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.
If you read the title and thought of mate as in check mate, you will be quickly forgiven, the word is in fact pronounce ‘Mah-teh’. Typical of the entire region encompassing the deep south of Brazil, as well as Uruguay and Argentina (and more), mate is a national passion and tradition that is hard to explain to an outsider.
This is mate (mah-teh). It is a green herb drunk as a tea. I know, I know,
you took one look at that odd bowl with a metal straw and though these
were a bunch of reefer addicts, but nothing could be further from the truth.
It is an infusion drink, in which the gourd is filed with the herb and hot water is poured into
it, producing a pleasant caffeine rich tea, that is consumed via the metal straw, also known
as the 'bombilla'. In Uruguay the tradition is so deeply etched into the society, that men are
seen everywhere with a small thermos of hot water under their arm with the gourd.
Even at the tournament hall, Uruguayan men were seen with this at the tables, as can be seen
above with two men touting their cherished gourds. I must admit that having grown up on a diet
of Asterix and Obelix comics as a child, I can't help thinking of the gaulish 'magic potion' whenever
the word gourd comes up. Contrary to many teas, which can often be bitter, this is quite pleasant.
This little leather bag is one player's way of carrying his 'mate' kit
Almost all street vendors carry a wide variety of gourds and bombillas, knowing they are easy sales
In the Museum of Currency, there was a display of fancy and old gourds that had us intrigued at first
A new convert to Mate, Yermo?
Although I could not help but stop midway from crossing the street to
take this picture, this image is actually quite representative of the people
in Montevideo. They love their dogs and raise and take care of them with
overt affection. (click image for high-res version)
Naturally, buskers are nothing unusual, but cellist buskers are not exactly your everyday occurence
This slightly unusual sight is a theme that is used in many places: the Locks of Love
The sign explains the principle: the lock with the initials of the lovebirds will seal their passion
Locks upon locks, upon locks. Such passion!
From the building of the playing hall, I went to the 26th floor to see the city and it was more
than a little impressive. What a magnificent port! (click image for high-res version)
After so many rounds, and so many leaders, it was the true clash of the titans, as two of the players whose form had shone throughout, finally met head to head. The image of two rams with their heads lowered, racing across a field on a collision course is completely appropriate.
Jorge Cori who was sole leader on more than one occasion, showing great form, and Argentine Sandro Mareco, who caught up with him near the end, fought a fantastic game worthy of the prestige and significance of their bout.
Sandro Mareco was not to be denied and showed great character and skill
As IM Luis Rodi describes it: "A new change in the tournament leadership. One round before the last, the Argentine grandmaster Sandro Mareco is the player with the most points, after defeating his Preuvian colleague Jorge Cori, the previous leader. The competition has been characterized but the constant changes in the top spot, and no.1 seat has been almost an electric chair for any bold enough to try and sit in it too long".
Second-seed Yuniesky Quesada Perez from Cuba drew his game against Diego Flores
GM Granda Zuñiga had an up-and-down tournament, though beat
local GM Andrés Rodrigues in round ten
However, it was also a day of deepest black for Brazilian fans. Granted none of those playing were clear favorites in the top contentions, though Rafael Leitão is already qualified for the World Cup, there was every reason to believe at least an important norm would be earned. Players such as IM Yago Santiago, who had started with 4.0/4, or IM Diego Di Berardino seemed certain of a GM norm, but it wasn’t to be and round ten saw a dismaying series of losses by all the hopefuls.
GM Krikor Mekhitarian was hoping to earn a spot in the World Cup, but ran into a brick wall
as he was gunned down by WGM Deysi Cori in a dramatic game
By the most curious alignment of the stars, veteran IM Herman Claudius Van Riemsdijk was
the Brazilian player with the most points. Though the three-time Brazilian champion, and 30-time
national finalist was quick to dismiss it with a wave of the hand: way to go Herman!
Untitled Peruvian Brian Escalante (2373) is clearly here for the norm
After an extensive layoff from the game, Carlos Eduardo Valente has held his own
| Rk | SNo | Ti. | Name | FED | Rtg | Pts | TB | rtg+/- |
| 1 | 10 | GM | Mareco Sandro | ARG | 2581 | 8.0 | 62.0 | 12.0 |
| 2 | 8 | GM | Cori Jorge | PER | 2609 | 7.5 | 64.0 | 12.1 |
| 3 | 2 | GM | Quesada Perez Yuniesky | CUB | 2645 | 7.5 | 62.0 | 1.8 |
| 4 | 11 | GM | Hansen Eric | CAN | 2580 | 7.5 | 62.0 | 2.8 |
| 5 | 20 | GM | Matamoros Franco Carlos S. | ECU | 2525 | 7.5 | 61.5 | 13.4 |
| 6 | 13 | GM | Flores Diego | ARG | 2567 | 7.5 | 61.5 | 8.1 |
| 7 | 7 | GM | Kovalyov Anton | CAN | 2613 | 7.5 | 60.5 | -0.4 |
| 8 | 21 | GM | Shabalov Alexander | USA | 2523 | 7.0 | 65.0 | 15.1 |
| 9 | 17 | GM | Perez Ponsa Federico | ARG | 2533 | 7.0 | 64.0 | 14.1 |
| 10 | 3 | GM | Bachmann Axel | PAR | 2636 | 7.0 | 63.5 | -7.9 |
| 11 | 1 | GM | Granda Zuniga Julio E | PER | 2650 | 7.0 | 61.0 | -3.8 |
| 12 | 16 | GM | Hevia Alejano Carlos Antonio | CUB | 2535 | 7.0 | 61.0 | -0.1 |
| 13 | 6 | GM | Iturrizaga Bonelli Eduardo | VEN | 2613 | 7.0 | 60.5 | -0.8 |
| 14 | 9 | GM | Felgaer Ruben | ARG | 2582 | 7.0 | 60.0 | -2.3 |
| 15 | 14 | GM | Kaidanov Gregory S | USA | 2566 | 7.0 | 59.0 | -6.2 |
| 16 | 28 | FM | Terry Renato | PER | 2464 | 7.0 | 59.0 | 7.2 |
| 17 | 24 | GM | Alonso Salvador | ARG | 2488 | 7.0 | 58.5 | 16.1 |
| 18 | 15 | GM | Gonzalez Vidal Yuri | CUB | 2550 | 7.0 | 58.5 | -0.2 |
| 19 | 31 | WGM | Cori T. Deysi | PER | 2431 | 7.0 | 56.0 | -1.8 |
| 20 | 18 | GM | Yermolinsky Alex | USA | 2531 | 6.5 | 59.5 | -4.4 |
The top eight boards of the event can be followed live at both the official site and on Playchess.
All photos by Albert Silver
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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