Kyoto Gion Open 2 in OcToBer resumes Japan chess
The best way to resume over-the-board would be to have it in a very unique, beautiful setting that helps the participants relax and yet concentrate on the task at hand. This is exactly how it all resumed with the Gion Open 2, held in a very unique setting in Kyoto, Japan. Mayur Gondhalekar, currently residing in Japan, sends us a pictorial report of the tournament including games of the event too. If you are interested in taking part at a FIDE-rated event tournament in Japan, check out the announcement and invitation of the next edition at the end of this article. Photo: Akai/Takashima
Tetsuo Higashino wins
After nearly half a year hiatus, which saw a fair number of Indian players participate in various online events hosted by NCS Japan, like GM Swayams Mishra’s 5/5 heist in Summer Chess, or ChessBase India’s own WIM Angela Franco in Autumn Chess, the real thing finally saw light of the day. Over-the-board chess resumed in Japan, fittingly in the month of OcToBer 2021, at a very unique, and beautiful location in the ex-capital city of Kyoto in central-west Japan. The event Gion Open, named after Gion – Kyoto’s famous area that still continues the tradition of Maiko and Geisha performances, with traditional Kyoto food – took place from October 9th to 11th at Chion-in Buddhist Temple complex, in the Higashiyama area, near Gion.
This was the second Gion Open tournament, directed by Mr Akai Kiyotaka of Osaka Abeno Chess Club. It was a FIDE (and NCS Japan) rated tournament, having time control of 60 minutes + 30 seconds / move from move one, comprising of seven rounds. The rounds were split as 2R, 3R, 2R over three days.
The Gion Open 2 was won by Higashino Tetsuo, while FM Bibby Simon, and Otaya Yuto were 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Akai-san and Takashima-san were kind enough to provide all the photos as well as the games from the event. I considered long and hard to participate and finally get a FIDE rating (what better place to make a debut, than Kyoto…) or at least go as a photographer, but another chess event made sure that I stayed back in Tokyo.
Anti-covid countermeasures like wearing of masks, disinfection of hands, and chess sets between rounds, social-distancing, temperature check etc were followed.
Enjoy some of the stunning photographs (all credits to Osaka Abeno Chess Club, Osaka, Japan unless mentioned otherwise)
This is Kachozan – one of the entrances to the Chion-in Temple.
This type of room is called "Wa-shitsu" (Japanese style room) and contains "tatami mats" mats” – approx. 6 ft x 3 ft in size. In Japan, room sizes are often expressed by number of tatami mats (measurement unit is jo). Eg: 8-jo room (approx. 144 sq ft)
An example of Shojin Ryori – which is usually vegetarian (aka Buddhist Monks’ meal). This particular set uses some fish, though.
L-R: WCM Kojima Natsumi, Takayasu Melody, Misawa Yuki and WCM Sakai Azumi.
Sheldon has kindly annotated his game against Yuta Karasawa.
Replay all games
Final Standings
| Rk. | SNo | Name | FED | RtgI | RtgN | Club/City | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | |
| 1 | 3 | Higashino Tetsuo | JPN | 2069 | 2173 | 6,0 | 27,5 | 30,0 | 24,50 | ||
| 2 | 1 | FM | Bibby Simon | JPN | 2159 | 2285 | R4 Bye | 5,5 | 29,5 | 33,0 | 24,00 |
| 3 | 2 | Otawa Yuto | JPN | 2125 | 2150 | 5,5 | 28,0 | 30,0 | 21,75 | ||
| 4 | 10 | Nodon Jeremi | JPN | 1800 | 1831 | 5,0 | 28,0 | 31,0 | 20,75 | ||
| 5 | 4 | Shiomi Ryo | JPN | 2041 | 2135 | 5,0 | 27,5 | 29,5 | 18,00 | ||
| 6 | 9 | Takahashi Hideaki | JPN | 1814 | 1881 | 5,0 | 27,0 | 29,5 | 20,50 | ||
| 7 | 30 | Wakamori Tsuyoshi | JPN | 0 | 1657 | 5,0 | 26,5 | 29,5 | 19,50 | ||
| 8 | 5 | Noguchi Koji | JPN | 1968 | 2120 | 5,0 | 25,0 | 27,5 | 17,50 | ||
| 9 | 7 | Jones Tibor | SCO | 1871 | 1871 | 5,0 | 24,5 | 27,0 | 18,75 | ||
| 10 | 31 | Kuroda Yunosuke | JPN | 0 | 1470 | 5,0 | 23,5 | 25,5 | 16,50 |
Wouldn’t you love to play chess in such a stunning setting? Well, here’s how - Any GMs (and others) interested in making their Japan debut: an invitation for the next event in Kyoto, Gion Open III
It will be six rounds with a time-control of 90 min + 30 secs/move; will be FIDE rated, limited to 48 participants.
Tourism to Japan should (hopefully) resume by then, so we should see some GM participation. After seeing these photos, I am surely tempted to play next time! Must start preparing already.
Lastly, special thanks to Akai-san, Takashima-san and Melody-san, Sheldon-san for the games and wonderful photos.
About Kyoto
Kyoto is one of the oldest cities in Japan, located in the Kansai area, close to Osaka and Kobe. It served as Japan’s capital city until 1869. It is often called as the cultural capital of Japan, having a lot of very old temples. Kyoto has a good mix of urban life as well as a lot of nature close by, some of it within walking distance from the city center. Kyoto has a lot of unique food styles, including several vegetarian dining options. Enjoy some photos
About the Author
Mayur is an IT engineer and a chess enthusiast from Mumbai, working in Japan since 2013. He has played over-the-board tournaments in India, USA and Japan. He has also been a top three finisher in a one-day OTB events in Japan in 2013, 2015, 2017 and online blitz in 2020. Currently he is making use of online platforms for chess improvement and learning Ayurveda. He loves salsa dancing, reading, traveling and teaching.
