Euro Club Cup: Magnus plays 1...a6, wins

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
10/4/2023 – Nine teams still have a perfect score after three rounds in the open section of the European Club Cup in Albania. Offerspill, led by Magnus Carlsen, is one of these nine teams. The former world champion won his second consecutive game after replying to 1.e4 by 1...a6 against IM Bojan Maksimovic. In the women’s section, TAJFUN SK Ljubljana and Garuda Ajka BSK are sharing the lead with 6/6 match points each. | Photo: Niki Riga

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Nine teams still perfect

The nine teams with the highest rating averages in the open section of the European Club Cup all have collected 6/6 match points in the first three rounds of the event. Superchess, the top seeds, were the ones that had the toughest time in round 3, though, as they signed five draws against Azerbaijan’s Vugar Gashimov — Bogdan-Daniel Deac was the hero of the day for the Romanian squad, as he got the only win of the match.

All the remaining eight co-leaders scored at least 4 points on Tuesday. Offerspill, for example, beat SK Zmaj by a 5½-½ score. Magnus Carlsen, on the top board, played 1...a6 and still defeated Bojan Maksimovic. IM Robert Ris analysed the game on his YouTube channel.

Richard Rapport, Vishy Anand

Richard Rapport and Vishy Anand made their debuts for Superchess in this year’s edition — both super-GMs signed draws | Photo: Niki Riga

Standings - Round 3

Rk. Team  TB1 
1 Superchess 6
2 Offerspill Sjakklubb 6
3 Asnieres - Le Grand Echiquier 6
4 TAJFUN SK Ljubljana 6
5 Schachclub Viernheim 1934 e.V. 6
6 Turkish Airlines Sports Club 6
7 Novy Bor 6
8 C' Chartres Echecs 6
9 Sentimento Ajka BSK 6
10 Rishon Lezion A 5
11 Lunds ASK 5
12 Obiettivo Risarcimento Padova 5
13 Vugar Gashimov 4
14 Gokturk Chess Sport Club 4
15 Beer Sheva Chess Club 4

...84 teams

All available games - Round 3

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1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Nc6 5.0-0 g6 6.c3 Bg7 7.a4 B50: Sicilian: 2...d6, Miscellaneous. 0-0 8.Re1 Bg4 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 Ne5 11.Qe2 Nxc4 12.dxc4
12...Qb6N Predecessor: 12...Rc8 13.Bg5 Re8 14.Nd2 Qc7 15.Nf1 Nd7 16.Ne3 Ne5 17.h4 Qd7 18.h5 Qe6 1-0 Granda Zuniga,J (2592)-Munoz Arana,M (2108) Pamplona op 2007 (2) 13.f4 Rfe8 14.Nd2 Nd7 15.Nf3 Qc6 16.Bd2 Rad8 17.Kh1 e6 18.a5 h6 19.Kh2 Kh7 20.g4 f5 21.exf5 exf5 22.Qg2 Hoping for gxf5. fxg4 23.hxg4 Kg8 24.g5 hxg5 25.Nxg5 Qxg2+ 26.Kxg2 Bf6 27.Ne4 Be7 28.Kf3 Rf8 29.Kg3 Nf6 30.Ng5 Nh5+ 31.Kg4 Bxg5 32.Kxg5 d5 33.Re5 33.Re6!? 33...dxc4
33...Nf6!= remains equal. 34.Be3 Kg7 34.Be3!± Rd3
35.Re1 35.Rg1!± 35...b6= 36.f5 Rd6 37.fxg6 Ng7 38.Bf4 Rdf6 39.R1e4 Rf5+ 40.Kg4 Strongly threatening Rxf5. R5f6 The position is equal. 41.Kg5 Rc6 42.Kh6 42.Re7!? Rf5+       Deflection 43.Kg4 Rxg6+ 44.Kf3= 42...Rcf6 Weighted Error Value: White=0.08 (flawless) /Black=0.08 (flawless) ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Rapport,R2752Mamedov,R2633½–½2023B5038th ECCC Open 20233.1
Suleymanli,A2586Anand,V2754½–½2023C8038th ECCC Open 20233.2
Deac,B2698Asadli,V25631–02023B3038th ECCC Open 20233.3
Ahmadzada,A2519Van Foreest,J2697½–½2023B1138th ECCC Open 20233.4
Fedoseev,V2676Samadov,R2492½–½2023D0238th ECCC Open 20233.5
Sadikhov,U2482Shevchenko,K2675½–½2023A1338th ECCC Open 20233.6
Maksimovic,B2476Carlsen,M28350–12023C0738th ECCC Open 20233.7
Sadhwani,R2624Stankovic,M24751–02023B7238th ECCC Open 20233.8
Gagunashvili,M2555Tari,A2629½–½2023D7938th ECCC Open 20233.9
Pranav Vijay2252Krstulovic,A24471–02023C1138th ECCC Open 20233.10
Pezelj,N2482Christiansen,J26030–12023A2138th ECCC Open 20233.11
Haldorsen,B2460Sukovic,A23691–02023C1738th ECCC Open 20233.12
Mikhalevski,V2513Keymer,V27010–12023A0538th ECCC Open 20233.13
Grandelius,N2683Kobo,O25551–02023C1138th ECCC Open 20233.14
Steinberg,N2543Navara,D2695½–½2023B5338th ECCC Open 20233.15
Nguyen,T2637Greenfeld,A24551–02023B6738th ECCC Open 20233.16
Postny,E2570Anton Guijarro,D26930–12023D2738th ECCC Open 20233.17
Bartel,M2625Huzman,A2526½–½2023C4238th ECCC Open 20233.18
Vachier-Lagrave,M2739Sanal,V25911–02023C6738th ECCC Open 20233.19
Yilmaz,M2634Martirosyan,H26830–12023D3638th ECCC Open 20233.20
Moussard,J2661Can,E2582½–½2023B9038th ECCC Open 20233.21
Gokerkan,C2513Oparin,G2681½–½2023B3338th ECCC Open 20233.22
Movsesian,S2610Kilic,E24331–02023B9038th ECCC Open 20233.23
Ozen,D2382Degraeve,J2487½–½2023B2738th ECCC Open 20233.24
Amin,B2684Shirov,A2668½–½2023A1138th ECCC Open 20233.25
Bauer,C2568Korobov,A2663½–½2023E1138th ECCC Open 20233.26
Kryvoruchko,Y2656Pelletier,Y2512½–½2023C1138th ECCC Open 20233.27
Petkidis,A2427Fedorchuk,S2586½–½2023B4338th ECCC Open 20233.28
Maze,S2546Vogt,L22951–02023B5238th ECCC Open 20233.29
Kadric,D2600Donchenko,A2684½–½2023C5438th ECCC Open 20233.31
Vallejo Pons,F2706Petrov,N25511–02023A2938th ECCC Open 20233.32
Draskovic,L2494Bluebaum,M26700–12023B1038th ECCC Open 20233.33
Cheparinov,I2657Tomic,A24011–02023B0138th ECCC Open 20233.34
Djurovic,P2327Santos Latasa,J2656½–½2023B3038th ECCC Open 20233.35
Gurel,E2512Kisic,B22111–02023B0338th ECCC Open 20233.36
Nihal Sarin2684Heimann,A2550½–½2023C5438th ECCC Open 20233.37
Demuth,A2476Volokitin,A2661½–½2023D3838th ECCC Open 20233.38
Erdos,V2555Brunner,N24261–02023B9038th ECCC Open 20233.39
Cvitan,O2435Saric,I26570–12023D4838th ECCC Open 20233.40
Brkic,A2608Jaeggi,D23341–02023B8038th ECCC Open 20233.41
Erismann,P2037Sebenik,M25230–12023B2238th ECCC Open 20233.42
Aditya Mittal2577Salles,L23181–02023B9538th ECCC Open 20233.43
Cahen,A2049Arnaudov,G24380–1202338th ECCC Open 20233.44
Nikolovski,N2361Gengler,P21301–02023B2338th ECCC Open 20233.45
Favier,A2023Veljanoski,A23050–12023D3538th ECCC Open 20233.46
Zlatkov,A2239Dahdah,N20731–0202338th ECCC Open 20233.47
Jacques,R2041Andonovski,L2268½–½2023A4838th ECCC Open 20233.48
Michalik,P2582Sarana,A2685½–½2023D4538th ECCC Open 20233.49
Pechac,J2580Laurusas,T2548½–½2023C2038th ECCC Open 20233.50
Kraus,T2480Balogh,C2558½–½2023B4038th ECCC Open 20233.51
Ivic,V2570Stevik,P22141–02023B0638th ECCC Open 20233.52
Danada,T2233Balog,I26220–12023D8538th ECCC Open 20233.53
Korpa,B2522Federic,J21931–02023B3038th ECCC Open 20233.54
Dardha,D2598Wedberg,T23771–02023C5538th ECCC Open 20233.55
Engqvist,T2338Lagarde,M26000–12023D4338th ECCC Open 20233.56
Droin,A2463Cramling,D22981–02023B0438th ECCC Open 20233.57
Bellon Lopez,J2270Razafindratsima,T24511–02023D0038th ECCC Open 20233.58
Kamsky,G2641Lavendelis,E2296½–½2023B4538th ECCC Open 20233.59
Wenzel,B2021Guliyev,N25330–12023D2638th ECCC Open 20233.60
Gelfand,B2661Gozzoli,Y25641–02023A0738th ECCC Open 20233.61
Dalaud,D2355Rodshtein,M2606½–½2023B5138th ECCC Open 20233.62
Zanan,E2470Govciyan,P2450½–½2023C7538th ECCC Open 20233.63
Benmesbah,N2279Bronstein,O24591–02023C1238th ECCC Open 20233.64
Sokolovsky,Y2464Mayans Calvo,M22361–02023C0238th ECCC Open 20233.65
Durand-Benmoussa,R1864Veinberg,N24170–12023C4738th ECCC Open 20233.66
Smeets,J2545Vocaturo,D26090–12023B5238th ECCC Open 20233.67
Dvirnyy,D2521Van Haastert,E24270–12023C1338th ECCC Open 20233.68
De Jong,J2408Carnicelli,V24080–12023E6938th ECCC Open 20233.69
Boraso,A2309Van der Werf,M2397½–½2023C2738th ECCC Open 20233.70
Bosman,M2368Massironi,M21440–12023D8538th ECCC Open 20233.71
Quaranta,C2079Willemze,T23710–12023D0238th ECCC Open 20233.72
Kucuksari,K2493Hove,E23121–02023D1238th ECCC Open 20233.73
Kristensen,K2258Pantzar,M2453½–½2023C4138th ECCC Open 20233.74
Storme,I2448Nielsen,L21891–02023E0238th ECCC Open 20233.75
Jakobsen,P2185Smith,A24120–12023A8838th ECCC Open 20233.76
Ahlander,B2400Ejsing,E21061–02023A4638th ECCC Open 20233.77
Noer,M1833Petersson,K20400–12023A8038th ECCC Open 20233.78

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Women’s: TAJFUN SK Ljubljana and Garuda Ajka BSK co-leaders

The results in the women’s section have not been as predictable, as only two teams still have a perfect score after three rounds: TAJFUN SK Ljubljana (5th seeds) and Garuda Ajka BSK (3rd). Ljubljana beat Superchess thanks to wins by Nataliya Buksa and Zala Uhr, while Garuda Ajka got the better of Teuta, with Zsoka Gaal scoring the sole victory for the Hungarian squad.

The co-leaders will face each other in round 4, while the top seeds, Monte Carlo, will try to remain in the fight for first place by beating SP Gaz Ukraine.

European Chess Club Cup 2023

Teuta vs. Garuda Ajka BSK, with Antoaneta Stefanova facing Bella Khotenashvili on the first board | Photo: Niki Riga

Standings - Round 3

Rk. Team  TB1 
1 TAJFUN SK Ljubljana 6
2 Garuda Ajka BSK 6
3 Monte Carlo 5
4 SP Gaz Ukraine 5
5 Superchess 4
6 MSK Centar Asseco See 4
7 SK Crvena zvezda Data Driven Lab 4
8 Wood Green 4
9 Teuta 4
10 Panevezys 4
11 Gokturk Chess Sport Club 3
12 Schachgesellschaft Solingen 3
13 Asnieres - Le Grand Echiquier 3
14 Gostivar 3
15 Rishon Lezion 3

...26 teams

All available games - Round 3

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MoveNResultEloPlayers
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1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.d3 g6 4.e5 Bg7 5.d4 Nh6 6.Bd3 f6 7.exf6 exf6 8.0-0 0-0 9.c4 dxc4 10.Bxc4+ Kh8 11.h3 Nd7 12.Nc3 Nb6 13.Bb3 Re8 14.d5 cxd5 15.Nxd5 Be6 16.Nxb6 Qxb6 17.Be3 Qb4 18.Bd2 Qb6 19.Be3 Qb4 20.Bd2 Qb6 21.Be3 Qb4 ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Stefanova,A2410Khotenashvili,B2475½–½2023B1027th ECCC Women 20233.1
Hoang,T2402Socko,M2401½–½2023A4927th ECCC Women 20233.2
Cyfka,K2356Salimova,N2403½–½2023D3527th ECCC Women 20233.3
Gaal,Z2314Ndreko,A13511–02023E0127th ECCC Women 20233.4
Batsiashvili,N2474Song,Y2404½–½2023B1427th ECCC Women 20233.5
Buksa,N2361Wagner,D24681–02023B8827th ECCC Women 20233.6
Bulmaga,I2423Unuk,L23201–02023C1327th ECCC Women 20233.7
Urh,Z2202Roebers,E24071–02023E6327th ECCC Women 20233.8
Muzychuk,A2504Atalik,E23941–02023C4127th ECCC Women 20233.9
Rakhmangulova,A2341Khademalsharieh,S24880–12023C5527th ECCC Women 20233.10
Cramling,P2452Demeter,D2191½–½2023E0127th ECCC Women 20233.11
Aydin,G2143Paehtz,E2471½–½2023B9027th ECCC Women 20233.12
Ushenina,A2434Van Foreest,M22911–02023D3527th ECCC Women 20233.13
Muetsch,A2203Javakhishvili,L2441½–½2023A4527th ECCC Women 20233.14
Daulyte-Cornette,D2348Jarocka,L2233½–½2023B5027th ECCC Women 20233.15
Bashylina,L2152Zhukova,N23100–12023D3527th ECCC Women 20233.16
Tsolakidou,S2378Danielian,E24161–02023E0327th ECCC Women 20233.17
Mkrtchian,L2389Narva,M23891–02023D1127th ECCC Women 20233.18
Radeva,V2285Velikic,A22730–12023B7327th ECCC Women 20233.19
Srdanovic,J2090Gajcin,M22510–12023E1127th ECCC Women 20233.20
Toncheva,N2253Houska,J23400–12023D3627th ECCC Women 20233.21
Yao,L2282Eric,J21461–02023B9927th ECCC Women 20233.22
Djukic,S2144Hunt,H2316½–½2023A0627th ECCC Women 20233.23
Kalaiyalahan,A2168Trajkovska,S18861–02023C4027th ECCC Women 20233.24
Guichard,P2374Spalir,M2120½–½2023D4527th ECCC Women 20233.25
Berke,A2147Gaponenko,I23360–12023A4027th ECCC Women 20233.26
Iglesias,Y2249Drljevic,L2115½–½2023B0627th ECCC Women 20233.27
Kejzar,P1986Nicoara,M20641–02023B3827th ECCC Women 20233.28

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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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