The first international tournament Tolstoy Cup featuring a stellar line-up took place in the State Leo Tolstoy Museum-Estate "Yasnaya Polyana", the Tula region, from September 9 (the great writer's birthday) to September 12.
The event was organised by the State Leo Tolstoy Museum-Estate "Yasnaya Polyana" and the Chess Federation of Russia and supported by the Elena and Gennady Timchenko Foundation. Given Leo Tolstoy's devotion to chess, an exhibition featuring various thematic posters was held during the event.
The opening ceremony took place on September 9, in presence of Leo Tolstoy's descendants, FIDE President Akrady Dvorkovich, and other guests of honour.
The participants of the Tolstoy Cup competed in a 9-round in an all-play-all rapid chess event with the time control 15 + 10.
One of the rating-favorites, Anish Giri of Netherlands, came as a winner with an outstanding result of 8 out of 9, 2½ points ahead of second-prize winner Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan). Boris Gelfand (Israel) scored 5 points and finished third.
Anish Giri: "I enjoyed my performance in Yasnaya Polyana. The result proved somewhat too high because on the second day, I definitely did not play at the corresponding level. However, luck sided with me to the extent that nothing could stop. It goes without saying that I am a big fan of Leo Tolstoy's creative works, and I am very happy that this tournament has been organised. I have not been aware that Tolstoy was a chess fan, but taking part in the sightseeing tour filled this gap. I hope this event will become traditional".
The winner received a cup manufactured at the Imperial Porcelain Factory specifically for this event.
The tournament was broadcast online on the FIDE YouTube channel with the commentaries of grandmaster Evgenij Miroshnichenko.
Final standings:
|
1 |
Giri, Anish |
NED |
2712 |
8 |
|
2 |
Abdusattorov, Nodirbek |
UZB |
2542 |
5½ |
|
3 |
Gelfand, Boris |
ISR |
2631 |
5 |
|
4 |
Paravyan, David |
RUS |
2676 |
4½ |
|
5 |
Andreikin, Dmitry |
RUS |
2705 |
4½ |
|
6 |
Korobov, Anton |
UKR |
2740 |
4 |
|
7 |
Matlakov, Maxim |
RUS |
2663 |
4 |
|
8 |
Tomashevsky, Evgeny |
RUS |
2635 |
4 |
|
9 |
Alekseenko, Kirill |
RUS |
2656 |
3½ |
|
10 |
Vitiugov, Nikita |
RUS |
2619 |
2 |
In addition to the main event, an extensive program of the Leo Tolstoy Cup included a 100-board simul by the GMs participating in the tournament, a mass blitz tournament for children, a lecture and a quiz by the curator of the CFR Chess Museum Dmitry Oleikniov. The Cultural Centre Yasnaya Polyana that hosted the tournament displayed the themed posters, and unique chess sets Staunton and Regence.
Text: Chess Federation of Russia
Photo: Etery Kublashvili