Gegeen Arvai wins 3rd Mongolian Online Team League
The 3rd Mongolian Online Team League, part of FIDE CheckmateCoronavirus project, brought together 28 teams from across the country. The online competition consisted of 9 tournaments, held on a popular platform lichess.org in three categories and stretched over May 07-28. “Gegeen Arvai” won gold in the most prestigious division A, “SKY_MONGOL” finished first in B, and “Ховд-1” came in first in C. The winner of the major league, “Gegeen Arvai” is a chess club created by GM Gundavaa Bayarsaikhan. It servers as a training ground for many talented Mongolian chess players. For example, FM Tengis Tsog-Ochir (pictured above) is a Mongolian national blitz champion; IM Gan-Erdene Sugar became the second-ever Mongolian player to take part in the FIDE World Cup in 2019; CM Tenuunbold Battulga took bronze at the World Youth Chess Championship. Another team member, WCM Munkhzul Davaakhuu is the World Youth Champion and the winner of numerous youth titles in Asia. Her family follows in the footsteps of Polgar sisters as her elder sibling Khongorzul Davaakhuu is the World School Blitz Champion, while the younger sister Unurzul Davaakhuu is the silver medalist of World Youth and Asian Youth Championships. Final standings: Major league team standings: 1st place – GEGEEN ARVAI1. IM Gan-Erdene Sugar2. FM Tengis Tsog-Ochir3. WCM Munkhzul Davaakhuu4. CM Tenuunbold Battulga (bronze medalist of the World Youth Chess Championship) 2nd place – COLOR MIND 11. NM Galmandakh Badrakh2. NM Amgalanbaatar Ravdanlkhumbuu3. WIM Bayarmaa Bayarjargal4. Danzanjunai Ganbat 3rd place – UVURKHANGAI1. GM Gundavaa Bayarsaikhan2. IM Munkhgal Gombosuren3. Tsogzolmaa Nanjid4. CM Yuruultei Batbaatar 4th place – ALDAR1. GM Bilguun Sumiya2. IM, WGM Munguntuul Batkhuyag3. FM Bulgankhan Ganzorig4. Agibat Batzaya 5th place – ABChess1. IM Batsuren Dambasuren2. FM Chinguun Sumiya3. WFM Anu Bayar4. CM Sodbilegt Naranbold Minor league team standings (Division I): B group 1st place – SKY MONGOL1. FM Munkhbat Chogdov2. FM Khulan Enkhsaikhan3. AGM Otgonbat Ishdagva4. WCM Unurzul Davaakhuu B group 2nd place U13 – Little demons1. CM Ochirbat Lkhagvajamts2. WCM Bayasgalan Khishigbaatar3. Ulziikhishig Khishigbat4. Unubold Nandinzul B group 3rd place – Caissa_mn1. WIM Munkhzul Turmunkh2. Amin-Erdene Burmaa3. Angar Zoljargal4. Ryenchinbayar Burenzevseg Minor league team standings (Division II): C group 1st place – KHOVD-11. Ekhbayar Buyantogtokh2. Baldorj Baatar3. Undarmaa Erdenejargal4. Mungunshagai Baasankhuu C group 2nd place – KHANGARID-31. Ankhbayar Amarjargal2. Khongorzul Bayarsaikhan3. Buyanbadrakh Gantsogt4. Erdenetungalag Delgerdalai C group 3rd place – GEGEE SHATAR1. Boldbaatar Dorjsuren2. Bat-Asral Bayar3. Ali Bauirjan4. Munkhkhishig Gantumur Individual standings: (only A-group counts) 1. GM Bilguun Sumiya /ALDAR team/2. FM Tengis Tsog-Ochir /GEGEEN ARVAI team/3. IM Gan-Erdene Sugar /GEGEEN ARVAI team/ Best female player: WIM Bayarmaa Bayarjargal /COLOR MIND 1 team/ Best U12: Danzanjunai Ganbat /COLOR MIND 1 team/
FIDE announces workshops for arbiters and federations
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) announced two online workshops to be held in mid-June: FIDE and ECU Workshop for arbiters in online chess events The conference will be held in Zoom. To register, simply send an email to chairman.arbiters@fide.com. Prior to the start, the organizer will send a link to join the webinar. Schedule: 10.06.2020 [Wednesday], 18:00 – 20:00 CEST Hosts: IA Laurent Freyd, Chairman of the FIDE Arbiters’ Commission and IA Tomasz Delega, Chairman of the ECU Arbiters’ Council Description: the hosts will share about online events and best practices to help arbiters fulfilling their role in this new context. During the conference, you will find out about: – what’s the role of the arbiter in online tournaments– how to get prepared for different kinds of online tournament formats– how to deal with the challenges that an arbiter may face online– what are the useful processes and tools for arbiters online– how to implement fair play measures and tools FIDE Workshop for federations on arbiters’ title applications The conference will be held in Zoom. To register, simply send an email to secretary.arbiters@fide.com. Prior to the start, the organizer will send a link to join the webinar. Schedule: 18.06.2020 [Thursday], 15:00 – 17:00 CEST Hosts: IA Laurent Freyd, Chairman of the FIDE Arbiters’ Commission, IA Nebojsa Baralic, Secretary of the FIDE Arbiters’ Commission and IA Jirina Prokopova, Member of the FIDE Arbiters’ commission in charge of titles. Description: the hosts will share about best practices in the preparation of arbiters’ title applications, to help federations and arbiters increase their applications approved at first try. During the conference, you will find out: – how to fill in and validate an arbiter’s norm– how to select norms for a valid application– how to check data related to an application
Lindores Abbey: Fast and furious Dubov rules supreme
Russian hot-shot Daniil Dubov is chess24’s 2020 Rapid Challenge champion after winning one of the best online super-tournament finals ever seen today. The 24-year-old former World Champion in rapid Daniil Dubov bested the pre-match favorite Hikaru Nakamura in an intense winner-takes-all battle that finished in an Armageddon tiebreak. Dubov takes home the $45,000 top prize and has booked his place in the $300,000 Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Grand Final. Nakamura received $27,000 for his effort. It was a phenomenal end to what has been a fascinating tournament as two noted speed chess specialists vied for supremacy. Dubov went into the event having got to the final of the FIDE Steinitz Online Memorial where he was beaten soundly by World Champion Magnus Carlsen. However, in the preliminary stage of the Rapid Challenge Dubov exacted sweet revenge on his friend – despite only just scraping into the last 16. Carlsen, meanwhile, was eventually knocked out by Nakamura. Now in the knockout, Dubov went on to hit top form as he destroyed countryman Sergey Karjakin in the quarters and after that Chinese number 1 Ding Liren in the semis. On the first day of the final against Nakamura, however, Dubov – as in the Steinitz event – appeared outclassed and nervy as he suffered a nightmare start. But on the second the super-sharp young Russian recovered his composure to take the match to a decider. Going into today, Nakamura had looked refreshed and well prepared having revealed he had taken the night off from streaming chess to his army of fans. Nakamura’s preparation showed in game 1, as the American neutralized his opponent and made a draw from the position of strength. However, game 2 sent shockwaves that fired the match into life. Nakamura appeared better out of the opening and Dubov was behind on time in a dangerous position. But then at the key moment in the endgame, Nakamura appeared to lose concentration. A series of small inaccuracies followed and Hikaru lost the thread and then the game. Game 3 was vital. Nakamura could not lose and had to bounce back with the Black pieces. And – showing incredible poise under pressure – he did it. One of the commentators, Peter Svidler said: “This is tremendously impressive from Hikaru considering what happened in game 2. This is an unbelievable level of mental fortitude being displayed.” Game 4 was another draw that took the final – and $45,000 top prize – to an Armageddon play-off and it was Dubov who kept his cool when it mattered. Dubov said “it’s a relief” and described the tournament as a “wonderful journey”. “Throughout the match, I had the feeling that he’s [Nakamura is] absolutely sure he’ll win the Armageddon with Black,” he added. “Today was not our typical match. Normally he plays better and I’m better prepared, but today was the opposite.” It was a fitting end to a phenomenal contest. The event, part of the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour, has been put on in association with the Lindores Abbey Heritage Society, which maintains the historic site in Scotland. The remaining schedule for the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour is as follows: June 20 – July 5 | Online Chess Masters | $150,000 July 21 – August 5 | Legends of Chess | $150,000 August 9 – 20 | Grand Final | $300,000 Highlights English FOR MORE INFORMATION:Leon Watsonleon@chessable.com+447786 078770
Lindores Abbey: Dubov sends final to decider
Daniil Dubov halted Hikaru Nakamura‘s title charge today to force a third-day decider in the Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge final. The Russian, as his rival did yesterday, won the key first game and steadfastly held on to take the day. It squares the best-of-three final 1-1 and means Dubov and Nakamura will play-off tomorrow for the title, $45,000 first prize, and a place in the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Grand final. Dubov said afterward: “Yesterday, Hikaru played really fast and for today I decided OK, I will do pretty much the same thing, just play some random, sort of normal moves quickly and it kinda worked out.” After yesterday’s nightmare start, Dubov needed to get back in the Rapid Challenge final fast and he comfortably outplayed Nakamura with the Black pieces. Nakamura, the online chess specialist, did suffer a rare mouse-slip and was visibly annoyed with himself – but he was already in a bad position. Dubov, the former World Champion in rapid chess, held firm in Games 2 and 3, steering both to draws. It left yesterday’s leader Nakamura with a final chance to win in Game 4 and force an Armageddon tiebreak. Dubov seemed in trouble but a nice comeback gave him the draw he needed to win the day 2.5-1.5 and level the final. The event, which runs until tomorrow, is being put on in association with the Lindores Abbey Heritage Society, which maintains the historic site. Coverage begins with commentary in 10 languages at 16.00 CEST. You can watch it live here Highlights English FOR MORE INFORMATION:Leon Watsonleon@chessable.com+447786 078770
Nakamura’s fast start stuns Dubov on the first day of final
A dominant Hikaru Nakamura capitalized on Daniil Dubov‘s nightmare start to storm ahead in the first leg of the $150,000 Rapid Challenge final today. The American, fresh from toppling World Champion Magnus Carlsen in the semi, showed all his cool, calm skills to race into a 2-0 lead almost without breaking a sweat. Dubov, meanwhile, appeared nervy and left himself a mountain to climb. The Russian has been in fantastic form going into the final but, as in the FIDE Online Steinitz Memorial event last month, he has so far struggled in the final. This time, however, Dubov has a chance to get back into it tomorrow. He must win against Nakamura to take the match into a final day or fall at the final hurdle for a second consecutive online super tournament. Game 1 was immediately unpleasant for the 24-year-old Dubov as he appeared to get punished for pushing too hard. Nakamura, world’s top-rated blitz player who boasts an army of fans online, then made Game 2 look easy as he gave Dubov no chances and rolled over him in the endgame. With a 2-0 lead in the bag, obtained in a brutal fashion, Nakamura then tried to shut up shop in the third to grab the half-point needed to secure the mini-match. Meanwhile, Dubov, having shaken himself into action, had other ideas and went up a gear to take the must-win third game in style. Yet Daniil needed to repeat the feat and beat Nakamura with the Black pieces in Game 4 – no easy task. The Russian pushed hard again in the final game to send it to a tiebreak, but Nakamura was super-steady and held to take the day 2.5-1.5. “I made it a little bit more messy than I would have liked but obviously it all worked out.” Nakamura said in a quick interview after the match. He added: “I think the match, like most of the other matches, hinged on the first game.” Tomorrow, Dubov, the former World Champion in this “rapid” format, will be back gunning to turn the match around. The event, which runs until June 3, is being put on in association with the Lindores Abbey Heritage Society, which maintains the historic site. Coverage begins with commentary in 10 languages at 16.00 CEST. You can watch it live here Highlights English FOR MORE INFORMATION:Leon Watsonleon@chessable.com+447786 078770
Alexey Sarana wins European Online Chess Championship
On Sunday, May 31, 2020, GM Alexey Sarana (Russia) won the title in the group for 2300+ players of the first European Online Chess Championship and took home €1,200. The tournament was held in different rating categories ( A 1000-1400, B 1401-1700, C 1701-2000, D 2001-2300, and E 2300+) May 16-31 on Chess.com. The Russian GM won a 16-player playoff to which he qualified from two Grand Prix events (held on May 20 and 30) along with thirteen other participants. At this knockout stage, two invited players – Anish Giri and David Navara – joined the competition. The matches were played in best-out-of-two rapid games format (time control 10+2) with an Armageddon if needed. Photo: John Saunders The eventual champion had a tough test in quarterfinals as he faced Anish Giri. After holing with black, Alexey won with white by breaking through and advancing his pawns on the kingside. It is worth mentioning the success of Armenian chess, as two representatives of this country Sergei Movsesian and Gabriel Sargissian made it to the semifinals. David Navara became the fourth semifinalist after defeating Anton Demchenko. Sarana – Movsesian semifinal was unique as the former advanced to the without winning a single game: the Russian GM drew all the encounters, including the Armageddon. Meanwhile, in the other semifinal, Navara whitewashed Sargissian. Sarana was in full control in the final – after winning the first game in a solid positional style, in the second encounter he impressed his opponent, commentators, and spectators with an unexpected but very sound move with an idea of exploiting the darks squares: Navara – Sarana 20…g5! after this move, Black is simply better 21. fxg6 fxg6 22. Na4 Ba7 23. Ree1 Ne6 24. Bh6 Rxf1+ 25. Rxf1 g5 26. Qa5 g4 27. Nb6 Rg8 28. Qxa7 gxh3 and seven moves later White capitulated 0-1 “I am really happy we had this tournament because for players like me and other 2600 players, there are big tournaments but there is a lot of competition and very low prices. It’s difficult for us to play; it’s hard to get anything,” said the champion in a short online interview. Sarana, Navara, Sargissian, who beat his compatriot Movsesian in the match for third place, all qualified for the European Individual Championship, scheduled for December 8-21, 2020 in Terme Olimia, Slovenia. Nino Batsiashvili (GEO) scored 10 points in two Grand Prix events won the title of European Women Online Chess Champion. The champion received €700 and directly qualified for the European Individual Women’s Championship (October 31-November 12 in Mamaia, Romania). Polina Shuvalova (RUS) and Daria Voit (RUS) tied for the second with the former taking silver thank to better tiebreaks. Final standings: Category A 1000-1400: Mustafa Sezgin (TUR, 1201 rapid rtg) Gulsana Aghayeva (AZE, 1329 rapid rtg) Roman Popov (CZE, 1379 rapid rtg) Category B 1401-1700: Richard Stalmach (CZE, 1667 rapid rtg) Ognjen Domovic (CRO, 1544 rapid rtg) Ahmet Donmez (TUR, 1483 rapid rtg) Category C 1701-2000: Sebastian-Ion Pavel (ROU, 1996 rapid rtg) Elnur Mehtiyev (AZE, 1968 rapid rtg) Artur Davtyan (ARM, 1854 rapid rtg) Category D 2001-2300: Murad Ibrahimli (AZE, 2155 rapid rtg) Abdula Gadimbayli (AZE, 2254 rapid rtg) Artur Davtyan (ARM, 1854 rapid rtg)
Mamedov takes Silkway Cup
At the end of May, a popular chess platform playchess.com hosted Silkway Cup, an online blitz tournament dedicated to the Republic Day of Azerbaijan (28 of May), and Independence Day of Georgia (26 of May). The 15-round competition held with time control 3+2 brought together the best Azerbaijani and Georgian chess players including 25 grandmasters. With SOCAR as a sponsor, the event had a whopping 20,000 Euro prize fund. The tournament rating favorites occupied all the top positions in the final standings but not according to the starting ranking. The fifth rated Rauf Mamedov (AZE) scored 11.5 out of 15 and came clear first, defeating the rating favorite Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (the champion said that this victory had given him a real confidence boost), Ivan Cheparinov, Luka Paichadze, and others on the way. Baadur Jobava was in the contest for the title all the way, but after making a draw in his last round game with Aydin Suleymanli he finished second with 11 points. The leader after the first day Nijat Abasov is third with 10.5. Final standings: 1 Rauf Mamedov AZE 2654 11.5 2 Jobava Baadur GEO 2603 11.0 3 Nijat Abasov AZE 2664 10.5 4 Vugar Rasulov AZE 2478 10.0 5 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov AZE 2764 10.0 6 Giga Quparadze GEO 2463 10.0 7 Aydin Suleymanli AZE 2512 9.5 8 Levan Pantsulaia GEO 2553 9.5 9 Nidjat Mamedov AZE 2609 9.5 10 Vasif Durarbayli AZE 2606 9.0 11 Tornike Sanikidze GEO 2458 9.0 Official website: http://www.world2020.ge/
Lindores Abbey: Nakamura topples Carlsen to ride into the final
Hikaru Nakamura shocked World Champion Magnus Carlsen today to book his place in the Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge final. The American blitz king finally overpowered his 29-year-old rival in a dramatic Armageddon tiebreak after their regular match ended 2-2. It sealed an epic comeback after Carlsen thrashed Nakamura 3-0 in the first match of their semifinal before Nakamura recovered to square the tie yesterday. Speaking afterward, Nakamura said: “It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but it’s great to beat Magnus. At least one time I found a way to win, so I’m pretty happy.” On Carlsen, Nakamura added: “When I saw him on the webcam, he seemed a little bit off… In general, I got the sense that he wasn’t completely feeling it so that gave me a lot of confidence as well throughout.” Nakamura now goes through to meet Russian star Daniil Dubov in the final of Carlsen’s signature Magnus Carlsen Tour event. Today’s match was always going to be tense but the fireworks didn’t start straight away. Game 1 was quiet and finished with a comfortable draw as Nakamura appeared to calmly neutralize Carlsen. By Game 2 Carlsen’s jacket was off and he was pushing for a win. Nakamura, however, again calmly diffused the champion and then, with precise play, turned the screw. The American had gone 1.5-0.5 ahead and was now, in such a tight situation with games running out, the huge favorite. Any suspicions that the match was over were quickly scotched, though, when Carlsen showed incredible resilience to immediately roar back in the third. It was a huge win and the score was all-square again. “It’s nice to see Magnus started to do the right things,” said Daniil Dubov, commentating on his potential opponent for the final. “We had a short talk yesterday and I told him to stop this 1.e4 nonsense!” Predictably, Game 4 was tense – and with neither player willing to risk the match it ended in another draw to take it to an Armageddon tiebreak. Carlsen, with the White pieces, had to win while Nakamura with the Black and a time disadvantage needed a draw. But it was Carlsen who blinked first as he missed a study-like winning maneuver 37.Bf7 (more natural 37.Nb3 was played instead) and then blundered the game, the match, and the semi-final. It sets up a mouth-watering final starting on Monday between two in-form speed chess specialists. Nakamura and Dubov are going for the $45,000 top prize while the beaten semi-finalists, Carlsen and Ding Liren, both pick up $15,000. The event, which runs until June 3, is being put on in association with the Lindores Abbey Heritage Society, which maintains the historic site. Coverage resumes with the final on Monday with commentary in 10 languages at 16.00 CEST. You can watch it live here Highlights English FOR MORE INFORMATION:Leon Watsonleon@chessable.com+447786 078770
Wesley So takes Clutch Chess title
Wesley So became the inaugural winner of Clutch Chess, a new online tournament that was created by Grandmaster Maurice Ashley and hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club. As the grand prize winner, Wesley So has won a total of $40,000 during the competition. Grandmaster (GM) Fabiano Caruana (World number 2), GM Wesley So (World number 8), GM Leinier Dominguez (World number 6 in Rapid) and GM Hikaru Nakamura (World number 1 in Blitz) were the top four American chess superstars that battled online during Clutch Chess from Tuesday, May 26, 2020, through Friday, May 29, 2020. Compared to other chess tournaments, Clutch Chess featured a different type of prize breakdown and scoring. Bonus money of $10,000 was awarded to players who delivered victories in the clutch games in each match, while drawn clutch games rolled the money into the end of the match. This new prize structure means the final two games could be worth as much as $30,000 for a victory – as much as the first-place prize. In the semifinals So gritted out a victory over Nakamura, while Caruana dominated in his match with Dominguez. The final match was a very close battle with the opponents finishing neck-to-neck but Wesley So came out on the top thanks to a better tiebreak as he scored more points in critical clutch games. “I am so happy right now to win the first-ever Clutch Chess tournament. Today was up and down but I am so relieved on the final outcome as in a two-game blitz match anything can happen. I’ve had the opportunity to play some of the strongest players, Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana, in this new tournament,” said So. Expert commentary was provided by Grandmaster’s Yasser Seirawan and Maurice Ashley and Woman Grandmaster Jennifer Shahade throughout the tournament. The exciting knockout format led to unexpected and uncompromising play throughout the tournament, including: Nakamura demonstrated why he’s an incredibly rapid and online player when he went into what Maurice Ashley called “swindle mode.” While down three pawns, he caused enough complications to ultimately save a draw in the second game of his match against Wesley So. Caruana was unstoppable in his first match, winning four out of the first six games. He was in the driver’s seat the entire time, winning another four games on day two to clinch the match. Caruana pocketed $10,000 in clutch prizes during the semifinals and went on to win a total of $38,000 by the tournament’s end. Dominguez, one of the highest-rated rapid players on earth, played with tenacious defense throughout the match, snagging several wins against Caruana. His ability to maintain a strong defense, combined with the unique scoring system, gave chances to the very end. In his postgame interview, Fabiano said “it still came down to the last two games. I realized if he wins the last two he can catch me. It was strange; I felt like after I won that Berlin endgame [game 10] I should win, the match should be over, but I realized there was still a lot to play for.” Wesley So ended the first day of the semifinals trailing Hikaru Nakamura by one point; he took his revenge on day two, winning rounds 7, 8, and 9 and finally the match. The final match between Wesley So and Fabiano Caruana was a back-and-forth affair, with Wesley winning a crucial victory early on. That decisive win ultimately secured him the match victory and the 1st place prize. Final standings: Place Name Total Winnings Clutch Bonus 1 Wesley So $40,000 $10,000 2 Fabiano Caruana $38,000 $18,000 3-4 Hikaru Nakamura $12,000 $2,000 3-4 Leinier Dominguez $10,000 $0 Total prize fund $100,000 “Despite this unprecedented time and the inability to hold in-person tournaments, we’re passionate about continuing to innovate and bring new opportunities to the world of chess, not only to the players but also to the fans,” said Tony Rich, Executive Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “We’re thrilled with how the first Clutch Chess tournament went and are excited for the upcoming Clutch Chess International scheduled for June 6 – 14, 2020, and expanding to an international field with eight players.” “We were extremely impressed by everyone’s enterprising and aggressive play throughout the Clutch Chess tournament,” said Maurice Ashley. “I was most definitely in awe of how Wesley So showed so much heart to come back and win after losing a devastating game eight.” For more information about Clutch Chess, read daily recaps and re-watch the games with commentary, visit uschesschamps.com. Text and photo: Official site
Lindores Abbey SFs: Nakamura fights back, Dubov reaches the final
Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura will fight it out in a Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge semi-final decider after the American squared their tie today. Nakamura, the world’s top-rated blitz chess player, was calm and controlled as he hit back hard in a must-win match against Norway’s World Champion. Carlsen, playing in his signature Magnus Carlsen Tour event, had convincingly won yesterday’s encounter 3-0. Speaking on a Twitch stream afterward he showed he was typically confident going into the second. But today was very different. The first game was a stunner – and it turned out to be extremely important. Carlsen launched a buccaneering attack on Nakamura involving a piece sacrifice. Carlsen was clearly winning at one point, but a blunder in a very tense position let Nakamura counter and Carlsen lost it. At one point, Carlsen – still confident – even turned down a draw by repetition and played 26…g3 which turned out to be a fatal error. “It was a pretty wild game, but I found a way to win,” said Nakamura afterward. “It was a little bit lucky to win this game, but I’ll take it.” Game 2, which Nakamura described as “a complete mess”, was no less dramatic – despite ending in a draw. Carlsen had a strong position but his advantage evaporated after an apparent mouse-slip. The resulting draw meant Nakamura retained the lead and went into the third game with a chance of ending the match early. Carlsen bided his time with the Black pieces and steered the game to a second draw that left him with all his chips on the final game. Yet with Carlsen straining for a win, Nakamura remained solid and played out a third draw that won him the match and got him right back into the seminal. Meanwhile, in the other match, Daniil Dubov was busy blowing away an out-of-sorts Ding Liren. The Russian smashed through China’s number one in the first game to build on his first mini-match win yesterday. “Dubov just checkmated Ding Liren in 23 moves with Black. What is going on?” said Jan Gustafsson in the commentary box. Dubov then went 2-0 up against Ding leaving the Chinese needing a minor miracle to reach the final. Ding, who was not his normal solid self, then could not stop Daniil’s steering the third game into a match-ending draw. Dubov goes through to the final with a 2.5-0.5 win against Ding today and 2-0 overall. Asked who he would like to play in the final, Dubov said: “I would definitely prefer to play Magnus. I just think it would be much more interesting to play him … I just prefer to play the best players. Obviously, Magnus is much stronger than Hikaru.” The event, which runs until June 3, is being put on in association with the Lindores Abbey Heritage Society, which maintains the historic site. Coverage begins with commentary in 10 languages at 16.00 CEST. You can watch it live here Highlights English FOR MORE INFORMATION:Leon Watsonleon@chessable.com+447786 078770