Bastia

The port in Bastia
The15th edition of the Bastia tournament has begun. This year the event is a nine-round FIDE-rated swiss followed by a rapidplay knock-out event. Bastia is the main town in Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean. There are 170-odd players in the open with over 20 nationalities present.

The Open takes place from the 22nd to the 28th of October in the theatre in Bastia.

The theatre in Bastia

The highest-rated players are Laurent Fressinet of France, Krishnan Sasikiran of India, Ivan Cheparinov of Bulgaria and Rauf Mamedov of Azerbaijan.

There are seven 2600+s and 14 GMs in all.

Then the top 14 will qualify for a knock-out rapidplay event where two invited stars will also compete. Last year's winner Shakhriyar Mamedyarov is already here, watching his probable opponents before giving a simultaneous display on Thursday, whereas World Champion Viswanathan Anand will be coming later.

There are excellent prizes 60,000 Euros, with another 5,000 Euros for a Blitz tournament (sponsored by Orange, with the rate of play being 3' (+2") per move) on the 29th, also in Bastia, when most of the Knock-out rounds will take place.

The main playing hall before hostilities begin!

The Final however will be held in Ajaccio (Corsica's second largest town) on the 30th.

A junior event with many interesting non-cash prizes takes place on Sunday the 23rd, where several hundred are expected to take part!

The rate of play is 90' (+ 30") for the whole game. Draws by mutual agreement are not allowed.

Schedule in the Corsica Masters:

Rounds 1 and 2: Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of October at 5.30pm local time.

Round 3: Monday 24th of October at 11am.

Round 4: Monday 24th of October at 5.30pm.

Round 5: Tuesday 25th of October at 5pm.

Round 6: Wednesday 26th of October at 11am.

Round 7: Wednesday 26th of October at 5.30pm.

Round 8: Thursday 27th of October at 5pm.

Round 9: Friday 28th of October at 10am.

The knock-out stage with the rate of play 15' (+3").

1/8 final: Friday 28th of October at 5pm.

1/4 final: Saturday 29th of October at 2pm.

1/2 final: Saturday the 29th at 4pm. 

The Final will be on Sunday the 30th in Ajaccio.

The 2010 Champion Mamedyarov

Official site: http://www.opencorsica.com/

But also useful is the French Federation site:

http://www.echecs.asso.fr/

Live games: http://www.echecs.asso.fr/Toma.aspx?Tournoi=Corsican%20Circuit


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