Europe Echecs 695

Bowing in the final of the "London Chess Classic 2018" in the latest blitz against Hikaru Nakamura, after aligning seven draws, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave consolidates his position as a possible candidate for the world title. No French player has so far achieved such success at such a level.
In the semi-finals, MVL had beaten the Indian sign by winning clearly in semi-fast and blitz against Levon Aronian, who until now was his pet peeve and had, in particular, barred the road during the world.

Hats off to Magnus Carlsen who wins, undefeated, the World Blitz Championship in St. Petersburg. The last round was played in a certain confusion but Magnus who could obtain the gain by package, following the late arrival of his opponent, showed up in refusing to prevail in this way.
He is a half-point ahead of the talented young Polish champion Jan-Krzysztof Duda, 21, and 2.5 points, one of the best blitz specialists, Hikaru Nakamura.
A small flat, the absence of MVL, a specialist in fast pace, who was not on the starting line.
On the women's side, Russia's Kateryna Lagno takes revenge on the Chinese women and wins the title with a half-point lead ahead of the surprising young Iranian Sarasadat Khademalsharieh. The latter had distinguished itself at the Cap d'Agde Open by making a strong impression on the first tables. China's Tingjie Lei won the bronze medal while world champion Wenjun Ju was 9th, 2.5 points behind.

A "new" talent points his nose in semi-fast, the young Russian Daniil Dubov, 23 years old, also one of the second in Carlsen, who won the title alone.
He is followed by half a point by a group of specialists: Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Hikaru Nakamura, Vladislav Artemyev and Magnus Carlsen.
Magnus said, "I did not deserve better" before turning the page adding: "I do not keep the 5th places in my collection. "

The women's semi-fast podium allows world champion Wenjun Ju to build on her gold medal win in front of Sarasadat Khademalsharieh and Russia's Aleksandra Goryachkina.

As usual, the year started with the 81st edition of the "Tata Steel Chess 2019" and the traditional "Gibraltar Chess Festival" bringing together the elite of world chess.
A big thank you to Christian Bauer who after holding a popular column for more than 6 years, passes the hand. Welcome to Igor Nataf and his new column.

Good reading.

Georges Bertola