International Round Up 22/03/10

[LozCooper]

International Round Up 22/03/10

Bundesliga 2009/10
http://www.schachbundesliga.de/ligen/ru ... u=inactive
http://www.schachbundesliga.de/ligen/ru ... u=inactive

Luke McShane, Stewart Haslinger and Stephen Gordon were all in action in rounds 12 and 13; Luke for Werder Bremen and Stewart and Stephen for SG Trier.
Stewart and Stephen both scored 1.5/2 playing on boards 3 and 4 respectively whilst Luke drew with GM Alexander Motylev rated 2715 and defeated GM Vladimir Chuchelov rated 2598 on board 2. Interestingly, Luke played on a higher board for his team than GMs rated 2717,2654, 2658 and 2667!
The league is set for an interesting climax on April 10th and 11th with Baden Baden ahead of Solingen on game points on 24 match points out of 26 whilst Werder Bremen lie third on 23. As Baden Baden have a massive lead on game points then two match wins will secure them the title. As Bremen and Solingen are still to play second place may prove to be the most difficult to predict. SG Trier are comfortably placed in mid table on 12 points out of 26.

Uxbridge Congress : 19th - 21st March 2010
http://www.e2e4.org.uk/uxbridge/Mar2010/index.htm

Congratulations to IM Jovanka Houska won the FIDE rated open with 4.5/5 with GM Keith Arkell, FM Anders Livnar and David Coates finishing 2nd= on 4/5. Felix Ynojosa also impressed, finishing with a 2271 performance and only lost to Jovanka but drew with FM Jovica Radovanovic whilst Andrew Talbot performed at 2339 also losing to Jovanka and drawing with Jovica.

Nicholas Savage of Ipswich won the FIDE rated major with 4.5/5 ahead of Jamie Adcock of Reading on 4. Phil Foley of Upminster won the Minor with 4.5/5 ahead of John MacDonald and David Grange on 4.

World Amateur
http://www.worldchesschamps.com/world-amateur/pairings/

Duncan Harwood is the only English representative and is currently on 4.5/5. The event is being held in Skokie, Illinois in the U.S.A. Entry is restricted to players rated below 2000 and there is a $20000 prize fund with a first prize of $3000. David Sedgwick is an arbiter at the event, having replaced Stewart Reuben at short notice.

In addition to the individual websites the latest international chess news can be found at the following link:
http://www.chesscenter.com/twic/twic802.html

Lawrence Cooper
Director of International Chess
English Chess Federation 22/03/10

[David Sedgwick]

World Amateur
http://www.worldchesschamps.com/world-amateur/pairings/

Duncan Harwood is the only English representative and is currently on 4.5/5. The event is being held in Skokie, Illinois in the U.S.A. Entry is restricted to players rated below 2000 and there is a $20000 prize fund with a first prize of $3000. David Sedgwick is an arbiter at the event, having replaced Stewart Reuben at short notice.

I'm conducting the accompanying FIDE Arbiters' Seminar, but I'm not actually arbiting at the event itself. Hence I'm at liberty to post the following paragraph.

Duncan Harwood has played some terrific stuff and has made a great start. Let's hope he can keep it up! I'm about to go and watch the start of his Round 6 game.

Later: I should have kept quiet. Duncan lost, sadly.

[Alex Holowczak]

Also, Bianca Jeremias of Portugal is on 3.5/5. This is only of interest because she attends Birmingham University - indeed, when we played them last month, she won 2-0 for Birmingham on Board 2...