Good to finally move pieces on the board: Harikrishna

CHENNAI: India’s P Harikrishna clinched the Chess960 event, held as part of the 53rd Biel festival, late on Saturday night. The

Biel chess festival

is the first high-profile over-the-board event to be conducted amidst the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.


Harikrishna looked in good touch as he pocketed 5.5 points from 7 rounds. Germany’s Vincent Keymer (5 points) finished second while Radoslaw Wojtaszek (4.5) of Poland settled for the third spot. “It feels good to finally move the pieces on the board,” Harikrishna told TOI on Sunday.

The 34-year-old

Grandmaster

started his campaign with a stalemate against

Michael Adams

of England before registering victories over Switzerland’s

Alexander Donchenko

and Noel Studer in the second and third rounds respectively.

Round 4 and 5 saw Harikrishna draw against Keymer and Wojtaszek. In the subsequent rounds, Harikrishna triumphed over

Romain Edouard

and David Anton Guijjaro.

Harikrishna will look to continue with his good form in the rapid event too which will be held on Sunday. The classical portion of the tournament starts on July 21.

As far as the tournament is concerned, it is adhering to all the necessary health protocols due to the pandemic. “If you look at the chess board, the distance has been increased by having two tables between the players. We are making sure that the boards, all pieces and chess clocks are cleaned at the conclusion of each game. We aren’t allowing any spectators at the venue,” said one of the organisers.