Tepe Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament

Grandelius and Short failed to make up any ground on Jorden Van Foreest and with one round to go we already have a champion! A very impressive display by the dutchman.

Grandelius-Jones
Interesting theoretical duel in the anti-Berliner of the Ruy Lopez. Grandelius tried to put some pressure on Jones, but it soon fizzled out into a draw.

Van Foreest-Bjerre
The Grand Prix attack with very sharp play. Bjerre had some chances in the beginning, for instance 13…axb5 would have been a very interesting sacrifice. Soon after the position swung Van Foreest’s way and the dutchman could clinch the tournament win in a determined fashion.

Bacrot-Sarin
Nihal Sarin got a promising position in an interesting Ruy Lopez. But after an exchange of queens Bacrot had no problem in securing the draw.

Short- Keymer
A battle between Keymer’s bishop pair and Short’s two knights. With little time left on the clock Keymer lost a pawn, but could still hold on to a draw without too much trouble.

Bjerre-Grandelius
Grandelius surprised most of us by choosing the Open Ruy Lopez. An early advantage for black was transformed into a win in a convincing way by the Swede.

Van Foreest-Bacrot
Bacrot managed to reach the middle game comfortably as black in the French defence, before becoming mysteriously passive. Van Foreest took full advantage and secured the win with forceful play.

Jones-Short
Very complicated play in the advance variation of the French defence. The initiative switched back and forth between the two Englishmen before the draw was finally agreed. A result we suspect Nigel Short might be the least happy about.

Keymer – Sarin
Nihal Sarin was well prepared as black in the Queen’s Indian. With a comfortable position he suddenly lost control at around move 53 and the game was beyond saving soon after. At this level of play there is no room for error!

Jordan Van Foreest is in the lead after three rounds, closely followed by the also undefeated Gawain Jones.

Grandelius-Bacrot
A balanced exchange slav until Grandelius made an uncharacteristic blunder with 26.a4. It cost a piece and soon after the game.

Van Foreest-Short
Van Foreest surprised with the unusual 11.f4 in a Scotch game. Short replied with the subpar 11.-g6 and Van Foreest soon had a promising attack. Despite black’s inventive defence there was no stopping white’s win.

Bjerre-Sarin
Long theoretical line in the Sveshnikov. The game was never unbalanced and after several exchanges a draw was agreed.

Jones-Keymer
Keymer chose the Caro-Kann defence and equalised comfortably. Both players tried to gain the initiative, but an opposite coloured bishop ending resulted in a draw.