Round 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10
1. Gulko, Boris 2659 —— W2 -B4 -W3 -B5 -W6 -B2 -W4 -B3 -W5 -B6
——————————- 0.5 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.5 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.0
2. Polgar, Susan 2557 —– B1 -W6 -B4 -W3 -W5 -W1 -B6 -W4 -B3 -B5
——————————- 0.5 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.5 4.5 4.5 5.0 6.0
3. Onischuk, Alex 2704 — W6 -W5 -B1 -B2 -W4 -B6 -B5 -W1 -W2 -B4
——————————– 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5
4. Kamsky, Gata 2736 —– B5 -W1 -W2 -B6 -B3 -W5 -B1 -B2 -W6 -W3
——————————- 0.5 0.5 1.5 2.5 3.0 4.0 4.5 5.5 6.0 6.5
5. Stripunsky, Alex 2659 — W4 -B3 -B6 -W1 -B2 -B4 -W3 -W6 -B1 -W2
——————————– 0.5 1.0 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.0
6. Ibragimov, Ildar 2704 — B3 -B2 -W5 -W4 -B1 -W3 -W2 -B5 -B4 -W1
——————————– 0.5 0.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.5 3.0 4.0
Average USCF Rating: 2665+
Average FIDE Rating: 2622.5
First, I would like to thank everyone for the incredible support and encouragement. To do well against a field this strong sometimes require luck and I certainly had my shares of good and bad luck.
If we do another event like this tomorrow, I may finish last and Ildar and Alex Stripunsky may finish first. That’s how close it was. A break here and there could have changed everything.
All I can say is I am so proud of my colleagues and friends. Even though we know each other well and get along great, we all fought our tails off. Most games were decided in the last minute or two and sometimes even seconds or two.
The only semi-easy games were the last two games for Gata after he defeated me in round 8 to take the sole lead by a full point. It was a smart move by him to secure 1st place.
Alex Onischuk was truly the “Rock”. He was the only player not to lose a single game! Boris Gulko started out very well but he was tired at the end. Ildar Ibragimov fought valiantly and he was the unlucky loser in some of the games after outplaying his opponents. Alex Stripunsky fought hard until the last game and the clock did him in quite a few times.
Going into the last round, Gata was leading but had to face Onischuk. Alex Onischuk, Boris Gulko and I were all tied for 2nd going into the last round. Boris lost to Ildar while Alex drew Gata. I was very lucky to win a probably drawn endgame.
Congrats! Great job!
Dr. O
Congratulations, Susan ! From what I understand of chess, I have always beleived that you are the 2nd best player in USA after Gata Kamsky, ratings notwithstanding.
I’m mildly suprised that Susan is not angry at the semi-easy games that Gata had after Gata beat Susan in round 8 for the lead. Susan might have gotten first place. One should not blame Gata, but Gata’s opponents. Even if they have lousy scores and nothing to play for, they can play for pride, play to make their mark on the tournament by changing who wins, even if it cannot be them. Most sports teams won’t just hang it up if they are out of the playoff picture. They will play the rest of their games to make their fans happy and for their own pride. But congrats to Susan! Susan should have been on the US olympic team………………men’s!
Congratulations to Grandmasters Kamsky and Polgar for finishing clear 1 and 2.
Special kudos to Susan for doing so well despite her hectic schedule of promoting chess, family commitments, putting up with us blog fans, etc.! 😉
Where can I view the games?
Gratulálunk az itthoniak nevében is! Congratulations to the great result and for having such amazing energy in all your work.