Two Argentine prodigies in action

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Three games ended decisively in round six of the Magistral Szmetan-Giardelli, currently taking place in Buenos Aires. Aryan Tari (Norway) and Ivan Cheparinov (Bulgaria) both scored full points and now share the lead on 4½ points. The other decisive result came from 14-year-old Argentine Ilan Schnaider, who recorded his second win of the tournament with a quick victory over Julio Granda.

Schnaider needed only 22 moves to defeat the Peruvian grandmaster, continuing a sharply contrasting tournament so far: he has won twice and lost four games, without yet signing a draw. Born in Buenos Aires' Palermo neighbourhood, Schnaider became an International Master in August 2024, notably achieving the title without working with a personal coach. Alongside Faustino Oro, he is regarded as one of the most promising young players in Argentine chess.

The two co-leaders reached their wins in very different ways. Cheparinov prevailed after 61 moves against Tomás Darcyl with the black pieces, patiently converting an extra pawn in a rook ending. Tari, meanwhile, defeated eight-time Argentine champion Diego Flores from the white side of a sharp Sicilian Defence that lasted 60 moves. Both players had winning chances at different moments, but it was Flores who made the final decisive errors.

In the critical phase, Tari erred first with 58.Nxf2??

However, Flores missed the winning continuation 58…Qxg5+! 59.Kb1 Qxg6 and instead chose 58…Rxf2?. The position became roughly equal, but after 59.Rxh5 Flores again went wrong with the losing 59…Bf3??

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The bishop manoeuvre allowed 60.Qc8+. Flores resigned immediately, as 60…Qf8 61.Qxe6+ Qf7 62.Qxf7# is unavoidable.

The remaining two games ended peacefully. Faustino Oro drew with Sandro Mareco, while Alexei Shirov split the point with Sergio Slipak. With three rounds still to be played, Oro and Shirov are half a point behind the joint leaders.

Faustino Oro facing Sandro Mareco | Photo: Infobae

Schnaider 1-0 Granda

Analysis by GM Karsten Müller

Standings after round 6

All games

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