The Rilton Cup is Sweden's biggest and most famous international chess tournament.
It was originally initiated by a donation from a doctor, Tore Rilton, and since
1985 the tournament is financially secure. A special challenge prize, donated
by SEB Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, is the Rilton-medal in genuine gold. The
tournament has over the years been very helpful for talented Swedish juniors.
This year the Rilton tournament is part of the 100th
anniversary celebrations of the 1912 Stockholm Summer Olympics. Every Rilton
participant will receive a copy of the medal that the Olympic medal winners
received in 1912.
The Rilton Cup is being held as a a nine-round FIDE Swiss from December 27,
2012 to January 5, 2013 (Dec. 31 is a free day), at the Clarion Hotel Stockholm,
Ringvägen 98, Stockholm. The event is open for players with a FIDE or national
rating of at least 2200, with exemptions granted to players who applied before
November 15th, and priority given to juniors. Time controls as 40 moves in 90
minutes, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment
of 30 seconds per move from move one. Prizes range from 20,000 SEK for first
to 3,000 SEK for tenth (one SEK is 12 Euro cents, or 15 US cents). There are
also prizes of 1,000-3,000 SEK for the different rating groups.
Standings after four rounds
Stockholm on New Year's Eve 2012-2013
The city consists of fourteen islands that are part of the Stockholm archipelago
The narrow streets of the old city are covered in snow
You can occasionally spot a Swedish gnome or Tomte protecting the houses
The Tomte is a small creature living in and around houses and sheds on Swedish
farms. If you are wise you will show him "due respect", and he will
protect the household from accidents and disasters. But he will play tricks
on you if you annoy him, so watch out!
The playing hall in the Clarion Hotel Stockholm
Unusual at chess tournaments: players with medical face masks
Fear of common cold, flu or the dreaded norovirus? Russian GM Evgeny Gleizerov
Fearless: Polish GM Michal Krasenkow, who leads after four rounds with
4.0/4 points
In second place with 3.5/4 points: Russian GM Aleksandr Shimanov (right) playing...
... Polish GM Monika Socko, one of the top female players
At 2516 top Swedish (and tournament) female GM Pia Cramling
Top seed at Rilton 2012: Ilya Smirin of Israel with 3.0/4 points
All pictures by Alina L'Ami
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