Groningen Festival won by Jorden van Foreest

Photos by Harry Gielen

Though both top-finishers took first ahead of the pack, they reached it via different routes. IM Jorden van Foreest came to the tournament as the top seed at 2547 FIDE, and the young player has been gaining a steady 100 Elo each year for the last few years. He started with an imperial 6.5/7, storming to sole first, when he suffered his first and only setback: a loss to rival Avital Boruchovsky (2540 FIDE) in round eight. Suddenly gold was open to all, and three players were tied for first with 6.5/8, and three more with 6.0/8. Had the young player stumbled fatally near the finish? Hardly, and he showed his determination as he defeated GM Sergey Kasparov with black in the final round.

It was a stellar performance by the young Dutch player, Jorden van Foreest, who stormed
to first, and held on even after thing threatened to become shaky in round eight

A crucial game was his last round win against GM Sergey Kasparov

There still remained the crucial game between fellow co-leaders Israeli GM Avital Boruchovsky and Indian GM Sundar Shyam, also tied for first entering the final round, and whose game would decide the title. A tie obviously mean van Foreest would end sole first, but a decisive victory could change everything. The foremost tiebreak criteria was the direct encounter, and while van Foreest had defeated the Indian in round four, he had lost to the Israeli in round eight. Thus if Boruchovsky won the last game, he would take the title on tiebreak, not Jorden.

It all depended on Avital Boruchovsky's result. A draw or a loss would give Jorden the title,
but if he won, Avital would take first.

Avital Boruchovsky - Sundar Shyam

GM Sundar Shyam fought his way to the top, including a courageous last-round win

A valiant game by both players, and a bold win by Sundar Shyam, who employed an exchange sacrifice first seen by none other than GM Robert Hubner. Jorden van Foreest came first on tiebreak, edging out Sundar Shyam in second, while Avital Boruchovsky came in third.

The top finishers of Open A

Players of all ages came to enjoy the chess festival

"Meet Machteld van Foreest, the younger sister of Lucas and Jorden. She had an 1857 performance.
Not bad for an eight year old!" (thanks Dimir!)

Many families came

Even top players such as Anne Haast

GM Ernst Sipke playing in a match, gave a simul that was much appreciated

van Foreest - Sipke match

FM Lucas van Foreest faced...

...GM Ernst Sipke in match.

There was also a six-game match organized between Lucas van Foreest, Jorden’s younger brother, and GM Ernst Sipke. The grandmaster had a 200 Elo advantage, and that plus his experience took him to a decisive 5-1 win.

A nice short video showing the event and activities

Final standings of Open A

Click for complete standings

Links Official tournament site All Open A games in PGN All van Foreest-Sipke games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 13 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.