Monday 10 April 2023

2023 O2C Doeberl Cup - Three times the charm for Melkumyan

 GM Hrant Melkumyan has won his third O2C Doeberl Cup with a dominant display in this years event. Having previously finished 1st in 2019 and 2022, his 8/9 in this years event saw him finish half a point ahead of GM Temur Kuybokarov. He secured first place with a win over IM Ari Dale, finishing with 7 wins and 2 draws (against Kuybokarov and IM Rishi Sardana). Kuybokarov defeated FM Matthew Clarke to finish outright 2nd on 7.5. Tied for 3rd place were IM James Morris, IM Rishi Sardana, GM Daniel Fernandez and FM Fred Litchfield, on 6.5. Three of the top 6 (Melkumyan, Sardana and Litchfield) are Canberra residents, which capped a fantastic event for the ACT chess community.

The Major saw a 4 way tie for 1st on 5.5. In countback order, the winners were Baneshi Kiamerr, Thogata Randheer, Micah Young and Chloe Fan. The Minor was won by Kang Chai over Maickel Rodriguez on countback (both 6/7), and the Mini saw a 3 way tie between Jonah Gear, Mark Stokes and Nathan Arav. With Gear being ineligible for the place prizes (as an unrated player) the trophy went to mark Stokes on countback.

The tournament itself was a fantastic success,  with 403 players across 5 sections.  This is the largest open event in Australian chess history, and with the Kinford Consulting Blitz attracting 176 players as well, almost 600 players took part over the 5 days (allowing for some double counting!)

As the Chief Organiser for the event it was both exhausting and rewarding. It would not have been possible without the assistance of Chief Arbiter IA Alana Chibnall and her arbiting team, as well as Shun Ikeda and the amazing group on volunteers. As a reward for their fantastic work, most of the volunteers and some of the arbiters are now backing up for the 2023 Oceania Junior Championship which runs for the next 5 days in Canberra!


1 comment:

Kevin said...

Congratulations on a superbly run tournament!