Preview
52nd “Torneo di Capodanno” in Reggio Emilia
28th December 2009 – 6th January 2010
(12 december) LAST NEWS !: Gata Kamsky in Reggio Emilia substitute for Vladimir Malakhov (read)
15th November 2009 – A new, great edition of the oldest Italian closed chess tournament will start on Monday, 28th December, in Reggio Emilia in the classic venue of the Hotel Mercure-Astoria (maps and directions here) with free admission. Ten top chess players will fight through Wednesday, 6th January, for the 52nd title of King of the “Torneo di Capodanno”. The official web site has the Hall of Fame of the tournament, that has seen the participation of all the top world chess players of the last half century (with the sole exception of Bobby Fischer), as well as all the results of the various editions and all the games for download. The rest day, missing since the 40th edition (1997-98), has been reintroduced: no games will be played on 1st January, allowing players to enjoy the New Year’s Day with no fear to influence their performance on the “battlefield”.
And finally, the tournament: a great competition that will surely find its place in history as it will see four over-2500 Italian chess players (an absolute first) opposing six strong Grand Masters (GM) from Eastern Europe. The FIDE category of this 52nd edition, determined by the average value of the international ranking (Elo) of the participants, is by just a hair the 15th (average Elo 2625 points, a mere 10 point short of the 16th category), with the Grand Master norm set at 4½ points.
This edition will also be memorable because of the first participation of Fabiano Caruana, 17-years-old great Italian talent currently 81st in the FIDE world ranking list. By now Fabiano plays steadily on a par with the strongest world chess players, and he looks into a future of great opportunities. Before and after the “Torneo di Capodanno”, Fabiano has to face two very tough appointments. From 20th November to 15th December will play in the World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, Siberia, where 128 players will fight to qualify for the final phase of next world championship cycle. From 15th January to 31st January, then, Fabiano will play in the Group A tournament (FIDE 19th category!) of the “Corus” super-tournaments in Wijk aan Zee (Holland), qualified by last year’s victory in Group B tournament. He will face players of the calibre of Anand, Carlsen, Kramnik, Ivanchuk, etc. Good luck, Fabiano!
Defending the Italian colours in Reggio Emilia will also be Michele Godena, the most prominent Italian player and real veteran of the “Torneo di Capodanno”, at the tenth participation in Reggio Emilia; Daniele Vocaturo, freshly appointed Grand Master, at the second participation to the “Torneo di Capodanno” as player (plus last year’s participation as game commentator for the audience), and Sabino Brunello, in search of his third and final Grand Master norm, at the second participation in Reggio Emilia as well.
Among the six foreign Grand Masters there will be the winner of the Jubilee edition, the Hungarian Zoltan Almasi (third time in Reggio in a row), but not last year’s winner, the Chinese Ni Hua, replaced by the Georgian GM Baduur Jobava, at his début in Reggio. The Russian GM Konstantin Landa (winner of the 48th edition) will be at his fifth participation in a row. Back in Reggio after an absence of 12 years is the Moldavian GM Viktor Bologan, who came very close to win the 39th edition. Top scorer of the tournament will be the Russian GM Vladimir Malakhov. Last but not least, an emerging young Azerbaijan GM, and fellow citizen of Garry Kasparov, the 17-years-old Eltaj Safarli.
Here is the full preview.
Gozzi Giorgio
Press Office Organizing Committee
Go Fabiano!