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http://uschesschamps.com/live Start today at 1pm St. Louis time (2pm Ontario)
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Re: US Chess Championships start today
I loved watching. Best commentary in the world and if you have an eye for detail lots to feast your eyes on. Sports color commentary by GM Maurice Ashley is superb! -
Re: US Chess Championships start today
Rd 2 results all draws amongst men but some crazy fighting chess (and of course mistakes - although at the GM level). In the womens Irina Krush and Sabina Foisor lead 2-0. Controversy in rd 1 in a 14 move draw between Kamsky and Gareev. Maurice Ashley was incensed but a solution is being worked out. Apparently next year there wont be random drawing of position for pairings - there will be a guarantee that leaders will not be paired against each other in early rounds to make them fight it out.Comment
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Re: US Chess Championships start today
Rd 3 A lot of bizarre ideas in the games and fighting chess but mostly draws. GM Lenderman used psychology and bizarre moves to beat GM Ramirez. He used the French Defence (Ramirez's favorite) against him and bated him to attack which he did. The counterattack was bizarre and ruthless. Result - GM Lenderman leads the championship clear 2.5-.5. Gata Kamsky the top seed is respected but all the players have been going after him. He was worse in all three games but his gritty resourcefulness as a defender held all to draws. GM Irina Krush surprisingly could only draw allowing Anna Zatonskih to catch up. Both have 2.5. The Bobby Fischer prize of $64000 for a perfect score in the championship has vanished as already there are no perfect scores after rd 3.Comment
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Re: US Chess Championships start today
Rd 4 Fighting chess and 4 wins in the round. GM Lenderman beat GM Robson and is in clear first with 3.5 out of 4. GM Gareev is a 3 after beating GM Molner. GM Kamsky finally got a win with an artistic effort against GM Erenburg and GM Onischuk also got his first win against GM Shankland. Only 8 wins so far in 4 rounds and GM Lenderman has 3 of them.Comment
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Re: US Chess Championships start today
Rd5 Half way thru GM Lenderman leads at 3. If he doesnt lose I predict he will win the tournament. He is a point ahead of 2nd. 4 tied at 1, Kamsky, Onischuk, Gareev, and Akopian. Gareev had his hopes shocked when he lost after being better the whole game (til the endgame). Everybody's playing fighting chess and are still confident. No one is an easy rollover. GM Krush is back in the lead after a sharp victory while here main competitors fumbled.Comment
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Re: US Chess Championships start today
Rd6 The inevitable happened. GM Lenderman lost to GM Shankland. Out preppped and better psychology. Also GM Gareev went off the rails with his second consecutive loss (to GM Friedel who played an excellent game and did not relinquish his advantage). GM Akopian with excellent timing won and is now tied for first with GM Lenderman. GM's Kamsky and Onischuk half point back. The field is close and the tournament is even more interesting. Love those upsets! GM Krush stumbled with a draw and allowed IM Zatonskih to tie for first in the Womens.Comment
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Re: US Chess Championships start today
Rd 7 Lots of upsets and wild games. GM Akobian beat GM Robson to take the lead at 3 (5/7). GM Kamsky's high pressure crush of GM Lenderman puts him in clear second, half point back at 2. 4 tied at 1. GM Zatonskih won to go into clear first in the women's. GM Krush could only draw a wild game where she missed several wins and is now a half point back.Comment
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Re: US Chess Championships start today
Today, Thursday, is a rest day. (no games)Comment
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Re: US Chess Championships start today
Rd 8 Lenderman crushed Onischuk. Very rarely does GM Onischuk lose as White. GM Akobian keeps rolling and now leads by a full point, although he still has to play GM Kamsky who has White. GM Krush keeps faltering with draws. She has White in Rd 8 against IM Zatonshih in a must win situation.Comment
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Re: US Chess Championships start today
Rd 9 This tournament is headed for an amazing dogfight of a finish! GM Shankland KOed GM Akopian (the leader). GM Lenderman played a persistent pressure game against GM Naroditsky and won to tie for first with Akopian. A half point back are GM Kamsky and GM Friedel who won an aamazing counterattack. Another amazing game was GM Robson over GM Gareev. GM Irina Krush prevailed in a strategic barnburner against IM Zatonskih and they are now tied for first. I predict a playoff.Comment
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Re: US Chess Championships start today
Rd10 A very nervous round. Lots of slips and missed wins. GM Akopian had the advantage against GM Kamsky but Gata hung tough = draw. GM Lenderman missed a beautiful win against GM Molner which would have given him clear first. Result draw. GM Shankland took GM Friedel out of the running - spoiler again! GM Lenderman and GM Akopian tied for first with GM Kamsky a half point back. Last round today and couldnt ask for a tighter finish. Lenderman plays Akopian for all the marbles. Gata Kamsky has an easier opponent but must watch from the side and hope for a draw between the two leaders so a playoff is ensured. Lots of tension and perfect for the fans!Comment
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Re: US Chess Championships start today
Last round. Jitters everywhere. GM Lenderman was better against GM Akopian but then simplified inexpicably and a draw was the result. GM Kamsky in a must win situation (but as White) won in style against GM Friedel. Result 3 way tie for first and forced playoffs. GM Kamsky gets to sit out first round of playoffs (advantage) because of superior tiebreaks. Both opponents of GM Krush and IM Zatonskih missed wins in the last round and the games ended in draws. IM Abramayan was half a point back but crushed her opponent to tie for first and force a 3 way playoff. Playoffs are today at 1pm central time. Plenty of excitement for the fans.Comment
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Re: US Chess Championships start today
In the first round of the playoffs GM Lenderman overlooked a vicious attack by GM Akopian and was checkmated on the board. GM Kamsky played positional chess and took advantage of mistakes in the second game against GM Akopian to win the playoffs. GM Kamsky is repeat US Champion. In the first round of the playoffs IM Zatonskih tried to open IM Abrahamyan's king by sacking pieces (I think three). She met stiff defence and couldnt break thru and lost. IM Abrahamyan took the play to GM Krush in the first game but eventually GM Krush turned the position and broke through. The second game was a draw leaving GM Krush as repeat US Women's Champion.Comment
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