Report, photos and videos (updated)
American Grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian won the last round game against direct competitor GM Dejan Antic to claim the trophy at the 2008 Doeberl Cup. Yet another anti-draw mishap and again Antic was involved (see also our round four report). After the initial inaccuracy in our version of the incident, GM Ian Rogers contacted us with the explanation: “In fact it was Akobian who was forced to play on, not Antic. Antic was deemed to have not so much choice but Akobian had many other good moves available apart from repeating. Akobian used up a lot of time before playing the Bg5 and Be5 plan
Also, Antic made his move before claiming the draw by repetition, so he had no reason to be upset when it was refused. (Of course Akobian would also have tried to claim the draw had it been permitted.)”
Lloyd Fell earned a deserved honorary mention as this was his 46th consecutive appearance at the Doeberl Cup. He even won the 1966 event. Blair Mandla efficiently concluded his run in the Major Group by drawing the last round game which was enough for the clear first place. Emma Guo had no mercy in the Minor Group and annihilated the opposition with perfect 7 out of 7 score. WGM Li Roufan scored the only IM norm, congratulations!
IM Igor Bitansky, Israeli player on the tour around the world, is proudly presenting his fantastic 8th round game against IM Andras Toth:
Round 9 results:
2599 GM Akobian Varuzhan (6.5) 1 – 0 GM Antic Dejan (6.5) 2480
2579 GM Ganguly Surya (6) ½ – ½ GM Zhang Zhong (6) 2617
2553 GM Gagunashvili Merab (6) ½ – ½ GM Jones Gawain (6) 2562
2398 IM Kizov Atanas (6) ½ – ½ IM Bitansky Igor (5.5) 2424
2468 IM Solomon Stephen J (5.5) 1 – 0 FM Bjelobrk Igor (5.5) 2381
2383 IM Wang Puchen (5.5) ½ – ½ WGM Zozulia Anna (5.5) 2344
2600 GM Malakhatko Vadim (5) 1 – 0 Samar Raul (5) 2254
2459 IM Smerdon David C (5) ½ – ½ Rej Tomek (5) 2283
Premier Group final standings:
1. GM Akobian Varuzhan 2599 7.5
2-8. GM Zhang Zhong 2617, GM Ganguly Surya 2579, GM Jones Gawain 2562, GM Gagunashvili Merab 2553, GM Antic Dejan 2480, IM Solomon Stephen 2468 and IM Kizov Atanas 2398 6.5
9-14. IM Wang Puchen 2383, GM Malakhatko Vadim 2600, WGM Li Roufan 2425, IM Bitansky Igor 2424, WGM Zozulia Anna 2344 and Ambrus Endre 2378 6.0
Major Group final standings:
1. Mandla Blair 1991 6.0
2-4. Norman Brendon, Bliznyuk Andrey 2200 and Stead Kerry 2083 5.5
5-7. Voon Richard 1990, Tionko Efrain 1782 and Viner Phillip 2203 5.0
See also video analysis of GM Ian Rogers. More videos available on the official website. All photos courtesy of Amiel Rosario, see The Closet Grandmaster blog for more information about the Doeberl Cup.

GM Zhang Zhong

WIM Arianne Caoili

GM Gawain Jones

Playing hall

GM Jones shaking hands with Australian champion IM Solomon