2011 World Open (Philadelphia, USA)
America’s premier chess tournament has begun! More than 1,000 participants will gather at the Sheraton Center City for the 39th Annual World Open. US Champion Gata Kamsky is in the field along with GM Michael Adams and a host of other strong players and young talent.
US Champion Gata Kamsky facing FM Kassa Korley
England’s Michael Adams
Upon glancing up and down the boards of the top sections there was a good amount of scholastic players who are looking for upsets, norms and thus, fifteen minutes of fame. U.S. Junior Champion Greg Young is playing as well as New York “Big Three” from the African-American community, Justus Williams, Josh Colas and James Black.
Photos by Daaim Shabazz.
The Black community has not has not seen such a wave of talent as we see now. There are three twelve-year olds who have shown tremendous promise. Two have already earned the coveted Master’s title and one is mere points away. Combine this trio with the Bryant twins (Nigel and Jehron), Darrian Robinson and FM Kassa Korley and you have a fine collection of talent. Here are the “Big Three” in action.
National Master Josh Colas
Candidate Master James Black Jr.
Truly exciting and promising for chess in our community. All three are gentlemen and have exhibited great love for the game and sportsmanship. The sky is the limit for these star hopefuls.
https://main.uschess.org/content/view/11285/632/
https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2011/07/03/adams-van-wely-lead-world-open/
FM Kassa Korley
This is beautiful
City Hall, one of the fixtures of downtown Philly
and a photographer’s dream subject!
Beautiful downtown Philly
Meanwhile at the Sheraton Hotel, a 33.8 ounce bottle cost $4.99. No thank you.
GM Ray Robson vs. GM Jaan Ehlvest (1/2-1/2)
IM-elect Farai Mandizha playing blitz.
Michael Young of Tampa Bay Chess Club
What is TSRI Technology? TSRI = ?? Guess = Technology Science Research Institute. Products? Please inform, thanks.
Good to see William playing!
Peace and thanks,
Kimani A. Stancil
https://main.uschess.org/content/view/11288/636/
https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2011/07/06/kamsky-wins-the-2011-world-open/
GM Pentala Harikrishna vs. GM Michael Adams
NMs Josh Colas and Justus Williams
Under-2200
Shaun Smith vs. NM Lawyer Times (1/2-1/2)
U.S. Virgin Islands players (baseball caps)
Dwayne Walton (under-2200)
The Colas Family
Abdullah Abdulbasir and Daaim Shabazz
Bill Goicherg posting the final pairing of Open Section.
Pairings
Goicherg giving the state of the World Open before final round.
Revelers out in Fourth of July festivities
Before going back to see the final round, I stopped at Asia on the Parkway. I had ‘Tofu Satay’ as appetizer. Good with the spicy peanut sauce and cucumbers (eaten already). I had an garlic eggplant dish for the entree.
GM Ray Robson vs. GM Pentala Harikrishna
GM Michael Adams vs. GM Timur Gareev
The ‘youth movement’ was in full force in the Open Section.
Not everyone has lost confidence in Greece.
WGM Anna Sharevich
In this photo, we have Superman
and an agent from the movie, ‘The Matrix’.
After a good tournament, James Black, Sr. congratulates his son, James Black, Jr.
St. Nicholas Chess & Backgammon Club
New York represented well at World Open. Members of the St. Nicholas Club are here with the two young stars, James Black and Justus Williams. Beautiful photo! 🙂
James Black, Jr. playing NM Ernest Colding in blitz. It’s new school vs. old school. Colding showed he could still show a thing or two.
Everyone wants to take pictures with these rising stars. Shabazz with Black and Williams.