Tsydypov Shock Titled Tuesday Winner

Nihal became the first winner of a tournament in the split to finish top 10 in another one. Niemann joined the top-10 with his third-place mark.

The score did not last. GM Vugar Rasulov entered the next round just behind Bortnyk, and would win to gain sole first place for himself, leapfrogging Bortnyk.

Joining Bortnyk on 7/8 were Nihal, Niemann, Fedoseev, GM Raunak Sadhwani, and Tsypydov. Tsydypov’s Greek Gift sacrifice, which led to a checkmate of Arjun in just 25 moves, ended up as one of the more important games of the tournament, even if it didn’t appear so at the time.

But Tsydypov would end up becoming the only player on 7/8 or better who then won in both the ninth and 10th rounds. Rasulov got taken out by Nihal in the ninth, which helped produce a four-way tie for first place between Tsydypov, Niemann, Fedoseev, and Tsydypov, who all had 8/9 with two rounds left.

Niemann and Fedoseev played to a draw, giving an opening to Tsydypov after Nihal fell behind by as much as nearly two minutes, and also on board.

Tsydypov now had the sole lead with 9/10, and played Niemann and his 8.5/10 score in the final round. Fedoseev, also on 8.5/10, faced Nihal, one of several players on 8/10. Niemann was in trouble of losing, but Tsydypov allowed him to get away with a repetition instead. That gave Fedoseev, who was doing well on the clock and the board, a chance at catching up. Instead, Nihal delivered a checkmate that surprised even himself.

With that, Tsydypov’s lead was safe, and Nihal grabbed second place. Fedoseev ended up in seventh, just outside the cash but still earning some standings points.

March 24 Titled Tuesday | Final Standings (Top 20)

(Full final standings.)