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.
Both were in contention for GM norms.
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. We all all behind both of you! Good luck!
NM Michael Aigner (almost FM) and qualifier for the 2007 US Championship in Stillwater, Oklahoma!
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Why is that a lucky pairing?
Lucky means getting white against someone rated high enough that a draw is sufficient to get a norm. If David’s opponent was a weaker GM or IM, he would have needed to win the final game.
How lucky! You just got paired against Kasparov 😉 Good luck with that norm.