Wednesday, July 18, 2012

End Game : Bishops of Opposite Colors

This endgame was taken from the the book "Modern Chess: move by move" by Colin Crouch, published by Everyman Chess.
On page 310, I quote from the author "Through sheer stamina, and of course excellent chess understanding, Carlsen has somehow performed some magic in a "completely drawn game" opposite-coloured bishop endgame.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Liu, Qingnan vs. Harmon-Vellotti, Luke at World Open 2012

A number of players earned norms this year. GM norms were scored by IM Marc Arnold, IM Eesha Karavade and FM John Bryant. IM norms were scored by FM Michael Kleinman, FM Thomas Bartell, Yaacov Norowitz and Luke Harmon-Vellotti. 13-year-old Luke Harmon-Vellotti achieved his second IM norm. Luke, an 8th grader and aspiring physician from Boise, Idaho, said his toughest game was his 100-move Round 5 game against IM Qingnan Liu of China. “It came down to the end game,” Luke said. 2012 World Open Chess Standings Chess Games 2012 World Open

Part Two Ivan Sokolov Wins 2012 World Open

GMs Sokolov and Shabalov tied for 1st at the World Open, pocketing more than $12,000 each. Sokolov won the playoff to earn the 2012 World Open Champ title. 2012 World Open Chess Standings Chess Games 2012 World Open
1 GM Ivan Sokolov 2676 NED 2 GM Shabalov 2534 PA

Ivan Sokolov Wins 2012 World Open

The 40th Annual World Open took place at the Sheraton City Center Hotel in Philadelphia from 2-8 July 2012. The main event was a 9 round Open Swiss which was won by Ivan Sokolov in an exciting Armageddon playoff with Alexander Shabalov after both finished with a score of 7 points. The tournament provided GM and IM norm opportunities: IM Mark Arnold achieved his final GM norm, and IM Eesha Karavade and FM John Bryant also picked up GM norms. IM norms were achieved by FM Michael Kleinman, FM Thomas Bartell, Yaacov Norowitz and Luke Harmon-Vellotti. 2012 World Open Chess Standings Chess Games 2012 World Open