The 22nd edition of Dubai Open is finally back after over three year-long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 163 players including 78 Indians are taking part which makes it almost 50% players are Indians. Arjun Erigaisi is the highest rated Indian in the field. Praggnanandhaa is playing his first over-the-board since winning a double Bronze at the 44th Chess Olympiad . He would certainly like to continue his good form from the FTX Crypto Cup 2022 . 15 players are rated above 2600. 29 GMs, 29 IMs, 2 WGMs and 3 WIMs are taking part. That should give you an idea about the strength of the tournament. Aditya Varun Gampa held GM Arjun Kalyan to a draw and Md. Imran defeated IM Nubairshah Shaikh. Round 2 starts today at 5 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Rupali Mullick
Aditya Varun Gampa drew with GM Arjun Kalyan and Md. Imran (far right) defeated IM Nubairshah Shaikh (far left) | Photo: Rupali Mullick
Aditya Varun Gampa - Arjun Kalyan: 0.5-0.5
Aditya Varun Gampa (2127) endured a tough queen and knight endgame for 36 moves before he could force a draw against GM Arjun Kalyan (2513).
Nubairshah - Imran: 0-1
IM Nubairshah Shaikh (2457) had a less than desirable start against Md. Imran (2063).
Position after 32.Ra4
The counter-intuitive 32.Ra3 was the correct way to proceed for White. It was not easy to figure that out for a human being. 32.Ra4 Rd8 33.Be3 Bc5 34.Ng2 Bxe3 35.Nxe3 Rd4 Black gained a decisive positional advantage due to the misplaced rook at a4 and eventually went on to win the game.
GM Arjun Erigaisi got a walk over as his opponent was absent | Photo: Rupali Mullick
The tournament is taking place at Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Hall at Dubai Chess and Culture Club | Photo: Rupali Mullick
A total of 163 players including 29 GMs, 29 IMs, 2 WGMs and 3 WIMs are taking part from 34 countries across the world including India. The tournament is being organized by Dubai Chess & Culture Club from 27th August to 4th September 2022 at Dubai Chess & Culture Club, UAE. The nine-round Swiss league tournament has a time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1.
