The United States Chess Federation

Moscow Update

By Jennifer Shahade
February 8, 2008
Kaidanov and Friedel. Photo Gerald Morton. After six rounds in the Moscow Open (Feb.2-10), GM Gregory Kaidanov has 3.5, IM Josh Friedel has 3 and IM David Pruess has 2. Irina Krush is a point behind first place in the women's event, with 4.5/6. Josh Friedel will blog about Moscow in his popular "Diary of a Samford Scholar" series. Here is one of Josh's wins from the event: 1620 Gregory Kaidanov reached the following position against GM Andrey Gutov. Can you see what he played? Position after 25...Qd2 Show Solution Solution Gregory played Rxd7! and Black resigned immediately because Rxd7 fails to Qxa8. White is up a pawn and dominating in all lines. (Hide Solution) With three rounds to go, Irina is in striking distance of the top spot. Here, she won easily against the Benko Gambit: 1616 Irina playing in the women's section at the ladies section of the Moscow Open. Photo Gerald Morton. Here are two games from Samford Scholar IM David Pruess, one a rapid victory on the Whote side of the Sicilian, and the other a positional loss to the famous trainer, GM Yuri Yakovich 1617 1618