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Chess Life Online 2011 August The US Chess Scoop on the Philadelphia Open
Chess Life Online 2011 August The US Chess Scoop on the Philadelphia Open | The US Chess Scoop on the Philadelphia Open |
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| By The US Chess Scoop | |
| April 23, 2011 | |
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With two rounds to go, GM Tamaz Gelashvili of Georgia leads the Philadelphia Open with 6/7. Among the players just behind at 5.5/7 is the young Luke Harmon-Velotti. TD Boyd Reed told CLO, "With wins over GM Nick de Firmian and GM Mikheil Kekelidze, draws against IM Jacek Stopa and IM Marc Arnold, and a guaranteed GM pairing in round 8, Luke appears to be assured of at least an IM norm - with two rounds to go." The US Chess Scoop talked to several young players on the scene including Alex Barnett, Alena Kats and IMs John Bartholomew and Farai Mandizha. IM John Bartholomew refers to his draw against Conrad Holt: 5496 Meanwhile, one of tournament leader Gelashvili's key victories was in the fifth round over GM Eugene Perelshteyn. 5495 Here is one of young Luke's GM scalps: 5497 Watch live games on Monroi.com and find updated results and pairings on philadelphiaopen.net. Also look for a recap by Jamaal Abdul-Alim upon the event's conclusion. Also look for an extended interview next week with author Dr. Frank Brady who just received the Cramer Award for excellence in chess journalism. |