IM Reiner Gonzalez (left) and GM Atanas Kolev face off in round 5. Photo Jennifer Shahade

by Jennifer Shahade

After four rounds of the National Open (June 7-11, Las Vegas) only two players have a perfect 4-0 score: IM Reiner Gonzalez from Miami and GM Atanas Kolev from Bulgaria.

In round 4, Josh Friedel fought very hard against Atanas Kolev from a worse endgame but Kolev finally got the better of him.

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Gonzalez defeated the Georgian GM Merab Gagunashvili in an endgame that at first seemed very even. However, once the bishops were traded, and Reiner secured the d4 square, he had a winning edge.

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Viktor Korchnoi recovered after his first round accident and has 3.5/4. In round he dispatched GM Dashzegve Sharavdorj with impressive isolated queen pawn play.

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U.S. Champion Alexander Shabalov faltered with his pet Sveshnikov in round three against Melikset Khachiyan. The friendly Aremenian-born Californian showed how to use a queen to dominate two rooks.

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National Open Standings after four rounds

1-2. Atanas Kolev and Reiner Gonzalez- 4.0
3-Viktor Korchnoi Hikaru Nakamura, Sergey Erenburg, Enrico Sevillano, Meliksey Khachiyan, Dmitry Gurevich, Julio Becerra, Gregory Serper- 3.5