IX Internet Chess Tournament “Ciudad de Dos Hermanas”

(Internet Chess Club (ICC), March 28th-April 5th 2008)
 

IM Michael Rahal (EDAMI, Barcelona)
 

For the ninth year running the 9th Internet Chess Tournament "Ciudad de Dos Hermanas" is being held on the Internet Chess Club playing zone (www.chessclub.com). This event is the most important Internet chess tournament in the world, taking into account both the number and the level of the participants. Up to now, 1.803 participants have registered, nearly 200 more than last year. Even more relevant, qualifier 5 set a new ICC record with 583 players, beating the record from 2004 where 553 players in one tourney.

The total prize fund is 7.700 euros, with a first prize of 2.000 euros, 10% more than last year. In addition, many new cash prizes for amateurs are up for grabs. There are also several special prizes, like the invitation to come to the Dos Hermanas main event, with Topalov, Polgar, Shirov and Vallejo at the end of April. Lastly, 26 six-month subscriptions to ICC will be given between all the players, 12 by raffle, 12 by accumulated scores, 2 for the "Peon de Rey" chess magazine subscribers and 2 for the best Dos Hermanas players.   

As in previous editions, the playing system is as follows: twelve 12-round Swiss qualifiers. The playing rate has been changed to 3/0, or 3 minutes for the whole game. This is the favourite playing rate for ICC players. Qualifiers are being held twice a day from March 28th to April 2nd (two each day). April 3rd is a rest day and the finals are held on April 4th and 5th. The 12 qualifier winners plus the 20 best scores go on to the 32 KO final. Registration for the last six qualifiers is still open.

After the first 6 qualifiers, American GM Hikaru Nakamura (2670 Fide Rating ), who is currently number 16 on the world list, has already qualified for the final. Also qualified are GM's Baadur Jobava (Georgia 2643), GM Tigran Petrosian (Armenia 2606), GM Zaven Andriasian (Armenia 2532), GM Ronen Har-Zvi (Israel 2512) and last years surprise winner playing for Palestina, Jorge Sammour-Hasbun (Palestina 2460).. The list of qualified players and best scores can be found on the page http://www.chessclub.com/activities/doshermanas2008/contenders.html. Also well placed to qualify for finals are Spanish GM Miguel Illescas Córdoba (2605) and two of the young hopes of the Latin American countries, Paraguay's GM Axel Bachman (2505) and GM Eduardo Iturrizaga (2505) from Venezuela.

Complete standings, game file, PGN game files and other interesting information can be found at the Dos Hermanas web site www.doshermanas.net