Posted in Drum Majors, Tournaments, World Open on Jul 8th, 2008 No Comments »
“Drum Major” is associated with a leader of a band. Their job is to keep the pace and to serve as a model for the band unit. In The Chess Drum community, Drum Major means something different. Certainly the term still connotes those who serve as models, but more precisely it is a label for [...]
Posted in Media Stories, The Chess Drum, World Open on Jul 8th, 2008 1 Comment »
Over the years, the World Open has been a reunion of sorts and it serves as the best social networking chess event in the land. At the tournament, one may notice all types of chess paraphanelia including monogrammed boards from various tournaments, engraved chess clocks and of course the ubiquitous t-shirt. This is basic attire [...]
Posted in Tournaments, USA, World Open on Jul 7th, 2008 2 Comments »
The 2008 World Open will go down in history as one of the most hotly-contested and brutal American tournaments. With a field of more than 30 GMs and a strong international contingent, games were bitterly fought and there were many upsets from the beginning. There were many side conversations about the young players and the [...]
Posted in Media Stories, The Chess Drum, Tournaments, World Open on Jun 23rd, 2008 2 Comments »
Get your authentic Chess Drum t-shirt and support a noble cause. I will carry to the World Open a limited amount… perhaps about 20-25 black and several whites. Your support will help further chess not only for the benefit of the African Disapora, but for the advancement of chess worldwide. Let me know your name, [...]
Posted in Tournaments, World Open on Jun 22nd, 2008 53 Comments »
Photos from the 2008 event in downtown Philly. Photos by Daaim Shabazz. The 36th World Open will kick off on June 30th and host nine rounds of chess through July 6th in Philadelphia. Having carved out a niche as America’s premier tournament, the $400,000 tournament draws some of the world’s top players. This year, the [...]
Posted in Tournaments, Videos, World Open on Jul 18th, 2007 No Comments »
I just uploaded two videos to YouTube. Both are of very poor quality because I took it on my digital camera and not a digital camcorder. The first video is not very exciting, but here are some details: This was the first round of the three-day schedule in which the players played game/45 for five rounds! [...]
Posted in Games, USA, World Open on Jul 9th, 2007 5 Comments »
Emory Tate (right) showing me his game against Salvijus Bercys, a 27-move gem. * * * Emory Tate approached me and asked, “Is The Chess Drum open for business?” He then demonstrated the game with his usual flair and spell-binding analysis. There was a small crowd, but I hear he did the game earlier to [...]
Posted in Endgame Lab, Tactics Lab, World Open on Jul 8th, 2007 1 Comment »
I don’t usually show too many of my games on The Chess Drum, but this one had a unique lesson. I remember a book by GM John Nunn called Secrets of Pawnless Endings. It had some amazing tactics in pieceless endings. There is nothing worse than missing a nice tactic to finish a game. I had two [...]
Posted in Drum Majors, Tournaments, USA, World Open on Jul 8th, 2007 4 Comments »
I just posted the interview I did with William Morrison, who placed joint 1st in the under-2400 section at the World Open. It was a candid interview that flowed nicely. You will hear what has been happening with the legendary FIDE Master and hear his opinions on earning norms and his future plans. He also gives a [...]
Posted in Tournaments, USA, World Open on Jul 6th, 2007 4 Comments »
Time for reflections! The 2007 World Open was an interesting tournament for a number of reasons. It was extremely competitive in all sections, there were many exciting and high-quality games, the new venue had a couple of redeeming qualities (all players in same room) and World Open spirit was a high as ever. Here are [...]
Posted in Tournaments, World Open on Jul 4th, 2007 No Comments »
Varuzhan Akobian and Alexander Stripunsky battling it out in the blitz tiebreak. The two players qualified for the tiebreaker due to having the highest tiebreak points. Photos by Daaim Shabazz. * * * Nine players tie for first place with 6½-2½. Varuzhan Akobian beat Alexander Stripunsky in the blitz tiebreak. An exciting opposite-colored bishop ending ends [...]
Posted in Tournaments, World Open on Jul 4th, 2007 2 Comments »
Hikaru Nakamura and Varuzhan Akobian pawn off in the 7th round. Both games (vs. Alexander Stripunsky and Leonid Yudasin respectively) were drawn. Photo by Daaim Shabazz. * * * Going into the last round of the World Open, there is a five-way tie for 1st with Hikaru Nakamura, Leonid Yudasin, Varuzhan Akobian, Alexander Stripunsky and [...]
Posted in Tournaments, World Open on Jul 3rd, 2007 4 Comments »
The first half of the World Open sees a tight race for the $30,000 prize fund. Hikaru Nakamura, Leonid Yudasin and Varuzhan Akobian top the charts with 4½-½ followed by a sextet of players on 4-1 (Vadim Milov, Evgeny Najer, Daniel Fridman, Alexander Stripunsky, Julio Becerra, Darmen Sadvakasov). Nakamura, who won the National Open, appears [...]
Posted in Tournaments, World Open on Jul 2nd, 2007 5 Comments »
The 2007 World Open will heat up today when the 3-day section will begin at 11:00am. GM Hikaru Nakamura will be the center of attention as he puts he blitz skills on display in five 45-minute games. Nakamura told The Chess Drum that he has played in the quick schedule before. For those who have [...]
Posted in Tournaments, World Open on Jul 1st, 2007 6 Comments »
As I mentioned in the previous post, Grandmaster Maurice Ashley was spotted last night at the tournament. He was visiting the World Open to watch his friend and former student Kasaun Henry. Shortly after the start of the 4th round, I was able to get a short interview with him. He basically updated the chess community on his [...]
Posted in Tournaments, World Open on Jul 1st, 2007 1 Comment »
Vadim Milov (Switzerland) and young British star David Howell have taken off with 2½ points in the first three rounds in the 7-day schedule. Sandipan Chanda (India), Borki Prekojevic (Bosnia) and Daniel Fridman (Latvia) are joint 2nd on 2 points. In the 5-day schedule, four Grandmasters, two IMs and one WGM have won his first two games [...]
Posted in Tournaments, USA, World Open on Jun 30th, 2007 No Comments »
No… Abhijit Kunte is not playing Vadim Milov. Kunte is pondering his move against a wandering Borki Predojevic (½-½) while Milov is on the move against Daniel Fridman at the adjacent board. Photo by Daaim Shabazz. First impressions of the venue here in Valley Forge Conference Center are mixed. The Scanticon (not Scantron ) Hotel [...]
Posted in Tournaments, USA, World Open on Jun 23rd, 2007 10 Comments »
Valley Forge Convention Center Venue for 2007 World Open The 35th Annual World Open will kick off on the 28th of July with great anticipation. It remains the marquee tournament in the U.S. attracting strong GMs from around the globe. The tournament also has a certain magic and usually unfurls a new star, has a foreign delegation, or [...]
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