Reply #1: Update (Sunday Night): Four US GMs share top spot in Philly

[Jack Rabbit]

American grandmasters Gata Kamsky, 15-year-old Ray Robson, Alex Stripunsky and Sergey Kudrin shared first place in the inaugural edition of the Philadelphia Open, completed earlier today, with 7 points each in nine rounds.

Kamsky, a former world championship contender, and Stripunsky led the tounament most of the way and entered the final round tied for first with 6½ points apiece. Kamsky drew his game with veteran GM Jaan Ehlvest while Stripunsky drew his game with former US national champion Alex Shabalov. Meanwhile, young Robson and Kudrin were among several player tied for third with 6 points each and the only two to win their games and join Kamsky and Stripunsky in first place. Robson won his game from Nick deFirmian, best known as the editor in recent years of Modern Chess Openings, now in its 15th edition, while Kudrin defeated IM Sam Shankland of Berkeley, California.

The top scoring foreigners of the tournament were Amon Simutowe of Zambia, the only grandmaster ever to hail from sub-Saharan Africa, and Mark Paragua of the Philippines. They scored 6½ points each. Iryna Zenyuk of Pennsylvania was the top scoring woman with 5½ points.

One hundred twenty-seven player took part in the Philadelphia Open.