Archive for August 2nd, 2009

After World Champion Vishy Anand failed to qualify for the final of the GrenkeLeasing Rapid World Championship, Levon Aronian was clear favorite to win the title against Ian Nepomniachtchi. And indeed, the Armenian had no trouble beating his young opponent 3-1. The only surprise was how easily he seemed to do it. Anand drew his match for third place with Arkadij Naiditsch. Final report.

The ORDIX Open is a fixed date in the chess calendar for many rapid chess lovers and, this year no fewer than 694 participants made the pilgrimage to the Mainz Chess Classic. After the first five rounds, there are still eight players with a clean sheet: Grischuk, Sargissian, Meier, Mamedyarov, Naiditsch, Navara, Landa and Nielsen. Six more rounds are being played on Sunday. Illustrated report.

Remember Bobby Fischer winning US Championships – and Candidates matches – with incredible “to zero” scores? The American computer program Rybka reminded everyone of her (Rybka is female) famous human compatriot by winning the Chess960 World Championship qualifier 11.5/12. In the final Rybka beat her main rival Shredder 3:1. Congratulations to author Vasik Rajlich.

These words come from the eleven-time Chess Classic winner Vishy Anand, who failed to qualify this time for the final on Sunday. Anand had a good position in his must-win game against Ian Nepomniachtchi – Q+2P vs Q – but only managed a draw. Levon Aronian, on the other hand, beat Naiditsch to secure his place one round before the end. Aronian plays Nepomniachtchi in the final.

The Arctic Chess Challenge in Tromsø is this year’s most prestigious event in Norway. More than 35 titled players are taking part, including 13 GMs. Top seed is Polish GM Bartosz Socko, rated 2656, with three more super-GMs just below him. The tournament is truly an international open: the 118 participants hail from 26 countries, and from all parts of the world. Pictorial report.