On the day of the presentation of the Tata Steel chess tournament, we look back at the previous edition. Jorden van Foreest (winner) and Anish Giri (second) could not escape the question of how they look back on their blistering final match a year later.
The tournament win was decided after two blitz draws in a so-called armageddon. That also ended in a draw. But because Giri had started with white (and therefore had an extra minute to think about it), Van Foreest was eliminated as the winner.
Exciting ending
The Wild West on a chessboard. Under enormous time pressure, the two Dutch chess grandmasters tried to pull the winner out of the fire a year ago in the ‘armageddon.’ In the process, chess pieces fell over and the normally timid commentators of Chess.com had little control over their emotions.
Text continues below the video.
Jorden van Foreest and Anish Giri. Photo NH News/Fred Segaar – NH News
When Jorden van Foreest returns to Wijk aan Zee a year later, it takes little effort to remember his emotions from that moment. “You just do something with your hands, you don’t have time to think! And then hope that it works. That was about it…” For Van Foreest it turned out well. He became the first Dutch winner in Wijk aan Zee after Jan Timman in 1985.
Trust
A special achievement whose revenues were less due to corona. There were simply fewer tournaments. In life outside of chess, not much changed either. Van Foreest: “I got a few more emails, but everything else is the same. I spent a lot of time at home with my girlfriend and completely devoted myself to chess. Yes, I think I’m in good shape now. My victory from a year ago at least gives me the confidence that I can compete with the top players.”
Number two Anish Giri says he has hardly thought about the memorable chess match. “No, honestly not. I was disappointed the day itself, but the next day you have to continue.”
The Tata Steel Chess Tournament starts on Saturday and ends on Sunday, January 30.
Tournament organization abandons ‘armageddon’
In the event of a tie, the win in the Tata Steel chess tournament will no longer be decided by the Armageddon rules. As a result, a repeat of last year, when the chess pieces ‘fly’ over the board, is no longer possible. Armageddon is similar to blitz chess, but has a special rule. White gets five minutes to think about it against Black four minutes. In a draw, Black wins.
In addition to Giri and Van Foreest, Magnus Carlsen, number one in the world, is again the major attraction. Alireza Firouzja is a striking absentee. The Iranian child prodigy, number two in the world, did not agree with the organization about the starting money.