This Week in Birthdays: Harrington, Merson, Esfandiari

Reigning WSOP Main Event Champion Greg Merson turns 25 on Saturday

The week in chess and poker birthdays.  Happy birthday to all!

December 2 - December 8

Sunday, December 2:

• none

Monday, December 3:

• Miguel Illescas (Age 47, Spanish GM, 8-time Spanish National Champion, 2620)

Tuesday, December 4:

• William Lombardy (Age 75, American GM, 2435)

Wednesday, December 5:

• Rustam Kasimdzhanov (Age 33, Uzbekistani GM, 2004-5 FIDE World Champion, Currently playing in FIDE Grand Prix in Tashkent (where he was born), 2696)
• Ron Henley (Age 56, American GM, Chess Author, 2415)

Thursday, December 6:

• Anton Filippov (Age 26, Uzbekistani GM, 2652)
• Dan Harrington (Age 67, 2 WSOP Bracelets, 1995 WSOP Main Event Champion, 2010 Poker Hall of Fame Inductee, USCF National Master (2355))

Friday, December 7:

• Vladimir Akopian (Age 41, Armenian GM, 1991 World Junior Champion, 2704)

Saturday, December 8:

• Antonio Esfandiari (Age 34, 3 WSOP Bracelets, #1 on Several All-Time Money Lists)
• Greg Merson (Age 25, 2 WSOP Bracelets, 2012 WSOP Main Event Champion)