The second 2024 World Corporate Chess Championship kicked off last week with two online qualifiers on lichess.org.
The first blitz qualifier (5+2) featured four teams playing three double rounds. Impact Capital, led by GM Andrey Esipenko, emerged victorious with an impressive 17.5/24 points, finishing a clear 2.5 points ahead of Microsoft Team A. ABB Bank secured third place with 14.5 points.
The second qualifier, a rapid (10+2) tournament, brought together four teams, playing three rounds. Golomt Bank of Mongolia won all three matches and came out on top, scoring 9/12. PROBIT Sp. z o.o. lost to the winners but won two other matches to finish one point behind. Nanjing Spark Chess Technology Co.Ltd. netted 7/12 and took third place.
All eight teams advanced to the Online Knockout stage.
The next two qualifiers will take place this weekend on March 23 (blitz) and March 24 (rapid)
Registration is still open on the 2024 World Corporate Chess Championship official website.