The 2nd annual SPICE CUP will take place on September 19-28, 2008 at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. My goal is to make this a category 14 event (perhaps even 15).
The first 3 players of the 2008 SPICE CUP are set:
1. GM Kaidanov, Gregory 2697 USCF / 2596 FIDE
2. GM Akobian, Varuzhan 2666 USCF / 2601 FIDE
3. GM Perelshteyn, Eugene 2623 USCF / 2552 FIDE (Defending Champion)
I will post the next batch of confirmed players soon.
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Akobian! Wow! He can sign my Chess Life!
Impressive field so far. Can’t wait to see the rest of the field.
This has to be the strongest international rr tournament in the us in the past 50 years.
Congratulations!! Go SPICE!!
PLEASE SOMEONE TELL ME SOLUTON: White has a king and three pawns, none of which are doubled, and Black a bare king. Find some arrangement of the forces where it’s White to move and the position is still drawn!
Glad to see GM Kaidanov playing in more tournaments now. He’s warming up for the U.S. championship, I’m sure. Great chess teacher, too. I do hope he wins the U.S. title this year.
And, this is a great tournament! Indeed, go SPICE!!
‘Great chess teacher, too. I do hope he wins the U.S. title this year.’
According to many blogs, great chess teachers can’t be champions at the same time!? Can Kaidan be an exception to the ‘rule’?
What’s a “roster”? Sounds like toaster or rooster?
It’s also well known that GM Kaidanov is one of the best chess teachers in the U.S. Many of his students (GM Maurice Ashley being just one) have went on to be masters, IM’s and GMs.
And, he has won several top tournaments both before and after comeing to the U.S. in the early 1990’s.
So, YES, it’s quite possible to be a champion and a wonderful chess teacher.
It all depends upon the individual…and GM Kaidanov is both a great teacher and very talented GM.
Susan is a champion (4 times over) and is a superb chess teacher. She teaches chess all the time to students across the nation and gives lessons on ICC.
So, YES (again) a Champion can be an excellent chess teacher.
And…there is no “Rule” that states a chess champion can’t be an excellent chess teacher. Whatever blogs you’re looking at then it’s just the opinion of the author.
Everyone has a right to their opinion. But, yes…GM Kaidanov is an exception, GM Polgar is an exception, and there are more.