A record strong GM group with average 2455 came together this month with GM norm set at 6.5 points. Petrov Nikita who came from Novorossiysk (RUS) performed even over the required GM standard. He is studying economics at Geneva University and stylishly he took each of his pieces as an important business item. He played like a professor in all parts of the games. He was kind to reveal that he has ever had only one trainer Mr. Petukhov Sergey who is not a famous or even FIDE titled player but great at pedagogy of chess. The winner also praised the optimal playing conditions and the good organization that he could also experience in 2014 when he achieved two IM norms in Budapest. It was his second GM norm, the first he achieved at Moscow Open in 2014.

IM PETROV, Nikita (RUS)

Kollars Dmitrij (GER) also made his second GM norm. He showed extreme precision in endgames. He was accompanied by his coach IM Carlstedt Jonathan (GER).

IM KOLLARS, Dmitrij (GER)

Iniyan P sub-junior (U15) National Champion of India came from a small place near Chennai where there is a sparkling chess-life around. He named K. Visweswaran (IND) as his coach who has only FM title but already has pupils that have become strong GM-s. Chess related jobs sometimes remain a family tradition since his father was coaching World Champion V. Anand at his age of 14-15 years. Iniyan plays fearless chess of active sharp style that may bring him a lot of great victories soon. He was running for the GM norm having had three IM-s before, but he missed his goal with one point. He was accompanied by his father. As usual, there was a 7 rounds FIDE rated Rapid tournament the day before the main events and Iniyan P took the opportunity for practical training and won all his Rapid games.

INIYAN, P. (IND)


First Saturday GM 4-14th March 2017 Final Ranking

An experienced FIDE-master, Dencsi Tibor (HUN) won the IM section convincingly, keeping the lead through the whole event.

IM SREDOJEVIC Ivan (SRB) and FM DENCSI Tibor (HUN)

Groetzbach Julian (GER) and Lyell Mark (ENG) showed also something of their best so they could collect lot of rating points. Unfortunately Bach Matthias (GER) was hospitalized after 5 rounds due to a reactivated stomach trouble. Thanks to the flexible FIDE-rule of Title Reg. 1.41c the winner could book an 8 games IM norm due to the force majeure since all necessary requirements were met.

First Saturday IM 4-14th March 2017 Final Ranking

There were two rating groups too at different levels. Games of all groups were refreshed every day on the First Saturday website.

The Hotel Berlin again provided excellent playing conditions with its bright and large studio hall that contains another big sound proof hall for analyzing the games and gives nice room for social communications as well.

Group photo March 2017

The next First Saturday events are scheduled to 1-11th March with the Rapid Rating tournament the day before on 31st March.

More info with all the games, photos and archives are available at: www.firstsaturday.hu

It is last minute to join the Budapest Spring Festival which seems to be a surprisingly high level tournament starting soon 18-26th March. There over 350 registered participants so far for the three groups of different rating sections. The list of participants is available at: http://chess-results.com/Tnr252949.aspx?lan=1

In case of interest contact Laszlo Nagy IO who is a co organizer of the event offering optimal opportunities for accommodation in Budapest.

Contact: Nagy Laszlo IO, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Photos by Somogyi Kristof
Written by: IM Orso Miklos Chief Arbiter