Bahamas International 2012
October 30, 2012
The Bahamas International & Amateur was held from October 24-28, 2012 at the Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino, West Bay Street, Cable Beach, Nassau, Bahamas. The highly-competitive field consisted of six Grand Masters, three International Masters, three FIDE Masters, as well as a number of untitled but very capable players. All told, seven countries were represented, namely The Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Georgia, Italy, Mexico, and the United States.
GM Alex Shabalov won the International Section, finishing with an undefeated 6.5/9 and taking home the $2,000 first prize. Just a half-point behind was GM Alexander Goldin, who collected $1,200 for his efforts over the five days.
Yaacov Norowitz and Erik Santarius both scored IM norms. Norowitz had secured his norm before his round 9 game began, while Santarius clinched his with a last-round draw against Goldin.
In the Amateur section, Jingle Kho of Ontario, Canada, shared the top prize with Yan Lyansky, each with 5/6 points. Frank Gibson placed third with 4.5 points.
Winning the Reserve section was U.S. player, Mark Neale, with second place going to Chaz Garraway.
The Bahamas Chess Federation was pleased to have five of its members in the field of tournament amateurs. Sponsored by the MedNet Group of Companies, these players represented the Bahamas well, each earning a prize. The MedNet Group of Companies is an umbrella organization for more than 15 Nassau-based companies that deliver private healthcare services and offer professional management and related services. The Group has been and remains an avid supporter of chess in The Bahamas.
Despite the difficult weather conditions brought on by Hurricane Sandy, the tournament was a rousing success and sets the stage for bigger and better internationals in the years to come. As one player noted, it truly felt like an international chess tournament, not only in its location, but with the variety of players unknown to each other. As the first time that such an event has been held in The Bahamas, it is certainly something to build on.
The Bahamas International & Amateur was held from October 24-28, 2012 at the Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino, West Bay Street, Cable Beach, Nassau, Bahamas. The highly-competitive field consisted of six Grand Masters, three International Masters, three FIDE Masters, as well as a number of untitled but very capable players. All told, seven countries were represented, namely The Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Georgia, Italy, Mexico, and the United States.
GM Alex Shabalov won the International Section, finishing with an undefeated 6.5/9 and taking home the $2,000 first prize. Just a half-point behind was GM Alexander Goldin, who collected $1,200 for his efforts over the five days.
Yaacov Norowitz and Erik Santarius both scored IM norms. Norowitz had secured his norm before his round 9 game began, while Santarius clinched his with a last-round draw against Goldin.
In the Amateur section, Jingle Kho of Ontario, Canada, shared the top prize with Yan Lyansky, each with 5/6 points. Frank Gibson placed third with 4.5 points.
Winning the Reserve section was U.S. player, Mark Neale, with second place going to Chaz Garraway.
The Bahamas Chess Federation was pleased to have five of its members in the field of tournament amateurs. Sponsored by the MedNet Group of Companies, these players represented the Bahamas well, each earning a prize. The MedNet Group of Companies is an umbrella organization for more than 15 Nassau-based companies that deliver private healthcare services and offer professional management and related services. The Group has been and remains an avid supporter of chess in The Bahamas.
Despite the difficult weather conditions brought on by Hurricane Sandy, the tournament was a rousing success and sets the stage for bigger and better internationals in the years to come. As one player noted, it truly felt like an international chess tournament, not only in its location, but with the variety of players unknown to each other. As the first time that such an event has been held in The Bahamas, it is certainly something to build on.
