Tidbits

Some information that wouldn't fit anywhere else:

At the press conference, Nigel was sitting at a long table along with the organizers and Pascal. Pascal and Nigel were both sitting in front of chessboards with full sets of pieces. Nigel adjusted the pieces in much the same way he would if he were about to begin a game.

Sergey Tiviakov told me that his best game was against Short, because Nigel didn't make any big mistakes in that game. He agreed that his game with Elyanov was exciting, but thought that it was full of mistakes. He also said that he was disappointed with his finish, and that he just did not have enough energy left after playing such interesting chess to see him through to the end.

Emil Sutovsky said that while he arrived in Montreal four days before the Tournament, the he was still jet lagged for his first two games, but that he had no excuses for his 3rd loss in a row (against Ivanchuk)

Gata Kamsky said he was bothered by all the controversy with Short and was disappointed with his finish.

I had a great deal of contact with Vassily Ivanchuk. He was extremely interested in what was happening in the women's event, and wanted print outs each day of their games.

Midway through the tournament, Short switched from playing under the English flag to the Union Jack, at his request.

By bizarre coincidence, a convention for people who liked to dress up as animals (they call themselves 'anthropets') was happening at the hotel at the same time as the tournament. Quite often during the games, people dressed as wolves, bats, and rabbits, could be seen just wandering around the hall.

Its over! Ivanchuk and Cramling are Champions

Round 9 saw Vassily Ivanchuk defeat Harikrishna with the white pieces in a Petroff. Sutovsky informed me that Ivanchuk refused a draw offer from Harikrishna at some point during the game. This may be Ivanchuk's best year, with vicroties at Aerosvit and the Third Pivdenny Bank rapid chess tournament in Odessa, and now the category 16 Montreal International.

Nigel Short ushered a King's Gambit against Bluvshtien, and after some fireworks (including a Queen sac) was forced to tip his king. The game with Bluvshtein marks the end of of a disastrous tournament for Short, who finished in dead last by a full point with 2 out of 9. For an explanation of Short's miserable performance check out his interview at Chessbase

Pia Cramling clinched sole first place with a last round victory over Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant. For her efforts, in addition to the first prize check, Pia will receive a diamond encrusted watch from Galazzo jewelers.

The closing ceremony featured kind words by Vassily Ivanchuk, who said he was extremely happy with the organization of the event, and thought that it was great for chess that the Women's Grand Prix and the Quebec Open were played along side the International. He also said that he would accept an invitation to play next year.

Round 9 games from the International here

Round 7 games from the Women's Grand Prix Finale here

Monroi

FQE




Montreal International 2007 Champion, Vassily Ivanchuk


Women's Grand-Prix Finale Champion, Pia Cramling

Interviews

I conducted a series of interviews with the participants of the Women's Grand Prix Finale.

Round 8

With Ivanchuk defeating Miton and Harikrishna defeating Tiviakov, Ivanchuk now leads alone going into the final day at the International. Chucky, with a half point lead over Sergey and Harikrishna, has white against Harikrishna in round 9. Meanwhile, Tiviakov has white against the lowest rated player in the event, Canadian Pascal Charbonneau. So, a draw for Ivanchuk will guarantee him at least a share of first place.

Nigel Short scored his first victory in Round 8. Short had the black side of a Queen's Gambit Declined(D37) against Ukrainian Pavel Elyanov. Elyanov got into severe time pressure somewhere between move 30 and 40, and lost the thread of a complicated ending.

Replay the game here
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Ivanchuk demolished Miton with a sacrificial attack when Miton forgot to protect his king.



Here, Ivanchuk played 25. Bxh2, and Kamil was forced to return the material with interest several moves later to avoid getting mated.

Replay the game here
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Sutovsky won 'on class' against Bluvshtein. An instructive rook and pawn endgame.

Replay the game here
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Harikrishna again displayed his endgame might, winning in 77 moves over Tiviakov.

Replay the game here
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Charbonneau held on to draw against Kamsky. Charbonneau forced a series of exchanges to reach a theoretically draw minor piece ending.

Replay the game here
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Pascal and Gata before their round 8 draw


An important game: Harikrishna v Tiviakov


Iweta Rajlich


Irina Krush

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All images copyright Robin Lindsay 2007.

Women's Grand-Prix Finale Standings

Standings after round 5:

1-3. Houska, Jovanka m ENG 2401 3.5
1-3. Cramling, Pia g SWE 2533 3.5
1-3. Arakhamia-Grant, Ketevan m GEO 2418 3.5
4. Javakhishvili, Lela m GEO 2460 3.0
5-6. Krush, Irina m USA 2479 2.5
5-6. Rajlich, Iweta m POL 2406 2.5
7. Foisor, Cristina Adela m ROM 2372 1.5
8. Roy, Myriam CAN 1925 0.0

Round 7

The layers of drama surrounding the Nigel Short v Gata Kamsky encounter (a draw) at the International made it interesting for the spectators to say the least. Kamsky showed up several minutes late for the game, and Short simply stood at the other end of the room, refusing to acknowledge his opponent. Kamsky then took several more minutes to make his first move, at which point Short returned to the board. The game featured the truly ancient Ponziani's Opening, 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3!? which is rarely seen at the top level these days. Short's motivation for playing this line remain a mystery. During the game both players were rooted to the board, rarely getting up to stretch their legs or to see what was happening in the other games. Obviously, both players were extremely motivated not to lose.

Nigel Short v Gata Kamsky

Replay the game here
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Sergey Tiviakov continues to display the best chess in Montreal with another fine attacking game, this time against Polish national Kamil Miton. Sergey goes into the penultimate round 1/2 point ahead of Vassily Ivanchuk, who is in sole second place.

Replay the game here
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Mutual blunders were exchanged in Harikrishna v Charbonneau, and both players agreed that a draw was thus a fair result.

Replay the game here
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Sutovsky and Elaynov didn't want to fight and agreed a draw on move 17.

Replay the game here
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After winning a pawn right of the opening, Ivanchuk ground down Bluvshtein in a Q and pawn ending.

Replay the game here
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Seems perfectly innocent


Short getting ready

Please contact rockrobinoff@gmail.com if you wish to use any images for your site. Larger versions are available.

All images copyright Robin Lindsay 2007.

No Handshake!

Nigel Short and Gata Kamsky fail to shake hands before their round 7 game at the Montreal International. Another curiosity, the game began 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3!?

Was this specifically prepared for Gata?