Flashback to Aix-les-Bains

The dust has settled and we can take a closer look at the results in the 12th European Championships in Aix-les-Bains, France. This was undoubtedly the strongest tournament, in depth, in Western Europe for quite some time, and will take some beating in future.

Europe Echecs produced a fine video from the final day:

In such a strong event with players of varying strengths, there was a great opportunity in Aix-les-bains for players to achieve valuable title norms.

There were 18 in total:

6 of these were GM norms:

Daniil Dubov, Sasa Martinovic, Peter Michalik, Artem Smirnov, Kevin Terrieux and Anthony Wirig (9 rounds).

The 12 IM norms were made by the following:

Radu-Marian Doros (9 rounds), Robin-Alexandru Dragomirescu (10 rounds), Nicolai Getz (9 rounds), Clément Houriez (9 rounds), Nuri Kambez (11 rounds), Hagen Poetsch (9 rounds), Dany Raznikov (9 rounds), Jan Rindlisbacher (10 rounds), Naim Sahita (10 rounds), Alexandru-Ovidiu Stanciu (10 rounds), Andrea Stella (9 rounds) and Jolanta Zawadska (9 rounds).

Luke McShane: Qualifies despite his last round loss (chessbase.com)

Alexander Moiseenko: Fourth (chessbase.com)

Sergei Azarov: One of two Belarus qualifiers (chessanytime)

Namig Guliyev: The lowest-rated qualifier (chessbase.com)

Here is a list of the top 26, all of whom should have a place in the next world Championship. Peter Svidler and Vladimir Potkin were apparently already qualified.

A playing result of over 2700 was required (see Motylev's 2716) in case you fancy trying your luck next time!

1	GM Potkin Vladimir	RUS	2653	8.5	2849
2	GM Wojtaszek Radoslaw	POL	2711	8.5	2826
3	GM Polgar Judit	HUN	2686	8.5	2799
4	GM Moiseenko Alexander	UKR	2673	8.5	2755
5	GM Vallejo Pons Francisco	ESP	2707	8.0	2819
6	GM Ragger Markus	AUT	2614	8.0	2783
7	GM Feller Sebastien	FRA	2657	8.0	2766
8	GM Svidler Peter	RUS	2730	8.0	2751
9	GM Mamedov Rauf	AZE	2667	8.0	2751
10	GM Vitiugov Nikita	RUS	2720	8.0	2741
11	GM Zhigalko Sergei	BLR	2680	8.0	2732
12	GM Jakovenko Dmitry	RUS	2718	8.0	2719
13	GM Korobov Anton	UKR	2647	8.0	2697
14	GM Inarkiev Ernesto	RUS	2674	8.0	2695
15	GM Postny Evgeny	ISR	2585	8.0	2633
16	GM Azarov Sergei	BLR	2615	7.5	2776
17	GM Khairullin Ildar	RUS	2634	7.5	2771
18	GM Kobalia Mikhail	RUS	2672	7.5	2754
19	GM Guliyev Namig	AZE	2522	7.5	2739
20	GM Zherebukh Yaroslav	UKR	2560	7.5	2739
21	GM Riazantsev Alexander	RUS	2679	7.5	2728
22	GM Iordachescu Viorel	MDA	2626	7.5	2725
23	GM Lupulescu Constantin	ROU	2626	7.5	2722
24	GM Mcshane Luke	ENG	2683	7.5	2718
25	GM Fridman Daniel	GER	2661	7.5	2717
26	GM Motylev Alexander	RUS	2677	7.5	2716

European Champion Potkin's performance of 2849 over 11 games was exceptional especially as it was almost 200 points higher than his actual rating.

Judit Polgar's should have gained enough rating points to take her back over 2700. This is the first time there has been a female medalist.