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NEWSLETTER 148 (March 18, 2014)

EICC 2014 – TITLE FOR MOTYLEV, YEREVAN GREAT HOST

The 15th European Individual Chess

Championship, which was dedicated to

the 85th anniversary of the great

Armenian chess player, the World 9th

Champion Tigran Petrosian, has come

to an end.

The Championship started spectacularly, with a beautiful opening ceremony held

on 2nd March 17, 2014, at the National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet in

Yerevan/Armenia. A truly great chess atmosphere prevailed in the hall.

The President of the Republic of Armenia, who doubles as the President of the

Armenian Chess Federation, Serzh Sargsyan, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov,

the President of the European Chess Union Silvio Danailov, a number of state

officials, over 260 chess players from 27 participating countries and a great number

of chess lovers were present at the ceremony.

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We witnessed many surprises in the first round already, and during the whole

tournament there was a lot of excitement and many great games. Many of the

players achieved norms, some of them even after 9 rounds.

After 11 exciting rounds Russian Grandmaster Alexander Motylev triumphed with

9 points, with 7 wins and 4 draws. He had a lousy start, as he drew with lower rated

IM Ali Marandi Cemil Can (ELO 2380) from Turkey in the first round, but he won 5

games in the row and took the lead, which eventually turned into a title.

In such a strong and long open tournament, everything was „open“. That's why it

was difficult to predict who will win, or who were the favorites for the title. GM

Motylev played a very solid tournament, managed to stay focused enough not to

lose a single game, and these were some of the reasons why he won the title.

As the crown of excellent organization came the closing ceremony of European

Individual Chess Championship, which was held on 14th March at Elite Plaza

Business Center in Yerevan. Mr. Ashot Vardapetyan, the Chief Arbiter of the

Championship, announced the winners, while the trophies were awarded by Mr.

Smbat Lputian, Chair of the Organizing Committee of the European Individual

Chess Championhip.

Yerevan and Armenia are well-known for being a very good host, which was

proven once again with the organization of this tournament.

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Final Ranking – first 30 positions

Rank Title Name Rtg FED Pts RtgØ

1 GM Motylev Alexander 2656 RUS 9 2633

2 GM Anton Guijarro David 2559 ESP 8 2644

3 GM Fedoseev Vladimir 2641 RUS 8 2642

4 GM Solak Dragan 2610 TUR 8 2632

5 GM Eljanov Pavel 2723 UKR 8 2630

6 GM Lupulescu Constantin 2643 ROU 8 2606

7 GM Navara David 2700 CZE 8 2604

8 GM Saric Ivan 2661 CRO 8 2546

9 GM Lysyj Igor 2655 RUS 8 2539

10 GM Melkumyan Hrant 2613 ARM 7½ 2651

11 GM Wojtaszek Radoslaw 2713 POL 7½ 2625

12 GM Jakovenko Dmitry 2723 RUS 7½ 2623

13 IM Artemiev Vladislav 2621 RUS 7½ 2614

14 GM Smirin Ilia 2644 ISR 7½ 2612

15 GM Fressinet Laurent 2709 FRA 7½ 2612

16 GM Sargissian Gabriel 2676 ARM 7½ 2607

17 GM Areshchenko Alexander 2705 UKR 7½ 2600

18 GM Perunovic Milos 2617 SRB 7½ 2598

19 GM Cheparinov Ivan 2681 BUL 7½ 2597

20 GM Iordachescu Viorel 2583 MDA 7½ 2596

21 GM Zhigalko Sergei 2671 BLR 7½ 2578

22 GM Ter-Sahakyan Samvel 2572 ARM 7½ 2558

23 GM Balogh Csaba 2651 HUN 7½ 2539

24 GM Oparin Grigoriy 2526 RUS 7½ 2508

25 GM Najer Evgeniy 2633 RUS 7 2656

26 GM Pashikian Arman 2612 ARM 7 2629

27 GM Grigoriants Sergey 2574 RUS 7 2616

28 GM Kryvoruchko Yuriy 2706 UKR 7 2608

29 GM Laznicka Viktor 2681 CZE 7 2601

30 GM Riazantsev Alexander 2689 RUS 7 2599

We are proud of the fact that it was dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the great

Armenian chess player, the World 9th Champion Tigran Petrosian. We were happy

to host all of you in Armenia, in one of the ancient countries of the world, the chess

school of which has passed a glorious way. Our warmest congratulations to the

winners of the championship. Our dear chess players, we wish you success, good

luck, healthy and fair competition in upcoming tournaments chess players.

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The European Individual Chess Championship in Yerevan, Armenia had an

exceptional organization and a prize fund. The ECU President Silvio Danailov

wrote on this occasion in his twitter account: “#eicc2014 was great event, brilliantly

organized by the Armenian Chess Fed. ECU is very proud.Thank you, Armenia!”

For more information, you can visit the official website of the Championhip

http://www.eicc2014.am/ Photos by Arman Karakhanyan

Photos from EICC 2014 and Yerevan

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NEW EUROPEAN SENIOR CHESS CHAMPIONS IN OPORTO, PORTUGAL

After intense 9 rounds, we reach the

day that we meet the new European

Champion in each of the 4 categories.

In the Open 65+ category the dutchman

Nico Schouten, after being matched in

1st place in the penultimate round, did

value his excellent form and won his

last match, granting the title of European Champion in a great game and a great

tournament where he won more than 50 elo points. With a total sum of 7.5 points in

9 possible, he was joined on the podium by two Russian players Vladimir

Beznosikov with 7 points and Alexander Kuyindzhi 6.5.

In the Open 50+ category, the english Grand Master Keith Arkell kept the performance demonstrated in this final stage, ensuring a draw in the last game and the title of European Champion. He totaled 7 points from 9 possible in a very strong and competitive level, with a total of 36 players. The russian Evgenij Kalegin won

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2nd place, level on points with georgian Zurab Sturua, both with 6.5 points, which overcome to 4 players with 6 points, a very equilibrium noticed in the first 7.

In the category Ladies 65+, russian Valentina Kozlovskaya player, after having isolated on top of the standings in the penultimate round, won again in the last round, securing the title of European Champion with 7.5 points in 9 possible. To complete the final podium, she is followed by a very strong Nona Gaprindashvili (Georgia) and Ludmila Tsifanskaya (Israel) respectively 2nd and 3rd place, both with 7 points from 9 possible.

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In the category Ladies 50+, the estonian Tatyana Fomina, even losing her last match, secured the title with 6.5 points in 9 possible, with the georgian Tsiala Kasoshvili stay in 2nd place, with the same points as the 1st ranked , losing in the tiebreakers. In 3rd place, the russian Galina Strutinskaya kept the place that had, keeping her in the final podium with 6 points.

After these decisive conquest of titles and games, Closing Ceremony and Award of Prizes and Medals took place at 18:00, with the presence of the famous chess player Garry Kasparov. After the final closing speeches, all participants were presented to an excellent performance of Fado concert and some a nice goodbye in Oporto Wine.

Today is a rest day, returning the games on 19th and 20th March for the European Senior Chess Championship 2014 - Rapid and in the 21th March for the European Senior Chess Championship 2014 - Blitz.

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Official website: http://www.fpx.pt/escc2014/

ECU PRESIDENT SILVIO DANAILOV VISITS ICELAND

From 9th to 11th of March the ECU President Silvio

Danailov visited Iceland to help and support the

realization of the ECU program “Chess in school”.

He also officialy opened the 7th round of Reykjavik Open

2014.

During his stay in Iceland Mr. Danailov, together with the chess legend Garry

Kasparov, had a meetings with different very important persons:

Reception and dinner with the Prime Minister of Iceland, Mr. Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson

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Meeting with the Minister of Education and Sport of Iceland, Illugi Gunnarsson

Meeting with the former FIDE President Fridrik Olafsson

With Gudmundur Thorarinsson, main organizer and promoter of the legendary chess match

Fischer-Spassky 1972

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With Einar S.Einarsson, Chairman of the Committee, which released Fischer from the

prison in Japan

Silvio Danailov and Garry Kasparov met also with several Presidents of

Scandinavian chess federations and visited the Fischer’s grave and museum in

Selfoss.

Website: www.danailov-for-president.com

LI CHAO WINS REYKJAVIK OPEN 2014

Chinese Grandmaster Li Chao (ELO

2700) is the winner of Reykjavik Open

2014, which was held from 4th till 12th

March, in the capital of Iceland.

Li Chao convincingly triumphed with

8.5 points out of 10.

Four players with 8 points tied for the second place: GMs Robin Van Kampen (ELO

2603) from Netherlands, Eric hansen (ELO 2587) from Canada, Eduardas Rozentalis

(ELO 2623) from Lithuania and Helgi Olaffson (ELO 2546) from Iceland.

Since there were only 2 medals left, tie-breaks decided who was to take them. So

thanks to better tie-breaks, Van Kampen won silver, and Hansen won bronze medal.

The best ranked woman in the tournament was GM Harika Dronavalli (ELO 2487)

from India, with a great score of 7.5 points. She finished 7th in the end, with rating

performance of 2923 and won 20 rating points.

The tournament was played according to the Swiss System in 10 rounds, witht he

time control 90 minutes for 40 moves, floowed by 30 minutes for the rest of the

game + 30 seconds increment per move, starting from move one.

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Final Ranking – first 10 positions

Rk. Title Name FED Rtg Pts. TB1 TB2 TB3

1 GM Li Chao CHN 2700 8.5 66 53 55.5

2 GM Van Kampen Robin NED 2603 8 66 53 51

3 GM Hansen Eric CAN 2587 8 65 52 51

4 GM Rozentalis Eduardas LTU 2623 8 64 50 50

5 GM Olafsson Helgi ISL 2546 8 61 49 47.8

6 GM L'Ami Erwin NED 2646 7.5 66 53 48

7 GM Harika Dronavalli IND 2487 7.5 64 51 45.5

8 GM Gretarsson Hjorvar Steinn ISL 2511 7.5 62 51 45.8

9 GM Stefansson Hannes ISL 2541 7.5 60 49 45.3

10 IM Panjwani Raja CAN 2460 7.5 57 45 40.8

The games were boradcast live, with live commentary and analysis. The organizers

prepared many side events, like Soccer, chess pub quiz, Golden Circle, etc.

Round 8 was an especially exciting day as the tournament saw the visit of the great

Garry Kasparov. Before the round there was a book signing session. Also, Kasparov

held a short speech before the start of the round and played the first move on the

top board encounter between Bassem Amin and Li Chao. Mr. Silvio Danailov,

President of the European Chess Union has also paid a visit to Reykjavik.

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Seems that all the participants had really great time in Reykjavik, which only proves

that this tournament with a long tradition has an important place in chess players'

calendars.

For more information, you can visit the website of the tournament

http://www.reykjavikopen.com/ . Photo source http://www.reykjavikopen.com/

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FORTHCOMING TOURNAMENTS

WEBSITE LAUNCHED AND REGULATIONS PUBLISHED FOR EIWCC

PLOVDIV 2014

Bulgarian chess Federation has

launched the official website for the

upcoming 15th European Individual

Women’s Chess Championship 2014 at

www.eiwcc2014.eu

The Championship will be held in

Plovdiv, Bulgaria from July 5 (day of

arrival) until July 18 (day of departure)

2014.

The tournament will be held at “Hall Plovdiv” in the hotel “Novotel” Plovdiv.

The tournament is organized by the Bulgarian Chess Federation, under the auspices

of the European Chess Union.

The European Individual Women’s Championship 2014 is a qualification event for

the next World Cup. According to FIDE regulations and the decision of the ECU

Board, 14 players will qualify.

The championship will be organized in 11-round Swiss with the rate of play 90

minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of

30 seconds per move, starting from move one.

The prize fund of the tournament will be 60 000 EUR.

The regulations of the championship are already published, and you can find them

on the official website http://www.eiwcc2014.eu/contents/regulations/g_regulations.pdf

You can get all the necessary information at the official tournament website:

www.eiwcc2014.eu and e-mail: office@eiwcc2014.eu