
This event is taking place at the Hipp Theater in central Malmo, Sweden, from
June 3rd - 7th, 2009. It has a 17-year history, but this year has a new format:
six players, five rounds, classical time controls. The field consists of a home
team made up of Sweden's two strongest players, Tiger Hillarp-Persson and
, supported by 15-year-old Swedish chess prodigy Nils Grandelius. They face
former World Championship contender Nigel Short, the long-standing super grandmaster
Ivan Sokolov from Bosnia & Herzegovina, and yet another tough opponent in
new finish star Tomi Nybäck, who is now number three in the Nordic countries,
after superstar Magnus Carlsen and Denmark's Peter Heine Nielsen.
The rating of the participants, with the exception of Grandelius, are between
2600 and 2700. Short and Sokolov are of course the two favorites, with Berg,
Hillarp and Nybäck as outsiders. Grandelius will not be expected to win
the tournament, but he is improving steadily and might deliver a surprise or
two along the way. All six participants have an aggressive approach and are
not known to play quick draws.
The organisers are thanking the city of Malmo, the Swedish Chess Federation,
The Swedish Chess Academy, law firm Sigeman & Co, TT-Line, ViaEcole, Sydsvenska
Dagbladet, Rafstedt ad agency, Galvano Service, Kakel & Tegel in Veberod,
Formo and all others who have helped in making this tournament possible.
Standings after three (of five) rounds

Picture gallery

All the players: Emanuel Berg, Nils Grandelius, Ivan Sokolov, Tomi Nyback,
Tiger Hillarp Persson and Nigel Short

Top seed and tournament leader (after three rounds): Nigel Short

That's me there, the only I-GM in the field! Sweden's top GM Tiger Hillarp-Persson

Second in Sweden, eight rating points behind Tiger: GM Emanuel Berg

15-year-old Swedish chess prodigy Nils Grandelius

Second seed Ivan Sokolov, Netherlands
The main sponsor of the event: Johan Sigeman

Nigel Short in his round two game against Tomi Nyback...

... which Nigel won very convincingly in 37 moves

Taking it with a smile: Tomi Nyback
Links
The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the
chess server Playchess.com.
If you are not a member you can download
the free PGN reader ChessBase Light, which gives you immediate access.
You can also use the program to read, replay and analyse the PGN games. |
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