Chess prodigies are on the rise, and 9-year-old WFM Bodhana Sivananda from the United Kingdom is making waves in the chess world. Recently, she became one of the youngest players to compete in the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, marking her as the youngest ever to represent her country in the Women’s Section. In an inspiring interview, Bodhana shared her ambitious goals: becoming the youngest Grandmaster and aiming for the World chess Champion title, just like her idol Magnus Carlsen! Watch her interview here.
Super Tournaments in Chess: What Makes Them So Prestigious? ♟
Super Tournaments are the pinnacle of elite chess competitions, reserved for the cream of the crop. Invitations are extended to top-ranking players, World Champions, and the best performers of recent times. Even Grandmasters (2500+ rated) and Super Grandmasters (2700+ rated) find it challenging to secure a spot. Unlike open tournaments where you can simply register, Super Tournaments are invite-only, making them highly exclusive.
WR Masters: A Unique Mix of Legends, Youngsters, and Prodigies
The WR Masters was a spectacular Super Tournament featuring a lineup like no other. Legendary players such as Veselin Topalov, Vishwanathan Anand, and Alexandra Kosteniuk joined forces with Super Grandmasters like Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Vidit Gujarathi. Adding to the excitement were rising stars like Alireza Firouzja, Arjun Erigaisi, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Raunak Sadhwani, alongside upcoming talents from the UK, GM Shreyas Royal and WFM Bodhana Sivanandan.
Format of the WR Masters: A Knockout Battle! ⚔
Unlike the usual Swiss format, the WR Masters adopted a unique knockout style. Players competed in two games (one with white pieces, one with black), with the first to reach 1.5 points advancing. In case of a draw, the battle went to an Armageddon tiebreaker. The time control was also innovative: 60 minutes for the first 30 moves, 30 minutes for the next 20, and 30 minutes for the remaining moves, without any increments. This ensured the games ended in 4 hours (2 hours per side).
Source: https://www.chess.com/events/2024-wr-chess-masters-cup/results
Chess Drama: GM Raunak Sadhwani Misses Game, Alireza Firouzja Advances
Amidst the intense competition, GM Raunak Sadhwani, who was in great form, faced an unexpected hiccup. He missed the start of his Quarterfinals match against Alireza Firouzja due to an alarm mishap involving his AirPods. Alireza was given a walkover, but let’s not be too harsh on Raunak. After all, he’s just 18 and dedicated to his preparation. It’s a reminder that discipline, especially punctuality, is crucial for young talents.
Arjun Erigaisi Dominates but Misses the 2800 Club by a Whisker
GM Arjun Erigaisi showcased his brilliance by defeating prodigy Bodhana, teammates Vidit and Pragg, and finally MVL in the finals, securing €20,000. Although he missed entering the 2800 rating club, he now ranks Number 4 in the world on live ratings and India’s Number 1. Arjun’s 27.84 FIDE Circuit points also boost his chances for a spot in the next Candidates Tournament.
Source : ChessbaseIndia X
Source – 2700Chess.com
(Only 15 players historically have managed to enter the 2800 Club, Can Arjun make it? )
Stay tuned to Premier Chess Academy for more updates on the exciting world of chess. Parents, if your kids are inspired by these young chess stars, why not join Premier Chess Academy? It’s an amazing place where young minds flourish and grow through the game of chess. Let’s make future champions together! 🌟♟
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