SPICE Spring Invitational Drawing of Lots

The drawing of lots for the 2010 SPICE Spring Invitational was done this morning at 9:30 am at the Texas Tech Student Union Building.

Michael Gunn, Assistant Director of Student Organizations, drew the 10 names in front of Dr. Hal Karlsson, student advisor to the Texas Tech Knight Raiders, and assistant tournament director.

Here is the order:

1. IM Irina Krush (USA) 2492 USCF - 2460 FIDE (GM norm - previous participant of the SPICE Cup)
2. IM Gergely Antal (HUN) 2557 USCF - 2511 FIDE (2 GM norms) - Texas Tech Student
3. IM Davorin Kuljasevic (CRO) 2585 USCF - 2552 FIDE (2 GM norms) - Texas Tech Student
4. FM Eric Hansen (CAN) 2426 USCF - 2406 FIDE
5. IM Gabor Papp (HUN) 2578 USCF - 2542 FIDE (GM norm) - Texas Tech Student
6. GM Julio Becerra (USA) 2610 USCF - 2538 FIDE (2-time participant of the SPICE Cup)
7. IM Dean Ippolito (USA) 2534 USCF - 2465 FIDE (Previous participant of the SPICE Cup)
8. GM Jesse Kraai (USA) 2550 USCF - 2508 FIDE
9. FM Darwin Yang (USA) 2398 USCF - 2369 FIDE (Youngest ever participant of a SPICE Invitational)
10. GM Ben Finegold (USA) 2616 USCF - 2533 FIDE (earned GM title at the 2009 SPICE Cup B group)

Average FIDE rating: 2488.5

The 2010 SPICE Spring Invitational will take place in March (13-19) at the beautiful campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.