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To kick off the traditional "ZMD Open" (previously known as the Dresden Open) the organisers staged a beautiful event in spectacular surroundings. A squad of young chess players took on opponents from very distant places on the planet. |
The opening ceremony was held in the beautiful
Schloss Albrechtsberg in Dresden.
The new name, "ZMD Open", comes from the successful German microelectronic specialist ZMD, who produce cutting edge integrated analog and mixed-signal chips. The head office is in Dresden and who have shown a lot of commitment for chess in Saxony (see multimedia report in CBM 83 Extra). The immediate result for the players: there will be an unprecedented prize fund of over € 26,000 (€ 4000 for the winner) at the ZMD Open.
The president of the chess federation, the organiser (Dr. Dirk Jordan), the
main
sponsor (Thilo von Selchow) and the Major of Dresden in Castle Albrechtsberg.
Impression from the outside and the inside of the castle right, the
royal bathroom
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Chess and political prominence, GMs and young players, during the opening ceremony in the castle
Three German champions, all from the chess school of Dresden, played against similarly aged opponents of equal strength located all over the world. One was unfortunately missing: the under 18 women's champion Tina Miezner missed her plan from Paris (where she way playing a tournament) and could not make it in time for the event. The other three had a great time, playing on the Fritz server
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Maria Schöne, the U16 champion |
The public watches the action on projection screens |
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Evgenia Smirina, U14 champion |
Elena Winkelmann, the U12 champ |
The opponents were located in other parts of the globe. One was Silvana Hidalgo, invited to Ajedrez Siglo 21 club by Gustavo Albarrán. Silvana is 12, and in 2001 she becam Argentinean U12 Champion Panamerican U12 vice champion. This year she started to compete in U14 category and came third at the Argentinean championship U14 and 5tth at the Panamerican U14 Championship. Her game against Sylvia Schöne is described on the Ajedres Siglo site.
Silvana Hidalgo in Buenos Aires during the game against Sylvia Schöne
The youngest player, Elena Winkelmann, took on Courtney Casey Lacrimosa, who is also 11 and has an OTB rating of over 1200 USCF. Courtney recently beat a 1900 rated player in a 30 minute game. Her father, Leopold Lacrimosa, is in charge of the Chess Emporium in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Courtney from Phoenix, Arizona |
Elena from Dresden, Germany |
A report on their match appeared in the Arizona
Republic
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Germany's top female player Elisabeth Pähtz receives an honorary award |
and the three younger champions recieve theirs for their winning the titles in their age categories. |
The main sponsor Thilo von Selchow and main organisor Dr Dirk Jordan
ChessBase, with Frederic Friedel (middle) doing its bit as the equipment
sponsor
| Simultaneous display by GM Wolfgang Uhlmann |
and Elisabeth Pähtz |
| Frederic Friedel trying his hand on Elisabeth's guitarre |
Dresden at night |
