I truly wanted to report about this event as I could not remember a representative to the Denker Tournament from the West end of TN. I thought it an honor for Graham.
However, I could not predict the outcome of this tournament, anymore than anyone else. So, for those who want to send in hate filled post I would say look in the mirror. I for one recognize that NO ONE can have a perfect tournament all the time. There are many things that may affect the outcome, travel, not feeling well, etc. I was not judging his play, have made no disparaging remarks about Graham or his results.
I believe the honor is his for receiving the opportunity to play in an exclusive tournament and I do not judge his result as some apparently do, seemingly embarrassed by his representation of their club and the entire state of TN in this tournament as being shown by their lashing out.
In closing, I would encourage those who have sent in unpublished comments (which will remain so) to look in their own mirrors.
I believe Graham deserves more credit than his fellow club members are allowing him, and all the while considering themselves his "friend".
Below is the tournament game schedule:
Playing Schedule
The Opening Ceremony and 6-round Swiss will consist of the following dates and times:
■Opening Ceremony-4 PM Saturday, July 30, 2011 (REQUIRED ATTENDANCE AND CHECK-IN). All participants are required to attend for awarding of Medallions, introduction of dignitaries and photo session.
■Round 1-Saturday, July 30, 2011. Same time as evening round of the US Open.
■Round 2-Sunday, July 31, 2011-12:30 PM, Round 3-Same starting time as evening round of the US Open.
■Round 4-Monday, August 1, 2011- 12:30 PM. Round 5-Same starting time as evening round of the US Open.
■Round 6-Tuesday, August 2, 2011- 11 AM, Denker Awards Ceremony-4 PM.
'In round 1, the U.S. was slated to play Russia. Players waited with bated breath the morning of round 1 to see who they would play. Since each team comes with one alternate player, it isn't clear until the day of each round what lineup a county will put forth. Russia, fielding the strongest team in the event, decided to play GM Sergey Karjakin (2788), GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2711), GM Peter Svidler (2739) and GM Nikita Vitiugov (2733) - resting GM Alexander Grischuk (2746). The Americans in turn posted GM Gata Kamsky (2741), GM Alex Onischuk (2675), GM Yury Shulman (2617) and GM Robert Hess (2609) for their roster, while GM Yasser Seirawan rested. When asked what he thought of the Russian lineup, GM Hess said, "This is a really tough event, especially since we have to play Russia and Armenia (two of the strongest teams in the event) in the first two rounds. However, we came to play, so let's bring the battle to them."
Hess went on to describe the differences in training amongst the countries represented. "I do wish we had more time to prepare as a group. I mean, everyone has spent a lot of time preparing individually before we came, but preparing as a group is different. Armenia had a two week training camp before arriving, and the Russians had at least a week. In team events it's really important that everyone comes together and performs as a single unit. We (the Americans) really get along well, so let's see how that pays off."'
