One of the best open tournaments in the world, Gibraltar International Chess Festival is underway in the British Overseas Territory. The festival includes several tournaments in three sections, running January 22-30: Masters, Challengers and Amateurs. More than 500 players are taking part this year. 

In the Masters tournament, Andrey Esipenko (Russia, #6 in the juniors rating list) emerged as the sole leader with an excellent score 5½ out of 6 points after beating Ivan Cheparinov (Bulgaria) with black pieces on the first board in Round 6. Mikhail Antipov (Russia), Wang Hao (China), Parham Maghsoodloo (Iran, #3 in the juniors rating list), David Paravyan (Russia), Mikhail Kobalia (Russia), Indian wunderkind Praggnanandhaa R (who knocked over Veselin Topalov in Round 6) and Alan Pichot (Argentina) are trailing by a half-point.

A large group of players, that includes Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France), Michael Adams (England), Krishnan Sasikiran and Kirill Alekseenko (Russia) among others is on 4½.

GM Bela Khotenashvili (Georgia) who also belongs to this large group mentioned above is leading the women’s field. With 4 out of 6 points Nataliya Buksa (Ukraine), Zhansaya Abdumalik (Kazakhstan), Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine) and Natalija Pogonina (Russia) are also in the contest for the top women’s prize (£20,000).

With four rounds to go, the event is still wide open. As it is often the case in Gibraltar, most likely the winner will be determined in the last round.

Official site: https://www.gibchess.com/
Photo: John Saunders and Niki Riga

Top 10 after 6 rounds:

1. Andrey Esipenko – 5½ 
2. Mikhail Antipov – 5       
3. Wang Hao – 5
4. Parham Maghsoodloo – 5
5. David Paravyan – 5
6. Mikhail Kobalia – 5
7. Praggnanandhaa R – 5
8. Alan Pichot – 5
9. Jose Carlos Ibarra Jerez – 4½
10. Ivan Cheparinov  –  4½