Philadelphia Open

The Philadelphia Open is in full swing (March 31st-April 4th) and the open section is norm eligible. Quite a few of US's top players are playing, Ray Robson, Jaan Ehlvest, Alexander Shabalov, Joshua Friedel, Varuzhan Akobian, and the biggest one of all, Gata Kamsky. Norms are available in the 123-player open section. Lower sections have only seven rounds.


Philadelphia now has four major tournaments, three of them norm events. The Liberty Bell (January), Philadelphia Open (April), Philadelphia International (June), World Open (July). All of that chess in one location is taking a toll on attendence, only 413 entries and re-entries (the tournament was based on 650), so it looks like CCA will be paying out the minimum 70% they advertised. In past years, the tournament had been at Foxwoods in Conneticutt, but excessive hotel prices ($179/night) forced the tournament elsewhere.