Alexei Shirov came as the winner of the University of Salamanca Masters 2021. The eight-player round-robin with the time control of 40 min + 5 sec was a part of the third edition of the Salamanca Chess Festival running from February 2-6.

The Masters brought together eight players from four counties including the last edition winner Eduardo Iturrizaga, FIDE World ex-champion Veselin Topalov, Alexei Shirov, the reigning Spanish Champion David Anton, and four female players.

The winner delivered an excellent result 6 out of 7 making just two draws and finished a half-point ahead of Eduardo Iturrizaga and David Anton who tied for second place. Elisabeth Paehtz scored 3 points out of 7 and became the best female player in the event.

Final standings:  

1. Alexei Shirov (2662) - 6
2. Eduardo Iturrizaga (2607) – 5½
3. David Anton Guijarro (2679) – 5½
4. Veselin Topalov (2735) – 3½
5. Elisabeth Paehtz (2467) – 3
6. Nurgyul Salimova (2397) – 2½
7. Sabrina Vega Gutierrez (2392) – 1½
8. Almira Skripchenko (2418) – 1

Official website: www.salamancachessfestival.com

Photo: Ajedrez Salamanca