ChessBase 17 - Mega package - Edition 2024
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Photos by Vladimir Barsky
The Higher League is the team championship just below the elite Premier. While it may lack the Kramniks, Karjakins, Grischuks and Svidlers of the top event, the chess is no less exciting, hard-fought, or memorable. These are all players who aspire to not only see their team champion, but also earn the winner's right to play in the Premier League the following year and faces those Kramniks and others themselves.
"The Bronze Horseman" were the victors in the Premier League, striking gold in the last round
22 teams partook in the competition over nine rounds, with ratings averages ranging from just 2155 (the Moscow State University Faculty of Law) to the all-grandmaster lineup of team "Malachite" from Ekaterinburg with an average of 2583. In fact, four teams boasted average ratings of over 2500, and were the obvious favorites, and it was no big surprise to see one of them win. However, it shuld be noted that the top-ranked "Malachite" was not only not the winner, but came in all the way in 9th place, suffering four losses, showing just how tough the field was.
The winners' cups and medals
The winners of the event were the Muscovite team "SergArk", sporting only one player over 2500, Uri Eliseev, while the others all ranged just under that threshold. The composition was also quite interesting considering that four of the five players were aged between 18 and 23, with the exception of GM Sergey Arkhipov whose 62 years certainly struck a significant contrast. Don't think for a minute he was the burden on the team as he started with 3.0/3, losing only one game in round six.
IM David Paravyan and GM Uri Eliseev, both 18 and 20 years old respectively, from team "SergArk"
The heaviest scoring player on their roster was 18-year-old IM David Paravyan (2497 FIDE), who scored 6.5/9 with a 2642 performance. Here is an example of his tactical awareness:
David Paravyan - Evgeny Levin
With the rook on e8 defended, and the white bishop pinned, Black
felt safe in taking the g4-pawn with 38... Qxg4. What had he missed?
White to play and win.
The winners of the Higher League, team "SergArk". From left to right: David Paravyan,
Yuri Eliseev, Sergey Arkhipov, Shamil Arslanov, and Ilya Ilyushenok.
There was no shortage of nice finishes, oversights, and all that one wants from such a competition. Consider this last-round shot:
Sergey Savitsky - Daniil Yuffa
Black just played 33...Rh3?? completely missing White's continuation.
White to play and win.
Two of the top-rated players were Alexander Khalifman (left) and Denis Khismatullin (right).
Khismatullin was the strongest scorer of those who played all nine rounds, with 7.0/9 and
a 2742 performance. After a fall from grace, dropping over 100 Elo in the past two years
from a peak 2714, it would seem he is back to his winning ways.
Special mention must be made of GM Dmitry Kryavkin (2532), not so much because he scored
a superb 6.5/8 and a 2686 performance, which would be worthy of praise in and of itself, but
for his excellent running blog posted at the Russian Chess Federation's site, commenting after
every day on the moments and games he felt worthy of highlighting, as well as tournament
situations and players in all the events. He did this while playing great and preparing too. Kudos.
Another nice finish:
Shamil Arslanov - Grigoriy Palchun
The material is equal, and Black has a protected passed pawn on the c-file
as insurance he can push at anytime. Or so it seems. White to play and win.
Final standings
|
Rk
|
SNo
|
Team
|
Gms
|
+
|
=
|
- | TB1 | TB2 |
| 1 | 4 | «SergArk team» (Moscow) | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 22,0 |
| 2 | 6 | "SDYUSSHOR SHSH" (Saint-Petersburg) | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 18,5 |
| 3 | 2 | "Peter's Boat" (Saint-Petersburg) | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 21,0 |
| 4 | 9 | "Automation" (Moscow) | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 21,0 |
| 5 | 3 | "Bulbasaur" (Tolyatti) | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 19,5 |
| 6 | 7 | "Boavista" (Moscow) | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 19,5 |
| 7 | 10 | "Terrible" (Chechen Republic) | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 19,5 |
| 8 | 1 | 'Malachite' (G. Yekaterinburg) | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 20,0 |
| 9 | 8 | "Yamal" (Salekhard, Yamalo-Nenets District) | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 20,0 |
Annotation:
Tie Break1: Matchpoints (2 for wins, 1 for Draws, 0 for Losses)
Tie Break2: points (game-points)
If the Higher League was an example of how challenging it was even for the top-rated teams, the Women's league was an example of the top-seed smashing the field so bad that they had effectively won with two rounds to spare. That bad.
Top seed "Legacy Square Capital" was without peers and had a perfect score. Impressive.
The team "Legacy Square Capital" led by Alexandra Kosteniuk and Kateryna Lagno on the top board plowed through the rest with merciless efficiency, scoring a perfect eight wins out of eight matches. It is also perhaps a slightly ironic example of their domination that only Kosteniuk actually outperformed her rating with 4.0/5 and a 2601 performance. Everyone else on her team played around their ratings or just below, but this was enough for an 8-0 sweep.
Kosteniuk's success was also due to her willingness to push the ticket and go for a win even
when it entailed some risk. Calculated risks it is true. Here she (right) faces Shuvalova in the
sixth round. See below.
Polina Shuvalova - Alexandra Kosteniuk
Ekaterina Kovalevskaya and Alina Kashlinskaya also scored heavily and when it mattered
Although Kateryna Lagno's campaign was somewhat marred by her first round loss to teenager Goryachkina, she bounced back with three wins in the final rounds, always on the look out for her chances. Watch how she trapped her opponent WGM Natalia Pogonina in round seven.
Natalia Pogonina - Kateryna Lagno
Black played 44...Be5 attacking the rook, and White obligingly played
45.Rfb4? Black responded immediately, having tricked her opponent.
Black to play and win.
Alisa Galliamova, twice runner-up in the World Women Championship
Waiting for the round to start, gold was decided soon, but silver and bronze were up for grabs
Although WGM Alexandra Goryachkina (right) held her own, most of her team floundered and
as a result team "University" ended in sixth place
Of note also was 11-year-old Bibasara Assaubayeva from Kazakhstan (2141) who scored
4.5/8 with a 2270 performance. In round six she beat...
... WGM Baira Kovanova (2391).
Bibisara Assaubayeva - Baira Kovanova
Final standings
|
Rk
|
SNo
|
Team
|
Gms
|
+ | = | - | TB1 |
TB2
|
| 1 | 5 | ШСМ «Legacy Square Capital» (г. Москва) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 23,5 |
| 2 | 7 | "SDYUSSHOR SHSH" (Saint-Petersburg) | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 20,0 |
| 3 | 3 | "Yugra" (Khanty-Ugra) | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 20,0 |
| 4 | 9 | "Boavista" (Moscow) | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 17,5 |
| 5 | 4 | "Donchanka" (Rostov-on-Don) | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 14,5 |
| 6 | 6 | "University" (Belorechensk, Krasnodar | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 15,5 |
| 7 | 8 | "Bukavushki" (Tolyatti) | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 11,5 |
| 8 | 1 | "Rook" (Republic of Tatarstan) | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 12,5 |
| 9 | 2 | SSHOR "Youth of Moscow" (Moscow) | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 9,0 |
Annotation:
Tie Break1: Matchpoints (2 for wins, 1 for Draws, 0 for Losses)
Tie Break2: points (game-points)
The senior event was won by team "University" led by their top board Evgeny Sveshnikov
Evgeny Sveshnikov scored heavily with 6.5/8 helping his team take gold
Final standings
| Rk | SNo | Team | Gms | + | = | - | TB1 | TB2 |
| 1 | 7 | "University" (Belorechensk, Krasnodar | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 25,0 |
| 2 | 2 | "The Bronze Horseman" (Saint-Petersburg) | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 21,0 |
| 3 | 8 | 'Malachite' (G. Yekaterinburg) | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 20,5 |
| 4 | 6 | "Our Heritage" (Moscow) | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 21,0 |
| 5 | 3 | "Good Heart" (Sochi) | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 16,5 |
| 6 | 1 | "Rook" (Republic of Tatarstan) | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 14,0 |
| 7 | 9 | "Zhiguli" (Samara region) | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 13,5 |
| 8 | 5 | "Yugra" (Khanty-Ugra) | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 10,0 |
| 9 | 4 | "On a visit to us" (Sochi) | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2,5 |
Annotation:
Tie Break1: Matchpoints (2 for wins, 1 for Draws, 0 for Losses)
Tie Break2: points (game-points)
The winners of the Girls Championship, for players born in 2002 or after, with "Belorechensk University" taking gold
The Boys Championship podium with team "Rook" from Krasnoyarsk - Nizhny Novgorod taking gold
Held in parallel, as an innovation to the overall competitions, was the All-Russian Championship of Orphanages and Boarding schools. This was also a team event, but it was by no means limited to competition as innumerous activities were organized to the sheer delight of the children there.
The team from Simferopol won the All-Russian competition of Orphanages and Boarding schools
A group photo of the coaches and guardians of the children
The playing hall where it took place
First some makeup to join in the fun
Body-size bubbles were created with a photo to remember the moment
A magician was also on hand showing all kinds of tricks
Games with animators were set up keeping the energy levels and spirits high
The closing ceremony with dignitaries, notably Russian Chess Federation president Andrey Filatov
A variety of dance and musical acts concluded the closing ceremony
LinksThe 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. |
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