European Club Cup: Magnus and Valerenga lead

by Alex Yermolinsky
10/18/2018 – World Champion Magnus Carlsen kept fans on pins and needles as he appeared to be losing to Ding Liren which would have dropped him to number two in the world behind Fabiano Caruana (at least temporarily). But Carlsen defended hard and salvaged a critical draw that allowed his teammate Nils Grandelius to win the match for the underdog Norwegian squad of Valerenga. They are now in clear first. ALEX YERMOLINSKY shares his outlook. | Photo: Niki Riga / eurochess2018.com
Scarcely any world champion has managed to captivate chess lovers to the extent Carlsen has. The enormously talented Norwegian hasn't been systematically trained within the structures of a major chess-playing nation such as Russia, the Ukraine or China.

Clutch save from Carlsen, still number one

Once again my own travel plans kept me away from following an exciting event from the beginning. This time it's the 34th European Club Cup held at the Porto Carras Grand Resort in Greece. I'm very excited with an opportunity to chip in with my coverage of Round Six.

With two rounds to go the top of the standings was very tightly packed which in itself is a trademark of this annual event. In the last year's edition the powerhouse of Globus (formerly Siberia), which looked a much-improved version of the Russian Olympiad squad, met with tough competition and was only able to secure victory in the last round. This year, however, there's no Russian team headed by Kramnik, and so the top Russian squad is lead by the St. Petersburg duo of Peter Svidler and Nikita Vitiugov. They narrowly lost to top-ranked Alkaloid in round four, but have a chance for redemption in the final round on Thursday facing the Norwegian club Valerenga.

Valerenga

Valerenga had their toughest test yet and passed with flying colours | Photo: Niki Riga

In the absence of the defending champion, the 2016 winner, Alkaloid (from Skopje), looked the favourite to win. Once again, they're led by the Chinese duo of Ding Liren and Yu Yangyi, followed by a pair of Russians, Andreikin and Jakovenko, and a pair of Ukrainians, Eljanov and Kryvoruchko. Quite an imposing lineup, but all of them, with an exception of Ding, are currently under-performing their rating.

Alkaloid's opponent today was a new addition, Valerenga of Oslo, headed by none other but Magnus Carlsen, who's doing his last moment fine-tuning before the World Champion match. However, Valerenga is anything but a one-man show. David Howell, Nils Grandelius, Borki Predojevic and Evgeny Romanov are playing great, while the young Tari seems to have recovered from a rough start.

It was showtime on board one, where Carlsen had to put at risk his #1 position in live rating list, which he's held since longer than I can remember [since July 2011 -Ed.].

 
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1.e41,176,06054%2421---
1.d4953,87055%2434---
1.Nf3284,20556%2440---
1.c4183,53956%2442---
1.g319,81456%2427---
1.b314,49754%2428---
1.f45,93048%2377---
1.Nc33,86450%2384---
1.b41,77748%2379---
1.a31,24554%2406---
1.e31,07649%2409---
1.d396450%2378---
1.g467046%2361---
1.h446554%2381---
1.c343651%2426---
1.h328956%2420---
1.a411759%2462---
1.f310047%2427---
1.Nh39267%2511---
1.Na34762%2476---
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d5 8.exd5 0-0 9.0-0 cxd5 10.Bg5 c6 11.Qf3 Bd6
The old Scotch doesn't promise White much, but with Carlsen at the helm you never know. 12.h3 More popular is 12.Rae1 Carlsen himself faced it in a recent game, which he somehow managed to win: Rb8 13.b3 a5 14.h3 h6 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Qxf6 gxf6 17.Ne2 c5 18.Ng3 Rd8 19.Nf5 Bf8 20.Ne7+ Bxe7 21.Rxe7 Be6= Adhiban-Carlsen, Tata Steel 2018. 12...h6 The moment of truth. 13.Bf4 Another confirmation of how Magnus feels about White's giving up a bishop pair in this structure. Rb8 14.b3 Rb4 15.Bxd6 Qxd6 16.Rfe1 a5 17.Rad1 Bd7 18.Qe3 Rc8!
19.Qa7!? White's problem is that he cannot get a hold of the c5-square: 19.Na4 c5! - note Ding's 18th move. 19...Rh4! Ding Liren is on the roll. He can play anything against anyone, and he will never lose. In this situation the daring rook move is fully justified. 19...Qc7 20.Qc5 Be6 21.Na4 Rbb8 22.c4 20.Re3 Magnus wisely prevents the sac on h3. 20.Ne2 is insane. Bxh3 21.gxh3 Rxh3 22.f4? The only way for White to secure a draw is to allow the perpetual after 22.Ng3 22...Re8 23.Qd4 Rhe3 and what does White do next? 20...Qc7 21.Qxc7 Now 21.Qc5 drops the exchange to d4 21...Rxc7 22.Na4 c5
23.g4?? The idea of cutting off that rook's retreat is attractive, but one has take into account those nasty little things called tactics. I'm not sure how deeply Magnus had looked into it. d4 Interesting, but hardly necessary. 23...Rxh3 24.Rxh3 Bxg4 looks like a safe extra pawn to Black. 24.Rf3 Nxg4!? Still, 24...Rxh3 was there. 25.Re1 Magnus just lets go of a pawn. 25.hxg4 Bc6 26.Be2 Re7 27.Kf1 looked troublesome for White. Black might first throw in h5 28.gxh5 Rh1+ 29.Kg2 Rxh5 forcing White to play 30.Kf1 again, and then consider Rh1+ 31.Kg2 Rxd1 32.Bxd1 Re1 33.Nb2 g5! with the idea of meeting 34.Kg3 with Rg1+ 35.Kh2 Rxd1 36.Rf5 Rh1+ 37.Kg3 Rg1+ 38.Kh2 Rg2+! 39.Kh3 Bd7 which looks like a technical win. 25...Nf6 26.Nb6 Bc6 27.Rg3
27...g5?! Perhaps too eager to secure his first ever victory over Carlsen in tournament chess, Ding makes an inaccurate move. 27...g6 28.Re5 Nh5 would have prevented Carlsen's plans: 29.Bf5 Nxg3 30.fxg3 Rh5 31.g4 Rxh3 28.Re5 Nh5 29.Bf5‼ Magnus shows no signs of quitting. Rf4 30.Rg4 Bf3 31.Rxf4 Nxf4 32.Nd7 c4 33.bxc4 Rxc4 34.Rxa5 Rb4 35.Kh2 Rb1
36.Ne5?! 36.Kg3 Bb7 37.Be4 Bxe4 38.Nf6+ completes White'a amazing escape from mate into a merely worse position. 36...Rh1+ 37.Kg3 Bd5 38.f3 Re1 38...h5!? 39.Nd3 Rg1+ 40.Kf2? 40.Kh2! Rg2+ 41.Kh1 Bxf3 42.Ne1 40...Rg2+ 41.Ke1 Re2+ 42.Kf1 Bc4! 43.Kg1 Rg2+ 44.Kh1
Oh my, wasn't Fabiano so tantalizingly close to capturing that coveted # 1 spot? 44...Bxd3? Misfire! A rather technical, cold-blooded win was available in 44...Rxc2 45.Nxf4 Rc1+ 46.Kg2 gxf4 47.Ra8+ Kg7 48.Rd8 Kf6 49.Be4 Ke5 50.a4 Ra1 where the difference in Kings positions must prove decisive. 45.Bxd3 Rg3 This is no way to play for win. As long as there's no mate the a-pawn will be a distraction. Better chances were offered by 45...Rd2 46.a4 Nxh3 47.Bf5 Nf4 46.h4! From now on Carlsen steers the game to a draw. Rh3+ 47.Kg1 Rxh4 48.Bf1 Kg7 49.a4 Ng6 50.Rc5 d3 51.a5 dxc2 52.Rxc2 Ra4 53.a6 h5 54.Rc5 Kf6 55.Rc6+ Kg7 56.Rc5 Kf6 57.Rc6+ Ke5 A big miss for Ding, but one can see how his game progresses. ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Carlsen,M2839Ding,L2804½–½2018C4734th European Club Cup 20186

David Howell

After drawing his own game, Carlsen was thrilled to see his teammate do the same | Photo: Niki Riga / eurochess2018.com

GM Daniel King also had a look at this game for his Power Play Chess channel

On the next board. Yu long held a decisive advantage, but in the end, Howell was able to slip away with a draw.

Not so much luck for the defender on board three:

 
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1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 Dmitry Andreikin is having a bit of a comeback year. His rating is approaching his personal best of some 2730+. One thing, sadly, remains constant, which is Dmitry's reliance on obscure opening lines. 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.g3 Bf5 7.Bg2 h6 8.0-0 e6 9.Na4 Nbd7 10.Bf4 Qe7 11.c4 g5 12.Be3 Bg7 13.Qb3 Rb8 14.Bd2 b5 15.cxb5 cxb5 16.Nc5 Nxc5 17.dxc5
17...Ne4 Black is playing risky games by letting the c-pawn run free. Didn't Nimzo say something about keeping the passed pawn, a dangerous criminal, iunder lock and key? Here 17...Be4 would have accomplished that goal, turning White to looking for kingside chances 18.Rac1 0-0 19.h4 which is challenging, of course, but not nearly as decisive as the game continuation. 18.Bb4 Qc7 19.Qa3 0-0 20.Rac1 Rfc8 21.Nd2! Very consistent. In his quiet way, Nils Grandelius has elevated his game to the 2700 level. Nxd2 Perhaps it was high time to start looking for crazy stuff, such as 21...a5!? 22.Bxa5 b4 22.Bxd2 Qe5 23.c6 Qxb2 24.Qxb2 Bxb2 25.c7! Rb6 26.Be3 Be5
27.Bxb6 Much faster road to victory was to be found in the elegant 27.Rc5! Bd6 28.Rxf5 exf5 29.Bxb6 axb6 30.Rd1! Bxc7 31.Rc1 b4 32.Bb7 Rd8 33.Rxc7 Rd2 27...axb6 28.Rfd1 Rxc7 29.Rxc7 Bxc7 30.Bf1 b4 31.Rd7 Be5 32.Bd3
32...Bh3 Andreikin must have seen 32...Bxd3 33.Rxd3 h5 34.Rd7 Kg7 35.Kf1 Kg6 as hopeless. Black is unable to get his bishop to c5, and will lose the back b-pawn after 36.Ke2 h4 37.Kd3 g4 38.Rb7 33.Be2! Now that g7-g5 move comes back to bite Black. Bf5 34.Bh5 f6 35.g4 Be4 36.Bf7+ Kf8 37.Bxe6 With the fall of that pawn there result of the game became practically inevitable, although the game went for another 50 moves. Nils just wanted to make sure every step of the way. Bg6 38.h3 h5 39.Bd5 h4 40.Kg2 Be8 41.Rb7 Bd4 42.Kf3 Bc5 43.Rc7 Bg6 44.Ke2 Be8 45.Bc4 Bg6 46.Rc8+ Kg7 47.Bb3 f5 48.Kf3 f4 49.Ke2 Kf6 50.Rc6+ Kg7 51.Re6 Bd4 52.Re7+ Kf6 53.Re6+ Kg7 54.f3 Bc5 55.Re5 Kf6 56.Re6+ Kg7 57.Re5 Kf6 58.Rd5 Be7 59.Kd1 Be8 60.Rf5+ Kg7 61.Re5 Kf8 62.Ke2 Bc6 63.Re6 Bb5+ 64.Ke1 Bd8 65.Rd6 Ke8 66.Bd1 Be7 67.Rxb6 Bc4 68.Bb3 Bd3 69.Rb7 Ba6 70.Ra7 Bd3 71.Ba4+ Kf7 72.Rb7 Kf8 73.Bb5 Bg6 74.Bc4 Bc2 75.Kd2 Bg6 76.Kc1 Be8 77.Bd5 Ba4 78.Rb6 Be8 79.Kc2 Bc5 80.Ra6 Ke7 81.Kb3 Bb5 82.Ra5 Kd6 83.Rxb5 Kxd5 84.Kc2 Kd4 85.Kd2 Kc4 86.Rb7 Be3+ 87.Kc2 Bd4 88.Rc7+ 1–0
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Grandelius,N2655Andreikin,D27231–02018B0134th European Club Cup 20186

This game provided the deciding margin of victory for the brave boys of the North. What a tournament they're having!

The match between the other two previously undefeated teams, AVE Novy Bor and Obiettivo (sans their star Nakamura, who chose to go straight to Isle of Man instead), was a tense affair with a lot of decisive games. I particularly enjoy watching my old friend Granda Zuniga beating on people less than half of his age.

Vidit

Vidit Gujrathi (seen here in round 3) was Granda's young victim in the sixth | Photo: Niki Riga / eurochess2018.com

 
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1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.0-0 Bg7 6.c3 Nf6 7.Re1 0-0 8.h3 c4 9.e5 Nd5 10.Na3 Nb6 11.b3 cxb3 12.axb3 c5 13.c4 d6 14.Bb2 dxe5 15.Nxe5 Bb7 16.Qe2 Qc8 17.Nc2 f6 18.Ng4 e5 19.Ra5 Nd7 20.Rea1 a6 21.Nge3 Re8 22.b4 cxb4 23.Nxb4 Nc5 24.Qd1 Rb8 25.d4 exd4 26.Bxd4 Ne6 27.Ba7 Ra8 28.Bb6 f5 29.Nbd5
A series of intricate maneuvers, interspersed with timely pawn strikes, is characteristis of Julio's highly original style of play. Here his opponent was faced with a decision. 29...h5 Perhaps, Vidit wanted to keep the tension. The immediate 29...f4 30.Ng4 Bxd5 31.Qxd5 31.cxd5 h5! 31...Rb8 32.c5 h5 33.Ne5 Qb7 could have held the balance. 30.Rc1 Qc6 31.Nf1 Possibly, stronger was 31.Nc2!? planning to trap the black queen in case of Qxc4 32.Nd4 31...Rac8 32.Ng3 Kf7? 32...Nf4! was absolutely called for. 33.Ne2 Qd6 34.Be3 Granda Zuniga is fully in his element. His moves take a bit of effort to understand for the spectator, but, more importantly, they're a nightmare to deal with for the opponent. Qd8 35.Qd2 Kg8 36.Rb1 Ba8 37.Qa2
Suddenly the a-pawn is about the leave the board, and Black is forced to act. 37...Rxc4 38.Qxc4 Qxa5 39.Ndf4 Qc7 40.Qa2! Maintaining the pin. Qd7 41.Rb6 Bc6 42.Qxa6 Nxf4 43.Nxf4 Rc8 44.Nxg6 Black managed to save his pieces, but the loss of the key g6-pawn is death sentence. Qd1+ 45.Kh2 Qd6+ 46.Bf4 1–0
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Granda Zuniga,J2641Vidit,S27111–02018B3134th European Club Cup 20186

It ended in a 3:3 tie, keeping both teams within striking distance of gold medals. They are now joined by The Bronze Horsemen from St. Petersburg that finally got a positive contribution from their struggling leader, Peter Svidler, who had unprecedentedly started the tournament with four losses and only won today thanks to his opponent's mistakes in a drawn rook endgame. However, as noted earlier, the team from my old hometown will have their chances against the leaders in Thursday's decider with Vitiugov, Fedoseev and Matlakov seemingly in good form.

Svidler

Svidler looks as surprised as anyone to have finally gotten a win! | Photo: Niki Riga / eurochess2018.com

Another team that got to 10 points is Molodezhka, who managed to shake off a crushing defeat at the hands of Carlsen and Co. back in round two. The "Youngsters" (translating the team name from Russian) will take on Obiettivo tomorrow. Can they produce more games in the style of Antipov vs Vuckovic?

 
Mikhail Antipov vs Bojan Vuckovic
Position after 24...Bf8

This defensive idea with 23...Rg8 and 24...Bf8 was not best, but now, how can White break through?

SHOW

I can't wait for the last round to start.

Standings after Round 6 (top 10)

Rk. Team  TB1 
1 Valerenga Sjakklubb 11
2 Obiettivo Risarcimento Padova 10
3 AVE Novy Bor 10
4 Mednyi Vsadnik St.Petersburg 10
5 Molodezhka 10
6 Odlar Yurdu 9
7 Alkaloid 9
8 Beer Sheva Chess Club 9
9 Eynatten 9
10 Itaka 8

All games from Round 6

 
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1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d5 8.exd5 0-0 9.0-0 cxd5 10.Bg5 c6 11.Qf3 Bd6 12.h3 h6 13.Bf4 Rb8 C47: Scotch Four Knights and Four Knights with 4 g3 14.b3 Rb4 15.Bxd6 Qxd6 16.Rfe1 LiveBook: 4 Games a5N Predecessor: 16...Be6 17.Ne2 Rbb8 18.Nf4 Rbe8 19.Qg3 Nd7 20.c3 Nc5 ½-½ (79) Kovchan,A (2576)-Kazakov,M (2468) Lutsk 2015 17.Rad1 Bd7 18.Qe3 Rc8 19.Qa7 Rh4 20.Re3 20.Qxa5 Bxh3!       21.g3 Rh5 20...Qc7! 21.Qxc7 Rxc7 22.Na4 c5 23.g4 23.Nb6= remains equal. 23...d4       Black has strong initiative. 24.Rf3
24...Nxg4!       25.Re1 25.hxg4 was called for. Bc6 26.Be2 25...Nf6-+ 26.Nb6 With the idea Rxf6! Bc6! 26...Rxh3 27.Rxf6!       gxf6 28.Nxd7± 26...Bxh3 27.Nd5!       27.Rg3 g5 28.Re5 Nh5 29.Bf5 Rf4 29...Nxg3? 30.fxg3 Rh5 31.Bg4+- 30.Rg4 White wants to play Rxf4. Bf3 31.Rxf4 Nxf4 32.Nd7 c4 33.bxc4 Rxc4 34.Rxa5 Rb4 35.Kh2 Rb1 36.Ne5 36.Kg3 might work better. Bc6 37.Nf6+ Kg7 38.Be4 36...Rh1+ 37.Kg3 Bd5 38.f3 Re1 ( -> ...Re2) 39.Nd3 Rg1+ 40.Kf2 40.Kh2! Rg2+ 41.Kh1 Bxf3 42.Ne1 40...Rg2+ 41.Ke1 Black must now prevent Nxf4. Re2+ Weaker is 41...Bxf3 42.Nxf4 gxf4 43.Ra4= 42.Kf1
aiming for Nxf4. 42...Bc4! Worse is 42...Bxf3 43.Nxf4 gxf4 44.Ra4= 43.Kg1 Rg2+ Not 43...Rxc2 44.Nxf4 Rc1+ 45.Kf2 44.Kh1 Bxd3 44...Rxc2-+ and Black stays clearly on top. 45.Nxf4 Rc1+ 46.Kh2 gxf4 45.Bxd3       Endgame KRB-KRN Rg3 46.h4 Rh3+ 47.Kg1 Rxh4 48.Bf1 Kg7 49.a4 Ng6 50.Rc5
50.Kg2 50...d3!       51.a5! 51.cxd3 Rxa4 51...dxc2 52.Rxc2 Ra4 53.a6 h5 54.Rc5 The position is equal. Kf6 55.Rc6+ Kg7 56.Rc5 Kf6 And now ...Ne5 would win. 57.Rc6+ Ke5 Precision: White = 60%, Black = 58%. ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Carlsen,M2839Ding,L2804½–½2018C4734th European Club Cup 20186
Yu,Y2765Howell,D2689½–½2018E0634th European Club Cup 20186
Jakovenko,D2752Tari,A2618½–½2018B1234th European Club Cup 20186
Navara,D2740Vallejo Pons,F27131–02018D3134th European Club Cup 20186
Wojtaszek,R2727Wang,H2722½–½2018D3734th European Club Cup 20186
Naiditsch,A2721Nemeth,M24741–02018A4034th European Club Cup 20186
Vitiugov,N2709Salomon,J24771–02018E0134th European Club Cup 20186
Kryvoruchko,Y2697Romanov,E2614½–½2018B2834th European Club Cup 20186
Leko,P2690Harikrishna,P2733½–½2018E0434th European Club Cup 20186
Matlakov,M2683Haug,J23911–02018D3834th European Club Cup 20186
Sasikiran,K2672Vocaturo,D26150–12018B4034th European Club Cup 20186
Guseinov,G2667Varga,Z24481–02018B0334th European Club Cup 20186
Grandelius,N2655Andreikin,D27231–02018B0134th European Club Cup 20186
Edouard,R2646Admiraal,M24910–12018A2034th European Club Cup 20186
Efimenko,Z2641Mastrovasilis,D2595½–½2018A0634th European Club Cup 20186
Granda Zuniga,J2641Vidit,S27111–02018B3134th European Club Cup 20186
Abasov,N2627Takacs,L22451–02018B1334th European Club Cup 20186
Bauer,C2626Andersen,M2597½–½2018A0134th European Club Cup 20186
Khalifman,A2617Kjartansson,G24281–02018D4334th European Club Cup 20186
Predojevic,B2616Eljanov,P2703½–½2018C6734th European Club Cup 20186
Roiz,M2607Malikentzos,S24411–02018A1334th European Club Cup 20186
Chigaev,M2599Damjanovic,V20311–02018B1334th European Club Cup 20186
Potkin,V2597Indjic,A2604½–½2018E1034th European Club Cup 20186
Antipov,M2593Vuckovic,B25881–02018B3134th European Club Cup 20186
Goganov,A2592Nordquelle,D22351–02018A1534th European Club Cup 20186
Svetushkin,D2592Yuffa,D2563½–½2018B0434th European Club Cup 20186
Agrest,E2580Ashton,A23591–02018D0034th European Club Cup 20186
Mikhalevski,V2565Zawadzka,J24211–02018A1434th European Club Cup 20186
David,A2561Ragger,M26900–12018C6534th European Club Cup 20186
Handke,F2536Hoffmann,M2441½–½2018E0434th European Club Cup 20186
Chanda,S2535Vogt,L23681–02018E7334th European Club Cup 20186
Noe,C2530Elsness,F24501–02018E4634th European Club Cup 20186
Demuth,A2529Van der Lende,I23271–02018A0634th European Club Cup 20186
Werle,J2527Ladva,O2500½–½2018D4134th European Club Cup 20186
Georgiadis,N2526Ivanisevic,I25830–12018A5634th European Club Cup 20186
Stojanovic,M2522Golubov,S2476½–½2018E8134th European Club Cup 20186
Mastrovasilis,A2503Postny,E2612½–½2018E5334th European Club Cup 20186
Markgraf,A2502Valner,U2236½–½2018C1834th European Club Cup 20186
Pruijssers,R2501Ris,R2435½–½2018B1334th European Club Cup 20186
Blomqvist,E2499Svidler,P27560–12018B5134th European Club Cup 20186
Thybo,J2496Thorfinnsson,B24141–02018E0434th European Club Cup 20186
Ivic,V2487Paravyan,D2629½–½2018C6034th European Club Cup 20186
Petursson,M2486Sotsky,A23301–02018A1334th European Club Cup 20186
Sprenger,J2486Jakubiec,A2508½–½2018B3234th European Club Cup 20186
Miljkovic,M2484Forster,R2460½–½2018A8034th European Club Cup 20186
Alsina Leal,D2483Mueller,R23061–02018B7634th European Club Cup 20186
Petrov,M2482Donchenko,A26101–02018B5034th European Club Cup 20186
Baldauf,M2472Hautot,S2331½–½2018A3034th European Club Cup 20186
Koch,T2467Swinkels,R24861–02018D4534th European Club Cup 20186
Lazic,M2466Ballmann,M23811–02018B2634th European Club Cup 20186
Bokros,A2465Safarli,E26760–12018B5134th European Club Cup 20186
Pijpers,A2465Milosevic,M23061–02018C4134th European Club Cup 20186
Novik,M2461Sulypa,O2487½–½2018A0434th European Club Cup 20186
Beerdsen,T2460Saraci,N24021–02018B5034th European Club Cup 20186
Riemersma,L2460Burg,T25171–02018A2234th European Club Cup 20186
Liiva,R2456Babula,V2522½–½2018B2334th European Club Cup 20186
Arnaudov,G2452Gorodetzky,D24521–02018E0634th European Club Cup 20186
Petenyi,T2444Mamedyarov,S28200–12018C6034th European Club Cup 20186
Kaczmarczyk,D2442Kosic,D24700–12018C1034th European Club Cup 20186
Djurhuus,R2439Fedoseev,V2713½–½2018B9034th European Club Cup 20186
Van Haastert,E2437Matovic,M22341–02018B9034th European Club Cup 20186
Thorfinnsson,B2433Kazakovskiy,V2405½–½2018A4534th European Club Cup 20186
Bagi,M2432Durarbayli,V2629½–½2018B5334th European Club Cup 20186
Hansen,T2423Gibicar,D22791–02018A3034th European Club Cup 20186
Mutschnik,I2411Naumann,A25461–02018B8034th European Club Cup 20186
Meins,G2408Nestor,K21321–02018A0634th European Club Cup 20186
Kjartansson,D2404Thogersen,R22771–02018B9034th European Club Cup 20186
Dionisi,T2398Heinzel,O23311–02018B0134th European Club Cup 20186
Polzin,R2397Jakubiec,E2174½–½2018B2334th European Club Cup 20186
Braun,C2396Zelbel,P2429½–½2018B9034th European Club Cup 20186
Aabling-Thomsen,J2388Vogel,C20601–02018A2034th European Club Cup 20186
Veinberg,N2386Danchevski,O23581–02018A4034th European Club Cup 20186
Borge,N2385Bates,R23740–12018B9034th European Club Cup 20186
Lindberg,B2379Cumming,R2224½–½2018A4834th European Club Cup 20186
Ootes,L2372Buscher,M2393½–½2018B6834th European Club Cup 20186
Nikolovski,N2369Parkhov,Y2331½–½2018C1834th European Club Cup 20186
Lopez,J2366Sokolov,I25730–12018D3734th European Club Cup 20186
Rendle,T2366Nyysti,S22991–02018A0334th European Club Cup 20186
Boidman,Y2358Abel,D24760–12018A4634th European Club Cup 20186
Galburd,Y2358Stojcevski,Z2348½–½2018D0234th European Club Cup 20186
Ledger,A2353Jaksland,T22140–12018A4834th European Club Cup 20186
Kalogeris,I2351Huzman,A2571½–½2018E0634th European Club Cup 20186
Berend,F2350Pleasants,A20901–02018E9134th European Club Cup 20186
Kristensen,K2347Liodakis,K21821–02018E9734th European Club Cup 20186
Buhr,C2342Samoun,F23221–02018B3234th European Club Cup 20186
Ranaldi,L2335Drzasga,M20421–02018D3534th European Club Cup 20186
Lampen,T2332Roberson,P23960–12018C1734th European Club Cup 20186
Berg,M2331Rosenthal,J23151–02018D1134th European Club Cup 20186
Longson,A2329Sagit,R24340–12018B9034th European Club Cup 20186
Lemmers,O2327In t Veld,D21941–02018B4034th European Club Cup 20186
Pantzar,M2326Walton,A21521–02018D3534th European Club Cup 20186
Taylor,A2321Issakainen,A21851–02018A0534th European Club Cup 20186
Tryggestad,A2320Alekseenko,K2639½–½2018E1534th European Club Cup 20186
Tesic,D2313Hasenohr,B22771–02018D1134th European Club Cup 20186
Schiendorfer,E2310Kosanovic,G2329½–½2018D7834th European Club Cup 20186
Popovic,M2309Jens,J2435½–½2018C4834th European Club Cup 20186
Dek,L2304Rozentalis,E25221–02018B1534th European Club Cup 20186
De Groote,E2292Noiroux,K2118½–½2018B4034th European Club Cup 20186
Vedder,R2288Petrakis,S20001–02018C0034th European Club Cup 20186
Hove,E2286Georgakopoulos,N20851–02018A4634th European Club Cup 20186
Dinev,D2284Mikhalevski,A2430½–½2018D0434th European Club Cup 20186
Lammens,T2281Asllani,I20331–02018A0434th European Club Cup 20186
Mansner,H2278Bremner,A2212½–½2018D3734th European Club Cup 20186
Storme,I2276Densing,G17761–02018A0034th European Club Cup 20186
Willow,J2271Linnanen,L21531–02018B2334th European Club Cup 20186
Papadimitriou,A2265Greenfeld,A24950–12018A0434th European Club Cup 20186
Stillger,B2265Lenaerts,L2362½–½2018C4734th European Club Cup 20186
Virtanen,A2262Valdes Escobar,A2351½–½2018B5834th European Club Cup 20186
Friedrich,N2259Michalczak,T21601–02018C8834th European Club Cup 20186
Salama,O2254Marinskii,Y21660–12018D1034th European Club Cup 20186
Omorjan,D2249Bosman,M23901–02018D1234th European Club Cup 20186
Roobol,M2243Nikolic,M22790–12018B9034th European Club Cup 20186
Rosenkilde,A2239Thorarinsson,P2270½–½2018A6134th European Club Cup 20186
Kukk,S2235Zumsande,M24920–12018A0134th European Club Cup 20186
Umudova,N2233Van der Heijden,T2300½–½2018B4034th European Club Cup 20186
Ostergaard,J2225Duncan,C2236½–½2018D1034th European Club Cup 20186
Gorodetzky,M2221Andonovski,L22870–12018B1334th European Club Cup 20186
Baliasnyj,T2216Gunnarsson,A24280–12018A0534th European Club Cup 20186
Papadopoulos,A2213Jepson,C2413½–½2018B0734th European Club Cup 20186
Gupta,M2206Vucenovic,D2181½–½2018A0634th European Club Cup 20186
Gengler,P2205Seyb,A2411½–½2018B9034th European Club Cup 20186
Budima,A2202Dunne,T1878½–½2018C1234th European Club Cup 20186
Juegel,M2187Vanstreels,L2123½–½2018A4534th European Club Cup 20186
Maksimovic,M2187Jap Tjoen San,L20861–02018D0034th European Club Cup 20186
Kosmo,S2186Varnam,L20891–02018C3634th European Club Cup 20186
Halmeenmaki,T2177Pein,M23271–02018A0434th European Club Cup 20186
Van Dommelen,M2177Fejzullahu,A22471–02018C4534th European Club Cup 20186
Duijn,R2169Vanheirzeele,D21581–02018A4634th European Club Cup 20186
Ledger,D2168Nordenbaek,J2173½–½2018B3334th European Club Cup 20186
Mcgowan,D2157Verkasalo,T21950–12018B0834th European Club Cup 20186
Tsarouhas,K2154Sylvan,J23360–12018A2934th European Club Cup 20186
Gayson,P2150O`connor,E19721–02018C0934th European Club Cup 20186
Longson,S2149Cramling,D23581–02018B0934th European Club Cup 20186
Papadiamandis,E2149Filipovic,S22021–02018B3234th European Club Cup 20186
Grubert,C2148Palsson,H20201–02018C4134th European Club Cup 20186
Stanic,Z2143Wundermann,X2139½–½2018D0034th European Club Cup 20186
Pedersen,P2140Healy,J1919½–½2018A0534th European Club Cup 20186
Petersen,S2131Burke,K17681–02018A1334th European Club Cup 20186
Gnichtel,G2125Lovik,L2362½–½2018D3734th European Club Cup 20186
Purton,B2115Kelo,K15921–02018A8034th European Club Cup 20186
Zymberi,A2115Warmerdam,M24171–02018A5034th European Club Cup 20186
Jashari,A2113Higgins,K18231–02018B0834th European Club Cup 20186
Schartz,A2107Bevan,P1886½–½2018B0134th European Club Cup 20186
Schmidt,M2100Gantner,M2331½–½2018B8434th European Club Cup 20186
Lammi,J2099Hill,A22030–12018A7334th European Club Cup 20186
McHugh,K2084Laursen,N23040–12018B0834th European Club Cup 20186
Kalaitzoglou,P2071Vedder,H23360–12018C1834th European Club Cup 20186
McMillan,C2070Otero Martinez,D21671–02018C4134th European Club Cup 20186
Klauner,T2032Heaven,P2041½–½2018A4534th European Club Cup 20186
Garcia,J2027Guidoreni,J18620–12018B1234th European Club Cup 20186
Millward,K2023Rasmussen,H21650–12018D0034th European Club Cup 20186
Vozinaki,A2022Ejsing,E21540–12018B0634th European Club Cup 20186
Ledger,S2020Nilsson,L1948½–½2018A4534th European Club Cup 20186
Hewitt,W2015Mossong,H20760–12018B3234th European Club Cup 20186
Nahkur,M2013Richter,C23560–12018C7234th European Club Cup 20186
Reichardt,R1993Pelantakis,M17821–02018E1034th European Club Cup 20186
Stern,G1993Lalouette,H16811–02018A4034th European Club Cup 20186
Artola Pola,G1988Arnott,J21160–12018C1034th European Club Cup 20186
Adams,P1980Grandell,A2268½–½2018B3634th European Club Cup 20186
Hajra,D1978Boel,M22410–12018B9534th European Club Cup 20186
Wambach,P1958Risting,E2299½–½2018A0934th European Club Cup 20186
Svendsen,P1948Nelson,J21810–12018B0734th European Club Cup 20186
Runarsson,G1937Jessen,A20600–12018D3134th European Club Cup 20186
Tardi,O1931Schwerteck,M20770–12018C4434th European Club Cup 20186
Van Diermen,A1931Fyntrilakis,K17460–12018B2534th European Club Cup 20186
Ruchko,D1908Uruci,E21770–12018E7334th European Club Cup 20186
Andersen,P1902Karavitaki,E1828½–½2018B4034th European Club Cup 20186
O`brien,G1902Hamiti,G2149½–½2018A0634th European Club Cup 20186
Mathioulakis,F1856Van Twillert,L21170–12018B3234th European Club Cup 20186
Guha,C1849Kivilahti,R20571–02018D1134th European Club Cup 20186
Loo,B1849Rudolf,H23060–12018D0134th European Club Cup 20186
Gheury,J1833Van Beek,A22810–12018D0134th European Club Cup 20186
Boland,D1830Andersen,S21590–12018D4834th European Club Cup 20186
Krasniqi,A1821Dunne,J14811–02018B0134th European Club Cup 20186
Kenny,W1787Christensen,E20170–12018A5734th European Club Cup 20186
Marhoefer,D1773Ho,C20560–12018B0034th European Club Cup 20186
Buttell,D1758Jadin,Y18551–02018A4234th European Club Cup 20186
Tzagarakis,P1724Drent,S20011–02018B0334th European Club Cup 20186
Barrett,C1643Mahmuti,A19931–02018C5034th European Club Cup 20186
Bahtiri,S-Van der Elburg,F2191½–½2018B4434th European Club Cup 20186

Round 7 pairings (top 10 boards)

Team MP Res. : Res. MP Team
Mednyi Vsadnik St.Petersburg 10   :   11 Valerenga Sjakklubb
Obiettivo Risarcimento Padova 10   :   10 Molodezhka
Odlar Yurdu 9   :   10 AVE Novy Bor
Alkaloid 9   :   9 Beer Sheva Chess Club
Itaka 8   :   9 Eynatten

Women's section

In the semi-final matches the rating favourites Nona and Monte Carlo prevailed and will play each other in the final round to decide the tournament.

Pia Cramling converted a rook ending against the Russian Champion Natalia Pogonina in the decisive win for the top seeds. 

 
Pogonina vs Cramling
Position after 67.Ke1

Cramling found the decisive 67.Rf7 which freezes the white rook and prepares to shelter the black king from a check once it clears a path for the b-pawn. 1-0 (77 moves)

Pogonina

Natalia Pogonina (seen here earlier in the week) suffered her first loss as her team Ugra went down in the semi-final match | Photo: Niki Riga / eurochess2018.com

Semi-finals

Team MP Res. : Res. MP Team
SSHOR 6 1 : 3 9 Nona *)
Monte-Carlo 10 2½ : 1½ 8 Ugra *)

Round 7 pairings

(Board 1 is the final match.)

Team MP Res. : Res. MP Team
Cercle d'Echecs de Monte-Carlo 12   :   11 Nona *)
SSHOR 6   :   8 Ugra *)
Kyiv Chess Federation *) 9   :   8 Odlar Yurdu
Beer Sheva Chess Club *) 3   :   5 Caissa Italia Pentole Agnelli
ZSK Maribor *) 4   :   5 Mulhouse Philidor
AMO Galaxias Thessaloniki *) 0   :   1 Caissa Italia Banca Alpi Marittime

Games from Round 6

 
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1.e4 0 c5 0 2.Nf3 0 d6 4 3.Bb5+ 0 Bd7 13 4.Bxd7+ 0 Qxd7 4 5.c4 0 Nf6 9 6.Nc3 3 g6 21 7.d4 6 cxd4 4 8.Nxd4 5 Bg7 6 9.f3 7 Qc7 37 10.b3 12 Qa5 38 11.Bd2 21 0-0 1:19 12.Ncb5 5:10 Qd8 17:02 13.Be3 30 Qa5+ 11:21 14.Qd2 6:16 Qxd2+ 6 15.Kxd2 5 Rc8 5:51 16.Rac1 4:57 Nc6 2:04 17.Ke2 2:19 Nd7 2:27 18.Rhd1 1:16 a6 39 19.Nxc6 17 bxc6 4:48 20.Nc3 21 Bxc3 4:42 21.Rxc3 3:56 c5 1 22.f4 6:00 f6 4 23.Bc1 13:29 a5 9:52 24.Re3 1:21 a4 5:59 25.Bb2 13 axb3 1:01 26.axb3 2 Ra2 1:58 27.Rd2 6 Kf7 1:21 28.e5 10:17 fxe5 3:25 29.fxe5 13 Nxe5 9 30.Bxe5 7 Rxd2+ 2 31.Kxd2 7 dxe5 2 32.Rxe5 8 e6 23 33.Kc3 2:26 Kf6 2:18 34.Re2 11 Ra8 1:46 35.Rf2+ 3:14 ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Muzychuk,A2555Ushenina,A2451½–½2018B5223rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Gunina,V2525Muzychuk,M25330–12018D3023rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Pogonina,N2485Cramling,P24650–12018E0423rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Batsiashvili,N2482Ovod,E2363½–½2018E0423rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Khotenashvili,B2469Semenova,E22631–02018E0623rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Socko,M2451Girya,O24790–12018D1423rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Mammadzada,G2438Shvayger,Y2375½–½2018B3223rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Zimina,O2431Gaponenko,I24090–12018E9223rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Bodnaruk,A2423Dzagnidze,N2509½–½2018B4323rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Nechaeva,M2409Cornette,D24620–12018E1523rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Zhukova,N2403Paehtz,E2513½–½2018A2123rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Mammadova,G2355Kumanska,O20541–02018B4023rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Belenkaya,D2329Javakhishvili,L24750–12018B2223rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Babiy,O2310Tsolakidou,S23930–12018B9023rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Klinova,M2288Balajayeva,K23260–12018C5523rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Injac,T2258Grapsa,G20850–12018B9023rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Injac,T2258Grapsa,G20851–02018E1223rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Haussernot,C2204Santeramo,A20540–12018C5523rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Haussernot,C2204Santeramo,A2054½–½2018C6423rd European Women Club Cup 20186
De Rosa,M2131Heinemann,J23080–12018B9023rd European Women Club Cup 20186
De Rosa,M2131Heinemann,J23081–02018E1223rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Neuhauser,S2115Andolfatto,M20680–12018E6123rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Mar,K2107Lagogianni,N11521–02018C5023rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Guerini,S1977Richard,E21271–02018C5023rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Buzukashvili,S1936Fataliyeva,U23200–12018A0423rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Petraki,E1769Vidic,T21160–12018C5523rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Petraki,E1769Vidic,T2116½–½2018A4823rd European Women Club Cup 20186
Tsivelekidou,A1147Mihevc-Mohr,N19830–12018E6123rd European Women Club Cup 20186

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Yermo is enjoying his fifties. Lives in South Dakota, 600 miles way from the nearest grandmaster. Between his chess work online he plays snooker and spends time outdoors - happy as a clam.

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