Northern California IMs David Pruess and Josh Friedel travelled to France to play in the large Capelle la Grande tournament. This huge week-long chess event attracts dozens of Grandmasters from around Europe and the world. GM and IM norm opportunities are plentiful.
David has 5.0 out of 7, including wins against four Grandmasters! His only two defeats have comeat the hands of 2590+ rated Grandmasters. On the plus side, he defeated the Lithuanian GM Rozentalis (2582) in a mere 21 moves with black! David’s performance rating of 2677 puts him in 11th place out of 600 players, just 0.5 out of second place and a point behind the leader. A win in round 8 should guarantee David a GM norm. Even a loss combined with a win in round 9 might be enough, depending on whom he faces.
Josh has played well too and has 4.5 out of 7. His performance rating of 2577 is a little below the GM norm threshold, but two wins in the last two rounds should be sufficient for a norm. Since Josh already has two GM norms, this would be his final norm for the Grandmaster title!
http://www.cappelle-chess.com/IMG/txt/CPL07G7.txt
This was sent in by future FM Michael Aigner, qualifier of the 2007 US Championship! Thanks Michael! Keep up the great work!
I love reading Americans who kick butt in the chess world.
Pruess lost in round 8 but got a lucky pairing in round 9 (white versus GM Balogh, 2616) and needs just a draw for a GM norm. Friedel also lost and is out of contention for a norm.
NM Michael Aigner (I really wish I was FM but I’m not. Thanks for the good luck in Oklahoma because I’ll certainly need it!)