tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288608344339782413.post4228086903465377934..comments2024-03-23T10:29:30.698-07:00Comments on <center><i>fpawn chess blog</i></center>: Blog Poll: National Master WatchMichael Aignerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166841797285152190noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288608344339782413.post-45079619959427024502009-06-18T10:35:12.345-07:002009-06-18T10:35:12.345-07:00Since two of you have now mentioned Hayk Manvelyan...Since two of you have now mentioned Hayk Manvelyan (2071) by name, I have to make some comments. First, his track record versus players over 2100 is quite thin, unlike the other three. Until you start beating masters, you might get to 2100 but not much higher. The highest rated player that Hayk *ever* beat was 2108. He has a handful of draws with masters in about 20 games, including one draw with IM DeGuzman. Second, Hayk has not played at all in the past six weeks, skipping the CalChess scholastics. I am aware of the reason why, and I prefer to leave it at that. Third, Hayk is not a second grader! :-)<br /><br />I mean no disrespect to Hayk; I am sure that he'll be a master some day as well if he keeps going with chess. He can still prove me wrong with some phenomenal tournament results.Michael Aignerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16166841797285152190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288608344339782413.post-16318108325161310092009-06-18T02:20:25.412-07:002009-06-18T02:20:25.412-07:00All the Thanks to Michael for keeping us up to dat...All the Thanks to Michael for keeping us up to date at what happens in North Cal Chess and trying to make it exciting. There is no insightfull alternative source for chess news in the bay area, neither MI nor the bayareachess cover it, only adds and promotions... <br />As to the NM watch I do agree that <br /> Haik Manvelyan does deserve to be included in the poll.<br />Yian and Evan are of course the favourites here but Samuel indeed looks intimidating, 2300 performance at age 8 is mindbogglingchuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09447028140650051885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288608344339782413.post-74298577637879354292009-06-18T00:10:23.983-07:002009-06-18T00:10:23.983-07:00As Salman wrote, this isn't so much a competit...As Salman wrote, this isn't so much a competition against each other, but rather a challenge for each kid to reach a specific goal. When each one gets to 2200, I will give them all the credit they deserve. <br /><br />I know that Yian and Evan are good friends and feed off each other, much in the same way that Yap, Wang and Schwarz did about five years ago. Friendly competition is actually very helpful. Not all chess parents seem to understand this principle. :-(<br /><br />Michael AignerMichael Aignerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16166841797285152190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288608344339782413.post-64487339848746532362009-06-17T15:23:48.848-07:002009-06-17T15:23:48.848-07:00I don't see this a a competition between three...I don't see this a a competition between three or more Expert players. They are competing with themselves when to get there. I have seen alot of two of them at BayAreaChess and they are great kids in addition to being great players.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16573191980455044593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288608344339782413.post-41361299785907729102009-06-17T09:08:55.473-07:002009-06-17T09:08:55.473-07:00Hi fpawn - if you're going to have a complete ...Hi fpawn - if you're going to have a complete poll, being biased towards Fremont, you should probably include Mission San Jose High School sophomore Hayk Manvelyan (2067).Carl Moyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04520426261368571100noreply@blogger.com