Semi-Finals underway (9)

Draws in the first legs of the Semi-Finals have left both matches finely balanced.

The question arises of course: What happens if a match reaches 1-1? Here's the official ti-breaking method:

Semifinals and finals tiebreaks will consist of a two-game rapid match (G/25+5 second increment). If the contest is still undecided, the match will go to a rapid Armageddon bidding game with a base time of 45 minutes for each Player. Black will have draw odds. Each Player shall bid an amount of time (minutes and seconds, a number equal to or less than 45:00) they are willing to play with in order to choose their color. The Player who bids the lowest amount of time chooses his color and begins with that amount of time; the other Player receives 45:00. If both Players bid exactly the same amount of time, the Chief Arbiter will flip a coin to determine who shall choose their color.

Another novel American idea that would raise a few eyebrows in Europe!

Semi Finals (game one):

• The games will start at 2pm (local time).
• There is a seven hour difference between St. Louis and Paris.
•  So 2pm (St. Louis) =

8pm London

9pm Paris, Madrid

11pm Moscow

• For more informations go to the official site: http://saintlouischessclub.org/2011-us-championships/
• For live play: http://saintlouischessclub.org/live/