A big week in chess! Biel just ended in dramatic fashion. Carlsen stumbled when he pushed too hard against Dominguez and lost. When it looked like Dominguez was about to wrap up the tournament, he lost to Bacrot in the last round then Alekseev in the playoff.
Humpy Koneru started out with a stunning 0-2 at North Urals Cup while Stefanova was on fire. Humpy is back to even score and Stefanova just lost her first game. Anything can happen in the final round.
The Sochi Grand Prix is in the third round. When it looks like Kamsky is about to beat Cheparinov to lead with 2.5 points in 3 games, he blundered and is about to lose.
The Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls just finished yesterday with Courtney Jamison crowned Champion. Over $150,000 in scholarship and prizes were awarded in this event in addition to $25,000 budgeted for housing, meals, and organizational cost.
It’s Saturday Open Forum. What would you like to discuss?
Good job on a well run event at the Susan Polgar National Invitational. I appreciate the courtesy you extended to my family as well as all the other families. Thank you for being inclusive instead of exclusive. We are proud of your achievements. You have given so many girls a vision of achievement in a world that is murky with chess politics and negativisms. Keep up the good work! Is it true that courtney will attend Texas Tech?
A.Munoz
I hope Claudia Munoz was not expecting to win this event: it wasn’t a reasonable aim.
She beat her rating by 15 and got a good draw against Nisha. That’s progress! Well done.
“Is it true that courtney will attend Texas Tech?”
Yes.
“I hope Claudia Munoz was not expecting to win this event: it wasn’t a reasonable aim.”
She is just 10 years old! When she is 15, she will be stronger than any player who attended the SPNI.
Only imbeciles and dullards are threatened by a 10 year old girl.
GM Polgar knows very well about this as she was a holy terror to chess players when she was 10.
Go Elizabeth!
anon 12:33
You are sureee right! that was a good draw!! against the person the person that one the scholarship to texas tech, high school senior against a 10 year old, what does that make her a 4th grader? whe you try to belittle someone anon, you just make them shine brighter. i dont know this claudia girl but i tend to agree, 10 years old.
hey a big applause for annie wang!!! man she is small! Go annie!!
dont ever tell a person that it’s not a “reasonable aim” to win something in the blog of a grandmaster that has shredded that statement to bits by beating men. Of course if your sam sloan you sure are welcome to act all ignorant. Stop hating and start relating!
I’m out of here.
Two contributors have managed to misinterpret my comments about the achievements of C Munoz.
Far from belittling them, I have emphasised them because – surprisingly – they have been no credit on the blog written by her father.
And his blog is a blog that sets new standards in positivity, and would regard a glass half-full as … well, full.
I am concerned that nothing short of winning the tournament would be regarded as a result by el Munoz. His blog is a tough school: wins earn photographs, losses earn text about basketball.
C Munoz is indeed remarkable, and if she isn’t crushed by the weight of parental ambition, I’m sure she will be extraordinary when she is older. May she not regret the digital footprint her father is creating of her.
So, to repeat, she beat her rating and clocked a notable draw. Both things to be proud of, so let’s be reasonable and admit that …
While everyone could theoretically win the SPNI, none of us would have bet on 90% of the field winning.
I once had a parent in the back of my car, chastising their child because we were stopped at a red traffic light. “David: you are not thinking positively!”
There are parents out there who really screw up their children. Philip Larkin put it precisely in his poem ‘This Be the Verse’.
So let’s keep it real, and give praise for whatever achievements are achieved.
Dear Susan:
Thanks and congrats for a well-run event. For those wanting to plan ahead, do you know when next year’s SPNI for girls will be held?
Susan told me that it would be around the same time next year except that it would start on a Monday as requested by many parents instead of Sundah.
Anon 3:36,
Unless you are GM Polgar herself, you have no business giving analysis or praise for chess achievements or what ever. This blog is for the building up of chess and young people. Your black and white analysis is good for adults but not children. You lack a Grand Master’s touch and a woman’s sensibility. Move on.