The United States Chess Federation - Chicago Norm Hunt Intensifies

The first 4 rounds of the 10th North American FIDE Invitational are completed. IM Angelo Young's quest for a perfect score was dismantled by the young gal from Philly, WFM Alisa Melekhina, who stayed cool under pressure and snagged the draw. IM Angelo Young now shares first place (3.5/4.0) with norm seeker FM Mehmed Pasalic.

1850

FM Pasalic turned up the heat on IM Arjun Vishnuvardhan and grabbed a win in Round 4. He needs to go 3.0/5.0 for his 3rd and final IM norm.

1849

The real story of the event is WFM Alisa Melekhina (3.0/4.0). She's been on a solid pace so far beating 1 IM, drawing 2 IM's and taking out one of the FM's. She needs only 1 more point for her WIM norm, 3 more points for her WGM norm, and 3.5 more points for her IM norm. With 5 rounds left it's quite possible. She still has tournament co-leader FM Pasalic to contend with. 2 wins and 3 draws would clinch the IM norm.

The next round is tonight at 6:30pm Chicago time. All games are being transmitted LIVE on the MonRoi World Databank of Chess.

By Sevan Muradian
April 21, 2008
The first 4 rounds of the 10th North American FIDE Invitational are completed. IM Angelo Young's quest for a perfect score was dismantled by the young gal from Philly, WFM Alisa Melekhina, who stayed cool under pressure and snagged the draw. IM Angelo Young now shares first place (3.5/4.0) with norm seeker FM Mehmed Pasalic. 1850 FM Pasalic turned up the heat on IM Arjun Vishnuvardhan and grabbed a win in Round 4. He needs to go 3.0/5.0 for his 3rd and final IM norm. 1849 The real story of the event is WFM Alisa Melekhina (3.0/4.0). She's been on a solid pace so far beating 1 IM, drawing 2 IM's and taking out one of the FM's. She needs only 1 more point for her WIM norm, 3 more points for her WGM norm, and 3.5 more points for her IM norm. With 5 rounds left it's quite possible. She still has tournament co-leader FM Pasalic to contend with. 2 wins and 3 draws would clinch the IM norm. The next round is tonight at 6:30pm Chicago time. All games are being transmitted LIVE on the MonRoi World Databank of Chess.