Gawain Jones win Dubai

GM Gawain Jones has won the 2016 Dubai Open (on countback), finishing with 7.5/9 alongside GM Vladimir Akopian. Going into the final round Jones was playing leader Boris Savchenko, who was on 7/8. Using an opening novelty suggested by Australian GM David Smerdon, Jones was able to beat his opponent in 37 moves to take over the lead. Of the players who started the round alongside him, Akopian was the only one to catch him, with a win over Levan Pansulaia.  With the prizes awarded on points then tie-break (and not shared), Jones took the first prize of $13000 while Akopian had to be content with $7000.