Xiong springs to classic first

by Alex Yermolinsky
3/11/2019 – 18-year-old American GM Jeffery Xiong (pictured, left) scored a clutch last round win to avoid a play-off and take top honours in the St. Louis Spring Classic. He finished with six points from nine games, a half point more than Ukrainian GM Illya Nyzhnyk. In the parallel "B" tournament, Chinese GM Bai Jinshi (pictured, right) was clear first with the same score, despite losing his last round game! ALEX YERMOLINSKY reports on the highlights from the past ten days of chess action in the U.S. chess 'capital'. | Photos: Austin Fuller / Saint Louis Chess Club

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Xiong takes A while Bai bags B

The U.S. chess Mecca of St. Louis upheld its tradition of excellence by hosting the Spring Classic consisting of two Grandmaster tournaments, both featuring an interesting mix of players.

The “A” event boasted average rating of 2653 and it was graced by the participation of two great visitors, Vassily Ivanchuk and Rustam Kasimdzhanov. Yet, their experience failed in the face of relentless assault from the younger generation.

Ivanchuk

Ivanchuk will turn 50 next week! | Photo Austin Fuller

Ivanchuk problems started early with a loss with White to Varuzhan Akobian and it got worse, as the tournament progressed.

 

Despite this success the 24-year-old from the Netherlands finished with a slightly disappointing 4 out of 9. A similar fate awaited the pre-tournament favourite, the only 2700+ among the field, Vietnam's Le Quang Liem, who only managed a +1 score while losing some rating points.

The spotlight was captured by the inspiring play of local talent Ray Robson, Jeffery Xiong and Illya Nyzhnyk (I know the latter still represents Ukraine, but Illya has been living in the U.S. for some time already since he became a member of Webster University team, so I count him as one of ours).

One critical battle was fought in Round 2.

 

Nyzhnyk

Nyzhnyk is in his last year at Webster University | Photo: Austin Fuller

On the strength of this win Illya took an early lead, but he was unable to build on it. While a Round 6 win over Eric Hansen (a popular Canadian GM of the "ChessBrahs" fame), saw Nyzhnyk going up to +2, ultimately it proved not be enough to win the tournament.

First it was Ray who joined the leaders by prevailing in the following encounter.

 

Robson and Akobian

Robson (left) and Akobian | Photo: Austin Fuller

Varuzhan Akobian once again delighted his fans with uncompromising play, but ultimately his constant struggles with the clock caused him to finish in the bottom half of the standings.

In the same penultimate round the future winner nearly suffered a big setback.

 

It took Rustam Kasimdzhanov until the least round to notch his one and only victory in St. Louis. I can only imagine how difficult it is to combine coaching duties to a World Championship contender with his own career aspirations.

Kasimdzhanov

Kasimdzhanov seldom plays nowadays | Photo: Austin Fuller

As for Jeffery, escaping from what looked a sure defeat inspired him to fight for all the marbles in the last round money game.

 

Jeffery is only 19 and he has been through wars already. One can expect a big push form him in 2019, and what would be a better time and place for that than a week from now when St. Louis hosts another U.S. Championship? Let's keep our hopes high not only for Jeffery but also for Ray and Varuzhan, along with Sam Sevian and Alex Lenderman, who are defending the U.S. colours at the World Teams in Astana, and Awonder Liang and Timur Gareyev, who are resting at home (or possibly jumping out of aeroplanes). There will be some big scalps to be taken at the Championship. Go get 'em, boys!

Final standings — Group A

 

All games — Group A

 

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Saint Louis Chess Club YouTube channel


Bai navigates B

To conclude my report I'd like to say a few words about the “B” tournament. There wasn't much of an intrigue involved in determining a winner of the event. The 20-year old Bai Jinshi from China is accustomed to playing in the United States, and he sailed smoothly through the field by using his comprehensive opening preparation combined with competent positional play. Most of his victories were achieved in deep endgame.

I was delighted to see a familiar name there, my old friend and teammate Greg Kaidanov received a rare invitation to play in a closed event.

As the following game demonstrates Greg did not exactly embarrass himself in St. Louis.

 

Click or tap the second game to switch

Kaidanov

"Greg parties like it's the 1984 USSR Young Masters in Vilnius all over again!"

Congratulations to all participants and big thank to St. Louis Chess Club for making these events possible!

Final standings — Group B

 

All games — Group B

 

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Yermo is enjoying his fifties. Lives in South Dakota, 600 miles way from the nearest grandmaster. Between his chess work online he plays snooker and spends time outdoors - happy as a clam.

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