Not Anton Korobov, Frederik Svane or Krishnan Sasikiran are leading the A-Open of the International Dortmund Chess Days after four rounds, but FM Nadav Zemach (2384) after his victory over Christopher Wojin Yoo (2616)!
Co-favourite GM Yoo had already struggled to score a full point in the two previous rounds, but today the opening phase went his way. He had reached a double-edged position with Black in a King's Indian. But between moves 30 and 40, FM Zemach took over the game completely, played very strongly and won against the American.
The games on the first two boards ended in draws. In the grandmaster duel between Quesada Perez and Korobov, neither side was able to gain an advantage, while GM Gavrilescu pressed against GM Frederik Svane, but it was not enough for the full point. Expert and commentator GM Artur Yusupov mentioned Svane as his personal tournament favourite in the morning. The game between GM Sasikiran and IM Petrovskyi never lost its balance, so that Nadav Zemach is now the only player with "100%" in the A-Open and will meet GM Korobov (photo) tomorrow as the leader.
All in all, it was the quietest day of the week at the Alte Schmiede cultural centre, in keeping with the heat in Dortmund. The B-Open had no games and 46 participants used the day to go to the most traditional chess club in Dortmund, the DSV 1875, for a rapid chess tournament. Report to follow. Elisabeth Pähtz and Dinara Wagner also stopped by there on their day off and made the obligatory first move in the first round.
On Wednesday there will be the full programme again at the Sparkassen Chess Trophy and the pairings will be very exciting on the stage. GM Artur Yusupov will now be on site every day as commentator in the foyer, while the catering service will of course continue for the rest of the week. Spectators are very welcome!