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uschess.org
May 2009
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Chess Life — May 2009
uschess.org
Contributors
Al Lawrence
(“USCF History,” p. 10) served as both USCF and
World Chess Hall of Fame executive director. His latest
book, with Lev Alburt, is Chess Training Pocket Book II.
Howard Goldowsky
(“Looks at Books,” p. 16) is the author of Engaging
Pieces: Interviews and Prose for the Chess Fan.
GM Ian Rogers
(“Who Dares Wins,” p. 18) is a frequent contributor to
Chess Life and other international chess publications.
Jonathan Hilton
(“USAT East,” p. 28) is a home schooled student and a
frequent contributor to Chess Life Online. He has written
extensively about the late GM Aleksander Wojtkiewicz and
is currently co authoring Wojo’s Weapons, a white reper
toire book, with IM Dean Ippolito for Mongoose Press. He
will be studying business and Latin American studies at
University of Cincinnati this fall.
IM Greg Shahade
(“U.S. Championship Preview,” p. 38) founded the U.S.
Chess League and is a former USCF EB member.
FM Alex Dunne
(“Where Do Chessplayers Go When They Die,” p. 40) is a
chess journalist and the correspondence chess director for
the USCF. His monthly column, “The Check is in the Mail,”
appears on uschess.org.
Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
(“Chess Educator of the Year,” p. 42) is the author of Read,
Write, Checkmate: Enrich Literacy with Chess Activities,
2009, published by Libraries Unlimited, www.lu.com.
May on uschess.org
LIVE! From St. Louis: The U.S. Championship
KAMSKY, NAKAMURA BY CATHY ROGERS; ONISCHUK BY BETSY DYNAKO; SHULMAN BY LEWIS TOBY
GATA
KAMSKY
HIKARU
NAKAMURA
ALEXANDER
ONISCHUK
YURY
SHULMAN
JENNIFER
SHAHADE
The strongest U.S. championship in years is set for May 7-17 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.
24 players including Gata Kamsky, Hikaru Nakamura, Alexander Onischuk and defending champion Yury Shulman will battle
for a prize fund of over $135,000. Look for blogs, videos and the twitter feed from Saint Louis on uschesschamps.com and
uschess.org. CLO editor Jennifer Shahade, a commentator for the 2009 Championship will also weigh in from the scene.
Fantasy Chess is Back!
Guess the winner in head to head
match ups like Kamsky vs. Nakamura.
Grand prize: a Personal Chess Manager
from MonRoi.com. Also up for grabs:
Garry Kasparov’s latest book signed by
him to “a good guesser” and a chess
board signed by the participants.
The Chicago Open
Keep your chess news fix alive
after the U.S. Championship with
a Midwest fixture: The Chicago
Open, held from May 22 25 and
featuring a $100,000 prize fund.
uschess.org
Amateur Fun
Memorial Day weekend is also
a chance for amateurs to shine.
Find out who’s on top in the
Amateur West Championships in
Tucson, Arizona and the Amateur
East in Somerset, New Jersey,
both May 23 25.
3
May Chess Life
Columns
12 CHESS TO ENJOY
Cool Mate Luke
By GM Andy Soltis
14 SOLITAIRE CHESS
Capasizing Capablanca
By Bruce Pandolfini
16 LOOKS AT BOOKS
Metaphilosophy or The
Philosophy of Mate
By Howard Goldowsky
17 WHAT’S THE BEST MOVE?
38th Chess Olympiad
By GM Larry Evans
52 BACK TO BASICS
Shock And Awe Out Of The
Blue Sky
By GM Lev Alburt
54 ENDGAME LAB
The Berlin Defense and the
Endgame, Part II
By GM Pal Benko
Departments
18 | COVER STORY
Who Dares Wins? By GM Ian Rogers
GM Gata Kamsky falls just shy of being the first American
to compete for the world championship since 1972.
28 | USAT EVENTS
3
PREVIEW
6
COUNTERPLAY
8
FIRST MOVES
10 USCF HISTORY
11 USCF AFFAIRS
58 TOURNAMENT LIFE
78 CLASSIFIEDS
79 SOLUTIONS
Teeming Chess:
The 2009 U.S. Amateur Team Events
By Jonathan Hilton, Harvey Lerman,
FM Alex Betaneli, & John Hillery
Reports from across the country about the USCF’s premier amateur events.
38 | U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP
Chess Life’s U.S. Championship Preview
By IM Greg Shahade
Handicapping a field that included world championship candidate
Gata Kamsky, defending champion Yury Shulman, and former champions
Hikaru Nakamura, Alexander Onischuk, and Alexander Shabalov.
40 | PROFILE
Where Do Chessplayers Go
When They Die?
By FM Alex Dunne
White to play 1. Na3 and win.
On The Cover
Kamsky lost to Topalov, but for
a brief moment American chess
fans were able to entertain the
thought of one of our players
competing for the classical world
championship for the first time
in decades.
Cover art: Shirley Szymanek,
dog4design.co.uk
Art direction: Frankie Butler
4
42 | CHESS EDUCATION
From Rodman to Research:
Chess Educator 2009
By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
45 | CJA/CRAMER AWARDS
2009 Chess Journalists of America
Awards Announcement
By Jonathan Hilton
46 | 2009 ELECTION
Includes Call For ADMs.
USCF Executive Board Candidate Statements
uschess.org
1 1 0 TH A N N U A L
U N I T E D S TAT E S O P E N
AUGUST 1 – 9, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
INDIANAPOLIS MARRIOTT EAST
7202 East 21st St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46219
317-352-1231
M A K E R E S E R VAT I O N S AT
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HR: $99 Single/Quad
PRIZE FUND
$40,000 Guaranteed: A one section tournament with Class prizes.
MANY SIDE EVENTS
including U.S. Blitz Championship on August 8 and the USCF delegates meeting.
See page 65 of this issue for a detailed listing.
WORKSHOPS
USCF awards luncheon on August 8 at noon.
See Tournament Life Nationals on page 59 for complete information.
Counterplay
The abuse of time delay
when using digital clocks?
All clocks should advance at least one
second per move!
“Time stands still for no man” is irrel
evant when this feature is in use! Many
years ago, we played chess with mechan
ical clocks. Each player was allotted the
same amount of time. If your time ran out,
you lost the game period. Now, a player
can run his clock down to seconds left,
but if he makes his move quickly enough
his clock doesn’t advance at all. The first
player who has properly paced himself
and used his time wisely is confronted
with a circumstance whereby both play
ers end up thinking on his time. If the
second player who is in time trouble con
tinues to move rapidly his clock will not
advance at all! In effect, time stands still!
Therefore, in order to try to win, it is
quite common for the first player to pick
up his pace of play in order to hope to
cause the second player to pause for a
moment and think!
Why this rule was put into play I will
never know. It simply makes no sense
that the player who has conducted his
game properly should be penalized and
his opponent rewarded by having three to
five seconds to reflect before his clock
begins to advance again. Simply put, cor
rect play gets tossed out the window and
a wild scramble ensues? Why is this good
for chess?
Therefore, I believe it would only be
fair to require that at least one second
come off of the clock for each move exe
cuted!
The “delay crowd” wants five seconds,
the rest of us want one back. Think about
it. It’s only fair. Furthermore, the clock
was introduced in order to prevent play
ers from sitting and not moving.
It simply doesn’t make sense that a
player in severe time trouble can execute
numerous moves without his clock
advancing at all.
Hence, a motion will be made at the
next USCF delegates’ meeting to change
the rule accordingly: “The advance of at
least one second per move will occur for
all clocks using time delay.” Don’t worry,
the clock manufacturers will gladly sell
you a new clock with that feature (if they
don’t already have it built in now).
Leland Fuerstman
Charlotte, North Carolina
Chess Life asked Tim Just, the editor
of the fifth edition of the Official Rules of
Chess and a member of the rules commit
tee, to respond:
With the advent of faster time controls
came the dawning of time delay. Time
delay put the outcome of the game back
into the hands of the players instead of at
the mercy of the clock. Currently the
amount of time each player is given to
conduct their game is the same, including
that three five seconds of delay per move.
Each player has the same opportunity to
use their time as they see fit, including how
they choose to use that three five second
delay per move. Before time delay there
were time scrambles. Since time delay,
there are still time scrambles.
Tournaments that don’t use delay at all
are still ratable by USCF. So, if someone
is not a TD or an organizer they can sim
ply sponsor such events. Manufacturing
new clocks is not much of a concern; how
ever, selling them may prove to be an
entirely different issue. Given all the hid
den features that some of the current
clocks possess it might be that the one sec
ond procedure described here might
already be available.
Forcing all clocks to advance at least one
second is a major change to the rules and
presenting it to the delegates is the right
road to take. Typically major rules changes
presented to the delegates end up being
referred to the rules committee so that the
committee can study all the issues involved
and report back to the delegates next year
at their annual meeting. Delegates, sea
soned tournament directors, organizers,
and players all regularly make use of the
USCF forums. Perhaps posting this pro
posed motion on the forums for comments
and debate might prove to be a helpful
practice run before it travels to the meet
ing in Indianapolis. ~Tim Just
Chess Life welcomes letters from its
readers. Letters are subject to editing
for content and length. Send your let
ters to [email protected], and
include your full name and a tele
phone number.
USCF ISSUES FORUM
A forum for discussion of USCF
issues, open to all members age
16 or over. Candidates for the
executive board (ballot in
June issue) are among the
participants.
Registe
er at www.usschess.org/forums
Chess Moves #4
February 21–28, 2010
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First Moves
Frank Skoff, 1916-2009
USCF president when Fischer became world champion
FRANK JOSEPH SKOFF, who was USCF
president when Bobby Fischer became
world champion, died March 3. He was 92.
Frank was born in Joliet, Illinois, on
October 14, 1916. He attended De La
Salle, which was taken over by Carmelites
and renamed Joliet Catholic High School
his senior year. He graduated in 1934
and went to college, eventually obtaining
an M.A. in English with a thesis on George
Bernard Shaw. Frank taught high school
English for a time in Joliet and then
moved to Chicago where he continued
teaching at Lakeview High School on the
north side. Discouraged by the increas
ingly disciplinary nature of his job, he
took early retirement.
Frank was a lifelong expert, but he
achieved renown for his chess organizing
abilities. He founded Gompers Park Chess
Club, the second strongest club in
Chicago. He was one of a group of people,
including Jim and Helen Warren, Eva
8
Aronson, and Jim Brotsos who restab
lished the Illinois Chess Association (ICA),
serving as president of the ICA after Brot
sos. Frank was the chief organizer of the
1963 U.S. Open in Chicago, which drew
a record turnout (for the time) of 263
players. Profits from that event were used
to establish the Chicago Chess Founda
tion (CCF), which he served as president.
Both the ICA and the CCF sponsored
major tournaments in Chicago over Labor
Day (the Illinois Open) and in the Spring
(the Greater Chicago Open). Frank also
edited the Illinois Chess Bulletin for many
years and wrote a regular column,
“Frankly Skoffing,” which had as its sig
nature cartoon by Ed Peterman Frank’s
trademark cigar (he loved his cigars) smol
dering in an ashtray and a bishop (“skoff”
apparently meaning bishop in the lan
guage of Frank’s ancestors).
Frank was captain of the U.S. Stu
dent Team for four consecutive years,
1967 1970. GM Andy Soltis recalls: “His
main task was to keep the players out of
trouble, like in 1967 when Larry Gilden
lost his passport and freaked out. He had
to deal with a menagerie of clashing per
sonalities that year Gilden, Bernie
Zuckerman, Bill Martz, Larry Kaufman,
Dick Verber and me. After the first few
days hardly any members of our team
were talking to one another. Somehow
Frank got us to analyze together. ... The
high point was 1970 ... [in] Haifa, Israel.
The board order was Ken Rogoff, me,
Mike Senkiewicz, Verber, Marc Yoffie and
Jim Tarjan. ... [It was] only the second
time the U.S. won the gold medal in the
Student Olympiad. ... It always seemed
to me that Frank was underestimated.”
Frank was one of the three principal
members of the U.S. delegation that
accompanied Fischer to Iceland in the
summer of 1972 (GM Bill Lombardy and
former USCF President Fred Cramer
were the other two). Frank was a fairly
introverted, scholarly individual, and
Fred, much more assertive, became the
unofficial spokesperson at the frequent
news conferences. Frank succeeded
Leroy Dubeck as USCF president in
Cherry Hill, New Jersey, in August of
1972. The Dubeck board and Executive
Director Ed Edmondson had worked
mightily to get Fischer into the candi
dates’ tournament and through the
legendary matches against Taimanov,
Larsen, and Petrosian.
Frank was president when Fischer
defeated Spassky, and he presided over
the Fischer boom and the expensive
attempts to win the match conditions
required by Fischer to play GM Anatoly
Karpov. The efforts failed, Karpov won by
default, and the Fischer bust followed
after Frank’s term ended in 1975. The
two most contentious issues during
Frank’s term were the attempt to ban
proxies at the delegates’ meeting and the
attempt to ban smoking in USCF tourna
ments. Leroy Dubeck recalls that when
the smoking motion came up, Frank,
chairing the meeting, took out one of his
beloved stogies, slowly and methodically
lit it, and puffed on it a few times before
saying “Over my dead body.” Both bans
passed in 1975 in Lincoln.
Frank and I became friends in 1966. I
had just gotten my driver’s license and
could drive up to Gompers Park on Fri
days. Afterwards, he, Pete Wolf, a CCF
officer, I, and whoever wished to join us
would repair to a local deli for sandwiches,
coffee, and long conversations about lit
erature, education, world affairs, politics,
you name it. Frank was a brilliant conver
sationalist with an encyclopedic knowledge
of the life and works of Shaw. He also
was an avid chess book collector and a
knowledgeable chess historian. I traveled
to Chicago several times a year during
the period 1998 2004 and would occasion
ally take him to lunch. His conversational
abilities were as polished as ever. I once
asked him to what he attributed his
longevity. “Clean living,” he replied with his
ready and infectious laugh.
Ray Kuzanek was Frank’s closest chess
friend during the last years of his life,
and he delivered the eulogy at Frank’s
March 6 service. Ray recalled: “Late in life,
Frank still had the capacity to appreciate
listening to details of the presentations of
Russian chess historians Isaak Linder
and Yuri Averbakh at the 2007 Confer
ence of Chess Historians in Kornik,
Poland. [He] enjoyed photos of Paul Mor
phy’s home in New Orleans, and was
eager to learn about computers. In 2008,
after intently viewing the movie The Last
Samurai, Frank posed the question:
‘What would you say was the theme of
that story?’ Always the English teacher!”
Frank was interred at St. Joseph’s Ceme
tery in Joliet.
Tim Redman served twice as USCF president.
uschess.org
PHOTO: ARCHIVAL
By Dr. Tim Redman
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
uschess.org
9
USCF History
The Turn-Around
USCF’S 5TH DECADE: 1979-1988
By Al Lawrence
s new leadership took over in our fifth decade, a wolf seemed to be at every
USCF door. Disgruntled members had resented being ignored while USCF
focused, single beam, on Bobby Fischer. Finances were bleak after the burst
of the Bobby bubble. Income from life membership payments had been spent,
leaving USCF with the ongoing obligation of serving these thousands of mem
bers. The U.S. government suddenly dunned USCF six figures for unpaid
import taxes. All six senior staffers resigned. But master players don’t
panic. Somehow, over the next ten years, a series of leaders, each one build
ing on the achievements of his predecessor, rebuilt our organization.
New president Gary Sperling, a New York City attorney, provided steady direction.
He began the turnaround by developing fair, open policies and handling legal work
pro bono (and he saved us from the huge import tax bill). Treasurer George Cunning
ham of Maine recruited and trained staff. In 1979 the two convinced Dr. Gerry Dullea
to take on the executive director position, and USCF operations remained in skill
ful hands for the decade. His vision was to build the organization not on a
single chess personality, but on solid services to members.
Chicagoan Tim Redman, elected president in 1981, pushed staff to improve and
expand book and equipment services. By 1983 this income alone topped one
million dollars and steadily increased, helping to pay the bills. In 1984 Steve Doyle
became the youngest ever USCF president. A financial expert and driving force, he
reigned over the three most financially successful years USCF has ever enjoyed. USCF
paid off the mortgage on its building with a six foot check and accumulated more
than one million dollars in reserves to offset the obligation to life members.
Even a partial list of organizational accomplishments during this decade impresses.
USCF computerized, re established the round robin U.S. Championship, formalized
invitational criteria with the advice of top players, acquired the national scholastic
and collegiate championships, started School Mates magazine, re established the
National Open, navigated the promising but tricky era of the first commercial chess
computers, overhauled tournament director standards and exams, revised the rule
book, and opened the original U.S. Chess Hall of Fame.
In master chess, the decade began with Lev Alburt defecting from the USSR to the
U.S. at the height of the cold war. During our fifth decade, he was the clear winner
of two U.S. championships and a U.S. Open, and the winner of the very first U.S.
Game 60 Championship, with Michael Wilder, in 1988. Young native born players
captured more than their share of titles: Larry Christiansen took two U.S. Champi
onships and three U.S. Opens; Nick deFirmian won the U.S. Championship and the
U.S. Open. Joel Benjamin won the U.S. Championship, the U.S. Open, the National
Open, two U.S. Masters, and a slew of junior and scholastic events. Their accom
plishments later carried all four grandmasters into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame.
Rea Hayes won the first U.S. Senior in 1981. In 1982 Leonid Bass won the first
U.S. Masters one of the many lasting contributions of Chicagoan Helen Warren.
Alex Sherzer won the first U.S. Cadet Championship in 1986.
Four editors carried on after Burt Hochberg departed in 1979, having built
Chess Life into a magazine of worldwide importance: Fairfield Hoban, Frank Elley,
Larry Parr, and Don Maddox.
In 1987, Chicagoan Harold Winston, who had organized the first Midwest Amateur
Team Championship, was elected president. Al Lawrence took over as executive direc
tor in 1988, signing up new corporate sponsors. As the decade ended, USCF, with nearly
54,000 members, stood once again on a solid foundation.
A
.
GM Lev Alburt on a 1986 cover of Chess Life
Turnaround Trivia
• The first full-color Chess Life cover
appeared on the January 1982 issue,
showing Sammy Reshevsky—21
years after the magazine’s first cover,
on which Sammy appeared with Fischer.
Forgetting his eyeglasses, managing
editor Frank Elley drove to Spring Valley,
New York, to photograph Reshevsky at
70. Frank was surprised when the
developed photos showed Sammy
with a “Sabbath stubble.”
• Steve Doyle was the youngest-ever
USCF president, elected in 1984,
at the age of 25.
• In the 1988 American Open, GM Bent
Larsen became the first grandmaster
to lose to a computer, Deep Thought,
in a major tournament.
Tell Al Lawrence what he left out or got wrong! In his wrap up article, he’ll acknowledge the best suggestions. E mail [email protected]
10
uschess.org
USCF Affairs May
Volunteer of the Month:
L. Gordon Brooks
PHOTO: COURTESY OF SUBJECT
The great Piatigorsky Cup tour
naments in 1963 and 1966 were
the strongest grandmaster events
ever in the U.S. And they had last
ing effects on chess in southern
California, some of which could
not have been anticipated.
Case in point: in 1969 L. Gordon
Brooks came to Los Angeles, hop
ing to observe the third cup. He
was disappointed to learn that the
series had concluded, but found
the climate congenial, and decided
to stay. He began a 35 year career
at the classic Los Angeles Central
Library (where he interacted with
thousands of patrons including
Bobby Fischer, who was not
researching chess say no more),
and began to immerse himself in
the local chess scene as player and
volunteer.
Gordon held several offices,
including president, for the Santa
Monica Bay Chess Club, whose
The USCF Volunteer of the Month is named
membership and influence peaked
by a different member of the executive
during the seventies. Its Ameri
board each month. This month, Randy
Hough named our honoree.
can Open over Thanksgiving
weekend often drew over 400 play
ers and attracted such top level grandmasters as Walter Browne and Larry
Evans. Working with the legendary patron and hostess Lina Grumette on the board
of her Chess Set Educational Trust, Gordon helped organize the U.S. Champi
onship in Pasadena in 1978, several “futurity” tournaments for players to earn
FIDE ratings in the early years of its rating system, and the continuing Memo
rial Day Classic tournament.
Gordon has always displayed an even temper and willingness to listen to oth
ers, sometimes under trying circumstances. These qualities proved useful again
when southern California was recognized as a state unto itself by USCF in 1978,
and the Southern California Chess Federation, whose board members included
some large egos, was formed.
The Educational Trust continued for a few years after Lina’s passing in 1988,
helping fund training and trips to the nationals for scholastic players. Gordon then
stepped up to fill the void, spearheading the creation of a new fund for these pur
poses, which has the large (by southern California standards) sum of over
$10,000 at its disposal.
After moving from The Westside of Los Angeles to Pasadena in the mid ‘80s, Gor
don became active in the Arcadia and Pasadena clubs, serving the latter in the
indispensable role of tournament director for several years. Though slowed down
a bit by health problems, he continues to be active, most recently finding a new
site for the Pasadena club when the city imposed an intolerable rent increase. After
40 years, that flame of volunteerism still burns bright. ~Randy Hough
The USCF Mission
USCF is a not-for-profit membership organization devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. USCF promotes the study
and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and
enjoyment, but also as a means for the improvement of society. It
informs, educates, and fosters the development of players (professional and amateur) and potential players. It encourages the
development of a network of institutions devoted to enhancing the
growth of chess, from local clubs to state and regional associations,
and it promotes chess in American society. To these ends, USCF offers
uschess.org
USCF Financial Update
The USCF fiscal year runs from June
1st to May 31st each year. Historically, the
USCF has a poor first quarter (the sum
mer months) and spends the last three
quarters making up for it. It is a similar
story this year; however, we experienced
a couple of anomolous, non recurring,
unbudgeted or under budgeted items.
There are three such items that stand
out this year. On the negative side, there
are significant expenditures beyond the
budget related to the USCF’s legal defense
due to the $25 million lawsuit (now
reduced to $10 million) filed by Susan Pol
gar (see http://www.uschess.org/legal
updates/Site/Index.html for details.) The
economy has also had somewhat of an
impact, seemingly hurting adult dues
revenues. On the positive side, we received
substantial bequests this year (see
http://main.uschess.org/content/view/9
015/508/ for additional details). Despite
a sagging economy, tournament atten
dance and ratings fees are holding strong.
As an example, the recent SuperNation
als IV had 5,247 attendees, just 73 short
of the 2005 world record for a chess tour
nament of any kind.
As of the end of March, with two
months remaining in the fiscal year, the
USCF is now showing a profit of a little
over $160,000. I would expect this to
drop some over the last two months as
final expenses from the SuperNationals
come in and the scholastic season winds
down. In the end, I would expect the
audited financials to show a modest
profit; however, due to several factors
including our payment to significantly
reduce the mortgage on the USCF head
quarters, we will be low on cash reserves
going into the lean summer months.
We are already budgeting for the neces
sary measures and we do have sufficient
credit in place to ensure uninterrupted
services for our members. To view the
most up to date financial reports please
log in to uschess.org and go to
http://main.uschess.org/component/opti
on,com uscf dirlist/Itemid,413/.
~Bill Hall, USCF Executive Director
a monthly magazine, as well as targeted publications to its members and others. It supervises the organization of the U.S. Chess
Championship, an open tournament held every summer, and other
national events. It offers a wide range of books and services to its
members and others at prices consistent with the benefits of its members. USCF serves as the governing body for chess in the United States
and as a participant in international chess organizations and
projects. It is structured to ensure effective democratic procedures
in accord with its bylaws and laws of the state of Illinois.
11
Chess to Enjoy
Cool Mate Luke
No one uses simple words the way chess players do.
No wonder the world can’t understand us.
By GM Andy Soltis
One of the reasons for the social gap
that separates chessplayers from the rest
of humanity is a failure to communicate.
We set ourselves apart with our own lan
guage, Chess speak.
Chess speak isn’t just a lot of techni
cal terms, like “Zugzwang” or “fianchetto.”
No, it’s the words we share with the rest
of the world that are the real problem. We
chessplayers just use those words in our
own unique way.
Take the case of “dynamic.” We say
Garry Kasparov played “dynamic” chess
but Anatoly Karpov didn’t. Magnus
Carlsen seems to be “dynamic” but maybe
Vladimir Kramnik isn’t.
If you open a dictionary, it says
“dynamic” is “related to energy or physi
cal force in motion.” Not much help. A
thesaurus might offer “energetic” or “vig
orous.” But that’s not quite it.
No, in Chess speak the word “dynamic”
usually means something specific the
emphasizing of piece play over pawn
moves.
Dynamic
GM Viktor Korchnoi
GM Jeroen Piket
Sarajevo 1998
rnlqkl r
p + +ppp
+p+pn +
+p+ + L
+QP + +
+ N + +
PP +PPPP
R + KLNR
After 6. ... b5
Black saw 7. Bxf6 Qxf6? was not good
12
in view of 8. Nxb5! cxb5 9. Qxc8+. But he
said he allowed 7. Bxf6 because he liked
the “dynamic nature” of the position after
7. ... gxf6.
Translation: He wants to play ... Rg8.
His kingside pawns are weak and would
be weaker if they moved further. But
Black is more interested in moving his
pieces than his pawns.
Then there’s the word “theoretical.”
You might assume this means what it
does in dictionaries “hypothetical” or
“speculative.”
But if it did mean that, we wouldn’t be
talking Chess speak, would we?
No, “theoretical” is a synonym for
“book.” A “theoretical opening” is one you
can’t play based on general principles.
You have to know the book analysis. A
“theoretical endgame” is one you can play
simply by repeating moves you can find
in an endgame book.
+
+k+ +
R + + +
+ K + +
+ + P +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +r+
Black to play
If you had to think this one out, few
amateurs would hit on 1. ... Re1!, Black
draws. You’re supposed to know 1. ...
Re1! by memorizing the book.
But add a piece or a pawn to each side
and it’s no longer “theoretical.” It magi
cally becomes a “practical” endgame. You
can play a “practical endgame” from mem
ory. You actually have to think.
Chessplayers use “practical” in other
ways that no other humans do. “This
idea might work in a practical game,” an
annotator writes. He seems to mean a
real game. But later in his notes he may
add, “White has no real winning chances,
only practical ones.”
Do annotators ever explain what they
mean? Practically never.
A new page of Chess speak was opened
four years ago when Garry Kasparov said
he was giving up “professional chess.”
This sounded like he had given up earn
ing money from chess. Or maybe he had
stopped playing in grandmaster events.
No, it means he no longer considers
chess his day job, even when he plays pro
opponents, as in this game.
Bogo-Indian Defense (E11)
GM Garry Kasparov
GM Viktor Korchnoi
Lichtof 2006
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 a5 5.
Nc3 b6 6. e3 Bb7 7. Bd3 0-0 8. 0-0 d5 9. cxd5
exd5 10. a3 Bd6 11. Ne5 c5 12. f4 Nc6 13.
Nb5 cxd4 14. exd4 Ne7 15. f5! Ne4 16. Bxe4
dxe4 17. f6 Bxe5 18. dxe5 Ng6 19. fxg7 Kxg7
20. Nd6 Ba6
r+ q r +
+ + +pkp
lp N +n+
p + P +
+ +p+ +
P + + +
P L +PP
R +Q+RK
After 20. ... Ba6
uschess.org
More from Dresden
More posers from the Dresden
Olympiad this month. But you’ll find
them a bit more challenging than
the first set that appeared here last
month. You are asked to find the
fastest winning line of play. Usually
this will mean the forced win of deci
sive amount of material, such as a
rook or minor piece. An extra hint
this month: Watch out for pins and
pawn promotions. Solutions on page
79.
Problem I
Problem II
+
+
GM Igor Khenkin
GM Sergey Karjakin
+
+k+
p + +pp
Ppp+ +qp
+r+ + +n
+ Pl+ P
+ P R L
+ +QR P
+ + + K
uschess.org
r
k
p p + pp
p + + +
+ p RPq
+ + + +
+ L + +P
PP + QPK
+ +l+ +
k
rl+ +
nr +
q
+p+L+p+
+ + p +p
pP+P+ P
+ + N +Q
P R PP+
+ +R+ K
+
White to play
White to play
GM Jiri Stocek
CM William Bermudez Adams
GM David Baramidze
GM Ibrahim Khamrakulov
GM Francisco Vallejo-Pons
GM Michael Prusikin
Problem IV
White to play
There are other Chess speak terms,
like “dubious,” that we use in a dubious
manner. But the most confusing word of
Chess speak is “classical.”
You hear masters say you need to study
the “classical” games of Jose Capablanca
or Akiba Rubinstein. They mean a style
of “simple” positional play.
Then they advise you to build a “clas
sical” center. This means something
different an “ideal” center composed of
pawns at e4 and d4.
That center may, or may not, be possi
ble in a “classical defense” meaning a
“traditional” one, like the Ruy Lopez “Clas
sical Defense,” 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3.
Bb5 Bc5.
But then Vladimir Kramnik confused us
further. He “created a title for himself
world champion in classical chess,” Kas
parov said in 2005.
“What does it mean: classical chess?”
he demanded. After all, Kasparov, Kram
nik and Anatoly Karpov used “classical
chess” to mean something else a few
years before. They said they preferred to
play classical chess, rather than the other
kind whatever that was.
The explanation is that in Kramnik’s
dialect of Chess speak, “classical” means
deciding the world championship in a
match. In the Kasparov dialect, “classical”
means playing with the time control of 40
+
GM Maxime Vachier Lagrave
GM Jose Dominguez
Black to play
+r+r+k+
pn+ +p+p
pP+ +p+
+ + + +
+ p + P
q +NQ P
P+ + P +
+ RR+ K
21. Bh6+! Kg8 22. Rf5 Qh4? 23. Bg5!, Black
resigned.
Problem III
GM Dragan Solak
IM Sam Collins
Problem V
+
+ + +
+k+ +p
p + P +
+ + p +
p+P+P+ +
P + + +
P + + +
+ +K+ +
+
White to play
moves in two hours.
By their definitions, their mentor,
Mikhail Botvinnik, became world cham
pion in an un classical tournament that
used an un classical time limit. How clas
sical less of him?
What is remarkable is how Chess
speakers expect that everyone knows
exactly what they mean, even when no
one agrees on what a word means. That’s
the case with “initiative.”
We constantly talk of seizing the initia
tive or maintaining it. It is “the soul of the
game,” wrote Savielly Tartakower. But
what exactly is an initiative?
Byrne J. Horton, a college economist
who wrote the first English language dic
tionary of chess, used a definition that
librarians might like, but not chessplay
ers: An initiative is “the right or power to
begin action.”
A better try appeared in The Oxford
Companion to Chess by David Hooper
and Ken Whyld. They defined it as “the
power to make threats.” But that’s much
too broad. For example, after 1. e4 e5 2.
Bc4 Black can play 2. ... Qg5 and make
a one move threat of 3. ... Qxg2.
(see diagram top of next column)
But this is hardly what we consider an
initiative. White can ignore the threat
with 3. Nf3 and then 3. ... Qxg2 4. Rg1
Qh3 5. Bxf7+ Kxf7? 6. Ng5+.
It gets more confusing because Hooper
and Whyld defined “attack” as “an active
Problem VI
l + q +
+p+ + pk
p+p+ + +
+ + rp+l
+ + + +
PPQ P PL
L + P +
+K+ + +R
White to play
rnl+klnr
pppp+ppp
+ + + +
+ + p q
+L+P+ +
+ + + +
PPPP PPP
RNLQK NR
After 2. ... Qg5
threat” and then defined “threat” as “a
move that creates the possibility of an
advantageous capture or maneuver.”
So in their dialect of Chess speak, 2. ...
Qg5 can be called an “initiative,” an
“attack” and a “threat” all wrapped up
in one bad move.
Actually Chess speak only sounds con
fusing. It’s very simple when you use it to
define things this way:
An attack is a classical, dynamic advan
tage that can be used in practical games
and even theoretical endgames as long as
it’s not a dubious initiative.
Have I made myself clear?
.
USCF members can download the .pdf ver
sion of this issue at uschess.org > Chess
Life Magazine > Downloadable Files as
well as a .pgn file of all of the games from
this issue.
13
Solitaire Chess
Capasizing Capablanca
Although the Cuban champion Jose Capablanca seemingly owned the American
champion Frank Marshall, in this month’s game, Marshall out-Capa’d Capa.
By Bruce Pandolfini
More than fifty known games were
played between U.S. champion Frank
Marshall and the immortal Jose Raúl
Capablanca. The bulk of the victories
went to “Capa,” including some very
famous ones. But Marshall did win a few,
one of which is the following game played
in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1909 dur
ing their historic match (won by Capa,
8 1). Indeed, with the white pieces, Mar
shall wound up looking much more like
Capablanca than his esteemed Cuban
rival did. The American chose a queenside
campaign, implemented it, and his oppo
nent seemed helpless to stop it.
Queen’s Gambit Declined (D55)
Frank Marshall
Jose Raúl Capablanca
Scranton, Pennsylvania (1909)
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5.
e3 Ne4
rnlqk+ r
ppp lppp
+ +p+ +
+ +p+ L
+PPn+ +
+ N P +
PP + PPP
R +QKLNR
Your starting position
Now make sure you have the above
position set up on your chessboard. As
you play through the remaining moves in
this game, use a piece of paper to cover
the article, exposing White’s next move
only after trying to guess it. If you guess
correctly, give yourself the par score.
Sometimes points are also rewarded for
14
second best moves, and there may be
bonus points or deductions for other
moves and variations. Note that ** means
that the note to Black’s move is over and
White’s move is on the next line.**
6.
Bxe7
11.
…
12.
a4
12.
…
13.
Qa3
13.
…
Nxc3
Guards c5. The alternative was 13. ...
Be6 or 13. ... Bg4, and if 14. dxc5, then
14. ... Rfc8. This may have been better as
the move played gives Marshall more or
less what he’s aiming for, heavy pres
sure on the b pawn.**
Nd7
14.
a5
14.
…
15.
0-0
Par Score: 5
This is preferable to 6. Nxe4 (4 points
part credit) 6. ... dxe4 7. Bxe7 Qxe7. The
pawn at e4 inhibits Nf3 and can easily be
defended by ... f7 f5.
6.
…
Qxe7
The capture 6. ... Nxc3 can be answered
by 7. Bxd8 Nxd1 8. Bxc7. Black recovers
his pawn, 8. ... Nxb2, but the two bish
ops give White the edge. Accept 1 bonus
point if you so evaluated.**
7.
Bd3
Par Score: 5
White attacks the knight to induce the
exchange at c3. Another way was 7. cxd5
(accept full credit) 7. ... Nxc3, but not 7.
... exd5? 8. Nxd5 (1 bonus point).
7.
…
8.
bxc3
8.
…
9.
Nf3
9.
…
Par Score: 4
In the 11th game of the match Capa
blanca switched to 8. ... dxc4 9. Bxc4
b6.**
Par Score: 4
0-0
The idea 9. ... dxc4 10. Bxc4 b6 does
n’t quite work due to 11. Bb5 Bb7 (11. ...
a6 12. Bc6) 12. Ne5 (1 bonus point).**
10.
cxd5
10.
…
11.
Qb3
Par Score: 5
exd5
Par Score: 5
Accept full credit also for 11. 0 0.
Marshall attacks d5 and pressures b7.
Nf6
Par Score: 5
Again 12. 0 0 receives full credit. Mar
shall anticipates ... b7 b6 and wants to be
ready to attack the b pawn with a4 a5.
c5
Trying to make use of his queenside
pawn majority, but at c5 the pawn
becomes a target. 12. ... c6 was less com
mitting.**
Par Score: 5
Deduct 2 points for 13. 0 0?, overlook
ing 13. ... c4, forking queen and bishop.
The text sidesteps the threat and pins
the c5 pawn.
b6
Par Score: 5
White threatens 15. axb6, winning a
pawn. Add 1 bonus point if you saw that
14. ... bxa5 15. Qxc5 Qxc5 16. dxc5 wins
a pawn, since White also picks up the a5
pawn. Add 1 bonus point if you realized
that.
Bb7
There doesn’t seem to be a better place
ment for the bishop. If 14. ... Be6, then 15.
axb6 axb6 16. Qxa8 Rxa8 17. Rxa8+
favors White (1 bonus point).**
Par Score: 5
Marshall has postponed castling so
long because there were other useful
moves to play. Now he needs his king
uschess.org
Problem I
Problem II
Fork
ABCs of Chess
These problems are all related to
key positions in this month’s game.
In each case, Black is to move. The
answers can be found in Solutions
on page 79.
May Exercise: Let’s play with an
empty board and a lone defending
king. Drawing from a stockpile of
all six attacking units, and never
using more than two friendly units
in combination with the attacking
king at a time, go around the board,
seeing how many different solutions
there are to mating the lone king on
each square. You may be astonished
by some of the mating teams. King,
queen, and dark square bishop, for
instance, can’t deliver mate when
the lone king sits on a particular
square. After discovering that para
doxical niche, find its sister square.
Good things apparently do come in
pairs.
r+r+ +k+
+ + +p+p
q+ + +p+
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ n +N+
+Q+ PPP
+ R R K
Problem IV
+
taking at d7.
15.
…
19.
…
16.
Rfb1
20.
dxc5
16.
…
20.
…
21.
Qxc5
21.
…
Par Score: 5
Nd7
This is played partly to discourage Nf3
e5 and partly to lend added protection to
b6 and c5.**
17.
Bf5!
Par Score: 6
Afterwards, Capablanca admitted he
overlooked the possibility of this move.
17.
…
Rfc8
Compounding the error of his previ
ous move. If 17. ... Bc6 18. Bxd7 Bxd7 19.
axb6 axb6 20. Qxa8 (1 bonus point). Open
ing the c file, 17. ... cxd4 18. cxd4, doesn’t
bring relief either. A sample continua
tion is 18. ... Nf6 19. Rc1 Qd8 20. Ne5 Re8
21. a6 Bc8 22. Nc6 Qc7 23. Bxc8 Raxc8
24. Ne7+ Qxe7 25. Rxc8 Qxa3 26. Rxe8+,
winning the Exchange. Probably best was
the retraction of his last move, 17. ...
Nf6, though after 18. dxc5 bxc5 (not 18.
... Qxc5? 19. Qxc5 bxc5 20. Rxb7) 19. Rb5
c4, White clearly has the advantage.**
18.
Bxd7
18.
…
19.
a6
Par Score: 5
Qxd7
Par Score: 5
Marshall wins the c5 pawn, since the
bishop must block out the c8 rook. Add
1 bonus point if you had it in mind when
uschess.org
rr + +k+
+ +p+pp
q+ +pn p
+ + + +
p+PP + +
+ + + +
PL Q PPP
R R + K
Problem VI
+k+
pp
+ + + +
+ + Q +
+qL + +
+ n + +
+ + +PP
+ + + K
+
+
Promotion
+
+
Bc6
Par Score: 5
bxc5
Par Score: 5
Rab8
The best chance of resisting was 21. ...
f6, stopping Ne5. However, Capablanca
concluded that his game was lost in the
long run and decided to play for a trap.**
Rxb8
Par Score: 5
White draws off a defender of the c6
bishop.
22.
…
23.
Ne5
23.
…
24.
f4
Rxb8
Par Score: 5
Qf5
Par Score: 5
Deduct 5 points for 24. Qxc6, allowing
a back row mate, 25. ... Rb1+ etc. The text
guards the knight and makes an outlet for
the king.
24.
…
Rb6
r+ + +k+
+ + +ppp
+p+p+ +
+ + + +
+qPnQ +
pRL + +
P+ + PPP
+ + + K
+
Not only has White won a pawn, but
now his knight has access to the dark
squares e5 and d4.
22.
r + +k+
pq+ +ppp
+N+ + +
+ Q + +
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ + PPP
R + + K
Fork
+ + +
+ + pk
+q+p+ p
+ +p+p+
+ P Qn+
+ L PP+
+ + +PP
+ + + K
+
Mating net
Problem V
En prise
rook to add to the pressure on the b file.
Qc7
Problem III
Interference
If 24. ... Be8, then 25. Qxa7 Rb1+ 26.
Rxb1 Qxb1+ 27. Kf2 Qc2+ 28. Kg3 Qxc3
29. Qb6, and White is ready to push his
a pawn. After 24. ... Rb1+ 25. Rxb1 Qxb1+
26. Kf2 Qc2+ 27. Kg3, there are no more
checks and his bishop is lost, 27. ... Be8
28. Qe7; or 27. ... f6 28. Qxc6 fxe5 29.
Qe8 mate. Attacking the knight by 24. ...
f6 runs into the complicated refutation 25.
g4, after which Nxc6 can be played with
out having to fear perpetual check: 25. ...
Qe4 26. Nxc6 Rb2 Qxd5+!; or 25. ... Qc2
26. Nxc6 Rb2 27. Qxd5+ Kf8 28. Qd8+ Kf7
29. Qe7+ Kg6 30. Qe8+ Kh6 31. Qh5
mate. These lines were given by Mar
shall.**
25.
Qxb6!
25.
…
Par Score: 6
Deduct 3 points for 25. Nxc6?, letting
the win slip away: 25. ... Rb1+ 26. Rxb1
Qxb1+, with perpetual check along the
b1 g6 diagonal.
Black resigned
The queen sac settles matters, since 25.
... axb6 26. Nxc6 Qe6 27. a7 wins (1
bonus point).
.
Total your score to determine your
approximate rating below:
Total Score
95+
81-94
66-80
51-65
36-50
21-35
06-20
0-05
Rating
2400+
2200-2399
2000-2199
1800-1999
1600-1799
1400-1599
1200-1399
under 1200
15
Looks at Books
Metaphilosophy
— OR —
The Philosophy of Mate
A study in the subjective methods of chess players
By Howard Goldowsky
PHILOSOPHY LOOKS AT CHESS (Open Court,
2008) is a collection of twelve essays each
written by a professional philosopher and col
lectively edited by Benjamin Hale that
explore chess through a lens of philosophi
cal thought. The book’s format is modeled
after, but not included in, Open Court’s Pop
ular Culture and Philosophy series, which
covers a variety of trendy topics such as
Bruce Springsteen, iPods, and, to chess
players’ envy, even poker. So it was no sur
prise to read midway through the poignant
and sobering essay, “The Reviled Art,” about
the disdain for chess in American culture,
written by International Master and Profes
sor Stuart Rachels, that when comparing
the profit potential of Philosophy Looks at
Chess to books about other cultural topics,
“[ ... the publishers] thought it would not sell.”
Most of the essays in the book vaunt a tech
nical approach targeting chess and
philosophy cognoscenti, with some even
retreating into that dense academic style
appreciated only by philosophers.
Chess is so complex that, like the human
mind, even today’s best computer algorithms
running on the fastest hardware surrender,
at a finite depth after a fixed amount of time,
to the endless variations. Unless there is a
forced win, this complexity results in both
humans and computers making subjective
decisions every move. It is this subjectivity
that ultimately links philosophy a mainstay
of rhetoric and debate with strategy and, to
some extent, tactics. So, despite four excep
tions Bernd Graefrath’s unique essay about
how retrograde chess analysis relates to
epistemology, Ahti Veikko Pietarinen’s histor
ical survey of major philosophers who have
used chess in their work, Deborah Vossen’s
debate whether or not chess can be defined
as a game, and Rachels’ piece mentioned
above Philosophy Looks at Chess is a study
in the subjective methods of chess players;
besides these exceptions, every essay touches
this idea of subjectivity, some with more
distinction and some, unfortunately, with
more excessive verbiage than others.
In every non forcing chess position there
is a degree of uncertainty about the relative
16
value of the pieces, as well as an uncertainty
about the importance of each positional
parameter. Sometimes two or more positional
parameters conflict. In “Casuistry and Chess,”
Peter Morriss explores this idea by compar
ing the process of choosing a chess move to
that of making a moral decision, and he
relates casuistic (the inappropriate applica
tion of general principles) and non casuistic
protocols from ethics theory to the evaluation
of chess positions. Like making a moral deci
sion, deciding on a chess move requires one
Philosophy Looks at Chess (2008)
edited by Benjamin Hale. 288 pp.,
Open Court. List Price: $19.95.
to lean towards general principles, but make
a final evaluation on a case by case basis. In
the second part of John Hartmann’s essay,
“Garry Kasparov Is a Cyborg,” which dis
cusses the fuzzy boundary between
computer aided human play and pure com
puter play, Hartmann builds on Morriss’
work by summarizing the related rule inde
pendence vs. rule based move selection
debate perpetuated by John Watson and
Jacob Aagaard. This summary is practically
a summary for the whole book. (The rest of
the computer related essays include Evan
Selinger’s “Chess Playing Computers and
Embodied Grandmasters,” which tackles the
general question of what it means for humans
to have subjective chess knowledge; Andy
Miah’s “A Deep Blue Grasshopper,” which
argues that chess play by computers does not
demonstrate a form of artificial intelligence;
and Tama Coutts’ “Playing Chess in the Chi
nese Room,” which argues that it does.)
Even in “Hip Hop Tactics,” a piece that
purveys Tommy Curry’s views about the role
African culture plays in formulating the moves
of African American chess players, an argu
ment is made that players choose moves
through an elaborate internal narrative, and
that the African American player’s narrative
is determined to some extent at least by
African culture. Curry quotes liberally from
strong players like Jonathan Rowson, Mau
rice Ashley, Rashid Ziatdinov, and Jeremy
Silman, all known for their work on the sub
jective side of the chess thought process.
Finally, as an ironic testament to the
naïveté toward chess in American culture,
even the editor committed or allowed a num
ber of factual errors. He incorrectly identified
Rachels as the youngest American master
ever; he called the Expert class the “Excep
tional category”; and he allowed one
contributor to label a writer notorious for
errors in his opening books “a renowned
opening specialist.” But perhaps Hale’s most
hilarious remark appears in the Introduction,
where he writes, sarcastically or not, “Often
we catch only momentary snippets of philo
sophical insight from chess players as they
shuffle away from the game table, granting
throngs of sportscasters brief interviews
between sleep and study (italics added).”
Rachels, in his essay, counters closer to the
truth: “When chess players call chess a
sport, this strikes me not only as false, but
as pathetic. It’s pathetic in the same way it’s
pathetic to ask someone out on a date who
said no the last three times you asked. Amer
ican culture has rejected chess.”
.
Chapter titles have been abbreviated
due to space considerations. ~ed.
uschess.org
What’s The Best Move?
38th Chess Olympiad
By GM Larry Evans
Dresden statistics
Last November the U.S. men’s
squad captured third behind Arme
nia and Israel (ahead of Ukraine,
Russia, China) in a strong field of
156 teams at the 38th biennial
Olympiad hosted by Dresden, Ger
many. There were 1,270 players (722
men, 548 women), 110 arbiters,
trainers and officials. For the first
time all games could be followed live
via sensory boards by more than 52
million fans worldwide over the Inter
net. For more on the Olympiad, see
the February 2008 Chess Life or the
November Chess Life Online archives
at uschess.org.
Solutions to this month’s quiz
positions are on page 79.
Readers are invited to send their posi
tions in for possible consideration in
this column. Send to whatsthebest
[email protected] or mail to Chess
Life, c/o What’s The Best Move, PO
Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.
uschess.org
1. White moves
+
+
+k+
+ + + +p
+R+p+p+
Pp+ + +
+ + + +
P +r+ +
+ + PPP
+ + +K+
(a) Rb6 (b) Rxe6 (c) a4
3. White moves
+ r + k
+R+ + +p
+ + + +
p pL+ P
+P+ KP+
+ + + +
l+ + + +
+ + + +
(a) Rb2 (b) Ra7 (c) g6
2. White moves
+
+
k+
l
p + +p+p
q + +p+
+ +Qn +
Q+pR P +
+ + + P
P+ r + P
R + + K
(a) Kh1 (b) Qxe5 (c) Rd1
4. White moves
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
R
+
+
+
+ + +l+
+ + + k
+ +r+ +
+ + +K+
(a) Rd8 (b) Rf8 (c) Kg1
17
Cover Story
Who
Dares
Wins
Topalov defeats Kamsky to secure a world
title challenge against the winner of
Kramnik/Anand, dashing the American’s—
and America’s—hopes
By GM Ian Rogers
n paper, Veselin Topalov was
more than a hot favorite to defeat
Gata Kamsky and secure a sec
ond world title challenge he was an
absolute certainty.
Topalov, 33, sat atop the world rank
ings while Kamsky was ranked only
O
18
17th and his last “hit out” was a mod
est 50% score at the Wijk aan Zee
tournament. In eight games dating back
to 1994 Kamsky, 34, had never beaten
Topalov and had lost four times. The
match was being played in Topalov’s
backyard, the Bulgarian capital Sofia, a
venue which the American had fought
strenuously to avoid.
The bookmakers had installed Topalov
as a three to one favorite to become
Viswanathan Anand’s challenger and
few grandmaster judges gave Kamsky,
with only his legendary resilience to
uschess.org
compensate for his sub elite openings, a
chance in the best of eight match held
February 16 28 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Yet,
despite all the odds, the chess world
was treated to a classic candidates final,
with the result uncertain until the final
time scramble.
uschess.org
Going into the seventh game, Topalov
led Kamsky by a point, 3½ 2½, and was
determined to play for a win with white
without taking risks. However after being
out prepared in the opening not for
the first time in the match Topalov
threw caution to the winds, sacrificing
pawns and creating threats. The New
Yorker found three excellent defensive
moves late in the game but eventually
the strain proved too great. Kamsky
missed one clear win and then a saving
queen sacrifice to lose a rook, the game
and the match.
19
Cover Story
AGE 34
French Defense,
Tarrasch Variation (C07)
GM Veselin Topalov (FIDE 2796)
GM Gata Kamsky (FIDE 2725)
Sofia Candidates Final (7), 02.26.2009
WORLD RANKING 17
1. e4 e6
Gata Kamsky
JANUARY 2009 ELO 2725
REPRESENTING USA
MANAGER
Emil Sutovsky (Israel)
SECONDS Evgeny Najer
(Russia) and Andrei Volokitin
(Ukraine)
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
EXPERIENCE
Semi-finalist in 1994 PCA
World Championship;
Challenger for FIDE world
title in 1996, losing 7½10½ to Anatoly Karpov
QUOTE
“The more chess, the better.”
Again a French Defense from Kamsky
game 5 was not a one off.
2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3 cxd4
6. Bc4 Qd6 7. 0-0 Nf6 8. Re1!?
Well known, but the immediate 8. Nb3
is far more usual.
8. ... Be7 9. Nb3 Nc6 10. Nbxd4 Nxd4 11.
Nxd4
11. Qxd4 would be a de facto draw
offer but Topalov is keen to press with the
white pieces rather than leave everything
hanging on the eighth game.
11. ... 0-0 12. c3 Bd7 13. Qf3 Qb6!?
A new idea, aiming to keep pressure on
the white b pawn.
14. Bb3 a5 15. Be3 Bc5
1974:
1982:
1987:
1988:
1989:
1990:
1991:
1993:
1994
1995:
1996:
1999:
2004:
2006:
2007:
20
Born June 2 in Novokuznetsk, Russia
Learns chess. “I made him play,” says his father Rustam later.
“Any child can become a world champion.”
Wins Soviet Junior Championship (U/18)
Competes in World U/16 Championship in Timisoara, Romania.
Gata’s father Rustam discusses defection plans with U.S.
representatives.
Announces defection from USSR during the New York Open
and moves to Brooklyn with his father. Investment banker pays
$35,000 p.a. stipend for the Kamskys. Garry Kasparov says after
beating Kamsky, “He has no potential to be world champion.”
Earns the grandmaster title.
Wins the U.S. Championship.
Becomes a world championship candidate under both FIDE
and PCA systems.
Beats Van der Sterren, Anand and Salov to qualify for FIDE world
title match. One of his seconds comments, “I find it amazing that
someone who hates chess so much plays so well.”
Loses FIDE world title match 7½ 10½ to Anatoly Karpov. Retires
from tournament chess to attend university.
Briefly takes a break from law studies to compete in Las Vegas
FIDE World Championship Knockout Tournament. Loses to even
tual winner, Alexander Khalifman.
Returns to chess with new attitude and enthusiasm, competing
in New York Masters.
Returns to the elite with a second place in the Mtel Masters
super tournament, behind Veselin Topalov but ahead of
Viswanathan Anand.
Wins FIDE World Cup in Khanty Mansiysk to qualify for world
title candidates final versus Topalov.
r+ + r
k+
+p+l+p
pp
q +p
n +
p l + +
+ N + +
+L
P LQ+
P
P + P
P
P
R + R K
After 15. ... Bc5
16. Rad1!?
Continuing with aggressive intent.
Only now did Kamsky begin to think seri
ously; grabbing the b pawn in home
analysis is one thing but going pawn
grabbing over the board, when one mis
step will see you eliminated from the
world championship cycle is quite
another.
16. ... a4 17. Bc2 Qxb2 18. Bg5 Nd5
r+ + r
k+
+p+l+p
pp
+ +p+ +
+ ln+ L
p+ N + +
+ P +Q+
P
qL+ P
P
P
+ +R
R K
After 18. ... Nd5
uschess.org
PHOTO: CATHY ROGERS
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS
19. c4! Bxd4
Kamsky must already play with
extreme care; 19. ... Nb6 and 19. ... Nb4
would leave Black's king in trouble after
20. Bxh7+! Kxh7 21. Bf6!! gxf6 22. Qh3+
Kg7 23. Qg4+ Kh7 24. Re3 with check
mate to follow.
20. Qd3 f5! 21. Qxd4 Qxc2!
Brave play. This capture, which would
have been impossible after 20. ... g6?!, is
far stronger than 21. ... Qxd4 22. Rxd4
when the endgame is very depressing for
Black despite his extra pawn, e.g. 22. ...
Nb4?! 23. Rxd7 Nxc2 24. Rc1! Nb4 25.
Rb1 when White’s rooks will double on the
seventh rank and wreak havoc and
destruction.
22. cxd5 Qxa2 23. Qb6
23. Qb4 may be more precise because
then 23. ... a3 loses the queen after 24.
Rd2.
23. ... a3!
23. ... exd5? 24. Qxb7 would simply
lose a bishop.
24. Be7! Rfe8 25. Qd6
r+ +r+k+
+p+l
L pp
+ Qp+ +
+ +P+p+
+ + + +
p + + +
q+ + PP
P
+ +R
R K
After 25. Qd6
25. ... Ba4!?
After using up 30 of his 40 remaining
minutes on a single move, Kamsky
decided to allow Topalov to force a draw
but the Bulgarian refused to capture
Kamsky’s advanced pawn and gambled on
blitzing Kamsky in a position which was
fiercely complicated but objectively good
for Black. “I counted on my opponent’s
time trouble,” said Topalov, “and in a
way my decision was justified.”
25. ... Bc8 26. Qc7 would be very messy
so Kamsky spent most of his time choos
ing between the text move and 25. ...
Kf7! with the idea 26. Qxd7? Rxe7 27.
dxe6+ Qxe6!! when Black wins. “I was
afraid [to play 25. ... Kf7!],” was Kam
sky’s frank admission. “I didn't trust
myself. With the two rooks and bishop
and queen [near my king] and my queen
afar. I thought it can't be good! But of
course it was good; I should have just
trusted my instincts.”
uschess.org
26. Qxe6+ Kh8 27. Ra1 Qc4
r+ +r+ k
+p+ L pp
+ +Q+ +
+ +P+p+
l+q+ + +
p + + +
+ + PP
P
R + R K
After 27. ... Qc4
28. Rec1!?
The gambler's spirit! Topalov could
force an immediate draw with 28. Rxa3
Bb3 29. Rxa8 Rxa8 30. Qxf5 Qxd5 but
with Kamsky down to seven minutes for
13 moves, Topalov, after a 12 minute
think, decides to keep the game as ran
dom as possible.
28. ... Bc2! 29. Qd7
29. Qe3 was best, to win the a pawn
and hold the balance, because Black has
no time for 29. ... a2? 30. d6!.
29. ... a2! 30. d6
Another very fast move by Topalov by
now the game was spinning out of White’s
control.
30. ... b5!
Suddenly Kamsky has gained the upper
hand, but he still has to make 10 moves
to reach the time control and there
remains plenty to calculate.
31. Qb7
31. Qc7 would make life far too easy for
Black after 31. ... Qxc7 32. dxc7 Bb3 33.
Bd8 Raxd8 34. cxd8=Q Rxd8.
31. ... Reb8?
The obvious move but 31. ... b4! 32. d7
Reb8! would have been winning; Black's
pawns are just too strong.
32. Qc7! Rc8?
Fatal, but now the exchange of queens
is no longer possible because dxc7 attacks
a rook. With little time left Kamsky saw,
but could not bring himself to commit to
Wang Yue
Prize money
Topalov and Kamsky shared a
$250,000 prize fund equally but this
was far less than they might have
hoped and expected after the FIDE
President Kirsan Iljumzhinov in June
2008 personally guaranteed a
$750,000 prize fund for the match.
At a press conference at the Dres
den Olympiad, Iljumzhinov frankly
admitted that the press release was
a lie and that he never intended to
pay out any money. His motivation,
he said, was to help Kamsky’s then
manager Alexander Chernenko find
a sponsor to host the match in
Ukraine in November 2008.
The wasted months waiting for
Iljumzhinov or Chernenko to fulfill
their promises caused the match to
be delayed until February 2009. ~`I.R.
the saving queen sacrifice 32. ... Bd3!! 33.
Rxc4 bxc4 when it is White who must find
the narrow path to the draw after 34. h4
(34. Qxb8+! is also good enough [just!],
e.g. 34. ... Rxb8 35. h4 Rb1+ 36. Kh2
Rxa1 37. d7 Rh1+ 38. Kg3! h5 39. d8=Q+
Kh7 40. Bf6!! and White will secure a
perpetual check.) 34. ... Rb1+ 35. Kh2
Rxa1 36. d7 Rh1+ 37. Kg3! Rg8 38. d8=Q
a1=Q 39. Qcb8! when Black must force a
draw beginning with 39. ... f4+. “I saw this
32. ... Bd3!! idea and I realized I should
play it but I just lost it,” said Kamsky. “I
stopped trusting myself and panicked.”
33. Qxc4
Topalov, understanding that his posi
tion was now winning, ceased his blitzing
and began to double check all his deci
sions.
33. ... Rxc4 34. d7 Bb1 35. Rd1 Kg8 36.
d8=Q+ Rxd8 37. Bxd8 Bc2 38. Rdc1 b4 39.
Rxa2 b3 40. Ra8 Kf7 41. Rb8
After the time control was reached
Kamsky spent 20 minutes staring at the
ruins of a once great position before play
ing a few perfunctory moves and offering
his hand.
41. ... Ke6 42. Re1+ Kd5 43. Be7 Ra4 44. Bf8
Ra7 45. h4, Black resigned.
“Topalov was clearly better—his openings with
black were very strong. Kamsky had chances but
because Topalov is so good Kamsky had to think
for a long time.”
21
Cover Story
Aronian
asking for trouble.
“It was an exciting match right up to the end.
Kamsky’s preparation in game three was great.
But what is it they say about the good player
always being lucky?”
As Kamsky resigned the Sofia crowd
both inside and outside the playing arena
match, burst into spirited applause.
So in the end the favorite Topalov
earned the right to challenge Viswanathan
Anand for the world title at the end of
2009 after a 4½ 2½ victory in the best of
eight contest. The final margin was flatter
ing for the victor, as even Topalov
admitted. “It was not easy for me,” said a
relieved Topalov at the post match press
conference. “I have never won such a long
match before. Gata played quite well and
there was fighting in all games. The result
was finally decided by his time trouble.”
Kamsky pinpointed his lack of self
confidence, leading to time trouble as a
key factor. “I made some serious mis
takes while Veselin made fewer mistakes,”
was his assessment of the consequences
of his clock problems.
Topalov agreed: “This is sport when
you make a mistake it is not the fault of
your opponent. Gata missed his chance
in the first game he should have contin
ued (with 28. ... Kg8, rather than allow a
draw.) In the second he lost because he
spent too much time in the opening. Then
in the next two games I was in trouble
(after the opening).”
The key moment that Topalov was
thinking of in the first game came in the
diagrammed position:
Decisions, decisions
r+ + + k
p + q +p
p + +n
Q
+ + + +R
+ pN+ +
+ + + +P
P+ + +P+
+ + + K
After 28. Rh5
Topalov had sacrificed a pawn immedi
ately after the opening but his attack has
been neutralized and Kamsky must now
22
make a big decision.
28. ... Rg8
Kamsky considered playing for a win
with 28. ... Kg8!? 29. Nf6+ Qxf6 30. Qxh7+
Kf8 31. Rh6 Rc8! but after 32. Rxg6 Rc1+
33. Kh2 Qe5+ 34. Rg3 Rc3 he misjudged
the rook endgame which arises after 35.
Qg8+ Ke7 36. Qg5+ Qxg5 37. Rxg5. Kam
sky thought that White’s h pawn would
be very dangerous but in fact after 37. ...
Ke6! it is White who must be careful.
Probably White can hold after 38. Rg8! so
Kamsky’s move, which allows a relieved
Topalov to force an immediate draw, was
a reasonable decision given that the above
analysis shows that Black only has min
imal winning chances after 28. ... Kg8.
10. Qh5 c6 11. Bg5 f6 12. Rae1 Ne6 13. Bd3
0-0 14. Bd2 d5 15. f4
“I should probably just exchange the
pieces and make a draw but I wanted to
play,” said Kamsky. “Overambitious and
impractical” was Kamsky’s manager
Sutovsky's blunt assessment after the
game, though he added, “One of the qual
ities of really super players is self
confidence. So, the very idea of refuting
Topalov’s opening concept over the board,
although a bit naïve deserves certain
respect.”
15. ... Qc5+ 16. Kh1
Again White could play safe with 16.
Be3 d4 17. Qxc5 Nxc5 18. Bxg6 dxe3 19.
Be4 but this was certainly not White’s
idea when playing 15. f4.
16. ... d4 17. Bf5
Another ambitious move criticized by
Kamsky after the game since it was based
on a tactical oversight but in any case 17.
Qxc5 Nxc5 18. Bc4+ Kh8 19. Ne2 would
only leave White grovelling for a draw.
17. ... Rf7
29. Nf6 Rg7 30. Nxh7! Rxh7 31. Qxg6 Qe3+
32. Kf1 Qc1+ 33. Kf2 Qd2+ 34. Kg3 Qe3+ 35.
Kh2 Qf4+ 36. Kg1 Qc1+, Draw agreed.
Topalov could have played the queen
sacrifice 17. ... Nexf4 18. Rxf4 dxc3!!
since 19. Be6+ Bxe6 20. Qxc5 cxd2 21.
Rd1 Nxf4 22. Rxd2 Bd5 leaves Black with
too many pieces for the queen. However
White could defend with 19. Be3 and,
besides, Topalov prefers to avoid forcing
lines until Kamsky is seriously short of
time.
Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense (C65)
18. Ne4 Qd5 19. Bxg6?!
After his solid draw with black in the
first game, Kamsky was ready to rumble
in the second, only to find himself fight
ing both an unfamiliar opening and an
opponent apparently content with a draw
but more than willing to pounce if the
opportunity arose.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. 0-0 Bc5!?
An old favorite of Boris Spassky, only
sporadically seen in modern times; the
close relation with 3. ... a6 and 4. Ba4
inserted has attracted far more modern
attention.
5. Nxe5
A move which already cost Kamsky
considerable time; 5. c3 is the other main
line.
5. ... Nxe4 6. Qe2 Nxe5 7. d4 Qe7!? 8. dxc5
Gambits a pawn and keeping the game
alive. When not averse to a quick draw,
Spassky's opponents preferred 8. Qxe4
Ng6 9. Qxe7+ Bxe7 with dead equality.
8. ... Nxc5 9. Nc3 Ng6
9. ... c6?! 10. Re1 f6 11. f4 would be
Finally the clock takes its toll. After
19. Ng3! White would have ample com
pensation for the pawn. Kamsky thinks
he is exchanging into a favorable endgame
but he had missed Black’s 21st move.
19. ... hxg6 20. Qxd5 cxd5 21. Nd6
r+l+ +k+
pp+ +r
p
+ Nn
pp+
+ +p+ +
+ p P
+
+ + + +
P
PP
L +P
P
+ + RR+K
After 21. Nd6
21. ... Rc7!!
A terrific idea, which Topalov took 12
minutes, time enough for Kamsky to real
uschess.org
ize that 21. ... Re7 was not forced as he
had originally calculated.
22. c4?
Veselin Topalov
Panic. Kamsky had to accept the offer
and hope for the best after 22. Nxc8
Raxc8 23. Rxe6 Rxc2 24. Bb4 Rxb2 25.
a3. Objectively this position may be ten
able but given Kamsky’s time trouble his
survival chances were bleak. For exam
ple, Black can try 25. ... d3! when 26. h3?!
would lose spectacularly to 26. ... Rxb4!!
27. axb4 d2!.
AGE 34
WORLD RANKING 1
JANUARY 2009 ELO 2796
REPRESENTING Bulgaria
MANAGER
Silvio Danailov (Bulgaria)
SECONDS
Ivan Cheparinov
(Bulgaria), Paco Vallejo
(Spain), Erwin L’Ami (Ned.)
22. ... dxc3 e.p. 23. Bxc3 d4 24. Bb4 Bd7 25.
Rf2
With a pawn down, less than a minute
on the clock and a bad position to boot,
White’s chances are negligible and
Topalov plays the last part of the game
with great precision.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
EXPERIENCE
Semi-finalist FIDE Knockout
tournament; 2004 winner
FIDE World Championship
tournament
25. ... a5! 26. Ba3 b5 27. b3 b4 28. Bb2
Ra6! 29. Ne4 Rac6 30. Kg1 Rc2 31. g3 d3
32. Rd1 f5 and Black won on time.
With a day to recover, Kamsky recov
ered his composure with a great piece of
opening preparation, drawing with ease
with black.
Gruenfeld Defense (D81)
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Qb3
Having seen his beloved Exchange Vari
ation neutered in the first game, Topalov
springs a surprise by trying an old Russ
ian line, recently revived.
4. ... dxc4 5. Qxc4 Bg7 6. e4 0-0 7. Be2
The modern preference, delaying Nf3.
2005 QUOTE
“Anand is my only rival.”
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS
1975:
Born March 15 in Ruse, Bulgaria.
1994:
Came to worldwide attention with victory over World Champion
Garry Kasparov at the Moscow Olympiad.
1992:
1996:
2004:
2005:
2005:
7. ... a6!?
A surprise in return for Topalov. Kam
sky alongside other Gruenfeld experts
such as Svidler and Dominguez, had in
the past preferred 7. ... Nfd7 but Carlsen
had dealt the ... Nfd7 b6 plan a heavy
blow in the Wijk aan Zee tournament
just a fortnight earlier.
PHOTO: CATHY ROGERS
8. Bf4 b5! 9. Qxc7 Qxc7 10. Bxc7 b4 11. Na4
Nc6
All according to plan for Kamsky. Of
course 11. ... Nxe4 12. Nb6 would be dis
astrous for Black.
2006:
2008:
2009:
Moved to Spain as a 17 year old grandmaster, securing a world
top 20 ranking within 18 months.
Most successful tournament player in the world, but subsequently
his progress stalled.
Hot favorite to win the FIDE Knockout World Championship
but after five crushing match wins, fell to eventual winner
Kasimdzhanov in a semi final rapid playoff.
Top three finishes in all European super tournaments, including
first place in Linares, Spain and Sofia, Bulgaria.
Wins FIDE World Championship tournament in San Luis,
Argentina, with a wide margin after an amazing 6½/7 first half.
Some of Topalov’s rivals allege the Topalov was receiving advice
during games, most publicly Alexander Morozevich’s second
Barsov. Since then Morozevich has conducted an informal
boycott of Topalov, competing only once in a serious tournament
alongside Topalov.
Loses controversial world title match to Vladimir Kramnik on
a rapid tiebreaker. During and after the match Topalov alleges
that Kramnik was cheating.
Wins Grand Slam final in Bilbao and Nanjing Pearl Spring
tournament to overtake Anand as world number one and
passes 2800 rating level for the second time.
Defeats Gata Kamsky to qualify for world title match versus
Viswanathan Anand.
12. d5 Nd4 13. Bd3
(See diagram top of next page)
uschess.org
23
Cover Story
Topalov
“The level [of play] I showed was not really good.
I am not completely satisfied.”
r+l+ rk+
+ L pp
lp
p+ + np+
+ +P+ +
N
p nP+ +
+ +L+ +
P
P + PP
P
R + K NR
r+ qr
lk+
+l
p +p
pp
p+n
p n +
+p+ p +
+ PP+ +
+L
P +N+P
P
P N PP+
R LQ
R K
After 13. Bd3
After 11. ... Bf8
13. ... Bd7! 14. Nb6 Bb5! 15. Be5!
12. Ng5!?
By far the safest move. 15. Nxa8?! Bxd3
16. Rd1 Nc2+ 17. Kd2 Bxe4 18. f3 Bh6+
19. Ke2 Bxd5 would be terrific for Black
despite his Exchange deficit; White's
pieces are horribly scattered.
15. ... Nxe4!
All according to preparation for Kam
sky. Had Black been desperate for a win
he could have tried 15. ... Bxd3!? 16.
Bxd4 Rab8 intending to meet 17. f3 with
17. ... Bb5 when the knight on b6 is in
trouble. The critical line appears to be 17.
e5 Rxb6! 18. Bxb6 (18. exf6 Rxf6!) 18. ...
Nxd5 19. Bd4 Nf4 when Black has a sur
prising amount of compensation for the
Exchange, albeit probably not enough
for an advantage.
16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Bxe4 Rab8
The final point behind Kamsky’s prepa
ration. The knight is trapped and the
game was drawn 20 moves later.
The previous game may have given
Kamsky heart but what followed was a
shock, most visibly for Topalov. Not only
did Kamsky score his first career victory
over Topalov but he did it via a positional
master class which made the highest
rated player look planless and desperate.
Closed Ruy Lopez (C92)
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6
No sidelines for Topalov today.
4. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0-0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8.
c3 0-0 9. h3 Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8
24
The first real surprise; an idea sug
gested to Kamsky by his second GM
Andrei Volokitin. Rather than enter any
fashionable variations, Kamsky heads for
a position that has not been thought to
be dangerous for many years.
12. ... Re7 13. d5 Nb8
The modern preference, although GM
Anatoly Karpov’s choice of 13. ... Na5
has never been refuted.
14. Nf1 Nbd7 15. Ng3 g6 16. Bc2
The first new move and an eminently
logical one. In the original 1979 game in
this line Oleg Romanishin had used 16.
Be3 to beat Alexander Beliavsky.
16. ... h6 17. Nf3 Nb6
r+ q lk+
+l
p rp+
p
n p np
p
+p+P
p +
+ +P+ +
+ P +N
NP
P
PL+ PP+
R LQ
R K
After 17. ... Nb6
18. h4!
The start of a very annoying plan. Kam
sky knows that Black wants to play ...
c7 c6 and later ... d6 d5 so he makes
sure that he will have a weakness to
attack on g6 if Black manages to exe
cute his plan.
18. ... Qd7 19. Nh2 Bg7 20. h5 Rf8 21. Nhf1
c6 22. dxc6 Qxc6 23. Ne3 Kh7
Quietly accepting his fate. The advance
23. ... d5 allows 24. hxg6 fxg6 25. exd5
Nbxd5 26. Nxd5 Nxd5 27. Be4 when
White controls some key squares.
24. Qf3 Bc8 25. Rd1 Be6
+ + r
+
+ + rp
lk
p
nq
pl
np
p
+p+ p +P
+ +P+ +
+ P NQ
N
P
PL+ P
P+
R LR+ K
After 25. ... Be6
26. b3!
Without this long term pawn sacri
fice, White would struggle to make
progress but now Topalov must grab the
pawn since allowing 27. Ba3 would lead
to similar positions to the game without
the material solace. “It's a very logical
move, said Kamsky. “My queenside pieces
weren’t playing but after 27. Bd2 I defi
nitely had compensation for the pawn.”
26. ... Qxc3 27. Bd2 Qc7 28. Ba5 Qb8 29.
Rd2! Nc8
29. ... Rd7 30. Rad1 Rc8 keeps some
activity but Black is still suffering after 31.
Bb4 Rc6 32. Nd5!.
30. Rad1 b4?
Topalov’s first bid for counterplay and
a serious mistake. The threat to trap
White’s bishop is easily parried and
Black’s queenside pawns soon become
chronically weak. “I had some idea but I
missed one variation then I sort of blun
dered a pawn.”
31. Qe2! Kh8 32. Bd3 Na7 33. Rc1! Nb5 34.
Bxb5 axb5 35. Bxb4 Rd7 36. Rc6 Rfd8 37. Qd1
Bf8 38. Qc2! Kh7 39. Ba5 Re8 40. hxg6+ fxg6
The time control has been safely
reached but Kamsky continued playing
quickly he had already calculated that
the d pawn can safely be captured.
41. Bc7 Qb7
+ +r
l +
+q
Lr+ +k
+R
pl
np
p
+p+ p +
+ +P+ +
+P+ N N
P+Q
R P
P+
+ + + K
After 41. ... Qb7
uschess.org
For Kamsky, a lack of self confidence—and the resulting time trouble—ultimately doomed his world championship hopes.
42. Bxd6! Bf7
13 minutes were spent on this move
part bluff, part despair.
43. Bb4
Played after half an hour’s cogitation.
“I thought that 43. Bxf8!! Rxd2 44. Qc1!!
was winning,” said Kamsky “and it is
winning. I just didn’t see that after 44. ...
Rxf8 45. Rxf6 Qd7 I have 46. Ngf1! Rd6
47. Nf5!, winning.”
43. ... Bxb4 44. Rxd7 Qxd7
44. ... Nxd7 45. Rc7 is even worse.
PHOTO: CATHY ROGERS
45. Rxf6 Re6 46. Nd5 Bf8 47. Rf3! Kg7 48.
Rc3 Ra6 49. Rc7 Qd6 50. Qe2!
The dual threats of 51. Qxb5 and 51.
Qg4 ensure that Black cannot maintain
his position.
50. ... Kg8 51. Qxb5 Rxa2 52. Qb7 Ra1+ 53.
Kh2 Bxd5
Here a despondent GM Ivan Chepari
nov, Topalov’s trusty second, wandered
uschess.org
into the National Palace of Culture (NDK)
building, tired of watching the game
online and hoping to provide some sup
port for his charge after his inevitable
defeat. In the event, he had to wait much
longer than expected for Topalov to stop
fighting.
54. exd5!
Far more precise than taking back with
the queen, although that must inevitably
win in the long run. “I would have a
chance to find 43. Bxf8!! and 44. Qc1!! but
I would never take back with the e pawn
Anand
myself,” admitted Sutovsky. “The guy
sees everything.”
54. ... Qf6 55. Qc8 Qh4+
55. ... Qxf2 loses the rook on a1 after
two checks.
56. Qh3 Qxh3+ 57. Kxh3 Rd1 58. Ne4 Ba3
59. Ra7 Bb4 60. Rb7 Ba3 61. f3 Kf8 62. Rb5
h5 63. Kg3 Rc1 64. Rb8+
64. d6 or first 64. b4 would have been
much faster but Kamsky has seen a clear
path to victory and is content to follow it.
“Of course the ending is winning for
“Kamsky lost many games in the middlegame.
It’s funny— we expected it to be ‘Topy’s’
preparation against Kamsky’s nerves but it
turned out to be the other way around.”
25
Cover Story
Sofia
For the capital of a chess loving
nation, the Bulgarian capital of 1½
million people has not hosted many
major chess events; Bulgaria’s Black
Sea resorts of Varna and Plovdiv
have hosted an Olympiad and Euro
pean Team Championship, respec
tively, but until the Mtel super tour
naments began in 2005, Sofia was
hardly featured on the international
chess map. The Candidates Final,
with sponsorship from the State
Agency for Youth and Sport and
the prime minister of Bulgaria head
ing the organizing committee, may
herald change.
With its spectacular Orthodox
churches and many parks some
times occupied by chessplayers
Sofia is an underrated tourist desti
nation but Sofia in February is not
the perfect time for a visit. The
Topalov Kamsky match was held in
a city covered in heavy snow and
with temperatures regularly below 14
degrees Fahrenheit.
The tournament venue, the
National Palace of Culture (NDK)
just meters away from the Sofia
Hilton where Kamsky was housed
is a massive complex of theatres and
halls with a distinctly Balkan fla
vor. (For example, the no smoking
rules appeared to apply only to the
upper floors!) The NDK’s 1980s
brown décor has seen better days
but the small theatre in which the
grandmasters competed provided
ideal playing conditions, even if the
spectator seating of around 160 was
full only on weekends. ~I.R.
White,” said Kamsky.
64. ... Kf7 65. Rb7+ Kf8 66. Kf2 Rc2+ 67. Kf1
Rc1+ 68. Ke2 Rc2+ 69. Kd3 Rxg2 70. Ra7
Be7 71. d6 Bd8 72. Nc5
72. Ra8 Ke8 73. Nf6+ Kf7 74. Rxd8!
Kxf6 75. Re8! was again a faster route to
victory.
72. ... Ke8 73. Rh7, Black resigned.
“I played very badly,” was Topalov’s
blunt assessment of the game.
Both players appeared exhausted after
this marathon battle, but Topalov was
probably the most relieved to have a rest
day before the fifth game.
After relaxing at the exclusive Tabiet
restaurant away from his seconds on the
night before the fifth game, Topalov
seemed refreshed while Kamsky, despite
frantic preparation for a big opening sur
26
prise his first ever French Defense
was not seen at his best.
shot and could do nothing with his sec
ond last game with the white pieces.
Blundering
Caro-Kann, Advance Variation (B12)
+
+
k+
r
+ r +p
p
+n
q + p
p + + +P
+ pR+ +
+P+N+Q
P
P+ R PK+
+ + + +
After 34. Nd3
Topalov has maintained pressure since
the opening but after 34. ... Re7 Black
would have reasonable chances of hold
ing the game. However Kamsky, anxious
to avoid any time trouble in this game,
plays a couple of quick moves and plum
mets to defeat.
34. ... Rd8?! 35. Rc2 Nb4??
“I just relaxed for a minute and blun
dered everything,” bemoaned Kamsky
after the game. “I completely forgot about
37. Rxd4! for some reason.”
36. Nxb4
Kamsky’s head in hands, thought for
two minutes before recapturing, realizing
that his intended 36. ... axb4 37. Rxd4
Rxc2 38. Rxd6 Rxd6 loses to 39. Qa8+
Kh7 40. Qe4+.
36. ... axb4 37. Rxd4 Qf8?!
Played after 10 painful minutes work
ing out that the rook endgame after 37.
... Qxd4 38. Rxc7 Qd5 39. Rb7 will be
hopelessly lost. “37. ... Qf8 was also a big
mistake,” said Topalov, “but I think objec
tively the position was already lost.”
However Kamsky's choice only makes
matters worse.
38. Rxd8! Qxd8 39. Rxc7 Qxc7 40. Qa8+ Kh7
41. Qe4+ Kg8 42. Qxb4
These endgames are usually winning
even with only one queenside pawn, so
Kamsky would not have been criticized for
resigning immediately.
42. ... Qc6+ 43. Kg1 Qc1+ 44. Kh2 Qc2 45.
Qe1 Kf8 46. a3 Qb2 47. Qb4+ Kg8 48. Kg2
Qe5 49. Qg4 Qb2 50. Qc8+ Kh7 51. Qc4
Qxa3 52. Qxf7 Qb4 53. Qc4 Qb7+ 54. Kg1
Qf3 55. g4, Black resigned.
The next game, viewed as a good
chance to bounce back was all Topalov
after Kamsky missed another tactical
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 c5
6. Be3 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Ne7 8. Nd2 Nbc6 9. N2f3
Bg4
Kamsky himself had played 9. ... a6
against GM Peter Svidler and achieved a
fairly comfortable draw.
10. 0-0 Bxf3 11. Nxf3
r+ qk
l r
pp+ np
pp
+n+p+ +
+ +p
P +
+ + + +
+ + LN+
P
PP+L
PP
P
R +Q+R
K
After 11. Nxf3
11. ... g6
A rather unexpected novelty in a posi
tion where previously Black had always
moved his e7 knight to g6 or f5. The new
weakening on the dark squares will only
be important if White can open up the
position, a task Kamsky now undertakes.
12. c4! Bg7 13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Bc5 Bf8
r+ qk
l r
pp+ +p+p
+n+p+p+
+ Ln
P +
+ + + +
+ + +N+
P
P +L
PP
P
R +Q+R
K
After 14. ... Bf8
15. Qc1?
A miscalculation by Kamsky which
allows Black instant equality. After 15.
Rc1! Black still has some problems to
solve after 15. ... Bxc5 16. Rxc5 0 0 17.
Qd2 Kg7 18. h4 h6 19. Rfc1, although
whether White can increase the pressure
is uncertain.
15. ... Rc8! 16. Bxf8 Nd4!
Oops!
17. Qd1 Nxe2+ 18. Qxe2 Kxf8
uschess.org
The mass exchanges have led to a dead
equal position and the game was drawn
on move 43.
Then came the seesawing, tragic,
final game given above which ended
the match.
With the match decided by a few hasty
moves in time trouble, it would be easy to
write off Topalov’s victory as lucky.
Yet Kamsky’s mistakes tended to over
shadow some great practical chess from
Topalov: the piece sacrifice from nowhere
in game two, the slow increase of pressure
in games five and six, and the incredible
risk taking in the final game.
For once Topalov was unable to domi
nate in the openings yet he lost only one
game from the seven. The Bulgarian
found another path to victory; setting
practical problems for his opponent until
Kamsky cracked. “He is a great tacti
cian,” admitted Kamsky. “He was able to
come up with moves that kept surprising
me. He really deserved to win this match.”
Whether Topalov’s strategy will work
against Anand himself the archetypal
practical player is a question which
chess pundits will be discussing until
the title match begins.
Meanwhile Kamsky, while admitting
he may not be the player he was when he
unsuccessfully challenged for Anatoly
Karpov’s FIDE world title in 1996,
scotched suggestions that he might retire
(again). “I have still got some chances
[to play for the world title]. [Though]
maybe I am not as ambitious as I should
be ... When you get older it’s really hard
to study; there are many other things in
my life.”
Qualification Quarrels
The world body FIDE had decided in
2006 that the winner of the 2007 World
Cup in Khanty Mansiysk would qualify
to play the world champion in a title
match but in mid 2007 the rules were
altered and it was announced that the
World Cup winner would have to play
against Topalov before challenging for
the world title.
Why such a late change to the world
championship system?
In essence, the answer is a tribute to
the negotiating skills of Topalov’s man
ager IM Silvio Danailov.
In 2006 when the contracts for the
Kramnik Topalov match in Elista were
being negotiated, Danailov made sure
that a clause was included to exclude
the loser which at that time looked
likely to be Kramnik from the next
world championship cycle.
uschess.org
High Anxiety
“We don’t want a scandal like in Elista”
was the mantra which was repeated end
lessly by the organizers of the match, the
Bulgarian Chess Federation and even by
spectators paying their 10 Lev to come to
the NDK to watch the match.
That Topalov was robbed in his 2006
world title match by Vladimir Kramnik
and the Russian security agency, the
FSB, is a national myth apparently
believed throughout Sofia, despite the
rest of the world’s view that all the scan
dals in Elista were created by the
Bulgarian side. So to avoid their national
hero being robbed again, security meas
ures at the Sofia match were extra
ordinary, including metal detectors for
both players and spectators and a total
ban on press photographers after the
first five minutes of the game.
In fact in Sofia 2009 a determination
existed on both sides to ensure that no
cheating of any sort was possible. After
three solid days of negotiations in Novem
ber at the Dresden Olympiad, the two
players and their managers signed an
enormously detailed match agreement.
However upon arrival the Kamsky team
realized that enforcing many of the details
would require constant argument with
the match organizing committee.
Topalov’s manager, Silvio Danailov, also
began a psychological war, with a bogus
claim that Kamsky (who has an Israeli
manager, Emil Sutovsky) had sent a
Mossad agent to inspect the playing venue.
In fact the Kamsky team did bring a
technical expert, a Russian, who ensured
that the mobile phone jammer in the
playing hall installed only midway
through the first game was operational
When his player lost in Elista,
Danailov spared no effort to ensure that
Topalov would not have to wait years for
his next challenge and, though he failed
to have Topalov added to the 2007 World
Championship tournament in Mexico
City, Danailov did succeed in having
Topalov included as an extra obstacle for
the World Cup winner.
Topalov rationalized: “This was a priv
ilege but also compensation [to me] for
the changes FIDE made to the cycle.”
The unorthodox nature of this agree
ment in part explains why it was so
difficult to find a neutral sponsor for
the match.
As Kamsky’s manager Sutovsky
explained, “In some ways the match
was only of interest to the Bulgarians.
It was an artificial match Gata (or
eventually, any winner of World Cup
and checked Team Kamsky’s hotel room
for listening devices.
“We don’t want conflict we want to
concentrate on chess,” explained
Sutovsky. “That’s why I have to be
absolutely sure, that Gata is focused on
the game itself. I have nothing personally
against Topalov (whom I greatly respect
as a chess player) but it is a reality of
today’s world that you have to take pre
cautions. Five years ago, a computer
could help you a lot. Today, the use of a
computer just wins. It’s today’s reality. I
am ready to risk sounding paranoid, but
really I’m not.”
Sutovsky went on to say that the secu
rity matters should be separated from
the overall match organization: “The
hotel and the playing hall were great
and all security measures are just minor.
[However it is true that] most of the
minor things in the contract were not
realized [at first]. We arrived on the 12th,
had the inspection on the 14th. The
playing area was not ready on the 15th,
not even on the 16th [the day of the
opening ceremony] but only on the
morning of the 17th.”
Ultimately, it is to the credit of the
organizers and the two teams that the
match took place without incident. There
is no doubt that, in today’s paranoid
times, playing in Bulgaria was an advan
tage for Topalov, who could be more
relaxed about potential espionage threats.
However there is no doubt that the Sofia
match was decided entirely over the
board, a fact for which many will breathe
a sigh of relief.
.
See additional match reports on Chess Life
Online at uschess.org, February archives.
2007) should have qualified directly to
play Anand by winning the World Cup
but then Topalov was added to the cycle.
“So we could go to war a legal war
or renegotiate and play; a difficult
choice. If we took the legal route, some
would say that we were doing it because
we were scared about the outcome
not true at all. So I advised Gata to
agree to Sofia.”
Kamsky’s decision to play in Sofia
had one huge positive spin off for the
American; one not entirely unexpected.
In March FIDE changed the rules for the
2010 11 world championship cycle and
announced a new eight player candi
dates tournament to find a world title
challenger. Only two players were pre
qualified for the new tournament the
loser of the Anand Topalov title match
and ... Kamsky! ~`I.R.
27
USAT Events
Teeming Chess:
The 2009 U.S. Amateur Team Events
The USCF’s premier amateur event continues to attract players across the country
USAT EAST: An Atypical Atmosphere
A first-time participant discovers the “hype” is deserved
By Jonathan Hilton
fter attending the U.S. Amateur
Team East for the first time this
year, my perspective on the royal
game has been altered. Nearly a year of
traveling the country in pursuit of tour
nament play has, gradually, developed
in me a certain mind frame that of the
intense chess competitor, or perhaps even
the rambling chess warrior. Like most
other players, the focus of my typical
chess tournament experience is on myself:
my games, my performance, my rating.
Yet Steve Doyle’s yearly team event in
Parsippany, New Jersey encourages “com
petitors” like me to expand our mindsets
and embrace a bustling atmosphere of
community, friendship, and openness.
I had initially noticed something strange
was afoot when, in the freezing parking lot
of the Parsippany Hilton, I noted a group
of what appeared to be young chess play
ers I couldn’t know for sure, but I felt
intuitively that they were who had for
saken their traditional pre tournament
blitz to play with a Frisbee outdoors. I was
lugging my bags to the door when a green
disk gently landed at my feet. Unsure of
myself, I paused and, feeling my pre
A
28
game nerves receding as I lost my “guard,”
I stooped over to pick up the Frisbee and
toss it back.
Had I been attending a scholastic tour
nament, I wouldn’t have given the incident
a second thought. As I entered the hotel
building, however, I knew this was no
scholastic event. Few “opens” can boast
even half as many titled players as the
U.S. Amateur Team East (USATE), and
when I saw grandmasters like Nick deFir
mian, Joel Benjamin, John Fedorowicz,
and Giorgi Kacheishvili around me, I felt
the inescapable sensation that I had sud
denly stepped into The Twilight Zone. The
cluttered hallways, the “chess moms”
and “chess dads” congregating in the
lobby area, and the myriads of small chil
dren moving underfoot screamed of a
“SuperNationals style” event. The grand
masters, the presence of chess veterans
like IM Jay Bonin, and the decorum of the
sizable tournament hall which, this year,
held 1,203 players embodied the essence
of a strong open. “What kind of tourna
ment is this?” I thought, bewildered.
The answer, of course, was a tourna
ment unlike any other. This was a
tournament that would bring even the
most reticent players out of their shells;
those who would normally be undergoing
solemn pre game routines at the start of
a round could be found chatting with
their opponents and teammates as if at a
family reunion. Anticipation or anxiety
before matches was replaced with festiv
ities each round and with charismatic
organizer Steve Doyle at the microphone,
there was always spirited entertainment.
There was ceremony as well before the
start of round one, members from all 283
teams in attendance said the Pledge of
Allegiance together as a flag ceremony
was performed by cadets from West Point.
Youth Versus “Experience”
The fusing of the lively “scholastic”
atmosphere with that of a “heritage event”
yielded explosive results over the chess
board. So called youth versus experience
matchups were frequent, and their essence
was best captured when a team from
Hunter College High School in New York
faced the posse of reigning World Senior
Champion GM Larry Kaufman. Kaufman’s
uschess.org
PHOTO: ROBERT ORESICK
For 39 years, the USAT East has been celebrating chess.
team, named “UR Outrated: Give Up” based
on its average team rating of 2199, just shy
of the 2200 limit, was “diversified.” The
two experienced, titled players, Larry Kauf
man and his son IM Ray Kaufman, took
boards one and two while their younger
counterparts David Schoch and Douglas
Stanley took boards three and four. Mean
while, “Hunter Chess High School” was
composed of junior player and master
Michael Thaler, freshman FM Alec Getz,
seventh grade student CM Aleksandr
Ostrovskiy, and freshman expert Aaron
Landesman. “Hunter is a school for the
gifted or lucky,” remarked Getz.
Both teams finished with 5 1 records
and had dreams of winning “the whole
thing.” Larry Kaufman’s team was a top
seed, and an improving Ray Kaufman had
recently earned his IM title while playing
in Europe. The players from Hunter had
an average team rating of 2159 but were
clearly underrated, as they have bene
fited from playing at the Marshall Chess
Club. “We all know each other well,” said
Getz, “and we’re all improving fast.” The
two teams faced each behind the rope
partition in a critical fourth round match.
First board Thaler got a sizable edge
against the senior world champion in an
Exchange Ruy Lopez, and with the bottom
two boards appearing to favor Hunter,
Getz found a creative plan to hold a draw
with the black pieces:
uschess.org
IM Raymond Kaufman (2314)
FM Alec Getz (2277)
U.S. Amateur Team East (4), 02.15.2009
Notes by Getz
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4
0-0 6. e3 Nbd7 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Nxd5 exd5 9.
Bd3 Bb4+ 10. Kf1!
r+l
q rk+
pp
pn+p
pp
+ + + +
+ +p+ +
l P L +
+ +L
PN+
P
P + PP
P
R +Q+K+R
After 10. Kf1
I was surprised by this move, but after
a minute I started to feel uncomfortable
with my position. White loses castling
rights, but the king is not in danger since
White controls the center. The rook might
prove more useful on h1 than f1, but
more importantly, White wants to keep his
knight on f3, where it can jump to e5 or
g5. Retreating to d2 would not be as
active. Black's bishop is aiming at air
Chess 960
Another side event at the U.S.
Amateur Team East is the “Chess
960” championship, a newer and
less established tournament held
on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. Excalibur
donated several clocks as prizes,
and as the event was sparsely
attended, there were enough for each
participant to receive one. Writes
tournament winner Adithya Bala
subramanian, “The entry fee was
$10, and we were getting $40 clocks,
so it was a win win situation.”
Balasubramanian, who finished
with 2½/3 after ceding a wild, dou
ble flag fall draw to Scott Low, was
played in his first ever Chess 960
event. “I ended up using a lot of
my time trying to figure out how to
castle.”
Clearly, the different starting order
of the pieces along the back rank
didn’t faze Balasubramanian too
much after finishing his game with
Low, he replayed the entire game
from memory so that it could be
written down! Expect the Chess 960
event to grow in future years. ~JH
29
USAT Events
The “Other”
Championship
As the U.S. Amateur Team East
(USATE) grows, so does its premier
side event: the Sunday night “bug
house” tournament, which started at
11:00 p.m. after most of the fourth
round battles had ended. “This year
was a lot more competitive than pre
vious years,” observed Japanese
American talent Shinsaku Uesugi.
“There were more teams, and the
teams were stronger more FMs and
IMs chose to play this year than ever
before.” Uesugi, who paired up with
fellow bughouse guru Jason McKin
ney to win last year’s USATE
bughouse championship, formed the
team “Asian Domination” with multi
time National Open Bughouse
Champion Nephtali Diaz to once
again take the top prize. The two
had strong team chemistry and “the
quickest hands I’ve ever seen,”
according to WFM Abby Marshall,
who partnered with IM Alex Lender
man for the event. She jokingly
added that the pair should have
been called “World Domination,” and
that their chances against them
would have been better had the
Game/5 time control been doubled.
Uesugi cites his team’s match
against FM Daniel Yeager and Scott
Low as their toughest. Despite the
opposing team’s strong resistance,
Uesugi remarks, “we stayed in con
trol.” “Asian Domination” also
defeated a powerful duo of FM Marc
Arnold and IM Robert Hess. Despite
being out rated, Uesugi was not
intimidated last year, he and his
partner McKinney had taken down
GM Hikaru Nakamura and Danny
Rohde. Ultimately, after two exhaust
ing hours of bughouse, Diaz and
Uesugi were declared the 2009
USATE bughouse champions with
a perfect 6 0 score. And, in another
one of USATE’s many paradoxes,
they split the $170 first place prize.
What a strange twist it is that, while
the main USATE event is played for
honor, fun, fame, and bragging
rights, the USATE bughouse cham
pionship is the only part of the event
with a cash prize! ~JH
If you would like to watch Uesugi
and Diaz in action, all six of their
games from the 2009 USATE
Bughouse Championship are
available on YouTube from the
user “Bughouse MASTER.”
30
and is a target in light of White's Qd1 b3
or a2 a3 and b2 b4 with a “minority
attack.” Black needs to find a good
defense or he will succumb to an attack
or be squeezed off the board. Perhaps
Kaufman had seen the game Korchnoi
Portisch, played last year in Corus, where
“Viktor the Terrible” squeezed his oppo
nent off the board. Portisch in that game
played 10. ... Nf6 to secure d5, but when
Korchnoi stuck his knight on e5 it was
stuffy for Black.
make the time control at move 40. In the
end, it was Kaufman who made the fabled
“second to last blunder.”
10. ... Bd6!!
This move is only sixth in popularity,
but it scores well and is recommended in
some books.
If this move looks ridiculous at first sight,
it should. Isn’t Black just giving himself
doubled pawns? Yes, but after Black plays
... Nf6, it will be difficult for White to win
either of the d pawns. Also, Black can now
challenge White’s control of the c file rather
than allowing White to start a “minority
attack.” One might also think White is
playing a “pawn up,” but this is not the
case, as both d pawns pull their weight. The
d6 pawn forever secures e5 and c5, and the
d5 pawn gives Black a stronghold on e4
and c4. If White wants to make progress
with e3 e4, he will allow Black to "undou
ble" his pawns yet another reason Black
is not playing “down a pawn.”
11. Bxd6 cxd6 12. g3 Nf6 13. Kg2 Qb6 14.
Qb3 Bd7 15. Rac1
After 15. Qxb6 axb6, Black has two sets
of doubled isolated pawns but yet still has
the initiative. His a8 rook targets White’s
a pawn, and White will have to eventually
play a2 a3. Then Black can play ... b6 b5
b4, prying open the queenside.
15. ... Rfc8 16. Rhe1 Qxb3 17. axb3 Rxc1 18.
Rxc1 Rc8 19. Rxc8+
If White probes for weaknesses with
19. Ra1 a6 20. Ra5 (with the idea of b3
b4 b5), Black has time to bring his king
to the center.
19. ... Bxc8 20. Nd2 Kf8 21. f3 h6 22. b4 Ke7
23. Nb1 Kd8 24. Nc3 Bd7 25. e4
White at last goes for this breakthrough.
25. ... dxe4 26. fxe4 a6 27. Kf3 Bc6 28. h3
If 28. d5 Be8, Black’s knight will come
to e5 via d7.
28. ... Ke7 29. Ke3 d5
This seemed the simplest way to draw,
as after White’s next move it is hard for
him to make further progress.
30. e5 Ne8 31. Be2 f6 32. Kf4 g6 33. h4 Nc7
34. exf6+ Kxf6 35. Bf3, Draw agreed.
White finally concedes the draw, as he can
never break through or win the d5 pawn.
In the matchup between Thaler and
GM Kaufman, however, the former had
started to lose control. The game went into
a tailspin with both players scrambling to
Ruy Lopez, Exchange Variation (C68)
Michael Thaler (2298)
GM Larry Kaufman (2452)
Notes by Kaufman
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5.
0-0 Qf6
6. d4
Roughly equal is 6. d3 Bg4.
6. ... exd4 7. Bg5 Qd6 8. Nxd4
Taking with the queen would please
Black, because the bishop pair tends to
gain in value with a queen trade.
8. ... Be7
Black doesn't really want to exchange
bishops when he has the bishop pair,
but otherwise his development is diffi
cult. 8. ... Bd7 is the move to go all out
for the win, but it carries some risk.
9. Be3
Trading bishops is more common here,
because it leaves White with a healthy
kingside pawn majority versus Black’s
crippled queenside one, while Black no
longer enjoys the bishop pair as com
pensation. But Black’s development is
then simple, and his remaining bishop
and knight are a tad better than White’s
two knights, so White’s edge is quite
small.
9. ... c5?!
I wanted to trade queens to aid my
bishop pair, but I fall a bit too far behind
in development. 9. ... Nf6 is correct with
about equal chances. Then 10. f3 (to stop
... Ng4) 10. ... 0 0 is about equal.
10. Nb3 Qxd1 11. Rxd1 b6 12. Nc3 Nf6 13. e5
13. Bf4 Bd8 14. h3 0 0 15. a4 would
give White a serious initiative.
13. ... Nd7 14. Nd5 Bd8 15. Bg5 c6 16. Bxd8
cxd5 17. Bc7 Bb7 18. Re1
Better and equal was 18. f4.
18. ... Rc8
18. ... Ke7 was probably better.
19. Bd6 Nf8 20. f4 Kd7?!
Black is fine after 20. ... Ng6 21. g3 Ne7.
21. Rad1
Stronger is 21. f5!.
uschess.org
21. ... g6
+r+ n r
+l+k+p+p
p
p L +p+
+ pp
P +
+ + P +
+N+ + +
P
PP+ +P
P
+ +R
R K
After 21. ... g6
22. c4?
Needlessly giving Black a protected
passed pawn and a powerful bishop. Bet
ter was 22. Rf1 aiming for f4 f5.
22. ... d4 23. Nd2 Ne6
Black has a serious advantage now.
24. b4 cxb4 25. Bxb4 Nxf4 26. Rf1
The lesser evil was 26. Nf3.
26. ... g5 27. h4 Ke8!
I was proud of this move, because usu
ally you don't move the king to the edge
in the endgame.
28. hxg5 Nxg2
28. ... Ne6 was the safer route to main
tain the advantage.
29. e6! fxe6 30. Rf6 Ne3 31. Rxe6+ Kd8 32.
Rb1 Rg8 33. Be7+?!
This should lose. 33. Kf2 offers some
hope for a draw.
33. ... Kd7 34. Rexb6 Bc6 35. Bf6 Ng4??
The move 35. ... Rcf8! wins, whereas my
move should draw.
36. Bxd4
The patient 36. Rf1! should hold.
36. ... Rxg5 37. Kf1?
37. Rb8 gives drawing chances, as there
is no great discovered check.
37. ... Re8!
This clearly wins.
38. Rxc6
The mating threats forced this, but in
such an open position a bishop is no
match for a rook.
38. ... Kxc6 39. Rb6+ Kc7 40. Kg2 Ne3+ 41.
Kf2 Nc2, White resigned.
Disaster also struck Hunter on boards
three and four, and when the score sheet
was signed, Larry Kaufman’s team had
prevailed 3½ ½. Hunter rebounded to
uschess.org
win its next two matches, handily taking
the “Best High School Team” award, while
“UR Outrated: Give Up” moved on to play
for the overall championship.
A “Balanced” Team Prevails
After five rounds, it appeared likely
that the team of the world senior cham
pion would go on to become the world
amateur team champions. Going into the
sixth round with five convincing wins
under their belts, they were paired with
“Palin Gambit: I Can See Checkmate from
My House,” a group formed by expert
and team anchor Alan Price. This team
had, over the course of five rounds,
appeared to barely scrape together each
win as top board Paul Mac Intyre
described it, “We never swept anyone.”
Mac Intyre himself had started with an
inauspicious 0 3 score after he suffered
a 400 point upset in the first round. Yet
somehow, “Palin Gambit” kept winning.
As Mac Intyre explained, “Alan Price
firmly believes in having a ‘balanced’
team one with four players whose rat
ings are as close to one another as
possible.” The idea is to have the ability
to win against any lineup, even if it means
only the narrowest margins of victory are
possible. The strategy appears to be a
winning one, as Price has now assembled,
over the course of a little more than a
decade, two winning USATE teams. His
last winning team, “Light Blue,” edged
out the team of Anatoly Karpov for the
USATE title in 1998.
The showdown between “UR Outrated:
Give Up” and “Palin Gambit” gave the
latter a rating edge on the bottom two
boards. Third board Libardo “Ng5” Rueda,
formerly the junior champion of Colum
bia two decades ago, defeated David
Schoch efficiently. “Rueda relies on about
three opening books and raw talent,”
comments Mac Intyre. “His attacking
style made him a powerhouse for the
team.” Rueda has recently returned to
chess after a long hiatus and, with only
a 2189 rating, is clearly improving as he
regains his old form. His individual per
formance was just shy of perfect at 5½/6!
Meanwhile, “Palin Gambit” fourth board
Alan “Chaos Theory” Price had stirred up
complications against the dynamic Douglas
Stanley. Both had perfect individual scores
going into the game, but for Price, this was
a “must win” situation. His teammate Brian
“Mercy Killer” Hulse had gone down in
flames on board two to IM Ray Kaufman,
leveling the match to 1 1, and with Mac
Intyre facing the strong GM Kaufman the
match situation necessitated a win.
With the score now at 2 1, it was up to
Mac Intyre to clinch the match. Writes
Mac Intyre, “Before the round, I had
insisted that Alan take me out to the car
“Stimulating” the
Growth of College
Chess
The best performing collegiate
team this year was “Queenside Stim
ulus Package,” a group of four
students from the University of Vir
ginia (UVA). Top board FM Ruixin
Yang, a triple major in computer
engineering, computer science, and
economics, is now in his fourth year
of studies at UVA. “Like many stu
dents, I haven’t been able to play
much during my college years,” he
remarked. Since starting as a full
time student in the fall of 2005, he
has only played in a total of six rated
events including the U.S. Amateur
Team East (USATE). Sponsorship
from UVA paid for his team’s trip to
Parsippany, enabling them to com
pete to their fullest potential. “Not
having to worry about the financial
end of the event was great,” Yang
says, “and an event like USATE pro
vides a great way for chess players
in college to get back into the game,
since being on a team motivates you
to knock the rust off quickly.” Yang
advises college students to inquire
about the possibility of obtaining
chess related travel funds from their
schools. “Many colleges have a stu
dent activities committee,” he says,
“and these committees tend to be
open as to how to spend money. Ask
for a form to fill out and see what
they say.”
Other members of “Queenside
Stimulus Package” included college
sophomore Atul Kannan, senior Carl
Barth, and freshman Paul Casi. Casi,
the team’s 1399 rated anchor, scored
some impressive upset draws and
proved to be a “surprise weapon” of
sorts. His round five draw against
William Michael, who out rated him
by 360 points, helped the students
defeat the team led by GM Arthur
Bisguier by a margin of 2½ 1½. “I
know that University of Virginia has
sent teams to USATE before,” Yang
comments, “but this was our
strongest year ever. Our chess club
has only about ten people, but we
were able to field a good team from
that.” Several of UVA’s chess club
members are graduates of nearby
Thomas Jefferson High School,
which has a thriving extracurricular
chess program and routinely takes
home trophies in national scholas
tic events. ~JH
31
USAT Events
to fish out the excellent opening repertoire
book The Chess Advantage in Black and
White by GM Kaufman himself. As I leafed
through it for ideas of what to play, I
bounced ideas off Alan, and finally con
cluded that the Giuoco Piano would be the
best approach for me to take with white.”
A serious misstep in the opening left
Kaufman with an abysmal position, and
after just 33 moves, he conceded the
match by offering a draw. “I never thought
I would ever win a USATE event in my life,”
says Mac Intyre. Of his team’s reaction, he
says, “We were simply thunderstruck.”
When they went to nearby Chevy’s restau
rant to celebrate, IM Yury Lapshun
approached them with a group of young
students and made a display of asking the
team members for their autographs. Soon
afterwards, their names were to be
engraved on the giant plaque of past
USATE winners. “Palin Gambit” had
made history.
A Take-Home Message
After all the festivities had ended and
I was safely on a plane flight headed
home to Ohio, I was still trying to piece
together all that I had seen. As a devoted
chess enthusiast, I have always loved the
game passionately. Never before, how
ever, had I imagined it possible that so
many people could have so much fun
playing it.
Take, for example, the rapture
induced by the “Best Team Name” com
petition. Of all the bragging rights a
team can garner at USATE, perhaps
none is more coveted than that of hav
ing the best named team. Before the
start of round four, organizer Steve
Doyle read aloud from a select list of
names. The one evoking the strongest
reaction from the tournament hall would
be declared the winner. Although each
of the names in contention was met
with mild applause, the crowd erupted
into cheers and laughter at “I Can See
Russians from My Board,” which
became an instant classic and the over
all “Best Team Name” victor.
As usual, political puns were found in
abundance: “Blago Defense: Never
Resign,” “Biden My Time for a Barrack
Rank Mate,” “Reti for Change,” and
“Chess We Can,” were just a few. This
year, however, politics took a back seat
to the economy. Fan favorites included
“GM Team Needs a Bailout” and “New
York Stock Exchange Sac.” At least a
dozen names targeted fraudster Bernard
Madoff, from the straight shooting “Mad
off with Your Pieces” to the sophisticated
“Bernie Made Off with My Check.” Par
odies of movies, such as “Harold &
Kumar Take Your White Castle,” were
scarcer this year than in past years,
32
though some, such as “Scumdog Bil
lionaire Bernie,” combined economic or
political allusions with cinematic ones.
Less common but still packing a punch
were those names reflecting recent
developments in top level chess, such as
“Magnus Cum Laude” and “Vendi, Vidi,
Vishy.” Some teams even paid homage
to USATE itself “Rules According to
Doyle” was one. Finally, it would be a
travesty not to note that the theme this
year was “The 60s,” and thus the “Best
Gimmick” award went to the “Parsip
pany Chess Club Band,” whose song
parodied the famous Beatles’ “Sergeant
Pepper” tune.
Another example of the spirit of fun I
found at USATE was the willingness of
parents to enter the fray. One group of
brave “chess moms” and “chess dads” was
the “Slowskys,” led by the fearless, amiable,
and dashing Richard Yeager. With an
established rating well above 1400, the
father of reigning Denker champion FM
Daniel Yeager bravely put himself up as the
“team sacrifice” on board one, losing his
first four games but coming back to win the
last two. On boards two and three were
William Moore and Tom Douris, respec
tively, and serving as the team anchor
was Timothy Low, father of Denker co
champion Scott Low. Rounding out the
team was Masako Uesugi, mother of the
strong master Shinsaku Uesugi.
The devotion of many people is neces
sary to promote, organize, and host
such an incredible event. Excalibur
Electronics donates the numerous chess
clock prizes, and volunteers such as
Bill Townsend work tirelessly to con
tribute to the event using their time,
talent, and skills. Townsend is renowned
for his dedication to ensuring the car
bon copy game scores are all entered
into the computer database, a feat which
can take months to complete. The play
ers of USATE are particularly grateful to
the many men and women who serve on
the tournament’s staff: Steve Doyle,
Carol Jarecki, Sophia Rohde, Mike
Somers, Hal Sprechman, Steve Immitt,
Roger Inglis, Larry Constance, Aaron
Kiedes, Joe Ippolito, Walt Heerschapp,
Judy Heerschapp, Noreen Davisson,
Mark Doyle, and Bernadette Doyle. Spe
cial recognition this year also goes to the
“R yatt Squad,” which celebrated 35
years of uninterrupted USATE atten
dance this year.
Having attended this event which I
would describe as a sort of “chess
revival” will undoubtedly influence my
outlook on chess in the months and years
to come. Already, I have felt the three
word “take home message” of USATE sink
in: chess is fun! I feel more in tune with
my inner ability to revel in the friend
ship and camaraderie of my fellow chess
players. Not a bad result for a single
three day weekend.
Finally, I would like to leave you with
the following impression of the exciting,
high level chess that occurs when the
top boards of the top teams are in top
form. GM Pascal Charbonneau, playing
for the 13th seeded team “Quantum of
Soltis” which was in contention for the
title throughout the tournament cre
ated this round three masterpiece:
Sicilian Defense, Kan Variation (B43)
GM Pascal Charbonneau (2552)
Arthur Feuerstein (2200)
Notes by Charbonneau
After the game, during analysis, I found
out that my opponent had drawn against
Bobby Fischer on five occasions, before
finally losing one at the breakthrough
U.S. Championship Fischer won at the
age of 14.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5.
Nc3 b5 6. Bd3 Bb7 7. 0-0 b4!?
A risky move. Black usually waits for
White to play a2 a4 to make this push. The
problem is that Black is still several moves
away from castling, and White can easily
open some lines with c2 c3 or a2 a3.
8. Na4
Playable is 8. Nce2 but the text is more
aggressive, keeping an eye on the b6
square, and leaving the e file open for
the rook or queen.
8. ... Qa5 9. c3 Nf6 10. Re1 bxc3
This would be OK if Black could develop
normally afterwards, but tactically there
is a flaw. Better was 10. ... Nc6 when I was
considering the sneaky 11. a3!? bxc3 (11.
... bxa3 12. b4! is the point) 12. Nxc6
Bxc6 (12. ... cxb2 13. Nxa5 bxa1=Q 14.
Nxb7 is good for White) 13. Nxc3 with a
preferable position for White but nothing
extraordinary.
11. Nxc3 d6 12. Qb3! Qc7 13. Bg5 Nbd7
r+ +k
l r
+l
qn+p
pp
p+ pp
n +
+ + + L
+ NP+ +
+Q
NL+ +
P
P + P
P
P
R + R K
After 13. ... Nbd7
14. Bxf6
uschess.org
Tempting was 14. Nxe6 but I could not
quite make it work after 14. ... fxe6 15.
Qxe6+ Be7 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 Nc5.
The knight threatens to fork from either
b6 or c7, and so cannot be ignored.
14. ... Nxf6?!
16. ... Bxd5
14. ... gxf6 may not look fun, but it
was necessary. However, in this Rauzer
structure with the c file open, the black
king will never feel comfortable on either
side of the board; 14. ... Nc5? 15. Qc4 gxf6
16. b4 wins.
15. Rac1 Qd7 16. Nd5!
No better is 16. ... Rc8 17. Nb6 Rxc1 18.
Rxc1 Qd8 19. Bxa6 Bxa6 20. Qa4+ Nd7
21. Nxd7 Qxd7 22. Qxa6.
17. exd5 e5 18. Bf5 Qa7 19. Nc6
The queen has nowhere to go.
19. ... Qc7 20. Nxe5 Qxc1 21. Rxc1
I contemplated 21. Qa4+, which is both
prettier and more convincing, but some
how I made the other move. 21. ... Ke7
(21. ... Kd8 22. Nxf7+ Kc7 23. Rxc1+) 22.
Nc6 mate.
21. ... dxe5 22. Qa4+ Kd8 23. Qc6, Black resigned.
And my opponent and I went on to ana
lyze, in the amicable spirit of the USATE.
“MyGirl” Does It At The USAT South
Chess with a southern drawl
By Harvey Lerman
il Luna, captain of last year’s U.S.
Amateur Team South (USATS) win
ners that also won the national
playoff, put together another team for this
year’s USATS in Orlando by combining
three players from Miami and then search
ing the list of rated Florida players to
choose one from central Florida to give his
team a 2193 rating. The team was named
“My girl is pissed!,” reflecting the fact
that many wives and girlfriends were “a
little” upset to be left alone on Valentines
Day!
Jeff Haskel, who was on Gil’s winning
team last year, meanwhile led a team of
four of Florida’s top teenagers. Jeff indi
cated his pleasure with being included on
this team with those players, saying sar
castically, “I would not have to face them
over the board!” This team formed by
Toby Boas, who recently won the National
Grade 12 championship, was second
highest rated at 2156. The team eventu
ally named themselves “Pawnographers”
and explained that it had to be “said with
a southern twang.”
The third highest rated team in the
event was made up mostly of “oldtimers”
that play in every USATS, consider it
their favorite event, and play in very few,
if any other, events. This team rated 2133,
was named “No Bailout For You,” reflect
ing the fact that as businessmen they
normally were more concerned with the
economy than playing chess. This team
had a fifth player, to allow any player “a
rest” if needed. In fact while reviewing
the wallcharts before the event to plan his
team strategy, Haskel sluffed off the
“Nobail” team as no threat as “they were
playing at their floors!” Little did he know
at the time that this would do his team in!
G
See more “Teams” reporting on Chess Life Online
in the February archives
at uschess.org!
uschess.org
So the top three teams were:
#1 MYGIRL My girl is pissed! (2193.3)
Bruci Lopez (2485)
Ernesto Alvarez (2185)
Gilberto Luna II (2069)
Makaio W. Krienke (2009)
#2 HASKEL “Pawnographers” (2145.5)
Jeffrey Haskel (2258)
Christopher Heung (2123)
Toby Boas (2112)
Dalton Perrine (2089)
#3 NOBAIL No Bailout For You (2133.5)
John P. Nardandrea (2200)
Lawrence A. Storch (2200)
Peter Dyson (2071)
Jeremy Mandelkern (2063)
Charles S. Hall (2040)
These top three teams won their first
two matches and then “Haskel” had to
face “Nobail.” Maybe Haskel’s strategy
backfired as their team lost ½ 3½ to
these oldtimers, which would really hurt
their tiebreak points. Going into the last
round “Mygirl” was alone at 4 0 and
would face “Haskel” at 3 1. While “Nobail”
who had lost to the leaders in the previ
ous round faced the “Tampa Tornadoes”
rated 2116, and without their first board,
as Nardandrea sat out. But this might
have been part of “Nobail’s” strategy as
this moved Larry Storch (2200, floor) up
to play Corey Acor (2274) and as Storch
later pointed out “I normally do well
against Corey.” Larry's win against Corey
gave “Nobail” the match 2½ 1½.
The “Mygirl” “Haskel” match was the
last one to finish. Haskel did his job by
drawing Bruci as Nardandrea (2200, floor)
had done in the previous round, and the
fourth board match, Perinne Krienke, was
drawn as well. Boas then was able to beat
Luna, leaving everything up to Heung
Alvarez. “Haskel” needed a draw to win the
match which would leave these top three
teams tied for first, but it looked like
tiebreaks would favor “Mygirl.” The game
was a rook and pawns endgame that was
drawn, and “Mygirl” won on tiebreaks.
The Scholastic section was won by
“Ludwig's Warriors,” named after the
team’s coach, Daniel Ludwig, and older
brother of 8 year old John Ludwig who
was on the team. John was rated only 842
in the year end ratings used for this
event, so had to play fourth board, as
the “War” team consisted of:
WAR Ludwig’s Warriors (1140.5)
Samuel Leavitt (1370)
James W. Barrick (1336)
Amy Tsai (1014)
John G. Ludwig (842)
But John Ludwig has been tutored by
his famous older brother and his cur
rent rating is over 1200 and many are
predicting that he is improving faster
than his brother had. Ludwig was the
only player in the scholastics to win all five
games, as “War” won all five matches.
“Terminators,” the highest rated team in
the scholastics finished second.
TERMIN Terminators (1160.3)
Edward Li (1443)
Nick Moore (1340)
Kevin Hu (1238)
Amelia A. Langford (620)
But “Termin” scored the most points
(16½), and their top three boards won
board prizes. They won all their matches
except for the one against “War.”
33
USAT Events
The event was held at the Orlando
International Airport Hotel and was
organized by the Central Florida Chess
Club (CFCC). Harvey Lerman was chief
tournament director and the Hollywood
Kings Chess Club ran the “book store”
where mostly DVDs and equipment is
sold.
BOARD PRIZE WINNERS
OPEN
1. Bruci Lopez
2. Christopher Heung
3. Alexander Malekan
4. Michael Elgart
SCHOLASTIC
1. Edward Li
2. Nick Moore
3. Kevin Hu
4. John Ludwig
4
4
4
5
1
1
1
0
4 1
4½ ½
4 1
5 0
Here Carl Scarpati takes on the captain
of last year’s national team champs:
French Defense (C00)
Gilberto Luna (2053)
Carl Scarpati (1756)
U.S. Amateur Team South (1), 02.14.2009
Notes by Scarpati
1. e4 e6 2. d3
I have never played Gil before, so when
he played the King’s Indian Attack I was
a bit surprised, as I am more familiar
with the more used d4.
2. ... d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 c5 5. g3 Nc6 6.
Bg2 Be7 7. 0-0 0-0 8. Re1 b6 9. c3 Bb7 10. e5
I thought this move was slightly inferior
to the other choices White had; after ...
Nd7 I think Black had reached at least
equality.
10. ... Nd7 11. d4 Rc8 12. Nb3 a5 13. a4
+r
q rk+
+l+n
lp
pp
pn+p+ +
p pp
P +
P+ P + +
+N
P +N
P
P + PL
P
R LQ
R K
After 13. a4
At this point I felt like I needed to
rearrange my pieces starting with my
light square bishop, considering the way
the diagonal was locked up.
13. ... Ba6 14. h4 h6
I really didnt understand the meaning
34
behind 14. h4; I felt like I was doing OK
after this.
15. Bf1? Bxf1 16. Kxf1
I thought the trade of the light square
bishops was mistimed since his king was
now on an awkward square; for a long
time I pondered on moves such as ... c5
c4 or ... f7 f6 but I changed my mind
when I saw 16. ... cxd4 and he does not
have to take back with the pawn which
would have allowed me the nice knight
outpost on b4.
16. ... cxd4 17. Nbxd4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Nc5 19.
Kg2 Qd7 20. Bf4 Rfe8 21. Rh1 f6
This move was most likely wrong but I
felt as if I needed to make a break in
order to attain some sort of play.
17. Rfd1? b5! 18. Qc2 b4!
A remarkable position; White is helpless
against Black’s knight, bishop and pawn,
despite having a fully developed position.
r+ q r
k+
p + pp
lp
+ + +p+
n P + +
pl
P + +
+ N L +
P+Q+N
PP
P
+ RR+ K
After 18. ... b4
22. g4?
19. Na4 b3 20. Qb2 bxa2 21. Rxc4
22. ... fxe5 23. Bxe5 Bd6 24. Nf3 Bxe5 25.
Nxe5 Qd6 26. Re1 Rcd8 27. Qc2 Ne4 28. Nd3
Rf8
21. ... Nxc4 22. Qxa2 Nxe3 23. fxe3 Qa5 24.
Qc2 Bh6 25. Kf2 Rab8 26. d5 Rb4 27. Ra1
Rfb8 28. Nd4 Qa6
Perhaps a little too aggressive.
+
r
rk+
+ + + p
p qp+ p
p +p+ +
P+ +n+P
P
+ PN+ +
PQ+ PK+
R + R +
After 28. ... Rf8
Black should have had a better game
here, but White just threw the game
away ... I dont know whether it was the
time pressure or if he just missed it,
but after that it was pretty much
straightforward.
29. f3?? Qg3+! 30. Kh1 Qxf3+ 31. Kg1 Qg3+
32. Kh1 Nf2+, White resigned.
And now the National K 12 champ
takes it to Luna also:
Otherwise, White has no play.
I didn't like the lines after 28. ... Rb2 29.
Nxb2 Qxa1 30. Nd3 when White’s
advanced pawns will be annoying.
29. Nc6 Rc4
Losing immediately, but White’s posi
tion was already desperate.
30. Qa2 Rb7 31. Na5 Qf6+ 32. Ke2 Re4 33.
Nc4 Rb4 34. Nab2 Rxe3+ 35. Kd1 Qd4+ 36.
Kc1 Rc3+, White resigned.
Chess Life seems to have run an inordi
nate number of Luna losses these last
two years despite his success; we invited
him to submit a win in the interest of fair
ness! ~ed.
Ruy Lopez, Schliemann/Jaenisch
Defense (C63)
Charles Greene (2092)
Notes by Luna
Alekhine’s Defense,
Four Pawns Attack (B03)
Toby Boas (2156)
Notes by Boas
I had played Greene last year and
remembered that he played the Schlie
mann, so this was no surprise to me.
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5.
exd6 cxd6 6. Nc3 g6 7. Be3 Bg7 8. Rc1 0-0 9.
Be2 d5 10. c5 Nc4 11. Bxc4 dxc4 12. Nge2
Bf5 13. 0-0 Nc6 14. b3 Bd3 15. bxc4 Bxc4 16.
Qa4 Na5
4. ... Nf6 5. 0-0 Bc5 6. exf5 0-0 7. Be3 Nd4 8.
c3 Nxf3+
Setting up a tactical threat which White
underestimates.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5
4. d3
I know that I can play 4. Qe2 or 4. exf5
but I prefer 4. d3.
Also interesting is 8. ... Nxb5 9. Bxc5
d6 10. Qb3+.
9. Qxf3
uschess.org
All book up to this point however my
opponent took a very long time figuring
things out.
9. ... Qe7
I didnt like this move. Better is 9. ... Be7.
10. Bc4+
Here I gain an important tempo. If 9. ...
Be7 then on 10. Bc4+ he can play 10. ... d5.
10. ... Kh8 11. Nd2 c6 12. Bxc5
I thought for a while before this move
and wasn’t sure exactly how to follow up.
However I knew that with the queen on c5
I would gain a tempo and some space at
some point.
12. ... Qxc5 13. Rae1 d5 14. Bb3 e4
This move was interesting. I did not
consider it. Better was 14. ... Re8, but
true to his style my opponent wanted to
open up lines.
15. dxe4 dxe4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Qxe4 Bxf5
18. Qe5
This move is important. I cannot give
him time to activate the other rook. 18.
Qe7 is probably a little better, but I wanted
to maintain pressure along the a1 h8
diagonal and following up with the idea of
h4 h5 h6.
18. ... Qb6
Maintaining pressure on f2, which is the
only weak point in my position.
19. Re3
Here I must block the queen from the
key f2 square and I must be able to use
my other rook. Also d3 was a soft spot in
my position.
19. ... a5
The idea behind this move is to play ...
a5 a4 and ... Ra8 Ra5. It also takes the
bishop from the b3 g8 diagonal and puts
pressure on b2. Interesting was 19. ... Bg6
20. Rfe1 a5 21. c4 a4 22. Bd1.
20. h4
This is the best move. I am now threat
ening h4 h5 h6.
20. ... Bg6
Now if 21. h5 then 21. ... Rf5. He is also
threatening ... a5 a4 with tempo to play
Ra5.
21. Be6
This is a key move. Now ... a4 threaten
ing the bishop with tempo and ... Rf5 are
no longer threats. Nor is ... Rae8 or Rfe8.
21. ... a4 22. h5 Ra5 23. Rf3!
I am sure he missed this idea.
23. ... Rg8
The alternatives 23. ... Rd8, 23. ... Re8
and 23. ... Rfa8 are met by 24. Qf4.
24. Qd6, Black resigned.
“Jimmy Runs Deep” Dominates North
Wisconsin’s second hosting shows a positive trend
By FM Alex Betaneli
isconsin hosted the north leg of
the United States Amateur Team
Championships for the second
straight year. As the weather was nicer
this time around, more teams from other
states made an appearance. Although it
is just a five round tournament, five fight
ing games per player still add up to a lot
of chess. The happy winners from Indiana
appeared truly exhausted on Sunday
night, but how deceiving are appearances!
Upon the conclusion of the last round, an
intense blitz game was played in order to
test the prize in action (first place team
received the slick Duel Timer digital
wooden clocks). The clock passed the
stern test and the winners were pleased
indeed.
“Jimmy Runs Deep” (Jim Dean, Gar
rett Smith, Drew Hollinberger, Danny
Gater) demonstrated how team events
are often won: there is no need to crush
the opponents, just score more than two
points and move onto the next match.
The team from Indiana did just that to
the second place finishers “Vaja Interna
tional House of Pancakes” (Erik
Santarius, Ashish Vaja, Joe Richards,
Jake Kohlenberg) and to the third place
“Chicago Industrial Chess League”
(Anastasya Antipova, Fred Allsbrook,
Yuri Fridman, Suman Kalavagunta, Tom
Friske). “Green Bay Team” (Kelly Bor
man, Josiah Stein, Luke Ludwig, Tim
Bogenschutz) captured the u1900 prize,
W
uschess.org
while the team of juniors (“Team Pan”:
Hongkai Pan, Neil Strugnell, Suhas
Kodali, and Tim Broman) played well
above their expected rating average and
won the u1600 prize. The junior prize
went to “WePawns of Mass Destruction”
(John Veech, Andrew Gorectke, Troy
Zimmermann, Thomas Schneider) and
the u1300 prize was awarded to the
“University of Chicago B” (Mike Mei,
Jason Cigan, Ken Yuan, Allison Hegel).
The Midwest Blitz Championship was
held on Saturday evening and was
accompanied by juice and dessert for
everyone. Kevin Fyr, Leslie Kistler, Erik
Santarius and Alexander Velikanov fin
ished with eight out of 10 points to tie
for first place.
The “best game” prize received a num
ber of submissions. One game truly
stood out: both the winner and the
loser submitted their own annotations!
Considering that the game played a
decisive role in the match, it was an
easy pick. Jim Dean’s team ran into a
determined “University of Chicago A”
(Jeremy Kane, Sam Devenport, Marcel
Knudsen, Ngai Seng Kenny Yeng) and
won by the score of 2½ 1½. Here is the
critical game with annotations. It was
played in round two of the 2 day sched
ule, so time control was Game/60
instead of 30/90 followed by SD/60:
(see game top of next column)
Jeremy Kane (2184)
Jim Dean (2219)
U.S. Amateur Team North (2), 02.14.09
Notes by Dean, Kane, Betaneli]
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5.
Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4
JK: I have seen this move before. JD: I
first came across this variation while
watching a live GM game between Sha
balov and Kaidanov. Later I learned more
about it from GM Goldin.
7. e3 c5 8. Bxc4 cxd4 9. exd4 0-0 10. 0-0 Nc6
11. Re1 Nh5
JK: This is reminiscent of the world
championship game from 1981 (Korchnoi
Karpov). Karpov won it with black,
demonstrating how to play against the iso
lated central pawn. The difference is that
Re1 instead of Rc1 was played here. This
might provide White with more attacking
possibilities.
12. Bxe7 Nxe7 13. Ne5 Nf6 14. Qd3 Bd7 15.
Rad1 Bc6
(see diagram top of next page)
JK: I was surpised that Jim allowed
the sacrifice on f7, but I passed it up
hoping for more. JD: I have had this posi
tion before, so I played quickly. Given
this was Game/60, it was quite helpful to
35
USAT Events
r+ q rk+
pp+ np
p
+l+p
n p
+ + N +
+L
P + +
+ NQ+ +
P
P + PP
P
+ +R
R K
After 15. ... Bc6
JD: I became worried after Jeremy
tossed out this move. I felt my position
was solid, but there was no concrete plan
yet for handling the pawn advances on the
kingside.
19. ... Rfd8 20. g4
JK: I went all out for the black king. The
threat is g4 g5 hitting the knight and
allowing the queen to enter on h7. On the
other hand, the bishop on d5 is granted
full access to the white king.
20. ... Rac8 21. g5
get an early time advantage.
16. Bb3
AB: It is indeed difficult to evaluate the
consequences of the sacrifice and comput
ers are of no particular help: 16. Nxf7 Rxf7
(16. ... Kxf7? 17. Bxe6+ Ke8 leads to deci
sive advantage for White) 17. Bxe6 Ned5
and now, for example: (17. ... Be8 18. d5
Qd6 19. Ne4 and White is in charge) 18.
Re5 Nf4 19. Bxf7+ Kxf7 20. Qg3 N4d5 21.
Rde1 leads to a complicated battle where
it is somewhat easier to play for White, but
all three outcomes are possible; JD: I
once was outplayed by FM Andrew
Boekhoff after 16. Nxf7 Rxf7 17. Bxe6
Ned5 18. Bxf7+ Kxf7 but I feel that result
ing position is dynamically balanced.
16. ... Ned5 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. Bc2 Qe7
JD: This was my first significant think
of the game. Naturally, I was concerned
about Ng4. I felt a little weird about 18.
... Qe7 as I always teach my students
not to put their queen on the same file as
the opposing rook. Nevertheless, there is
not much for the queen to fear in this spe
cific position.
19. f4
JD: I was actually more concerned with
21. Bb1 as I had not yet decided how to
play if the Exchange sacrificed was not
allowed.
21. ... Rxc2
JD: I was not confident that my sacrifice
was sound, but I very much liked the idea
of changing the momentum of the game
and getting to attack instead of defending.
22. Qxc2
Even worse is 22. gxf6? Rg2+.
22. ... Nh5
JK: I picked up the Exchange, but
Black gained serious chances to bother
my king. It’s especially difficult to face
time pressure here. JD: I think this is the
strongest move as it allows Black to put
pressure on f4 while attacking g5.
23. Qd2 f6
JD: White might be objectively OK here,
but it is tough to play this position in time
trouble.
24. Ng6 Qf7 25. f5 fxg5 26. Qb4?
JK: Here I came up with the unfortu
nate plan of trying to force the trade of
queens, but letting my queen wander
away from the kingside was a fatal mis
take. JD: This was a mistake clearly
brought on by time pressure, but it is dif
ficult to come up with a constructive plan
immediately. AB: It’s too bad that time
trouble influences an otherwise high cal
iber game. A line of 26. Re5 exf5 27. Ne7+
Kh7 leads to “unbalanced equality.”
26. ... Kh7
AB: A good move, especially consider
ing your opponent’s time pressure.
27. Qe7 Qxf5 28. Ne5 Nf4 29. Re3 Qc2,
White resigned.
The scholastic section was a one day
event on Saturday and saw “University
School of Milwaukee” (James Bowen, Sap
tarshi Ghose, Alex Yerukhimov, Ishan
Sinha) take the top honors.
Best high school prize went to “P0N3YZ”
(Vince Paasch, Eli Baumann, Marshall
Sumwalt, Thomas Lyneis), best middle
school was “Chocolate Banana ROOK
ies” (Aaron Jing, Mihir Kansara, Andrew
McNeel, Noah Zamzow Schmidt), and the
“Knights of Muskego” (Gregory Reese Jr.,
Evan Seghers, Reid Seghers, Kolton Otter
bacher) was the top elementary school
team.
The tournament was co sponsored by
Vaja International Chess Academy, Wis
consin Chess Academy, and Wisconsin
Scholastic Chess Association. National
tournament director (NTD) Glenn Pan
ner was the chief TD and Mike Nietman
helped to run the scholastic section
smoothly. Please visit www.wichessacad
emy.com for complete results.
See more “Teams” reporting on Chess
Life Online in the February archives
at uschess.org!
AMATEUR TEAM WEST: What Goes Around ...
In California, American Chess Academy teams dominate
By John Hillery
our teams tied with 5 1 in the 26th
Annual U.S. Amateur Team West
(USATW), held at the Warner Cen
ter Marriott in Woodland Hills, California,
from February 14 16. First on tiebreak
were the “ACA Beasts!,” with John Daniel
Bryant, Michael Yee, Vincent Huang and
Santy Wong. Second went to “Yellow is
Mellow” (Joel Banawa, Cau Duong Le,
Takashi Kurosaki, Jonathan Soo Hoo
and Stewart Yanez), and third to “OC
Chess Club” (Alexandre Kretchetov,
Takashi Iwamoto, Krishna Kaliannan and
Michael Brown). “ACA Chess Club”
(Enrico Sevillano, Andranik Matikozyan,
F
36
Robert Feldstein and Michael Ambart
soumian) had to be content with the
honor, though both Sevillano and
Matikozyan (6 0!) took home board prizes.
And the relevance of the headline? Well,
two years ago, the “Beasts” or at least
3/4 of them, under a different name also
tied with Orange County CC, and seemed
about to win on tiebreak; until victory
was snatched from the jaws ... er, let’s not
go there. Anyway, they were aced out on
a recalculation. This time, we checked
the calculations three times, and the
“Beasts” got to roar with victory.
American Chess Academy deserves spe
cial mention, as in addition to first their
teams won top junior (“ACA The Dark
Knights”) and top U1800 (“ACA Youth”).
Forty six teams competed in the main
event, down a bit from last year but still
pretty good. The Sunday “Scholastic Ama
teur Team” drew 33 teams, with first
place on tiebreak going to “BEYOND chal
lenge,” one of 9(!) teams from Ben Deng’s
“Beyond Chess.”
And even the losers can be winners at
the USATW. The best team name prize
went to “Voyage to the Bottom of the Pair
ings,” a team we put together from
feathers and tails on Saturday morning.
uschess.org
Second went to “Houston, We Have a
Mate in Two Problem,” with CLO problem
columnist Gary Ware.
John Hillery directed for the SCCF,
with assistance from Anthony Ong and
Elliot Landaw.
In addition to taking the board two
prize (with the tournament’s only 6 0!), IM
Andranik Matikozyan received the best
game prize for this sacrificial attack
against junior star Derek Tan.
Ruy Lopez (C77)
IM Andranik Matikozyan (2515)
Derek Tan (2172)
U.S. Amateur Team West (3), 02.15.09
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5.
Qe2
The Wormald Attack, a rare sideline. It’s
not especially dangerous, but Black must
be careful not to open the center too early
or too late.
5. ... b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 Qe7 8. d3 d6 9.
Nbd2 Be6 10. h3 h6 11. Bc2 Bb6 12. Nf1 Nb8
This repositioning maneuver would
make sense if the center were locked up,
but as the game goes it proves a trouble
some loss of time.
13. a4 c6 14. Ng3 Qc7 15. d4 Bc4
Now Black cannot play 15. ... Nbd7?, as
16. axb5 cxb5 17. d5 wins a piece.
16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Qxd3
With the exchange of light squared bish
ops, the f5 square beckons a white knight.
17. ... Nbd7
After 17. ... g6 18. axb5 cxb5 19. 0 0
Nbd7 20. Be3, Black still can’t castle,
and White will prepare for a breakthrough
with f2 f4. Black should try for counter
play in the center with 17. ... 0 0!? 18.
axb5 cxb5 19. Nf5 exd4 20. N3xd4 d5 21.
exd5 Re8+.
18. Nf5 0-0
r+ + rk+
+ qn+p
p
p
lp
p n p
+p+ pN+
P+ PP+ +
+ PQ+N+P
P + PP+
R L K +R
After 18. ... 0-0
The idea is not hard to find, but White
had to calculate that his opponent would
lack the time to strike back in the center.
19. ... gxh6 20. Qe3 Ne8 21. Qxh6 Ndf6 22.
Ng5
Now White needs just one more piece
in the attack ...
22. ... d5
A nice finish after 22. ... exd4 would be
23. Rd1 dxc3 24. Rxd6 cxb2 25. 0 0,
winning the queen for a start.
23. h4! dxe4 24. Rh3 Qd7
Even worse is 24. ... exd4 25. Rg3 Qxg3
26. Ne7 mate.
25. Ne6! Nh7
There is no defense: 25. ... fxe6 26.
Rg3+ Kf7 27. Qg6 mate, or 25. ... Ng4 26.
Qg5+ Kh8 27. Qh5+ Kg8 28. Qxg4+ Kh8
29. Qh5+ Kg8 30. Rg3+.
.
26. Rg3+ Kh8 27. Rg7 Nef6 28. Rxh7+, Black
resigned.
See more “Teams” reporting on Chess
Life Online in the February archives
at uschess.org!
USAT West Prize Winners
Western Angels
Sadly, team costumes have fallen out of favor, but this year
“Bobby’s Angels” (Jennifer Acon, Colette McGruder, Beverly
Woolsey and Constance McClendon) proved an exception.
PHOTO JOHN HILLERY
19. Bxh6!
1st:
ACA Beasts! (John Daniel Bryant, Michael Yee, Vincent
Huang and Santy Wong)
2nd:
Yellow is Mellow (Joel Banawa, Cau Duong Le, Takashi
Kurosaki, Jonathan Soo Hoo and Stewart Yanez)
3rd:
OC Chess Club (Alexandre Kretchetov, Takashi
Iwamoto, Krishna Kaliannan and Michael Brown)
4th:
ACA Chess Club (Enrico Sevillano, Andranik
Matikozyan, Robert Feldstein and Michael Ambartsoumian)
U2100:
Temple City High Rams (Tianye He, Robert Xue,
Terrence Sun, Jim Cheng Lee)
U2000:
The Thompson Guide (Lawrence Stevens, Francisco
Alonso, Tim Thompson, Ron Morris)
U1800:
ACA Youth (Samuel Sevian, Paul Richter, David
Minasyan, Daniel Mousseri)
U1600:
Knights of Barook Opawma (Jay Stallings, Cheston
Gunawan, Jackson Stallings, Thomas Emery Hart)
U1400:
Voyage to the Bottom of the Pairings (Allan Karman,
Daniel Giordani, Patrick Dailey, Debra Rothman)
Board Prizes
Team Names
College:
Board 1:
IM Enrico Sevillano
Board 2:
IM Andranik
Matikozyan
1st Place: Voyage to the
Bottom of the
Pairings
Unrated Trojan Horse Surprise/USC (Riddhi Shah,
Martin Diekhoff, Oswal Mehul Prakash, Junda Chen,
Morgan Jones)
Junior:
ACA—The Dark Knights (Daniel Naroditsky, Christian
Tanaka, Jared Tan, Eric Zhang)
Industrial:
Northrop Grumman Advantage in Space (Phillip
Jacobson, Robert Potts, Larry Miller, Sepehr Ebrahimi,
David Anthopoulos)
Board 3:
John Williams
Board 4:
Jonathan Soo Hoo
Alternate: John Anderson
uschess.org
2nd Place: Houston,
We Have a Mate
in Two Problem
37
U.S. Championship
Chess Life’s U.S. Championship Preview
GM Yury Shulman will be defending his 2008 U.S. Championship crown in
St. Louis, but with a world championship contender gunning for him, how realistic
are his repeat chances? IM Greg Shahade assesses the field for Chess Life.
(55% chance that one of these three wins the event)
GM HIKARU
NAKAMURA
I give him the number one spot
mainly for his fighting spirit and
tenacity. His average result may
be below Kamsky’s but I think
he wins the event a bit more
often. Another factor towards
ranking him #1 is that I'd give
him the edge over everyone if it
goes to tiebreaker.
Chance of winning: 20%
GM GATA KAMSKY
(Very good winning chances.
Give this group about a 26% chance to win)
GM Yury Shulman: The defending champion is surely
the class of this group. He plays fighting and uncompromis
ing chess and it would surprise no one to see a repeat
winner. (12%)
GM Alexander Shabalov: This three time champion
is highly ranked for similar reasons that I ranked
Nakamura above Kamsky. He could have a disastrous
tournament, but his tendency towards taking risks plays
out well when the goal is first place. Winning the tourna
ment or a 50%/minus score are both possible. (8%)
GM Varuzhan Akobian: Because of his relative youth,
strength and activity level, his chances should be
reasonable, although I suspect the top three still
outclass him a little bit. (6%)
One of the top players in the
world, coming off a world
championship match loss to
Topalov. His chances to win
are great, but I ranked him
slightly below Nakamura due
to Hikaru’s tendencies towards
uncompromising chess. Also
can he bring his “A” game to this
event after recently playing for
the world championship?
POSSIBLE SURPRISES
is still very strong, but he’ll have a tough time these
days against the top guys.
GM ALEXANDER
ONISCHUK
I have him only slightly
behind Nakamura and
Kamsky. Onischuk is
an extremely solid and
classical player, and
recently won the powerful
Moscow Open.
38
TOP CONTENDERS
These are mostly very strong players who in their prime
would have been top contenders but now are behind a
few guys at the top. They all are capable of big
performances if the cards break right (18%)
GM Larry Christiansen: Relatively out of practice,
but his fighting spirit may give him better chances
than most. Just a few years ago he had a very good
U.S. championship performance in a similar situation.
Also won Linares in 1981!
GM Jaan Ehlvest: This former #6 player in the world
GM Gregory Kaidanov: Despite being a dominant force
in the ’90s, he somehow has never won a U.S. champi
onship. Given that he’s relatively inactive now, it seems
like a bit of a gamble to predict this will be the first.
GM Joel Benjamin: Also relatively inactive, except
when it comes to answering e mails at Chess Life
Online. Benjamin mentioned in an article a few years
ago that he’s on a “no draw” kick and this obviously
helps when it comes to winning events.
GM Julio Becerra: He’s dominated the U.S. Chess League
for four seasons now. Unfortunately I’ve never seen him
perform especially well in such a strong field, but his
many fans from Miami will be hoping he can do it.
uschess.org
PHOTOS BY CATHY ROGERS
THE FAVORITES
GM Ildar Ibragimov: Very inactive and it has shown in
his recent results. Ildar is a very creative player, so he
always has a chance. However, in the few events he has
played in the past few years his rating has dropped
about 50 points.
VERY UNLIKELY
But not impossible! 2%
GM Josh Friedel: Friedel earned his GM title at the 2008
U.S. Championship, but he still has to prove himself a
bit before he’s considered to be on the same level as some
of the longtime American greats. A plus score would be
a solid result still. He’s completely uncompromising so
I’d give him the highest chance in this group.
GM Boris Gulko: He’s famous for his plus score against
Kasparov, but although he’s still extremely solid and
strong, it’s hard to compete on equal footing with the
youths when you are over 60 years old.
GM Melikset Khachiyan: This friendly Californian GM
is very good at drawing strong GMs (he drew eight of
nine games in the 2007 championship) but I don’t know if
he has it in him to beat enough of them to win an event
like this. You can’t win the U.S. championship by
drawing everyone.
IM Robert Hess: Hess has almost no realistic chance
of winning the event, but does have a chance to earn
a third GM norm. Coming off of a SuperNationals victory.
Tyler Hughes: A dream event for the 2008 U.S.
junior champion. I expect that the Colorado youngster
will learn a lot from the experience, but given that all
of his opponents will be higher rated, expectations won’t
be too high.
Charles Lawton: The only player from St. Louis and
a bit of a stretch invite by the sponsors, but they are
putting on a huge show and if they are set on inviting
one or two local players, it’s a mistake to chastise them
too greatly. Unfortunately for Charles everyone will be
gunning for him, and I’d expect he’d be very happy with
a 3/9 score.
OTHER CONTENDERS
U.S. State Champion of Champions
This is an Internet event in which a final spot
will be given out. The four players remaining
at press time of this article are IM Sam Shankland,
John Bryant, Mackenzie Molner and FM Ron
Simpson. Only Shankland, the 2008 world U18
bronze medalist, has a chance to make waves
in the championship.
As Chess Life went to press, Shankland won. ~ed.
WILD CARDS
Robson too, but Ray is obviously very talented and his
fans shouldn’t be too satisfied unless he achieves it.
Hopefully he can earn his first GM norm in the process.
The sponsors of the U.S. championship, the St. Louis
Chess Center, had the right to choose six wild cards
for the championship. They chose a mixture of former
champs, young rising stars and local heroes. Those six
wild cards are:
NO REALISTIC CHANCE
GM Alex Shabalov, GM Josh Friedel, IM Robert Hess,
IM Ray Robson, IM Michael Brooks and Charles Lawton.
IM Ray Robson: A plus score would be quite solid for
IM Enrico Sevillano: A very strong player, but he is
facing players rated 150 points above him. Many will
consider an even score a success and a GM norm is
likely the main goal.
IM Irina Krush: Irina is in a similar boat as Sevillano
although she does have more experience in such
high profile events. Let’s hope that her Samford
fellowship will help her to put forward an impressive
performance.
IM Anna Zatonskih: This event should be great practice
for Zatonskih, as she should face mostly GMs. I’m sure
that many chess fans would love to see a rematch of
Zatonskih vs. Krush at some point in this event.
IM Michael Brooks: A local IM who doesn’t play much
anymore. About 20 years ago there were times in which
he was rated above 2600. With the passing of time this
rating has dropped to the low 2400’s, and so his home
town fans will be hoping he can rekindle his old magic
for one to two GM scalps.
I’d like to just briefly mention a few worthy players
who also deserved consideration:
IM Alex Lenderman: A young New York player
who has recently risen above 2600, is a former
world youth champion, was the 2008 U.S. Chess
League MVP, and won the 2008 World Chess
Live Grand Prix.
IM Sam Shankland: As Chess Life went to press,
Sam won the State Champion of Champions event on
ICC and has secured a spot in the championship. ~ed.
GM Larry Kaufman: The 2008 world senior champion.
Daniel Ludwig: A very strong young player from
Florida. He earned his first GM norm in Hungary
and should be making waves shortly.
FM Daniel Naroditsky: It may have been premature
to invite the 2007 world under 12 champion this
year, however he’s been making good progress lately
and should be considered in the near future.
Look for daily U.S. Championship updates and the official twitter feed on uschess.org and uschesschamps.com. Also join in on the fun by
entering the 2009 Fantasy Chess Competition where you pick the winner in head to head match ups like Kamsky vs. Nakamura.
uschess.org
39
Profile
Where Do Chessplayers Go
When They Die?
REMEMBERING A PLAYER WHO THOUGHT WOMAN PLAYERS SHOULD
SIT ON SUITCASES—AND WHO ENJOYED SUCCESS WITH 1. Na3
By FM Alex Dunne
re chess players different from
other people? Yes, they play
chess. Of course there are dif
ferences, too. Not all chess
players are alike. But there are
some common threads that run through
chess players. At some time in their chess
career chess players share a dream the
dream of all chess players, to become a
master. This dream may be a daydream or
it may be a recurring dream, driving the
player persistently both night and day.
Besides having the dream, chess players
study chess. They subscribe to Chess Life
and other magazines. They buy, and some
times read, chess books. Their library
may have half a dozen books. Some have
considerably more: books on openings,
books on middlegames, books on endgames;
tournament books, problem books, strat
egy and tactics. And they play chess and
keep records of their games. Some of them
have scores of games they played five, 10,
30 or more years ago. This is the average
tournament chess player. Sometimes they
keep their games in scorebooks. Some on
individual tournament scoresheets, some
keep their games on their computer.
Many of the old timers still use descrip
tive notation; almost all of the younger
ones use algebraic.
All of us chessplayers have something
of this in common. We have our every day
life and we have our chess life, and the two
intersect and intertwine. And though all
of us are individuals, we are all also chess
players. And we all have stories that make
us the same and make us different. This
article is about one chess player, a New
Jersey player of 25 to 50 years ago, but it
A
40
is also about all chess players. This chess
player had a name, and flaws, and a drive,
and a rating, and dreams.
I first became acquainted with this
player, Bob by first name, a few years ago
when he came to stay at my house. He is
still here at my house, under my desk by
my downstairs computer. For this chess
player is no longer alive. He had died
maybe 20 years ago. I received a telephone
call from an acquaintance of his who asked
if I would be interested in his memorabilia.
A few days later six boxes of Bob’s earthly
remains came through Federal Express:
photographs, chess magazines, letters,
many of his games, games of other play
ers, thoughts about other chess players of
the time, correspondence games, thoughts
on chess rules, all the paraphernalia that
make up the mind of a chess player.
Bob had a rating. Like everybody’s rat
ing it went up and down. In Bob’s case it
went all the way up to a master’s rating:
2200+. But then it went down again to
expert, and for the rest of his life Bob
tried, in vain, to regain that master’s rat
ing. Sometimes it bothered Bob that he
could not seem to regain those ELO
points, and he sometimes argued with
the USCF to boost his rating a few points
or rate the games in a different order,
but Bob would never again cross that
2200 threshold. There are some who
understand that those rating points above
2199 are the hardest to gain. There is a
mystique about that border that is more
than just mathematics. Those who cross
over into that rare area know they have
achieved something special.
Bob’s stomping ground was New Jersey
of the ‘50s and ‘60s, a rich era in the
history of chess in the United States. It
was the battle ground of some famous (for
the time) chessplayers: Tony Santasiere,
Weaver Adams, Jimmy Sherwin, names
that old timers recognize right away. And
players that almost everyone else recog
nizes, such as William Lombardy, Robert
Byrne, and yes, Bobby Fischer. They
played in those New Jersey tournaments.
And Bob Durkin played. Bob played a
lot in those tournaments. And now I had
his games. Like many chess players, Bob
had some strong opinions about chess.
He had opinions about the colors of the
chessboard, the size of the chess pieces,
the ratio of the measurement of the
squares to the base of the king. He had
opinions about women in chess that
“since women are shorter than men, they
should sit high at the table so they are not
looking through the pieces.” Bob sug
gested they should sit on a suitcase. Not
all of Bob’s thoughts were 100% sound.
Bob suggested that when you have to
choose for colors, if your opponent is
right handed (usually so) you should put
the black pawn in your left hand. When
you put your hands out for your opponent
to choose, he will choose your left hand
with his right hand.
He had opinions about certain openings,
and perhaps one opening is Bob’s claim to
fame. Bob championed 1. Na3, or in the
descriptive notation of the day, 1. N QR3.
And to this day this opening is known as
the Durkin Attack (some call it the Sodium
Opening, in algebraic Na3). At first Bob did
not want his name associated with 1. N
QR3. He had played it half in jest, half in
uschess.org
protest against opponents who were bet
ter booked than he was. And he won.
Around the chess clubs of New Jersey he
soon became known as Bob “N QR3”
Durkin. And yet he repudiated his open
ing. He stopped playing it, claiming it was
just an aberration. But he soon discovered
he wasn’t doing as well as he had been,
and so once again he began opening 1. N
QR3. Then he began to write pamphlets
about his opening, and once again “N
QR3” became his middle name, only this
time he adopted it properly. He signed
his letters Bob “N QR3” Durkin. Bob
played a lot of N QR3’s. But even with his
own opening he did not regain his master’s
rating, but he didn’t stop trying. And so his
tournaments continued.
Bob had a non chess life, too. His per
sonal correspondence searched for a
mate. Bob courted a number of women by
correspondence, but apparently he never
found one he liked, or probably more
likely, never liked him. Bob’s letters
showed him a man of his time. He had the
faults, weaknesses, prejudices, and odd
opinions, as all of us do. But he loved
chess. And he played the game.
Bob asked the age old philosophical
questions. In one of his journals he
mused, “What I have gotten out of chess
is more than I have put into it in terms
of intangibles like satisfaction, fame in the
chess world and out of it self confidence
and many qualities which chess encour
ages, such as a great feeling of worth,
ego satisfaction, a sense of purpose in
life, great fun at tournaments, a feeling of
accomplishment, and finally my own
name shall probably be known as long as
the game is played. It shall certainly be
known should anyone dare to play my
opening.” And in the same journal, many
more pages back, a cloud of despair
loomed overhead. As he was grousing
about not having his games published
often enough, he wrote, “This is a h of
a note. How can I enjoy fame 6 feet
under?” Students of the game might want
to see Bob’s handling of 1. Na3. Fifty
Durkin attacks (and one played against
him!) will be included in this issue’s .pgn
file at uschess.org.
Chess is immortal, but chess players
are not. Bob died. When? I do not know,
but Bob disappeared from the January
1986 rating list as we all must eventually
do. But there is a touch of immortality to
chess players, too. For we can record our
games, save our games, publish our
games. And other chess players can play
them over, and for a time, we, too, are
immortal. Not perfect. Not great. But
remembered.
Durkin’s Attack
Robert “N QR3” Durkin
Weaver Adams
Independent Chess Club 1959
1. Na3
Durkin was fearless. He would play his
1. N QR3 against anyone; Weaver Adams
was a leading master of the time, the
author of several books, including White
to Play and Win.
1. ... d5 2. f4 Bg4 3. h3 Bh5 4. g4
r
n qk
ln
r
pp
p pp
pp
+ + + +
+ +p+ +l
+ + PP+
N + + +P
P
PP
PP+ +
R LQ
KL
NR
After 4. g4
Provocative! The bishop of course can
not be captured by pawn avalanche as 4.
... Bg6 5. f5 e6 threatens ... Qh4 mate.
4. ... Bg6 5. Nf3
Entirely too greedy is 5. f5 e6 6. h4?!
Be7 7. Nf3 exf5 8. h5 fxg4 9. hxg6 gxf3
and White doesn’t have time for 10. Rxh7
because of the familiar mating procedure
with 10. ... Bh4+.
5. ... h5
Adams knew how to play provocative
chess, too. More in tune with modern
sensibilities would be 5. ... e6.
6. g5
White’s opening has given White a
cramp on Black's kingside, but Black’s
position is sound. Chances are even.
6. ... Be4 7. Bg2 e5!
Black’s aggressive line leads to an equal
game.
8. d3 Bxf3 9. exf3 exf4 10. Bxf4 Bd6
But now might have been a good time
to fight knights against bishops with 10.
... Bxa3 when the pawn structure favors
knights. Adams is understandably reluc
tant to give up his attacking bishop and
keeps the chances about even.
11. Qd2 Ne7 12. Nb5 Bxf4 13. Qxf4 Na6 14.
0-0
As White has more space on the king
side, his king is relatively safe, for now,
but 14. 0 0 0 would give White the bet
ter chances.
14. ... 0-0 15. Rae1 c6 16. Nc3 Ng6 17. Qd2
Qb6+ 18. d4 Rae8 19. f4 Rxe1 20. Rxe1 Nh4
21. Nd1 f6 22. Qe3
Both sides have conducted the game
well, but White missteps slightly here.
He should have kept his queenside safe
with 22. c3. Now Black gets a small edge.
22. ... fxg5 23. fxg5 Nf5 24. Qe6+ Kh7 25. c3
Qd8 26. g6+ Kh6 27. Ne3
+ q r
+
p+ + p
p
n+p+Q+P
k
+ +p+n+p
+ P + +
+ P N +P
P
P + +L+
+ + R K
After 27. Ne3
27. ... Nxe3?
And now it is Black’s turn to misstep.
With 27....Nh4 Black keeps his small edge.
28. Qxe3+ Kxg6 29. Qd3+ Kh6
An inspired attacker, Adams is not so
comfortable on defense, and his king now
gets buffeted about. Salvation might have
been found in 29. ... Kf7, but now Durkin
gets to show his attacking prowess.
30. Re6+ Rf6 31. Qe3+ Kg6 32. Re7 Qb8 33.
Bf1!
The last reserve is brought in. Black is
doomed.
.
33. ... Rxf1+ 34. Kxf1 Qf8+ 35. Ke2 Nb8 36.
Re8 Qf5 37. Rxb8, Black resigned.
“Chess is always the master of us all.” —ALEXANDER ALEKHINE
uschess.org
41
Dr. Stephen Lipschultz named 2009 Chess Educator of the Year
42
uschess.org
Chess Education
What do Dennis Rodman
and a Brownsville fifth grader
have in common?
They both motivated
Chess Educator of the Year
Dr. Stephen Lipschultz.
By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
PHOTO COURTESY OF SUBJECT
From Rodman to Research:
Chess Educator 2009
IN 1994, DR. LIPSCHULTZ LAUNCHED
a chess club at his son’s Chicago area ele
mentary school. With a background in
developing software for medical education,
Lipschultz saw a need for chess software
that could both manage the after school
club and instruct its students. At the
same time, he had to make thinking cool.
His son’s friends idolized Chicago Bulls
player Dennis Rodman. But Lipschultz,
though appreciative of Rodman’s basket
ball prowess, did not consider Rodman an
appropriate role model. Since society does
not provide many thinkers as role models,
students need motivation to be thinkers.
Lipschultz explained his software
design: “Think Like A King was designed
to be about more than learning chess.
Our goal is not to create a new generation
of highly competitive grandmasters, but
to make it easy for schools to use chess
as a vehicle to teach critical thinking
uschess.org
skills. This is hardly a new concept. But
with our software, the opportunity for
chess to become a mainstream activity in
any school becomes a reality, attracting
scores of new kids and creating new role
models and paradigms for success in life.
Our software’s success to date clearly
validates this design theory.”
Lipschultz’s Think Like A King School
Chess Software (TLAK) makes thinking a
school sport. His software has grown over
the last 15 years. Early versions of TLAK
rated games, ran tournaments, and pro
vided chess instruction. Then David
MacEnulty contributed curriculum, which
Lipschultz programmed for MacIntosh
computers. Later, programmers adapted
the software to Windows. GM Miron Sher
wrote advanced chess curriculum. TLAK
became the official scholastic software of
the USCF. As of 2009, TLAK helps run
chess programs in over 1,600 schools in
the United States, as well as 20 countries
overseas. Other features, such as think
ing tags, have become part of the TLAK
system.
Thinking tags, modeled after karate
belts, make thinkers visible. Students
earn tags by completing chess workouts:
lessons and puzzles such as pins, forks,
endgames, and so forth. The workouts
can be printed, or completed on the com
puter. A student earns a white tag first; the
black tag is for the highest level. Tags are
dog tag style tokens for display on back
packs or elsewhere. Lipschultz recalled, “A
fifth grader from Brownsville, Texas recog
nized Think Like A King on the computer
monitors in our display booth, and came
running up to show me that he’d already
earned his Red Belt he’d even taken the
tokens and made a necklace out of them.
His face was absolutely glowing with pride
at this learning achievement, which was
43
Chess Education
just a great thing to see.”
Dr. Lipschultz received his award from
Dr. Abby Kratz, associate provost of The
University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). UTD
Chess Program Director James Stallings
also spoke at this evening award cere
mony on February 24, 2009. About 45
people attended, including Steve’s wife
Leslie Lipschultz. A former school board
president and legislative aide, she pro
vides marketing and K 12 education
expertise for TLAK.
Previous Chess Educator of the Year
award winners are: Susan Polgar (2004),
Sunil Weeramantry (2005), Erik Anderson
(2006), David MacEnulty (2007), and
Beatriz Marinello (2008). Dr. Lipschultz
said, “I’m honored to receive this recog
nition, and enormously flattered to be
included with this group of talented and
committed individuals who have each
done so much for chess education. Hav
ing not played chess competitively beyond
high school, nor been directly involved in
teaching scholastic chess outside of our
own children’s school club, I was hon
estly surprised to learn I’d been selected
for this award. In reflecting on its mean
ing and how I would describe my
contribution to chess education, I believe
it is an acknowledgement of my vision to
help make chess more broadly accessible
to children everywhere so they are empow
ered by the educational benefits of the
game. The power of Think Like A King
lies in its ability to amplify the talents of
the limited supply of qualified chess
instructors so that even non chess play
ers can still run successful chess
programs by mentoring and engaging stu
dents. While our software can never
replace the hundreds of dedicated chess
teachers already out there, it does mean
that so many more children will be able to
become involved with chess than might
otherwise be possible.”
.
Research Seminar and ChessFest
Chess in Education at the 2008 U.S. Open
The USCF Chess in Education work
shop, held August 7 alongside the 2008
U.S. Open, attracted 13 paid participants
and a handful of fee waived participants
from the sponsoring organizations, USCF,
U.S. Chess Trust, The University of Texas
at Dallas (UTD), The University of Texas
at Brownsville and Texas Southmost Col
lege (UTB/TSC), and Texas Tech
University (TTU). Participant Mike Good
friend (Richardson Inter Scholastic Chess
Association) said the workshop was “a
very rich program for $15.” Participant
fees defrayed a portion of the hotel
expenses. Sponsors covered remaining
costs and provided logistical, technical,
and publicity assistance to co organiz
ers Dr. Alexey Root and Dr. Tim Redman.
Presenters donated their time.
Workshop presentations highlighted
different strategies for implementing
chess in schools. Presentations by Root
(UTD) and Michael Bowden (Lewisville
I.S.D.) emphasized chess instruction,
during the school day, tied to state
curricular standards. Bowden’s ele
mentary school students play only
non rated, intra and inter school
matches. In contrast, Keynote Speaker
Russell Harwood (UTB/TSC) stated
that chess in Brownsville I.S.D. (BISD)
is extracurricular. That is, chess is
taught before or after school. Har
wood’s Power Point showcased chess
titles won by BISD students. The pub
licity
from
those
USCF rated
championships, combined with par
ent advocacy, has led to financial
support from BISD. For example, a
coach or sponsor working with 18 or
fewer chess students at a BISD school
Earlier on February 24, representatives from five school dis
tricts in North Texas attended a seminar to learn how their
districts could participate in a study of the effectiveness of
chess. Dr. Stephen Lipschultz explained the proposed research,
“Think Like A King is partnering with The University of Texas
at Dallas to apply for U.S. Department of Education funding
to establish the first ever large scale multi year research
effort to, hopefully, fully validate and define the precise role
of chess in education. In order to be really meaningful, this
kind of study must involve large numbers of schools and
students using a consistent approach to teaching that can also
validate that kids learn what they are supposed to. As a tool
that can be easily implemented and scaled throughout entire
regions, TLAK is uniquely capable of doing just this. With the
team of experts in chess education and research that we’ve
assembled for this project, we’re hopeful that we can accumu
late the data that will finally propel chess fully into the
mainstream of the U.S. educational system.” Other seminar
44
earns $1,000 stipend per year. Schools
with more than 18 chess students may
have two coaches/sponsors.
Presenter Roz Katz told how, in 1993,
3,500 chess players “nagged” the New
Jersey State Legislature into passing
chess legislation. Participant Stephen
Shutt (USCF Scholastic Council) noted
that this legislative approval conferred
legitimacy to future chess initiatives.
Presenter Jerry Nash (USCF) stressed
coordinating the education, civic, busi
ness, political, and chess communities.
Presenter Redman (UTD) advised educa
tors to consider the syntax of chess.
Although “e4” is a helpful shorthand,
forming a complete sentence encour
ages students’ linguistic growth. For e4,
a sentence might be, “The pawn, in front
of the king, moves two squares forward.”
As she left, participant Julie Blasingame
(K 6 art teacher and chess sponsor) said,
“I personally wish thatthe workshop
would have lasted longer.” Fortunately,
workshop ideas are permanently avail
able. The August 7, 2008 presentations
by Bowden and Katz, and the presenta
tion by Dr. Lipschultz on February 24,
2009, are on the USCF Chess in Educa
tion website www.thechessacademy.org/
USCF Chess Education Committee.htm.
Jerry Nash welcomes inquiries; e mail
[email protected]. Russell Harwood
can be reached via the UTB/TSC chess
website www.chess. utb.edu/. Work
shop related books include Root’s
Science, Math, Checkmate: 32 Chess
Activities for Inquiry and Problem Solving,
Redman’s Chess and Education: Selected
Essays from the Koltanowski Confer
ence, and Katz’s Play Better Chess.
presenters described the current state of chess research,
how chess and curriculum can be connected, and proce
dures for conducting research in schools.
The next day, February 25, ChessFest combined feats of
brain and brawn in the lobby of the McDermott Library. UTD’s
GM Alejandro Ramirez played blindfolded, calling out his moves
to teammate WFM Karina Vazirova, who lifted the knee high
pieces on UTD’s new “Chess Grande” set. During the hour long
exhibition, Alejandro faced six different opponents. Those oppo
nents lifted their own pieces, and took advice from spectators.
Alejandro won all his games, garnering a round of applause for
each victory. Next, UTD’s IM John Bartholomew lectured on his
toric and instructive endgames while teammate USCF master
Nelson Lopez lifted chessmen to display John’s moves to the
crowd. Spectators especially seemed to like the Fernando
Saavedra problem: white king (b6) and white pawn (c6) versus
black king (a1) and rook (d5). White to play and win. See
answer on page 79.
.
uschess.org
CJA/Cramer Awards
2009 Chess Journalists of America Awards
Announcement
By Jonathan Hilton
Jerry Hanken, President of the Chess
Journalists of America (CJA), and
Jonathan Hilton, Chairman of the CJA
awards committee, announce their
annual call for entries to the 2009 awards
program. All winners will be recognized in
Chess Life and The Chess Journalist and
will receive certificates.
Please note that submission rules have
changed from past years. The chief judge’s
storage space for print entries is limited
this year, so he would like to encourage
CJA members to submit their entries via
e mail. E mail entry is now available for
every category and is preferred when pos
sible. To submit an e mail entry, simply
e mail a filled out cover sheet to cja
[email protected] and
write “Awards Entry” in the subject line.
Attach the actual entry as a .pdf or .doc
file or include a web link to it in the body
of the e mail. Then, mail a check for the
appropriate amount to the address below.
If you must submit a print entry, mail
five copies of the entry (photocopies are
acceptable) to the aforementioned
address; then, e mail a copy of the cover
sheet to cja entries2009@chessjournal
ism.org. By submitting an entry to the
awards, you are giving the CJA the right
to display the entry on it’s website.
Eligibility: Entries must be for work pub
lished between 6/1/08 and 5/31/09.
Submitted articles may be entered within
multiple categories.
Fees: All entries, except category 18,
require an entry fee of $15 for the first
entry (includes one year of membership
in the CJA) and $8 for each additional
entry. Life members free first entry, $8 for
each additional entry.
Cover Sheets: One cover sheet must be
stapled to each copy of print entries (orig
inals and copies). Sheets are available at
http://chessjournalism.org or by mail
upon request.
Entry Deadline: Entries should be post
marked by 6/1/09 or submitted by e mail
by 6/3/09.
Address: Mail checks (or print entries) to
Chief Judge Jonathan Hilton, 2590
Jupiter Drive, Fairfield, OH 45014. Make
checks payable to Chess Journalists of
America.
Judges: Volunteer judges needed. CJA
uschess.org
members or others interested in chess
journalism should contact Jonathan
Hilton at cja [email protected]
for information.
CJA Award Categories
1. Chess Journalist of the Year:
Awarded to the person who has con
tributed the most to chess journalism in
the past year. Only work from the past
year will be considered. CJA members
vote by mail ballot to select the winner;
please provide résumé for CJA website.
2. Best Chess Column: Submit three
columns from the past year.
3. Best State Magazine: Submit two
issues from the past year.
4. Most Notable Achievement in Correspondence Chess: For journalistic work
of any type regarding correspondence
chess.
5. Best Chess Art: Send a magazine cover,
Internet display, cartoon, etc.
6. Best Photograph: A single photograph
portraying some aspect of chess.
7. Best Tournament Report: A story of
one tournament occurring in the past
year.
8. Best Newspaper Column: Send three
columns from the past year. Special
award given to best column of local inter
est; please mark the appropriate box on
the cover sheet if the entry is eligible for
this award.
9. Best Chess Website: Open to news
sites, “blogs”, state websites, and so on.
Special award given to the best example
of each type of website.
10. Best Historical Article: For articles
describing an aspect of chess history,
especially those tying chess history to
social or cultural events from the past.
11. Best Interview: Shows skill in elic
iting instructive, revealing responses.
12. Best Editorial: Clear stand on a
chess issue.
13. Best Review: For reviews of books,
software, etc.
14. Best Analysis: For openings, mid
dlegames, endgames, games, or groups of
games analyzed deeply.
15. Best Instructive Lesson: For written
lessons. (Should be a lesson, not just an
annotated game.)
16. Best Humorous Contribution: Open
to chess jokes, satire, irony, parody, etc.
Judges decide appropriateness.
17. Special Recognition Award: For
entries that do not fit comfortably into any
other category.
18. Excellence in Chess Writing, Mainstream Media: Entries ineligible for other
categories. Awarded to chess writing in a
mainstream publication (defined as a mag
azine listed in the Readers’ Guide to
Periodical Literature). Regular chess fea
tures ineligible. No fees are applicable for
this category.
Cramer Awards
This year’s Cramer awards for excel
lence in chess journalism will be:
Best Book and induction of one or two
journalists to the Gallery of Distinguished Chess Journalists. Recommen
dations and copies of best book nomina
tions should be sent to: Don Schultz,
3201 South Ocean Dr. #703, Highland
Beach, FL 33487 and Dr. Frank Brady,
Apt. 7E1, 175 West 72nd St., New York,
NY 10023.
The best book award is open to all
books published between April 1, 2008
and May 31, 2009.
The author of the best book will receive
an engraved Obelisk marble pyramid tro
phy and recognition in Chess Life.
An engraved plaque bearing the names
of members of the Gallery of Distinguished
Chess Journalists is on display at the
Marshall Chess Club in New York, New
York, The Mechanics Institute in San
Francisco, California and USCF head
quarters in Crossville, Tennessee.
Current members are: Hermann Helms,
Burt Hochberg, Dr. Frank Brady, GM
Larry Evans, IM Al Horowitz, Harold
Dondis, GM Andy Soltis, Fred Reinfeld,
GM Robert Byrne, Irving Chernev, Lubosh
Kavalek, George Koltanowski, Alex
Dunne, Yasser Seirawan, Glenn Petersen
and Bruce Pandolfini.
.
For more about the CJA, see
www.chessjournalism.org. For more
about the Cramer awards, see
www.chessdon.com/cramer awards.htm.
45
Eric Hecht
Michael Atkins
46
I am a candidate as a director for the USCF for no other
reason than I believe all members of an organization
should have an opportunity to make a contribution.
I have been a member of the USCF since 1999 when
I first started to play Tournament chess. During that time
I have had little interaction with the organization. One
might ask, how can you want to be a director of an
organization when you have had so little interaction with
those that run the organization? Actually, it is for this
reason that I am running. The USCF appears to not
reach out to its members in such a way, that they
reached me; a member for almost ten years!! This is
not a passing shot at those who run the organization,
because perhaps they do not view it as their responsibility to reach out and touch their members. And
again, this is exactly the point. The USCF should be
touching its members. It should be sponsoring events,
championships, etc. Some of this responsibility appears
to have been relegated to the private sector. Some
efforts made by the private sector have outshone the
USCF. Other efforts are run by those who govern the
USCF, but are not done under the banner of the USCF.
Maybe this is inefficient, or a conflict of interest, or
maybe not. It does beg the question however as to
whether the current directors and management of the
USCF are motivated to help the USCF succeed,
or whether they are content to see their efforts in the
private sector succeed. My view is that those who
are fully engaged in the business of chess should
probably not be running the largest non profit chess
organization in the U.S.
I don’t think I am the most qualified, or the least qualified candidate. I have a background in finance, and I
have served as a director for both private as well as
public companies. I am a governor of the Marshall
Chess Club. I have worked for several large banks
during my career as a financial analyst, and I have been
a private investor for the last several years. I have a
strong interest in chess, education, kids, and charitable giving. My intentions are pure. I am dispassionate
about winning or losing this election. I am willing and
ready to serve, or not depending upon what the members of the USCF want. For sure, I believe the USCF
members should want and expect, that the USCF be a
well run organization that is financially secure.
In addition, the members should feel secure that those
running the organization are not conflicted. Finally,
the members should feel that their organization is
working for them, promoting chess education, and
chess activities. As a financial analyst, I do hope I
could make a strong contribution to the financial
integrity of the organization.
I am 52 years old and have been involved with
chess since the Fischer boom started in 1972. I
became President and Team Captain of my High
School team in Baltimore and became a TD so that
we could have tournaments. I went on to become an
officer and club champion (1976) at Towson Chess
Club. I've been helping Arlington Chess Club in Virginia by doing its website and running its
tournaments since 1996, about the time I got
involved with Virginia Chess Federation. The VCF
has allowed me to serve as President for 4 years and
VP for Tournaments for the other years. I've worked
at various National events and CCA events over the
years, while becoming an NTD, all the time developing what I hope is the ability to work with almost
anyone in getting the job done. Part of my "real-life"
job as counselor and mental health therapist is to listen to people and help them deal with issues and
reach their goals.
That ability to listen, to cut to the core of an issue,
and to establish a tone of civility is part of what I hope
to bring to the USCF Executive Board. The Board
has been contentious and litigious for way too long.
I bring no personal agenda to the Board other than
to do my best for the USCF and help the Board effectively guide the Executive Director in reaching our
collective goals. I think the Board has often gotten too
involved in the day to day management of the USCF.
Its best function is to set policy and goals, and both
help the Executive Director meet those goals and hold
him so accountable.
You hear every election that the USCF should be run
as a business. While that is true, we should keep in
mind that this is a small national Not For Profit
whose agenda should be to support and encourage
chess in the United States. Getting control of
expenses, increasing revenue and bringing in new
supporters and investors will help that task. I view
every one of the hundreds of tournaments I have
organized as a little business. Having planned tournaments with the long-run in mind, I increased prize
funds when the turnout was good because that's
what I would want as a player. Treating people right,
providing a good environment where the rounds
start on time, all of this is part of making players want
to come back to tournaments. This philosophy applies
to the USCF as well.
The USCF exists to serve its members, not the
other way around. We need to create a USCF in
which people want to renew their membership,
where the modal age of members is not 10 years old
but remains consistently high throughout the age
spectrum. I'll help create a USCF which is more
responsive to the needs of its members. Thank you.
Thank you for your consideration.
Please visit my web page at:
www.members.cox.net/arlingtonchessclub/uscf_eb.htm
uschess.org
Opinions expressed are solely those of the candidates.
IM Blas Lugo
I learned chess in Havana, Cuba when I was 13
years old. Since then I have devoted my life to this
wonderful game. I became an International Master at
23, and I achieved my first Grandmaster norm in
1996 at the NY Open. I have been an active chess
player as well as an organizer and trainer for the
last 25 years. In 1996 I founded the Miami International Chess Academy where I have taught countless
players of all ages.
For the last several years I have been organizing the
Miami International Open and many other important
Mike Nietman
uschess.org
events. I have much proven success in multiple facets
of chess. I am absolutely positive that I can help our
chess federation in many ways if I am given the
opportunity to serve.
If elected to the USCF Executive Board, I plan to
bring harmony and new energy to our organization.
I would concentrate my efforts in raising memberships, securing much needed sponsorship, and
finding effective ways to cut expenses to make this
federation stronger. I have immeasurable experience and success in these areas, and I can help
make the same happen for the USCF.
This is an absolutely important election because
the USCF needs a new course of direction immediately. You, the members, can make this happen! We,
as an organization, cannot afford to continue throwing away money frivolously, especially in this very
difficult economy. We, as a members’ organization,
must be fiscally responsible.
The current financial state of the USCF is extremely
fragile! According to the Federation’s statistics, the
USCF lost approximately 1,500 members between
February 2008 and February 2009. The USCF also
lost $419,968 in the first 7 months of this fiscal year
(this information was provided by USCF Chief Financial Officer Joe Nanna).
Instead of investing money wisely in areas that can
help the USCF grow, hundreds of thousands of dollars were wasted on unnecessary lawsuits in the
past two years.
I am not interested in chess politicking. I am not
interested in political power. I am only interested in
making the USCF stronger and better.
If elected, one of my first motions will be to stop
wasting what is left of members’ valuable resources
on legal fees by ending all lawsuits immediately. Money
saved could be redirected to better adult, scholastic,
collegiate, correspondence, and military chess.
With scholastic members being a large percentage
of our membership and revenue, issues dealing with
scholastic chess were and are extremely important
for the EB. I’d like to clear up a long running misconception that I’ve heard from several different sources
about what the Scholastic Council is and what role
it plays.
The Executive Board appoints about two dozen committees with areas of expertise ranging from finance
to postal chess to international affairs to senior chess.
The model then is to have the committees discuss
issues pertaining to their area of expertise and advise
the Executive Board so they may make the most
informed decisions possible. An EB liaison is assigned
to each committee who communicates with the committee chair.
In 2000 the Scholastic Committee chair was
extremely busy dealing with multiple scholastic questions and issues from the EB, the office and the
scholastic community, that he and other senior committee members asked the EB to create a Scholastic
Council that could respond more quickly to the needs
of everyone. The EB agreed and voted to create a five
person Scholastic Council. Council members must be
scholastic committee members and are voted on annually for alternating two year terms. In essence I view
the Council as the Chair of the Scholastic Committee
just as every other committee has a chair. Optimally this
allows for discussions amongst a small, responsive
leadership group to give quick answers to the EB, the
office and the scholastic community.
As co-chair of the Council for the past four years one
of my frustrations with the EB has been in the area of
communication. We haven’t been alerted to important scholastic discussions in a timely enough manner
in order to have meaningful exchanges before developing recommendations. Agendas have come out less
than a week before the meetings. Agendas should be
available at least a month before an EB meeting. If an
important item comes up after the publishing of the
agenda, it can always be added. To further publicize our
meetings, the agenda should be sent out electronically
to all committee chairs. Once approved minutes should
follow after the meeting.
Another economic area in which scholastic chess
could significantly impact the USCF is with sponsorships.
USCF has had sponsors for some programs and events
such as the Grand Prix, Junior Grand Prix and National
Elementary. But we could do better! So one must ask
“Why don’t we get more sponsorships?” At every Delegates Meeting I’ve attended it has been asked “Where
are the sponsorships?” We should be getting corporate
sponsorships especially for our youth tournaments
and programs. Fact is that we have had some inquiries.
However, when these companies do their due diligence and research what the USCF is about they
invariably come across our current state of lawsuits and
politics and that negates their interest immediately! We
need to clean up our act to secure these corporate
donations.
If you agree, please lend me your support in
this election!
Specifically, if elected, here are my pledges to
USCF members:
• I will work hard to restore and maintain
a sound and balanced budget every year
that I am on the board
• I will work hard to protect members’ assets
• I will work hard to find ways to cut
unnecessary expenditures
• I will work hard to develop a strong support
system for adult, scholastic, collegiate,
correspondence, Internet and military chess
• I will work hard to find ways to raise the
membership level
• I will work hard to bring in new sponsors for
the USCF
• I will work hard to promote full transparency
in all USCF dealings.
47
Bill Goichberg
Jim Berry
It has been my privilege to serve as USCF President
since August 2005. The Executive Board will select a new
President this August, as there is a four year term limit.
USCF has seen many changes since 2005. Our website now has interesting chess news and games, not
just ratings and technical info. Chess Life has been
modernized and upgraded, and a scholastic magazine again offered (Chess Life for Kids, better than
the old School Mates.) Adult dues have been lowered,
new national events initiated, tournament memberships
restored to encourage rated activity after a 15 year
lapse, and low cost insurance offered to chess clubs.
We are fortunate to have outstanding sponsors including the Saint Louis Chess Club (U.S. Championship, U.S.
Women’s), Kasparov Chess Foundation (Olympiads), and
World Chess Live (Grand Prix, Junior Grand Prix, College Tournament of Champions). And we are the only
nation to have both our overall and women’s Olympiad
teams win medals in Dresden!
For many years, USCF’s most persistent problem was
declining Adult membership. Beginning with 1995 when
dues rose from $30 to $40, we lost at least 400 Adult
members each year, an average of over 1,000 per year,
for 11 consecutive years. Senior membership also
declined steadily. This type of deterioration tends to be
a vicious spiral, as fewer members means fewer clubs
and tournaments, which in turn hurts membership, etc.
This trend was not unique to USCF, as similar organizations such as the American Contract Bridge League
and Chess Federation of Canada also had large
declines, the latter being even more severe than USCF
and resulting in elimination of their printed magazine.
During the past three years, this destructive deterioration was finally halted, as our age 20 & older
member total increased slightly. Under 20 numbers
were not as good, as overall membership declined by
1,481, but this was still much better than the previous
three years, in which we lost 13,145 members.
Financial losses were also once a persistent USCF
problem, especially in fiscal 1997-2003 when money
was lost each year and the Federation almost went
bankrupt. 2004 and 2005 had surpluses, but since
then, breaking even has been difficult as expected
relocation savings did not materialize, though Executive Director Bill Hall has held expenses down. We are
paying off an extra $100,000 of our mortgage this
year. A new membership structure including online-only
magazine options is off to a good start, but will be of
far more benefit in fiscal 2010. The 2006-2009 fiscal
period should end at roughly breakeven, with unusual
negative and positive events approximately balancing
each other out:
Negative: 1) High legal fees due to improper behavior by two board members and USCF being sued by a
board member (see www.uschess.org/legalupdates),
2) Auditing fees and funding issues regarding past
handling of the 1999-2002 employee profit sharing
plan, 3) 2006 began with over $100,000 in unrealistic accounts receivable which had to be written off.
Positive: the $350,000 bequest from Phil LeCornu.
For further comment, please see my campaign
website, www.checkmate.us.
As members of the USCF in 2009, you and I are
faced with many problems and challenges. Exciting and
crucial times are ahead. Together, we can promote
chess to the next level in the United States. I love the
game, but enjoy the people at tournaments even more.
meals, hotels, nada ... chess is my passion.
The new dues structure recommended by the USCF
Executive Board and voted in by the USCF delegates
in Dallas in 2008 should result in a $150,000 savings
in the 2010 fiscal year. Taking all income and expenses
into account, our USCF will show a healthy surplus in
2009 and for the two years I have served on the USCF
board. We are also in a position to retire our Crossville,
TN headquarters building mortgage in the near future,
in fact, the EB has voted to pay at least $100,000
towards the mortgage.
The 2007 and 2008 U.S. Championships held in
Oklahoma were very successful and exciting ... but the
2009 U.S. Championships held in St. Louis, MO, will be
even better. If you plan to visit the championships,
will you take the time to introduce yourself to me?
Your USCF Executive Board needs financial expertise and financial professionalism as well as an abiding
love of chess. Our USCF will have all of the above
when you vote for Jim Berry for re-election. THANK YOU.
Here is what I bring to the table:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Vice President of USCF from 2007 to present
Rated 1906 USCF and 2054 FIDE
Played 1,400 USCF rated games since 1962
Played in 7 recent U.S. Opens
Played in 247 USCF tournaments
Directed 87 tournaments as a Senior
Tournament Director
• Chief TD of 2007 and 2008 United States
Women’s Chess Championships
• Chief TD of 2008 United States Chess
Championship
I have served for the last 10 years on the Board of
Directors of the Stillwater National Bank, a $2.9 billion dollar bank. (NASDAQ: OKSB) No toxic assets
here. We are one of the “good” banks. I have insisted
that the USCF executive board set the budget with
care and include a small profit and an emergency
fund. All financial moves must be calculated ... like
in a chess game.
All expenses incurred while serving on the Executive
Board by Jim Berry have and will be paid out of my own
pocket. I will not bill the USCF for any transportation,
48
I have known USCF VP Jim Berry for 20 years and
have the greatest respect for his contributions to chess
as a player, organizer, and tournament director.
His experience serving on the Board of Directors of the
Stillwater National Bank (NASDAQ: OKSB) and his
many years of service to chess in Oklahoma combined with his easy going manner and team spirit
make Jim Berry an ideal candidate for re-election to
the USCF Executive Board.
—IM John Donaldson
(2008 USA Olympiad Team Captain)
uschess.org
Brian Mottershead
Brian Lafferty
The most important issue facing the new Executive
Board next August will be how to proceed with the lawsuits that embroil the USCF and two of the EB members
who were elected in 2007; namely, Susan Polgar and
Paul Truong (a married couple).
In September 2007, while working as a volunteer
System Administrator for the USCF on its web site,
I uncovered technical evidence that Paul Truong had
authored thousands of vulgar, obscene, Usenet posts,
impersonating various chess personalities, and
viciously attacking the USCF and numerous USCF
officials, employees, and volunteers. These posts,
commonly referred to as “Fake Sam Sloan” posts,
continued after Truong became an Executive Board
member in August 2007. I put my findings into a confidential report (the “Mottershead Report”) to the
Executive Board, which was soon leaked on the Internet, though I was not the person who leaked it.
Truong’s “Fake Sam Sloan” activity has led, ultimately,
to five lawsuits for the USCF.
First, the USCF found itself as a co-defendant with
Truong in two lawsuits by people he impersonated: one
brought by the “real” Sam Sloan and a second by
another person. The USCF is now out of these cases.
A third case arose when the USCF filed suit against
“John Does,” trying to discover how confidential e-mails
between the USCF and its lawyers had been leaked and
came to be posted on her blog by Polgar.
After obtaining information through subpoenas,
the USCF eventually alleged that a confederate of
Polgar’s had hacked into an EB member’s e-mail
• Proven ability to work in unison with
staff, volunteers and board of directors.
My Background
By training I am an attorney, having practiced as a
litigator in New York City. I also served the City of New
York as an administrative law judge appointed by
Mayors Koch, Dinkins and Guiliani.
Since 1996 I have been an educator. I’ve taught
middle and high school and have increasingly been
working with children at risk.
I became involved in scholastic chess when my then
third grade daughter showed an interest in chess. We
started a successful chess club at her school and not
only were the kids hooked by the game—so was I.
I have served as a board member of the Massachusetts Chess Association and continue to serve that
organization as the coordinator for several programs.
The USCF needs a new direction in leadership.
We need:
My name is Brian Lafferty and I’m running for the
USCF Executive Board.
• More than 20 years experience as
an Attorney, Judge, Teacher, AntiViolence Educator and Grant Writer
• Ability to direct complex projects
from concept to operational status.
• Goal-oriented individual with
strong leadership capabilities.
• Organized, highly motivated, and
collaborative problem solver.
uschess.org
• Transparency in all USCF dealings.
• Fiscal responsibility and accountability.
• Ethical behavior.
In my view there are several attributes which
I have that make for effective management:
1. The ability to actively listen;
2. The desire and ability to set
reasonable goals in concert with others;
3. The ability to work toward goals
through a consensus approach;
4. The ability to admit mistakes and seek solutions.
account over 100 times; that she received the stolen
e-mails; and that she published them on her website, seeking to embarrass the other members of the
Executive Board, knowing that they were stolen.
The Secret Service is also investigating this affair as
a criminal matter.
The fourth case was brought by Susan Polgar after
she was subpoenaed in the e-mail-hacking case.
She seeks $25 million in damages for unspecified
“defamation” and other claims.
The last case was filed by the USCF to have a judge
order the removal of Polgar and Truong from the
Executive Board for misconduct and failure to fulfill their
duties to the USCF as Executive Board members.
I believe that it is incumbent on all candidates in
this election to make their position on these lawsuits clear, especially those candidates who are
apparently being sponsored or supported by Susan
Polgar and Paul Truong.
My position is that the USCF must defend itself
vigorously in the $25 million lawsuit against it filed
by Susan Polgar. My view is that this lawsuit (in which
I am also one of the defendants) is without merit and
that it was filed to keep the USCF and the Executive
Board from holding Polgar and Truong accountable
for their misconduct.
I also believe that the USCF must proceed with the
lawsuit to have Polgar and Truong removed from its
Executive Board by a judge.
For more information on this and other issues, please
visit my blog at http://micaissa.blogspot.com.
How Has A Lack of Transparency Hurt the USCF?
The USCF and several USCF members (myself
included) are presently mired in several lawsuits
involving two recently elected board members,
Paul Truong and Susan Polgar. During the last USCF
election campaign these two board members hid
their marriage to each other. Mr. Truong repeatedly
failed to provide verifiable data regarding his
employment background. That background as represented to the membership turned out to be false
and fraudulent. Not only was Mr. Truong not the
business maestro he claimed to be, he was filing
for personal bankruptcy during the election campaign. Both Mr. Truong and Ms. Polgar kept this
filing secret, all the while touting his business
acumen and ability to financially save the USCF.
There is presently a criminal bankruptcy fraud
investigation of Mr. Truong ongoing by the U.S.
Attorney in Brooklyn, NY where Truong’s bankruptcy petition was filed.
Ms. Polgar clearly appears to be under investigation
by the U.S. Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task
Force for involvement leading up to the breaking into
the e-mail account of a board member and stealing
privileged e-mails between the USCF and its attorney.
Ms. Polgar’s web developer, Gregory Alexander, has
been identified as her alleged accomplice. Mr. Alexander’s home was searched on February 4, 2009 by the
U.S. Secret Service under a search warrant issued by
a federal judge.
We deserve better. I pledge to do better.
49
Sam Sloan
Mikhail Korenman
I AM A MAN WITH A PLAN. I have a specific plan
on how to fulfill our mission to promote chess and to
bring more players into our game, plus more money
into our Federation so that we can promote chess.
My plan involves big promotions of scholastic
chess, an area that is being completely ignored by
the current board. My plan will help all members,
because it will provide chess teaching jobs for the
adult members to teach chess to all the kids that my
plan will bring in.
I will restore Chess Life to ALL adult members
and Chess Life for Kids to ALL scholastic members. I will guarantee that all Life Members receive
a printed copy of Chess Life magazine for the rest of
their lives, and not the online Chess Life that life
members are now told that they may be receiving
soon.
To do this, I will cut expenses to the bone and
exterminate the sacred cows that have been milking this Federation for years. I will restore the printed
Chess Life to its former size. I will institute the
novel concept of honest accounting and do away
with the Old Shell Game Accounting System that
has been hiding the horrific financial losses of the last
few years. I will restore the Federation to profitability and a financial surplus.
In short, I will reverse the bad decisions that have
been made over the past four years. Say goodbye
and wish farewell to the corrupt old guard. Throw
the bums out!
Regular members who joined or renewed after September 24, 2008 may be wondering why they have
not received Chess Life magazine in the mail. The
shocking answer is the current board voted unanimously to stop sending Chess Life in the mail to
regular members and to stop sending Chess Life
for Kids in the mail to regular scholastic members.
In tiny print in footnote 8 on page 7 of the March
Chess Life, the following statement is made: “Premium benefits for life and sustaining members are
only guaranteed through 2010.”
I consider this to be an outrage. The current board
claims that it is “saving money” by no longer sending Chess Life to regular members. What they
overlook is that once the regular members realize that
they are no longer entitled to receive Chess Life, they
will not renew and membership will plummet.
I was on the board for one year. That was the only
year since 1995 that the USCF did not show a loss
in real money. That was the only year since 1996 that
there has been an increase in membership. I am not
taking credit for these things but I am pointing out
that there is no reason why the USCF has to lose
money every year.
This year, the USCF was fortunate to receive a
bequest of $350,000. The money is now almost all
gone, completely wasted in just one year. Elect me
and throw the bums out.
“Scholastic chess program, organized by Mikhail,
involve a lot of kids in Kansas and now in Illinois.”
• IM Anna Zatonskih, 2008 U.S. Women’s Champion:
“Mikhail Korenman is an excellent organizer and
dedicated chess enthusiast. He does a lot for
popularity of chess in the U.S.”
• Wes Fisk, Lindsborg, KS, City Council: “Mikhail has
worked tirelessly on the behalf of chess and
chessplayers. He is a visionary, who thinks
outside the box.”
Dr. Korenman’s Statement for the USCF
I am currently living in Chicago and coaching chess in
local area elementary and secondary schools. Some of my
strong chess credentials include:
• Extensive experience working in non-profit
organizations.
• Excellent success in grant writing.
• Organized many successful major chess events,
including the U.S. Junior Open and Invitational, the
Pan-American, the Final Four, and numerous world
class FIDE tournaments and matches.
• Initiated the internationally acclaimed “Chess for
Peace” program with Gorbachev, Karpov, Onischuk,
Shulman, Polgar, Krush, Zatonskih, etc., that was featured in National Geographic, The NY Times, NPR,
NBC, PBS, and countless print and TV media across
the U.S. and around the world.
• Served on the USCF Scholastic Council.
• Current member of the Scholastic Committee.
• FIDE International Organizer.
Support for the election was also received by U.S.
Champions Onischuk, Shulman, Zatonskih, Goletiani;
Grandmasters Akobian, Kaidanov, Ehlvest, Ibragimov,
Stripunsky, Khachiyan, Perelshteyn, Goldin, International
Masters Donaldson, Schneider.
Support for Dr. Korenman’s Candidacy
• GM Anatoly Karpov, 7-time World Champion:
“I am very impressed with the tremendous progress and
development of the chess programs by Mikhail Korenman over the years. He has done so much for chess.”
• IM John Donaldson, Captain - U.S. Olympiad Teams: “I
believe Mikhail has the leadership ability, energy, and
vision to help the USCF out of its current problems.”
• GM Alexander Onischuk, 2007 U.S. Champion:
“Dr. Korenman understands professional, amateur, and
scholastic chess. He’ll be a big asset for the USCF EB.”
• GM Yury Shulman, 2008 U.S. Champion:
50
National media on Dr. Korenman’s chess
achievements:
• “I am grateful for your hard work to promote peace.”
– Letter from former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
• “In recent years Lindsborg has witnessed a minor
revolution in self-identity, and one man is largely
responsible for the shift: Mikhail Korenman
has made this town crazy for the game of chess.”
– National Geographic magazine
• “Mr. Korenman’s enthusiasm, imagination and
web of contacts have been crucial to the burgeoning
appeal of chess here.” – The New York Times
• “In the United States, Korenman has built an
impressive résumé as competitor, teacher and tournament organizer.” – The Star
Additional Chess Awards:
• 2006 USCF Special Service Award
• 2005 Rotary International Service Award
• 2005 Community Service Award (Lindsborg)
• 2005 FIDE International Organizer
• 2004 USCF Chess Organizer of the Year
With my experience in multiple facets of scholastic, college, adult, professional, and women’s chess, I can help
make the USCF a much stronger organization.
• Vice-President, Illinois Chess Association
• President, International School of Chess
uschess.org
Ruth Haring
sent the members of the USCF. I am a club
player and a current active tournament competitor. I also have family members who play
and enjoy tournament chess. I understand
chess from the viewpoints of both the avid
player and the chess professional.
I believe it is important to understand and improve the
service we provide to the membership that pays the dues
which are the bread and butter of the USCF budget. As
a board candidate, I am primarily interested in:
1) Promoting chess
My name is Ruth Haring and I am running for USCF
Executive Board for two reasons:
1) I love chess and want to see it grow. I want to
see more people play, more events, greater
recognition of our sport amongst the general
public, and better media coverage. I believe in
starting a program to develop IMs and GMs,
and that it is necessary to develop funding
sources and corporate sponsorships to achieve
these goals.
2) I believe that the Executive Board should repre-
1) Bring in new membership
2) Develop excellence (grow the population
of International Masters and Grandmasters)
3) Opportunity development, promotion and
showcasing of premiere events
4) Expanding media coverage. Huge strides have
been made with Internet reporting. The USCF
should expand into partnerships with outside
companies and individuals to increase coverage.
2) Fund Raising
1) The USCF should have a fundraising plan
which will grow the organization and ensure
the future.
2) This plan should include membership
dues, Benefactor memberships, gifts
and endowments.
3) We should ensure that the fund raising program
is managed like a business, and includes applications for funding from corporate entities, Local
and State governments, and private foundations.
As an executive board member who sets policy for
the organization, my experiences as a chess player,
advocate, and professional manager have prepared me
for the duties and responsibility of being an executive
board member. I have played tournament chess since
1969, represented the USA in five Women’s Olympiads
and an Interzonal, published articles on chess and
taught my children to play chess. I will be a thoughtful and effective advocate for the organization.
With my 20 plus years experience in management and
consulting, I am well equipped to be part of the executive team which monitors, approves, evaluates, and
troubleshoots the organization’s operations. The executive board should not concern itself with the day-to-day
management of the organization. That is the Executive
Director’s job. The executive board will take recommendations from the Executive Director, staff, delegates, and
membership and make independent decisions.
I have experience making thoughtful decisions which
are in line with the organizational mission, on behalf
of and in the best interests of an organization. I have
no conflict of interest and and my income is
from non-chess sources. I am eager to channel my
energy and efforts into helping USCF reach the next
level. I am looking forward to serving on the USCF
Executive Board and hope you will give me your
support. For more information, visit my website at
www.RuthHaring.com
USCF EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTION
USCF ISSUES FORUM
BE A USCF BENEFACTOR!
All age 16/over may vote. Ballot will be
in June Chess Life.
To view or participate in discussion of
election issues, register for the USCF
Issues Forum at www.uschess.org/forums
A forum for discussion of USCF issues,
open to all members age 16 or over.
Candidates for the executive board (ballot
in June issue) are among the participants.
Register at www.uschess.org/forums
Help promote American chess by
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Benefactor Membership includes Life
Membership, a special membership
card, and recognition on a benefactor
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YOUTH CATEGORY MEMBERS
LOOK FOR YOUR BALLOT!
Any Youth category member who wants
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receive them on request.
This applies to Youth members who will
be 16 by June 30th; otherwise the Youth
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If you are eligible to vote in this year’s
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The cost is $3,000, or $1,500 to existing
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Fund and half to assist USCF operations.
NEED FORUMS HELP?
CALL FOR ADMs
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maintain a USCF Forums tutorial at:
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Open are due before June 1, 2009.
uschess.org
Become a Benefactor at uschess.org
or by phone at 1-800-903-8723, or
by mail to USCF, PO Box 3967,
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They can be sent to Cheryle Bruce, c/o
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or e-mailed to [email protected].
51
Back to Basics
Shock And Awe Out Of The Blue Sky
Sometimes even apparently dull positions contain hidden tactical surprises. Be
alert and if opportunity knocks, be ready to open the door!
By GM Lev Alburt
The winner of this month’s “Game
Annotation” award, Shannon Fox marked
his letter to me “When opportunity
knocks.” When his opportunity did knock,
Shannon was ready. (My future comments
will be italics). Writes Shannon:
I’ve read several of your books and my
favorite is Chess Openings for Black
Explained. I’ve used that book to help
me with ideas and to build confidence
when playing against the most popular
opening lines as Black. In the following
game I played a quad at the U.S. Air
Force Academy in Colorado Springs on
December 20th, 2008 utilizing some of the
book’s positional ideas. My opponent is
Tony Telinbacco, rated 1825, whom I pre
viously played in the same venue earlier
this fall. In that match, Tony played a
sound, conservative first game, winning
a pawn in the middlegame and then
grinding me through a long endgame
which he eventually won.
In our second game, I had a fairly good
idea of what to expect from Tony so I
decided to stick with lines I’m familiar
with and try to avoid the mistakes from
our prior match.
Queen’s Indian Defense (A47)
Tony Telinbacco (1825)
Shannon Fox (1687)
U.S. Air Force Academy Quads #5 (2),
12.20.2008
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b6
In the above noted repertoire book, the
authors suggest 2. ... e6, ready to meet 3.
c4 with 3. ... Bb4+, the Bogo Indian. But
2. ... b6 is, of course, as good as 2. ... e6.
3. Nbd2 Bb7
I’m not playing in normal move order
here for the Nimzo Indian but it seems to
be OK.
4. e3 e6 5. Bd3
52
rn qkl r
plpp+ppp
p +pn +
+ + + +
+ P + +
+ +LPN+
PPPN PPP
R LQK +R
After 5. Bd3
5. ... Be7
I’d prefer 5. ... c5, limiting White’s
options.
6. 0-0 d6
Instead of ... d7 d6, I quite often play
... c7 c5 and put pressure on White’s
center. With ... d6 I’m a bit passive but it
does allow for the logical development of
the knight from b8 to d7 with additional
support for ... e6 e5.
As in the note above, I’d prefer 6. ... c5.
I think that after 6. ... d6 7. e4 White is a
little better.
7. b3 0-0 8. Bb2 Nbd7
r+ q rk+
plpnlppp
p ppn +
+ + + +
+ P + +
+P+LPN+
PLPN PPP
R +Q+RK
After 8. ... Nbd7
9. e4 c5
Fritz prefers ... d6 d5 for Black instead
of ... c7 c5. My idea, of course, is to chal
lenge the center while keeping a potential
line open for the light square bishop. The
time control in this quad was Game/60
with a five second delay and as a result,
I was keeping my opening moves in the
one to three minutes range, so I didn’t
look for long at the alternate d5 move
before I chose c5.
10. e5 dxe5 11. dxe5 Nd5
r+ q rk+
pl+nlppp
p +p+ +
+ pnP +
+ + + +
+P+L+N+
PLPN PPP
R +Q+RK
After 11. ... Nd5
I was surprised at e4 e5 by White
because it strengthened Black’s light
square bishop and it seemed a bit pre
mature to lose the tension in the center.
The black and white light square bish
ops neutralize each other, while White’s
space advantage gives him the overall
edge.
12. Be4 Qc7
I spent a fair amount of time before
playing ... Qc7 to ensure that the knight
on d5 had an active square to eventually
reach if White booted it with 13. c4 Nf4
and possibly on to ... Ng6. The positional
consequence that I did not give enough
consideration to was allowing White to
exchange off Black’s good bishop, which
left Black with a less active bishop on
e7. This is the type of mistake that I often
make when playing higher rated players.
I end up with equal material but bad
pieces with not much initiative.
That’s why I didn’t like allowing White
to play e5 to begin with.
uschess.org
13. Qe2 Nf4 14. Qe3 Ng6 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16.
Rad1 b5
With 16. ... b5, I’m looking for more
space on the queenside to allow the black
knight to move to b6 and possibly d5.
17. Ne4 Rfd8
r+ r +k+
pq+nlppp
+ +p+n+
+pp P +
+ +N+ +
+P+ QN+
PLP+ PPP
+ +R+RK
After 17. ... Rfd8
+
r
+k+
+ + lppp
pq+p+ +
+ p P +
+Q+ n +
+P+ +N+
PL + PPP
+ + +RK
After 24. Qc4
24. ... Nd5
Better is 24. ... Nd3, followed by 25. ...
b5 and then ... c4. Black’s knight is even
better placed on d3 (compared to d5). If 25.
Nd4, then 25. ... Qe4.
25. Nd4 Qa8
As the knight can’t be maintained there,
I’d prefer to double the white rooks on the
d file, tying up Black’s forces. In particu
lar, the c5 pawn needs protection.
I spent additional time to come up with
... Qa8. I want to keep the queen on the
a8 h1 diagonal with the g2 target plus, I
gain a bit more initiative because White
needs to consider the threat to the pawn
on a2.
18. ... Qc6 19. c4 bxc4
26. Nc2
18. Nd6
I’m a bit concerned about Black’s pawn
on c5 with no (pawn) support, but I have
a lot of piece protection for c5.
20. Nxc4 Nb6
I finally get my knight to b6 and the
position is about equal with maybe a
slight advantage for White. Considering
I’m a 200 rating point underdog I’m feel
ing a bit more confident at this point in
the game. Black’s pieces are on fairly
active squares and I want to continue
with my idea of getting the knight to d5.
21. Nxb6 axb6
White quickly exchanges off the knight
and prevents the nice post on d5.
I’d do almost anything to prevent Black’s
... axb6 recapture! Stronger, for instance,
is, 21. Rc1 with a small edge for White.
22. Rxd8+ Rxd8
Exchanging the rooks seems to favor
Black slightly; I’m starting to feel better
about my position. I think White will try
to post his knight on d6 which will be
tough to boot and dangerous to exchange
with Black’s bishop on e7. I’m looking
for a way to continue to push my queen
side pawns and get additional play on
that side of the board.
23. Qe2 Nf4
White makes an inferior queen move
giving me a tempo and now I get the
knight to f4 and on to d5!
24. Qc4
uschess.org
q+ r +k+
+ + lppp
p +p+ +
+ pnP +
+Q+ + +
+P+ + +
PLN+ PPP
+ + +RK
After 26. Nc2
26. ... Qb7
Oops, I realize that I need the rook on
a8, so it turns out that I wasted a move
and should have played ... Qb7 a move
earlier. I’m not overly concerned though,
because White does not have much coun
terplay at this point.
I guess at this moment Shannon wasn’t
employing Fritz for help. The move 26. ...
Qxa2 simply wins a pawn (if 27. Ba3,
then 27. ... b5, giving the black queen
breathing room).
27. a4 Rb8 28. Na3 Rd8
I didn’t see White playing Na3, stopping
my attack with the hopeful ... b6 b5 pawn
push, so I moved the rook back to the d
file again, looking for an active square and
possibly to break into White’s position.
29. Rd1 Rd7
+ + +k+
+q+rlppp
p +p+ +
+ pnP +
P+Q+ + +
NP+ + +
L + PPP
+ +R+ K
After 29. ... Rd7
29. ... Rd7 is a superb move which sets
up many threats, and many traps for
example, 30. ... Ne3 or 30. ... Nf4. To sur
vive, White should play defense and
concede the d file such as 30. Re1.
30. Qd3
When White played Qd3 I thought that
he had made a strong/logical move and
proved that my rook in fact had been
badly placed on d7 with his queen/rook
battery. Then I noticed the discovered
attack with my knight jumping to f4 and
the mate threat on g2. I had plenty of time
on my clock so I re examined the position
double checking that I wasn’t sacrificing
my rook for nothing. Yep, the rook was
correctly placed on the seventh rank.
30. ... Nf4!, White resigned.
If White tries Qf1 he ends up losing
both his queen and rook. Looking back at
this game, it reaffirms that if you have a
tactical threat, then hold on to it and
make your opponent deal with it; don’t
undo a strong tactical position willingly.
In this case, not moving the black queen
from the a8 h1 diagonal allowed me to
open the door when opportunity knocked!
Let’s give also a well deserved credit
to the subtle 29. ... Rd7, and hurrah for our
aces!
.
Send in your games!
If you are unrated or were rated
1799 or below on your Chess Life
label, then GM Lev Alburt invites
you to send your instructive games
with notes to:
Back to Basics, c/o Chess Life
PO Box 3967 Crossville, TN
38557 3967
Or e mail your material to
[email protected]
GM Alburt will select the “most
instructive” game and Chess Life
will award an autographed copy of
Lev’s newest book, Chess Training
Pocket Book II (by Lev Alburt and Al
Lawrence) to the person submitting
the most instructive game and anno
tations.
53
Endgame Lab
The Berlin Defense
and the Endgame, Part II
Last month we looked at how the Berlin Defense manifested itself in endgames at
the Elista Grand Prix event. This month, we continue the theme using games from
the Corus tournament in Wijk aan Zee.
By GM Pal Benko
This month I continue my article on the
Berlin Defense variation of the Ruy Lopez,
an opening that quickly turns into an
endgame. To illustrate this, we’ll look at
games played at the traditional Corus
chess tournament Wijk aan Zee 2009.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. 0-0 Nxe4 5.
d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+
Kxd8 9. Nc3
r+lk l r
ppp +ppp
+p+ + +
+ + Pn+
+ + + +
+ N +N+
PPP+ PPP
R L +RK
After 9. Nc3
Starts attacking instantly but it is not
as dangerous as it seems.
16. ... fxe6 15. Ng5 Nd5 16. Nxe6 Nxf4 17.
Nxf4 Bd6 18. Ne6 Kf7 19. Ng5+ Kg6 20. Nce4
Be5 21. Nf3 Bxb2 22. Rd7
+r+ + r
plpR+ pp
pp+ +k+
+ + + +
+ +N+P+
+ + +N+P
PlP+ P +
R + + K
After 22. Rd7
22. ... Bf6
These are the main line moves in the
Berlin Defense and is the starting position
for the next five games. There are other
alternatives, like 4. Qe2 a6 or 6. dxe5
Nxb5 7. a4 Nxe5 which was played twice
at Corus, but somehow Black won both
of those games.
Magnus
GM Daniel Stellwagen (FIDE 2612)
GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2776)
Corus, Wijk aan Zee, 2009
See position after 9. Nc3
9. ... Ke8 10. h3
The most frequent continuation.
10. ... b6
While this prepares the long diagonal
for the bishop, it takes too much time, so
I would not expect many followers.
11. Rd1
First 11. Bf4 then Rad1 looks better.
54
11. ... Bb7 12. Bf4 Rc8 13. g4 Ne7 14. e6
A heroic attempt but objectively 22. ...
Bxa1 23. Nh4+ Kh6 24. Nf5+ Kg6 25.
Nh4+, acquiescing in perpetual check, is
more reasonable.
23. Nxf6 Kxf6 24. g5+ Kg6 25. Re1 Rhe8 26.
Ne5+ Kxg5 27. Rxg7+ Kf6 28. Rf7+ Ke6 29.
Rxh7 Rg8+ 30. Ng4+ Kd5 31. Ree7 c5 32.
Rxc7 Rxc7 33. Rxc7 Bc8 34. Rxa7
This only draws; 34. f3 could have been
played with some winning hopes.
34. ... Bxg4 35. hxg4 Rxg4+ 36. Kf1, Draw
agreed.
Easy draw
GM Leinier Dominguez Perez (FIDE 2717)
GM Yue Wang (FIDE 2739)
9. ... Ke8 10. h3 h5!? 11. Bf4
For 11. Bg5 see the April column.
11. ... Be7 12. Rad1 Nh4!?
Simplifying with the knight’s fifth move.
13. Nxh4 Bxh4 14. Ne2 Bd7 15. e6 Bxe6 16.
Nd4 Bf6 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Bxc7 Rc8
Black’s isolated pawn is not much of an
issue due to the limited material.
19. Bf4 Ke7 20. Be3 b6 21. b3 Rhd8 22. g4
hxg4 23. hxg4 Bc3 24. Bg5+ Bf6 25. Be3 Bc3
26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Kg2 Bd2 28. Rd1
The pawn ending is only a draw, but 28.
Kf3 Bxe3 29. Kxe3 does not promise
much either.
28. ... Bxe3 29. Rxd8 Kxd8 30. fxe3 Ke7 31.
Kf3 Kf6 32. Kf4 e5+ 33. Kf3 Kg5 34. Kg3 a5
35. c3 b5, Draw agreed.
Changing chances
IM Ali Bitalzadeh (FIDE 2400)
IM Dronavalli Harika (FIDE 2473)
9. ... Ke8 10. h3 h6
A careful move not afraid of g2 g4.
11. Rd1 Be6 12. g4 Ne7 13. Nd4 Rd8 14. f4
Bc4 15. b3 Ba6 16. Ne4
It appears that 16. Be3 Nd5 17. Nxd5
cxd5 18. a4 is better.
16. ... b6 17. Bb2 c5 18. Nf5 Nxf5 19. gxf5
Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Bc8 21. f6 Bb7
A mistake would be 21. ... Bxh3? since
22. e6! Rg8 23. Rd8+ Kxd8 24. exf7 wins.
22. fxg7 Bxg7 23. Ng3 Bf8 24. Kh2 Rg8 25. c4
Be7 26. Rd2 Bh4 27. Nh5 Bc8
Now Black could have taken the initia
tive with 27. ... Kf8!? and even after 28.
Bc1 Ke7 (threatening with ... Bf3) 29. Nf6
Bxf6 30. exf6+ Kxf6 31. Bb2+ White fights
for a draw.
28. Nf6+ Bxf6 29. exf6 Bd7 30. Re2+ Kd8,
Draw agreed.
The next two games show Black’s king
visiting the queenside.
uschess.org
Benko’s Bafflers
Most of the time these studies
resemble positions that could actu
ally occur over the board. You must
simply reach a theoretically won
position for White. Solutions can be
found on page 79.
Please e mail submissions for
Benko’s Bafflers to: pbenko@
uschess.org
Pawn win!?
GM Alexander Motylev (FIDE 2676)
GM Andrei Volokitin (FIDE 2671)
9. ... Bd7 10. h3 h6 11. b3 Kc8 12. Bb2 Ne7
13. Rfe1 c5 14. Rad1 b6 15. Nd2 Be6 16.
Nde4 c4
Black gets rid of his doubled pawns
while White’s kingside pawn advance has
not materialized.
17. Kh2 cxb3 18. cxb3 Ng6 19. Nb5 Bd7 20.
Nec3 Bc5!
After so many aimless white knight
moves, now it is Black who has the edge.
21. Ba3 Bxa3 22. Nxa3 Re8 23. Nc4 b5 24.
Na5
r+k+r+ +
p pl+pp
+ + +np
Np+ P +
+ + + +
+PN + +P
P+ + PPK
+ +RR +
After 24. Na5
24. ... Rxe5?
Why not 24. ... Nxe5! when 25. Rd5
allows 25. ... Nf3+.
25. Rxe5 Nxe5 26. Rd5, Draw agreed.
Thus White regained the pawn and
could have continued fighting, but instead
agreed to the draw.
Finally, let’s see the most thrilling and
complicated game with this theme.
Exchange sacrifices
GM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2750)
uschess.org
Problem I
David Gurgenidze Georgia
+
+
+
K
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
p
+
+
+
+
P
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ + + +
kn+ + +
White to play and win
9. ... h6 10. b3 a5 11. a4 Be6 12. Ne2 Bd5 13.
Rd1 Kc8 14. Ne1 g5 15. Bb2 Bg7 16. Nd3 b6
17. f3 Kb7 18. Kf2 Be6
With a balanced position, White plays
the usual kingside pawn advance.
19. g4! Ne7 20. Ng3 Rhd8 21. h3 c5 22. f4 c4!
23. bxc4 Bxc4 24. f5 Nc6 25. e6 Bf8
r+ r l +
+kp +p+
pn+P+ p
p + +Pp
P+l+ +P+
+ +N+ NP
LP+ K +
R +R+ +
After 25. ... Bf8
26. exf7?!
White’s main achievement is the
defended passed pawn, but at the cost of
weakened queenside pawns. An open
position favors the bishop pair. There
fore 26. Bf6!? Bxd3 (26. ... Rd6 27. Nb2!)
27. cxd3 (27. Bxd8?! Bxc2!) 27. ... Rd5 28.
exf7 Rd7 29. Ne4 may have given control
to White.
26. ... Bxf7 27. Ne4 Bc4 28. Bf6 Re8 29. Kf3
Ka7! 30. Ndf2 Ba6 31. h4 gxh4 32. Bxh4 Bb7
33. Kf4 Nb4 34. c4 Na6 35. Nc3 Bc6
This time Black could have won an
Exchange with 35. ... Bd6+, but after 36.
Rxd6 cxd6 37. Nb5+ it would not have
meant much.
36. Nfe4 Nc5 37. Nf6 Re7 38. Nh5?
This knight should be placed on d5
instead of moving away from the action.
38. ... Rf7 39. Nb5+ Kb7 40. Ra2 Re8 41. Nf6
Ree7 42. Nd4?!
The threat was 42. ... Bg7.
Problem II
Marcin Banaszek Germany
k
+ + +
+ + +
+K+ P +
+ + +Nq
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ R + +
+ + + +
+
White to play and win
42. ... Bxa4 43. Rxa4
+ + l +
+kp rr+
p + N p
p n +P+
R+PN KPL
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ +R+ +
After 43. Rxa4
43. ... Bg7?!
A surprise! It was better to accept the
Exchange 43. ... Nxa4 44. Ne6 Nb2 45.
Rd4 and give it back via 45. ... a4!.
44. Nh5?
The knight moves to the rim again.
More counterplay could have been created
with 44. Ne6! and if 44. ... Nxa4 (Better
is 44. ... Nxe6! 45. fxe6 Rxe6 46. Kf5
Rexf6+, sacrificing the Exchange for excel
lent compensation) then 45. Nd8+ Ka6 46.
Nd5! with a lot of complications.
44. ... Re4+ 45. Kf3 Bxd4 46. Ra3 Rxf5+
This maintains the theme, but the sim
ple 46. ... Bh8 was good.
47. gxf5 Rxh4 48. Ng3 a4 49. Ra2 Be5 50.
Rd5 Bd6 51. Rxd6
Desperation. White could have played
51. Rxc5 Bxc5 52. Ne4 but this only
offered limited chances for a draw.
51. ... cxd6 52. f6 Ne6 53. Rxa4
More resistance is given by 53. Ne4.
53. ... Rf4+ 54. Ke3 Rxf6 55. Ra1 Ng5
55. Ne4 Nc5! is also easy for Black,
who won in 80 moves.
As you can now see, there is no clear
way for White to achieve any significant
advantage, so endgame lovers: use the
Berlin!
.
55
2009 WORLD CHESS LIVE GRAND PRIX SUMMARY
World Chess Live sponsors over $25,000 at the 2009 Grand Prix!
Welcome,
Welcome to World Chess Live (WCL), a new familyfriendly service with special benefits for USCF members.
Once again, WCL is pleased to sponsor USCF’s 2009
Grand Prix (GP) and 2009 Junior Grand Prix (JGP). We’re
providing prize funds of $25,080 and $10,200 (cash, merchandise, and memberships), and will also be running
online grand prize satellite events throughout the year.
As we finish up the first quarter of 2009, we note that
over 50 WCL GP events have been rated through the end
of March, offering up over 1,200 Grand Prix Points.
Depending on the degree of enhancement, that represents a minimum of $60,000 in prizes offered by
organizers throughout the United States, and online by
World Chess Live. Add to that the $25,000 in cash and
Members!
merchandise from WCL sponsorship and it makes for
another banner year for the Grand Prix program.
At first blush, it doesn’t look as if much has changed
from last month. GMs Alex Lenderman and Sergey
Kudrin are still numbers one and two in the standings
—just the way they finished in 2008. But look a little
closer and you’ll see that IM Emory Tate has leapfrogged from 14th place to seventh.
Has it really been 26 years since Emory won the first
of his five U.S. Armed Forces Championships? Representing the Air Force, he won in 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, and
again in 1989. It’s a record that may never be equaled.
The footloose Mr. Tate (he’s liable to show up anywhere) was awarded the international master title just
three years ago—long past due. Faithful readers of Chess
Life know Emory can trade combinations with the best
of the best, and we hope the WCL Grand Prix will afford
him enough opportunities to earn the grandmaster
norms he needs for his next international title.
We would be remiss during this, our 70th year, if we
did not note the leader in the senior category. Klaus
Pohl, 72, of Greenville, South Carolina, leads with 9 GP
points, and we hope local organizers will provide Klaus
with many more opportunities to add to his total.
Spanning three decades (1980 through 2006), Klaus
Pohl has won or shared the title of South Carolina
state champion, 12 TIMES!
~Glenn Petersen
2009 WORLD CHESS LIVE GRAND PRIX STANDINGS
The following point totals reflect all rated event information as of March 20 for the 2009 World Chess Live Grand Prix. All Grand Prix updates are unofficial and subject to
change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete.
OVERALL STANDINGS
IM Emory Tate leapfrogs to seventh
place in the Grand Prix standings.
This active over-the-board tournament
player is liable to show up in a tournament near you!
JUNIOR CATEGORIES
NAME
1
IM Alex Lenderman
2
GM Sergey Kudrin
3
GM Alejandro Ramirez
4
Conrad Holt
5
GM Alexander Ivanov
6
IM Jay Bonin
STATE
NY
CT
TX
KS
MA
NY
PTS.
84.83
42.76
42.00
38.50
38.00
34.00
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
CA
CA
NY
CA
NY
PA
AZ
FL
32.00
31.00
28.16
26.66
26.11
24.77
22.66
22.00
IM Enrico Sevillano
GM Melikset Khachiyan
GM Michael Rohde
FM Daniel Naroditsky
GM Giorgi Kacheishvili
GM Alexander Shabalov
David Adelberg
Marc Esserman
NAME
STATE
Players born between 1986 and 1988 inclusive:
1
GM Alejandro Ramirez
TX
2 Denys Shmelov
MA
3 Leif Pressman
NY
1
IM Alex Lenderman
NY
2-3 Matt Parry
NY
2-3 IM Salvijus Bercys
NY
SC
NY
MA
42.00
16.50
12.00
84.83
10.00
10.00
1
Conrad Holt
KS
38.50
2 Steven Zierk
CA
12.66
3 Michael Auger
IL
8.00
SENIOR CATEGORY
Players born 1944 and before:
1 Klaus Pohl
2 FM Asa Hoffmann
3 John Curdo
PTS.
9.00
4.50
2.77
1
FM Daniel Naroditsky
CA
2 Richard Ding
AZ
3 Deepak Aaron
NY
26.66
10.00
2.77
Players born 1996 and after:
1
David Adelberg
2 FM Darwin Yang
3 Lucas Van Beuzekom
22.66
10.00
4.00
AZ
TX
FL
CATEGORIES AND PRIZES
$10,000 IN CASH PRIZES!
FIRST PRIZE: $5,000 !
2nd: $2,500
5th: $500
3rd: $1,000
6th: $250
4th: $750
PHOTO: CHRIS BIRD
$4,900 IN MERCHANDISE PRIZES!
7th: $250
10th: $175
13th: $100
16th-25th: $200
8th: $225
9th: $200
11th: $150
12th: $125
14th: $75
15th: $50
26th-50th: $250
Top 40 non titled players: 1 year WCL membership worth $50.
(FIDE titled players are always free on WCL)
SENIOR CATEGORY: MERCHADISE PRIZES
$10,200 IN JUNIOR GRAND PRIX PRIZES!
1944 / before 1st: $300
FIRST PRIZE: $1,000 !
2nd: $200
3rd: $100
JUNIOR CATEGORIES: MERCHANDISE PRIZES
(according to date of birth)
1986-88
1989-91
1992-93
1994-95
1996/after
1st: $250
1st: $250
1st: $250
1st: $250
1st: $250
2nd: $150
2nd: $150
2nd: $150
2nd: $150
2nd: $150
3rd: $100
3rd: $100
3rd: $100
3rd: $100
3rd: $100
2nd: $500
5th: $100
3rd: $250
6th: $100
4th: $150
The first place JGP winner will also receive U.S. Open entry and
a trophy from the USCF. 1st 10th place winners will receive 2 year
WCL junior and USCF Young Adult memberships; 11th 20th place
winners will receive 1 year WCL junior and USCF Young Adult
memberships. Each state JGP winner will receive 1 year WCL jun
ior and USCF Young Adult memberships and a special prize
valued at $60.
For all of the above junior categories: 1st place is also awarded a
3 year WCL junior membership ($75 value); 2nd 5th places are
awarded a 2 year WCL junior membership ($50 value); 6th 10th
places awarded 1 year WCL junior memberships ($25 value). Addi
tionally, all GP/JGP place prize winners will receive a special prize
valued at $60.
www.worldchesslive.com
Real chess. Real people. Real fun!
World Chess Live, a new family-friendly online chess service, is sponsor of the 2009 World Chess Live Junior Grand
Prix (JGP). Official standings for events received and processed by April 8, 2009 are unofficial and subject to
change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete. There are currently 3,689 players with JGP points. 120
JGP events resulted in points earned. Top prize includes $1,000 cash, trophy and free entry to the 2009 U.S. Open.
Other prizes awarded to the top 20 finishers and the top individual in each state.
2009 World Chess Live
Junior Grand Prix Top Overall Standings
Name
SREENIVASAN, RAMANUJA
WINTER, CURTIS A
CHEN, JEREMY
CAO, MINDI
TROFF, KAYDEN WILLIAM
DING, JEFFREY
FU, JASON
ESPERICUETA, ELIAS
RICHMAN, JONATHAN TYLER
HARDER, BRENNAN J
MEI, BRIAN
RUNDELL, MIRIAM J
HANSEL, PETER WILLIAM
HILTON, JONATHAN L
SHIN, PHILIP
LAU, MICHAEL
STEINBERG, MAX
BAUMANN, ELI
SHCHERBAKOV, EUGENE
BROMAN, TIMOTHY ROBERT
State
MD
MD
NJ
IL
UT
WA
TN
TX
NY
WI
IL
WA
MN
OH
NY
CA-S
NY
WI
NJ
WI
Pts.
90
90
80
75
70
70
70
65
65
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
55
55
55
Name
DOMMALAPATI, ABHINAY
XU, DANIEL WENKAI
NGUYEN, QUANG MINH
FISHER, WILLIAM
WALDRON, CARL
DELLOMARGIO, ANGELO
RODRIGUEZ, ALEJANDRO
INGRAM, JORDAN
FLEISCHMAN, ADAM J
GILLETT, ABBEY WYNN
VASIREDDI, NEAL
SHANG, ALEX
TALLO, EMILY
GULAMALI, FARIS
MACNEAL, JACOB DOUGLAS
TATSUDA, JEFF
MINGIONE, CALVIN WALTER
BERGER, ANDREW D
WILSON, TOMYRA
SERAN, BEN
State
VA
VA
AZ
PA
MI
PA
FL
MI
WI
OH
NJ
WA
IN
WA
PA
MN
PA
NY
PA
WA
Pts.
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
55
50
50
50
50
50
Prepare to make your best move
since joining the USCF...
Don’t miss one of this year’s top
benefits of USCF membership.
Claim your six-month free trial now at World Chess Live, the only online
chess service offering:
• Weekly USCF quick-rated tournaments
• Chances to earn both Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix points
• Many other tournament prizes
• Free videos from top instructors
• A welcoming atmosphere for players of all levels
For details, go to www.worldchesslive.com/uscf
uschess.org
57
Tournament Life
USCF National Events
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING MAY 1-14
See TLA in this issue for details:
2009 U.S. Amateur - West
May 23 25 • Tucson, Arizona
66th Annual U.S. Amateur - East
May 23 25 • Somerset, New Jersey
2009 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC)
June 4 • Las Vegas, Nevada
2009 National Open Chess Festival
June 4 7 • Las Vegas, Nevada
June 13 • Joliet, Illinois
2009 U.S. Junior Open
July 10 12 • Waukesha, Wisconsin
2009 U.S. Class Championships
July 17 19 or 18 19 • Boca Raton,
Florida
2009 World Chess Live Tournament of
College Champions
August 1 4 • Indianapolis, Indiana
110th U.S. Open
2009 U.S. Game/60 Championship
August 22 • Skokie, Illinois
August 23 • Skokie, Illinois
1st U.S. Women’s Open (NEW)
September 5 7 • Tulsa, Oklahoma
2009 U.S. Senior Open
September 5 7 • Tulsa, Oklahoma
2009 National Youth Action
November 20 22 • Oak Brook, Illinois
Future Events (Watch for details)
2009 U.S. Championship
May 7 17 • St. Louis, Missouri
2009 U.S. Cadet
July 6 10 • Crossville, Tennessee
2009 U.S. Junior Closed
July 12 17 • Waukesha, Wisconsin
2009 GM Susan Polgar National
Invitational Tournament for Girls
July 26 31 • Lubbock, Texas
2009 Denker Tournament of State High
School Champions
2009 U.S. Women’s Championship
October 2 12 • St. Louis, Missouri
2009 National Scholastic (K-12)
December 11 13 • Dallas, Texas
2009 Pan Am Intercollegiate
December 27 30 • South Padre Island,
Texas
2010 National Junior High
Championship
April 9 11 • Minneapolis, Minnesota
2010 Senior High Championship
April 16 18 • Columbus, Ohio
2010 National Elementary (K-6)
Championship
May 7 9 • Atlanta, Georgia
2010 National Scholastic (K-12)
Championship
Dec. 10 12 • Lake Buena Vista, Florida
2011 National Elementary (K-6)
Championship
May 6 8 • Dallas, Texas
Noote: Organizers previously awarded options for
USCF National Events must still submit proposals
(including sample budgets) for their events.
Bids on the following tournaments are
past deadline and will be considered
immediately:
Overdue Bids
2009
2009
2009
2010
U.S. Amateur (South, North)
U.S. Masters
Collegiate Final Four
U.S. Open* (awarded, TBA)
2010 U.S. Masters
2010 U.S. Amateur Team
(East, North, South, West)
2010 U.S. Class Championship
2010 U.S. Amateur
(East, North, South, West)
2010 U.S. Game/60
2010 U.S. Game/30
2010 U.S. Game/10 (QC)
2010 U.S. Game/15 (QC)
2010 U.S. Junior Chess Congress
2010 U.S. Junior Closed
2011 U.S. Open*
Please contact the National Office if you
are interested in bidding for a National
Event. The USCF recommends that bids
be submitted according to the following
schedule. However, bids may be consid
ered prior to these dates.
Bidding Deadlines
*USCF reserves the right to decline all
bids and organize the event itself.
Junior Tournament Memberships (JTMs) Available
USCF’s Tournament Membership (TM) program, which allows players the option of joining for only
one event at a greatly reduced rate, has been modified. Junior TMs for age 24 or below may be
purchased from affiliates and are now available to them for $7 online with rating report submis
sions. They include one issue of Chess Life or Chess Life for Kids, and $5 of this fee may be applied
to a full membership within 60 days. JTMs not valid for National events.
Many scholastic tournaments exist that are not USCF rated, and the USCF is concerned that the
reason is that organizers fear losing players unwilling or unable to pay entry fee plus dues. The
availability of a $7 option should cause some of these events to switch to being USCF rated, pro
moting membership. The idea behind the TMs is not to sign up a lot of them, but rather to cause
more USCF rated tournaments to be held.
More details on uschess.org.
Rating supplements will be updated EACH MONTH on the USCF website, and each
monthly rating supplement will be used for all tournaments beginning in that month,
unless otherwise announced in Chess Life. The USCF website at www.uschess.org also
frequently lists unofficial ratings.The purpose of unofficial ratings is to inform you of
your progress; however, most tournaments do not use them for pairing or prize purposes. If you would otherwise be unrated, organizers may use your unofficial rating at
their discretion, even without advance publicity of such a policy.
ATTENTION AFFILIATES
The United States Chess Federation has
partnered with R.V. Nuccio & Associates
Insurance Brokers, Inc. to provide USCF
affiliates with affordable annual liability
and short term event insurance. The liability coverage is available for
approximately $265 per year for a
$1,000,000 limit of insurance. Also available is contents property and bonding
insurance. For more information, please go
to www.rvnuccio.com/chess-federation.
html. For event insurance, please go to
www.rvnuccio.com.
Bids due by June 15, 2009:
Tournament memberships not valid for National events
58
The TLA pages “Information
for Organizers, TDs, and Affiliates” and “Information for
Players” can now be found
online at main.uschess.org/
go/tlainfo.
TheTournament Announcements on the following pages are provided
for the convenience of USCF members and for informational purposes only. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, neither the U.S.
Chess Federation nor Chess Life warrants the accuracy of anything
contained in these Tournament Announcements. Those interested
in additional information about or having questions concerning any
of these tournaments are directed to contact the organizer listed.
Chess Life will exercise all due diligence in providing accurate
typesetting of non-camera-ready copy but assumes no responsibility for errors made in such work.
SUBMISSIONS: If possible e-mail your tla to: [email protected]
(Joan DuBois). For tla deadline schedule, formatting help and Grand
Prix information see April 2009 pg. 50-51 or check www.
uschess.org/tla/grprixstdarc.php and click on a WCL GP Summary.
Payment can be done online through the TD/Affiliate area or sent
to: U.S. Chess, TLA Dept., PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.
Nationals
All tournaments listed in Tournament Life are USCF
rated. USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR ALL
EVENTS. If not a member, add dues to advance en
try fee or pay them with entry at site.
May 23-25, Arizona
2009 U.S. Amateur West Championship
Holiday Inn Palo Verde, 4550 S Palo Verde Rd.,Tucson, AZ 85714, 520-746-1161.
SECTIONS: Championship (U2200), Reserve (U1600), Booster (U1200) &
Scholastic (must be K-8 and U1000). Scholastic section is 3 separate 1-day
tournaments. SCHEDULE: (Championship, Reserve, and Booster) 6/SS, 40/2,
25/1. Reg: By mail or 5/23, 8:30 - 9:30 AM. Rds: 10-4, 10-4, 9-3. (Scholastic) 4/SS, G/40. Reg: By mail or 8:30 - 9:30 AM each day. Rds: Round 1 at 10
AM then as available for Rounds 2-4. PRIZES: (Championship) Chronos clock
+ plaque to Top 3; Digital clock + plaque to Top 1900-1999, 1800-1899, 17001799, 1600-1699, and U1600; Plaque to top Senior 50+, Junior U19 and
Junior U13. (Reserve) Chronos clock + plaque to 1st; Digital clock + plaque
to 2nd, 3rd, Top 1300-1399, 1200-1299, and U1200; Plaque to top Senior 50+
and Junior U13. (Booster) Chronos clock + trophy to 1st; Trophy to 2nd - 5th,
Top Unrated and Junior U10. (Scholastic, each day) Digital clock + trophy to
1st; Trophy to 2nd - 5th, Top U800, U600, and Unrated. 1-yr USCF membership
for perfect scores that don’t win the clock. SPECIAL PRIZES:Top 2 Family Pairs
in the non-scholastic sections. Biggest Upset of each round in the non-Scholastic sections. Chronos clock to Scholastic player with the highest combined score
over the three 1-day tournaments. EF: (Championship & Reserve) $55 if by 5/20,
$65 if after 5/20. (Booster) $40 if by 5/20, $50 if after 5/20. (Scholastic) $15
for each tournament or $40 for all three days if by 5/20, additional $5 if after
5/20. ALL: Half-point byes allowed for all rounds but must be requested prior
to start of Round 2. HR: (if by 5/8): $64 (single) or $72 (suite), mention
“SACA”. ENT: Make checks payable to SACA, entry form available at
www.sazchess.org. Info: Karen Pennock, 520-975-3946, e-mail: [email protected], web: www.sazchess.org. NC. NS. W. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
May 23-25, New Jersey
66th Annual U.S. Amateur Championship East
Somerset Ramada Inn, 60 Cottontail Lane, Somerset, Exit 12 off I-287 at
Weston Canal Road. (732) 560-9880 Fax (732) 356-7455. In 3 Sections: Championship (U2200), Reserved (U1800), Booster (U1400) with two and three day
schedules. Three Day Schedule: 6-SS, 50/2, SD1. Registration: Saturday
5/23, 9:30-10:45 am. Rounds 12-6, 11-5, 9-3. Two Day Schedule: First three
games G/60, round four merges with 3-day schedule. Registration: Sunday 5/24,
8:30-9:30 am. Rounds 10-12:15-2:30. Championship:Trophies to top five, top
uschess.org
Under 2000, Under 1900, Under 1800, Senior 55/over, Under 16, Under 13.
Reserve: Trophies to top five, top Under 1600, Under 1500, Under 1400, Senior 55/over, Under 16, Under 13. Booster:Trophies to top five, top Under 1200,
Under 1100, Under 1000, Under 900, Under 800, Senior 55/over, Under 16, Under
13. All sections: EF: $40 if postmarked by 5/20, $39 if by PayPal at
EntryFeesRus.com. Pay $45 at playing site. Two half-point byes allowed in
rounds 1-5 if requested before first round. Scholastic U1300 K-8 tournament
will be held. April Rating supplement to be used. Hotel rates $79 with free breakfast, if by 5/10. Mention U.S. Amateur Chess to get rate. Call Ken if you have
a problem. Entries: Make checks payable to NJSCF. Indicate clearly the section and playing schedule desired. Mail advanced entries to: KenThomas 115
West Moore Street Hackettstown NJ 07840. Information: 908-763-6468 or
[email protected] NC W NS nor using any tobacco products. No ear covering
allowed. No computers may be used by players or parents when games are in
progress.
June 4, Nevada
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 50
6SS, G/10. South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las
Vegas, NV 89183. $$b/100 7,000 ($$Gtd 4,500). 2000-1000-700, U2300 600,
U2100 550, U1900 500, U1700 450, U1500 400, U1300 350, U1100 300, unrated
150. EF: $79 by 5/19, $89 by 6/3, $100 on site. Late Registration 4-6:30 p.m.
Rds: 7-7:30-8-8:30-9-9:30. Higher of regular or quick rating used. Bring clocks.
1/2 point bye available in any round (limit 4), must be requested with entry.
HR: $65 (not $75) single or double ($95 Friday and Saturday nights). 1-866-7917626 or (702) 796-7111. ENT: Las Vegas International Chess Festival, PO Box
90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925 or www.VegasChessFestival.com. NS NC W.
A Heritage Event!
June 5-7 or 6-7, Nevada
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
2009 National Open
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2 day option rds 1-3 G/60). South Point Hotel, Casino and
Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89183. $100,000 Prize Fund
based on 850 paid entries ($70,000 guaranteed). Championship. $$: 80004000-2000-1000-600-400-400-400-400-400-200-200-200-200-200, under 2500
2000, under 2400 1600, under 2300 1200, Unrated 600-400-200. $2,000 EXTRA
for perfect score.The winner of the Championship section also receives a replica
of the Edmondson Cup. Under 2200. $$: 5000-2500-1300-600-350-250-250250-250-250-100-100-100-100-100. Under 2000. $$: 5000-2500-1300-600350-250-250-250-250-250-100-100-100-100-100. Under 1800. $$: 5000-25001300-600-350-250-250-250-250-250-100-100-100-100-100. Under 1600. $$:
5000-2500-1300-600-350-250-250-250-250-250-100-100-100-100-100. Under
1400. $$: 2500-1500-1000-500-250-150-150-150-150-150-100-100-100-100100. Under 1200. $$: 1500-1000-500-250-150-100-100-100-100-100-100-100100-100-100. Plus score bonus ($16,000) in addition to any other prizes, every
player who finishes with 3-1/2 points or better wins a $50 gift certificate. Plus
score certificates will be given on site only. EF: $159 by 1/19, $179 by 5/19,
$199 by 6/3, $220 on site. $41 less for unrated players, $99 more for players
rated under 2100 in the Championship Section. This is an open tournament you may play in any section at or above your rating level; unrated players may
play only in Championship Section. Provisionally rated players may not win more
than 3rd prize in any section except Championship. CCA minimum ratings or
other ratings may be used if higher than USCF June Supplement. Reg: 4-11 p.m.
Thursday, 8-9:30 a.m. Friday. Rds: 11-6, 11-6, 10-5. 2-day schedule: Reg: 8-9
a.m. Saturday. Rds: 10-12:30-3-6: merge with 3-day in round 4. Half point byes
available in any round, but round 5 or 6 byes must be requested before the start
of round 2. Chess sets and boards provided for tournament play only, not for
skittles. Please bring chess clocks! The LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL CHESS
FESTIVAL features the National Open, the U.S Game/10 Championship and the
Susan Polgar World Chess Championship for Girls and Boys. Many free extras
and surprises! Free parking. Free raffle with great prizes. Free lectures by
GM Susan Polgar and others. Free analysis of your games by GM Arthur Bisguier. Susan Polgar International Chess Camp all dayThursday. Grandmaster
SimulThursday afternoon. US. Game/10Thursday night. Scholastic Tournament Friday. LOW room rates! HR: $65 (not $75) single or double ($95 Friday
and Saturday nights). 1-866-791-7626 or (702) 796-7111. Don’t be shut out;
make your reservations early and be sure to ask for the chess rates; South
Point sells out most weekends. Cutoff for special hotel rate is May 19th.
Rates may be as high as $150 a night after May 19th. RESERVE NOW! Credit
card or one night room deposit will be required to hold reservation, may be canceled 72 hours in advance for nominal fee. Tournament Registration: National
Open, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0125, on line at www.VegasChess
Festival.com or by fax at (702) 933-9112. NS. W. FIDE. WCL JGP.
JJC Chess Club, 536 Springwood Drive, Joliet, IL 60431. No phone or credit card
entries, bring chess sets and clocks, none provided. Bring USCF id card to tournament. NTD: G.Panner. E-mail questions only: [email protected].
July 10-12, Wisconsin
2009 U.S. Junior Open Championship
Three sections based on age: Under 21, Under 15, Under 11. 5SS, G/90. Milwaukee Marriott West, W231N1600 Corporate CT, Waukesha, WI 53186. Chess
Rate of $85.99 is valid until July 1st. Reserve early. (262)-574-0888. U21:
$300+entry to 2010 Junior Closed-$150. Individual trophies: 1st overall, best
player for ages 17-18, 15-16, under 15. Team trophies: top three high schools,
top club. U15: Individual trophies: top 3 overall, best player for ages 11-13, under
11.Team trophies: top three middle schools, top club. U11: Individual trophies:
top 3 overall, best player for ages 9, 8, 7, 6&under. Team trophies: top three
elementary schools, top club. All participants receive commemorative medals.
EF: $35 ($30 per player if 4 or more pre-register together) advance; $50 after
July 10th. Cash only at site. Schedule: Opening ceremony: Friday at 2:45pm.
Rounds: Friday 3:00pm, Saturday 10:00am and 2:00pm, Sunday 10:00am and
2:00pm. Closing ceremony: Sunday 5:30pm. Side Events: ($20/event) BLITZ:
Friday at 7:00pm. BUGHOUSE: Saturday at 7:00pm. SIMUL: Friday at 7:00pm
and Saturday at 7:00pm. PARENTS AND COACHES TOURNEY: 3SS G/30 (not
rated) Saturday 10:30am, 2:15pm, 3:30pm. Info/questions: ashish@vaja
chess.com or 414-234-1005, [email protected] or 608-334-2574. Make
Checks Payable to and Send Entries to: VICA, 6822 North Crestwood Dr.,
Glendale WI 53209 or online registration at www.wscachess.org. WCL JGP.
July 17-19 or 18-19, Florida
5SS, G/120 (2-Day Option, Rd 1, G/60), $10,500 b/200 paid entries, 60%
Guaranteed. Junior entries, all Class E, and Unrated Section count as 2/3. Free
entry for GMs and IMs, deducted from winnings. Marriott Boca Raton, 5150
Town Circle, Boca Raton, FL 33486, www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ pbibrboca-raton-marriott-at-boca-center/. Free parking! HR $109, 1-888-888-3780
Group Code: USCUSCA. 8 Sections, Rated players may play up one class only.
MASTER (2200/up), FIDE Rated, $1,000-500-300 (U2400: 400-200-100),
EXPERT (2000-2199), $800-400-200, CLASS A (1800-1999), $800-400-200,
CLASS B (1600-1799), $800-400-200, CLASS C (1400-1599), $800-400-200,
CLASS D (1200-1399), $800-400-200, CLASS E (U1200), $300-200-100,
Unrated, $300-100. National Class Champion title and plaques to each Class
winner. Tie-breaks: MSCO. EF: $75 postmarked or on line by 7/10, $85 after.
Special EF: $45 by 7/10 ($55 after) for all players in Class E, Unrated Section,
and Junior U18 in Class C or D. No checks on site. 3-Day Schedule: Registration Fri (7/17) 5-7pm. Rds. Fri 8pm, Sat 1pm & 6:30pm, Sun 9:30am & 2:30pm.
2-Day Schedule: Registration Sat (7/18) 8-9am. Rds. Sat 10am, 1pm (merges
with 3-Day Schedule) & 6:30pm, Sun 9:30am & 2:30pm. Byes for all rounds,
must commit before end of Rd 2. SIDE EVENTS: 5-min BLITZ, Sat after Rd
3, 2 sections, entries will be split in Upper and Lower, $10 EF on site, 75%
returned in prizes; SCHOLASTIC TOURNAMENT, 5SS, G/30, One day only, Sat
7/18, $20 by 7/10, $25 after. Sections: K-3, K-6, K-9, K-12. Prizes: Trophies to
top 7 in each division. All scholastic players in this side event will receive a commemorative medal. ENTRIES: Mail to USCF, ATTN: 2009 US Class, P.O. Box 3967,
Crossville,TN 38557. Enter online: https://secure.uschess.org/webstore/tourn
aments.php. Tournament website link at uschess.org. Info: flguadalupe@
aol.com, (713) 530-7820. WCL JGP.
Aug. 1-4, Indiana
World Chess Live Tournament of College Champions
6SS, 40/2, SD/1, Indianapolis Marriott East (see U.S. Open). Sponsored by World
Chess Live, open to all undergraduate or graduate college students. NO EF,
$5000 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND! In 3 sections. Championship, open to
all rated 2100 or over, plus one under 2100 player per college if designated as
an official representative. $$G 1000-500-300-200, U2200 $300-150, US Individual Collegiate Champion trophy to top US college player. Under 2100, open
to all under 2100 or unrated. $$G $400-200-150-100, U1900 $280-140. Under
1700, open to all under 1700 or unrated. $$G $320-160-120-80, 1300-1499 $200100, U1300 $200-100. Reg. ends Sat 5:30 pm, rds. Sat. 7 pm, Sun/Mon 11 am
& 7 pm, Tue 11 am. 2009 WCL Tournament of College Champions certification
form located at: http://main.uschess.org/images/stories/scholastic_chess_
resources/2009_entryform_toc_certification_form.pdf. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
Aug. 1-9, 4-9 or 6-9, Indiana
110th annual U.S. Open
CELEBRATE USCF’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS TRADI-
June 13, Illinois
6SS, G/15. Joliet Jr. College, Bldg J, 1215 Houbolt Rd., Joliet, IL 60431 (Park
in J lot) $1,600 b/80 paid entries, $200-100, A,B,C,D,E/F each 130-80-50,
unrated $25 book prize, based on 4 per class. EF: $30 if by June 9th, $40 at
site (over 60 $5 discount EF), one half pt bye max. Reg.: 9:50am-10:50am. Rds.:
11:00-11:45-12:30-2:15-3:00-3:45. Checks Payable to: Dennis R. Doyle, c/o
DROPPING OUT?
Have to miss a round?
It is very important that you
NOTIFY THE DIRECTOR
before pairings are made, so no one
is deprived of a game! If you forfeit
without notice, you may be FINED up
to the amount of the entry fee!
uschess.org
USCF EXECUTIVE BOARD
ELECTION
All age 16/over may vote. Ballot will be in June Chess Life.
To view or participate in discussion of election issues,
register for the USCF Issues
Forum at www.uschess.org/
forums
TIONAL EVENT! New features this year include 4-day option requiring only 3
nights hotel stay for most players, and later start for 6-day option so most will
need only 5 nights hotel stay. 9SS, 40/2, SD/1 (4 day option, Rds. 1-6, G/60).
Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 East 21st St, Indianapolis IN 46219. Luxurious hotel with great lighting in tournament room! Phone: 317-352-1231. HR:
$99 single/quad. $50,000 in prizes based on 500 paid entries, else proportional, except $40,000 (80% of each prize) minimum guarantee. A one section
tournament with Class prizes. Top 5 US players qualify for 2010 US Championship. Many side events, including US Blitz Championship 8/8. USCF
Delegates meeting 8/8-9, workshops 8/5-7, USCF Awards Luncheon 8/8 noon,
GM lectures & simuls to be announced. Choice of three schedules: Traditional:
40/2, SD/1. One round daily at 7 pm, except rd. 9, 8/9 at 3pm. 6-Day Option:
8/4 7 pm, 8/5-7 12 noon & 7 pm, 8/8 7 pm, 8/9 at 3pm. 4-Day Option: 8/6 2
pm, 5 pm & 8 pm; 8/7 10 am, 1 pm, 3:30 pm & 7 pm, 8/8 7 pm, 8/9 3pm. All
schedules merge after Round 6 & compete for same prizes. Projected prizes:
Top Places: $8000-4000-2000-1500-1000-800-600-500, clear winner $200
bonus. If tie for first, top two on tiebreak play speed game (white 5 minutes,
black 3 minutes and gets draw odds, 5 second delay) for bonus and title.
Class Prizes: Top Master (2200-2399): $2500-1200-800-500. Top Expert
(2000-2199): $2500-1200-800-500. Top Class A (1800-1999): $2500-1200800-500. Top Class B (1600-1799): $2500-1200-800-500. Top Class C
(1400-1599): $2000-1000-600-400. Top Class D (1200-1399): $1500-700-500300. Top Class E or below (under 1200): $1500-700-500-300. Top Unrated:
$800-400-200. Half Point Byes: must commit before round 4; up to 3 byes
allowed for 2000/up, 2 byes for 1400-1999, one bye for Under 1400/Unr. Zero
point byes are always available in any round. Entry Fee: Online, $135 by
5/15, $155 by 7/29. By mail, $137 postmarked by 5/15, $157 postmarked by
7/23. By phone, $140 by 5/15, $160 by 7/29. At site, all $180. GMs free.
August official ratings used; unofficial ratings used if otherwise unrated. CCA
ratings used if above USCF. Foreign player ratings: usually 100 points added
to FIDE or FQE, 200+ added to most foreign national ratings, no points added
to CFC. Highest of multiple ratings generally used. Ent: USCF, ATTN: 2009 US
Open, PO. Box 3967, Crossville,TN 38557. Online entry: https://secure.uschess.
org/webstore/tournaments.php. Phone entry: 800-903-8723. Tournament
website: main.uschess.org/tournaments/2009/usopen/. FIDE rated, no cell
phones. Bring a clock - none supplied. Sets/boards supplied for tournament
but not for skittles. WCL JGP. Note: Golf Tournament, morning of Aug. 6th.
skittles Open to all US Open Chess Players, side event chess players, and delegates. Contact Michael Wojcio at [email protected] for more
details.
Aug. 22, Illinois
4R-SS G/60 - $5000 b/150 fully paid entries. Holiday Inn Chicago - North
Shore. 5300 W Touhy Ave, Skokie, IL 60077 (see tournament website for directions). Free Parking. In 6 sections: M/X: $500-300-200-100Top U2400, U2300,
U2200 each $150, Class A: $350-250-150-75, Class B: $350-250-150-75,
Class C: $300-200-100-50, Class D: $300-200-100-50, Class E/F/U: $200-10050-25, Unrated Prize - Book Prize Only. Unrated must play in M/X or Class E/F/U
sections. Trophies for 1st - 3rd place, scholastic players with non-cash prize
entry fee. $10 extra to play 1 class up. Entry Fee: $80 adult, $40 scholastic
(K-12), $20 anyone but not eligible for cash prizes thru 6pm 8/21. Onsite
$100 adults, $60 scholastic (K-12), $20 anyone but not eligible for cash prizes.
$5 refund at tournament with proof of ICA membership (Scholastic entries count
as 1/2 entry, No-cash prize entry does not count towards based on) - non-cash
USCF Membership Rates
Premium (P) and Regular (R)
(U.S., CANADA, MEXICO)
Type
Adult P
Adult P **
Adult R
Adult R **
Senior (65+) **
Young Adult P (U25)*
Youth P (U16)*
Scholastic P (U13)*
Young Adult R (U25)*
Youth R (U16)*
Scholastic R (U13)*
1 yr
$49
$42
$36
$29
$36
$32
$27
$23
$24
$20
$16
2yr
$85
$78
$59
$52
$65
$59
$49
$42
$43
$36
$28
3yr
$120
$113
$81
$74
$93
$85
$70
$60
$61
$51
$39
Premium membership provides a printed
copy of Chess Life (monthly) or Chess Life for
Kids (bimonthly) plus all other benefits of
regular membership. Regular membership
provides online only access to Chess Life
and Chess Life for Kids; TLA Bulletin will be
mailed to adults bimonthly and to scholas
tic members three times per year. Youth
provides bimonthly Chess Life, Scholastic
bimonthly Chess Life for Kids, others listed
above monthly Chess Life. See www.us
chess.org for other membership categories.
Dues are not refundable and may be
changed without notice.
*Ages at expiration
**Purchased online only
59
Tournament Life
prize entry fee not eligible for any discounts. SPECIAL COMBINED ENTRY FEES:
Discounted Entry fees available for registering for the US G/60 & US G/30 ($5
off each tournament) - non-cash prize entry fee not eligible for any discounts.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR ILLINOIS OPEN STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Enter either
the US G/60 or US G/30 and receive a $5 rebate for your early registration
to the 2009 Illinois Open State Championships. For more information visit
www.chessforlife.com. Mail payments (made payable to) and registration
information to: North American Chess Association, 2516 North Waukegan Road
Suite 342, Glenview, IL 60025. Byes: One 1/2 pt bye allowed. Rd 4 bye must
commit by start of Rd 2. Re-enter with 1/2pt bye in Rd 1 for $50. August Supplement used. Schedule: Reg: 8:15am - 9:15am, Rds 10, 12:30, 3, 5:30.
Hotel rates: $99+tax, 847-679-8900. Mention North American Chess Association rate. Reserve by 8/7 or as available only. Car rental: Hertz,
800-654-3131, Hertz CDP#178693. BRING BOARDS, SETS, CLOCKS - NONE PROVIDED. USCF membership required. USCF single tournament membership
available ($12 for adults, $7 for scholastic). NS,NC,W. Information: Sevan A.
Muradian 888.80.CHESS or [email protected]. For further information, online
registration and payment please visit www.nachess.org/g60. Checkmate
Chess Supply Co will be bookseller onsite. Support local Illinois Organizers.
Aug. 23, Illinois
5R-SS G/30 - $2500 b/150 fully paid entries. Holiday Inn Chicago - North
Shore. 5300 WTouhy Ave, Skokie, IL 60077 (see tournament website for directions). Free Parking. In 6 sections: M/X: $250-150-100-50 Top U2400, U2300,
U2200 each $75, Class A: $175-125-75-40, Class B: $175-125-75-40, Class
C: $150-100-50-25, Class D: $$150-100-50-25, Class E/F/U: $100-50-25-25,
Unrated Prize - Book Prize Only. Unrated must play in M/X or Class E/F/U sections. Trophies for 1st - 3rd place, scholastic players with non-cash prize entry
fee. $10 extra to play 1 class up. Entry Fee: $60 adult, $40 scholastic (K-12),
$20 anyone but not eligible for cash prizes thru 6pm 8/22. Onsite $80 adults,
$60 scholastic (K-12), $20 anyone but not eligible for cash prizes. $5 refund
at tournament with proof of ICA membership (Scholastic entries count as 1/2
entry, No-cash prize entry does not count towards based on) - non-cash prize
entry fee not eligible for any discounts. SPECIAL COMBINED ENTRY FEES:
Discounted Entry fees available for registering for the US G/60 & US G/30 ($5
off each tournament) - non-cash prize entry fee not eligible for any discounts.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR ILLINOIS OPEN STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Enter either
the US G/60 or US G/30 and receive a $5 rebate for your early registration
to the 2009 Illinois Open State Championships. For more information visit
www.chessforlife.com. Mail payments (made payable to) and registration
information to: North American Chess Association, 2516 North Waukegan Road
Suite 342, Glenview, IL 60025. Byes: One 1/2 pt bye allowed. Rd 4 bye must
commit by start of Rd 2. Re-enter with 1/2pt bye in Rd 1 for $50. August Supplement used. Schedule: Reg: 8:15am - 9:15am, Rds: 10, 12:30, 3, 5:30. Hotel
rates: $99+tax, 847-679-8900. Mention North American Chess Association rate.
Reserve by 8/7 or as available only. Car rental: Hertz, 800-654-3131, Hertz
CDP#178693. BRING BOARDS, SETS, CLOCKS - NONE PROVIDED. USCF membership required. USCF single tournament membership available ($12 for
adults, $7 for scholastic). NS,NC,W. Information: Sevan A. Muradian
60
888.80.CHESS or [email protected]. For further information, online registration and payment please visit www.nachess.org/g30. Checkmate Chess
Supply Co will be bookseller onsite. Support local Illinois Organizers.
Sept. 5-7, Oklahoma
1st U.S. Women’s Open
$$1600 Gtd. plus class prizes based on entries. G/90(+30). 6-SS. Tulsa Best
WesternTrade Winds Central, 3141 E. Skelly Dr.,Tulsa, OK 74105. (918)749-5561.
Prizes: $1600 (Gtd): 1st- $800 + trophy + probable invitation to 2010 U.S.
Women’s Championship; 2nd - $500, 3rd - $300, class prizes as entries permit. Eligibility: Open to all female USCF members. EF: $80 if rec’d by 8/30;
$90 at site. Reg.: 9:00-10:15am. Rds.: 10:30-3, 9-2, 9-2.Tiebreaks after round
6 if necessary. Byes: One 1/2-point bye available if req. by rd 3. HR: $55, (800)
685-4564. Free wireless. www.tradewindstulsa.com. Side Events: Sat: Blitz
Fischer-Random Pizza Bash. Sun: River Spirit Casino. Info: [email protected]. Website: www.geocities.com/okiechessfestival Adv Entry:
Cks payable to: Frank K. Berry, 402 S. Willis, Stillwater, OK 74074. FIDE rated.
NS. W.
Sept. 5-7, Oklahoma
$$4000 Gtd. G/90(+30). 6-SS. Tulsa Best Western Trade Winds Central, 3141
E. Skelly Dr.,Tulsa, OK 74105. (918)749-5561. Eligibility: Open to all USCF members born before Sept. 5, 1959. Prizes: $4000 (Gtd): 1st-$1200 (+trophy+
probable invitation into 2010 U.S. Championship, if eligible.) 2nd-$700, 3rd-$400,
4th-$300. U2100: $200-100, U1900: $200-100, U1700 $200-100, U1500/UNR:
$200-100. Trophies: Trophies for 1st, 2nd, and each champion for ages 50-54,
55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and over 75. World Senior Entrant: Top finisher
born on or before January 1, 1949 receives: 1) official USCF entrant in the World
Senior Championship, and 2) a $500.00 USCF stipend toward expenses there
(Condino, Italy from Oct 27 to Nov 8) which includes room and board by host
country. EF: $90 if rec’d by 8/30; $105 at site. Reg.: 9:00-10:15am. Rds.: 10:303, 9-2, 9-2. Tiebreaks after round 6 if necessary. Byes: One 1/2-point bye
available if req. by rd 3. HR: $55, (800) 685-4564. Free wireless.
www.tradewindstulsa.com. Side Events: Sat: Blitz Fischer-Random Pizza
Bash. Sun: River Spirit Casino. Info: [email protected]. Website:
www.geocities.com/okiechessfestival. Adv Entry: Cks payable to: Frank K. Berry,
402 S. Willis, Stillwater, OK 74074. FIDE rated. NS.W.
Nov. 20-22, Illinois
9SS, G/30, DoubleTree hotel, 1909 Spring Road,Oak Brook, Illinois, 60523,Tel:
1-630-472-6000 (1.800.222.TREE); $89 single/double/triple/quad. Four Sections – K-3, K-6, K-9, K-12. Entry Fee: $40 by 10/25/09 USPS (or $40 on-line
by 10/25, 6 pm); $60 by 11/13/09 USPS (or $60 on-line 10/25/09, after 6 pm
- 11/13/09, 6 pm); $75 USPS 11/13 –11/17 (or $75 on-line 11/13/09, 6:01 pm
– 11/19, 6 pm); $75 by 11/20/09 6 PM on site (on-site entries after 11/20/09
6 PM can not be guaranteed pairing for round 1, instead they may receive ½
point bye round 1). Checks payable only to Chess Central. Awards: Individual: 1st –20th Place in each section (K-3, K-6, K-9, K-12). Class Awards:
1st-3rd Place, K-3: U800, U600, U400, Unr. K-6: U1000, U800, U600, Unr. K-9:
U1200, U1000, U800, Unr. K-12: U1400, U1200, U1000, Unr. Teams: 1st-10th
Place in each section. Special Sportsmanship trophy! Schedule: Opening Ceremony Sat., Nov 21 at 9:30 am. Rds. 1-5 Sat., 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 3:30 pm
& 5 pm. Rds. 6-9 Sun., 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm & 3:30 pm. Side Events: Bughouse Tournament – Fri, Nov 20, 6:30 pm. EF $20 per team ($10 for individuals
and we help you create a team). On site registration only. Registration closes
at 5 pm, Fri, Nov 20. One section only, K-12. Bughouse Awards: 1st-10th Place.
Blitz Tournament – Sat, Nov 21, K-6 & K-12, 6:30 pm, EF $15 USPS/on-line
by 10/25, 6 pm, $20 USPS from10/26 – 11/17; $20 on-line 10/26, 6:01 pm 11/19, 6pm; $25 on site. Registration closes at 5 pm, Sat, Nov 21. Blitz
Awards: Individual: 1st-20th in each section. Team: 1st-10th in each section.
Awards Ceremony for Blitz and Bughouse: Sun, 9 am. NYA Awards Ceremony: Sun, Nov 22, 5:30-7 pm. Club Teams allowed! Master simuls and
analysis scheduled. Hotel Info: DoubleTree hotel, Oakbrook, Il (hotel registration code: NYA) www.doubletreeoakbrook.com, or doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/
groups/personalized/CHIOADT-NYA-20091120/index.jhtml (630) 472-6020 or
630 472-6000 (1.800.222.TREE), HR single/double/triple/quad $89. Enter on
line (except Bughouse) at nya2009.com. Checks payable only to Chess
Central (no checks to USCF or Mike Zacate): Mail registrations with namecontact info-grade-birthday-team/school-uscf ID & exp.-address-city-zip-e-mail
address-coach name & contact info to Mike Zacate (Please, no checks
payable to Mike or USCF), 9401 Birch, Mokena, IL 60448. Updated
info/Hotels/On-Line Entries: nya2009.com. $10 service charge for on-site
section/roster changes, and all refunds. Bookdealers scheduled.
Grand Prix
May 15-17 or 16-17, New York
17th annual New York State Open
5SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60), Howard Johnson Tiki Resort,
2 Canada St, Lake George, NY 12845. $$G 3000. In 2 sections. Open: $500-300200, U2100 $230-120, U1900 $220-110. Under 1700: $400-230-120, U1500
$200-100, U1300 $180-90, trophies to top U1100, U900, Unr, no unrated may
win over $200. All: 1 year NYSCA membership to NY residents who are not members. EF: 3-day $78, 2-day $77 mailed by 5/8, $79 online at chesstour.com b
y 5/13, $85 phoned by 5/13 to 406-896-2038 (payment only, no questions), $90
at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED if paying 1 year USCF dues. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with
entryonline at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry
$40, not available in Open Section. GMs free, $60 deducted from prize. 3-day
schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 12-6, Sun 9-2:15. 2-day
schedule: Reg ends Sat 11:30 am, rds Sat 12-3-6, Sun 9-2:15. Half point byes
OK all, must commit before rd 2; limit 2 byes (limit 1 bye towards U1900 or U1300
prizes). HR: 59-59-70 (2 double beds), 65-65-76 (2 queen beds), 518-6685744, reserve by 5/5 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use
AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games used if otherwise unrated. Ent:
Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for
refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries
posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
uschess.org
May 16, Connecticut
2nd Saturday Open
CH Booth Library, 25 Main St., Newtown, CT 06470, 100 yds. south of Flagpole
on Rte.25. In 2 sections: Open: 3SS, G/60, Prizes: 1st $300 Gtd. Rds.: 10:15
and as available. Under 1600/Unr.: 4SS, G/45, Prizes: $100-50 Gtd. Unrated
may not win more than $50. Rds.: 10:15-11:45-1:30-3. EF: Both Sections:
$25, $5 less if rec’d by 5/12. Reg.: 9:30-10. Ent: Glenn Budzinski, 1 Black Cherry
Lane, Sandy Hook, CT 06482. Questions only: [email protected].
May be limited to first 50 players. NS, NC, W.
May 16, New York
H. Mc Carthy Gipson Grand Prix 2009
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the victims of flight #3407. 4SS
System, Game 45, Main Place Mall, 390 Main St. Buffalo, NY 14201. EF: 50, $45
if postmarked by May 8th. Reg.: Sat. closes at 9:15am. Rds.: Rds. at 9:45am,
11:30am, 1:15pm, 3pm. One 1/2 point bye available at registration. H. Mc
Carthy Open: $$GTD: $200-150-120. ENT: Archangel 8 Chess Academy, 60F
Guilford Lane, Buffalo, NY. INFO: Mc Duffie [email protected]. HR:
[email protected] 716-837-3344 Boulevard Inn & Suites. www.buffalo
nians.com. NS LS NC W.
May 16, Virginia
2009 Walter Muir Memorial
ROUNDS: 3-Round Swiss System Game/90. SITE: St. John’s Lutheran Church,
4608 Brambleton Ave. SW Roanoke, Va. 24018. GUARANTEED PRIZES:Top Section: $125-$100-$75. Additional Sections: If Octagonals, Each is guaranteed
$125-$100, If Hexagonals, Each is guaranteed $100-$75, If Quads, Each is guaranteed $100. ENTRY FEE: If received by May 15, $30.00. At site, $40.00.
REGISTRATION: 6-9 pm on 5/15; 8-9:30 am on 5/16. ROUNDS: 10-2-6. BYES:
One only per tournament; must request before 1st round begins. ADVANCE
ENTRIES: Roanoke Valley Chess Club, P.O. Box 14143, Roanoke, Va. 24038.
PHONE: (540) 344-4446. E-MAIL: [email protected]. WEB PAGE:
roanokechess.com. NO SMOKING. NO COMPUTERS.
A Heritage Event!
May 16-17, California Northern
29th Annual San Joaquin Championship
5SS, Rds 1-3 G/90; Rds 4-5 G/120, St Agnes Medical Center, West Wing, Education Room B, 1303 E Herndon Ave., Fresno, CA 93710. EF: $35 if rec’d by May
13; $45 at the door. Entry fee returned after Rd 5 GM IM SM. $$GTD: $400200-100-100. Trophies 1st overall and Classes A B C D, Under 1200 & Unrated.
Accelerated pairings rd 1. 1/2 bye point any round. Must be requested before
Rd 2. ENT: Fresno Chess Club, c/o Vaness French, 4085 N Peach Ave., Apt 166,
Fresno, CA 93727-8415. INFO: Vaness French 559-292-1468 & [email protected]. DIR: Email for site directions. NS NC W. WCL JGP.
May 16-17, District of Columbia
D.C. Class Championships
4-SS, U.S. Chess Center, 1501 M St., NW, Washington, DC 20005, 202/857-4922.
uschess.org
Free parking at site. Players may play only in their own section (May ratings
used) except K-12 may play up one section. All: Reg: 10 – 11. Irrevocable byes
only if requested before play begins. Master/Expert – Class D Sections TC:
30/90, SD/1, Rds.: 11:30 – 5, 11 – 4:30. Trophies to top 4 school teams (top
4 players make a team) Master/Expert prizes guaranteed. Class prizes b/16
per section. EF: $42 if mailed by 5/9, $50 at site. Sections: Master/Expert: $$G
400 – 225 – 125; Class A: $$300 – 200 – 100; Class B: $$300 – 200 – 100; Class
C: $$300 – 200 – 100, Class D: $300 – 200 – 100. Classes E – G/Under: TC:
G/45. Rds.: 11:15 – 1 – 3 – 5. Trophy prizes. EF: $15 if mailed by 5/9, $20 at
site. Unrated EF: $20 but ineligible for cash prizes. Unrateds may use unpublished ratings at organizer’s discretion. Ent: US Chess Center. Mail to address
above. www.chessctr.org. WCL JGP for Master/Expert – Class D sections.
May 17, New York
Grandmaster Challenge (QC)
6-SS G/25 (G/20, D/5), Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-477-3716, limited to first 64 entries. EF: $35 over 55/under 18, $45 others, $10 less to
Marshall members (free buffet for participants.) GMs free, $25 deducted from
prize. Reg.: ends 11:45 am. Prizes: G$$350-250-150-100-75-50, $100 U2400,
$100 U2200, $75 U2000, $50 U1800, top over 55$=age, top under 18 $=3x
age, top scoring female ($=# of players.) Rds.: 12-1:15-2:30-4:00-5:15-6:30.
Byes: limit 2, request before Round 3. Quick rated; regular ratings used for
pairing and prize purposes. Additional class prize $500 2800+, $250 2700+
May 19, New York
St. John’s Masters at the Marshall Chess Club
4SS, G/30.ThirdTues. of every month. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open
to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNY
at MCCThursday 4 Rated GamesTonight! since the prior month’s SJM) EF: $40,
members $30, GMs $10 (returned on completion of tournament). For each event,
money added to prize fund by the sponsors, St. John’s University, and other generous patrons.Top three prizes guaranteed. $$G 300-200-100.Top U2400 and
Top U2300 prizes. Special prize for biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:159:30-10:45pm. One bye available, rds 1 and 4 only; declare at registration.
An American Classic!
May 22-25, 23-25 or 24-25, Illinois
18th annual Chicago Open
7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/75; 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/45). Under
900 section plays separate 2-day schedule only, G/45. Westin Chicago North
Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling IL 60090 (from Chicago, I294 north to US-45 north; from Milwaukee, I-94 east to Lake Cook Rd to US-45
south.) Free parking. $100,000 guaranteed prize fund. In 8 sections. Open:
$8000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-400-400-400, clear winner bonus $200,
top Under 2500 $2000-1000. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game
(White 5 minutes, Black 3 minutes & gets draw odds, with 5 second delay) for
title & bonus prize. Under 2300, Under 2100, Under 1900, Under 1700: each
$6000-3000-1500-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300. U2300 Section is FIDE
rated. Under 1500: $5000-2500-1200-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300. Under
1300: $3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-300-300-300, top U1100 $800-400.
Under 1100 play for both U1300 section prizes & U1100 class prizes; receive
larger if winning both. Under 900: $200-120-80, trophies to top 10. Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated through 5/09 list may not
win over $1500 U1300 or $2500 U1500. Games rated too late for 5/09 list not
counted. 2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on any list 5/08-4/09,
prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $100
in U900, $600 U1300, $1000 U1500, $1300 U1700, $1600 U1900 or $2000 U2100.
4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Mailed EF: 4-day
$199, 3-day $198, 2-day $197 mailed by 3/16; 4-day $219, 3-day $218, 2-day
$217 mailed by 5/13; all $250 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online
EF at chesstour.com: $200 by 3/16, $220 by 5/19, $250 after 5/20 until 2 hours
before rd 1. Phone EF at 406-896-2038: $205 by 3/16, $225 by 5/19 (entry
only, no questions). No phone entry after 5/19. GMs free; $150 deducted from
prize. WGMs $100; another $100 deducted from prize. EF $70 less to all in Under
1300 Section and to seniors over 65 in Under 1500 & above sections. Under
900 EF: $24 if mailed by 5/13, $25 online at chesstour.com by 5/19, $30
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 5/19 (entry only, no questions), $40 at site. No
checks at site, credit cards OK. All: FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED in U900 or
U1300 Sections. ICA membership ($15, scholastic $10) required for rated Illinois residents. Special 1 yr adult USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry:
online at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry: $100,
no re-entry from Open to Open. $20 fee for switching section after 5/19. 4day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, Rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 12 & 7, Sun 12 & 7, Mon
10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 11 am, Rds. Sat 12, 3:30 & 7, Sun
12 & 7, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U1300 & up): Reg. ends Sun 9 am,
Rds. Sun 10-12:30-2:30-4:30-7, Mon 10 & 4:30. Above schedules merge &
compete for same prizes. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun
10-12:30-2:30-4:30, Mon. 10-12:30-2:30. Byes: OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4
rds), must commit before rd 3 having under 2 pts. Hotel rates: $94-94-94-94,
800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 5/9 or rate may increase. Car rental:
Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to FIDE, 100 to
FQE, 200/more to most other foreign, no pts added to CFC or Jamaica. Most
foreign ratings other than CFC, FQE or Jamaica not accepted for U2000 or below.
Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign
or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player ratings: May official ratings
used; FIDE ratings not used. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more
games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: 1) Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 4 or
after, players with scores over 80% in U1300/up and their opponents may not
use headphones, earphones, cellphones, or go to a different floor of the hotel
without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills,
NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658, chesstour.com. You may request “lowest possible section” if May rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds.
Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
A State Championship Event!
May 22-25 or 23-25, Texas
Texas State and Amateur Championship
7SS, Marriott San Antonio Riverwalk, 889 East Market Street, San Antonio, TX
61
Tournament Life
78205, United States. $$8350 b/175, full entries 75% Guaranteed, 2 Sections and scholastic side events: Championship (Open to players with USCF
or Fide ratings of 2000 or greater and last year’s Amateur Champion. This section is Fide rated but uses USCF rules.) Rds.: 1-3 G/90 with 30 sec increment,
rds 4-7 G/120 with 30 sec increment: $$1000-500-250, U2400 $500, X $700300. Amateur: U2000 & unrated. Rds 1-7 30/90 Sd/1, rd 1 of 3 day is G/120
(deduct 5 min. for delay). $$800-400-200. B $$600-300-150, C 500-250-125,
U1400 $500-250-125, U1200 $400, U1000 $300 Unrated $200. Both: TCA
membership required. Other States accepted. EF: $74 if received by 5/15, $85
at site. $65 Junior(U19) if received by 5/15 else $77 (juniors count as 90%
toward base), Senior(over 65)/Handicapped/additional family participant $45
if receive by 5/15 else $60 (Senior/Handicap/ Additional family participant
counts 60% toward base). Add $5 for CC phone entries; pre-reg requires prepaymt. After 5/20/09 all registration and changes on site only; all changes
including withdrawals, $10 after 5/20/09. 4 day: Reg Friday 5/22, 6:15pm-7:15.
Rds Fri: 7:45, Sat: 2:30pm-8:00, Sun: 10am-4:00, Mon: 9am-2:30. 3 day: Reg
Sat 5/23 9-9:30 am, Rd 1 at 10 am then merge with 4 day. Foreign Unrated must
play in Championship section. Registrations that do not indicate 4 or 3 day schedule will be put in the 3 day. HR: $105/105/105/105. 800-228-9290 reserve by
5/1 (or rate may go up) and ask for SA Chess Tournament rate. Note that this
hotel has no free parking. Up to two 1/2 pt byes available if requested before
rd 2, but byes for both rd 6 AND 7 is not permitted. K-12 Scholastic on Saturday, 5/23. 5-SS, Rds 1-3 G/30, rds 4-5 G/45, EF: $28 by 5/15, $40 after; CC
phone entries add $5. Pre-reg. requires pre-paymt. After 5/20/09 all registration and changes on site only; all changes $10 after 5/20/09. No refunds after
5/21/09, $10 handling fee for refunds before 5/21/09. Entries do not count
toward base in Championship and Amateur. Registration: 8:15-8:45 am, Rd
1 at 9:30 am, rest ASAP with small lunch break. Sections: K-12 Championship
and K-12 U750. Prizes:Trophies toTop 12 individuals, 5 teams in each section.
K-12 U750 also top 3 unrateds. Medals to plus scores who do not win a trophy. Ent: Dallas Chess Club, c/o Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail,
Crowley,TX 76036. Info: Barb Swafford, 214-632-9000, [email protected].
www.dallaschess.com. NS. NC. W. FIDE. WCL JGP.
May 23-24, Missouri
Show Me Classic
5SS, G/90, two sections - Open and U1600. Chess Club & Scholastic Center, 4657 Maryland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108. EF: $50, $40 for annual members
of the club. MCA Membership Req’d from $5. OSA. PF: Guaranteed first, b/40
2nd-5th. Each section $300-200-150-100-50. Reg: 10-10:50, Rds: Sat 11, 2:15,
5:30, Sun 12, 3:15. One 1/2 point bye if declared before round 1. Ent: 4657 Maryland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108 314-361-CHESS, [email protected].
WCL JGP.
May 23-24 or 24, New York
New York May Open!
4-SS, 30/90, SD/1, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 W 10 St, bet. 5th-6th
Ave, NYC: 845-569-9969. $$ 1,200 b/60 paid entries, minimum half each prize
Gtd. May be limited to 1st 62 entries! 2 sections, Open. $$ 400-200-100,
62
U2200/unr. $100. FIDE. Under 2000. $$ 200-100, U1800 $100, $100 unr. prize
limit. Both, EF: $45, Club membs $30, GMs free ($25 from prize), specified
Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. Online entry at www.chesscenter.cc
thru 5/21. 2 options: 2-Day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day; 1-day (rds 1-2 G/30),
10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun., merge rd 3. 2 byes max, commit by rd 2. Reg.
ends 15 min. before game. Re-entry $20, counts half. Foreign unr. must enter
Open. CCA Ratings may be used. EF $10 extra by phone! WCL JGP.
May 23-25, California Southern
2009 Lina Grumette Memorial Day Classic
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day schedule rds 1-3 G/60, then merges). LAX Hilton, 5711
W Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. $$10,000 b/200, 50% of each prize
guaranteed. In four sections: Open: $$T+1800-750-400-300-200, U2400 400,
U2200 700-300-200. Premier (under 2000): $$750-300-200-100. Amateur
(Under 1800): $$750-300-200-100. Reserve (Under 1600/unrated): $$750-300200-100. U1400 400-200, U1200 150, Unr 150. (Unrated may win Unrated
prize only.) Best game prize $25, all sections eligible. All: half-point byes available, limit 2, rds 5-6 must be requested with entry & cannot be revoked. SCCF
membership req. ($18, jr. $10), OSA. No checks or credit cards at door Reg.:
3-day 9-10 a.m. 5-23, 2-day 8:30-9:30 a.m. 5-24. Rds.: 3-day: 10:30-5 Sat-Sun,
10-4:30 Mon. 2-day: 10-12:15-2:30 Sun., then merges. EF: $83 if received by
5-22, $95 door, U1400/unrated $67 by 5-22, $80 door. On-line entry:
www.westernchess.com. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los
Angeles CA 90038. HR: $109 (310) 410-4000, use group code LGM. Parking
$10/day. Inf: [email protected]. NS, W, F. State Championship
Qualifier. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
May 23-25, Massachusetts
78th Massachusetts Open
6SS, 40/2, SD/1, Holiday Inn Boxborough, 242 Adams Place, Boxborough, MA
01719. $$3,125 guaranteed. In 4 sections: Open: $500-250-100, U2250 125,
top under age 23 $200. U2000: $300-125-75, top under age 23 $175. U1800:
$300-125-75, top under age 23 $150. U1600: $250-125-75, U1400 75, top
under age 23 $100. State championship title to highest scoring MA resident or
student in each section. Unrated may play in any section but may not win 1st
or 2nd prize or title except in Open section. Most interesting game prizes: Open
$300, U2000 $200, U1800 $150, U1600 $100; all include signed copy of “The
Art of Bisguier: Selected Games 1961-2003 Vols. 1 and 2” by GM Arthur Bisguier. EF: $55 postmarked by 5/19 or online (PayPal) at www.MassChess.org
by 5/21; $65 at site. Special EF: Under age 23, $20 in advance or on site. Reg.:
Sat 8:30-9:30. Rds.: Sat. 10:30-5, Sun. 10-4:30, Mon. 9:30-4. Bye: all, limit 2,
rds. 5-6 must commit before round 2. MACA memb. req’d ($12, under 18 $6),
OSA. HR: see web site (www.MassChess.org) for details. Ent: payable to
MACA, mail to Ken Ballou, 27 Fenway Drive, Framingham, MA 01701-4012 or
online at www.MassChess.org. Info: George Mirijanian, 978-345-5011, [email protected], www.MassChess.org. NS. NC. W. A state
championship. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
May 23-25, Oklahoma
27th North American FIDE Open
7-SS, G/90+30 sec, Quality Inn- 2515 W. 6th Ave (Hwy-51) Stillwater, OK 1405-372-0800. HR: 70-70-70. One section open to all. EF: $50 if postmarked
and paid by cash or ck before May 20, $60 at door. Reg.: Sat Noon-12:45; Rds.:
Sat 1, 5:30, Sun 9-1-5, Mon 9-1. $$G 5,700 will not be lowered. $$G, $800, $700,
$600, $500. $$G $600 each class($300-200-100) Ex,A,B,C,D & below. Unr.
competes in D & below. $50-$50 upset, 2 half pt byes rds 1-7, $10 OCF required
from all players. Free Parking. Ent: Frank Berry, 402 S. Willis, Stillwater, OK
74074. 1-405-372-5758. [email protected] om NC, CMV, LS, W, FIDE. WCL JGP.
May 23-25, Washington
Washington Open Chess Tournament in Spokane!
Red Lion River Inn, 700 N Division Street, Spokane, WA 99202. This location is
100 yards from the Spokane club’s normal tourney site at the Schoenberg Center at Gonzaga University. Hotel reservations: (509) 326-5577, or toll free
(800) Red-Lion. Ask for $99 chess rate. (Some Red Lion customers may qualify for a lower online rate. Washington Chess Federation. WA Open
Sections/Entry Fees (by April 15/May15 on site) OPEN: EF $79 / $89 / $99,
PREMIER (U2000): EF $69/$79/$89, RESERVE (U1700): EF $59 / $69 / $79,
BOOSTER (U1400): EF $49/$59/$69. Free entry to GM’s, IM’s, WGM’s. $25
entry option for juniors under age 21 playing for medal only. Three medals
awarded per section. $8,000 Prizes Guaranteed by the Gary Younker
Foundation! Hosted by the Spokane Chess Club. Prizes: Open: $1,000-$600$400-$300-$200, Premier: $400-$300-$250-$200-$150, Reserve: $350-$250$200-$150-$100, Booster: $300-$150-$100-$100-$100, U2150: $400-$250$150-$100, U1850: $250-$150-$100-$100, U1550: $200-$100-$100-$100,
U1100: $120-$80-$120*,$80*. (*) Prizes for unrated players. $100 Martha Jane
Miller Memorial Prize for top woman in open section. All prizes will be mailed
after the event. Entries/Information: Dan Mathews, WCF Tournament Coordinator, 730 Olympic Ave., Edmonds, WA 98020. Cell Phone (425) 218-7529.
[email protected]. Make checks payable to: Washington Chess Federation (WCF). Online registration available at www.nwchess.com.
Registration/Byes: Saturday 8:15-9:15AM for 3-day, or 3:30-4:15 PM if entering with one half-point bye. Sunday 8:15-9:00 AM for 2-day, or 9:00-9:30 AM
if entering 3-day event with two half-point byes. Two half-point byes available,
which must be requested in advance, or at site before the announced cutoff
time. Format/Ratings: Four sections six round Swiss system, USCF rated.The
Open Section is also FIDE rated. USCF May supplement ratings will be used.
Un-rated players may play in open or booster section only, and are eligible for
top five prizes in open and the two unrated prizes in booster section. Time Controls: 3-day schedule: 40/2 Hrs., SD/1 Hr. 2-day schedule: Rounds 1-3:
Game/60 minutes. (Rounds 4-6 same as 3-day schedule.) Both schedules: Digital clocks preferred. 5-second time delay used from start of game. Rounds:
3-day schedule: Saturday: 10:00AM, 5:00PM, Sunday: 10:00AM, 5:00PM, Monday: 9:00AM, 3:30PM. 2-day schedule: Sunday: 9:30AM, 11:45AM, 2:30PM,
then join 3-day schedule for rest of tourney. WCF annual meeting: 3:30 PM Sunday, May 24. WCL JGP for time control slower than G/30.
uschess.org
A Heritage Event!
May 29-31 or 30-31, Georgia
40th Annual Southern Congress
5-SS, G/2 hours (2-day option, Rd. 1 G/90). Atlanta Chess Center, 3155A East
Ponce de Leon Avenue, Scottdale, Georgia 30079. $2,600 b/89, 50% GTD. In
4 sections: Open: $300-200 (GTD); u2200: $200-100; u2000: $200-100. Under
1800: $300-200, u1600: $200-100. Under 1400: $300-200; u1200: $100,
u1000: $100. Unrated: (not part of base) EF: $18 in advance, $25 at site. Trophies to top 7. All: EF: $42 if received by 5/27; $46 at site. Re-entry: $25. Bye:
all rounds (limit 2), must commit before 1st round. 3-day schedule: Reg.: ends
7 p.m. Rounds: 7:45, 2-7, 10-3. 2-day schedule: Reg.: ends 10 a.m. Rounds:
1st at 10:30 a.m., then merges with 3-day. Hotel/Info: atlantachess@yahoo.
com or (404)-377-4400. Enter: Same as above. www.atlantachessclub.com.
WCL JGP.
May 30, Tennessee
Rutherford County Open
5-SS, rd.1 G/30, rd.2 G/60, Rds.3, 4, 5 G/75. Grace Lutheran Church, 811 E.
Clark Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN. EF: $25 by 5/28, $30 at site. $$ (1160, top 2 G,
class prizes b/6 entries per class, else proportional): $200-120, X, A, B, C, D,
E/below, Unr. each $120. Reg.: 8:00-8:45am. Rds.: 9:00-10:00-12:30-3:00-5:30.
Ent: Rutherford County Chess Club, P.O. Box 1593, Murfreesboro, TN 37133.
rccc.us/ (with map to site), [email protected] 615-895-7989 NS. NC. W.WCL JGP,
Rounds 3-5.
May 30-31, Texas
DFW Fide Open III
5SS, G/90 with 30 second increment. Dallas Chess Club, 212 S Cottonwood Dr.
#A, Richardson, TX 75080. One Section $$550G. Open: This section is FIDE
rated but uses USCF Rules. $400-$100-$50. EF: $50, Juniors(U19)/Senior/Hcap
$30, plus $5 non-DCC membership fee if applicable. Registration: 9:45 -10:15
am. Rds.: Sat 10:45 - 3:10 - 7:16, Sun 10:45-3:10. One Bye allowed if requested
before rd 2, withdrawals are not eligible for prizes. Ent: Dallas Chess Club, see
address above. Info: 214-632-9000, [email protected] NS. NC. FIDE.
WCL JGP.
June 4, Nevada
See Nationals.
June 4, New York
10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 West 10 St, bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC:
212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specified
Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may be limited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105, U2000
$95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA ratings
may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game. Rds 78:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible!
June 4-7, 5-7, Florida
Orlando After Memorial Open and Scholastic
5SS, G/120, (Sat. Rd. 1 G/60). Hilton Altamonte Springs, 350 S. North Lake Blvd.,
Altamonte Springs. $$6025 b/150 (Scholastic=1/2 entry). 66% GUARANTEED!
3 Sect: Open: $1100-700-500, U2300 & U2000 $400 ea. U1800: $900-600-400,
U1600 & U1400 $300 ea. Unrs limited to $100 unless Place Prize in Open. EF:
$59. Scholastic U1400: EF: $30. $200-100-50, U1200, U1000 & U800 $25 ea.
Unrs limited to $50. Trophy to top in each age “7&under” thru 14 with at least
2 players. EF: Add $16, $10 for Scholastic, after May 23. Ent. must indicate Fri.
or Sat. for Rd. 1. Scholastic (Sat & Sun only) Reg: ends 1/2 hr. before 1st Rd.
Rd. 1 8pm Fri (or 10am Sat). Re-entry $40. Rds: 2-5 Sat. 1 & 6, Sun. 9 & 2.
1/2 pt. byes(max 2) if req’d before rd. 2. HR: $94 (by May 23). 800-678-4380,
Ent: CFCC, c/o Harvey Lerman, 921 N. Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751. Or
online 2009aftermemorial.eventbrite.com; Info: 407-629-6946 or www.centralfl
chess.org. WCL JGP.
June 5-7, Michigan
2009 Universal Spring Swiss
6-SS. 2 Sections (Open & Reserve). 2- or 3-Day Schedule. All The King’s Men
Chess Supplies and Brain Games, Parkview Square Strip Mall (Around Back),
27170 Dequindre Rd., Warren, MI 48092 (11 Mile & Dequindre Rds.). USCF and
MCA memberships required (can be purchased on site). EF by Tues., 6/2 (Add
$10 after): OPEN: 3-DAY: $63 ($53 for Oage 64, Uage 16, or UNR). 2-DAY: $62
($52 for Oage 64, Uage 16, or UNR). IMs and GMs FREE (EF deducted from
prize). No Re-Entries allowed in Open Section. RESERVE (U1600): 3-DAY: $53
($43 for Oage 64, Uage 16, or UNR). 2-DAY: $52 ($42 for Oage 64, Uage 16,
or UNR). Re-Entries from 3-Day to 2-Day: $40. Schedules merge after Rd
2. Up to TWO 1/2-pt. byes allowed-must be requested prior to start of RD 4.
TL: 3-Day: Rds. 1-3, G-90; Rds. 4-6, G-120. 2-Day: Rds. 1-2, G-45; Rd. 3, G90; Rds. 4-6, G-120. REG.: 3-Day: Fri, 4:00-6:30pm. 2-Day: Sat, 10-11am.
RDS: 3-Day: Fri, 7pm. Sat, 11, 3:30, 7. Sun, 11, 3:30. Headphones cannot
be used if opponent objects for any reason. Must be willing to present same
to TD for exam at any time. Failure to do so will result in removal from tournament without refund. Cell phones must be turned off or in silent mode while
in the tournament room. $$2500 Overall. 60% Guaranteed. OPEN, $1,350
(b/30, b/min. 6 per prize section): 1st $500; 2nd $250;TOP 1900-2100, 16001899, U1600/UNR: $200 each. RESERVE (U1600), $1,150 (b/30, b/min. 6 per
prize section): 1st $400; 2nd $225; TOP 1300-1599, 1000-1299, U1000/UNR:
$175 each. UNR eligible ONLY for Unrated or Overall prizes. $50 Gift Certificate for Biggest Upset of tournament! Info & ENT: Dr. Ed Mandell, address above,
(586) 558-4790. Toll-Free: (866) 538-7890; Fax: (586) 558-2046. Call for reasonable lodging within 1/2-3/4 mile. Email: [email protected], Web:
www.allthekingsmenchess.com. WCL JGP times slower than G/60.
A Heritage Event!
June 5-7 or 6-7, Nevada
2009 National Open
See Nationals.
uschess.org
June 6, District of Columbia
20th Annual DC Action Championship
June 13, New York
8th Annual New Yorker June Open!
6-SS, G/30. US Chess Center, 1501 M St. NW. Washington, DC 20005 EF: $32
if by 5/29, $40 at site. $$G400-250-100, U2200 $100, U2000 $80, U1800 $80,
U1600 $80, U1400 $80, (Class prizes b/50, 4/class). Reg.: 10-11. Rds.: 11:301-3-4:30-6-8. Ent: DCCL, address above. Info: 202/857-4922. NS, NC, W.
www.chessctr.org.
5-SS, G/50, beautifully renovated, well-lighted 3rd Floor, New Yorker Hotel, 481
Eighth Ave at 34th St, across from Penn Station, New York. $$2,200 Guaranteed prizes! 2 sections. Open, $$ 500-250-100, U2400/unr $160, U2200
$150, U2000 $140. Under 1800: $400-200-100, top U1600 $105, U1400 $95,
$100 limit to Unr. EF: $56 postmarked by 6/5, $54 on-line thru 6/10 at
www.chesscenter.cc, $60 by phone thru 6/10, $65 at site, $20 less to
unrated players (only players with 3 games or less are unrated), $20 less to
rated players in NY Junior Championship 6/14, GMs free ($30 from prize). Reentry $30; $10 charge for refunds. Questions, [email protected] or
845-569-9969 (credit card phone entries: 406-896-2191, 24 hours, no questions).
After 6/10, enter at site. On-site reg ends 10:30 am. Rds. 11-1:30-3:30-5:307:30 pm. Limit 2 byes, commit by 1:30. CCA ratings may be used. Ent: Chess
Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. Bring sets, clocks,
boards— none supplied! W.
June 6, North Carolina
Orchard Lake Grand Prix
4SS, Rd1&2 G/61 Rd 3&4 G/90. Orchard Lake Campground, Saluda, NC. EF:
$26.50, Special U1200 EF: $16.50 (incl $6.50 cmpgrnd fee). $$GTD: $200-10030-30-30-30-20-20-20-20. Rds.: 9:00-11:30-2:00-5:35. Accel pairings. ENT:
Kevin Hyde, 705 Old Mtn Page Rd, Saluda NC 28773. 828-749-1625
[email protected]. HR: 828-749-390. www.orchardlakecampground.com. www.nc
chess.org. NCGP. WCL JGP.
June 6, Tennessee
Rea Hayes Open Chess Tournament
4SS, G60, T/D5. Bethel Bible Village, 3001 Hamill Rd., Hixson, TN. $1,000
Unconditionally Guaranteed. Open: $200-150.Top Expert $100,Top A $100,Top
U1800 $75. Amateur: $150-100. Top D $50, Top E $50, Top U1000 $25, Top
Unrated $25. EF: Open $25 and Amateur $20 if mailed by 6/01. $30 and $25
respectively at site. Rds.: 9:00, 11:15, 2:15, 4:30 ET. Ent.: Go to www.chatta
noogachess.org or contact Malcolm Estrada, P. O. Box 1102, Chattanooga, TN
37401, 423-280-9526.
June 6-7, Kentucky
The Kentucky Open
5rd SS, g/90. Location University of Louisville Shelby Campus, Founders Union
Building, 8003 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, KY 40222. EF: $40 if received by 6/3,
$45 after/on site. Current KCA membership required for all KY residents Regular $8, Youth and Senior $4. Reg.: 8:30 - 9:30. Rds.: Sat, 10, 2, 5:30. Sun, 9,
2. Half point bye 1-4, must request before rd 2, withdrawals are not eligible
for prizes. Prizes: $5100 b/120 paid entries. 3 sections Open, U1800, U1400.
Open prizes 1st 1000, 2nd 500, 3rd 300, M 200, X 200, A 200. Open 1-3 and M
fully guaranteed - remaining prizes 50% guaranteed and must have at least 3
in the rating class to award a prize in that rating class. U1800 1st $500, 2nd
300, B 200, C 200. U1400 1st 500, 2nd 300, D 200, E 200, U1000 200, Unrated
100. Ent: Ky Open, c/o Allen Priest, 7803 Wolf Creek Court, Louisville, KY
40241 or to the KCA P.O. Box. 8035, Louisville, KY 40257. E-mail questions or
entries to [email protected] or call 502-228-5054. WCL JGP.
June 6-7, New York
Third Annual WNY Masters Championships 2009
5SS System, Game 120, Buffalo State College - Campbell Student Union, 1300
Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222. FIDE rated. EF: 65.00, Cash only onsite,
$50.00 if postmarked by May 30, 2009. $$GTD: $300-225-150. Reg.: Sat. Jun.
6, Closes at 9 a.m. Rds.: Sat. at 9:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Sun. at 10 a.m.
& 3 p.m. One half point byes available, if requested at registration, except Rd
5. ENT: Archangel 8 Chess Academy “Mayors Cup”, 60F Guilford Lane, Buffalo,
NY 14221 www.buffalonians.com. INFO: Mc Duffie [email protected].
HR: [email protected] 716 837-3344, Boulevard Inn & Suites. NS LS NC
W. WCL JGP.
June 13, New York
Jenifer Woods Memorial Grand Prix
4SS RDS. 1 & 2 G/60, RDS. 3 & 4 G/90 @RCC (GTD) $150-90-60 class $80.
Reg.: 8:30-9:15. RDS.: 9:30-12-2:15-5:30 EF: $30 Adv Ent/Info: Rochester
Chess Center, 221 Norris Drive, Rochester, NY 14610. (585)442-2430.
A Heritage Event!
June 13-14, New Hampshire
59th New Hampshire Open
4-SS, 40/2, SD/1. Comfort Inn, exit 4 (Queen City Bridge) off I-293, Manchester, NH. 603-668-2600. $$ 2,045 b/65 in 2 day sects., 75%G. 3 sects. Open: $$
350-225-125, U2100 $125-75. NH Champion title to top scoring NH resident.
U1900: $175-120-75, U1750 $120-60. U1600: $175-120-75, U1400 $100,
U1200 $75, U1000 $50. All: EF $42 if rcvd. by 6/11, $48 at site. Special EF $26
to players 18/under who are U1200 or Unr, or 65/over. Reg.: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Rds.: 10-4:30, 9:30-4:00. Sunday Swiss (6/14 only): 3-SS, G/60. EF: $25 if
rcvd. by 6/11, $31 at site. $$ 80-50-30 (b/8). Sun. Swiss Reg.: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Sun. Rds. 11-1:30-4. NHCA Annual Meeting Sun. at 9:00 a.m. NHCA memb. req.
for rated NH residents: $8 adult, $6 junior 18/under. Bye: 1-3 with entry, limit
1. Unrated may play in any sect. but can’t win 1st except in Open. HR: $80-80,
reserve early and mention tnmt. Ent: NHCA, c/o Alex Relyea, 49 Technology
Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. Info: 603-232-1373 or [email protected].
Cks. payable to NHCA. NS, W. WCL JGP.
June 13-14, Virginia
6th Annual George Washington Open
5SS, Rds 1-3 G/2, rds 4-5 30/90 SD/1. $$2,200 (Top 3 G) B/90. Hotel Sierra,
45520 Dulles Plaza, Sterling, VA 20166. www.hotel-sierra.com luxurious single and double suites. 20 Reserved Single Suites available by June 6 at $99.
Doubles are great for families! Contact hotel at 703-435-9002 or 1-800.4.SIERRA.
A Heritage Event!
June 12-14 or 13-14, Ohio
51st Gem City Open Tournament
5 Rounds, SS. Time Controls: 40/2, SD/1 (2 day option rds 1 & 2 G/75). Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th Street, Dayton, OH 45402. 3 or 2 day option.
Alexander Goldin will be playing in this Heritage Event - how about you?
$$5,000 Gtd. 4 sections: OPEN: $1000-$550- $350-$250, FIDE Rated.
Under2000: $500-$300-$150, Under1800: $500-$300-$150, Under1600:
$500-$300-$150. Unrated prizes limited to 1/3d except in the OPEN w/balance
to next player(s) in line. EF: 3-day $67, 2-day $65 if mailed by 6/5. $77 at site
2 or 3 day. Free to GM or IM. No checks at site, MC/Visa okay. DCC Members
$5 discount. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 7:30 pm, rds Fri 8:00 pm, Sat 116, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 a.m., rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun
9-3:15. Byes: two ok - must commit by round 2. Hotel & rates TBD - see
www.daytonchessclub.com. Ent: Dayton Chess Club, 18 West 5th St, Dayton,
OH 45402 or register Online www.daytonchessclub.com. Look for 1/2 page ad
in the May issue! Questions: [email protected] or call 937.461.6283
to lv msg. WCL JGP.
WA RN I N G !
CELL PHONE
THE USE OF A
PROHIBITED!
IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM IS
AT MOST TOURNAMENTS!
IF YOUR CELL PHONE RINGS IN A ROOM WITH
GAMES IN PROGRESS, YOU COULD BE SEVERELY
PENALIZED, MAYBE EVEN FORFEITED!
TURN IT OFF!
63
Tournament Life
Be sure to ask for Virginia Chess rates; or book it online at stay.hotelsierra.com/?id=VIR Near Dulles Airport. See tournament website for directions
and more information. Open: $580-320-200 (G);Top X/A-Unr/B/C/D each $190,
Top U1200 $150, Reg.: Saturday Jun 13: 8:30 am-9:45am. Rounds: Sat 10-2307, Sunday 10-3:30p. One 1/2 pt bye allowed, must commit to byes with entry,
none allowed after 1st round starts and are irrevocable after play starts. EF:
$50 if rec’d by Jun 7th, $60 at site. Ent: Michael Atkins, PO Box 6138 (yes 6138!),
Alexandria, VA 22306. Make checks to: “Virginia Chess”. Email: matkins2@
cox.net, but NO e-mail entries, just information Web: www.vachess.org/nova.htm
W, NS, FIDE. WCL JGP.
June 16, New York
St. John’s Masters at the Marshall Chess Club
4SS, G/30.ThirdTues. of every month. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open
to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNY
at MCCThursday 4 Rated GamesTonight! since the prior month’s SJM) EF: $40,
members $30, GMs $10 (returned on completion of tournament). For each event,
money added to prize fund by the sponsors, St. John’s University, and other generous patrons.Top three prizes guaranteed. $$G 300-200-100.Top U2400 and
Top U2300 prizes. Special prize for biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:159:30-10:45pm. One bye available, rds. 1 or 4 only; declare at registration.
June 19-21, Georgia
2009 Castlechess Grand Prix
5-SS, G/120 (2 day schedule, rd 1 G/90). Cox Hall, Emory University, 569
Asbury Cir., Atlanta, GA 30322. $8,675 G! Six sections: Premier (over 1999):
$1,500-1000-500; U2400/Unr: $700-400; U2200: $600-375; Class A: $550-325;
Class B: $500-$300; Class C: $450-275; Class D: $400-250; U1200: $350-200;
U1000: Trophy. Rated players may play one section above current rating, and
are eligible for all prizes in the section in which they play. EF: $69 if received
by 6/10. $79 later or at site. Free to GM, IM or USCF 2400. Unrated Players:
$50; no discount to Unrated in Premier Section. Unrated may enter any section, except need TD’s OK to enter Premier Section. Unrated may not win
over $150 in U1200, $ 200 in D, $250 in C, $300 in B or $350 in A. Balance of
any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. 3 day schedule: Reg.: 6:307:30 pm on 6/13. Rds.: 8; 1:30-6:30; 9-1:30. 2 day schedule: Reg.: 8:30-9:30
am on 6/14. Rd 1 at 10 am, then merges with 3 day schedule. HR: University
Inn, 404-634-7327. Half point bye any round. Limit 2. Must commit before rd.
1. No changes. Ent: 5025 Antebellum Drive, Stone Mtn. GA 30087. Make check
payable to: Castlechess, Inc. Info: Mark Taylor, 404-200-1134, [email protected], on-line registration at www.castlechess.org NS, NC,
W. WCL JGP.
June 19-21 or 20-21, Maryland
Chesapeake Open
5SS, 40/120, SD/1, U1100 30/90 SD/1 (All Rnd 1 G/120) (2-day option, rds
1-2 G/75 U1100 2-day, rnds 1-2 G/60) Charles Commons, 3301 North Charles
Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. $$Based on score. Last year paid out over $5000.
6 sections: Open FIDE rated: 5.0 = $1500, 4.5 = $700, 4.0 = $350, 3.5 =
64
$150 (min $1500 payout, all payouts raised if less than $1500) U1900,U1700:
5.0 = $1200, 4.5 = $600, 4.0 = $300, 3.5 = $100 U1500, U1300: 5.0 = $1000,
4.5 = $500, 4.0 = $250, 3.5 = $100 U1100: 5.0 =$500, 4.5 = $250, 4.0 =
$125, 3.5 = $50 Unrated may not win over $100 in U1100, $200 U1300, $300
U1500, $400 U1700, or $500 U1900. EF: $90 by 5/20, $100 by 6/16, and $105
online only by 6/18, $110 at the door. Special EFs: $35 less in U1100, GMs
free; $50 deducted from prize, IMs 1/2 off entrance fee, $20 (not $70) deducted
from prize. Special HR: $40 single Sat. night, pay with registration. Free
room Sat. night for GMs. $20 room Sat. night for IMs. Rooms may not be
avail after 5/25. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11-6, Sun
9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10am rds 11-2-6, 9-3:15. U1100 3-day
schedule: Reg ends Fri 6pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11-4, Sun 9-2:00. U1100 2-day
schedule: reg ends Sat 10am, rds 11-1:30-4, 9-2:00. Ent: Michael Regan, 1827
Thornton Ridge Rd,Towson MD 21204. Detailed rules and more information:
www.baltimorechess.org/Chesapeake_Open.html, online entry: chesapeakeopen.eventbrite.com/. WCL JGP.
June 19-23, New York
2nd NY International
9SS 40/2 SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to all players rated
2200 or above (USCF or FIDE) and special invitees. May be limited to the first
50 registrants. EF: $350 in advance, $400 on site. Players with USCF ratings
over 2200 with no FIDE rating: $300 advance / $350 at site, Players with USCF
ratings over 2200 and FIDE rating U2200: $250 in advance / $300 at site. USA
players with FIDE ratings over 2200: $200 in advance, $250 at site. USA IMs,
USA WGMs, and Foreign FIDE-rated players: $150 in advance / $200 at site.
GMs, foreign IMs, and foreign WGMs $100, returned on completion of tournament; no money deducted from prize fund. Reg.: 6/19 10:30-11:30. Rds.:
12-7 6/19-6/22 and 12 on 6/23. $25 less for Marshall Chess Club Members.
$10,000 guaranteed $5000-2500-1500-1000 Plus special brilliancy prize. Award
ceremony to follow round 9. Every player will receive a special prize. WCL
JGP.
June 20, Pennsylvania
2009 PA State Game/45 Championship
4SS, G/45. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pitt., 5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
3 Sections, $$ (695G): Championship: EF: $30 by 6/12, $40 later. $200-100,
U2000 $75, U1800 $50. Premier: U1600. EF: $25 by 6/12, $35 later. $90-60,
U1400 $50, U1200 $40, U1000 $30;Trophies toTop 2,Top 2 U1400,Top 2 U1200,
Top 2 U1000. Scholastic: Grades K-12 U900. EF: $15 by 6/12, $25 later. Trophies to Top 7, 1-3 U600. ALL: Teams of 4 to 7 combined from all sections,
Trophies 1st-2nd schools, clubs. PSCF $5, OSA. Reg ends Noon. Rds: 12:30-2:154-6. Ent/Info: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223,
412-908-0286, [email protected]. W.
June 25, New York
22nd Annual Thursday Night Action Championship
4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 W. 10 St., bet. 5-6th Ave.,
NYC: 212-477-3716. $$1,500 Guaranteed Prizes!! 2 sections, Open, $$ 500250-140-100, U2400/unr. $160. Under 2200, $$ 150-100, top U2000 $100, $100
prize limit to unr. Both, EF $40, Club membs. $30, GMs free ($25 from prize),
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. Limit 2 byes (commit by 8:15).
Re-entry: $20, counts half. CCA Ratings may be used. Reg. ends 15 min. before
game. Online entry at www.chesscenter.cc thru 6/23. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45
pm. Phone entry often impossible!
June 25-29, Pennsylvania
3rd annual Philadelphia International
9SS, 40/2, SD/1, Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts.,
Philadelphia, PA 19103. Special parking rate for players with guest rooms
$5/day; may be available for players without guest rooms, through 6/29 only.
$$G 10,000: $3000-1500-1000-600-400-300-200, top FIDE 2200-2399 $1000500, top FIDE under 2200 or unrated $1000-500. Minimum prize if completing
all games: $500 to foreign GMs, $200 to US GMs, foreign IMs, foreign WGMs,
foreign WIMs. IM & GM norms possible; FIDE rated. EF: GMs, IMs, WGMs,
WIMs, foreign FIDE rated players $115 mailed by 6/16, $117 online by 6/23,
$125 phoned by 6/23 (406-896-2038, payment only, no questions), $150 at tmt.
USA FIDE 2100/up rated players: $215 mailed by 6/16, $217 online by 6/23,
$225 phoned by 6/23, $250 at tmt. Others: $315 mailed by 6/16, $317 online
by 6/23, $325 phoned by 6/23, $350 at tmt. All: No checks at site, credit cards
accepted. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entryonline at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Reg. endsThu
10 am, rds Thu through Sun 11-6, Mon 11. Two half point byes available (must
commit before rd 2); norm not possible if taking bye. HR: $93-93, 215-448-2000,
reserve by 6/5 or rate may increase. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possiblenone supplied. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577.
$15 service charge for refunds. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com.
Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
June 27-28, Oklahoma
64th Oklahoma Open State Championship
GTD $900. 5SS, Rds 1-2 G/90, Rds 3-5 G/120. La Quinta Inn OKC Airport, 800
S. Meridian (I-40 at Meridian), Oklahoma City, 405-942-0040. Reg.: 8:309:30am. Rds.: 10-2-6; 10-3. One 1/2 point bye in Rds 1-4. Must enter before
Rd 2 pairings. 3 Sections: Open, Reserve (U1800), Booster (U1400). Plaques
& State Championship Titles for Oklahoma resident section champs. $$GTD:
Open $300-200-100 & Reserve $150-100-50. Other $$b/entries. EF: $40
if rec’d by 6/24, otherwise $50. Under age 20 additional siblings $10 less. OCA
membership included. HR: $71.10 plus tax if reserved by June 6, incl hot bkfst
& airport shuttle. No outside food/drinks. OCA Annual Meeting/Election Sun
8:00am. Entries/Contact: Jim Gray, 720 S. Husband, Suite 5, Stillwater, OK
74074, 405-624-1777 or cell (405) 612-0379, [email protected]. Info:
www.ochess.org. WCL JGP.
June 28, New York
Grandmaster Challenge (QC)
uschess.org
6-SS G/25 (G/20, D/5), Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-477-3716, limited to first 64 entries. EF: $35 over 55/under 18, $45 others, $10 less to
Marshall members (free buffet for participants.) GMs free, $25 deducted from
prize. Reg. ends 11:45 am. G$$350-250-150-100-75-50, $100 U2400, $100
U2200, $75 U2000, $50 U1800, top over 55$=age, top under 18 $=3x age, top
scoring female ($=# of players.) Rds.: 12-1:15-2:30-4:00-5:15-6:30. Byes: limit
2, request before Round 3. Quick rated; regular ratings used for pairing and
prize purposes. Additional class prize $500 2800+, $250 2700+.
A Heritage Event!
July 1-5, 2-5, 3-5 or June 29-July 5, Pennsylvania
37th Annual World Open
9SS, 40/2, SD/1 (4-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, 3-day option, rds 1-5 G/45), Under
900/Unr Section plays separate 3-day schedule only, G/45. Sheraton City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts., Philadelphia 19103. Parking $5 for hotel guests
playing in tournament. Downtown location, Franklin Institute, many museums, stores, restaurants within a few blocks. Prizes $250,000 unconditionally
guaranteed. Free analysis of your games by GM Sam Palatnik; free lectures
by other GMs 9 am 7/3 & 7/4. In 9 sections (Unrated eligible only for Open,
Under 2400, or Under 900). Open: $20000-10000-5000-2500-1500-1000-800700-600-500, clear winner bonus $200, top U2500 $2000-1000. If tie for first,
top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 7/5, 11 pm (White 5 minutes, Black 3 minutes & gets draw odds, 5 second delay) for title & bonus prize. GM & IM norms
possible in 5-day & 7-day schedules. FIDE rated. Under 2400: $14000-70003000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U2300 $2000-1000. FIDE Under
2200: $14000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U2100 $20001000. Under 2000: $14000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top
U1900 $2000-1000. Under 1800: $14000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700600-500, top U1700 $2000-1000. Under 1600: $12000-6000-3000-2000-1000900-800-700-600-500, top U1500 $2000-1000. Under 1400: $10000-50002500-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1300 $1500-800. Under 1200:
$5000-2500-1500-1000-800-700-600-500-400-300. Under 900/unrated: $300200-100, trophies to top 10, no unrated may win over $100. Prize limits: 1)
Players with under 26 games played as of 7/09 list may not win over $1500
in U1200, $3000 U1400 to U1800. Games rated too late for 7/09 list not
counted. 2) Players with official rating more than 30 points over section maximum any month 7/08-6/09 have a prize limit of $2000. 3) Balance of any limited
prize goes to next player(s) in line. EF, if mailed by 2/17: 7-day $307, 5-day
$305, 4-day $304, 3-day $303. Mailed by 5/15: 7-day $317, 5-day $315, 4-day
$314, 3-day $313. Mailed by 6/18: 7-day $327, 5-day $325, 4-day $324, 3-day
$323. At site: All $350; no checks, credit cards OK. Online entry at chesstour.com: $310 by 2/17, $320 by 5/15, $330 by 6/24, $350 after 6/24 until 2
hours before rd 1. Phone entry at 406-896-2038: $315 by 2/17, $325 by
5/15, $335 by 6/24 (entry only, no questions). No phone entries after 6/24. GMs
free; $200 EF deducted from prize. WGMs $100; another $100 EF deducted from
prize. EF $100 less to all in U1200 Section and seniors over 65 in Under 1400
& above. Under 900/Unrated Section EF: $25 if mailed by 6/17, all $26
online at chesstour.com by 6/24, $30 phoned by 6/24 (entry only, no questions),
$40 at site. FREE ENTRYTO UNRATED in U900/Unr Section. No checks at site;
credit cards OK. Re-entry: $160, no re-entry from Open to Open. $20 fee for
switching section after 6/30. Special 1 yr adult USCF dues with Chess Life
if paid with entry: online at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site
$40. 5-day schedule: Wed 7 pm, Thur 11 am & 6 pm, Fri 11 am & 6 pm, Sat
11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 5 pm. 7-day schedule: Mon-Fri each 7 pm, Sat
11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 5 pm. 4-day schedule: Thurs 11, 2:30 & 6, Fri 11
& 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. 3-day schedule: Fri 11, 1:30, 3:30, 6 & 8:30, Sat
11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. All schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under
900/Unr schedule: Fri 1:30, 3:45 & 6, Sat 11, 1:30, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 12:30.
Half point byes OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), must commit before rd 3
and have under 2 pts. Entries, re-entries close 1 hour before your first game.
Bring sets, boards, clocks if possiblenone supplied. HR: 93-93, 215-4482000, may sell out about 5/31, two night minimum 7/3-4. Backup hotel:
Radisson Plaza Warwick, 215-735-6000, $104-104, special chess rates for
parking $8/day with guest room at Radisson. Special car rental rates: Avis,
800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com.
Foreign player ratings: 100 pts added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200 or more to
most foreign, no pts added to CFC. Most foreign ratings other than CFC or FQE
or Jamaica not accepted for U2000 or below. Highest of multiple ratings used.
Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US
player ratings: JULY LIST USED; FIDE ratings not used. Unofficial uschess.org
ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special
rules: 1) Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested
by Director. In round 4 or after, players with scores over 80% and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones, cellphones or go to a different floor
of the hotel without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. You may
request “lowest possible section” if July rating unknown. $15 service charge
for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Bring set, board,
clock if possiblenone supplied. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
July 3-5, California Southern
49th Annual Pacific Southwest Open
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day schedule rds 1-3 G/60, then merges). LAX Hilton, 5711
W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. $$8,000 b/200, 50% of each prize guaranteed. 2 sections: Open, $$1400-700-400-300-200, U2200 $600-300-150,
U2000 $600-300-150. Amateur, open to U1800/Unr, $$600-300-150, U1600 500250-150, U1400 400-250, U1200 150, Unr. 150. Unr. May win Unrated prize only.
All, EF $69 if rec’d by 7-2, $79 at site. SCCF memb. req’d of So. Californians ($18,
jrs. U18 $10, includes Rank & File magazine). Reg.: 3-day 9-10 a.m. 7-3, 2-day
8:30-9:30 a.m. 7-4. Rds.: 3-day: 10:30-5 Fri-Sat, 10-4:30 Sun. 2-day: 10-12:152:30 Sat., then merges. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los
Angeles, CA 90038, on line at www.westernchess.com. HR: $109 (310) 410-4000,
mention chess with group code APS. Parking $10/day. Inf:
[email protected]. NS, W, F. State Championship Qualifier. WCL JGP.
July 4, Pennsylvania
World Open G/10 Championship (QC)
5SS, G/10, Sheraton Philadelphia Hotel (see World Open). $2200 GUARANTEED
PRIZES. In 2 sections: Open: $400-200-100, top U2400/Unr $220, U2200
$200, U2000 $180. Under 1800: $300-150-80, top U1600 $160, U1400 $120,
U1200 $90, no unrated may win over $200. EF: $40. Reg: 7-10:15 pm, Rds:
10:30-11:15-11:45-12:15-12:45. Bye: OK rd 1. Quick-rated (will not affect regular ratings); prizes based on higher of regular or quick ratings. Ent: at site
only, no checks.
July 5, Pennsylvania
World Open Blitz Championship (QC)
5SS, G/5 (double round, 10 games), Sheraton Philadelphia Hotel (see World
Open). $2200 GUARANTEED PRIZES. In 2 sections: Open: $400-200-100, top
U2400/Unr $220, U2200 $200, U2000 $180. Under 1800: $300-150-80, top
U1600 $160, U1400 $120, U1200 $90, no unrated may win over $200. EF: $40.
Reg: 6-11 pm, Rds: 11:15-12-12:30-1-1:30. Bye: OK rd 1. Quick-rated (will not
affect regular ratings); prizes based on higher of regular or quick ratings. Ent:
at site only, no checks.
July 9, New York
10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 West 10 St, bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC:
212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), may be
limited to 1st 36 entries. $$ 560 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105,
U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA
ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Rds 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm.
Phone entry often impossible. EFs $5 EXTRA IF UNDER 10 MINUTES
BEFORE GAME!
July 10-12, Kansas
2009 Kansas Open
at Bethany College Library. 2 sections: (7/11 and 7/12) 5SS, G120 (All prizes
based on 100 non-scholastic rate entries) Open: all: $$400-200-100.
1999/below: 200-100-50. $25 & plaque to top KS resident, designating person
2009 KS State Champion. Reserve: 1799/below: $$400-200-100. Class C: 200100-50. 1399/below + unrated: 200-100-50. $25 and plaque to top KS resident.
EF: $45 if postmarked by 7/03, $65 thereafter. Special $10 discount for
advance entry into both Kansas Open + Quick tourney. $10 entry fee for
Scholastics, choosing not to compete for cash, entering Reserve section only,
competing for three plaques. Reg.: 7/11 8:30-9:30am. Rds.: 7/11: 10-2:307, 7/12: 9-1:30. KANSAS QUICK CHESS CHAMP: at Karpov Chess School,
106 S Main- 1 section: (7/10), 5SS G10 (All prizes based on 50 non-scholastic rate entries) $$300-200-100. Class A, B, & C and below + unrated: 100, 50
each. $25 plus plaque for top KS resident in Quick EF: $25 if postmarked by 7/03,
$40 thereafter, $10 entry fee for Scholastics choosing not to compete for
cash, but for three plaques. Reg.: 7/10 6-7pm. Rds.: 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30.
KANSAS BUGHOUSE CHAMP: at Karpov Chess School- 1 section: (7/10)
at 4pm, 100% entry fees returned, plaques to top team. EF: $10 per person.
See website for details. HR: Dorm rooms at Bethany College available, $35 per
room per night, contact Roxie Sjogren at 785-227-3380, Ext 8158 from 8am till
12:30 pm M to F or e-mail at [email protected] Motel rooms at
U.S. OPEN SIDE EVENTS
Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 East 21st St, Indianapolis IN 46219
August 1-2
US Open Weekend Swiss
WCL GPP: 6. 5SS, G/60, $1000 guaranteed prizes. $$
200-100-50, U2200/Unr $160, U1800 $140, U1600
$120, U1400 $100, U1200 $80, Unr $50. World Chess
Live Grand Prix Points: 6. EF $40, free to unrated if paying USCF dues. Reg. 8:30-9:30 am 8/1, rds. Sat.
10-1-3:30, Sun. 10-1.
August 2
US Open Scholastic
4SS, G/30, open to K-12 (2008-9 school year). EF
$20. In 3 sections: Open, Under 1200/Unr, Under
800/Unr. Trophies to top 5 each section, top U1600,
U1400 in Open, U1000, Unr in U1200, U600, Unr in
U800. Reg. 9-11:30 am, rds. 12-1:30-3-4:30.
August 3
US Open Bughouse
5SS, G/5. EF $20 per team. 80% of EF in cash prizes.
Reg. 9-11:30 am, round 1 noon.
uschess.org
August 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
US Open Quads
Each is 3RR, G/30. EF $20, 1st prize $50 each quad.
Reg. 9-11:30 am, rds. 12-1:30-2:30.
August 5
US Open G/15 Championship
5SS, G/15, quick rated, higher of regular or quick rating
used. EF $40. 80% of EF returned in cash prizes: 1st
30%, 2nd 15%, U2100 12%, U1800 10%, U1500/Unr
8%, U1200 5%. Reg. 9-11:30 am, rds. 12-1-2-3-4.
August 8
US Open Blitz Championship
WCL GPP: 15. 7SS, double round (14 games), 1 section. Quick rated, higher of regular or quick rating used.
$2000 guaranteed prizes! $$ 400-200-150, Expert
$200-100, U2000 $200-100, U1800 $180-90,
U1600/Unr $140-70, U1400 $100, U1200 $70. EF
$40, free to unrated if paying USCF dues. Reg. 9-11:30
am, 1st round noon.
65
Tournament Life
www.lindsborg.org/tourism.html. Special: KCA membership required of KS residents to participate; $7 adult, $5 junior, $10 family. Annual meeting of KCA
on 7/12 at 8 am Site: Lindsborg, KS. Ent: Laurence Coker, 8013 W 145th St, Overland Park, KS 66223. Checks payable to “Kansas Chess Association” Ph:
913-851-1583. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.kansaschess.org.
(2009 Kansas Open ad.) WCL JGP for Open section.
July 10-12, Ohio
2009 Columbus Open
5-SS, 30/90, SD/60 (2-day schedule, rd. 1 G/90), ALL PRIZES UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED. 3 sections: Open, open to all. G $1200, 800, 500; U2200,
$500, 200; Premier, open to 1999/below. $500, 200; U1800, $500, 200;
Reserve, open to 1599/below. $500, 200; U1400 $500, 200; All EF: $70 if rec’d
by 7/1. $80 at site. $10 less for scholastic players under 1200. Free to Sr. Master/above who complete their schedule. 3-day schedule: Reg. Ends Fri. 6:30
p.m., Rds.: Fri. 7 p.m.; Sat. 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 9:30 a.m., 3 p.m. 2-day schedule: Reg. Ends Sat. 9:30 a.m. Rd 1 at 10 a.m., then merges with 3-day schedule.
Re-entry: $20. Any player who loses Fri. night may re-enter for $20 and loss
will not count in tournament standings! One 1/2-pt. Bye available in Rds 1-4
(request required prior to Rd 1). Unrated players may play in any section. $25
upset prize each section. N.S. A/C; HOTELS: HOLIDAY INN AIRPORT, 750
STELZER RD., COLUMBUS, 43219 (WITH EXPANDED PLAYING SPACE). (614) 2376360. ROOM RATE: $89.00 plus tax. Chess rate available through July 1st while
rooms last. ENT. C/O Lou Friscoe, 1645 Glenn Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43212.
Inquires: (614) 486-6856. Web site: www.centralchessclub.com. WCL JGP.
July 11, Tennessee
Murfreesboro Grand Prix
5-SS, rd.1 G/30, rd.2 G/60, Rds.3, 4, 5 G/75. Trinity Presbyterian Church,
1020 N. Rutherford Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN. EF: $20 by 7/9, $25 at site. $$
(1000, top 2 G, class prizes b/6 entries per class, else proportional): $200-104,
X, A, B, C, D, E/below each $102, Unr. $84. Reg.: 8:00-8:45am. Rds.: 9:00-10:0012:45-3:15-5:45. Ent: Rutherford County Chess Club, P.O. Box 1593,
Murfreesboro, TN 37133. rccc.us/ (with map to site), [email protected] 615-8957989 NS. NC. W. WCL JGP for rounds 3-5.
2 byes, commit at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 players. WCL
JGP.
July 16-19, 17-19 or 18-19, California Southern
14th annual Pacific Coast Open
6SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-3 G/50). Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel,
30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills CA 91301 (US-101 to Reyes Adobe Road exit).
Adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains, 26 miles west of Burbank, 12 miles
from Malibu, 28 miles from Ventura. Free parking. Prizes $30,000 based on
250 paid entries (re-entries & U1000 count half), minimum $24,000 (80% of each
prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections. Open: $3000-1500-700-400, clear or tiebreak
win $100 bonus, top U2300/Unr $1800-1000. FIDE. Under 2100: $2000-1000600-400. Under 1900: $2000-1000-600-400. Under 1700: $2000-1000-600-400.
Under 1500: $2000-1000-600-400. Under 1300: $1800-900-500-300. Under
1000: $1000-500-300-200. Unrated may enter any section, with prize limit U2100
$900, U1900 $700, U1700 $500, U1500 $400, U1300 $200, U1000 $100; balance goes to next player(s) in line. Top 6 sections EF: 4-day $144, 3-day $143,
2-day $142 mailed by 7/8, all $145 online at chesstour.com by 7/13, $150 phoned
by 7/13 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), $160 (no checks, credit
cards OK) at tmt. Under 1000 Section EF: all $60 less. FREE TO UNRATED
in U1000 or U1300 sections if paying 1 year USCF dues with entry. GMs free;
$140 deducted from prize. SCCF membership ($18, jrs $10) required for rated
Southern CA residents. Re-entry $80; not available in Open Section. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- $30 online at
chesstour.com, $40 if mailed, phoned or paid at site. 4-day schedule: RegThu
to 6:30 pm, rds Thu 7 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 10-4:30. 3-day schedule:
Reg. Fri to 11 am, rds Fri 12-7, Sat 11-6, Sun 10-4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg
Sat to 9 am, rds Sat 10-12:45-3:15-6, Sun 10-4:30. All schedules: Bye all, limit
2, Open must commit before rd 2, other sections before rd 4. HR: $87-87, 818707-1220, request chess rate, reserve by 7/2 or rate may increase. Car rental:
Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box
249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions:
www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9648. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com.
WCL JGP.
July 11-12, New York
July Grand Prix!
July 17-19 or 18-19, Florida
4SS, 30/90, SD/1; Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $45, Members $25. $$625 Gtd: 250-100-75, U2200/Unrated $100, U2000 $100. Reg. ends
15 min. before game. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day;
1-day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd 3. Limit
July 17-19 or 18-19, Illinois
2nd annual Chicago Class Championships
See Nationals.
GOLD AFFILIATES
Jersey Shore High School
Chess League
PO Box 773, Lincroft, NJ 07738
[email protected]
Cajun Chess
7230 Chadbourne Drive
New Orleans, LA 70126
504-208-9596
[email protected]
www.cajunchess.com
Chess Club and Scholastic
Center of St. Louis
4657 Maryland Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63108. 314-361-CHESS
[email protected]
www.stlouischessclub.org
Continental Chess
Association
PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills,
NY 12577. 845-496-9658
[email protected]
www.chesstour.com
New Jersey State Chess Federation
c/o Roger Inglis
49-A Mara Rd.
Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034
973-263-8696, [email protected]
www.njscf.org
New York State Chess
Association
c/o Karl Heck
5426 Wright Street, County Route 67,
East Durham, NY 12423,
www.nysca.net
Tri-State Chess
288 Third Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
1-888-CHESS-35
[email protected],
www.TriStateChess.com
Unity Chess Club
9375 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 100
Office 136, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480-949-5464 (KING)
[email protected], unitychess.com
Western PA Youth Chess Club
Attn: Jerry Myers
4101 Windsor Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-422-1770
[email protected]
www.youthchess.net
SPICE
Box 45080, Lubbock, TX 79409
www.SPICE.ttu.edu
SILVER AFFILIATES
Indiana State Chess Association
www.indianachess.org
Michigan Chess Association
www.michess.org
Sparta Chess Club (NJ)
www.spartachessclub.org
Marshall Chess Club (NY)
www.marshallchessclub.org
Oklahoma Chess Foundation
www.OKchess.org
Renaissance Knights (IL)
www.RKnights.org
Orange Crush Chess Club (IN)
[email protected]
66
July 24-26 or 25-26, Connecticut
14th Annual Bradley Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Sheraton Hotel, 1 Bradley Airport (visible at airport entrance), Windsor Locks, CT 06096 (I-91 Exit 40 to Rt
20). Free parking. $8000 guaranteed prize fund. In 4 sections. Open: $1000600-400, U2200 $500–250. Under 2000: $800-400-200, top U1800 $500-250.
Under 1600: $700-400-200, top U1400 $450-250. Under 1200: $500-250150, top U1000 $200. Unrated may not win over $100 in U1200, $300 U1600,
or $500 U2000. EF: 3-day $88, 2-day $87 mailed by 7/16, all $89 online at chesstour.com by 7/22, $95 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 7/22 (entry only, no
GOLD & SILVER AFFILIATES
Susan Polgar Foundation
6923 Indiana Avenue, Suite 154,
Lubbock, TX 79413, 212-748-9584
[email protected]
www.SusanPolgarFoundation.org
North American Chess
Association
2516 North Waukegan Road
Suite 342,Glenview, IL 60025
888-80-CHESS, [email protected]
www.nachess.org
En Passant Chess Club
1301 North Shore Drive
San Benito, TX 78586
956-399-9724
[email protected]
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Under 1000 & Under 700
Sections: 6SS, G/75, 7/18-19 only. Doubletree Hotel Chicago/ Oak Brook, 1909
Spring Rd (near I-88 Cermak Rd exit), Oak Brook, IL 60521. Free parking. No
residence requirements. $20,000 guaranteed prizes and trophies. In 9 sections; no unrated in Master, unrated allowed in Under 700 only if age 15 or below.
Master (2200/up): $2000-1000-500-300, clear win or 1st on tiebreak $100, top
U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Expert (2000-2199/Unr): $1300-700-400-300. Class
A (1800-1999/Unr): $1300-700-400-300. Class B (1600-1799/Unr): $1300-700400-300. Class C (1400-1599/Unr): $1200-600-400-200. Class D
(1200-1399/Unr): $1000-500-300-200. Class E (Under 1200/Unr): $1000500-300-200. Under 1000: $200-100-60-40, trophies to top 7. Under 700:
Trophies to top 7. Rated players may play up one section. Unrated prize limit
$80 U1000, $140 E, $200 D, $400 C, $500 B, $600 A. Top 7 sections EF: 3-day
$93, 2-day $92 mailed by 7/9, all $95 online at chesstour.com by 7/13, $100
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 7/13 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. No
checks at site, credit cards OK. U1000 & U700 EF: $27 mailed by 7/9, $28 online
at chesstour.com by 7/13, $30 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 7/13 (entry only, no
questions), $40 at site. All: ICA memb. ($15, scholastic $10) required for
rated Illinois residents. FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED in Class D, E, U1000 or
U700 if paying 1 year USCF dues with entry. GMs free, $90 deducted from prize.
Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- $30 online at
chesstour.com, $40 if mailed, phoned or paid at site. Re-entry $60; not available in Master Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games
used if otherwise unrated. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat
11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11-2:30-6,
Sun 9-3:15. U1000 & U700 schedule: Reg. ends 9:30 am, rds. Sat 10-1:305, Sun 9-12:30-3:15. Bye: all, Master must commit before rd 2, others before
rd 3. HR: $93-93, 800-528-0444, 630-472-6000. reserve by 7/3 or rate may
increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds.
Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-965 8. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
GOLD
Any affiliate that has submitted at least 50
USCF memberships during the current or
previous calendar year, or is the recognized
State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Gold
Affiliate. Gold Affiliates are honored in a spe
cial list in larger type in Tournament Life each
month, giving the affiliate name, address,
phone number, e mail address, and website.
Gold Affiliation costs $350 per year, and exist
ing affiliates may substract $3 for each month
remaining on their regular affiliation, or $20
for each month remaining on their Silver Affil
iation. As of August 6, 2007, by paying an
annual payment of $500 (instead of $350),
Gold Affiliate status may be obtained with no
minimum requirement for memberships submitted.
SILVER
Any affiliate that has submitted at least 25
USCF memberships during the current or
previous calendar year, or is the recognized
State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Silver
Affiliate. These affiliates will be recognized
in a special list in Tournament Life each
month, giving the affiliate name, state, and
choice of either phone number, e mail
address, or website. Silver Affiliation costs
$150 per year, and existing affiliates may
subtract $3 for each month remaining on
their regular affiliation. As of August 6, 2007,
by paying an annual payment of $250.00
(instead of $150), Silver Affiliate status may be
obtained with no minimum requirement for
memberships submitted.
uschess.org
questions), $100 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. FREE ENTRY T O
UNRATED in U1200 if paying 1 year USCF dues with entry. GMs free, $80
deducted from prize. Mailed EF $3 less to CSCA or WMCA members. Re-entry
$50; not available in Open Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4
or more games used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with
Chess Life if paid with entry- $30 online at chesstour.com, $40 mailed, phoned
or paid at site. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 116, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. 11-2:30-6, 9-3:15.
Bye: all, limit 2; must commit before rd 2. HR: $93-93, 860-627-5311; reserve
by 7/10 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633,
or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box
249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions:
WCL JGP.
July 31-Aug. 2 or Aug. 1-2, Florida
17th Annual Southern Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75),
Ramada Orlando Celebration Resort, 6375 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy (Rt
192), Kissimmee, FL 34747 (1.5 miles from Disney World). Free parking.
$12,000 prize fund unconditionally guaranteed. In 4 sections. Open:
$1500-700-500-300, top Under 2300/Unr $800-400. Under 2100: $1000-500300-200, top Under 1900 $700-300. Under 1700: $1000-500-300-200, top
Under 1500 $700-300. Under 1300: $600-300-200-100, top Under 1100 $400200. Unrated may not win over $100 in U1300, $300 U1700, or $500 U2100.
Top 3 sections EF: 3-day $103, 2-day $102 mailed by 7/23, all $105 online at
chesstour.com by 7/28, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 7/28 (entry only, no
questions), $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. Under 1300 Section EF:
all $40 less. GMs free; $100 deducted from prize. FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED
if paid with 1 year USCF dues. All sections: Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess
Life if paid with entryonline at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at
site $40. Re-entry $60; not available in Open Section. AUGUST OFFICIAL RATINGS USED. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually
used if otherwise unrated. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7
pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 112:30-6, Sun 9-3:15. All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd
2. HR: $79-79 plus $5 resort fee, includes breakfast, 877-467-5786, 407-3905800, reserve by 7/17 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600,
AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess Association, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge
for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries
posted at chess tour.com. WCL JGP.
July 31-Aug. 2 or Aug. 1-2, Vermont
20th annual Vermont Resort Open
5 SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75), Stratton Mountain Inn, Middle
Ridge Rd (take Stratton Mtn Rd from center of Bondville), Stratton Mountain,
VT 05155. Bondville is 13 mi SE of Manchester, VT on Rt 30; under 2 hours from
Albany NY or Springfield MA. $3000 guaranteed prizes. In 3 sections. Open:
$500-300-200, top Under 2100/Unr $230-120. FIDE. Under 1900: $320-160-
uschess.org
100, top Under 1700 $200-100. Under 1500: $300-150-80, top Under 1300 $16080. Unrated may not win over $100 in U1500 or $200 in U1900. EF: 3-day $73,
2-day $72 mailed by 7/23, all $75 online at chesstour.com by 7/29, $80 phoned
to 406-896-2038 by 7/29 (entry only, no questions), $85 at site. No checks at
site, credit cards OK. FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED in U1500 Section if paying 1
year USCF dues with entry. GMs free; $60 deducted from prize. Re-entry $40,
not available in Open.AUGUST OFFICIAL RATINGS USED. Unofficial uschess.org
ratings based on 4 or more games used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year
USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- $30 online at chesstour.com, $40
by mail, phone or at site. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7 pm,
Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11-2:306, Sun 9-3. Half point byes OK all, limit 2; must commit before rd 2. HR: $79-79,
1-800-STRATTON, 802-297-2500, reserve by 7/17 or rate may increase. Car
rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through
chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577.
Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds.
Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
Aug. 1-9, 4-9 or 6-9, Indiana
110th annual U.S. Open
See Nationals.
Aug. 7-9 or 8-9, Connecticut
15th Annual Northeast Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Holiday Inn Select, 700 Main St.,
Stamford, CT 06901. Free parking. $8000 guaranteed prize fund. In 4 sections.
Open: $1000-600-400, U2200 $500–250. Under 2000: $800-400-200, top
U1800 $500-250. Under 1600: $700-350-200, top U1400 $400-200. Under 1200:
$500-300-150, top U1000 $200-100. Unrated may not win over $100 in U1200,
$300 U1600, or $500 U2000. EF: 3-day $88.50, 2-day $87.50 mailed by 7/30,
all $89 online at chesstour.com by 8/5, $95 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 8/5 (entry
only, no questions), $100 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. FREE ENTRY
TO UNRATED in U1200 if paying 1 year USCF dues with entry. GMs free, $80
deducted from prize. Mailed EF $3 less to CSCA members. Re-entry $50; not
available in Open Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more
games used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life
if paid with entry- $30 online at chesstour.com, $40 mailed, phoned or paid at
site. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 93:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. 11-2:30-6, 9-3:15. Bye: all,
limit 2; must commit before rd 2. HR: $99-99, 800-408-7640, 203-358-8400;
reserve by 7/24 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD
D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess,
Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions:
WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
Aug. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, Massachusetts
39th annual Continental Open
6SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-3 G/50). Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, 366
Main St (Rt 20 West), Sturbridge, MA 01566 (I-84 Exit 3, near I-90). Free
parking. Experience early 19th century America at Old Sturbridge Village (see
www.osv.org). Prizes $30,000 based on 250 paid entries (re-entries & U1000
count half), minimum $24,000 (80% of each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections.
Open: $3000-1500-700-400, clear or tiebreak win $100 bonus, top U2300/Unr
$1800-1000. FIDE. Under 2100: $2000-1000-600-400. Under 1900: $2000-1000600-400. Under 1700: $2000-1000-600-400. Under 1500: $2000-1000-600-400.
Under 1300: $1800-900-500-300. Under 1000: $1000-500-300-200. Unrated
may enter any section, with prize limit U2100 $900, U1900 $700, U1700 $500,
U1500 $400, U1300 $200, U1000 $100; balance goes to next player(s) in line.
Top 6 sections EF: 4-day $144, 3-day $143, 2-day $142 mailed by 8/6, all $145
online at chesstour.com by 8/11, $150 phoned by 8/11 (406-896-2038, entry
only, no questions), $160 (no checks, credit cards OK) at tmt. Under 1000 Section EF: all $60 less. FREE TO UNRATED in U1000 or U1300 sections if paying
1 year USCF dues with entry. GMs free; $140 deducted from prize. MACA
membership ($12, under 18 $6) required for rated MA residents, WMCA
accepted for western MA residents. Re-entry $80; not available in Open Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games used if otherwise
unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- $30 online
at chesstour.com, $40 if mailed, phoned or paid at site. 4-day schedule: Reg
Thu to 6:30 pm, rds Thu 7 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 11 am, rds Fri 12-7, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg
Sat to 9 am, rds Sat 10-12:45-3:15-6, Sun 9-3:15. All schedules: Bye all, limit
2, Open must commit before rd 2, other sections before rd 4. HR: $84-84, 508347-7393, request chess rate, reserve by 7/30 or rate may increase. Car
rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Ent: Continental Chess, P O
Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions:
WCL JGP.
Aug. 21-23 or 22-23, California Northern
Central California Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75), Ramada University Hotel, 324
E. Shaw Ave., Fresno, CA 93710 (CA-99 to CA-41 to Shaw Ave). Cosponsored
by Fresno Chess Club. $$ 15,000 based on 150 paid entries (re-entries count
half), minimum $10,000 (2/3 of each prize) guaranteed. In 4 sections: Open:
$2000-1000-500-300, top U2200 $800-400. FIDE. Under 2000: $1500-700-400200, top U1800 $800-400. Under 1600: $1200-700-400-200, top U1400
$600-300. Under 1200: $1000-500-300-200, top U1000 $400-200. Unrated may
enter any section, with prize limits: U1200 $100, U1600 $300, U2000 $500. Balance goes to next player(s) in line. EF: 3-day $113, 2-day $112 mailed by
8/13, all $115 online at chesstour.com by 8/18, $120 phoned to 406-896-2038
by 8/18 (entry only, no questions), $130 at site. Mailed EF $10 less to Fresno
Chess Club members. FREE TO UNRATED in U1200 section if paying 1 year USCF
dues with entry. GMs free, $100 deducted from prize. All: Unofficial uschess.org
ratings based on 4 or more games used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year
USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: online at chesstour.com $30, mailed,
phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry $60; not available in Open Section. No
checks at site, credit cards OK. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7
67
Tournament Life
pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 112:30-6, Sun 9-3:15. Byes: OK all; must commit before rd 2. HR: $89-89,
800-241-0756, 559-224-4040, request chess rate, reserve by 8/7 or rate may
increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car
online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury
Mills, NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
Aug. 22, 2009 U.S. Game/60 Championship
See Nationals.
See Nationals.
A Heritage Event!
Aug. 28-30 or 29-30, District of Columbia
41st annual Atlantic Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75), Washington Westin Hotel, 1400
M St NW atThomas Circle, Washington, DC 20005. $$G 20,000 GUARANTEED
PRIZE FUND. In 7 sections. Open: $2000-1000-500-300, clear or tiebreak 1st
$100 bonus, top U2300/Unr $1200-600. FIDE. Under 2100: $1500-700-400200. Under 1900: $1500-700-400-200. Under 1700: $1500-700-400-200.
Under 1500: $1300-700-400-200. Under 1300: $1200-600-300-200. Under
1000: $400-300-200-100. Unrated may not win over $100 in U1000, $200 U1300,
$400 U1500, $500 U1700, $600 U1900, or $700 U2100. Top 6 sections EF: 3day $103, 2-day $102 mailed by 8/20, all $104 online at chesstour.com by 8/25,
$110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 8/25 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site.
Under 1000 EF: All $60 less. All sections: No checks at site, credit cards OK.
Re-entry $60, not available in Open Section. GMs free, $90 deducted from prize.
FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED in U1000 or U1300 Section if paid with 1 year USCF
dues. All: Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entryonline at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 10-4:15. 2-day schedule:
Reg. ends Sat. 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 10-4:15. Bye: all, limit 2, Open
must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $96-96, 202-429-1700,
reserve by 8/7 or rate may increase. Regular rate at this luxury hotel is over
$200! Car rental: 800-331-1600, use AWD D657633, or reserve car online
through chesstour.com. Parking: $8/day to 2 am or $16/day overnight; garage
has limited space. Ent: Continental Chess Association, Box 249, Salisbury
Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com,
845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
Sept. 4-7, 5-7 or 6-7, New York
131st annual NY State Championship
Out of state welcome. 6SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option except in Open Section,
rds 1-3 G/45), Albany Marriott, 189 Wolf Road, Albany 12205 (Thruway Exit 24,
I-87 north to Wolf Rd, Exit 4). Luxurious hotel with indoor/outdoor pool, sauna,
fitness center, free parking, free airport shuttle, many restaurants in area. $$G
13,000. In 4 sections. Open: $1600-800-400-200, top U2300/Unr $700, U2200
$600, U2100 $500. FIDE. Under 2000: $1200-600-300-200, top U1800 $700350. Under 1600: $1000-500-300-150, top U1400 $600-300. Under 1200:
$800-400-200-100, top U1000 $300-150. Unrated may not win over $100 in
U1200, $300 in U1600, or $500 in U2000. All: 1 year NYSCA membership to NY
residents paying EF who are not members. EF: 4-day $99, 3-day $98, 2-day $97
mailed by 8/27, all $100 online at chesstour.com by 9/2, $105 phoned to 406896-2038 by 9/2 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. FREE ENTRY TO
UNRATED in U1200 if paying 1 year USCF dues. All: Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF
dues with Chess Life if paid with entryonline at chesstour.com $30, mailed,
phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry $70, all sections but Open. GMs free, $80
deducted from prize. No checks at site, credit cards OK. 3-day schedule: Reg.
ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11-6, Sun 11-6, Mon 9-3:15. 4-day schedule: Reg.
ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 6 pm, Sun 11-6, Mon 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sun. 10:30 am, rds Sun 11-1:30-3:30-6, Mon 9-3:15, no 2-day
schedule in Open. Bye: all, limit 2, must commit before rd 2. HR: $96-96, 800443-8952, 518-458-8444, reserve by 8/21 or rate may increase. NYSCA meeting
9 am Sun. Car rental: 800-331-1600, use AWD D657633, or reserve car online
through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY
12577. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted
at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
Sept. 5-7 or 6-7, New Jersey
2009 New Jersey State Championship
Somerset Ramada Inn, 60 Cottontail Lane, Somerset NJ, Exit 12 off I-287
(Weston Canal Road) In 4 Sections: Open, Gold U1900 Silver U1600 &
Booster U1300 6SS, TC: 40/2, SD/1, Playing Schedules: 3-day, 9/5-7, 2day, 9/6-7 All prizes guaranteed Open: $500-400-300-200-200-200-200
Top Expert & Class A, $100 each U1900: $500-300-200 Top B $100 U1600:
$500-300-200 Top D $100 U1300: $500-300-200 Trophies: Top 3 each section NJ Champion, Exp, A, B, D, E & Unr New players may win first prize only
in Open Section Early EF: Open: $71 / lower sections $66 (Former NJ
Champs, see below) Entry must be mailed by 9/01 or paid online by 9/04,
Open $85 /lower sections $80 at site All Reentrys $45, but can’t be NJ Champ
Join at website entryfeesrus.com via PayPal Playing site Reg 3-day:
9/05, 9am-11am Rds. Sat 12-7, Sun 11-6, Mon 9-4 Reg 2-day: 9/06, 9am10:30am, Round 1-3 (G/45) starts 11am then ASAP Both schedules merge
in Rd 4 Byes: 2 byes allowed, 1-5 Hotel Rates $79 with free continental Breakfast (732) 560-9880 Mention “NJ Chess” to receive this special hotel rate
SPECIAL PRIZES will be awarded by drawing to early online entries NOTICEFormer NJ Champs get early EF of $35 Late EF is $70 Former NJ Champs
for multiple yrs get early EF of $1 (ONE DOLLAR). Late EF is $70 No exceptions Only early EF’s get discount Ent: Ken Thomas, 115 West Moore St ,
Hackettstown, NJ 07840 Make checks payable to NJSCF Info: Ken,
acn@goes com or (908) 763-6468 Players and spectators, no ear covering
allowed, especially cell phones attached to the ear NS, No NC, W NYC players will be shuttled to/from the Bound Brook Station Call Ken’s cell
908-763-6468 FIDE. WCL JGP.
Regional
Alabama
B’ham C. C.
Meets Mon. nites each wk., 2116 Columbiana Rd. (Columbiana Crossing Shopg.
Ctr.) B’ham 35226. All skills & levels welcome! W. N.S. USCF rtd tourns. planned
in 09. Mon. Quads by request. Vulcan Open-May; B’ham City C’ships-Aug.; Magic
City Open-Nov. SS 4rd G/60 2d Sat.ea. mo. Details & flyers: R.W. Ellis 205-9796068, [email protected].
May 30 (not May 23), Birmingham Challenge
4SS, TC: Rds 1-2 @ G/60 & Rds 3-4 @ G/75. Alta Vista Hotel & Conference Center, 260 Goodwin Crest Dr., Birmingham, AL 35209. Open ($475 b/25):
$250/T-150-75; Reserve (U1500; $450 b/25): $225/T-150-75; Late REG.: May
23rd, 8-8:45am. Rds.: 9, 11:15, 2, 5. EF: $35, if mailed by 05/16/2009; $50
at site. ENT: Caesar Lawrence, 882 McAllister Dr., Calera, AL 35040. Checks
Payable To: Caesar Lawrence. Info: [email protected] or ACF:
www.alabamachess.com.
June 20, Alabama Quick Chess Championship (QC)
5SS, G/25 with t/d 3 (G/28), Forest Lake United Methodist Church - Community Center, 1711 4th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Prizes b/28 for Open &
Rsvd combined. OPEN (1500+): $150-100-65. RESERVE (U1500): $100-6545. EF: $25, if Postmarked by June 15, 2009. Onsite Reg: 8am – 9am. $35. Rds.:
9:30-10:45-12:30-1:45-3. Byes: Rds 1-4; request before Rd 2. SCHOLASTIC
(U1000):TrophiesTop 3 Individuals. EF: $10 by June 15, 2009; Onsite Reg: $20.
ENT: Freedom Chess Academy, PO Box 2356, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-2356.
INFO: Neil Dietsch [email protected] or freedomchess.blogspot.com/ NS,
NC, W, OSA, WCL JGP.
July 31-Aug. 2 or Aug. 1-2, 17th Annual Southern Open (FL)
See Grand Prix.
Arizona
May 23-25, 2009 U.S. Amateur West Championship
See Nationals.
California Northern
May 16-17, 29th Annual San Joaquin Championship
See Grand Prix.
May 16-17, Berkeley Open
4-SS, 90/90; G/60. Hillside School; 1581 Le Roy Ave, Berkeley, California. $$B
80 paid entries (not counting unrated entries ). Three Sections: Open: $320225, U2200 $220-120; A/B Section: A $220-115, B $220-115; Reserve: C
$220-115; D/E $220-115, Unr:Trophy First. Reserve players playing in the A/B
section compete for the B prizes. All, EF: postmarked by 5/11 $40, $50 at site.
Unrateds $20 in the Reserve section or may play up to the Open section for
the regular fee. $2 discount to CalChess members or to BCC Members. USCF
memb. req’d. May play up for add’l $10 per section. Reg.: Sat 5/16 9:00-9:45
am. RDS.: Sat 10:00-3:30; Sun 10:00-3:30; One 1/2 pt bye available if requested
in advance (bye in rds 3 or 4 must be requested before rd 1). 2009 May Ratings List, CCA minimums and Directors discretion will be used to place players
as accurately as possible. Please bring clocks and equipment. INFO: (650)-2244938. Email: [email protected]. Ent: Richard Koepcke, P.O. Box
1432, Mountain View, CA 94042. No Phone entries. WCL JGP.
May 23-25, BayAreaChess Memorial Day Festival
San Jose, CA. 6SSx30/90 G/60. Expected prize $3360 based on 85 paid entries.
6 sections: (Master, Expert, A, B, C, D/E/Unr); 2 day schedule with 3xG/60
merges in Round 4. EF: $66. BayAreaChess is #1 USCF affiliate in rated
games west of Texas! More info at bayareachess.com/events/memo.php.
Online entry at: bayareachess.com/my. Email to: [email protected].
WCL JGP.
May 30, CalNorth Open Girls Championships—K-6
Weibel Elementary School, 45135 South Grimmer Boulevard, Fremont, CA. 7
Rated Sections, Info & link to Entry Form at: www.CalNorthYouthChess.
org/GirlsChampionships2009/info.html. Open to all scholastic players who
are USCF members in Kindergarten through sixth grade. Awards: Trophies to
top 5 players in each grade plus all those tied at 5th. Extra trophies may be
awarded depending on the entries in the grade. Medals to all who do not receive
a trophy.Trophies to the top school team in all sections but Kindergarten. Event
T-shirts available. Info: Alan M. Kirshner, Ph.D., [email protected],
(510) 659-0358.
June 6, Central Valley Open 2009
5 round swiss,TIME CONTROL G/45. SITE: Doctors Medical Center (cafeteria),
1441 Florida Ave., Modesto, CA 95352. PRIZE FUND: 70% returned in prizes
1st 50% plus trophy 2nd 20% and 1st U 1700 30%. ENTRY FEE: $25.00 if rec’d
by June 3rd, $30.00 at site. Cash only at site, please. REGISTRATION: 9 am -
ONCE RATED,
ALWAYS RATED
You never lose your rating, no matter how
long it has been since you last played.
If you return to tournament play after a long
absence, please tell the director your
approximate rating and year of play.
If you rejoin USCF after many years without being a member, please provide this
information to the TD and to USCF as well.
68
uschess.org
9:45. ROUNDS: 10am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm. ADVANCE ENTRY:
Please, write checks to: DonTiffin, 128 Palm Ave., Modesto, CA 95350. Phone
(209 524-2901) E-Mail: [email protected].
sections by rating. EF: $20 if received by 7-2, $25 door. $$ 40-20-10 each section. Reg.: 9:30-10:15 a.m. Rds.: 10:30-1:30-4:30. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery,
835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles, CA 90038, online at www.westernchess.com.
June 27, BayAreaChess
July 16-19, 17-19 or 18-19, 14th annual Pacific Coast Open
San Jose, CA. Swiss in 2 sections u1800, 1800+. 4SSxG/60. EF: Swiss $44.
Prizes: $1,000 b/44. BayAreaChess is #1 USCF affiliate in rated games west
of Texas! More info at bayareachess.com/events. Online entry at:
bayareachess.com/my. Email to: [email protected].
See Grand Prix.
District of Columbia
Colorado
May 16-17, D.C. Class Championships
May 27, May 2009 G/29 Grand Prix Event (QC)
See Grand Prix.
July 4, 6th Pacifica Chess Open
3-SS G/29. University Memorial Center, Alferd Packer Grill (1st floor), CU
Campus, Boulder, CO. EF: $3. Prizes 60% of entries, rest after rating fees will
go towards G/29 Grand Prix fund. Regis starts at 6:30. Rounds: 7, 8, 9. Entries:
Klaus Johnson. Email: [email protected]. Not a USCF GP Event.
June 6, 20th Annual DC Action Championship
5 rounds, G/30. 1125Terra Nova Blvd., Pacifica, CA 94044. Contact: John Galpin,
[email protected] or website: atcc.us/Index.htm for additional details.
July 16-19, 17-19 or 18-19, 13th annual Pacific Coast Open (Southern CA)
See Grand Prix.
Aug. 21-23 or 22-23, Central California Open
See Grand Prix.
California Southern
LA CHESS CLUB * www.LaChessClub.com
Fridays: 8 PM-10 PM (Blitz Tournament) Saturdays:
10AM-10 PM (Class& 2 Tournaments) Sundays: 12
PM-6 PM (Tournament) Tuesdays: 7:30 PM-9:30 PM
(Intermediate/Advanced Lecture) 11514 Santa Monica
Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 * (310) 795-5710 (4 blocks
West of 405, Santa Monica& Butler * Second Floor)
Private (1:1) Lessons * Group Classes * Tournaments.
May 15, 22, 29, LACC Friday Nite Blitz (QC)
5SS, G/5 (10 Games). LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks
W 405. EF: $10. Q-rated. Reg.: 7:30-8. Rds.: 8-8:30-9-9:30,10. 2 Free Parking
lots SW of S Monica/ Purdue; or underground ($3). Prizes: 1/2 EF. Inf: (310)
795-5710 or www.LaChessClub.com.
Connecticut
UCONN Chess Club
Tues. & Thurs 7:30PM. Castleman Building, Room 204,
261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Contact: TOM
HARTMAYER. Contact Phone: 860-989-5394. Email:
[email protected]. Web Site: www.uconnchess.
uconn.edu. No dues required. Casual Play, USCF Rated
Events, Blitz Events, League Play, Matches, Club Championships, Sets & Clocks Available, Chess Items for
Sale, Classes, Lectures, Simuls, Under Age 18 & Beginners Welcome, Handicap Accessible. As location may
change, please check website or call contact phone #.
May 16, 2nd Saturday Open
See Grand Prix.
June 13, 8th Annual New Yorker June Open (NY)
See Grand Prix.
June 13-14 or 14, 14th Annual New York Junior Championship (NY)
See New York.
May 16, 23, 30, LACC LA Masters
June 27-28, World Open Girls Championship (PA)
4SS, G/30 LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks W 405.
EF: $30 ($20 LACC memb). Reg.: 5:30-6. Rds.: 6, 7, 8, 9. Prizes: 75% EF. 2 Free
lots SW of S Monica/Purdue; or underground ($3). Inf: (310) 795-5710 or
www.LaChessClub.com.
See Pennsylvania.
May 16, 23, 30, LACC Saturday Open
4SS, G/30 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks W 405. EF: $20
($15 LACC memb). Reg.: 11:30-12. Rds.: 12, 1, 2, 3. Prizes: 1/2 EF. 2 Free lots
SW of S. Monica/ Purdue; or underground ($3). Inf: (310) 795-5710 or
www.LaChessClub.com.
May 17, LACC April Scholastics I & II
EF: $25 ($20 LACC memb). Reg.: 1:30-2. Rds.: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Prizes: Trophies,
Medals, special prizes (every player wins a prize!). Free parking on streets. Inf:
(310) 795-5710 or www.LaChessClub.com.
May 17, 24, 31, LACC Sunday Open
EF: $20 ($15 LACC memb). Reg.: 11:30-12. Rds.: 12, 2, 4. Prizes: 1/2 EF. Free
parking on streets. Inf: (310) 795-5710 or www.LaChessClub.com.
May 23-25, 2009 Lina Grumette Memorial Day Classic
See Grand Prix.
May 24, MDC Scholastics
5-SS, G/30. LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. Open
to gr. 12-below. In two sections: Open: Trophies to top 5, top 3 U1200, top 2
Unrated. Grade 6/below U1000: Trophies to top 5, top 3 U700, top 2 Unrated.
Reg.: 8:30-9:15. Rds.: 9:30-11-12:15-1:45-3. EF: $16 if received by 5-22, $20
door. Inf: John Hillery, [email protected]. On-line ent: www.western
chess.com. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles CA
90038.
July 24-26 or 25-26, 14th Annual Bradley Open
See Grand Prix.
July 31-Aug. 2 or Aug. 1-2, 20th annual Vermont Resort Open (VT)
See Grand Prix.
Aug. 7-9 or 8-9, 15th Annual Northeast Open
See Grand Prix.
Delaware
May 23, 4th Sat. of the Month Quad
Howard Johnson’s Hotel, 1119 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19713. Perfect
score = FREE next quad!! (Every 10th quad free!) (time controls:40/75, s/d
30): EF: $20. $$GTD: $40. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rds.: 9:45, 1:45, 5:30. ENT: Kevin Pytel
604 N. Walnut St. Newport DE 19804-2624 302-753-6877 [email protected].
INFO: Rick Lathem 302-299-5407. NS W.
May 30, 2009 Delaware Series Challenge Event #4
Bear Library, 101 Governors Place, Bear, DE 19701. In 2 Sections, Open: 5SS,
G/29, $$: $50-30. Under 1000: 5SS, G/29, $$: $40-20. ALL: EF: $15. Memb.
Req’d: DCA $10($5 jr). OSA. Reg.: starts at 10:05. Rds.: 10:35, 11:40, 1:20,
2:20, 3:20. INFO: David Power, [email protected]. NS NC W.
June 20-21, 2009 Delaware Capital Open
Hilton Garden Inn, 1706 N. DuPont Highway, Dover DE 19901. In 2 Sections,
Open: 5SS, G/90, $$60% Rtd: 40%-25%-15%. under 2000 10% under 1800 10%.
Under 1600: 5SS, G/90, $$60% Rtd: 40%-25%-15%. under 1400- 10% under
1200 - 10%. ALL: EF: $35 before 6/13/09, $40 after. Memb. Req’d: DCA $10($5
under 18). OSA. Reg.: reg 8:45-9:45 am. Rds.: Sat 10, 2, 5:30 Sun 10, 2. Byes:
limit 1, must commit by start of round 3. ENT: Kevin Pytel, 604 N. Walnut St.
Newport, DE 19804-2624. INFO: Kevin Pytel ([email protected] 302-7536877) or Dave Power ( [email protected]). HR: ask for chess rate $89
302-674-3784. Please submit copies of all games played to the TD (scoresheets provided). NS NC. WCL JGP.
See Grand Prix.
Aug. 28-30 or 29-30, 41st annual Atlantic Open
See Grand Prix.
Florida
South Florida Chess Club
Wednesday’s 6:30-10:30pm. Rated G/90 Tournaments
and skittles. Most tournaments are 4+ rounds to with
a time control slower than G/60, those events would
qualify for WCL JGP. www.SouthFloridaChessClub.com.
Boca Raton Chess Club
Friday nights, Game 90 Tournament, one game a week for 4 weeks.
www.bocachess.com, 561-883-2917. WCL JGP.
May 16, 3rd DBCC G/50 Open
Schnebly Recreation Center, 1101 N. Atlantic Ave (A1A), Daytona Beach, FL
32118. 4SS, G50, EF: $25. $$ ($250/b12): $100-75. U1600: $50-25. Rds.: 1011:45-2-3:45. ENT: Paul B Tomaino, 575 N. Williamson Bl #116, Daytona
Beach, FL 32114. 386-239-9485. INFO: [email protected]. www.daytonabchcc.org.
NS NC W.
May 16, CFCC May QuickChess (QC)
7SS, G29 (G25 w/5 sec. delay) NOTE: New Location! Orlando Chess and Games
Center, 8751 Commodity Circle Suite 9, Orlando, FL, 32819. EF: $25 CFCC or
OCG member $20. Masters free - EF deducted from prize. $$605 b/30: 200100-80, Class B, Class C, Class D/Under $75 ea. Reg.: 9:30 AM. Rds.: 10, 11:15,
1, 2:15, 3:30, 4:45, 6. Info: (407) 629-6946 or (407)-484-4226, www.centralfl
chess.org. W, WCL JGP.
May 23, MAY OCG Open
Orlando Chess and Games Center, 4 round Swiss, game/90 minutes. EF: $30.,
members $24. PF-b/30: $175.-$110.- $75. Best U-1600, U-1400, U-1200, $65.
each. Reg.: 9:15am-9:45am. RDS.: 10am-1pm-4pm-7pm. Info: call 407-2480818, www.orlandochess.com. WCL JGP.
June 4-7, 5-7, Orlando After Memorial Open and Scholastic
See Grand Prix.
June 13, 4th DBCC G/50 Open
Schnebly Recreation Center, 1101 N. Atlantic Ave (A1A), Daytona Beach, FL
32118. 4SS, G/50, EF: $25. $$ ($250/b12): $100-75. U1600: $50-25. Rds.: 1011:45-2-3:45. ENT: Paul BTomaino, 575 N Williamson Bl #116, Daytona Beach,
FL 32114. 386-239-9485. INFO: [email protected].
June 13, June Swiss Madness (QC)
Orlando Chess and Games Center, 7SS G/29, EF: $30., members $24. PF-b/30:
$175-$125-$100-$75, Lower Half Crosstable: $75-$50. Reg : 9:15am-9:45am,
Rds.: 10-11-12:30-1:30,2:30,3:30-4:30. Info: 407-248-0818, www.orlando
chess.com.
June 27, JUNE OCG Open
Orlando Chess and Games Center, 4 round Swiss, game/90 minutes. EF: $30.,
members $24. PF-b/30: $175.-$110.- $75. Best U-1600, U-1400, U-1200, $65.
each. Reg.: 9:15am-9:45am. RDS.: 10am-1pm-4pm-7pm. Info: call 407-2480818, www.orlandochess.com. WCL JGP.
July 17-19 or 18-19, 2009 U.S. Class Championships
See Nationals.
May 25, MDC Hexes
3-SS, G/90. LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Six-player
sections by rating. EF: $20 if received by 5-22, $25 door. $$ 40-20-10 each section. Reg.: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Rds.: 10:45-2-5. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835
N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles CA 90038, online at www.westernchess.com.
May 25, Memorial Day Action Swiss
5-SS, G/30. LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045. $$500
b/40, else proportional: $150-70-40, U2100/Unr $80, U1800 $80, Under 1500
$80. EF: $20 if received by 5-22, $25 at door. Reg.: 9-10 a.m. Rds.: 10:15-11:3012:45-2:30-3:45. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles
CA 90038, online at www.westernchess.com.
May 30, San Luis Obispo County Open
South Bay Community Center, 2180 Palisades Ave, Los Osos, CA 93402. So. California State Qualifier. 4SS,G60 5 sec delay. In 2 Sections: (OPEN: EF $35; $45
at site) (RESERVE U1400/Unrated: EF $25; $30 at site) ALL: Cash only at site.
$5 discount to SCCF, SLOCC, Scholastic (Age 12 and Under). Prizes: 80% of
entries. Reg.: 9:00-9:30 at site. Rds.: 10:00 - 12:15 - 2:45 - 5:00. One 1/2 pt.
bye any round if requested with entry. ENT: Payable to San Luis Obispo Chess
Club, c/o B. McCaleb, 234 Via La Paz, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. INFO: Barbara McCaleb, 805-540-0747 bmccaleb@ calpoly.edu. DIR: Hwy 101 to Los Osos
Valley Rd; 10 miles West to Palisades Ave.
July 3-5, 49th Annual Pacific Southwest Open
See Grand Prix.
July 4, PSW Scholastics
5-SS, G/30. LAX Hilton, 5711 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. Open
to gr. 12-below. In two sections: Open: Trophies to top 5, top 3 U1200, top 2
Unrated. Grade 6/below U1000: Trophies to top 5, top 3 U700, top 2 Unrated.
Reg.: 8:30-9:15. Rds.: 9:30-11-12:15-1:45-3. EF: $16 if received by 7-2, $20
door. Inf: John Hillery, [email protected]. On-line ent:
www.westernchess.com. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los
Angeles, CA 90038.
July 5, PSW Hexes
3-SS, G/90. LAX Hilton, 5711 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Six-player
uschess.org
69
Tournament Life
July 31-Aug. 2 or Aug. 1-2, 17th Annual Southern Open
See Grand Prix.
Chess Club Friday Night Blitz (QC)
Georgia
May 16, 2009 Atlanta G/45 Championship
Indiana
4-SS, G/45. Atlanta Chess Center, 3155A East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Scottdale,
Georgia 30079. In 2 sections: Open: EF: $23. ($540 b/35): $150-90-60;
u1900, u1700, u1500, u1300 each $60. Under 1100: EF: $16 (not part of base)
Trophies to top 7. Registration: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. sharp. Rounds: 11-1-3-5.
Info: [email protected] or (404)-377-4400. Enter: Same as above:
www.atlantachessclub.com.
May 29-31 or 30-31, 40th Annual Southern Congress
See Grand Prix.
June 19-21, 2009 Castlechess Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
Illinois
North American Chess Association
Tournaments for kids and adults of all playing strength.
Creators of the electronic scoresheet, eNotate.
Monthly FIDE title tournaments (WIM, WGM, IM).
Sevan A. Muradian, FIDE Arbiter & International Organizer. www.nachess.org | [email protected] | 888.80.
CHESS.
May 22-25, 23-25 or 24-25, 18th annual Chicago Open
See Grand Prix.
June 13, 2009 U.S. Game/15 Championship (QC)
See Nationals.
June 27, Sixth Annual David Mote Memorial Open
4SS, G/75 (1st round G/60). Carpenters Local 16, 211 W. Lawrence Ave.,
Springfield, IL 62704. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: 10,12:30,3:15,6. EF: $17 by 6/24, $20
at site, $2 less for SCC members. Prizes: $$400 b/30. 140-80, 1600-1999 60,
1200-1599 50, Under 1200 40, Unrated 30. Ent/Info: David Long, 401 S. Illinois St., Springfield 62704. 217-726-2584. Information and directions at
springfieldchessclub.110mb.com. WCL JGP Rds 2, 3, 4.
July 17-19 or 18-19, 2nd annual Chicago Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
See Nationals.
See Nationals.
Nov. 20-22, 2009 National Youth Action
See Nationals.
2302 West Morris St. at the West Morris St. Free Methodist Church. Entrance
is in the back, down the stairs by the office. When: Starts Every Friday except
the Fri before the second Sat doors open at 6:00 P.M. tournament starts at 6:30
P.M. Type: 3 Rounds, Game/5, Round Robin Quad, U.S.C.F. Rated. EF: $7.00 if
received one week before tournament starting date, $8.00 at the door. Prizes:
Based on 4 full Pd. entries per quad, First in each quad: $20.00, Second in each
quad: chess merchandise. Send advance entries to: Donald Urquhart, 501
N. East St. #802, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1629. For more info: call Don at (317)
634-6259 or e-mail [email protected].
FREE ENTRY: Quad Quick Chess Tournament (QC) Fri. before the second Sat. of the Month
G/15, U.S.C.F. rated. Located at 2302 West Morris St. at the West Morris St.
Free Methodist Church in the Ellis Hall Room. Entrance in back, down stairs,
by office. Late Ent. 6-6:25pm. Rd 1, 6:30pm. Prizes: First in each quad gets
choice of 50% off entry fee for Sat. Monthly a $15.00 value certificate, or chess
merchandise. A cash buyback option is available on the certificate, call for details.
Second gets the prize not chosen by First EF: Free. Adv. ENT: Donald Urquhart,
501 N. East St. # 802, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1629. Info: call Don at 317-6346259 or e-mail [email protected]. A ORANGE CRUSH EVENT.
Every SECOND Sat. of the Month. OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT
5 Round, G/61, U.S.C.F. rated. 2302 West Morris St. at the West Morris St. Free
Methodist Church in the Ellis Hall Room. Entrance in back, down stairs, by office.
Late Ent. 8-9am, Rd 1, 9:30am. Prizes: $465.00 b/o 20 full pd. Ent. 1st $150;
2nd $75; Class A, B, C, (D, E, Unr) $60 each. Prizes increased if entries allow.
EF: $25 if rec’d one week before tournament date, $30 at door, $5.00 discount
for your birthday month, FIDE Titled Players Free. + Free Snack Bar Adv. ENT:
Donald Urquhart, 501 N. East St. # 802, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1629. Info: call
Don at 317-634-6259 or e-mail [email protected]. Note: there must be at
least 3 entries in a class for that class prize to be awarded. If two adjoining
class prizes are vacant, a combo prize will be awarded. News Flash!!! OCCC
Has won the bid for 09 US Open. All Sat Monthly’s will offer Orange Points
that may be used for FREE ENTRY to US Open in 09. WCL JGP.
May 16, ISCA 428 Tourneys
3SS, game/90, Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 2930 Waterfront Pkwy., West
Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46214. 400 point rating margins/section. EF: $28 rcvd by
5-12, $35 at site. Bottom player in each section if outside the margin plays at
half price. $$b/8: Quad 1st $60, if 5-8 players - 1st $80, 2nd $40. Reg.: 9:4510:45. Rds.: 11, 2:30, 6. ENT: ISCA, P.O. Box 114, Logansport, IN 46947. INFO:
Gary Fox 574-722-4965 [email protected]. www.indianachess.org.
May 18, Indianapolis Youth Open (QC)
4SS, G/12, Our Lady of Lourdes School Cafeteria, 30 South Downey Avenue,
Indianapolis, IN 46219. Open to Age 18 and Under. EF: $5 onsite, $4 in
advance. Unr: Free. Prizes: Trophies for 1st-3rd. Reg.: Anytime between
3:05pm and 3:55pm. Rds.: 4p, 4:30p, 5p, 5:30p. Clocks and boards provided.
ENT: www.ollchessclub.org. INFO: Kieron Mitchell, 317-430-5254. info@ollchess
club. org. NS NC.
May 22-25, 23-25 or 24-25, 18th annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
Aug. 1-4, World Chess Live Tournament of College Champions
See Nationals.
Aug. 1-9, 4-9 or 6-9, 110th annual U.S. Open
See Nationals.
Iowa
May 23, 2009 Iowa Class Championship
G/75 with 5 second delay. Prizes: based on 40, 1st place for each class, $75
plus Trophy. Holiday Inn, 1050 Sixth Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50314. Minimum
of 6 players per class (classes may be combined if less than 6 players).
Classes: Expert/Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E. Memberships
required: USCF and IASCA or OSA. Registration: 8:30-9:15. Rounds: 9:30,
12:30, 3:30, 7:00. Entry: $20 if received by 5-21-09. $30 at site (make check
payable to Bill Broich). Contact: Bill Broich Phone 515-205-8062 or E-mail
[email protected]. Send entry fees to Bill Broich 7149 Wilshire Blvd.,
Windsor Heights, Iowa, 50322. WCL JGP.
July 17-19 or 18-19, 2nd annual Chicago Class Championships (IL)
See Grand Prix.
Kansas
July 10-12, 2009 Kansas Open
See Grand Prix.
Kentucky
June 6-7, The Kentucky Open
See Grand Prix.
Louisiana
May 23-24, Louisiana Open
5 SS, Rds: 1-3 G/90, Rds: 4,5 G/110. Reg.: Sat 8:45-9:30 am. ROUNDS: Sat
9:45, 1:15, 5:15, Sunday 10, 3. BYES: 1 bye % pt all rounds but last. EF:
$75.00. Rtd 70% 1st 200, 2nd 150, MXA 1st 200, 2d 150, B 1st 200, 2d 150, C
1st 200, 2d 150, D 1st 200, 2d 150, E and below UNR 1 st 200, 2d 150 (UNR
$100 max). 3 persons in each class or combined. Checks made payable to:
Lafayette Chess Club. Contact: James MacManus (317) 234·1720. WCL JGP.
Maryland
Silver Knights Chess Tournaments
We organize USCF-rated tournaments on Saturdays
for adults and kids. Free analysis by a National Master
at every tournament for the scholastic players. Trophies to top scholastic finishers; 70% of entries returned
as prizes in open (adult) sections. To see a list of dates
and locations, see our website at www.silverknights
chess.com. Phone: 610-446-0818. Email: chess@silver
knightschess.com.
May 22, June 5, Catonsville Friday Knight Quick #81, #82 (QC)
5SS, G/15, Catonsville Chess Club, Bloomsbury Community Center, 106 Bloomsbury Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228. EF: $5.00 Reg.: 7:30pm. Rds.: 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30,
10. Prizes based on entries with 65% returned in prize fund. Info: Joe Summers [email protected] or 410-788-1009. www.geocities.com/catonsville
chess. Dir: 695 to exit 13 West, left at second light, 3 blocks on right.
June 7, Catonsville First Sunday Tornado
4SS, G/61, EF: $20, club members $17, under 17 $15. Rds.: 10:30-1:00-3:155:30. Reg.: 9:45am. Bloomsbury Community Center, Room 118, 106 Bloomsbury
Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228. $$b/24 $100-$50 U1800 $40 U1400 $40, more per
entries. Bye 1-3. Info: [email protected] 410-788-1009. www.geocities.
com/catonsvillechess. Ent: Joe Summers, 1201 Daniels Ave, Baltimore, MD
21207. Include USCF ID. Checks payable to Joe Summers. WCL JGP.
June 19-21 or 20-21, Chesapeake Open
See Grand Prix.
June 20-21, 2009 Delaware Capital Open (DE)
See Delaware.
rb
Supe
ities!
Facil ing
Board ptions
uter o
or commailable
av
See Pennsylvania.
ELECTION
All age 16/over may vote. Ballot will be in June Chess Life.
To view or participate in discussion of election issues,
register for the USCF Issues
Forum at www.uschess.org/
forums
70
uschess.org
urday. RD Times: Sat. 10AM/3:30PM/Sun 10AM/3:30PM. Prizes: 90% of
entry fees. For example: $720 based on 16 players. 1st 50% 2nd 30% 3rd 20%.
1st $360 2nd $216 3rd $144. Memb: USCF and KCCA. Ken 816-835-7529/email [email protected].
See Grand Prix.
Mississippi
Massachusetts
June 20, 2009 Annual Southern Mississippi Open & Scholastic
Chess Championship
May 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12, 19, 26 Billerica Friday Swiss Club
Championship
The Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls Club of Kosciusko/Attala County, 500 Knox Rd.,
Kosciusko, MS. Adult: 4SS G/60 EF: $35.00 by 6/13 $50.00 on site. Reg. 8:30
A.M. 1st Rd. 9:30 A.M. Sect. Open, U1500, Prize fund $250.00 ea. sect. 10 entries
min. Scholastic: 5SS G/30 EF: $15.00 by 6/13, $20.00 on site. Reg. 9:30 A.M.
Prizes Trophies & Medallions. Info: David Newell (662) 289-3953,
[email protected]. EF Mail to: The Boys & Girls Club of Kosciusko/Attala
County, P.O. Box 187, Kosicusko, MS 39090.
June 13, Emanuel Lasker Open
Missouri
June 20, 2009 CCSCSL Super Team Championship
Aug. 28-30 or 29-30, 41st annual Atlantic Open (DC)
6 Rds. 40/90, SD/30. Billerica COA, 25 Concord Rd, Billerica, MA. EF: $16. Reg.:
7:30pm. Cash prizes minimal b/entries. For info, call Brad Ryan, (978) 369-8533.
NS, NC. WCL JGP.
May 16, May Madness Plus Score
4-SS, Game/65; Holyoke Public Library, 355 Maple St., Holyoke, MA 01040. PRIZE
FUND: $$ Based on Score! 4.0 points = $100, 3.5 points = $50, 3.0 points =
$25, 2.5 points = $10 $$ Based on 30 adv. ent. EF: $30, by 5/11/09; at site:
$35. W.M.C.A. MEMBER DISCOUNTS: $2 off. Reg.: 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM. Rds.:
9:30 AM, 11:45 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:15 PM. Adv. ent to: Frank Kolasinski, 119
Brunswick St., Springfield MA 01108 Questions? Call Frank at 413-391-0860
or e-mail: [email protected]. WMCA website: www.WesternMassa
chusettsChessAssociation.org. WCJ JGP.
Friday Action Quads - Every Friday Night (QC)
3RR, G/29 QR, Chess Club & Scholastic Center, 4657 Maryland Ave., St. Louis
MO 63108. EF: $10. Prize fund $36 first in each quad. Club membership req’d.
available from $1. Reg.: 6:30 - 6:45. Rounds begin at 7:00. Site entries only.
Info: 314-361-CHESS [email protected].
May 23-25, 78th Massachusetts Open
Saint Louis Blitz Series - Every Tuesday night (QC)
See Grand Prix.
5SS, G/5 QR, Chess Club & Scholastic Center, 4657 Maryland Ave., St. Louis,
MO 63108. EF: $5. Prize fund 100% payout! First overall will take home 75%
of all entry fees, and the highest scoring player in the bottom half takes 25%.
Club membership req’d. available from $1. Reg.: 6:30 - 7. Rds.: 7, 7:15, 7:30,
7:45, 8. Site entries only. Info: 314-361-CHESS. [email protected].
May 30, WMCA Spring Scholastic Chess Festival
5-SS, G/40. Jabish Brook Middle School Cafeteria, 62 North Washington St.,
Belchertown, MA. FIVE sections- grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, AND an UNR,
Open Section. EF: $10.00 by 5/25/09; $15.00 at site. UNR/Open Section is
Free Entry Fee! Trophies to top 3 teams and individuals in each section, PLUS
“strength-appropriate” chess books and software (to top 3 individuals in each
section)! Free pizza served at lunchtime. Reg.: 8:15 AM-9:20 AM. Rds.: 1st 9:30
AM, 2nd 10:45 AM, Lunch @ 11:45 AM (Free Pizza), Lecture by George Mirijanian from the hit TV show “Chess Chat” @ 12:15 PM; 3rd 1:00 PM, 4th
2:15 PM and 5th 3:30 PM Adv. ent. to: Frank Kolasinski, 119 Brunswick St.,
Springfield MA 01108 Questions? Call Frank at 413-391-0860 or e-mail: [email protected]. WMCA website: www.WesternMassachusettsChess
Association.org.
July 24-26 or 25-26, 14th Annual Bradley Open (CT)
May 23-24, Show Me Classic
See Grand Prix.
May 30, The Greater Kansas City Open
4-SS, G/60 Noland Road Baptist Church, 4505 S Noland Rd., Independence, MO
64055. EF: $20 $$ 4-0=$80, 3.5=$40, 3=20, 2.5=10. Reg.: 8:30-9:30.
Rounds: 10, 12:15, 2:30, 4:45. NS NC USCF required, MCA required of MO residents. All site fees cash only. Advance entries: Bob Holliman, PO Box 1871,
Indep., MO 64055. Phone: 816-836-0568. Top finisher not otherwise seeded is
invited to state championship!
3SS, G/75. UMC Memorial Union room N208, 518 Hitt St., Columbia, MO.
Directions: From I-70 exit 126, south on Providence, east on Rollins, north on
Hitt. Reg.: 9:30-10:15. Rds.: 10:30, 1:15, 4:00. EF: $1, no prizes — just the
satisfaction of playing well. Info: Charles Ward, 573-443-6685, czar8196@ tranquility.net. W.
4SS, G/60, Chess Club & Scholastic Center, 4657 Maryland Ave., St. Louis, MO
63108. EF: $75 for 3 person team, $60 for 3 person team that are all annual
members of club. MCA Membership Req’d from $5. OSA. PF (b/15 teams): $900:
Championship Team: $500. $400 1st place team with aggregate rating below
4800. Trophy to top teams in each section. An unrated player will be considered 1100. No alternates. Reg: 9:30-10:20. Rds: 10:30, 12:45, 3:00, 5:00. No
1/2 point byes allowed. Ent: 4657 Maryland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108. 314-361CHESS, [email protected].
June 27-28, Missouri Class Championship
MO Invitational Qualifier. 5SS, G/120; Best Western Inn, 3100 I-70 Dr SE, Columbia, MO 65201; Prizes: b/7 per class: $100-1st, $50-2nd, each: M/X, A, B, C,
D, E, U1000/Unr; Missouri State Championship Plaque to winner of each section! M/X winner receives Invitation to the Missouri Invitational. Players play
only those in their own Class. (Small sections may be combined. Combined section use prize pairing in last round) Reg.: 8:30-9:30; Round times:
Sat-10-2:30-7, Sun-9:30-2. EF: $30 if marked by 6/20, $35 at site. Site entries
cash only. Max 1 half bye; MCA required, O.S.A., available on site from $5. Hotel
Rate: $69/night, Free breakfast & Free Wi-Fi w/ hotel room 573-474-6161, mention CHESS. Entries/Info: Bob Howe, 4403 Gage Pl., Columbia, MO 65203. (636)
234.7928. WCL JGP.
See Grand Prix.
June 3, June Knights
See Grand Prix.
Aug. 7-9 or 8-9, 15th Annual Northeast Open (CT)
Nevada
Michigan
4SS, G/90 Reg. Wednesday, June 3rd, 6:00 - 6:45pm. Rounds (one per week)
7pm 6/3, 10, 17, 24. Check in with TD by 6:45 to be paired each week/round.
No advanced entries. EF: $10. Prize fund is 90% payout, with 1st place getting
1/3 of the total prize fund and first A, B, C, D, E and U1000/unrated each take
1/9 of the prize fund. One 1/2 point bye if declared by round 1. Annual club
memb. req’d. MCA memb. req’d from $5 OSA. Info: 314-361-CHESS.
[email protected]. WCL JGP.
June 5-7, 2009 Universal Spring Swiss
June 6-7, Play for Blood and Money Ken Fee Knockout
See Grand Prix.
Aug. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, 39th annual Continental Open
See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
Minnesota
See Grand Prix.
The Kansas City Chess Club, 7667 NW Prairie View Rd., Suite 201, Kansas City,
MO 64151. Reg: Online @ www.kansascitychessclub.com or Sat. 9:30AM
onsite. 8 Rounds Knockout G55 with 5 second time delay. EF: $50 Play 2
games each round. Winners move to next round. Tiebreak #1: One 15 0 Quick
Game. Tiebreak #2: 5 0 Blitz Games. All players guaranteed 4 games on Sat-
June 4, 2009 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC)
See Nationals.
June 5, National Open Scholastic Trophy Tournament
5-SS Game/30. South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South,
Las Vegas, NV 89183. Open to players Uage 20. In 3 sections. U1800, U1200,
and U800. Unrateds in the U1200 section and all players in the U800 section
must be under age 12.Trophies to top 4 in each section, top 1 in each 200 point
rating group and unrated. EF $29 by 5/19, $35 by 6/3, $40 on site. REG 9-9:45
a.m. RDS 10-11:15-12:30-1:45-3. HR: $65 (not $75) single or double ($95 Friday and Saturday nights). 1-866-791-7626 or (702) 796-7111. ENT: Las Vegas
ACTIVITY MEANS MEMBERS
Free 8-Line Tournament Life Announcements!
Adult Dues Options! >>
New Free TLA Categories Added!
RUN AN ADDITIONAL TOURNAMENT THIS SUMMER!
Each affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of up to 8
lines and up to 2 issues of Chess Life, for any tournament
between July and September 2009, if no TLA for such an
event appeared in 2008, and the TLA is e-mailed by the
appropriate deadline. The 8 free lines cannot be applied
to longer TLAs.
SPECIAL CATEGORIES QUALIFY FOR FREE TLAS! Each
affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of up to 8 lines
for events in the following categories, if submitted by
e-mail. The free lines cannot be applied to longer TLAs:
NEW CATEGORY! SENIOR. For age 50 or above, or a
higher minimum age.
RBO. Open to Under 1200/Unr or Under 1000/Unr.Tournament name must include “Rated Beginners Open” or “RBO.”
BLITZ. Time control of Game/5. TLAs such as “USCFrated Blitz every Friday 7 pm” are accepted.
COLLEGIATE. A tournament limited to college students.
JUNIOR. For age 20/below (age 20 must be eligible).
NON-SCHOLASTIC WITH SCHOLASTIC. A tournament
for all ages held concurrent (same location) with a scholastic tournament that in its previous year drew at least 50
players. We encourage organizers of scholastics to hold
open or collegiate events on the side.
NEW CATEGORY! UNRATEDS FREE. Any tournament
that offers free entry to unrated players. If your prizes
are based on entries, say “paid entries.”
SPECIAL RATES FOR CLUB ADS. Up to 5 lines $180 per
year, $100 for 6 months for unchanged club ads in the TLA
section. Announce meeting dates & times, activities, contact info, etc.
USCF BOOSTER TOURNAMENT. A tournament that offers
at least two USCF membership renewal prizes, or a quad
that offers at least one per section.
USCF DISCUSSION GROUPS. See www.uschess.org/
forums for four groups: Tournament Organization, Chess
Club Organization, Tournament Direction, USCF Issues.
Ages 21-24 dues lower than
Adult dues!
The membership category once called “Youth” has been
renamed “Young Adult,” and eligibility has changed from
under 21 to under 25. Annual dues for this category
are only $32 with paper Chess Life or $24 with the
online version!
One-year membership with
Chess Life:
If purchased online at uschess.org, now only $42 for Premium Membership, which includes a copy of Chess
Life every month. Regular Memberships are available
for $29 and give online-only access to Chess Life and a
mailed TLA Newsletter (bi-monthly). (Note to affiliates: If
you collect a $49 membership, you may submit it online to
USCF for $42, in effect creating a $7 commission. If you
submit it by mail or phone the affiliate commission is $3.)
CHESS CLUB SPECIAL. A tournament playing only on
one or more weekday evenings.
uschess.org
71
Tournament Life
International Chess Festival, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925 or
www.VegasChessFestival.com. NS NC W.
June 5-7 or 6-7, 2009 National Open
See Nationals.
June 6-7, Susan Polgar World Open Championship for Girls and for
Boys
5-SS, G/45. South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South,
Las Vegas, NV 89183. In 8 sections separate for girls and boys: under19, under
15, under 11, and under 8 (as of June 7). In each section 1st place receives
a MonRoi Personal Chess Manager. $$ 200-150-100-50 in chess prizes for 2nd
thru 5th.Trophies for top 10 individuals, top 3 (3-player) school/club teams each
section, special medals for next 10 individuals and next 3 school/club teams.
Every player receives a special hand-signed certificate from Susan Polgar. Perfect score also wins a digital chess clock. Scholarships to Texas Tech will
be awarded based in part on performance in this event. EF $45 by 1/19,
$55 by 5/19, $65 by 6/3, $75 on site. Reg 4-8 p.m. Friday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday. Rds 11-1:30-4, 11-1:30. Breakfast with Susan 9 a.m. Sunday. Opening
Ceremony 10 a.m. Saturday, Awards Ceremony 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Blitz Championship 7 p.m. Saturday. Susan Polgar lecture 3:30 p.m. Friday, Puzzle Solving
Competition 5 p.m. Friday, Simul 6:15 p.m. Friday. Chess Camp 9:00 a.m.Thursday. Part of the LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL; see the
National OpenTLA for otherThursday and Friday side events. HR $65 (not $75)
single or double ($95 Fri/Sat). 1-866-791-7626 or (702) 796-7111. REG: Las
Vegas International Chess Festival, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 890090125, on line at www.VegasChessFestival.com, or by fax at (702) 933-9112. No
telephone entries. NS. W. NC.
July 16-19, 17-19 or 18-19, 13th annual Pacific Coast Open (Southern CA)
See Grand Prix.
Aug. 21-23 or 22-23, Central California Open (Northern CA)
See Grand Prix.
New Hampshire
2-3 Saturdays per month we run scholastic USCFrated tournaments throughout the Philadelphia area.
Tournament locations include Philadelphia, Mt. Laurel
(NJ), Bryn Mawr, Horsham, Collegeville, and more.
Tournaments are open to grades K-12. Free game analysis by a National or International Master at each
tournament. We have players of all skill levels compete
in our tournaments, from brand-new kindergarteners up
through some of the highest-rated scholastic players in
the state. To see a list of dates and locations, see our website at www.silverknightschess.com. Phone: 610-4460818. Email: [email protected].
The Newark Sleepless Knights Chess Club
Boylan Recreation Center of Newark, 916 So. Orange Ave. Newark, New Jersey 07103. Meets 1st and 2nd Saturdays of every months from 2-6pm. USCF
rated tournaments and free chess lessons available.
May 9, Princeton Day School
650 The Great Road. Plaques to top 3 school teams and top 6 in each section.
Medals to all players. Sections: NEAR and FUTURE MASTERS and CLOSED
begin 10:30 (must preregister). NEAR MASTERS G/75, 3 rounds (Players K12 over 1400) FUTURE MASTERS: G/60, 3 rounds (Players K-12 over 1200),
CLOSED: G/45 (K-12 1000-1200) 4 rds. ALL OTHER SECTIONS. 4 Rds.: 1, 2,
3, 4pm. (times will be accelerated if possible) G/30: OPEN (Players K-12 U-1000),
Reserve (K-12 U-800), Novice II (K-8 U-600), Novice I (unrated K-6), K-1
(unrated) NO SCORE K-1 (unrated). PARENTS OF PLAYERS G/30 rated, 3
rounds. Info and Register online: www.pds.org/chess. Inquires to Bonnie Waitzkin. [email protected]. Pre-registration $30 (On-site $40: 11:3012:30).
See Grand Prix.
New Jersey
Geller Quads - First Friday Every Month!
New Jersey Children’s Chess School, 862 DeGraw Ave.,
Forest Hill (Newark), NJ 07104. Open to K-8. 3 RR,
G/35. Reg.: 6PM. Rds.: 6:30-7:40-8:40PM. Chess classes
in NJCCS meet every Friday 6:30-9PM. Chess camp
“Geller Kids” meets July & August, day & overnight. Website: www.kidschesscamp.com. Email: chesscamp@hot
mail.com. Phone: 973-483-7927.
Weston Canal Road. (732) 560-9880, Fax (732) 356-7455. Trophies Galore. In
4 Sections by rating. Sections: Hot Shots: U1300, Check Mates: U900, Rising
Stars: U500 & Chess Bandits: Beginners/Unrated. Also open to U200. Details
all sections: 5-SS, G/30, Trophies to Top 10, Others get choice of chess
medallions or fun grab bag prizes. Unrated (grade K-4) may play in U500 section. Others may play in the top two Sections. Unrated may not win first prize
in rated sections. Registration: Saturday 5/23, 11am-12pm. Rounds: 12:30pm,
then ASAP with lunch break after round #2. All sections: EF: $20 if mailed
by 5/18 or paid online by 5/22 on website EntryFeesRus.com, $30 at site. Special advanced EF only Combination: Pay $50 to play in both Saturday event
and U.S. Amateur (2-day) Sunday and Monday. This special is not available at
site. One half-point byes allowed in rounds 1-4 if requested with EF. April Rating supplement used. Mail entries to: Ken Thomas, 115 West Moore Street,
Hackettstown NJ 07840-2233. Checks payable to NJSCF. Indicate section
desired and your grade level. Information: Call 908-763-6468 or acn@
goes.com. NS NC W.
May 23-25, 66th Annual U.S. Amateur Championship East
See Nationals.
May 31, 2009 Westfield Quads
3 RR game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield N.J. Prizes: $50
to first in each section. Entry Fee: $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15
p.m. Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-946-7379. www.west
fieldchessclub.com.
May 31, ATKM 4th Sunday G/60 Quads/Swiss
For info. and registration, go to www.YourChessSet.com/quads4. For more info.
E-mail Stephen at [email protected] or call 856-582-8222.
June 1 - Aug. 31, Hackettstown Summer Holland
May 16, Hamilton Chess Club Quads
3RR 40/80 15/30 15/30. Full K. Ray Dwier Recreation Center, Bldg. 392,
Groveville, NJ 08620. Quads open to all EF: $10. $25 per Quad. Reg.: 910:30/am. Rds.: 10:30/am-1:30/pm-4:30/pm NJ State Chess Federation,
no dues magazine Subscription per year, OSA NS NC W.
May 17, 2009 Westfield Quads
June 13-14, 59th New Hampshire Open
May 23, U.S. Amateur Championship - East U1300 K-8 Scholastic
fieldchessclub.com.
10-14, Prelims SS or RR, finals RR each class, TC 40/90, additional 40/60 or
Sudden Death 60, players choice. Hackettstown Comm. Center, 293 Main St.,
Hackettstown, NJ 07840. EF: $16 $12 Jrs. Winner of ea class gets double prize,
trophy or chess book. Remaining top 40% get trophy or chess book. BOOKS
selected from USCF catalog. Reg.: 7-7:30pm, (Rds.: 7:30 each Mon.) ENT: Harold
Darst, 111 W. Moore Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. (908) 852-5925. WCL JGP.
June 6, ATKM 1st Saturday Kids G/30 Swiss (K-8)
For info. and registration, go to YourChessSet.com/KidsSwiss. For more info
e-mail Stephen at [email protected] or call 856-582-8222.
June 7, 2009 Westfield Swiss #59 (QC)
May 21, ATKM 3rd Thursday Quads
3 RR G/30 t/d5, Quads are grouped by rating. All the King’s Men Chess Shop,
62 S Broadway, Pitman NJ 08071. Prizes: $25 1st per quad. Unrated cannot
win more than $10. EF: $12, $10 ATKMCC members. Unrated (i.e. players
with NO rating whatsoever, provisional or otherwise) $7, $5 ATKMCC members.
Reg.: 6:15 - 6:45 PM. Rds.: 7-8-9 pm. INFO: Stephen Dick, cs@ATKMchess
Sets.com, 856-582-8222. All: Visa/MC/Disc OK w/$1 paid surcharge. Bring a
clock!
5 Rd. game/15 full k (QC) Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield,N.J. $500
Guaranteed $125,$85,$50 under 2100,under 1850, under 1600, under 1350
$60 each Entrance fee: $35, $25. Members. Registration: 2-2:30 p.m.
Rounds: 2:45-3:25-4:05-4:45-5:30 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-946-7379.
www.westfieldchessclub.com.
June 13, 8th Annual New Yorker June Open! (NY)
See Grand Prix.
Membership Appreciation Program (MAP)
Top standings will appear every two months in Chess Life. More frequent MAP standings and details will appear at main.uschess.org/go/MAP.
Overall Affiliaate Standings
Name
State
Count
PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS
MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION
CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN
PENNSYLVANIA ST CHESS FED
MAINE ASSOC OF CHESS COACHES
RIDERWOOD CHESS CLUB
JERSEY SHORE HS CHESS LEAGUE
WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB
LONG ISLAND CHESS NUTS
GATEWAY CHESS LEAGUE
Small State Affiliate Standings
TX
MI
NY
PA
ME
MD
NJ
PA
NY
MO
507
261
174
160
152
145
141
130
118
111
Name
State
Count
METRO CHESS
NEW HAMPSHIRE CHESS ASSN
NEW MEXICO SCHOL CHESS ORG
AIRLINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
WELLS MEMORIAL SCHOOL
SIOUX EMPIRE CHESS FOUNDATION
MESA CHESS CLUB
COASTAL MAINE SCHOLASTIC CHESS
NEBRASKA ST CHESS ASSOC
Regular Prize
es
ME
DC
NH
NM
ME
NH
SD
NM
ME
NE
152
47
24
23
19
18
16
13
12
12
Name
State
Count
CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN
JERSEY SHORE HS CHESS LEAGUE
NEW JERSEY ST CHESS FED
MINNESOTA ST CHESS ASSN
HAMILTON ELEM SCH CHESS CLUB
PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS
CHESS CENTER OF NEW YORK
KENTUCKIANA CHESS ORGANIZATION
NY
NJ
PA
ME
NJ
MN
MI
TX
NY
IN
154
141
77
76
57
56
51
43
37
35
72
Sc
cholastic
c Prizzes
Name
State
Count
PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS
MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION
RIDERWOOD CHESS CLUB
WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB
LONG ISLAND CHESS NUTS
SILVER KNIGHTS
CAJUN CHESS
GATEWAY CHESS LEAGUE
Member Standings
TX
MI
MD
PA
NY
PA
LA
MO
PA
ME
464
227
134
123
110
97
88
84
83
76
Name
State
Count
CHRISMER, GARIE L
NAVARRO, DANIEL A
MCDONALD, THOMAS D
MCPHERSON, MARK FLETCHER
DIXON, MARK A
CLARK, MIKE
ELLIOTT, CAROL MAXHEIMER
RYAN, BEN J
ABRAHAMS, STEVEN
BARRETT, DAVID CHRISTOPHER
TX
TX
TX
GA
TX
MO
IA
NE
NC
TX
20
14
13
10
9
9
9
8
8
6
PC
CT Gain Standing
gs
State
Dec08
LA
603
ME 484
MS 277
MN 1020
SD 227
Mar09
711
566
321
1154
254
Pct
17.9
16.9
15.9
13.1
11.9
State
Dec08
NV 810
SC 527
RI
298
TN 1597
MT
76
Mar09
899
574
324
1719
81
Pct
11.0
8.9
8.7
7.6
6.6
uschess.org
June 13, Garden State Scholastic
July 4, World Open G/10 Championship (QC) (PA)
May 16, H. Mc Carthy Gipson Grand Prix 2009
Prevention First, 1405 Route 35, Ocean, NJ 07712. Primary: open to K-3: 4
SS, G/30.Trophies to 1st-5th place; Medals to all others. Scholastic Swiss: open
to K-12; 4 SS, G/30. Scholastic Quads: open to K-12 G/60 Quads. Trophies
to 1st and 2nd each quad. All EF: $15 if rec’d by 6/6, $20 on site. Reg.: 9-9:45
am. Rds.: 10 and ASAP. Info: Hal Sprechman, 732 259-3881, [email protected]. Ent: Please make checks payable to Character
Kings and send to Hal Sprechman, P.O Box 1511, Jackson, NJ 08527. Please
indicate section.
See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
July 5, World Open Blitz Championship (QC) (PA)
May 16, Marshall CC Saturday G/60
See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24)
$120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request with
entry.
July 31-Aug. 2 or Aug. 1-2, 20th annual Vermont Resort Open (VT)
May 17, Binghamton Monthly Tourney
June 13-14 or 14, 14th Annual New York Junior Championship (NY)
See Grand Prix.
See New York.
Aug. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, 39th annual Continental Open (MA)
June 14, 2009 Westfield Quads
See Grand Prix.
fieldchessclub.com.
Sept. 5, New Jersey U1300 K-8 State Championship
June 18, ATKM 3rd Thursday Quads
3 RR G/30 t/d5, Quads are grouped by rating. All the King’s Men Chess Shop,
62 S Broadway, Pitman NJ 08071. Prizes: $25 1st per quad. Unrated cannot
win more than $10. EF: $12, $10 ATKMCC members. Unrated (i.e. players
with NO rating whatsoever, provisional or otherwise) $7, $5 ATKMCC members.
Reg.: 6:15 - 6:45 PM. Rds.: 7-8-9 pm. INFO: Stephen Dick, cs@ATKMchess
Sets.com, 856-582-8222. All: Visa/MC/Disc OK w/$1 paid surcharge. Bring a
clock!
See Delaware.
June 25-29, 3rd annual Philadelphia International (PA)
Weston Canal Road. (732) 560-9880, Fax (732) 356-7455. In three rated & one
unrated Section. Hot Shots: U1300, Check Mates: U900 & Rising Stars: U500
& Chess Bandits: Unrated/Beginner event. (note-U200 may play in) All Sections: 5-SS, G/30, G$$ 100 to winner each section plusTrophies toTop 10, Others
get choice of chess medallions or grab bag prizes. Registration: Saturday 9/05,
11am-12pm. Rounds: 12:30pm, then ASAP with lunch break after round #2.
EF: $25 if mailed by 9/1 or paid online by 9/4 on website EntryFeesRus.com,
$35 at site. Early EF: Special Combined EF: Pay $69 for both Saturday K-8
and NJ Open (2-day) Sunday and Monday. Not available at site. Half-point bye
allowed in rounds 1-4 if requested with EF. August Rating supplement used. Mail
entries to: KenThomas, 115 West Moore Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840-2233.
Checks payable to NJSCF. Indicate section desired and your grade level. Information: Call 908-763-6468 or [email protected]. NS NC W.
See Grand Prix.
Sept. 5-7 or 6-7, 2009 New Jersey State Championship
June 26-28, World Open Senior Amateur (PA)
See Grand Prix.
See Pennsylvania.
New Mexico
June 27-28, Albuquerque/Rio Rancho Open
See Pennsylvania.
June 27-28, World Open Under 13 Championship (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
June 28, 2009 Westfield Quads
fieldchessclub.com.
5/SS G/90. Meadowlark Lane Senior Center, 4330 Meadowlark Lane SE, Rio
Rancho, NM. Co-sponsored by The Meadowlark Chess Group and the New
Mexico Chess Organization. W. Prize fund $1,000 b/80. Sections: Open, EF
$35, U1800, EF $30; U1400, EF $25; If Rated U1100 & playing in U1400 EF $15.
Prize to best U1100. Rds.: 9-1-4:30. 9-1. Reg.: Sat. 8-8:30 A.M. $10 addit. $5
Family discount after one full-price entry. 1/2 pt bye (one max) requested before
Rd 1. Ent: must be received by 6/25.checks payable to NMCO, P.O. Box 4215,
Albuquerque, NM 87196. Entry form, directions, map & motel info: nmchess.org.
WCL JGP.
4 Round SS, Game/60, REG.: 8:45 to 9:00 AM. ENTRY: $35. Cash only at site.
(Checks payable to: Cordisco’s Corner Store) ROUNDS: 9:15-11:45-2:15-4:30.
PRIZES: 1st $175 -2nd $75 -3rd $30. Trophies 1st - 3rd. Under 1700 1st $40 2nd $20.Trophies 1st - 3rd. Guaranteed. Please bring clocks. Cordisco’s Chess
Center, 308 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901. (607) 772-8782. jcordisco@
stny.rr.com.
May 17, Grandmaster Challenge (QC)
See Grand Prix.
May 17, P.S. 158 Scholastic Chess Championships X
4-SS, G/30. 1458 YORK AVE. BETWEEN E. 77-78 ST. NYC. 4 SECTIONS. K-1
(grades K-1 only) U1000. PRIMARY (grades 5/below) U1100. UNRATED
NOVICE (grades 2-5 only) U500. OPEN (grades 12/below). AWARDS: Trophies to top 15 in each section.Top U300 K-1, U400 Novice, U600 Primary, U800
Open. Special Prizes: Engraved digital chess clocks toTop Player in each section, all 4-0 scores &Top Unrated in Open Section. Engraved plaque to top UNR
player in each section. High Scorer trophy to all who score 2 and do not get
into top 15. Engraved medals to all others. Team Prizes:Trophies to top 4 teams
in each section. Engraved digital chess clock toTopTeam in each section. (Team
score created by adding top 4 scores from same school). EARLY EF: $39 if
received (postmarked by May 11). LATE EF: $45 Phoned, faxed or online
thereafter until May 15, 7pm. Onsite EF: $55. Reg. 9-9:30. Rds: All 10-11:3012:45-2. Late entrants may not be paired for the first round. Mail Entries: and
make check payable to Tri-State Chess, 1675 York Ave. #2M, N.Y. N.Y. 10128
Phone: (718) 645-5896 Fax: (718) 535-7896 Online Entry: www.TriState
Chess.com.
May 19, St. John’s Masters at the Marshall Chess Club
See Grand Prix.
May 21, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
For info. and registration, go to www.YourChessSet.com/quads4. For more info.
E-mail Stephen at [email protected] or call 856-582-8222.
New York
4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-10050, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:159:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
10 min. before game.
July 1-5, 2-5, 3-5 or June 29-July 5, 37th Annual World Open (PA)
May 15-17 or 16-17, 17th annual New York State Open
See Grand Prix.
May 23, Prove Your Point!
See Grand Prix.
June 28, ATKM 4th Sunday G/60 Quads/Swiss
3-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-477-
CHECK OUT USCF’S CORRESPONDENCE CHESS RATED EVENTS
USCF’s 62st ANNUAL
2009 Open Correspondence Chess
Golden Knights Championship
$1,000 First Prize
(plus title of USCF’s Golden Knights Champion and plaque)
• 2nd place $600 • 3rd place $400 • 4th place $300 • 5th place
$200 • 6th thru 10th place $100 each. Entry fee: $25.
The entry deadline is November 30, 2009.
These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF
members who reside on the North American continent, islands, or Hawaii,
as well as those USCF members with an APO or FPO address. USCF
members who reside outside of the North American continent are welcome
to participate in e mail events. Your USCF membership must remain
current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S.
dollars. Those new to USCF Correspondence Chess, please estimate your
strength: Class A: 1800 1999 (very strong); Class B: 1600 1799 (strong);
Class C: 1400 1599 (intermediate); Class D: 1399 and below (beginner level).
Note: Prize fund based on 300 entries and may be decreased proportion
ately per number of entries assigned.
Correspondence Chess Matches (two players)
• $5 entry fee per person with two, four or sixgame options.
Win A Correspondence Chess Trophy
• Four-player, double round-robin with class-level
pairings. • 1st-place winner receives a trophy.
• Entry fee: $10.
Victor Palciauskas Prize Tournaments
• Seven-player class-level pairings, one game with
each of six opponents. • Players must have a USCF
CC rating to enter. • 1st-place winner receives
$130 cash prize and a certificate signed by Victor
Palciauskas.
• Entry fee: $25.
John W. Collins Memorial Class Tournaments
• Four-player, double round-robin with class-level
pairings (unrateds welcome). • 1st-place winner
receives a John W. Collins certificate.
• Entry fee: $7.
uschess.org
USCF’s 6th ANNUAL
2009 E-mail Correspondence Chess
Electronic Knights Championship
(Seven player sections, one game with each of six opponents.)
$700 First Prize
(plus title of USCF’s Electronic Knights Champion and plaque)
• 2nd place $400 • 3rd place $300 • 4th thru 10th place $100
each. Entry fee: $25.
The entry deadline is November 30, 2009.
These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF
members with e mail access. Your USCF membership must remain
current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S.
dollars.
Maximum number of tournament entries allowed for the year for each
player is ten.
Note: Prize fund based on 200 entries and may be decreased propor
tionately per number of entries assigned.
E-mail Rated Events (need e-mail access):
Lightning Match • Two players with two, four or
six-game option. • Entry fee $5 per person.
Swift Quads • Four-player, double round-robin
format. • 1st-place prize merchandise credit of $30.
• Entry fee: $10.
Walter Muir E-Quads (webserver chess)
• Four-player, double round-robin e-mail format
tournament with class-level pairings. • 1st-place
receives a certificate.
• Entry fee: $7.
Express Tournament
• Seven-player events, one game with each of six
opponents.
• Prizes: 1st place $30 merchandise credit, 2nd
place $20 credit.
• Entry fee: $15.
Please circle event(s) selected.
NOTE: Except for Lightning Matches, Swift Quads,
Walter Muir E-Quads, Electronic Knights & Express
Tournaments, players will use post office mail,
unless opponents agree to use e-mail.
To Enter: 800•903•USCF (8723), Fax 931•787•1200
or on-line www.uschess.org
Name
USCF ID#
Address
City
State
ZIP
Phone
E mail
Est. Rating
Credit card # (VISA, MC, Discover, AMEX)
Exp. date
If using VISA, need V code
□ Check here if you do not wish to have an
opponent who is incarcerated. *Note: This may
slow down your assignment.
Make checks payable to U.S. Chess and mail to: Joan
DuBois, USCF , PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557
73
Tournament Life
3716. EF $20. 3-0 wins $40, 2.5 wins $20, 2 wins $10. Reg ends 7:20 pm. Rds.
7:30-8:30-9:30.
May 23-24 or 24, New York May Open!
See Grand Prix.
May 27-June 24, Marshall CC Under-2000 Wednesday Swiss
48. Class D/E/UR, U1400/UR. EF: $16 by 5/30. $$ (96 b/8) 64, U1200 32. All,
EF: $7 more at site. Non-mem $10 more. 2 byes 1-4. Rds.: 7:15 Mons.
[email protected]. Reg.: 7-7:15 PM. Ent: Harold Stenzel, 80 Amy Dr.,
Sayville, NY 11782. WCL JGP.
June 1-July 6, Marshall CC Under-1600 Monday Swiss
5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20.
$$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Wednesday. Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3.
5SS, G/90. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300
b/20: $120-70-50, U1300 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Monday. Byes
ok, limit 2, request by rd. 3. Note: No round June 22nd. WCL JGP.
May 28, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
June 2, Marshall CC New York Experts
May 30, Syracuse Monthly Open
4SS, Rds 1 & 2 G/60, Rds. 3 & 4 G/90. Courtyard by Marriot, 6415 Yorktown
Circle, E. Syracuse (exit 35 I-90, Carrier Circle, 298 E, left at Holiday Inn).
$(b/14): $100-50, Class: $30. Reg.: 8:30-9:15, Rds.: 9:30-12-2:15-5:30. EF: $30.
Ent: Joe Ball, 310 Helfer Lane, Mineola, NY 13116.
May 30-31, New York State Senior Championship
Open to all born before 5/30/59. 4-SS, 30/90, SD/60. Marshall Chess Club, 23
West 10th St., NYC 10011. EF: $30 advance, $35 at site. $$500/20: $200-10050, $75 1700-1999, $75 U1700. 2 byes OK, 1 if U1700. Byes must be requested
at start of your first round. Reg.: 11-11:45; Rds.: 12-5:30 each day. NYSCA membership required ($13/yr or $36/3 yrs), OSA. Mail advance entries and dues
to Marshall CC (checks payable to Marshall CC).Title to top NYS resident. Players must bring proof of age.
May 30-31, New York State Women’s Championship
Open to all women and girls. 4-SS, 30/90, SD/60. Marshall Chess Club, 23 West
10th St., NYC 10011. EF: $30 advance, $35 at site. $$500/20: $200-100-50, $75
1500-1799, $75 U1500. 2 byes OK, 1 if U1500. Byes must be requested at start
of your first round. Reg.: 11-11:45; Rds.: 12-5:30 each day. NYSCA membership required ($13/yr or $36/3 yrs), OSA. Mail advance entries and dues to
Marshall CC (checks payable to Marshall CC). Title to top NYS resident. WCL
JGP.
May 31, Studio May Quad
3RR Game in 2. Reg.: 9:00 am Rds.: 10-2-6. Studio of Bridge and Games, 1639
Eastern Pkwy., Schenectady, NY 12309-6011.
June 1-22, 27th Nassau Class
40/80, 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st & Main Sts, Mineola. 4-SS. 5 sections. Master-Expert, EF: $36 by 5/30. $$ (256 b/8) 176, U2200 80. Class A, U2000/UR.
EF: $31 by 5/30. $$ (216 b/8) 144-72. Class B, U1800/UR. EF: $26 by 5/30.
$$ (176 b/8) 112-64. Class C, U1600/UR. EF: $21 by 5/30. $$ (136 b/8) 88-
Open to U2200. 4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF:
$40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.:
7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, request at entry.
June 4, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
See Grand Prix.
June 5-26, 9th Queens Team Championship
4-SS, G/120, All Saints Lutheran Church, 164-02 Goethals Avenue, Jamaica, NY
11432. Two player teams —- ratings must average under 2000. $$ based
on 10 teams (13 last year!):$100-$50 to top two teams, $60 each to top U1700
team, top Board 1, top Board 2. Prizes raised or lowered in proportion to number of paid teams. One 1/2 pt bye allowed. If one player needs a bye,
replacement must have same or lower rating and must play on Board # of
replaced player. EF: $25 per player, $20 QCC member; teams formed at site.
REG.: 7:30-8:00. RDS: 8:15 each Friday. ENT: Ed Frumkin, 445 E 14th St #10D,
New York, NY 10009 (212-677-3224—do not call on Thursday or Friday). WCL
JGP.
June 6, Chuck’s Birthday Celebration Chess Tournament #2
Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Ave, Guilderland, NY. 3 round SS, game
in 45, 4 sections-open, U1600, U1300, U1000-unrated. Trophies to winners in
each section. FREE ENTRY - Please renew or become a member of USCF before
the tournament as cannot take memberships at the door. Non members will
only play non members. Registration: 10:15AM. Rounds: 11, 12:45, 2:30. Bring
a clock as none supplied at the tournament. Coffee and donuts. Info: Charles
Eson, [email protected].
June 6, NY June Under 1600!
4-SS, G/50, open to U1600 or unr., Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23
W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 845-569-9969. EF $40, Club members $25, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. May be limited to 1st 26
entries. $$ (300 b/20 paid): 150-70-30, top U1300 $50, $70 limit to unr. Limit
2 byes, commit by 2:30. Reg. ends 15 min before game. Rds. 12:30-2:30-4:306:30 pm. CCA Ratings may be used. Online entry at www.chesscenter.cc thru
6/4. $10 extra to “enter” by phone!
June 6-7 or 7, NY June Under 2300!
4-SS, 30/90, SD/1, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 56 Ave, NYC: 845-569-9969. EF $40, Club members $25, specified Greater NY
Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, top U2000 $95,
U1800 $85. Reg. ends 15 min. before game. 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30
pm each day; 1-day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both
merge rd 3. Limit 2 byes, commit by rd 2. Re-entry $20, counts half. Class pairings OK rd 4. Online entry at www.chesscenter.cc thru 6/4. $10 extra to
“enter” by phone! WCL JGP.
June 7, NEW Sunday Sliding Scale Quads!
3-RR, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-4773716. EF: Master $35, Expert $30, A $25, U1800 $20. $$ (all EFs returned less
$36 per quad). Reg ends 7:20 pm. Rds. 7:30-8:30-9:30. NO FREE ENTRIES!!
No phone entry!
June 7, The Chess Exchange Monthly Trophy Quads
3-RR, G/30,The Chess Exchange: Chess & Games Club, 288Third Ave., Between
Carroll and President, Brooklyn, 718-645-5896. EF: $15 $$: Trophies to top 2
in each quad. Reg.: ends 10 minutes before rd. 1. Rds.: 3-4:15-5:30.
June 7, The Right Move #154 Team and Individual Championship
FREE EF.
4SS, G/30. Play starts promptly at 10:00. Players must check in by 9:30A.M.
Brandeis H.S., 145 W. 84th St., 10024 (near Columbus Ave, Manhattan, NYC).
Open to gr. K-12. Five rated sections: Open, Under 1700, Under 1200,
Under 800, Under 600. (May renew or join USCF at tournament). Non-member sections by grades: K-3, 4-6, 7-12. Trophies to top 3 in each section except
Open ($50, $30, $20 for 1st-3rd); medal to each player with 2.5 or more
points. Team plaque to 1st and 2nd each section, with top 4 scores counting
in each section (minimum 3 players on team in section). Non-member sections
offer additional prize of USCF membership to players scoring 4 points. To register: use website at www.therightmove.org or email - thechessstop @aol.com
or Fax to 718-455-2863 before 6:00 P.M. on Fri. Give full name, school, grade,
USCF ID#, exp. date, and section. NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION.
June 11, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
June 13, 3rd Farmingdale Chess Club G/15 (QC)
3-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-4773716. EF $20. 3-0 wins $40, 2.5 wins $20, 2 wins $10. Reg ends 7:20 pm. Rds.
7:30-8:30-9:30.
7SS, G/15. Farmingdale Public Library, 116 Merritts Rd., Farmingdale, NY
11735. Open to all U-2300/unr.: $(b/20): $100-80,Top U-1800, U-1500, U-1300
$65 each. EF: $25. Reg.: 9:15-9:45 AM. No adv. ent. Rds.: 10-10:30-11-11:3012:15-12:45-1:15. 3 byes 1-7. Info: www.farmcc.webs.com. Please do not call
the library. NS. W.
June 6-7, Third Annual WNY Masters Championships 2009
June 13, 8th Annual New Yorker June Open!
See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
June 6, Prove Your Point!
June 13, Jenifer Woods Memorial Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
June 13, Marshall CC Saturday
11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. One bye available, request with entry.
June 13-14 or 14, 14th Annual New York Junior Championship
(Out-Of-State Players Welcome)! 5-SS, G/90, open to all born after 6/1/89
from any state, beautifully renovated, well-lighted 3rd floor, New Yorker Hotel,
481 8th Ave at 34th St., across from Penn Station, NYC. $$ prize fund b/150
total paid entries, minimum half each prize Gtd. 3 sections. Open. $$ 400-200120, top U2000 $110, U1800 $100. Under 1600, $$ 300-150-110, top U1400
$100, $100 limit to Unr. Under 1200, $$ 300-150-110, top U1000 $100, $50 limit
to unr, plaques to top 2 each grade, K-4 (OK to win both plaque & trophy). All,
trophies to top 5 each section, free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads
thru 9/1/09 to top 3 each section. 2 playing options: 2-day schedule, reg. ends
Sat 9:30 am, rds. Sat 10 am-1:30-4:30 pm, Sun 1:30-4:30 pm. 1-day schedule, reg. ends Sun 8:30 am, rds. Sun 9-10:30 am-12-1:30-4:30 pm (rds. 1-3 of
1-day schedule only are G/30); both merge for rd. 4. Mail entry fee, 2-day $58,
1-day $57 if postmarked by 6/5, all $65 at site, mail checks by 6/5 payable to:
Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. List name,
USCF ISSUES
FORUM
A forum for discussion of USCF
issues, open to all members age
16 or over. Candidates for the
executive board (ballot in June
issue) are among the participants.
Register at www.uschess.org/
forums
74
uschess.org
address, USCF ID, June rating, grade, birthday, section, schedule. Phone
entries: $60 thru 6/10. Questions, [email protected] or 845-569-9969
(credit card phone entries: 406-896-2191, entries only, no questions).
Online entries, $56 thru 6/10: www.chesscenter.cc (no mail after 6/5, no
phone or online entries after 6/10). $10 charge for refunds. All entries $65 at
site (specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free). Limit 2 byes, commit
before rd. 2. Re-entry: $30, counts half. HR: 212-971-0101. Bring sets, clocks,
boards— none supplied! W. WCL JGP.
June 27, Saturday G/60
July 13-Aug. 10, Marshall CC Under-1600 Monday Swiss
entry.
5SS, G/90. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300
b/20: $120-70-50, U1300 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Monday. Byes
ok, limit 2, request by rd. 3. WCL JGP.
See Grand Prix.
See Pennsylvania.
Sept. 4-7, 5-7 or 6-7, 131st annual NY State Championship
June 14, Marshall CC Sunday Action
June 27-28, World Open Under 13 Championship (PA)
See Grand Prix.
5SS, G/30, Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members
$20. ($$ 360 b/24): 120-70-50, U2200/unr $65, U2000 $55. Rds.: 12-1:30-2:454-5:20pm. One bye available, request with entry.
See Pennsylvania.
June 27, 28, 29, 30, July 1, 2, World Open G/60 Quads (PA)
North Carolina
June 14, SAR Academy Chess Championship IV
June 28, Grandmaster Challenge (QC)
4-SS, G/30. 655 W. 254 St., Bronx (RIVERDALE), NY. 4 SECTIONS. K-1 (grades
K-1 only) U1000. PRIMARY (grades 4/below) U1100. UNRATED NOVICE
(grades 2-5 only) U500. OPEN (grades 12/below). AWARDS: Trophies to top
15 in each section.Top U300 K-1, U400 Novice, U600 Primary, U800 Open. Special Prizes: Engraved digital chess clocks toTop Player in each section, all 4-0
scores & Top Unrated in Open Section. Engraved plaque to top UNR player in
each section. High Scorer trophy to all who score 2 and do not get into top 15.
Engraved medals to all others. Team Prizes: Trophies to top 4 teams in each
section. Engraved digital chess clock to Top Team in each section. (Team score
created by adding top 4 scores from same school). EARLY EF: $39 if received
(postmarked by June 8). LATE EF: $45 Phoned, faxed or online thereafter until
June 12, 7pm. Onsite EF: $55. Reg. 9-9:30. Rds: All 10-11:30-12:45-2. Late
entrants may not be paired for the first round. Mail Entries: and make check
payable to Tri-State Chess, 1675 York Ave. #2M, N.Y., N.Y. 10128 Phone: (718)
645-5896 Fax: (718) 535-7896 Online Entry: www.TriStateChess.com.
See Pennsylvania.
June 6, Orchard Lake Blitz (QC)
See Grand Prix.
8RR, G/5. Orchard Lake Campground, Saluda, NC. Between rounds of Orchard
Lake Grand Prix. EF: $2. Plaque to 1st in each section. $10 to random entry.
www.ncchess.org.
June 6, Orchard Lake Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
July 1-29, Marshall CC Under-2000 Wednesday Swiss
June 6, Orchard Lake RBO (U1000)
5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20.
$$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Wednesday. Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3.
5SS, G/30. Orchard Lake Campground, Saluda, NC. EF: $16.50 (incl $6.50
cmpgrnd fee). Prizes: Plaques to top 3. Rds.: 9:00-10:15-11:30-12:45-2:00. ENT:
Kevin Hyde, 705 Old Mtn Page Rd., Saluda, NC 28773. 828-749-1625.
[email protected]. HR: 828-749-3901 www.orchardlakecampground.com
www.ncchess.org.
July 2-30, Marshall CC Thursday Members-Only Swiss
5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to members only.
EF: $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U2000 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each
Thursday Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3.WCL JGP.
Ohio
July 4, Saturday G/60
June 12-14 or 13-14, 51st Gem City Open Tournament
June 13, Toledo Jun Swiss
See Grand Prix.
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24) $12070-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
entry.
June 18, GET READY FOR NEXT THURSDAY!!
July 5, Marshall CC Sunday Action
10 min. before game!
5SS, G/30, Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members
$20. ($$ 360 b/24): 120-70-50, U2200/unr $65, U2000 $55. Rds.: 12-1:30-2:454-5:20pm. One bye available, request with entry.
Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90.The University ofToledo Health Science
Campus, Mulford Library Basement Café, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, Ohio
43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 6/11 $25 at site.
Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50, 1st Class A
,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd.,
Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450. WCL JGP.
July 5, The Chess Exchange Monthly Trophy Quads
June 20, Stakes Chess #18
June 19-23, 2nd NY International
July 7, Marshall CC New York Experts
June 16, St. John’s Masters at the Marshall Chess Club
See Grand Prix.
3-RR, G/30,The Chess Exchange: Chess & Games Club, 288Third Ave., Between
Carroll and President, Brooklyn, 718-645-5896. EF: $15 $$: Trophies to top 2
in each quad. Reg.: ends 10 minutes before rd. 1. Rds.: 3-4:15-5:30.
See Grand Prix.
Open to U2200 4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF:
$40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.:
7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, request at entry.
June 25-29, 3rd annual Philadelphia International (PA)
July 9, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
June 26-28, World Open Senior Amateur (PA)
July 11-12, July Grand Prix!
See Pennsylvania.
See Grand Prix.
June 25, 22nd Annual Thursday Night Action Championship
uschess.org
See Grand Prix.
Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton. OH 45402. 3 Rounds - G/90, TD/5.
Nominal 8 player sections. No byes. 1st - $100, 2nd - $35, Top Finish in lower
half $25. EF: $25 adv/$30 after 17 Jun. Reg.: 9:30-10:30. Rds.: 11-3:30-7. Ent:
Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402 or email dcc.18w5@sbc
global.net.
July 10-12, 2009 Columbus Open
See Grand Prix.
July 11, Toledo Jul Swiss
Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90.The University ofToledo Health Science
Campus, Mulford Library Basement Café, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, Ohio
43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 7/9 $25 at site.
Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50, 1st Class
75
Tournament Life
A,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck
Rd., Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450. WCL JGP.
Oklahoma
May 23-25, 27th North American FIDE Open
May 30, 2009 LCCC Scholastic K-12 Championship (9 Trophies)
See Delaware.
Sept. 5-7, U.S. Senior Open
5-SS, G/30, EF: $30, $35 CASH ONLY after 5/27/09 AT SITE , Trophy’s to 1st,
2nd, 3rd, 4th, Top U1400, U1200, U1000, U800, U600, Door Prizes For All Players, Free Coffee & Donuts. Rds.: 10-11:30-12:45-2-3:30; Reg.: ends 9:30am,
Site: Lehigh Carbon Community College, 4525 Education Park Dr., Schnecksville, PA 18078. (located approx. 5 miles N of Rt. 22 on Rt. 309) Ent: Mail
to - “Bruce Davis”, 1208 Linden St., Bethlehem, PA 18018, Ph. 610-6250467, E-mail: [email protected] Info: www.lehighvalleychess.org/.
See Nationals.
May 30, 2009 Lehigh Valley LCCC May Championship – Quads
Pennsylvania
3-RR, G/45, EF: $25, Perfect score winner $75 else $60. Rds.: 11-1-3. Reg.:
ends 10:30am, Site: Lehigh Carbon Community College, 4525 Education Park
Dr., Schnecksville, PA 18078 (located approx. 5 miles N of Rt. 22 on Rt. 309) Ent:
Onsite Cash Only, Info: Contact - Bruce Davis, 610-625-0467, bdavis@lehigh
valleychess.org, Info: www.lehighvalleychess.org/.
See Grand Prix.
June 27-28, 64th Oklahoma Open State Championship
40/80, SD/30. EF: $20 Perfect score winner $60 else $50. Rds.: 10-2-5. Reg.
ends 9:30am. Info: Bradley Crable, 215-844-3881, www.mastermindschess.org.
1st 2nd 3rd: Gold, Silver, & Bronze medals, E.F. $10. Registration: 9-9:45am.
Rd.: 10, then ASAP. Buttermilk Falls Building, RT. 209 Seven Bridge Rd. & Buttermilk Falls Rd., (Near Shawnee). Info: Mike Laverty, 570-421-9802. Email:
[email protected].
See Grand Prix.
Sept. 5-7, 1st U.S. Women’s Open
See Nationals.
2-3 Saturdays per month we run scholastic USCFrated tournaments throughout the Philadelphia area.
Tournament locations include Philadelphia, Mt. Laurel
(NJ), Bryn Mawr, Horsham, Collegeville, and more.
Tournaments are open to grades K-12. Free game analysis by a National or International Master at each
tournament. We have players of all skill levels compete
in our tournaments, from brand-new kindergarteners up
through some of the highest-rated scholastic players in
the state. To see a list of dates and locations, see our website at www.silverknightschess.com. Phone: 610-4460818. Email: [email protected].
Every 1st Saturday Lehigh Valley Super Quads
3-RR, St James Church, 11th & Tilghman Sts., Allentown, PA 18102. EF: $10.
$30 Perfect Score, else $25 1st. Reg.: 12:30-1:15. Rds.: 1:30-3-4:30. Info: 610821-4320, [email protected], www.lehighvalleychess.org/.
Every 2nd Saturday. Allentown 2nd Saturday Quads
3RR, G/40. St. Luke’s Ev. Luth. Church, 417 N. 7th St., Allentown, PA 18102. Quads
open to all. EF: $12. $$24/quad. Reg.: 12-1, Rds.: 1:15-2:45-4:15. No adv.
ent. Info: 610-433-6518. Other rated events every week!
May 16, Hazleton Open
4SS, G-61, Full K, Christ Evangelican Luthern Church, 467 Main St., Conyngham,
PA 18219. Cash prizes based on ents. Open to all. EF: $15 by May 15, $20.00
at site. Reg.: 9:30. Rds.: 10, 12:15, 2:30, 4:15. Advanced Entries: Hazleton
Area Chess Club, Michael Jemo, 567 Forest Hills Dr., Hazleton, PA 18201, 570455-9261. [email protected] JGP.
May 16, Pack 92 Quad
Three sections: Open, G/70, Prizes $40 to first in each quad, E.F. $15.
Scholastic section: 3 SS, G/30. Prizes trophies to top 3 in each section, Sections K-5, 6-12, E.F. $15. Unrated Section: 3 SS, G/30 sections K-5, 6-12. Prizes
May 30, Silver Knights Team Tournament #2
4SS, G/30. Wayne Elementary School, 651 W. Wayne Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087.
Open to 4-player teams from the same school in K-8. EF: $60/team online by
5/27; $100 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10-11-12-1. Prizes: trophies to top schools.
Free game analysis by NM Adam Weissbarth. See www.silverknightschess.com
to register.
A Heritage Event!
June 6, 39th Fred Thompson Memorial
4SS, G/75. Pittsburgh Chess Club, 5604 Solway St., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. EF:
$28 postmarked by 6/1, $38 thereafter, $3 discount to PCC members. 2 Sections: Open and Reserve (U1600). Prizes $$500 b/30. Open: $120 - 80, U2000
$60, U1800 $40. Reserve: $80 - 50, U1400 $40, U1200/Unr $30. Reg.: 9-9:45.
Requests for half-point byes must be made by the start of Round 2. Rds.: 10AM1PM-4:30PM-7:30PM. Info: 412-421-1881, www.pittsburghcc.org. Entries:
Pittsburgh Chess Club, Attn: Clyde Kapinos, 5604 Solway St., Pittsburgh, PA
15217. Make checks payable to Pittsburgh Chess Club. NC. W. WCL JGP.
June 20, 2009 PA State Game/45 Championship
See Grand Prix.
June 25-29, 3rd annual Philadelphia International
See Grand Prix.
June 26-28, World Open Senior Amateur
4SS, 40/2, SD/1, Sheraton Philadelphia Hotel (see World Open). Open to all born
before 6/26/59 and rated under 2000 or unrated. Prizes $500 based on 16
entries, else in proportion: $200-100, Under 1750 $120, Under 1500/Unr $80.
EF: $40. Reg. 6/26 noon to 5:30 pm, rds. Fri 6, Sat 11-6, Sun 11. One half point
bye allowed, must commit before rd 2. HR: See World Open. Ent: at site only,
no checks.
June 27-28, World Open Girls Championship
5-SS, G/90, Sheraton Philadelphia Hotel (see World Open). Open to all girls born
after 6/28/91. Trophies to top 5, 1st C, D, E, Under 1000, Under 800, Unrated;
free entry in all CCA Swiss tournaments 7/15/09-12/31/09 to 1st. EF: $40. Reg.
6/27 9 to 9:30 am, rds. Sat 10-2-6, Sun 10-2. One half point bye allowed, must
commit before rd 2. HR: See World Open. Ent: at site only, no checks. WCL JGP.
June 27-28, World Open Under 13 Championship
6-SS, G/65, Sheraton Philadelphia Hotel (see World Open). Open to all born after
6/28/96. Trophies to top 5, 1st C, D, E, Under 1000, Under 800, Unrated; free
entry in all CCA Swiss tournaments 7/15/09-12/31/09 to 1st. EF: $40. Reg. 6/27
9 to 10:30 am, rds. Sat. 11-2-5, Sun. 10-1-4. HR: See World Open. Ent: at site
only, no checks. WCL JGP.
June 27, 28, 29, 30, July 1, 2, World Open G/60 Quads
3RR, G/60, separate event each day, Sheraton Philadelphia Hotel (see World
Open). EF: $20. 1st prize each section: choice of $40, 2 year adult USCF membership with Chess Life, or 3 year Young Adult membership with Chess Life. Reg:
9-9:45 am each day, Rds: 10-12:30-2:30. Ent: at site only, no checks.
July 1-5, 2-5, 3-5 or June 29-July 5, 37th Annual World Open
June 6, Scranton-Carbondale June Quads
See Grand Prix.
3RR, Gm/75, Clarion Hotel, 300 Meadow Ave, Scranton, PA (exit 184 off I-81).
EF: $25, $$50 1st ea. sect., $60 for 3-0 score. Scholastic section (K-8): EF
$10, & trophy to 1st. Reg.: 8:30-9:45am, Rds.: 10-1-4. Entries/Info: Bernie
Sporko, 127 S. Main St., Carbondale, PA 18407. ph: 570-282-2793, cell: 570604-2461 e-mail: [email protected].
July 4, World Open G/10 Championship (QC)
June 6, W.Chester 1st Sat. Quads
Our 20th Year! 3RR, 40/80,sd/30. United Methodist Church, 129 S. High St. West
Chester, PA. EF: $20; every tenth quad free $$40, $50 for 3-0, $5 for 3rd rd win
if not 3-0. Reg.: 9am; Rds.: 9:30,1,4:30. Info: Jim White 484-678-3164.
See Grand Prix.
July 5, World Open Blitz Championship (QC)
See Grand Prix.
Aug. 7-9 or 8-9, 15th Annual Northeast Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
Aug. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, 39th annual Continental Open (MA)
See Grand Prix.
June 14, MasterMinds CC 2nd Sunday Summer Quads
Sept. 4-7, 5-7 or 6-7, 131st annual NY State Championship (NY)
Blair Christian Academy, Philadelphia, Pa., 220 W. Upsal St. Quads: 3RR,
See Grand Prix.
TO ALL WHO HAVE DONATED TO THE U.S. CHESS TRUST! (June 2007 through March 2008)
Legacy Donors: Deborah Doll, Nearing, GM Arnold Denker. Future Legacy Donors: Harold B. Dondis, Wil Wakely. Corporate Donors: Aetna, Exxon, IBM,
Microsoft, WalMart, X3D, Mobil, WaMu, Nugent & Haussler, PC Partners. Chess Philanthropists ($50,000 or more): Harold B. Dondis, Frank P. Samford
III. King Supporters ($10,000 or more): Frank Berry, Mark Fins. Friends of Chess ($5,000 or more): Anonymous, Mitchell Denker, Gerald Hoag, Adam
Sufrin, JDG Management, Shane Samole, Nearing Trust. Ben Franklin Donors ($1,000 or more): Anonymous NJ, Joel & Susan Channing, Gary Cooper,
John Dozier, Leroy Dubeck, Jim Eade, Leonard Helman, Roger Spero, Sunil Weeramantry (National Scholastic Foundation), Mr. & Mrs. Michael T. Graves,
Dr. William Henkin, Karl Irons, Victor Laurie, Harvey Schein, Mark Schein, Adam J. Semler, Randy Slifka, Mariko Zeitlin. Heritage Donors ($500 or more):
Richard Allen, Norman Forsythe, Clifford Lester, Rick Lester (Ursula Foster Scholarship), Henry Odell, Harold Winston, Steve Doyle, Ann Marks, Drs. Luann
Mostello & Art Milholland, Bill & Vesna Kelleher, Eric Lester, Robert Messenger, Henry Terrie, Selden Trimble, Mosh & Arianne Weinberger, Yuriko Young,
Randall & Leilani Sears, Dave Sutherland, Erland Millikan, J. William Cowart, Paul Albert. Associate Donors ($100 or more): Harvey Susswein, John M.
Bartkiw, Randy Bauer/Deborah O’Leary, Walter Brown, Bernie Letner, David Kuhns, Jim Berry, Alan/Judy Cohen, Gary Fine, Martin/Joy Goldberg, Roger
Gotschall, Jim Gray, Randy Hough, Christopher Lerbs, Myron/Rachel Lieberman, Luke Neyndorff, Glenn Petersen, Larry Weston, Charles/Debrah Unruh,
Edward Zatorski, Joe Feagin, Marc Levine, Michael Goodall, Walter Buehl, Jr, GM Susan Polgar/Paul Truong, Dr. Jon E. Quinn, Burton Carpenter, Michael
Clark, James Kelley, Jeffrey Davidson, Paul Tomaino, Phyllis Narveson, Brian Bezenek, Robert Emke, Scott Kenyon, Kenneth Rogoff, Hans Morrow, Robert
Miller, George Berry, Dr. Ed Epp, Peter Dyson, Harold Blajwas, Denis Strenzwilk, Dr. Benton Wheeler, Donald Stetzer, Fred Gruenberg, Barbara Forbes, Lawrence
Goch, James Wheeler, Carol McCloud, Arthur Montgomery, Andrew Marshall, Barbara Falcner, Alexander Blum, Helen Kittsley, Kent Bach, Peter Knopf, Zevi
Miller, Dr. Rebecca Meyer, Bruce McMaster, Tim Redman, Robert Goodman, Rick Armagost, John Crawford, David Kerkhove, John Fitch, Jeffrey Quirke,
Herbert Drechsler, Neil Levy, Richard Shuford, Roy Eikerenkoetter, Lewis Henry, Robert Pociask, Gail Maury, Dr. R.A. Letourneau, Gilbert Saulter, Roger
Hale, Albert Epostein, John Elder, Dr. Joe Wagner, Peter Stasz, Community Health Charities, Dayton Foundation (Ken/Peg Champney), Peter Tamburro, Don
Schultz, John/Eleanor Schweinsberg, Todd Luna, Jorge Calderon, L.J. Lyell, Katherine Gasser, Richard Cheshire, Sheila Donoghue. Contributors ($50 or
more): Alexander Reis, Anonymous WI, Frank Brady, Harvey Drutowski, Woodrow Harris, Michael James, Michael Nietman, Arlen Overvig, Robert Rasmussen,
Thomas Richardson, Joseph Roster, Garret Sauber, Stephen Smith, Hal Sprechman, T. Torricellas, Donald Twombly, Douglas Southon, Robert Strickler, Charles
Behler, Peter Scott, Thomas Bagby, Matthew Grinberg, Chess Now Ltd, Peter Spizzirri, Dan Mayers, Joseph Slawinski, Robert Werdan, Robert Rasmussen,
Steve Krevinko, Karl Filzer, William McClain, Andrew Nowak, James Lorentz, Robert Carey, Richard Nepolitan, John Brendel, Edmund Breider, Peter Lahde,
George Hermes, Ricard Vincent, Arhur Lewis, Allen Kaufman, Imgre Toth, Edward Dowdy, Gordon Gray, Baron Powell, Tony Newhall, Gerald Larson, Donald Farrelly, Kenneth John, David Sachs, Tom Beckman, Captn Gary Black, Peter Hanen, Richard Adams, Michael/Laurie Stein, Thomas/Nancy Simpson,
John/Emily Summy, Ken Ballou, Ken Marks, Larry Reifurth. In Memory Of George Krauss: Blaine/Carol Asbrock, Edwary/Loretta Sytnik, Gabriel/Joann
Trotta, Wayne Rahe, Robert Lardon, Richard Cheshire, Carberry, Mary Alice Burke, Carol Wirtz, James/Jennifer Roth.
THANK YOU
76
uschess.org
Rhode Island
May 16, 2009 Walter Muir Memorial
See Grand Prix.
May 16, BK Tournaments for Kids
Reg. online: www.rhodeislandchess.org email: [email protected]
phone: (401) 359-1602. See CL4K.
Tennessee
May 15-17, 2009 Tennessee Senior Open
4SS, G/120, Fair Park Senior Center, 1433 Livingston Road, Crossville, TN
38555. Open to Born Before 5/15/1959. EF: $25 if mailed by 5/8, $35 at site.
3-day: Reg. Friday 4:00 - 6:00 PM. Rds. 7, 3, 9-2. 2-day: Reg. Saturday 7:00
- 9:00 AM. Rds. 10 -3, 9-2. All times CDT. Memb. Req’d:TCA $15. $$GTD: $150100. 50-B/C,D/E,B1000,Age 60-69,Age-70 & Older, UNR (UNR eligible for UNR
prize only).Trophies to top 3, B1400, Age 70+ (trophies toTennessee residents
only). Medals to all participants. ENT: Harry D Sabine, PO Box 381, Crossville,
TN 38557. INFO: www.tnchess.org or www.cumberlandcountychess.com or call
Susan at 931-261-4024. HR: $80 + tax 931-707-8638 Crossville Comfort
Suites, 2581 E 1st St (I-40 at Exit 322), Crossville, TN. NS W.
May 30, Pawn Power Open 6
2 sections: G/60 (4 rds) and G/30 (7 rds), EF: $15 ($10 for MCC members)
Trophies to top 3 in each section. Free blitz tournament for all entries after last
rd! ($10 for blitz only), unrated g/5, trophy for 1st. Registration 5/30: 8-9:30am.
Rounds(G/60): 10-1-3-5. Rounds(G/30): 10-11-1-2-3-4-5. Site: Hampton Inn,
962 South Shady Grove Rd., Memphis,TN 38120. Hotel reservations: (901) 7620056. www.memphischess.com, [email protected].
June 5, 12, 19, 26, Arlington Chess Club Friday Night USCF Rating
Ladder
30/90 SD/1. Lyon Village Community House, 1920 N Highland Rd, Arlington, VA.
Player with most monthly points - $50 and most total points March - December wins $100. Must Join Club to play ($50 Adult, $40 U18) check web to make
sure we are open each week - members.cox.net/arlingtonchessclub/ladder.htm.
Ladder has been running for over 45 years, now win money too! Contact:
Matt Grinberg for info: [email protected] No advance entries, sign up
for ladder weekly by 8pm, games start 8:15pm. Future monthly events will
appear a month in advance here. WCL JGP.
June 6, Kingstowne Quad #56/Action-Plus #28
Kingstowne South Center, 6080 Kingstowne Village Pkwy., Alexandria, VA
22315. 2 Events. Quad #56: 3RR G/100. EF: $10 if received by 6/3, $15 at site.
Prizes: Medals to 1st and 2nd in each quad: gold to 1st if 3-0 score, else silver; bronze to 2nd. Rds.: 11-3-7. Action-Plus #28: 5SS G/45. EF: $15 if
received by 6/3, $20 at site. Prizes $$250/20: $100-60, U1800-U1400-Unr. each
$30. Rds.: 11-1-3-5-7. Both: Reg. 10-10:45. Ent (checks payable to): Don W.
Millican, 5901B Prince George Dr., Springfield, VA 22152. e-mail (info only):
[email protected]. W.
June 13-14, 6th Annual George Washington Open
See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
May 30, Rutherford County Open
July 18, Kingstowne Quad #57/Action-Plus #29
See Grand Prix.
Kingstowne Thompson Center, 6090 Kingstowne Village Pkwy., Alexandria, VA
22315. 2 Events. Quad #57: 3RR G/100. EF: $10 if received by 7/15, $15 at
site. Prizes: Medals to 1st and 2nd in each quad: gold to 1st if 3-0 score, else
silver; bronze to 2nd. Rds.: 11-3-7. Action-Plus #29: 5SS G/45. EF: $15 if
received by 7/15, $20 at site. Prizes $$250 b/20: $100-60, U1800-U1400-Unr.
each $30. Rds.: 11-1-3-5-7. Both: Reg. 10-10:45. Ent (checks payable to): Don
W. Millican, 5901B Prince George Dr., Springfield, VA 22152. e-mail (info only):
[email protected]. W.
June 6, Rea Hayes Open Chess Tournament
See Grand Prix.
June 27, John Hurt Memorial 6
4SS, G/60, EF: $20 (MCC members $15), $200 in prizes guaranteed! 1st $150,
top U1600: $50 Site: Hampton Inn, 962 South Shady Grove Rd., Memphis, TN
38120. Hotel reservations: (901) 762-0056. Registration (6/27): 8-9:30am.
Rounds: 10-1-3-5. Entries: Memphis Chess Club Inc., PO Box 17864, Memphis,
TN 38187-0864. www.memphischess.com, [email protected].
July 11, Murfreesboro Grand Prix
Aug. 28-30 or 29-30, 41st annual Atlantic Open (DC)
See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
Washington
Texas
May 23-25, Washington Open Chess Tournament in Spokane!
See Grand Prix.
Wisconsin
A Heritage Event!
May 16-17, Arpad Elo Open
5-SS 30/90,SD/1. Comfort Suites, I-94 and WI-164, Pewaukee, WI. Hotel rates
$85/night, must book by May 3rd. phone 262-506-2000 Two sections: Open
and Reserve(U1800). EF: $35 Open, $25 reserve, both $5 more at site. Juniors
-$3 from entry. At site registration: 9-9:30. Rounds: 10-2:30-7:30; 10-3:30.
$$: b/40 Open: 1st $165, 2nd $140, A $95, U1800 $95. Reserve: 1st $90, 2nd
$70, C $55, U1400 $55. Advance entries (check payable to WCA) to Ben Corcoran, N68 W24878 Stonegate Ct. #212, Sussex, WI 53089. Questions:
262-506-4203 or email at [email protected]. A Wisconsin Tour
event! WCL JGP.
May 22-25, 23-25 or 24-25, 18th annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
July 10-12, 2009 U.S. Junior Open Championship
See Nationals.
Wyoming
May 30-31, Wyoming Open
5SS, Rd. 1 = G/60. Rds. 2-5 = 35/90, G60. Laramie County Community College, Training Center, Room 120, 1400 East College Drive, Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Section: Open (All). EF: $20. $$ b/entries. Reg.: 8:30-9:30 am. Rds.: 9:45-125:30, 9-2:30. Ent: Allan Cunningham, (307)635-3102, e-mail: adcdac@bresnan.
net. WCL JGP.
ELECTION
All age 16/over may vote. Ballot
will be in June Chess Life.
To view or participate in discussion of election issues, register
for the USCF Issues Forum at
www.uschess.org/forums
May 16, Denton Open 4
Denton Public Library-N, 3020 N. Locust, Denton, TX 76209. Prize Fund:
$1.050 based on 60 entrants. 3 Sections, Open, Reserve (U1400), Novice
(U700)/Open. Prizes: $250 1st, $125 2nd, Class Prizes X,A,B,C & Below $75
@. Reserve 1st $150, 2nd $75, UR Prize $50. Unrated eligible only Open 1st,
2nd prize, Open C & Below class prize, & Reserve UR Prize. Novice section:Trophies top 5. 5 Round Swiss/Time controls-Open. Reserve: R1,2 G/30,R3,4
G/45,R5 G/60. Novice all R G/30. On-site reg: 9-9:45am, R1 all sections
10:00am, rest ASAP, w/45m lunch break a R2, EF: Open/Reserve $25, $20
Yth/Sr,Hdcp, Novice: $15. Register: Active.com or Rob Jones, Denton Chess
Club, 1154 Bent Oaks Dr., Denton, TX 76210. Info: 214-212-0185.
www.dentonchess.org, [email protected].
May 22-25 or 23-25, Texas State and Amateur Championship
See Grand Prix.
May 30-31, DFW Fide Open III
See Grand Prix.
Vermont
July 31-Aug. 2 or Aug. 1-2, 20th annual Vermont Resort Open
See Grand Prix.
Virginia
May 15, 22, 29, Arlington Chess Club Friday Night USCF Rating Ladder
30/90 SD/1. Lyon Village Community House, 1920 N Highland Rd, Arlington, VA.
Player with most monthly points - $50 and most total points March - December wins $100. Must Join Club to play ($50 Adult, $40 U18) check web to make
sure we are open each week - members.cox.net/arlingtonchessclub/ladder.htm.
Ladder has been running for over 45 years, now win money too! Contact:
Matt Grinberg for info: [email protected] No advance entries, sign up
for ladder weekly by 8pm, games start 8:15pm. Future monthly events will
appear a month in advance here. WCL JGP.
NO TOURNAMENTS IN YOUR AREA?
WHY NOT ORGANIZE ONE?
Do you need to go out of town for tournament play? Would you and others in your area
like the convenience of an occasional event closer to home? Organize one!
It’s not much work to hold a small tournament, and there is little risk if you use a lowcost site and avoid guaranteed prizes. You might even make a profit! Either a based-on
Swiss with projected prizes up to $500, a Quad format, or a trophy tournament will virtually guarantee taking in more in fees than you pay out in prizes.
The affiliation fee is just $40 a year. You will receive the annual rating supplement and
have access to the TD/Affiliate area of our website.
Remember, you can both run and play in a small event. Many of them wouldn’t be held
if the organizer/TD couldn’t play.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? Contact Joan DuBois at [email protected].
We’ll be glad to help you be part of the promotion of American chess!
Tournament Life Abbreviations & Terms
All tournaments are non-smoking with no computers allowed unless otherwise advertised by S
and/or C (see below for explanations).
QC: Quick Chess events.
$$Gtd: Guaranteed prizes.
$$b/x: Based-on prizes, x = number of entries
needed to pay full prize fund. At least 50% of the
advertised prize fund of $501 or more must be
awarded.
Bye: Indicates which rounds players who find it
inconvenient to play may take ½-point byes
instead. For example, Bye 1-3 means ½-point
byes are available in Rounds 1 through 3.
C: Computers allowed.
CC: Chess club.
EF: Entry fee.
uschess.org
Enhanced Grand Prix points (see previous
page).
Ent: Where to mail entries.
FIDE: Results submitted to FIDE for possible
rating.
G/: Game in. For instance, G/75 means each
side has 75 minutes for the entire game.
GPP: Grand Prix Points available.
HR: Hotel rates. For example, 60-65-70-75 means
$60 single, $65 twin, $70/3 in room, $75/4 in
room.
JGP: Junior Grand Prix.
Memb. req’d: Membership required; cost follows. Usually refers to state affiliate.
Open: A section open to all. Often has very
strong players, but some eligible for lower sec-
tions can play for the learning experience.
OSA: Other states accepted. Refers to state
dues.
PPHBF: Professional Players Health and Benefits Fund.
Quad: 4-player round robin sections; similar
strength players.
RBO: Rated Beginner’s Open.
Rds: Rounds; scheduled game times follow. For
example, 11-5, 9-3 means games begin 11 a.m. &
5 p.m. on the first day, 9 a.m. & 3 p.m. on the second day.
Reg: Registration at site.
RR: Round robin (preceded by number of rounds).
S: Smoking allowed.
SASE: For more info, send self-addressed
stamped envelope.
SD/: Sudden-death time control (time for rest of
game follows). For example, 30/90, SD/1 means
each player must make 30 moves in 90 minutes,
then complete the rest of the game in an hour.
Section: A division of a tournament, usually
excluding players above a specified rating. Players in a section face only each other, not those in
other sections.
SS: Swiss-System pairings (preceded by number
of rounds).
T/Dx: Time delay, x = number of seconds.
Unr: Unrated.
USEF: Combined entry fee & USCF dues.
W: Site is accessible to wheelchairs.
WEB:Tournaments that will use a player’s on-line
rating.
77
Classifieds
Chess Life accepts classified advertising in these categories: Activities, For Rent, For Sale, Games, Instruction, Miscellaneous, Services, Tournaments, Wanted. Only typed or e-mailed copy is accepted. Absolutely no
telephone orders. Rates (per word, per insertion): 1-2 insertions $1.50, 3-6 insertions $1.25, 7 + insertions
$1.00. Affiliates pay $1.00 per word regardless of insertion frequency. No other discounts available. Advertisements with less than 15 words will cost a minimum of $15 per issue. Post office boxes count as two words,
Activities
THE CHESS EXCHANGE: Chess & Games Club
FULL-TIME CHESS CLUB, Backgammon, Scrabble, etc. Hours: MONTHURS 12pm-9pm, FRI 12pm-11pm, SAT 12pm-11pm, SUN 12pm-6pm. Club
address: 288 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215. 1-888-CHESS-35, (718) 6455896. www.TriStateChess.com, [email protected].
Correspondence Chess Club:
Candidate Master, 1071 N. Grand Ave., Suite 210, Nogales, AZ 85621. [email protected].
GMs Giorgi Kacheishvili and Zviad Izoria are available for participation in your tournaments, for lectures, simuls or other activities. Please
contact [email protected] or cell 646-239-0783.
FIDE MASTER Seeks NY’er with a computer and printer to co-author
chess books. Contact: Rudy Blumenfeld, 155 Beach 19th Street, Apt. 8N, Far
Rockaway, NY 11691.
For Sale
WHOLESALE LIST OF CHESS BOOKS
Three pages. Send SASE. Thinkers' Press, 1101 West 4th, Davenport, IOWA
52802.
24 PAGE CHESS CATALOG FREE
Previously owned books and DVDs, new, old, and really old. Big savings on everything. Souvenirs, photos, autographs and more. Complete catalog of Thinkers’
Press books and Chess Reports. PDF brochure on running part time chess retail
business. Send your name and e-mail address to: [email protected] and get
your catalogs pronto. Visit www.chessco.com daily for updated information.
www.stores.ebay.com/4yourdeskinc
Electronic Chess, PurchaseThe Grandmaster, Brand New, 4 Your Desk Inc., 471
North Broadway, Suite 196, NY 11753, (516) 409-8213, NYS Buyers Must
Include Sales Tax.
BOOK COMPARING CHESS960 (FRC) AND CHESS1,
modifies our understanding of chess principles. Search Amazon.com for
“chess960”. Visit www.CastleLong.com.
For a FREE copy of Confidential Chess Lessons
send name and address to James Schroeder, 3011 E 9th St #15, Vancouver,
WA 98661.
Attractive Chess Art Portraits, done in chalk pastels, prints or originals available for all world champions, and legends. Very reasonalbly priced.
Free Catolog for your selection. Call (937) 313-8379 or E-mail at [email protected]
Chessvideo.com is now ChessOndvd.com
The World’s Largest DVD ChessStore. Over 200Titles. Get Private Lessons from
GrandMasters, Polgar Roman, Kasparov, Shirov. Karpov on Fischer, Foxy Openings, Fischer Spassky. Rematch and more. Retain 70% more than reading a book.
ChessOndvd.com, 1-877chessdvd.
Deep Tactics 6.0 combo $49, Chess Life & Reviews 33-75
$39, Much more, 928-246-1580 www.stores.ebay.com/toby-chess
NEW AND ANTIQUE CHESS SETS
The House of Staunton, sole U.S. distributor for Jaques of London, produces unquestionably the finest Staunton Chess sets currently available and
offers the world’s largest selection of antique chess sets dating from 1780. PayPal and all Major Credit Cards accepted. For our new products catalog
send $5.00 or for a 70 page plus color-illustrated catalog of our new and antique
items send $15.00 to:The House of Staunton, Inc.; 362 McCutcheon Lane;Toney,
AL 35773. Website: www.houseofstaunton.com; phone: (256) 858-8070;
email: [email protected].
LEATHER CHESS BOARDS BY STUMPY:
Squares & designs burned on to suede. Can be customized. Prices range
according to size & design. Phone: 423-364-1117.
Visit WWW.ITALIANGAMBIT.COM
A Comprehensive Book for 1. e4 players by Chess Master Jude Acers.
ANTIQUARIAN AND OUT OF PRINT CHESS BOOKS For sale.
Free catalog. Kramer-books, PO Box 243, Whitehall, PA 18052-0243.
TREASURE CHESS: rare, used and new books bought and sold, bargains.
650-856-2346; [email protected]; members.aol.com/chess316
“TWO DEANS OF AMERICAN CHESS AND THE ORIGIN OF
CHESS” send $15 and address to Jerry DeGattis, 3955 Coffee Rd. #76 95355
Visit www.thechesslibrary.com
NEW BOOK: Bronstein: Fifty Great Short Games—IM Minev. Free tournament crosstable archives.
CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSE
78
telephone numbers as one, ZIP code is free. Full payment must accompany all advertising. All advertising published in Chess Life is subject to the applicable rate card, available from the Advertising Department. Chess
Life reserves the right not to accept an advertiser’s order. Only publication of an advertisement constitutes
final acceptance. For a copy of these complete set of regulations & a schedule of deadlines, send a stamped,
self-addressed envelope to: Chess Life Classifieds, PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.
A series of books to help you improve your chess visualization skills. Exercises taken from real games. www.chessvisualization.com.
I CHECK THEREFORE I AM
T-Shirt, Hats, Mugs and more! Visit www.iamsportswear.com today.
World’s largest collection of scanned chess books, magazines, checkmates (12 million+), tactic puzzles (156,000+), Deep Tactics converts chess
diagram on computer to interactive. New opening traps, solitaire chess, trainers & chess books on video. www.tobychess.com
* CHESS BOOKS:* Out of print, used, rare. Large stock online at
www.chessbooks.co.uk <www.chessbooks.co.uk>
Two Knights’ Defense cooked: Berliner, Ulvestad, Traxler, Fried Liver
+- guaranteed: Refute my analysis, get $10 off purchase price of Magic [email protected] $19.95 + S&H. See Correspondencechess.com for details. New
opening for Black: g6/Bg7/e6/Ne7/d5! (eventually)
Visit www.taoofthechessboard.com
Say yes to chess, to life and to joy.
ANCIENT CHESS.COM
Chess variants through history and around the world. Unique sets, lessons
and tales. http://ancientchess.com
BILGUERS HAND BOOK and addendum.
1,300 pages 1873. Fine and complete. Rebound. Make offer. 702-438-1687.
FORMER NEW ENGLAND AMATEUR CHAMP. 40 minute lesson,
$5 per lesson, by phone. 508-753-0424. References.
Working on your game? More than 500 free chess videos at your fingertips. www.ChessVideos.TV
Instructors Needed
CHESS CLUB IN SPRINGFIELD, NJ is looking for an instructor and
counselors for summer 2007 chess camp: full day or half day. Please email
[email protected] or call 973-262-1395.
Miscellaneous
SAVE IT FOR POSTERITY!
Artist will paint your favorite chess position or best move on canvas for all to
admire your brilliancy! Basic chess painting $600. Satisfaction guaranteed. Samples, go to: AGPaderArt.com.
CHESS REGINA, invented by Ava Maria, solves all chesswars. The "ladyin-waiting", who may be called Alice, stands to the left of each Queen, moves
6 spaces in any direction, opening the board to 81 total squares. "Lady-In-Waiting" patterns after actual British Monarchy; all Queens had them. (patent
pending) [email protected]
On the INTERNET, the greatest show in chess: ISOLANIS.COM
Instruction
Wanted
TOP-QUALITY BARGAIN CHESS LESSONS BY PHONE
With more than 40 years of experience teaching chess, the Mid-Atlantic Chess
Instruction Center is the best in the business. We specialize in adult students.
We offer 32 different courses as well as individual game analysis. Center Director: Life Master Russell Potter. Tel.: (540) 344-4446. If we are out when you
call, please leave your name & tel. #.
CHESS INSTRUCTION
Andrew Karklins, USCF Life Senior Master. Available for lessons and/or analysis (by mail or in person). $25 per hr. Call or write (773) 327-0862, 432 W.
Wellington #503, Chicago, IL 60657.
LEARN MATERIAL POWER RATIO
The newest and quickest system for evaluating positions. $7.95. Barry Cushner, 138 Stetson Avenue, Swampscott, MA 01907.
CHESS PUZZLES:
Thousands of crucial positions from historic & modern games, indexed by
GM. Solutions displayed if needed. www.wtharvey.com.
LEARN CHESS BY MAIL:
Any Strength: Inquire about individual programs. Alex Dunne, 324 West Lockhart Street, Sayre, PA 18840. [email protected].
YOU’LL SEE REAL PROGRESS by Studying with 3- Time U.S.
Champ GM Lev Alburt!
Private lessons (incl. by mail and phone) from $80/hr. Autographed seven-volume, self-study Comprehensive Chess Course-only $134 postpaid! P.O. Box 534,
Gracie Station, NY, NY 10028. (212) 794-8706.
*LEGENDARY CHESS INSTRUCTOR*, featured in the LA Times, can
now teach your child this time-tested training program on DVD. Self-test for
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CARIBBEAN CHESS CRUISE
Theory and teaching from Grandmasters * Tournament play with GM/IM
commentary * The balmy Caribbean in January. Join us! www.InSightCruises.com/
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CHESS PUZZLES: 10,000 INSTRUCTIVE DIAGRAMS from
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Free Chess Training Videos
Visit www.chess-videos.com! You can even post your own videos or join our discussion forums for game analysis, playing tips, and general chess discussion.
Watch. Discuss. Learn. Chess-videos.com
Earn Big $$$
Looking for experienced chess coaches to teach after-school programs (Grades
K-12) in the Greater New York area. Emphasis on developing Chess Teams! Send
resume: [email protected] or Tri-State Chess, 288 Third Ave.,
Brooklyn, NY 11215.
LEARN FROM A LIFE MASTER
FM Craig Mar teaches winning strategies on ICC. (510) 836-2645 henryymar
@aol.com $25/hour
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR KOPEC’S CHESS CAMPS 2008 in NH
(August 17-22)
Eight merit scholarships (Two Each at $400, $300, $200, $100), for ages 1016, Details: www.kopecchess.com/2008 scholarships Questions: IM Dr. Danny
Kopec 516-867-4031 ([email protected]).
Play Correspondence Chess Online with a Master
Five years worth of games only $350. Contact George C. Grasser 863-370-4884
or E-Mail [email protected] for details.
Buying Chess Memorabilia,
books, photos, posters, art, letters, autographs. Seeking stamp and postcard
collections. Please contact NM Richard Benjamin (770) 953-6916. E-mail:
[email protected].
CHESS-PLAYER SCHOLARS
in top 10% of high school class with USCF > 2000 and SAT > 1400 for possible college scholarships to UMBC. Prof. Alan Sherman, Dept. of Computer
Science and Electrical Engineering, Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore County, 21250.
410-455-2666, [email protected].
Fide Master
Wants to share an apartment with an apartment owner. Rudy Blumenfeld, 431
Beach 20th St., Far Rockaway, NY 11691.
(Southern/Northern California) Professional Photography
of Tournaments and players. Documentary or artistic. USCF rated photographer
that understands positions. 415-205-0564. www.fraserimagery.com/chess.
Rubber stamps
to make chess diagrams. Ames, Box 690025, Quincy, MA 02269
Looking for people to play chess on Friday nights in Andover township
(no time limit). Bernard Norgard (973) 352-9520.
ChessMate ® Pocket & Travel Sets
Magnetic sets w/ genuine & simulated
leathers, durable boards, 4 extra piece
disks per side. Handmade in the USA
30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE !
WWW.CHESSMATE.COM
PHONE ORDERS: (425) 697- 4513
VIRTUAL CHESS OPENINGS
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The most comprehensive chess
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Problem I.
1. ... Rb1+ 2. Rf1 Nf4! and 3. ... Nh3 mate or 3. ...
Nxe2+.
Problem II.
1. Rd5! threatens both 2. Rxd1 and 2. f6! Qxd5 3.
fxg7+ Kg8 4. Qxf8 mate. Black resigned after 1. ...
Rd8 2. h4! Qe7 3. f6! Qe8 4. f7!.
Problem III.
1. c5! and 2. Nc4/3. Nb6 wins the pinned knight.
Problem IV.
1. cxb7! dxe3 2. Rxc8! Qa4 3. Rxe8+ Qxe8 4. Rc1
and Rc8 wins.
Problem V.
White queens first with 1. b4! axb3 e.p. (or 1. ... Ke6
2. c5 bxc5 3. b5) 2. a4! h5 3. c5! bxc5 4. a5 h4 5. f7
Ke7 6. f8=Q+! Kxf8 7. a6 h3 8. a7 h2 9. a8=Q+.
No better is 3. ... h4 4. f7 Ke7 5. f8=Q+ Kxf8 6. cxb6
h3 7. b7 h2 8. b8=Q+.
Problem VI.
1. Qc2! (threat of Bxe5) 1. ... Rc5 2. Bxf5+! and now
(a) 2. ... Kg8 3. Be6+; (b) 2. ... Rxf5 or 2. ... Qxf5
allow 3. Rxh5+!, and (c) 2. ... Kh6! 3. g4! (threatens
4. Rxh5 mate) 3. ... g6 4. f4! Rxc2 5. Rxh5+ gxh5 6.
g5 mate.
What’s The Best Move?
1. C. Adams (2734, England) - Jobava (2664,
Georgia)
A. The game was eventually drawn after 1. Rb6?
Rxa3 2. Rxb5 Ra2 3. h4 Kf7, etc.
B. Black can hold on 1. Rxe6? Rxa3 2. a6 b4.
C. In time trouble Adams missed a lovely theme: 1.
a4! bxa4 2. a6 Rd7 3. Rc4 Ra7 4. Rxa4.
2. A. Barsov (2513, Uzbekistan) - Flores
(2569, Argentina)
A. Black lacks compensation for the queen but
White has a lot of work to prove it after 1. Kh1!
Rxd4 2. Qdb5.
B. The game continued with the plausible 1. Qxe5
Rxd4 2. Qaa5 Rd1+ 3. Kg2 Qxa5 (instead of the
horrific blunder 3. ... Rd2+?? 4. Qxd2) 4. Qxa5
Rxa1 should draw.
C. Perpetual check ensues on 1. Rd1 Qxd4+ 2.
Qxd4 Nf3+ 3. Kf1 Nxh2+ 4. Kg1 Nf3+ 4. Kf1 (but
not 4. Kh1?? Rh2 mate).
3. C. Grischuk (2719, Russia) - Ganguly
(2603, India)
A. Trying to trap the bishop backfires after 1. Rb2
Bxc4! 2. Bxc4 Rd4+ 3. Kf5 Rxc4.
B. Also inadequate is 1. Ra7? Bxc4 2. Bxc4 Rd4+ 3.
Kf5 Rxc4.
C. Black had to resign after 1. g6! hxg6 2. Kg5
Rxd5+ (if 2. ... Rd6 3. Rb2!) 3. cxd5 Bxd5 4. Rb5
Kg7 5. Rxc5 Be4 6. Rxa5.
4. B. Leko (2747, Hungary) - Ivanchuk (2786,
Ukraine)
Rd3 Qe5 10. Ne8 Qh8+ 11. Ke7 Qe5+.
8. ... Kc7 9. Rd4! Kc6 10. Kg7 Qg3+ 11. Kf6 wins
because White will complete a “bridge-like” scheme
with 12. Nf5.
Solitaire Chess – ABCs of Chess
Fork: White loses the Exchange after 1. ... Ne2+, 2.
Qxe2 Rxc1 3. Qxa6 Rxe1+ 4. Nxe1 Rxa6 follows.
Problem I.
A. Defenders dread this nightmare and White predictably bit the dust after 1. Rd8? Re3!
(threatening 2. ... Bh3+ 3. Kg1 Re1 mate) 2. Rg8
Re7! (Philidor centuries ago found this waiting
move that drives White’s rook to an inferior
square) 3. Rg5 Rh7! 4. Ke1 Rd7! intending 5. ...
Rd1 mate.
B. The only way to draw is 1. Rf8!! Re3 2. Kg1!!
Re1+ 3. Rf1 Re2 4. Rf8.
C. A fate that befalls many defenders is 1. Kg1??
Re1 mate.
Interference: Black gains a pawn by 1. ... a3 2.
Bc3 Qxc4.
Endgame Lab – Benko’s Bafflers
Problem VI.
Problem I.
1. c6 a5 2. c7 a4 3. c8=Q a3 4. Qc2
4. Qc1? a2 5. Kg7 stalemate.
4. ... a2 5. Kg7 Na3 6. Qc3+
6. Qb3!? Nc2 is drawn.
6. ... Kb1 7. Qb3+ Ka1 8. Kf6 Nc2 9. Ke5 Nd4 10.
Qb6 Nb3 11. Kd5 Kb2 12. Kc4 a1=Q 13. Qxb3+ Kc1
14. Qe3+ Kb1 15. Qd3+ Kb2 16. Qd2+ Ka3
No better is 16. ... Kb1 17. Kb3.
17. Qb4+ Ka2 18. Qb3 mate.
Problem II.
1. f7! Qf6+ 2. Nd6 Qc3+ 3. Kd7!
After 3. Kb6? Qb3+ 4. Nb5 Qe6+ 5. Rd6 Qe7 6. Ka6
Qb7+ 7. Ka5 Qa8+ 8. Kb4 Qe4+ it is difficult for
White to make progress.
3. ... Qh3+
3. ... Qxd2 4. f8=Q+ Ka7 5. Qf7 wins.
4. Kd8!
Black gets a perpetual after 4. Ke7? Qe3+ 5. Kd7
Qa7+ 6. Kd8 Qb6+ 7. Ke8 Qe3+.
4. ... Qh8+
Too easy is 4. ... Qh4+ 5. Ke8.
5. Ke7!
5. Ne8? Qh4+ is equal.
5. ... Qh4+ 6. Ke8! Qa4+ 7. Kf8! Qa3 8. Rd5!
There is no rest for White’s king after 8. Rd4? Qc5 9.
Problem II.
Mating net: It’s a straightforward mate: 1. ...
Qb1+ 2. Rxb1 Rxb1 mate.
Problem III.
En prise: Black wins at least a pawn with 1. ...
Qxc3 2. fxg4 Qe1+ 3. Qf1 Qxe3+.
Problem IV.
Fork: Black reduces with 1. ... Qxd4+ 2. Qxd4
Ne2+.
Problem V.
Promotion: Black resolves things with 1. ... Qxb3,
when 2. axb3 Nxc3 is curtains.
ChessFest, page 44
Fernando Saavedra problem
+
+ + +
+ + +
KP+ + +
+ +r+ +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
k + + +
+
White to play and win.
1. c7 Rd6+ 2. Kb5 Rd5+ 3. Kb4 Rd4+ 4. Kb3 Rd3+
5. Kc2 Rd4 6. c8=R
Not 6. c8=Q Rc4+ 7. Qxc4 stalemate.
6. ... Ra4
To stop white's threat of 7. Ra8 mate.
7. Kb3, and Black either loses his rook or will lose to
8. Rc1 mate.
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