Am. Continental Rd8: Consistent unpredictability

The tournament

The tournament is an eleven-round competition played at 40 moves in 90 minutes followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game and a 30-second increment as of move one. The first round is on May 15 with rounds every day until round eleven on May 24, including a double-round on May 17. Play typically starts at 5PM.

Although there are tiebreak scoring systems in place, starting with direct encounter, Buchholz, and more, in the event of a draw at the top, the top four qualifiers will be decided by a rapid tiebreak match or tournament, depending on the number, starting at 15 minutes plus a ten-second increment.

The prizes are US$5000 for first, $3400 for second, $2400 for third with prizes all the way to 20th place. Note that as FIDE events of this caliber, all norms scored count double, thus a player who scores a norm at the end of the competition will be considered to have earned two norms, not one.

Solis Theatre

About ten minutes walk from the hotel, and just short of the Plaza Independencia, is the famous Teatro Solis. Twice a week, there is a guided tour for a measly US$2 in the language of choice, sharing its history and innards. Having grown up in a classical music household, and a sucker for history, I went with a friend.

The Solís Theater was built and opened to the public in 1856 and was privately owned until
the 1930s. Due to economic issues related to the countriy's growing passion for football, and
the arrival of motion pictures, it was eventually sold to the city of Montevideo in 1937.

The closeup is not actually about the name in large letters, but the small red cube on the top.
When the theater was the city's most prominent source of entertainment, the red cube would
light up to indicate there was a production being held there. A red beacon to say: "Come and
get it!" (Click image for high-res version)

As we entered the locale, a group of school children were also being given a tour. I asked
about the blue ties they all wore, and was told they are a sign of a public school and is their
traditional wear.

Once inside the main theater, there were several groups, all being conducted in the languages chosen

At the very top, several floors high, is a fantastic ceiling with the names of great playwrights and
composers. In the center is a huge chandelier that weighs no less than half a metric ton. In this
size reading the names will be hard, but if you click for the high-res version, you will see them all.

No, one of the visitors did not suddenly pass out. Three times during the tour, we were offered
a theatrical 'intervention' in which a couple of actors would play out a short scene from a play.

Their work was excellent and fun, and completely unexpected. It really made the tour special.

Our own tour guide, a university economics student, was also informative and friendly

This was a secondary space held for more intimate productions. The first
row is apparently called the 'row for the courageous' since actors will often
interact with those sitting there.

Ye Olde Gifte Shoppe

Round eight

If there is one consistent aspect of this event, it is its unpredictability, and hard-fought games. After the American success in the previous round, the leaders fell in the next round, making way for new ones and old. Rising to the fore are Jorge Cori, now recovered and back, followed by Canadian GM Eric Hansen, and Argentine Diego Flores.

The key game of round eight between leaders Eric Hansen and Aleksander Lenderman

Eric Hansen has been steadily working his way to the top, and culminated it with an impressive win over Aleksander Lenderman. While Hansen modestly described his win as ‘lucky’, Lenderman graciously said that the Canadian had made the most of the chances and outplayed him when it counted.

It should also be noted that Eric has been doing far more than just playing his games. Together with his partner in crime GM Robin Van Kampen, he has been hosting daily video blogs (known today as vlogs) with a preview phase in which he describes things quite frankly and openly, and then what happened after. The filming is being done by Van Kampen, while Eric shares his thoughts. They are both interesting and entertaining, and well worth checking out.

A sample video entry of round three by Eric Hansen. Be sure to check out his other entries at his YouTube
channel called "ChessBrah".

Another key game took place between the two Argentians Diego Flores and Alan Pichot. GM Flores actually came as a coach for a player, and was supposedly not playing with any ambitious goals. However, perhaps precisely because he is so relaxed and relieved of pressure, his play has also been quite inspired.

As an appetizer, see the aesthetic position that arose early in the
game. The four knights make quite the picture!

IM Rodi describes the game as such: "A wonderful game by the Argentine grandmaster Diego Flores, allowing him to join the lead in the tournament. In the exciting tactical battle the reader is about to witness, Diego was down to two minor pieces for the queen with fascinating compensation for the material."

GM Diego Flores - IM Alan Pichot (annotated by IM Luis Rodi)

Brazilian GM Felipe El Debs had a solid start with 5.5/8 (Click image for high-res version)

In spite of a rather surprising start with two draws in the first three rounds,
Anton Kovalyov, now playing under the Canadian flag, seems to have recovered
his mojo and is now on the main stage.

GM Gregory Kaidanov played a tough defense a pawn down in a rook
endgame against IM Molina, but his experience prevailed and he drew

WFM Maria Diaz hails from Aruba

Argentinian IM Carolina Lujan

WIM Floréncia Fernandez

WIM Fernandez chats with the good-spirited Eduardo Moccero who was the women's team
captain at the Tromso Olympiad. He is also the head of the Marcel Duchamp Foundation in
Argentina, which helps sponsor many chess events.

Brazilian IM Yago Santiago was the surprise leader after four rounds,
and is still on the hunt for a GM norm

Colombian Henry Alberto Perera has had a solid event so far

GM Ruben Felgaer from Argentina was not intimidated

Standings after eight rounds

Click for complete standings

The top eight boards of the event can be followed live at both the official site and on Playchess.

All photos by Albert Silver

Links Official tournament site 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.