Ikeda makes 2nd IM Norm

Congratulations to FM Junta Ikeda on making his 2nd IM norm. In the 9th round of the Australian Open he was up against fellow Canberra player, and friend, IM Andrew Brown. While a draw would have been enough for the norm (and I result I predicted prior to the game), a very sharp line against the Sicilian meant that a draw was looking like the least likely outcome. Ikeda offered a pawn in the opening, in return for greater board control. A temporary exchange sacrifice increased his advantage, forcing Brown to return material with interest. After that it was a matter of navigating time trouble, before Ikeda found a nice win, with the game finishing with both his queens(!) en pris.
FM Bobby Cheng continues to lead the tournament after beating FM Gene Nakauchi on the top board. The win for Cheng also earned him an IM norm although he has to go through the formality of playing Ikeda tomorrow (even a loss will still give him a norm). IM Moulthun Ly shares second place with Ikeda, after he escaped from a lost position against GM Igor Khenkin. Khenkin built up a crushing attack but missed an important tactic, and let his advantage dissipate, eventually taking a perpetual in a position where he had a small edge.


Ikeda,Junta - Brown,Andrew [B31]
Australian Open Sydney, 11.01.2013

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 Nf6 6. d4 Nxe4 7. d5 Nd6 8. Bd3 Ne5 9. Nxe5 Bxe5 10. Re1 Bg7 11. Bf4 Qb6 12. a4 O-O 13. Rxe7 c4 14. Bf1 Qxb2 15. Bxd6 Qxa1 16. Bxc4 b5 17. axb5 Bb7 18. Re2 Qa5 19. Bxf8 Bxf8 20. d6 Rb8 21. Qb3 Bxd6 22. Bxf7+ Kg7 23. Be8 Bc6 24. c4 Qd8 25. Qd1 Qg5 26. bxc6 Qh5 27. g3 Rxb1 28. Qxb1 Qxe2 29. cxd7 Bc5 30. Qa1+ Kh6 31. Qf6 Qd1+ 32. Kg2 Bb6 33. Qf8+ Kh5 34. h3 Qd4 35. g4+ Kg5 36. Qe7+ Kf4 37. Qf8+ Kg5 38. Qe7+ Kf4 39. Qf7+ Kg5 40. Qf3 Qxc4 41. Qe3+ Qf4 42. d8Q+ 1-0