ECC 02: Demolitions and Surprises!

by Alejandro Ramirez
9/16/2014 – An exciting game in the European Club Cup in Bilbao. In the Open section the big news of the day was the board one matchup between SHSM and SOCAR, in paper a close one, but one that was dominated by the Azerbaijani team with a brutal 5-1 score! Mamedyarov, Topalov, Adams, Radjabov vanquished Nepo, Morozevich, Dreev and Dubov. In the Women's section Monte Carlo lost yet again!
Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.

2014 European Club Cup

This mega swiss tournament brings together the top teams from the top leagues in Europe to compete for the European Club Champion title. Most teams have reinforcementes specifically for this event, while others send their local players that have served them throughout the seasons.

Many 2700+ players are participating in the event. The tournament is a seven round swiss system that coincides with the Bilbao Grand Slam Finals, for which we will have separate reports.

Tha matches in the Open section will be six-on-six, while on the Women's section will be four-on-four.

Open Section

1 SHSM Nashe Nasledie (6)
1
5
 SOCAR Azerbaijan (1)
1.1 2710 Nepomniachtchi, Ian
0
1
 Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar 2756
1.2 2731 Morozevich, Alexander
0
1
 Topalov, Veselin 2784
1.3 2662 Dreev, Aleksey
0
1
 Adams, Michael 2752
1.4 2673 Grachev, Boris
½
½
 Giri, Anish 2758
1.5 2614 Dubov, Daniil
0
1
 Radjabov, Teimour 2717
1.6 2610 Potkin, Vladimir
½
½
 Wang, Hao 2730
2 Obiettivo Risarcimento (2)
5
1
 Grantham Sharks (48)
2.1 2801 Caruana, Fabiano
1
0
 Roberson, Peter T 2403
2.2 2729 Bacrot, Etienne
½
½
 Rendle, Thomas E 2392
2.3 2712 Fressinet, Laurent
½
½
 Purton, Ben J 2142
2.4 2626 Georgiev, Kiril
1
0
 Murphy, Hugh W 2148
2.5 2585 Vocaturo, Daniele
1
0
 Varnam, Liam D 2123
2.6 2522 Dvirnyy, Danyyil
1
0
 Willis, Rupert 0
3 Malakhite (3)
4
2
 Huginn Chessclub (21)
3.1 2777 Karjakin, Sergey
½
½
 Jones, Gawain C B 2664
3.2 2789 Grischuk, Alexander
½
½
 Van Kampen, Robin 2637
3.3 2734 Leko, Peter
1
0
 Thorhallsson, Throstur 2437
3.4 2701 Shirov, Alexei
0
1
 Jensson, Einar Hjalti 2349
3.5 2696 Malakhov, Vladimir
1
0
 Hreinsson, Hlidar 2229
3.6 2684 Lysyj, Igor
1
0
 Teitsson, Magnus 2197
4 SPB (4)
4
2
 Minsk (15)
4.1 2755 Dominguez Perez, Leinier
½
½
 Zhigalko, Sergei 2677
4.2 2742 Vitiugov, Nikita
½
½
 Zhigalko, Andrey 2584
4.3 2663 Movsesian, Sergei
½
½
 Kovalev, Vladislav 2532
4.4 2694 Matlakov, Maxim
½
½
 Teterev, Vitaly 2501
4.5 2641 Efimenko, Zahar
1
0
 Meribanov, Vitaly 2395
4.6 2638 Khairullin, Ildar
1
0
 Nikitenko, Mihail 2226
5 SK Dunajska Streda (19)
1
5
 G-Team Novy Bor (5)
5.1 2459 Petenyi, Tamas
0
1
 Wojtaszek, Radoslaw 2736
5.2 2459 Varga, Zoltan
0
1
 Navara, David 2722
5.3 2491 Bokros, Albert
½
½
 Harikrishna, P. 2725
5.4 2434 Czebe, Attila
½
½
 Laznicka, Viktor 2675
5.5 2408 Meszaros, Michal
0
1
 Bartel, Mateusz 2636
5.6 2357 Csiba, Dominik
0
1
 Hracek, Zbynek 2638

Only the top 5 matches are shown

Today's news of the day was certainly the pairing between SHSM, one of the strong Russian teams, and SOCAR, the traditional powerhouse from Azerbaijan. With a rating gap of only 75 average rating points the match could technically go to either side, but no one could have predicted the 5-1 blowout that SOCAR administered on to SHSM. Mamedyarov was quickly in trouble against Nepomniachtchi on the top board, but the Azerbaijani player somehow turned the tables around quickly and won. Topalov demolished Morozevich in the queen endgame and things did not improve for SHSM after that.

None of the other top match-ups were as close on paper, and although some where actually closer on the board, all of the top teams ended up taking their match points and we had few surprises. Tomorrow's match-up of the day is surely SPB vs. Obiettivo Risarcimento, pairing numbers four against two. SOCAR gets the relatively easy pairing of Oslo Schakselskap while Beer Sheva and Malakhite could go to either team, though Malakhite is certainly favorite.

Einar Jensson scored an interesting win against Shirov

Topalov helped SOCAR steamroll SHSM

Caruana's Italian team makes steady progress

Standings

Rk Team Fed Games
+
=
-
Pts
GamPnt
1 Obiettivo Risarcimento ITA 1
1
0
0
2
6
2 Minsk BLR 1
1
0
0
2
6
3 Schachgesellschaft Zurich SUI 1
1
0
0
2
6
4 Cercle d'Echecs de Bois Colombes FRA 1
1
0
0
2
6
5 SOCAR Azerbaijan AZE 1
1
0
0
2
5.5
6 G-Team Novy Bor CZE 1
1
0
0
2
5.5
7 Odlar Yourdu AZE 1
1
0
0
2
5.5
8 Beer Sheva ISR 1
1
0
0
2
5.5
9 Ladya RUS 1
1
0
0
2
5.5
10 SK Rockaden SWE 1
1
0
0
2
5.5

Round Two Games

New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
1.e41,180,95054%2421---
1.d4956,91055%2434---
1.Nf3285,50956%2441---
1.c4184,27056%2442---
1.g319,85756%2427---
1.b314,56954%2428---
1.f45,94648%2377---
1.Nc33,89750%2383---
1.b41,78848%2379---
1.a31,24754%2406---
1.e31,08049%2409---
1.d396550%2378---
1.g467046%2361---
1.h446554%2381---
1.c343851%2425---
1.h328956%2420---
1.a411860%2461---
1.f310047%2427---
1.Nh39267%2511---
1.Na34762%2476---
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.dxc3 Be7 7.Be3 Nc6 8.Qd2 Be6 9.0-0-0 Qd7 10.Ng5 Bf5 11.h3 h6 12.Nf3 0-0 13.Rg1 Rfe8 14.Be2 Be4 15.Kb1 Rad8 16.g4 d5 17.h4 Na5 18.b3 c5 19.g5 h5 20.g6 f6 21.Qc1 Nc6 22.Nd2 Bf5 23.Nf1 d4 24.Ng3 Bg4 25.f3 Bd6 26.Bf4 Be6 27.Rge1 Bd5 28.c4 Rxe2 29.Nxe2 Bxf3 30.Bxd6 Qxd6 31.Rd2 Bg4 32.Nc3 Ne5 33.Nd5 b5 34.Rf2 Rf8 35.Ref1 Nxg6 36.Qa3 bxc4 37.bxc4 Ne5 38.Qxa7 Nxc4 39.Rxf6 Qb8+ 0–1
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Nepomniachtchi,I2710Mamedyarov,S27560–12014C4230th ECC Open 20142.1
Topalov,V2784Morozevich,A27311–02014A5630th ECC Open 20142.1
Dreev,A2662Adams,M27520–12014E3530th ECC Open 20142.1
Giri,A2758Grachev,B2673½–½2014B4630th ECC Open 20142.1
Dubov,D2614Radjabov,T27170–12014A3330th ECC Open 20142.1
Wang,H2730Potkin,V2610½–½2014B4630th ECC Open 20142.1
Caruana,F2801Roberson,P24031–02014A1530th ECC Open 20142.2
Rendle,T2392Bacrot,E2729½–½2014B2030th ECC Open 20142.2
Fressinet,L2712Purton,B2142½–½2014D9430th ECC Open 20142.2
Murphy,H2148Georgiev,K26260–12014B2030th ECC Open 20142.2
Vocaturo,D2585Varnam,L21231–02014B2330th ECC Open 20142.2
Willis,R-Dvirnyy,D25220–12014A2030th ECC Open 20142.2
Karjakin,S2777Jones,G2664½–½2014B0930th ECC Open 20142.3
Van Kampen,R2637Grischuk,A2789½–½2014B9430th ECC Open 20142.3
Leko,P2734Thorhallsson,T24371–02014C1130th ECC Open 20142.3
Jensson,E2349Shirov,A27011–02014B5130th ECC Open 20142.3
Malakhov,V2696Hreinsson,H22291–02014B3030th ECC Open 20142.3
Teitsson,M2197Lysyj,I26840–12014E0030th ECC Open 20142.3
Dominguez Perez,L2755Zhigalko,S2677½–½2014A2030th ECC Open 20142.4
Zhigalko,A2584Vitiugov,N2742½–½2014B4930th ECC Open 20142.4
Movsesian,S2663Kovalev,V2532½–½2014C8430th ECC Open 20142.4
Teterev,V2501Matlakov,M2694½–½2014A0730th ECC Open 20142.4
Efimenko,Z2641Meribanov,V23951–02014C8430th ECC Open 20142.4
Nikitenko,M2226Khairullin,I26380–12014C5030th ECC Open 20142.4
Petenyi,T2459Wojtaszek,R27360–12014B1030th ECC Open 20142.5
Navara,D2722Varga,Z24591–02014B0430th ECC Open 20142.5
Bokros,A2491Harikrishna,P2725½–½2014B5130th ECC Open 20142.5
Laznicka,V2675Czebe,A2434½–½2014A5630th ECC Open 20142.5
Meszaros,M2408Bartel,M26360–12014C8430th ECC Open 20142.5
Hracek,Z2638Csiba,D23571–02014A2030th ECC Open 20142.5
Swinkels,R2493Durarbayli,V2614½–½2014A4530th ECC Open 20142.6
Mamedov,R2660Dambacher,M24971–0201430th ECC Open 20142.6
Hoffmann,M2447Bajarani,U2483½–½2014E3230th ECC Open 20142.6
Guseinov,G2615Koch,T24561–02014B2330th ECC Open 20142.6
Zelbel,P2405Abasov,N2527½–½2014B2230th ECC Open 20142.6
Mamedov,N2624Coenen,N23131–02014B0130th ECC Open 20142.6
Roiz,M2579Ganguly,S2614½–½2014E6030th ECC Open 20142.7
Cacho Reigadas,S2511Rodshtein,M26780–12014A4530th ECC Open 20142.7
Postny,E2641Ubilava,E24801–02014A4130th ECC Open 20142.7
Martin Fuentes,A2327Greenfeld,A2551½–½2014B2530th ECC Open 20142.7
Huzman,A2573Rodriguez Fontecha,M23121–02014D0730th ECC Open 20142.7
Pozueta Alegria,A2194Khmelniker,I24950–12014C7630th ECC Open 20142.7
Ragger,M2657Amin,B26381–02014E1130th ECC Open 20142.8
Cornette,M2548L'Ami,E2630½–½2014C4530th ECC Open 20142.8
Sandipan,C2619Kazakov,M24901–02014E2030th ECC Open 20142.8
Dionisi,T2392Naumann,A25580–12014B8430th ECC Open 20142.8
Andersen,M2470Metzger,C22151–02014E9730th ECC Open 20142.8
Plane,B2057Schaefer,M24010–12014C1430th ECC Open 20142.8
Rozentalis,E2615Kamsky,G2681½–½2014B1730th ECC Open 20142.9
Timofeev,A2598Bindrich,F2600½–½2014C9530th ECC Open 20142.9
Breder,D2488Ibragimov,I2544½–½2014C4730th ECC Open 20142.9
Makhmutov,R2410Atlas,V2448½–½2014E0030th ECC Open 20142.9
Froewis,G2437Sadykov,R23511–02014A0430th ECC Open 20142.9
Faizrakhmanov,R2344Kessler,L22981–02014A4030th ECC Open 20142.9

Select from the dropdown menu to replay the games

Women's Section

1 SHSM Nashe Nasledie (8)
2.5
1.5
 Cercle d'Echecs de Monte-Carlo (5)
1.1 2540 Gunina, Valentina
0
1
 Hou, Yifan 2663
1.2 2543 Kosteniuk, Alexandra
½
½
 Muzychuk, Anna 2551
1.3 2476 Girya, Olga
1
0
 Lagno, Kateryna 2540
1.4 2431 Kovalevskaya, Ekaterina
1
0
 Cramling, Pia 2516
2 SC Bad Konigshofen (6)
1.5
2.5
 Batumi Chess Club "Nona" (4)
2.1 2467 Paehtz, Elisabeth
½
½
 Khotenashvili, Bela 2507
2.2 2457 Mkrtchian, Lilit
½
½
 Melia, Salome 2464
2.3 2373 Savina, Anastasia
½
½
 Batsiashvili, Nino 2426
2.4 2261 Schoene, Maria
0
1
 Mikadze, Miranda 2242
3 Herzliya Chess Club (7)
1.5
2.5
 Rishon Letzion (3)
3.1 2133 Len, Irina
0
1
 Efroimski, Marsel 2331
3.2 2047 Yakovleva, Tatiana
0
1
 Madivani, Maka 0
3.3 1871 Lian, Marina
1
0
 Vardi, Shlomit 1957
3.4 1891 Haitovich, Avital
½
½
 Federovski, Adi 1937
4 Ugra (1)
2.5
1.5
 Ladya (2)
4.1 2481 Ushenina, Anna
1
0
 Galliamova, Alisa 2472
4.2 2482 Pogonina, Natalija
½
½
 Zatonskih, Anna 2469
4.3 2352 Guseva, Marina
1
0
 Atalik, Ekaterina 2421
4.4 2327 Shadrina, Tatiana
0
1
 Zaiatz, Elena 2401

This certainly does not seem to be Monte Carlo's tournament as they have now lost two games in a row. Despite a victory by Hou Yifan with the black pieces against Valentina Gunina, Olga Girya took apart Kateryna Lagno while Ekaterina Kovalevskaya beat Pia Cramilng. With a draw on board two the match between Monte Carlo and SHSM went to the Russian team.

Despite Hou Yifan's best efforts, Cercle d'Echecs
de Monte-Carlo lost their second in a row

Nona squeezed out a win against the German squad of SC Bad Konigshofen while in the Russian match-up of Ugra vs. Ladya it was Ugra that came slightly ahead thanks to wins by Ushenina and Guseva.

Nona leads by tiebreaks, but the tournament is young

Pogonina held Zatonskih to a draw in the 2.5-1.5 win by her team, Ugra

Standings

Rk ID Team Fed
Games
+
=
-
Pts
MatPnt
GamPnt
1 4 Batumi Chess Club "Nona" GEO
2
2
0
0
4
4
5
2 8 SHSM Nashe Nasledie RUS
2
2
0
0
4
4
5
3 6 SC Bad Konigshofen GER
2
1
0
1
2
2
5
4 1 Ugra RUS
2
1
0
1
2
2
4
5 2 Ladya RUS
2
1
0
1
2
2
5.5
6 3 Rishon Letzion ISR
2
1
0
1
2
2
3
7 5 Cercle d'Echecs de Monte-Carlo MNC
2
0
0
2
0
0
3
8 7 Herzliya Chess Club ISR
2
0
0
2
0
0
1.5

Round Two Games

New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Position not in LiveBook
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 a5 5.g3 d6 6.Bg2 Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Nc3 c6 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Qc2 0-0 11.Rad1 Re8 12.a3 Bf8 13.h3 Qc7 14.Nh4 Nc5 15.Bg5 Nfd7 16.Ne4 a4 17.Kh2 Ne6 18.Be3 Ndc5 19.Nxc5 Bxc5 20.Nf5 g6 21.Bxc5 Nxc5 22.Nd6 Rd8 23.Qc3 f6 24.Qe3 Nb3 25.Ne4 Kg7 26.Nxf6 Kxf6 27.Rxd8 Qxd8 28.f4 Qe7 29.fxe5+ Kg7 30.Rf6 Ra5 31.Bd5 cxd5 32.Qg5 Qe8 33.Rd6 Ra6 34.Qf6+ Kg8 35.Rxa6 bxa6 36.cxd5 Nc5 37.Qd6 Qf8 38.Qc7 Qf2+ 39.Kh1 Qf1+ 40.Kh2 Qxh3+ 41.Kg1 Qxg3+ 42.Kh1 Bf5 0–1
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Gunina,V2540Hou,Y26630–12014E11ECC Women 20142.1
Muzychuk,A2551Kosteniuk,A2543½–½2014B66ECC Women 20142.1
Girya,O2476Lagno,K25401–02014D83ECC Women 20142.1
Cramling,P2516Kovalevskaya,E24310–12014A33ECC Women 20142.1
Paehtz,E2467Khotenashvili,B2507½–½2014D95ECC Women 20142.2
Melia,S2464Mkrtchian,L2457½–½2014C15ECC Women 20142.2
Savina,A2373Batsiashvili,N2426½–½2014D38ECC Women 20142.2
Mikadze,M2242Schoene,M22611–02014B22ECC Women 20142.2

Select from the dropdown menu to replay the games

Photos by Manu de Alba from Bilbao's Facebook site

Links

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 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.
Grandmaster Alejandro Ramirez has been playing tournament chess since 1998. His accomplishments include qualifying for the 2004 and 2013 World Cups as well as playing for Costa Rica in the 2002, 2004 and 2008 Olympiads. He currently has a rating of 2583 and is author of a number of popular and critically acclaimed ChessBase-DVDs.

Discuss

Rules for reader comments

 
 

Not registered yet? Register

We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.