38th Magistral Ciudad de Leon: Anand survives Oro challenge, advances to the Final
Vishy Anand defeated Faustino Oro (ARG) 3.5-2.5 in the first Semifinal of 38th Torneo Magistral de Ajedrez Ciudad de Leon. First game ended in a draw. In the second game, the 11-year-old posed some serious trouble after the legend went for an incorrect break in the center. Faustino missed all of his opportunities and the game ended indecisively. The next two games also had the same result. Thus, Blitz tie-breaks were enforced. Anand won the first Blitz game after hs opponent blundered in time trouble in a queen and same color bishop endgame. The next game ended in a draw, thus Anand advanced to the Finals. The second Semifinal between Jamie Santos Latasa (ESP) and Liem Quang Le (VIE) starts today at 4:30 p.m. local time, 8 p.m. IST.
Anand vs Jaime/Liem in the Final
The word 'Oro' in Spanish means Gold. It comes from the Latin word 'Aurum'. Faustino has undoubtedly lived up to his name when he became the youngest International Master of the world. He came very close to winning the second game against Vishy Anand. Who knows, it probably would have been enough to win the match, but it did not happen. One thing is for sure, Oro playing against the Gold standard will only help him to achieve it.
Game 2: Oro - Anand: 0.5-0.5
After a draw in the first game, IM Faustino Oro (ARG, 2469) had a great opportunity to beat the two-time World Rapid champion, Vishy Anand (2727).
Black made an incorrect break 28...d5? 29.Qg4 e4 30.Ne5 Rxe5 31.dxe5 d4 32.Be1 Qxe5 33.Rxb7 Bc5 after a bit of back and forth play, White's advantage only got bigger.
44.Qh4+ Kg7 45.Rb8 was the closest to victory White had in the game. He missed it when he traded the queens 44.Qxg6+?? and the game eventually ended in a draw when Black forced a perpetual check.
The third repeated the same line in the Ruy Lopez. The 11-year-old kid deviated with 13...h6. He had the upper hand, however it was not much. The outcome was the same as the first one, draw.
The fourth Rapid game also ended in a draw which means it was time for, 3'+2" tie-breaks.
Faustino lost the first Blitz tie-break game as he blundered in time trouble in queen and same color bishop endgame.
The second Blitz tie-break game ended draw and the maestro advanced to the Finals where he will face the winner of the second Semifinal between Jaime Santos Latasa (ESP) and Liem Quang Le (VIE).
Schedule
Friday 4th July - First Semi-final: GM Vishy Anand vs IM Faustino Oro (ARG)
Saturday 5th July - Second Semi-final: GM Jaime Santos Latasa (ESP) vs GM Liem Quang Le (VIE)
Sunday 6th July - Final: Winner of Semi-final 1 vs Winner of Semi-final 2
Format
Each of the Playoffs will consist of four games of 20 minutes each + 10 seconds increment. If the score is tied after four games, the winner will be decided in games played with 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment.
Participants
Five-time Classical World Champion and World no.13 - Vishy Anand, Argentine prodigy - Faustino Oro, World Blitz 2013 Champion and World no.23 - Liem Quang Le (VIE) and Spain no.5 - Jaime Santos Latasa.
Replay live stream
Replay Semifinal 1 games
Links
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38th Magistral Ciudad de Leon: Faustino Oro set to face Vishy Anand
@ 04/07/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |