TOP 32 (4 GAMES, LEADING 16 ADVANCE TO ROUND 4):
Perhaps inspired by his mother Sara's success in the Mediterranean Challenge Cup in Malta this weekend, son Or Aviram of Israel (pictured) blasted his way to the top of the top 32 standings when the tournament reached the second step of the finals.
The 25-year-old software developer from Rehovot in Israel is quite a journeyman on the international tournament circuit. Recently joining the Pergamon club in Sweden he is now trying to enter as many tournaments around the world as he can.
"It was fun to hear the good news about the Israeli team and my mother's two medals in Malta," said Aviram. Commenting on his first visit to Istanbul and entry in the 2nd Istanbul Open, Aviram added: "I think the tournament management is superb and all the workers are doing their very best that they can. It is a great surprise that squads are running on time, and even early once or twice. I shall definitely put this event on my calendar for 2006."
Aviram took over as frontrunner with a six pin buffer over Finland's Oku Palermaa, the player with the unique two-handed style that is amazing spectators and fellow players alike.
Tournament leader on the last block, last year's runner-up Tanya Petty, fought hard to keep pole position but dropped to third overall over the eight games.
The field is now down to 16 and just six nations as the finals advance to step 3. With players now having four games and only one player per lane, results will be coming thick and fast.