Bunratty, Ireland
The Bunratty Chess Festival took place from 20-22 February 2009. The favourite, GM Peter Svidler, repeated his success from last year. In the last round Svidler won against Chess Today’s editor in chief Alex Baburin.
Earlier Svidler defeated two other GMs, Simon Williams and Peters Wells, and drew with Bogdan Lalic.
Final standings:
1. GM Svidler (2723, RUS) – 5½ out of 6
2-5. GMs B.Lalic (2538, CRO), Jones (2540, ENG), Wells (2513, ENG) and FM A.Lopez (2367, IRL) – 4½
6-7. GM Baburin (2541, IRL) and IM Pein (2391, ENG) – 4, etc (38 players)
Official website: http://www.bunrattychess.com/
Source: ChessToday.net
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Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
While Svidler was by far the favourite to win it is still impressive to see that he was able to win by a full point ahead of several other titled players in a six round tournament…
I disagree. We know Svidler is a top-tier player, capable of beating the best. This tourney is like a simul to him. The titles of the other players may have well been “clown” and “dog poo scooper.”
I don’t know why organizers allow this. Did the other players WANT some sort of opportunity to slay a giant? I can’t imagine they were happy about being victims of bottom-feeding.
“clown” and “dog poo scooper”
Hey, GM’s have to come to ghetto to have some fun now and again.
Isn’t that how your dad found your mom?
No, nor is that relevant.
And I’m not saying super GM’s can’t do simuls or play lower GM’s for fun. But this isn’t just fun. There’s money and rating points involved, and I find it highly unprofessional.
Why is it unprofessional if a player like Svidler decides to compete in an open tournament? The problem is the lack of serious competition (at least for a player of his calibre).
Svidler also won Gibraltar earlier this year but had to fight hard for it (and Nakamura had to spoil his winning position against Gashimov).
And do not argue with price money here. Do you think Svidler would play Bunratty if he had invited to e.g. Linares?! The man also needs to pay for his living.
No offence, but your arguments are just silly. You would have to group players in classes (like in Nancy) but that on the other hand would take surprise results as e.g. happened at Pfalz Open.
So please re-consider your arguments. There is nobody to blame here, not the organisers and definitely not the players who did nothing wrong.
Having played in Bunratty for the last 6 years (albeit in the 1200-1600 section), I can say that Svidler’s appearances are the best thing to happen to the tournament. The buzz around the venue of having one of the best players in the world playing in Ireland is amazing.
I haven’t heard anyone complaining about Svidler playing. Having played a couple of pub blitz games with IM Chris Baker on Saturday evening, he seemed delighted with the chance to play a giant of the game.
The tournament isn’t FIDE rated so rating points for the titled participants aren’t relevant.