GM Rafael Leitao wins Xadrez 2007

GM Movsesian wins Chigorin Memorial

Rafael Leitao wins Festival Internacional de Xadrez 2007

GM Rafael Leitao won the Festival Internacional de Xadrez 2007 that took place December 3-10 in Sao Paulo (Brasil). GM Leitao conquered the title with 7,0/9, followed by IM Dragan Stamenkovic, Krikor Sevag Mekhitarian, and GM Andrés Rodríguez with 6,0. Rafael Leitao participated in the first rounds of the World Cup. After a hard fought battle he lost to Yuri Shulman in the rapid tiebreaks. You can read an exclusive interview for Chessdom by Rafael Leitao at http://interviews.chessdom.com/rafael-leitao

Salona 2007

The International chess tournament Salona 2007 continues in Croatia. After seven rounds the situation is very interesting. GM Ante Saric is on top with 5,0, followed by GM Stefanova with 4,5, GM Georgiev and GM Brkic with 4,0. Fifth place is for WGM Pogonina with 3,5. GM Romanishin, GM Godena, and GM Dizdarevic are with 3,0 and the top Greek player IM Yelena Dembo and GM Kurajica are with 2,0.

Official website

XVII Magistral Internacional de Elgoibar

XVII Magistral Internacional de Elgoibar is taking place December 12-16 in San Sebastian, Spain. It is organized by the Chess federation of Pais Vasco and has attracted a strong field. Top seeded is GM Kamil Miton (Poland), followed by GM Oleg Korneev, GM Azer Mirzoev (Azerbaijan), GM Dragan Paunovic (Serbia), GM Eric Prie (France) and the local players GM Gomez, FM Huerga, IM Lariño, FM Gonzalez De La Torre, and the strong youngster WGM Vega Gutierrez.

After five rounds we have three players with 4,0 on top - GM Milton, GM Mirzoev, and GM Korneev.

Official website

Chigorin Memorial

GM Movsesian won the 2007 edition of the Chigorin Memorial. He finished on the top with 6,5 points, the same as Alexei Gubajdullin, but a better tiebreak. Third place was for GM Rauf Mamedov with 6,0. You can find all the info about the Chigorin Memorial at the official website