Gibraltar Rocks!

The 8th Gibraltar Chess Festival is currently in full swing, with excellent coverage available at the official website (see previous report here).

After 6 completed rounds of the 10-round Swiss "Masters" competition, there is a four-way tie on 5/6 between (clockwise below from top left) Michael Adams of England, Jan Gustafsson of Germany, Chanda Sandipan of India, and Natalia Zhukova of Ukraine (pictures from the official site).

Games start daily at 3pm local time (2pm GMT), with free, live commentary provided at the official website by former British Champion Stuart Conquest.  Live webcams of the playing room and commentary room are also available!

Tournaments using the Swiss system provide opportunities in the early rounds for giant-killing acts and unexpected results.  One of the most notable games so far saw a Norwegian amateur (rated 2093 Elo) hold GM Ivan Cheparinov (rated 2660 Elo) to a draw in round three.  Victor Havik may never have his name in the headlines again, but he deserves it for his inspired finish to this game which guaranteed himself the draw.

Black to move and draw in style!