Icelandic Chess Championship : Half-time report

Icelandic Chess Championship : Half-time report

IM Bragi Thorfinsson and GM Hedinn Steingrimsson share the lead after 5 rounds (out of 10) with 4.5 points each, at the Icelandic Chess Championship, held at the resort town of Eidar, in the eastern part of Iceland (near the town of Egilsstadir.) GM Henrik Danielsen is 3rd with 4 points. GM Throstur Thorhallsson and IM Stefan Kristjansson share 4th and 5th place, with 2.5 points (or 50% score).

At half-time, it is clear that the title will be contested by the three top players, Thorfinnsson, Steingrimsson and Danielsen. Excitingly, they have yet to square up against one another, with the first match in tomorrow´s 6th round between Thorfinsson and Danielsen. Steingrimsson and Danielsen are the only contestants which have won the championship (Steingrimsson at the tender age of 15 in 1990, and Danielsen in 2009). However, it is perhaps Thorfinsson that may have the edge on them this time around, playing the white pieces in the remaining games against these two.

Despite the tranquil surroundings, the play has been everything but quiet, with no short draws in the 25 games so far, with even GM Danielsen and IM Kristjansson ending their game with just the two kings in today´s biggest contest. Chess enthusiasts can watch live broadcast of the event on the website of the Icelandic Chess Federation at: http://skaksamband.is/?c=webpage&id=480.

Play commences at 2 PM each day (GMT), except the last round this Saturday which starts at 9 AM and will feature, among others, the game between GM Steingrimsson and GM Danielsen, the tournament´s two highest ranked players.

Standings:

• 1.-2. IM Bragi Thorfinnsson (2417) and GM Hedinn Steingrimsson (2554) 4,5 pts.
• 3. GM Henrik Danielsen (2533) 4 pts.
• 4.-5. GM Throstur Thorhallsson (2387) and IM Stefan Kristjansson (2483) 2,5 pts.
• 6. FM Robert Lagerman (2320) 2 pts.
• 7.-8. Gudmundur Gislason (2291) and IM Gudmundur Kjartansson (2327) 1,5 pts.
• 9.-10. FM Ingvar Thor Johannesson (2338) and Jon Arni Halldorsson (2195) 1 pts.

Below is the remaining playing schedule of the top three players:

GM Steingrimsson:
• 6. FM Robert Lagerman (2320)
• 7. IM Stefan Kristjansson (2483)
• 8. IM Bragi Þorfinnsson (2417)
• 9. GM Henrik Danielsen (2533)

GM Danielsen:
• 6. IM Bragi Thorfinnsson (2417)
• 7. FM Ingvar Thor Johannesson (2338)
• 8. Gudmundur Gislason (2291)
• 9. Hedinn Steingrimsson (2554)

IM Bragi Thorfinsson:
• 6. GM Henrik Danielsen (2533)
• 7. Gudmundur Gislason (2291)
• 8. Hedinn Steingrimsson (2554)
• 9. IM Gudmundur Kjartansson (2327)

Website: http://skaksamband.is/?c=webpage&id=448