World Chess Weekly: Top Tournaments Finish Around The Globe
This week's chess news has been dominated by exactly what it should be: the actual game of chess.
Politics and personalities have taken a back seat, for once, as three major events have concluded.
Big Win For Erigaisi
Last week Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi was carrying his nation's hopes on his shoulders as the last man standing from 24 home players at the FIDE World Cup in Goa.
It was not to be, with Erigaisi knocked out without picking up one of the three coveted FIDE Candidates spots on offer. That was a huge disappointment for Erigaisi who has been on fire this year.
But the 22-year-old bounced back with a win in the $140,000 Jerusalem Masters, the first big rapid chess tournament in Israel since the 7/7 attacks and the start of the war in Gaza.
In the final, Erigaisi faced none other than the Indian legend, five-time World Champion GM Viswanathan Anand, winning 2.5–1.5. It was a brilliant comeback after the World Cup exit. Erigaisi has also risen one place to 5th in the FIDE rankings after December's list was released on Monday.
The tournament had some big names: Russian GMs Ian Nepomniachtchi and Peter Svidler were also in the mix going into the four player knockout.
But it wasn't as strong as some would like, however. Before the tournament began it made headlines because Israel's greatest ever player, GM Boris Gelfand, was not invited. Gelfand, a six-time World Championship Candidate, has apparently been embroiled in a long-running dispute with the Israel Chess Federation.
Henrik Carlsen, the father of GM Magnus Carlsen, was also there. "Magnus want to come, but ended up sending me instead," he said.
Another Classic
The XTX Markets London Chess Classic has also been raging all week in the amazing setting of Arsenal FC's Emirates Stadium. We've been to the venue several times and it is a unique place to play.
Admittedly, there have been many draws in this event, but also moments of excitement.
Firstly, the form of GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who went on a six-game winning streak to race two points ahead of the pack, has been dazzling. He was a worthy winner in the end who dominated a strong field.
We wrote on Thursday how Abdusattorov and his Uzbekistan teammates have had a huge a month. Abdusattorov secured his win in London in the penultimate round after drawing with GM Alireza Firouzja.
In the event's Open tournament, held in the same hall as the Elite Tournament, world number-seven GM Praggnanandhaa R finished in a three-way tie for first with GMs Ameet Ghasi and Velimir Ivic.
Praggnanandhaa entered the Open when he could still be caught on the FIDE Circuit leaderboard because the Open offers FIDE Circuit points. But now he's unassailable and will pick up the final FIDE Candidates place anyway—so it appears he's just playing for fun.
Tennis great Andy Murray turned up to say hello and make the ceremonial first move on Sunday for Abdusattorov. Murray played 1.e4 which Abdusattorov quickly changed to 1.c4. Will we be seeing more of him at chess events?
Following that, Crystal Palace's Croatian international defender Borna Sosa turned up and actually played. Well done, Borna!
And Finally
The Thailand Chess Association hosted the 27th Asian Youth Chess Championships, held from November 20 to 30 in Bangkok. It was a huge event, with a record 697 young players from 33 countries.
No doubt some future stars were among the participants.
In the classical (standard) section, players competing under the FIDE flag (e.g. Russian or Belarusian) won the most medals with two gold, two silver, and two bronze.
Russia is now a member of the Asian Chess Federation and competes in Asian rather than Europe following its switch in March 2023. China and Vietnam also scored highly.
Indian youngsters topped the Rapid section with three golds, one silver, and five bronzes. Again, Vietnam and China scored well.
In the Blitz, Iran, Kazakhstan and China dominated. Iran topped the table with three gold and one silver.
You can find more details on the Asian Chess Federation website here.
Now these events are over, there's precious little in calendar before the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz, the annual extravaganza that takes place over the holiday period. This year it's in Doha, Qatar, from December 25 to 31. Enjoy the calm before the storm.