7 players with perfect scores at Nakhchivan Open

International Chess Festival Nakhchivan Open
Seven players with perfect score after round two

The International Chess Festival Nakhchivan Open, dedicated to the memory of President Heydar Aliyev, is taking place from 23rd April to 1st May at the “Nakhchivan Chess Center” in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan. The Festival consists of two tournaments, A Group for those rated above 2250 and women rated above 2100, and B Group for those rated under 2250.

The A Group is incredibly strong, with dense field and a number of players rated above 2700-elo participating. Already in the second round there were many clashes between Grandmasters. Georgian Merab Gagunashvili held the top-seeded Wang Yue to a draw, while the local hope Nijat Abasov split the point with the experienced Ilia Smirin.

Seven Grandmasters are on the top of the crosstable with perfect score (standings bellow). Top round 3 matches are: GM Almasi Zoltan – GM Sokolov Ivan, GM Landa Konstantin – GM Vallejo Pons Francisco, GM Miroshnichenko Evgenij – GM Aleksandrov Aleksej, GM Ibrahimov Rasul – GM Wang Yue.

The Festival is organized by the Azerbaijan Youth & Sport Ministry, Azerbaijan Chess Federation and Nakhchivan AR Chess Federation. Nine rounds according to Swiss system will be played in both tournaments. The total prize fund is $ 66.500.

Leaders after 2 rounds:

GM Sokolov Ivan NED 2643 – 2
GM Aleksandrov Aleksej BLR 2638 – 2
GM Ibrahimov Rasul AZE 2526 – 2
GM Almasi Zoltan HUN 2719 – 2
GM Vallejo Pons Francisco ESP 2707 – 2
GM Miroshnichenko Evgenij UKR 2670 – 2
GM Landa Konstantin RUS 2609 – 2
GM Turov Maxim RUS 2635 – 1.5
GM Safarli Eltaj AZE 2628 – 1.5
GM Wang Yue CHN 2734 – 1.5
GM Smirin Ilia ISR 2658 – 1.5
GM Gagunashvili Merab GEO 2599 – 1.5
GM Korobov Anton UKR 2647 – 1.5
GM Abasov Nijat Azad Oglu AZE 2504 – 1.5
IM Rasulov Vugar Ural Oglu AZE 2499 – 1.5
IM Bajarani Ulvi AZE 2437 – 1.5
GM Volkov Sergey RUS 2621 – 1.5
GM Guseinov Gadir AZE 2584 – 1.5
IM Ipatov Alexander ESP 2514 – 1.5