Exciting knockout tournaments
Press release by FIDE
Jules Moussard and Deimanté Daulyte-Cornette are the new chess champions of France.
Just like a year ago, the French Chess Championship 2024, 16-player knockout tournaments held in open and women's sections, took place from August 16-25 in Alpe d'Huez, France.
In case of a tie after two classical games, a 2-game Rapid tiebreaker (15+10) was played, followed by a 2-game Blitz (5+3) and an Armageddon (5 vs 4) if needed.
The competition brought together the best French players in the open except for Alireza Firouzja and Maxime Vachierv-Lagrave, who participated in the 2024 Sinquefield Cup.
On his way to the final, Jules Moussard beat Marie Sebag (the only female player who played in the open section) in the round of 16, then prevailed over Sebastien Maze in the blitz tiebreaker in the quarterfinals and finally defeated Romain Edouard in the rapid segment.
Laurent Fressinet's path to the final was even more challenging, as he had to play two Armageddon games in the round of 16 and the quarterfinals (battling past Matthieu Cornette and Peio Duboue) before defeating Pierre-Laurent Paoli in the semis.
In this two-volume video course former world-champion and startrainer Rustam Kasimdzhanov shows you the ins and outs of this hugely complex opening.
As expected, the final was a very tightly contested match. The opponents traded victories in the classical and rapid games - Jules Moussard prevailed in two blitz games to clinch his second national title.
Romain Édouard defeated Pierre Laurent-Paoli in the small final and took bronze.

Moussard 1 - 0 Fressinet (Classical game #2)
Analysis by Carlos Colodro

Jules Moussard | Photo: Lionel Royet
In this video course, kings will play a role of strong and active pieces. We will explore how Kings can be helpful in defence and prophylaxis, or even in attack!

Laurent Fressinet | Photo: Lionel Royet
All games - Open section
Women's: Daulyte-Cornette beats Guichard in the final
The women's final featuring Deimanté Daulyte-Cornette and Pauline Guichard was also a close affair that came down to blitz. After drawing the first game, Deimanté Daulyte-Cornette emerged victorious in the second one and secured her maiden national title.
In a total of 6 chapters, we look at the following aspects: the right decision based on tactical factors, decisions in exchanges and moves, complex and psychological decisions in longer games and in defence.
Sophie Milliet completed the podium after besting defenidng champion Mitra Hejazipour in the match for third place.

Daulyte-Cornette 1 - 0 Guichard (Classical game #1)
Analysis by Carlos Colodro

Deimanté Daulyte-Cornette | Photo: Lionel Royet
In this video course, kings will play a role of strong and active pieces. We will explore how Kings can be helpful in defence and prophylaxis, or even in attack!

Pauline Guichard | Photo: Lionel Royet
All games - Women's section
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