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Faisal Khairallah, Champion of Lebanon for the 6^th times!!!!!!

A quick draw (most probably the quickest ever!) on table 5 between Faisal Khairallah (White) and Jammal Shamiyeh allowed both players to call it a day, and letting Faisal celebrating his 6^th victory of the Lebanese Individual Championship. With this triumphant performance, he made a new Lebanese record in the history of the Lebanese Chess Federation. It is an excellent way to celebrate Christmas and the New year. A big MABROUK from the bottom of my heart to you, Faisal.

 

2 additional national records in the history of the Lebanese Individual Chess Championship was made on the adjacent table 6 in the game between Mohammad Mikati (White) and Ahmad Najjar. The former lost his game in less than one hour play, keeping clean his account: no win, no draw, 11 losses, Najjar’ s clock final display was: 129 minutes!!

Back to table 1, the two young gladiators Mahdi Kaouri (White) and Amr ElJawish faced each other using the English Opening (again!). A tense middle game arose on the board, when Amr succeeded in winning a pawn, then the game entered in the ending phase. Mahdi tried to restrict Amr’ s advantage, but the later was up to the task. A blunder by Mahdi in an inferior position put Amr on the podium, with a deserved 2^nd place of the final ranking.

Another fighting game occurred on table 2, between Tarek Moudallal (white) and Anir Abou El Hussen. A usual tense middle game is the result of the Sicilian Defense adopted by Amir, who reached a very active position after an imaginative play. Instead to increasing his advantage by winning back his earlier sacrificed exchange, he ran after a pawn, allowing Tarek to counter attack, and succeeded in putting Amir’s king in a mating net.

A somewhat balanced game was played on table 3 between Ibrahim Chahrour (White) and Bassel Sharaf. A misplaced Black queen on the a-file generated a nice idea in the imagination of the young Ibrahim: sacrificing the a-pawn by 31 a4!, which shacked Bassel confidence in his position, who blundered her majesty 2 moves later. Ibrahim collected the pawn.

The Pirc Defense was the weapon used by Dr. Mahmoud Maasarani, as Black, when he faced Antoine Kassis ’1e4 on table 4. Dr. Maasarani equalized early his chanced with a counter play against Antoine’s increasing advantage on the king side, forcing a draw offer, and the peace signature, putting Antoine on the remaining step on the podium.

It is worth to mentioned the well organization of the Championship, under the supervision of the Fide Organizer and LCF vice President Roland Akhrass, supported by the hard work of the Chief Arbiter and General Secretary of the LCF Chehadeh Abou Nimri, and the motivated Deputy Chief Arbiter and LCF member Mr. Ali El Jawish (like father like son!).

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Final Standing:

 

Final Elo deviations of the players: