U.S. National Open Draws 800+ as GMs Akopian and Zhong Top Strong Field

Approximately 800 players assembled at Las Vegas Riviera on March 9-11 for the National Open. The field included 33 GMs, 15 IMs and was strengthened by the participation of  the Men's and Women's National teams from China.  The Chinese made an impressive showing with GM Zhong Zhang tying with Armenian GM Vladimir Akopian for equal first with 5½-½. No Chinese player scored less than 4-2. Women's World Champion Xie Jun did not participate in the Open tournament, but earlier gave a 24-board simul (21-1-2).  GM Maurice Ashley scored 4-2 and FM Emory Tate finished with 3½-2½. GM Ashley scored a very exciting win over FM Andrei Zaremba in which he sharply repelled a violent attack from the young Master.  While FM Tate was not in top form, he still showed flashes of his tactical abilities and lost only to GM Jun Xu in an exciting encounter.  Next year's National Open will be held in Las Vegas on March 8-10, 2002.

National Open website, www.64.com/natlopen.

Photo Gallery from the National Open.

See Zaremba-Ashley, 0-1 and Hough-Tate, ½-½.

Posted by The Chess Drum: 14 March 2001