Magnus Carlsen

Europe is a small, densely populated continent and I've always considered the logistics of moving within Europe to be well developed and efficient. Normally direct travelling or two-flights via a hub is available, but planning  Magnus' trip from Halkidiki (Thessaloniki airport) to Cap d'Agde (Montpellier airport) was surprisingly complex.
Together with several others playing both ECC and Cap Magnus ended up flying via Vienna (and enjoyed a good restaurant and free high quality internet connection at the airport).
From Vienna the players chose different routes. Magnus went Vienna-Barcelona instead of two more flights and an overnight stay on the way. I came from Oslo via Madrid, meet him in Barcelona, and we were picked up by the organiser for a three hour drive arriving in Cap 02:15 this morning. 

In the ECC Magnus scored 3/6 on table 1 for 2^nd ranked MIKA. MIKA beat the winners Urals but ended 12^th after losses in round 5 and 6.
Magnus was not very happy about his own performance nor his result, but there were several positive aspects.
He was satisfied with the way he managed to outplay Movsesian in a fairly equal ending (before blundering and losing in time trouble), he did get a good position against Svidler, and the last round win as black against Huzman was both exciting and a well played game by Magnus.
With only 6 games, half a point to or from makes a lot of difference, and he does not put too much emphasis on the overall result.   

In the ongoing World Championship match the outcome is very much decided with 4 rounds to go. No way Anand is going to give up his 3 points lead. A magnificent performance from Vishy so far! 

This evening the opening ceremony of the CCAS Cap d'Agde Rapid 'Le Rencontre' took place over in the town hall of Cap.


We were received by a spendid brass band and flamboyant organiser Bachar Kouatly introduced all the players followed by the drawing of lots and one or two interesting questions for all the players.


Posing for the photographers after the opening ceremony.

The 16 players are divided into groups A and B and the first four in each of the 7-round-robin groups (Sunday - Tuesday) play quarterfinals (Wednesday and Thursday), semi-finals (Friday)  and final (Saturday November 1^st). 

This is the 8^th edition of the bi-annual CCAS Rapid, and Anatoly Karpov has participated in all of them!
Magnus participated also in 2006 edition where he qualified from the round robin but lost the semi-final against Karjakin.
The 2008 edition is even stronger with the world #3 Ivanchuk, #4 Magnus, 2006-winner Radjabov, rapid and blitz specialist Nakamura and many other strong players including most of the dominant female players in the world. 

Magnus drew start no. 1 and plays young Chineses super talent Hou Yifan in round one tomorrow. 

Cap had beautiful summer weather (by Norwegian standards) today with sunshine and 20oC plus, and I'm planning to try a dive in the Mediterranean sea as in 2006 :-)

I expect the games will be sent live on internet via the home page ; http://www.capechecs.com/trophee_ccas.php 

Henrik Carlsen
Cap d'Agde, October 25th, 2008