Harikrishnan dominates 20th Pays de Charleroi Classical and Blitz Rating Open 2023, Muthaiah second
IM FT Harikrishnan A Ra scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win 20th Pays de Charleroi Open Group A (>=1900) 2023. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. IM FT Muthaiah Al scored sole 7/9 to secure second place. He also remained undefeated. GM Normunds Miezis (LAT) edged past three other players to finish third 6.5/9. The total prize fund was US$ 6000. The top three prizes were €900 + trophy, €600 and €400 each respectively. In the Blitz event, Harikrishnan scored an astounding 11/11 to win the tournament. He finished a staggering 1.5 points ahead of the field. Muthaiah once again claimed the second position scoring 9.5/11. FM Natan Pirard (BEL) finished third 8/11. The top two prizes in the Blitz were €80 and €55 each respectively.
Harikrishnan clinches the Blitz two rounds to spare, finishing with a perfect 11/11
Both IM FT Harikrishnan A Ra (2406) and FM Wim Maes (BEL, 2169) were at an unbeaten 6.5/9 heading into the final round. Harikrishnan defeated Maes to become a clear champion. IM FT Muthaiah Al (2445) drew against GM Michael Hoffman (GER, 2417) to finish clear second.
Blitz
IM FT Harikrishnan A Ra (2409) won the Blitz with two rounds to spare when he defeated compatriot, Harshal Patil (2097) in the ninth round. IM FT Muthaiah Al (2353) secured second place with a round to spare when he defeated FM Adrien Anciaux (BEL, 2045) in the penultimate round.
In case you missed it this year, the next edition was announced to take place from 27th July to 3rd August 2024.
A total of 55 players including two GMs and two IMs took part from nine countries across the world in the Group A >=1900 category. The tournament was organized by Cercle Royal des Echecs de Charleroi (CREC) from 29th July to 5th August 2023 at Complexe Sportif de Roux in Charleroi, Belgium. The nine-round Swiss league tournament had a time control of 90 min. for 40 moves then 30 min. QPF with 30 sec. by move from the first move.
Final standings in Classical
| Cl. | Pr. | Titre | Nom Prénom | Sex | U Elo | Cat | Pays | Nom du Club | P.Tot. | Perf | S.B | B Med1 | Perf. |
| 1 | IM | M | 2406 | -60 # +2200 |  | India | 7.5 | 2534 | 42.00 | 40.50 | 2534 | ||
| 2 | IM | M | 2445 | -60 # +2200 | | India | 7.0 | 2484 | 38.50 | 39.50 | 2484 | ||
| 3 | GM | M | 2420 | -60 # +2200 |  | CREC Charleroi | 6.5 | 2436 | 35.00 | 41.00 | 2436 | ||
| 4 | GM | M | 2417 | -60 # +2200 |  | KSK47 Eynatten | 6.5 | 2384 | 35.00 | 39.00 | 2384 | ||
| 5 | FM | M | 2169 | -60 # -2200 |  | Dolle Toren Leuven | 6.5 | 2279 | 31.75 | 35.00 | 2279 | ||
| 6 | FM | M | 2263 | -20 # +2200 | | 2 Fous Diogène | 6.5 | 2246 | 28.75 | 33.00 | 2246 | ||
| 7 | FM | M | 2280 | -60 # +2200 | | Dolle Toren Leuven | 6.0 | 2341 | 30.00 | 38.00 | 2341 | ||
| 8 | FM | M | 2287 | -60 # +2200 | | CREC Charleroi | 5.5 | 2286 | 30.00 | 41.00 | 2286 | ||
| 9 | M | 1969 | -60 # -2000 | | India | 5.5 | 2251 | 27.50 | 36.50 | 2251 | |||
| 10 | M | 2106 | -20 # -2200 | | Tournai | 5.5 | 2202 | 25.75 | 36.00 | 2202 |
A total of 71 players including two IMs took part from various countries across the world. The tournament was organized by Cercle Royal des Echecs de Charleroi (CREC) on 2nd August 2023 at Complexe Sportif de Roux in Charleroi, Belgium. The eleven-round Swiss league tournament had a time control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment.
Final standings in Blitz
| Cl. | Titre | Nom Prénom | U Elo | Cat | Nom du Club | P.Tot. | Perf | S.B | B Med1 | Perf. |
| 1 | IM | 2409 | +1950 | India | 11.0 | 2895 | 75.50 | 62.00 | 2895 | |
| 2 | IM | 2353 | +1950 | India | 9.5 | 2382 | 63.25 | 61.50 | 2382 | |
| 3 | FM | 2295 | +1950 | Dolle Toren Leuven | 8.0 | 2236 | 53.00 | 64.50 | 2236 | |
| 4 | 1968 | +1950 | Caissa Europe | 7.5 | 2188 | 48.00 | 64.00 | 2188 | ||
| 5 | FM | 2045 | +1950 | Wavre | 7.5 | 2143 | 44.25 | 61.00 | 2143 | |
| 6 | 1906 | -1950 | La Louvière | 7.5 | 1990 | 43.00 | 53.50 | 1990 | ||
| 7 | 1862 | -1950 | CRELEL Liège | 7.5 | 2058 | 42.50 | 54.50 | 2058 | ||
| 8 | 1836 | -1950 | LSV-Chesspirant | 7.5 | 1887 | 40.75 | 50.00 | 1887 | ||
| 9 | 2042 | +1950 | Dworp | 7.0 | 2031 | 43.25 | 58.00 | 2031 | ||
| 10 | 2056 | +1950 | Zottegem | 7.0 | 2134 | 43.00 | 63.50 | 2134 |
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