Despite failling to achieve the number one place, GM Benny remained unfazed, insisting on putting up a sporting front.
He surprisingly opted to shake hands with the champion and personally congratulating him on the stage - in public view, demostrating excellent sportsmanship in a highly competitive tournament. Something that Wayne Bridge might want to note down in his future meetings with John Terry...
The 19 years old International Superstar attained a respectable 4th place in the recent National Festival Chess Championship - just three places away from his targeted position.
On a tournament where several of the participants were predicting Ben to capture the championship position, the Singaporean-born Russian star failed to live up to that hefty demand from his fans. Instead he won 4 straight games and the 4th game proved to be his last win of the tournament, having drawn his last three games against the top 7 players in the tournament (7th, 5th and the champion himself)
The player who become champion is 17 years old Tan Han Liang, whom had 6 straight wins before conceeding half a point to GM Ben. The two seems to be sharing a few laughter during their game and appear to be in no mood for winning each other.
Game 5 and 6 Ben lived dangerously, in game 5 Ben was an exchange down before regaining material and soon found a way to deliver perpertual check and ended the game in a draw.
Game number 6, Ben - who was down to a few minutes on his clock called for the arbiter to claim a (much needed) draw, the opponent was proposal to win on time was rejected and the arbiter awarded half a point to both side. However spectators agreed that it was a clear draw in a opposite colored bishop endgame where the pawns are fixed to their squares.
The last game both side appeared to be in friendly terms, they played for 9 moves and agreed on a 'grandmaster draw'
Said private chess commentator and former RCI Classical Champion Abdul Jidi, who was there to witness all 7 of Ben's game - "J (Benny) played very solidly in all his games, and never looked like losing any of them, although he was very tired, he never gave up and his effort duly paid off, 4 stars to his performance".
The Openings
Round 1 - Caro-Kann Defence Exchange 0-1, win
Round 2 - Benko-English Transposer 1-0, win
Round 3 - Alekhine Defence Benikan Variation 0-1, win
Round 4 - Benjamin Tan Opening (London System) 1-0, win
Round 5 - Caro-Kann Defence Exchange 1/2-1/2, draw
Round 6 - (facing) Sicillian defence, O kelly Variation 1/2-1/2, draw
Round 7 - Caro-Kann Defence Classical 1/2-1/2, draw
As an added bonus, Ben finished the tournament unbeatable :)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
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