GM Chao Li from China continues his acclimation to the U.S., topping off his third-place finish in super-strong North American Open in Las Vegas last month with a convincing clear victory in the Boston Chess Congress this past weekend.  Chao finished the tournament a point ahead of the field, defeating IMs Jonathan Yedidia and Mark Esserman, then downing Denys Shmelov, before drawing with GM Alexander Ivanov, turning in a powerful 2829 tournament performance en route to his $1,067 prize for finishing in Clear First in Premier Section.

The tournament winner graciously annotated his second-round victory over IM Jonathan Yedidia.

6642 

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 e6 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Nge2 dxe4 6.fxe4 e5 7.Be3 Qh4+ 8.Ng3 Nf6 9.Bd3 Ng4 10.Qd2 exd4?! 

10...Nxe3 11.Qxe3 Nd7! 12.0–0–0?! (12.0–0?? exd4 13.Qxd4 Bc5–+) 12...Bxc3 13.bxc3 Qe7

11.Bxd4 0–0 12.Qf4! 

12.0–0–0 c5

12...Rd8 

12...c5 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.h3÷ 

13.Bc4! Be6 14.0–0–0! Bxc4?! 15.Nf5 Qh5 16.h3 Nh6

17.g4? 

17.Nxg7! Qg6 18.Nf5!!+– says the computer :) 

17...Qg6?? 

17...Nxf5 18.gxh5 Nxd4 19.h6!±

18.Bc5!+– Rxd1+ 19.Rxd1 Qf6 20.Nxh6+ 1–0

Ivanov and Shmelov tied for 2nd with 3½, while WGM Nazi Paikidze finished in fourth at 3-1.

    

The Boston Chess Congress drew 170 entries and an additional 8 re-entries, spread out in eight separate sections.  One common thread among virtually all the players was the universal approval of the service given by the Hyatt Harborside Hotel at Boston's Logan Airport.  The complimentary coffee service provided for all the players all day throughout the weekend, free parking for all players and free wi-fi were welcome gifts for the players.  

But perhaps the most startling and talked-about of the special offerings the hotel made to the tournament players was the absolutely scrumptious selection of cash food sales.  Not your typical hotel food concession, the Hotel Chef himself doted on the players with a fresh soup and salad bar, freshly made sandwiches, delicious homemade chocolate-chip cookies for only $1, not to mention full-size, homemade calzone's throughout the weekend!   During the Boston Congress, the fork truly became the chess players' most welcome tool, both on and off the chess board.

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