Final Standings – Group B
1. P. Eljanov 9
2-5. G. Sargissian, Bu Xiangzhi, M. Vachier-Lagrave, D. Jakovenko 8
6. E. L’Ami 7½
7-8. V. Bologan, D. Stellwagen 7
9. J. Smeets 6
10. F. Nijboer 5½
11-12. S. Atalik, J. Werle 4½
13-14. T. Kosintseva, V. Georgiev 4
Eljanov needing only a draw agains T. Kosintseva to win group B and an invitation to group A next year. He finished in style by winning and won group B by a full point!
Final Standings – Group C
1. M. Krasenkow 10½
2. I. Nepomniachtchi 10
3. E. Berg 8
4. P. Negi 7½
5-6. Hou Yifan, W. Spoelman 7
7-9. J. van der Wiel, M. Bosboom, E. van Haastert 6
10-11. N. Kosintseva, Z. Peng 5½
12. H. Jonkman 4½
13. S. Brynell 4
14. T. Willemze 3½
Big upset the last round decided the tournament! I. Nepomniachtchi lead group C for 12 rounds! Coming into the last round, he was leading Krasenkow by 1/2 point. He had White against N. Kosintseva who was not having a great tournament. In the mean time, Krasenkow had black against Peng. Krasenkow won as expected but I. Nepomniachtchi lost his first game and finished 1/2 point out of first!
In the battle of the other 2 young phenoms in this section, Hou Yifan had a good tournament and was ahead of Negi by 1/2 point going into the final round. However, Negi defeated her in the last round to finish in clear 4th.
I read Nepomniachtchi’s comments on the KasparovChess forum. Looks like he really wanted a fight, a victory, something stunning. He needs more practical approach.
Last year Carlsen ended technically 2nd in group B but got invited for group A nonetheless.
Given that “ctrl-v” ended even a full two points ahead of the #3, I hope the organisation will show the same spirit as with Carlsen and invite him into B anyway. Great fighting spirit, that’s what they like at Corus.
Still, as Atalik (and Carlsen, and Motylev) found out, it might be tough for them, the gaps between the groups are not so small.
Next year Eljanov in group A, that will be a “who’s that?” for many people (including me :-0!).
Marvol
Will they allow Carlsen to play in Corus next year and if so what group. Will he be back in group B.