Gukesh's first tournament in Azerbaijan
Players
The tournament features four of the Azerbaijan's best players along with six world-class players around the globe. They are - World Rapid 2013 champion, Shakhriyar Mamedyaraov, three-time Azerbaijan champion, Rauf Mamedov, World Youth Under-14 Open 2019 champion, Aydin Suleymanli, World Junior 2022 champion, Abdulla Gadimbayli, the former World no.5, Richárd Rapport, 44th Chess Olympiad Bronze and individual Gold medalist, D Gukesh, 44th Chess Olympiad Gold medalist and World Rapid 2021 champion, Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Spain no.1 and World no.30, Francisco Vallejo Pons, 41st Chess Olympiad individual Gold medalist and 42nd Chess Olympiad Gold medal winner for USA and Sam Shankland, China no.3 and World no.27, Hao Wang.
Schedule
The Rapid tournament will be held in a Round-Robin system and the Blitz tournament will be played in a Double Round-Robin system with ten players. Only first day on 18th December, the first round starts at 2 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. IST). The remaining four days - 19th, 20th, 22nd and 23rd December, the game starts at 3 p.m. local time (4:30 p.m. IST). 21st December is a rest day.
Time Control
The Rapid tournament will be played in 15 minutes + 10 seconds increment. The Blitz event will have 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment.
Scoring
Rapid: Win 2 points, Draw 1 point and Loss 0.
Blitz: Win 1 point, Draw 0.5 point and Loss 0.
Tie-break rules
The final standings will be determined according to sum of points of both Rapid and Blitz events.
Players' message
GM Hao Wang, China no.3 and World no.27
twitter.com/i/status/1603417619306106880
GM Sam Shankland, USA no.6 and World no.33
twitter.com/i/status/1603652702755602432
GM D Gukesh, India no.3 and World no.24
twitter.com/i/status/1603672886191046657
GM Richard Rapport, Romania no.1 and World no.15
twitter.com/i/status/1603721734292705280
GM Francisco Vallejo Pons, Spain no.1 and World no.30
twitter.com/i/status/1603777220606148608
GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov, World Rapid 2021 champion, Uzbekistan no.1 and World no.31
twitter.com/i/status/1603810925911633925
Entry is free for all spectators. Check out the details on the official site
twitter.com/i/status/1604202525879463936
