IM Ray Robson scores second GM norm!

http://www.nachess.org/:

"orm Updates

Well the week is finally drawing to a close and the following hunters either have their trophies or will be fighting for the last point.

IM Ray Robson has clinched his 2nd GM norm by having a monstrous first 8 rounds and going 6.5/8. He plays IM Mulyar in the morning and regardless of win, lose, or draw, Ray will have his second GM norm. He is going to be at the SPICE Cup next month going for his final GM norm. His rating will already be over the 2500 mark!

Mac Molner of NY has also had a great event. He has 4.5/8 and is paired with IM Shankland. Win, lose, or draw Mac has secured his IM norm.

Finally we have another young New Yorker, Michael Thaler, who needs to win his final round for his first IM norm. Michael is paired against FM Kleiman and must fight to the bitter end for his norm.

The final round starts at 10am Chicago time.

Good Chess to All,

Sevan A. Muradian
FIDE Arbiter and International Organizer
North American Chess Association"


I'll add some photos I took of the event later but for now... enjoy the few uscf articles!
http://main.uschess.org/content/view/9662/544/
and
http://main.uschess.org/content/view/9661/544

US Championship round 1!

I will be driving down to St. Louis to watch round1&2&3. Round 1 pairings are posted here

Pairings
Round 1, Friday, May 8, 2:00 pm

Bd White Black
1. GM Ibragimov, Ildar (0.0) 2628 - GM Kamsky, Gata (0.0) 2798
2. GM Nakamura, Hikaru (0.0) 2757 - GM Shabalov, Alexander (0.0) 2620
3. GM Friedel, Joshua (0.0) 2568 - GM Onischuk, Alexander (0.0) 2736
4. GM Shulman, Yury (0.0) 2697 - IM Sevillano, Enrico (0.0) 2549
5. IM Hess, Robert (0.0) 2545 - GM Christiansen, Larry (0.0) 2681
6. GM Becerra, Julio (0.0) 2672 - IM Robson, Ray (0.0) 2542
7. IM Zatonskih, Anna (0.0) 2503 - GM Akobian, Varuzhan (0.0) 2664
8. GM Kaidanov, Gregory (0.0) 2662 - IM Krush, Irina (0.0) 2496
9. IM Shankland, Samuel (0.0) 2464 - GM Benjamin, Joel (0.0) 2650
10. GM Ehlvest, Jaan (0.0) 2649 - IM Brooks, Michael (0.0) 2419
11. Lawton, Charles (0.0) 2350 - GM Khachiyan, Melikset (0.0) 2632
12. GM Gulko, Boris (0.0) 2631 - Hughes, Tyler (0.0) 2293

I have bolded the round 1 matches I consider extremely interesting (as in results not totally predictable and obvious!). I am rooting for Shulman and Christiansen but I predict Nakamura will eat the whole enchilada. I don't doubt strong guns like Onsichuk and Kamsky... but my true desire would be to see Robson score his first GM norm!

This field is the strongest US championship ever with 8 former US Champions participating!

Check back later for pictures!