Himal Gusain convincingly clinches 14th Salon Open 2024
Top seed IM Himal Gusain scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win 14th Salon Open A 2024. He finished a full point ahead of the competition. IM Philippe Guillaume (FRA) scored sole 6.5/9 to secure second place. He also remained undefeated. IM Armen Petrosyan (ARM) edged past three more players to finish third 6/9. Himal drew with Philippe in Round 5 and defeated Armen in the following round. The total prize fund of Open A was €5000. The top three prizes were €1000, €750 and €500 each. The seven-day nine round Rating Open tournament was organized by Laïneur-Lothaire Chazeau at Espace Charles Trenet boulevard, Salon de Provence in Provence, France from 6th to 12th July 2024. This was Himal's sixth tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Laïneur-Lothaire Chazeau
Himal's sixth victory of the year
The category B (<1700) event witnessed the participation of 45 players from all over France. Before this, Himal secured second place at San Leo Scacchi in Fortezza Weekend Open in Italy. Immediately after winning 14th Salon Open A, Himal won another tournament - Genova International Chess Festival Open A 2024. We will mention it in detail in another report.
Roman - Himal, Round 9
Roman Durand-Benmoussa (FRA, 1998) had a substantial advantage against IM Himal Gusain (2490) in the final round. 22.Bh6 would have gained an exchange for White. Instead, 22.Rxf7? Rxf7 23.Bg6 Qf8 24.Re3 Ne4 25.Bh6 Qe7 26.Rf3 0-0-0 27.Qxf7? Qh4
The opportunity Black was aiming for. 27.Qxf7? allowed Black to get back in the game Qh4 threatening Qe1+ 28.c4?? Be8!-+ 29.Qxe6+ Bd7 30.Qf7 Qxh6 now Black is completely winning. Himal went on to win the game and the tournament too.
The organizer also takes care of PACA Chess League Magazine. A file was made on the youngest FIDE Candidates winner and the current World Championship Challenger - D Gukesh. It is in French language from page 80-89. Those who are interested can download or directly read it online here.
A total of 31 players took part from five countries across the world in this seven-day nine round Rating Open A tournament. It was organized by Laïneur-Lothaire Chazeau at Espace Charles Trenet boulevard, Salon de Provence in Provence, France from 6th to 12th July 2024. The time control of the event was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move.
Replay all available Open A games
Final standings
| Pl | Nom | Elo | Cat. | Fede | Ligue | Club | Pts | Tr. | Bu. | Perf | |
| 1 | m | GUSAIN Himal | 2494 F | SenM |  | 7 | 41½ | 52 | 2516 | ||
| 2 | m | PHILIPPE Guillaume | 2346 F | SenM |  | PAC | Marseille-Echecs | 6½ | 41½ | 49½ | 2433 |
| 3 | m | PETROSYAN Armen | 2347 F | SepM | | PAC | Echiquier Marseillais 1872 | 6 | 42½ | 51 | 2388 |
| 4 | g | NIKOLOV Momchil | 2451 F | SenM |  | HDF | L'Echiquier Cappellois | 6 | 42 | 51 | 2378 |
| 5 | g | ENCHEV Ivajlo | 2416 F | SenM | | HDF | L'Echiquier Cappellois | 6 | 41½ | 47½ | 2350 |
| 6 | g | DIMITROV Radoslav | 2490 F | SenM | | HDF | L'Echiquier Cappellois | 6 | 41 | 51 | 2354 |
| 7 | DURAND-BENMOUSSA Roman | 1998 F | MinM | | PAC | L'Echiquier du Roy René | 5½ | 41 | 50 | 2194 | |
| 8 | g | LALIC Bogdan | 2350 F | SepM |  | ARA | Le Champ du Fou | 5½ | 40½ | 48½ | 2282 |
| 9 | BEDHOUCHE Rayan | 1989 F | MinM | | PAC | L'Echiquier du Roy René | 5½ | 33½ | 38½ | 2006 | |
| 10 | MADI Mohammed | 1908 F | MinM | | PAC | Cercle d'Echecs Aubagnais | 5½ | 33 | 38½ | 1942 |
