Khachiyan Leads in Concord
By Michael Aigner   
January 18, 2010
Melikslide.jpgGrandmaster Melik Khachiyan continues to lead in Concord, California with two rounds to go.  However, a pair of short draws against GM House residents Josh Friedel and Jesse Kraai allowed the field to catch up.

Standings after round 5 of 7


4.0 GM Khachiyan, IM Lenderman, GM Kraai
3.5 GM Friedel, IM Shankland, IM Sevillano, GM Browne, IM Pruess, FM Zierk, FM Darwin Yang
3.0 IM DeGuzman, IM Mezentsev, FM Naroditsky, IM Tate, IM Ganbold and others

Your reporter has 2.5 after facing a GM, two IMs, plus 2200 and 2170.  After winning a tough 5.5 hour long game tonight, I saw no fewer than four of my 1700 and 1800 rated students still playing.  They combined to score two wins and two draws in complicated endgames.  Bravo guys!

Look for a report with games and results after the tournament concludes.