CalChess.org

The USCF has posted the December Top 100 lists on its website. I haven't updated the CalChess lists yet, but I'm sure some people will be eager to visit the USCF site. Please note that the December list is considered the "Annual List" for use in the USCF Yearbook (April) and some other honors. This list is based on age as of November 1 and tournaments rated by the first Friday of November.

http://main.uschess.org/component/option,com_top_players/Itemid,371/

Congratulations to Gregory Young (age 12), Daniel Naroditsky (age 11) and Nicholas Nip (age 9) for finishing the year ranked #1 in the country! Daniel and Nicholas are clearly the strongest players in their age groups and have been ranked at the top for most of the year. After being #1 last December, Gregory has spent most of the year ranked #2 behind either Naroditsky or Florida superstar FM Ray Robson. However, Robson turned 13 a week before November 1 and Naroditsky turned 12 a week after November 1, meaning that for the second year in a row, Gregory gets his chance to take the honors as the top 12 year old as of November 1.

Michael Aigner

I have finally gotten around to updating the CalChess website for the December Top 100 lists. I'm sure that many of you have been waiting patiently; sorry for the delay. As usual, please report any errors to me at the address in my signature.

New URL for USCF Top 100 lists:
http://main.uschess.org/component/optio ... temid,371/

USCF Top 100 lists: http://www.calchess.org/modules.php?nam ... top100.php

CalChess Top 20 lists:
http://www.calchess.org/modules.php?nam ... /top20.php

The December rating list, which doubles as the annual USCF rating list, shows a total of 87 local juniors who are ranked for their age in the entire country. Eight are ranked in the top 10, including three at #1. Nicholas Nip, FM Danya Naroditsky and NM Gregory Young hold solid grips on the age 9, 11 and 12 lists, with each amazingly rated nearly 200 or more points over the next highest kid. Of course, now that Danya is the top player in the world for U12, it is only natural that he also is top ranked for the USA. For Gregory, being ranked #1 is a once a year event when, for a two week period including the date of November 1, he is the top kid in his age in the country.

age 7 = 10 including #7 Tanuj Vasudeva and #16 Vignesh Panchanatham
age 8 = 6 including #10 Allan Beilin
age 9 = 7 including #1 Nicholas Nip
age 10 = 10 including #9 Yian Liou and #19 Kyle Shin
age 11 = 8 including #1 FM Daniel Naroditsky and #15 Sam Bekker
age 12 = 10 including #1 NM Gregory Young
age 13 = 6
age 14 = 5 including #11 Steven Zierk and #12 Rohan Agarwal
age 15 = 4
age 16 = 10 including #5 NM Sam Shankland, #14 Adarsh Konda and #18 Michael Zhong
age 17 = 8
age 18 = 3 including #8 NM Nicolas Yap and #11 NM Daniel Schwarz

The CalChess Top 20 list is undergoing some change. NMs Nicolas Yap and Daniel Schwarz have now graduated from the 12-17 list, allowing NM Sam Shankland to take over the top spot. NM Gregory Young is close on his heals and they will be joined by FM Danya Naroditsky on the February list. Even 20th spot on this list becomes more difficult, as 1871 is now the lowest rating, up from about 1820 last December.

The U12 Top 20 list also is undergoing change, with FM Danya Naroditsky appearing on the top for the last time. Nicholas Nip appears poised to take over the #1 spot and maybe even will challenge GM Hikaru Nakamura's record for the youngest USCF master. At the bottom of the U12 list appears the name Tanuj Vasudeva, a six year old who undoubtedly has the talent to make waves in local chess for years to come.

Happy holidays to all and the best of luck for 2008!

Michael Aigner

Hello Michael,

Thank you for the update of the listings. Just want to add a comment about US rankings. Louiza Livschitz (16 years old) is ranked #6 in Top Girls under 21 and Jennifer Livschitz (12 years old) is ranked #14 in Top Girls under 13. We are certainly very proud about the achievement of North Cal boys, but let's not forget the gentle side of the world.

THANKS FPAWN!