Akobian Takes Title

GM Varuzhan Akobian won the official title of Chicago Open 2008 Champion after defeating GM Tigran Petrosian in an exciting Armageddon blitz play-off.  Having come from behind in the final round to catch up to Petrosian and GM Hikaru Nakamura, who had agreed to an early draw in their game, the young American GM managed to win with the white pieces in front of a captive audience who had hung around to watch the show.

Akobian had the highest tie-breaks of the three players tied at the top and had no hesitation in taking the white pieces plus 7 minutes against Petrosian's 5 minutes plus draw odds with the black pieces. Petrosian had just narrowly edged out Nakamura for the other place in the play-off. About 30 spectators watched as Petrosian opened up the position for Akobian to get a slight edge out of the opening. In the middle game, Akobian managed to win a pawn after doubling rooks on the seventh rank.

Petrosian tried to complicate matters with his rook and knight swarming Akobian's king but his initial 2 minute deficit was beginning to take its toll and he ended up having to give up his knight. In a last ditch effort to secure a draw, and with the flag teetering on the edge, Petrosian came up with an ingenious plan of sacrificing his remaining rook for a stalemate. Akobian however managed to avoid all the pitfalls and, just as he was about to queen a pawn, Petrosian flagged. A rapturous round of applause was given to both players for an exciting finale to a great weekend of chess.

Akobian took home the additional $300 for winning the play-off game and each of the three players netted approximately $6,000 each for their efforts during the long holiday weekend.

Earlier on in the day the crowd had gathered early, taking their seats in the audience in anticipation of the final round's action. Most eyes were of course on the key board 1 match-up between Petrosian and Nakamura as the two players stood ahead of the field with 5/6. Unfortunately, and not only to the spectators onsite as ICC had decided to only rebroadcast that one game, both players agreed to a 9 move draw, securing their share of the first place prize pot but ultimately denying the fans a chance to see what they really wanted.

However, there were no further quick draws in the remaining games and the spectators soon gathered to see if anyone would be able to catch the top two. Akobian didn't disappoint, beating GM Alonso Zapata on board 2 as the other games relevant to the top spot all finished in fighting draws.

There were several players who finished just a half-point off the lead. GMs Alex Yermolinsky, Dmitry Gurevich and Julio Becerra, and IM (oops, GM-Elect) Josh Friedel all drew their final games and were caught up by GM Nikola Mitkov, the only person who had 4 points going into the round to score a victory.

We all know of Friedel's success story for the event but there was also another similar feat accomplished by Canada's FM Zhe Quan. Quan looks like he could have reached the FIDE 2400 rating mark for the first time in his chess career which, along with his 3 IM norms he already has, should secure him the title. Congratulations to IM-Elect Zhe Quan!

I hope you've enjoyed these light-hearted reports from the heat of battle at the Chicago Open and I look forward to seeing everyone in Chicago in 2009.

Chris Bird