Raunak Sadhwani dominates 3rd La Nucia Open 2022
GM Raunak Sadhwani scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 3rd La Nucia International Open 2022. He finished a full point ahead of the field. In the final round, he scored a smashing victory against Spain no.7 GM Daniil Yuffa in just 20 moves. GM Karen Grigoryan (ARM) and IM Ernesto J Fernandez Guilen (CUB) scored 7/9 each to secure second and third place respectively. The total prize fund of the tournament €11000. The top three prizes were €3000, €2000 and €1000 along with a trophy each. Raunak was the sole Indian participating in this edition and for the second consecutive year an Indian player won this event. Last year, GM Iniyan P became the winner. Photo: Patricia Claros Aguilar
Raunak's first Classical Open triumph of the year
Raunak Sadhwani won the 28th Abu Dhabi Chess Festival Blitz in August this year. The search for his Classical tournament triumph got over yesterday as he won the 3rd La Nucia International Open 2022 with an unbeaten 8/9.
Raunak - Yuffa, Round 9
19.Bd4 is a fantastic move taking advantage of the pin on the g-file, by creating a new one on the long a1-h8 diagonal. Not only the knight is threatened. White also has Qd6 threat looming large if he goes 19...Nd7 20.Bxf6 Nxf6 21.Qd6. 19...b5 20.Rc5 and Black resigned as Black's pieces got tied like a knot and there was no good way to get out of it.
A total of 85 players including 14 GMs, 6 IMs, a WGM and a WIM took part from 14 countries across the world. The tournament took place at Pabellón Polideportivo Municipal Muixara, La Nucia, Alicante in Spain from 10th to 16th October 2022. It was organized by Federacion de Ajedrez de la Communitat Valenciana. The time control of the tournament was 90 mins + 30 seconds each from move no.1.
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Round 9 results
Final standings
