THE WEEK IN CHESS 690 28th January 2008 by Mark Crowther

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Contents

1) Introduction
2) Corus Wijk aan Zee
3) Gibraltar Gibtelecom Chess Festival
4) 68th Armenian Championship
5) Belarus Championship
6) New Zealand Chess Championship
7) Croatian Chess Championship
8) Marienbad International Chess Festival
9) Asian Team Championships
10) Liege Masters
11) Estonia-Finland 100 boards
12) Austrian Bundesliga
13) Venezuelan Championship
14) 91st Marshall Chess Club Championship
15) Perenyi Memorial Open
16) Prague Open
17) Porzellancup
18) Boris Baczynskyj 1945-2008
19) Forthcoming Events and Links

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Games Section
Corus Wijk aan Zee 113 games
Gibraltar Gibtelecom Chess Festival 600 games
68th Armenian Championship 11 games
Belarus Championship 15 games
New Zealand Chess Championship 121 games
Croatian Chess Championship 42 games
Marienbad International Chess Festival 308 games
Asian Team Championships 195 games
Liege Masters 45 games
Estonia-Finland 100 boards 87 games
Austrian Bundesliga 144 games
Venezuelan Championship 111 games
91st Marshall Chess Club Championship 116 games
Prague Open 9 games
1917 games

1) Introduction

My thanks to Paul Spiller, Jan Mazuch, Miklos Orso, Jose Luis Guilarte, Mikel Larreategi, Alex Brunetti, Michael Freeman, Miklos Orso, Istvan Brindza, Oscar de la Riva Aguado, Lawrence Tamarkin, Laszlo Nagy, Ülar Lauk and everyone else who helped with the issue.

25 year old Levon Aronian and 17 year old Magnus Carlsen shared first at the Corus tournament in Wijk aan Zee. Whilst neither dominated the event they were both deserved winners playing the best chess. There were rather underwhelming performances from joint World Number ones Viswanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik but their match later this year was almost certainly on their minds, especially in their opening choices. Even more out of sorts was World Number 3 Veselin Topalov whose best moment came when he beat Vladimir Kramnik with a huge novelty he had been saving up for three years, but he too has a match on his mind, against Gata Kamsky. Aronian's result was the second time he shared first here and he is still predicted to go to the very top at some point in the next few years. Magnus Carlsen's result was not quite astonishing because he has been seen as the coming man for some time but nevertheless at 17 years old this is a notable victory. Even Carlsen had some weak moments and only a big piece of luck against Loek van Wely allowed him to share the prize. Nevertheless it can't do his confidence any harm and quick improvement can still be expected. 19 years old is in my view usually the age when the fully fledged Grandmaster first appears and he has some way and much improvement to go to reach that mark.

Hope you enjoy this issue.

Mark

2) Corus Wijk aan Zee

The Corus Chess Tournament 2008 took place 11th-27th January 2008 in Wijk aan Zee. The tournament venue was the De Moriaan Community Centre. Levon Aronian shared first place for the second year in a row. 17 year old Magnus Carlsen was joint first having made his breakthrough in the C-Group in only 2004.

Official site: http://www.coruschess.com

Fred Lucas takes many photos at the event: http://www.fredlucas.eu. Frits Agterdenbos has daily photo reports: http://www.chessvista.com/. Commentary: http://www.chessdom.com/. Chess Videos: http://www.chessvibes.com/. http://www.chessclub.com/ has daily live coverage and also John Watson interviews Wijk tournament director Jeroen van den Berg on his Book show. Direct link - Etienne Bacrot annotates his own games: http://www.chess22.fr/ - Ian Rogers blogging from Wijk: http://main.uschess.org/ - John Lee Shaw on the spot: http://www.chessgateway.com/ - Europe Echecs has videos: http://www.europe-echecs.com/

Corus Wijk aan Zee 2008 A-Group 11th-27th January 2008
Round 9 (January 22, 2008)
Aronian, Levon - Eljanov, Pavel ½-½ 20 A29 English Four Knights
Lékó, Peter - Carlsen, Magnus 1-0 40 C95 Ruy Lopez Breyer
Ivanchuk, Vassily - Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar ½-½ 41 D86 Gruenfeld Simagin
Adams, Michael - Van Wely, Loek 1-0 47 B87 Sicilian Sozin Attack
Topalov, Veselin - Kramnik, Vladimir 1-0 45 D43 Anti-Meran Gambit
Polgar, Judit - Radjabov, Teimour ½-½ 23 C63 Ruy Lopez Schliemann
Gelfand, Boris - Anand, Viswanathan ½-½ 25 E06 Catalan
Round 10 (January 23, 2008)
Anand, Viswanathan - Lékó, Peter ½-½ 19 C84 Ruy Lopez Centre Attack
Radjabov, Teimour - Topalov, Veselin ½-½ 42 C45 Scotch Game
Adams, Michael - Aronian, Levon ½-½ 21 C88 Ruy Lopez Closed
Kramnik, Vladimir - Gelfand, Boris ½-½ 48 E15 Queens Indian
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar - Polgar, Judit ½-½ 28 C10 French Rubinstein
Eljanov, Pavel - Ivanchuk, Vassily 0-1 56 E00 Catalan
Van Wely, Loek - Carlsen, Magnus 0-1 49 A58 Volga Gambit
Round 11 (January 25, 2008)
Aronian, Levon - Van Wely, Loek 1-0 41 D11 Slav Defence
Carlsen, Magnus - Anand, Viswanathan 0-1 42 B84 Sicilian Scheveningen
Lékó, Peter - Kramnik, Vladimir ½-½ 28 C42 Petroff's Defence
Ivanchuk, Vassily - Adams, Michael ½-½ 28 A13 Reti Opening
Topalov, Veselin - Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar ½-½ 42 E92 King's Indian Classical
Polgar, Judit - Eljanov, Pavel 0-1 43 C65 Ruy Lopez Berlin
Gelfand, Boris - Radjabov, Teimour 0-1 37 E94 King's Indian Classical
Round 12 (January 26, 2008)
Aronian, Levon - Ivanchuk, Vassily ½-½ 62 D27 QGA
Radjabov, Teimour - Lékó, Peter ½-½ 31 E15 Queens Indian
Adams, Michael - Polgar, Judit 0-1 44 C42 Petroff's Defence
Kramnik, Vladimir - Carlsen, Magnus 0-1 57 A30 English Symmetrical
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar - Gelfand, Boris ½-½ 26 B50 Sicilian Defence
Eljanov, Pavel - Topalov, Veselin 1-0 46 A62 Benoni
Van Wely, Loek - Anand, Viswanathan ½-½ 45 E19 Queens Indian
Round 13 (January 27, 2008)
Carlsen, Magnus - Radjabov, Teimour ½-½ 65 A48 King's Indian Defence /c2-c4
Anand, Viswanathan - Kramnik, Vladimir ½-½ 61 C42 Petroff's Defence
Lékó, Peter - Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar 1-0 27 C72 Ruy Lopez Modern Steinitz
Ivanchuk, Vassily - Van Wely, Loek ½-½ 35 A09 Reti Opening
Topalov, Veselin - Adams, Michael ½-½ 23 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Polgar, Judit - Aronian, Levon ½-½ 57 C89 Ruy Lopez Marshall
Gelfand, Boris - Eljanov, Pavel 1-0 38 A17 English Opening

Corus A Wijk aan Zee (NED), 12-27 i 2008 cat. XX (2742)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
1. Aronian, Levon g ARM 2739 * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 0 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 8 2829
2. Carlsen, Magnus g NOR 2733 ½ * 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 ½ 8 2830
3. Anand, Viswanathan g IND 2799 ½ 1 * 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 7½ 2794
4. Radjabov, Teimour g AZE 2735 0 ½ 1 * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 7½ 2799
5. Lékó, Peter g HUN 2753 ½ 1 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 7 2770
6. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2751 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 7 2770
7. Adams, Michael g ENG 2726 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 6½ 2743
8. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2799 1 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 6½ 2737
9. Topalov, Veselin g BUL 2780 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 * ½ ½ 0 0 1 6 2710
10. Polgar, Judit g HUN 2707 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ * ½ 0 ½ 1 6 2716
11. Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar g AZE 2760 ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ 1 ½ 6 2711
12. Eljanov, Pavel g UKR 2692 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 1 1 ½ * ½ 0 5 2659
13. Van Wely, Loek g NED 2681 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ * ½ 5 2660
14. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2737 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 0 ½ 1 ½ * 5 2655

Corus Wijk aan Zee 2008 B-Group 11th-27th January 2008
Round 9 (January 22, 2008)
Movsesian, Sergei - Short, Nigel D ½-½ 22 C50 Giuoco Piano
Nepomniachtchi, Ian - Stellwagen, Daniël 1-0 44 B43 Sicilian Paulsen
L'Ami, Erwin - Hou Yifan 1-0 55 A17 English Opening
Smeets, Jan - Spoelman, Wouter 0-1 59 B51 Sicilian Rossolimo
Cheparinov, Ivan - Krasenkow, Michal 1-0 42 D31 Semi-Slav Defence
Koneru, Humpy - Harikrishna, P ½-½ 28 D79 Gruenfeld 3.g3
Sargissian, Gabriel - Bacrot, Etienne ½-½ 40 D15 Slav Defence
Round 10 (January 23, 2008)
Movsesian, Sergei - Smeets, Jan 1-0 25 C53 Giuoco Piano
Short, Nigel D - Krasenkow, Michal 1-0 50 C65 Ruy Lopez Berlin
Bacrot, Etienne - Cheparinov, Ivan ½-½ 51 B90 Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Harikrishna, P - Sargissian, Gabriel ½-½ 62 C53 Giuoco Piano
Stellwagen, Daniël - L'Ami, Erwin ½-½ 48 C42 Petroff's Defence
Hou Yifan - Koneru, Humpy ½-½ 54 C87 Ruy Lopez
Spoelman, Wouter - Nepomniachtchi, Ian 0-1 46 B90 Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Round 11 (January 25, 2008)
Nepomniachtchi, Ian - Movsesian, Sergei ½-½ 64 B43 Sicilian Paulsen
L'Ami, Erwin - Spoelman, Wouter 0-1 37 E12 Queens Indian Petrosian
Smeets, Jan - Short, Nigel D 0-1 41 C12 French MacCutcheon
Cheparinov, Ivan - Harikrishna, P 0-1 50 D20 QGA
Koneru, Humpy - Stellwagen, Daniël ½-½ 34 D48 Queens Gambit Meran
Krasenkow, Michal - Bacrot, Etienne 0-1 34 D23 QGA
Sargissian, Gabriel - Hou Yifan 0-1 49 E15 Queens Indian
Round 12 (January 26, 2008)
Movsesian, Sergei - L'Ami, Erwin 1-0 30 C50 Giuoco Piano
Short, Nigel D - Bacrot, Etienne ½-½ 36 C86 Ruy Lopez Worrall Attack
Harikrishna, P - Krasenkow, Michal ½-½ 45 B30 Sicilian Rossolimo
Stellwagen, Daniël - Sargissian, Gabriel ½-½ 39 C67 Ruy Lopez Berlin
Smeets, Jan - Nepomniachtchi, Ian 1-0 57 D86 Gruenfeld Simagin
Hou Yifan - Cheparinov, Ivan ½-½ 41 C89 Ruy Lopez Marshall
Spoelman, Wouter - Koneru, Humpy 1-0 45 B06 Modern Defence
Round 13 (January 27, 2008)
Bacrot, Etienne - Harikrishna, P ½-½ 19 D11 Slav Defence
Nepomniachtchi, Ian - Short, Nigel D ½-½ 38 C77 Ruy Lopez Anderssen
Cheparinov, Ivan - Stellwagen, Daniël 1-0 50 D43 Anti-Meran Gambit
L'Ami, Erwin - Smeets, Jan ½-½ 19 D43 Anti-Meran Gambit
Koneru, Humpy - Movsesian, Sergei ½-½ 16 D11 Slav Defence
Sargissian, Gabriel - Spoelman, Wouter 1-0 52 E17 Queens Indian
Krasenkow, Michal - Hou Yifan ½-½ 28 A14 Reti Opening

Corus B Wijk aan Zee (NED), 12-27 i 2008 cat. XV (2618)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
1. Movsesian, Sergei g SVK 2677 * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 ½ ½ 1 1 9½ 2788
2. Short, Nigel D g ENG 2645 ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 0 ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 8½ 2726
3. Bacrot, Etienne g FRA 2700 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 8½ 2721
4. Harikrishna, P g IND 2664 ½ ½ ½ * ½ 1 ½ 0 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 7½ 2671
5. Nepomniachtchi, Ian g RUS 2600 ½ ½ ½ ½ * 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 7 2648
6. Cheparinov, Ivan g BUL 2713 ½ 0 ½ 0 1 * 0 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 6½ 2610
7. L'Ami, Erwin g NED 2581 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 * ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 0 0 6 2591
8. Smeets, Jan g NED 2573 0 0 0 1 1 1 ½ * 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ 0 6 2592
9. Hou Yifan wg CHN 2527 0 1 0 0 ½ ½ 0 1 * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 6 2596
10. Stellwagen, Daniël g NED 2625 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 1 6 2588
11. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2612 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 0 ½ ½ * ½ 1 0 5½ 2561
12. Sargissian, Gabriel g ARM 2676 ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ * 0 1 5 2526
13. Krasenkow, Michal g POL 2636 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 1 ½ ½ 0 0 1 * 1 5 2529
14. Spoelman, Wouter m NED 2424 0 ½ 0 0 0 0 1 1 ½ 0 1 0 0 * 4 2492

Corus Wijk aan Zee 2008 C-Group 11th-27th January 2008
Round 9 (January 22, 2008)
Caruana, Fabiano - Van der Wiel, John 1-0 44 B67 Sicilian Rauzer
Reinderman, Dimitri - Ushenina, Anna 1-0 62 A30 English Symmetrical
Carlsson, Pontus - Braun, Arik 1-0 31 C07 French Tarrasch
Van der Werf, Mark - Negi, Parimarjan ½-½ 56 D83 Gruenfeld 4.Bf4
Grivas, Efstratios - Li Shilong 0-1 32 D15 Slav Defence
Peng Zhaoqin - Krush, Irina ½-½ 64 D45 Anti-Meran Variations
Ruijgrok, Dennis - Nijboer, Friso 0-1 64 B56 Sicilian Defence
Round 10 (January 23, 2008)
Negi, Parimarjan - Ruijgrok, Dennis 1-0 35 B31 Sicilian Rossolimo
Nijboer, Friso - Reinderman, Dimitri 1-0 42 B74 Sicilian Dragon
Krush, Irina - Braun, Arik 1-0 48 D27 QGA
Li Shilong - Caruana, Fabiano 1-0 88 D19 Slav Defence
Van der Wiel, John - Carlsson, Pontus ½-½ 24 B76 Sicilian Modern Dragon
Peng Zhaoqin - Van der Werf, Mark ½-½ 46 D30 Queen's Gambit (without Nc3)
Ushenina, Anna - Grivas, Efstratios 1-0 55 E67 King's Indian Fianchetto
Round 11 (January 25, 2008)
Caruana, Fabiano - Ushenina, Anna 1-0 36 C02 French Advance
Reinderman, Dimitri - Negi, Parimarjan ½-½ 34 C77 Ruy Lopez Anderssen
Carlsson, Pontus - Li Shilong ½-½ 56 B91 Sicilian Najdorf with 6.g3
Braun, Arik - Van der Wiel, John ½-½ 22 A46 Queen's Pawn Opening
Van der Werf, Mark - Krush, Irina ½-½ 60 D00 Queen's Pawn Game
Grivas, Efstratios - Nijboer, Friso ½-½ 37 E90 King's Indian Classical
Ruijgrok, Dennis - Peng Zhaoqin 0-1 71 C08 French Tarrasch
Round 12 (January 26, 2008)
Negi, Parimarjan - Grivas, Efstratios 1-0 29 C10 French Rubinstein
Nijboer, Friso - Caruana, Fabiano 0-1 37 B43 Sicilian Paulsen
Krush, Irina - Van der Wiel, John 1-0 36 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Van der Werf, Mark - Ruijgrok, Dennis ½-½ 25 D83 Gruenfeld 4.Bf4
Li Shilong - Braun, Arik ½-½ 37 D34 Tarrasch Defence, Main Line
Peng Zhaoqin - Reinderman, Dimitri ½-½ 61 A84 Dutch
Ushenina, Anna - Carlsson, Pontus 0-1 43 E00 Catalan
Round 13 (January 27, 2008)
Caruana, Fabiano - Negi, Parimarjan 1-0 61 C89 Ruy Lopez Marshall
Reinderman, Dimitri - Van der Werf, Mark ½-½ 24 C86 Ruy Lopez Worrall Attack
Carlsson, Pontus - Nijboer, Friso 1-0 44 B23 Sicilian Closed
Braun, Arik - Ushenina, Anna 1-0 33 A33 English Symmetrical
Van der Wiel, John - Li Shilong 1-0 45 B22 Sicilian Alapin
Grivas, Efstratios - Peng Zhaoqin 1-0 41 A06 Zukertort Opening
Ruijgrok, Dennis - Krush, Irina 0-1 72 B56 Sicilian Defence

Corus C Wijk aan Zee (NED), 12-27 i 2008 cat. X (2494)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
1. Caruana, Fabiano g ITA 2598 * ½ 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 ½ 1 1 1 10.0 2696
2. Reinderman, Dimitri g NED 2533 ½ * ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 8.0 2577
3. Negi, Parimarjan g IND 2526 0 ½ * 0 1 0 1 0 ½ 1 1 1 1 1 8.0 2578
4. Carlsson, Pontus m SWE 2501 0 0 1 * 0 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 7.5 2549
5. Krush, Irina m USA 2473 1 ½ 0 1 * 1 1 0 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ 1 7.0 2524
6. Braun, Arik m GER 2536 0 ½ 1 0 0 * ½ 1 1 ½ 0 1 1 ½ 7.0 2519
7. Van der Wiel, John g NED 2490 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ * 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 7.0 2522
8. Nijboer, Friso g NED 2578 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 * 0 1 ½ ½ 1 1 7.0 2516
9. Van der Werf, Mark m NED 2389 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 * 1 1 ½ 0 ½ 6.5 2501
10. Li Shilong g CHN 2502 1 0 0 ½ 1 ½ 0 0 0 * 1 ½ 1 ½ 6.0 2463
11. Grivas, Efstratios g GRE 2509 ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 1 0 ½ 0 0 * 1 0 1 6.0 2463
12. Peng Zhaoqin g NED 2461 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 * 0 1 4.5 2386
13. Ushenina, Anna m UKR 2484 0 0 0 0 ½ 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 * 1 4.5 2384
14. Ruijgrok, Dennis NED 2329 0 0 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 0 0 * 2.0 2210

Corus Honorary Wijk aan Zee (NED), 19-26 i 2008 cat. XIII (2560)
Round 3 (January 22, 2008)
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir - Korchnoi, Viktor ½-½ 31 E33 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Timman, Jan H - Portisch, Lajos ½-½ 18 C67 Ruy Lopez Berlin
Round 4 (January 23, 2008)
Timman, Jan H - Ljubojevic, Ljubomir 0-1 42 D43 Anti-Meran Gambit
Portisch, Lajos - Korchnoi, Viktor 0-1 25 A90 Dutch Classical
Round 5 (January 25, 2008)
Korchnoi, Viktor - Ljubojevic, Ljubomir 0-1 49 D48 Queens Gambit Meran
Portisch, Lajos - Timman, Jan H 1-0 56 A70 Benoni
Round 6 (January 26, 2008)
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir - Portisch, Lajos 1-0 33 E38 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Timman, Jan H - Korchnoi, Viktor 1-0 35 C45 Scotch Game

Corus Honarary Wijk aan Zee (NED), 19-26 i 2008 cat. XIII (2560)
1 2 3 4
1. Ljubojevic, Ljubomir g SRB 2543 * * 0 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 4 2690
2. Timman, Jan H g NED 2561 1 0 * * ½ 1 ½ 0 3 2559
3. Korchnoi, Viktor g SUI 2605 ½ 0 ½ 0 * * 1 1 3 2544
4. Portisch, Lajos g HUN 2530 ½ 0 ½ 1 0 0 * * 2 2444

3) Gibraltar Gibtelecom Chess Festival

The 6th edition of Gibraltar's Gibtelecom Chess Festival takes place 22nd-31st January 2008 at the Caleta Hotel, one of Gibraltar's best hotels. Bu Xiangzhi leads on 5.5/6.

Offical site: http://www.gibraltarchesscongress.com/

There is live audio-visual commentary at 15:00 GMT+1 (2pm British time) every day by GM Stuart Conquest at: http://www.gibraltarchesscongress.com/gib2008/live/commentary.html (9 games). Another 50 are available live at http://www.monroi.com

Gibraltar's Gibtelecom Chess Festival 22nd-31st January 2008
Leading Round 6 standings:
Rank Name Fed. Name Rating Score BH SB TPR
1 Bu, Xiangzhi GM CHN 2691 5.5 25.0 23.25 2951
2 Wang, Hao GM CHN 2665 5.0 23.5 19.0 2785
3 Bologan, Viktor GM MDA 2663 5.0 21.0 16.5 2705
4 Georgiev, Kiril GM BUL 2662 5.0 23.5 19.5 2787
5 Efimenko, Zahar GM UKR 2638 5.0 22.5 18.25 2653
6 Stefanova, Antoaneta GM BUL 2464 5.0 27.0 20.0 2863
7 Wang, Yue GM CHN 2698 4.5 22.0 16.0 2636
8 Ni, Hua GM CHN 2680 4.5 23.5 17.0 2708
9 Areshchenko, Alexander GM UKR 2645 4.5 24.0 17.5 2658
10 Beliavsky, Alexander G GM SLO 2638 4.5 25.0 18.25 2677
11 Socko, Bartosz GM POL 2635 4.5 23.0 15.5 2669
12 Gurevich, Mikhail GM TUR 2607 4.5 19.0 13.0 2598
13 Petrosian, Tigran L. GM ARM 2606 4.5 20.5 14.5 2606
14 Malakhatko, Vadim GM BEL 2600 4.5 23.0 16.5 2612
15 Sandipan, Chanda GM IND 2593 4.5 21.0 14.75 2563
16 Banikas, Hristos GM GRE 2592 4.5 23.5 16.75 2735
17 Agdestein, Simen GM NOR 2589 4.5 21.0 15.25 2579
18 Berg, Emanuel GM SWE 2583 4.5 26.5 19.25 2724
19 Sulskis, Sarunas GM LTU 2553 4.5 23.5 15.75 2612
20 Speelman, Jon S GM ENG 2491 4.5 24.5 18.0 2777
21 Zhao, Zong-Yuan IM AUS 2487 4.5 24.0 17.25 2715
22 Hammer, Jon Ludvig IM NOR 2441 4.5 19.5 13.75 2573
23 Paehtz, Elisabeth IM GER 2420 4.5 22.5 14.75 2579
24 Bellin, Robert IM ENG 2385 4.5 23.5 17.0 2637
25 Nakamura, Hikaru GM USA 2670 4.0 23.0 14.5 2599
26 Kuzubov, Yuriy GM UKR 2606 4.0 19.5 9.75 2450
27 Akobian, Varuzhan GM USA 2599 4.0 22.5 12.5 2601
28 Felgaer, Ruben GM ARG 2539 4.0 23.5 12.75 2523
29 Hebden, Mark L GM ENG 2530 4.0 23.5 14.25 2563
30 Gopal, G.N. GM IND 2528 4.0 22.5 13.0 2580
31 Cramling, Pia GM SWE 2524 4.0 22.5 12.0 2540
32 Zhao, Xue WGM CHN 2517 4.0 23.0 13.5 2484
33 Szabo, Krisztian IM HUN 2500 4.0 21.0 13.25 2469
34 Leon Hoyos, Manuel IM MEX 2495 4.0 19.5 11.75 2449
35 Socko, Monika IM POL 2479 4.0 23.0 13.5 2590
36 Cmilyte, Viktorija IM LTU 2475 4.0 21.5 12.5 2574
37 Arakhamia-Grant, Ketevan IM GEO 2457 4.0 16.0 10.25 2356
38 Harika, Dronavalli IM IND 2455 4.0 20.0 12.25 2491
39 Papadopoulos, Ioannis IM GRE 2444 4.0 18.0 11.5 2390
40 Butnorius, Algimantas GM LTU 2441 4.0 22.5 13.0 2481
41 Shen, Yang WGM CHN 2429 4.0 22.5 13.75 2523
42 Berczes, David IM HUN 2429 4.0 20.0 10.5 2570
43 Foisor, Cristina Adela IM ROU 2412 4.0 21.0 12.25 2450
44 Aloma Vidal, Robert FM ESP 2393 4.0 19.5 11.0 2380
45 Wang, Yu A. IM CHN 2391 4.0 21.0 12.25 2503
46 Karim, Ismael   MAR 2347 4.0 18.0 10.0 2518
47 Rodriguez Lopez, Rafael IM ESP 2285 4.0 18.5 11.0 2405
48 Forsaa, Espen   NOR 2285 4.0 19.0 10.5 2369
49 Danielmeier, Ralf   GER 2112 4.0 13.0 8.75 2221
203 players

4) 68th Armenian Championship

The 68th Armenian Championship took place 7th-21st January 2008 in Yerevan. Karen Asrian edged out Artashes Minasian on tie-break after both finished on 8/11. Ashot Anastasian withdrew after 8 rounds. . The women's championship was won by Lilit Galojan on tie-break from Siranush Andriasian.

Official site: http://www.armchess.am/

68th ch-ARM Yerevan (ARM), 8-21 i 2008 cat. XII (2531)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3
1. Asrian, Karen g ARM 2621 * ½ 0 1 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ + ½ 8 2648
2. Minasian, Artashes g ARM 2578 ½ * 0 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 + 1 8 2652
3. Ter-Sahakyan, Samvel f ARM 2369 1 1 * 0 1 ½ 0 0 1 1 ½ + ½ 7½ 2639
4. Kotanjian, Tigran g ARM 2545 0 0 1 * 0 1 1 1 ½ 1 0 1 1 7½ 2625
5. Petrosian, Tigran L g ARM 2606 0 ½ 0 1 * 0 1 ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 7½ 2620
6. Andriasian, Zaven g ARM 2532 ½ ½ ½ 0 1 * ½ ½ ½ 0 1 + 1 7 2588
7. Minasian, Ara g ARM 2466 ½ ½ 1 0 0 ½ * ½ ½ 0 1 + 1 6½ 2565
8. Lputian, Smbat G g ARM 2616 ½ ½ 1 0 ½ ½ ½ * 0 1 ½ 1 0 6 2524
9. Pashikian, Arman g ARM 2556 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 * ½ 1 0 1 6 2529
10. Babujian, Levon m ARM 2439 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 ½ * ½ 0 1 4 2414
11. Yegiazarian, Arsen g ARM 2512 ½ 0 ½ 1 0 0 0 ½ 0 ½ * 0 ½ 3½ 2374
12. Anastasian, Ashot g ARM 2562 - - - 0 0 - - 0 1 1 1 * ½ 3½ 2370
13. Nalbandian, Tigran g ARM 2505 ½ 0 ½ 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 ½ ½ * 3 2340

62nd ch-ARM w Yerevan (ARM), 13-21 i 2008
1. Galojan, Lilit wm ARM 2307 * 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 ½ 6½ 2310
2. Andriasian, Siranush wm ARM 2228 0 * ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 6½ 2319
3. Aginian, Nelly wg ARM 2308 0 ½ * 1 1 1 1 ½ ½ 0 5½ 2224
4. Gasparian, Narine wm ARM 2172 1 ½ 0 * 0 0 1 ½ 1 1 5 2202
5. Kharatyan, Anahit ARM 2115 0 0 0 1 * 1 1 0 ½ ½ 4 2123
6. Gasparian, Mariana ARM 2070 0 0 0 1 0 * 1 1 0 1 4 2128
7. Martirosyan, Lia ARM 2111 1 ½ 0 0 0 0 * ½ ½ 1 3½ 2086
8. Movsisian, Naira wg ARM 2152 0 0 ½ ½ 1 0 ½ * 0 1 3½ 2082
9. Aghabekian, Liana ARM 2191 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 * 0 3½ 2077
10. Karapetyan, Lusine ARM 1957 ½ 0 1 0 ½ 0 0 0 1 * 3 2058

5) Belarus Championship

The Championships of Belarus took place 10th-22nd January 2008. Alexei Fedorov won the event with 9.5/13.

Official site: http://www.chess.by

ch-BLR Minsk (BLR), 10-22 i 2008 cat. IX (2473)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
1. Fedorov, Alexei g BLR 2607 * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 9½ 2638
2. Zhigalko, Sergei g BLR 2558 ½ * 1 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 1 9 2607
3. Tihonov, Jurij g BLR 2497 ½ 0 * ½ 1 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 8½ 2581
4. Stupak, Kirill m BLR 2412 0 1 ½ * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 0 1 ½ 1 ½ 7½ 2535
5. Azarov, Sergei g BLR 2594 ½ ½ 0 ½ * 0 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 7½ 2521
6. Podolchenko, Evgeniy BLR 2467 ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 * 1 0 0 1 0 1 ½ 1 7 2502
7. Teterev, Vitaly g BLR 2507 0 ½ ½ 0 0 0 * 1 1 ½ ½ 1 1 1 7 2499
8. Lomako, Pavel BLR 2413 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 0 * ½ 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 6½ 2478
9. Romanenko, Vladimir BLR 2460 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 0 ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 6½ 2474
10. Mihajlovskij, Sergei BLR 2466 0 0 ½ 1 0 0 ½ 1 ½ * 1 1 0 1 6½ 2474
11. Zhigalko, Andrey g BLR 2556 ½ 0 0 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 0 * 1 ½ 1 6 2438
12. Lutsko, Igor g BLR 2429 0 0 ½ ½ 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 0 * 1 1 4 2335
13. Borsuk, Yuriy BLR 2268 ½ 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 0 0 1 ½ 0 * 0 3 2278
14. Smirnov, Valerij m BLR 2394 0 0 0 ½ 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 0 0 1 * 2½ 2228

6) New Zealand Chess Championship

The New Zealand Chess Championship was held in Auckland January 15th-25th, 2008. This was the 115th Championship, the longest running Chess Championships in the world. GM Murray Chandler made a successful return to the NZ Championship after his success in Queenstown 2006 (this is his 3rd title the previous ones were 1975/76 and 2005/06.). After an early loss to FM Stephen Lukey he dominated the event in the latter half winning his last five games to finish on 9/11. Second equal were IM Russell Dive and Michael Steadman on 7.5 points. News: Paul Spiller.

Full results, crosstable can be found on Helen milligan's site at http://www.newzealandchess.co.nz and games at: http://www.aucklandchesscentre.co.nz/

115th ch-NZL Auckland (NZL), 15-23 i 2008 Final Round 11 Standings
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1. Chandler, Murray G g NZL 2540 +3 -9 +6 =14 +18 =8 +4 +2 +10 +5 +16 9 2546
2. Dive, Russell John m NZL 2341 +6 +11 +14 =18 -4 =3 +8 -1 +13 +9 =5 7½ 2446
3. Steadman, Michael NZL 2238 -1 =22 +21 +12 +10 =2 =13 +9 -5 +4 +8 7½ 2425
4. Van Riemsdijk, Herman C m BRA 2391 -12 +10 +7 +9 +2 =13 -1 =5 +8 -3 =15 6½ 2356
5. Mc Laren, Leonard NZL 2250 +21 =18 =13 -8 +16 =9 +6 =4 +3 -1 =2 6½ 2357
6. Spain, Graeme NZL 2191 -2 +20 -1 +15 +11 =18 -5 -8 +22 +14 +17 6½ 2316
7. Hart, Ralph NZL 2174 =13 =16 -4 =19 +17 =14 -9 =12 +20 +22 +18 6½ 2284
8. Ker, Anthony F m NZL 2330 -15 +17 +12 +5 =13 =1 -2 +6 -4 +10 -3 6 2317
9. Lukey, Stephen G f NZL 2283 +22 +1 -18 -4 +14 =5 +7 -3 =11 -2 +20 6 2308
10. Smith, Robert W f NZL 2333 =16 -4 +19 +11 -3 +12 +18 =13 -1 -8 +21 6 2311
11. Reilly, Tim f AUS 2276 +20 -2 +15 -10 -6 =16 +21 +18 =9 =13 =19 6 2254
12. Hartvig, Ove Weiss f DEN 2233 +4 -14 -8 -3 +19 -10 +20 =7 +21 =16 +22 6 2245
13. Garbett, Paul Anthony m NZL 2338 =7 +15 =5 +16 =8 =4 =3 =10 -2 =11 -14 5½ 2267
14. Watson, Bruce R f NZL 2293 +17 +12 -2 =1 -9 =7 -16 +21 =15 -6 +13 5½ 2236
15. Barlow, Matthew NZL 2148 +8 -13 -11 -6 =20 =17 =19 +22 =14 +21 =4 5½ 2208
16. Dowden, R. Anthony NZL 2170 =10 =7 +22 -13 -5 =11 +14 =17 =19 =12 -1 5 2213
17. Thornton, Giovanni Antonio NZL 2095 -14 -8 =20 +21 -7 =15 +22 =16 +18 =19 -6 5 2145
18. Croad, Nicolas NZL 2313 +19 =5 +9 =2 -1 =6 -10 -11 -17 +20 -7 4½ 2179
19. Stuart, Peter NZL 2114 -18 =21 -10 =7 -12 =22 =15 =20 =16 =17 =11 4 2080
20. Fuatai, Fuatai NZL 2087 -11 -6 =17 =22 =15 =21 -12 =19 -7 -18 -9 2½ 1971
21. Goodhue, Nathan NZL 2083 -5 =19 -3 -17 +22 =20 -11 -14 -12 -15 -10 2 1934
22. Bennett, Hilton NZL 2094 -9 =3 -16 =20 -21 =19 -17 -15 -6 -7 -12 1½ 1856

7) Croatian Chess Championship

The Croatian chess championship takes place in Split, 16th-29th January 2008. 13 participants, round robin. - 11 grandmasters - including European U18 champion Ivan Saric - Ex European champion (2006) Zdenko Kozul and 3 ex-World junior champins (Kurajica, Cvitan, Stevic). Hrvoje Stevic leads by a point with a round to go.

Official site: http://www.a1split.hr/prvenstvo/prvenstvo.html

ch-CRO Split (CRO), 16-29 i 2008 cat. XII (2538)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4
1. Stevic, Hrvoje g CRO 2531 * 1 ½ 1 1 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ . 1 7½ 2685
2. Zelcic, Robert g CRO 2587 0 * ½ 0 . 1 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 6½ 2597
3. Kurajica, Bojan g CRO 2556 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 1 6½ 2565
4. Jankovic, Alojzije g CRO 2541 0 1 ½ * ½ 0 ½ ½ 1 1 . 1 0 6 2571
5. Hulak, Krunoslav g CRO 2552 0 . ½ ½ * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 0 1 6 2568
6. Saric, Ivan m CRO 2482 1 0 ½ 1 ½ * . 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 5½ 2543
7. Cvitan, Ognjen g CRO 2535 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ . * 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 5½ 2543
8. Jovanovic, Zoran CRO g CRO 2525 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 1 0 * ½ . ½ ½ 1 5½ 2533
9. Palac, Mladen g CRO 2575 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ . 5 2497
10. Kozul, Zdenko g CRO 2600 0 ½ 1 0 ½ ½ ½ . ½ * ½ ½ ½ 5 2497
11. Dizdar, Goran g CRO 2564 ½ 0 ½ . 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ 1 5 2499
12. Rezan, Sasa m CRO 2390