Young FM Luca Moroni wins the Maranello blitz marathon
The young FIDE Master and freshly crowned U16 world vice-champion Luca Moroni (born 2000), from the province of Milan, won the blitz marathon of 21-22 November with the impressive final score of 62.5 points out of 65. 65 players from all over Italy were at the start. The tournament recorded an average Elo of 1,903 points. Second was the young FIDE Master Pierluigi Basso from Treviso (60.5 points). The podium was completed by another expert blitz player well known to all chess players, International Master Milan Mrdja (with 60 points). Fourth overall the young FIDE Master Lorenzo Lodici from Venice (born 2000) with 57.5 points, fifth overall International Master Daniele Genocchio from Bergamo (55 points), sixth overall FIDE Master Alberto Barp from Belluno (53.5 points) and seventh overall Master Carlo Marzano from Rome (53 points). The band winners are: first in the 2000-2200 band Dario Pedini from Fano (50.5 points), first in the 1800-2000 band Francesco Agnello from Verbanio C.O. (46.5 points), first in the 1600-1800 band Andrea Cricca from Rovigo (41.5 points), first in the 1450-1600 band Ioan Degi Remus from Turin (37 points) and first in the band below 1450 Battista Bormolini from Sondrio (5.5 points). The tournament started at 10.40 on Saturday and, with 2 quick breaks for lunch and dinner, ended at 2.50 at night. The unusual night-time prize-giving ceremony took place at 3.20. A total of 2,080 games were played, net of the 65 byes, with 984 wins for White (47.3%), 172 draws (8.3%) and 924 wins for Black (44.4%). In 1,462 games (70.3% of the total) the form book was respected, and in the remaining 618 games (29.7%) the lower-rated player managed to win or draw the game. Sincere thanks to arbiters Adriano Verrelli, Graziano Ballista, Andrea Vezzelli and Antonio Sfera, who made themselves available from morning until the dead of night to arbitrate this unusual chess event. Thanks also to the Villa di Là agriturismo for the excellent venue offered and for the delicious typical local cuisine with which the players recharged their batteries during the two breaks. Obligatory thanks also to our friend and co-organiser Marco Benincasa for the excellent management of the event and the organisational coordination. Congratulations to all the winners and to all the participants for the sportsmanship shown during the tournament. In the concrete hope of repeating the event in 2016 as well, greetings and thanks to all the marathon players.
Photos: 17-hour non-stop Blitz Marathon
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