Italian Chess Championship 2009
23rd November – 4th December, in Sarre, Aosta Valley
Report by Chessdom.com
The 69th Italian Chess Championship is starting on Monday, 23rd November, and continues until 4th December, in Sarre, Aosta Valley. Twelve players will compete over eleven rounds of Berger system for the title of Italian Champion and prize fund of 14.000 EUR.
The participants have qualified according to the following criteria: top three from the 2008 championship, top five from the semifinal championship, U20 national champion, two players with the highest average elo on the last four rating lists, and one Grandmaster with a wildcard provided by the organizers.
The Championship is weakened as the top Italian player, GM Fabiano Caruana, is currently playing at the World Chess Cup in Khanty-Mansyisk and won’t be able to defend the last year’s trophy. However, this is probably “the youngest” Championship ever, even without Caruana, with half of the field still ranking within the junior U20 age category.
Players:
IM Sabino Brunello (U20)
IM Fabio Bruno (former Italian champion)
IM Carlo D’Amore
FM Daniele Genocchio (all IM norms completed)
GM Michele Godena (five-time Italian champion)
GM Lexy OrtegaGM Carlos Garcia Palermo
FM Axel Rombaldoni (17-years old, all IM norms completed)
IM Denis Rombaldoni (U20)
FM Andrea Stella (16-years old)
FM Alessio Valsecchi (17-years old)
GM Daniele Vocaturo (U20)
Caruana would have won this tournament by 3 points.