Tepe Sigeman & Co Chess Tournament

Photo by Mikael Svensson

Ju-Korobov

Ju was slightly better in the opening, after playing Bb5+ against the Sicilian Defense. Korobov equalized with some exact moves, and started to put some pressure on, but Ju defended very well. When the game turned into a rook endgame, it looked like it was heading for a draw. However, suddenly Korobov made a terrible mistake, and after that, the game could not be saved.

Abdusattorov-Maurizzi

White the white pieces in the Catalan opening, Abdusattorov got a good position early on. After 20 moves, he converted his advantage into an extra pawn, and even if Maurizzi put up a clever defense, he could not save the game.

Svidler-Keymer

As white in the Ruy Lopez, Svidler got a comfortable position, but after a while, Keymer managed to create some counter-play against the white king, which had been left on e2. Finally, Svidler had to force a draw with 38.Bxb6.

Grandelius-Erigaisi

In his game against Erigaisi, Grandelius also chose Bb5+ against the Sicilian and rapidly developed a very promising position. Despite Grandelius being two pawns up, the opposite colored bishops made a draw the most probable result. When Erigaisi played 33.- Rb8, this was a bad mistake that might have cost him the game. In time trouble, Grandelius did not managed to find the winning moves. In the end, Erigaisi managed to make it into a rook endgame that was surprisingly easy to hold.

Abdusattorov-Erigaisi-Svidler Tiebreak

In the first tiebreak with three players, Erigaisi and Abdusattrov shared first place. Svidler lost both games, despite playing very well.
In the final play-off, Abdusattorov defeated Erigaisi 1½-½ after great drama. This meant that despite a bad start, the original favorite ended up the winner!

After seven tough rounds, three players shared first place with 4½ points: Abdusattorov, Erigaisi and Svidler.

According to the rules (tiebreak regulations), a tiebreak was required.

In the first tiebreak round, the results were Erigaisi-Abdusattorov ½-½, Abdusattorov-Svidler 1-0, Svidler- Erigaisi 0-1.

This lead to a final teibreak between Abdusattorov and Erigaisi. After a draw in the first of two play-off games, Abdisattorov won the second game as black, to become the winner.

Congratulations Nodirbek!

Tiebreak Regulations

Photo by Mikael Svensson

Maurizzi-Ju

Ju chose the Russian Defense against Maurizzi’s 1.e4. Both played a solid and safe game, and after 40 moves, a draw was agreed upon in a knight endgame where there were no possibilities left.

Korobov-Grandelius

Korobov surprised Grandelius with the odd 4.h3 in the Four Knights Game variation. Grandelius soon had interesting possibilities on the kingside, but should perhaps have chosen a plan involving f5-f4, instead of letting white open up the position with 16.exf5, followed by 17.d4. When Korobov also managed to open up the f-file, things became unpleasant for black. Grandelius used up way too much time, and finally, he missed 32.Qg3, winning material. After that, Korobov had no problem winning.

Erigaisi-Svidler

Once again, we saw some impressive opening preparations. With the black pieces in the Anti-Marshall, Svidler played 20 moves very fast. They had by then reached an unclear position, with chances for both players. The balance was never really disturbed, and after 39 moves, they agreed upon a draw by repetition.

Keymer-Abdusattorov

Via a reversed move order, they ended up in the a6 version of the Slav Defense. When Abdusattorov, on move 13, was allowed to carry out the thematic e6-e5, it became quite clear that he had managed to equalize. Keymer tried to launch a kingside attack, but it never looked real threatening. With both players low on time, Abdussatorov managed to gain a pawn, but Keymer had counter-play, thanks to his pawn on f6. The decisive mistake was at move 43, where Keymer should have played Re7, which probably would have led to a queen endgame where he was a pawn down, but still would have had good drawing chances. Instead, Abdusattorov was allowed to take on g4, after which white’s counter-play was gone, and the black d-pawn won the game for black.