Yet another very well kept secret for Australian Chess. Who even knew he was playing?
Australian Chess desperately needs a “Chess Hub”.
Somewhere to find out what is going on and when.
We are kept very well informed on Roald Dahl books – thanks for that – I was very interested, when I was 6!
But nobody tells us when a frequent visitor to Qld. is going for his 2nd GM norm!
I remember John-Paul being the head DOP at the Qld. Juniors in the 90s.
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Aussie 46-year-old IM ‘disappointed’ despite sensational win in Norway
IM John-Paul Wallace sensationally won the international tournament in Kragerø, Norway, ahead of 12 grandmasters | photo: Tanja C. Kveims
Australian IM John Paul Wallace was only seeded 26th in the Kragerø Resort Chess International, but the 46-year-old sensationally won ahead of 12 grandmasters and scored his second GM norm. His reaction to winning was nothing like you would expect.
John Paul Wallace on Sunday clinched victory in the international tournament in Kragerø, 2.5 hours south-east of Oslo.
100 players and 12 grandmasters took part in the Title Group, but it was the 26th seeded international master who dominated the tournament and had basically clinched victory by scoring 7 points after 8 rounds.
“This sounds bad… but I am actually pretty disappointed right now,” Wallace tells chess24 on his way to Oslo Airport.
“Really upset that I didn’t draw the last game,” he added about his loss in the final round against Lithuanian GM Titas Stremavicius. “I was a bit worried before the game as it would be “so typical” to finish with a loss.”
The top players in Kragerø alongside Wallace: Leon Luke Mendonca, Kaido Kulaots, Lucas van Foreest, N.R Visakh and Elham Abdulrauf | photo: Tanja C. Kveim
When time passes and the reality of his great result sinks in, Wallace will find few reasons for disappointment. He drew two grandmasters and beat three, including a key win against the top seed, his Australian compatriot GM Bobby Cheng.
Wallace commented:
“He flagged, but he was actually under pressure from a human point of view. My knight was coming out finally, and I’m a pawn up.”
He is particularly pleased with his win against Ohanyan in Round 7.
Wallace facing Armenian youngster Emin Ohanyan in Round 7 | photo: Tanja C. Kveim
Almost seven years after scoring his first GM norm on the Isle of Man, Wallace has secured his second norm with a rating performance of 2675.
Wallace still holds the record of being the youngest player to become Australian champion, at 17 years old in 1993/94.
I always knew that I had it in me… And ever since I was 18, I have heard GMs say, “How are you not a GM?” But the issue was I was incredibly inconsistent.
The Australian had been based in London, with a chess coaching business, but got married in January and has moved to Norway.
“Meeting Ingrid is a big part of my success/playing better,” he says.
Asked whether he still has ambitions of scoring a third GM norm and getting the title before turning 50, his answer is simple:
“Definitely!”
John Paul Wallace credits his wife Ingrid for his success on the chessboard | photo: private collection
As well as his 2nd GM norm, Wallace cashed in NOK 25,000 (around €2,800) for the win.
The coastal town of Kragerø is best known as the venue where Magnus Carlsen, along with his seconds, prepared for three World Championship matches.
The Title Group had 100 players, while the Elo Group, with 65 players, was won by 12-year-old Armenian Volodya Torosyan.
Previous editions were won by GM Lucas van Foreest (2022), FM Mamikon Gharibyan (2020), GM Jon Ludvig Hammer (2018 & 2019) and GM Kjetil A. Lie.
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