2020 Festival Figueira da Foz

Portuguese tradition braves pandemic!

Congratulations to Miguel Babo and the Figueira da Foz chess community!  Officially known as the 14th Festival Internacional de Xadrez da Figueira da Foz – Torneio Sabir Ali, this year’s event has not let the pandemic postpone the show.

A total of 42 brave participants from 10 countries are taking part, including 4 GMs, 5 IMs and 2 WIMs. The top ranked player is the Armenian grandmaster Karen Grigoryan.

Tournament organizer Miguel Babo, who is also a well known Portuguese film director, author and artist. As usual for this traditional tournament, Miguel is aided by Antonio Mota Cardoso of the local city hall.

Chief Arbiter, the internationally renown Carlos Dias and his lovely wife Lurdes, is  once more in action in Figueira da Foz. Carlos is one of the world’s most respected and experienced arbiters, having officiated at numerous elite World Championship calibre events in recent years.  This year Carlos counts on the help of Portugal’s newest IA, Bruno Pais.

The tournament is held at the Sweet Atlantic Hotel. Nine-round Open, rounds are held during the week at 6:30 pm. Time control is a relaxed 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes to finish (of course, 30′ per move starting at move 1). The prize fund is 4,000 euros.

No doubt the biggest upset of the tournament was gm Grigoryan’s 2nd round loss to untitled Spaniard Garcia Dorado, a full 500 points lower rated!