April 2012 chess life

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April 2012

Also Insidee:ars

5y We celebrate 4 ers! of Benko's Baffl

04 A USCF Publication $3.95

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in association with

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The TheEighth Ninth Annual All-Girls Open National Championships April 20 – 22, 2012– -Chicago, Chicago, Illinois Illinois April 8–10, 2011

Awards

Hotel

Trophies will be awarded to the top 15 individual players and top three teams in

Swissotel Hotel; 323 E. Wacker Dr,Mile, Doubletree Chicago Magnificent Chicago, IL 60601

each section. Three or more players from the same school make up a team (team scores will be calculated based on the top 3 scores to give teams their final standings). All players will receive a souvenir to honor their participation. Trophies to top 15 individuals and top 3 teams in each section. 3 or more players from the same school to make a team (top 3 scores added to give team final standSIDE EVENTS MAIN EVENT ings). Every player receives a souvenir.

300 East Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611 Hotel Chess Rate:

$169 15,by 2012 $139byif March reserved March 11, 2011 Breakfast included.

Hotel Reservations: 888-737-9477 Please call (312) 787-6100

Friday, April 208 Friday, April

Bughouse Tournament

Entry & Info

6:00 PM Opening Ceremony MAIN EVENT 6:30 PM Round 1 Friday, April 8

Friday, April 20 Friday April 8, 1:00 PM

Make checks payable to: RKnights, Attn: All Girls, PO Box 1074, Northbrook, IL 60065

6:00 PM April Opening Saturday, 219 Ceremony Saturday, April 6:30 PM Round 10:00 AM Round 21 2:30 PM Round 3 Saturday, April 6:30 PM Round94 10:00 AM Round 2 2:30 PMApril Round Sunday, 2210 3 Sunday, April 6:30 PM Round 9:00 AM Round 54 1:00 PM Round 6 Sunday, April 10 Ceremony 5:00 PM Awards 9:00 AM Round 5 1:00 PM 5

Round 6

SIDE EVENTS Entry fee: $25 per team Bughouse Tournament Blitz FridayTournament April 8, 1:00(G/5) PM Entry fee: per team Friday, 20 Friday April$25 8, 3:00 PM Entry fee: $15 by March 27, $20 Blitzon-site Tournament (G/5) Friday April 8, 3:00 PM Entry fee: $15 by March 27, 6-SS, G/90, Sections $20 on-site

• • • • •

• 8-years-old and younger • 10-years-old and younger 10-years-old and younger • 10-years-old and younger • 10-years-old and younger •6-SS, 12-years-old and younger 12-years-old andG/90, younger Sections • 12-years-old and younger •• 12-years-old and younger 10-years-old andyounger younger •• 14-years-old and 14-years-old and younger 8-years-old and younger • 14-years-old and younger •• 14-years-old and younger 12-years-old and younger •• 16-years-old and 16-years-old and younger 10-years-old and younger younger • 16-years-old and younger •• 16-years-old and younger 14-years-old and younger •• 18-years-old and 18-years-old and younger 12-years-old and younger younger • 18-years-old and younger •• 18-years-old and younger 16-years-old and younger • 14-years-old and younger • 18-years-old and younger • 16-years-old and younger • 18-years-old and younger

Tel: (773) 844-0701 E-mail: [email protected] Entry Fee $50 if postmarked by 3/25; 3/13; $70 by 4/8 3/27; 4/19;or$90 onon-site site $85 by 4/7 $90 USCF membership required Hotel; All events held at Swissotel the Doubletree, 323 Wacker 300 E. East OhioDr, St, Chicago, Chicago,ILIL60611

Online Registration www.renaissanceknights.org/allgirls

O

Chess Life Editorial Staff Chess Life Editor & Director of Publications

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Senior Art Director

Frankie Butler

This photo of Bobby Fischer, taken by the renowned photojournalist Harry Benson, graced the cover of LIFE magazine on November 12, 1971. Fischer had recently defeated Tigran Petrosian in the 1971 Candidates Tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, qualifying him for the World Chess Championship match in Reykjavík, Iceland, in the summer of 1972.

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See this and more Fischer archives and memorabilia including a photography exhibition: Bobby Fischer: Icon Among Icons, Photographs by Harry Benson at the World Chess Hall of Fame from March 9 – August 12, 2012.

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Located in Saint Louis, Missouri

For more information on this month’s featured item, please visit:

www.WorldChessHOF.org

A Promise For Tomorrow LETTER OF INTENT

In future support of the work of the U.S. Chess Trust, I want to provide for future generations and to ensure the continuity of services by the U.S. Chess Trust. Therefore, I have made provision I will make provision

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USCF Executive Board [email protected]

President, Ruth Haring

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to support the U.S. Chess Trust by:

making a bequest or endowment provision in my Will creating a charitable remainder or lead trust naming the U.S. Chess Trust as a beneficiary. establishing an endowment or special fund at the U.S. Chess Trust. directing the trustees or directors of my foundation to continue beyond my lifetime making an annual gift to the U.S. Chess Trust. Making an outright gift to the U.S. Chess Trust during my lifetime in the sum of $_____________.

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This Letter of Intent represents my commitment to the work of the U.S. Chess Trust. It does not represent a legal obligation and may be changed by me at any time. Whatever the amount of your gift, when you leave a legacy for the future of the U.S. Chess Trust, you are an important part of the Promise for Tomorrow. Please send with your name, address, phone, and email contact information and email Barbara DeMaro at [email protected] Main office: Crossville, TN (931) 787-1234 • Advertising inquiries: (931) 787-1234, ext. 123 • TLAs: All TLAs should be e-mailed to [email protected] or sent to P.O Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557-3967 • Letters to the *Please note that there is a required amount in order to be listed as a Future Legacy Donor. Write or send an email to Barbara DeMaro, [email protected] for this amount. Donations to the U.S. Chess Trust are tax-deductible. A 501(c)(3) organization. BD:08/03

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Chess Life — April 2012

uschess.org

April on uschess.org

Contributors FM Mike Klein

(“Looks at Books,” p. 12) is, to his students, a chess teacher; to top professionals, he is a chess journalist; and to old friends, he is a semi-retired chess player. He likes the international appeal of the game and appreciates all the chess players that have shunned the money, fame and free drinks of the poker table.

All Roads Lead to Philly

Dr. Dowd on Organ Pipes

Jamaal Abdul-Alim

(“First Moves,” p. 8) is a journalist and chess teacher in Washington, D.C.

GM Ian Rogers

(“Wijk aan Zee 2012,” p. 18) is a frequent contributor of international event reports to Chess Life.

Brad Rosen

(“Profile,” p. 26) is a Chicagobased attorney and freelance writer. He also serves in communications/public relations area for the Chicago Blaze of the U.S. Chess League, and is the father of FM Eric Rosen.

In this Chess Life, we celebrate 45 years of Benko’s Bafflers. CLO expands on this with an article on one of GM Pal Benko’s favorite problem themes—Loyd’s organ pipes. Benko’s very first column in 1967 featured the great Loyd. A variety of problems, including Benko’s own world-beater, will be shown using this famous interference strategy that Loyd developed.

Spring Scholastic Trophy Hunting

Keith Ammann

(“Cover Story,” p. 32) is a former journalist and middle school teacher and a certified district chess coach and local tournament director. He is president of the recently formed not-for-profit Chicago Chess Center Inc.

Dr. Steven Dowd

(“Compositions,” p. 36) is a retired academic from Birmingham, Alabama, holds the national master title, and is a well-known problemist world-wide, having captured five first places in international tourneys. He is the author of a monthly column at Chesscafe.com, has contributed to both Chess Life and Chess Life Online, and often researches and writes on chess history as well.

uschess.org

Find coverage, including a U.S. Chess Scoop video from the Philadelphia Open, held from April 4 to 8th in downtown Philly. The projected prize fund is $80,000 and the nine-round Open section features norm opportunities.

All-Girls in Chicago

Stay posted on the the 9th Annual All-Girls Nationals, presented by the Kasparov Chess Foundation and the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation. The event, held from April 20-22, takes place in downtown Chicago.

The season of national scholastics kicks off with the National High School Championships in Minneapolis from April 13-15 and continues to San Diego for the National Junior High Championships from April 27-29. Look for results, photos & stories on uschess.org.

Follow Chess Life and Chess Life Online on Facebook®! Get regular updates as part of your newsfeed, post comments, and easily communicate directly with the editorial staff.


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PHOTO: CAROLINE KAYE

April Chess Life Columns 12 LOOKS AT BOOKS The Chess Kids Are All Right By FM Mike Klein

14 CHESS TO ENJOY Just Let it Go By GM Andy Soltis

16 SOLITAIRE CHESS The Great Fred Reinfeld By Bruce Pandolfini

44 BACK TO BASICS Don’t Retreat—Reload! By GM Lev Alburt

46 ENDGAME LAB Pawn Plus By GM Pal Benko

Departments 3

PREVIEW

6

COUNTERPLAY

8

FIRST MOVES

10 USCF AFFAIRS 50 TOURNAMENT LIFE 70 CLASSIFIEDS 71 SOLUTIONS 18

WIJK AAN ZEE 2012

Through the Eyes of the Victims By GM Ian Rogers

GM Levon Aronian convincingly won the first super-tournament of 2012, the 74th Tata Steel tournament in the Dutch seaside village of Wijk aan Zee.

26

PROFILE

The Awonder Years By Brad Rosen

Eight-year-old Awonder Liang, a third-grader at Van Hise Elementary School in Madison, Wisconsin, is arguably the brightest star to emerge on the American chess horizon in decades, and perhaps ever.

On The Cover

For tournament chess players, the chess clock is almost as iconic as the pieces themselves. And while digital clocks have become the clock of choice for most players, there is just something comforting about a good, old-fashioned, analog clock and the excitement of seeing the little red flag rise (and fall). Our cover story by Keith Ammann begins on page 32 and looks at the numbered days of the analog clock. Cover photo by Caroline Kaye

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32

COVER STORY

Winding Down By Keith Ammann

This year’s rule changes may begin the last chapter in the history of the analog clock.

36

COMPOSITIONS

45 Years of Being Baffled by Benko By Steven B. Dowd

In the April 1967 issue of Chess Life, a column appeared by GM Pal Benko that has had a profound effect on the chess composition community.

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2012 Membership Options

Choose Between Premium and Regular USCF Memberships PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP PRINTED COPY of Chess Life (monthly)

or Chess Life for Kids (bimonthly) plus all other benefits of regular membership.

OR REGULAR MEMBERSHIP Online-only access to Chess Life or Chess Life for Kids; TLA Newsletter will be mailed to you (Adults: bimonthly; Scholastic: 3 per year)

WHAT YOU GET AS A REGULAR USCF MEMBER: The right to play in USCF-sanctioned tournaments and be assigned an official rating Access to member-only content on uschess.org, including our USCF forum discussion group. (9) Online access to Chess Life & Chess Life for Kids.

WHAT YOU GET AS A PREMIUM USCF MEMBER: All of the above plus a printed copy of Chess Life or Chess Life for Kids!

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Counterplay

Chess mates

I enjoyed reading “The Mating Game” by Nelly Rosario (February 2012). Only a woman could write about how romantic and sexual a game of chess could be. She alludes to the fact that men like to play chess because of the aggressive nature of their gender, and only hints at the female’s role. But once the movement of the queen (the only female piece in the game) was extended, it became obvious that it was the female and not the male that was in control of “the mating game.” After all, doesn’t the (male) king normally hide in his well-protected corner bedroom until all females are off the board—and only then comes out to strut around? While it is the queen that makes moves trying to penetrate his position, climaxing with a mate. Only in a helpmate problem is the king trying to be mated; it's the queen that is constantly checking on the king and at the proper time consummates the action as the king is laid down. An example of this is the attached problem composed by Ben Bentrup and published in the Autumn 2011 issue of floridaCHESS. White mates in 11 moves. Though it is not difficult, It shows the actions of the queen as she moves around trying to penetrate and mate the centralized king, who is hiding “in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.” She first darts around and then sneakily slides up the mountain one step at a time as the king keeps trying to avoid her amongst the rocks. She finally successfully penetrates and mates.

Ben Bentrup floridaCHESS, 2011

-+-+-+-+ +-+-trl+Q -vl-+-+R+ +-zp-+p+-trP+k+p+ +R+-zP-+-+-+p+-+ +-+-+nmKWhite mates in 11

Faces Across the Board Chess Life is soon introducing a

new column, “Faces Across the

Board,” that will highlight classlevel players who have reached a notable chess milestone or accomplishment. Did you win your class section for the first time? Did you defeat a titled player? Have you started a chess initiative in your hometown? These are just some of

Solution

the reasons why you could be

1. Qh1+ Ke5 2. Qh8+ Ke4 3. Qa8+ Ke5 4. Qa1+ Ke4 5. Qb1+ Ke5 6. Qb2+ Ke4 7. Qc2+ Ke5 8. Qc3+ Ke4 9. Qd3+ Ke5 10. Qd6+ Ke4 11. Qf4 mate.

And the queen hits the four corners, then maneuvers with checks to b1-b2-c2c3-d3-d6-f4 and mate. Also, note the king can’t escape to f3 during the checks along the b1-h7 diagonal because Qxf5xg4 would give mate instead. Harvey Lerman via e-mail

Send your letters to [email protected]. If Chess Life publishes your letter, you will be sent a copy of Test, Evaluate and Improve Your Chess (see ad below). Letters are subject to editing for content and length.

selected to appear in this column. You must be a current class-level player or have been a class-level player at the time of your achievement (rating of 1999 or below). If you wish to be considered or to suggest someone to us, please send a brief supporting statement to [email protected]. Include your e-

mail address, phone number, and a high-resolution photo (head-andshoulders or profile picture required). If we find your story intriguing you will be contacted by Al Lawrence who will be writing this column for us. Lawrence is currently president of the Chess Journalists of America,

is a frequent Chess Life contributor,

and is a former executive director of the USCF.

Corrections February, 2012 issue, “World

Youth,” Yury Lapshun should have been listed as being with Chess in

the Schools, not Yury Shulman.

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uschess.org

First Moves

Point-Based Prize Structures Rewarding players for games won

ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND—When players competed in the Chesapeake Open here earlier this year, they didn’t have to worry about splitting up the prize money or figuring out how much the top prize would be. That’s because the tournament featured a point-based prize structure that rewards players based on how many games they win, irrespective of how many other people won the same amount of games. Under such a payout scheme, perfect scores—and thus the top prizes—are highly elusive but not impossible. Tournament Director Mike Regan—who has used the pointbased prize system at the Chesapeake in recent years—says the approach balances the risks between the organizer and the players. “What I like best about it is that it is a compromise between a prize fund that is guaranteed and one that is based on entries,” Regan said. “With a traditional guaranteed prize fund, if the turnout is low the organizer loses money, and if it is high the organizer makes money. “For the players, a low turnout is good since they will divide the prize fund among a smaller group and have less ties,” Regan continued. “A large turnout is bad for the players because they need to get a higher score to win a prize and thus have a higher chance of ending up tying for a prize and getting less money.” However, with point-based prizes, attendance doesn’t affect the prize. “Instead, their payout is based only on the one thing they control, how many points they score,” Regan said. The approach carries pros and cons. “The downside for the organizer is the payout is less predictable,” Regan said. “The upside is that the average amount of prizes you will pay goes up and down with the number of entries.” Among the players, the point-based prize structure drew both praise and criticism. “I like it,” said Travis Pape, a Census Bureau worker from Alexandria, Virginia, who won $125 for scoring four points in 8


the Under 1400 section of the tournament. Five points would have secured a $500 prize, and 41⁄2 would have secured a $250 prize. By the fourth round, Pape was guaranteed to leave the tournament with at least $125. “I felt a little more relaxed in the last game,” Pape said. “I knew I was going to get some amount. “It’s nice to know it’s not going to be up to tiebreaks or that you won’t get kicked out of first place,” Pape said. “I prefer this system because it rewards the higher scorer as opposed to the someone that draws his last game to secure victory,” said Elan Rodan, a computer systems engineer from Fairfax, Virginia, who scored 41⁄2 in the Under 2000 section— netting a prize of $600 and frustrating Bruce A. Till, from achieving a perfect score of five points—and a prize of $1,200— in the final round. Till, a Gaithersburg, Maryland-based chess instructor, said he favored the point-based prize system as well. “This way it rewards what you score,” said Till, who won $300 for scoring four points. A score of 41⁄2 would have netted $600. “The other good thing is as soon as you’re done you get your money and you’re out,” Till said. “You score what you score and you get what you get. It doesn’t matter what anyone else does.” Not everyone is a fan. Larry Saxby, a self-described “chess junkie” from Philadelphia who played in the Under 2000 section, said he prefers prizes based on place. “It’s too tough to get first place,” he said in reference to the top prize. “You gotta have 5 and 0. I don’t like that. It’s much more difficult than the normal way.” Others, such as Sathish Nath, a Rockville, Maryland-based chess instructor, says the score-based system promotes “fighting chess.” “My preference is playing good chess, which this promotes,” Nath said. Regan observed that under the regular prize system, players can agree to a draw in the final round and still take first place. “You don’t see that happening in this,” Regan said.

.

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PHOTO: MIKEL LARREATEGI

By JAMAAL ABDUL-ALIM

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USCF Affairs April

& Dear USCF Members, The United States Chess Federation and Nationwide Insurance® are pleased to announce a long-term relationship that could save USCF members money on their insurance needs. Nationwide®, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the oldest and strongest diversified insurance companies, ranked #127 on Fortune 500 in 2011. Nationwide® offers a full suite of products to help protect you through all stages of life. With Nationwide®, you’ll enjoy: • One Stop Convenience—insurance for your car, home, boat, RV and more! • On Your Side® Review—free insurance consultation and assessment. • Outstanding customer and claims services available 24/7: call or click. • Wide variety of products to choose from. • Exclusive member-only discounts. • Innovative policyholder services and benefits.

Visit nationwide.com for more information on the variety of products and services offered by Nationwide®!

Join other USCF members and take advantage of a special discount on your auto insurance with Nationwide® today!

Call 1-866-633-5747 or contact your local Nationwide Insurance Agent, and do not forget to mention you are a USCF member. Please join me in thanking Nationwide® for their support of the USCF World Youth team. Regards, Bill Hall, USCF Executive Director Nationwide may make a financial contribution to affinity member organization in return for the opportunity to market products and services to its members or customers. Products underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies, Nationwide Lloyds and Nationwide Property & Casualty Companies (in TX). Home Office: Columbus, OH 43215. Insurance products and services are subject to underwriting guidelines, review, and approval. Products and discounts not available to all persons in all states. Nationwide, Nationwide Insurance, and On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. ©2011 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

USCF EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT PEGGY EBERHART Position: Chief Accountant

Peggy Eberhart started with us February 2005. Peggy had the tremendous task of get-

ting our accounting records organized and put in order when the office relocated to Tennessee. Peggy showed her dedication to the USCF by travelling to our former New

York office to familiarize herself with our accounting records and her daily duties. Peggy

does a fabulous job keeping everything going smoothly by keeping us on track with paying bills, overseeing payroll, human resources record keeping, preparing 1099’s,

among a variety of other duties as well. Peggy is the mother of a set of twin girls. She

also is a personal trainer in what spare time she has, competing in body-building competitions (and winning!). She is very much into healthy eating and does her best to

help the office staff healthy with great nutritional tips. We all appreciate Peggy very much for all that she does for U.S. Chess and also as a personal friend to all of us.

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uschess.org

Across the Board I am happy to report that USCF is continuing to have a healthy recovery as we enter 2012 significantly ahead of budget. We are encouraged that we will beat budget projections for a modest profit this year. The upside in our financial condition can be attributed to increased memberships, better than expected tournament revenues, and continued savings on expenses. Paid memberships outpace the last three years and the trend for February is positive for continued increases in revenues. For context, in a year-over-year comparison, in January 2011 we reported a to-date loss of just over $32K as compared to a profit at the end of January 2012. With regard to our outstanding legal expenses, I am pleased to report that we are making great progress in paying down these extraordinary amounts. Gross legal cost for the unfortunate legal matter exceeded $800K. USCF’s current situation is that we have paid off all attorneys except one, with whom we have a payment schedule which ends with a final payment in September 2012. USCF also took loans from the life membership assets (LMA) account and our line of credit (LOC). We hope to pay down the LOC by the end of 2012. The LMA will take longer. While the USCF is working diligently to close the books on the legal tribulations of the past, it is important to note that there was a terrible opportunity cost to the USCF, and the chess community we support, with the expenditure of monies for other than the promotion and development of chess. Looking ahead, we have an exciting year of national events scheduled and our players are enjoying excellent results in national and international competitions. In the November 2011 World Youth, we had two medalists, Awonder Liang who earned the gold medal in the Open Under 8 section, and Ruifeng Li who won the silver medal in the Open Under 10 section. Eric Rosen earned his first international master norm in the Open Under 18 section, and Sarah Chiang finished fourth in the Girls Under 14 section. Congratulations to all. It is of note that internationally our standings on the FIDE “top lists” include GM Hikaru Nakamura at #6 and GM Gata Kamsky at #14, with GM Alex Onischuk and GM Yasser Seirawan making the top 100 ... Robert Hess isn’t far behind. The U.S. has the potential to not only field the strongest team in the history of American chess, but to actively compete for first place at the 2012 Olympiad in Istanbul. For the ladies, IM Anna Zatonskih stands at #15 and comes off of an excellent finish in Gibraltar and IM Irina Krush ranks at #28. Ray Robson claims #11 on the FIDE top 20 juniors list, but unfortunately we have no player on the FIDE top 20 girls list. In the December USCF rating list we had twenty girls under 21 rated 2000 or more, led by Alisa Melekhina rated 2321. The “girls under 21” is a group we need to put more focus on in the future including consideration of a “Girls Under 21” Closed Championship and possible sponsorships for international opportunities for these talented young female players. It is significant for the U.S. chess community to celebrate the richness that immigrants have brought to our country. Especially in chess, we welcome visitors from other lands, many of whom come to visit for a tournament, or come to America with

family or as students, and decide to stay and become permanent residents and later citizens. When our newest members first arrive they are eagerly sought out to be the “foreigner” in FIDE norm events and of course everyone is excited to play with them. Today, I would like to welcome Viktorija Ni, late of Latvia, who has qualified for an invitation for this year’s U.S. Women’s Championship and Zonal. We are fortunate to have outstanding sponsors who are devoted to the growth and promotion of chess and enriching the communities they live in by their stewardship on behalf of chess. Rex Sinquefield and the Saint Louis Chess Club are again hosting the U.S. Championships which is a USCF premiere event and a Zonal in 2012. Saint Louis is also hosting the U.S. Women’s Championship and the U.S. Junior Championship. 2012 is an Olympiad year, and so we are grateful for the exceptional support from Saint Louis as we prepare the teams for this important competition. The Kasparov Chess Foundation (KCF) provides a grant and performance bonuses for the Olympiad team. KCF also runs the All-Girls National which will be held in April in Chicago. Trophies Plus sponsored the Grand Prix in 2011. Trophies Plus also provided jackets and plaques for the All America Team and provides funding for scholarship prizes in the U.S. Junior Girls Open. And now from sponsors to service, wherein I humbly segue to a report of my activities. As president, I am personally devoted to the promotion of chess. My public activities since the last meeting included visiting the Fresno Chess Club in midDecember where, for the third year in a row, I gave a talk and answered questions from members about the USCF, FIDE and all things chess. Thanks to Bob Rasmussen for continuing to organize this event and thanks to the Fresno Chess Club members for a very entertaining evening. I look forward to visiting Fresno Chess Club again in 2012. In early January, I participated in the opening ceremony for the Northern California International held in Fremont, California at the Nor Cal House of Chess located in Northwestern Polytechnic University (NPU), along with CalChess President Tom Langland, NPU President George Hsieh and Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves. We all spoke briefly during the opening festivities, and spoke privately later. The event coalesced with the passion and dedication of Ted Castro and Arun Sharma who co-organized the event and created a successful vision for top-level chess in the Bay Area. GM Sam Shankland won the tournament. During Valentine’s weekend, I participated in a panel discussion at the Hip Hop Chess Federation fifth anniversary event where we discussed life strategies and the fusion of chess, music and martial arts. Hip Hop’s anniversary celebration was well covered by local media and was quite an impressive and fun event. Adisa Bonjoko’s Hip Hop Chess Federation was recently headlined in Chess Life, and I am looking forward to more innovative promotions from Adisa. May Caissa inspire all chessplayers in 2012. Ruth Haring, president, USCF Chico, California, February, 2012

Call for ADMs

Advance Delegate Motions (ADMs) for the delegates’ meeting at this year’s U.S. Open are due before June 1, 2012. They can be sent to Cheryle Bruce, c/o USCF, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 or e-mailed to [email protected].

uschess.org


11

Looks at Books

The Chess Kids Are All Right Revisiting the kids from Fond du Lac,Wisconsin

By FM MIKE KLEIN

f you take away some vestiges of the early nineties, Chess Kids could have been filmed today. Notable anachronisms include Jerger clocks, “Chess Makes You Smart” buttons and Romanian protest flags with bowdlerized centers (in her brief cameo, IA Carol Jarecki looks exactly the same). Now available on DVD with a 30-minute follow-up piece, Director Lynn Hamrick shows us several chess constants. Parents still struggle to balance motivation and pushiness. Girls are still mysteriously underrepresented in scholastic tournaments. Pre-teen children with missing teeth still make really adorable interview subjects, even if they are precociously rattling off 20 moves of Max Lange attack theory. Chess fans with long memories will recognize many of the top juniors featured in the documentary, which is set at the 1990 World Youth Chess Festival for peace in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Most of them have left the chess arena completely, including Nawrose Nur, Erez Klein (no relation), Victoria Fossum and David and Andrea Peterson. Morgan Pehme and Josh Waitzkin essentially have also, though their exploits were chronicled a few years later in the film version of Searching for Bobby Fischer, and the former also penned his father’s obituary in these pages a few months ago. In all, only Judit Polgar is making a career from the game. Like Fred Waitzkin’s memoir-cum-Hollywood movie, Chess Kids is not about the game as much as about tangential subjects of parenting, competition and gender. Rarely does the viewer even see an unobstructed position, and when we do, the board is ancillary to the larger point. When Nur sits patiently licking ice cream during an adjourned endgame (another sign of bygone chess days), noted authors GM Pal Benko and IM Nikolay Minev lob variations back and forth. English player Joseph Conlon, when he can sit still long enough to be interviewed, gives several signature quips. When Hamrick begins a sentence with the intention of Conlon finishing it, the young boy chastises her in classic British brogue: “Is that supposed to be a question?” The high-intellect comes crashing down a few scenes later

I

Chess Kids by Lynn Hamrick Productions, the original award-winning film directed by Lynn Hamrick now on DVD plus a 30 minute special edition follow-up of the original players, 2011, 19.95, www.chesskidsmovie.com. Also available at uscfsales.com (catalog number DVD0005MV).

12


uschess.org

when Conlon, after spotting the camera focused on him, looks up from his game and involuntarily smiles in the way that children are trained. He furtively raises his hand to wave before realizing that protocol has been broken. The now fragile Conlon pretends to just be reaching to play with his lips. Two decades removed, Conlon still fidgets during interviews, though he is less of an obstructionist with Hamrick. “When you look back and see yourself as a nine-year-old just being ingenious the way nine-year-olds are, it is embarrassing,” he said. “But I can see it is me; it’s the same person.” Hamrick’s biggest coup was interviewing the now-mother Polgar, who she could not get access to during the original movie. Polgar joyfully remembers being admired by the younger Peter Leko at the tournament. The history of the three Polgar sisters’ education is well known, which gives more context when Judit explains that Fond du Lac was the first time she stayed with other children during a tournament. Her next comment is nearly verbatim to Waitzkin’s fearful lament in his biopic. “My purpose was to win. But it was not a nice feeling to go there and have to win,” Polgar said. Waitzkin is still telegenic, even if his hair is a tad shorter than during his youth. Like Searching for Bobby Fischer, he has ruminated much on talent, expectations, and loss, eventually finding solace in meditation. “When I got into Push Hands, which is the martial embodiment of Tai Chi, all of my chess principals just simply crossed over. I started having these amazing breakthroughs in chess that immediately launched my martial arts into another level, and back and forth.” Pehme, Waitzkin’s childhood friend, has gone on to become a professor of journalism, film and television, and also helped produce Hamrick’s follow-up. His recall of a three-day battle against the junior champion of Mexico was unsurprisingly literary: “It was like fighting the Iliad. It ended ultimately in a stalemate in true Grecian terms.” Hamrick’s epilogue also serves to caution the would-be chess professional. Gabriel Schwartzman became at 17 the youngest current grandmaster in the world. Now retired from chess, he mused about being financially set for life if his dad had nurtured an athletic talent instead of cerebral one. “That part of it stinks a little bit,” he said, with a mix of joking and regret. The notable and perhaps telling absence in the follow-up is the Peterson family, whom Hamrick could not locate. In the original documentary, father Richard is first seen like any other helpless parent. “Every game that they play is like waiting to give birth,” he said. “You’re a nervous wreck.” Tiny Andrea, playing in the 8-and-under section, smacks her gum and offers her reasons for playing chess. “It’s nice. You can’t break your legs or anything like that, like you could do in running or jumping.” But after the tournament is over, she sits atop her father’s lap and says she would have rather been playing with her friends. “She went through these last six weeks for me, there’s no question about that,” Richard says, conflicted by his daughter’s comments versus his desire to pursue her talent. David and Andrea Peterson would both play chess for a few more years. According to their Member Services Area pages, Andrea essentially stopped competing four years later. David made master and competed nearly every weekend, sometimes playing in all three national scholastic championships. After entering 22 tournaments between February and May, 1995, winning the K-9 section of the 1995 National Junior High Championship with a perfect score along the way and also playing in the 16th Annual Lina Grumette Memorial Day Classic from May 27-29, 1995, he abruptly quit chess forever. Schwartzman is now an officer at a software company. Fossum works on computerized language translation and Nur is in the process of becoming a dietician. Conlon became a quantum physicist. His boyhood quote proved prescient. “90 percent of my dreams I don’t know about.”

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uschess.org


13

Chess to Enjoy

Just Let it Go

By GM Andy Soltis

A good memory is an asset in chess. But sometimes forgetting is vital, too.

After Veselin Topalov began the 2008 World Championship match with two losses, he was asked at a press conference how he managed to deal with defeats. “Generally I am good at forgetting,” he said and laughed. Forgetting is a part of chess—for good or ill. Sometimes, as Topalov recognized, forgetting is good. But at other times ... South by southwest IM Anatoly Donchenko FM Vladimir Fedoseyev Russian Senior Championship 2001

-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+P+-+RmK-+ +-+-+p+-+-wQ-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+k+ tr-+-+q+White to play

White should win after 86. a7. Instead he played the astonishing 86. Qg4+???. But Black didn’t take the queen. He replied 86. ... Kf2???. White won after 87. Qxf5+ and a trade of queens. What happened was a bizarre attack of mutual forgetfulness. Both players simply forgot which direction their pawns were going. They mentally turned the board around by 180 degrees. White didn’t push his pawn to a7 because he thought it was actually on h3, not a6. And when he played 86. Qg4+ he thought it was really 86. Qb5+. Black didn’t take the queen because he thought his pawn was coming up the board, not down. He thought he had to allow White to play 87. Qxf5+—and wrote it down as “87. Qxc4+.” Okay, you can say that old age and 14


the fatigue of playing 85 moves took their toll. But consider this example: Mutual forgetfulness GM Michael Adams GM Semion Dvoirys Biel 1993

-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+p -+-+kzp-+ zp-+p+-zpP P+-zPp+P+ +P+-+-+K -+n+NzP-+ +-+-+-+After 39. ... Ke6

In his first interzonal tournament, 21year-old Michael Adams became desperate with 40. f4??. After the obvious 40. ... exf3 e.p. followed by 41. N-moves Nxd4 he could have safely resigned. But Black replied 40. ... gxf4?? instead. After 41. Nxf4+ White eventually created a passed a-pawn and went on to win in 60 moves. With this fortuitous extra point Adams qualified for a Candidates match and became an international star. Why the double-blunder at move 40? Both players said after the game they simply forgot about the en passant rule. Even worse was an incident that GM Dragoljub Velimirovic recalled at a symposium during last year’s Mikhail Tal Memorial tournament. Velimirovic made a move against Tal in a team match more than 20 years ago and got up to take a stroll around the playing hall. He was pleased with himself when Tal studied the board for 15 minutes. “I surprised Tal!,” Velimirovic thought to himself. “But it was my surprise when I returned to the board of our game and saw that my last move was bishop from d3 to g5!” he recalled. Both players somehow forgot that

a light-square bishop can’t go to a dark square. (After Velimirovic apologized and took back his move, the game continued.) These instances are extreme, of course. But we all have to deal with gaps in our memory. There are times when masters help their memory by bending the rules. Jotting it down GM Eduard Gufeld GM Lev Psakhis USSR Cup 1982

r+-wqrvlk+ +l+n+p+p+-zp-snpzp +pzpPzp-+-+-+P+-+ +-zP-vLNsNP PzPL+-zPP+ tR-+QtR-mKAfter 17. Be3

Black’s knight had moved four times when play continued 17. ... Nb6!? 18. b3 Nh7!?. White felt he should punish the exotic maneuvers. But he felt he had to remind himself: “In order not to forget (O, my untrustworthy memory!) I began to mark every move of a black knight on the scoresheet with a circle,” he wrote in the Latvian magazine Shakhmaty. His opponent became upset because he thought White was circling every move he considered a mistake. In fact, Black could have protested that the circles were illegal. FIDE’s Laws of Chess, 12.3, states: “During play the players are forbidden to make use of any notes ...” Forgetting and remembering play curious roles when we calculate. In a way, when you look into the near future you are using your ability to forget about the position on the board. For example, suppose you’re trying to calculate three moves ahead, starting uschess.org

2011 World Junior America’s GM Ray Robson came close but victory in the 2011 World Junior went to another 16-year-old, GM Dariusz Swiercz of Poland. Robson’s 9-4 score was good for a tie for fourth place in the 125-player field that assembled in Chennai, India. The 50th edition of the now-annual tournament for the best players under 20 years of age provides our six quiz problems this month. In each of the positions you are asked to find the fastest winning line of play. This will usually mean the forced win of a decisive amount of material, such as a rook or minor piece. Solutions on page 71.

Problem I

-+-tR-+-+ zp-+-+pmkp -+-+l+p+ wq-+-vl-+-tr-+-+-+ +P+-wQ-+P+P+L+PzP +K+R+-+-

The blindfolded leading the blindfolded GM Sergey Karjakin GM Boris Gelfand Melody Amber 2011

-+-tr-+-mk +-+-+-zpp -+p+-zp-+ +p+l+P+-+-+-wQ-zP wqP+L+-zPP+-+-+-+ +K+R+-+After 35. ... Qa3

uschess.org

Problem III GM Samvel Ter-Sahakyan FM Gabriel Botta

r+-+rmk-vl +p+n+p+p pwq-zp-+psN +-+-+-+-wQ-zPP+-+ +l+-vL-zP-+-+-+LzP +-+-tRRmK-

r+-tr-+k+ +p+-+pvlp -sn-zp-+p+ zpN+-+-+Pwq-zPnvL-+ +P+-+-+-+-+NzPPzP tR-+Q+RmK-

Black to play

White to play

White to play

Problem IV

Problem V

Problem VI

IM Jan Krejci FM Vladislav Kovalev

IM Milos Roganovic GM Maxim Matlakov

FM Vladislav Kovalev GM Tamir Nabaty

-wq-tr-trk+ +-+-tRp+p -+-+-+p+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +Pvl-vL-+l P+QsN-zP-+ +-+-tR-mKBlack to play

with a move of your bishop from e2 to h5. To be able to see the future accurately you have to clear your mind of the mental picture that had the bishop still standing on e2. Otherwise you can fall victim to what GM/psychologist Nikolai Krogius called the “retained image.” You see variations in which the bishop can go to, say, a6 because your memory erroneously tells you it’s still on e2. Faulty calculation was the bane of the annual Melody Amber tournaments, in which half of the games were played blindfolded. Here’s one:

Problem II

IM Kannappan Priyadharshan GM Ray Robson Aditya Udeshi GM Ray Robson

-+-mk-+rtr zpQ+n+p+-+-+pvl-+ wq-+-+p+p -+-zP-vL-zP zP-zp-+-zP-+P+-zP-+ +R+R+-mKWhite to play

White had moved his rook from h1 to d1 eight moves before. But he left it mentally on h1. To meet the (non-existent) threat of 36. ... Bxh1 he played 36. Be4?? Bxe4+ 37. Qxe4 and resigned after 37. ... Rxd1+!. GM Alexander Grischuk solved a memory lapse during the 2006 Melody Amber in a simple way. In the blindfold games, the players would sit at computer monitors that showed a diagram with an empty board. During Grischuk’s game against Vassily Ivanchuk, he became confused about where his opponent’s pieces were. “Vasya’s knight constantly jumped here and there,” Grischuk recalled to 64 magazine. He found a digital solution, literally: “I placed one finger on the square on the monitor where his bishop was and a second one performed the role of his knight.” Grischuk used his other hand to represent where his own pieces were and managed to avoid hanging material. He gave touch-move a new meaning. The general public thinks that when a master plays more than one blindfold game simultaneously he is relying on a great memory and what the Germans call aufmerksamkeitsverteilung—the ability to pay attention to several things at once. But that’s not quite it. The blindfold simul giver isn’t thinking of all the positions at once. He is using his ability to temporarily forget the position on board two

-+-tr-+-mk zpp+-+-+-+n+-+Q+ +-+N+-vlL -+-+P+-zp +-+-+-+R PzPPwq-tr-+ +K+-+-tRWhite to play

when he begins to concentrate on board three. When he gets back to board two, he has to retrieve the forgotten memory. But he needs empty storage space for that. When George Koltanowski was training for his record-breaking 34-board blindfold exhibition in 1937 he tried to clear his mind of all chess positions. He didn’t want an old one stuck somewhere in his memory where it would interfere with new ones during the exhibition. He wouldn’t even look at an empty chessboard in the days before the simul—and he became annoyed when his wife bought checkered white-and-black linoleum for their dining room. Koltanowski was later invited to the Menninger Institute so their psychologists could study his mind, according to Reuben Fine. The psychologists weren’t interested in his memory but in his ability to forget, Fine said. “It is forgetting which is the key to success in blindfold, as in seeing chess,” he wrote in The World’s a Chessboard.

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Advance Delegate Motions (ADMs) for the delegates’ meeting at this year’s U.S. Open in Vancouver, Washington are due before June 1, 2012. They can be sent to Cheryle Bruce, c/o USCF, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 or e-mailed to cbruce@uschess. org. Look for more information about the U.S. Open in the May Chess Life. Chess Life — April 2012

15

Solitaire Chess

The Great Fred Reinfeld

By Bruce Pandolfini

The 26th inductee into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame gives a lesson to an inaugural inductee. The best chess writer of all time may have been Fred Reinfeld (1910-64). With more than 100 titles to his name, he was certainly one of the most prolific authors in any discipline, though he did not write solely about chess. His books range from coin collecting to political theory, and frankly he could have written about anything with style and panache. Even though Reinfeld wrote mainly for instruction and entertainment, he was, contrary to popular beliefs, one of America’s strongest players in the 1930s and ’40s. Witness the following demolition of the great Sammy Reshevsky (Black) at the Western Open of 1932. Not knowing who played which side, it would be easy to think that Reinfeld was Reshevsky and Reshevsky was the misconceived Reinfeld. But you be the judge. The game began: Queen’s Indian Defense (E16) Fred Reinfeld Sammy Reshevsky Minneapolis, USA 1932 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 c5 6. d5 exd5 7. Nh4 g6 8. Nc3 h6 9. 0-0 a6 10. cxd5 d6

rsn-wqkvl-tr +l+-+p+pzp-zp-snpzp +-zpP+-+-+-+-+-sN +-sN-+-zPPzP-+PzPLzP tR-vLQ+RmKYour starting position

Now make sure you have the above position set up on your chessboard. As you play through the remaining moves in this game, use a piece of paper to cover the article, exposing White’s next move 16


only after trying to guess it. If you guess correctly, give yourself the par score. Sometimes points are also rewarded for second-best moves, and there may be bonus points—or deductions—for other moves and variations. Note that ** means that the note to Black’s move is over and White’s move is in the next line.**

threatening the e3-bishop and the e5pawn. Accept 1 bonus point if you saw it. In this way Reshevsky clears d7 for his queen knight to come out.** 16.

h3

11.

e4

16.

…

11.

…

17.

Rae1

12.

f4

17.

…

18.

Bf2

18.

…

19.

e5!

19.

…

20.

f5!

20.

…

Par Score 5

White expands in the center. Bg7 Par Score 5

White is already threatening 13. e5 (1 bonus point), and if 13. ... dxe5, then 14. fxe5 Nfd7 15. e6, when 15. ... fxe6? 16. dxe6 Bxg2 17. exd7+ wins a piece. 12.

…

Nfd7

This prevents e4-e5. But for how long and how does the queen knight come into play?** 13.

a4

13.

…

14.

Be3

14.

…

Par Score 5

Reinfeld aims to discourage ... b6-b5. 0-0 Par Score 5

White continues his development. Kh7

Reshevsky temporizes, adding protection to his h6-pawn.**

15.

Qc2

15.

…

Par Score 5

This clears the back rank for the queen rook to come into play. At the same time the queen lines up with the black king on the diagonal, so e4-e5 is in the air. Note also that 15. ... f5 (undermining the center) drops a pawn to 16. exf5 gxf5 17. Nxf5 (1 bonus point). Nf6

This development is playable at the moment, since 16. e5 is met by 16. ... Ng4,

Par Score 5

This advance prevents Nf6-g4 and once again renews the threat to play e4-e5. Nbd7

The queen knight comes out and takes control of e5.** Par Score 5

This supports action along the e-file. The intention is move the bishop off e3. Re8

With this development, Black pays more attention to the e5-square, in an act of overprotection.** Par Score 5 Ng8

Now there are four black units directly observing e5.** Par Score 6

Reinfeld was intending 19. g4; 20. Bg3; and 21. e5. Black’s last move has made this problematical, so the only way to play e5 is as a sacrifice. dxe5 Par Score 6

Here is an early example of the Sealer/Sweeper Twist (thank you, Hans Kmoch). The advance of the e-pawn forces dxe5, sealing off the e5-square from Black’s pieces, also closing the e-file and the long diagonal. Meanwhile, the f-pawn sweeps past, landing on f5 to begin an attack on the king. Currently g6 is under fire (21. fxg6 fxg6 22. Nxg6—please accept 1 bonus point for seeing it) and the f-file may open at any moment. Nf8

uschess.org

Problem I

ABCs of Chess These problems are all related to key positions in this month’s game. In each case, Black is to move. The answers can be found in Solutions on page 71.

April Exercise: This is for those who want to inspirit their chess with methods from our golden past. Find a copy of your favorite chess book. Also arm yourself with a ream of paper and a supply of writing implements that would make an Irish monk of the tenth century envious. Proceed to copy out by hand the entire work you’ve chosen for reproduction. Imagine how much you accomplish by this drudgery in the realm of the rote, with what someone else actually wrote. Absurd, you say? Unfortunately, the way most of us study chess, the toil, efficacy, and illogic aren’t very different.

The try 20. ... g5 fails to 21. f6+ Kh8 22. fxg7+ (1 bonus point). If 21. ... e4, then 22. Nxe4 gxh4 23. Ng5+ Kh8 24. Qh7 mate (2 bonus points). Also rejected was 20. ... gxf5 21. Nxf5 threatening 22. Nd6+ (1 bonus point).** 21.

fxg6+

21.

…

22.

Be4

Par Score 5

The f-file must be opened. fxg6 Par Score 5

Threatening to take on g6, exposing the king (1 bonus point).

22.

…

23.

Be3

Qd6

Black strengthens the defense of g6.** Par Score 5

The bishop returns to e3, clearing the f-file. Black now has to take the threat to capture on f8 into account (1 bonus point).

23.

…

24.

Rf7

Ne7

Black finds more protection for g6. He also eyes ... Ne7xd5. Accept 1 bonus point if you so noticed.** Par Score 5

White pins knight and bishop, while preparing to triple on the file (1 bonus point). 24.

…

Kg8

Black unpins the bishop and attacks the rook.** uschess.org

Problem II

Pin

-+-+-+-+ +-+-+kvl-+-+-+-+ +-+-+p+n -+-+-zP-zp +-+-+-+P -+-+-+-mK +-+-+R+Problem IV

-+-+-+k+ +-+-+pvl-+-+psnp+ +-+-zP-+-+-+-+-+ +-sN-vL-+-+-+-+-zP +-+-+-mK-

…

26.

Rxb7

26.

…

27.

Qf2

Par Score 4

Nxd5 Par Score 5

The lines are similar to those of the previous note. Accept only 4 points part credit for 26. Bxd5 Bxd5 27. Rxg7+ Kxg7 28. Rd1. Also good is 26. Qb3 (full credit) 26. ... Nxe3 27. Rxf8+ Kh7 28. Qg8 mate (1 bonus point). Nxe3

This forks queen and rook, but ...** Par Score 4

There’s no time for 27. ... Nxf1 because of 28. Qf7+ Kh7(h8) 29. Qxg7 mate. Accept 1 bonus point if you saw this at move 26. 27.

…

28.

Nxf5

Problem VI Mating net

-+-+-+k+ +-+-+q+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-tr-+-+LsN +-+Q+-mK-

White strengthens his f-file control. He can simply answer 25. ... Nf5 with 26. Nxf5 Kxf7? (better 26. ... gxf5) 27. Nxd6+ (1 bonus point). There’s also 26. Rxb7 Nxe3 27. Qf2; with either (a) 27. ... Nxf1 28. Qf7+ and 29. Qxg7 mate (3 bonus points); or (b) 27. ... Nf5 28. Bxf5 gxf5 29. Rxg7+ Kxg7 30. Nxf5+ and 31. Nxd6 (3 bonus points). 25.

-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-mk-+-+-+p+ +-+-vl-snp -+-+-zp-zP +-+-+-+-+-+-+LmK +-+-+-sN-

Mating net

-wq-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-sn-+k -+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+P -+-+Q+LmK +-+-+-+-

Ref1

Discovery

Problem V

Mating net

25.

Problem III

Fork

Nf5

Black tries to clog the f-file, but White has too much power accumulated against f5.** Par Score 5

White plays for mate. Accept full credit

-+-+-trk+ +-+-+-zp-+-+N+-+ +-wq-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+P -+-+-tr-+ wQ-+-tR-mK-

for 28. Bxf5 gxf5 29. Nxf5, forking queen and bishop. 28.

…

29.

Qxf5

29.

…

30.

Rf7

30.

…

gxf5 Par Score 5

White threatens mate in two by 30. Qf7+ (1 bonus point). Kh8 Par Score 5

Reinfeld threatens 31. Rxf8+ and 32. Qh7 mate (1 bonus point). Also strong (full credit) was 30. Qf7 Ne6 31. Qg6; and if 31. ... Nf8, then 32. Rxf8+, with mate next move. After the text, Reshevsky tried to play 30. ... Ng6, which loses material to 31. Qxg6, but his flag fell before the move was completed. So ... Black lost.

.

Total your score to determine your approximate rating below: Total Score 95+ 81-94 66-80 51-65 36-50 21-35 06-20 0-05


Approx. Rating 2400+ 2200-2399 2000-2199 1800-1999 1600-1799 1400-1599 1200-1399 under 1200

17

“Before the Tata tournament I was thinking—‘This might not be my tournament.’ I felt I had problems in certain areas, and I would work on them in February [after the tournament]. So I just did my best and [you know the rest]. But I still have those problems and I will still work on them!” — LEVON ARONIAN

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Wijk aan Zee 2012

Through the Eyes of the Victims GM Levon Aronian convincingly won the first super-tournament of 2012, the 74th Tata Steel tournament in the Dutch seaside village of Wijk aan Zee. By GM IAN ROGERS

HIKARU NAKAMURA WAS THE DEFENDING CHAMPION after his breakthrough win in Wijk aan Zee 2011 but after 13 grueling rounds had concluded, it was Aronian, 29, who had the 10,000 Euro first prize and was celebrating with his girlfriend Arianne Caoili and members of the Armenian-Dutch community in the giant tent in the center of the village green, enjoying a traditional Dutch pea soup dinner with the other players and hundreds of local villagers. Aronian’s first outright victory in Wijk aan Zee, held January 13-29, was comprehensive, a point clear of a field which contained the majority of the world’s best players, Nakamura and Gata Kamsky among them. It had been 15 years since two U.S. players had been invited to the Dutch super -tournament and, though they could not repeat the historic shared victory scored in 1980 by Walter Browne and Yasser Seirawan, both performed well. One could argue that there were actually three top American performances in Wijk aan Zee A, since Italian representative Fabiano Caruana was born in Miami and learned his chess in Brooklyn. Following his victory, Aronian did the rounds of interviews with newspapers and television; everyone wanted some words from the player who had scored, as he said “the best result of my life.” World number one Magnus Carlsen was, as always, also a media favorite but few sought out the views of the alsorans—the players whose losses made Aronian’s victory possible. So why, in the opinion of Aronian’s fel-

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low grandmasters, did the Armenian win one of the world’s strongest tournaments so easily? A few responses are under the photos and scattered through the text. Nakamura was a victim of Aronian’s indomitable will to win; a forced queen sacrifice by Aronian leading to an endgame which seemed destined for a draw. However little by little Aronian made progress until the diagrammed position was reached (see directly below). Tightening the noose GM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2805, ARM) GM Hikaru Nakamura (FIDE 2759, USA) Wijk aan Zee 2012

-+-+-+-mk +-+-+R+p -+-+Lsn-+ +-+-wq-+-+-+-sN-+ +-+-+PzPK -+-+-+-zP +-+-+-+After 48. ... Qe5

Only one White piece is not contributing to the attack, so Aronian played ... 49. Kh4! Qd4

Aronian’s point is that 49. ... Qb2 allows 50. Kg5! Ng8 51. Bf5! and Black is helpless.

50. Bg4! Qe5

Now 50. ... Kg8 allows 51. Rf8+!.

51. Ne6 h6 52. Rf8+ Ng8 53. f4 Qb2 54. Kh3!

The king is not needed any more— Black’s king is in a mating net, with the noose about to be drawn tight.

54. ... Qa1 55. Bh5 Kh7 56. Rf7+ Kh8 57. Bg6 Nf6 58. Rf8+ Ng8 59. Bf7, Black resigned.

Fabiano Caruana—“Lev was clearly the best player. I don't think he was playing at a new level—he always was a very strong player. He, Carlsen, Kramnik and Anand are all at a similar level. Here he was by far the best prepared player; his preparation against me [was awesome] ...” Symmetrical English (A34) GM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2805, ARM) GM Fabiano Caruana (FIDE 2736, ITA) Wijk aan Zee 2012 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5

Playing for the Botvinnik set-up (... g6, ... Bg7, ... Nge7) which served Grischuk so well in the Candidates matches in 2011.

4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 e4 7. Ne5 Bb4 8. Be2 Qa5 9. 0-0!

A gambit first played by the German GM Rainer Buhmann.

9. ... Nxe5 10. dxe5 Qxe5 11. Bd2! Bc5 12. Nb5 0-0 13. b4 Be7

Caruana improves on 13. ... Bd4 14. Nxd4 Qxd4 15. Bf4! which left Buhmann with a great endgame in a 2011 game. 14. f4! Qe6


19

Wijk aan Zee 2012

“Levon played the best here, the most aggressive chess and he deserved to win. However it is just one tournament. If he keep doing this then he will be a very formidable opponent. Lev has been known as a very solid player, winning a game here and there, but here he played much more sharply and was rewarded.”

—Hikaru Nakamura

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“Levon was very well prepared. Many times he would come out of the opening with a good position and much more time. And when you are on the other side, looking at a position at the end of his analysis, with less time and a bad position, I can tell you it sucks!”

—Gata Kamsky

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21

Wijk aan Zee 2012 As recommended by all computer programs; 14. ... exf3 e.p. 15. Bxf3 is ugly for Black. 15. Be3! Bxb4

The black queen does not have a safe square, e.g. 15. ... Qc6 16. Nxa7 Qa6 17. Nb5 Bxb4 18. a3! (18. Nc7 Qa3!) 18. ... Ba5 19. c5 and Black is tied up in knots. 16. Nc7 Qc6 17. Nxa8 b6

17. ... d6 was slightly stronger, but Aronian was ready for this too. In all likelihood the position is already close to winning for White, as Aronian knew before the game.

Rxf8+ Kxf8 22. Qb3 g6 23. Rb1 Bxa8 24. Qb8+ Kg7 25. Qxa7

... and Aronian had a dominating position, though he almost let Caruana escape before winning in 47 moves. Notably, this was the young Italian’s only loss of the tournament and his career-best result could have been even better had his technique not let him down in a winning endgame against van Wely. In the quote on page 21, Kamsky was thinking of the following game: (see game top of next column)

18. Rb1! Bc5 19. Bxc5 bxc5 20. Rb8 Bb7 21.

Naka/Kamsky/Carlsen Nakamura After his victory in Wijk aan Zee 2011, GM Hikaru Nakamura suffered a period of relatively modest form but his fortunes started to improve towards the end of the year—in the months after he had split with super-coach GM Garry Kasparov. Nakamura’s solid result in Tata 2012 indicates that the 24-year-old is adding consistency to his flair, though Nakamura himelf was ambivalent: “It's hard to know how to feel. Plus two [two wins more than losess— IR] is not a bad result. I started badly, played well in the middle, played badly again in rounds 8, 9, 10 and then played OK again at the finish.” Nakamura’s best game came in the fifth round against Czech GM David Navara. Nakamura’s best GM Hikaru Nakamura (FIDE 2759, USA) GM David Navara (FIDE 2712, CZE) Wijk aan Zee 2012

-+-tr-tr-+ zpp+-+pmkn+-+-sNp+ +-zp-wq-+p -+Q+-+-+ zPP+-zP-zP-+-zP-tR-zP +-+-+RmKAfter 24. ... h5

White is clearly positionally dominant but the finish was spectacular 25. Nxh5+!! Qxh5 26. Rxf7+ Rxf7 27. Rxf7+

22


Kh6 28. Qf4+ g5 29. Qf6+ Qg6 30. Qf1!!

The point behind Nakamura’s sacrifice, though 30. Qe7 would have been equally effective. Now the dual threats of 31. Rf6 and 31. Qh3+ force Black to tie himself in knots. 30. ... Qh5 31. Rxb7!

With a new set of threats—32. Qxa6+ and 32. Qf6+—and this time there is no way out. 31. ... c4 32. Qf6+ Qg6 33. Qxd8 Qb1+ 34. Kf2, Black resigned.

Kamsky At 37, GM Gata Kamsky was the third oldest player in the field and his 2/6 start, including heavy losses to GM Levon Aronian and GM Anish Giri, made it look as if the modern game might have passed him by. However the New Yorker, who challenged for the world title 16 long years ago, fought back impressively and a last round victory over the player he upset in the 2011 Candidates Matches, GM Veselin Topalov, pushed him above halfway in the tournament table. “I don't judge my performance by my result but by whether I am happy with my game,” explained Kamsky. “And if I look at my game here I can say, yes, I am satisfied. In my first Wijk aan Zee I scored minus four, my second time 50% and so you can say it is getting better.” (see diagram top of next column)

At first sight Topalov seems to be recovering his lost pawn, but Kamsky finds a mating attack from nowhere ... 58. Ne8+! Kg8 59. f5! Rh2+

59. ... exf5 60. e6! fxe6 allows 61. Nf6+ Kh8 62. Rh7 checkmate.

Gruenfeld Defense, Russian System (D99) GM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2805, ARM) GM Gata Kamsky (FIDE 2732, USA) Wijk aan Zee 2012 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Qb3 Nb6 6. d4 Bg7 7. e4 0-0

Now Aronian has achieved his aim, transposing to the Russian system of the Grunfeld (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 0-0 7. e4 Nfd7 8. Be3 Nb6 9. Qb3) without allowing Black various seventh move options such as 7. ... a6, 7. ... Na6, etc. Later in the event, Navara showed that Aronian’s move order can also have a downside. He delayed castling, playing 7. ... Bg4

Conjuring a mating attack GM Gata Kamsky (FIDE 2732, USA) GM Veselin Topalov (FIDE 2770, BUL) Wijk aan Zee 2012

-+-+-vl-+ +-+R+pmk-+-+psN-zp +-zp-zP-+P -+P+-zP-tr +P+-+-+-+K+-+-+ +-+-+-+After 57. ... Rh4

60. Rd2

The simplest, though walking away from the checks was also strong, meeting a later ... exf5 with e5-e6 followed by Rxf7 and Nf6+. 60. ... Rxd2+ 61. Kxd2 exf5

61. ... Be7 is well met by 62. f6! and if 62. ... Kf8 63. fxe7+! Kxe8 64. Kc3 Kxe7 65. b4 leads to a winning pawn ending.

62. Nf6+ Kg7 63. Ke3 Be7 64. Nd7 Bg5+ 65. Kf3 Bd2

Desperation, but 65. ... Be7 66. Kf4 is also hopeless. 66. Nxc5 f6 67. e6 Kf8 68. Nd3 Ke7 69. Nf4 Kd6

Has White run out of moves? Not at all!

70. c5+! Kc6 71. Nd5!, Black resigned.

Carlsen 20-year-old GM Magnus Carlsen has won just about every top tournament in recent years and opened up a large gap

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immediately, and had no problems. 8. Be3 Bg4 9. Rd1 e6 10. Be2 Nc6 11. Ng1 Bxe2 12. Ngxe2 Qe7 13. 0-0 Rfd8 14. e5 h6 15. a3!?

r+-tr-+k+ zppzp-wqpvl-snn+p+pzp +-+-zP-+-+-zP-+-+ zPQsN-vL-+-zP-+NzPPzP +-+R+RmKAfter 15. a3

at the top of the world rankings, so was expected to be the star of Tata 2012. However the Norwegian, after a strong start which included a victory over Aronian, fell back with a round nine loss to GM Sergey Karjakin. Carlsen then began taking crazy risks to keep pace with Aronian, most of which ended with Carlsen barely hanging on to a draw, but the following game kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. Sicilian Defense, Moscow Variation (B51) GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2835, NOR) GM Veselin Topalov (FIDE 2770, BUL) Wijk aan Zee 2012 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. c3 Ngf6 5. Qe2 a6 6. Ba4 Qc7 7. 0-0 e5!?

7. ... c4 is the more common choice.

8. d4 b5 9. Bc2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Be7 11. Nc3 0-0 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 Bb7 14. Rad1!? Rac8 15. Bb3 Rfe8 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Bg3 Bf8 18. h3 Nb6 19. Nh4 Nc4 20. Nf5?!!

Played quickly by Carlsen but he had forgotten about ... 20. ... Nxb2!

“After he took on b2 there were many possibilities—21. Nxh6+ followed by Bh4, or 21. Nd5 Bxd5 22. Rxd5!? but nothing seems to work,” expained Carlsen. (see diagram top of next column) 21. Bh4!

A Tal-like attack commences; one where the opponent knows the attack must be unsound but struggles to calculate their way through the complications.

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Aronian’s poisonous new move, in a position where 15. Ne4 Qb4 is considered fine for Black. After long thought Kamsky responded with ...

Queen’s Gambit Declined (D37) GM Anish Giri (FIDE 2714, NED) GM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2805, ARM) Wijk aan Zee 2012

15. ... Na5 16. Qc2 c5 17. dxc5 Nbc4 18. Bc1 Nxe5

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7

... but after ...

19. b4 Nac6 20. Ne4 a6 21. h3

White was slightly better and Aronian went on to win in 58 moves (aided by a number of Kamsky time trouble errors). Anish Giri, the 17-year-old local hero who started Tata 2012 well before falling to the basement by losing five consecutive games, had a similar experience.

-+r+rvlk+ +lwq-+pzpp+-+-sn-zp +p+-zpN+-+-+P+-+ +LsN-+-vLP Psn-+QzPP+ +-+R+RmKAfter 20. ... Nxb2

21. ... Nxd1 22. Bxf6 Nxc3 23. Qg4 Bxe4!?

An immediate reply by Topalov, though with a little more thought he might have realized that 23. ... Re6 24. Bxg7 (intending 24. ... Rg6 25. Qxg6!) fails to 24. ... Kh7!! 25. Bxf8 Rg6!. So Carlsen would have had to try 24. Nxh6+ Kh7 25. Nxf7 Qxf7 26. Bxe6 Qxf6 27. Bxc8 when John Nunn in the press room thought that White might survive. 24. Nxh6+ Kh7 25. Bxf7

-+r+rvl-+ +-wq-+Lzpk p+-+-vL-sN +p+-zp-+-+-+l+Q+ +-sn-+-+P P+-+-zPP+ +-+-+RmKAfter 25. Bxf7

25. ... Qxf7?

“Adopting the Queen's Gambit with Black has been a way of improving my defensive skills,” explained Aronian. 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 0-0 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Be2 dxc4 8. 0-0

Aronian has plenty of experience with this position from the white side, since Black’s 6. ... Nbd7 system has recently been adopted by GMs Viswanathan Anand, Vladimir Kramnik and Boris Gelfand.

Faced with the apparently crushing threat of 26. Qh5, Topalov decides to exchange into an endgame which he knows should be tenable. The barely human 25. ... Bd3!! turns out to be winning, meeting 26. Qh5 with 26. ... Ne2+ and 27. ... Nf4. Both players probably thought that 26. Re1 would be an adequate answer, but unfortunately for White after 26. ... Ne2+! 27. Rxe2 allows 27. ... Qc1+! and 28. ... Qxh6, winning for Black. 26. Nxf7 gxf6 27. f4 Bg6 28. Qh4+ Kg7?!

28. ... Kg8 was safer, since after 29. Nh6+ Bxh6 30. Qxh6 Bd3! White can make a perpetual check but no more. 29. fxe5! Ne4 30. Rxf6! Bc5+ 31. Kh2 Nxf6 32. Qxf6+ Kh7 33. Ng5+ Kh6 34. Ne6! Rxe6 35. Qxe6 Re8

Black should hold this endgame, but in the run-up to the time control drops the a-pawn. 36. Qf6 Be7? 37. Qxa6 b4 38. Qc4 Bf8 39. g4 Kh7 40. e6 Bd6+ 41. Kg2 Be7 42. Qc7 Kg8 43. Kg3 Kf8 44. Qf4+ Kg7 45. Qd4+ Kg8 46. h4 Rd8 47. Qc4 Bd3?

Missing his last draw chance. After 47. ... Rd3+! 48. Kf4 Bd6+ 49. Kg5 Kg7! Black can force a perpetual check. 48. Qc6 Bb1 49. h5! Bxa2?! 50. Qe4! Kh8 51. h6! Bf6 52. e7 Re8 53. Qf4! Bg7 54. hxg7+ Kxg7 55. g5! Kg8 56. Qf6, Black resigned.

An unbelievable game—a triumph of mind over matter. Second place in such an elite field could be disappointing only for a Kasparov or a Carlsen, but the world number one was happy to acknowledge that Tata 2012 had deservedly been Aronian’s tournament.


23

Wijk aan Zee 2012

Wijk-ie Quickies GM Boris Gelfand (FIDE 2739, ISR) GM Hikaru Nakamura (FIDE 2759, USA)

GM Teimour Radjabov (FIDE 2773, AZE) GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2769, RUS)

-+-tr-+k+ zp-+-+-+p -zpR+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+r+-+ vLP+-vl-zPP+-+-zp-zP +R+-+K+-

-+-+-+-+ tr-+-+p+-+-+-+p+ +P+-+-+p P+-mkp+-zP +-tRlsN-zP-+-+-zP-mK +-+-+-+-

(SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 71) GM Boris Gelfand (FIDE 2739, ISR) GM Gata Kamsky (FIDE 2732, USA)

-+-+r+k+ +-+-+p+-+-+r+p+ +-wq-+-+-+-+-+-wQ +-+-+-mKP -+-tR-+P+ +-+R+-+-

GM Vassily Ivanchuk (FIDE 2766, UKR) GM Anish Giri (FIDE 2714, NED)

-+k+-+-+ +r+-+-+R p+-+-+-+ +-+-zPpzp-+-mK-+-+ +-+-+P+-+-+-+-zP +-+-+-+-

White to play

White to play

Black to play

White to play

GM Vugar Gashimov (FIDE 2761, AZE) GM David Navara (FIDE 2712, CZE)

GM Teimour Radjabov (FIDE 2773, AZE) GM David Navara (FIDE 2712, CZE)

GM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2805, ARM) GM David Navara (FIDE 2712, CZE)

GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2769, RUS) GM Boris Gelfand (FIDE 2739, ISR)

-+l+-trk+ +-zp-wqpzp-tr-+-+-sn +p+Lzp-+N p+-+P+-+ +-+P+P+PzP-wQ-+P+ +-tR-mK-+R

-+-tr-+k+ +R+-+p+p -+-zp-+p+ zp-+n+-+-+L+-zP-+ zPP+-+-zP-+r+-+-zP +-+-tR-mK-

-+-+-+-wQ +-+-+k+-+-+-+pzp +-snq+-+-+-+-zPPmK +-+-+-+P -+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+ +-+-+p+k p+-+-+qzp +p+-+-+-+-+-zP-+ +P+Q+KzpP+P+-+-+ +-+-+-+-

White to play

Black to play

Black to play

Black to play

IM Tania Sachdev (FIDE 2411, IND) WIM Lisa Schut (FIDE 2290, NED)

GM Hans Tikkanen (FIDE 2549, SWE) IM Sahaj Grover (FIDE 2532, IND)

GM Sipke Ernest (FIDE 2606, NED) GM Lazaro Bruzon Batista (FIDE 2691, CUB)

GM Pendyala Harikrishna (FIDE 2665, IND) GM Daniele Vocaturo (FIDE 2545, ITA)

r+-+kvl-tr zpp+-+p+-+p+nzp-+ +-+-+-+-+Q+p+P+ +-sN-+-+P PzP-+-wqL+ +K+R+-+R

r+l+k+-tr +p+p+pzpp -+-vL-+-+ wq-+-zp-+-+P+-+-+ +pzPQ+-zPP+-mKPzPLzP tR-+-+-+-

-+-+r+k+ zp-+q+pzpp -+r+-vl-+ +Q+L+-+-+-+-+-+ vL-+-+-zPP+-+-zP-zP +R+-+-mK-

-+-+-+-mk +R+-+-+-+-+-+-mK +-+-+-+-+l+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+White to play

White to play

White to play

Black to play

Wijk aan Zee Saying Tata to Sponsorship? The Indian sponsors of the Wijk aan Zee tournament, Tata Steel, confirmed that they would sponsor the 75th edition of the tournament in 2013 but after then nothing is clear. The traditional Dutch tournament has been sponsored by the local steelworks—whose name has changed from Hoogovens to Corus to Tata over the years—since it began in 1938. Over those years the fortunes of the steel industry have waxed and waned, with the festival occasionally being cut back to a single grandmaster group during hard times. The Wijk aan Zee festival of chess nowadays is huge, with three grandmaster tournaments, hundreds of other smaller events and a million dollar budget. In contrast, Tata Steel has been laying off workers in Europe, trying to work through the economic downturn there. While it is far from clear that Tata will continue to sponsor the ‘Wimbledon of chess’ beyond 2013, omens are not all bad. The Tata group has a long tradition of chess sponsorship in India and sponsoring Wijk aan Zee brings kudos at home in India as well as in Europe.

24


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Giri thought his last chance was 20. Nc5, despite the danger of the knight becoming stranded.

8. ... Nb6!?

A new idea, which Aronian said should be met by 9. e4.

Simplicity GM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2805, ARM) GM Vugar Gashimov (FIDE 2761, AZE) Wijk aan Zee 2012

20. ... Rf8 21. Ne2 Rf5! 22. Kg2 Nd7 23. Rh1 Nf8!

9. Qc2 Nh5 10. Be5 f6 11. Ng5

Tempting, but 11. Bg3 is stronger, after which Aronian thought White might keep a slight edge.

-+-+-snk+ +-tR-+-+-+-+p+pzp +-+-+-+-trL+-+-zP +-+-zP-zP-+-+-zPK+ +-+-+-+-

The rest was easy for Aronian, who finishes the game in style.

24. h4 Ng6 25. f4 Nxh4+ 26. Kf1 Qb4 27. Rb1 Be8 28. Nc3 Qe7 29. b4 Rf8 30. Rb2 Bg6 31. Ke1 Bd3 32. fxg5 Nf3+ 33. Kd1 hxg5 34. Qh3 Qf6 35. Kc1 Bg6 36. a4 Rd8 37. Ne2 e5 38. Qg4 exd4 39. exd4 Re8 40. Qd7 c3 41. Ra2

11. ... fxg5 12. Bxh5 Bd7 13. Bf3

r+-wq-trk+ zppzplvl-zpp -sn-+p+-+ +-+-vL-zp-+pzP-+-+ +-sN-zPL+PzPQ+-zPPzP tR-+-+RmK-

-+-+r+k+ zpp+Q+-zp-+-+-wql+ +-+p+-zpPzP-zP-+-+ +-zp-+n+R+-+NzP-+ +-mK-+-+R

After 13. Bf3

13. ... Rxf3!! 14. gxf3 Bd6!

An unbelievable piece of preparation by Aronian. For the Exchange, Black has a pawn and easy development. More importantly, White has little to do.

After 40. ... h6

This endgame, similar to the historic 24th game of the 1987 World Championship match between Kasparov and Karpov in Seville, looks as if it will be technically very challenging. However with one simple plan, Aronian immediately breaks down Gashimov’s resistance. 41. f4! h5 42. Kf3! Ra4 43. Ke4! Kh8 44. Ke5! Kg8 45. Kf6 Ra5 46. e4 Ra4 47. e5 Ra3 48. Rc8!, Black resigned.

After 41. Ra2

41. ... Ne1! 42. Rxe1 Qf4+ 43. Kd1 Qe4, White resigned.

GM Teimor Radjabov had a chance to catch Aronian had he beaten him in the final round. Instead Radjabov was so scared of Aronian’s preparation that he offered a repetition of moves after five minutes play, an offer which Aronian had no reason to decline.

GM Vugar Gashimov—“Half of the field were playing extremely badly. Look at what Magnus did in his last games—horrible! Lev deserved to win the tournament, but even he was not in his best form—otherwise he would have scored +7!”

15. Qe4 Bc6 16. Qg4 Qe7 17. Bxd6 cxd6 18. Ne4?!

According to Aronian, almost the decisive error. Apparently 18. e4 was necessary, despite the horrible weakening of the f4-square. 18. ... h6 19. Qg3 d5 20. Nc3

TATA STEEL CHESS TOURNAMENT—GROUP A

.

WIJK AAN ZEE, THE NETHERLANDS

JANUARY 13-29, 2012

#

Name

Rating

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

Score

1

GM Levon Aronian (ARM)

2805

x

0

½

1

½

1

1

1

½

1

1

½

1

0

9

2

GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR)

2835

½

x

½

1

½

½

½

0

½

1

1

1

½

½

8

3

GM Teimour Radjabov (AZE)

2773

½

½

x

½

½

½

½

1

½

1

½

½

½

1

8

4

GM Fabiano Caruana (ITA)

2736

½

½

½

x

½

½

½

1

½

½

1

1

1

½

8

5

GM Vassily Ivanchuk (UKR)

2766

½

½

½

½

x

½

½

½

½

1

0

½

1

1

7½

6

GM Hikaru Nakamura (USA)

2759

0

½

½

½

½

x

½

½

1

½

1

½

½

1

7½

7

GM Gata Kamsky (USA)

2732

0

½

½

½

½

½

x

1

½

½

½

1

0

1

7

8

GM Sergey Karjakin (RUS)

2769

0

1

0

0

½

½

0

x

1

½

0

1

1

1

6½

9

GM Loek van Wely (NED)

2692

½

½

½

½

½

0

½

0

x

½

½

½

½

½

5½

10

GM Vugar Gashimov (AZE)

2761

0

0

0

½

0

½

½

½

½

x

½

½

1

½

5

11

GM Boris Gelfand (ISR)

2739

0

0

½

0

1

0

½

1

½

½

x

½

0

½

5

12

GM Veselin Topalov (BUL)

2770

½

0

½

0

½

½

0

0

½

½

½

x

1

½

5

13

GM Anish Giri (NED)

2714

0

½

½

0

0

½

1

0

½

0

0

1

x

½

4½

14

GM David Navara (CZE)

2712

1

½

0

½

0

0

0

0

½

½

½

½

½

x

4½

Read more from Wijk aan Zee by GM Ian Rogers on Chess Life Online at uschess.org, January archives. uschess.org


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Profile

Awonder Years The

E I G H T-Y E A R - O L D AW O N D E R L I A N G , A T H I R D - G R A D E R AT

VA N H I S E E L E M E N TA RY S C H O O L I N M A D I S O N , W I S C O N S I N ,

I S A R G UA B LY T H E B R I G H T ES T S TA R TO E M E R G E O N T H E A M E R I C A N

PHOTO: ERIC ROSEN

C H ES S H O R I ZO N I N D EC A D ES , A N D P E R H A P S E V E R .

I

By BRAD ROSEN

n his most recent remarkable triumph, eight-year-old Awonder Liang captured the gold medal in the Under 8 section of the World Youth Championships (WYCC) held this past November in Caldas Novas, Brazil. By doing so, Awonder became the youngest American player to win a major internationally sanctioned world chess championship. Awonder won seven matches, drew one and lost one, and had already clinched a first place finish on tiebreaks before the final round. Additionally, Awonder already has two national scholastic championships under his belt (kindergarten and first grade titles). Add to that, as a first-grader he won the high school section of the Madison School District Chess Championships. Awonder is also the youngest player in U.S. history to attain an “expert” rating (2000 or higher), breaking the previous record by two months. Awonder had a USCF rating of 2087 heading into the World Youth tournament, and leads the

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Top Age 8 player list by a wide margin. These celebrated accomplishments have put Awonder on U.S. scholastic and junior chess maps. Awonder has certainly caught the attention of those in the “training young prodigy” business. Former U.S. Champion GM Yury Shulman, a highly regarded international player and trainer, runs some of the premier training camps in the nation for elite junior players, which Awonder has attended on a couple of occasions. “There is no doubt, he is a very talented boy,” Shulman observed. Prominent Chicago-based junior trainer GM Dmitry Gurevich shares these sentiments. “I have played Awonder and my impression about him is very positive. He is not only a super talent but also a nice kid.” FM Aviv Friedman, who for 15 years has coached U.S. junior delegations at international events concurs. As a long-time battle tested chess trainer extraordinaire to America’s best and brightest chess


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Profile youth, Friedman led the 64-player U.S. delegation in Brazil. “After this event I became quite the believer in Awonder. He is very good, and not even nine years-old!,” Friedman said. “With proper guidance and instruction he can go far. It would be speculative now to guess ‘how far,’ but he is sure worth investing in to find out!” While it’s difficult to project just how far any 8-year-old “phenom” in the world of chess might advance, in Awonder’s case, the sky appears to be the limit. At this juncture, Awonder is in a league of his own ... at least among his contemporaries. And if he is to be put in any league, that league would include the great young American players of the current generation such as GM Robert Hess, GM Sam Shankland, GM Ray Robson and yes ... even the ever magnificent world-class super GM Hikaru Nakamura. But before seeing how some of Awonder’s key stats and accomplishments line up against this crème de la crème of great American young chess players, let’s examine the forces and factors that have led to his incredible accomplishments.

MADISON, WISCONSIN

Great talent does not emerge in a vacuum. It is a function of place and people, and is cultivated, supported, and nurtured. Awonder was born on April 9, 2003 in Wisconsin’s state capital, Madison, a vibrant and visually striking city in America’s heartland. It is home to the University of Wisconsin, and is known for its high-end cultural events and diversity. Also heralded as the Athens of the Midwest, Madison has provided the fertile intellectual soil for Awonder to learn the game of chess, and for his natural chess talents to blossom. As chance would have it, in 2008 at the age of 5, Awonder, and his older brother, Adream, then age 7, met up with a 10 year-old at Van Hise Elementary school by the name of Brian Luo. At the time, Luo was the highest rated 10-year-old in the country (2077 USCF ). Luo struck terror in the heart of many Chicago area tournament chess players as he frequently traveled to “Windy City” environs to sharpen his chess elbows. Before Luo packed away his chess set later that year to pursue other interests, he taught Awonder and Adream how to move the chess pieces. After that, life for the Liang family was never the same.

T H E FA M I LY L I A N G

Awonder has also had the benefit of coming from a family where chess is truly king. His father, Yingming (commonly known as Will) Liang is a strong A class player. He is as dedicated a chess dad if ever there was one. Will came to the U.S. from China to attend the University of Wisconsin nearly 30 years ago, and for the past 15 years has had his own international trading business. In the past few years, Will has crisscrossed the country with his three sons, Awonder (age 8), Adream (age 10), and Able (age 7), while Will’s wife Liangxing Huang, and Angelva, his 4-yearold daughter have kept their Madison homestead warm. In the short span of 3½ years, Will has accompanied Awonder, and the other boys at times, to 126 chess tournaments including the 2011 WYCC in Brazil, and the 2010 WYCC event held in Porto Carras, Greece. Awonder finished in ninth place in that tournament as one of the youngest players in the Under 8 section. While Will has served as Awonder’s main coach, manager, and principal financial backer, he has intuitively grasped the notion that success has 100 fathers, and readily credits others for playing important roles in Awonder’s success. “Awonder has good intellectual curiosity and is very hard working. Our family has been making sacrifices to help him,” Liang notes. “However, without the kind of great support and understanding from his 28


school, the nurturing community inside and outside of chess in Wisconsin, Illinois and beyond, Awonder would absolutely not be where he is today in chess. So the Awonder story is a collective effort story.”

T H E C OA C H ES

Awonder played his first tournament game in July, 2008 in the Chicago Class and took home a trophy in the U700 section. “He liked the logical part of the game right way,” Will observed. “Starting some time in 2009, the boys got good quickly and I took them to some professional coaches to try things out.” These coaches included Ashish Vaja, IM Angelo Young, and GM Mesgan Amanov. GM Amanov, a dedicated tournament player and trainer worked with Awonder soon after he returned from the World Youth Chess Championship in Greece. He was quite impressed with his natural abilities and work ethic. “Awonder never blunders, and is a hard worker. He plays very safe, very smart, and takes no opponent for granted,” Amanov remarked. “I was amazed at how much chess knowledge Awonder was able to soak up. Often times, the younger the player, the more their brains can absorb. Young kids are not spoiled by the distractions of daily life filling their memories, but Awonder’s ability to comprehend complicated combinations and advanced chess concepts is amazing.” Amanov was also impressed by the active roles Will plays in Awonder’s development. “After Awonder finishes a game, Will would then immediately review it with Awonder. He would also assist Awonder in deep preparation for his opponents,” Amanov observed. In the months leading up to the WYCC tournament in Brazil, Will served as Awonder’s only coach due to financial constraints. However, after arriving in Brazil, Awonder was suddenly surrounded by America’s top youth trainers who were part of the U.S. delegation. GM Sam Palatnik was assigned to work with Awonder. At the onset, the two established a demanding training regimen. Awonder and GM Palatnik prepared extensively for every match, and analyzed every game in detail immediately after its completion in the U.S. delegation’s team room, where all the coaches and players met to conduct post-match analysis. Palatnik also put in quite a bit of extra time with Awonder, and the two even worked together for a good chunk of time on the rest day, when many others chose to stay away from the chessboard. “It was a pleasure to coach Awonder. I prepared him for every round in the tournament, analyzed his games and shared my experiences,” Palatnik said. Awonder is definitely a talented young man, who also has the talent “to listen.” “Of course, his result at the World Championship was greatly satisfying for me,” Palatnik continued. Palatnik also witnessed Awonder’s fierce competitive nature, his determination, and his desire to succeed. Awonder had won his first seven rounds. However, after round eight, Awonder was visibly upset as he entered the team room. “That only led me to one conclusion. I did not even want to ask the result,” Palatnik recalls. “So, we set on gently looking for the cause of the loss. Overall, the game was pretty well played, but at some point there was possibility to create a far advanced passed pawn on the kingside and Awonder could have won. He did not, and the game was ... a draw. This result guaranteed Awonder a first place finish in the tournament on tiebreaks, and the title of the World Champion. Yet he was still upset that his winning streak had to be interrupted by a draw, especially since the win was so close. To me, this proves that Awonder is really a fighter, and he can go forward in chess as far as he wants.” In addition to GM Palatnik, other coaches in the U.S. delegation assisted Awonder with game analysis and provided their chess wisdom and insights, especially as the tournament moved to its later stages. Senior FIDE Trainer and head coach Michael Khodarkovsky helped establish training protocols and also frequently worked with Awonder. Other coaches, including FM Aviv Frieduschess.org

man, GM Nick deFirmian, GM Shulman, IM Armen Ambartsoumian and GM John Fedorowicz also helped Awonder analyze his games after some of the rounds. As Will Liang noted, “Everybody was very helpful to the little guy. Without a doubt, we can conclude that it was a collective effort for Awonder to have won the U8 championship in the WYCC 2011 in Brazil.”

ond grade teacher. “In class, I would employ a process oriented approach known as Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) where I would give small groups of students very difficult problems, and they would try to find solutions through collaboration and shared thinking. I was really impressed by the level of discourse engaged in by Awonder and his fellow students. These discussions would often become quite abstract. I have little doubt that Awonder’s chess experience plays T H E VA N H I S E FACT FILE an important role in his ability to E L E M E N TA RY S C H O O L comfortably discuss complex theoA N D LO C A L C O M M U N I T Y retical concepts across a broad number of topics.” Madison’s Van Hise Elementary Despite his extraordinary native School bills itself as a community of intelligence and monumental sucdiverse learners within an inclusive cess on the chess board, most atmosphere, to assure maximum Learned to Play everyone who meets Awonder, finds educational growth of all students. Age 5 him to be a normal, well-adjusted The parents of many of the children and fun loving kid—which is not enrolled at Van Hise are affiliated Favorite Chess Books always the case in the world of with the University of Wisconsin and Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov young chess prodigies. “He is very many of the families, like the Liangs, Part 1: 1973-1985; modest, and while he is self aware have come to Madison from overof his talent, Awonder displays no Chess Duels by GM Yasser Seirawan; seas. At Van Hise, excellence and arrogance whatsoever. In fact he’s diversity is celebrated in all its forms. Chess Child by Gary Robson even shy to show off his trophies, Indeed, a visit to Van Hise’s website and he wouldn’t even bring it up (www.madison.k12.wi.us/ 034) Favorite Players unless you asked,” observed shows that the school provides a Mikhail Botvinnik, Christopherson. “Awonder has a nurturing setting for kids to learn Bobby Fischer, great sense of humor and is very and grow. Some of the comments Anatoly Karpov, well liked by his classmates. Awonfrom parents and students include: der’s love and enthusiasm for chess Garry Kasparov, “Van Hise Elementary School is great has been infectious as many of his for learning!,” and “The philosophy Alexander Onischuk Van Hise classmates have also taken that every child will reach their full up the game. At the beginning of potential is pervasive within the Van Favorite Chess Website: second grade last year, only three Hise Elementary School environsusanpolgar.blogspot.com kids in his class knew how to play ment,” and finally, Van Hise is “the chessgames.com the game. By the end of the first coolest school in Madison.” semester, with Awonder acting as Awonder has been enrolled in Favorite Books the “volunteer coach,” nearly all 20 Van Hise Elementary since kinderHarry Potter (1-7) kids in class were able to play a garten and the school has played an game of chess. As Will points out, instrumental role in both AwonFavorite Movie “this is the one of Awonder’s chess der’s chess achievements, as well as Terminator related accomplishments he is most his academic and personal developproud of.” Chess sets are in abunment. Van Hise principal, Peg Interests Outside of Chess dance at Van Hise Elementary, and Keeler, though not a chess player Awonder often leads chess related Swimming, playing on the beach, herself, has recognized the role activities during recess time. Not chess can play in developing a reading, science, math, surprisingly, a good number of Van child’s academic and intellectual computer games Hise students have become regular skills. The school’s staff has always chess players in their own right. worked to accommodate the Liang His Advice for Chess Improvement “When Awonder was playing in boys’ chess schedules where frePlay chess with friends for fun; Greece, our second grade class was quent and prolonged absences are go to as many tournaments as possible totally excited and followed his sometimes involved. As a result, progress in every game,” Chistoand use the time to think hard when Awonder has been able to pursue pherson added. his chess activities without hesitaplaying, because we have more fun when The Van Hise Elementary Comtion or reservation, while still winning than losing; and having munity has done more than just performing at the highest levels in a good and funny coach is helpful. cheer Awonder on. They provided his academic pursuits as well. “Mrs. key financial support that allowed Keeler and all of the teachers have Awonder to attend the 2010 WYCC done a great job with the boys. event in Greece. When it became Without this, Awonder would not be able to allocate so much of his time and energy to chess, and doubtful that Awonder would be able to attend the tournament in Greece due to financial constraints, the Van Hise Parent achieved so many fantastic accomplishments,” Will said. Not surprising, Awonder is a top notch student and deep Teacher Organization (PTO) stepped up and established the thinker in the classroom, as well on the chessboard. “Awonder “Send Awonder To Greece” fund. Together with the Wisconsin is very well rounded academically. He is a problem solver, with State Journal, support poured in from many in the Wisconsin very strong mathematical skills and he is also very well informed community, enabling Awonder and Will to journey to Greece. about current events,” said John Christopherson, Awonder’s sec- Upon their return, the PTO held a large celebratory fundrais-

AWONDER LIANG

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Profile

Wave Theory By

GM SAM PALATNIK

This game was played by undoubtedly talented, yet very young, and therefore, still inexperienced chess players. That is why, in this game’s analysis, I would like to highlight their talent, rather then focus on any inevitable mistakes.

Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation (B90) Pawel Teclaf (FIDE 1594, POL) Awonder Liang (FIDE 1872, USA) World Youth Chess Championship, Under 8 Open, Caldas Novas, Goias, Brazil, 11.20.2011 (4) 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. f3 Be6 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. g4 b5 11. g5

Opening moves in this game were played rather hastily. This allows us to deduce that young players in various countries are well coached, and well informed. When training young players, today’s coaches hope that they have a superior and close to photographic memory when it comes to knowledge of rather lengthy opening theory. There is therefore a great temptation to catch your opponent in some sort of an opening variation or trick. We must remember that seven- or eight-year-olds playing this game simply did not spend enough time training yet to receive full preparation. There is also a risk involved, in that a young player can get stagnant in his overall chess development while trying to memorize opening variations. Even when such a player ends up with an advantageous position with an estimate +=, an unbalanced chess player might not be able to materialize the advantage and finish the fight. 11. ... Nh5

Black is the first to enter unchartered territory. The opening theory competition could continue with 11. ... b4 12. Ne2, and now 12. ... Nh5 or 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. exd5 Bf5.

12. Nd5 Bxd5 13. exd5 Qc7?!

One more inaccuracy. Here, this “Sicilian” move is not so important. It would have been better to play 13. ... Nf4 14. Bxf4 exf4 15. h4 h6. 14. Na5 Nb6

This looks more favorable: 14. ... Nf4 15. Bxf4 exf4 16. Nc6 Ne5.

15. Nc6 Rc8 16. a4

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-+r+k+-tr +-wq-vlpzpp psnNzp-+-+ +p+Pzp-zPn P+-+-+-+ +-+-vLP+-zPPwQ-+-zP tR-+-mKL+R After 16. a4

This is a good move. It was also possible to play 16. c4, for example 16. … Nxc4 17. Bxc4 bxc4 18. Rc1, which would also gain an advantage. We have to say that in the opening White has received everything they were expecting, yet the game did not end there. 16. ... Nc4 17. Bxc4 bxc4 18. a5 Qb7 19. Kf2 0-0 20. Ra4

-+r+-trk+ +q+-vlpzpp p+Nzp-+-+ zP-+Pzp-zPn R+p+-+-+ +-+-vLP+-zPPwQ-mK-zP +-+-+-+R After 20. Ra4

Things might have been simplified by an exchange of queens. 20. Qb4 Qxb4 21. Nxb4. 20. ... Rxc6

By sacrificing an Exchange Awonder refutes the heavy burden of an unfortunately played opening. Such a knight on c6 can be neither loved nor endured! 21. Rb4 Qc7 22. dxc6 Qxc6 23. Rb6 Qd7

Not deflecting to protect the pawn via 23. … Qc8. When your house is on fire,

you cannot be worried about the burned-down fence. 24. Kg2

It would have been better to play 24. Rxa6.

24. ... d5 25. c3 Rd8 26. Rd1 Qf5 27. Rxa6 d4 28. Ra7 Bc5 29. Rb7 g6 30. Rb5

-+-tr-+k+ +-+-+p+p -+-+-+p+ zPRvl-zpqzPn -+pzp-+-+ +-zP-vLP+-zP-wQ-+KzP +-+R+-+After 30. Rb5

30. ... Rd5!?

Here we see proof of talent! The sudden gathering of pieces on the fifth rank reminds us of an unexpected wave in the ocean. 31. b4?

White did not receive the tsunami warning and his position is simply washed off the board. If there was no panic on board the ship, it might have been possible to keep all of his earnings by 31. cxd4 exd4 32. Rxc5 Rxc5 (or 32. ... dxe3 33. Rxd5 [33. Qxd5? Nf4+] 33. ... Nf4+ 34. Kh1) 33. Qxd4 Rxa5 (33. ... Rc8 34. a6 [or even 34. Qg4 Ra8 35. Qxf5 gxf5 36. Rd5]) 34. Qd8+ Kg7 35. Bd4+ f6 36. gxf6+ Kh6 (36. ... Nxf6 37. Bxf6+ Qxf6 38. Rd7+) 37. Be3+ Nf4+ (37. ... g5 38. f7 Qxf7 39. Qxa5) 38. Bxf4+ Qxf4 39. Qxa5. 31. ... dxe3 32. Qc1

If 32. Qxd5, then Nf4+.

32. ... Nf4+, White resigned.

Chess matches are not limited to opening theory!

uschess.org

ing dance in Awonder’s honor to help further defray the cost. Almost all of the Van Hise faculty and staff, and more than 250 parents and students attended the soiree. Needless to say this outpouring of support has been gratifying to the Liangs. “It was very touching and encouraging to Awonder and our entire family,” Will said. Awonder’s trip to the 2011 World Youth Chess Championships in Brazil was also generously underwritten by many in the Wisconsin community, including the TranSmart Technology Company, Mr. and Mrs Buck, and Dr. and Mrs. Ma. Further support came from the U.S. Chess Trust, all of which made Awonder’s gold medal quest a reality.

chess history. He played his first rated tournament game when he was 7 years, one month. When Nakamura was Awonder’s age, he was rated 1579. However, by the time Nakamura had played for 3 years, 3 months (he was 10 years, 4 months) his rating had reached 2253. Notably though, Nakamura had the benefit of learning with his stepfather, a well-regarded scholastic chess instructor, FM Sunil Weeramantry. Nakamura has also set several “youngestever” records in U.S. chess history, including the youngest player who defeated an international master in a USCF-rated game (10 years, 0 months). Later that record was surpassed by Praveen Balakrishnan at 9 years, 29 days. Last summer, that record was again surpassed, this time by Awonder himself, who defeated IM Daniel Fernandez at the U.S. Open in Orlando, Florida. Awonder was 8 years, 118 days at the time.

AW O N D E R A N D T H E “ N E W G UA R D ”

In the past few years, a number of rising young players have taken their place in the upper strata of the U.S. Chess scene. This phenomena was captured, in part, in Changing of the Guard: 2009 U.S. Championship, a documentary that was produced in concert with the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. Emerging players highlighted in that video include Hikaru Nakamura, Robert Hess, and Ray Robson. Other young players that have played in subsequent U.S. Championships and would arguably qualify for membership in this “New Guard” include Sam Shankland and Daniel Naroditsky. Comparing Awonder’s relatively brief chess career to the early years of those new guard players lends context to Awonder’s brief but amazing career. First off, Awonder played his first USCF rated chess tournament at the tender age of 5 years 3 months, significantly earlier than any of the new guard. At the time Awonder captured the gold medal in Brazil, he was 8 years, 7 months, had a 2087 USCF rating, and had been playing tournament chess for 3 years, 3 months. IM Daniel Naroditsky, the 16-year-old superstar from northern California, is currently rated 2548. Naroditsky captured a gold medal at the World Youth Chess Championship at age 12. He played his first rated tournament game when he was 7 years, 4 months, and at Awonder’s age had a rating of 1486. After Naroditsky had played for the same period of time as Awonder (3 years, 3 months), he had reached just 1750. 17-year-old Ray Robson, perhaps the most dominating force on the U.S. junior and scholastic circuits in recent years, is currently rated 2674. In October 2009, about two weeks before turning 15, Robson became the youngest U.S. GM-elect in history, an incredible achievement. Like Awonder, Robson experienced a rocket-like rise onto the U.S. chess scene. Robson played his first rated tournament game at age 6 years, 11 months. When he was Awonder’s age, his rating was 1585, although he started playing tournaments almost 2 years after Awonder had started his. When Robson had played for 3 years, 3 months (the same period of time as Awonder), he was rated 2036. Looking at Awonder’s statistics, they line up favorably with Robson’s, perhaps the most accomplished junior player under 18 years that has come along on the U.S. chess scene in the past decade. Based on the numbers, Awonder is clearly out of the chess gates much faster than either GM Sam Shankland (USCF 2651) or GM Robert Hess (USCF 2717). At Awonder’s age, Shankland had not yet played a rated tournament game. That fateful event didn’t happen until he was 10 years, 2 months. Meanwhile, Hess was rated 757 when he was Awonder’s age, and was rated 1863 when he had been playing tournament chess for the same period as Awonder. The comparison between a young Hikura Nakamura and Awonder yields perhaps the most interesting observations. Nakamura (USCF 2858) is considered one of the top players in the world, and has been rated as high as sixth on the FIDE top player list. Nakamura, undisputedly, is one of the great players in U.S. uschess.org

THE FUTURE

Sevan Muradian, the founder and driving force behind the Chicago-based North American Chess Association (NACA) has closely observed Awonder’s development from the earliest days, as Awonder has played in numerous NACA events over the years. Also, NACA periodically runs elite norm tournaments that attract many of the top junior players from throughout the country, and Muradian is also involved in FIDE organizational matters, and is intimately familiar with the top echelons of the European chess world. “Clearly Awonder is an incredible young talent who only comes along once in a generation, if that,” Muradian observed. “If Awonder is to make it to the very top levels on a global scale, the next two years will be crucial. He will either shoot up or stall as a player—and the key will be whether or not Awonder has access to consistent top flight training. That will happen depending on the availability of sizable financial backing,” Muradian added. Clearly, Awonder has the talent, work ethic, demeanor, family and community support to make a run at becoming one of the world’s very top players, and perhaps even the greatest to ever play the game. However, in order to realize Awonder’s full potential, significant monetary resources will be required. One global top trainer, who requested anonymity, echoed Muradian’s sentiments: “It is ‘mad expensive’ to nurture a kid like Awonder, and the time to ‘push him’ is now, and not let years go by wasted because of lack of funds. The Liangs deserve to find some entity or person to help them give Awonder the best conditions so he can go as far as he can. That is not easy, especially in the U.S., where chess is not valued as it is in other places in the world. If ever there was a deserving player, Awonder would be it.” While Will focuses on potential training and sponsorship opportunities for Awonder, as well the other knotty financial issues involved in raising a chess superstar, not to mention raising three other wonderful and talented children, Awonder does what he does best—and that is being Awonder. Awonder shared two of his goals, one a non-chess aspiration and the other a target he has for his chess future. “I hope some day, I could get so good at chess that I can create the Awonder Liang Foundation, and use my skills to help people in need,” Awonder said. And his long term chess goal? “Winning and bringing back the world championship back to America.” One must remember, Awonder is only an 8-year-old and his story is really just beginning. But it is a story that reflects well on Wisconsin and the Midwest—and it is certainly an all-American story. Stay tuned.

.

Read more about Awonder in the February 2012 Chess Life feature “A Wonder in Brazil,” about his World Youth Championship, with annotations by GM John Fedorowicz. Chess Life — April 2012

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Winding Down

Cover Story

This year’s rule changes may begin the last chapter in the history of the analog clock By KEITH AMMANN

“Start your clocks.”

As dozens of players in an echoing hall, almost but not quite all at once, press the buttons on a roomful of wind-up clocks, their unsynchronized ticking combines into a wash of white noise, like raindrops hitting pavement. As recently as 20 years ago, such a scene would be repeated countless times in chess tournaments around the world. Today, though, the ticking sound is fading away, as the mechanical chess clock with analog dials is displaced by digital models with delay and increment-time features and by rule changes that no longer treat it as the default timekeeping device. And yet, just as the typewriter is still the symbol of the professional writer despite its near-extinction, the boxy clock with two buttons and two dials remains a symbol of the game of chess, nearly as well-recognized as the checkerboard pattern or the shape of the knight. More than that, it’s a symbol of serious chess. Two men sitting at a board in a sidewalk café may be friends looking to kill some time pushing wood. But when you see one pull out a chess clock and begin to set the time, you know it’s about to get real. Unless he pulls out a digital. Then, if you’re not a player of tournament chess, you may just ask,

“What is that?”

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uschess.org

The Clock of the Century

IF THE ANALOG CHESS CLOCK is more easily recognized and evokes stronger associations than its digital cousins, there’s a good reason: It’s had more than a century to embed itself in the public consciousness. The chess clock as we know it today was created in 1900 by a Dutch clockmaker. A description appears in Scientific American Supplement No. 1566 on May 26, 1906: “A small clock designed especially for chess players has been designed by Herr Veenhoff of Groningen. This apparatus is composed of two similar small clocks, mounted side by side on a wooden platform. Behind the clocks a mechanism is installed, designed to be set in action and to stop according to the movements of the players. It consists of a long double lever, pivoting at the middle on a support fixed to the platform and is furnished with a button at each of its extremities. ... When pressure is applied on one of the buttons of the lever, the corresponding balance is disengaged, while the other continues locked until the other extremity of the lever is depressed.” Top-level chess games had begun to lengthen dramatically in the 19th century as players spent more and more time on each move; a nine-hour game was typical. The trend peaked at an 1843 match between Howard Staunton and Pierre St. Amant: their 21st game lasted 14½ hours, earning a scolding from the French master Alexandre Deschapelles and the proposition that any rematch between the two should be played under a time limit. Similar complaints followed the first world tournament in London, 1851. Tournament organizers thus began limiting players’ thinking time using 3-hour sand timers or “recording secretaries” who kept track of players’ time with pocket watches. In 1867, the Paris International Tournament allotted players 1 hour for every 10 moves and fined players who exceeded this allotment 5 francs (equivalent to about 10 today, or $13) for every 15 minutes of excess time. Then Thomas Bright Wilson of Manchester, England, invented the “tumbling clock”: two small clocks mounted on a rocker, in such a way that while one was upright, the other would be tilted, stopping the action of its pendulum. The clock—along with the rule that a player who ran out of time would thereby forfeit the game—was introduced at the London 1883 world tournament, which was won by Johannes Zukertort over Wilhelm Steinitz. By 1886, chess clocks were being marketed to the public, and they underwent a series of refinements, including the addition of the flag, proposed by H.D.B. Meijer, secretary of the Dutch Chess Federation, to remove any ambiguity about whether time had run out. (Even so, claiming a win on time would be uschess.org

considered unsportsmanlike for another 20 years.) The clock evolved quickly into its current form: two movements mounted within a single compact box, operated by buttons on top. It reached its epitome in Veenhoff’s design and has not changed significantly ever since. Twentieth-century chess was regulated by this clock and its descendants. A portentously ticking BHB clock makes its appearance just 30 seconds after the title sequence of the 1963 film From Russia With Love; James Bond himself doesn’t show up for another 11½ minutes. Speaking of people who took their time to show up, for the first tense minutes of game one of the 1972 World Chess Championship, the figures on stage were not Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer but Boris Spassky and the clock (the tardy Fischer pleaded bad traffic). Whenever the grandmasters were on screen, there was the clock in the background, imperturbable. In Steven Zaillian’s 1993 movie Searching for Bobby Fischer, the clock is everywhere, adding energy to scenes in the park and tournament hall alike (at climactic moments, more romantically than realistically).

The Elegant Machine

IN 2011, U.S. CHESS FEDERATION delegates enacted two rule changes that became effective January 1 of this year, that suggest that the analog clock era is coming to an end. One change repeals rule 5Fa (Standard timer for sudden death), which allowed tournament directors to shorten the basic time control for players with delay-capable clocks by a number of minutes equal to the length of delay in seconds, to ensure that they received about the same amount of time as players without delay. The other modifies rule 42D (Delay clock preferable in sudden death) to narrow further the occasions on which an analog clock may be used and adds an analogous rule 42E for increment time controls. A player with choice of equipment may now use an analog clock only in games with no sudden death time, when both players have the same type of non-delay clock, or in a nondelay time control (see sidebar, “New Rules”). Some affiliates have gone even further. The Evanston (Illinois) Chess Club, a Chicago-area club where I’ve played in many a tournament, has disallowed analog clocks at its events for about the last two years. Nearby, the North Shore Chess Center in Skokie, Illinois, sidesteps the issue by supplying all equipment at its tournaments— and providing only digital clocks. Five-second delay has been the USCF standard for suddendeath play since 1996, when rules 5E and 5F were enacted in Chess Life — April 2012

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Cover Story

New Rules The following material comes directly from the 2012 USCF rulebook changes, with minor edits.

The following rule changes affecting the use of analog clocks took effect January 1, 2012: 5F. Standard timer for sudden death. Variation 5Fa, subtracting time for using a delay clock, has been deleted. All clocks, including digital, delay, analog, etc., are to be set for the same base (starting) time. Example: If the TLA indicates G/30, d/5, then there is no subtraction of 5 minutes on the delay clocks. Both analog and delay clocks (with the delay set for 5 seconds) are set for 30 minutes at the start of the game. 42D. Delay clock preferable in sudden death. A properly set clock with time-delay or increment capability is preferable to any other clock in a game with any sudden death time control. Therefore, if White has such a clock available and Black does not, White’s clock should be used. If either player arrives late for the start of the game, and a clock without time-delay or increment has already been started, the player has the right to furnish and substitute a properly set time-delay or increment clock, prior to the determination of Black’s first move. The player substituting the time-delay or increment clock must also transfer the elapsed times shown on the non-delay clock to the delay or increment clock, without any additional adjustments (except to correct any errors in the display of the elapsed time). The player substituting the delay or increment clock must have arrived at the board before the grace period for forfeit loss of the game by nonappearance (13D) has expired. Notwithstanding the above, the only occasions where Black retains the right to use his/her non-time-delay clock are in games with no sudden death time control, in cases where both players have the same type of non-time-delay clock, or if the delay mode were not being used in a sudden death time control game; and if, in all these cases, Black has arrived in time for the start of the game (or, if White is late, before White has arrived). In any particular game, if the delay clock cannot be properly set, then the opponent of the player providing the delay or increment clock may choose which legal clock is to be used (5F). TD TIP: Please note that this revised rule has the same classification as the old rule; however, there is added wording regarding the replacement of nonstandard or analog clocks with more standard delay or increment clocks when one of the players is late. TDs and organizers who prefer the old rule 42D (no replacement of non-standard or analog clocks if one of the players is late, as per the 5th edition of the rules) should announce that procedure in their pre-tournament publicity. 42E. Increment clock preferable in increment time controls. A properly set clock with time increment capability is preferable to any other clock in a game stipulating increment time controls. Therefore, if White has such a clock available and Black does not, White’s clock should be used. The only occasion where Black retains the right to use the clock of his/her choice is if both players have an increment clock or if White is late for the game, the game is started, and Black has already set up the equipment. In any particular game, if the digital clock cannot be properly set, then the opponent of the player providing the clock may choose which legal clock is to be used. Order of standard clock preference is given in 5F1.

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their current forms; officially, analog clocks are standard only for games with repeating time controls and situations in which no digital delay clock is available. Yet some players remain attached to their analog clocks, and some tournament organizers remain hesitant to split them up. “There are still a lot of ‘old-timers’ around, especially in the middle of the country away from the major chess centers,” says Tom Braunlich, a tournament organizer in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “You see a lot of players who got into chess in the ’60s or ’70s, during the Fischer days, and who bought a nice clock then that they’ve always loved and kept well maintained. ... They smile when digital owners fumble with their clocks at the start of the tournament and have to ask a TD or the nearest 12-year-old for help. The ease of using an analog clock is one of its advantages.” David Long of the Springfield (Illinois) Chess Club, a longtime tournament director, is one of those old-timers, whose attachment to his analog clocks (a black Rolland Meisterschach from Germany and a wooden Aradora from Romania) is not only sentimental and functional but also philosophical. “I am old-fashioned and distrustful of modern technology,” he declares. “With electromechanical machines, I can take them apart, experiment and tinker with them, modify them at will, disable unwanted features, repair them. This is often much harder or impossible with chips and electronic black boxes, which are more likely to be capable of doing things I find undesirable. I like to control my own life and do my own thinking. ... Thinking gives us power and makes us human, and every time we delegate thinking to devices whose manufacturers put their own best interests ahead of ours, we lose an element of control over our lives and destinies.” Moreover, he considers time management an essential part of the game: “It is my opinion that delays or other forms of free thinking time for every move constitute an undeserved bailout for players who can’t or won’t budget their time properly,” he says, “and it removes a lot of the excitement from games that might otherwise go down to the wire.” Braunlich notes that some of his players think the same way. “Analog lovers have somewhat of a perverse love of the ‘fickle flags of fate’ when they’re hanging at the approach of zero,” he says. “The flag fall on an analog clock is more exciting.” The romantic attraction of the analog clock isn’t just for golden-agers, he adds: “There are a few younger players who prefer analog out of what you might call a heightened appreciation for retro aesthetics. For them, the elegance of chess is a primary part of its attraction, and analog clocks are more appealing than the dry, technical look of the digitals.” From my own experience working in schools, if I ever met a kid who preferred an analog clock over a digital, I’d assume he was Amish. So unless the USCF includes a cadre of twentysomething steampunk tinkers, I imagine that I’m the sort of “younger player” whom Braunlich is talking about (I’m 43). But it’s true: While I take a Chronos II Touch to tournaments, I also have a Rolland analog, the same kind Long has, which I bought in 1997, and I can’t bear to part with it. To me, the appeal of the analog clock is that using it is a multisensory experience. Pressing the button, feeling the resistance as it pushes the rocker lever within the clock, is gratifying: it’s the instinctive pleasure of working a simple machine. The tick of the clock reminds us of the passage of time and helps us focus

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our minds on the problems before us by giving us something else to tune out. And we admire finer analog clocks for the visual and structural qualities that make inanimate objects come to life. Consider the Rolland. The dials draw the eye: good shapes, circles, symmetrically placed, bounded by bright, assertive brass rings and echoed by the two round, symmetrically placed brass buttons above them. The contrast of black hands, black numbers, black tick marks against white faces, white faces against black body—not to mention the Damoclean red dagger of the flag. (Black, white, red: the three colors for which every language on earth has words.) The symmetries created by the alternating repetition of the tick marks—four thin, one thick, four thin—and by the Hebraically square digits on the clock face, the 10 condensed to balance the 2. The smooth, empty space on the top of the clock, between the widely spaced buttons. And the shape of the clock itself, another elementary figure: a compact rectangle. Not all analog chess clocks are beautiful, but all beautiful chess clocks are analog. As useful as digital chess clocks are, no one has yet made a beautiful one. (Saitek comes closest with the Competition Pro. It’s cool. It’s not beautiful.

The Element of Uncertainty

TO A TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR (TD), beauty may be nice, but accuracy and fairness are mandatory. And like any machine, an analog clock, even at its best, can only approximate the accuracy of a digital. To Sevan Muradian, the proprietor of the North Shore Chess Club and a FIDE arbiter, that’s the most important factor, even more than whether a clock has increment or delay capability. “You can immediately see with your eyes when it’s ticking down in the seconds, rather than watching the little flag go up and waiting for it to fall,” he says. “It does make a difference to players, knowing exactly how much time they have.” With an analog clock, “they don’t know—do they have 30 seconds or 20 seconds?” Braunlich identifies a “finicky flag mechanism” as the main drawback of the BHB analog clock, an omnipresent accessory from its introduction in 1950 until recent years. And, he notes, during a time scramble, rough treatment can cause the flag of an analog clock to fall at the wrong moment. As delay- and increment-capable digital clocks replace analog as the norm, organizers including Muradian welcome this year’s rule change, believing that it’s not fair to penalize players with a time deduction for having the most up-to-date equipment. Analog clock users may view the change as penalizing them instead, giving them less total time than players with digital clocks receive, but “it’s part of evolution and part of the [ongoing] improvement of the game and its conditions,” Muradian says. “You’re not going to please everybody all of the time.” Maret Thorpe and Tom Sprandel, the co-organizers and TDs of the Evanston Chess Club, decided about two years ago to require digital delay clocks at all their tournaments. “No player should have to lose a winnable endgame on time,” Thorpe says. “If a player knows his stuff, a five-second delay is enough to win a won game. To me, that’s more in keeping with the spirit and intent of chess competition back before the days of sudden death. Naturally, what makes a ‘winnable endgame’ will vary according to the strength of the players at a board, but that’s the beauty of a delay or increment: It puts the result in the hands of the players. ... I don’t want to be in the position of having to either adjudicate someone’s game or find a stronger player to do it for me.” Thorpe is talking about the complicated and controversial rule 14H (Claim of insufficient losing chances in sudden death), which allows a player using an analog clock, with less than 2

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minutes remaining, to claim a draw based on the assertion that a class C player in the same position could easily win or draw against a master if both had time to play it out. It’s a subjective call in many cases, and it invites argument if the TD’s endgame knowledge is less than the players’. The rule was changed in 2010, then changed back in 2011, but with the addition of variation 14H6, which permits TDs to disallow all insufficient losing chances claims—and doesn’t require the policy to be announced in advance. But even without this variation, rule 14H is moot if a game is played with delay or increment active. In Thorpe’s opinion, that’s reason enough not to allow analog clocks. Some players have come to the same conclusion on their own. Bill Smythe, who ran a club in Chicago in the 1990s, tells of a class A player who routinely ran low on time and had to settle for 14H draws instead of wins in “crushing positions” against two much weaker players. “Immediately after that second occurrence, he purchased a Chronos, and as far as I know has used it ever since,” Smythe says.

The Final Countdown?

“THE LOUD, MONOTONOUS TICKING [of the mechanical chess clock] dins the ear of the combatant, diverting his attention from the game, if not unstringing his nerves and involving his faculties in hopeless confusion,” wrote George Alcock MacDonnell in The Knights and Kings of Chess (1894). “When I am heavyheaded, I play slowly and at times cease altogether to think about my move in order to listen to the tick, which my little enemy grunts out as though it were pronouncing upon me sentence of death, and fain would hurry me on to an early grave.” The grave may soon be that of the analog clock itself. Jerger, the top name in mechanical chess clocks, folded in the 1970s, apparently because the owner committed suicide. The Swiss watch company Heuer stopped selling chess clocks in 1980 when Looping SA, the company that made movements for the clocks, went bankrupt. Borcherdt GmbH, the German maker of the BHB, closed up shop in 2009 and sold the brand name to Texma Poland PPH, a supplier of game products; RCR Terry, manufacturer of the Rolland, went out of business in 2010. The inexpensive “regulation plastic mechanical chess clock” sold by many U.S. equipment dealers and the Diamond quartz analog (also sold as Royal Crest) are both made in China by the Ningbo Anbaote Industry Co., which also manufactures soccer balls, silicone kitchenware and “mosquito repellent wristbands.” Sales of analog clocks have declined sharply over the past few years, according to Shawn Sullivan, managing director of House of Staunton and USCF Sales. He reports that in 2011, digital clocks outsold analogs 4 to 1, and “well over 90 percent” of those analog sales were to schools and other organizations seeking to buy equipment in bulk at the lowest possible cost. At tournaments, he says, buyers now favor digital over analog by about 30 to 1. In 1993, analog clocks were everywhere in Searching for Bobby Fischer. But when Hélène enters the Ajaccio Open in Caroline Bottaro’s recent Queen to Play (2009), there are no ticking clocks; a DGT XL sits beside every board, and when the rounds begin, the clock presses fill the reverberant room not with white noise but with an irregular staccato, like popcorn popping. The only analog chess clock in the film resides in the house of Dr. Kröger, the self-absorbed romantic, melancholy and temperamental, who hasn’t played in public in years. Neither one has much time left.

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See uscfsales.com for all of your chess clocks needs (both analog—get’em while you can!—and digital).


35

Compositions

Baffled by Benko z

45 YEARS OF BEING

z

By STEVEN B. DOWD

In the April 1967 issue of Chess Life, a column appeared by GM Pal Benko that has had a profound effect on the chess composition community.

F

orty-five years ago this month, a new column started with little fanfare in the pages of Chess Life. Called “Benko's Bafflers,” the author hoped that the column would “be the first of what I hope will be a long and entertaining—and I hope, instructive— series of columns for Chess Life.” Perhaps the best “all-rounder” of any generation— a grandmaster player, a grandmaster composer, and an analyst of both endings and openings—with his own openings named after him, no less—Pal Benko has indeed provided us with all he hoped for and more. I don't plan to feature Benko’s own compositions—that he has done so well in Pal Benko—My Life, Games, and Compositions, Siles Press, 2003—if you don’t own a copy, you should. Many experienced composers took part in Benko’s column over the years, which started as a general problem column featuring directmates, helpmates, and studies, and then, with time, graduated to a studies column as a part of his “Endgame Lab” articles. My focus in this celebratory article will be on individuals I consider to be “students” of Benko—people who learned the art of chess by participating in his column. Benko not only encouraged composers; he also got 36


many players involved in composing, something they probably never would have done without his column.

Noam Elkies

Noam Elkies is one of those phenomenal multi-talented individuals. A world champion and grandmaster in problem-solving, he quit playing competitive chess as a young man even though he was already a master, to pursue an academic career. He was the youngest winner of the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition for undergraduates when he was 16 and had a Ph.D. in math from Harvard at the age of 20. He was the youngest full professor of math ever at Harvard (he even teaches a seminar on chess and math at Harvard), is especially well-known in proof games, but has composed just about everything. Once a chess prodigy, he has skills in the big three areas we find prodigies— chess, math, and music. This little number was published when Noam was only 12 years old, but what is especially fantastic is that this was not his first published study—that was at age 11 in the Israeli chess magazine Shahmat. (see diagram top of next column)

Noam Elkies Benko's Bafflers 1980

-+-+-vL-mk +-+-+-+p -+-mK-+-zP +-+-+-+-+-+-sn-+ +-+-zpp+-+-vl-+-+ +-+-+R+White to play and draw

White looks lost, how can he stop the pawn from queening? He can’t, and will even walk into the promotion check! 1. Rxf3! e2 2. Rxf4! (threatens mate but places himself in check) 2. ... Bxf4+ 3. Ke6!! (the point is that 3. Ke7? loses to 3. ... Kg8!) 3. ... e1=Q+ 4. Kf7 Bxh6 5. Bg7+! Bxg7, stalemate. Noam shared a sentiment with me that was common amongst his “students,” his first exposure to Benko was not through the column but through the then revolutionary Benko Gambit: The notion of sacrificing a pawn in the uschess.org

opening with the main aim of reaching an advantageous ending while remaining a pawn down(!) seemed remarkably audacious to one who had only recently learned the rudiments of chess strategy, and still seems an amazing concept in the present age of 3200+-rated chess computers. As a student, Noam was lucky enough to attend a lecture by GM Benko and also get continually “hammered” in the endgame of two bishops versus one knight, where he struggled to draw but Benko always prevailed. Noam also found himself drawn to chess puzzles through Benko. He uses many of these puzzles in his course—if you want to see if you could pass muster in a Harvard seminar on chess then go to: math.harvard.edu/ ~elkies/FS23j.06/init.pdf. So what is Noam doing today? Let’s look at some of his “recent” compositions, although he notes he does not compose much these days, with his own analysis. Noam Elkies The Problemist Supplement 1998

-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+p -+L+-+-wQ +P+p+-+-+-+-sNN+ +-+-+k+-+-+-+-+ +K+-+-+White to play and mate in three

1. Ne2! (-) takes one flight, gives two, and offers a second knight. 1. ... Kg2 2. Qh1+! Kxh1 3. Bxd5 mate. 1. ... Kxe2 2. Qe3+ Kd1/Kf1 3. Nf2/Qf2 mate. 1. ... Kxg4 2. Qf4+ Kh5/Kh3 3. Be8/ Qg3 mate. 1. ... Ke4 2. Bxd5+! Kxd5/Kd3/Kf5 3. Qc6/Qe3/Qh5 mate.

Extended star-flights, each of White’s four officers is sacrificed in one of the four variations, and the roster of eight mates includes only one symmetric pair (for Kh3/Kf1), not the three that the matrix suggests (d1/h5 and d3/f5 are asymmetric). This one is my favorite: (see diagram top of next column)

Yes, that is a mess of promoted bishops you see. Black is in check and has only one move to start: 1. ... Kh2 2. Bh1 Kxh1 3. Bbd3 Kh2 4. Bac4 Kh1 5. Bab5 Kh2 6. a4 Kh1 7. a5 Kh2 8. a6 Kh1 9. a7 Kh2 10. a8=R Kh1 11. Rh8 mate. Do you see the wit in the above? It is also a fully uschess.org

Noam Elkies The Problemist 2004

L+-+-+-+ +-+L+-+L+-+-+-+ +L+-+-+L+-+-+-+ +L+-+-+P+-+LmK-+ +-+-+-+k Black to play and helpmate in ten

correct directmate in 101⁄2; that is, a mate in 10 with Black to move. The solution is the same whether it is a helpmate (all Black can do is shuffle) or a directmate. Interestingly, Noam didn’t see this possibility when he composed it, although David Moulton found this when Noam sent him this problem!

Dan Meinking

Dan is a long-time USCF master from Cincinnati, and holds an FIDE master title in chess composition. He co-founded the internationally respected U.S. chess problem magazine StrateGems and has published over 400 problems. Here is one of his Bafflers. Dan Meinking Benko's Bafflers, 1984

-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+L+p+-+R+ +-mK-+-+-+-+k+-+ +-+N+-+White to play and mate in three

Dan himself describes the ambush key (the bishop prepares to go to h5 to “ambush” the king) as “shocking.” 1. Be8! (1. Bc6? Ke1!) 1. ... Kxd1 2. Re4 Kc1 3. Re1 mate; 1. ... Ke1 2. Rg1+ Ke2 3. Bh5 mate; 1. ... Kf1 2. Bh5 Ke1 3. Rg1 mate, a nice little inversion of moves between the two variations at the end. Dan composed this one sans voir, without view of the board, a more common occurrence than one might think. Dan had a unique opportunity to cocompose with Benko. In a study with one line, which won 4th honorable mention in the column in 1983, Benko found after

several years, a way to give the study two fully viable lines. They polished it and published it in StrateGems. It’s an extremely complex piece of work, and your computer will probably be of little help in solving it, as it finds lines to be wins that are dead drawn. Take a look for yourself. Dan Meinking and Pal Benko StrateGems 2000

-+-+-+-+ +p+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-zP-+-+-+-+-+ zp-mk-+-+p+-+-+-+ mK-sn-+-+White to play

Black’s first idea is to threaten mate. 1. e6 b5 2. e7 b4 3. e8=Q b3 4. Qe1+ (4. Qc6+?

allows 4. ... Kb4! drawing. The black king cannot be allowed to safely reach the a4b4-b5-a5 haven. If it does, the black knight becomes untouchable, and the a3-pawn can never be won by force.) 4. ... Kc2 Black must avoid losing the a3-pawn 5. Qf2+ Kd3 6. Qf1+ Kd2 7. Qf4+ Ke2 8. Qc4+ Kf3 9. Qc6+ Black cannot avoid losing the a3-

pawn in two more moves. The second line, where he tries to queen his own pawn: 1. ... Nb3+ 2. Kxa2 Nc1+ 3. Kxa3 b5 4. e7 b4+ 5. Ka4 b3 6. e8=Q b2 7. Qg6! (7. Qe4? Nd3 8. Qb7?? Nc5+) 7. ... Nd3 8. Qb6 Kd2 9. Ka3 and wins.

Today Dan is discovering new ideas in problem chess, including “parry-series” which work like a traditional series-mover, but allows for “parry” moves (responses to checks) and Cap-zug, which is a problem in which one side is put into a position where they are compelled to capture. Here is an example of a parry-series problem. Dan Meinking and George Sphicas StrateGems 2009 pser-h#14

-+-+-+-+ +K+-+-zp-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-sN-+-+-+-+P+-+ +-+-+k+Black to play


37

Compositions This is a parry-series helpmate in 14, which, as Dan explains, means Black will play 13 consecutive moves, White moving only when parried, and at the end we then have a conventional helpmate in one, where Black will make one move and then White will mate him. The solution runs: 1. ... g5 2. ... g4 3. ... g3 4. ... g2 5. ... g1=Q 6. ... Qg2+ 7. e4 (the first parry) 7. ... Qb2+ 8. Kc7 Qh2+ 9. e5 (note how Black helps the pawn forward with his maneuvers) 9. ... Qh7+ 10. Kc8 Qf5+ 11. e6 Qc5+ 12.

Kd8 Qg5+ 13. e7 Qg8+ 14. e8=Q Qg1 15. Qe2 mate! The black queen returns to the pro-

motion square, serving as a block, and the white queen returns to the square where it started as a pawn, mating Black.

Gianni Donati

Gianni turned out to have the best stories of all of Benko, and it seemed a shame to ruin them with my own “translation”—so I present his verbatim:

BELOW: The first column. The full column from April 1967 can be seen on Chess Life Online.

I subscribed to Chess Life fresh out of college, in the mid-1970s, hoping it would turn me into a better player. That wasn’t going to happen, but Pal’s column became my reason for sticking with the magazine. The column, and Pal’s occasional article about chess problems, were a solitary pleasure. This was before personal computers and the Internet, so there was no way to share my excitement and no way to solve a problem except by dint of my own effort. If a problem stumped me, I had to wait two months for the solution. One of Pal’s articles challenged me to try my hand at composing, and when I began submitting my efforts, the waiting became agony. Instead of the immediate e-mail response we have come to expect today, back then news that a problem was accepted or was cooked came in the form of a postcard, often months after the problem was submitted. The delay was not merely due to the mail; Pal was often traveling abroad, not waiting by his post office box in New York City. (One postcard began: “Back from Brazil after 7 months, soon leave for Europe.” Sure enough, there had been a long hiatus between postcards, and now I knew why.) Pal’s postcards mixed encouragement with honest criticism and helpful advice. A problem inspired by a Benko helpmate showing the black king making a cross was horribly cooked. (“I recommend to get rid of the rooks and knight. In helpmates every white piece should be employed in every mate, but here not, only they making cooks. Please study more helpmates and try again.” I took Pal’s advice to heart and finally made my problem sound. Gianni Donati Benko's Bafflers, 1977

-+n+-+-vL +-+-+-+-+-zp-mK-+ +-zp-+-+-zp-mk-vl-+ +-+-+-+qzp-zp-zP-+ wQl+-+-+Black to play and help White mate in two (h#2; 4 sol.)

1. Kc4 Ke6 2. Qb3 Qa6 mate; 1. Kd5 Kf7 2. Qc4 Qa8 mate; 1. Kd3 Kf5 2. Bc2 Qf1 mate; 1. Ke4 Kg6 2. Bd3 Qh1 mate.

Other advice: “Not nice to take Black pieces!” “Not worth to work on three promotions. I make much better with four promotions already and many others. Take more time! Better to make one good one than five mediums!” (Gianni notes that Pal’s English was a bit “fractured” in

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those days; today it is near perfect). Once Pal added a twin to a helpmate I sent him: “Your 3x twin I made 4x. I hope you like it. Otherwise was not good enough to publish.” Gianni Donati Benko's Bafflers 1977

-+-+-+-vl +-+K+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+pmk-+-zp-+-+-+ +-+-+-sN-+-+-+-+ +-vL-+-+Black to play and help White mate in three (h#3, with twins.)

Twins: (b)(c)(d) Kd7->e7->f7->g5 (a) 1. ... Bf6 2. Bh6 Bg5 3. Bf8 Bf4 4. Bg7 mate; (b) 1. ... Bg7 2. Bg5 Bh6 3. Bh4 Bf4 4. Bf6 mate; (c) 1. ... Kd6 2. Bg5 Bd4 3. Bd8 Ke5 4. Bc7 mate; (d) 1. ... Ke6 2. Ne4 Bd4 3. Nc5+ Ke5 4. Bf4 mate.

In 1976 Pal ran a competition for “helpnotmates,” a genre that—no surprise— never flourished. Pal’s own example—in which the sides cooperate so that White doesn’t mate in three moves—was enough to inspire my own entry. I had a small interest in retro problems at the time and I refused to assume that the convention about en passant keys (i.e., that an e.p. key is legal only if Black’s last move can be shown to have been the applicable two-step pawn move) would apply to new genres, so I made a problem in which it had to be shown that an en passant key was not possible. Pal didn’t mind. (The prize—a gift certificate—allowed me to buy the chess set that I still use.) Gianni Donati Benko’s Helpnotmate Contest, 1976

-+-+-+-+ +p+-zp-+-zp-+-+-+ vlP+pzPl+Lmk-zP-zp-+ +P+-+p+PzPpmK-zP-+ +-+-vL-+White to move and not mate in three moves

1. e6 (not 1. exd6 e.p. This would imply Black’s Bf5 is promoted and the original

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black Bc8 was captured at home. This is impossible: six black units are missing and the white pawns have made six captures.) 1. ... c1=B+ 2. Kd1+ Bd2 3. Kxd2. I finally met Pal in the late 1990’s at Andy Kalotay’s apartment in New York City. My nervousness vanished the moment we met: Pal turned out to be a normal person—just smarter than most. He enjoyed the problems Andy and I showed as much as he enjoyed showing his latest studies. Usually these get-togethers occurred right after Pal had returned from Hungary or right before he was leaving again. My only other encounter with Pal was at a chess camp not far from my home. I happily remember Pal’s impromptu endgame analyses, and I have been unable to forget how easily Pal’s wife trounced me in a couple of offhand games. When asked for a recent problem, Gianni gave several. My favorite of the bunch was this proof game: Gianni Donati Thema Danicum 2006 First Prize Proof Game in 24 moves

r+-+-+-sn zppzp-+-+-+nzp-zp-+ +-zp-+-mkp -+-+-+p+ zP-+PzPP+r -vlP+-+PzP tRNwqQ+lsNK After 24. ... Kg5

1. d3 h5 2. Bf4 Nh6 3. Bd6 exd6 4. Nc3 Qg5 5. Qb1 Qc1+ 6. Nd1 g5 7. a3 Bg7 8. Qa2 Bxb2 9. Qc4 f6 10. Qg4 Kf7 11. Nf3 Re8 12. Nd2 Re3 13. Nb1 Rh3 14. e3 Kg6 15. Be2 Nf7 16. Bf3 Nh8 17. Bc6 dxc6 18. 0-0 c5 19. Ndc3 Nc6 20. Qd1 Bg4 21. Kh1 Be2 22. f3 Bxf1 23. Ne2 g4 24. Ng1 Kg5

Robert Lincoln

Bob Lincoln is well-known as the world’s foremost composer of two-mover miniatures, author of the book series Fun with Chess Miniatures, wrote a column for Chess Life for a few years called, “Easy Does It,” and is an inspiration to many of us, as finding original ideas in miniatures—problems with less than seven pieces—is not a simple endeavor. What is amazing is that he composes these not just with an eye to “mate-building” (making problems with correct mates but little thematic content) but often his problems show multiple themes in the same man-

ner much heavier problems do. Interestingly, most of Bob’s early twomovers were rather heavy affairs. As he “took lessons” from Benko, his problems became smaller but richer. Here is one example. Robert Lincoln Benko's Bafflers 1977

-+-+N+-+ +-+p+-+r Lwq-sN-+Rzp +-+k+-+-+-sn-zP-+ +lwQ-+P+-+-+-vL-+ +-+-+-+K White to play and mate in two

1. Nf5! threat Ne3 mate 1. ... Bc4 2. Qxc4 mate; 1. ... Nb5 2. Qxb3 mate; 1. ... Nxf3 2. Qxf3 mate; 1. ... Nxf5 2. Qe5 mate; 1. ... Nc6 2. Rd6 mate; 1. ... Ne6 2. Nf6 mate; 1. ... Re7 2. Nxe7 mate.

A good effort, but look at what Bob is up to these days. This one helped him to win the 2001 World Championship for miniature two-movers. Robert Lincoln StrateGems 2001

-+q+-+-+ +-zp-+-+k+-+-+-+ sN-wQ-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-mK-+-+L White to play and mate in two

There are two tries. Try: 1. Nc4? with the idea of 2. Qa5 mate; 1. ... c6 2. Qb6 mate; but 1. ... Qf5! refutes. Try: 1. Be4? with the idea of 2. Bd3 mates 1. ... Qf5 2. Bb7 mate, but 1. ... Qb8! 1. Nc6! (idea: 2. Nb4) 1. ... Qb8 2. Nxb8 mate; 1. ... Qb7 2. Qa5 mate; 1. ... Kb7 2. Qa7 mate.

GM Benko, in many of his articles on problems over the years, has stressed economy. Bob appears to be one of his most successful “pupils” in this area.

James Walters

Walters was a strong USCF postal player Chess Life — April 2012

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Compositions from the “Show-Me” state; his last rating when active was 2262 in 1987. He was a very good study composer; Bill Jones, another successful study composer with a number of international awards to his credit, once told me that the best way to get ideas for studies was by playing correspondence chess. Here are two of his studies; the first one Benko noted was a very game-like position. The means by which White extricates himself from the two blind pigs on the seventh is indeed baffling. James Walters Benko’s Bafflers 1980

-+-+-+-+ +-tR-+-zpk -zpP+-zp-+ zPp+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +r+-zP-+-+r+-+PzP +-+-+RmK-

wins first place in most of the competitions he enters, and got his start in Benko’s column. He is a player, having won the Oregon Junior Championship, and most of his studies look like “real endings.” There is no doubt he will soon be a grandmaster in chess composition. I present first several of his Bafflers efforts and then his amazing first prize in the 2011 World Cup. Richard Becker Benko’s Bafflers 1983 3rd Prize (version)

-+-+-+-wq +p+-+-+-mK-zp-+P+ +-+-+-+k -+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+Q+-+P+ +-+-+-+White to play and win

White to play and win

1. axb6! (1. a6 only draws) 1. ... Rbb2 2. Kh1! Rxg2 3. Rxg7+!! Kxg7 (3. ... Rxg7 leads to the same end) 4. Rg1 Rxg1+ 5. Kxg1 and

Black can’t stop the pawns.

Here Walters uses the familiar, but always attractive method of driving the opposing king into the corner. Again, the black pawns appear unstoppable. James Walters Benko’s Bafflers 1980

-+-+-+-+ +-zp-+-+-+-zpR+-+ +-+P+-+p+-+L+-+ zp-+-+-+-mk-+K+-+ +-+-+-+-

1. g4+! Kh6 2. Qh2+ Kg7 3. Qb2+ Kg8 4. Qb3+ d5 5. Qxd5+ Kg7 6. Qf7+ Kh6 7. g7 (7. g5+? Kxg5 8. g7 Qd8+ 9. Kxb7 Kh6) 7. ... Qd8+ 8. Kxb7 Qg5 9. Ka6!! and now Black is in Zugzwang: 9. ... Qxg4 10. g8=N+ Kg5 11. Qf6+ Kh5 12. Qh6 mate. The underpro-

motion is a nice touch, and this indeed looks like a real ending that could occur in practice. Richard Becker Benko's Bafflers 1985, 2nd Commendation

-+-+-+-wq +-+Q+-+p+-vL-+-+ +p+k+-+-+-+-+-+ +K+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-



1. Bb1! Kxb1 (1. ... a2 2. Bxa2 Kxa2 3. Re4) 2. Kd2 a2 3. Re1+ Kb2 4. Ra1! a3 (4. ... Kxa1 5. Kc2 and White mates) 5. Kd1, White wins, Black’s hopes of queening are now a distant memory.

Here the goal is to invert the battery, so the black king is driven all over the place:

Richard Becker

There is no doubt that Richard Becker of Oregon, an aerospace engineer, is Benko’s most successful student. He regularly 40


1. Bh2+ Ke4 2. Qg4+ Kd5 3. Qf5+ Kc6 4. Qe6+ Kb7 5. Qd7+ Ka8 6. Qd5+ Ka7 7. Qf7+ Ka8 8. Qf3+ Ka7 9. Qf2+ Kb7 10. Qg2+ Kb6 11. Qg1+ Kc6 12. Qh1+ Kd7 13. Qd5+ Ke7 14. Bd6+ Kd7 15. Be5+ wins the black queen.

And then finally, his World Cup problem:

(see diagram top of next column)

Here your computer will probably tell Richard Becker 1st Prize, World Cup 2011

-+-+-+-+ zp-tR-+-+p -+-+-+p+ +-+-+p+P r+-+-zp-+ +-+KzP-+-+-+-+-+ +k+-+-+White to play and draw

you initially that 1. exf4 draws as well. It is worth your while to figure out why not. Instead: 1. Rb7+! Kc1 2. exf4 gxh5 3. Rxh7 a6! 4. Rh6! h4 5. Rxh4 a5 6. Rh5! Rxf4 7. Ke3 Rf1 8. Ke2 Rf4 9. Ke3 Re4+ 10. Kd3 Re5 11. Kd4 Rb5 12. Kc4 Rb4+ 13. Kc3! And the

pawns on the fifth rank hang. Drawn.

If you would like to study more of Becker’s works, try the site http://www. jmrw.com/Chess/Becker/base.htm.

Some of the “old-timers”

As I noted, many of the established American composers took part in Benko’s column; I'll give a few examples. The first is by another dean of American problem chess, Edgar Holladay, for years the best American-born composer, and one of the few to earn an international title (international master). When I looked at this first one, I was disappointed—“Oh, the old knight trick again”—but then realized what Holladay had done. Edgar Holladay Benko’s Bafflers 1980

-+-+-+-+ zP-+Q+L+-zp-+q+r+ tr-+-+-+-+k+-+Nzp +-zpN+-+K -+P+-+-+ +-+-+-vLWhite to play and mate in two

The key is 1. a8=N! which has the obvious threat of 2. Nxb6 mate. But that is not the main idea; that is all the other mates that arise when Black defends against this: 1. ... Rb5 2. Qd4 mate; 1. ... Rd5 2. Qa4 mate; 1. ... Ra6 2. Qc6 mate; 1. ... Qd5 2. Nge5 mate; 1. ... Qxf7 2. Ne3 mate. Note

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how each defense opens up another mating opportunity; for example, both 1. ... Qxf7 and 1. ... Qd5 frees the rook to defend b6 but gives up control of e3 and e5 (the queen is pinned and has blocked his own rook in this second example). Another name I have seen dating back to compositions in the 1930s was O. Aarhus. He published snappy, classical three-movers, although not much can be found about him. I believe he was still publishing in his eighties, and lived to nearly one hundred from what I can find in the Social Security Death Index. There is a great reprint of an old newspaper story on him called “The Pawn Pusher” from 1943 at blogs2.startribune.com/ blogs/oldnews/archives/48; it is wellworth a read. Here is what I found to be his best Baffler. O. Aarhus Benko’s Bafflers 1977

QvL-+-+L+ +-+-+-+p+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+P+-sNpzP-+ +R+pmk-sn-+-+-+-+ +-+-mK-+White to play and mate in three

The play is extremely variation-rich and has its share of sacrifices, with rook, knight, and white-squared bishop all being sacrificed: 1. Bc4! a5 (if 1. ... Kxd4 2. Ba7+ Kxc4 3. Qg8 mate; 1. ... Ne2 2. Rxd3+ exd3 3. Nf5 mate) 2. Bxd3 Kxd4 (2. ... exd3 3. Nc2 mate; 2. ... Ne2 3. Qxe4 mate) 3. Ba7 mate. A very well-presented problem, one I would love to have composed myself. Bill Barclay is co-author, with Tom Sweeney, of the little-known book, Beauty is Where You Find It, (Pageant, 1972) a simple and concise introduction to the chess problem art. It is relatively easy to find a good, cheap used copy of the book from various sites and if you have any interest at all in learning the basics of chess problems, I recommend it highly. Here is one of Bill’s efforts from the first year of Benko’s column. (see diagram top of next column)

Another variation-rich problem: 1. Ba1! Bxb1 2. Bc4 mate; 1. ... Bb3 2. Qxb3 mate; 1. ... Bc4 2. Bxc4 mate; 1. ... Nc3 2. Nxc3 mate; 1. ... Rc2 2. Rd4 mate; 1. ... Rb2 2. Qd3 mate; 1. ... Rxd1 2. Qxa2 mate; 1. ... Rd3+ 2. Qxd3 uschess.org

William Barclay Benko’s Bafflers 1967

-+R+-+-+ +-+p+NvL-+-+r+-+ +-zPk+-+n+-+R+-+ mK-+-+P+l+-trL+-+ +Q+N+n+White to play and mate in two

mate; 1. ... Rd4 2. Rxd4 mate; 1. ... d6 2. Qb7 mate; 1. ... Re5 2. Rxe5 mate; 1. ... Rxe4 2. Qxe4 mate; 1. ... Ne3 2. Nxe3 mate. Such problems

remind me of Charles Hertan’s comment in Forcing Chess Moves regarding “Mate in Two” problems: “a genre which I specifically designed to confound human biases, as you will discover if you become addicted to solving them as I have.” As he notes, solving such problems give you what he calls “computer eyes,” the ability to see things we would not normally see.

Richard Kujoth is another player many of you are familiar with, although he never made master, he is well-known for the famous game against Fashingbauer (considered in many sources to be a fake, but Kujoth has proven the veracity of the game many times over) with only the first ten moves given, all of them pawn moves by White: 1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3 Nc6 4.

axb4 Nf6 5. b5 Nb8 6. e5 Qc7 7. d4 Nd5 8. c4 Nb6 9. c5 Nd5 10. b6 Qd8 and a later 1-0.

He composed a few problems, but only one study. If you are going to be known for just one study, this is it: Richard Kujoth Benko’s Bafflers, 1972. 4th prize-winner

R+n+-+q+ zpn+-+-+k+p+-+-+ +N+-wQ-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+p -+-+-+-zp +-+-+-+K White to play

Another example of forcing moves. Black is threatening mate. In his book, Chess is an art, Kujoth gives both Reshevsky and his capacity to fall into unwitting draws, and Alekhine’s point that “a series of moves, when ‘forcing,’ should be pursued to the end, regardless

of how preposterous components of the series may appear,” as inspirations for this study. Benko noted in the solutions to this one, that, “usually Black chases White’s king into stalemate—this different approach is more paradoxical.” 1. Rxa7+! Nxa7 (If 1. ... Kb6 2. Qc7+ Kc5 3. Qe5+ Kb6 [3. ... Qd5+?? 4. Qxd5+ cxd5 5. Rxb7 loses] and a perpetual) 2. Nc7+ Kb6 3. Na8+ Qxa8 (3. ... Ka6 4. Nc7+ would lead to another perpetual) 4. Qb8 Qxb8, stalemate! An unfortunate flaw in this study, that I have not seen discussed before, is that 1. Nc7+ also seems to draw, for example: 1. Nc7+ Kb6 2. Qb2+ Kxc7 3. Qe5+ Nbd6 4. Qa5+ Kd7 5. Qxa7+ Nxa7 6. Rxg8 Ke6 7. Kxh2 Kd5 8. Rg5+.

SOME OTHER YOUNG PLAYER-COMPOSERS Kenneth Regan

Kenneth Regan is, as is our next subject, a prodigy who eschewed professional chess for an academic career. He was one of our most promising juniors in the 1970s. He has not turned his back on chess entirely, in fact his website, http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~regan/, contains much interesting chess-related material, including that on computer cheating. He notes, “Answering Frederic Friedel’s open request for help evaluating Silvio Danailov’s statistical allegations of cheating in the 2006 Kramnik-Topalov match drew me back into chess as a research activity, and I now have several published papers on my probabilistic model of move-choice and skill evaluation. This underlies my anti-cheating work, including private but official involvement in the Sebastien Feller case.” When asked for his reminiscences about Benko, he noted that “it was a thrill to be published so early as a kid. His columns and Reuben Fine’s book drew me in to the endgame, which I actually studied as opposed to the openings.” He, like Noam, lists Benko as his most important influence as a player. In fact he has toyed with writing a column on the games that most influenced his chess education, all of them draws against Benko. Never having had formal lessons, these games shaped his development as a player. Since he may someday still write that article, I leave those to him to present at a future date. Here is his study, published at the age of 12. The staircase theme with the queen is probably easy to see once you get there, but how many of you, without a computer, see the rook sacrifice? (see diagram top of next page)


41

Compositions Kenneth Regan Benko’s Bafflers, 1972 (Special Prize)

-+-+-+R+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +p+-+-+-zPp+-+-zp +-zP-mK-+P+-+-+pmk +-+-+-+White to play

1. a4 seems to win here as well, so it is probably best to consider the study after the first set of moves: 1. Kf2 h3, and now 2. Rg3? g1=Q+ leads to stalemate, so 2. a4! bxa4 3. b5 a3 4. b6 a2 5. b7 a1=Q 6. Rxg2+!! Kh1 (6. ... hxg2 and Black is mated in two) 7. Rh2+! Kxh2 8. b8=Q+ Kh1 and now

the staircase maneuver of the queen begins: 9. Qb7+ Kh2 10. Qc7+ Kh1 11. Qc6+

Kh2 12. Qd6+ Kh1 13. Qd5+ Kh2 14. Qe5+ Kh1 15. Qe4+ Kh2 16. Qf4+ Kh1 17. Qf3+ Kh2 18. Qg3+ Kh1 19. Qxh3 mate .

At that age, I was still trying to figure out smothered mates. Sigh.

Stuart Rachels

Stuart was most definitely the most promising player to come out of Alabama, at one time he held the record as the youngest master, and became U.S. co-champion. Despite the fact that he held two grandmaster norms, he turned his back on competitive chess, as many do when they realize the rewards are few, and took up “the family business” of philosophy. He is now a professor of philosophy at the University of Alabama. He hasn’t turned his back on chess completely, and wrote an interesting essay on chess for the book, Philosophy Looks at Chess, by Benjamin Hale. Reviews consistently cite his essay as one of the best in the book. Here is a small but neat little problem he composed at the age of 12: Stuart Rachels Benko’s Bafflers 1983

-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-wQ-tR-+ +-+-+-+-+-+pzp-+ +-zp-mk-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+KsNWhite to play and mate in two

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If the white king held d2, the simple 1. Rxf4 would mate here. But if 1. Ke1?, then 1. ... f3 and there is no mate in two, so the need to control f3 and block the fpawn comes from 1. Nf3!, and if 1. ... Kxf3 2. Qxf4 mate; 1. ... exf3 2. Re6 mate and finally 1. ... c2 2. Qa3 mate. It occurs to me that Benko has produced more university professors in his “students” than many a professor himself. Is it the studious approach he has always advocated towards chess?

Steven Dowd (?)

I hope the reader won’t think it so much hubris if I add myself as a student of Benko. I actually did not become involved in chess problems until 2004, as the mantra I heard time and again when I began playing chess was that they were bad for my game. Such nonsense! Appreciating chess in another way must surely be one of the keys to real mastery of the game. As an author, I have only participated in the Bafflers as part of the Endgame Lab, when I was trying to compose studies. One of the things I learned, and perhaps not quickly, was that I was not a natural study composer, but Pal was always very helpful and even helped me convert a few “good idea, bad implementation” studies into something worthy of his column. But one way I really learned about composing—especially directmates —was by reviewing the Bafflers year by year. I often found ideas I could use in my own small compositions. One inspiration was the following by a frequent contributor to the column. Tom Rogalski Benko’s Bafflers 1983

-+-+-+-+ +-+-zPRzpk -+-+-+-zp +-+-+K+P -+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+White to play and mate in three

It's obvious that a promotion to queen or rook stalemates Black, since the g7pawn is pinned. So the solution for this snappy miniature is 1. e8=B! Kg8 (if 1. ... Kh8 2. Rf8+ Kh7 3. Bg6 mate) 2. Kg6 Kh8 3. Rf8 mate. From studying this one, I wondered if a longer implementation might be possible, with more of an Indian-like maneuver

and also a sacrifice of a bishop, which would give the problem the additional theme of a Phoenix, which is the rebirth of a sacrificed piece by promotion. After some weeks, I found the following: Steven B. Dowd Heilbronner Stimme 2007

-+-+-+-+ vL-zp-+p+k -+P+-zP-zp +-+-+R+P -mK-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+White to play and mate in six

The solution runs 1. Rb5! Kh8 2. Rb8+ Kh7 3. Bb6! axb6 4. c7 b5 5. c8=B! Kh8 and now a discovered mate 6. Bf5 mate. Not a

deep problem, but one for solvers, which is why I published it in a small column in Germany, where the acclaim was great. Sometimes it is all about just composing what you love and hoping that readers and solvers appreciate your efforts.

Conclusion

Such a celebratory article can only cover a small portion of the excellence Benko provided us over the last 45 years. If I have missed anyone who considers themselves a student of Benko’s, I am sorry; please feel free to write the editor to tell of your experiences and your problems that were published in the column. I hope GM Benko features some of what he considers to be the best efforts from his column over the next few months, and I particularly hope to be able to write another column in five years for his golden anniversary.

.

More Bafflers

See Chess Life Online’s April section for more material by Dr. Dowd: Three additional compositions by Victor Baja that didn’t quite fit in this article. Also, the full April 1967 “Benko’s Bafflers” column is posted. Of course, this month’s “Bafflers” can be found as usual in his “Endgame Lab” column, which begins on page 46. Congratulations, GM Pal Benko, for 45 years of inspiring the entire chess community from the pages of Chess Life!

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Back to Basics

Don’t Retreat—Reload!

By GM Lev Alburt

And in a lost position—reload with traps.

As long as you have at least one (practical) chance in a thousand to save the game, do not resign! (Of course, if your next round starts in two hours, one-in-ahundred may suffice).

-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-wQ-+-mK-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+k+-+ +-+-+-+White to play

Should Black resign here? Perhaps yes —if White plays 1. Qg2+, as coming matesin-two are simple. But if 1. Qe3+, then quickly play 1. ... Kd1, hoping for 2. Kc3 or 2. Kd3, both of which are stalemates. (In severe time pressure, even world champions have made such a blunder!) Now let’s go to our game and notes of the month and its author, Michael Robertson. Writes Michael: In the final position my opponent resigned, thinking that I had a forced mating net. I did have a forced mate, but I did not see it. The continuation that I saw and that I had planned to play would have lost for me, and if he had played just one more move he would have seen that. So the lesson here is “When is it too early to resign”? I really hope this is a good lesson and hope people get something out of this game. (Lev’s further comments will be in italics). Closed Sicilian (B23) Michael Robertson (1781) Todd Imada (1874) 4th Annual Louisville Open 2011 (1) 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bb5

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Nd4 6. 0-0 Nxb5 7. Nxb5 d5 8. exd5 a6 9. Nc3 Nf6

r+lwqk+-tr +p+-zppvlp p+-+-snp+ +-zpP+-+-+-+-zP-+ +-sN-+N+PzPPzP-+PzP tR-vLQ+RmKAfter 9. ... Nf6

10. d3

More accurate is 10. d4.

10. ... Nxd5 11. Ne4 Qc7 12. Kh1 0-0 13. Ne5

I had already planned on sacrificing the pawn, I just didn’t know how he would accept it.

13. ... Nxf4 14. Bxf4 Bxe5 15. Qd2 b6 16. Rae1

r+l+-trk+ +-wq-zpp+p pzp-+-+p+ +-zp-vl-+-+-+NvL-+ +-+P+-+PzPPwQ-+PzP +-+-tRR+K After 16. Rae1

White has—at least—some compensation for a sacrificed pawn. And to attack is usually easier than to defend. 16. ... f5

I don’t know if opening his king up was best, but it did surprise me, I thought his

only option was 16. ... Bxf4. (16. ... Bb7?? 17. Bxe5 Qxe5 18. Nf6+). 17. Bxe5 Qxe5 18. Nc3

18. Qh6 would have been interesting but he could just retreat his queen to g7. (Not 18. ... Qxb2 19. c3!) I’d prefer 18. Ng5—closer to the black king. 18. ... Qd6 19. Qg5 Ra7 20. Re3 e5 21. Rfe1

-+l+-trk+ tr-+-+-+p pzp-wq-+p+ +-zp-zppwQ-+-+-+-+ +-sNPtR-+PzPP+-+PzP +-+-tR-+K After 21. Rfe1

21. ... Re7

This move allows 22. Nd5. Thus: 21. ... Re8!. 22. Nd5 Re6 23. c4 b5 24. h4

Our local club had split on if 24. h4 was better than 24. b3. I felt that c4 was already protected. I wanted to produce my own threats. Yes: 24. h4!.

24. ... Bb7 25. Nf4

Using the pin on e5.

25. ... Ree8 26. R3e2?

This move was slow and too defensive, I had illusions of him loading up on g2. Yes, 26. R3e2 isn’t necessary. But even after 26. h5, is White’s attack worth a pawn? 26. ... Kg7

26. ... Bc6!—L.A.

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27. h5 Bc6 28. h6+ Kf7 29. Nh5! Kg8 30. b4!?

I was trying to force the queen away from f6. Michael is a persistent attacker! His shots repeatedly missing the target, he doesn’t give up—just keeps reloading. 30. ... cxb4 31. c5 Qd8

At this point I felt like the queen trade was forced and I was losing steam in the attack.

32. Qxd8 Rxd8 33. Ng7 Rxd3 34. Rxe5

-+-+-trk+ +-+-+-sNp p+l+-+pzP +pzP-tRp+-zp-+-+-+ +-+r+-+P+-+-+P+ +-+-tR-+K After 34. Rxe5

have worked if he had not resigned. Rather, it might have worked. 45. Nxe6 Rxc6

-+-+-+k+ +-+R+-+-+r+N+pzP +p+-+p+pzp-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+P+ +-+-+-+K After 45. ... Rxc6

46. Rg7+

Here 46. Ng5 wins—easily! White threatens 47. Rd8 checkmate. If 46. ... Kf8, then 47. h7; 46. ... Rc8 47. Rg7+ (now!) 47. ... Kf8 (47. ... Kh8 48. Nf7 mate) 48. Ne6+ Ke8 49. h7; 46. ... Rf6 47. Rd8+ Rf8 48. h7+ Kg7 49. Rxf8. 46. ... Kh8 47. Ng5, Black resigned.

34. ... Rd2?!

I think 34. ... Rh3+ would have been stronger. My opponent said he saw this but felt like his rook would be in a bad position, but I thought winning that pawn would have been crushing. After 34. ... Rh3+ 35. Kg1 Rxh6 36. Ne6 White is three pawns down, but the game isn’t over yet, as the black pieces aren’t well coordinated (rook on h6!), the black king is somewhat vulnerable—plus, White’s passed pawn is also a factor! 35. R1e2 Rxe2

(35. ... Rfd8!—L.A.) 36. Rxe2 Be4 37. Rd2 Rc8 38. Ne6 a5 39. Rd7 a4 40. Rg7+ Kh8 41. Ng5

-+r+-+-mk +-+-+-tRp -+-+-+pzP +pzP-+psNpzp-+l+-+ +-+-+-+P+-+-+P+ +-+-+-+K After 41. Ng5

With a mate threat at f7. Almost from nowhere Michael—again— creates serious threats. 41. ... Bd5 42. Rxh7+ Kg8 43. Rd7 Bxa2 44. c6 Be6

A difficult move to make, but this would

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-+-+-+-mk +-+-+-tR-+r+-+pzP +p+-+psNpzp-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+P+ +-+-+-+K After 47. Ng5

My opponent resigned here. This is the main position for us to look at. We have a local player, Dr. Ronnie Barnes, who has always told me “Never give up”! This would be a great example of resigning too soon. I was expecting my opponent to play 47. ... Rf6, the forced move to stop the mate threat. I had planned to play 48. Nf7+ anyway to win the Exchange and be a rook up, but that would have been a horrible mistake and would have lost the game. (Moral: always check—time permitting, of course—a “pre-planned move” when the position actually occurs on the board. Do it on EVERY move, every step of the “forced” variation.—L.A.) Although there IS a forced mate here, I did not see it and I doubt I would have found it over the board. If my opponent had played one more move he would have seen that I did not see the forced mate and won the game: 47. ... Rf6 48. Nf7+?? Rxf7 49. Rxf7 b3 and now the clumsy rook is unable to stop the pawns.

This is the forced mate that I did not see at the time; 48. Rb7 Rf8 49. Rh7+ Kg8 50. Rg7+ Kh8 51. Nh7

-+-+-tr-mk +-+-+-tRN -+-+-+pzP +p+-+p+pzp-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+P+ +-+-+-+K Analysis after 51. Nh7

51. ... Rg8 52. Rf7 b3 53. Nf6 Rd8 54. Rh7 mate. Of course Todd had to play his only defensive move, 47. ... Rf6!. However, I think Michael is too pessimistic about his chances to see the trap (with black pawns beating the rook) and thus avoiding it, perhaps even finding a win (as he did later). Some advice: before making a “winning” move, think! Doublecheck! Then—if there is a danger—reassess the position calmly. At worst, after 47. ... Rf6 48. Rb7 Rf8 White has a perpetual check: 49. Rh7+ Kg8 50. Rg7+. Next step—to look for a win —and to find a winning line with 51. Nh7, and then Nf6 and Rh7, the Arabian Mate. Look for GM Alburt’s new book, A Fresh Look at Chess, which is a collection of his “Back to Basics” columns. It is available now on uscfsales.com.

.

Send in your games!

If you are unrated or were rated 1799 or below on your Chess Life (CL) label, then GM Lev Alburt invites you to send your most instructive game with notes to: Back to Basics, c/o Chess Life PO Box 3967 Crossville, TN 38557-3967 Or to [email protected] GM Alburt will select the “most instructive” game and CL will award an autographed copy of Lev’s newest book, Chess Training Pocket Book II (by Lev Alburt and Al Lawrence) to the person submitting the most instructive game and annotations. Do not send games with only a few notes, as they are of little instructive value and can’t be used. Writing skills are a plus, but instructiveness is a must! Make sure your game (or part of it) and your notes will be of interest to other readers.


45

Endgame Lab

Pawn Plus

By GM Pal Benko

Endings from Moscow to London Here is a selection of interesting and instructive endings from two of 2011’s top events, the traditional Tal Memorial in Moscow and the London Classic. Piece for pawns GM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2802, ARM) GM Peter Svidler (FIDE 2755, RUS) Moscow, Tal Memorial 2011

-+-+-+-wQ +p+-+p+pzPq+n+p+ zP-+-+k+-+-+p+-zp +-sN-zP-+P -+-+-zPP+ +-+-+-mKWhite to play

The material is equal but the black king is in a rather odd location.

42. Qxh4!?

The consequences of this knight sac are hard to calculate. Players looking for a calmer game would have chosen 42. Ne2.

42. ... Qxc3 43. g4+ Ke5 44. Qh8+ f6 45. Qb8+

So this was the point of the sac. The far advanced b-passed pawn is a permanent danger as the white queen is free to continue her assault. 45. ... Kd5 46. Qxb7+ Qc6 47. Qb8 Nc5 48. Qg8+ Qe6

Another way is 48. ... Ke5 49. Qxg6 Qd7. 49. Qxg6

Nabs the third pawn, clearing a path for the h-pawn to advance.

49. ... Kc4?

Either 49. ... Nd7 or 49. ... Kd6 50. h4 Nd7 51. h5 Ne5 would have given more chances for counterplay. 46


50. h4 Kd3 51. h5 Ke2

Black’s counterplay is a phantom. He has no remedy against the passed pawns on both sides. There is no perpetual check, even after 51. ... Qb3 52. Qf5. 52. h6 Qc4 53. h7 Ke1 54. Qxf6, Black resigned.

Outside passed pawns GM Vassily Ivanchuk (FIDE 2775, UKR) GM Peter Svidler (FIDE 2755, RUS) Moscow, Tal Memorial 2011

-+-+-+k+ +-vl-+p+-+-+-+p+ zpL+p+-+p Psn-+-+-+ +P+-zP-zPP -+-+-+P+ +-+-vL-+K White to play

White has an extra pawn and the bishop pair, but the b-pawn is blockaded and the g-pawns are doubled. White’s aim is to eliminate these factors. 45. Kg1 Nc2

Black goes pawn-hunting. Reasonable would have been 45. ... f5 followed by … Kf7 since Bxb4 results in a drawn opposite-color bishop-ending.

46. Bd2 Bb6 47. Kf2 d4 48. e4

48. exd4 Nxd4 49. Be3 Bc5!

48. ... d3+ 49. Kf1 Ne3+ 50. Ke1 Nxg2+ 51. Kd1 h4

Retreating with 51. ... Ne3+ would be more advisable but Black’s position has definitely worsened.

52. gxh4 Nxh4 53. b4!

The blockade has been broken.

53. ... axb4 54. Bxb4 Nf3 55. a5 Bd4 56. Be7

Also good enough is 56. Bxd3.

56. ... f5?

This only accelerates the end. There was still time for 56. ... f6 puts up more resistance. 57. exf5 gxf5 58. Bd8 Kf7 59. Bb6 Ke6 60. Bxd4 Nxd4 61. Bxd3, Black resigned.

There is no defense against the passed pawns on both sides of the board. White only has to avoid the knight being sacked for the a-pawn that would result in the bad-corner (h8), bishop draw. Connected Passed Pawns GM Vladimir Kramnik (FIDE 2800, RUS) GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (FIDE 2730, RUS) Moscow, Tal Memorial 2011

-+-+-+k+ +-+-+-+p p+-+-+p+ +p+-+-+-+-+-+-zP +-+L+-zP-vl-+-zP-+ +-+-+-mKBlack to play

White is in trouble. His only hope is in the opposite-color bishops.

35. ... Kf7 36. f4

A better try is 36. Kf1 Ke6 37. Ke2 followed by h4-h5. White has to trade his kingside pawns in order to blockade or give up his bishop for a draw.

36. ... Ke6 37. Kf2 Kd5 38. Ke2 Kc5 39. Kd2 a5 40. f5?

Better is 40. g4.

40. ... a4! 41. Bc2

If 41. fxg6 b4!, the black pawns prevail, uschess.org

Benko’s Bafflers Most of the time these studies resemble positions that could actually occur over the board. You must simply reach a theoretically won or drawn position for White. Solutions can be found on page 71. Please e-mail submissions for Benko’s Bafflers to: [email protected]

transforming his advantage into two passed pawns far from each other. 41. ... a3 42. Bb1

After 42. Bb3 gxf5 43. Kc2 Be5 44. Be6 Kd6! 45. Bg8 h6 46. Kb3 Bxg3 there is a similar win as in the game. 42. ... gxf5 43. Kc2 Kb4 44. Ba2 Be5 45. Be6 a2 46. Bxa2 Bxg3 47. h5 h6 48. Kd3 Ka3 49. Bd5 b4 50. Kc2 Be5 51. Bb3 f4 52. Bd5 Bf6 53. Kb1 b3, White resigned.

Advanced Pawns GM Hikaru Nakamura (FIDE 2758, USA) GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2826, NOR) Moscow, Tal Memorial 2011

-+-+-+k+ zp-+-+p+p -zp-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-zp-+p+ +-+-+lzPPzP-+-zP-zP +-+-vL-mKBlack to play

White sacrificed (or possibly overlooked) a pawn earlier but unfortunately he faces further disadvantages.

33. ... Be2!

That’s all she wrote! This imprisons the white king, with his own king soon to arrive on d3. Therefore White is forced to give away another pawn. 34. f4 gxf3 e.p. 35. Bf2 d3 36. Be1 Kg7 37. Kf2 Kf6 38. Ke3 Kf5 39. h3 h5 40. Bd2 Bf1 41. Be1

Two alternatives here are 41. h4 Kg4 or 41. Kxf3 Bxh3, but the black bishop always gets free. Next step is to attack the a2pawn with the bishop, creating holes for the king to use to break through. All lines are worth studying. uschess.org

Problem I

J. Mikitovics 2010

-tr-vL-+N+ +P+-+-+-+-+-+-mK +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-zP-mk-+ +-+-+-+White to play and win

41. ... Bxh3 42. Kxd3 Bf1+ 43. Ke3 Kg4 44. Kf2 Bb5 45. Bc3 Bc6 46. Be5 b5 47. Bb8 a6 48. Bc7 f5 49. b3 Bd5 50. Bd6 f4!

White could not stop his opponent from creating another passed pawn. After 51. Bxf4 h4 52. Bd6 h3 53. Kg1 h2+ wins.

51. gxf4 h4 52. f5 Kxf5 53. Ke3 Kg4 54. Kf2 h3 55. Ke3 Be4 56. Kf2 Bb1 57. a3 Ba2 58. b4 Bf7, White resigned.

Liberating the black king with ... Bh5... Kf5-... Bg4 also will win the a3-pawn and obtains a third passed pawn which ends all resistance. Pawn Race GM Vladimir Kramnik (FIDE 2800, RUS) GM David Howell (FIDE 2633, ENG) London, London Chess Classic 2011

-+-+-trk+ +-+-+pzpp Q+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+Pzp-+P+-+ +q+-+NzP-vl-tR-zPKzP +-+-+-+White to play

Besides being a pawn up, the white pieces are also on better squares. The a- and b-pawn race starts with these favorable conditions for White. 28. a5 Bc3 29. Rd5 Qc2 30. Qb7

Leaves the e-pawn unprotected for the quick advance of the a-pawn. 30. ... b3

After 30. ... Qxe4 31. a6 Qe8 32. a7 h6 33. Ra5 Qa8 34. Rb5 wins. 31. a6 b2 32. Rb5 Qa4 33. a7 h6 34. e5 Kh7 35. Rb3 Qa2 36. h4 Kg8 37. h5 Qa5 38. Qb8

Problem II

J. Timman 2010

-+-+-+K+ +-zpk+-+-+-zpN+-zP +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+p+-+R+-+ tr-vl-+-+White to play and draw

Simpler was 38. Qe7 followed by Rb8 after which resignation is reasonable. 38. ... Qa2 39. Rxc3? b1=Q 40. Rc8

And Black resigned! Both players obviously overlooked that after 40. ... Qf1+ 41. Kxf1 Qa6+ 42. Kg2 Rxc8 Black could put up still more resistance. Mating Attack with Pawn GM Hikaru Nakamura (FIDE 2758, USA) GM Michael Adams (FIDE 2734, ENG) London, 2011

-wqr+-+-mk +-+-+-+p -+P+-zp-+ +rvlP+-+-zpQ+-sNp+ +-+-vLl+-+-+-+-zP +-+-tRRmKBlack to play

A sharp, tactical position.

36. ... Bxe3+?

Fails to simplify into a better ending. As 36. ... Qb6!? 37. Qc1 (Worse is 37. Bxc5 Rxc5 38. Qd4 R5xc6!) 37. ... Bxe3+ 38. Qxe3 Qxe3+ 39. Rxe3 b3 while 37. Bf2 Bxd5! 38. Nxd5 Qxc6 39. Bxc5 Rxc5 40. Qxb4 Rxd5, or 37. Rxf3 gxf3 38. Kf2 Re8 39. Ne6 Rxe6 40. dxe6 Bxe3+ 41. Rxe3 Re5 42. Qb3 Kg7 yet this is too much to see in such a short time. 37. Rxe3 Qb6 38. Rfe1 b3?

The tide has turned. Instead, 38. ... Ra5 39. Kf1 Ra1 should have been tried to evade the storm. 39. Qc3 Rf8 40. Ne6 b2 41. c7!, Black resigned.

A deadly thrust. Black resigned, since 41. ... b1=Q 42. Qxf6+! leads to mate.

.


47

2012 TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX SUMMARY Trophies Plus awards $12,500 in cash prizes in the 2012 Grand Prix!

2012 TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX STANDINGS

OVERALL STANDINGS

The following point totals reflect all rated event information as of March 8 for the 2012 Grand Prix.

NAME

All Grand Prix updates are unofficial and subject to change during the year or until year-end

PTS.

1

IM Justin Sarkar

NY

72.50

3

GM Alexander Ivanov

MA

49.00

GM Melikset Khachiyan

CA

GM Timur Gareyev

TX

34.00

CA

28.66

11 IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat

MD

25.50

13 FM Victor C. Shen

NJ

22.00

SD

20.66

2

tabulation is complete.

STATE

4 5 6 7 8 9

GM Mikheil Kekelidze GM Sergey Kudrin

IM Enrico Sevillano

$

12 ,500

IN CASH PRIZES! FIRST PRIZE: $5,000!

CA

IM Raymond Kaufman

12 GM Eugene Perelshteyn 14 IM Jay Richard Bonin 15 GM Alex Yermolinsky

KY

MA NY

60.00

43.83 38.60 38.33 30.33

26.33 24.50

20.91

Trophies Plus: IT’S NOT JUST A TROPHY. IT’S THE BEGINNING OF A LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT. Proud sponsor of USCF National Scholastic tournament awards since 1999. Proud sponsor of the USCF 2007-2011 All-America Team.

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KUDRIN COURTESY OF MONROI.COM; LENDERMAN BY CHRIS BIRD

CATEGORIES AND PRIZES

CT

FM Alexandre Kretchetov CA

10 GM Gregory Kaidanov

GM ALEX LENDERMAN (right) seemed to have a stranglehold on the Grand Prix after winning three years in a row, but GM SERGEY KUDRIN (left) managed to break through last year as Lenderman fell to ninth place. As we start the 2012 Grand Prix, will we see a new face rise to the top?

NY

ChessMagnetSchool.com is the sponsor of the 2012 Junior Grand Prix (JGP). Official standings for events received and processed by March 7, 2012 are unofficial and subject to change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete. 2012 JGP prizes were not available as of press time and will be announced at a later date. The method for calculating points has been modified; see uschess.org for the most up-to-date information. Chess Magnet School provides computer-based online chess training for both adults and children, including those who study independently and those who study under the guidance of a coach or teacher, as well as support for chess coaches and others who teach chess. Chess Magnet School has been a partner with USCF on a number of projects and activities since 2006, and has provided the free program that teaches the rules of chess to newcomers in the “New to Chess” section of USCF’s website. USCF members are invited to learn more about Chess Magnet School at www.ChessMagnetSchool.com.

2012 CHESSMAGNETSCHOOL.COM JUNIOR GRAND PRIX TOP OVERALL STANDINGS Name

REAVES, JAYDEN YU, JENNIFER R SHI, JEFFREY ULRICH, ANNE E TANENBAUM, ZACHARY CHEN BEHAL, ADITYA MCGREEN, MAYA AZVOLINSKY, ARTHUR CHAVEZ, JOSE MIZUSHIMA, DEREK RUSH, DECLAN ELBIEH, ERIK M PORTER, NATHAN I VASAN, VIKRAM CLARE, ZACHARY A LUO, MAGGIE BASHKANSKY, NAOMI CHERIN, SAM KRISHNAN, AJAY PATEL, ADVAIT

State

NY VA NY WI CT CA-N NY PA PA MD NY MA OR CA-N DC VA WA NY CA-S WV

Pts.

3086 2935 2824 2752 2743 2726 2635 2596 2450 2398 2393 2390 2344 2335 2327 2306 2232 2223 2219 2167

Name

JIANG, KELVIN CARLOS, TIMOTHY SHARMA, VINAY CHANG, JEFFREY E PARK, JONATHAN JONGWON CORRIGAN, KEVIN TURGUT, AYDIN TAYLOR-BRILL, SETH CARDINI, NICK KOBLA, VISHAL RAJASEKARAN, VIGNESH SNYDER, DAVID A DOUGLAS, THEOPHILUS, JR FLOOD, CHRISTIAN WANG, ANDREW B CAO-DAO, VIVIAN LAMBRECHT, AARON MITCHELL LEE, GI YUN FRAGOLA, SAM POPESCU, ROMAIN

State

CA-N NY MD GA NJ IL NC PA VA VA MD NY NJ VA VA WI AL NY NY

Pts.

2134 2100 2100 2055 2008 2006 2005 1977 1960 1933 1904 1897 1872 1866 1864 1860 1853 1836 1834 1833

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49

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1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

Tot

$300-$499

6

$500-$749

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2

10

6

$750-$999

10

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15

$1,000-$1,499

12

8

20

$1,500-$1,999

14 10 6

$2,000-$2,499

16 12 8

$2,500-$2,999

18 14 10 6

2

$3,000-$3,999

20 16 12 8

4

$4,000-$4,999

22 18 15 12 8

$5,000-$5,999

24 20 17 14 11 8

$6,000-$9,999

26 22 19 16 13 10 8

30 4

40 50 60 5

80 6

100 6

120

$10,000-$29,999 30 26 23 20 16 13 10 8

4

$30,000 & up

36 32 29 26 21 18 14 12

8

4

150 200

$ (Enhanced)

54 48 44 39 31 27 21 18

12 6

300

Points involved divided equally (rounded to two decimal points) among tied players. 50


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Entering by mail or online (if available) is easier for both you and the tournament

How to Enter in Advance

organizer and often costs less. Check the TLA ads for entering options. Along with entry fee, send full name, address, USCF ID number, expiration date, and section desired (if any). Also, give your last official USCF rating from your magazine label (first 4 numbers on top row). If you are unrated, or have a rating from many years ago, be sure to indicate this. Your official USCF rating is on the top line of your mailing label: Regular, Quick, and Correspondence. Mailed entries are usually not acknowledged unless you enclose a self-addressed postcard. If entering online, print confirmation of entry. They are refundable if you withdraw before Round 1 is paired, unless otherwise stated. For national events, refund requests must be submitted in writing no later than 30 days after the tournament ends. Any requests made after this date may not be honored. If you enter by mail and cannot attend, or must drop out of a tournament in progress, it is important you give notice before pairings are started, so no one is deprived of a game. Mail entrants should send withdrawal notices at least a week beforehand—phone any later than this. To withdraw by phone on tournament day, call the site and ask specifically for “the chess tournament.’’ E-mail withdrawals several days in advance are acceptable if the TD’s e-mail address is listed. Any later than this, both e-mail your withdrawal and call the tournament site as the TD might not have access to his (her) email account. If you forfeit without notice, you may be fined up to the amount of the entry fee. If You Must Withdraw

Tournament director certification is an endorsement of professional competence only. Such certification does not in itself render any tournament director an agent of the USCF, nor is any affiliate an agent of the USCF. Tournament Directors

.

Tournament Life Abbreviations & Terms All tournaments are non-smoking with no computers allowed unless otherwise advertised by S and/or C (see below for explanations). QC: Quick Chess events. $$Gtd: Guaranteed prizes. $$b/x: Based-on prizes, x = number of entries needed to pay full prize fund. At least 50% of the advertised prize fund of $501 or more must be awarded. Bye: Indicates which rounds players who find it inconvenient to play may take ½-point byes instead. For example, Bye 1-3 means ½-point byes are available in Rounds 1 through 3. C: Computers allowed. CC: Chess club. EF: Entry fee.

uschess.org

Enhanced Grand Prix points (see previous page). Ent: Where to mail entries. FIDE: Results submitted to FIDE for possible rating. G/: Game in. For instance, G/75 means each side has 75 minutes for the entire game. GPP: Grand Prix Points available. HR: Hotel rates. For example, 60-65-70-75 means $60 single, $65 twin, $70/3 in room, $75/4 in room. JGP: Junior Grand Prix Memb. req’d: Membership required; cost follows. Usually refers to state affiliate. Open: A section open to all. Often has very strong players, but some eligible for lower sections can play for the learning experience.

OSA: Other states accepted. Refers to state dues. PPHBF: Professional Players Health and Benefits Fund. Quad: 4-player round robin sections; similar strength players. RBO: Rated Beginner’s Open. Rds: Rounds; scheduled game times follow. For example, 11-5, 9-3 means games begin 11 a.m. & 5 p.m. on the first day, 9 a.m. & 3 p.m. on the second day. Reg: Registration at site. RR: Round robin (preceded by number of rounds). S: Smoking allowed. SASE: For more info, send self-addressed stamped envelope.

SD/: Sudden-death time control (time for rest of game follows). For example, 30/90, SD/1 means each player must make 30 moves in 90 minutes, then complete the rest of the game in an hour. Section: A division of a tournament, usually excluding players above a specified rating. Players in a section face only each other, not those in other sections. SS: Swiss-System pairings (preceded by number of rounds). T/Dx: Time delay, x = number of seconds. Unr: Unrated. USEF: Combined entry fee & USCF dues. W: Site is accessible to wheelchairs. WEB: Tournaments that will use a player’s on-line rating.


51

Tournament Life

Bids

USCF National Events Note: Tournament memberships not valid for National events

SEE TLA IN THIS ISSUE FOR DETAILS 2012 National High School (K-12) Championship April 13-15 • Minneapolis, Minnesota 2012 All-Girls National Championships April 20-22 • Chicago, Illinois 2012 National Junior High (K-9) Championship April 27-29 • San Diego, California

Note: Organizers previously awarded options for USCF National Events must still submit proposals (including sample budgets) for their events.

NOW PAST DEADLINE OF JULY 1, 2011:

2012 National Elementary (K-6) Championship May 11-13 • Nashville, Tennessee

2012

U.S. Amateur (North)

2012 U.S. Amateur West Championship May 26-28 • Tucson, Arizona

2012

U.S. Class Championship

68th Annual (2012) U.S. Amateur East Championship May 26-28 or 27-28 • Somerset,

2012

U.S. Masters Championship

New Jersey

DEADLINE JULY 1, 2012:

2012 U.S. Amateur South Championship June 9-10 • Memphis, Tennessee

2013

U.S. Amateur Team Championship (North, South, West)

2013 2013

U.S. Amateur (East, North, South, West) U.S. Senior Open

2013

National Open

2013

U.S. Game 10 Championship

2013

U.S. Game/15 Championship

2013

U.S. Game 60 Championship

2013

U.S. Action G/30 Championship

2012 U.S. Game/10 Championship June 14 • Las Vegas, Nevada 2012 National Open June 15-17 or 16-17 • Las Vegas, Nevada 2012 U.S. Senior Open Championship July 9-14 • Houston, Texas 2012 U.S. Junior Open Championship July 13-15 • Houston, Texas 113th annual (2012) U.S. Open Aug. 4-12, 7-12 or 9-12 • Vancouver, Washington

FUTURE EVENTS (Watch for details) 2012 U.S. Game/60 Oct. 27 • Pleasanton, California

DEADLINE JULY 1, 2013:

2012 U.S. Action Game/30 Oct. 28 • Pleasanton, California

2014

2012 National Scholastic (K-12) Nov. 30-December 2 • Orlando, Florida

U.S. Senior Open

2013 SuperNationals V April 5-7 • Nashville, Tennessee

OVERDUE BIDS

2013 National Scholastic (K-12) December 13-15 • Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Please contact the National Office if you are interested in bidding for a National Event. The USCF recommends that bids be submitted according to the following schedule. However, bids may be considered prior to these dates. *USCF reserves the right to decline all bids and organize the event itself.

2014 National High School (K-12) Championship April 4-6 • San Diego, California 2014 National Elementary (K-6) Championship May 9-11 • Dallas, Texas 2014 National Scholastic (K-12) December 12-14 • Orlando, Florida 2015 National Elementary (K-6) Championship May 8-10 • Nashville, Tennessee 2015 National Scholastic (K-12) December 5-7 • Orlando, Florida

Rating supplements will be updated EACH MONTH on the USCF website, and each monthly rating supplement will be used for all tournaments beginning in that month, unless otherwise announced in Chess Life. The USCF website at www.uschess.org also frequently lists unofficial ratings.The purpose of unofficial ratings is to inform you of your progress; however, most tournaments do not use them for pairing or prize purposes. If you would otherwise be unrated, organizers may use your unofficial rating at their discretion, even without advance publicity of such a policy.

The TLA pages “Information for Organizers, TDs, and Affiliates” and “Information for Players” can now be found online at main.uschess.org/ go/tlainfo.

Tournament Life Abbreviations & Terms All tournaments are non-smoking with no computers allowed unless otherwise advertised by S and/or C (see below for explanations). QC: Quick Chess events. $$Gtd: Guaranteed prizes. $$b/x: Based-on prizes, x = number of entries needed to pay full prize fund. At least 50% of the advertised prize fund of $501 or more must be awarded. Bye: Indicates which rounds players who find it inconvenient to play may take ½-point byes instead. For example, Bye 1-3 means ½-point byes are available in Rounds 1 through 3.

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CC: Chess club. EF: Entry fee. Ent: Where to mail entries. FIDE: Results submitted to FIDE for possible rating. G/: Game in. For instance, G/75 means each side has 75 minutes for the entire game. GPP: Grand Prix Points available. HR: Hotel rates. For example, 60-65-70-75 means $60 single, $65 twin, $70/3 in room, $75/4 in room. JGP: Junior Grand Prix.


Memb. req’d: Membership required; cost follows. Usually refers to state affiliate. Open: A section open to all. Often has very strong players, but some eligible for lower sections can play for the learning experience. Quad: 4-player round robin sections; similar strength players. RBO: Rated Beginner’s Open. Rds: Rounds; scheduled game times follow. For example, 11-5, 9-3 means games begin 11 a.m. & 5 p.m. on the first day, 9 a.m. & 3 p.m. on the second day. Reg: Registration at site.

RR: Round robin (preceded by number of rounds). SD/: Sudden-death time control (time for rest of game follows). For example, 30/90, SD/1 means each player must make 30 moves in 90 minutes, then complete the rest of the game in an hour. SS: Swiss-System pairings (preceded by number of rounds). T/Dx: Time delay, x = number of seconds. Unr: Unrated. W: Site is accessible to wheelchairs. WEB: Tournaments that will use a player’s on-line rating.

uschess.org

See previous issue for TLAs appearing April 1-14

The Tournament Announcements on the following pages are provided for the convenience of USCF members and for informational purposes only. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, neither the U.S. Chess Federation nor Chess Life warrants the accuracy of anything contained in these Tournament Announcements. Those interested in additional information about or having questions concerning any of these tournaments are directed to contact the organizer listed. Chess Life will exercise all due diligence in providing accurate typesetting of non-camera-ready copy but assumes no responsibility for errors made in such work. Effective with TLAs submitted after November 10, 2010, the following additional rules apply to Grand Prix tournaments: 1) The guaranteed first prize must be at least $150. 2) No more than one prize under $100 may count towards the Grand Prix point total. 3) Prizes below the maximum entry fee do not count towards the Grand Prix point total. SUBMISSIONS: If possible e-mail your tla to: [email protected] (Joan DuBois). For tla deadline schedule, formatting help and Grand Prix information see September 2011 Chess Life pg. 49 and 69 or check http://main. uschess.org/ go/tlainfo. Payment can be done online through the TD/Affiliate area or sent to: U.S. Chess, TLA Dept., PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.

Nationals Apr. 13-15, Minnesota 2012 National High School (K-12) Championship (Apr. 12 – Bughouse & Blitz) 7SS, G/120. Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, 1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403, 612-370-1234. Chess Rate $125. 5 Sections: K-12 Championship, K-12 Under 1600, K-12 Under 1200, K-12 Under 800, K-12 Unrated. April Rating Supplement will be used. Unrated players may play in the Championship or Unrated section only. One 1/2-point bye for any round, except Rd. 7, if requested in advance. EF: $50 if by March 25, $70 if by April 8, $85 by 6 PM CDT on April 12 or $90 at site. Mailed entries must be p/m by April 8. $5 extra for all phone registrations, $20 change fee for roster or section changes after April 8. Onsite registration: Thurs. 9am-10pm & Fri. 8am-10am. Players registering after 10am will get 1/2-point for Round 1. Awards: A minimum of 1 individual trophy per 10 players and 1 team trophy per 15 players (average attendance in the past two years, not incl. SN IV) plus plaques for 4 players and coach of top five teams in each section. Class trophies to the top three in the following classes: K-12 Championship: 1900-1999; 1800-1899; 1700-1799; 1600-1699; 1500-1599; 1400-1499; 1300-1399; 1200-1299; U1200, K-12 UNR. All participants will receive a commemorative medal at the completion of the final round. Teams: A team must have at least two players, although no maximum number of players. The top four scores in any section will count for the team score. All on team must attend the same school. Opening Ceremony: 12:30pm Friday. Main Event rounds: Friday 1pm, 7pm; Saturday 9am, 2pm, 7pm; Sunday 9am, 2pm. Awards Ceremony: Approx 7pm Sunday. Special Events: National High School Bughouse Championship: Thursday 11am; EF: (On site only) $25 per team. Bughouse registration ends at 10am Thurs. National High School Blitz Championship: Thursday 5pm; EF: $15 per player, $20 after April 8 or on site. Scholastic Meeting: 3pm Saturday. Parents and Friends Tournament: 4SS, G/30, Saturday 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. Onsite registration only. Rated and Unrated sections. Trophies for Parents/Friends, participant and student combined results. ALL: Please bring clocks. Sets and score sheets provided. USCF membership required. Mail entries to: U.S. Chess Federation, Attn: High School, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557. Additional details, updates, corrections and on-line registration: www.uschess.org/tournaments/2012/hs. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 20-22, Illinois 2012 All-Girls National Championships presented by the Kasparov Chess Foundation in association with the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation & USCF 6SS, G/90 d5. Swissotel, 323 E. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60601, 888-7379477, Hotel Rate includes full breakfast & children under 18 stay free. 6 Sections: 8 years old and younger; 10 and younger, 12 and younger, 14 and younger, 16 and younger, 18 and younger. Age as of 4/1/2011. USCF membership required. EF: $50 if postmarked/online by 3/25; $70 if by 4/8; $85 by 4/19; $90 after/on-site. Do not mail after 4/13 as your entry may not be received on time. Opening Ceremony: 6pm, Friday. Rounds: Rd. 1 – 6:30pm Fri; Rounds 2-4 – Sat 10am, 2:30pm, 6:30pm; Rounds 5-6 – Sun 9am & 1pm. Awards Ceremony: Sun. 5pm. Trophies to top 15 indiv & top 3 teams (top 3 players added for team scores). Bye: One 1/2-pt bye available, any round, if requested before end of Rd. 2 and if player has not received a full-point bye. Side Events: Bughouse Tournament – Fri. 1pm, EF $25/team. Blitz Tournament – Fri. 3pm, EF $15 by 4/19, $20 after or on site. HR: $169-169 includes full breakfast, children under 18 stay free, 888-737-9477, reserve by 3/15 or rate may increase. Entries: online/info at: www.renaissanceknights. org/allgirls or mail to RKnights, Attn: All Girls, PO Box 1074, Northbrook, IL 60065, include name, section, rating, USCF ID#, date of birth, grade, school name city & state. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 27-29, California, Southern 2012 National Junior High (K-9) Championship (Apr. 26 – Bughouse & Blitz) 7SS, G/120. Town and Country, 500 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA 92108, 1-619-291-7131 or 800-772-8527, Chess Rate $125. 6 Sections: K-9 Championship, K-9 Under 1250, K9 Unrated, K-8 Championship, K-8 Under 1000, K-8 U750. April Rating Supplement will be used. Unrated players may play in the Championship or Unrated sections only. One 1/2-point bye for any round, except Rd. 7, if requested in advance. EF: $50 if by April 8, $70 if by April

uschess.org

22, $85 by 6 PM PDT on April 26 or $90 at site. Mailed entries must be p/m by April 22. $5 extra for all phone registrations, $20 change fee for roster or section changes after April 22. On-site registration: Thurs. 9am10pm & Fri. 8am-10am. Players registering after 10am will get 1/2-point for Round 1. Awards: A minimum of 1 individual trophy per 10 players and 1 team trophy per 15 players (average attendance in the past two years, not incl. SN IV) plus plaques for 4 players and coach of top five teams in each section. Class trophies to the top three in the following classes: K-9 Championship: 1400-1599; 1200-1399; 1000-1199; U1000; Unrated. K-8 Championship: 1500-1599; 1400-1499; 1300-1399; 1200-1299; 1100-1199; 1000-1099; U1000; UNR. All participants will receive a commemorative medal at the completion of the final round. Teams: A team must have at least two players, although no maximum number of players. The top four scores in any section will count for the team score. All on team must attend the same school. Opening Ceremony: 12:30pm Friday. Main Event rounds: Friday 1pm, 7pm; Saturday 9am, 2pm, 7pm; Sunday 9am, 2pm. Awards Ceremony: Approx 7pm Sunday. Special Events: National Junior High Bughouse Championship: Thursday 11am; EF (on site only) $25 per team. Bughouse registration ends at 10am Thurs. National Junior High Blitz Championship: Thursday 5pm; EF $15 per player, $20 after April 22 or on site. Scholastic Meeting: 3pm Saturday. Parents and Friends Tournament: 4SS, G/30, Saturday 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. Onsite registration only. Rated and Unrated sections. Trophies for Parent/Friends participant and student combined results. ALL: Please bring clocks. Sets and score sheets provided.USCF membership required. Mail entries to: U.S. Chess Federation, Attn: Junior High, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557. Additional details, updates, corrections and on-line registration: www.us chess.org/tournaments/2012/jhs. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 11-13, Tennessee 2012 National Elementary (K-6) Championship (May 10 – Bughouse & Blitz) 7SS, G/120, K-1 G/90. Gaylord Opryland, 2800 Opryland Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. 615-889-1000 or 888-777-6779 Chess Rate $139. 9 Sections: K-6 Championship, K-6 Under 1000, K6 Unrated, K-5 Championship, K-5 Under 900, K-3 Championship, K-3 U800, K-3 Unrated, K-1Championship. May Rating Supplement will be used. Unrated players may play in the Championship or Unrated sections only. One 1/2-point bye for any round, except Rd. 7, if requested in advance. EF: $50 if by April 22, $70 if by May 6, $85 by 6 PM CDT on May 10 or $90 at site. Mailed entries must be p/m by May 6. $5 extra for all phone registrations, $20 change fee for roster or section changes after May 6. On-site registration: Thurs. 9am-10pm & Fri. 8am-10am. Players registering after 10am will get 1/2-point for Round 1. Awards: A minimum of 1 individual trophy per 10 players and 1 team trophy per 15 players (average attendance in the past two years, not incl. SN IV) plus plaques for 4 players and coach of top five teams in each section. Class trophies to the top three in the following classes: K-6 Championship: 1300-1399; 1200-1299; 1100-1199; 1000-1099; 900-999; 800-899; U800; UNR. K-5 Championship: 1300-1399; 1200-1299; 11001199; 1000-1099; 900-999; 800-899; U800; UNR. K-3 Championship: 1100-1199; 1000-1099; 900-999; 800-899; 700-799; 600-699; U600; UNR. K-1 Championship: All players in this section receive a trophy. All participants will receive a commemorative medal at the completion of the final round. Teams: A team must have at least two players, although no maximum number of players. The top four scores in any section will count for the team score. All on team must attend the same school. Opening Ceremony: 12:30pm Friday. Main Event rounds: Friday 1pm, 7pm; Saturday 9am, 2pm, 7pm; Sunday 9am, 2pm. Schedule for K-1: Friday 1:30pm, 6:30pm; Saturday 9:30am, 1:30pm, 6:30pm; Sunday 9:30am, 1:30pm. Awards Ceremony: Approx 7pm Sunday. Awards Ceremony for K-1: Approx 5:30pm Sunday. Special Events: National Elementary Bughouse Championship: Thursday 11am; EF (on site only) $25 per team. Bughouse registration ends at 10am Thurs. National Elementary Blitz Championship: Two sections: K-6 and K-3. Thursday 5pm; EF $15 per player, $20 after May 6 or on site. Scholastic Meeting: 3pm Saturday. Saturday. Parents and Friends Tournament: 4SS, G/30, Saturday 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. Trophies for Parents/Friends, participant and student combined results. Mail entries to: U.S. Chess Federation, Attn: Elementary, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557. Additional details, updates, corrections and on-line registration: www.uschess. org/tournaments/2012/elem. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 26-28, Arizona 2012 U.S. Amateur West Championship Holiday Inn Palo Verde, 4550 S Palo Verde Rd., Tucson, AZ 85714, 520746-1161. SECTIONS: Championship (U2200), Reserve (U1600), Booster (U1200), Scholastic I (must be K-6 and U1000) and Scholastic II (must be K-6 and U600). Scholastic sections are 6 separate 1-day tournaments. SCHEDULE: (Championship, Reserve, and Booster) 6/SS, 40/2, 25/1. Reg.: 5/26, 8:30 - 9:30 AM. Rds.: 10-4, 10-4, 9-3. (Scholastic I and II) 4/SS, G/40. Reg.: 8:30 - 9:30 AM each day. Rds.: Round 1 at 10 AM then as available for Rounds 2-4. PRIZES: (Championship) Digital Clock + plaque to Top 3, Top 1900-1999, 1800-1899, 1700-1799, 16001699, and U1600; Plaque to top Senior 50+, Junior U20 and Junior U14. (Reserve) Digital clock + plaque to Top 3, Top 1300-1399, 1200-1299, and U1200; Plaque to top Senior 50+ and Junior U14. (Booster) Digital clock + trophy to 1st; Trophy to 2nd - 5th, Top Unrated and Junior U11. (Scholastic I each day) Digital clock + trophy to 1st; Trophy to 2nd 5th. (Scholastic II each day) Trophy to 1st-5th. SPECIAL PRIZES: 1st Place in Championship and Reserve will receive a FREE ENTRY to the 2012 National Open. Top 2 Family Pairs in the non-scholastic sections. Biggest Upset of each round in the non-Scholastic sections. Digital clock to Scholastic I player with the highest combined score over the three 1day tournaments. EF: (Championship & Reserve) $60 if rec'd by 5/23, $70 if after 5/23. (Booster) $40 if rec'd by 5/23, $50 if after 5/23. (Scholastic I and II) $15 each day or $40 for all three days if by 5/23, additional $10 if after 5/23. ALL: Half-point byes allowed for all rounds but must be requested prior to start of Round 2. SIDE EVENT: Blitz tournament Friday 5/25; G/5, 5 Rounds, Double SS; Entry Fee: $10 ($15 to non-tournament players); Reg.: 6:00–6:45pm at site; Rounds: begin at 7:00pm Prizes: ($$b/20) $75-$45, Top U1600 $30, Medallion to top K-12, K-8, K6. ENTER: http://www.sazchess.org/store/store.php or mail to (make

checks payable to "SACA"): SACA, Attn: US Amateur West, PO Box 36149, Tucson, AZ 85740 or at site. HR: $71 (single/double) or $86 (suite) if by 5/11, mention "SACA". INFO: Karen Pennock, 520-261-6149, email: [email protected], web: www.sazchess.org. NC. NS. W. Chess Magnet School JGP for Championship and Reserve. A Heritage Event! May 26-28 or 27-28, New Jersey 68th Annual U.S. Amateur East Championship 6-SS, 50/2, SD/1. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 110 Davidson Ave., Somerset, NJ, Telephone 732-560-0500 (NYC train to Bound Brook 1 miles away). In 3 Sections: Championship (U2200), Reserved (U1800), Booster (U1400). 2-day & 3-day schedules. 3-Day Registration: Saturday May 26, 9:3010:45 am. Schedule: Rounds 12-6, 11-5, 9-3. 2-Day Registration: Sunday May 27, 8:30-9:30 am. Schedule: First 3 games, 5/27, G/60. Rounds 10-12:15-2:30. All schedules merge in round four. Each Sections: Trophies to top five and top Senior 55/over and Jr's under ages 16 & 13. Championship: Trophies to top U2000, U1900 and U1850. Reserve: Trophies to top U1600 and U1500. Booster: Trophies to top U1200, U1100, U1000, U900 and U800. EF: $49 if postmarked by May 23, or paid online via EntryFeesRus.com. EF: at site $60 cash. Byes: Three 1/2 point byes allowed in rounds 1-5. Ent: Ken Thomas, 115 W. Moore St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Checks to NJSCF. Info: 908-619-8621 or [email protected]. NS. NC. W. Chess Magnet School JGP. June 9-10, Tennessee 2012 U.S. Amateur South Championship University of Memphis, University Center, 499 University St., Memphis, TN 38152. SECTIONS: Championship (U2200) & Reserve (U1600). SCHEDULE: 5/SS, G/90 td/5. Reg.: Sat. 9:00-9:45AM. Rds.: Sat. 10-2-6; Sun. 9:30-1:30. PRIZES: $1000 of Gift Certificates and awards based on 60 paid entries. (Championship): 1st-“River Cup” trophy + $150 GC, 2ndplaque +$100 GC, 3rd-plaque+$75 GC; U2000 1st-small trophy+$50 GC. (Reserve): 1st-large plaque+$125 GC, 2nd-plaque+$75 GC, 3rdplaque+$50 GC; U1400 1st-small trophy+$50 GC; Unrated 1st-$50 GC. EF: $40 ($10 less to Juniors under age 18 or Seniors over age 60), $50 on-site. MISC: One requested half-point bye allowed, any round, must request before the start of Round 3. SIDE EVENT: SATURDAY ONLY— Scholastic (K-12) sections in a separate room from main tournament: U1000, U550, & Unrated. 4/SS, G/30 td/5. Reg. 11-11:45AM. Rd. 1 at 12PM, rest ASAP. EF-$15 by two days before the event, $20 after & onsite. Trophies or Medals for all Side Event players! ADDL. DETAILS: www.shelbycountychess.org. ENTRY: Online entry at www.cajunchess.com or mail registration to Shelby County Chess, ATTN: Amateur South, 1614 Vance Ave., Memphis, TN 38104. INFO: Arlene Kleiman, midsouthchess@ hotmail.com; Korey Kormick, [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP for main event. June 14, Nevada Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (Enhanced) 2012 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC) 6SS, G/10. FIDE Rated. Riviera Hotel and Casino, 2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas 89109. $$G 5,000. 1500-800-500, U2300 450, U2100 400, U1900 350, U1700 300, U1500 250, U1300 200, U1100 150, unrated 100. There must be 3 players eligible for each prize to be awarded. EF: $69 by 5/28, $79 by 6/13 $100 on site. REG.: 2-4 p.m. Rds.: 5-5:306-6:30-7-7:30. Higher of regular or quick rating used. Bring clocks. 1/2 point bye available in any round (limit 2). HR: $59 single or double ($89 Friday and Saturday nights). 1-800-634-6753 or (702) 734-5110. ENT: National Open, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925, on line www. VegasChessFestival.com or fax at (702) 933-9112. NS. NC. W.

USCF Membership Rates Premium (P) and Regular (R) (U.S., CANADA, MEXICO) Type Adult P Adult R Senior (65+) Young Adult P (U25)* Young Adult R (U25)* Youth P (U16)* Youth R (U16)* Scholastic P (U13)* Scholastic R (U13)*

1 yr $46 $40 $40 $33 $26 $28 $22 $24 $17

2yr $84 $72 $72 $61 $47 $51 $40 $43 $30

3yr $122 $104 $104 $88 $67 $73 $57 $61 $42

Premium membership provides a printed copy of Chess Life (monthly) or Chess Life for Kids (bimonthly) plus all other benefits of regular membership. Regular membership provides online-only access to Chess Life and Chess Life for Kids; a tournament life announcement newsletter will be mailed to adults bimonthly and to scholastic members three times per year. Youth provides bimonthy Chess Life, Scholastic bimonthly Chess Life for Kids, others listed above monthly Chess Life. See www.uschess.org for other membership categories. Dues are not refundable and may be changed without notice. *Ages at expiration


53

Tournament Life

NATIONAL SPRING

SCHOLASTIC

CHAMPIONSHIPS

2012 NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (K-12) CHAMPIONSHIP APRIL 13–15, 2012 Hyatt Regency Minneapolis 1300 Nicolett Mall Minneapolis, MN 55403 612-370-1234 Chess rate: $125 single/double/triple/quad

NATIONAL JUNIOR HIGH (K-9) CHAMPIONSHIP APRIL 27–29, 2012 Town and Country Resort 500 Hotel Circle North San Diego, CA 92108 1-800-772-8527 Chess rate: $125 single/double/triple/quad

NATIONAL ELEMENTARY (K-6) CHAMPIONSHIP MAY 11–13, 2012 Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center 2800 Opryland Drive Nashville, TN 37214 615-889-1000 or 888-777-6779 Chess rate: $139 single/double/triple/quad

FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT USCHESS.ORG

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A Heritage Event! An American Classic! June 15-17 or 16-17, Nevada Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 200 (Enhanced) 2012 National Open 6-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2 day option rds 1-3 G/45). Riviera Hotel and Casino, 2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas 89109. $80,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund will not be reduced. Championship. $$: 6400-3200-1600800-500-300-300-300-300-300-200-200-200-200-200, under 2500 1600, under 2400 1200, under 2300 1000. $2,000 EXTRA for perfect score. The winner of the Championship section also receives a replica of the Edmondson Cup. Under 2200. $$: 3200-1600-800-500-400-250-250-250-250-250200-200-200-200-200. Under 2000. $$: 3200-1600-800-500-400-250-250250-250-250-200-200-200-200-200. Under 1800. $$: 3200-1600-800-500400-250-250-250-250-250-200-200-200-200-200. Under 1600. $$: 32001600-800-500-400-250-250-250-250-250-200-200-200-200-200. Under 1400. $$: 2000-1000-700-400-300-250-250-250-250-250. Under 1200. $$: 1200-600-400-300-250-200-200-200-200. Unrated, $$: 500-300200. Plus Score Bonus ($14,000 guaranteed) in addition to any other prizes, every player who finishes with 3-1/2 points or better wins a $50 gift certificate. Plus score certificates will be awarded on site only. Players under age 15 are eligible for best game prizes including the Freddie award plus $200 (donated by Fred Gruenberg). Top 2 sections FIDE rated. EF: $169 by 2/29, $199 by 5/28, $219 by 6/13, $240 on site. $40 discount for seniors 65 and over. Add $120 for adults rated under 2100 or juniors under 2000 playing in the Championship Section. This is an open tournament - you may play in any section at or above your rating level; unrated players may play only in Unrated or Championship Section. Provisionally rated players may not win more than 3rd prize in any section except Championship. CCA minimum ratings or other ratings may be used if higher than USCF June Supplement. Reg.: 3 p.m.-10 p.m. Thursday, 89:30 a.m. Friday. Rds.: 11-6, 10-5, 10-5. 2-day schedule: Reg.: 8-9 a.m. Saturday. Rds.: 10-12-2-5: merge with 3-day in round 4. Half point byes available in any round, but round 5 or 6 byes must be requested before the start of round 2. Chess sets and boards provided for tournament play only, not for skittles. Please bring chess clocks! The LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL features the National Open, the U.S Game/10 Championship, the International Youth Championship and other events. Many free extras and surprises! Free parking. Free raffle with great prizes. Free GM Lectures. Free GM analysis of your games. Grandmaster Chess Camp for all ages on Thursday. U.S. Game/10 and Grandmaster Simuls Thursday afternoon. Youth Tournaments Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Poker Tournament Monday morning. LOW room rates! HR: $59 single or double ($89 Friday and Saturday nights). 1-800-634-6753 or (702) 734-5110. Don't be shut out; make your reservations early and be sure to ask for the chess rates; The Riviera sells out most weekends. Cutoff for special hotel rate is May 28th. Rates may be as high as $150 a night later. RESERVE NOW! Credit card or one night room deposit will be required to hold reservation, may be canceled 72 hours in advance for nominal fee. Tournament Registration: National Open, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925, on line at www.VegasChessFestival.com or by fax at (702) 933-9112. Info: (702) 560-0955 and leave a message. NS. W. FIDE. Chess Magnet School JGP. July 9-14, Texas 2012 U.S. Senior Open 6SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (3-Day Option, Rounds 1-3 G/55, d/5). Marriott Houston South at Hobby Airport, 9100 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX 77017, www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/houhh-houston-hobby-airport-marriott/. Free parking! $79 HR valid until 6/30 (includes free hot breakfast buffet!), Reserve early! 713-943-7979, Group Code: CHESS. Eligibility: Open to USCF members born on or before July 9, 1962. Prizes: $5,000 GTD! 1st-$1250, 2nd-$800, 3rd-$500, 4th-$300, U2300: $500-300, U2000: $300-150, U1800 $300-150, U1500/UNR $300-150. Awards: Commemorative Clocks for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and plaques for each champion, ages 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and over 75 (a player may win a place award and an age award). World Senior Entrant: Top finisher born on or before January 1, 1952 receives: 1) official USCF entrant in the World Senior Championship, and 2) a $500.00 USCF stipend towards expenses at the WSC. EF: $95 if rec'd by 6/30, $115 after or on site. Registration until 6 pm on July 9 (or until 9am July 12 for 3-Day Schedule). Registrations after that time may require byes. Rounds: Monday to Friday one round daily at 6:30 pm, Saturday one round at 11 a.m. 3-Day Schedule: Rounds Thursday at 10m, 12:30pm, 3pm; Merges with 6-Day Schedule on Round 4. Awards Banquet: Saturday at 7 p.m. Byes: Two 1/2 –point byes available if req. before end of rd 2. Entries: Mail to Francisco L. Guadalupe, 305 Willow Pointe Dr., League City, TX 77573. Info: [email protected]. Enter online: www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=2015413. Note: Active.com charges a small fee. Phone entries: (713) 530-7820. Add $5 (per player) for phone entries. Tournament website link at http:// main.uschess.org/content/view/10014/95. FIDE. July 13-15, Texas 2012 U.S. Junior Open 6SS, G/120,d5. Marriott Houston South at Hobby Airport, 9100 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX 77017. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/houhhhouston-hobby-airport-marriott/. Free parking! $79 HR valid until 6/30 (includes free hot breakfast buffet!), Reserve early! 713-943-7979, Group Code: CHESS. 4 Sections based on age as of 1/1/2012: Under 21, Under 15, Under 11 and Under 8. July Rating Supplement. U21: $500+entry to 2013 US Junior Closed - $250-$125-$75-$50. Individual plaques to top five overall, plaques for best player age 18, 17, 16, 15, Under 15, and for ratings U1600, U1400, U1200. U21 is also FIDE rated. U15: Individual trophies to top ten overall, trophies for best player age 14, 13, 12, 11, Under 11, and for ratings U1400, U1200, U1000. U11: Individual trophies to top ten overall, trophies to best player age 10, 9, 8, 7, Under 7, and for ratings U1200, U1000, U800. U8: Individual trophies to top ten overall, best player age 7, 6 & Under, and for ratings U1000, U800, U600; honorable mention trophies for all others U8. Commemorative medals for all participants. Teams: Trophies to top three school teams and top club team in each of the four sections. Top four scores, minimum of three, count towards team score in each section. Byes: One half-point

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bye, any round except Rd 6, if requested before Rd 1. EF: $35 postmarked or on line by 7/2, $50 after 7/2; no checks on site. Schedule: Onsite registration, Fri 8:30 – 11:00am. Opening Ceremony, Fri 12:45pm. Rounds, Fri 1pm & 6pm; Sat 9:30am & 2:15pm; Sun 9am & 1:30pm. Awards Ceremony 6:00pm (approx). Side Events: Blitz, U21 & U11. Sat 6:30pm, EF: $15 by 7/2, $20 on site. Bughouse: One section, Sat ASAP after Blitz, EF: $25 per team, on site only. Parents and Friends Tournament (not rated): 3SS, G/30, Sat, Rds 10:30, 2:30 & 4:00pm. EF: $20, on site only. Prizes: Trophies to top three plus one USCF Premium membership for each five participants. ENTRIES: Mail to Francisco L. Guadalupe, 305 Willow Pointe Dr., League City, TX 77573. Info: [email protected]. Enter online at: www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=2015371. Note: Active.com charges a small fee. Phone entries: (713) 530-7820. Add $3 (per player) for phone entries. Tournament website link at http://main.us chess.org/content/view/10014/95. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! Aug. 4-12, 7-12 or 9-12, Washington Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 300 113th annual U.S. Open Includes traditional one game per day schedule (9 days), also 6-day slow time control option, and 4-day option requiring only 3 nights hotel stay for most players. 9SS, 40/2, SD/1 (4 day option, Rds. 1-6, G/60). Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. 6th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660. SelfParking $13.00, valet $17.00 per night. HR: $110 single/quad, 360-993-4500, reserve by July 12 or rate may increase. $50,000 in prizes based on 500 paid entries, else proportional, $40,000 (80% of each prize) minimum guaranteed. Special prizes based on Life Titles. A one section tournament with Class prizes. Entry Fee: Online, $145 by 6/17, $165 by 7/29, $185 after 7/29. By mail, $147 postmarked by 6/17, $167 postmarked by 7/29; do not mail after 7/29! By phone, $150 by 6/17, $170 by 7/29, $185 after. No phone entries after 8/2 (close of business at the Office)! At site, all $190; GMs free. All entries must be made at least 2 hours prior to your first game. Current USCF membership required. August official ratings used; unofficial ratings used if otherwise unrated. CCA ratings used if above USCF. Foreign player ratings: usually 100 points added to FIDE or FQE, 200+ added to most foreign national ratings, no points added to CFC. Highest of multiple ratings generally used. Entries: USCF, ATTN: 2012 U.S. Open, PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557. Online entry: https://secure2.uschess.org/webstore/tournament.php?wk event=2012USOPEN. Phone entry: 800-903-8723. FIDE rated, No cell phones. Bring a clock -- none supplied. Sets/boards supplied for tournament but not for skittles. Side Events: Inaugural Women's US Open, 2012 Denker Tournament of HS Champions, the 2012 Barber Tournament of K-8 Champions, and the 2012 Trophies Plus U.S. Girls' Junior Open, U.S. Open Blitz Championship, Weekend Swiss, US Open Scholastic, US Open Quads, Open Bughouse, US Open G/15 Championship. Additional details next month!

Grand Prix Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, Pennsylvania Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 200 (Enhanced) 6th annual Philadelphia Open In 8 sections. Open Section, Apr 4-8: 9SS, 40/90, SD/30, inc30. GM & IM norms possible, FIDE rated. U2200 to Under 1200 Sections, Apr 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75, d/5, 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/40, d/5). Under 1000 Section, Apr 7-8: 7SS, G/40, d/5. At the upscale, luxury Loews Philadelphia Hotel, rated Four Diamonds by AAA, 1200 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19107. Prizes $80,000 based on 500 paid entries (seniors, re-entries, GMs, IMs, WGMs count as half entries, U1200 Section 40%entries, U1000 Section 15% entries), else proportional, minimum $60,000 (75% of each prize) guaranteed. Open: $7000-4000-2000-1000-800-700-600-500-400-400, clear or tiebreak first $200 bonus, FIDE Under 2400/Unr $2000-1000. Under 2200, Under 2000, Under 1800: each $5000-2500-1200-800-600500-400-300-300-300. Under 1600, Under 1400: each $4000-2000-1000700-500-400-300-200-200-200. Under 1200: $1500-800-500-300-200-200200-100-100-100. Under 1000: $400-200-100, trophies to first 5, top U800, U600, U400, Unrated. Prize limits: 1) If official rating 4/11-3/12 or unofficial post-event rating posted at uschess.org 4/4/11-4/4/12 is more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $1500. 2) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $200 in U1000, $400 U1200, $800 U1400, $1200 U1600, $1600 U1800, or $2000 U2000. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. 3) Provisional (425 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $300 in U1000, $800 U1200, $1500 U1400, or $2500 U1600. 4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Open EF: free to GMs, IMs, WGMs; $150 deducted from prize. US players with current or former FIDE ratings of 2200/over: $225 mailed by 3/27 or online by 4/2, $250 at site. Foreign FIDE rated players: $175 mailed by 3/27 or online by 4/2, $200 at site, Others: $375 mailed by 3/27 or online by 4/2, $400 at site. U2200 through U1400 Sections EF: 4-day $224, 3-day $223, 2-day $222 mailed by 3/27, $225 online by 4/2, $250 at site. U1200 Section EF: 4day $84, 3-day $83, 2-day $82 mailed by 3/27, $85 online by 4/2, $100 at site. U1000 Section EF: $32 mailed by 3/27, $35 online by 4/2, $50 at site. Phone EF: All $5 more than online EF, 406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions), available only through 4/2. Online late entry after 4/2: available until 2 hours before your first game, same price as entry at site. EF $100 less to rated seniors 65/over in U2200 through U1400. Special 1 year USCF membership with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. 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 6 pm, rds. Wed. 7 pm, Thu 12 & 7, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day schedule (U2200-U1200): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule (U2200-U1200): Reg. ends Fri 10 am, rds Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U2200-U1200): Reg. ends Sat. 9am, rds Sat. 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day, 3-day, & 2-day merge & compete for same prizes. Under 1000 schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 9 am, rds Sat 10, 12, 2 &

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3:45, Sun 10, 12 & 2. Byes: NOTE CHANGE: Half point byes OK all rounds, limit 4 byes, Open Section must commit before rd 2, other sections before rd 4. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: $98-98-123-123, 215-627-1200, reserve by 3/21 or rate may increase. Parking: Hotel has valet parking only, with a special chess rate of $30/day. Many parking lots nearby charge much less, with rates lowest on the weekend. Gateway Garage, 1540 Vine St. (1 block from Sheraton Hotel) is about $5/day Sat & Sun, $18/day other days. Car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online at chesstour. com. Ratings: FIDE used for Open, USCF April list for U2200 & below; note that ratings after the April list (see above) may result in a $1500 prize limit. Foreign player ratings: For U2200 and below, usually100 points added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 100/more to most other foreign, no points added to CFC, PR or Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U2000 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. Special rules: Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 3 or after, players with scores of 80% or over and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones or cell phones or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: www.chesstour. com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845-496-9658. You may request “lowest possible section” if April rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 6-8, Nevada Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 150 (Enhanced) 12th Annual Reno-Larry Evans Memorial (formerly Far West Open) OPEN. 6SS,40/2,20/1,G/1/2. Sands Regency Hotel/Casino, 345 N. Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501.1-866-386-7829 or (775) 348-2200. $$21,000 b/250. $$14,000 Gtd. (Prizes 1-10 in Open Section Gtd. plus 1/2 of all other prizes). 5 Sections. Open (2000 & above) EF: $137, (1999 & below = $151) (GMs & IMs free but must enter by (3/10) or pay late fee) .$$2,000-1,200-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300,300, (2399/below)$1,000, (2299/below)- $1,000,(2199/below) -$1000-500-300-200 (If a tie for 1st then a playoff for $100 out of prize fund plus trophy). Sec.”A” (18001999) EF: $136; $$1,000-500-400-300-200-100-100-. Sec.”B” (16001799) EF: $135; $$900-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec.”C” (1400-1599) EF: $134; $$700-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec.”D”/under (1399-below) EF: $133;$$600-400-300-200-100-100-100; Top Senior (65+) -$200; Club Champ.-$400-200. ALL: Entries must be postmarked by 3/10 or pay late fee-$11 until 3/31 (do not mail after 3/31), $22 at site. All classes have trophies 1st – 3rd. Unrated players are free entry but not eligible for cash prizes- must join USCF for 1 full year thru this tournament. 1st Unrated = trophy + 1 yr. USCF Mem. $10 discount to Seniors (65+ yrs.). Players may play up. Provisionally rated players may only win 1/2 of 1st place money. CCA ratings may be used. Note: pairings not changed for color unless 3 in a row or a plus 3 and if the unlikely situation occurs 3 colors in a row may be assigned. SIDE EVENTS: Thurs. (4/05) 6-7:15pm Lecture by IM John Donaldson (FREE); 7:30pm- GM Alexander Ivanov Simul ($15); 7:30pm-Blitz (5 Min) tourney ($20) 80% entries = Prize Fund. Sat. (4/07) (3-4:30pm) Free Game/Position Analysis - IM John Donaldson. ALL REG: (4/05) 5-10pm, (4/06) 9-10am. RDS: (Fri) 12-7, (Sat) 10-6, (Sun) 9:30-4:30. Byes available any round (if requested by Rd.1). ENT: make checks payable and send to: SANDS REGENCY (address listed above), postmarked by 3/10. $11 late fee if postmarked after 3/10 and before 3/31. Do not mail after 3/31 or email after 4/03. $22 late fee at site. HR: (Sun-Thurs. $27!) (Fri. & Sat. $47!) + tax.1-866-386-7829 mention (Code) CHESS405 (Reserve by 3/26/12) to get Chess rate. INFO: Jerry Weikel, 6578 Valley Wood Dr., Reno, NV 89523, (775) 747-1405, wackyykl@ aol.com or check out our website at: www.renochess.org/fwo. To verify entry check website. FIDE. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 14-15, Missouri Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 30 Saint Louis Open 5/SS, G/120. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Maryland Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. Free entries for GMs and IMs. EF: $60, $50 for annual members of the club if registered by 4/13. Two Sections: Open & U2000. Prize Fund: $4,050 UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED!! Open: $750-$500-$325-$225-$150. Under 2200-$300-$200-$100. FIDE. Under 2000 Section: $400-$250-$200. U1800: $225-$175. U1400: $150$100. Winner of each Section qualifies for the 2013 Club Championship. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: Saturday 10, 2:30, 7. Sunday 10, 2:30. Two half point byes available if declared before Round 2. MCA Membership required from $5. OSA. Ent: 4657 Maryland Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108, or online at saint louischessclub.org Info: 314-361-CHESS, [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 14-15, Texas Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 (Enhanced) 2012 DCC Fide Open III 5SS, G/90inc30. Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr #C, Richardson, TX 75080. One Section $$750G. Open: This section is FIDE rated but uses USCF Rules. $500-$250. EF: $75, Senior/Hcap/Additional Family Member $50, plus $5 non-DCC membership fee if applicable. Registra-

tion: 9:45 -10:15 am. Rds.: Sat 10:45-3:10-7:16, Sun 10:45-3:10. One Bye allowed if requested before rd 2, withdrawals and zero point last round byes are not eligible for prizes. Small appearance fee to the First two GM/IM who apply. GM/IM must play all rounds to get appearance fee. Ent: Dallas Chess Club, see address above. Info: 214-632-9000, info@ dallaschess.com NS. NC. FIDE. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 14-15, Virginia Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15 Kingstowne Chess Festival - 10th Annual! 6450 S. Van Dorn St., Alexandria, VA 22315. 4 Sections: Open (FIDErated): 4SS, 40/100 SD/60 d/5. EF: $50 if received by 4/11, $65 at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF: $94 if received by 4/11, $109 at site. Prizes $$1,000G: $400-250-125. U1800-U1600-Unr. each $75. Rds.: 11-5, 10-4. Amateur (U1800-Unr.): 5SS, G/100 d/5. EF: $20 if received by 4/11, $35 at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF: $64 if received by 4/11, $79 at site. Prizes $$500 b/32: $180-100-70. U1600-U1400Unr. each $50. No unrated may win more than $140. Rds.: 11-3-7, 11:30-4. Booster (U1600-Unr): 5SS, G/100 d/5. EF: $15 if received by 4/11, $30 at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF: $59 if received by 4/11, $74 at site. Prizes $$370 b/32: $150-80-50. U1400-U1200-Unr. each $30. No unrated may win more than $100. Rds.: 11-3-7, 11:30-4. Novice (U1400-Unr): 6SS, G/75 d/5. EF: $10 if received by 4/11, $25 at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF: $54 if received by 4/11, $69 at site. Prizes $$285 b/32: $100-70-40. U1200-U1000-Unr. each $25. No unrated may win more than $80. Rds.: 11-1-4-7, 12:30-4. All: One half-point bye allowed in Open, two in other sections. Last round bye must be requested by end of section's play Sat. and irrevocable. Drawing before start of last round for "Titanic trilogy:" DVDs of A Night to Remember, Titanic (1953), and Titanic (1996) for 100th anniversary of sinking. Reg.: 8:30-10:15. Ent (checks payable to): Don W. Millican, P.O. Box 2902, Springfield, VA 22152. Opening ceremony 10:45. FIDE. W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 15, Massachusetts Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (Enhanced) 22nd Massachusetts G/60 Championship 4-SS, G/60 d/5. Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlboro, MA (I-495, exit 24B, Rt. 20W, one mile from exit). 508460-0700 or 888-543-9500. $$ 2,000 b/80 paid entries, 75% G. 5 sects. Open Section: $300-150, Top U2200 $150. Under 2000 Section: $250125. Under 1750 Section: $250-125. Under 1500 Section: $200-100, Top U1350 $75. Under 1200 Section: $125-75, Top U1000 $75. Unrated prize limits: $75 in U1200, $100 in U1500, $150 in U1750, $200 in U2000. EF: $34 if postmarked by 4/10 or online by 4/13, $40 at site. $10 discount to unrated and to players in U1200 Section. GMs and IMs free. Reg.: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Rds.: 10-1-3:30-6. Other: Bye 1-3 with entry, limit 1. MACA memb. req. for Mass. residents ($12 adult, $6 jr. U18, add $8 for Chess Horizons subscription). Ent: Bob Messenger, 4 Hamlett Dr. Apt. 12, Nashua, NH 03062 or online (PayPal) at www.MassChess.org. Make checks payable to MACA. Info: (603) 891-2484 or send email to info@ masschess.org. NS. W. Apr. 17, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15 (Enhanced) Marshall Masters! 4-SS, G/25d5. Third Tuesday of every month. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring over 50% in any MCC Open or U2300 tournament since the prior month's Masters). EF: $40, members $30, GMs free. $$G250-150-100. Prizes to U2400, U2300 and biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45 pm. Rds.: 78:15-9:30-10:45. One bye available (Rd 1 or 4 only), request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. Apr. 20-22 or 21-22, Indiana Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 Indiana Memorial Open 5SS, Game/90 inc/30. Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 2930 Waterfront Pkwy., West Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46214. EF: $60 rcvd by 4/17, $70 at site. (2-day option EF: $59/$70 at site). u1200 EF: $10/15 at site (2day option EF: $9/$15 at site). Memb. Req'd: ISCA Reg. $15. OSA. $$GTD: $500-230. Class A $190-75, Class B $185-75, Class C $180-75, Class D $175-75. u1200 1st, 2nd, 3rd Trophies only. Upset $40. Reg: ends Fri. 6:30pm (2-day option: Regs. ends Sat. 9:30am). Rds: Fri. 7pm, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-2:30 (2-day option: Sat. 10-1:30-5, Sun. 10-2:30). ENT: ISCA, C/o Gary Fox, P.O. 114, Logansport, IN 46947. INFO: info@indianachess. org. HR: $69 (317) 299-8400. www.indianachess.org. All Prizes Unconditionally Guaranteed. NS. NC. W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 20-22 or 21-22, Iowa Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 6th Annual Okoboji Open, Reserve (U1600) & Scholastics (K-12) Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center, 1405 Highway 71 S, Okoboji, IA 51355. In 3 Sections. Okoboji Open: 5SS, Game/120 (2 games at G/90 if playing in 2 day option), EF: $50 if registered by 4/13/2012, $60 on site. Jr. and Sr. ($40 if pre-registered), GM's and IM's free entry. $$b/30 (top 3 guaranteed): $325+T-250-150. Experts/Class A/Class B: $100$60 each; Class C and below $50. State membership required, other states

VERMONT RESORT OPEN, April 27-29 or 28-29 NEW SITE! Holiday Inn Rutland/Killington, Vermont’s most upscale Holiday Inn, near intersection of US-4 and US-7. Free parking, free wireless, heated pool, exercise room, free shuttle to Amtrak, bus terminal or Rutland Airport, restaurants within walking distance. $2000 guaranteed prizes. See “Grand Prix” this issue for full details.


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Tournament Life accepted. 2 day round times: April 21: 9-1-4:30. April 22: 9-2:30. 3 day round times: April 20: 6:00. April 21: 9-4:30; April 22. 9-2:30 (2 and 3 day options merge after round 2). On Site Reg: 4/20 5:00-5:45, 4/21 8:008:45. Okoboji Reserve: 5SS, 2 games at G/90 (4/21 (9:00-1:00), 3 games at G/120, Open to 1599 & under. EF: $40 if registered by 4/13/2011, $50 on site. $$b/20: $125+T-80-60. Class D: $60 - $30; Class E: $30; Class F/Unrated $30. Rounds: April 21: 9-1-4:30 April 22: 9-2:30 On Site Reg: 4/21 8:00-8:45. Okoboji Scholastics (K-4 and K-12) 4/21/2011: 5SS, Game 30, EF: $10. Prizes: Trophies to first place, medals to second and third (K-4 and K-12). On Site Reg only 8:00-8:30. Rounds: 8:45, 10, 11:30, 4 & 5 ASAP. ALL: 1 half point bye per player allowed if requested in advance. Advance Registration: Jodene Kruse, 934 6th St., Sibley, IA 51249. INFO: Jodene Kruse, [email protected]. HR: $89 if reserved by April 3rd, 1-800-727-4561. NS. NC. SIDE EVENT: IM John Bartholomew will be giving a lecture/simul on 4/20 at 4PM, Simul cost $10, lecture $5 (free to players). Chess Magnet School JGP for main event. Apr. 20-22, Kentucky Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15 4th Annual WKU Open 5 SS, G/120, 2-day event. Western Kentucky University Campus, 1906 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green, KY 42101 (www.hilltopperchess.net). EF: $70 (by 4/14; GM/IM free entry; College $35), $75 on site. Prizes: $5,000 b/75 ($3,000 gtd); GM/IM & college = half entry. In 6 sections: 1st-5th place: $625, 475, 250, 175, 110; Class A $225, 175, 125, 75, 75; Class B $225, 175, 125, 75, 75; Class C $225, 175, 125, 75, 75; Class D $165, 140, 125, 70, 70; Class E and below $165, 140, 125, 70, 70; Unrated $125, 75. Unrated in any section can only win unrated prizes. Sections under 8 players will be combined. Rds.: Sat. 10-2:30-7; Sun. 10-2:30. Side Event: SOKY G/10 Championship. Fri 4/20. 5 SS, G/10. EF: $15 (by 4/14; discount: G/10 + Open = $75; College = $45 by 4/14). Prizes (b/25): $250, $150, $75, $25. Bring your own clocks. Rds.: 7 pm then ASAP. Side Event: SOKY Scholastic Chess Championship. Sat only 4/21. 5 SS, G/30. USCF rated. Prizes: top 3 overall winners in 9-12 will receive WKU Academic Scholarships (1) Full tuition and fees annual scholarship, (2) $3,000 annual room and board scholarship, (3) $500 annual book scholarship (conditions apply, see website for details); Trophies to top five teams in each section, and top 8 individuals in each section. SECTIONS: High School (k-12), Jr. High (k-8), Elementary (k-5), Primary (k-3, & k-1). EF: $15 by 4/14, $25 on site. Reg.: Sat. 4/21 8-9 am or online by 4/14. Rds.: 10 am, 2-5 ASAP. Location: Warren South High School, 8140 Nashville Rd., Bowling Green, KY 42101. Side Event: Friends and Family Tournament. Sat. 4/21 only. 5 SS, G/30. Non-rated. EF: $8. Reg/Rds/Location: see scholastic. Prizes:Trophies to top 3 individuals in sections: Adult (18+), Seniors (50+), High-school (k-12), Primary (k-1). Trophies to top ten in sections: Jr. High (k-8), Elementary (k-5), Primary (k-3). Hotel Rates: Must mention "WKU Chess" for special rate: News Inn $49/room 3160 Scottsville Rd., Bowling Green, KY-42104; Tel: 270-781-3460 (only 20 rooms available so reserve early!). Overflow: Country Inn & Suites $79/room includes hot breakfast (behind News Inn). Byes: 1/2 point each (limit 1),

CONTINENTAL CHESS SCHEDULE Visit our website at www. chesstour. com for late news, results, games, CCA minimum ratings, advance entries, and more! Most tournaments have alternate schedules playing less or more days than listed below. Asterisk means full details in this issueotherwise, see future issues or our website. 4/4-8: Philadelphia Open, Philadelphia PA* 4/27-29: Green Mountain Open, Rutland VT* 5/4-6: Western Amateur, Los Angeles CA* 5/18-20: New York State Open, Lake George NY* 5/24-28: Chicago Open, Wheeling IL* 6/8-10: Northeast Open, Stamford CT* 6/29-7/3: Philadelphia International, Philadelphia PA* 7/4-8: World Open, Philadelphia PA* 7/20-22: Chicago Class, Wheeling IL* 7/20-22: Pacific Coast Open, Agoura Hills CA* 7/27-29: Southern Open, Orlando FL* 7/27-29: Bradley Open, Windsor Locks CT* 8/3-5: Cleveland Open, Cleveland OH* 8/10-12: Continental Open, Sturbridge MA* 8/17-19: Indianapolis Open, Indianapolis IN 8/17-19: Manhattan Open, New York NY* 8/17-19: Central California Open, Fresno CA 8/24-26: Atlantic Open, Washington DC 9/1-3: New York State Championship, Albany NY 9/14-16: New England Senior, Windsor Locks CT 9/15-16: Hartford Open, Windsor Locks CT 9/21-23: Louisville Open, Louisville KY 10/4-8: Continental Class, Arlimgton VA 10/5-7: Los Angeles Open, Los Angeles CA 10/12-14: Midwest Class, Wheeling IL 10/19-21: Boardwalk Open, Asbury Park NJ 10/24-28: Bahamas International, Nassau, Bahamas 11/2-4: Eastern Team Championship, Stamford CT 11/9-11: Kings Island Open, Mason OH 11/23-25: Natiional Chess Congress, Philadelphia PA 12/26-29: North American Open, Las Vegas NV For later events, see chesstour.com.

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must commit by 2nd rd. Mail EF to: Dr. Dale Rigby, c/o WKU Chess Club, 110 A Cherry Hall, 1906 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green, KY 42101. Chief TD: Chris Prosser. For more info: Samuel J. Hunt (918) 809 6278, [email protected], www.hilltopperchess.net. Chess Magnet School JGP for Main Event. A State Championship Event! Apr. 21, New Hampshire Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 New Hampshire Quick Chess Championship (QC) Now in a new location! 8SS, GAME/25 Delay/3, Holiday Inn Portsmouth, 300 Woodbury Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801. EF: $20 postmarked by 14 April, $25 at site. Memb. Req'd: $8, Juniors $6. OSA. $$GTD: $200-100. U2000 $100. U1600 $100. Plaque to top finishing NH resident. Reg.: 9:009:45. Rds.: 10-11-1-2-3-4-5:30-6:30. Byes available any round, limit two. Must be requested before round four. ENT: Alex Relyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. INFO: Alex Relyea [email protected]. HR: (603) 431-8000. www.relyeachess.com. NS. W. Apr. 21, Tennessee Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 Bluff City Open 4SS, G/60. Greater Memphis Chess Center, 5796 Shelby Oaks Dr., Suite 11, Memphis, TN 38134. $500 prizes GTD. 3 Sections: Open, Amateur (U1600) and Scholastic(U1200). Prizes: Open: 1st $200, 2nd $100. Amateur: $125, $75. Scholastic: Trophies to top 3. Open and Amateur EF: $30 ($25 for MCC and GMCC members). Scholastic EF: $15 ($12 for members). Rounds: 10-1-3-5. Registration 04/21: 8:30-9:30am. Friday night side event: Bluff City Blitz. G/5, 5 rds, double-swiss. 1st round at 7:30pm. EF: $12 ($10 for members). Prizes: 1st 35%, 2nd 20%. Entries: Memphis Chess Club Inc. PO Box 17864, Memphis, TN 38187-0864, www. memphischess.com, [email protected]. Apr. 21, Texas Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 Temple Chess Club Spring Swiss 2012 3-SS, G/90 w/5 Sec delay. Playing Site: Holiday Inn, 5247 S. General Bruce Dr., (Service road on East side of I-35 just North of Midway exit # 297), Temple, TX 76502, (254) 778-5511. Gtd. Prizes $600. 2 Sections Open to all. Prize fund $375 - 1st = $200, 2nd = $100, U1700 = $75; Reserve U1400: Prize fund $225 - 1st = $100, 2nd = $75, U1200 = $50. All: EF: $25 if paid in advance, $30 on site. $5 discount for current Texas Chess Association members. Reg.: 8-8:45. Rds.: 9 am, 1 pm, 4:15 pm. USCF membership required. No State membership. UR placed at the discretion of the TD. Advanced entry: Forrest Marler, 4102 West Adams Ave., #104, Temple, TX 76504-3551. 254-231-7026. [email protected]. NS, NC, W. Apr. 21, Wisconsin Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 Hales Corners Challenge XV 4SS, G/60. 2 Sections: Open & Reserve (under 1600). Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel, 4747 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee, 414-481-8000. (mention Southwest Chess Club for $79 room rate). EF: $35-Open, $25-Reserve, both $5 more after 4/18. Comp EF for USCF 2200+. $$ Open =1st-$325 (guaranteed), 2nd-$175 (guaranteed), A-$100, B & Below-$75; $$ Reserve =1st-$100, 2nd-$75, D-$50, E & Below-$40. Reg.: 8:30-9:30. Rds.: 10-1-3:30-6. Entries to: Allen Becker, N112 W17033 Vista Court, Apt. D, Germantown, WI 53022; [email protected]. Questions to TD: Robin Grochowski, (414) 861-2745 (cell). Apr. 21-22, California, Northern Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 7th Annual Frank Doyle Open Frank Doyle Open Exchange Bank, 444 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95401. 4 round Swiss, G/120. In 3 Sections, Open: $$GTD: $250-175. Reserve: Open to 1899 & under. $$GTD: $200-125. Booster: Open to 1499 & under. $$GTD: $150-100. Unr. must play in Booster Section. Unrated players winning prizes will only receive half of the prize. ALL: EF: $35 advance until 4/18, $45 at site. Reg.: 04/21 8:30am-9:30am. Rds.: Sat 10,3; Sun 10,3. ENT: Paul Stagnoli, 4233 Kintyre Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95409-4127. INFO: (707)478-4385 [email protected]. No phone or e-mail entries. Bring equipment, none provided. No Cell phones allowed. NS. NC.W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 22, California, Southern Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 LACC - 2012 Westwood Spring Open 5SS, G/45. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. 2 sections: Open

WARNING! THE USE OF A

CELL PHONE IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM IS

PROHIBITED! AT MOST TOURNAMENTS!

IF YOUR CELL PHONE RINGS IN A ROOM WITH GAMES IN PROGRESS, YOU COULD BE SEVERELY PENALIZED, MAYBE EVEN FORFEITED!

TURN IT OFF!

& U1800; EF: $55 ($50 by 4/21); $50 LACC members ($45 by 4/21). Reg.: 9:00-9:45 am. Rds.: 10:00, 11:30, 1:30, 3:15, 4:45. Byes: Up to two 1/2 pt. byes available. Prizes: $$ 1,500 (b/45 - 50% Guaranteed). 1st-5th $400-200-100-50-50 U2000: $100. U1800: $200- $100; U1600: $100–Digital Clock; U1400: $100-$50-Clock. Ent: LACC Box 251774, LA, CA 90025. Info: Mick Bighamian: Cell (310) 795-5710; [email protected] or www.LAChessClub.com. Parking: Free street & BoA Parking; or building basement ($3). Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, Florida Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 40 19th Space Coast Open 5SS, Top section FIDE rated at G/100+Increment 30. Lower sections G/120+Delay 5. (2-day Rd. 1 for all sections G/60+Delay 5). DoubleTree Hotel Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, 2080 North Atlantic Avenue. (Hwy A1A), Cocoa Beach, FL. $$10,000 b/165 pd., 72% Gtd. 6 Sections: Master/ Expert: $1200+trophy-700-300, U2400 $600+trophy, U2200 $600+trophy-300. Class A: $600+trophy-300-200. Class B: $600+trophy-300-200. Class C: $600+trophy-300-200. Class D: $600+trophy-300-200. U1200: $600+trophy-300-200, U1000 $300+trophy-200, U800 $200+trophy100, trophies to top Brevard County scholastics players in K-3, K-5, K-8, K-12, book to plus score not winning other prize. All: Rated players may play up one class only. Unr. may play in Master or U1200. Unr. limited to $100 prize unless place prize in Master. Prizes for 1st-3rd brilliancy and biggest upset rds 1-4. EF: $79 via mail or on-line by 4/20, $90 on-line by 4/26 or at site (no credit cards); $20 less if Unr. or under age 18. Re-entry $40 by round 3 (1/2 point Byes for earlier rounds). GM/IM free entry available on-line until 3/31, else $80 from prize. Special EF for Brevard County students in any section: $20 on-line by 4/20, $25 on-line by 4/26 or at site (counts as 1/4 entry for based on prize fund). Reg.: ends 1 hr. before 1st rd. Rds.: Rd. 1 8pm Fri (2-day 10am Sat. at G/60), Rds. 2-5 Sat. 1-7, Sun. 9-2:30. Side events: Space Coast Open Blitz. 4-SS (2 games/Rd), G/5. Prizes: Cash prizes based on entries. EF: $10. Rds Sat. 12:30-6:30, Sun. 8:30-2:00. (i.e., Blitz rounds are prior to rounds 2-5 of main tournament). Other events: see sco2012.eventbrite.com. HR: $9999-109-109, $129 oceanfront (King only), $129 suite ($139 triple/quad occupancy). 800-552-3224 or 321-783-9222, ask for Space Coast Chess rate, reserve by 4/7. Ent: Space Coast Chess Foundation, c/o Harvey Lerman, 921 N. Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751 or sco2012.eventbrite.com. Info only: Peter Dyson 321-452-9863, [email protected]. FIDE, W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, Maryland Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 50 2012 Maryland Open 5SS, 40/100, SD/45 inc/30, (Rnd 1 G/90 inc/30) (2-day schedule: rds 12 G/45 inc/30) U1200 G/120 d/5(2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60 d/5). Rockville Hilton, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-468-1100. All prizes guaranteed. 4 sections: Open FIDE: $1200-600-300-200-100, top U2201 $125, top Life Master $100. Amateur Section (U2000): $800-400-250-125-75, top U1800 $125, top 1st Cat $90. Reserve Section (U1600): $650-350-200-100-75, top U1400 $110, top 3rd Cat $80. Novice (U1200): $500-250-150-100-75, top U1000 $100, top unrated $70. Unrated may not win over $200 in U1200 or $300 in U1600. A free continental breakfast for participants will be provided on Sunday morning. We will optionally text your pairings to your cell phone. EF: $60 by 4/12 mail or online, $70 by 4/24 online, $75 by 4/26 online, and $80 at the door. Special EFs: GM&IMs free; $60 deducted from prize. Special HR: $99, ($25 EF discount if staying in hotel) may not be avail after 4/12, free Sat. night room for GMs registering early. Open, U2000, & U1600 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 7 pm, rds Fri 8, Sat 11&6, Sun 9&3. Open, U2000, & U1600 2-day schedule: reg ends Sat 10am rds 11-2:156, 9-3 U1200 3-day schedule Reg. ends Fri 7 pm, rds Fri 8, Sat 11&3:30, Sun 9&1:00 U1200 2-day schedule Reg. ends Sat 10am rds 11, 1:15 & 3:30, Sun 9&1:00. Ent: MCA, c/o Michael Regan, 1827 Thornton Ridge Rd., Towson, MD 21204. Online entry and link to room reservations at: http://the mdopen.com. Questions: [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, Vermont Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 (Enhanced) 23rd annual Vermont Resort Open 5SS, 30/90, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60, d/5). Holiday InnRutland/Killington, 476 Holiday Drive (near intersection US-4 and US-7), Rutland, VT 05701. Free shuttle to Amtrak, bus terminal or Rutland Airport. Free parking, free wireless, heated pool, whirlpool, exercise room; restaurants within easy walking distance. $2000 guaranteed prizes. In 3 sections. Open: $400-200-150, top Under 2010/Unr $220-110. Under 1810: $300-150-80, top Under 1610 $160-80, no unrated may win over $150. Under 1410: $100-50, trophies to first 3, top Under 1210, Under 1010, Under 810, Unrated. Top 2 sections EF: 3-day $68, 2-day $67 if check mailed by 4/20, all $69 online at chesstour.com by 4/25, $75 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 4/25 (entry only, no questions), $80 at site. Under 1410 Section EF: All $40 less than top 2 sections EF. All: No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry $40, not available in Open. GMs & IMs free; $60 deducted from prize. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 9 & 2:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 9 & 2:15. Half point byes OK all, limit 2; must commit before rd 2. HR: $89-89, 802-775-1911, reserve by 4/13. Car rental: Avis, 800-3311600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online at chesstour.com. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. DirectorAtChess.us, chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 28, Virginia Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 2012 Walter Muir Memorial 3-Round Swiss System Game/90 w/5 second delay. St. John's Lutheran Church, 4608 Brambleton Ave. SW, Roanoke, VA 24018. GUARANTEED PRIZES:Top Section: $125-$100-$75. Additional Sections: If Octagonals, Each is guaranteed $125-$100, If Hexagonals, Each is guaranteed $100-

uschess.org


Crowne Plaza Hotel, 6345 Powers Ferry Rd., Atlanta, GA 30339. (770)955-1700. $10,000 b/150, 1st place in each section GTD, others 50% GTD. In 5 sections: Championship: FIDE RATED with U.S.C.F. rules. 5-SS, G/90 with 30 second increments, (2-day option Rd. 1 G/90, d/5). $1,000500-300-200; u2200: $400, u2050: $400. Under 1900: $700-300-200-100: u1800: $200. Under 1700: $700-300-200-100: u1600: $200. Under 1500: $600-300-200-100; u1350: $200. Under 1200: $600-300-200100, U1000: $200. Lower 4 sections: 5-SS, G/120 (2-day option Rd. 1 G/90, d/5). ALL: EF: $84 2-day, $85 3-day in advance: $90 at site. Free to GM's and IM's, $50 taken from winnings. Juniors playing in Under 1200: $50 for no prizes. Unrateds: $50, can win 100% Championship and $200 in lower sections. Re-entry: $35. No re-entry for Championship section. May play up 1 section only. Byes: limit 2, not 5th, must request before 1st round. G.C.A. membership required, other states ok. 3-day schedule: Reg.: ends 7 p.m. Friday. Rounds: 7:30 p.m., 2:30-7:30, 10-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg.: ends 10 a.m. Rounds: 1st at 10:30 a.m., then merges with 3-day. 5/6: Georgia Chess Business Meeting- 2:30 p.m. Hotel: $79 for single or double. Mention Georgia Chess. Info: Thad Rogers [email protected]. or (478)-973-9389. Enter: Online at georgiachess.org or mail to G.C.A., P.O. Box 2584, Suwanee, GA 30024. NS. NC. W. Chess Magnet School JGP.

$75, If Quads, Each is guaranteed $100. ENTRY FEE: If received by April 27, $30.00. At site, $40.00. REGISTRATION: 6-9pm on 4/27; 8:30-9:30am on 4/28. ROUNDS: 10-2-6. BYES: One only per tournament; must request before 1st round begins. ADVANCE ENTRIES: Roanoke Valley Chess Club, P.O. Box 14143, Roanoke, VA 24038. PHONE: (540) 344-4446. EMAIL: [email protected]. WEB PAGE: roanokechess.com. NS. NC. W. Apr. 28, Virginia Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 Sterling Chess April Open and RBO Hilton Inn & Suites Dulles, 22700 Holiday Park Dr., Sterling, VA 20166. Three sections: Open 4SS, G/61 d5, $$300 Gtd., 150/100/50. U1600 4SS, G/61 d5, medal to winner. U1000 4SS, G/25 d5, medal to winner. Rds.: Open and U1600 11:15, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00. U1000 11:30, 12:45, 2:00, 3:15. Doors open 10:30. EF: Open $25, U1600 $20, U1000 $15. Unrateds free. Entries limited: Register online at www.meetup.com/sterlingchess-tournaments. Pay on website. Info: [email protected]. Bye: Half-point, any round. Chess Magnet School JGP for top two sections. Apr. 28-29, Missouri Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 Joplin Benefit Tournament 100% of entry fees will be donated to the Joplin Habitat for Humanity to support building for tornado impacted families. 5SS, G/90,d/5. La Quinta Inn (Room A), 3320 South Rangeline Rd., Joplin, MO 64804. 2 sections: Open, U1600. Sections may be combined for pairing purposes. $$Gtd. $490. Open: $150-100-60. U1600: $80-60-40. EF: $40 (by 04/27), $50 on site. Cash only on site. Registration: 8:30-9:45. MCA Membership required from $5.OSA. Rounds: Sat: 10:00, 1:30, 5:00. Sun: 10:00, 1:30. One 1/2 point bye if requested before round 3. Ent: info@joplin chess.org with cash on-site or mailed to Joplin Chess Club, 2609 New Hampshire, Joplin, MO 64804. Checks payable to Martin Stahl. HR: $69 plus tax by 3/27, after based on availability. 417-781-0500, mention Chess Tournament. Info: www.joplinchess.org, [email protected] or 417483-1554. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 28-29 or 29, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (Enhanced) Marshall April Grand Prix! 4-SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $50, members $30. $$625 Gtd: 275-150, U2200/unr. $105, U2000 $95. Reg. ends 15 min. before round. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, Rds. 12:305:30PM each day; 1-day, (Rds. 1-2 G/25d5) 10-11:15AM-12:30-5:30PM Sun; both merge rd. 3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. FIDE (G/30 not FIDE ratable). www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.

A Heritage Event! May 4-6 or 5-6, Ohio Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 60 (Enhanced) 48th Cincinnati Open 5SS; Hilton Garden Inn, 5200 Natorp Blvd., Mason, OH 45040. Five Sections: Open, U2200, U1900, U1600, U1300. Time Control: 40/2, SD/60 d/5; 2-day rds 1&2 G/75 d/5. Prizes: Open: $1,000-750-500-250; U2200: $700-500-300-150; U1900: $400-300-200-100; U1600: $300-200-150100; U1300: $225-150-125-100. Open section prizes guaranteed; other prizes in the under sections based on 100 total entries for the tournament, else proportional. (No unrated may win more than the third-place prize amount except in Open.) Entry fee: $95 if mailed/emailed by April 30, 2012; $115 after April 30/onsite. Re-entry $50. Free entry to GMs/IMs who complete schedule; $95 deducted from prize. Registration: Friday, May 4 5:00-6:30; Saturday, May 5 9:00-10:30. 3-day schedule: Friday 7:00, Saturday 11:00 and 5:30, Sunday 9:30 and 4:00. 2-day schedule: Saturday 11:00 and 2:00, then merge with 3-day. Byes: Maximum two halfpoint byes, must commit before round 3. HR: $99, group code COT, reserve by 4/13/2012 or rate may go up; reservations 800-560-7843 or 513-2046000 or www.cincinnatimason.hgi.com. Bring sets and clocks. Advance entries: Cincinnati Open, PO Box 499006, Cincinnati, OH 45249-9006 or by email to [email protected]. Registration form and complete information at www.Chessinnati.com. Questions: Alan Hodge 513-697-6930, [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP.

A Heritage Event! A State Championship Event! May 4-6 or 5-6, Georgia Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 40 2012 Georgia Chess Championship

May 10, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (Enhanced) 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight! 4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 West 10 St., bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs

$25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may be limited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105, U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game. Rds. 7-8:15-9:3010:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! May 12, Vermont Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 White River Open Fairfield Inn and Suites, 102 Ballardvale Dr., White River Junction, VT 05001. In 3 Sections, Open: 4SS, GAME/65, D/5, $$GTD: $275-150-75. U2000 $100 U1750 $100. U1500: 4SS, GAME/65, D/5, Open to 1499 & under. $$GTD: $150-50. U1250 $100. U1000: 4SS, GAME/65, D/5, Open to 999 & under. Open to Adult Unrated not allowed in U1000. $$GTD: $100. ALL: EF: $28 postmarked by 5 May, $33 at site. Reg.: 9:00-9:45 AM. Rds.: 10:00-1:00-3:30-6:00. One half point bye available rounds 1-3. ENT: Alex Relyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. INFO: Alex Relyea [email protected]. HR: 802-291-9911. www.relyeachess.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 15, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15 (Enhanced) Marshall Masters! 4-SS, G/25d5. Third Tuesday of every month. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring over 50% in any MCC Open or U2300 tournament since the prior month's Masters). EF: $40, members $30, GMs free. $$G250-150-100. Prizes to U2400, U2300 and biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45 pm. Rds.: 78:15-9:30-10:45. One bye available (Rd 1 or 4 only), request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. May 18-20 or 19-20, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 (Enhanced) 20th annual New York State Open 5SS, 30/90, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60, d/5).Tiki Resort (formerly Howard Johnson), 2 Canada St., Lake George, NY 12845. $$G 3000. In 4 sections. Open: $$ 400-200-150, top Under 2010 $230-120, top Under 1810/Unr $220-110. Senior, open to under 1910 or unrated born before 5/21/62. $$ 300-150-80, top Under 1710 $120-60. Under 1610: $$ 300150-80, Under 1410 $120-60, unrated limit $150. Under 1310: $100-50, trophies to first 3, top U1000, U800, Unr. All: 1 year NYSCA membership prize to NY residents who are not members. EF: 3-day $78, 2-day $77 mailed by 5/11, both $79 online at chesstour.com by 5/16, $85 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 5/16 (entry only, no questions), $90 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Entry fee $50 less to all in U1310. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry $40, not available in Open Section. GMs free, $60 deducted from prize. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 12 & 6, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 11:30 am, rds Sat 12, 3 &, 6, Sun 10 & 3:15. Half point

World’s biggest open tournament!

40th Annual

WORLD OPEN Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel Mostly 9 rounds, July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, 2012

$250,000 projected prizes, $200,800 minimum guaranteed! In 13 sections- some can play in more than one section. Free GM lectures & analysis! A HISTORIC SITE! The World Open returns to the A HISTORIC Sheraton Philadelphia SITE! Hotel, near many The World Open returns to the historic landmarks including Independence Sheraton Philadelphia Hotel, near many Hall, the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia historic landmarks Independence Museum of Art, including and the Liberty Bell, as well Hall,astherestaurants, Franklin Institute, theaters, Philadelphia museums and Museum of Art, and the Liberty shopping. Special room rate Bell, $99. as well as restaurants, theaters, Parking $10 with museums guest room,and $20 shopping. Special rate $99. without; publicroom lot a block away is about $18 Parking $10only with guest room, $20 weekday and $5 on weekend. without; public lot a block away is about $18 weekday and only $5 on weekend.

uschess.org

SPECIAL FEATURES! 1) Schedule options. 5-day is popular, SPECIAL FEATURES! 7-day leisurely, others save time and money. 1)2)Schedule options. 5-day is in popular, GM & IM norms possible Open. 7-day leisurely, others save time and Open, U2400, and U2200 are FIDE money. rated. 2)3)GM & IM norms possible in Open. Anti-sandbagging rule: $2000 prize Open, and U2200 FIDEover rated. limit U2400, if rated more than 30are points the 3) Anti-sandbagging $2000 prize class maximum on any listrule: 7/11-6/12. limit 4) if rated over the Abovemore rule than now 30 alsopoints applies if any class maximum onposted any list 7/11-6/12. was post-event rating 7/3/11-7/3/12 4) Above now applies if any more than 30rule points overalso class maximum! post-event rating posted 7/3/11-7/3/12 was more than 30 points over class maximum!

5) New sections for seniors, women, and two under 13 sections- and you can play in Newand sections for seniors, both 5) these the main overall women, 9 roundand two under 13 sectionsand in you can play in sections, without a long delay between! both these and the main overall 9 round 6) International 6/29-7/3: many foreign sections, without a long delay in between! GMs already entered; see chesstour.com International 6/29-7/3: foreign 7)6)Uniquebig money U2400many Section! GMs already entered; 8) Many side events;see seechesstour.com chesstour.com 7) Unique-TLAs, big money U2400 Section! or Pennsylvania this issue. Many side events; chesstour.com 9)8)Free analysis by GMsee Sam Palatnik or Pennsylvania TLAs, this issue. 7/4-7/8. Free GM lectures 7/6 & 7/7, 9 am. 9) Free analysis by GM Sam Palatnik 7/4-7/8. Free GM lectures 7/6 & 7/7, 9 am.


57

Tournament Life byes OK all, must commit before rd 2; limit 2 byes (limit 1 bye if under 1810/ unr in Open). HR: 65-65 (poolside), 75-75 (regular), call 518-668-5744 MonFri 9 am-5pm, reserve by 5/4 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour. com. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. www.chesstour. com, DirectorAtChess.us, 845-496-9658. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted atchesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 19-20 or 20, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (Enhanced) Marshall May Grand Prix! 4-SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $50, members $30. $$625 Gtd: 275-150, U2200/unr. $105, U2000 $95. Reg. ends 15 min. before round. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, Rds 12:305:30PM each day; 1-day, (Rds. 1-2 G/25d5) 10-11:15AM-12:30-5:30PM Sun; both merge rd. 3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. FIDE (G/30 not FIDE ratable). www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. An American Classic! May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, Illinois Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 200 (Enhanced) 21st annual Chicago Open Open Section, May 24-28: 9SS, 40/90, SD/30, inc/30, GM & IM norms possible, all Open entry fees $100 more than below for US players never rated 2200/over by FIDE. Under 2300 to Under1300, May 25-28, 2628 or 27-28: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5; 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/40, d/5). Under 1100, (NOTE CHANGE), May 26-28 or 27-28: 7SS, G/90, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-4 G/40, d/5). Under 900, May 27-28: 7SS, G/40, d/5. All: No 5 minute time deduction. At Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling IL 60090 (from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwaukee, I-94 east to Lake Cook Rd to US-45 south.) Free parking. Free analysis of your games by GM John Fedorowicz, beginning two hours after the start of each 4-day round. Free lectures by GM Fedorowicz 5pm Friday, 9 am each day Saturday, Sunday, Monday. $100,000 guaranteed prize fund. In 9 sections. Open: $10000-5000-2500-1200-900-700-600-500-400-300, clear or tiebreak winner bonus $200, top FIDE Under 2500/Unr $2000-1000. FIDE

rated, GM and IM norms possible. Under 2300: $5000-2500-1200-900700-600-500-400-300-300. FIDE rated. Under 2100: $5000-2500-1200900-700-600-500-400-300-300. Under 1900: $5000-2500-1200-900-700600-500-400-300-300. Under 1700: $5000-2500-1200-900-700-600-500400-300-300. Under 1500: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-400-300300. Under 1300: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-400-300-300. Under 1100: $1500-700-400-300-200-200-100-100. Under 900: $500300-200, trophies to first 5, top U700, U500, U300, Unrated. Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated through 5/12 list may not win over $800 U1100, $1500 U1300 or $2500 U1500. Games rated too late for 5/12 list not counted. 2) If official rating 5/11-4/12 or unofficial post-event rating posted 5/24/11-5/24/12 was more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $200 inU900, $400 U1100, $700 U1300, $1000 U1500, $1500 U1700, $2000 U1900 or $2500 U2100. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. 4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Top 7 sections Mailed EF: 5-day Open $205, 4-day $204, 3-day$203, 2-day $202 mailed by 3/29; 5-day $225, 4-day $224, 3-day $223, 2-day $222 mailed by 5/16; all $250 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Top 7 sections online EF at chesstour. com: $207 by 3/29, $227 by 5/21, $250 after 5/21 until 2 hours before rd 1. Top 7 sections phoned EF at 406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions): $230 by 5/21 (entry only, no questions). No phone entry after 5/21. GMs, IMs, WGMs, foreign FMs free in Open; $200 deducted from prize. All Open Section EF $100 more for US players never rated 2200 or over by FIDE. EF $100 less to seniors age 65/over in top 7 sections. Under 1100 EF: $85 mailed by 5/16, $87 online at chesstour.com by 5/21, $100 at site. Under 900 EF: $35 mailed by 5/16, $37 online at chesstour.com by 5/21, $50 at site. Online or mailed EF $5 less to ICA members; join at il-chess.org. An ICA Tour Event. Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from Open to Open. 5-day schedule (Open): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds Thu 7 pm, Fri 12 & 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 4-day schedule (U2300 to U1300): Reg. ends Fri 6pm, Rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule (U2300 to U1300): Reg. ends Sat 10 am, Rds. Sat 11,

Shore HS Chess League PO Box 773 Lincroft, NJ 07738 [email protected]

San Diego Chess Club 2225 Sixth Avenue San Diego, CA 92101, 619-239-7166 [email protected] http://sdchessclub.multiply.com

New Jersey State Chess Federation c/o Roger Inglis, 49-A Mara Rd. Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034 973-263-8696, [email protected] w ww.njscf.org

Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis 4657 Maryland Avenue St. Louis, MO 63108. 314-361-CHESS [email protected] www.stlouischessclub.org

Texas Tech University SPICE Box 45080 Lubbock, TX 79409 806-742-7742 [email protected] www.SPICE.ttu.edu

New York City Chess Inc c/o Russell Makofsky 230 Thompson Street New York, NY 10012, 212-475-8130 [email protected] www.chessnyc.com

Continental Chess Association PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. 845-496-9658 [email protected] www.chesstour.com

Tri-State Chess The Chess Exchange 325 East 88th Street New York, NY 10128 212-289-5997 [email protected] www.TriStateChess.com

North American Chess Association 4957 Oakton Street, Suite 113 Skokie, IL 60077, 888.80.Chess [email protected] www.nachess.org

Dallas Chess Club 200 S. Cotton wood Dr. Suite C Richardson, TX 75080 972-231-2065 [email protected] www.dallaschess.com

Village Chess Shop of NYC c/o Michael Propper 230 Thompson Street New Yor k, NY 10012 212-475-9580 [email protected] www.chess-shop.com

PaperClip Pairings c/o J. Houghtaling Jr & Remy Ferrari 6005 Forest Blvd Brownsville, TX 78526, 956-459-2421 [email protected]

Western PA Youth Chess Club Attn: Jerry Meyers 4101 Windsor Street Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-422-1770 [email protected] www.youthchess.net

International Chess Academy (NJ) 28 Canterbury Lane New Milford, NJ 07646 201-287-0250 [email protected], www.icanj.net

SILVER AFFILIATES

58

Bay Area Chess (CA) www.BayAreaChess.com

Long Island Chess Nuts (NY) 516-739-3907

Oklahoma Chess Foundation www.OKch ess.org

Beverly Hills Chess Club (CA) www.bhchessclub.com

Marshall Chess Club (NY) www.marshallchessclub.org

Our Lady of Sorrows Academy (AZ) [email protected]

En Passant Chess Club (TX) [email protected]

Michigan Chess Association www.michess.org

Silver Knights (PA) www.silverknightschess.com

Indiana State Chess Association www.indianachess.org

Monmouth Chess School & Club (NJ) www.monmouthchess.com

Sparta Chess Club (NJ) www.spartachessclub.org


May 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 60 The 2nd Annual New Yorker Open! 7-SS, 40/2, SD/1 + d5 (3-Day Option, rds. 1-2 G/75 + d/5; 2-Day Option, rds. 1-4 G/45 + d5). Chess Center of New York at the historic New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Ave at 34th St, across from Penn Station, NY City. Free analysis of your games by former US Open Champion GM Mike Rohde and USCF’s Most Active Player IM Jay Bonin! $10,000 Guaranteed! In 5 sections. Open: $1,000-500-300-150, top U2450 $450-250. FIDE. Under 2300: $800-400-200-100, U2150 $350-150. FIDE. Under 2000: $800-400-

GOLD & SILVER

GOLD AFFILIATES Cajun Chess 7230 Chadbourne Drive New Orleans, LA 70126 504-208-9596 [email protected] www.cajunchess.com

2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day U2300 to U1300 schedule: Reg. ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 4-day, 3-day & 2-day U2300 to U1300 schedules merge & compete for same prizes. 3-day Under 1100 schedule: Reg. Ends Sat. 1 pm, Rds Sat 2 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10, 2 & 6, Mon 10 & 2. 2-day Under 1100 schedule: Reg. ends Sun 9 am, Rds Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 2. 3-day & 2-day U1100 schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10, 12, 2 & 3:45, Mon 10, 12, 2. Byes: OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Hotel rates: $103-103-103-103, 800-937-8461, 847777-6500, reserve by 5/11 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200/more to most other foreign, no pts added to CFC or Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U1900 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player ratings: May official ratings used; FIDE ratings used for Open Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: 1) Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 3 or after, players with scores of 80% or over and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones, cellphones, or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: DirectorAtChess.US, 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. You may request “lowest possible section” if May rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.

AFFILIATES GOLD

Any affiliate that has submitted at least 50 USCF memberships during the current or previous calendar year, or is the recognized State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Gold Affiliate. Gold Affiliates are honored in a special list in larger type in Tournament Life each month, giving the affiliate name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and website. Gold Affiliation costs $350 per year, and existing affiliates may substract $3 for each month remaining on their regular affiliation, or $20 for each month remaining on their Silver Affiliation. As of August 6, 2007, by paying an annual payment of $500 (instead of $350), Gold Affiliate status may be obtained with no minimum requirement for memberships submitted.

SILVER

Any affiliate that has submitted at least 25 USCF memberships during the current or previous calendar year, or is the recognized State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Silver Affiliate. These affiliates will be recognized in a special list in Tournament Life each month, giving the affiliate name, state, and choice of either phone number, e-mail address, or website. Silver Affiliation costs $150 per year, and existing affiliates may subtract $3 for each month remaining on their regular affiliation. As of August 6, 2007, by paying an annual payment of $250.00 (instead of $150), Silver Affiliate status may be obtained with no minimum requirement for memberships submitted.

uschess.org


200-100, top U1800 $350-150. $300 limit to Unr. Under 1600: $700-350200-100, top U1400 $250-150, $200 limit to Unr. Under 1200: $400-200100, $100 limit to Unr. NEW!! Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes! Best male/ female 2-player team combined score in all sections:$500-250-150 (teammates' average rating must be Under 2200, teammates may play in different sections; teammate pairings avoided but possible, teams must declare by rd. 4). EF: 4-Day $104, 3-Day $103, 2-Day $102 if postmarked by 5/18, $100 on-line thru 5/23 at www.chesscenter.cc, $110 by phone thru 5/23, $120 at site; all EF $20 less to players rated U1400 in U1600 Section, $60 less to unrated players in Under 1600 Section (only players with 3 games or less are unrated), $60 less to all in Under 1200 Section, GMs free ($90 from prize). Re-entry $70 except from Open to Open. 4Day Schedule: reg. ends Fri 6 pm. Rds Fri. 7, Sat. 11 & 6, Sun.11 & 6, Mon. 10 & 4:30. 3-Day Schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 10 am. Rds. Sat. 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun. 11 & 6, Mon. 10 & 4:30. 2-Day Schedule: Reg. ends Sun 9:30 am. Rds. Sun. 10, 12, 2, 4, 6, Mon. 10 &4:30. All schedules merge and compete for same prizes. Limit 3 byes, Open must commit before rd. 2, others before rd. 4. Prize limit $450 for players with any post-tournament rating after 4/6/12 on uschess.org more than 30 points over section limit. Balances of all limited prizes go to next eligible player(s). Unofficial ratings at us.chess.org usually used if otherwise unrated. $15 charge for refunds. HR: 212-971-0101 Free Digital Clock Setting Seminar by IA Carol Jarecki: 5pm Sat. (for players too embarrassed to ask the TD to set their clocks and for TDs too embarrassed to admit they can’t.)Questions, [email protected] or 845-569-9969, credit card phone entries (but no questions) thru 5/23: 406-896-2191. After 5/23, enter at site only (no checks, credit cards OK). CCA ratings may be used. Ent: Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. Bring sets, clocks, boards! W. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! A State Championship Event! May 25-28 or 26-28, Texas Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 30 (Enhanced) Texas State and Amateur Championships 7SS. Sheraton Dallas North Hotel, 4801 Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy., Dallas, TX 75244. $$ 8,350 b/175, full entries in Championship and Amateur sections, 2 scholastic side events that do not count toward base. Championship: (This section is FIDE rated but uses USCF rules. Must be rated 2000 or above by either USCF or Fide to play in this section. Defending Amateur Champion may also play in this section. Texas Scholastic High School Champions may also play in this section. Foreign unrateds may play in this section.) G/90 with 30 sec. increment: $$ 1,000-500-250, 2200-2399 $700, U2200 $800. Amateur: U2000 & unrated. Rds. 1-7 30/90 d5, SD/1 d5, rd. 1 of three day is G/115 d5. $$ 800-400-200. B $$ 600-300150, C 500-250-125, U1400 $500-250-125, U1200 $400, U1000 $300 Unrated $200. Both: TCA membership required. Other states accepted. EF: $88 if received by 5/18, else $99. $80 Junior(U19) if received by 5/18 else $90 (juniors count as 90% toward base), Senior (over 65)/Handicap ped/ additional family participant $52 if receive by 5/18 else $65 (Senior/Handicap/ Additional family participant counts 60% toward base). Add $5 for CC phone entries; pre-reg requires pre-payment. After 5/23/12 all registration and changes on site only; all changes including withdrawals, $10 after 5/23/12. 4 day: Reg. Friday 5/25, 6:15 pm-7:15. Rds. Fri.: 7:45, Sat: 2:30 pm - 8:00, Sun.: 11:00 am - 5:15 pm, Mon.: 9 am - 2:45 pm. 3 day: Reg. Sat. 5/26, 9-9:30 am, Rd. 1 at 10 am then merge with 4 day. Foreign Unrated must play in Championship section. Registrations that do not indicate 4 or 3 day schedule will be put in the 3 day. HR: $75/75/75/75, $75 rate includes full breakfast buffet, 972-661-3600 or 888-627-8436 reserve by 5/11/12 and ask for Dallas Chess Club rate. Free Parking. Up to two 1/2 pt byes available if requested before end of rd. 2, but byes for both rd. 6 AND 7 not permitted. K-12 Scholastic on Saturday, 5/26. 5-SS, Rds. G/30 d5, EF: $29 by 5/18, $44 after; Pre-reg. requires pre-payment. After 5/23/12 all registration and changes on site only; all changes $10 after 5/23/12. No refunds after 5/23/12, $10 handling fee for refunds before 5/23/12. Entries do not count toward base in Championship and Amateur. Registration 8:15-8:45 am, Rd. 1 at 9:30 am, rest ASAP with small lunch break. Sections: K-12 Championship and K-12 U1000. 5/26. 5SS, Rds. G/30 d5. Prizes:Trophies to top 12 individuals, five teams in each section. K-12 U1000 also top three unrateds. Medals to those who do not win a trophy. Ent: Dallas Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. Info: Barb Swafford, 214-632-9000, info@ dallaschess.com www.dallaschess.com NS. NC. W. FIDE. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 26, Tennessee Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 Rutherford County Open 5-SS, rd.1 G/25d5, rd.2 G/55d5, Rds.3, 4, 5 G/70d5. Grace Lutheran Church, 811 E. Clark Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN. EF: $25 by 5/24, $30 at site. $$ (1160, top 2 G, class prizes b/6 entries per class, else proportional): $200-120, X, A, B, C, D, E/below, Unr. each $120. Reg.: 8:00-8:45am. Rds.: 9:00-10:00-12:30-3:00-5:30. Ent: Rutherford County Chess Club, P.O. Box 1593, Murfreesboro, TN 37133. http://rccc.us/ (with map to site), rccc@ rccc.us, 615-895-7989. NS. NC. W. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 26-28 or 27-28, California, Northern Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 100 (Enhanced) Best of the West Class Championship 6SS 30/90 sd/60 (2-day rds 1-3 G/60 merge in rd4). Marriott, 2700 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, CA. Hotel $89. Prize: $17,000 b/264 (2/3rd guaranteed). 6 sections. Open (2200+ FIDE rated 82% Gtd): 25001200-600-200, top u2300 300-100. Expert/A/B/C: 1200-600-300-100-100100. D/E/unr: 1000-400-200-100, top u1200 600-300-100. Unr max $300 exc in Open. EF by 5/22: $99. Onsite +$25, Play-up +$20. r/e $40. Econ Opt: EF-20 & 2/3 calc prize (not avail in Open). GMs/IMs free: prize-EF. May 2012 Supp, CCA min, & TD disc to place players. Sched: 3-day Reg Sa 10-11, Rds Sa/Su 11:30-5:30, Mo 10-3:30; 2-day Reg Su 9-9:30, Rds Su 10-12:30-2:50-5:30, Mo 10-3:30. Max two 1/2-pt byes, commit bef rd 3. Parking $5. Ent: Bay Area Chess, 1639A S. Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035. Rfnd fee $20. Info: BayAreaChess.com/bestwest. E: ask@BayAreaChess. com. T: 408.786.5515. NS, NC, W. Chess Magnet School JGP.

uschess.org

May 26-28 or 27-28, California, Southern Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 40 (Enhanced) 2012 Lina Grumette Memorial Day Classic 6-SS, 3-day 40/2, SD/1, 2-day rds. 1-3 G/1 then merges. Hilton Ontario Airport, 700 N. Haven Ave., Ontario, CA 91764. $10,000 b/200, 50% of each prize guaranteed. In five sections: Open: $$T+1700-750-400-300-200, U2400 400, U2200 700-300-200. Premier (under 2000): $$750-300-200100. Amateur (Under 1800): $$750-300-200-100. Reserve (Under 1600):$$750-300-200-100.Booster (Under 1400/unrated):$$400-200100, U1200 150, Unr 150. (Unrated may win Unrated prizes only.) EF: $88 by 5/24, $99 at door. Booster (U1400) section EF: $72 by 5/24, $85 door. Reg.: ends 10:30am 5/26, 9:30 am 5/27. Rds.: 3-day: 11-6, 11-6, 104:30. 2-day: 10-1-3:30 (G/1), then merges with 3-day at 6. All: SCCF membership req. ($18 re, $10 jr), OSA. $25 Best Game prize, all sections eligible. 1 half-point bye if requested at least 1 round in advance, rd. 6 must be requested with entry. HR: $89, (909) 980-0400, code CHS, reserve by 5/4. Parking free. Free wireless in public areas, 24-hour airport shuttle. Info: [email protected]. Website, On-line entry: www.scchess. com. Ent: SCCF, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. NS. NC. F. State Championship Qualifier. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! A State Championship Event! May 26-28 or 27-28, Massachusetts Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 40 (Enhanced) 81st Massachusetts Open 6SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day schedule, G/45, d/5 in rounds 1-3. No 2-day schedule in Open sect.) Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlboro (I-495, exit 24B, Rt. 20W, one mile from exit). 508460-0700 or 888-543-9500. $$ 5,000 b/120 paid entries ($30 off EFs count half), 75% G. Top 3 prizes in the Open sect. are 100% G. 6 sects. Open: $1000-400-200, U2300 $200-150. FIDE rated. 3-day schedule only. U2200: $350-150-100. U2000: $350-150-100. U1800: $350-150-100. U1600: $300-150-100. U1400: $250-125-100, U1200 125-100. State championship title to high scoring Mass. resident or student in each sect. Unrated prize limits: $200 in U2000, $150 in U1800, $125 in U1600, $100 in U1400, can't win title except in Open. Prizes for most interesting games in each sect. (100% G): Open $300, U2200 $250, U2000 $200, U1800 $150, U1600 $125, U1400 $100, plus DVDs to each. EF: $69 for 3-day, $68 for 2-day if mailed by 5/22 or online by 5/24, $80 at site. GMs and IMs free. $30 discount to unrated and to players in U1400 sect. rated under 1000. Special EF: Under age 23 or age 60 and older: $30 in 3-day, $29 in 2-day, $35 at site, no other discounts apply. 3-Day Schedule: Reg. Sat. 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Rds. Sat. 10:30-5:30, Sun. 10-5, Mon. 9:30-4:30. 2-Day Schedule: Reg. Sun. 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Rds. Sun. 10-12:30-2:455, Mon. 9:30-4:30. Schedules merge in round 4. Byes: 1-5, limit 2, rds. 4-5 must commit before rd. 2. Memb. req.: MACA $12 adult, $6 jr. U18, add $8 for optional Chess Horizons subscription, OSA. Massachusetts Blitz Championship: Sun. 5/27. Reg. ends 9:15 p.m. 5SS (dbl). 75% of EFs returned as prizes. EF: $10 if playing in main tmnt, else $15. MACA Annual Meeting: Mon. 5/28 at 9 a.m. HR: $92-92, reserve by 5/14 and mention chess tnmt. Ent: payable to MACA and mail to Robert Messenger, 4 Hamlett Dr., Apt. 12, Nashua NH 03062, or enter online (PayPal) at www.MassChess.org. Info: send email to [email protected] or phone 603-891-2484. NS. NC. W. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! May 26-28, Oklahoma Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 31st NAO FIDE Open 8-SS, G/90+30spm, (Reserve: 10-SS, G-50+15 spm dual rated). Reg.: 9-9:45. $$G 1,900. Quality Inn-Stillwater, 2515 W. 6th Ave. (Hwy-51) Stillwater, OK 1-405-372-0800. HR: 68-68. Wi-Fi, EF: Open: $55, Reserve: $30 (deduct $10 only if ck postmarked before May 22): OCF $10 required OSNA. Two Sections: Open (FIDE): Gtd 1st 500, 300, 200, X: $200 A: $200-100, B: $200, C+UNR: $200, Rds at 10-2:30-7, 10-2:30-7, 9-1:15. 2 half pt byes rds 1-8, Reserve: U-1400 and Unrated 1st $100, Other class prizes per entrees; Rds at 10-1-4-7, 10-1-4-7, 9-Noon. 3 half pt byes rds 1-10 for Reserve, LS, W, Free Parking. Frank Berry, 402 S. Willis St., Stillwater, OK 74074. [email protected], 405 372-5758. Chess Magnet School JGP for Open Section. May 27, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15 (Enhanced) 2nd Annual New Yorker Open Blitz Championship (QC)! 5-SS, G/5 + d/0 (5 double rounds, 10 games total). Chess Center at the New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Ave at 34th St, across from Penn Station, NYC (see New Yorker Open, 5/25-28). EF at site only: $40, $20 if rated Under 1800, GMs free ($25 from prize), specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$1,000 b/40 paid entries (U1800 count 1/2), top 3 Gtd: $$ 300-200-100, Top U2400/unr $150, U2200 $130, U2000 $120. Byes OK rds. 1-2 (1 bye for U2000). CCA ratings may be used. Reg 7-10 pm. Rds. 10:15-11-11:30-12-12:30. Quick-rated (will not affect regular ratings) but prizes, pairings based on higher of Regular or Quick rating. May 31, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 (Enhanced) The New Yorker Masters!! 4-SS, G/25 + d5 or G/30 + d/0. Chess Center of New York at the historic New Yorker Hotel!, 481 Eighth Ave at 34th St, across from Penn Station, NYC. 2 sections. Masters, open to players currently or formerly rated over 2200 USCF or FIDE, or any player scoring 2 1/2 or more points in any “4 Rated Games Tonight!” Thursday Night Action tournament since Jan. 2011. $1,500 Guaranteed Prizes! $400-200-100, top U2400 150. Under 2200: $200-100, top U1800 $100. NEW!! Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes: best male/female 2-player team combined score in either section: $150-100 (teammates’ average rating must be Under 2200; teammate pairings avoided but possible, teams must declare by 8:15). Choice of 2 schedules! 7:00 Schedule, rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. 7:30 schedule, rd. 1 (G/15 + td/3) at 7:30 pm, score carries over into round 2 of 7:00 schedule at 8:15 pm. EF: Masters Section $40, Under 2200 Section $30, $5 less to anyone who played in 4 or more “4 Rated Games Tonight!” Thursday Night Action tournaments since Jan. 2011, GMs free ($25 from prize). Limit 2 byes (limit one bye towards class prize), must com-

mit by 8:15 pm. Re-entry: half-price. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. CCA ratings may be used. A Heritage Event! June 1-3 or 2-3, Ohio Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 40 54th Gem City Open 5SS at the Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. Time Controls: 3 day-G/150, td/5. 2 day option Rs 1&2 G/75, td/5 then merge in R3 with 3 day schedule and time controls. $$5,000 Gtd. 4 sections: OPEN (FIDE Rated): $1000- $550- $350-$250, U2000: $500-$300-$150, U1700: $500- $300-$150, U1400: $500-$300-$150. Unrated prizes limited to 1/3 except in OPEN w/bal to next player(s). EF: 3-day $67, 2-day $65 if mailed or registered online or at Dayton Chess Club by 5/25, thereafter $77 for 2 or 3 day. Free to GMs or IMs who complete their schedule. No cks at site, MC/Visa ok. DCC Mbrs $5 discount. 3-Day Reg: Fri 6pm - 7:30pm. 3 Day Rounds: Fri 8 pm R1, Sat 11-6 Rs 2&3, Sun 9-3:30 Rs 4&5. 2-Day Reg Fri nite & Sat 9am-1030am, 2 Day Rounds: Sat 11-2:30 Rs 1&2, then 3 day schedule. Sun DCC Opens 8 a.m. Byes: 2 ok - must commit by R2, 1 if R5. Hotel: Crown Plaza $92 (1-4), 937.229.9835. Ask for the Gem City Open Group Rate. Register online at www.DaytonChessClub.com or mail to Dayton Chess Club, 18 West 5th St., Dayton, OH 45402. Chess Magnet School JGP. June 2-3, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 6th Annual Buffalo International Chess Championships 2012 Old First Ward Community Center, 62 Republic St., Buffalo, NY. Two day, World Chess Federation (FIDE) and USCF Open rated Championships, 5 games, Swiss, Game 120 with 5 sec delay. Payments must be received by May 19, 2012. Online Registrations with reply to: arcangel8chess@ yahoo.com. For more information, www.buffalochess.blogspot.com. Canadians and FIDE rated players are Welcomed $10 less! Sat and Sunday, Sections are FIDE Open & FIDE Womens, games on Sat at 10am, 2:30pm and 7pm, Sunday at 9:30am and 2pm. Cash Prizes based on 24 players, EF $55, $80 after. Canadians and FIDE rated players $10 less, GMs & IMs are free entry. Cash Prizes are $260, $190, $130 and $70. One Byes are available! Saturday, June 2, 2012 Only! U1900, U1500 and Scholastics K-12: U1900 and U1500, 5 games, Swiss, Game 60; d5, USCF rated, EF $40, $65 after! Games will start on Sat only at 10am, Noon, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm. One Bye Available! Cash Prizes are based on 24 players, $150, $90, $60, U1700 and U1200 - $55. Scholastic TEAM K-12 Championships, Saturday Only, 5 games, Swiss, Game 30, Teams consist of 4 players or more. Team EF $80 or $25 per player, $35 after. Sections of play are K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 grades, Team Trophies awarded to the Top 4 and Top 5 winners, Medals awarded to players who score 2pts. Games start at 11am, Noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Buffalo FIDE Championship Hotel: Comfort Inn and Suites, 475 Dingens St, Buffalo, NY 14206, Phone 716-896-2800, HR: $119.99 per night. Chess Magnet School JGP for main event. June 3, New Jersey Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15 (Enhanced) Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Summer 2012 Open Championship 4SS,G/60. Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601. Open To All Ages With Rating above 1400. U. S. Chess Federation Membership Required. Prize Fund ($$ b/40) 1st-3rd $300, $250, $200, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600 each $100. Best Under 13 Years Old $75, Best Over 55 Years Old $75. Prize Fund Will Not Be Reduced Below 70 %. Reg. Ends at 9 AM Only one requested 1/2-point bye allowed, if requested before the start of round two. EF: Adv (pmk. By May 30th) $40, AT Site $45. GMs Free Entry. INFO: 201 287 0250 or 201 833 1741, Email: [email protected] (Web Site Entries: www.icanj.net). Rds.: 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM. ENT: Make EF and/or USCF Membership checks payable to: International Chess Academy. Mail To: Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Ln., New Milford, NJ 07646. NS. NC. W. June 8-10 or 9-10, Connecticut Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 50 (Enhanced) 18th Annual Northeast Open 5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Sheraton Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn Select), 700 Main St., Stamford, CT 06901. Free parking. $8,000 guaranteed prize fund. In 4 sections. Open: $1000-500-300-200, U2250 $600–300. FIDE. Under 2050: $800-400-300-200, top U1850 $500-250. Under 1650: $700-400-250-150, top U1450 $400-200. Under 1250: $300-150-100, trophy to top U1000, U800, U600, Unrated. Unrated may not win over $150 in U1250 or $400 in U1650. Top 3 sections EF: 3-day $88.50, 2-day $87.50 if check mailed by 5/30, all $89 online at chesstour. com by 6/6, $95 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 6/6 (entry only, no questions), $100 at site. No mailed credit card entries. U1250 Section EF: all $40 less than above. No checks at site, credit cards OK. GMs free, $80 deducted from prize. Mailed EF $3 less to CSCA members. Re-entry $50; not available in Open Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. Bye: all, limit 2; must commit before rd 2. HR: $94-94, 800-408-7640, 203-358-8400; reserve by 5/25 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chess tour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. June 8-10 or 9-10, Florida Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 Sunshine Summer Open & Scholastic Chess Tournament (formerly the After Memorial Open, now more sections) DoubleTree Hilton Orlando Downtown, 60 South Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando, FL 32804 (I-4 Exit 84). $7,000/b130 (Scholastic = 1/2 entry). 70% Guaranteed. 5SS, G/120 (2-day. Rnd 1 G/60). 4 Sections: OPEN: $1000500-300, U2210 & U2010 $300-200 ea.; U1910: $700-300-150, U1710 $300-200; U1510: $700-300-150, U1310 $300-200; Scholastic U1310:


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Tournament Life $300-200-100, U1110 & U910 $150 ea. Trophy to top each age “7 & under” thru 14 with at least 2 players. Unrateds limited to $100, unless Place prize in Open. Rated players can play-up if rated within 60 points of top of their section. EF: 3-day $75, 2-day $74, Scholastic U1310: EF: $35; After May 31, EF: $80, ($45 for Scholastic). Reg.: ends 1/2 hr. before 1st Rd. Scholastic (Sat & Sun only). Rnd 1: 7pm Fri (or 10am Sat at G/60). Reentry $40. Rds 2 thru 5: Sat 1 & 6, Sun 9 & 2. 1/2-pt. byes if req'd before Rnd 2 (max 2). HR: $79 (407) 425-4455; (Mention “Chess”) or http:// tinyurl.com/June2012Hotel. Reserve by May 15. Hot Breakfast Buffet at $5/person/day with room at checkin. Complimentary parking, Fitness Center, and Internet with sleeping rooms. Other covered Day parking available at $7/day. Ent: CFCC, c/o Harvey Lerman, 921 N. Thistle Lane, Maitland, FL 32751 or online at http://2012sunshine.eventbrite.com (by 6/7). Info: call (407)629-6946 or www.centralflchess.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! A State Championship Event! June 9-10, Kentucky Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15 2012 Kentucky Open 5SS, G/90. $$3725 b/120. Registration: 9-9:45am. Rounds: June 9th: rd 1-3 10am, 2pm, 5:30pm, June 10th: rd 4-5 9am, 2pm. 1 half point bye available rd 1-4 if noted by rd 2. Entry Fee: $42 in advance, $50 on site. KCA dues ($8) required for all players. Prizes: Open: $800-400-200-100; X: 200-100; A: 200-100; U1800: 400-200-100-50; B: 100-50; C: 100-50; U1400: 200-100-50-25; D: 50-25; E: 50-25; Top Jr. 50. Go to kcachess.org for more info. Annual meeting of the KCA Board between rds 4 and 5. St. Francis High School, 233 West Broadway (entrance is on 3rd Street), Louisville, KY 40202. Contact: Steve Dillard, [email protected], 502-641-1948 or Daniel Brennan, [email protected], 502-6454202. Chess Magnet School JGP. June 14, Nevada Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (Enhanced) 2012 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC) See Nationals. A Heritage Event! An American Classic! June 15-17 or 16-17, Nevada Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 200 (Enhanced) 2012 National Open See Nationals. June 22-24 or 23-24, California, Northern Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15 (Enhanced) Summer Open 6SS, G/90 (2day rds 1-2 G/40). 1639A S. Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035. Park free. Prize $2,400b/55. 3 sects. 1900+: guar 85% $300 200 100 u2100: 100 80. 1500-1899: $300 200 70 u1700:100 70 70. U1500: $300 200 70 u1300: 100 70 70. Unr max $100 exc Open. EF: $67 by 6/20, Onsite +15 Playup +20. Econ: EF-20, 1/2 prize. GMs/IMs free: prize-EF. Jun 12 Supp, CCA min & TD discr. Sched: Reg. F 6-6:30p, Rds. F 7, Sa 9 12:15 3:30, Su 9 12:15 (2day Reg. Sa 8-8:30am rds Sa 9 10:35 merge rd3). Max 2 1/2pt byes by rd 3. Info: BayAreaChess.com/summer12. E: ask@Bay AreaChess.com, NS, NC. Chess Magnet School JGP. June 22-24 or 23-24, Georgia Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 2012 Castle Chess Grand Prix 5-SS, G/120 (2 day schedule, rd 1 G/90). Cox Hall, Emory University, 569 Asbury Cir., Atlanta, GA 30322. $8,675 G! Six sections: Premier (over 1999): $1,500-1000-500; U2400/Unr: $700-400; U2200: $600-375; Class A: $550-325; Class B: $500-$300; Class C: $450-275; Class D: $400-250; U1200: $350-200; U1000: Trophy. Non-campers may play one section above current rating. Campers may play one section above lifetime peak rating. All players are eligible for all prizes in the section in which they play. EF: $69 if received by 6/21. $79 later or at site. Free to GM, IM or USCF 2400. Unrated Players: $50; no discount to Unrated in Premier Section. Unrated may enter any section, except need TD's OK to enter Premier Section. Unrated may not win over $150 in U1200, $ 200 in D, $250 in C, $300 in B or $350 in A. Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. 3 day schedule: Reg.: 6:30-7:30 pm on 6/22. Rds.: 8; 1:30-6:30; 9-1:30. 2 day schedule: Reg.: 8:30-9:30 am on 6/23. Rd 1 at 10 am, then merges with 3 day schedule. HR: University Inn, 404-634-7327. Half point bye any round. Limit 2. Must commit before starting play. No changes. Ent: 5025 Antebellum Dr., Stone Mtn., GA 30087. Make check payable to: Castle Chess, Inc. Info: Scott Parker, 770-939-5030 tournament@castlechess. org, on-line registration at www.castlechess.org NS, NC, W. Chess Magnet School JGP. June 22-24 or 23-24, Ohio Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (Enhanced) 2012 Columbus Open 5-SS, 30/90, SD/60 (2-day schedule, rd. 1 G/90), ALL PRIZES UNCON-

DROPPING OUT? Have to miss a round? It is very important that you

NOTIFY THE DIRECTOR before pairings are made, so no one is deprived of a game! If you forfeit without notice, you may be FINED up to the amount of the entry fee!

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DITIONALLY GUARANTEED. 3 sections: Open, open to all. G $1200, 800, 500, 400, 300; U2000, $500, 300; Premier, open to 1799/below: $500, 300; U1600: $500, 300; Reserve, open to 1399/below: $500, 300; U1200: $500, 300. All EF: $85 if rec’d by 6/16/2011. $95 at site. Free to Sr. Master/above who complete their schedule. ($85 EF deducted from winnings.) 3-day schedule: Reg. Ends Fri. 6:30 p.m., Rds: Fri. 7 p.m.; Sat. 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 9:30 a.m., 3 p.m. 2-day schedule: Reg. Ends Sat. 9:30 a.m. Rd 1 at 10 a.m., then merges with 3-day schedule. Re-entry: $20. Any player who loses Fri. night may re-enter for $20 and loss will not count in tournament standings! One 1/2-pt. Bye available in Rds 14 (request required prior to Rd 1). Unrated players may play in any section. $25 upset prize each section. HOTELS: HOLIDAY INN DOWNTOWN CAPITAL SQUARE, 175 E. TOWN ST., COLUMBUS, 43215. (614)221-3281. ROOM RATE: $99.00 plus tax (includes parking). Hotel remodeled, with expanded playing space, skittles room, many amenities. Chess rate available through June 1st, code CCC. (note: there is a large convention in Columbus this weekend; rooms scarce.) Alternative hotel: The German Village Inn, one mile from playing site, 920 S. High St., (614) 443-6506, $59.00 plus tax. Free parking: Bd. of Ed. Lot between 5th and 6th St., on Capital St., 5 min. walk from site. ENT: C/O Lou Friscoe, 1645 Glenn Ave., Columbus, OH 43212. Inquires: (614) 486-6856 or (614) 228-8111. Entry forms available at our website: www.centralchess club.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. June 29-July 3 (New date), Pennsylvania Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 150 (Enhanced) 9th annual Philadelphia International 9SS, 40/90,SD/30, 30 second increment. Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19103. Parking $10/day chess rate with guest room at Sheraton, $20/day chess rate without guest room, parking lot next to hotel may be much less than $20. $$G 8000: $2000-1200-800-700-600-500-400-300, top FIDE under 2300 or unrated $1000-500. Minimum prize $800 to foreign GMs who complete all games with no byes (limited to first 5 foreign GMs to enter), $300 to US GMs, foreign IMs & foreign WGMs (all must complete all games with no byes.) IM& GM norms possible; FIDE rated. EF: Free to GMs, IMs, WGMs. Foreign FIDE rated players: $125 mailed by 6/18, $127 online by 6/23, $150 at tmt. USA current or former FIDE 2200/up rated players: $225 mailed by 6/18, $227 online by 6/23, $250 at tmt. Others: $325 mailed by 6/18, $327 online by 6/23, $350 at tmt. All: No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine: see World Open. Schedule: Late reg. ends Fri 10 am, rds Fri through Mon 11 & 6, Tue 11. Two half point byes available (must commit before rd 2); norm not possible if taking bye. HR: $99-99, 215-448-2000, reserve by 6/5 or rate may increase. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Invitations: GoAtChess.us (use @ instead of at). Chess Magnet School JGP. July 4, Pennsylvania Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (Enhanced) World Open 7-Minute Championship (QC) Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel (see World Open). 5-SS, double round (10 games), G/7, d/2. Prizes $1200 based on 40 entries, else in proportion except half each prize guaranteed. $300-200-100, U2100 $160-80, U1800 $130-70, U1500/Unr $110-50. EF: $40, at site only, no checks. Reg. ends 12:30 pm, rds. 1:00, 2:00, 2:50, 3:40, 4:30. One pair of 1/2 pt byes available, must commit before rd 2. Quick rated (will not affect regular ratings), but higher of regular or quick used for pairings & prizes. A Heritage Event! An American Classic! July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, Pennsylvania Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 300 (Enhanced) 40th Annual World Open 9SS (Senior Amateur, Women's Championship and Under 13 Booster are 6SS). Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19103. For shuttle info from Philadelphia Airport, call 800559-2040 or 215-616-5370. Parking $10/day chess rate with guest room at Sheraton, $20/day chess rate without guest room, Gateway lot at 1540 Vine, 1 block from hotel, is about $5/day Sat & Sun, $18/day other days. In 13 sections with $250,000 projected prizes, $200,000 minimum. 80% of each prize guaranteed based on 1180 paid entries total in first 9 listed sections, all prizes guaranteed in Senior Amateur, Womens Championship, Under 13 Championship, and Under 13 Booster. GMs, IMs, WGMs, Under 1200, seniors count as 50% entries, Under 900 as 15%entries. Free analysis of your games by GM Sam Palatnik 7/4-8; free GM lectures 9 am 7/6 & 7/7. Time controls: Open 40/90, SD/30, 30 second increment. U2400, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, U1200 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (4-day option rds 1-2 G/75, d/5, 3-day option rds 1-5 G/45, d/5). U900, Under 13 Championship, Under 13 Booster G/65, d/5. Senior Amateur, Womens Championship 40/2, SD/1,d/5. Open, 9SS, July 4-8 or 2-8: $20000-10000-5000-2500-1200-1000-800-700-600500, clear winner bonus $300, top FIDE U2500 $2000-1000. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 11:30 pm 7/8 for title & bonus prize. GM & IM norms possible. FIDE rated. Under 2400/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 2-8: $13000-7000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U2300/Unr $2000-1000. FIDE rated. Under 2200/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 58, 6-8 or 2-8: $13000-7000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U2100 (no unr) $2000-1000. FIDE rated. Under 2000/Unr, 9SS, July 48, 5-8, 6-8 or 2-8:$13000-7000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1900 (no unr) $2000-1000. Under 1800/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 2-8: $13000-7000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1700 (no unr) $2000-1000. Under 1600/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 2-8: $11000-6000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top 1500 (no unr) $2000-1000. Under 1400/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8 or 6-8: $100005000-2500-1200-1000-800-700-600-500-400, top U1300 (no unr) $1600-800. Under 1200/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8 or 6-8: $5000-25001200-1000-800-700-600-500-400-300, top U1100 (no Unr) $1200-600. Under 900/Unr, 9SS, July 6-8: $1000-700-500-400-300-300-300, trophies to first 10, top U700, U500, U300, Unrated. Senior Amateur, 6SS,

July 1-3: Open to Under 2010 or unrated born before 7/4/62. $$ 500300-200, topU1810 $280-140, top U1610/Unr $250-130, top U1410 $200. Women's Championship, 6SS, July 1-3: Open to all females. $$ 500300-200, top U1800 $240, U1600 $220, U1400 $200, U1200 $180, U1000 $160, trophy to top U800, U600, Unrated. FIDE rated. Under 13 Championship, 9SS, July 1-3: Open to all born after 7/3/99.Trophies to top 10, 1st C, D, E, Unrated. Free entry to all CCA tournaments 7/15/1212/31/12 to 1st. Under 13 Booster, 6SS, July 4-5: Open to all born after 7/5/99 rated under 1000 or unrated. Trophies to top 10, 1st U800, U600, U400, U200; free entry to all CCA tournaments 7/15/11-10/31/11 to1st. Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 games played as of 7/12 official list may not win over $600 inU900, $1500 in U1200, $3000 in U1400 or U1600. Games rated too late for 7/12 list not counted. 2) If official rating 7/11-6/12 or unofficial post-event rating posted 7/3/11-7/3/12 was more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $2000. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $300 in U900, $800 U1200, $1200 U1400, $1600 U1600, $2000 U1800, or $2500 U2000. 4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Open, U2400, U2200, U2200, U1800, U1600, U1400 EF: Mailed by 2/15, all 5-day $305, 4-day $304, 3-day $303, 7-day $307. Open has 5-day and 7-day only; no 7-day in U1400 or U1200. Mailed by 5/15 all $10 more, mailed by 6/20 all $20 move. Online at chesstour. com, all $307 by 2/15, $317 by 5/15, $327 by 6/25, $350 6/26 to 2 hours before round 1 or at site. Phoned to 406-896-2038, all $330 by 6/25. At site, all $350; no checks, credit cards OK. GMs free in Open; $200 deducted from prize. IMs, WGMs EF $100 less, $100 deducted from prize. All Open Section EF $100 more for US players never rated 2200 or over by FIDE. Under 1200 Section EF: all $150 less. EF for U900 Section, or unrated in U1200 Section: $43 mailed by 6/20, $47 online at chesstour. com by 6/25, $60 online to 2 hours before round 1 or at site. Rated seniors 65/up in U1400 or over: all $150 less. Senior Amateur or Women's Championship EF: $76 mailed by 6/20, $78 online by 6/25, $90 at site. Under 13 Championship or Under 13 Novice EF: $39 mailed by 6/20, $41 online by 6/25, $50 at site. No checks at site; credit cards OK. Re-entry: $160, no re-entry from Open to Open. $20 fee for switch-ing section after 7/3. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Open to U1200 5-day schedule: Wed 7 pm, Thu 11 am & 6 pm, Fri 11 am & 6 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 5 pm. U2400 to U1200 4-day schedule: Thu 11, 2:30 & 6, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. U2400 to U1200 3-day schedule: Fri 11, 1:30, 3:30, 6 & 8:30, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. Open to U1600 7-day schedule: Mon-Wed 7 pm, Thu-Fri 6 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. All above schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under 900 schedule: Fri 11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Sat & Sun each 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm. Senior Amateur & Women's Championship schedule: Sun 11 am & 6 pm, Mon 10 & 5, Tue 10 & 4:30. Under 13 Championship schedule: Sun 11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Mon 10, 1 & 4, Tue 10, 1 & 4. Under 13 Booster schedule: Wed 11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Thu 10, 1 & 4. Half point byes OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Limit 1 half point bye in 6 round sections. Entries, re-entries close 1 hour before your first game. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: $99-99, 215-448-2000, ask for chess rate, may sell out about May 31, two night minimum July 6-7. Special car rental rates: Avis, 800331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 pts added to FIDE (except Open Section), 100 to FQE, 200 or more to most foreign, no pts added to CFC, Puerto Rico or Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U2000 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player ratings: Official July ratings used; FIDE ratings used for Open Section only. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: 1) Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round3 or after, players with scores of 80% or over and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones, cell phones or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess. US, 845-496-9658. You may request “lowest possible section” if July rating unknown.$15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Bring set, board, clock if possible-none supplied. Chess Magnet School JGP. July 7, Pennsylvania Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (Enhanced) World Open 10-Minute Championship (QC) 5SS, G/10, d/2. Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel (see World Open). Prizes $2000 based on 67 entries, else in proportion except half each prize guaranteed. In 2 sections. Open Section: $400-200-100, top U2300/Unr $220, U2100/Unr$200. Under 1900 Section: $280-14070, top U1700 $160, U1500 $130, U1300 $100, no unrated may win over $150. Entry fee: $40, at site only, no checks. Reg: 7-10 pm, rounds 10:15 pm, 11pm, 11:35 pm, 12:10 am, 12:45 am. 1 half point bye available, must commit before rd 2. Quick-rated (will not affect regular ratings), but higher of regular or quick used for pairings & prizes. July 8, Pennsylvania Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 30 (Enhanced) World Open Blitz Championship (QC) 5SS, G/5 (double round, 10 games). Sheraton PhiladelphiaCity Center Hotel (see World Open). $2500 guaranteed prizes. In 2 sections: Open Section: $500-300-200, top U2400 $220, U2200/Unr $200. Under 2000 Section: $300-150-80, top U1800 $180, U1600 $160, U1400 $130, U1200 $80, no unrated may win over $150. Entry fee: $40, at site only, no checks. Reg.: 6-11 pm, rounds 11:15 pm, 12 midnight, 12:30 pm, 1 am, 1:30 am. Bye: OK rd 1. Quick-rated (will not affect regular ratings); prizes based on higher of regular or quick ratings. July 19-22, 20-22 or 21-22, California, Southern Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 100 (Enhanced) 17th annual Pacific Coast Open 6SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-3 G/45,d5). Under 900 Section, July 21-22 only, G/70, d/5. Sheraton Agoura Hills Hotel, 30100 Agoura Rd., Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (US-101 to Reyes Adobe Road exit). Adjacent

uschess.org


to the Santa Monica Mountains, 26 miles west of Burbank, 12 miles from Malibu, 28 miles from Ventura. Free parking. Prizes $25,000 based on 230 paid entries (re-entries count half, Under 900 one-third), minimum $15,000 (60% each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections. Open: $3000-1500700-400, clear or tiebreak win $100 bonus, top U2300/Unr $1600-800. FIDE. Under 2100: $2000-1000-500-300. Under 1900: $2000-1000-500300. Under 1700: $1800-900-500-300. Under 1500: $1500-700-400-200. Under 1200: $1200-600-300-200. Under 900: $300-200-120-80, trophies to top 7. Unrated may enter any section, with prize limit U2100 $1000, U1900 $800, U1700 $600, U1500 $400, U1200 $200, U900 $100; balance goes to next player(s) in line. If any post-event rating posted at uschess. org 7/18/11-7/18/12 is more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $600. Top 6 sections EF: 4-day $134, 3-day $133, 2-day $132 mailed by 7/10, all $135 online at chesstour.com by 7/15, $140 phoned by 7/15 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), $150 (no checks, credit cards OK) at tmt. No mailed credit card entries. GMs free; $120 deducted from prize. Under 900 Section EF: all $90 less than above. SCCF membership ($18, jrs $10) required for rated Southern CA residents. Re-entry $70; not available in Open Section. Unofficial uschess. org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. 4-day schedule: Reg Thu to 6:30 pm, rds Thu 7 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 11 am, rds Fri 12 & 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg Sat to 9 am, rds Sat 10,12:45, 3:15 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. Under 900 schedule: Reg Sat to 9 am, rds 10, 1:15, 4:30 each day. All schedules: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, Open must commit before rd 2, other sections before rd 4. HR: $87-87, 818-707-1220, request chess rate, reserve by 7/5 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. July 20-22 or 21-22, Illinois Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 120 (Enhanced) 5th annual Chicago Class 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5). Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, IL 60090 (from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwaukee, I-94 to Lake Cook Rd to US-45 south). Free parking. $20,000 guaranteed prize fund. In 8 sections; no unrated allowed in Master or Expert. Master (2200/up): $2000-1000-600-400, clear win or 1st on tiebreak $100, top U2400 $800400. FIDE. Expert (2000-2199): $1400-700-400-200. Class A (1800-1999/ Unr): $1400-700-400-200. Class B (1600-1799/Unr): $1400-700-400-200. Class C (1400-1599/Unr): $1200-600-400-200. Class D (1200-1399/Unr): $1000-500-300-200. Class E (Under 1200/Unr): $1000-500-300-200. Under 1000 (Under 1000/Unr): $200-100-60-40, trophies to first 5, top Under 800, Under 600, Unrated. Rated players may play up one section. Prize limits: Unrated may not win over $100 in U1000, $200 E, $300 D, $500 C, $700 B, or $900 A. If any post-event rating posted at uschess.org 7/19/11-7/19/12 is more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $500. Top 7 sections EF: 3-day $103, 2-day $102 mailed by 7/11, all $104 online at chesstour.com by 7/16, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 7/16 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. Under 1000 Section EF: all $70 less than above. All: No mailed credit card entries. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online or mailed EF $5 less to ICA members; join/ renew at il-chess.org. An ICA Tour event. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry $50; not available in Master Section. GMs $80 from prize. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. Bye: all, Master must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $103-103-103-103, 800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 7/6 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chesstour.com, 845496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. July 27-29 or 28-29, Connecticut Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 50 (Enhanced) 17th Annual Bradley Open 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5). Sheraton Hotel, 1 Bradley Airport (visible at airport entrance), Windsor Locks, CT 06096 (I-91 Exit 40 to Rt. 20). Free parking. $8000 guaranteed prize fund. In 5 sections. Open: $1000-500-300, U2300 $450. FIDE. Under 2100: $800400-200, top U1900 $450. Under 1800: $800-400-200, top U1600 $450. Under 1500: $700-400-200, top U1300 $300. Under 1200: $250-125-75, trophies to 1st place, top U1000, U800, U600, Unrated. Unrated may not win over $150 in U1200, $300 in U1500 or $500 in U1800. Top 4 sections EF: 3-day $88, 2-day $87 if check mailed by 7/18, all $89 online at chesstour.com by 7/24, $95 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 7/24 (entry only, no questions), $100 at site. No mailed credit card entries. U1200 Section EF: all $40 less than above. No checks at site, credit cards OK. GMs free, $80 deducted from prize. Mailed EF $3 less to CSCA or WMCA members. Re-entry $50; not available in Open Section. Unofficial uschess. org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. Bye: all, limit 2; must commit before rd 2. HR: $89-89, 860-627-5311; reserve by 7/13 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chess tour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.

uschess.org

July 27-29 or 28-29, Florida Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (Enhanced) 20th Annual Southern Open 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5). Wyndham Orlando Resort, 8001 International Dr., Orlando 32819. Free parking. $$16,000 based on 200 paid entries (re-entries & $50 off entries count half), $12,000 (75% each prize) minimum guaranteed. In 5 sections. Open: $2000-1000-500-300, clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top Under 2300/Unr $800, Under 2200/Unr $700. Under 2100: $1400-700400-200, top Under 1900 (no unr) $500. Under 1800: $1400-700-400-200, top Under 1600 (no unr) $500. Under 1500: $1200-600-300-200, top Under 1300 (no unr) $400. Under 1200: $800-400-200-100, trophies to top Under1000, Under 800, Under 600, Unrated. Unrated may not win over $150 in U1200, $300 U1500, or $500 U1800. Top 4 sections EF: 3-day $103, 2-day $102 mailed by 7/18, all $105 online at chesstour.com by 7/24, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 7/24 (entry only, no questions), $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. GMs free; $100 deducted from prize. EF for all in U1200 or unrated in U1500: all $50 less than above. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry $60; not available in Open Section. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $71-71 plus resort fee (currently 7.5%), 1-800-421-8001, 407-351-2420; reserve by 7/13 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, [email protected], 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. July 28-Aug. 1, Maryland Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 150 2012 Washington International 9SS, 40/90, SD/30 inc/30. Rockville Hilton, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-468-0308. Guaranteed Prizes: $5000-3000-2000-1000900-800-700-600-500-500, top U2500 $700-300, top U2300 $700-300. (minimum 2100 FIDE to play. FIDE ratings used for pairings and prizes). Sets, board and clocks provided. GM and IM norms possible. Free Continental breakfast every morning. Optionally, pairings can be texted to your phone. EF: GMs, non-US IMs, or FIDE over 2500 Free, US IMs, non-US FIDE rated, or FIDE over 2400 $200, FIDE over 2300 $300, FIDE over 2200 $400, FIDE under 2200 $500. All $25 more after 6/1, $50 more after 6/29, $75 more after 7/24, $100 more at the door. Special EFs: ALL EFs $50 less, if staying at the Hilton. Schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds 7/28-7/31:11&6, Wed 8/1 10am. HR: $98. Ent: MCA, c/o Michael Regan, 1827 Thornton Ridge Rd., Towson, MD 21204. More information, link for hotel reservation & online entry at: http://washingtoninternationalchess.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Aug. 3-5 or 4-5, Ohio Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 100 (Enhanced) Cleveland Open 5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel, 5300 Riverside Dr. (inside Cleveland Airport; free shuttle), Cleveland, OH 44135. Free parking, free airport shuttle. $16,000 guaranteed prize fund. In 6 sections. Open: $2000-1000-600-300, clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top Under2200/Unr $1200-600. FIDE. Under 2000: $1400-700-400-200. Under 1800: $1400-700-400-200. Under 1600: $1200-600-300-200. Under 1300: $1000-500-300-200. Under 1000: $300-200-100, trophies to top U800, U600, Unr. Unrated may not win over $150 in U1000, $300 U1300, $500 U1600, or $800 U1800. Top 5 sections EF: 3-day $103, 2-day $102 mailed by 7/25, all $105 online at chesstour.com by 7/31, $110phoned to 406-896-2038 by 7/31 (entry only, no questions), $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. No mailed credit card entries. GMs free; $90 deducted from prize. EF for all in U1000 or unrated in U1300: $70 less than above. Unofficial uschess. org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry $50; not available in Open Section. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $85-85-85-85, 216-267-1500, request chess rate, reserve by 7/20 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-3311600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! Aug. 4-12, 7-12 or 9-12, Washington Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 300 113th annual U.S. Open See Nationals. A Heritage Event! Aug. 9-12, 10-12 or 11-12, Massachusetts Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 120 (Enhanced) 42nd annual Continental Open 6SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-3 G/50). Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, 366 Main St. (Rt 20 West), Sturbridge, MA 01566 (I-84 Exit 3, near I-90). Free parking. Experience early 19th century America at Old Sturbridge Village (see www.osv.org). Prizes $30,000 based on 250 paid entries (reentries & $60 less EF count half), minimum $21,000 (70% of each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections. Open: $3000-1500-700-400-300, clear or tiebreak win $100 bonus, top U2400/Unr $1800-1000. FIDE. Under 2200: $2000-1000-600-400-200. Under 2000: $2000-1000-600-400-200. Under 1800: $2000-1000-600-400-200. Under 1600: $1800-900-500-400-200. Under 1400: $1500-800-400-300-200. Under 1100: $700-400-250-150-

100. Unrated may enter any section, with prize limit U2000 $1000, U1800 $800, U1600 $600, U1400 $400, U1100 $250; balance goes to next player(s) in line. Top 6 sections EF: 4-day $149, 3-day $148, 2-day $147 mailed by 7/31, all $149 online at chesstour.com by 8/6, $155 phoned by 8/6 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), $160 (no checks, credit cards OK) at tmt. No credit card mailed entries. GMs free; $140 deducted from prize. EF for all in Under 1100 Section & unrated in Under 1400: all $60 less. All: Advance EF $5 less to MACA members; may join/renew at masschess.org. Re-entry $80; not available in Open Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour. com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. 4-day schedule: Reg Thu to 6:30 pm, rds Thu7 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 11 am, rds Fri 12 & 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg Sat to 9 am, rds Sat 10, 12:45, 3:15 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. All schedules: Bye all, limit 2, Open must commit before rd 2, other sections before rd 4. HR: $89-89-99, 800-582-3232, 508-347-7393, request chess rate, reserve by 7/26 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.us, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Aug. 17-19 or 18-19, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 150 (Enhanced) 11th annual Manhattan Open 6-SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5). New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Ave at 34th St. across from Penn Station, New York 10001. $35,000 guaranteed prizes. Open & U2300 Sections are FIDE rated. In 10 sections: Open: $2500-1500-1000-700-500-400, clear or tiebreak first $200 bonus, top Under 2500/Unr $1200. Under 2300, Under 2100, Under 1900, Under 1700: each $1500-1000-700-500-400-300. Under 1500, Under 1300: each $1200-800-600-500-400-300. Under 1100: $700-400-300-200-100-100. Under 900:Trophies to first 10, top Unrated. Under 700:Trophies to first 10, top Under 500, Under 300, Unrated. Prize limits: 1) If any post-event rating posted at uschess.org 7/19/11-7/19/ 12 is more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $800. 2) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $200 in U1100, $400 U1300, $600 U1500, $800 U1700 or $1000 U1900. 3) Balance of limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Top 7 sections EF: 3-day $163, 2-day $162 if check mailed by 8/8, all $165 online at chesstour.com by 8/13, $170 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 8/13, $180 at site. Under 1100 Section EF: 3-day $83, 2-day $82 if check mailed by 8/8, all $85 online at chess tour.com by 8/13, $90 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 8/13, $100 at site. Under 900 or Under 700 Section EF: 3-day $33, 2-day $32 if check mailed by 8/8, all $35 online at chesstour.com by 8/13, $40 phoned to 406-8962038 by 8/13, $50 at site. No phone entry after 8/13. Online late entry is available between 8/14 and two hours before round 1, with same fee as at site. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF membership with paper magazine if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. No checks at site, credit cards OK. No mailed credit card entries. Re-entry: $80, no re-entry from Open Section to Open Section. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 11 am, rds Fri 12 & 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 9 am, rds Sat. 10, 12:45, 3:15 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day & 2-day merge & compete for same prizes. Byes: all; limit 2, Open must commit before rd2, others before rd 3. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: $175-175-195210 (rates for 3 or 4 in room are for 2 beds), 1-800-764-4680, reserve by 7/27or rate may increase, ask for Continental Chess Association rate. Car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online at chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200/more to most other foreign, no points added to CFC, PR or Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U1900 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player ratings: August list used; FIDE ratings not used. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577.Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. You may request “lowest possible section” if August rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Regional Alabama Apr. 14, Pushing Pawns Scholastic 5SS, TC: G/30. Helena Intermediate School, 3500 Hwy 52, Helena, AL 35080. Open (K-12): EF: $20; Middle (K-8), Elementary (K-4): EF: $10, if mailed by APR 7th. Trophy: Top 3 Individual, Medals 4th-6th. Late REG.: APR 14th at 8AM. Rds.: 9-10-11-1-2. Checks payable to: Caesar Chess. ENT: Caesar Chess LLC, 5184 Caldwell Mill Rd., Suite 204-202, Birmingham, AL 35244. Info: [email protected]/www.AlabamaChess.com. May 4-6 or 5-6, 2012 Georgia Chess Championship (GA) See Grand Prix.

Arizona Apr. 21, Liulia Cardona's Tempe Open 4 round, USCF rated tournament. SECTIONS: USCF: 2000 & up/16001999/1200-1599/U1200. ASCF: U1000; G/60 for the top 4 sections. G/30 for U1000; ROUND TIMES: 4 top sections: 9am/11:15am/1:30pm/3:30pm. 5:30pm Ceremony. U/1000: 9am/10:15am/12:00pm/1:15pm. 2:30pm Ceremony. PRIZES: $200 1st, $100 2nd 2000 & up/ Top 3 trophies in 16001999, 1200-1599, and U1200/ Top 5 U1000 plus best U800 and U600. ENTRY FEE: $20 by 4/18, $23 by 4/19, $26 by 4/20, $30 at site. $10 to play up. TO REGISTER: chessemporium.com, call 602-482-4867. SITE: 1835 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe, AZ. May 4-6 or 5-6, Western Amateur (CA-S) See California, Southern.


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Tournament Life May 5 & 12, Metro Phoenix Chess Club G/60 #1 Grand Opening Event Format: 4-SS (G/60, d/5), dual rated. One Open Section. Played over two Saturdays, two rounds each Saturday. EF: $20. Registration: 9am–10am (onsite). Round Times: 10:15am, 12:30pm. Prizes: $450 prize fund based on 30 full-paid entries, 1st, 2nd & Under cash prizes will be awarded at the end of Round 4 on May 12th. One 1/2 point bye available. USCF membership required and available on site. Note: The director reserves the right to create a 2nd section if a large rating disparity exists. Location: InnPlace Hotel Phoenix, 10220 N. Metro Parkway East, Phoenix, AZ 85051 (2nd Floor Cottonwood Room). Skittles room available for analysis of games. Hotel has a lounge, outside patio and full service restaurant. Please bring your own sets for analysis of games. Club sets cannot be removed from the tournament room. Phone: 602-850-1515. Info: www.phoenixchess.org or [email protected]. May 26-28, 2012 U.S. Amateur West Championship See Nationals.

California, Northern Capital City C. C. Sundays Chess for Kids Round Table Pizza, 3005 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento. Quads (3/RR). T/C: G/30 w/5 Second Delay. RDS.: 12pm/Ongoing. PRIZES: 1st - Trophy or Inscribed Chess Clock, 1st thru 4th - Medals or Pins. TIE-BREAK: G/7 w/3 Second Delay. EF: $20 (Includes $5 Food Gift Certificate). REG.: 11am at Site Only. DIRECTOR: John C. Barnard 209-450-6133. JohnCharles Barnard@ gmail.com, capitalcitychessclub.com. Apr. 14, CalNorth Youth Chess Swiss Championships Weibel Elementary School, 45135 S. Grimmer Blvd., Fremont, CA. Held in memory of Hans Poschmann. Info & Entry Form at: www.calnorthyouthchess.org/WeibelChess/SpringTournaments2012. Open to all scholastic players who are USCF members. Ten place trophies in five rating groups: unrated to 400, 401 to 800, 801 to 1000, 1001 to 1300, above 1300. Game 30 d5 for up to 400, 401 to 800, 801 to 1000. Game 45 d5 for 1001 to 1300 and above 1300. The most current rating will be used for placement. Ten place trophies in each section with trophies for anyone tied on points with tenth place winner. Chess medals to all who do not win a trophy. Info: Alan M. Kirshner, Ph.D., [email protected], (510) 659-0358. A State Championship Event! Apr. 20 or 21 or 22 or 21-22, CalChess State Scholastics Championship 2012 Note corrections: Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy. Park free. Hotel $109: Hyatt Regency, 5101 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara. Main Event: Trophies to all KG & top 20 players (winning record) in each section. Medals to others. K-3 u900 sections: Sat 9a. K & 4-6 u750: Sun 9a. Blitz Fr 6-8:30p. Bughouse Sa 6-8:30p. EF by 4/10: 1-day $48, 2-day $60. Onsite+$40. Apr Supp & TD disc to place players. Info/reg: CalChessScholastics.org. Quest: ask@BayAreaChess. com. USCF+CalChess Mem reqd. NS, NC, W. Apr. 21-22, 7th Annual Frank Doyle Open See Grand Prix. Apr. 28-29, Hans Poschmann Memorial 4-SS, 30/90; SD/60 d/5. Club Sport, 46650 Landing Parkway, Fremont, CA 94538. $$B 60 paid entries (not counting unrated entries). Three Sections: Open $300-210 U2200 $200-100; A/B $200-150 U1800 $145-100; Reserve $200-150 U1400 $145-100 Unr: Trophy First. All, EF: postmarked by 4/23 $60, $70 at site. Unrateds $20 in the Reserve section or may play up to the Open section for the regular fee. USCF memb. req'd. May play up for add'l $10 per section. Reg.: Sat 4/28 9:00-9:45am. RDS.: Sat 10:00-3:30; Sun 10:00-3:30; One 1/2 pt bye available if requested in advance (bye in rds 3 or 4 must be requested before rd 1).

2012 April Supplement, CCA minimums and Directors discretion will be used to place players as accurately as possible. Please bring clocks and equipment. INFO: Ken Zowal (510)-623-9935. Email: [email protected] or [email protected]. Ent: Ken Zowal, P.O. Box 3211, Fremont CA 94539. No Phone entries. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Apr. 7&8, 14&15, 21&22, 28&29, LACC - Sat & Sun G/61 6SS, G/61. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $45 ($35 LACC memb). Reg.: 11-12 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm each day. Prizes: 1/2 collections. Parking: Free at BoA and streets ($3 basement). Info: 310/7955710 or [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP.

May 4-6 or 5-6, Western Amateur (CA-S) See California, Southern.

Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28, LACC - LA Masters G/30 3SS, G/30. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks W 405. EF: $30 ($20 memb). Reg.: 5-6 pm. Rds.: 6, 7, 8 pm. Prizes: ($180 b/10, 75%); Parking: Free at BoA ($3 basement). Info: 310/795-5710.

May 19, CalNorth Youth Chess Quads Weibel Elementary School, 45135 S. Grimmer Blvd., Fremont, CA. Info & Entry Form at: www.calnorthyouthchess.org/WeibelChess/SpringTournaments2012. Open to all scholastic players who are USCF members. Trophies to winners of each Quad. Chess medals to all who do not win a trophy. Info: Alan M. Kirshner, Ph.D., [email protected], (510) 659-0358. May 26-28 or 27-28, Best of the West Class Championship See Grand Prix. May 27, Azhar Memorial NorCal Grade Level Champ Marriott, 2700 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, CA. Hotel $89. Trophies: Top 20 players & Top 10 teams in ea section. 8 sections: KG 1 2 3 4 5 6 7-12. Sched: Reg. 8:30-9a. K-3: 5xG/30 games 9:30 11 12:30 1:50 3:15. Gr 4-12: 4xG4/5 games 9:30 11:20 1:15 3:15. EF by 5/22: $39. Info: BayAreaChess.com/grade12. NS, NC, W.

Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28, LACC - Saturday G/61 3SS, G/61. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. ($320 b/20), $100/50/30; U1800-1200: $50/40/30/20. EF: $25 ($20 memb). Reg.: 1112 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm. Parking: basement ($3). Info: 310/795-5710. Apr. 14&15, LACC - Sat & Sun G/90 4SS, G/90. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $45 ($35 LACC memb). Reg.: 11-12 pm. Rds.: 12, 3 pm each day. Prizes: 1/2 collections. Parking: Free on Butler ($3 basement). Info: 310/795-5710 or Mick@LA ChessClub.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.

June 22-24 or 23-24, Summer Open See Grand Prix.

Apr. 22, LACC - 2012 Westwood Spring Open See Grand Prix.

California, Southern

Apr. 27-29, 2012 National Junior High (K-9) Championship See Nationals.

Los Angeles CHESS CLUB The premier chess club in Southern California! (310) 7955710 * www.LAChessClub.com. The premier chess club in Southern California! Saturdays: 10AM-10 pm (Novice Class & 3 Tournaments) Sundays: 12-6 & 1-5 pm (Beginner class & 2 Tournaments) – Details on our web site Tuesdays: 7:30-9:30 pm (Intermediate/Advance Lecture) 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025 * (310) 795-5710 (4 blocks 405 West, Santa Monica& Butler * 2nd Floor – above Javan Restaurant) * Group Classes * Tournaments * Private (1:1) Lessons. Beverly Hills Chess Club Join the elite group of chess enthusiasts! Curriculum based instruction from ages 3 and above, Privates, Lectures, Blitz, Simuls, Open & Scholastic tournaments, Camps, Adult events, Member-only events and more... Open T, TH, F, Sat, Sun (hours vary). 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. In the Beverly Hills Plaza (Corner of Lapeer Dr. & Olympic) 310-274-7873, email us at [email protected], website www.bhchessclub.com. Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, LACC - Every Sunday Chess 4 Jrs. 5 separate events – 2 Sections: 1000+ & U1000 (latest ratings used), 5SS, G/30. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blocks W 405. EF: $25 ($20 LACC memb, $10 off siblings, Free new LACC memb). Reg.: 12-1 pm. Rds.: 1, 2, 3, 4 pm; Prizes: Trophies (Top 3) & Medals (rest); each player receives a prize! Parking: Free at BoA and streets. Free snacks & free class (12-1). Info: (310) 795-5710 or [email protected]. Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, LACC - Sunday G/61 3SS, G/61. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025 2nd fl. ($320 b/20), $100/50/30; U1800-1200: $50/40/30/20. EF: $25 ($20 memb). Reg.: 1112 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm. Parking: Free at BoA and streets ($3 basement). Info: 310/795-5710.

May 4-6 or 5-6, Western Amateur 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5). Sheraton Four Points LAX, 9750 Airport Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. Special parking $5/day. $$10,000 guaranteed. In 5 sections. Under 2300: $1000-500300-200, top Under 2100/Unr $400-200. FIDE. Under 2000: $1000-500300-200, top Under 1800 $400-200. Under 1700: $800-500-300-200, top Under 1500 $400-200. Under 1400: $600-300-200-100, top Under 1200 $300-150. Under 1100: $400-200-100-50, trophies to top 3,1st Under 900, Under 700, Under 500, Unrated. Unrated may not win over $200 in U1100, $300 U1400, or $500 U1700. Top 3 sections EF: 3-day $83, 2-day $82 mailed by 4/26, all $85 online atchesstour.com by 5/1, $90 phoned to 406896-2038 by 5/1 (entry only, no questions), $100 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. U1400 Section EF: All $20 less than top 3 sections EF. U1100 Section EF: All $40 less than top 3 sections EF. All: re-entry $60. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if other unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. SCCF mem. ($18, jr. $10) required for rated Southern CA residents. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm,Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 3. HR: $89-89, 1-800-529-4683, 310-649-7025; reserve by 4/20 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWDD657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845496-9658. Advance entries posted atchesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 26-28 or 27-28, 2012 Lina Grumette Memorial Day Classic See Grand Prix. May 27, MDC Action Swiss 5-SS, G/30. Hilton Ontario Airport, 700 N. Haven Ave., Ontario, CA 91764. $$500 b/40, else proportional: $150-70-40, U2100/ Unr $80, U1800 $80, Under 1500 $80. EF: $20 if received by 5/25, $25 at door. Reg.: 9:30-10 a.m. Rds.: 10:15-11:30-12:45-2:30-3:45. Ent: SCCF, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. On-line entry: www.scchess.com.

$10,000 guaranteed prizes for Under 2300 or unrated!

May 27, MDC Scholastics 5-SS, G/30. Hilton Ontario Airport, 700 N. Haven Ave., Ontario, CA 91764 Open to gr. 12-below. In two sections: Open: Trophies to top 5, top 3 U1200, top 2 Unrated. Grade 6/below U1000: Trophies to top 5, top 3 U700, top 2 Unrated. Reg.: 8:30-9. Rds.: 9:30-11-12:15-1:45-3. EF: $16 if received by 5/25, $20 door. Info: [email protected]. On-line ent: www.scchess.com. Ent: SCCF, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754.

5 round Swiss with 3-day & 2-day schedule options. 3-day is 40/2, SD/1, d/5. 2-day option, rounds 1-2 G/75, d/5, then merges with 3-day. $89 room rates, $5 parking, free airport shuttle. In 5 sections:

May 28, MDC Hexes 3-SS, G/90. Hilton Ontario Airport, 700 N. Haven Ave., Ontario, CA 91764 8-player sections by rating. EF: $21 if received by 5/25, $24 door. $$ 4020-10 each section. Reg.: 9:30-10:15 a.m. Rds.: 10:30-1:30-4:30. Ent: SCCF, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. On-line entry: www.sc chess.com.

WESTERN AMATEUR May 4-6 or 5-6, Sheraton Four Points at LA Airport

Under 2300 Section: $1000-500-300-200, top U2100 $400-200. Under 2000 Section: $1000-500-300-200, top U1800 $400-200. Under 1700 Section: $800-500-300-200, top U1500 $400-200. Under 1400 Section: $600-300-300-100, top U1300 $300-150. Under 1100 Section: $400-200-100-50, trophy to first 3, top Under 900, Under 700, Under 500, Unrated. Unrated limit: $200 in U1100, $300 U1400, or $500 in U1700. FULL DETAILS: see “Grand Prix” in this issue or chesstour.com.

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Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28, LACC - Sat Nite Blitz G/5 (QC) 5DSS, (10 Games). 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blks W 405. EF: $10. Q-rated. Reg.: 8-9 pm. Rds.: 9, 9:20, 9:40, 10, 10:20. Prizes: 1/2 EF. Parking: Free on Butler ($3 basement).


July 19-22, 20-22 or 21-22, 17th annual Pacific Coast Open See Grand Prix.

Colorado A State Championship Event! Mar. 31-Apr. 1, 2012 Colorado Class Tournament 4 SS, G/90, inc/30. Manitou Springs City Hall, 606 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, CO 80829. Directions: Take I-25 to Exit 141, US 24 West. Head 3 1/2 miles west towards the mountains and depart US24 at the Manitou Avenue exit. Turn west onto Manitou Avenue then go 1 mile to the Manitou Springs City Hall. 7 Sections: SM/M/X, A, B, C, D, E, Under E/Unr. E and Under E/Unr. sections may be combined if there are not enough participants in either section. Pre-registration EF: $40 if received by Friday March 23, 2012; $30 for seniors (65 & over), juniors (under 21), and unrated players (no USCF Rating on the USCF Ratings website for March 2012 Supplement). No pre-registrations accepted without full payment. On-site EF: $45 regular; $33 for seniors (65 & over), juniors (under 21) and unrated players (no USCF Rating on the USCF Ratings website for March 2012 Supplement). Prizes: Cash Prizes per Entries. Unrated players may only win an Unrated category prize. *In addition,

uschess.org


the Class champions in the A, B, C, D, and E classes will represent Colorado in the Rocky Mountains Team Chess Challenge. Reg.: Sat, 9am-10:30am. Rds.: Sat 11am-4pm, Sun 9am-2pm. Ent & Info: Jerry Maier, 229 Hargrove Ct., Colorado Springs, CO 80919-2213; pmjer77@ aim.com; 719.660.5531; more info at www.colorado-chess.com/new tourn.shtml. CO TOUR EVENT. USCF Membership required. CSCA Membership required ($15 reg; $10 Youth-under 21 or Senior-65+). OSA. Byes: One non-retractable 1/2 point bye may be requested no later than the start of the second round. Produced and Directed by the Colorado State Chess Association. Chess Magnet School JGP. A State Championship Event! Apr. 21-22, 2012 Colorado Senior Championship 4 SS, G/90, inc/30. Masonic Lodge, 455 El Paso Ave., Manitou Springs, CO 80829. Directions: Take I-25 to Exit 141, US 24 West. Head 3 1/2 miles west towards the mountains and depart US24 at the Manitou Avenue exit. Turn west onto Manitou Avenue then go 1 mile to Old Man's Trail (at the park) and turn right. Continue to El Paso Blvd and turn right. Travel for 1/4 mile, site will be on your right; turn into the parking lot for the Masonic Lodge (big white building). Open: Open to all players age 50 or older by December 31, 2012. EF: $40 regular; $30 for seniors (65 & over) and unrated players (no USCF Rating on the USCF Ratings website for April 2012 Supplement). No Pre-registration discount. Prizes: Cash prizes per entries. Reg.: Sat, 9:30-10:30am. Rds.: Sat 11am-4pm, Sun 9am-2pm. Ent & Info: Jerry Maier, 229 Hargrove Ct., Colorado Springs, CO 80919-2213; [email protected]; 719.660.5531; more info at www.colorado-chess.com/newtourn.shtml. NOT a Colorado Tour Event. BYES: One non-retractable 1/2 point bye may be requested no later than the start of the second round. Produced and Directed by the Colorado State Chess Association. May 5-6, 3rd Annual Salute To Bobby Fischer 4 Round Swiss System Tournament. Time Control: All rounds: 40/120 – G/60, d/5. Site: The Inn at Palmer Divide, 443 State Highway 105, Palmer Lake, CO 80133. Sections: Open (open to all), U1800, U1400. EF: $55. Pre-Registration: $50. Must be received by May 3, 2012. Go to eagle andking.webs.com for entry form. USCF membership required. See www. uschess.org for rates. Prizes: Cash prizes per entries, paid at end of event. Registration: Saturday 5/5, 8:30-9:30am. Rounds: 5/5 - 10:00am, 3:00pm; 5/6 – 9:00am, 3:00pm. Entries: Fred Spell, 16845 Buffalo Valley Path, Monument, CO 80132. Phone: (719) 491-1040. Email: gentle [email protected]. Presented by the Gentlemen's Chess Club. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Connecticut Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 23rd annual Vermont Resort Open (VT) See Grand Prix. May 18-20 or 19-20, 20th annual New York State Open (NY) See Grand Prix. June 8-10 or 9-10, 18th Annual Northeast Open See Grand Prix. July 27-29 or 28-29, 17th Annual Bradley Open See Grand Prix. Aug. 9-12, 10-12 or 11-12, 42nd annual Continental Open (MA) See Grand Prix.

Delaware Newark Chess Club 4-SS, G/75. USCF-rated games every Thursday 7-10 PM. 345 School Bell Rd., Bear, DE 19701. For a full year of weekly games $22 for in-state players, $15 out-of-state! www.newarkchessclub.blogspot.com, newark [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 21, Cecil County Chess Club Quads (MD) See Maryland. June 9-10, 2012 Delaware Capital Open Residence Inn Dover, 600 Jefferic Blvd., Dover, DE 19901. In 2 Sections, Open: 5SS, G/90, $$b/25: 1st $200, 2nd $125, 3rd $75, U2000 $75, U1800 $75. Reserve: 5SS, G/90, Open to 1600 & under. $$b/15: 1st $140, 2nd $90, 3rd $50, U1400 $50, U1200 $50. ALL: EF: $35 before June 1st, $40 after. Memb. Req'd: DCA $10($5 under 18). OSA. Reg.: 8:45-9:45 AM. Rds.: Sat 10, 2, 5:30 Sun 10, 2. Byes: limit one 1/2pt bye, must commit by start of round 3. ENT: Kevin Pytel, 604 N. Walnut St., Newport, DE 19804-2624 [email protected]. INFO: Kevin Pytel (KevinJPytel@aol. com). HR: ask for the $119 Chess Rate 302-677-0777. Skittles Room and restaurant on premises, many fine restaurants and points of interest nearby. Lots of door prizes and give-aways! NS. W. Chess Magnet School JGP.

District of Columbia Apr. 14-15, Kingstowne Chess Festival - 10th Annual! (VA) See Grand Prix. Apr. 21, Rated Beginners Open (RBO) 4-SS, G/30. U.S. Chess Center, 1501 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20005. Open to players rated under 1200 or unrated. EF: $30 ($20 if by 4/14). 5 sections by age. Reg.: 12-12:45. Info: 202/857-4922. www.chess ctr.org/rbo.php. May 6, Metro Sunday Quads 3-RR, G/90. U.S. Chess Center, 1501 M St. NW. EF: $20. $$ $40 each quad. Scholastic sections. EF: $10, Trophy prizes. Both: Reg.: 9:15-9:50. Rds.: 10-1-4. (202) 857-4922. www.chessctr.org./quads.php.

Florida Boca Raton Chess Club Friday nights, Game 90 Tournament, one game a week for 4 weeks. www.bocachess.com, 561-479-0351. Chess Magnet School JGP. South Florida Chess Club Wednesday's 6:30-10:30pm. Rated G/90 Tournaments and skittles. Most tournaments are 4+ rounds Call 561-573-3677 or 954-304-0928 or

uschess.org

email [email protected] or visit www.SouthFloridaChessClub.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 14, April OCG Open Orlando Chess and Games Center. 4SS, G/75. EF: $30. PF: $650 b/30 $250-$150-$100 best U-1600, U-1200, $75 each. Reg.: 9:15-9:45 am. RDS.: 10am-12:30pm-3pm-6pm, www.orlandochess.com. Info: call 407-248-0818 or email [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 21, April Scholastic Tournament Orlando Chess and Games Center. 5SS, G/30. EF: $30. Trophies and medals to all players, awards at 3:30 pm. Reg.: 9:15-9:55 am. RDS.: 1011-12-1:30-2:30, www.orlandochess.com. Info: call 407-248-0818 or email [email protected]. Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 19th Space Coast Open See Grand Prix. May 4-6 or 5-6, 2012 Georgia Chess Championship (GA) See Grand Prix. May 5, May OCG Quick Open (QC) Orlando Chess and Games Center. 6SS, G/29. EF: $30. PF: $650 b/30: $250-$150-$100, U-1600, U-1200 $75 each. Reg.: 9:15-9:55 am. RDS.: 10-11-12:30-1:30-2:30-3:30, www.orlandochess.com. Info: call 407-2480818 or email [email protected]. May 19, Central FL Tornado 4SS, G/75. Casselberry CC, Wirz Park, 806 Mark David Blvd., Casselberry, FL 32707. EF: $30, CFCC/CCC mbr $25, Masters free (EF deducted from any prize). $$480 b/25, 160-80-60, U1800, U1600, U1400 $60 ea. Reg.: 9:30am. Rds.: 10, 1, 3:30, 6. Info: (407) 629-6946 or www.centralflchess. org. Chess Magnet School JGP. June 8-10 or 9-10, Sunshine Summer Open & Scholastic Chess Tournament (formerly the After Memorial Open, now more sections) See Grand Prix. July 27-29 or 28-29, 20th Annual Southern Open See Grand Prix.

Georgia May 4-6 or 5-6, 2012 Georgia Chess Championship See Grand Prix. June 22-24 or 23-24, 2012 Castle Chess Grand Prix See Grand Prix. July 27-29 or 28-29, 20th Annual Southern Open (FL) See Grand Prix.

Idaho Apr. 21-22, 2012 Idaho Open Chess Championship 5SS, G/120 d5. 2 Sections: Open and Reserve (U1400). Site: ISU, Student Un Bldg, Salmon River Suites, 1065 S. 8th St., Pocatello, ID. EF: USCF mem req., $30 (U18 & 60+ $25), ISU students & Chess Club $10, by 04/18/12. $5 more (all) after. Reg & Ck in: 7:30-8:30 AM 04/21/12. Those not paid & ck'd in by 8:30 AM may not be paired in 1st rnd. RNDS.: 9,2,7,9,2. 1/2 pt byes: Max 1, Rd 1-4 only. 0 pt bye avail rnd 5. Commit by end of rd 2. Prizes: $$ b/30 non ISU; Open: $175-85-65; Reserve: $75-50 -35. HR/ENT/INFO: ICA, % Jay Simonson, 391 Carol Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83401, 208-206-7667, [email protected], www.idahochessassociation.org. NC, NS, W. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Illinois North Shore Chess Center 5500 W. Touhy Ave., Suite A, Skokie, IL 60077, 847.423.8626, www.nachess.org/nscc. Multiple monthly chess events: Quick and Regular rated tournaments, FIDE amateur tournaments, simuls and lectures by masters. Private & Group lessons for all ages and strengths available. Home of the Chicago Blaze US Chess League team. Contact: Sevan A. Muradian International Arbiter & International Organizer - sevan@na chess.org. Apr. 7, North Shore Chess Center (Skokie, IL) G/30 + 5/sec incr. - 5R-SS. See www.nachess.org/events for more info and online registration. Apr. 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, Aug. 4, Warriors Open & Reserve G/60+5(sec.delay), 3R-SS. Lincoln-Way West HS, 21701 S. Gouger Rd., New Lenox, IL 60451. Reg.: 8:15-8:45 am. Rds.: 9, 11:30, & 2. 2 Sections: Open & Reserve (U1000). EF: $5. No concession on site (bring sack lunch). USCF membership required. Contact: Coach Miller 815-4630104 or [email protected] with questions. Apr. 8, North Shore Chess Center (QC) G/3 + 2/sec increment Blitz. See www.nachess.org/events for more info and online registration. Apr. 14-15, North Shore Chess Center 9th NA Amateur Open - 2nd Annual Scott Silverman Memorial 4R-SS, G/90 + 30/sec inc. See www.nachess.org/events for more info and online registration. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 15, 76th Knights Quest 4SS, G/25, d5. Hilton Hotel, 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Presented by Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation. USCF Rated Sections: Open (K-12 & Adults), U1400 (K-12 & Adults), U1000 (K-8) & U600 (K8). Awards: Top 5 each section, medals all others, Team Awards: Top 2 teams in U600 & U1000. On-site Reg.: 12:00-12:30 pm. Rds.: 1 at 1:00 pm, rest ASAP. EF: $30 by 4/9, $35 after, $40 on-site. Registration/Info at: www.rknights.org. Apr. 20-22, 2012 All-Girls National Championships presented by the Kasparov Chess Foundation in association with the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation & USCF See Nationals.

Apr. 27, North Shore Chess Center Lantern Light Chess (QC) G/15 + 5/sec incr. See www.nachess.org/events for more info and online registration. Apr. 28, North Shore Chess Center G/60 + 5/sec incr. See www.nachess.org/events for more info and online registration. Apr. 29, North Shore Chess Center U1200 Scholastic See www.nachess.org/events for more info and online registration. May 5, JJC Chess Club 13th Annual Spring Tournament 3 round Quad, G/70. Joliet Jr. College, Bldg. J, Room 0006, 1215 Houbolt Ave., Joliet, IL 60431 (exit 127 from I-80). EF: $25 by 05/01, $35 at site. (Please Note: Due to the longer time control, no Scholastic players 12 or younger are allowed entry unless they are USCF rated 1,000 or higher, no exceptions please). Cash Prize: $50 for 1st-$25 for 2nd per quad (based on 4 per quad). Reg.: 9:00-9:50am. Rds.: 10:00-1:30-4:00. Info: Checks payable to Dennis R. Doyle, c/o JJC Chess Club, 536 Springwood Dr., Joliet, IL 60431, no phone or cr.card entries, cash only payment on day of tournament. Email questions to: [email protected]. May 6, 77th Knights Quest 4SS, G/25, d5. Hilton Hotel, 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Presented by Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation. USCF Rated Sections: Open (K-12 & Adults), U1400 (K-12 & Adults), U1000 (K-8) & U600 (K8). Awards: Top 5 each section, medals all others, Team Awards: Top 2 teams in U600 & U1000. On-site Reg.: 12:00-12:30 pm. Rds.: 1 at 1:00 pm, rest ASAP. EF: $30 by 4/31, $35 after, $40 on-site. Registration/Info at: www.rknights.org. May 19, Ninth Annual David Mote Memorial Open 4SS, G/75 (1st round G/60). First Congregational Church, 2100 Bates Ave., Springfield. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: 10-12:30-3:15-6. Lunch break at noon. EF: $17 by 5/16, $20 at site, $2 less to SCC members. Prizes: $$400 b/30. 140-80, 1600-1999 60, 1200-1599 50, Under 1200 40, Unrated 30. Ent/Info: David Long, 401 S. Illinois St., Springfield 62704. 217-726-2584. Information and directions available at our new web site www.springfieldchessclub.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open See Grand Prix. May 27, Chicago Open Action Quads 3RR, G/25, d/5, dual rated. Westin North Shore Hotel (see Chicago Open). EF: $20, at site only. $$ 50 1st each section. Reg. ends 1:45 pm, rds. 2, 3, 4. May 27, Chicago Open G/15 (QC) 4SS, G/15, d/3. Westin North Shore Hotel (see Chicago Open). Prizes $300 based on 20 entries, else in proportion: $100-50, U2100 $60, U1800 $50, U1500/Unr $40. EF: $20, at site only. Reg. ends 9:45 pm, rds. 10, 11, 11:45, 12:30. One half pt bye available, must commit before rd 2. Quick rated, but higher of regular or quick used for pairings & prizes. May 28, Chicago Open Blitz & Game/7 (QC) 2 separate tournaments at Westin North Shore Hotel (see Chicago Open). Blitz: G/5, no delay. Game/7: G/7, d/2. Each is a 4-SS, double round (8 games) with prizes $300 based on 20 entries, else in proportion: $100-50, U2100 $60, U1800 $50, U1500/Unr $40. EF: $20, at site only. Blitz: reg. ends 12:45 pm, rds. 1, 1:30, 2, 2:30. Game/7: reg. ends 10:15 pm, rds. 10:30, 11:15, 12, 12:45. Both: One pair of 1/2 pt byes available, must commit before rd 2. Quick rated, but higher of regular or quick used for pairings & prizes. July 20-22 or 21-22, 5th annual Chicago Class See Grand Prix.

Indiana Every Second Saturday of the Month 4SS, G/61d5. Donatos Pizza, 825 W 10th St., Indianapolis. Reg.: 1111:30AM, Rd 1, 11:40AM. $$:b/20 1st $200; 2nd $100; Class (A, B,) (C, D, E, Unr) $70 each. Prizes increased if + 20. EF: $27 - $5.00 BD month, - $5.00 for any state association (except ISCA), OCCC Memb.req'd Memb. includes magazine+. FIDE Titled Players Free. Ent: Donald Urquhart, 501 N. East St. # 802, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Info: at 317-634-6259 or email [email protected]. 3 entries in a class req'd for that class prize to be awarded. Chess Magnet School JGP. Orange Crush Chess Club Friday Night Blitz (QC) Burger King, 410 E Morris St. (E Morris St and S East St). Show your OCCC card for free upsize. Reg.: 6-6:25pm, starts at 6:30pm. Type: 3 RR Quad, G/5d2, QC. EF: $8.00, $$4-Quad 1st $25.00. Ent: Donald Urquhart, 501 N. East St., #802, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Info: Don at 317-634-6259 or email [email protected]. Apr. 20-22 or 21-22, Indiana Memorial Open See Grand Prix. Apr. 21, Fort Wayne CC Spring Open 4SS, G/53. Allen Main Public Library, Conf. Room A, 900 Library Plaza. Free parking on street. Reg.: 9-9:40. Rds.: 9:40am, 12noon, 2pm, 4pm. EF: $30 pre-reg. check or cash only at site. Prizes: b/20, 1st $100, 2nd $50, U1800 $50, U1600 $50, U1400 $50, U1200 $50, U1000/Unr $50, must have 3 per class. Ent: Dan Steininger, 6025 S. Hanna St., Apt 207, Fort. Wayne, IN 46816. Info: (260) 755-3765. A State Championship Event! May 19, Indiana State Blitz Championship (QC) Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 2930 Waterfront Pkwy., West Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46214. In 2 Sections, Championship: Rounds 4-6 Rd. DRR, $$: $130-65-55-40-40-40. Finals: Top 4-6 from Prelims. Consolation: Rounds TBA SS, G/5 d/0, $$: $40. u1900 - 20, u1700 - 20, u1500 - 20, u1300 - 20. ALL: EF: $20 rcvd by 5/15, $25 at site. Memb. Req'd: ISCA. OSA. Reg.: Ends: 5:30pm. Rds.: Round 1: Preliminaries 6pm (Finals & Consolation 8pm). ENT: ISCA, C/o Gary Fox, P. O. 114, Logansport, IN 46947. 574-722-4965. INFO: [email protected]. www.indianachess. org. NS. NC. W.


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Tournament Life A State Championship Event! May 19, Indiana State Quick Championship (QC) Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 2930 Waterfront Pkwy, West Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46214. In 3 Sections, Championship: 4SS, G/10 Inc/15, $$: $140-70. u2300 - 65, u2100 - 60, u1900 - 55. Reserve u1700: 4SS, G/10 Inc/15, Open to 1699 & under. $$: $120-60-55. u1500 - 50, 45, 40. u1300: 4SS, G/10 Inc/15, $$: $100-50. u1100 - 45, 40. ALL: EF: $25 rcvd by 4/15, $30 at site. Memb. Req'd: ISCA. OSA. 1st, 2nd medals for Champ, Reserve & u1300. Reg.: Ends 10:30am. Rds.: 11, 1, 2, 3. ENT: ISCA, C/o Gary Fox, P. O. 114, Logansport, IN 46947, 574-722-4965. INFO: [email protected]. www.indianachess.org. Enter Quick & Blitz for $5 off. NS. NC. W. May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL) See Grand Prix. May 27, Chicago Open Action Quads (IL) See Illinois. May 27, Chicago Open G/15 (QC) (IL) See Illinois. May 28, Chicago Open Blitz & Game/7 (QC) (IL) See Illinois. July 20-22 or 21-22, 5th annual Chicago Class (IL) See Grand Prix.

Iowa Apr. 20-22 or 21-22, 6th Annual Okoboji Open, Reserve (U1600) & Scholastics (K-12) See Grand Prix. A State Championship Event! Apr. 28, 2012 Iowa Class Championships 4-SS, Divided into Classes: M-X-A, B, C, & D/under. Players may play up one class. Some sections may be combined. All: G/75, T/D/5. Clarion/Highlander Convention Center, NE Side Exit 246 of I-80, Iowa City, IA 52245. Reg.: 8:15 to 9:00AM. Rds.: 9:30 AM-2:30-5:00 -7:30 PM. EF: $20.00 if rcv'd by 04/26, $30.00 at site. Prize Info: Class prizes: 1st place $45.00 + Trophy, 2nd place $30. U.S. Chess Federation (USCF) membership required. On-Site Available. IASCA membership required, $15, $10 Jr. or Sr. On-Site Available. Send EF to: Mark Capron, 3123 Juniper Dr., Iowa City, IA 52245. Steve Young, PO Box 2833, Iowa City, IA 52244. [email protected], PH# 319.321.5435. Additional Info: Annual IASCA meeting scheduled at 1 PM. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL) See Grand Prix.

Kentucky Apr. 20-22, 4th Annual WKU Open See Grand Prix.

Apr. 28, The Elizabethtown Tornado 4SS, G/45. Elizabethtown Community & Technical College, Room 303, Occupational-Technical Building, Elizabethtown, KY. EF: $20 by Apr. 23, at site $25. $$b/25; $150, 75 Class B, C, C, E & below/UNR $50 each if at least 2 players in section. Reg.: 8:45-9:15 am, Rds.: First round 9:30 am, others ASAP. Ent: Johnny Owens (TD), P.O. Box 226, Elizabethtown, KY 42702-0266. (270) 272-3061. Info: http://etownchess.blogspot.com. June 9-10, 2012 Kentucky Open See Grand Prix.

Maryland Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open Action Quads (PA) See Pennsylvania. Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open G/15 (QC) (PA) See Pennsylvania. Apr. 8, Philadelphia Open Blitz & G/7 (QC) (PA) See Pennsylvania. Apr. 14-15, Kingstowne Chess Festival - 10th Annual! (VA) See Grand Prix.

Louisiana June 1-3, Susan Polgar Open for Boys & Girls (K-12; Team & Individual) 6SS, G/45. Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome, 330 Loyola Ave., New Orleans, LA 70112 (800-535-7830). SIDE EVENTS: Fri: Susan Polgar Chess Camp, Chess Puzzle Competition, Bughouse Tournament (at Audubon Insectarium); Sat: Blitz Tournament (at World War II Museum) & Susan Polgar Simul; Sun: Breakfast/Q & A Session with GM Polgar (at Brennan's Restaurant), Aquatic Simul with GM Andre Diamant. 8 Sects with each sect. separately for Boys and Girls: Primary (K-2); Elementary (K-5); Middle School (K-8); High School (K-12). PRIZES: Over $100,000 in scholarships to Texas Tech University! Trophies guaranteed to top 10 ind. and top 3 school teams in each sect. and top club team in separate boys and girls overall. Every non-trophy winner receives a souvenir chess medal. Special award to out-of-state team with most participants and to team (or individual) who travels farthest to tourn. Team Info: School teams may have as many players as they wish from the same school or home school district and team players must register in the same section. Club teams are allowed and a 1st place trophy will be awarded to top club team overall (not based on sections) for boys and girls separately (no co-ed teams). A player must declare whether he/she is on a school team or a club team but may not be on both. Must have a minimum of 2 players to be considered a team; the top 3 player scores will count for final team score. USCF-recommended computer tiebreaks will decide trophy and medal placements for winners of all sections. RDS.: Sat: 8:30-10:30-12:30; Sun: 12-2-4. Awards ceremony at 6pm. EF: $40 by 4/30; $50 by 5/15; $60 at site; Byes: One 1/2-pt. bye allowed for any Rd if requested before Rd 2. Pre-registration required by 10pm June 1 in order to play in first round of main event. Later on-site registrations accepted until 9:30am on June 2 will receive 1/2-pt. bye for Rd 1. HR: $99 (with 2-night min. on June 1 & 2) for single, double, triple or quad (800-5357830), reserve by May 1 and mention Polgar Chess Tournament to assure group rate, which will also be avail. 2 nights before and after event. ENT: On-line registration and printable entry form at www.cajunchess.com, or mail entry form to Cajun Chess, 7230 Chadbourne Dr., New Orleans, LA 70126. Info: More information on tournament events and optional tours avail. at www.cajunchess.com (click on Tournaments and then on Upcoming Tournaments & Chess Events). Phone Ent: 504-208-9596 or 504-905-2971. Major credit cards accepted (no checks at site).

Apr. 20&May 4, Catonsville Friday Knight Quick #138 & #139 (QC) 5SS, G/12, d3. EF: $8, club members $5. Reg.: 7:30pm. Rds.: 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30, 10. $$b/24 1st=$50, 2nd=$25, U1850 $12. Website: http:// mysite.verizon.net/vze12d59q/. Bloomsbury Community Center, 106 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228. Info: Joe Summers 410-7881009, [email protected]. Apr. 21, Cecil County Chess Club Quads All levels welcome! 3 Rd. Quads, Fairgreen Senior Community Apartments, 100 Greenway, Perryville, MD 21903. Game 90. EF: $20. $$GTD: $50. Reg.: 9-9:45 AM. Rds.: 10 AM, 1:30 PM, 5 PM. ENT: 302-740-3442, [email protected]. INFO: Free coffee and light refreshments! NS. W. Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 2012 Maryland Open See Grand Prix. May 5, Catonsville Saturday Action Plus/RBO 4SS, G/45;d/5. EF: $20 by May 4, $25 at door. Under 18 $5 off. Rds.: 111:15-3:15-5:15. Reg.: 10:15am. Bloomsbury Community Center, 106 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228. Two Sections: Open $$b/24: $125-$75-$50 U1850 $45 U1550 $45. RBO U1200 $$b/12: $50-$30-$20 U1000 $15 b/4 U800 $15 b/4. Bye: 1-4, max 1. Info: josephas2@verizon. net. Online Reg: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze12d59q. Ent: Joe Summers, 1201 Daniels Ave., Balt., MD 21207. Include USCF ID, rating and section. PH: 410-788-1009. A State Championship Event! May 12-13, 2012 Maryland Senior Championship Bloomsbury Community Center, 106 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228. Format: 4SS, G/115; d5. Open to USCF members born before May 12, 1962. EF: $40 if Rec'd by 5/9, $50 at site. Free entries to GM's, $40 deducted from prizes. Top Maryland resident receives title of MD Senior Champion 2012, trophy, free entry, plus $250 expenses to US Senior Open, July 9-14, 2012 at the Hilton Hobby Airport, Houston, TX 77061. Reg.: 9-9:45 AM. Rds.: Sat. 10 AM, 3PM, Sunday 9:30 AM, 2:30PM. 1/2 point bye available if requested before rd. 2. Prizes: $$1000 Gtd: $300$175-$150, Top U2000 $130, U1700 $125, U1400 $120. Plaques to Top Age 60-69 and Top Age 70 +. Standard USCF tiebreak's used for titles/plaques. Make checks payable to: Maryland Chess Assoc. Mail to: Joseph Summers, 1201 Daniels Ave., Baltimore, MD 21207. Please put date of birth and USCF id number with entry. Info: Wilbert A. Brown 410327-9191, Joe Summers 410-788-1009.

4th Annua Annual al CHESS

CLUB CLUB

WKU OPEN Chess Tournament Tournament April April 20-22, 20 2012

MasterMind WKU M asterMind SScholarships cholarships will be aawarded section: in the high school sec tion: placee o overall: 1st plac verall: FFull ull tuition and ffees ee placee o overall: 2nd plac verall: $3,000 rroom oom and board 3rd placee o overall: 3r d plac verall: $500 book scholarship scholar Registration: Registr ation: On-site: p.m., O n-site: FFri. ri. 5-6 p .m., Sat. 8-9 a.m. Online: www.hilltopperchess.net O nline: w ww.hilltopperchess.net Open prizee fund: O pen priz gtd) $5,000 b/75 ($3,000 gt d) Location: Location: House,, WKU C Campus FFaculty aculty House ampus College Heights Blvd. 1906 C ollege Heigh ts Blv d. Green, BBowling owling Gr een, KKYY 42101

National Championships

NATIONAL OPEN

JUNE 15–17 OR 16–17

$80,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND 6 Round Swiss in 8 Sections H 2 Sections FIDE Rated H 200 GP Points

U. S. GAME / 10 CHAMPIONSHIP JUNE 14 – 5:00 P.M.

IVIERA HOTEL - CASINO - LAS VEGAS

or full det website Grand details. SSee ee w ebsite or Gr and PPrix rix ad ffor Moree IInformation: FFor or Mor nformation: Huntt (918) 809-6278 Samuel JJ.. Hun [email protected], hillt [email protected], www.hilltopperchess.net w ww.hilltopperchess.net

NATIONAL OPEN

Laass Veg

Special Guest

Former World Champion

GM ANATOLY KARPOV

June 14th – 17th, 2012 NATIONAL OPEN H U.S. GAME/10 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP SIMULS H LECTURES H SCHOLASTICS GRANDMASTER CHESS CAMP H AND MORE

www.VegasChessFestival.com 64


uschess.org


June 2-3, 3rd Annual Catonsville-Fells Point Open 5SS, G/85, d/5. EF: $30 before May 30, $35 until June 1, $40 at door. Bloomsbury Community Center, 106 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228. 3 Sections: Open: $$600b/24 $250-$120-$80, Top X, A $75. Amateur/U1900: $$550b/24 $200-$120-$80; Top U1700, U1550, $75. Reserve/U1400: $$450b/20 $175-$90-$65, Top U1200, U1000 $60 b/4. Reg.: 9:45-10:50am Rds.: Sat 11:00-3:00-7:00 Sun 10:00-2:00. Bye: 15, max 2. Must commit before Rd 3. Upset: Top upset in each round in all sections: =book prize. Info: [email protected], Online Reg: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze12d59q. Ent: Joe Summers, 1201 Daniels Ave., Balt., MD 21207. Include USCF ID and section: Open, U1900 or U1400. PH: 410-788-1009. Chess Magnet School JGP. June 9-10, 2012 Delaware Capital Open (DE) See Delaware. June 29-July 3 (New date), 9th annual Philadelphia International (PA) See Grand Prix. June 30, World Open U2300 Warmup (PA) See Pennsylvania. July 1-2, World Open U2200 Warmup (PA) See Pennsylvania. July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, 40th Annual World Open (PA) See Grand Prix. July 3-4, World Open U2100 Warmup (PA) See Pennsylvania. July 4, World Open 7-Minute Championship (QC) (PA) See Grand Prix. July 7, World Open 10-Minute Championship (QC) (PA) See Grand Prix. July 8, World Open Blitz Championship (QC) (PA) See Grand Prix. July 28-Aug. 1, 2012 Washington International See Grand Prix.

Massachusetts Apr. 15, 22nd Massachusetts G/60 Championship See Grand Prix. Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 23rd annual Vermont Resort Open (VT) See Grand Prix. May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6, 13, Wachusett CC “B” Division Championship 7SS, G/110, d/5. McKay Campus School, Room C159, Fitchburg State University, 67 Rindge Rd., Fitchburg, MA 01420. EF: $20 annual club dues; free to Wachusett CC members. Reg.: 7-7:10 p.m. Rds.: 7:15 p.m. Byes: 1-6, limit three. Prizes: chess books. Info: George Mirijanian, 176 Oak Hill Rd., Fitchburg, MA 01420, [email protected], 978-345-5011. Website: www.wachusettchess.org. Online ratings as of May 2 will be used. W. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 18-20 or 19-20, 20th annual New York State Open (NY) See Grand Prix. May 26-28 or 27-28, 81st Massachusetts Open See Grand Prix. June 8-10 or 9-10, 18th Annual Northeast Open (CT) See Grand Prix. July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, 40th Annual World Open (PA) See Grand Prix. July 27-29 or 28-29, 17th Annual Bradley Open (CT) See Grand Prix. Aug. 9-12, 10-12 or 11-12, 42nd annual Continental Open See Grand Prix.

Michigan Apr. 28, Chess for Charity VI 5SS, G/25d5. The River, 255 S. Squirrel Rd., Auburn Hill, MI 48327. $10. Rated and unrated sections. Bughouse and Chess960 if sufficient interest. See: http://gamesinmichigan.com/chessforcharity for complete details. May 11-13, 12-13 or 13, 9th Great Lakes Chess Open 5SS, U1000 4SS. McCamly Plaza Hotel, 50 Capital Ave., SW, Battle Creek, MI 49017. EF: (Add $10 after May 5, $15 at site) Open: 3 day $53; 2 day $52, IM/GMs free!(EF deducted from winnings). U1700: 3 day $43; 2 day $42. U1000: $20. USCF and a State membership required(can be purchased on site). Reg: 3 day: Fri. 5-6:30. 2 day and 1 day: Sat. 9-11. TC: 3 day: Rds 1-3 G/2; Rds 4-5 40/2 SD/30. 2 day: Rds 1-2, G/60; Rd 3 G/2; Rds 4-5 40/2 SD/30. 1 day (U1000): G/45. Rds.: 3 day: Fri. 7, Sat. 124:30, Sun. 10-3:30. 2 day: Sat. 11:30-2-4:30; Sun. 10-3:30. 1 day: 11:45-2-3:45-5:30. Prizes: Open:(b/36) $1500-700, Top X-A-U1800/Unr $250. U1700: (b/36) $400-250, Top C-D-U1200/Unr $125. U1000: (b/22)$125-$75, Top 700-899, U700/Unr $50 (Unrated eligible for top/Unr prizes only). Special Events: Blitz tournament: 7 Saturday. EF: 10 ( 85% payout). IM/Gm Lecture-$10. Hotel: McCamly Plaza Hotel, Chess rate $91/night, must reserve by Apr. 9th. Parking $8 a day. Info and Entries: Stan Beckwith, 269-964-2927, 84 Bond Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49037-1907. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL) See Grand Prix. Aug. 3-5 or 4-5, Cleveland Open (OH) See Grand Prix.

Minnesota Apr. 13-15, 2012 National High School (K-12) Championship See Nationals.

uschess.org

May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL) See Grand Prix.

Missouri Apr. 14-15, Saint Louis Open See Grand Prix. Apr. 28-29, Joplin Benefit Tournament See Grand Prix. May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL) See Grand Prix. May 26, Show Me Classic 4SS, G/70. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Maryland Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. Free entries for GMs and IMs. EF: $25, $20 for annual members of the club if registered by 5/25. MCA membership req'd from $5. OSA. PF: $750 UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED!! 1st Place-$145, 2nd Place-$105. $100 for 1st in each class: A, B, C, D, U1200/UNR. Winner qualifies for 2013 Club Championship. Reg.: 99:45. Rds.: 10, 12:30, 3:30, 6:15. One 1/2 point bye if declared before round 1. MCA Membership required from $5. OSA. Ent: 4657 Maryland Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108, or online at saintlouischessclub.org. Info: 314-361-CHESS, [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP. June 30, 2012 Kansas City Open 4SS, G/75/5td. Noland Rd Baptist Church, 4505 S. Noland Rd., Independence, MO 64055. Reg.: 8-8:45. Rds.: 9, 12, 3, 6. USCF & MCA required, OSA. EF: $20 by 6/23, $30 onsite. Sections: Open & Reserve (U1600) b/40: 1st $150, 2nd $100, 3rd $50 each section. Entries to: CJ Armenta, 12734 Richmond, Grandview, MO 64030. Cash only onsite. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Montana A Heritage Event! Apr. 28-29, 77th Montana Open Open, 5SS, G/120. Site: Holiday Inn, Downtown at the Park, Missoula, MT 59802. HR: $96 mention chess, 800-399-0408 ext 515 or email: [email protected]. EF: $30 by 4/27, $35 at site, jrs 1/2, free entry to 1st time USCF. Reg.: 9-9:40am, phone/email entries must be present by 9:40am Sat to be paired. Rds.: 10-2:30-7, 9-3 (or ASAP after annual meeting). $$b/25, $200, $120, $80, 2 Biggest Upsets, $40-$35 both players non-prov). Trophies to: Top age 65+, top age 18/under, Top in classes A-E/below. Info and entries: Dan McCourt, 608 West Central, Missoula, MT 59801, (406)-721-0254, [email protected]. Checks to MCA. Memb. req'd, $12, OSA. Byes: rd 5 by close of 1st day. W, NC. Chess Magnet School JGP.

1000). Rds.: 1:10 PM-2:20-3:30 (rating below 1000 or unrated). Info: Diana 201-797-0330, [email protected]; www.icanj.net. EVERY SATURDAY. ALL: ICA provides breakfast & lunch. Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Sunday Advance Lesson & Open Blitz (G/5/RR) (QC) Advance Lesson (Above 1600 USCF Rating): 6:15pm-7:15pm, $15. Blitz start: 7:30pm. EF: $20/$15. Prizes: 80% of EF 1st, 2nd, & Class Prizes: based on the # of participants. GMs - Free entry ($15 deducted from prizes). Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. (732) 4990118. www.chessmatesnj.com. Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Sunday Camp and Quad G/30 Sunday Chess Camp: 10am-6pm. Fees: $80/$90. Snacks and lunch included. Quad: G/30: Starts at 3pm. EF: $15/$10, camp participants are free. Prize per Quad: 1st Place: Trophy or $35. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. (760)583-8429/(732)499-0118. www.chess matesnj.com. Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Chess Lessons & Monday Quad G/30 Chess Lessons: 5pm-6:30pm, Under 1600 USCF. Fees: Monthly: $95 (Monday and Wednesday) and Daily: $15. Quad: 3RR, Rds.: 7pm, 8:15pm, 9:30pm. EF: $20/$15. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. GMs - Free entry. ($15 deducted from prizes). Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. (760)583-8429/(732)499-0118. www.chessmatesnj.com. Apr. 3, 10, 17, 24, Girls Chess Lessons & Tuesday G/15 (U2000) (QC) Chess Lessons: 5pm-6:30pm, Under 1600 USCF. Fees: Monthly/daily: $50/$15. G/15: 4SS, Rds.: 7pm, 7:40pm, 8:20pm, & 9pm. EF: $20/$15. Prizes: 80% of EF 1st, 2nd, & Class Prizes: based on the # of participants. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. (760)-5838429, (732)-499-0118. www.chessmatesnj.com. Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, 6th annual Philadelphia Open (PA) See Grand Prix. Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25, Chess Lessons & Wednesday G/90 (4SS, Monthly) Lessons: 5pm-6:30pm, Under 1600 USCF. Fees: Monthly: $95 (Monday andWednesday)/Daily: $15. Monthly 4SS, Rd starts at 7pm. EF: $30/$25. Prizes: 70% of EF. Prizes: 1st, 2nd & Class Prizes (based on the # of participants). 1 bye available, commit at least two days before the next round. No re-entry. GMs free entry ($20 deducted from prizes). Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ 07065. (732)499-0118/(760)5838429. www.chessmatesnj.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open Action Quads (PA) See Pennsylvania. Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open G/15 (QC) (PA) See Pennsylvania.

Apr. 6-8, 12th Annual Reno-Larry Evans Memorial (formerly Far West Open) See Grand Prix.

Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28, Saturday Camp and Quad G/45 Saturday Chess Camp: 9am-1pm. Fees: $55/$60. Snacks and lunch included. Quad: G/45. EF: $20/$15. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. Rds.: 1:30pm, 3:15pm, 5pm. GMs - Free entry. ($15 deducted from prizes). Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ 07065. (732)499-0118/(760)583-8429, www.chessmatesnj.com.

May 4-6 or 5-6, Western Amateur (CA-S) See California, Southern.

Apr. 8, Philadelphia Open Blitz & G/7 (QC) (PA) See Pennsylvania.

June 14, 2012 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC) See Nationals.

Apr. 14, Princeton Day School 650 The Great Road. Plaques to top 3 school teams and top 6 in each section. Medals to all players. Four sections for OVER 1000 begin at 10:15 and must preregister: OVER 1600 (K-12), NEAR MASTERS (K-12 over 1400) and FUTURE MASTERS (Players K-12 over 1200) G/55/d5, 3 rds. CLOSED (K-12 1000-1200) G/40/d5 4 rds. ALL OTHER SECTIONS. G/25/d5 4 rds. Beginning at 12:00 noon. (round times will be accelerated if possible): OPEN (Players K-12 U-1000), RESERVE (K-12 U-800), NOVICE II (K-8 U-600), NOVICE I (unrated K-6), K-1 (unrated) NO SCORE K-1 (unrated). PARENTS OF PLAYERS rated G/25/d5 3 rounds. Pre-registration online, pay at the door $35. Parents play free. On-site 11-12 noon $45. Info and register online: www.pds.org/chess. Inquires to Bonnie Waitzkin [email protected].

Nevada

June 15, National Open Scholastic Trophy Tournament 5-SS, Game/30. Riviera Hotel and Casino, 2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas 89109. Open to players 18 and under. In 3 sections: U1800, U1200, and U800. Unrateds in the U1200 section and all players in the U800 section must be age 11 or under. Trophies to top 5 in each section, top 2 in each odd 200 point rating group and unrated. EF: $33 by 5/28, $39 by 6/13, $45 on site. REG.: 9-9:30 a.m. RDS.: 10-11:30-12:30-4. Blitz 6:30 p.m. ($15 by 5/28 $20 on site) HR: $59 single or double ($89 Friday and Saturday nights). 1-800-634-6753 or (702) 734-5110. ENT: National Open, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925, on line www.VegasChessFestival.com or fax at (702) 933-9112. NS. NC. W. June 15-17 or 16-17, 2012 National Open See Nationals. June 16-17, International Youth Championship 5SS, Game/60. Riviera Hotel and Casino, 2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas 89109. In 4 Sections by age: 14 and Under, 14 and Under Reserve (rated below 1100), 9 and Under, 9 and Under Reserve (rated below 900). Trophies to top 10 in each section plus class trophies and team trophies. 1st Place in each section wins a Computer loaded with Chess Software, 2nd-4th win chess prizes valued at 250-150-100. Unrated players may not win 1st in Reserve sections. EF: $59 by 5/27, $69 by 6/13, $80 on site. 1/2 point bye in any round (limit 2) if requested in advance. REG.: 8-9 a.m. RDS.: 10-1-4, 10-1. Blitz 6/15 at 6:30 p.m. ($15 by 5/28 $20 on site) HR: $59 single or double ($89 Friday and Saturday nights). 1-800-634-6753 or (702) 734-5110. ENT: National Open, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925, on line www.VegasChessFestival.com or fax at (702) 933-9112. NS. NC. W. July 19-22, 20-22 or 21-22, 17th annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S) See Grand Prix.

New Hampshire Apr. 21, New Hampshire Quick Chess Championship (QC) See Grand Prix. Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 23rd annual Vermont Resort Open (VT) See Grand Prix.

New Jersey Fair Lawn Saturday Quads Schedule through June 30, 2012. 3RR, G/60 for quads with rating above 1000; G/30 for quads with rating below 1000 or unrated ICA. 9 - 10 SADDLE RIVER RD., FAIR LAWN, NJ 07410. EF: $25 Prizes: $50 to 1st place in each quad. Reg.: 1-1:15 PM. Rds.: 1:15 PM-3:30-5:40 (rating above

Apr. 15, Westfield Quads 3 RR, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. Prizes: $50 to first in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 1:302:15 p.m. Rds.: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, [email protected], www.westfieldchessclub.com. Apr. 18, S. Jersey/Philly Wednesday Quicks G/10 (QC) G/10. Wednesdays 7-9:30 p.m. Located at CoffeeWorks at the Voorhees Town Center, 8109 Town Center Blvd., Voorhees, NJ 08043. Instruction, analysis and Reg.: 6:30-7:00. EF: $10. $$ 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and best

FOREIGN RATING? NOT UNRATED! If you have no USCF rating, but do have a rating or category from any other country, no matter how many years ago, you are not unrated. If you have a FIDE rating, you are also not unrated. Tell the Director of any event you enter about your foreign rating or category or your FIDE rating, so that you can be paired appropriately.


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Tournament Life less than 1600. More information: call 703-989-6867, email dgorman@ darsmemail.com. Apr. 21, Hamilton Chess Quads 3RR, 40/80 15/30 15/30. Full K. Ray Dwier Recreation Center, Bldg. 392, Groveville, NJ 08620. Quads open to all. EF: $10. Prizes: $25 per Quad. Reg.: 9-10:30/am. Rds.: 10:30/am-1:30/pm-4:30/pm. NJ State Chess Federation, no dues magazine Subscription per year, OSA. NS, NC, W. Apr. 21, Monmouth and Ocean County K-8 Scholastic Championship 4SS, G/30. Holy Family Elementary School, 1141 East County Line Rd., Lakewood, NJ 08701. 2 Sections: Championship:Trophies to top 10, Top 5 teams (3 players). Future Masters: Trophies to top 10, Top 5 teams (3 players). ALL: Entry fee $20 if received by 4/14, $30 at site. Reg. Sat. 8-9am. Rds.: 10:00 am and ASAP. ENT: Hal Sprechman, P.O. Box 1151, Jackson, NJ 08527. Please make checks payable to Hal Sprechman or pay online at www.characterkings.org until 4/19. Entries must include name, grade, school, USCF ID#, mailing address, phone number and entry fee. Apr. 21, NW Jersey Class “A” Quads (also K-8 U1200) U2000 sections: Courtyard Marriott, 15 Howard Blvd., Mt. Arlington. Take exit #30 off I-80. 3RR, G/90. Rds.: 10-1-4. U1200 K-8 U1200 sections: May be 3RR or 3SS, G/45. All: Trophy or $40. Starts 10am then ASAP. EF: $20 cash by 10am. Prizes: $40 or trophy, (All kids win trophies or awards. Info: Ken 908-619-8621 or email Ken, [email protected]. NS, NC, W. Apr. 21, 28, Fair Lawn Saturday Quads 3RR, G/60 for quads with rating above 1000; G/30 for quads with rating below 1000 or unrated. Site: 9-10 SADDLE RIVER RD., FAIR LAWN, NJ 07410. EF: $25. Prizes: $50 to 1st place in each quad. Reg.: 1-1:15 PM. Rds.: 1:15 PM-3:30- 5:40 (rating above 1000). Rds.: 1:10 PM-2:203:30 (rating below 1000 or unrated). Info: Diana 201-797-0330, [email protected]; www.icanj.net. EVERY SATURDAY. ALL: ICA provides breakfast & lunch.

Prizes: $50 to first in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 1:302:15 p.m. Rds.: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, [email protected], www.westfieldchessclub.com. May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Girls Chess Lessons & Tuesday G/15 (U2000) (QC) Chess Lessons: 5pm-6:30pm, Under 1600 USCF. Fees: Monthly/daily: $50/$15. 4SS, Rds.: 7pm, 7:40pm, 8:20pm, & 9pm. EF: $20/$15. Prizes: 80% of EF 1st, 2nd, & Class Prizes: based on the # of participants. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. (760)583-8429/(732)4990118. www.chessmatesnj.com. May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Chess Lessons & Wednesday G/90 (4SS, Monthly) Lessons: 5pm-6:30pm, Under 1600 USCF. Fees: Monthly: $95 (Monday and Wednesday)/Daily: $15. Monthly 4SS, Rd starts at 7pm. EF: $30/$25 Prizes: 70% of EF. Prizes: 1st, 2nd & Class Prizes (based on the # of participants). 1 bye available, commit at least two days before the next round. No re-entry. GMs free entry ($20 deducted from prizes). Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ 07065. (732)4990118/(760)583-8429. www.chessmatesnj.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 5, 12, 19, 26, Fair Lawn Saturday Quads 3RR, G/60 for quads with rating above 1000; G/30 for quads with rating below 1000 or unrated. Site: 9-10 SADDLE RIVER RD., FAIR LAWN, NJ 07410. EF: $25. Prizes: $50 to 1st place in each quad. Reg.: 1-1:15 PM. Rds.: 1:15 PM-3:30- 5:40 (rating above 1000). Rds.: 1:10 PM-2:203:30 (rating below 1000 or unrated). Info: Diana 201-797-0330, [email protected]; www.icanj.net. EVERY SATURDAY. ALL: ICA provides breakfast & lunch. May 5, 12, 19, 26, Saturday Camp and Quad G/45 Saturday Chess Camp: 9am-1pm. Fees: $55/ $60. Snacks and lunch included. Quad: G/45. EF: $20/$15. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. Rds.: 1:30pm, 3:15pm, 5pm. GMs - Free entry. ($15 deducted from prizes). Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ 07065. (732)499-0118/(760)583-8429, www.chessmatesnj.com.

Apr. 22, Westfield Swiss #72 (QC) 5 SS, G/15 (QC). Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. $425 Guaranteed $125, $60, under 2100, under 1850, under 1600, under 1350 $60 each. EF: $35, $25. Reg.: 2-2:30 p.m. Rds.: 2:45-3:25-4:05-4:45-5:30 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, [email protected], www.westfieldchessclub.com.

May 6, Westfield Quads 3 RR, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. Prizes: $50 to first in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 1:302:15 p.m. Rds.: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, [email protected], www.westfieldchessclub.com.

Apr. 25, S. Jersey/Philly Wednesday Quicks G/10 (QC) G/10. Wednesdays 7-9:30 p.m. Located at CoffeeWorks at the Voorhees Town Center, 8109 Town Center Blvd., Voorhees, NJ 08043. Instruction, analysis and Reg.: 6:30-7:00. EF: $10. $$ 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and best less than 1600. More information: call 703-989-6867, email dgorman@ darsmemail.com.

May 6, 13, 20, 27, Sunday Advance Lesson & Open Blitz (G/5/RR) (QC) Advance Lesson (Above 1600 USCF Rating): 6:15pm-7:15pm, $15. Blitz start: 7:30pm. EF: $20/$15. Prizes: 80% of EF 1st, 2nd, & Class Prizes: based on the # of participants. GMs - Free entry ($15 deducted from prizes). Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. (732) 4990118. www.chessmatesnj.com.

Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 2012 Maryland Open (MD) See Grand Prix. Apr. 28, Central Jersey Chess Tournament 4SS, G/30. All Saints' Church, 16 All Saints' Rd., Princeton, NJ 08540. Parking, playground, wi-fi & lounge. 3 rated sections (all K-8, G/30): Open (above 900), Reserve (600-900), Experienced (below 600). 3 unrated sections: K-1, Novice (2nd-8th grade), Parents/Adults. Trophies to 1st, 2nd, 3rd per section, 1st school/club team per section, $20 & Free EF to 1st in Parents/Adults. EF: $30 online at njchess.com by 4/26, $40 after or on-site. Check-in/Reg ends 1pm, first round starts 1:30. Late arrivals may not be paired in first round. Late arrivals may not be paired in first round. Late arrivals may not be paired in first round. Separate awards ceremonies 4-5:30pm. Snacks & drinks sold on-site. Questions: [email protected]. Apr. 29, Westfield Quads 3 RR, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090.

May 6, 13, 20, 27, Sunday Camp and Quad G/30 Sunday Chess Camp: 10am-6pm. Fees: $80/$90. Snacks and lunch included. Quad: G/30: Starts at 3pm. EF: $15/ $10, camp participants are free. Prize per Quad: 1st Place: Trophy or $35. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. (760)583-8429/(732)499-0118. www.chessmatesnj.com. May 7-21, Mayflower Quads 3-RR or Swiss. 30/90, SD/30, d/5. Hackettstown Community Ctr., 293 Main St. (Rte. 46), Hackettstown, NJ 07840. EF: $12. Prizes: $35 top in quad, or b/16 entries $75/40/25, U1800 $25, if Swiss. Reg.: 7 pm, May 7. Rds.: 7:30 pm, each Monday. May 7, 14, 21, 28, Chess Lessons & Monday Quad G/30 Chess Lessons: 5pm-6:30pm, Under 1600 USCF. Fees: Monthly: $95 (Monday and Wednesday) and Daily: $15. Quad: 3RR, Rds.: 7pm, 8:15pm, 9:30pm. EF: $20/$15. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. GMs - Free entry.

20th annual NEW YORK STATE OPEN May 18-20 or 19-20, Tiki Resort, Lake George

$3000 prize fund, includes Senior Section 5 rounds, $65 or $75 room rates, beautiful area. In 4 sections: Open Section: Prizes $400-200-150, top Under 2010 $230-120, top Under 1810/Unr $220-110. Senior Section: Open to under 1910 or unrated born before 5/21/62. $300-150-80, top Under 1710 $120-60. Under 1610 Section: $300-150-80, top Under 1410 $120-60. Unrated may not win over $150. Under 1310 Section: $100-50, trophies to first 3, top Under 1000, Under 800, Unrated. Advance entry fee only $27 to $29! Unrated prize limit: $150 in U1250, $400 U1650. FULL DETAILS: see “Grand Prix” in this issue or chesstour.com.

($15 deducted from prizes). Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. (760)583-8429/(732)499-0118. www.chessmatesnj.com. May 12 not May 5, North Jersey Quads (Limited to Class A and below.) NOTE DATE CHANGE: Courtyard Marriott, 15 Howard Blvd., Mt. Arlington: Off exit #30 of Rt #80. Adult Quads: 3RR, G/90, EF: $16 early at EntryFeesRus.com or $20 cash at site by 10 am. $$G: $40 or trophy. Rds 10-1-4. Kids Quads: for K-8 players, 3RR, G/45, EF: $15 early EntryFeesRus.com or $20 cash at site by 10am. $$G: $40 or Trophy, all kids get awards. 1st round 10am then ASAP with lunch break. Info: call Ken at 908-619-8621 or email, [email protected]. Past Quad Quitters may not play. NS, NC, W. May 18-20 or 19-20, 20th annual New York State Open (NY) See Grand Prix. May 19, Princeton Day School 650 The Great Road. Plaques to top 3 school teams and top 6 in each section. Medals to all players. Four sections for OVER 1000 begin at 10:15 and must preregister: OVER 1600 (K-12), NEAR MASTERS (K-12 over 1400) and FUTURE MASTERS (Players K-12 over 1200) G/55/d5, 3 rds. CLOSED (K-12 1000-1200) G/40/d5 4 rds. ALL OTHER SECTIONS. G/25/d5 4 rds. Beginning at 12:00 noon. (round times will be accelerated if possible): OPEN (Players K-12 U-1000), RESERVE (K-12 U-800), NOVICE II (K-8 U-600), NOVICE I (unrated K-6), K-1 (unrated) NO SCORE K-1 (unrated). PARENTS OF PLAYERS rated G/25/d5 3 rounds. Pre-registration online, pay at the door $35. Parents play free. On-site 11-12 noon $45. Info and register online: www.pds.org/chess. Inquires to Bonnie Waitzkin [email protected]. May 19-20, New Jersey Junior Championship OPEN: (K-12) 4SS, G/90 +30sec incr. ICA, 9-10 Saddle River Rd., Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 Phone: 201 797-0330. Trophies to top 10. Top High School player from NJ awarded entry to Denker Tournament of HS Champions. Top K-8 from NJ awarded entry to Dewain Barber Tournament of K-8 State Champions. Open section is FIDE rated. Reg.: Sat. 8-9:30am. Rds.: 10-3: Sat, 10-3 Sun. Game 15 playoff if ties. RESERVE: (K-12 & U1400) 4SS, G/60. Trophies to top 10, U1300, U1200, U1000, Unr. ALL: Entry fee $35 if received by 5/12, $50 at site. Reg.: Sun. 8-9:30am. Rds.: 10-1-3-5:30 Sun. ENT: NJSCF, P.O. Box 1511, Jackson, NJ 08527. Make checks payable to NJSCF or online at www.characterkings.org. Info: Hal Sprechman, 732-259-3881, [email protected]. FIDE. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 20, Westfield Quads 3 RR, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. Prizes: $50 to first in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 1:302:15 p.m. Rds.: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, [email protected], www.westfieldchessclub.com. May 26, U.S. Amateur K-8 East U1200 5-SS, G/30. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 110 Davidson Ave., Somerset, NJ, Telephone 732-560-0500. In 3 Sections (U1200, U900, & U600). Trophies to Top 10, Others win chess medallions. Unrated may not win first. Registration: Saturday May 26, 11am-12pm. Rounds: 12:30pm, then ASAP with lunch break after round #2. EF: $29 if mailed by May 25 or paid online via EntryFeesRus.com, EF: $40 cash at site. One 1/2 point bye allowed if requested with EF. April Rating supplement used. Ent: Ken Thomas, 115 W. Moore St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Checks to NJSCF. Indicate grade level. Info: 908-619-8621 or [email protected]. NS. NC. W. May 26-28 or 27-28, 68th Annual U.S. Amateur East Championship See Nationals. June 3, Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Summer 2012 Open Championship See Grand Prix. June 3, Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Summer 2012 Scholastic Championship in 5 sections 4SS, EVERYONE PLAYS 4 GAMES, ALL PLAYERS WITH 2.5 PTS OR MORE WILL RECEIVE A TROPHY! USCF Memb Req'd. For Sections 3, 4 AND 5. Info: 201 287 0250 or 201 833 1741 www.icanj.net Email: Diana@icanj. net ADV EF (pmk by May 30th) $25 At Site $30 Reg. ends 1/2 hr before 1st rd Late entrants will receive a 1/2 pt bye for rd 1 BERGEN ACADEMY, 200 HACKENSACK AVE., HACKENSACK, NJ 07601. In 5 Sections, Section 1 Junior Novice (not USCF rated): Open to unr players K thru 2nd grade. Rds.: First Round 10:15 AM then ASAP. Section 2 Novice: Open to unr players K thru 4th grade. Rds.: First Round 10:00 AM then ASAP. Section 3 G/45 Reserve: Open to players rated below 800 and unr players K thru 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00 PM. Section 4 G/45: Open to players rated below 1200 and unr players K thru 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00 PM. Section 5 G/60: Open to players rated below 1700 and unr players K thru 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 12:00, 2:15, 4:30 PM. ENT: Make EF and/or USCF Memb chks payable to: International Chess Academy. Mail To: Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Ln., New Milford, NJ 07646. June 3, Westfield Quads 3 RR, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. Prizes: $50 to first in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 1:302:15 p.m. Rds.: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, [email protected], www.westfieldchessclub.com. June 8-10 or 9-10, 18th Annual Northeast Open (CT) See Grand Prix. June 9-10, 2012 Delaware Capital Open (DE) See Delaware. June 29-July 3 (New date), 9th annual Philadelphia International (PA) See Grand Prix. June 30, World Open U2300 Warmup (PA) See Pennsylvania. July 1-2, World Open U2200 Warmup (PA) See Pennsylvania.

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July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, 40th Annual World Open (PA) See Grand Prix. July 3-4, World Open U2100 Warmup (PA) See Pennsylvania. July 4, World Open 7-Minute Championship (QC) (PA) See Grand Prix. July 5-8, World Open Daily 2pm Blitz (QC) (PA) See Pennsylvania.

Apr. 26-May 24, 2nd Long Island CC Early Spring Open 5SS, G/90 (d/5). United Methodist Church, 470 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow, NY 11554. Open to all. $(b/20): $150-100. Top U-2000, U1500/unr. $95 ea. Best upset $10. Random pairings used (within ea. scoregrp.) EF: $35. Non-LICC members +$10. Reg.: 6:40-7:10 PM, no adv. ent., Rds.: 7:15 PM SHARP ea. Thursday. 2 byes 1-5. Info: www.lichess club.com. NS. Chess Magnet School JGP.

July 7, World Open 10-Minute Championship (QC) (PA) See Grand Prix.

Apr. 27, Marshall Friday Quads! 3-RR, G/40d5. Open to all levels; Quads formed by rating. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $25, members $20. $50 for each winner. Reg.: 5:15-5:45; Rds.: 6-7:30-9PM. www.marshallchessclub.org.

July 8, World Open Blitz Championship (QC) (PA) See Grand Prix.

Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 23rd annual Vermont Resort Open (VT) See Grand Prix.

July 28-Aug. 1, 2012 Washington International (MD) See Grand Prix.

Apr. 28, Marshall Saturday U1800! 4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300 b/20): $160-80, U1500 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45. Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.

Aug. 17-19 or 18-19, 11th annual Manhattan Open (NY) See Grand Prix.

New Mexico Apr. 21, 18th Annual Pir Maleki Memorial United World College, Montezuma, NM. 7 Sections. Professor: 1700 or above. 3SS, G/90. Instructor: 1500-1850 or UR. 3SS, G/90. Tutor (JGP): 1150-1650 or UR. 4SS, G/60. Sophomore (JGP): U1300 or UR. 4SS, G/60. Scholastic: U/age 19 and U1100 or UR. 4SS, G40. Youth U17: U850 or UR. 4SS, G/40. Youth U14: U600 or UR. 4SS, G/40. All sections Round 1, 10 am and 5 sec time delay. Late entries by phone or e-mail by 4/20. Complete details at www.nmsco.org or TD Andy Nowak at 505-310-0095 or [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP for Tutor and Sophomore sections.

New York Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, 6th annual Philadelphia Open (PA) See Grand Prix. Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open Action Quads (PA) See Pennsylvania. Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open G/15 (QC) (PA) See Pennsylvania. Apr. 8, Philadelphia Open Blitz & G/7 (QC) (PA) See Pennsylvania. Apr. 16-May 21, FIDE Mondays!! 6-SS, G/120d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. Open to all players rated 1600 or above. EF: $50, $30 members. $$500 b/24: $175-125-100, U2000 $100; 2 byes OK, commit before Round 4. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7PM each Monday; FIDE rated. www.marshallchessclub. org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 17, Marshall Masters! See Grand Prix. Apr. 19, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game. Apr. 19-May 17, Marshall Thursday Members-Only Swiss! 5-SS, G/115d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. Open to MCC members only. EF: $30. ($450 b/20): $240-120, U2000 $90. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7PM each Thursday. Limit 2 byes, request by rd. 3. www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 21, Marshall Saturday U1600! 4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300 b/20): $160-80, U1300 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45. Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar shallchessclub.org. Apr. 21, Syracuse University April Open 4SS. Rds.: 1&2 G/60, Rds.: 3&4 G/90. (Syracuse University, Hall of Languages, Room 101). EF: $30. Prizes: (b/20) $200, 125, Class 100. Reg.: 8:30-9:15. Rds.: 9:30, 12:00, 2:15, 5:30. Contact: Joe Ball 315-436-9008. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 21-22 or 22, Marshall CC April U2300! 4SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $45, Members $25. ($540 b/36): $240-120, U2000/unr $95, U1700 $85. Reg.: ends 12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, Rds. 12:30-5:30 PM each day; 1 day, (Rds. 1-2 G/25d5) 10-11:15AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both merge rd.3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. www.mar shallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 22, 38th Binghamton Monthly Tournament 4SS, G/65 d/5. Prizes: $500 b/26. Open-$150-$100-$50; Reserve$100-$75-$25 (U1700). Trophies: 1-3 both sections. Advance Entry: Open-$35 Reserve-$25 (U1700) $5 more on site-cash only on site. Schedule: Registration on site 8:45–9:15 AM. Rounds: 9:30-12Noon2:30-4:45. Free USCF 90-day membership (call for details) Mail Entry: checks payable to: “Cordisco's Corner Store”, 308 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901 (607) 772-8782, [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 26, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game.

uschess.org

Apr. 28-29 or 29, Marshall April Grand Prix! See Grand Prix. Apr. 30-May 21, 26th Nassau Amateur Team 4-SS, 40/80. 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st & Main Sts., Mineola. Open to teams of 3 (+ optional alternate). Ave rating must be U1800. May ratings used. Teams play in rating order. EF: $54/team by 4/28, $75 at site, $10 more per non-memb. $$ (504 b/12 teams) 252, U1600, 1400/UR each 126. Team byes 1-4 (Last rd bye must be req before rd 3 and is irrevocable). Teams seeking players call 631 218-4440 or captnhal@optonline. net. Players looking for teams $18 by 4/28, $25 at site, $10 more for nonmemb. Reg ends 7:15 PM. Rds.: 7:15 each Mon. Ent: Harold Stenzel, 80 Amy Dr., Sayville, NY 11782. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 30-May 28, Marshall Monday U1600! 5-SS, G/85d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $50, members $30. ($675/30): $360-180, U1300 $135. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7 pm each Monday. Limit 2 byes, request by Rd 3. www.marshall chessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 3, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game. May 5, Marshall Saturday G/60! 4-SS, G/55d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360/24): $160-80, U2000 $65, U1700 $55. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45 am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar shallchessclub.org. May 6, Marshall Open & U1500 Sunday Game/45! 5-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Two sections-you play only those in your section: A. Open ($360/24): $160-80, U2100 $65, U1800 $55. B. U1500 ($240/16): $120-65, U1200 $55. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45 pm. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. May 10, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight! See Grand Prix. May 11, Marshall Friday Quads! 3-RR, G/40d5. Open to all levels; Quads formed by rating. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $25, members $20. $50 for each winner. Reg.: 5:15-5:45; Rds.: 6-7:30-9PM. www.marshallchessclub.org.

May 12, Marshall Saturday U1400! 4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300 b/20): $160-80, U1100 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45. Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. May 12, Utica Four Seasons - Spring 4SS, Rds. 1-2 G/60; Rds. 3-4 G/90. Mohawk Valley Community College, Exit 31, I-90, bear left, South on E. Genesee, (2.6 miles), left on Memorial Highway (2.3 miles, left Sherman, right into MVCC, Payne Building 3rd Floor). EF: $30. Prizes b/20: $200, 125, 75, Class 100. Reg.: 8:309:15. Rds.: 9:30-12:00-2:15-5:30. Ent: Joe Ball, 310 Helfer Ln., Minoa, NY 13116. 315-436-9008. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 12-13, Marshall May U2100! 4SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $45, Members $25. ($540 b/36): $240-120, U1850 $95, U1600 $85. Reg.: ends 12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, Rds. 12:30-5:30 PM each day; 1day, (Rds. 1-2G/35) 9:40-11:05AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both merge rd.3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. www.marshallchess club.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 15, Marshall Masters! See Grand Prix. May 16-June 13, Marshall Wednesday U1400! 5-SS, G/85d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $50, members $30. ($450/20): $240-120, U1100 $90. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7 pm each Wednesday. Limit 2 byes, request by Rd 3. www.marshallchess club.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 16-June 13, Marshall Wednesday U2000! 5-SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-4773716. EF: $50, members $30. ($450/20): $240-120, U1700 $90. Reg.: 6:156:45 pm. Rds.: 7 pm each Wednesday. Limit 2 byes, request by Rd 3. www. marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 17, Get Ready For Next Thursday!! 4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game. May 18-20 or 19-20, 20th annual New York State Open See Grand Prix. May 19, Marshall Saturday U1800! 4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300 b/20): $160-80, U1500 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45. Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. May 19-20 or 20, Marshall May Grand Prix! See Grand Prix. May 20, 39th Binghamton Monthly Tournament 4SS, G/65 d/5. Prizes: $500 b/26. Open-$150-$100-$50; Reserve$100-$75-$25 (U1700). Trophies: 1-3 both sections. Advance Entry: Open-$35 Reserve-$25 (U1700) $5 more on site-cash only on site. Schedule: Registration on site 8:45–9:15 AM. Rounds: 9:30-12Noon2:30-4:45. Free USCF 90-day membership (call for details) Mail Entry: checks payable to: "Cordisco's Corner Store", 308 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901 (607) 772-8782, [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 24, The LAST “4 Rated Games Tonight!” At The Marshall Chess Club-What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been! 4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center of New York leaves

18th annual NORTHEAST OPEN June 8-10 or 9-10, Sheraton Hotel, Stamford CT

$8,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND 5 rounds, $94 room rates, free parking, downtown location, trains from NYC run frequently. In 4 sections: Open Section: Prizes $1000-500-300-200, top U2250 $600-300. FIDE rated, 50 GPP Under 2050 Section: $800-400-300-200, top U1850 $500-250. Under 1650 Section: $700-400-250-150, top U1450 $400-200. Under 1250 Section: $300-150-100, trophy to top U1000, U800, U600, Unrated. Unrated prize limit: $150 in U1250, $400 U1650. FULL DETAILS: see “Grand Prix” in this issue or chesstour.com.


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Tournament Life the Marshall Chess Club, 23 W. 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize, free to specified Greater NY Scholastic Prizewinners! $$(480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:159:30-10:45 pm. May 24-June 21, Marshall Thursday Members-Only Swiss! 5-SS, G/115d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. Open to MCC members only. EF: $30. ($450 b/20): $200-100, U2100 $90, U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7PM each Thursday. Limit 2 byes, request by rd. 3. www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 25, Point Me To The New Yorker! 3-SS, G/25 + d5 or G/30 + d/0. Chess Center at New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Ave at 34th St, across from Penn Station, NYC. EF: $20. 3-0 wins $40, 2.5 wins $20, 2 wins $10. Reg. ends 7:15 pm. Rds. 7:30-8:30-9:30. May 25, New Yorker Rated Beginners Tournament! (RBO) 4-SS, G/25 + d5 or G/30 + d/0. Chess Center at the New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Ave at 34th St, across from Penn Station, NYC, for Under 1200 or those not rated in any country. EF: $30, free to players who join or rejoin USCF with magazine, free to players also entering New Yorker Open, 5/25-28 (3-Day or 2-Day schedule), specified Greater NY prizewinners free! $$220 b/20 paid: $120-60-40. 2 byes OK, commit by 8:15. Reg. ends 6:30 pm. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. No advance entries.

June 2, Marshall Saturday U1600! 4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300 b/20): $160-80, U1300 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45. Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.

June 9, Marshall Saturday U1400! 4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300 b/20): $160-80, U1100 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45. Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar shallchessclub.org.

June 2-3, 6th Annual Buffalo International Chess Championships 2012 See Grand Prix.

June 9-10 or 10, Marshall June U2100! 4SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $45, Members $25. ($540 b/36): $240-120, U1850 $95, U1600 $85. Reg: ends 12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, Rds. 12:30-5:30 PM each day; 1 day, (Rds 1-2 G/35) 9:40-11:05AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both merge rd.3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. www.marshallchess club.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.

June 2-3 or 3, Marshall June U2300! 4SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $45, Members $25. ($540 b/36): $240-120, U2000/unr $95, U1700 $85. Reg.: ends 12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, Rds 12:30-5:30 PM each day; 1 day, (Rds 1-2 G/25d5) 10-11:15AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both merge rd.3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. www.marshall chessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. June 4-July 9, FIDE Mondays!! 6-SS, G/120d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. Open to all players rated 1600 or above. EF: $50, $30 members. $$500 b/24: $175-125-100, U2000 $100; 2 byes OK, commit before Round 4. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7PM each Monday; FIDE rated. www.marshallchessclub. org. Chess Magnet School JGP.

May 27, Marshall Open & U1500 Sunday Game/45! 5-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Two sections-you play only those in your section: A. Open ($360/24): $160-80, U2100 $65, U1800 $55. B. U1500 ($240/16): $120-65, U1200 $55. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45 pm. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.

A Heritage Event! June 7, 4 Rated Games Tonight At The New York Hotel- USCF's Longest-Running Action Tournament! 4-SS,G/25+ d/5 or G/30 + d/0. Chess Center at the New Yorker Hotel!, 481 Eighth Ave at 34th St, across from Penn Station, NYC: 845-569-9969. EF $30, GMs $25 from prize, free to specified Greater NY Scholastic Prize winners! Good Customer Loyalty Discounts: $5 less to those who played in at least 4 “4 Rated Games Tonight!” Thursday Night Actions since Jan. 2011, $10 less to those who played in at least 10 4RGTs since 1987— Thank You So Much For Your Support Of This Tournament These Past 25 Years! $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. NEW!! $150 GUARANTEED In Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes! Best male/female 2-player team combined score: $100-50 (teammates’ average rating must be Under 2200; teammate pairings avoided but possible, teams must declare by 8:15). Choice of 2 schedules! 7:00 Schedule, rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. 7:30 schedule, rd. 1 (G/15 + td/3) at 7:30 pm, score carries over into round 2 of 7:00 schedule at 8:15 pm. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game.

May 28, Memorial Day Madness! 6-SS, G/25d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $45, members $25. ($480/24): $200-100, U2000 $70, U1700 $60, U1400 $50. Reg.: 10:15-10:45. Rds.: 11-12:15-1:30-3:00-4:15-5:30. Two byes available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.

June 8, Marshall Friday Quads! 3-RR, G/40d5. Open to all levels; Quads formed by rating. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $25, members $20. Prize: $50 for each winner. Reg.: 5:15-5:45; Rds.: 6-7:30-9PM. www.marshallchessclub. org.

May 31, The New Yorker Masters!! See Grand Prix.

June 8-10 or 9-10, 18th Annual Northeast Open (CT) See Grand Prix.

May 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, The 2nd Annual New Yorker Open! See Grand Prix. May 26, Marshall Saturday G/60! 4-SS, G/55d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360/24): $160-80, U2000 $65, U1700 $55. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45 am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. May 27, 2nd Annual New Yorker Open Blitz Championship (QC)! See Grand Prix.

June 11-July 9, Marshall Monday U1600! 5-SS, G/85d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $50, members $30. ($675/30): $250-150-100, U1400 $100, U1200 $75. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7 pm each Monday. Limit 2 byes, request by Rd 3. www. marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! June 14, 4 Rated Games Tonight At The New Yorker Hotel- USCF's Longest-Running Action Tournament 4-SS, G/25 + d/5 or G/30 + d/0. Chess Center at the New Yorker Hotel!, 481 Eighth Ave at 34th St, across from Penn Station, NYC: 845-569-9969. EF $30, GMs $25 from prize, free to specified Greater NY Scholastic Prize winners! Good Customer Loyalty Discounts: $5 less to those who played in at least 4 “4 Rated Games Tonight!” Thursday Night Actions since Jan. 2011, $10 less to those who played in at least 10 4RGTs since 1987— Thank You So Much For Your Support Of This Tournament These Past 25 Years! $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. NEW!! $150 GUARANTEED In Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes! Best male/female 2-player team combined score: $100-50 (teammates’ average rating must be Under 2200; teammate pairings avoided but possible, teams must declare by 8:15). Choice of 2 schedules! 7:00 Schedule, rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. 7:30 schedule, rd. 1 (G/15 + td/3) at 7:30 pm, score carries over into round 2 of 7:00 schedule at 8:15 pm. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. June 29-July 3 (New date),9th annual Philadelphia International (PA) See Grand Prix. June 30, World Open U2300 Warmup (PA) See Pennsylvania. July 1-2, World Open U2200 Warmup (PA) See Pennsylvania. July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, 40th Annual World Open (PA) See Grand Prix. July 3-4, World Open U2100 Warmup (PA) See Pennsylvania.

ACTIVITY MEANS MEMBERS Free 8-Line Tournament Life Announcements (TLAs)!

Adult Dues Options! >> NEW FREE TLA CATEGORIES ADDED! RUN AN ADDITIONAL TOURNAMENT THIS SUMMER! Each affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of up to 8 lines and up to 2 issues of Chess Life, for any tournament between July and September 2012, if no TLA for such an event appeared in 2011, and the TLA is e-mailed by the appropriate deadline. The 8 free lines cannot be applied to longer TLAs.

RBO. Open to Under 1200/Unr or Under 1000/Unr. Tournament name must include “Rated Beginners Open” or “RBO.”

SPECIAL CATEGORIES QUALIFY FOR FREE TLAS! Each affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of up to 8 lines for events in the following categories, if submitted by e-mail. The free lines cannot be applied to longer TLAs:

JUNIOR. For age 20/below (age 20 must be eligible).

SENIOR. For age 50 or above, or a higher minimum age. UNRATEDS FREE. Any tournament that offers free entry to unrated players. If your prizes are based on entries, say “paid entries.” USCF BOOSTER TOURNAMENT. A tournament that offers at least two USCF membership renewal prizes, or a quad that offers at least one per section. CHESS CLUB SPECIAL. A tournament playing only on one or more weekday evenings.

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BLITZ. Time control of Game/5. TLAs such as “USCF-rated Blitz every Friday 7 pm” are accepted. COLLEGIATE. A tournament limited to college students. NON-SCHOLASTIC WITH SCHOLASTIC. A tournament for all ages held concurrent (same location) with a scholastic tournament that in its previous year drew at least 50 players. We encourage organizers of scholastics to hold open or collegiate events on the side.

Ages 21-24 dues lower than Adult dues! The membership category once called “Youth” has been renamed “Young Adult,” and eligibility has changed from under 21 to under 25. Annual dues for this category are only $33 with paper Chess Life or $26 with the online version!

One-year membership with Chess Life: Only $46 for Premium Membership, which includes a copy of Chess Life every month. Regular Memberships are available for $40 and give online-only access to Chess Life and a mailed Tournament Life Newsletter (bi-monthly). (Note to affiliates: If you collect a $46 membership, you may submit it online to USCF for $43.)

SPECIAL RATES FOR CLUB ADS. Up to 5 lines $180 per year, $100 for 6 months for unchanged club ads in the TLA section. Announce meeting dates & times, activities, contact info, etc. USCF DISCUSSION GROUPS. See www.uschess. org/forums for four groups: Tournament Organization, Chess Club Organization, Tournament Direction, USCF Issues.

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July 4, World Open 7-Minute Championship (QC) (PA) See Grand Prix. July 7, World Open 10-Minute Championship (QC) (PA) See Grand Prix. July 8, World Open Blitz Championship (QC) (PA) See Grand Prix. July 28-Aug. 1, 2012 Washington International (MD) See Grand Prix. Aug. 9-12, 10-12 or 11-12, 42nd annual Continental Open (MA) See Grand Prix. Aug. 17-19 or 18-19, 11th annual Manhattan Open See Grand Prix.

North Carolina May 4-6 or 5-6, 2012 Georgia Chess Championship (GA) See Grand Prix.

Ohio Apr. 20-21 & 27- 28, Dayton Chess Club 54th Championship 6SS, G/150, td5. USCF rated Open Tournament. Reg.: ends Apr 20, 7:45 p.m. EF: $15 adv/$25 after Apr 13. Rds.: Apr 20/21: 8pm, 10:30am, 5pm. Apr 27/28: 8pm, 10:30am, 5pm. Must be DCC mbr for 1+ month. Trophies: 1st/2nd, u2000: 1st/2nd, u1600: 1st/2nd, u1200: 1st/2nd. Register at: DCC or at www.DaytonChessClub.com or mail to Dayton Chess Club, 18 W 5th St., Dayton, OH 45402. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 21, Progress with Chess Monthly Open 4SS, G/30. Fairhill Center, 12200 Fairhill Rd., Cleveland, OH 44120. EF: $20. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: 10, 11:30, 1, 2:30. $350 Guaranteed Open (1st $100, 2nd $50 U-2000 $50). Reserve U-1500: (1st $70, 2nd $40 U-1000 $40). Entries: Progress with Chess, 12200 Fairhill Rd., Cleveland, OH 44120. Info: www.progresswithchess.org. Contact: Mike Joelson 216321-7000.

Oregon July 19-22, 20-22 or 21-22, 17th annual Pacific Coast Open (CA-S) See Grand Prix.

Pennsylvania Every Saturday - Lehigh Valley Super Quads (NO QUADS ON LVCA GRAND PRIX DATES LISTED IN CHESS LIFE or July 7 for WO), G/40 Quads, 3-RR. Reg.: 1-1:45, Rds.: 2 pm, then asap, Site: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 514 3rd Ave., Bethlehem, PA 18018. EF: $10, $30 for 3-0 score, else $25 for 1st., Ph: 484-866-3045, Info: bdavis@ lehighvalleychess.org, www.lehighvalleychess.org/. Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, 6th annual Philadelphia Open See Grand Prix. Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open Action Quads 3RR, G/25, d/5, dual rated. Loews Philadelphia Hotel (see Philadelphia Open). EF: $20, at site only. $$ 50 1st each section. Reg. ends 1:45 pm, rds. 2, 3, 4. Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open G/15 (QC) 4SS, G/15, d/3. Lowes Philadelphia Hotel (see Philadelphia Open). Prizes $300 based on 20 entries, else in proportion: $100-50, U2100 $60, U1800 $50, U1500/Unr $40. EF: $20, at site only. Reg. ends 10:15 pm, rds. 10:30, 10:45, 11:30, 12:15. One half pt bye available, must commit before rd. 2. Quick rated, but higher of regular or quick used for pairings & prizes. Apr. 8, Philadelphia Open Blitz & G/7 (QC) 2 separate tournaments at Loews Philadelphia Hotel (see Philadelphia Open). Blitz: G/5, no delay. G/7: G/7, d/2. Each is a 4-SS, double round (8 games) with prizes $300 based on 20 entries, else in proportion: $100-50, U2100 $60, U1800 $50, U1500/Unr $40. EF: $20, at site only. Blitz: reg. ends 12:45 pm, rds. 1, 1:30, 2, 2:30. Game/7: reg. ends 10:15 pm, rds. 10:30, 11:15, 12, 12:45. Both: One pair of 1/2 pt byes available, must commit before rd 2. Quick rated, but higher of regular or quick used for pairings & prizes.

Apr. 28, Parma Open 4SS, G/45. German Central Organization, 7863 York Rd. (1/4 mi. N of Sprague), Parma, OH. Sections: Open, U2000, U1600. Reg.: 8-9AM. Rds.: 9:30-11:15-1:30-3:15. Prizes (b/50): Open 1st $160, 2nd $80; U2000 1st $120, 2nd $60; U1600 1st $120, 2nd $60; U1200 1st $60. Ent: $20. Info & entries: William Wright, 19121 Wheelers Lane, Strongsville, OH 44149. Phone: (440) 572-9565. E-mail: [email protected]. Web www.parmachessclub.org/.

Apr. 15, PCL April Quick Quads (QC) 3RR, G/15d3. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & Bigelow, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-11:15am. Rds.: 11:30am-Noon-12:30pm. Info: [email protected], 412908-0286. W.

May 4, DCC #16 Quick 2012 (QC) 4SS, G/24, td5. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. Rds.: 7:30/8:30/9:30/10:30. One bye. Prizes based on entries. EF: $10 ($8 DCC mbrs). Info: [email protected] or 937-461-6283.

Apr. 21-22, 2012 PA State Amateur Champ. Comfort Inn, 58 SR 93, West Hazleton, PA 18202, 1/2 mile from Exit 145 off I81. 2 sections: Champ (Sat & Sun): Open to U2200. 5SS. G/90. Rds: 10-1:30-5, 9:30-1. EF: $20 rec'd by 4/18, $30 later. Trophies: 1-3, U1800, U1600, U1400, U1200/Unrated, School Team (top 4 scores). Top 2 receive entry into 2012 PA Champ. Title to top PA resident. Scholastic (Sat only): unrated or U1400 in grades K-12. 4SS. G/40. Rds: 10-11:30-1-2:30. EF: $15 rec'd by 4/18, $20 later. Trophies: 1-2, U1000, U800/Unrated, School Team (top 4 scores). All: Reg.: 9-9:45am, PSCF $5, OSA. HR: 570-4559300, 1-877-424-6423, $68.95. Ent/Info: GHACC, c/o Michael Jemo, 128 Forest Hills Acres, Hazle Twp., PA 18201, [email protected] 570455-9261. W. Chess Magnet School JGP.

May 4-6 or 5-6, 48th Cincinnati Open See Grand Prix. May 5, House of Chess Open 4SS, G/45. House of Chess, Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted, OH (W of JC Penny). Sections: Open, U1600. Reg.: 11-11:25 AM. Rds.: 11:301:15-3:30-5:15. Prizes (b/25): Open 1st $200, 2nd $100; U1900 1st $100; Reserve(U1600): 1st $100. Ent: $25, Club members $20. Info & entries: House of Chess, Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted, OH 44070. Phone: (440) 979-1133. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.thehouse ofchess.com/.

Apr. 21, NW Jersey Class “A” Quads (also K-8 U1200) (NJ) See New Jersey.

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Top U1400, U1200, U1000,U800, UNR, FREE ENTRY TO UNRATEDS, if paying 1 year USCF Dues, Drawings for $100 in Door Prizes. Rds.: 1:10 pm then ASAP. Reg.: Ends 1 pm. Site: Holy Trinity Church, 514 3rd Ave., Bethlehem, PA 18102. Ent: Bruce Davis, 1208 Linden St, Bethlehem, PA 18018, Ph. 484-866-3045, Email: [email protected]. Info: www.lehighvalleychess.org/. June 9-10, 2012 Delaware Capital Open (DE) See Delaware. June 29-July 3 (New date), 9th annual Philadelphia International See Grand Prix. June 30, World Open U2300 Warmup 5SS, G/30, d/5. Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel (see World Open). Open to under 2300 or unrated. Prizes $500 based on 30 entries, else in proportion: $150-70-40, U2050 $90, U1800 $80, U1550/Unr $70. EF: $20, at site only, no checks. Reg. ends 9:30 am 6/30, rds. 10, 12, 1:30, 3, 4:30. One half point bye allowed if U1800/Unr, otherwise two byes allowed, must commit before rd 2. July 1-2, World Open U2200 Warmup 5SS, G/90, d/5. Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel (see World Open). Open to under 2200 or unrated. Prizes $500 based on 20 entries, else in proportion: $150-70-40, U1950 $90, U1700 $80, U1450/Unr $70: EF: $30, at site only, no checks. Reg. ends 10 am 7/1, rds. Sun 10, 2, 6, Mon. 10, 2. One half point bye allowed if U1700/Unr, otherwise two byes allowed; must commit before rd 2. Chess Magnet School JGP. July 3-4, World Open U2100 Warmup 5SS, G/90, d/5. Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel (see World Open). Open to under 2100 or unrated. Prizes $500 based on 20 entries, else in proportion: $150-70-40, U1850 $90, U1600/Unr $80, U1350 $70. EF: $30, at site only, no checks. Reg. ends 10 am 7/3, rds. Tue 10, 2, 6, Wed 10, 2. One half point bye allowed if U1600/Unr, otherwise two byes allowed, must commit before rd 2. Chess Magnet School JGP. July 4, World Open 7-Minute Championship (QC) See Grand Prix. July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, 40th Annual World Open See Grand Prix. July 5-8, World Open Daily 2pm Blitz (QC) 4 separate tournaments at Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel (see World Open). Each is a 4-SS, double round (8 games), G/5. Prizes $300 based on 20 entries, else in proportion: $100-50, U2100 $60, U1800 $50, U1500/Unr $40. EF: $20, at site only, no checks. Reg. ends 1:45 pm, rds. 2, 2:45, 3:15, 3:45. One pair of 1/2 pt byes available, must commit before rd 2. Quick rated (will not affect regular ratings), but higher of regular or quick used for pairings & prizes. July 7, World Open 10-Minute Championship (QC) See Grand Prix. July 8, World Open Blitz Championship (QC) See Grand Prix. July 28-Aug. 1, 2012 Washington International (MD) See Grand Prix. Aug. 3-5 or 4-5, Cleveland Open (OH) See Grand Prix.

Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 2012 Maryland Open (MD) See Grand Prix.

Rhode Island

May 12, Pawn Storm VII 5SS, G/45, td/5. Dayton Chess Club. 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. Rds.: 111-3-5-7. Two byes – only 1 if in rd 5. Prizes (b/25 paid): Open: $200-101, U1900: $100, U1600: $99. EF: $25 until 5 May then $35. EF refunded 2200 or higher players who complete their schedule. Info: [email protected] or 937-461-6283.

A Heritage Event! Apr. 28-29, 52nd Golden Triangle Open 4SS, G/120, d/5. Pittsburgh Chess Club, 5604 Solway St., Suite 209, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. EF: $30 postmarked by 4/23, $40 later, $5 discount to PCC members. 2 Sections: Open, Reserve (under 1800). Prizes: $$615 b/30. Open: 120-90, U2000 $80. Reserve: 100-70, U1600 $60, U1400 $50, U1200/Unr $45. Reg.: 9AM-9:45AM on 4/28. Rounds: 10AM-3PM both days. One 1/2 point bye permitted if requested before the start of Round 2. Info: 412-421-1881, www.pittsburghcc.org. Ent: Pittsburgh Chess Club, Attn: Mike Holsinger, 5604 Solway St., Suite 209, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Checks payable to Pittsburgh Chess Club. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Cranston Chess Club Monthly Every Tuesday. 4SS, 40/70, SD/30. Garden City Center, Cranston. EF: $5/game (club mbrs: $3/game). Reg.: 6:30-6:50pm; RDS.: 1st 4 Tuesdays of the month, 7pm sharp! 5th Tuesday extra rated games and events. One bye rd 1-3; if notified in advance. Prizes based on entries. Info: www. cranstonchess.org, 401-575-1520. Chess Magnet School JGP.

May 12, Toledo May Swiss Open, 4SS, Rnd. 1 G/75, Rnds. 2-4 G/90. The University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Mulford Library Basement Café, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 5/10, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50, 1st Class A ,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd., Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450. Chess Magnet School JGP.

May 4, 1st Friday of the Month LVCA $$ 100% GTD (QC) 4SS, G/25;d3. St Timothy's Lutheran Church, 140 So. Ott St., Allentown, PA 18104. EF: $15, $10-21 & under/College Student Id, $$200 100% Gtd., $70-$35, Top U20 $35, top U16/unrated $30, Top Junior/College $30. One 1/2 pt byes if reg.'d after 6:45 pm. REG.: Ends 6:45pm, Cash on site only. RDS.: 7 pm, then ASAP. Ent/Info: By May 2, Check payable: Bruce Davis, 1208 Linden St., Fl. 1, Bethlehem, PA 18018, 484-866-3045 or bdavis@ lehighvalleychess.org, www.lehighvalleychess.org.

May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL) See Grand Prix.

May 5, W. Chester 1st Sat. Quads Our 23rd year! 3RR, 40/75, sd/30, td/5sec. United Methodist Church, 129 S. High St., West Chester, PA. EF: $20; $40, $50 for 3-0. Reg.: 9am; Rds.: 9:30, 1, 4:30. Info: [email protected].

May 11, DCC #17 Quick 2012 (QC) 4SS, G/24, td5. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. Rds.: 7:30/8:30/9:30/10:30. One bye. Prizes based on entries. EF: $10 ($8 DCC mbrs). Info: [email protected] or 937-461-6283.

June 1-3 or 2-3, 54th Gem City Open See Grand Prix. June 9, Toledo June Swiss Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90. The University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Mulford Library Basement Café, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 6/7, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50, 1st Class A ,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd., Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450. Chess Magnet School JGP.

May 12 not May 5, North Jersey Quads (Limited to Class A and below.) (NJ) NOTE DATE CHANGE: See New Jersey.

Oklahoma

May 12, MasterMinds CC Swiss/Quads Blair Christian Academy, 220 W. Upsal St., Philadelphia, PA. Quads: 40/75 SD/30 TD/5. EF: $20 cash, Perfect score winner $50 else $40. Rd. 1 10AM then asap. Scholastic SS, EF $5 rec'd by Thursday before, $15 at the door. 3 sections Rd. 1 10AM then asap: K-12 3SS, G/55 TD/5 1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 1200, top unrated; K-8 4SS, G/35 TD/5.1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 800, top unrated; K-6 4SS, G/35 TD/5.1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 600, top under 400, top unrated. 1st & 2nd school & club trophies. All Reg. ends 9:30am. Ent: MasterMinds CC, 36 E. Hortter St., Philadelphia, PA 19119. Checks made payable to: MasterMinds CC. Info: Bradley Crable, 215-844-3881, [email protected], or www.mastermind schess.org.

May 26-28, 31st NAO FIDE Open See Grand Prix.

May 26, 6th Annual May LVCA Scholastic K-12 Championship 5-SS, G/30. EF: $30, $35 CASH ONLY after 5/23/12 AT SITE. Trophy's to

June 22-24 or 23-24, 2012 Columbus Open See Grand Prix. Aug. 3-5 or 4-5, Cleveland Open See Grand Prix.

uschess.org

South Carolina May 4-6 or 5-6, 2012 Georgia Chess Championship (GA) See Grand Prix.

Tennessee A State Championship Event! Apr. 14, Tennessee All-Girls Scholastic State Championship 5SS, G/40. 3rd Floor, Keathley University Center, MTSU 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, TN 37132. Two Sections: Championship Section open to all TN girls ages 18 & under. EF: $20 pstmkd by 4/10/12, $25 later. Competition Section open to all TN girls ages 12 & under. EF: $15.00 if pstmkd by 4/10/12, $20.00 later, USCF and TCA membership req'd., Trophies 1st–6th place, medals 7th–10th place, plus prizes to 1st–3rd place in each section. Rds. both sections: 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 1:30 3:00, Playoff if needed: G/10, G/5, Coin toss, Winner of Championship Section will be crowned TN All-Girls State Champion and receive Grand Prize of partial scholarship to college of choice. Special events: Exhibits & Seminars for players and Parents from WiSTEM, GRITS, NGCP, MTSU, Free games analysis by NM. Inq.: [email protected]. Ent: Clarksville Chess Club, c/o Roy Manners, 1215 Cumberland Heights Rd., Clarksville, TN 37040. Online: www.tnchess.org. Apr. 21, 2012 Cumberland County Spring Open Cumberland Co. Community Complex, 1398 Livingston Rd., Crossville, TN 38555. $420 guaranteed prize fund. In 2 Sections: Open: 4SS, G/60, $$: $75. 30-X,A,B,C,D/Below. Amateur: 4SS, G/60, Open to U1200 & under. $$: $75. 30-F, G,H/Below,UNR UNR eligible for unrated prize only. ALL: EF: $15 if mailed by 4/16, $20 at site. Memb. Req'd: TCA $10 TN residents only. ENT: Harry D. Sabine, P.O. Box 381, Crossville, TN 38557. INFO: www.cumberlandcountychess.com or Susan at 931-261-4024. NS. W. Apr. 21, Bluff City Open See Grand Prix. May 4-6 or 5-6, 2012 Georgia Chess Championship (GA) See Grand Prix.


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Tournament Life May 11-13, 2012 National Elementary (K-6) Championship See Nationals.

more info at: www.loudounchess.org/reg/accregister.htm. Chess Magnet School JGP.

May 18-20 or 19-20, 2012 Tennessee Senior Open 5SS, G/120. Fair Park Senior Center, 1433 Livingston Rd., Crossville, TN 38555. EF: $25 if mailed by 5/11/2012 $35 at site. 3-Day: Reg. Fri 2:00-3:30 PM. Rds.: 4, 10-4, 9-2. 2 Day: Reg Sat 8:00-9:30. Rds: 10-14, 9-2 (2 Day R 1 & 2 at G/60). Memb. Req'd:TCA $10, TN residents only. $$GTD: $150-100. 50-B/C, D/E, B1000,Unr, Age 60-69, Age-70 & Older. Plaques to top 3, B1400, Age 70+ (plaques to TN residents only). Medals to all participants. ENT: Harry D Sabine, PO Box 381, Crossville, TN 38557 or register on line at www.tnchess.org. HR: $60 + tax 931-4841551 or 1-866-707-8408, Crossville Best Western Leisure Inn, 4035 Highway 127 N, Crossville, TN 38571. NS.

Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 2012 Maryland Open (MD) See Grand Prix.

May 18-20, Pawn Power Open 9 5SS, G/120. $750 prizes based on 40 entries. Greater Memphis Chess Center, 5796 Shelby Oaks Dr., Suite 11, Memphis, TN 38134. Accelerated pairings. Prizes: 1st $300, $200, $100. Top U1600 and U1400: $100 each. EF: $40 ($35 for MCC and GMCC members). Rounds: 3-day option: Fri 7pm, Sat 2pm & 7pm, Sun 9am & 2pm. 2-day option: Sat 9am, 2pm & 7pm; Sun 9am & 2pm. On-site registration: Fri: 5:30-6:30pm or Sat: 7:30-8:30am. Saturday side event: U1200 Scholastic, 5SS, G/45. 1st round at 9am, next rounds ASAP. Trophies for top 3 finishers. EF: $15. Entries: Memphis Chess Club Inc., PO Box 17864, Memphis, TN 381870864. Chess Magnet School JGP for Main Event. May 26, Rutherford County Open See Grand Prix. June 9-10, 2012 U.S. Amateur South Championship See Nationals.

Texas Apr. 14-15, 2012 DCC Fide Open III See Grand Prix. Apr. 21, Many Springs Open 44 North Richland Hills Public Library, 9015 Grand Ave., North Richland Hills, TX 76180. 4 Round SS, G/45. EF: $15, 80% of entry fee's returned as prizes. Registration On-site: 8:45-8:55. First Round 9:00 AM. Additional information Tom Crane at either 817-296-4287, tcrane5000@yahoo. com or www.tarrantcountychessclub.org/. Apr. 21, Temple Chess Club Spring Swiss 2012 See Grand Prix. May 12, Mother's Day Tournament (QC) Harlingen Public Library, (TX). 12:30. Rated, 4-rounds, G/20. EF: $15, multiple sections. Contact: Josie Balboa, 956-216-5814. May 25-28 or 26-28, Texas State and Amateur Championships See Grand Prix. July 9-14, 2012 U.S. Senior Open See Nationals. July 13-15, 2012 U.S. Junior Open See Nationals.

Vermont Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 23rd annual Vermont Resort Open See Grand Prix. May 12, White River Open See Grand Prix. May 18-20 or 19-20, 20th annual New York State Open (NY) See Grand Prix.

Virginia

Apr. 28, 1st Annual Silver Knights K-8 Chess League, Meet 2 (Playoff May 19th in Reston) Rounds 4-6, G/30. 12:30 PM-3:30 PM. Key Middle School, 6402 Franconia Rd., Springfield, VA 22150. EF: $180 per team, covers this and events on 4/14 and 5/19. Team rosters of 4 - 6 players in grades K-8 that attend the same school, plus a team captain (coach or parent) responsible for organizing the team. Free Game analysis by NM Jeremy Kane. May 19 Playoff: Rounds: 12:30-3:30pm. Hunters Woods Elementary School, 2401 Colts Neck Rd., Reston, VA 20191. For details on eligibility and match regulations see: www.silverknightschess.com/league. Apr. 28, 2012 Walter Muir Memorial See Grand Prix. Apr. 28, Sterling Chess April Open and RBO See Grand Prix. May 26, 2012 Richmond Spring Open! 4SS, G/65. Atlee High School, 9414 Atlee Station Rd., Mechanicsville VA, 23116. Reg.: 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 9:45-12:15-3:00-5:30. 2 Sections: OPEN: EF: $32 pd by 5/23, $36 at site, $140-83, Top X/A/B $64 ea.; PREMIER (under1700) EF: $29 pd by 5/23, $33 at site, $128-72, Top C/D/E-unr $57 ea. Prizes GUARANTEED, increased if more than 50 players total. NS, no credit cards. A VCF Cup event. Mail entries to: Andrew Rea, 6102 Lundy Pl., Burke VA 22015. Info: www.vachess.org or [email protected]. One 1/2 pt bye available at reg. or at site before Rd2. Chess Magnet School JGP. June 9-10, 2012 Delaware Capital Open (DE) See Delaware. July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, 40th Annual World Open (PA) See Grand Prix.

TOP-QUALITY BARGAIN CHESS LESSONS BY PHONE With more than 40 years of experience teaching chess, the Mid-Atlantic Chess Instruction Center is the best in the business. We specialize in adult students. We offer 32 different courses as well as individual game analysis. Center Director: Life Master Russell Potter. Tel.: (540) 344-4446. If we are out when you call, please leave your name & tel. #. Our Webpage is at: chessinstructor.org. NEW FOR 2012: Two additional courses + FREE powerful analysis engines + FREE screen-sharing! LEARN CHESS BY MAIL: Any Strength: Inquire about individual programs. Alex Dunne, 324 West Lockhart Street, Sayre, PA 18840. [email protected]. YOU’LL SEE REAL PROGRESS by Studying with 3Time U.S. Champ GM Lev Alburt! Private lessons (incl. by mail and phone) from $80/hr. Autographed seven-volume, self-study Comprehensive Chess Course-only $134 postpaid! P.O. Box 534, Gracie Station, NY, NY 10028. (212) 794-8706. Internet and Telephone Chess Lessons for all ages with N.M. Peter Aravena Sloan www.TeachesChess.com 347-451-1154.

Aug. 4-12, 7-12 or 9-12, 113th annual U.S. Open See Nationals.

West Virginia Apr. 14-15, Kingstowne Chess Festival - 10th Annual! (VA) See Grand Prix.

Wisconsin Apr. 21, Hales Corners Challenge XV See Grand Prix. May 19-20, Arpad Elo Open Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel, 4747 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207. In 2 Sections, Open: 5SS, 45/2; SD/1; TD/5, EF: $37 (Jr $35) if received by 5/15; $3 more later or at site. $$b/30: $325-175. X 125; A 110; U1800: 75. Top Female $100. Reserve: 5SS, 45/2; SD/1; TD/5, Open to Under 1700. EF: $25 (Jr $23) if received by 5/15; $3 more later or at site. $$b/30: $110-80. Trophies to 1st, 2nd, 1st D, 1st E, 1st U1000, Top Female. ALL: Reg.: 8:30-9:30 am 5/19/12. Rds.: 10-2:30-7:30; 10-3:30. ENT: Dennis Kosterman, 28 Singleton Ct., Madison, WI 53711 608-7703133. INFO: [email protected]. HR: $82 414-481-8000 (mention Chess). www.wischess.org. WCA Tour Event! Chess Magnet School JGP. May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL) See Grand Prix.

July 20-22 or 21-22, 5th annual Chicago Class (IL) See Grand Prix.

Apr. 21, Third Saturday Swiss 4SS, G/61. Open & U1200 sections. Ashburn Chess Center, 44927 George Washington Blvd., #120, Ashburn, VA 20147. Prizes: 50% back to top 3 per section. EF: $18 Preregistered. $20 at site. Members discounted. Reg.: 9-9:30AM. Rd.1 10AM. Halfpt Bye: 1-3. Preregistration and

70


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Washington

Arlington Chess Club's Friday Ladder 30/90, SD/1. Most monthly game points: $50; most total points Jan. to Dec.: $100. Must join club to play. Yearly dues: $50 adults, $40 seniors/ U18. Cash or check. Reg.: weekly sign-up from 7:00-8:00pm, games start by 8:10, no advance entries. Arlington Forest United Methodist Church, 4701 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203. Contact for info only: [email protected]. W, NS. Chess Magnet School JGP (if 4 rounds/games played in that one month).

Apr. 14-15, Kingstowne Chess Festival - 10th Annual! See Grand Prix.

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May 27, Chicago Open Action Quads (IL) See Illinois.

Apr. 14, 1st Annual Silver Knights K-8 Chess League, Meet 1 Rounds: 1-3, G/30. 12:30 PM-3:30 PM. Hunter's Woods Elementary School, 2401 Colts Neck Rd., Reston, VA 20191. EF: $180 per team, covers this and events on 4/28 and 5/19. Team rosters of 4 - 6 players in grades K-8 that attend the same school, plus a team captain (coach or parent) responsible for organizing the team. Free Game analysis by NM Jeremy Kane. For details on eligibility and match regulations see: www.silverknightschess.com/league.

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July 28-Aug. 1, 2012 Washington International (MD) See Grand Prix.

Arlington Chess Club's Friday Action Tournament 3SS, G/30. Once a month we run a Friday night event - dates are on the club website: www.arlingtonchessclub.com. Prizes b/entries: 80% returned as prizes. Reg.: 7:00-8:15pm. Rd. 1: 8:20. EF: $15 ($10 for ACC Members), no advance entries, cash only. Arlington Forest United Methodist Church, 4701 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22202. Contact for info only: [email protected]. W, NS.

Apr. 14, Sleepy Hollow Scholastic Open Chess Tournament (QC) 4SS, G/25. 3333 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Falls Church, VA 22044. Rounds: 113pm. Contact: Olympia Chess Academy, Mary C. Fair, 703-755-0973, [email protected].

Classifieds

May 27, Chicago Open G/15 (QC) (IL) See Illinois.

Miscellaneous Chess Gazette Monthly FREE. Reviews, stories, sales. PDF download. Send email address and name: [email protected]

Wanted * CHESS-PLAYER SCHOLARS * in top 10% of high school class with USCF > 2000 and SAT (math + critical reading) > 1400 for possible college scholarships to UMBC. Prof. Alan Sherman, Dept. of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore County, 21250. 410-455-2666, [email protected]

May 28, Chicago Open Blitz & Game/7 (QC) (IL) See Illinois.

ATTENTION AFFILIATES The United States Chess Federation has partnered with R.V. Nuccio & Associates Insurance Brokers, Inc. to provide USCF affiliates with affordable annual liability and short term event insurance. The liability coverage is available for approximately $265 per year for a $1,000,000 limit of insurance. Also available is contents property and bonding insurance. For more information, please go to www. rvnuccio.com/chess-federation.html.For event insurance, please go to www.rvnuc cio.com.

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uschess.org

Solutions CHESS TO ENJOY (page 15) Problem I.

1. ... Qxa2+! and 2. Kxa2 Ra4+ 3. Kb1 Ra1 mate, or 2. Kc1 Bf4. Problem II.

1. d5! threatens the queen, 2. Bxb6, and king, 2. Rxf7 mate. Problem III.

1. f3! so that 1. ... Nf6 2. Bd2 wins the queen. After 1. ... Nc5! White avoided 2. dxc5 dxc5 3. Q-moves Bxa1 and prompted resignation with 2. Rb1! Problem IV.

1. ... Qc8! threatens to mate with ... Qg4+-g2 but also to win a piece with 2. ... Bxd2 3. Qxc8 Bxc8. And won the game after 2. f3 Rxd2! in view of 3. Bxd2 Bd4+ and 4. ... Qxc2.

“An excellent thematic study. The thematic tries are really good because of the pinning/unpinning moves” Problem II. 1. h7 Bb2 2. Nc5+ dxc5 2. ... Kc6 3. Rxb2 Rg1+ 4. Kf7 Rf1+ 5. Kg6 Rf6+ 6. Kxf6 a1=Q 7. Nd3 draws. 3. Rxb2 Rg1+ 4. Kh8 Rg2 4. ... a1=Q Stalemate, or 4. ... a1=R 5. Rd2+ draws. 5. Rb1 Rg8+ 5. ... axb1=Q Stalemate, or 5. ... Rh2 6. Ra1 draws. 6. hxg8=Q axb1=Q 7. Qg4+ Kd8 8. Qg8+ Kd7 9. Qg4+ Kd6 10. Qg6+ Qxg6 Stalemate. “Another interesting example of consecutive synthesis. Highly suspect. MG proposes: 1. Nf8+ Kc6 2. h7 Bb2 3. Rc2+ Kd5 4. Rxb2 Rg1+ 5. Ng6 Rxg6+ 6. Kh8 a1=R 7. Rb5+ and White has a rabid rook.

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Problem V.

1. Bd6! Ke8 (else 2. Qa8+) 2. Qc6! and 3. Rb8+ wins, e.g. 2. ... Qd5 3. Rb8+ Bd8 4. Rxd8+! Kxd8 5. Qc7+ Ke8 6. Qc8 mate. Problem VI.

1. Be2!! stops 1. ... Qxc2+ and threatens 2. Rxh4+ Bxh4 3. Qg7 mate. Black resigned after 1. ... Rg2 2. Rxh4+ in view of 2. ... Bxh4 3. Qh5+ and 4. Rxg2+. No better is 1. ... Rf1+ 2. Rxf1 Qxe2 3. Rg1.

SOLITAIRE CHESS ABCs of Chess (page 17) Problem I.

Pin: Black wins a pawn with 1. ... Nxf4, since 2. Rxf4 is met by 2. ... Be5. Problem II.

Fork: Black steals a pawn with 1. ... Ng4. Problem III.

Discovery: Black gains a piece with 1. ... f3+ 2. Kh1 fxg2+. Problem IV.

Mating net: Black mates with 1. ... Nf3+ 2. Kh1 Qh2 mate. Problem V.

Mating net: Black mates with 1. ... Qf2+ 2. Kh1 Qxg2 mate. Problem VI.

Mating net: The game comes to an end by 1. ... Rf1+ 2. Kg2 (or 2. Kh2) 2. ... Qf2 mate (or 2. ... Qg1 mate).

ENDGAME LAB Benko’s Bafflers (page 47) Problem I. 1. Ba5 Rxb7 No better is 1. ... Rxg8 2. Bc7 Kf3. 2. Nf6 Ke2 3. d4 Ra7 4. Bd8 Thematic try: 4. Bb6? Ra6 half-pin 5. Nd5 Kf3 6. Kg6 Ke4 7. Nf6+ Kd3 8. Bc5 Kc4 9. Kf5 Ra5 pin 10. Nd7 Kd5 unpin 11. Nf6+ Kc4 12. Nd7 Kd5 unpin 13. Nf6+ positional draw. 4. ... Ke3 5. d5 Ra6 pin 6. Be7 Kf4 7. d6 half-pin 7. ... Ke5 8. d7 Thematic try: 8. Ne8? Rb6 (Rc6) pin 9. Kg6 Ke6 unpin (but not 9. ... Rb7? unpin 10. Kf7 Rd7 pin 11. Kf8 Ke6 12. Nc7+ Ke5 13. Nb5 Ke6 14. Ke8 and White wins). 8. ... Ke6 unpin 9. d8=Q wins. uschess.org

Wijk-ie Quickie Solutions (page 24): Gelfand-Nakamura: 35. Rd6 should hold but not 35. Rc2?? Red4, White resigned. Radjabov-Karjakin: 60. b6! Rxa4 61. b7! Rb4 62. Rc4+!!, Black resigned and after 62. ... Bxc4 63. Nc2+ the b-pawn queens. Gelfand-Kamsky: Gelfand has been hanging on to a lost position for many moves and now Kamsky has a last chance to finish off the world title challenger: 34. ... Re4 and draw agreed on move 44 allowing the great escape. After 34. ... Qc7+ 35. Kf2 Qh2!! the white king can never reach safety and a Black rook and a black rook will soon reach the f-file with decisive affect. Ivanchuk-Giri: 51. Rxb7 Kxb7 52. f4!! gxf4 53. h4 a5 54. e6 Kc7 55. h5 a4 56. e7 Kd7 57. h6, Black resigned. Gashimov-Navara: Here White sought to attack with 25. g4 not realizing that he could have finished the game immediately with 25. Rxc7!! Qxc7 26. Qg5. Instead the game was drawn at move 40. Radjabov-Navara: Navara, in desperate trouble, set up a trick with 29. ... Nc7 30. Rxc7 d5. However his hopes were dashed when Radjabov found a way to hang on to his extra piece through 31. Rd1 Re8 32. Bb5, Black resigned.. Aronian-Navara: 57. ... g5 58. fxg5 hxg5+! 59. Kh5 Qe4 60. Kxg5 Ne6+, Black resjgned. Karjakin-Gelfand: The 2012 world title challenger had a hard time in Wijk aan Zee but here he turns an apparently difficult queen ending into something much easier: 42. ... g2 43. Qxg6+ Kxg6 44. Kxg2 b4, White resigned. Sachdev-Schut: Black has placed her king in the correct corner, but Sachdev makes one last try before agreeing to a draw: 53. Rh7+ Kg8 54. Rg7+ Kh8 55. Rh7+ Kg8 56. Rc7 Be6?? Any unlucky choice—any other square on the a2-g8 diagonal (except f7) would suffuce for a draw. 57. Kg6 Kh8 58. Rh7+ Kg8 Re7!, Black resigned. Tikkanen-Grover: The best combination of Wijk aan Zee 2012: 21. Nxe4 Qxg2 22. Rhg1 Qh2 23. Nxf6+ Ke7 24. Rd7+ Kxf6 25. Rf1+ Kg5 26. Rf5+ Kg6 27. Rdxf7! Ng7 28. g5+! Kh7 29. g6+ Kxg6 30. R7f6+, Black resigned. Ernest-Batista: The best trap from Wijk aan Zee 2012: 17. ... Ra6!! 18. c5? Qxa2+!! 19. Rxa2 bxa2 20. Qe4 f6 21. Bxe5 fxe5 22. Qxe5+ Re6! 23. Qxg7 Rf8 24. Bf3 Ref6, White resigned. Harikrishna-Vocaturo: The game would be drifting towards a draw had Black defended with 25. ... Rc7 but instead Vocaturo allows a simple but effective trick: 25. ... Rec8? 26. Bxc6 Rxc6 27. Qxc6!, Black resigned.

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PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS HEALTH AND BENEFITS FUND Many Grand Prix tournament organizers will contribute $1 per player to the Professional Health & Benefits Fund. All Grand Prix tournaments which participate in this program are entitled to be promoted to the next higher Grand Prix category—for example, a six-point tournament would become a 10-point tournament. Points in the top category are promoted 50%.

CHESS LIFE USPS# 102-840 (ISSN 0197-260X). Volume 67 No. 4. PRINTED IN THE USA. Chess Life, formerly Chess Life & Review, is published monthly by the United States Chess Federation, 137 Obrien Dr., Crossville, TN 38557-3967. Chess Life & Review and Chess Life remain the property of USCF. Annual subscription (without membership): $50. Periodical postage paid at Crossville, TN 38557-3967 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Chess Life (USCF), PO Box 3967, Crossville, Tennessee 38557-3967. Entire contents ©2012 by the United States Chess Federation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise without the prior written permission of USCF. Note: Unsolicited materials are submitted at the sender's risk and Chess Life accepts no responsibility for them. Materials will not be returned unless accompanied by appropriate postage and packaging. Address all submissions to Chess Life, PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557-3967. The opinions expressed are strictly those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Chess Federation. Send all address changes to: U.S. Chess, Membership Services, PO Box 3967, Crossville, Tennessee 38557-3967. Include your USCF I.D. number and a recent mailing label if possible. This information may be e-mailed to addresschange@ uschess.org. Please give us eight weeks advance notice. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 41473530 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO EXPRESS MESSENGER INTERNATIONAL P.O. BOX 25058 LONDON BRC, ONTARIO, CANADA N6C 6A8


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21st annual

CHICAGO OPEN May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28, 27-28 or 25-26 Open 9 rounds, others 7 rounds, Memorial Day weekend. At the luxurious WESTIN NORTH SHORE HOTEL Free lectures & analysis of your games by GM John Fedorowicz!

$100,000 PRIZE FUND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED! Open Section: 9 rounds, 40/90, SD/30, Inc/30, 5/24-28. U1300 to U2300 Sections: 7 rounds, choice of 5/25-28, 5/26-28 or 5/27-28. 40/2, SD/1, d/5 except first 2 rounds of 3 day are G/75, d/5, first 4 rounds of 2 day are G/40, d/5 U1100 Section (NOTE CHANGE): 7 rounds, G/90, d/5, 5/26-28 or 5/27-28, rds 1-4 G/40, d/5, merges with 3-day. U900 Section: 7 rounds, G/40, d/5, 5/27-28. At Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 N Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling IL 60090. Free parking. Open Section: $10000-5000-2500-1200-900-700-600500-400-300, clear/tiebreak bonus $200, top FIDE U2500/ Unr $2000-1000. FIDE, GM/IM norms possible, 300 GPP. EF $100 more for US players never rated 2200/over by FIDE. Under 2300 Section: $5000-2500-1200-900-700-600500-400-300-300. FIDE rated. Under 2100 Section: $5000-2500-1200-900-700-600500-400-300-300. Unrated limit $2500. Under 1900 Section: $5000-2500-1200-900-700-600500-400-300-300. Unrated limit $2000. Under 1700 Section: $5000-2500-1200-900-700-600500-400-300-300. Unrated limit $1500. Under 1500 Section: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500400-400-300-300. Unrated limit $1000. Under 1300 Section: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500400-400-300-300. Unrated limit $700. Under 1100 Section: $1500-700-400-300-200-200-100100. Unrated limit $400. Under 900 Section: $500-300-200, trophies to first 5, top U700, U500, U300, Unrated. Unrated limit $200. Ratings: May official USCF ratings used for U2300 & below, FIDE for Open. Unofficial web ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. For foreign ratings see chesstour. com. Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated through 5/12 official USCF list may not win over $800 in U1100, $1500 U1300 or $2500 U1500. 2) If official rating 5/11-4/12 or unofficial post-event rating posted 5/24/115/24/12 more than 30 pts over section max, prize limit $1500.

Top 7 sections entry fee: 5-day $225, 4-day $224, 3-day $223, 2-day $222 mailed by 5/16, all $227 online at chesstour.com by 5/21, $250 online until 2 hrs before rd 1 or at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Phoned entry (406-896-2038) $230 by 5/21. Special entry fee: GMs, IMs, WGMs, foreign FMs free in Open; $200 deducted from prize. $100 less to seniors 65 or over in U1300/above. Online or mailed EF $5 less to ICA members; join at il-chess.org. Re-entry (except Open) $100. Under 1100 entry fee: $85 mailed by 5/16, $87 online at chesstour.com by 5/21, $100 at site. Under 900 entry fee: $35 mailed by 5/16, $37 online at chesstour.com by 5/21, $50 at site. USCF mem. required. Special dues, see chesstour.com. . 5-day schedule (Open): Late entry to Thu 6 pm, rds Thu 7 pm, Fri 12 & 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 4-day schedule (U1300-U2300): Late entry to Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule (U1300-U2300): Late entry to Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U1300-U2300): Late entry to Sun 9 am; rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 3-day U1100 schedule: Late entry to Sat 1 pm, rds.Sat 2 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10, 12 & 6, Mon 10 & 2. 2-day U1100 schedule: Late entry to Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 2. U900 schedule: Late entry to Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10, 12, 2 & 3:45, Mon 10, 12, 2. Half point byes OK all rounds, limit 4 (2 in last 4 rds). Open must commit before round 2, others before rd 4. Hotel rates: $103 for 1-4/room, 800-937-8461, 847-7776500. Reserve by 5/11; rate may increase or hotel sell out. Car rental: Avis (800-331-1600), use AWD #D657633. All: Bring sets, boards, clocks- none supplied. $15 charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Questions: chesstour.com, [email protected], 845-4969658. JGP. See TLAs under Illinois for side events.

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