Mid-America OpenMarch 15-17, 2013St. Louis, Missouri

CCA results here

USCF results here.

This was a wonderful event. Organization, direction, playing conditions, location and hotel were 2nd to none.
 
There was record participation and the strongest open ever with 7 GMs. But it was 20 year old Indian IM Priyadharshan Kannappan who stole the show with a commanding 4.5/5.0 performance besting GMs Gregory S Kaidanov & Alexander Shabalov along the way. He also earned $2436.00 for his effort. Priyadharshan plays for Lindenwood.

Kodus to FM Awonder Liang (who I predicted would make Master here, but missed it by 5pts). He overcame a tough 1st round loss to Akshay Indusekar (1973). To finish on 3 points, beating Erik F Santarius along the way. He also tied for U2200 money winning $541.34.

 This was from the tense draw against GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez in round 4

GM Alexander Shabalov could not avoid defeat in the last round from this QGA position.

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 Alexander Velikanov vs GM Denes Boros Rnd. 5 (0-1)

Nolan R Hendrickson vs GM Gregory S Kaidanov Rnd. 5 (0-1)

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I had a forgettable 1-2=1 performance in the U2000 section To be frank I deserved to lose more than 20 points, because I played like a chump!