SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia: Caruana forges ahead
Fabiano Caruana emerged as the sole leader after Round 6 of the Superunited Rapid and Blitz Croatia. After defeating Levon Aronian and Ivan Saric the #1 American player drew with Wesley So to finish the day on 9/12. Wesley So, trailing the leader by just a single point, had a good second day, beating Vidit and making draws with Nepomniachtchi and Caruana. The current challenger Gukesh D picked up steam netting 5/6 on the second day of the competition. Alireza Firouzja turned in a solid performance winning one game and making two draws. The former leader Maxime Vachier-Lagrave slowed down a bit, scoring just 2/6. All three are tied for third place sitting on 7/12. Round 4 The day started with a one-minute silence. The Grand Chess Tour commemorated the former world champion Magnus Carlsen’s mother who passed away at the age of 61. It has been the most combative round so for with all the games ending decisively. Nepomniachtchi, Firouzja and Gukesh D scored their first victories in the event. Even more importantly the young Indian toppled the leader Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in a topsy-turvy game. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave – Gukesh D Maxime pressured his opponent most of the way, but after a series of mistakes he had to demonstrate accuracy with 43. Rf1! covering the critical f3-square. The Frenchman, however, played 43. Rh1?? and immediately resigned after 43… Qf3+ due to checkmate in four moves. Round 5 Fabiano Caruana continued his impressive run and grabbed the lead after beating Ivan Saric. The home player maintained balance for awhile but eventually cracked under pressure. Ivan Saric – Fabiano Caruana 32. g4? (32. h5 and 32. Rb1 were reasonable alternatives) 32… fxg4 33. Qxg4 Nc3 34. Nxc3? and after 34… bxc3 35. Qe2 Ra4 White’s position became hopeless. | 0-1, 38 moves. All other games were drawn. Gukesh D had an overwhelming position against his countryman Vidit, but completely misplayed it and was losing. Luckily for the current challenger, his opponent found the winning idea but chose a wrong move order and the game was drawn. Round 6 Wesley So had a great chance to swap places with Fabiano Caruana but failed to convert his sizable endgame advantage. Wesley So – Fabiano Caruana After 82… Kg4 83. Kf2 Ra2+ 84. Kf1 Rb2 85. Bc7 Rb4 86. Be5 Rb3 Black would have been in full control. Wesley however removed the prop from under his knight with 82… g4? and Fabiano escaped with a draw. Gukesh D scored his second win of the day after turning tables in a highly unpleasant position against Ian Nepomniachtchi. Photos: Lennart Ootes Official website: grandchesstour.org/
CAS announces its decision in the case of the Bulgarian Chess Federation 2022 vs FIDE
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the ultimate authority for resolving sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation, has ruled that it has no jurisdiction over the appeal launched by the Bulgarian Chess Federation against FIDE’s decision to reject its membership application. In 2016, the Bulgarian Chess Federation was suspended from FIDE and the ECU following corruption allegations, which were confirmed in an investigation conducted by the FIDE Ethics Commission. In October 2023, both the Bulgarian Chess Federation 2022 (BCF 2022) and the Bulgarian Sports Chess Federation (BCSF), created following the unification process in Bulgarian chess guided by FIDE and ECU, applied for membership in the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The FIDE Council rejected the BCF 2022 application on December 14, 2023. The decision was made on the grounds that the organization didn’t participate in the unification process within the Bulgarian Chess Federation, coordinated by FIDE and the ECU. At the same time, it was decided that the BSCF’s application would be moved forward to the General Assembly (GA) for a decision. On December 17, 2023, the FIDE GA decided to admit BSCF as a FIDE member for Bulgaria. In January 2024, BCF 2022 appealed the GA decision to admit BSCF as a FIDE member for Bulgaria. On July 10, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that it does not have jurisdiction to entertain the appeal filed by BCF 2022, which is a non-member, against the admission of BSCF as a FIDE member for Bulgaria. According to the court, such a decision does not fall within the material scope of Article 35 of the FIDE Charter. Additionally, the court emphasized that BCF 2022 failed to name BSCF as a mandatory passive joiner to the appeal. About Court of Arbitration for Sport The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an institution independent of any sports organization which provides for services in order to facilitate the settlement of sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation by means of procedural rules adapted to the specific needs of the sports world. The CAS was created in 1984 and is placed under the administrative and financial authority of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS). The CAS has nearly 300 arbitrators from 87 countries, chosen for their specialist knowledge of arbitration and sports law. Around 300 cases are registered by the CAS every year. Official website: tas-cas.org/