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Chess Life Magazine 2014 September GM Conrad Holt Wins US Open Title
Chess Life Magazine 2014 September GM Conrad Holt Wins US Open Title | GM Conrad Holt Wins US Open Title |
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| August 3, 2014 | |
GM Conrad Holt, Photo by Chris Oquendo /MyChessPhotos.com
Also tied with 7.5/9 points were GMs Alexander Shabalov, Illia Nyzhnyk, Giorgi Margvelashvili and Fidel Corrales Jiminez. Shabalov and Margvelashvili won their ninth round games to enter the winner's circle. 7496 7495 See full standings here. 
The final round, Photo by Chris Oquendo /MyChessPhotos.com
Conrad, who played the four game schedule, said that his most interesting games were the final two rounds. Against IM John Bryant, he won with some nice tactics starting on move 22, but as Holt explained, "the position was tough for Bryant regardless." 7487 In the final round he played against IM Michael Mulyar, a draw that was a precursor to their blitz playoff game. After the game Mulyar showed Holt an improvement over 25..Nc4, 25...Ng6. "If 26.Qf3 Nxf4 and he can't capture on c3 because of ...Ne2+" 7498 
IM Mulyar v. GM Holt, Photo by Chris Oquendo /MyChessPhotos.com
7497 In the playoff, Holt decided on the line with 5.Nbd2 at the last minute-- he had passed through a Mulyar game against Nd2 in his preparation for the afternoon game. He had a sudden inspiration while a large crowd amassed to watch the game, that it was a perfect choice for the blitz. He wanted to play something that allowed for fewer tactics, so he could grind Mulyar down and make the most of his time advantage. 
Photo Janelle Losoff
Holt won the game with over two minutes on his clock. A senior at University of Texas at Dallas, Holt was thrilled to win the US Championship spot, and had only positive words to say about the playing site in Orlando. "My goal is to make 2600 by the time I graduate." Find more games on Monroi and full standings at the US Open website. |