OCEANIA.- Bjelobrk, Berezina Win Zonals In Fiji

AUSTRALIA - Junio 2013

Igor Bjelobrk and Irina Berezina are the Oceania Zonal Champions for 2013. Bjelobrk defeated GM Darryl Johansen in the final round to win the Open Zonal on 7.5/9 and obtain the title of International Master. Ari Dale defeated IM Gary Lane in the final round to finish outright second on 7/9 and has also been awarded the IM title. Justin Tan finished third on 6.5/9, qualifying for the FM title, which he also qualified for by rating (and was awarded on that basis) in the same rating period.

Tied for fourth were GM Johansen, IM Max Illingworth and Anton Smirnov on 6, with Anton picking up the FM title (which he also qualified for by live rating on the evening it was claimed). Many players are eligible for CM titles – see separate section below.

The Women's Zonal was a race in two for much of the event with IM Berezina and WIM Emma Guo tying for first on 8/9. Berezina won the rapid playoff for the title 2-0. Katherine Jarek and Savithri Narenthran tied for third on 6/9 with Jarek winning the WIM title on tiebreak and Narenthran a WFM title. Hilda Vukikomoala (Fiji) also qualified for a WFM title, and Sarah Anton (Aus) and Gloria Sukhu (Fiji) qualified for WCM titles. Full results of the Womens Zonal here.

Congratulations to Igor and Irina on their victories and to all the new title winners!

Fuente: Australian Chess Federation