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Here is an Olala article written by one memeber of our Masters of Olala Team.    

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  Lee en Español (publicado en Chessbase) 

Chess tournament that makes everybody happy?! Is it possible? Still exist?

  Welcome to Tarragona!

                               I always thought that it should be so difficult to organise an International Chess Tournament and satisfy all – the players, the sponsors, and the organisers….and of course the chess fans that want to have fun and follow the Gm’s games.

 But now I can say that it’s the positive and creative way of thinking of the organisers that make such event possible each year!

  I’m speaking about the traditional Chess International tournament of the one of the most touristic and beautiful towns on the Mediterranean Sea -Tarragona (Spain).

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   (Here you can find more information about the town and its history  

http://www.virtourist.com/europe/tarragona/Tarragona.htm )

                         This year was the 8^th edition of The Open Chess International Tournament.

As every year it was organised in the month of August (18-26).

It was a very strong open that started and finished with big success!  (140 players from 15 countries and 29 titled players!)

Since I’m living in Tarragona (from 2003) I follow the process of the organization -  the way that the organizers are always ready to study from some mistakes of last years and to try  improve the conditions of the title players , the playing hall...etc..

Even that this year the organization of the event started a bit later than the last year (all are working people!)  The efforts of the Tarragona Chess club make it again one of the best organised traditional tournaments in Catalonia, Spain (and maybe worldwide!)

All the title players were offered very respectful conditions (very good hotels).

  It’s about quality and not quantity here, so the organisers trying to put sponsors budget mainly in prizes and invite only the titled players they feel can be offered good conditions so that the title players will feel respected for their efforts as chess professionals.

The first 5 boards had live transmissions and were shown on the big screen in the playing hall, so like this all chess lovers had a possibility to follow the games and to enjoy especially the time-troubles (wink).

When the tournament started the organisers where ready with a nice detail, to make every day nice surprising presents from the sponsors for all the players, incredible nice idea!

For example: First day there were some small souvenirs from Tarragona, second day were some T-shirts for everybody, third day  were  free tickets for bowling game, then  discount tickets for the famous Big Park” Port Aventura” <!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->,

Then discount entries to the Dolphinarium and the Big Water Park –Aquapolis <!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->There was also a free excursion with a ship around Tarragona Port, and  a free Tourist train around the town that showed and explained the history of each place!

All this special attention to all the players made them feel happy nevermind if they won or lost there games. (At list this was the ideaJ)

The sponsors were very happy that they could promote themselves, and organisers were satisfied that all their efforts made the event pleasant for everybody!

Here you can see the final classification and few interesting games:

http://www.clubescacstarragona.org/

Some photos from the Playing hall:

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The winner of the tournament that started with 7 out of 7! GM Karen Movsziszian (Armenia)

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   GM Alesander Delchev Elo 2591 (Bulgaria) took second place

<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->The ‘local player’ that also helps with organisation GM Arthur Kogan  (Israel) shared 3^rd place. (Ok. I must admit that for me and for our daughter he is anyway our champion! J)

And of course some photos of some of the strongest women chess players that took part in the event ( I would like to see more and more  women participate in the chess tournaments!)

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                      WIM Michaela Sandu ( Romania ) Second best women result

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 WGM Emilia  Djingarova ( Bulgaria ) The best women result in the tournament!

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Some players took part in the organized football games…you might recognize the sportive Swedish GM Pontus Carlsson 

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The touristic train trip around Tarragona. The president of the Tarragona chess club Mr Reverte is in front. Me and my small girl Carolina in the centre ready for the excursion!

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The creative “engine” behind the tournament -the main organizer - Mr. Josep Farran taking some photos of the players on the ship trip. (few Participants invented him the name ‘The gold heart man’ since he gives his heart and attention to each detail for them!) 

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 The players enjoying the trip, and the future tournament winner shows he is in good form also on the guitar! J

I forgot to mention that this year unfortunately I couldn’t play the tournament because I had to teach some chess (and more) to my little 2,5 years old girl ( she was trying hard to keep every day silent and warn each person that entered the playing hall making: shhhhh….”-Papa play” )

This was my (more or less) short report about this nice tournament.

Let’s hope that most of the chess events will be so pleasant and with so nice memories!

<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->About the author:

 Tatyana Plachkinova-born on 12^th of July 1981 in Ruse (Bulgaria),

-Current residence in Spain since 2000

- National champion U12, U14, U16, U18, U20

-Took part in many European and World junior championships and International tournaments all over the world.

- Woman International Master since 2003

-Graduated English Language School in Bulgaria, Turistic animation, Electronic marketing and web design in Spain.

-Spoken languages by order- Bulgarian, Spanish, Russian, English, Catalan, Serbian, Macedonian, some French and Hebrew.

-Actual Job –Working at home Affiliate marketer (using my time as I choose and in the same time earning good income!) Personal webs: http://www.homesuccessjob.com/blog

http://www.homesuccessjob.com