2009 U.S. Chess Championship - Saturday, May 16

Doug Eckert
In one of today's 8th round games, it was Doug Eckert, rated 2278, with the black pieces up against GM Melikset Khachiyan, rated 2632. It seems to me that the GM simply miscalculated with 24.Nxd6. Here's the game:



Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the tournament has been the outstanding play of 17-year-old Robert Hess, who heads into the final round in a tie for first place with Hikaru Nakamura. Here is Hess' 8th round victory over Yury Shulman, defending U.S. Champion:



Robert Hess; Photo: Betsy Dynako, Official Event Photographer
Hikaru Nakamura; Photo: Betsy Dynako