Morozevich wins Moscow Blitz with 1.Nc3

59th Moscow Open Blitz Championship

By Misha Savinov

Alexander Morozevich predictably won the 59th Moscow Open Blitz Championship, sponsored by the daily newspaper "Evening Moscow". This time the championship has gathered probably the weakest lineup in recent years. 2004 runner-up Grischuk did not show up, Kramnik and Rublevsky also did not participate. One of the best blitz players around, Vladislav Tkachiev, who proved his extra class by winning the ChessPro grandiose blitz event last winter, once again did not get a personal invitation (and suggesting such a strong player should qualify in the semifinals is an insult).

Nevertheless, Morozevich did not have a chance to get bored. Alexey Dreev and Vladimir Malakhov were considered his main rivals. One could expect surprising performances from the young Moscow grandmasters Riazantsev, Belov and Deviatkin, who have established reputations in both "normal" and Internet blitz. The experienced Zvjaginsev, Korotylev and Kobalia do not specialize in blitz, but surely can play excellent chess.

Rainy weather in 2004 forced the championship moving to the "Prezident Hotel". This time the event returned to a traditional venue – the Muzeon, which is both landscape park and an exhibition of sculptures. The organizers have planned to broadcast games from the table one online. Morozevich was a bit disappointed about it: "I came here to enjoy playing, and now I'll have to play nonsense!" he complained. Indeed, he needs to hide his opening secrets for the coming world championship in Argentina! Smiling Alexander attentively listened to friendly advice on how to hijack the electronic board and stop the broadcast. However, he did not have to follow them – the online broadcast did not really work.

In the beginning Morozevich, Riazantsev, Malakhov and Moscow's blitz guru master Dvalishvili (who, unlike Tkachiev, was invited to the final) took the lead. Dreev did not catch the wind, and only a strong finish allowed him to make a respectable final spot. Dvalishvili dropped off soon, and three leaders kept winning. Morozevich did select "nonsense openings", but his play was creative and strong. His 1.Nc3 start brought him good positions time and again, the only exception being his encounter with Dreev (which ended in a draw after the move repetition).

11.30 a.m., and the games are in full swing

Alexander Morozevich vs Farrukh Amonatov (1.Nc3 ended up in a Sicilian)

Riazantsev looked highly motivated and was giving all his strengths to the play. Unfortunately for the player, a half-hour break after the tenth round spoiled his concentration, as it often happens in such cases. Having lost a couple of games, Riazantsev recovered to catch up with Morozevich by the penultimate round, but then lost again. The last round win gave him a clear second place, as Morozevich confidently forced a draw with an extra pawn against Konstantin Maslak.

Alexander Kosteniuk vs Vladimir Belov (1-0)

Blitz masters: Pavel Dvalishvili vs Nikolai Vlassov (1-0)

Vladimir Malakhov's critical game, in which he failed to promote correctly

Malakhov chased the leaders, but the turning point was his encounter against Nikolai Vlassov. Vladimir put his pawn on the 8th rank, and without changing it into a piece, pressed the clock (this is what I heard). So Vlassov claimed a victory by the illegal move rule. Malakhov was very disappointed, and in the end he was caught by Mikhail Kobalia. Elisabeth Pähtz was Mikhail's firmest supporter that afternoon. Malakhov and Kobalia shared the bronze medal – literally!

Alexandra vs Alexander: Kosteniuk vs Morozevich

Alexey Dreev vs Alexander Riazantsev – in a couple of moves Black will blunder a knight

After the event Morozevich was in a good mood and gave a couple of interviews. Half-seriously he revealed that he had studied the 1.Nc3 opening very deeply prior to the event, that it is time to give the youngsters like Riazantsev a go (which will probably happen next year), as the old-timers come to the park to have fun, not to play for a win, etc. After that main actors and officials left for a dinner, and a crowd of spectators began to dissolve..

GM Yuri Balashov

Vladimir Belov and Irina Vasilevich

Dvalishvili vs Morozevich: "Sasha, can you give him 3 to 5?" (a voice from a crowd). Morozevich: "I think I can afford even 2 to 5". But he doesn't take Dvalishvili up on it.

Crosstables in the making

Vadim Zvjaginsev and journalist Evgeny Atarov

Girls of Siberia – Maria Fominykh and Vera Nebolsina

The Muzeon with its many sculptures in the park

The winners Morozevich, Malakhov and Kobalia (sharing Bronze) and Riazantsev

The final table – click to enlarge. Morozevich is number four with 14/19, Riazantsev is number 20 with 13.5, Malakhov is number two with 12.5, Kobalia number ten with 12 points. It is the only table we received – you figure out how they shared Bronze.

• Replay and download a small selection of games
  Misha Savinov and Eugene Atarov heroically jotted down the moves of some of the games, so that we can replay and enjoy them. Many thanks, guys.