With a compelling finish in the blitz segment, GM Vidit Gujrathi won the Vugar Gashimov Memorial 2023 on Monday. After a rocky start, Vidit scored an undefeated 9/11 to tie for first in blitz and clinch the overall tournament.
GM Arjun Erigaisi won clear second overall, finishing just half a point behind. He played the Game of the Day with his imaginative victory vs. GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov.
After finishing last in the rapid portion, GM Richard Rapport made a comeback on the final day, tying for the highest blitz score and finishing third overall.
Standings – Overall
After a slow start of 1.5/5, Vidit scored his first victory, defeating GM Nijat Abasov by building up pressure on the enemy kingside and breaking through tactically.
In the last 11 rounds, Vidit went on an undefeated ramage, scoring seven wins and four draws points. It was the penultimate round when Vidit pulled ahead of the previous leader, Arjun, with a win vs. GM Aydin Suleymanli. Vidit pressed in a winning same-color bishop ending with his pawns classically better by being on the opposite color. Yet, for a brief moment in the time scramble finish, Suleymanli had a chance to turn the tables.
In the last round, Vidit defeated GM Rauf Mamedov on demand, matching Arjun’s victory, to maintain his lead. Entering the endgame with a level position, Vidit built up an overwhelming advantage.
Champion!🔥😎
Thrilled to make a comeback on the last day and win the Vugar Gashimov Memorial. pic.twitter.com/dAya9yf3Pt
— Vidit Gujrathi (@viditchess) December 11, 2023
Arjun led for a majority of the blitz tournament. His all-in grapple for the initiative vs. Mamedyarov in round three is our Game of the Day, analyzed by GM Rafael Leitao below.
Arjun defeated Abasov with a picturesque tactic. Can you find it in the puzzle below?
Black to move.
No sign of Rapport’s last place finish in the rapid showed in his blitz games. He scored twelve points along with Vidit, who he outscored in their head-to-head encounters: 1.5/2. He won his game with the black pieces with a tactical bolt.
Rapport achieved a miniature victory vs. GM Jorden van Foreest with a stunning finish.
Balancing tactical and strategic chess, Rapport gained the upper hand vs. Mamedyarov with a positional combination.
Rapid winner, Suleymanli, ended up tying for fifth overall. His double-edged style of play led to many topsy-turvy near wins. When he faced Arjun with white, the 18-year-old grandmaster had a unique tactical opportunity. Can you find the creative idea he initially overlooked?
White to move.
Crosstable – Blitz
Crosstable – Rapid
The 2023 Vugar Gashimov Memorial is a 10-player tournament taking place December 8-11 in Gabala, Azerbaijan. The tournament consists of a rapid and a blitz tournament with a double round-robin system for the blitz. The final standing of the players shall be determined according to the sum of points of the rapid and blitz tournaments. Players earn two points for a win in rapid and one point in blitz.
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