Al Ain  chess club won the inaugural Asian club chess champions league with a tally of  12 points there were surprisingly challenged by Vietnam team who held them to a draw by 2 – 2  while in a closely contested match  China and Philippines had three draws each  and one match was in progress which has captures the attention of spectators and grandmaster alike . Zhou Weiqi    was pressing ahead  against Paragua  Mark       with extra pawn in a opposite color bishop ending.  With every move Paragua Mark       was under intense pressure . after 60 moves white managed to advance his passed pawns  and clinch the point and victory for china

India club team led by talented youngsters created a major shocking victory when they defeated second seed team from iran by 3 – 1. The victory was spearheaded by international master  R.R Laxman  who  defeated  grandmaster Mikhail Kobalia in a keenly contested middle game. Laxman's  rooks penetrated  the seventh  backed by  his queen and rooks and clinched the issue with a mating attack

The fancied Al Ain team attained yet another win over Uzbekistan. Although there was a initial setback for them when Safin  Shukurat defeated grandmaster  sargissan Gabriel   in a complicated match but they  came fighting   back with fine wins by jobava baadur  and Sergey Krajakin . .

Four teams  are in the lead with 6 match points . Al Ain team, philipine team , Indian club  and chineese team share the lead.

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Asian club cup got off to a flying start with 150 players from 20 countries participating in the inagural event. The tournament is a team competetion and is held in a 7 round of swiss system. the event has attracted many top players and 11 grandmasters above elo rating of 2600. the seeded teams registered fascile wins in the opening round  with the fancied Al AIn led by  Karjakin Sergey  opened the campaign with a 4 - 0 victory over Al Muhafaza  team from syria.  Karjakin  said it was a complicated game from a slav defense when his opponent gave up a pawn . Howver he managed work his way around the queenside and gain decisive advantage seven other teams have attained  comphrensive victory and are in the lead. . the  upset of the day was the loss by iranian grandmaster Mahjoob Morteza to Ahmad Aziz. India’s Chennai Club also registered  win on all the four boards.

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Grandmaster Veselin Topalov scored yet another victory in the final round of the PEARL SPRING  SUPER GM Championship which concluded in China. He finished on 7 points  from 10 games, 1.5 points ahead of the runner up GM Levon Aronian who finished on 5.5 points. The Local Hero GM BU Xianghi came third with 5 points.

Final Standing

1.  Veselin Topalov  7/10
2.   Levon Aronian   5.5/10
3.   Bu Xianghi        5.0/10
4.   Pe ter Svidler    4.5/10
5.   Ivanchuk           4.0/10
6.   Movsesian        4.0/10

  Watch the India's Top chess players winning Laurels at ECC Cup  

India’s largest Television Network  Doordarshan India will telecast FOUR Highlights of the  ECC Cup 2008  on its DD SPORTS CHANNEL. The Four Highlights will be telecast  from Monday  the 22nd December to 25th  Dec 2008  from 10.30 p.m to 11.00 p.m. as under :

Ist Episode  on 22nd   Dec   2008 10.30 p.m.,   [IST]   -  1800hrs  European  Time

2nd Episode  on 23rd  Dec 2008 10.30 p.m.,    [IST]     - 1800hrs  European Time

3rd Episode  on 24th    Dec  2008 10.30 p.m.,   [IST]   -  1800hrs  European Tim

4th Episode  on 25th     Dec  2008 10.30 p.m.,   [IST]  -  1800hrs  European Time

The telecast will be available on FREE TO AIR TV Broadcast in 48 countries of Europe, Africa ,Middle East and Asia on PAS 10 satellite

Grandmaster Vassily Ivanchuk refused to submit a urine sample for a drug test at the Chess Olympiad in Dresden and is now considered guilty of doping. The world of chess is outraged that he could face a two-year ban.

The German news paper  and biggest Online news Service, Spiegel, reports on any subject, the other European media are quick to follow suit. This week the Spiegel has published a full-page article on the failed attempt to get Vassily Ivanchuk to submit himself to a doping test after his final game at the Dresden Olympiad.

The All India Chess Federation(AICF) on Thursday felicitated Viswanathan Anand for retaining the World Chess Championship title. Team India Cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni presented a one-carat diamond ring to Anand on behalf of the federation. Anand, who is celebrating his 39th birthday, thanked the federation. “I think I will accept the ring in the spirit of brotherhood. I remember the reception the federation gave me last year and again a very special reception this time. It really means a lot to me.”

Argentinean Grandmaster Anton Kovalyov  drew his Final Round Game of the Figueira da Foz , which concluded today.

Grandmaster Dragan Panuovic thrashed  WIM Leite Catarina in just 21 moves and took his score to 7.5 points. He won 7 games ,lost one against GM. Anton Kovalyov  and drew  against  GM Kevin Spraggett .

The Canadian Grandmaster Kevin Spraggett  played a good game and defeated GM Oleg Romanishin  in a tense game.  Kevin Spraggett also remained unbeaten with 6 wins and 3 draws to  collect 7.5 points  which ultimately favoured to take the championship Title

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Argentinean Grandmaster  Anton Kovalyov  won yet another game to take his score to 7 from 8 outings  in the penultimate round of the ongoing International Chess Championship ,Figueiro da Foz.  He  just need a win away from snatching the Figueiro da Foz Title.

India’s International Master Lanka Ravi drew his game and will now meet The Chamionship leader Anton Kovalyov in the Final Round game