16th International Festival “Open de Creon” took place from 1st to 7th of August. After my failing in Pamplona I was determined to rehabilitate myself very strongly. In the first five rounds I scored five consecutive wins beating amongst others GM Lazarev (2445) and IM Ivanov (2398). But the most challenging became a game against FM Julien Song (2336). My 18-years young opponent defended very well and only in mutual time trouble I was able to confuse him by unexpected move, which looked like a blunder but in fact was not!

In the 6th round GM Nevednichy (2523) tried hard with White to beat me and take a lead but this led only to problems for him. Few moves after he refused a draw by repetition I took the initiative and had good chances to win but missed them at the end. My next opponent was legendary GM Epishin (2553) who unexpectedly blundered and lost in the 1st round but then won five games in a row and stayed only half a point behind me. The final position of this game deserves a diagram: Solodovnichenko – Epishin, Creon, 2011

Black is absolutely paralysed and after 24.Nd6 Epishin resigned.

The rest was easy: two draws in two last rounds allowed me to take a clear first place!

Tournament table

Official website