FIDE World Championship Dubai 2021: Crowned again
On Sunday, December 12, Magnus Carlsen of Norway lifted the trophy for the World Championship aloft for the fifth time in a row. The closing ceremony was broadcast live on a range of media and culminated with the champion, a gold medal around his neck, trophy raised, in a long, breezy shower of gold confetti. It wouldn’t be an event ceremony without a series of dignitary speeches to round off and reflect on the occasion. Master of Ceremonies Maurice Ashley called upon Omar Shehadeh, the Chief International Participants Officer of Expo 2020 Dubai, the host and partner that was ready to help stage the championship in such uncertain, pandemic times. Shehadeh joked that he was disappointed not to be making the first move in game 12 as planned before congratulating both players and hoping that they would take time to sightsee in the host country. He also referenced the immensity of the exciting project, with planning for the match taking place over two long and hectic years. Dedicated sponsor The CEO of PhosAgro, FIDE’s long-term sponsor and partner, was the next speaker. Andrey Guryev had apologized to the champion in the pre-match press conference – for being unable to hide his hopes for a return of the chess crown to Russia. Having sponsored four consecutive title matches, Guryev has seen many Carlsen victories but found some comfort in two challengers he could root for during this time. Renewing his pledge to “continue to develop a new generation of players”, he congratulated ‘Iron Magnus’ on his victory. “For now, the Norwegian king of chess remains unbeatable,” he said. Presidential thanks FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich gave the final speech before the coronation. He also devoted time to thank all those involved in the immense effort required to complete an unusually lengthy and problematic title cycle, as well as the media and commentators gathered in Dubai who helped focus so much attention on the event. The sponsors and players were also honoured, with an emphasis on the valuable experience gained by the challenger, and Carlsen’s consistency, persistence and love for the game singled out. Concluding the preliminary formalities, Dvorkovich called Carlsen ‘a huge ambassador of chess throughout the world’. “Thank you for your contribution and for the entire team that helped achieve that.” Prizes and parting words Challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi was called up to receive the always underappreciated, bittersweet silver medal before the layering of awards on the champion and the climactic explosion of gold. The winner’s speech came after Magnus was draped with the laurel wreath and managed to grip a microphone amidst all the prizes hanging from him. After thanking FIDE and the Expo in Dubai for a ‘very pleasant experience’ before moving on to more personal matters. He thanked his family and team: “Even at a moment when my motivation may have been lacking a little bit for this particular championship, theirs never wavered,” he said. “Usually, at the end of these championships, there are things you are happy with and things you are less happy with, but this time I can say I’m fully satisfied with my performance – and that’s a great feeling!” Trophy details: The FIDE World Championship Cup Dubai 2021, weighing over 5 kilograms, is made of 925 sterling silver with 999 gold plating, dolerite, and obsidian, and is set with 39 pearls and a diamond. The cup was designed by FIDE and created by masters of the CHAMOVSKIKH Jewelry House with the support of the Sverdlovsk Region Chess Federation, represented by its president Andrey Simanovsky, owner of SIMA-LAND. Prize ceremony broadcast: https://youtu.be/EPh2uhPcWoo Match highlights video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCQp-bWwPYM Text: Jonathan Tisdall, Press Officer press@fide.com Photo: Eric Rosen and Niki Riga Official website of FIDE World Championship Dubai 2021
Italian Championship 2021: Basso and Sedina clinch titles
Pier Luigi Basso and Elena Sedina emerged as the winners of the Italian Championship 2021 held in Chianciano Terme (Province of Sienna). The open event, a 12-player round-robin tournament, took place from November 24 to December 11, 2021. Players had 100 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 50 minutes for 20 moves, then 15 minutes to the end of the game, plus a 30-second increment starting from move one. The rating favourites Pier Luigi Basso and Luca Moroni went neck and neck, crushing the competition until Round 8, in which the future champion had a windfall: after achieving a very promising position, his opponent Francesco Sonis touched a wrong piece and resigned immediately as his rook was under attack. This unexpected victory allowed Pier Luigi to create a half-point gap from Luca, which he managed to preserve to the very end to win his maiden national title. Alberto David also delivered a strong performance and suffered no defeats (like the champion) to take bronze. Final standings open: 1 Basso, Pier Luigi 2566 9 2 Moroni, Luca Jr 2580 8½ 3 David, Alberto 2542 7½ 4 Brunello, Sabino 2498 7 5 Lodici, Lorenzo 2529 6½ 6 Sonis, Francesco 2536 6 7 Bellia, Fabrizio 2431 4½ 8 Gilevych, Artem 2402 4½ 9 Genocchio, Daniele 2363 4½ 10 Zimina, Olga 2339 3 11 Barp, Alberto 2408 2½ 12 Formento, Paolo 2401 2½ The women’s championship, an 8-player round-robin, turned into a very close race among Elena Sedina, Sara Gabbani and Giulia Sala coming into the final round jointly leading the field. Sedina pulled off a victory over Elisa Cassi, whereas her competitors suffered defeats at the hands of Marianna Raccanello and Tea Gueci, respectively. Elena Sedina won her second national title in a row with 5/7, whereas Tea Gueci leapfrogged the ex-leaders to snatch silver. Three players tied for third, with Marianna Racanello earning bronze thanks to better tiebreaks. Final standings women: 1 Sedina, Elena 2263 5 2 Gueci, Tea 2242 4½ 3 Raccanello, Marianna 2021 4 4 Gabbani, Sara 1911 4 5 Sala, Giulia 1921 4 6 Maione, Melissa 1881 3 7 Cassi, Elisa 2023 2 8 Bordin, Silvia 1940 1½ The U20 Italian Championship, also an 8-player round-robin held in the same location, ended with a victory of Edoardo Di Benedetto, who scored an equal amount of points with Emmanuele Carlo, but came out on top thanks to better tiebreaks. Christian Palozza finished third. The champion became the only unbeaten player in the tournament. Official website: federscacchi.it/campionati/ Photo: official website