European Championship: Favorites dominate in round 1

by Johannes Fischer
5/13/2016 – The European Championship 2016 is played in Gjakova, in the Republic of Kosovo. The field is strong: 245 players registered, five of them have a rating of 2700+, 60 can boast of a rating of 2600+. Top seed is Czech grandmaster David Navara with a rating of 2735. In the first of eleven rounds the favorites had almost no problems to win their games and dominated their opponents.
Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.


Follow the games live on playchess.com

The venue: the "Hotel Pashtriku" at night... 

... and during the day.

The entrance of the hotel

Results of the first round

Bo. No.   Name FED Rtg Result   Name FED Rtg No.
1 1 GM Navara David CZE 2735 1 - 0 IM Agopov Mikael FIN 2442 120
2 121 IM Kanmazalp Ogulcan TUR 2442 0 - 1 GM Wojtaszek Radoslaw POL 2722 2
3 3 GM Vitiugov Nikita RUS 2721 1 - 0 IM Erdogdu Mert TUR 2439 122
4 123 IM Korchmar Vasiliy RUS 2437 0 - 1 GM Ponomariov Ruslan UKR 2715 4
5 5 GM Vallejo Pons Francisco ESP 2700 1 - 0 IM Getz Nicolai NOR 2431 124
6 125 IM Codenotti Marco ITA 2428 0 - 1 GM Ragger Markus AUT 2696 6
7 7 GM Matlakov Maxim RUS 2693 1 - 0 IM Yilmazyerli Mert TUR 2426 126
8 127 IM Dragnev Valentin AUT 2423 0 - 1 GM Fressinet Laurent FRA 2692 8
9 9 GM Kryvoruchko Yuriy UKR 2691 ½ - ½ IM Thorfinnsson Bjorn ISL 2410 128
10 129 IM Birnboim Nathan ISR 2367 0 - 1 GM Hammer Jon Ludvig NOR 2689 10
11 11 GM Sargissian Gabriel ARM 2689 ½ - ½ FM Gaehwiler Gabriel SUI 2352 130
12 131 IM Kerigan Demre TUR 2342 0 - 1 GM Inarkiev Ernesto RUS 2686 12
13 13 GM Cheparinov Ivan BUL 2685 1 - 0 IM Atakisi Umut TUR 2330 132
14 133 FM Fejzullahu Afrim KOS 2319 0 - 1 GM Fedoseev Vladimir RUS 2685 14
15 15 GM Najer Evgeniy RUS 2681 + - -   Pasko Llambi ALB 2319 134
16 135   Nazarko Shpetim GER 2292 0 - 1 GM Piorun Kacper POL 2681 16
17 17 GM Korobov Anton UKR 2674 1 - 0 FM Ermeni Avni KOS 2280 136
18 137   Saraci Nderim KOS 2275 ½ - ½ GM Howell David W L ENG 2671 18
19 19 GM Nisipeanu Liviu-Dieter GER 2669 1 - 0 CM Gavrilescu David ROU 2271 138
20 139   Makolli Perparim KOS 2261 0 - 1 GM Laznicka Viktor CZE 2668 20
21 21 GM Areshchenko Alexander UKR 2667 1 - 0 IM Smolin Sergey UKR 2260 140
22 141   Idrizaj Abedin KOS 2243 - - + GM Duda Jan-Krzysztof POL 2666 22
23 23 GM Moiseenko Alexander UKR 2663 1 - 0   Lind Jan-Olov SWE 2240 142
24 143 FM Tifferet Shaked ISR 2230 0 - 1 GM Dreev Aleksey RUS 2662 24
25 25 GM Postny Evgeny ISR 2662 1 - 0   Sahitaj Naim KOS 2219 144

...

Top seed David Navara played against Mikael Agopov from Finland, definitely not a pushover. But apparently Agopov had a day off and lost quickly after a few inaccuracies in a sharp opening.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6 7.0-0 Be7 8.f4 0-0 9.Kh1 Qc7 10.a4 Nc6 11.Be3 Re8 12.Bf3 Bf8 13.Qd2 Na5 Navara knows this position. But in a previous game his opponent continued with 13...Bd7 14.Qf2 Rab8 15.a5 Nxa5 16.Nxe6 Rxe6 17.Bb6 Qc8 18.Rxa5 Bc6 19.Qd4 Qe8 20.Re1 g6 21.Raa1 Nd7 22.Ba7 Ra8 23.Qf2 Bg7 24.Bd4 Bxd4 25.Qxd4 Nf6 26.Re2 Qe7 27.Rae1 Re8 28.h3 Qd8 29.Nd1 h5 30.Nf2 Qc7 31.g4 hxg4 32.hxg4 g5 33.f5 Re5 34.Nd3 Bb5 35.Qe3 Nh7 36.Rh2 Rxe4 37.Bxe4 Rxe4 38.Qh3 Bxd3 39.Qxh7+ Kf8 0-1 (39) Navara,D (2722)-Sasikiran,K (2681) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 14.b3 Bd7 15.Nde2 Bc6 16.Bd4N
A new move. A correspondence continued with 16.Rad1 Rac8 17.Qe1 b5 18.Qf2 b4 19.Bb6 Qb7 20.Bxa5 bxc3 21.e5 dxe5 22.fxe5 Bxf3 23.Qxf3 Qxf3 24.Rxf3 Ng4 25.h3 Nxe5 26.Rxc3 f5 27.g3 h5 28.Nf4 Rxc3 29.Bxc3 Nf7 30.Ba5 Bd6 31.h4 e5 32.Nd5 e4 33.Kg2 Re6 34.Bd2 Ne5 35.Nf4 Re8 36.Ba5 Bb8 37.Nxh5 Rc8 38.c4 Nd3 39.Bc3 g6 40.Nf6+ Kf7 41.Nd5 Bd6 42.a5 Ke6 43.Rb1 Rc6 44.Rh1 Be5 45.h5 Bxc3 Borisovs, L (2370)-Weber,J (2382) ICCF email 2008 1/2-1/2 16...e5 17.Be3 b6 18.f5 Rad8 19.Ng3
19...d5? The thematic counter in the center - which here, however, is too early. Less violent, more patient and more careful is 19...Bb7 20.exd5 Bb7?! After this move Black is already lost. The only way to stay in the game was 20...e4 21.Ngxe4 Nxd5 22.Nxd5 Rxd5 Black is a pawn down for which he does not have adequate compensation but he at least hope to stir up some trouble. 21.Bg5! Simple and strong. Bb4 or 21...Rc8 22.Bxf6 Qxc3 23.Qg5 h6 24.Qg4 with a devastating attack for White, e.g. Kh8 25.Bxg7+ Bxg7 26.f6 Bxf6 27.Qf5 e4 28.Bxe4 and White wins. 22.Bxf6
Black resigned. After 22...gxf6 White plays 23.Nh5 with a winning attack and after 22...Qxc3 White wins with 23.Qg5 Bf8 24.Bxg7. 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.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Navara,D2735Agopov,M24421–02016B8517th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.1

Ruslan Ponomariov played an energetic attacking game and showed why the Benoni is considered to be a fine weapon to play for a win with Black.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bg2 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Bf4 Qe7 11.a4 b6 12.h3 Nh5 13.Bg5 f6 14.Bd2 f5 15.Ng5 f4 16.Ne6 fxg3 17.f4?
White seems to panic and weakens his kingside. It was better to be consistent and accept the offered exchange. After 17.Nxf8 Nxf8 Black has wonderful pieces and a strong attack for the exchange but White is definitely not lost. 17...Ndf6 18.Nxf8 Now White takes the exchange - but soon has a prize to pay for weakening his kingside with 17.f4?. Bxf8 19.e4
19...Ng4! Black loses no time and wants to let his queen join the attack as quickly as possible. 20.hxg4 Qh4 21.Rf3 Bxg4 Black is whole rook down but he will win back his material with interest. 22.Kf1 Bg7 23.Ke2 Rf8 24.Kd3 Bxf3 25.Bxf3 Nxf4+ 26.Kc2 g2 27.Bxf4 Rxf4 28.Bxg2 Rf2+ 29.Kb3 Rxg2 30.Qf1 Qg3 0–1
  • 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.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Korchmar,V2437Ponomariov,R27150–12016A6217th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.4

Almost all favorites won more or less easily but English grandmaster David Howell had problems. He played with Black against the untitled local Nderim Saraci (Elo 2275) and was lucky to get away with a draw.  

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Be7 7.Be3 0-0 8.Qd2 a6 9.Be2 b5 10.dxc5 Nxc5 11.a3 Bb7 12.0-0 Qc7 13.Nd4 Nbd7 14.b4 Na4?! 14...Ne4! 15.Nxe4 dxe4 15.Nxa4 bxa4 16.Rac1 Qd8? 16...Nb6! 17.Rfd1 Nb6 18.f5 Rc8? 18...Qc7 19.fxe6 f5 20.exf6?! 20.Rf1! 20...Bxf6 21.c3 21.Nf5! 21...Re8
Black is in trouble - he is a pawn down and has no compensation. Black's position is so precarious indeed that Howell did not dare to play on trying to prove that he is the better player. White, a 20-year old untitled player from Kosovo, on the other hand, probably did not want to tempt fate and was happy to draw against a grandmaster. ½–½
  • 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.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Saraci,N-Howell,D-½–½2016C1117th European Individual Championship

Games of round one

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6 7.0-0 Be7 8.f4 0-0 9.Kh1 Qc7 10.a4 Nc6 11.Be3 Re8 12.Bf3 Bf8 13.Qd2 Na5 14.b3 Bd7 15.Nde2 Bc6 16.Bd4 e5 17.Be3 b6 18.f5 Rad8 19.Ng3 d5 20.exd5 Bb7 21.Bg5 Bb4 22.Bxf6 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.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Navara,D2735Agopov,M24421–02016B8417th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.1
Kanmazalp,O2442Wojtaszek,R27220–12016B5317th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.2
Vitiugov,N2721Erdogdu,M24391–02016D0217th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.3
Korchmar,V2437Ponomariov,R27150–12016A6317th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.4
Vallejo Pons,F2700Getz,N24311–02016C5317th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.5
Codenotti,M2428Ragger,M26960–12016B2217th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.6
Matlakov,M2693Yilmazyerli,M24261–02016A0417th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.7
Dragnev,V2423Fressinet,L26920–12016B3317th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.8
Kryvoruchko,Y2691Thorfinnsson,B2410½–½2016C5517th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.9
Birnboim,N2367Hammer,J26890–12016C0317th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.10
Sargissian,G2689Gaehwiler,G2352½–½2016A1517th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.11
Kerigan,D2342Inarkiev,E26860–12016B4017th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.12
Cheparinov,I2685Atakisi,U23301–02016D1717th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.13
Fejzullahu,A2319Fedoseev,V26850–12016B1517th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.14
Najer,E2681Pasko,L23191–02016A4017th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.15
Nazarko,S2292Piorun,K26810–12016A8817th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.16
Korobov,A2674Ermeni,A22801–02016D3417th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.17
Saraci,N2275Howell,D2671½–½2016C1117th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.18
Nisipeanu,L2669Gavrilescu,D22711–02016A0617th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.19
Makolli,P2261Laznicka,V26680–12016B8417th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.20
Areshchenko,A2667Smolin,S22601–02016B0617th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.21
Idrizaj,A2243Duda,J26660–1201617th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.22
Moiseenko,A2663Lind,J22401–02016E8117th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.23
Tifferet,S2230Dreev,A26620–12016A0617th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.24
Postny,E2662Sahitaj,N22191–02016E9017th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.25
Salihu,S2212Jobava,B26610–12016A4817th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.26
Jones,G2657Van Hoolandt,P22091–02016C4517th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.27
Mehaj,D2204Swiercz,D26560–12016A4917th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.28
Bartel,M2653Xheladini,M21991–02016A4017th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.29
Sadiku,B2196Saric,I26500–12016A0617th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.30
Grandelius,N2649Vebic,K-1–02016A1417th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.31
Draci,R2180Ipatov,A26480–1201617th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.32
Zhigalko,S2647Gal,M2173½–½2016B2717th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.33
Koka,O2173Kobalia,M26460–12016A2017th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.34
Melkumyan,H2646Veleski,R21691–02016C5017th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.35
Mico,T2168Dubov,D26440–1201617th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.36
Kovalenko,I2644Sejdiu,B21661–02016C4217th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.37
Gebigke,M2163Volokitin,A26420–12016E5317th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.38
Kravtsiv,M2641Agushi,A21351–02016C5017th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.39
Sahiti,J2121Romanov,E26410–12016B4117th ch-EUR Indiv 20161.40

Starting list

No.   Name FideID Rtg
1 GM Navara David 309095 2735
2 GM Wojtaszek Radoslaw 1118358 2722
3 GM Vitiugov Nikita 4152956 2721
4 GM Ponomariov Ruslan 14103320 2715
5 GM Vallejo Pons Francisco 2205530 2700
6 GM Ragger Markus 1610856 2696
7 GM Matlakov Maxim 4168003 2693
8 GM Fressinet Laurent 608742 2692
9 GM Kryvoruchko Yuriy 14109182 2691
10 GM Hammer Jon Ludvig 1503707 2689
11 GM Sargissian Gabriel 13300881 2689
12 GM Inarkiev Ernesto 4162722 2686
13 GM Cheparinov Ivan 2905540 2685
14 GM Fedoseev Vladimir 24130737 2685
15 GM Najer Evgeniy 4118987 2681
16 GM Piorun Kacper 1130420 2681
17 GM Korobov Anton 14105730 2674
18 GM Howell David W L 410608 2671
19 GM Nisipeanu Liviu-Dieter 1202758 2669
20 GM Laznicka Viktor 316385 2668
21 GM Areshchenko Alexander 14109530 2667
22 GM Duda Jan-Krzysztof 1170546 2666
23 GM Moiseenko Alexander 14102560 2663
24 GM Dreev Aleksey 4100107 2662
25 GM Postny Evgeny 2804344 2662
26 GM Jobava Baadur 13601520 2661
27 GM Jones Gawain C B 409561 2657
28 GM Swiercz Dariusz 1126881 2656
29 GM Bartel Mateusz 1112635 2653
30 GM Saric Ivan 14508150 2650
31 GM Grandelius Nils 1710400 2649
32 GM Ipatov Alexander 14116731 2648
33 GM Zhigalko Sergei 13502956 2647
34 GM Kobalia Mikhail 4119150 2646
35 GM Melkumyan Hrant 13302485 2646
36 GM Dubov Daniil 24126055 2644
37 GM Kovalenko Igor 14117908 2644
38 GM Volokitin Andrei 14107090 2642
39 GM Kravtsiv Martyn 14113147 2641
40 GM Romanov Evgeny 4148843 2641
41 GM Georgiev Kiril 2900017 2640
42 GM Berkes Ferenc 718572 2636
43 GM Hovhannisyan Robert 13302507 2632
44 GM Onischuk Vladimir 14114038 2628
45 GM Beliavsky Alexander G 14602377 2624
46 GM Oleksiyenko Mykhaylo 4152417 2622
47 GM Gabuzyan Hovhannes 13303732 2620
48 GM Lupulescu Constantin 1207822 2620
49 GM Nabaty Tamir 2809052 2619
50 GM Salgado Lopez Ivan 2257327 2618
51 GM Anton Guijarro David 2285525 2616
52 GM Bok Benjamin 1017063 2614
53 GM Pantsulaia Levan 13602071 2613
54 GM Pashikian Arman 13301578 2612
55 GM Zubov Alexander 14109409 2612
56 GM Khismatullin Denis 4142578 2609
57 GM Yilmaz Mustafa 6302718 2603
58 GM Andriasian Zaven 13302000 2602
59 GM Ter-Sahakyan Samvel 13302531 2601
60 GM Goganov Aleksey 24109959 2600

... 245 players

Schedule

Day

Date

Hour

Program

Wednesday

11.05.2016

 

Arrivals of participants

Wednesday

11.05.2016

20:00

Opening ceremony

Thursday

11.05.2016

22:00

Technical meeting

Thursday

12.05.2016

15:30

Round I

Friday

13.05.2016

15:30

Round II

Saturday

14.05.2016

15:30

Round III

Sunday

15.05.2016

15:30

Round IV

Monday

16.05.2016

15:30

Round V

Tuesday

17.05.2016

15:30

Round VI

Wednesday

18.05.2016

 

Rest day

Thursday

19.05.2016

15:30

Round VII

Friday

20.05.2016

15:30

Round VIII

Saturday

21.05.2016

15:30

Round IX

Sunday

22.05.2016

15:30

Round X

Monday

23.05.2016

11:00

Round XI

Monday

23.05.2016

20:00

Closing ceremony

Tuesday

24.05.2016

 

Departure

Complete standings and results at Chess-Results.com

Photos: Tournament page

Johannes Fischer was born in 1963 in Hamburg and studied English and German literature in Frankfurt. He now lives as a writer and translator in Nürnberg. He is a FIDE-Master and regularly writes for KARL, a German chess magazine focusing on the links between culture and chess. On his own blog he regularly publishes notes on "Film, Literature and Chess".

Discuss

Rules for reader comments

 
 

Not registered yet? Register

We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.