GM Robert Hess, Photo CCSCSL
Robert, who just finished his first semester at Yale University, told CLO that he "struggled my first two rounds against significantly lower-rated players, shaking off the rust and pulling out two victories."
Hess's most memorable wins were as white against GMs Evgeny Romanov and Sergei Tiviakov in rounds seven and eight, #2 and #1 seeds respectively,
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In his game against Tiviakov, Robert said, "I felt I played smoothly from start to finish in defeating an extremely strong player. It also reminded me of my game against Ben Finegold in the US Championship, although this time I managed to secure the win and not throw away half a point!"
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Robert is now headed back to Yale, and told CLO that "it is certainly difficult to balance college life and chess, but I am trying my best. It definitely helped that I was extremely relaxed while playing in Groningen – I didn’t have any schoolwork to do and I just had fun playing." He also pointed out that he was hungry to play chess after his absence. "I am trying to work out a schedule to play more in the spring and summer (U.S. Championships in May here I come!)"
IM Daniel Naroditsky also participated in the Groningen Open, tying for 9th-18th with 5.5 points.
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