6/4/2021 – The European Qualifier to the World Cup was played as a hybrid tournament last week, with participants playing from approved venues monitored by foreign arbiters. A total of 36 players obtained spots in the World Cup, scheduled to take place from July 10 to August 6 in Sochi. Highlights from the massive event include a 14-year-old girl knocking out an experienced grandmaster, and a young Slovak player offering a draw after Boris Gelfand hung his queen due to a mouse slip. | Pictured: GM Jergus Pechac

5/31/2021 – 264 players started in the European Hybrid Qualification Tournament. The first three rounds of this knock-out tournament consisted of 2-game matches (followed by a blitz-tiebreak and an Armageddon game, if necessary) and the 36 players, who were still in the race after the third round, qualified for the World Cup 2021, which will take place in Sochi, Russia, from 10 Juli to 6 August 2021. These 36 also played a 9-round Swiss blitz tournament (10+3) for prizes and placement. After nine rounds Vladislav Artemiev (pictured) and Aleksandar Indjic both had 6.5/9 and shared first place but Artemiev had the better tiebreak and won the tournament. | Photo: Vladimir Barsky

5/28/2021 – The European Hybrid World Cup Qualifier is a 288-player knockout tournament that takes place from 24-29 May. The top 36 qualifiy for the 2021 World Cup in Sochi, Russia. The players meet in various venues but the games are played online on Tornelo (Hybrid) and are supervised by an arbiter. After two rounds only 72 players remain and in round three they fight for the ticket to the World Cup. | Round 3.1 starts at 14:00 CEST (08:00 ET, 13:00 UTC). Follow the games live.