The 13th NA FIDE Invitational is schedule to take place July 19 - July 25, 2008. Once again we will be having the event at the Touch Move Chess Center.

Our currently confirmed participants include:

• IM Kirill Kuderinov (KAZ)
• IM Mesgen Amanov (TKM)
  
• IM Emory Tate (USA)
  
• IM-elect (FM) Mehmed Pasalic (GER)
• FM Florin Felecan (USA)
  
• FM Jake Kleiman (USA)
• FM Aleksander Stamnov (MKD)
• Michael Thaler (USA)
  
• Robert Akopian (USA)
• Kayin Barclay (USA)
  

Our last player has confirmed and it's none other than Chicago's own Kayin Barclay. Kayin has been a top seeded player in Illinois for many years and has represented the State of Illinois at the Denker Tournament of High School Champions. 

We will once again be 6.5/9 for an IM norm. As this time there are no female players, there will be no WIM or WGM norms sought after. 

Due to my absense for the majority of this tournament local Chicago area directors Betsy Dynako and Glenn Panner will be assisting me with directing of the event. I will be available via telephone. Thank you to Betsy and Glenn for assisting!

MonRoi relays will be available live on Sat, Sun, and Friday. While the players will be using MonRoi PCM's on the other nights there will be no live relay. Instead it will be a delayed relay available the following morning.

Thanks to all helping out with this event!

Sevan A. Muradian, FIDE Arbiter
North American Chess Association