Fier conquers 10th Lorca City Open, Iniyan third

by Shahid Ahmed - 02/01/2022

Iniyan P was on the verge of winning 10th Lorca City Open. Despite being in the sole lead 7.0/8, he was in a must-win situation against Karen Grigoryan (ARM) in the final round. A draw would not have been enough as the eventual winner, Alexandr Fier (BRA) 7.5/9, had better tie-breaks. Unfortunately for Iniyan, he could not win the last round and had to settle for third place. Karen finished second 7.5/9. Karthik Venkataraman had the same score as Iniyan, he secured fourth position according to the tie-breaks. IM Srijit Paul is the only other Indian to finish in the top ten at seventh place. WIM Priyanka Nutakki was the best female player 5.5/9. Photo: Club Ajedrez Lorca

Karthik Venkataraman fourth in tie-breaks

GM Iniyan P, GM Karthik Venkataraman and IM Srijit Paul are the only three Indians to finish in top ten. Namitbir Singh Walia is the highest untitled finisher at 20th place, scored 6.0/9 and gained 135.2 Elo rating points.

Champion - GM Alexandr Fier 7.5/9 | Photo: Club Ajedrez Lorca

2nd GM Karen Grigoryan H 7.5/9 | Photo: Club Ajedrez Lorca

3rd GM Iniyan P 7.0/9 | Photo: Club Ajedrez Lorca

Iniyan scored 7.0/9 without conceding a single draw

Apart from the two losses, it was IM Pranesh M who gave a tough competition to GM Iniyan P in Round 7.

Pranesh - Iniyan, Round 7

Position after 35...Rf8

Black's weakened and completely exposed king gives White a substantial advantage. Opening up the long diagonal h1-a8 is a priority for White. 36.Qg2 was played in the game which is certainly not bad, however there is something better, somewhat counterintuitive move. Find out what it is and why it is a better continuation for White. Iniyan eventually managed to turn things around and win the game.

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4th GM Karthik Venkataraman 7.0/9 | Photo: Rupali Mullick

7th IM Srijit Paul 6.5/9 | Photo: Club Ajedrez Lorca

20th Namitbir Singh Walia 6.0/9 gained a massive 135.2 Elo rating points | Photo: Rupali Mullick

Namitbir is also the top untitled finisher in the final standings.

Best female - WIM Priyanka Nutakki 5.5/9 | Photo: Club Ajedrez Lorca

The tournament was organized by Club Ajedrez Lorca at Campus Universitario de Lorca, Murcia in Spain from 26th to 30th December. Time control in Group A was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1. There were double rounds on four days, except the first day, 26th December.

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Final standings in Group A

Rk.	SNo		Name	Typ	sex	Gr	FED	Rtg	Club/City	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3
1	2	GM	Fier Alexandr				BRA	2572	Brasil	7,5	51,0	55,0	40,0
2	1	GM	Grigoryan Karen H.				ARM	2645	Armenia	7,5	46,5	50,0	36,0
3	3	GM	Iniyan P				IND	2555	India	7,0	48,5	53,0	38,0
4	5	GM	Karthik Venkataraman				IND	2506	India	7,0	48,5	52,5	39,0
5	4	GM	Dardha Daniel				BEL	2533	Belgica	7,0	45,5	50,0	33,0
6	8	IM	Quintiliano Pinto Renato R.				BRA	2466	Brasil	6,5	48,5	53,5	38,5
7	28	IM	Srijit Paul				IND	2340	India	6,5	48,0	52,0	32,5
8	19	IM	Valmana Canto Jaime				ESP	2387	Monteolivete	6,5	47,0	51,5	34,5
9	16	IM	Fernandez Guillen Ernesto J.				CUB	2411	Cuba	6,5	45,0	49,0	34,0
10	10	IM	Martinez Ramirez Lennis				CUB	2456	Cuba	6,5	43,5	48,0	34,0
11	7	IM	Di Berardino Diego Rafael				BRA	2480	Brasil	6,5	42,5	46,5	33,5
12	13	IM	Molina Roberto Junio Brito				BRA	2420	Brasil	6,5	40,0	43,5	32,0
13	18	IM	Sabuk Piotr				POL	2396	Polonia	6,0	48,5	52,5	36,0
14	11	IM	Pranesh M				IND	2437	India	6,0	48,0	52,5	36,5
15	12	IM	Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh				IND	2429	India	6,0	48,0	51,5	35,5