Hard-fought draws in 7th round

On the top board GM Konstantin Landa and Jan Smeets fought hard and long but finally agreed on a draw. GM Konstantin Landa received two extra pawns from GM Smeets, but with all the heavy pieces on the board there was always lurking perpetual check. Time also played a role so Landa eventually took responsibility to force a draw. The other leader, GM Evgeny Postny and GM Yasser Seirawan also signed the peace agreement; again it was not without a struggle. Postny could not get maximum out of Yasser Seirwan’s 28. Rd1?

In the chasing group with 5 points, the Germans GM Michael Hoffmann and top seed GM Arkadij Naditsch did best to get full points. GM Arkadij Naditsch beat IM Tal Haimovich in a long game of 79 moves, while GM Michael Hoffmann beat IM Vishnu Parsanna without any notable struggle. IM Twan Burg defeated FM Stefan Kuipers in an end game of Sicilian Najdorf and thus joined the leading group with six points. GM Erwin L'Ami proved himself a disservice with a draw against German FM Eisenbeiser Amadeus.

The tournament has entered into the most interesting phase. In the 8th and second last round several masters will be involved in the battle for the title. Postny shall be in action against Naiditsch with white pieces, while Landa with black shall face Burg, on paper a weaker but inform opponent. Jan Smeets shall play against Hoffmann with white.

Prior to this round there was a special moment for six players who have participated in all 15 editions of HZ Chess Tournament. They received a book signed by Yasser Seirawan as a present. From left to right: Henrik Westerweele, Manuel Colsen, Anton Rosmuller, Sven Stange and Alex Jonkheer. Guy Baeté did not yet arrive at the time of the ceremony and is not in the picture.

Translated by Waqar Ahmad Madni (www.pakchess.org)