57th Biel GMT: R Praggnanandhaa wins Accentus Chess960
R Praggnanandhaa and Haik Martirosyan (ARM) scored 5/7 each at Accentus Chess960, the opening event of 57th Biel International Chess Festival 2024 GMT. Praggnanandhaa won the event as he had defeated Haik in the third round. Vincent Keymer (GER) scored 4.5/7 to secure third place. The standings of this event will be used as a tie-break if required after the conclusion of the Grandmaster Triathlon (GMT). GM Alexander Donchenko (GER) won the Challengers event 5.5/7. GM Jonas Buhl Bjerre (DEN) secured second place. GM Salem Saleh (UAE) finished third 3/7. GM R Vaishali was placed fourth 2/7. The Rapid event will start today, Sunday 14th July. Who do you think will win the GMT? Photo: Biel Chess Festival
A great start for Praggnanandhaa
The Classical event will commence on 16th and conclude on 25th July. Monday 22nd July will be the sole rest day. Blitz will take place on Sunday 21st July. Rapid, Classical and Blitz all are part of the Grandmaster Triathlon.
Shankland - Pragg, Round 1
23.Qh5?? was a big mistake. 23...Qe3+ 24.Kh1 Qxd4? is also a mistake. White can take the rook with either pieces - queen or rook, however, it leads to a draw by perpetual check 25.Qxh7+ Kf8 26.Qh8+ Kf7 27.Qh5+ Kf8 and after a few repetition, Praggnanandhaa declined to take a draw and took a big risk and played 29...g6?? 30.Qh7+ would have been winning for White, instead, White went 30.Bxg6+ and lost his only opportunity.
After a loss against Abhimanyu Mishra (USA) in the second round, Praggnanandhaa bounced back with a victory over Haik Martirosyan (ARM).
In a completely winning position, Vincent Keymer (GER) had a momentary blindspot as he blundered his rook by putting it on his opponent, Praggnanandhaa's bishop's path.
In the fifth round, he drew against the defending GMT winner, Liem Quang Le (VIE). The penultimate round battle against Salem Saleh (UAE) was a thrilling one. Salem's exchange sacrifice did not pan out the way he wanted it to be.
From the Press Release
The president of the organising committee, Peter Bohnenblust, opened the 57th Biel Chess Festival by thanking all the members of the organising committee, the helpers, both on stage and in the background, as well as the loyal and indispensable partners and sponsors. Dominique Bühler, speaker of the Bernese Grand Council (parliament of the canton of Berne), then addressed greetings to those present. The opening ceremony was accompanied by musical interludes from Duo Toccabile.
The Biel Chess Festival stands for tradition and innovation, as André Vögtlin, President of the Swiss Chess Federation, emphasised in his welcoming message: with 57 uninterrupted editions, Biel is undoubtedly one of the most traditional tournaments in the world. The organisers are constantly innovating with new tournament formats. The Grandmaster Tournament (chess in the classical, rapid and blitz cadences), which has been organised in a triathlon format since 2019, will take place in two versions of six players each this year: The GMT-Masters and the GMT-Challengers.
Photo Gallery
Replay live stream
Replay all GMT Masters games
Replay all GMT Challengers games
Final Standings in Chess960 Masters
Final Standings in Chess960 Challengers
