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Slight logistical problem for Vallejo
19 April 2008 9:30 AM | Last modified: 11:33
In the first round of Dos Hermans, Paco Vallejo surprisingly defeated Alexei Shirov, and now he has a slight logistical problem. He qualified for the final on Sunday, but the next day he’s expected to play the first round of the European Ch in Bulgaria.
Yesterday Paco Vallejo, the number 38 in the world, beat the number 12, Alexei Shirov, with 3-1, in the first semi-final of the Dos Hermanas rapid tournament.
“I could probably blame the tiresome Russian Team Championship, which was a very tough event, but the truth is that Paco has played very well”, Shirov admitted at the press conference afterwards. After a quiet draw in the first game, it was Paco himself who had put fire onto the chess board with a piece sacrifice in a sharp Caro-Kann Advance. Shirov couldn’t save himself in the complications that followed.
Possibly influenced by this result, Shirov might have played for a win a bit too long in the third game, which he eventually lost as well in an ending. In the last game it was Vallejo who first deviated from the wild second one, and eventually this interesting game also ended in a draw.
His triumph resulted in a logistical problem for Vallejo, who has to play his first-round game of the European Championship next Monday in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. “I will have to start travelling as soon as I’ve finished the final. To be sure, I’ve informed the Bulgarian organizers that I might arrive late, if something goes wrong.”
Today Veselin Topalov plays against Judit Polgar in the second semi-final. Live games start 16:30 CET.
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Looking at the third game, it seems as though Shirov has been struggling a little of late in this Anti-Sveshnikov variation - Kamsky-Shirov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2007 (7.2) was a prime example of this.
Go, Vallejo!!! Make us proud! Dales duro, campeón.
Shirov was also Spanish:)))
He is not spanish, he only lives in Spain.
As Lajos said, Shirov is not Spanish, he is originally from Latvia, and I am proud that he represents our country in the international panorama, but it´s not the same: in Eastern countries it´s easier to grow up as a chess player, there are more resources and possibilities: Vallejo is Spanish 100%, he has achieved everything in a country with much less chess tradition.
Vamos, que como he dicho antes: ¡Ánimo, Valle!
Tampoco es tan importante la bandera que defiende o donde nace la gente lo importante es como juega al ajedrez. Me alegro por Vallejo, creo que este año puede dar un salto de calidad que debe confirmar en este próximo campeonato de Europa. De Shirov decir que, yo soy español, me encanta su forma de juego aunque en los grandes momentos me decepcione.
Ines: I think you have all the reasons to be proud about Paco’s performance. He has great potential. Unfortunately Topalov had beaten Polgár. I would be happy if Paco could surprise us against him, just like in his match with Shirov.
Partidas de ajedrez, yo soy vasca así que los problemas de banderitas y cachos de tierra me los sé muy bien. Mis jugadores favoritos son aquellos cuyo estilo me gusta más, pero cuando veo a Vallejo ganar a uno de los grandes, me hace más ilusión que cuando ganan otros, porque es de mi país y me toca un poco lo personal, me enorgullezco de él como si le conociera un poquito más, es ese sentimiento el que me hace apoyarlo, no un sentimiento absurdo de patriotismo radical. Si a estas alturas no puedo animar a Vallejo sólo porque se va a confundir con política nacionalista, apaga y vámonos.
Lajos said: “He is not spanish, he only lives in Spain.”
Actually, he lives in Riga, Latvia.
wow soikins thanks for pointing out something thats been mentioned a million times
Funny how everyone jumps to correct those who say Shirov is spanish. Have a look at the rest of the countries and their first ten boards. The US, for instance.
Solkings: I didn’t know he moved back.
Ricardo: We shouldn’t say false things. Shirov is a spanish citizen, but he is latvian. For example Vajda Levente is a hungarian GM, but he was born and lives in Romania. He doesn’t like to be called a romanian, but the international press doesn’t know a thing about central european people. Let’s just respect Shirov as he is: A latvian who plays under the spanish flag.
Of course, I’m not pretending otherwise. It’s just you always hear that kind of stuff with the same few players. Considering the huge amount of people playing abroad… well, it’s quite boring having to read always the same well known statements. “Shirov is not spanish”, whatever. As I said, pick the first 10 boards in the US:
1.Kamsky: Born in Siberia.
2.Nakamura: Born in Japan
3.Onischuk: Born in Ukraine
4.Shabalov: Born in Latvia
5.Seirawan: Born in Syria
6.Shulman: Born in Belarus
7.Ehlvest: Born in Estonia
8.Akobian: Born in Armenia
9.Ibragimov: Born in Rusia
10.Kaidanov: Born in Ukraine
Now, when the US team plays in the olympiads, do you hear them mention their birthplaces? Right.
They are all american citizens. There is no nation in the US, because every nations were wiped out by european serial killers, and after that, many have gone there to seek a better fortune. These chess players have gone there for the same reasons: to seek better fortune.
“Now, when the US team plays in the olympiads, do you hear them mention their birthplaces? Right.”
Good point, they should mention it. I totally agree with this.