"The $625,000 Grand Swiss in Samarkand, on the ancient Silk Road, was a hard fought race for two qualifying spots in the 2026 world title Candidates, yet paradoxically it ended with victories for one grandmaster with a reputation for halved games and for another who nobody expected to do well. Anish Giri, the Netherlands No 1, took the $90,000 first prize with an unbeaten 8/11 total."
"The five-time Dutch champion's key game was in the final round against Hans Niemann, when the controversial American, who himself needed to win, had his attacking ideas thwarted in the opening. Giri gained the bishop pair, then systematically swapped pieces into an endgame where his bishops had maximum impact. The Dutchman has long had a reputation as a draw specialist, but given a small edge he can be deadly."
"The runner-up, Matthias Blubaum, seeded only 32nd, has been twice European champion yet has never attained an elite 2700 Fide world rating. The 28-year-old German No 2 played pragmatically in critical moments, especially in the penultimate round when his compatriot Vincent Keymer had a winning endgame but missed the tactical resource 54Nxg3! In Blubaum's post-game interview, he declared himself insanely lucky."
Samarkand hosted the $625,000 Grand Swiss on the Silk Road, offering two qualifying spots for the 2026 Candidates. Anish Giri won the $90,000 first prize with an unbeaten 8/11 score. Giri's decisive final-round game versus Hans Niemann saw him gain the bishop pair and exchange into an endgame where his bishops dominated. Matthias Blubaum, seeded 32nd, finished runner-up and secured a Candidates place after pragmatic play and a missed tactical resource 54Nxg3! by Vincent Keymer in the penultimate round. Alireza Firouzja finished with 7.5 and did not attend the victory ceremony to receive bronze.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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