Round 1 Pairings at the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship
This year's U.S. Chess Championship opens today at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis and continues until the 17th May. 24 qualified players (list and criteria here) will compete throughout 9-rounds swiss tournament for a $135,400 guaranteed prize pool. In addition, there is a $64,000 Fischer Sweep prize for anyone who can repeat Bobby Fischer's 1964 performance and win every game.
Live games will be available on the official website and ICC, with commentary provided by always fantastic Jennifer Shahade and GM Alex Sutovsky, Gata Kamsky's manager and trainer. Watch also Chess Life Online and ICC Blog for updates, reports and videos. GM Susan Polgar has lots of photos posted on her blog.
GM Yuri Shulman is defending the title.
Round 1, Friday, May 8, 2:00 pm
1. GM Ibragimov, Ildar (0.0) 2628 - GM Kamsky, Gata (0.0) 2798
2. GM Nakamura, Hikaru (0.0) 2757 - GM Shabalov, Alexander (0.0) 2620
3. GM Friedel, Joshua (0.0) 2568 - GM Onischuk, Alexander (0.0) 2736
4. GM Shulman, Yury (0.0) 2697 - IM Sevillano, Enrico (0.0) 2549
5. IM Hess, Robert (0.0) 2545 - GM Christiansen, Larry (0.0) 2681
6. GM Becerra, Julio (0.0) 2672 - IM Robson, Ray (0.0) 2542
7. IM Zatonskih, Anna (0.0) 2503 - GM Akobian, Varuzhan (0.0) 2664
8. GM Kaidanov, Gregory (0.0) 2662 - IM Krush, Irina (0.0) 2496
9. IM Shankland, Samuel (0.0) 2464 - GM Benjamin, Joel (0.0) 2650
10. GM Ehlvest, Jaan (0.0) 2649 - IM Brooks, Michael (0.0) 2419
11. Lawton, Charles (0.0) 2350 - GM Khachiyan, Melikset (0.0) 2632
12. GM Gulko, Boris (0.0) 2631 - Hughes, Tyler (0.0) 2293
(Article: http://tournaments.chessdom.com/us-chess-championship-2009/round-1-pairings)
