Two-stage tournaments
In less than two weeks, Berlin will host the first leg of the FIDE Grand Prix Series 2022, organized by World Chess. From February 3 to 17, sixteen elite chess players, including grandmaster Pentala Harikrishna — who replaces Wei Yi — will compete for the chance to win the last two spots in the Candidates Tournament to be held later this year, and will also fight for a prize fund of 150,000 Euros.
The Two Knights Defence is one of the oldest opening lines in chess history. This DVD is aimed at players of both sides, giving an objective overview of all relevant theoretical lines.The drawing of lots ceremony determined the pools for the first leg of the Series. The ceremony, held over Zoom, was chaired by the Chief Arbiter Ivan Syrovy and CEO of World Chess Ilya Merenzon, and attended by the Grand Prix participants.
Before the drawing, the players were divided into four baskets according to January standard rating. The Chief Arbiter allocated the players to four different groups via a randomized selection procedure. The group stage promises exciting games, with the pairings to be determined at the opening ceremony.
Pool A
- Alexander Grischuk (Russia), 2764
- Hikaru Nakamura, (USA), 2736
- Dmitry Andreikin (Russia), 2724
- Etienne Bacrot (France), 2642
Pool B
- Ding Liren (China), 2799
- Richard Rapport (Hungary), 2763
- Vladimir Fedoseev (Russia), 2704
- Grigoriy Oparin (Russia), 2681
Pool C
- Levon Aronian (USA), 2772
- Vidit Gujrathi (India), 2727
- Daniil Dubov (Russia), 2720
- Vincent Keymer (Germany), 2664
Pool D
- Wesley So (USA), 2772
- Leinier Dominguez (USA), 2752
- Pentala Harikrishna (India), 2717
- Alexei Shirov (Spain), 2704
The first leg of the FIDE Grand Prix will take place in the city centre at Unter den Linden 26-30 from February 4 to 17. The rounds start at 3 PM Berlin time.
About the FIDE Grand Prix 2022
The competition consists of three legs that span over three months and two cities:
- First leg: February 3 — 17, Berlin, Germany
- Second leg: February 28 — March 14, Belgrade, Serbia
- Third leg: March 21 — April 4, Berlin, Germany
The FIDE Grand Prix series will feature 24 players, with each player competing in two out of three events.
Each 16-player event will consist of a group stage followed by a knockout semi-final and final. At the group stage, the participants will compete in four double-round-robin tournaments, with only the winners of each pool advancing. Both the semi-finals and final will consist of 2 regular time limit games, plus tiebreaks if needed.
Read the full regulations for the FIDE Grand Prix Series 2022 (pdf)
Wesley So published two new opening DVDs: 1.b3, the so called Nimzo-Larsen-Attack, for White and his black secrets in the modern Italian. Get them in a package and save money!
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