The United States Chess Federation - Chirila & Onischuk Lead in Dallas

Chirila & Onischuk Lead in Dallas

By James Stallings
December 19, 2011
IM Puchen Wang and GM Cristian Chirilia The University of Texas at Dallas Invitational is currently underway (December 15-20). Thus far, the big story of the tournament is GM Cristian Chirila's excellent run, starting with four wins and one draw. 6039 The “Alexander Onschuk Express” also had an early sprint, reeling off three quick wins - befitting his #1 seed status. Then, the local resistance stiffened; and, GM Onischuk was held to draws by IM Hansen and GM Yotov. 6040 Perhaps, the UT Dallas team members were beginning to shift gears from final exams, which they had just completed, to competitive chess again. Of course, that is the purpose of the annual event: to ready the team for the Pan-American intercollegiate to be held December 27-30 each year. Of the first 25 games played, there have been 19 wins and 6 draws. 76% wins are what we call fighting chess! It will take 6 points for a GM norm; IM Milos Pavlovic with 3 points is still in the hunt for his 3rd norm. He lost a heartbreaker on time last time to IM Eric Hansen on move 80 after finally getting to a drawn position. All games may be replayed at Mon Roi. I Ms Eric Hansen (3.0) and Conrad Holt (3.0) also have chances for a norm but it is very challenging. Watch the moves online at the Mon Roi website or at the Internet Chess Club (ICC) website. A 3-0-1 scoring system for wins-losses-draws will be used to determine the first place winner of the trophy.