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On the Isle of Man, Alan Merry is having the tournament of a lifetime. With one round still to play, he has already achieved his third (and final) International Master norm. He currently stands on 5/8, having played four GMs (beating two of them) and four IMs (scoring an unbeaten 3 out of 4). Every opponent has been graded over 100 points higher than him. His tournament performance rating (TPR) is currently 2586. If he wins his final round tomorrow against yet another GM, he will achieve a Grandmaster norm!
Alan's Round 7 win with Black against an Israeli IM was an amazing affair. Be sure to tune in tomorrow when the game will be published. Warning - it involves a queen sacrifice and an extraordinary final position.
Congratulations to Alan!!
ReplyDeleteSo does that mean Alan is now an IM?
Chris D
No, he needs to get his rating up to 2400. He's a long way off, at 2269 currently. But he will gain at least 60 points from this tournament.
ReplyDeleteOkay cheers, I forgot about that. I thought Alan's rating was over 2300
ReplyDeleteChris D
Congratulations Alan! Boruchovsky playing for the loss? (in his own time trouble - ...h6-h5-h4 horrible).
ReplyDeleteLooking promising for Alan's first GM norm. Three connected pawns against three unconnected ones.
ReplyDeleteall over bar the signing of the scoresheets!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I spoke too soon, but 81 g5-g6! would have killed Black off instantly
ReplyDeleteWell done Alan - your first GM norm. A TPR of 2624 and a whole stack of rating points (75?) to take his rating to about 2345. Now for 2400 and the IM title!
DeleteHe has done it!
ReplyDeleteChris D