Gregory Kaidanov Wins Gausdal Classics GM-group A

GM Aloyzas Kveinys, GM Felix Levin and IM Jon Ludvig Hammer tied first in GM-group B

Gregory Kaidanov quickly drew his last round game to claim the first place at the 2008 Gausdal Classics' GM-group A, full point ahead of 2nd Geetha Naraynan Gopal. Kjetil A Lie suffered third consecutive defeat after engaging in risky complications, thus dropping to the 7th place with 50 percent points. Vasilios Kotronias broke through after beating Bartlomiej Macieja with black pieces, while Øystein Hole improved the score with his first win in this event.

IM Jon Ludvig Hammer tried to break Rune Djurhuus' French defence, but experienced Grandmaster defended well and earned a draw by transposing to the rook endgame. This allowed Aloyzas Kveinys and Felix Levin to catch Hammer on the first place tie after winning their last round games. Lithuanian GM Kveinys was declared GM-group B winner on best additional criteria.

More Gausdal Classics coverage on the official website.

GM-group A round 9 results:

GM Chanda Sandipan - GM Gregory Kaidanov draw
GM Kjetil A Lie - GM Vyacheslav Ikonnikov 0-1
IM Irina Krush - GM Geetha Naraynan Gopal draw
Eric Moskow - IM Øystein Hole 0-1
GM Bartlomiej Macieja - GM Vasilios Kotronias 0-1

GM-group A final standings:

1. GM Gregory Kaidanov (USA 2596) - 7.0
2. GM Geetha Naraynan Gopal (IND 2562) - 6.0
3. GM Vasilios Kotronias (GRE 2611) - 5.5
4-6. GM Bartlomiej Macieja (POL 2599) - 5.0
4-6. GM Chanda Sandipan (IND 2585) - 5.0
4-6. GM Vyacheslav Ikonnikov (RUS 2578) - 5.0
7. GM Kjetil A Lie (NOR 2558) - 4.5
8. IM Irina Krush (USA 2479) - 3.5
9. IM Øystein Hole (NOR 2387) - 2.5
10. Eric Moskow (USA 2229) - 1.0

GM-group B final standings:

1-3. GM Aloyzas Kveinys (LIT 2515), GM Felix Levin (GER 2546) and IM Jon Ludvig Hammer (NOR 2457) - 6.5
4-7. GM Ralf Akesson (SWE 2466), GM Rune Djurhuus (NOR 2459), GM Mihail Saltaev (UZB 2500) and IM Arun Prasad (IND 2465) - 6.0 etc

Games from GM-group A and B