Smerdon Wins Queenstown Classic

He lost in the end. But, it made no difference. IM David Smerdon is the 2009 Queenstown Classic Champion, scoring 8 points overall. His last round stumble to GM Gawain Jones was the only setback in what was a truly outstanding performance.

At the closing ceremony, David informed the crowd - mostly Kiwis, but with also a boisterous Aussie contingent - that these days he mostly plays for fun. He didn't even come here for those oh-so-crucial ratings points that will make him a grandmaster. Just for fun! And now with an extra $10K in the bank, I'm sure he can have just a little bit more fun away from the chess board!

A bunch of very happy Aussies

The winner also let the audience in on a little secret. Why did GM Murray Chandler, the inaugural winner from 3 years earlier, pull out from this year's event? What else, but apparently to give David a chance! Serious.

All in all this was yet another unforgettable Queenstown tournament. Numbers were way down, sure, probably caused by that familiar reason, the financial crisis - but most of us still had plenty of fun. Some folks much more than others. How else to explain the less than stellar play of the tournament's top female masters, for instance? Even the seemingly constant complainer, Victoria's Richard Voon, allowed himself a few laughs.

But perhaps the one man who, for ten days, seemed like the centre of attention in nightclubs, pubs and bars was none other than Victoria's Malcolm Pyke. Now Mr Pyke had fun aplenty! The girls just love this guy, with cameras snapping in his direction. All thanks to his particularly unusual dance moves.

Finally, it is not certain if this tournament will ever happen again. With the low turnout this year it's probable that 2009's Queenstown Classic could very well be the last. In many ways, that seems tragic. If this is, indeed, the end - then we are only left with these simple words to GM Chandler: thank you.

And for those of us who've come here twice now, and who are smitten with this place and this here event, we must echo IM David Smerdon's words last night in his speech.

"Please hold it again".

UPDATE: I've now uploaded more photos from last night's closing. Click here.

Live Blog - Queenstown Round 10

Go David!

My database records the game Smerdon - Jianu, World Juniors U10, (1-0) as the earliest game specimen featuring the Alapin by the 24 year old Australian. But no doubt there are a few more unrecorded games even much earlier than that. What is clear is that David's long love affair with this system remains undying. He's had a few losses but the wins far exceed the setbacks.

Yesterday's match in the penultimate round, Smerdon - Mastrovasilis, would have involved some serious preparation on both sides. And it was the Greek grandmaster who changed course from Smerdon - Ris, Hoogeven 2006 (0-1) with 8...Nc6. At the 30th move, the computer's evaluation was that the situation was about even. But with his time running short, Mastrovasilis went for an exchange of Queens that suddenly gave an edge to David. In another seven moves, he was lost. Let there be no doubt: Mastrovasilis resigned his position.

As if there wasn't enough said about their outstanding campaign here across the Tasman, the Victorians again showed excellent play with Chow and Saw drawing with their more classy opponents. On board 16, Dusan Stojic even managed to draw against Englishman Mark Lyell after finding himself in an awkward spot right out of the opening - the Schliemann of the Ruy Lopez.

Congrats to Ikeda, Drummond, Duneas and Levi who each beat the foreign women - Zawadzka, Krivec, Smokina and Motoc respectively. I can only speculate on what's going on with these women. Can't seem to keep their minds on the job. Maybe having too much fun in this fun capital of the world!

With one round to play, our current leader, IM Smerdon, needs only a draw with GM Jones to bag this tournament. On the other hand, a win, it seems, will mean that he'll be just one FIDE rating point short of that all-important 2500 rating mark to finally reach the height that he has so longed pursued. To become a grandmaster.

Go David!

Live Blog - Queenstown Round 9

Shirtless in Queenstown

Strange, mysterious, baffling. Those were just a few of the adjectives thrown about yesterday either here in the playing hall or on the net. First, who can really explain Gawain's 15-mover disaster against Mikhalevski? Essaying the Benko, and with the Israeli declining that second pawn with Shirov's old favourite 5. b6, the Englishman seemed to forget that old dictum: a lone Queen make not an army. A pawn down and sans development Jones opted for the only move. Indeed, in my view, an honourable move: resignation. There was no point bashing out useless pushes here and there against a 2600+ player. Doing so would have been an insult to the audience, to himself and, most of all, to Viktor.

After the loss there was no doubt that Gawain was terribly upset. He quickly walked out, passing the arbiters' desk as he crumpled his scoresheet in his palm. Whatever was on his mind yesterday, let's hope he forgets it today.

Second, how in the world did IM Smerdon win that? Yes, that one against Bischoff, where he was lost. Rozentalis thought so. I think even a complete novice would have thought the same. But such is the wonderful beauty of chess that anything can happen, decisions are made that lead to all kinds of possibilities. Thinking that the German was winning, Smerdon accompanied his 38...h5 with a peace offer. Bischoff declined, but his response of 39. Ree7 was clearly suboptimal.

Bischoff - Smerdon, 0-1

Later, and I mean, way, way later - a number of woodpushers found their way to what is now our fave local - the Buffalo Club. Thursdays mean that it's "Buff Ugly" night when some guys and gals take the gear off to the delightful screaming of the other guys and gals. Some are too drunk to know where they are, let alone what exactly they're up to.

While this particular chesser may not have been entirely inebriated, let's just say brave, I can tell you that s/he stood there, on that bar, with just the undies and a wet t-shirt. As to their identity, my lips are forever sealed.

Live Blog - Queenstown Round 8

Traffic is Up

From a blog traffic perspective at least, this Queenstown tournament is proving tremendously successful. Readership has blasted upwards, very nearly matching the heights back in 2006 when "Gormallygate" hit the headlines and when a number of mainstream non-chess sites, including Australia's Crikey.com.au, actually linked to my blog. Numbers are also higher now than during my Dresden coverage but I suspect that this is due to the time difference.

The boost in traffic is thanks mainly to inbound links from the event's official homepage as well as Chessbase. The German-based website actually has a new report featuring a handful of my photos here (you'll see a few more on my Flickr stream).

But, of course, I should really thank you guys who come in every day for some friendly banter on the live blog. It's really thanks to you that this whole thing has been a big success. Thanks also to those who may be asleep during our live broadcast but still read through our live blog's content every day. Like GM Gawain Jones' mom, for example!

Yesterday's action saw tactics galore. In Stojic - Motoc, the white player went nuts with a 2-piece sacrifice. The game was actually following an old encounter from 1973 until Stojic deviated with 26. c4. It made no difference to the final outcome. He still lost. I suspect that Motoc may be familiar with that whole variation because she moved pretty fast. At around about move twenty, the Romanian still retained some 90 minutes on the clock!

Australia's Andrew Brown faced off another Queen's Indian Defence by a Kiwi, this time IM Paul Garbett. Garbett applied pressure down the c-file with the rook pair battery aided by the queen on a6, but the young Aussie quickly shifted the focus of battle with a timely 19. d5. Suddenly threats of checkmate either on the 8th rank or on the g7 square appeared! This kind of pressure was too much and Garbett eventually lost a piece, finally the game.

And how about that Smerdon game? The Australian, after beating Rozentalis yesterday, edges ever nearer to that coveted GM title. I don't know, but David's play seems different - maybe it's just good preparation, it's also determined, with a clear aim. Every day I see him take his seat, he's looking relaxed and knows exactly what he's up to. Anytime now we can all forget about his IM title.

Just before the start of round 8, former NZ champion Graham Haase approached David and asked what happened to his game yesterday. Mr Haase, you see, was observing the game just until Rozentalis' knight sacrifice.

David's reply? "Aah, I won. That's why I'm here". He meant board 1.

Live Blog - Queenstown Round 7

Victorians in Da Kiwi House

Back in round 1, a tournament appeals committee was formed and it comprised of Hilton Bennett, Lawrence Cooper, Han-Joachim Hecht, Brian Jones as well as Herman van Riemsdijk. Thankfully these five have not been called upon to rule on a dispute of any sort. So far no arguments, no disputes, maybe just questions over some small aspects of the Laws - but that's about it. Which speaks pretty well for the general atmosphere of the event - full of hard combat but, when the hostilities are over, foes immediately become friends. It's still at times difficult to imagine, perhaps even accompanied with a small amusement, that anyone could subject their friend to such tremendous pressure over-the-board that the sufferer of this pressure can look almost mad - talking to themselves while looking for that next move. Such is chess.

Today's round features six Victorian Aussies on the top 10 boards. A detail that certainly did not escape Mehmedalija Dizdarevic's attention. These Mexicans can bloody well play chess.

Not quite on the top 10 is another Victorian, my friend Richard Voon. We've been sparring over a few blitz games so much over the last couple of days that he's been mistaken as my dad! For his age, Voonie is still pretty tricky with the tactics. However, for some strange reason he plays better in the evening than at night. In our match yesterday morning I whipped him 8-1, then in the evening we go blow for blow til about 10PM. He won that one with a net lead of 3-0. We could've gone on longer but I had a party to attend. Perhaps I'll tell you more on that later.

Live Blog - Queenstown Round 6

Where's the PGN?

Readers are complaining that the PGNs are not coming in as quick as it should. This is justified. If a more modest event like the just completed Australian Open, in Manly, can manage it - then why not the Queenstown Chess Classic? On this note, every effort is being taken to correct the situation. Gary Bekker conscripts anybody he can see who's standing around doing nothing. But, of course, entering games into a database isn't exactly an exciting task. One poor lass who was on the job, and who sat next to me yesterday, looked like she was about to die from boredom!

It's not only readers who are complaining.

"In fucking Europe, the next round's pairings are up in 2 or 3 minutes. Here it's 2 or 3 hours!" said Dizdarevic.

At the current rate, the next pairings are posted around about 11PM or so. A big issue for some who really want to get in some early prep in the evening instead of doing most of it in the following morning when they really would rather be out on a sight-seeing tour. I must say, Dizdarevic has my sympathies.

Kudos, however, must go to the organisers for responding to the necessary when needed. For example: cross tables, mysteriously omitted from the website during the first couple of days, were later added. And yesterday three clocks were made available to anyone who wanted to play blitz. That's a good thing, for this event has so far been fairly quiet - not a lot of noise going on; noise that, in my view, add significantly to the atmosphere of an event. Other organisers ought to take note: let people have some fun!

There'll be a couple of tough action today on the top boards. Johansen, after a near unbelievable win over Steadman, fronts up against the top seed, while Gawain Jones' will be wanting to see this Englishman cement his lead as he today faces the rested Rozentalis. Rozentalis comes back to the event after doing some sight-seeing in Milford Sound.

Finally, Chessbase already has updates in Spanish and German.

Live Blog - Queenstown Round 5

Kiwis Draw in Queenstown

The venue is located on top of a mildly steep hill. By the time I reach the point where the road levels off again, I'm huffing and puffing for my life. Just as well, this sedentary business for woodpushers and bloggers alike makes for a pretty unhealthy lifestyle. We all need a little jolt through the system, something, anything to get the blood flowing. And if the uphill walk isn't enough, there is always anyone of the dozen or so "extreme" activities on offer here in this so-called "adventure capital" of the world. Apart from a bungee jump, there's a freefall swing from the top of a cliff face down to the bottom of an opposite cliff! Or one could go parasail. I saw someone do exactly that as I went on my walk this morning through the Queenstown Gardens. Seems like a cool thing to do.

Today, we will miss two overseas stars as they've opted to take their byes just as the action is hotting over-the-board. Jana Krivec and GM Rozentalis will not be here as, I suspect, they'll be out there jumping off a cliff or perhaps taking a crazy ride down a canyon on a tiny inflatable boat.

But, as we know, over-the-board action can have its own adrenaline rush. Yesterday's board 1 clash, Smerdon - Mikhalevski, saw a Sveshnikov Sicilian that surely had the audience on the edge of their seats. Some lovely dancing there by the Australian. One peculiar detail is that Mikhalevski's queen didn't move until the 35th when she exchanged with her opposite number. This game finally ended peacefully, one of only 8 games drawn in yesterday's round.

As impressive were the excellent outings of the local men, Smith, Croad and Steadman. They, too, drew their matches against more fancied opposition. Croad was clever, eventually reaching a position where he faced Wells' K and R pawn, but allowing himself that crucial tempo to hit the f1 square, thus drawing. Smith, too, deserves kudos aplenty. Despite being quantity and quality down for a good stretch of his duel, he defended well enough to also reach a drawn K+P ending. A disappointment for his Brazilian foe who earlier declined the New Zealander's peace offering.

On board 11, the steady climb of GM Johansen back to the top boards continued. With a R pair versus Stojic's Q, the wily grandmaster knew that patience was in order. He was spot on. Stojic over-reached with a pawn push, creating a weakness in his camp. That was all that Johansen needed.

Today we see an all GM action on the top 3 boards. That will be a delight to our internet viewers. While on board 4, IM Smerdon, needing the critical rating points to finally gain that GM title, will be up to something against England's GM Peter Wells. We'll also be keeping an eye on board 10, Ikeda - Motoc. The Romanian visitor's play so far has not been particularly impressive. Junta could so some damage. He's done it before, he can do it again.

Finall, for those who have been asking, I've finally created a Flickr set for Queenstown. Click here.

Live Blog - Queenstown Round 4

Live Blog - Queenstown Round 3

Live Blog - Queenstown Round 2

Twin Upsets in Round 1

Times are tough, as we know. And that perhaps explains why numbers for this second edition of the Queenstown Chess Classic are markedly down on the first edition held way back in 2006. This year, only some 120 players have turned up compared to the near 200 or so who descended upon this most beautiful spot of New Zealand three years earlier.

Numbers aside, this year's edition is missing three local legends. GM Ian Rogers is now, of course, retired from over-the-board combat while the Classic's creator, GM Chandler, latterly felt unwell and decided to withdraw. Then there was the passing late last November of New Zealand's international master Robert Graham Wade. Wade, though, is well remembered in the tournament; there are news clippings of his obit from various UK papers pasted onto a display board, located in a hallway right where Wade himself once delivered a lecture. Who can forget that round 2 game in 2006 between, appropriately enough, Chandler and Wade? A hard fought draw.

But whatever shortcomings the present edition may have, they are at least balanced by the presence this time of well-known grandmasters. Israel’s Viktor Mikhalevski, who played in the 2007 Doeberl and SIO events, is the top seed. His last campaign in the antipodes wasn’t exactly very successful and his “drawn” result (against local man Hilton Bennett) that flashed up on the live broadcast yesterday would appear to repeat that experience. Happily for his fans and equally sadly for Kiwis, it was merely an error. The Israeli was, in fact, victorious. England’s GM Peter Wells, who captained the English men’s team in Dresden, is also here along with German grandmaster Klaus Bischoff. The latter is known, especially, to readers of Chessbase.

As usual, the Aussies are well-represented and already a couple of Aussie juniors have made their mark. Both products of the Canberra junior mill, Andrew Brown and Sherab Guo-Yuthok yesterday scored the tournament’s big upsets so far. Andrew defeated fellow Aussie GM Daryl Johansen, while Sherab downed the Moldovan visitor Karolina Smokina. Another Australian didn’t quite win in the end but came very close. Sarah Anton thought she was winning, her fellow Melburnites thought the same and I, too, am certain that she had a win somewhere. Unluckily, she overlooked an important detail and lost. Anyway, what’s an Aussie chick to do after a lost game but, naturally, party? With little hesitation – Sarah joined up with me, Dromagoj and birthday boy, Malcolm Pyke for a night out of dancing in the Buffalo Club.

You gotta love these Victorian players. They are full of colour, not to mention strident opinion. Here’s just a couple from Richard Voon. “There are too many stupid people running chess.” He was complaining about all the silly new rules such as the proposed “zero time” limit and this business about having to register before round 1. If you’ve paid and entered, then that’s all that matters, he said. And on Campomanes: “I would’ve shot him”.

Live Blog - Queenstown Round 1

Saved By Kiwis

Seven AM and I'm walking around an empty Christchurch CBD looking for a cafe. Little did I know that at that moment, my flight to Queenstown had been altered from 0900 to 0741! After earlier cancelling one of my flights, the morons at Qantas never even bothered to tell me about this latest change! Consequently, as I entered Christchurch Domestic at about 8AM this morning, I was shocked to read "Final Call"! Of course, I missed it.

Lucky for me, these local Kiwis are, not only nice, but also very efficient. The young lady manning the Qantas service desk quickly managed to find an available seat on an Air NZ flight departing in just 30 minutes. So, I made it.

And here we are, once again, in absolutely beautiful Queenstown. It's a fine sunny weather with the current temperature at a very agreeable 25 degrees celsius (77 deg. fahrenheit for our somewhat backward American readers). Almost an overwhelming reason for any player to abandon the woodpushing and, instead, laze about by the shores of Lake Wakatipu. On that note, I'm now withdrawn from the event and, instead, do what we usually do. In any case, I've just scored a gig with a big publication and I simply can't stuff that one up.

As I type, players are now marching in, picking up their show bags (yes, the organisers are handing out show bags and ID cards to everyone) and we're all getting ready for the opening. Keep an eye on the live blog.