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| Jon Ludvig Hammer follows in Magnus Carlsen's footsteps as Norway gains in power | Leonard Barden A world-class chess talent can often spark others in his or her country to raise their sights. This happened in England in the 1970s, and now Norway, formerly a chess backwater, is experiencing a boom due to Magnus Carlsen's exploits. The Norwegian government has just announced that it will give $12m (£7.5m) backing to the Arctic town Tromso to stage the 2014 world team Olympiad.Carlsen's first prize in the London Classic was matched in the open event by his countryman, Jon Ludvig Hammer, also a 19-year-old, who led all the way from a strong field. And England's No 2 woman Jovanka Houska, whose tied second was a career-best result, now lives in Norway.The game below which settled first prize showed how dangerous it is for Black to defend passively against the 4 g3 Catalan. The position after 13 Qxe4 is known from several previous games and White has a large plus.The key to Hammer's fast win was moves 16-18 where he seized dark square control, leading to a rapid mating attack where Black resigned due to the imminent Rxh5+.JL Hammer v N McDonald1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 c6 5 Bg2 Nbd7 6 0-0 Be7 7 Qc2 0-0 8 Rd1 b6 9 Nc3 Bb7 10 b3 Rc8 11 e4 Nxe4 12 Nxe4 dxe4 13 Qxe4 Bf6 14 Be3 Qe7 15 Rac1 Rfd8 16 h4 Ba8 17 c5 g6 18 Bg5 Qf8 19 Qe3 Bb7 20 Nd2 Bxg5 21 hxg5 e5 22 Ne4 exd4 23 Rxd4 Nxc5 24 Nf6+ Kh8 25 Rh4 h5 26 Qc3 Qg7 27 Qf3 1-0The annual Hastings Masters starts on Monday, when David Howell, 19, the British champion, will bid to follow up his third place behind Carlsen in London.Magnus CarlsenChessLeonard Bardenguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Distraught Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill rues two defeats in three days Martin O’Neill was distraught as he reflected on Aston Villa’s second defeat inside three days by a rival for a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League, but he vowed that, although he will rest players for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie at home to Blackburn Rovers, his squad will soon resurrect their charge for glory. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |
Sir Alex Ferguson feeling the heat as rivals close on champions Alex McLeish and his Birmingham City players were left shivering in the tunnel on Saturday night while MUTV interviews took place in the warm corridors of St Andrew’s. However, after the champions’ media outlet were told where to go, there is a growing sense that the elite will not be allowed to have it all their own way for much longer. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |
David James hopes to snatch at World Cup lifeline with Stoke move David James is set to join Stoke City for the rest of the season as he seeks to re-establish himself as England’s No 1 for the World Cup finals. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |
Kerrigan's dad dies; brother accused of assault WOBURN, Mass. (AP) -- The brother of figure skater Nancy Kerrigan pleaded not guilty Monday to assaulting their 70-year-old father, who died over the weekend after a disturbance at the family's Massachusetts home.... hosted.ap.org |