The fourth and final FIDE Grand Prix event has started in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. It’s an 18-player, nine-round Swiss. At stake are the final two spots in the forthcoming Candidates Tournament, which will go to the two top finishers of the grand prix. Currently, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Alexander Grischuk, neither of whom is playing in this event, are in the lead. There are only two players who have a chance to catch these two, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Teimour Radjabov, neither of whom is off to a great start. Levon Aronian leads after six rounds with a 4/6 score, and he played another great attacking game, this time beating the world’s No. 13, Anish Giri, in just 24 moves. American Hikaru Nakamura is also doing well, and stands in a tie for second.
Much more interesting for chess and even for global politics is what’s going on with the 2017 World Blitz and Rapids championships. As of late October, FIDE still did not have a sponsor for these tournaments, but then Saudi Arabia stepped forward with a stunning $2 million prize fund. FIDE immediately accepted the offer, even renaming the event the 2017 King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships. It’s to be held Dec. 26-30 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
However, complaints have started to surface about the event being held in Saudi Arabia.
Current women’s Blitz and Rapids world champion Anna Muzychuk said she would not attend due to security concerns and the dress code for women, which would require the wearing of hijabs or abayas. Then, Hikaru Nakamura complained about the event not being open to all players — Israeli players are not allowed.
To stem this tide of discontent, FIDE struck a deal with the Saudis that for the first time in any sporting event in the kingdom, women would not be forced to wear hijabs or abayas. And then to the amazement of all, 11 Israeli players have applied for visas to Saudi Arabia. Those are pending and may not be granted, but if they are, it will be the first time ever that Israeli chess players have been allowed to compete in Saudi Arabia.
Coming events: Dec. 3, 3rd Spiegel Scholastic Qualifier, Marlborough, www.MassChess.org; Dec. 10, MACA’s Pillsbury Memorial, Marlborough, www.MassChess.org
Recent results: Ernest Fandreyer Memorial, Wachusett CC, (35 players); 1st: Roger Cappallo, 4.5/5; West Newbury 2017 G/25; D3, Relyea Chess (24), 1st: A. Ivanov, 4.5/5;
Answer to today’s problem: 1...Re1+ [1...Nxf3 2.Rxh3] 2.Kc2 [2.Rxe1 Nxf3; 2.Kxe1 Nxf3+] 2...Qf5+ 3.Qd3 Qxd3+ 4.Kxd3 Rxh1 leaves Black a rook up.
Chris Chase can be reached at BostonGlobeChessNotes@gmail.com.