Sergey Volkov Wins 2011 Livigno Open

Press Release: 18th September, GM Sergey Volkov (pictured) - Hotel Lac Salin won the 2nd International Livigno Chess Open. Volkov led going into the last round, but this was no guarantee, as two players were a half point behind and another three at 1 point.

During the final game, though, it was enough for him to draw against GM Svetushkin Dmitry - Hotel Cervo. Svetushkin was the winner on Thursday evening of the Grand Prix Distillati Mazzetti d'Altavilla, a blitz tournament among invited GMs which took place at Hotel Lac Salin. The blitz tournament earned him a precious crystal chessboard, with pieces made of little bottles with liqueur inside!

At the main tournament, Svetushkin came fourth, preceded by GM Michalik Peter - Garni Baita della Luna in second and GM Timoshenko, Georgy - Hotel Flora in 3rd. The first three players also won a luxury watch each, offered by Baume & Mercier.

Fifth place went to GM Solodovnichenko Yuri - Park Chalet Hotel Village and 6th for another young chess player, Kilpatrick Callum, who got the last norm for his GM title.

Among women, 1st prize overall went to FM Arnetta Maria Teresa - Hotel Amerikan followed by WIM Brunello Marina - Hotel Baita Montana.

90 players, representing 24 nations, with 22 GMs and 14 IMs took part in the event in the Plaza Plachéda conference centre in Livigno, one of the main Alpine resorts in the Alps. More information can be found at www.livigno.eu.

Among the many sponsors who made this possible there are all the hotels who decided to host and 'adopt' a GM each, Valtellina, Banca Popolare di Sondrio as well as Scacchi Randagi, responsible for the live broadcasting of the matches on the internet.

See you in Livigno for the 3rd International Livigno Chess Open!

Many thanks to Adriano Pedrana for the tournament information!