[imagefield_assist|fid=9294|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=GM Ray Robson secured the final spot to the 2011 U.S. Championship.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=464]
GM Ray Robson scored a big win last night over GM Joel Benjamin to force a tie for second place and a playoff against GM Alejandro Ramirez. The playoff, which took place at noon CDT on Wednesday, featured a two-game match, both game in 25 minutes with a five-second delay. Robson managed to hold a draw with black in the first game, then scored a victory in the final game.
GM Gregory Kaidanov secured the other available invitation with a first-place finish.
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[imagefield_assist|fid=9293|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=GM Ray Robson's only loss of the tournament came at the hands of GM Jesse Kraai in round 2. His round-nine victory over GM Joel Benjamin forces a playoff against GM Alejandro Ramirez for the final invitation to the 2011 U.S. Championship.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=463]
GM Gregory Kaidanov needed only a draw in the final round to secure his spot at the 2011 U.S. Championship. His opponent, a determined GM Jesse Kraai, launched an all-or-nothing assault in an effort to pull himself into a second-place tie. But after a 94 move marathon, Kaidanov was able to hold off the attack to gain the 1/2 point and a spot at the U.S. Championship in April.
GM Ray Robson pulled off a huge victory with black against GM Joel Benjamin to force a playoff against GM Alejandro Ramirez, who drew his final round against GM Eugene Perelshteyn. Robson and Ramirez will square off in a playoff game at noon tomorrow with the final spot at the 2011 U.S. Championship on the line.
ROUND NINE
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ROUND EIGHT
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Gregory Kaidanov continues to lead the Saint louis Invitational after seven rounds. Round eight action is underway! Follow the games live here.
ROUND SEVEN
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ROUND SIX
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[imagefield_assist|fid=9264|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=IM Michael Brooks, left, drew GM Ray Robson in round-five action yesterday.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=464]
After five rounds, GM Gregory Kaidanov remains in clear first with a score of 3.5/5. His win over FM Darwin Yang proved to be the the only decisive game in round five.
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The other four games in round five were all drawn.
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Check out this great interview with GM Jesse Kraai after his round two victory over GM Ray Robson.
Round 5 |
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| Board | White | |
Black |
| 1 | Brooks, Michael | 1/2 - 1/2 | Robson, Ray |
| 2 | Kaidanov, Gregory | 1 - 0 | Yang, Darwin |
| 3 | Benjamin, Joel | 1/2 - 1/2 | Ramirez, Alejandro |
| 4 | Kraai, Jesse | 1/2 - 1/2 | Perelshteyn, Eugene |
| 5 | Khachiyan, Melikset | 1/2 - 1/2 |
Becerra, Julio |
| Pairing | Name | FIDE Rating | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Total |
| 1 | Ramirez, Alejandro | 2584 | x | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 3 |
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| 2 | Yang, Darwin | 2421 | 1/2 | x | 1/2 |
0 | 1 | 0 |
2 | ||||
| 3 | Brooks, Michael | 2451 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
x | 1 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Kaidanov, Gregory | 2580 | 0 | 1 | x | 1 | 1/2 | 1 | 3.5 | ||||
| 5 | Benjamin, Joel | 2564 | 1/2 | x | 1 | 0 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 2.5 | ||||
| 6 | Kraai, Jesse | 2516 | 0 | x | 1 | 0 |
1/2 |
1 |
2.5 | ||||
| 7 | Khachiyan, Melikset | 2518 | 0 | 1 | 0 | x | 1/2 | 0 |
1.5 | ||||
| 8 | Becerra, Julio | 2549 | 0 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1 |
1/2 | x | 2.5 |
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| 9 | Perelshteyn, Eugene | 2533 | 0 | 1/2 | 0 | 1/2 |
1/2 | x | 1.5 | ||||
| 10 | Robson, Ray | 2532 | 1/2 | 1 |
1/2 | 0 | 1 |
x |
3 |
| Rank | Name | FIDE Rating | Points |
| 1 | Kaidanov, Gregory | 2580 | 3.5 |
| 2 | Brooks, Michael | 2451 | 3 |
| 5 | Ramirez, Alejandro | 2584 | 3 |
| 6 | Robson, Ray | 2532 | 3 |
| 8 | Becerra, Julio | 2549 | 2.5 |
| 4 | Benjamin, Joel | 2564 | 2.5 |
| 3 | Kraai, Jesse | 2516 | 2.5 |
| 7 | Yang, Darwin | 2421 | 2 |
| 9 | Khachiyan, Melikset | 2518 | 1.5 |
| 10 | Perelshteyn, Eugene | 2533 | 1.5 |
