 World Chess Cup 2007
 The World Chess Cup will take place from Nov 24 to Dec 17 in
Khanty-Mansiysk, a pleasant Russian resort belonging to the
autonomous region of Okrug. The town is no stranger to the chess scene,
being the home of the 2005 World Cup, and venue to the 2010 Chess Olympiad.
The 128 players qualified for the World Cup will play a Knockout System: 2 games and tiebreaks if needed. The final round will be played over 4 games and tiebreaks if needed. Time control is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, plus 30 minutes to finish, with an increment of 30 seconds since move 1.
Total prize fund is 1,600,000 US Dollars. The winner will get 120,000 USD.
The winner of the 2007 World Cup will go on to play GM Veselin Topalov in 2008.
The winner of that match will play, in 2009, the winner of the 2008 match between
Viswanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik.
ICC will have live, daily coverage starting at 5am ICC time - 11am CET - 3pm local time. Visit ICC or the official web site.
TOP-10 Round 1.1 | Saturday, Nov. 24 | 05:00 EST
| N |
FED |
FIDE |
NAME |
RES |
NAME |
FIDE |
FED |
| 1 |
UKR |
2787 |
Ivanchuk |
- |
Aderito |
2352 |
ANG |
| 2 |
AZE |
2752 |
Mamedyarov |
- |
Abdel |
2389 |
EGY |
| 3 |
AZE |
2742 |
Radjabov |
- |
Genba, |
2413 |
RUS |
| 4 |
ARM |
2741 |
Aronian |
- |
Hobaica |
2427 |
ARG |
| 5 |
ESP |
2739 |
Shirov |
- |
Gwaze |
2429 |
ZIM |
| 6 |
RUS |
2732 |
Svidler |
- |
Iturrizaga |
2435 |
VEN |
| 7 |
ENG |
2729 |
Adams |
- |
Zugic |
2477 |
CAN |
| 8 |
RUS |
2716 |
Alekseev |
- |
Ismagambetov |
2480 |
KAZ |
| 9 |
RUS |
2715 |
Grischuk |
- |
Lima |
2487 |
BRA |
| 10 |
NOR |
2714 |
Carlsen |
- |
Zhao |
2491 |
AUS |
|
US PLAYERS
| N |
FED |
FIDE |
NAME |
RES |
NAME |
FIDE |
FED |
| 11 |
USA |
2714 |
Kamsky |
- |
Adly |
2494 |
EGY |
| 28 |
USA |
2674 |
Onischuk |
- |
Abdel |
2389 |
EGY |
| 36 |
USA |
2563 |
Kudrin |
- |
Vallejo Pons |
2660 |
ESP |
| 38 |
USA |
2565 |
Ivanov |
- |
Navara |
2656 |
CZE |
| 41 |
USA |
2568 |
Becerra Rivero |
- |
Bareev |
2653 |
RUS |
| 49 |
USA |
2585 |
Akobian |
- |
Roiz |
2644 |
ISR |
| 58 |
USA |
2597 |
Kaidanov |
- |
Gurevich |
2627 |
TUR |
| 59 |
USA |
2626 |
Shabalov |
- |
Pavasovic |
2597 |
SLO |
| 60 |
USA |
2616 |
Shulman |
- |
Leitao |
2601 |
BRA |
|
Gibtelecom '08 ICC Qualifier
There must be something in the name after all. The young Armenian with the famous namesake, Tigran L. Petrosian, proved yet again he's one of the top dogs on ICC after winning his second major online qualifier of the year. Petrosian, who beat Gata Kamsky earlier in the year to win the Mainz qualifier, this time beat GM Gadir Guseniov to win an all-expenses paid trip to the Gibtelecom Master in Gibraltar, coming up in January 2008.
 Petrosian was the top seed in the 16-player final, and along the way he beat the young Australian hopeful Max Illingworth, titled players Viktor Komliakov and Safarli Eltaj, before winning the title with a convincing 3.5-0.5 victory over Guseniov.
- GM Tigran L. Petrosian. trip to Gibraltar tournament.
- GM Gadir Guseinov. $400 USA.
- IM Safarli Eltaj and GM Zaven Andriasyan. $150 USA.
Out of a total entry of 1,560 players taking part in 4 qualifiers, 15 players won through from three ICC qualifiers and one player from World Chess Live (WCL - ICC's sister server) to contest the finals. The full 16-player lineup for the finals (with their handles) was:
Qualifier 1: olimpus (IM Axel Bachmann), B-Savchenko (GM Boris Savchenko), Vanych (GM Viktor Komliakov), KRASAVCHIK (IM Safarli Eltaj) and Kgt1 (IM Gaby Livshitz);
Qualifier 2: Franchesko (GM Rauf Mamedov), VerdeNotte (GM Gawain Jones), mightymax (Max Illingworth), TRADE (IM Krikor Sevag Mekhitarian) and Imperator15 (IM Yuri Vovk);
Qualifier 3: GGuseinov (GM Gadir Guseinov), ZavenGrozny (GM Zaven Andriasyan), TIGRANO (GM Tigran Petrosian), Igrok (GM Alexey Dreev) and hernandez (GM Gilberto Hernandez). WCL: Gasa (IM Dragan Stamenkovic)
Tal Memorial 2007
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Vladimir Kramnik turned in a true tour de force performance at the Tal Memorial in Moscow, as the Russian No.1 and former world champion was back to his best to clinch the title with a round to spare.
The quality of his technique was on an entirely different level from the rest of the elite field. He’s obviously fit again after his illness scare of a couple of years ago, and his triumph in Moscow was more like the Kramnik of old as he obliterated the opposition with an undefeated score of 6.5/9, a full point and a half ahead of his nearest pursuer, Alexei Shirov of Spain.
And, with 10 of the word’s top 20 players in the field, his margin of victory and rating performance of 2901 is almost as remarkable as Indian rival Vishy Anand’s recent accomplishments in capturing the world title in Mexico. It all bodes well for what could be an epic encounter next year between the two rivals for the crown.
Game of the Day: Round 9
Ivanchuk vs Kramnik
Game of the Day Videos:
As a special treat for non-members, ICC have made all of Larry Christiansen's Game of the Day videos from the Tal Memorial free so you can see one the many benefits of becoming an ICC member. These instructive, 30 min+ videos giving Larry's spin on the best game of each round can be found by clicking here.
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Crosstable
| N |
FLAG |
NAME |
FED |
FIDE |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
0 |
PTS |
| 1 |
|
Kramnik |
RUS |
2785 |
|
1 |
½ |
½ |
½ |
1 |
½ |
½ |
1 |
1 |
6½ |
| 2 |
 |
Shirov |
ESP |
2739 |
0 |
|
½ |
1 |
½ |
0 |
½ |
1 |
½ |
1 |
5 |
| 3 |
 |
Gelfand |
ISR |
2736 |
½ |
½ |
|
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
4½ |
| 4 |
 |
Carlsen |
NOR |
2714 |
½ |
0 |
½ |
|
1 |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
4½ |
| 5 |
|
Jakovenko |
RUS |
2710 |
½ |
½ |
½ |
0 |
|
½ |
½ |
1 |
½ |
½ |
4½ |
| 6 |
 |
Lékó |
HUN |
2755 |
0 |
1 |
½ |
½ |
½ |
|
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
4½ |
| 7 |
 |
Ivanchuk |
UKR |
2787 |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
|
½ |
0 |
½ |
4 |
| 8 |
 |
Kamsky |
USA |
2714 |
½ |
0 |
½ |
½ |
0 |
½ |
½ |
|
1 |
½ |
4 |
| 9 |
 |
Mamedyarov |
AZE |
2752 |
0 |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
1 |
0 |
|
½ |
4 |
| 10 |
|
Alekseev |
RUS |
2716 |
0 |
0 |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
|
3½ |
|
2007 World Blitz Championship
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There was high drama at the World Blitz Championship in Moscow, held immediately after the Tal Memorial in the same venue, as fan favorite Vassily Ivanchuk took the title.
Ivanchuk led the star-studded field going into the second day, only to discover Viswanathan Anand, closing the gap dramatically in the final rounds. The world No's 1 and 2 were tied for first going into the final, 38th round and had to play each other with the title at stake. At one point Anand was completely winning in their game, but fortunes can change quickly in blitz, and a costly mistake from Anand gave the game and with it the title to Ivanchuk.
Ivanchuk finished first with 25.5 points while Anand finished with 24.5 points. Last year's champion Alexander Grischuk and Gata Kamsky finished tied for 3rd and 4th with 23.5 points, and in a distant 5th through 7th was Vladimir Kramnik, Peter Leko, and Sergei Rublevsky on 21.5 points.
View the full standings.
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Let's Have a Party!
ICC will be holding a special European Party for its members on the evening of Monday, 3 December with its Spanish partners, CET, at the top Barcelona nightclub, Luz de Gas. And this will be no ordinary party, because Judit Polgar will also be on-hand to play a 10 board simul; one of which was awarded last week as a prize on ICC!
All ICC members are welcome to join us in Barcelona for free entry to ICC European Party. For further details or to book your ticket, contact us.
US Chess League 2007
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USCL Championship the US Chess League
 USCL Championship - Wednesday November 28th
1. Boston Blitz vs Dallas Destiny: 20:00 EST
The Lineups are set for the USCL Final!
There were no big surprises in the lineups for the USCL Championship, as Boston and Dallas are using the lineups that have given them the most success during the season. This is the first USCL Final for both of these teams, and in a very surprising stat, Boston is hoping to become the first team to win the Championship with a GM on the roster. In fact only three out of twelve teams don't have a GM on the roster in 2007, yet one of them is in the Final! We will be treated to a few great matchups between players who are very likely to make the all star team.
Board 1 - IM Drasko Boskovic vs GM Larry Christiansen: Boskovic is coming off a fantastic win against GM Julio Becerra, earning him the game of the week award. He will need to conjure up more of this magic to beat Christiansen. Christiansen has played a very strong field this season, winning two games and drawing the rest, and will actually be facing his lowest rated opponent of the season in Boskovic.
Board 2 - SM Jorge Sammour Hasbun vs IM Davorin Kuljasevic: Both of these players are playing ridiculously well in 2007. Jorge has an amazing 5.5/6 score so far, while Davorin has an even better score at 6.5/7. These two are clearly the front runners for the first spot on the 2nd Board All Star Team, and this game may decide who receives this honor. It should be an action packed match between two lightning hot opponents. Read an interview with IM Kuljasevic.
Board 3 - IM Jacek Stopa vs NM Denys Shmelov: We have another matchup of potential all stars on Board 3, with the winner of this game having a good shot to make the first team for Board 3. Stopa was the on the 1st All Star team in 2006 for Board 2, and was able to drop down to Board 3 this season. Needless to say he's doing very well, with a record of three wins and two draws. Shmelov has been performing very well as well, going through the regular season undefeated, and suffering his only loss to IM Jay Bonin in the Semifinal match.
Board 4 - NM Chris Williams vs WFM Bayaraa Zorigt: Williams has been awesome in 2007, with a record of 6 wins and 2 losses. Zorigt has had an up and down season with an even record for the year. The numbers say that Williams has the edge, but Zorigt has faced and defeated many higher rated players than Williams in her career and Dallas fans are hoping that she can do it again. Watch Chris Williams celebrate after Boston's Semifinal victory.
Tune into the ICC on Wednesday, Novemeber 28th at 8:00 PM to watch all the action from the final live! ICC Chess.FM will also have live commentary for the finals!
Click here to see the lineups for the Championship Match.
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Attack with LarryC!
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New at ICC Chess.FM -Attack With LarryC! A weekly 30 min+ show on Wednesdays at 15:00 EST (and available on-demand thereafter for members), featuring three-time U.S. Champion Larry Christiansen, one of the most dangerous and respected attacking players of his generation.
Larry is a feared competitor and attacker who authored two popular books that showcase his aggressive style: Storming the Barricades and Rocking the Ramparts. And each week on his show, Larry will feature various attacking motifs and themes and showing you how best to play for mate.
As a special treat to non-members this week, we're making Larry's first show free to view - so click "Play Video" to listen now! This video is just one of the many benefits of being a member of ICC - so sign up for membership now!
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GM Joel Benjamin "Game of the Week"
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Game of the Week
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New on ICC Chess.FM! Three-time U.S. Champion GM Joel Benjamin starts
his weekly show every Friday at 15:00 Server Time. Click "Play Video"
for a free 5 minute preview of Joel's latest show. To listen to the
full show, sign up for membership!
Joel is regarded by many as one of the best commentators and
analysts' we have in the game today, and each Friday he will be
giving us his insight and spin with his selection of Game of the Week.
This is a not-to-be-missed 30-minute video is exclusively for ICC
members only -- so if you want to get ahead of the game, get ready to
tune-in! By popular demand and requests from members, ALL of Joel
Benjamin's GOTW videos are available. Enjoy!
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"Chess Talk" with IM John Watson
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Tune-in for Chess Talk with IM John Watson on ICC Chess.FM. John's weekly 60+ minute show (members only) will feature an interview with leading chess personalities. Click "Play Video" for a free 5 minute preview of John's latest show. To listen to the full show, sign up for membership!
John's guest this week (Tue., 20 Nov.) will be acclaimed English author and trainer GM Tony Kosten. Tony has lived in the South of France for many years now and so respected in his adopted country that he has been appointed trainer to the French national team.
As an author, he has made a name for himself by writing with clarity, objectivity and pragmatism, notably with best selling titles such as The Dynamic English, Mastering the Nimzo-Indian, Winning with the Philidor, Easy Guide to the Najdorf and The Latvian Gambit Lives!; a book a reviewer once famously said gave him a sense of "a brilliant lawyer arguing for an obviously guilty client."
Next week (Nov. 27), John's guest will be GM Larry Christiansen.
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Ask the Renaissance Man |
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Tune-in for "Ask the Renaissance Man" with National Master Dan Heisman every Thursday at 21:00 EST. You send in the questions and Dan provides the answers every week on his Q&A show. Questions on tournament rules, opening play, chess books, chess politics, current events, and more!
Click "Play Video" for a free 5 minute preview of Dan's latest show. To listen to the full show, sign up for membership!
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 Marathon Prize Winners!
 The top 3 finishers with the most points at the end of the marathon won the following prizes:
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1st place - 2 month ICC extension!
- 2nd & 3rd places - 1 month extension.
And now the winners:
U1600 Blitz:
- 1st -therev1957.
- 2nd & 3rd - ilmari, Big-H.
O1600 Blitz:
- 1st - Tetsujin.
- 2nd & 3rd - akdog3, mika53.
U1800 Bullet:
- 1st - RoyHalladay.
- 2nd & 3rd - outbacker5, Wreckmaster.
O1800 Bullet:
- 1st - damir1813.
- 2nd & 3rd - olegsfo, Spacefrog.
Standard:
- 1st - akibael.
- 2nd & 3rd - trikmamek, TerryMalloy.
Congratulations to all our November prize winners!
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 Tourney Tip of the Week:
Leaving a tourney:
Every now and then, it's unavoidable that a player needs to leave a tourney they've entered. While we encourage players to remain if at all possible, if you must leave you can do so with the command “tell <bot>” leave. For example, if you were playing in the Scheduled Fischer Random on a Tuesday evening and absolutely had to go, you could type "tell Wildone leave". You will then be removed from the tourney.
Please don't simply disconnect, because then the manager is left wondering whether you will return or whether they should forfeit you.
The proper etiquette is to simply use the “tell <bot> leave” command.
*Be Warned* -- you will receive dr points!
 Wild Championships - Twice the Fun!
From Dec 14th-19th, ICC will host Qualifiers for both the wild 16 (“help kriegspiel”) and the wild 22 (“help chess960”) championships! The wild 16 will be 1 0 time control with each qualifier a 12 round swiss tourn. The wild 22 will be 4 2 time control and 7 rounds of swiss action. In each case, the top 3 finishers from each qualifier will advance to the finals, plus the next 4 best finishers in the series of qualifiers who didn't otherwise advance. It's going to be a great time, so check out the schedule
LittlePeasant (GM) Challenge! Have you ever played a GM in bullet chess? Well, here's your chance to take on one of the best! LittlePeasant (ICC best of 2638 in bullet) is ready to take your best shot. Every Thursday at 15:00 server time, he joins a 9 round 1 0 swiss tournament in flash designed for only one purpose: to give you a chance to play a GM! Don't miss out on your opportunity… see you Thursday!
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Gambiteer II - Nigel Davies
Are you fearless in your approach to chess openings? Are you happy to take calculated risks? Do you loathe trivial positional chess? Do you feel the need to sacrifice pawns early in the game? Are you a Gambiteer? If the answer to these questions is ‘yes!’ then this is the book for you!
Read
more
Price $22.95 - Buy
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Treasure Chess: Trivia, Quotes, Puzzles, and Lore from the World's Oldest Game - Pandolfini
A book for all who appreciate the game of chess–no matter what age or skill level. This book is filled with history, lore, trivia, quotes, and puzzles that celebrate the wonderful game of chess.
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more
Price $18.95 - Buy
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New In Chess Yearbook 84 - Soft Cover Edition
Contains 33 surveys.
Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 - SI 14.8 – Anka
Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation 6.Be3 e5 7.Nf3 - SI 14.8 - Kolev
Sicilian Defence - Rauzer Variation 6...Bd7 - SI 27.5 - Galkin
Sicilian Defence - Rossolimo Variation 4...Qc7 - SI 31.9 - Kolev
Sicilian Defence - Taimanov Variation 6.Nc6 - SI 39.12 - Langeweg
and more...
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Price $27.95 - Buy
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Chess Success: Planning after the Opening - Neil McDonald
Every player has encountered problems once the opening phase of the game has ended. Renowned chess author Neil McDonald guides you through a selection of over 40 recent instructive and entertaining Grandmaster games, all of which illustrate how sound planning and a clear head can help you through that crucial post-opening phase.
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Price $20.95 - Buy
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Fabulous Budapest Gambit - Viktor Moskalenko
The Budapest Gambit is popular with club and internet chess players all over the world, and it is easy to see why. It has surprise value, it’s not hard to learn, and it leads to sharp and dynamic play from the very start of the game.
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Price $23.95
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Grass Arena, The - John Healy
John Healy is an extraordinary, exceptionally gifted and truly inspirational human being and one of the most subversive, unique and compelling writers of the last twenty years. Despite the brutality of John's life (which is well documented in The Grass Arena) he overcame heroically all obstacles and achieved remarkable, indeed phenomenal expertise in both writing and Chess
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