English grandmasters Michael Adams and John Nunn both won gold medals at the World Senior Championships in Palermo, which ended earlier this month. Adams was the top seed in the over-50 section, while Nunn was the top seed in the over-65s, and the reigning champion. With one round to go, both were half a point off the lead, so the double victory looked like a long shot. Both won, both finished on 8.5/11, and both finished in first place on tiebreak!
Adams won his final round game in style against a Slovakian grandmaster.
Martin Mrva-Michael Adams
Fide World Senior Championship, 50+, Nov 2023 (see left diagram)
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Nf6 4 d3 Bc5 5 c3 a6 6 a4 Ba7 7 O-O d6 8 Nbd2 O-O 9 h3 h6 10 Re1 Be6 11 b4 Ne7 12 Bxe6 fxe6 13 Nf1 Ng6 14 Be3 Bxe3 15 Rxe3 Rf7 16 Re1 Qe7 17 g3 Raf8 18 N1h2 d5 19 Kg2 c5! In a typical middlegame from the Italian Opening (signified by 3 Bc4), White’s kingside is well fortified against the massed Black forces.
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