IM Esen Baris and IM Doric Darko leading

Round 6 results:

GM Atalik Suat 2599 ½ – ½ WGM Sedina Elena 2358

IM Estremera Panos Sergio 2400 ½ – ½ IM Marzolo Cyril 2478

IM Hernando Rodrigo Jose Maria 2359 0 – 1 IM Doric Darko 2470

IM Esen Baris 2453 1 – 0 WIM Drljevic Ljilja 2270

Njili Kamel 2397 1 – 0 IM Belouadah Saad 2305

Krivokapic Marko 2349 1 – 0 Ferhi Djamel 2117

IM Ezat Mohamed 2440 ½ – ½ Mihailidis Anastasios 2266

Laouini Sami 2229 0 – 1 IM Atalik Ekaterina 2404

Round 6 standings:

1-2. IM Esen Baris (2453 TUR) and IM Doric Darko (2470 CRO) 5.0/6

3-8. GM Atalik Suat (2599 TUR), IM Marzolo Cyril (2478 FRA), WGM Sedina Elena (2358 ITA), IM Estremera Panos Sergio (2400 ESP), Krivokapic Marko (2349 MNE) and Njili Kamel (2397 TUN) 4.5

9-15. FM Adnani Mokhlis (2263 MAR), IM Hernando Rodrigo Jose Maria (2359 ESP), WGM Milliet Sophie (2395 FRA), IM Atalik Ekaterina (2404 TUR), Chahrani Ibrahim (2274 LBA), WIM Drljevic Ljilja (2270 MNE) and IM Belouadah Saad (2305 ALG) 4.0

Round 4 report and games

More information on the official website

Round 5 games:

26th November to 4th December 2007 in Sousse, Tunisia

The 5th Mediterranean Men and Women Chess Championships is taking place on 26th November to 4th December 2007 in Sousse, Tunisia. Sousse is known as the site of a legendary 1967 Interzonal tournament. Men and women will participate in one joint tournament, chief organizer is Mr Latiri Tahar from Tunisian Chess Federation and rate of play is 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move for each player. GM Suat Atalik is defending his 2006 title, women champion IM Yelena Dembo is not playing.

Standings after round 4:

1-5. GM Atalik Suat 2599 TUR, IM Marzolo Cyril 2478 FRA, IM Esen Baris 2453 TUR, IM Doric Darko 2470 CRO and Krivokapic Marko 2349 MNE
6-13. FM Adnani Mokhlis 2263 MAR, IM Ezat Mohamed 2440 EGY, IM Hernando Rodrigo Jose Maria 2359 ESP, IM Estremera Panos Sergio 2400 ESP, WGM Sedina Elena 2358 ITA, WGM Milliet Sophie 2395 FRA, WIM Drljevic Ljilja 2270 MNE and IM Belouadah Saad 2305 ALG

WIM Drljevic Ljilja and GM Atalik Suat

More information on the official website

standings after round 6

Chingiz Qasimov from (Azerbaijan, Under 8), Thanh Thuy Tien (Vietnam, Under 8 Girls), Tong Sen Wang(Under 10, China), Anna Sytyazhkina (under 10 Girls, Russia), Marsel Efroimski(Under 12 Girls,Israel) and Mary Ann Gomes (India, Under 18 Girls) are the players that continue with a perfect 6,0/6 score at the World Youth Chess Championship 2007 in Antalya, Turkey. Today is the rest day, the games continue Sunday, November 25. Here are the top parts of the standings in each group.

World Youth Chess Championship U18

1. GM POPOV Ivan (2539, RUS) 5

2. IM GRIGORYAN Avetik (2489, ARM) 5

3. IM PRUIJSSERS Roeland (2408, NED) 5

4. IM WARAKOMSKI Tomasz (2498, POL) 5

5. FM NAKHAPETIANE Pogos (2427, RUS) 5

6. IM VOCATURO Daniele (2443, ITA) 5

7. IM LEON HOYOS Manuel (2495, MEX) 4½

World Youth Chess Championship U18 girls

1. WIM GOMES Mary Ann (2262, IND) 6

2. WIM NEMCOVA Katerina (2255, CZE) 5

3. WFM HAMRAKULOVA Yulduz (2185, UZB) 5

4. WFM STEIL-ANTONI Fiona (2104, LUX) 5

5. WIM YILDIZ Betul Cemre (2220, TUR) 4½

6. WFM RYSBAYEVA Aigerim (2163, KAZ) 4½

7. WFM DAVLETBAYEVA Madina (2165, KAZ) 4½

WYCC U8

1. QASIMOV Chingiz (0, AZE) 6

2. SAVENKOV Konstantin (0, RUS) 5½

3. AYVAZYAN Nikita (0 RUS 5½

4. SHTEMBULIAK Evgeny (2077, UKR) 5

5. JEROME Jorge Ebenezer G (0, IND) 5

6. LIN Dachey (0, USA ) 5

7. SHAHI Harshal (1708, IND) 5

8. KLEPIKOV Nikita (0, RUS) 5

WYCC U8 girls

1. NGUYEN Thanh Thuy Tien (0, VIE) 6

2. ABDUMALIK Zhansaya (0, KAZ) 5

3. FURTADO Ivana Maria (0, IND) 4½

4. MEGHNA C H (1716, IND) 4½

5. LESNIC Galina (0, MDA) 4½

6. LIAO Simone (0, USA) 4½

7. PONAMARCHUK Anastasia (0, RUS) 4½

8. ZHOU Qiyu (0, FIN) 4½

9. MARCZUK Anna (0, POL) 4½

WYCC U10

1. WANG Tong Sen (0, CHN) 6

2. PRINCE Bajaj 1983 (IND, 5½)

3. DUDA Jan-Krzysztof (1901, POL) 5

4. CM LE Huu Thai (0, VIE) 5

5. SADIKHOV Ulvi (0, AZE) 5

6. LUO Brian J (1946, USA) 5

7. ANTIPOV Mikhail Al (2070, RUS) 5

8. KHAMIDOV Komil (1835, POL) 5

WYCC U10 girls

1. STYAZHKINA Anna (1869, RUS) 6

2. KHADEMALSHARIEH Sarasadat (0, IRI) 5½

3. GUO Yue Fan (0, CHN) 5

4. CHIANG Sarah (0, USA) 5

5. WFM MONISHA Raja Jawahar (0, SIN) 5

6. FEDYUK Iryna (0, UKR) 5

7. FELIX VEGA Aurora Edith (0, PER) 5

World Youth Chess Championship U12

1. FM NYZHNYK Illya (2377, UKR) 5½

2. NARODITSKY Daniel (2124, USA) 5½

3. FM BAJARANI Ulvi (2268, AZE) 5½

4. HAN Chao (0, CHN) 5½

5. SRBIS Jurica (2055, CRO) 5

6. BOK Benjamin (2116, NED) 5

7. BERADZE Irakli (2104, GEO) 5

8. BUKAVSHIN Ivan (2248, RUS) 5

9. FM FERNANDEZ Daniel Howard (2102, SIN) 5

World Youth Chess Championship U12 girls

1. EFROIMSKI Marsel (1912, ISR) 6

2. WFM IWANOW Anna (1922, POL) 5½

3. EID Maha (1841, FRA) 5½

4. SADUAKASOVA Dinara (0, KAZ) 5

5. ZHAI Mo (0, CHN) 5

6. KUMARI Priyanka (1899, IND) 5

7. ZIAZIULKINA Nastassia (1901, BLR) 4½

8. VUJNOVIC Patricija (0, CRO) 4½

World Youth Chess Championship U14

1. IM SJUGIROV Sanan (2422, RUS) 5½

2. S.P. Sethuraman (2427, IND) 5

3. FM ROBSON Ray (2368, USA) 5

4. FM TER-SAHAKYAN Samvel (2389, ARM) 5

5. WANG Chen (2311, CHN) 5

6. FM VIDIT Santosh Gujrathi (2315, IND) 5

7. BELOUS Vladimir (2283, RUS) 5

8. LAGARDE Maxime (2256, FRA) 5

World Youth Chess Championship U14 girls

1. WFM PAIKIDZE Nazi (2292, GEO) 5½

2. CAMACHO Chardine Cheradee (2094, PHI) 5

3. WFM NGUYEN Thi Mai Hung (2033, VIE) 5

4. WFM DANELIA Mariam (2111, GEO) 5

5. ADAMOWICZ Katarzyna (2034, POL) 5

6. SHVAYGER Yuliya (2007, UKR) 5

World Youth Chess Championship U16

1. FM LENIART Arkadiusz (2329, POL) 5½

2. FM PIORUN Kacper (2353, POL) 5

3. HOVHANNISYAN Robert (2273, ARM) 5

4. FM BREGADZE Levan (2388, GEO) 5

5. FM CHIRILA Ioan Cristian (2423, ROU) 5

6. NABATY Tamir (2426, ISR) 5

World Youth Chess Championship U16 girls

1. BERIDZE Tinatin (2033, GEO) 5½

2. WFM GIRYA Olga (2338, RUS) 5½

3. TSATSALASHVILI Keti (2161, GEO) 5

4. WFM TON Nu Hong An (2142, VIE) 5

5. IORDANIDOU Zoi (2012, GRE) 5

6. WFM REPINA Varvara (2154, RUS) 4½

7. AGREST Inna (2121, SWE) 4½

8. UUGANBAYAR Lkhamsuren (2067, MGL) 4½

9. WFM OZTURK Kubra (2174, TUR) 4½

later this month he will try to take the Chess World Cup 2007

One of the strongest World Blitz Championships ever took place 21-22 November in Moscow. It included the ten participants from the Tal Memorial, the six who qualified from the preliminary round, and the World Champion Vishy Anand. Each player participated in a total of 40 games. The championship could not have a more exciting ending, as both Anand and Ivanchuk headed in the last round with equal points. During the whole tournament the two have been chasing each other and the decisive battle was left for the last two games. The first game Anand had black and held Ivanchunk for a draw. However in the second game Ivanchuk stunned Anand with black and grabbed the title.

Final standings

1. Vassily Ivanchuk 25,5

2. Vishy Anand 24,5

3. Alexander Grischuk 23,5

4. Gata Kamsky 23,5

5. Vladimir Kramnik 21,5

6. Peter Leko 21,5

7. Sergey Rublevsky 21,5

8. Alexander Morozevich 21,0

9. Magnus Carlsen 20,5

10. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 18,5

11. Michael Adams 18,5

12. Ruslan Ponomariov 18,0

13. Rustam Kasimdzhanov 17,5

14. Alexey Dreev 17,0

15. Boris Gelfand 17,0

16. Boris Savchenko 17,0

17. Alexei Shirov 16,0

18. Anatoly Karpov 14,0

19. Etienne Bacrot 12,0

20. Alexey Korotylev 11,5

Round by round results can be found on the official site

Ivanchuk heading for the World Cup 2007

After defeating opposition in Moscow, Ivanchuk will be heading for Khanty Mansiysk where he will participate in the World Chess Cup 2007. He will play against Pedro Aderito in the first round, a game that should not be a problem for Ivanchuk. However, the competition is long. Each mini match will be 2 days long and the final will be 4 days.
You will be able to follow live comments from the games at Chessdom. Do not forget to vote what game from the World Cup you want to see commented live.

WYCC update after round 5

World Youth Chess Championship U18

After GM Ivan Popov could not conquer the U20 World Junior Championship in Armenia earlier this year, he is surely going to try it again here at the WYCC U18 in Antalya. GM Popov is leading the group with 4,5/5 . With the same points are IM Avetik Grigoryan, IM Roeland Pruijssers, and IM Tomasz Warakomski. They are closely followed by the young Mexican GM elect Manuel Leon Hoyos with 4,0/5. Tomorrow are the derby matches IM Avetik Grigoryan – GM Ivan Popov, IM Roeland Pruijssers – IM Tomasz Warakomski, and IM Ilja Berner – GM Manuel Leon Hoyos.

World Youth Chess Championship U18 girls

From all 12 groups only in this one we have a leader who is a point clear on top. This is WIM Mary Ann Gomes who is leading the WYCC U18 group with full 5,0/5.She is followed by WGM Anya Corke, WIM Katerina Nemcova, WIM Nargiz Umudova, WIM Betul Cemre Yildiz, WFM Aigerim Rysbayeva, Irina Andrenko, WIM Irina Ignacz, WFM Yulduz Harmalukova, and WFM Fiona Antoni – Steil, all of them with 4,0/5. The top seeded WFM Valentina Gunina is trailing at 23rd position with 3,0/5.

WYCC U8

Chingiz Quasimov (Azerbaijan) is the leader of the U8 boy group of the World Youth Chess Championship. He has full 5,0/5 and is closely followed by Nguyen and Savenkov with 4,5. As we predicted earlier, Savenkov is one of the faorites for winning this group, having very strong performance this year in tournaments such as Morsko Konche. The first seeded Evgeny Shtembuliak is with 4,0, but in that age group such a difference cannot be considered important.

WYCC U8 girls

The U8 girls group is a copy of the U8 boys group. There is a clear leader with 5,0, Nguyen, followed by Meghna and Lesnic with 4,5. Nguyen is the sister of one of the leaders of the boys’ group. Both of them have Rp 1800+ and are for sure one of the hot talents in their age group.

WYCC U10

Two are on the lead in the U10 group – Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Tong Sen Wang. While Duda was 19th seeded and fought hard for first position, Wang does not have international rating and yet he managed to get the full 5,0/5 with ease. The Chinese chess school seems to have produced another talent. Duda and Wang are closely followed by Prince, Vaibhab, and Mohineesh – all from India and all with 4,5.

WYCC U10 girls

A shared lead and a race between China and Russia – Anna Styazhkina and Yue Fan Guo are top of the table with full 5,0/5. The favorites of the group WFM Raja Jawahar Monisha and WFM Cecile Naussernot are with 4,0 and 2,5 points respectively at 7th and 44th position.

WYCC U12

The World Youth Chess Championship U12 is having an exciting group. In round 4 there were 5 boys with full score. FM Illya Nyzhnyk proved one more time he is the strongest of the group after stopping the surprise Alexander Monev in an exciting game where he was down on material for a big part of the game. Daniel Naroditsky is the hope of USA for medal, as he shares the lead with Nyzhnyk, both with full points.

WYCC U12 girls

Marsel Efroimski is leading with 5,0/5 after achieving a victory only in 10 moves in round 5. She is half a point in front of the chasing pack Ziaziulkina, Vujnovic, Iwanow, and Eid. The derby game tomorrow is Efroimski – Vujnovic.

World Youth Chess Championship U14

This is the first group where seedings seem to reflect standings with 6 out of top 10 seeded in the lead. First is IM Sanan Sjugirov with full 5,0/5, followed by S.P. Sethuraman, FM Ray Robson, FM Ter Sahakyan, Chen Wang, and Vojtech Plat with 4,5/5. Ray Robson is the second hope for medals for the USA and as we are already used to seeing in this tournament the other places seem to be a fight between Russia, India, and China.

World Youth Chess Championship U14 girls

WFM Nazi Paikidze is showing why she has about 200 ELO more than her opponents in the U14 girls group and is leading with full 5,0/5. She is followed by Chardine Cheradee Camacho and WFM Nguyen (yes, you have already heard this name, and all of them are heading for the medals!) Tomorrow in the most interesting game Chardine Cheradee Camacho will have to play against WFM Nazi Paikidze, while WFM Nguyen will play against WFM Mery Arabidze

World Youth Chess Championship U16

This is the first group where we do not have a perfect score leader. Four youngsters are leading with 4,5/5 – FM David Recuero Guerra, Robert Hovhanissyan and the two Polish stars FM Leniart and Kacper Piorun. They are followed by 9 people with 4,0/5 among which the top seeded IM Ivan Salgado Lopez. There are many rounds to the end and this is for sure one of the most interesting groups.

World Youth Chess Championship U16 girls

A five way tie in the World Youth Chess Championship U16 girls group. Keti Tsatsalashvili, WFM Varvara Repina, WFM Nu Hong An Ton, Tinatin Beridze, and WFM Olga Girya are with 4,5/5. Nothing is decided here as the top 25 seeded are only 100 ELO poinst apart and most of them are with 3,5 or more points.

IM Jon Ludvig Hammer grabbed first place

Knut Brokstads Minneturnering 2007 took place on 17-18th November at Britannia Hotell in Trondheim, Norway. Tournament format was 5 round swiss with time control of 90 minutes for first 40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest of the game and players were divided into two rating sections (2000+ and U2000).

Top rated group formed fairly strong swiss with 12 players. IM Jon Ludvig Hammer continued playing in wonderful shape after the European Team Chess Championship and Politiken Cup and won the event with 4.0 points. Jon Kristian Haarr (NOR 1922) claimed first place among 62 players in the U2000 section with 4.5/5 points.

IM Jon Ludvig Hammer

Prior to the tournament, our friend GM Mihajlo Stojanovic held 3-day training course for the local players.

Final Standings:

1. IM Jon Ludvig Hammer (NOR 2402) 4.0

2-3. GM Vladimir Epishin (RUS 2578) and IM Michael Richter (NOR 2413) 3.5

4-5. GM Kjetil A. Lie (NOR 2563) and Tore Kolas (NOR 2218) 3.0

6-7. GM Mihajlo Stojanovic (SRB 2582) and Edwin David (NOR 2220) 2.5

8-10. FM Dag Madsen (NOR 2263), Johannes Kvisla (NOR 2124) and Pal Andreas Hansen (NOR 1607) 2.0

11. Roar E. Nakken (NOR 2146) 1.5

12. Arild Monsoy (NOR 2036) 0.5

Official website

Vladimir Kramnik wins

The ex world champion Vladimir Kramnik won the 2007 edition of the Tal Memorial. He achieved victory one round before the end and in the last round held Ivanchuk to a draw. Kramnik showed consistent play through the whole championship and did not lose a single game. His final score – 4 wins, 5 draws, 0 lost, 6,5/9.

Exciting fight for the second place

After Kramnik won the tournament, all attention was directed to the fight for the second place. The last round started with 7 people at 1 point distance. Shirov was with 4,5, Gelfand, Carlsen, Jakovenko, and Leko with 4,0, and Mamedyarov, Kamsky, and Ivanchuk with 3,0. Mamedyarov quickly gave up the race drawing with Alekseev on move 16. Later on Carlsen and Kamsky joined him as they drew on move 36. Jakovenko – Shirov and Gelfand – Leko followed suit. Ivanchuk was trying until the last moment to outplay Kramnik, but the opposite color bishops ended the game in a draw.

Kramnik and Shirov – first and second at Tal Memorial

Final standings:

1. Kramnik 6,5

2. Shirov 5,0

3-6 Gelfand, Carlsen, Jakovenko, Leko 4,5

7-9 Mamedyarov, Kamsky, Ivanchuk 4,0

10. Alekseev 3,5

Draws at Tal Memorial

The 2007 Tal Memorial was marked by a high percentage of draws. Alekseev, Ivanchuk, and Gelfand got all their points from draws, and there were entire rounds that finished with this result only. There were a total of 33 draws out of 45 games i.e. 73% of the games. These facts and games such as the 16 moves draw in the last round give more arguments in favor of the Sofia rule.

first round results of the World Youth Chess Championship

Today in Kemer, Antalya, started the World Youth Chess Championship for boys and girls from 8 to 18 years old. It is a major event involving the top players from most of the world’s federations. More than 2000 participants and 1500 accompanying people are in Antalya.

Today was the first round of the event. In the U-18 section, boys, we see GM Ivan Popov and GM David Howell who had a direct rivalry for the first places of the U20 World Championship earlier this year. However, they will also face strong opposition from Manuel Leon Hoyos.

In the girls U-18 section Valentina Gunina starts as the clear favorite with a victory against Maria Vladimirova. WIM Kiran, WIM Gomes, WIM Mikadze, and WIM Nemcova complete the top 5 seeded.

The playing hall of the WYCC in Kemer

Here are the results of the top five boards of the first round of the WYCC in Antalya.

World Youth Chess Championship, Boys U-18

GM POPOV Ivan (2539, RUS) - HANSEN Alexei Cherstiouk (2189, DEN) 1-0

SCHWARHOFER Christopher (2186, AUT) - GM HOWELL David W L (2527, ENG) 0-1

GM RAKHMANOV Aleksandr (2510, RUS) - IDRISOV Tebriz (2169, AZE) 0-1

CATELLI Hernan (2168, ARG) IM - WARAKOMSKI Tomasz (2498, POL) 0-1

IM LEON HOYOS Manuel (2495, MEX) - SCHIENDORFER Emanuel (2163, SUI) 1-0

World Youth Chess Championship, Girls U-18

VLADIMIROVA Maria (2003, BUL) WFM GUNINA Valentina (2359, RUS) 0-1

WIM KIRAN Manisha Mohanty (2263, IND) AVDEEVA Victoriya (1985, AZE) 1-0

HRENIC Misa (1982, SLO) WIM GOMES Mary Ann (2262, IND) 0-1

WIM MIKADZE Miranda (2255, GEO) MANELIDOU Maria (1933, GRE) 1-0

LEVY ORTIZ Mireya (1910, ECU) WIM NEMCOVA Katerina (2255, CZE) 0-1

WYCC, Boys U-8

KOLDAY Ata (0, TUR ) - SHTEMBULIAK Evgeny (2077, UKR) 0-1

ACOSTA Cubides Jorian Jared (1998, COL) - KUDELYA Igor (0, RUS) 0-1

KUMCU Ugur (0, TUR) - LOPEZ Luis Alejandro (1973, COL) 1-0

ARJUN BHARAT (1825, IND) - KUZMANOVIC Jordan 0 (FYR, 65) 1-0

LEVITAN Tal (0, ISR) - SHAHI Harshal 1708 (IND, 5) 0-1

WYCC Girls U-8

FIESCO Valentina (2048, COL) - LIAO Simone (0, USA) 0-1

LUNIGIANI Deborah (0, ITA) – MEGHNA C H (1716, IND) 0-1

DMOCHOWSKA Agnieszka (1463, POL) - MAMMADOVA Narmin (0, AZE) 0-1

MAMMADZADA Gunay (0, AZE) - ABDUMALIK Zhansaya (0, KAZ) 0-1

ACIMOVIC Gorica (0, SER) – MARCZUK Anna (0, POL) ½ – ½

WYCC Boys U-10

CM RUIZ C Joshua D (2246, COL) - KADZIM Musa (0, INA) ½ – ½

KALEOGLU Fatih (0, TUR) - FM POSADA Juan Manuel (2141, COL) 0-1

FM KOUSHIK Girish. A. (2086, IND) - KANTARLI Onat (0, TUR) 1-0

KARIMOV Alisher (0, TJK) - GAGARE Shardul (2080, IND) 0-1

ANTIPOV Mikhail Al (2070, RUS) - KAYAALP Berk 1-0(0, TUR)

WYCC Girls U-10

FM SAEED Ishaq (2153, UAE) JANSEN VAN RENSBURG Monica (0, RSA) – - +

JEENA Cheshni (0, RSA) RENTERIA Manuela (1981, COL) 0-1

STYAZHKINA Anna (1869, RUS) JOUDELAT Noemie (0, FRA) 1-0

KAFETZI Angeliki (0, GRE) WFM HAUSSERNOT Cecile (1824, FRA) 0-1

UVAROVA Anastasiya (1749, RUS) KESKIN Suara (0, TUR) 0-1

WYCC Boys U-12

FM NYZHNYK Illya (2377, UKR) - ABOZENKO Georg (0, EST) 1-0

AHMAD Alzarovni (0, ) - FM BAJARANI Ulvi (2268, AZE) 0-1

FM MOUSSARD Jules (2261, FRA) - AKDAGLI Gokhan (0, TUR) 1-0

AKDAS Tutku Doruk (0, TUR) - BUKHAVSHIN Ivan (2248, RUS) 0-1

FM GROVER Sahaj (2238, IND) - AL AJJI Abdulla (0, QAT) 1-0

WYCC Girls U-12

WFM BARAEVA Marina (2136, RUS) - GUO Qi (0, CHN) 0-1

GURCAN Aytolun (0, TUR) - OSMANODJA Filiz (2071, GER) 0-1

WFM SAMIGULLINA Diana (2065, RUS) - HAUKSDOTTIR Hrund (0, ISL) 1-0

IMANLY Ayten (0, AZE) - BARAEVA Irina (2028, RUS) 0-1

WFM LACH Aleksandra (2021, POL) - IMNADZE Nato (0, GEO) 1-0

World Youth Chess Championship, Boys U-14

S.P. Sethuraman (2427, IND) - TORDEUR Jonathan (1988, SUI) 1-0

ANDREEV Sasho (1983, BUL) - IM SJUGIROV Sanan (2422, RUS) 0-1

FM TER-SAHAKYAN Samvel (2389, ARM) - HASANLI Sirus (1975, AZE) 1-0

SARIYEV Riad (1975, AZE) - GRANDELIUS Nils (2377, SWE) ½ – ½

FM ROBSON Ray (2368, USA) - KILICBAY Mustafa (1971, TUR) 1-0

World Youth Chess Championship, Girls U-14

WFM PAIKIDZE Nazi (2292, GEO) - COADA Elena (1782, MDA) 1-0

KANTOR Reka (1780, SVK) - PADMINI Rout (2226, IND) ½ – ½

WFM BULMAGA Irina (2176, MDA) - HUGHES Rhian (1779, SCO) 1-0

SIRKOVA Darena (1761, BUL) - WFM DANELIA Mariam (2111, GEO) 0-1

WFM ARABIDZE Meri (2108, GEO) - ARIG Busra (1759, TUR) 1-0

World Youth Chess Championship, Boys U-16

WICKSTROM Lucas (2115, SWE) - IM SALGADO LOPEZ Ivan (2460, ESP) ½ – ½

IM DURARBEYLI Vasif (2459, AZE) - FM WAGEIH Kareim (2110, EGY) 1-0

TOFTE Sondre Waage (2107, NOR) - IM KHARCHENKO Boris (2427, UKR) 0-1

NABATY Tamir (2426, ISR) - ZHOU Haonan (2096, CAN) 1-0

GIJSEN Stief (2084, BEL) – FM CHIRILA Ioan Cristian (2423, ROU) 0-1

World Youth Chess Championship, Girls U-16

WFM GIRYA Olga (2338, RUS) - DURAN JUAREZ Citlali (1860, MEX) + – -

GRGURIC Daria (1841, CRO) - WFM GURAMISHVILI Sopiko (2305, GEO) 0-1

WIM SUKANDAR Irine Kharisma (2275, INA) - GOOSSENS Hanne ½ – ½(1837, BEL)

WFM OFFICER Amy (1816, SCO) - VOJINOVIC Jovana (2227, MNE) 0-1

MAMMADOVA Gulnar (2217, AZE) - HATTINGH Angelique (1815, RSA) 1-0

Official website

GM Hernandez takes the silver

In an exciting finish of the SPICE Cup, GM Perelshteyn was able to grab the title in front of GM Hernandez, GM Milton, and GM Becerra. The last round fight for the title was between these four players. Trailing by 1/2 point, GM Miton from Poland pushed all the way for a win against GM Hernandez of Mexico. At one point, GM Hernandez only had 4 seconds left on his clock. At the end, GM Miton pushed too hard and lost, giving the championship to GM Perelshteyn of Massachusetts, and second place to GM Hernandez.

This was one of the strongest 10 player RR events in Texas since 1972. It was organized by the always active Susan Polgar.

Final standings

1. Perelshteyn (USA) 6.5/9 (+4)

2. Hernandez (MEX) 6/9 (+3)

3-4. Miton (POL), Becerra (USA) 5.5/9 (+2)

5. Hera 5/9 (HUN) (+1)

6. Krush (USA) 4/9 (-1)

7. Hoyos (MEX) 3.5/9 (-2)

8-10. Gulko (USA), Schneider (USA), Lugo (USA) 3/9 (-3)

Lubbock, Texas, November 9-16, 2007

Texas Tech Hosts World-Class International Chess Tournament

Texas Tech University’s Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE) will host a prestigious invitational tournament on 9-16th November at the Matador Room of the Student Union Building, Lubbock.

Grandmasters Eugene Perelshteyn and GM Kamil Miton are entering the last round with best chances to win the tournament. Perelshteyn is set to play against last-placed but always dangerous Boris Gulko, while Miton will have tough challenge against GM Gilberto Hernandez.

GM Kamil Miton and GM Eugene Perelshteyn

Round eight results:

GM Boris Gulko – GM Kamil Miton 0-1

GM Julio Becerra – IM Irina Krush draw

GM Gilberto Hernandez – IM Dmitry Schneider 1-0

IM Blas Lugo – GM Eugene Perelshteyn 0-1

GM Imre Hera – IM Manuel Leon Hoyos draw

Round eight standings:

1. GM Eugene Perelshteyn (2536 USA) 6.0

2. GM Kamil Miton (2628 Poland) 5.5

3-4. GM Julio Beccerra (2568 USA) and GM Gilberto Hernandez (2536 Mexico) 5.0

5. GM Imre Hera (2544 Hungary) 4.5

6-7. IM Irina Krush (2475 USA) and IM Manuel Leon Hoyos (2495 Mexico) 3.5

8. IM Blas Lugo (2411 USA) 3.0

9-10. GM Boris Gulko (2571 USA) and IM Dmitry Schneider (2502 USA) 2.5

GM Julio Beccerra and GM Boris Gulko

Tournament preview

Round six report

Susan Polgar’s blog

Videos on Monroi