Here
is the link to many pictures from the 2011 Canadian Closed Championship.

GM Bator Sambuev and IM Eric Hansen tied for top spot in the Canadian Closed & Zonal held in Guelph, Ontario from May 6th through May 10th. A total of 29 players were registered and competed for a spot in the next World Cup as well as a spot on the next Canadian Olympic team.
Bator and Eric finished the event with identical undefeated scores of 7.5/9 (+6 =3) and a Rapid play-off was held to see who would be the Canadian Champion. Before the play-off, it was decided that Eric would represent Canada at the World Cup as Bator would not be able to due to the fact that the fee to change his federation has yet to be paid (Bator moved to Canada from Russia). The play-off would then determine who would win the title and earn a spot on the Olympic team. In the first game, Eric had white, built up a big advantage only to let it slip away. Bator held on to draw. In the 2nd game, Bator, with white, got an early advantage after Eric played a poor opening and forced Hansen to resign on move 39. Bator is the new Canadian Champion and gets a spot in the Olympics.

Report by Tony Ficzere

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Tags: ,