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Interesting interview with Jesse Kraai
GM-elect Jesse Kraai was featured on the cover of the July 2007 Chess Life magazine. I remember reading a story on Kraai who was reputed to be a neighborhood troublemaker in his youth. When asked why he chose chess, he said it was the most violent game he could find.…
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2007 World Open: Exterminator is Back!
A determined William Morrison takes a swig during battle. The “Exterminator” scored 7-2 to tie for 1st in the under-2400 section. The blitz legend has returned in full form. Photo by Daaim Shabazz. Many people have been wondering what has happened to William “The Exterminator” Morrison. In an interview…
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Simutowe @ NJ Futurity International
Amon Simutowe is currently playing in the New Jersey Grandmaster Futurity International which runs from July 7-11 at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel. The Zambian International Master will battle against nine other hopefuls including four Grandmasters. He has good chances for the 3rd norm. PLAYERS GM Sergey Erenburg (2565 FIDE) GM Leonid Yudasin…
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Media Stories
2007 World Open ends in massive tie!
Varuzhan Akobian and Alexander Stripunsky battling it out in the blitz tiebreak. Akobian won the game and was declared the overall champion. Photos by Daaim Shabazz. In a repeat of last year, nine players tie for first place at the World Open. Grandmasters Hikaru Nakamura, Sandipan Chanda, Leonid Yudasin, Evgeny…
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2007 World Open: Reflections
Time for reflections! The 2007 World Open was an interesting tournament for a number of reasons. It was extremely competitive in all sections, there were many exciting and high-quality games, the new venue had a couple of redeeming qualities (all players in same room) and World Open spirit was a…
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2007 World Open: The Final Stretch
Hikaru Nakamura and Varuzhan Akobian pawn off in the 7th round. Both games (vs. Alexander Stripunsky and Leonid Yudasin respectively) were drawn. Photo by Daaim Shabazz. * * * Going into the last round of the World Open, there is a five-way tie for 1st with Hikaru Nakamura, Leonid…
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2007 World Open: First half sizzles!
The first half of the World Open sees a tight race for the $30,000 prize fund. Hikaru Nakamura, Leonid Yudasin and Varuzhan Akobian top the charts with 4½ followed by a sextet of players on 4-1 (Vadim Milov, Evgeny Najer, Daniel Fridman, Alexander Stripunsky, Julio Becerra, Darmen Sadvakasov). Nakamura, who…
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2007 World Open: The Heat is On!
The 2007 World Open will heat up today when the 3-day section will begin at 11:00am. GM Hikaru Nakamura will be the center of attention as he puts he blitz skills on display in five 45-minute games. Nakamura told The Chess Drum that he has played in the quick schedule…
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2007 World Open: Maurice Ashley speaks!
As I mentioned in the previous post, Grandmaster Maurice Ashley was spotted last night at the tournament. He was visiting the World Open to watch his friend and former student Kasaun Henry. Shortly after the start of the 4th round, I was able to get a short interview with him. He basically updated…
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2007 World Open: Things taking off
Vadim Milov (Switzerland) and young British star David Howell have taken off with 2½ points in the first three rounds in the 7-day schedule. Sandipan Chanda (India), Borki Prekojevic (Bosnia) and Daniel Fridman (Latvia) are joint 2nd on 2 points. In the 5-day schedule, four Grandmasters, two IMs and one WGM have…
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