The 2009 SPICE Cup A group is now finalized. As in any international event, obtaining a visa is always a potential problem. It has been quite a challenge to put together an interesting and diverse field.
The first SPICE Cup took place in November 2007. At that time, few chess players have heard of Texas Tech University or Lubbock, Texas.
For our third annual 2009 SPICE Cup (A and B groups), there were more than 100 inquiries by GMs and IMs from all over the world for the 16 spots (6 in A group and 10 in B group). Some of inquiries came from GMs over 2700 and many more from GMs over 2600. I wish I have enough spots for everyone. Unfortunately, we only have 16. I will do my best to accommodate others in future SPICE Cup events.
Here are the players as of August 23, 2009:
A Group – Category 16 (6-player DRR) – Average rating: 2630 – Average age: 20
GM Dmitry Andreikin 2659 –
GM Wesley So 2644 – Philippines (#7 junior under 20 in the world – #1 in the Philippines – member of the 2008 Filipino Olympiad team.) 16
GM Jon Ludvig Hammer 2585 – Norway (#2 in Norway behind Magnus Carlsen – member of the 2008 Norwegian Olympiad team) 19
This event will break the U.S. record by a big margin. Last year’s SPICE Cup was a category 15 event with average rating of 2605.5. This year’s average rating will be over 2630!
B Group – Category 11 (10-player RR): 2507
IM Gabor Papp 2562 – HUN (GM norm – Texas Tech Student in 8/2009)
IM Davorin Kuljasevic 2547 – CRO (2 GM norms – Texas Tech Student in 8/2009)
GM Eugene Perelshteyn 2541 – USA (2007 SPICE Cup Champion)
IM Ray Robson 2527 – USA (1 GM norm – Winner of the 2009-2010 Samford Fellowship)
GM Andre Diamant 2526 – Brazil (2008 Brazilian Champion)
IM Ben Finegold 2513 – USA (2 GM norms)
IM Gergely Antal 2487 – HUN (2 GM norms – Texas Tech Student)
GM Amon Simutowe 2473 – ZAM (#1 player in Zambia, first African GM, board 1 of Zambian Olympiad team)
FM Danny Rensch 2386 – USA (2 IM norms)
All ratings listed are FIDE ratings.
The last spot has been tentatively finalized (pending visa).
SPICE Cup Open and SPICE Cup Scholastic Open are once again two of the events which are a part of the SPICE Cup Chess Festival.
Just as last year, the SPICE Cup will be held on campus at Texas Tech University and is co-organized by Texas Tech University, SPICE and the Susan Polgar Foundation.
Dear Susan,
how long will it be till your university can field a team of 10 grandmasters and 20 international masters?
Love your work, keep it up.
a chess fan in the UK
You are doing a great job promoting chess at Texas Tech. Just don’t get involved with the USCF mess.
It’s sad that the USCF can’t organize events like the SPICE Cup. But they’re good at destroying sponsors and supporters. Thumbs up for Jim Berry and Bill Goichberg for destroying American chess for their personal agenda.
do you have the information about the spice cup open yet? I plan to play in it and would like some more information on it. thanks!
It’s amazing that Akobian is the old dude at 26. Wow.
You said some 2700-rated players were interested to join? Why didn’t you include at least one? That would have been great competition for the young participants.
The schedule did not work out. Even Alex Onischuk, 2008 SPICE Cup co-champion, could not play because of conflicting events in Europe. Some players have committed to their teams or other organizers 6-12 months in advance.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
Best wishes too, Susan. Hope to see live game coverage with close analysis. Lots of us will follow Wesley’s games, even if the schedule may well be early mornings here in the Philippines.
We are rooting for Akobian, who Nevadans in American Chess Association will be excited to watch at the 6 million WCF The World Chess Championship at Riviera Las Vegas starting December 1st. We hear that GM Evans will be match umpire and GM Keene is expected to be master of ceremonies in this richest chess title match in history. Hope we see you there in a simul, perhaps!
Has Akobian ever been in a Round-Robin where he is not only the OLDEST player but only the third seed!!
Andreichin is shown as 2648 rather than 2659 by FIDE, but the 2639 average is correct.
Great cast.. and when will the tourney start.. Keep up the good work Susan!