The European Team Championship kicked off with a big surprise on the top board. Azerbaijan, the rating favourites, were defeated by Denmark, as Shakhriyar Mamedyarov lost to Mads Andersen after his attempt at a winning attack backfired. Romania, the second seeds, only drew Austria, while Norway also got a draw against Slovakia despite Magnus Carlsen winning his game on the top board. In the women’s event, the most shocking result on the top boards was Greece holding Germany to a draw. | Photo: Mark Livshitz
An inspired Ian Nepomniachtchi and a fighting Peter Svidler climbed to shared first place in the standings of the Levitov Chess Week rapid tournament. Levon Aronian, who had finished day 1 as the sole leader, is now sharing third place with Vishy Anand, as the second half of the double round-robin remains to be played in Amsterdam. The players will return to the boards on Monday, after a rest day. | Photo: Lennart Ootes
French grandmaster Marc’Andria Maurizzi (pictured) is the only player with a perfect 4/4 score in the open section of the World Junior Championships taking place in Mexico City. In round 4, Maurizzi got the better of Andy Woodward, an IM from the United States who came from beating top seed Hans Niemann in the previous round. Meanwhile, in the women’s section, Armenian WIM Maryam Mkrtchyan is the sole leader with 4 points to her name. | Photo: David Llada
Divya Deshmukh, a late replacement and the lowest-rated player in the field, won the rapid section of the Tata Steel India tournament. The 17-year-old from Maharashtra outscored some of the strongest women players in the world to finish in sole first place with 7 out of 9 points. Ju Wenjun, who entered the last round tied for first with Divya, grabbed second place. | Photo: Vivek Sohani
The first edition of the World Rapid Team Championship kicked off on Saturday in Düsseldorf. Amid a relaxed environment, a few of the strongest GMs in the field suffered upsets. After the first four rounds, WR Chess, Wadim Rosenstein’s team, is the only squad with a perfect 8/8 score. Ian Nepomniachtchi was the strongest performer in the leading team, as he beat four lower-rated opponents in a row. | Pictured: The Chess Pensioners | Photo: Niki Riga