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Contributors
Jerry Hanken FM Alex Dunne FM Alex Betaneli
(2009 World Open, p. 20) is president (Correspondence Chess, p. 28) is (Scholastics, p. 32) is a three-time
of the Chess Journalists of America and the correspondence chess director for Wisconsin state champion and a
a frequent contributor to Chess Life. the USCF. His monthly column The chess coach.
Check is in the Mail can be found on
uschess.org.
12 LOOKS AT BOOKS
Read, Write, Checkmate
By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
16 CHESS TO ENJOY
It Just Doesnt Add Up
By GM Andy Soltis
18 SOLITAIRE CHESS
Not Every Game Has An
Endgame
By Bruce Pandolfini
38 BACK TO BASICS
Time, Anyone?
By GM Lev Alburt
40 ENDGAME LAB
Bishop Bout: 2009
U.S. Championship, Part II
By GM Pal Benko
Departments
3 PREVIEW
6 COUNTERPLAY
8 FIRST MOVES
10 USCF AFFAIRS
45 TOURNAMENT LIFE
62 CLASSIFIEDS
63 SOLUTIONS GM Evgeny Najer, three-time World Open champion
28 | CORRESPONDENCE CHESS
On The Cover 2001 Golden Knights
GM-elect Alex Lendermans By FM Alex Dunne
celebratory dance after his chess John Burtons five-year reign over
accomplishments has become some- the Golden Knights rivals the best of the best.
what of a trademark and a breath
of fresh air on the chess scene. 32 | SCHOLASTICS
Cover design by Shirley Szymanek Rockin Robson
(www.dog4design.co.uk) By FM Alex Betaneli
Image taken from YouTube video With his victory in the U.S. Junior, IM Ray Robson
of Lenderman.
earns a spot in the 2010 U.S. Championship
Photo this page by Chris Bird
and the World Junior Championship.
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First Moves
GREGORY SHAHADE FIGURES things couldnt have gone much better for the 10th U.S. Chess School, an intensive camp
for the nations top young players held August 11-15 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.
The students were great. We go from 9 to 6 each day, and at the end of the day they still have plenty of energy, said Shahade,
the founder and president of the Chess School.
The 10th Chess School differed from the previous nine because all
eight students were female. They ranged in age from 12 to 19. It was an The Chess Club and
experiment that initially had Shahade concerned. I wasnt sure about Scholastic Center of
the symbolism in separating one gender from the other. Saint Louis is a not-
for-profit, 501(c)3
But it worked out well, he said. The students got along and several became organization that
good friends. opened in July 2008.
Founded by retired
The classes, led primarily by Grandmaster Gregory Kaidanov, also were
investment fund
somewhat different in tone, Shahade said, than the usual mixed-gen-
manager Rex Sin-
I will continue my relationship with the Federation as National Education Consultant. Work-
ing with individuals, schools, and communities, I hope to assist in the development of local
scholastic and collegiate chess programs. I also plan to continue helping educators connect
chess with the improvement of math skills, critical thinking skills, and life skills.
I would like to thank all those with whom I have worked for having the opportunity to be a part
of their efforts to make a difference in the lives of others. I have been blessed by these relation-
ships. My hope and prayer is that we will discover the resources needed to face the challenges
and fulfill the opportunities of the days ahead.
Jerry Nash awarding trophies at the Best Regards,
2007 National K-12/Collegiate
Championship in Houston, Texas Jerry Nash
and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and Championship, an open tournament held every summer, and other
enjoyment, but also as a means for the improvement of society. It national events. It offers a wide range of books and services to its
informs, educates, and fosters the development of players (profes- members and others at prices consistent with the benefits of its mem-
sional and amateur) and potential players. It encourages the bers. USCF serves as the governing body for chess in the United States
development of a network of institutions devoted to enhancing the and as a participant in international chess organizations and
growth of chess, from local clubs to state and regional associations, projects. It is structured to ensure effective democratic procedures
and it promotes chess in American society. To these ends, USCF offers in accord with its bylaws and laws of the state of Illinois.
Awards Ceremonies Sunday: 4:30pm (K-1) & 5pm (Approx.) Blitz: Thursday: 5pm
On-site entry until 4pm Entry in advance $15
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Sunday: 9:30am, 1:30pm
7SS, G/90, 13 sections: Play only in your grade. December Rating Supplement will be used. Team Score = total of top three (minimum two)
finishers from each school per grade. First place individual and team will be National Champion for their grade.
Awards: Trophies to top 10 individuals & top five teams in each grade (minimum). Many other class prizes. Every player receives a
commemorative item!
Blitz: Trophies in K-6 and K-12 sections, individual and team.
Bughouse: Trophies to be announced.
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Looks at Books
By GM Andy Soltis
Opinion is divided over the value of applying arithmetic to chess. Some say it adds
to our understanding. Others say it just multiplies our confusion.
rnl+kl r
Half of the chess world likes to think make the forced moves, 2. Rxb2 and 2. ...
that you win games by applying principles Qxd8. Whats the score?
that are as dependable as the laws of White has a rook, a bishop and pawn +p+ +ppp
p+ ppn +
arithmetic. The other half feels that you for the queen. If a rook is worth five
win by breaking those laws. You prove pawns and a bishop three, then adding it
that two times two equals five, as up ... White has nine pawns worth of + + + L
+ NPP +
Mikhail Tal put it. compensation for the queen.
As a result, weve argued for centuries That should be just enough. And we
about how much of chess can be turned can prove its enough by continuing 3. Rf2 q N + +
P+PQ +PP
into an equation. The best evidence that followed by pass moves. Black cant
chess is arithmetic is the chart of rela- win.
tive value of the piecesA bishop is
worth three pawns and so on.
When Emanuel Lasker, in 1925, and
then Alexander Alekhine, in 1927, made
+R+ KL+R
After 9. ... Qa3
Newcomers to chess are often confused similar queen sacrifices it was somewhat
when told that a queen is worth nine shocking. But all they were doing was made three more developing moves than
pawns. How in the world can you have showing that 5 plus 3 plus 1 really does Black and that should be enough to jus-
nine pawns, they wonder? equal 9. tify his gambit.
The reason Q=9Ps is useful is it can be But masters often get entangled in their But Tarrasch tweaked his arithmetic.
converted to a more realistic equation. arithmetic. In his wonderful game col- He assigned extra value to the second
lection, The Sorcerers Apprentice, David move of a knight on the grounds that
Just add it up Bronstein said a knight and bishop are this usually gives the knight much more
Lev Travin roughly equal. A few lines later he said range.
Ilya Zek that a knight is equal to three pawns. He would say the splendidly centralized
Leningrad 1938 But then he said a bishop is equal to knight at d4 is worth two tempi, not just
four pawns.
+ + + Q
one. Therefore Whites gambit should be
How can all three equations be right? more than worthwhile.
+ + +p+k They cant.
Nevertheless, masters have also tried to
You can also factor in other variables,
+ + Pp+
such as an advantage in space or piece
come up with equations that go beyond activity. One formula, which has been
pL+ + +q trades of material. One of the few guide-
lines for making a pawn sacrifice comes
used in versions of chess software, is to
P+ + + +
calculate the difference in mobility of the
from Siegbert Tarrasch: If you get three two armies:
+ + + P extra moves of development in return for
a pawn, its an equitable swap.
Add up all the legal moves for each
r + +KP
side. Subtract the smaller from the larger
Lets test this with an opening Tar- number and multiply by one tenth of a
+ +R+ + rasch would never have dreamed up, the
Poisoned Pawn Variation of the Najdorf
pawn.
The result tells you how much better
After ... Rb2+ Sicilian. It runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 in material termsthe more mobile player
cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. is. If one guy has ten more legal moves
This position used to appear in tactics f4 and now 7. ... Qb6 8. Qd2 Qxb2 9. Rb1 than his opponent, this formula says hes
manuals to illustrate the power of a pin. Qa3: the equivalent of a full pawn ahead.
To avoid mate, White must play 1. Rd2. Lets apply this to the last diagram.
Then comes 1. ... Qd1! and Black wins, (see diagram top of next column)
We can count 45 possible moves for White
the books say. Black has moved two pieces to Whites and 32 for Black. Do the subtraction and
But lets take that one step further and five. Five minus two means White has White ends up with a mobility advantage
r+ qk+ r
of 13 moves, or the equivalent of 1.3 least an 85 percent chance.
pawns. So, if you subtract the pawn hes GMs have also tried to find an equation
given up, White is nearly a third of a that links material with clock time. If you pl+n+pl
+p+pn p
pawn ahead. give up a knight for an attack that forces
But the late GM Eduard Gufeld would your opponent into bad time pressure it
have argued that White didnt give up a may be worthwhile. As Tal liked to say, +p+ N p
+pPP+ +
whole pawn. In his calculus, pawns vary The time you dont have is more valuable
in value depending on their file. than the extra piece you do have.
Gufeld tried to make this more under- Vladimir Kramnik put it another way in + N + L
PP +LPPP
standable by talking of pawn value in 64 magazine last year. An opening nov-
money terms. If the center pawns, on the elty that forces your opponent into a big
e- and d-files, are worth $1 each, he said,
then pawns on the c- and f-file are only
think is a quantifiable advantage, he R +Q+RK
wrote. I dont know how to evaluate it (a After 11. ... Bg7
90 cents apiece, and so on. pawn or a half-pawn) but it exists, he
In this case White lost 80 cents, the said. because Black would have a difficult time
value of a b-pawn, when he allowed 8. ... That recalls a world championship finding the right defense.
Qxb2. He gave up another 10 cents when game in which Garry Kasparov made a Gufelds joke was proven true. Black
he swapped his d-pawn for a less valuable pawn sacrifice that sent Anatoly Karpov was 45 minutes behind on the clock by
c-pawn (3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4). Therefore into a big think. Gufeld explained what the time he reached move 21. He trailed
White hasnt sacrificed a whole pawn, happened in his annotationsChess- by more than an hour soon after that.
just 90 percent of one, according to players have a joke: An hour lead is worth Despite further errors on both sides White
Gufeldenomics. a pawn. won on move 45.
There have been various attempts to Kramnik knows its no joke. But theres a caveat here: If you sacri-
compute what the vague symbols of anno- fice a pawn you may end up an hour
tators really mean. Several years ago a No joke aheadbut if you sacrifice an hour theres
Russian study, reported in Shakhmatny GM Veselin Topalov no assurance youll end up a pawn ahead.
Bulletin, concluded, for example, that an GM Vladimir Kramnik In other words, some equations work in
equals sign means the chances of White Wijk aan Zee 2008 only one direction. The same goes with
winning is 55 to 46 percent. equations in life. For example, A picture
(see diagram top of next column)
A plus-over-equals sign means White is worth a thousand words.
has winning chances in the 56-to-70 per- White played 12. Nxf7. It deserved the If you have to describe verbally what an
cent range. A plus-over-minus raises that title move of the yearbut not because image shows visually it may, indeed, take
.
to 71 to 85 percent, the study found. its a great move. In fact, when White you 1,000 words. But it doesnt work the
And a plus-sign followed by minus-sign annotated the game he gave it a !?!. other way around. Look at a copy of the
which we usually interpret as White is This indicates that the sacrifice is not Gettysburg Address. Now draw it.
winningsignifies only that he has at sound but it was more good than bad
By Bruce Pandolfini
In a game played in the year of the USCFs founding, the risk of an exposed king
not reaching the endgame is illustrated.
When the center opens very early on, this game, use a piece of paper to cover 7. Kxd8
and its possible to exchange queens, the article, exposing Whites next move
depriving the opponent of the opportunity only after trying to guess it. If you guess 8. Bg5+ Par Score: 5
to castle, most players do so, hoping to correctly, give yourself the par score.
Pleci develops with tempo on the king.
exploit the exposed kings vulnerable sta- Sometimes points are also rewarded for
In essence, this becomes a free develop-
tus with developing attacks and threats. second-best moves, and there may be
ing move, even though Black blocks the
But theres another side to this. If the bonus pointsor deductionsfor other
check with a counterthreat, as we shall
assault can be weathered, the centered moves and variations. Note that ** means
soon see.
king may be better placed for the that the note to Blacks move is over and
endgame. Of course, before the endgame, Whites move is on the next line.** 8. f6
the chess gods have placed the opening
4. Ngf3 Par Score: 5 Other interpositions are worthless: 8. ...
and middlegame, and those phases might
B(N) e7? 9. Nxc5; 8. ... Nf6? 9. Nxf6 gxf6
not allow a harried king to reach an White develops and guards the d4-
10. Bxf6+ (accept 1 bonus point for each).
endgame. That was the storyline in the pawn. Full credit for inserting 4. exd5
Nor does running to the queenside (8. ...
game Isaias Pleci versus Lucius Endzelins, before playing Ngf3, but accept only 2
Kc7) help much: 9. Bf4+ Kb6 (9. ... Kc6
played in a match (Argentina versus points part credit for 4. dxc5 Bxc5, help-
10. Ne5+, with invasion at f7) 10. Be3 a5
Latvia) at the Buenos Aires Olympiad of ing Black develop.
(he has to stop 11. b4) 11. Ne5 Nh6 12.
1939. Blacks king was hounded into
4. dxe4 Nd3, piling up and winning the pinned c5-
mate. The king hunt began in a Tarrasch
knight.**
French Defense: Here is a move thats seldom played,
since it brings Whites knight into the 9. 0-0-0+ Par Score: 5
game with an attack on the c5-pawn. A
Castling with check cries out to be
French Defense (C07) more normal move is 4. ... Nc6.**
played. No credit for other moves.
Isaias Pleci
5. Nxe4 Par Score: 4
Lucius Endzelins 9. Ke8
Match: Argentina versus Latvia, Buenos
5. Nd7 Again, interpositions are bad: (a) 9. ...
Aires Olympiad, 1939
Bd7 10. Nxc5 Bxc5 11. Bb5 (1 bonus
Black protects the c5-pawn. He could point); or (b) 9. ... Nd7 10. Bb5 fxg5 11.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 have gone whole hog, 5. ... cxd4, reliev- Ne5 Nf6 12. Nxf6 gxf6 13. Nxd7 (2 bonus
ing all the tension in the center. He points); a possible continuation might be
rnlqklnr didnt.** 13. ... Bxd7 14. Rxd7+ Kc8 15. Rhd1 Bc5
pp+ +ppp 6. dxc5 Par Score: 5 16. Bc4 Bxf2 17. Bxe6 Kb8 18. Bd5 and
wins.**
+ +p+ + 6. Nxc5
+ pp+ +
10. Bb5+ Par Score: 5
This was planned in conjunction with
+ PP+ + Blacks previous move. What he didnt 10. Kf7
+
r +k+ + k + + k r + +
These problems are all related to
key positions in this months game.
+ pl+p+ + + p + +pp + +
In each case, Black is to move. The + q + + + + + + + + n +
answers can be found in Solutions + + + + + +
+ n + + + +
on page 63. + + + + + + +l+ + + + +
October Exercise: Create an elec-
+ P + + + +NP + + K + +
tronic file, aiming to list every chess +P+ P + + +L+ + + + +PP
concept you command. At first, just + LQKR+ + +K+ + + + + NR
get some ideas down, but as they
accumulate, organize them into cat-
egories, as if youre outlining a chess Problem IV Problem V Problem VI
textbook. The mere act of parceling Pin Mating net Mating net
the notions into groups should lead
to a greater appreciation of what +
+k+ + + + + + ++R+ +
you really know, and that should + +
+l+ + + + k R +
+ +
further urge an inexorable quest to + + + + + + n + + + + +
fathom what you really dont know. p + n +n p + n + + + +p+k
As Immanuel Kant mentions in the
Critique of Pure Reason, the science PpN+ + + l ++ + + + + +
of understanding is nothing more +K+ + + + + + L + + + K
than the inventory of all that is given P + + + + + KP+ + + +PP
by pure reason, systematically + L +L+ N+r+ N
R + +n+r+
arranged.
Neither white piece can be taken. If Blacks only hope of resisting is to unpin has cleverly improved the position of his
11. ... fxg5, then 12. Ne5+ Ke7 13. Re8 is his bishop.** rook, taking control of the f-file.
mate (2 bonus points). And if 11. ... Nxe4,
16. Be2 Par Score: 5 19. Kg6
then 12. Ne5+ Ke7 (12. ... fxe5 13. Be8
mate) 13. Re8+ Kd6 14. Nf7+ Kc5 15. With 16. Be8+ (full credit) White can
20. h4 Par Score: 6
Be3+ Kxb5 16. Rxf8, followed by Nxh8 (4 continue the attack on the king: (a) 16. ...
bonus points).** Kf6 17. Rf8+; (b) 16. ... Kg5 17. h4+; (c) The threat is checkmate in two moves.
16. ... Kh6 17. Nf7+; but trying to calcu- Meanwhile, ... Bc8-b7 is apparently
12. Ne5+! Par Score: 7
late a forced checkmate is impractical delayed.
No credit for 12. Be8+ Kf8, which goes given the material on the board has been
20. Bb7
nowhere, as discovered checks by the reduced. The text is good, looking to place
bishop are answered by 13. ... Bxd8. the bishop on f3, pinning the b7-pawn. Black agrees to be put out of his mis-
Plus the attack on the king can be ery. If he wants to play on he has to move
12. fxe5
renewed at any moment. his h-pawn. Say 20. ... h5 (20. ... h6,
Black has to take, and the medicine will also answered by 21. Rh3, is marginally
16. e4
not cure his ailment.** better) 21. Rh3 Bb7 22. Rg3+ Kh7 23. Rf7
Black takes control of f3, in that 16. ... Nf5 24. Nxf5 exf5 25. Rfxg7+ Kh8 (25. ...
13. Nd6+! Par Score: 7
b5 is met by 17. Bf3 Bb7 18. Rxa8 Bxa8 Kh6 26. R3g6 mate) 26. R7g5 and 27.
The follow-up knight check leads to 19. Bxa8 (2 bonus points).** Rxh5 mate.**
the win of the Exchange, since Black
17. f4 Par Score: 6 21. h5+ Par Score: 5
cannot afford 13. ... Bxd6 14. Be8+ Kf8
15. Bg6 mate (2 bonus points). Now White resumes the attack on the On 21. ... Kh6 there follows 22. Nf7
.
black king by taking control of g5. If Black mate. Accept 1 bonus point, if you saw it
13. Kg6
takes en passant the bishop winds up at when playing 20. h4.
f3.
14. Bxe7 Par Score: 4 21. Black resigned.
17. b5
White threatens mayhem everywhere
(15. Nxc8, or 15. Be8+ Kh6 16. Nf7+, and The text prepares 18. ... Bb7, which
Total your score to determine your
goodbye rook). Black seeks to delay.** approximate rating below:
14. Nxe7 18. Re8! Par Score: 7 Total Score Rating
The attacked knight cant move, else the 95+ 2400+
15. Rxh8 Par Score: 4 81-94 2200-2399
c8-bishop falls (1 bonus point).
66-80 2000-2199
15. a6 18. Kf6 51-65 1800-1999
36-50 1600-1799
After the win of the Exchange, Whites 21-35 1400-1599
19. Rf8+ Par Score: 6 06-20 1200-1399
immediate mating threats have subsided 0-05 under 1200
but the pin of the c8-bishop remains. The point of the previous move: White
By Jerry Hanken
serious play, the players were letting off deafening silence. Now they could let master from Costa Rica, now living in
steam. I could not penetrate the dense cir- it all hang out and share the wonder Dallas, Alejandro Ramirez. I was already
cle, three or four bodies deep, some and delight of the newest American successful in outplaying him in the Benko
standing on chairs, some even sitting on grandmaster. (My interview with Alex Gambit from the white side in the Copper
others shoulders, many with their cell appears on page 26.) State International, where I got my first
phones taking videosall having one Following is the game which almost norm, and ended up winning an endgame
heck of a good time! clinched the title, along with the young up a pawn. Therefore, I felt I had a psy-
And what was the object of their joy and GMs notes. (After this he needed only a chological edge.
excitement? 19-year-old GM-elect Alex draw with either of two foreign GMs.) This time Alejandro decided to choose
r+ + rk+
a calmer but more solid opening, as he fig- In my opinion, a dubious novelty, by
ured a draw with Black against me Gareev used against Kacheishvili. What
wouldn't be too bad and I would proba- to do with that piece? After the text, in +q+npplp
p+p+l+p+
bly want to win. I felt like I was slipping order to play ... e7-e5, a tempo has to be
a little bit in this tournament as after a lost, and in my opinion White has an
4/5 start, I slowed down a little bit by advantage now. (... Bc8 invites a repetition + +p+ +
N+ PnL +
blowing a win against the very strong so 6. ... Bd7 seems bestJ.H.)
grandmaster, Evgeny Najer (see game
P + P +P
7. h3
page 24). I was getting a little bit tired as
P N PP+
it was my 22nd long game in two weeks, With the idea of Bf4, so that on ... Nh5
and I was very close to my third grand- I would have Bh2, and would not have to
master norm. I had to do my best. move my bishop back. + RQKL+R
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 7. ... g6 After 15. Nd2
One of the current main lines in the Now the only way to develop. But now Nb3, White threatens f2-f3 removing one
Slav; the idea of the ... a7-a6 move is to I control the queenside. of the defenders of c5. And 15. ... Nxd2
play ... b7-b5 and then challenge the c- helps me get my queen into the game.
8. Bf4 Bg7 9. e3 b6
pawn, which is attacking my center strong Now I have a big advantage.
point. In the event of c4-c5, and takes Even though it might be dubious, but
advantage of the fact that the ... b7-b6 after the simple 9. ... 0-0 10. Bd3! stops 15. ... g5 16. Bh2 Bf5
move weakens the c5-square (after Ne4. Kacheishvili-Gareev continued with Trying for some kind of counterplay.
c5xb6), as he cannot take back with the 9. ... Nbd7 10. Bd3 0-0 11. Bh2 which
a-pawn now, Black can now develop the gives White a very strong spatial advan- 17. Qb3!
bishop to f5 safely. tage, and a very simple plan of breaking I also considered 17. Nb3!? but after 17.
The problem with 4. ... Bf5?!, against 4. through on the queenside with a typical ... e5 would give him more counterplay.
Nc3 is that White has 5. cxd5! cxd5 (oth- b2-b4-b5. Black has very little counter- This game continuation I foresaw was
erwise after 5. ... Nxd5 White has a slight play; the only way is to play ... Nh5, and almost a clear win. Either he has to trade
edge due to a stronger center) 6. Qb3! and ... f7-f5. But still Blacks position looks queens into a lost endgame, or give up two
White wins a pawn. The compensation for awkward; pieces are not coordinated for pawns.
the pawn isn't sound enough. Two Black.
sharper lines in the Slav are 4. ... dxc4!? 17. ... Qa7 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. f3
10. cxb6!
and 4. ... e6!? (the Semi-Slav)the Good to get his bishop as far as possi-
sharpest. Only like this. If I play 10. b4?!, after 10. ble from the action.
The a6-line happens to be the safest ... Ne4! Black has some good counter-
line, but without a big chance to get an play. 19. ... Bg6 20. Rxc6 Rac8 21. Rxa6
advantage as Black. And the extra tempo Now White is up two pawns, and
10. ... Qxb6
spent playing ... a6 makes it a bit tougher Blacks compensation is scant, as both of
for Black to achieve equality. I have been If 10. ... Nbd7, then 11. b7 followed by his bishops are barely in the game, and
known to play this line as Black, avoiding 12. Qb3 winning. his knight on d7 and rook on f8 are also
the overbooked alternative Slav line. spectators.
11. a3!
5. c5!? 21. ... Rc1+ 22. Kd2 Qxa6
A strong move associated with the pre-
Another interesting way of challenging vious move. I saw that on 11. ... Qxb2? 12. Obviously the only chance. Now I have
this line is 5. a4! e6 6. g3!? dxc4 7. Bg2 Na4 Qb7 13. Rb1 wins right away. a choice between taking the rook back,
c5 8. dxc5 Qxd1+ 9. Nxd1 Bxc5 10. Ne3 Besides that, on 11. ... Ne4, I have 12. Na4 being up two pawns, or taking a queen
and White gets back the pawn with a Qa5+ 13. b4!. Now it is clear that the c5- and having a queen for two rooks. That
slightly better endgame due to a strong square is mine for good, as well as the was a critical decision for me.
bishop on g2, and some more activity. I c-file.
chose a more dynamic way of playing. 23. Bxa6!
11. ... Nbd7
5. ... Bf5 I made calculations, and wasn't sure;
Maybe 11. ... c5!? was worth a better try both moves seemed pretty good. How-
Another way of playing is 5. ... Nbd7!? to reduce the effects of Na4. Though then ever, I intuitively didn't see anything scary
but I feel like it is not quite as strong, as the development would fall more behind for Black with his rook on h1, whereas my
after 6. h3! Qc7 7. Bg5!? White gets a after the simple dxc5. But at least the c5- queen on b3 is much more active than
slight advantage in complicated lines after square wouldnt be as weak for Black. that passive rook on f8. Two rooks arent
7. ... h6 8. Bh4 Nh5 9. g4 and 10. g5. so effective when not worked together as
12. Na4 Qb7 13. Rc1 Ne4
6. Nh4! a general rule. After 23. Kxc1?! Rc8+ 24.
With a simple threat of g5. But I want Nc3 Bd3! things are not so clear and
Very nice novelty, challenging the devel- to leave the h4-square anyway. Maybe Black all of a sudden is getting tremen-
oped bishop right away, first used by GM just 13. ... 0-0 would be better to keep an dous counterplay.
Vishy Anand against GM Yue Wang, and option of ... Nh5 in some cases.
then a few other people, including GM 23. ... Rxh1 24. Bc7 Rg1 25. g4 Rg2+ 26. Ke1
14. Nf3 0-0 15. Nd2!
Varuzhan Akobian against me at the Fox- Objectively now White is winning, but
woods Open (see July Chess Life of course Black still has some dangerous
(see diagram top of next column)
annotations) and my trainer GM Giorgi counterplay, as the position can open up
Kacheishvili against GM Timur Gareev Removing his best piece on the board, any time with ... e7-e5.
very recently. and at the same time heading towards b3,
to attack the a5 and c5 squares. After 26. ... e5!?
6. ... Be6?!
29. ... Ra8 30. Nb6 I is back home and me and my buddy
French Defense (C10) is eyeing the b-pawn. It is now clear that
And now the rook is lost. Black will GM Evgeny Najer (2714) Black is not after the kingside but the end
try for a few last tricks now. GM Hikaru Nakamura (2787) game.
World Open, Philadelphia (7), 07.04.2009
30. ... Rxb2 31. Re1 f4 32. Re5 Naxb4 33. Qe1 Rh6 34.
Clearly easy to see that nothing else This is one of the more remarkable Rg5 Kb6
works. games in American chess in my memory.
Just look at the frisky beasts! Whites c5 11. d5 exd5 12. cxd5 Na6 13. Be2 Nc7 14. How else to try to untangle?
bishop is a spectator and White must a4 Nfe8 15. Nc4 f5
35. ... Nxb5 36. axb5 Bxb5 37. Qd3 Re4
give back the Exchange to avoid immedi-
ate disaster. r+ qnrk+ Now there is no good way to guard the
41. Rxg4 pln l p f-pawn and Whites kingside crumbles. If
38. Rh4, then 38. ... Re3 decides and if
No better is 41. Rxh5 Qxd4+ 42. Kh1 p p + p 38. Rf3, 38. ... Qh5 does the trick.
Nc2+ 43. Qb1 Nf2+ 44. Kh2 Rxh4+ 45.
Rxh4 Qxh4+ 46. Rh3 Nxh3 47. gxh3 Qf2+ + pP+p+ 38. b3 Rxf4+ 39. Rf3 Rg4
48. Bg2 Ne1 49. Qe4 Qxg2+ 50. Qxg2 P+N+PP + Mate in one is the threat!
Nxg2 51. Kxg2 b4.
+ N + L 40. Rf2 Bxf2 41. Kxf2 Qh5, White resigned.
41. ... Qxd4+ 42. Kh2 hxg4 43. Rxe6 g3+ 44.
Kxg3 Rxh4 45. Qe5 P +L+PP Time pressure is over and White has no
After 45. Qe3 Nd5 46. Qxd4+ Rxd4 and R +QK +R saving moves.
the connected passers decide. After 15. ... f5 Everybody loves a good upset. This
year there were two particularly notable
45. ... Qg4+ 46. Kf2 Qf4+ 47. Qxf4 Rxf4+ 48. This well timed thrust keeps equality as upsets to choose from. In the first, Class
Ke2 Nc2 49. Rg6 b4 50. g3 Rxf1 Black has d5 and d6 both covered. A player John Vaughan scored a round
A final elegant touch. The remaining 16. exf5 Bf6 one upset over IM Bryan Smith. Smiths
knight dominates the rook and the g- rating going into the tournament was
pawn gets nowhere. This makes it a gambit. 2528, so there was a 594-point spread
17. 0-0 Bd4+ 18. Kh1 Nf6 19. Bh4 Qd7 20. between the two players! In the seventh,
51. Kxf1 b3 52. Rg8 Kc5 53. Rb8 Nb4 54. Rd8
Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Bf3 Ba6 22. Qb3 Rae8 23. g4 life master (and perennially-floored mas-
b2 55. Rd1 Kc4, White resigned.
ter) Jerry Hanken defeated FM Daniel
You can do the math yourself. This is The battle lines are drawn but White Yeager, winner of the 2008 Denker Tour-
truly a great game! has a slight edgeperhaps not a full nament of Champions and the 2008
pawns worth, but something to build National High School Championship.
Najer, after suffering his only loss in upon.
that game, was fortunate to win from 23. ... h5 24. h3 hxg4 25. hxg4 g6 26. Kg2
Alex in the following interesting game. Symmetrical English (A36)
This allowed the Russian to split $30,000 The alternative 26. fxg6 Bxc3 27. Qxc3 Jerome Hanken (2200)
with the Hurricane. Rxf4 28. b3 Bxc4 29. bxc4 Qg7 30. Qxg7+ FM Daniel Yeager (2388)
Kxg7 31. Bg2 Rxf1+ 32. Rxf1 Kxg6 is World Open, Philadelphia (7), 07.04.2009
about an equal ending with chances for
Queens Indian/ both sides.
Nimzo-Indian hybrid (E13) 1. c4 c5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. e3 d6 5. Ne2
GM-elect Alex Lenderman (2638) 26. ... gxf5 27. g5 Bd4 28. Rh1 Bg7 29. Rh3 Nc6 6. Nbc3
GM Evgeny Najer (2714) Re7 30. Rah1 Rfe8
My favorite system. At times I have
World Open, Philadelphia (6), 07.04.2009 Rook batteries on the e- and h-files somewhat immodestly referred to this
promise fireworks and they come soon! (It setup for white as The Hanken English.
This was one of the two key games of
was the Fourth of July!) I was happy to see Blacks next move,
the tournament. Alex could secure his
which hands over the d5-square.
grandmaster title with only a draw in 31. Bh5 Bb7
either of his last two games as long as 6. ... e5 7. 0-0 Nge7 8. Rb1 0-0 9. d3 Be6 10.
they were with foreign grandmasters. If he This exchange sac is not quite sound.
Nd5 Rb8 11. h3
could win this game he would have a If Black saves his rook, the pressure on
the a6-f1 diagonal keeps the game in bal- The first new move in the database.
crack at first place money. As you can see
ance. And probably not an improvement on the
from the interview on page 26, the boy
standard 11. Nec3, which is preferred by
had the title uppermost in his mind but 32. Bxe8 Qxe8 33. Rd1 Bd4 34. Kf1?
the grandmasters! White is trying to get
money is also nice! Najer had to win to
recover from his seventh round loss to the + +q+k+ some play going on the kingside.
pln r +
Hurricane. 11. ... a6 12. f4 b5 13. b3 Bxd5!?
As it turned out, Alex outplayed his
more experienced opponent and was on p p + + Black had a choice between this and
the more conventional 13. ... Qd7 14.
+ pP+pP
the verge of victory when a time pres-
Kh2 f5. Not surprisingly, my young oppo-
sure error turned the tables. This was
only his second loss in the 22 games he P+Nl P + nent tries to mix things up so he can
play for the win!
+QN + +R
played in the Philadelphia International
(which he won), and the World Open. 14. cxd5 Nb4 15. e4 Nxa2
This happened in only a span of 12 days. P + + + My thinking was: who needs the a-
+ +R+K+
Remarkable indeed!
pawn anyway? The black knight has
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. gallantly charged into enemy territory
After 34. Kf1
Bg5 Bb7 6. Nd2 and duly done its damage. Yet when the
This time pressure error turns the battle drum is sounded on the kingside,
Somewhat off the beaten path of Nimzo
tables. 34. Rf3 was correct breaking the the westwardly steed will be many moves
lines but it worked out quite well.
veiled pin on the long diagonal. in returning itself to the east.
6. ... h6 7. Bh4 Be7 8. e4 d6 9. Bg3 0-0 10. f4
34. ... Ba6! 35. Nb5 16. Bd2 a5 17. f5
The drum is sounded and the attack 28. ... Nxh6 29. Kg2? Rf4? 32. ... Kh7, going back, was sounder,
begins. since Whites attack falls short after 33.
Both sides miss 29. ... Nxd3! when 30.
Qh5?! Qf6. (But not 33. ... a2? 34. Qf7!
17. ... f6 18. h4 Nb4 19. Rf3 Ra8 Rxd3 Nxg4 31. Ng3 Rf2+ 32. Kg1 Qd7 33.
with threats.) But who wants to admit
Nf5 a2 gives Black a winning counterat-
Black concerns himself too much with that White can take a draw by playing 33.
tack. 34. Rh3+ Kg8 35. Ra1 Rxf5 36. exf5
queenside matters. The time was right for Bf5+ again?
Qxf5, with ... e5-e4 to follow, is crushing.
19. ... gxf5 20. Bh3 fxe4 21. dxe4 f5,
Blacks advanced passed pawn is not 33. Rxh6 Bxh6 34. Qh5 Qe7 35. Bc3!!
when the b4-knight suddenly finds itself
long in becoming a queen. I guess I really
in the midst of the fray.
did need that a-pawn after all! The text (see diagram top of next page)
20. fxg6 hxg6 21. Bh3 a4 returns material in hopes of thwarting
The winning move. I was proud of this
Whites attack, but it does not accom-
Again 21. ... f5 was correct. Now the as it was tempting to snap off the bishop
plish this aim.
battle for the kingside is firmly in Whites with 35. Qxh6+ Qg7 36. Qxg7+ Kxg7 37.
PHOTO BY CHRIS BIRD
hands. Whites two bishops become 30. Nxf4 exf4 31. Bf5+ Bc3+, when White is winning but Blacks
deadly as the kingside lines open. dangerous a-pawn still leaves some things
Black believes that his control over the
up in the air.
22. Be6+ Kh7 23. g4 a3 24. g5 fxg5 25. Rh3 a2 and a1 squares will decide the game.
g4 26. Bxg4 Ng8 27. h5 g5 28. h6! But the defenses around Blacks king are 35. ... Qh7
dwindling.
The lines are cleared. Or 35. ... Bg7 36. Qh7 and White mates
31. ... Kg8 32. Be6+ Kf8? on g8 next move.
r+ + k +
+ + q +
+ pL+ l
The Dance King
+ppP+ pQ
n +Pp + Jerry Hanken: Though he only tied for
eighth in the World Open, Alex Lender-
approach just clicked. Once he
introduced me to the game, I loved it,
pPLP+ + man just completed three grandmaster and my dad found me the right
+ + +K+ norms in a space of five weeks: the
Copper State and Philadelphia
trainers. The first, Mikhail Katz in
Brighton Beach, is a checkers
+R+ + + Internationals, and then the World
Open. He should be officially awarded
grandmaster. His love of chess was
After 35. Bc3
contagious. I read the right books
the title in October. Ive followed his Karpov, and lots of tactics. Somehow
career for a year or so and have been Ive always been good in endgames.
36. Bf5 f3+ 37. Kxf3 Qf7 38. Qxh6+ Ke7 39. really impressed.
I went to 1000 my first year, and to
Qxg5+ Kf8 40. Rh1, Black resigned. Alex Lenderman: The Arizona
1800 in my second. I won the
tournament was the first time I per-
At this moment I was thinking, Now, Foxwoods Under 1600 section in
formed consistently well against GMs
how am I going to mess up this time? 2001. My next coach was Mikhail
(three wins, two draws, and a loss to
Knowing me, all things are possible! So Trossman, who also taught Irina
my coach Giorgi Kacheishvili). I went
when Yeager resigned, it came as a shock. Krush and others. He helped me
ahead and played in the National
The first thing I did after this game was reach 2300, but the key was playing
Open, since I was in the West. After
to find Bill Goichberg and tell him, Bill, a lot. I did win the World Under 16 in
two draws, I rebounded with three
I played this game against Yeager, and my 2005, but I couldnt find sponsor-
wins and drew with the Armenian GM
attack was simply crushing! Bill, sens- ship, and had some psychological
Tigran Petrosian in a tough game I
ing the opening lines of one of my frequent issues. I found I could make some
couldnt quite win, which would have
post-loss monologues, asked, Well, did money teaching, and was even plan-
been worth $3,000 or so. Ive made
you at least draw? When I replied that I ning to become a math teacher. For
more in many small prize
had actually followed through and won several years I had no regular coach;
tournaments than the $417 I took
the game, his eyes grew wide as saucers. starting to work with Kacheishvili
home in Vegas.
Such is modern chess: when the old beat this year really changed things. He is
A six-round Swiss full of GMs makes it
the young, the result comes as an utter a good friend, not just a coach. With
tough to win big money! But do you
shock. really play chess for money? his help, Im closer to becoming a
Not right now. But Im playing to professional, where I can set my own
Bill Goichberg and his highly competent learn and get experience. Playing the routine.
Continental Chess staff did a wonderful I know you were part of the Murrow
good players is vital. But generally, high school team immortalized in Kings
job of directing the 1200-plus players. yes, I do want to become a of New York. Are you in college now?
For next year only, well be back in Val- professional. I got the associate degree, but right
ley Forge, and it should be an infinitely For most people in your position, its
.
now Im concentrating on chess.
more pleasant experience than our Rev- the chess. Now youre getting a lot of love, and
olutionary Army experienced in that As I get to a higher level, the prizes people enjoy watching you dance.
winter of 1777! will become more important. When did that start?
Youre still 19; are you playing in the Its called getting lite; originated
U.S. Junior Invitational? in Harlem. Some teenagers I was
2009 World Open Yes, Im hoping it will help me get the
Samford Fellowship. (Hot streaks
coaching explained it to me. Later
they asked me to play soccer, which
At A Glance rarely last too long; Alex lost two I dislike, and I suggested the Lite
games and finished third.) It should Dance instead. It became a habit,
Date: June 29-July 5, 2009 be a tough call among Hess, Shank- and spectators ask me to do it.
Location: Sheraton City Center land, and me. Robert Hess great U.S. Chess answer to pop phenomenon!
Hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Championship performance will OK, getting serious ... chess represents
Top Finishers: Open, 1st-2nd, certainly help him. many things to different people. What
Hikaru Nakamura, Evgeny Najer, 7; I didnt even learn chess until I was 19. is chess to you?
Under 2400, Igor Sorkin, I know some GMs from the former Chess is time and space. Basically
Siddharth Ravichandran, Gabriel Soviet Union who started late, and you always have to fight for space
Battaglini, Angelo Young, Rodion theres nothing wrong with that. They and for tempos.
Rubenchik, 7; Under 2200, Scott can go a long way. I learned chess at In the overall scheme of things?
Low, William Stewart, 7; Under tenolder than many of my rivals Chess is something that you have to
2000, Alex Gianos-Steinberg, 8; having immigrated at five. do for love. You cant always be under
Under 1800, Melik Melikyan, 8; Your mixture of Slavic and Brooklyn pressure and be nervous. You have to
Under 1600, James Asaro, Dustin accent is intriguing. How did you learn play chess for your own fun. Luckily
Richwine, Lucas Knight, 7; Under chess? Ive got the pressure for GM norms
1400, Mayen Bior, 8; Under 1200, From my grandfather, who lives in out of the way, and now I can just
Martin Niemczewski, 8; Under Germany, where we vacationed in the play simple chess and play for the fun
900, Sasa Jovanovic, Jerry Bond, 8. summer. He was more patient than of the game. It was bothering me that
Chief Tournament Director: my father, who had also tried to teach I had a prolonged fight to get that
William Goichberg. me. I was more interested in draw against Gareev in the final
numbers. But my grandfathers strict round here. He kept waiting for me to
THE 2001 GOLDEN KNIGHTS LOOKED very much like it would be an experts paradise. Of the
504 entries, there were fully 103 experts vying for the title of Golden Knights champion and the
$2,500 first prize. Apparently the only serious barricade to this great mass of experts were the 27
masters (actually 23 as a few had entered more than once). But the masters that had entered were
some of the best known names in the U.S. correspondence world. Those names were, in the order
they entered, Corky Schakel, ICCM, third in the 1992 Golden Knights, first in 1998, and two-time
future Absolute champion; Walter Brower, also a future Absolute champion; Gary Adams, third
in the 2000 Golden Knights; Chris OConnell, tied for second in the 1987 Golden Knights and fin-
ished first in 1997; the amazing John Burton who finished second in 1997, 1998, and 2000 and
first in 1999; Spencer Kell who tied for second in the 1979 Golden Knights; Jeffrey Baffo who would
win a Palciauskas Master tournament; the highest-rated master Jonah Lowery at 2480; IM and
SIM Kenneth Reinhart; Abe Wilson who finished first in the 2000 Golden Knights; and finally Joseph
Schwing who won in 1991 and was the second highest rated with a 2428 rating.
The Preliminary Round the elusive webserver. 6. a3 cxd4 7. axb4 dxc3 8. bxc3 Qc7 9. Nf3
The goal in the first round of the Golden An early win by the 1997 champion Nd7 10. cxd5 Nxe5 11. Bb5+ Kf8
Knights is clear enough: to score a mini- showed he was in good form.
mum of 4 points in order to qualify for the Safer was 11. ... Bd7 12. Bxd7+ Nxd7.
second round. A perfect score (6-0) is not Now Blacks difficulties multiply.
necessary, but never hurts. In the Golden Semi-Slav Defense (D31) 12. 0-0 Qxc3 13. Nxe5 Qxe5 14. Be3 Qxd5?
Knights the results are weighted. A win or Chris OConnell (2376)
draw in a later round is given more value
than in the opening round. Round one is
F. Alexander Relyea (1811)
2001 Golden Knights Preliminary r+l+ knr
the normal linea win is 1 point, a draw pp+ +ppp
and a loss is a 0. There were 72 sections
to start the tournament, but only 18 play-
1. d4 e6 2. c4 d5 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 Bb4
+ +p+ +
ers managed the perfect score.
Black declines the gambit after 4. ...
dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4. Black +L+q+ +
Among those who found perfection were
Corky Schakel, John Lutes (author of an
understandably did not want to risk a tac- P + + +
excellent book on the French defense),
tical battle with a giant like OConnell, but
it would seem to be his best chance of + + L +
Glenn Ruiz, rated 1982 and qualified for
the semifinals with two (!) perfect 6-0
scoring a point. + + PPP
rounds, as did Charles Ventimiglia, John 5. e5 c5 R +Q+RK
Burton, and H. W. Gustafson who would Having passed up one chance for a After 14. ... Qxd5
later donate a healthy sum of money for wild game, Black elects a second, much
USCF correspondence chess, possibly for riskier, setup.
+ +Q+ +
After 14. a5 2001 Golden Knights Final
streets. Now players are much braver. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Nxd6 exf3 22. Nxc8 Bxc8 Kd6 38. Rd8+ Rd7 39. Qxd7 mate
22. gxf3 Qd5 when Black has compensa-
16. ... Qxb2?! 37. Qxc7+, Black resigned.
tion for the Exchange.
+r+ r k 18. ... Bxa3 19. Rb1 Nc3 20. Nxc3 Qxc3 21.
This is what postal chess is all about!
pp+l+ pp
Rb3 Qa5 22. Rxb7 Rc7
One more Burton treatyou can expect
This is apparently forced as 22. ... Be8
+nlpn + 23. Ng5 sets up too many problems.
John Burton to be up-to-date on the
openings that he plays. Here John and
+ +p+ + 23. Rb5 Qc3 24. Rb3 Qa5 25. Bxh7!? Michael Marshall discuss a popular vari-
+ P + + Baker wants bloodthe weakening of
ation of the Ruy Lopez with a familiar
result.
+ NLLN+P the black kingside is more important
than the pawn count. Whites 26th move
Pq + PP+ is the killer.
Closed Ruy Lopez,
+ RQR K 25. ... Kxh7 26. Bd2! Chigorin Defense (C99)
After 16. ... Qxb2 White could regain the piece immedi- John Burton (2502)
ately with 26. Qd3+ and 27. Rxa3 but Michael Marshall (2186)
This is brave, but from now on Black White sees Blacks pieces carousing on 2001 Golden Knights Final
is a harried man. White operates with a the queenside with only a rook and pawn
consistent series of threats from which to protect the black king. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5.
there appears to be no escape. An earlier 0-0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 0-0 9. h3
game continued 16. ... Qd8 17. Bg5 a6 18. 26. ... Qa4 27. Ng5+ Kg8 28. Qh5 Rf5 29.
Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Qc7 12. Nbd2
a3 Qc7 Gagllardi-Crispino, Italy CC 1983 Qh7+ Kf8 30. Nxe6+! Bxe6 31. Rxe6 Ne7
with only a small edge to White. It may all be modern theory but this
Taking the rook allows mate in two.
position has been being debated for over
17. Nb5 Ne4 18. a3! 32. Rb8+ Kf7 33. Rxe7+! Kxe7 34. Qxf5 a hundred years. It can be found in Heil-
Qd1+ 35. Kh2 Qxd2 36. Qe5+ Kf7 mann-Moewig, Germany 1905, and
This is the critical moment. White could
have continued with 18. Rb1 Qxa2 19. continues to be fresh even today.
Equally hopeless is 36. ... Kd7 37. Qe8+
.
18. ... Bd8 19. Ng3 Ba5 Qxg5+ Kf8 35. f6 Be6 36. Qg7+ Ke8 37.
26. ... Kh6 27. Rfd1 Bf5! and Black is helpless.
The only example of this line I could
find was a recording disaster by corre- (see diagram top of next column) 32. exf5, Black resigned.
nia, was born February, 20 1938. John chess have improved, and risky play the title three times in 1948, 1950, and
served in the U.S. Navy which may means risking the win. 1960, and finished second in 1958.
account for his love of travel. John believes that now is a good time Tom Friedel won the title in 1979 and
John learned to play the game while for him to retire from postal play. At sev- 1981 and finished second in between
he was a freshman in high school, but enty-one he feels he no longer has the those two years. Two-time winners saw
OTB tournament chess was not to be ability to concentrate that he once had. Tony Cayford in 1972 and 1973; Rob
Johns route. It wasnt until 1997 that He notes that it is tougher now to see Salgado in 1975 and 1983; Robert Keat-
John, after reading Chess Life, decided enough moves ahead even with moving ing turned the trick in 1995 and 1996.
to give correspondence chess a try. John the pieces around on the board. And so, It should be mentioned, too, that Chris
noted that he thought it would be a retirement while he is at the very top of OConnell finished first in 1987, sec-
great challenge and an opportunity to his game, the most dominant Golden ond in 1987, and third in 2001.
meet a lot of interesting people. And so Knights player since Hans Berliner fifty But it is John Burton who reigns in
he entered two sections of the Golden years ago. recent history. John finished second in
Knights and the historic run was on. I asked John one final question: what 1997 (the year Chris OConnell won with
Chess is not Johns only interest. do you think you owe your dominance a perfect 6-0 Final round). In 1998 IM
John spends a lot of time with photog- of Golden Knights play to? Johns Corky Schakel won the title, but John
raphy. Years ago when he started he answer befits his modest demeanor. Burton had entered four sections and he
took 35 mm slide pictures, but science Luck, John noted, A lot of LUCK! finished in second, third, fourth, and
marches on. With the advent of digital seventh place. By the 1999 event, John
photography, John has become an advo- The Reign Of had shaken off the second place crown
cate of the new technology. He recounts
that the ability to see if you have man-
King Burton and had moved to the top. In the 1999
Golden Knights, John finished first, sec-
aged to capture the shot immediately John Burtons five year reign over ond, and seventh. The 2000 Golden
has sold him on the newer photography. the Golden Knight tournaments rivals Knights saw John entering only one sec-
His other hobbies include reading, trav- the best of the best. In the 62-year his- tion, but that one section was good
eling, and classical music. Now that he tory of the Golden Knights only a enough to propel him to second place
is fully retired, he is able to spend more handful of players have repeated as behind Abe Wilson. And in 2001, in pos-
time indulging his hobbies. Golden Knight champions. Topping the sibly Johns last Golden Knights event,
I asked John if he had any advice for list is Hans Berliner who won first place John entered two sections. And once
the aspiring correspondence players. in 1955, 1956 and 1959 winning all again, John has won the title and the
John recommends study and patience. three with perfect 18-0 scoresand money. His second section? Fourth place.
Study means staying current with the then went on to win the V Correspon- It was a remarkable finish to a
latest development in the openings as dence World Championship with a remarkable career. King Burton the
many games are won in that phase of record three point margin. First, your reign has been impressive.
the game. Patience means not rushing Before him, Leon Stolzenberg won Long live the king!
your advantage as defensive skills in
ROCKIN
With his victory in the U.S. Junior, IM Ray Robson earns a spot in the World
ROBSON
Junior Championship and the 2010 U.S. Championship By FM Alex Betaneli
THE U.S. JUNIOR INVITATIONAL engaging post mortem analysis performed pressure at all so he can try to gain space
CHAMPIONSHIP was held in Milwaukee, in atmosphere of mutual respect and coop- on the kingside.
Wisconsin this year from July 12-17. This erative truth-searching. Sams annotations
13. ... Nc5
city has rich chess traditions, with famous are fluid and pleasant to follow:
tournaments dating back for at least 50 To give d7 to the other knight.
years. Back in 1957, Bobby Fischer cele- Sicilian Defense,
14. Nxc5 bxc5!?
brated one of his first successes in adult Schevenigen Variation (B84)
tournaments by winning the North Central FM Elliott Liu (2359) 14. ... dxc5 was the alternative, but it
Open. Wisconsin honors important his- IM Sam Shankland (2553) seems to fizzle out to nothing. 15. e5
torical chess figures by holding events 2009 U.S. Junior Invitational (6), Rfd8 16. Qe2 Nd5 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18.
named after them. The Arpad Elo Memo- 07.15.2009 Bxd5 Rxd5 19. c4 Rd7 20. Rad1This
rial, for example, is named after the physics Notes by Shankland looks extremely drawish.
professor who invented the rating system
I played rather poorly at the Junior 15. g5 Nd7 16. Bg2
that we use, with slight modifications, to
this day. So next time you are asked what Invitational. This game came after two White has a plan of playing Rf3-h3 and
Elo in Elo rating stands for, please do consecutive losses: the first loss resulted Qh5, although it is a bit slow.
not say that it is some mysterious from a blunder while up a rook and the
second from 22 moves of opening prepa- 16. ... f5?!
acronym, but impress people by telling
ration by my opponent. Elliott was also
them about the rating creator.
The event, with an average rating of having a rough tournament, having lost r+ + rk+
2454, was handily won by the 14-year-old his last three games. Somehow, however,
in this situation, we managed to create
+lqnl pp
international master (IM) Ray Robson.
It's not quite Fischer's recordwinning at quite an interesting fight. p+ pp+ +
13but it is no less impressive: with a 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. + p +pP
performance rating of 2751, Ray earned
a spot at the World Junior Championship
Nc3 a6
P+ +PP +
in Argentina this year and qualified for the This is my favorite openingThe Naj-
dorf variation.
+ N L +
2010 U.S. Closed Championship. If one
adds to this a $1,000 first prize, 25 USCF 6. Be3 e6 7. Be2!?
PP+ +LP
rating points, and enough FIDE rating
This is a fine move, but it takes the
R +Q+RK
points to cross the 2500 barrier, then
game in a whole new direction, into After 16. ... f5
Rays satisfaction can be fully appreciated!
Ray was joined by two other IMs (Sam Scheveningen territories. 7. f3 b5 8. Qd2
This is a good idea, but maybe bad
Shankland and Salvijus Bercys), one GM Nbd7 9. 0-0-0 (9. g4 h6 10. 0-0-0 b4all
timing. The only real plan I could see for
(Alex Lenderman is waiting for the next of this is relatively mainline stuff.)
White was Rf3-h3 and attack, and f5
FIDE congress to award his title), three 7. ... Qc7 would be more effective if Whites rook
FIDE masters (Joel Banawa, Elliott Liu was already misplaced. However, Black
and Michael Lee) and the winner of the This flexible move is favored by Garry
must also always look out for the possi-
2008 U.S. Junior Open (Maxx Coleman) Kasparov. Black wants to play 7. ... b5,
bility of White playing f5 himself, so I
in the all-play-all round robin. This tour- but at the moment it is bad; Qc7 is a
decided to end that idea right away.
nament, despite being a closed American move Black always wants to play, while
16. ... Rae8 17. f5 exf5! 18. exf5 (18. Rxf5
event, had a very nice international fla- it is not yet clear whether he wants his b8
g6 19. Rf1 Qd8 20. h4 f6 and Black seems
vor to it as Alex is originally from Russia, knight on c6 or d7. 7. ... b5? 8. Bf3! e5 (8.
happy enough. Black has an edge after 21.
Sal immigrated with his family from ... b4 9. e5 dxe5 10. Nde2 wins material)
Nd5 fxg5 22. Nxe7+ Qxe7 23. Bxg5 Qe5) 18.
Lithuania, and Joel hails from the Philip- 9. Nf5 and White has a clear advantage.
... Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Qb7+ 20. Kg1 Qxb2 21.
pines. It goes without saying that all 8. a4 Nd5 Bd8I was averse to such positions
participants spoke the most fluent of because I thought the knight on d5 would
international languages, namely chess! Stopping b5.
be too powerful and Whites extra space
The following game was annotated by IM 8. ... b6 on the kingside would give him good attack-
Sam Shankland especially for Chess Life. ing chances, but in reality there is not too
This game symbolizes the tournament as If Black decides not to play this move
much to fear and Black is likely to be slightly
it contains multiple elements characteris- the game will transpose to a Schevenin-
better here.
tic of this event: sharp, uncompromising gen. 8. ... Be7 9. 0-0 0-0 10. f4 Nc6.
struggle regardless of tournament stand- 17. Qe2!
9. f4 Bb7 10. Bf3 Nbd7 11. Nb3
ings; several critical positions where crucial A good waiting move from Elliott. White
decisions need to be made, at times intu- Black was threatening Nc5, winning a pawn.
now threatens Qc4.
itively; active prevention of opponents 11. ... Be7 12. 0-0 0-0 13. g4
ideas; flexibility in choosing alternative 17. ... Rae8
plans; and, perhaps most importantly, Such a move is normal in this kind of
Now Black threatens fxe4. 17. ...
structure. Whites king is not under any
# Player 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total
1 IM Ray Robson 2557 XX 1 1 1 1 1 6
2 IM Salvijus Bercys 2503 XX 1 1 1 5
3 IM Alex Lenderman 2636 0 XX 1 1 0 1 4
4 IM Samuel Shankland 2553 0 XX 0 1 1 3
5 FM Michael Lee 2406 0 0 0 1 XX 1 1 3
6 FM Joel Banawa 2408 0 0 0 XX 1 1 3
7 FM Elliott Liu 2359 0 0 1 0 XX 2
8 CM Maxx Coleman 2182 0 0 0 0 0 0 XX
fxe4? Black would like to play this move suggestion, after which it says Black is so Ashish Vaja, one of the organizers,
but here it fails. 18. Bh3! e5 (18. ... Rf5 better. In the game I thought forcing praised all participants for their fighting
this Exchange sacrifice would be fine for Whites bishop out of the way to make spirit at the award ceremony. All players
Black if he could manage to play d5, but room for his rook and permanently giving will fondly remember the Milwaukee Brew-
here he cant. 19. Bxf5 exf5 20. Qc4+ Kf8 the white knight a healthy home at e4 was ers major league baseball team for
[20. ... Kh8 21. Qf7 is good for White) a bad idea, but concrete variations prove presenting them with commemorative jer-
21. a5!keeping Blacks knight away otherwise. 22. Bxb7 Qxb7 23. Bc1 Qd5 seys at the end of the tournament. The
from b6. White has a big advantage: 21. 24. Ne4 c4Black will follow up with Brewers are highly appreciated for contin-
Nd5? Nb6! 22. Nxc7 (22. Nxb6 Qxb6 and Nc5 and enjoy a better position. uously supporting chess and encouraging
Black will play d5 with a fine position) 22. the development of young minds.
22. Bc1 Bc8 23. b3 e5 24. Qh4
... Nxc4 23. Nxa8 Nxe3 24. Nb6 Nxc2 The 2009 U.S. Junior Open preceded
Black is down two Exchanges, but has A much less ambitious move. 24. f5!? the closed event. Sam Shankland awarded
two powerful connected passers, the White threatens a5 followed by Bxd5+. 24. the first place trophy in the U21 division
bishop pair, and neither of Whites rooks ... e4 25. g6! (25. c4 Bxg3! 26. hxg3 g6 to Eric Rosen (Illinois) and welcomed Eric
will be very useful soon. Black is better. Black looks to have a playable position, as the first official participant of next
but it is still very tense.) 25. ... hxg6 (25. years junior invitational event. Eric scored
18. Rae1 fxe4 19. Nxe4
... h6Now Black does not have g6 avail- 4 points together with Kevin Bu (Min-
19. Bxe4? d5 Threatening dxe4 and able in the last key line. 26. c4 with nesota) and won the title in a thrilling
d4. 20. Bxh7+ Kxh7 21. Qh5+ Kg8 22. initiative) 26. Qxg6 Be5 27. c4 with a Armageddon game.
Rf3White looks to have a dangerous very complicated game. The tournament was co-sponsored by
attack, and while my gut feeling was USCF, Vaja International Chess Acad-
24. ... exf4 25. Rxe8 Rxe8 26. Bxf4!
Black should be able to defend and win emy and Wisconsin Chess Academy. The
here, I did miss Blacks next move. 22. ... Elliott correctly decides not to roll the Internet Chess Club provided live cover-
Bxg5! 23. Qxg5 (23. fxg5 Rxf3 24. Qxf3 dice with a5. 26. a5 fxg3 27. axb6 gxh2+ age of the events and the Wisconsin
d4White has no attack, will be down a 28. Kh1 Qxb6!We found this idea in Scholastic Chess Association helped run
piece, and is hurting along the long diag- the post mortem. Originally we both the event smoothly. Special thanks to
onal. It is completely over.) 23. ... d4and thought Black had to play Qc6 or Qb7 to the Ramada Hotel for providing an excel-
Black gets his piece back. A knight on f6 defend d5. 29. Bxd5+ Be6White looks lent playing venue. Frank Berry deserves
will successfully cover all threats. to have some play, but in reality, Black is the highest praise for his work as a tour-
.
in no danger and White is just lost. 30. nament director, a chief photographer,
19. ... d5 20. Ng3 Bd6
Be4 g6 31. Bb2 c4Bxg6 will always be and a supervisor of multiple social activ-
Black looks to have some pressure, but met by Bd5+, and White cannot move ities and side events!
it is hard to continue after White plays Qg4. the rook off the back rank in view of Qg1
mate. Black is up material, and although
21. Qg4
at first glance it may not look like it, 2009 U.S. Junior
+ +rrk+ Whites king is in a lot more danger than Closed Championship
Blacks.
At A Glance
+lqn+ pp 26. ... Bxf4 27. Qxf4 Qxf4 28. Rxf4
p+ lp+ + There is very little play left. Date: July 13-16, 2009
+ pp+ P 28. ... a5 29. Kf2 Re5 30. h4 Be6 31. Bf3 Nc8
Location: Ramada Milwaukee
P+ + PQ+ 32. Bg4 Bxg4 33. Rxg4 Nd6 34. c3 c4 35.
Conference Center, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin
+ + L N bxc4
Standings: 1st: Ray Robson, 6;
PP+ +LP 35. b4The last chance to make some
imbalances seems to fall flat on its face. 35.
2nd: Salvijus Bercys, 5; 3rd: Alex
Lenderman, 4; 4th-5th: Samuel
+ + RRK ... axb4 36. cxb4 c3and Black is too Shankland, Michael Lee, 3; 6th:
fast. Joel Banawa, 3; 7th: Elliott Liu,
After 21. Qg4
2; 8th: Maxx Coleman, .
35. ... Nxc4, Draw agreed.
Chief Arbiter: Frank Berry
21. ... Nb6 A peaceful end to a violent game. Appearance Fee: $300 to help
21. ... d4This was the computers with expenses per player.
There were virtually no peaceful draws,
http://main.uschess.org/content/view/9474/131/
Time, Anyone?
By GM Lev Alburt
Analyzing a chess game when not knowing the time spent on each move is like
making a medical diagnosis via telephone! In both cases, the provided information
is incomplete.
rnlqkl r
Why is a master so much stronger than question I would have asked a student:
a C-player? Because: (a) he knows more; how long did you think before playing 4.
(b) he knows things which are truly impor- ppp pppp e3, and what were you thinking about?
+ + n +
tant; (c) his knowledge is activei.e.,
5. Nf3 0-0 6. Bd3
ready to be used in a game; (d) he thinks
more effectively, and (e) last but not least, + +p+ + rnlq rk+
+PP + +
he uses his time better. This last element
is often ignored by club players. In sub- ppp lppp
missions to my column, time is mentioned + + + + + +pn +
PP +PPPP
very rarely, and then only as in he was
short of time or my time was running + +p+ +
out, so I accepted a draw offer.
The winner of this months award,
RNLQKLNR +PP + +
Kevin Funderburk, played an interest- After 2. ... Nf6
+ NLPN+
ing, instructive game, and accompanied
it with thoughtful annotations. But Ill
This Marshall Defense surrenders the
centerand favors White after 3. cxd5!
PP + PPP
try to show to you and to both players, Nxd5 (or 3. ... Qxd5 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. Bd2. If R LQK +R
that information about the time spent 5. ... Qb6, then 6. Nf3, and the b2-pawn After 6. Bd3
on certain moves is badly neededand is pure poison; 6. ... Qxb2?? 7. Rb1 Qa3 8.
missing. Nb5, winning) 4. e4 (Also good is 4. Nf3 Bf5
Writes Kevin (Levs future comments 6. ... Nc6
5. Nbd2, with a clear edge) 4. ... Nf6 5. f3,
will be in italics): maintaining the central duo (After the nat- In double queen-pawn openings (1. d4
ural 5. Nc3 e5! 6. Nf3! exd4 7. Qxd4 d5) its usually not good to block the neigh-
My name is Kevin Funderburk and I am Whites advantage is smaller). boring c-pawn with a knightunless that
an unrated player. My first experience Finallyand importantlyif Black knight enables (soon!) the central thrust e4
with chess was about six years ago as a wanted to get the position after his third (for White) or ... e5 (for Black). Black should
teen. Getting severely thrashed, repeat- move (as in the game), he had to play 2. have played here 6. ... b6 or 6. ... c5, with
edly, quickly lost its appeal. I have only ... e6 (first) and only then, on move 3, ... approximate equality.
recently taken to chess with more enthu- Nf6. Kevin, however, didnt exploit Blacks
inferior second move (I suspect he played 7. a3
siasm; a year and a half ago, to be exact.
Pandolfinis Endgame Course (an excellent his 3. Nc3 very quickly). The move 7. 0-0 might have been bet-
choice!L.A.) and a few issues of Chess 3. Nc3 e6 ter but I did not want Blacks knight to
Life have been my only tutors in the last threaten my bishop. I had early plans of
Ive played this opening several times, an attack on Blacks kingside with the
18 months. Needless to say, I cant wait
both as White and as Black, with favor- light-color bishop taking a key role.
to add to that repertoire. The following able results.
game was played between me and another I like 7. a3. Among other things, it keeps
known only as Big Forty at the Eldorado 4. e3 Be7 Blacks c6-knight in its currentpawn-
Correctional Facility. blockingposition.
Black usually plays 4. ... Bb4.
Whites 4. e3 is a relatively rare move 7. ... Ng4??
Queens Gambit Declined (D37) not bad, but not as ambitious as the more
Kevin Funderburk Big blunder! Not only is this move use-
common 4. Bg5, 4. Nf3 or 4. cxd5. By
Big Forty less but it wastes a tempo once I push my
blocking his dark-square bishop, White
h-pawn.
practically gives up his opening edge.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nf6 Black can equalize with either 4. ... c5 or 8. h3 Nh6
4. ... Be7 (as in the game), while 4. ... Bb4
(see diagram top of next column) transfers into a main line Nimzo-Indian. A (see diagram top of next page)
+n+p+ n p + + p
another may as well.
I definitely think so.
+ +p+ + n +P+ +
+PP + + + +L+ +
Levs quick summary of the game,
highlighting critical moments:
P NLPN+P P N +N+P Blacks inaccuracy on move 2/White
P + PP+ P + PP+
allows it to go unpunished.
On move 4, White chooses an unambi-
R LQK +R R +Q+RK tious 4. e3.
Black blocks the c-pawn on move 6;
After 8. ... Nh6 After 14. ... Na5
White stands better as a result.
Whites 7. a3a praiseworthy prophy-
This appears to be another blunder by
15. Ne5 laxis.
Black. The knight seems to be misplaced
Or 15. Nd4!?, preventing ... f5. Note how Black, on move 7, starts time-wasting
here. When I saw this move, I immediately
vulnerable is the Black kingand Blacks maneuvers which lands his knight on
saw a potential target for my dark bishop
a5-knight. the (bad) h6-square.
which would seriously cripple Blacks
White misses a chance to win a pawn on
kingside, should it remain. 15. ... Bf6?? move 9; still, hes clearly better.
9. 0-0 White takes on h6 (on move 12, after
After several bad and dubious moves by
r+ q rk+ starting it all with 10. e4), damaging
Black, Kevin should expect to be (much) plp +p+p Blacks kings pawn cover.
On the 15th move, in a clearly worse
better, but how to take advantage of the
situation? Its not that obvious, and it
p + l p position, Black blundersbut then White
requires, in a tournament game, 15-20 n +PN + misses a forced win (discovered by Kevin
in post-mortem analysisgood for him!).
minutes of deliberation. The move Kevin
made, 9. 0-0, guarantees White an advan-
+ +L+ + On the 16th move, Black missed his last
tage after, say, 9. ... dxc4 10. Bxc4 Nf5. P N + +P (just given) chance to prolong the play
with 16. ... Bxe5 (not in Kevins notes
Can we try for more? Can we bury the P + PP+ still room for improvement!), and resigns
R +Q+RK
knight on h6? Not that easy, as 9. g4 is met on the next move, as his position is lost
.
by 9. ... dxc4 10. Bxc4 f5, with counter- by now.
playor if 9. cxd5 exd5 10. g4, than also After 15. ... Bf6
10. ... f5. Perhaps White should simply p.s. Games with time anyone?
win a pawn: 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Qb3 Be6 11. This was the final mistake. Black
Qxb7, and because of Blacks exiled h6- needed the ugly 15. ... f5 to stop the
knight, Black gets virtually no compensa- immediate mate. 15. ... f5 16. Bc2 (or 16.
tion for a lost pawn. Bxf5 Rxf5 17. Qg4+ Rg5 18. Qe6+ Kg7 19.
f4 Rxe5 20. fxe5, with a strong attack
9. ... b6? L.A.) 16. ... Ba6 17. Re1. Things are still
not going good for Black. White clearly has
Send in your games!
Better was 9. ... Nf5. The game move If you are unrated or were rated
allows me to exploit the misplaced knight the better position. Now neither 17. ... Nc4
nor 17. ... Nb7 are good, both met by 18. 1799 or below on your Chess Life
and weaken his kingside. label, then GM Lev Alburt invites
Not so. If 9. ... Nf5, 10. Bxf5, winning a Nc6.
you to send your instructive games
pawn. Relatively better is 9. ... dxc4 10. 16. Qh5 with notes to:
Bxc4 Nf5, as mentioned above. Back to Basics, c/o Chess Life
After I made this move, I realized I just
10. e4 dxe4 11. Bxe4 Bb7 prolonged the mate unnecessarily: 16. PO Box 3967 Crossville, TN
Qg4+ Bg5 17. Qf5 followed by mate. By 38557-3967
r+ q rk+ going 16. Qh5 I just delayed the inevitable Or e-mail your material to
plp lppp 16. ... Kg7 17. Qg4+ Bg5 18. Qf5 and
Black cannot stop it. But Black decided
[email protected]
GM Alburt will select the most
pn+p+ n to speed things up in order to attempt ret- instructive game and Chess Life
+ + + + ribution all the more quickly in the next
game.
will award an autographed copy of
Levs newest book, Chess Training
+PPL+ + After 16. Qh5? Bxe5! White is much bet- Pocket Book II (by Lev Alburt and Al
P N +N+P ter, but the game is far from over (time
spent on 16. Qh5alas, unknown).
Lawrence) to the person submitting
the most instructive game and anno-
P + PP+ 16. ... Qe7 17. Qxh6 Rfe8 18. Bxh7+, Black
tations.
R LQ+RK resigned.
Do not send games with only a
few notes, as they are of little instruc-
After 11. ... Bb7 After 18. ... Kh8 19. Bg6+ Kg8 20. tive value and cant be used. Writing
Bxf7+. skills are a plus, but instructiveness
12. Bxh6 gxh6 13. d5 exd5 14. cxd5 Na5 My opponent made too many errors is a must! Make sure your game (or
and it cost him. Please forgive my novice part of it) and your notes will be of
(see diagram top of next column) notes. I am an amateur player and still interest to other readers.
Bishop Bout:
2009 U.S. Championship, Part II
By GM Pal Benko
r + + +
This month we continue looking at Gata could not even reach the dreaded
endgames from the U.S. Championship, rook and bishop against rook endgame.
focusing this time on the relative value of +P+ + R
k + + p
the bishop. Bishop bound
GM Varuzhan Akobian (2659)
Wrong bishop n +L+ +P GM Julio Becerra (2669)
+ + + +
GM Gata Kamsky (2794)
GM Joshua Friedel (2591) + + + +
+ + + + +lq +pk
+
+rk + + + + +
+ + +pp +p+ +p+
+ + + +K +pQ P +p
+ p + p
+ +L+ nP
After 47. ... Na5
p + + P
P P + +
which arises after 48. Rh7! since after 48. + + +LP
PP + PK+
... Nxb7 49. Bxb7 Rxb7 50. Rxh6+ Kc5 51.
+ P + + Rh8 Kd6 (51. ... Rg7 52. Kh2!) 52. h6!
+ + + +
wins. To go for a rook endgame was not
an easy choice, but the bishops mobility
+ + + +
+ + +R+K premium is diminished with the limited
material.
White to play
40. gxh5 Kxh5 41. f3 Kh6 42. h5 Qb2+ 48. ... Re3+ 49. Kg4 b1=Q 50. Bf6+ Kh6 out having committed a major mistake. No
good plan can be seen against the central-
A simple revenge check; all that was White resigned due to 51. Rh8+ Qh7.
ized white king and the superior bishop.
left in consolation since after 42. ... Kxh5
43. Qg4+! Kh6 44. Qh4 is checkmate. Better bishop 34. g3!
IM Irina Krush (2474)
43. Kg3 Qg7 44. hxg6 Qc7+ 45. f4 Bc8 46. A good plan is to play f3-f4-f5 to take
GM Boris Gulko (2631)
Qf6, Black resigned. control on the d5-square for a break-
Mate is unavoidable. + +n+k+ through with the king.
Beatable bishop p +n+ pp 34. ... Kf7 35. f4 gxf4 36. gxf4
.
53. h4 Kc6 54. Kh5 Kd5, and Black resigned.
47. Kf2 Rxe4 48. Kg3 After 33. ... Ke8
An endgame of which not only Irina
Or 48. Rb8. Black is now in a worse position with- but any GM could be proud of.
Welcome, Members!
Welcome to World Chess Live (WCL), a new family- ering he had dropped to fourth place in August. ing the GM House home study together religiously.
friendly service with special benefits for USCF members. The rise and fall of GP standings is something that for- More than likely, Kraais immersion into the mutually-
Once again, WCL is pleased to sponsor USCFs 2009 Grand mer philosophy professor GM Jesse Kraai could supportive environment at the GM House has inspired
Prix (GP) and 2009 Junior Grand Prix (JGP). Were provid- undoubtedly write about with flourish and style. This his active play this year. Participating in more GP tour-
ing prize funds of $25,080 and $10,200 (cash, merchandise, month the spotlight falls on him. Currently number naments has served him well, as he moves his way up
and memberships), and will also be running online grand nine in the standings, the past year has been one of dra- the standings. Kraai has even earned himself a place in
prize satellite events throughout the year. matic change for Kraai. the 2010 U.S. Chess Championships in St. Louis by tying
With three months left to earn GP points, IM Alex Len- He relocated from his solitary life in Santa Fe, New for first in the 2009 U.S. Open. Kraai describes his
dermans lead has dropped from 72 points to 45. Sergey Mexico to San Francisco, where he settled into what is "employers" this way: They're bloody tyrants. They
Kudrin is the GM in hot pursuit of Lenderman, while at known as the GM House. Other residents include work me so hard. Obviously, the hard work is paying
the same time widening the gap between himself and Vinay Bhat and GM Josh Friedel, who Kraai jokingly off for him.
third place GM Jaan Ehlvest. Not bad for Kudrin, consid- lists on his Facebook page as his employers. Those call- ~Betsy Dynako (WCL)
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
grade. First place individual and team, including ties, will be National Cham- Oct. 9-11, Texas ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game.
pion for their grade. Schedule: Opening ceremony Fri. 12:30 pm. Rds.: Fri. 1 World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 Rds 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible!
pm-6 pm, Sat. 10 am-2 pm-6 pm, Sun. 9 am-1 pm. Awards Ceremony Sun. , Lone Star Open A Heritage Event!
Approx. 5 pm. Special round times for K-1 sections: Fri. 1:30 pm-5:30 pm, Sat. 5SS, G/120, FIDE rated. Free entry for GMs and IMs (EF deducted from win- A State Championship Event!
9:30 am-1:30 pm-5:30 pm, Sun. 9:30 am-1:30 pm. Awards Ceremony Sun nings). SIDE EVENTS: (Schol.Team & Ind., 5SS, G/30, 1-day only, Sat. Oct. 10th);
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING OCTOBER 1-14
Under 2000: $250-$125, under 1850 $100. Under 1700: $200-$100, under 1550 day, $22 2-day if received by 10/27; $25 at site. Juniors: $48 if playing for tro- 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-2:15. Half point byes OK all, limit 1; must
$75. Under 1400: $150-$75, under 1200 $50. Unrated may play in any section phy, $69 if playing for cash if received by 10/27; $10 more at site. 3-day commit before rd 2. HR: $79-79, 1-800-787-2886, 802-297-2500, reserve by
but cant win 1st except in the Open section. EF: $39 postmarked by 10/20 or schedule: Reg.: Ends 7 p.m. Rounds: 7:30, 2-7:30, 10:30-4. 2-day schedule: 10/23 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633,
online at www.MassChess.org by 10/23; $45 at site. Discounts: $15 off to Reg.: Ends 9:30 a.m. Rounds: 1st at 10 a.m., then merges with 3-day. All: Re- or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box
unrated, $10 off to seniors (65+) or additional family member (1st pays full entry: $45, not in open. NCCA membership required- $5 (adults only); other 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com/.
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING OCTOBER 1-14
EF). Limit one discount per player. No phone or e-mail entries. Memb. Reqd: states ok. Half-point byes available in 1st 4 rounds, limit 2, must commit $10 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL
MACA ($12 adult/$6 under 18). OSA. Reg.: 8:30-9:30 AM. Rds.: 10-1-3:15-5:30. before 1st round. Hotel: $89 Double/King with 2 complimentary breakfast per JGP.
Byes: limit 1, must request with entry. Ent: payable to MACA, mail to Ken Bal- room night!! Cut-off date on 10/16 to be guaranteed a room. Mention: Chess
Nov. 7-8, Virginia
lou, 27 Fenway Drive, Framingham, MA 01701-4012 or online (PayPal) at Tournament. Info: Thad Rogers (478)-742-5607, Atlanta Chess Center (404)-
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20
www.MassChess.org. Info: George Mirijanian, 978-345-5011, GBOInfo2009@ 377-4400.The tournament is sponsored by American Chess Promotions on the
14th Annual Northern Virginia Open
masschess.org. behalf of the North Carolina Chess Association. Enter: American Chess Pro-
5SS, Rds. 1-3 G/2, rds. 4-5 30/90 SD/1. $$2,300 (Top 3 G) B/90. Hotel Sierra,
motions, 3055 General Lee Road, Macon, Georgia 31204-1517. Email:
Oct. 25, New Jersey 45520 Dulles Plaza, Sterling, VA 20166. www.hotel-sierra.com luxurious sin-
atlantachess@ yahoo.com. NS. FIDE. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 gle and double suites. 20 Reserved Single Suites available by Oct 28 at $99.
ICA Fall 2009 Open Championship Oct. 31-Nov. 1, New York Contact hotel at 703-435-9002 or 1-800.4.SIERRA (Be sure to ask for Virginia
Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601. OpenTo All Ages World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6 Chess rates) or book it online at http://stay.hotel-sierra.com/?id=VIR Near
With Rating over 1400. 4SS, G/60 U. S. Chess Federation Membership Required. Octember Open Dulles Airport. See tournament website for directions and more information.
Prize Fund ($$ b/40) 1st - 3rd $300, $250, $200, U2000, U1800, U1600 each 4SS, 30/90, SD/1. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $45, Mem- Open: $575-325-200 (G); Top X/A-Unr/B/C/D: each $190, Top U1200: $175,
$100. Best Under 13 Years Old $75, Best Over 65 Years Old $75. Prize Fund Will bers $25. $$625 Gtd: 250 -100-75, U2200/Unrated $100, U2000 $100. Reg. Top Upset Thru Rd 4 - $100. Reg.: Saturday, Nov 7: 8:30am-9:45am. Rounds:
Not Be Reduced Below 70 %. Reg Ends at 9 AM. Late Entrants Will Receive 1/2 ends 15 min. before game. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each Sat 10-230-7, Sunday 10-3:30p. One 1/2 pt bye allowed, must commit to byes
Point Bye For Rnd 1. EF: Adv (pmk. By Oct 21st) $40, AT Site $45. GMs Free Entry. day; 1-day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd before Rd 1, and are irrevocable after play starts. EF: $50 if recd by Nov 1,
INFO: 201 287 0250 or 201 833 1741, Email: [email protected] (Web Site 3. Limit 2 byes, commit at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 play- $60 at site or after 11/1. Ent: Michael Atkins, PO Box 6138, Alexandria, VA 22306.
Entries: www.icanj.net). Rds: 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM. ENT: Make ers. WCL JGP. Make checks to Virginia Chess. Email: [email protected], but NO e-mail
EF and/or USCF Membership checks payable to: International Chess A State Championship Event! entries, just information. Web: www.vachess.org/nova.htm. W, NS, FIDE. WCL
Academy Mail To: Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Pennsylvania JGP.
NS NC W. World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 Nov. 8, California Southern
Oct. 25, New York 2009 PA State Championship World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced) 5SS, G/120. Wm Pitt Union, Univ. of Pitt., 5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. 2009 Westwood Fall Open
Grandmaster Challenge (QC) $$(2510 b/90, 2/3 gtd.) 4 Sections: Open: $500-250, U2200 $140. U2000: $300- 5-SS, G/40. Los Angeles Chess Club, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025,
6-SS G/25 (G/20, D/5). Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St., NYC: 212-477-3716, lim- 100, U1850 $140. U1700: $300-100, U1550 $140. U1400: $300-100, U1200 $140. 2nd floor (4 blocks West of 405 Fwy). $$1500 b/50, 80% of each prize guar-
ited to first 64 entries. EF: $35 over 55/under 18, $45 others, $10 less to Unr. limited to $125 in U2000, $100 in U1700, $75 in U1400. Trophies to Top PA anteed. In two sections: Open: $400-200-50, U2200 125, U2000 125. Reserve
Marshall members (free buffet for participants.) GMs free, $25 deducted from &Top PA Junior in each section. EF: $40 by 10/23, $50 later. Re-entry: $20. PSCF (U1800): $$200-125, U1600 $100, Under 1400/unrated $100, U1200 $75. EF:
prize. Reg. ends 11:45 am. G$$350-250-150-100-75-50, $100 U2400, $100 reqd, OSA. Reg.: ends Sat. 9:30am. Rds.: Sat. 10-2:30-7, Sun. 10-2:30. Info: $47 if received by 11/7, $55 at site. SCCF memb. ($18, under 18 $10) req. for
U2200, $75 U2000, $50 U1800, top over 55$=age, top under 18 $=3x age, top 412-908-0286, [email protected]. Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom Marti- rated S. CA residents. No checks or credit cards at site. Half point byes: limit
scoring female ($=# of players.) Rds.: 12-1:15-2:30-4:00-5:15-6:30. Byes: nak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223. W. WCL JGP. 1, must be req. w/entry. Reg.: 9-9:45 a.m. Rds.: 10-11:30-1:30-3:15-4:45. 2
limit 2, request before Round 3. Quick rated; regular ratings used for pairing Nov. 6-8 or 7-8, Vermont Free Parking lots on the SW corner of Santa Monica & Purdue, or in the build-
and prize purposes. Additional class prize $500 2800+, $250 2700+. World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced) ing basement ($3). Inf: [email protected]. Ent: SCCF, c/o John
14th annual Green Mountain Open & Vermont Championship Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Place #1, Los Angeles, CA 90038. On-line entry:
A State Championship Event!
Oct. 30-Nov. 1, or Oct. 31-Nov. 1, North Carolina 5 SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60). Stratton Mountain Inn, Mid- www.westernchess.com. State Championship Qualifier.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 dle Ridge Rd (take Stratton Mountain Rd from center of Bondville), Stratton Nov. 13-15, Florida
2009 North Carolina Open Championship Mountain, VT 05155 (about 2 hours from Albany, NY or Springfield, MA). $$G World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 40 (enhanced)
5-SS, 30/90, SD/1. (2-day option Round 1 G/80). Clarion Hotel Greensboro Air- 1500. In 2 sections. Open, open to all. $$300-150-80, top U2000/Unr $180, 8th Annual Turkey Bowl
port, 415 Swing Road (I-40 at Exit 213), Greensboro, North Carolina 27409. U1800 $160, state championship trophy to top VT resident. Under 1600/Unr: 5SS, G/120, Sat. (2-day Sch.) Rd. 1 G/60. New Location: El Palacio Hotel & Con-
(336)-299-7650. $10,000 b/185 full paid entries, $5,000 GTD. In 6 sections: $$ 200-100-50, U1400 $120, U1200 $100, Unrated $60. EF: 3-day $53, 2-day ference Center, 4900 Powerline Rd, Ft. Lauderdale. $$6,100 b/200 paid entries,
Open: $800-600-500; u2300-$400, u2200- $600-400-300; u2100- $200. Under $52 mailed by 10/30, all $54 online at chesstour.com by 10/29, $55 phoned to 60% min. Gtd. 4 Sections: Open: $1,000/Trophy-600-400-250, U2300 $150-100.
2000: $600-400-300; u1900- $200. Under 1800: $600-400-300; u1700- $200. 406-896-2038 by 10/30 (entry only, no questions), $60 at site. No checks at site, U2000: $600/Trophy-300-200-100. U1600: $600/Trophy-300-200-100. U1200:
Under 1600: $600-400-300; u1500- $200. Under 1400: $600-400-300; u1200- credit cards OK. $30 less to unrated. All: Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess $600/Trophy-300-200-100. Unr. may enter Open or U1200 only. EF: $65 by Nov.
$200, u1000- $200. Unrated: Trophies to top 7. (Unrateds must play in the Life if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com $30, if mailed, phoned or paid 10, $14 more later and on-site, GMs & IMs free ($65 deducted from prize). Reg.:
Unrated or Open section) EF: $83 3-day, $82 2-day if received by 10/27; $90 at site $40. GMs free; $40 deducted from prize. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends ends 1/2 hr before 1st rd. Rds.: 3-Day 1st Rd. Fri. 7:30, 2-Day 1st Rd. Sat 10,
at site. GMs and IMs are FREE, $70 deducted from any prize. Unrated: $23 3- Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 12-6, Sun 9-2:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat Rds. 2-5 Sat. 1:15, 6:30, Sun. 9:30, 2:30. 2 1/2 pt. byes, if reqd before rd. 2.
a separate section; U1200s also eligible for U1400 prizes), Unrated: $300-150 MOTOR CITY CASINO HOTEL, 2901 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201 $500, 400, 300, 200. $$G $300 each class ($150-100-50) Ex,A,B,C,D & below.
(Unrateds in this section eligible for these prizes only). Special prizes $1000 (Directions and Lodging Info below). 2-Day & 3-Day Schedules available. Unr. competes in D & below. $50- upset, 2 half pt byes rds 1-7, $10 OCF
gtd. in memory of Joyce Jillson: Best tactical games 200-100, best positional EF by Mon., 11/23 (add $10 after), IMs and GMs Free ($100 EF deducted from required from all players. Free Parking. Ent: Frank Berry, 402 S. Willis, Still-
games 150-75, best tactical game non-Master 175, biggest rating gain by prize): 3-DAY: OPEN $103 ($93 for Oage 64, Uage 16 or UNR). U1800: $83 ($73 water, OK 74074. 1-405-372-5758. [email protected] NC, CMV, LS, W, USCF,
woman 200, biggest rating gain under age 13 100 (established ratings over for Oage 64, Uage 16 or UNR). U1400: $63 ($53 for Oage 64, Uage 16 or UNR). FIDE. Brasket-Swiss Pairings used - Top half of the beginning X-table awarded
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING OCTOBER 1-14
1000). Special cumulative upset prizes $500 gtd. donated by Dr. Harold Valery: 2-Day Open: $102 ($92 for Oage 64, Uage 16 or UNR). U1800: $82 ($72 for half pt. WCL JGP.
Open, Under 2200, Under 2000 Each $100; Under 1800 $75; Under 1600, Oage 64, Uage 16 or UNR). U1400: $62 ($52 for Oage 64, Uage 16 or UNR).
Under 1400 Each $50; Under 1200 $25. EF: Open, U2200, U2000, U1800,
An American Classic!
Re-Entries: NO Re-Entries in OPEN Section. U1800, U1400: $40, $30 (Up to A Heritage Event!
U1600, U1400 $120 if recd by 11/24, $50 more for players rated under 2000 two 1/2-pt. byes allowed from previous RDS). TL: 3-Day Schedule: G-120. 2-
playing in Open, Unrated $40. All: $30 more at door. SCCF membership reqd, Nov. 27-29 or 28-29, Pennsylvania
Day Schedule: RDS 1-3, G-50; RDS 4-6, G-120. REG: 3-Day Schedule: Fri, World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 150 (enhanced)
$18, $10 jrs under 19 includes Rank & File magazine, OSA. No checks at door 11/27, 9:00-11:00am. 2-Day Schedule: Sat, 11/28, 8:30-9:45am. RDS: 3-Day
cash, credit card or money order only. 4-day schedule: Reg. closes noon 11/26, 40th annual National Chess Congress
Schedule: Fri, 12, 6; Sat, 12:30, 6; Sun, 10, 2:30. 2-Day Schedule: Sat, 10:30, 6SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-3 G/50). Trophy sections play separate
Rds. 12:30-7:30, 12:30-7:30, 10:30-5, 10-4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. closes 11:30 12:45, 3, 6; Sun, 10, 2:30. Up to three 1/2-pt. byes available; must be requested
a.m. 11/27, Rds. 12-2:30-5-8 (G/1), schedules merge in Rd 5 and compete for 2-day schedule only, 11/28-29 (note correction), G/50. Sheraton Hotel Philadel-
before start of RD 3. All sections merge after RD 3. Unrated eligible only for phia City Center, 17th & Race Sts., Philadelphia 19103. $30,000 GUARANTEED
common prizes. Byes (2 max) with advance notice. CCA minimum ratings and UNR and Overall prizes in ALL sections, can play in ANY section. USCF and MCA
TD discretion used to protect you from improperly rated players. November Rat- PRIZE FUND. In 11 sections. Premier, open to all rated 2000/above and jun-
memberships required; can be purchased on site. IM Ben Finegold Lecture iors under 18 rated 1800/above. $3000-1500-700-400-200, clear win or 1st on
ing Supplement used. Lectures and videos. HR: $99, (310) 337-2800, mention on Fri, 11/27, 4:00-5:00pm ($10). Cell phones must be turned off or in silent
chess. Parking only $6. Info: NTD Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, randall- tiebreak $100, U2400/Unr $1400-700. FIDE. Under 2200: $2000-1000-500-300-
mode while in tournament room. INFRACTION: deduct 1/2 the remaining time 200. Under 2000: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Under 1800: $2000-1000-500-300-
[email protected]. Ent: American Open, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA or game forfeiture if less than 10 minutes remaining on clock; automatic for-
91754 or www.americanopen.org. NS, W, F. WCL JGP. 200. Under 1600: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Under 1400: $1400-700-400-
feiture for 2nd infraction. Spectators will be subjected to expulsion for the 300-200. Under 1200: $1400-700-400-300-200. Unrated may not win over $100
A State Championship Event! remainder of the event for any offense. Headphones cannot be used if oppo- in U1200, $200 in U1400, $300 in U1600, $500 in U1800, or $700 in U2000. Top
Nov. 27-29 or 28-29, California Northern nent objects for any reason and cannot be used in the last round by players 7 sections entry fee: 3-day $108, 2-day $107 mailed by 11/19, all $109
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 40 with a plus score. Player must be willing to present same to TDs for examina- online at chesstour.com by 11/24, $115 phoned by 11/24 (406-896-2038, no
CalChess Annual State Championship 2009 tion at any time. Failure to do so will result in removal from tournament questions), $130 at site. GMs free, $100 deducted from prize. Re-entry $60, not
6SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rounds 1-3 G/60). Hotel: Hyatt Regency Santa without refund. $$8,500 OVERALL (70% guar.): OPEN: $3,600 (b/48): 1st-2nd- available in Premier. Mailed EF $3 less to PSCF members. No checks at site,
Clara, 5101 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Free parking. Prizes: 3rd, $1,200-$600-$400; 1st U2400, $350; 1st U2200, $350; 1st U2000, $350; credit cards OK. 3-day late entry ends Fri 11 am, rounds Fri 12 & 7, Sat 11 &
$8,010 based on 166 paid entries. 7 sections. Master/Open (FIDE rated): 1st U1800/UNR, $350. U1800: $2,550 (b/42): 1st-2nd-3rd, $800-$400-$350; 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day late entry ends Sat 9 am, rounds Sat 10, 12:45, 3:30
$1000-500-300-200, (u2300 $201-101) - EXPERT: $500-200-100-100 (u2100: 1st-2nd, U1600, $300-$200; 1st-2nd U1400/UNR, $300-$200. U1400: $2,350 and 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. Trophy Sections: Under 1000, Under 800, Under 600.
201-101) A: $500-200-100-100 (u1900: 201-101) B: $500-200-100-100 (b/50): 1st-2nd-3rd, $500-$350-$300; 1st-2nd U1300, $250-$150; 1st-2nd Unrateds age 15/over may not enter Under 600. Trophies to top 8 players in
(u1700: 201-101) C: $500-200-100-100 (u1500: 201-101) D: $300-200- U1100, $250-$150; 1st-2nd U900/UNR, $250-$150. Mechanical or Quartz Clock each section. Entry fee: $27 mailed by 11/19, $28 online at chesstour.com by
100-100 (u1200: 201-100). Unrated may enter any section but prize limit of $200 for Biggest Upset in each section! Chief Sr. TD: IM Ben Finegold; Asst. Sr. TD: 11/24, $35 phoned by 11/24 (406-896-2038, no questions), $40 at tmt. No checks
in all u2000 sections; balance goes to next player(s) in line. EF: $85 3-day, $79 Ed Mandell. Bring boards, pieces, clocks! Directions & Lodging: MOTOR at site, credit cards OK. Late entry ends Sat 9 am, rounds 10 am, 12:45 pm,
2-day mailed or online by 11/13. Add $15 for 11/14-11/25, add $25 onsite, add CITY CASINO HOTEL, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48201, (313) 237-1589. 3:30 pm each day. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry:
$19 for play-up, and subtract $45 for BayAreaChess Pass. GMs & IMs free Easy access to Grand River Exit from I-94, I-96, I-75 and M-10 (Lodge Free- Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid
before 11/7 (entry feed deducted from prize). Re-entry $39.TD may assign rat- way). See www.mapquest.com for directions. Reservations: MCO Chess Rate at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Student/Alumni trophies to top 5 teams
ings. 3-day schedule: Reg.: Fri 10-10:30a, Fri/Sat 11a 5:15p, Sun 10a, 4:15p. $99 (reg. $249!) by Nov. 7th for this great rate! Reserve online at of 4 (regardless of section) representing any U.S. college, HS or pre-HS play-
2-day sched: Reg.: Sat 9-9:30a, Sat 10, 12:15, 2:30, 5:15p. Sun 10am, 3:15pm. www.motorcitycasino.com OR call toll-free, 1-866-STAY-MCC (866-782-9622). ers attend or have graduated from. Half point byes OK all rounds; limit 3,
Tel 408-786-5515. Byes must commit before rd 3. Max 2 byes. Hotel $99 Info, Ent: Ed Mandell, (586) 558-4790, All The Kings Men Chess Supplies and Premier must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. HR: $93-93-93-93, 215-
BayAreaChess rate, 800-233-1234. reserve by 11/13 or rate may increase. Ent: Brain Games, 27170 Dequindre Rd, Warren, MI 48092,Toll-Free, (866) 538-7890. 448-2000, reserve by 11/13 or rate may increase. Parking at hotel $5/day with
BayAreaChess, 4423 Fortran Ct., Ste. 160, San Jose, CA 95134. $20 service Fax, (586) 558-2046. Email: [email protected], Web: www.allthekings guest room, $12 without; garage next to hotel is about $10. Car rental: 800-
charge for refunds. Questions: [email protected], Info & Entries: menchess.com. WCL JGP. 331-1600, use AWD D657633 or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent:
BayAreaChess.com. More info: BayAreaChess.com/events/ccc09. NS NC W. Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for
Nov. 27-29, Oklahoma refunds. Questions: chesstour.com, ccaguide.com, 845-496-9658. Advance
WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
Nov. 27-29, Michigan 1st Thanksgiving FIDE Open
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 7-SS, G/90+30 sec. Quality Inn, 2515 W. 6th Ave (Hwy-51), Stillwater, OK 1- Nov. 28, California Southern
2009 Motor City Open 405-372-0800. HR: 70-70-70. One section open to all. EF: $40 if postmarked World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
6-SS. 3 Sections: OPEN, U1800, U1400.Top section FIDE-rated. Prize Fund: and paid by cash or ck before Nov 24, $50 at door. Reg.: Fri 11AM-12:45; Rds.: American Open Quick Chess Championship (QC)
$8,500 OVERALL. 70% Guaranteed. Held at New Detroits FABULOUS Fri 1, 5:30, Sat 9-1:15-5:30, Sun 9-1:30. $$G 2,950 will not be lowered. $$G, 5-SS (double round), G/10. LAX Renaissance Hotel, 9620 Airport Bl., Los Ange-
Correspondence Chess Matches (two players) E-mail Rated Events (need e-mail access):
$5 entry fee per person with two, four or six- Lightning Match Two players with two, four or To Enter: 800903USCF (8723), Fax 9317871200
game options. six-game option. Entry fee $5 per person. or on-line www.uschess.org
Win A Correspondence Chess Trophy Swift Quads Four-player, double round-robin
Four-player, double round-robin with class-level Name_________________________________________
format. 1st-place prize merchandise credit of $30.
pairings. 1st-place winner receives a trophy. Entry fee: $10. USCF ID# ____________________________________
Entry fee: $10.
Walter Muir E-Quads (webserver chess) Address ________________ City _________________
Victor Palciauskas Prize Tournaments Four-player, double round-robin e-mail format
Seven-player class-level pairings, one game with tournament with class-level pairings. 1st-place State ___ ZIP __________Phone _________________
each of six opponents. Players must have a USCF receives a certificate.
CC rating to enter. 1st-place winner receives Entry fee: $7. E-mail___________________ Est. Rating _________
$130 cash prize and a certificate signed by Victor Credit card # (VISA, MC, Discover, AMEX)
Palciauskas. Express Tournament
Entry fee: $25. Seven-player events, one game with each of six __________________________ Exp. date __________
opponents.
John W. Collins Memorial Class Tournaments Prizes: 1st place $30 merchandise credit, 2nd If using VISA, need V-code ___________________
Four-player, double round-robin with class-level place $20 credit.
pairings (unrateds welcome). 1st-place winner Entry fee: $15. Check here if you do not wish to have an
receives a John W. Collins certificate. Please circle event(s) selected.
opponent who is incarcerated. *Note: This may
Entry fee: $7. slow down your assignment.
NOTE: Except for Lightning Matches, Swift Quads,
Walter Muir E-Quads, Electronic Knights & Express
Tournaments, players will use post office mail, Make checks payable to U.S. Chess and mail to: Joan
unless opponents agree to use e-mail. DuBois, USCF , PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557
WARNING!
Prize Fund ($$ b/40): 1st - 3rd $300, $250, $200, U2000, U1800, U1600
each $100. Best Under 13 Years Old $75, Best Over 65 Years Old $75. Prize Fund Scholastic R (U13)* $16 $28 $39
Will Not Be Reduced Below 70 %. Reg Ends at 9 AM. Late Entrants Will Receive
1/2 Point Bye For Rnd 1. EF: Adv (pmk. By Dec 2nd) $40, AT Site $45. GMs Free Premium membership provides a printed
Entry. INFO: 201 287 0250 or 201 833 1741, Email: [email protected] (Web Site THE USE OF A copy of Chess Life (monthly) or Chess Life for
CELL PHONE
Entries: www.icanj.net). Rds.: 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM. ENT: Make Kids (bimonthly) plus all other benefits of
EF and/or USCF Membership checks payable to: International Chess
Academy. Mail to: Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. regular membership. Regular membership
NS, NC, W. IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM IS provides online-only access to Chess Life
PROHIBITED!
A Heritage Event! and Chess Life for Kids; TLA Bulletin will be
Dec. 11-13, 19-20, New York mailed to adults bimonthly and to scholas-
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced) tic members three times per year. Youth
Edward Lasker Memorial and 93rd Annual Marshall Chess Club AT MOST TOURNAMENTS!
Championship provides bimonthly Chess Life, Scholastic
9-SS, 40/120, SD/60. Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St., NYC: 212-477-3716. Open bimonthly Chess Life for Kids, others listed
to members and nonmembers rated 2200+, qualifiers from Marshall Amateur IF YOUR CELL PHONE RINGS IN A ROOM WITH above monthly Chess Life. See www.us
Championship Dec.4-6, and seeded players. $$4500 Gtd: $2000-$1000-$500- GAMES IN PROGRESS, YOU COULD BE SEVERELY chess.org for other membership categories.
$350-$100, U 2400/unr $250, U 2300 $200, U 2200 $100. PLUS: Edward
Lasker Memorial Brilliancy Prize $300. Title of 2009 Marshall Chess Club PENALIZED, MAYBE EVEN FORFEITED! Dues are not refundable and may be
changed without notice.
TURN IT OFF!
Champion to highest-scoring Club member. EF: $125, members $100 if received
by 12/10, all $20 more at site. No phone entries. GM EF returned upon com- *Ages at expiration **Purchased online only
pletion of tournament; 2 Schedules: 5-Day, Reg.: 4:30 5:30pm 12/11;
rounds 6pm 12/11, 11:30&6PM 12/12, 11&5:30PM 12/13, 12/19, 12/20. 4-
Dec. 29, District of Columbia Unrated may enter any section, but may not win over $100 in U900, $200 in $100, U1200 $200, U1400 $300, U1600 $400, U1800 $500, U2000 $600. Bal-
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 U1100, $300 U1300, $400 U1500, $500 U1700, or $600 U1900. Top 5 sections ance goes to next player(s) in line. EF: 3-day $108.50, 2-day $107.50 mailed
Eastern Open Blitz Championship (QC) EF: 4 day $99, 3 day $98, 2 day $97 mailed by 1/7, all $100 online at chess- by 3/9, all $109 online at chesstour.com by 3/16, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038
Westin Washington DC City Center Hotel, 1400 M St. NW, Washington, DC. 5- tour.com by 1/11, $105 phoned by 1/11 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), by 3/16 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. GMs free, $90 deducted from
Rd Double Swiss, See Eastern Open TLA for hotel details. TC: G/5 in One $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. GMs free, $80 deducted from prize. prize. Under 1200 EF: All $20 less. Under 900 EF: all $70 less. All: No checks
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING OCTOBER 1-14
Section: Open $$1200 B/40 (top 3 in Open G) $$: Open: $350-$200-$150 (G) U1300, U1100 Sections EF: All $20 less. U900 Section EF: $32 mailed by 1/7, at site, credit cards OK. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games
U2200-$140, U1900 - $125 U1600 - $115, U1300 - $110. EF: $35 if Recd by $33 online by 1/11, $35 phoned by 1/11, $40 at site. All: Unofficial uschess.org usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life
12/22, $45 at site, only cash entries. Mail will not be checked after 12/24 so ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed,
do not send late entries! At Site Reg: Any time during tournament and 12/29 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry $60; not available
until 10:15PM. Rds will start 10:30p promptly and successive rounds posted Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young in Open Section. MCA memb. ($5) required for MO residents. 3-day sched-
as soon as they are ready. One bye allowed for two-1/2 points, only for late Adult $30. Mailed entry $3 less to PSCF members. Re-entry (except Open ule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule:
entry. Higher of USCF and Quick used for pairings and prizes. Make check Section) $80. 4-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-3:15. Under 900 schedule: Reg.
payable and send to: Michael Atkins, send to PO Box 6138, Alexandria, VA 11-6, Mon 10-4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds.Sat 11-2:30-6, ends Sat. 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-12:30-3:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Open
22306, http://members.cox.net/tournaments/eoblitz.htm. Sun 11-6, Mon 10-4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10-12- must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 888-303-1746, 314-
2-4-6, Mon 10-4:30. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends Sun. 9 am, rds Sun 726-5400, request chess rate, reserve by 3/3 or rate may increase. Car
Dec. 29, Nevada rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through
10-12-2-4, Mon 10-12-2. Bye: all, limit 3, Open must commit before rd 2, oth-
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced) chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Ques-
ers before rd 4. HR: $95-95-95-95, 215-448-2000, reserve by 1/1 or rate may
North American Blitz (QC)
increase. Parking: $8/day chess rate with guest room at Sheraton, $15/day tions: 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. $15 service
5-SS, G/5 (double round,10 games). Ballys Las Vegas (see North American
chess rate without guest room, parking lot 1 block from hotel may be less than charge for refunds. WCL JGP.
Open). $$G 2500. In 2 sections: Open: $400-200-150, top U2400/Unr $240-120,
$15. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve through Mar. 31-Apr. 4, Apr. 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4, Pennsylvania
U2200 $220-110. Under 1800: $300-150-100, top U1600 $180-100, U1400 $150,
chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Ques- World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
U1200 $80. EF: $40, no checks, enter at site only. Quick-rated, but higher of
tions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. Philadelphia Open
regular or quick USCF rating used for pairings, prizes. Reg. ends 10:15 pm, rds.
Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP. Open Section, Mar 31-Apr 4: 9SS, 40/2, SD/1. GM & IM norms possible.
10:45-11:30-12-12:30-1. Bye: 1.
Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, Massachusetts U1300 to U2100, Apr 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-
Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, California Northern 2 G/75, 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/40). U1000, April 3-4: 7SS, G/40. Sheraton
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced) World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
Golden State Open 19th annual Eastern Class Championships City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Prizes $100,000
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Under 900 Section is 6 rounds based on 650 paid entries (Seniors count as 3/4 entries; U1000 Section, re-
7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option rds. 1-2 G/75, 2-day option rds. 1-4 G/35, no
playing March 6-7 only, G/75. Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, 366 Main St., Sturbridge, entries, GMs, WGMs & foreign IMs as half entries), else proportional, minimum
2-day Open Section.) Under 900 Section plays separate 2-day schedule Jan
MA 01566 (I-84 Exit 3, near I-90). Free parking. $$ 20,000 based on 250 paid $70,000 (70% of each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections: Open: $10000-5000-
17-18 only, G/35. At Concord Hilton Hotel, 1970 Diamond Blvd, Concord CA
entries (re-entries count half, U900 one-third), minimum $12,000 (60% of each 2500-1300-1000-700-600-500-400-400, clear first bonus $200, FIDE 2300-2449
94520 (I-680 Willow Pass Rd exit). Free shuttle between hotel and Concord BART
prize) guaranteed. In 8 sections: Master (2200/up): $2000-1000-500-300, $3000-1500-700, FIDE Under 2300/Unr $3000-1500-700. If tie for first, top 2
station. Free parking. $$60,000 based on 450 paid entries (re-entries &
clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Expert on tiebreak play speed game for title & bonus. FIDE rated. Under 2100,
U900 Section count as 1/3 entries), minimum guarantee $40,000 (2/3 each
(2000-2199): $1400-700-400-300. Class A (1800-1999): $1400-700-400-300. Under 1900, Under 1700: each $5000-3000-2000-1000-700-600-500-400-
prize). Open, open to all. $$4000-2200-1300-1000-800-700-600-500-400-400,
Class B: $1400-700-400-300. Class C (1400-1599): $1200-600-300-200. Class 300-300. Under 1500, Under 1300: each $4000-2000-1500-1000-700-600-500-
clear or tiebreak winner $300, top U2400 $2000-1000. FIDE. Under 2200: $3000-
D (1200-1399): $1200-600-300-200. Class E (Under 1200): $800-400-200- 400-300-300. Under 1000: $1000-600-400-300-250-200-150-100. Prize lim-
1500-800-700-600-500-400-300-200-200. Under 2000: $3000-1500-800-700-
100. Under 900: $200-100-60-40. Rated players may play up one section. its: 1) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated as of 4/10 list may not win
600-500-400-300-200-200. Under 1800: $3000-1500-800-700-600-500-400-300-
Unrated may enter U900 through A, with prize limits: U900 $100, E $200, D over $500 in U1000, $1500 in U1300, or $2500 in U1500. Games rated too late
200-200. Under 1600: $2500-1300-700-600-500-400-300-300-200-200. Under
$300, C $400, B $500, A $600. Balance goes to next player(s) in line. EF: 3-day for 4/10 list not counted. 2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on
1400: $2000-1000-700-500-400- 300-200-200. Under 1200: $2000-1000-700-
$108, 2-day $107 mailed by 2/25, all $109 online at chesstour.com by 3/2, $110 any USCF rating supplement 4/09-3/10, prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 life-
500-400-300-200-200. Under 900: $800-400-200-150-100-80-70. Prize limits:
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/2 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. GMs time games rated) cannot win over $200 in U1000, $400 U1300, $800 U1500,
1) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) may enter any section, with maximum
free, $90 deducted from prize. Class E EF: All $20 less. Under 900 EF: all $70 $1200 U1700, $1600 U1900, or $2000 U2100. Unofficial uschess.org ratings
prize U900 $200, U1200 $400, U1400 $600, U1600 $900, U1800 $1200, U2000
less. No checks at site, credit cards OK. All: Unofficial uschess.org ratings based based on 4 or more games used if otherwise unrated. 4) Balance of limited prize
$1500. 2) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated may not win over $400
on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues goes to next player(s) in line. Mailed EF: 5-day (Open only) $205, 4-day $204,
in U900, $800 in U1200 or $1200 in U1400. 3) If more than 30 points above sec-
with Chess Life if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young 3-day $203 if mailed by 1/13; 5-day $225, 4-day $224, 3-day $223 mailed by
tion maximum on any list 1/09-12/09, prize limit $1000. 4) Balance of any limited
Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry 3/23; all $250 at site. PSCF members may deduct $3 from mailed EF only. No
prize goes to next player(s) in line. Top 7 sections EF: 4-day $174, 3-day $173,
$60; not available in Open Section. MACA memb. ($12, under 18 $6) required checks at site, credit cards OK. Online EF at chesstour.com: $207 by 1/13, $227
2-day $172 mailed by 1/7, all $175 online at chesstour.com by 1/12, $180 phoned
for MA residents; WMCA accepted for western MA res. 3-day schedule: by 3/29, $250 after 3/29 until 2 hours before rd 1. Phone EF at 406-896-2038
to 406-896-2038 by 1/12 (entry only, no questions), $200 at site. GMs free; $150
Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg (entry only, no questions): $210 by 1/13, $230 by 3/29. No phone entry after
deducted from prize. Under 900 Section EF: $52 mailed by 1/7, $55 online
ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-3:15. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends 3/29. GMs, foreign IMs, foreign WGMs free; $150 deducted from prize. US
at chesstour.com by 1/12 (entry only, no questions), $60 phoned to 406-896-
Sat. 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-12:30-3:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Master WGMs $100; $120 deducted from prize. EF $100 less for Under 1000 section.
2038 by 1/12, $70 at site. All: Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid
must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 800-582-3232, 508- EF $70 less to seniors over 65 in Under 1300 & above sections. Special 1 yr
with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned
347-7393, request chess rate, reserve by 2/19 or rate may increase. Car USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult
or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry (except Master) $60. Mailed
rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult
EF $5 less to rated CalChess members. 4-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6:15
chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Ques- $30. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from Open
pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule:
tions: 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. $15 service Section to Open Section. 5-day schedule (Open only): Reg. ends Wed 6 pm,
Reg. Sat to 10:15 am, rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day
charge for refunds. WCL JGP. rds. Wed. 7 pm, Thu 12 & 7, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day schedule:
schedule: Reg Sun to 9:15 am, rds Sun 10-12-2-4-6, Sun 10-4:30, not avail-
(U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6,
able for Open Section. Under 900 schedule: Reg. Sun to 9:15 am, rds. Sun. Mar. 12-14 or 13-14, California Southern
Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule (U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Fri 10 am, rds
10-12-2-4, Mon. 10-12-2. Byes: OK all; Open must commit before rd 2, others World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U1300 to
before rd 4; limit 3 byes in Open. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 17th annual Western Class Championships
U2100): Reg. ends Sat. 9 am, rds Sat. 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. Under
4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Foreign player ratings: 5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75), Under 900 Section is 6 rounds.
1000 schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 9 am, rds. Sat. 10. 12. 2, 3:45, Sun. 10, 12, 2.
See chesstour.com. HR: $99-99-109, 925-827-2000, reserve by 1/1 or rate may G/75 playing Mar 13-14 only. Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel, 30100 Agoura
4-day, 3-day, & 2-day merge & compete for same prizes. Byes: all; limit 4
increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Questions: Road, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (US-101 to Reyes Adobe Road exit). Adjacent to
(limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Bring
chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Ent: Continental Chess, c/o Goichberg, Box the Santa Monica Mountains, 26 miles west of Burbank, 12 miles from Malibu,
sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: $93-93-93-93, 215-448-
661776, Arcadia CA 91066. $15 service charge for withdrawals. Advance 28 miles from Ventura. Free parking. $$20,000 based on 230 paid entries (re-
2000, reserve by 3/23 or rate may increase. Car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600,
entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP. entries, U900 count as half entries), minimum $16,000 (80% each prize)
use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online at chesstour.com. Foreign player
A Heritage Event! guaranteed. In 8 sections. Master (over 2199): $2000-1000-500-300, clear or ratings: Usually 100 points added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200/more to most other
Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, Pennsylvania tiebreak winner $100, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Expert (2000-2199): $1400- foreign, no points added to CFC, PR or Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced) 700-400-200. Class A (1800-1999): $1400-700-400-200. Class B (1600-1799): accepted for U1900 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Play-
42nd annual Liberty Bell Open $1400-700-400-200. Class C (1400-1599): $1200-600-300-200. Class D (1200- ers who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player
7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3 day option, rds 1-2 G/75; 2 day, rds 1-4 G/40). U900 Sec- 1399): $1000-500-300-150. Class E (1000-1199): $1000-500-300-150. Under ratings: April list used; FIDE ratings used in Open Section. Special rules: Play-
tion plays 1/17-18 only, G/40. Sheraton City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts., 900: $300-150-100-50. Rated players may play up one section. Unrated ers must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In
Philadelphia 19103. $$20,000 b/320 paid entries (U900 Section counts 1/3, GMs must play in A or below with maximum prize A $600, B $500, C $400, D $300, round 3 or after, players with scores of 80% or over and their opponents may
1/2), else in proportion, except minimum 60% of each prize guaranteed. In 2006 E $200, U1000 $100; balance goes lineto next player(s) in line. Top 7 sections not use headphones, earphones or cellphones or go to a different floor of the
to 2009, the tournament had over 320 paid entries each year and the $20,000 EF: 4-day $114, 3-day $113 mailed by 3/4, all $115 online at chesstour.com by hotel without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury
projected prize fund was increased. In 8 sections. Open: $2000-1000-500-300- 3/9, $120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/9 (entry only, no questions), $130 at Mills, NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. You may
200, 1st clear or on tiebreak $100 bonus, 2300-2399 $800-400, U2300/Unr site. Under 900 Section EF: All $60 less. All: Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess request lowest possible section if April rating unknown. $15 service charge
$800-400. FIDE. Under 2100: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1900: $1000- Life if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com. Adult $30, Young Adult $20. for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP
600-400-300-200. Under 1700: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1500: Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry (except (except U1000).
$1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1300: $700-400-200-150-100. Under 1100: Master) $60. SCCF memb. ($18, jr $10) required for rated Southern CA resi-
$700-400-200-150-100. Under 900: $200-100-60-40, trophies to top 10. dents. 3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11-6, Sun 10-4:15. 2-day
schedule: Reg. Sat to 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 10-4:15. U1000 sched-
ule: Reg Sat to 9:30 am, rds Sat 10-1-4-7, Sun 9-12-3. Byes: OK all rds, limit
Regional
2; Master must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 818-707- Alabama
1220, reserve by Mar 3 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600,
DROPPING OUT? use AWD #D657633. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Ent: Continen-
tal Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for
Oct. 10-11, 2009 Space City Open
See Grand Prix.
withdrawals. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP. Oct. 24, Dancing Knights II Scholastic
Have to miss a round? Mar. 19-21 or 20-21, Missouri 5SS, TC: G/30. Homewood Community Center, 1632 Oxmoor Road, Home-
wood, AL 35209. Scholastic (K-12): Rated and Not Rated Divisions. Late
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
REG.: Oct 24th, 8:00-9:00. EF: $20 Rated/$10 Not Rated; if mailed by
It is very important that you 14th annual Mid-America Open
10/17/2009. $10 more at site. Prizes: Trophies Top 3 Individuals each
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Under 900 is 6 rounds playing
section. Top 2 Teams each section.Team is 4+ players from same school/club.
NOTIFY THE DIRECTOR March 20-21 only, G/75. Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Louis-Clayton, 7750 Carondelet
Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105 (I-64 W/US 40-W Exit 32B, 1.2 miles north on Han- Medals: 4th 6th Individuals each section. Rds.: 9:30-10:45-12:30-1:45, 3.
ley Rd). $$ 20,000 based on 250 paid entries (re-entries count half, U900 Section Checks payable to: Caesar Lawrence. ENT: Caesar Lawrence, 882 McAllis-
before pairings are made, so no one ter Dr., Calera, AL 35040. Info: [email protected]. www.caesar
one-third), minimum $16,000 (80% of each prize) guaranteed. In 8 sections:
is deprived of a game! If you forfeit Open: $2000-1000-500-300, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top chess.com. www.alabamachess.com.
without notice, you may be FINED up U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Under 2200: $1400-700-400-300. Under 2000: $1400-
Arizona
700-400-300. Under 1800: $1400-700-400-300. Under 1600: $1200-600-300-
to the amount of the entry fee! 200. Under 1400: $1200-600-300-200. Under 1200: $800-400-200-100. Under Every Friday - Friday Night Action
900: $200-100-60-40. Unrated may enter any section, with prize limits: U900 SS, G/30, Every Friday, Rounds 7, 8, 9, 10pm. Chess Emporium, 10801 N 32nd
K-3: trophies top 4, 2 each K-3. EF: $16 received by 11/25, $20 at door. Reg.: Nov. 6-8 or 7-8, 14th annual Green Mountain Open & Vermont Dec. 27-30, 36th Annual Eastern Open
9-9:45 Rounds: 10-11:30-1-3-4:30. Enter: www.americanopen.org or American Championship (VT) See Grand Prix.
Open, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, See Grand Prix.
[email protected].
Dec. 29, Eastern Open Blitz Championship (QC)
Nov. 28, 3rd Saturday Open See Grand Prix.
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING OCTOBER 1-14
FOREIGN RATING?
NOT UNRATED!
If you have no USCF rating, but do have a
rating or category from any other country,
no matter how many years ago, you are not
unrated.
If you have a FIDE rating, you are also not
unrated.
Tell the Director of any event you enter
about your foreign rating or category or
your FIDE rating, so that you can be paired
appropriately.
5:45. Reg.: 9:45am. Bloomsbury Community Center, Room 118, 106 Bloomsbury
Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228.Two Sections: Open $$b/24: $100-$60-$42 U1850 100; U1900: 200-100; Upset: 100. Reserve: 5SS, R1-2 G/120, R3-5 30/90;G/60, tary breakfast for registered guests. EF: $25 by 11/06, $30 at site, jrs 1/2. Reg.:
$40 U1550 $40, more per entries. U1200: $$b/12: $50-$25 U1000 $25 b/4 U800 Open to 1899 & under. $$: $400-200-100. U1700: 100-50; U1500: 100-50; 9:00-9:40. Rds.: 10-1:30-7, 9-1:30 (or ASAP). MCA reqd $12, OSA. $$b/20 (more
$25 b/4. Bye: 1-3. Info: [email protected]. Website: http://mysite. U1300: 100-50; Upset: 50. ALL: EF: $50. $60 after 10/16/2009. 1/2 point byes per entries), $80, $50. $25 each to top score: 1600-1799, 1400-1599, U/1400.
verizon.net/vze12d59q. Ent: Joe Summers, 1201 Daniels Ave., Baltimore, MD available rounds 1-4. ENT: Brian Thompson, 773 15th Ave. E, West Fargo, ND Biggest upset (both non-prov) $25. Info and Entries: Dan McCourt, 608 West
21207. Include USCF ID, rating and section. Checks payable to Joe Summers. 58078. www.ndchessnut.com. NS NC W. WCL JGP. Central, Missoula, MT 59801. Checks payable to UCCC. 406-721-0254.
PH: 410-788-1009. WCL JGP. [email protected]. Misc. W. NC. 1/2 point bye for round 5 must be requested
Oct. 24, Marshall CC Saturday G/60 Open: $23 entry fee if received by 11/9, $30 at site, with one additional $3 dis-
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24) count for entries in the New York State Action Chess Championship, carpools
$120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: of three or more, or military ID. Place and class prize based on entries.
11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request at entry. Scholastic: $15 entry fee if received by 11/9, $20 at site. Registration by mail
or at site from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Rounds: 11 a.m., 12:30-1:45 and 3 p.m.
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING OCTOBER 1-14
Oct. 24-Nov. 21, 3rd Farmingdale CC Fall Swiss Entries/Information: Karl Heck, 5426 Route 67, East Durham, NY 12423, sld-
5SS, G/140. Farmingdale Public Library, 116 Merritts Rd., Farmingdale, NY 11735.
[email protected], www.enyca.org, 518-966-8523.
Open to all U-2300/unr. $(b/20): $200-100, Top U-1800 $80, U-1500, U-
1300/unr. $60 each. EF: $30. Reg.: 9:15 9:45 AM. Rds.: 10/24, 10/31: A State Championship Event!
10:00 AM. 11/7, 11/14, 11/21: 9:10 AM. 2 byes 1-5. Info: www.farmcc.webs. Nov. 14, 2009 New York State Quick Chess Championship (QC)
com. NS. W. WCL JGP. Quality Inn and Suites, 611 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham (Northway Exit 6).
G/10, 6-SS in two sections: Open and Scholastic in combination with the 2009
Oct. 25, Grandmaster Challenge (QC) New York State Action Chess Championship. NYSCA membership required. Open:
See Grand Prix. $23 entry fee if received by 11/9, $30 at site, with one additional $3 discount
Oct. 29, 4 Rated Games Tonight! for entries in the New York State Action Chess Championship, carpools of three
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: or more, or military ID. Place and class prize based on entries. Scholastic: $15
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20, entry fee if received by 11/9, $20 at site. Registration by mail or at site from
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100- 3-4:30 p.m. Rounds: 5-5:30-6-6:30-7-7:30 p.m. Entries/Information: Karl
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by Heck, 5426 Route 67, East Durham, NY 12423, [email protected], www.enyca.org,
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15- 518-966-8523.
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under Nov. 14, Jenifer Woods Memorial Grand Prix
10 min. before game. See Grand Prix.
Oct. 31, Syracuse Monthly Open Nov. 14, Utica Four Seasons Fall
4SS, Rds 1 & 2 G/60, Rds. 3 & 4 G/90. Courtyard by Marriot, 6415 Yorktown 4SS Rds. 1-2: G/60, Rds. 3-4: G/90. Mohawk Valley Community College, Exit
Circle, E. Syracuse (exit 35 I-90, Carrier Circle, 298 E, left at Holiday Inn). 31, I-90, bear left, South on E. Genesee, (2.6 miles), left on Memorial Highway
$(b/14): $100-50, Class: $30. Reg.: 8:30-9:15, Rds.: 9:30-12-2:15-5:30. EF: $30. (2.3 miles), left Sherman, right into MVCC, IT Building. EF: $30. Prizes (b/20):
Ent: Joe Ball, 310 Helfer Lane, Mineola, NY 13116. $200, 125, 75, Class 100. Reg.: 8:30-9:15. Rds.: 9:30-12:00-2:15-5:30. Ent: Joe
Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Octember Open Ball, 310 Helfer Lane, Minoa, NY 13116. WCL JGP rds. 3-4.
See Grand Prix. Nov. 14-15, Marshall November Open
Nov. 1, The Chess Exchange Monthly Trophy Quads 4SS, 30/90, SD1. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $45,
3-RR, G/30.The Chess Exchange: Chess & Games Club, 288Third Ave., Between Members $25. ($360 b/24) $120-70-50, U2000/unr $65, U1700 $55. Reg.: ends
Carroll and President, Brooklyn, 718-645-5896. EF: $15 $$: Trophies to top 2 11:50am. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day; 1-day, (rds
in each quad. Reg.: ends 10 minutes before rd. 1. Rds.: 3-4:15-5:30. 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd 3. Limit 2 byes,
request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 players. WCL JGP
Nov. 2-30, Marshall CC Under-1600 Monday Swiss
for rounds slower than G/60.
5SS, G/90. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300
b/20: $120-70-50, U1300 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Monday. Byes Nov. 17, St. Johns Masters at the Marshall Chess Club
ok, limit 2, request by rd. 3. WCL JGP. See Grand Prix.
Nov. 3, Marshall CC New York Experts Nov. 18-Dec. 16, Marshall CC Under-2000 Wednesday Swiss
Open to U2200 4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: 5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20.
$40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Wednes-
7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, request at entry. day. Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3. WCL JGP.
Nov. 5, 4 Rated Games Tonight! Nov. 19, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: See Grand Prix.
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20, Nov. 21, Prove Your Point!
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100- 3-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W 10th St., NYC: 212-477-
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 3716. EF $20. 3-0 wins $40, 2.5 wins $20, 2 wins $10. Reg ends 7:20 pm. Rds.
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15- 7:30-8:30-9:30.
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
10 min. before game. Nov. 21-22 or 22, 2nd Annual What-A-Turkey Open!
See Grand Prix.
Nov. 6-8 or 7-8, 14th annual Green Mountain Open & Vermont
Championship (VT) Nov. 27-29 or 28-29, 40th annual National Chess Congress (PA)
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix.
Nov. 7-8, Fourth Marshall CC Amateur Team Championship! Nov. 28, Marshall CC Saturday G/60
4SS, G/120. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $30 per player, 4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24)
Members $25. All, $5 less if played in any of the first three MCC AmateurTeam $120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
Championships. 2 player teams with ratings averaging under 2200. $$ (b/15 11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request at entry.
teams): 150-75, U1800 team $90, top scores bds. 1 &2 $90 each. Reg. ends Nov. 29, Grandmaster Challenge (QC)
15 min. before game. Rds.: 12-5:00 pm each day; Limit 1 team bye, request See Grand Prix.
with entry. Replacement player must have same or lower rating, must play same
board. WCL JGP. Dec. 1, Marshall CC New York Experts
Open to U2200. 4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF:
Nov. 12, 4 Rated Games Tonight! $40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.:
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, request at entry.
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100- Dec. 3, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15- 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
10 min. before game. 50, 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. 7-8:15-
Nov. 13-15, 8th Annual Turkey Bowl (FL) 9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
See Grand Prix. 10 min. before game.
A State Championship Event! Dec. 3-17, Marshall CC Thursday Slow Quads
Nov. 14, 2009 New York State Action Chess Championship 3RR, 30/90, SD/1. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $25, members $15.
Quality Inn and Suites, 611 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham (Northway Exit 6). $50 1st in each quad. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7pm eachThursday. No byes avail-
G/30, 4-SS in two sections: Open and Scholastic in combination with the 2009 able, do not enter unless able to play all three rounds.
New York State Quick Chess Championship. NYSCA membership required.
Dec. 4-6 or 5-6, Jerry Simon Memorial Marshall CC Amateur Cham-
pionship
5SS, 30/90, SD/60, open to U2200/unr. Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St., NYC. 212-
477-3716. EF: $35, members $20. ($$400 b/24): 150-100-50, U2000 $51,
PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS U1800 $49. Top 10 finishers (plus ties) with plus scores will be eligible to pay
for and enter the Marshall CC Championship on December 11 (otherwise,
HEALTH AND BENEFITS FUND 2200 rating reqd). Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. 2 options: 3-day, rds 7pm Fri., 12n,
5:30pm Sat., 12n, 5:30pm Sun; 2-day (rd. 1 G/45), Reg.: 9:15-9:45am, Rd. 1
Many Grand Prix tournament organizers 10am Saturday, merge rd. 2. One bye avail, request by rd. 3. No reentries. WCL
JGP.
will contribute $1 per player to the Pro-
Dec. 6, The Chess Exchange Monthly Trophy Quads
fessional Health & Benefits Fund. All 3-RR, G/30.The Chess Exchange: Chess & Games Club, 288Third Ave., Between
Grand Prix tournaments which partici- Carroll and President, Brooklyn, 718-645-5896. EF: $15 $$: Trophies to top 2
pate in this program are entitled to be in each quad. Reg.: ends 10 minutes before rd. 1. Rds.: 3-4:15-5:30.
promoted to the next higher Grand Prix Dec. 7-Jan. 4, 2010 Marshall CC Under-1600 Monday Swiss
categoryfor example, a six-point tourna- 5SS, G/90. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300
b/20: $120-70-50, U1300 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Monday. Byes
ment would become a 10-point ok, limit 2, request by rd. 3. WCL JGP.
tournament. Points in the top category Dec. 10, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
are promoted 50%. 4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
12:45 PM. Rds.: 1:00 & ASAP. Info: Mike Joelson, [email protected], 216- Oct. 17, 2nd Annual David Elliott Memorial 3 sections: Open 3SS G/60, Rds.: 10-12:30-3; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 1200,
321-7000, www.progresswithchess.org. 5-SS, G/30. St. Lukes Ev. Luth. Church, 417 N. 7th St., Allentown, PA 18102. top unrated; U1100 -1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 800, top unrated & U750K-6 - 1st,
$$500 Gtd. $$150 (plus trophy)-80-70, top 1600-1899/unrated $100, top 2nd, 3rd, top under 600, top under 400, top unrated 4SS, G/40. Rds: 10, 11:45,
Oklahoma U1600 $100. EF: $25 No advance entries. Half-point byes: Limit 1 (must be 2, 3:45. 1st & 2nd school & club trophies. All Reg. ends 9:30am. Free parking
requested at registration). Reg.: 9-10. Rds.: 10-11-1:30-3-4:30 (note long on site! Ent: MasterMinds CC 36 E. Hortter St., Philadelphia, PA 19119. Checks
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING OCTOBER 1-14
Oct. 10, 2nd Ada Open made payable to MasterMinds CC Info: Bradley Crable, 215-844-3881,
lunch break). If tie for first place trophy blitz play-off 6 PM. Info: Eric C. John-
4-SS, G/60+15. (dual rated) 1st Presbyterian Church, (580) 332-3073, WFC [email protected], or www.mastermindschess.org.
son (610) 433-6518 or www.freewebs.com/allentowncentercitychessclub. No
Center, 301 E. Kings Road, Ada 74820. $$100 1st, other $$ per entries. Reg.:
smoking.
9-9:45am. RDS.: 10-12:30-3-5:30. EF: $20. OCF req $10. Brasket-Swiss Nov. 8, PCL November Quick Quads (QC)
pairings: Top half of the beginning X-table awarded half pt. LS, W. Ent: Frank Oct. 17, 2009 Lehigh Valley LVCA Oct Championship 3RR, G/15. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave & Bigelow, Pittsburgh,
Berry, 402 S. Willis St., Stillwater, OK 74074. [email protected] (Go east on See Grand Prix. PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 juniors. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-11:15am. Rds.:
Main Street to downtown Ada and turn right (South) on Broadway. Continue Oct. 17, Dillsburg Open 11:30am-Noon-12:30pm. Info: [email protected], 412-908-0286.
South on Broadway - about a mile - until you come to the top of a hill, which 3SS, Open G/80. Calvary United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 203 W.
is a four way stop.Turn left (East) on Kings Road. In one block Kings Road dead- Mumper Lane, Dillsburg, PA 17019. Reg.: 8:30am-9:00am. EF: $20 if postmarked Nov. 21, 2009 Thanksgiving LVCA Grand Prix
ends at the Presbyterian church. The second church bldg, behind the first, is by OCT 8, $25 later. PSCF www.pscfchess.org/ required $5, OSA. Open Prizes: See Grand Prix.
the WFC.) WCL JGP. $100-$50, based on 18 entries. Additional Class Prizes based on entries,
at least $40 + $20 in chess merchandise in each class or combined class with Nov. 21-22, 2009 Delaware State Open Championship (DE)
Oct. 24, Bville Quick Chess Marathon (QC) See Delaware.
8 SS, G/25. Best Western Weston Inn, 222 S.W. Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, 4 participants. Door prize drawings for merchandise before round 3. FREE Lunch,
OK 74006, (918) 335-7755. Reg.: 8:30-9:30am. Rds.: 10, 11, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7. No snacks & beverages provided. Rds.: 9:30am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm. Directions & A State Championship Event!
cash prizes. EF: $10, OCF $10. Brasket variation in Swiss pairings will be Entrees: [email protected]. 717-580-7492. Mail Entries & Make Cks. Nov. 21-22, 2009 PA State Junior Championships
used. Payable to: Sam Lamonto, 1408 Walnut St., Camp Hill, PA, 17011-3966. 5SS. 53 Trophies! (49 Individual, 4 Team). Wm Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh,
Oct. 23-25 or 24-25, Cleveland Open (OH) 5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. 7 sections: 2-day (Sat & Sun): Ages 16
Nov. 21-22, Get Your FIDE rating - Open
See Grand Prix. See Grand Prix. to 20 Open, Ages 13 to 15 Open, Ages 9 to 12 Open. EF: $18 by 11/13, $28 later.
TL: G/90. Reg ends 9:30. Rds.: 10-1:30-5, 11-2:30. 1-day (Sun only): Ages 8
Nov. 27-29, 1st Thanksgiving FIDE Open Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2009 PA State Championship
See Grand Prix. & Under Open, Ages 9-20 U900, Ages 9-20 U600, Ages 8 & Under U600. EF:
See Grand Prix. $15 by 11/13, $25 later.TL: G/40. Reg ends 10:30. Rds.: 11-12:30-2-3:30-5. All:
A State Championship Event! Trophies 1st-7th, additional medallions, teams of 4 to 7 combined from all sec-
Pennsylvania Nov. 1, 2009 PA State Championship Scholastics tions, Trophies 1st-2nd schools, clubs. PSCF required $5, OSA. Info:
5SS, G/40. Wm Pitt Union, Univ. of Pitt., 5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. 412-908-0286, [email protected] Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak,
Every 2nd Saturday. Allentown 2nd Saturday Quads 3 Sections: Premier: U1100 & unr. in grades 9-12. Reserve: U900 & unr. in
3RR, G/40. St. Lukes Ev. Luth. Church, 417 N. 7th St., 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223. W. WCL JGP.
grades 6-8. Booster: U700 & unr. in grades K-5. All: Trophies to top 7 in each
Allentown, PA 18102. Quads open to all. EF: $12. section.Teams of 4 to 7 players from all scholastic and adult sections: Trophies A State Championship Event!
$$24/quad. Reg.: 12-1, Rds.: 1:15-2:45-4:15. No adv. to top 3 schools & top 3 clubs. EF: $15 by 10/23, $25 later. PSCF reqd, OSA. Nov. 21-22, 2009 Welsh S. White PA State Senior Championship
ent. Info: 610-433-6518. Other rated events every week! Reg.: ends 9:30 am. Rds.: 10-Noon-1:30-3-5. Info: 412-908-0286, marti- 5SS, G/120. Wm Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh, PA
North Penn Chess Club [email protected]. Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., 15213. Open to ages 50 & Up. $$ (420G): 120-80, Ages 65 & Up $70, U1800
Main & Richardson, Lansdale, PA. See www.npchess Pittsburgh, PA 15223. W. $60, U1600 $50, U1400 $40.Trophies to Champion &Top Ages 65 & Up. EF: $30
club.org for schedules & info or call 215-699-8418. Nov. 7, Gary Bates Memorial Quads by 11/13, $40 later, PSCF required $5, OSA. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rds.: 10-2:30-7, 10-
3RR, Gm/90. Embury United Methodist Church, 942 S. Main Ave., Scranton, PA. 2:30. Info: 412-908-0286. Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St.,
Every 1st Saturday Lehigh Valley Super Quads Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. W.
3-RR. St James Church, 11th & Tilghman Sts., Allentown, PA 18102. EF: $10. EF: $25, $$60 1st ea sect., $75 for 3-0 score. Reg.: 8:30-9:45:am. Rds.:10,
$30 Perfect Score, else $25 1st. Reg.: 12:30-1:15. Rds.: 1:30-3-4:30. Info: 610- 1:30,& 5. Entries/Info: Bernie Sporko: 127 S. Main St., Carbondale, PA 18407, Nov. 27, Rated Beginners Open (RBO)
821-4320, [email protected], www.lehighvalleychess.org/. 570-604-2461, [email protected]. 5SS, G/30, open to under 900 or unrated. Sheraton Philadelphia City Center
Nov. 7, W.Chester 1st Sat. Quads Hotel (see National Chess Congress). EF: $20. Special 1 year USCF dues if
Every Friday Night Early/Late USCF Rated 5-minute Blitz (QC)
Our 20th Year! 3RR, 40/80,sd/30. United Methodist Church, 129 S. High St. West paid with EF, including paper magazine: Adult $30, Senior $25, Young Adult $20,
8SS, G/5. St.Timothys Church, 140 So. Ott St., Allentown, PA 18104. EF: $5 CASH
ONLY AT SITE. Prize: 50% of Paid Entries. 1st-70%, 2nd-30% AND Top U1700- Chester, PA. EF: $20; every tenth quad free $$40, $50 for 3-0, $5 for 3rd rd win Scholastic $15. Prizes $100-50-30-20. Reg. 12:30-1:30 pm, rds. 2:00, 3:30, 5:00,
$7 based on 12 or more players + FREE Coffee For All Entrants. FREE ENTRY if not 3-0. Reg.: 9am; Rds.: 9:30,1,4:30. Info: Jim White 484-678-3164. 7:00, 8:30. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games used if
TO UNRATEDS, with paid one year USCF Membership. Event 1-Reg.: 6:30- Nov. 14, MasterMinds CC Swiss/Open Quads otherwise unrated. Half point bye available rd 1. Ent: at site only, no checks,
7:00pm. Rds.: 7-7:15-7:30-7:45-8-8:15-8:30-8:45pm. Event 2-Reg.: 8:45-9:00pm. Blair Christian Academy, 220 W. Upsal St., Philadelphia, PA. 2 events. Quads: credit cards OK. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658.
Rds.: 9-9:10-9:25-9:35-9:55-10:15-10:25-10:35pm. Ent/Info: Bruce Davis, 3RR, 40/80, SD/30. EF: $20, Perfect score winner $60 else $50. Rds.: 10-2-5. Nov. 27-29 or 28-29, 40th annual National Chess Congress
610-821-4320 or [email protected] or www.lehighvalleychess.org/. Scholastic Swiss: EF $15, ASAP $5 recd by Thursday before, $25 at the door. See Grand Prix.
PARENTS, TEACHERS
& COACHES!
Check out the
new USCF
Certified Chess Coach Program
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