IM Divya Deshmukh drew against IM Leya Garifullina to win the Sharjah Challengers 2024. In the rook and bishop vs. rook endgame, Divya got a couple of chances in the end to push for a win. However, she decided not to take any unwarranted risk in the final round. A draw was enough for her to become the champion and that's what she did. The reigning Asian Continental Women's champion, has earned herself a spot in the Masters section of the next edition. GM Bardiya Daneshvar (IRI) drew against GM Arjun Erigaisi to win 7th Sharjah Masters 2024. GM Volodar Murzin, GM Sam Shankland (USA) and GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) also scored the same 6.5/9 each. They were placed second to fourth respectively. Arjun became the sole Indian to make a top ten finish in the Masters. He secured seventh place. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy
Bardiya clinches the Masters, Agshin Futures
A fortnight ago, we mentioned that it is not everyday a female player wins a rating open or a rating restricted event. 18 days later, once again the top two places were claimed by two female players in the Challengers section. We hope it becomes a common occurrence instead of a rare feat. IM Aradhya Garg and IM Harsh Suresh are the only two other Indians to make a top ten finish in the Challengers. They scored 6.5/9 each to secure sixth and seventh place respectively. Agshin Alizada (AZE) won the Futures section scoring 7.5/9. 9-year-old Safin Safarullakhan also scored 7.5/9. He secured second place according to tie-breaks. Apart from Safin, Vivaan Rana and Jayaraj Gowrishankar are two more Indians to make a top ten finish in the Futures. They scored 7/9 and 6.5/9 to be placed fourth and seventh respectively. The top three prizes in all three sections were the following: Masters - US$ 12000, $8000 and $7000, Challengers - $2000, $1600 and $1300, Futures - $1500, $1100 and $900, along with a winner's trophy + medal for all three.
The Champions (L to R): Masters - GM Bardiya Daneshvar (IRI) 6.5/9, Challengers - IM Divya Deshmukh 7/9 and Futures - Agshin Alizada (AZE) 7.5/9
Champion in Masters - GM Bardiya Daneshvar (IRI) 6.5/9
Interview with GM Bardiya Daneshvar | Video: ChessBase India
Runner-up - GM Volodar Murzin 6.5/9
Second Runner-up - GM Sam Shankland (USA) 6.5/9
Divya- Leya
Position after 45...Kh3?
45...Kh3? created some winning chances for IM Divya Deshmukh (2440). 46.Re1 Rc2+ 47.Kf3 Rc3+ 48.Ke4 was one of the ways. Of course, with the championship on the line and a draw being enough to win the tournament, it is understandable that a risk in the final round was not necessary. 46.Re6 Rc2+ 47.Kf3 White's last chance was to play 47.Re2 exchange the rooks and win the game using her bishop and passed c-pawn. The game ended in a draw in the next few moves and Divya became champion.
IM Divya Deshmukh analyzes her game against IM Leya Garifullina | Video: ChessBase India
IM Divya Deshmukh shakes hands with IM Leya Garifullina before the start of the final round
Divya Deshmukh on winning the Sharjah Challengers 2024 | Video: ChessBase India
Champion in Challengers - IM Divya Deshmukh 7/9
Runner-up - IM Leya Garifullina 7/9
Second Runner-up - IM Sina Movahed (IRI) 7/9
Photo Gallery
Masters: 4th GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) 6.5/9
5th GM M Amin Tabatabaei (IRI) 6/9
6th GM Alexey Sarana (SRB) 6/9
7th GM Arjun Erigaisi 6/9
8th GM Yangyi Yu (CHN) 6/9
9th GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) 6/9
10th GM Aydin Suleymanli (AZE) 6/9
Challengers: 6th IM Aradhya Garg 6.5/9
7th IM Harsh Suresh 6.5/9
Futures: Champion - Agshin Alizada (AZE) 7.5/9
9-year-old Safin wins seven games in-a-row | Video: ChessBase India