Himal's seventh triumph of the year

The Open B (1600-2050) event witnessed the participation of 52 players and Open C (<1650) had 36 players. Total 119 players from 18 countries across the world took part in the inaugural Genova International Chess Festival 2024. IM Himal Gusain had a full point lead going into the final round 7/8. IM Nitish Belurkar was the sole pursuer at 6/8. Himal drew with IM Giorgi Sibashvili (GEO) to become a clear champion. Himal gained a valuable 12.1 Elo rating points to cross 2500 in the August 2024 FIDE Rating list. WGM-elect WIM Sakshi Chitlange continued her good form to increase her Elo rating by 34.4 points. She is now 30 Elo rating points away from becoming India's next Woman Grandmaster.

Champion - IM Himal Gusain 7.5/9 | Photo: Paolo Aiello

Himal - Vilka, Round 6

Position after 22...Kd7

IM Himal Gusain (2494) had a wild game against IM Vilka Sipila (FIN, 2450). White was forced to move his king to d3. Eventually it found its safe haven at b1 via d2-c1.

IM Himal Gusain scored an unbeaten 7.5/9, finished a full point ahead of the competition and gained 12.1 Elo rating points

7th IM Nitish Belurkar 6/9 | Photo: Paolo Aiello

9th WIM Sakshi Chitlange 5.5/9 | Photo: Paolo Aiello

10th CM Joel Paul Ganta 5.5/9 | Photo: Paolo Aiello

Thanks to Mr. Paolo Aiello, Tournament Organizer, for sharing the photographs.

 

A total of 36 players including 4 GMs, 5 IMs and 2 WIMs took part from 15 countries across the world in this seven-day nine round Rating Open A (>2000) tournament. It was organized by Circolo scacchistico Luigi Centurini at Stadium Genova in Genova, Italy from 13th to 19th July 2024. The time control of the event was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move. 

Replay all available Open A games

Final standings

Pos.
Num.
Name
Fed
Rtg.
Pts.
BH
BH-C1
SB
KS
ARO
1
1
IM
2494
7.5
49.5
46.0
40.75
5.50
2332
2
3
IM
2450
6.5
52.5
46.0
35.75
6.50
2268
3
2
IM
2463
6.5
48.5
45.0
32.25
3.50
2272
4
6
GM
2396
6
51.0
47.5
31.75
5.00
2260
5
8
GM
2312
6
49.0
46.0
29.25
5.00
2260
6
5
IM
2436
6
47.0
43.5
29.25
4.50
2247
7
4
IM
2442
6
46.5
42.5
30.00
4.00
2215
8
7
GM
2380
5.5
51.0
47.0
29.25
4.50
2250
9
16
WIM
2173
5.5
47.5
45.0
25.50
3.50
2243
10
27
CM
2056
5.5
43.5
40.5
23.50
2.50
2293

Details

Links

Official site

Tournament details