Hrant Melkumyan triumphs in the land Down Under

Armenia no.3 GM Hrant Melkumyan receives the beautiful trophy | Photo: Chesslife

In the penultimate round Melkumyan faced Deep Sengupta and he equalized with Black pieces easily out of the opening Ruy Lopez Berlin Defence. However in a seemingly equal endgame, Deep missed a small trick which Melkumyan also missed and eventually he won.

What is the best continuation for White here?

White just played 47.b3 and now Black has a golden opportunity. What did Black miss here?

GM Deep Sengupta scored 6.5/9 and finished 3rd | Photo: Chesslife

Deep Sengupta talks about playing in Australia, how his tournament went and more| Video: Chesslife

After finishing joint first in 19th BCC Open, Deep continued his momentum in Australia and finished at the 2nd runner-up position. His best clinical win was in round 3 against Matthew Clarke of Australia.

GM Abhijit Kunte played some solid chess and finished at tied third position with a score of 6.5/9 | Photo: Chesslife

GM Abhijit Kunte talks about playing in Australia, why he loves playing there and more | Video: Chesslife

In round 3 against Brodie McClymont of Australia, Kunte played a very instructive game with black pieces in Sicilian Kan and earned a victory.

IM Padmini Rout scored 5.5/9, finished at 10th position. She won the Best Female player prize | Photo: Chesslife

Padmini talks about her first visit to Australia, the strength of the players and more | Video: Chesslife

Padmini made a brilliant start with a score of 3.5/4 and she got into five-way lead. However consecutive losses in round 6 and 7, prevented her from a better finish. Her best win was against IM Xie George Wendi in round 3 when she trapped her opponent's queen in the middle of the board.

It is always a delight to trap your Queen's at the middle of the board

All Prize winners in one frame | Photo: Chesslife

Final Standings after 9 Rounds

Rk.SNoNameFEDRtgPts. TB1  TB2  TB3 w-weKrtg+/-
11GMMelkumyan HrantARM26587,539,050,540,000,04100,4
216FMSong RaymondTPE23297,042,052,038,753,622072,4
33GMSengupta DeepIND25516,542,054,537,500,10101,0
42GMSmirnov AntonAUS25676,540,551,534,250,04100,4
54GMKunte AbhijitIND24856,535,045,030,00-0,3110-3,1
66IMBjelobrk IgorAUS23866,039,050,031,501,061010,6
79IMTao TrevorAUS23646,035,044,526,25-0,0610-0,6
824Clarke MatthewAUS21136,030,539,523,500,784031,2
912IMLane Gary WAUS23575,539,550,027,750,39103,9
108IMPadmini RoutIND23645,538,049,525,750,51105,1
117GMJohansen Darryl KAUS23645,538,049,026,251,111011,1
1218FMPuccini JackAUS22615,534,545,526,000,03200,6
1328Pirotais JeromeFRA20755,532,041,022,501,272025,4
145IMIkeda JuntaAUS24415,038,548,523,00-1,3610-13,6
1536CMLam RossAUS20005,035,544,523,001,752035,0

Complete final standings