SIMONIYAN WINS MASTERS TITLE JAMES JOSE

Khaleej Times
Aug 28 2009
UAE

28 August 2009 ABU DHABI — Armenia’s Simoniyan won the International
Masters chess event through a ballot, following a tie in points with
Uri Droduski Ukrainein the 13th Armed Forces Officers Club Open Sports
Festival at the AFOC premises.

About 150 contestants of various nationalities fought for the prizes
at stake.

Simoniyan was crowned champion with seven points after winning the
ballot held by the organisers to determine the champion following a
tie in points with Droduski. Georgia ‘s Zorab Strua was third with
6.5 points.

Unlike in the past where the top 10 took home prizes, only the
first three received the cash prizes at stake this time. This made
the final round of the event a tooth-and-nail fight which produces
positive results for the first six on the table instead of the draw
games usually seen in such circumstances.

The best performer at the event among the Arab contestants was Egypt
‘s Basim Sameer, who ended with 5 points to be placed 10th on the
table, while the ‘Best UAE Player’ award in this category was shared
jointly by Salim Abdul Rahman and Ibrahim Khoory.

Meanwhile, it was total domination by Georgian contestants in the
women’s event as former world champion Maya won the title with
six points, while two of her compatriots, Nino Jurriella and Nino
Khoryatsa jointly shared the second spot with 5.5 points but had to
be separated through a tie-break.

The best result for Arab contestants in this category came from Egypt’s
Mona Khalid, who finished sixth. Khulud Isa Al Zarouni recorded the
best UAE result in the event, while her sister, Aisha Al Zarouni also
recorded the best UAE result in the youth category.

Filipinos also dominated the Open Chess event as Robert Lowela of
the Philippines national team topped the table with eight points to
be crowned champion, his compatriot, Ariliano shared the second spot
jointly with UAE’s Ahmed Khoory (Representing Etisalat) at 7.5 points.

The award for the ‘Best UAE Youth Result’ went to Abdullah Al-Marzouki
(member of Etisalat team).

The closing ceremony was attended by Major General Obaid Al Khairy
Salim Al Kutbi, Deputy Commander General of Abu Dhabi Police, Salah
Al Salloumi, Deputy Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee and
Director of the AFOC Open Sports Festival, Musabbah Hamad Al Ka’abi,
General Coordinator, Hussein Khoory, Member of the Higher Organising
Committee and Chairman of the Chess Committee, members of other
sub-committees and a large number of Chess fans.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress