🚀 go-pugleaf

The first round of the Australian Masters Chess Tournament was completed today.
The opening ceremony was held at the Reserve Bank at 2pm. The minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing gave a short speech and was warmly received by a large group of well-dressed chess officials.

Seeding numbers were drawn during the opening ceremony. The way things went, all the Australians played each other and all the International players played each other.

The first round was not without upsets. The teenagers playing causing all of them. Last minute entry, Simon Rutherford, 19, four times Victorian Junior Champion, caused the biggest upset by defeating former state champion, Bill Jordan. The second bottom seed, Dinh, 16, made a strong start to the tournament by defeating the second top seed Situru. This was in line with some predictions!

The longest game was between the two highest ranked Australians. Top seed, International Master, Darryl Johansen and fourth seed and also an International Master, Guy West. This game ended in a hard fought draw.

RESULTS:
White			-	Black			       Result
Johansen (IM) 		-	West (IM) 		1/2	-	1/2
Kagan (FM)  		-	Sandler (FM)		1/2	-	1/2
Jordan (FM) 		-	Rutherford		  0	-	  1
Reilly 			-	Levi (FM) 		  1	-	  0
Tu Hoang Thong (IM)	- 	Sarfati (FM)		  1	-	  0
Dinh Duc Trong (FM)	-	Situru (IM)		  1	-	  0

The second round commences tomorrow, Tuesday 22nd August, at 3pm at the Reserve Bank, 60 Collins St, Melbourne.

CONTACT 	David Cordover on 9803-4691, cordover@iaccess.com.au
		or Ross Thomas on 9527-1206