Fifty co-leaders on 2/2 in the 548-player field

The 29^th Open International Bavarian Chess Championship is underway in Gmund am Tegernsee, with 548 participants competing in a nine-round Swiss tournament from 31 October to 8 November. The event, held at Gut Kaltenbrunn on the northern shore of Lake Tegernsee, uses accelerated pairings according to the Baku method during the first five rounds. After two days of play, 50 participants remain on perfect scores, including top seed Frederik Svane and third seed Alexander Donchenko.

The opening round saw most of the leading contenders collect full points. Svane, rated 2662, defeated Julian Wagner with the black pieces, while Donchenko (2610) beat another player named Wagner, Hans. Second seed Jaime Santos Latasa (2626) also started with a win, overcoming Martin Wecker.

There were, however, a few surprises. Reigning German champion Leonardo Costa was held to a draw by 15-year-old Nicola Salsa, despite having a rating advantage of more than 400 points. Young German IM Hussain Besou also dropped half a point, drawing with Martin Böhm, while Hungarian GM Adam Kozak could only draw against Kai Renner.

Julian Wagner 0-1 Frederik Svane

Annotations by Martina Gerdts

Mastering the London System

In this course, Grandmaster Elisabeth Pähtz presents the London System, a structured and ambitious approach based on the immediate Bf4, leading to rich and dynamic positions.
The London System is one of the most popular openings at every level of chess but not all Londons are the same. In this course, Grandmaster Elisabeth Pähtz presents the London System, a structured and ambitious approach based on the immediate Bf4, leading to rich and dynamic positions.
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: 5...cxd4 6.exd4 Qb6 sidelines

Julian Wagner v. Frederik Svane | Photo: Official website

Hans Wagner v. Alexander Donchenko | Photo: Official website

In Sunday's second round, two players from the top ten seeds conceded draws against considerably lower-rated opponents. Santos, the winner of the tournament's 2021 edition, was held by 20-year-old German FM Cedric Chassard (2276), who entered the event as the 68^th seed. On board six, seventh seed Peter Acs (2554) drew with German IM Christian Maier (2229), the 85^th seed. The 67-year-old Maier has considerable experience, having played in the Bundesliga as far back as the early 1980s.

Meanwhile, Svane defeated German WGM Kateryna Dolzhykova, who adopted an aggressive approach but eventually saw her attack repelled. Donchenko survived a complicated time scramble to secure his second victory, while Nijat Abasov, Elham Amar, Valery Kazakouski and Kacper Piorun also maintained perfect scores.

The day included a minor logistical mishap for several of the favourites: Svane, Donchenko and Abasov were among a group of players who missed their bus stop on the way to the venue. They arrived seven minutes late, but all three went on to win their games.

Among the 50 co-leaders are two women, IM Klaudia Kulon and Zuzanna Sobczak.

The third round, scheduled for Monday at 16:00 local time, will see Svane face Chinese IM Jin Yueheng (2355) with the black pieces on board one. Donchenko will also have black against FM Melis Mamatov (2345) on board two, while third board features Azerbaijani GM Nijat Abasov (2580) against German FM Martin Forchert (2332).

Cedric Chassard obtained a draw against second seed Jaime Santos | Photo: Official website

Practical Tips for the Tournament Player Vol.1: Fundamentals of Practical Chess

How grandmasters win without fireworks: GM Jan Markos shows you 11 very practical tips from "How to play in a lost position" to "Be patient like Carlsen" that will improve your tournament chess.
Most chess books teach you what to think about. This series teaches you what to actually do when the clock is running and the result is on the line. Compiled from GM Jan Markos's acclaimed "Practical Tips for the Tournament Player" column in ChessBase Magazine, Volume 1 covers the decisions every tournament player faces before the position ever gets complicated: how you use your time, how you handle pressure, and how you think when the stakes are real.
Free Video Sample: How to use your time effectively

Kateryna Dolzhykova resigns the game against Frederik Svane | Photo: Official website

Klaudia Kulon | Photo: Official website

Standings after round 2

...548 players

All available games

Links

• Official website
• Full technical information on Chess-Results