Untitled Vladimir Belous wins Moscow Open

Although dozens of strong GMs and IMs participated, the open section of the Moscow Open Festival was won by an untitled player. Vladimir Belous, rated 2497, finished on 8/9. Boris Grachev and Alexandra Kosteniuk won special round-robins for young players.

The international chess festival Moscow Open 2011 was held at the Russian State Social University from January 29th to February 6th. Main organizers were the Moscow Chess Federation, the Russian State Social University and the Moscow Sport Committee supported by the Moscow Government, the Russian Chess Federation and the International School Chess Union.

The festival included no less than nine tournaments:

• A - a round-robin invitation tournament for young grandmasters (men)
• B - a round-robin invitation tournament for young players (women)
• C - a Swiss open tournament for university students (men)
• B - a Swiss open tournament for university students (women)
• E - a Swiss open tournament for men
• F - a Swiss open tournament for women
• G - open tournaments for children
• H - an open tournament for school-leavers
• Third Cup for chess solutions.

The total guaranteed prize fund was 3,600,000 rubles (more than 90,000 Euros; more than 120,000 US$).

The A tournament was won by Boris Grachev, who finished on 7.5/11 and ahead of Sergei Zhigalko and Sanan Sjugirov. FIDE Grand Prix participants Inarkiev, Alekseev and Cheparinov played in this group as well.

Moscow Open 2011 | Young Grandmasters | Final Standings

There was a similar round-robin event for female players. Former World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk edged out Batkhuyag Munguntuul on tiebreak after both finished on 7/9.

Moscow Open 2011 | Young Female Players | Final Standings

The strong open was surprisingly won by the untitled player Vladimir Belous, who scored 8 points out of 9 games.

Moscow Open 2011 | Open (men) | Final Standings

Selection of games

Game viewer by ChessTempo

Photos © Moscow Open

Links

• Official website
• Games in PGN: A - Young GM | B - Young Female Players | E - Moscow Open via TWIC