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After GM Alexander Shabalov's winning of the U.S. Championship in January, he has put together an impressive résumé of tournament wins. The six-round 2003 North American Open in Las Vegas drew a strong cadre of Grandmasters including GM Evgeny Agrest of Sweden. After being nicked for a draw by scholastic player Daniel Rensch, Shabalov coasted in the next five rounds defeating Russian GM Valerij Filippov in the finalé. He ended with 5½-½ and took home clear 1st and US$10,000.
Five GMs tied for joint 2nd with 5-1; GMs Jaan Ehlvest (Estonia), Vadim Milov (Switzerland), Yury Shulman (US), Giorgiy Kacheishvili (Georgia), and Evgeny Najer (Russia). IM-elect Stephen Muhammad had a solid 3½-2½ performance, beating GM Petr Kiriakov, holding GMs Gregory Serper, Julio Becerra and Alexander Yermolinsky, and losing only to Kacheishvili. His performance was good enough for joint 2nd in the 2300-2449 category and is a good sign of the increased focus and his determination to elevate his game.
Final Standings
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