Through the first two rounds of the inaugural Sinquefield Cup, the American No. 1 has gotten off to a great start, besting World No. 2 Levon Aronian on Monday and U.S. No. 2 Gata Kamsky on Tuesday.
Round 1 of the strongest chess tournament in U.S. history is in the books, and two full points have already been awarded as World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and U.S. No. 1 Hikaru Nakamura emerged victorious.
After a celebration weekend that began with the drawing of lots and finished with the drawing of crowds, the strongest chess tournament in American history is ready for its first move.
Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen is perhaps the most recognizable chess figure on the earth today. With a FIDE rating of 2862, he is the current No. 1 in the world.
Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, ranked seventh on the planet with a FIDE rating of 2774, is the United States’ No. 1-ranked player and a three-time U.S. Champion.
Grandmaster Levon Aronian is just the sixth player in history to cross the elite 2800 threshold, currently ranking No. 2 in the world with a FIDE rating of 2802.
Gata Kamsky, the reigning U.S. Champion, is a Soviet-born, American grandmaster, currently ranked No. 2 in the U.S. and No. 17 in the world with a FIDE rating of 2741.
The 2013 Sinquefield Cup will offer live spectators three different commentary options, access to the playing hall and a chance to meet and get autographs from the players.
On Sunday, IM Daniel Naroditsky went clutch to win his final game of the 2013 U.S. Junior Closed Championship proving, once again, that slow and steady wins the race.
IM Daniel Naroditsky and FM Luke Harmon-Vellotti are tied for first with one round to go, but FM Sam Sevian lurks just a half point behind the leaders.