Fagernes, Norway

[Leonard Barden]

This event is about to start round 7 (of 9) , with Jonah Willow sharing the lead on 5/6 (TPR 2634) and Ameet Ghasi on 4.5/6 (TPR 2594). Good luck to both in their quest for GM norms. https://lichess.org/broadcast/fagernes- ... 7/s0N38H2Z

My questions, which hopefully Loz or someone else can answer, are: Would this be Willow's first GM norm? Would it be Ghasi's third, final and title- gaining norm, since he has already achieved 2500? If not, what is their actual situation?

[Mick Norris]

According to FIDE Ghasi has GM norms from Southend and the Wood Green Invitational last year, plus a peak rating of 2507

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Until Loz replies, I have found some earlier discussions where he said about Jonah Willow's GM norm quests:

(1) Re: Olomouc International Aug 20, 2024

I may be forgetting some but the only previous time where I felt a norm looked very possible was the Nottingham Chess Foundation Invitational last year until a dramatic twist in his game against Hebden. This event just finished certainly seems like the closest he's been.

(2) Re: 2nd Cambridge International Open Feb 24, 2024

Jonah needs to win for first GM norm.

So, following on from the Nottingham event in 2023, it looks like Jonah has been in contention for GM norms going into the last round twice this year (2024), and sadly fallen short. Hopefully third time's the charm (though we are not at the last round yet).

[LawrenceCooper]

This event is about to start round 7 (of 9) , with Jonah Willow sharing the lead on 5/6 (TPR 2634) and Ameet Ghasi on 4.5/6 (TPR 2594). Good luck to both in their quest for GM norms. https://lichess.org/broadcast/fagernes- ... 7/s0N38H2Z

My questions, which hopefully Loz or someone else can answer, are: Would this be Willow's first GM norm? Would it be Ghasi's third, final and title- gaining norm, since he has already achieved 2500? If not, what is their actual situation?

Yes and yes.

[Mick Norris]

Jonah is playing his 3rd GM today, and appears to have a TPR of 2634, although I know these can be misleading

Ameet would need GMs in the last 2 rounds, and appears to have a TPR of 2594

[LawrenceCooper]

Jonah is playing his 3rd GM today, and appears to have a TPR of 2634, although I know these can be misleading

Ameet would need GMs in the last 2 rounds, and appears to have a TPR of 2594

Ameet playing against a very familiar name to the Wood Green 4NCL squad who currently has 1 GM norm.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Good result by Svyatoslav Bazakutsa to beat GM Krishnan Sasikiran in round 6.

[LawrenceCooper]

Jonah is playing his 3rd GM today, and appears to have a TPR of 2634, although I know these can be misleading

Ameet would need GMs in the last 2 rounds, and appears to have a TPR of 2594

Both games drawn.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Round 8:

Jonah (5.5/7) paired against GM Sayantan Das (2471) - current TPR: 2621.
Ameet (5/7) paired against GM Titas Stremavicius (2541) - current TPR: 2571.
Svyatoslav (5/7) paired against GM Elham Amar (2540) - current TPR: 2510.

Ameet would still need a third GM in round nine. Jonah and Svyatoslav have (or will have) played 3 or more GMs.

Jonah is also playing the sole leader in Das (on 6/7) so could leapfrog him back into the lead with a win.

[LawrenceCooper]

Round 8:

Jonah (5.5/7) paired against GM Sayantan Das (2471) - current TPR: 2621.
Ameet (5/7) paired against GM Titas Stremavicius (2541) - current TPR: 2571.
Svyatoslav (5/7) paired against GM Elham Amar (2540) - current TPR: 2510.

Ameet would still need a third GM in round nine. Jonah and Svyatoslav have (or will have) played 3 or more GMs.

Jonah is also playing the sole leader in Das (on 6/7) so could leapfrog him back into the lead with a win.

Svyatoslav can round up the 2024 opponent to 2200 which boosts his performance and average quite a bit.

[LawrenceCooper]

Jonah wins to take the lead on 6.5/8. The game is worth playing through: https://lichess.org/broadcast/fagernes- ... C/FcZ8a3VG

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Nice overloading themes and great to see Jonah win. Ameet drew. Svyatoslav lost.

Jonah is paired with Norwegian IM Aksel Bu Kvaløy (2484) in the final round.
Ameet has the third GM he needed: GM Frode Olav Olsen Urkedal (2559).

Does Ameet have to win? Does Jonah have to draw?

[LawrenceCooper]

Nice overloading themes and great to see Jonah win. Ameet drew. Svyatoslav lost.

Jonah is paired with Norwegian IM Aksel Bu Kvaløy (2484) in the final round.
Ameet has the third GM he needed: GM Frode Olav Olsen Urkedal (2559).

Does Ameet have to win? Does Jonah have to draw?

Correct on both counts.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

According to the schedule here:

https://fagerneschessautumn2024.blogspo ... edule.html

An earlier start for the last round tomorrow (9am Norwegian time, whatever that is at the moment).

Photos also available (I think I can tell which ones are Jonah, Ameet and others, but not entirely sure when heads are in hands, so won't guess!).

[LawrenceCooper]

Games started around 8.15 am our time so presumably a delay of 15 minutes.