Salo Flohr Memorial
Played on Saturday, 27th December, in Prague
Report by Chessdom.com
GM Salo Flohr, one of the world’s best chessplayers between two Wars and a world title candidate, would celebrate his 100th birthday these weeks. He spent his best years in Prague, and therefore the city and the Prague Chess Society organized a rapid tournament and a party to his commemoration. The playing venue was Hotel Best Western Kampa, which already hosted Kramnik – Navara match earlier this year.
Three best chess players of the Czech republic – GM Navara, GM Hracek and GM Laznicka – together with another 6 GMs and 7 IMs, were invited to take participation. Players who personally knew Flohr are also included – e.g. GM Vlastimil Hort and the writer Vlastimil Houška.
The tournament was played as a 7 round Swiss, with time control of 15 minutes + 15 sec per move. The prize fund was 77.000 Kč (almost €3.000) and the winners were awarded with glass vases designed by Bořek Šípek and Jiří Pačínek.
The young GM Robert Cvek finished on the top with 6.0 points, half a point clear ahead of GM Viktor Laznicka and GM Zbynek Hracek.
Final standings (37 participants):
1. GM Cvek Robert (2517 CZE) 1. Novoborsky Sk – 6.0
2. GM Laznicka Viktor (2562 CZE) 1. Novoborsky Sk – 5½
3. GM Hracek Zbynek (2587 CZE) 1. Novoborsky Sk – 5½
4. IM Jirka Jiri (2432 CZE) Tj Bohemians Praha – 5.0
5. GM Navara David (2613 CZE) Sk Mahrla Praha – 5.0
6. GM Jirovsky Milos (2487 CZE) Sk Mahrla Praha – 5.0
7. GM Vokac Marek (2452 CZE) 1. Novoborsky Sk – 5.0
8. IM Jirovsky Pavel (2331 CZE) Sokol Kolin – 4½
9. Lamser Jan (CZE) Sk Litomerice – 4½
10. IM Pisk Petr (2322 CZE) Tj Podluzan Prusanky – 4.0
11. IM Konopka Michal (2407 CZE) Sachovy Klub Zikuda Turno – 4.0
12. Vanek Tomas (2269 CZE) Tj Glaverbel Czech Teplic – 4.0
13. GM Hort Vlastimil (2478 GER) Sk Porg Praha – 4.0
14. Boleslav Petr (2021 CZE) 1. Novoborsky Sk – 4.0
15. Nemec Igor (2041 CZE) Sachovy Oddil Tj Dukla Pr – 4.0
News and photos by Novoborsky SK
Those tropht’s look like art accidents!
Someone hunt down the glass blower and smack him!
Don’t you mean trophies? And yes they are ugly.
With those trophies I’d be happy with 4th place.