SPICE CUP 2009 -Aftermath

After more than a week of chess..guess what these chess players want? Yep you are right more Chess!!!


Akobian stretching his muscles by doing chess push ups


Wesley So checking out the fruits :)

Leeam entertaining the titled players and guests with his newly learned song.



credits to chessmarketing and SPICE CUP 2009

SPICE CUP 2009 Final Scores

GM Yuriy Kusubov is SPICE Cup 2009 Champion after winning the blitz games tiebreak against Andreikin and Mamedov. Although Filipinos from around the world are in high spirits for their bet Wesley So to take over the tournament.However, it was still worth considering that it was good exposure playing a category 16 tourney and with only one point difference from the champions.

In group B, USA dominated the pack with Eugene Perelshteyn taking the crown. It was also a sweet victory for the americans as IM Ben Finegold obtained his final grandmaster norm and become a full pledge chess grandmaster. Click here for more of SPICE Cup 2009.

B Group (GM norm: Ben Finegold - IM norm: Danny Rensch)

1-3. Perelshteyn, Eugene g USA 2534 6
1-3. Bhat, Vinay g USA 2473 6
1-3. Finegold, Benjamin m USA 2513 6
4. Robson, Ray m USA 2491 5½
5. Papp, Gabor m HUN 2558 5
6-8. Rensch, Daniel f USA 2392 4
6-8. Kuljasevic, Davorin m CRO 2547 4
6-8. Antal, Gergely m HUN 2479 4
9. Diamant, Andre m BRA 2520 2½
10. Ippolito, Dean m USA 2455 2

A Group

1-3. Kuzubov, Yuriy g UKR 2635 5½
1-3. Andreikin, Dmitry g RUS 2648 5½
1-3. Mamedov, Rauf g AZE 2645 5½
4-6. Hammer, Jon Ludvig g NOR 2583 4½
4-6. So, Wesley g PHI 2646 4½
4-6. Akobian, Varuzhan g USA 2626 4 1/2

SPICE CUP 2009-LIVE !!!! RND 9

SPICE CUP 2009-Live feed-Rnd 8

Ben Finegold, US latest Grandmaster

Ben Finegold is currently US newest grandmaster after being co winner of the prestigious SPICE Cup 2009 GROUP B. Here is that final game match that brings home the title



Below is group B's final rankings:

Final standings:

1-3 Finegold, Ben IM 2515 USA 6.0
1-3 Bhat, Vinay GM 2459 USA 6.0
1-3 Perelshteyn, Eugene GM 2542 USA 6.0
4 Robson, Ray IM 2527 USA 5.5
5 Papp, Gabor IM 2562 HUN 5.0
6-8 Rensch, Danny FM 2388 USA 4
6-8 Antal, Gergely IM 2486 HUN 4
6-8 Kuljasevic, Davorin IM 2547 CRO 4
9. Diamant, Andre GM 2526 BRA 2.5
10. Ippolito, Dean IM 2459 USA 2.0



Of course, a celebration couldnt be prevented. Again Kudos to Ben for his fine showing at SPICE CUP.

SPICE CUP 2009-ROUND 7 Live

SPICE CUP 2009-Round 6 -grp A live ! ! !

SPICE CUP 2099 resume hostilites. Standings after round 5

After the needed rest, hostilities resume in the SPICE Cup 2009. Shown below is the standings after the 1st half full pack action.

Standings after 5 rounds:
A group
1-3. GMs Hammer, Kuzubov, Andreikin 3.0
4. GM Mamedov 2.5
5. GM So 2.0
6. GM Akobian 1.5
B group
1. IM Finegold 4.0 (needs 2/4 for GM norm and title)
2-3. GM Bhat, GM Perelshteyn 3.5
4. IM Antal 3.0 (needs 3/4 for GM norm and title)
5-6. IM Papp (needs 3.5/4 for 2nd GM norm), IM Robson (needs 3.5/4 for GM norm and title) 2.5
7-8. FM Rensch (needs 2/4 for IM norm and title), IM Kuljasevic 2.0 (needs 4/4 for GM norm and title)
9. GM Diamant 1.5
10. IM Ippolito 0.5

SPICE CUP 2009 first half standings! ! !

After a round 5 truce on all games in SPICE cup 2009 group A, we saw GMs Hammer, Kuzuboz, and Andreikin at the helm with 3 points. Its still very close to call as GM Mamedov is just half point behind, GM So 2 and GM Akobian with 1.5 points. I believe that the key in breaking through the 2nd half is each others chess preparations. Everyone is now aware of each others game style and the one who prepared well reap benefits. Below is the standings after 5 rnds.

A group

1-3. GMs Hammer, Kuzubov, Andreikin 3.0
4. GM Mamedov 2.5
5. GM So 2.0
6. GM Akobian 1.5

B group

1. IM Finegold 4.0
2-3. GM Bhat, GM Perelshteyn 3.5
4. IM Antal 3.0
5-6. IM Papp, IM Robson 2.5
7-8. FM Rensch, IM Kuljasevic 2.0
9. GM Diamant 1.5
10. IM Ippolito 0.5


Here is the Round 4 inside video. Credits to Spice Cup 2009 and chessmarketing

SPICE Cup 2009 LIVE! Round 5

SPICE Cup 2009 -Video from Round 1

Got some videos from Youtube featuring Spice Cup 2009. Fine video as it gives more insider look of the tournament. Check out and enjoy



credits to sZeljka7 and spice cup 2009

SPICE CUP 2009-round 4 LIVE Games ! ! !

credits to monroi.com and SPICE Cup 2009

SPICE Cup 2009-standings after rnd 3

GMs Andreikin and Kuzubov took the lead after 3 rounds of SPICE Cup 2009 action. Kuzubov solid handling of the white pieces brought home the bacon even with stubborn resistance from GM Hammer's play.




Still the tournament is very close with the front leaders only a point away from bottom dwellers So and Akobian who had a draw after a French defense encounter.

Below is the standings of the tourney. Still ,I will be getting live feeds for the fourth round so I hope you stay tune here at ChessRealm.


A Group

1-2. GMs Andreikin, Kuzubov 2.0
3-4. GMs Hammer, Mamedov 1.5
5-6. GMs So, Akobian 1.0

B Group

1. IM Finegold 2.5
2-5. GM Bhat, IM Antal, GM Perelshteyn, IM Papp 2.0
6. IM Robson 1.5
7-9. GM Diamant, IM Kuljasevic, FM Rensch 1.0
10. IM Ippolito 0.0

SPICE CUP 2009 Rnd 3- LIVE! Wesley So vs Varuzhan Akobian,

Wesley So vs Varuzhan Akobian

Click on the arrow keys to play the game

SPICE Cup 2009-rnd 2 Standings, GM Hammer leads leads rnd 2

GM Hammer together with GM Andreikin lead the way with 1.5 points after earning the full point after round 2 . GM Hammer's employing the white pieces reap benefit from rare 8. Ne3 move which was considered a a rare line in the Slav Opening. Below is the game winning play of GM Jon:


[Event "Spice Cup 2009"]
[Site "Lubbock"]
[Date "2009.09.20"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Hammer, Jon Ludvig"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteELO "2585"]
[WhiteTitle "GM"]
[BlackELO "2644"]
[BlackTitle "GM"]
[Source "MonRoi"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Nb6 8.Ne3 e6 9.a5 Nbd5 10.Nxf5 exf5 11.a6 b6 12.g3 Bb4 13.Bd2 O-O 14.Bg2 Qe7 15.O-O Rac8 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.e3 Rfd8 18.Bxb4 Nxb4 19.Qb3 c5 20.dxc5 Qxc5 21.Rfd1 g6 22.Bb7 Rxd1 23.Qxd1 Rc7 24.Qd8 Kg7 25.Rd1 h5 26.Rd6 Qc1 27.Rd1 Qc4 28.Rd6 Qc1 29.Kg2 Nc2 30.Qf6 Kh7 31.Rd8 Nxe3 32.fxe3 Rc2 33.Kh3 Qf1 34.Kh4 Qc4 35.Rd4 Rxh2 36.Kg5 Qc7 37.Qd6 f6 38.Kxf6 Qg7 39.Ke6 Qg8 40.Kd7 Rc2 41.Qe7 Kh6 42.Rd6 Rc5 43.Bc6 1-0

Standings After rnd 2- SPICE Cup 2009:

Group A
1-2. GM Andreikin, GM Hammer 1.5
3-4. GM Kuzubov, GM Mamedov 1.0
5-6. GM So, GM Akobian 0.5

Group B
1. IM Antal 2.0
2-3 IM Robson, IM Finegold 1.5
4-7. IM Papp, GM Bhat, IM Kuljasevic, GM Perelshteyn 1.0
8-9. GM Diamant, FM Rensch 0.5
10. IM Ippolito 0.0

SPICE CUP 2009- Jon Ludvig Hammer

Any minutes from now, chessfans around the world will be kibitzing the game Hammer vs So in the 2nd round of SPICE Cup 2009 group A. Quick inside look at Jon will give everyone a foretaste of how exciting the game will be:

According to Wikipedia, Jon Ludvig Nilssen Hammer (born June 2, 1990 in Bergen) is a Norwegian chess Grandmaster (GM), the tenth Norwegian to do so. He completed all the requirements for the GM title in the beginning of 2009 and was awarded the title in March 2009.

Hammer's strong results at a fairly young age have marked him as among Norway's greatest chess talents, but his achievements have to some degree been overshadowed by Magnus Carlsen. In 2007, Hammer completed all requirements for the International Master title. He gained his first GM norm in Cappelle la Grande in 2007, the second in Denmark in 2008, and a third in European Club Championship for teams later that year. However, the short length of those tournaments meant he needed a fourth norm to gain the GM title.

Hammer won outright a jubilee tournament at Gjøvik arranged at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009. In the final round against Mateusz Bartel, Hammer would secure his grandmaster title with a draw. In spite of this, he eschewed several opportunities for a perpetual check, and successfully took aim at sole first place.

In the Norwegian Chess Championship, Hammer's best result is from the 2008 championship, when he finished equal on points with Frode Elsness, but he lost the September play-off to Elsness after losing the first game, and acquiescing to a draw in a worse position in the second.

credits to wikipedia

Here is a video of Jon's winning game to earn him the title of the Jakkhuset Knock Out Tourney

SPICE CUP 2009 rnd 2-Hostilities resume

Hostilities resume at the prestigious SPICE Cup 2009 tourney. It is expected that again players would go out an all out win in today's round as round 1 was plagued with draws in A group division. Below is the2nd round group A and B pairings:

Sunday, September 20 / 2pm - Round 2 (Houston Texas Time)

A group

Mamedov - Kuzubov

Hammer - So

Akobian - Andreikin

Sunday, September 20 / 2pm - Round 2

B group

Kuljasevic - Diamant

Rensch - Antal

Perelshteyn - Papp

Ippolito - Robson

Bhat - Finegold

Link to live commentary by chessdom is here.

Spice Cup 2009- All games ended with a DRAW

GM Wesley So started with a fighting draw against GM Kuzubov in the SPICE Cup 2009 opening. Employing white pieces, the young master from the Philippines used the 1.d4 opening and transposing it to a Catalan to battle it out with the talented Ukrainian. It was a hard struggle for both players as they seek the initiative where we saw Wesley So race against time trouble approaching the 40 move time control. Both players agree for a truce during blacks final move 34...Rb8. According to GM Vladimir Dimitrov of Chessdom " So had his chance to punish his opponents inaccuracy on move 25 but playing 25.Nh4 instead, he missed his chance and in spite of both players' desire for the win they had finally to share the point"

Nevertheless it was a fine performance for both young masters who continually pursued initiative throughout the game.

Other boards also ended up with a draw where we find Akobian and Mamedov split the point on move 20 while Andreikin and Hammer agreed to a truce after move 21.

Spice Cup 2009- Wesley So Yuriy Kuzubov Face Off

GM Wesley So of the Philippines and GM Yuriy Kuzubov of Ukraine will face off in the1st round of SPICE CUP 2009. Whew cant wait for the coming fight. Best wishes to both players

Btw, I Created collage of both players pics and stats from FIDE website. Checkout below:



With Wesley So what would he be playing e4 or d4?

vs e4 how will Yuriy respond?

B22 Sicilian Alapin, B32 Sicilian, B36 Sicilian, Accelerated Fianchetto, E11 Bogo Indian, B07 Pirc are potential answers.

vs d4 will Yuriy continue with his Queens Pawn Game or pull off an opening surprise here?

For those who wish to follow the Wesley So - Kuzubov game, it will be commented live by GM Dimitrov at Chessdom. Click this link to watch the game.

To Barangay Wesley Fans, lots of coffee is being brewed as games are 3am Sunday Manila time. Cheers to everyone!!!

SPICE CUP 2009 Pairings

Official Website http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2009/09/spice-cup-crosstable.htmlm already released the pairings for this Saturday's Spice Cup 2009. With such a strong field, huge following is expected with the Juniors battling it out for the championship crown. Chess Realm will keep up the phase in updating the chess results.

My bet here is the wonder boy from the Philippines, GM Wesley So. Should he be able to make a good run during the 1st half of the tourney , Wesley will sure have a good shot at the title.

Below is the tournament schedule in actual Texas Time.

Saturday, September 19 2pm- Round 1

Akobian - Mamedov

Andreikin - Hammer

So - Kuzubov

Sunday, September 20 2pm - Round 2

Mamedov - Kuzubov

Hammer - So

Akobian - Andreikin

Monday, September 21 2pm - Round 3

Andreikin - Mamedov

So - Akobian

Kuzubov - Hammer

Tuesday, September 22 2pm - Round 4

So - Mamedov

Kuzubov - Andreikin

Hammer - Akobian

Wednesday, September 23 2pm - Round 5

Mamedov - Hammer

Akobian - Kuzubov

Andreikin - So

Friday, September 25 2pm - Round 6

Mamedov - Akobian

Hammer - Andreikin

Kuzubov - So

Saturday, September 26 2pm - Round 7

Kuzubov - Mamedov

So - Hammer

Andreikin - Akobian

Sunday, September 27 2pm - Round 8

Mamedov - Andreikin

Akobian - So

Hammer - Kuzubov

Monday, September 28 2pm - Round 9

Mamedov - So

Andreikin - Kuzubov

Akobian - Hammer

Tuesday, September 29 2pm - Round 10

Hammer - Mamedov

Kuzubov - Akobian

So - Andreikin