Erwin l'Ami's victory in ReykjavikWhen Dutch GM Erwin l’Ami, in his report in New In Chess 2015#3, called winning the Reykjavik Open "a once in a lifetime success", editor-in-chief Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam reacted: "Come on, Erwin, you’re only 30!" In his Reykjavik report in NiC Erwin writes: "It is my conviction that an early draw is a certain route to get yourself entrapped in the quicksand of an Open, and your problems are only compounded with every further draw: you're drawn in deeper and deeper and your opponents are trying to drag you down as well. So a good start is essential to stay on a firm footing!" Erwin won his first three games, drew one (against Swiss IM Georgiadis Nico, 2468), and then won the next five games in a row, against four GMs and one IM. In round seven it was top seed Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, 2756, who like Erwin had 5.5/6, who succumbed to the Dutch GM. Only in the final round he lost to Ukrainian GM Eljanov Pavel, rated 2727. Top final standings after ten rounds |
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| Rk. | Name | FED | Rtg | Pts. | rtg+/- |
| 1 | L'ami Erwin | NED | 2605 | 8.5 | 26.8 |
| 2 | Eljanov Pavel | UKR | 2727 | 8.0 | 3.7 |
| 3 | Libiszewski Fabien | FRA | 2514 | 8.0 | 20.4 |
| 4 | Fier Alexandr | BRA | 2601 | 7.5 | 16.4 |
| 5 | Naroditsky Daniel | USA | 2633 | 7.5 | 6.6 |
| 6 | Mamedyarov Shakhriyar | AZE | 2756 | 7.5 | -1.7 |
| 7 | Melkumyan Hrant | ARM | 2676 | 7.5 | -2.6 |
| 8 | Hansen Eric | CAN | 2566 | 7.5 | 13.8 |
| 9 | Hammer Jon Ludvig | NOR | 2651 | 7.5 | -2.9 |
| 10 | Gupta Abhijeet | IND | 2625 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| 11 | Stefansson Hannes | ISL | 2560 | 7.5 | 3.6 |
| 12 | Danielsen Henrik | ISL | 2514 | 7.5 | 10.4 |
| 13 | Jussupow Artur | GER | 2573 | 7.5 | 8.7 |
| 14 | Grandelius Nils | SWE | 2603 | 7.5 | -0.7 |
| 15 | Gao Rui | CHN | 2533 | 7.0 | 6.9 |
| 16 | Granda Zuniga Julio E | PER | 2646 | 7.0 | -2.4 |
| 17 | Gretarsson Hjorvar Steinn | ISL | 2554 | 7.0 | 1.6 |
| 18 | Jones Gawain C B | ENG | 2642 | 7.0 | -7.1 |
| 19 | Maze Sebastien | FRA | 2564 | 7.0 | 7.8 |
| 20 | Norowitz Yaacov | USA | 2422 | 7.0 | 13.3 |
Erwin l'Ami's rating performance in this event way 2826. You can find all ChessBase report on the Reykjavik Open here. There is also an interesting interview conducted with Erwin after the tournament had finished.
The sharp positions, arising after the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5, have intrigued players for many decades! World Champions like Wilhelm Steinitz and Bobby Fischer shaped the opening, and in more recent years, Nigel Short has popularized it. In the main lines, black gambits a pawn – with fascinating consequences. This DVD is aimed at players of both sides, giving an objective overview of all relevant theoretical lines. The DVD also includes a database with model games and an interactive section with memory markers and tactics where the viewer can test his newly acquired knowledge.
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New in Chess calls this "a highly instructive and
entertaining DVD". You can buy it in
the NiC Shop
or directly from
ChessBase. You can also buy New in Chess Magazine here.
Erwin l'Ami is currently in Hamburg, recording two DVDs for ChessBase. The subject is Gambits in open games (after 1.e4 e5), e.g. King’s Gambit, Marshall Gambit, Evans Gambit, etc. You should be able to get these Fritztrainers in a month or two.
Erwin is also promoting his Two Knighs Fritztrainerand
has promised to sign and personalize all DVDs
from orders
that reach the company today – Thursday, May 7th, 2015, until
midnight your time.
A week's stay in Hamburg and long recording sessions are not all work and no play. Here's an impression of the extra-curriculars at the ChessBase office – some would call it goofing around.
A truly amazing resemblance: ChessBase's André Schulz, cleverly disguised as Erwin l'Ami
How about this: a blitz game pitting Erwin against himself
