The 45th Capablanca Memorial Chess Tournament Opens in Havana
The 45th Capablanca Memorial Chess Tournament officially opened on Wednesday and runs through June 22 at the Hotel Riviera in Havana. This year’s event promises to be another electrifying tournament with the return of Ukrainian GM Vassily Ivanchuk (ELO 2741), Great Britain GM Nigel Short (2681) and Russian GMs Evgeny Alekseev (2700) and Ian Nepomniachtchi (2695)
2010-06-09 | 11:03:48 EST
Nobody is missing the opening. At the center, Leinier Dominguez next to the GM Nigel Short. Photo: Juan MorenoZoomCuba will be represented by GMs Leinier Domínguez (2713) and Lázaro Bruzón (2668).
For the first time the elite group of the tournament boasts an ELO average of 2700 truly astronomical.
Cuba is a chess-loving country where people of all ages enjoy the sport. Over the years, many of the countries’ leaders have been known to be avid players. The prestigious tournament takes its name from Cuban chess great Jose Raul Capablanca (1888-1942).
José Raúl Capablanca was a world chess champion from 1921 to 1927. One of the greatest players of all time, he was renowned for his exceptional endgame skill and speed of play. Due to his achievements in the chess world, mastery over the board and his relatively simple style of play he was nicknamed the "Human Chess Machine."
The opening words of the tournament came from the vice president of the Cuban National Institute of Sports, Ángel Iglesias, who welcomed players from 24 countries.
In the Elite group, Vassily Ivanchuk will take on Nigel Short; Leinier Domínguez vs. Lázaro Bruzón; and Ian Nepomniachtchi (2695) vs. Evgeny Alekseev.
In the Premier group are Russian GM Vladimir Potkin (2634) up against Peruvian GM Emilio Córdova (2552); Russian GM Ildar Khairullin (2617) vs Cuban IM Isan Ortiz (2544); Paraguayan GM Axel Bachmann (2561) vs. Cuban GM Omar Almeida (2541); Cuban GM Fidel Corrales (2590) vs Cuban GM Yuniesky Quesada (2582); and Cuban GM Holden Hernández vs. Cuban GM Jesús Nogueiras (2570).
The average ELO of the Premier group is 2573, brace yourselves for a fantastic tournament.
