Andorra Open - Round 1: Susan Polgar Inaugurates the 41st Andorra Open
A new edition of the Andorra International Open began this afternoon at 16:00 at the Hotel Panorama facilities, which this year filled the playing hall with the presence of 162 players—a record since the tournament moved to Escaldes-Engordany.
The opening ceremony featured the presence of Mr. Francesc Rechi (President of FEVA), Mr. Xavier Miquel (Director of Hotel Panorama), and special guest Grandmaster and former World Champion, Susan Polgar.
After the welcoming remarks and technical explanations by international arbiter Alexandra Muratet, the Honorary Move was made on the first board, where the top seed, Grandmaster Aryan Tari (NOR), played with the white pieces against Laurent Picart (FRA). Susan Polgar made the inaugural move, starting with 1.c4 following the instructions of the Norwegian player.
Thus began this 41st edition of the Andorra International Open, which from a statistical standpoint features the participation of 9 GMs, 1 WGM, 13 IMs, 27 FMs, 3 WFMs, 6 CMs, and 4 WCMs—totaling 63 titled players representing 27 different countries after accounting for last-minute withdrawals.
Unfortunately for the organizers, one of those withdrawals was the well-known GM Jose Martínez Alcántara (MEX), who had confirmed his participation a month and a half before the tournament began.
This absence is significant, as with a rating of 2622, he was a key player in the tournament and was also planning to compete in the Andorra Blitz Grand Prix scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, July 20, at the Andorra la Vella Congress Centre.
His was not the only last-minute withdrawal, but the fact that the organization found out through a post on his social media—and that on the same day he was supposed to arrive in Andorra, he was flying to Mexico—is certainly not the most professional conduct. On the one hand, it shows a lack of respect for the organizers, and on the other, for his fellow professionals, as he took the place of another grandmaster and left no room to find a replacement.
In fact, the time he spent preparing his post was probably longer than the time it would have taken to send a message.
We’ve decided to make this situation public to inform other organizers (as we’re not the only tournament from which he’s withdrawn) and also to let participating players know, since due to his online fame, some may have expected to see him in Andorra.
Turning to the sporting aspect of this first round, the Swiss pairing system usually pits the theoretically stronger players against more accessible opponents, often resulting in routine games. But as we know, especially for those traveling on the same day, things aren't always that easy, and a win isn’t always guaranteed.
The standout results include the victory of Mexican U14 player Eithan Ruiz, who, with the white pieces, defeated FIDE Master Sergio Romero (ESP), and Andorran player Àlfred Alcón, also with white, who beat CM Manuel Llopis (ESP).
Also worth mentioning are the draws on several boards. On board 24, FIDE Master Andreas Garberg Tryggestad (NOR) was unable to overcome 10-year-old Muthukumar Krithik (IND).
Catalan U14 player Eudald Pujol drew with Belgian FIDE Master Rudolf Meesen, and U16 player Pol Nasarre, with the black pieces, drew against FIDE Master Àlex Villa, who recently achieved his first IM norm just weeks ago.
Another notable result was the draw by 9-year-old Italian Marc Possoco, who, in a long game with chances to win, earned a half-point against Norwegian Eivind Bruaset.
Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., a new edition of the exciting blitz tournament Gran Prix d’Andorra will take place, with a projected participation of around 90 players. In the afternoon, at 16:00, the second round of the Open will be held.
To conclude this report, this year all players can compete for the Best Game Prizes sponsored by ChessDrop, with a total prize fund of €1,000. Get involved, read the rules, use the service—and good luck!
