 Essent Chess Tournament
  The 10th edition of the Essent Chess Tournament is currently taking place in the Dutch city, Hoogeveen, Netherlands. There are several competitions: a Crown Group (main event), a strong Essent Open, an Amateur Tournament, and other interesting competitions.
The players in this year's event are top-level GMs: Veselin Topalov, Judit Polgar (best female player), Ivan Sokolov and Shakhryar Mamedyarov (best junior), and all the games are being played with special glass pieces.
After five rounds Judith Polgar and Shakhryar Mamedyarov are leading the field with 3.5/5, with a magnificent TPR (Tournament Rating Performance). Judith has defeated Sokolov (two times), Topalov (with White in her first game against him) and "only" a draw with Black against Mamedyarov. She will have to face Topalov in the last round with Black. After a strong start with two wins, one of them with White against Topalov in the first round, the Azerbian Mamedyarov lost the fourth game against Veselin, but his victory against Polgar allowed him to share the first position with her.
Bulgarian World number 1 Veselin Topalov is having trouble finding his form. He is probably quite tired after his tough match against Kramnik, and starting with two losses isn’t the best way to win an event. However, he is well known for strong comebacks, so anything can happen in the last round. For local player Ivan Sokolov, this will probably be an event to forget quickly. He has only scored 0.5 in 5 games.
Mamedyarov and Polgar share the first place (Photo: Essent
site)
Finally, GM Ivan Cheparinov (2632) - Topalov’s second - is leading the Open event with 6.5/8 in a field of 82 players.
Topalov,V (2813) - Mamedyarov,S (2728)
Essent Chess Tournament Hoogeveen (4), 2006.10.26
[Rahal,M]
White has just played 47.Rd7 and Black can't defend f7 as 47...Rg7 fails because of 48.Bh6 and 47...f6 also looses to 48.exf6. Before resigning Mamedyaov tried for a perpetual. 47...Rg3+ 48.Qxg3 Qh1+ 49.Kg4 Qxe4+ 50.Kh5 and now Mamedyarov resigned. [A fantasy variation would have been 50.Kh5 Ng7+ 51.Qxg7+! Kxg7 52.Bh6+ Kg8 53.Rd8#] 1-0
Sokolov,I (2670) - Polgar,J (2710)
Essent Chess Tournament Hoogeveen (4), 2006.10.26
[Rahal,M]
Judith took the lead in the event in the fourth round by defeating Sokolov in great style, coupled by Mamedyarov's loss against Topalov. 30...Qxh4! Initiating a kingside atack. 31.Bxe4 Rxg3+! A destructive exchange sacrifice. The bishop on e4 can't be captured. [31...Rgxe4?? 32.gxh4; 31...Rexe4?? 32.Qf8#] 32.fxg3 Qxe4 Black has a very strong initiative for the exchange, and she will easily win if he gets his bishop and/or rook into play. 33.Rd2 Qf3 Winning a tempi by atacking the g3 pawn. 34.Kh2 Qh5+ 35.Kg1 Qf3 36.Kh2 Bf5! After repeating a couple of moves, Polgar gets her bishop nearer to the white king. She is now threatening ...Be4 and ...Qh5 mating. 37.e4 [ 37.Ree2 Be4 38.Rg2 is the only was to prevent a heavy loss, but Black gets back the exchange with advantage after Qh5+.] 37...Bxe4 38.Rxe4 Qxe4 39.d5 Nc4! Black will follow up with ...a5 and ...Re5 mating quickly. 0-1
| NAME |
FED |
FIDE |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
PTS |
TPR |
| Mamedyarov, S |
AZE |
2728 |
|
½/1 |
1 |
1/0 |
3,5 |
2892 |
| Polgar, J |
HUN |
2710 |
½/0 |
|
1/1 |
1 |
3,5 |
2871 |
| Sokolov, I |
NED |
2670 |
0 |
0/0 |
|
½/0 |
0,5 |
2289 |
| Topalov, V |
BUL |
2813 |
0/1 |
0 |
½/1 |
|
2,5 |
2701 |
|
Related information
|
|
Kramnik's first interview after Elista
by Gonzalo Aragonés, Moscow.
Translated by IM Michael Rahal
  They said that he had the advantage as he was Russian and the Reunification World Chess Championship would take place in his country. But it wasn’t to be. Vladimir Kramnik (Tuapse, 1975), was the dissident champion, the heir of Garry Kasparov, the man who provoked the 1993 chess schism when he faced the International Federation (FIDE). Also, the “toilet gambit” invented by Bulgarian Vesselin Topalov made him lose his psychological balance, something which is fundamental in the highest level of competition. However, Kramnik maintained his strength of character and avoided falling into the trap. Now, more relaxed in a Moscow Hotel, Vladimir receives “La Vanguardia”, to recall the last three weeks that have turned him into the unique World Chess Champion.
Q. Which differences have you found between this duel with Topalov in Elista (Kalmykian Republic) and the match for the World Championship title in 2000, when you defeated Garry Kasparov?
A. Each World Championship is unique and comparing them is quite difficult. With regard to the match, in this one with Topalov the same thing has happened. This match has meant a lot to my career and, in addition, it has been very significant for the chess world. It was slightly different due to the events that happened during the match, but the opponent was very strong.
For me, each match is special. Comparing is difficult and also a long time has already passed since the match with Kasparov and of course the situation has changed a bit. You start playing differently, you have more experience. And on the other hand, while you gain more experience you lose energy when you grow older. |
|
|
|
But can we say that this title is a bit special, as it means the reunification of the two titles?
Yes, of course. This match is special exactly because of that. This is a unique characteristic; there hasn’t been any other match in the history with two champions.
There are many people who consider you to be Kasparov’s heir, the young grand master of the next generation who studied and then defeated him.
Of course, that is true. I learned a lot in the match against Kasparov, but not only against him. I studied all his predecessors, and I tried to learn the best of each of them, in addition to all the strongest players in the history of chess. But as I personally worked with Kasparov, maybe he influenced my growth even more, as we were communicating personally during the study sessions.
Did the Elista “toilet scandal” involve a psychological blow for you?
-Unfortunately this is not the first time that a player tries to influence his opponent psychologically in a World Championship match, or try to break the favourable playing rhythm, especially when he is losing. I have never used these methods and I never will. In this case, it is clear that my opponent was trying to achieve an advantage and create uneasiness, as in this duel there was no objective reason to start this type of protests. The organization was top-level, everything was under surveillance and revised, both of us had signed a contract beforehand. I think that the objective was to create tension and put psychological pressure on me. At some moments it wasn’t very nice and it affected my balance… But simply I would like this to serve as a lesson so that this doesn’t happen again in the future in a World Championship match, because I consider the game of chess to be a competition. But the result must be decided on the board, and all the rest must be kept at the level of a relationship between gentlemen.
Related information
|
GM Lenier Domínguez won in Barcelona
  The
ICC had live relay and Webcast coverage of
the Magistral "Ciutat de Barcelona"
2006. The tournament took place from October
19th-27th in Barcelona, Spain.
Cuban GM Lenier Dominguez won the tournament with a splendid result of 8/9 after his victory in the last round against world-class player GM Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine), who finished second with 6.5/9.
| FINAL STANDINGS after Round 9 |
| N |
Name |
Pts. |
| 1 |
GM GRANDA |
4.0 |
| 2 |
GM NARCISO |
4.0 |
| 3 |
GM PERALTA |
4.0 |
| 4 |
GM IVANCHUK |
6.5 |
| 5 |
GM BOLOGAN |
5.0 |
| 6 |
GM DOMINGUEZ |
8.0 |
| 7 |
GM KORNEEV |
5.5 |
| 8 |
IM LOPEZ |
3.5 |
| 9 |
IM LACASA |
2.0 |
| 10 |
GM TIMMAN |
2.5 |
|
New SimulMaster! every Friday
  Every Friday afternoon, at 1pm ICC time, we will have "SimulMaster"! A Master will play 20 ICC members rated under 300 points (ICC Standard) below the Master. The Simul will take place in channel 3. The time control is 30 minutes plus 15 second increment (30 15). The lottery system will be used, to give everyone a chance to play.
- For more information about
the new SimulMaster! visit our help page.
|
|
|
|
Enjoy Halloween on the ICC!
 Celebrating
Halloween, ICC presents one special Thematic tournament: On November 2nd,
9pm, you will have the chance to examine the "Frankenstein-Dracula
variation" (1.e4
e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Nxe4 4. Qh5 Nd6 5. Bb3 Nc6 6.
Nb5 g6 7. Qf3 f5 8. Qd5 Qe7 9. Nxc7+ Kd8 10. Nxa8).
The tournament
have a time control of 15 0 and will have 4 to 5 rounds,
depending on number of participants, swiss pairings.
To play, log in before
9pm on either day, and do "tell slomato
join". Enjoy!
- For more information about
Thematic tournaments, visit our
help page.
Ready for the ICC November Marathon?
On Novermber 11-12, the Tomato family of automated TDs will run another 24-hour marathon of tournaments. Marathons are held bi-monthly in the odd numbered months.
There will be 2 sections for blitz players (U1600 and 1600+) in Tomato and Cooly, 2 bullet sections (U1800 and 1800+) in Olive and Flash and an Open 15-0 in Slomato.
Players rated 100 points below or 50 points above the section limit can play in either section, but to be eligible for a prize in the U1600 Blitz section or the U1800 Bullet section, a player must be below the respective limit before he enters the marathon and after it ends. This guarantees staying in the same section throughout the entire marathon. Players who are close to the limit are well advised to play in the high section from the start.
|
Game annotated by IM Michael
Rahal
  Michael Anthony Rahal is an English International
Master, currently living in Spain. He works for
the CET Spanish Chess company and his tasks include
being Assistant Manager of the Chess Magazines "Peón
de Rey" (King's Pawn) "Todo
Teoría" (All on Theory).
Bologan,V (2659) - Vaganian,R (2587) [C18]
22nd European Club Cup 2006 (5), 2006.10.12
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5
c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4 0-0 8.Bd3 Nbc6 Along
with 8...f5 this is the most common move in this position. 9.Bg5!? This is an old line that offers a very
sharp game. The main line is 9.Qh5. 9...Qa5 10.Ne2
Re8?!
Position after 10...Re8?!
This is a novelty in my
database, and an unfortunate one. It's difficult to
understand this misterious move, apart from defending
the knight.
The main move in this position
is 10...Ng6. Recently, young Cuban GM Lenier Domínguez
won a brilliant game against GM Artur Yusupov with
this idea. 10...Ng6 11.0-0 c4 12.Bxg6 fxg6 13.a4 Qc7
14.Bc1 Qf7 15.Ng3 Bd7 16.f3 Rfc8 17.h4 Be8 18.Kf2
Ne7 19.Rh1 Nf5 20.Ne2 Rc6 21.Qh3 Ra6 22.g4 Ne7 23.a5
Nc6 24.h5 Rxa5 25.Rxa5 Nxa5 26.h6 Ba4 27.hxg7 Qxg7
28.Bg5 Bxc2 29.Nf4 Re8 30.Bf6 Qd7 31.Qh6 Nc6 32.Nh5
Rf8 33.Ng7 g5 34.Nxe6 Re8 35.Qxg5+ Bg6 36.Qxg6+ Dominguez,L-Yusupov,A
Turin Ol 2006. Lastly,
also posible is the capture on d4 with 10...cxd4 but
in this case White plays 11.f4 followed by 12.0-0
with a strong attack.
11.h4!? [ 11.Qh5
h6 12.Bxh6 gxh6 13.Qxh6 Nf5 14.Bxf5 exf5 15.Qg5+ Kf8
16.0-0 was an interesting option although it doesn&apost
look like White has anything better than a perpetual
check.] 11...Nxd4 Vaganian captures the pawn
with the other knight but he is clearly behind in
development now. 12.Rh3 Nxe2 My chess engines
give the advantage to Black here, but nothing is clear. 13.Kxe2!
[See next
diagram]
|
|
|
|
Position after 13.
Kxe2!
Bologan is playing very
risky. White is playing for a winning kingside attack.
It it fails, he will lose to Black&aposs material
advantage and strong center. 13...Ng6 This
movement seems to be very logical - the e5 pawn is
now under attack. 14.Bxg6 looks forced now, but Bologan
has other ideas. [ 13...c4 14.Bxh7+! Kxh7 15.Bxe7
Rxe7 16.Rg3 g6 17.h5 and White wins] 14.h5! Nxe5
15.Qg3 Nxd3
Position after 15...Nxd3
And now the move that obliges
all the engines to change their assessment of the
position. 16.Bf6! Nf4+ [ 16...g6 17.hxg6
fxg6 18.Rxh7! Kxh7 19.Rh1++-] 17.Kd2! Ng6 18.hxg6
fxg6 [ 18...hxg6 19.Rah1+-] 19.Rxh7! The finish-off. [ 19.Rxh7 Kxh7 20.Rh1+
Kg8 21.Qxg6+-] 1-0
Final position
|
ICC
Quiz #1087
submitted by MrPetrov
White mates in 3
To play this puzzle on the ICC type:
tell trainingbot number 1087
Then type: play trainingbot
|
|
|
| ICC
Quiz #1115
submitted by RobTheRocket
White mates in 3
To play this puzzle on the ICC type:
tell trainingbot number 1115
Then type: play trainingbot
|
Official
DVD of the Chess Olympiad Turin 2006
 |
The Organising Committee
has immortalised the 37th Chess Olympiad
in Turin from 20 May to 4 June. Throughout
the fortnight a professional camera team produced
footage of what was going on and most of this
has never been seen before. |
 Price
$27.00 - Buy
now!
Roman's Lab - 36 DVDs
 |
In each DVD, GM Roman
Dzindzichashvili discusses topics such
as how to avoid and create opening traps, searching
for novelties and the advantages and drawbacks
of a sharp repertoire. This DVD serie is by far
the best ever made to teach absolute beginners
how to play the world's greatest game. |
List
$700.00 - Our Price $500.00
- Buy
now!
Modern Morra Gambit - Hannes
Langrock
 |
Attack the Sicilian Defense
aggressively with the Morra Gambit.
Starting with 1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 c3,
it is well suited for players striving for tactical
and uncompromising play, as White’s better
development often leads to a dangerous initiative.
|
Price
$24.95 - Buy
now!
|
|
|
| Learning
Chess the Easy Way - Susan Polgar
 |
This DVD is by far the best
ever made to teach absolute beginners how to play
the world's greatest game.
Susan Polgar with the aid
of great graphics and animation will teach you
how to play the world's most prestigious game. |
Price
$24.95 - Buy
now!
Petrosian vs the Elite - Keene
and Simpole
 |
Raymond Keene,
Britain’s senior grandmaster, believes that
chess history has been unfair to world champion
Tigran Petrosian, whose brilliantly
subtle style of play and long record of tournament
successes were unjustly overshadowed by the much-publicized
career of Bobby Fischer. |
Price
$20.95 - Buy
now!
Carpathian Warrior - Lalic
& Okhotnik
 |
A new series dedicated to
aquainting readers with new discoveries in opening
theory. The first volume is devoted to the Philidor
and Pirc and is unique in that
the authors outline a new, ultra-aggressive systems;
called the 'Left-Hook' based on the Austrian Attack:
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.a3!? |
Price
$38.95 - Buy
now!
|
Solution to
ICC Quiz #1087
submitted by MrPetrov
1. Qg7+! Bxg7; 2. Rxe8+ Bf8; 3. Rxf8#
|
|
|
|
Solution to
ICC Quiz #1115
submitted by RobTheRocket
1. Qh1+! Nh4 (1...Qh4; 2. Bf7#) 2. Qxh4+!! Kxh4 (2...Qxh4; 3. Bf7#) 3. Rh1#
|
|
|
|
