The Israel Open Championship took place from December 8-16, 2021, in the old northern city of Tzfat (Safed) by the Israel chess federation, under the auspices of the local municipality and Mifal Hapais (the national lottery). 102 players, including 9 GMs and 9 IMs, competed in a 9-round  Swiss tournament for the top honours as well as for the 8,000 NIS prize fund.

Four members of the national team topped the starting rankings and entered the competition as the natural favourites: GMs Tamir Nabaty, Ilya Smirin (both former Israeli champions), Victor Mikhalevski (the current champion) and Evgeny Postny (former winner of the open championship).

Ilya Smirin and Victor Mikhalevski had a good time at the opening ceremony 

Quite a few of the country’s best junior players were among the participants, too, led by IMs Or Bronstein, Yair Parkhov and Ido Gorshtein. Mayor Shuki (Joshua)  Oçhana made the first ceremonial move on board one to signal the start of the first round.

GM Tamir Nabaty, the highest-rated participant, emerged as the winner despite an early defeat at the hands of youngster Yeshaaiahu Tzidkiya in Round 3. After this slip-up, the rating-favourite kicked into top gear and finished on 7½  points, a half-point ahead of GM Evgeny Postny, Israel’s best female player IM Marsel Efroimsky (both undefeated) and 19-year-old IM Yair Parkhov.

The champion won his most instructive game in Round 6, outsmarting Ido Gorshtein in a rook ending.

Tamir Nabaty – Ido Gorshtein

Ido made a natural but wrong choice 39…Ke8? defending his f7-pawn (in case of correct 39…Kc8! White is just slightly better). However, after 40. Rd6! Black can’t prevent the rook exchange and goes down in a pawn endgame despite an extra pawn: 40…Ra8  41. c7 Rc8  42. Rd8+ Rxd8 43. cxd8=B f5+ 44. Kh5  Kxd8 45. Kxh6 g4 46. Kg5 Ke7 47. e4 fxe4 48. Kxg4  e5  49. h4 Ke6  50. h5 Kf6  51. Kh3 1-0

GMs Ori Kobo, Victor Mikhalevski and Israel Caspi, IMs Ido Gorshtein and Or Bronstein and FM Yotam Shohat scored 6½ points each. FM Yeshaaiahu Tzidkiya became the best junior, finishing on 6 points. GM Avigdor Bykhovsky (pictured below) was declared best senior, while the best female prize was awarded to WCM Ronit Levitan – both netted 5½ points.  A total of 28 players received money prizes in all categories.

The event was smoothly run by director Olga Volkov (pictured below) and the team of experienced arbiters led by IA Alon Shulman. Shaul Weinstein, deputy chief arbiter, was in charge of the official website and the live broadcasting of the games.  

School championships and simultaneous exhibitions took place in the city during the tournament. Hopefully, another peripheral city has been captivated by our game to start a new chess community.

Final standings:

The full results may be seen here.

Text: Yochanan Afek

Official website: chess.org.il/

Photo: Ritvo photography