Teenage Iranian Daneshvar wins Sharjah Masters
Iran’s teenage grand master Bardia Daneshvar came out on top in a neck-and-neck race to win the Sharjah Masters chess event in the United Arab Emirates, taking home the $12,000 prize money.
Four players finished atop the standings with 6½ points but it was the 17-year-old Iranian who was declared the winner on tiebreak criteria.
Russian Volodar Murzin – participating as a neutral – and American Sam Shankland completed the podium, while Shamsiddin Vokhidov of Uzbekistan finished fourth after scoring a full point in Thursday’s ninth round.
A 48-move draw against top seed Indian Arjun Erigaisi paved the way for Daneshvar to win the tournament on the final day with the highest tiebreak score in the leading pack.
The turning point for the Iranian was his round-seven triumph over former sole leader Chithambaram Aravindh In a double-edged game.
this was the biggest career success for Daneshvar, who had won the 2022 Iranian Championship and had knocked out elite GM Alexander Grischuk in the second round of the 2023 FIDE World Cup.
Eight players finished the tournament a half point behind the leading four, including second seed Iranian Parham Maqsoudlou, who settled for the ninth spot.