Tate shocks Akobian… Muhammad solid

The 2006 U.S. Chess Championship got off to a great start for Emory Tate as he blasted his way through Varuzhan Akobian's defenses and routed his king. The victory brought shouts of praise from the Internet Chess Club (ICC) audience and the commentators who were reporting live from San Diego. If this tournament is a crowning moment for Tate, then this win will go down as an important win. (See game)

Stephen Muhammad had an interesting encounter with Alexander Ivanov. The opening came out of the English Defense after 1.d4. b6!? Perhaps Muhammad did not want to test Ivanov's Queen's Indian and played into a very sharp opening which bore resemblance to some Sicilian positions. Both players were seen on the ICC video cam analyzing their game and agreed that the game was dynamically even. (See game)

Posted by The Chess Drum: 1 March 2006