59th Hungarian National Championship in Szeged, Hungary
This event took place from August 9th-17th 2009. It is a Category 14 tournament,
with Almasi and Berkes topping the field at 2684 and 2647 respectively. The
event was the 59th official championship of Hungary, with defending six-time
champion, Zoltan Almasi, having won the title as far back as 1995. With Ferenc
Berkes having won two titles of his own, in 2004 and 2007, they were the clear
favourites to win the event.
Tournament Report
Over nine rounds of what was sometimes fierce battle, GMs Zoltan Almasi and
Ferenc Berkes emerged victorious, each sporting +3 scores, with identical results
of three wins and six draws each.
Top seed and ultimate winner, Zoltan Almasi, 2684
Ultimately, however, Almasi took home his seventh title all-time, due to a
superior tiebreak. This must have been a disappointment to two-time champion,
Berkes, who stood neck-and-neck with his rival for much of the tournament.
Second-seeded Ferenc Berkes, 2647, left with the bitter taste of an inferior
tiebreak.
Third-seeded GM Csaba Balogh was never far behind the leaders, but came up
short in the final stretch. As a 22-year-old, up-and-comer, however, his prospects
of taking the title in future editions look hopeful.
Third seed, Csaba Balogh, 2595, who stayed in contention throughout, but
was staved off in the final stretch.
Thus concludes another national championship, which saw decisive games in every
round, except the most important - the final round - where draws were the order
of the day, and anti-climax clung to the lips of more than a few spectators.
Final standings
