27/1/2010 Italian Nicola Vozza wins Malta Chess Open (for 2009)

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The Malta Chess Open (for 2009) came to a close last Saturday 23rd after a week of play. The tournament, which was a 7-round Swiss format open to all chess players, was well attended by both Maltese and foreign contenders. The Malta Chess Federation hosted the event at its Sliema premises, and was pleased to see the event attract a healthy number of newcomers. The Malta Open trophy went to Italian veteran Nicola Vozza who flew over to Malta for the tournament. Swedish Alexander Pettersson, a long-time member of the MCF who also represented the Federation in the Mediterranean Games, came in second also with 5 ˝ points but with less Buchholz then Vozza. Maltese Oliver Said showed great combative spirit and won Pettersson in the last game of the final round, to clinch third prize. German Andreas Comtesse won the “Best Unrated” award. Trophies and awards were presented to the winners by Colin Pace and Kenneth J. Borg from the Malta Chess Federation Committee. All results are available here , while photos and videos of the event are available on the “Chess in Malta” Facebook group.

Upcoming events

The next Malta Chess Federation event, the Rapid Grand Prix, kicks off on February 7th 10am at the MCF premises 87,St. Vincent Street, Sliema, and will go on through to October, every first Sunday of the month. Each rapid tournament will comprise 5-rounds Swiss format, with 15 minutes per player per game. Play will usually be over by 1pm. Entry fee is 2.50 Euros for members, and 5 Euros for non-members.

Players looking for the classic 2-hour per player game, can subscribe to the 2nd Sunday Open Tournament kicking off on February 14 through to October every Second Sunday of the month. Each tournament will comprise a 9-round Swiss system, with play starting at 10am. More details, entry fees and venue will be available shortly in forthcoming events

The Malta Chess Federation is also organising a Blitz Grand Prix every third Sunday of the month starting February 21st. Each tournament will comprise a 7-round Swiss system, with 5 minutes per player to finish.
The Blitz Grand Prix tournaments will be held at Pasha, in the Artisan Centre, Bay Street Complex St.Julian’s.
Further updates will be available in the tournaments page and on the “Chess in Malta” Facebook group.

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4/1/2010 Christmas school chess tournament

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The End of 2009 Christmas Chess Tournament took place in St Elias College Santa Venera on the 23rd of December. 36 students in all took part in this 5 rounds Tournament. The time limit was 15 minutes per player per game.

The Tournament was won by Jake Darmanin who is a St Michael School student. Jake won all 5 games and thus was declared the Under 16 Winner. In round 4 Jake had a terrible position against Jurgen Grima and with only a few minutes from losing on time. However he showed experience and battling spirit to the end and found a mating pattern.

The Under 14 winner is Jean Luc Mangion who had a very good Tournament as well and scored 4.5 points out of the full 5. Jean Luc hails from Pembroke and ironically lost a half point in a Winning Position against Jurgen who was declared the best St Elias Student.

The Under 12 was won by Gabriel Farrugia who is a St Benedicts student. Gabriel had a very good Tournament as well and scored 4 points. The best female in the Tournament was won again by Jamie Farrugia.

The Under 10 was won by Andrew Thake with 3 points and the Under 8 by Michael Farrugia, Jamie's brother.

Players who had a good Tournament are brothers Aquilina, Matthew and Thomas. Matthew scored 4 points and his brother, who is only 7 years old, scored 2 points.

The Chief Arbiter was Peter Sammut Briffa helped by the organiser Raymond Azzopardi. Fr Charles Mallia, St Elias's Rector, in his message, thanked those who took part in this Tournament, underlining the importance of thinking in chess and in real life.

The tournament's details can be found here

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