Denis Lazavik wins Abu Dhabi Masters

Five players finish on 7/9

The 31^st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival came to a close on 24 August, with the Masters Tournament delivering a tense finish. The flagship event of the festival brought together just over 200 players, including 25 rated above 2500. Top seeds were Hungary’s Sanan Sjugirov (2636) and Bulgaria’s Arkadij Naiditsch (2604), the only participants rated above 2600. After seven rounds, Chinese grandmaster Zeng Chongsheng had emerged as the unexpected sole leader, holding a half-point advantage over an eight-player chasing pack.

In the penultimate round, however, Zeng’s run at the top was halted. On the first board, he lost with the black pieces to Belarusian GM Denis Lazavik, who thereby caught up with the leaders. Two other players also seized their chance to move into first place: Arkadij Naiditsch, who defeated China’s Xue Haowen, and India’s Aditya Mittal, who overcame compatriot Bharath Subramaniyam. The three winners became co-leaders heading into the last day, all well-placed to claim the title.

The final round began with Lazavik and Naiditsch paired against one another on the top board. Neither wished to take any risk at all in such a decisive situation, and a short, seven-move draw ensured they would at least share first place provided other results did not go against them. This meant that Aditya, playing black against Russian GM Aleksey Grebnev (representing FIDE), had the only realistic chance to overtake them with a win.

Grebnev managed to end the game in style. Here he found the strong and forcing 43.Rf8, when after 43…Rxf8 44.Rxg7+ there is no stopping the passed pawn.

44…Kxg7 45.Bxf8+ prompted Aditya’s resignation (45…Kxf8 46.d8Q+).

The initial handshake between Aleksey Grebnev and Aditya Mittal

Denis Lazavik and Arkadij Naiditsch signed a quick draw

Aditya’s attempt fell short, as Grebnev secured the full point. This result, combined with further wins by Maksim Tsaruk (Belarus, playing under the FIDE flag) and the returning Zeng Chongsheng, meant the tournament ended with a five-way tie at the top. Lazavik, Naiditsch, Zeng, Grebnev and Tsaruk all concluded the open event on 7 points out of 9.

The regulations stipulated that Buchholz Cut 1 would be used as the primary tiebreak (given that the direct encounter criterion was not applicable). Lazavik prevailed on this measure, thereby being declared the official winner of the Abu Dhabi Masters.

The Alapin Variation (1.e4 c5 2.c3) offers a simple yet highly effective solution to all major Sicilian lines, by sidestepping them with 2.c3.
Facing the Sicilian doesn’t have to be complicated. The Alapin Variation (1.e4 c5 2.c3) offers a simple yet highly effective solution to all major Sicilian lines, by sidestepping them with 2.c3. Whether your opponent plays the Najdorf, Taimanov, or Dragon, the Alapin lets you take control of the game as early as move two.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: 2…g6

The 18-year-old grandmaster, known for his extraordinary results in online chess tournaments, thus took first prize and the sole distinction of champion, while the prize fund from second to fifteenth place was distributed according to the Hort system.

Denis Lazavik was declared tournament winner on tiebreaks

Final standings

…201 players

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