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US Perfect in Round 2, Game 1 Print E-mail
September 14, 2015
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Nakamura vs. Phiri in round 1 of the World Cup, Photo Cathy Rogers 

The US team scored a perfect 4/5 in round two, game 1 at the World Cup in Baku. The five Americans who advanced mathematically couldn't score more than 4, because of the Nakamura-Shankland pairing, which was drawn. 

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Alexander Onischuk pulled off the upset vs Sergei Karjakin.

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Wesley So's game also featured some sparkling endgame play: 
 
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GM Fabiano Caruana also won his first game of the second round with black:

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On his facebook fan page, GM Hikaru Nakamura put his own success in perspective, stepping back to look at the international scope of the event: 

I am on to round 2 of the Fide World Cup here in Baku, Azerbaijan. So far, everything is going smoothly, but I would be remiss if I did not mention that I had the opportunity to talk to the African players Richmond Phiri (after our 2nd game) and Arthur Ssegwanyi before his 2nd game with Anish Giri.

While it is clear that the opportunities and access are far less in Africa, it is amazing to see the passion that all of these players put into playing the great game of chess and their desire to learn and improve further.

At the same time, it is also very humbling to have been blessed with such talent and fortune to be in such a position. It is important to keep things in perspective whether it comes to life or chess.


See GM Rogers in-depth report on round 1 and follow tomorrow's games live at http://bakuworldcup2015.com/en.

 
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