With 4 players tied for first, and another 8 players half a point behind, the final round of the 2016/17 Hastings International has the potential to throw up almost any number of winners. As is turned out, it was only GM Deep Sengupta who was able to move to 7 points, leavibg the rest of the field in his wake. He defeated GM Murali Kathikeyan on the top board, while both GM SP Sethuraman and GM Allan Stig Rasmussen both lost to lower rated opponents. Sethuraman went down to IM Miklos Galyas (HUN), while Rasmussen lost to IM R Praggnanandhaa in a very complicated game.
GM Bogdan Lalic ended WGM Nino Maisuradze hope of an IM norm, and finished tied for second, as did English FM Ravi Haria, who scored both an IM norm, and was the best placed English player.
Australian IM's Justin Tan and Bobby Cheng both finished the events with wins, but ended up short of what was required for GM norms. Harry Press narrowly missed on on the Under 2200 (which is decided on difference between score expected and score achieved), after Claudio Boino (POR) defeated FM Laurence Webb in the final round to overtake him.
At the prize giving ceremony, sponsored Tradewise Insurance and the Hastings Borough Council announced continuing financial support for the event, so the Hastings International will be holding its 93rd edition at the end of this year.
Saturday, 7 January 2017
Thursday, 5 January 2017
2016/17 Hastings International - Day 8
Draws on the top 6 boards of the 2016/17 Hastings International either sets up an exciting last round, or potentially a very dull one. The results on the top 2 boards meant the leading group did not change, although it also means that the chasing pack has moved a little closer.
In round 9 GM Deep Sengupta (IND) plays GM Murali Karthikeyan (IND). GM SP Sethuraman plays IM Miklos Galyas (HUN), while GM Allan Stig Rasmussen (DEN) is up against IM R Praggnanandhaa (IND). Sengupta, Karthikeyan, Sethuraman and Rasmussen are all on 6/8, while Galyas and Praggnanandhaa are on 5.5, along with 6 other players. Depending on today's results there could be a single winner on 7 points, or anywhere up to 7 winners on 6.5.
While the top boards saw a couple of short draws, most of the other games were quite hard fought. Praggnanandhaa was again one of the last players to finish, claiming a draw by repetition against IM Gudmundur Kjartansson on move 91, in a 2 knights and pawns v 1 knight and more pawns ending. Fortunately for this arbiter I was able to check on the DGT system, as the positions were each separated by a number of intermediate moves.
Further down English FM Ravi Haria earned his 2nd IM norm with a draw against GM Bogdan Lalic (CRO). He simply has to turn up today to confirm the result. IM Justin Tan won against FM Adam Taylor (ENG) to move to 5/8, but IM Bobby Cheng lost to WGM Nino Maisuradze (FRA), who can now score an IM norm if she beats GM Lalic in the final round.
In round 9 GM Deep Sengupta (IND) plays GM Murali Karthikeyan (IND). GM SP Sethuraman plays IM Miklos Galyas (HUN), while GM Allan Stig Rasmussen (DEN) is up against IM R Praggnanandhaa (IND). Sengupta, Karthikeyan, Sethuraman and Rasmussen are all on 6/8, while Galyas and Praggnanandhaa are on 5.5, along with 6 other players. Depending on today's results there could be a single winner on 7 points, or anywhere up to 7 winners on 6.5.
While the top boards saw a couple of short draws, most of the other games were quite hard fought. Praggnanandhaa was again one of the last players to finish, claiming a draw by repetition against IM Gudmundur Kjartansson on move 91, in a 2 knights and pawns v 1 knight and more pawns ending. Fortunately for this arbiter I was able to check on the DGT system, as the positions were each separated by a number of intermediate moves.
Further down English FM Ravi Haria earned his 2nd IM norm with a draw against GM Bogdan Lalic (CRO). He simply has to turn up today to confirm the result. IM Justin Tan won against FM Adam Taylor (ENG) to move to 5/8, but IM Bobby Cheng lost to WGM Nino Maisuradze (FRA), who can now score an IM norm if she beats GM Lalic in the final round.
Wednesday, 4 January 2017
2016/17 Hastings International - Day 7
The 5 consecutive win by GM SP Sethuraman (IND) has thrown the 2016/17 Hastings International wide open. He defeated GM Allan Stig Rasmussen (DEN) who had been a point in front going into the game, but is now tied with Sethuraman, GM Deep Sengupta (IND) and GM Murali Karthikeyan (IND).
Sethuraman played a line against the Caro-Kan made famous by Deep Blue against Kasparov, and while Rasmussen avoided Kasparov's poor choices, he still was hit with some tactics on f7 in the middlegame. A soild pawn ahead, Sethuraman then nursed the advantage all the way to the completion of the game.
Sengupta and Karthikeyan completed the Indian hat trick on the top boards, with wins over Fier (BRA) and Gledura (HUN). In round 8 Karthikeyan is up against Sengupta, while Rasmussen faces Sengupta.
IM Bobby Cheng was looking for a win to keep his GM norm chances on track but could only draw with veteran IM Petr Marusenko (UKR). IM Justin Tan had a similar result, drawing with IM Vladimir Prosviriakov (USA).
Last night also saw the 2017 Hastings International Blitz. 25 players took part, but it was exceptionally strong with 3 GM's. 2 IM's and at least 1 FM starting in the bottom half of the draw (and no, it wasn't me). GM Keith Arkell won the tournament with 7.5/9, with IM Bobby Cheng, and GM Danny Gormally tied for 2nd on 7.
Sethuraman,S.P (2647) - Rasmussen,Allan Stig (2502)
Hastings Masters 2016/17 Horntye Park Sports Complex, B (7.1), 03.01.2017
If you wish to see the results, or follow the live games, then visit the tournament website at http://www.hastingschess.com/
Sethuraman played a line against the Caro-Kan made famous by Deep Blue against Kasparov, and while Rasmussen avoided Kasparov's poor choices, he still was hit with some tactics on f7 in the middlegame. A soild pawn ahead, Sethuraman then nursed the advantage all the way to the completion of the game.
Sengupta and Karthikeyan completed the Indian hat trick on the top boards, with wins over Fier (BRA) and Gledura (HUN). In round 8 Karthikeyan is up against Sengupta, while Rasmussen faces Sengupta.
IM Bobby Cheng was looking for a win to keep his GM norm chances on track but could only draw with veteran IM Petr Marusenko (UKR). IM Justin Tan had a similar result, drawing with IM Vladimir Prosviriakov (USA).
Last night also saw the 2017 Hastings International Blitz. 25 players took part, but it was exceptionally strong with 3 GM's. 2 IM's and at least 1 FM starting in the bottom half of the draw (and no, it wasn't me). GM Keith Arkell won the tournament with 7.5/9, with IM Bobby Cheng, and GM Danny Gormally tied for 2nd on 7.
Sethuraman,S.P (2647) - Rasmussen,Allan Stig (2502)
Hastings Masters 2016/17 Horntye Park Sports Complex, B (7.1), 03.01.2017
If you wish to see the results, or follow the live games, then visit the tournament website at http://www.hastingschess.com/
Tuesday, 3 January 2017
2016/17 Hastings International - Day 6
GM Allan Stig Rasmussen continues to lead the 2016/17 Hastings International, beating closest challenger GM Mark Hebden in round 6. The win for Rasmussen moves him to 5.5/6, but the group on 4.5/6 contains his toughest opponents.
GM SP Sethuraman (IND) made it 4 wins in a row, beating FM Mads Hansen (DEN). He now plays Rasmussen in round 7, and a another win for Sethuraman will throw the tournament wide open. GM Alexandr Fier (BRA) beat IM Justin Tan (AUS) to also move to 4.5. He was joined by GM Deep Sengupta (IND) and GM Murali Karthikeyan (IND) who both scored the full point in round 6.
IM Bobby Cheng kept his chances of a GM norm alive with a solid draw against GM Benjamin Gledura (HUN). He plays IM Petr Marusenko in today's round, but needs both a good result, and favourable pairings over the last two rounds to get his TPR above 2600.
Full coverage of the tournament (including live commentary if your up early enough in Australia) can be found at www.hastingschess.com
GM SP Sethuraman (IND) made it 4 wins in a row, beating FM Mads Hansen (DEN). He now plays Rasmussen in round 7, and a another win for Sethuraman will throw the tournament wide open. GM Alexandr Fier (BRA) beat IM Justin Tan (AUS) to also move to 4.5. He was joined by GM Deep Sengupta (IND) and GM Murali Karthikeyan (IND) who both scored the full point in round 6.
IM Bobby Cheng kept his chances of a GM norm alive with a solid draw against GM Benjamin Gledura (HUN). He plays IM Petr Marusenko in today's round, but needs both a good result, and favourable pairings over the last two rounds to get his TPR above 2600.
Full coverage of the tournament (including live commentary if your up early enough in Australia) can be found at www.hastingschess.com
Monday, 2 January 2017
2016/17 Hastings International - Day 5
GM Allan Stig Rasmussen is the outright leader of the 2016/17 Hastings International, after defeating GM Murali Karthikeyan in a wild game in round 5. Karthikeyan threw his pieces at Rasmussen's wandering king, in a sacrificial attack that looked promising, but a couple of defensive moves from Rasmussen was all it took to show the attack wasn't working, and Karthikeyan resigned.
GM Mark Hebden is in outright second after drawing a tough game with GM Deep Sengupta. A number of other draws on the top boards, plus wins further down, sees quite a pack sharing third place on 3.5/5. One result of this is that players looking for norms all get reasonable pairings, as this group contains a number of GM's.
This round saw a couple of 'over-performers' come unstuck against stronger opponents. Claudio Boino (2066) made it up to Board 8, but was SP Sethuraman's third victim in a row. Carlo Mazrano was having a fantastic event, but went down in a miniature to IM Bobby Cheng. And Harry Press miscalculated a sequence against Freddie Hand (2205) but even then missed a last trick that would have drawn the game.
Tonight Tomorrow night sees the 2017 Hastings International Blitz at the White Rock Hotel. Unlike it's Doeberl counterpart, this is a smaller affair, as the venue only holds around 40 players. As I am one of the arbiters for this, my round 7 report may be somewhat delayed.
Cheng,Bobby - Marzano,Carlo [A49]
2016/17 Hastings International (5), 01.01.2017
If you wish to see the results, or follow the live games, then visit the tournament website at http://www.hastingschess.com/
GM Mark Hebden is in outright second after drawing a tough game with GM Deep Sengupta. A number of other draws on the top boards, plus wins further down, sees quite a pack sharing third place on 3.5/5. One result of this is that players looking for norms all get reasonable pairings, as this group contains a number of GM's.
This round saw a couple of 'over-performers' come unstuck against stronger opponents. Claudio Boino (2066) made it up to Board 8, but was SP Sethuraman's third victim in a row. Carlo Mazrano was having a fantastic event, but went down in a miniature to IM Bobby Cheng. And Harry Press miscalculated a sequence against Freddie Hand (2205) but even then missed a last trick that would have drawn the game.
Cheng,Bobby - Marzano,Carlo [A49]
2016/17 Hastings International (5), 01.01.2017
If you wish to see the results, or follow the live games, then visit the tournament website at http://www.hastingschess.com/
2016 Australian Player of the Year
Choosing a single outstanding Australian player for 2016 was quite a tough task. There were a number of players who had good performances in specific events (Aus champs, Doeberl etc) but these seemed to be shared around a bit.
Bobby Cheng winning the Australian Championship at the start of the year was certainly notable, as was James Morris winning the O2C Doeberl Cup. Justin Tan had a very successful year, with a 3rd place in the British Championship and earning a couple of GM norms.
But based on two significant performances I've decided that IM Anton Smirnov is the Chessexpress Australian Player of the Year for 2016. His undefeated Olympiad performance eared him a 20 game GM norm, and he showed that the title is just around the corner. He then won the 2016 Australian Masters, ahead of strong local and international field. He also finished 4th in the Doeberl and the Australian Championship, as well as 3rd in the NSW Open.
So congratulations to Anton, not only the 2016 Chessexpress Player of the Year, but the first player to win this award twice.
Bobby Cheng winning the Australian Championship at the start of the year was certainly notable, as was James Morris winning the O2C Doeberl Cup. Justin Tan had a very successful year, with a 3rd place in the British Championship and earning a couple of GM norms.
But based on two significant performances I've decided that IM Anton Smirnov is the Chessexpress Australian Player of the Year for 2016. His undefeated Olympiad performance eared him a 20 game GM norm, and he showed that the title is just around the corner. He then won the 2016 Australian Masters, ahead of strong local and international field. He also finished 4th in the Doeberl and the Australian Championship, as well as 3rd in the NSW Open.
So congratulations to Anton, not only the 2016 Chessexpress Player of the Year, but the first player to win this award twice.
Sunday, 1 January 2017
2016/17 Hastings International - Day 4
Veteran English GM Mark Hebden is one of three players who share the lead in the 2016/17 Hastings International. A win over Danish FM Mads Hansen, moved him to 3.5/4, along with GM Murali Karthikeyan (IND) and GM Allan Rasmussen (DEN).
The two Australian hopefuls, Justin Tan and Bobby Cheng had a mixed day, with Tan drawing with IM Miklos Galyas (HUN) while Cheng lost a tactical game against GM Alexandr Fier (BRA).
Both players had a slightly better end to the evening, finishing tied for second in a not that serious Chess 960 New Years Eve tournament at the White Rock Hotel.
Running alongside the Masters are a number of other side events, including a FIDE rated weekender, plus smaller events broken up into rating sections. All the results from these tournaments can be found via the tournament home page http://www.hastingschess.com/
The two Australian hopefuls, Justin Tan and Bobby Cheng had a mixed day, with Tan drawing with IM Miklos Galyas (HUN) while Cheng lost a tactical game against GM Alexandr Fier (BRA).
Both players had a slightly better end to the evening, finishing tied for second in a not that serious Chess 960 New Years Eve tournament at the White Rock Hotel.
Running alongside the Masters are a number of other side events, including a FIDE rated weekender, plus smaller events broken up into rating sections. All the results from these tournaments can be found via the tournament home page http://www.hastingschess.com/
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