Eric Rodriguez of Florida defeated IM Enrico Sevillano on first board of the U.S. Open. The 18-year-old punished Sevillano for an oversight, and reeled in the full point with perfect technique. Today the U.S. Open 5-day schedule begins. Bookmark Monroi for live games.
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Photo Betsy Dynako

In an in-depth interview with Besty Dynako, 2007 U.S. Women's Champion Irina Krush reveals her thoughts on her victory on Stillwater, Oklahoma. She also recalls her early chess days,explains why female 2500 players are likely to be stronger than their male counterparts, and reveals what she's happiest about in her life right now.
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After a decade-long draught of American born GMs, the floodgates seem to have opened. Just a few months after Jesse Kraai won his final norm, Vinay Bhat follows suit in Balaguer Open in Spain (July 16-25).
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Ettie Nikolova, top seed in the Polgar, and Joshua Mu, winner of the Scholastic Open. Photos Michael Atkins

On Sunday, most of the intrigue at the U.S. Open (July 28-August 5 Cherry Hill, NJ) was in the Scholastic side events. Joshua Mu won the Scholastic Open. Ettie Nikolova is the top seed and sole expert in the Polgar, while Nicholas Yap sits on board one in the Denker.

Click here for updated standings (after Round 3). Click here for six-day pairings.

Photo courtesy Monroi.com

Pia Cramling of Sweden won the Monroi International Women's Grand Prix (Montreal, Canada July 19-29) with a last round win over Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant of Georgia and a total of 5/7. IM Irina Krush had a disappointing result, finishing with minus one.
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Photo Jennifer Shahade

Over 200 people came out to Cherry Hill, New Jersey (July 28-August 5) for one of two nine day long U.S. Open schedules. Sergei Kudrin is the top seed in the traditional schedule, while Boris Gulko heads up the Quick schedule, designed for commuters.
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Melikset Khachiyan

GM Melik Khachiyan won the Pacific Coast Open(July 19-22) near Malibu. Michael Aigner reports on finding his way to the site through Malibu's mountains, Khachiyan's love of knights and Jerry Hanken's participation.
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Photo Olivier Breisacher

At the Biel International Chess Festival (July 23-August 2), Baltimore-based GM Alexander Onischuk was leading with 3/4 but faltered today against GM Magnus Carlsen. Even after this loss, he is tied for second place with Boris Avrukh.
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The U.S. Open kicks off tomorrow, on Saturday, July 28 at 7:30 PM. The Denker tournament of high school champions and the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls both start on Sunday at 11 AM. Monroi.com will be showing live games, while CLO will offer daily reportage.
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Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant joins leaders in Monroi after victory against Jovanka Houska. Photo courtesy Monroi.com

Joanna Houvska of England, Pia Cramling of Sweden and Ketevan Arakhamia Grant of Georgia lead the Monroi International Women's Grand Prix (Montreal, Canada July 21-30) with 3.5/5 each. U.S. Women's champion Irina Krush has an even score. This unique event features a watch studded with sixteen diamonds for the winner!
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After four rounds of the Biel International Chess Festival (July 23-August 2), Alexander Onischuk shares the lead with 3/4 with Magnus Carlsen. Onischuk won against super GM Grischuk in round two, and just defeated Loek Van Wely in a beautiful sacrificial game.
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Tournament namesake Irme Konig (1901-1992)

Turkish GM Suat Atalik showed his great strength and insatiable love of chess in winning the 2nd Imre Konig Memorial which ended last night at the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club.
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Photo Jacob Okada

The final executive board election results are in! GM Susan Polgar, Randy Bauer and Paul Truong have been elected to four year terms and Jim Berry to a two year term.
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Bay Area IM Vinay Bhat just scored his third norm in Spain (details forthcoming) while Emory Tate defeated German GM Jan Gustafsson in the Curacao Chess Festival and has a 2600+ performance with two rounds to go.

Update: Mikhalevski wins Curacao Chess Festival! Tate draws vs. Benjamin, probably not enough for the GM norm. (CLO to confirm shortly.)
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Photo Irina Krush

Our top ranked male GM, Gata Kamsky and recently crowned U.S. women's champ Irina Krush, are currently competing in the Montreal International Chess Festival (July 19-30). Irina started the women's grand prix with two draws, while Gata has joint lead in the Empresa with 3/4.
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Shabalov and Miklalevski at the barbecue on the free day.

U.S. Champion and Curacao connoisseur Alexander Shabalov shares the lead in the Curacao Chess Festival (July 17-26) . He has 4.5/5, along with Israeli GM Viktor Mikhalevski.
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