The IX Festival Salamanca Cuna Del Ajedrez Moderno kicks off November 11 in Spain with a six-player round-robin featuring Martinez, Vallejo, Hnatyshyn, and Sivanandan. The 30-minute rapid format demands sharp tactical play over the board preparation. Vallejo brings serious pedigree to Salamanca, chess's birthplace of modern theory. This tournament tests how today's elite handle classical time controls compressed into rapid speed.