Latest news with #Erigaisi


Spectator
6 days ago
- Sport
- Spectator
Freestyle Grand Slam
Levon Aronian took the $200,000 first prize at the latest leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, held in Las Vegas earlier this month. The fifth event of the tour's debut year, scheduled for Delhi in September, has been cancelled due to a lack of sponsors, but Carlsen tops the leaderboard ahead of the final, which remains scheduled for December in Cape Town. The game below was played in the semi-final, and had as a start position: Ra1, Nb1, Kc1, Nd1, Be1, Qf1, Rg1, Bh1. Black's setup mirrors that: Ra8, Nb8, etc. Arjun Erigaisi-Levon Aronian Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, Las Vegas, July 2025 1 a4 d5 2 g4 c6 3 f4 g6 4 e4 dxe4 5 Bxe4 Bd7 6 Ne3 Ne6 7 c3 Na6 8 f5 gxf5 9 gxf5 Rxg1 10 Qxg1 Nec7 11 Bg3 Ne8 12 d4 Nf6 13 Nd2 O-O-O 14 Bd3 Nc7 15 a5 Qh6 16 Bxc7 Kxc7 17 Qg3+ Kc8 18 Ndc4 Erigaisi has handled the opening strongly, and now 18…Rg8 is refuted by 19 Nb6+ axb6 20 axb6, with dual threats of Ra8# and Qc7#. Aronian finds the only defence. Nd5 19 Kb1 Qg7 Another timely defensive measure. This time the tactical idea 20 Nxd5 cxd5 21 Nb6+ fails in view of axb6 22 axb6 Qxg3 23 Ra8+ Qb8. 20 Qf3 Qg1+ 21 Ka2 Qxh2 22 Nxd5 cxd5 23 Qxd5 Qc7 24 Qxf7 Bc6 Suddenly Bc6-d5 is a counter-threat. Now 25 Qe6+ Kb8 26 Qe2 maintains an edge, but Erigaisi errs. 25 Ne3 Bxd4 Sharply played. 26 cxd4 Qxa5+ 27 Kb1 Qe1+ picks up the knight. 26 Qe6+ Bd7 27 Qe4 Bc6 28 Qe6+ Bd7 29 Qe4 Bf6 Sensing the game's momentum in his favour, Aronian declines the repetition. 30 Nd5 Qxa5+ 31 Kb1 Qc5 32 b4 Qf2 33 Ra2 Qg1+ 34 Kc2 Bc6 35 Qe6+ 35 Nxe7+ Bxe7 36 Qxe7 was still good enough for a draw, as 36…Qg2+ 37 Kb1 Qh1+ 38 Kc2 Qd5 (as in the game) is met by 39 Qe6+. This doesn't work in the game because Aronian's king is already on b8. Kb8 36 Nxf6 exf6 37 Qxf6 Qg2+ 38 Kb1 38 Kb3 Qd5+ 39 Bc4 Qd1+ 40 Ka3 Qa4+ 41 Kb2 Rd2+ and mate next move. Qh1+ 39 Kc2 Qd5 White resigns Aronian had a narrow escape in the first game of the final against Hans Niemann (see below). He decided the match and the tournament with a win in the return game. Hans Niemann-Levon Aronian Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, Las Vegas 56 Be5 Losing a crucial tempo. Instead, 56 Kb5! wins, with the subtle idea 56…e3 57 Bf4! (preparing Bf4-d2 if the e-pawn advances). Then 57…Kf5 58 a6 Bxa6+ 59 Kxa6 Kxf4 60 b7 e2 61 b8=Q+ (crucially, this is check) and with a bit of precision the queen will win against the pawns. d3 57 Bf4 Ba6 58 Kc5 Kf5 59 Bh6 Kg4 60 Kc6 Kf3 61 b7 Bxb7+ 62 Kxb7 e3 63 Bxe3 Draw agreed


Hans India
7 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Erigaisi, Gujrathi to headline Chennai Masters
Chennai: Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi and Anish Giri will headline the third edition of Chennai Grand Masters, starting here on August 6. India's most prestigious classical chess tournament will feature 20 players from across the Masters and Challengers categories. The latest edition will have a Rs one crore prize pool as competitors chase FIDE Circuit points, which are vital for qualifying for next year's Candidates Tournament. Organised by MGD1 and sponsored by Quantbox, the tournament will be split into two categories: Masters and Challengers. Besides Erigaisi, Gujrathi and Giri, the Masters field will comprise Jorden Van Foreest, Liang Awonder, Vincent Keymer, Ray Robson, Vladimir Fedoseev, and Pranav V, who steps up after winning the Challengers in 2024. 'Playing such a high-stakes tournament at home is always special. As the top-rated player here, I know the expectations are high, but the field this year is extremely competitive, and every game will demand my absolute best,' Erigaisi said. The Challengers category, introduced last year, will feature Karthikeyan Murali, Leon Mendonca, Vaishali R, Harika Dronavalli, Abhimanyu Puranik, Aryan Chopra, Adhiban Baskaran, Iniyan P, Diptayan Ghosh, and Pranesh M. The Masters champion will take home Rs 25 lakh, while the second and third place player will get richer by Rs 15 lakh and Rs 10 lakh , respectively. The Challengers' winner will receive Rs 7 lakh and a guaranteed place in the 2026 Masters. The tournament also carries FIDE Circuit points, with the winner earning 24.5 points towards the 2026 Candidates qualification. In the case of joint winners, each will receive 22.3 points, while second and third place finishers will earn 17.8 and 15.6 points, respectively.


The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi to headline Chennai Grand Masters
Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi and Anish Giri will headline the third edition of Chennai Grand Masters, starting in Chennai on August 6. India's most prestigious classical chess tournament will feature 20 players from across the Masters and Challengers categories. The latest edition will have a ₹1 crore prize pool as competitors chase FIDE Circuit points, which are vital for qualifying for next year's Candidates Tournament. Organised by MGD1 and sponsored by Quantbox, the tournament will be split into two categories: Masters and Challengers. Besides Erigaisi, Gujrathi and Giri, the Masters field will comprise Jorden Van Foreest, Liang Awonder, Vincent Keymer, Ray Robson, Vladimir Fedoseev, and Pranav V, who steps up after winning the Challengers in 2024. "Playing such a high-stakes tournament at home is always special. As the top-rated player here, I know the expectations are high, but the field this year is extremely competitive, and every game will demand my absolute best," Erigaisi said. The Challengers category, introduced last year, will feature Karthikeyan Murali, Leon Mendonca, Vaishali R, Harika Dronavalli, Abhimanyu Puranik, Aryan Chopra, Adhiban Baskaran, Iniyan P, Diptayan Ghosh, and Pranesh M. The Masters champion will take home Rs 25 lakh, while the second and third place player will get richer by Rs 15 lakh and Rs 10 lakh , respectively. The Challengers' winner will receive Rs 7 lakh and a guaranteed place in the 2026 Masters. The tournament also carries FIDE Circuit points, with the winner earning 24.5 points towards the 2026 Candidates qualification. In the case of joint winners, each will receive 22.3 points, while second and third place finishers will earn 17.8 and 15.6 points, respectively.


News18
22-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi To Headline Chennai Grand Masters
Last Updated: Grandmasters Erigaisi, Gujrathi, and Giri lead the Chennai Grand Masters from August 6, with a Rs one crore prize pool. Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi and Anish Giri will headline the third edition of the Chennai Grand Masters, starting in the city on August 6. India's most prestigious classical chess tournament will feature 20 players across the Masters and Challengers categories. The latest edition will have a Rs one crore prize pool as competitors chase FIDE Circuit points, which are important for qualifying for the Candidates Tournament in 2026. Organised by MGD1 and sponsored by Quantbox, the Chennai Grand Masters will be split into two categories: Masters and Challengers. Besides Erigaisi, Gujrathi and Giri, the Masters field will include Jorden Van Foreest, Liang Awonder, Vincent Keymer, Ray Robson, Vladimir Fedoseev and Pranav V, who steps up after winning the Challengers in 2024. 'Playing such a high-stakes tournament at home is always special. As the top-rated player here, I know the expectations are high, but the field this year is extremely competitive, and every game will demand my absolute best," Erigaisi said. The Challengers category, introduced in 2024, will feature Karthikeyan Murali, Leon Mendonca, Vaishali R, Harika Dronavalli, Abhimanyu Puranik, Aryan Chopra, Adhiban Baskaran, Iniyan P, Diptayan Ghosh and Pranesh M. The Masters champion will take home Rs 25 lakh, while the second and third place players will receive Rs 15 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively. The Challengers' winner will get Rs 7 lakh and a guaranteed place in the 2026 Masters. The tournament carries FIDE Circuit points as well, with the winner earning 24.5 points towards the 2026 Candidates qualification. In the case of joint winners, each will receive 22.3 points, while second and third place finishers will earn 17.8 and 15.6 points, respectively. (With PTI Inputs) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
22-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Erigaisi, Gujrathi to headline Chennai Grand Masters
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Chennai, Jul 22 (PTI) Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi and Anish Giri will headline the third edition of Chennai Grand Masters, starting here on August 6. India's most prestigious classical chess tournament will feature 20 players from across the Masters and Challengers categories. The latest edition will have a Rs one crore prize pool as competitors chase FIDE Circuit points, which are vital for qualifying for next year's Candidates Tournament. Organised by MGD1 and sponsored by Quantbox, the tournament will be split into two categories: Masters and Challengers. Besides Erigaisi, Gujrathi and Giri, the Masters field will comprise Jorden Van Foreest, Liang Awonder, Vincent Keymer, Ray Robson, Vladimir Fedoseev, and Pranav V, who steps up after winning the Challengers in 2024. 'Playing such a high-stakes tournament at home is always special. As the top-rated player here, I know the expectations are high, but the field this year is extremely competitive, and every game will demand my absolute best," Erigaisi said. The Challengers category, introduced last year, will feature Karthikeyan Murali, Leon Mendonca, Vaishali R, Harika Dronavalli, Abhimanyu Puranik, Aryan Chopra, Adhiban Baskaran, Iniyan P, Diptayan Ghosh, and Pranesh M. The Masters champion will take home Rs 25 lakh, while the second and third place player will get richer by Rs 15 lakh and Rs 10 lakh , respectively. The Challengers' winner will receive Rs 7 lakh and a guaranteed place in the 2026 Masters. The tournament also carries FIDE Circuit points, with the winner earning 24.5 points towards the 2026 Candidates qualification. In the case of joint winners, each will receive 22.3 points, while second and third place finishers will earn 17.8 and 15.6 points, respectively. PTI APA AH AH view comments First Published: July 22, 2025, 14:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.