
The ACP Masters was opened on Monday, December 7th, in the Kivoonim Cultural Centre in the city of Ashdod, Israel. The players were welcomed by Moshe Slav, chairman of the Israeli Chess Federation and chief organizer, who said that it is in fact the strongest invitational tournament ever to be held in Israel, and that it would be transmitted to the entire world with the new Israeli technology ‘Chess Vision’.

The lovely city of Ashdod is the sixth largest city in Israel, on the coast of the Mediterranean
He thanked the mayor, Dr. Yechiel Lasri, for the town hall’s continuous support, mentioning that no fewer than 3500 children were enjoying chess education in 30 chess centres throughout the city. He awarded the special stamp that had been issued for the 80th anniversary of Israeli chess to the next distinguished speaker: Oded Forer, member of the Israeli parliament (Israel Beitenu party). Dr. Lasri added that Israel is a chess power and the government should do a lot more to develop chess and support Israeli participation in official events worldwide.

The opening ceremony

Ian Nepomniachtchi is invited on stage for the drawing of lots
The mayor also stressed the importance of sports in general and chess in particular for the city, praising the remarkable achievements of the municipal chess club since its foundation in 2003, especially the top team that has won five national championship titles and five times the cup games and the ladies team that has won nine national titles to date.

The tournament venue
Following the speeches and the refreshments the qualification games started in both preliminary groups. Three rounds were held in each group, which played at separate times.
Following two days of short, fierce and close battles the preliminary groups of the ACP Masters in Ashdod, played at 15 minutes plus 10 seconds increment, reached a clear conclusion with no need for further tie-breakers.

Among the guests was Samuel Sevian who scored 2.0/5 in his group

Nepomniachtchi was too much to handle here, and won the game. The again, what do you
expect from the silver medal winner at the World Rapid Championship two months ago?

Both Georgiev and Jakovenko actually played a Berlin in their group, a flogging offense in
most civilized countries... or should be

Boris Gefand qualified from his group with exciting chess to the delight of the fans
Guseinov - Gelfand
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Bc4 Be7 5.d3 Nf6 6.Ng5 0-0 7.0-0 h6 8.f4 exf4 8...hxg5 9.fxg5 Ng4 10.g6! 10.Qxg4 d5!= 10...d5 11.gxf7+ Rxf7 12.Bxd5 Nf6 13.Bxf7+ Kxf7 9.Nf3 Bd6 10.Nh4 Bb8 11.Ng6 d5! 12.exd5 Bg4? 13.Qd2? 13.dxc6! b5 13...Bxd1 14.cxb7 Qd4+ 15.Kh1 Bc7 16.bxa8Q Rxa8 17.Bxf4 Bxf4 18.Rxf4 Qd6 19.Rxd1 Kh7 20.Bxf7 Qc7 21.Rxf6 gxf6 22.Bd5 14.Qd2 bxc4 15.Nxf8 Qxf8 16.dxc4 Be5 17.Rxf4 13...Nd4 14.Nxf8 14...f3! 15.Qf2 Qxf8 16.Be3 Be5 17.Kh1 Bh5 18.Bxd4 Bxd4 19.Qg3 fxg2+ 20.Qxg2 Re8 21.Rf4 21.Rae1! 21...Re5! 22.Raf1 Rg5 23.Qd2 Qe7 24.Qe1 Re5?! 24...Qd7 25.Qg3 Rg5 26.Qe1 Re5 27.Qg3 Rg5 28.Qe1 Qd7! 29.Qh4 Be3 30.Rxf6?? gxf6 31.h3 f5 32.Nd1 Bd4 33.Qf4 Qe8 34.Qd2 Qe5 35.Qf4 Qe2 0–1 - Start an analysis engine:
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Guseinov,G | 2649 | Gelfand,B | 2731 | 0–1 | 2015 | B30 | ACP Masters GpA 2015 | 3.2 |
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Final standings of Group A


Emil Sutovsky certainly brought it, but overall was unable to shine. Ivanchuk on the other
hand was his world-class self and had not trouble qualifying.
Final standings of Group B

Photos by official site and Moshe Slav