US Chess Championship starts

[Walter De Jong]

Re: US Chess Championship starts

I've also been impressed with Alejandro's commentary; the guy is a natural for this role.

[Hans Jung]

Re: US Chess Championship starts

Ray Robson and Hikaru Nakamura are finally meeting today in the showdown for first in the US Championship. Whatever happens it should decide first place in the US Championship. Im rooting for Ray in this one. Why? Ive followed his career and he has come a long way and its impressive to see his improvement especially in the last year. Its clear to me that his choice to go to Webster University and the influence of Susan Polgar has really shaped his chess career and he is on the verge of a break through to 2700 and superstar status. And personally I was privileged to meet him and see his unique personality and how he has fun in chess.

[Hans Jung]

Re: US Chess Championship starts

This leaves Irina Krush with the advantage in a far easier pairing in the next round (than her coleader Nemcova) and also having white in the showdown in the last round against Nemcova. Its been an exciting race.

[Hans Jung]

Re: US Chess Championship starts

Irina Krush had a relatively easy game for a change and with her win ended up tied for first with Kate Nemcova who drew.

[Hans Jung]

Re: US Chess Championship starts

Ray Robson and Sam Sevian battled it out both refusing to back down and maximising there use of their time which benefited the fans tremendously as they got the maximum juice from the tension of the game. It was the game most analysed by the commentators and generated the most discussion (of chess content).

[Hans Jung]

Re: US Chess Championship starts

Timur Gareev is showing how dangerous he could be with his funky openings as he got tournament leader Hikaru Nakamura into trouble on the board. In the final position he opted to take a drawing repetitive variation in a position where he was better.

[Hans Jung]

Re: US Chess Championship starts

I was commenting about Daniel Naroditsky owning the cellar before this round and not being able to buy a win. Well he did it! His first win and I must add congratulations! Couldnt have happened to a nicer guy! All the commentators added there congratulations. And now he has an instructive endgame win to add to his endgame column.

[Hans Jung]

Re: US Chess Championship starts

I really, really enjoyed what GM Alejandro Ramirez added to the commentary this round. He is amazing and refreshing. Worth a trip to go down and hear him in person. I simply had no idea before this championship.

[Hans Jung]

Re: US Chess Championship starts

Maurice Ashleyism of round 9 (amongst many): with the ship sinking some people wont even reach out to grab a life raft in explaining not seeing a saving resource in one of the games.

[Hans Jung]

Re: US Chess Championship starts

Wesley So forfeit. Troubling. Shocking. Why would he do this to himself? At least there was some clarity in the decision after I found he had been warned in the tournament officially twice AND several times before by many different people amongst them close friends. Rules have to be followed. As far as Wesley himself read the article above posted by Jack and you will see he was under severe stress. He has to recover and get on with his life. There is no question he is a brilliant player and superstar with a brilliant future in chess.

[Hans Jung]

Re: So-Akobian...

More people should read this article Jack. I was in shock over the note taking forfeit of Wesley. Now there is a glimmer of understanding as there is an explanation of events surrounding. Wesley was under severe stress.

[Jack Maguire]

Re: So-Akobian...

The 'StarTribune' sheds some light on Wesley's forfeit and general poor performance in St. Louis.

http://www.startribune.com/local/299426421.html

[Gary Ruben]

Re: So-Akobian...

Seems to me that not-with-standing all the debate on here, and just about every-where else, this guy was being extremely annoying to his opponent, and needed to be stopped. What am I missing?

HaHa!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

[Fred Harvey]

Re: So-Akobian...

Seems to me that not-with-standing all the debate on here, and just about every-where else, this guy was being extremely annoying to his opponent, and needed to be stopped. What am I missing?

[Gary Ruben]

Re: So-Akobian...

13.4 The arbiter can apply one or more of the following penalties:
a. warning
b. increasing the remaining time of the opponent
c. reducing the remaining time of the offending player
d. declaring the game to be lost
e. reducing the points scored in the game by the offending party
f. increasing the points scored in the game by the opponent to the maximum available for that game
g. expulsion from the event.

They wouldn't expel him because it would have a negative effect on the event at such a late stage. When you apply arbitrary rules you have to consider all the angles. A withdrawal would have a similar effect on the final standings. Another contender would get a free point.