The drawing of lots process took place today at the Texas Tech International Cultural Center. U.S. Ambassador Dr. Tibor Nagy drew the names of the players of both SPICE Cup A and B group.
Here is the order:
B Group
1. IM Irina Krush (2490 – USA) 2010 U.S. Women’s Champion
2. GM Andre Diamant (2498 – Brazil) Texas Tech Knight Raiders
3. GM Davorin Kuljasevic (2555 – Croatia) Texas Tech Knight Raiders
4. FM Darwin Yang (2402 – USA) One of the most talented young players in the U.S.
5. IM Daniel Rensch (2404 – USA) Prominent chess coach
6. IM Dean Ippolito (2469 – USA) Prominent chess coach
7. GM Gergely Antal (2526 – HUN) Texas Tech Knight Raiders
8. GM Anatoly Bykhovsky (2497 – Israel) Texas Tech Knight Raiders
9. GM Ben Finegold (2534 – USA) 2009 SPICE Cup B group co-champion
10. IM Bryan Smith (2478 – USA) Professional chess player
A Group
1. GM Ray Robson (USA) 2539 (Youngest American GM)
2. GM Zoltan Almasi (HUN) 2707 (#1 in Hungary on the current LIVE rating list)
3. GM Wesley So (Philippines) 2668 (#1 in the Philippines)
4. GM Alexander Onischuk (USA) 2688 (#3 in the U.S., former U.S. #1 and Champion)
5. GM Eugene Perelshteyn (USA) 2528 (winner of 2007 SPICE Cup)
6. GM Georg Meier (Germany) 2659 (#2 in Germany)
Go Irina!
Go Amb. Nagy!