Cap D'Agde rapid tournament, "Second Anatoly Karpov Trophy" Location: Cap d'Agde, France Dates: October 25 - November 2, 2013 Tournament mode: A double round-robin qualifying four players into a knockout phase. Time control: 25 minutes plus 10 seconds increment per move. Times: See timetable (round are local time: GMT + 1) Playchess transmission: Click HERE to watch the Cap d'Agde games on Playchess.

Karpov crushing Cap d'Agde

The participants and organizers of Cap d'Agde 2013

The traditional Cap d'Agde rapid tournament is underway, and for the second time is being hailed as the Anatoly Karpov Trophy, bringing not only the great champion to the player roster, but unquestionably sponsorship as well. Consider that previous editions were being organized every two years, the previous ones having been at 2008, 2010, and 2012. Clearly if you are a world champion with Karpov's pedigree, the word "recession" doesn't apply quite as harshly. Aside from the former world champion, the list of players brings a highly eclectic selection of local players, female players, and elite.

The playing hall with the tables all organized in a circle (so to speak)

List of participants

As the top-rated female player in France, Marie Sebag has been a regular guest

The competition of rapid games played at 25 minutes plus ten seconds is a double round-robin event, meaning fourteen rounds of action, which will qualify four players into the knockout phase to determine the champion. At a rate of two rounds a day, it means the play will take over a week. If this seems unusually lengthy for a rapid tournament, no matter how well-funded, it is because the elite rapid tournament is but the cherry on the sundae.

Marie Sebag shakes hands with Yannick Pelletier

Surrounding the rapid tournament is an entire chess festival of no minor proportions, with no fewer than four classic opens held in parallel, all lasting nine rounds. Bear in mind the timing of the event coincides with the Toussaint vacation period in France, ensuring a large draw to this seaside resort on the Mediterranean coast.

It hasn't just been chess as a fine Jazz band has been providing musical entertainment

More of the music can be seen and heard in the video below

A video report by Europe Echecs of rounds five and six, with music by the Jazz band (visible at 2:52)

After eight rounds, the double round robin action can be summed up quite easily: a massacre by Karpov. Assuredly the great player has had some luck combined with opportunism and great class, but how else can one describe a 7.0/8 start, while his nearest rival, Etienne Bacrot, trails two full points behind with 5.0/8.

It might not have been the cleanest win, but when they shook hands, Karpov was the last one standing

Video scenes of the competition's rounds seven and eight, with more jazz at 1:44 (courtesy of Europe Echecs)

Crosstable after eight rounds

Pictures and videos by Europe Echecs

Links Official tournament site All games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.

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