Julio Becerra, Marcel Martinez with a hostess at a South Beach club.

by FM Marcel Martinez

Florida Chess Association (FCA) and Florida Chess League commissioner Gilberto Luna III are hosting a GM norm round robin in the beautiful halls of the World Chess Hall of Fame. This is one of the strongest closed chess tournament ever to be held in Florida. Ten players representing four different countries arrived in sunny Miami. From April 18-22 the players will battle it out for norms and/or top prizes as well. First place will get $1,000 USD, second $600 and third $400. This event is an opportunity for some of the strongest local players with dreams of still achieving GM or IM norms. Unfortunately, the players planned originally had to be slightly changed so it may take more points to earn norms. More details on this later!

In his first round, Marcel and GM-elect Jesse Kraai showed that in Miami, even draws are hot:

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Meanwhile, Magesh Panchanathan rubbed in his  narrow match win against Julio with a nice victory:

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Look for Marcel Martinez's final report early next week. You can also watch the games on ICC by fingering Miami07.

Players

GM Julio Becerra 2544 USA
GM Valeriy Aveskulov 2539 UKR
GM Magesh Panchanathan 2482 IND
IM Jesse Kraai 2477 USA
IM Renier Gonzalez 2454 USA
IM Blas Lugo 2426 USA
IM Amon Simutowe 2419 ZAM
FM Marcel Martinez 2386 USA
FM Daniel Ludwig 2373 USA
Mario Marshall 2080 JAM
Rating average-2419

GM Norm- 6.5; IM norm-4.5

Photo Gallery

Here we are having cuban breakfast at Papa Rudy's restaurant (Open 24 hours and specializes in Puerto Rican and Cuban food) Cloockwise from left: Blas Lugo, Jesse Kraai, Valeriy Aveskulov, Julio Becerra, Marcel Martinez, Renier Gonzalez, Magesh Panchanathan and Amon Simutowe.


IM Amon Simutowe did not lose any time and started talking to Eugenia(the girl who takes care of the stand right into the sands in South Beach)


While we left Simutowe talking to Eugenia, we decided to walk over to world renowned "Mango's" one of the hottest spots in South Beach.