Youth Movement at 2013 U.S. Championships
IM-elect Sam Sevian, 12, is the youngest player ever to participate in the U.S. Championship. By FM Mike Klein For a good percentage of the field at the 2013 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women’s Championship, victory would mean fame, a huge payday, and a soft-drink with dinner. That’s because many competitors of both tournaments are […]
Meet the Players: GM Alex Onischuk
GM Alexander Onischuk is seeking his second U.S. Chamionship title. By Brian Jerauld You are the new head coach at Texas Tech, in the wake of Susan Polgar’s highly publicized departure to Webster University. Will you speak on how that departure affected the Texas Tech program? What are your goals for its next chapter? In […]
GM Timur Gareev defeats 29 in blindfold simul
GM Timur Gareev put on an amazing blindfolded display at the Saint louis Chess Ckub, defeating 29 players and drawing four of his 33 opponents. By Mike Wilmering SAINT LOUIS (May 1, 2013) — It took 10 hours and 39 minutes for Grandmaster Timur Gareev to topple the final king and leave the chess community […]
Meet the Players: The Reigning Queen
IM Irina Krush seeks to defend her title against a determined field, including IM Anna Zatonskih, another four-time U.S. Women’s Champion. By Brian Jerauld Did you hear that Anna Zatonskih is playing in the 2013 U.S. Women’s Championship? Anna Zatonskih is playing in the 2013 U.S. Women’s Championship. Thoughts? Thanks for letting me know. You […]
GM Gareev to Conduct 33-Board Blindfold Simul
GM Timur Gareev hopes to break the blindfold simul world record when he takes on 64 people simultaneously in Oahu, Hawaii, in December. By Mike Wilmering SAINT LOUIS, April 29, 2013 — On Tuesday, April 30, Grandmaster Timur Gareev will conduct a 33-board blindfolded simultaneous exhibition at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint […]
Meet the Players: GM Alejandro Ramirez
GM Alejandro Ramirez, a Samford Fellowship recipient last year, is hoping the investment in his game will pay dividends at this year’s tournament. By Brian Jerauld You have a Masters in Arts and Technology, specializing in video game design, and you worked on Diablo III – which was released during the 2012 Championships. You were […]
Meet the Players: GM Marc Arnold
GM Marc Arnold had a big 2012, winning the U.S. Junior Closed Championship, securing the grandmaster title and beginning his first year of college at Indiana University. By Brian Jerauld Your invitation to the 2013 U.S. Championships comes as a result of you winning the 2012 U.S. Junior Closed Championship. How, if at all, has […]
Meet the Players: John Bryant
FM John Bryant earned his seat to the U.S. Championship by winning the U.S. Junior Open. By Brian Jerauld The USCF lists your first tournament as the Walter Stiern Tournament in Bakersfield, CA on Jan. 8, 2000. Since then, you have played in a tournament nearly every month for 13 years – even picking up […]
Meet the Players: GM Melikset Khachiyan
GM Melikset Khachiyan has recently picked up a spate of rating points to earn a wildcard bid to the 2013 U.S. Championship. By Brian Jerauld Who helped you prepare for the 2013 U.S. Championships? Could you explain how you use that help in your preparation? No one helped me prepare for the U.S. Championship; I’m […]
Meet the Players: GM Varuzhan Akobian
GM Varuzhan Akobian spent the past month serving as the CCSCSL’s Resident Grandmaster. By Brian Jerauld You just finished a stint as the Resident Grandmaster at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis – also the venue of the 2013 U.S. Championships. Does your familiarity give you any “home court advantage” over the […]