The final placings have been decided in all of the VWC2 Semifinal Groups and qualifiers for the Final can now be announced. The top 3 players from each semifinal group will go forward to the Final, excluding GM Vittorio Piccardo (ITA) (who was unable to complete all of his semifinal games) and IM Manfred Dorer (GER) (only one qualification is allowed per player in any VWC final), which will provide a tournament comprising 13 players. First reserve will be Sergey Chekmasov (RUS) who was highest placed 4th player across 5 groups after applying tie breaking criteria. The 13 Finalists are:-

SM Juan Andres Enricci (ARG) 2431, IM Vladimir Sergeev (RUS) 2428, IM Vytautus Sutkus LTU) 2412, Lawrence Coplin (USA) 2403, IM Manfred Dorer (GER) 2401, Dennis Michael (USA) 2399, Peter Dessaules (USA) 2386, IM Jaromir Canibal (CZE) 2380, Bernd Laube (GER) 2379, Gordon R. Evans (ENG) 2356, IM Hans-Georg Koch (GER) 2344, Mihail Balutescu (AUS) 2329, Karel Glaser (CZE) 2260

The official starting date will be 15th February 2013. Tournament Director will be Scottish CCA’s George Pyrich IA, who hopes to set up the Final and activate the webserver before the end of January.

The Scottish Correspondence Chess Association, will provide prizes for the eventual medallists.

Amici Sumus,

Alan P. Borwell

SCCA Tournament Organiser

and ICCF Honorary President.