Keti makes 2nd GM norm in Calvia

October 15-23, 2007

IV Calvia Chess Festival in Magaluf, Majorca

The 4th Calvia Chess Festival took place in Polideportivo Municipal de Magaluf (Calvia, Mallorca, Spain) from October 6 till 24 – the International Open was held from October 15th - 23th, 2007. The International Tournament was won convincingly by Israeli GM Viktor Mikhalevski of Israel with 8.0/9 after starting with seven straight wins. Format: nine round Swiss; time control: 90 minutes for the game plus 30 seconds increment from move one. Prize fund: 17.000 €: first 4.000 €; second 2.000 €, third 1.500 €, fourth 1.200 €, etc. up to 20th 200 €.

GM Norm

The attractions of a relaxing family break in sunny climes mixed with a strong international chess tournament proved too hard to resist for three Edinburgh West players this October. Keti Arakhamia-Grant and Jonathan Grant (plus daughter Elena) and Neil Farrell (with wife Caroline) travelled to the holiday island of Majorca for the IV Calvia International Open.

Keti made her second GM norm with a 2616 Rp having played 5 GMs and 1 IM. Her previous norm was at the London "Foxtrot" Women v Veterans tournament in 1996.

Adopting a more relaxed approach than normal, with less opening preparation prior to the games and quicker decision making, proved successful. Keti only realised that she had any norm chances when informed after round 8 that she would need to win tomorrow! Her response of "You are joking. I've had a terrible tournament!" was because she'd survived some tough positions.

A final round win v GM Rauf Mamedov (2582) achieived the norm of 6.5/9 and Keti shared 3rd-11th places (9th on tie-break). 

Neil Farrell also had an excellent tournament, starting with 4/5 which included beating 2 IMs. Neil needed 1/4 for an IM norm (2.5/4 for GM!) but made 0.5/4, unfortunately losing in the last round from a winning position to finish on 4.5/9. Still, a fine result for his first international tournament in 13 years!

Jonathan Grant recovered from a nightmare endgame blunder in round one to reach 4.5/7 before losing the last two games to titled players and also finishing on 4.5/9. Although Jonathan made 15 Elo points and beat one 1 IM it was pretty poor in comparison with his travelling companions...at least there was the compensation of playing and analysing with GM Oleg Romanishin, a true chess artist!

With direct flights from Edinburgh and Glasgow, Calvia is an inexpensive and easy to reach destination for Scots considering a chess trip abroad. Something for everyone with blitz in the morning, Seniors in the afternoon and the International Open in the evening. Highly recommended for 2008.

Report by Jonathan Grant, International Director. Photos courtesy of Calvia tournament organisers and Jonathan Grant.

 

Official website http://www.calviafestival.com/?edicion=4

Final results http://chess-results.com/Tnr8403.aspx?tnr=8403&art=4&lan=1&turdet=NO&flag=30&mm=1&m=-1

ChessBase report http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=4202