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Round 15 - 29 August 1996

Kevin Spraggett is the 1996 closed champion and the Canadian zonal winner. Since FIDE has been a little slow he now has two visas for the Interzonals or the World Championships if Iljumzhinov's plan of $5,000,000 knockout WC tournament on a yearly basis does materialize.

Kevin recently won the yearly open in Andorra. He is also reigning Canadian Open Champion and now reigning Canadian Closed Champion. This is his 5th closed title. Kevin Spraggett was Canadian Closed champion in 1984, 1986, 1989, 1994 and 1996. He was twice an official candidate for the World Championship. He is also the only Canadian-born International Grandmaster.

Yan Teplitsky is a very strong player who plays with a maturity that belies his 20 years. He did not lose a game in this tournament, took second place, and became an International Master. We will hear more from this fellow.

Ron Livshits, our local boy, did well again. This time well enough for an IM title. We all knew he was that strong but now it is official. He shares 3rd and 4th place with I.M. Lawrence Day who turned in one of his better performances. I.M. Bryon Nickoloff picked up the last prize by capturing the fifth spot. The rest all fought well and left an impression of a competent and interesting bunch of chess masters.

- Vojin Vujosevic

 The prizes:  1st: $1,500  Kevin Spraggett
              2nd: $1,000  Yan Teplitsky
              3rd:   $700  L. Day & R. Livshits
              4th:   $500  (i.e. $600 each)
              5th:   $300  B. Nickoloff

ROUND 15:

       [=] Hergott, Deen              [=] Teplitsky, Yan
       [=] Spraggett, Kevin           [=] Day, Lawrence
       [1] Baragar, Fletcher          [0] Frialde, Arniel
       [1] Nickoloff, Bryon           [0] Schleifer, Michael
       [=] Gravel, Simon              [=] Taylor, Gordon
       [=] Léveillé, François         [=] Yoos, Jack
       [0] Horton, Joe                [1] Jung, Hans
       [0] Teodoro IV, Eduardo        [1] Livshits, Ron

Round 15 games in PGN notation


Final standings after 15 rounds:

     1. Spraggett        11.5
     2. Teplitsky        11
     3. Day & Livshits   10.5
     5. Nickoloff         9.5
     6. Léveillé          8.5
     7. Hergott           8
     8. Baragar           7.5
     9. Taylor            7
    10. Schleifer         6.5
    11. Gravel & Teodoro  6
    13. Jung & Yoos       5
    15. Frialde           4.5
    16. Horton            2.5