Anish Giri Wins Reggio Emilia

In an amazing finish to the 2011/12 Reggio Emilia tournament, Anish Giri's draw in the final round against Fabiano Caruana was enough to earn the title as both Hikaru Nakamura and Alexander Morozevich lost their last games!

Vassily Ivanchuk awoke from his nightmarish second half of the event to defeat long-time leader Nakamura. It was Nakamura third loss in a row, and all the sweeter for Ivanchuk after his loss to Naka in round five when he could and should have won.

Alexander Morozevich's creative style, constantly seeking difficult and complicated positions finally backfired when failed to find the right path against Nikita Vitiugov and missed his chance to take victory in the event.

So 17 year-old Anish Giri earns a memorable first major tournament victory with 16 points, one point ahead of Nakamura, Morozevich and Caruana. It was a remarkably entertaining tournament, with 70% of games ending decisively, and more wins with black than white!

In just a week's time Ivanchuk, Nakamura, Giri and Caruana will feature in the Tata Steel A Group tournament, where Nakamura will be defending the title he won last year.

The final scores in Reggio Emilia: