Julius Baer Challenge 2022 R1-7: Prraneeth and Leon make an unbeaten start

by Shahid Ahmed - 04/09/2022

GM Andrey Esipenko made a perfect start 21/21 at Challengers Chess Tour 2022 Julius Baer Challenge. He won all seven games on the first day. IM Prraneeth Vuppala and GM Leon Luke Mendonca made an impressive start 15/21. Both of them scored four wins and three draws each. They are undefeated so far. GM Raunak Sadhwani scored 12/21. WGM Vantika Agrawal 10/21, IM Aditya Mittal 8/21 and WIM Savitha Shri B 6/21 have a lot to catch up in the last eight rounds. Since it's a blitz tournament, a lot can change. Only top two of this leg will advance to the Finals. Round 8 starts today from 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Rupali Mullick

A perfect day for Esipenko

Since it's a blitz event, we will take a quick glance at some interesting games.

IM Prraneeth Vuppala scored an impressive 15/21 | Photo: Challengers Chess Tour

Round 2: Vantika - Malicka: 3-0

WGM Vantika Agrawal outplayed FM Maria Malicka (POL) beautifully.

Assaubayeva - Prraneeth: 0-3

Reigning World Blitz Women's champion, IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) made a simple tactical error against IM Prraneeth Vuppala. She had to pay a heavy price for it.

Aditya - Jonas, Round 3

Position after 18...Bc6

Find out the winning combination for White which IM Aditya Mittal executed in the above position against GM Jonas Buhl Bjerre (DEN).

Savitha - Salimova: 3-0

World no.3 among Junior girls and India no.3 woman, WIM Savith Shri B gained an exchange against World no.5 among girls and Bulgaria no.2 woman, IM Nurgyul Salimova. The former converted her advantage and went on to win the game.

Round 4: Svane - Savitha: 0-3

WIM Savitha Shri B persevered in a tough position and seized her opportunity in the endgame against IM Frederik Svane (GER).

Round 5: Savitha - Vantika: 0-3

WGM Vantika Agrawal displayed fantastic positional understanding to outplay WIM Savitha Shri B.

Round 6: Jonas - Raunak: 0.5-0.5

GM Raunak Sadhwani made an incredible save in a completely lost queen vs two rooks endgame against GM Jonas Buhl Bjerre (DEN).

GM Raunak Sadhwani made an incredible save against GM Jonas Buhl Bjerre in Round 6 | Photo: chess24

Replay the live stream

Replay the live commentary by greatest female chess player of all time - GM Judit Polgar and GM Pepe Cuenca | Video: chess24

Standings after Round 7

GM Andrey Esipenko has a massive lead 21/21 | Photo: chess24

Replay Round 1-7 games

Links

Official site

Tour details

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