Monday, February 20, 2012

Mozart of Chess: Magnus Carlsen

Demolition, not defeat, is the goal of 21-year-old Magnus Carlsen. No, he's not a boxer, not a wrestler. Rather, Magnus is the top chess player in the world, and he takes it on like an athlete. First, there's the tough physical workouts to prepare himself for the tough mental workout of competition. And then there's the attitude. Magnus, who comes from a nice Norwegian family, tells Bob Simon: "I enjoy it when I see my opponent really suffering, when he knows that I've outsmarted him." But really, he's a nice guy - an athlete and fashion model in addition to being the top-ranked chess player in the world. Bob Simon profiles Magnus Carlsen.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57380894/mozart-of-chess-magnus-carlsen/

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Romanov wins Cannes Open


The 26th International Open “Pierre et Vacances” was held from 13th to 19th February at the Palais des Festivals – la Croisette in Cannes, France.
60 players competed in the main A Tournament which had a format of 9-round Swiss event. Top French Grandmaster Etienne Bacrot was the first seed, while GM Joseph Sanchez of Philippines, Cannes winner in 2009 and 2011, attempted at defending the title.
Russian Grandmaster Evgeny Romanov scored a key last round victory against GM Sebastien Feller to finish clear first with 7.0 points, half a point ahead of the rest of the field.
Italian IM Axel Rombaldoni made a huge success by sharing the 2nd place in tough competition and achieving his 2nd GM norm. Rombaldoni already passed the 2500-elo mark during the tournament Alghero 2011 and now only needs the final norm to become the Grandmaster.


Tournament A final standings:
1. GM ROMANOV Evgeny RUS 2628 – 7
2-6. GM BACROT Etienne FRA 2704, IM ROMBALDONI Axel ITA 2441, GM FIER Alexandr BRA 2603, GM GHARAMIAN Tigran FRA 2676 and GM LIBISZEWSKI Fabien FRA 2509 – 6½
7-10. GM NEVEROV Valeriy UKR 2541, IM BLECHZIN Igor RUS 2442, GM PELLETIER Yannick SUI 2589 and GM FELGAER Ruben ARG 2573 – 6.0
11-18. GM MEKHITARIAN Krikor Sevag BRA 2487, GM FELLER Sebastien FRA 2658, GM SANCHEZ Joseph PHI 2529, FM DI NICOLANTONIO Lucas FRA 2311, GM SULAVA Nenad CRO 2514, IM BORGO Giulio ITA 2403, GM GODENA Michele ITA 2533 and BRIH Said FRA 2407 – 5½ etc
The B Tournament had 135 players. Christophe Gelas (FRA 2085) and Denis Laplanche (FRA 2124) shared the first place with 8.5/9 each. The nearest follower was left point and a half behind.
The C Tournament had 58 players. Despite the loss in the final round Jens Verhulst (FRA 1623) convincingly won the event by collecting 8 points from nine games.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Shirov first in Gipslis Memorial


The tournament is organized to commemorate Aivars Gipslis, eight-times Latvian champion and respected Grandmaster.
The competition was held over 9 rounds of Swiss System 9 rounds, with rapid time control of 10 minutes + 3 seconds per player. The prize fund was 360 EUR.
Alexei Shirov took a clear first place with 8 points, followed by fellow Latvian GM Normunds Miezis who finished half a point behind.
Guest from Spain, GM Manuel Perez Candelario, clinched the third place on better tie-break.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Moscow Open

The Elo-favorite was Ernesto Inarkiev, rated 2689, though forced to content himself with second place. First was GM Igor Lysyj (2633) with 7.5/9 with a 2847 perfomance, while tied with Inarkiev with 7.0/9 were GM Dmitry Kokarev, and untitled 15-year-old Urii Eliseev who had an impressive 2762 performance.

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=7914

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Cheparinov wins Tringov Memorial


The 34th Bulgarian Open Chess Championship 2012 – Georgi Tringov Memorial, organized by the Bulgarian Chess Federation, the Chess Club Lokomotiv Plovdiv and Plovdiv Municipality, was held from 29th January to 5th February in Novotel Hotel, Plovdiv.
The tournament was played over 9 rounds of Swiss system and is valid for FIDE elo and GM/IM norms. Total prize fund was 10000 EUR, with 2000 EUR reserved for the winner. 267 players participated.
While most of the top games of the last round were drawn, first seed GM Ivan Cheparinov scored an all-important victory against GM Petar Drenchev to finish in a group of players on the shared first place. Moreover, Cheparinov was declared winner on the best tie-break score.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

GM Torre vs Oliveros

GM Torre vs Lirazan

GM Torre vs Obogne

GM Torre vs Navarro

GM Torre vs Pangilinan

GM Torre vs Serwelas

GM Torre vs Bagamasbad

GM Torre vs Balangatan

GM Torre vs Pate

GM So vs Corpin

GM So vs Apalla

GM So vs Saltorio

GM So vs Columna

GM So vs Sanguan

GM So vs Vicente

GM So vs Resuena

GM So vs Sepulvida

GM So vs Salem

GM So vs Lagrio

GM So vs Lirazan

GM So vs Sol Cruz

GM So vs Werba

GM So vs Cobsilen

GM So vs Ople

GM So vs Fernandez

GM So vs FM Bersamina

Maging Sino Ka Man: GM Torre & GM So Simul

Mrs. Maga
GM Eugene Torre
GM Wesley So

Phl Star