Turkish Is Bank League started

The Turkish Is Bank Chess League has started in Konya Rixos Hotel (Turkey) and will continue from July 10th till July 22nd, 2012. This year, near 300 players from 14 clubs are participating in this event. The Turkish Team Championship (1st Chess League) was inaugurated in 1995. In 2004, it changed its name to Super League, but after the Turkish Isbank assumed sponsorship in 2006, the name was changed once more to the Turkish Isbank Chess League.

The Konya Rixos Hotel, where the event is taking place

The Turkish league competition is not only a battle between strong players, it also gives chances for youngster to play in the same teams with famous GMs and develop their level of chess. It also has a very special format, one that other countries might want to emulate: each team consists of ten boards; the first six boards are the titled players, followed by a female junior (U-20), a junior player (U-20), U15 girl, U 15 general tables.

The time control is 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes to the end of the game with a 30-second increment. 37 grandmasters and 87 titled players in all were present in Konya. The top boards include top players such as GM Michael Adams (ENG, 2728), GM Rustam Kasimdzhanov (UZB, 2690), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE, 2726), GM Vladimir Malakhov (RUS, 2715), Viktor Bologan (MLD, 2716), Judit Polgar (HUN, 2709), GM Mikheil Mchedlishvili (GEO, 2656) , GM Illya Nyzhnyk (UKR, 2610) and others. The Elo average was 2432.

The defending Champion of 2011, the Istanbul Egitim Chess Club Aquamatch, lost to Besiktas Gymnastik Club with 7:3 score. The only player from Aquamatch club who was able to win was Judit Polgar. The strongest women player in the world defeated GM Rauf Mamedov.

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Besiktas Gymnastik facing Michael Adams of ISEKI
Aquamatch with a 23-move draw. Gymnastic Club beat Aquamatch 7:3

The “tail-enders” Mersin Ezgi Chess Club and Besiktas Jimnastik Club proved to be stronger today as players from 6 till 10 boards scored 5:0 and contributed to victories of their teams.

There were no draws in the match between Adana Truva Chess Club and Antalya Deniz Gençlik Sport Club, which finished on favor of the former with 7:3 score.

GM Vladimir Malakhov from Ceyhan Municipal against GM Peter Heine Nielsen from
Denizli Er Copper ended in a draw in 26 moves. Ceyhan won by 5.5 to 4.5

Denizli Er Bakir Sportl Club and Istanbul Pear Sport Club lost against Ceyhan Belediye Sport Club and Ankara Gazi Üniversitesi Sport Club with minimal score 4.5:5.5 respectively.

GM Ilya Nyzhnyk facing GM Sergey Tiviakov on board one of Gazi University against
Istanbul Pera. The game was drawn in 29 moves, Gazi won the match with 5.5:4.5

Istanbul Teknik Üniversitesi Sport Club won against Manisa T.S Alyans Sport Club. Antalya Çalli Spor Kulübü defeated Tarsus Zeka Chess Sport Club 6:4.

Selected games annotated by GM Evgenij Miroshnichenko

Players watching their teammates complete their games

All photos by Anastasiya Karlovich

Links Official tournament site – All results with team parings All games in PGN 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 a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 11 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.

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