Pope Denounces Gay Marriage

Speaking to an estimated crowd of 1.5 million, yesterday Emperor Palpatine told pilgrims at Spain's World Youth Day that marriage could only exist between a man and woman.

"The Lord calls many people to marriage, in which a man and a woman, in becoming one flesh, find fulfilment in a profound life of communion," he told the young pilgrims. "For this reason, to acknowledge the beauty and goodness of marriage is to realize that only a setting of fidelity and indissolubility, along with an openness to God's gift of live, is adequate to the grandeur and dignity of marital love." The Roman Catholic Church has condemned the sweeping liberal reforms brought in by Spain's Socialist government in recent years, including easier access to abortion, gay marriage and fast-track divorce.

Ill Papa was unable to finish his address because God decided to whip up a violent thunderstorm, knocking off Benedict's tiara and blowing over the tent on the stage. SRSLY.

Caption This

SPAIN: Catholic Pilgrims And Anti-Papal Protesters Clash On Madrid's Streets

Thousands of protesters (including an apparently large LGBT contingent) clashed on the streets of Madrid with Catholic pilgrims celebrating the Pope's arrival for World Youth Day. Ill Papa will conduct a mass before an estimated two million people tomorrow.

Photo Of The Day - Papal Kiss-In

Advocate reports: "Hundreds of LGBT protesters planned to kiss while Pope Benedict XVI was en route through Madrid, but police blocked the protesters before they could meet up. The activists had planned to join up on the major artery Calle Serrano, along which the pope later traveled in his bulletproof white vehicle for a welcoming ceremony in Plaza Cibeles Square."

IM Prasanna and GM Aroshidze win 12th Obert Internacional d'Escacs de Figueres Miquel Mas

12th Obert Internacional d'Escacs de Figueres Miquel Mas

IM Vishnu Prasanna and GM Levan Aroshidze share the first place



The 12th Obert Internacional d'Escacs de Figueres Miquel Mas, organized by C.E.Figueres, was held from 11th to 18th August in Figueres, Spain. The tournament is part of the 8th Catalan International Chess Circuit.



87 players participated in the 9-round Open. The 22-years old Indian IM Vishnu Prasanna and Georgian GM Levan Aroshidze shared the first place with 7.5 points each, but Vishnu was declared winner on better tiebreak score and takes home the trophy and 1200 EUR prize.

Official website

Top 15 finishers:

1. IM Vishnu Prasanna V IND 2340 - 7.5

2. GM Aroshidze Levan GEO 2539 - 7.5

3. GM Alvarez Pedraza Aramis CUB 2551 - 7

4. IM Adrian Claude FRA 2291 - 6.5

5. GM Martinez Duanny Lelys Stanley CUB 2455 - 6.5

6. GM Oms Pallisse Josep ESP 2489 - 6.5

7. IM Anikaev Yuri N RUS 2438 - 6.5

8. FM Lillo Castay Victor ESP 2281 - 6.5

9. Tillet Louis-Juan FRA 2204 - 6.5

10. FM Houriez Clement FRA 2328 - 6

11. FM Cuadras Avellana Jorge ESP 2304 - 6

12. FM Deleyn Gunter BEL 2222 - 6

13. IM Lorenzo De La Riva Lazaro ESP 2391 - 6

14. MK Casanellas Ruano Lluis MC ESP 2190 - 6

15. MK Sabria Batlle Pol MC ESP 2209 - 6

16. Triadu Cassa Jordi ESP 2083 - 6

17. Vinardell Cruanas Sergi ESP 2061 - 6

Photo Of The Day

Temporary public confessionals have been erected in Madrid in anticipation of a papal visit. Who else can totally see this installation being repurposed come nightfall?



(Tipped by JMG reader David)

Iturrizaga wins 5th Torneo Internacional A.D. San Juan

5th Torneo Internacional A.D. San Juan
GM Eduardo Iturrizaga grabs the trophy on superior tiebreak

The 5th Torneo Internacional A.D. San Juan was held from 25th to 31st July at the Hotel Blanca de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain. 108 players from 18 countries, including 18 Grandmasters, competed in the 9-round Swiss event. First place was 3.000 € worth.

Cuban Grandmaster Omar Almeida Quintana (2548) started superbly, with 4.5 points from five rounds, but then he suddenly froze and lost next three games to sink down in the standings.

In an extremely exciting last round, Grandmasters Eduardo Iturrizaga and Sergey Fedorchuk won their games to catch Julio Granda Zuniga and Branko Damljanovic on the shared first place. Eduardo Iturrizaga is declared champion on best tiebreak score.

Armenian wonder Vahe Baghdasaryan narrowly missed another IM norm but he nevertheless added 35 elo points to his card.

Tournament website

Final top 15 standings:

1. GM Iturrizaga Eduardo VEN 2603 - 7
2. GM Granda Zuniga Julio E PER 2616 - 7
3. GM Fedorchuk Sergey A UKR 2618 - 7
4. GM Damljanovic Branko SRB 2611 - 7
5. GM Chatalbashev Boris BUL 2596 - 6.5
6. GM Ortiz Suarez Isan Reynaldo CUB 2556 - 6.5
7. Baghdasaryan Vahe ARM 2289 - 6.5
8. IM Ninov Nikolai BUL 2518 - 6.5
9. GM Paunovic Dragan SRB 2503 - 6.5
10. GM Vazquez Igarza Renier ESP 2561 - 6.5
11. IM Riff Jean-Noel FRA 2493 - 6
12. GM Gonzalez Vidal Yuri CUB 2503 - 6
13. GM Simonian Hrair ARM 2461 - 6
14. IM Venkatesh M R IND 2480 - 6
15. IM Das Arghyadip IND 2471 - 6
16. IM Berbatov Kiprian BUL 2472 - 6
17. IM Tania Sachdev IND 2419 - 6
18. IM Hansen Torbjorn Ringdal NOR 2468 - 6

Iturrizaga wins 5th Torneo Internacional A.D. San Juan

5th Torneo Internacional A.D. San Juan
GM Eduardo Iturrizaga grabs the trophy on superior tiebreak

The 5th Torneo Internacional A.D. San Juan was held from 25th to 31st July at the Hotel Blanca de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain. 108 players from 18 countries, including 18 Grandmasters, competed in the 9-round Swiss event. First place was 3.000 € worth.

Cuban Grandmaster Omar Almeida Quintana (2548) started superbly, with 4.5 points from five rounds, but then he suddenly froze and lost next three games to sink down in the standings.

In an extremely exciting last round, Grandmasters Eduardo Iturrizaga and Sergey Fedorchuk won their games to catch Julio Granda Zuniga and Branko Damljanovic on the shared first place. Eduardo Iturrizaga is declared champion on best tiebreak score.

Armenian wonder Vahe Baghdasaryan narrowly missed another IM norm but he nevertheless added 35 elo points to his card.

Tournament website

Final top 15 standings:

1. GM Iturrizaga Eduardo VEN 2603 - 7
2. GM Granda Zuniga Julio E PER 2616 - 7
3. GM Fedorchuk Sergey A UKR 2618 - 7
4. GM Damljanovic Branko SRB 2611 - 7
5. GM Chatalbashev Boris BUL 2596 - 6.5
6. GM Ortiz Suarez Isan Reynaldo CUB 2556 - 6.5
7. Baghdasaryan Vahe ARM 2289 - 6.5
8. IM Ninov Nikolai BUL 2518 - 6.5
9. GM Paunovic Dragan SRB 2503 - 6.5
10. GM Vazquez Igarza Renier ESP 2561 - 6.5
11. IM Riff Jean-Noel FRA 2493 - 6
12. GM Gonzalez Vidal Yuri CUB 2503 - 6
13. GM Simonian Hrair ARM 2461 - 6
14. IM Venkatesh M R IND 2480 - 6
15. IM Das Arghyadip IND 2471 - 6
16. IM Berbatov Kiprian BUL 2472 - 6
17. IM Tania Sachdev IND 2419 - 6
18. IM Hansen Torbjorn Ringdal NOR 2468 - 6

3 share 1st at Obert Internacional Sant Marti 2011

Obert Internacional Sant Marti 2011
Levan Aroshidze, Manuel Leon Hoyos and Bacallao Alonso Yusnel share the first place

The 13th Obert Internacional Sant Marti 2011 took place from 13th to 21st July at the Centre Civic Sant Marti c.Selva de Mar 213 in Barcelona. The 9-round Swiss tournament is part of the 8th Catalan International Circuit.

The organizer of the tournament is Eduardo Arilla Santos and Director of the Tournament is Joan Fontanillas Sanchez. The prize fund totals 5,200€ and the Champion receives 1200€ and a trophy.

The tournament started shortly after the Torredembarra Open and a number of players, including the top seed Viktor Moskalenko, continued the Circuit at the Centre Civic Sant Marti.

Open Group A had 92 participants. Grandmasters Levon Aroshidze and Manuel Leon Hoyos and IM Bacallao Alonso Yusnel shared the first place with 7 points each. Aroshidze grabs the winner's trophy on best tiebreak.

Cuban IM Bacallao Alonso Yusnel and local IM Perez Mitjans Orelvis have earned GM norms. In addition, FM Jimenez Fraga Pedro Alejandro (also from Cuba) took an IM norm.

Open Group B had 144 players. Bieg Pagel Clemens (ESP 1938) is the sole winner with 8 points from nine games. The Circuit continues with the 37th Open Internacional d'Escacs Vila de Sitges.

Official website

Final top 15 standings (Group A):

1. GM Aroshidze Levan GEO 2539 - 7
2. IM Bacallao Alonso Yusnel CUB 2532 - 7
3. GM Leon Hoyos Manuel MEX 2548 - 7
4. GM Moskalenko Viktor UKR 2591 - 6.5
5. IM Perez Mitjans Orelvis ESP 2452 - 6.5
6. IM Cruz Cristhian PER 2470 - 6.5
7. FM Jimenez Fraga Pedro Alejandro CUB 2464 - 6.5
8. GM Karlsson Lars SWE 2482 - 6
9. GM Gonzalez Garcia Jose MEX 2522 - 6
10. IM Matnadze Ana GEO 2428 - 6
11. GM Ortiz Suarez Isan Reynaldo CUB 2556 - 6
12. IM Munoz Pantoja Miguel PER 2482 - 6
13. IM Gonzalez Rodriguez Jorge A. COL 2434 - 6
14. GM Pogorelov Ruslan UKR 2430 - 6
15. GM Cuartas Jaime Alexander COL 2542 - 6
16. FM Gonzalez Perez Arian CUB 2490 - 6

3 share 1st at Obert Internacional Sant Marti 2011

Obert Internacional Sant Marti 2011
Levan Aroshidze, Manuel Leon Hoyos and Bacallao Alonso Yusnel share the first place

The 13th Obert Internacional Sant Marti 2011 took place from 13th to 21st July at the Centre Civic Sant Marti c.Selva de Mar 213 in Barcelona. The 9-round Swiss tournament is part of the 8th Catalan International Circuit.

The organizer of the tournament is Eduardo Arilla Santos and Director of the Tournament is Joan Fontanillas Sanchez. The prize fund totals 5,200€ and the Champion receives 1200€ and a trophy.

The tournament started shortly after the Torredembarra Open and a number of players, including the top seed Viktor Moskalenko, continued the Circuit at the Centre Civic Sant Marti.

Open Group A had 92 participants. Grandmasters Levon Aroshidze and Manuel Leon Hoyos and IM Bacallao Alonso Yusnel shared the first place with 7 points each. Aroshidze grabs the winner's trophy on best tiebreak.

Cuban IM Bacallao Alonso Yusnel and local IM Perez Mitjans Orelvis have earned GM norms. In addition, FM Jimenez Fraga Pedro Alejandro (also from Cuba) took an IM norm.

Open Group B had 144 players. Bieg Pagel Clemens (ESP 1938) is the sole winner with 8 points from nine games. The Circuit continues with the 37th Open Internacional d'Escacs Vila de Sitges.

Official website

Final top 15 standings (Group A):

1. GM Aroshidze Levan GEO 2539 - 7
2. IM Bacallao Alonso Yusnel CUB 2532 - 7
3. GM Leon Hoyos Manuel MEX 2548 - 7
4. GM Moskalenko Viktor UKR 2591 - 6.5
5. IM Perez Mitjans Orelvis ESP 2452 - 6.5
6. IM Cruz Cristhian PER 2470 - 6.5
7. FM Jimenez Fraga Pedro Alejandro CUB 2464 - 6.5
8. GM Karlsson Lars SWE 2482 - 6
9. GM Gonzalez Garcia Jose MEX 2522 - 6
10. IM Matnadze Ana GEO 2428 - 6
11. GM Ortiz Suarez Isan Reynaldo CUB 2556 - 6
12. IM Munoz Pantoja Miguel PER 2482 - 6
13. IM Gonzalez Rodriguez Jorge A. COL 2434 - 6
14. GM Pogorelov Ruslan UKR 2430 - 6
15. GM Cuartas Jaime Alexander COL 2542 - 6
16. FM Gonzalez Perez Arian CUB 2490 - 6

37th Open Internacional d'Escacs Vila de Sitges

37th Open Internacional d'Escacs Vila de Sitges
22nd to 30th July at the Saló Teatre del Casino Prado in Sitges, Spain

The 37th Open Internacional d'Escacs Vila de Sitges is set to take place from 22nd to 30th July at the Saló Teatre del Casino Prado in Sitges, Spain. The tournament will be played in two rating groups and is part of the Catalan Chess Circuit.

The prize fund is € 6,325 and € 1,200 is dedicated to the winner. Many players from the Obert Internacional Sant Marti 2011, which concludes today, continue the tour in Sitges.

The tournament is organized by Club d'Escacs Casino Prado Suburenc de Sitges and chief arbiter is IA Josep Salvans Riba.

Tournament website

Players list (Top 20 seeds - Open A):

1. GM Moskalenko Viktor UKR 2591
2. GM Cuartas Jaime Alexander COL 2542
3. GM Barsov Alexei UZB 2534
4. IM Bacallao Alonso Yusnel CUB 2532
5. GM Cabrera Alexis ESP 2530
6. GM Gonzalez Garcia Jose MEX 2522
7. GM Oratovsky Michael ISR 2521
8. GM Movsziszian Karen ARM 2493
9. FM Delgado Ramos Hector CUB 2488
10. IM Munoz Pantoja Miguel PER 2482
11. GM Karlsson Lars SWE 2482
12. IM Cruz Cristhian PER 2470
13. FM Jimenez Fraga Pedro Alejandro CUB 2464
14. FM Alarcon Casellas Rolando CUB 2453
15. IM Perez Mitjans Orelvis ESP 2452
16. GM Djuric Stefan SRB 2445
17. IM Rojas Keim Luis CHI 2438
18. IM Asis Gargatagli Hipolit ESP 2431
19. FM Rios Cristhian Camilo COL 2424
20. IM Cruz Jonathan PER 2406
21. IM Cruz Filemon PER 2406

37th Open Internacional d'Escacs Vila de Sitges

37th Open Internacional d'Escacs Vila de Sitges
22nd to 30th July at the Saló Teatre del Casino Prado in Sitges, Spain

The 37th Open Internacional d'Escacs Vila de Sitges is set to take place from 22nd to 30th July at the Saló Teatre del Casino Prado in Sitges, Spain. The tournament will be played in two rating groups and is part of the Catalan Chess Circuit.

The prize fund is € 6,325 and € 1,200 is dedicated to the winner. Many players from the Obert Internacional Sant Marti 2011, which concludes today, continue the tour in Sitges.

The tournament is organized by Club d'Escacs Casino Prado Suburenc de Sitges and chief arbiter is IA Josep Salvans Riba.

Tournament website

Players list (Top 20 seeds - Open A):

1. GM Moskalenko Viktor UKR 2591
2. GM Cuartas Jaime Alexander COL 2542
3. GM Barsov Alexei UZB 2534
4. IM Bacallao Alonso Yusnel CUB 2532
5. GM Cabrera Alexis ESP 2530
6. GM Gonzalez Garcia Jose MEX 2522
7. GM Oratovsky Michael ISR 2521
8. GM Movsziszian Karen ARM 2493
9. FM Delgado Ramos Hector CUB 2488
10. IM Munoz Pantoja Miguel PER 2482
11. GM Karlsson Lars SWE 2482
12. IM Cruz Cristhian PER 2470
13. FM Jimenez Fraga Pedro Alejandro CUB 2464
14. FM Alarcon Casellas Rolando CUB 2453
15. IM Perez Mitjans Orelvis ESP 2452
16. GM Djuric Stefan SRB 2445
17. IM Rojas Keim Luis CHI 2438
18. IM Asis Gargatagli Hipolit ESP 2431
19. FM Rios Cristhian Camilo COL 2424
20. IM Cruz Jonathan PER 2406
21. IM Cruz Filemon PER 2406

Petrosian leads Villa de Benasque Open

Tigran Petrosian retains leadership at Villa de Benasque Chess Open

July 14, 2011 - 12:04 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Villa de Benasque International Chess Open ongoing in Spain, is hosting 471 chess players, including 35 grandmasters.

In the 7th tour of the Chess Open, Tigran Petrosian playing with black pieces, shared points with Julio Granda Zuniga of Peru.

Armenian grandmaster is leading the tournament with 6,5 points to his score.

In the 8th tour, Petrosian will rival the tournament runner-up Jiri Stocek of Czech Republic.

According to tournament results, Karen Movsisian is 10th with 5,5 points, Zaven Andriasyan is 23rd with 5,5 points.

Source: http://www.panarmenian.net

Kogan wins in Torredembarra

GM Arthur Kogan Winner in Torredembarra
9-round Open on 2-10th July in Torredembarra, Spain

The 13th International Open Torredembarra was held from 2nd to 10th July, 2010, in Torredembarra (Catalonia), Spain. Club d'Escacs Torredembarra managed the 9-round Swiss tournament. 110 players took participation.

GM Arthur Kogan entered the final round full point ahead of the rest of the field and then drew his game to secure a clear first place with 7.5 points.

Top seed and last year winner GM Viktor Moskalenko, author of the much praised books "Revolutionize Your Chess" and "The Wonderful Winawer", finished only 11th on tie-breaks.

Torredembarra beach

Final standings:

1 GM Kogan Artur ISR 2548 - 7.5
2 IM Gonzalez Rodriguez Jorge A COL 2434 - 7
3 GM Abreu Delgado Aryam CUB 2479 - 7
4 IM Pozo Vera Sandro CUB 2471 - 7
5 GM Oratovsky Michael ISR 2521 - 6.5
6 GM Genov Petar BUL 2428 - 6.5
7 FM Becking Stephan GER 2415 - 6.5
8 GM Alvarez Pedraza Aramis CUB 2551 - 6.5
9 IM Munoz Pantoja Miguel PER 2482 - 6.5
10 GM Oms Pallisse Josep ESP 2489 - 6.5
11 GM Moskalenko Viktor UKR 2591 - 6.5
12 Frischmann Rick GER 1968 - 6
13 Tutusaus Marrugat Carles ESP 1918 - 6
14 FM Kukov Velislav BUL 2377 - 6
15 IM Cruz Filemon PER 2406 - 6
16 IM Ivanov Jordan BUL 2398 - 6
17 cm Accensi Estrada Miguel Angel ESP 2185 - 6
18 GM Pogorelov Ruslan UKR 2430 - 6
19 Graells Ricardo SUI 2168 - 6
20 IM Colovic Aleksandar MKD 2450 - 6
21 GM Karlsson Lars SWE 2482 - 6

16th Balaguer Open

16th Balaguer Open
Saturday, 09 July 2011 22:19

The 16th Obert Internacional d'Escacs Ciutat de Balaguer will be played from 17th to 25th June in Balaguer, Spain. The prize fund is 13000 EUR and 2300 EUR goes to the winner.

Top rated players are GM Burmakin Vladimir RUS 2579, GM Alvarez Pedraza Aramis CUB 2551, GM Janev Evgeni BUL 2528, GM Bakre Tejas IND 2522, GM Oms Pallisse Josep ESP 2489, IM Pozo Vera Sandro CUB 2471, IM Colovic Aleksandar MKD 2450, IM Roeder Matthias GER 2420, IM Ivanov Jordan BUL 2398 and GM Westerinen Heikki M J FIN 2355.

Balaguer is the capital of the comarca of Noguera, in the province of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. It is located by the river Segre, a tributary to the Ebre.

Tournament website

Bravo, Spain! Fiesta con Iniesta...y los otros, sin embargo!...:)

This stamp (that can be ordered/bought, I hope) could be the first in the world celebrating this victory. I'll submit it now to zazzle for approval.