 12th December 2009. Round 5 - 9th January Round 6 - 6th February, Round 7 - 6th March, Round 8 - 27 March, Round 9 - 18 April 2010.

Official site: http://www.schaakbond.nl/wedstrijdschaak/knsb-competitie.

Further info: http://www.schakers.info/

Dutch League (NED), 26 ix 2009 - 18 iv 2010
Round 3 Standings:
PlTeam Mp Bp 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 Groningen 1/Hotels.nl 8 24½ x . 6 . . . 6 6 6.5 .
2 HSG 6 28½ . x . 8.5 7 8.5 . . 4.5 .
3 Schrijvers Rotterdam 6 23½ 4 . x . . 5.5 6.5 . 7.5 .
4 Utrecht 5 21 . 1.5 . x 5 . . . 7.5 7
5 LSG 5 21 . 3 . 5 x . . 7.5 . 5.5
6 Homburg Apeldoorn 4 22 . 1.5 4.5 . . x . 8 . 8
7 HMC Calder 2 16½ 4 . 3.5 . . . x 3 . 6
8 Braceland ESGOO 2 15½ 4 . . . 2.5 2 7 x . .
9 SMB 2 14 3.5 5.5 2.5 2.5 . . . . x .
10 HWP Sas van Gent 0 13½ . . . 3 4.5 2 4 . . x
Dutch League (NED), 26 ix 2009 - 18 iv 2010
Round 3 Standings:
Round 1 - 26 September
01 SMB - Schrijvers Rotterdam -
02 Groningen 1/Hotels.nl - Braceland ESGOO 6 - 4
03 HMC Calder - HWP Sas van Gent 6 - 4
04 Homburg Apeldoorn - HSG -
05 LSG - Utrecht 5 - 5
Round 2 - 31 October
01 Utrecht - SMB -
02 HSG - LSG 7 - 3
03 HWP Sas van Gent - Homburg Apeldoorn 2 - 8
04 Braceland ESGOO - HMC Calder 7 - 3
05 Schrijvers Rotterdam - Groningen 1/Hotels.nl 4 - 6
Round 3 - 21 November
01 SMB - Groningen 1/Hotels.nl -
02 HMC Calder - Schrijvers Rotterdam -
03 Homburg Apeldoorn - Braceland ESGOO 8 - 2
04 LSG - HWP Sas van Gent -
05 Utrecht - HSG -
Round 4 - 12 December
01 HSG - SMB -
02 HWP Sas van Gent - Utrecht 3 - 7
03 Braceland ESGOO - LSG -
04 Schrijvers Rotterdam - Homburg Apeldoorn -
05 Groningen 1/Hotels.nl - HMC Calder 6 - 4
Round 5 - 9 January
01 SMB - HMC Calder -
02 Homburg Apeldoorn - Groningen 1/Hotels.nl -
03 LSG - Schrijvers Rotterdam -
04 Utrecht - Braceland ESGOO -
05 HSG - HWP Sas van Gent -
Round 6 - 6 February
01 HWP Sas van Gent - SMB -
02 Braceland ESGOO - HSG -
03 Schrijvers Rotterdam - Utrecht -
04 Groningen 1/Hotels.nl - LSG -
05 HMC Calder - Homburg Apeldoorn -
Round 7 - 6 March
01 SMB - Homburg Apeldoorn -
02 LSG - HMC Calder -
03 Utrecht - Groningen 1/Hotels.nl -
04 HSG - Schrijvers Rotterdam -
05 HWP Sas van Gent - Braceland ESGOO -
Round 8 - 27 March
01 Braceland ESGOO - SMB -
02 Schrijvers Rotterdam - HWP Sas van Gent -
03 Groningen 1/Hotels.nl - HSG -
04 HMC Calder - Utrecht -
05 Homburg Apeldoorn - LSG -
Round 9 - 18 April
01 LSG - SMB -
02 Utrecht - Homburg Apeldoorn -
03 HSG - HMC Calder -
04 HWP Sas van Gent - Groningen 1/Hotels.nl -
05 Braceland ESGOO - Schrijvers Rotterdam -

14) Commonwealth Chess Championships

The Commonwealth Chess Championships took place 9th-15th December 2009 in conjunction with the 6th Singapore International Chess Festival. Enrique Paciencia took clear first place with 7.5/9. Apparently the sponsor I mentioned last week didn't end up sponsoring the event.

Blog: http://commonwealthchampionships2009.blogspot.com/

Results: http://www.chess-results.com/tnr27873.aspx?lan=1

Commonwealth Chess Championships Singapore (IND), 9-15 xii 2009
Rk.TiNameTypsexFEDRtgIPts. TB1 TB2 TB3
1IMPaciencia EnriqueSIN24247,546,035,525,5
2IMAshwin JayaramIND24486,547,036,026,0
3CMIllingworth MaxAUS22116,049,037,526,5
4FMChan Wei Xuan TimothySIN23846,046,535,525,5
5IMGokhale ChandrashekharIND22595,543,535,025,0
6FMFernandez Daniel HowardSIN22305,543,535,024,5
7IMLim Yee-WengMAS23365,041,530,521,0
8Dole AnantRSA20685,038,029,020,5
9IMKonguvel PonnuswamyIND24445,036,529,020,5
10FMSauravh KhherdekarIND22744,548,036,526,0
11IMMas HafizulhelmiMAS24194,545,034,023,5
12Lee Kim Han EdwardMAS21144,543,033,524,0
13Phadke SohanIND22144,539,530,021,0
14Tan WeiliangSIN21684,534,027,020,0
15FMLo Kin Mun DominicSIN21744,533,027,020,0
16CMNeubronner JarredSIN22154,042,033,524,0
17FMChua Zheng Yuan TerrySIN22564,041,031,522,5
18Lazarus BenAUS21684,039,532,022,5
19Thakur AkashIND23684,038,029,520,5
20Stojic DusanAUS22014,037,030,021,5
21Koh JonathanSIN22114,032,026,019,5
22WFMMitali Madhukar PatilWIND20072,533,026,519,5
23WIMSolomons AnzelWRSA19541,531,024,518,5
24FMMishra SoumyaranjanIND22731,044,535,025,0
25Vaibhav SuriIND23440,040,531,522,5

15) Anand - Topalov World Championship is in Sofia in April/May 2010

The World Chess Championship takes place in Sofia, Bulgaria 23 April (1st round) to 12 May 2010 (possible tiebreaks). The match is between World Champion Viswanathan Anand and Veselin Topalov. An agreement was signed by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and the President of the Bulgarian Chess Federation Stefan Sergiev on the 16th December 2009. This was in the presence of the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Mr Boiko Borisov who is guaranteeing the match.

16) Linares 2010

The Linares tournament takes place in Spain (a pairing with Dubai fell through) 12th-25th February 2010. Players invited so far are: Veselin Topalov, Levon Aronian, Alexander Grischuk, Francisco Vallejo Pons and for the first time in a super-tournament Vugar Gashimov who deserves his chance in this company. (Source ChessDom who also speculate that Boris Gelfand will make up the field).

17) Groningen Chess Festival 2009

The Groningen Chess Festival takes place 21st-30th December 2009.

There are a number of open events with the A-Group having Vladimir Baklan, Sipke Ernst, Anish Giri, Dmitri Reinderman etc

After Christmas there is a four game challenge match between Jan Timman and Robin van Kampen.

Official site: http://www.schaakstadgroningen.nl

18) Forthcoming Events and Links

Asian Team Championship

The Asian Team Championship takes place in Kolkata, India 20th-29th December 2009.

Official site: http://www.asianteamchess09.com

International Correspondence Chess Federation

The International Correspondence Chess Federation has announced the Preliminary Sections of the World Correspondence Chess Championship will start on March 10th. 2010.

Also Slovenia's 15 Years Membership of ICCF tournament semi-finals.

Details on the ICCF Official site: http://www.iccf.com/content/index.php

Reykjavik Open

The Reykjavík Open 2010 takes place 24th February - 3rd March 2010.

Details: http://www.chess.is and the contact e-mail of the organize commitee is reykjavikopen2010@gmail.com.

FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship

FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship - an Official FIDE World Chess Championship! 9R-SS G/90 + 30/sec increment. Holiday Inn Hotel: 5300 W Touhy Ave Skokie, IL 60077. 847.679.8900. $20,000 Guaranteed. Open to players with no FIDE title and rated under 2000 FIDE. All players compete in a single section. Please see tournament website for more detailed rating regulations.

Prizes: Overall: $3000-2000-1600-1400; Top Women: $1000-600-400-200; (1799-1600): $1000-600-400-200; (1599-1400): $1000-600-400-200; (U1400): $1000-600-400-200; (Unrated): $1000-600-400-200;

EF: $120 by 6pm 02/15, $150 by 6pm 03/15; $200 thereafter and onsite. No re-entries allowed. No half-point byes allowed (zero point byes only). Onsite registration from 3-5pm 03/19.

Rds: 3/19 - 6:30pm; 3/20-21 - 12pm and 6:30pm per day; 3/22-25 - 6:30pm per night.

Mail entries with registration information to: North American Chess Association (make checks payable to) 4957 Oakton Street, Suite 113, Skokie, IL 60077.

More information and online registration available at: http://www.worldchesschamps.com. Questions via email only: sevan@worldchesschamps.com

Satu Mare Blitz Romania

Gheorghe Nemeth a chess player of Satu Mare (Transylvania, Romania) is organsing a blitz tournament commemorating the fall of the communist regime in 1989. The event is in Satu Mare on Sunday 27th December 2009. The event is organised by his Foundation for the Rebirth of Satu Mare’s chess.

Contact: nemethgheorghe@gmail.com

Details: http://www.frsah.ro/alte_turnee.htm

Schachbundesliga 2009-10

The Schachbundesliga in Germany is the strongest league in the world.

Rounds 8 and 9 are on 6th and 7th of February 2010. Baden-Baden are the only team left on 100%.

Official site: http://www.schachbundesliga.de/

52nd Reggio Emilia Tournament

The 52nd Reggio Emilia Tournament, category XV, takes place 28th December 2009 - 6th January 2010. The tournament will consist of 10 players in a round robin at the 4-star Mercure Grand Hotel Astoria in the center of Reggio Emilia. January 1st will be a rest day.

Official website: http://www.ippogrifoscacchi.it/default.asp

52nd Reggio Emilia (ITA), 28 xii 2009 - 6 i 2010 cat. XV
TiPlayerNATElo NovWRkDoB
GMZoltan AlmasiHUN2704331976
GMBaadur JobavaGEO2696391983
GMGata KamskyUSA2695411974
GMViktor BologanMDA2692431971
GMBaadur JobavaGEO2696391983
GMKonstantin LandaRUS2664631972
GMFabiano CaruanaITA2652811992
GMEltaj SafarliAZE25922201992
GMMichele GodenaITA25375041967
IMSabino BrunelloITA25077231989
GMDaniele VocaturoITA25007851989

Bermuda open

2010 BERMUDA INTERNATIONAL OPEN 5th-7th February 2009, Cocktail party & Blitz on the 4th Fairmont Southampton Resort & C.C.

FIDE event with FIDE ratings available; 60 GP pts. PRIZES: 1st $1,000; 2nd $800; 3rd $600; 4th $400; 5th $200; U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600: $250, $150, $100 each group

Also airfare from NY area and hotel for 2011 to 1st overall and 1st untitled player Trophy for first place in each category. Entry fee $100 on site only. Rds. Fri 8pm, S&S 9 & 3 Sunday evening free dinner buffet & bar for all players and spouses Hotel 1-800-441-1414; $179+tax

Contacts: Nigel Freeman nigelfreeman@fide.com, C. Jarecki carolj10280@yahoo.com

South Lakes Congress

The South Lakes Congress is taking place on w/e of 11-13th June 2010 at The Grand Hotel, Grange-over-Sands. The contact for the event is: Trevor Blower, 18 Blackbutts Lane, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 3AP. email: trevor.blower@talktalk.net, Phone No 01229 472100.

Austrian Bundesliga

The first weekend of the Austrian Bundesliga (11 rounds) took place 6th-8th November 2009 in Jenbach, Austria.

Time control: 100 minutes for 40 moves an additional 50 minutes with 30 seconds per move starting from move 1.

Remaining fixtures: 14th-17th January 2010 in Graz and 27th-30th March 2010 in Baden.

Official site: http://www.chess.at/staatsligen/stl_a.htm

Results: http://www.chess-results.com/tnr21147.aspx

Two Hungarian events

1. 26th of Nov until 4th of Dec.Tenkes Cup, Harkany, Link to: http://baranyasakk.hu/index.php?cat=naptar&id=3&age=0&vid=15&lang=en&det=12 - Open 9 rounds Swiss, 250 km West from Budapest, free thermal bathes, Organizer: Mr. Fulop, Csaba e-mail address: fulopcsa@invitel.hu First rize: bruttó 1800 Euros (in HUF)

2,5th-16th of December Budapest, First Saturday GM-IM-FM ELO tournaments, 9...11 rounds, Org: Nagy Laszlo, e-mail: firstsat@hu.inter.net - link to: http://www.firstsaturday.hu

Czech Tour 2009-10

5.-12.12. 2009 1st PILSEN OPEN (Central hotel) - http://www.czechtour.net/pilsen-open/

8-15.1. 2010 9th PRAGUE OPEN (TOP HOTEL Praha) - http://www.czechtour.net/prague-open/

16-23.1. 2010 9th MARIENBAD OPEN (Kossuth hotel) - http://www.czechtour.net/marienbad-open/

13-20.2. 2010 1st NOVY BOR OPEN (Grandhotel Prazak) - http://www.czechtour.net/novy-bor-open/

The registration deadline for 3rd SOUTH BOHEMIA OPEN, which takes place 14.-21.11. 2009 in the town of Cesky Krumlov (http://www.czechtour.net/south-bohemia-open/), which is one of the most beautiful places in the Czech Republic, has been prolonged without extra fee for the late enrolment till 9.11. 2009.

Preliminary starting lists on 4.11. 2009 should be found at http://www.czechtour.net/news/.

Rilton Cup 2009-10

The XXXIX Rilton Cup takes place 27th December 2009 - 5th January 2010.

The 39th Rilton Cup has a prize fund of more than SEK 200 000 (about 22 000 euro) and will be played in three groups: Rilton Cup, Rilton Elo and Rilton Open (Rilton Open is only open for Nordic players with a rating lower than national 1800). Rilton Cup and Rilton Elo is Elo registrated and play 9 rounds FIDE-Swiss.

Send your entry with name, address, country, Elo rating and Elo ID by mail, fax or e-mail, no later than the 17th of December to: Stockholm’s Chess Federation, att.: "Rilton Cup". Pg 25 79 58-9 or Bg 822-1301.

Mobile telephones (cell phones) are not allowed in the playing hall! Playing hall: Malarsalen, Münchenbryggeriet, Torkel Knutssonsgatan 2, Stockholm, SWEDEN

Details: http://www.rilton.se - http://www.rilton.se/invitation0910.asp - http://www.rilton.se/players.asp

Corus Wijk aan Zee 2010

The field for the 2010 Corus tournament in Wijk aan Zee has been announced. Dates Friday 15th January 2010 - Sunday 31st January 2010.

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

The A-Group is category XIX and once again is a pretty exciting field.

Corus A Wijk aan Zee (NED), 15-31 i 2010 cat. XIX (2720)
TiPlayerNATElo SeptWRkDoB
GMViswanathan AnandIND278821969
GMMagnus CarlsenNOR277241990
GMVladimir KramnikRUS277251975
GMPeter LekoHUN276261979
GMVassily IvanchukUKR275681969
GMHikaru NakamuraUSA2735161987
GMAlexei ShirovESP2730181972
GMSergey KarjakinRUS2722201990
GMLeinier Dominguez PerezCUB2719221983
GMNigel ShortENG2706291965
GMSergey TiviakovNED2670571973
GMFabiano CaruanaITA2662711992
GMLoek van WelyNED2650861972
GMJan SmeetsNED26421011985

The B-Group is a not too shabby category 16 and once again they have a mixed field of youth and experience that should provide some real entertainment.

Corus B Wijk aan Zee (NED), 15-31 i 2010 cat. XVI (2627)
TiPlayerNATElo SeptDoB
GMNi HuaCHN26921983
GMArkadij NaiditschGER26851985
GMEmil SutovskyISR26761977
GMPentala HarikrishnaIND26731986
GMLiviu-Dieter NisipeanuROM26641976
GMWesley SoPHI26441993
GMVaruzhan AkobianUSA26371983
GMDavid HowellENG26241990
GMParimarjan NegiIND26151993
GMTomi NybackFIN26151985
GMErwin l'AmiNED26061985
GMDimitri ReindermanNED25721972
GMAnish GiriNED25521994
WGMAnna MuzychukSLO25331990

There will also be a C-Group, the field will be announced later.

Hastings Chess Congress 2009-10

The Hastings Chess Congress takes place 28th December 2009 - 5th January 2010.

Contact details conpowr@aol.com

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

Hastings Chess Congress (ENG), 28 xii 2009 - 4 i 2010
Leading Entries
DRODZOVSKIJ YuriUKRgm2627
EDOUARD RomanFRAgm2620
HOWELL DavidENGgm2620
STRATESCU AndreiROMgm2620
WILLIAMS SimonENGgm2520
HEBDEN MarkENGgm2500
ARKELL KeithENGgm2478
PHILIPPE ChristopheFRAim2430
ZDEBSKAJA NataliaUKRwgm2410
KOLBUS DietmarGERim2355
MARUSENKO PetrUKRim2300
RUDD JackENGim2296

Gibtelecom Masters 2010

The Gibtelecom Masters takes place 26th January - 4 February 2010.

Contact details: hotel conf.banq@caletahotel.gi; technical stewartreuben@aol.com.

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

Gibtelecom Masters (ENG), 26 i - 4 ii 2010
Leading Entries
Zhu Chen QTR GM2473
Al-Modiahki Mohamad QTR GM2570
Cmilyte Victorja LTU IM2475
Zhukova Natalia UKR WGM2465
Skripchenko Almira FRA IM2450
Fressinet Laurent FRA GM2667
Zatonskih Anna USA IM2466
Fridman Daniel GER GM2665
Dzagnidze Nana GEO GM2536
Krush Irina USA IM2458
Zozulia Anna BEL IM2341
Malakhatko Vadim BEL GM2573
Cramling Pia SWE GM2531
Bellon Juan ESP GM2430
Sachdev Tania IND IM2410
Muzychuk Mariya UKR IM2441
Houska Jovanka ENG IM2380+
Roiz Michael ISR GM2662
Golod Vitali ISR GM2592
Calzetta Monica ESP WGM2344
Koneru Humpy IND GM2611
Siebrecht Sebastian GER GM2456
Hoffmann Michael GER GM2513
Stefanova Antoaneta BUL GM2522
Dronavalli Harika IND IM2449
Kruttika Nadig IND WGM2264
Karavade Eesha IND WGM2391
Mohota Nisha IND WGM2336
Speelman Jon ENG GM2525
Agdestein Simen NOR GM2570
Arakhamia Ketevan SCO GM2500
Sedina Elena ITA IM2335
Adams Michael ENG GM2682
Romain Edouard FRA GM2622
Istratescu Andrei ROU GM2624
Movsesian Sergey CZE GM2711
Kosteniuk Alexandra RUS GM2516
Gopal Naravanyan IND GM2586
Sandipan Chandra IND GM2585
Vitiugov Nikita RUS GM2689
Romanov Evgeny RUS GM2591

Moscow Non-Stop Chess Events of the World Chess Tour

Following round-robin tournaments (GM. IM. rating) of the "World Chess Tour 2009/10" series. Autumn / Winter 2009/10:

2009: 18-28.11, 29.11-10.12, 13-22.12.

2010: 2-13.01, 17-28.01, 9-19.02, 20.02-3.03 etc.

Since November 2009 also "Non-stop" events are available. in different formats (depending of participant's wish: 1) 5-6 days 2) 7-8 days 3) 9-11 days 4) 12-15 days 5) 16-21 days 6) 22-31 days 7) more than 1 month.

Contact: GM Igor Glek. Phone mobile: Russia: (7)903-5593052, (7)926-0523889 Germany: (49)152-04014194 Phone/Fax (Russia): (7)495-4336634 Skype: Prinzflorisel E-mail: wlct06@gmail.com, worldchesstour@gmail.com

Official site: http://www.chess-events.org/

Official site: www.chess-events.org/en_US/rr-tur.html

II World Chess Open In Leon

The II WORLD CHESS OPEN in Leon (Spain) takes place 1st-3rd January 2010, from Friday to Sunday.

31st December 2009 sees a special dinner and a party, which will be of course optional for the players and companion and which will have an special price. We hope that all chess legends invited by the organisation will come and enjoy this celebration.

1st day of January first game starts at 17.00 pm and ches players who cannot arrive in time can ask 2 byes for both games of 1st of january (2 half points).

Total Prizes are around 30.000€, and first is 5000€. Prizes for players below 2350 ELO FIDE (10 prizes and 1st is 1000 €), below 2200 ELO FIDE, and below 2000 ELO FIDE.

TIME CONTROL: Players will have 35 minutes plus 3 additional seconds per move so they are not so rapid games as usual.

Amongst the players who can be invited by the organisation this time are Nigel Short, Robert Hubner, Mark Taimanov, Vlastimil Hort, Henrique Mecking, Bent Larsen, Eugene Torre, Jan Elhvest, Borislav Ivkov, Svetozar Gligoric, Maia Chiburdanidze, Oleg Romanishin, Lev Psakhis, Gyula Sax, Gheorguiu, Uhlmann, Sveshnikov, Smejkal, Vasiukov, Vaganian, Unzicker, Kurajica, Suba, Lilienthal…We will invite 8-10 players.

Official web page, http://www.openmundialdeleon.com

Contact: GM Alfonso Romero Holmes, Tournament Director aromero64@yahoo.es

8th Nancy Chess Festival

The 8th Nancy (France) Chess Festival takes place 22nd-28th February 2010.

Website (with english informations page) : http://echecs54.free.fr Contact : philippe.chr@free.fr

Serie of closed tournaments round-robins 10 players each : Group A for GM-norm (in 2009 : category 13, average 2557, winner Harikrishna), group B for IM-norms, group C for 10 players over 2200 elo, group D for 10 players over 2100 elo, group E for 10 players over 2000 elo, group F for 10 players over 1900 elo ...etc...18 groups with 174 players in 2009. 9 rounds 90min/40moves+30min(+30sec). Entry fee : adult 56 euros young 28 euros. Possibilities of hotels with special chess prices : see tournament website.

Icelandic Teams

The Icelandic Team Championship takes place 25th September 2009 - 3rd March 2010. Rounds 1-4 have taken place.

Results: http://chess-results.com/tnr25745.aspx

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

4NCL

The 4NCL starts Sat 24th Oct - Sun 25th Oct. 2009.

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

Live games: http://www.bcfservices.org.uk/livechess/4ncl/0910/index.htm

Sydney International and Doeberl Cup

Entries are invited for the 2010 Sydney International Open and Challengers Chess Tournaments, to be held 7-11 April 2010.

The organisers have received financial support from a variety of sources and the principal sponsor for 2010 is GM Murray Chandler.

The venue is again the historic Parramatta Town Hall in Western Sydney and free hotel accommodation (twin share room) is offered to International Chess Grandmasters. There are two nine-round FIDE-rated swiss tournaments, the Sydney International Open (SIO) and the Sydney International Challengers (SIC). Cash prizes exceed A$16,000 and visas can be arranged on request for overseas players (please provide passport details). More Information is available at http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/index.cfm?site=open

For those players that want even more chess, the Doeberl Cup will be held in Canberra from 1-5 April 2010. See http://www.doeberlcup.com.au Transport from Canberra to Sydney on Tuesday 6 April 2010 will be provided free of charge for all overseas players.

18th Donau Open

The 18th Donau Open takes place in Aschach, Austria, 26th-31st December 2009.

Details: http://www.aschach.at/schach/

Contact: Guenter Mitterhuemer, Seebach 19, 4070 Eferding Tel.: 07272 / 4398 (Vorwahl Österreich: 0043) Email: guenter.mitterhuemer@schach.at

Cappelle-la-Grande 2010

The 26th International Open of Cappelle-la-Grande will take place 13th-20th February 2010.

For every players wishing to be invited, please contact Mr GOUVART at the following address: stephanegouvart@gmail.com phone: +33671624629

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

Czech Chess Christmas 2009-10

Czech Chess Christmas 2009 Litomysl (CZE) 26th December - 2nd January 2010

11th christmas chess FIDE tournament, swiss system of 9 round, rate of game 2 x 1,5h + 30s/move, prize fund 64.000 CZK (1st prize 20.000 CZK = 800 EUR), special conditions for IM, WGM and GM, New Year’s Eve programme.

Contact: Proclient s.r.o., Jaroslav Fuksik, Svedska 3, 772 00 Olomouc, mobile: +420 608 364 664, e-mail: a64@proclient.cz, web: http://www.a64.cz/tournaments/litomysl2009/

Hungarian Tournaments October 2009 - April 2010

First Saturday chess tournaments, GM-IM-FM sections, 50-60-70 players usually out of 10-15 countries, for 9...14 days here.

Upcoming tournaments:

1. 3rd-15th of October, GM-IM-FM First Saturday Budapest, org: Nagy Laszlo, firstsat@hu.inter.net,

2. 23rd-31st of October, GM tmt, Pecs, 250 km West from Budapest,

3. 7th-19th of November, GM-IM-FM, First Saturday, Budapest, 4. 26th of Nov-3rd of Dec, Harkany Open, 250 km South-West from Budapest, org: Mr.Fulop, e-mail to: fulopcsa@invitel.hu

5. 5th-17th of December, GM-IM-FM, First Saturday, Budapest,

6. 8th-16th of January 2010 Perenyi memorial Open, 9 rounds Swiss, Budapest, info: Nagy Laszlo,

7. 6th-18th of February 2010 FS GM-IM-FM, Budapest,

8. 6th-18th of March 2010, FS GM-IM-FM Budapest,

9. 19th-28th of March 2010 26th Budapest Spring Festival, 9 rounds Swiss Open, org: Nagy Laszlo

10.3rd-16th of April 2010 FS GM-IM-FM Budapest

Contact: Nagy, Laszlo International chess organizer, member of the FIDE organizers' committee, "GENS UNA SUMUS" ET "PACTA SUND SERVANDA" http://www.firstsaturday.hu

Possible in the website online chat also... Mobile: +36-30-230-19-14 Phone-fax: +36-1-263-28-59 E-mail: firstsat@hu.inter.net ICC, SKYPE, YAHOO, MSN, www.chess.com nickname: mrfirstsaturday

Mundial Chess Internet Tournament

The organising Committee Mundial Chess invites all the players (from the amateurs to Grandmasters) to take part in the 1st Internet tournament with the prize fund of more than 130.000 EUR in cash and many special prizes. The 1st prize in the main tournament will be not less than 10.000 EUR.

Registration (and information in English) in the tournament is possible following the link - http://www.mundialchess.com/chess-online/en/zvfdxt6 Registration and information in Spanish - http://www.mundialchess.com/chess-online/es/zvfdxt6 Registration and information in Russian - http://www.mundialchess.com/chess-online/ru/zvfdxt6

Ajedrez 21 English site

Ajedrez 21 now has an English site: http://www.ajedrez21.com/en/

Kingpin Magazine

The humourous and satirical chess magazine Kingpin has a new website.

New website address: http://www.kingpinchess.net

Torch Real Estate Cup

The Chinese team competition the Torch Real Estate Cup started in Chengdu China on 4th May 2009. I'm hoping for a full game file.

Live games: http://live.chinaqiyuan.com/chess/tfd.htm

Official site: http://chess.sport.org.cn/

Results: http://chess-results.com/tnr21650.aspx

Historical Elo Ratings

http://www.shakki.net/history/elotop.htm has a list of historical top ten FIDE lists. The text is in Finnish but is understandable anyhow.

Reno Far West Open

The Far West Open Chess Tournament took place April 10th-12th 2009 in Reno Nevada. Sergey Kudrin edged out Enrico Sevillano and Gergerly Antal who finished on 5/6. Games should follow.

Official site: http://www.renochess.org/fwo/index.html

European Union Website

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

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

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