2012 U.S. Championships News
By: GM Robin Van Kampen
After an eventful first round in which the players were praised for their fighting spirit by commentators. FM Aviv Friedman and GM Ben Finegold, expectations were high for the second round. Youngest participant Awonder Liang who showed great skill winning when converting a better ending against Michael Bodek on day 1, faced the difficult challenge of holding his own against top seed Jeffery Xiong.
Xiong vs. Liang: 1-0
Jeffery showed no interest in a theoretical battle as he opted for the London System, reminiscent of GM Gata Kamsky’s style. The game developed quietly and once both players developed their pieces, it was Awonder to err first. Rushing to activate his pieces, the thirteen year old wisconsinite opted for a central breakthrough which cost him dearly as Jeffery picked up a pawn. The Texas-based Grandmaster’s technique did not leave any space for Awonder to get back into the game and not long after the time control, the top US Junior’s first win was set in stone.
Checa vs. Brown: 0-1
Michael Brown could not believe his eyes when he found himself playing the exact same opening as in his first game against Chandra, but this time on the Black side! Nonetheless Nicolas Checa got the advantage but misplayed the position when he closed the center prematurely. Brown showed no hesitation and seized the moment to regroup his Knights and open up the way to White’s King. Nicolas tried to defend but could not find a way to regroup his Queen and deflect the incoming attack. When the Black Queen found her way into the White position, there was nothing in Brown’s way to seal the first victory of the day. A great start to the tournament for the newcomer, whereas the 14 year old IM-elect from Dobbs Ferry, NY, is still trying to find his form.
Ostrovskiy vs. Bodek: 1/2-1/2
Aleksandr Ostrovskiy was looking to get ahead of the field after a strong performance against Nicolas Checa in the first round. The opening turned into a spectacular Sicilian sideline, which was seen in several games of World Champion Magnus Carlsen recently. Bodek continued in sharp style after being surprised a couple moves into the highly complicated line, and bravely sacrificed his Knight in order to compromise the White King’s position. The 18 year old International Master from Brooklyn was able to defend his King, but did not find a way out of the perpetual check. A more detailed take on the game here:
Chandra vs. Harmon-Vellotti: 1/2-1/2
The longest game of the day was played by 16 year old International Master and reigning US Junior champion Akshat Chandra, against Idaho native Luke Harmond-Vellotti. Luke may have hoped to recover from a volatile game in the first round against GM Kayden Troff, but today’s game proved to be no less exciting. Akshat nurtured a slight advantage from the opening, but Luke equalized when he was able rid himself off his isolated pawn. When the players got low on time, the game seemed to be heading for a draw, until Chandra decided to sacrifice an exchange in hopes of launching a dangerous attack supported by his Bishop pair. Initially Luke seemed to control the position but after several inaccuracies Akshat obtained the compensation he was looking for. After the time control Luke found several precise moves to keep his position together, resulting in a drawn ending.
Troff vs. Li: 1/2-1/2
Li opened up with a Slav defense, but found himself in a difficult position by move 15 when Troff wasted no time to occupy the center and obtain the Bishop pair. From there on, the 2014 US Junior Champion played too cautiously, allowing Li to counterattack and launch a dangerous Queenside offensive. After a tenacious defense by White, the 14 year old IM missed his chance in the late middle game and the pressure was relieved after a large series of exchanges. On move 40 the players agreed that the ensuing rook endgame did not offer more than a draw.
By GM Robin van Kampen
Ruifeng Li faced off top seed Jeffery Xiong in a closed Sicilian. Black was quickly faced with a pawn storm heading straight for his King, and tried to counter attack in the centre. When the 15 year old grandmaster missed an opportunity to scatter Ruifeng's centre, he found himself forced to sacrifice a pawn in order to complicate matters. In time trouble, Jeffery's tactics stunned Ruifeng, but just when it looked like the top rated junior had it all under control, he erred and allowed Ruifeng to turn the tables and draw the game with a perpetual check. A more detailed take on the game can be found below.
Li vs. Xiong: 1/2-1/2
Game of the day: Even though the encounter between Ruifeng Li and top seed Jeffery Xiong ended in a draw, the game was a true spectacle. The players faced off no less then 37 times prior to this game, having drawn only 3 games previously. Based on this, fireworks were expected and the players did not disappoint!
Brown vs. Chandra: 1/2-1/2
Akshat Chandra opened up with the rare 1.d4 e6!?, which turned into a Bogo-Indian. Michael played the middle game aggressively, trying to open up the path to Akshat’s King by all means. Akshat kept his cool and fended off the threats, leaving him with an advantage in the middle game. Right after move 30 Akshat had a golden opportunity to obtain a large advantage by focusing on his King’s safety rather than aiming to restore the material balance immediately. When Akshat’s King found itself in trouble, the game soon petered out in a draw by move repetition.
Harmon-Vellotti vs. Troff: 1/2-1/2
This game was a true spectacle! After Luke opted for a sharp line in the Grunfeld, the players banged out move after move until Kayden released a novelty on move 14. Luke played logically, and tried to change off Kayden’s vicious Bishop on g7, but fell for a spectacular Rook sacrifice in the process. After sinking in deep thought, Luke decided to play down a pawn rather than risk allowing a series of spectacular sacrifices by Kayden, although the computer engines crudely pointed out that this would have led to no more than a draw. Kayden seemed to be on his way to convert his pawn advantage, but in time trouble he lost control over the position, ultimately leaving Luke with a winning position. Not long after move 40, the players agreed to a draw after a miscalculation on Luke’s part.
Checa vs. Ostrovskiy: 0-1
Aleksandr Ostrovskiy won a neat game against IM-elect Nicolas Checa. Aleksandr quickly got a pleasant position, and won an important pawn after the Knights were exchanged. For a moment, it looked like Nicolas was able to launch a dangerous attack in response, but Aleksander kept his cool during time trouble and defended accurately. Not much later, Nicolas fell victim to several impressive tactical blows, losing the game when Aleksandr managed to win the Queen.
Liang vs. Bodek: 1-0
Awonder Liang, the youngest participant of the tournament at 13 years old, faced unorthodox opening play by Michael Bodek. After gaining control over the center, the young Wisconsinite found himself forced to move backwards in order to create space for his pawns. A complicated battle in the center emerged, leaving White up a pawn in a Rook and Bishop ending when the smoke cleared. What happened next was truly impressive, Awonder showed great patience as he slowly outmaneuvered his opponent. Michael was forced to throw in the towel when the f-pawn could no longer be stopped from Queening.
For more information, contact:
Nicole Halpin
314-309-0799
nhalpin@sainltouischessclub.org
For Immediate Release
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis hosts seventh consecutive Junior Closed tournament
SAINT LOUIS, June 16, 2016 -- The nation’s elite junior chess players are coming back to Saint Louis, the nation’s Chess Capital, this summer as the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL) hosts the U.S. Junior Closed Championship July 7-18, 2016. The event is the most prestigious chess tournament in the country for junior players under the age of 21, and the 2016 lineup features the strongest field by rating for the U.S. Junior Closed to date.
“For students here in Saint Louis and students across the nation, it’s incredibly inspiring to see these top juniors compete,” said Tony Rich, Executive Director of the CCSCSL. “These players are proof that hard work, commitment and study can produce successful results. We are thrilled to again host these students during this prestigious chess event.”
Ten players are competing in the 2016 U.S. Junior Closed Championship (invitational rating):
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GM Jeffery Xiong (2723)—Coppell, Texas
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GM Kayden Troff (2639)—West Jordan, Utah
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IM Ruifeng Li (2608)—Plano, Texas
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IM Akshat Chandra (2583)—Inselin, N.J.
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IM Luke Harmon-Vellotti (2527)—Boise, Idaho
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IM Michael Bodek (2523)—New Rochelle, N.Y.
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IM Awonder Liang (2515)—Madison, Wis.
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IM Aleksandr Ostrovskiy (2508)—Brooklyn, N.Y.
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FM Michael Brown (2506)—Trabucco Canyon, Calf.
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FM Nicolas Checa (2502)—Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
Players are competing for more than $20,000 in prizes, and the winner will also receive an automatic invitation to the 2017 U.S. Championship, the nation’s top invitational chess event. Two players from this year’s field, defending U.S. Junior Champion, Akshat Chandra, and Jeffery Xiong, competed in the 2016 U.S. Chess Championship.
The opening ceremony will take place Thursday, July 7 at the Chess Club and Scholastic of Saint Louis at 6:00 p.m. The round-robin tournament will begin on Friday, July 8 with the rounds starting daily at 1:00 p.m. CT.
Each round of the 2016 U.S. Junior Closed Championship will feature live commentary from Grandmaster Ben Finegold and FIDE Master Aviv Friedman. Viewers can watch in-person at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis or online at www.uschesschamps.com.
Previous winners of the Junior Closed Championship include the legendary GM Bobby Fischer, as well as GM Larry Christiansen, GM Patrick Wolff, IM Joshua Waitzkin, GM Tal Shaked, GM Hikaru Nakamura, GM Robert Hess, GM Ray Robson, GM Sam Shankland and IM Akshat Chandra.
For more information, visit www.uschesschamps.com.
About The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to making chess an important part of our community. In addition to providing a forum for the community to play tournaments and casual games, the club also offers chess improvement classes, beginner lessons and special lectures.
Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center is committed to supporting those chess programs that already exist in area schools while encouraging the development of new in-school and after-school programs. For more information, visit www.saintlouischessclub.org.
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The 2016 Saint Louis Invitational ended with the same fighting chess seen throughout the whole tournament. The final round found FM Gauri Shankar needing a win to secure another IM norm as he faced off against FM Kostya Kavutskiy. As for the grandmaster norm tournament, IM Steven Zierk wanted to avenge his eighth round loss and pull even with IM Akshat Chandra for a share of first place.
IM Zierk played with the White pieces against GM Ben Finegold in a mainline Caro-Kann. Pressing for an advantage, Zierk sacrificed on h6 cracking open black’s kingside.
After the dust had settled, IM Zierk was able to trade queens in a winning endgame.
FM Gauri Shankar had the Black pieces against Kostya Kavutskiy. Although he battled, FM Kavutskiy was able to break through and get a winning attack against the Black king.
While none were able to earn a norm in either tournament, the participants enjoyed Saint Louis and the chance to play against strong opponents. We hope to see the participants again soon at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.
As the 2016 Saint Louis Invitational winds to a close, the players with hopes of gaining their norms found difficulty in Round 8. Three players still had a chance to earn GM norms going into the round. IM Steven Zierk had the Black pieces against IM Ruifeng Li and needed to win to keep his chances alive.
IM Li's final move 21. Qa3 forked two of Zierk's pieces and ended the game on the spot.
GM Ben Finegold dashed IM Irine Sukandar's hopes for a norm with a dominating performance of positional chess. IM Sukandar also needed to win but was unable to find the right plans against GM Finegold's tricky move order.
U.S. Junior Champion and International Master Akshat Chandra had a chances to push for a win against Canadian IM Aman Hambleton. Chandra had the white pieces and an early advantage with an extra pawn. Even with the slight pull, Chandra was not able to convert the win in the endgame. The game ended in a draw.
FM Gauri Shankar continues to do well in the IM tournament. He won in round 8 against NM Carissa Yip playing a comfortable Marozcy position.
The 2016 Saint Louis Invitational, featuring both a GM and IM norm 10-player round robin, is more than halfway finished. Norm seekers in both sections have traded blows with their opponents and resulted in a very tight standings list. Each field’s norm requirement sits at 6.5 total points and still a few have the chance, if they finish well, to earn their norm.
In the GM norm field, IM Steven Zierk and IM Akshat Chandra have 3.5 points after 5 rounds and are undefeated co-leaders. IM Chandra has survived the gauntlet of grandmasters in the first half of the tournament and now needs to convert against his peers. The co-leaders find themselves needing 3 more points out of the last 4 games to earn their final GM norms—a tough task in this strong field. IM Irine Sukandar still needs 3.5 more points for a norm which will prove difficult. Finally, IM Aman Hambleton will have to play perfect chess to capture a norm as he needs to win his last four games.
In the IM section, those looking for norms have been met by a field intend on making each half-point hard to come by. IM Angelo Young has dominated the tournament so far with 4/5 points. His grinding play against FM Seth Homa in round 4 resulted in a long endgame win. IM Michael Brooks has also done well with 3/5 points. While a few still have very long shots to earn their norms, FM Gauri Shankar has 3.5 points after 5 rounds, and he will need to play extremely well to finish with enough points for his norm.
Here are some key pairings in the upcoming round:
GM Round 6 – IM Zierk vs IM Hambleton
IM Round 6 – FM Shankar vs IM Brooks