7/22/2024 – The blitz section of the GM Triathlons at the Biel Chess Festival decided which players would qualify for the final phase and thus fight for the 2024 title. There was particular tension in the Masters, where the Indian superstar Praggnanandhaa had to work hard to make it through, as he had a strong showing to qualify in third place after all. In the Challengers, Saleh Salem has a huge advantage in the standings thanks to an outstanding performance in the blitz, as he scored 9 out of 10 possible points. | Photos: Biel Chess Festival
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Lê, Martirosyan, Pragg and Abhimanyu to play for the title
Press release by the Biel Chess Festival
Praggnanandhaa, Indian prodigy, world number 8, participated in the incredibly strong Candidates Tournament this year. At the Triathlon in Biel, however, he has been severely challenged so far. He has collected only one win, and has suffered two losses in the five classical games of the Masters. In order to qualify for the final phase, the Indian star needed a strong performance in the blitz today – and at the same time had to hope that Vincent Keymer, who was 1½ points ahead of him, would not outscore him.
And Pragg delivered: he proved to be the strongest blitz player, winning 7 out of 10 possible points and claiming two victories in the direct duels with Keymer.
Moreover, Keymer had a bad day, losing both duels against Le Quang Liem and Sam Shankland and ending the day as the worst among the Masters with a modest 2/10 score. As a result, Praggnanandhaa passed both Keymer and Abhimanyu Mishra in the standings, thus qualifying for the final stage.
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At the top of the standings, Le had a very solid result with 6½ points to his name, which consolidated his position as the sole leader. He is now 3 points ahead of Haik Martirosyan.
Saleh Salem and Le Quang Liem apparently following a game - and enjoying it greatly!
Challengers: Salem extends lead, Bjerre falls just short
Saleh Salem played an outstanding blitz tournament to remain as the sole leader in the standings of the Challengers. He remained unbeaten over the 10 rounds and achieved 9 points with only 2 draws to his name. He was thus able to extend his lead from 1 to 7 points!
His victory is not yet certain: he will face Alexander Donchenko and Vaishali Rameshbabu in the final phase. Vaishali squandered her good starting position in the blitz today with only 2½ points won, which leaves her with minimal chances of winning the tournament. However, as the lowest-rated player in the Challengers, her qualifying into the final phase of the tournament is certainly a success.
Jonas Bjerre missed out very tightly on a place in the final phase due to the 12-point rule. In fourth place, more than 12 points behind the leader (and therefore with no mathematical chance of winning the tournament), he was eliminated from the tournament – by merely half a point. In the last game against Ihor Samunenkov, who ultimately finished in last place, a draw would have been enough for him to reach the final phase. The game had been mostly balanced – until the Dane blundered his rook in time trouble and had to resign.
So the tournament is over for Bjerre, just as it is for Samunenkov and Marc'Andria Maurizzi, who both ended what was a disappointing tournament for them with a respectable performance in the blitz tournament.
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When so many games are played daily, it is inevitable that a few particularly outstanding encounters take place. To highlight these games, the organisers of the Biel Chess Festival have created the Beauty Award.
Every evening after the rounds are over, the most attractive game from the MTO, HTO and ATO can be voted for on the festival's social media channels. The winners will present their game on the live stream the following day and receive a small gift.
Replay the games that have so far won the awards below.
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