Sargsyan Wins Tight Titled Arena

Puzzles

Team FunTrove

August 15, 2022

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The March Lichess Blitz Titled Arena was received by GM Shant Sargsyan, a younger Armenian superGM who’s a former World U16 champion. In what was one of many closest Titled Arenas ever, Sargsyan was solely actually in a position to clinch the event within the ultimate couple of minutes as he received two video games back-to-back. Two different younger and rising stars, GM Mahammad Muradli and Aravindh Chithambaram Veerappan, completed in second and third place, respectively. The nameless GM BMWHero got here in fourth whereas GM Vahap Sanal took fifth place.

Under 10 Arena factors separated 1st place from fifth place. Thus, within the ultimate couple of minutes, it was all a battle of nerves! Sargsyan had the perfect nerves as he amassed 9 factors out of his final 4 video games, although he did get some cement to construct his lead. Muradli, as an alternative, solely bought seven factors out of his final 4 video games, whereas Veerappan bought six, and BMWHero and Sanal solely bought three.

We will check out one spectacular recreation from every of the three podium finishers!

#1 – GM Shant Sargsyan

Early within the event, Sargsyan was paired together with his compatriot, Haik Martirosyan, chess prodigy extraordinaire. What began out as a relaxed Kasparov Variation of the Queen’s Indian Defense quickly became Kasparovian mayhem as Martirosyan determined to fort queenside. However, Martirosyan would quickly come to remorse that call; White’s assault regarded prefer it was going to crash by first, however appears to be like could be deceiving! Check out how Sargsyan masterfully pushes his b-pawn and will get to arrange a standard checkmating sample in opposition to Martirosyan. In this battle of sevens, seven sevens was higher than six sevens.

https://lichess.org/WnAR1Vc2/black

#2 – GM Mahammad Muradli

If you are in search of an fascinating and moderately inventive setup in opposition to White’s double fianchetto setup, Muradli has you coated! In this recreation, Muradli merely aimed to put siege to the d4 sq., whereupon his sturdy middle would grant him a variety of exercise. Muradli proceeded to transform moderately cleanly, including strain the backward pawn on d3 and ultimately going up a pawn.

https://lichess.org/gjL9zVak/black

#3 – GM Aravindh Chithambaram Veerappan

The c5-d6-e5 setup doesn’t all the time work in opposition to White’s double fianchetto! To get third place, Veerappan relied closely on 1. b3, and his experience was really on full show on this recreation. To be goal, he did permit the d5 push twice within the opening, however after IM Mousavi Seyed Khalil missed these alternatives, Veerappan took management of the middle and elegantly made use of his double (bish)ops combo.

https://lichess.org/5lfyQ8gG