GM Darryl K Johansen claims the Queenstown Chess Classic 2012
The New Zealand Chess Federation organized the 2012 Queenstown Chess Classic on 15th-23rd January 2012, at the ballroom of the Millennium Hotel, Queenstown.
The tournament was a nine round Swiss event, staged over nine days. The $50,000 sponsorship was provided by New Zealand Chess Grandmaster Murray Chandler.
Australian Grandmaster Darryl K Johansen defeated the Commonwealth champion Gawain Jones in the final round to catch China’s duo Li Chao B – Zhao Jun on the shared first place. Johansen is declared winner on best tie-break score.
Seeded only 14th at the beginning of the tournament, Johansen continues the string of fantastic results as he already won the 2012 Australian Chess Championship two weeks ago. He improved his elo by 40 points from these two events.
The 119th New Zealand National Championship was also incorporated within the Queenstown Chess Classic. This event has a famous history, being the oldest continuously staged national championship in the world.
FM Michael Steadman from Auckland wins the national title by collecting 6.5 points, half a point better than nearest followers. Full standings bellow.
Previous Queenstown events have also attracted numerous international players, including Grandmasters and Masters. For further information visit the tournament website.
Final standings (top 25):
1 GM Johansen Darryl K AUS 2403 – 7.5
2 GM Li Chao B CHN 2693 – 7.5
3 GM Zhao Jun CHN 2569 – 7.5
4 IM Akshat Khamparia IND 2414 – 7
5 GM Rozentalis Eduardas LTU 2592 – 7
6 Tao Trevor AUS 2422 – 7
7 GM Hansen Sune Berg DEN 2572 – 7
8 GM Ganguly Surya Shekhar IND 2639 – 7
9 GM Bojkov Dejan BUL 2553 – 6.5
10 FM Ikeda Junta AUS 2349 – 6.5
11 Bird Andrew AUS 2216 – 6.5
12 FM Steadman Michael NZL 2258 – 6.5
13 WGM Sukandar Irine Kharisma INA 2325 – 6.5
14 Dragicevic Domagoj AUS 2277 – 6.5
15 FM Illingworth Max AUS 2388 – 6.5
16 FM Cheng Bobby AUS 2375 – 6
17 FM Smith Robert W NZL 2273 – 6
18 Zelesco Karl AUS 1990 – 6
19 FM Stojic Dusan AUS 2294 – 6
20 GM Bischoff Klaus GER 2537 – 6
21 IM Dive Russell John NZL 2345 – 6
22 IM Morris James AUS 2354 – 6
23 GM Zhao Xue CHN 2551 – 6
24 GM Jones Gawain C B ENG 2653 – 6
25 IM Solomon Stephen J AUS 2375 – 6
26 IM Ly Moulthun AUS 2376 – 6
27 IM West Guy AUS 2323 – 6
Congrats!
1 GM Johansen Darryl K AUS 2403–7.5
2 GM Li Chao B CHN 2693 – 7.5
3 GM Zhao Jun CHN 2569 – 7.5
Darryl Johansen was lucky to win the tournament. His performance rating here is 2568. He lost to Zhao Jun in round 6.
Both Li Chao and Zhao Jun were undefeated in the tournament. Their PR were 2685 and 2661 respectively, more than 100 points over Johansen.
Something is wrong with the awarding system.