I met NM Ben Gershenov of New York last year; he's a very pleasant young man and a phenomenal talent. Ben and NM Dipro Chakraborty of Arizona (½ point behind Ben's 6-.0) are playing on Board 1 of Nationals: winner takes the title.
Board 2 is all-Illinois! FM Eric Rosen (an undefeated 5-1) and NM Sam Schmakel are likely playing for second place. So no repeat championship for Eric: Sam will have two more tries.
Aakaash Meduri made a phenomenal recovery from a first-round loss and also sits on 5-1.
