FIDE World Cup 2023 R1 TB: Adhiban and Priyanka Nutakki advance to Round 2
GM Adhiban B and WGM Priyanka Nutakki won their respective tie-breaks to advance to the second round of FIDE World Cup and Women's World Cup 2023 respectively. While Adhiban was the favorite to win the match, Priyanka had to defeat a stronger opposition on paper. Adhiban won both of his Rapid tie-breaks to storm into the next round. He will face the former World Rapid champion, Daniil Dubov. It will be an intense battle as both of them are fierce attacking players. Priyanka drew her first tie-break game after an incredible save in her second Classical game. She won the second Rapid tie-break game with ease to secure her place in the second round. She will face GM Koneru Humpy. According to Priyanka, she has never even played in the same tournament as Humpy, let alone face her. This Women's World Cup is certainly a great opportunity for her. Round 2 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed
Harsha gets eliminated
GM Harsha Bharathakoti could not manage to seize his advantage in the first game and went on to lose it. In the second rapid tie-break, he only managed a draw against GM Levan Pantsulaia (GEO). Thus, Harsha got eliminated, despite having a fantastic start with a win in the first Classical game.
Lance - Adhiban, Tie-break 1
GM Adhiban (2587) decided to grab pawn early in the opening 8...Bxf4 9.gxf4 dxc4. His opponent GM Lance Henderson de La Fuente (AND, 2517) could not manage to get enough compensation for it and Adhiban went on to win the game. He won the second game too when Lance missed a tactic and Adhiban gobbled up another pawn.
Levan - Harsha, Tie-break 1
GM Harsha Bharathakoti (2563) had a good position for the better part of the middlegame against GM Levan Pantsulaia (GEO, 2564). However, his incorrect response to 42.f4 allowed White to get back in the game 42...Na4 43.Rxa4 Rxa4 44.fxe5 Qxe5 45.Nf3 Qf6 46.Qxd4 the force of queen exchange evaporated all advantage Black had before. Harsha drew the second game and got eliminated.
Priyanka - Marina, Tie-break 2
IM Marina Brunello (ITA, 2324) made a tiny inaccuracy 15...Qd7? Her opponent WGM Priyanka Nutakki (2293) had no trouble correctly spotting her opportunity. Find out what White played to gain an upper hand. Rest was quite easy as Priyanka mentioned in the post-match interview.
Highlights
The highlight of the day would be GM Ilia Smirin's (ISR, 2595) sixth tie-break game win against GM Santiago Avila Pavas (COL, 2499).
30.Rg6 could very well be an early contender for move of the tournament.
Video Gallery
Photo Gallery
Round 1 scores after Tie-break games
GM Levan Pantsulaia (GEO) - GM Harsha Bharathakoti: 2.5-1.5
GM Adhiban B - GM Hendersson de La Fuente (AND): 3-1
WGM Priyanka Nutakki - IM Marina Brunello (ITA): 2.5-1.5
A total of 74 games were played in the Open and 20 in Women in Round 1 TB.
Round 2 pairings
GM Daniil Dubov - GM Adhiban B
GM Koneru Humpy - WGM Priyanka Nutakki
The remaining Indian pairings were already revealed on the previous day's report.
