tag: thessaloniki - Page 1

World Senior brings back legends

11/13/2014 – One of the wonderful things about the World Seniors Championship is that it brings back former giants in chess back to what they did best: play chess. At the 24th edition held in Katerini, Greece, there were many such legends, and in this detailed illustrated report, you will find pictures, profiles, plus analysis by 15-year-old IM Akshat Chandra, ChessBase's youngest ever author.

Thessaloniki Final: Caruana stops Kamsky, Dominguez wins the tournament

6/3/2013 – In a wild turn of events in the last round, Caruana played a masterful Spanish to take down Gata Kamsky. With this victory Caruana tied for second in the event and paved the way for Dominguez who defeated Topalov in a very precise endgame. The Cuban scored 8.0/11 and gained an incredible 30 rating points. GM Analysis of both key games.

Thessaloniki 10: Kamsky wins and leads

6/2/2013 – On his 39th birthday Gata Kamsky destroyed Alexander Morozevich in a 25-move Chigorin. He snatched the sole lead, with 7.5/10 half a point ahead of Cuban Leinier Dominguez. Fabiano Caruana outplayed Veselin Topalov with the black pieces and at 6.5/10 has a theoretical chance to win the event. Express report with pictures of the free day simul and GM analysis of the most volatile game.

Thessaloniki 09: Dominguez wins, ties for first

6/1/2013 – The Cuban star continues surprising in Greece by dispatching Caruana. A positional exchange sacrifice put the Italian in an uncomfortable situation and was unable to deal with all his problems adequately. Topalov swiftly punished Morozevich's awkward handling of the Caro-Kann while the rest of the games were drawn without any real winning chances. Games, analysis and standings.

Thessaloniki R08: Kamsky wins again

5/30/2013 – An amazing round that saw five decisive results and five Spanish openings. Kamsky dispatched Nakamura in the French in masterful style. Ivanchuk has not recuperated and lost to Svidler, Ponomariov suicided against Kasimdzhanov, Bacrot made short work of Topalov with black while Dominguez's assault on Morozevich's king was irresistible. Analysis, standings and pictures.

Thessaloniki R07: Caruana and Kamsky keep scoring

5/29/2013 – A blunder by Morozevich and consistent play by Kamsky allowed the Italians and the American to get a half point lead over Dominguez, who had to defend a long endgame against Bacrot. Nakamura scored a full point with a nice technical win against Topalov, while Ivanchuk forced another quick draw with white. Games, pictures and analysis.

Thessaloniki R06: Kamsky, Caruana join Dominguez

5/28/2013 – Kamsky played a superb positional game to dispatch Svidler and join Dominguez in the lead. The Cuban drew a very resilient Nakamura who was down a pawn the entire game. Caruana showed great class in his win against Bacrot. Ivanchuk continues his freefall and self-destructed against Ponomariov. Analysis, pictures and standings.

Thessaloniki GP: free day activities

5/28/2013 – Sunday was a free day at the FIDE Grand Prix in Thessaloniki – a city founded around 300 BC and named after a half-sister of Alexander the Great. A number of players used the opportunity to hop on the open desk bus and go on an extended sightseeing tour. They saw the Hagios Demetrios, the Heptapyrgion, and visited the landmark White Tower of Thessaloniki. Here is a pictorial report.

Thessaloniki R05: Dominguez takes the Lead

5/27/2013 – Winning three consecutive games has catapulted Dominguez to the top of the leaderboard. The Cuban outplayed Kasimdzhanov to cleanly collect a full point. Bacrot missed a win against Morozevich in a complex endgame, Caruana wasn't able to win against Nakamura with two extra pawns while the other games were uneventful draws. Analysis, standings and pictures.

Thessaloniki R04: Dominguez strikes again

5/25/2013 – Showing that yesterday wasn't just a fluke, Dominguez played an enterprising game against Svidler, got a slight advantage and severely punished his opponent's mistakes. Morozevich and Nakamura played the wildest game of the tournament (of the year?) which ended in a crazy perpetual. Topalov demolished Ivanchuk and the other games were drawn. GM Analysis, standings and pictures.

Thessaloniki R03: Ivanchuk's Tragedy

5/24/2013 – Mercy was the name of the game today in Greece. Kasimdzhanov sacrificed an exchange against Morozevich but couldn't win. Kamsky had a winning advantage but didn't deliver a killing blow. Topalov also had his chances but was unable to convert. The highlight however was Ivanchuk losing a completely winning position against Dominguez. GM Analysis, standings and pictures.

Three White victories in Thessaloniki... again!

5/23/2013 – White had a good round again in Greece. Caruana dispatched Ivanchuk and Morozevich destroyed Svidler in a miniature. Grischuk played almost six times more moves than Morozevich but also took down Nakamura, who has no points in two rounds. The other games were solidly drawn and five people share the lead at 1.5/2. GM analysis, pictures and report.

Thessaloniki Grand Prix opens with a bang

5/22/2013 – Changing the mood from the previous Grand Prix, the first round kicked off the tournament with some victories for the white side. Svidler demolished Bacrot, punishing passive play. Kasimdzhanov showed that he isn't to be trifled with, despite being the lowest rated player. Kamsky beat Dominguez while the rest of the games were drawn. Full report with pictures and GM commentary.
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