During this summer I have decided to try to qualify to the 2001/2002 US Championship. Last time I participated in the TOP US Chess event was back in 1996 were I scored victories over US Ex-Champions GMs Alburt and Shabalov. As you may know I haven't been playing much since due to my very busy personal and professional life.
The Warmup -
09/04/2001 - My second serious tournament in 5 years -  2001 NJ Open State Championship. While I was rusty, my score was OK for tie for 4th place. +4=1-1. The only loss came from GM Igor Novikov (2700). 6 GMs!! were competing for a whooping .... $500. Guess, what!? They also paid $60 Entry Fees. That is a terrible situation. Don't they have respect for themselves! Of course why would TD Ken Tomas, who tried very hard with virtually no help to run fairly large event, be raising his prizes next year? See my Tactics/Strategy lesson from the Game 6   Somerset
The Qualifier  -
11/22/2001 - Amasing but true I tied for 1st in my third serious tournament in 5 years -  2001 National Chess Congress in Phila. I also qualified to participate in the US Chess Championship! This is one of the more prestigues torunaments with 1st prize $3000. I scored +4=2 and.  See CrossTable. See my Tactics/Strategy lesson from the Game 4   National Congress. Also see my games below!
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