GM Ian Nepomniachtchi gained the tenth version of the Gashimov Memorial on Saturday in Susha, Azerbaijan. The Russian grandmaster, who performed within the match for the primary time, completed forward of GMs Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov.
The match continues to recollect the Azerbaijani GM Vugar Gashimov, who sadly died in 2014, aged 27. Till 2019, it was an annual, classical match held in Shamkir, Azerbaijan, that was gained 4 instances by GM Magnus Carlsen. After a break for the pandemic, it has continued as a fast and blitz occasion in 2021 (Baku), 2022 (Baku), 2023 (Qabala), and 2024 (Susha).
♟️Vugar Gashimov’s life has been, and can at all times stay, an inspiration to many.
We’ll proceed to honor his reminiscence in each match, each victory, and each pleasant dialog. Might your soul relaxation in peace, Vugar. pic.twitter.com/ZgDYn2azwt
— Gashimov Chess (@GashimovC) September 25, 2024
The gamers began with a single round-robin of fast chess at a time management of quarter-hour and a 10-second increment, with three rounds on Thursday and 4 rounds on Friday. These video games counted double, with two factors for a win and some extent for a draw.
Nepomniachtchi, who had by no means participated within the match earlier than, was main the pack after these two days regardless of oddly dropping one sport to tail-ender GM Rauf Mamedov, who performed a robust endgame. (Mamedov would finally rating 2.5/3 in opposition to the match winner!)
Fast Remaining Standings
On Saturday, blitz was on the menu with a double-round robin (14 rounds in complete) at a time management of three minutes and a two-second increment. GM Richard Rapport wasn’t in nice form and completed in an general shared final place with Mamedov. His first blitz sport with Nepomniachtchi noticed a really fascinating tactical part within the late middlegame:
Moreover Mamedov, one other native participant additionally managed to win one sport in opposition to Nepomniachtchi. 19-year-old GM Aydin Suleymanli, who gained final 12 months’s fast phase and can be identified for successful the 2020 Aeroflot Open, received a successful assault that was straightforward to complete off:
Nepomniachtchi took revenge within the last spherical of the match:
Blitz Remaining Standings
General Remaining Standings
Throughout final week’s Titled Tuesday, GM Hans Niemann talked about on his stream that he was initially alleged to play within the Gashimov Memorial as nicely: “All the pieces was agreed upon however as a result of sure gamers complained they revoked my invitation.” Chess.com reached out to the Azerbaijani organizers for a remark.
GM Vidit Gujrathi was initially on the individuals record as nicely, and would journey to the match straight from the Olympiad. Nonetheless, when it turned identified that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi needed to satisfy with the 2 Olympiad gold successful groups, the organizers understood this was one thing very particular. GM Aravindh Chithambaram performed as a substitute.
I reached Baku and I received to know our Hon’ble PM needs to felicitate the Indian crew. I used to be overjoyed after I heard this and I needed to be part of it. It’s superb at how such brief discover he’s taking out time for us.
I contacted Sarkhan Gashimov (organiser) and he understood…
— Vidit Gujrathi (@viditchess) September 25, 2024
The Gashimov Memorial happened September 26-28, 2024, in Susha, Azerbaijan. The fast match (15+10) was a single round-robin and counted double; the blitz (3+2) was a double round-robin. Yow will discover the video games for replay right here.