
I have always wondered what final aim chess players are pursuing in their errant lives? Is it the best move, the most fantastic game or the highest rating ever? But while reading "El paraiso en la otra esquina" (which appeared under the title The Way to Paradise in English but translates roughly as “The happiness in the other corner”), a book of my favourite author Mario Vargas Llosa, I started to think that maybe this “happiness in the other corner” is precisely what we chess players, are looking for!
Not an easy quest: there are many corners to check and they always change. A coincidence of the kind I like and welcome had it that I finished the last chapters of Vargas Llosa’s book while traveling to the Isle of Man, a small island which never looks the same; the shades of its light change from one minute to another and it would take a lifetime to capture its whole beauty and greatness...
So I wondered if the Isle of Man, where I wanted to play the famous PokerStars international chess tournament, was one of those corners?

The Isle of Man is a paradise for nature lovers, photographers, and chess players.




Objective analysis shows that this could be true. The field in this year’s tournament was extremely strong. At the top, in the middle, and even at the end of the seeding list. You had to show good form or you were at risk to go badly astray. But the time control was most generous and one game could last up to nine hours!

The people on the Isle of Man drive on the left and the clocks also work...
the other way around! It took me some time to find out what time it is exactly.
My games frequently were the last to finish last but despite the inevitable exhaustion caused by that I didn't mind at all, not only because I am a "long thinker", but mainly because I believe that the quality and beauty of chess benefit from a slow rhythm of play.

Always an elegant presence: Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant

Nigel and Erwin talking about...chess?!

Coca Cola vs. water. For the long IoM games you might need them both.

You will hear more from the Italian...

...GM Francesco Rambaldi who collected 6.0/10 points in the tournament and gained 10 Elo-points.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
8.Nb5! Qb6 8...Qd8 9.Nd6# 9.Nd6+ Kd8 10.Nxf5 1–0
- 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.
Adams,M | 2742 | Merry,A | 2335 | 1–0 | 2015 | B01 | PokerStars IoM Masters | 5.12 |
Please, wait...
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
31...Qa5! 32.Rad1 32.Rg1 Qxd2 32.Rdd1 Qxa1 32...Qxd2! 33.Qxd2 Nf2+ 34.Qxf2 Rxf2 0–1
- 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.
L'Ami,A | 2369 | Merry,A | 2335 | 0–1 | 2015 | A90 | PokerStars IoM Masters | 9.30 |
Please, wait...
The playing hall and general conditions are simply superb, as the main sponsors PokerStars and the Scheinberg family, together with Alan Ormsby's organizing team, which tend to grow into a true family, do not spare any effort to make the players' life as good as possible. On top, all the invited players of 2015 are on the list for next year, and Alan promised in his closing speech to adjust the dates in such a way that the tournament won't clash with the 2016 Olympiad.

What distinguishes a good tournament organiser? A passion for chess!

In deep thought: the players at the top boards.

Clash of titans: Tarjan (with White) vs Timman. The last game they played against each other was in 1983!
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
40...Rc6 40...Rc7‼ 41.a7 Nc6 42.Re8+ Kxe8 43.a8Q+ Ndb8‼ 41.a7 Ra6 42.Rb8 Rxa7 43.Rxb4 Rc7 44.Ke1 Rc6 45.a5 Ra6 46.Rb5 Kd8 47.Kd2 Kc7 48.Kc3 Nb8 49.Nc1 Rc6+ 50.Kb2 Rc4 51.Nb3 Nc6 52.a6 Rb4 53.Rxb4 Nxb4 54.Nc5 Kb6 55.g4 Nxa6 56.Nd7+ Kc7 57.Nf6 Kd8 58.Kb3 Nc7 59.Kb4 Ne8 60.Ng8 h5 61.f3 Ng7 62.Nf6 Ke7 63.Kc3 Kf8 64.Kd3 Ne8! 65.Nxe8 Kxe8 66.Ke3 Ke7 67.Kf4 hxg4 68.fxg4 f6 69.exf6+ Kxf6 70.g5+ Kf7 71.Kg4 e5! 72.dxe5 d4 73.Kf3 Ke6 74.Ke4 d3 75.Kxd3 Kxe5 76.Ke3 Kf5 77.Kf3 Ke6 78.Kf4 Kf7 79.Kf3 Ke7 80.Ke3 Kd7 81.Kd3 Ke6 82.Ke4 Kd6 83.Kf3 Ke7 84.Kg4 Kf7 85.Kg3 Ke7 86.Kf4 Ke6 87.Kg4 Kf7 88.h5 gxh5+ 89.Kxh5 Kg7 90.g6 Kg8 91.Kh6 Kh8 92.g7+ Kg8 93.Kg6 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.
Naiditsch,A | 2682 | Granda Zuniga,J | 2667 | ½–½ | 2015 | B10 | PokerStars IoM Masters | 5.3 |
Please, wait...
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
51...h2! 52.Rxf3 exf3 53.Rh5 f2 54.Rxh2 f1Q 55.Rh7 Qg2+ 56.Bd2 Qe4+ 57.Kc3 Ke6 58.Rxb7 c5 59.d5+ Qxd5 60.Rh7 Qd4+ 61.Kc2 c4 62.Rh3 Kd5 63.bxc4+ Qxc4+ 64.Rc3 Qa4+ 65.Kb2 Qd1 66.Bc1 a5 67.Rc2 Qd4+ 68.Ka2 Qa4 69.Rh2 Kc4 70.Kb1 Qb3+ 71.Ka1 a4 72.Ra2 Qd1 73.Kb1 Kc3 74.Rb2 Qd3+ 75.Ka1 Qd1 76.Kb1 Kd3 77.Ra2 Qb3+ 78.Rb2 Qd1 79.Ra2 Qb3+ 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.
Brunello,S | 2553 | Hamitevici,V | 2439 | ½–½ | 2015 | E48 | PokerStars IoM Masters | 6.17 |
Please, wait...
But it still takes a minor miracle for a "happy other corner". In our case this could be the effort to combine two completely different games: chess and poker! To my shame, I must admit that I don't even know the rules of poker, but I believe to grasp a bit of its spirit and understand why it is similar to the ancient royal game – despite all differences. In chess and in poker we all tend to consider ourselves geniuses, believing that we can have sensational performances if not for bad luck... But even more important, despite its scientific character chess still retains aspects of gambling. It doesn't really matter which cards you get, but the way you are playing them! The more you practice and the smarter you are, the luckier you become.

Armenian GM Hrant Melkumyan

A true natural of the game: Julio Granda Zuniga

Tournament winner Pentala Harikrishna

Harika Dronavalli (playing with black against Michael Adams)
deserved more from her event but continues to smile and promises to work even harder next time!
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
66.Bd6+ 66.Rg6‼ Rf2 66...a1Q 67.Bd6+ Ke8 68.Rxf6 66...Ne8 67.Bh6+ Ng7+ 68.Bxg7+ 68.Rxg7 Rh2 69.Rf7+ Kg8 70.Rf1 Rxh6+ 68...Kg8 69.Bf6+ Kh7 70.Kf7! a1Q 71.Rg8 67.Rxf6+ Kg7 68.Bh6+ Kh7 69.Rxf2 a1Q 70.Rf6 66...Ke8 67.Kxf6 67.Rf1 Nh7 68.Ra1 Ng5+ 69.Kxd5 Kd7 70.Bf4 Ne6 67...Rb1 68.Rg8+ Kd7 69.Ra8 a1Q 70.Rxa1 Rxa1 71.Bf4 Ra8 72.Ke5 Kc6 73.Kf5 Rg8 74.Kf6 Re8 75.Be5 Kd7 76.Bf4 Re4 77.Kf5 Kc6 78.Kg4 Kb5 79.Kf3 Kc4 80.Bg5 80.Kg4 Kd3 81.Kf5 80...Kd3 81.Bf4 Re7 82.Be5 Rf7+ 83.Bf4 Rf8 84.Kg4 Ke4 85.Kg5 Rf7 86.Kg4 Rg7+ 87.Kh4 Rg1 88.Kh3 Re1 0–1
- 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.
Greet,A | 2455 | Harika,D | 2516 | 0–1 | 2015 | D11 | PokerStars IoM Masters | 2.26 |
Please, wait...

Yochanan Afek, who is a grandmaster in study composition,
created a special study for the IoM tournament. He also had a great tournament.

Study by Yochanan Afek. Solution at the end of the article
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 Nc6 8.Qd2 0-0 9.0-0-0 Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Be6 11.h4 Qa5 12.Kb1 Rfc8 13.g4 Rxc3 14.Qxc3 Qxa2+ 15.Kc1 Bxg4 16.Qe3 e5 17.fxg4 exd4 18.Qa3 Qxa3 19.bxa3 Nxg4 20.Re1 Rc8 21.Bh3 d3 22.Bxg4 Rxc2+ 23.Kb1 Rb2+ 24.Ka1 Rg2+ 25.Kb1 Rxg4 26.h5 Rg2 0–1
- 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.
Jedynak,R | 2427 | Afek,Y | 2252 | 0–1 | 2015 | B76 | PokerStars IoM Masters | 4.33 |
Please, wait...
Once in a while in interviews the question comes up why on earth are we not giving up the spiny chess career? I usually give vague answers, such as that chess is addictive, that it allows me to travel a lot, and I also like to quote Aronian who once said that all chess players are masochists, except those at the top who are sadists... But now I believe that chess is a bit like poker: you cannot retire when you are losing but even less so when winning!
Returning to the concrete world, I find it is a good idea to have the poker tournament the day before the chess event starts. This way chess players can clear their minds and get rid of the pressure, and some might even have hit the big pot already!

The flag of the Isle of Man with its famous triskelion symbol.



Yuri Garrett does a quick scan for electronic devices before the last round - both players came out clean!

When not busy with anti-cheating duties Yuri Garrett is a passionate photographer.
They say that history repeats itself and this could have been the case in the 2015 Isle of Man tournament. Last year Nigel Short won the tournament with a last round win against David Howell. This time, his love for the game transpired again and again, particularly in his game against Alon Greenfeld, in which he played an unusual self-fork. This game was published in a previous CB-report, so I am sure you are all aware of its beauty.
And just like last year, in the final round Nigel was pressing in the endgame against the leader Harikrishna, but the Indian grandmaster defended well and hold tight to his 1st place; and even though Sargissian and Fressinet caught up with him by winning against Rambaldi and Naiditsch respectively, the Indian had the best tie-break and won the tournament.

History did not repeat itself this time: Nigel had pressure but Harikrishna hold the draw.

Laurent Fressinet finished the tournament on a good note:
he won against Arkadij Naiditsch which made him first place
with Sargissian and Harikrishna.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
26...Nh4! 27.Nb3 27.gxh4 Bf3 27...Be2! 28.Bxe2 Qh3 0–1
- 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.
Naiditsch,A | 2682 | Fressinet,L | 2702 | 0–1 | 2015 | C67 | PokerStars IoM Masters | 9.2 |
Please, wait...

The crucial encounter between Naiditsch and Harikrishna in round seven
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
33.Nd7 33.Kb3! Rxg2 34.a5 Ra8 35.Ra1 Rxh2 36.Rb7 33...Be7 34.Rb7 Ra8 35.Nb6 Ra6 36.Rd3 Bd6 37.Rg3+ Kh8 38.Kb3 Rc7 39.Rb8+ Kh7 40.Rgg8 Bxf4 41.Rh8+ Kg7 42.Rhg8+ Kf6 43.Rgd8 Rca7 44.Re8 Bxh2 45.Ka3 Bg1 46.Ra8 Bxd4 47.Nd7+ Kg5 48.Rxa7 Rxa7 49.Nb8 Ra8 50.b4 Ba7 51.a5 Rxb8 52.Rxb8 Bxb8 53.b5 Bc7 54.b6 Bd8 55.Kb4 d4 56.Kc4 e5 0–1
- 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.
Naiditsch,A | 2682 | Harikrishna,P | 2737 | 0–1 | 2015 | C11 | PokerStars IoM Masters | 7.1 |
Please, wait...

Shared first with 7.0/9: Gabriel Sargissian who won against Francesco Rambaldi in the final round.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
42.Rg3! Nf2 43.Bd6+ Ke8 44.Re3+ 1–0
- 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.
Sargissian,G | 2679 | Rambaldi,F | 2547 | 1–0 | 2015 | A33 | PokerStars IoM Masters | 9.3 |
Please, wait...

And the winner is: Pentala Harikrishna!

The winner of the ladies' prize: IM Jovanka Houska
Final Standings
Rg. |
Snr |
|
Name |
Land |
Elo |
Pkt. |
1 |
2 |
GM |
Harikrishna P. |
IND |
2737 |
7,0 |
2 |
4 |
GM |
Fressinet Laurent |
FRA |
2702 |
7,0 |
|
6 |
GM |
Sargissian Gabriel |
ARM |
2679 |
7,0 |
4 |
3 |
GM |
Howell David W L |
ENG |
2705 |
6,5 |
|
7 |
GM |
Short Nigel D |
ENG |
2678 |
6,5 |
6 |
1 |
GM |
Adams Michael |
ENG |
2742 |
6,0 |
|
5 |
GM |
Naiditsch Arkadij |
AZE |
2682 |
6,0 |
|
8 |
GM |
Granda Zuniga Julio E |
PER |
2667 |
6,0 |
|
9 |
GM |
Movsesian Sergei |
ARM |
2658 |
6,0 |
|
15 |
GM |
L'ami Erwin |
NED |
2619 |
6,0 |
|
18 |
GM |
Donchenko Alexander |
GER |
2577 |
6,0 |
|
20 |
GM |
Brunello Sabino |
ITA |
2553 |
6,0 |
|
21 |
IM |
Van Foreest Jorden |
NED |
2548 |
6,0 |
|
22 |
GM |
Rambaldi Francesco |
ITA |
2547 |
6,0 |
|
23 |
GM |
Hillarp Persson Tiger |
SWE |
2546 |
6,0 |
|
43 |
IM |
Swayams Mishra |
IND |
2444 |
6,0 |
17 |
11 |
GM |
Grandelius Nils |
SWE |
2647 |
5,5 |
|
12 |
GM |
Kuzubov Yuriy |
UKR |
2641 |
5,5 |
|
13 |
GM |
Jones Gawain C B |
ENG |
2623 |
5,5 |
|
14 |
GM |
Melkumyan Hrant |
ARM |
2622 |
5,5 |
|
16 |
GM |
Tiviakov Sergei |
NED |
2612 |
5,5 |
|
17 |
GM |
Sengupta Deep |
IND |
2580 |
5,5 |
|
24 |
GM |
Boruchovsky Avital |
ISR |
2536 |
5,5 |
|
25 |
GM |
Greenfeld Alon |
ISR |
2534 |
5,5 |
|
29 |
GM |
Arkell Keith C |
ENG |
2505 |
5,5 |
|
31 |
GM |
Gormally Daniel W |
ENG |
2500 |
5,5 |
|
32 |
GM |
Sundararajan Kidambi |
IND |
2497 |
5,5 |
|
36 |
IM |
Nakar Eylon |
ISR |
2463 |
5,5 |
|
50 |
IM |
Zumsande Martin |
GER |
2422 |
5,5 |
|
56 |
IM |
Houska Jovanka |
ENG |
2372 |
5,5 |
31 |
10 |
GM |
Fridman Daniel |
GER |
2649 |
5,0 |
|
19 |
GM |
Timman Jan H |
NED |
2562 |
5,0 |
|
26 |
IM |
Illingworth Max |
AUS |
2517 |
5,0 |
|
28 |
GM |
Vaisser Anatoly |
FRA |
2515 |
5,0 |
|
30 |
GM |
Vishnu Prasanna. V |
IND |
2503 |
5,0 |
|
34 |
GM |
Tarjan James E |
USA |
2479 |
5,0 |
|
37 |
IM |
Lampert Jonas |
GER |
2461 |
5,0 |
|
38 |
GM |
Cherniaev Alexander |
RUS |
2458 |
5,0 |
|
40 |
IM |
Pert Richard G |
ENG |
2450 |
5,0 |
|
41 |
IM |
Paehtz Elisabeth |
GER |
2447 |
5,0 |
|
45 |
GM |
Williams Simon K |
ENG |
2429 |
5,0 |
...

The winner takes it all but two cups?

Visibly happy and relieved: Pentala Harikrishna during the winner's speech.

The winners in great spirits. The tournament organizer Alan Ormsby congratulates.
Between Ormsby and Harikrishna is Mr. Scheinberg, who will generously sponsor next
year's edition of the tournament as well.

The winners of the Ladies' prizes.

Alan Ormsby congratulates Jovanka Houska

Pentala Harikrishna and Harika Dronavalli are very good friends; to me it seems fair that Harika has the bigger cup!
I read that winners are not those who never fail but rather those who never quit! Since I cannot be satisfied with my final result, I feel like coming back to the Isle of Man corner forever in a permanent search for happiness and better moves...



Mysterious, yet warm and friendly, the kind of combination
that makes you want to come back again and again.
Solution to Yochanan Afek's study: 1. f7 Qh5+ 2. Bg5 Qxf7 3. Re1+ Kg2 4. Rb2+ f2 5. Rxf2 Kxf2 6. Bh4+ Rxh4
7. Nd3+ Kg3 8. Re3+ Kg2 9. Re2+ 1/2
Photos: Alina l'Ami