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
The first part of the "Never Ending Saga of Moroccan Chess" described the dubious practices of Moustapha Amazzal, the President of the Moroccan Chess Federation. The second part describes how FIDE renewed its trust in Mr Amazzal and why Lithuanian GM Paulius Pultinevicius and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and other prizewinners of the 4th International Prix Mohammed VI tournament that took place in August 2023 are still waiting for their prize money. | Photo: Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca | Source: Brochure of the 4. International Prix Mohammed VI tournament brochure
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave proved to be a worthy opponent for Magnus Carlsen in the final of the AI Cup winners’ bracket. In the end, however, the Norwegian prevailed in Armageddon. In the losers' bracket, Ian Nepomniachtchi defeated Alireza Firouzja, while Anish Giri got the better of Shakhriyar Mamedyarov.
Ian Nepomniachtchi collected four wins and a loss on the final day of action at the Levitov Chess Week to claim clear tournament victory with 12½ (out of 18) points. Nepo had also won the first edition of the event sponsored by Ilya Levitov back in 2019. This time around, he finished two points ahead of his closest pursuers, Levon Aronian and Peter Svidler. | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Peter Svidler and Ian Nepomniachtchi have a 2-point lead over their closest chasers with four rounds to go at the Levitov Chess Week in Amsterdam. The co-leaders faced each other twice already Svidler won with white in round 3, while their double-edged encounter finished drawn on Monday. Levon Aronian and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov are sharing third place with 7½/14 points each. | Photo: Lennart Ootes