Last year he already won a preliminary round ahead of GM Krishnan Sasikiran, this year he won the second preliminary round and then today the grand final of the Sparkassen NC Online Open 2022.
Amir Ali Ghafourian from Iran won a difficult endgame in the important fourth round against the highest-ranked player IM G.B. Harshavardhan (India), in which he made use of his extra pawn. For Harshavardhan this was the only defeat, he came to 6 points on 7 games. But Ghafourian alias "RebelJonny" also gave up only one point through two late draws and had the better fine rating by winning the direct duel. He thus wins the invitation to the 50th International Dortmund Chess Days 2022 including an overnight stay in the players' hotel.
Behind him, the battle for third place was fierce among several players until the last minute. Marc Schulze won the final round and came third with 5 out of 7. A total of 19 qualified players played in the top-class final and many new impressions were gained in No Castling Chess.
1. Ghafourian (IRN)
2. Harshavardhan (IND)
3. Schulze (GER)