A photo finish

IM Alberto Barp (ITA) was the sole leader 7/8 going into the final round. GM Abhimanyu Puranik, GM Lorenzo Lodici (ITA) and IM Ryosuke Nanjo (JPN) were trailing by a half point at 6.5/8 each. Alberto lost to GM Alessio Valsecchi (ITA) and Abhimanyu defeated Ryosuke in a spectacular way to become the champion. Last year, Sethuraman won the 39th edition and this time Abhimanyu won it in a memorable finish for him.

Champion - GM Abhimanyu Puranik 7.5/9
Interview with GM Abhimanyu Puranik | Video: ChessBase India

Top 3 (L to R): 3rd IM Alberto Barp (ITA) 7/9, 2nd GM Lorenzo Lodici (ITA) 7.5/9 and 1st GM Abhimanyu Puranik 7.5/9

Abhimanyu - Nanjo, Round 9

Position after 18.f5

GM Abhimanyu Puranik launched a devastating attack on IM Ryosuke Nanjo's (JPN) kingside in the final round, starting with 18.f5. Black had no other choice but to take it 18...gxf5 19.Qxf5 Ng5 20.Qg6 Rg8 21.Qh6+ Rg7 22.Bxg5 Bxg5 23.Qh8+ Rg8 24.Rxf7+! a fantastic sacrifice to continue the relentless attack Kxf7 25.Qh7+ Ke6 26.Qxh3+ Ke7 27.Qh7+ Ke6 28.Rf1 Qe8 29.Rf6+ and Nf4# is unstoppable. Undoubtedly this is the best game of Abhimanyu from the tournament.

GM Abhimanyu Puranik before one of his games

GM Abhimanyu Puranik scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 with a performance of 2686

Round 2: IM Antoine Bournel (FRA) lost to GM Abhimanyu Puranik in 24 moves

Round 5: GM Abhimanyu Puranik defeated IM Anatole Vlachos (GRE) in 36 moves

GM Abhimanyu Puarnik in action

The winner's trophy which GM Abhimanyu Puranik won

Before Round 5, the ten players who played the maximum number of Cappelle la Grande Open received a special jersey with the number 40

Prize winners

The tournament hall at Palais des Arts et des Loisirs in Cappelle la Grande, France
Replay Round 9 live commentary by WGM Andrea Navrotescu (French audio) | Video: Andy_rekt

A total of 516 players including 17 GMs, 24 IMs, a WGM and a WIM took part from 25 countries all over the world in this seven-day nine round Rating Open tournament. It was organized by L'Echiquier Cappellois at Palais des Arts et des Loisirs in Cappelle la Grande, France from 2nd to 8th March 2024. The time control of the event was 40 moves in 90 minutes + 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move.

Replay all available games

Final standings

Pl NomEloCat.FedeLigueClubPtsTr.PerfBu.
1gPURANIK Abhimanyu2618 FSenM7½46½268657½
2gLODICI Lorenzo2558 FSenM7½44261353½
3mBARP Alberto2449 FSenM748262359
4mLAMARD Guillaume2483 FSenMPACCannes Echecs746257457
5gIDANI Pouya2609 FSenMCVLC'Chartres Echecs744256155
6mTARHAN Adar2432 FCadM743½254453½
7gPACHER Milan2393 FSenM743250652½
8gVALSECCHI Alessio2490 FSenM742251152
9mBOYER Mahel2415 FJunMPACL'Echiquier du Roy René742250352½
10mEUGENE Floryan2422 FSenMPDLEchiquier Club Le Mans741238150½

Details

Links

Official site

Tournament details