WR Chess Masters, Day 1: The favourites win

by André Schulz
10/15/2024 – On Monday the first round of the WR Chess Masters was played in London. It is a 16 player knockout tournament, in which each match consists of two games. In case of a 1-1 tie, Armageddon decides. In the first round the favourites got through, but some only just. In the first game of her match against Nodirbek Abdusattorov Alexandra Kosteniuk turned a lost position into a win, but then she lost the second game of the match and the subsequent Armageddon game. | Photo: Tao Bhokanandh

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The WR Chess Masters takes place at the Langham Hotel in London from 14 to 18 October. 16 players, top stars, international and British young players, play two game matches against each other. The time limit is 60 minutes for the first 30 moves, followed by another 30 minutes for the next 20 moves and another 30 minutes for the rest of the game.

In the event of a tie, a bidding Armageddon with a basic thinking time of 8 minutes follows. The player who bids less plays with Black and only needs a draw to win the match.

Ian Nepomniachtchi was originally scheduled to take part, but it seems that he was unable to obtain a visa to the UK. He has been replaced by Vaishali.

Four matches ended in straight 2-0 victories: Arjun Erigaisi won both games against nine-year-old English prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan. Praggnanandhaa also won comfortably against Victor Bologan and Vidit Gujrathi beat Veselin Topalov 2-0. Finally, Raunak Sadhwani also won 2-0 against Parham Maghsoodloo.

Young English Grandmaster Shreyas Royal drew his first game against Viswanathan Anand but then lost the second to lose the match 0.5-1.5. Alireza Firouzja also won 1.5-0.5 against Vaishali.

Two matches were decided in Armageddon.

Alexandra Kosteniuk shocked the favourite Nodirbek Abdusattorov by outwitting him tactically in their first game.

The Uzbek won the second game and also the Armageddon game.

In the match between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Javokhir Sindarov, both games ended in a draw. The Frenchman won the Armageddon.

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Games

Pairings

The quarter-finals will be played on the 15th, the semi-finals on the 16th and the final on the 17th.

The first game of the matches starts at 10:00 local time (5:00 ET) and the second game starts at 17:00 local time (12:00 ET). If necessary, Armageddon tiebreaks will follow at 22:00 local time (17:00 ET).

Tournament page...

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Topics: WR Chess Masters 2024
André Schulz started working for ChessBase in 1991 and is an editor of ChessBase News.
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