The World Open Chess Tournament took place June 29th - July 5th 2009 in Philadelphia.
The Official site reports: GM Evgeny Najer beat GM Jaan Ehlvest to secure a 1st place tie with GM Hikaru Nakamura, who had taken two half-point byes on the final day as he jetted off to another tournament. GMs Ilya Smirin and Varuzhan Akobian agreed to a draw a little earlier, missing out on the chance to join the winners while GM Victor Mikhalevski, who could also catch the leaders with a win, lost to GM Jiri Stocek.
There would normally be an Armageddon blitz play-off to decide the overall Champion and for a little extra money but with Nakamura no longer in Philadelphia, unfortunately this will not happen and thus Najer will once again be crowned World Open Champion having won the title last year.
Norm Update: IMs Alex Lenderman and Leonid Gerzhoy both secured the draws they needed in the final round to each earn a GM norm. This was Lenderman's final GM norm he needed and since he has already achieved the required 2500 FIDE rating he should become America's next GM. IM norms were achieved by FM Bindi Cheng and FM Michael Lee.
I've always found the World Open a bit odd. Multiple schedules, re-entries allowed and so forth. So what to make of Hikaru Nakamura's tournament? Turns up one day plays 5 g/45 minute games to get in contention, plays two proper games the following day (quick draw and a win), then takes two half point byes in the final two rounds to share first place and is already flying to Donostia before the tournament ends. I guess my main reaction is "What kind of tournament is this?"
Official site: http://www.worldopen.com/
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