Webster University and the Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE) have organized the category-18 SPICE Cup Invitational 2012 on 12-21st October, at the Webster’s home campus in Saint Louis.
Six players competed in the double round robin tournament. This was the highest-rated chess tournament of its kind in U.S. history.
Former World Junior Champion and French top player Maxime Vachier-Lagrave took a clear first place with 6.0/10 points. Vachier-Lagrave could hardly wish a better present on his 22nd birthday.
Last year SPICE Cup winner Le Quang Liem and three-time champion of China Ding Liren shared the second place with 5,5 points each.
Vachier-Lagrave commented on Twitter: “I finally won the SPICE Cup. Pretty happy with my overall performance, I had a little bit of luck in some games, was pressing in others. My performance in the second half of the tournament was much more convincing, even though my only win happened in the game I was in danger.”
Replay the games with computer analysis
Final standings:
1. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave – 6.0
2-3. Le Quang Liem, Ding Liren – 5.5
4. Wesley So – 5.0
5-6. Csaba Balogh, Georg Meier – 4.0
Alongside the SPICE Cup Invitational, the SPICE Cup Open took place on 16-20th October at the Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel. GM Ray Robson, member of the USA national team, took a clear first place with 7 points.
SPICE Cup photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/116302832360230031699/2012SPICECup
Nice comeback by MVL.
liem did not win but hes best player of tournament for me. had sharp but never bad position in all games. lagrave had bad positions with liem and so but congrat to him.