No prize-money in Casablanca

by André Schulz
2/17/2015 – From 28. January to 4. February an international tournament was played in Casablanca, Morocco. The decent prize-fund attracted 100 players, among them several titleholders. Play took place in an old church, which was beautiful but cold. Sergey Tiviakov won on tie-break ahead of Vadim Malakhatko. However, the players still wait for their prize-money.

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From 28. January to 4. February the 2. International Chess tournament to honor King Mohammed VI took place in Casablanca. The tournament was organised by the Royal Chess Federation of Morocco. The invitation promised a prize-fund of 150.000 Dirham (about 16.000 Euros), of which the winner was to receive 60.000 Dirham (about 5.500 Euros). 100 players took part in the international open. Parallel to that tournament an U20-Open was played.

Picture of King Mohammed VI

U20-Open

The tournament was played in the "Eglise Sacré-Cœur de Casablanca", formerly a catholic church, which had been built in 1930, but which no longer was used as a church after Morocco's independence in 1956. The church was not heated and thus rather cold, and the players had to wear jackets and coats during their games.

 

Chess in the former church

Players with coats

Malakahtko-El Gindy

Unfortunately, this was not the only thing that left to be desired. There were complaints about the modest accomodation and the small portions given out at mealtimes in the players hotel. But the biggest scandal is that the promised prize-money has not been paid yet.

At the closing ceremony the representatives of the Chess Federation (including the Vice-President) promised the prize-winners that the prize-money would be transferred to their accounts within a week - at the latest. This did not happen. Email of the players were not answered. The players now asked FIDE to become active.

Cup and badge but no money

Sergey Tiviakov won the tournament with 7.5/9 and the better tie-break. Second was Vadim Malakhatko who also had 7.5/9. Best women player was Deimante Daulyte with 6.5/9.

The winner Sergey Tiviakov is not amused

Vadim Malakhatko

Deimante Daulyte, Karina Mabartsumova

Sophie Milliet

Iva Videnova

Boris Chatalbashev (re.)

 

Final results after 9 rounds

Rg. Snr   Name FED Elo Pkt.  Wtg1   Wtg2 
1 1 GM Tiviakov Sergei NED 2669 7.5 42.5 43.00
2 7 GM Malakhatko Vadim BEL 2520 7.5 40.0 42.00
3 8 GM Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy VIE 2493 7.0 44.0 41.00
4 4 GM Chatalbashev Boris BUL 2552 7.0 43.5 42.25
5 2 GM Korneev Oleg ESP 2591 7.0 42.5 39.25
6 9 GM Kasparov Sergey BLR 2477 6.5 44.5 38.75
7 5 GM Le Roux Jean-pierre FRA 2539 6.5 40.0 34.50
8 3 GM Kuljasevic Davorin CRO 2558 6.5 39.0 35.50
9 15 IM Daulyte Deimante LTU 2389 6.5 37.5 30.00
10 21 IM Touzane Olivier FRA 2337 6.5 35.5 30.25
11 6 GM Strikovic Aleksa SRB 2529 6.0 44.0 34.50
12 22 WGM Ambartsumova Karina RUS 2325 6.0 39.0 31.50
13 19 FM Amdouni Zoubaier TUN 2365 6.0 38.5 28.25
14 11 GM Larino Nieto David ESP 2442 6.0 37.5 28.50
15 13 IM Farahat Ali EGY 2392 6.0 36.0 28.00
16 14 IM Milliet Sophie FRA 2390 6.0 36.0 27.25
17 18 IM Tissir Mohamed MAR 2368 6.0 34.5 26.75
18 79   Elkholti Achraf MAR 0 6.0 33.0 25.50
19 10 GM El Gindy Essam EGY 2475 5.5 41.0 28.75
20 16 WGM Videnova Iva BUL 2386 5.5 40.5 28.50
21 12 GM Djuric Stefan SRB 2400 5.5 40.5 25.00
22 20 IM Zozulia Anna BEL 2358 5.5 39.5 27.50
23 29   Nafri Khalil MAR 2192 5.5 36.0 22.75
  35 FM Tagelsir Abubaker SUD 2125 5.5 36.0 22.75
25 28   Choukri Adel MAR 2211 5.5 35.0 25.25
26 33   Daoudi Kamal MAR 2135 5.5 34.0 24.00
27 36 FM Boydia Sidi MTN 2097 5.5 33.0 23.25
28 95   Mounib Abdelaziz MAR 0 5.5 32.5 22.75
29 45   Rian Saad MAR 2022 5.5 32.5 22.00
30 23 GM Bouaziz Slim TUN 2306 5.5 32.5 21.50
31 30   Ouakhir Mehdi MAR 2174 5.5 30.0 21.75
32 25 FM Mohannad Farhan JOR 2244 5.0 36.5 23.00

... 100 players

 

Winter at the Atlantic coast

The palace of justice

Entry to the law

The central bank

Downtown

The new tram

Mosque

The bazaar

Colorful diversity

Karina and Daimante

Karina Ambartsumova

 

Karina Ambartsumova bought a souvenir

Daimante Daulyte

Greetings from Morocco

 

 


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

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