GM Hrant Melkumyan (Armenia) is the winner of the 2022 O2C Doeberl Cup, scoring 7.5/8, after winning his last round game against IM Igor Bjelobrk. He was tied for 1st with GM Temur Kuybokarov going into the final rounds, but a draw between Kuybokarov, and GM Daniel Fernandez (ENG) saw Kuybokarov finish 2nd (on 7 points), and Fernandez tie for 3rd with IM Rishi Sardana.
This was the 2nd win for Melkumyan, who had previously won in 2019, but the first as a local Canberran, having been resident here for the past 2 years. He becomes the 2nd local player to win the event, the first being Tony Weidenhofer in 1973.
Melkumyan took home $5000 in prize money, with Kuybokarov picking up $3000 for 2nd. IM Rishi Sardana, now also a Canberra resident, was the recipient of the entire Fighting Fund of $1000, as the only eligible player to score a win in the final round.
The Major tournament saw Mars Qi finish in outright 1st on 6.5/7, ahead of Seth Peramunetilleke and Benjamin Leong on 6. In the Minor, unrated Shivam Pant finished 1st on 6.5, but as he was only eligible for the Unrated prize, the 1st prize was shared between Mark Stokes, Jonathan Jones and Benjamin Woo (6/7).
Once again the tournament was a great success with 329 players taking part (1 short of last years record). The Canberra Southern Cross Club was a wonderful venue, providing a spacious playing area and plenty of refreshment options for the players. There were no major issues during the tournament, a testament to the efforts of the arbiting team, lead by IA Alana Chibnall. Thanks also need to go to the ACT Chess Association, the member clubs and the ACT Junior Chess League for providing the bulk of the equipment for the tournament, as well as ChessLife SA, for providing sets and clocks for the Under 1200 Tournament.
Planning is already underway for next year, with a proposal to add a 5th tournament to the schedule, with a Challengers event for Under 2100-1600, with the Major covering 1800-1300 and the Minor becoming an Under 1500 event. This will see extra prize money being added, with the tournament offering over $25,000 in total prizes.
Results for the event can be found at www.doeberlcup.com.au
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