GM Julio Becerra of Miami, a 2-time participant of the SPICE Cup, has confirmed his participation in the 2010 SPICE Spring Invitational. In the 2008 SPICE Cup, GM Becerra finished just 1/2 point behind GMs Harikrishna, Onischuk, Akobian, and Kritz for the title.

The 2010 SPICE Spring Invitational will take place in March (13-19) at the beautiful campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. Robert Hess got his 2nd GM norm last year in this event and he went on to become a GM shortly after that, along with a break through year. Who will get the GM norm(s) this year?

Confirmed players so far include:

– IM Gabor Papp (HUN) 2578 USCF – 2547 FIDE (GM norm) – Texas Tech Student
– IM Davorin Kuljasevic (CRO) 2585 USCF – 2544 FIDE (2 GM norms) – Texas Tech Student
– GM Julio Becerra (USA) 2610 USCF – 2538 FIDE (2-time participant of the SPICE Cup)
– GM Ben Finegold (USA) 2616 USCF – 2531 FIDE (earned GM title at 2009 SPICE Cup B group)
– IM Gergely Antal (HUN) 2557 USCF – 2509 FIDE (2 GM norms) – Texas Tech Student
– GM Jesse Kraai (USA) 2550 USCF – 2509 FIDE
– IM Irina Krush (USA) 2492 USCF – 2455 FIDE (GM norm – previous participant of the SPICE Cup)
– IM Dean Ippolito (USA) 2534 USCF – 2447 FIDE (Previous participant of the SPICE Cup)
– FM Eric Hansen (CAN) 2426 USCF – 2406 FIDE

The name of the final player will be confirmed shortly. GM norm is expected to be 6 points (out of 9 games) and IM norm is expected to be 4 points (out of 9 games).

https://chessdailynews.com/providing-scholarships-to-chess-players/

www.SPICE.ttu.edu

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Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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