The 8th round of the Manhatten Open is in progress. Top Canadian player present is IM Zhe Quan, who hasn't been seen too frequently of late, probably immersing himself in a University degree. In any case, with a score of 4.7 in the top section he is paired for rd 8 with IM Irina Krush. The final round is later today. Tournament leader is IM Vladimir Romanenko (BLG) with 6 points. His round 8 game with GM Sergei Kudrin (a point behind) was drawn, leaving only Alexander Shabalov a chance to move into a tie for 1st, but he is down a pawn against Jan Gustafsson in a 3 piece ending. I don't consider myself proficient enough to comment, except that Shabalov's bishop pair may be enough to secure a draw. Live games on MonRoi.

The Metropolitan Open in LA also wraps up today with 2 rounds. Canadian IM's Raja Panjwani and Jonathan Tayar both have 3.5 / 7, while IM Leon Piasetski has 3. FM whiz kid Richard Wang leads the Canadian contingent with 4. British GM Michael Adams has 6 points and holds a half point lead over 3 other "Internationals".

A very strong French Championship is taking place. After 7 rounds top seed Maxime Vachier-LaGrave is tied with Andrei Istratescu. The Romanian is presumably living temporarily or permanently in France. They have 4.5, in what appears to be a very balanced 12 player RR.