Tournaments
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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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World Championship Cycle… improvement?
Has anyone figured out the new World Championship cycle? FIDE released a report of changes made essentially to accommodate former FIDE champion, Veselin Topalov. As you all know, Bulgaria’s Topalov played Russia’s Vladimir Kramnik in a match last year… and lost amidst the ‘toiletgate’ controversy. Here’s a Google of ‘toiletgate chess‘…
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Simutowe withdraws from All-Africa Games!
A recent article from the Zambian Daily Mail states that International Master Amon Simutowe has withdrawn his participation from the 2007 All-Africa Games due to disagreement on conditions with the Chess Federation of Zambia (CFZ). “I regret I will not participate in the All-Africa Games. I had requested my travel…
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