Mamedyarov takes home Dubai Open title

Grandmaster Shahriar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan clinched the prestigious Dubai Open Chess Championship title with seven points after the final round held at Dubai Chess and Culture Club.

Twelve players shared the second spot with 6.5 points.

Grandmasters Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu (Romania), Krishnan Sasikiran and Harikrishnan (India), Viorel Iordachesvu (Moldova), Evgeny Vladimirov (Kazakhatan), Alexander Goloshchapov, Evgenij Miroshnichenko and Pavel Eljanov (Ukraine), Artashes Minasian (Armenia),
Mohamad Al-Modiahki (Qatar), newly Magnus Carlsen (Norway) and International Master Rauf Mamedov (Azerbaijan) were awarded silver medals.

Grandmasters Alexei Fedorov (Byelorussia), Baadur Jobava and Zviad Izoria (Georgia), Zahar Efimenko (Ukraine), Vugar Gashimov (Azerbaijan), Merab Gagunashvili, Tamaz Gelashvili Tamaz (Georgia), Ehsan Ghaem Maghami (Iran), Saidali Iuldachev, Yuri Kruppa (Uzbekistan), Goran Dizdar (Croatia) and IM Mohamad Al Sayed (Qatar) scored 6 points each and shared the bronze medal.

Mamedyarov defeated over night leader Grandmaster Eljanov in a prolonged and thrilling game lasting 78 moves.

In a Gruendfeld defense, Mamedyarov held control of the centre and coordinated his pieces well.

The queens left the board on the 40th move and Mamedyarov won a pawn. In a minor piece endgame, Mamedyarov advanced his passed pawn and nursed his advantage to victory.

Nelson Mariano of the Philippines completed his second GM norm when he defeated Grandmaster Shukhrat Safin of Uzbekistan. Mariano scored 5.5 points to accomplish his target.