4NCL - The Four Nations League - www.4ncl.co.uk/pre2010

European Club Cup

Mark Hogarth reports on Hilsmark Kingfisher at the European Club Cup in Kemer, Turkey

Round 7 Report 9th October 2007

Kemer mountains

Above is a photograph taken by Jovanka a few days ago when led by Chris Briscoe, the team went for a rejuvenating early morning mountain climb, Keith included!

Onto the final day (Round 7) and the weather is absolutely glorious, pity we’re going home. We are one match point ahead of the total achieved in the European Club Cup in Fuegen, Austria last year.

Anyway, onto the action:
Hilsmark Kingfisher are facing a formidable Icelandic team (Rekjavik Chess Club) with 3 GMs. Although party animals and heavy drinkers can actually play some good chess.

Christin Andersson (above) - not married to Ulf despite earlier reports to the contrary which produced great mirth in the camp, is taking a rest day today so the captain is stepping into the breach and playing on board 4.

We are out-rated on all boards so we will be doing very well to get something out of this match…

7.13	19	Reykjavik Chess Club		-	32	Hilsmark Kingfisher
1	GM	Stefansson Hannes	2574	:	GM	Arkell Keith C	2479
2	GM	Nataf Igor-Alexandre	2546	:	IM	Greet Andrew N	2441
3	GM	Thorhallsson Throstur	2448	:	IM	Houska Jovanka	2404
4	IM	Kristjansson Stefan	2458	:	IM	Cooper Lawrence	2305
5	IM	Gunnarsson Jon Viktor	2427	:		Tavoularis Nicholas	2246
6	FM	Bergsson Snorri	2298	:		Briscoe Chris	2273

Keith is playing a Bogo-Indian, an interesting psychological choice as his opponent lost playing the same defence two rounds earlier. This seems to have gained Keith quite a time advantage which may prove useful later on in the game.

Jovanka had a quick draw after only 45 minutes. Her GM opponent surprised her with his first move (1. d4) but Jovanka returned the compliment by a changing her choice of opening to the Queen’s Gambit Declined (QGD). Thorhallsson went into deep thought and played the Exchange Variation steering into an equal position and promptly offered a draw. Off to pool now for some R & R and maybe a little bit of last minute sight-seeing. Although I suspect she won’t be able to keep herself from looking at the other games….

Andrew played the London System (1.d4 2. Nf3 3. Bf4) against his GM opponent seems to have gained a slight edge.

Lawrence is facing a Nimzovitch Defence (1…Nc6) and has obviously prepared well for his opponent (ha ha!.).

Nick is defending a Sicilian Richter-Rauser against his 2427-rated IM opponent Jon Viktor Gunnarsson and seems comfortable out of the opening and a complicated battle ensues.

Chris is facing the Arkell(!) -Khenkin variation of the Caro-Kann defence where black sacrifices a pawn for quick development. His opponent FM Snorri Bergsson has regained the pawn quickly and the position is level. Pity Chris didn’t discuss this with Keith beforehand as they have been doing some preparation together.

After two hours play…… Lawrence has a slight space advantage and has just sacrificed a pawn for to counter his opponent’s well-timed 13…e6. We shall see later if he gets anything for the pawn.

After three hours play….. Lawrence regained the pawn and his opponent liquidated and offered a draw which was accepted. Match situation 1-1.

Keith is worse but is usually revels in playing these sort of positions. We shall see if he enjoys it today. Andrew has managed to get his rook trapped on b3 with no obvious way of extricating it so is currently playing a effectively a piece down so already looks lost.

Nick looks positionally lost so we shall have to see if he can perform another of his Houdini acts to get out of this one.

Chris has a strong knight outpost on d6 but his opponent has two centrally placed hanging pawns on e4 and d4 breathing down Chris’s position giving him a clear advantage. We shall see if Chris can hold this.

After four hours play it is virtually all over. Keith, Andrew and Chris have just lost so the team are 4-1 down with one to play and Nick is worse in a rook and pawn ending.

After 4 ˝ hours play Nick has lost and the team lost 5-1.

7.13	19	Reykjavik Chess Club		-	32	Hilsmark Kingfisher
1	GM	Stefansson Hannes	2574	1-0	GM	Arkell Keith C	2479
2	GM	Nataf Igor-Alexandre	2546	1-0	IM	Greet Andrew N	2441
3	GM	Thorhallsson Throstur	2448	˝ -˝	IM	Houska Jovanka	2404
4	IM	Kristjansson Stefan	2458	˝-˝	IM	Cooper Lawrence	2305
5	IM	Gunnarsson Jon Viktor	2427	1-0		Tavoularis Nicholas	2246
6	FM	Bergsson Snorri	2298	1-0		Briscoe Chris	2273

Detailed report from IM Lawrence Cooper to will follow plus my interview with Swedish Hilsmark Kingfisher player WIM Christin Andersson on her thoughts of this tournament and IM Andrew Greet world exclusive interview with the newly installed 15th World Champion and world number one Vishy Anand. Worth seeing!

We’re off or dinner now and to enjoy what is left of or last evening in Kemer.

Mark Hogarth
Manager
Hilsmark Kingfisher