This event in Chicago has seven of its nine rounds in the books. It's an IM norm tournament that is mostly of interest because Ray Robson, who just turned 13 a week ago, is still in the hunt for a norm. He just needs to score one point from his final two games. IM Dave "fluffy" Vigorito has dominated the event and has 6/7, a half-point ahead of Robson. They meet in today's 8th round and the 9th round is played later in the day. Incredibly, Robson's 7th-round win over IM Angelo Young came on a cell-phone forfeit on move 13. According to organizer Sevan Muradian this won't ruin Robson's norm since it took place over the board. In 2003 Dominguez and Ponomariov both lost games this way.
No matter what happens with him here or in the future, Robson has a place in my heart for his startling result at Foxwoods this year. All nine of his games were decisive -- with eight wins by black, including seven in a row! (He scored 5/9.)
Update: Robson not only got his first IM norm, but he beat Vigorito and took clear first in the tournament with 7/9.
Can someone explain what is meant by "a cell-phone forfeit?"
I believe FIDE rules require that all cell phones by absent from the board or turned off. If a cell phone rings during play, the player can be forfeited for that game. Not knowing specifically what happened in Chicago, I can only speculate that Young's phone wasn't turned off.
I like that rule. It may be harsh, but some poeple have to have manners pounded into them.
Robson has beaten Vigorito in round 8.
Good job for Ray!!! Organizer Sevan finally did not cancel his event, perhaps he would start a streak?
Minek
That Robson was fun to watch...the way he put the beatdown on Viggorito in a must win was great. Now with Naka there are two prodigys in US
Only two prodigies? For starters, I don't think Hikaru Nakamura would consider Ray Robson in the same category as himself, at least not yet. But why stop the comparisons at Robson? Even Nakamura's record as youngest USCF master is now in serious jeopardy thanks to the quiet work of Nicholas Nip, rated 2101 at age 9 1/2.
How old is Parker Zhao? (I oughta know this, but don't.) And, fyi, Hess was already a full-fledged IM at 14...easy to overlook because he's so tall, people probably assumed they were playing a 15-year old when he was really 11 or 12.
it's hard not to root for Robson. I was really pulling for him in the tournament, although I would rather have not lost to him. I did not feel too bad though, as I wasn't really playing for anything other than bragging rights. I thought I would surprise him with the crappy Lowenthal variation, which I had never played (with good reason!). I had just done a lecture on it for chesslecture.com. after I resigned, he promptly told me he was well aware of the lectures I did. oops!
Robson is a really good kid (a real testament to his parents, imo) and he plays real chess. he is no one-trick tactical pony. I'd bet he scores a GM norm before he even gets his IM title.