Stellar lineup at Levitov Chess Week in Amsterdam

by André Schulz
9/15/2023 – From 22 to 26 September, Ilya Levitov is organising a “Chess Week” for the second time. Ten strong players will compete in a double-round rapid chess tournament, including two former world champions, Vishy Anand and Vladimir Kramnik. Four years ago, the winner was Ian Nepomniachtchi, who will attempt to defend his title in Amsterdam. | Photo: Adele and Ilya Levitov with Ian Nepomniachtchi
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Melody Amber style

Ten top players will compete in the Levitov Chess Week, a double-round rapid chess tournament in Amsterdam from 22 to 26 September.

The sponsor of the tournament is Ilya Levitov. Four years ago, in 2019, the first edition of the Levitov Chess Week took place in the Netherlands’ capital at the same venue and with almost the same lineup.

With the tournament, Ilya Levitov gave himself a present for his 40th birthday and invited a few top players with whom he is friends. 

Time to analyse

Anish Giri and Peter Svidler

Jan Timman showing a study to Judit Polgar

The model for his tournament in Amsterdam was the Melody Amber tournament, which Joop Oosterom organised and sponsored from 1992 to 2011 with many top players in Monaco.

The 1st Levitov Chess Week four years ago was won by Ian Nepomniachtchi, who will be there again this time.

The players

  • Anand, Viswanathan
  • Aronian, Levon 
  • Dubov, Daniil 
  • Gelfand, Boris
  • Grischuk, Alexander 
  • Kramnik, Vladimir 
  • Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar
  • Nepomniachtchi, Ian 
  • So, Wesley
  • Svidler, Peter

The venue is Waldorf Astoria Hotel (Herengracht 542, Amsterdam). Spectators are welcome. About 20 to 25 spectators can watch the games in the tournament room at the same time.

The time control is 10 minutes for the game plus 5-second increments per move.

Schedule

  • September 22-23: Rounds 1 to 9
  • September 24: Rest day
  • September 25-26: Rounds 10 to 18

Prize fund: 130,000 Euro

1. Place – 40,000 Euro
2. Place – 20,000 Euro
3. Place – 14,000 Euro
4. Place – 11,000 Euro
5. Place – 10,000 Euro
6. Place – 9,000 Euro
7. Place – 8,000 Euro
8. Place – 7,000 Euro
9. Place – 6,000 Euro
10. Place – 5,000 Euro

Links

André Schulz started working for ChessBase in 1991 and is an editor of ChessBase News.