Erwin l'Ami's victory in Reykjavik
When 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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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.
A
couple of weeks after his brilliant result in Iceland, l’Ami
launched his first instructional DVD. In it he tackles the Two
Knights Defence, one of the oldest opening lines in chess
history.
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.
- Video running time: 4 h 27 min
- With interactive training including video feedback
- Exclusive training database with
over 90 essential games, full analysis of the variations by L’Ami
- Including CB 12 Reader
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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.
New recordings for ChessBase

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