Welcome to the official website of Alina l'Ami

2014-01-30T23:36:00.003+02:00

New look coming up soon! I just need to find the time...but it is on the agenda! Looking forward to share more with you in the near future!

Winning isn't everything but losing is nothing

2012-09-15T12:03:00.000+03:00

I started to agree with Edmar Mednis on that...I have been told so many times that a loss is actually good, that you learn most of it, that you cannot become stronger if you don't taste the pain of defeat - of course I cannot question that. And yet, if winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?! Besides, don't know if you feel the same way as I do, but I guess it's quite a common emotion: a won game doesn't fully compensate for a loss. I suppose this comes from our burning desire to always win and when that happens, we think: "yes of course, it's normal. I've been working hard for it so I deserve it". This attitude leads to a perfidious result, that we actually don't trully enjoy our glorious moments. On the contrary, when a big zero appears on the tournament table, negative emotions start to bitch up the whole thing.

So I am thinking now: nobody can take away your pain. Why would you let someone or something take away your happiness?! From now on I will prolong as much as I can the happy successful moments! Such as the recent one from the 2012 Olympiad, from Istanbul.
OK, I know we didn't play at our best, I know we gave such horror times to our poor coach (who finished all our Nurofen pills for headaches:), I know we had luck on our side...but after all, who cares? The 5th place for our women team, the 8th place in the men section and an honorable 6th place on nations are wonderful achievements. Not to mention the qualification for the 2013 World Women Team Championship, which will be held in Antalya.
In other words, I am going to be happy about that, at least until the next tournament, which starts on Friday...

One last look at our hotels from the airplane
Check the right down corner if you have troubles spotting them

Closing ceremony

Proud to be Romanians!

On the stage, receiving the second place for Category A

Chess city break in Flanders!

2012-07-03T18:18:00.000+03:00

If you would like to travel, but feel unequal to learning at least one international language for the purpose, then play chess;) The ideal substitute for English, Spanish etc. at last has been found!
For our family, last weekend was a perfect opportunity to employ the reliable speech of chess without danger of going astray, in...Oostende!
Probably it would have taken us some time to reach this Flemish city if it wouldn't have been the universal language of chess. Even if Erwin was busy for a couple of hours with his simul, the reason for our city break, it doesn't mean we didn't enjoy every single bit of it! And you can see for yourself the upside of playing chess further on:

The very first moment I laid my eyes upon the beautiful train station of Antwerp,
I knew this weekend is going to be good! And so it was.

Direction: Oostende! Funny enough, I was reading a book which was taking place
right there, on the Belgian coast, so I was anxious to see it for myself.
Are we lucky or what, to have the chance to travel so much?!
Wish I could remember this, when I start muttering while packing/unpacking my luggage:)

Here we are: Oostende! Unfortunately our city break was rather short, just 24 hours -
enough though to wish to come back. Many movies are being shot here, as proof that
this Flemish city is more than just sea!

But first we must elucidate: where exactly are we?!

Some phosphorus and Omega 3 for the upcoming simul?!
By the way, we had to try it out - fish market was right there, under our noses.
We didn't regret our seafood choices, absolutely fresh and delicious!

It worked! Erwin didn't lose a single game and let only four draws slip out of his pocket.

The main square in Oostende, where the simul could have taken place.
Finally the games were played indoors, since the weather is really unpredictable here,
just like in Holland. But we managed to enjoy the entire weekend without an umbrella;)

A little debriefing after the games over a beer or two or three...
Since Belgium is well known for its brewing tradition, the task of choosing proved to be quite agonising. Eventually, I went for a Kriek:) If you hate fruit beers, this remarkable cherry flavour just might change your mind! Or you can go for a more 'manly' option: the abbey or trappist beers or maybe the archetypals Leffe, Duvel and Hoegaarden...the list to expand your waistline is endless!

On our way back to the train station...but the weekend has not yet finished!

I've always heard that Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp are Belgium's big three. Indeed, Bruges is lovely, despite the fact that hordes of tourists would agree!
Out of the blue, we landed in the middle of a Sunday market, where people were selling
the stuff they didn't want anymore. It struck me how many things we buy without actually
needing them:) Good I was more interested in the medieval architecture at the time; otherwise, who knows...:)

Who needs a time machine when we have such beautiful cities to explore?!

From the outside, it seems a dream came true to live in such a historical building.
The atmoshpere, the character cannot be equalised by the modern constructions.
Wondering about the practical point though: drainage, isolation, pipes etc...

In the Market Square of Bruges

Venice?!

And we move on towards our next stop: Antwerp!

I just love this Gothic and Flemish baroque architecture!

The City Hall

As a woman, I knew of course about the famous diamond industry of Antwerp;) And about the Belgian chocolate (btw: not recommended for the chocoholics!) What I still had to discover was the strong impact which the city has reserved for me:
I liked it even more than Bruges.

All good things have something in common: they don't last forever.
Time to go back home...

Sun and chess on the Bulgarian coast!

2012-06-13T14:34:00.000+03:00

The Golden Sands tournament, held between 4th - 12th of June on Bulgarian seacoast, finished yeasterday, having as a sole winner the Chinese GM: Lu Shanglei, (born in '95)! The 7.5 points which the winner squeezed out of 9 games are even more impressive if we think about the rather tough starting list of the event: I could count more than 45 GM's and plenty of IM's, all fighting for the 6000 Euro first prize! I forgot since an Open tournament was as rough as this one but I guess it's fully justified by the generous prize fund which the organizers put at stake: more than 50000 Euro! 224 players attended the tournament, trying to get a prize or/and as much sun as the Bulgarian seaside resort had to offer:)
As for our family, it could have been better, it could have been worse. But we did enjoy the whole experience! While we are now waiting for our bus to come and bring us back to Romania, I decided to choose some pictures for you, to make a general impression on the tournament we just had.

Opening ceremony

Religion is still playing an important role, just like in most
East European countries.

Hunting the elo points for the IM title!
Iva Videnova and Irina Bulmaga

Fresh air before the start of the game

The proud and happy young organizer: Hristo Velchev
Wish him many more tournaments to come!

Main tournament hall - the first boards are one floor higher,
you can see the stairs on the far left.

The first boards are waiting for the merciless fighters!

Erwin won a great game this round, against Mustafa Yilmaz!

Small chat before the round: Constantin Lupulescu and
Suat Atalik.

Suat's wife: Ekaterina Atalik

This was our usual route to the game

Golden Sands is a typical seaside small city where I felt like a fish in the water:)
That's because it's full with Romanians - everywhere I was going I could hear my native language.

Even the vendors started to speak Romanian, trying to convince the customers to check out their products; usually XXL offers:)

A quiet morning, before the 'burning' process.

...sea, sand and loads of hotels

37 degrees outside but freezing cold in the water!

A dream like holiday for those who love the sun, the sea
and chess in our case.

Recharging the batteries before another round of swimming.
But I should confess: I didn't go to the beach even once to get a tan on my skin.
So I cannot blame the sun for my chess errors...

Dozens of things to spend your money on

Never understood the attractions for Chinese or Japanese symbols
Maybe it's our wish to be different?
But if everybody has it, how is that making you stand out?!

Souvenirs...

...and the usual offers

'Fantastic' exchanging rates - always check out twice before you jump in:)

Hey! I think I saw this one before somewhere...:)

Ivan Cheparinov and Erwin l'Ami enjoying the shade under
the 'Eiffel' Tower.

This was our Golden Sands adventure.
Until next time!

Finding order in chaos

2012-05-28T08:51:00.000+03:00

I don't know about you but I've always been quite skeptical about the utility of solving mate in two problems. I am not talking about the simple ones but about these crazy positions, where a total mess is present on the board, with a lot of pieces. It looks as if you just opened your chess box and all the pieces fell randomly on the black&white squares - 'fire on board'!

What could possibly be the benefits of trying to make some sense from a completely senseless position? I would never encounter anyway, in real practice, such meaningless dispersion of the chess pieces. I would never gain anything, right? There are no patterns, no strategical ideas, no real plans, just some mating idea which could give you nightmares if you don't see it fast enough. At least this is what I thought for some time...and only because I was getting bored in buses or just to try something different, I looked upon such diagrams. After all, it is fun.
Studies are different, I thought. Yes, there is some logic over there, sometimes these ideas can be seen even in 'normal' games, so this I understand it might be useful. But mate in two, in three, in four, or even much worse: in five or six?? To get a headache for nothing? No thanks!
But I've changed my mind, of course. Otherwise I wouldn't be writing this post:)

Here is an example from John Nunn's book, 'Solving in Style':

White to move, mate in two
Giorgio Guidelli, 2nd Prize L'Eco degli Scacchi 1916-17

Many times I hear (which happens to me as well): "I simply 'forgot' about my pawn on the other wing"; "I missed that check on the fifth rank"...horizontal, backwards, intermediate moves, we all miss them sooner or later. It's not that easy to see all the 64 squares at once! Our attention is limited and it is often dragged by some 'interesting' area on the chess board, neglecting the others. And than we wonder: how could we miss this or that move?

This is the moment where mate in 'n' problems might help: to grasp the sometimes very surprising way that pieces can interact with each other. You are literally forced to consider all the corners of the board, to ask yourself questions: why is that pawn doing over there? is this really the best defence?
After the first shock, after the first sigh (which could be translated as: what the hell is going on?!), you realize that you start to understand something. That you start to grasp the hidden ideas and eventually get to the essence of the problem. And voila: you succeeded to coordinate your pieces, to see all the pins, intermediate moves, checks and tricky annoying traps.

I believe it is an excellent exercise for the brain, to make him used to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. And when you'll be on the board, playing the so called 'normal' game, you'll simply drop the pieces and they will fall on the right squares! That's because your gray matter will be fit and alert, in order to see the geometry behind all the squares and pieces.
Plus, if you give it a chance, you will discover another world of beauty, another way to approach chess. And, without any exaggeration, some of these problems could be considered an art form!
No wonder that Vladimir Nabokov wrote about the "originality, invention, conciseness, harmony, complexity, and splendid insincerity" of creating chess problems and spent considerable time doing so.

I am not claiming that this way of training your brain is better than others or the best. It is just a way. Another way.

Chess: the metaphorical way

2012-05-25T16:34:00.000+03:00

I don't like to argue, unless it's a constructive activity of course. A disagreement can bring insights into a certain subject much more than if you just think about it on your own.
Such an experience I had recently, regarding the popularity of chess terms in daily speaking. My position was that chess is by far more frequently used in metaphoric expressions than other sports for example. But because this was more of a hunch than an organized thought, I couldn't convince my interlocutor.
So here it is:
A lot of chess terms are borrowed by completely different fields, such as politics, business, even fashion! Chess is an incredibly rich source for...everything! ("Chess is a sea in which a gnat may drink and an elephant may bathe" - Indian proverb) If only the game itself would gain more popularity...

Chess Terms	Metaphoric expressions
A game of chess	A complex life situation that involves interaction with other people, in the attempt to achieve one's goals, using a planned action. - "The Chess-Board is the World, the pieces are the phenomena of the Universe, the rules of the game are what we call the Laws of Nature. The player on the other side is hidden from us." – Thomas Huxley - "Life is a kind of chess", Benjamin Franklin - Open Innovation chess paradigm - explains in detail the picture above.
Participants: the players, master, grandmaster	Opponents in a complex life situation, skilful participants. “He's a grandmaster of litigation.” (Grisham Novel) Isaac Asimov �� ‘The Grandmaster of science fiction.’ Alias: ‘Grandmaster Flash’, real name: Joseph Saddler – a well known DJ
Stages in a chess game: opening, middlegame, endgame	Beginning, middle and final stages in one's life or in a complex situation. - Making the correct opening moves is very important. (Marketing solutions) - “Obama administration’s Afghanistan endgame gets off to bumpy start”, The Washington Post
Move (usual collocations with the adjectives: first, second, last, final, decisive, good, bad, strong, dubious, risky, strong, smart, obvious, forced, the only…) First move	(Planned) action, in reaction to or expecting reaction from the opponent, aimed at achieving the goal. That was a smart move! “Every move must have a purpose”, by Bruce Pandolfini (business book); “Three moves ahead”, by Bob Rice (business book); - the most frequently used in Romanian language, present in all kind of situations: relationships, politics, business and even football: “Who is going to make the first move?!”
Outcome/result of the chess game: win, loss, draw Usual collocations and expressions: to accept/offer/make a draw, drawish position	Outcome of the complex situation, frequently used in negotiations: “Let’s call it a day and make a draw.”
Setting of the chess game: - (Chess)board - square - Black, White	Setting of the situation - place where the conflict takes place; Romanian newspaper: “Secret moves on the chess board of politics”; - Expression in Romanian language: “Stay in your little square and give me a break!” - allegory: Good and bad (see the movie “The Seventh Seal”)
Elements of playing a chess game Battle-like words: attack, defence, sacrifice, threat, (positional, spatial, material, decisive) advantage	These words come from other conceptual metaphors CHESS IS WAR, Note: this part of the metaphor is shared with other sports and competitive activities
Specific chess words: - Check - to give perpetual/double check - Checkmate - Stalemate - Zugzwang - Gambit - Castling - Fianchetto - Mating-net - Back rank	Specific actions aimed at achieving a goal - to put the opponent in such a situation that his position is endangered - politics: “The most important, and most difficult, element on my new political agenda was developing a strategy that would pump life into the anti-Putin forces. It was like sitting down to a chess game already in progress and discovering my side was close to checkmate in every variation.”, Garry Kasparov – ‘How life imitates chess’; - relationships: “Checkmated by each other’s eyes”, ‘The Chess-Board’, by Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton. - A situation in which further action is blocked. “The recent discussions ended in stalemate”- reached an impasse in the negotiations; - a situation where one is forced to act in a way that is unfavourable for him: "Oh, he understands his position: he is in trouble, he is faced with the zugzwang to end all zugzwangs." – about baseball, in The Seattle Times; - a remark intended to start a conversation or make a telling point; Example: “I couldn't tell whether her earlier poor-mouthing had been sincere or just a gambit to get me to pick up the dinner check.” - “Let’s castle” – which literally means, in Romanian language: let’s swap places. - A complex manoeuvre… and this smooth fianchetto enabled him to gain more manoeuvring space to rearrange the company to meet the challenge. (book on management) - Inspiration for…fashion! ‘Fianchetto dress’ - Here is a simple strategy for creating a winning outfit: … this dress, with its black, sleeveless, folded-boatneck top and fully-lined black and white checkerboard skirt is perfect for queens of fashion and "rook-ies" alike…will make you look as dignified as a "dut-chess." - A cunning calculated manoeuvre which puts the opponent in the situation where s/he loses, a trap: “She doesn't notice there's a mating net around her”. (film) - a famous Dutch commentator, during a football match: “This is like a game of chess: Who is going to reach the back rank?!”
Time-related aspects of the chess game, which is time-limited: - Flag - Time-trouble	Time for the dealing with a complex situation is limited “The flag's about to fall!” You must call him at once! (film) Not having enough time for a particular activity, which usually involves deadlines
Chess pieces (king and pawn are the ones used for metaphoric expressions): - King - Pawn - To promote a pawn	Largely used in politics, business or team sports. - in a Moldovan newspaper: “Moldovan citizens used as chess pieces in the Grandmasters’ game of international politics…” - "When the chess game is over, the pawn and the king go back to the same box." – Irish saying - the term is mostly associated in mass media with important persons: presidents or successful people; - someone who doesn't control the situation, who is not considered important and is likely to be used and manipulated … - a newspaper comment about an unknown and unimportant local politician who (unexpectedly) got to an important place in the party hierarchy;

Thanks to Biljana Mišić Ilić's work, "Chess-Related Methapors - Gens Una Sumus", 2008, which inspired me for today's post, I could gather together a rather scattered material. Which could be extended if you know more situations (not mentioned above), where chess is used in a metaphoric way.

It would be very interesting to make a cross-cultural analysis, since different countries have a different degree of interest towards chess. I believe that Russia, with a long ongoing chess culture would be richer in chess related metaphoric expressions than Brasil for example, where football terms might be more frequently used. And yet, what is it that makes chess, rather than some other sport, such a rich source domain for life?

Well...I suppose chess has some sort of magical 'aura' which inevitably attracts people:) It's the mistery, the chance for us to shine as little geniuses, thanks to our brilliant intellect in using chess terms so 'difficult' to understand. Or...perhaps the fact that chess is a game based on logic, on rational thinking, where luck plays a secondary role, gives us a sense of control? If extended to the complex life situations, it seems as if we are more in charge of our actions, dependent on our own logic rather than on physical strength, mere luck or just fate in our 'battles with other people.

You are more than welcome to contradict me and to suggest other expressions of which I didn't think about nor have in my own native language. And of course: enjoy the World Championship!

Chessity

2012-05-07T10:14:00.000+03:00

I have never liked computer games. To me it easily becomes boring, repetitive and painful for both my eyes and my back. So why bother?!

Unfortunately, nowadays we cannot really survive in chess without a computer. We have to check our lines, we have to ask the 'genius' for the best continuation and so forth. I am trying as much as I can to move the pieces on the board, to check the books I have on my shelves, but at times...my concentration is out the window. This is happening especially when I am training alone and I become tired to ask myself questions, give the response and keep my discipline in place for many hours to come. If only it would be a little bit more entertaining, a little bit more fun - I could work for days in a row!

Well, good news! Computer is not always an enemy for chess but an ally, if used properly. And because lately I have been literally 'obsessed' by a new way of improving my chess skills, with the help of a chess website, I see myself morally obliged to share this new discovery with you!

Naturally, we need variety in our trainings. Only by checking openings or by playing online will never make us the complex players we are aiming to become. And solving tactics is a very useful tool to improve our visual skills, to feel the danger, to become sharper and trickier, or simply to wake up the brain in the morning, before we continue with the more complicated stuff.

There are plenty of tactic books of course. But they have a small inconvenient: it is again a sort of static activity; it is up to you how long you think on a certain position, how disciplined you are to keep on trying before you check the solution etc. Also, they tend to be quite heavy if you have to travel:)
There are also many websites where you can have more fun, where you have the clock ticking while you are thinking...it is more alive already. But the downside is: not enough diagrams, they become repetitive and most of the times: they are simply too easy or ugly. So what to do?

For decades, pyschologists put a lot of efforts in trying to figure out which are the best methods for learning. There is a lot of controversy around this subject, but personally, I feel the best way which works for me is: playing! In this way I don't really feel I am actually working but mostly as if I am having fun, which is extremely rewarding for my brain.
Therefore, this idea, of combining usefulness with pleasure, was brought to life in a new, fresh and very entertaining website: www.chessity.com!

Just a small sample of what you can find on the website
Different games, different levels - something for everyone in a beautiful package

There is no wonder I am attracted by this new way of working on my chess. The appealing design and the entire concept behind the working method are a perfect match. Plus, the number of puzzles is constantly growing, so you have little chances to see the same positions again.

The one who takes care of that, the one who is responsible for my new addiction, is chess trainer Cor van Wijgerden (also known from the steps method).

I am having great time on their website, first of all because the tactics they have are beautiful, and second of all: it is so much fun!
But I shouldn't spoil the pleasure and let you discover on your own this new and very motivating working weapon!

ChessBase collaboration

2012-04-12T17:30:00.001+03:00

I know I haven't posted much lately, but for good reasons!

It's not that I suddenly became silent, on the contrary: I am still very active but in a different way - ChessBase!

I am very happy and grateful that I got this chance, to become an official ChessBase contributor. Thanks to our collaboration, most of my articles from the chess tournaments I am playing will be published on their websites, translated from English into German and Spanish.

In other words, you can always read my articles on www.chessbase.com. Underneath you will find the ones which have been published so far, in case you would like to have an overview or read the stories you've missed.

Keep on playing better and better, but also enjoying, if possible, everything else that chess life has to offer!

English

Bologan takes Taça Cuca by storm
03.05.2012 – One of Africa’s major oil producers, Angola, is also becoming one of the world’s most interesting places to…play chess. There are enough beautiful and exotic locations to make it deserving of a detour to enjoy a once in a lifetime chess experience. With an absolutely 'insane' 8.0/9, Victor Bologan convincingly won the men's section. Illustrated report by WGM Alina L'Ami.

IV Taca Cuca Tournament in Angola
23.04.2012 – For a European, few things could be more adventurous than a trip to Africa, yet nations such as Angola organize events including a women's tournament, with such generous conditions that any preconceived notions against it are soon forgotten. This is why it has grown to attract as many as nine grandmasters such as Viktor Bologan and Sergey Tiviakov. A pictorial report by WGM Alina L'Ami.

Alina's Tunisian chess adventure – Part two
14.04.2012 – With so much to see and do in her stay in Tunisia, Alina L'Ami found herself taking a philosophical look on issues such as time and learning to seek the brighter side of life. This was made easy by an extremely generous people and country that has so much to offer. In part two of her report, she shares the rewards of learning to adapt in her unusual trip. A large pictorial report.

Alina's Tunisian Chess Adventure
29.03.2012 – Chess tournaments are not just about moves and norms, trophies and prize sums. When a very dedicated sponsor and organiser like Kamel Meddeb takes it into his mind to stage a big event in Tunisia, and concentrates on making all participants feel good about it, you get something culturally enjoyable as well, as our roving reporter Alina L'Ami shows us in this big pictorial report.

Alina L'Ami hears the Call of the North
20.03.2012 – The Reykjavik Open 2012 took place from March 6–13, and our playing correspondent WGM Alina L'Ami sent us a number of beautiful reports from the Icelandic capital. She was obvious so enthralled by the Nordic country, its people and landscape, that she has written one more massively illustrated report. It is filled with a yearning to go back to Reykjavik next year. Maybe we should join her?

Caruana leads in Reykjavik Open with 6.5/7 points
12.03.2012 – Fabiano Caruana has conceded just one draw so far in the Reykjavik Open 2012 (March 6 to 13). The nineteen-year-old Italian GM is in the sole lead, and his 2885 performance has raised him to number six in the world on the live ratings list. In our round seven report we include a big pictorial by WGM Alina L'Ami of one of the geologically most exciting places on earth.

Reykjavik Chess Festival 2012 under way
08.03.2012 – This popular tournament, which has drawn 200 players (including 25 GMs and 20 IMs), is taking place from March 6 to 13 in the capital of Iceland. The venue is the spectacular, newly-finished Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, and the players have a direct view of the harbour and ocean. WGM Alina L'Ami, who is playing in the tournament, has send us this report after round three.

Romanian Championships in Arctic conditions
26.02.2012 – The championships were won by WGM Cristina Foisor and GM Vladislav Nevednichy. The big final report of WGM Alina L'Ami is again under the shock of the most severe winter since 1954. The players got to the playing hall much the same way Robert Scott reached the South Pole – on sleds pulled by horses. But for some all that snow was pure delight.

Romanian Championship covered in snow
18.02.2012 – It is not something we have seen before: chess players travelling to the round of their national championship on a horse-pulled sleigh. But an Arctic winter with deep sub-zero temperatures, and a field of hardened, undaunted players, make it possible. "Why go to the North Pole if it will come here to us," writes WGM Alina L'Ami, who has sent us this big pictorial report.

Gott Nytt Ar!!! Shimanov wins 41st Rilton Cup in Stockholm
10.01.2012 – This beautiful event was won by Russian GM Aleksandr Shimanov, who is also a singing talent. Our reporter Alina l'Ami started with a 1-0-1-0-1-0-1 tic-tac-toe score, but then drew a game and won her last one to pocket her third IM norm. Amazing, since the Romanian WGM spent a lot of time exploring the delights of the Swedish capital. Here's her big illustrated report.

Rilton Cup in Stockholm
30.12.2011 – This chess tournament, staged for the seventh time, is thanks to a very generous man, Dr. Tore Rilton, a Swedish doctor who left six million Swedish kronor in his will to be used only for chess. The venue is the beautiful Clarion Hotel, with a view of Stockholm directly outside the playing hall. In spite of some opening problems Alina l'Ami managed to send us this big illustrated report.

Whoah! We're Going To Ibiza
03.11.2011 – Ibiza (or Eivissa) is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea, 79 km off the coast of the city of Valencia in Spain. It is known as the Party Capital of the world, but also for its beautiful Mediterranean scenery and climate. The Eivissa Chess Festival, which was held there, was comfortably won by Dutch GM Erwin l'Ami (7.5/8 points). His wife, WGM Alina l'Ami, sent us this lovely pictorial report.

Romanian Chess Leagues – Home Sweet Home
18.10.2011 – Brasov was the host of the Romanian League, one of the strongest editions so far. The event brought in a number of world-class players, such as Gata Kamsky, Jobava Baadur, Anna Muzychuk and Pia Cramling. Above all, it was a return to Home Sweet Home for our correspondent who lavishes her report on Brasov and Romania with love. Enjoy this illustrated report by Alina L'Ami.

Montreal Open: a labor of love
25.09.2011 – Very few tournaments can boast a tradition going back 90 years, yet the Montreal Open, is now in its 91st edition no less. Th reason is not an exceptionally deep-rooted chess history as seen in Russia, but a community whose passion for the game seems to know no bounds. The organizers share in this love and put on an exceptionally beautiful event. Here is the colorful pictorial by Alina L'Ami.

XXXIV Barbera del Valles - Sun, fun, and a GM norm
16.07.2011 – It was a euphoric Alina L'Ami who sent in a second photographic report on the international tournament in sunny Barbera del Valles. In spite of her 2312 rating, she scored a full-fledged GM norm with a 2612 performance against no fewer than five GMs. Despite this, she found the time to also visit Barcelona and share her pictures and impressions with Chessbase readers. A pictorial by Alina L'Ami.

XXXIV International Open Barbera del Valles
09.07.2011 – The XXXIV International Open Barbera del Valles is currently underway in the lovely town in Spain. As the number indicates, it is in its 34th edition, and those seeking a chess event for the summer are well served in this lyric Spanish retreat. At the same time, a three-day fiesta is taking place, with various spectacles to be enjoyed, all of which has been captured by the camera of Alina L'Ami.

Cupa Romaniei – rapid team championship in a beautiful place
06.06.2011 – This three-day event, with a number of strong players, took place in two sections: "masculin" and "femini". The location was Brasov, which claims to be "probably the best city in the world". Our author and photographer WGM Alina l'Ami, who recently sent us some wonderful impressions from Luanda, Angola, has sent us another wonderful pictorial, this time from her native Romania. Enjoy.

Short and Alina l'Ami win CUCA International
29.05.2011 – British GM Nigel Short won this GM Open in Luanda, with a resounding 8.0/9 points, but he was outshone by Romanian WGM Alina l'Ami, who took the women's section with a perfect 9.0/9 points. Equal second in the open section was Dutch GM Sergei Tiviakov, who together with Alina has been sending us photos from the Angolan capital. Final report with an unusual picture of Nigel Short.

Chess and general impressions from Luanda
22.05.2011 – The CUCA International Chess in Angola's capital of Luanda is a generously staged event in an exotic part of the world. We have problems coming by the games, but two of the participants, Romanian-born WGM Alina l'Ami and GM Sergey Tiviakov, originally Russia – both now live in Holland – took time off to explore the town and its culture. From them we have received this giant pictorial report.

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German

Schach in der teuersten Stadt der Welt
Der Cuca-Cup in Luanda erlebte dieser Tage schon seine zweite Auflage und zieht neben Spielern vom afrikanischen mehr und mehr Großmeister aus den anderen Kontinenten an. Beim letzten Mal war Sergey Tiviakov noch klar die Nummer Eins der Setzliste. Diesmal übertraf ihn Viktor Bologan als Elo-Schwergewicht. Erwin L' Ami, Ahmed Adly, Alexandr Fier, Maxim Adly dazu einige weitere GMs waren die Anwärter auf einen der Geldpreise im insgesamt 30-köpfigen Feld. Bologan, derzeit in Bestform, wurde seiner Favoritenrolle gerecht und gewann mit 8 aus 9. Den ersten Preis im parallel ausgetragenen Frauenturnier teilten sich Catarina Leite und Alina L' Ami. Letztere fand außerdem Zeit für einen bunten Bildbericht und steckt mit ihrer Begeisterung für Land und Leute jeden Leser an. Ein Klick bis Angola...

Schachparadies Angola
Angola: Da denken viele Menschen an Bürgerkrieg und Unruhen, aber nur selten an Schach. Doch seit dem Ende der militärischen Auseinandersetzungen im Jahre 2002 geht es in Angola wieder aufwärts, nicht zuletzt dank der Erdölvorkommen des Landes. Auch das Schachleben blüht auf und das Taca Cuca Turnier in Luanda, der Hauptstadt Angolas, ist mittlerweile eine kleine Institution. Dieses Jahr findet es bereits zum vierten Mal statt und die guten Spielbedingungen, die großzügige Organisation und der gute Preisfonds locken immer mehr Großmeister an. Auch Alina l'Ami konnte dem Reiz der Fremde nicht wiederstehen und schwärmt in ihrem Bericht von einem überraschenden Schachparadies. Bericht und viele Bilder...

Tunesisches Schachabenteuer (2.Teil)
Das Schachfestival von EL Haouria stellte an die Spieler ganz besondere Anforderungen. Eigentlich sollten neben dem GM-Turnier, einem IM-Turnier, Open und Kinderturnieren auch ein Frauenturnier stattfinden - dieses wurde jedoch wegen Mangel an Teilnehmerinnen abgesagt. Auch sonst gab es viel Dynamik, Improvisation und kurzfristige Änderungen bei der Organisation. Im Ergebnis wussten die Spieler oft nicht, wann eine Runde tatsächlich beginnen würde. Warten wurde zur wichtigsten Beschäftigung. Alina L'Ami erklärte sich dies mit völlig unterschiedlichen Auffassungen von "Zeit" und wie man diese am besten verwaltet. Auch wenn die tunesische Improvisationskunst für mancherlei Ungemach sorgte, Land und Leute und die vielen neuen Eindrücke entschädigten für alles. Zum Bericht...

Schachfestival in Al Haouaria
Tunesien liegt zwar bekanntermaßen in Afrika, aber weit weniger entfernt von Europa als man vielleicht denkt. Nach nur wenigen 70 km erreicht der Schiffsreisende aus Tunesien die Insel Pantelleria und betritt dort heutiges EU-Gebiet. Vor 2500 Jahren hätte man sich allerdings hier und auf den großen Inseln in der Nähe noch auf kathargischem Hoheitsgebiet befunden. Das kulturelle Erbe der Phönizier ist verblasst, aber ebenso noch spürbar wie das der Völker, die später kamen: Römer, Vandalen, Araber, Osmanen, Franzosen. Alle haben ihre Spuren hinterlassen und zum heutigen Bild Tunesiens beigetragen. Der stärkste Schachspieler Tunesiens, Slim Bouaziz (62), war zuletzt bei der Schacholympiade in Turin 2006 aktiv. Die Nummer drei des Landes, Kamel Njili, organisiert aber zur Zeit ein Schachfestival in Al Haouaria, ganz im Norden des Landes gelegen, mit vielen internationalen Gästen. Nicht alles funktioniert reibungslos, berichtet Alina L'Ami, aber die Gastfreundschaft der Leute ist umwerfend und der Aufenthalt ein großes Abenteuer. Bericht, Tunesien, Tabelle...

Die Insel, auf der die Zeit stehen blieb
Eine Reise nach Island ist eine Reise in die Vergangenheit - in mancherlei Hinsicht. Die isländische Sprache hat sich vom einstigen Altnordischen nur wenig entfernt und die Natur bietet auf der Insel immer noch einen so urtümlichen Anblick, als wären hier nie irgendwelche Menschen aufgetaucht. Als die Wikinger die eisbedeckten Flächen und Berge sahen, nannten sie die Insel Eisland, während die größere Insel im Westen den Namen "Grünland" bekam. Irgendetwas war damals anders mit dem Klima. Besonders Schachspieler denken an "damals", wenn sie auf Island sind, und zwar an 1972. Als Bobby Fischer selbst nach über 30 Jahren zurückkehrte, war er wieder an der Stelle, wo er seinen Zenit erlebt hatte. Er blieb - für immer. Alina L'Ami berichtet vom Ende des Reykjavik Opens, der Ausstellung zum Wettkampf von 1972 und hat außerdem die Natur der Insel in einzigartigen Bildern Fest gehalten. Die Uhr zeigt übrigens genau die Bedenkzeit nach dem Ende der letzten WM-Partie von 1972 an. Bericht aus Island, alle Partien...

Reykjavik: Caruana oder Hou?
Yifan Hou macht beim Reykjavik Open da weiter, wo sie in Gibraltar aufgehört hat - in der Spitzengruppe. Da das Open in Island nicht ganz so stark besetzt ist, wie das in Gibraltar, fällt die Elo-Perfomance der Weltmeisterin mit knapp 2670 allerdings diesmal etwas moderater aus. Mit 6,5 Punkten liegt die Chinesin in der vierköpfigen Verfolgergruppe, einen halben Punkt hinter dem Spitzenreiter Fabiano Caruana. Caissa sei Dank darf Hou in der heutigen Schlussrunde sogar gegen Caruana antreten und könnte diesen im Falle eines Sieges überflügeln. Allerdings dürfte die Umsetzung dieses Ansinnens gegen den Siebten der Weltrangliste kein ganz so leichtes Unterfangen sein. Alina L'Ami schickt Impressionen aus der nördlichsten Hauptstadt Europas und hat sich auch auf Spurensuche begeben: "Seaching for Bobby Fischer". Tabelle, Partien, Reykjavik...

Ein einzigartiges Erlebnis: Schach in Reykjavik
Der Weltmeisterschaftskampf Fischer gegen Spassky 1972 in Reykjavik ist der vielleicht berühmteste Schachwettkampf aller Zeiten. Mit ihm hat Reykjavik Schachgeschichte geschrieben, doch Schach in Reykjavik ist mehr als Fischer-Spassky. Das beweist unter anderem das Reykjavik Open. Dieses Jahr findet es zum 27. Mal statt und das starke Feld mit Spielern wie David Navara, Fabiano Caruana und Hou Yifan sorgt für ein interessantes und spannendes Turnier. Mit dabei ist Alina l'Ami, die sich von der Landschaft und Atmosphäre Islands bezaubern ließ und ihre Eindrücke beschrieben und festgehalten hat. Impressionen...

Im Winter in den Karpaten
Als es Anfang Februar in Deutschland so richtig kalt wurde, waren auch die Hügel und Täler der Karpaten von meterhohen Schneedecken bedeckt - keine schlechte Zeit, um in gut geheizten Räumen Schach zu spielen. Tatsächlich hatte der rumänische Schachverband genau zu dieser Zeit seine Landesmeisterschaften für Männer und Frauen terminiert - in Iasi, im Osten Rumäniens. Einige Spieler bzw. Spielerinnen reisten von weit an, wie unsere Berichterstatterin Alina L'Ami und wurden Zeugen besonderer Probleme. Die großen Mengen von Schnee hatten das moderne Transportwesen komplett lahm gelegt. Der gute alte Pferdeschlitten kam wieder zu Ehren. Der guten Laune tat das jedoch keinen Abruch. Die Titel gewannen Vladislav Nevednichy und Cristina Foisor. Bericht, Impressionen, Partien...

Schach im Schnee
Schach ist ein, neudeutsch gesagt, klassischer Indoors-Sport. Zum Schach braucht man weder Wind, Schnee noch Sonne, es muss weder warm noch kalt sein, und wenn die richtige Variante aufs Brett kommt, dann ist es vielen Schachspielern auch egal, ob es draußen stürmt, regnet oder die Sonne lacht. Doch ganz ignorieren kann auch der hartgesottenste Schachfan das Wetter nicht. So führte der Wintereinbruch in Europa dazu, dass die rumänischen Landesmeisterschaften zwei Tage später als geplant begannen und überhaupt stellten Schnee und Kälte Spielerinnen und Spieler vor unerwartete Probleme. In einem ausführlichen Fotobericht verrät Alina l'Ami, wie die immer erfindungsreichen Rumänen sie gemeistert haben. Bericht und Fotos...

Shimanov gewinnt Rilton Cup
Aleksandr Shimanov ist der Sieger des Rilton Cups in Stockholm. Shimanov holte als einziger Spieler 7,5 Punkte und gewann das Turnier sogar mit einem ganzen Punkt Vorsprung vor seinen Verfolgern , von denen Slavko Cicak (Schweden) und Dragan Solak (Türkei) mit der besten Zweitwertung die Plätze belegten. Ganz so glatt wie das Endergebnis es erscheinen lässt, war der Turnierverlauf jedoch nicht. Gegen Erwin L'Ami stand Shimanov auf Verlust, profitierte dann jedoch von einem Anfall von Schachblindheit bei seinem Gegner, der die Partie erst zum Remis verdarb und dann zum Verlust. Alina L'Ami berichtet, wie das passieren konnte und ist im Übrigen nicht nur von Stockholm begeistert. Bericht, Bilder, Pertien...

Der Rilton Cup in Stockholm
Über den Jahreswechsel findet in Stockholm der traditionelle Rilton Cup (27.12.2012 bis 5.1.2012) statt, benannt nach Dr. Tore Rilton, einem Stockholmer Arzt und Schachfreund, der das Turnier seit 1971 sponserte und vor seinem Tode verfügte, dass es aus seinem Nachlass weiter finanziert werde. In diesem Jahr nehmen über 70 Spieler teil, darunter mit Pia Cramling und Mitfavorit Hans Tikkanen zwei Aushängeschilder des schwedischen Schachs. Nach fünf Runden liegt Aleksandr Shimanov (4,5 P.) alleine in Führung. Alina L'Ami hat einige Momente für die Nachwelt fest gehalten. Tabelle, Partien, Impressionen...

Going to Ibiza!
Wenn die Sommersaison sich dem Ende zuneigt, dann sinken in den Touristenhochburgen am Mittelmeer neben den Temperaturen allmählich auch die Adrenalinspiegel der Partygänger. Selbst auf der "Balearen-Jukebox" Ibiza wird es allmählich stiller und man kann sich nachdenklicheren Dingen zuwenden und zum Beispiel Schach spielen. Ende Oktober organisierten die örtlichen Schachfreunde ein Open, zu dem sich auch einige Titelträger einfanden, darunter das Großmeisterpaar Cramling/Bellon Lopez. Favorit des Turniers war jedoch Erwin L'Ami, der zur Eröffnung des kleinen Festivals eine Simultan gab und später seiner Favoritenrolle im Turnier gerecht wurde. Seine Gattin und inoffizielle "Pressereferentin" Alina L'Ami belegte am Ende ebenfalls einen der vorderen Plätze und begab sich zwischen den Runden auf Entdeckungsreise durch die von der UNESCO als Weltkulturerbe geschützte "Dalt Villa" - die Altstadt. Bericht und Bilder...

Rumänische Mannschaftsmeisterschaft in Brasov
Die rumänische Stadt Brasov in Siebenbürgen war eigentlich eine Gründung des Deutschritterordens, Anfang des 13. Jahrhunderts, und hieß lange Kronstadt. Später musste der Orden seine Komturei verlassen und verlegte sein Betätigungsfeld ins Baltikum. Stattdessen machten nun Leute wie Vlad Tepes von sich reden. Vlad III. stammte eigentlich aus dem nahe gelegenen Schäßburg. Unter seinem Beinamen Draculea ging er in die Literatur ein. Hollywood und die englischen Hammer-Studios müssten jedem Schäßburger aus Dankbarkeit auf ewig eine Rente zahlen. Dennoch möchten die Rumänen nicht gerne ständig auf ihren größten literarischen Helden reduziert werden. Alina L'Ami berichtet von anderen kulturellen Errungenschaften und lädt zu einer Entdeckungstour durch die alten und z.T. nur 80 cm breiten Gassen Brasovs ein. Natürlich berichtet sie auch von den Mannschaftsmeisterschaften, schließlich gehört sie zum Siegerteam bei den Frauen. Das Männerturnier gewann AEM Luxten Timisoara mit Gata Kamsky an Brett 1. Bericht, Bilder, alle Partien...

Rumänische Mannschaftsmeisterschaft
Brasov, das einstige Kronstadt im heute zu Rumänien gehörenden Siebenbürgen, ist Schauplatz der rumänischen Mannschaftsmeisterschaft. Diese wird als geschlossenes Turnier mit je zehn Mannschaften parallel in einem Männerwettbewerb und einem Frauenturnier ausgetragen. Gespielt wird an sechs bzw. bei den Frauen an drei Brettern, wobei ein Jugendbrett vorgeschrieben wird. Eine Reihe von prominenten Spielern nimmt an der Mannschaftsmeisterschaft teil, darunter z.B. Gata Kamsky. In Brasov ist der Sommer bereits in den Winter übergegangen und der Herbst wurde dabei übersprungen, klagt Alina l'Ami, die selber mitspielt und ihrem Bericht Bilder einer auch im Winter bezaubernden Stadt beigefügt hat. Brasov Schach und Winter...

Kanada? Schach!
Wer "Kanada" hört, denkt nicht unbedingt an Schach. Eishockey, Ahornsirup und vor allem unendlich große Wälder beherrschen die gängigen Vorstellungen. Auf ihrer Reise nach Montreal und Quebec erlebte Alina L'Ami das kanadische Schachleben aber so intensiv, dass sich das Spiel von nun an für sie untrennbar mit dem Namen des nördlichsten Landes auf dem amerikanischen Kontinent verbunden hat. In drei Tagen spielte sie ein fünfrundiges Open in Montreal und absolvierte außerdem zwei Simultanvorstellungen, davon eine im berühmtesten Schachcafé Kanadas, dem Café Pi in Quebec. Die Kanadier sind freundlich, vom Schach begeistert und viel spielstärker als ihre Elozahlen aussagen, lautet Alina L'Amis Fazit. Warum das so ist, erklärt die Großmeisterin in ihrem mit vielen Eindrücken gespickten Schachreisebericht aus Kanada. Bericht, Impressionen und Partien...

Schnellschach in Gouda
Am Wochenende fand in Gouda ein Schnellschachturnier statt, zu dem sich eine Reihe von starken Großmeistern einfanden. Am Ende hatte Erwin L'Ami mit 6,5 Punkten nach 7 Runden die Nase vorn und distanzierte das übrige Feld um einen ganzen Punkt. Auf dem Weg zum Turniersieg kannte Erwin L'Ami keine Verwandten und nahm auch seiner Ehefrau Alina den vollen Punkt ab. Berichterstatterin Alina L'Ami und die vielfache niederländische Landesmeisterin Peng Zhaoqin kamen auf 5 Punkte und brachen als beste Frauen in die Phalanx der männlichen Meister ein. Den zweiten Platz teilten David van Kerckhof und Peter Wilschut. Bericht und Bilder...

Drei Sieger in Dieren
14 Großmeister nahmen an den Offenen Holländischen Meisterschaften teil, die vom 19. bis 28. Juli in Dieren stattfanden. Mit dabei war Ex-Vizeweltmeister und Schachlegende Jan Timman, Elo-Favorit und Nummer Eins der Setzliste war Maxim Turov. Tatsächlich wurde Tuvor seiner Favoritenrolle gerecht und lag nach 9 Runden mit 7 Punkten gemeinsam mit Yuri Vovk und Vladimir Georgiev an der Spitze. Doch da er die beste Wertung hatte, wurde Turov zum Sieger erklärt. Auf den Plätzen vier und fünf folgten Erwin L'Ami und Alexander Fier mit je 6,5 Punkten. Timman holte 5 Punkte und kam damit auf den 18. Platz. Alina L'Ami (Bild) hat das Geschehen in Bildern festgehalten. Mehr...

Dutch Open in Dieren
Das Städtchen Dieren (15.000 Einw.) , im Westen der Niederlände zwischen Arnhem und Apeldoorn gelegen ist vor allem wegen seiner Fahrrad-Fabrik "Gazelle" bekannt, die hier 1892 gegründet wurde. 550 Mitarbeiter produzieren im Jahr nicht weniger als 350.000 Räder, von denen die meisten wohl nach Amsterdam geliefert werden. Allerdings wird am Ort auch viel und gerne Schach gespielt. Derzeit findet das Dutch Open (18.-29. Juli) statt, an dem in mehreren Gruppen fast 500 Spieler teilnehmen. Zu den Prominenten gehören u.a. der frühere FIDE-Vizeweltmeister Jan Timman. Alina L'Ami spielt ebenfalls mit und hat neben den Ereignissen im Turnier das festgehalten, was ihr besonders bemerkenswert und typisch holländisch erschien. Nach vier Runden gehört ihr Gatte Erwin mit zur vierköpfigen Führungsgruppe. Tabelle, Partien, Bilder...

Eviva Espana
Zehnter Platz, Frauenpreis, eine Performance von 2612, 48 Elo-Punkte gewonnen und die erste GM-Norm gemacht - und all das trotz einer unnötigen Niederlage gegen den bulgarischen GM Kiril Georgiev: besser hätte das 34. Internationale Barbera del Valles Turnier für Alina l'Ami fast nicht laufen können. Auch Levan Aroshidze aus Georgien wird dieses Turnier in guter Erinnerung Turnier behalten. Er gewann mit 7,5 aus 9 vor Georgiev, der 7 Punkte erzielte. Alina l'Ami hat das Geschehen am Brett und drum herum fotografiert und schickt einen lebhaften Bericht und viele Bilder. Bericht und Bilder...

Fiesta, Siesta, Schach
Das Open im spanischen Barbera del Valles ist mittlerweile Tradition und findet dieses Jahr zum 34. Mal statt. Barbera del Valles liegt in der Nähe von Barcelona und das attraktive Turnier hat wieder zahlreiche Großmeister und Titelträger angelockt. 12 Großmeister sind dabei, Elo-Favorit ist der Bulgare Kiril Georgiev, der allerdings gleich in der zweiten Runde mit einer Niederlage gegen den Brasilianer Herman van Riemsdijk ins Straucheln kam. Alina l'Ami schickt erste Impressionen vom Schachturnier und vom spanischen Alltag im Sommer. Impressionen...

"Probably the best town of the world"
Am Wochenende fand in Brasov die rumänische Schnellschach-Mannschaftsmeisterschaft statt. Wahrscheinlich werden nur wenige Schachfreunde den Namen Brasov kennen, obwohl es eine der größten Städte Rumäniens ist. Geläufiger dürfte noch die alte deutsche Bezeichnung Kronstadt sein, eine der sieben Städte der Siebenbürger "Sachsen". Neben Peter Maffay, von dem wir nicht wissen, ob er Schach spielt, wurde hier auch Livie-Dieter Nisipeanu geboren, von dem wir wissen, dass er sehr gut Schach spielt. Der beste rumänische Schachspieler nahm an der Schnellschachmeisterschaft nicht teil, dafür aber viele andere Bekannte und mit Erwin L'Ami auch ein eingeheirateter Niederländer. Aber schon im 12. Jahrhundert stammten viele eingewanderte "Sachsen" eigentlich aus den Niederlanden. Bericht, Bilder, Tabellen...

Short gewinnt in Luanda
Das GM-Turnier in Luanda war für die einheimischen Schachspieler und die europäischen Besucher gleichermaßen ein großes Ereignis. Die Europäer nahmen mit Interesse die exotischen Eindrücke auf, die das nach langen Jahren des Bürgerkriegs endlich zur Ruhe gekommene Land zu bieten hat und für das Schach"entwicklungsland" Angola war der Besuch der Großmeister auch ein spannendes Erlebnis. Nigel Short, nicht zum ersten Mal in dem südwestafrikanischen Land zu Besuch, holte sich ungefährdet den Turniersieg vor seinen GM-Kollegen Antonio Fernandes und Sergey Tiviakov. Deon Solomons war "Best of the Rest". Der Südafrikaner ließ mit Luis Galego sogar einen GM hinter sich. Alina L'Ami war im Frauenturnier schon nominell eine Klasse für sich und gewann alle Partien. Sergey Tiviakov und Alina L'Ami zeichnen vom Turnierende und der Abschlussfeier ein lebendiges Bild. Tabellen, Partien, Impressionen...

Neues aus Luanda
Im Tuca Cuca -Turnier in Luanda trennten sich die beiden Favoriten auf den Turniersieg, Nigel Short und Sergey Tiviakov, remis und in der folgenden Runde teilte der Engländer auch mit Robert Gwaze den Punkt. Tiviakov unterlag jedoch Antonio Fernandes. So zog der portugiesische Großmeister an den beiden Favoriten vorbei und übernahm die Führung im Turnier. Im Frauenturnier hat Alina L'Ami bisher alle Partien gewonnen und einen halben Punkt Vorsprung vor Anzel Solomons. Für die europäischen Besucher hält die angolanische Hauptstadt viele Überrschungen bereit. Sergey Tiviakov und Alina L'Ami haben Turnier und Land und Leute ins Bild gesetzt. Mehr...

Nigel Short gut in Form
Beim Cuca Tuca-Turnier in Luanda wurde Nigel Short seiner Favoritenrollen bisher gerecht. Er gewann alle drei Partien und führt zusammen mit Sergei Tiviakov, der ebenfalls drei Punkte holte. Deon Solomons aus Südafrika konnte als Drittplatzierter mit 2,5 Punkten in die Phalanx der europäischen Großmeister einbrechen. Bester Angolaner ist derzeit FM Aristotle Ramos auf Rang fünf (2 Punkte). Im Frauenturnier führt Alina L'Ami zusammen Anzel Solomons (Südafrika). Beide Spielerinnen kommen ebenfalls auf die maximale Punktzahl. Trotz des anstrengenden Turnieralltags erfüllt Nigel Short am Abend auch noch selbstlos Aufgaben als europäischer Sympathie-Botschafter. Tabelle, Partien, Impressionen...

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Spanish

Campeonato del Mundo de Ajedrez Escolar en Rumanía Entre el 28 de abril y el 6 de mayo se celebra el Campeonato del Mundo de Ajedrez Escolar en Iasi (Rumanía) Participan más de 500 ajedrecistas juveniles, más padres y entrenadores, es decir, unas 1.000 personas provenientes de todo el globo. Da la casualidad que Iasi es también la patria chica de nuestra amiga trotamundos, asidua reportera de ChessBase y WGM que toma parte activa en torneos en los sitios más remotos: Alina L´Ami. Desde allí nos ha enviado este reportaje con encantadoras fotografías de los participantes y también de su "habitat" favorito. Reportaje ilustrado por Alina L'Ami...

Despedida del Festival Taca Cuca en AngolaAngola es uno de los países productores de petróleo más importantes de África. Y se está convirtiendo también en un país muy interesante para... ¡jugar al ajedrez! Al menos eso es lo que sigue afirmando Alina L´Ami, que ha participado en el Torneo Taca Cuca en Luanda. Otros que lo confirmarán serán el ganador invicto, Victor Bologan, que sumó 8 puntos en 9 rondas, el segundo clasificado Sergey Tiviakov (a pesar de algunos pequeños contratiempos de salud) y el marido de Alina, Erwin L´Ami que ocupó el tercer lugar. Alina ganó el segundo premio del torneo femenino y nos ha enviado otro reportaje, que también incluye algunas fotos de la cámara de Tiviakov, a quien vemos subido a un árbol. Reportaje final...

Alina en el Festival Taca Cuca en Angola
Después de que se acabasen los conflictos militares en 2002, el país africano está en auge, gracias a los recursos naturales, principalmente el petróleo. La vida ajedrecística también va viento en popa, pues el Torneo Taca Cuca en Luanda ya se ha convertido en una pequeña institución. Este año, se celebra la cuarta edición y las condiciones de juego son estupendas, con una bolsa de premios tan interesante que cada vez acuden más jugadores de elite. El matrimonio L´Ami está allí y Alina nos ha enviado uno de sus preciosos reportajes fotográficos. Reportaje ilustrado...

Alina en el país del otro tiempo
En Túnez, parece que el tiempo otro significado y su propia dinámica. Eso lo vivió Alina L´Ami, acostumbrada al ritmo europeo, en su viaje a ese país. El torneo femenino, al que había sido invitado, no tuvo lugar, por falta de participantes. De esta manera tenía mucho tiempo para hablar con la gente, llegar a conocer el país y sus habitantes y para aprender sobre el tiempo. El tiempo fluye. Como si fuese un río. Hay que aprovecharlo, porque si no, el tiempo se "pierde". Por eso tendemos a sentirnos frustrados si nos tenemos que quedar esperando, si siempre hay tantas cosas que hacer. Pero por otra parte, y al pensarlo de manera algo filosófica, cuanto más rápido uno trabaja, tanto más rápido se va consumiendo el tiempo. En cambio, si descansamos más y y nos apuramos menos, y si nos tomamos el tiempo para mirar las cosas con más tranquilidad, ¡es posible frenar el tiempo! Así no pasa tan rápidamente, o dicho todavía más positivo: El Tiempo nos e-s-p-e-r-a!

El Haouaria dice 'merhaba' en su Festival Checkmat 2012
Entre el 17 de marzo y el 4 de abril se está celebrando el I Festival de Ajedrez Checkmat 2012 en El Haouaria (Túnez) El organizador principal es el maestro internacional Njili Kamel. El patrocinador, que prefiere mantenerse en la sombra, para seguir desde la distancia cómo disfrutan los participantes de todas la actividades, es Meddeb Kamel (sí, tiene el mismo apellido). Y eso es lo que ambos han preparado para los participantes: un torneo abierto (recién terminado, que fue ganado por el serbio Igor Miladinovic con 7,5/9), un torneo de ajedrez relámpago, un abierto internacional para juveniles, cinco cerrados (2 para normas de GM, dos para normas de MI y uno para mujeres), una exhibición de simultáneas a cargo de Nigel Short. Las cosas tomaron otro rumbo y no hubo simultáneas pero sí sesión de fotos y autógrafos, porque Nigel también tiene talento para la improvisación y colaboró de manera excelente para que su visita fuese un éxito en todo caso. Alina L´Ami ha acudido a Túnez para participar en el cerrado femenino y, mientras empieza, ha tenido la oportunidad de usar su cámara. Reportaje ilustrado por Alina L'Ami...

Islandia: no hay bosques, porque no hay nada que esconder
Alina L´Ami, tras unas inspiradas partidas (por los paisajes y el tiempo salvaje) durante su participación en el Abierto de Reykjavik, aprovechó la oportunidad para hacer turismo en la naturaleza y ajedrecístico. Escribió: "Fuimos muy afortunados: justo el 2 de marzo se había inaugurado una exposición (que durará hasta el 15 de junio de 2012) sobre el "Duelo del Siglo", Fischer vs. Spassky en 1972". Sacó un montón de fotos. También de los glaciares, de la gente visible e invisible. Aunque los propios islandeses afirman que no tienen nada que esconder y que esa es la razón por la que no hay bosques en Islandia. Reportaje ilustrado por Alina L'Ami...

Abierto de Reykjavik 2012: Caruana lidera con 6,5/7 puntos
Fabiano Caruana únicamente ha concedido tablas en una partida del Abierto de Reykjavik y ha ganado todas las demás. Tras siete rondas lidera con 6,5 puntos y un rendimiento de 2885 puntos Elo, con lo cual ha subido al número seis de la lista oficiosa continua de los mejores del mundo. Alina L´Ami nos ha enviado otro reportaje con preciosas fotos y está rastreando las huellas de Bobby Fischer. Alina visitó la tienda de libros donde Fischer solía leer y reposar y también su restaurante favorito, donde la única mesa que quedaba libre a la hora de comer era la que solía reservar Bobby (en la foto al fondo, a la izquierda). Reportaje gráfico por Alina L'Ami...

Abierto de Reykjavik 2012
Entre el 6 y el 13 de marzo de 2012 se celebra el Abierto de Reykjavik en Islandia. Se trata de un torneo a 9 rondas con 200 participantes, de los cuales 25 son grandes maestros y 20 maestros internacionales. Los principales favoritos son Fabiano Caruana, David Navara y Hou Yifan. Islandia es un país como de cuento de hadas. El tiempo es extremo con cambios muy repentinos entre sol, vendavales, granizadas, tempestad y cielos con nubes increíbles. A la vez que nieve y hielo, también hay calor natural intenso, por ejemplo, en la laguna Azul, con agua calentada por la propia naturaleza, los géiseres (fuentes que salen de la tierra con mucha fuerza). Y allí están también los contentadizos y simpáticos caballos de Islandia. Probablemente después de ver el reportaje fotográfico que nos ha mandado Alina L´Amia pensará: ¡Yo también quiero ir a verlo!

Foisor y Nevednichy son los campeones de Rumanía 2012
Rumanía en febrero de 2012: la nieve está causando un caos tremendo; el país entero está atrapado bajo una espesa capa de nieve, la rabia blanca; hay ventiscas que parecen interminables; la gente anda sobre los tejados de sus casas porque es tanta la nieve que llega hasta allí. En muchos periódicos lo llamaron la "pesadilla blanca". ¡Ha sido el invierno más duro desde 1954! En esas circunstancias, parece un milagro que se haya podido celebrar el Campeonato de Rumanía 2012. Pero, tal y como nos hace saber Alina L´Ami, "el diablo nunca es tan negro como parece". La prueba absoluta fue ganada por Vladislav Nevednichy, con 8,5 puntos en 11 rondas y la nueva Campeona de Rumanía es Christina Foisor, al sumar 6,5/9. Nuestra reportera Alina L´Ami ocupó el cuarto lugar y disfrutó mucho de la nieve y de "ese algo tan especial" que tiene su país. Gloria en medio de la pesadilla blanca...

El Campeonato de Rumanía 2012 en la nieve
El ajedrez es un típico deporte de interior("indoor", que dicen los angloparlantes) Para poder jugar no es necesario ni viento, ni nieve, ni sol y tampoco importa que haga frío o calor. Si surge la variante apropiada sobre el tablero, qué más da entonces si fuera hay tempestad, diluvio o un cielo azul. Bueno, la verdad es que tampoco se puede ignorar el tiempo por completo. En el caso del Campeonato de Rumanía, por ejemplo, las nevadas hicieron que sus secciones absoluta y femenina tuvieran que comenzar dos días más tarde de lo previsto, porque no había ni rastro de los jugadores. Alina L´Ami nos cuenta cómo los imaginativos rumanos han solucionado los problemas invernales...

Shimanov ganó la XLI Copa Rilton en Estocolmo
Aleksandr Shimanov es el ganador de la XLI Copa Rilton en Estocolmo. Fue el único que sumó 7,5 puntos en las 9 rondas e incluso sacó un punto de ventaja a sus perseguidores más cercanos, de los cuales Slavko Cicak (Suecia) y Dragan Solak (Turquía), por sus mejores valoraciones de desempate, ocuparon los puestos dos y tres. Eso no significa que el resultado final hubiese estado cantado durante todo el torneo. Erwin L'Ami, en su partida contra Shimanov, había logrado ventaja, pero en un ataque agudo de ceguera ajedrecística estropeó la partida por completo y terminó ganando el ruso. Reportaje final por Alina L'Ami...

XLI Copa Rilton en Estocolmo
La Copa Rilton, cuya 41ª edición se celebra entre el 27 de diciembre de 2011 y el 5 de enero de 2012, existe porque un hombre muy generoso, el Dr. Tore Rilton dejó seis millones de coronas suecas como legado para el ajedrez. Ese dinero se ha invertido en un fondo y se utiliza para disputar la Copa Rilton todos los años. Otro detalle interesante es que el día de descanso no será el 1 de enero, sino el día de Nochevieja, el 31 de diciembre, de manera que Alina, su marido Erwin L´Ami y los demás participantes podrán visitar la ciudad con las tiendas abiertas y gente en la calle antes de que festejen tanto que el día 1 ya no haya rastro de nadie porque todos estén descansando. Reportaje ilustrado por Alina L'Ami...

Alina por el mundo: Ibiza
"Whoah! We're Going To Ibiza. Whoah! Back To The Island. Whoah! We're Gonna Have A Party. Whoah! In The Mediterranean Sea... Curiosamente, no logré quitarme de la cabeza esa canción de los famosos "Vengaboys" mientras estaba volando de Ámsterdam a Ibiza. Ni los maliciosos comentarios de mi esposo Erwin me podían hacer cambiar de canción. Además, yo estaba de tan buen humor que no me la quise quitar de la cabeza y eso que ni siquieramos habíamos tomado tierra en lo que pasa por ser el "paraíso de las endorfinas". Así comienza Alina L´Ami el relato de su nueva aventura ajedrecístico-turística. Reportaje ilustrado...

La Liga Rumana: por calles estrechas y con la espalda contra la pared
La ciudad de Brasov fue anfitriona de la Liga Rumana, una de las ediciones más fuertes de todos los tiempos. El acontecimiento reunió a muchos de jugadores de primera fila mundial, entre ellos Gata Kamsky, Jobava Baadur, Anna Muzychuk y Pia Cramling. Pero sobre todo, fue una vuelta a casa para Alina L´Ami, que disfrutó especialmente de poder disputar un torneo de tan alto nivel en las tierras de su país natal. Nos enseña algunas frases de la sabiduría popular de su país como que "la mejor verdura es la carne de cerdo" y nos desvela el secreto que tienen los rumanos. Disfruten de su interesante reportaje ilustrado...

Campeonato de Rumanía por Equipos 2011
Brasov, conocida en latín como Corona, se sitúa al sureste de Transilvania, en las estribaciones de los Cárpatos, en el centro de Rumanía. Allí se está disputando el campeonato por equipos de ese país. Este es un torneo de liga, con competición masculina y femenina, con diez equipos en cada una. Este año se han dado cita muchos jugadores conocidos: Kamsky, Volokitin, Jobava, Suba, Nisipeanu, Fedorov, Pía Cramling, Anna Muzychuk... Por lo que nos cuenta Alina l'Ami, allí han pasado directamente al invierno. aunque estén festejando el otoño...

El mundo de Alina: ¿Canadá? ¡Ajedrez!
Si oímos hablar de Canadá, nuestro primer pensamiento no nos llevará precisamente al ajedrez. Hockey sobre hielo, jarabe de arce y, naturalmente, bosques inmensos (en esa época del año con las hojas de todos los colores entre dorado y rojo) son las imágenes que suelen inspirar el nombre de ese país. En su viaje a Montreal y Quebec, Alina L´Ami vivió el ajedrez de manera tan intensa que de ahora en adelante quedará vinculado firmemente al país más nórdico del continente americano. En tan solo tres días jugó un torneo abierto de 5 rondas en Montreal y realizó dos exhibiciones de simultáneas. Ha aprendido muchas cosas sobre los canadienses: no cierran sus puertas con llave, los peatones no esperan en los semáforos en rojo, comen las patatas fritas con salsa y queso y tomen el café con jarabe de arce. ¡Y son ajedrecistas mucho más fuertes de lo que indica su Elo! Reportaje ilustrado por Alina L'Ami...

Ajedrez rápido en Gouda
El fin de semana pasado se celebró un torneo de ajedrez rápido en Gouda (Holanda) en el cual participaron algunos fuertes grandes maestros y también dos potentes jugadoras: la cuatro veces campeona de Holanda Peng Zhaokin y Alina L´Ami. Esta última llevó su cámara y nos mandó algunas impresiones de un día de verano en un torneo de ajedrez holandés. Su marido, el GM Erwin L´Ami fue el ganador y también el único que logró vencer a Alina. En los lugares segundo y tercero se clasificaron David van Kerckhof y Peter Wilschut. Reportaje ilustrado por Alina L'Ami...

Terminó el Abierto de Holanda en Dieren
El Abierto de Holanda se celebró en Dieren entre el 19 y el 28 de julio de 2011. Allí acudieron catorce grandes maestros (entre otros Maxim Turov, Erwin L’Ami, Jan Timman, Alexandr Fier y Friso Nijboer), una gran maestra femenina y cinco maestros internacionales. Maxim Turov, Yuri Vovk y Vladimir Georgiev terminaron igualados en lo más alto con siete puntos en 9 rondas. El primero de los citados resultó ganador por mejor desempate. Alina L'Ami (en la foto) nos ha mandado la segunda parte de su crónica en imágenes...

Abierto de Holanda en Dieren
La ciudad de Dieren (15.000 habitantes) está situada en el oeste de Holanda, entre Arnhem y Apeldoorn. Es famosa por su fábrica de bicicletas "Gacela", fundada en 1892. También allí se juega mucho y bien al ajedrez. Entre el 18 y el 29 de julio se disputa el Abierto de Holanda, donde se han dado cita cerca de 500 jugadores, entre los que hay celebridades, como el antiguo subcampeón mundial de la FIDE Jan Timman. Alina L'Ami también participa y además de algunas imágenes del torneo nos ha ha mandado un reportaje sobre lo que es una típica población holandesa. Tras 4 rondas, su esposo Erwin estaba en el grupo de los líderes. Reportaje gráfico de Alina L'Ami...

Barberá del Vallés R4: lidera Holden Hernández
"Me encanta viajar y siempre es interesante descubrir nuevos sitios. Pero de alguna manera, volver al mismo torneo en el que he participado también hace ya 4 años, encontrarme con los mismos organizadores, estar en el mismo hotel... ¡todo eso me da una sensación agradable y familiar! Tiene algo reconfortante", nos escribe Alina L´Ami entusiasmada desde Barberá del Vallés y sigue: "El hotel y la gente, todo es excelente. Pronto visitaré Barcelona y os enviaré más fotos". Por lo visto, también se está tomando en serio la competición pues, tras 4 rondas, figura en la sexta posición del grupo A, con 94 participantes. El líder en solitario es Holden Hernández, de Cuba, con la puntuación perfecta. Entre medias están Marc Narciso, Levan Aroshidze, Eduardo Iturrizaga y Fernando Peralta, todos con 3,5. Más impresiones fotográficas por Alina L´Ami...

Barberá del Valles 2011: siesta, fiesta y ajedrez
Entre el 4 y el 12 de julio de 2011, se celebra el torneo XXXIV Abierto Barberá del Vallés en la población del mismo nombre, que se encuentra en la comarca que le da el apellido, no muy lejos de Barcelona. La edición de este año de nuevo ha atraído a muchos jugadores, entre ellos 12 grandes maestros y más jugadores titulados. El favorito según el escalafón Elo es el búlgaro Kiril Georgiev, aunque ya sufrió la primera derrota en la segunda ronda ayer contra el brasileño Herman van Riemsdijk. Alina L´Ami nos ha enviado primeras impresiones fotográficas del torneo y del lugar...

Copa de Rumanía de Clubes 2011 en Brasov
Entre el 3 y el 5 de junio se disputó la Copa de Rumanía por Equipos 2011 en Brasov. Alina L´Ami y su marido el GM holandés Erwin participaron en los equipos del CS Politehnica Iasi, en categorías femenina y masculina respectivamente. Ambos se coronaron subcampeones, por detrás del CS AEM Luxten Timisoara en el caso del equipo de Alina y del ACS de Sah Apanova Bucuresti, en el caso de Erwin y el matrimonio se enamoró de la ciudad de Brasov. Alina nos escribió: "Aunque no sé si iría tan lejos de confirmar el lema que tiene la ciudad y que sea "Brasov, probablemente la mejor ciudad del mundo", sí les diré que les encantaría la ciudad. No se parece en nada a la Rumanía de los grises bloques de edificios comunistas. He viajado a sitios tan remotos como Nueva Zelanda, África o Yemen, pero desconocía que mi propio país, Rumanía fuese tan bonita". Lo confirmarán tras haber visto el precioso reportaje ilustrado por Alina L´Ami...

Nigel Short y Alina L´Ami ganan el torneo Taca Cuca en Luanda
El torneo Taca Cuca en Luanda (Angola) fue un acontecimiento maravilloso, tanto para los jugadores locales como europeos. Estos vuelven a casa cargados de impresiones exóticas y los locales tuvieron la posibilidad de enfrentarse a algunos grandes maestros del continente vecino. Para el vencedor del torneo, Nigel Short esa no era la primera visita a África y también había estado en Angola anteriormente. En los puesto dos y tres se ubicaron sus colegas GMs Antonio Fernandes (Portugal) y Sergey Tiviakov (Holanda).Deon Solomons fue el mejor del resto. El sudafricano hasta superó a uno de los grandes maestros, Luis Galego. En la prueba femenina, Alina L´Ami se coronó vencedora con un convicente 9/9. Ella y Sergey Tiviakov nos han enviado un reportaje gráfico final...

Nigel Short lídera en el Torneo Taca Cuca
Tras seis rondas, en el Torneo Taca Cuca, en Luanda, la capital de Angola, Nigel Short se ha colocado en la cima como líder en solitario y único jugador con 5 puntos. En la cuarta ronda, había empatado con el segundo favorito del torneo, según el escalafón Elo, Sergey Tiviakov. En la ronda siguiente, Short empató también con Robert Gwaze, pero Tiviakov sufrió una derrota contra Antonio Fernandes. En la competición femenina, Alina L´Ami lidera con la puntuación inmejorable de 6/6 puntos. Alina L´Ami y Sergey Tiviakov nos han enviado más impresiones fotográficas desde Luanda...

Torneo Taca Cuca R3: Nigel Short en forma
Hasta ahora Nigel Short ha estado cumpliendo con su papel de favorito en el torneo Taca Cuca en Luanda (Angola) Ha ganado las partidas de las primeras tres rondas disputadas y encabeza la clasificación junto con Sergey Tiviakov, que igualmente ha sumado tres triunfos. Deon Solomons, de Sudáfrica figura en el tercer lugar con 2,5/3 puntos. El mejor jugador angoleño de momento es MF Aristotle Ramos en el quinto puesto (2/3) En la competición femenina lidera la europea Alina L´Ami junto con Anzel Solomons. Ambas jugadoras tienen el marcador perfecto. A pesar del intenso programa del torneo, Nigel Short siempre parece encontrar un momento también para cumplir con su papel de "embajador de la simpatía" (foto) Reportaje fotográfico tras 3 rondas...

Close-up: Alexander Morozevich!

2012-03-18T14:11:00.000+02:00

I am coming back with one of my favorite labels: close-up!
The interview has been already published in the second issue, February 2012, of the German Magazine: Schach.

We were surprised to see Moro's powerful comeback after many months of silence, wondering how that was possible and what happened meanwhile, indulging ourselves into endless assumptions. The one to help us out is none other than Alexander Morozevich himself, who reminds us that it takes years of hard work to be an overnight sensation. Short and clear, direct and no frills, without beating around the bush, this is his trademark answer which attracts the public even more and makes the journalists review their job as being quite challenging. And I was one of them while compiling this interview, a challenge which started in November 2011 and ended in January 2012. If I exaggerate a bit, it's a work spread over two years:) It might look like a long period of time and a clear sample of how 'difficult' those geniuses can be. But with an important tournament like Reggio Emilia in between, there is no surprise it took longer than expected. To answer a lot of questions and give a piece of yourself to the hungry journalists it's not just…something, it requires time and energy. Especially on the top level, everything counts and we, the chess players, more than anybody else, should understand that. To be honest, looking back, all the efforts were on his side, he is the one who makes the interview and I am a simple listener and learner. And the final shape the interview took, surprised me once again with its openness and honesty, a lesson which he is giving us free of charge.

Alexander's profile picture on facebook

'Be true to yourself', as Moro would say, is maybe not the best thing ever for the more sensitive natures. Like it or not, we will never dare to say what we are really thinking, we will always try to put ourselves in a positive light and please the others, hiding behind polite and diplomatic words. And yet, he has the courage to be himself, to say out loud his real opinion, no matter how unpleasant that might sound. Discreet when it comes to his personal life, his words and gestures left enough room for misinterpretations: his frankness is seen by some as frustration, his sense of humour and ironical style as cynicism, and so forth.
In a world full of platitudes and copies, Alexander Morozevich is fighting the hardest battle ever, to be just himself, as he was born: an original!

To the public's delight, you continued in Reggio Emilia your series of victories and decisive games. But in the end, and unexpectedly, Anish Giri finished on the 1st position. What drew you back from winning the event?
Well, it was a really totally random event, with almost every player as a possible winner. It all started after round 5, when Naka, playing as awful as possible in the first 35 moves against Chuky, finally managed to even win that game. After that, Chuky went really mad, decided to take revenge and prepare ONLY for the next game against Naka which, unfortunately for me and fortunately for the other players, was due to be played only in the final round. Basically, he was so visibly disturbed that he still has to play some games in between, that he didn’t come with any better idea than to lose them all. Of course the "normal" course of the tournament was out at this point. It's important to understand it; then things from "crazy Reggio" start to have some logic finally. About my play…well, I was sick the whole tournament, so I am really happy with my final result taking it into consideration. After my strange ‘all in’ play and self destruction against Caruana in round 6 I basically finished the tournament, looking for draws like the best remedy. Naka seemed the only player who correctly saw me as an easy target; therefore, instead of making a draw and almost securing with that the first place, he decided to get some easy point or what it seemed for him to be, forgetting that after all, even the sick players need to be outplayed and not outmoved!:) The way he played against me is from simuls’ displays level; after that, he cracked two more times and finished only by a miracle on a third place. After the sudden present from round 8, I was back with chances for the first place, but last two games I didn't exceeded Naka's level against me very much. Ok, some people think I was the one to blame the fortune for missing quite an easy win in just one move in my last game against Vitiugov. But looking back, I didn't feel (with all my play there and being exhausted with the disease), that I was the deserved winner and have so much to complain for.

Any other thoughts on the Reggio Emilia tournament?
It seemed that Reggio has established itself firmly as a high standard tournament, increasing the category year by year and finally reaching a strong 20 cat field this year. I want to wish the organizers to continue their best efforts to keep the event as strong and fascinating as possible, and also to join the Grand Slam in the near future.

What about your plans for the near future?
They are quite open since I have no invitations at all. It looks like I have some chances for a good tournament closer or during summer, so I will keep on preparing for some imaginary super-super tournament, which is likely to happen one day.

In November last year you played the European Team Championship in Porto Carras. The 5thplace that Russian team occupied is probably not up to the expectations. Why do you think this happened?
Many professionals and different specialists have already commented on this, in the press and the internet. The more ado there is about it, the more difficult it is for us to hear each other, and to figure it out. My position is:

It's necessary to stop the hysterics in the press that started after the World Team Championship in China — it doesn't do any credit neither to the Russian Chess Federation authorities, nor the trainers, and backfires the players themselves.
It's also important to stop looking for scapegoats among the players - this is a vicious practice. Eliminate all the ambiguous statements about some players being non-professional. Professionalism is at least a two-way road.
At last: stop washing our dirty linen in public. Why don't all the persons concerned meet and discuss the pros and cons, closed-door? Some obvious points I can mention though:

The objectively increased level of every single team, including our direct competitors. When I first time played for our main team in 1998 in Elista, I had to score 8 out of 10 to win gold on the fourth board. Nowadays, in Greece, the highest performance and the gold medal on the same fourth board were mine, with an inconceivable before modest result of 4 out of 6.
The constant rotation of the players: reasonable rotation is possible, but shuffling us like a deck of cards and waiting for a miracle — who needs this? For instance, the team that had brilliantly won the Team Championship in Bursa in 2010 was nearly dissolved by the time of the Olympics in just 6 months! Russia-1 allocated Grischuk and Malakhov, who is said to have threatened with a trial... The others were kindly invited in the Russia-2. The same bustle is happening with the trainers. We should remember Vasiliy Smyslov, 7th world champion and his famous words: «The main is to preserve the people». This was said under different circumstances, but it's very important for us now.

Putting aside the unfortunate result in Reggio, as well as the disappointing performance of the Russian team in Greece, how come that after many months without playing, your comeback is so good?
During the break, I reconsidered many things for myself that were in need of rethinking. Moreover, I worked on chess quite a lot, both as a trainer in Qatar (ed: more details about Alexander's experience as a trainer), and on my own. In parallel I was working with different players. So I was hip to what was going on, but just had a break and played seldom for a year and a half. When I felt the time has come, I played 6 tournaments in 5 months.

That's a lot, especially on the highest level! Are you following a specific regime or rhythm during a tournament, to keep you in shape?
Nothing has changed. I am a night owl — go to bed late and prepare for the upcoming game at night. Before the game, I revise the lines a bit and go for a walk.

But how can you still keep your concentration on a decent level? Do you work on your mental approach, to strengthen it?
Concentration is what takes you years to acquire. I am not sure I can say whether this is also mental strength or not.

In any case, you seem quite focused when you are playing and your results speak for themselves. But, according to your definition of success, how successful have you been so far?
I don't really regard my play with a link to the results — it is more of a process to me that I just enjoy. Each tournament is being lived, thought and then remembered in its own way. You draw conclusions from your losses, and they help you build future victories. And wins give you joy and fill with certain sense. I see every game this way, with its weak and strong moves.
The result is just one of the successfulness' criteria. If I win a tournament, but don't feel any gladness, is this win really great?

Than what about the times when you were not very satisfied or pleased with your performance? What did you do about it?
A single failure is always a reason to think. A number of them, as I experienced at the end of 2009, is a reason to think very seriously, re-examine, and change some things. And usually, it does you good. 2011 was all different for me.

That means you had turning points in your career?
I don't really tend towards dramatizing and trying to find any turning points. Everyone's got their ups and downs. Chess is a way with all the features of the way itself. And a turn in our understanding can be just a turn on the road.

Speaking about turns and changes, what is your position on the World Championship system?
In 2011 mere mortals had only one chance to qualify for the candidates tournament and continue fighting for the crown — playing the World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk. I approached it being not in my best condition — not everyone can reach the peak of his form playing the fourth tournament in a row, so I dropped out pretty early. Players according to the rating will be piсked out a year before the candidate tournament starts, based on the average rating of 01.07.2011 and 01.01.2012, where one of my numbers will be the legendary 2694. I don't think that as for now we have only 8 players that claim the crown. Almost anyone from the top 20 could win a match against Anand or Gelfand, and from this point the format of 8 seems controversial, because at least half of the candidates stay overboard for two years. Conducting it double rounds, and increasing the number of participants would make the tournament too bulky, and we're not in 1953. The formula that was tested in Kazan, a series of short matches, is interesting, but it's not clear whether it got accustomed or not. Maybe we can try conducting the candidates tournament like the last USA championship, by the same formula — two groups with 10 players each like a normal closed tournament, with two winners in the play-off playing two matches of 4 games each with tie breaks till the winner is defined. So in total we get the same three weeks that one needs, let's say, to win the World Cup. Of course the workload is immense, but we can handle it once in two years. But the world championship match, if it remains the main event, should consist of 16 games, otherwise it isn't very serious.

Which are, for you, the advantages and the drawbacks of chess as a full time job?
They would be different for everyone. For me it is the possibility to be a master of my own time, absence of fixed working hours, possibility to sleep until lunchtime, and so on. Not everyone's job is their favourite thing to do, so this is already a big piece of luck. However, having to sit for hours, hypo-dynamism, specific concentration on the verge of autism, - these are the disadvantages.

Hypothetically speaking, if you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
My playing is a reflection of my feelings and my love to the game, not a desire to coin it in. There are so many fields in life where using chess brains one can make a much better fortune than in chess. Nevertheless, I've never regretted my choice.

And yet, there must be a type of training, something that you don't like doing, besides having to sit on a chair for many hours?
«Training» games which start at 10-12 am, that in my case are usually playing under the auspices of FIDE. Living hell.

Many players would certainly agree with you:) What about oddities, have you done anything unusual in your trainings?
Well, I regularly practice hypnotism. Without any result:) Recently I've started taking my backpack to the games with a much better effect. A number of very impressionable players have been thinking of what's inside more than about their own games!

Could you create an 'ideal' chess player (who won't let his mind wander off into your backpack :), and maybe even name someone who came or who is coming close?
I think that an ideal player as such, just like an ideal game, ideal government, or ideal time, does not exist. In every moment in history there are diverse requirements to be the best one. As for me, for the time being, Magnus' style and play mostly meet the spirit of our time. No wonder he's number one and so far ahead.

What 1-2 things do you believe differentiates you from other top chess players?
Every top player is unique in his own way. We play the same openings, use similar techniques etc. But in general we all play a bit in our own way, and two identical players don't exist.

So how would you describe yourself?
I guess, no matter how I try, it would be immodest. Let the others do it.

To shift a bit, but still in the chess zone: if you could play against anyone from history who would it be?
I would play against the creator of chess, if there is such.

What do you think are the essential elements in hiring a coach/second?
Trust, individual compatibility; in a higher sense: a common world-view, mutual up growth.

What are your interests outside the chess world?
Various literature, different music, taking a walk in the nature. Lately I've taken an interest in one of the eastern philosophy schools.

To end on an optimistic tone, tell me about the most fun you have had in chess.
Realizing, long time ago, when I was a schoolboy, that stalemate is a draw, unlike most of the other games where one side is winning. It seemed so irrational and strange...and it still does!

Chess Fortress?!

2012-02-28T21:17:00.001+02:00

While watching my husband's game in Bundesliga this weekend, I was stunned by another encounter, between Anish Giri and Markus Ragger. The game went on for 113 moves and I was shocked to see that Black was not able to make any progress from a position which looked to me, at the first glance, completely winning!

White to move
Is this a fortress or not?!

I haven't seen for some time such an unusual position and I became interested to find out the truth: is this drawish or not? Unfortunately there are 8 pieces on the board so we cannot ask the endgame tablebases for the ultimate answer:(
What I could do was to ask the engine (which shouts a decisive advantage for Black, thus clearly showing us he understands nothing) and to move the pieces on the board, together with Erwin.

After some time, I came to the conclusion that what Anish played in the game:
58.Rd7+ Ke4 59.Ra7 was maybe not the most precise way to hold a draw. Black had a better try to look for a win, by placing his rook on h8, forcing the White king to come out with the unpleasant checks on h2 and h1, which he cannot avoid due to the mating threat on g1. (Just in between, Black cannot try to give mate by placing his rook on the first rank because of the stalemate trick; white will just give checks forever, the so called "crazy" rook:)
Back to our ideas, the White king will be eventually kicked out from g2, all the way to the d3 square, when to me it looks like an improvement from what actually appeared in the game. And yet...I think it still is quite difficult to win. But my husband says it is winning, so I should believe him:)

[update: Anish just told me he intended to meet Rh8 with rook to the first rank. Than Rh1+ Kg2 Rxa1 would be again stalemate! So tricky this guy:) He also mentioned the recent game Wang Hao-Le Quang Liem, mindgames China 2011, where exactly the same endgame occured - "That's why I went for it in the game so readily!" says Anish]

The 'easiest' way for White to hold is to place his rook on h7, thus blocking Black's idea written above and to annoy his opponent with checks or attacking the g4 pawn, while keeping the king safe on g2.
I tried several ideas for Black to make progress but I just couldn't make them work! White always has checks and the exchange of rooks or pawns in a favorable position...the best I could come up with was the plan to attack the f2 pawn twice, with the rook and the knight, after that to sacrifice a piece and thus moving into a pawn endgame. Unfortunately, the Black king should be able to reach the d4 square in time, immediately after the White king captures back on f2. And I couldn't make this happen.

Right now I believe it is a draw but I could also be mistaken, so please correct me if I am wrong! And if it is a draw, it should definetely be included in a future endgame manual!

Happy Chess Velentine!

2012-02-14T10:16:00.000+02:00

From the National Championship, in between today's preparation and a walk outside, confronting the winter's wrath, I wish you all a great day!
We are celebrating it by playing chess, what else?! If you have never thought that chess and romance could go together, take a look at the card underneath, from the 20th century, maybe it will change your mind:)

Here you have the full text:

The Chess-Board by Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton

My little love, do you remember,
Ere we were grown so sadly wise,
Those evenings in the bleak December,
Curtained warm from the snowy weather,
When you and I played chess together.
Checkmated by each other's eyes?

Ah! still I see your soft white hand
Hovering warm o'er Queen or Knight;
Brave Pawns in valient battle stand;
The double Castles guard the wings;
The Bishop, bent on distant things,
Moves, sliding, through the fight.

Our fingers touch; our glances meet,
And falter; falls your golden hair
Against my cheek; your bosom sweet
Is heaving. Down the field, your Queen
Rides slow, her soldiery all between,
And checks me unaware.

Ah me! the little battle's done:
Dispersed is all its chivalry.
Full many a move, since then, have we
'Mid Life's perplexing chequers made,
And many a game with Fortune played;--
What is it we have won?
This, this at least,--if this alone:

That never, never, never more,
As in those old still nights of yore
(Ere we were grown so sadly wise),
Can you and I shut out the skies,
Shut out the world and wintry weather,
And, eyes exchanging warmth with eyes,
Play chess, as then we played together!

Invisible Chess Moves

2012-02-09T18:28:00.000+02:00

Remember my previous book review on "Invisible Chess Moves", written while I was watching the games in Wijk, during Tata Steel 2012? I am literally warming up my brain (freezing cold in Romania) by checking the beautiful examples hidden inside.
The book received recently the Book of the Year award, on Chesscafe.com and I can see why. The two diagrams presented underneath gave me such a pleasure that I couldn't keep it just for myself and decided to challenge you:)
I hope you didn't see them before and if you did, I am sure their beauty will steal at least a smile from you! And keep in mind: the moves are surprising. That's all I'm going to say.

Artur Yusupov vs Dieter Pirrot, 1994; 1-0
Black is a pawn up and he would be more than happy,
if the queen wouldn't have been in danger.
How should White benefit from that?
Yusupov didn't find it, but he still won the game.

Alexander Morozevich vs Sergey Movsesian, 2007; 0-1
The game was about equal, if it wouldn't have been White's
last move: Qe3?? The natural move played by Morozevich, centralizing the queen, is in fact a blunder and lost the game.
If you were Black, how would you punish it?

I can guarantee that you will have an enormous pleasure if you will find the solutions yourself. That's why I won't even publish the answers, not yet at least:)

World School Chess Championship 2012

2012-02-05T18:02:00.000+02:00

Iaşi. Whenever somebody asks me: 'Where do you live?' and hears the name of my hometown 'Iaşi' (pronounced 'yash') I can see in their eyes they have absolutely no clue where that should be on a map:) That's ok, even our capital Bucharest is quite confusing, being oftenly misplaced with...Budapest, or the other way around - a common mistake that children make during their geography lessons. And this is not the only tough part in school, imagine you have to study chess! Not everybody likes it, but in time, when you reach adulthood, you start realizing how good in fact that was. If you become a professional chess player, maybe you get slightly different feelings sometimes, but this is not the point of today. What I want to share with you is a simple, honest and warm invitation, for the World School Chess Championship, held in Iasi, between 27th April until 7th May 2012!

You cannot imagine how exhilarating it is, to write about your hometown, especially with this unique occasion! I could go on and on for hours, speaking about its rich history, about the great cultural traditions we have here and much much more, which will eventually reveal the special beauty of the second largest city in Romania! Simply put: you have to come here. If not for chess, than for the social experience, which makes it a wonderful destination for the accompanying persons.

One of the city's jewelry: the Palace of Culture,
which you can see through your hotel window, if you are lucky enough!

So my suggestion is: if you are a trainer or a parent and your children are playing chess (the age shouldn't exceed 17 y.o.), this is your chance - come to Romania at the end of April (which is by the way a perfect moment to visit our beautiful country, otherwise is getting way too hot in summer time) and I can almost guarantee you won't regret that.

Why Iaşi?! How come that a so called 'obscure' city (for those in the know it's crystal clear why) has the honor to organize such a respectful and serious competition? First of all (and I am objective, even though it's my beloved city we are talking about), chess has a long tradition here - thus: experience. You can find more information about our chess movement and about the devoted team which never sleeps nor rests, spreading the chess word faster than a virus, in one of my previous articles. In other words, you will be in good hands.

There are a few practical obstacles though, like with any other good thing: you cannot easily get it. The terrible infrastructure is probably one of the common things you hear when someone mentions Romania, along with Dracula, Transylvania, gypsies and corruption. BUT! You are talking with professionals here and if you take a look on the official website, all your questions will be answered.
For all details regarding the participation, fees, registration (DEADLINE IS 15th MARCH!), payments, accommodation, visas, schedule, travel, prizes and so on, check the regulations.

My personal advices and preferences:

1. Since I travel a lot, usually back and forth Romania - Holland, I would suggest you book your flight with the final destination: Iaşi. The other airports mentioned in the regulations are also possible but Chisinau (the capital of Moldavia), means extra time at the customs and an extra possible visa requirement. If you come via Bucharest and you plan to take a train: forget it! It takes 7 hours with the so called speed train and you should really consider taking the official tournament transportation: the bus. It will still take 6 hours (we don't have highways), but at least you will be picked up from the airport, avoiding the mess of finding your own way.

The most convenient way, as I said before is to use the Iaşi airport. The companies that fly here are:

a) Tarom
b) Carpatair
c) Austrian Airlines
d) Air Vallee: starting with 25th March 2012; affordable direct flights Iasi - Torino (Italy).

2. Regarding the accommodation: That's a difficult one, since all hotels are competitive and they offer good value for the price. They are all close to the city center, to the tournament hall and all other tourist attractions. 'Moldova' and 'Unirea' were recently renovated, 'Ramada' is brand new and modern, while Traian is a very elegant hotel, an architectural masterpiece of Gustave Eiffel (I guess you know the Eiffel Tower from Paris?!). I cannot choose for you, since people have different needs, but you can browse their websites and decide accordingly.

Hotel Traian, located in the heart of the city

What else should I say? You can contact the organizers with all your concerns and maybe we meet here in April-May?! I will be there, maybe as an arbiter as well, but for sure to make reports and pictorial impressions!

Links:
1. Official website
2. Regulations
3. Chess in Iasi

Tata Steel Chess 2012

2012-01-30T17:24:00.000+02:00

Farewell pictures...
Congratulations to the winners and see you again for the jubileum (75th edition) in 2013!

The last weekend in Wijk aan Zee is always special;
besides the tournament itself, there is another type of measuring your chess skills: solving competitions! If the studies are more 'player friendly', similar in a way to the chess we play, the selfmates, helpmates and mates in N moves are a bit...different. To be honest, they drove me nuts at some point:)
Nevertheless, once you get used to it, the problems start to gradually reveal their hidden beauty.

Professionalism: extra chess sets to win time and energy!

Piotr Murdzia, one of the best solvers in the world,
former world champion

John Nunn excelling in solving competitions as well.

Right before the closing ceremony: what do you think
Tania and Anish are talking about?! That's right, some chess lines:)

The closing ceremony is about to start; on the right:
Chuchelov's family, currently the trainer for the Dutch GM's.

Enjoying a good talk and a glass of wine.
Glasses in a few cases:)

The famous Dutch speciality is almost ready to be delivered
to the tables: Erwten Soep (Pea Soup)!

Not a great day for Erwin nor for Veselin; they both lost the last round and still smiling! After all, they are professionals: a new lesson and move on!

Hikaru Nakamura signing for his El Salvador fans;

The moment everybody is waiting for: award ceremony!

Remember Pia's drawings? Some players were lucky to actually get them, directly from the artist!

Baskaran Adhiban vs Etienne Goudriaan

Erwin got one too!

Viktorija Cmilyte vs Erwin l'Ami

Teymour Radjabov with his wife

But who is hiding behind this elegant black hat?

Yuliya Levitan, Kamsky's girlfriend. She was a professional chess player as well and fully supported Gata during his tournament.
Next to her: WGM from Mongolia, Batchimeg Tuvshintugs.

Tania and Arianne. Isn't chess beautiful?!

Paparazzi undercover:) On the right: Alexandre, Chuchelov's son, the one
in charge for the pictures underneath! Besides his photographing skills, at a very early age, Alexandre is already speaking a few languages: Russian, French, English, German, and I'm sure I still forgot one!

Lisa Schut, who got her WGM norm with 4 points out of 9 rounds.

After figthing so many rough games with the best players in the world, in Reggio Emilia and Wijk aan Zee, Anish is in need for a well deserved rest. Although, school is anxiously waiting...

Fabiano Caruana receiving the Johan van Hulst prize,
which was introduced in the previous edition of Tata Steel tournament.

Johan van hulst, 101 y.o.! He is an emeritus professor and a retired politician.
And, of course, a big chess lover!

The l'Ami-s

Mixed feelings: happy that it's finished and we can go home; on the other hand, I love being in Wijk and it's a pity that time goes so fast:(

Winner of the C group: Maxim Turov.
We'll see him playing in the B group next year!

Pentala Harikrishna also promoted to the A group 2013!

Shared 2nd: Fabiano Caruana, Teymour Radjabov and
Magnus Carlsen, applauding the unshared winner:

Levon Aronian!

The winner's trophy

Shall I go on by saying that behind every successful man...?:)

The well deserved moment of glory!

If we started with the solving competitions, it's about time to close
the frame with none other than the 'guru' in this field:
Oleg Pervakov, the current world champion in composing endgame studies.
He kindly entertained us in the farewell dinner with his beautiful compositions. From left to right: Sipke Ernst, Erwin l'Ami, Jan Timman, Oleg Pervakov, Geertje Timman and Yochanan Afek.

The end.
I have no more pictures from last night's party, for various reasons:)
See you next year!

Tata Steel Chess 2012 - Highlights

2012-01-26T18:10:00.002+02:00

If before we saw the mistakes that even the best of the very best make, it's time to learn from the same players. No wonder they are so good!

Turov - Grover, round 7; 1/2
What would you play here with Black?

Probably the first thought that comes to mind is: to which square should I jump with my knight?! Instead of automatically playing 33...Ng3+, Turov took the best practical decision of complicating the matters by choosing:

33...fxe3! offering a piece for what it turned out to be indeed good compensation; the game continued: 34.fxe4 accepting the sacrifice cxd4 35.Ng4 dxe4 and after a tough struggle and very entertaining ending, the game resulted in a draw.
Despite the computer's suggestion, that after 33...fxe3 better was 34.g6 h6 and only afterwards to take the knight on e4, entering the same positions but with a slightly better version due to the pawn structure and the cramped Black's king, Turov's idea deserves credit and it doesn't make it less beautiful. Practically speaking, it's very difficult to find these intermediate moves, especially when it looks so natural for White to simply take the piece.

Adhiban - Sadler, round 5; 1/2
Black to move; how would you asses the position?
What would you play if you would have the Black pieces?

I just simply loved the end of this game, brilliant series of sacrifices and counter-sacrifices! Both sides played like a computer, making the only moves to keep things under control! It looks like White is pressing, planning to push the e pawn on the next move, but Black is just in time for counter-measures:

It all started with: 51...Ra2! attacking on g2, so White has to play 52.Rg1 and now 52...Rfa8! bringing the last piece into play and getting ready for sacrifices on g2. What should White do now?!
53.e6! the only way to keep equality Bxg2

It looks like Black was better from the very beginning and now he should collect the point, right?! White cannot take back on g2 due to Rxg2, Qg6+ and the rook from a8 will have an important role in forcing the White king to surrender. White cannot take the queen either 54.exf7, in view of 54...Bd5+ 55.Qf2 Rxf2+ 56.Kg3 Rf3+ 57.Kh2 Bxf7 and Black is two pawns up, plus attacking position. So than...what?!

54.Qxh6+! and after a couple of more moves, the game ended in a peaceful draw: 54...gxh6 55.exf7 Bd5+ 56.Kg3 Bf7 57.Kh4 and Black cannot protect the d4 pawn anymore 57...Rg8 58.Rxg8 Kxg8 59.Rxd4 and a draw was agreed.

Grover - Adhiban, round 4; 0-1
What would you play with Black?

Another beautiful example of sacrificing for a long term initiative:
15...Nxb4! 16.axb4 Bxb4 17.Bxf6 gxf6 and Black has plenty compensation for the courageous decision on move 15. White has troubles developing his pieces and practical difficulties in finding the best defensive moves over the board. The White king never managed to castle and had to accept his cruel fate...

Lahno - Ernst, round 1; 1-0
Can you still continue the attack with White?

Yes, you can! And Kateryna showed how:
28.Nf5! a beautiful thematic knight sacrifice; the game continued: 28...gxf5 29.exf5 Bxf5 giving back the piece, in hope for salvation; it doesn't help anyway, but what else?! - White's pawns are way too dangerous 30.Bxf5 Nf7 31.Bxg7+ Kxg7 32.Qh5 Rh8 33.Be6 Bd8 34.g6 and the Black king cannot handle it anymore.

Nyzhnyk - Vocaturo, round 7; 1-0
Find the best continuation for White

The pawn structure is a typical Benoni and Illya showed that he knew what he was doing, choosing the perfect moment for the central break:
16.e5! dxe5 17.d6! and Vocaturo soon collapsed.
Black could have opposed tougher resistance by playing 16...exd5 and thus remaining in the game: 17.exf6 Rxe1 18.Qxe1 Nc2 19.Qd2 Na1 20.Na1 Bxf6 21.Nxd5 but White still has the upper hand.

The last two examples are illustrative not for brilliant chess moves, but for the most appropriate psychological moves, given the circumstances:

Reinderman - l'Ami, round 6; 1/2
White is an exchange up and threatens to take on f7.
How would you defend it?

Black has suffered the whole game, defending a difficult position, with an exchange down. Time has come to protect another pawn which is for about to fall, but how? With 54...Rf5 or 54...Rc7? Erwin chose:

54...Rc7! if you'll check with an engine, you will see that he immediately disagrees; objectively speaking, 54...Rc7 is not the most accurate move, in view of 55.f5 gxf5 and 56.Rh8 when Black's position becomes harder and harder to defend.
So what's the point than? After 54...Rf5, White's plan is very natural and difficult to miss: Kf3, h3, g4, pushing the rook on a very passive square f6 and slowly but surely making progress without any risks.
The f5 break though, in the previous line, after 54...Rc7, is by far a more difficult decision, especially when you have the choice of playing a very tempting alternative:
55.Rd8+ Kc5 56.Rc2+ Kb5 57.Rxc7 Bxc7 58.Rd7 Bb6 59.Rxf7 White should be winning, right?!

This is what Reinderman thought too and what Erwin was hoping for, devilishly inviting White to enter an endgame which is in fact: Draw!

In the game: 59...a5 followed and it turned out that White cannot get more than a draw - the passed Black's a pawn has very fast legs and forced the rook to sacrifice itself in the hope for a win with the pawns from the other wing. But Black was just in time for a study like defense and went on to grab the hard fought half a point.

Radjabov - Van Wely, round 10; 1/2
White's last move was 40.Qf3, which is a blunder.
How would you punish it?

After many errors for both sides, playing under time pressure for long time, Radjabov reached the time control with his last move 40.Qf3?
As it oftenly happens, he probably realized instantly that he is completely lost after the natural move 40...Ra2! which is not that difficult to find, threatening mate on h2. The difficult part comes afterwards, but Black would have had more time on the clock after move 40 and thus he would have surely found the winning procedure:
41.Rg2 Rxg2 42.Qxg2 Rxd3 43.Rxd3 Qe1+ 44.Qg1 Qe4+ winning the rook and the game.

It was a brilliant 'move' for Radjabov to offer a draw after 40.Qf3, when Van Wely had under one minute on the clock for his last move before the time control. Desperate measures were taken, but only thanks to the fastness in seeing that Qf3 was a blunder! Besides, he needed to react fast, before his opponent could realize what happens. A draw offer came, confused Van Wely and finally, with the seconds running down, the safest path was chosen: draw offer accepted!

Tata Steel Chess 2012

2012-01-25T18:03:00.000+02:00

Pictures from the last two rounds and a bonus: the chess struggles seen through Pia's eyes!

A bit of inspiration for the later work: this is how
Pia starts her drawings, with only a few pencil lines.

Or more modern: a picture taken with the cell phone

And here's the result!
The drawing hides a hidden message: "Topalov's play still stranded at
Wijk aan Zee", says Pia on her twitter account.

There are 4 rounds left and right now, Topalov's position
looks lost, against Caruana...not a great tournament
for Veselin so far.

Lisa Schut vs Elina Danielian

Pentala Harikrishna vs Kateryna Lahno

Sergey Tiviakov vs Jan Timman

Hans Tikkanen vs Anne Haast

Viktorija Cmilyte

Short talks before the round

Hikaru Nakamura

Yesterday, Daniel Stellwagen and Jan Smeets
commented the games for the public.

Before the start of the round, the beauty prizes are
awarded - that's why you see the players applauding.

Sergey Tiviakov vs Dimitri Reinderman
You can see in the tribune Sergey's mother.

Usually I see Coke, coffee or something along those lines,
on the players boards. But Sergey prefers Tomato juice.

Erwin l'Ami

People who are not afraid to express their individuality...

Pavel Matocha, organizer of several important events
Remember the Train Chess? He is the one behind this unique idea.

David Navara

Ivanchuk solving the daily challenger, as usual!

Dronavalli Harika

Erwin l'Ami vs Dronavalli Harika

Will Vocaturo stop Harikrishna's ascendancy?

Alexander Motylev vs Sipke Ernst

Invisible Chess Moves

2012-01-25T14:00:00.001+02:00

'Discover your blind spots and stop overlooking simple wins'

authors: Emmanuel Neiman & Yochanan Afek

Have you ever lived the miserable moment of total astonishment, when you realized, back to your room and with en engine on, that your game was in fact winning at some point and not losing?! I bet you did.
But I am not talking about blunders, which are evident and spotted out almost instantly after you made the 'fantastic' and fatal move. The mistakes I am referring to are more subtle and more difficult to correct. No matter how much the engine jumps from one estimation to another, it's not a sign of how easy or difficult the idea was. Of course, if we tend to dramatize and if we judge by the computer's conclusion, we will get depressed and cought in the vicious circle of blaming the others, ourselves and eventually give up looking for the real reason behind the missed chance.

It's not happening only to you or mostly to you; it's not like you have a monopoly on badluck. We have all been there. How could we explain than those 'blind spots' which stubbornly appear from time to time to anyone of us?
Simply put, some moves are very hard to see for a human brain, which has its own routes and ways of thinking, unlike the cold blooded machine. There are multiple factors that cloud a chess player's brain, tangling the armonious path of our chess judgement. Exactly those psychological, geometrical or positional factors are brought to light by a new fantastic book: "Invisible Chess Moves"!
The book is in the final race for the "Book of the Year" title, on ChessCafe.com; you can also vote your favourite if you follow this link.

I am enjoying it a lot and this is the main reason why it took me so long to share this new discovery with you. To be honest, with my psychological background, I intuitively knew that there are identifiable reasons why the brain discards certain ideas, but I was never really aware of them. It was just somewhere in the back of my brain but how exactly can I use this information?!
The book answers all these questions, gives you a great insight into your own head and, with its beautiful examples, challenges you to discover your own weaknesses. So, it's about time to correct them, to think out of the box and start making 'visible' the 'invisible' chess moves!

What can we expect to find inside? If the two parts of the book, 'Objective Invisibility' and 'Subjective Invisibility', with their very promising chapters, such as: ''hard-to-see moves', 'geometrically invisible moves', 'invisible moves for positional reasons','invisible moves for psychological reasons', didn't convince you yet, here's one illustrative example that I liked a lot:

Yochanan Afek - Arthur Kogan, Israel 1999.

"Classical strategy. With opposite-castled kings, both players bring their forces as quickly as possible in front of the enemy king in order to be the first to give checkmate. But here White opts for an odd move:

17.Bd2!?

Sacrificing the knight on d4. This may not be the best move in a 'scientific' sense, but it reminds us that chess is, before all, a game!
17.Rg3 would be the standard move, with the not so invisible idea 18.Rh3 and 19.Qxh7.

17...Nxd4? (17...Qc7 would have been correct, with a balanced game).

18.Nd5 Qd8 Now comes a bolt from the blue: 19.Ba5!!

A very difficult move to anticipate and an altogether crushing one, after which Black can resign in view of the following variations:
A) 19...Qb8 20.Nf6+ Bxf6 21.gxf6 with mate soon;
B) 19...b6 20.Bxb6 does not change the evaluation;
C) 19...Qxa5 and now:

C1) Not 20.Nxe7+ Kh8 21.Rxd4 Qd8 with an unclear position; 22.g6? (22.e5 Qxe7 23.exd6 Qd8 24.Rh4 h6) 22...h6 and Black has the advantage;
C2) 20.g6!! Illustrating the danger of having the queens aligned on the same rank. 20...fxg6 21.Nxe7+ Kf7 22.Qxa5.

The game continued:

19...Qe8 (if 19...Qb8 20.Nf6+ Bxf6 21.gxf6 g6 22.Qh6; or 19...b6 20.Bxb6)
20.Nf6+! Bxf6 21.gxf6 g6 22.Qh6 1-0."

- an illustrative example for both: horizontal effect and change of the wings theme, which are explained in the book.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to solve a position which awaits me on the board:) And the move is indeed kind of...invisible!

Links:
1. New in Chess shop: here you can order it!
2. ChessCafe.com: where you can vote for the 'Book of the Year' title.

Free day in Den Haag

2012-01-24T21:45:00.000+02:00

Days are flying, especially if you are in Wijk aan Zee, for the Tata Steel Chess Tournament. Don't ask me how and when, but it's almost round number 10! A lot of work and efforts are put into the games, so it's normal to have some free days, especially for such a long tournament of 13 rounds. Yesterday the players had the chance to relax, to recharge the batteries and, if they felt like, to join the organized excursion to The Hague! Let's see how it was:

The first stop on our tour: Panorama Mesdag!
I was really impressed, and so were all the other players, by this
cylindrical painting - more than 14 metres high and about 40 metres in diameter (120 metres in circumference)!
360 degrees of pure beauty!

Scheveningen village, a small section of the Panorama .

The Panorama Mesdag was painted by Hendrik Willem Mesdag (1881). The panorama is viewed from a constructed dune, with real sand and beach chairs; birdsong and wave sounds are piped through - a spectacular illusion that seems to become reality! I felt like I went back in time, in the 19th century...you should definetely see it if you get the chance.

Another panoramic view, over The Hague

The center of the Dutch political scene,
seen from up, from the 42nd floor, where...

...we enjoyed the lunch break!

Is it just my impression or chess is oftenly used
as an allegory of the political struggle?!

On our way to the heart of Dutch politics

Before you enter, you can raise your mood by eating the famous
Dutch raw fish: Haring!

"Buitenhof", which means we are still outside of the 'magical'
world of politics...

And...Binnenhof! Almost there:)

Our group taking a seat, preparing to listen carefully the guide's explanations.

The Ridderzaal (Knights' Hall) is the main building at the Binnenhof in The Hague, which is used for the state opening of Parliament on the third Tuesday in September, Prinsjesdag, when the Dutch monarch drives to Parliament in the Golden Carriage and delivers the speech from the throne. It is also used for official royal receptions, and interparliamentary conferences.

Roof detail: 'everything you say will be heard!'

Very open area for everyone: Historical place with a typical Dutch design of splendor and two feet on the ground mentality.

Next stop: the house of Representatives, Second Chamber.
I have no pictures from there; we had to leave everything behind, in these lockers. Only one little 'problem' some of us had, on the way out: the code I remember, but...which was my locker?!

Nanda, taking care of the details of our excursion.
And I must say she did a great job!

Are you talking to me?!

Binnenhof

Hey! A Tata Steel bus!
That's our transportation:)

After the cultural part, it's time for: Glow Golf!
You wouldn't believe it, but chess players are quite gifted for this activity:)

Illya Nyzhnyk in action, closely watched by Lazaro Bruzon

We couldn't have had a better timing: sunset in Scheveningen!
Maybe you heard of the popular Dutch seaside resort, which is
also the birth place of the Scheveningen Variation?!

Van der Valk: the restaurant where we had a fantastic dinner.

Wondering how come the chess players were able in 1923,
to focus on chess and even introduce a revolutionary line, with such distractions?!

During the tournament, the Scheveningen variation was played several times by strong players, including Euwe playing it against Maroczy.

Prize giving ceremony for the Glow Golf winners:)

Dinner time

The tournament treasurer Arno Vrins and his wife, celebrating 30 years of marriage with us, the chess players! I hope they had a good time,
because we surely did!

Apple pie, one of the Dutch specialities - to end a perfect day!

Tata Steel Chess 2012

2012-01-22T20:56:00.000+02:00

More pictures!

Yesterday, the start of the game was announced by
the organizer of Reggio Emilia: IM Martha Fierro.

Anish and Loek discussing their game
of yesterday, which ended in a draw.

Erwin l'Ami

Kateryna Lahno vs Erwin l'Ami

Vassily Ivanchuk

In good spirits before the round

Martha on duty:)

Tania Sachdev

Elisabeth Paehtz vs Etienne Goudriaan

Kateryna Lahno

Teymour Radjabov

The organizers

The public

Veselin Topalov vs Levon Aronian

Boris Gelfand

Levon Aronian

Alexander Motylev

David Navara vs Loek van Wely

Arianne Caoili, Aronian's girlfriend

Another great thing about chess: ageless!

Tournament hall in action

Wondering how much coffee and erwten soup is consumed each day:)

Humans are not machines

2012-01-22T19:32:00.001+02:00

There is no such thing as perfection. Without intending to enter the endless philosophical discussions, I would like to share with you just a few samples (all from Tata Steel 2012) of how human mind works. We are not machines, we get tired, annoyed, distracted and thus, we cannot have a 'perfect' game. Not always at least!
As you will see underneath, even the best of the best make mistakes. You can try for yourself to find the correct moves, which Grandmasters missed:

A group:

Aronian - Kamsky, round 4; 1-0
Should Black exchange the knights?

After a tough defense, Kamsky missed his chances for the best continuation and decided to play: 45...Nd3+? which made his drawing hopes smaller and smaller. The game continued 46.Kg1 Nf4 47.Rd6+ Ke7 48.Ne5 and after 10 more moves Black resigned. Instead of 45...Nd3+, better was: 45...Nxc4 46.Rxc4 Kd7 when Black can look for a draw in a rook endgame. We know the saying: "all rook endings are drawn"...

Carlsen - Aronian, round 3; 1-0
Would you capture with the king or with the knight on g2?

Carlsen played a beautiful game up to this point, gaining a big advantage against Aronian. But on move 36, probably due to time pressure, he took on g2 with...his king, allowing Black to take the d4 pawn and come back in the game. The game was finally won by Carlsen, but after a long fight, not without drawing chances for his opponent. His life would have been much easier if 36.Nxg2! would have been played. Black cannot take 36...Rxd4 because of 37.Bc3! and the white king is not pinned as in the game.

Caruana - Carlsen, round 4; 1/2
Should White play for a win or not?

Did you ever get the feeling that your opponent somehow...dominates you?! It's a psychological advantage of the stronger player, especially of the number one in the world! It takes a lot of courage and composure to go 'all in' against such opponents. A draw is a good result, so why should we go for some complicated and unsecure lines?! This is the message that subcounsciously the brain sends you and it's not so easy to fight against it.
Probably influenced by Carlsen's presence, Caruana missed his chances in the above diagram. Black's last move was 29...Rh8, optically threatening to enter on the 2nd rank and disturb white's pawns. Therefore, Caruana played 30.Kg2 in order to prevent that, overlooking 30.f5!, the most logical and ambitious continuation.

Caruana - Van Wely, round 6; 1/2
How should white take the deserved point?

Caruana had a decisive advantage in the position seen above, where almost every move is good enough for a win. Unfortunately, this assumption was not correct. As Loek said after the game, he knew he was lost and tried to confuse his opponent by giving as many pawns as possible:) His efforst were not in vain and the game ended in a draw after 36.gxf6+ Kf6 37.Nd7+ Ke7 38.Ne5 Kf6 39.Kg2 Kg7 and white kept a slight edge but not enough for a win.
Instead of capturing on f6, Caruana could have played 36.Rxh6 fxe5 37.Rh7+ Kd6 38.Rb7 exf4 39.g6 with a decisive advantage.

Gelfand - Nakamura, round 6; 0-1
White lost in just one move! Are things that bad?

On move 35, an incredible blunder was made by the challenger to the world title: 35.Rc2?? and after 35...Red4 resigned immediately. White has to give an exchange on f2 but the position would still be hopeless. If 35.Rd6 would have been played, the game would have most probably looked different.

Giri - Kamsky, round 6; 1-0
How should Black react to the a4 check?

17...b5 as played in the game looks very natural and logical. But after 18.Qa5, the black queen on b2 is trapped! Thus, Kamsky was forced to save as much as he could, by giving a piece on g4: 18...Ng4+ 19.hxg4 hxg4 20.Kg1 Nxe2+ 21.Kf1 and white retains the advantage, winning in the end after a long and tiring game, not without mistakes for both sides.
In the initial position, 17...Kf8 would have been a completely different story.

Radjabov - Navara, round 3; 1-0
The black knight is attacked. What would you play?

If the first move that comes into your mind is Rd2, you should be happy, it's the correct way. Navara chose a more ambitious continuation, overlooked a tricky move and lost. In the game 29...Nc7? was played, thinking that after 30.Rxc7 d5 will win back the piece. Unfortunately, there are multiple pins in the position and white won after 31.Rd1 Re8 32.Bb5! quite difficult to see from far away.

Topalov - Ivanchuk, round 6; 1/2
Which is the correct plan for white?

On move 52 Topalov decided to take drastic measures by closing the black bishop with g5, thinking that the piece is trapped. Unfortunately, this is a strategical blunder which allows black to make an easy draw by bringing the knight to f5, via d8, c6, e7, as played in the game. The bishop was never captured and the players soon agreed for a draw. The advantage would have been kept if white would have chosen the plan to push f5 at a proper moment, retaining good winning chances.

B group:

Bruzon - Cmilyte, round 6; 1-0
Black's last move was 42...Nc5. Should we accept the offer?

Bruzon declined the present, which clearly postponed the outcome of the game, winning only after a lot of work and more help from black's side. Instead of 42.Be3 as played in the game, white could have taken on c5 and after 42...b4+ 43.Ka4 bxc3 44.c6 with a big advantage.

Bruzon - Motylev, round 3, 1/2
How should Black proceed?

Both Ra8 and Re2 look attractive, having the same idea: Rxa2 and check on b1, winning a piece. Under normal circumstances, without any time nor psychological pressure, Re2 would have been played instantly. It's simply more agressive, entering on the 2nd rank with a crushing attack. But in the game was played Ra8 allowing white to defend tough with Qc1. If Black would have chosen Re2, we have more tactical motifs, such as Rxf2 or doubling on the 2nd rank, where white cannot oppose anymore resistance.

Harikrishna - Lahno, round 2; 1-0
How can black hold a draw?

On move 40, many things can happen...instead of exchanging a pair of rooks on a7 and than capture the pawn on h2, securing the draw, Lahno played: 40...Rb8? allowing white to just take the pawn on a4 and win in a couple of moves.

l'Ami - Vocaturo, round 3; 1-0
Black can hold a draw. How?

I particularly like this example, not because of my husband's win, but because of the mechanism with which Black could have secured a draw.
In the game, the defensive plan was not precise and white correctly punished it: 41...Rb2? 42.Ra6 Rb5 43.e3 Kg7 44.h4 gxh4 45.gxh4 Rc5 46.Kf4 with a technically winning endgame.
The correct way was: 41...Ra3! 42.e3 Ra4! right on time to push g4 in the next move. White cannot make any further progress and the game would have ended in a draw.

Sipke - Harika, round 2; 1/2
What would you play with White?

Another rook endgame, the most difficult to handle...Rf5+ should be the move to be automatically played, removing the king from a good position and keeping good practical chances. Sipke played g4, giving black counterchances with the same checking ideas: Ra3+ and Ke4 aftewards, where white is in a more difficult situation to fight for a win.

Sipke - l'Ami, round 4; 1-0
Isn't black winning?!

To my horror, it was winning but the result was a loss instead of a win. With 33...Qxf4+ or 33...Nd5 Erwin would have grabbed the point. In the game though, it was a different story: 33...Rf8? was played, allowing white to come back in the game with 34.Kg3, protecting the f4 pawn, and, after one more terrible blunder, black eventually even lost. As it happens many times in chess, after a mistake, another one follows...

Vocaturo - Cmilyte, round 2; 1-0
How would you asses the position
and what would you play with black?

Cmilyte played here 25...Ne7? to keep the game going, but after 26.cxd4 Nf5 27.Qf2 cxd4 28.Rc1 white is a pawn up and playing for a win.
With 25...Bf6 the game would have ended in a draw after 26.Nxf6 Rxe1 27.Nxh5+ gxh5 28.Qg5 and white has nothing more than a perpetual.

C group:

Brandenburg - Grover, round 3; 1/2
How would you win this with white?

I would suggest to check the above diagram or game with a computer, you'll have a lot of fun:) Chess is a fantastic game and it can turn in just one move from +- into -+. Or the other way around! I couldn't have imagined that the result will be a draw...but maybe that's the most fair outcome:)
As you might have noticed, White has a devastating advantage; 57.a5 would be enough, just pushing the pawn into a queen. Brandenburg instead, complicated his life by playing...57.Rc4?? the moment when his opponent could have been sent from hell straight into heaven! From a plus 5 estimation with an engine, the new move turned the conclusion into a minus 5! 10 points difference on the scale with just one move; but the human mind is not a cold blooded machine...after being lost for many moves it's not that easy to switch immediately and spot out the chances, especially if they are well hidden.
Black could have won with 57...Qe1!! where white cannot defend properly the mating threats with Ne3, Qh4 or g3 etc. But, as you know, Black returned the favour, played 57...Rxc4 58.Nxc4 Qe1 59.Qxd5 Qg3 and the game ended peacefully.

Goudriaan - Ootes, round 3; 1-0
How would you punish Be6, black's last move?

With e5 of course! Black missed it, lost the d6 pawn and resigned in a few moves.

Grover - Paehtz, round 2; 1-0
Do you see the win for white?

Grover didn't, most probably due to the very unpleasant time trouble. With 39.Rd7+ Kh6 40.Bd2+ g5 41.Qd8 white has a devastating attack, there's nothing to worry about Qc5+ or the first rank in white's position. Instead, white went for 39.Be1 and finally won after re-buidling the initial advantage.

Haast - Goudriaan, round 2; 1/2
This is the moment when the players agreed a draw.
Was that correct from white, to accept the offer?

With a computer and at home, without any more disturbing factors, the decision is clear: white is a pawn up and should continue the game!

Ootes - Danielian, round 4; 1-0
Black's last move was Qa5. How would you punish it?

As played in the game: 24.Rc5! Bxc5 25.Rxh5 this is what black missed.

Paehtz - Brandenburg, round 6; 1/2
On which square would you give a check with black?

Brandenburg went to the wrong one...on the fatal move 40, black played 40...Qc4+? allowing white to bring his knight into play, Nc3, attacking the b5 pawn and finally go home with a draw.

Paehtz - Tikkanen, round 1; 0-1
White played here 36.Be6. Was that good or not?

Unfortunately, white's position collapsed in a couple of moves. After 36.Be6? black continued:
36...Rxf3! 37.Rxf3 Rg1+ 38.Ka2 Rc1 black is winning.

Tikkanen - Brandenburg, round 2; 1/2
Can you win with black?

This was another fighting game, with many turns and chances for both sides. Probably that's why the game had to end in a draw:)
On move 84, black missed the winning moment and played 84..b3? where after 85.Bd1 black has to lose a lot of tempis to bring his king and push the pawns.
Instead, 84...c3! would have led to a win, white doesn't have enough time to take the g7 pawn under good circumstances.

There are so many more examples...that's why chess is a great game to follow. We will never get bored!

Tata Steel Chess 2012

2012-01-20T18:19:00.001+02:00

Round 6
Wijk aan Zee is back, with its hard winds and unpleasant weather. Nevertheless, who cares?! We didn't come here to go on the beach, but to play our great game. Indoors! Not everybody agrees though, as you can see at the end of today's post...

The tournament director, Jeroen van den Berg,
is about to announce the start of the round.

Silvio Danailov did the honors today

Getting ready for the game

Typical posture for a GM:
an absent minded look, to save the energy for the game.

Magnus with his traditional orange juice.

Jeroen van den Berg and Silvio Danailov

Matching the TataSteel colors!

Pia Sprong drawing her masterpieces!
Can't wait to see the final results!

Almost the...Dutch flag:)

Levon Aronian

Boris Gelfand

Sergey Tiviakov and his mother in the tribune

Sahaj Grover vs Elina Danielian

Daan Brandenburg

Matthew Sadler

Anish Giri vs Gata Kamsky

The opening is one of the most challenging part
for the Grandmasters.

Lorena Zepeda

Daniele with a new cap:)

Axel Rombaldoni playing in the 9 round event.
The winner qualifies for the C group next year.

Pia is playing as well

Anne Haast

Lars Ootes

Matthew Sadler vs Etienne Goudriaan

Kateryna Lahno vs Dronavalli Harika

Jan Timman won the daily beauty prize for his
yesterday's game against Ernst Sipke.

Hans Tikkanen vs Maxim Turov

The first press conference with Jan Timman,
after his win against Ernst Sipke.

This is the hotel where we are staying, not far from the beach.
Unfortunately, after Italy, another accident happened:

A cargo ship has run aground on the Dutch coast
(100m from our hotel!) after its anchor slipped in the overnight storm.
And of course...human nature is, for some reasons,
always attracted by catastrophes...lots of people walking around.

Tata Steel Chess 2012

2012-01-19T16:11:00.000+02:00

Round 5!

After the well deserved rest and the traditional football match, it's time to get back on board and burn a few more neurons. To warm up, some players choose to enter in the 'chess zone' by solving Afek's daily challenge, with literally a couple of minutes before the game is supposed to start!

Illya Nyzhnyk sharpening his eyesight with
the daily challenger, number 5 this time,
followed closely by his mother.

You can also try to solve it: Mate in two, white to play.
And if you want to win a book prize,
send your solution before January 20th, 16.00 here!

Ivanchuk is also taking a closer look!
It seems that solving tactics right before the game
is a technique used by many players.

13.30 - let the games begin!

Journalists are always sharking around Magnus and Anish.
Wondering why...:)

Quite difficult to get a good photo shoot here

Silvio Danailov, President of the European Chess Union,
on a short business trip

Erwin l'Ami talking with Jeroen van den Berg,
the tournament director

Hikaru Nakamura

Lisa Schut

Wondering if the flashes of all these cameras disturb
the chess players...in any case, it's allowed for only 5 minutes!

Vugar Gashimov

Erwin l'Ami

Veselin Topalov

Daniele with a new cap, matching the black&white
squares on the board:)

Fabiano Caruana

Tania and her unmistakable smile:)

Sergey Tiviakov

Vladimir Potkin vs Daniele Vocaturo

Tata Steel Chess 2012

2012-01-18T11:28:00.000+02:00

Wijk aan Zee
Free day in Tata Steel Chess tournament. Time to relax, recharge the batteries and move on. And because there are no games to follow today (yes, I know...I also regret that), let's take a tour around, to see where everything happens.

The main street in Wijk.
Impossible not to meet at least a few chess players
everytime you pass by.

You can see in the background the TataSteel
furnaces doing their job.

It's the third year in a row that I am coming to Wijk
and my nonspeaking friends are still here! There is also
a white goat but she was hiding somewhere:)

Typical Wijk aan Zee image, with the steam
being visible day and night.

The main sponsor of our beautiful tournament.
It looks like intense work and I hope it will remain that way,
for selfish reasons...

Wijk seen from up

You can see on the right the tent I was telling you
before and the multitude of cars: chess fans of course.

Wijk is famous for its beaches. Usually in summer time:)

Nevertheless, this year we had an incredible weather,
warm and sunny. Where's the wind?!

In January, in Wijk, chess can be seen everywhere:
from posters to special events; even on your plate!

As some players would say, this is the place to enjoy
your "comfort food"! Such as: fries, icecream etc...:)

Dutch architecture

Many people rent their places for the chess participants.
The tournament means a lot to us, to the community and
on a larger scale, to chess itself!

Tata Steel Chess 2012 - Portraits

2012-01-17T17:12:00.001+02:00

And more...
If your favourite player didn't make the winning move yet, you can spare your nerves by taking a look into today's photos!

David Navara

Illya Nyzhnyk, supported by his mother (in the background)

Gata Kamsky

Loek van Wely

A solid draw today for Anish against Hikaru Nakamura

One of my favourite players: Magnus!

Erwin l'Ami

Elisabeth Paehtz playing against...

...Tania Sachdev

Things seem to be pretty friendly before the start of the round.
The calm before the storm?!

Radjabov's wife is closely watching her husband's game.

Veselin Topalov sharing his thoughts to the organizers

Daniele Vocaturo: getting ready for the game

David Navara

Ivanchuk seems to be interested in Anish's preparation.

Alexander Motylev vs Sergey Tiviakov

Dimitri Reinderman vs Dronavalli Harika

Which one is the lucky pen?

Sweets: a 'must have' for a cooperative brain...

...and some water in between.
You're still wondering if chess is tiring?!

Tata Steel Chess 2012 - more pictures

2012-01-16T18:04:00.002+02:00

More pictures from Wijk aan Zee!

Anish Giri

Daniele Vocaturo

Commentary by Gert Ligterink

Interview with Anish Giri

Veselin Topalov talking before the start of the games
with Erwin l'Ami: opening secrets?!

Viktorija Cmilyte vs Ernst Sipke

Loek van Wely vs Vugar Gashimov

Inside the playing hall; out of energy?
No problem!

In front of the famous 'De Moriaan', the tournament hall.

Tournament's poster

No hard feelings: postportem analysis
Erwin l'Ami is checking today's game with his opponent,
Daniele Vocaturo, and Axel Rombaldoni, Daniele's
friend and second.

In de analysis/press room, with Edouard Romain,
Topalov's second, Veselin Topalov and Boris Gelfand.

Was that home preparation today Edouard?
In the background, Illya Nyzhnyk's mother is
patiently waiting for her son...