NL JULY 2015 EUROPEAN CHESS UNION
1
President of Ireland Mr. Michael D. Higgins opens Glorney Gilbert International 2015
“....Chess is a truly global sport and as chess players you now have the gift
of a universal language that will allow you to make friendships with people
from every part of the world...”
EUROPEAN
YOUTH TEAM
CHAMPIONSHIP
2015
BAR PRESS
CONFERENCE
EUROPEAN
SCHOOLS
CHAMPIONSHIP
2015
EUROPEAN
SENIOR TEAM
CHAMPIONSHIP
2015
E U R O P E A N C H E S S U N I O N
NEWSLETTER
NL JULY 2015 EUROPEAN CHESS UNION
2
The President of Ireland Mr. Michael D. Higgins officially opened the tournament. His
Excellency, an academic, poet, writer and activist of human rights made a speech hymn for chess,
stating that "Chess is a global Sport a universal common language". During his speech, he
presented two chess books that helped him studying chess in the past.
The whole speech can be found at the official page of Irish President.
The ECU President Mr. Azmaiparashvili welcomed all the participants and delegates from
England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and thanked Irish Chess Union Chairman, Mr. Pat
Fitzsimons for the excellent organization of the tournament, claiming that the European Chess
Union will be more close to British and Irish Isles in their efforts to develop further chess in the
area. Mr. Azmaiparashvili then awarded Ireland’s player Conor O’Donnell with his FIDE master
title.
ECU President Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili made the symbolic first move before the start of the 1st
round of Glorney Gilbert International 2015. Mr. Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou, ECU Secretary
General also attended the opening ceremony and the start of the round.
Glorney Gilbert International 2015 took place from 19th to 23rd July in Johnstown House,
Enfield/Ireland. It is a team event that has been running since 1949, and has a long and varied
history.
Participating federations were England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, competing in 4
tournaments: Glorney Cup, Gilbert Cup, Robinson Cup and Stokes Cup.
Official Website-Results Opening Ceremony Video
NL JULY 2015 EUROPEAN CHESS UNION
3
Germany and Estonia win European Youth Team Championship
Teams of Germany in Boys group and Estonia in Girls group won the European Youth Team
Chess Championship 2015, which was held in Karpacz/Poland, 12-20 July, 2015.
Germany defeated Hungary 2 in the final round, and tied for the first place with the team of
Israel, but thanks to the better tie-break, Germany grabbed the gold. The third place went to
Czech Republic, who were the leaders before the penultimate round, but lost to Israel and had to
satisfy with the bronze.
Members of the winning team are:
GM Matthias Bluebaum (2589) 5.5 points
IM Jan-Christian Schroeder (2461) 5.5 points
FM Thore Perske (2410) 4 points
Vincent Keymer (2352) 4 points
Final Standings Boys
In Girls section the Estonian team was among the leaders through almost whole tournament.
They finally triumphed with 11 match points, ahead of representatives of the host, Poland 1 and
Poland 2, who got silver and bronze respectively.
WIM Mai Narva (2252, 5 points) and Margareth Olde (1948, 5.5 points) played a solid
tournament, lost only one match against Poland 1 and drew with Slovenia B in the final round,
which was enough for the title.
Final Standings Girls
The Championship was played according to the Swiss System in 7 rounds, with the time control
90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game + 30 seconds increment
per move, starting form move one. 14 teams in Boys, and 10 teams in Girls section took part in the
event. The Chief Arbiter was IA Tomasz Delega. European Chess Union was represented by the
ECU Tournament Director, Mr. Petr Pisk.
NL JULY 2015 EUROPEAN CHESS UNION
4
The Championship was organized by the Polish Chess Federation, under the auspices of the
European Chess Union, and Mr. Bronisław Komorowski, President of the Republic of Poland.
The official venue of the Championship was the Nowa Królowa Karkonoszy in Karpacz.
Official Website Video impressions
Photos by Dawid Czerwoński
St. Petersburg wins European Senior Team Championship 2015
Vienna was the Mecca of the senior chess for the past nine days, during the European Senior
Team Chess Championship 2015. The hall of the hotel Airo hosted 42 teams from 14 European
countries with total 197 chess players who competed for this prestigious title.
Sankt Petersburg showed its class from the very start of the tournament and convincingly
triumphed with 16 match points, ahead of Israel (14 MP) and Russia (13 MP). Remarkably, St.
Petersburg stays unbeaten not only as a team but also as individual players. Their perfect record
is 11 wins, 25 draws and no defeat. The women's category was won from the Russian women's
team ahead of Germany and Austria, who won silver and bronze respectively.
Strange enough, the start from St. Petersburg was not perfect. Already in the second round the
team Vienna 75+ managed to score a sensational 2:2 against the favourite. However, it remained
the only even match of the Russians until the final round.
In the 6th round, St. Petersburg defeated a direct opponent Israel with 2.5-1.5 and their serious
tournament ambitions, and the decision for the title fell in the penultimate round, in a direct duel
between St. Petersburg and the Russian National Team.
St. Petersburg won with 2.5-1.5, and the title was already in their hands. The victory point was
brought by IM Vadim Faibisovich against GM Evgeni Vasiukov on the top board.
In the final round St. Petersburg made a quick draw against Russia's women to ensure the
European title. More quickly Italy and Israel shared the points, securing the Israel team the
second place. Russia grabbed the bronze with a 3.5-0.5 victory over Eppingen.
NL JULY 2015 EUROPEAN CHESS UNION
5
The Austrian National Team finished the tournament with 12 points behind the Schachfreunde
Leipzig and Italy at the 6th place. The best result was achieved by Hans Singer who gained 7
points out of 9 games, which brought him the second prize on the 4th board. Georg Danner (5.5
/9), Kurt Petschar (5/9) and Karl Janetschek (4.5/9) completed the good team result.
The other teams from Austria made the following results: 11th Austria 2, 17th Lower Austria, 25th
Vienna 75+, 28th Styria, 29th Vienna, 31st Vorarlberg and 37th Austria women.
The oldest team, Vienna 75+, held up well and achieved balanced three victories, three draws and
three defeats. The 88-year-old Adreas Dückstein, the oldest participant of the tournament played
in the team. He scored a positive result - 4.5 points out of 8 games.
The best tournament performance was made by Vladimir Karasev from Petersburg, with a
performance of 2476. He won the individual prize on the third board. The other prizes went to
Palermo Carlos Garcia (ITA, board 1), Yuri Balashov (RUS, board 2), and Nikolai Pushkov
(Russia, Board 4).
At the closing ceremony, Mr. Dirk Jordan, the FIDE representative, praised the organizing team
around Vienna Chess President, Mr. Christian Hursky and tournament director Mr. Johann
Pöcksteiner.
"In particular, the side events offered were exemplary and highly liked by the participants," said
Mr. Jordan. Four singers and a woman pianist from Belarus provided the musical
accompaniment of the closing ceremony that will surely be long reminded by many present.
Among the prizes, the last issue of the Chess Informant, official partner of the European Chess
Union was awarded to the winners.
Official Website
Chess-Results
Photo Gallery
NL JULY 2015 EUROPEAN CHESS UNION
6
European Schools Champions for 2015 Announced
The European Schools Chess Championship 2015, organized by Turkish Chess Federation, under
the auspices of the European Chess Union and with the sponsorship of TR Promotion Fund ended
with the closing ceremony on 2nd July, 2015.
With all the results summed in the end of the championship, Turkey was the best team and
became the champion country, with 7 gold, 11 silver, 7 bronze medals, with a total of 26 medals.
Russia came second and Azerbaijan became third.
The guests at the closing ceremony were Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili, President of European Chess
Union, Mr. Kevin O'Connell, President of FIDE Chess for School Commission, Mr. Sainbayar
Tserendorj, President of Mongolian Chess Federation, Members of the Council Mr. Tshepo Sitale
(Botsvana), Mr. Christos Pilalis (Greece), Mr. Ravindra Dongre (India) and Mr. Jose Francisco
Suarez Roa (Spain) , Mr. Alexander Kostyev, President of the International School Chess Unio,
Mrs. Gulkiz Tulay, President of Turkish Chess Federation (TCF), Deputy Presidents of TCF Prof.
Dr. Yusuf Dogruer and Askın Keles, the board members of TCF Mr. Kasim Yekeler, and Halil
Ibrahim Sari, Mr. Tamer Sorgun, Deputy Director of Konya Youth Services and Sports, Mr.
Mustafa Cipan, Director of Konya Culture and Tourism, Mr. Abdi Kalan, Deputy Mayor of Meram
Municipality and Mr. Ali Kanber, Branch Director of Konya Youth Services and Sports.
After all, the national team players of 2015 TCF, Kursat Bugra Gokcek and Efe Metehan Yavuz
had a live blitz game.
Mrs. Gulkiz Tulay stated in her opening speech that Turkish Chess Federation is honoured and
proud to be hosting such an elite event. After her speech, Mrs. Tulay presented gifts and
certificate to Mr. Azmaiparashvili for the memory of the championship.
After Mrs. Tulay, Mr. Azmaiparashvili gave a speech stating that the Turkish Chess Federation
organised a perfect event and congratulated them for the prosperity of Turkish chess.
After the official part of the closing ceremony, the Chief Arbiter announced the winners! After 9
rounds of fighting, Europe got 12 School Champions in 12 different categories.
NL JULY 2015 EUROPEAN CHESS UNION
7
The Champions of the 2015 European Schools Chess Championship are as follows:
Open U7 Svetlen Ivanov (BUL) 9 points;
Girls U7 Olesia Vlasova (RUS) 8 points;
Open U9 Suleyman Suleymanli (AZE) 7.5 points;
Girls U9 WCM Olga Melenchuk (RUS) 8 points;
Open U11 Unat Can Haktan (TUR) 8 points;
Girls U11 Duran Esma Doga (TUR) 7.5 points;
Open U13 Sahin Doga Boran (TUR) 7.5 points;
Girls U13 Citak Tuana Umay (TUR) 7.5 points;
Open U15 CM Bahadir Ozen (TUR) 7 points;
Girls U15 WFM Alexandra Obolentseva (RUS) 7.5 points;
Open U17 CM Siar Yaran (TUR) 7.5 points;
Girls U17 Buket Tandogan (TUR) 7 points.
The European Schools Chess Championship was held in Hotel Rixos in Konya from 24th June till
2nd July 2015, where 666 players from 12 countries (Russia, Azerbaijan, England, Bulgaria,
Denmark, Romania, Albenia, Finland, Georgia, Moldova, Spain and Turkey) competed for the
titles.
Official Website
NL JULY 2015 EUROPEAN CHESS UNION
8
ECU NEWS Press conference on the occasion of the first ECU congress in Bar In the beginning October, Bar will be the chess capital of Europe. 7-11 October, 2015 the First
ECU Congress will be held. On this occasion, a press conference was held on 15th July, 2015 in
Bar/Montenegro in the hotel Princess.
At the press conference the audience was addressed by Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili, President of
the European Chess Union, Mariya Muzychuk, Women’s World Chess Champion, Dr. Zoran
Srzentić, President of Bar Municipality, Mr. Branimir Ivanović, representative of the Directorate
of Youth and Sport in the Government of Montenegro, Mr. Veselin Drasković, Vice president of
Montenegro Chess Federation.
The moderator of the press conference was Mr. Milan Vujović, a well-known journalist and chess
players from Bar. The conference was very well attended, and among the present were famous
Montenegrin chess players Bozidar Ivanović, Dr. Ljubo Zivković, Momo Vuković, etc.
On behalf of the city host, the audience was greeted by Dr. Zoran Srzentić, and after him by Mr.
Branimir Ivanović.
The audience was then addressed by the President of the ECU, Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili who
recalled that this is not the first time he is staying in Bar. In December last year he was a guest of
the Montenegro Chess Federation for the first time, and he was fascinated with the city of Bar,
which was a good starting point for what will follow soon, and that is the organization of the First
ECU Congress.
As pointed out, the Congress will bring together all the relevant chess institutions in Europe, and
it will be an opportunity to discuss the important issues for the future of chess. Mr.
Azmaiparashvili emphasized the excellent cooperation with Montenegro Chess Federation, which
operates in the same manner as the ECU - simple and transparent.
NL JULY 2015 EUROPEAN CHESS UNION
9
Special guests of Montenegro Chess Federation at the press conference were sisters Mariya and
Anna Muzychuk, of whom Mariya is the current Women’s World Chess Champion, and Anna is
the World Champion in Rapid chess. Mariya said she was delighted with the visit and with the
fact that many young people want to be engaged in chess.
Vice president of MCF Mr. Veselin Drasković announced ambitious plans for the future. He said
that this is only the beginning of what the new management of the federation wants to accomplish
in the future.
After the press conference, the chess exhibition in rapid chess took place, in which besides the
guests, the Montenegro team members and well-known chess players participated.
Notice for European Youth Chess Championship 2015
Organizers of the European Youth Chess Championship 2015 in Porec/Croatia notified that they
have changed the contact data from the regulations.
The new updated contact for any questions or information is as shown below:
Croatian Chess Federation
Phone / Fax: +385 1 301 2352
Contact person: Ivan Mandekic
Mobile: +385 98491226
Official Invitation for the Championship can be found at the ECU website or here.
NL JULY 2015 EUROPEAN CHESS UNION
10
FUN ZONE July Fun Zone is reserved for the interesting chess problems from 1915 by various authors.
The first position was composed by A. Pulyan. White to play and win
The second diagram shows the position composed by H. Adamson. White to play and draw.
The author of the third position is A. Daniel. White to play and draw.
The fourth diagram is composed by G. Carpenter. White to play and win
NL JULY 2015 EUROPEAN CHESS UNION
11
Solutions from the NL June 2015:
Grischuk, A. (2781) vs. Topalov, V. (2798)
3rd Norway Chess 2015 | Stavanger NOR | Round 6 | 22 Jun 2015 | 0-1
17… g5!
18. Qd4 (18. Nd3 Qxb5) Ncd7 19. Qxb6 (19. Nh3 axb5 20. Qxb6 Nxb6) Nxb6 20. Nc7 (20.
Nxd6 gxf4 21. Rfc1 Bd7) 20... Ra7 21. Nb5 Re7 22. Nxd6 gxf4 23. Bxa6 Rd8 24. Bxc8 Rxd6
25. Bf5 Nbd7 26. g3 fxg3 27. Rg1 Kf8 28. Rxg3 Nc5 29. Bh3 Re8 30. Rb1 Nh5 31. Rg5 Nf4
32. Bf1 Ra8 33. Bc4 Ra2 34. Rg4 Rh6 35. h4 Nfd3 36. Rg2 Rxh4+ 37. Kg1 Ra7 38. d6 Rh6
39. Rh2 Rxd6 0-1
Anand, V. (2804) vs. Vachier Lagrave, M. (2723)
3rd Norway Chess 2015 | Stavanger NOR | Round 6 | 22 Jun 2015 | 1-0
19. Bxh6! gxh6 20. Qxh6 d5 21. g5! Qxg3 22. Rd3 Nh5 23. g6! fxg6 24. fxg6 Rxf1+ 25. Bxf1
Nf6 26. Rxg3 dxe4 27. Be2 e3+ 28. Kg1 Bc5 29. Kf1 1-0
Aronian, L. (2780) vs. Nakamura, Hi (2802)
3rd Norway Chess 2015 | Stavanger NOR | Round 9 | 25 Jun 2015 | 0-1
20… Qh5! Black plays for weak light squares 21. Qe2 Ne5 22. Qxh5 Nd3+ 23. Ke2 (23. Kf1
Rxh5 24. Rc2 Bxe3!) 23... Nxc1+ 24. Rxc1 Rxh5 Black wins an exchange, and the rest is a
technical matter.
25. g4 Re5 26. Rg1 Re8 27. Rg3 Bd4! 28. Na4 Bxb2 29. Nxb2 Red8 30. Nc4 Rc6 31. Ne5
Rc2+ 32. Ke1 f6 33. Nf3 Rh8 34. g5 Ra2 35. Nd4 Rxa3 36. Ne6 Ra1+ 37. Ke2 Rh1 38. gxf6
gxf6 39. Nf4 b6 40. Nxh3 Rb1 0-1
Carlsen, M. (2876) vs. Grischuk, A. (2781)
3rd Norway Chess 2015 | Stavanger NOR | Round 5 | 21 Jun 2015 | 1-0
30. Bd5! Missed by Grischuk
30... Qc8 31. Qb3 Be8 32. Qc3 White wins a pawn, but it is still not clear if the ending is
winning or not
32... c4 33. Bxc4 Bd7 34. Qb3 Qe8 35. Qf3 Kf8 36. h5 Kg8 37. Qe4 Bc6 38. Bd5 Bd7 39.
Kg2 Kh8 40. f4 exf4? Loses instantly 41. Qxe8+ Bxe8 42. Bxf7! Bc6+ 43. Kf2 fxg3+ 44.
Kxg3 Bd7 45. Bg6 1-0
NL JULY 2015 EUROPEAN CHESS UNION
12
They told about chess…
“You may learn much more from a game you lose than from a game
you win! “
Jose Raul Capablanca, Cuban chess player and the 3rd World chess
Champion, considered one of the greatest players of all time, and
renowned for his exceptional endgame skill and speed of play.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN AUGUST
ECU EVENTS
EUROPEAN AMATEUR CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2015
The European Amateur Chess Championship will be held in Kaunas, Lithuania, from August 8
(day of arrival) through August 17 (day of departure) 2015. The tournament will be held in the
Palace of Army Officers (Mickeviciaus str. 19, Kaunas, Lithuania).
The official accommodating hotels will be Daniela Hotel (4*) and
Kaunas Hotel (4*).
The Championship is open to all players representing Chess
Federations, which comprise the European Chess Union (FIDE
zones 1.1 to 1.10), who have no FIDE title above CM or WCM, and
no FIDE rating above 2000 at the start of the tournament (9
August 2015), nor have had such a rating for at least two years
prior to the start of the event (that is 9 August 2013 and on). There is no limit of the number of
participants per federation. A separate championship for women shall be organized if there are at
least nine entries for this championship.
The tournament will be played according to the Swiss system in 9 rounds,with the rate of play 90
minutes for 40 moves followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30
seconds per move, starting from move one.
The winner of the championship receives the title “European Amateur Chess Champion 2015″. If a
separate championship for women is held, the winner of this championship receives the title
„European Women Amateur Chess Champion 2015″. The players taking the first three places in
NL JULY 2015 EUROPEAN CHESS UNION
13
each championship will be awarded with cups and medals. The total prize fund of the
Championship is 4 000 EUR.
Official Website
EUROPEAN EVENTS
HZ CHESS TOURNAMENT 2015
1 - 8 August Vlissingen/Netherlands Official Website
SWISS CHESS OPEN 2015
3 - 9 August Kriens /Switzerland Official Website
ARAD CHESS OPEN 2015
6 - 12 August
Arad/Romania Official Website
SPLIT OPEN 2015 9 - 16
August Split/Croatia Official Website
RIGA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OPEN
10 - 16 August
Riga/Latvia Official Website
VIENNA CHESS OPEN 2015
15 - 23 August
Vienna/Austria Official Website
AKIBA RUBINSTEIN MEMORIAL
21 - 30 August
Polanica Zdrój/Poland Official Website
17TH OPEN DE SANTS 21 - 30 August
Barcelona/Spain Official Website
