Sunday, December 9th, 2007
Ray Robson 4/4 in UTD GM Invitational Tournament
Junior chess player Ray Robson started the UTD GM Invitational Tournament off with a BANG, with 2 wins over GMs and 2 wins over strong IMs. If he can continue this pace, he should have no problems achieving a GM Norm (IM Norm is almost a given at this point) Here is the Robson “Hit List” so far:
Round 1: IM Dmitry Schneider 2521 USCF 2502 FIDE
Round 2: GM Magesh Panchanathan 2560 USCF 2500 FIDE
Round 3: GM Jun Zhao 2552 FIDE
Round 4: IM Drasko Boskovic 2520 USCF 2465 FIDE
Ray is by far the most talented junior in the United States at the moment. I had the opportunity to watch him play at the Foxwoods Open and New England Masters, and boy was I impressed! His 2nd round win at the 2007 Foxwoods Open over GM Pavel Blatny on the white side of the Hippo Defense really stuck with me. Robson just totally dismantled Blatny, making him look like an idiot. At the same time, I was on the board next to Ray getting dismantled myself, against US Women’s Champion Irina Krush.
All the games from the UTD Invitational Tournament can be viewed on Monroi.com, here are the complete standings so far:
1 FM Ray Robson 2368 USA 4.0
2 GM Alejandro Ramirez 2505 CRC 3.5
3 IM Davorin Kuljasevic 2464 CRO 3.0
4 GM Zviad Izoria 2643 GEO 3.0
5 IM Jacek Stopa 2410 POL 2.5
6 IM John Bartholomew 2435 USA 2.0
7 GM Jun Zhao 2552 CHN 1.5
8 IM Salvijus Bercys 2418 USA 1.5
9 IM Dmitry Schneider 2502 USA 1.5
10 WGM Chunhong Ning 2354 CHN 0.5
11 IM Drasko Boskovic 2465 SRB 0.5
12 GM Magesh Panchanathan 2500 IND 0.5
Braden, Thanks for visiting my site.
I remember you at some of the “NE Getaway” events. I also recall your “crazy” time… I never passed judgement. I liked teh hummer though
I knew you needed to explore your own path. Hopefully it wasn’t too damaging.
I like the GM perspective on you sight. Now that the dust has settled.. do you think you’ll make the push for GM your self?
Posted by: Blunderprone at December 10th, 2007 at 11:10 pmHey Blunderprone,
Hehe thanks for not passing judgement on me.. Those indeed were some crazy days :).
Well first things first, I need to make a push for IM :). I am pretty close right now strength wise, but norms can be tough in this country. I’ve considered going to Europe or Budapest, but I really need to get my openings together before I do that.
By the way, I just added your site to my blogroll. Keep up the great blogging!
Posted by: Braden Bournival at December 11th, 2007 at 1:59 amrobson sucks bad baaaaa krasik.
Posted by: carokannexchagevarrioation at December 13th, 2007 at 3:59 pmKeep up the good work!
Posted by: Moes at December 27th, 2007 at 10:08 pm