Closely contested finals
The French Chess Championships concluded in Vichy on 24 August, with Marc'Andria Maurizzi and Yosha Iglesias emerging as the new national champions. Both finals were closely contested, reflecting the competitive depth of French chess at present.
The videos deal with the exciting French Advance Variation, starting with 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5. Besides numerous sidelines, the main focus is on the two most played systems with 3...c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 and 5...Bd7.Alongside the winners, places on the podium were secured by established players, ensuring that the blend of youth and experience was once again evident in the closing stages of the national tournament.
The finals taking place on the main stage | Photo: Nathalie Daubry
Open tournament
Marc'Andria Maurizzi claimed the national title after defeating Laurent Fressinet in the final. The match was tightly fought, with the two classical games ending in draws on Friday and Saturday. A further draw followed in the first rapid tiebreak game on Sunday, before Maurizzi prevailed in the second rapid encounter to secure victory. At 18 years old, he confirmed his status as the brightest young talent in French chess.
Fressinet took the runner-up spot, while Étienne Bacrot secured third place. Bacrot defeated Sebastien Maze in the rapid playoff for the bronze medal, after drawing the first game and winning the second.
The podium | Photo: Nathalie Daubry
Maurizzi 1-0 Fressinet
Rapid game #2
In this two-volume video course former world-champion and startrainer Rustam Kasimdzhanov shows you the ins and outs of this hugely complex opening.
Marc'Andria Maurizzi | Photo: Nathalie Daubry
All games
Women's tournament
In the women's final, Yosha Iglesias became French champion for the first time. She drew the opening classical game against Mitra Hejazipour before clinching the decisive win in the second, thus taking the title without the need for tiebreaks. Hejazipour, the 2023 champion, finished in second place.
Unleash your chess potential with this dynamic course focused on mastering the initiative.The match for third place between Deimante Daulyte-Cornette and Anastasia Savina went the full distance. After two draws in the classical games, the first rapid playoff ended in another draw before Savina prevailed in the second tiebreak, ensuring her place on the podium.
The podium | Photo: Nathalie Daubry
Iglesias 1-0 Hejazipour
Classical game #2
This video course provides a comprehensive and practical White repertoire in the Ruy Lopez! Through instructive model games and in-depth theoretical explanations, you will learn how to confidently handle both main lines and sidelines.
This video course provides a comprehensive and practical White repertoire in the Ruy Lopez! Through instructive model games and in-depth theoretical explanations, you will learn how to confidently handle both main lines and sidelines.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: Overview
Free video sample: Chigorin: 9...Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Nd7/cxd4
Yosha Iglesias | Photo: Nathalie Daubry
All games
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