Boris Grachev Wins Head of Sakha Republic Cup

Volodar Murzin and Mikhail Kobalia finished second and third respectively.

Wednesday, February 1, the Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Cup, a stage of the Russian Cup, ended in Yakutsk. In the final ninth round, Volodar Murzin defeated Pavel Beketov, Boris Grachev defeated Arseniy Chumaevskiy, and Mikhail Kobalia drew Oleg Rychkov. As a result, Boris Grachev and Volodar Murzin scored 7.5 out of 9 points, and Mikhail Kobalia finished half a point behind. Better tiebreakers secured first to Boris Grachev, a reigning Russian Cup holder. Our congratulations!

Final standings

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich sent a video greeting to the tournament organisers and guests. Head of the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic Aysen Nikolaev took part in the closing and awarding ceremony. He promised to turn the tournament into a traditional one and invited chess players to Yakutsk again in 2024. CFR Deputy Executive Director Vladimir Barsky presented Aysen Nikolayev with a Letter of Gratitude from the CFR President Andrey Filatov. 

The competition had 12 main and 20 additional prizes established in various categories. Besides, the beauty prize went to Oleg Rychkov for his victory over Vasily Romanov; the co-author of this fascinating game received the Spectator Prize. 

As part of additional program, IM Vladimir Barsky familiarised young chess players and their coaches with the 10th World Champion Boris Spassky's selected games, and gave a simul on 21 boards (+18, =3). 

Official website

Photo credit: Chess Federation of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)