Andorra Open - Round 8: GM Mads Andersen defeats Josep Manuel López and takes the sole lead
With one player on 6 points and eight on 5½ before the start of the penultimate round, all eyes were on the top board where Grandmaster Josep Manuel López (ESP) played with the black pieces against fellow Grandmaster Mads Andersen (DEN).
The game was crucial for the podium chances of all players at the top of the standings, as another win for the Spanish player would have put him in a strong position to become the champion of this edition.
In any case, the first game to finish among the nine contenders was the one played on board four between Grandmasters Andrey Sumets (UKR) and Arthur Kogan (ISR), which ended in a draw just after the middlegame, when several minor pieces were exchanged.
The next to finish was the third-board game, also ending in a draw. Young International Master Joaquin Fiorito held a dangerous initiative in the Advance Variation of the French Defense against the experienced Grandmaster Aleksandr Shimanov. Black defended accurately, and the game was eventually drawn by repetition.
On board two, GM Aryan Tari (NOR), with the black pieces, also faced a complex game against GM Danyyil Dvirnyy (ITA). Both players played very precisely, and the draw was the logical result, as neither could tip the balance.
IM Daniel Garcia (ESP) was another player who could have reached 6½ points, but he had the black pieces against GM Cristóbal Henríquez. Using a rather secondary line, the Chilean managed to generate strong winning chances in the middlegame with a dangerous attack against the king. The Spanish player defended well, and the Chilean failed to find the best continuation, leading to a draw by repetition.
All these results paved the way for the leader, Josep Manuel López, as a victory would have widened the gap, and a draw would have allowed him to maintain the sole lead.
His game, after simplifications, transitioned into a bishop endgame with equal pawns, but Mads Andersen (DEN) had winning chances thanks to a passed and distant "a" pawn, though the win was far from simple. Gradually, he improved his position and eventually provoked an error from his opponent, allowing him to win the game and take the sole lead from the Spanish player.
So, heading into the final round, the tournament standings are led by GM Mads Andersen with 6½ points, followed by a large group of players with 6 points: Josep M. López, Aryan Tari, Aleksandr Shimanov, Andrey Sumets, Arthur Kogan, Danyyil Dvirnyy, Daniel Garcia, Marta Garcia, Joshuaede Cappelleto, Francisco and Joaquín Fiorito.
With such a tight leaderboard, tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., both the top spot and all the podium places will be up for grabs. Also in play are the special prizes and rating-group prizes, not to mention those players who need specific results to achieve international norms. So we’re expecting a very exciting final round!
From the local side, the best-placed Andorran player is CM Josep Mª Ribera with 5 points after drawing with the white pieces against FM Gunnar Lund (NOR). FM Daniel Gómez stands at 4½ points but unfortunately lost today against FM Andreas Garberg Tryggestad (NOR). Also on 4½ is U16 player Andria Ercoli, who managed to win against FM Daniel Hristodorescu (ROU).
Following them, with 4 points, are CM Cristofer Luke, who lost to FM Sergio Romero (ESP), and FM Raül Garcia, who drew against FM Nicolas Aleksanyan (ESP).
Tomorrow, the final round of this 41st International Open will take place in the morning at 9:00 a.m. All players have been notified, and it is published in the regulations. Let’s hope no one gets caught out and shows up late! As for the closing ceremony and prize-giving, it is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in the same playing hall.
