Razuvaev Chess Memorial, Washington Chess International Set for Aug 6-11

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 

The Washington International returns for a second year to Rockville, MD from August 6 -11. Player feedback from last year's event (won by Gata Kamsky) was overwhelmingly positive. This year there are several major enhancements to the tournament such as a significantly larger prize fund, a B section for lower rated players, minimum prizes available for all non-US players, and lower entrance fees. The 9-round swiss A section has $22,000 in guaranteed prizes and will provide an opportunity for players to earn GM and IM norms. 

In order to improve the chances for earning these norms, a minimum rating of 2100 FIDE or 2200 USCF will be required to play in the A section. Twenty players, including 9 GMs and 6 IMs, have already registered to play in the tournament. New this year is the B section that is also a 9-round FIDE-rated swiss with the same schedule and a $4,000 prize fund. Players must be rated under 2250 USCF and 2200 FIDE to play in the B section. All equipment will be provided for the players in both sections. More information about the tournament, including the currently registered players, can be found at http://washingtoninternationalchess.org.

Running concurrently with the Washington International tournament will be the Razuvaev Memorial Tournament. GM Razuvaev was the coach of Alexandra Kosteniuk when she won the Woman's World Championship in 2008. In honor of this, the tournament format will be a team match of some of the top women chess players against some male players who were friends with GM Razuvaev. 

The players are:GM Adrian Mikhalchishin, GM Boris Gulko, GM Vladimir Tukmakov, GM Lev Alburt, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, IM Anna Zatonskih, IM Irina Krush and IM Elena Sedina

The International and the Razuvaev Memorial are the showcase events for the Washington International Chess Festival, but several other shorter duration events are also available:

Potomac Open (August 2-4)
Weekend Swiss
40/90, SD/30 +30/incr
Washington International Blitz
Friday Aug 9, 8pm
3 +2/incr
Washington International Rapid
Saturday, Aug 10
15 +10/incr
For all of these tournaments live broadcasts of the games, standings, reports, and pairings will be at http://www.mdchess.com.

These tournaments are being organized by the Maryland Chess Association. If you have any questions, email Mike Regan at washintl@mdchess.com.

Also Read:

• Chess Memorial Razuvaev Announced in Washington, DC on August 6-12, 2013

• Remembering my Coach Yuri Razuvaev

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel

Razuvaev Chess Memorial in Washington DC Aug 6-12: Stars Alburt, Tukmakov, Gulko, Kosteniuk Confirm Participation

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hello everyone,

"When someone you care about and respect passes away, it’s hard to find the right words to explain your sorrow. You have emptiness and pain in your heart, knowing that you won’t be able to meet someone so dear to you," wrote 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk in her www.chessqueen.com blog post last year for her dear coach Yuri Sergeevich Razuvaev.

A photo of GM Yuri Razuvaev with Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk from the latter's private album.

This year, GM Kosteniuk goes to Washington DC from August 6-12 to play the 'Razuvaev Memorial Chess Tournament' in memory of her beloved teacher.

Friends and colleagues of GM Yury Razuvaev will join the event as well. Participants include:

Team “Beauty of chess saving the world”: GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (Russia); WGM Anna Zatonskih (USA); WGM Irina Krush (USA; WGM Elena Sedina (Italy); Captain: Michael Khodarkovsky (USA)

Team “Admirers of chess beauty”: GM Lev Alburt (USA); GM Adrian Mihalcisin (Slovenia); GM Vladimir Tukmakov (Ukraine), GM Boris Gulko (USA); Captain – GM Sam Palatnik (USA).

Event details are as follows: Dates: August 6th to August 12th 2013.

Site: Rockville Hilton, 1750 Rockville Pike, MD 20852, USA
Invitational Crown section: “Razuvaev Memorial Chess Tournament”:
1 round 2 teams sheveningen system. Time control: 40/90, SD/30, incr/30. $25,000 

Guaranteed prize fund: individual prizes in each of two teams: - $4,000-$3,000-$2,000-$1,000; 

Team prizes- $4,000-$1,000.

Washington International - Open section: $17,000 Guaranteed prize fund GPP- 150, 9 rounds Swiss system. Prizes: $5,000-$3,000-$2,000-$1,000-$900-$800-$700-$600-$500-$500, U2500 $700-$300, U2300 $700-300. Possibility of GM and IM norms, 40/90, SD/30 +30i.

Washington International - B section: Under 2201 USCF and Under 2200 FIDE, FIDE rated) $4,000 in Guaranteed Prizes: $1,500-$700-$400; 1st under 2000-$600; 2nd under 2000-$300; 1st under 1800-$500

Crown section Schedule:
08/06 – Arrival day Crown Section;
08/07 – Reception for Crown section at 6:00 pm; Special presentation of the new book- “Yuri Razuvaev” by GM Sosonko and GM Gulko , stamps presentation.
08/08 – 1st round at 2:00 pm.
08/09 – 2nd round at 2:00 pm; Washington International Blitz tournament at 8:00 pm
08/10 – 3rd round at 2:00 pm; Washington International Rapid.
08/11 - 4th round at 10:00 am; Dinner & closing ceremonies at 6:00 pm/ Hilton
08/12 – Departure day

Also read Chess Queen™ Kosteniuk's post on www.chessqueen.com.

More info and how to register at: www.washingtoninternationalchess.org

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel