Today is rest day at the US Championship. While others are relaxing and preparing for the final 4 games, Webster University freshman GM Ray Robson is heading back to campus to take his final exams.
It is an incredible bad week for him due to the conflicting schedule. It is final exam week on campus. It is not easy focusing on a heavy load of school work, while preparing and playing in the US Championship, and fighting for a spot in the World Cup.
Ray had a horrendous start, losing a winning position in round 2, then proceeded to gamble and double down on the next game against veteran GM Alex Stripunsky. He failed miserably.
But he managed to calm down, relax, then defeated back to back GMs, Khachiyan and Marc Arnold to get back to even score. Next up for Ray is former US Champion Yury Shulman. I hope he can get back to fully focusing on his final 4 bouts after his exams are done.
I would also like to congratulate the St. Louis Chess Club for putting on another top notch event. This is how chess should be organized.
i have nothing but full support to GM Ray Robson. Conflicting schedule between schools and competition is a difficult situation to be in. I’m sure he will regroup so he can juggle thinks out effectively.
Good luck to you Ray!
Good luck Ray!