Author: Ken West, CCSCSL Championship Blogger 


Follow Chess.FM updates by Emil Sutovsky & Jennifer Shahade

The young players, Hess and Friedel, are getting high praise from Sutovsky in the analysis room. 

Sutovsky, in analyzing the Nakamura-Hess game, likes the way Hess is playing although there is a lot of game left. In speaking about Friedel, Sutovsky said he did not know what Friedel’s objectives were coming into the tournament, but after a Saturday win over Kaidanov with the white pieces and his play today against former US champion Joel Benjamin, he should focus on the real possibility he could win this tourney. Sutovsky noted there is still a lot of play in that game, but he has liked the opening preparation shown by Friedel. Sutovsky also praised the two youngsters for being composed and not overwhelmed by the fact that they are playing in the US championship.

Shahade pointed out Friedel did well in the 2008 US championship. However, Sutovsky mentioned there were only six or seven grandmasters rated over 2600 that year compared with 14 rated over 2600 this year.

Charles Lawton is playing Shabalov and Lawton would have some problems with his king stuck in the center, Sutovsky said. Lawton apparently sac’ed the exchange for the attack. Sutovsky preferred Shabalov’s position at that time.

And the word on Twitter from @chesscoach is that there is chaos on board two. A quick look shows doubled c pawns--are they passers?

Now to go up and observe the players as well as listen to more analysis from the next room.