On May 16-17 I will be playing in the largest and strongest rapid ( G/20) event held in Portugal every year. I am giving the start/entry list for those who are interested :

http://chess-results.com/tnr21897.aspx?lan=1&zeilen=99999

Good luck Reb.  I'm rooting for you bro. 

Your Alabama friend!

Bring it home!

Good luck!

Thanks to all the well wishers but being ranked 32nd means I have no chance of winning one of the top prizes. I will be happy to finish in the top 20 and it would take a miracle to finish in the top 10. Last year the event was won by IM Sergio Rocha, one of Portugal's own ! He had to win in the last round against GM Julio Granda Zuniga of Peru and he did !  He isnt even ranked in the top 10 this year.

We will listen to no such talk Reb!  You can do it!  lol

Boa Sorte, Reb

Good luck!

Hey, Rex.  Good luck with the result, but, more important, have fun.

Good Luck, Eugene.

http://chess-results.com/tnr21897.aspx?art=1&rd=9&lan=1&fed=POR&turdet=YES&m=-1&wi=1000

This is the final standings in Odemira. The winner scored an incredible 8.5/9 !! He has also stated that he will be back next year to "defend" his title. My result was only mediocre and the first Odemira event in which I didnt have any draws. I had a chance to finish in the first 20 in the last round against FM Perreira who is a teammate of mine and friend but he outplayed me and I lost. I lost 2 other games to GMs. I missed this event last year because I was in Ga and playing in the state championship. Odemira is my favorite rapid event in Portugal and the strongest/largest rapid each year.

Great score! Too bad it's too expensive to stay there for the two days someday I will but then I have to win it...

 Most people only stay one night there as the first round is at 1500 Sat afternoon. This means most people arrive on Sat around lunch time , have lunch, and then start the tourney at 1500. They spend Sat night and leave on Sunday after the tourney is finished. If you play for a club/team the club usually covers part, or all, of your expenses anyway.

I was expecting that GM Delchev would win the tournament with no problems,but great perfomance by  Iturrizaga with 8.5/9.

Delchev lost to GM Aimen Rizouk and then in the last round drew with GM Agrest. Its never easy for the #1 in Odemira and often the #1 ranked player does not win Odemira.

Yes of course,but Delchev was with big difference the best player in Odemira.Fide TOP 100.Shame there is no prize for best female player,Nino Maisuradze deserved it,after only loosing to 2 GM.

 Odemira has prizes for the first 3 females.

Yes you are right,just checked tournament rules.

Good showing Reb. Get'em next year. I will be in Lisbon June 2-11. Maybe we could get together for a few games? Let me know.