Himal Gusain dominates 1st Genova International Chess Festival 2024

by Shahid Ahmed - 15/08/2024

Top seed IM Himal Gusain scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win 1st Genova International Open A 2024. He finished a full point ahead of the field. IM Vilka Sipila (FIN) and IM Conor E Murphy (IRL) scored 6.5/9 each. They secured second and third place according to tie-breaks. Himal defeated both runners-up in sixth and fifth round respectively. The total prize fund combining three groups was €7000. The top three prizes were €1500, €1000 and €800 each. The seven-day nine round Rating Open A (>2000) tournament was organized by Circolo scacchistico Luigi Centurini at Stadium Genova in Genova, Italy from 13th to 19th July 2024. IM Nitish Belurkar, WGM-elect WIM Sakshi Chitlange and CM Joel Paul Ganta are three more Indians to make a top ten finish. They scored 6/9, 5.5/9 and 5.5/9 each to be placed seventh, ninth and tenth respectively. This was Himal's seventh tournament victory of the year. Photo: Paulo Aiello

Himal's seventh triumph of the year

The Open B (1600-2050) event witnessed the participation of 52 players and Open C (<1650) had 36 players. Total 119 players from 18 countries across the world took part in the inaugural Genova International Chess Festival 2024. IM Himal Gusain had a full point lead going into the final round 7/8. IM Nitish Belurkar was the sole pursuer at 6/8. Himal drew with IM Giorgi Sibashvili (GEO) to become a clear champion. Himal gained a valuable 12.1 Elo rating points to cross 2500 in the August 2024 FIDE Rating list. WGM-elect WIM Sakshi Chitlange continued her good form to increase her Elo rating by 34.4 points. She is now 30 Elo rating points away from becoming India's next Woman Grandmaster.

Champion - IM Himal Gusain 7.5/9 | Photo: Paolo Aiello

Himal - Vilka, Round 6

Position after 22...Kd7

IM Himal Gusain (2494) had a wild game against IM Vilka Sipila (FIN, 2450). White was forced to move his king to d3. Eventually it found its safe haven at b1 via d2-c1.

IM Himal Gusain scored an unbeaten 7.5/9, finished a full point ahead of the competition and gained 12.1 Elo rating points

7th IM Nitish Belurkar 6/9 | Photo: Paolo Aiello

9th WIM Sakshi Chitlange 5.5/9 | Photo: Paolo Aiello

10th CM Joel Paul Ganta 5.5/9 | Photo: Paolo Aiello

Thanks to Mr. Paolo Aiello, Tournament Organizer, for sharing the photographs.

A total of 36 players including 4 GMs, 5 IMs and 2 WIMs took part from 15 countries across the world in this seven-day nine round Rating Open A (>2000) tournament. It was organized by Circolo scacchistico Luigi Centurini at Stadium Genova in Genova, Italy from 13th to 19th July 2024. The time control of the event was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move.

Replay all available Open A games

Final standings

Pos.	Num.		Name	Fed	Rtg.	Pts.	BH	BH-C1	SB	KS	ARO
1	1	IM	Gusain Himal	IND	2494	7.5	49.5	46.0	40.75	5.50	2332
2	3	IM	Sipila Vilka	FIN	2450	6.5	52.5	46.0	35.75	6.50	2268
3	2	IM	Murphy Conor E	IRL	2463	6.5	48.5	45.0	32.25	3.50	2272
4	6	GM	Glek Igor	BEL	2396	6	51.0	47.5	31.75	5.00	2260
5	8	GM	Efimov Igor	MNC	2312	6	49.0	46.0	29.25	5.00	2260
6	5	IM	Sibashvili Giorgi	GEO	2436	6	47.0	43.5	29.25	4.50	2247
7	4	IM	Nitish Belurkar	IND	2442	6	46.5	42.5	30.00	4.00	2215
8	7	GM	Kovacevic Blazimir	CRO	2380	5.5	51.0	47.0	29.25	4.50	2250
9	16	WIM	Chitlange Sakshi	IND	2173	5.5	47.5	45.0	25.50	3.50	2243
10	27	CM	Joel Paul Ganta	IND	2056	5.5	43.5	40.5	23.50	2.50	2293