Tuesday 5 January 2016

2016 Australian Championship - Non Australians lead

After 5 rounds of the 2016 Australian Championship IM Kanan Izzat (AZE) leads with 5/5. In second place on 4/5 are FM Luke Li (NZL) and FM Karl Zelesco (AUS). GM Vasily Papin (RUS) heads the group of players on 3.5, which also includes one of the tournament surprise packets, CM Jason Hu.
While the tournament lacks a sufficient number of GM's for players to score a GM norm, the large number of IM's in the field make this title far more achievable. Li, Zelesco and Hu have already played the required number of IM's for the norm, and all are performing over 2450. Of course there is still the case of scoring well enough over the next 4 to 6 rounds, but I would be surprised if at least one the players does not earn a norm.
In the Reserves tournament, 5 players share the lead on 4.5/5, including Canberra junior Michael Kethro. He plays WIM Alexandra Jule on the top board in tomorrows round.
Results and coverage of the tournament can be found at the event homepage.

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