The second round of the IV El Llobregat Open Chess Tournament has given us the surprise that in the first ten boards has won who had more Elo. This may seem the most logical thing at first sight, but in a tournament of these characteristics (it is the strongest open tournament in Spain and one of the most important in the world) this is not usually the case. Therefore, Fedoseev, Alekseenko and Narayanan will continue one more round at the top of the standings. What is more valuable than a good start?
Who is not starting with good feelings at the board these first days is the Spaniard Alexei Shirov, one of the heroes of the fans for the great beauty of his chess. In this second round he could not get past a draw with the young talent Javier Habans, who is creating a well-deserved reputation as a giant-killer. As for group B, the first board victory of the American Abel Prieto (1805) over the German Christof Koellner (2073), second seed, stands out.
THE CHAIR: APPROACH
We propose you to join us with the following exercise, extracted from the game played by José Manuel López Martínez and Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov. White plays. What would be your movement? Why? At the end of this chronicle you will have the solution.
López Martínez, J. M. – Suyarov, Mukhammadzokhid, Mukhammadzokhid
Among the chess players taking part in the IV El Llobregat Open Chess Tournament are the Fiorito brothers. These young Argentines come with outstanding sporting merits. Joaquín (on the left in the photograph) is the youngest ever to play in the final of the Argentine Championship at the age of 15. The one who appears with him in the photograph is his brother, Francisco (13). Joaquín is an International Master; Francisco, on the other hand, has a norm and is the current Pan-American champion of his age. His mother, Roxana, told us that the family has moved to La Palma (Canary Islands) to continue progressing in their chess, thanking very much the help of the people who are helping them.
Joaquín and Francisco Fiorito. Photo: Patricia Claros Aguilar (@Patriciaajedrez).
THE CHAIR: SOLUTION
In the words of GM José Manuel López: “I played Txf6. There are moves that we make for the love of chess. If you have a nice move and you don’t make it, you will regret the whole game. I had interesting compensation for the delivery: I double pawns, weaken h6 and open the king. Besides, his white bishop has hardly any play and his quality (the rook) does not have good columns. I had faith in the long-term ability to create threats with my knights. It is a delivery that is not based on calculation, but on playing the position. In these situations we play beyond the board, for the love of Caissa. I think later I was able to play more accurately, but my opponent outplayed me in that phase of the game. It was a draw”.
Our kind sponsors show their logos at the Llobregat Open Chess Tournament. Photo: Patricia Claros Aguilar (@Patriciaajedrez).
By Jorge I. Aguadero Casado, Editor-in-Chief of Peón de Rey
