Elllobregat Open: Yahli Maintains Sole Lead with Two Rounds to Go

The Elllobregat Open Chess 2024 has reached its final and most intense stage, with only two rounds remaining to determine the champion. Israel’s GM Yahli Sokolovsky remains in the lead with 6.5 points, following a strategically played draw against top-seed GM Cristobal Henriquez Villagra in the 8th round. The tournament has already showcased thrilling battles and remarkable performances across the board. As the event nears its conclusion, players are not only competing for the prestigious title but also for coveted international norms. Over its last four editions, this tournament has produced an impressive 38 international norms, and this year promises to add more names to that legacy. Among Indian players, WIM Tejaswini G revived her chances for a WGM norm with a strong win in the 8th round.

Photos & Report by Niklesh Jain

World Championship Game 10: A solid draw

The tenth game was the most uneventful game so far at FIDE World Championship Match 2024, presented by Google. It was the shortest game in terms of duration which lasted just over 2.5 hours. However, in terms of moves it is the second-shortest game after Game 2 which lasted 23 moves. Ding Liren's strategy can be surmised as he wants to survive the Classical games and beat Gukesh in tie-breaks, as it is well-known by now that shorter time controls are not the Challenger's forte. Gukesh is happy to draw with black. He will try to push with the remaining two whites he has left and want to finish things off before the tie-breaks. Game 11 starts tomorrow at 5 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Eng Chin An

World Championship 2024 diaries Game 8

Nine games are over at FIDE World Championship Match 2024 presented by Google. Only five more to go, unless the match heads to tie-breaks, then more games will be played. The eighth game witnessed English opening and hyper modern spirit. GM Sundararajan Kidambi analyzes Game 8 in detail. He also takes a look at the moment where Gukesh refused a threefold repetition, something everyone thought the game to end in a draw at that time. Check out the dissection by Kidambi of the eighth game and enrich your understanding of it. If you like his explanations, do mention it in the comments, so that it inspires Kidambi to share more from his fountain of knowledge. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

15th KIIT GM Open R6-7: Aronyak and Kaustuv move to the top

IM Aronyak Ghosh drew with GM Boris Savchenko in Round 6 of 15th KIIT International Festival Category A 2024. He defeated GM Manik Mikulas (SVK) in the following round to join the lead 6/7, on his 21st birthday. IM Kaustuv Kundu made a great save against Vihaan Karthikeya N. In Round 7, Kaustuv scored a fantastic win over GM Jacek Stopa (POL). First he sacrificed his bishop for three pawns, later on made a nice combination. Aronyak and Kaustuv are joined by Savchenko, GM Van Huy Nguyen (VIE) and GM Evgeniy Podolchenko at 6/7 each. They are closely followed by nine players at 5.5/7 each. Round 8 starts today at 3 p.m. IST. Photo: Swayangsu Satyakam

Qatar Masters 2024 R4: Karthikeyan Murali joins the six-pack lead

GM Arjun Erigaisi survived a scare against GM Pranesh M in Round 4 of Qatar Masters 2024. Pranesh had a huge opportunity to beat the World no.4. He had a substantial advantage in the middlegame. However, he could not capitalize and ended up trading queens. Only two out of top 12 games ended decisively. GM Karthikeyan Murali scored one of them. He defeated FM Reza Mahdavi (IRI) to join the lead 3.5/4. GM Andrey Esipenko, GM Arkadij Naiditsch (BUL), GM Shant Sargsyan (ARM), GM Pouya Idani (IRI) and GM Bardiya Daneshvar (IRI) are the remaining five in the leaders' pack. Round 5 starts today at 4 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Anna Shtourman

Elllobregat Open: Yahli Defeats Ido to Claim Sole Lead

The Elllobregat Open Chess 2024 has entered its decisive phase, with players delivering intense performances in every round. Round 7 witnessed high-stakes clashes at the top boards, redefining the leaderboard as GM Yahli Sokolovsky emerged as the sole leader with a remarkable win. Top-seed GM Cristobal Henriquez Villagra also secured an impressive victory against FM Javier Habans, bringing him to 6 points and keeping him firmly in the title race. With Sokolovsky leading at 6.5 points and several players closely trailing, the battle for the championship remains wide open. Report & Photo by Niklesh Jain

Deep Sengupta wins Tata Steel Chess Festival 2024 Rapid Rating Open

GM Deep Sengupta, GM Diptayan Ghosh and IM Mayank Chakraborty scored an unbeaten 8/9 each at the Tata Steel Chess Festival 2024 All India Rapid Rating Open. Deep won the tournament on tie-breaks, Diptayan and Mayank were placed second and third respectively. Deep drew with both runners-up. The top six finishers were only GMs and IMs. The two-day nine-round rapid rating open was organized by Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata, West Bengal on 16th and 17th November 2024. The total prize fund was ₹300000. Top three prizes were ₹50000 + trophy, ₹30000 and ₹20000 each respectively. This was Deep's fourth tournament triumph of the year. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Qatar Masters 2024 R3: Arjun Erigaisi bounces back

GM Arjun Erigaisi bounced back with an emphatic victory over IM Saidakbar Saydaliev (UZB) in Round 3 of Qatar Masters 2024. Four players - GM Andrey Esipenko, GM Shant Sargsyan (ARM), GM Arkadij Naiditsch (BUL) and GM Pouya Idani (IRI) have won all three of their games. They are followed by 14 players including seven Indians at 2.5/3. IM Goutham Krishna H had a solid draw against GM M Amin Tabatabaei (IRI). IM Aaditya Dhingra got himself a good position in the middlegame against GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB). However, he let the advantage slip and the 44th Olympiad Gold medalist escaped with a draw. Round 4 starts today at 4 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Anna Shtourman

15th KIIT GM Open R5: Boris Savchenko emerges sole leader

GM Boris Savchenko defeated GM Cristhian Camilo Rios Gomez (COL) to emerge sole leader 5/5 at 15th KIIT Festival Category A 2024. Savchenko's coleader, Shaashvat Gupta lost to GM Van Huy Nguyen (VIE). Top seed IM Aronyak Ghosh outplayed GM Laxman R R. GM Sayantan Das and IM Kaustuv Kundu won against local players Harshit Ranjan Sahu and Utkal Ranjan Sahoo respectively. Vihaan Karthikeya N played some sharp chess to beat GM Raset Ziatdinov (USA). Aronyak, Kaustuv, Vihaan, Sayantan and Rishit Sharma are the five Indians at 4.5/5, among the nine players in chase. Savchenko will face Aronyak in Round 6 which starts today at 9:30 a.m. IST. Photo: Swayangsu Satyakam

World Championship Game 9: A high quality battle

The ninth game was a high quality one where neither player gave an inch to their opponent at FIDE World Championship Match 2024, presented by Google. Both players agreed to the fact that precise play was observed from both sides. A perfect chess game is draw. So that is what happened today. With five more games to go, neither player wants to think about tie-breaks, or even to the idea of having tie-breaks before the Classical match. According to Gukesh, it doesn't make sense as one can win the tie-breaks then draw all Classical games to win the match. That certainly takes away the excitement instead of generating more. Tomorrow is a rest day. Game 10 starts on Saturday 7th December at 5 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Maria Emelianova

Elllobregat Open: Gorshtein and Sokolovsky in Joint Lead After Round 6

The 5th Elllobregat Open Chess Tournament, renowned for its competitive strength and historical significance, is approaching its final four rounds. After six intense rounds, Israel’s GM Ido Gorshtein and GM Yahli Sokolovsky share the top spot with 5.5 points each. The tournament, which began in 2019, has crowned notable champions like India’s GM S.L. Narayanan and Uzbekistan’s GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov. One of the tournament’s standout performers is local star FM Javier Habans, the reigning U16 World Champion from Spain. With a remarkable victory over GM Mikheil Kekelidze in Round 6, Habans has strengthened his chances of earning an IM norm, With several top players in close pursuit, the final rounds promise more intense battles in this prestigious event. Report & Photo by Niklesh Jain

15th KIIT GM Open R2-4: Savchenko and Shaashvat make a perfect start

GM Boris Savchenko and Shaashvat Gupta are the only two players to have won all of their games so far at 15th KIIT Festival Category A. Shaashvat defeated former National Sub-Junior Open champion, Daksh Goyal to score his fourth win in-a-row. Meanwhile, Savchenko had to work really hard against IM Viani Antonio Dcunha who only succumbed in the difficult rook, bishop and knight vs queen endgame. They both are closely followed by 15 players at 3.5/4, including the top seed, India's highest rated IM Aronyak Ghosh. 10-year-old Aadhya V is also in the chase at 3.5/4. Round 5 starts today at 3 p.m. IST. Photo: Swayangsu Satyakam

World Championship 2024 diaries Game 7

What better way to get in the lead than to get it at the halfway mark of FIDE World Championship Match 2024 presented by Google? Unfortunately Gukesh missed it. It was not that easy but then again at this level, there will only be so many chances. GM Sundararajan Kidambi analyzes Game 7 in detail. He followed the analysis of Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Peter Leko and Anish Giri. Check out the dissection by Kidambi of the seventh game and enrich your understanding of it. If you like his explanations, do mention it in the comments, so that it inspires Kidambi to share more from his fountain of knowledge. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Qatar Masters 2024 R2: Arjun Erigaisi escapes jaws of defeat against Murtas Kazhgaleyev

When you face World no.4 at a strong event like Qatar Masters 2024, you have to take every chance you get. GM Murtas Kazhgaleyev (KAZ) was aware of it. He played enterprising chess against GM Arjun Erigaisi. At one point, the Kazakh GM got himself a winning opportunity. He missed it. Later, Arjun got a much smaller chance in the endgame. The game eventually ended in a draw. IM Goutham Krishna H and IM Ayush Sharma held 44th Olympiad Gold medalist, GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) and GM Haik Martirosyan (ARM) to a draw each respectively. A total of 16 players including seven Indians are at perfect 2/2. Round 3 starts today at 4 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Qatar Chess Association live stream

Ilamparthi on the verge of winning Singapore Open 2024

IM Jan Klimkowski (POL) drew with GM Aleksandar Indjic (SRB) to maintain his lead 6.5/8 at Singapore Open 2024. GM Pa Iniyan lost to GM Shanglei Lu (CHN). IM Ilamparthi A R defeated the reigning National champion, GM Karthik Venkataraman. Klimkowski's draw against the newly crowned European individual champion, allowed Shanglei and Ilamparthi to catch up with him 6.5/8. Shanglei and Klimkowski face each other in the final round. If they draw, Ilamparthi can also afford to draw to become the champion as he has the best tie-breaks out of the three. However, if they have a decisive result, Ilamparthi needs to win against GM Pavel Eljanov (UKR) to finish at the top. Round 9 starts today at 9 a.m. local time, 6:30 a.m. IST. Photo: Abhyudaya Ram