FM Steve Giddins reports from the Staunton Memorial tournament 2006 - with a litle help from Ray Keene

Ivan Sokolov became the worthy winner of the 4th Staunton Memorial tournament, after defeating Jonathan Speelman with the Black pieces, in today’s final round. His two rivals, Adams and Timman, could only draw their games.

Against Speelman’s 1 d4, Sokolov adopted his favourite Slav Defence. Although no lover of long theoretical lines, Speelman chose a risky pawn sacrifice at move 11. It is an idea of Gelfand, but is usually played without the inclusion of the moves h3 and Bh5. As Sokolov explained after the game, it is not clear who this favours – on the one hand, Black’s queen is often denied the retreat square h5 (because of a possible g4), but on the other, White’s pieces sometimes need use of the h3 square. Speelman obtained reasonable compensation, but played too slowly between moves 15-25, and Black took the upper hand. By then Speelman was also in serious time-trouble, and the game ended abruptly when he overlooked that 33...Re7 not only defended the f7 square, but also attacked the bishop on a7.

Adams faced the solid Erwin L’Ami. Beating such a strong player with Black is always very difficult, and Adams’ opening repertoire is not especially well suited to the purpose, either. He equalized easily enough with his Queen’s Indian, and even won a pawn, but White’s pieces were very active, and he was able to regain the pawn with a drawn position.

The other co-leader, Jan Timman, had, on paper, the best chance of winning, since he faced Tea Lanchava, rated some 200 points less than her opponent. However, his attempts to draw her into a non-theoretical battle only resulted in a very poor position, and he was soon reduced to grovelling about on the two back ranks. He managed to hold things together, but was still suffering, a pawn down, when his opponent inadvertently allowed a threefold repetition.

In the day’s other games, David Howell won a wild encounter with Jon Levitt. Howell’s opening choice left Ivan Sokolov staring in disbelief at the position reached after Black’s 6th move. However, Black soon had a clear advantage, on both board and clock, and although Levitt developed some initiative fore his exchange sacrifice, it never looked adequate.

Peter Wells completed an excellent 3.5 /4 finish, by beating Jan Werle. The latter probably stood slightly better in the opening, but after 12...Nc6? (Wells was more afraid of 12...Bxf3), the initiative passed to White, who went on to win well.

Finally, Lawrence Day’s miserable tournament ended in another defeat, this time against Yge Visser. Day’s quiet play clearly aimed at nothing more than a draw, and this was still in range until quite near the end of the game. However, as in so many other games in this tournament, the fourth hour proved to be his nemesis, and he weakened decisively.

Thus, a great tournament ends with Ivan Sokolov the outright winner, on 9/11, followed by Adams and Timman on 8.5. An astonishing 70% of the games ended decisively, making this one of the best-fought and most interesting tournaments on 2006. Congratulations to all concerned, and we all look forward to next year’s edition!

Raymond Keene adds---

The event concluded with a fabulous full dress uniform dinner along with the NATO players in the main banqueting hall of Wellington college. Elizabeth Paehtz, the woman GM was playing for the German NATO team and the Germans won easily both the individual and team championships. The closing awards were made by Dutchman Jan Mol for the Staunton memorial and Brigadier General Steffers-also of Holland-for the NATO championships