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Although the event has always been graced with female players, this year there was a firm commitment to balance the field with four male players, and four female. This is not to suggest it is a Men vs Women event, as it is still very much every man (or woman) for himself. The eight players this year are:

• Anatoly KARPOV (Russia) GM. (2628).
• Marie SEBAG (France) GM. (2496).
• Laurent FRESSINET (France) GM. (2702).
• Marya MUZYCHUCK (Ukraine) GM. (2528).
• Tigran GHARAMIAN (France) GM. (2654).
• Anna MUZYCHUCK (Ukraine) GM. (2549).
• Romain EDOUARD (France) GM. (2636).
• Zhansaya ABDUMALIK (Kazakhstan) WGM. (2390).

Playing at a time control of 25 minutes plus 10 seconds increment, the eight players will meet each other twice, for a total of 14 rounds. Each day two round are played, and at the end of the seven days, the top four players will qualify for the semi-finals, and then the final.

Rounds nine and ten

Anatoly Karpov was no gentleman, and punished the females heavily. (Video by Europe Echecs)

Round eleven

In round eleven, Anatoly Karpov had fully recovered from his slowish start by beating Anna Muzychuk and
taking sole first for the very first time. The video also shows some of the musical performances.

Round Fourteen and end

Local radio station Radio Nova was present to bring the news and share impressions from
players and organizers

By the end of the qualifying phase, Anatoly Karpov and Laurent Fressinet shared the top spots with
9.5/14, with both Romain Edouard and Tigran Gharamian completing the four to make the semis.

All videos are by Europe Echecs

Final standings of qualifier

Links Official tournament site All games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 13 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.