All Roads to Philly!
One sure sign that summer is in full swing is when the World Open is near. However, there is also the Philadelphia International, a relatively new tournament that has attracted attention the last few years since its inception. This tournament allows players to play in two strong tournaments back-to-back. The one drawback has to be the entry fees which are high for untitled players. Nevertheless, these two tournaments offer two of the few opportunities for earning norms in the U.S.
Bill Goichberg has been running the World Open for the past 37 years and it can be considered the marquee tournament in the U.S. It always proves to be exciting and there is usually a break-out performance by an unheralded player. Perhaps the best part of the tournament is the gathering of the stars from around the world which usually includes a strong Indian contingent. Last year Parimarjan Negi tied for 1st with Evgeny Najer, but lost the tiebreak. Which stars will grace the hall this year?
Be there!
Philadelphia International: https://www.chesstour.com/pi09.htm
World Open: https://www.chesstour.com/wo09.htm
The World Open is almost here! I haven’t made it to this fantastic tournament in a few years, because I’ve been sick. I won’t be there again this year, but I look forward to hearing about the exploits of GM Wesley So and the other Filipino players in the open section! Speaking of Asian players, I’ve noticed that the Indian and Chinese players bring much fireworks to the Big tournament as well! What I’d like to see arranged is a match between Wesley and our US Open Champion!
ETJ,
Sorry about your illness. You have to get better so we can meet once again at the board!
The Asian players are rising quickly including the Filipinos and Vietnamese. I saw So at the Olympiad in Dresden and he seems like a nice young man with a future. I’m looking forward to seeing the Indian contingent. I interviewed Parimarjan Negi and met Swati Ghate. The Chinese have not sent a contingent to the World Open, but I hope that changes this year.
Hurry back!
in the 37 years of the World open i have never been able to attend this premier event either death of a parent or sibling or loss of job has always prevented me from making it. even now with me being the oldest member of the family i still can not go my conditions seem to be no chance for my future.
Photos by Daaim Shabazz.
FM Norman Rogers
IM Daniel Fernandez
Gary Ng vs. FM Daniel Naroditsky
IM Alexander Lenderman vs. IM Jacek Stopa
Sylvester Smarty vs. FM Bindi Cheng
Siddharth Ravichandran vs. GM Timur Gareev
IM Alexander Lenderman is on his way to joint 1st!!
GM Gildardo Garcia of Columbia
Bahamas flag flying with the City Hall in background.
City Hall
Here is an interesting game from the Philly International from Kenneth Odeh.
Christopher Heung vs. Kenneth Odeh
Heung,C (1984) – Odeh,K (1999) [B12]
3rd Philadelphia International (8)
[Odeh, Kenneth]
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.dxc5 Nc6 5.Bb5 e6 6.Be3 Bd7 7.Bxc6 Bxc6 8.c3 d4+- 9.cxd4 Bxg2 10.f3 Bxh1 11.Nc3 Ne7 [11…Qh4+?! 12.Bf2 Qxh2 13.Qa4+ Kd8 14.Qa5+ Ke8 (14…Kd7 15.Qb5+ Kc8 16.d5‚) 15.Qb5+] 12.Qa4+ Nc6 13.0-0-0 Qa5 14.Qc2 0-0-0 15.Qf2 Bxc5 16.Nge2 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Bxe3+ 18.Qxe3 Rxd1+ 19.Kxd1 Rd8+ 20.Ke1 Qb6 21.Qf4 Qxb2 22.Qxf7 Bg2 23.Qxe6+ Kb8 24.Qf5 Qa1+ 25.Kf2 Qf1+ 26.Kg3 Bh1 27.Kg4 h5+! 28.Kg5 Bxf3 29.e6 Qg2+? [29…Bxe2+-] 30.Ng3 Qd2+ 31.Qf4+ Qxf4+ 32.Kxf4 Bg4 33.Nf5 Bxf5?! [33…Rf8 34.e7 g5+ 35.Kxg5 Rxf5+ 36.Kg6 Re5] 34.Kxf5 Rf8+ 35.Ke5 Kc8 36.e7 Rh8 37.Ke6 g5? [37…Rh6+ 38.Kf7 Rf6+ 39.Kxg7 Re6 40.Kf7 Kd7 41.Nd5 Kd6] 38.Nd5?!
[38.Ne4-+] 38…h4 39.Nf6 b5 [39…h3] 40.Nh7 Re8 41.Nxg5 Kc7! 42.Nf3 h3?? [42…Rh8 43.Nxh4 Rxh4 44.e8Q Re4+ 45.Kf7 Rxe8 46.Kxe8 a5 47.h4 b4 48.h5 a4 49.h6 b3 50.axb3 axb3 51.h7 b2 52.h8Q b1Q] 43.Ng5 Rh8 44.Nh7 Re8 45.Kf7 Rb8 46.e8Q?! Rxe8 47.Kxe8 a5= 48.Ng5 b4 49.Nxh3 a4 50.Nf4 b3 51.axb3 axb3 52.Nd3 Kd6 53.h4 Ke6 ½-½ (See Game)