KazChess Masters: Sarana Wins as Murzin Drops to Fifth

12/2/2025 – Curious outcome: Although Alexey Sarana lost to both the runner-up and the third-placed player, he still secured victory at the KazChess Masters in Almaty by a full point. In a very strong field, the reigning World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin entered the final two rounds as the favourite: after seven of nine rounds he was leading the standings with 5 points and a half-point advantage. But he lost the direct encounter with Sarana in round 8. Murzin also failed to win his last game, allowing Sarana to pull away. | Photo: Alexey Sarana at the Tata Steel Tournament 2025 | Photo: Lennart Ootes