XXXIV International Open Barbera del Valles

by ChessBase
7/9/2011 – The XXXIV International Open Barbera del Valles is currently underway in the lovely town in Spain. As the number indicates, it is in its 34th edition, and those seeking a chess event for the summer are well served in this lyric Spanish retreat. At the same time, a three-day fiesta is taking place, with various spectacles to be enjoyed, all of which has been captured by the camera of Alina L'Ami.

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The XXXIV International Open Barbera del Valles is currently underway in Barbera del Valles, Spain. The event runs three opens for different rating groups.


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Beautiful Barbera

Report and photos by Alina L'Ami

I love travelling, I am a true-born traveller if I may say so, and I am always excited to discover new places, new people, cultures etc. But somehow, coming back to the same place, same tournament which I played 4 years ago, meeting the same organizers, staying in the same hotel...gives me a very nice feeling! This might sound a bit strange, but it's really comforting! It's like time has stopped and you have the chance to go back in time and see the same things with different eyes. Very interesting. Plus, the tournament is now in its 34th edition, a lot of experience for the organizers and it is visible. The only drawback is the website, which is only in Spanish, like everything else in Spain by the way: TV channels, people speak only their language and so on.

The good thing is that there are no double rounds, of which I am sure every player is grateful for. Also the hotel and people are very nice, it's in their culture and blood to be very expressive, warm and kind. The playing hall has air-conditioning, very important for our heads!


The Hotel Campanile where we are staying


There is also a huge shopping mall next to our hotel and the discount season has
started. Although, there aren't many women playing in the tournament and I doubt
the men will take advantage of it.


Many players, locals, arrive by train and leave by train after the round's end


For us, reaching the playing hall is an adventure in itself, and requires crossing a
highway with no pedestrian pathway. "Frogger" in real life!


The entrance to the tournament hall


A side entrance


As usual for any tournament, there is a last-minute rush to register


The opening ceremony with Victor Pont, the organizer, at the microphone


The playing hall for the A Group


GM Kiril Georgiev standing in front of the tournament poster


Brazilian IM Herman Claudius Van Riemsdijk gives a friendly wave


An overview of the playing hall


Standings information and board projections of the live games are also available


The lovely Anna Matnadze tragically lost in the 3rd round before
the game even started when her phone rang. Incredibly, Herman
C. Van Riemsdijk actually joked this would happen when he saw
her texting before the round's start.


Emilia Georgieva, wife of Kiril Georgiev, is also playing


Amrutha Mokal from India


Aranaz Murillo Amalia


Always on duty, always at work


Your reporter, Alina L'Ami


GM Peralta Fernando


Parallel to the tournament, a three-day celebration is being held called Festa Major


I am not sure what it is about, but much of it is being held near or in front of City Hall


Many activities and events are held


Dances can be enjoyed with the dancers dressed in traditional costumery


There are also parades to be seen with giant historic figures


Due to the sweltering summer heat, the streets are often quite bare in the afternoons


A typical scene at siesta time


The city itself is a typical mix of greenery, low houses, and blissful quiet


A street market where good deals can be found


An elevated view of Barbera del Valles

Standings of Group A after five rounds

Rk
Tit
Name
FED
Rtg
Pts
1
GM
HERNANDEZ CARMENATES Holden
CUB
2570
4.5
2
GM
ITURRIZAGA Eduardo
VEN
2603
4.0
3
GM
PERALTA Fernando
ARG
2601
4.0
4
WGM
L'AMI Alina
ROU
2312
4.0
5
GM
AROSHIDZE Levan
GEO
2539
4.0
6
IM
MATNADZE Ana
GEO
2428
4.0
7
GM
NARCISO DUBLAN Marc
ESP
2544
4.0
8
IM
BACALLAO ALONSO Yusnel
CUB
2532
4.0
9
GM
GONZALEZ GARCIA Jose
MEX
2522
4.0
10
GM
LEON HOYOS Manuel
MEX
2548
4.0
11
FM
GONZALEZ PEREZ Arian
CUB
2490
4.0
12
FM
RYAN Joseph
IRL
2267
3.5
13
IM
PEREZ MITJANS Orelvis
ESP
2452
3.5
14
FM
DELGADO RAMOS Hector
CUB
2488
3.5
15
GM
GEORGIEV Kiril
BUL
2654
3.5
16
GM
BRYNELL Stellan
SWE
2495
3.5
17
GM
ARIZMENDI MARTINEZ Julen Luis
ESP
2555
3.5
18
IM
VEHI BACH Victor Manuel
ESP
2403
3.5
19
FM
CARSTENSEN Jacob
DEN
2391
3.5
20
GM
CARLSSON Pontus
SWE
2496
3.5

Complete standings


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 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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