Iniyan wins 27th Creon Open 2023, Bharath Subramaniyam second

by Shahid Ahmed - 30/08/2023

GM Iniyan P and GM Bharath Subramaniyam H scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 each at 27th Creon Open Main (>1600) 2023. Iniyan won the tournament due to better tie-breaks, Bharath was placed second. The sixth round battle between them ended in a draw. French IMs Joseph Girel and Floryan Eugene scored 7/9 each. They were adjudged third and fourth. GM Sayantan Das is the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 6.5/9 to secure fifth place. The top three prizes were €2000 + trophy, €1100 and €750 each respectively. This is Iniyan's second triumph in France this year after he won the 8th Noisiel Open in February this year. Photos: Official site

Iniyan's second triumph in France this year

GM Bharath Subramaniyam H was the sole leader heading into the final round 7/8. GM Iniyan P was the only player trailing him by a half point at 6.5/8. Bharath drew against IM Loic Travadon (FRA) and Iniyan defeated IM Alfonso Jerez Perez (ESP) to become the champion.

Champion - GM Iniyan P 7.5/9

Runner-up - GM Bharath Subramaniyam H 7.5/9

Iniyan - Arthur, Round 2

Position after 16.Nxf7!

GM Iniyan P (2525) made an interesting knight sacrifice 16.Nxf7! It does not give White an immediate advantage. What it does is, White gets a long-term initiative. The positional advantage eventually translated into a decisive one. 16...Rxf7 17.Rxf7 Kxf7 18.Qh5+ Kf8 19.Ref1+ Nef6 20.Qxh7 b5 21.Bd3 Nxe3 only helped White 22.Rf3 Ned5 23.Bg6 Nf4? 24.Qh8+ Ng8 25.d5 and things completely shifted into White's favor.

GM Iniyan P scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win the tournament

The tournament hall at Salle Omnisports Ulli Senger in Creon, France

A total of 113 players including 5 GMs, 6 IMs and a WIM took part from eight countries across the world in the Open A (>1600) category. The tournament was organized by Lauron Wesley from 31st July to 6th August 2023 at Salle Omnisports Ulli Senger in Creon, France. The nine-round Swiss league tournament had a time control of 90 min. for 40 moves then 30 min. QPF with 30 sec. by move from the first move.