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In a positive break from tradition, this year’s Las Vegas National Open (June 12 – 16) was a nine-round norm tournament, instead of six rounds. Reigning World Open champion Illya Nyzhnyk took home the Edmonson Cup with 7 points, half a point ahead of eight GMs who snapped at his heels. Although Nyzhnyk sometimes, in his own words, “felt so terrible” about his play (such as in his game against me), his consistent performance and last round victory against "Blindfold King" Gareyev made up for it all.
Ruifeng Li vs Illya Nyzhnyk | Photo: Rachael Li
Gareyev is ready for a long, long game | Photo: Rachael Li
This year’s main event was remarkably strong; out of 108 players, nearly thirty GMs were in attendance. Former National Open winners Ioan Chirila and I were among the hopefuls, but we faced severe difficulties against the second and first seeds respectively.
Chirila vs Kovalenko | Photo: Rachael Li
In the middle of the event, however, it was well-known chess personality Alejandro Ramirez who took the sole lead. This he accomplished by a sweet win over FM Aleksey Sorokin who, with an Elo of 2536, is surely the strongest FM in the world!
Ramirez vs Sorokin | Photo: Rachael Li
Unfortunately for the American grandmaster, he then encountered tough resistance in the forms of Igor Kovalenko and Hovhannes Gabuzyan. Despite being up an exchange in both games, positional draws were almost inevitable, and the top spot was again up for grabs.
Speaking of exchanges, this fellow Gabuzyan seems to sacrifice rooks for breakfast. My brain tells me that aside from his game against Ramirez, he did so in both the first round and the penultimate. In the last round, however, Gabuzyan played ultra-solidly against the ultra-solid Lazaro Bruzon, ending in an ultra-solid draw. Aside from Nyzhnyk vs. Gareyev, all the other top games ended in truces as well, enabling Nyzhnyk to climb decisively above his competitors.
A special mention should be made for the participation of the legendary IM Anthony Saidy, who is famous for having been Bobby Fischer’s close friend and confidante. But at the grand old age of 82, Saidy also took down GM Vladimir Belous in round three.
Dr. Saidy getting ready to trounce his formidable opponent. | Photo: Rachael Li
