2017 Spring Chess Classic

Andrey Baryshpolets

Title: 
Grandmaster
Rating: 
2591
Federation: 
Kyiv, Ukraine
Age: 
26
Status: 
Invited
Bio: 

GM Baryshpolets obtained his title as Grandmaster in 2013. He attended Texas Tech University and represented the university at the Pan-American Intercollegiate Championship in 2015 and won. He was also the Ukrainian champion under 18 in 2008, A. Margaryan Memorial 2013, Delhi Open 2015, prize-winner of Benasque 2016, and winner of Golden State Open 2017. Typically he has utilized the Catalan opening when playing white, but also implements the King’s Indian for both white and black pieces.

Varuzhan Akobian

Title: 
Grandmaster
Rating: 
2645
Federation: 
Kansas. U.S.
Age: 
33
Status: 
Accepted
Bio: 

Varuzhan Akobian immigrated to the U.S. in 2001 and a year later earned the Samford Chess Fellowship, which allows a talented junior to focus on chess for two years. The prize paid off quickly, as he tied for first in the 2002 World Open and also won the Irme Koenig GM Invitational. The following year, Akobian scored 8/9 to win the 2003 U.S. Junior Closed Championship, winning his first seven games. He was officially awarded the grandmaster title in June 2004, after which he won the World Open again, clinching it with a sparkling win against Alexander Shabalov. Akobian placed in a three-way tie for 3rd at the 2017 U.S. Chess Championship. He has joined the Resident GM rotation at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis and has also become a team member of the Saint Louis Arch Bishops where he contributed to the team’s current title of World Champions of the 2017 PRO Chess League.

Regulations

  • Prompt Arrival: Players are expected to arrive promptly for their games. Players more than 30 (thirty) minutes late for a round shall forfeit that round. 
  • No Draws: A 30-move draw rule will be in effect throughout the event, including any playoff games. Players may not mutually agree to a draw in less than 30 moves. 
  • No Cell Phones: No cell phones or other electronic devices shall be allowed in the tournament area. 

2017 Spring Chess Classic


The 2017 Spring Chess Classic is the second of four tournaments each year featuring international chess professionals. The Spring Chess Classic is comprised of two 10-player Round Robin tournaments and one 6-player Double Round Robin. Over the course of 10 days, these competitors will battle for more than $50,000 in prize money and gain valuable experience in top-level events.

The Quarterly Strong Tournaments here at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center were created so strong international masters and newly minted grandmasters could participate in strong round robin tournaments in which to test their mettle against players of similar levels and to learn from these experiences. These tournaments are very rare. Generally, organizers are more interested in hosting elite events with big names such as Fabuano Caruana, Wesley So or Magnus Carlsen. These organizers are rarely seeking sponsorship for grandmasters in the 2600 level. 

Every quarter, the Chess Club will host these strong events. 

 

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