Pragganandhaa wins 2022 Reykjavik Open
Rameshbabu Pragganandhaa emerged as the winner of 2022 Reykjavik Open after dramatic turn of events in the final round. The Indian youngster scored 7½/9 and finished a half-point ahead of Max Warmerdam, Mads Andersen, Hjorvar Steinn Gretarsson and Abhimanyu Mishra. The 2022 Reykjavik Open, a nine-round Swiss tournament with classical time control (90 min for 40 moves followed by 30 min to the end of the game, plus a 30-second increment starting from move one), took place in Harpa Music and Conference from April 6-12 with a double-round day on April 10. The sponsors of the event with a total prize fund of €15,000 were Kvika, Reykjavik City, and FIDE, which supported the tournament via the FIDE Aid package. Max Warmerdam, Mads Andersen, and Rameshbabu Pragganandhaa were heading into the final, ninth round as joint leaders on 6½ each, with a large group of players trailing them by half-point. After Mads and Max (pictured below) made a quick draw, it looked like the door was wide open for several players to join them. Indeed, Gukesh had a considerable advantage in the game against his compatriot Pragganandhaa, while young Abhimanyu Mishra and local favourite GM Hjörvar Steinn Grétarsson grabbed the initiative with black pieces against Pouya Idani and Lukasz Jarmula, respectively. Things changed drastically in time trouble as Gukesh ruined his overwhelming position in just two moves and missed not only a win but also a draw. Gukesh D – Pragganandhaa R 35.Qe5? (35.h3! parrying Black’s main threat, 35…Qxa5 36.Qd2! Qa3 37.Qc2! and White wins) Qg4 36.Rg1?? (36.Be4=) Nd1! and Gukesh capitulated as the only way to avoid checkmate is to give up his queen 0-1 This unexpected outcome helped Pragganandhaa to take clear first and pocket the first prize of €5,000. Max Warmerdam, Mads Andersen, Hjörvar Steinn Grétarsson, and Abhimanyu Mishra finished a half-point behind and tied for the second place. Final standings: 1 Praggnanandhaa R IND 2624 7½ 2 Warmerdam, Max NED 2599 7 3 Andersen, Mads DEN 2582 7 4 Gretarsson, Hjorvar ISL 2542 7 5 Mishra, Abhimanyu USA 2524 7 6 Fier, Alexandr BRA 2573 6½ 7 Niemann, Hans Moke USA 2637 6½ 8 Gupta, Abhijeet IND 2616 6½ 9 Larkin, Vladyslav UKR 2424 6½ 10 Korley, Kassa DEN 2400 6½ Photo: Thorsteinn Magnusson and Hallfríður Sigurðardóttir Official website: reykjavikopen.com/
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships and WR&B 2022 – Call for bids
1.1 The International Chess Federation (FIDE) will hold the World Rapid and Blitz Championships (R&B) and World Women’s Rapid and Blitz Championships (WR&B) in the second half of 2022 (see the Tournaments Regulations: World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2022; World Women’s Rapid and Blitz Championships 2022). 1.2 FIDE is opening a bidding procedure to invite any federation member of FIDE or any organizer approved by the national federation to host the event. The federation’s letter of support may be provided later when the bid’s evaluation procedure is launched. 1.3 The bid may contain special proposals on financial and commercial conditions. The FIDE Council shall decide whether these conditions are admissible. 1.4 The Bidding Form shall be filled in by an Applicant. A signed copy shall be submitted as e-mail messages to the FIDE Secretariat to office@fide.com from 12 April to 31 May 2022 by 23:59 Lausanne time (FIDE has a right to extend this deadline). All the documents shall be submitted in English. Additional documents may be requested by the FIDE General Strategy Commission (GSC) for further evaluation. 1.5 Bid Evaluation Report shall be presented by GSC for approval by FIDE Council. Priority shall be given to an Organizer applying for both events – R&B and WR&B. 1.6 Once the Organizer is granted the right to host the event, a relevant announcement shall be made on the FIDE website. FIDE Technical Delegate (FIDE TD) may be appointed at the same time to supervise the event on behalf of FIDE in consultation with GSC.