The Arctic Chess Challenge is taking place in Tromsø from August 4 to August 12, 2007.
The field includes:
1 GM Magnus Carlsen 2710 NOR
2 GM Bartosz Socko 2660 POL
3 GM Vugar Gashimov 2655 AZE
4 GM Aleksander Moiseenko 2641 UKR
5 GM Mikhail Gurevich 2633 TUR
6 GM Victor Mikhalevski 2598 ISR
7 GM Bartlomiej Macieja 2596 POL
8 GM Mikhail Brodsky 2595 UKR
9 GM Vladimir Epishin 2587 RUS
10 GM Simen Agdestein 2582 NOR
11 GM Vladimir Burmakin 2581 RUS
12 GM Nick de Firmian 2540 USA
13 GM Kjetil A. Lie 2536 NOR
14 Antoaneta Stefanova 2481 BUL and many more strong players.
Here is the official website: http://www.arcticchess.org/engindex.htm
Brede Hagen (2034) has taken Carlsen to an even endgame (move 33).
Draw agreed!
Nick de firmian lost to 14-year-old Even (national elo 1720!) while Magnus Carlsen drew a 2036-rated pupil from the high school he attends.
In a clearly better position the American GM overlooked a queen sacrifice by the oppositon that led to mate. His Norwegian comrade showed sportsmanship (700 elo difference) in agreeing to draw in a theoretical ending, subsequent to being in trouble from snatching a pawn in the Najdorf.
By chance the two GM’s will face off in round 2, thats today 10:00 EDT
Local hero
Local martyr
lots of love aimed your way, susan :o)