Pentala Harikrishna triumphs in Chess960 event at Biel Festival

Biel (Switzerland), July 20: India’s Grandmaster P Harikrishna placed on top, won in the Accentus Chess960 tournament. Being a part of the 53rd Biel Chess Festival 2020, he triumphed with 5.5 points from seven rounds.

 

 

 

Harikrishna (Elo 2690) remained unbeaten in all the seven rounds. Following the loss of Poland’s Radoslaw Wojtaszek in the final round to Swiss player Noel Studer, he benefitted from it to claim the top spot late on Saturday. He started with a draw against England’s Michael Adams and posted wins over Alexander Donchenko and Noel Studer of Switzerland in the second and third rounds respectively.

 

The 34-year old Indian then settled for draws against Keymer and Wojtaszek in rounds four and five before victories in the next two rounds over Romain Edouard and Spain’s David Anton Guijjaro, the highest-ranked player in the tournament, saw him emerge triumphantly.

 

The tournament continued Sunday with the rapid event and the classical event will begin on July 21. The Biel Chess Festival is being held by adhering to all health protocols due to the pandemic, according to the tournament website. At the chessboard, the distance is increased by having two tables between the players. All pieces, boards, and chess clocks are cleaned after each game. Also, spectators are not allowed at the venue.

 

In the whole event, German Vincent Keymer, 15, was the surprise package who was placed second with five points whereas Wojtaszek, with 4.5 points, took the third spot.