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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Edmonton International June 23-July 1st 2013

8th Edmonton International-Main Event
Follow GMs Hansen Short and more. Alexandra Botez will play in the reserve section.


GM Hansen(CAN)

GM Brunzon(CUB)

GM Short(ENG)

GM Mikhalevski(ISR) 

History-By Vlad Rekhson
2013 will mark the 8th edition of the Edmonton International Chess Festival. After organizing this tournament for the first six, my good friend, Micah Hughey decided to take over as the event organizer, as I moved to Calgary.

The idea to hold an international norms tournament in Edmonton with GM/IM norm opportunities, was first brought up to me by GM Alexander Moiseenko during the 2005 Canadian Open. Alexander asked me, why don't you guys hold norm tournaments in Edmonton?

Well, I answered, we really don't have anyone who would have a realistic chance to obtain a norm. Then, after thinking about it some more, I figured, we might as well offer such a chance to entice the top players to improve and eventually obtain the required norms.

In the seven years, since the first Edmonton International, Edmonton has obtained one IM, and at least two more players with realistic chances to obtain the title in the near future. While, it is possible that this did not have a direct relation to the Edmonton Internationals, few would argue that those events helped boost the level of chess in Edmonton and across the province.(more) 

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