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WR Chess Masters Day 1: Five Indians advance to Quarterfinal

by Rasika Ratnaparkhi - 15/10/2024

The second edition of WR Chess Masters 2024 began with a thrilling start on 13th October. The tournament is happening at the Langham Hotel in London. 16 of the world’s top players are set to compete in this knockout format with a new time control: 60 minutes for the first 30 moves, 30 minutes for the next 20 moves, followed by 30 additional minutes for the rest of the game (no increment throughout). This faster time control is being introduced for the first time and allows for two classical matches between the same opponents in one day. This novel approach is expected to enhance the drama on the board and challenge players to maintain high-level play under time pressure. Read the article to find out the results from Day 1. Photo: Tao Bhokhanandh

2nd Edition of WR Chess Masters officially started in London

Just a day after the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League finished, another major chess event already started in London. A total of 16 strong chess players of different ages have participated in this event. On the one hand, we have Viswanathan Anand making his much-anticipated return to over-the-board classical chess, while on the other, young talents like Bodhana Sivanandan and Shreyas Royal are set to take on seasoned veterans. Every day the players will play two classical matches with the same opponents. If there is a tie, then players will play an Armageddon match wherein White has 10 minutes and the player who bids the lowest time gets black with that time and draw odds.

Participants of WR Chess Masters 2024 
Venue for WR Chess Masters 2024

Day 1 matches

Arjun vs Bodhana

Board no.1 faced the battle between Arjun Erigaisi and Bodhana Sivanandan. In the first game, Arjun played with white pieces against the English prodigy. The game started with natural moves but Black's 13. b5 created weakness for her on the queenside. Arjun played aggressive moves like 16. Ne4 and 17. Ng5 which created many threats for Black.

Position after Ng5

Black's 19. f5 was a blunder that made White attack on the center by 20. e4.

Position after f5

While White was winning in this position, 24. Qxh7 initiated the decisive kingside attack. Bodhana kept fighting till the last move and the game ended with a beautiful checkmate after 45. Rh7#.

Bodhana showed fighting spirit till last against Arjun | Photo: Tao Bhokhanandh
Bodhana vs Arjun Game Analysis by Sagar Shah

Abdusattorov vs Kosteniuk

In the first game, Alexandra Kosteniuk defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov in a dynamic Caro-Kann Defense. Black's 7. h5 and 8. h4 created attacking chances despite some positional risks. Similarly, White tried to counter on the queenside by playing 18. c4 which actually backfired, because Black immediately played 18. f5 and 19. f4.

Position after c4

At this point, the game saw a tactical flurry in which the queens were exchanged and rooks initiated the attacks. Though White had a better position, the game started going in Black's favor after white played 31. f3.

Position after f3

White's 32. hxg3 proved decisive as it reached promotion to a queen and a beautiful checkmate sequence.

In the second game, Nodirbek Abdusattorov won against Alexandra Kosteniuk in a sharp encounter. White tried to attack with 20. Qxa6 after which Black offered queen exchange. Instead of exchange, White moved her queen to e2 which was a blunder, followed by 22. Nfd2. These moves created an imbalance in White's position which made Black push for a win. As Black's pieces were active with many open files, White had no prospects to defend the position, ultimately leading to a victory for Black.

Position after Nfd2

The game between Abdusattorov and Kosteniuk ended in Armageddon. As it was a draw, Abdusattorov with Black pieces was declared the winner| Photo: Tao Bhokhanandh

Alireza vs Vaishali

Alireza Firouzja secured a win against Vaishali Rameshbabu in a French Defense. The critical phase unfolded when Alireza initiated the pressure with 19. Nb5 and 21. Nd6 gaining a dominant knight position.

Position after Nd6

Black's defensive attempts 21. Rdf8 and 27. Rf5 could not stop White's attacks as he kept on gaining control of the center. When all the major pieces got exchanged, White was left with vulnerable pawns, and Black's passed pawns became pivotal. With the active king, he kept on advancing pawns, especially the pawn on b-file was unstoppable. White resigned after a long fight after move 70. b5.

Alireza's aggressive style helped him to win against Vaishali | Photo: Tao Bhokhanandh

Shreyas vs Anand

After the first game ended in a draw, Anand emerged victorious in the second game. The game was balanced till the middle game when Anand played 26. Rxd6.

Position after Rxd6

This move simply made the endgame favorable for Black as White's pawn structure was vulnerable. The pawn exchange on 35. gxf5 opened more lines for Black’s pieces. As Black's pawn kept advancing, White was unable to stop them. Soon, Black's king came into action to create pressure on the center along with the rook. White resigned as there was no way to prevent the a-pawn from queening.

15-year-old Shreyas made Anand fight hard to win | Photo: Tao Bhokhanandh
Anand vs Shreyas Game Analysis by Sagar Shah

Praggnanandhaa vs Victor

In the first game, Victor opted for the Nimzo-Indian Defense, and the early exchange on c3 led to a dynamic pawn structure. White gained space by playing 9. d5 by challenging Black's pawn structure and limiting the knight on a5. Later, White sacrificed a pawn with 18. d6 to attack Black's pieces and bring the queen into action.

Position after d6

Black made a blunder by playing 21. Rh6 as White played Qg7 threatening check and attacking the rook.

Position after Rh6

White continued attacking with 25. Bg4+ forcing Black to weaken the kingside further. The move 26. Qh7+ was decisive as Victor had no defense against the forthcoming threats.

Pragnanandhaa won comfortably against veteran Victor Bologan | Photo: Tao Bhokhanandh

Raunak vs Parham

Raunak Sadhwani won both the games against Parham Maghsoodloo. In the second game which started with the Nimzo-Indian Defense, Black played 4. h6 to avoid Bg5 chances but it later proved to create an imbalanced pawn structure for Black. The position became complicated in the middlegame with a lot of imbalances. White gained control over the open files, placing the rook on the strong square and exerting pressure. White aimed to attack Black's kingside by playing 31. h3 while his rooks were dominating the center.

Position after h3

After a couple of checks, Black's king was in a difficult position. 57. gxh5+ allowed White to win material and achieve a completely winning position.

Raunak has been in great form since the Global Chess League | Photo: Tao Bhokhanandh
Raunak vs Parham Game Analysis by Sagar Shah

Maxime vs Javokhir

After the two classical games ended in a draw, Maxime and Javokhir played an Armageddon. The game started with Sicilian Defence which offered Black some dynamic play. Both sides were well-developed till the middlegame. However, White tried to exert pressure after 14. Ncd5.

Position after Ncd5

Black was ready for the fight with 14. Rc8. Both sides were showing counterplay which kept the pressure equal. After 24. exd5, White's pawn structure was weakened while Black had an open file.

Position after exd5

However, Black could not capitalize on his advantage and the position turned neutral. Luckily, it was an Armageddon which made Black win the match.

Both Maxime and Javokhir gave a tough fight to each other | Photo: Tao Bhokhanandh

Topalov vs Vidit

Vidit defeated Veselin in both the games after a long-strategic battle. The first game opened with a standard Ruy Lopez with both the players making accurate moves. Black focused on attacking White's queenside and disrupting the position but White defended well keeping the position flexible. After a long fight, White blundered with 39. Qd2 which made Black's path to play e4 clear.

Position after Qd2

Vidit's move 41. e4 opened the chances of 43. Qa1+ as White's king was totally exposed leading to resignation.

Vidit won both the long intense battles against Topalov | Photo: Tao Bhokhanandh
Vidit vs Topalov Game Analysis by Sagar Shah

Check out all the games from Round of 16

The Quarterfinal matchups at the WR Chess Masters Cup 2024 - Arjun Erigaisi vs Vidit Gujrathi, Vishy Anand vs Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Nodirbek Abdusattorov vs Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Alireza Firouzja vs Raunak Sadhwani | Photo: WR Chess Masters
WR Chess Masters 2024 Day 1 Round 1.1
WR Chess Masters 2024 Day 1 Round 1.2

 


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WR Chess Masters Day 3: Arjun vs MVL in the finals!

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