Americans in Gibraltar [VIDEO]
By Macauley Peterson   
February 2, 2013
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Gibraltar
The Gibraltar Chess Congress entered its second decade wrapping up the 11th edition on Friday. Russian grandmaster Nikita Vitiugov won an exciting 4-player playoff to earn the GBP £20,000 first prize (about $31,400). Chinese GM Zhao Xue took top honors among the women, winning the top female prize of £12,000 ($18,850).

U.S. Women's Champion Irina Krush has been a regular competitor in Gibraltar in the past, but this year joined the commentary team with GM Simon Williams. The commentary can be re-played in its entirety, at www.gibraltarchesscongress.com/video/

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Irina Krush with Gibraltar organizer GM Stuart Conquest


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GM Gata Kamsky
In addition to stars GM Gata Kamsky, IM Anna Zatonskih and GM Jaan Ehlvest, there were two other players among the USA contingent: Jack Hutton and Leo Kang. Hutton and Kang are on a semester break from Princeton University, where they recently organized the Pan American Intercollegiate Championship. Hutton described the festival as the best event he's ever played in, largely due to the exotic location overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Here, Irina shares her brief thoughts at the conclusion of the Gibraltar Masters open, including how the top American players fared.