SUNWAY SITGES INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL 12 to 22 December 2023

[Paul McKeown]

Zain Patel gained 112 rating points!

https://chess-results.com/tnr864587.asp ... =30&snr=42

One of many talented former Richmond Juniors of his age!

[Ian Thompson]

I think the rating for him is just wrong. The FIDE site has him as a more reasonable 2111.

The organisers have used the correct, albeit likely grossly inaccurate, rating. 2111 is his standard play rating. His blitz rating is 1679, as used.

[Mick Norris]

Dominguez draws in round 5, he's certainly not finding it easy

[Keith Arkell]

I'm pleased to report that in my toughest pairing so far I was pressing for the win with Black v GM Boruchovsky, but he held on for the draw.

As I said to Danny Gormally. Jon Hawkins and others, at the start of this tournament I was intrigued to see that GM Dominguez chose this event to try to gain rating points given that 1) in general, Opens are a disaster for the World's elite, and 2) here there are droves of underrated Indians, Kazakhs and others.

[Mick Norris]

Well done Keith

I think Dominguez had no other choices, he has white again in round 6, that makes 4 whites, so he's going to have to win some tough games with black

[Paul Cooksey]

It was always an uphill battle, but I respect Dominguez for trying.

Dominguez has to finish 5/5 if his average opponent is 2371-2499, but if his average opponent is 2500-2591 then 4.5/5 will be enough, and 4/5 will be sufficient if his average opponent is 2592+

Most likely he needs the 4.5, but pairings could trend either direction.

[Richard Bates]

I'm pleased to report that in my toughest pairing so far I was pressing for the win with Black v GM Boruchovsky, but he held on for the draw.
…

Come now Keith, your toughest game was definitely round 3. You’d have had more chance of getting something out of it against Magnus

[Kevin Thurlow]

"Opens are a disaster for the World's elite, and 2) here there are droves of underrated Indians, Kazakhs and others."

and Keith...

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Danish IM Dominik Horvath clearly hasn't been paying attention to how difficult Opens are. He has scored 5/5 with a rating performance of 3146, though to be fair that only involved playing 1 GM so far. Just noticed that Moussard (who was at the London Chess Classic) is also playing (like Dominguez, Moussard is in the group on 4/5).

[LawrenceCooper]

Danish IM Dominik Horvath clearly hasn't been paying attention to how difficult Opens are. He has scored 5/5 with a rating performance of 3146, though to be fair that only involved playing 1 GM so far. Just noticed that Moussard (who was at the London Chess Classic) is also playing (like Dominguez, Moussard is in the group on 4/5).

He already has three GM norms and the rating so he won't be an IM for much longer.

[Paul Cooksey]

Dominguez has announced his withdrawal, no longer thinking it is realistic to catch So's rating. I'm disappointed.

[LawrenceCooper]

Dominguez has announced his withdrawal, no longer thinking it is realistic to catch So's rating. I'm disappointed.

Sadly too late for the pairings.

Here is his interview with Keti: https://twitter.com/SunwayChessOpen/sta ... 5369437575

Had he overtaken So's rating and then withdrawn I wonder what would have happened.

[Keith Arkell]

Dominguez has announced his withdrawal, no longer thinking it is realistic to catch So's rating. I'm disappointed.

I was afraid that your post on the other Candidates thread ''I am doubtful Dominguez will fall ill as soon as he is ahead, since he has always seemed a decent guy...' might come back to bite, Paul

I'm sure though that there would have been no problem with the organisers should he have wished to end his tournament with a series of zero point byes had circumstances been different.

[Nick Burrows]

Keiths game: https://lichess.org/broadcast/sunway-si ... 6/qFa8qkOq

[LawrenceCooper]

Bizarrely, Dominguez has been paired in round 7 (board 22). After tweeting the organisers though he has been removed and the pairings republished