2009 World Open (Philadelphia, USA)
The marquee event in the USA has begun and a projected 1100 players will make their way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to compete for a $250,000 prize fund. The tournament has added several new side tournaments and will be featured throughout. However, the main event will feature the world’s top players including U.S. Champion, GM Hikaru Nakamura. The Chess Drum is on site and will be blogging and filing reports during the event.
The 37th World Open. July 1-5, 2-5, 3-5 or June 29-July 5, Pennsylvania, USA
9 round Swiss, 40/2, SD/1 (4-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, 3-day option, rds 1-5 G/45). Under 900/Unr Section plays separate 3-day schedule only, G/45. At Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19103. Special parking rates: $5/day with guest room at Sheraton, $12 without. Downtown location, Franklin Institute and many other museums as well as stores & restaurants within a few blocks.
$250,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND. Free analysis of your games by GM Sam Palatnik; free lectures by other GMs 7/3 10 am, 7/4 10 am, 7/5 9 am. In 9 sections (Unrated eligible only for Open, Under 2400, or U900/Unr).
Open Section: $20000-10000-5000-2500-1500-1000-800-700-600-500, clear winner bonus $200, top U2500/Unr $2000-1000. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 7/5 11 pm (white 5 minutes, black 3 minutes & gets draw odds, 5 second delay) for title & bonus prize. GM & IM norms possible in 5-day & 7-day schedules. FIDE rated.
Details: https://www.chesstour.com/wo09.htm
Coverage: https://www.worldopen.com
Nice to have to have talked with you in Philly. While my tournament showing was not a good one. I enjoyed myself while I was there. However trying to make a quick getaway I promptly locked my car keys in my trunk. Home now…looking forward to the world open pics and drum beats.
Hey, Daaim! I missed another chance to participate in the BIG one, the World Open! I have missed this excellent tournament for the past 3 years. And while I love being able to enjoy the 4th of July holiday with my family, I still found myself sitting alone and daydreaming about the many enjoyable time I traveled to Philly for the World Open! I especially have fond memories of when the tourney was help at the Adams Mark Hotel in North Philly! But I do think the downtown location at the Sheraton is quite nice too! Did you play this year, and how did you do? I saw that you stayed with the Rogers family. I met Norm years ago at one of the World Opens at the Adams Mark… a very pleasant fellow, indeed! I can’t wait to see you pics for the 2009 installment of this tournament… BTW, who won the Open Section?
Daaim, thanks so much for the great photos of this year’s World Open! I was very impressed with “rising star Kassa Korley” being able to hold the experienced GM to a draw! As for your game with young “rising star Darrian Robinson” I was equally impressed, because I know that you are a tough opponent! I must admit that when I read that you met Darrian in the 8th round, I was overwhelmed with nostalgia, because of the several female players I’ve met over the board at World Opens… For some reason I usually got my butt whipped against the ladies!? Anyway, the photos are top knotch and quite enjoyable… thanks again!
A note of appreciation from one of your non-chess friends: While I can’t comment on the intricacies of chess or what appears to be great and talented minds, I am tickled pink at the presence of adolescents and teens who are there to compete. I’ve enjoyed looking at all your pics, especially the one with Darrian Robinson. You always do an awesome job of reporting, documenting and capturing these events photographically.
Robert Hungaski is from Connecticut, not Poland.