2009 SPICE Spring International Invitational

The 2009 SSII has begun at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. While there are no chess femmes playing in this new event, I am following the action because it gives an opportunity for promising young American players to earn GM norms against experienced international GMs. IM Ray Robson played back to back in the super-tough Moscow Open and Aeroflot Open events in February and is gunning for a GM norm. At 14, lots of folks are following Robson's career closely - could he be America's hope - the next Caruana or - Carlsen??? IM Robert Hess is the other U.S. hopeful. You can follow the action at Susan Polgar's blog with lots of photographs capturing the action, tension and mood by Paul Truong. Here are some Round 1 photos.