Abhimanyu Puranik clinches 40th Cappelle la Grande Open 2024 with a 2686 performance
GM Abhimanyu Puranik and GM Lorenzo Lodici (ITA) scored 7.5/9 each at 40th Cappelle la Grande Open 2024. Abhimanyu won the tournament due to better tie-breaks, Lorenzo was placed second. Nine players scored 7/9 each. Out of them, IM Alberto Barp (ITA) secured third place. The total prize fund in the Open tournament was €12000. The top three prizes were €2000 + trophy, €1500 and €1200 each respectively. This is Abhimanyu's third rating tournament triumph of the year. Earlier, he won 33rd Keres Memorial Blitz Open 2024 in January. Then he won Bangabandhu Premier League 2024 for Bangladesh Police and now he won his first individual Classical rating tournament in 2024. Photos: L'Echiquier Cappellois
A photo finish
IM Alberto Barp (ITA) was the sole leader 7/8 going into the final round. GM Abhimanyu Puranik, GM Lorenzo Lodici (ITA) and IM Ryosuke Nanjo (JPN) were trailing by a half point at 6.5/8 each. Alberto lost to GM Alessio Valsecchi (ITA) and Abhimanyu defeated Ryosuke in a spectacular way to become the champion. Last year, Sethuraman won the 39th edition and this time Abhimanyu won it in a memorable finish for him.
Abhimanyu - Nanjo, Round 9
GM Abhimanyu Puranik launched a devastating attack on IM Ryosuke Nanjo's (JPN) kingside in the final round, starting with 18.f5. Black had no other choice but to take it 18...gxf5 19.Qxf5 Ng5 20.Qg6 Rg8 21.Qh6+ Rg7 22.Bxg5 Bxg5 23.Qh8+ Rg8 24.Rxf7+! a fantastic sacrifice to continue the relentless attack Kxf7 25.Qh7+ Ke6 26.Qxh3+ Ke7 27.Qh7+ Ke6 28.Rf1 Qe8 29.Rf6+ and Nf4# is unstoppable. Undoubtedly this is the best game of Abhimanyu from the tournament.
A total of 516 players including 17 GMs, 24 IMs, a WGM and a WIM took part from 25 countries all over the world in this seven-day nine round Rating Open tournament. It was organized by L'Echiquier Cappellois at Palais des Arts et des Loisirs in Cappelle la Grande, France from 2nd to 8th March 2024. The time control of the event was 40 moves in 90 minutes + 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move.
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Final standings
| Pl | Nom | Elo | Cat. | Fede | Ligue | Club | Pts | Tr. | Perf | Bu. | |
| 1 | g | PURANIK Abhimanyu | 2618 F | SenM |  | 7½ | 46½ | 2686 | 57½ | ||
| 2 | g | LODICI Lorenzo | 2558 F | SenM |  | 7½ | 44 | 2613 | 53½ | ||
| 3 | m | BARP Alberto | 2449 F | SenM | | 7 | 48 | 2623 | 59 | ||
| 4 | m | LAMARD Guillaume | 2483 F | SenM |  | PAC | Cannes Echecs | 7 | 46 | 2574 | 57 |
| 5 | g | IDANI Pouya | 2609 F | SenM |  | CVL | C'Chartres Echecs | 7 | 44 | 2561 | 55 |
| 6 | m | TARHAN Adar | 2432 F | CadM |  | 7 | 43½ | 2544 | 53½ | ||
| 7 | g | PACHER Milan | 2393 F | SenM |  | 7 | 43 | 2506 | 52½ | ||
| 8 | g | VALSECCHI Alessio | 2490 F | SenM | | 7 | 42 | 2511 | 52 | ||
| 9 | m | BOYER Mahel | 2415 F | JunM | | PAC | L'Echiquier du Roy René | 7 | 42 | 2503 | 52½ |
| 10 | m | EUGENE Floryan | 2422 F | SenM | | PDL | Echiquier Club Le Mans | 7 | 41 | 2381 | 50½ |
