Eighteen-year-old GM Aydin Suleymanli won the rapid segment of the Vugar Gashimov Memorial 2023 on Sunday. The youngest and lowest rated player in the field rose to the top with a display of fighting spirit, finishing with three decisive clashes in a row.
GMs Vidit Gujrathi, Arjun Erigaisi, and Jorden van Foreest are tied for second as the players head into the marathon last day, featuring 18 rounds of blitz.
The blitz segment begins on Monday, December 11, at 5 a.m. ET/11:00 CET/3:30 p.m. IST.
Standings – Day 3
On the final day of rapid, Suleymanli arrived with fighting intentions. Playing three decisive games, he thrived in chaotic positions with each player swinging wildly at the other. His victory over fellow countryman, GM Nijat Abasov, is a creative gem where Suleymanli enlivened play to hunt after the uncastled enemy king. Watch the fireworks in our Game of the Day, analyzed by GM Rafael Leitao below.
In the last round of the day, Suleymanli dueled Arjun for the tournament lead in a tumultuous struggle for the initiative.
Vidit was the only player to slow Suleymanli down. When the teenage grandmaster boldly castled into an open file in the penultimate round, Vidit was ready to strike.
The battle between Vidit and Arjun was a particularly engrossing one, beginning with the tactical shot that Vidit discovered on move 16. Can you find it in the puzzle below?
Ever the fighter, Arjun managed to set up a compelling resistance without his queen, ultimately creating a perpetual check net.
This hard-fought clash is a fitting one to honor Vugar Gashimov as his father, Gasim Gashimov, made the ceremonial first move for Vidit.
♟In the 7th round of rapid games of the Vugar Gashimov Memorial 2023, the first move of the game beetween and was made by Gasim Gashimov. (Father of Vugar Gashimov) pic.twitter.com/i1SR05fGKE
— Gashimov Chess (@GashimovC) December 10, 2023
Van Foreest improved his place in the standings the most. Beginning the day tied for last, he went undefeated, scoring victories vs. GMs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Richard Rapport to join the tie for second. Van Foreest overcame Mamedyarov by making steady and consistent strategic progress, winning a pawn in the middlegame, and supporting its promotion as a passer in the endgame.
Crosstable – Day 3
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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