Armenian Grandmaster (GM) Karen Grigoryan won the Figueira da Foz International Tournament title for the third time, in an exciting edition full of highlights. The tournament brought together world-renowned players, young prodigies and an exemplary organization that reaffirms Figueira da Foz as a center of excellence in international chess.

In the title race, Grigoryan emerged victorious after a close battle with Cuban GM Carlos Albornoz , who finished in third place. Despite having the same number of points as Spanish GM Daniel Alsina , Albornoz was beaten in the tiebreaker, leaving the Spaniard in second place.

Individual Highlights

The 2024 edition was marked by memorable games and performances that ensured excitement until the last round. Among the women, Armenian GM Ellina Danielian reached the top 10 of the overall ranking, being the best ranked in the women's sector.

Danielian faced tough competition from elite players such as France's WGM Andrea Navrotescu , Poland's Klaudia Kulon and Hanna Rychlik , and India's Priyanka Nutakki .

In the veterans, Canadian Kevin Spraggett was ahead of Ukrainian legend Oleg Romanishin , both iconic figures in world chess.

However, the tournament also shone for revealing young talent. The Indian Vijay Raghav , just 14 years old, stood out by winning the FIDE Master title and achieving an International Master standard.

Poland's Jan Golecki also surprised by securing an International Master standard.

Among the Portuguese, MF Bruno Dinis was the best classified, finishing in a brilliant 5th place and being very close to achieving his first International Master standard.

Institutional Support and Local Involvement

The tournament had the extraordinary support of the Figueira da Foz City Council , led by Dr. Pedro Santana Lopes , who was present at the closing ceremony, honoring players and all those responsible for organization, refereeing and logistics.

Dr. Pedro Santana Lopes, praised the quality of the event and, to the delight of everyone present, not only showed interest and knowledge about everything that involved the tournament but also once again identified the city with this event in particular, taking care to reiterate the importance to maintain support for the festival, regardless of future municipal leaders.

Also present were the President of the Figueira da Foz Parish Council, Dr. Rosa Baptista , and Mr. Vice-president, Eng. Ilídio Figueiredo , who honored the players.

Other personalities, like Mr. President of the Figueirense Assembly Board, Mário Barreira , past-president Mota Cardoso and Eng. Mário Leitão , director of the tournament, were also present.

Hotel Support and Patronage

The sponsoring hotels, such as the Wellington Hotel , the Universal Boutique Hotel , and the Costa de Prata Hotels , received thanks for the support provided, with special emphasis on the Malibu Hotel, for its support of great importance and dimension and which, among others, hosted with its quality of 5*****, the 2023 champion, GM Carlos Albornoz and his wife, also a player, FM Laritza Alfonso.

The Sweet Atlantic Hotel , main partner of the tournament, was represented by Dr. Sandra Gonçalves , in the absence of the main patron, Sabir Ali .

Special Honors and Awards

Three young Indian prodigies – Vijay Raghav , Darshan Gurukanthan and the talented Sharvaanica Saravan , aged just 9 – received special awards from Primótica , who presented them with high-quality pens as a symbol of inspiration for success in their future chess careers.

A Memorable Tournament

The Figueira da Foz 2024 International Chess Tournament reaffirms itself as one of the most important events in world chess. High-level competition, emerging talent and institutional and private support ensure that Figueira da Foz continues to shine as a stage of excellence for sport and culture.

Grandmasters Karen Grigoryan from Armenia, Carlos Albornoz from Cuba and Daniel Alsina from Spain are tied with one round remaining. Only one can win and only tomorrow will we know who will be the grand winner of the Figueira International Tournament – Sabir Ali 2024.

Among the women, GM Ellina Danielian from Armenia remains in the lead, but Andreea Navrotescu from France has the same number of points. So anything can still happen. Expectations are high for the final round of one of the most competitive tournaments in its 18 editions.

Being the only one to win at the first tables, the Armenian GM, who has already won the tournament twice, isolated himself again in command of the classification, now with ½ point more than the competition. The last two rounds promise to be electrifying, as the strongest candidates for victory remain just ½ point away.

In the women's classification, French WGM Andreea Navrotescu, who defeated Portuguese Miguel Morais in this seventh round, enters the fray. Thus, the last two rounds promise a very tight dispute until the end.

With today's draw, Armenian GM Karen Grigoryan, Cuban GM Carlos Albornoz, Indian Aronyak Ghosh, Spanish GM Daniel Alsina, respectively the top four in the initial ranking, and Poland's Jan Golecki are on equal points. Priyanka Nutakki has just lost the lead in the women's standings, with GM Elina Danielian regaining the position, while nine-year-old prodigy Sharvaanica Saravan remains just one point behind this women's lead. Among the Portuguese, Bruno Martins occupies an excellent 7th position, continuing to keep intact his hopes of reaching an International Master standard.

The Indian Women's Grandmaster (WGM), originally from Andhra Pradesh in southeastern India, has been the Under-10 World Champion, the Under-19 Asian Champion, among several other important titles, including the Indian National Champion in virtually all youth categories. Today, she will face the strongest Indian player in the tournament, third in the initial rankings and one of the candidates for victory. Priyanka currently leads the women's rankings, benefiting from yesterday's defeat by Armenian Ellina Danielian.

Another player whose career will be marked by Figueira da Foz. Vijay Raghav won the international title of FIDE Master yesterday after reaching 2300 Elo points.

Yesterday's round was marked by the draw between the tournament's number 1, Karen Grigoryan, and her compatriot and also Grandmaster, Ellina Danielian. This result was not only an important step for her in winning the special women's prize, but also in the fight for the top places in the rankings, an objective for which she came especially determined, as she revealed at the beginning of the tournament.

Portuguese players, for now, have been participating discreetly. However, the highlight of yesterday's Portuguese participation goes to FIDE Master Bruno Martins, who achieved an important victory against the former champion of Spain, GM Gabriel Del Rio. GM Luís Galego quickly drew with Indian Akhilesh Nagare.

Expectations are now rising for the next match, which will bring together the top two in the tournament's initial rankings: Cuban Carlos Albornoz and Armenian Karen Grigoryan. This match could already define, in part, the final outcome of this highly anticipated and balanced XVIII Figueira da Foz – Sabir Ali International Tournament.

The city of Figueira da Foz has the honor of being the stage for one of the current phenomena in world chess: Sharvaanica Saravanan, the young Indian who broke barriers by becoming the youngest player to reach 2000 Elo points, in a country that already there was a world champion. Sharvaanica has attracted worldwide attention by imposing herself not only in the women's sector but in absolute terms, beating her male rivals. At Figueira da Foz, above all, he seeks to face great names in world chess, male and female Grandmasters from 20 countries, and strengthen his career, which has already started in a fantastic and brilliant way.

After last year's success with another young Indian, Charvi Anilkumar, expectations are high to see how far Sharvaanica can go in this tournament, where she stands out not only as a chess prodigy, but also as a symbol of gender equality – a central theme at the Figueira da Foz International Chess Festival.

This year's women's squad brings together one of the strongest teams ever seen in Portugal, with several international stars, former world champions in young categories and, among others, Grand Master Elina Danielian, absolute European champion in 2022.

She is joined by figures such as Portuguese national champion Ana Inês Silva, who is expected to
many difficulties to reach the top five positions among women.

Young prodigies in the spotlight

In addition to Sharvaanica, the tournament welcomes other promising talents
of world chess, including an extraordinary Indian player Darshan
Gurukanthan, 11 years old, also in the world top of his age group,

and the promising Attila Orman, from Azerbaijan who, at just 9 years old, is a sports star in his country.

Youth does not overshadow the luxury veteranity of the Figueirense throne with the two stars who had fantastic careers and who surpassed 70 years of age, the GMs, Oleg Romanish from Ukraine and Kevin Spraggett from Canada.

With more than 80 players competing, this tournament offers the highest prize value of all time in Portugal, bringing a unique and intense spectacle until the last minute. Don't miss the opportunity to watch the growth of future chess legends and the battle for the increasingly valued title!

NOVEMBER 9; AT 6 PM, IN THE NOBLE HALL OF THE FIGUEIRENSE ASSEMBLY

Four-time French champion Nino Maisuradze will face two opponents in just 20 minutes.

Due to force majeure, the participation of the young Indian prodigy in the Figueira da Foz tournament was postponed, after his trip was cancelled. The decision was made due to unforeseen circumstances, which prevented the player from attending the event, and he is now awaiting a new opportunity for his debut in the competition.

Elina Danielian, the extraordinary Armenian Chess Grandmaster, is a strong contender for the twelve prize places in the tournament and the coveted special prize for the women’s ranking. With an impressive track record, Danielian is the 2021 European Women’s Champion, has been a World Champion in several youth categories, holds the title of Champion of Armenia on six occasions and is a two-time European Club Champion. The Fig Tree Tournament is currently one of the strongest in Europe in terms of women’s participation, attracting some of the best female chess players in the world to the competition.