
The Reykjavik Open 2015 will be held for the 30th time from March 10th to March 18th 2015 in Harpa, the 28.000 sqm. concert hall. The 2015 tournament is expected to be very strong and will double as celebration of the 80th birthday of legendary Icelandic Grandmaster and former FIDE president, Fridrik Olafsson.
The 2014 Edition was voted the 2nd best open tournament in the world by ACP. Only Gibraltar was higher on the list.
The City of Reykjavík has sponsored the tournament since its inception in 1964, when Mikhail Tal won it with a record 12½ points out of 13. The tournament was initially held every two years, but has since 2008 taken place every year. It was closed in its early years, but has been an open event since the 1980s. Throughout its history the Reykjavik Open has featured many of the strongest chess players in the world at the time, including Mikhail Tal, Nona Gaprindashvili, David Bronstein, Vasili Smyslov, Bent Larsen, Friðrik Ólafsson, Mark Taimanov, Lev Polugaevsky, Jan Timman, Victor Korchnoi, Samuel Reshevsky, Anthony Miles, Nigel Short, Hikaru Nakamura, Judit Polgar, Magnus Carlsen, Alexander Grischuk, Fabiano Caruana and Hou Yifan.
Round Five
A bloody day as usual! Some fascinating chess was seen at the top boards, but it was the top seed, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, who emerges as the sole leader after half the tournament is gone:
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Qc2 7.c5 7...c5 8.Rd1 Qa5 8...cxd4 9.Rxd4 Qa5 10.Bg3 Nb6 11.Nd2 dxc4 12.Bxc4 Nxc4 13.Nxc4 Qa6 14.0-0! 9.Nd2 cxd4 10.exd4 dxc4 10...b6? 11.Nb3 Qa6 12.cxd5± 10...Nb6? 11.Nb3 Qa6 12.cxd5 Nc4 13.d6+- 10...Bb4?! 11.Bd3 10...Nb8!?N 11.Nb3 Qd8 12.c5 b6 11.Nxc4 Qd8 11...Qf5 12.Qxf5 exf5 13.Be2 12.Bd3 Nb6 13.0-0 Nxc4?! 13...Nbd5 14.Nxd5 exd5 14...Nxd5? 15.Bxh7+ Kh8 16.Be5± 15.Ne5 15.Ne3!? 14.Bxc4 Qb6 15.Rfe1! Re8 15...Qd8 15...Rd8 16.d5 16.Nb5! Nd5 17.Bxd5 Qxb5 17...exd5 18.Nc7+- 18.Be4! g6 18...f5 19.Bd3 19.Re3! a5 19...Bd7 20.Rb3± 20.Be5 a4 20...f6 21.Bxg6! fxe5 22.Bxh7+ Kh8 23.Rh3+- 21.Rg3 f5 22.Bd3 Qd7 23.Qe2 Bh4 23...Ra5 24.Qd2 Bd8 25.h4+- 24.Bb5 Qe7 25.Rc3! Bd7 26.Bxd7 1–0
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Mamedyarov,S | 2756 | Gretarsson,H | 2554 | 1–0 | 2015 | D37 | Reykjavik Open 2015 | 5.1 |
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Pavel Eljanov was close to catching Mamedyarov as his position looked very good against Jacek Stopa, but the Polish player defended fiercely and obtained a draw. Sagar Shah brings us annotations of some of the players that reached a vital 4.5/5:
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.Bg3 b5 9.Be2 Bg7 9...Bb7 10.e5 Nh5 11.a4 a6 12.Ne4 12.axb5 cxb5 13.Nxb5 axb5 14.Rxa8 Bb7 12...0-0 13.Qc2 Nxg3? 13...g4!? 14.Bh4! Qd5 15.Rd1!? gxf3 16.Bxf3± 14.hxg3 Re8 15.Rxh6! f5 15...Bxh6 16.Nf6+ Kf8 17.Qh7 Bg7 18.Nxg5+- 16.Nf6+ Kf8 17.Rg6 Kf7 17...Kf7 18.Nxg5+ Kxg6 19.Bh5+ Kxg5 19...Kh6 20.Nf7# 20.Qd2+ f4 21.Qxf4# 1–0
- 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.
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Sarkar,J | 2376 | Rasmussen,A | 2532 | 1–0 | 2015 | D43 | Reykjavik Open 2015 | 5.18 |
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Let us not forget that Alina l'Ami isn't the only 'l'Ami' in the tournament. In fact, she isn't even the highest rated:

The better l'Ami? we will let you decide after you see this game...
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Nbd7 8.0-0 Bb4 9.Qe2 0-0 10.e4 Bg6 11.Bd3 Bh5 12.e5 Nd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Qe3 Re8 14...Be7 15.Ng5 15.Bd2 Qe7 15...Bxd2 16.Nxd2 Nb8 17.Rfc1 Nc6 18.Bb5 Rc8 19.a5 15...Qa5 16.Bxb4 Qxb4 17.Qd2 17.Ng5 Nf8 18.f4 Bg6 19.Bxg6 fxg6? 19...Nxg6= 17...Qe7 17...Qxd2 18.Nxd2 Nb8 19.Rfc1 Nc6 20.Bb5 Rec8 21.Bxc6 Rxc6 22.Rxc6 bxc6 23.Ra3 Bd1!= 23...Rb8? 24.Rb3! Rxb3 25.Nxb3 Bd1 26.Nc5± 18.Ne1 Rac8 19.Nc2 Bg6 20.Bxg6 fxg6?! 20...hxg6 21.Rfc1 Rc7?! 22.Na3! Rxc1+ 22...Rec8 23.Rxc7 Rxc7 24.Nb5± 23.Rxc1 Nb8 24.Nb5 Nc6 25.Nd6± Rf8 26.g3! 26.b4 Qh4! 27.Rd1 Nxb4 26.a5!? a6 26...Qh4? 27.a6+- 27.g3± 26...Qc7 27.Rc5 a5 28.Kg2! Qb6 29.Qc3 29.Rb5 Qxd4 30.Qxd4 Nxd4 31.Rxa5± 29...g5 30.h3 h6 31.Nb5 31.Nxb7! Nxd4 31...Qxb7 32.Rxc6± 32.Qxd4 Qxb7 33.Rxa5± 31...Kh8 32.Qe3 Kg8 33.Rc3 Kh8 34.Qe2 Kg8 35.Rf3 Rxf3 36.Qxf3 Nb4 36...Nxd4 37.Qe3+- 37.Qg4 Qc6 38.Nd6 Qd7 39.h4 gxh4 40.gxh4 Nc6 41.h5 Ne7 42.f4 Nc8? 42...Kh8! 43.Qd1 43.Kg3 Qxa4 44.Qxe6 Qb3+ 45.Kg4 Qd1+ 46.Kg3 Qg1+= 43...Nc8!= 43.f5! Nxd6 44.fxe6 Qxa4? 44...Qe7 45.exd6 Qxd6 46.Qf5 Qa6! 47.Qf7+ Kh7 48.e7 Qe2+= 45.exd6 Qc2+ 46.Kg3 Qc1 47.e7 Qg1+ 48.Kf3 Qf1+ 48...Qd1+ 49.Kf2! Qxg4 50.e8Q+ Kh7 51.Qg6+ Qxg6 52.hxg6+ Kxg6 53.d7+- 49.Ke3 Qc1+ 50.Kd3 Qb1+ 51.Kc3 Qc1+ 52.Kb3 a4+ 53.Ka3 Qa1+ 54.Kb4 Qxb2+ 55.Kc5 Qc3+ 56.Kxd5 Qb3+ 57.Ke4 Qb1+ 58.Ke5 Qe1+ 59.Kd5 Qh1+ 60.Ke6 1–0
- 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.
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L'Ami,E | 2605 | Brunello,S | 2540 | 1–0 | 2015 | D18 | Reykjavik Open 2015 | 5.8 |
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Finally a very instructive example. In beginner's chess 1+1+1 = 3, but in Grandmaster chess this is not always true. Sometimes it's more like 2.5, but when Black screws it up it goes up to 5:
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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15.Ndxb5?! 15.f4 Nec4 16.Bxc4 Nxc4 17.Qd3 15...axb5 16.Nxb5 Qc6 17.Bxb6 17.Nxd6+ Bxd6 18.Qxd6 Qxd6 19.Rxd6 Nbc4 20.Bxc4 Nxc4 21.Rd3 Nxe3 22.Rxe3 17...Qxb6 18.Nxd6+ Bxd6 19.Qxd6 Qxd6 20.Rxd6 Ke7 21.Rhd1 Rhc8! 21...Rhd8 22.Rxd8 Rxd8 23.Rxd8 Kxd8 24.b4 22.c3 22.f4 Bxe4! 23.fxe5 Rxc2+ 24.Kb1 Rxe2+-+ 22...Bc6 23.h5 Nd7 24.R1d2 Ra5 25.g6 Rxh5 26.gxf7 Nf8 26...Ne5 27.f4 Rh1+ 28.Rd1 Rxd1+ 29.Rxd1 Nxf7-+ 27.b4 Rh1+ 27...Kxf7! 28.Ba6 Rc7 29.c4 Be8 30.c5 Ng6 28.Kb2 h5 28...Kxf7 29.Ba6 Rc7 30.b5± 29.Ba6 Rc7 30.b5 Bxb5 31.Bxb5 h4 32.a4± h3 33.Rd1 Rh2+ 34.R6d2 Rxd2+ 35.Rxd2 Ng6 36.a5 Ne5 37.a6 Nxf3 38.Rf2 Rc5 39.c4 1–0
- 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.
Gunnarsson,J | 2443 | Grandelius,N | 2603 | 1–0 | 2015 | B90 | Reykjavik Open 2015 | 5.9 |
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Photo impressions by Alina l'Ami
An article on the beautiful city of Reykjavik is not complete without Alina l'Ami's beautiful shots, take a look:

Aryan Tari in his postmortem

The commentary team hard at work

There's a sweet spot for the spectators to watch the games. When they are bored of this spot they can walk 20 steps down to the top boards and see the action live.

"I like how direct and easy going the Icelanders are, giving an example that one should keep feeling comfortable " - Alina l'Ami.

The victim of Shakhriyar Mamedyarov: Hjorvar Steinn Gretarsson

Thte leader didn't seem too impressed.

Alexander Fier drew against Rui Gao from China

Meanwhile Arthur Jussupow couldn't hold against David Navara

Hung by a thread: Pavel Eljanov was unable to break Jacek Stopa

The beautiful Harpa...

From different angles!

The view from the official hotel

According to the photographer the "win could be worse". It clocked at 76 km/h.

Stormy weather, with ray of hope

No photoshop! The sunset and its reflection on Harpa's corner
window. (e.d.) the size was photoshopped so it would fit in your browser, unfortunately.

The silhouettes: Alexander Fier and his wife Nino Maisuradze
Standings after round 5
Pairings Round Six
We have most of the results from round six, but we will have to wait until tomorrow for the beautiful pictures from Alina l'Ami and the commentary from Sagar Shah. In the meantime, it seems that Alexander Fier and Erwin l'Ami came through with huge victories on the black side to catch the leaders, as Shakhriyar Mamedyarov drew against number two seed David Navara.
Don't forget you can follow the action live on our www.playchess.com server.
Photos by Alina l'Ami
Replay Round Five (top boards)

Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
- 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.
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