Washington International & Razuvaev Memorial Set for Aug 6-11
By Michael Regan   
May 23, 2013
The Washington International returns for a second year to Rockville, MD from August 6 -11. Player feedback from last year's event (won by Gata Kamsky) was overwhelmingly positive. This year there are several major enhancements to the tournament such as a significantly larger prize fund, a B section for lower rated players, minimum prizes available for all non-US players, and lower entrance fees. The 9-round swiss A section has $22,000 in guaranteed prizes and will provide an opportunity for players to earn GM and IM norms.

In order to improve the chances for earning these norms, a minimum rating of 2100 FIDE or 2200 USCF will be required to play in the A section. Twenty players, including 9 GMs and 6 IMs, have already registered to play in the tournament. New this year is the B section that is also a 9-round FIDE-rated swiss with the same schedule and a $4,000 prize fund. Players must be rated under 2250 USCF and 2200 FIDE to play in the B section. All equipment will be provided for the players in both sections. More information about the tournament, including the currently registered players, can be found at http://washingtoninternationalchess.org.

Running concurrently with the Washington International tournament will be the Razuvaev Memorial Tournament. GM Razuvaev was the coach of Alexandra Kosteniuk when she won the Woman's World Championship in 2008. In honor of this, the tournament format will be a team match of some of the top women chess players against some male players who were friends with GM Razuvaev. The players are:
GM Adrian Mikhalchishin GM Alexandra Kosteniuk
GM Boris Gulko IM Anna Zatonskih
GM Vladimir Tukmakov IM Irina Krush
GM Lev Alburt IM Elena Sedina

The International and the Razuvaev Memorial are the showcase events for the Washington International Chess Festival, but several other shorter duration events are also available:

Potomac Open (August 2-4) 
Weekend Swiss   
 40/90, SD/30 +30/incr

Washington International Blitz

Friday Aug 9, 8pm     
3 +2/incr

Washington International Rapid   

Saturday, Aug 10
15 +10/incr

For all of these tournaments live broadcsts of the games, standings, reports, and pairings will be at http://www.mdchess.com.

These tournaments are being organized by the Maryland Chess Association. If you have any questions, email Mike Regan at [email protected].