2010 - Chess Life 01

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2 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org

January on uschess.org
< Hikaru in Corus
Our U.S. champion, GM Hikaru Nakamura, will be playing in the "A"
group of Corus (Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, January 15-31) this year.
His opponents will include World Champion GM Anand and current
top gun 2800+ GM Magnus Carlsen, who Nakamura defeated recently
in a blitz chess match. GM Ian Rogers will report from the scene.
Chess stars: theyre just like us!
From St. Louis

to Turkey >
<
Nominations
The U.S. is sponsored this year by
the Chess Club and Scholastic
for Best of CLO
Center of St, Louis on their trip to In January, well countdown the
the World Team Championship, ten best articles of 2009 so you
January 3-14 in Bursa, Turkey. can catch up on some of the time-
The squad consists of GMs less web pieces you may have
Nakamura, Onischuk, Shulman missed. Nominees for best articles
(right), Akobian and Hess. IM include stories by GM Pascal
Donaldson will captain. See CLO Charbonneau, GM Josh Friedel,
for updates including blogs! FM Mike Klein, WFMs Abby Mar-
shall and Elizabeth Vicary.
This Months Contributors

Mike Klein
(Cover Story, p. 18) is a a frequent contributor
to Chess Life.
Paul Gold
(Profile, p. 30) is a chess master/promoter
and occasional Chess Life contributor living
NAKAMURA AND SHULMAN BY BETSY DYNAKO
inTucson, Arizona.
Dr. Alexey Root, WIM

(2009 U.S. Womens Open, p. 34) is a frequent
contributor to Chess Life and is the author of
Read, Write, Checkmate: Enrich Literacy with
Chess Activities (2009), Westport, Connecticut:
<
The Scoop on Martin Luther King Teacher Ideas Press.

weekend tourneys
The U.S. Chess Scoop will do spot interviews with partici- GM Ian Rogers
(Instruction, p. 37) is a frequent contributor
pants at the Liberty Bell Open in Philadelphia. Also on
to Chess Life.
Martin Luther King Day weekend (January 15-18), look for
updates from the Golden State Open in Concord, California.
uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 3

January Chess Life
Columns
12 LOOKS AT BOOKS
Diary of a Chess Queen
By GM Alexandra Kosteniuk
14 BACK TO BASICS
Zwischenzug!
By GM Lev Alburt
16 SOLITAIRE CHESS
Young Fischer
By Bruce Pandolfini
42 CHESS TO ENJOY
EGTN
By GM Andy Soltis
44 ENDGAME LAB
Pawn Mate
By GM Pal Benko
46 WHATS THE BEST MOVE?
PHOTO: BETSY DYNAKO

Tricky Endgames
By GM Larry Evans
Departments
3 PREVIEW 18 | COVER STORY

6
8
COUNTERPLAY
FIRST MOVES
My mom
10 USCF AFFAIRS
is the champion
50 TOURNAMENT LIFE of America
70 CLASSIFIEDS By FM Mike Klein
71 SOLUTIONS IM Anna Zatonskih captures
her second U.S. Womens
Special Issue! Championship.
In addition to focusing on women
in chess, this issue takes a special
look at endgames. On page 37,
GM Rogers gives you a shortcut to 30 | PROFILE
endgame study. Additionally, our
columnists GM Andy Soltis, GM
E Squared: Empowerment, Exposure
Larry Evans, and, of course, GM By Paul Gold
Pal Benko, all examine endgames Jean Hoffman has taken an uncoventional path
and are grouped together following towards her chess promotion efforts.
Rogers feature (see p. 42). Finally,
First Moves on page 8 combines 34 | 2009 U.S. WOMENS OPEN
both our themes this month, look-
ing at a particularly exciting
Opening Up
endgame from the World Blitz By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
Championship by GM Kosteniuk. The first U.S. Womens Open draws 16
to OklahomaSaheli wins, and Zenyuk qualifies
On The Cover for 2010 Womens Championship.
Yes, this is still Chess Life and not
a fashion magazine. But we could- 37 | INSTRUCTION
nt resist the glamour shot of our Lazy Endgames
new U.S. womens champion by St.
By GM Ian Rogers
Louis photographer Suzy Gorman.
GM Rogers shows you endgames that can be played almost
Cover design by Frankie Butler on autopilot. (Article will conclude in February 2010 issue.)

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Counterplay
Improving on Carlsen November cover order to our members as well as a need
I had a dispute occur when my oppo- Our November cover showing GM Lev for steps to ensure this type of poor judg-
nent, playing the black pieces, ran out of Alburt with two models was apparently a ment is not repeated that is offensive,
time on his clock. The tournaments time love it or hate it item, generating more insensitive, and not in keeping with our
control was 60 minutes for the first time reader response than usual. Below, Mr. USCF mission and values. We deserve
control of 30 moves, and game 90. (Each Chressanthis best states the case of those better.
player had one hour to make his first 30 who did not like our attempts at creating George Chressanthis
moves, and then 30 minutes after that to a James Bond-like movie poster: via e-mail
make the remainder of his moves.)
My opponent ran out of time before As a member of the USCF spanning Scholastic members receive Chess Life
making his 30th move. The clock beeped, almost 45 years, I was appalled by the For Kids, not Chess Life, and Youth mem-
his time showed 0.00, and I looked up cover of the Chess Life November 2009 bers (who only receive six issues per year)
at him, thinking that the game was over. issue. After getting over the brief chuckle did not receive the November issue. Chess
He quickly made his 30th move and hit of the pun from an old James Bond movie Life is strongly committed to promoting
the clock, and then I said that the game (which Im sure had to be explained to our women in chess (for example, open to just
was over because he ran out of time. younger members, and thats if they even about any page in this issue), but that
He claimed that because I had not realized the pun), I was then taken back does not necessarily preclude having fun
voiced a claim that he ran out of time by the cover and what disturbing mes- with pop-culture imagery.
before his 30th move, that he then got the sages this sends to our younger and We will let regular contributor FM Mike
additional 30 minutes. I claimed that female members. Klein have the last word:
because he had not made the first time The cover was totally inappropriate for
control, he does not get the extra 30 min- our scholastic members. Are these the The addition of the women to the photo,
utes, and therefore I can claim a time images we want our scholastic members from my view, was meant to enhance the
victory when I did. to be associated with chess? To our male James Bond motif and was not gratu-
Please let me know the ruling on this members, the cover further perpetuates itously salacious. Still, it was a great pun,
dispute. The tournament director (TD) an image of men versus women where the very apropos to the article, and fitting, see-
did not know the ruling, but in the end former has the brains and where the lat- ing as how he dressed in a tux in that
sided with my opponent. You may also ter having only the beauty and desire to photo of him playing blitz, and Bond
want to publish this and other common serve them. being a Cold War-era hero.
rules disputes, or tournament etiquette, But moreover, did anyone reflect how
as it would be very beneficial to others like the portrayal of women on the cover as
me who are not well versed in tournament mere sex objects to serve the egos of men
settings. would be received by our female mem- Chess Life welcomes letters from its
bers? The cover portrayed a disturbing readers. Letters are subject to editing
David Seidel for content and length. Send your let-
Oakland, California lack of editorial judgment, poor taste,
and insensitivity to a segment of our ters to [email protected], and
membership that is likely tired of seeing include your full name and a tele-
David Kuhns, a National Tournament
this type of stereotypical portrayal of phone number.
Director and chair of the USCF rules com-
mittee, responds: women. This is not about political correct-
If Chess Life publishes your letter,
You are correct, and your opponent ness. This is about making editorial
you will be sent a copy of Test, Eval-
(and the TD) are not correct. decisions that are in keeping with the
uate and Improve Your Chess (see ad
The rule states: 9F. Last move of the mission and values of the USCF.
below).
time control. When determining whether I strongly suggest that an apology is in
the prescribed number of moves has been
made in the allotted time, the last move
is considered complete only after the
player presses his clock. if the flag is
down (time expired) after the move and
the opponent has not yet handled the
clock, the player has failed to make the
time control.
There should never be a dispute
whether or not the last move of time con-
trol was made or the flag fell first, as a
move is not complete until the clock is
pressed. In order to make a time control
the time must not have expired on the
clock at the time the clock is pressed.
If the time has expired (flag down or
time reads 0:00 or advances to the next
time control), the player has not accom-
plished this task, and the director must
rule that the move had not been com-
pleted in time.

First Moves
Kosteniuk Blitzes in Moscow

From Miami to Moscow, Kosteniuk continues to be, along with U.S. Champion
Hikaru Nakamura, one of our most visible representatives on the world stage.
Kosteniuk (left) accepts Polgars resignation
AT THE WORLD BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP IN MOSCOW, held November 16-18, the Womens World Champion and Miami, Florida
resident GM Alexandra Kosteniuk showed her win at the U.S. Open blitz tournament was no fluke (see November Chess Life).
Though she finished at the bottom of the strong 22-player field, with GM Magnus Carlsen emerging as champion, she scored
some impressive victories, including wins over current world number one GM Carlsen, GM Viswanathan Anand, and GM Judit
Polgar. Kosteniuk was the only representative from the U.S. in the event. Below, she annotates her game against Polgar.
Besting Judit Polgar 63. g4!! The only move that saves the game
GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (FIDE 2517) here is 70. ... Kf3! 71. Kxe5 Nh7! again,
That's what we call pattern recognition!
GM Judit Polgar (FIDE 2680) the only move.
World Blitz Championship 2009, 63. ... Nc7
Moscow
Despite the unpleaseant surprise
71. Kf7
Notes by Kosteniuk The immediate 71. Nd4 was also pos-
Judit is choosing the most stubborn
sible, but I needed to gain extra time.
way to defend.
+
+n+ + 71. ... Nh7 72. Kg6 Nf8+ 73. Kg7 Ne6+ 74. Kf6
64. gxh5 Ne6 65. h6 Nf8 66. hxg5 fxg5 67.
+ + + + Kf3 Kd3 68. Kg4 Ke2 69. Kxg5?!
Nf8
Here I had 10 seconds left on my
+ + p + Wins, but much eaiser would have
clock but I managed to find the winning
been 69. f3 Nh7 70. Ng3+ winning the
+ +
pNpp continuation.
g-pawn without giving away the f-pawn.
+k+ + P 75. Nd4! e3 76. Kg7 Ne6+
69. ... Kxf2 70. Kf6?
Black also loses after 76. ... e2 77.
PHOTO: DIEGO GARCES
+ + + P
According to the tablebase, here White
Nxe2 Ne6+ 78. Kf6 Nf8 79. Nd4.
+ +KP + wins in 32 moves after 70. Kg4 or 70.
+ + + + Nd6; all other moves (except 70. Nd4 or
70. Ne3) lead to a draw.
77. Nxe6 e2 78. Nf4!, Black resigned.
White to play Video of this game is available at:
70. ... e4? www.tubechess.com/index.php?id=160

In association with
Present
The Seventh Annual All-Girls Open National Championships
April 16 18, 2010 Columbus, Ohio
Awards 6-SS, G/90, Sections Side Events

The University of Texas at Dallas, 8-years-old and younger Bughouse Tournament
www.utdallas.edu, has established an 10-years-old and younger Friday April 17, 1:00 PM
Academic Distinction Scholarship to the
12-years-old and younger Entry fee: $25 per team
winner of the 18-years-old and younger
section. The scholarship is valued at 14-years-old and younger
$68,000 for an out-of-state student. 16-years-old and younger Blitz Tournament (G/5)
18-years-old and younger Friday April 17, 3:00 PM
Trophies to top 15 individuals and top
Entry fee: $15 if p/m by April 4,
3 teams in each section. 3 or more
players from the same school to make $20 on-site
Main Event
a team (top 3 scores added to give
team final standings). Every player Friday, April 16 Online registration
receives a souvenir medal. 6:00 PMOpening Ceremony https://secure2.uschess.org/webstore/
6:30 PMRound 1 tournament.php?wkevent=2010AG or
Entry Fee
$50 if postmarked by March 21, 2010, www.kasparovchessfoundation.org
$70 if by April 4, 2010. On-site registra- Saturday, April 17
tion is $90. USCF membership required. 10:00 AMRound 2 Hotel
All events will be hosted at Hyatt 2:30 PMRound 3 Hyatt Regency Columbus
Regency Columbus, 350 N. High Street, 6:30 PMRound 4 350 N. High Street
Columbus, OH. Columbus, OH 43215
Sunday, April 18 Hotel Chess Rate: $127
Entry & Info
Make checks payable to: United States 9:00 AMRound 5 if reserved by April 1, 2010
Chess Federation, Attn: All Girls, 1:00 PMRound 6 For hotel reservations: Please call
P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 5:00 PMAwards Ceremony (800) 233-1234 or (614) 280-1234
USCF Affairs January
Across the Board

Your USCF Executive Board consists of myself (Oklahoma), Ruth Haring (California), Randy
Bauer (Iowa), Bill Goichberg (New York) and Mike Atkins (Virginia). Ruth and Mike are our
newest executive board members, bringing breathtaking enthusiasm to our meetings from
the get-gono learning curve for these two. Their agenda is to volunteer for every assign-
ment and question all things standard. Actions and solutions are their mantra, not the status
quo. I say, Good job! to my fellow USCF members for electing them. Their excitement causes
Bill Goichberg, Randy Bauer and me to all raise our eyebrows in amazement. They are like
the cavalry to the rescue.
This may be the best executive board in recent memory, and if you add two more people to
the mix: executive director Bill Hall and Chess Life editor Dan Lucasboth of whom I find delight-
ful, diligent and dedicated in their commitment to the USCF membershipwe have a bright
future ahead. These seven people bring over 250 years of USCF experience to the table.
I wish to adapt U.S. President John Kennedys famous quote to chess, Ask not what the
USCF can do for you, but ask what you can do for your Federation. Organize, sponsor, pro-
USCF PRESIDENT mote, direct or just play in a local upcoming tournament event. Thats how you can do your
JIM BERRY part to help build chess in America.
~Jim Berry, USCF President
Organizer and Director Seminars Jerry Hanken games

To encourage USCF rated tournaments to be held in more areas Denis Strenzwilk of the U.S. Open committee is compiling a
throughout the United States, we are asking those with expe- database of Jerry Hanken games. If you have games you can
rience to consider volunteering to help train new or contribute, please e-mail them to: [email protected].
inexperienced organizers and directors.
If you are a tournament director certified at the senior level
or higher, or a member who has organized USCF-rated tour-
naments with at least 100 players, and are willing to conduct
a free seminar, lecture, or question and answer session regard-
ing organizing, directing, or both, Chess Life and uschess.org
will provide free publicity for this event in a new monthly box
in Tournament Life and seminar page on the USCF website.
The Tournament Life box is expected to begin with the March
issue, and the webpage is at uschess.org/seminars.
Though such events may be held anywhere at any time, they
may be especially successful at weekend tournaments which
draw out of town players, providing an extra attraction for play-
ers who are considering getting into organizing or directing.
To submit seminars for announcement by USCF, indicate
date, time and location, who will conduct the event, and sub-
ject (organizing, directing, or both). The usual TLA deadlines
will apply, and events submitted early enough will be publi-
cized in multiple issues of Chess Life. JERRY HANKEN
Committee corrections
We have two corrections from the USCF committee list that appeared in the December 2009 issue. The Polgar Invitational com-
mittee no longer exists. Also, IM Greg Shahade is no longer chair of the Top Players Committee; that seat is currently vacant.
The USCF Mission

JERRY HANKEN BY CHRIS BIRD
USCF is a not-for-profit membership organization devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. USCF promotes the study
and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, but also as a means for the improvement of society. It
informs, educates, and fosters the development of players (professional and amateur) and potential players. It encourages the develop-
ment of a network of institutions devoted to enhancing the growth of chess, from local clubs to state and regional associations, and it
promotes chess in American society. To these ends, USCF offers a monthly magazine, as well as targeted publications to its members
and others. It supervises the organization of the U.S. Chess Championship, an open tournament held every summer, and other national
events. It offers a wide range of books and services to its members and others at prices consistent with the benefits of its members. USCF
serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and as a participant in international chess organizations and projects. It
is structured to ensure effective democratic procedures in accord with its bylaws and laws of the state of Illinois.

Looks at Books
Diary of a Chess Queen

In excerpts from her new book, Womens World Champion
and Miami, Florida resident GM Alexandra Kosteniuk writes
about being a woman in the chess world.
By GM Alexandra Kosteniuk
often hear the question, Why do myself that the ratio of boys to girls is earn a living at chessand in childrens
I women not play chess as strongly as

men? Having been in chess for so
long, I cannot answer precisely for
about 70 to 30 percent.
If only a few girls start playing chess,
then that many fewer will remain in the
tournaments there are no cash prizes at
all. There are very few who can allow
themselves the luxury of playing steadily
myself. Its very difficult to explain to professional game. For a talented girl who and training with the finest specialists.
those who dont play chess themselves finds a strong trainer and has the oppor- Besides the players individual determi-
that a game of chess creates enormous tunity to work with him starting at the nation to grow and mature, she must
nervous and physical tension, and, con- earliest possible age, I see no barrier to her have serious financial support in order to
sequently, great expenditures of strength eventually being able to play on an equal be able to focus on nothing but her chess
and energy. footing with men grandmasters. Here I and her training. And once a girl decides
The fact that men are physically stronger should also note that talent does not sim- that its time for her to start a family,
is a factor that tells in an extended battle. ply mean the purely chess abilities nature theres no point in even thinking about
Of course, in contrast to other forms of has given us, but also the ability to work competing with men, because children
sport, our physical strength does not play hard, to keep up the drive to win during take up all of a womans time and energy.
the main role here; thus, women can play difficult tournaments, and much else. All The most she can allow herself after
against men with increasing success this can be found in numbers small starting her family is the occasional tour-
and they have been doing so in recent enough to count, especially among girls, nament. So my advice to all girls who
years. I believe the main reason there whose very natures are ill-designed for dream of playing chess professionally is:
are more men GMs than women GMs is the waging of constant war against an Start working seriously on chess as
that far fewer girls start playing chess opponent and against oneself. early as you can.
than do boys. For the last two years, I Besides enormous effort, working with The career of a chessplayer may be
have been holding a childrens tourna- chess requires financial outlays too, espe- long, but the career of a professional
ment, the Alexandra Kosteniuk Cup, for cially during a players development. You woman chessplayer is bound to be a
children 6-8 years old, and I can see for must understand that its very hard to short one.

Mens events lead to an approximately equal ending. resign his Army commissionwent to var-
Women chessplayers often face the ious institutions, firms, and acquaint-
question of whether or not they should ances, looking for those who would be
33. ... Kh7 34. Na4 Rbxd7, White resigned.
play in mens tournaments. On the one willing to give financial assistance to a
hand, competing in a strong mens com- +
rQ+ + small but talented little girl. Sometimes I
petition, especially a round-robin, would + +r+
pk would also have to earn money by playing
be excellent training. On the other, its far for stakes. Dad would take my sister and
more difficult to win any kind of prizes p+ + + p me to hotels, such as the Rossiya,
playing against men. A few years ago, + + + + Intourist, or Slavyanskaya, and leave us
you could count the number of womens there to play for stakes. Since I had been
events on your fingers. But lately, individ- N
q + + + a very introverted child from my earliest
ual and team events for women have + + + + years, Oxana would be the one to find
multiplied; in fact, one could spend the opponents for me; my job was to beat
whole year playing in nothing but P
PP+ +P+ them. Since that time, I have been very
womens events. Of course, as far as our +K+R+ + careful with money, because I knew what
professional development is concerned, it was worth from a very young age.
After 34. ... Rbxd7
competing in one mens round-robin can Thankfully, Russia has always been a
aid us far more than competing in three country as rich in philanthropists as it is
womens events. So I would recommend in talent; and people were found who sup-
to young women that they regularly test Those wonderful childhood years ported and aided both me and my family,
their strength by playing not only against I first became acquainted with chess providing us with funds for training and
the girls, but against the boys, too. more than twenty years ago. On April for traveling to tournaments.
23, 1989, my birthday present was a A month after winning the Moscow
board and a set of chess pieces, and my Championship, in January 1992, I made
Women play fighting chess first lesson from Dad. After two months my first trip to the Russian Junior Cham-
WGM Tatiana Kosintseva (FIDE 2447) work, I had already learned the rules and pionship. The Under-10 Russian Cham-
IM Alexandra Kosteniuk (FIDE 2469) could play the game. In the fall of that pionship took place in Lipetsk; and I only
Dresden 2004 same year, Dad took me to the Hall of Pio- remember that we had to stay in an
neers near the Medvedkovo subway unheated hotel. Nevertheless, in spite of
r

+r+k+ station, where I succeeded in outplaying my youth I performed very successfully,
several players older than me, and was taking second place with 6 out of 9 points.
+ + + p awarded the 4th category (roughly equiv- A few months after the Lipetsk champi-
p+pPp+ p alent to a U.S. Chess Federation rating of onship, it was announced that, in order
1200-1400 - ed.). to select representatives for the 1992
+ + + q From my earliest lessons, Dad devoted World Youth Championships in Europe,
+ + +n+ a lot of time to blindfold training. First I an additional Russian Championship
would try to guess the color of a square would be organized, this one to take place
+ NQ+ + without looking at the board. Then, when in St. Petersburg. At this championship,
P
PP+ +P+ I had absorbed this lesson, and could eas- I was not as successful as in Lipetsk;
ily see the entire board with my eyes closed, returning to Moscow empty-handed, we
+K+R+R+ we played over many of the elementary once again set to work.
White to play positions and solved problems blindfolded. In the fall of 1992, at 8 years of age,
The first major tournament for mewhich I became Moscow Champion once again,
did not end very successfully was the scoring 9 out of 9 in the Girls Under-10
Little Octobrists Tournament in the fall of section. It was my sister Oxanas first
22. d7 Red8 23. Qd6?
This gives Blacks knight a chance to get championship; at age 5 she was fighting on
1990 (which in those days had replaced
into the game. 23. Ne4 was better. equal terms with ten-year-olds. For this
the Moscow Championship) for children
below age 10. At that time there were championship, we were intentionally paired
very few girls playing, and boys and girls in the first round, to prevent us from fix-
23. ... Ne3 24. Qxe6+ Kh8 25. Qxc6 Nxf1?
Passing on the chance to draw by 25. ing our game in the later rounds. There are
played in the same tournament. I scored
... Rxb2+ 26. Kxb2 Rb8+ 27. Nb5 Rxb5+ times when life in childrens tournaments
2 points out of 8, winning my first- and
28. Qxb5 Nxd1+ 29. Rxd1 Qxb5+ 30. Ka1 resembles a tragicomedy. At this level, the
last-round games.
Qe5+ 31. c3 Qxc3+ 32. Kb1 Qb4+, with battles between parents and between train-
The following year, playing in the same
perpetual check. ers have already begun. Each one thinks
age group, my result improved to 6 out of
8. I lost just two gamesto Alexander that his children, or his students, are the
Grischuk and Vitaly Kuninshowed the best. Ksiusha and I were always suspected
26. Rxf1 Qa5 27. Rd1 Rb6 28. Qc8 Rb8 29.
best result among the girls, and was of telling each other moves, or of being
Qc6 Rb6 30. Qc8 Rb8 31. Qc4?
Of course, White should have taken told moves, so we were always followed and
awarded the title of Moscow Champion
the draw, which would have cost me my watched. Today its really funny to look
among girls under 10. Immediately after
shot at the gold medal. But women play- back on this; but the most interesting
this tournament, the newspaper
ers arent famous for their fighting spirit thing is that, when I read various articles
Moskovskaya Pravda ran an article about
for nothing: the game is always played out about Moscow junior tournaments now,
to the last pawn, and agreeing to a draw
is considered a sign of weakness.
me under the heading, Remember This
Name!, and I had to sign my first-ever
autographs.
I find that nothing has changed. .
Those were not the easiest of times in Diary of a Chess Queen
Mongoose, 2009
Russia. In order to feed his family and
31. ... Rb7 32. Qe4 Qb4 33. Qe8+??
The fatal error: 33. Qxb4 Rxb4 34. Rd6 Alexandra Kosteniuk
still have the opportunity to work with 244 pages, $24.95 (paperback)
Rf4 35. a4 Rf6 36. Rd5 Rf7 37. Ra5 would
me, Dadwho had by then decided to available on uscfsales.com (B0044EU)

Back to Basics
Zwischenzug!
Some games are roller coasters. In others, there is just one critical position, the
By GM Lev Alburt
handling of which determines the future course of the game.
The winner of this months award,

Stephen Kuzma, suggested as a title Con-
13. ... Re8 14. Bb5
r+ q rk+ Now three times, but I wanted to force
trol the Center. Indeed, most of the action pl+plppp the rook off the king file.
in his game below occurs there. The key
Of course! 13. ... Re8 was a waste of
moment happened when White grabbed
time, as 14. Bb5 reveals. Better was 13.
+p+ n +
the central pawn on move 18. (Levs fur- + + p L ... Qa5, preparing Ra or f-d8.
ther comments are in italics).
+ +P+ +
Sicilian Defense (B33)
14. ... Rf8 15. Qd4
+ NL+ + Fighting to regain some control of the
Stephen M. Kuzma (1314)
center.
Zachary High (1586)
A natural move, but perhaps more the
PPP+ PPP
U.S. Open, 2009 (6) R +Q+RK subtle 15. Qd2 was stronger, becauseas
After 9. ... Bb7 well seethe queen on d4 is unprotected,
as many following lines illustrate.
Too cautious. Stronger is 10. Re1, indi-
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6
r+lqkl r rectly stopping 10. ... d5 (Blacks e5-pawn

15. ... a6 16. Ba4 Qd6
will hang after 10. ... d5 11. exd5).
pp+ppppp r+ + rk+
+n+ n + 10. ... d5 11. exd5 cxd5
+l+ lppp
Black now has control of the center
with both the d- and e-pawns while I
+ + + + p+ q n +
+ NP+ + have none. + +p+ L
+ + + + 12. Re1 L+ Qp+ +
PPP+ PPP r+ q rk+ P N + +
RNLQKL+R pl+ lppp PP+ PPP
After 4. ... Nf6
+ + n + R + R K
After 16. ... Qd6
5. Nxc6 + +pp L
Too quick, as we trade knights and I + + + + A grandmaster (GM) once told me to
soon lose control of the center. always take enough timeespecially as a
This capturewhich allows Black to P NL+ + new player. I studied this position for
retake toward the center, makes sense PP+ PPP about 15 minutes. If 17. Bxf6 Qxf6, mate-
only if White can then play e4-e5, harass- rial is even; however, Black has two
ing the f6-knight (not possible here, as R +QR K bishops working together. But the gam-
after 5. ... bxc6, 6. e5 loses a pawn to 6. After 12. Re1 ble paid off.
... Qa5+). Grandmaster knows best! (Seriously,
that was very good advice).
5. ... bxc6 6. Nc3 e5 7. Bd3 Be7 8. Bg5 0-0 9. 12. ... e4 13. Bf1
More of an escape than anything else.
0-0 Bb7 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nxe4!
I also moved the same piece twice in the
opening, which breaks one rule of devel-
(see diagram top of next column) (see diagram top of next column)
Black wants to play ... d7-d5. Also good Now if 18. ... Bxd4 19. Nxd6 Bxb2 20.
opment.
was 9. ... d6, or 9. ... Rb8. Rab1, pinning the black bishops.
This rule isnt applicable any more, as
10. a3 the game is long out of the opening. 18. ... Qd8

26. h3 Kh8
r+ + rk+ +r+ r + +rr + +
+l+ +ppp + + +pkp + + Rp+
p+ q l + p+ + pq+ p+ + pkp
+ +p+ + + +Q+ + + P + +
L+ QN+ + + +R+ + PP + +P+
P + + + P P + + + + +P+
PP+ PPP P + PPP + + +PK
R + R K + +R+ K + R + +
After 18. Nxe4 After 25. ... Qg6 After 41. a4
In this truly critical position, Black goes A smart move by Black to save his Im still working to attain the rating he has
wrong, meekly accepting the loss of a queen. already achieved. This was one of my
pawn and other calamities. Both oppo- After 26. ... Rcd8 22. Rg4 Rxd5 23. Rxd5 better games which I was fortunate
nents overlooked (and Stephen also missed Rb8 24. Rxg6+ (now or on a later move) enough to win.
it when annotating), the powerful Zwis- hxg6 Black would improve his kingside Now, a quick review of the game. White
chenzug (in-between move) 18. ... Qxh2+. pawnsbut being two pawns down erred on move 5, improving, for no good
After 19. Kxh2 Bxd4 not only does Black should still lose the game. reason, Blacks pawn formation; then he
get a pawn back, but Whites f2-pawn is failed to prevent, on move 10, the creation
no longer protected by the white king. of Blacks d5 and e5 duo. On the black
27. Rde1 Rb8 28. b4 Rbc8 29. Qb3 Qh6 30.
Suddenly, the position is likely to favor side, 13. ... Re8 was clearly also an error.
c4 Qd2 31. c5
Black again. Up two pawns, Im now pushing a All in all, through most of the early game,
queenside attack. Blacks strong center was a factor in his
favorhowever White wasnt left without
19. Nxf6+
Forcing either (1) a queen exchange his chances, as his pressure on the center
31. ... Kg8 32. R4e2 Qd4 33. Qf3 Qh4
and/or (2) a doubled pawn on the black could, in some cases, become quite annoy-
king bishop file, while opening up Blacks +r+ rk+ ing (see, for instance, my recommendation
king on the knight file. + + +p+p on move 15.)
But the real climax happened after
p+ + p + White, correctly, went for clarification
19. ... gxf6
+ P + + with 17. Bxf6, and, after 17. ... Bxf6,

r+ q rk+ playedas he should18. Nxe4. In this
P + + q truly crucial position Black missed the in-
between move 18. ... Qxh2+, still with
+l+ +p+p P + +Q+P
somewhat better chances, and de-facto
p+ + p +
+ +p+ +
+ +RPP+
+ + R K
accepted defeat. .
After 33. ... Qh4
L+ Q + +
P + + + Send in your games!
If you are unrated or were rated
PP+ PPP 1799 or below on your Chess Life
34. Qg4+
R + R K Although I double the pawn, I check the (CL) label, then GM Lev Alburt invites
king and force a queen exchange. Remem- you to send your most instructive
After 19. ... gxf6
ber, GMs know how to win with style, game with notes to:
Since move 18 helped me regain some but D players just want to winperiod! Back to Basics, c/o Chess Life
control of the center, I now concentrated I like 34. Qg4+. By the way, Whites PO Box 3967 Crossville, TN
on capturing Blacks isolated d5-pawn. kingside pawns are not significantly hurt 38557-3967
The last move, 19. ... gxf6, leaves Black by the trade (even if the g-pawns are dou-
Or e-mail your material to
down a pawn, with many pawn weak- bled)but Blacks pawns are.
[email protected]
nesses and a very vulnerable king. GM Alburt will select the most
However, the ending after 19. ... Qxf6 was instructive game and CL will award
34. ... Qxg4 35. hxg4 Kg7 36. Re3 Kg6 37.
equally bad. an autographed copy of Levs newest

Kh2 Kg5 38. f3 h6 39. Re7 Kg6 40. Rc1 Rfd8
book, Chess Training Pocket Book II

41. a4
(by Lev Alburt and Al Lawrence) to

20. Rad1 Rc8 21. Bb3
Going for the d5-pawn. the person submitting the most in-
(see diagram top of next column)
Positioning to keep the b-and c-pawns
working together. structive game and annotations.
Do not send games with only a
21. ... Kg7
Thinking, I guess, Ill forget my c2- few notes, as they are of little instruc-
pawn. tive value and cant be used. Writing
41. ... Rd4 42. Rb7 Kg7 43. d6 Rd6 44. c7 Rd7
skills are a plus, but instructiveness

45. b5 axb5 46. axb5 Kf8 47. Rb8, Black
is a must! Make sure your game (or

resigned.
And Mr. Kuzma, nicely, concludes:
22. c3 Qd7 23. Bxd5 Bxd5 24. Qxd5 Qg4 25.
part of it) and your notes will be of

Re4 Qg6
(see diagram top of next column) Note I have great respect for Zachary as interest to other readers.

Solitaire Chess
Young Fischer
A classic Fischer game that shows the ease with which even the teenage Bobby
By Bruce Pandolfini
could manipulate the pieces in the Najdorf variation.
At his best, Robert James Fischers Sometimes points are also rewarded for game. Generally, Black tries 9. ... b4, 9.
games play themselves, everything seem- second-best moves, and there may be ... Nxe4, or 9. ... Nbd7.**
ing inevitable, with opponents falling bonus pointsor deductionsfor other
apart under the incessant pressure man- moves and variations. Note that ** means
10. Nxc6 Par Score: 6
ifested by his moves and very presence at that the note to Blacks move is over and Deduct 2 points for 10. f5? Qb6 11.
the board. A case in point is then 16- Whites move is on the next line.** Be3 e5, winning a piece.
year-old Fischers game against Olicio
Gadia from a 1960 event at Mar del Plata,
6. Bc4 Par Score: 5 10. Bxc6
Argentina. Fischer plays his pet system in There are lots of sixth moves here: 6. No credit for other moves if you're scor-
the Sicilian, gets a dominant knight a4, f3, f4, g3, h3, Be2, Bd3, Be3, Bg5. ing for Black. For instance, 10. ... Qb6+
against a mired bishop, and easily finds Take full credit for any of them. Add 1 11. Nd4 e5 12. Be3 Ng4 13. Qxg4 exd4 14.
a resource that capitalizes, blunder or bonus point if you knew that. Bf2, gains White a piece.**
not. But lets see what were talking about.
With Black playing the Najdorf variation,
6. e6 11. f5 Par Score: 6
the game began: Add 1 bonus point if you knew why Deduct 1 point for 11. e5 dxe5 12. fxe5
Black can't win a pawn here: 6. ... b5 7. Bc5+ 13. Kh1 Qxd1 14. Rxd1 Ng4. Con-
Bb3 b4 8. Na4 Nxe4? 9. Bd5!, forking versely, add 1 bonus point if you saw and
Sicilian Defense, rook and knight.** avoided it.
Najdorf Variation (B87)
Robert Fischer
7. Bb3 Par Score: 5 11. e5
Olicio Gadia Accept only 4 points part credit for 7. a3, Black plays into White's hands, a
Mar del Plata (3), 1960 making a home for the bishop at a2. tougher response being 11. ... Qd7. Add
1 bonus point if you then intended to con-
tinue 12. fxe6 fxe6 13. Qd4 Be7 14. Bg5,
7. b5
with a pretty good sized initiative. What
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5.
were you going to do if Black played 11.

Nc3 a6 8. 0-0 Par Score: 5
Assume only 4 points part credit for ... b4? Hopefully, not 12. Na4 e5!, when
any of these eighth moves: a3, Qf3, f3, the knight is quite unable to reach the
rnlqkl r
+p+ pppp Be3, Bg5, Qe2 and f4. They are sidelines outpost square d5. Add 2 bonus points if
to the main move, 8. 0-0. In fact, accept your thinking was to sacrifice the knight,
full credit if you planned to play 7. 0-0 and 12. fxe6! bxc3 13. exf7+ Ke7 (13. ... Kd7
p+ p n +
+ + + + then 8. Bb3. These two moves are virtu- 14. e5); and now, perhaps 14. Qd4 or
ally interchangeable. 14. Qe1, both intending 15. e5, with a ter-
rific attack against Black's king.**
+ NP+ +
+ N + + 8. Bb7
Accept 1 bonus point if you understood
12. Qd3 Par Score: 5
that 8. ... b4 9. Na4 Nxe4 10. Re1 gives
PPP+ PPP
R LQKL+R White compensation for his pawn.
12. Be7
Your starting position Black develops and gets ready to cas-

tle. He might have postponed this for one
9. f4 Par Score: 5
Now make sure you have the above Accept full credit for 9. Re1, a move move and played 12. ... h6.**
position set up on your chessboard. As Fischer played in later games.
you play through the remaining moves in
13. Bg5 Par Score: 6
this game, use a piece of paper to cover Part of White's strategy is to gain per-
9. Nc6
the article, exposing Whites next move This move does not really fit into Blacks manent control of d5. He's going to trade
only after trying to guess it. If you guess setup and has disappeared from practi- off the f6-knight, one of Black's two minor
correctly, give yourself the par score. cal play, perhaps as a result of this very pieces that can contest d5.

Problem I Problem II Problem III
ABCs of Chess Fork Pin Fork
These problems are all related to

+ + + + + + +k+ + + +k+
key positions in this months game.
+p+ + + + p + p q + + +p
In each case, Black is to move. The k+ + + + +n+l+ + p+ + n Q
answers can be found in Solutions p + N + + +P+ + +p+ + +
on page 71. r + + + + + p + + + + +
January Exercise: Lets say you try
+ + +P+ + P + + + + + +
to solve a block of tactical problems + +K+ + L+ + + + P + RP+
of a certain difficulty and set aside a R + + l + + + K + + + K
fixed period for solving each problem.
Completing the group, solve the
same problems a week later. Now, a Problem IV Problem V Problem VI
minute a problem should be suffi- Mating net Mating net Fork
cient, just enough to get your
bearings. Repeat the process a week + r k + r+ + +k+ k r + +
after that and the answers should be + +
+p+p + + +p+ +p+ +p+
a matter of instant recognition. Your + + +p+ +Q+ + q p+ p +p+
aim should be to build a data pool of
many useful setups. As your bank
+ +Np + + +r+ + + +q+ +p
account of concepts grows you can Q +P+ + + + + + P+ n + +
feel more confident. You become + + q + + + +pP +P+ +P+
armed with tools, poised for real + + nPP + + P P +P+L+PP
thinking. + + +RK + R + RK R +Q+ K
points part credit if you tried to force your

way through on the kingside with 21. f6
13. Qb6+ 17. Rxc6
In the event of 17. ... Qxc6, White would
Bxf6 22. Rxf6 gxf6 23. Rf1.
have to guard c2 before Nd5 can be
14. Kh1 Par Score: 4
Deduct 3 points for the self pin 14. played. So add 1 bonus point for 18. Rf2.**
Rf2?, which allows Black to pile on with
21. f6
This is designed to prevent f5-f6, but
14. ... Ng4.
there's a problem: the a2-g8 diagonal is
18. Rad1 Par Score: 7
Receive only 3 points part credit for the
weakened. On 21. ... Bf8 White continues
premature 18. Nd5.
his plan, 22. a4; and if 22. ... Rb8, then
14. 0-0
Add 2 bonus points if you saw the clean
23. Nb4 Rcb6 24. a5 R6b7 25. Nc6 (2
refutation of 14. ... Ng4, namely 15. Nd5!
bonus points). Nor does 21. ... Rc4 22. b3
18. Rfc8
Nf2+ (15. ... Bxd5 16. Qxd5) 16. Rxf2 Add 2 bonus points for seeing 18. ... Qd4
R4c6, followed by 23. a4 hold up White (1
(and not 16. Kg1?, allowing Black a 19. Qg3 Qc4 20. Nd5 Bd8 21. f6 g6 22.
bonus point).**
smothered mate after 16. ... Nh3+ etc.) 16. Qe3!, with a mating attack. Receive an
... Qxf2 17. Bxe7 Bxd5 18. Qxd5 Kxe7 19. additional 3 bonus points if you took it fur-
f6+ (the cleanest) 19. ... Qxf6 20. Qb7+ ther with 22. ... Kh8 23. b3! (aiming to
22. a4 Par Score: 5
White threatens to win a pawn by cap-
Ke8 21. Qxa8+ Qd8, and White, a piece push the queen away from e4 and e2) 23.
turing twice on b5 (1 bonus point).
ahead, can trade off the queens or, bet- ... Qc5 (if 23. ... Qxc2 24. Rc1) 24. Qh6
ter yet, collect queenside pawns.** Rg8 25. Rd3 (the threat is 26. Qxh7+
Kxh7 27. Rh3 mate) 25. ... g5 26. Rh3,
22. Rb8
If Black instead takes, 22. ... bxa4,
with inevitable mate.**
then 23. Rxa4, followed by doubling rooks
15. Bxf6 Par Score: 6
No credit for other moves. The bishop
on the a-file, will lead to the win of the a6-
went to g5 to trade off the f6-knight, so it
pawn. Add 2 bonus points for so
19. Nd5 Par Score: 6
should be done.
concluding. The advance 22. ... b4 does-
nt help either. White doesnt take with the
19. Qd8
c-pawn, opening the file for the rooks,

15. Bxf6
but simply 23. Nxb4 (1 bonus point). **

20. c3 Par Score: 4
16. Bd5 Par Score: 6
Fischer targets the c6-bishop, which is
20 Be7
currently pinned to the rook. Accept only
23. Nxe7+ Par Score: 7
3 points part credit for 21. Nd5 Bxd5 22.

21. Ra1 Par Score: 7
Q or Bxd5. The piece White ultimately A nice, simple Fischer-like move. The
23. Black resigned
On 23. ... Qxe7 there follows 24. Qd5+
wants on d5 is the c3-knight. rook has served its purpose at d1 (the
and 25. Qxc6, gaining a full rook (1 bonus
16. Rac8
black queen no longer can enter d4) and
now looks for an open file. The d-file is not
suitable; the d5-knight jams things up.
point). Its hard to play a rook down. .
The answer is open the a-file. Theres a
17. Bxc6 Par Score: 6
Accept no credit for other moves. convenient target at b5. Accept only 3 For scoring box, see page 71.

Cover Story
My mom is the
champion of
America.
Anna Zatonskih defends her championship with style,
dominating the field with a 2700+ performance rating.
By FM Mike Klein
efore the first round of the 2009 duced a sea change in domestic treated us like celebrities!
B U.S. Womens Championship,

top-seeded IM Anna Zatonskih
professed an especially modest goal for
womens chess. Playing for a record
$64,500 prize fund, the ten competitors
played 20 consecutive decisive games
Then there was her disastrous result
in September in China at the Womens
World Team Championships, in which
a defending champion. She only wanted over the final four rounds, debunking Zatonskih only scored two points in seven
to finish the event. A stalwart Zatonskih any stereotypes of an effete style. games. She had no wins and a perform-
did more than that, overwhelming nearly I think it is the strongest U.S. Champi- ance rating nearly 500 points lower than
every other player with positional dom- onship I ever played, Zatonskih said. It is in St. Louis as the American team limped
inance and blistering counterattacks the best result of my chess career. I never to eighth place out of ten teams.
en route to victory and the $15,000 had such a high performance [rating]. One other reason for her inspired
winners check. Motivation came in many forms. After wire-to-wire title defense came from a
Returning to St. Louis for the first her illness in May, tournament sponsor desire to win fashionably. The drawing
time since withdrawing from the U.S. Rex Sinquefield and his wife Jeanne of lots at the opening ceremony morphed
Championship in May after two rounds used their house as a makeshift infir- into the selection of scarves, and Zaton-
for health reasons, Zatonskih compiled mary before Zatonskih could fly back to skihs choice of a turquoise scarf
eight wins and one draw against the her home in Germany. She later referred resulted in getting more blacks than
field, clinching the tournament with to them as her family in St. Louis. whites. I was not happy about this, she
one round to spare. The tournament Zatonskih wanted to play well as a ges- reasoned midway through the Champi-
took place from October 3-13 at the ture toward both the Sinquefields onship, but I really like the scarf, so
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of hospitality and the exemplary condi- this is the price to pay. She ended a
St. Louis. Her error-free play resulted in tions at the playing site and host hotel. perfect 5-0 as Black.
a 2700+ performance rating. Coupled She said the quality of the tournament Zatonskih continually showed per-
with the statistically improbable low organization made me feel like I am spicacious opening preparation tailored
number of draws, the tournament pro- doing something important ... They to each opponents tendencies. In round

PHOTO: SUZY GORMAN

Cover Story
one, she sought to defuse the aggressive- Queens Gambit Declined, know how close his prediction would
ness of WIM Iryna Zenyuk with a surprise, Laskers Defense (D56) come to reality.
the Dutch Defense. The defending cham- IM Irina Krush (2491)
pion had not played it in four years, and IM Anna Zatonskih (2470)
21. h3 Bf5 22. Bf1?
though Zenyuk still found a way to sac- 2009 U.S. Women's Championship (3)
rifice for the initiative, the early decisions r+rq +k+
in the opening left Zenyuk with too little
time to find the right path. Zenyuk missed
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. +p+ +pp
an equalizing pawn thrust and flagged in
Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 0-0 7. e3 Ne4
Initiating the Lasker Defense, which
+pn + p
a lost position just before the time control.
In round two, Zatonskih adopted Zatonskih used in China as well. p Qp+l+
another shrewd opening. Playing white, + P + +
she uncorked the solid Fianchetto Vari-
8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Rc1 Nxc3 10. Rxc3 c6 11.
ation of the Kings Indian Defense, stifling

Qc2 + R P +P
WIM Battsetseg Tsagaans position and According to GM-elect Ben Finegold, PP N PP+
inducing an unsound piece sacrifice. 11. Bd3 is more common but White is try-
Zatonskih found a few easy defensive ing to make productive moves to induce + R +LK
moves to consolidate her position, and she ... dxc4 and not waste a tempo with the After 22. Bf1
moved to 2-0. bishop. The position is unclear after 11.
Her march to sole leader only took two Bd3 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Nd7 13. 0-0 e5 14. White should admit his bishop is no
games as every other woman already had Bb3 Re8 (FM Graham Burgess). longer better and simply trade into an
a blemished record. Second-seeded IM equal game.
Irina Krush could only muster a draw in
11. ... Nd7 12. cxd5?!
her first game, and then she beat third- This lets Blacks bishop out too easily.
22. ... b5!!
seeded IM Rusudan Goletiani in the next White should begin to prepare for a minor-
round to puncture her hopes of keeping ity attack by advancing a2-a3 and b2-b4. r+rq +k+
pace. For the next several rounds, the There is a plan with cxd5 but it usually
involves putting the queen on b3 and
+ + +pp
closest challengers came from two dif-
ferent generations, 41-year-old WGM recapturing with bxc3 on move 10. Then, +pn + p
Camilla Baginskaite (champion in 2000) White pressures b7 and can also advance
with c3-c4.
ppQp+l+
and 18-year-old WIM Alisa Melekhina
(playing in only her second champi- + P + +
onship), respectively the oldest and
12. ... exd5 13. Bd3 Nb6!
Most spectators assumed 13. ... Nf6,
+ R P +P
youngest players in the field.
Chess fans with good memories cir- but Black's idea is to clog the c-file by PP N PP+
cled the third round on their tournament playing ... Be6 and plopping the knight on
c4 as soon as White gets in b2-b4. White
+ R +LK
calendar. Not only were the top two seeds
slated to play, but it would also be the first has an edge after 13. ... Nf6 14. 0-0 Ne4 After 22. ... b5
encounter between Zatonskih and Krush 15. Bxe4 dxe4 16. Ne5 (Zatonskih).
The move of the tournament. It is hard
since their infamous episode at the 2008 to see the idea for many reasons: ... Nb7
U.S. Womens Championship. Last year had previously not been legal, and Black
14. 0-0 Be6 15. Rb1
the duo tied for first place and played a Preparing b2-b4, perhaps with Nd2
first to prevent ... Nc4. normally would never want to move his b-
series of tiebreaker games that still left pawn off the protection of c6. The threat
them deadlocked. During the final is simply 23. ... Nb7 24. Qa3 b4. White's
Armageddon blitz match, Zatonskih called rooks are too cumbersome to give the
15. ... a5 16. Nd2 Nc8
Krushs flag and claimed victory with a Now that the knight has been blocked
from c4, it heads to d6, where it will have queen any room to breathe.
solitary second left on her clock. Non-
plussed by what she perceived as the most options. 23. Rb3?
unsporting manners during the final It is hard to fault Krush after such a
moves, Krush slapped her king across shocking turn of events. Assistant arbiter
17. Ra3
the room and rushed out of the room. The The tournament had many rook levers,
but this one has little point since Black Chris Bird said her eyes were working
two did not speak for months until the overtime to find a solution. In fact, her
chess Olympiad, when Krush claimed wanted to play 17. ... Nd6 anyway,
thereby connecting his rooks. Krushs best practical chance is the paradoxical
they began to reconcile for the teams 23. Bd3 right back where it came from!
benefit (they were also teammates in plan to pin the knight is also dubious.
23. ... Nb7 24. Bxf5 Nxc5 25. Bxc8 Rxc8
China). Both women downplayed any 26. Rxc5 when White may hold by not
special significance to the third round, but allowing a queen breakthrough.
17. ... Nd6 18. Qc5
Krush, perhaps alluding to her behavior Better is 18. Nb3 with the idea of Nc5
last year, allowed that she has come to because ... b7-b6 gravely weakens the c-
pawn.
23. ... Nb7 24. Qa3 b4 25. Qa4 c5
view chess as an outlet for correcting 25. ... Bd7 also wins after 26. Rd3 c5
items in her personality that she wished 27. Qd1 c4 but White can last longer
to improve. Going into the game, Krush than in the game with 26. Rc5.
18. ... Qc7 19. Rc3 Rfc8 20. Rbc1
said, Im going to let my moves do the Unknowingly entombing the queen.

talking. 26. dxc5 Nxc5 27. Qb5 Rab8!
Born of a stolid opening, the game pro- Accurate until the endthis wins a
20. ... Qd8
duced the most memorable move of the Here Finegold joked that if White played
21. a3 to prepare b2-b4, then Black could whole rook.
tournament, sure to find its way into a
tactics book soon. win the queen with 21. ... b6. Little did he 28. Qe2 a4, White resigned.

The Opposition
WIM Alisa Melekhina WIM Iryna Zenyuk IM Rusudan Goletiani

Rating: 2253 Rating: 2271 Rating: 2437
IM Irina Krush WGM Camilla Baginskaite WGM Sabina-Francesca Foisor

PHOTOS BY BETSY DYNAKO
WIM Battsetseg Tsagaan WFM Tatev Abrahamyan Yun Fan


Cover Story
After most matches, a phlegmatic Kings Indian Defense,

Zatonskih usually entered the press room Classical Variation (E94)
Zatonskih shyly, head down, claiming almost acci- WGM Sabina-Francesca Foisor (2383)
dental success. But after the relative ease WIM Alisa Melekhina (2291)
AT A GLANCE and relief of the match with Krush, she 2009 U.S. Women's Championship (4)
exuded more excitement. She did not let Notes by GM-elect Ben Finegold
reporters finish their questions before
beginning her answers, and gave rapid-
fire variations through her glistening lip
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3
gloss. Foisor surprises us once again by avoid-

She called 22. ... b5 a very unusual ing her usual Saemisch variation with 5.
tactic. Grandmaster-elect commentator f3.
Ben Finegold admitted he overlooked ...
b7-b5 and it wasnt the first move I over-
5. ... 0-0 6. Be2 e5 7. Be3 Na6 8. 0-0 Ng4
looked in this game. It was just In round two, Foisor got this position
shockingsuch a great move. against Tatev Abrahamyan. However, the
... b7-b5 doesnt come in my mind move order was slightly different (7. 0-0
first, Zatonskih said. But its only two Na6 8. Be3 Ng4). Melekhina said she
moves. Im kind of upset I didnt find it looked at ths line, and thought she could
sooner. Im a very emotional person. I improve on Blacks play.
went to bed early and tried to calm down.
She said that she sequestered herself
9. Bg5 Qe8 10. c5 h6 11. Bh4 exd4 12. Nxd4
from chess media during the event, not
dxc5 13. Nb3 c4
wanting to read her name in print. This was Melekhinas prepared
Zatonskih deflected questions of improvement. The idea is to stop White
whether she could go 9-0 or even tie from destroying the black pawn struc-
Krushs outstanding score of 8/9 at ture on the queenside with the usual
the 1998 Championship. She speculated Bxa6 ideas (as seen in the Abrahamyan
that 7 would be the winning score, as game: 13. ... g5 14. Bg3 Ne5 15. Bxa6
it was for her last year. Little did she bxa6 16. Nd5 Rb8 17. Nxc7 Qa4 18. Qd6
know how close she would come to per- Rb6 19. Qxc5 Rc6 20. Qxa7 Nd3 21. Nd5
fection. Kh8 22. e5 Nxe5 23. Nc3 Qb4 24. Rae1
The win meant that Zatonskih has still Nd3 25. Re4 Qb6 26. Qxb6 Rxb6 27. h4
Mariupol, Ukraine City
1991:
never lost to Krush in a classical time con- Nxb2 28. Be5 Bb7 29. Bxg7+ Kxg7 30.
(Adult) Championship trol. Baginskaite could only draw Goletiani Re2 Nd3 31. hxg5 hxg5 32. Rd2 Nf4 33.
but Melekhina ended a streak of two f3 Rh8 34. Ne2 Nxe2+ 35. Rxe2 Bd5 36.
draws by winning. Both women had one Re5 Bxb3 37. axb3 f6 38. Ra5 -
Bulgarian Womens
1993:
win and a pair of draws, while WGM Foisor-Abrahamyan).
Champion Sabina Foisor held sole second with two
wins and a draw.
14. Bxc4 Nb4
Round four turned into moving day at
Third Place World
1994:
the Championship, as all four undefeated r+l+qrk+
Junior Championship women met over the board. Zatonskih
(Girls Under 16) had White versus Baginskaite and Foisor
ppp +pl
took White against Melekhina. + + +pp
Zatonskih, who is notoriously hard to
Awarded WGM title
1999:
prepare for, threw another curveball with
+ + + +
a prepared novelty on move 13. Bagin- nL+P+nL
skaite said even her husband, GM Alex
Ukrainian
2001:
Yermolinsky, cannot guess Zatonskihs
+NN + +
Womens Champion
openings. As became her convention, the PP + PPP
defending champion gained a sizeable
advantage on the clock, and after Bagin-
R +Q+RK
Ukrainian
2002:
skaite went in the tank for 40 minutes on After 14. ... Nb4
Womens Co-champion
one move, Zatonskih had nearly an extra
hour to figure out how to turn the screws.
Though always slightly worse, Bagin-
15. Bb5
Chess Olympiad
2004:
Played after long thought (apparently,
silver medal with skaite talked her position back from the
a noveltyM.K.). During the live com-
U.S. team edge and drew to keep the gap between
mentary, I did not understand this move.
her and Zatonskih at one point.
However, Melekhina thought it was a fan-
Melekhina-Foisor thus became a bat-
tastic improvement! If Black tries the
Chess Olympiad tle for second. In a battle of Drexel versus
2008:
obvious 15. ... c6, then Alisa was wor-
UMBC, the two college students played a
PHOTO: SUZY GORMAN
bronze medal with ried about 16. Be2, and the ... Nb4 has
U.S. team and tactical melee. Though Foisor found a
trouble finding a safe haven, after 17.
individual gold medal strong novelty, Melekhina was not fazed.
a3.
I play better when I get in worse posi-
tions, she said.
U.S. Womens champion
2006, 2008, 2009: 15. ... Nc6?
(see game top of next column) Pinning the knight cannot be correct.

Black should bite the bullet and either Now the players were in time trouble, Everyone made the mark, and once again
move her queen or play 15. ... c6. The long as the game has been so tactically rich. Zatonskih outplayed an opponent in an
think Foisor spent over her accidental otherwise evenhanded middlegame. This
novelty pays off quickly. time her victim was fellow China and
25. Qd2 Rc8 26. Rc1?
Loses. Best was the unusual 26. Na6, Olympiad teammate WFM Tatev Abra-
and White is worse, but not losing. Now, hamyan, but the lesson was basic
16. h3
Even better is the immediate 16. Nd5! it's all over. opposite-colored bishops favor the
which we expected in the commentary attacker.
room. If Black tries 16. ... Qxe4, then 17. Krush continued to struggle, only man-
26. ... Qf4! 27. Qd3 Be5 28. g3 Qf3!
f3! is most annoying. Melekhina had seen this idea when aging to draw against good friend Zenyuk.
playing 26. ... Qf4. The two Iri(y)nas met at the 2007 U.S.
Womens Championship. As roommates,
16. ... Nf6?!
In the commentary room, we were look- Krush said she observed Zenyuks fight-
29. Qxf3 Bxf3
ing at 16. ... Bxc3 17. bxc3 Qe5 18. hxg4 White loses a piece, and the rest is ing spirit and unbridled will to find every
Qxb5. Rybka thinks this line is best, and easy for Black. available resource. Many of the women at
that only holds a small advantage. the championship count their fellow play-
ers as friends, and the two Irinas are
30. Rc5 Rxd8 31. Nd5
31. Rxe5?? Rd1+. especially closeafter the sudden third-
17. Re1 Nh5 18. Nd5
I thought 18. e5 was stronger, but, round loss to Zatonskih, Krush waited at
Rybka agrees with Foisors choice. White her board for about an hour until Zenyuk
31. ... Bxe4 32. Ne3 Bxb2 33. Rc7 a6 34. Nc5
has a clear advantage. finished her game.
Bf3 35. Nxa6 Ra8 36. Nb4 Ba3 37. Nbc2 Bd6
Zenyuk overlooked 23. b4, but true to
38. Rd7 Bc5 39. Ne1 Bxe3 40. Nxf3 Bc5 41.
Krushs description of her, she found an
18. ... Qe5 19. Rc1! Re8? Rc7 Bf8 42. Rc2 Bg7 43. Kg2 Nf6 44. Ne5
This loses immediately. Black is worse, obscure defense culminating with 26. ...
Nd5 45. Nd3 Ra3 46. Nc1 Rc3 47. Rd2 Nf4+
but still fighting after the expected 19. ... Ba2! that gave her enough complications
48. gxf4 Rxc1 49. Rd8+ Kh7 50. Rd7 f5 51.
Qxb2. to make the win too hard to find in time
Ra7 h5 52. a4 Kh6 53. a5 Rc2 54. Rd7 Ra2
pressure.
55. Rd5 Bc3, White resigned.
With Zatonskih at 3/4, Melekhina
20. Rxc6?
Throws away the win. In the commen- jumped to sole second with 3/4. I was-
tary room, we all thought 20. Na5! won nt expecting to have such a good start, An obscure defense
outright. I asked Melekhina after the Melekhina said. Its dangerous to start IM Irina Krush (2491)
game, and, she agreed, and expected thinking about [winning] this early in the WIM Iryna Zenyuk (2276)
Foisor to play this way. Rybka is tournament. 2009 U.S. Women's Championship (5)
absolutely giddy after 20. Na5 Be6 21. Nc4 Though humility prevailed with most
Qd4 22. Qxd4 Bxd4 23. Nxc7, but now, players throughout the event, Melekhina +r+ +k+
after the text move, White is only a little had more reason than most to expect a
better. good result. She entered the champi- pr+ pplp
onship as a newly-crowned gold medalist. + +l+p+
Representing the U.S. in her first interna-
20. ... bxc6 21. Bxc6 Be6 22. Bxa8 Rxa8
tional team event, she was heavily utilized +q+ + +
r+ + +k+ as the teams fourth board at the Womens +pPp+ +
p p +pl World Team Championships. Melekhina
played three 2400s and went undefeated + P P LP
+ +l+pp over six games, playing at a level almost PQ+LPP+
+ +Nq +n 250 points above her rating. Her win
against a Chinese WGM secured the R + R K
+ +P+ L match win for the Americans in the teams After 22. ... Qxb5
+N+ + +P lone bright spot of the event.
Alisa made a very strong impression on
PP + PP+ me during the World Team Champi-
23. b4!
onship, said U.S. Coach GM Gregory Burned by the b-pawn once, now Krush
uses the unexpected thrust herself.
+ +QR K
Kaidanov. Unfortunately her opening
After 22. ... Rxa8
preparation is much weaker than her
overall chess skill. To help make up for
23. ... cxb3 e.p.!?
this, Melekhina trotted out some variety Objectively best, otherwise White will
have a free hand to attack all the weak
23. Bd8!?
A bolt from the blue, and probably the in her openings, using new systems at the
U.S. Womens Championship. black pawns now that there is no more
reason Foisor went in for 20. Rxc6. Black
Melekhina survived the next big test of backward pawn on b2.
needs to play 23. ... c6 now, and after 24.
Ne7+ Kh7 25. Nxc6 Qxb2, the game is the event, playing a solid draw against
about equal. Alisa thinks she sees a win, Goletiani in round five. She used the c3-
24. Bxb5 bxc2 25. Ba6 Rb1 26. Bxc8 Ba2!
Sicilian for the second time in the event, The amazing point of Blacks 23rd
and plays too aggressively with ...
as opposed to her usual Closed Sicilian, move. Down a rook and with White seem-
but Goletiani said she did not see the ingly guarding against promotion, Black
puts his bishop en prise with the idea of
23. ... Bxh3? 24. Nxc7?
24. f4! A very difficult move to find! 24. first incarnation.
The action reached a heightened state trading rooks on a1 and playing ... Bb1.
... Qe6 (24. ... Nxf4 25. Bxc7; 24. ... Qxb2
25. gxh3) 25. Bxc7 Bg4 26. Qd2. during the time control period of the fifth
round, as all ten women were at or below
27. Raxb1
24. ... Bg4! five minutes with ten moves remaining. Forced ...

Cover Story
ing a win part of a never ending disap- c-file for a later rook invasion to the sec-
pointment. Zenyuk, who is in graduate ond rank. White takes time out from
27. ... cxb1=Q 28. Rxb1 Bxb1 29. c4 e5 30. d5
school, said she usually awakens at 6:30 offensive operations to prevent any queen-
Ba2
30. ... Kf8 may be an improvement,
a.m. to study chess. Its insane, but it side turmoil. This was an especially
but both players were down to less than
pays off, she said. important idea considering how saavy
one minute and were playing largely on
Baginskaite kept pace by eking out a Melekhina has become at fighting back
instinct.
long victory over Yun Fan, who recently from worse positions. Though more of a
moved to the U.S. to attend college in body blow compared to her round three
Indiana. Fans inexperience in high level ... b7-b5 uppercut, Zatonskih called this
31. Ba6?
Missing the first winKrush mentioned
tournaments landed her in severe time her favorite move of the tournament.
some analysis in the post-mortem where
trouble for most of the tournament. Foisor
she would actually lose by allowing the
dropped her second game in a row, this
advance of the a-pawn. With the seconds
41. ... Rcd8 42. Qf5 Qg6 43. Qg4 Kh7 44. h4
time to Tsagaan, so the three-woman
ticking away, 31. Ba6 is a very human
Bh6 45. Qf3 Rf8
troika of Zatonskih (4), Baginskaite The next few moves show the culmina-
choice, taking away the possibility of the
(3) and Melekhina (3) all remained tion of Whites suffocationMelekhina
dreaded third result. White wins with 31.
undefeated, with an important battle tosses in all of her kingside pawns to try
d6 Bxc4 (31. ... Bf8 32. c5 f6 33. Bb7!
looming after the coming rest day. to avoid being run over.
would also eventually win) 32. Bh4! Bb5
In round six, Zatonskih took white
33. d7 Bxd7 34. Bxd7.
against Melekhina. Zatonskih again tried
46. h5 Qc2 47. Rg2 g4 48. Qxg4 Rg8 49.
to diffuse the Kings Indian bomb with her
Rxf7+ Kh8 50. Rxc2 Rxg4+ 51. Rg2 Rxg2+
tournament-favorite, the Fianchetto Sys-
31. ... f6 32. d6 Kf7 33. c5 Bf8 34. f4 exf3 e.p.
52. Kxg2 Nf4+ 53. Nxf4 Rd2+ 54. Kf3 Rxb2
tem. Melekhina took the non-classical
35. gxf3
Which piece should Black put on e6?
55. Ng6+ Kg8 56. Rxe7 Rxb3+
approach of playing ... Bd7 followed by ...
Qc8. Her unorthodox idea has good com- + +k+ +
pany; the maneuver is similar to an idea
35. ... Ke6?!
The bishop may have preferred to go p + R +
that GM Hikaru Nakamura used with
here in light of the game continuation.
success at both Foxwoods 2009 and as p + +Nl
white (with Bd2, Qc1) against 2650+ GM + + P +P
Pentala Harikrishna at the 2008 Chess
36. Be1 Kd5
This should lose quickly. 36. ... Bd5 was
Olympiad. P+P+ + +
the only other chance.
For her part, Zatonskih played a near +r+ +K+
flawless game that featured her favorite
move of the tournament. Though in stark
37. Bb4?
+ + + +
37. d7 Be7 38. Ba5 and White would
contrast to the tactical shot ... b5 versus
win prosaically. + + + +
Krush, her move appeals to more Karpov-
After 56. ... Rxb3+
ian sensibilities, not surprising since
Zatonskihs father, a former coach, used
37. ... Kc6 38. Kf2 Be6 39. h4 f5 40. Ba3 h6
But the counterplay is too lateWhites
to study his games.
41. Bd3
e-pawn is too fast.
+ + l +
Karpovian
57. Ke4 Rb4 58. Rc7 Rxa4 59. e6 Ra1 60.
p + + +
IM Anna Zatonskih (2470)
Rc8+ Kg7 61. e7 Re1+ 62. Kd5 Kf7 63. Rf8+,
+kPl+pp
WIM Alisa Melekhina (2291)
Black resigned.
+ P pp+ 2009 U.S. Women's Championship (6) Alisa defended her position very well,
+ + + P Zatonskih said. Even in a very bad posi-
tion, she came up with some very
interesting ideas.
L +LPP+ +r+r+k+
+ + K + p + ppl I dont know why her rating is only
2220 (FIDE). It is paradoxical to me. She
is very underrated. She has more energy
+ + + + p +n+ +
After 41. Bd3 + +NP pq to me.
After the event, Melekhina said that
the Kings Indian Defense might be the
+P+ + +
+P+ + R next opening that she may strike from her
41. ... Bg7!
The waiting move matters! Black avoids repertoire.
any pitfalls with the unattended f8- Round six also began a streak of a
PL + Q P
bishop. White picks off a piece after 41. + + +RK score of decisive games. The twenty con-
... Bc8 42. Bc2 Kb5 43. c6! Kxc6 44. d7. After 40. ... g5 secutive drawless contests may be
unprecedented in a tournament of this
caliber, and several spectators in atten-
42. Bc2
Now Black just needs to keep control of dance noted that Bobby Fischers
41. a4!
the a4-e8 diagonal to hold the balance. Only a deep understanding of the posi- ridiculous streak of consecutive wins in
tion gives credence to Zatonskihs idea. candidates matches was only 19. The
She reasoned that most of Blacks pieces games of the Championship petered out
42. ... Kb5 43. Bd3+ Kc6 44. Bc2 Kb5 45.
are tied down to defense, except the c8- without a victor only ten times out of 45,
Bd3+ Kc6, Draw agreed.
rook. The ... b6-b5 lever is Blacks only for a draw rate of 22 percent.
With her chances to win the event now source of counterplay, which would loosen Finegold, along with tournament chair-
basically nonexistent, Krush called miss- the outposted knight on d5 and open the person WGM Jennifer Shahade, gave live

Zatonskih taking
blindfold chess
literally.
Ceremonies Fit
for a Queen
ST. LOUIS, A CITY FOUNDED BY THE FRENCH, OFFERED
a veritable mlange of activities to promote and enhance
the round robin main event.
Kicking off the fortnight was the Queens of Jazz con-
cert at the Contemporary Art Museum in St. Louis, where
the ladies and tournament staff dressed to the nines for
performances by platinum composer, crooner and Tony-
nominee Ann Hampton Calloway and guest Denise Thimes
(Denise is from St. Louis, also a vocalist).
The following day at the same location, the community
got a chance to face off against the women in a Bounty
Blitz event, whereupon only a few highly rated tourna-
ment players nicked the women for a spot draw or an even
rarer win. In the highlight of the days festivities, Anna
Zatonskih conducted a blindfold simultaneous, scoring 5-
0 and setting the tone for the remainder of the event. Also
fitting was that the last man standing was club founder
and president, Rex Sinquefield. That evening, in a draw-
ing of lots tailored to the championship, players chose from
designer scarveson each, a pairing number was stitched.
The players were then blindfolded on stage, sat on alter-
nating red and silver chairs and contested a five versus
5 group blindfold blitz game. Black won with the Najdorf
but all ten ladies got a standing ovation for their efforts.
After round five, the off-day was in name only. The play-
ers attending a morning breakfast to jump start the Chess
for Life program, meant to use the game to help patients
in a hospital setting. A pair of simultaneous exhibitions for
children followed at a local science center and at the Chess
Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis. Many women
then chose glamour over rest by attending a fashion shoot
with oversized chess pieces in the landscape.
At the closing ceremony, organizers rented the top floor
of the host hotel. The executive director of the chess club,
Tony Rich, presided and awarded checks and special
prizes. Zatonskih won the best game honors for her win
over Melekhina and made it a clean sweep by winning the
fighting chess award. The mayor of St. Louis, Francis
Slay also spoke. Jeanne Sinquefield got the biggest laugh
when she said she originally allowed her husband, Rex, to
play chess again, figuring it was cheaper than most activ-
ities. Rex Sinquefield is the main sponsor of both the
chess club and the 2009 U.S. Womens Championship and
2009 and 2010 U.S. Championship.
At the close of the ceremony, players gave a standing
ovation when USCF Executive Director Bill Hall announced
that the USCF and Chess Club and Scholastic Center of
St. Louis had agreed in principal to host the 2010 U.S.
Womens Championship. The women headed downstairs
to dance the night away.
The championship events continued for one more day,
as Zatonskih and Sinquefield played a new kind of chess
at the Chance Aesthetics Show at the Kemper Art
Museum. Roulette chess, which was created by Jennifer
Shahade and curator Larry List, was inspired by Marcel
Duchamps wish that chess and chance ought to meet in
the middle. Zatonskihs luck was finally mitigated by a
spinning wheel; Sinquefield held the draw.

Cover Story
commentary during each round. Of all commentary, but, White also plays 10. too many weaknesses around her king.
the round robins Ive seen, this has had Nbd2 in this position. I thought the text Zatonskihs play hereafter is aggressive
the most fighting chess, Finegold said. move made more sense, and White can and accurate.
Tournament rules prohibit draw offers play Nc2 later, attacking d4, preparing b2-
before move 30, and Zatonskih admitted b4, and the Qd1 protects the d3 pawn,
24. ... Ng7 25. Qd1 Nh5 26. Kh2 Qc7 27. Bg4?
that in at least three of her games, she unlike when White plays the knight to d2. Losing quickly. A spectator in the live
would have offered draws before then if audience suggested 27. Qg4! which allows
she were allowed (she called the rule very White to still play on. Now Zatonskih exe-
10. ... Nc5 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. Rxe5 c6 13. Nc2
good for chess). She also said that women cutes a brutal sacrificial mating attack.
a5 14. b3 Bd6
played more attacking chess than men.
The prize structure may have also dictated r+lq rk+ 27. ... Nxf4! 28. Rf1
playevery place earned different pay- +p+ +ppp 28. gxf4 Qxf4+ 29. Kh3 Qf2.
outs, so even a half point could mean as
much as a few thousand dollars, much +pl + + 28. ... Be5! 29. gxf4 Bxf4+ 30. Kh3
more than the amount that many week- p n R + The alternatives fare no better: 30. Kg1
end Swisses offer for first place. Bh2+ 31. Kf2 Qg3 mate; 30. Rxf4 Qxf4+
In other round six action, Fan began +Pp + + 31. Kh3 h5.
her good second half play with her first +P+P+ P
point, and Krush won a creative strug-
30. ... h5! 31. Bxh5 gxh5 32. Qxh5 Bd7+! 33.
gle with 2. ... a6, the offbeat OKelly P+N+ PLP Kg2 Ra6!
Sicilian, an opening she first prepared R LQ+ K Normally, I do not give exclamation
for the final round of the 2007 U.S. points to so many moves, but, in this
After 14. ... Bd6
Womens Championship. Some lines you game, Zatonskih played so many power-
just have affection for, Krush said. I Surprisingly, this has all been played ful/best moves, it is easy to see why she
was just attracted by the fact that on before! White played 15. Re1 in the game has 6-!
move two Black can just avoid main- Barle-Mikhalchisin, 1995, which Black
stream theory. It was her first win since eventually won. Here, I suggested 15.
34. Rf3 Rg6+ 35. Kf1 Bg4 36. Qd5 Re5,
round two. Melekhinas loss took her out Rh5 in the commentary room, but, I
White resigned.
of the hunt for first, but Baginskaite ben- thought it was more of a fun, blitz move
efited from Zenyuks ill-timed eschewal of than a serious move. Imagine my surprise
+ + +k+
a three-fold repetition. Her will to win when that is exactly what Goletiani +pq +p+
hurt her on this occasion. The games played! After the game, Zatonskih said she
continuation resulted in an easily winning thought 15. Rh5 was fine.
+ + +r+
endgame for Baginskaite, who still lurked p pQr +
only one point behind the leader. She 15. Rh5!? Ne6
remained one mistake away from the top This is what I expected during the live
+Pp llP
of the tables. commentary. Rybka prefers 15. ... g6. +P+P+R+
Round seven could not produce a
change at the top either. Zatonskih won, 16. Bb2 Be7 17. Re5 Bf6 18. Re1 PLN+ + +
but again Baginskaite kept pace. Zaton- After a little detour, the rook finds a rea- +R+ +K+
skihs game had similarities to her round sonable home on e1. Zatonskih has done An incredible final position
five winshe attacked on the dark well to protect her d4-pawn, and now, she
squares as black and again defeated a completes development with simple
teammate from the U.S. womens team. moves. In the beginning, I was happy with a
draw, Zatonskih said. I have a very bad
score with Goletiani. In fact, Zatonskih
18. ... Qb6 19. Rb1 Bd7
Reti Opening (A09) I thought the position was about equal, had never defeated her before this game.
IM Rusudan Goletiani (2429) and Zatonskih agreed. Now, Goletiani With Zatonskih refusing to falter, an
IM Anna Zatonskih (2470) plays a move I did not like, but, she interesting subplot became the focus.
2009 U.S. Womens Championship (7) thought it was okay, but that her later 24. The battle for second place began in
Notes by GM-elect Ben Finegold from f4? was to blame. I dislike moving the earnestthe winner would earn a few
Tournament Bulletin pawns in front of Whites king, as it seems extra thousand dollars and the second of
to weaken her king more than it does to two automatic invitations to the Womens
put pressure on Blacks king. World Championships, to be held next
year in Turkey. Baginskaite held the
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 e5 5. d3
inside track with 5, but Krush won her
Nf6 6. 0-0 20. h4!? c5
A sort of Reverse Benoni. The fact that Anna solidifies her d4-pawn, and at second game in a row to get to 4 and the
Black has not played ... c7-c5 early, the same time attempts to trade off the two were scheduled to meet in the next
means that she can maneuver her knight strong Bg2. round. Melekhina equaled Krushs 4
to that square. by rebounding with a win of her own.
Im not chasing Anna [Zatonskih] so
21. Qh5 Bc6 22. Bh3?
Jen (Shahade) did not like this move. much anymore, said Baginskaite. Real-
6. ... Nd7 7. e3
This is the most common move in the She thought giving away the a8-h1 diag- istically it will be difficult to catch her.
position. White wants to open up the cen- onal was more important than the The race to qualify bunched up even
ter whilst Black has yet to castle. pressure White gets with Bh3. I agree. tighter in round eight. Krush coolly
rebuffed Baginskaites rare Chigorin
Defense in their head-to-held duel. The
7. ... Be7 8. exd4 exd4 9. Re1 0-0 10. Na3 22. ... g6 23. Qg4 Rfe8 24. f4?
I expected this move when doing live This is the losing move. Now White has victory pulled the two women into a tie for

Left to right: Sabina-Francesca Foisor, Yun Fan, Irina Krush (top), Iryna Zenyuk (in front of Krush), Rusudan Goletiani, Battsetseg Tsagaan,
Camilla Baginskaite, Alisa Melekhina, Anna Zatonskih (lying down), and Tatev Abrahamyan
Making it special
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis ing ceremonies). The Chase also features a first-rate spa
rolled the red carpet down the d-file for the ten queens of and gym as well as an art-house movie theater. Melekhina
American chess. With an attentive eye toward professional- called the hotel posh and the transportation to and from
ism and finery, the organizational team made this a the airport luxurious. After several rounds, players want-
championship to cherish for the ladies. ing to explore the city were given chauffeured car service.
The organization and planning that went into this event Sumptuous daily catering for players and spectators came
was evident, and produced the most professional atmos- from the artisan bakery next door and tournament sponsor
phere out of any tournament Ive participated in, said Rex Sinquefield commonly hosted after-round dinners at
Melekhina. The small details that went into ensuring the play- local white-tablecloth restaurants.
ers were treated not only with respect, but like celebrities, was Melekhina added, Even things usually taken for granted
amazing. Zatonskih and others echoed the feeling of being such as having comfortable playing conditions, which included
in the limelight. comfortable room temperature, each game having a roomy,
Players eagerly attended elaborate opening and closing individual table with a separate table behind it for placing
ceremonies, and most took advantage of the off-day to attend belongings and drinks, and having professional wooden
a glamorous photo shoot. Afterward, players studied their chess sets and digital clocks provided made a difference. Rich
proofs with about as much scrutiny as their games, nixing said the chess tables were custom-made and designed specif-
some shots while showing off their favorites. ically for the club.
Tournament participants, including commentators and The club also offered more than a dozen flat-screen tele-
arbiters Carol Jarecki and Chris Bird, were all treated to pri- visions which broadcasted games live, a documentary film
vate suites at the Chase Park Plaza, a hotel with numerous group that followed the action, and a support staff that
accolades in a trendy neighborhood (Speaker of the House Melekhina said promptly addressed any player concerns. The
of Representatives Nancy Pelosi gave a $2,400 per person daily personnel on hand to assist players included two
fundraising event at the Chase during the tournament, held arbiters, three commentators, two security guards, two cater-
in the same penthouse ballroom as the championships clos- ers, and a club staff of about ten.

Cover Story
second and it was Baginskaites first loss king would be mated. She also reasoned
of the event. After the game, Baginskaite that her opponent would not be so reck-
56. ... Be4!, White resigned.
White resigned since 57. fxe4 (57. Kc3
remained at her board for ten minutes, less as to bluff, so Krush made the
Kb5 58. Bg3 Bxf3 59. Bh2 Bd1 60. Bg3
reviewing her notation and longingly decision to decline the offer and walk her
a3 61. Bh2 a2 62. Kb2 Bb3 and Whites
searching for the answers that she could king to the middle of the board. She lost
paralyzed pieces cannot stop a king inva-
not find during the game. shortly thereafter.
sion; 57. f4 h2) 57. ... dxe4 58. Ke3 Kd5.
Melekhina lost to Zenyuk and fell one Abrahamyans mistake (she later said
point off the pace for second. she did not see her opponents winning
Zatonskihs inexorable march to her + + + + variation either) produced her third win
second title in as many years also ended + +p+ + in a row. Of the fighting chess exhibited
in round eight. She played the longest over the final four rounds, she benefited
game of the round, and though she only + + + + the most. Abrahamyan started round
needed a draw to clinch first place, she + +kL + seven in a tie for last and finished the
was never in danger at the end and fit- tournament in clear fifthfighting chess
tingly played for the win, as she had done p+ Pp+ + netted her $6,000, or $4,000 more than
all tournament. + + K +p if she had remained in the cellar.
I could easily spoil everything ... I was Melekhina kept her longshot hopes of
playing for a draw, as safe as I can, she + + + + qualifying when Tsagaan allowed a mat-
said of her initial play. But I realized its + + + + ing tactic in time pressure. Melekhina
not any way to play chess. By refusing gained a substantial amount of time in the
Analysis after 58. ... Kd5
to settle, she was rewarded with a chance opening by again expanding her reper-
to win the title in style. The final blow Zatonskih expressed reliefthe pres- toire; she played 1. d4 for the first time in
reminded many of Shirovs 47. ... Bh3 sure from playing from the leaders spot her life, wanting to finally be on the white
against Topalov in Linares 1998. Though was finally over. side of a Kings Indian. Maybe youth is
ranking as one of the best moves of all Im very glad that in my last round I blessed with confidenceat the U.S.
time on several lists, Zatonskih could not dont need anything, she said. I dont Championship, Robert Hess, then still
recall ever seeing the move! even need a draw. an IM, trotted out his first ever Sicilian
The title decided, now the trip to Turkey against GM Gata Kamsky.
was the only final-round drama. Several Tsagaan lamented her slow play but
Recalling Shirov insisted that the Championship is also her
games produced severe time pressure,
WGM Sabina-Francesca Foisor (2383) vacation. My husband keeps saying, just
curious since the 40/2 SD/1 controls
IM Anna Zatonskih (2470) make the first 20 moves in one hour, but
are more leisurely than the international
2009 U.S. Women's Championship (8) it never happens, Tsagaan said with a
standard of Game/90 that many of the
players are accustomed to. laugh.
+ + + + Krush had the worst final-round time Melekhina and Krush now had to wait
management of the leadersshe had only to see if Baginskaite would falter; loom-
ing was a potentially messy three-way
+ + + +p
30 seconds to make six moves. She made
+k+ + + a host of small mistakes leading up to tiebreaker to decide who would go to the
move 40, capped by a bit of bad luck on World Championships. Baginskaite
played the longest game of the round,
+ +pLl+
her 38th move. Her opponent, Abra-
p+ P + + hamyan, was also low on time and but the tournaments elder stateswoman
sacrificed a rook confidently and quickly removed the drama by eventually grind-
ing down Foisor to clinch clear second.
+ + +P+p
to break through Krushs pawn shelter
+ K + + around her king. There were two lines to I did not expect Krush to lose, Bagin-
consider after capturing the rookKrush skaite said. It was very likely I would
need to win today. She said overcoming
+ + + +
only had time to look at one, and saw her
After 56. Be5
2009 U.S. WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP

October 3-13, 2009 Chess Club and Scholastic Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Chief Tournament Director: Carol Jarecki
# Player USCF FIDE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score
1 Anna Zatonskih 2492 2462 XX 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8

2 Camilla Baginskaite 2356 2317 XX 0 1 1 1 1 1 6
3 Alisa Melekhina 2253 2220 0 XX 1 1 0 1 1 5
4 Irina Krush 2490 2458 0 1 XX 0 1 1 1 5
5 Tatev Abrahamyan 2342 2275 0 0 0 1 XX 1 1 0 4
6 Sabina-Francesca Foisor 2379 2320 0 0 0 0 XX 1 1 0 1 3
7 Rusudan Goletiani 2437 2391 0 0 0 XX 1 1 0 3
8 Iryna Zenyuk 2271 2285 0 0 1 0 0 0 XX 1 3
9 Battsetseg Tsagaan 2265 2258 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 XX 1 2
10 Yun Fan 2134 1935 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 XX 2

the strongest U.S. Womens Champi-
onship field that she had ever faced. I
concentrated on every game without
thinking about my points, she said.
Her celebration schedule was almost as
long as the tournament. Zatonskih cele-
brated with her friends/fellow players
after she clinched in round eight, then
again after the finale, then once more
after arriving back home in Germany,
where her parents were visiting for the
first time, and a final time after her hus-
band, GM Daniel Fridman, finished the
European Team Championships.
Despite the five collegians competing,
the two women who qualified for the
Womens World Championship, Zaton-
skih and Baginskaite, were two of the
three oldest women in the event. It is a
pleasure to feel young competing with a
younger generation and still be able to
beat them, Zatonskih said. I am glad
that two mothers qualified ... It means we
can have a family and play good chess at
the same time.
Baginskaite has two school-aged chil-
dren. While Zatonskih is a chess profes-
sional (she jokingly called herself a pro-
fessional mom), Baginskaite is studying
to become an art teacher. Prior to the
event, she said that she wanted to become
serious about chess again, especially once
her children get more self-sufficient. She
said after learning of her norm, now I
almost have an obligation to play more
often.
Zatonskihs daughter is two and neces-
sarily was not old enough to understand
when her mother won the title in 2008.
This year, upon returning home, Zaton-
Irina Krush (on floor) and Iryna Zenyuk dance the night away at the closing ceremonies. skihs parents, visiting from the Ukraine,
taught the toddler to surprise mom with
a sentence in English: My mom is the
her round eight defeat was psychologi-
cally difficult and she decided to refocus
Baginskaite had forgotten! With a score
of 6, she earned her first international
champion of America. .
on the final round without regard to tour- master norm, a $12,000 payday, and she
nament standing (she did not even know punched her ticket to Turkey in Decem-
the complex tiebreaker format).When ber, 2010. This will be good incentive to
asked why she did not take a draw to buy my own laptop!
ensure qualification after Krushs loss, Zatonskihs victory lap went as
Baginskaite seemed to regard such an smoothly as her previous eight games.
action as impure. I couldnt see any way Though she admitted nerves, she used
for [Foisor] to hold. Why should I agree to her last-round spatial advantage to once
a draw? Its about self-respect. You have again overwhelm an opponent. Her win
to win this position. She added that even over Fan typified her play over the ten
Kasparov once offered a draw in a winning days, and her score of 8/9 was the
position to clinch a world championship highest since Krushs similar tally in
against Karpov. 1998. The 2009 performance was more
Then came her most shocking revela- sensational in that the average rating
tion of the tournament: she did not use was nearly 100 points higher than in
a computer to prepare for any of her 1998, and this year was the first cham-
PHOTOS: BETSY DYNAKO
games. I remember I had some very bad pionship in which every player was a
tournaments where I studied too much, master. Zatonskih, however, discounted
Baginskaite said. As for preparation the significance of the winning score
itself, there is really no substitute for (which won the championship by two Once again, Rex Sinquefields (seated)
daily work. In her game with Zatonskih, points) by continually alluding to Anna sponsorship helped create a world-class
championship. In background is Tony Rich,
her opponent knew she played the open- Aksharumova, who won with a perfect executive director of the Chess Club and
ing the same as from a game in 1994, but score in 1987. Zatonskih did say it was Scholastic Center of St. Louis.

Profile
E SQUARED:
Empowerment, Exposure
By Paul Gold
Imagination is more important than knowledge. ~Albert Einstein

as teacher/student for just a year or two sion Test (LSAT) and taking an easy job
she stopped playing tournament chess teaching chess at the New York based
at the end of eighth grade. I have always Chess-in-the-Schools program. Three years
had a complicated relationship with later she had still not taken the LSATs. By
chess, she said when we got together to now she had earned her masters in edu-
chat in late April this year. Complicated, cation degree at Harvard but found
indeed, for Jean possesses a number of conventional teaching unappealing. I was
traits that combine to form the unique horrible as a seventh grade geography
chess personality that she has become. teacher, was miserable and looking for a
Jean is a passionate chess promoter while job. I came back to Tucson in 2007. I
not being a particularly strong player wanted to do something with chess and
herself; it is more usual for highly rated education but not work within the tradi-
players to have an egoistic attraction to tional public education system.
the game that is rooted in their expertise. Jean began to assimilate the best les-
She also has degrees from Yale and Har- sons learned from her time spent at
vard, a pedigree that might suggest a Chess-in-the-Schools. Chess teaching
lucrative job, perhaps in the field of was challenging, not instant gratification
S
finance or academics, but not so for Jean. I did not get that teaching geography.
Jean Hoffman Now, just a couple years shy of 30, what Playing chess had given Jean self-confi-
is she doing with her life? She has decided dence and helped her with real-life
ome people possess a certain kind of to explore the strong possibilities chess problem solving, as well as helping her
energy. This is the vigor with which offers as an educational tool. Chess tackle academics; she also learned
a story is told, the force breathed into empowers kids, says, I can do this. that not everyone has the capability to
spoken words and especially the way After many years being away from chess overcome situations by analysis. Chess-
faces express excitement. Vitality as a competitor, Jean discovered that the in-the-Schools serves about 20,000
enhances powerful ideas and often path to her quest was a journey she had students, a number of whom have been
accompanies an idiosyncratic style. actually been on for quite some time. After underprepared by our educational sys-
Actions, of course, say the most about completing her undergraduate degree in tem. Many conventionally-minded teach-
someone. This is a story about Jean Hoff- history at Yale, she considered a civil rights ers did not see the potential regarding
manabout the way she articulates her internship with the idea of possibly becom- kids who were good at chess but not aca-
ideas and more tellingly, the way she ing an attorney. My parents always demics. Chess made them aware that
acts. I first met Jean almost twenty years reminded me of the security and privilege they could be good at something, pro-
ago when I became her chess teacher. that I had enjoyed but they also stressed viding identification; perhaps seeing
Jean was just 10 or 11 but even then I a focus on being happy. I think they were themselves as someone. Along the way
remember something unusual about her. afraid I would become a lawyer or maybe Jean was influenced by chess teacher/
Certainly her family contributed to this even a Republican. Jeans father, Rick, player/writer Elizabeth VicaryShe is
it was not long before I got to know her remembers that Jean had a love/hate amazing you should see her. She may
parents well enough to trade novels with relationship with chess, ultimately leading be the best middle school teacher in the
them. And the eclectic bent in their won- to her quitting playing tournaments. But country! She brought 58 kids to the
derful home was immediately apparent in on her college entrance forms she wrote SuperNationals in Nashville. Vicary is
their taste in art, buying locally from that she is and will always be a chess something of a hybrid, a credentialed
artists whose work I also happened to player. The learning, the experience stuck. secondary school teacher in Brooklyn
enjoy. Unsure exactly how to proceed, Jean who also carries an impressive chess
Jean and I would be formally connected started studying for the Law School Admis- resume as a teacher and player.

In 2007 Jean returned to Tucson and
co-founded 9 Queens with WGM Jen-
nifer Shahade, the editor of Chess Life
Online. 9 Queens is a tax deductible non-
profit organization that is dedicated to
extending the benefits of chess to those
most in need of its benefits, especially
girls and at-risk youth. There are 9
Queens programs/affiliations in Tucson,
Philadelphia and Charlotte, North Car-
olina. Another 9 Queens description on
a recent event flyer read A nonprofit
organization dedicated to empowering
underserved and under-represented pop-
ulations through chess. Jeans informal
description of 9 Queens goals: Go after
chess as a powerful tool. A lot of kids
are not being reached in our educational
system; a lot of kids experience no suc-
cess as a thinker. 9 Queens holds a
number of chess workshops with a decid-
edly female lean, but there is no doubt
that Jeans theme song is chess for every-
one. Kids ask her if chess can get them
into college. UTD (University of Texas at
Dallas) gives chess scholarships, but
those are few. Because the benefits are
not easily articulated, programs can get
cut. It can be frustratinghard to sell
someone on chess in general, when peo-
ple dont even try it ... maybe it was the
way that chess was first taught to some-
one. Tucson has great chess coaches but
there are not necessarily as many chess
teachers able to correlate chess to life.
In addition to her role as the 9 Queens
executive director, Jean also serves as the
general manager for Chesspark, an online
chess venue designed to be a fun place for
anyone to pick up a game. Chesspark is
not intended to be another ICC (Internet
Chess Club); the interface is easier, not as
techie; the premise is to reach closeted
players. Like 9 Queens, the Chesspark
plan is to slowly grow and eventually sup-
port salaried positions. Jean is well-
connected inside and outside of Tucson.
She has affiliations with the Tucson
mayors office, Congresswoman Gabrielle
Giffords and the Tucson city council. She
has relationships with the USCF, Chess-
in-the-Schools and more contemporary
chess personalities in the Hip Hop Chess
Federation and chess player/rapper RZA.
PHOTOS BY JEFF SMITH / WWW.JEFFSMITHUSA.COM
But the manifestation of Jeans vision

is most evident in her organization of
Chess Fest.
In its second year in Tucson, the Chess
Chess empowers kids, says,

Fest is a kaleidoscope of chess events and
I can do this.
people, a downtown Tucson chess party

with everyone invited. 9 Queens is the
sponsor/benefactor of Chess Fest, which
has attracted 300-500 people per event.
Held May 2nd at the Hotel Congress, this
years event agenda included chess work-
shops, lessons and lectures, a human
chess match on a life-size board, a blind-
fold chess exhibition, blitz tournament, art

Profile
auction, face painting, hula hoop con- fun; 9 Queens was created with the idea
test, wine tasting and a live musical of presenting chess in a relaxed environ-
performance by a local rock band. The ment with an emphasis on enjoyment.
noon-to-whenever event hosted a variety The workshop into which Id intruded
of Tucson celebrities, both chess playing was actually advertised in the local news-
(masters) and otherwise (political person- paper as chess for women and girls of all
alities). The hipster hotel was packed ages. The event was ably run by Jean,
with players, sets and boards everywhere, Amanda Mateer and Jenelle Wallace, with
from the front room site of the blitz tour- about a dozen young girls in attendance
nament to the lobby, bar area and disk and two adult women who had come to
jockey (DJ)-manned back patio. In one learn how to play. I talked to the husband
room was how-to-play instruction not far of one of the women (she was busy!) who
from a 60-player speed chess event. There informed me that his wife wanted to learn
were a lot of people there whom I had not how to play so she might know what is
seen in a long time and everyone was hav-
ing a marvelous time. There is something
about this event that gets peoples juices
going; Jean seems to have tapped into the
main artery of Smile City. Rick Quesada,
now a teacher and a DJ, recalled the
importance of being in chess tournaments
as a kid. It has meant a lot to me to be
involved in chess, which started with a
middle school teacher/coach I will always
remember. Now Im a teacher too. Parent
Mark Kinsey watched his young daughter
play in the blitz tournament. I asked what
he thinks she gets from chess and he said
its the manipulation; I think she likes to
beat people. As we watched she sat down
to play an adult who politely asked her if
she knew how to play. Within minutes
she was up a queen, knight and a pawn.
A week later I stopped by at a 9 Queens
workshop and asked Jean for a recap of
Chess Fest. She thought a lot of the prepa-
ration paid off and overall the event met
her expectations. She noted useful feed- From all the happy faces on these pages,
Jean Hoffmans organization of Chess
back from participants which she will use Fest has been a success.
in planning for next years event. Appar-
ently there were dozens of players who had (but boys cry just as much as girls when
never before played in an organized tour- they lose). They also noted the general
nament. Local support was tremendous. noise level. It is decidedly lower at this
The musical act, Golden Boots, had com- all-girl event. Boys are wild and run
mitted to the free benefit concert when around. I dont think we have ever had to
Jean met with them months earlier ask the girls to quiet down at these work-
(the band loves chess; they play each shops. Maybe girls are quieter because
other when they are touring). It was inter- they are able to focus better.
esting to note some of Jeans comments Martha Underwood is a notable 9
measuring the success of Chess Fest. Queens advocate and volunteer. The pos-
I remember the stress and pressure of itive influence of organized chess is visible
playing organized chess as not always so through the aperture of her kids, Zak
and Aiya Cancio. In one year since get-
I am intrigued by
going on when her son plays in tourna-
PHOTOS BY JEFF SMITH / WWW.JEFFSMITHUSA.COM
ments. I chatted with a couple of parents ting involved in chess, my kids have
the educational
about 9 Queens all-girl events and they improved so much in everything they do.
said the kids love them, enjoying having I am intrigued by the educational poten-
potential of
the chance to play against other girls, tial of chess ... my kids have achieved so
not so usual in tournaments in which much in such a short time. Martha has
chess my kids
mostly boys participate. The moms also been pulled into the chess vortex herself.
said that they like their girls being Im in love with the game, drawn to even
have achieved
exposed to great role models like Jenelle the physical aesthetics of the boards and
(a National Merit Scholar headed for Stan- sets. Marthas predilection for statistics
so much in such
ford) and Amanda (expert rated, and crunching results has made her dis-
effervescent, personality-plus college stu- cover an interest in tournament directing.
a short time.
dent). We talked about what it is like for A special education professor at the Uni-
girls to play boys. Boys playing girls versity of Arizona, Martha has insight into
might feel confused, intimidated, defen- the mechanics of research grants; she
sive, can even be mean, afraid to lose pondered translating the benefits of chess

Chess Fest: A kaleidoscope
of chess events and people,
a downtown Tucson chess
party with everyone invited.
into funding for programs like 9 Queens. So what does the future hold for 9 ventional start-up or in a more traditional
Martha also noted the social value that Queens and Jean Hoffman? Will the business setting. Its all good! And Jean
chess events offer. The kids experience organization stay low-key, pursuing its will continue to distinguish herself and her
morality, ethics, even justice. And there is grass roots approach to providing chess for questpromoting the benefits of chess
a community of chess families. We have the masses via local workshops and with heart and selflessness. Her immedi-
met some really wonderful people at chess events? Or will a spiffy consultant be ate reply to my asking why she does what
events and support for the players is recip- brought in to create the business cases, she does seems like a rationale for success
rocal, everyone pulling for each other. My plans and milestone charts to predict in any endeavor. This line of work makes
son could lose his game in the tournament
hall and then bring his opponent, now a
future growth and chart revenue-capture
progress? One thing seems certainpeo-
me feel happy and fulfilled. .
new friend, into the area where the fam- ple who care in organizations like 9 Read this issue online or download
ilies hang out. I dont see any Little League Queens will indeed have a clear impact on a .pdf file by going to uschess.org,
syndrome in chess. those they touch, whether as an uncon- Chess Life magazine link.

2009 U.S. Womens Open
Opening Up
The first U.S. Womens Open
draws 16 to OklahomaSaheli
(left) wins, and Zenyuk qualifies
for 2010 Womens Championship
By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
he first World Series of Poker tour-
T nament in Vegas in the 1970s had

less than a dozen players, said the
Okie Chess Festivals chief tournament direc-
tor and sponsor International Arbiter Frank
K. Berry. We have 16 women participating in
this first-ever U.S. Womens Open. Its a start,
and I hope it will continue and grow. Berry
added that he and organizer Tom Braunlich
like to challenge themselves by creating new
tournaments and new combinations of tour-
naments. The Womens Open was one of four
tournaments in the 2009 Okie Chess Festi-
val, held over Labor Day weekend in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. My wrap-up of the other three
tournaments (the U.S. Senior Open, Okie
Open, and Master Invitational) appeared
in the December 2009 Chess Life.
The U.S. Womens Open had four women
international masters and two women FIDE
masters. My USCF rating of 2000 put me at
the top of the bottom half of the field, so I
played top seed WIM Iryna Zenyuk in round
one. After Zenyuk defeated me, in a game I
annotated for Chess Life Online, Zenyuk
drew WIM Karina Vazirova. Also in round
two, WFM Nath Saheli drew WFM Bayaraa
Zorigt. Both Zenyuk and Nath won
in rounds three and four. Thus the
stage was set for their round five
encounter, which Berry and
Braunlich selected as the
tournaments best game.
Harry Payne of Oklahoma
donated the $100 best
game prize.
See game on p. 36.

Player Profile: Dr. Marilyn Pelias
From Katrina to Caissa
When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August of
2005, Marilyn Pelias and her four children hunkered down
in their home. School was cancelled. Israeli guards were
hired to protect their uptown neighborhood from looters.
Sometimes, the guards played chess. Pelias had learned the
rules of chess from Alfred Carlin, the coach at her sons
Country Day School. She played several games against the
guards. Of course, she said, I lost every game. But it
piqued my interest. After Carlin moved to Texas, she took
a few lessons with IM Stan Kriventsov, who was attending
graduate school at Tulane but then moved to Canada.
Now her teacher is Jude Acers, whenever she finds time for
a lesson.
Finding time for chess is not easy with Pelias schedule.
She teaches surgical anatomy at the Louisiana State Uni-
versity School of Medicine, practices as a general (vascular)
surgeon, and volunteers teaching chess at Country Day
School. Yet, since January 2007, she has played 23 tour-
naments and her rating has risen from the 700s to the
1400s. The U.S. Womens Open was her first time to be
paired with other women. Pelias said, I thought this was
a unique opportunity to play awesome women who are bet-
ter than me. In the last round, she lost to Natasha
Christiansen, who competed in the 1989 U.S. Womens
Chess Championship. Afterwards, she, Natasha, and GM Dr. Pelias (right) with
Iryna Zenyuk by the
Larry Christiansen analyzed together on Larrys computer. playing site pool.
Here are GM Christiansens annotations:
Sicilian Defense (B20) 11. ... Qa5+ 12. Kf1 15. ... b6?! 16. h4! Ba6+ 17. Kg1 Qc3 18.
Marilyn Pelias (1436)
12. Ke2! Get those rooks con-
Rb1 Qxa3 19. Ng5
Natasha Christiansen (1823)
nected!!
Notes by GM Larry Christiansen r+ +n rk+
12. ... f6
1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3 Nc6
p +p+
p
3. ... d5! 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6
r+l+n rk+ lpn+ppQ+
6. d4 Nf6 7. c4 bxc3 e.p. 8. Nxc3 Qa5 pp+p+
pp + + P
N
9. d5 Qxc3+ 10. Bd2 Qc5 11. dxc6 +n+pp + +
P + P
Qxc6.
q +
P + q + + +

4. d4
+
P + + +P+ PP+
4. axb4 d5 5. b5.
N +L
QN+ +R+ + KR
4. ... e6 5. Nf3
+P+ PPP After 19. Ng5
5. d5 exd5 6. exd5 Ne5 7. f4 Ng6 8.
d6 Qf6.
R + +K+R

SAHELI BY ALEXEY ROOT; PELIAS BY TOM BRAUNLICH
19. ... fxg5 20. hxg5 Nxe5! 21. dxe5 Qc5

After 12. ... f6
5. ... bxa3 6. Nxa3 21. ... Rf5 22. Rh7.
White has a strong initiative after
With compensation for the material.
12. ... d5 13. h4 Bd7 14. Ng5 g6 15. h5
22. Qh7+ Kf7 23. g6+ Ke7 24. Qh4+ Nf6
6. d5! exd5 7. exd5 Qe7+ 8. Be2; 6.
Ng7.
25. exf6+
c4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Qxd2. 25. Re1.
13. Bxh7+
This is very optimistic but inspired.
6. ... Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Qxd2 Nf6 9. 25. ... Rxf6 26. Rh3 Qxc2 27. Qb4+ d6
13. Qe4 f5 14. Qh4 Qd8 15. Qxd8 27. ... Qc5.
Bd3 0-0 10. e5 Ne8 11. Qe3
11. Nc4 d6 12. 0-0; 11. 0-0 d6 12. Nxd8 16. Nc4 with a slight advan-
Nc4 dxe5 13. dxe5 Qe7 14. Qf4 f6 tage to White.
28. Rb2 Qxg6 29. Rg3 Qh6 30. Rd2 e5
15. Qh4 f5 16. Qxe7 Nxe7 17. Nb6
31. Rh3 Qf4 32. Qb2 Rh6 33. Qc3 Rc8
Rb8 18. Rxa7 with a slight advantage 13. ... Kxh7 14. Qe4+ Kg8 15. Qg6 34. Qb2 Rxh3 35. gxh3 Bb7, White
to White. 15. h4.
resigned.

2009 U.S. Womens Open
Sicilian Dragon, (Calcutta), India. In her high school grad- rules. If you have less than five minutes,
Yugoslav Attack (B76) uating year (2008), she was the all-India you can stop keeping score. Please con-
WFM Nath Saheli (2026) topper in the all-India senior school cer- tact the TD or a nearby interested
WIM Iryna Zenyuk (2272) tification examination in the humanities spectator if you want them to keep score
Notes by IM Doug Root (arts) stream. A Calcutta newspaper arti- for you. I did not hear this announce-
cle cited her exam score and chess ment, because I was retrieving my clock
credentials, Nath Saheli: 95.2% (arts) ... from my hotel room. But several players
A national-level chess player, she won confirmed that Berry mentioned not keep-
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5.
national age group title under-9 in 1998, ing score if under five minutes.
Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 0-0 9.
under-14 in 2002 and under-16 in 2004. After the first round began, Frank Berry
0-0-0
Saheli told me, In India, you hear more left the tournament for six hours. When he
r+lq rk+ about Ivy League schools such as Harvard came back, he overruled the floor TD
pp+
pp
lp or Princeton. But thankfully because of because, Julia was not keeping an accu-
chess, I also heard of The University of rate score sheet with a 30-second incre-
+n
p np+ Texas at Dallas (UTD). When the director ment. Yet I could not reward Chouchanik
of Eugene McDermott scholars program
+ + + + for letting her flag fall. Chouchanik mistak-
visited India, I talked to her and was con-
enly thought the time control ended at
+
NP+ + vinced that UTD is really the place that I
move 40. She could have kept her flag up
wanted to be. Saheli is majoring in eco-
+ N LP+ nomics and finance. In addition to being if she had known her time control. Berry
a UTD chess team member, she also par- added, The pages in the rulebook regard-
ing keeping score and score sheets during
PPP
Q +P P
ticipates in Model United Nations, Give to
+ KR+L+R Live, as well as the Financial Leadership a flag fall contradict each other.
After 9. 0-0-0 Association. I traveled to the Okie Chess Festival
The top U.S. finisher in the Womens with four students from UTD: freshman
Open was WIM Iryna Zenyuk. Therefore, Parrilla, sophomore Saheli, junior
9. ... Nxd4
Zenyuk qualified for the 2010 U.S. Vazirova, and senior Zorigt. I learned that
9. ... d5 is more common. Womens Championship. Zenyuk is a Parrilla begins every other sentence with,
graduate student in mechanical engi- In New York we. For example, when
neering at Carnegie Mellon. She is Zorigt prepared herself a big breakfast,
10. Bxd4 Be6 11. Kb1 Nd7
11. ... Qc7 is a better move. The move researching renewable energy. Her chess Parrilla said, You call that a big break-
played abandons Blacks king. accomplishments include earning a fast? In New York we eat everything under
womans grandmaster norm and an inter- the sun when we have a big breakfast.
national master norm. Zenyuk writes a We learned the meaning of each others
12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. Nd5 Bxd5 14. exd5 f6 15.
weekly chess column on Chess.com first names. Mine, Alexey, is because my

h4 Rc8 16. f4 Rc5 17. h5 Nb6 18. hxg6 hxg6
The only controversy in the Okie Chess mom was reading Russian novels when
19. f5 Rh8 20. Bd3 Rxd5 21. fxg6 Nd7 22. g4
Festival happened in round 1 in the she was expecting me. She thought that
Nc5 23. Qg2 Rd4
+
q + r Womens Open. As I played my game with changing Alexei to Alexey would make
Zenyuk, I heard Airapetian saying some- my name a girls name. According to every
pp+
p
k thing about passing move 40. How odd, Russian chess player Ive met, including
+
p pP+ I thought. The time control was Game/90 Vazirova, my mom was wrong. Karina
plus a 30 second increment, so move 40 means pretty. Medina [pronounced Meh-
+ n + + was not a magic number. But Airapetian DEEN-ah] is a kingdom in Africa and a
+
r +P+ thought the time control was 40/90. She city in the Middle East. Bayaraa [BY-rah]
offered her score sheet to her opponent, means happiness. And Saheli [Sa-HEE-
+ +L+ + Julia Jones. Airapetian figured that Jones lee] means friend. One of UTDs goals for
should catch up her score sheet since it our Okie road trip was to develop friend-
PPP+ +Q+
+K+R+ +R
was already move 42 or 43. Jones had not
kept score since move 32, which, she
ships. From what I saw, goal achieved. .
After 23. ... Rd4 told me later, was because of her listen-
ing to Frank Berrys announcement at
the start of round one. Then Airapetians 2009 U.S. Womens
24. g5 flag fell. More precisely, the display on the Open At A Glance
24. Rxh8 Qxh8 25. Rh1 Rxg4 is not as digital clock read 0:00. The floor tour-
good as what Saheli played. nament director (TD) believed that, with Date: September 5-7, 2009
a 30-second increment, Jones should not Location: Tulsa Best Western
24. ... fxg5 25. Qxg5 e5 26. Rh7+, Black get the win because of her incomplete Trade Winds Central, Tulsa,
resigned. score sheet. He added 30 seconds to Oklahoma.
Black resigned because if 26. ... Rxh7 Airapetians clock. With the added time, Top Finishers: 1st, Nath Saheli,
27. Qxd8. and with a flustered Jones, Airapetian 5; 2nd, Iryna Zenyuk, 4; 3rd-
later won the game by checkmate. For 5th, Chouchanik Airapetian,
In the last round, Saheli secured first round two, Airapetian was paired as a win Medina Parrilla, Jennifer Acon, 4;
place, with a score of 5 points out of 6, by and Jones as a loss. 6th-7th, Bayaraa Zorigt, Karina
drawing Jennifer Acon. Zenyuk defeated After round two, Frank Berry ruled the Vazirova, 3; 8th, Natasha
Zorigt to finish clear second with 4 of 6. game a draw. I interviewed him about Christiansen, 3; 9th-12th,
Tied for third through fifth places were what he called his King Solomon decision. Courtney Jamison, Alexey Root,
WFM Chouchanik Airapetian, Acon, and Before the first round, Berry said that Margaret Hua, Brianna Conley,
Medina Parrilla, each with 4 of 6. he told the players, It is desirable to 2.
The 2009 U.S. Womens Open cham- keep score because we collect score sheets Chief Tournament Director:
pion, WFM Nath Saheli, is from Kolkata here. I also said that we go by USCF Frank K. Berry.

Instruction
A Z Y P ERSONS GUIDE
THE L TO . .
.
Dont like to study endgames?

Here is a painless method to help you
in this often-avoided area.
By GM Ian Rogers
PART 1
averse player would rather cific moves) to win or hold, Browne failed to win within
know what chance they have to which a lazy endgame player the 50-move rule. Although
work out the right moves in should avoid as they may cost the six-time U.S. champion
actual play. When swapping valuable time and brain cells. was successful on his second
off pieces, the essential advice In this article I will survey the try, the endgame subsequently
Most chess players dont have needed is whether the resulting basic pawn-free endgames, gained an undeserved repu-
the time or the inclination to position will be easy to win or most of which are much eas- tation for being quite difficult.
study endgames. They hold draw, not whether it can be ier than they look. In later In fact its hard to go wrong
the view that endgames dont done by stringing together a parts I will introduce pawns with the queen.
turn up too often and, if they series of excellent but impossi- and show many common
are unlucky enough to be ble-to-find moves. types of endgames which can
forced to play one in one of Luckily, most technical also be played on auto-pilot.
+ +Q+ +
their own games, they should endgames can be divided into + + +
rk
be able to work out what to do three broad groups: easy, easy + +
K +
over the board. if you know what you are + + + +
Endgame books tend not to doing, and difficult. Positions QUEEN VERSUS ROOK
from the first two groups can Status: Win
+ + + +
appreciate the sort of informa-
tion which could be useful for be solved over the board with Assessment: Easy + + + +
a reluctant endgame player. knowledge of general ideas or Comments: Two decades ago + + + +
Rather than fill their heads with certain positions to aim for. GM Walter Browne accepted a + + + +
methods of winning certain tech- The latter group requires bet that he could beat a chess
Diagram 1
nical positions, your endgame- advanced techniques (i.e. spe- computer in this endgame but

Instruction
Once you have brought up can go wrongeven if your but after 1. Kf1 there is only Diagram 6 is Blacks per-
your king and reached the king is stuck on the back rank, one way for Black to win: 1. ... fect blockadethere is no way
position in diagram 1, Black the knight can usually check Rf2+ 2. Ke1 Rf7! and now for White to bring in his king
will be forced to move the rook the opposing king away when- White will be mated after both and Black will play ... Kg8-h8-
away from his king and you ever it tries to set up a mate by 3. Rd6 Rg7! and 3. Rd5 Re7+! g8 or ... Bg7-h8-g7 ad
should be able to pick it off taking the opposition. With 4. Kd1 Rh7, or 4. Kf1 Rg7. infinitum. In most cases it
with a series of checks. (If you the rook, this endgame is only should not be a problem for
find that you have reached the worth playing from a favor- the attacker to prevent this
diagrammed position with able starting position; e.g.
position from arising.
White to move, you can lose a when the knight and king have ROOK AND
move through 1. Qe4+ Kg8 2. been separated. KNIGHT VERSUS
Qa8+ Kh7 3. Qe8.) ROOK
Diagram 2 shows the only Status: Draw
type of trap into which White Assessment: Easy
QUEEN VERSUS
can fallBlack has perpetual Comments: The knight is weak TWO KNIGHTS
Status: Win
ROOK AND
check because of the stale- at covering checks from the
Assessment: Easyfor the
BISHOP VERSUS
mate trick 1. Kh6 Rh7+! 2. Kg6 back; so weak, that if the
defender!
ROOK
Status: Draw defender is alert it may never
Assessment: Easy, if you know be necessary even to retreat Comments: As with the two
Rg7+ 3. Kf6 Rg6+!.
This trick also works one
file to the right. the key defensive position the king to the back rank. For bishops, the defender should
the attacking side, this ending put the knights adjacent to
is barely worth playing unless each other and the king next
the defenders king is already
+
+R+ +
to the knights. Keeping your
+ +
k +
+ + +
r + + + + near a corner. king in front of the knights to
+ +Q+ + + + + + head off the attacking king
+ + +
K + +
l + also makes sense. The queen
+ + + + + +k+ + has an easier job when the
knights merely protect each
QUEEN VERSUS
+ + + + + + + +
otherthey tie each other up
TWO BISHOPS
r+ + + + Status: Drawn
and the attacking king can
+ + + +
Assessment: Easy, but handle
often walk around them.
+ + + + + +
K +
Diagram 4 with care.
Diagram 2
Comments: Set the bishops
Comments: To defend, keep next to each other and your
the rook on the opposite side king and the opposing king
of the board to your king and will not be able to break QUEEN AND
use it to pin the bishop. When through the barrier. This end-
ROOK VERSUS BISHOP
Status: Draw
KNIGHT VERSUS
Assessment: Easy, if the your opponents king tries to ing is definitely worth playing QUEEN
unpin, head in the other direc- on with the queen. The queen Status: Draw
defending king runs to the
tion with your own king. (e.g. should try to tie down a bishop Assessment: Difficult, for the
correct corner.
1. ... Kf4 2. Kd1 Bd4 3. Re2 and by pinning ityou may force defender
the white king can leave the some lack of coordination in Comments: The knight is very
first rank. White will proba- the defending camp and be good at sheltering a king from
+ + + +
+ + + + bly soon reach a rotated able to move in with your king. checks, so an immediate per-
+ + + + version of diagram 4 when the petual for the defending side is
+ + + + king gets to a4.) rarely available. Checks will
+ + + + If trying to win with the rook however tend to distract your
and bishopand it is certainly QUEEN VERSUS opponent from the task
worth a tryyou will need to
k
+ + +
of building a cage around
BISHOP AND
+ + +
r know certain techniques KNIGHT
your king. When playing with
which, unfortunately, border Status: Win
the queen and knight, an
KL+ + +

Diagram 3 on the difficult zone. Assessment: Easy
Comments: With one excep- opponents king on the edge
Comments: If the white king tion, the bishop and knight can constitute a winning
runs to a corner not covered + R
+ + cannot set up a permanent advantage as in diagram 7,
by the bishop, theres noth- + + + + barrier to the attacking king. a Troitzky study.
ing the rook can do. It is worth + + + +
playing on with the rook, but + + + + + + + +
only until your opponents
+ + +
k
king is at the right corner.
+
l + +
+ + +
l + +
K +
+ +k+ + + +K+ + + + + +
r+ + + + + +
nQ+ + + +
Nk
+ +
K + + + + + + + + +
Diagram 5
ROOK VERSUS KNIGHT
Status: Draw + + + + + + + +
Assessment: Easy In diagram 5, White has
+ + + + + + +Q+
Comments: Keep the knight allowed the bishop and king to + + + + +q+ + +
near your king and nothing move too close to his own king Diagram 6 Diagram 7

After 1. Ne6 Black is helpless The tricky part is Troitzkys ing for a win with the queen is Comments: The bishop is
because the checks run out main line which runs 1. ... Qc1 easy and may be worthwhile. hopeless at stopping checks
after 1. ... Qb4+ 2. Kf6 Qc3+ 3. so given a free move the
defender can almost always
2. Qh3+ Kg6 3. Qg4+ Kh6 4.
Kf7 and running with the king
secure a perpetual check.
Qh4+ Kg6 5. Nf4+ Kf5 6. Qh7+!
is not an option1. ... Kh4 2. Kg4 7. Qh5+! and Blacks
Qg5+ Kh3 3. Nf4+ and mate queen will be lost. With the queen and bishop,
if you cant force a win
QUEEN AND BISHOP
next move. Once aware of this theme
directly, dont bother play-
VERSUS QUEEN
None of this would be very dif- John Nunn calls the knight on Status: Draw
Assessment: Easy ing this out.
ficult to work out over the board. f4 an unguarded pivotplay-
PART 2
of queens, White would prob- Example 2 is typical of most manages to get his king in
Queen ably not be able to win but

with queens on the board
Whites life could not be much
Q+P versus Q endgameseven
a pawn much further back can
slowly advance supported by
front of the pawn the draw
should be safe. Once the
defender begins checking, a
Endings easierWhite pushes the a-
pawn and then moves the
the king. The winning tech-
nique is as easy as it sounds
queen interposition or cross-
check can usually be answered
queen out of the way and cre- escape the checks and push
Lazy chessplayers tend to be by an exchange of queens and
ates a new queen. Black can the pawn.
scared of queen endings, a drawn pawn endgame.
try to whip up counterplay but
believing that they require The exception is a lone a- If the defenders king is
against Whites perfect king-
hard work to win or draw. or h-pawn, which provides behind the pawn, there is only
side pawn structure he has
While this may be true occa- no hope, e.g. 1. a4 f6 2. a5 g5 less protection against one chance to make a com-
sionally, if a player can checks. In that case a lazy fortable draw:
overcome their fear of checks player might quite reason-
3. hxg5 fxg5 4. a6 h4 5. Qb7+
and acquire knowledge of a ably decide that he should
Kg6 6. a7 h3+ 7. Kxh3 Qxf2 8.
a8=Q and Black has no more
few general rules, queen than some checks (Rule 2). not bother trying to convert
+ + + +
endgames should prove much When the kings are more the extra pawn into a point, + + + +K
easier to play than rook exposed than in example 1, it while a more motivated player + + + +
endgames.
is necessary to implement could try maneuvering their
Rule 1: An outside passed
+ + + +
Rule 3A centralized queen is king close to the opponents
pawn almost always wins,
the best insurance against
+Q+
P +
king to increase the cross-
unless the defender has per-
perpetual check. check possibilities. Even
+ + + +
petual check.
then, a win is not guaran-
+
k + +
Rule 2: In a queen Status: Win
endgame, there is no such Assessment: Easy teedunfortunately Rule 2
q + + +
thing as perpetual check. does not always apply. Example 4
Comments: The kingside
Clearly rule 2 is not univer- So how should a lazy player
pawns are not particularly rel- Status: Draw (but only just!)
sal, but it is true more often defend a queen versus queen
evantthey provide no Assessment: Easy, if you know
than not and should give the and pawn endgame? Since
lazy player confidence that, protection for either king and how.
White would win just as eas- perpetual check will rarely
even if you cant calculate a be possible, the key is to Comments: Generic positions
way out of a series of checks, ily without them. The winning
maneuver your king to a use- such as this, with Blacks king
an escape will present itself technique involves Whites
ful square, as in the following badly offside, tend to be lost
sooner or later. king charging up the board
to c7 whereupon Blacks two examples: and a slack move such as a
checks will run out due to random queen check or 1. ...
Q+ + + + Whites many cross-checking Ke3, allowing 2. f5, would
possibilities. doom Black to a painful and
+k+ + +
+ + +pk
+ + +p+
+ + + + probably unsuccessful de-
+ + + + fense. However 1. ... Qb1+! 2.
Kg7 Ke3! hangs on to the back
+ + + +p + + + + +
PQ
K +
of the pawn and, by tying up
+ + + P +P+ + + + + + +
P + +
P + + + k + + + + the White queen, forces a
q+ + PK+ + +Q+ +p draw. White can do nothing
with his king alone, e.g. 3. Kf6
+ + + + +q+ + +
+ + + P
Qb2+ 4. Kf7 Qb1! and White
Example 1
+ + + +
+ + + + Example 3
can make no progress.
Status: Win
+q+
K +
Assessment: Very easy + + + + Assessment: Easy
Comments: With rooks instead Example 2 Comments: If the defender Continue to Part 3 >

Instruction
PART 3
Status: Draw Status: Win trouble holding a pawn chain

Assessment: Easy, if you know Assessment: Tricky from the back.
Opposite howeasy to lose if you dont.
Comments: Countless games
Comments: An exception to
2a which is worth knowing. It
Colored have been lost from this type
of position because Black
would be easy to believe that
Black can make no progress,
Example 4
assumed that preventing e4- until you see 1. ... g1=Q! 2.

Bishop e5+ was the necessary
strategy. However this is
Bxg1+ Kg2!!. Now White has
run out of moves, and giving
+
+
+
+p
++
+
+
Endings merely a delaying tacticif the

black bishop goes to the f4-h2
up his prized pawn only
delays the inevitable after 3.
+ + +p+
+ +l+p+
diagonal with 1. ... Bg3 White a8=Q Bxa8 4. Kg4 Bb7! 5. Kh4
+ +kP P
Lazy chessplayers usually enjoy would have the simple plan of Bf3. +p
K + P
endgames where the bishops 2. Ke2-f3-g4-f5, after which + + + +
run on opposite colors. e4-e5+ cannot be stopped. The + +
L +
Winning or drawing plans correct defense involves Black to move
tend to be obvious, pawns are maneuvering the bishop to the PRINCIPLE 3
front of the pawns, i.e. 1. ... When your opponent has Comments: The technique for
easy to protect and blockade,
and kings can often charge up
Ba5!! 2. e5+ Ke7 3. Ke4 Bc7 4. an outside passed pawn, use winning the g-pawn is
d5 Bb8 and White can make your bishop to stop the pawn straightforward and is worth
the board without challenge.
no progress. Note how the only when you can use your
Even better, the lazy player is remembering: 1. ... Kf3 2. Kb2
bishop not only holds up d5- king to block the opposing
rarely challenged if they reduce Ke2 3. Bc3 Kf2!. That was
d6+, it also attacks one of the king. (Otherwise the king will
brainwork and calculation to a pawns and ties down the white quickthe slower part is cre-
minimum by agreeing to a walk in and win your bishop.) ating a second passed pawn,
king. (Unfortunately this In most cases you will need to
draw, since everybody knows defense does not work once but after 4. Bf6 Kxg3 5. Bg5
use your king to stop the
how drawish opposite bishop the pawns reach the sixth passed pawn and your bishop
Kg4 6. Kc3 Kh5 7. Bf6 h6 8. Bg7
endings are. rank as the black pieces run g5! the goal is achieved. Black
to guard the other flank. (If
While this is an understand- out of space.) the bishop cant do the job, will eventually win the bishop
able attitude, some of these Positions with more pawns you are probably losing.) for the f-pawn and win with
draws can be turned into wins may involve some work but A typical example is the the b-pawn.
and painful defense made eas- there are a few principles which following: Divided pawns are harder
ier with knowledge of just a few have a general application. for the bishop to defend, but it
key principles and positions. Example 3 is easy to get overconfident.
+ + + + Example 5
PRINCIPLE 2 + + +p+
PRINCIPLE 1 If the attacking side can cre- + +k+p+ + + + +
Two connected pawns ate two widely separated + +l+ +p + + + +
should not be sufficient to win passed pawns which cannot + +
p
p
be controlled by a bishop on a
+ + +
P
unless the pawns can reach
single diagonal, a win is usu-
+
lL+ +
the sixth rank.

Kp+
L
P
ally assured. + +
P + + + +
P
Corollary 1a + + + +
pK+
kP+
There is only one, far from Corollary 2a White to play + + + +
Passed pawns do not pro-
obvious, drawing technique,
vide serious counterplay for the
+ + + +
Status: Draw
so if you have the connected Black to play
defending side if they can be Assessment: Reasonably easy
pawns it is always worth test- stopped by the opposing bishop Comments: White seems to Status: Win
ing your opponents knowledge on the same diagonal that it have a perfectly secure king-
of the technique. Assessment: Easyif you see
uses to defend its own pawns. side but he cannot afford to
Whites threat
sit tight, since if Black achieves
Comments: The obvious try 1.
the plan ... Ke6-f5-g4, ... f7-f6
Example 1 Example 2
and ... g6-g5 he will be able to ... Kf4 2. h5! Kg5 3. Bf7 Kf4 4.
Bd5 leads nowhere for Black,
+ + + +
create a winning second
+ + + +
+ + + + P
+ + + passed pawn. Realizing that so it becomes easy to find the
+
k + + + + + + Blacks plan involves ... f7-f6 winning line: 1. ... h5! 2. Bf7
+ + + + + + + + and ... g6-g5 makes the defen- (otherwise ... Ke3-f4-g3 wins
+L
PP+ + ++ K + sive plan rather easy to find: 1. the h-pawn) 2. ... Kxf3 3.
+ +K+ + + +
+l+p Bb6 f6 2. Bd8! Kf5 3. Be7 g5 4. Bxh5+ Kg3 when the White
Bd8 and there is no danger of h-pawn again falls and the
Black creating a second passed
+ + + +
White bishop will be lost for
+ +
Lpk
pawn so a draw is inevitable. the f-pawn.
+ + l + + + + +
Black to play Black to play Bishops have much more

PART 4
With a more central pawn, wait on the e-file. Blacks only hope lies in 1.
passive defense fails so youll ... Re8! when White must
Rook need some other method.
+
R + + either swap into a drawn pawn
endgameeven a lazy player
should know this much!or
Endgames + + + +
+ + k +
+ +
K
k
+ +P+ +
+ + + +
allow your king to run in front
of the white pawn.
R + + +
+ + + +
Lazy players have terrible + + + + + + + r
trouble with rook endgames.
+ + + +
+ +P
K +
There are so many tricky tech- + + + + + + + +
niques to learn that it is
+ + + +
r + + + + + k +
tempting to throw your hands + + + + Position 4 +
K + +
up in the air and say Too much r + + +

Status: Draw
+
P + +
information! Ill work everything Position 2
out when I get there. Assessment: Difficult, but this
+ + + +
Luckily there is one rule Status: Draw is your last chance! + + + +
secretly guarded by grand- Assessment: Easy + + R +
masters who want to maintain Things are looking worse Position 6
the mystery of their profes- With a pawn closer to the and worse for Black. His king
sionwhich enables a lazy center, you cant be completely is being forced away from the Status: Draw
player to defend most rook lazy1. ... Ra7?! 2. Kf5 Ra5+ Assessment: Difficult
pawn and the hanging on
endgames without calculating 3. e5 Ra7 4. Rh6! sets prob-
defense no longer works (e.g.
any variations. lems that a lazy player doesnt Since the white king has
1. ... Re1 2. Rd2! Re3 3. Rg2+,
Rule number 1, 2 and 3 of want to have to solve. moved ahead of the pawn, a
Here the main goal is to forcing the Black king away,
rook endgames is ... pawn ending is not going to
stop the white king from mov- after which the white pawn
can keep advancing.) save you now. Your last hope
Put your king in front of ing in front of the pawn. Thus here lies in the hanging on
their passed pawn. 1. ... Ra5! 2. e5 Ra1! draws, Fortunately the last line of
defense, the check from a dis- to the pawn from the front
since Black can now start
tance defense, is still enough, defence, preventing White
Seethat wasnt so difficult checking along the back rank.
i.e. 1. ... Ra7+ 2. Rd7 Ra8!! from pushing his pawn.
was it?
The key is to prevent This can be achieved by
The corollary to the rule is
+ + +
k Whites king reaching the checking the white king, and
that if your king is cut off from
+ +
+ +R back rank. whenever it moves away from
their passed pawn, you are + +K+ + So many defenses, so much the c-file, playing ... Rd8. If
likely to be in trouble, possibly + +
P + to remember, I hear you cry. White then tries to protect the
big trouble. However dont forget that any pawn with Re4 you must be
To show how this rule works
+ + + +
one of these defenses is ready to knock the rook away
in practice, here are a few with ... Kf5.
+ + + +
enough to hold the drawit
examples. (Truly lazy players, + + + +
doesnt matter which one you
however, do not need to read
implement.
+ + +r+
any further.) Position 3
+ r
+ +

Once your king is sepa-
rated from the passed pawn,
+ + + +
Status: Draw
you are in big trouble. Your
K
+ + +
Assessment: Easy, if you
+ +k+
r
R + + +
know how first task is to see if you can + +

+k+
+ + +P
K sneak your way back in front +
PR+ +
+ + + + Once Whites king gets too of the pawn. + + + +
close to yours, the defender + + + +
has a problem. The problem
+ + + +
can be solved by hanging on
+ + + + + +
r + + + + +
Analysis after ... Kf5
+ + + + to the back of the pawn as + +k++
+ + + + follows: + + + + This is probably too chal-
Position 1 + +P+ + lenging for most lazy players,
so it is better to follow rules 1,
1. ... Re1! 2. Rh8+ Kc7 3. Kf6
Status: Draw
+K+ + +
2 and 3 and avoid the position
Kd7!
Assessment: Easy Suddenly White has no good
+ + + +
unless absolutely necessary.
move. The pawn cannot + + + +
This one is simplewith a advance while rook moves + +
R +
side pawn (h, g, b or a) and his along the h-file allow Blacks Position 5 See the conclusion of this
king in front of it, Black can king to jump back in front of article, examining endgame
defend passively with no danger. the pawn. If White waits, Status: Draw injustices and ones with
Drawing with ... Rc8-b8- c8-b8; through a move of the rook on Assessment: Easy, if you more pawns, in the February
you cant get lazier than that! the eighth rank, Black can know how. 2010 Chess Life.

Chess to Enjoy
EGTN
Opening ideas come and go. But endgame theory changes with the speed of
By GM Andy Soltis
glaciers. So why dont we appreciate it when a glacier takes a big step?
In every game, theres a new move. Its step winning plan. First, he blockades
typically an opening idea that hasnt been the pawn. Then he nudges the White king + + + +
played before. When one occurs in an to the edge of the board. At the right + + + +
international tournament, its hailed as a moment, Black releases the blockade
theoretical novelty, or TN, and quickly and uses all his pieces to deliver mate. + + + +
becomes one of the rock stars of opening The reason the blockade is step one is K k + +
theory. that books say the winning chances
Fans following a game online eagerly depend on which square the pawn is +Pnn+ +
watch for them, such as in last years stopped. Here they would say Black has + + + +
Melody Amber tournament, when they a forced win if the pawn is stopped on c4
plugged Gata Kamskys opening moves but White can usually draw if it reaches + + + +
into a database and realized he had just c5. + + + +
introduced a TN in the Caro-Kann Lets see why. The first step is 61. ...
After 64. Ka5
Defense. Ne4 62. c4 Nc5!blockade.
But in the same round as Kamskys Step two begins with 63. Kb4 Kb6 64. Kc7 White will be matedin a mere 58
novelty, there was another innovation Kc3 Ne5 65. Kd4 Ned3! 66. Kd5 Kc7 67. more moves, according to databases. It
that should have drawn more attention. Kd4 Kd6 68. Ke3 Ke5 69. Kf3 Nf4 70. turns out that even if the pawn gets to c5,
It was that rarity we can call an EGTN, Ke3 Nfe6 71. Kf3 Kf5 72. Ke3 Kg4!. White loses if his king enters a danger
a new idea in the endgame. It continues with 73. Kf2 Kf4 74. Ke2 zone (63. Ka4??).
Nd4+ 75. Kd2 Ke4 76. Kc3 Nc6! 77. Kd2 Now, this may not seem like much.
EGTN Kf3! 78. Kd1 Ke3 79. Ke1 Nd4 80. Kf1 Nf5! But when an endgame discovery is made,
GM Yue Wang (FIDE 2739) 81. Ke1 Ng3 82. Kd1 Nge4 83. Ke1 Kf3. its a big deal.
GM Viswanathan Anand (FIDE 2791) Now 84. Kf1 would allow Black to Back in 1978, a Soviet grandmaster
Melody Amber (blindfold) 2009 release the blockade and carry out step named Adrian Mikhalchishin had a
three, 84. ... Nd3! 85. c5 Nd2+ 86. Kg1 queen, king and doubled c-pawns against
+ + + + Kg3 87. c6 Ne5! 88. c7. a queen and king. Many onlookers
In step four White promotes but its thought it was a draw.
+ + + + one move too late: 88. ... Nef3+ 89. Kh1 But Mikhalchishin showed it was an
Ne4 90. c8=Q Nf2 mate. But if the pawn
+k+ + + easy win because two pawns, even if dou-
had reached c5 before step three, it would
bled, do a lot better at avoiding perpetual
K + + + have queened more quickly, and averted
check than one pawn. His victory rewrote
mate.
+ + + + theory by indicating the general case of
So far, nothing new to theory. But this
Q+doubled Ps-versus-Q is a forced win.
+ P +nn game didnt go according to book.
But if that game is remembered today
Back at the diagram Black played 61.
+ + + + its because it was one of the rare losses
... Kc5. This blockaded with the wrong
for a 15-year-old named Garry Kasparov.
+ + + + piece. Since two knights alone cannot
Among those who paid the price for
After 61. Kxa5 nudge the king, Black had to switch
blockaders. There followed 62. c4 Ne4 not knowing that theory had changed
What you need to know to appreciate 63. Ka4 Nd4 64. Ka5. was Bobby Fischer. In 1992, Fischer had
this is: A king and two knights cannot a chance to get Q+doubled c-pawns-ver-
beat a lone king because whenever they (see diagram top of next column) sus-Q in his rematch with Boris Spassky.
get close to checkmate, they allow stale- What few people appreciated before But Fischer, who kept abreast of all open-
mate. But stalemate isnt possible if the this game is that Black can still win ing TNs, didnt know of the endgame
defender has a pawn to push. even though he let the pawn go too far. novelty and only drew.
That pawn allows Black to try a four- After 64. ... Nc6+ 65. Ka6 Kd6!! 66. c5+ Mikhalchishins game, like Wang-

Problem I Problem II Problem III
U.S. Chess League FM Oleg Zaikov IM Marc Esserman GM Leonid Kritz
IM Blas Lugo IM Yury Lapshun GM Larry Christiansen
This months quiz features games r+ +r+ k k+ r + + +Q+ + +

from the most recent season of the
14-team U.S. Chess League. The
p + +p+ pr+ + P p + +r+k
weekly four-board matches, played
+ + + p +Q+ + + + + qpp
online at the Internet Chess Club, +PNn+q+ +P+ + +p +pL + +
have produced some of the best + + + + + + + + + +p+ +
games between Americans in the
last five years. In each of the follow-
+ +Q+ +p + + + +P +P+ + nP
ing six positions your task is to find
P +LPlP + + PK+ +P+ PP+
the fastest winning line of play. Usu- + +RK R + + + + + +RK +
ally this will mean the forced win of Black to play White to play Black to play
a decisive amount of material, such
as a rook or minor piece. For the Problem IV Problem V Problem VI
solutions, see page 71. GM Josh Friedel FM Bruci Lopez GM Jaan Ehlvest
IM Marko Zivanic IM Jan Van De Mortel GM Alejandro Ramirez
r+l+ + Q R+ + n k + r + +
+pqpkpr + + +Ll +pr pklQ
p+ +p+ + + p + p + + +p+
+ + + + + + p + + PP+ +p
+ l P + + + + Q q+ + + +
+ N + +P + P + + p + +LPP
PPL+ +P+ qNK Pr+ P+RR +K+
R + +R+K + + + + + + + +
White to play White to play White to play
Anand, added a new insight to an old consensus. If Blacks king runs left, he loses both
question. But there are also EGTNs that Thirty years ago, the experts liked kingside pawns. So he ran right, 53. ...
add a specific new move to what was an Whites chances in these positions. But Kf7 54. b7 Kg7 (otherwise a familiar trick,
old technique. since then the consensus has leaned 55. Rh8! Rxb7 56. Rh7+, wins).
towards a draw. For example, GM Mark
GM Lev Aronian (FIDE 2739) Dvoretsky said Black survives if he leaves
GM Vassily Ivanchuk (FIDE 2751) his pawns where they are and keeps his R + + +
Wijk aan Zee 2008 king around f6, e.g. 46. ... Kf6 47. b6 +P+ + k
Ke6 48. f3 Rb3 49. Ke2 Kf6.
+ + + + There is no better time for 50. Kd2 + + + +
than now, and Dvoretskys analysis con- + + + pp
+R+ +p+ tinued with 50. ... Rxf3 51. Rc7 Rb3 52.
+ +k+p+ b7 Kf5 53. Kc2 Rb6 54. Rxf7+ Kg4 and ... + + + +
Kxg3 draws. +r+ +PP
+P+ + +p But as IM Igor Yanvarjov pointed out on
+ + + P Chesspro.com, theres a flaw. White can + +K+ +
win with 55. Rg7! since 55. ... Kxg3 allows + + + +
+ + + P Rxg6+!. And if Black cant play ... Kxg3 he
After 54. ... Kg7
r + P + is helpless against Kc3-c4-c5, etc.
So once again, theory was in flux. The His aggressive defense was tested by 55.
+ + K + passive ... Kf6-e6 plan seemed doomed. f4!. White threatens to push the f-pawn
After 46. Ke1 We were back where we were 30 years as far as it will go. But Black rewrote
ago: White might be winning in the dia- endgame theory with 55. ... h4!!.
The books have a lot to say about posi- gram after all. The point is that 56. f5 h3 57. f6+ Kf7!
tions like this, in which one player enjoys Thats where the Vassily Ivanchuks 58. Rh8 does not win this time in view of
an extra queenside pawn. Whites plan is EGTN comes in. He played 46. ... f6! fol- 58. ... h2!.
to shift his king to shepherd his passer. lowed by ... g5.
Then 59. Rxh2 Kxf6! is a draw and 59.
That allows Black to pick off kingside A similar idea had been tried before, in
b8=Q? Rxb8 is worse.
pawns. But eventually he must give up his a Portisch-Petrosian candidates game,
In other words, the previous diagram
rook to stop the b-pawn. Then the games but failed. This time play went: 47. Kf1
and the general case of an extra b-pawn
outcome hinges on how far Blacks pawns Kf5 48. b6 Ke6 49. f3 Rb1+ 50. Kf2 Rb3
is looking drawish again. And Ivanchuk,
get before White rushes back from the 51. Ke2 g5!, in order to quickly create a
who gets credit all the time for coming up
queenside and wins them. passed black pawn.
After White played 52. hxg5 fxg5 53. with new opening ideas, may have made
Nevertheless, we know a lot more about
Rb8 he threatened 54. b7 followed by 55. one of the biggest contributions to theory
the Sicilian Defense than about precise
positions like this. We can only reach a Re8+ and 56. b8=Q. with this EGTN. .
Endgame Lab
Pawn Mate
Paring down to pawns

By GM Pal Benko
Mate can be a valid theme in artistic Generally, if the purpose of the pieces
endgame compositions. However, it is simply to be traded off, this is not a + + + R
should not be a forced-mate problem with strong selling point. However, the stale- + + + p
a given number of moves, but a game-like mate possibility absolves this composition.
composition. As seen in Baffler problem Unfortunately, it is hard to see anything + +K+ +
I as well as early as the 18th century, it new within this old-hat themefound at + + + pP
is possible to deliver mate even with a sin- least 30 similar compositions. Let us see
gle pawn. Technique has advanced how this motif has been developed and + + + k
significantly since the 18th century, so see refined. pp+p+ +
the same idea explored in Baffler prob-
lem II. For this column, we add pieces Rook sacrifices + + +P+
while exploring the same theme. L. Prokes, 1924 + + + +
One composer sent in the following
White to play and win
work that nicely illustrates our topic. + + + +
Geoffrey Caveney, Illinois + + + + A. Wotawa 1953
+ + + + (Correction by Pal Benko)
+ +Q+ + pp+ + +R
+ +p+ + k+ + + p + + + +
Klp + + + K + + +p+ + +p
pn+ +q+ P + +p+ +pP + k
k+ + + + + + + + + + + +p
pR+ + + + +r+P+
P+ + + + In most of these compositions, the mate
P + + +
+ + + +L was spiced up via a rook sacrifice. Prokes +K+ + +
White to play and win was a pioneer in this field. + R + +
1. Rg5 h3 2. Rg4+ b4+ 3. Kc4 h2 4. Rg3 White to play and win
1. Qe3
White now threatens both 2. Rxa3 and Originally there was another white
g1=Q 5. Ra3+! bxa3 6. b3 mate.
This was a good start, but the follow- pawn on a4but this allowed a cook. 1.
2. Rb4+ followed by 3. Qb3 mate.
ing is a masterpiece. Rd1 Re8 2. gxh5 Rd8 3. Kc3 Kxh5 4. Kc4
The white bishop was originally on a8,
but this allows a 1. ... Qd5 cook. With b6 5. a5! bxa5 6. Kc5 etc. also winning.
A. Maximovskikh-V. Shupletsov,
Caveneys consent, I eliminated the cook
1987 Solution:
simply by placing the bishop in the oppo-
site corner! (see diagram top of next column) 1. d7 Rc4+ 2. Kd3! Rxc1 3. Ke2 Rc2+ 4. Ke3
1. ... Qc5+ 2. Qxc5 dxc5 3. Bxc6 dxc6 4. 1. h6! gxh6 2. Rd4+ Kh5 Rc3+ 5. Ke4 Rc4+ 6. Ke5 Rc5+ 7. Kf6 Rd5 8.
2. ... g4 3. Kf5 h5 4. Rxd3 a2 5. Kf4

Rxb5!! d8=Q Rxd8 9. g5 mate.
4. Kxc5 fails because of 4. ... Nc3! 5. a1=Q 6. Rh3+ gxh3 7. g3 mate. Eliminating the superfluous a4-pawn
Rxc3 stalemate. corrects the composition. A king walk
3. Kf5 b2 4. g3 b1=Q 5. Rh4+! gxh4 6. g4 gives us a game-like position.
4. ... cxb5 5. Kxc5 b4 6. Kc4 b3 7. axb3 mate. mate.
The author writes White trades off all The rook fights the advancing pawns, J. Fritz, 1950
his pieces one by one and mates with finally sacrificing itself. Lets take a look
only a king and a pawn. at some further rook sacrifice ideas. (see diagram top of next column)

Problem I Problem II
I. Votruba, 1887 A. Kazantsev, 1985
Benkos Bafflers
Most of the time these studies
+ + + + + + + +
resemble positions that could actu- + +p++ + + + p
ally occur over-the-board. You must + + p p p+ + +p+
simply reach a theoretically won
position for White. Solutions can be
+ + +KPk kp+ + p
found on page 71.
+ + + p + K + +
+ + + +P + + + P
Please e-mail submissions for + + + + PP + + +
Benkos Bafflers to: pbenko@us
chess.org
+ + + + + + + +
White to play and win White to play and win
Knight sacrifice L. Ulanov, 1983

k + + + I. Trestling, 1910
ppp pK+ + + + +
n + + + + + K + pp+p+ +
+P+ + + + + + +p + + + R
l+ + + + + + + + k KN+ +
P +R+ + + + +NPp p+pN + +
L+ l + + + + +p+ + + + +
+ + + + + + +k+P q+P+ + +
+ + + P + + + +
+ + + + White to play and win
1. Rd8+ Nc8 2. Be6 a6 3. Bxc8 Ba5 4. Bd7+
Ka7 5. b6+ cxb6 6. Bxa4 b5 7. Rd5 bxa4 8.
1. Ra6+ bxa6 2. Nc6+ dxc6 3. Nb4 Qa3 4. c3
Rxa5 b5 9. Kxe7 Kb6 10. Kd6 Kxa5 11. Kc5
Qxc3
4. ... Qxb4+ 5. cxb4 mate
b4 12. axb4 mate. 1. Ke7 gxh3 2. Nh4+ Kg4 3. Kf6 Kxh4 4. Kf5
In the majority of the previous problems
h6 5. Kf4 hxg5+ 6. Kf3 g4+ 7. Kf4 g3 8. hxg3
the problem king has started on the
mate.
boards edge. However, in this problem his This composition is skillfully done and
5. Nxc6 mate.
Curbing the black queen via Zugzwang
arrival there is set up by the innocent- completely correct.
should be noted.
looking a3 pawn. This is a brilliant
conception. Multiple sacrifices
Queen sacrifice
G. Kasparian, 1929
E. Pogosyants, 1964
Bishop sacrifice
L. Prokes, 1924 + + + + + + + K
+ + + + + +p+ + + + + +p
+ + p+ p + + + + +PLpk
+ +K+L+ pk+P+ + + + + +p
+ + + +p Rr + + + + + + +
+ + +kP p + K + + + +r+P
+ + + + PN P + + + + + +
+ + +P+ + + + + + + + +
+ + + + White to play and win
White to play and win Several composers have introduced the

idea of a series of sacrifices containing a
1. e7 Re3 2. h4 Re6 3. e8=Q Rxf6 4. Qe3+
variety of mating patterns.
Kg7 5. Qe5 Kh6 6. Ke7 Rf5 7. Qf6 Rxf6 8.
1. Bf5+ Kxh4 2. Bh3 g5 3. Kf5 g4 4. Kf4 gxh3
Kxf6 g5 9. hxg5 mate
Breaking the fortress with the surpris-
5. g3 mate.
The bishop maneuver is a surprise.
1. Nd1 Rxa4 2. Nc3+ Kb4 3. Kd4 d6
3. ... b5 4. Ne4 d6 5. Nc5 dxc5+ 6. Kd3 ing queen-sacrifice is an excellent
(see next position, next column)
The only solo knight sacrifice I found is
c4+ 7. Kd4 c3 8. dxc3 mate. discovery. .
Renew your USCF membership at
100 years old! uschess.org, click on Join/Renew.
4. Nxa4 Kxa4 5. Kc4 b5+ 6. Kc3 b4+ 7. Kc4
b3 8. axb3 mate.

Whats The Best Move?
Tricky Endgames
By GM Larry Evans
Deceptive Simplicity 1. Black moves 2. Black moves

Endgames may seem deceptively
simple because so few pieces remain + + + + ++k+ +
on the board, yet many players fre- + +
+pkp + +
+p+
quently go astray in this phase of the
game. These notable hits and misses
P + p + + LpKp+
were made by some of the worlds
+R+ p + + + PPP
premier players in 2009. K + +P+ l+ + + P
Solutions to this months quiz + + + +P + + + +
positions are on page 71. + + + + + + + +
+ r + + + + + +
(a) Rc8 (b) Rb1+ (c) e4 (a) Bc2 (b) exf5 (c) gxf5
3. Black moves 4. Black moves
+ + + + ++n+ +
+ + +kpp + + k +
+ +pp + KP+ +p+
+ + + + + + P +
n K + + L+ + + +
+P+ + + + + + +
L + PPP + + + +
+ + + + + + + +
(a) Ke7 (b) Ke8 (c) Nc2+ (a) Kd8 (b) Ke6 (c) g5
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2009 WORLD CHESS LIVE GRAND PRIX SUMMARY
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and memberships), and will also be running online grand ified international master (IM) in America, is inching his It is understandable after all these years for people to
prize satellite events throughout the year. way to the top ten of the GP list. His three-way tie for ask how Finegold finally got that elusive third GM norm.
The 2010 Grand Prix kicks off a new season this month first at the 18th Kings Island Open certainly helped, but He didnt change his openings. He didnt study with any
while points are still trickling in to close off the 2009 given the year that Finegold has had, Lady Luck alone of the worlds elite players. He didnt even lock himself
race. But rest assured GM Alex Lenderman has an unas- will surely push him from 12th to 10th ... if not higher. away in a room with a laptop filled to the gunnels with
sailable 132-point lead at the top over GM Sergey Kudrin After 20 years as an IM, it was a case of the old clich million-game databases or the latest playing engines as
to clinch his second successive title. that life begins at 40 for Finegold, who has finally most do these days. No, none of the above for this
Kudrin is clearly determined to hold on to second place became a grandmaster (GM)! Finegold was hired as co- easy-going, popular playerhe simply attributes his
and his 67 point advantage over third place GM Jaan commentator at the 2009 U.S. Womens Chess Champi- success to one key thing; when asked he says, I quit
~Betsy Dynako (WCL)
Ehlvest should be enough to secure him the runner-up onship, where during his often lively and entertaining FaceBook.
2009 WORLD CHESS LIVE GRAND PRIX STANDINGS

The following point totals reflect all rated event information as of November 24 for the 2009 World Chess Live Grand Prix. All Grand Prix updates are unofficial and subject
to change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete.
OVERALL STANDINGS JUNIOR CATEGORIES

NAME STATE PTS. NAME STATE PTS.
1 IM Alex Lenderman NY 415.27 Players born between 1986 and 1988 inclusive:
2 GM Sergey Kudrin CT 283.08 1 GM Alejandro Ramirez TX 104.33
3 GM Jaan Ehlvest NY 216.79 2 IM Oliver Barbosa NY 95.00
4 GM Giorgi Kacheishvili NY 190.70 3 IM Jecek Stopa TX 93.40
5 GM Alexander Ivanov MA 188.97 Players born between 1989 and 1991 inclusive:
6 IM Enrico Sevillano CA 179.36 1 IM Alex Lenderman NY 415.27
7 GM Melikset Khachiyan CA 175.33 2 IM Samuel Shankland CA 71.25
8 IM Bryan Smith PA 141.43 3 FM John Daniel Bryant TX 51.66
9 IM Jay Bonin NY 121.04
Players born between 1992 and 1993 inclusive:
10 GM Alexander Shabalov PA 115.54
1 FM Conrad Holt KS 80.82
11 GM Varuzhan Akobian CA 112.34
2 Michael Thaler NY 30.20
12 IM Ben Finegold MI 106.88 3 Toby Boas FL 24.03
13 GM Dmitry Gurevich IL 104.66 Players born between 1994 and 1995 inclusive:
14 GM Alejandro Ramirez TX 104.33 1 Parker Zhao NY 34.50
15 GM Jesse Kraai CA 95.58 2 FM Daniel Naroditsky CA 32.33
3 Deepak Aaron NY 12.77
SENIOR CATEGORY
Players born 1996 and after:
Players born 1944 and before:
Americas newest grandmaster, 1 Yian Liou CA 28.40
1 FM Alex Dunne PA 26.00
Ben Finegold: See next months 2 FM Darwin Yang TX 26.00
2 FM Isay Golyak NY 25.46
issue for a feature article 3 David Adelberg AZ 22.66
3 FM Asa Hoffmann NY 18.86
recounting Bens career!
CATEGORIES AND PRIZES

$10,000 IN CASH PRIZES! SENIOR CATEGORY: MERCHADISE PRIZES $10,200 IN JUNIOR GRAND PRIX PRIZES!
FIRST PRIZE: $5,000 ! 1944 / before 1st: $300 2nd: $200 3rd: $100 FIRST PRIZE: $1,000 !
2nd: $2,500 3rd: $1,000 4th: $750 2nd: $500 3rd: $250 4th: $150
JUNIOR CATEGORIES: MERCHANDISE PRIZES
5th: $500 6th: $250 5th: $100 6th: $100
(according to date of birth)
1986-88 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100 The first place JGP winner will also receive U.S. Open entry and
$4,900 IN MERCHANDISE PRIZES! 1989-91 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100 a trophy from the USCF. 1st-10th place winners will receive 2-year
WCL junior and USCF Young Adult memberships; 11th-20th place
7th: $250 8th: $225 9th: $200 1992-93 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100 winners will receive 1-year WCL junior and USCF Young Adult
10th: $175 11th: $150 12th: $125 1994-95 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100 memberships. Each state JGP winner will receive 1-year WCL jun-
PHOTO BY CHRIS BIRD
ior and USCF Young Adult memberships and a special prize

13th: $100 14th: $75 15th: $50 1996/after 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100
valued at $60.
16th-25th: $200 26th-50th: $250 For all of the above junior categories: 1st place is also awarded a
3-year WCL junior membership ($75 value); 2nd-5th places are
Top 40 non-titled players: 1-year WCL membership worth $50. awarded a 2-year WCL junior membership ($50 value); 6th-10th
(FIDE-titled players are always free on WCL) places awarded 1-year WCL junior memberships ($25 value). Addi-
tionally, all GP/JGP place prize winners will receive a special prize
valued at $60.
www.worldchesslive.com Real chess. Real people. Real fun!

World Chess Live, a new family-friendly online chess service, is sponsor of the 2009 World Chess Live Junior Grand
Prix (JGP). Official standings for events received and processed by December 9, 2009 are unofficial and subject to
change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete. There are currently 4,945 players with JGP points. 449
JGP events resulted in points earned. Top prize includes $1,000 cash, trophy and free entry to the 2009 U.S. Open.
Other prizes awarded to the top 20 finishers and the top individual in each state.
2009 World Chess Live

Junior Grand Prix Top Overall Standings
Name State Pts. Name State Pts.

WINTER, CURTIS A MD 285 SINGH, REVA SHREE NY 130
DOMMALAPATI, ABHINAY VA 285 PILLAI, KADHIR ANDRES NY 125
MIZUSHIMA, DEREK MD 225 FU, JASON TN 125
ATTANAGODA, ISURU ADEEPA VA 190 VIRKUD, APURVA MI 125
PISANI, NICHOLAS WA 180 JOHNSTON, DANIEL F NY 125
RAJASEKARAN, VIKAS VA 180 GURCZAK, JOHN AZ 125
HUANG, WINSTON MA 175 TUHRIM, RICHARD J NY 120
TROFF, KAYDEN W UT 170 SEVIAN, SAMUEL CA-N 120
SREENIVASAN, RAMANUJA MD 170 FINEGOLD, SPENCER MI 120
MARUPUDI, PRANAV NJ 170 JACOBS, CASEY NY 120
RICHMAN, JONATHAN NY 165 MOORTHY, SRINIVAS R MD 115
HUGHES, JOHN LODGER OH 160 FISHER, WILLIAM PA 115
QU, CHEN NY 145 ZHOU, JASON MO 115
KARAMSETTY, JEEVAN VA 145 KOGEN, JONATHAN S IL 110
PISANI, PAUL WA 145 GADSON, ISAIAH MO 110
CHEN, JEREMY NJ 140 LATHAM, ANDREW KS 110
HARMON-VELLOTTI, LUKE ID 135 TANENBAUM, ZACHARY CHEN CT 110
SHETTY, ATULYA ARYA MI 135 DANG, MICHAEL MI 110
DING, JIALIN MO 135 TALWAR, JAMES V NY 105
KUMAR, ARAVIND NJ 130 VEECH, JOHN WI 100
Prepare to make your best move

since joining the USCF...
Dont miss one of this years top

benefits of USCF membership.
Claim your six-month free trial now at World Chess Live, the only online
chess service offering:
Weekly USCF quick-rated tournaments
Chances to earn both Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix points
Many other tournament prizes
Free videos from top instructors
A welcoming atmosphere for players of all levels
For details, go to www.worldchesslive.com/uscf

Tournament Life
Junior Tournament Memberships

Dec. 9-11 Dallas, Texas
USCF National Events 2011 National Scholastic (K-12)
(JTMs) Available
USCFs Tournament Membership (TM) pro-
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
gram, which allows players the option of

See TLA in this issue for details: 2012 National High School (K-12)
joining for only one event at a greatly reduced
April 13-15 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Championship
Feb. 12-14 or 13-14 Orlando, Florida rate, has been modified. Junior TMs for age
2010 U.S. Amateur Team - South
24 or below may be purchased from affiliates
and are now available to them for $7 online
2012 National Elementary (K-6)
Feb. 12-14 or 13-14 Milwaukee,
2010 U.S. Amateur Team - North
May 11-13 Nashville, Tennessee with rating report submissions. They include
Championship
Wisconsin one issue of Chess Life or Chess Life for
Kids, and $5 of this fee may be applied to a
Nov. 30-Dec. 2 Orlando, Florida
2012 National Scholastic (K-12)
Feb. 13-15 Woodland Hills, California full membership within 60 days. JTMs not
2010 U.S. Amateur Team - West
valid for National events.
TBA Nashville, Tennessee Many scholastic tournaments exist that are
40th Annual World Amateur Team & U.S. 2013 SuperNationals V
not USCF-rated, and the USCF is concerned

Feb. 13-15 Parsippany, New Jersey
Amateur Team - East
Dec. 13-15 Lake Buena Vista, Florida that the reason is that organizers fear los-
ing players unwilling or unable to pay entry
Feb. 19-21 Indianapolis, Indiana
2010 U.S. Junior Chess Congress
fee plus dues. The availability of a $7 option
should cause some of these events to switch
May 9-11 Dallas, Texas
Championship
March 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21
2010 U.S. Masters
to being USCF-rated, promoting member-
Hendersonville, North Carolina ship. The idea behind the TMs is not to sign
Dec. 12-14 Orlando, Florida
up a lot of them, but rather to cause more
USCF-rated tournaments to be held. More
2010 FIDE World Amateur
details on uschess.org.
March 19-25 Skokie, Illinois
Chess Championship
May 8-10 Nashville, Tennessee
Championship
2010 FIDE Intercontinental School Team
Dec. 5-7 Orlando, Florida
March 26-28 Skokie, Illinois
Chess Championship
Rating supplements will be updated
EACH MONTH on the USCF website, and
April 16-18 Columbus, Ohio each monthly rating supplement will be
2010 All Girls National Championships Note: Organizers previously awarded options for
USCF National Events must still submit proposals used for all tournaments beginning in
that month, unless otherwise announced
May 29-31 Tucson, Arizona in Chess Life. The USCF website at
2010 U.S. Amateur West Championship (including sample budgets) for their events.
www.uschess.org also frequently lists
June 11-13 or 12-13 Las Vegas, unofficial ratings.The purpose of unoffi-
2010 National Open Overdue Bids
Bids on the following tournaments are cial ratings is to inform you of your
Nevada past deadline and will be considered progress; however, most tournaments do
immediately: not use them for pairing or prize pur-
Future Events (Watch for details) poses. If you would otherwise be unrated,
2010 U.S. Class Championship organizers may use your unofficial rat-
2010 U.S. Amateur ing at their discretion, even without
2010 National Junior High (K-9)
(East, North, South) advance publicity of such a policy.
April 9-11 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Championship
2010 U.S. Game/60
Final Four (playoff from 2009 Pan Am 2010 U.S. Game/30
2010 U.S. Game/10 (QC) T.B.A.
April 9-11
Intercollegiate Championship)
2010 U.S. Game/15 (QC)
2010 U.S. Junior Closed - TBA
The TLA pages Information for
2010 U.S. Junior Open - TBA (see box)
2010 National High School (K-12)
Organizers, TDs, and Affiliates
April 16-18 Columbus, Ohio
Championship
and Information for Players
can now be found online at
April 23-May 6 St. Louis, Missouri 2010 Collegiate Final Four
2010 U.S. Championship Deadline: June 1, 2010:
2011 U.S. Junior Chess Congress

main.uschess.org/ go/tlainfo.
2011 U.S. Amateur Teams (East, North,
2010 Burt Lerner National Elementary
May 7-9 Atlanta, Georgia South, West)

(K-6) Championship
2011 U.S. Amateur (East, North,

TheTournament Announcements on the following pages are provided
July 31-Aug. 8 Irvine, California South)

2010 U.S. Open for the convenience of USCF members and for informational pur-
2011 National Open

poses only. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, neither the U.S.
Chess Federation nor Chess Life warrants the accuracy of anything
2011 U.S. Game 10
2010 Denker Tournament of High School contained in these Tournament Announcements. Those interested
2011 U.S. Game 15

in additional information about or having questions concerning any
July 31-Aug. 3 Irvine, California
Champions
2011: Game 60
of these tournaments are directed to contact the organizer listed.
Chess Life will exercise all due diligence in providing accurate
2011 U.S. Action G/30
2010 Tournament of College Champions typesetting of non-camera-ready copy but assumes no responsibil-
2011 U.S. Masters

ity for errors made in such work.
2011 U.S. Class Championship

2010 U.S. Girls Junior Open SUBMISSIONS: If possible e-mail your tla to: [email protected]
2011 Pan-American Intercollegiate
(Joan DuBois). For tla deadline schedule, formatting help and Grand
Championship
Prix information see November 2009 pg. 53-54 or check http://main.
August 22-27 Boca Raton, Florida 2011 Collegiate Final Four
2010 U.S. Senior Open uschess.org/go/tlainfo. Payment can be done online through the
2011 U.S. Junior Open

TD/Affiliate area or sent to: U.S. Chess, TLA Dept., PO Box 3967,
Crossville, TN 38557.
Dec. 10-12 Lake Buena Vista, Florida 2011 U.S. Junior Closed
2011 U.S. Armed Forces Open Nationals

All tournaments listed in Tournament Life are USCF
2010 Pan-American Intercollegiate
rated. USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR ALL
Dec. 27-30 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Championship
EVENTS. If not a member, add dues to advance en-
Bidding Deadlines
Please contact the National Office if you try fee or pay them with entry at site.
are interested in bidding for a National
2011 National Junior High (K-9)
April 15-17 Columbus, Ohio Event. The USCF recommends that bids
Championship
be submitted according to the following
Feb. 12-14 or 13-14, Florida
2010 U.S. Amateur Team South
schedule. However, bids may be consid-
2011 National High School (K-12) 5SS, G/120 (2-day option, rd 1 G/60). Sheraton Orlando Downtown Hotel,
ered prior to these dates.

60 South Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando, FL 32804. 4-player teams (plus alternate). 2
Apr. 29-May 1 Nashville, Tennessee

Championship
*USCF reserves the right to decline all
Sections (using Yr-end ratings): OPEN, Team Avg rtng<2200. SCHOLASTIC,
Game/60, Team avg<1200. Players need not be from the same school.
bids and organize the event itself.

2011 National Elementary (K-6) Teams can be formed on-site. ***FCA members in Open are eligible for
FL GP Points. *** Winning Open team competes in national playoff
May 6-8 Dallas, Texas

Championship online. EF per player: OPEN $30 by 2/6, $40 later. SCHOLASTIC $20 by 2/6,
$25 later. SPECIAL EF: 5-player team $140 by 2/6, $180 later. PRIZES: OPEN
1st, 2nd teams: plaques and four Excalibur Clocks, 3rd: plaques; SCHOLAS-
TIC 1st, 2nd teams: plaques and four Excalibur Clocks, 3rd: trophies; Board
Tournament memberships not valid for National events Prizes: each section: Brds. 1-4, Excalibur Clocks. Class Prizes: OPEN: U2000,

U1800, U1600, U1400; Scholastic: U1000, U800Trophies. Other awardsTBD. at 4:30pm. Entry Fee: $40 by 2/8/10, $50 by 2/18/10, $60 after and onsite. SECTIONS: Championship (U2200), Reserve (U1600), Booster (U1200) &
Schedule: OPEN 3-day: rds 8, 1-7, 9-3, 2-day: rds 10-1-7, 9-3; SCHOLAS- Register: Make checks payable to East Side Middle School Chess Club and mail Scholastic (must be K-6 and U1000). Scholastic section is 3 separate 1-day
TIC (Sat & Sun): 10-1-4, 9-12, Awards 2:30. HR: $79 (888) 627-8525 or (407) to: 2010 Chess Congress, East Side Middle School, 2300 Lindberg Rd., Ander- tournaments. SCHEDULE: (Championship, Reserve, and Booster) 6/SS, 40/2,
425-4455; (Mention Chess). Complimentary parking voucher & internet with son, IN. 46012. Email entries to [email protected]. EMAIL 25/1. Reg.: 5/29, 8:30 - 9:30 AM. Rds.: 10-4, 10-4, 9-3. (Scholastic) 4/SS, G/40.
sleeping rooms; other parking at $5 per day. Reserve by Jan 29, ALL HOTELS ENTRIES are NOT confirmed until receipt of entry fees. Entries will be posted Reg: 8:30 - 9:30 AM each day. Rds.: Round 1 at 10 AM then as available for
FILL UP USATS WEEKEND! ENT: CFCC, 921 N. Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751 at www.2010ChessCongress.com as they are received. Onsite entries will be Rounds 2-4. PRIZES: (Championship) Chronos clock + plaque to Top 3; Digi-
or online usats2010.eventbrite.com. See www.centralflchess.org for details accepted Friday evening after 5 pm (and during the blitz tournament) and from tal clock + plaque to Top 1900-1999, 1800-1899, 1700-1799, 1600-1699, and
or call (407)629-6946. WCL JGP. 6:30am to 8:00am on Sat. morning, 2/20. Any player not registered by 8am will U1600; Plaque to top Senior 50+, Junior U20 and Junior U14. (Reserve)
receive a half-point bye for round one and begin play in round two. Side Chronos clock + plaque to 1st; Digital clock + plaque to 2nd, 3rd, Top 1300-
Feb. 12-14 or 13-14, Wisconsin
2010 U.S. Amateur Team Championship North event: Bughouse tournament Sat. evening 2/20 at 7:00 pm. Register for bug- 1399, 1200-1299, and U1200; Plaque to top Senior 50+ and Junior U14.
Two sections: Open and Scholastic (Saturday only) Open: 5SS, house onsite ONLY for $10 per player Friday evening or during the day on (Booster) Chronos clock + trophy to 1st; Trophy to 2nd - 5th, Top Unrated and
G/90+30/move/increment (G/120 if digital clocks not available; 2-day: rd.1- Saturday. Bughouse awards to each team member of at least the top 5 scor- Junior U11. (Scholastic, each day) Digital clock + trophy to 1st; Trophy to 2nd
2 G/60). Crowne Plaza Hotel Milwaukee Airport, 6401 South 13th Street, ing teams in 2 sections, 12th grade & Under and 6th grade & Under. Awards: - 5th, Top U800, U600, and Unrated. 1-yr USCF membership for perfect scores
Milwaukee, WI 53221. 1-414-764-5300. $79.99 chess rate, please reserve More trophies this year! Trophies to at least the top 20 individuals in each sec- that dont win the clock. SPECIAL PRIZES:Top 2 Family Pairs in the non-scholas-
early. Open to 4 player teams with one optional alternate.Team average (4 high- tion, top 5 teams. Numerous additional class prizes for each section. See tic sections. Biggest Upset of each round in the non-Scholastic sections.
est ratings2009 Annual Rating List) must be under 2200. EF: 3-day $140, 2-day website for details. Hotel: Indianapolis Airport Radisson. Conveniently located Chronos clock to Scholastic player with the highest combined score over the
$141 per team if received by February 9th, $180 thereafter. Individuals wish- at the Indianapolis International Airport and offering free shuttle service three 1-day tournaments. EF: (Championship & Reserve) $55 if recd by 5/26,
ing to play, send $35 and request to be put on a team. Team changes on site from airport terminals 24/7. FREE PARKING at hotel. $70 per night room rate!!! $65 if after 5/26. (Booster) $40 if recd by 5/26, $50 if after 5/26. (Scholas-
$20. Check out official website: www.wichessacademy.com. All advance entries Hotel offers free wireless internet access. Additional Info: Limited team tic) $15 each day or $40 for all three days if by 5/26, additional $5 if after 5/26.
will be posted on February 10th. Prizes: Awards to top two teams, top teams rooms available, contact number below for details. Concessions and chess mer- ALL: Half-point byes allowed for all rounds but must be requested prior to start
with average rating u1900, u1600, and u1300. Winning team qualifies for chandise will be available onsite. All event details at www.2010Chess of Round 2. SIDE EVENT: Blitz tournament Friday 5/28; G/5, 5 Rounds, Dou-
national play-offs. Prizes to best team composed of juniors (high school and Congress.com. Questions, call (765) 617-3845 after 3pm. WCL JGP. ble SS; Entry Fee: $10 ($15 to non-tournament players); Reg.: 6:006:45pm at
site; Rounds: begin at 7:00pm. Prizes: ($$b/20) $75-$45, Top U1600 $30,
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced)
younger). Prizes to top score on each board. Rounds: 3-day: on-site registra- Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, North Carolina
tion/check-in 5:30-6:30pm, rds.: 7pm, 11:00am & 5:00pm, 10:00am & 3:30pm. Medallion to top K-12, K-8, K-6. ENTER: www.sazchess.org/store/store.php or
2-day: on-site registration/check-in 9:00-10:30am, rds. 11:00am & 2:00pm then 2010 U. S. Masters mail to (make checks payable to SACA): SACA, Attn: US Amateur West, PO
merge with 3-day. **Saturday Only** Scholastic section. 4SS, G/60. Open 9SS, 40/2,SD/30. Hendersonville, NC. $$5000 b/50 fully paid: $1500-900- Box 42407, Tucson, AZ 85733 or at site. HR: $69 (single/double) or $85 (suite)
to 4 player teams with one optional alternate.Team average (4 highest2009 300-200-200-200-200-200-200. U2300: $300-200-200-200-200. Open only to if by 5/14, mention SACA. INFO: Karen Pennock, 520-975-3946, email: kpen-
Annual Rating List) must be under 1600. EF: $120 per team if received by Feb- players who have ratings over 2200, those who have ever been so rated, for- [email protected], web: www.sazchess.org. NC. NS. W. WCL JGP.
ruary 9th, $150 thereafter. Individuals wishing to play, send $30 and request eign FIDE-rated players, and juniors (under age 21) rated over 2000. Concurrent A Heritage Event!

to be put on a team.Team changes on site $20. All advance entries will be posted with N.C. Sub-Masters for those with lower ratings. Rds (2 schedules merge June 11-13 or 12-13, Nevada
on www.wichessacademy.com on February 10th. Prizes: awards to top team round 5): 2-Weekend schedule: Sat 12, 7, Sun 12, 7, Fri 7, Sat 12, 7, Sun 12,
overall, top three High School Teams, top three Middle School Teams, top 7; 7-Day schedule: Mon 7, Tue 7, Wed 7, Thurs 7, Fri 7, Sat 12, 7, Sun 12, 7 2010 National Open
three Elementary School Teams. Prizes to top score on each board. Rounds: EF: $150 by Feb 13, $160 by Mar 9, $170 at site. GMs, IMs, and foreign FIDE- 6-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2 day option rds 1-3 G/60). South Point Hotel, Casino and
on-site registration/check-in: 9:00am-10:30am; rds.: 11:00am, 1:30pm, 3:45pm, rated players receive reduced fee entry of $30 if preregistered (counts as 1/5 Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89183. $100,000 Prize Fund
6:00pm. Checks made payable to and send to: VICA, 6822 North Crestwood Dr., entry toward prizes). Byes: 4 available rds 1-5. HR: Quality Inn & Suites, 201 based on 850 paid entries ($70,000 guaranteed). Championship. $$: 8000-
Glendale WI 53209. Please includeTeams name and roster, captains email and Sugarloaf Rd,, Hendersonville, NC 28792. $60 or $68/night with hot breakfast, 4000-2000-1000-600-400-400-400-400-400-200-200-200-200-200, under 2500
phone number, and desired schedule. Info: [email protected], ashish@ indoor pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and mini-golf. 800-581-4745, www.qualityinn- 2000, under 2400 1500, under 2300 1000. $2,000 EXTRA for perfect score.The
vajachess.com, 608-334-2574, 414-234-1005. WCL JGP. suiteshvl.com. Info and entry: Kevin Hyde, 705 Old Mountain Page Rd., Saluda, winner of the Championship section also receives a replica of the Edmondson
NC 28773. [email protected] www.ncchess.org. FIDE. WCL JGP. Cup. Under 2200. $$: 5000-2500-1300-600-350-250-250-250-250-250-100-
A Heritage Event!
100-100-100-100. Under 2000. $$: 5000-2500-1300-600-350-250-250-250-250-
Feb. 13-15, California Southern Mar. 19-25, Illinois
27th Annual U.S. Amateur Team West 250-100-100-100-100-100. Under 1800. $$: 5000-2500-1300-600-350-250-
2010 FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship - an Official FIDE
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1. Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, World Chess Championship! 250-250-250-250-100-100-100-100-100. Under 1600. $$: 5000-2500-1300-
CA 91367. Four-player teams plus optional alternate, average rating of four high- 9R-SS G/90 + 30/sec increment. Holiday Inn Hotel, 5300 W. Touhy Ave., 600-350-250-250-250-250-250-100-100-100-100-100. Under 1400. $$: 2500-
est must be U/2200, diff. between bds. 3 & 4 may not exceed 1000. Dec. list Skokie, IL 60077. 847.679.8900. $20,000 Guaranteed. Open to players with 1500-1000-500-250-150-150-150-150-150-100-100-100-100-100. Under 1200.
used. EF: $132 per team if received by 2-12, $36 individual (on line only), $148 no FIDE title and rated under 2000 FIDE. All players compete in a single sec- $$: 1500-1000-500-250-150-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100.
at site, under age 18 or HS/below $96 by 2-12, $110 site.Trophies and 4 clocks tion. Please see tournament website for more detailed rating regulations. Unrated, $$: 600-400-200-100-100-100. Plus score bonus ($16,000) in addi-
to top 3 teams, U2100, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400/unr. Trophies (1 large, 4 Overall: $3000-2000-1600-1400; Top Women: $1000-600-400-200; (1799- tion to any other prizes, every player who finishes with 3-1/2 points or better
small) to top college, industrial, junior (under 18), Senior (over 50), U1200. Clocks 1600): $1000-600-400-200; (1599-1400): $1000-600-400-200; (U1400): wins a $50 gift certificate. Plus score certificates will be given on site only. EF:
to best score each board, alternate, and any 6-0. Gift certificate prizes for best $1000-600-400-200; (Unrated): $1000-600-400-200. EF: $120 by 6pm 02/15, $159 by 1/19, $179 by 5/17, $199 by 6/9, $220 on site, $100 more for play-
team names (1st/2nd). Reg.: 9-10 a.m. 2-13. Rds.: 11-6, 11-6, 10-4:30. On-line $150 by 6pm 03/15; $200 thereafter and onsite. No re-entries allowed. No half- ers rated under 2100 in the Championship Section.This is an open tournament
entry, help in forming teams, advance entry list: www.westernchess.com. HR: point byes allowed (zero point byes only). Onsite registration from 3-5pm 03/19. - you may play in any section at or above your rating level; unrated players may
$119, 800-228-9290, ask for Western Chess. Reserve by Jan. 20 or rates may Rds.: 3/19 6:30pm; 3/20-21- 12pm and 6:30pm per day; 3/22-25 6:30pm play only in Unrated or Championship Section. Provisionally rated players
go up. Parking $6. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Place #1A, Los per night. Mail entries with registration information to: North American may not win more than 3rd prize in any section except Championship. CCA min-
Angeles, CA 90038. NS, NC, W. F. WCL JGP. Chess Association (make checks payable to), 4957 Oakton Street, Suite 113, imum ratings or other ratings may be used if higher than USCF June Supplement.
Skokie, IL 60077. More information and online registration available at: Reg: 4-11 p.m. Thursday, 8-9:30 a.m. Friday. Rds.: 11-6, 11-6, 10-5. 2-day
A Heritage Event!
www.worldchesschamps.com. Questions via email only: sevan@worldchess
Feb. 13-15, New Jersey
40th Annual World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East Ruby Anniver- champs.com. No smoking. For more information on additional prizes such as
sary FIDE titles, Scholarships toTexasTech University, a progressive prize fund, entry
fee specials, and more, please visit the tournament website. Boards, sets, clocks
6SS, 40/2, SD/1. Parsippany Hilton, 1 Hilton Ct., Parsippany, NJ. 07054. Chess
provided. Tournament provided equipment must be used. WCL JGP. USCF Membership Rates
Rate valid until 1/16. Reserve early 973-267-7373 or 1- 800-HILTONS. Mor-
(U.S., CANADA, MEXICO)

ris/Essex train to Morris Plains 1.5 miles. Open to 4- player teams with one Mar. 26-28, Illinois Premium (P) and Regular (R)
optional alternate.Team average (4 highest ratings2009 Annual Rating list) 2010 FIDE Intercontinental School Team Chess Championship - an
must be under 2200. EF: $145 postmarked by 2/5/10. Scholastic teams Col- Official FIDE Intercontinental Chess Championship!
lege and below $140 per team, ALL-$180 after or at door.all teams, any 7R-SS G/90 w/5-sec delay. Holiday Inn Hotel, 5300 W. Touhy Ave., Skokie, IL Type 1 yr 2yr 3yr
changes at site $25 charge. Check out official website www.njscf.org. Prizes: 60077. 847.679.8900. Open to players in 5 age categories in teams of 4:
1-5th Place teams, plaque and 4 digital clocks; Top Team (Denis Barry U10, U12, U14, U16, U18. Please see tournament website for more detailed Adult P $49 $85 $120
Award) U2100, 2000, 1900, 1800, 1700, 1600, 1500, 1400, 1300, 1200, 1000 age and team regulations. Prizes: Team-winners of First, Second and Third Adult P ** $42 $78 $113
each plaque and 4 Digital Clocks; Top college team (same school) 4 Digital places in each age category and the members of the teams will be awarded
Clocks & plaque; Top HS team (grades 9-12 same school), Top Middle School Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, Diplomas and Special Trophies. Team tro- Adult R $41 $59 $81
(grades 5-9 same school), Top Elementary School (grades K-6 same school), phies will be awarded also teams finished in 4th 20th places in each age Adult R ** $34 $52 $74
Top 2 Scholastic Teams (mixed schools okay) (Collins Award), Mixed Doubles category. EF: $150 by 6pm 02/01, $175 by 6pm 03/01; $200 thereafter. No onsite
(2 males, 2 females-no alternates), Seniors (all players over age 50), Military, registrations allowed. No re-entries allowed. No half-point byes allowed (zero Senior (65+) ** $36 $65 $93
each plaque & 4 Digital Clocks to top team; Company Team (same employer) point byes only). Rds.: 3/26 6:00pm; 3/27 & 28 9am, 12pm and 6:00pm. Young Adult P (U25)* $32 $59 $85
Old Timers Trophy (all players over 65), Family (4 family members), State Mail entries with registration information to: IntECS (make checks payable
teamsCT, DE, MD, MA, NJ, NY (Benjamin Award), PA, VA, NC, RI, OH, to), 63 75th Street, Willowbrook, IL 60527. More information and online reg- Youth P (U16)* $27 $49 $70
Canada, each plaque top team; team traveling longest distanceentry istration available at: www.worldchesschamps.com. Questions via email Scholastic P (U13)* $23 $42 $60
refunded. Best Player 1-4 and top alternate, All 6-0 scores each Digital clock. only: [email protected]. No smoking. Boards, sets, clocks pro-
Biggest Individual upset each round Engraved Cross pen; Entry fee refunded vided. Tournament provided equipment must be used. WCL JGP. Young Adult R (U25)* $24 $43 $61
to team with Best Chess related name, Sunday night Best Chess Related Apr. 16-18, Ohio Youth R (U16)* $20 $36 $51
costumes or gimmickgourmet dinner for four. Reg.: 9-12 Sat 2/13. Rds.: 2010 All Girls National Championship presented by the Kasparov Scholastic R (U13)* $16 $28 $39
Premium membership provides a printed
1-7:30, 11-6, 9-3:30. Special Events!! Surprises and special give-aways Chess Foundation in association with the USCF and UTD.
each round. Sunday nightBughouse $20 per team. Cash prizes. HR: Parsip-
copy of Chess Life (monthly) or Chess Life for
6SS, G/90. Hyatt Regency Columbus, 350 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215,
pany Hilton, chess rates expire 1/16/2010. Rates $119 (up to 4 in room) 2nd (614) 280-1234, Hotel Rate $127. 6 Sections: 8 years old and younger; 10 and
Kids (bimonthly) plus all other benefits of
hotel now attached to Hilton also up to 4 in room $117 per night-Hampton Inn younger, 12 and younger, 14 and younger, 16 and younger, 18 and younger. Age
regular membership. Regular membership

-includes breakfast for 4 each day. For help forming teams and more information as of 4/1/2010. USCF membership required. Winner of 18 years old and
provides online-only access to Chess Life

contact [email protected]: Chks payable to NJSCF, mail by 2/05 to: E.Steven younger Section wins an Academic Distinction Scholarship toThe University of
Doyle, 17 Stonehenge Road, Morristown, NJ 07960. (Include Team name,
and Chess Life for Kids; TLA Bulletin will be
Texas at Dallas, worth $80,000 for an out-of-state student. EF: $50 if postmarked
Captain, players full names, USCF Expiration, ID numbers and ratings in board by 3/21; $70 if by 4/4; $85 by 4/15 or $90 on-site. Do not mail after 4/8 as
mailed to adults bimonthly and to scholas-
order). Include SASE for confirmation if wanted, No registered or certified mail your entry may not be received on time. Opening Ceremony: 6pm, Friday.
tic members three times per year. Youth

accepted. NS, NC, W. WCL JGP. Rounds: Rd 1 - 6:30pm Fri; Rounds 2-4 - Sat 10am, 2:30pm, 6:30pm; Rounds
provides bimonthly Chess Life, Scholastic

Feb. 19-21, Indiana 5-6 - Sun 9am & 1pm. Awards Ceremony: Sun. 5pm. Trophies to top 15 indiv
bimonthly Chess Life for Kids, others listed

2010 U.S. Jr. Chess Congress & top 3 teams (top 3 players added for team scores). Bye: One 1/2-pt bye avail-
able, any round, if requested before end of Rd. 2 and if player has not received
above monthly Chess Life. See www.us
6SS, Rds. 1-4 G/60, Rds. 5-6 G/90. Radisson Hotel at the Indianapolis Airport,
a full-point bye. Side Events: Bughouse Tournament - Fri. 1pm, EF $25/team.
chess.org for other membership categories.

2500 S. High School Rd., Indianapolis, IN. NEW sections this year: 12th grade
& Under, 8th grade & Under, 6th grade & Under, and 3rd grade & Under. Blitz Tournament - Fri. 3pm, EF $15 by 4/4, $20 after or on site. Entries: Mail
Dues are not refundable and may be

CLUB TEAMS are welcome! Club and school teams are the top 4 scoring team to USCF, Attn: All Girls, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 or online at
changed without notice.

members (minimum 2). Schedule: Blitz side event Fri. (2/19) at 7 pm, see below. http://uschess.org/tournaments/2010/allgirls. NS, NC, W. WCL JGP.
*Ages at expiration **Purchased online only

Regular 6/SS tournament Sat. and Sun only. Opening Ceremony Sat. 2/20 at May 29-31, Arizona
8:30 am, Rds 1-4 at 9am, 12:00pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. Bughouse tournament side 2010 U.S. Amateur West Championship
event Sat. evening at 7:00 pm, see below. Sun 2/21 Rds. at 9am, 1pm. Awards Holiday Inn Palo Verde, 4550 S. Palo Verde Rd.,Tucson, AZ 85714, 520-746-1161.

Tournament Life
schedule: Reg: 8-9 a.m. Saturday. Rds.: 10-12:30-3-6: merge with 3-day in round $40. $15 less to students in grades K-8 in U1200 section. CFCC memb discount: $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry
4. Half point byes available in any round, but round 5 or 6 byes must be $15 ($5 for Jr/Sr memb).Trophies to top in each section (& Class X) also Class (except Master) $60. Mailed EF $5 less to rated CalChess members. 4-day
requested before the start of round 2. Chess sets and boards provided for tour- F, G, H, I, J & Unr in U1200 having more than one entry. Trophies and titles schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6:15 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon
nament play only, not for skittles. Please bring chess clocks! The LAS VEGAS limited to Florida residents. FCA membs eligible for FL GP Awards. Reg.: ends 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 10:15 am, rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun
INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL features the National Open, the U.S 1/2 hr before 1st rd. Rd.1: 8pm Fri (2-day: 10am Sat at G/60). Rds.: 2-5: Sat 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg Sun to 9:15 am, rds Sun 10-12-
Game/10 Championship and other championship events. Many free extras and 1 & 6, Sun 9 & 2. 1/2 pt. byes if reqd before rd. 2 (max 2). HR: $79 (888) 627- 2-4-6, Sun 10-4:30, not available for Open Section. Under 900 schedule:
surprises! Free parking. Free raffle with great prizes. Free GM Lectures. Free 8525 or (407) 425-4455; (Mention Chess). Reserve by Dec 30. Complimentary Reg. Sun to 9:15 am, rds. Sun. 10-12-2-4, Mon. 10-12-2. Byes: OK all; Open must
GM analysis of your games. Chess Camp for all ages onThursday. Grandmas- parking voucher & internet with sleeping rooms; other parking at $5 per day. commit before rd 2, others before rd 4; limit 3 byes in Open. Unofficial
ter Simuls Thursday afternoon. US. Game/10 Thursday night. Scholastic Ent: CFCC, c/o Harvey Lerman, 921 N. Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751; or uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise
Tournament Friday. Girls & Boys Championships Saturday & Sunday. LOW online: 2010CFclass.eventbrite.com. Info: 407-629-6946 or www.centralflchess. unrated. Foreign player ratings: See chesstour.com. HR: $99-99-109, 925-827-
room rates! HR: $65 single or double ($95 Friday and Saturday nights). 1- org. WCL JGP. 2000, reserve by 1/1 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use
866-791-7626 or (702) 796-7111. Dont be shut out; make your reservations AWD #D657633. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Ent: Continental
Jan. 15-17, Texas
early and be sure to ask for the chess rates; South Point sells out most week- Chess, c/o Goichberg, Box 661776, Arcadia, CA 91066. $15 service charge for
ends. Cutoff for special hotel rate is May 15th. Rates may be as high as $150 JGs Old-Fashioned Hamburgers Texas Masters withdrawals. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
a night after May 15th. RESERVE NOW! Credit card or one night room deposit 5SS, G/90 with 30 sec increment. Student Union Galaxy Rooms at The Univer- A Heritage Event!
will be required to hold reservation, may be canceled 72 hours in advance for
sity of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080. Open to Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, Pennsylvania
nominal fee. Tournament Registration: National Open, PO Box 90925, Hender- 1.) players rated 2200 and above or who have been rated 2200 on any
son, NV 89009-0125, on line at www.VegasChessFestival.com or by fax at crosstable on MSA or 2.) any Fide rated over 2000/Fide titled player and 3.) 42nd annual Liberty Bell Open
(702) 933-9112. NS. W. FIDE. WCL JGP. players who do not meet previous criteria can play by paying a hefty entry fee. 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3 day option, rds 1-2 G/75; 2 day, rds 1-4 G/40). U900 Sec-
FIDE rated. Please do not mail entries after January 6. You may register on tion plays 1/17-18 only, G/40. Sheraton City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts.,
Grand Prix active.com until Jan 12th. EF: USCF +2400 $50, USCF 2200-2400 or fide rated
$90, otherwise $200. Fide GMs Free. Online Registration (note that
Philadelphia 19103. $$20,000 b/320 paid entries (U900 Section counts 1/3, GMs
1/2), else in proportion, except minimum 60% of each prize guaranteed. In 2006
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20

Jan. 9-10, Illinois Active.com charges fee.): www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id= to 2009, the tournament had over 320 paid entries each year and the $20,000
1796624. TCA Memb. reqd: Regular $11, Jr/Student $8.50, No Magazine $5, projected prize fund was increased. In 8 sections. Open: $2000-1000-500-300-
Tim Justs Winter Open/Reserve XXIV Family $16. OSA. USCF Membership Required. $$b/20:75% Guaranteed. 200, 1st clear or on tiebreak $100 bonus, 2300-2399 $800-400, U2300/Unr
5SS, 40/90, SD/30. New Site: DoubleTree Hotel, 1909 Spring Road, Oak- $1500-750-250. U2400 $500. Reg.: 1/15: 6:00-7:00 pm. Rds.: 7:20 pm, 12:30 $800-400. FIDE. Under 2100: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1900: $1000-
brook, Illinois 60523, (630) 472-6020, (630) 472-6000, Lower $70 room rate pm - 5:15 pm, 9:10 am - 2:45 pm. 1 bye if requested before round 2. Park on 600-400-300-200. Under 1700: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1500:
for a limited time. More prizes! $$ (4,175 b/125 pd players, Guaranteed $$$ metered parking by Student Union or by UTD bookstore. Or get visitors pass $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1300: $700-400-200-150-100. Under 1100:
increased to maximum as attendance increases!). 2 Sections: Open: open to at guard shack on University Drive and park on visitors parking. Due to con- $700-400-200-150-100. Under 900: $200-100-60-40, trophies to top 10.
all. Open Prizes: $$ 700-300-200; U2200, 300-150; U2000 $300-125; Unr. can truction, check website for parking updates. Recommended Hotel: Hawthorn Unrated may enter any section, but may not win over $100 in U900, $200 in
win top three only. Reserve: open to U1800. Reserve Prizes: $700-300-200; Suites Richardson, 250 Municipal Dr., Richardson,TX 75080. 972-669-1000. HR: U1100, $300 U1300, $400 U1500, $500 U1700, or $600 U1900. Top 5 sections
U1600, $225-150; U1400. $200-100; U1200, 150-75, Unr. qualify for top prizes $79 for 1 bedroom will pullout couch, $99 for 1 bedroom plus another king bed- EF: 4 day $99, 3 day $98, 2 day $97 mailed by 1/7, all $100 online at chess-
only. Both:, EF: $64 (add $10 if playing up from Reserve into Open section) with room plus pullout couch. Mention UTD rate to get hotel rate. Any problems tour.com by 1/11, $105 phoned by 1/11 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions),
name, id, e-mail/phone, to current/renewing USCF if recd by 1/5/10; Both $80 booking your room, please ask for Lynn Koutney. Free hot breakfast with hotel $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. GMs free, $80 deducted from prize.
at site 8-8:30 AM; $85 at site 8:30-8:45 AM; $10 to play up from Reserve to room. ENT: Dallas Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 LonghornTrail, Crow- U1300, U1100 Sections EF: All $20 less. U900 Section EF: $32 mailed by 1/7,
Open section. Rds.: 9-1:30-6; 10-2:30. Re-Entry $40 with 1/2 pt Bye round 1, ley, TX 76036. 214.632.9000. INFO: Barb Swafford, [email protected] $33 online by 1/11, $35 phoned by 1/11, $40 at site. All: Unofficial uschess.org
Byes Rnds 1-4, unretractable rnd 5 at Registration, Bring sets, boards, clocks, www.swchess.com. NS, NC. FIDE. WCL JGP. ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special
1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com,
none provided, Ent: Tim Just, 37165 Willow, Gurnee, IL 60031 (847) 244-7954 Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, California Northern
before 6 PM. e-mail for info only (sorry, e-mail entries not available): Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young
[email protected], Checks payable to Chess For Life, LLC, info and Pay- Adult $30. Mailed entry $3 less to PSCF members. Re-entry (except Open
Golden State Open
Pal early entries until 6 PM 1-8-10: http://chessforlife.com. NS, NC, W. Book Section) $80. 4-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun
7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option rds. 1-2 G/75, 2-day option rds. 1-4 G/35, no
Dealers: Checkmate Chess Supply: www.checkmatechesssupply.com/. WCL 11-6, Mon 10-4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds.Sat 11-2:30-6,
2-day Open Section.) Under 900 Section plays separate 2-day schedule Jan
JGP. Sun 11-6, Mon 10-4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10-12-
17-18 only, G/35. At Concord Hilton Hotel, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord, CA
2-4-6, Mon 10-4:30. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends Sun. 9 am, rds Sun
94520 (I-680 Willow Pass Rd exit). Free shuttle between hotel and Concord BART
Jan. 10, New Jersey 10-12-2-4, Mon 10-12-2. Bye: all, limit 3, Open must commit before rd 2, oth-
station. Free parking. $$60,000 based on 450 paid entries (re-entries &
ers before rd 4. HR: $95-95-95-95, 215-448-2000, reserve by 1/1 or rate may
ATKM 2nd Sunday Swiss U900 Section count as 1/3 entries), minimum guarantee $40,000 (2/3 each
increase. Parking: $8/day chess rate with guest room at Sheraton, $15/day
(2 Sections) ATKM Chess Center, 62 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ, 856-582-8222. prize). Open, open to all. $$4000-2200-1300-1000-800-700-600-500-400-400,
chess rate without guest room, parking lot 1 block from hotel may be less than
1600+ Section: be limited to 1st 20 entries. 4SS, G/60. Prizes: 80% Guar- clear or tiebreak winner $300, top U2400 $2000-1000. FIDE. Under 2200: $3000-
$15. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve through
anteed. $250, $125, $75. U2200, U1900 $50 ea. EF: $35. IMs, GMs Free ($35 1500-800-700-600-500-400-300-200-200. Under 2000: $3000-1500-800-
chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Ques-
from prize). U1600 Section: 3SS, G/80 May be limited to 1st 14 entries. 700-600-500-400-300-200-200. Under 1800: $3000-1500-800-700-600-500-400-
tions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds.
Prizes (chess shop gift certificates): $50, $35, U1200 $25. EF: $20. Reg. 300-200-200. Under 1600: $2500-1300-700-600-500-400-300-300-200-200.
Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
ends: 9:45 AM. Rds.: 10 AM, then ASAP with lunch break. Byes: 1/2 pt. bye Under 1400: $2000-1000-700-500-400- 300-200-200. Under 1200: $2000-1000-

allowed, rd 1 only, if reqstd with EF. Space is limited so reg. early at YourChess- 700-500-400-300-200-200. Under 900: $800-400-200-150-100-80-70. Prize Jan. 16-17, Minnesota
limits: 1) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) may enter any section, with max-
Set.com/sunswiss. Bring equipment!
imum prize U900 $200, U1200 $400, U1400 $600, U1600 $900, U1800 $1200, Minnesota 2010 Winter Open

Jan. 15-17 or 16-17, Florida U2000 $1500. 2) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated may not win over Roseville Civic Center Skating Arena, 2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville, MN
$400 in U900, $800 in U1200 or $1200 in U1400. 3) If more than 30 points above 55113. In 5 Sections, Premier: 5SS, Round 1: G/60, 30 sec inc. Rounds 2 through
Central Florida Class Championships section maximum on any list 1/09-12/09, prize limit $1000. 4) Balance of any 5: G/90, 30 sec. inc. EF: $40 advance if received by 9 Jan, $50 at site. Memb.
G/120 (2-day: Rd.1 G/60). Sheraton Orlando Downtown Hotel, 60 South Ivan- limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Top 7 sections EF: 4-day $174, 3- Reqd: 18. OSA. $$b/30: $400-200. U2200 $100, U2000 $100. Reg.: Saturday,
hoe Blvd., Orlando, FL 32804. $$7000/ b130, 60% Guaranteed. 6 Sections: day $173, 2-day $172 mailed by 1/7, all $175 online at chesstour.com by 1/12, January 16, 8:00-9:00am. Rds.: Sat. 9:30-1-6, Sun. 10-3. Reserve (Open to
OPEN: $1000-400-200, U2200 $150, U2100 $100. Class A: $600-300, U1900 $180 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/12 (entry only, no questions), $200 at site. under 1700): 5SS, Round 1: G/60, 30 sec inc. Rounds 2 through 5: G/90, 30
$150. Class B: $600-300, U1700 $150. Class C: $600-300, U1500 $150. Class GMs free; $150 deducted from prize. Under 900 Section EF: $52 mailed by sec. inc. Open to 1699 & under. EF: $35 advance if received by 9 Jan, $45 at
D: $600-300, U1300 $150. U1200: $500-300, U1000 $100, U800 $50. Rated play- 1/7, $55 online at chesstour.com by 1/12 (entry only, no questions), $60 site. Memb. Reqd: 18. OSA. $$b/35: $250-150. U1600, U1400 $70 each.
ers may play up one class only. Unrateds limited to $50 unless Place prize in phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/12, $70 at site. All: Special 1 yr USCF dues with Reg.: Saturday, January 16, 8:00-9:00am. Rds.: Sat. 9:30-1-6, Sun. 10-3. Ban-
OPEN. EF: 3-day $69, 2-day $68 by Jan 2, both $80 later and on-site. Re-entry Chess Life if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult tam (Open to under 1200): 5SS, Round 1: G/60, 30 sec inc. Rounds 2 through
5: G/90, 30 sec. inc. Open to 1199 & under. EF: $25 advance if received by 9
Jan, $35 at site. Memb. Reqd: 18. OSA. $$b/35: $125-75. U1000, Unrated $50
each. Reg.: Saturday, January 16, 8:00-9:00am. Rds.: Sat. 9:30-1-6, Sun. 10-
3. Saturday Non-Rated Beginners Tournament: 5SS, G/30, td 5, Open to
799 & under. EF: $15. Prizes: 1st: Free entry to Sunday Blizzard tournament.
PLAN AHEAD! USCF & MSCA memberships for all players scoring 4 points in 5 rounds. Reg.:
Saturday, January 16, 10:00-10:30 am. Rds.: 5 Rounds Saturday, as time per-
mits. Winter Blizzard: 4SS, G/60, td 5, EF: $20 advance if received by 9 Jan,
NEW: 2010 U.S. Girls Junior Open Championship $25 at site. $$GTD: Minimum 50% of entry fees returned as prizes, prize for
the top score in the lower half. Reg.: Sunday, January 17, 10:00-10:30 am.
(see TLA page 51) Rds.: Sun. 11-1:30-4:00-6:30. ENT: MSCA, PO Box 582754, Mpls. MN 55458.
WCL JGP.
2010 Tournament of College Champions
Jan. 16-17, New Hampshire
2010 Denker Tournament of High School Champions Portsmouth Open

A NH Grand Prix Event. Holiday Inn Portsmouth, 300 Woodbury Avenue,
July 31-Aug. 3, 2010 - Irvine, California Portsmouth, NH 03801. In 2 Sections, Open: 5SS, GAME/110 + 10 Sec. Ana-
log clocks play GAME/115, FIDE rated. $$GTD: $500-250. U2250 $150, U2000
$150. U1750: 5SS, GAME/110 + 10 Sec. Analog clocks play GAME/115, Open
to 1749 & under. $$GTD: $400-200. U1500 $100, U1250 $100. ALL: EF: $50 in
AND advance, $55 at site. Reg.: Registration 9:00-9:45. Advance entries must be
postmarked by 1/09/2010. Rds.: 10-2:30-7, 9:30-2. Unrated may only win 50%
of place prizes in U1750. ENT: Alex Relyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89, Bedford,
2010 U.S. Open

July 31-Aug. 8, Aug. 3-8 or Aug. 5-8 For details on
2010 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM EVENTS
East, North, South, West
More details to be announced in February 2010 Chess Life!
See Nationals Section!

Tournament Life

NH 03110. INFO: Alex Relyea [email protected]. HR: $79 by 16 Decem- Jan. 23-24, California Southern Mastercard Accepted (add $3 to EF). Optional Re-entry: Re-enter for $47 after
ber, Mention Relyea Chess (603) 431-8000. www.relyeachess.com. NS, W. Friday rd, counts as 1/2 entry toward based-on prize fund. Reg.: Fri. 3pm-7:30
WCL JGP. Orange County Open pm for Friday round, anytime until Saturday 1pm (one 1/2 pt bye avail rds 1-
5SS, Rds. 1-3 G/90, Rds. 4 & 5 40/2, SD/1 (No time delay). Hanley Chess Acad- 3). Rds.: 1st rd-Your Choice-Fri. 8pm or Sat. 10am (will assume Sat. Rd. if no
Jan. 19, New York emy, 7390 Center Ave., Huntington Beach, CA. 92646. $$5,000 b/120, 50% of choice made), other 2:15-7:15 on Sat., 9-2:15 on Sun. Blitz Tournament:
each prize guaranteed. One Section: Open: 1000-500-300-200,Top X: 400-225- Saturday morning. U1200 Section (rated): 5SS, G/60. 70% of EF paid in prizes.
Marshall Masters (formerly the St. Johns Masters) 125, U2000: 250-125-75, U1800: 250-125-75, U1600: 250-125-75, U1400: EF: $40 pre (no discounts), $10 more at site. $$ 20% to 1st, 15% to 2nd, 10%
4SS, G/30.ThirdTues. of every month. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open 250-125-75, U1200/UNR: 250-125-75. EF: $55 if received by 10/22, $65 door. to 3rd, U900 10% to 1st, 5% to 2nd, Unr. 10% to 1st. Unrated eligible for unrated
to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNY On-line entry: www.hanleychessacademy.org. No checks entries at door. All: prize only. Reg.: anytime up to one hour before any round (one 1/2 point bye
at MCC Thursday 4 Rated Games Tonight! since the prior months Masters) EF: One half point bye if requested with entry, rds 4-5 cannot be revoked. Reg.: available rds 1-3). Rds.: Sat. 10:30-1:30-4, Sun. 9-1:30. Ent: Checks payable
$40, members $30, GMs $10 (returned on completion of tournament).Top three 8:30am-9:30am Sat 1/23. Rds.: 10am-1pm-4pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. Info: to: WW, PO Box 1123, Weaverville, NC 28787, 828-645-4215, fax: 828-645-4216,
prizes guaranteed. $$G 250-150-100.Top U2400 and Top U2300 prizes. Spe- [email protected]. Ent: Hanley Chess Academy, c/o Joe Hanley, 7390 Cen- [email protected]. WCL JGP.
cial prize for biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One ter Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92646. NS. NC. F. Side Event: Hexes on 1/24;
bye available, rds. 1 or 4 only; declare at registration. 3SS G/90. EF: $25. Reg.: 9:30am-10:15am. Prizes: $50-$25-$15 in each Hex.
A Heritage Event!

Jan. 29-31 or 30-31, Ohio
Jan. 21, New York Rds.: 10:30-2-5. WCL JPG.

Jan. 23-24 or 24, New York 33rd Cardinal Open
10 Grand Prix Points Tonight! Concourse Hotel, 4300 International Gateway, Columbus, OH 43219, free
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 West 10 St., bet. 5-6 Ave., January Open parking, $79/night chess rate thru 1/8. 5-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day rds 1&2
NYC: 212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), spec- 4SS, 30/90, SD/1. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $45, Mem- G/75). Max 2 byes rds 1-4. Sets provided, bring clocks. $$6,800 b/126 pd entries,
ified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may bers $25. $$625 Gtd: 250-100-75, U2200/Unrated $100, U2000 $100. Reg. ends re-entries & U1200 students = 1/2. 5 Sections: Open (FIDE) $1000-600-400,
be limited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105, 15 min. before game. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day; U2300 $500-250 U2200 $300-100, U2000 $700-350-200, U1800 $600-300-150,
U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA 1-day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd 3. Limit U1500 $500-250, U1200 $400-200 & trophies top 5 students. Unrated prize
ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game. 2 byes, commit at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 players. WCL limit $150 any section except Open. EF: $80 if received by 1/28, then $90; stu-
Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! JGP. dents in U1200 $30 less; re-entry $40 (not in Open). Free to IM/GM, $80
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 40 (enhanced) World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Jan. 22-24 or 23-24, Arizona Jan. 25-Feb. 8, New York deducted from winnings. OCA membership required of OH residents. 3-day
Schedule: Reg. Fri. 5-6:30pm, Rds. 7pm; Sat. 10-5:30; Sun. 9-3:30. 2-day: Reg.
Tucson Open and Scholastics 21st Nassau G/60 Championship Sat. 9-10:30am, Rds. 11-2-5:30; Sun 9-3:30. Ent: FOTK Chess Club, 2720 Air-
Holiday Inn Palo Verde, 4550 S. Palo Verde Rd.,Tucson, AZ 85714, 520-746-1161. 6-SS, G/1. 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st & Main Sts, Mineola. EF: $37 by 1/23, port Dr., Columbus, OH 43219. Info: [email protected], www.neilley.com/chess,
SECTIONS: Open, Reserve (U1800), Booster (U1400) & Scholastics (K- $44 at site, non-memb $9 more. $$ (800 b/25, top 2 G) 180-120, U2100, 1900, 614-314-1102. WCL JGP.

6/U1000). Scholastic section is 2 separate 1-day tournaments. Open, Reserve, 1700, 1500, 1300/UR each 100. 3 byes 1-6. Rds.: 7:15-9:25 each Mon. Rule 14H Jan. 29-31, Virginia
& Booster Schedule: (3-day) 5/SS, 40/2, SD/1; Reg.: 1/22 5:30-6:30 PM; not used. [email protected]. Ent: Harold Stenzel, 80 Amy Dr., Sayville,
Rds.: 7, 10-5, 9-4. (2-day) 5/SS, Rds 1-2 G/90; Rds. 3-5 40/2, SD/1; Reg.: 1/23 NY 11782. Springfield Open

8:30-9:30 AM; Rds.: 10-1:30-5, 9-4. (Scholastics) 4/SS, G/40; Reg.: 1/23-25 Jan. 29-31, North Carolina 5SS, Rd 1 Friday G/120, Rds 2-5 30/90 SD/60 $$ 2,200 (top three G) b/80.
8:30-9:30 AM; Round 1 at 10am then as availble. PRIZES: (Open) $$G: Holiday Inn Express, 6401 Brandon Ave., Springfield, VA. 22150. Conveniently
$600(plaque)-400-300-200; $$b/4 X, A, B/below $150 ea. Trophy Top Jr. U20, Land of the Sky XXIII located at the junction of I-95, I-495 and I-395. AMAZING renovations to the
Jr. U14, Sr. 50+; (Reserve) $$b/38: $250(plaque)-150(plaque); $$b/4 C, Note new time controls. 5SS, 30/90, then G/60 (2-day option, Rd 1, 30/90, hotel since last tnmt here!! Ph: at 1-877-834-3613 Ask for chess rate and men-
D/below $100 ea.Trophy toTop UNR, Jr. U14, Sr. 50+; (Booster)Trophy toTop G/30). Crown Plaza Resort Asheville, One Resort Dr., Asheville, NC 28806, 828- tion NoVa Chess HR: $79 reserve before Jan 15, 2009. One section: Open:
1st - 5th Place, Top E, U1000/Unr and Jr. U11; (Scholastic each day) Trophy 254-3211 or 800-733-3211. HR: $87 for up to four occupants, reserve early, $550-350-200 (G); top X/A/B/C/D and top U1200 each $170, top Unrated $100.
to 1st - 5th Place, Top U800, U600, and Unrated. EF: GM/IM are FREE!; if recd mention tournament. $$20,000 b/320, $10,000 Gtd. Open - FIDE rated: 1st Reg.: Fri, Jan 29: 5pm - 7:45 PM. Rounds: Fri 8pm Sat. 10-4, Sunday 10-3:30
by 1/21 Open: $55, Reserve: $45, Booster: $25, Scholastics: $15 for one day $2500, 2nd $1000, 3rd $800, 4th $500, 5th $400, 2299-2200, 2199-2100, 2099- pm. One 1/2 pt bye all, must declare before Rd 1 and then irrevokable. EF: $50
or $25 for both days; after 1/21 Open: $65, Reserve: $55, Booster: $35, under each category $700-400. Amateur: (U2000) 1st $1600, 2nd $800, 3rd if recd by Jan 22, 2009, $60 later and at site. Ent: Michael Atkins, PO Box 6138,
Scholastics: $20 for one day or $30 for both days; DISCOUNT: $10 off EF for $400, 1899-1800, 1799-1700, 1699-under each category $700-400. Booster: Alexandria VA 22306. Make checks to Michael Atkins. Email Information:
Juniors (under age 20) and Seniors (age 50+) in Open and Reserve. ALL: 1/2 (U1600) 1st $1500, 2nd $800, 3rd $400, 1499-1400, 1399-1300, 1299-under ea. [email protected], NO E-MAIL ENTRIES Web: http://members.cox.net/tourna
pt byes allowed for all rounds but must be requested prior to start of Round ments/springfield.htm. W, NS, FIDE. WCL JGP.
category $500-300, Unr. $300. Unr. eligible for unr. prize only. EF: $84 postmarked

2 (max 2). No Re-entries. ENTER: www.sazchess.org/store/store.php or mail by 1/16, $10 more at site or $44 postmarked by 1/18 and $40 at site. $10 off Jan. 30-31, Florida
to (make checks payable to SACA): SACA, Attn: Tucson Open, PO Box 42407, pre-entry or at site for players new to Land of the Sky. Family discount: first
Tucson, AZ 85733 or at site. HR: $99 (single/double), $109 (jr. suite), or $129 member full EF, $20 off each additional (immediate family only, d/n apply to tro- North Florida Classic Chess Championships
(suite) if by 1/8, mention SACA. INFO: Karen Pennock, 520-975-3946, email: phy entries). Players under 18: Trophy only-$20, pre or at site, no discounts, 5SS, G/90. Price-Martin Center, 220 N 11th Street, Palatka, Florida. $500 to
[email protected], web: www.sazchess.org. NC. NS. W. WCL JGP. if playing for money $10 off pre or at site EF. One discount per player. Visa & First Place Unconditionally Guaranteed. 2nd Place $ 250, 3rd $ 125, Top

U1800, U1600, U1400, U1200/UNR Each $ 150. First Place Fully Guaranteed,
other prizes based on entries (b/38) More Entries Mean More Prize Money! EF:
$37 if by Sep 30, $45 if by Nov 30, $ 50 at Site. USCF Rated. TD Ben Cody & Jim
Hedge. Reg ends 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Rounds: 10-1:30-5, Sunday 11-3. Cham-
pionshipTrophy to First,Trophies toTop each class listed above. 5-SecondTime
Delay permitted. NS NC W. Advance Entries: Jim Hedge, 4502 Pontiac Street,
Palatka, FL 32177. www.palatkachessclub.com, [email protected],
(386) 972-4225. Sponsored by The Palatka Chess Club and the City of Palatka.
Contact us for special rates Before you book Hotel rooms. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!

Jan. 30-31, New Hampshire
34th Queen City Open

4SS, 40/100, SD/1. Comfort Inn, exit 4 (Queen City Bridge) off I-293, Manches-
ter, NH. 603-668-2600. HR: $80, mention NH Chess, reserve early. $$2,225
b/65, 75% Gtd. 4 sections: Open: EF: $42 by 1/28, GMs/IMs free. $300-200-
100, U2100 $125-75. U1900: $150-100-75, U1750 $100-50. No Unr. may win
over $75. U1600: $150-100-75, U1450 $100-50. No Unr. may win over $75.
U1300: $150-100-75, U1000 $100-50. No Unr. may win over $75. All: EF: $42
by 1/28. Special EF for jrs U21 in U1300 section only, $26 if by 1/28. Sunday
Swiss (1/31 only). 3SS, G/60. EF: $25 if by 1/28. $$80-50-30 (b/8). Sun. Swiss
Reg.: 9:30-10:30am Sunday, Rds.: 11-1:30-4. All EF: $6 more if at site.Two-day
Reg: 8:30-9:30am Sat., Rds: 10-3:30, 9:30-3.One 1/2 pt. bye OK for Rds.1-3 if
recd with ent. Ent: NH Chess Assoc., Hal Terrie, 377 Huse Rd. #23, Manches-
ter, NH 03103. Info: 603-668-8368 or [email protected]. W. WCL JGP.

Jan. 31, California Southern
2010 Westwood Winter Open

5-SS, G/40. Los Angeles Chess Club, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025,
2nd floor (4 blocks West of 405 Fwy). $$1500 b/50, 80% of each prize
guaranteed. In two sections: Open: $400-200-50, U2200 125, U2000 125.
Reserve (U1800): $$200-125, U1600 $100, Under 1400/unrated $100, U1200
$75. EF: $48 if received by 1/30, $55 at site. SCCF memb. ($18, under 18 $10)
req. for rated S. CA residents. No checks or credit cards at site. Half point byes:
limit 1, must be req. w/entry. Reg.: 9-9:45 a.m. Rds.: 10-11:30-1:30-3:15-4:45.
2 Free Parking lots on the SW corner of Santa Monica & Purdue, or in the build-
ing basement ($3). Inf: [email protected]. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery,
835 N. Wilton Place #1, Los Angeles, CA 90038. On-line entry: www.western
chess.com. State Championship Qualifier.

Jan. 31, New York
Grandmaster Challenge (QC)

6-SS G/25 (G/20, D/5). Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC: 212-477-3716, lim-
ited to first 64 entries. EF: $35 over 55/under 18, $45 others, $10 less to
Marshall members (free buffet for participants.) GMs free, $25 deducted from
prize. Reg. ends 11:45 am. G$$350-250-150-100-75-50, $100 U2400, $100
U2200, $75 U2000, $50 U1800, top over 55$=age, top under 18 $=3x age, top
scoring female ($=# of players.) Rds.: 12-1:15-2:30-4:00-5:15-6:30. Byes:
limit 2, request before Round 3. Quick rated; regular ratings used for pairing
and prize purposes. Additional class prize $500 2800+, $250 2700+.
A Heritage Event!

Feb. 5-7, Bermuda
2010 Bermuda International Open

5SS, 40/2, G/1. FIDE. Fairmont Southampton Resort & C.C. Feb 4 (Thurs.): Cock-
tail reception 6:00 followed by 8 pm Blitz tournament. Rounds: Friday 8pm,
Sat./Sun. 9am, 3pm. Closing party: Sun. 7:30pm Buffet dinner, open bar, free
for all players and spouses. Coffee/pastry served during rds. S & S. Prize fund
Gtd. $5000: Open $1000 (plus airfare NEast and hotel room for 2011), $800,
$600, $400, $200. U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600 all $250, $150, $100. Top
non-titled also wins airfare from NEast and hotel for 2011. EF: $100, payable
on site cash pls. Free to GMs, IMs, $100 deducted from prize. Sets provided,
bring clock. Fairmont Southampton, (866) 540-4497 chess rate $179+tx
(reduced from previous $199). More info contact: [email protected]
or Chief Arbiter [email protected]. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!

Feb. 5-7, South Carolina
36th Snowstorm Special

5SS, 35/90, SD/1 (2 day schedule rd. 1 G/90). Best Western Charleston-
Downtown, 250 Spring St., Charleston, SC 29403. EF: $60 if recd by 2/03, $70
at site, $35 re-entry. USCF & SCCA memberships reqd, OSA, $$1,600 b/40
($800 Gtd.), One section, Open to all. Prizes: $400-200-100, Top
Expert,A,B,C,D,E&under - 1st-$100, 2nd-$50 (Unrateds will be based on perf.
rating after 4th rd.). 3 day schedule: Reg:-Fri.6-7pm, Rds.: 8, 2-8, 9-2:30. 2
day schedule: Reg.- Fri. 6-7pm, Sat. 8-9am, Rd. 1: 10am, then merge with 3
day schedule. Half pt. byes: avail. all rds., must commit before Rd. 2 for Rds.
4&5 (irrevocable) HR: $74.99 (mention Snowstorm Special) reserve by Jan.
29, 2010 (843-722-4000 or toll free 1-888-377-2121) Other info: Free entry to
Masters and above; $60 deducted from any winnings. Info/Reg/Pmt: Charleston
Chess Club c/o David Y. Causey, 741 Dragoon Dr., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
(email: [email protected]) (Please indicate whether playing in 2 or 3 day sched-
ule when registering.) WCL JGP.

Feb. 6, New York
23rd Annual Super Saturday in New York!

5-SS, G/30. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 W 10 St., bet. 5-6 Ave., NYC:
845-569-9969. EF: $40, Club membs $30, GMs free ($25 from prize), specified
Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free! $$ 920 b/46 paid entries, minimum
half each prize Gtd: $$ 300-200-115, top U2200/unr. $125, U2000 $100, U1800
$80. Limit 2 byes, commit by 1:30 pm. Re-entry $20. CCA ratings may be used.
12-1:30-2:45-4-5:20 pm. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Online entry at
www.chesscenter.cc thru 2/4; $10 extra to enter by phone.
A Heritage Event!

Feb. 6-7, Alabama
Queen of Hearts - 38th Annual

5SS, TC: 30/90; SD/30. AUM Taylor Center, 7440 East Drive, Montgomery,
AL 36117. OPEN ($900 b/25; PF: 50% GTD): $300-200-150-A: $150-U1800:

Tournament Life
$100; RESERVE ($725 b/25; PF: 50% GTD): $250-150-125-E: $125-U1000: day Sched: Reg. Fri. 5:30-7pm, Rds. Fri. 8pm; Sat. 11-6:30, Sun. 9:30-2:30. 2- to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNY
$75. Late REG.: FEB 6th, 8-8:40am. Rds: 9-2-7; 9-3. EF: $40, if mailed by JAN day Sched: Reg. Sat. 8:30-10am, (Rds 1 & 2, G/75) Sat. 11-2:30-6:30, Sun. at MCC Thursday 4 Rated Games Tonight! since the prior months Masters) EF:
30th; $50 at site. SCHOLASTIC (K-12): 5SS, TC: G/40. AMATEUR (600-999), 9:30-2:30. Both schedules merge at Rd. 3. Schol. Sched: (All 5 rds G/30 $40, members $30, GMs $10 (returned on completion of tournament).Top three
PREMIER (UNR-599) and NOVICE (Not Rated): EF: $20/$10, If mailed by one day only, Sat., Feb. 13). Reg. Sat. 8:30-9:30am, Rd. 1 at 10am; Other rds prizes guaranteed. $$G 250-150-100. Top U2400 and Top 2300 prizes. Spe-
JAN 30th, $30/$20 at site. Trophy: Top 3; Medals 4th-6th and Top Team will follow immediately. Byes: Avail. all Rds. (commit before Rd. 3). HR: $89 for cial prize for biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45PM. One
Trophy each section. Rds: 9-10:30-12:30-2, 3:30. Checks payable to: Mont- single or double; $99 for triple; $109 for quad (281-333-9300), reserve by Jan. bye available, rds. 1 or 4 only; declare at registration.
gomery Chess Club. ENT: Montgomery Chess Club, 2624 Burkelaun Drive, 29 and mention Cajun Chess tournament to assure group rate. ENT: On-line reg-
Feb. 18. New York
Montgomery, AL 36111. Info: [email protected], www.alabama istration and printable entry form at www.cajunchess.com, or mail entry form
chess.com. WCL JGP. to: Franc Guadalupe, 305 Willow Pointe Dr., League City,TX 77573. Info or Phone 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
Ent: 713-530-7820 or 504-905-2971. Major credit cards accepted (no checks
Feb. 7, New Jersey 4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 West 10 St., bet. 5-6 Ave.,
at site). FIDE. WCL JGP. NYC: 212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), spec-

ICA Winter 2010 Open Championship Feb. 13-14, Virginia ified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may
Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601. OpenTo All Ages be limited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105,
With Rating >1400 4SS, G/60. U. S. Chess Federation Membership Required, Kingstowne Chess Festival U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA
Prize Fund ($$ b/40) 1st - 3rd $300, $250, $200, U2000, U1800, U1600 each Kingstowne Snyder Center, 6450 S. Van Dorn St., Alexandria, VA 22315. 4 ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game.
$100. Best Under 13 Years Old $75, Best Over 65 Years Old $75. Prize Fund Will Sections. Open (FIDE-rated): 4SS 40/100, SD/60. EF: $40 if received by 2/10, Rds 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible!
Not Be Reduced Below 70 %. Reg Ends at 9 AM Late Entrants Will Receive 1/2 $50 at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $84 if received by 2/10, $94 at A Heritage Event!
Point Bye For Rnd 1. EF: Adv (pmk. By Feb 3rd) $40, AT Site $45. GMs Free Entry.
site. Prizes $$1000G: $400-250-125. U2000, U1800, Unr. each $75. Rds.: 11- Feb. 19-21, 20-21 or 21, Minnesota
INFO: 201-287-0250 or 201-833-1741, Email: [email protected] (Web Site 5, 10-4. Amateur (U1800-unr.): 5SS G/100. EF: $20 if received by 2/10, $30
Entries: www.icanj.net). Rds.: 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM. ENT: Make at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $64 if received by 2/10, $74 at site. 117th Warren Stenberg Memorial Annual Minnesota Open
EF and/or USCF Membership checks payableTo: International Chess Academy. Prizes $$500 b/32: $180-100-70. U1600-U1400-Unr. each $50. No unrated may Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth, MN
Mail to: DianaTulman, 28 Canterbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. NS, NC, W. win more than $150. Rds.: 11-3-7, 11:30-4. Booster (U1600-unr.): 5SS G/100. 55441. In 5 Sections, Premier: Open to All. 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, 5 sec. delay (2-

Feb. 12-14, Texas EF: $15 if received by 2/10, $25 at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $59 day option rds 1-2 G/90), EF: $65 (3-day option) or $64 (2-day option) by
if received by 2/10, $69 at site. Prizes $$370 b/32: $150-80-50. U1400- 2/12; $75 on site. $$b/35: $500-300-150. U2200, U2100 each $125. Amateur
South Houston Open U1200-Unr. each $30. No unrated may win more than $100. Rds.: 11-3-7, (U2000): 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, 5 sec. delay (2-day option rds 1-2 G/90). Open to
5SS, G/120, FIDE rated. Free entry for GMs and IMs (EF deducted from win- 11:30-4. Novice (U1400-unr.): 6SS G/75. EF: $10 if received by 2/10, $18 at 1999 & under. EF: $55 (3-day option) or $54 (2-day option) by 2/12; $65 on site.
nings). SIDE EVENTS: (Schol.Team & Ind., 5SS, G/30, 1-day only, Sat. Feb. 13th); site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $54 if received by 2/10, $62 at site. Prizes $$b/35: $400-250-125. U1900, U1800 each $100. Reserve (U1700): 6SS,
5-min. Blitz CAJUN KNOCK-OUT (Sat. night after Rd. 3). Separate room for $$285 b/32: $100-70-40. U1200-U1000-Unr. each $25. No unrated may win more Game/2, 5 sec. delay (2-day option rds 1-2 G/60), Open to 1699 & under. EF:
schol. Players - A trophy or medal will be awarded to each schol. player. Hilton than $80. Rds.: 11-2-5-8, 12:30-4. All: One half-point bye allowed in Open, two $50 (3-day option) or $49 (2-day option) by 2/12; $60 on site. $$b/40: $350-
Houston NASA Clear Lake, 3000 NASA Road One, Houston (281-333-9300). 5 in other sections. Last-round bye must commit by end of play Sat. and irrevo- 175-100. U1600, U1500, U1400 each $75. Sophomore (U1400): 6SS, Game/2,
Sects. PRIZES: $10,000 b/200 paid ent. OPEN: $1400-800-500-300-200; cable. Reg.: 9:30-10:45. Ent (checks payable to): Don W. Millican, P.O. Box 2902, 5 sec. delay (2-day option rds 1-2 G/60), Open to 1399 & under. EF: $40 (3-day
U2200: $700-400; U2000: $800-400-200-100-50; U1800: $800-400-200-100- Springfield, VA 22152. e-mail (info only): [email protected]. FIDE. W. option) or $39 (2-day option) by 2/12; $50 on site. $$b/45: $300-150-75.
50; U1600/Unr*: $800-400-200-100-50; U1300: $400-300-200-100-50. *Unrated WCL JGP. U1300, U1200, U1100 each $60. Bantam (U1100): 6SS, Game/2, 5 sec. delay
(2-day option rds 1-2 G/60), Open to 1099 & under. EF: $35 (3-day option) or
players may only win 50% of the prize fund except in the Open Sect. where they Feb. 13-15, Oklahoma
must pay full EF and are eligible for full prize fund. Schol. Sects. (Team & Indi- $34 (2-day option) by 2/12; $45 on site. $$b/42: $250-100-50. U1000, U900
vidual): K-2, K-5, K-8, K-12. Prizes:Trophies to top 5 individuals & top 3 teams Jerry Hanken FIDE Winter Open each $50. ALL: MSCA Memb. Reqd: $18. OSA. Class prizes based on 5 per
in each section (more ind. trophies depending on attendance). Every non-tro- 7-SS, G/90+30 sec, Quality Inn, 2515 W. 6th Ave (Hwy-51) Stillwater, OK 1- class. Ratings based on February 2010 Supplement. Discounted EF must be
phy winner receives a souvenir chess medal.Teams may have as many players received by 2/12/2010, please specify 3-day or 2-day option. 3-day option
405-372-0800. HR: 70-70-70. One section open to all. EF: $40 if postmarked
as they wish from the same school in the same section but must have a min- schedule: On site Reg.: 5-6pm Fri, Feb 19. Rnds.: Premier and Amateur: Fri
or received by cash or ck before Feb 10, $50 at door. $10 OCF membership
imum of 3 players to be considered a team; the top 3 scores will count for final 7; Sat 10-4:30; Sun 10-4:30; Reserve, Sophomore, and Bantam: Fri 7; Sat 10-
required from all players. Reg.: Sat 10:30-11:45; Rds.: Sat 12, 4:30, Sun 9-1:15-
team score. Scholastic players may play in both adult and scholastic tourna- 2:30-7.; Sun 10-3. 2-day option schedule: On site Reg.: 8-8:30am Sat, Feb
5:30, Mon 9-1:30. $$G 2,450 will not be lowered. $$G, $400, 300, 200. $$G
ments by registering for both tournaments and taking a bye for Rd. 2 in the adult 20. Rnds.: Premier and Amateur: Sat 9-1-4:30, Sun 10-4:30; Reserve, Soph-
$300 each class ($150-100-50) Ex,A,B,C,D & below. Unr. competes in D &
tournament. USCF-recommended computer tiebreaks will decide trophy and omore, and Bantam: Sat 9-11:30-2:30-7; Sun 10-3. 2 Side Events: Saturday
below. $50 - upset, One (1) half pt bye rds 3-7. Free Parking. Ent: Frank Berry,
medal placements for winners of all schol. sections. Free chess clock to player Non-rated Beginners Tournament: Open to players rated below 800 or
402 S. Willis, Stillwater, OK 74074. 1-405-372-5758. [email protected] NC,
who travels farthest to tourn. in both adult and schol. tournaments. CAJUN unrated, who have never won a membership at a Novice tournament. EF:
CMV, LS, W, USCF, OCF, FIDE. WCL JGP. $15. Prizes: 1st, 2nd, 3rd all get trophies. All players who score 4 out of 5 points
BOUNTY: Defeat the top ranked player and win free entry to our next tourna-

ment! EF: $79 by 2/10; $89 at site; Unr. (U1600) and Jrs. (under 19 yrs of age Feb. 16, New York receive USCF and MSCA memberships. Reg.: 10-10:30 Sat, Feb 20. Rnds.: Sat
and playing in U1300 or U1600 Sections) $49 by 2/10; $59 at site. Schol. EF: (approx): 11-12:15-1:30-3:15-4:30. Sunday Tornado: EF: $15 by 2/12/2010:
$20 by 2/10; $25 at site; Re-Entry Fee: $25 (avail. up to Rd. 4 - in all sections; Marshall Masters (formerly the St. Johns Masters) $20 at site. $$b/14: $100-50. $50 for the top player in the lower rating half.
3 re-entries or 2 Jr. entries count as one additional entry for prize fund). 3- 4SS. G/30.ThirdTues. of every month. 23 W. 10th St., NYC 212 477-3716. Open Reg.: Sun 9-9:45. Rnds.: Sun (approx): 10-12:30-3:00-6:30. ENT: MSCA, PO

Box 582754, Minneapolis, MN 55458-2754. INFO: Shu Lee shuman.lee@ Refunds will be given only up to 2/17 with a $10 surcharge for withdrawing, Marshall members (free buffet to participants) GMs free, $25 deducted from
gmail.com. HR: $89 special rate at the Radisson. Send email to shuman. after 2/17 there will be no refunds. There will be no substitution of team prize. Reg. ends 11:45 AM. G$$350-250-150-100-75-50, $100 U2400, $100
lee@gmail. com to check on availability and make reservations (763) 559-6600, members. There will be a $10 change fee for changes after 2/17. There will U2200, $75 U2000, $50 U1800, top over 55 $=age, top under 18 $= 3x age,
Reservations 1-800-395-7046 US/CanadaToll-free Radisson Hotel and Confer- be a $5 surcharge per player for phone registrations. USCF membership is top scoring female $=# of players. Rds.: 12-1:20-2:40-4-5:20-6:40. (NOTE
ence Center, 3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth, Minnesota 55441. Round one start required. Proof of membership is required or player must join/renew their mem- CHANGE) Byes: limit 2, request before Round 3. Additional class prize $500
time is approximate. It will begin at the conclusion of the General Mem- berships. No registration/ changes/or withdrawals after 2/17/10. After that 2800+, $250 2700+.
bership Meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. on Friday evening. NS NC W. WCL date you must make changes at site (Sheraton Dallas North). February Sup-
JGP. plement will be used. Chess In Education Conference for coaches, teachers and
A State Championship Event!

Mar. 5, Pennsylvania
administrators, contact [email protected] for more info. Tourna-
Feb. 19-Mar. 19, New York
ment Info: Barbara Swafford, 214.632.9000 please do not call after 2/17,
[email protected]. Website: www.swchess.com. NS. NC. W. FIDE. WCL
2010 PA Quick Chess Championship (QC)
Queens Late Winter Open 6SS, G/10, T/D3. Hotel Carlisle & Embers Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg
JGP.
5-SS, G/120. All Saints Lutheran Church, 164-02 Goethals Avenue, Jamaica, NY Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit 52A NB/Exit 52 SB off I-81, Exit 226 off PA Turn-

11432. EF: $35 advance, $40 at site, $5 less to QCC members. $$200-$100 gtd Feb. 20, Pennsylvania pike. 3 sections, EF recd by 2/16: Open: $12. U1500: $10. U1100: $8. $$ (730G):
to top 2, more per entries. Up to two 1/2 pt byes ok with advance notice (byes Open: 175-100-50, U1800 $45, U1600 $40. U1500: 125-75-50, U1200 $40, Unr
for Rounds 4 and/or 5 must be declared before Round 3). REG.: 7:30-8:00. RDS.: 2010 Presidents Week LVCA Grand Prix $30. U1100: Trophies: 1-5, U800, U600, 1-2 Unr. All: EF: $20 after 2/16, PSCF
8:15 each Friday. ENT: (mail by 2/12) Ed Frumkin, 445 E. 14th St. #10D, NYC 4SS, G/90. St. James Church, 11th & Tilghman Sts., Allentown, PA 18102. $5 OSA. Reg.: 6-6:30pm. Rd 1: 7pm. Feb 2010 Regular ratings used. Bye: limit
10009 (212-677-3224 before 10 pm - do not call on Friday). WCL JGP. EF: $40, LVCA Members $30, $$200-100 guaranteed to top 2, more per paid 1, ask by rd 2. HR: Mention PA States for best rate; 800-692-7315 $75. Ent:
entries. FREE ENTRY TO UNRATEDS, if paying 1 year USCF Dues. Up to two PSCF, c/oTom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. Info: mar-
Feb. 20, New York 1/2 pt byes (if declared before round 3). REG.: Ends 10am. RDS.: 10:30-1:30- [email protected]. 412-908-0286. W.
4:45-7:45. Ent/Info:Check payable:Bruce Davis, 1208 Linden St., Fl 1, Bethlehem,

New York February Action! PA 18018. or call 610-625-0467 or [email protected]/. WCL JGP. Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, Massachusetts
5-SS, G/30. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 W. 10 St., bet. 5-6 Ave., NYC:
845-569-9969. EF: $40, Club membs $30, GMs free ($25 from prize), specified Feb. 26-28, New York 19th annual Eastern Class Championships
Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free! $$ 840 b/42 paid entries, minimum 5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Under 900 Section is 6 rounds
half each prize Gtd: $$ 300-200-115, top U2200/unr. $125, U2000 $100. Limit 4th annual Saratoga Open
playing March 6-7 only, G/75. Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, 366 Main St., Sturbridge,
2 byes, commit by 1:30. Re-entry $20. CCA ratings may be used. Rds. 12-1:30- 5SS, 30/90, SD/1, Saratoga Hilton Hotel, 534 Broadway (I-87 Exit 13-N, 4 miles
MA 01566 (I-84 Exit 3, near I-90). Free parking. $$ 20,000 based on 250 paid
2:45-4-5:20 pm. Reg. ends 15 min. before game. Online entry at www.chess north on US 9), Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. $$G 1200. In 2 sections: Open:
entries (re-entries count half, U900 one-third), minimum $12,000 (60% of each
center.cc thru 2/18; $10 extra to enter by phone! $$ 300-150-70, U2200 120, U2000 100. Under 1800/Unr: $$ 150-90-50, U1600
100, U1400 70. EF: $52 mailed by 2/19, $53 online at chesstour.com by 2/23, prize) guaranteed. In 8 sections: Master (2200/up): $2000-1000-500-300,

Feb. 20-21, Texas $55 phoned by 2/23, $65 at site. Reg. ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11-4:30, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Expert
Sun 9-2:30. Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 2. HR: $117- (2000-2199): $1400-700-400-300. Class A (1800-1999): $1400-700-400-300.
Southwest Collegiate Championships 117, 888-999-4711, 518-584-4000, reserve by 2/13 or rate may increase. 48 Class B: $1400-700-400-300. Class C (1400-1599): $1200-600-300-200. Class
5-SS, G/90 with 30 sec inc. Sheraton Dallas North (Formerly Adams Mark), 400 hours notice required for room cancellation. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box D (1200-1399): $1200-600-300-200. Class E (Under 1200): $800-400-200-
North Olive Street, Dallas, TX 75201. HR: $105-$105-$105-$105, 888-627- 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chess- 100. Under 900: $200-100-60-40. Rated players may play up one section.
8191, MentionTexas Chess Association to get Hotel Chess Rate. One night hotel tour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP. Unrated may enter U900 through A, with prize limits: U900 $100, E $200, D
deposit may be required. Open to any college student or team. Top 4 count for $300, C $400, B $500, A $600. Balance goes to next player(s) in line. EF: 3-day

team score. USCF membership required. EF: $49 by 2/11/10, $69 thereafter. Feb. 27-28, Florida $108, 2-day $107 mailed by 2/25, all $109 online at chesstour.com by 3/2, $110
Dont mail after 2/14, entry may not be received. Online/Credit Card registra- phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/2 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. GMs
tion link at www.swchess.com Note that active.com charges a small fee. Reg.: Central Florida Chess Club Championship free, $90 deducted from prize. Class E EF: All $20 less. Under 900 EF: all $70
Fri 7-9 pm, Sat 7-7:45am. Saturday registrants may receive a 1st rd. 1/2 pt. 5SS, G/120. Orlando Chess & Games Ctr, 8751 Commodity Cir., Suite 4, less. No checks at site, credit cards OK. All: Unofficial uschess.org ratings based
bye. One 1/2 pt. bye allowed if requested by end of rd. 2. Rds.: Sat 9-1:30-6, Orlando, 32819. EF: $40. CFCC mem req @ $25 ($15 Jr/Sr). $$G 600: 190- on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues
Sun 9-1:45. $$ $500-$250-$125, 1st U2000 $150, 1st U1600 $150, 1st U1200 100-70, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400 each 60, plaques (if mem as of Jan with Chess Life if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young
$150, Unrated eligible for U1200 prize. Plaques to top 10 Individuals, Plaques 27) to Club Champion, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, & top under Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry
to top 5Teams. Open Blitz Tourney: Open, Fri 2/19, 8:00 pm, $10, $$ Plaques age 16. Reg.: Sat 9:15am. Rds.: 10-2-6, 9-2. CFCC elections 1pm Sun. Ent: $60; not available in Master Section. MACA memb. ($12, under 18 $6) required
to Top 5 individual. Ent: Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX CFCC, 921 N. Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751. Info: (407) 629-6946 or for MA residents; WMCA accepted for western MA res. 3-day schedule:
76036. (Make Checks payable to Dallas Chess Club. One check can be sent for www.centralflchess.org. WCL JGP. Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg

multiple players.) Entries must include name, USCF ID or new/pending (include Feb. 28, New York ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-3:15. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends
a copy of the receipt), rating, USCF expiration date & school. All incomplete reg- Sat. 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-12:30-3:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Master
istrations will be charged the late EF, additionally there will be a $5 per player Grandmaster Challenge must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 800-582-3232, 508-
surcharge on registration received without payment, these players could pos- 6-SS G/30, (NOTE CHANGE). Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC 212 477-3716, 347-7393, request chess rate, reserve by 2/19 or rate may increase. Car
sibly not be paired for round 1 and not be paired until payment is received. limited to first 64 entries. EF $35 over 55/under 18, $45 others, $10 less to rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through

Tournament Life
chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Ques- Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for withdrawals. Advance entries posted $70,000 (70% of each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections: Open: $10000-5000-
tions: 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. $15 service at chesstour.com. WCL JGP. 2500-1300-1000-700-600-500-400-400, clear first bonus $200, FIDE 2300-2449
charge for refunds. WCL JGP. $3000-1500-700, FIDE Under 2300/Unr $3000-1500-700. If tie for first, top 2
Mar. 13-14, Louisiana
on tiebreak play speed game for title & bonus. FIDE rated. Under 2100,
A Heritage Event!
Under 1900, Under 1700: each $5000-3000-2000-1000-700-600-500-400-

Mar. 5-7, Virginia 2010 Louisiana Pro-Am
5-SS, G/2 (Round 1: G/90). Site: Holiday Inn New Orleans Westbank, 275 Whit- 300-300. Under 1500, Under 1300: each $4000-2000-1500-1000-700-600-500-
42nd Annual Virginia Open ney Ave., Gretna, LA 70053. EF: $50 if mailed by 3/6, $60 at site. LCA Memb. 400-300-300. Under 1000: $1000-600-400-300-250-200-150-100. Prize lim-
5SS, Rd1 G/2, Rds 2-5 40/2 SD/1. Crowne Plaza Tysons Corner, 1960 Chain reqd ($10 adult, $5 Schol.), OSA. Prizes: $1800 b/60, 50% Gtd. Two Sections: its: 1) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated as of 4/10 list may not win
Bridge Rd., McLean 22102. www.cptysonscorner.com. Chess room rates of $79 Pro (Open): $400-200; U2000 $200-100. Amateur (U1800): $250-100; U1600 over $500 in U1000, $1500 in U1300, or $2500 in U1500. Games rated too late
for Single and Double, reserve before Feb 27. Walk-up chess rate possible, but $200-100; U1400 $150; U1200/UNR $100. Reg.: 3/13, 8-9am. Rds.: Sat: 9:15- for 4/10 list not counted. 2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on
not guaranteed, reserve early!! No Outside Food allowed in Tournament Play- 1-5:30, Sun: 9:30-2. HR: $99, (504) 366-8535. Ent/Info: Adam Caveney, 1301 any USCF rating supplement 4/09-3/10, prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 life-
ing Room! See www.vachess.org/vaopen.htm for online link to register for hotel. Gen. Taylor St., New Orleans, LA 70115, [email protected], (504) 895- time games rated) cannot win over $200 in U1000, $400 U1300, $800 U1500,
$3400 inTwo Sections, Open and Amateur (U1900) Top 4 G in Open, rest based 4133 (evenings), (504) 615-6730 (on day of tourney). NS, NC. WCL JGP. $1200 U1700, $1600 U1900, or $2000 U2100. Unofficial uschess.org ratings
on 140. Open: $600-400-300-250 Top X,A Each $180. Winner also gets plaque based on 4 or more games used if otherwise unrated. 4) Balance of limited prize

Mar. 13-14 or 14, New York goes to next player(s) in line. Mailed EF: 5-day (Open only) $205, 4-day $204,
and title 2009 Virginia Open Champ. Amateur: $400-200-150,Top B,C,D, U1200
Each $160, Top Unrated $100. Amateur winner gets plaque and 2009 Virginia 3-day $203, 2-day $202 if mailed by 1/13; 5-day $225, 4-day $224, 3-day
March Open $223, 2-day $222 mailed by 3/23; all $250 at site. PSCF members may deduct
Open Amateur title. ALL: Reg: Friday 3/5 5:30p-7:45p Rds 8pm Friday, Sat. 10a- 4SS, 30/90, SD/1. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $45,
4:30p, Sunday 9a-3:30p. EF: $60 if received by Feb 28, $70 later and at site. $3 from mailed EF only. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online EF at
Members $25. $$625 Gtd: 250-100-75, U2200/Unrated $100, U 2000 $100. Reg. chesstour.com: $207 by 1/13, $227 by 3/29, $250 after 3/29 until 2 hours before
$5 discount to active military personnel. $35 Re/entry allowed From Rd 1 into ends 15 min. before game. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 PM each
Rd 2 only Sat. Reg: 9-9:45. One 1/2 point bye allowed with entry, declared before rd 1. Phone EF at 406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions): $210 by 1/13, $230
day; 1 day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both merge by 3/29. No phone entry after 3/29. GMs, foreign IMs, foreign WGMs free;
Rd 1 and then irrevokable. VCF membership required for Virginia residents ($10 rd.3. Limit 2 byes, commit at entry, NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 play-
Adults, $5 U19). Ent: Make checks payable to Virginia Chess and mail to: $150 deducted from prize. US WGMs $100; $120 deducted from prize. Special
ers. WCL JGP. EF: $100 less for Under 1000 section. $50 less to unrated in U1300 to U2100
Michael Atkins, PO Box 6138, Alexandria, VA 22306. Website: www.vachess.org/

vaopen.htm. [email protected] for questions, NO INTERNET or PHONE entries Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, North Carolina sections. $70 less to rated seniors 65/over in U1300 & above sections. Spe-
only NS, NC, W. FIDE. WCL JGP. cial 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com,
2010 U. S. Masters Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young

Mar. 6-7, Pennsylvania See Nationals. Adult $30. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from
Open Section to Open Section. 5-day schedule (Open only): Reg. ends Wed
2010 Carlisle Open & PA Collegiate Championship Mar. 19-21 or 20-21, Missouri 6 pm, rds. Wed. 7 pm,Thu 12 & 7, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day sched-
5SS, G/90, T/D5. Hotel Carlisle & Embers Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg ule: (U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11
Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit 52A NB/Exit 52 SB off I-81, Exit 226 off PA Turn- 14th annual Mid-America Open & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule (U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Fri 10 am,
pike. 2 sections: Open & U1500. $$ (1260G): Open: 180-120, U2200 $110, 5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Under 900 is 6 rounds playing rds Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U1300 to
U2000 $100, U1800 $90, U1600 $80. U1500: 150-100, U1400 $90, U1200 $85, March 20-21 only, G/75. Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Louis-Clayton, 7750 Carondelet U2100): Reg. ends Sat. 9 am, rds Sat. 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. Under
U1000 $80, Unr $75. All: College Tr: 1-2 in each section, 1-2 team (top 4 over Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105 (I-64 W/US 40-W Exit 32B, 1.2 miles north on Han- 1000 schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 9 am, rds. Sat. 10. 12. 2, 3:45, Sun. 10, 12, 2.
both sections). EF: $29 recd by 2/16, $39 after, PSCF $5 OSA. Reg.: 8:45-9:30 ley Rd). $$ 20,000 based on 250 paid entries (re-entries count half, U900 Section 4-day, 3-day, & 2-day merge & compete for same prizes. Byes: all; limit 4
am. Rds.: 10-2-5:30, 9-1. Feb 2010 ratings used. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd 2. HR: one-third), minimum $16,000 (80% of each prize) guaranteed. In 8 sections: (limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Bring
Mention PA States for best rate; 800-692-7315 $75. Ent: PSCF, c/oTom Mar- Open: $2000-1000-500-300, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: $93-93-93-93, 215-448-
tinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. Info: martinak_tom_m@ U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Under 2200: $1400-700-400-300. Under 2000: $1400- 2000, reserve by 3/23 or rate may increase. Parking $8/day with guest room,
hotmail.com. 412-908-0286. W. WCL JGP. 700-400-300. Under 1800: $1400-700-400-300. Under 1600: $1200-600-300- $15/day without; garage near hotel is about $10 on weekend. Car rentals: Avis,
200. Under 1400: $1200-600-300-200. Under 1200: $800-400-200-100. Under
Mar. 12-14 or 13-14, California Southern 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online at chesstour.com. For-
900: $200-100-60-40. Unrated may enter any section, with prize limits: U900 eign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200/more
$100, U1200 $200, U1400 $300, U1600 $400, U1800 $500, U2000 $600. Bal- to most other foreign, no points added to CFC, PR or Jamaica. Some foreign
17th annual Western Class Championships ance goes to next player(s) in line. EF: 3-day $108.50, 2-day $107.50 mailed
Note corrections: 5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75), Under 900 ratings not accepted for U1900 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually
by 3/9, all $109 online at chesstour.com by 3/16, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US
Section is 6 rounds. G/75 playing Mar 13-14 only. Renaissance Agoura Hills
by 3/16 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. GMs free, $90 deducted from player ratings: April list used; FIDE ratings used in Open Section. Unofficial
Hotel, 30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (US-101 to Reyes Adobe Road
prize. Under 1200 EF: All $20 less. Under 900 EF: all $70 less. All: No checks uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: Players
exit). Adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains, 26 miles west of Burbank, 12
at site, credit cards OK. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round
miles from Malibu, 28 miles from Ventura. Free parking. $$20,000 based on
usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life 3 or after, players with scores of 80% or over and their opponents may not use
230 paid entries (re-entries, U900 count as half entries), minimum $16,000 (80%
if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, headphones, earphones or cellphones or go to a different floor of the hotel with-
each prize) guaranteed. In 8 sections. Master (over 2199): $2000-1000-500-
phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry $60; not available out Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY
300, clear or tiebreak winner $100, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Expert
in Open Section. MCA memb. ($5) required for MO residents. 3-day sched- 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. You may request low-
(2000-2199): $1400-700-400-200. Class A (1800-1999): $1400-700-400-200.
ule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: est possible section if April rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds.
Class B (1600-1799): $1400-700-400-200. Class C (1400-1599): $1200-600-
Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-3:15. Under 900 schedule: Reg. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP (except U1000).
300-200. Class D (1200-1399): $1000-500-300-150. Class E (1000-1199):
ends Sat. 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-12:30-3:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Open
$1000-500-300-150. Under 900: $300-150-100-50. Rated players may play Apr. 2-4, Nevada
must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 888-303-1746, 314-
up one section. Unrated must play in A or below with maximum prize A $600,
726-5400, request chess rate, reserve by 3/3 or rate may increase. Car
B $500, C $400, D $300, E $200, U900 $100; balance goes lineto next player(s)
rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through 10th Annual Reno-Far West Open
in line. Top 7 sections EF: 3-day $113, 2-day $112 mailed by 3/4, all $115 online 6SS,40/2,20/1,G/1/2. Sands Regency Hotel/Casino, 345 N. Arlington Ave.
chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Ques-
at chesstour.com by 3/9, $120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/9 (entry only, no Reno, NV 89501.1-866-386-7829 or (775) 348-2200. $$21,200 b/250. $$14,200
tions: 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. $15 service
questions), $130 at site. Special EF: $60 less to unrated in A through E. $60 Gtd. (Prizes 1-10 in Open Section Gtd. plus 1/2 of all other prizes). Free Lec-
charge for refunds. WCL JGP.
less to all in Under 900. All: Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with ture & Analysis Clinic by GM Larry Evans! 5 Sections. Open (2000 & above)

entry: Online at chesstour.com. Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or Mar. 31-Apr. 4, Apr. 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4, Pennsylvania EF: $137, (1999 & below = $151) (GMs & IMs free but must enter by (3/13)
paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry (except Master) $60. SCCF or pay late fee). $$2,000-1,200-1000-800-600-400-300-300-300-300,
memb. ($18, jr $10) required for rated Southern CA residents. 3-day sched- Philadelphia Open (2399/below)- $1,000, (2299/below)- $1,000, (2199/below) -$1000-500-300-
ule: Reg. Fri to 6 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11-6, Sun 10-4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. Open Section, Mar 31-Apr 4: 9SS, 40/2, SD/1. GM & IM norms possible. 200 (If a tie for 1st then a playoff for $100 out of prize fund plus trophy). Sec.A
Sat to 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 10-4:15. U900 schedule: Reg Sat to 9:30 U1300 to U2100, Apr 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1- (1800-1999) EF: $136; $$1,000-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec.B (1600-
am, rds 10-1-4 each day. Byes: OK all rds, limit 2; Master must commit before 2 G/75, 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/40). U1000, April 3-4: 7SS, G/40. Sheraton 1799) EF: $135; $$900-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec.C (1400-1599) EF:
rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 818-707-1220, reserve by Mar 3 or rate City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19103. Prizes $100,000 $134; $$700-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec.D/under (1399-below) EF:
may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Questions: based on 650 paid entries (Seniors count as 3/4 entries; U1000 Section, re- $133; $$600-400-300-200-100-100-100;Top Senior (65+) -$200; Club Champ.-
chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury entries, GMs, WGMs & foreign IMs as half entries), else proportional, minimum $400-200. ALL: Entries must be postmarked by 3/13 or pay late fee-$11 until

3/26 (do not mail after 3/26), $22 at site. All classes have trophies 1st 3rd. EF: 3-day $88, 2-day $87 mailed by 4/15, all $89 online at chesstour.com by kee, I-94 east to Lake Cook Rd to US-45 south.) Free parking. $100,000 guar-
Unrated players are free entry but not eligible for cash prizes- must join USCF 4/20, $90 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 4/20 (entry only, no questions), $100 at anteed prize fund. In 7 sections. Open: $10000-5000-2500-1200-1000-700-600-
for 1 full year thru this tournament. 1st Unrated = trophy + 1 yr. USCF Mem. site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special EF for all in Class E Section 500-400-400, clear winner bonus $200, FIDE 2300-2449 $3000-1500- 700,
$10 discount to Seniors (65+ yrs.) & Juniors (19-under). Players may play up. and unrated in Class C or D: all $40 less. Special Radisson entry fee: $20 FIDE Under 2300/Unr $3000-1500-700. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play
Provisionally rated players may only win 1/2 of 1st place money. CCA ratings less if staying at Radisson with chess rate 4/24 (limit one deduction per guest speed game for title & bonus. FIDE rated. Under 2100, Under 1900, Under
may be used. Note: pairings not changed for color unless 3 in a row or a plus room). All: TCA memb. required for TN residents. GMs free, $70 deducted 1700: each $5000-3000-2000-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300. Under 1500,
3 and if the unlikely situation occurs 3 colors in a row may be assigned. SIDE from prize. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- online Under 1300: $4000-2000-1500-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300. Under 1000:
EVENTS:Thurs. (4/1) 6-7:15pm Free Lecture-GM Larry Evans; 7:30pm-GM YER- at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult $1000-600-400-300-300-300-200-200-200-200. Prize limits: 1) Players with
MOLINSKY Simul ($15); 7:30pm-Blitz (5 Min) tourney ($20) 80% entries = Prize $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry $50; not available in Master Section. Unofficial under 26 lifetime games rated through 5/10 list may not win over $500 U1000,
Fund. Sat. (4/3) (3-4:30pm) Free Game/Position Analysis - GM Larry Evans. ALL uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise $1500 U1300 or $2500 U1500. Games rated too late for 5/10 list not counted.
REG: (4/1) 5-9pm,(4/2) 9-10am. RDS: (Fri) 12-7, (Sat)10-6, (Sun)9:30-4:30. Byes unrated. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on any list 5/09-4/10, prize
available any round (if requested by Rd.1 2 max in Open sect.). ENT: make checks 9 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $200 in
payable and send to: SANDS REGENCY (address listed above), postmarked by 9-3:15. Bye: all, Master-Expert must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. U1000, $400 U1300, $800 U1500, $1200 U1700, $1600 U1900 or $2000 U2100.
3/13. $11 late fee if postmarked after 3/13 and before 3/26. Do not mail after HR: $92-92, 615-889-0800, 800-395-7046, ask for chess rate, reserve by 4/9 Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if oth-
3/26 or email after 3/31. $22 late fee at site. HR: (Sun-Thurs. $27!) (Fri. & Sat. or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. erwise unrated. 4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line.
$47!) + tax. 1-866-386-7829 mention (Code) CHESS410 (Reserve by 3/15/10) Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied. Ent: Continental Chess, Box Mailed EF: 5-day (Open only) $200, 4-day $199, 3-day $198, 2-day $197
to get Chess rate. INFO: Jerry Weikel, 6578 Valley Wood Dr., Reno, NV 89523, 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chess- mailed by 3/15; 5-day $220, 4-day $219, 3-day $218, 2-day $217 mailed by 5/19;
(775) 747-1405, [email protected] check out our website at: www.reno tour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP. all $250 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online EF at chess-
chess.org/fwo. To verify entry check website. WCL JGP. tour.com: $203 by 3/15, $223 by 5/24, $250 after 5/24 until 2 hours before rd
Apr. 29-May 27, Pennsylvania 1. Phone EF at 406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions): $205 by 3/15, $225
Apr. 16-18 or 17-18, Connecticut
by 5/24 (entry only, no questions). No phone entry after 5/24. GMs, foreign
2010 Hatboro Open IMs, foreign WGMs free; $150 deducted from prize. US WGMs $100; $120
Hartford Open 5-SS, 40/90, G/1.Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 151 W. County Line Road
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Sheraton Hotel, 1 Bradley Air- deducted from prize. Special EF: $50 less to unrated in U1000 to U2100 sec-
(near Blair Mill Road), Hatboro 19040. $$950 b/30. In one section: $400-200, tion. $70 less to rated seniors 65/over in U1300 & above sections. Under 1000
port (visible at airport entrance), Windsor Locks, CT 06096 (I-91 Exit 40 to Rt U1900 $100, U1700 $100, U1500 $100, Upset Prize $50. EF: $30 if postmarked
20). Free parking. $$ 15,000 based on 220 paid entries, $10,000 (2/3 each prize) EF: $82 if mailed by 5/19, $83 online at chesstour.com by 5/24, $85 phoned
by 4/8, $35 at site, $5 less to Chaturanga CC members. Write checks to Chat- to 406-896-2038 by 5/24 (entry only, no questions), $100 at site. No checks at
minimum guaranteed. U1105 Section & re-entries count as 60% entries uranga Chess Club. Reg.: 7-7:20pm. Rds.: 7:30pm each Thursday. Bye: limit
towards prize fund. In 7 sections. Open: $1500-700-500-300, top Under 2305 site, credit cards OK. ICA membership ($15, scholastic $10) required for rated
1, any round, must request before Round 3 starts. Ent/Info: Jorge Amador, POB Illinois residents. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry:
$800400. Under 2205: $1000-500-300-200. Under 2005: $1000-500-300-200. 387, Forest Grove, PA 18922, (215) 794-8368, [email protected]. NS, NC,
Under 1805: $1000-500-300-200. Under 1605: $1000-500-300-200. Under Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid
W. WCL JGP. at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from Open Sec-
1405: $800-400-300-200. Under 1105: $500-300-200-100. Unrated may not

win over $100 in U1105, $200 U1405, $300 U1605, $400 U1805, or $500 April 30-May 2 or May 1-2, Vermont tion to Open Section. 5-day schedule (Open only): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds
U2005. Prize limit $300 if official rating was 50 or more points over section Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 4-day sched-
or prize maximum on any list 4/08 to 3/09. Top 6 sections EF: 3-day $98, 2- 21st annual Vermont Resort Open ule (U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, Rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11
day $97 mailed by 4/8, all $99 online at chesstour.com by 4/14, $105 phoned 5 SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Lake Morey Resort, 1 Clubhouse & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: (U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Sat 10 am,
to 406-896-2038 by 4/14 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. Under 1105 Rd., Fairlee, VT 05045 (I-91 to Exit 15; less than a mile to the resort on Lake Rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U1300 to
Section EF: 3-day $58, 2-day $57 mailed by 4/8, all $59 online at chess- Morey Rd). 2 1/2 hours from Boston or Hartford, 1 hour 45 minutes from Man- U2100): Reg. ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. Above
tour.com by 4/14, $65 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 4/14 (entry only, no chester, NH, 20 minutes from Dartmouth College. 600 acre lake with boating, schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under 1000 schedule: Reg.
questions), $70 at site. $20 less to unrated in U1105 Section. All: No checks indoor pool, health club, tennis, basketball, biking, hiking, etc. $4000 guaran- ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45, Mon. 10, 12, 2. Byes: OK all, limit 4
at site, credit cards OK. GMs free, $80 deducted from prize. Mailed EF $3 less teed prizes. In 5 sections. Open: $500-300-200, top Under 2200/Unr $350-150. (limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Hotel
to CSCA or WMCA members. Re-entry $60; not available in Open Section. FIDE. Under 2000: $400-200-100. Under 1800: $400-200-100. Under 1600: rates: $98-98-98-98, 800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 5/14 or rate may
Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if oth- $300-150-100. Under 1400: $300-150-100. Unrated may enter any section but increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online
erwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- may not win over $80 in U1400, $160 in U1600 or $240 in U1800. EF: 3-day $73, through chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to
online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid 2-day $72 mailed by 4/22, all $75 online at chesstour.com by 4/28, $80 phoned FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200/more to most other foreign, no pts added to CFC or
at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. to 406-896-2038 by 4/28 (entry only, no questions), $85 at site. $50 less to Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U1900 or below. Highest of mul-
Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. 11- unrated. No checks at site, credit cards OK. GMs free; $60 deducted from prize. tiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings
2:30-6, 9-3:15. Bye: all, limit 2; must commit before rd 2. HR: $87-87, Re-entry $40, not available in Open. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess may be expelled. US player ratings: May official ratings used; May FIDE rat-
860-627-5311; reserve by 4/2 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331- Life if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. ings used for Open Section. Special rules: 1) Players must submit to a search
1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. 3-day schedule: Reg. for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 3 or after, players with
Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 9 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg scores of 80% or over and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones,
refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30, 6, Sun 9 & 3:15. Half point byes OK all, cellphones, or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission.
posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP. limit 2; must commit before rd 2. HR: $85-85-95, 800-423-1211, 802-333- Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: 845-
4311, reserve by 4/16 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600,
Apr. 23-25 or 24-25, Tennessee AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continen-
tal Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658,
9th Southern Class Championships www.chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. May ratings used. Advance
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Radisson Hotel at Opryland, 2401
entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
Music Valley Drive (TN-155 to West McGavock Pike Exit 12), Nashville, TN
37214. Free parking. Prizes $10,000 based on 160 paid entries (Class E, An American Classic!

unrated, & re-entries count as half entries), $7500 (minimum 75% each prize) May 27-31, 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31, Illinois
guaranteed. In 6 sections; no unrated allowed in Master-Expert. Master-
Expert (2000/up): $1000-500-300-150, clear win or first on tiebreak $50, top 19th annual Chicago Open
U2200 $700-400. FIDE. Class A (1800-1999/Unr): $800-400-200-100. Class Open Section, May 27-31: 9SS, 40/2, SD/1, GM & IM norms possible. Under
B (1600-1799/Unr): $800-400-200-100. Class C (1400-1599/Unr): $800-400- 1300 to Under 2100, May 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day
200-100. Class D (1200-1399/Unr): $700-400-200-100. Class E (Under option, rds 1-2 G/75; 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/40). Under 1000, May 30-31:
1200/Unr): $400-300-200-100. Rated players may play up one section. 7SS, G/40. Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave.,
Unrated prize limit $100 E, $200 D, $300 C, $400 B, $500 A. Top 5 sections Wheeling, IL 60090 (from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwau-
NATIONAL OPEN
June 11-13 or June 12-13
Las Vegas
INTERNATIONAL CHESS
FESTIVAL
www.VegasChessFestival.com

Tournament Life
496-9658, www.chesstour.com. You may request lowest possible section if Palatnik; free GM lectures 9 am 7/3 & 7/4. In 9 sections (Unrated eligible only $99-99, 610-337-1200 ask for chess rate. Special car rental rates: Avis,
May rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be for Open, Under 2400, Under 1400 or Under 900). Open: $20000-10000-5000- 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com.
posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP (except U1000). 2500-1200-1000-800-700-600-500, clear winner bonus $200, top FIDE U2500 Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 pts added to FIDE (except Open Section),
A Heritage Event! $2000-1000. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 11:30 pm 7/5 100 to FQE, 200 or more to most foreign, no pts added to CFC, Puerto Rico or
for title & bonus prize. GM & IM norms possible. FIDE rated. Under 2400/Unr:
Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U2000 or below. Highest of mul-
June 11-13 or 12-13, Nevada

$13000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600- 500, top U2300 $2000-1000. tiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings
2010 National Open IM norms may be possible. FIDE rated. Under 2200: $13000-7000-3000- may be expelled. US player ratings: Official JULY ratings used; FIDE ratings
See Nationals. 2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U2100 $2000-1000. Under 2000: (May list) used for Open Section only. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on
$13000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1900 $2000-1000. 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: 1) Play-
June 25-29, Pennsylvania Under 1800: $13000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1700 ers must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In
$2000-1000. Under 1600: $12000-6000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600- round 3 or after, players with scores over 80% and their opponents may not
4th annual Philadelphia International 500, top U1500 $2000-1000. Under 1400/Unr: $10000-5000-2500-1200-1000- use headphones, earphones, cellphones or go to a different floor of the hotel
9SS, 40/2, SD/1. Valley Forge Convention Center (and Scanticon & Radisson 900-800-700-600-500, top U1300 $1500-800, top Unrated $200-100, no unrated without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills,
Hotels), 1160 1st Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406. Free parking. $$G 7000: may win over $400. Unrateds may be paired against each other in later rounds, NY 12577. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. You may request
$2000-1200-800-600-400-300-200, top FIDE under 2300 or unrated $1000-500. even with different scores. Under 1200: $5000-2500-1200-1000-800-700- lowest possible section if July rating unknown. $15 service charge for
Minimum prize $600 to foreign GMs who complete all games with no byes, $300 600-500-400-300, top U1050 $1000-500. Under 900/Unr: $1000-600-400- refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Bring set, board, clock
to foreign IMs & foreign WGMs who complete all games with no byes. IM & 300-300-300-200-200-200-200, no unrated may win over $200. Prize limits: if possible- none supplied. WCL JGP (except U900).
GM norms possible; FIDE rated. EF: Free to GMs, foreign IMs, foreign WGMs; 1) Players with under 26 games played as of 7/10 list may not win over $500
$100 deducted from prize of US GMs. Foreign FIDE rated players $115 mailed in U900, $1500 in U1200, $3000 U1400 or U1600. Games rated too late for 7/10
by 6/16, $117 online by 6/23, $125 phoned by 6/23 (406-896-2038, payment
only, no questions), $150 at tmt. USA FIDE 2100/up rated players: $215 mailed
by 6/16, $217 online by 6/23, $225 phoned by 6/23, $250 at tmt. Others: $315
list not counted. 2) Players with official rating more than 30 points over sec-
tion maximum any month 7/09-6/10 have a prize limit of $2000. 3) Balance of Regional
any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. EF, if mailed by 2/17: 7-day
mailed by 6/16, $317 online by 6/23, $325 phoned by 6/23, $350 at tmt. All:
No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life:
$307, 5-day $305, 4-day $304, 3-day $303. Mailed by 5/15: 7-day $317, 5-day
$315, 4-day $314, 3-day $313. Mailed by 6/18: 7-day $327, 5-day $325, 4-day
Alabama
see World Open. Schedule: Late reg. ends Thu 10 am, rds Thu through Sun 11 $324, 3-day $323. At site: All $350; no checks, credit cards OK. Online entry Jan. 16, MLK Scholastic
& 6, Mon 11.Two half point byes available (must commit before rd 2); norm not at chesstour.com: $310 by 2/17, $320 by 5/15, $330 by 6/24, $350 after 6/24 5SS, TC: G/40, Kingwood Christian School, 1351 Royalty Dr, Alabaster,
possible if taking bye. HR: $99-99, 610-337-2000, reserve by 6/5 or rate may until 2 hours before rd 1. Phone entry at 406-896-2038: $315 by 2/17, $325 AL 35007. RATED: (K-12), (K-6); (K-3) EF: $20 and NOT RATED: (K-6) and
increase. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. Ent: Continen- by 5/15, $335 by 6/24 (entry only, no questions). No phone entries after 6/24. (K-3) - EF: $10, If mailed by JAN 9th; $30/$20 at site. Trophy: Top 3;
tal Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for GMs free; $200 EF deducted from prize. WGMs $100; $150 EF deducted from Medals 4th-6th and Team Top 2 ea section. Rds.: 9-10:30-12:30-2, 3:30.
refunds. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. Advance entries prize. EF $150 less to all in U1200 Section and rated seniors over 65 in Under Checks payable to: Caesar Chess. ENT: Caesar Chess LLC, 4524 Southlake Park-
posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP. 1400 & above. Under 900/Unr Section EF: $78 if mailed by 6/17, $80 online way, Suite 34 PMB 310, Birmingham, AL 35244. Info: [email protected].
A Heritage Event! at chesstour.com by 6/24, $85 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 6/24 (entry only, no
Feb. 6-7, Queen of Hearts - 38th Annual
An American Classic! questions), $100 at site. Special EF to unrated in U900 or U1400 Sections:
See Grand Prix.
June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, Pennsylvania $28 mailed by 6/17, $30 online at chesstour.com by 6/24, $35 phoned to 406-
896-2038 by 6/24 (entry only, no questions), $40 at site. No checks at site; Apr. 23-25 or 24-25, 9th Southern Class Championships (TN)
38th Annual World Open credit cards OK. Re-entry: $160, no re-entry from Open to Open. $20 fee for See Grand Prix.
9 SS, 40/2, SD/1 (4-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, 3-day option, rds 1-5 G/45), Open switching section after 6/30. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid
Section plays 5-day July 1-5 or 7-day June 29-July 5 only. Under 900/Unr Sec-
tion plays separate 3-day schedule July 3-5 only, G/45. Valley Forge
with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed,
phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. 5-day schedule: Thu 7 pm,
Arizona
Convention Plaza (and Scanticon & Radisson Hotels), 1160 1st Ave., King Fri 11 am & 6 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 11 am & 6 pm, Mon 10 am & 5 pm. Every Friday - Friday Night Action
of Prussia, PA 19406. Free parking. 20 miles west of Philadelphia (PA Turnpike 7-day schedule: Tue-Thu each 7 pm, Fri-Sat each 6 pm, Sun 11 am & 6 pm, SS G/30, Every Friday, Rounds 7, 8, 9, 10pm. Chess Emporium, 10801 N. 32nd
to I-76 East to Exit 327, right on N Gulph Rd, right on 1st Ave, or from Philadel- Mon 10 am & 5 pm. 4-day schedule: Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & St., Phoenix, AZ 85029. EF: $35. 82% prize fund. ChessEmporium.com. 602-482-
phia, I-76 West to Exit 328B-A, right on Mall Blvd, right on N. Gulph Rd., right 6, Mon 10 & 5. 3-day schedule: Sat 11, 1:30, 3:30, 6 & 8:30, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 4867.
on 1st Ave.). For shuttle info from Philadelphia Airport or 30th St train station, 10 & 5. All schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under 900/Unr
call 800-559-2040 or 215-616-5370. All play in same room (brightly lighted exhibit
Every Tuesday - Tuesday Night Action
schedule: Sat 1:30, 3:30 & 6, Sun 11, 1:30, 3:30 & 6, Mon 10 & 12:30. Half SS 45/2 SD/1, 1 round every Tuesday of the month at 7pm. Registration first
hall with capacity 1800 players). Radisson and Scanticon hotels are connected point byes OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd Tues. of month. Chess Emporium, 10801 N 32nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85029. EF: $35.
to Convention Plaza. Prizes $250,000 based on 1100 paid entries (seniors, re- 2, others before rd 5. Entries, re-entries close 1 hour before your first game. 60% prize fund. ChessEmporium.com. 602-482-4867. WCL JGP.
entries, U1200 Section, GMs, WGMs count as 50% entries, rated players in U900 Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: Scanticon or
as 25% entries, Unrated in U900 or U1400 not counted), $175,000 minimum Radisson $99-99, 610-337-2000, 888-267-1500 ask for chess rate, may sell out Jan. 22-24 or 23-24, Tucson Open and Scholastics
(70% of each prize) guaranteed. Free analysis of your games by GM Sam about May 25, two night minimum July 3-4. Backup hotel: Dolce (formerly Hilton), See Grand Prix.

Mar. 12-14 or 13-14, 17th annual Western Class Championships 90211. Prizes: Trophies, medals, & gift certificates. Reg.: 12-12:45 pm. Jan. 31, 2010 Westwood Winter Open
(CA-S) Rounds: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 pm. Complimentary Lecture 11- 12 pm. Lunch: $5 Pizza See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix. & Soda. Web Site: www.bhchessclub.com. Info: Robert Minoofar, 888-91-
CHESS, 888-912-4377 or email us: [email protected]. Feb. 6 & 20, Beverly Hills SATURDAY Scholastic Tournament (K-12)
May 29-31, 2010 U.S. Amateur West Championship 5SS, G/30. BHCC, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. EF:
See Nationals. Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, LACC LA Masters G/15 (QC) $20 if received one week in advance, $25 after, $30 at site (Siblings $5 off). Mail
5SS, G/15. LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Floor. 4 blocks 405 checks to Beverly Hills Chess Club. Prizes:Trophies, medals, & gift cert. Reg.:
California Northern West. EF: $30 ($20 LACC memb). Reg.: 6-6:30 pm. Rds.: 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30. 12-12:45 pm. Rnds.: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 pm. Comp. Lecture 11-12 pm. Lunch: $5
Prizes: 3/4 EF. Q-rated. Free BOA or street parking; or underground ($3). Pizza & Soda. www.bhchessclub.com. Info: Robert Minoofar, 888-91-CHESS
Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, Golden State Open
See Grand Prix. Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, LACC Saturday G/60 (24377), or 310-274-7873, [email protected].
3SS, G/60. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks W 405. EF: $20
Jan. 23, Visalia Chess for Kids Feb. 13-15, 27th Annual U.S. Amateur Team West
($15 LACC memb). Reg.: 11:30-12 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4. Prizes: 1/2 EF. Parking: See Nationals.
Freedom Elementary, 575 E. Citrus, Farmersville, CA 93223. In 3 Sections, 9-
2 Free lots SW of S. Monica/Purdue; or underground ($3). Info: (310) 795-5710
12: 5SS, Game/30, 7-8: 5SS, Game/30, K-6: 5SS, Game/30, ALL: EF: $13 Feb. 15, 13th Annual Southern California Scholastic Amateur Team
or www.LAChessClub.com.
pre-registered by mail or fax; $20 at the door. Individual and Team Trophies.
4-SS, SD/45. Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA
Reg.: 8:30-9:20 AM. Rds.: Games start at 10; Rounds thereafter ASAP. ENT: Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, LACC Saturday Nite Double Blitz G/5 (QC)
91367. Four-player teams plus optional alternate, Grade 12/below, average rat-
Chess for Kids, PO Box 27, Visalia, CA 93279. Fax 559-636-8045 Sequoiachess@ 5DSS, G/5 (10 Games). LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4
blks W 405. EF: $10. Q-rated. Reg.: 9-9:30 pm. Rds.: 9:30, 9:50, 10:10, 10:30, ing of four highest must be U1200. (Dec. 2009 rating list used, Feb. 2010 used
sbcglobal.net. INFO: Allan Fifield 559-734-2784; Cell 559-967-3379.
http://SequoiaChess.Com. Event includes Non Rated K-3 and 4-6 sections. 10:50 pm. Prizes: 1/2 EF. Free BOA or street parking; or underground ($3). for previously unrated players.) EF: $75 per team received by 2/12, $85 at site.
Food & chess vendor at site. NS W. Trophies (team & individual) to top 3 teams, top U1000, U800, U400/unr. Reg.:
Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, LACC Junior Grand Prix Sunday Scholastics 9:00-10 a.m. Rds.: 10:30-1-2:45-4:30. Info, help in forming teams: schol-
Feb. 14, CalNorth Youth Chess Age Level Championships 5SS, G/30. LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blocks 405 [email protected]. Web site, advance entry list: www.westernchess.
San Mateo Marriott, 1770 South Amphlett Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94402. Room West. EF: $25 ($20 LACC memb, Free for new LACC memb). Reg.: 12-1 pm. Rds.: com. HR: $119, 800-228-9290, ask for Western Chess. Reserve by Jan. 20 or
Rate is $89. A $15 rebate from the tournament will be provided for hotel guests 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Prizes: A Disney prize for each player and top 10 qualify for the rates may go up. Parking $6. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Place
reducing the room cost to $74. Free shuttle service from the San Francisco Air- Junior Grand Prix with trophies, medals distributed at the end of the month. #1A, Los Angeles, CA 90038. NS, NC, W.
port. Info & Entry: Form at www.calnorthyouthchess.org/AgeLevel2010. Open Free BOA or street parking; or underground ($3). Free refreshments. Free class
to 4 through 13 year olds who are USCF members. Competition by age not grade. (12-1 pm). Info: (310) 795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com. Feb. 15, AT HEXES
Minimum of eight trophies to winners of each age group + a special 4 through 3-SS, G/90. Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA
Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, LACC Sunday G/60
9 open group with longer time controls. Ages 4-5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Game/30, 5 Rds.: 3SS, G/60. LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blocks 405 91367. Six-player sections by rating. EF: $20 if rec. by 2-12, $25 door. $$40-
Ages 10, 11, 12, 13 + Open 4 to 9 Game/60, 4 Rds. Club/SchoolTeam trophies. West. EF: $20 ($15 LACC memb). Reg.: 11:30-12 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4. Free BOA 20-10 each section. Reg.: 9:30-10:15 a.m. Rds.: 10:30-1:30-4:30. Ent: SCCF,
Chess medals to all who do not win a place trophy. Info: Alan M. Kirshner, Ph.D., or street parking. Info: (310) 795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com. c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Place #1A, Los Angeles, CA 90038, on line at
[email protected], (510) 659-0358. www.westernchess.com.
Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, Golden State Open (CA-N)
Mar. 12-14 or 13-14, 17th annual Western Class Championships See Grand Prix. Feb. 21, Beverly Hills AFTERNOON Blitz Tournament (QC)
(CA-S) 5 DSS, G/5 Q-Rated. BHCC, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA
See Grand Prix. Jan. 23-24, Orange County Open 90211. EF: $10 if received one week in advance, $15 after, $20 at site (Mem-
See Grand Prix.
bers $5 off). Mail checks to Beverly Hills Chess Club. Prizes: 80% of EF ($100
California Southern
LA Chess Club
Jan. 24, Beverly Hills Sunday Scholastic Tournament (K-12) Guaranteed) 1st/2nd/3rd: 40%,25%,15%. Reg.: 1-1:30 pm. Rnds.: Starts at
www.LAChessClub.com. Saturdays: 10AM-10 PM (Class

5 SS, G/30. BHCC, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, BH, 90211. EF: $20 if received 2 pm. Free Parking. www.bhchessclub.com. Info: Robert Minoofar, 888-91-CHESS
& 3 Tournaments). Sundays: 12-6 & 1-5 PM (Adult &

one week in advance, $25 after, $30 at site (Siblings $5 off) Mail checks to (24377), or 310-274-7873, [email protected].
Junior Tournaments). Tuesdays: 7:30-9:30 PM (Inter-

Beverly Hills Chess Club, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA
Feb. 28, Beverly Hills SUNDAY Scholastic Tournament (K-12)
mediate/Advanced Lecture). 11514 Santa Monica Blvd.,
90211. Prizes: Trophies, medals, & gift certificates. Reg.: 12-12:45 pm.
5SS, G/30. BHCC, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. EF:
Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 795-5710. (4 blocks 405
Rounds: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 pm. Complimentary Lecture 11- 12 pm. Lunch: $5 Pizza
West, Santa Monica& Butler, 2nd Floor). Private (1:1) Les-

& Soda. Web Site: www.bhchessclub.com. Info: Robert Minoofar, 888-91- $20 if received one week in advance, $25 after, $30 at site (Siblings $5 off). Mail
sons, Group Classes, Tournaments.

CHESS, 888-912-4377 or email us: [email protected]. checks to Beverly Hills Chess Club. Prizes:Trophies, medals, & gift cert. Reg.:
12-12:45 pm. Rnds.: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 pm. Comp. Lecture 11-12 pm. Lunch: $5
Jan. 30, Joshua Tree Chess Fest Pizza & Soda. www.bhchessclub.com. Info: Robert Minoofar, 888-91-CHESS
Jan. 2 & 16, Beverly Hills Saturday Scholastic Tournament (K-12) 4SS, G/60, T/D:0. Reg.: 8-9:15. Rnds.: 9:30, 11:45, 2:45, 5:00. Faith Lutheran
(24377), or 310-274-7873, [email protected].
5 SS, G/30. BHCC, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, BH, 90211. EF: $20 if received Church, 6336 Hallee Rd., Joshua Tree. (2 blks N. of Hwy 62), EF: $30. Prizes:
one week in advance, $25 after, $30 at site (Siblings $5 off) Mail checks to 70% EF. Info and Ent: Mark Muller, P.O. Box 502, 29 Palms, CA 92277 (760)367- Mar. 12-14 or 13-14, 17th annual Western Class Championships
Beverly Hills Chess Club, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA 2311, Email: [email protected]. NS, NC, W. See Grand Prix.
ACTIVITY MEANS MEMBERS

Free 8-Line Tournament Life Announcements! Ages 21-24 dues lower than
Adult dues!
Adult Dues Options! >> The membership category once called Youth has been
renamed Young Adult, and eligibility has changed from
under 21 to under 25. Annual dues for this category
New Free TLA Categories Added! are only $32 with paper Chess Life or $24 with the
online version!
RUN AN ADDITIONAL TOURNAMENT THIS SPRING! RBO. Open to Under 1200/Unr or Under 1000/Unr.Tourna-
Each affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of up to 8
lines and up to 2 issues of Chess Life, for any tournament
ment name must include Rated Beginners Open or RBO. One-year membership with
between April and June 2010, if no TLA for such an event
BLITZ. Time control of Game/5. TLAs such as USCF-
rated Blitz every Friday 7 pm are accepted. Chess Life:
appeared in 2009, and the TLA is e-mailed by the appro-
priate deadline.The 8 free lines cannot be applied to longer COLLEGIATE. A tournament limited to college students. If purchased online at uschess.org, now only $42 for Pre-
TLAs. JUNIOR. For age 20/below (age 20 must be eligible). mium Membership, which includes a copy of Chess
SPECIAL CATEGORIES QUALIFY FOR FREE TLAS! Each NON-SCHOLASTIC WITH SCHOLASTIC. A tournament Life every month. Regular Memberships are available
affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of up to 8 lines for all ages held concurrent (same location) with a scholas- for $29 and give online-only access to Chess Life and a
for events in the following categories, if submitted by tic tournament that in its previous year drew at least 50
e-mail. The free lines cannot be applied to longer TLAs: mailed TLA Newsletter (bi-monthly). (Note to affiliates: If
players. We encourage organizers of scholastics to hold
open or collegiate events on the side.
you collect a $49 membership, you may submit it online to
NEW CATEGORY! SENIOR. For age 50 or above, or a
higher minimum age. USCF for $42, in effect creating a $7 commission. If you
SPECIAL RATES FOR CLUB ADS. Up to 5 lines $180 per
NEW CATEGORY! UNRATEDS FREE. Any tournament year, $100 for 6 months for unchanged club ads in the TLA submit it by mail or phone the affiliate commission is $3.)
that offers free entry to unrated players. If your prizes section. Announce meeting dates & times, activities, con-
are based on entries, say paid entries. tact info, etc.
USCF BOOSTER TOURNAMENT. A tournament that offers USCF DISCUSSION GROUPS. See www.uschess.org/
at least two USCF membership renewal prizes, or a quad forums for four groups: Tournament Organization, Chess
that offers at least one per section. Club Organization, Tournament Direction, USCF Issues.
CHESS CLUB SPECIAL. A tournament playing only on
one or more weekday evenings.

Tournament Life
Colorado 3 only, no last round byes. Info:Tom Hartmayer, 860-989-5394, tomhart3@ char-
ter.net. WCL JGP.
12:30 - 3:30. This tournament determines the DC Scholastic male and female
Champions. Other 4 Sections TC: G/30 with all games played on Saturday. Info:
Jan. 21, January 2010 G/29 Grand Prix Event Greeley (QC) (202) 857-4922. www.chessctr.org/DCJunior.php. WCL JGP.
Feb. 20, Newtown Dead-of-Winter G/30
Part of the Colorado G/29 Grand Prix, not a USCF GP Event. 3SS, G/29, no Feb. 13-14, Kingstowne Chess Festival (VA)
CH Booth Library, 25 Main St., 3rd Fl., Newtown, CT 06470, 100 yds. south of
delay. One Section, Accelerated Pairings with more than 12 entries. EF: $3. See Grand Prix.
Flagpole on Rte.25. 3SS or 3RR, depending on number of entries and ratings,
Prizes: 100% minus USCF rating fee. (70% for tourney prizes, rest to Grand
G/30, Prizes: $75 = 1st each quad or section, $40 = 2nd if Swiss. Rds.: 1:15,
Prix Prize Fund.) Reg.: 6:30-7:00pm onsite only, e-mail if you intend to come.
Rds.: 7pm, 8pm, 9pm. Site: Zachariahs Food Court, University of Northern Col-
and as available thereafter. EF: $20 at door only. Reg.: 12:30-1. Info: licensin- Florida
[email protected]. Check website in case of inclement weather: newtown
orado campus, Greeley, Colorado, 80631. For Info: Lee Lahti, Phone:
chessclub.wetpaint.com. NS, NC, W. Space is limited, arrive early.
Boca Raton Chess Club
970-372-8590, E-Mail: [email protected]. Friday nights, Game 90 Tournament, one game a week for 4 weeks.
Feb. 26-28, 4th annual Saratoga Open (NY) www.bocachess.com, 561-883-2917. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event! See Grand Prix or www.chesstour.com.
Jan. 30-31, Loveland Open Palm Beach Gardens Chess Club
4SS, 40/2, SD/1. Larimer County Fairgrounds, 1st Nat. Bank Exhib. Hall, 5280 Feb. 27-28, New York State Scholastics (out of state welcome) Meets every Saturday 9 am till 4 pm. 4-SS Rated Games G/75 or G/120 (WCL
Arena Cir., Loveland, CO 80538. 2 sections: Open: open to all; Santa Fe: open See New York. JGP). Also, Scholastic Games G/30, 4-SS. For more info: see www.palmbeach
to U1610 & unr. EF: $35 ($30 if recd by 1/28). Jr., Sr., unr $7 discount. Prizes: chessclub.info or call President/TD John Dockery at 561-762-3377.
Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, 19th annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
based on entries. Reg.: 8-9:30 AM. Rds.: 10-4, 9-3. State memb. reqd, $15,
See Grand Prix. Jan. 9, Feb. 6, Mar. 6, Apr. 3, May 1, $500 Guar. Cash Opens
OSA. Adv. Ent: Randy Reynolds, 1839 Thyme Ct., Ft. Collins, CO 80528.
[email protected]. Colorado Tour Event. NC, NS, W. WCL JGP. Mar. 25, Apr. 1, 8, 15, UCONN Chess Club Championship 2010 5rd Swiss, G/30. EF: $25; $30 at door. SPCC mems $5 off. $100-$60-$40;
4-SS, G/90. UCONN Castleman Building, Room 206, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, U1600, U1400, & U1200 $50-$30-$20 each. 1st rd 10:15 AM. Sunshine Cen-
Connecticut CT 06269. EF: $20, students free. Reg.: 7:15-7:30 PM. Rds.: 7:30 PM. $$
35%-30%,Top U-1600 20%-15% net proceeds from EFs.Trophy toTop Student.
ter, 330 Fifth St. N., St. Pete. NC, W. prereg at www.stpetersburgchessclub.com.
727-822-1171.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, 10th Nick Stevens Memorial 1/2 point byes available in rounds 1-3 only, no last round byes. Info:Tom Hart-
4-SS, G/90. UCONN Castleman Building, Room 206, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, Jan. 9, Feb. 6, Mar. 6, Apr. 3, May 1 St. Petersburg Rated Beginners
mayer, 860-989-5394, [email protected]. WCL JGP. Opens (RBOs)
CT 06269. EF: $10, students free. Reg.: 7:15-7:30 PM. Rds.: 7:30 PM. $$
50%-30%-20% net proceeds from EFs. 1/2 point byes available in rounds 1- Apr. 16-18 or 17-18, Hartford Open 5rd Swiss, G/30. USCF RBO 4 Sect. K-2U400; K-5U500; K-8U700; & K-12U1000;
3 only, no last round byes. Info: Tom Hartmayer, 860-989-5394, tomhart3@ See Grand Prix. top 12 in each get trophy (all K-2 get trophy) all others medal.Team (2 or more)
charter.net. WCL JGP. - best four scores from all divisions trophy to top 12. EF: $18. SPCC mems $15.
Jan. 16, Newtown Winter G/30

Delaware 1st rd 10:15 AM. Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg, FL. NC, W.
pregister online at www.stpetersburgchessclub.com. 727-822-1171.
CH Booth Library, 25 Main St., 3rd Fl., Newtown, CT 06470, 100 yds. south of Jan. 9, Greater Cherry Hill Chess Quads
Flagpole on Rte. 25. 3SS or 3RR, depending on number of entries and ratings, See New Jersey. Jan. 15-17 or 16-17, Central Florida Class Championships
G/30, Prizes: $40 = 1st each quad or section, $20 = 2nd if Swiss. Rds.: 1:15, See Grand Prix.
Jan. 23, 4th Sat. of the Month Quad
and as available thereafter. EF: $10 at door only. Reg.: 12:30-1. Info: licensin- Howard Johnsons Hotel, 1119 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19713. (time con- Jan. 30, January OCG Quick-Rated Swiss Madness (QC)
[email protected]. Check website in case of inclement weather: newtown trols:40/75, s/d 30) EF: $20. $$GTD: $40. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rds.: 9:45-1:45-5:30. 7SS G/29 (USCF Quick-Rated). Reg.: 9:15-9:45am. Rds.: 10-11-12:30-1:30-2:30-
chessclub.wetpaint.com. Arrive early, space is limited. NS, NC, W. ENT: Kevin Pytel, 604 N. Walnut St., Newport, DE 19804-2624 302-753-6877. 3:30-4:30. Ent: $30, OCG Mem: $24. PF-b/30: $175-125-100-75, Lower Half
Feb. 4, UCONN Open House & Winter Blitz Championship (QC) [email protected]. INFO: Email is the best way to contact me. NS, W. Crosstable: $75-50. Info: www.orlandochess.com, 407-248-0818.
Format TBD b/attendance, G/5, 2. UCONN Castleman Building, Room 206, Jan. 30-31, North Florida Classic Chess Championships
261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. EF: $5, students free. Reg.: 7:15-7:30 PM. District of Columbia See Grand Prix.
Rds.: 7:30 PM. $$ 50%-30%-20% net proceeds from EFs. Pizza & refreshments, Jan. 16-17, DC Junior Open
used book sale. Info: Tom Hartmayer, 860-989-5394, [email protected]. Feb. 12-14 or 13-14, 2010 U.S. Amateur Team South
U.S. Chess Center, 1501 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Open to all under
See Nationals.
Feb. 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, UCONN Winter Tune Up 2010 age 21. 4-SS. EF: $15 if by 1/9, $20 at door. 5 Sections, Under Age 21, Under
4-SS, G/90. UCONN Castleman Building, Room 206, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, Age 21 and rated Under 1200, Under Age 13, Under Age 13 and rated Under Feb. 20, Palm Beach Day Academy Scholastic
CT 06269. EF: $10, students free. Reg.: 7:15-7:30 PM. Rds.: 7:30 PM. $$ 900, Under Age 13 and rated Under 600. $100 Savings Bond prize forTeen Cham- Located at 1901 South Flagler Drive, WPB, Fl. 33401. K-12, 5 Divisions, 5-SS,
50%-30%-20% net proceeds from EFs. 1/2 point byes available in rounds 1- pion. Trophies in all sections. Reg.: 12-12:45. Top Section: G/90. Rds.: 1 - 4, G/30, Saturday, 2/20/10. Trophies for Top 5 Players and Top 5 Teams in each
GOLD AFFILIATES GOLD & SILVER AFFILIATES

Cajun Chess Jersey Shore High School San Diego Chess Club GOLD
Any affiliate that has submitted at least 50
7230 Chadbourne Drive Chess League 2225 Sixth Avenue
USCF memberships during the current or
New Orleans, LA 70126 PO Box 773, Lincroft, NJ 07738 San Diego, CA 92101
previous calendar year, or is the recognized
504-208-9596 [email protected] 619-239-7166
[email protected] [email protected] State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Gold
Affiliate. Gold Affiliates are honored in a spe-
New Jersey State Chess Federation
www.cajunchess.com http://sdchessclub.multiply.com
cial list in larger type in Tournament Life each
c/o Roger Inglis
month, giving the affiliate name, address,

Chess Club and Scholastic 49-A Mara Rd. Tri-State Chess
phone number, e-mail address, and website.

Center of St. Louis Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034 288 Third Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Gold Affiliation costs $350 per year, and exist-

4657 Maryland Avenue 973-263-8696, [email protected] 1-888-CHESS-35
ing affiliates may substract $3 for each month

St. Louis, MO 63108. 314-361-CHESS www.njscf.org [email protected],
[email protected]
remaining on their regular affiliation, or $20
www.TriStateChess.com
www.stlouischessclub.org PaperClip Pairings
for each month remaining on their Silver Affil-
c/o J. Houghtaling Jr & Remy Ferrari Unity Chess Club
iation. As of August 6, 2007, by paying an
Continental Chess 6005 Forest Blvd 9375 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 100
Association Brownsville, TX 78526 Office 136, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, annual payment of $500 (instead of $350),
956-459-2421 480-949-5464 (KING)
NY 12577. 845-496-9658 Gold Affiliate status may be obtained with no
[email protected] [email protected], unitychess.com
[email protected] minimum requirement for memberships sub-
www.chesstour.com Renaissance Knights Western PA Youth Chess Club mitted.
Chess Foundation Attn: Jerry Meyers
En Passant Chess Club PO Box 1074 4101 Windsor Street SILVER
Any affiliate that has submitted at least 25
1301 North Shore Drive Northbrook, IL 60065 Pittsburgh, PA 15217
USCF memberships during the current or
San Benito, TX 78586 773-844-0701 412-422-1770
previous calendar year, or is the recognized
956-399-9724 [email protected] [email protected]
State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Silver
[email protected] www.renaissanceknights.org www.youthchess.net
Affiliate. These affiliates will be recognized
in a special list in Tournament Life each
month, giving the affiliate name, state, and
SILVER AFFILIATES choice of either phone number, e-mail
address, or website. Silver Affiliation costs
$150 per year, and existing affiliates may
Chess Center of New York (NY) Long Island Chess Nuts (NY) Oklahoma Chess Foundation
subtract $3 for each month remaining on

www.chesscenter.cc 516-739-3907 www.OKchess.org
Indiana State Chess Association Marshall Chess Club (NY) Orange Crush Chess Club (IN) their regular affiliation. As of August 6, 2007,
www.indianachess.org www.marshallchessclub.org [email protected] by paying an annual payment of $250.00
International Chess Academy (NJ) Michigan Chess Association Sparta Chess Club (NJ) (instead of $150), Silver Affiliate status may be
www.icanj.net www.michess.org www.spartachessclub.org obtained with no minimum requirement for
memberships submitted.

Division. For more info: see www.palmbeachchessclub.info or call Presi- Jan. 16, Gerald Anderson Memorial and top 3 unrated. 2. Junior Varsity: Open to Under 1000 or unrated.Trophies:
dent/TD John Dockery at 561-762-3377. 4 rounds Swiss, regular rating system, G/75 with 5 second delay. Scovill Ban- top 6 players, top 3 schools, top rated Under 700 and top 3 unrated. Any player
quet Facility, 3909 W. Main Street, Decatur, IL 62522. ENTRY FEE: $15 if who scores 4 or more points and doesnt win a trophy will receive a medal! EF:
Feb. 27-28, Central Florida Chess Club Championship
See Grand Prix. received by 01/15/2010, $18 at site, free to masters. PRIZES: Prizes 100% of $35 per player postmarked by 2/8/10. All EF $7 extra per player postmarked
entry fee. 1st place: 30%, 2nd place: 20%, 3rd place: 10%, A/B: 10%, C/D: 10%, 2/9-15 (no mail accepted postmarked after 2/15). Mailed entries $5 less
June 25-29, 4th annual Philadelphia International (PA) under 1200: 10%, unrated: 5%, upset: 5%. Registration: 8 - 8:45 AM. Rounds: per player if 4 or more from same school mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE!
See Grand Prix. 9, 12, 2:45, 5:30 no state membership required. OTHER INFORMATION: half- Mail Entries: list name, rating USCF ID# (proof of current USCF membership
point bye in any round, Rd. 4 must be elected before start of Rd. 3. Website: required, enclose dues if necessary) school, grade, birth date, address & sec-
Idaho www.decaturchessclub.com. CONTACT FOR ADVANCE ENTRIES: Jeremy tion. Checks payable & mailed to: Renaissance Knights, PO Box 1074,
Jan. 15-16, Ogden Airport Chess Odyssey (UT) Milligan, (217) 619-3532, [email protected]. WCL JGP. Northbrook, IL 60065. Online entries at www.rknights.org $35 thru 2/15,
See Utah. $42 2/15-23, No online entries after 2/23. $5 extra to switch sections.
Jan. 16, Swiss Tournament Refunds: $10 service charge for each player refunded. On-Site entry fee: $50.
A State Championship Event! 4SS, G/60. Holiday Inn Hotel, 495 Airport Road, Elgin, IL 60123. (Intersection
On-site registration: ENDS 9:15 AM. RDS.: 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Byes: Limit 2.
Feb. 13-15, 2010 Idaho State Closed Championship of I-90 & Rt. 31.) Entry fee: $20 (cash or check only), cash prizes based on
More info: www.rknights.org. Questions: [email protected] (773) 844-0701.
IDAHO RESIDENTS ONLY! Boise State University (BSU) Student Union Building, entries. Registration begins at 8:30 A.M. Round times at 9:30, 11:35, 2:25,
HR: $79 chess rate, reserve by 2/12, may sell out,Tel: 847-298-2525. Sets pro-
1910 University Dr., Boise, Idaho 83725. 6SS, 30/120, SD/60. Rounds: 9, 4, 4:30. Two sections if attendance warrants, otherwise one section with class
vided, bring clocks.
9:30, 4, 8, 3. One 1/2 point bye, rounds 1-5, must commit before 2nd rnd pair- and upset prizes. For more information see: www.mchenryareachess.org or
ings. Chk in & Reg: 7am-8am, Sat., Feb 13. Those not Reg. by 8am may not call Bob at 815-519-3323. Feb. 27, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights pres-
be paired in 1st rnd. One Section: Open. EF: $35 (includes $10 ICA Member- ent Greater Chicago Primary Championship!
Jan. 30, 2010 Peoria Winter Tornado 5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 3/below. Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 Mil-
ship) by February 9, 2010. $30 (includes $10 ICA Membership) for Seniors (60+)
Lakeview Museum, 1125 W. Lake Ave., Peoria IL 61614. 2 sections, Open: 4 Rds., waukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (free parking). 2 sections: 1. Varsity:
and Juniors (under 18) by February 9, 2010. $10 for the host BSU Chess Club
Swiss, G/80 with 5 second delay. Entry fee: $17 if received by 1-28-10, $20 open to all.Trophies: top 6 players, top 3 schools, top rated Under 900 and top
members (plus $10 ICA Membership) by February 9, 2010. $50 (includes $10
at site, $2 discount to ICA members, $2 discount to GPCF members, free to Mas- 3 unrated. 2. Junior Varsity: Open to Under 700 or unrated. Trophies: top 6
ICA Membership) for EVERYONE after February 9, 2010. Prizes: Trophies:
ters. Prize fund: 80% of EFs, 1st: 25%, 2nd: 15%, A, B, C, D & below: 10% each. players, top 3 schools, top rated Under 500 and top 3 unrated. Trophies to the
1st, 2nd, 3rd Overall; 1st, 2nd: Class X, A, E, F, Woman, Junior, Senior, Unrated;
Registration, 8-8:45 AM, Rds. 9, 12, 2:45, 5:30. Novice (1399 & below): 4 top 3 Kindergartners! Any player who scores 4 or more points and doesnt
1st, 2nd, 3rd: Class B, C, and D. HR/ENT/INFO: ICA % Jay Simonson, 391 Carol
Rds., Swiss, G/45 with 5 second delay. Entry fee: $12 (includes USCF Tourna- win a trophy will receive a medal! EF: $35 per player postmarked by 2/8/10.
Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83401, 208-206-7667, email [email protected],
ment Membership if needed). Prizes: 1st: trophy (includes free entry to next All EF $7 extra per player postmarked 2/9-15 (no mail accepted postmarked
www.idahochessassociation.org. NC, NS, W. WCL JGP.
1 day Peoria tournament. Top Unrated: trophy (includes free entry to next 1 after 2/15). Mailed entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from same school
day Peoria tournament). Registration, 9-10 AM, Rds. 10:15, 12, 1:45, 3:30.
Illinois mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE! Mail Entries: list name, rating USCF ID#
North American Chess Association
Other information: half-point bye in any 1 round, but a bye in Rd. 4 must be (proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues if necessary)
Tournaments for kids and adults of all playing strength.
elected before the start of Rd. 3, www.gpcf.net. Advance entries: Fred Mal- school, grade, birth date, address & section. Checks payable & mailed to:
Creators of the electronic scoresheet, eNotate. Monthly
come, 1000 Lilac Lane, Metamora, IL 61548, 309-367-4833, malcomef@mtco. Renaissance Knights, PO Box 1074, Northbrook, IL 60065. Online entries at
FIDE title tournaments (WIM, WGM, IM). Sevan A.
com, NS, NC. WCL JGP. www.rknights.org $35 thru 2/15, $42 2/15-23, No online entries after 2/23.
Muradian, FIDE Arbiter & International Organizer.
Feb. 27, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights Greater $5 extra to switch sections. Refunds: $10 service charge for each player
www.nachess.org | [email protected] | 888.80.CHESS.
Chicago Junior High Championship! refunded. On-Site entry fee: $50. On-site registration: ENDS 9:15 AM. RDS.:
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 8/below. Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 Mil- 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Byes: Limit 2. More info: www.rknights.org. Questions:
Jan. 9-10, Tim Justs Winter Open/Reserve XXIV waukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (free parking). 2 sections: 1. Varsity: [email protected] (773) 844-0701. HR: $79 chess rate, reserve by 2/12, may
See Grand Prix. open to all. Trophies: top 6 players, the top 3 schools, top rated Under 1200 sell out, Tel: 847-298-2525. Sets provided, bring clocks.
Membership Appreciation Program (MAP)

Top standings will appear every two months in Chess Life. More frequent MAP standings and details will appear at main.uschess.org/go/MAP.
Overall Affiliate Standings Adult Memberships Standings

Name State Count Name State Count
PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 1076 CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 643
CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 705 JERSEY SHORE HS CHESS LEAGUE NJ 168
BAYAREACHESSCOM GRANADA GUARD CA 322 DALLAS CHESS CLUB TX 107
EN PASSANT CHESS CLUB TX 307 SAN DIEGO CHESS CLUB CA 94
WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB PA 300 THE ATLANTA CHESS & GAME CNTR GA 85
DALLAS CHESS CLUB TX 263 PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 81
LONG ISLAND CHESS NUTS NY 249 MARSHALL CHESS CLUB NY 80
SCHOLASTIC CHESS OF INDIANA IN 209 MAINE ASSOC OF CHESS COACHES ME 76
CHESS CLUB, OAK VIEW CA 186 CHESS CENTER OF NEW YORK NY 73
SILVER KNIGHTS PA 186 HAMILTON ELEM SCH CHESS CLUB MI 59
Small State Affiliate Standings Scholastic and Youth Memberships Standings

MAINE ASSOC OF CHESS COACHES ME 152 PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 995
METRO CHESS DC 104 EN PASSANT CHESS CLUB TX 296
SIOUX EMPIRE CHESS FOUNDATION SD 54 WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB PA 285
MESA CHESS CLUB NM 36 BAYAREACHESSCOM GRANADA GUARD CA 268
WEST CHESTER CHESS CLUB DE 24 LONG ISLAND CHESS NUTS NY 239
NEW MEXICO SCHOL CHESS ORG NM 23 CHESS CLUB, OAK VIEW CA 186
AIRLINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL ME 21 SILVER KNIGHTS PA 171
WELLS MEMORIAL SCHOOL NH 20 DALLAS CHESS CLUB TX 156
RELYEA CHESS NH 18 SCHOLASTIC CHESS OF INDIANA IN 155
WETZEL COUNTY CHESS CLUB WV 16 CHESS NUTS FL 151
State Chapter Affiliate Standings Member Standings

MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION MI 362 DOCKERY, JOHN T FL 48
PENNSYLVANIA ST CHESS FED PA 218 NAVARRO, DANIEL A TX 44
MARYLAND CHESS ASSOCIATION MD 149 DIXON, MARK A TX 25
MASSACHUSETTS CHESS ASSOC MA 114 BERRY, FRANK K OK 23
MINNESOTA ST CHESS ASSN MN 110 RYAN, BEN J NE 20
NEW JERSEY ST CHESS FED NJ 72 ELLIOTT, CAROL MAXHEIMER IA 20
NEW HAMPSHIRE CHESS ASSN NH 52 CHRISMER, GARIE L TX 20
WASHINGTON CHESS FEDERATION WA 42 CLARK, MIKE MO 17
GEORGIA CHESS ASSOCIATION GA 33 WILLIS, MARVIN, P CA 15
WISCONSIN CHESS ASSOCIATION WI 30 SYGIEL, CHET KY 14
PCT Gain Standings

State Dec08 Nov09 Pct State Dec08 Nov09 Pct State Dec08 Nov09 Pct State Dec08 Nov09 Pct
MT 76 87 14.5 DC 247 275 11.3 NE 296 313 5.7 NM 748 776 3.7
AR 278 312 12.2 SD 228 251 10.1 IN 1610 1693 5.2
NV 811 908 12.0 TN 1597 1718 7.6 LA 601 626 4.2

Tournament Life
Feb. 28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights Greater May 27-31, 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31, 19th annual Chicago Open Feb. 27, Drake Chess Festival 2010-Reserve
Chicago Elementary Championship! See Grand Prix. NOTE CORRECTIONS: 4SS, G/75-T/D 5. Open to 1599 & under. Where: Olm-
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 6/below. Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 Mil- sted Center on the Drake University Campus, at the corner of 29th Street and
waukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (free parking). 2 sections: 1. Varsity: June 25-29, 4th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
University Avenue, (North of University Avenue), Des Moines, IA 50311. Reg.:
open to all. Trophies: top 6 players, top 3 schools, top rated Under 1000 and See Grand Prix.
8:30 to 9:30 am. Rounds: 9:45-1:15-4:00-7:00 (earlier if agreed upon). Entry

top 3 unrated. 2. Junior Varsity: Open to Under 800 or unrated. Trophies: top June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, 38th Annual World Open (PA) Fee: $20.00 if received by February 25th, $30.00 at site. Prize Info: $40.00-
6 players; top 3 schools, top rated Under 600 and top 3 unrated. Any player See Grand Prix. 20.00-10.00. U1400 1st $20.00, 2nd $10.00. One prize per player. Prizes based
who scores 4 or more points and doesnt win a trophy will receive a medal! EF: on 20 entries for Reserve section. US Chess Federation (USCF) member-
$35 per player postmarked by 2/8/10. All EF $7 extra per player postmarked
2/9-15 (no mail accepted postmarked after 2/15). Mailed entries $5 less per
Indiana ship required. On-Site Available. Send Entry Fee to: Bill Broich, 7149 Wilshire
player if 4 or more from same school mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE! Mail Feb. 19-21, 2010 U.S. Jr. Chess Congress Blvd., Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324 Additional Info: Phone 515-205-8062 or
Entries: list name, rating USCF ID# (proof of current USCF membership See Nationals. [email protected]. WCL JGP.
required, enclose dues if necessary) school, grade, birth date, address & sec-
tion. Checks payable & mailed to: Renaissance Knights, PO Box 1074, Feb. 27-28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights Kentucky
Northbrook, IL 60065. Online entries at www.rknights.org $35 thru 2/15, present Greater Chicago Scholastic Championships!
See Illinois. Winchester Chess Club
$42 2/15-23, No online entries after 2/23. $5 extra to switch sections. Open & Scholastic tourneys. Regular sessions 1st Monday of each month 6 pm.
Refunds: $10 service charge for each player refunded. On-Site entry fee: $50.
On-site registration: ENDS 9:15 AM. RDS.: 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Byes: Limit 2. Iowa More info. at winchesterky.com. (click on chess club link).
More info: www.rknights.org. Questions: [email protected] (773) 844-0701. Feb. 6, 2010 Cedar Rapids Leatherjackets - IASCA Mini Qualifier Mar. 19-21 or 20-21, 14th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
HR: $79 chess rate, reserve by 2/12, may sell out,Tel: 847-298-2525. Sets pro- One-day, 4 Round Swiss. Where: Kirkwood Community College, Iowa Hall, Iowa See Grand Prix.
vided, bring clocks.
Room, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. Reg.: Advanced Apr. 23-25 or 24-25, 9th Southern Class Championships (TN)
Feb. 28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights Greater entries postmarked by 1/30. On-site 8:30 - 9:30 am. Rounds: 10-1-3:15-5:30. See Grand Prix.
Chicago High School Championship! G/60 T/D5. Entry Fee: $18 in advance, $22 on site. Prize Info: 1st $50+Tro-
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 12/below. Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 Mil- phy, 2nd $30+Trophy, U1900, U1700, U1500, U1300, U1100 each $20+Trophy. Louisiana
waukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (free parking). 2 sections: 1. Varsity: US Chess Federation (USCF) membership required. On-Site Available. IASCA
open to all.Trophies to the 6 top-scoring players and the 3 top-scoring schools, membership required or OSA, $15, $10 Jr. or Sr. On-Site Available. Send Entry Mar. 13-14, 2010 Louisiana Pro-Am
the top rated Under 1500, and the top 3 unrated. 2. Junior Varsity: Open to Fee to: James Hodina, 3411 Blue Pt. Ct. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404 Additional See Grand Prix.
Under 1200 or unrated. Trophies: top 6 players; top 3 unrated, top 3 schools, Info: James Hodina, 319-390-6525 or [email protected]. See www.
top Under 900 and top 3 unrated. Any player who scores 4 or more points and chessinowa.org for flyer. Maryland
doesnt win a trophy will receive a medal! EF: $35 per player postmarked by Jan. 22, Feb. 5, Catonsville Friday Knight Quick #94 & 95 (QC)
2/8/10. All EF $7 extra per player postmarked 2/9-15 (no mail accepted Feb. 27, Drake Chess Festival 2010-IASCA Mini-Qualifier
NOTE CORRECTIONS: 4SS, G/75 T/D 5. Open. Where: Olmsted Center on the 5SS, G/15. EF: $8, club members $5. Reg.: 7:30pm. Rds.: 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30, 10.
postmarked after 2/15). Mailed entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from $$b/24 1st=$50, 2nd=$25, U1850 12. Bloomsbury Community Center, 106
same school mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE! Mail Entries: list name, rat- Drake University Campus, at the corner of 29th Street and University Avenue
(North of University Avenue), Des Moines, IA 50311. Reg.: 8:30 to 9:30 am. Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228. Info: Joe Summers 410-788-1009,
ing USCF ID# (proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues if [email protected]. Website: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze12d59q/.
necessary) school, grade, birth date, address & section. Checks payable & Rounds: 9:45-1:15-4:00-7:00 (earlier if agreed upon). Entry Fee: $20.00 if
mailed to: Renaissance Knights, PO Box 1074, Northbrook, IL 60065. Online received by November 12th, $30.00 at site. Prize Info: 1st $75.00, 2nd $40.00, Jan. 23, MCA Boonsboro Scholastic
entries at www.rknights.org. $35 thru 2/15, $42 2/15-23, No online entries 3rd $20.00, U1900 1st, $30.00, 2nd $15.00. One prize per player. Prizes based Boonsboro Middle School, 1 JH Wade Dr., Boonsboro, MD 21713-1152. 4 sec-
after 2/23. $5 extra to switch sections. Refunds: $10 service charge for each on 20 entries for Open section. US Chess Federation (USCF) membership tions: Rally: K-12, 3SS, G/90 MD Sweet 16 Rally Section; Under 1200: K-12
player refunded. On-Site entry fee: $50. On-site registration: ENDS 9:15 required. On-Site Available. IASCA membership required, $15, $10 Jr. or Sr. and U1200, 4SS, G/65; U900 K-8, 4SS, G/30; Novice: K-5 U500, 5SS G/30.
AM. RDS.: 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Byes: Limit 2. More info: www.rknights.org. Ques- On-Site Available. Send Entry Fee to: Bill Broich, 7149 Wilshire Blvd., Wind- EF: $12 by 1/19, $20 by 1/22, $25 at the door reg. Trophies top individuals in
tions: [email protected] (773) 844-0701. HR: $79 chess rate, reserve by sor Heights, Iowa 50324. Additional Info: Phone 515-205-8062 or E-mail each section. At door reg 8:30-9:00 receives 1st rnd 1/2 pnt bye. 1st rnds at
2/12, may sell out, Tel: 847-298-2525. Sets provided, bring clocks. [email protected]. WCL JGP. 9:30 for top 2, and 10:00 for bottom two. Ent: Michael Regan, 1827 Thornton
Feb. 27, Drake Chess Festival 2010-Rated RBO Ridge Rd., Towson, MD 21204. Detailed rules, info, & online entry:
Mar. 19-21 or 20-21, 14th annual Mid-America Open (MO) http://boonsboro.eventbrite.com/. WCL JGP for K-12 sections.
See Grand Prix. 5SS, G/30 with 5 second delay. Open to 1199 & under. Where: Olmstead Cen-
ter on the Drake University Campus, 2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA Jan. 24, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents Greater Mid-Atlantic
Mar. 19-25, 2010 FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship - an Offi- 50311. Reg.: 8:30 to 9:30 am. Rounds: 9:45-11:00-1:00-2:15-3:30. Entry Scholastic Championships!
cial FIDE World Chess Championship! Fee: $10.00 if received by February 25th, $15.00 at site. Prize Info: Trophies 5-SS, G/30. Hilton Garden Inn, Baltimore/ Arundel Mills, 7491-A, New Ridge
See Nationals. for the Top Score U1200, U1000, U800, U600, U400, U200. US Chess Feder- Rd., Hanover, MD 21076. Tel: 410-878-7200. 8 sections: 1. Primary Varsity,
Mar. 26-28, 2010 FIDE Intercontinental School Team Chess Cham- ation (USCF) membership required. On-Site Available. Send Entry Fee to: open to all grades 3/ below. 2. Primary Novice, grades 3/ below, rated
pionship - an Official FIDE Intercontinental Chess Championship! Bill Broich, 7149 Wilshire Blvd., Windsor Heights, Iowa 50322. Additional Under 700 or Unrated. 3. Elementary Varsity, open to all grades K-6/blow.
See Nationals. Info: Phone 515-205-8062 or E-mail [email protected]. 4. Elementary Novice, grades 6/ below, rated Under 800 or Unrated. 5.

Junior High Varsity, open to all grades 9/ below. 6. Junior High Novice, 9:15. Rds.: 9:30, 1 & 4:15. One 1/2 pt Bye available with advance entry. $$600 Entries & info: Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Mary-
grades 9/ below, rated Under 1000 or Unrated. 7. High School Varsity, open b/30. Sections: Open: 1st $140,Top A $100. U1800: 1st $120,Top C $80. U1400: land Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. [email protected]. (314) 361-2437.
to all in grades K-12. 8. High School Junior, rated Under 1200 or Unrated. 1st $100, Top U-1200 $60. EF: $27, Rated over 2200 & up and Unr (Unr not eli- WCL JGP.
Entry Fee (EF): $30 per player postmarked by 1/11/10. Trophies to the 6 top- gible for prizes) $7, postmarked by 1/12. EF ALL: Add $5 at site late reg. fee,
WMCA discounts apply. Ent: W.M.C.A., c/o Edward Kostreba, P.O Box 1372, Ware,
Jan. 23, Mikhail Botvinnik Open
scoring players, the 3 top-scoring schools and the top 3 Unrated in each
3SS, G/75. UMC Memorial Union room N208, 518 Hitt St., Columbia, MO.
section. Special Trophies to the top rated Under 900, Under 500, Under 1000, MA 01082-5372, 413-967-3242, www.wmass-chess.us, NS, NC.
Directions: From I-70 exit 126, south on Providence, east on Rollins, north on
Under 600, Under 1200, Under 700, Under 1500 and Under 900. Trophies to Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 Billerica Friday Night Swiss Hitt. Reg.: 9:30-10:15. Rds.: 10:30, 1:15, 4:00. EF: $1, no prizes just the
the top 3 Kindergartners! Any player who scores 4 or more points and 4 Rds. 40/90, SD/30. Billerica COA, 25 Concord Rd., Billerica, MA. EF: $15. Reg.: satisfaction of playing well.Two ratings-equivalent sections if 18+ players. Info:
doesnt win a trophy will receive a medal! Top individual player in each Var- 7:30pm. Cash prizes minimal b/entries. For info, call Brad Ryan, (978) 369-8533. [email protected]. W.
sity section also win 50% discount into one of KCF weekend chess NS, NC. WCL JGP.
camps - saving more than a hundred of dollars! All entry fees $5 less per Jan. 30, Blame Ben Open
player if 4 or more from same school mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE! Feb. 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, George E. ORourke Memorial Presented by Westport Chess Club of KC. 4 Rd Swiss System, G/30. Reg.:
Refunds: $10 service charge for each player refund. $5 extra to switch sections. 5SS, G/110, T/D5. Wachusett Chess Club, McKay Campus School, Room C188, 9-10 a.m. Rds.: 10, 11:30, 1:30, 3:00. Prizes: Guar 50% of EF returned: Prizes
Current USCF Membership is required to participate. TO REGISTER, list each Fitchburg State College, 67 Rindge Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420. EF: $1 per game (based on 25 entries): 1st $100, 2nd $75, 3rd $50; U1795 1st $75, 2nd 60 3rd
players name, USCF ID# and expiration (new players write NEW) address, played; free to Wachusett CC and Mass. Chess Assn. members. Reg.: 7-7:10 $40. Book prizes to 1st three schoolkids. EF: $20, $10 to schoolkids. At: West-
birth date, school and grade. BE SURE TO INDICATE THE CORRECT SECTION. p.m. Rds.: 7:15 p.m. Byes: 1-4, limit two. Prizes: chess books. Info: George port Flea Market, 817 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO. EF to: Ray Birt, PO Box
Make checks for entry fees + all USCF dues (1check for total mount is best) Mirijanian, 176 Oak Hill Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420, [email protected], 978- 32774, Kansas City, MO 64171. No Checks at site. Make checks payable to Ray
payable and mail to: CHESSPRO, 14 Hartley Circle, #532, Owings Mills, MD 345-5011, Website: www.wachusettchess.org. Online ratings as of Feb. 10 will Birt and mail (postmark) by 1/23.
21117. Questions :( 443)-660-8025. All entry fees $7 extra per player post- be used. W. WCL JGP.
Mar. 19-21 or 20-21, 14th annual Mid-America Open
marked January 12-18 (no mail accepted postmarked after Jan.18. On-Site Feb. 27-28, New York State Scholastics (out of state welcome) See Grand Prix.
Entry fee: $40 per player at the tournament! On-site registration ENDS 9:15 See New York.
AM. May 27-31, 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31, 19th annual Chicago Open (IL)
Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, 19th annual Eastern Class Championships See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event! See Grand Prix.
Jan. 30, 6th Annual Maryland State Girls Chess Championship
Roland Park Country School, 5204 Roland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21210. Come out Apr. 30-May 2 or May 1-2, 21st annual Vermont Resort Open (VT) Montana
and play in an all-girl environment - limited to Maryland girl residents in See Grand Prix. Jan. 16-17, Joyces January Thaw
grades K-12. Winner of Championship section will be the 2010 Maryland Girls Open, 5SS, G/90: Red Lion Colonial Inn, 2301 Colonial Dr., Helena, MT. EF: $25
Champion. Prizes to be determined. In 3 sections: Championship (National Michigan by Jan 14, $30 at site, jrs 1/2. Reg.: 10:15-10:45 am. Rds.: 11-2:30-7, 9-12:30.
Qualifier): 4-SS, G/65. Reserve (U800): 5-SS, G/30. Novice (U500): 5-SS, G/30. Feb. 27-28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights $$b/$320 (more per entries), $50, $30, $25. Biggest upset (both non-prov) $25.
Number of rounds and time control may change based on number of players. present Greater Chicago Scholastic Championships! Info and entries (payable to): Mel Drake, 5950 Canyon Ferry Rd., Helena, MT
Sets and boards provided, please bring chess clock. Check-in: 9:00-9:50am. See Illinois. 59602, 406-475-3481 (no phone entries please). MCA reqd ($12), OSA. NC. 1/2
Rds.: Rd. 1 Championship at 9:30; Reserve/Novice at 10:00. EF: $20 by 1/23; pt bye for rd 5 if requested before rd4. WCL JGP.
$25 by 1/28; $30 at door. Ent: Online registration at http://mdgirls10.event June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, 38th Annual World Open (PA)
brite.com. Mail registration: if recd by 1/28, mail name, section, USCF num- See Grand Prix.
ber, grade, school, phone, and email plus check to Chris Kim, 3903 N. Charles Nevada
St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Info: Chris Kim, [email protected], 410-794-6312. Minnesota Apr. 2-4, 10th Annual Reno-Far West Open
WCL JGP for Championship section. Jan. 16-17, Minnesota 2010 Winter Open See Grand Prix.
Feb. 13-14, Kingstowne Chess Festival (VA) See Grand Prix. June 11-13 or 12-13, 2010 National Open
See Grand Prix. Feb. 19-21, 20-21 or 21, 117th Warren Stenberg Memorial Annual See Nationals.
Minnesota Open
Massachusetts See Grand Prix. New Hampshire
Jan. 10, Williams College Open
3SS, G/90, Griffin Hall Room 3 and 4, Williams College, Williamstown, MA Missouri Jan. 16-17, Portsmouth Open
See Grand Prix.
01267. EF: $12. Prizes: $355 b/17. Sections: Open and U1600. Reg.: 9-9:30. Jan. 16, Winter Open
Rds.: 10, 1:30 and 5. Info: Email Trevor at [email protected] with ques- 4SS, G/75. EF: $25 or $20 for annual members of the club. Free entries for GMs Jan. 30-31, 34th Queen City Open
tions. and IMs, deducted from earnings. Not counted in b/40. PF ($750 b/40): 1st See Grand Prix.
Jan. 16, 19th Mid-Winter Classic $100, 2nd $25 in each M/X, A, B, C, D, U1200/UNR. 1st overall qualifies to play Apr. 30-May 2 or May 1-2, 21st annual Vermont Resort Open (VT)
3SS G/90. Florence Congregational Church, 130 Pine St., 01062. Reg.: 8:30- in the CCSCSL club championship. Reg.: 9-9:50am. Rnds.: 10, 12:45, 3:30, 6. See Grand Prix.
CHECK OUT USCFS CORRESPONDENCE CHESS RATED EVENTS
USCFs 63rd ANNUAL USCFs 7th ANNUAL

2010 Open Correspondence Chess 2010 E-mail Correspondence Chess
Golden Knights Championship Electronic Knights Championship
$1,000 First Prize (Seven-player sections, one game with each of six opponents.)
(plus title of USCFs Golden Knights Champion and plaque) $700 First Prize
2nd place $600 3rd place $400 4th place $300 5th place (plus title of USCFs Electronic Knights Champion and plaque)
$200 6th thru 10th place $100 each. Entry fee: $25. 2nd place $400 3rd place $300 4th thru 10th place $100
each. Entry fee: $25.
These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF
members who reside on the North American continent, islands, or Hawaii, These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF
as well as those USCF members with an APO or FPO address. USCF members with e-mail access. Your USCF membership must remain
members who reside outside of the North American continent are welcome current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S.
to participate in e-mail events. Your USCF membership must remain dollars.
current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. Maximum number of tournament entries allowed for the year for each
dollars. Those new to USCF Correspondence Chess, please estimate your player is ten.
strength: Class A: 1800-1999 (very strong); Class B: 1600-1799 (strong); Note: Prize fund based on 200 entries and may be decreased propor-
Class C: 1400-1599 (intermediate); Class D: 1399 and below (beginner level).
tionately per number of entries assigned.
Note: Prize fund based on 300 entries and may be decreased proportion-
ately per number of entries assigned.
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
game options.
To Enter: 800903USCF (8723), Fax 9317871200
six-game option. Entry fee $5 per person.
Win A Correspondence Chess Trophy Swift Quads Four-player, double round-robin Name_________________________________________
or on-line www.uschess.org
Four-player, double round-robin with class-level format. 1st-place prize merchandise credit of $30.
pairings. 1st-place winner receives a trophy. Entry fee: $10. USCF ID# ____________________________________
Entry fee: $10.
Victor Palciauskas Prize Tournaments
Walter Muir E-Quads (webserver chess) Address ________________ City _________________
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
Express Tournament Credit card # (VISA, MC, Discover, AMEX)
Palciauskas.
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

Tournament Life
New Jersey est life time rating used. Rds.: 11am then ASAP, lunch break. EF: $27 mailed
by 01/25 or paid online, entryfeesrus.com. EF at site $35. Cash only. Reg.: before
Route 10, Randolph, NJ 07869. EF: None. Reg.: 9-9:20 am., 1st rd. 9:40. Arr.
by noon to reg. only for afternoon quads. Medal to each quad winner. Info: Beth-
International Chess Academy (Fair Lawn, NJ) 10:45am. Ent: 115 W. Moore St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Info: Ken Thomas lehem Church 973-366-3434 or Bob McAdams 973-694-3988, rwm@fambright.
Chess Classes: Tuesday 6:30 9:00 PM, Thursday 6:30 9:00 PM, Saturday [email protected] or 908-763-6468. NS, NC, W. com.
10:00 AM 1:00 PM. Add. 14-25 Plaza Rd. N., Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. Phone 201-
Jan. 31, Westfield Quads A State Championship Event!

797-0330. Website: www.icanj.net. Contact: Diana Tulman, 201-287-0250.
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. $50 to first Mar. 6-7, New Jersey High School Chess Championships
Email: [email protected]. Fair Lawn facility offers Advance Chess Training for
in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m. 5SS, G/90. Rutgers University - Rutgers Student Center, 126 College Avenue,
serious chess players (rating > 1800).
Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfield New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Call (732) 445-6127 for directions. 3 sections: Var-
International Chess Academy (Teaneck, NJ) chessclub.com. sity Championship (9-12): 5 player teams with one alternate allowed.
Chess Classes: Monday 6:30 7:30 PM, Wednesday 6:30 9:00 PM, Sunday Coaches set order by player strength. Order must not be changed. Team avg.
Feb. 7, ICA Winter 2010 Open Championship
10:00 AM 3:30 PM. Add. 185 Court Street, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Phone 201- based on top 5 highest ratings. Trophies to top 10 NJ teams. Trophies for top
See Grand Prix.
833-1741. Website: www.icanj.net. Contact: Diana Tulman, 201-287-0250. three players, boards 1-5. Rds.: Sat. 10-2-6, Sun. 10-2. EF: $150-/team before
Email: [email protected] facility offers a Summer Chess Camp and Mon- Feb. 7, ICA Winter 2010 Scholastic Championship 2/27. $185/team at site. $5 per change on site. Junior Varsity (9-12): 4 player
day night tournaments 7:30 PM 9:30 PM. in 5 sections. 4SS, EVERYONE PLAYS 4 GAMES, ALL PLAYERS WITH 2.5 teams with one alternate allowed. Team avg. based on top 4 highest ratings.
POINTS OR MORE WILL RECEIVE ATROPHY! US CHESS FEDERATION MEMBER- Trophies to top 10 NJ teams. Trophies for top 3 players, boards 1-4. Rds.: Sat.
Jan. 9, Greater Cherry Hill Chess Quads SHIP REQUIRED FOR SECTIONS 4 AND 5. Info: 201-287-0250 or 201-833-1741. 10-2-6, Sun. 10-2. EF: $120/team before 2/27, $150/team on site. $5 per change
EF: $25. $$50. Pre-register online at www.greaterchchess.com. Any ques-
E-mail: [email protected] (Web Site Entries: www.icanj.net) ADV EF (pmk Feb on site. Booster (K-12):Trophies to top 15 individuals, top 5 teams, top 2 JHS,
tions, contact Dan: [email protected] or (856) 287-2393.
3rd) $25 At Site $30. Reg ends 1/2 hr before 1st rnd. Late entrants will receive & top 2 elementary (K-6). Rds.: Sat. 10-2-6, Sun 10-2. Top 4 scores constitute
Jan. 9, The Greater South Jersey Individual Chess Championship a 1/2 point bye for rnd. 1. Site Address: Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., team score. EF: $30 before 2/27, $37 at site. All: USCF memb. required. EF
back at its original site, Oakcrest High School, 1824 Dr. Forman Drive, Mays Hackensack, NJ 07601. In 5 Sections: Section 1 Junior Novice: Open to includes 1 year membership to NJSCF for NJ residents. Reg.: Sat. 8-9:00am.
Landing, NJ 08330, just off Route 322, Route 40 and Cologne Ave. Three divi- unrated players K through 2nd grade. Rds.: First Round 10:15 AM, then ASAP After 9:00am, 1/2 Point bye for round one. Info: 973-794-4601. ENT: Make
sions: K-5, 6-9 and 10-12. Entry fee: only $35 (if USCF member only $20) (tournament will end at approximately 1:00 PM). Section 2 Novice: Open to checks payable to NJSCF and send to Roger Inglis, 49A Mara Rd., Lake
All Sections: 5-SS, G/30, Trophies to Top 10, all ties decided by Game 5. unrated players K through 4th grade. Rds.: First Round 10:00 AM, then ASAP Hiawatha, NJ 07034. Entries must include, name, grade & school, date of
Registration: by mail with post mark of Saturday 12/30. First round will start (tournament will end at approximately 2:00 PM). Section 3 Reserve: Open to birth, USCF ID# & exp. date, mailing address, email address, phone number
at 10am sharp, then ASAP with lunch bar available at site. Late entrees: $50 unrated players K through 12th grade. Rds.: First Round 10:00 AM, then ASAP and entry fee. WCL JGP.
at site between 8:30 to 9:00. Make checks payable to: Oakcrest H.S. Chess. (tournament will end at approximately 2:00 PM). Section 4 G/45: Open to play-
Mar. 7, Westfield Swiss #62 (QC)
Indicate section desired and your grade level. Information contact: David Jung- ers rated below 1200 K through 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00
Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. 5 SS game/15 (QC) full k. $425
blut, at [email protected], for more information. PM. Section 5 G/60: Open to players rated below 1700 K through 12th grade.
Guaranteed $125, $60 U2100, U1850, U1600, U1350 $60 each. Entrance
Rds.: 9:45 AM, 12:00, 2:15, 4:30 PM. ENT: Make EF and/or USCF Membership
Jan. 10, ATKM 2nd Sunday Swiss Fee: $35, $25 Members. Reg. : 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-3:25-4:05-4:45-5:30
checks payableTo: International Chess Academy MailTo: DianaTulman, 28 Can-
See Grand Prix. p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfieldchessclub.com.
terbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. NS NC W.
Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, 42nd annual Liberty Bell Open (PA) Mar. 14, Westfield Quads
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 13-15, World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. $50 to first
See Nationals.
Jan. 16, Jersey Shore K-12 Regionals in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m.
The Academy at Grace and Peace, 1563 Old Freehold Rd., Toms River, NJ
Feb. 21, Westfield Quads Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfield
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. $50 to first chessclub.com.
08755. All Sections open to K-12. Section A: U500, Section B: 500-1000,
in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m.
Section C: 1000-1500, Section D: 1500+. Section A, B, C 4SS, G/30. Sec- A State Championship Event!
Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfield
tion D: 3 Rounds, G/60. Trophies to Top 5 in each section, Medals to all Mar. 20-21, First Only New Jersey State Championship
chessclub.com.
others. EF: $25 if recd by 1/9, $30 on site. Reg.: 9:00-9:45 AM. Rds.: 10:00 (Only for NJ Players and Past NJ Champs.) Dean of Chess Academy, 3150 US
AM and ASAP. Info: John Burke, 908-705-7958 or [email protected]. Ent: Feb. 27, Super Scholastics Saturday Swiss K-8 Rt. 22, Branchburg, NJ. In 3-Sections: G$$2800. Only NJ Masters-Experts sec-
Make checks payable toThe Academy at Grace and Peace. Please indicate USCF Somerset Ramada Inn, 60 Cottontail Ln., Somerset, NJ Exit #12 off I-287. (In tion: 4SS, TC: 40/2hrs, SD/60. G$$: $500-300-200-100. Top Expert $100. Only
ID# and section. 4 Sections/& skittles) Trophies to top 5, others get medals/prizes. Hot Shots one Sat half point bye. Rds. Sat. 10am- 4:30pm, Sun. 9am-4pm. Only NJ Class
(always U1700): 4SS G/45, $150-100-50, b/10. Checkmates (always U1300): A-B section: (Only for 1600-1999) $300-200-100. Top Class B $100. Only NJ
Jan. 17, Westfield Quads
4SS G/45, $100-50 b/10, New Stars (always U1000): 5SS G/30, $100-50 Class C section: (Only U1600) $300-200-100. Top Class D, E, & F $100 each.
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. $50 to first
b/10, Chess Pirates (always U600): 5SS G/30, $100-50 b/10. Players high- Lower Sections: 5SS, TC: G/100. Only 2 byes in rounds 1-4. Rds.: Sat: 10-2-6,
in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m.
est life time rating used. Rds.: 11am then ASAP, lunch break. EF: $27 mailed Sun: 11-3. Trophies: Top 3 each section, Top Expert, Class B, D, E, F & Unrated,
Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfield
by 02/22 or paid online, entryfeesrus.com. EF at site $35. Cash only. Reg.: before Senior age 65. & K-8. (Only rated players win cash) Early EF: Only Master-Exp:
chessclub.com.
10:45am. Ent: 115 W. Moore St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Info: Ken Thomas $70, Other sections $65 if by 3/15. Past NJ Champs EF is $35 if early, but $80
Jan. 22, ATKMs 4th Friday G/10 Swiss (QC) (6 Rounds) [email protected] or 908-763-6468. NS, NC, W. at site: Please join online at entryfeesrus.com. On site EF: Master-Exp $80,
For info. and registration, go to YourChessSet.com/g10. For more info e-mail Lower sections $75. Cash only at site. Reg.: 3/20, 8am-9:45am. Hotel Sierra
Stephen at [email protected] or call 856-582-8222.
Feb. 27-28, New York State Scholastics (out of state welcome)
See New York. is nearby and a great deal. Hotel Rates $89/free Breakfast. (908) 704-2191.
Jan. 23, Hamilton Chess Club Quads The playing hall accommodates Only 100 players, so the only the first 100 EFs
3RR 40/80 15/30 15/30. Full K. Ray Dwier Recreation Center, Bldg. 392,
A State Championship Event! received will play. Ent: KenThomas, 115 West Moore Street, Hackettstown, NJ
Feb. 28, New Jersey Junior High School Championships 07840-2233. Make checks payable to NJSCF. For info contact Ken,
Groveville, NJ 08620. Quads open to all EF: $10. $25 per Quad. Reg.: 9-
5SS, G/30. Brookdale College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738. [email protected] or (908)763-6468. Players and spectators cell phones & ear
10:30/am. Rds.: 10:30/am-1:30/pm-4:30/pm NJ State Chess Federation, no
Student Life Center, use Parking Lot #7 or #6; 5 minutes from Garden State covering are restricted. FIDE, NS, NC, W. WCL JGP.
dues magazine Subscription per year, OSA NS NC W.
Parkway exit 109. 5SS, G/30. Section: JHS (K-9). More Trophies! ALL: Tro-
Jan. 24, Westfield Winter Scholastic phies to top =2 015 individuals, top 5 teams. Rds.: 10am then ASAP.Top 4 scores Mar. 21, Westfield Spring Scholastic
Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. 3 Sections k-12 full k Open, constitute team score. EF: $30 before 2/20, $50 at site. USCF memb. reqd. EF Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. 3 Sections k-12 full k Open,
Under 1250, Under 750. Open Section 3 SS game/45 trophies to top five play- includes 1 year memb. to NJSCF for NJ state residents. Reg.: 8-9:00 am. After Under 1250, Under 750. Open Section 3 SS game/45 trophies to top five play-
ers in each section. Entrance Fee: $20, $15 Members at site $30, $25 9:00 am, half-point bye for round one. INFO: 732-259-3881, hsprech- ers in each section. Entrance Fee: $20, $15 Members at site $30, $25
Registration 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-4:25-6:05 p.m. Under 1250 4 SS [email protected]. ENTRY: Aaron Kiedes, 4 Seymour Terrace, Hack- Registration 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-4:25-6:05 p.m. Under 1250 4 SS
game/30 Trophies to top 5 in each section Entrance Fee: $20, $15 Members ettstown, NJ 07840. Entries must include name, grade, school, date of birth, game/30 Trophies to top 5 in each section Entrance Fee: $20, $15 Members
at site $30, $25 Members. Registration 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-4:00-5:15- USCF ID #, & expiration date, mailing address, phone number & entry fee. at site $30, $25 Members. Registration 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-4:00-5:15-
6:30 p.m. Under 750 trophies to top five players in each section. Entrance Fee: Checks made out to NJSCF. 6:30 p.m. Under 750 trophies to top five players in each section. Entrance Fee:
$20, $15 Members at site $30, $25. Registration: 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45- $20, $15 Members at site $30, $25. Registration: 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-
A State Championship Event! 4:00-5:15-6:30 p.m. Tiebreaks for trophies Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163,
4:00-5:15-6:30 p.m. Tiebreaks for trophies Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163,
Feb. 28, New Jersey State Elementary Championships [email protected], www.westfieldchessclub.com. Send Advance Entries to:Todd
[email protected], www.westfieldchessclub.com. Send Advance Entries to:Todd
5SS, G/30. Brookdale College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738.
Lunna, 36 Maple Drive, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 by January 20th. Lunna, 36 Maple Drive, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 by March 17th.
Student Life Center, use Parking Lot #7 or #6; 5 minutes from Garden State
Jan. 30, Super Scholastics Saturday Swiss K-8 Parkway exit 109. 2 Sections: Elementary (K-6) & Primary (K-3). All: Tro- Mar. 31-Apr. 4, Apr. 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4, Philadelphia Open (PA)
Somerset Ramada Inn, 60 Cottontail Ln., Somerset, NJ Exit #12 off I-287. (In phies to top 15 individuals, top 5 teams. Elementary & Primary: Top 5 in each See Grand Prix.
4 Sections/& skittles) Trophies to top 5, others get medals/prizes. Hot Shots grade. Rds.: 10am then ASAP. Top 4 scores constitute the team score for Ele-
(always U1700): 4SS G/45, $150-100-50, b/10. Checkmates (always U1300): mentary; top 3 for Primary. EF: $30 before 2/21, $50 at site. USCF memb. reqd. New Mexico
WA RN I N G !
4SS G/45, $100-50 b/10, New Stars (always U1000): 5SS G/30, $100-50 EF includes 1 year Atlantic Chess News for NJ state residents. Reg.: 8-9:00am
b/10, Chess Pirates (always U600): 5SS G/30, $100-50 b/10. Players high- After 9:00am 1/2 point bye for round 1. Info: 732 259-3881, Ent: Aaron Kiedes, Jan. 30-31, 2010 Don Wilson Memorial/Senior Championship
4 Seymour Terrace, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Entries must include name, Open to all ages. 4/SS, G/2. Rio Rancho Meadowlark Sr. Center, 4330 Mead-
grade & school, date of birth, USCF ID and expiration date, mailing address, owlark Ln. SE, Rio Rancho, NM. Co-sponsored by the Meadowlark Chess Group
email address, phone number and entry fee. Checks made out to NJSCF. and the New Mexico Chess Organization. $$: 1000 b/80. Sections: Keffer Open
to1600 & above EF $30. Reserve U1700 EF $25. Booster U1300 EF $20. Rds.:
Feb. 28, Westfield Quads 9-2, 9-2 Best finish by NM Senior in Tom Keffer section: name inscribed on the
CELL PHONE
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. $50 to first permanent plaque. Reg.: Sat. 8-8:30. $10 late fee if entry not received by 1/29.
THE USE OF A
in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m. $5 Family discount after one full-price entry. Byes: one 1/2 pt available Rds.
Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfield 1-3 if reqd before Rd. 1. ENT: checks payable to NMCO, P.O. Box 4215, Albu-
chessclub.com. querque, NM 87196. Recommended Motel: Super8 (505)-896-8888 ask for
PROHIBITED!
Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, 19th annual Eastern Class Championships (MA) chess rate. Entry form w/directions, & Map: Website nmchess.org. W. WCL JGP.
IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM IS

See Grand Prix.
Mar. 6, Kings Chess Club Quads New York
Morning quads and afternoon quads, G/30, K-12, Bethlehem Church, 758 Jan. 9-Feb. 6, 3rd Farmingdale CC Winter Swiss
5SS, G/140. Farmingdale Public Library, 116 Merritts Rd., Farmingdale, NY 11735.
AT MOST TOURNAMENTS!
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. No adv. ent. Rds.: 10:00 AM
For details on SHARP each Saturday. 2 byes 1-5. Info: www.farmcc.webs.com. NS. W. WCL
IF YOUR CELL PHONE RINGS IN A ROOM WITH JGP.
GAMES IN PROGRESS, YOU COULD BE SEVERELY
TURN IT OFF!
2010 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM EVENTS Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, 42nd annual Liberty Bell Open (PA)
PENALIZED, MAYBE EVEN FORFEITED!
See Grand Prix.
East, North, South, West
Jan. 16, Marshall CC Saturday G/60
See Nationals Section! 4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24)
$120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request at entry.

Jan. 17, Marshall CC Sunday Action in SAME ENVELOPE! All substitutions from advance entry list charged late fee. quads thru 7/1/10 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. Novice, open to
5SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $15 extra to switch sections, $15 charge for each player refund. All players scor- Under 1000 or unrated. EF: $49.40 postmarked by 1/8. Trophies to top 12, top
$20. ($360 b/24): 120-70-50, U2200/unr $65, U2000 $55. Rds.: 12-1:30- ing 4 or more who dont win a trophy will receive a medal! 8 weeks free entry, 3 unrateds, top 6 schools. Plaques to top 2 each grade: 7-9 (you can win both
2:45-4-5:20pm. One bye available, request at entry. except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks free, except quads, to 2nd team plaque & trophy). Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru
(top 4 scores from same school = team score). Speed playoff for 5-0. Limit 2 6/1/10 to 1st, thru 5/1 to 2nd, thru 4/1 to 3rd. All: EFs $7 extra per player
Jan. 19, Marshall Masters (formerly the St. Johns Masters) byes (rds. 4-5 commit before rd. 3). Mail entries: list name, rating, ID# postmarked 1/9-15, all $65 at site. Mail entries $5 less per player if 4 or
See Grand Prix.
(proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues if necessary), more from same school in SAME ENVELOPE! All substitutions from advance
Jan. 21, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight! school, grade, birthdate, address. Checks to (specify section): Chess Center entry list charged late fee. $15 extra to switch sections, $15 charge for each
See Grand Prix. of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. To confirm receipt, enclose SASE. player refund. All players scoring 4 or more who dont win a trophy will receive
No mail postmarked after 1/15. Phone entries: $59 by credit card thru 1/25: a medal! 8 weeks free entry, except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks
Jan. 23-24 or 24, January Open
845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191, 24 hours, entries only). Online entries at free, except quads, to 2nd team (top 4 scores from same school = team
See Grand Prix.
www.chesscenter.cc: $46 thru 1/15, $53 1/16-1/25. No phone or on-line score; no combined schools, even if one school feeds another). Speed play-
Jan. 24, Binghamton Monthly Tourney entries after 1/25. On-site entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends 9:15 am. Rds. 10- off for 5-0. Limit 2 byes (rds. 4-5 commit before rd. 3). Mail entries: list
FREE USCF ONLINE MEMBERSHIP ($34 VALUE, call for details) WITH 12-2-3:30-5:15. Questions, team rooms: [email protected] (Jan 29-30 name, rating, ID# (proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues
ENTRY FEE. 4 ROUND SS, GAME/60. Reg.: 8:45 AM to 9:00 AM. ENTRY: $35 only: 212-971-0101). Bring sets, clocks, boards NONE SUPPLIED! if necessary), school, grade, birthdate, address. Checks to (specify section):
Cash only on site. Please register in advance if possible. (Checks payable to Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. To confirm receipt,
Cordiscos Corner Store.) Rounds: 9:15, 11:45, 2:15, 4:30. Prizes: Guaran-
Jan. 30, Marshall CC Saturday G/60
enclose SASE. No mail postmarked after 1/15. Phone entries: $59 by credit
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24)
teed. Open Section. 1st- $130, 2nd - $70, 3rd- $30. Trophies 1st - 3rd. Under card thru 1/25: 845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191, 24 hours, entries only).
$120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
1700. 1st- $65, 2nd- $30.Trophies 1st - 4th. Please bring clocks. Cordiscos Chess Online entries at www.chesscenter.cc: $46 thru 1/15, $53 1/16-1/25. No
11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request at entry.
Center, 308 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901. (607) 772-8782. jcordisco@ phone or on-line entries after 1/25. On-site entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends
stny.rr.com. Jan. 31, Grandmaster Challenge (QC) 9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Questions, team rooms: chess-
See Grand Prix. [email protected] (Jan 29-31 only: 212-971-0101). Bring sets, clocks, boards
Jan. 24, SAR Academy Scholastic Chess Championship VIII
4-SS, G/30. 655 W. 254 St., Bronx (RIVERDALE), NY. 5 SECTIONS. BEGINNER A Heritage Event! NONE SUPPLIED!
(grades K-1 only) Unrated Players Only. NOVICE (grades 2/below) U600. Jan. 31, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 44th Annual Feb. 2, Marshall CC New York Experts
RESERVE (grades 2-6 only) U500. PRIMARY (Grades 5/below) U1000 CHAM- Greater NY Elementary Championship - USCFs Longest-Running Open to U2200. 4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF:
PIONSHIP/OPEN (grades 12/below). AWARDS: Trophies to top 15 in each Scholastic! $40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.:
section. Top U400 NOVICE, U700 PRIMARY, U800 CHAMPIONSHIP. Special 5-SS, G/30, open to all born after 1/31/97 not yet in 7th grade. New Yorker 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, request at entry.
Prizes: Engraved digital chess clocks toTop Player in each section, all 4-0 scores Hotel, 481 8th Ave. & 34th St., NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF:
&Top Unrated in Open Section. Engraved plaque to top UNR player in each sec- $47.60 postmarked by 1/08/10. Trophies to top 12, top U1200, top 3 unrated, Feb. 4, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
top 6 school teams. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
tion. High Scorer trophy to all who score 2 and do not get into top 15. Engraved
8/1/10 to 1st, thru 7/1 to 2nd, thru 6/1 to 3rd. Junior-Varsity: open to 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
medals to all others. Team Prizes: Trophies to top 4 teams in each section.
Under 1000 or unrated. EF: $47.50 postmarked by 1/8. Trophies to top 12, top specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
Engraved digital chess clock to Top Team in each section. (Team score created
3 unrated, top 6 schools. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
by adding top 4 scores from same school). EARLY EF: $39 if received (post-
7/1/10 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. Novice, open to Under 700 or 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
marked by JAN 19). LATE EF: $45 Phoned, faxed or online thereafter until Jan
unrated. EF: $47.40 postmarked by 1/8.Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrateds, top 9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
22, 5pm. Onsite EF: $55. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rds.: All 10-11:30-12:45-2. Late
6 schools. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 6/1/10 to 10 min. before game.
entrants may not be paired for the first round. Mail Entries: and make check
payable to Tri-State Chess, 1675 York Ave. #2M, N.Y. N.Y. 10128. Phone: (718) 1st, thru 5/1 to 2nd, thru 4/1 to 3rd. All: EFs $7 extra per player postmarked Feb. 6, 23rd Annual Super Saturday in New York!
645-5896. Fax: (718) 535-7896 Online Entry: www.TriStateChess.com. 1/9-15, all $65 at site. Mail entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from same See Grand Prix.
school in SAME ENVELOPE! All substitutions from advance entry list charged
Jan. 25-Feb. 8, 21st Nassau G/60 Championship late fee. $15 extra to switch sections, $15 charge for each player refund. All Feb. 6, Syracuse University Winter Open
See Grand Prix. players scoring 4 or more who dont win a trophy will receive a medal! 8 weeks 4SS Rds.: 1&2 G/60, Rds.: 3&4 G/90. Syracuse University, Carnegie Hall,
Rm. 222 (Fr 81N, Ex. 690E, Ex. 14, Son Teal to Columbus, L on E. Genesee, R.
Jan. 27-Feb. 24, Marshall CC Under-2000 Wednesday Swiss free entry, except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks free, except
Westcott, R. Euclid, to Park Check Pt, 3rd right. Fr 81S, Ex. E. Adams, R on E.
5SS, 30/90, SD/1. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. quads, to 2nd team (top 4 scores from same school = team score). Speed play-
off for 5-0. Limit 2 byes (rds. 4-5 commit before rd. 3). Mail entries: list Adams, R on Comstock, R Euclid, to Park Check Pt, 3rd right). EF: $30. Prizes
$$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Wednes-
(b/20): $200, 125, 75 Class 100. Reg.: 8:30-9:15. Rds.: 9:30, 12:00, 2:15, 5:30.
day. Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3. WCL JGP. name, rating, ID# (proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues
if necessary), school, grade, birthdate, address. Checks to (specify section): Ent: Joe Ball (315) 436-9008. WCL JGP.
Jan. 28, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. To confirm receipt, Feb. 7, Super Rated Beginners Open! RBO
enclose SASE. No mail postmarked after 1/15. Phone entries: $59 by credit 4-SS, G/50. Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 West 10 St., between 5-
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
card thru 1/25: 845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191, 24 hours, entries only). 6 Ave., NYC: 845-569-9969, for Under 1200 or those not rated in any country.
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
Online entries at www.chesscenter.cc: $46 thru 1/15, $53 1/16-1/25. No EF $30, Club Members $20, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
phone or on-line entries after 1/25. On-site entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends free. $$200 b/20 paid: $100-60-40. Reg. ends 11:45 am. Rds. 12-2-4-6 pm.
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Questions, team rooms: chess- No advance entries.
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
[email protected] (Jan 29-31 only: 212-971-0101). Bring sets, clocks, boards
10 min. before game. Feb. 7, Super Sunday (Pre) Game/60 Quad!
NONE SUPPLIED!
3-RR, G/60. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet. 5-6th Ave.,
A Heritage Event!
Jan. 30, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 31st Annual A Heritage Event! NYC: 845-569-9969. EF: $30, Club membs. $20 NO FREE ENTRIES!! $$ (60
Greater NY Primary Championship Jan. 31, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 44th Annual to 1st each quad, b/4 per quad). Reg. ends 11:50 am. Rds. 12-2-4. All
Greater NY High School Championship - USCFs Longest-Running players must agree to play all 3 games. NO PHONE ENTRIES!
5-SS, G/30, open to all born after 1/30/00 in grades 3/below. New Yorker Hotel,
Scholastic!
481 8th Ave. & 34th St., NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF: $46.60 post- Feb. 7, The Chess Exchange Monthly Trophy Quads
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 12/below born after 1/31/90. New Yorker
marked by 1/08/10. Trophies to top 12, top rated U900, top 3 unrated, top 6 1st Sunday every month. 3-RR, G/30.The Chess Exchange: Chess & Games Club,
Hotel, 481 8th Ave. & 34th St., NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF:
school teams. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 8/1/10 288Third Ave., Bklyn, 718-645-5896. EF: $15. $$:Trophies to top 2 in each quad.
$49.60 postmarked by 1/08/10. Trophies to top 12, top U1700, top 3 unrated,
to 1st, thru 7/1 to 2nd, thru 6/1 to 3rd. Novice: open to Under 700 or unrated. Reg.: ends 10 minutes before rd. 1. Rds.: 3-4:15-5:30.
top 6 school teams. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru
EF: $46.50 postmarked by 1/8. Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrated. Free entry
8/1/10 to 1st, thru 7/1 to 2nd, thru 6/1 to 3rd. Junior-Varsity: open to Feb. 7, The Right Move #159 Team and Individual Championship
to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 7/1/10 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru
Under 1600 or unrated. EF: $49.50 postmarked by 1/8. Trophies to top 12, top FREE EF.
5/1 to 3rd. K-1, open to grade 1/below. EF: $46.40 postmarked by 1/8. Tro-
U1400, top 3 unrated, top 6 schools. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except 4SS, G/30. Play starts promptly at 10:00. Players must check in by 9:15 A.M.
phies to top 12, top rated U500, top 3 unrateds, top 6 schools. Free entry to
all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 7/1/10 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru
5/1 to 3rd. All: EFs $7 extra per player postmarked 1/9-15, all $65 at site. Mail
entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from same school in SAME ENVE-
LOPE! All substitutions from advance entry list charged late fee. $15 extra to
switch sections, $15 charge for each player refund. All players scoring 4 or more
who dont win a trophy will receive a medal! 8 weeks free entry, except quads,
to 1st team each section, 4 weeks free, except quads, to 2nd team (top 4 scores
from same school = team score). Speed playoff for 5-0. Limit 2 byes (rds. 4-
5 commit before rd. 3). Mail entries: list name, rating, ID# (proof of current
USCF membership required, enclose dues if necessary), school, grade, birth-
date, address. Checks to (specify section): Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615,
New Windsor, NY 12553. To confirm receipt, enclose SASE. No mail post-
marked after 1/15. Phone entries: $59 by credit card thru 1/25: 845-569-9969
(or 406-896-2191, 24 hours, entries only). Online entries at www.chess cen-
ter.cc: $46 thru 1/15, $53 1/16-1/25. No phone or on-line entries after 1/25.
On-site entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends 9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15.
Questions, team rooms: [email protected] (Jan 29-30 only: 212-971-
0101). Bring sets, clocks, boards NONE SUPPLIED!
A Heritage Event!
Jan. 30, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 44th Annual
Greater NY Junior High Championship - USCFs Longest-Running
Scholastic!
5-SS, G/30, open to all born after 1/30/94 not yet in 10th grade. New Yorker
Hotel, 481 8th Ave. & 34th St., NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF:
$48.60 postmarked by 1/08/10. Trophies to top 12, top U1500, top 3 unrated,
top 6 school teams. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru
8/1/10 to 1st, thru 7/1 to 2nd, thru 6/1 to 3rd. Junior-Varsity: open to
Under 1200 or unrated. EF: $48.50 postmarked by 1/8.Trophies to top 12, top
3 unrated, top 6 schools. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru
7/1/10 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. Novice, open to Under 700 or
unrated. EF: $48.40 postmarked by 1/8.Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrateds, top
6 schools. Plaques to top 2 each grade: 4-6 (you can win both plaque & tro-
phy). Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 6/1/10 to 1st, thru
5/1 to 2nd, thru 4/1 to 3rd. All: EFs $7 extra per player postmarked 1/9-15,
all $65 at site. Mail entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from same school

Tournament Life
(Latecomers will not play in round one). Brandeis H.S., 145 W. 84th St., 10024 $20, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$200 b/20 paid: $100- Mar. 3-31, Marshall CC Under 2000 Wednesday Swiss
(near Columbus Ave., Manhattan, NYC). Open to gr. K-12. Five rated sections: 60-40, $60 limit to unr. Reg. ends 3:45 pm. Rds. 4-5:15-6:45-8 pm. No advance 5SS, 30/90,SD/1. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $40, members $20.
Open, Under 1700, Under 1200, Under 800, Under 600. (May renew or join entries. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds..: 7 PM each
USCF at tournament). Non-member sections by grades: K-3, 4-6, 7-12.Trophies Wednesday. Byes OK, limit 2, request by Round 3.
to top 3 in each section except Open ($50, $30, $20 for 1st-3rd); medal to each Feb. 22-Mar. 22, Marshall CC Under 1600 Monday Swiss
player with 2.5 or more points. Team plaque to 1st and 2nd each section, with 5SS, G/90. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300 Mar. 4, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
top 4 scores counting in each section (minimum 3 players on team in section). b/20: $120-70-50, U1300 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7 PM each Monday. 4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
To register: use website at www.therightmove.org or email - thechessstop@aol. Byes OK, limit 2, request by Rd. 3. WCL JGP. 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
com or Fax to 718-455-2863 before 6:00PM on Fri. Give full name, school, grade, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
Feb. 25, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
USCF ID#, exp. date, and section. NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION. 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-
Feb. 11, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 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
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100- 10 min. before game.
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20, 50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100- 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15- Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, 19th annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under See Grand Prix.
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15- 10 min. before game. Mar. 6-7 or 7, Marshall March U2300
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under Feb. 26-28, 4th annual Saratoga Open 4SS, 30/90, SD/1. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $45,
10 min. before game. See Grand Prix. Members $25. ($360 b/24) $120-70-50, U2000/unr $65, U1700 $55. Reg.: ends
Feb. 13, Marshall CC Saturday G/60 12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, rds 12:30-5:30 PM each day; 1 day, (rds
Feb. 27, Marshall CC Saturday G/60 1-2 G/30) 10-11:15 AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both merge rd.3. Limit 2 byes,
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24) 4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($360 b/24) $120-
$120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. may be limited to first 60 players. WCL JGP.
70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request at entry. 11:15-11:45AM. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request Mar. 7, Rodeph Sholom Scholastic Chess Championship III
Feb. 14, Marshall CC Sunday Action at entry. 4-SS, G/30. 7 WEST 83 ST., NYC. 5 SECTIONS. BEGINNER (grades K-1 only)
5SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members Unrated Players Only. NOVICE (grades 2/below) U600. RESERVE (grades 2-
A State Championship Event! 6 only) U500. PRIMARY (Grades 5/below) U1000. CHAMPIONSHIP/OPEN
$20. ($360 b/24), 1/2 price for couples in honor of St. Valentines Day: 120- Feb. 27-28, New York State Scholastic Championships
70-50, U2200/unr $65, U2000 $55. Rds.: 12-1:30-2:45-4-5:20pm. One bye (grades 12/below). AWARDS: Trophies to top 15 in each section. Top U400
Open to grades K-12 in any state (top NYS player & team in each section are NOVICE, U700 PRIMARY, U800 CHAMPIONSHIP. Special Prizes: Engraved dig-
available, request at entry. NY champions). Saratoga Hilton, 534 Broadway (I-87 Exit 13-N, 4 miles north ital chess clocks to: Top Player in each section, all 4-0 scores & Top Unrated
Feb. 16, Marshall Masters (formerly the St. Johns Masters) on US 9), Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.Team prizes based on top 4 scores from in Open Section. Engraved plaque to top UNR player in each section. High Scorer
See Grand Prix. same school; no combined school teams allowed even if one school feeds trophy to all who score 2 and do not get into top 15. Engraved medals to all
another. Teams of 2 or 3 players allowed, but are at a disadvantage. In 6 sec- others. Team Prizes: Trophies to top 4 teams in each section. Engraved digi-
Feb. 18, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight! tions, each is a 6SS, G/60 except K-1 is 5SS, G/30 playing Feb 28 only. High
See Grand Prix. tal chess clock to Top Team in each section. (Team score created by adding top
School, grades K-12. EF $38 mailed by 2/5. Top NYS grade 9-12 qualifies for 4 scores from same school). EARLY EF: $39 if received (postmarked by March
Feb. 18-Mar. 25, FIDE Thursdays!! DenkerTournament of HS Champions. Junior High, grades K-9. EF $37.90 mailed 1). LATE EF: $45 Phoned, faxed or online thereafter until March 5, 5pm.
6SS, G/120. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. Open to all players rated 1600 by 2/5. Elementary, grades K-6. EF $37.60 mailed by 2/5. Elementary Novice, Onsite EF: $55. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rds.: All 10-11:30-12:45-2. Late entrants may
or above. EF: $50, $30 members. $$500 b/20: $175-125-100, U2000 $100; 2 grades K-6 under 800 or unrated. EF $37.50 mailed by 2/5. Primary, grades not be paired for the first round. Mail Entries: and make check payable to Tri-
byes OK, commit before Round 4. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7PM each Thursday; K-3. EF $37.30 mailed by 2/5. K-1, grades K-1. EF $37.10 mailed by 2/5. State Chess, 1675 York Ave. #2M, N.Y. N.Y. 10128 Phone: (718) 645-5896 Fax:
FIDE rated. WCL JGP. Postmarked 2/6-16: All EF $10 more. Do not mail entry after 2/17. Online (718) 535-7896 Online Entry: www.TriStateChess.com.
Feb. 19-Mar. 19, Queens Late Winter Open at chesstour.com, all sections: EF $40 by 2/6, $50 by 2/22. No online entry
Mar. 11, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
See Grand Prix. after 2/22. Phoned to 406-896-2038, all sections: EF $45 by 2/6, $55 by 2/22.
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
No phone entry after 2/22. Entry at site: all $60. Trophies to top 20 players,
Feb. 20, New York February Action! 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
top 3 Unrated, and top 8 teams each section and top each U1400, U1200, U1000
See Grand Prix. specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
(HS), U1200, U1000, U800 (JHS), U1000, U800 (Elem), U600, U400 (Elem
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
Feb. 21, 11th Annual NY February Under 13 Open! Novice). Speed playoff if perfect score tie. Free entry to NY State Championship, 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
4-SS, G/30, open to all born after 2/21/97. Chess Center at Marshall Chess Labor Day weekend 2010 (Albany), to top player each section. Schedule: 9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
Club, 23 West 10th St., bet. 5-6 Ave., NYC: 845-569-9969. May be limited to 1st Late reg. ends Sat 11 am, rds Sat 12-3-6, Sun 9-12-2:30. K-1 schedule: Late 10 min. before game.
52 entries. 2 Sections. 1. Open, EF: $32 postmarked by 2/12/10. 2. Novice, reg. ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10-12-1:30-3-4:30. Half point byes OK all, limit
for Under 1000 or Unrated, EF: $31 mailed by 2/12. Both, EF: $30 online at 2, must commit before rd 2. HR: $117-117, 888-999-4711, 518-584-4000, Mar. 13-14 or 14, March Open
www.chesscenter.cc by 2/18, $35 by phone at 406-896-2191 by 2/18, $40 reserve by 2/13 or rate may increase. 48 hours notice required for room can- See Grand Prix.
at site, Club members $10 less ($10 fee for refunds). Trophies to top 10, top cellation. Backup hotel: Courtyard by Marriott, 2 blocks away, 518-226-0538. Mar. 31-Apr. 4, Apr. 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4, Philadelphia Open (PA)
Unr, top 3 teams (top 3 scorers from same school) each section. 8 weeks free Special car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #657633. Mail entry: Con- See Grand Prix.
entry to 1st, 4 weeks free to 2nd each section. Speed playoff for 4-0. Limit of tinental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Include name, rating,
2 byes, commit by 11:30. On-site reg. ends 9:30 am. Rds 10-11:30-12:45-2 pm. USCF ID, USCF expiration (non-members enclose dues), section, school, grade, Apr. 16-18 or 17-18, Hartford Open (CT)
Ent: Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. List USCF ID, birth date, address of each player. Checks payable to Continental Chess. $15 See Grand Prix.
rating, section, school/grade, DOB. per player service charge for refunds. $10 extra to switch sections, all
substitutions from advance list charged $60. Questions: chesstour.com, 845- North Carolina
Feb. 21, NEW Sunday Sliding Scale Quads! 496-9658. Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied.
3-RR, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W. 10th St., NYC: 212- Jan. 16, TACO LVIII
477-3716. EF: Master $35, Expert $30, A $25, U1800 $20. $$ (all EFs returned Feb. 28, Grandmaster Challenge 3-SS, G/90. Caraleigh Fellowship Hall, 118 Summit Ave., Raleigh, NC. EF: $21
less $36 per quad). Reg ends 7:20 pm. Rds. 7:30-8:30-9:30. NO FREE ENTRIES!! See Grand Prix. (recd by 1/14)/$25 at site. Prize fund: $$640 b/40. OPEN: $120-$60 u2000:
No phone entry! $60, U1800: $100-$50 u1600 $50, U1400: $100-$50 u1200 $50. Reg.: 9-9:45.
Mar. 2, Marshall CC New York Experts Rds.: 10-1:45-5. NCCA reqd $5 OSA. Info: http://raleighchess.freewebpages.
Feb. 21, Sunday Under 1400 Action! Open to U2200 4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: org/taco.html. Jeff Jones (919)270-9948. [email protected].
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 West 10 St., between 5- $40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50. U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.:
6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716, for Under 1400 or unrated. EF $30, Club Members Jan. 29-31, Land of the Sky XXIII
7-8:15-9:30-10:45. One bye available, request at entry.
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Raleigh Tournament Chess Club #7
4-SS, G/75 one game per week, Explore! 6801 Falls of Neuse Rd., Raleigh, NC.
EF: $3/night Prizes: 75% GTD. Info: http://raleighchess.freewebpages.org.
Jon Achelpohl (740)466-8995. [email protected]. WCL JGP.
Feb. 20, TACO LIX
3-SS, G/90. Caraleigh Fellowship Hall, 118 Summit Ave., Raleigh, NC. EF: $21
(recd by 2/18)/$25 at site. Prize fund: $$640 b/40. OPEN: $120-$60 u2000:
$60, U1800: $100-$50 u1600 $50, U1400: $100-$50 u1200 $50. Reg.: 9-9:45.
Rds.: 10-1:45-5. NCCA reqd $5 OSA. Info: http://raleighchess.freewebpages.
org/taco.html. Jeff Jones (919)270-9948. [email protected].
Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, 2010 U. S. Masters
See Nationals.
Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, N.C. Sub-Masters
9SS, 40/2,SD/30. Hendersonville, NC. $$1670 b/50. Rds.: Concurrent with U.S.
Masters. EF: $50 by Feb 13, $55 by Mar 9, $60 at site. HR: Quality Inn & Suites,
201 Sugarloaf Rd., Hendersonville NC 28792. $60 or $68/night with hot break-
fast, indoor pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and mini-golf. 800-581-4745, www.qualityinn-
suiteshvl.com. Info and entry: Kevin Hyde, 705 Old Mountain Page Rd., Saluda,
NC 28773. [email protected] www.ncchess.org. WCL JGP.
Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, Sub-Sub-Masters RBO
9SS, 40/2,SD/30. Hendersonville, NC. Rated U1000 or unrated. Plaque to 1st.
Rds.: Concurrent with U.S. Masters. EF: $10. Info and entry: Kevin Hyde, 705
Old Mountain Page Rd., Saluda, NC 28773. [email protected] www.ncchess.org.
WCL JGP.
June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, 38th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Ohio
Jan. 16-17, 6th Annual Holiday Blues Open
5 Round SwissTmt, Rds. 1&2, G/75, td/5; Rds. 3, 4, & 5, G/2h30m, td/5. Reg.:
Sat: 9:30-10:30 am. Rds.: Sat 11-2-5:30, Sun 10-3:30. One BYE permitted.
Declare prior to R2. 3 Sections: OPEN/U1900/U1500. EF: $26/$40 - adv/after
01/13/10. DCC mbr discount $3. EF refunded to 2200 & up who complete sched-

ule. PRIZES: OPEN: $250-125. U1900: $225-100. U1500: $200-100. $1000 $10 more on-site 6:30-6:45; $10 less for players under 18. Rds.: 7:00, then ASAP.
b/48 paid entries, re-entries $15 count as 1/2 entry. LOC: Dayton Chess Club Prizes: $100 to 1st overall; others per entries. Register at www.silverknights
Rhode Island
- 18 West Fifth Street, Dayton, OH 45402. Call 937.461.6283 or email chess.com. Registration limited to first 30 players. Jan. 9, Cumberland Chessfest for kids
[email protected] or go to www.DaytonChessClub.com for additional Register online website: www.richess.org, email: rhodeislandchess@yahoo.
info (directions, parking, hotels, etc.). Register online at www.daytonchess
Jan. 30, ASAP Chess Challenge Tournament com. (401) 359-1602.
club.com or mail to Dayton Chess Club location address above (please note which Great Hall, 2nd Floor, Winnet Building, Comm. College of Phil., 1700 Spring Gar-
den St., Philadelphia, PA 19130. 6 Sections. ALL SECTIONS FREE. Scholastic Jan. 23 & Feb. 27, BK Tmt for kids
section you intend to play in). WCL JGP.
Rated Sections: K-5: 4SS G/45, K-8: 4SS G/45, K-12: 3SS, G/60. Trophies for Register online website: www.richess.org, email: rhodeislandchess@yahoo.
Jan. 29-31 or 30-31, 33rd Cardinal Open top 5. Scholastic Non-Rated Sections: K-5: 4SS, G/40, K-8: 4SS, G/40, K- com. (401) 359-1602.
See Grand Prix. 12: 4SS, G/45. Non-USCF-rated. Medallions to winners. All: Depending upon
Feb. 13, Toledo Feb Swiss entries, an additional round may be added or sections divided. Reg.: 8:30am- South Carolina
Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds. 2-4 G/90. The University of Toledo Health Sci- 9:30am. 1st Rd at 10am. Ent/Info & Pre-Reg (by Wed 5pm): Windsor Jordan, Jan. 23, 5th Patrick D. Hart Memorial Scholastic
ence Campus, Mulford Library Basement Caf, 3000 Arlington Ave.,Toledo, Ohio 1520 Locust St., Suite 1104, Phila., PA 19102, [email protected], 215- (Chess Adventures South Carolina Grand Prix tournament, for info, go to
43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 2/11 $25 at site. 545-2727 ext. 18. www.chessadventures.com) 4SS, G30. Best Western Charleston-Downtown, 250
Reg.: 9-10 a.m. Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50, 1st Class A Jan. 31, PCL January Quick Quads (QC) Spring St., Charleston, SC 29403. EF: $20 if recd by 1/20/10; $25 at site. USCF
,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd., 3RR, G/15. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & Bigelow, Pittsburgh, & SCCA memberships reqd. OSA,Trophies to 1st, 2nd & 3rd plus free 1yr USCF
Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450. WCL JGP. PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-11:15am, Rds.: 11:30am- memberships each. Reg.: 8-9:30am. Rds.: 10am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm. In four
Noon-12:30pm. Info: [email protected], 412-908-0286. W. USCF rated sections: K-3, K-5, K-8 & K-12 (Sections may be combined for pair-
Mar. 13, 9th Annual Queen City Classic Chess Tournament
ing purposes, if necessary.) Special Non-rated Beginners section - 4 rds,
5SS, G/30. Paul Brown Stadium, Club West, Downtown Cincinnati, OH. 17 A State Championship Event! G/30 Open to beginning players. No USCF membership reqd. EF: $15 Prize for
School Sections, includes rated and non-rated. Grade K Non-Rated, Grade Feb. 6, 2010 PA State Amateur Team Championship top finisher/s - free 1 yr USCF membership. HR: $69.99 plus 12.5% tax (men-
1 Non-Rated, Grade 2 Non-rated, Grade 3 Non-rated, Grades K-3<600, Grades 4SS, G/75. William Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh, tion tournament) Adv. Ent: Charleston Chess Club c/o David Y. Causey, 741
K-3 Open, Grade 4 Non-Rated, Grade 5 Non-Rated, Grade 6 Non-Rated, Grades PA 15213. 4-player teams, average rating U2200, alternates allowed. EF: Dragoon Dr., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. Email: [email protected].
4-6<700, Grades 4-6 Open, Grades 7-9 Non-Rated, Grades 7-9<900, Grades $60/team by 1/29, $80 later. $$ (700 b/16 teams): $250-100, U2000 $95, U1800
7-9 Open, Grades 10-12 Non-Rated, K-12 Open, Collegiate. USCF membership $90, U1600 $85, U1400 $80. Reg.: 9-9:30 Rds.: 10-1-4-7. PSCF $5, OSA.
Feb. 5-7, 36th Snowstorm Special
is not required for the non-rated and K-3 rated sections. Registration form online See Grand Prix.
Ent/Info: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223, 412-
at www.queencityclassic.org. Prizes: Trophies to all who score 3.5 points or 908-0286, [email protected]. W. WCL JGP.
higher, top five team trophies awarded medals to all others. EF: $35 early bird Tennessee
fee which includes lunch, t-shirt, program/score book, medal, simul participa- Feb. 6, Chess Bowl 2010 Feb. 27, Pre-Spring Special
tion. Registration fee increases to $40 after February 1. After March 1, entry 4SS, G/30. Wayne Elementary School, 651 W. Wayne Ave., Wayne, PA 19087.
3 sections: G/60 (4 rds) and G/30 (7 rds) and U1200 G/45 (5 rds), EF: $20 ($15
fee is $50. Registration closes Wednesday, March 10, 2010. NO SATUR- Sections: K-6 U/700, K-12 Champ. EF: $22 online by 2/3; $27 online by noon
MCC members) 1st G/30-$100; 1st G/60-$100 guaranteed prizes. U1200:Tro-
DAY REGISTRATIONS. Checks, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and AmEx accepted. 2/5; $35 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10:00, then ASAP. Prizes: trophies to top indi-
phies to Top 3. Free blitz tournament for all entries after last rd! ($10 for blitz
Schedule: Friday, March 12, early check in from 4-6 p.m. FREE SIMUL at 6:30 viduals & schools. Free game analysis by NM Adam Weissbarth. See
only), unrated g/5, trophy for 1st. Registration 2/27: 8-9:30am. Rounds
p.m. for tournament participants, $20 for non-participants. SIMUL features Inter- www.silverknightschess.com to register, or for information about sections
(G/60): 10-1-3-5. Rounds (G/30): 10-11-1-2-3-4-5. Rounds (G/45): 10 and as
national Master Irina Krush, International Grandmasters Maurice Ashley and for unrated players.
soon as possible. Site: Hampton Inn, 962 South Shady Grove Rd., Memphis,
Gregory Kaidanov and special guests. Saturday, March 13, check in 7- 8:30 a.m., Feb. 19, Friday Night Action #14 TN 38120. Hotel reservations: (901) 762-0056. Entries: Memphis Chess Club
matches begin at 9:00 a.m. Grandmasters will be available for questions and 4SS, G/30. Belmont Park Classroom, 200 Anderson Road, King of Prussia, PA Inc., PO Box 17864, Memphis, TN 38187-0864. www.memphischess.com, gpy-
instructions in the skittles room all day Saturday. Entry/Info: Queen City Clas- 19406. Sections: Open, U/1400. EF: $30 online by noon the day of the event; [email protected].
sic Chess Tournament, 5400 Kennedy Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45213. $10 more on-site 6:30-6:45; $10 less for players under 18. Rds.: 7:00, then ASAP.
1.866.772.4377, 513.924.5038 or fax to 513.352.9370. Confirm all registrations Apr. 23-25 or 24-25, 9th Southern Class Championships
Prizes: $100 to 1st overall; others per entries. Register at www.silverknights See Grand Prix.
at www.cpu-solutions.com. chess.com. Registration limited to first 30 players.
Mar. 13, Toledo Mar Swiss Feb. 20, 2010 Presidents Week LVCA Grand Prix Texas
Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90.The University ofToledo Health Science See Grand Prix.
Campus, Mulford Library Basement Caf, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, Ohio Jan. 9-10, Texas Team Championship
43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 3/11 $25 at site. Feb. 21, PCL February Quick Quads (QC) 4SS, G/90 with 30 sec. increment (G/120 if no increment clock available). Bridge
Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50, 1st Class A 3RR, G/15. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & Bigelow, Pittsburgh, Center of Austin, 6700 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin,TX. Open to four-player teams
,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd., PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-11:15am, Rds.: 11:30am- avg. U2200 based on Dec. 2009 rating list. One alternate allowed, must be low-
Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450. WCL JGP. Noon-12:30pm. Info: [email protected], 412-908-0286. W. est rated. EF: $100/team if recd by Jan 7th, $125 at site.TCA memb. req. ($10
reg. $7.50 jr. U19, $1 jr. tmt), o.s.a. $$($1325 b/16 teams): 1st - $500 + tro-
Apr. 16-18, 2010 All Girls National Championship presented by Feb. 27, State Warm-Up phy, 2nd - $250, 1st U1900 - $250 + trophy, 2nd U1900 - $125. Board prizes:
the Kasparov Chess Foundation in association with the USCF and 4SS, G/30. Mother of Divine Providence School, 405 Allendale Road, King of Top scorer on each board - $50 + plaque. Reg.: 10:30-11:45 am. Rds.: 12:30-
UTD. Prussia, PA 19406. Sections: K-6 U/700, K-12 Champ. EF: $22 online by 2/24; 6:00, 9:30-3:00. Ent: online at www.AustinChessTournaments.com or mail
See Nationals. $27 online by noon 2/26; $35 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10:00, then ASAP. entry to AustinChessTournaments.com, P.O. Box 1386, Round Rock,TX, 78680;
Prizes: trophies to top individuals & schools. Free game analysis by NM Peter 512-417-9008; [email protected] NS. NC. W. WCL
May 27-31, 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31, 19th annual Chicago Open (IL) Minear. See www.silverknightschess.com to register, or for information about
See Grand Prix. JGP.
sections for unrated players.
Jan. 15-17 or 16-17, JGs Old-Fashioned Hamburgers Texas Class
Oklahoma Mar. 5, 2010 PA Quick Chess Championship (QC)
See Grand Prix.
Championships
University ofTexas at Dallas, Galaxy Rooms At Student Union, 800 West Camp-
Feb. 13-15, Jerry Hanken FIDE Winter Open bell Rd., Richardson,TX 75080. 5SS, G/120, Rd 1 of 2 day is G/60. In 7 Sections
See Grand Prix. Mar. 6-7, 2010 Carlisle Open & PA Collegiate Championship
See Grand Prix. Under 2200: Open to 2199 & under. Unrateds may play in this section but are
ineligible for prizes. Under 2000: Open to 1999 & under. Unrateds may play
Pennsylvania
Every 2nd Saturday. Allentown 2nd Saturday Quads
A State Championship Event! in this section but not be eligible for prizes. U1800: Open to 1799 & under. Unrat-
Mar. 6-7, 2010 PA State Scholastic Championship eds may play in this section but not be eligible for prizes. U1600/Unrateds:
3RR, G/40. St. Lukes Ev. Luth. Church, 417 N. 7th St., 5SS. 142 Trophies!! (With 107 Individual & 35 Team). Hotel Carlisle & Embers Open to 1599 & under. Unrateds play in this section. Unrated may only win
Allentown, PA 18102. Quads open to all. EF: $12. Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit 52A NB/Exit unrated prizes that are determined by unrated entry fees. The unrated entry
$$24/quad. Reg.: 12-1, Rds.: 1:15-2:45-4:15. No adv. 52 SB off I-81, Exit 226 off PA Turnpike. 8 sections (Sat & Sun 3/6 & 7 unless fees do not apply for U1600 prizes. U1400: Open to 1399 & under. Unrateds
ent. Info: 610-433-6518. Other rated events every week! indicated): EF: K-3 Open: (Sat 3/6 only) $29. K-6 U800: (Sat 3/6 only) $27. may not play in this section. Under 1200: Open to 1199 & under. Unrateds may
North Penn Chess Club

K-9 U1000: (Sun 3/7 only) $27.25. K-6 Open: $30.50. K-8 Open: $31.50. 7- not play in this section. Under 1000: Open to 999 & under. Unrateds may not
Main & Richardson, Lansdale, PA. See www.npchess

12 U1000: $28.50. 7-12 U1300: $29.50. K-12 Open: $32.50. All: EFs if recd play in this section. ALL: $$ 60% returned as prizes (30% for 1st, 20% for 2nd
club.org for schedules & info or call 215-699-8418.

by 2/16, $10 more recd 2/17-3/2, $20 more after 3/2. Feb 2010 ratings and 10% for 3rd.). EF: $49 by 1/6/10, Juniors U19/Seniors Over 65/Handicap
used. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd 2. Reg Fri 3/5 6-10 pm, Sat 3/6 9:30-10:15 am, $30 by 1/6/10. Else $65 or Jr/Sr/Hcap $40. Please do not mail after Jan 6th.
Saturday at site entries get 1/2-bye. $5 charge for changes/refund after Register online until Jan 12th: www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=
Jan. 9, Greater Cherry Hill Chess Quads 1796626. Two 1/2 pt. byes if requested before rd 2, but byes for both round 4
See New Jersey. 2/16. Rds (Sat 3/6 1-day sections): G/40T/D5; 10-11:45-2-3:45-5:30; (Sun 3/7
K-9 U1000): G/40, T/D5; 9-10:30-12:30-2-3:30; (2-day sections): G/90, T/D5; and round 5 is not allowed. Two schedules: 3 day and 2 day. 3 day Onsite
Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, 42nd annual Liberty Bell Open 10-2-5:30, 9-1. Bughouse: Reg on-site only until Sat 3/6 8:30pm. Rds begin
Registration: 1/15: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Rounds: Fri 7:20 pm, Sat 12:30 pm - 5:15
See Grand Prix. pm, Sun 9:10 am - 2:45 pm. 2 day Onsite Registration: 1/16: 8:00 - 8:30 am.
Sat 3/6 8:45pm. EF: $20/team. HR: Mention PA States for best rate; 800-
Rounds: Sat 9 am then merge with 3 day. Park on metered parking by Student
Jan. 16, Winter Blast 692-7315 $75. Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA Union or by UTD bookstore. Or get visitors pass at guard shack on University
4SS, G/30. Doylestown Activity Center, 425 Wells Road, Doylestown, PA 18901. 15223-2245. Info: Steve: 215-784-5938 [email protected] Dan: 610- Drive and park on visitors parking. Due to contruction, check website for
Sections: K-6 U/700, K-12 Champ. EF: $22 online by 1/13; $27 online by 649-0750 [email protected] www.pscfchess.org/pascholasticchamp/. parking updates. Recommended Hotel: Hawthorn Suites Richardson, 250
noon 1/15; $35 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10:00, then ASAP. Prizes: trophies to W. Municipal Dr., Richardson,TX 75080. 972-669-1000. HR: $79 for 1 bedroom will
top individuals & schools. Free game analysis by NM Adam Weissbarth. See
www.silverknightschess.com to register, or for information about sections Mar. 20, Greater Philadelphia Scholastic Championships
for unrated players. Radnor Middle School, 150 Louella Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087. Sections: K-1,
K-3, K-6, K-8, K-12. Time Control: K-1, K-3, K-6 5SS, G/30; K-8, K-12 4SS, G/60.
Jan. 23, 6th William J. Browne Memorial Quads
3RR, G/60. Pittsburgh Chess Club, 5604 Solway St., Suite 209, Pittsburgh, PA
15217. EF: $12 by 1/19, $17 later, $2 discount to PCC Members. $30 to first
EF: $30 online by 3/17; $35 by noon 3/19; $40 on-site if at least 30 minutes
before round 1. Rds.: K-1, K-3, K-6 10-11:05-12:30-1:45-3:00, awards ceremony DROPPING OUT?
at 4:00; K-8, K-12 10-12:30-2:35-3:40, awards ceremony at 5:40. Prizes: tro-
each quad. Reg.: 10-10:45am, Rds.: 11AM-1:30PM-4PM. Info: 412-421-1881,
www.pittsburghcc.org. Ent: Pittsburgh Chess Club, Attn: Mike Holsinger, 5604 phies to top individuals & schools. All players in K-1, K-3, and K-6 sections get
trophies. Free game analysis by NM Peter Minear. Winner of K-12 is seeded
Have to miss a round?
Solway Street, Suite 209, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Checks payable to Pittsburgh
Chess Club. NC, W. into Greater Philadelphia Junior Invitational. See www.silverknightschess.com
to register. It is very important that you
Jan. 23, January Joust
4SS, G/30. Wayne Elementary School, 651 W. Wayne Ave., Wayne, PA 19087. Mar. 31-Apr. 4, Apr. 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4, Philadelphia Open
Sections: K-6 U/700, K-12 Champ. EF: $22 online by 1/20; $27 online by See Grand Prix. NOTIFY THE DIRECTOR
noon 1/22; $35 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10:00, then ASAP. Prizes: trophies to
top individuals & schools. Free game analysis by NM Adam Weissbarth. See
Apr. 29-May 27, 2010 Hatboro Open before pairings are made, so no one
See Grand Prix.
www.silverknightschess.com to register, or for information about sections is deprived of a game! If you forfeit
for unrated players. June 25-29, 4th annual Philadelphia International without notice, you may be FINED up
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 29, Friday Night Action #13 to the amount of the entry fee!
4SS, G/30. Belmont Park Classroom, 200 Anderson Road, King of Prussia, PA June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, 38th Annual World Open
19406. Sections: Open, U/1400. EF: $30 online by noon the day of the event; See Grand Prix.

Tournament Life
pullout couch, $99 for 1 bedroom plus another king bedroom plus pullout phy. Schedule: Round times vary depending on the Championship; Time con-
couch. Mention UTD rate to get hotel rate. Any problems booking your room, trol also varies. For round times and time control, see: www.swchess.com. Side
Virginia
please ask for Lynn Koutney. Free hot breakfast with hotel room. ENT: Dallas Events: Blitz Tourney: K-6 and K-12, Friday 8pm. EF: $15. Trophies to top 15 Jan. 29-31, Springfield Open
Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. Individual in each section. Bughouse Tourney: K-6 and K-12, Saturday, See Grand Prix.
214.632.9000 INFO: Barb Swafford, [email protected], www.swchess.com. 8:35pm. EF: $20 Team (On site registration only). trophies to top 10 teams in
Jan. 31, Springfield Sunday Quads

NS, NC. WCL JGP. each section. All registrations (except Bughouse) available on line: see
3-RR, G/61. EF: $25 Adv if recd by 1/22/2009, $30 at site. $$80 1st. Reg.:
Jan. 15-17, JGs Old-Fashioned Hamburgers Texas Masters www.swchess.com and you can download flyers and entry forms. Checks
Sunday 1/31 9a-10:25a. Rds.: 10:30a - 1:30p - 3:45p. See Springfield Open
payable to Dallas Chess Club. Mail entries to Dallas Chess Club, c/o Barbara
See Grand Prix. for site and entry details.
Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. For tournament info, visit
Jan. 23, 2010 HCC Closed our website or contact Barbara Swafford, [email protected] or 214-632- Feb. 13-14, Kingstowne Chess Festival
OPEN TO HCC MEMBERS ONLY. 9000 SW FRWY STE. 428, Houston, TX 77074. 9000. Refunds will be given only up to 2/17 with a $10 surcharge for See Grand Prix.
713-773-2437, EF: $40 BEFORE Jan. 23, 2010, $50 at the door. REG.: 7:30 to withdrawing, after 2/17 there will be no refunds. There will be no substitution Feb. 20, February Freeze K-8 Chess Tournament
8:30 am Jan. 23, 2010. 60% of entries will be paid out. Rd times: 9am, 12 pm, of team members.There will be a $10 change fee for changes after 2/17.There 4SS, G/30. Montessori School of McLean, 1711 Kirby Road, McLean, VA 22101.
2pm, 4 pm. Time control: G/60. Please contact: MARK D. at: dixon- will be a $5 surcharge per player for phone registrations USCF membership Sections: K-8 Rated, K-8 Unrated. EF: $20 online by 2/17; $25 online by noon
[email protected] or DENNIS at: [email protected]. is required. Proof of membership is required or player must join/renew their 2/19; $30 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10:00, then ASAP. Prizes: trophies to top
Feb. 12-14, South Houston Open memberships. No registration/changes/or withdrawals after 2/17/10. After individuals & schools. Free game analysis by NM Adam Weissbarth. See
See Grand Prix. that date you must make changes at site (Sheraton Dallas North). Chess In Edu- www.silverknightschess.com to register.
cation Conference for coaches, teachers and administrators, contact
A State Championship Event! [email protected] for more info. NS, NC, W. Mar. 5-7, 42nd Annual Virginia Open
Feb. 19-21, 2010 Texas State Scholastic Championships See Grand Prix.
7SS. Sheraton Dallas North (Formerly Adams Mark), 400 North Olive Street, Feb. 20-21, Southwest Collegiate Championships
Dallas,TX 75201. HR: $105-$105-$105-$105, 888-627-8191, MentionTexas Chess See Grand Prix. West Virginia
Association to get Hotel Chess Rate. One night deposit may be required by Hotel.
Four championships in one great location: TX Primary Scholastic Champi- Utah Feb. 13-14, Kingstowne Chess Festival (VA)
See Grand Prix.
onships; TX Elementary Scholastic Championships; TX Middle School Jan. 15-16, Ogden Airport Chess Odyssey
Scholastic Championships; TX High School Scholastic Championships.
EF: $39 by 2/11; $69 after 2/11 or on site. February Rating Supplement will
Kemp Jet Services (Ogden Airport), 4282 So. 1650 West, Ogden, UT 84405. 4SS,
ONE Section ONLY. EF: Paid entries in by Jan 12, $25. Entry info in by Jan 13,
Wisconsin
be used. Current USCF membership required (may be obtained on site). On Site $30, can pay at tournament. ON-site, $35. Time Controls: Rd 1&2 G/90, Rd Feb. 12-14 or 13-14, 2010 U.S. Amateur Team Championship -
Registration: Friday, 7-9pm, Saturday, 7-7:45am. Saturday registrants may 3&4 30/60 SD/60 (ALL td/5). Rds.: Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 9AM, 1:15PM, 5:30. $$: North
receive a 1st Rd. 1/2-pt. bye. One 1/2-pt. bye (for any round) allowed if B/32 $150, $100 (Top 2 Prizes 100% Guaranteed!) A 70, B 60, C 50, D 40, E & See Nationals.
requested by the end of Rd. 2. Sections: K-1 Championship, Primary (K-3) Cham- below/ UNR 30, Female 25, Upset 10. Reg.: Fri 6PM-7:10, Sat 8:30AM-8:45. Feb. 27-28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights
pionship, Primary JV (K-3 w/Ratings Under 700), Elementary (K-5/6) FOUR(1/2 pt.)byes allowed, req before Rd. 2. Mail paid entries to: Morry Hol- present Greater Chicago Scholastic Championships!
Championship, Elementary JV (K-5/6 Under 800), Elementary Novice (K-5/6 land, 1470 E. Valley Ridge Dr., Sandy, UT 84093. Please make checks payable See Illinois.
Under 500), Middle School (6-8/9) Championship, MS JV (6-8/9 Under 900), to Morry Holland. Entry info to: [email protected], or 801-562-0156. More
MS Novice (6-8/9 Under 600), High School (9-12) Championship, HS JV (9-12
Under 1000). See Article IX, Section 1E, TCA Bylaws for each sections eligi-
info at www.utahchess.com. Pre-registration list will soon be at
www.farewellbobbyfischer.com Drawings will be held for a free airplane ride!
Foreign Events
bility requirement, www.texaschess.org/2007/03/bylaws.html. Also www.sw This is simply a beautiful facility to hold a chess tournament. The lighting is Feb. 5-7, 2010 Bermuda International Open
chess.com also has eligibility rules. Four-year scholarship to The Univer- EXCELLENT. No outside food. Check it out at www.kempjet.com. WCL JGP. See Grand Prix.
sity of Texas at Dallas to winner of High School Championship section.
Winner must meet UTD entrance requirement and follow team rules. UTD is
sole judge as to who wins the scholarship. Trophies for top 20 individuals and
Vermont
top 15 teams in each section plus participation medals for all, and plus Score April 30-May 2 or May 1-2, 21st annual Vermont Resort Open
Awards for players scoring 4 or more points that do not win an individual tro- See Grand Prix.
Classifieds
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For Sale Instruction FREE computer program for Hostage Chess (fascinating, excit-
ing, extremely entertaining: Grandmaster Kevin Spraggett. I believe Hostage
* WORLDS FINEST CHESS SETS * TOP-QUALITY BARGAIN CHESS LESSONS BY PHONE the most interesting, exciting variant that can be played with a standard chess
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Solutions
Chess to Enjoy (page 43) B. A deadly Zugzwang ensues after 1. ... exf5? 2. e6 Problem II.
Problem I. Bb3 (if 2. ... fxe6 3. Kxg6 f4 4. Bxf4 Kf8 5. Kf6 1. Kc5 g4
1. ... Nf4! prompted resignation in view of 2. Qxf5 wins) 3. exf7+ Bxf7 4. Kg7 f4 5. Bxf4 Ke7 6. 1. ... Ka4 2. g4 b4 3. Kc4 a5 4. a3 bxa3 5. b3 mate.
Bd6+ Ke8 7. Bc5. 2. b3 g5 3. a3 g6 4. a4 bxa4 5. b4 mate.
C. On 1. ... gxf5? 2. h5 f4 3. g6 fxg6 4. h6 this pawn
Rxe2 mate or 2. Qc3+ Kh7 3. Rd2 Qb1+.
Problem II. Solitaire Chess ABCs of Chess
1. Qd5! wins a rook in view of 1. ... Rxd5 2. g8=Q+. queens. (page 17)
Problem III. 3. B. GM Grischuk-GM Shirov, 2nd Grand
Fork: Black wins at least the knight with 1. ... Bd4.
Problem I.
A. The knight gets pinned after 1. ... Ke7? 2. Ba3.
1. ... Qc3+ 2. Rd2 e3! wins (3. Bxe3 Qxc8; 3. fxe3 Slam Masters, Spain 2009.
B. The best chance to hold even if insufficient, is 1.

Rf1 mate).
Pin: With 1. ... Bf7, Black keeps a pin on the d5-
Problem II.
Problem IV.
1. Nd5+! exd5 2. Rfe1+ Kd6 (2. ... Kf6 3. Qh4+!) 3. ... Ke8 2. Bc3 Nd5 3. Bd2 Kd7 4. Kc5 Kc7 5. b4
pawn and saves a piece.
Nb6 6. Kb5 Kb7.
C. Shirov went down fighting with 1. ... Nc2+!? 2.
Qf8+ Kc6 4. Ba4+ b5 (4. ... Kb6 5. Qb4+ Ka7 6.
Fork: Black sacs to get it back: 1. ... Qxf2+ 2. Kxf2
Problem III.
Qxd4+ and 7. Qxg7) 5. Rac1+ Kb6 6. Rxc7 and
wins. Kc5 Ne1 3. Kc6 Nxg2 4. b4 Nf4 5. b5 Nd5 6. Kd6 Ng4+.
Problem V. Kg6 7. Bd4 Kg5 8. b6 Nxb6 9. Bxb6 e5 10. Ke6
Mating net: The game ends by 1. ... Nh3+ 2. Kh1
Problem IV.
1. Rxf8+! Bxf8 2. Qf6+ and now 2. ... Bg7 3. Qd8+ e4 11. Kf7 f5 12. Kxg7 h5 13. Kf7 f4 14. Ke6 Kg4
or 2. ... Rg7 3. Qxh6+ Rh7 4. Qxf8 mate or 2. ... Kh7 15. Ke5 Kf3 16. h4! and Black resigned in view of
Qg1+ 3. Rxg1 Nf2 mate.
3. Bd5! and 4. Qxf8 or 4. Bxg2. 16. ... e3 17. Kf5! e2 18. Ba5 Kxf2 19. Kxf4.
Mating net: Black wins quickly, 1. ... Qxh2+ 2.
Problem V.
Problem VI. 4. B. GM Kramnik-GM Khalifman,
A. Black lost after 1. ... Kd8? 2. Bc2 g5 3. Bf5 Nc7

1. Rf2! Qxc2! 2. Be2+! (not 2. Rxc2 Rh8!) and wins, Champions Rapid, Switzerland 2009.
Kxh2 Rh5 mate.
e.g. 2. ... Ke8 3. Bb5+. Or 2. ... Qf5 3. Rxf5+ gxf5 4.
Fork: Its simple: 1. ... Nxe2+ wins a piece, since
4. Bh3 Na8+ 5. Kc5 Ke7 6. Kd5 Nc7+ 7. Kc5 Na8 Problem VI.
Bxh5+ Kf8 5. Qxf5+ Kg8 6. Bf7+ Kf8 7. Be6+ or 6.
... Kh8 7. Qh5+. (Also lost is 5. ... Bf6 6. Qg6.) 8. Bg4 Nc7 9. Kb6 Kd8 10. Kb7 Ne8 11. e6 Nd6+
12. Kb8 Nb5 13. Bh3. 2. Qxe2 allows 2. ... Qd4+.
B. The knight must get to e7 to draw: 1. ... Ke6! 2.
Total your score to deter-
Whats The Best Move? (page 46)
mine your approximate

1. C. GM Nakamura-GM van Wely, Bc2 Kxe5 3. Bxg6 Nd6 4. c7 Ke6 5. Bh5 Nc8+ 6.
A. Inadequate is 1. ... Rc8? 2. b7 Rb8 3. Kc5 Kg6 4. rating below:

Amsterdam 2009. Kb7 Ne7 7. Bg4+ Kd6 with a fortress.
C. Inadequate is 1. ... g5 2. Bd1 Kd8 (or 2. ... Ke6 3.
Kc6 Kg5 5. Kc7 Rxb7+ 6. Rxb7 Kh4 7. Rb3.
B. Equally hopeless is 1. ... Rb1+? 2. Kc5.
Bh5) 3. e6 Ke7 4. Bg4 Kd8 5. Kb7 Nd6+ 6. Kb8
Total Score Approx. Rating
C. The wily Dutchman found 1. ... e4! 2. b7 e3 3.

Nb5 7. Bh3 Nd6 8. c7+ Ke7 9. c8=Q Nxc8 10. 95+ 2400+
Kxc8. 81-94 2200-2399
b8=Q e2 and drew many moves later with care- 66-80 2000-2199
ful defense after 4. Rg5+ fxg5 5. Qe5+ Kf8 6. Endgame Lab Benkos Bafflers 51-65 1800-1999
Qxe2 Rc6 7. Qe5 h6 8. Kb5 Re6, etc. (page 45) 36-50 1600-1799
21-35 1400-1599
A. Black drew with 1. ... Bc2! 2. fxe6 fxe6 3. Kxe6
2. A. GM Gelfand-GM Shirov, Romania 2009.
Problem I. 06-20 1200-1399
1. g6 fxg6+ 2. Kxf6 g5 3. Kf5 g4 4. hxg4 mate. 0-05 under 1200
Bb3+ 4. Kf6 Bc2.
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What positions are discussed in the 'What's The Best Move?' section?

What positions are discussed in the 'What's The Best Move?' section?

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46 WHATS THE BEST MOVE?

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Organizer and Director Seminars Jerry Hanken games

The USCF Mission

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Diary of a Chess Queen

I women not play chess as strongly as

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uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 13

handling of which determines the future course of the game.

The winner of this months award,

r+lqkl r rectly stopping 10. ... d5 (Blacks e5-pawn

14 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org

+ P + + with 17. Bxf6, and, after 17. ... Bxf6,

equally bad. an autographed copy of Levs newest

book, Chess Training Pocket Book II

(by Lev Alburt and Al Lawrence) to

skills are a plus, but instructiveness

is a must! Make sure your game (or

part of it) and your notes will be of

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 15

could manipulate the pieces in the Najdorf variation.

were you going to do if Black played 11.

Your starting position Black develops and gets ready to cas-

16 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org

These problems are all related to

USCHESSORG

r+lqkl r rectly stopping 10. ... d5 (Blacks e5-pawn

+ P + + with 17. Bxf6, and, after 17. ... Bxf6,

This months quiz features games r+ +r+ k k+ r + + +Q+ + +