The Great Collapse: Alexey Sarana Dominates the KazChess Masters 2024

The prestigious KazChess Masters round-robin tournament in Almaty, Kazakhstan, concluded with a result few analysts or spectators could have predicted two rounds prior. What began as a confident march toward victory for one player quickly devolved into a dramatic strategic collapse, clearing the path for the Serbian Grandmaster Alexey Sarana to seize the crown by a commanding margin.

This event serves as a sharp reminder that in high-stakes round-robin chess, consistency is secondary to converting opportunities. Sarana demonstrated an unparalleled aggression that ultimately proved decisive, even against statistical anomalies.

The Frontrunner’s Faltering

Entering the final two rounds, Volodar Murzin, competing under the FIDE flag, held a narrow half-point lead over the chasing pack. Given the elite level of the competition—featuring established figures like former World Championship challenger Boris Gelfand—Murzin’s position was enviable, requiring only stability to secure at least a share of the title.

However, the pressure of maintaining a lead proved fatal. Murzin suffered two devastating defeats in the final stretch, plunging him from probable champion to a disappointing fifth place in the final standings. His collapse, a sudden and profound reversal of fortune, was the pivot point of the tournament.

Sarana: A Study in Calculated Aggression

While Murzin was faltering, Alexey Sarana (the pre-tournament Elo favorite) activated a ruthless offensive strategy. Sarana’s approach throughout the event was characterized by high-risk, high-reward chess, resulting in an extraordinary six decisive victories—a number far exceeding his competitors.

The decisive blow came in Round 8, where Sarana confronted and defeated the then-leader, Murzin. This victory shattered Murzin’s momentum and simultaneously rocketed Sarana into the lead. Sarana cemented his victory in the final round with another crucial win against Kazakhstan’s Edgar Mamedov.

Ultimately, Sarana finished with 6.5 points, securing a full point lead over the players tied for second and third place, Maksim Chigaev (Spain) and Kazybek Nogerbek (Kazakhstan). Such a margin in a strong round-robin is rare and reflects the sheer efficiency of his win rate.

The Statistical Paradox of Victory

Perhaps the most peculiar aspect of Sarana’s triumph lies in the cross-table results. It is highly unusual, if not outright ironic, for a tournament champion to finish a full point ahead of the runners-up despite having lost to both of them. Sarana lost to Chigaev and Nogerbek earlier in the tournament, indicating periods of vulnerability. Yet, his ability to bounce back and consistently score full points against the rest of the field neutralized these setbacks.

The technical takeaway is clear: in this format, a few costly losses can be absorbed and overcome, provided a player compensates with high decisiveness. Sarana’s six wins were the engine of his victory; while draws dominated the lower standings, Sarana opted for conflict, securing the necessary material for an uncontested victory.

Final Standings Snapshot

The race for the remaining podium spots was intensely fought, with three players—Chigaev, Nogerbek, and local player Denis Makhnev—all finishing on 5.5 points, alongside the unfortunate Murzin.

The KazChess Masters concluded not just as a victory for Alexey Sarana, but as a thrilling demonstration of how swiftly fortunes can shift at the highest level of competitive chess.