Himal Gusain perfect at 14th Salento Open Master 2025

by Shahid Ahmed - 20/06/2025

IM Himal Gusain scored a perfect 9/9 to win 14th Salento Open Master (≥1900) 2025. He won the tournament with a round to spare and finished a whopping two points ahead of the rest. WIM Cecile Haussernot (FRA) scored sole 7/9 to secure second place. IM Piotr Goluch (POL) was placed third with a score of 6/9. The total prize fund was €4200, €2500 for Master. The top three prizes were €1000 + trophy, €600 + cup and €299 + cup each. The eight-day nine round rating tournament was organized by Chess Projects ASD at Caroli Hotels Eco resort Le Sirenè in Gallipoli, Italy from 17th to 24th May 2025. This is Himal's fifth rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Official site

Himal's fifth rating tournament triumph of the year

IM Himal Gusain won the tournament when he defeated Ralf Weijers (NED) in the eighth round. The last round result was immaterial towards his first place finish. He still went on to win against Vedant Mistry to become the champion. He won against the top eight finishers of the tournament. The 14th edition of the tournament witnessed the participation of 67 players - 16 in Master (≥1900), 38 in Main (1400-2000) and 13 in Youth (Under-16). Himal won two more tournaments after this. One of them was also in Italy and the report is published here.

Champion - IM Himal Gusain 9/9 | Photo: Official site

Runner-up - WIM Cecile Haussernot (FRA) 7/9 | Photo: Official site

Second Runner-up - IM Piotr Goluch (POL) 6/9 | Photo: Official site

Top 3 in Master (L to R): 3rd IM Piotr Goluch (POL) 6/9, 2nd WIM Cecile Haussernot (FRA) 7/9 and 1st IM Himal Gusain 9/9 | Photo: Official site

IM Himal Gusain scored a perfect 9/9, finished two points ahead of others and gained 9.2 Elo rating points

IO CM FI Matteo Zoldan (right) at the prize distribution ceremony with IA Jean Dominique Coqueraut | Photo: Official site

A total of 16 players including a GM, two IMs and a WIM took part from nine countries across the world. The eight-day nine round rating tournament was organized by Chess Projects ASD at Caroli Hotels Eco resort Le Sirenè in Gallipoli, Italy from 17th to 24th May 2025. The time control of the event was 40 moves in 90 minutes + 20 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move.

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Final standings in Master

Rk.	SNo		Name	Typ	sex	Gr	FED	RtgI	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	TB4	K	rtg+/-
1	1	IM	Gusain, Himal				IND	2523	9	9	39,5	43	2113	10	9,2
2	5	WIM	Haussernot, Cecile		w		FRA	2108	7	9	41,5	45	2168	20	53,6
3	2	IM	Goluch, Piotr				POL	2255	6	9	43,5	47	2175	10	-1,4
4	7		Mensing, Adrian				NED	2073	5	9	44	45,5	2150	20	21
5	3	GM	Bellon Lopez, Juan Manuel	S60			SWE	2252	5	9	43	46,5	2183	10	-11,7