FIDE Grand Prix Chess Tournament Won by Aronian
April 30, 2009
Chess grandmasterLevon Aronian of Armenia championed the Nalchik Grand Prix chess tournament, despite, or maybe even in spite of the predictions of a draw between him and his final contester, Hungarian GM Peter Leko. Aronian gained 8.5 points (out of 13), one point advantage over Leko, who shared the second position with Vladimir Akopian, also of Armenia, with 7.5 points each.
The 4th FIDE Grand Prix Series Tournament, held from April 14th at the Intour Hotel "Sindica" in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia, ended on April 30th in a festive closing ceremony with FIDE representatives handing the trophy and the symbolic, large check on €30,000 (approx. $40,000) to the winner, who was dressed in a traditional white gown for the occasion. Grand Prix general standings are currently topped by Alexander Grischuk of Russia and Teimur Radzhabov of Azerbaijan with Lavonian on number 3.
Nalchik 2009 is the fourth in the six FIDE Grand Prix chess tournaments played throughout 2008-2009 as part of the qualification procedure for the 2011 World Chess Championship. The top two players of the 2008-9 Grand Prix final standings series will compete against the defending world champion of 2009 at 8-player tournament challenger for the World Chess Championship in 2011. For now, it looks like Levon Aronian has good chances to meet the 2009 World Chess Champion in 2011.
Chess grandmasterLevon Aronian of Armenia championed the Nalchik Grand Prix chess tournament, despite, or maybe even in spite of the predictions of a draw between him and his final contester, Hungarian GM Peter Leko. Aronian gained 8.5 points (out of 13), one point advantage over Leko, who shared the second position with Vladimir Akopian, also of Armenia, with 7.5 points each.
The 4th FIDE Grand Prix Series Tournament, held from April 14th at the Intour Hotel "Sindica" in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia, ended on April 30th in a festive closing ceremony with FIDE representatives handing the trophy and the symbolic, large check on €30,000 (approx. $40,000) to the winner, who was dressed in a traditional white gown for the occasion. Grand Prix general standings are currently topped by Alexander Grischuk of Russia and Teimur Radzhabov of Azerbaijan with Lavonian on number 3.
Nalchik 2009 is the fourth in the six FIDE Grand Prix chess tournaments played throughout 2008-2009 as part of the qualification procedure for the 2011 World Chess Championship. The top two players of the 2008-9 Grand Prix final standings series will compete against the defending world champion of 2009 at 8-player tournament challenger for the World Chess Championship in 2011. For now, it looks like Levon Aronian has good chances to meet the 2009 World Chess Champion in 2011.