German Grandmaster Gustafsson Wins Thai Open Chess

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German Grandmaster Jan Gustafsson has won the 2011 Thai Chess Open in Pattaya after finishing in a three-way tie for first place and winning the title on a tiebreaker.

Gustafsson, seeded third at the start of the tournament, finished equal on points with the top two seeds, Paco Vallejo of Spain and England’s Nigel Short but was awarded the 11th Thai Open title because he had played tougher opposition. Short, who lost to Gustafsson in the critical game of the tournament, was awarded the runners-up cup.  The three players shared 220,000 Baht in prize money.

In a dramatic final day of play, Short, 45, seemed to have the most difficult task but he smoothly outplayed Indian Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte.

Both Gustafsson, 31, and Vallejo, 28, were required to play tricky endgames against Norwegian youngster Kjetil Stokke and Bangladeshi veteran Niaz Murshed but both outplayed their opponents to reach the tie for first.

Sunday’s final round of Thailand’s largest and strongest open tournament was a grim one for local players with the leading Thai performer Wisawat Teerapabpaisit missing a chance to reach sixth place after losing to Indian Grandmaster Jha Sriram.

2011 Thai Open Final scores
=1 Gustafsson, Short, Vallejo 7.5 points
=4 Voigt, Yang 7
=6 Hansen, Palit, Sriram, Saptarshi, Illingworth 6.5

Bangkok Open Begins – Live Games!

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GM Nigel Short with Nina Tuorila on the terrace
Beauty v. brains: Nina Tuorila challenges GM Nigel Short

 

With a record field, world class Grandmasters and Thailand’s best players taking on the rest of the world, the 2011 Thai Open has reinforced its reputation as Thailand’s top tournament.

Rounds are played at 9am and 3pm Thai time. From Thursday there is one game per day starting at 2pm.

The top 4 boards – featuring Grandmasters such as Paco Vallejo and Nigel Short – will be relayed live to the BCC website – when the games start you can view round 1 on this link

You can download top games for rounds 1-4 in PGN format here

Download Round 5 in cbv format here

More information is available at chess-results.com

 

GM Paco Vallejo with white against IM Nisha Mohota from India

 

We’ve been framed

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Thailand's talented junior chess players

Some of Thailand’s junior talent, including Saru Phitchayarom, Nina Tuorila, Olympiad team member Som Chanida and Poompong Wiwatanadate. I don’t know the girl on the left, does she play chess?

Press Conference

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A press conference was held today at the Bangrak room of the Dusit Thani, Bangkok. Speakers were (in order of appearance):

  • Kai Tuorila, President, Bangkok Chess Club (BCC)
  • Dr. Pichai Nimityongskul, Secretary-General of the Thailand Chess Association (TCA)
  • Chatchawal Supachayanont, General Manager, Dusit Thani, Pattaya
  • Petri Deryng, Fund Manager, PYN Fund Management
  • FM Jirapak Pitirotjirathon, Thailand Champion
  • Patcharawee Brahmawong, Treasurer, TCA

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Download the full press release here (4.2 Mb) – for pictures please contact us via the contact form or email.

Photos: Bruce Bell

Getting to Pattaya

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We have had a number of questions about getting to Pattaya.

If you would like to share a taxi, leave a comment (you have to be registered) saying what time your flight arrives.

From the Airport

  • The most stylish way is to book the Dusit Thani airport transfer for 3,000 Baht (or 3,500 for a group up to 9)
  • Airport limousines range from 2,600 to over 5,000 Baht
  • The cheapest way is by bus – see below
  • You can take a metered taxi from outside the airport (ignore the touts inside) about 1,300 Baht including motorway tolls

Airport-Pattaya Bus Service

From Suvarnabhumi airport, they have 10 coaches departing each day, from 7:00 to 22:00, priced at 124 Baht (approx. US$4)

There are 2 counters to buy tickets:

  • Airport Bus Terminal
  • Arrival Terminal (Level 1) between Gate # 7 and Gate # 8

From Pattaya, they have 9 coaches departing each day, from 7:00 to 21:00. Their office is located on Thapphraya Road opposite Pan Pan restaurant where passengers can buy tickets and board the coach.

More information at their website.

Transport Company Bus (Tel. 02-1344099)

After arrivals take the Express Shuttle Bus (Free-of-Charge) to the Transportation Center which is within the airport area. Take the air-conditioned bus No. 389 to Pattaya (Jomtien Beach), or bus No. 905 to Pattaya North. (127 kms or 79 miles). The departure times from Suvarnabhumi Transportation Center are : 06.30, 08.00, 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.00, 17.00, and 19.00 hrs.

Travelling time is about one and a half hours. Bus fare : 106 Baht per person. (US.$ 3).

From the Bus Station in Pattaya, take one of the Pick-ups (Songtow) straight down to the roundabout which is where the Dusit Thani is.

Bell Travel Service Coach

After arrivals and getting through passport control and customs go all the way down to the lowest floor of the terminal building (Level 1). Find Bell Travel Service sign and staff sitting on public benches near glass door No.7 . They will direct you to where the coach is waiting which is just outside of door No.7.

Suvarnabhumi Airport – Pattaya bus schedule : 08.00 / 10.00 / 12.00 / 14.00 / 16.00 / 18.00 hrs. Estimated travel time is 2 hours.

Bus fare: 200 Baht per person paid to Bell’s staff upon boarding the coach. This price includes a drop-off service to your hotel (available only within Bell’s service area).

For information call 038-370055
 web site: www.belltravelservice.com

Jirapak Chess Academy

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So many things are happening with Chess in Thailand, it’s hard to keep up. Thailand National Champion and long-time BCC  member, FM Jirapak has opened his chess school. May it be the start of a long-term improvement in the standards of chess here – who is going to be the first GM?