The 32nd Open International d’échecs de Metz was held place on 3-9th May at the complexe sportif Saint Symphorien in Metz, France.
The tournament consisted of two sections – Open A (players rated over 1900) and Open B (U2000 players) and was completed over 9 rounds of Swiss system.
The prize fund for both sections exceeded 10,000 EUR.
Open A had 39 participants from 11 countries. Six players shared the first place with 6,5 points each, but IM Samy Shoker of Egypt was declared winner on best tie-break score.
Shoker also claimed his third and final GM norm, while FM Borya Ider completed the norms and requirements for IM title.
Open B had 75 participants. Etienne Muller is the convincing winner with 8,0/9 points.
The French Chess Federation President, Diego Salazar, attended the ceremony, witnessing the strength and importance of the Metz Chess Open.
Open A final standings:
1-6. IM SHOKER Samy 2453 EGY, GM ISTRATESCU Andrei 2667 FRA, GM GHARAMIAN Tigran 2655 FRA, GM VOVK Andrey 2622 UKR, GM EPISHIN Vladimir 2548 RUS and GM BAUER Christian 2628 FRA – 6,5
7-12. GM ZAKHARTSOV Viacheslav V. 2541 RUS, GM HALKIAS Stelios 2530 GRE, FM IDER Borya 2392 FRA, IM DONCHENKO Alexander 2498 GER, IM MAZUR Stefan 2426 SVK and GM GREENFELD Alon 2559 ISR – 5,5
13-17. GM SOLODOVNICHENKO Yuri 2574 UKR, IM KOHLWEYER Bernd 2422 GER, IM SVANE Rasmus 2501 GER, IM HAIK Aldo 2390 FRA and FM JESSEL Stephen 2322 IRL – 5,0
Chief Arbiter was FA Pierre Becker.
Samy Shoker
FFE President Diego Salazar making the first move
