8th European U18 Team Chess Championship (boys): Szeged 2008

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Information

[ Basic data | Tournament review | Individual medals | Interesting games ]


Basic data

8th European U18 Team Chess Championship (boys)
(see all-time tournament summary)
Date: 13th - 22nd June 2008
City: Szeged, Hungary
Venue: Novotel Hotel Szeged
Tournament Director: Mr. György Marti (HUN)
Chief Arbiter: IA Jozsef Horváth (HUN)
Teams participating: 12 (incl. Germany "B" and Hungary "B"; Turkey represented by a high school team)
Open to players born after 1.1.1990
Players participating: 53 (incl. 1 GM, 7 IMs, 14 FMs and 2 WFMs)
Games played: 168
Competition format: Four board seven round Swiss.
Final order decided by: 1. Game points; 2. Buchholz; 3. Match points
Time control: all moves in 90 minutes + 30 sec. increment per move
Website: http://www.chess.hu/u18etc/modules.php?name=news
Downloadable game file: 07eurotch-b.zip


Tournament review

The event saw the first GM since 2003, but top Elo was mere 2503 making it relatively one of weakest competitions ever. Hungary and newcomers Spain sent by far strongest teams. Poland, Hungary reserves and Romania were minor favourites.

Unlike recent years final roder was decided by game points and not match points. This is why Hungary's opening 2-all tie vs Slovakia caused heavy losses for the hosts compared to Croatia's 4-0 or Poland and Spain's 3½-½. Poland moved to the lead wiping out Croatia 3½-½ on day two and they beat Romania too in the next round showing good shape and fighting spirit. The clash of top ranked teams ended up in fair draw. Poland were in huge 2.5 point lead after just three rounds. In round 4 the gap kept growing as Poland beat Hungary "B" 3-1 while other matches brought either draws or minimal 2½-1½ wins. Standings after four rounds: Poland 13, Spain 9½, Hungary, Croatia, Germany "B" 9.

In round five Poland virtually secured gold medals beating Spain. Hungary moved to runner-up position demolishing Croatia, but were chased by Hungary "B" and Germany who took clear 4-0 wins both. On penultimate day Hungary matched Poland. Had they yet dreamt of winning the cup, they must have won no less than 3½-½ and they failed to make it, of course. A draw sealed Poland's well deserved triumph. Germany's 4-0 debacle vs Spain pulled them off while Spain came in shared second together with Hungary "B" who scored valuable win over Romania. In the last round Poland game a brisk display vs Slovakia (four quick draws) and won comfortably ahead of Hungary who won silver with a last-minute attempt (4-0 vs Germany). Hungary "B" beat Spain 3-1 and came in third, nothing about they were expected to make.

Best scorers at respective boards: IM Chirilă (Romania), IM Bérczes (Hungary) - Elo performed 2771!, FM Piorun (Poland), IM Pap (Hungary).



Individual medals

1st Board
no. name code pts gms %
1. IM Chirilă, Cristian-Ioan ROM 7 78.6
2. FM Tóth, Ervin HUN2 5 7 71.4
3. IM Šarić, Ivan CRO 7 64.3

2nd Board
no. name code pts gms %
1. IM Bérczes, Dávid HUN 7 92.9
2. FM Georgescu, Tiberiu ROM 5 7 71.4
3. FM Martinović, Saša CRO 5 7 71.4

3rd Board
no. name code pts gms %
1. FM Piorun, Kacper POL 7 92.9
2. Mazur, Stefan SVK 5 7 71.4
3. FM Mihók, Olivér HUN2 3 5 60.0

4th Board
no. name code pts gms %
1. IM Pap, Gyula HUN 6 75.0
2. Panocki, Adrian POL 5 7 71.4
3. FM Valmaña Cantó, Jaime ESP 5 70.0


Interesting games


A 2300 regularly outplayed by a 1900!
Anton, Teodor (ROM) - Woods, Connor (SCO) 0 - 1

The mere 21 move draw, but plenty of fight involved
Tomczak, Jacek (POL) - Prohászka, Péter (HUN) ½ - ½

Bérczes' performance skyrocketed to 2771; this one is arguably his best win;
he showed much better understanding of the French.
Vila Gazquez, Xavier (ESP) - Bérczes, Dávid (HUN) 0 - 1