2018 World Open (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
The 46th edition of the World Open is currently taking place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the iconic home of the tournament. While the final count is unknown, the tournament typically draws about 1300 competitors from around the country and world.
Philly’s newly-unveiled emancipation exhibit
Some interesting new sites around Philadelphia. The Uber driver pointed out the new Comcast 58-story building, the latest fixture of the skyline. There is also an interesting sculpture depicting the 15th amendment by City Hall. Of course the tournament site is conveniently located next to the Reading Terminal Market, a bustling place of activity with a potpourri of cuisines. There is even a artistic chess scultpure behind the Marriott, the tournament’s playing site.
This year the 4th of July affect on the tournament was muted since the holiday was in the middle of the week and the celebrations were over by the time most players arrived in Philly. To use the worn cliche, they would hope to bring fireworks to the board.
While some of the mainstays were absent, the headliners include GMs Le Quang Liem (2728), Dariusz Swiercz (2663), Alexander Ipatov (2650) Lazaro Bruzon (2646), and the highest-rated U.S. player, Jeffery Xiong (2655). So far junior player Max Jiahua Li (1788) sits on 3/3 after beating two IMs! The three-day event will start on today and the sections will merge tomorrow. The Chess Drum is on site and will be featuring photos and perhaps a few interviews. Stay tuned!
Results: https://chessevents.com/worldopen/
Live Games: https://chessevents.com/live-games/
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The sculpture with the Black man hands out reach is Octavius Catto. The city first sculpture, public, of an African American. Philly”s current mayor Jim Kennedy wanted to make a wrong right by honoring this brave man. Catto, an educator, national spokesman, activist and civil rights leader was killed when he was fighting for the rights of Blacks to vote. He was a very interesting person. Worth looking into the history of this activist.