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Yakubboev receive the reward of $30,000 at 2024 Abu Dhabi Masters

receive the reward of 30000 at 2024 Abu Dhabi Masters
Image Credit: Chess.com
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Yakubboev Wins Abu Dhabi

Former world under 10 and 12 table champion GM Nodirbek Yakubboev clinched the just concluded.

Masters event of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Chess Festival with a $30,000 cash award.

The Uzbek GM won the tiebreakers against five other fellow high performers which include GM David Paravyan, Shamsiddin Vokhidov, Amin Tabatabaei, Leon Luke Mendonca, and IM Daniel Quizon.

The gala was organized at the five-start St. Regis Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotel, with the event transpiring on August 14-25. 217 people from 46 federations, including 50 GMs, came to the tournament.

This edition was held in response to the 30-year celebration of the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival, making it one of the most anticipated chess events.

A Nail-Biting Finish

This was a master event in the Swiss format, where players battled hard against each other in nine rounds. Yakubboev ended up with seven points but tied with five others.

The outright winner was determined using the Buchholz—a tiebreak system that calculates the strength of each player’s opponents.

Only in Yakubboev’s case was the Buchholz score half a point greater than Paravyan’s, giving him first place and $30,000.

The rest of the money had to be shared by the other top players, with a difference of nearly $20,000.

Consistent Performance Throughout

Yakubboev Wins Abu Dhabi

Image credit: Chess.com

Yakubboev performed very solidly in the chess game, although he didn’t sparkle as it was a strong tournament.

He was unbeaten on the occasion, winning his first three games against opponents rated below 2500.

He played on, doing very well against players rated lower than 2600, scoring 2.5 points out of 3, and even managed to draw against three grandmasters with ratings over 2600.

One of his best chess games was in the third round, through which he had to demonstrate the quality of his tactics.

In the final round, amid all the pressure, Yakubboev managed to hold back Mendonca, who had the opportunity to seal the championship only for failing to convert his chances.

Close Shaves and Lost Opportunities

Yet another Uzbeki Grandmaster, Shamsiddin Vokhidov, came very close to winning the tournament. He took a pawn in the early stages of the final game against Paravyan, getting to a promising endgame with rooks in his favour.

Still, he couldn’t convert his advantage into a win—a missed chance that could have turned the fate of the entire tournament.

IM Daniel Quizon from the Philippines was the only non-gr. among the placers at the top. With a very good performance, among which he beat in the last round Indian GM Narayanan S.L., Quizon scored a 2749 performance and a GM norm.

It is a really good result, which underlines the prowess of Quizon and most probably means he will be a grandmaster in the very near future.

Exciting Side Events

Events at the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival, apart from the Masters, included tournaments for children, juniors, seniors, government departments, and embassies.

One of the more popular side events was an online blitz tournament that witnessed a very strong field participation.

Won by GM Hikaru Nakamura, the Blitz event was an 11-round Swiss, followed by a knockout stage. Nakamura, a chess streamer, kept the fans thoroughly entertained as he broadcasted the entire event live.

A Festival to Remember

The 2024 Abu Dhabi Chess Festival echoed across the globe as, yet again, it showcased what chess is all about.

It was unforgettable, with a competitive atmosphere set against the luxurious surroundings of the St. Regis Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotel for both players and fans.

This will be the last game of the festival, so chessboard enthusiasts again will further wait for future editions to get more exciting fights across the board.

Now, GM Nodirbek Yakubboev can enjoy his well-deserved victory and a check in the sum of $30,000.

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Related articles: India Young Chess Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa to Lead in the 45th Chess Olympiad.

References: https://www.chess.com/news/view/nodirbek-yakubboev-wins-2024-abu-dhabi-masters

https://www.chess.com/events/2024-abu-dhabi-chess-festival-masters/09/Mendonca_Leon_Luke-Yakubboev_Nodirbek

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