GM section winner Julio Sadorra's 2721 tournament performance (6.5-2.5) brought him closer to his goal of playing on a high board for the Philippines at the next Olympiad. As noted in Mike Klein's article, the Philippines will have the strongest team of any island nation in the Pacific. GM Sadorra's FIDE rating will likely climb to 2594, according to Chief Tournament Director Franc Guadalupe.

Also gaining rating points was IM section winner GM Aleksandr Lenderman, for a 8.5 out of 9 score. After Guadalupe informed him that he gained 12 rating points, Lenderman exclaimed, "That's the most I've gained in 1.5 years!" 

One of the most interesting games was round 5 of the GM section, GM Yotov vs. GM Holt.

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As the game unfolded, UT Dallas Chess Coach IM Rade Milovanovic could not find its moves in his database. Milovanovic believed that Yotov played a new sacrifice idea. He suspected that Yotov could prepare thoroughly, as Holt plays the same opening every game. According to Milovanovic, Holt's attitude is:"This is what I'm playing. My preparation is better than yours."

After the tournament, Sadorra wanted Lenderman to look over the Yotov-Holt game with him. Sadorra said, "This was all preparation by Yotov, but Holt drew." Soon after they started looking, they were called to attend the post-tournament turkey dinner.

At the dinner, UT Dallas students and GMs Leonid Kritz and Nadezhda Kosintseva told me that their baby is due January 8, 2014. Also on the horizon is the Pan American Intercollegiate Team Chess Tournament, December 27-30 at Texas Tech University. UT Dallas Chess Program Director Jim Stallings pronounced the UT Dallas GM Invitational a success, as it prepared players for the Pan Am. Stallings plans to send four teams to the Pan Am.

Dr. Alexey Root teaches Chess Online courses, available worldwide via UT Dallas eLearning. You can also find her books at USCF Sales. Alexey will also be reporting on the event for Chess Life Magazine.