2015 Russian Higher League: Sapere Aude!

"Sapere Aude! Have the courage to use your own intelligence!" - Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)

The competition brings all the biggest names in Russian chess who are not yet qualified for the SuperFinal, and is held over nine rounds played at 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game with a 30-second increment as of move one. The zero tolerance rule has been waived and there is a 15-minute window for players arriving late. Also, to promote over-the-board fighting, draw offers are not allowed before 40 moves have been played. There are two events held, the women’s and the men’s.

In the men’s section, at the top of the starting list are Vladimir Malakhov (2699), Maxim Matlakov (2696), Ernesto Inarkiev (2668), winner of the Moscow Open, Evgeny Najer, the 2015 European Champion, and juniors Vladimir Fedoseev, Daniil Dubov, Sana Sjugirov, and Vladislav Artemiev to name but a few.

Alexander Shimanov and Vladimir Fedoseyev

Maxim Chigaev and Vladislav Artemiev

Olga Girya, already qualified for the Russian Women's Superfinal, plays in the men's Higher League

In general, participating in the Higher League helps expand horizons, since this tournament is always held in very interesting cities that are far from Russia’s center. Whereas last year's participants played in the eastern most part of the country, now we moved due west.

In Kaliningrad the tournament brought several positive innovations: for example, the prize fund was significantly increased and there was also the international "Chess in museums" program, which the RCF implemented jointly with the Elena and Gennady Timchenko Charity Foundation. In fact, this also formed the basis of the opening ceremony, which was highly original, and certainly must have taken considerable effort to set up. It took place in the fortifications of "Fort number 5", which is a museum of the Great Patriotic War. 

Fort number 5

This was more than a historic location to visit, it was the location of the opening ceremony

The old fort is now a site for visitors to reminisce and understand the past

The visitors were served by an army field kitchen, very much in the spirit of the location

Guests had the opportunity to explore the tournament exposition "Chess in the war years. 
1941-1945 ', brought from the Moscow Museum of Chess.

Candles in memory of the fallen heroes

On stage, the master of ceremonies, Alexander Tkachev, Oleg Kosenkov and Maria Morozova

Though it was not immediately obvious from the previous image, the stage was erected in the open

It wouldn't be an opening ceremony without a show, and the talents in uniform gave them one

After it was over, there was a Generations Tournament, pitting war veterans against young players

It is worth commenting on the very locale of the Higher League, since Kaliningrad is so different from other Russian cities. For one thing, the home of famed philosopher Immanuel Kant is not so expansive as other cities, and makes it quite possible to gradually acquaint oneself with the ancient city first founded in 1255.

Königsberg Castle tower and Emperor William's Monument, Kaliningrad,
Russia before World War I. (photo: Library of Congress PD)

The ruins of the castle, still standing in spite of two wars, was ordered razed by Brezhnev to
make place for the House of Soviets above

It should be noted that each "sortie"  led to increasingly positive impressions helped greatly by the exceedingly open-armed and polite residents of Kaliningrad, most of whom not only know the history of their city but are more than willing to share it. 

Not all was lost though. Here is the Konigsberg Cathedral, which was destroyed during the
war and completely rebuilt at the beginning of the new millennium

The chess players were all housed in the hotel "Baltica" located on the banks of the picturesque
lake. The center of town was about fifteen minutes away.

The first four rounds of the men’s section were marked by the early lead by GM Ivan Popov (right)
who was the sole leader after four rounds with 3.5/4. It was no coincidence either as he played
strong and consistent chess.

Watch how he converted his advantage against Aleksandr Rakhmanov in round three:

Ernesto Inarkiev won the Moscow Open in supreme fashion in February

In round five, however, 2014 European Champion Alexander Motylev joined the lead with an
impressive victory over top seed Vladimir Malakhov, forcing his resignation by move 27, and
then took it for his own by round seven with 5.5/7

Watch how Motylev demolishes Black's position with a couple of laser precision shots:

Tournament Director Alexander Tkachev watching the games

Standings after seven rounds

Click for complete standings

Bair Kovanova, Ekaterina Kovalevskaya and Anastasia Savina are some of the top seeds
in the Women's competition

Alina Kashlinskaya

Marina Guseva against Alina Kashlinskaya in round five

The women’s championship has also seen a large number of turnarounds from the leaders. The early leader was Alina Kashlinskaya, also one of the top seeds, who stormed to 5.0/6, but round seven cost her the lead after a nasty blunder in a dynamic position.

As a result, after seven rounds, Anastasia Savina and Marina Guseva have the sole lead with 5.5/7, followed by a pack of five others with 5.0/7. Nothing is decided, and the five qualifying spots are up for grabs to be decided in the last two rounds.

Sixteen-year-old Irina Drogovoz has been the surprise so far, and in spite of a very modest 2187
rating, has scored 5.0/7

Women's standings after seven rounds

Click for complete standings

Photos by Eteri Kublashvili
Report by Eteri Kublashvili and Albert Silver

Links Official tournament site All Men's games in PGN All Women's games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 13 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.