Catching up

Because of the World Cup, we haven’t had much time and space to cover other chess news and events for a while (except for the Bundesliga of course). At this first (and only) rest day in Khanty-Mansiysk, we take the opportunity to do some catching up with a list of short news items. Something we’re considering to do more often.

Kramnik wins Chess Oscar
Vladimir Kramnik has won the Chess Oscar for the year 2006. This international chess award is organised every year by the Russian chess magazine “64″; chess experts from all over the world nominate the ten strongest players. Kramnik was handed over the bronze figurine of the “Fascinated Wanderer” after the Tal Memorial tournament in Moscow by Alexander Zhukov, President of the Russian Chess Federation. Former winners of the Chess Oscar include Larsen (the first winner, in 1967), Spassky, Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov and Anand.

Youngsters on the roll
15-year-old GM Fabiano Caruana has won the 67th Italian Championship with a 3 point margin, before Sabino Brunello and Carlos Garcia Palermo who became shared second. But even bigger news was the 14-year-old Philippine chess player Wesley So completing his third norm at the 3rd Prospero Pichay International Open, held 1-7 December in Manila. With his current rating of 2531, this means he will be elected GM at FIDE’s next meeting. From that moment So will be the youngest GM in the world, a status Parimarjan Negi from India enjoys right now.

Ramesh wins Parsvnath Commonwealth Chess Championship
This tournament took place 2-10 December 2007 in New Delhi, India. R.B. Ramesh edged out Shekhar Surya Ganguly on tie-break after both finished on 8.5/10. Vijay Kumar made many videos at this tournament.

Movsesian wins Chigorin Memorial
Sergei Movsesian won the Chigorin Memorial, which was held in St Petersburg 29 November - 9 December. He won on tiebreak after finishing shared first with Alexei Gubajdullin, with a 6.5/9 score.

Felgaer wins in Rio
Argentinian Ruben Felgaer won the Festival Internacional Cidade Maravilhosa in Rio de Janeiro, held 25 November till 3 December, with a 2701 performance. He was beaten only once, by José Fernando Cubas from Praguay, who completed his third GM norm in this tournament.