FIDE decided to resume the tournament of applicants for a world chess crown

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) decided from November 1 to resume the holding of applicants for a world chess crown in Yekaterinburg, previously suspended halfway due to coronavirus pandemia. Tbilisi was chosen as the reserve venue of the tournament.

The competition with the participation of eight grandmasters started in Yekaterinburg on March 17, but after the first circle it was postponed indefinitely. After seven rounds, the leadership in the tournament is divided by the Frenchman Maxim Vashe-Lagwa and the Russian Yan Nepomnya, who scored 4.5 points.

The competition was also attended by the American Fabiano Caruan, the Chinese Dean Liezhen, Van Hao, the Russians Alexander Grishchuk and Kirill Alekseenko, as well as the representative of the Netherlands Anish Giri. The winner will hold a title match with the current champion Norwegian Magnus Karlsen.

"According to the contract, Yekaterinburg, who organized the highest levels of the first tours in March 2020, is still considered the host of the city. However, given the epidemiological situation, the Fide determined the backup place of the tournament: Tbilisi was officially approved as an alternative and is ready to accept the tournament in the same time," the press service of the International Chess Federation said in a statement .

It is also noted that the Fide is in contact with other possible cities-organizers who can accept the tournament in case of additional restrictions in Russia and Georgia.