FM Carlos Mena Wins 20th Annual Souther Chess Open
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012


Hi everyone,


FM Carlos Mena has won the 20th Annual Southern Open that was held from July 27-29, 2012, at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, 8001 International Drive, Orlando, Florida. FM Carlos Mena took a clear 1st place in the Open Section after finishing with 4½/5. Mena collected $1990 for his weekend’s efforts. Mena won all games apart from a draw in round 2 against the highest rated player in the event, GM Lars Bo Hansen.


Bo Hansen is in 2nd place after finishing with 4/5, his half-point bye in round 3 possibly costing him a share of 1st.


Open Section final standings:
1. FM Carlos E Mena – 4.5 ($1990.00)
2. GM Lars Bo Hansen – 4.0 ($948.00)
3-5. IM Daniel Fernandez ($379.00), John Edward Duggan ($379.00) and Makaio W Krienke ($758.00) – 3.5
6-11. Robert Perez, FM Mark Ritter, Corey Acor, Andrew S Cunanan ($221.00), Hengyi Wu ($221.00) and Daaim Shabazz ($221.00) – 3.0.


The event had 5 sections: Open, Under 2100, Under 1800, Under 1500 and Under 1200. All sections were 5 round Swiss tournaments with 3-day and 2-day schedules to play in.

Open Section: $2000-1000-500-300, clear/tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top Under 2300/Unr $800, Under 2200/Unr $700. FIDE rated.
Under 2100 Section: $1400-700-400-200, top Under 1900 $500.
Under 1800 Section: $1400-700-400-200, top Under 1600 $500, no unrated may win over $500.
Under 1500 Section: $1200-600-300-200, top Under 1300 $400, no unrated may win over $300.
Under 1200 Section: $800-400-200-100, trophies to top 5, 1st Under 1000, Under 800, Unrated. No unrated may win over $150.


The final standings for all sections, with prizes, are posted on the official website.


The same venue hosted the 10th Annual Southern Class Championships earlier this year. The winner of the Master Section was GM Lars Bo Hansen.


From Alexandra Kosteniuk’s
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com