2009 SPICE Cup - Norm Watch Update

This what U.S. players needed to do before Round 8 began in order to score norms (from Susan Polgar's blog):

• IM Ben Finegold - He needs 1/2 point in 2 games to clinch his GM title. He will have White against FM Rensch in round 8 and Black against GM Perelshteyn in round 9.
• IM Ray Robson - He needs to win both of his games to clinch his GM title. He will have White against GM Diamant in round 8 and Black against FM Rensch in round 9.
• FM Danny Rensch - He needs 1 point in 2 games to clinch his IM title. He will have Black against IM Finegold in round 8 and White against IM Robson in round 9.

Here is where they stand after Round 8: IM Ben Finegold drew his game with FM Rensch. He has now earned his final GM norm and the GM title. Congratulations to IM Finegold, who really needs to change his eating habits and health regime - overweight and those dark circles around his eyes do not bode well. IM Ray Robson kept the dream for that final norm for a GM title alive by winning his game against GM Diamant. Robson needs to win Round 9 to earn that norm. A draw won't do it. FM Danny Rensch's hopes for his final IM norm are likewise still alive. With his draw against Finegold, he now needs to draw in Round 9 to clinch that norm and an IM title. Guess what - Robson and Rensch play each other in Round 9. WOW! High drama tomorrow!