2010 World Open (Valley Forge)

GM Pentala Harikrishna in a battle against GM Luke McShane. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

GM Pentala Harikrishna in a battle against GM Luke McShane.
Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

The 38th Annual World Open is in progress in the city of King of Prussia at the Valley Forge Convention Center. The tournament has attracted a strong Indian contingent along with GMs such as Francisco Vallejo-Pons, Loek Van Wely and Luke McShane. The top U.S. player Hikaru Nakamura will not be present at this year’s event, but Gata Kamsky and Alexander Onischuk headline the list of U.S. players vying for the $250,000 prize fund.

Standings: https://chesstournamentservices.com/cca/category/world-open/world-open-standings/
Games (Open): https://www.thechessdrum.net/palview4/worldopen2010.pgn
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=182385&id=513866269&l=14d7fc2035

22 Comments

  1. Hey, Daaim! I certainly miss being able to go to the BIG Open anymore, but I’m hopeful that when my health is restored, I’ll be down in Philly for future World Open with the rest of you guys! I was surprised that Gata Kamski didn’t have a better showing, and I was also wondering where Naka was? I hope you had a great time this year, and now I’m gonna go and checkout the photos you took…!

  2. Also, Justus Williams (12 years old) scored an amazing 5.5/9 in the U 2400 section. He and James Black are currently with me in Dallas, Texas for some intensive studying at the 12th US Chess School (www.uschessschool.com).

  3. Photo Impressions from the World Open
    Photos by Daaim Shabazz.

    Under-2400 Section. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    38th World Open, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

    Nigel Bryant, Daaim Shabazz, Jehron Bryant, Darrian Robinson. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Nigel Bryant, Daaim Shabazz, Jehron Bryant, Darrian Robinson

    2010 World Open Champion, Viktor Laznicka (Czech Republic). Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    2010 World Open Champion, Viktor Laznicka (Czech Republic)

    Station for live relays through Monroi. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Station for live relays through Monroi.

    Boyd Reed, Tournament Director. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Boyd Reed, Tournament Director

    GM Surya Ganguly (India) vs. GM Luke McShane (England). Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    GM Surya Ganguly (India) vs. GM Luke McShane (England)

    GM Ray Robson (USA) vs. GM Mesgen Amanov(Turkmenistan). Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    GM Ray Robson (USA) vs. GM Mesgen Amanov (Turkmenistan)

    Magesh Panchanathan. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    GM Magesh Panchanathan (India)

    Darrian Robinson. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Darrian Robinson

    The Bryant Twins Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    The Bryant Twins, Nigel and Jehron

    FM Seth Homa against James Black, Jr. Phenom Justus Williams on the adjacent board. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    FM Seth Homa against James Black, Jr. Phenom Justus Williams on the adjacent board.

    Under-2400 Section. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Under-2400 Section

    Visually-impaired player using special board and a tape recorder for the moves. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Visually-impaired player using special board and a tape recorder for the moves.

    Justus Williams in action against FM Alex Barnett. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Justus Williams in action against FM Alex Barnett.

    GM Viktor Laznicka vs. GM Aleksander Lenderman on the top board while GM Mesgen Amanov battles with IM Saljivus Bercys on board #2. Also on the tables are GM Jaan Ehlvest (board #3), GM Alexander Shabalov (board #4). GM Alexander Stripunsky faces GM Alexander Onischuk (board #5) and GM Surya Ganguly faces GM Nikola Sedlak (board #6).. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    GM Viktor Laznicka vs. GM Aleksander Lenderman on the top board while GM Mesgen Amanov battles with IM Saljivus Bercys on board #2. Also on the tables are GM Jaan Ehlvest (board #3), GM Alexander Shabalov (board #4). GM Alexander Stripunsky faces GM Alexander Onischuk (board #5) and GM Surya Ganguly faces GM Nikola Sedlak (board #6).

    GM Surya Ganguly of India striking one of his unique poses. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    GM Surya Ganguly of India striking one of his unique poses.

    Justus Williams' fan club: Latisha Williams (mother), Pamela Ballard (grandmother), Jacob Williams (brother) and Justus Williams. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Justus Williams’ fan club: Latisha Williams (mother), Pamela Ballard (grandmother), Jacob Williams (brother) and Justus Williams.

    GM Aleksander Lenderman playing GM Sergey Kudrin. GM Alexander Onischuk peering at camera. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    GM Aleksander Lenderman playing GM Sergey Kudrin. The young phenom GM Ray Robson readying himself for the pending battle. His coach GM Alexander Onischuk peers at camera.

    Kassa Korley. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Kassa Korley

    FM Sunil Weeramantry. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    FM Sunil Weeramantry

    FM Victor Shen playing IM Emory Tate on top board in under-2400 section. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    FM Victor Shen playing IM Emory Tate on top board in under-2400 section.

    GM Amon Simutowe. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    GM Amon Simutowe (Zambia)

    GM Gata Kamsky focused in his battle against of New Zealand. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    GM Gata Kamsky focused in his battle against IM Puchen Wang of New Zealand. On the next board, GM Robert Hess ponders his next move.

    Josh Colas. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Scholastic All-American Josh Colas

    Tournament Director Walter Brown being recognized after his retirement announcement. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Tournament Director Walter Brown being recognized after his retirement announcement. Brenda and Bill Goichberg presented him with a handsome chess set.

    Walter Brown saying a few words about his work as a TD. He stated that he has been directing tournaments since the 70s. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Walter Brown saying a few words about his work as a TD. He stated that he has been directing tournaments since the 70s.

    Top boards in under-2400 section. Epic battle unfolds between IM Emory Tate and IM Oladapo Adu. A surging IM-elect Farai Mandizha enroute to a last round win against FM Ilye Figler. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Top boards in under-2400 section. Epic battle unfolds between IM Emory Tate and IM Oladapo Adu. A surging IM-elect Farai Mandizha enroute to a last round win against FM Ilye Figler.

    Loek Van Wely in the last-round battle against Viktor Laznicka. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    Loek Van Wely in the last-round battle against Viktor Laznicka.

    New York blitz legend

    New York blitz legend “Sammy” blitzes with GM Amon Simutowe

    DC Dupont Circle legend, Thomas Murphy. Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

    DC Dupont Circle legend, Thomas Murphy

  4. WOW to Justus!!! We are so proud of you…what an achievement!! Making history is in your path…… honey! Muah..Love Auntie!

  5. Hey Everest,

    Good to see you still alive and kicking. We used to talk all the time in tournaments in Connecticut back in the 80’s and early 90’s. In fact, you even beat me in a game/30 in Waterbury in 88′. Get well so that I can get a chance to get revenge ….LOL.

    take care

  6. Hey, Quentin! Thanks for the comment directed at me! It’s been over 20 years since I left Connecticut, but it was great fun living there! I’ve been back in New York State since 1990, and the only chess I get to do these days is to enjoy the Chess Drum and the Chessbase Web sites. I’m impressed that you remember our game from 1988… I certainly don’t recall that game, but I do remember playing in a few events held in Waterbury. We either were at the Library or Rob Roy’s house? Remember Rob Roy, he was our loyal tournament director? Do you play much chess, what are you doing these days? I’m thinking about retiring soon… from active work, that is! Once I don’t have to go to work anymore, I’m hoping to get back into chess a little! Thanks again for the nice comment, and I certainly hope to give you a chance for revenge, but I can’t promise that you’ll like it… 8>)

  7. Hey Everest! It’s a small world, and maybe you don’t even remember me. Played you many times, in Syracuse and upstate NY. Just recently got back into the game after a few years break.

    1. Ken, of course I remember you! We did battle many a time in Syracuse, and i think maybe a few times elsewhere? You were always a challenge to me, because you played a solid game, and I really never could take beating you for granted… i always had to be careful and just try to catch you off guard! There was a guy I knew back in the 70’s when i was at SU named Mike Labins. He was a very humorous guy and used to refer to you as “ChamberDeath”, like the old English GM named Blackburn who was known as the “Black Death”… I always thought that was so funny, but appropriate! I hope to play you again sometime… maybe in one of Joe Ball’s tournaments? God bless you always! —- Everest

    1. Thanks Daaim; my mistake. I’ve known Greg since 1977 and Tom since some time in the 1980s.

  8. Steve and Daaim,

    I think the mistaken identity is understandable. Unfortunately, I for one have not seen Greg in over 10 years which I think is true for many players who remember him as a strong MD/VA/DC player.

    If I did not know Tom so well, I believe I could have made the same mistake.

    Peace,
    Kimani A. Stancil

  9. 2010 World Open Pan-African Blitz Battles!

    IM Farai Mandizha (Zimbabwe) vs. IM Emory Tate (USA)

    GM Amon Simutowe (Zambia) vs. IM Dionisio Aldama (Cuba)

    Videos by Daaim Shabazz/The Chess Drum

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