News
Trio Of Winners In Queenstown

Trio Of Winners In Queenstown

SonofPearl
| 4 | Chess Event Coverage

Darryl Johansen.JPGThe 2012 Queenstown Chess Classic ran from 15-23 January in Queenstown, New Zealand (previewed here).

Over 140 players competed in the Open event incorporating the 119th New Zealand Chess Championships, with a guaranteed prize fund of NZD 30,000 (approx USD 24,000).

The tournament is the inspiration of New Zealand chess Grandmaster Murray Chandler, and is the third edition following two previous events in 2006 and 2009. 

After 9 hard-fought rounds at the Millenium Hotel 3 players shared first prize with a score of 7½/9 - Australian GM Darryl Johansen (pictured), and Chinese GMs Li Chao and Zhao Jun.

FM Michael Steadman took the NZ Championship with his 6½/9 score.

The top standings:


Name Nat Elo Pts
1 Johansen Darryl K AUS 2403 7.5
2 Li Chao B CHN 2693 7.5
3 Zhao Jun CHN 2569 7.5
4 Akshat Khamparia IND 2414 7.0
5 Rozentalis Eduardas LTU 2592 7.0
6 Tao Trevor AUS 2422 7.0
7 Hansen Sune Berg DEN 2572 7.0
8 Ganguly Surya Shekhar IND 2639 7.0
9 Bojkov Dejan BUL 2553 6.5
10 Ikeda Junta AUS 2349 6.5
11 Bird Andrew AUS 2216 6.5
12 Steadman Michael NZL 2258 6.5
13 Sukandar Irine Kharisma INA 2325 6.5
14 Dragicevic Domagoj AUS 2277 6.5
15 Illingworth Max AUS 2388 6.5
16 Cheng Bobby AUS 2375 6.0
17 Smith Robert W NZL 2273 6.0
18 Zelesco Karl AUS 1990 6.0
19 Stojic Dusan AUS 2294 6.0
20 Bischoff Klaus GER 2537 6.0

 

 

 

 

 

The opening of the competition

Queenstown 2012 opening.JPG

 

The playing hall

Queenstown 2012 playing hall.JPG

 

Lake Wakatipu, near Queenstown

lake-wakatipu.jpg

 

Event photos from the official tournament website.

More from SonofPearl
Chess.com News Is Changing...

Chess.com News Is Changing...

Beijing To Host 5th 2012/13 Grand Prix

Beijing To Host 5th 2012/13 Grand Prix