Monday odds and ends

Congrats to Canadian GM Eric Hansen for winning the tradtional Guernsey International which finished this past weekend.
After a couple of rough and luckless months on the road, which saw the Albertan star travel wide and far (Spain, South Africa, Holland,France and Iceland), it was sweet to find himself back in the saddle:

Eric will now take a well deserved one month break back in Canada. Ontario IM Aman Hambleton also participated in Guernsey, scoring a respectable 3rd place. (Both Hambleton and Hansen often play in the same tournaments)
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Eric is probably a bit disappointed with his recent results, especially after such a great start at the beginning of the year in Gibraltar. I saw Eric in Linares in early September (and even played with him!) and his play was fine, but a bit shaky. He had difficulties handling the clock and spoilt a number of good positions. My advice to him then, as it is now, is to just weather the bad times and keep on keeping on! It just takes a couple of good, inspiring wins to catapult your rating over the 2600-plus barrier.
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TODAY’S WINNING SMILE!
Brazilian chess player Thauane de Medeiros

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GRANDA VICTORIOUS IN BRAZIL!

Congrats to Peruvian GM Julio Granda for winning the American Continental (on tiebreak) this past weekend! The 47 year old Granda once more proves that you only get better with age! With this victory Granda qualifies for next year’s world championship elimination tournament. Three other spots were also won, by Shankland, Leitao and Ortiz.
