GM Jose Martinez has proven he can do all of it by efficiently defending his title within the second Variants Neighborhood Collection (VCS) last. This time displaying his prowess at 3 Examine Chess, Martinez overcame FM Vasilios Kasioumis by a margin of 3-1 to safe the $1,000 prize for first.

For his second-place end, Kasioumis received $750, whereas semifinalists IMs Yoseph Taher and Toivo Keinanen each earned $500 for his or her efforts.

The third seven-week cycle of the VCS will begin on December 28 after a one-week break and can run each Thursday beginning at 12 p.m. ET/19:00 CEST/22:30 IST. 

Standings

The second cycle of the VCS consisted of six 3 Examine arenas that noticed the winner, together with two top-scoring streamers, qualify for the single-elimination bracket last. A best-of-four match with a time management of three+2 was used to resolve which individuals would progress and vie for the $1,000 first prize. If the match was tied after 4 video games, better of two sport mini-matches would happen till a winner was settled.

So far as variants go, 3 Examine Chess is likely one of the least forgiving and, by nature, forces even probably the most skilled grandmasters to be on their toes from the very first transfer. As a result of ease of checking on the f7-square, the most well-liked first transfer is 1…e6.

Notably, the variant offers White a big benefit, and this very often results in miniatures, as Dutch GM Thomas Beerdsen came upon in his quarterfinal in opposition to Keinanen, who used his area benefit to execute three sacrifices that every one resulted in checks.

Although the eventual winner Martinez had no such issues together with his openings, overcoming Taher and Kasioumis within the semifinals and finals respectively, his quarterfinal opponent GM Benjamin Bok posed the largest risk to his title protection.

Discovering himself up 2-0, the Peruvian GM misplaced consecutive video games, together with one with White, and ended up needing to play eight video games earlier than he was capable of clinch the match 5-3.

Whereas the ultimate in opposition to Kasioumis was a shorter affair, his Greek opponent had confirmed himself considerably of a 3 Examine specialist as he toppled GM Oleksandr Bortnyk (3-0) and Keinanen (4-2) on the best way to the final dance.

Bortnyk’s look was one in all his first occasions taking part in 3 Examine Chess and through one of many six qualifying arenas, during which he completed fifth, he famous this.

For Kasioumis, successful on demand was the duty he wanted to finish within the fourth sport in opposition to Martinez. Whereas he attacked his opponent’s kingside with bravado, he may handle only a single test earlier than the script flipped. Martinez then sacrificed his queen, organising a easy mixture that will garner his second and third checks and win the match.

Following per week’s break, Martinez may have an opportunity to safe a VCS triple crown as the brand new cycle begins however will probably be on the mercy of the group variant choice.

Keep tuned to see if extra conventional variants resembling Chess960, Crazyhouse, or Horde are picked or maybe newer viral additions resembling Duck Chess or Spell Chess. Be part of the Variants Membership to be part of the decision-making or enter the weekly arenas your self! 

All Video games – Finals

The VCS is a collection of occasions for streamers and the chess variants group. Every seven-week cycle is centered round one variant. Each Thursday for six weeks, individuals compete in a two-hour enviornment of that variant, the place the prize fund per cycle is $3,750 plus 610 Twitch/Kick subs. Extra particulars might be discovered right here.

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