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Novgorod (1996) For the previous two years an international tournament had been organized in Novgorod, Russia by a cooperation of the PCA and the Beresta Palace Hotel. In 1996, the hotel was forced to seek funding from other sponsors, and as a result had reduced the size and format to what it had been in 1994. Most of the original Novgorod participants from previous events agreed to participate. Vladimir Kramnik (2765), ranked 3rd in the world at the time, participated on behalf of Russia. He had been the number one ranked player at the end of 1995, and though his rating dipped leading up to this event he was considered the heavy favorite to win it. Veselin Topalov (2750), ranked 4th in the world at the time, participated on behalf of Bulgaria. 1996 proved to be a stellar year for Topalov and he was in fine form coming into this tournament. Vassily Ivanchuk (2730), ranked 7th in the world at the time, participated on behalf of Ukraine. He had won Novgorod in 1994 and tied for second with Topalov and Short in 1995, so it was expected he would do well again. Nigel Short (2695), ranked 8th in the world at the time, participated on behalf of England. He had tied for second with Topalov and Ivanchuk in last year's Novgorod event, but at 31 years of age he was the "old man" playing in this event. Boris Gelfand (2655), ranked 16th at the time, participated on behalf of Russia. Judit Polgar (2655), ranked 18th at the time, participated on behalf of Hungary. She started the tournament as the youngest player to compete, at 19 years old, and celebrated her 20th birthday during this event (her fourth round loss to Kramnik). Together, the combined ratings of the six grandmasters made this year's edition of Novgorod a Category XIX event, the first of its kind. Dubbed "Lord Novgorod, the Great" the tournament ran from July 19th to July 31st. True to his form, Topalov made 1996 his first big year, adding this tournament victory to his string of successes. The final standings and crosstable are as follows: 1 Topalov ** ½0 ½½ ½½ ½1 11 6 2 Ivanchuk ½1 ** ½½ ½½ 10 01 5½ 3 Short ½½ ½½ ** ½1 ½½ ½0 5 4 Gelfand ½½ ½½ ½0 ** ½1 ½0 4½ 5 Kramnik ½0 01 ½½ ½0 ** 1½ 4½ 6 Polgar 00 10 ½1 ½1 0½ ** 4½ Original collection: Game Collection: Novgorod 1996, by User: suenteus po 147.  page 1 of 2; games 1-25 of 30  Game   Result Moves Year Event/Locale Opening 1. Gelfand vs Judit Polgar   ½-½ 28 1996 Novgorod D85 Grunfeld 2. Short vs Ivanchuk   ½-½ 26 1996 Novgorod C78 Ruy Lopez 3. Kramnik vs Topalov ½-½ 45 1996 Novgorod E97 King's Indian 4. Gelfand vs Short   ½-½ 36 1996 Novgorod D37 Queen's Gambit Declined 5. Ivanchuk vs Kramnik 1-0 40 1996 Novgorod D43 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav 6. Judit Polgar vs Topalov 0-1 35 1996 Novgorod B23 Sicilian, Closed 7. Short vs Judit Polgar   ½-½ 50 1996 Novgorod B40 Sicilian 8. Topalov vs Ivanchuk   ½-½ 33 1996 Novgorod C42 Petrov Defense 9. Kramnik vs Gelfand   ½-½ 51 1996 Novgorod E97 King's Indian 10. Kramnik vs Judit Polgar 1-0 55 1996 Novgorod C01 French, Exchange 11. Topalov vs Short ½-½ 51 1996 Novgorod C87 Ruy Lopez 12. Ivanchuk vs Gelfand   ½-½ 80 1996 Novgorod E14 Queen's Indian 13. Gelfand vs Topalov   ½-½ 61 1996 Novgorod E92 King's Indian 14. Short vs Kramnik   ½-½ 23 1996 Novgorod B57 Sicilian 15. Judit Polgar vs Ivanchuk 1-0 43 1996 Novgorod B62 Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer 16. Ivanchuk vs Short   ½-½ 13 1996 Novgorod A14 English 17. Topalov vs Kramnik 1-0 34 1996 Novgorod B57 Sicilian 18. Judit Polgar vs Gelfand   1-0 42 1996 Novgorod B90 Sicilian, Najdorf 19. Short vs Gelfand 1-0 61 1996 Novgorod B90 Sicilian, Najdorf 20. Kramnik vs Ivanchuk 1-0 25 1996 Novgorod D44 Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav 21. Topalov vs Judit Polgar 1-0 60 1996 Novgorod B48 Sicilian, Taimanov Variation 22. Judit Polgar vs Short 1-0 58 1996 Novgorod B57 Sicilian 23. Ivanchuk vs Topalov 1-0 34 1996 Novgorod B84 Sicilian, Scheveningen 24. Gelfand vs Kramnik 1-0 62 1996 Novgorod B30 Sicilian 25. Kramnik vs Short   ½-½ 59 1996 Novgorod D37 Queen's Gambit Declined  page 1 of 2; games 1-25 of 30    REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2)   Nov-12-17    positionalgenius: Pretty incredible a tournament of this magnitude doesn't have a single kibitz. Some early success for Topalov, one of his better tournament wins. It's also noteworthy for how strong polgar performed. NOTE: You need to pick a username and password to post a reply. Getting your account takes less than a minute, is totally anonymous, and 100% free—plus, it entitles you to features otherwise unavailable. Pick your username now and join the chessgames community! If you already have an account, you should login now. Please observe our posting guidelines: No obscene, racist, sexist, profane, raunchy, or disgusting language. No spamming, advertising, duplicate or nonsense posts. No malicious personal attacks, including cyber stalking, systematic antagonism, or gratuitous name-calling of any member Iincludinfgall Admin and Owners or any of their family, friends, associates, or business interests. If you think someone is an idiot, then provide evidence that their reasoning is invalid and/or idiotic, instead of just calling them an idiot. 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