The norm chase is still on for IM Gergely Antal and FM Eric Hansen. Unfortunately, they will have to cross a monumental hurdle to make it happen. Hansen has to beat GM Becerra with Black to earn his final IM norm and Antal has to beat GM Jesse Kraai with Black to earn his final GM title.
Darwin Yang had already earned his first IM norm yesterday. With the loss today, both Ippolito and Yang are out of the running for a GM title.
Friday, March 19
10:00 am – 2:30 pm Round 9 (Please arrive by 9:45 am)
Kraai – Antal
Becerra – Hansen
Papp – Finegold
Ippolito – Kuljasevic
Yang – Krush
3:00 pm Closing ceremony
Here is the link to over 300 pictures of the SPICE Spring Invitational: http://picasaweb.google.com/SPICEChess/SPICESpringSelect
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
This is a tough tournament. Too many good players.