Euro Club Cup: Easy wins for the favourites

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
10/2/2023 – The favourite teams in both sections of the European Club Cup had little trouble beating much lower-rated opposition in the first round of the seven-day event. In the open, none of the five top seeds (individually) — Magnus Carlsen, Vishy Anand, Richard Rapport, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave — played in round 1. | Pictured: Nino Batsiashvili (Superchess) | Photo: Sandra Schmidt

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Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, registered as the top board for Asnieres, recently defeated Magnus Carlsen in the sixth event of the Champions Chess Tour. Both MVL and Carlsen are in Durrës, but did not play in the first round — much like their elite colleagues Vishy Anand, Richard Rapport and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. Their absence did not prevent their teams from grabbing clear wins over lower-rated opposition on opening day, though.

The clear favourites by rating in Albania are Superchess. Besides Anand and Rapport, the Romanians have two more 2700+ rated players in Bogdan-Daniel Deac and Jordan van Foreest. In round 2, they will face Rokaden, an all-Swedish squad with Erik Blomqvist on the top board. Will the 2-time Swedish champion get to face Anand on Monday?

In second place rating-wise are Novy Bor, the defending champions. Vincent Keymer, Nils Grandelius (who did not play in the first round) and David Navara are their top representatives. On Monday, they will face Werder Bremen, which fields 4 out of 6 players from Germany and has Dutch GM Roeland Pruijssers on the top board.

Standing third in the teams’ starting rank are Asnieres, with MVL, Haik Martirosyan and Grigoriy Oparin as their highest-rated representatives. The French team has a small rating advantage over Offerspill, whose average is heavily skewed by their 2839-rated leader.

Alexei Shirov, Christian Bauer

Alexei Shirov and Christian Bauer (Schachgesellschaft Zurich) | Photo: Sandra Schmidt

Pairings - Round 2

Team Team Res. : Res.
SK Rockaden Superchess :
Offerspill Sjakklubb *) Wood Green :
Novy Bor SV Werder Bremen :
Silla Chess Club Asnieres - Le Grand Echiquier :
KSK Rochade Schachclub Viernheim 1934 e.V. :
Turkish Airlines Sports Club Paul Keres 1 :
MRU - ROSK Consulting TAJFUN SK Ljubljana :
CE Le Cavalier Differdange *) Partizani :
Sentimento Ajka BSK SK Dunajska Streda :
CE Gambit Bonnevoie C' Chartres Echecs :

...42 boards

All available games - Round 1

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MoveNResultEloPlayers
1.e41,165,57054%2421---
1.d4946,47455%2434---
1.Nf3281,31256%2441---
1.c4181,93756%2442---
1.g319,68856%2427---
1.b314,23654%2427---
1.f45,88648%2377---
1.Nc33,79651%2384---
1.b41,75348%2380---
1.a31,19754%2403---
1.e31,06848%2408---
1.d394850%2378---
1.g466246%2361---
1.h444653%2374---
1.c342651%2425---
1.h327956%2416---
1.a410860%2468---
1.f39147%2431---
1.Nh38966%2508---
1.Na34262%2482---
1.e4 c5 2.h3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.c4
4...Nc6N Predecessor: 4...g6 5.Bxd7+ Nxd7 6.d3 Bg7 7.Nc3 e6 8.Nf3 Ne7 9.Bg5 0-0 10.0-0 f6 1-0 Holland Letz,K-Ruschak,T Rangliste 1000-1300 21298 2018 5.Ne2 g6 6.0-0 B31: Sicilian: 2...Nc6 3 Bb5 g6. Bg7 7.d3 Nf6 8.Be3 The position is equal. 0-0 9.Nbc3 a6 10.Ba4 Rb8 11.f4       Ne8 12.f5 Nc7 12...Be5= 13.Bxc6! Bxc6 14.Qd2 e6 15.Bh6 exf5 15...f6 16.exf5 Bxh6 17.Qxh6 Qf6 18.Rf2 Qg7 19.Qh4 Rfe8 20.d4 cxd4 21.Nxd4 Re5 22.Raf1 Hoping for fxg6. gxf5 23.Nxc6 bxc6 24.Rf3 Better is 24.Qd4± 24...Re6 24...Rxb2? 25.Rg3+- 25.Rxf5? Qxg2# 25.Rxf5? Qxg2# 24...Kf8! 25.Qf2± Rbe8 26.Qb6 R8e7 27.Rxf5 c5 28.Qb8+ Qf8 29.Qb6 White is much more active. 29.Qb7± 29...Rg6 29...Qg7!= 30.Qc6 30.R5f2± 30...Qg7
Black should try 30...d5 31.Qxc5 Rxg2+ 32.Kh1 32.Kxg2 Re2+ 33.Nxe2 Qxc5± 32...Rg6 31.Kh1! Rge6 31...Qd4 32.R5f4 h6 33.Ne4       Strongly threatening Rg4. Ne8 34.Qa8 34.Rg4+- Rg6 35.Ng3 35.Qxa6? is the wrong capture. Rxg4       Remove Defender 36.hxg4 Rxe4-+ 34...Kh7 35.Qd5 Nc7?       This move loses the game for Black. 35...Kh8± was necessary. 36.Qd3+- Rxf7! would be deadly. Kh8? 36...Rxe4 37.Rxe4 Qg6 37.Nxd6 Qg6 38.Nxf7+ Kh7 39.Ne5      
Pin 39...Qxd3 40.Nxd3 Ne8 41.Nxc5 Rc6 42.Nd3 Nd6 43.b3 Black must now prevent Rf6. White is clearly winning. Ne4 Against Rf6 44.Rf7+ Rxf7 45.Rxf7+ Kg8 46.Re7 Weighted Error Value: White=0.24 (precise) /Black=0.38 1–0
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Deac,B2698Yaniv,Y23601–02023B3138th ECCC Open 20231.1
Guz,A2314Van Foreest,J26970–12023D4838th ECCC Open 20231.2
Fedoseev,V2676Ribshtein,N22521–02023A4138th ECCC Open 20231.3
Barak,G2157Shevchenko,K26750–12023A4538th ECCC Open 20231.4
Nisipeanu,L2600Ribstein,O20141–02023B5038th ECCC Open 20231.5
Kundin,A2267Lupulescu,C25840–12023B8838th ECCC Open 20231.6
Lopez,J2390Sadhwani,R2624½–½2023E1238th ECCC Open 20231.7
Tari,A2629Duijn,R22141–02023A1038th ECCC Open 20231.8
De Graaf,D2071Pranav Vijay22520–12023B2138th ECCC Open 20231.9
Christiansen,J2603Duijn,R21991–02023B1238th ECCC Open 20231.10
Schouten,J-Urkedal,F25030–12023D0238th ECCC Open 20231.11
Haldorsen,B2460Hendrikse,A18941–02023C7738th ECCC Open 20231.12
Lenaerts,L2301Keymer,V27010–12023E3238th ECCC Open 20231.13
Navara,D2695Suvorov,A23401–02023B3038th ECCC Open 20231.14
Van Dael,S2285Nguyen,T26370–12023B9038th ECCC Open 20231.15
Bartel,M2625Suvorov,L23321–02023C7738th ECCC Open 20231.16
Perkampus,L2144Ragger,M26240–12023E9438th ECCC Open 20231.17
Zilka,S2600Zimmermann,L20661–02023C1438th ECCC Open 20231.18
Martirosyan,H2683Grieve,H24491–02023D5038th ECCC Open 20231.19
Roberson,P2433Moussard,J26610–12023B2338th ECCC Open 20231.20
Oparin,G2681Moreby,J22791–02023A3638th ECCC Open 20231.21
Murphy,H2058Movsesian,S26100–12023A4638th ECCC Open 20231.22
Cornette,M2582McCarthy,K19951–02023C0238th ECCC Open 20231.23
Purton,B2163Degraeve,J24870–12023B5138th ECCC Open 20231.24
Korobov,A2663Ledger,A22991–02023D1938th ECCC Open 20231.25
Bates,R2324Kryvoruchko,Y26560–12023E1638th ECCC Open 20231.26
Wagner,D2589Ledger,D21901–02023E4938th ECCC Open 20231.27
Duncan,C2181Fedorchuk,S25860–12023A2138th ECCC Open 20231.28
Maze,S2546Nelson,J2175½–½2023C0238th ECCC Open 20231.29
Ledger,S1978Libiszewski,F25020–12023A4538th ECCC Open 20231.30
Ostenstad,B2441Donchenko,A2684½–½2023D2438th ECCC Open 20231.31
Vallejo Pons,F2706Tisdall,J23811–02023B4238th ECCC Open 20231.32
Strand,V2120Bluebaum,M26700–12023B1338th ECCC Open 20231.33
Cheparinov,I2657Diesen,B21221–02023B9038th ECCC Open 20231.34
Aulin-Jansson,J2098Santos Latasa,J26560–12023B2338th ECCC Open 20231.35
Gurel,E2512Hammerstad,A21931–02023C0638th ECCC Open 20231.36
Nihal Sarin2684Bosiocic,M25411–02023E5138th ECCC Open 20231.37
Saraci,K2180Volokitin,A26610–12023B5338th ECCC Open 20231.38
Erdos,V2555Krasniqi,A21601–02023D3938th ECCC Open 20231.39
Budima,A2165Saric,I26570–12023B2338th ECCC Open 20231.40
Brkic,A2608Hamiti,G2124½–½2023C5538th ECCC Open 20231.41
Saraci,O2118Sebenik,M25230–12023B5038th ECCC Open 20231.42
Pijpers,A2442Yankelevich,L24100–12023C1138th ECCC Open 20231.43
Salles,L2318Van Haastert,E2427½–½2023C0238th ECCC Open 20231.44
De Jong,J2408Cahen,A20491–02023A3738th ECCC Open 20231.45
Favier,A2023Van der Werf,M2397½–½2023E3238th ECCC Open 20231.46
Bosman,M2368Barthel,A20561–02023E7438th ECCC Open 20231.47
Dahdah,N2073Willemze,T2371½–½2023B1438th ECCC Open 20231.48
Maerevoet,S2437Sarana,A2685½–½2023B9438th ECCC Open 20231.49
Pechac,J2580Decoster,F22951–02023A3438th ECCC Open 20231.50
Boucquet,E2233Banusz,T26000–12023C4138th ECCC Open 20231.51
Ivic,V2570De Vogelaere,R20591–02023C7938th ECCC Open 20231.52
Piceu,J1903Balog,I26220–12023D9338th ECCC Open 20231.53
Korpa,B2522Dechamps,M-1–02023A0738th ECCC Open 20231.54
Dardha,D2598Frischmann,R23881–02023D0738th ECCC Open 20231.55
Devallee,J2220Lagarde,M26000–12023B2138th ECCC Open 20231.56
Droin,A2463Barbaras,M22051–02023B3038th ECCC Open 20231.57
Mertens,M2126Razafindratsima,T24510–12023B9438th ECCC Open 20231.58
Kamsky,G2641Kessler,A21081–02023E1138th ECCC Open 20231.59
Jacquot,A1952Guliyev,N25330–12023B8438th ECCC Open 20231.60
Kilpatrick,C2400Suleymanli,A25860–12023C5438th ECCC Open 20231.61
Asadli,V2563Gallana,M22891–02023B3038th ECCC Open 20231.62
Zulfic,F2151Ahmadzada,A25190–12023A7038th ECCC Open 20231.63
Samadov,R2492Pedersen,C20981–02023D2038th ECCC Open 20231.64
Serbanescu,D1966Gadimbayli,A2483½–½2023B2238th ECCC Open 20231.65
Sadikhov,U2482Skulte,C20781–02023A0738th ECCC Open 20231.66
Mikhalevski,V2513Naoum,S23561–02023E6238th ECCC Open 20231.67
Patrelakis,E2385Kobo,O2555½–½2023B3138th ECCC Open 20231.68
Steinberg,N2543Georgakopoulos,N21481–02023C0738th ECCC Open 20231.69
Tsarouhas,K2121Greenfeld,A24550–12023A3338th ECCC Open 20231.70
Postny,E2570Papadopoulos,A20451–02023E1138th ECCC Open 20231.71
Verikakis,M2031Huzman,A25260–12023B1238th ECCC Open 20231.72
Sigurpalsson,R2276Sanal,V25910–12023A0038th ECCC Open 20231.73
Yilmaz,M2634Halldorsson,H21551–02023A1638th ECCC Open 20231.74
Thorsteinsson,A2232Can,E25820–12023B9538th ECCC Open 20231.75
Gokerkan,C2513Bjorgvinsson,A21161–02023A3738th ECCC Open 20231.76
Karlsson,M2127Kilic,E24330–12023A2038th ECCC Open 20231.77

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Monte Carlo favourites in the women’s cup

Once again, Monte Carlo are the clear rating favourites in the women’s cup, as they count with the only two 2500+ rated players in the field on their roster: Mariya and Anna Muzychuk. Having the highest rating average is no guarantee for victory, though, as the Monégasque team failed to win last year’s edition despite presenting a similarly strong lineup.

Superchess from Romania stand in second place, with four 2400+ rated players, while Garuda Ajka from Hungary are the third-seeded team, with a heavy hitter on the top board — Bella Khotenashvili — and three 2400+ rated players.

Monicka Socko, Antoaneta Stefanova

Monicka Socko and Antoaneta Stefanova playing for Teuta | Photo: Sandra Schmidt

Pairings - Round 2

Team Team Res. : Res.
Teuta *) Offerspill Chess Club :
Monte Carlo MSK Centar Asseco See :
Wood Green Superchess :
Garuda Ajka BSK Asnieres - Le Grand Echiquier :
Gokturk Chess Sport Club SP Gaz Ukraine :
TAJFUN SK Ljubljana Panevezys :
Schachgesellschaft Solingen SK Crvena zvezda Data Driven Lab :
ASD Pedone Isolano She plays to win :
UCD Rishon Lezion :
GSK Kumanovo Tirana :

...13 boards

All available games - Round 1

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MoveNResultEloPlayers
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1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.d3 Nd7 7.Bd2 Bc5 8.g4 Ne7 9.Qg3 a5 10.a4 Bd4 11.Bg2 Ng6 12.h4 h5 13.f4 Nf6 14.Ne2 dxe4 15.Nxd4 Qxd4 16.Bc3 Qd6 17.Bxe4 Nxe4 18.dxe4 hxg4 19.Rd1 Qxf4 20.Qxf4 Nxf4 21.Bxg7 Rg8 22.Be5 Nh5 23.Kf2 f6 24.Bc7 Rg7 25.Bb6 e5 26.Rhg1 Ra6 27.Rd8+ Ke7 28.Bc7 c5 29.Rgd1 Kf7 30.Bd6 Rc6 31.Bf8 Rh7 32.R1d7+ Kg6 33.Rxh7 Kxh7 34.Rd7+ Kg8 35.Bh6 Rb6 36.b3 c4 37.Be3 Rc6 38.Rxb7 cxb3 39.cxb3 Rc2+ 40.Ke1 Nf4 41.Bb6 g3 42.Bxa5 g2 43.Bb6 Nd3+ 44.Kd1 Rc5 0–1
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Johannsdottir,J2014Stefanova,A24100–12023B1127th ECCC Women 20231.1
Socko,M2401Thorsteinsdottir,H19721–02023B1327th ECCC Women 20231.2
Thorsteinsdottir,G1983Cyfka,K23560–12023E1227th ECCC Women 20231.3
Ndreko,A1351Johannsdottir,H-1–02023C5627th ECCC Women 20231.4
Dolgova,O2242Muzychuk,M25110–12023A4527th ECCC Women 20231.5
Muzychuk,A2504Ni,V21611–02023B4627th ECCC Women 20231.6
Nilssen,E2153Khademalsharieh,S24880–12023C5427th ECCC Women 20231.7
Cramling,P2452Janzelj,L21431–02023D1327th ECCC Women 20231.8
Batsiashvili,N2474Milliet,S23881–02023A2127th ECCC Women 20231.9
Gueci,T2217Wagner,D2468½–½2023B3027th ECCC Women 20231.10
Bulmaga,I2423Grimaldi,A19871–02023B2227th ECCC Women 20231.11
Martinelli,V2008Efroimski,M24390–12023C1127th ECCC Women 20231.12
Lahav,M2193Khotenashvili,B24750–12023A3527th ECCC Women 20231.13
Hoang,T2402Reprun,N19651–02023D3027th ECCC Women 20231.14
Tashkinova,S2077Injac,T24200–12023B3027th ECCC Women 20231.15
Gaal,Z2314Federovski,A1951½–½2023E4227th ECCC Women 20231.16
Ushenina,A2434Toncheva,N22531–02023D2727th ECCC Women 20231.17
Eric,J2146Javakhishvili,L24410–12023C5527th ECCC Women 20231.18
Daulyte-Cornette,D2348Djukic,S21441–02023B1127th ECCC Women 20231.19
Trajkovska,S1886Zhukova,N23100–12023C0227th ECCC Women 20231.20
Agrest,I2266Song,Y2404½–½2023A4027th ECCC Women 20231.21
Buksa,N2361Johansson,V20421–02023B5127th ECCC Women 20231.22
Agrest,S2230Unuk,L23200–12023B1327th ECCC Women 20231.23
Urh,Z2202Johansson,E18081–02023C4127th ECCC Women 20231.24
Danielian,E2416Spalir,M21201–02023A1127th ECCC Women 20231.25

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Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.
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