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GM Levan Pantsulaia of Georgia Tops 9th Dubai Open |
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Monday, 30 April 2007 00:00 |
 GM Levan Pantsulaia of Georgia won the Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Cup finishing with 7 points in the 9th Dubai Open held 22 to 30 April 2007 at the Dubai Chess Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Pantsulaia won by tie break over GMs Amir Bagheri of Iran, and Gadir Guesinov and Sarhan Guliev of Azerbaijan. In photo, Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum (left) awards the champion`s cup to GM Pantsulaia as Dubai Chess Club President Ibrahim Al Bannai looks on. See results and final standing, visit the official site for games. .
GM Levan Pantsulaia of Georgia won the Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Cup finishing with 7 points in the 9th Dubai Open held 22 to 30 April 2007 at the Dubai Chess Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Pantsulaia won by tie break over GMs Amir Bagheri of Iran, and Gadir Guesinov and Sarhan Guliev of Azerbaijan. The four shared $18,000 out of the $45,000 total cash prize. In photo, Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum (left) awards the champion`s cup to GM Pantsulaia as Dubai Chess Club President Ibrahim Al Bannai looks on. See results and final standing, visit the official site for games.
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Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum starts the clock of GM Jaan Ehlvest on top board. Looking on are, from left, Arab Chess Federation Secretary Mahdi Abdulrahim, UAE Chess Federation and Dubai Chess Club president Ibrahim Al Bannai and Dr. Mohamed Salem Suhail, Assistant Secretary General of UAE Youth and Sports Welfare Authority. |
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Report of the Chief Arbiter
The 9th Dubai Open saw the participation of 126 players from 24 countries including:
25 Grandmasters
4 Woman Grandmasters
15 International Masters
3 Woman International Masters
18 FIDE Masters and
7 Woman FIDE Masters
Prize fund for the 9th edition was increased by $5,000 to a total of $45,000 enhancing its stature as the biggest annual Open tournament in Asia. Fifty players won prizes in the Open event and various categories.
An Appeals Committee was headed by Mr. Najeeb Saleh (UAE). Attributing to the good organization, there were no protests. Deputy Chief Arbiter Mahdi Abdulrahim helped manage the team of Arbiters in the usual high international standard, namely IA Naji Mohammed, IA Mohammed Abdullah, IA Jamal Kasem and two NAs Saeed Yousof and Mohammed Raies.
The top boards were broadcast live over the internet through the expertise of Mr. Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh. IM Ravikumar published daily bulletins of the games.
The Dubai Chess Club provided excellent facilities for the players. Under the supervision of Mr. Ahmed Toukhi of the Dubai Chess Club, the official hotel, the Vendome Plaza, gave good service to the players. Bus service between the hotel and the tournament venue was on time and coordinated well by Mr. Ahmed Barakat of the Dubai Chess Club.
Overall organization was efficiently managed by Mr. Mohammed Hosseiny as Tournament Director under the leadership of Dubai Chess Club President Ibrahim Al Bannai, UAE Chess Federation president.
Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum, in whose name the Cup was awarded, honored both the opening and closing with his presence, symbolizing the support of the government of Dubai.
I thank the Dubai Chess Club for the opportunity to be part of the successful 9th Dubai Open.
Casto Abundo
Chief Arbiter
 Download games in PGN format. |
