Large (pictorial) report Dresden

Last week our editor Manuel Weeks dropped by at the European Chess Championships in Dresden. Here is his report with many photos.

The European Chess Championships is proving a great success for the German organizers. Taking place from April 2nd to 16th, 2007 in the International Congress Center located in the center of town with participants able to play while looking at the river. The event is an 11 round Swiss, with time controls at the new FIDE official control of 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move, starting from move one. This was suggested by the ACP after the previous faster time control of 90 minutes plus 30 second increments was condemned by most players as too fast. full story »

Aero-Alekseev the best in Moscow

He may truly call himself the king of Russian chess at the moment. Evgeny Alekseev, who won the Russian Championship at the end of last year, this week showed that great form can endure for months. After a quick draw on board one between Tomashevsky and Jakovenko, Alekseev beat Gabriel Sargissian after five hours struggle and ensured himself of a clear first place at the Aeroflot Open. A report on the apotheosis in Moscow: the last four rounds and the closing ceremony. full story »

Aeroflot: report round 5

With some delay we now publish Manuel’s report on the fifth round of the Aeroflot Open.

It is always interesting to see the players analyze after the games. Some players find it hard after they have lost, others want to justify their play. After Indian GM Sasikiran had resigned against Kazakstan GM Sadvakasov they went off to the analysis room together. The Indian GM had a big advantage during the game but in the time scramble lost his way. They seemed like two old friends talking together, similar ages and were laughing at their own mistakes afterwards. I am sure many GM’s could not keep up their good humour as much as the affable “Sasiâ€?. full story »

Second round Aeroflot

After two rounds of the Aeroflot open you can start to see the familiar tournament pattern. Players and coaches walk around shaking hands and greeting each other after not seeing each for whatever period of time. Here in Moscow it is one of the only times where you will have so many strong players together from so many different generations. They meet for coffee and drinks in the late evenings, other groups go off to have dinner in one of the many restaurants in the hotel complex. full story »