Australian Open ends in 4 way tie

Australian FM Yi Liu finished of an excellent 2017 Australian Open by defeating Round 10 leader IM Temur Kuybokarov (UZE) to join him in first place. This result also allowed IM Kanan Izzat (AZE) and GM Max Illingworth to also finish in equal first on 8.5/11. For Liu, a former Australian Junior Champion, this was not only his best career result so far, but also earned him an IM norm.
Kuybokarov had lead for most of the event after starting with 5 wins, but was unable to defend a rook and pawn ending a pawn down against Liu.
Max Illingworth had a welcome return to form, beating fellow GM Moulthun Ly in the final game. Both players showed signs of nerves towards the end, but one final mistake by Ly allowed Illingworth's attack to break through.
Of the players from the nations capital, IM Andrew Brown finished on 8/11 (beating IM Stephen Solomon in the final round), IM Junta Ikeda on 7.5, Michael Kethro 6.5, Dillon Hathiramani 6 and Albert Winkelman 6.
The Minor (Under 1600) event was won by Oliver McCarthy with a very impressive 10.5/11.


Illingworth,Max - Ly,Moulthun [A92]
2017 Australian Open, 12.01.2017

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Qc2 Ne4 9. Bf4 f5 10. Nc3 Nd6 11. c5 Nf7 12. b4 g5 13. Be3 Nd7 14. Rfd1 Bf6 15. b5 cxb5 16. Nxb5 Nb8 17. h4 gxh4 18. Bf4 Nc6 19. gxh4 Bxh4 20. Nxh4 Qxh4 21. e3 Bd7 22. Rab1 Ng5 23. Kf1 Ne4 24. Nd6 Na5 25. Bxe4 fxe4 26. Ke2 Nc6 27. Qc3 e5 28. dxe5 Bg4+ 29. Ke1 Bxd1 30. Rxd1 d4 31. Qb3+ Kh8 32. e6 Qh5 33. Nf7+ Kg7 34. exd4 Qh1+ 35. Kd2 Qh5 36. Rg1+ Kf6 37. Bg5+ Kg7 38. Be7+ 1-0