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The Djerba Chess Festival's Masters section started on 15 February, a day before the Opens – A, B and C.
On 14 February, the technical meeting and the drawing of colours took place, preceded by a traditional Tunisian dinner in a friendly, joyous atmosphere.
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The restaurant, deep inland on the island, serves traditional Tunisian food and decorated with historic artefacts depicting Djerba's culture, crafts and traditions
A group of guests enjoying Tunisian culinary delicacies
A relaxed Vasyl Ivanchuk
Volodar Murzin with his mother and coach, Mikhail Kobalia
Arbiter Bachtache Mohamed and Tournament Director Chaher Eddine
The organiser and sponsor, Chokri Saidi, in front of the Masters' stage
This year, the Masters' section is composed of:
Daniel Dardha
Daniel Dardha, last year's winner and the reigning Belgian Champion. The 19-year-old, of Albanian origin, won the Belgian Championship four times, the first in 2019 when he was just 13, becoming the youngest-ever Belgian Champion. The title of 'youngest Belgian GM' is also attached to his name, as he earned the grandmaster title at 15. His father, a FIDE Master, is his manager and coach. Daniel has also worked sporadically with Ivan Sokolov.
Vasyl Ivanchuk (on the right)
Vasyl Ivanchuk, the Ukrainian grandmaster, was ranked world number 2 in the early nineties and again in 2007. The veteran continues to battle against younger players in many tournaments, captivating audiences with his original play and pure human emotions.
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David Navara
The ever-polite and soft-spoken Czech grandmaster David Navara, the highest-ranked player from his country, has been a 13-time national champion. Self-taught from the age of six, he learned chess from books, possibly taking after his mathematician father. He is the reigning Czech champion.
Parham Maghsoodloo
Parham Maghsoodloo, the highest-ranked Iranian grandmaster, is a three-time national champion and was the World Junior Champion in 2018.
Volodar Murzin
Volodar Murzin gained fame this year when he became the World Rapid Champion. He scored 10/13 with seven wins, six draws and no losses. The 18-year-old Russian grandmaster won crucial games against top-seeded players such as Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu.
Bassem Amin
The highest-rated Egyptian and African player, Bassem Amin, is also a medical doctor. A father of two, he comes from a family of doctors. However, chess has prevailed as his full-time profession. He has won the African Championship seven times and the Arab Championship three times. He is also the only African player in history to have crossed the 2700-rating barrier.
Jules Moussard
Jules Moussard, the winner of the Djerba Masters in 2023, is the reigning French national champion. He also won the French Championship in 2022 and is the only player in history to have won the title of French champion in all youth categories.
Etienne Bacrot (on the left)
French grandmaster Etienne Bacrot won his first national championship at 16, becoming the youngest French champion ever. He won the French Championship seven more times and achieved a record Elo rating of 2749 in 2013.
Marc'Andria Maurizzi
The French grandmaster Marc'Andria Maurizzi was the World Junior Champion in 2023. In the Challengers section of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024, he led by a full point (8½/11) after 11 rounds and finished tied for second place with Daniel Dardha, behind winner Leon Luke Mendonca.
Faustino Oro
With a rating of 2447, the young Argentinian is significantly lower-rated compared to his more seasoned opponents, but this will be his maiden voyage and a valuable experience. After seven rounds, he has secured only half a point (against Navara). However, in the blitz tournament, he proved that blitz is his forte, sharing first place with Daniel Dardha at 8/9!
Fausti's fierce look while playing blitz
Full pairings and results of the blitz tournament...
Maurizzi is leading after the first seven rounds with 5½ points, followed by Murzin and Dardha with 4½. Navara, Maghsoodloo and Amin each has collected 4 points. Bacrot stands in sole seventh place with 3 points to his name.
Standings after round 7
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The Tunisian Minister for Tourism, Mr Sofien Tkaia, travelled to Djerba to greet and welcome the Masters and other participants. For the occasion, the Masters were given traditional Tunisian garments to wear.
While waiting for the Minister, more blitz and analysis were in order
Players took the opportunity to pose in their new outfits: Maurizzi, Dardha and Moussard
Masters with the Minister for Tourism
Djerba is well known by the moniker 'the Island of Dreams'. The success of the Djerba Chess Festival has changed that to: Djerba, the Island of Dreams and Chess.
On the Festival's Facebook page, you can find many more photos, videos and information.
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