Ruslan Chinahov Runs to the Top to Take the George Fels Memorial 14.1 Challenge
Posted on January 31, 2015 by Phil Capelle
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On Saturday, January 31, Russia’s Ruslan Chinahov parlayed his super-smooth stroke and a deep knowledge of straight pool into an impressive win over Scotland’s Jayson Shaw, who had the high run of 227 in the qualifying stage. Prior to the final, both Chinahov and Shaw had very decisive wins versus Mika Immonen (5) and Warren Kiamco (15), respectively.
Chinahov broke and left Shaw a long shot, which he made, but suffered an unlucky scratch. After a few more innings, Chinahov miscued with a couple of balls remaining but Shaw, possibly the victim of a roll off, missed a hanger that he had hit softly. So, the rack ended with Chinahov leading, 10 to -1. His two-rail side pocket break shot knocked a few balls loose, and soon he was off and running.
After five racks his lead had grown to 66 to -1, and he was on a run 57 when the cue ball got stuck to the pack on his break shot, and he missed a tough crossover bank, He went to his seat following his run of 58 with a 67 to -1 lead. Shaw quickly cleared the table, and the score was now Chinahov 67 – Shaw 12. Shaw then he quickly pounded into the cue ball, missed the break shot, and Chinahov ran 42, increasing his lead to 109-12.
He missed a break shot, and Shaw managed to run 38 before missing. Chinahov added three and missed the stack on a break shot. Shaw eventually missed a super tough break shot after Chinakhov had sent the cue ball to the head of the table, and the Russian ran 13 and out for the victory. Final score: Chinahov 125, Shaw 50.
Two Russians qualified for the single-elimination eight-man tournament, and one of them won it, showing that the game appeals to players in many foreign lands now – and it is far from dead in America.