[imagefield_assist|fid=11260|preset=fullsize|title=GMs Gata Kamsky, Yury Shulman, Alex Onischuk and Robert Hess talk shop over dinner.|desc=|link=none|origsize=|align=center|width=640|height=427]
By Tony Rich
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I arrived at the 2011 Las Vegas Chess Festival in the usual way, a few days early, so I could ... Oh wait, I just remembered the title of this article!
What was I saying? Oh yeah ... chess! The Chess Festival is just that. The event consists of a big tournament (National Open), a chess camp (I was one of the four GM teachers, with over 35 students!), a ten-minute tournament, a five-minute tournament, and lots of lectures and simuls.
[imagefield_assist|fid=10649|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=GM Boris Gelfand will challenge GM Viswanathan Anand for the World Championship title next year.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=467]SPECIAL ALERT - GM Boris Gelfand will present a special lecture at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center on Sunday, July 17. Gelfand will go over some of the games from the recent Candidate's Matches. His superb performance at the Candidate's Matches a few months ago earned him the right to challenge GM Viswanathan Anand for the title of World Champion.
[imagefield_assist|fid=10647|preset=fullsize|title=The competition at the Chicago Open proved just enough to deny GM Ben Finegold prize money this year.|desc=|link=none|origsize=|align=left|width=700|height=585]
Vergilesov & Eckert took a quick draw, leaving the door open for Josh Frank to join them in first place after his win over Jim McLaughlin. Margaret Hua defeated her former teacher Joe Garnier! Way to go Margaret! She joins Spencer Finegold fourth place with 3/4.
Matt Larson was able to complete a perfect tournament, and will take clear first with 4/4. Congratulations Matt! Second place is shared four ways, between Katurah Gadson, Daniel Thurber, Haozhe Wang, and Marek Ziolkowski.
[imagefield_assist|fid=10589|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=The Saturday WOW brought out more than 20 players who were tournament rookies.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=464]
Overall Winner: Steve Bange 4/4
U1800: Jacob Wilkins 4/4
U1400: Jacinda Lee 3/4
Biggest Upset: Jacinda Lee, 571 pts
Youngest Player with a Win: Ronan Townes, 6yo
[imagefield_assist|fid=10553|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=Youth trumped experience last month as GM Ray Robson defeated GM Ben Finegold 6-4 in Saint Louis.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=464]
I am going to write a long three-part blog for my readers who missed me this Spring. I was quite busy with the following:
Part 1 - Match with Ray Robson
Part 2 - Chicago Open
Part 3 - National Open
[imagefield_assist|fid=10540|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=NM Gregory Young sits with GM Ben Finegold after his round two victory over FM John Bryant.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=467]
By Ken West
Gregory Young is the 2011 U.S. Junior Champion, taking the title with a win Friday before the final round of play even began.
[imagefield_assist|fid=10513|preset=fullsize|title=Gregory Young, right, solidified his place at the top of the leaderboard at the U.S. Junior Championship.|desc=|link=none|origsize=|align=left|width=700|height=467]By Ken West
SAINT LOUIS, June 24, 2011 -- With just two rounds remaining, Gregory Young stands alone at the top of the crosstables with a score of 6/7 in the U.S. Junior Closed Championship at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.
[imagefield_assist|fid=10501|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=After a round 6 draw, IM Daniel Naroditsky was unable to keep pace with tourney leader NM Gregory Young.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=467]By Ken West
SAINT LOUIS, June 23, 2011 -- Alec Getz pushed d5 in response to John Bryant’s e4 and went on to win his fourth point Wednesday to move into third at the U.S. Junior Closed Championship at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.
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