GM Molner Mackenzie (USA) won in Budapest Hotel MEDOSZ Spring Open tournament

34 players representing 11 countries competed in 9 rounds Swiss in Budapest 14-22nd March. There were two week-end opens during the event also in Budapest and players with less free time played there leaving this event to rather limited number of players. 11 title holders made the event a title-tournament. The only GM a 26 years old chess teacher from Tucson (USA, AZ) Molner Mackenzie won the event with easy as if it was a routine during his chess tour in Europe. He achieved GM title in 2013 but he is a former National Champion of USA Colleges & High-schools.

IGM MOLNER /USA/

The greatest stunt was delivered, however, by a 20 year old fragile lady from Vietnam. WIM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung performed her second WGM norm also hitting IM norm of men this time. She defeated two IM-s and collected 39 FIDE- Rating points.

WIM NGUYEN, Thi Mai Hung (VIE)

16 years old Farkas Richard (HUN) came third proving that becoming a private pupil at his grammar school was a great step into the right direction to building up a successful chess career.

Hotel MEDOSZ Spring Open Budapest 14-22nd March 2014
Final Ranking after 9 Rounds 

….34 players

Chess events in Budapest will continue with the Budapest Spring Festival Open organized by the Budapest Chess Federation 28th March- 05th April.

The usual First Saturday Budapest international tournament series start on 5th April with GM, IM and FM sections. One day prior to it the Hotel MEDOSZ Rapid Open takes place that runs for FIDE-Rapid rating points with 9 rounds Swiss with 15-15 minutes rate of play.

More info with all games and photos can be seen at www.firstsaturday.hu
Photos by: Miklos Szabo and Laszlo Nagy
Written by: IM Miklos Orso International Arbiter