In the Arena / 3rd Washington International
Azarov Dominates D.C.
The strong field at the Washington International provided norm opportunities not generally available in the U.S., and it pays off as Samuel Sevian gets his third grandmaster norm.
By MICHAEL REGAN
section with a score of 7/9 and took home the $4,000 first place prize ahead of six players a full point behind that tied for second. FIDE norms were on the minds of sev -
T
eral of the players in the third year of this event that attracted 14 grandmasters and 15 international masters from all over the world as well as seven of the top 10 under- 21 players in the U.S., many of whom were working on earning FIDE norms. The quest for grandmaster norms was
especially exciting for 13-year-old IM Samuel Sevian (MA) and 15-year-old IM Akshat Chandra (NJ). Both started strong. After five rounds, Samuel was at +4 and Akshat was at +3. That small edge led to Samuel playing slightly higher-rated opponents in the second half of the tournament, giving him the advantage when the two, both with scores of 51
⁄2 /8,
were paired in the last round. Samuel only needed a draw to earn a grandmaster norm, while Akshat, playing black, needed a win. In the end, the game was drawn and only Samuel received a grandmaster norm (his third). Akshat would have earned his norm if the average rating of his opponents had been two points higher. Samuel (FIDE 2454) doesn’t turn 14
until December and just needs to get his rating above 2500 before he is 14 years and 10 months old to become the youngest grandmaster in U.S. history, beating out Ray Robson. He is already the youngest international master in U.S. history, earn - ing the title late last year. He earned his other two grandmaster norms this same calendar year (12th Foxwoods Open and 2014 CCSCSL Invitational GM). 14-year-old FM Kesav Viswanadha (CA)
was also able to earn an international master norm. The strength of the tourna - ment had him being paired up every
13-year-old IM Samuel Sevian will now be GM-Elect Samuel Sevian when he adds 46 rating points.
www.uschess.org 43
he Third Annual Washington International was held from August 9-14 in Rockville, Maryland. GM Sergei Azarov (BLR) won the A-
PHOTO: MICHAEL REGAN
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