A commanding performance
The city of Salamanca reaffirmed its reputation as an important centre for chess by hosting the eighth edition of the Festival “Salamanca, cradle of modern chess”. Organised jointly by Alumni from the University of Salamanca and local authorities, the event featured a six-player double round-robin Masters Tournament, with ten rounds played at a rapid time control of 30 minutes plus a five-second increment. The competition was valid for FIDE rapid rating.
If one skill decides more games, it’s calculation. Openings fade, plans change – but seeing clearly, comparing lines, and choosing with confidence wins points. In this course GM Ganguly turns calculation into a trainable skill with a structured path for any level. You won’t just solve tactics; you’ll learn how to think: where to start, which branches to explore, when to stop, and how to keep a crystal-clear mental board under pressure.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: Forcing moves
The field combined established figures and emerging talent. Former FIDE World Champion Ruslan Ponomariov returned to defend his title, joined by Sara Khadem, living legend Julio Granda, Nadya Toncheva (born in 2005), world junior champion Pranav Venkatesh and multiple Spanish women’s champion Sabrina Vega.
Equal gender representation once again stood out as a central element of the festival’s format, in line with the institutional support received from the University of Salamanca, the Junta de Castilla y León, and the Ayuntamiento de Salamanca.
The spacious playing hall at the Centro Internacional del Español
Pranav Venkatesh, the reigning world junior champion, dominated the tournament from the outset. His direct encounters against Ponomariov proved particularly relevant, including their second-half rematch, in which the Ukrainian obtained promising chances but ultimately let the advantage slip. Pranav extended his winning run to eight consecutive victories and secured overall tournament victory with a round to spare.
The Indian grandmaster concluded the event on an exceptional 9½/10, finishing one and a half points ahead of runner-up Ponomariov. Only Sabrina Vega, in round two, managed to score a half point against the eventual champion. At the closing ceremony, Pranav expressed his appreciation for the city and its historical setting, noting that this was his first visit to Salamanca and hoping to return next year.
Only last month, Pranav had also demonstrated his strength at the Fujairah Superstars event, where he claimed outright victory amid a formidable field.
In today’s fast-paced chess world, especially online, where blitz and rapid games dominate, the traditional approach of grinding through lines of opening theory can feel overwhelming, and even unnecessary. The real challenge? Striking the right balance in your opening preparation. How deep should you go? Where do you stop? This course is built on the timeless wisdom of my legendary coach, Chebanenko, who designed opening repertoires for his “lazy” students – not lazy in attitude, but smart in approach. His philosophy? Don’t memorise. Understand.
The crucial round-eight encounter between Ruslan Ponomariov and Pranav Venkatesh
The young Nadya Toncheva claimed third place on 5/10, ahead of Khadem, Granda and Vega. Toncheva played enterprisingly, only signing two draws throughout the event, as she finished with a crucial victory over Khadem to reach the podium.
The success of this eighth edition, with a format that remains both competitive and institutionally appealing, has provided a firm foundation for planning future editions. Organisers have already confirmed continued support, ensuring that Salamanca will retain its role in the international chess calendar.
Nadya Toncheva
Sara Khadem
Khadem 0-1 Pranav
Analysis by GM Karsten Müller
