Martinique c'est magnifique (1/2)
Text and photos by Alina L'Ami (click on images for high-res)

Waking up in Paradise, in the French West Indies
The 6th edition of Martinique's International Open, held in Fort-de-France between 09-13.04.2017, made your Romanian author by birth become Caribbean by conviction. I am still trying to understand quite what that means though.

Blending in

Focusing on chess with such premises – now that's a challenge
The stunning scenery with volcanic backdrops can break open the heart of the most misanthropist chess player. But if nature doesn't really jazz you up, the worldwide winning rums will make sure you'll get at least a punch of optimism with the local Ti' Punch.
Martinique's cocktail heavyweight champion, rhum agricole + cane syrup + fresh lime, could prove a bit too lethal for a chessy brain, so here's Plan B:

Rum's authority shaken up by ingenious beer mixers
This could be, however, distracting too (boo hoo, pity the poor exhausted chess tourists from the rigors of vacation).

But how could one say no to such an inviting smile? Forced move here my friend, you must try at least a sample of Le Planteur (another rum-based drink in Martinique).
Almost obscene to complain under such beguiling circumstances, the everyday double rounds, however, didn't quite allow for some time off to recover from all the voluntary excess, excitement, jet lag or any other excuse you could think of.

The professionals remain professional no matter what
At the end of the five days marathon, the tournament finished with GM Romain Edouard breaking the tie against GM Fabien Libiszewski, after they both scored an impressive 8.5/9!

Just because I am in Reykjavik at the moment: “I don't believe in psychology, I believe in good moves”
Romain Edouard vs Evgenij Ermenkov
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 Nbd7 4.Nf3 e5 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 0-0 7.Qc2 Ne8 8.Bxe7 Qxe7 9.Bd3 Nef6 10.0-0-0 Re8 11.Nd2 Nf8 12.h3 c6 13.g4 a6 14.dxe5 Qxe5 15.Nf3 Qe7 16.Nd4 g6 17.g5 Nh5 18.h4 Nd7 19.Be2 Ng7 20.h5 Nf8 21.hxg6 fxg6 22.Bd3 Qxg5 23.Rdg1 Qe7 24.Ne4 Bd7 25.Ng5 c5 26.Ne2 Bc6 27.Rh6 Qf6 28.Nf4 Re7 29.Nxh7! Nxh7 30.Bxg6 Kf8 31.Rxh7 Ne6 32.Nh5 Qe5 33.Qf5+ Qxf5 34.Rh8# 1–0
- Start an analysis engine:
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Edouard,R | 2631 | Ermenkov,E | 2400 | 1–0 | 2017 | A54 | Open de Martinique | 7.1 |
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Romain and Fabien got into the chess groove through their simuls prior the tournament

Chess feast
Take that Creole spirit of freedom, add the Gallic joie de vivre and you'll get a picture which can hardly ever be seen in a FIDE rated event: chess players bursting into laughter while playing their good or bad moves. It is not frivolity nor thoughtlessness but rather a Martinican sensibility which goes beyond the chess board. The chess fire cannot fully be enjoyed unless you're sharing it with the others.

Contagious
I couldn't repress a smile either when my radar caught similar chuckles in the tournament hall, although I was in deep suffering against an opponent rated hundreds of points lower than me.
Alina L'Ami vs Pierre Grego
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
22.Raf1?? 22.Rxf6 Qxf6 22...Rxf6 23.Qxg5+ Kf7 24.Qg7+ Ke8 25.Nxf6+ 23.Nxf6+ Rxf6 24.Qxg5+ Kf7 22.Nxf6+ Rxf6 23.Qxg5+ Kf7 24.Raf1 Bf5 25.Nb5 25.g4 Qh8 22...f5! 23.R4f2 Kh7 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.
Alina,l | - | Pierre,G | - | ½–½ | 2017 | A53 | | |
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Fun is fun but everyone wants to win
Continued in Part 2