2012 Chicago Open (Wheeling, USA)
Nineteen Grandmasters have registered in the field at the 21st Annual Chicago Open currently in progress at the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel (601 North Milwaukee Ave) in Wheeling, a suburb just outside Chicago. The field is also rich with a number of IMs, FMs and young masters looking for norm opportunities.
GM Michael Adams (2728) will enter as the top seed. At press time, he has already been nicked for a half-point in the first round. GM Gabriel Sargissian is the second seed vying for the $100,000 prize fund. Here are details from the official website, chicagoopen.net.
The event has 9 sections: Open, Under 2300, Under 2100, Under 1900, Under 1700, Under 1500, Under 1300, Under 1100 and Under 900.
The Open Section is a 9 round Swiss tournament with GM and IM norm opportunities. The Open Section will be played over a 5-day schedule from May 24-28. The Under 2300 to Under 1300 sections are 7 round Swiss tournaments having 4-day, 3-day and 2-day schedules to play in from May 25-28. The Under 1100 section is a 7 round Swiss tournament having 3-day and 2-day schedules to play in from May 26-28. The Under 900 section is a 7 round Swiss tournament that will be played over a 2-day schedule, May 27-28.
Photo by Patrick Magee.
The Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling IL 60090 (from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwaukee, I-94 east to Lake Cook Rd to US-45 south).
Link: http://chessevents.com/2012/05/chicago-open-2012/
Games (PGN): http://chessevents.com/viewer/games/chicagoopen2012.pgn
IM Daniel Rensch V NM Justus Williams was of special interest to me because I often end up in Sicilian Najdorf as black. Justus gets another decisive win against an IM. He’s a giant killer. I read in an article that he beat his first GM when he was 11 years old.
NM James Black V IM Florin Felecan is much more exotic to me. I’ve tried Pirc and Robatsch lines and so far I don’t like them.
The latest ratings for the young lions: James Black is in the lead with 2338 but is a very distant third in quick with 2165. Josh Colas is a close second with 2332 but is a distant first in quick with 2260!! It kind of sucks that Josh, the strongest blitzer (by rating), didn’t get to play Magnus Carlsen while the other two did. Justus Williams is a close third place with 2325 and quick 2212. Jehron Bryant 2204 and quick 2087, Nigel Bryant 2131 and quick 2019.
Hi Daaim, does Mandizha reside in the USA now?
Is he studying or working there?
I did a computer analysis on NM Josh Colas V IM Farai Mandizha and my computer says Mandizha missed the same winning move three times: 39…Bxe5, 45…Bxe5, or 48…Bxe5. Weird! He needs to analyze this game. BTW His rating is back to 2499, I hope he crosses the 2500 mark with this tourney.
In fact, I would guess that Mandizha didn’t see Bxe5 because he was in such dire straights that all he could see was a plan for a draw.
Thanks for the leg work Daaim. I believe the organizers are aware of it, and will afford him the opportunity. He will have to played some serious chess to clinch it. I don’t want to put pressure on him, so I just told him, do your best. He said ” Don’t worry I will Dad.”
unfortunately eventhough they were aware of his chance to get a norm, the husband just told me, he cannot do it due t a new law about pairing manupilation. Couldn’t ssay much since I am not versed in the USCF laws regarding this type of situation. My son is upset, so I am hoping,he can put it behind him and finish with a win. His last game, as well as James, are on Monroi. Too bad!
Justus won.Josh and James are still fighting it out.There seems to be a problem. Withe monroi website.
Josh lost. James has an interesting endgame going on. Great tournament for all of them.Wish Josh had some luck on his side for the last round. Well, World Open will be their next norm opportunity.
I wonder what the FIDE rating increase is for the big 3. The USCF rating increases are 11 for James (now 2349), 13 for Josh (now 2345) and 18 for Justus (now 2343). Also Kassa got a 4.5 and ended up with a -12 USCF ratings change (now 2351). Mandizha’s 3.5 got him a -16 (now 2483).