 The Results Are In!
The results are in from the United States Chess Federation, and, as predicted in these pages, IM Alex Lenderman triumphed over his rival GM Sergey Kudrin. That means Lenderman will receive the grand cash prize of $5000. Kudrin will have to settle for the (still generous) $2500 second-place prize. In third place was GM Alexander Ivanov, who topped the leader's board as recently as the October Chess Life Standings.
|
|
Name |
State |
GP Pts. |
1 |
IM |
Alex Lenderman |
NY |
298.517 |
2 |
GM |
Sergey Kudrin |
CT |
287.282 |
3 |
GM |
Alexander Ivanov |
MA |
247.014 |
Places 1-10 receive cash prizes, and you can visit the Grand Prix Headlines 2008 page to discover how much each of the winners will receive. In addition, we have the results for the Age Category sections, along with the merchandise prizes that the winners will receive.
First USCF Quick-Rated Online Event of the Year!
Those of you who are regular readers of the WCL Newsletter know how much I've been promoting the Thursday USCF Quick-Rated Events. IM Alex Lenderman achieved his record-making Grand Prix success this year in part because of his excellent performances there. So, just last Thursday, Your Kindly Editor (YKE) decided to try playing in one himself! The last Thursday of the month is the "Finals" event, and its entry fee is 20 crowns as opposed to the 5-crown "Qualifier" events held at 7:00 P.M. on most Thursdays.
Having never played in a USCF-rated online event before, I have to say I didn't really know what to expect. I panicked and lost my first round quickly to FM Nick Raptis after I blundered an exchange from the Black side of the Grunfeld Defense. Things picked up for me after that, however, and I won my next consecutive four games, taking second! I narrowly avoided having to play IM Alex Lenderman, who won the event and 12 Grand Prix Points along with it. Second place was worth 8 Grand Prix Points, however. Considering that I usually win less than 25 Grand Prix Points each year, I was thankful to receive this windfall! So, I can now honestly recommend the Quick-Rated events for those looking to get in some rated chess. If your Quick Rating lags behind your USCF Regular Rating like mine does, you may come into some major points! I'm due at least a hundred or so when the tournament is rated, which usually takes place on the Monday following the tournament, I'm told.
Chess.FM Update
This Week: Attack with LarryC: "Study the Specialists!"
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