Chess Life 2008-10 October

Not Just An Idle Amusement: The 2008 World Open “...Life is a kind of Chess, in which we have often points to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with, and in which there is a vast variety of good and ill events...” — B E N F R AN KLI N

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Chess Life Editorial Staff Chess Life Editor & Director of Publications

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Chess Life — October 2008

uschess.org

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Contributors Dr. Alexey Root, WIM (“First Moves,” p. 8; “Looks at Books,” p. 10) is the author of Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators (2006) and Science, Math, Checkmate: 32 Chess Activities for Inquiry and Problem Solving (2008), Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited/Teacher Ideas Press.

Michael Jeffreys (“Is Your EGO Costing You Your ELO?,” p. 22) is the author of three chess books, including 250 Deadly Checkmates. He was president of the Wilshire Chess Society for 10 years, and reviews chess books and DVDs for Chessville.com and Chessbase.com.

Randy Wheeless (“Polgar Invitational,” p. 30) is a player, chess dad and president of the North Carolina Chess Association. He and his family live in Charlotte.

Frank Camaratta (“Mysterious Knight Move,” p. 34) is a retired aerospace engineer/rocket scientist, a CC international master and 1976 U.S. Absolute champion, 1990-1993 USCF vice president, 1993-1996 USCF treasurer, 2002-2004 USCF VP of finance, and founder of The House of Staunton, Inc.

Jerry Hanken (“Anand’s Army,” p.16) is a frequent contributor with over 100 Chess Life articles carrying his byline since 1975 and is the president of the Chess Journalists of America. He was on the USCF executive board for a total of ten years. He is a retired Los Angeles county juvenile probation investigator.

FM Alec Getz (“Golden Getz,” p. 26) is a four-time national scholastic champion and is currently a 9th-grade student in New York City.

ANAND BY CATHY ROGERS; AKOBIAN BY JEFF WEISS; NARODITSKY BY JON SILBERG; SPACE CHESS COURTESY OF NASA

October on uschess.org Mind Sports in China

CLO editor Jennifer Shahade blogs from Beijing, China where the 1st World Mind Sport Games goes down from October 2-19. A U.S. delegation of 14 including GMs Varuzhan Akobian (left), Alexander Shabalov and IM Irina Krush will face off in rapid and blitz competitions against 77 teams from all over the world.

Bonn World Championships

GM Ian Rogers reports live from the Viswanathan Anand-Vladimir Kramnik World Championship match in Bonn, Germany, October 14-November 2. This should have particular interest for American fans as the Gata Kamsky-Veselin Topalov match, slated for Lvov, Ukraine from November 26-December 15 will play the winner of Bonn.

World Youth in Vietnam

Space Chess

NASA challenges USCF scholastic players to a game of chess in space. The game will be hosted live on uschess.org—check out all the action and commentary there!

uschess.org

30 players will represent the United States at the World Youth in Vung Tau, Vietnam (October 19-31), including last year’s medallists, FM Daniel Naroditsky (left) and Sarah Chiang. Follow the race for medals on uschess.org.


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October Chess Life Columns 10 LOOKS AT BOOKS A Wise Man Once Said ... By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM

12 CHESS TO ENJOY Sibling Rivalry By GM Andy Soltis

14 WHAT’S THE BEST MOVE? Chess Endgame Quiz By GM Larry Evans

44 SOLITAIRE CHESS The Dragon can be the Monster By Bruce Pandolfini

“The Game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired and strengthened by it, so as to become habits ready on all occasions...” —BEN FRANKLIN

46 BACK TO BASICS No Breathing Room By GM Lev Alburt

48 ENDGAME LAB Restoration! By GM Pal Benko

Departments 3

PREVIEW

6

COUNTERPLAY

8

FIRST MOVES

41 USCF AFFAIRS 52 TOURNAMENT LIFE 70 CLASSIFIEDS

16 | COVER STORY

Anand’s Army By Jerry Hanken

A large Indian contingent scores impressively at the 36th World Open, with GM Parimarjan Negi leading the way.

71 SOLUTIONS 22 | INSTRUCTION

Is Your EGO Costing You Your ELO? By Michael Jeffreys

Don’t let personality issues cost you rating points.

26 | 2008 PAN AM

Golden Getz By FM Alec Getz

Yet another American junior impresses by winning international gold.

30 | 2008 POLGAR

On The Cover

Benjamin Franklin was always one to embrace the latest scientific advances. Our artist imagines him transported to the present day World Open with all the tools of the modern tournament player. Cover design by Frankie Butler; illustration by Jeremy Kortes ([email protected])

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Polgar Invitational Breaks Away To Create its Own Identity By Randy Wheeless

A chess dad takes a look at the continually growing Polgar Invitational for Girls and winner Courtney Jamison gives us her perspective and her favorite game.

34 | HISTORY

The Mysterious Knight Move By Frank Camaratta Just how did the leaper get it’s strange move pattern?

37 | 2008 CJA/CRAMER AWARDS

And The Winner Is ... uschess.org

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Counterplay The Women’s Championship The ferocious scramble at the end of the U.S. Women's Championship calls to mind a situation I faced in the 1963 University of Wisconsin Championship. Facing soon-to-become IM William Martz I found myself with less than a minute for 13 moves. Martz had much time while I was constrained to reach for my move as soon as his became clear, often before the piece had touched the board. We agreed that he got to punch his clock before me but that I didn’t have to wait for his hand to leave the piece before I started making my move. As to punching the clock, with lots of time he made feints for the timepiece to try to get me to hit the button first and lose time in the rearrangement that would ensue. I made the time control and a subsequent move flurry with under a minute for 17 moves. (It helped that by then I was a piece up.) From the published account Zatonskih was fully justified in her blitzing, which is, after all, subject to touch piece. While no chess player has a right to life, they should have a right to try to preserve it. Usually one player has lots more time, making “gaming” the time-pressured player an easy matter. Krush is certainly right that this is no way to decide a championship. A fivegame, slow-time-limit match would have been fairer. This was not a blitz championship, but the playoff was little better than a five-minute contest and in the ridiculous terms of the final game it was even worse. In my opinion Zatonskih and Krush are U.S. women’s co-champions while Zatonskih is also undisputed blitz playoff women’s champion. The way to deal with this is face up to the onerous burdens levied on players

by the existence of chess computers and organizers with shoestring budgets for prestigious tourneys. Co-champions is a reasonable result when everything has to be done on the run.

R. E. Fauber Sacramento, CA

For further discussion of this subject, see Tom Braunlich’s article “Playoff Theory,” an extensive examination of the pros and cons of various playoff systems, on Chess Life Online, July archives, at uschess.org. ~ed.

Hanauer Andrew Soltis’ remarks about Milton Hanauer in the August issue of Chess Life jogged my memory in a pleasant way. Hanauer was the author of the book that introduced me to chess tactics and strategy, Chess Made Simple. His book has been out of print for decades, but it was a significant improvement over all its successors. When I was ten years old, knowing nothing about chess but frustrated at being unable to beat my 8-year-old brother, I read Hanauer’s book cover to cover. Immediately I started beating my schoolmates and eventually all but one of them, although my school went up to grade 12. Although I didn’t get a USCF rating until two years later, it's safe to say that I was playing at the 1000-1200 level on the strength of Hanauer’s book alone. How would you like a book that could put you there? Years later, when I was teaching chess classes (and still later when my children were old enough to learn the game), I couldn’t find a book that good—in vain did I search for the thorough coverage of tactical concepts, the equally thorough coverage of basic endgames, the meaty

exercises. It’s too bad. Where is the book to take the place of Chess Made Simple? Bruce Leverett via e-mail

I may have found a small discrepancy in your solution to Problem VI in the August edtion of your “Chess to Enjoy” column. For example, say 1. Ke1! Kf7 2. Kd2. Now, how can Black save the knight with 2. ... Na2 as given in the solution? Couldn’t White easily perform 3. Bd5+ and capture the knight, or is this the reason for the exclamation mark following Bb7? Jeremy Owen Warneke via e-mail

Mr. Warneke is correct that 3. Bd5+ is a winning move. Chess Life regrets the error. ~ed.

Where have you gone? The article written by FM Mike Klein (“Where Have You Gone, Rachels, Shaked, & Rao,” September 2008 Chess Life) regarding these former great players was quite intriguing and should provide a valuable insight to our current junior players that there are more important things in life than pushing wood. I can still remember Stuart Rachels sharing a Chess Life cover with New Jersey’s own John Jarecki profiling America’s youngest masters at the time. I also had the privilege of playing against Vivek Rao back in 1993 in Illinois when I was living in the Midwest. I am happy that these former greats have moved on to their respective careers—and they are certainly not forgotten. I think what I would like to see in coming issues of Chess Life would be feature articles highlighting other players that left the game to pursue their dreams in other arenas. I can name a handful of former players I think the readership of Chess Life would be interested in knowing, “Where Are They Now”? In addition to John Jarecki, other players of interest would be Pedro and Jose Marcal, formerly of Palo Alto, California; Tyler Cowan, the 1977 New Jersey champion and who like Rachels is a professor; GM Ken Rogoff; Sandeep Joshi, who was a talented New England player; and Charles (Chuck) Adelman, who I believe has become a bridge master. Another player that comes to mind is GM Michael Wilder. David A. Cole USCF life member Franklin, NJ

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First Moves

Breaking Dawn Teases Chess

The final entry in the wildly popular Twilight Saga series of books seemed to hold some promise of chess with an intriguing cover, but chess fans had to make do with only the indirect chess effects.

The vampire opening (ending?).

The book that caused the hoopla.

arnes & Noble Booksellers has a partnership with the Denton Public Libraries,” said Barnes & Noble (B&N) Community Relations Manager Thom Anderson. He continued, “Since Denton Chess Club meets at the public library, when I saw the mysterious chess image on Stephenie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn I immediately contacted club tournament director Rob Jones.” Thus chess became part of the biggest book release of 2008. Before the event, my children Clarissa and William unloaded the club’s chess supplies. They posed next to a pro-vampire SUV windshield, “Honk if you like Edward and Jasper Cullen.” Inside the store, there were battles between vampire Edward and his rival, werewolf Jacob. One patron caught a bouquet after the wedding of human Bella and Edward, winning a free copy of Breaking Dawn. At the mall entrance, I had a book signing for my own two books, Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators and Science, Math, Checkmate:

“B

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Dr. Root signed her books and took on all comers.

32 Chess Activities for Inquiry and Problem Solving. Nearby, a chess beginner, April Kendra dressed as Bella, tried the pawn game. William and vampire-attired David Wroe played with cups of blood (tea) close at hand. Although our seven Denton Chess Club volunteers (David, William, me, Clarissa, Simon Halapir, Michael Borys, and Richard Herrington) were, numerically, a small part of the hundreds who attended the book release, we made a big impact. About 40 patrons played chess during the one-and-a-half hour event. We handed out flyers. And our presence was frequently announced over the B&N loudspeakers. At 11:30, my children and I packed up the sets and boards and got in line for the book’s 12:01 a.m. August 2nd release. The spoiler? Not one mention of chess in the 768page book. Nevertheless, Breaking Dawn’s cover image, and our club’s cooperation with Barnes and Noble, promoted chess to the public. ~Dr. Alexey Root uschess.org

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CHESS BOOK AUCTION Rare Absolute Auction! Sat. October 18 @ 10 AM Items! 1295 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14209 An important Collection from a New

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The and the Gata Kamsky International Chess and Sports Foundation

Invite you to support Gata Kamsky in his quest to win the world chess championship and continue Bobby Fischer’s legacy Please direct your private donations to hire coaches and seconds for training GM Kamsky for the World Chess Championship semi-final match directly to: P.O. Box 204, Massapequa Park, New York, 11762

For direct wire: Swift No: CITIUS33 Routing No: 021000089 Account No: 9933155929

This is a non-profit corp. endorsed by the USCF. The USCF urges its members and affiliates to contribute in order to help Gata train properly in his goal of winning the World Championship.

www.01chess.com uschess.org


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Looks at Books

A Wise Man Once Said... Chess Life’s award-winning columnist presents a collection of some of the most astute statements in chess literature.

By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM

fter trying the first 12 problems in Andrew Soltis’ The Wisest Things Ever Said About Chess, I felt distinctly unwise. I had employed my usual approach to each chess diagram. I covered up the continuation, read the related hint (wisest thing), then guessed a solution. I scored 50%, which I thought was pitiful for an expert on a book in Batsford’s universal category. Self-blame is not fun, so I decided to blame Soltis. For four of the first 12 problems, the reader chooses a move for one side, then that side loses. Anand-Ftacnik, from Bled 1993, is an example. Black to play. The “wisest thing” hint is, “Modern chess is much too concerned with things like pawn structure. Forget it. Checkmate ends the game” (Nigel Short).

A

r+ +k+ r +l+ lp p p+ +p+ + q np+P Pp pn N N P + + L + P PP+Q+L+ +K+R+ +R

Black to play

1. ... Nxb2!

And White won brilliantly with 2. fxe6!. Soltis gives 2. ... Nxd1 3. exf7+ Kxf7 4. Rxd1 Ne4 5. Bxe4 dxe4 6. Qc4+. So even when I was right, correctly guessing Ftacnik’s move, I felt wrong because I lost. To find out if the problems were only hard for me, I gave one to William, my 11-year-old, 1241-rated son. As William pondered, I noticed that the diagrams did not have algebraic notation around 10


their borders. This omission makes problem-solving more challenging for players new to notation. William guessed wrong, tried a different problem (wrong again), then said, “The problems are not really problems.” William’s insight changed my perception. Though diagrams in other books usually represent problems to solve, this is not the case with Wisest Things. I stopped calling the diagrams “problems.” Instead, I saw the diagrams as paintings and Soltis as my art-appreciation guide. Soltis seamlessly combined quotes from players of different generations to describe each masterpiece, as in “Long variation, wrong variation” quoted here: “Bent Larsen said his aphorism applies to both long variations of published analysis, which he instinctively distrusted, and to over-the-board calculation. The further you try to see with certainty, the more likely you’re missing something.” David Bronstein agreed. “At first you see the position clearly,” he said in one of his last interviews. “Within three moves it becomes somewhat like in a fog. And within five moves you only see the contours of the position.” The other problem with calculating a long variation is that you spend so much time on it that you tend to forget about the other alternatives at move two. “The things you overlook in your long calculation will seldom be as important as the move you overlooked at the start,” as Jacob Aagaard said in Excelling at Chess Calculation.”

For the players quoted above, and for many others in the book, bibliographic information would have been helpful. The diagram for “Long variation, wrong variation”

r+ + + + + + kp p +r+p n p p + R + pP+L+ + + + + PP P P + P + +K+R+ +

Black to play

was Fischer-Petrosian, Bled 1961. Petrosian considered the straightforward 1. ... Nxe4, simplifying into an ending where White has an edge but Black will likely draw. Soltis wrote, “He [Petrosian] also noticed 1. ... Rd6. It seems to just lose a pawn after 2. Rxd6 Kxd6 3. Rxe6+ and 4. Bxa8. However, he correctly carried his analysis further and realized 3. ... fxe6! 4. Bxa8 Kc5 5. b3 Nd7 followed by ... Kd4 and ... Nc5 creates an absolute blockade. Black rechecked this seven-move variation, found no flaw and played 1. ... Rd6?. He was “shattered,” according to White, by the reply 2. Bxa8!”

In the quote above, Soltis demonstrates how grandmasters think during a game. The publisher wrote that the Wisest Things gathers “together the most astute insights on chess ever uttered, culled from three centuries of the world’s greatest players.” An educational, entertaining, challenging, and informative read!

.

The Wisest Things Ever Said About Chess (2008) by GM Andrew Soltis. 304 pp., London: Batsford. List price: $21.95. Member price: $20.95. Visit uscfsales.com for member discounts on books and equipment. uschess.org

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A Gem of a Book

A history of chess presented through 1,000 combinations from the ninth century through the 21st century Internet encounters.

By Elizabeth Vicary

gor Sukhin’s Chess Gems is a concise history of chess, simultaneously told through twin narratives of words and tactics. It summarizes the important figures, matches, and combinations from the game’s early beginnings (the first diagram is from the writings of Shatranj Abu Naim Al-Khadim in the 9th century) until the end of the twentieth century. For its price and the cost in terms of reader’s time, the book is a good value: instructive, entertaining, and informative. The first chapter was, for me, the highlight of the work. It covers chess from the 9th to 15th century, when it was called Shatranj and was played with slightly different rules. Pawns could only move one square on the first turn, the queen could move only one square diagonally, the bishop could jump over a friendly piece or an enemy piece without capturing it, castling did not exist, and stalemate counted as a win. Solving tactics from this period gives you insight as to what chess would feel like under different rules: it’s both intriguing and slightly unsettling. My favorite is associated with a hilarious story, the “Legend of Dilaram.” At the end of a bad losing streak, a nobleman and compulsive gambler finally wagers the most beautiful of his wives, Dilaram. He’s just about to resign when she calls out to him, “Oh, my master! Sacrifice both your rooks, but do not surrender me, your Dilaram!”

I

(see diagram top of next column)

The author points out that almost all the positions from this time follow this pattern: one side is down material and facing imminent defeat, but then brilliantly sacrifices most of his remaining pieces to win. By the 18th century, however, chess uschess.org

r

+

+k+ + + + + + + PP+ + + + + K+n+ +N R + + + +L r + + + + + + +R

White to play and win

puzzles had become more subtle. The following is from the Parisian manuscript Experience in Chess, Consisting of Rules On How to Play Well and How to Obtain Advantages with Precise Moves, Which Can Be Called the Secrets of This Game by Philip Stamma.

+

+

+

+

+ + + + P+ + + + + + + + k+K+ + + +p+ + + +p+ + + +r+ +R+


The remaining chapters do a fine job of retelling chess’s history, but the brevity of the book is also its greatest flaw. Having spent the last couple years reading the exquisite series, My Great Predecessors, in which the same stories and conflicts are relayed with incredibly rich historical and personal detail, it is hard to get excited over the bloodless summaries of

Sukhin. For example, his comments on Fischer’s forfeiture of his match with Karpov reads, “Three years later, the world was amazed again when Fischer decided not to defend his title. People failed to understand, but the secret was simple. Fischer’s goal was to become world champion, and he had achieved that. Later, he was not even interested in defending that title; after all, he had already shown that he was the best player in the world.” Really? That’s it? Nothing more to say? The positions used are for the most part excellent, entertaining, and wellintegrated into the story, but they occasionally suffer from the same readerfriendly over -simplification as the story-telling. Karpov’s match victory over Jan Timman in 1993, for example, is illustrated, and undeniably, this is a sparkling finish and a good training exercise. But it’s hardly a tactic that had any real effect on the outcome of the match, or even the game: White is already completely winning and has several good continuations. One final comment: the extensive bibliography includes many Soviet texts that aren’t readily available to English readers, but nothing is older than 1950. It seems a shame that the author did not do any original research or take a look for himself at the extant writings he describes. Chess Gems is an interesting read, a good introduction to chess history, and a useful training manual. For readers, however, who have enjoyed the captivating writing and vivid personal detail of the My Great Predecessors series, Sukhin’s work (necessarily) pales in comparison. Problem solutions on page 71.

.

Chess Gems (2007) by Igor Sukhin. 336 pp., Mongoose Press. List price: $24.95. Member price: $23.95. Visit uscfsales.com for member discounts on books and equipment. Chess Life — October 2008

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CL_10-2008_soltis_JP_r7:chess life

9/10/2008

2:31 PM

Page 12

Chess to Enjoy

Sibling Rivalry

What is it like to have a younger brother who plays much better than you? Well, it’s not too bad—if your last name is Alekhine or Carlsen or Lasker or ... By GM Andy Soltis

Even though Vishy Anand holds the title of FIDE world champion, there are many fans who feel he’ll only join the Great Predecessors if he wins this month’s championship match. But Vishy has a bit of history on his side and it has nothing to do with chess and everything to do with birth order: Anand would be the 11th of the 15 undisputed champions who had one—and only one—older brother. Now this might not strike you as strange. But when you consider how many geniuses in other fields were the first-born child in their family—or were among the youngest in a large brood of kids, it’s way outside the norm. Chess is different. There’s only been one world champion who was an only child: Garry Kasparov. There was only one who was his parents’ first child: Kasparov again. And there’s only been one who came late in the family: Wilhelm Steinitz, the ninth of 13 kids. The psychologists and sociologists who study birth order might have problems explaining this phenomenon. Their conventional wisdom is that first-borns are the achievers in a family. There’s some IQ data to support the claim that first-borns are also the smartest. But in the case of chess champions, the older sibling has been more of a mentor than an achiever. Boris Spassky’s brother Georgy, a year older, was his first opponent, when he was 5. Mikhail Botvinnik also grew up playing with his older brother Isa and later dedicated one of his books to him. Bobby Fischer didn’t have an older brother but did have older sister Joan, who bought his first chess set and the instruction booklet that taught him the moves at age 6. The strongest mentor of a champion was 19-year-old Berthold Lasker, who taught the moves to his 11-year-old brother Emanuel when the latter came 12


down with measles. The Chessmetrics website claims that for a while Berthold was the seventh-best player in the world(!). His greatest achievement was tying with his brother in a master event, Berlin 1890, after overcoming this crushing loss.

Semi-Slav Defense (D45) Berthold Lasker Emanuel Lasker Berlin, 1890

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd2 Bd6 7. Rc1 0-0 8. Be2 Ne4!? 9. Nxe4? dxe4 10. Ng1 e5 11. Bc3 Qe7 12. d5 f5 13. dxc6 bxc6

Now 14. a3! and 15. b4 might keep Black’s edge to a minimum despite the option of 14. ... f4. 14. Rc2 Bc5 15. Bf1 f4 16. exf4 exf4 17. Qh5

r+l+ rk+ p +nq pp +p+ + + + l + +Q +P+pp + + L + + PPR+ PPP + + KLNR

After 17. Qh5

17. ... Bb4! 18. Ne2 Ne5 19. Bxb4 Nd3+, White resigned.

Black is winning after 20. Kd1 Nxf2+. In some cases, it was an older brother’s lack of interest in chess that mattered. Vassily Smyslov’s father was a first-category player, about expert strength, who very much wanted to introduce his offspring to chess. To his dismay he

discovered his oldest child, Nikolai, had little enthusiasm for it. So he taught the moves to his second son, Vassily, a year and a half younger, and was a key influence on his career. Most champions had siblings near them in age. But not Anand, who was born 13 years after his brother and 11 after his sister. Psychologists have suggested that the baby in a family like that wants to prove something to the adults—particularly if an elder sibling is very successful. If you know who Eli Manning is, you know how this works. The best-known story of a youngster trying to impress his father with his chess knowledge is Jose Capablanca’s account of showing his dad how he learned how the pieces move by watching him play. That story is far from unique. In a recent interview Yevgeny Kramnik recalled how he was playing a game with his father when his baby brother Vladimir first saw chess. After one of their games the father, as a joke, suggested Vladimir reset the pieces. The boy did it. “Do you also know how to play?” Boris Kramnik asked. “I do!” the future world champion replied. Vladimir was soon the best player in his family. Anand may have been motivated by sibling rivalry. He was able to beat his brother and sister by age 8 despite the huge age difference. Rivalry was also a factor for some near-champions, such as Jan Timman, but for a different reason. He learned the moves when he was 8 but it was his brother Ton who got him to take the game seriously. “At first I was a very keen draughts player but often my older brother more or less forced me to play chess. He just wanted to beat me,” Jan Timman recalled. Ton was himself a talented player: (see game top of next column) uschess.org

CL_10-2008_soltis_AKF_r6:chess life

9/9/2008

Tarrasch vs. Lasker With the world championship match coming up in Bonn, it’s worth recalling that this year also marks the 100th anniversary of another title battle that was held in Germany. It was the long-awaited Siegbert Tarrasch-Emanuel Lasker match. When they met, in August and September 1908, Lasker got off to a terrific 5½-1½ start and coasted to the victory that provides our six quiz positions. In each you are asked to find the fastest winning line of play. Usually this will mean the forced win of a decisive amount of material. For solutions, see page 71.

11:34 AM

Page 13

Problem I

Problem II

+

+

Emanuel Lasker Siegbert Tarrasch

+

k r + r +l+ p+q+ + + +p+pRN+ + + + + + + Q +P PP + +P+ + + R +K

White to play

Problem IV


+

+

+ + + + +K+ pp+ + + p p + + P+P+k+ + +P+ +N+ + + + + + + + +

White to play

French Defense, Delayed Wing Gambit (C00) Dragolyub Baretic Ton Timman Hoogoveen, 1974 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e5 c5 4. b4 cxb4 5. d4 Nc6 6. a3 f6 7. axb4 fxe5! 8. b5 Nxd4 9. Nxe5 Qh4! 10. g4!? Bc5 11. c3 Nf5 12. Nd3 Bd6? 13. Ra4! d4 14. Qe2

When Black chose his 12th move over 12. ... Bb6 he may have overlooked that now 14. ... Ne3 is awful after 15. Rxd4 Nxf1 16. Rxd6!. 14. ... Nfh6 15. Rxd4 Qe7 16. h3 e5 17. Ra4 Be6 18. c4 Nf7 19. Bg2 Rc8 20. Rxa7! Bxc4 21. Rxb7 Bb4+ 22. Bd2 Qd8 23. Bxb4 Bxd3 24. Qb2 e4

Now 25. Qxg7! wins (25. ... Rc1+ 26. Kd2 Rc2+ 27. Kd1).

25. Nc3 Qd4 26. Qa2 Nd8!

+rnk+nr +R+ + pp + + + + +P+ + + L qp+P+ + Nl+ +P Q+ + PL+ + + K +R

After 26. ... Nd8 uschess.org

Problem III



+

+rk + + + + + + +PP + + R K + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

+

+

+

k + + + +p p+ Q +p+ +p+Ln + + +PK + + +q+ +l P+ + +N+ + + + +

White to play

Black to play

Siegbert Tarrasch Emanuel Lasker

Siegbert Tarrasch Emanuel Lasker

Problem VI

Problem V

+

+ + r kp + +r+ + + + + + P+ p p + +P+ l + +P+R+P+ R +KN q +

Q

+

Black to play

Here 27. Qxg8+! might have saved the day (27. ... Rxg8 28. Re7+ Kf8 29. Rxe4+ Qxb4 30. Rxb4 Rxc3 31. b6!). The tide turns again: 27. Qa7? Qxb4!, White resigned.

The champions who didn’t have a single older brother were Steinitz, Fischer, Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov (who had an older sister, like Fischer). Some other champions came from large families. But they were still the second son. Capablanca, for example, was the second eldest, after his brother Salvador, among 11 children. Alexander Alekhine had a brother, Alexey, four years older, who took the game seriously. When Alexey was 13 he made a draw with Harry Pillsbury in a 22board blindfold simul given by the visiting American champion in Moscow. Four years later the brothers played a fourgame postal match, apparently abandoned without a result. Here’s a correspondence game Alexey finished.

Stonewall Attack (D00) Alexey Alekhine Andreas Duhm Correspondence, 1908-09

1. d4 d5 2. e3 e6 3. Bd3 Nf6 4. Nd2 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. f4!

This transposes into one of the best versions of the Stonewall since Black’s c8bishop is locked in by the e6-pawn and

r+ + r k pp+ + p +pp + p + l qp+ +LNP+ + + +Q+P+ PPP+N+ P R + + +K

Black to play

White attacks with Nh3-g5 and Ndf3-e5. 6. ... cxd4? 7. exd4 Bd6 8. Nh3 0-0 9. 0-0 Bd7 10. Qe2 a6 11. Nf3 b5 12. Ne5

Chess is easy when all you have to do is throw every piece in the direction of the enemy king. White’s plan is 13. Ng5, 14. Rf3 and 15. Nxh7! Nxh7 16. Bxh7+ Kxh7 17. Rh3+ Kg8 18. Qh5 and mates.

12. ... g6 13. Ng5 Qe7 14. Rf3 Be8 15. Rh3 Kg7 16. Bd2 Nd8 17. Rf1 Rh8 18. f5! exf5 19. Bxf5! gxf5 20. Rg3 Kf8 21. Rxf5 h6 22. Qe3!

Threat of 23. Nh7+ Rxh7 24. Qxh6+!.

22. ... Qc7 23. Rxf6 Ke7 24. Rf5 f6 25. Ng4+, Black resigned.

A finish in the style of Paul Morphy. Need I add that Morphy had one older sibling? Yes, a brother. You can appreciate how Edward Morphy—and Yevgeny Kramnik and Alexey Alekhine and Ton Timman—felt when they realized their kid brother had surpassed them. Ellen Carlsen felt the same way when she began losing to a brother two years younger than her. “When Magnus outplayed his sister for the first time he was eight and a half. She refused to play with him after that,” their father Henrik Carlsen recalled in an interview. Ellen, who has real talent for the game, gave up tournaments for a while but later returned when, as her father put it, she realized that “playing Magnus wasn’t just difficult for her.”

.


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CL_10-2008_evans_JP_r7:chess life

9/9/2008

10:34 AM

Page 14

What’s The Best Move?

Chess Endgame Quiz By GM Larry Evans Brainteasers The endgame is often neglected because so much analysis is lavished on the opening. My book Chess Endgame Quiz offers 200 brainteasers illustrating four essential themes (opposition, stalemate, zugzwang, triangulation) that usually involve beautiful nuances, exquisite timing, and even a touch of poetry. One reviewer cited problem one to the right as his favorite. Solutions on p. 71.

Readers are invited to send their positions in for possible consideration in this column. Send to [email protected] or mail to Chess Life, c/o What’s The Best Move, PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.

1. White moves

k K + Q +p+ + + P + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + q + + +

(a) Qxa1 (b) Qe8 (c) Qg8

3. White moves

+ + + + p + + + P+ +K+ + + + + + + + + + + k + + + + + + + + + +

(a) Kd7 (b) Kd5 (c) Kd6

HELP THE USCF SEND OUR OLYMPIAD TEAM

2. White moves

+

+

+

+

+

+

+ Q + + p + +P+ +k + + +p+ +p+ + P + + PK+ + + + + q

(a) Qe5+ (b) f3 (c) Qf7+

4. White moves

+

+ pp + + p + + +k+PP + + K P + + + + + + + + + + + + +

+

+

+

+

(a) Kg4 (b) g6 (c) h5

World Championship Candidate

GM GATA KAMSKY leads our Olympiad team to Dresden!

TO DRESDEN, GERMANY! In 2006, the U.S. took the bronze medal at the 37th Chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy. In 2004, the U.S. women took the silver medal at the 36th Chess Olympiad in Calvia, Spain. We need your support to help the U.S. do even better at the 38th Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany!

How Can I Help? Send your contribution to: U.S. Chess Federation, PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 Attention: Olympiad Donations Or contribute online at www.uschess.org/webstore/donate-Dresden2008

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uschess.org

CL_09-2007_adpage_15_JP_r1:chess life

uschess.org

8/27/2008

4:27 PM

Page 15


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ANAND’ S

CL_10-2008_worldopen_AKF_r9.qxp:chess life

9/5/08

11:35 AM

Page 16

Cover Story

PARIMARJAN NEGI

EVGENY NAJER

At the 2008 edition of the World Open, a large Indian contingent led by By Jerry Hanken

f you are a true patriot and wear the lapel flag and that sort of thing, where would you spend the Fourth of July? Why, where else but the Cradle of Liberty itself, the place where it all began, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! You can visit the historic hall where the constitution was signed, the Benjamin Franklin exhibits, and the most famous of damaged icons, the cracked Liberty Bell! You might also play chess in the biggest tournament in both attendance and prizes in this land of ours, the World Open. Over 1,200 players passed the long fireworks-and-celebration-filled weekend, hunched over the 64 squares in the exhilarating but tense competition which is tournament play.

I

16


If Ben Franklin were alive today, it’s odds on that this lover of the royal game would test his skills in the hotel on the square which carries his name in the center of Philadelphia. He would probably be seen playing in the under-1800 section and when he won some cash, some non-prize winner in his section would call him a sandbagger and another would demand that the directors check out those funny little glasses he wears on his nose for electronic devices which may be conveying moves to him from Thomas Jefferson! Let’s leave our fantasy Ben stewing in bewilderment at 21st century chess tournaments. The moves of the game have not changed in 220-odd years but

just about everything else has. The hotel is now called the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center and it is a fine and elegant place for the top open tournament in the U.S. The playing rooms are well-lit and the sleeping rooms are large and opulent. Most have plasma televisions and a good working desk, which is a must for a reporter. The service is considerably above average and staff is quick to respond to a guest’s needs. I think old Ben would have enjoyed a stay here as much as I did. In this, the 36th World Open, there were $320,000 in guaranteed prizes, dwarfing any other prize fund in the U.S. The projected prize fund of $400,000 was based on a realistic hope of 1,450 paid uschess.org

S ARMY CL_10-2008_worldopen_AKF_r9.qxp:chess life

9/5/08

11:35 AM

LUBOMIR FTACNIK

Page 17

ALEXANDER MOISEENKO

PHOTOS BY CATHY ROGERS

the winner on tiebreaks, GM Parimarjan Negi, score impressively. entries, a figure this tournament has seen in the past. The tournament offered 300 World Chess Live (WCL) Grand Prix points, the maximum possible. The four tied for first grabbed the bulk of these, each receiving 46 WCL Grand Prix points. As always, the Open or Championship section drew many of the best players in America to fight it out for the possible $30,000 first prize. Thirty-five international grandmasters played in this 118-player section, well more than a quarter of the field! There were also 18 international masters (IMs) playing, two of whom are American players, Josh Friedel and David Pruess, who have completed all requirements to be grandmasters (GMs) and are simply waiting to have FIDE make uschess.org

it official. Add two women GMs, one with a men’s GM norm, and you have 39 of the 118 as GMs! With the 16 IMs and a dozen FIDE masters (FMs), another international title, and you get a grand total of 67 internationally titled players in the championship section, well over half the field. At the end of nine grueling rounds, there were four GMs standing alone with seven out of nine. The top two of them on tiebreaks were the Russian Evgeny Najer and the impressive 15-year-old Indian GM Parimarjan Negi. They played an “Armageddon” game for the title at seven vs. five minutes with Black having draw odds. The 30-year-old Najer, who had inflicted Negi’s only loss in round three, took white and won rather easily, his

knight finding a strong point on Black’s e6 and harassing Black’s stuck-in-thecenter king. About 60 spectators and a whole bunch of camera people watched the game with intensity. TD Ernie Schlich conducted the playoff very nicely and Evgeny won the title of World Open champion of 2008 and the extra $400 which came with it. If you would like to see the game, please go to the MonRoi website, monroi.com, for this and a lot of the other great games from this event. The two other seven pointers, who like the Indian lad each got the consolation of taking home a check for $11,500, were Alexander (another Alex!) Moiseenko from Ukraine and a name which should be very familiar to the readers of Yasser Chess Life — October 2008

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11:35 AM

Page 18

Cover Story Seirawan’s much missed publication from the last century, Inside Chess, Lubomir Ftacnik of the Czech Republic. When I ran into him on an elevator and started to chat with him. I asked his name. He laughed and said, “It’s me, Lubo. We played in the World Open back in the eighties.” I was embarrassed but pointed out that he just looked too young and energetic to be Ftacnik! He laughed and promised me an interview if he won but, alas he got left out by the tiebreak system. Negi was part of a large group of titled players from India who came for the World Open and also for the 43-player Philadelphia International which Continental Chess Association (CCA) put on before the main event. Negi, who speaks flawless English and dresses like he is going to the opera, won that event with a fine score of seven of nine. Space does not allow for coverage of this first class event here, but again, go to the very user friendly CCA (chesstour.com) website for details. The Indian contingent was very strong and very polite. They made it possible for lots of norm chances. They came without any special invitation from the CCA or the USCF, but because they see the World Open as one of the best tournaments in the world. They added greatly to the level of competition at the top. One reason why the Open was so top

heavy with titled players was that there was an under -2400 section. It was stronger in itself than most World Chess Live Grand Prix events. Some IMs and quite a few FMs played in that section—even GM Anatoly Lein could be found in this section, which offered huge money prizes (as did all the class sections). A minimum of $8,000 (for all the class sections) for first prize was hard to pass up by players who usually play in the Open. This under-2400 section, which had 46 internationally titled players in its field of 128, ended in a five way tie for first which paid out $6,400 each. That tidy sum is unmatched except for some other CCA tournaments. An anomaly was that, unlike the Open section, re-entries are allowed. One of the lucky five who tied for first, Igor Sorkin from Israel took advantage of that feature. The other four are IM Robert Hungaski from Connecticut, FM Igor Schneider from New York, Louie Jiang from Canada, and FM Elliott Liu from California. A number of norms were made: American juniors Daniel Ludwig and Sam Shankland made IM norms along with Eric Hansen and Jonathan Tayar of Canada. Alisa Melekhina got her third WIM norm, so she should expect her title at the next FIDE Congress.

The honor of being the biggest money winners in all the classes was shared by Michael Granata from Illinois for his clear win in under 1800, and the clear winner of the under 1600 section, Molson Hart from Connecticut. Each scored eight out of nine and took home checks for 16 grand! Wow! Congratulations to both of you, and all the prize winners. For all the many prize winners in all the sections, I again refer the reader to chess tour.com. I interviewed both of the playoff boys. Your reporter must humbly confess that my tape recorder was on “pause” when I talked with Najer. This is especially annoying because GM Eugene Perelshteyn “The Pearl,” who is highly fluent in both English and Russian, graciously acted as translator even though he had a bad tournament (for him) at 5-4. On the positive side, my chat with the Indian wonder boy, Parimarjan (Perry), who also won the Philadelphia International with a clear 7-2, was preserved in full. My talk with Negi brought out some interesting facts. Perry learned the moves from his father at the tender age of three and could beat his dad by the time he was five. He doesn’t think of himself as a prodigy, but who aside from Capablanca has such a record? I was also surprised to learn that chess in India is about the

35 Years of World Open Reports in Chess Life October 1973 A new Continental Chess Association tournament with a $15,000 prize fund (world record for an open) made a spectacular debut June 30-July 4 at New York’s McAlpin Hotel. The World Open set a new U.S. attendance record for open (non-scholastic) tournaments (since surpassed by the U.S. Open in Chicago) with 725 players—369 in the Open Section and 356 in the Booster. 33 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico were represented, as well as Argentina, Canada (26 players!), England (a team of three promising young masters), Germany, Iceland, Mexico, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, and Venezuela. The Open Section had tremendous strength with 44 masters and 86 experts. International Grandmaster Walter Browne of California scored an unbeaten 9-1 to take top prize of $2,000. The 24-year-old Browne, who expects some day to play for the closed world championship, won his first four games over Dennis Fried (2093), Johnny Walker (2164), George Shainswit (2146), and Herbert Avram (2241), then drew Simon Webb (2326), beat Charles Wel18


don (2110) and Robert Bellin (2315), drew Julio Kaplan (2408), and defeated Lian Ann Tann (2340) and Herbert Seidman (2310). Bill Goichberg

October 1988 This year’s $53,000-plus Open section was lean and mean—lean because it comprised only 64 players, down 35 from 1987, and mean because the grandmasters and international masters high up on the charts were countenancing few early upsets, at least in surrendering full points. What unfolded was newlywed Maxim Dlugy’s latest and perhaps greatest conquest. In their final-round collision, the 22-year-old Dlugy—world junior champion of 1985, World Open victor the same year via playoff and this year’s recipient of a Samford fellowship—would trip the streaking Nick de Firmian, Goichberg’s ‘86 laureate, and ultimately secure a first-place check for $25,000. No overtime needed this time. Ed Albaugh

September 1998 The open section of the 26th annual World Open was just a bowling alley for 33-year -old Russian GM Alexander Goldin. Every round (with the exception of the seventh, when he drew with the ultimate clear runner -up Ilya Smirin of Israel), the directors set ‘em and Alex mowed ‘em down! The World Open has seen only one other performance like this before and that was 24 years ago in the second World Open, when then-super GM Bent Larsen scored 8½ out of 9. In equaling Larsen’s record, Goldin defeated last year’s clear winner, Alex Shabalov of Pittsburgh, who had a disappointing 6-3 including a loss to our World Under -16 Championship representative Eugene Perelshteyn. He also took out 2698-rated “Polish guy” Alex Wojtkiewicz. (I used to call him that before I learned to pronounce his name.) The latter is a real killer, and was in a tie for third/ninth places with 7-2, usually a good money score. This year it was worth $1,443. Jerry Hanken

uschess.org


same as the U.S. It is nothing like in some western European countries where GMs are known as well as soccer stars. Only the name Anand is quickly recognized there. I will post the full interview on Chess Life Online. The handsome lad had a lot of other things of interest to say. Although he didn’t think any of his games were really special, I found this one to be an exciting gem. I think you readers will agree on this. Open Catalan (E04) GM Victor Mikhalevski (2679) GM Parimarjan Negi (2730) World Open 2008, Philadelphia, USA (6) 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 c6 6. 0-0 b5 7. a4 Bb7 8. Ne5 a6 9. Nc3 Nd5 10. e4 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Nd7 12. f4 Qc7

r+ +k l r +l qn+p pp p+p+p+ + +p+ N + P+p PP P + + P + P + + +L P R LQ+R K

After 12. ... Qc7

This seems to be a new move in this system. It was played only once before in 1994 but it sure does have a lot of success here! In prior games, 12. ... Be7 was the most popular move. My thanks to John Hillery for researching this line for me. It is one I play a lot myself but after this overwhelming win for Black, I may have to give it up. 13. Be3 Be7

In that 1994 game between two low rated masters, Black played 13. ... h5 here, a seemingly faulty plan as White later won rather easily. 14. f5 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Qxe5

At this point, Black is two pawns ahead. He seems able to give one back and remain a solid pawn plus.

16. Bd4 Bc5 17. Kh1 Bxd4 18. cxd4 Qc7 19. Qg4

After 19. fxe6 0-0 20. exf7+ Rxf7 21. Rxf7 Qxf7 22. Qd2 Rd8 and Black will remain a healthy pawn to the good.

19. ... f6 20. fxe6 0-0 21. d5 Rad8

As scary as the white pawns look, they are sufficiently blockaded.

22. Rad1 c3 uschess.org

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+ r rk+ +l q + pp p+p+P p + +p+P+ + P+ +P+Q+ + p + P + + +L P + +R+R+K

After 22. ... c3

The young grandmaster has demonstrated great patience but now the queenside mass begins to move forward and assert itself. 23. e5 f5 24. Qh4 Rxd5!

A correct Exchange sacrifice which will augment the massive queenside pawns. This is exciting and strong chess!

25. Bxd5 cxd5 26. axb5 c2

A useful Zwischenzug.

27. e7 Re8 28. Rc1 d4+

Here come da’ judge!

29. Kg1 Qxe5 30. Rxc2 Qd5 31. bxa6 Qh1+ 32. Kf2 Qg2+ 33. Ke1 Qxc2 34. axb7 d3!, White resigned.

This has been inspired play on the part of the young Indian grandmaster. Mate is threatened on e2 and if 35. Rf2, the mate comes on c1. What a great attack. Too bad there are no beauty prizes in CCA tournaments; this would have won the beauty prize hands down! The best game I had available, played by Najer, was the following crucial eighth round victory

Sicilian Defense (B50) GM Julio Becerra (2646) GM Evgeny Najer (2689) World Open 2008, Philadelphia, USA (8)

This is a very delicate ending. One hears endless shibboleths about “good” and “bad” bishops, but here we see the reality of the often repeated “rule.” In a game between two grandmasters with a lot of money riding on every half point in the end, Black achieves the better of the dark-squared bishops and, even with knights on the board, he nurses this often ephemeral advantage home for a full point at a time in the tournament when jockeying for final positioning begins in dear earnest. 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 g6 5. 0-0 Bg7 6. Re1 0-0 7. Bf1 Nc6 8. d3 h6 9. a3 e5 10. b4 Be6 11. Nbd2 b5 12. Bb2 Qb6 13. Rb1 a6 14. Ba1 Rfe8 15. h3 cxb4 16. axb4 d5 17.

Bb2 Rad8 18. Ra1 Nh5 19. Qc2 Ng3 20. Nb3 Nxf1 21. Rxf1 dxe4 22. dxe4 Bc4 23. Rfe1 Bd3 24. Qc1 Bf8 25. Nc5 a5

Bad is 25. ... Bxc5 26. bxc5 Qxc5 27. Qxh6 when Black is weak on a6 and his kingside. 26. Nxd3 Rxd3 27. bxa5 Nxa5 28. Qc2 Red8

+

r l k+ + + +p+ q + +p p np+ p + + +P+ + + Pr+N+P LQ+ P P+ R + R K

After 28. ... Red8

The prior moves can best be described as cautiously jockeying for position. Now we see the foreshadowing of the long ending. White’s dark-squared bishop has a hard time finding play and the c-pawn stays weak. It looks like White will never be able to force c4 (How ironic, as we English players make that our FIRST move!) 29. Red1 Rxd1+ 30. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 31. Qxd1 Nc4 32. Bc1 Qa5 33. Qe1 Qa1 34. g3 Kh7 35. Kg2 Bc5 36. h4 Qa2 37. Nd2 Nd6 38. Qd1 h5 39. Qb3 Qa1 40. Qc2 Qa4 41. Qb3 Qa1 42. Qc2 Qa4 43. Qb3 Qxb3

After equivocating while getting to the first time control, the eventual champion decides rightly that there are winning chances in this ending. That decision looks good in hindsight as it was necessary to grab this point to keep his chances for the title alive. This was the penultimate round. 44. Nxb3 Bb6 45. Kf3 Nc4 46. Ke2 f5 47. f3 Kg7 48. Nd2 Kf7 49. Nf1 Ke6 50. Kd3 Bd8 51. exf5+ gxf5 52. Bg5 Bb6

A trade of this prelate was “a consummation devoutly to be wished” (Hamlet). But Black was not buying, thank you very much. 53. Bh6 Kd5 54. Bg7 Bc7 55. Bf8 Bd8 56. Bg7 Bc7 57. Bf8 e4+ (see diagram top of next column)

The decisive breakthrough, but there was no way it could have been stopped in the long run. 58. Ke2 Be5 59. Bb4 Ke6 60. Kf2 Nb2 61. Ke3 exf3 62. Kxf3 Na4 63. c4

Now the move 63. c4 is a desperate gambit. The weak c-pawn could no longer be defended. Chess Life — October 2008

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Cover Story

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+ + + +k+ + L + +p+p + Kn+ P + + + + +p+ + + + +N+ +

Analysis after 75. ... c2

round to set up the playoff.

One of my favorite games in this World Open is this upset pulled off by IM Justin Sarkar over a player rated around 300 points more than he. This is not the first grandmaster that Sarkar has taken down by far, and it certainly won’t be the last. Nimzo-Indian Defense, Classical Variation (E32) IM Justin Sarkar (2473) GM Vadim Milov (2750) World Open 2008, Philadelphia, USA (8)

Justin Sarker has two GM norms to his credit. What stands between him and the title are opportunities and confidence. The following entertaining and sharp victory over a 2700 grandmaster should go a long way toward the latter. 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3

For quite a while in the nineties, it was fashionable for White to avoid the classic Nimzo, but now it is allowed regularly. “The more it changes, the more it is the same.” I can't say this in the original French, but I am sure you get the idea.

+

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+

l

L

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+

+ + + + +p+k+p+p +n+p+ P + PK+P P + + + + + + +N+

After 57. ... e4+

63. ... bxc4 64. Ne3 Nb2 65. Nc2 c3 66. Ke2 Kd5 67. Kf3 Nc4 68. Be7 Nd2+ 69. Ke3 Nf1+ 70. Kd3

70. Kf2 doesn't help. The white pawns

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have become sitting ducks and Black's king threatens to penetrate to b3. 70. ... Nxg3 71. Ne3+ Ke6 72. Bb4

3. ... Bb4 4. Qc2 0-0 5. a3

One of the oldest lines. White has not allowed his pawns to be doubled. There are a gazillion lines coming out of that doubling idea.

The material count has gone up to two pawns. Whites’ goose is cooked.

5. ... Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d6 7. Bg5 Nbd7 8. e3 b6 9. Bd3 Ba6

72. ... Ne4 73. Nd1 Bf6 74. Ba5 Bd4 75. Bc7

10. Ne2 c5 11. Qc2 h6 12. Bh4 Rc8

If 75. Kxd4 c2.

(see diagram top of next column) 75. ... Kd5 76. Bf4 Nc5+ 77. Kc2 Kc4 78. Be3 Nb3 79. Bg5 Na1+ 80. Kc1 Kd3, White resigned.

The champion certainly played like one in this game! He went on to defeat GM Sergey Kudrin, who has been at the top of his game this year, and the rest is history. Negi and Ftacnik drew in the last

A cousin of some Queen’s Indian lines.

Black has certainly equalized here. White’s two bishops are not a real advantage in this position.

13. Qa4 Bb7 14. 0-0 Qc7 15. Rfc1 Qb8

This is the first time in the game that White can claim an edge. Black could have forced the queens off with 15. ... Qc6 (there is a mate threat on g2). 15. ... Bc6 is also quite playable.

16. Nc3 a6 17. Bg3 Rfe8 18. Qd1 Qa8 19. f3 uschess.org

PHOTO BY JEN SHAHADE

Sam Shankland (above) was one of five players who scored IM norms.


The most powerful of Black’s pieces is stuck in a corner behind a bishop which is biting on granite. Now White can start aggressive operations. 19. ... cxd4 20. exd4 e5 21. d5 Rc7

It is really tough to suggest a reasonable plan for Black now. His position is on the verge of being moribund. 22. a4 Qd8 23. b4

Black tries to get his queen back into the game but it is too late. Justin plays strong and relentless moves to crack the queenside. 23. ... Nh5 24. Bf2 Nf4 25. Bf1 f5

This desperate counter -attack is doomed to fail. Now the two bishops mean a lot in both defense and attack. 26. g3 Qg5 27. Kh1 Nh5 28. a5 bxa5 29. Rxa5

There is nothing Milov can do to stave off the looming c4-c5. 29. ... Ndf6 30. c5 dxc5 31. bxc5 Rd8 32. Rb1 Nxd5

Going into the pin is fatal but so is everything by this time. 33. Bc4 Nhf6 34. Rxb7!

Yes, this is obvious, but is the collation of the refutation of Black’s faulty queen to a8 move. The rest is very pretty. 34. ... Rxb7 35. c6 Rb2 36. c7 Rc8 37. Nxd5 Kh7 38. h4 Qd2 39. Nxf6+ gxf6 40. Qxd2 Rxd2 41. Bb6, Black resigned.

White is now so far ahead in material that further resistance is futile. Milov usually plays a lot better than this, but in this game, a rating difference of almost 300 points proved to be of little consequence.

For my last offering, I present you with a pretty “Parting with the Lady.” Dutch Defense (A85) Benjamin Moon (1830) Dan Mayers (1895) World Open 2008, Philadelphia, USA (8)

Dan Mayers is a remarkable fellow. I sometimes refer to him as “the two thousand year old man” after the old Mel Brooks comedy routine. Actually Dan is only 87. He has been a high expert and still carries a respectable 1918 rating. In an act of sheer optimism, Dan pays his entry to all the CCA tournaments he plans on participating in all at once in January! The 218-player Under 2000 section was, as it always is, a brutal competition. In this section, you see the up and comers who still have dreams of master status, lots of fast improving and uschess.org

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ambitious kids, and those on the way down, or at least trying to hold on to what they have achieved. There are your few sandbaggers still, but tough rating history standards make life rightly difficult for these cheaters. After a win in the first round, Dan dropped five in a row. A lesser man would have given up. Heck, I would have given up! Not ol’ Dan! He hunkered down and you could see him with his signature magnifying glass intensely studying the board. He finished with a flourish, winning his last three! In round eight he produced this delightful “Parting with the Lady.” I don’t usually show you games from the class sections as there are always a plethora of instructive grandmaster games. But this game is an exception which I should look for more often, as the class players are the backbone of the big money tournaments. 1. d4 e6 2. c4 f5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2

As in the higher sections, the revival of the Nimzo goes on. Call it “trickle down openings.”

4. ... Nf6 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Nf3 Bb7 8. Bf4 d6 9. e3 Nbd7 10. Be2 0-0 11. b4 Qe7 12. 0-0 Ne4 13. Qc2 e5 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Bg3 g5 16. h3

Too timid. Better is 16. c5. The White bishop is not in trouble as it has h4 to go to if Black tries to “ark” it. Now White will have to deal with a serious compromise of his pawn structure. 16. ... Nxg3 17. fxg3 c5 18. b5 Rad8 19. Rad1 e4 20. Nh2 Qe5

Now old Dan centralizes his queen and forces an unwanted advance of the white g-pawn. Black is clearly better. 21. g4 f4 22. exf4 gxf4 23. Rd2 f3 24. gxf3

The relentless advance of the f-pawn leaves White gasping for air. He should move his bishop back to d1 but this only slows down Black’s attack. 24. ... Qg3+ 25. Kh1 exf3 26. Bd3 Nf6 27. Rdf2 Qxh3 28. Bf5

Hanging on by a fingernail!

28. ... Rd4 29. g5 Ng4 30. Be6+ Kg7 31. g6 (see diagram top of next column)

Do you see it? Dan sure did!

31. ... Qg2+! 32. Rxg2 fxg2+ 33. Kg1

33. Qxg2 Bxg2+ 34. Kxg2 Ne3+ 35. Kg1 Nxf1 36. Nxf1 Kxg6 and Black is up two Exchanges and pawn with an easy win.

33. ... Rxf1+ 34. Nxf1 gxf1=Q+ 35. Kxf1 Ne3+, White resigned.

The icing on the cake!

+ + r + pl+ + kp p +L+P+ +P p + + +P r +n+ P + +p+q +Q+ R N + + +R+K

After 31. g6

I must mention the presence of Jovan Prokopljevic and his many wares. He is the best chess artist alive today. And, I can’t forget to mention the impressive book and equipment display on sale in the spacious book room by The Rochester Chess Center, in combination with Chess 4 Less. And, of course Toby Tobiason had his great collection of CD videos, and other doo-dads. I really like Toby. Next year the World Open will again be at the same gorgeous hotel in central Philly. I am afraid Ben Franklin will be on the CCA minimum ratings list and forced to play in the under 2200 section, the wily old sandbagger!

.

2008 World Open At A Glance Date: June 30-July 6, 2008 Location: Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Top Finishers: Open, 1st-4th: Parimarjan Negi, Alexander Moiseenko, Evgeny Najer, Lubomir Ftacnik, 7. Under 2400, 1st-5th: Igor Schneider, Robert Hungaski, Igor Sorkin, Louie Jiang, Elliott Liu, 7. Under 2200, 1st-2nd: Gevorg Vardanyan, Conrad Holt, 8½. Under 2000, 1st-3rd: Khine Kyaw, Makaio Krienke, James Wu, 7½. Under 1800, 1st: Michael Granata, 8½. Under 1600, 1st: Molson Hart, 8. Under 1400, 1st2nd: Khalee Ward, John Sefton, 7½. Under 1200, 1st: Vladimir Klimenko, 8. Under 900, 1st: Oliver Hu, 8. Under 600, 1st-2nd: Michael Lim, Derek Leung. Unrated, 1st-2nd: Vladimir Kokorev, Jaime Hamilton, 7½. Norms earned: Arun Prasad, India, GM (earned one earlier at the Philadelphia International a week before); Eric Hansen, Canada, IM; Daniel Ludwig, IM; Alisa Melekhina, IM; Sam Shankland, IM; Jonathan Tayar, Canada, IM. Chief TD: Bill Goichberg Chess Life — October 2008

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is your

EGO costing you your

ELO? In a sport that relies on brain instead of brawn, ego is a powerful motivator. Don’t let your preoccupation with self affect your rating points. by Michael Jeffreys 22


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“A game is only serious when you forget it’s a game.” –J EFF F OSTER

e’ve all seen it. A chess player loses a game and then lectures their opponent on how “badly” they played and how lucky they were to win: “You were so busted ... I had you crushed!” And then under their breath they add, “How could I lose to this fish!?” while shaking their head in disgust. What’s going on here? Why is this player venting his frustration at the other player, rather than where it belongs: on himself. The answer can be summed up in one word: EGO. We all have one; and we all know that our ego loves to win. “Man, I’m good!” it crows with delight when we take down the full-point in a rated tournament game. And, of course, we can’t wait to run and show our friends our latest “brilliancy.” However, what happens when we lose a game? After all, the reality is that nobody wins all the time. Even the games best: Capablanca, Alekhine, Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov, Kramnik, etc. have had to deal with losing to “weaker” players (since pretty much they were considered the favorite in any game they played during their prime). Yes, the reality is that we all lose some of the time. To see how often even a very good player can expect to lose, I looked up 2007 U.S. women’s champion IM Irina Krush’s win/loss/draw ratio from Megabase 2007. The database contains 716 of her games, of which 277 are wins, 228 are losses, and 211 are draws. This breaks down to: 38.6% wins, 31.8% losses, and 29.4% draws. So, even a strong player can “expect” (and I don’t mean this in a negative way, but in a statistical one) to lose roughly 1/3 of their games (unless of course your name is Kasparov, who out of 3,004 games entered in Megabase 2007, has a mindblowing losing percentage of only 8.8%!). My point is that everyone who plays chess can expect to lose a certain percentage of their games. The question is, how do you deal with these losses when they come? Are you one of those individuals who absolutely cannot stand to lose? Indeed, does just my mere suggestion of you losing a chess game cause your temperature to begin to go up? Well, if so, I can assure you that you are setting your-

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self up for a boatload of future disappointments and unhappiness, a.k.a. PAIN. Especially if you are one of those players who go into a deep funk after a loss. I know one player that entered a six-round tournament but was so disgusted after having lost his first game that he dropped out. Now, you may argue that not wanting to lose is a good thing; it’s what drives you to want to improve. And to a degree, I would agree with you. But there comes a point where letting losses deeply affect you is simply counterproductive. Being upset for a few minutes immediately following a game where you made a blunder is completely normal. But if you’re still beating yourself up over it three days later, than you might want to work on improving your “losing skills.” Yes, just like learning how to win is a skill, so is learning how to lose. And while every chess player thinks about winning, most have given virtually no thought as to how they will handle losing. I have to confess that I speak from experience here. I used to get so worked-up over my tournament losses that even days later they still bothered me. However, by following the advice I am sharing with you in this article, by working on my “losing skills,” I have learned to see chess in its proper perspective: as a game to be enjoyed and to grow and learn from. As a result of my change in attitude, I have more fun playing, worry less about my results, and yet have seen my rating go up. Note that the increase in rating is a “by-product” of this new attitude, and not a conscious goal. Of course, some players’ egos are so fragile that they cannot take responsibility for their own mistakes/blunders. Instead, they have a built-in defense mechanism that kicks in whenever they lose a game. Israeli FM Amatzia Avni talks about this in his book, Practical Chess Psychology (Batsford, 2001). In chapter 9, “Encounters with Failure,” he writes under the heading, Confronting a loss: What do chess players do to keep their balance, to ease their agony? As in other stress-situations, good old defence-mechanisms come to the rescue. As making excuses may appear childish (not that it’s an obstacle for making them: “the game

was scheduled too early” and “I was irritated by my opponent’s behavior” are all too familiar), players have been known to come up with: My mind was paralyzed (that is, I was OK—it’s my bloody mind that inflicted the damage). I suppose I didn’t really want to win (again, it’s not me. This time the problem lies within that elusive factor called motivation). You cannot fight against youth (here, my ageing is the deciding factor). I misplayed the opening, and didn’t really get a chance to enter the battle (hence, my failure stems from a gap in knowledge, not in talent.)

These are just a few of the many excuses that some players use. The question is, WHY do they do this? The answer is because to admit that the loss was 100% of their own making is simply too painful. A person with a shaky self-esteem thinks, “Great ... one more thing I suck at.” And this adds another log to the fire of that person’s already poor self-image. Pretty soon, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. They expect to lose (although not consciously), and so sooner or later they sabotage themselves so that their brain gets to be right: “See, I told you you’re no good at this game!” it says immediately following another frustrating loss. Of course, it’s not just after the game that “poor adversity skills” can be a problem. It can also be a problem during a game if something bad or unexpected happens and you suddenly find yourself in trouble. If your mind starts to criticize, complain and bemoan the fact that you overlooked a shot by your opponent, or that you have misplayed things and are suddenly worse, this negative thinking could be just enough to make you go on “Tilt.” Going on Tilt This is a term which originally came from the world of pinball machines. A player who shook the machine too hard in order to get the little steel ball to go where he wanted it would suddenly feel the machine freeze and see the word “TILT” light up. The round would be over and that ball dead. Obviously tilting is something good players try to avoid, as Chess Life — October 2008

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Instruction doing so makes it impossible to top the current high score. The poker world has adopted the term “being on tilt” to indicate when a player is still upset about a previous hand, and is currently not playing his “A” game. His focus is gone, his mind is divided, and suddenly he starts making impulsive, risky, and sometimes just downright poor decisions. Most often going on tilt is caused when a player experiences what is called a “bad beat.” This is a situation where he is the heavy statistical favorite to win the hand (say 90% or more), yet when the dealer turns over the river card his opponent miraculously hits one of his two “outs.” The fact that the most unpleasant thing that could possibly happen happened, when it was a long shot at best, can suddenly send the mind reeling. And in poker, this can cost you money. When you are on tilt, you are far more likely to lash out, make a play to try to recover your lost chips, or simply stay in a hand that is statistically a dog and that you would normally never play. However, because you are on tilt and not thinking properly, you let your ego/emotions get the best of you. And so you end up playing weak poker; and weak poker is, in the long run, losing poker. Going on Tilt in Chess The difference between poker and chess is that in poker you can blame something bad that happens to you on your opponent making a poor call or the bad luck of the cards. But in chess, there is no one to “blame” except yourself. YOU hung the piece and so for many this gives their mind the green light to begin the self-flagellation: “What is wrong with me!? I did it again! Man, how stupid can I be!? Arrrrrrgh!!!” Sometimes, the brain is so anxious to be right that it doesn’t even wait until the game is over. As soon as the player gets into some trouble, such as dropping a pawn, the negative self-talk starts right up: “Oh, no! ... I can’t believe I dropped a friggin pawn ... unbelievable!” And for the next five minutes the brain continues to berate itself. This kind of self-talk is pure poison. The main reason is because the moment you do this you are no longer devoting 100% of your resources—all of your brain power—to finding the best moves. Suddenly, you are utilizing perhaps only 70% (or less!) of your mind, because the other 30% is being spent on negative self-talk. Do you really think you can give 70% effort when your opponent is giving 100%, and still expect to win? When I mentioned to a friend of mine, expert Danny Berman, that I was writing this article, he said he recently saw an example in a movie of not letting negative 24


events affect your thinking. He told me that in Shoot ‘Em Up, Paul Giamatti’s character had just lost half his men and someone said to him, “Hey, you lost half your men, aren’t you angry? Giamatti replied, “I can’t afford to be angry ... anger lowers your I.Q., and right now I need to think!” I don’t know how good the movie is, but this is definitely good advice for chess players. So, what can you do when you suddenly find that something has gone wrong and your position is bad? Instead of becoming upset, try the following three tips:

1. Stay Calm. While dropping a piece or throwing away a win can often be a shock to the system, it is important that you do not panic. If you panic then you are not going to be thinking rationally and you are more likely to commit a second blunder. Also, remember to breathe. Focusing on your breathing will help you stay calm; breath in, breath out, relax. Perhaps the time it will take your opponent to trap your piece allows you an opportunity to start an attack on his king? Have new lines suddenly opened up that you can take advantage of? You will only see this possibility (or others that may be hidden within the position) if you stay calm and focused. If need be, get up and go to the bathroom and splash some water on your face. The five minutes you leave the board may be just what you need to clear your head and come back in a better frame of mind. Danny told me that he saw a good example of this several years ago at a chess tournament. He was watching master Sharon Burtman and her opponent in a mad time scramble. Both players were moving very quickly. After her opponent had made yet another quick move, he saw Sharon reach for a piece and then suddenly freeze! She then looked at her score sheet and saw they were on move 41—both had made time control. She then took her other hand and used it to slowly retract her hand that was hovering over the piece she was about to move. She then stood up and walked away from the board. This was a great move on her part and one that I recommend you also do. Once you have made time control get up for a few minutes and walk around to give your head a chance to clear. Many players fail to do this and end up blundering on move 41 or 42 because they are still caught up in the rhythm of moving fast even when they no longer need to. Discipline yourself not to make this costly mistake. 2. Compartmentalize the mistake. If you hung a pawn, then you hung a pawn. Don’t blow it up into something more than it is. In other words, don’t let

one mistake bleed over and affect your entire game. You missed a knight fork means you missed a knight fork and not that you’re a bad player; don’t make it into more than what it is. I have seen players that as soon as they make one mistake, their entire game falls apart. They start shaking their heads and bemoaning their blunder, both verbally and with their body language. They have become discouraged and lost their fighting spirit, all because of one mistake. And you can be sure that if this happens to you, your opponent will notice! And once they sense weakness coming from your side of the board, like a shark that smells blood, it only gives them more confidence that you are theirs for the taking. You can avoid this by staying calm and not making a big deal about your mistake; simply note it and move on. Say to yourself, “There is still a lot of chess to be played. I’m going to fight on and who knows, he may even blunder back!”

3. Get in the habit of putting up maximum resistance. The idea of fighting hard in a “lost” position is something I learned by watching a friend of mine named Carl Hyne. Known as “the Great Carlini,” he can be found most weekends at Santa Monica Chess Park playing blitz while kibitzing to his opponent and the surrounding crowd. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen him pull out games where he was completely busted. I’ve seen him find a way to win in games where he was down a queen. He would simply continue to make threats with his remaining forces thus keeping his opponent under pressure. Often they would become flustered and either blunder a piece back or lose on time. I’ve seen him do this so often that I knew there had to be something different in his approach to the game. When I asked him why he doesn’t get rattled or discouraged like most players when he drops a piece he replied, “It’s a fatalistic philosophy that OK, you lost the piece. You accept it and move on.” And if you watch Carl play blitz, if he does drop a piece, he just continues playing as if nothing happened. This does two things: It reinforces his own belief that he is still going to win, and secondly, it confounds his opponent who is wondering why Carl is not more upset about hanging the piece! They think, “Doesn’t this guy realize he just hung a knight ... why is he still playing on??” And so they tend to relax thinking the game will win itself. Needless to say, this feeling of overconfidence often leads them to making casual moves thus allowing Carl to set-up one of his infamous swindles. These crowdpleasing comebacks are often accompanied by him exclaiming, “Never give up, uschess.org


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never surrender!” The only way to develop this “fighting spirit” is to practice playing on when down material. The more you do it the better you will get at putting up maximum resistance. Having incorporated this philosophy into my own game, I can tell you that it is indeed a sweet feeling to come back from a losing position and pull out the win or a draw. It not only shocks your opponent, it also gives you confidence knowing that you didn’t crack under pressure, but rather stayed tough mentally and fought hard, i.e. had a warrior’s spirit. Here is an example from my fifth-round game at the 2006 Los Angeles Open: Staying tough Michael Bynum (1534) Michael Jeffreys (1719) Los Angeles Open (5), 10.08.2006

+ + rk+ pp+R+ pp l +Q p q + +P+ + + + +P+ + + + + P P + + P + + +R+K

Black to play

In the above position I’m black and my lower-rated opponent has completely outplayed me. White is not only up the Exchange, but has a winning position. After White’s last move 29. Qe6+, Junior 10 has White up +3.66. 29. ... Kh8 30. Rf7 Rg8 31. d6 Bd4

All my hopes lie in activating my bishop. But would my opponent allow it? 32. d7?!

White rushes to promote his pawn, but allows: 32. ... Be5

My first threat of the game ... mate in one!

33. Rf2 Qe3 (see diagram top of next column)

I’m trying my best to stir up trouble, but will it work? 34. Kg2?

Here my opponent missed a nice winning shot: 34. R7xf6! Taking advantage of the pinned bishop. 34. ... gxf6 35. Qxg8+! Kxg8 36. d8=Q+ Kg7 37. Qe7+ Kg8 38. Qe6+ Kg7 39. Qd7+ Kh6 40. Qd2. uschess.org

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+ + +r k pp+P+R pp + +Q p + + + l + + + +P+ + + q + P P + R P + + + +K

After 33. ... Qe3

34. ... Qe4+!

With Black's head on the chopping block, he refuses to die and instead pulls out the miracle draw. 35. Kf1

White's king must stay off the dark squares otherwise a bishop check picks up his queen. 35. ... Qh1+ 36. Ke2 Qe4+ 37. Kd1 Qb1+ 38. Ke2 Qe4+, Draw agreed.

This save is a good example of the “Never give up, Never Surrender!” attitude and hopefully it will inspire you to fight hard in your own games regardless of how bad things may look.

Finally, here are two things you can do to keep your chess fun and enjoyable rather than stressful and ratings driven:

1. Keep the game in perspective. Yes, it can get intense at times, and during the game it may feel like life and death, but at the end of the day it is still just a game (although the greatest one ever invented!). Take another look at the Jeff Foster quote at the beginning of this article. Remember why you took up the game in the first place: to have fun, to learn, and to grow as a player; GM Maurice Ashley has reminded Chess Life readers in the past to enjoy the journey. This is certainly good advice regardless of your rating. Note that this advice can also be applied to how you approach each move of every game you play. In other words, during your games you focus on making good moves and “enjoy the journey” without worrying about the outcome of the game. This is a very “Zen-like” approach to chess, and one that I personally find both calming and fulfilling.

2. Keep your ego out of it. How? By not taking anything that happens during the game personally. Remember, whether you win or lose a chess game has nothing whatsoever to do with your worth as a person… unless you make the mistake of thinking it does. There is a guy who plays at the Star-

buck’s I play at on the weekends who can never lose a blitz game without making excuses. “Oh, I had you there, I just missed the check” or “You know you were crushed, I just ran out of time.” When he’s not there, several of the other players talk about how obnoxious he can be. And if you lose to him, you never hear the end of it because he keeps score of how many games he’s beaten you this month! The sad part is he’s basically not a bad guy, but his chess results are so tied into his self-image that he feels compelled to defend his ego at all costs. He has erroneously tied his chess results into his value as a human being. Don’t fall into this trap. Your worth as a human being should have nothing to do with how well you push little plastic or wood pieces around a board. Yes you want to win, but if you do lose life goes on and tomorrow is a new day. By the way, if you do find your ego has been triggered, i.e., you feel yourself getting angry or defensive, such as when there is some type of dispute during your game, simply catch yourself, begin focusing on your breathing, and slowly calm yourself down. The ego is extremely persistent and learning to keep it in check (pun intended) does take practice. Another advantage of learning to play “egoless” chess is that it frees you up to try new things: “Hey, this pawn sac looks like fun; I think I’ll try it in my next game.” However, if your ego is tied into winning and losing, you will often be too concerned about being down material to just “go for it.” Again, I speak from experience here— for a long time I used to draw way too many games simply because I was afraid of making a mistake and losing the game. I used to worry, “Oh, I teach chess, what will people think if I have a low rating?” However, I finally figured out that nobody really cares what my rating is ... except me! That’s right. In other words, being “only” a class B player has never stopped me from getting work as a chess instructor at schools or teaching private lessons. What’s more, once I made the conscious decision to stop worrying about my rating and decided to just “play chess,” my results improved. After years of struggling I recently became a class A player. I attribute my breakthrough to utilizing the very concepts I’m sharing in this article, and NOT focusing on the four little numbers above my name on my Chess Life label. If you do the same, i.e., stay calm, compartmentalize your mistakes, always put up maximum resistance, keep the game in perspective, keep your ego out of it, you will not only enjoy your chess more, but may just see your rating go up naturally, as a by product of your new attitude!

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2008 Pan Am

Golden Getz

Continuing a promising trend for American juniors in international events, Alec Getz takes the gold medal at the Pan American Youth Championships. Here he tells Chess Life readers his story.

By FM Alec Getz

he tournament room was emptying out. When the game began at five, light had cascaded across the room while the sounds of the players moving pieces and the accompaniment of the chairs’ disharmonious squeaking across the bare floor could be heard throughout the playing room. Now it was dim and cold inside the room since it’s winter in July in Argentina (the tournament was held from June 30-July 6 in Villa Carlos Paz), and the only sound that could be heard now was the breathing of my opponent and the arbiters, who huddled together to watch this crucial penultimate game with exuberant curiosity. I knew why they were so interested—the winner of this game would be tied for first going into the last round and would have a chance of a lifetime to possibly becoming the “Pan American Champion.” I only had two minutes on my clock (with a thirty-second increment, luckily) and my opponent had over twenty minutes. It was getting late and I was starting to feel fatigue coming in like a wave through my body. But my adrenaline kept me going. We were in a complicated

PHOTO: DEREN GETZ

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endgame, which we both knew was anyone’s game. I looked around. Now everybody was gone except for the arbiters and us. I turned to my opponent. His hands were clasped over his mouth and he was in a deep thought over the position. I glanced at his clock ticking down and saw it was now close to six minutes. I shivered, perhaps from the cold seeping in or because I didn’t know what would happen in the game. Finally, he made a move. And accompanied it with a draw offer. I knew a draw would give me some chances at medaling but not at gold, but a loss would knock me out totally. But I didn’t have time on my clock to think about what to do, so I just played my move. But then a few moves later my fear got the better of me and I returned a draw offer. My opponent was down to three minutes. But now he was more relaxed; his hands were now rested on the table. He shook his head sideways. So we played, but then a few moves after he again offered me a draw back. Now I said no. We both now had very little time; I had one minute to his two minutes.

Outside the tournament hall wasn’t any less nerve wracking either. By this time, all the top people from my section and their friends all waited outside to see who would play for the gold the next day. Meanwhile, inside the tournament hall, the game was just heating up. It was my move, and since I had just declined a draw offer again, I was thinking of a way to get winning chances in the position. I saw a move where I couldn’t lose but I didn’t know if I could win. I finally decided on the move, but when I made it I saw to my horror that my clock showed one-second left. After I hit the clock I breathed a very big and victorious sigh of relief when I saw 31 seconds from the increment. I could not lose—unless I forgot about my time again. But now I was more alert, and I finally found the neat trick needed to win the position. And after a five-hour game (which began with an hour and a half for both players with thirty second increment), I strolled out of the tournament hall knowing the next day I would be playing for the championship. Chess Life — October 2008

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2008 Pan Am Dutch Defense, Leningrad System (A87) Alec Getz (FIDE 2142) FM Nicolas Mayorga (FIDE 2280) XIX Festival Panamericano de Ajedrez (9) 1. Nf3

This was the final round of the tournament. Mayorga and I were tied for first place with 6½/8 going into this round. I was content on a drawn outcome because a draw would yield a tie for first place (four-way tie) and still a FIDE master (FM) title. But the coaches figured Mayorga, already being an FM would not want a draw because only clear first place gets an international master norm. So I was told to play solidly (not passively) but not to burn bridges unless it’s a clear combination. 1. ... g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. g3 d6 4. Bg2 f5

The Leningrad Dutch!

5. d4 Nf6 6. Nc3 0-0 7. 0-0 Qe8 8. b3

The position after 7. ... Qe8 has been played at least a thousand times. However, I must admit I wasn’t fully familiar with the ideas of the system. After the tournament a friend on the Internet Chess Club (ICC) from Brazil told me the main move nowadays was 8. d5, as 8. d5 stops Black’s getting the “e5, f5” duo after ... e7e5. I didn’t want to sacrifice the dark squares, especially c5, but in the line with 8. d5 White will play Rb1 and b4 and the dark squares are not so weak. However, in the game I wanted to play conservatively and played 8. b3, which is the next-to-most popular move in the database. 8. ... e5 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Ba3

10. e4 has been played many times, with a follow-up of Nd5 and then Ba3. However not being familiar with the sharp line and Mayorga probably being familiar, I went for a safe reply figuring I would get quick development with a solid position. 10. ... Rf7 11. Qc2 Nc6 12. Rad1 h6

r+l+q+k+ pp p +r l +n+ np p + + pp+ +P+ + + LP N +N P P+Q+P PL P + +R+R K

After 12. ... h6

13. Bb2 28


I wanted to play Nd5 at some point, but I was starting to feel the d4 square becoming very powerful for Mayorga’s knight. For example, if I went 13. Nd5 straight away then 13. ... e4 14. Ne1 Nxd5 15. cxd5 Nd4 and White is in serious trouble after 16. Qd2 Qb5 16. e3 Ne2+ 17. Kh1 Nc3 forking d1 and d5. If I were to play 13. e3 instead of 13. Bb2 to secure d4 though, the d3-square would become weak and it also would be harder for White to break with f2-f3, for example 13. e3 e4 14. Ne1 Ne5 is very annoying. So it seems I lost a tempo with 10. Ba3 and then 13. Bb2. But is the extra tempo (rook on f7 instead of f8) good for Mayorga? It looks like it is, because when the white knight comes into d5, the rook is already defending c7. However, the downside of the rook being on f7 is that Mayorga had to play ... h7h6 to secure the g5-square, since Ng5 comes with tempo now. For example if instead of 12. ... h6 Black were to go straight away with 12. ... e4, White could go 13. Ng5 Rd7 and now White can even afford to play Nh3-f4-d5, which looks strong with a very promising position for me. 13. ... e4 14. Ne1 Ng4 15. h3 Nge5 16. Nd5 g5

This is a very interesting position to evaluate here. Black seems to have more space. However, White has the strongest piece on the board (Nd5), which gives Black some problems all by itself. If White can free his kingside pieces at no cost, he will surely have a very nice position. 17. f3 exf3

r+l+q+k+ pp p +r l +n+ + p + +N np p +P+ + + +P+ +p PP P LQ+P+L+ + +R NR K

After 17. ... exf3

18. Nxf3!?

I’m sure many chess players would immediately take back with the pawn (which is a decent reply) threatening to push f4 and trade Black’s main defender (Bg7) with a very difficult position for Black. However, after 18. exf3 Black should sacrifice a pawn with 18. ... f4 19. gxf4 Bf5 20. Qc1 gxf4 21. Nxf4 and Black has ample compensation for the pawn because his pieces are better coordinated and White has major holes in

his position. I played 18. Nxf3 for a few reasons. I wanted to get my knight off the back rank, but more importantly I wanted to keep the f-file open for my rook and then play e2-e4 at some point when all of my pieces suddenly become very active in the position. 18. ... Qf8 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. g4!

Now it’s White that has a space advantage, ahead in development and his pieces seem to be in their most ideal positions. Black can’t play 20. ... fxg4 because of 21. Bxe5 Bxe5 22. Qg6+ Bg7 23. Be4. 20. ... Kh8 21. gxf5 Bxf5 22. e4

I was trying to just play solidly and maintain a slight edge in the position but Rybka finds 22. Rxf5!! which is winning. After 22. ... Rxf5 23. Nxc7 Rc8 24. Ne6 Qf6 (24. ... Qf7 25. Nxg7 Kxg7 26. e4) 25. Nxg7 Kxg7 26. Be4 and White wins because Black cannot escape with 26. ... Rf4 27. e3 Rh4 because of 28. Bxe5 Qxe5 29. Rd7+. If the king goes to the f-file, 30. Qf2+ wins, and if the king goes to h8 then 30. Rh7+ Kg8 31. Bd5+ Kf8 32. Qf2+. If the king goes to g8, the same pattern with Bd5+ and Qf2+ happens. So instead of 23. ... Rc8, Black’s best bet is 23. ... Qc5+, but White still comes out ahead after 24. Bd4 (also strong is 24. Kh1 with threats to a8 and f5) 24. ... Nf3+ 25. Bxf3 Bxd4+ 26. Kg2. Black is momentarily up in material but White is threatening Nxa8 and Rxd4, and conveniently if Black tries to defend both threats with 26. ... Rd8 or 26. ... Raf8 White wins with 27. Ne6. Black’s best line is actually 26. ... Bg1 27. Rxg1 Rxf3 28. exf3 Qxc7 29. Re1 and White is a clear pawn up.

22. ... Be6 23. Rxf7 Bxf7 24. Rf1 Qc5+ 25. Kh1 Bg6 26. b4

Rybka comes up with 26. Rf6! Rd8 (26. ... Bxf6 is no good because after 27. Nxf6 White’s pieces are so strong that Black cannot stop both Nd7 or Ng4 next move, netting two pieces for a rook and a very strong position.) 27. Bxe5 Rxd5 28. b4! and Black has nothing better than 28. ... Rxe5 29. bxc5 Bxf6 but it’s still possible for Black to save the game.

26. ... Qd6

26. ... Qxc4 27. Qxc4 Nxc4 28. Bxg7+ Kxg7 29. Rc1 and Black has a few ways to lead the game to a draw, such as 29. ... b5 30. Nxc7 Rb8 31. Nxb5 Bf7 32. Bf1 (32. Nxa7 would be a draw after 32. ... Rxb4 when Black will win the pawn on a2 also) 32. ... Rxb5 33. Bxc4 Rxb4 34. Bxf7 Kxf7 35. Rc7+ Kf6 36. Rxa7 Ke5 37. Kg2 Kf4 38. Rf7+ draw. However, as I said I would be fine with a draw and sharing uschess.org


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first place and getting the FM title. I also knew Mayorga wouldn’t want a draw and so had to make inferior moves on purpose to create complications to sustain any winning chances. 27. Qb3 Re8 28. c5 Qd8

+ qr+ k pp p + l + + +l p + PN n p P +P+ + +Q+ + +P P L + +L+ + + +R+K

After 28. ... Qd8

29. Ne3

Around here I started feeling like I had lost the momentum of the position, that my advantage had disappeared and that my best plan was to bring the knight from its best square on d5 to come around to f5 to improve my position. But even after this Mayorga had a defense. I felt like Mayorga had just outplayed me because I didn’t really see where I had made a mistake, but I still felt I had a solid position and didn’t feel I could lose. 29. ... Kh7 30. Nf5 Bh8 31. Ne3

You can’t physically talk to your opponent during a game, but this move says it all to him: OK big guy, so if you don’t want a draw, I dare you to come and get me. 31. ... Qd3 32. Bxe5 Qxb3 33. axb3 Bxe5 34. Rd1 Re7

+ + + + pp p r +k + + +l p + P l p P +P+ + +P+ N +P + + +L+ + +R+ +K

After 34. ... Re7

Here we both had around under three minutes or something (with a thirty second increment thankfully) for this sharp endgame. Black has two bishops, which could become very strong. He also has a better pawn structure. Meanwhile, White’s rook controls the d-file, and even though he has doubled pawns, after 35. b5 White has possibilities of going around Rd8-a8 and Black has to be careful. uschess.org

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35. b5 Be8 36. Bf1 Bh5

Probably better was 36. ... Rd7; if Black can challenge White along the d-file he should. 37. Rd8 Bf4 38. Nd5 Rf7 39. Nxf4 gxf4

The two bishops were very dangerous to White’s king, but now White has a passed pawn to worry about. 40. Kg1 Re7 41. Bd3 Kg7 42. Ra8 Rd7 43. Bf1 Rd1

Threatening 44. ... Be2.

44. Kf2 Rd2+ 45. Kg1 Rd1 46. Kf2

The last chance for Mayorga to take a draw. If he doesn’t repeat moves his whole queenside might fall. 46. ... Rd2+ 47. Kg1 Bf3 48. Rxa7 Bxe4 49. c6

+ + + + Rp p + k +P+ + p +P+ + + + +l p + +P+ + +P + r + + + + +L K

After 49. c6

49. ... bxc6?

This move loses right away. Although Black is not going to win after 49. c6, if he played 49. ... Kf6 50. cxb7 Rd8 it is still possible for him to escape with a draw. 51. Kf2 Ke5 52. Be2 Rb8 (52. ... f3 53. b6!! cxb6 [53. ... Kd6 54. Ra8 Rxa8 55. bxa8=Q Bxa8 56. bxc7 Bb7 (56. ... Kxc7 Bxf3) 57. Bxf3 Ba6 58. Kg3 Kxc7 59. Kh4 Bf1 60. Bg4 winning] 54. Bxf3 Bxf3 55. Kxf3 Rb8 56. Kg4 Kd6 57. Kh5 Kc7 58. h4 b5 59. Kxh6 Kb6 60. Ra1 Rxb7 61. h5 winning). Instead of 52. ... f3, 52. ... Rb8 is Black’s best hope for a draw. If 53. Bf3 Bxf3 54. Kxf3 Kd4 55. h4 Kc5 56. Ra6 Kxb5 57. Rxh6 Kc5 58. b4 Kxb4 59. Kxf4 Rxb7 60. Rc6, Black can actually save this position by eventually sacking his rook for the h-pawn while White will eventually have to return his rook for Black’s passed pawn. 60. ... Kb5 61. Rc1 Ra7 62. h5 c5 63. h6 c4 64. Rh1 Rh7 secures the draw. 50. b6!

But Mayorga misses this hidden threat and Black can’t stop this little guy from queening. 50. ... Rd8 51. bxc7, Black resigned.

There is no stopping the pawn from queening.

The whole package Deivy Vera Siguenas of Peru and Nicolas Mayorga from Argentina were just two of the many tough opponents who I defeated to earn clear first and the whole package—an FM title, an IM norm, and the title of “Pan American Champion.” After I had won the gold medal and was called up to the stage at the awards ceremony, a lot was going through my head. From the start I never dreamed I would hear, “Numero Uno, Alec Getz!” Even now I still can’t believe I had taken not just first place but clear first place ahead of so many really strong players. The highest rated player, FM Federico Perez Ponsa, was 2280 FIDE for the tournament, which using the old estimate is 2380 USCF. But now he is already 2326 FIDE (July 2008) and his ICC blitz rating is closing in on 3200, ahead of some “super grandmasters.” After I lost the fifth round to third-seed FM Renato Terry and only had 3½/5 I definitely thought my opportunities to win the gold had slipped away. One more slip and I probably wouldn’t even be able to win a medal, and I still hadn’t faced the top two players, let alone others who were strong competition. But somehow, in the last three rounds facing the first, second, and fourth seeds (two with black) I was able to win my last four games and take the gold. I didn’t even really prepare so much before the tournament; I didn’t spend hours working out computer novelties for my opponents. I just looked at the top opponents’ games and made sure I was comfortable with what they played and their style. The week before the tournament I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend a seminar sponsored by Garry Kasparov’s Kasparov Chess Foundation. Mr. Kasparov helped us analyze some of our games and was a big inspiration to us. Also, what I did to get ready was to play in the 1st New York International at the Marshall a week before the Pan American Championship. This tournament was only open to players over 2200. I won the top under 2300 prize. The gold medal means so much to me, and I am not just saying it because it gives me a FIDE title (FM) and a norm towards international master. Being “Pan American Champion” is a major accomplishment in any sport, because it basically means the best of all North, South, and Central America. Winning the gold also makes a big stand by showing anything is possible, especially in chess.

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See another annotated game by Alec at Chesscafe.com and more reporting on the Pan Am at Chess Life Online, July archives. Chess Life — October 2008

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2008 Polgar

Polgar Invitational Breaks Away To Claim Its Own Identity

In it’s fifth edition, the Polgar Invitational for Girls moves to a new home and time. A chess dad gives his perspective.

concern coming into the 5th Annual Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls was how would the tournament fair in its new location of Lubbock, Texas—and not being run in conjunction with the U.S. Open? The answer, “Pretty well.” A record field of 52 girls competed during the last week of July at Texas Tech University as the event brought together some of the best scholastic female players in the nation. Each state may send one player. Others qualify through selected tournaments or special invitations. For the tournament’s founder, GM Susan Polgar, the location helps give the event a new identity—breaking away from the shadow of the U.S. Open and the Arnold Denker Tournament of High School Champions. (Previously, the event ran side-by-side with the Denker.) “This is turning into something special for the girls,” said Polgar. “It’s more than just a side event at the U.S. Open.” Courtney Jamison, 16, made her third trip to the event— and she made it count. The top-rated Texas player racked up five straight wins before wrapping up the title with a lastround draw with Linda Diaz of New York to claim the title. “I’ve been close to winning this before,” said Jamison, who played in the U.S. Women’s Championship in June. She said she decided to play it safe in the Polgar’s last round— only needing a draw to win the title. Jamison won a $500 scholarship for the win. Texas Tech presented an academic scholarship to the top finishing player going into the 12th grade. Sixth-placed Nisha Deolalikar of California was awarded that scholarship. Diaz, 13, who finished second, was awarded the Ursula Foster $500 prize as the top player under the age of 14. Many of the other top players either drew or lost in the first two rounds—although they usually recovered to finish near the top. But their slip-ups allowed Jamison to build a steady march to the title. “I was helped by the upsets that began in the second round,” she said. “I was just glad one of those upsets wasn’t me.”

By Randy Wheeless

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Common refrain, “I want to come back.” If treating players well keeps them coming back, then it’s understandable why so many kept saying how much they wanted to return. Ashley Carter keeps returning. The 18-yearold from Michigan has played in every Polgar Invitational ever held. For many players, this was their second or third trip to the event—although Carter’s five events will have to be the record for awhile. She graduated from high school recently. The playing hall, the university’s Frazier Alumni Pavilion, was spacious—and the table setup was roomy. The sets were a step-up from the usual—and were sold off for $30 each after the tournament. And that was a bargain! The playing area was roped off for privacy, but if a parent or coach had to see what was going on at a particular board —it was possible. It was less chaotic than a large scholastic event—it was as if you were attending a high-profile party. Play began on Sunday afternoon after an hour -long opening ceremony that featured a number of speakers from Texas Tech and Lubbock—plus the traditional roll call of participants. A little long? Maybe. But it would be hard for a player not to feel special after it. Plus, there were refreshments at the end. Each player also received a special Polgar Invitational medallion, a great keepsake—although a magnet for getting checked at the airport when they scan your carry-on luggage. Throw in a puzzle-solving contest, blitz and bughouse tournaments and there was plenty to keep the participants busy. They even kept family members busy with the Parents and Friends rated and unrated tournaments. Bringing out your best on the chess board I don’t have an explanation for the fighting chess at the Polgar. Cake walks just never seemed to happen. Morgan Mahowald of Minnesota was a 600-point underdog in her first round. But that didn’t stop her from pulling the upset. Melanie Newell of Mississippi was at least a 400-point underdog in practically every game. She still pulled off three wins. Six-year-old Annie Wang of California looked misplaced uschess.org


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The top finishers with GM Susan Polgar (left to right): Ashley Carter, Rebekah Liu, Courtney Jamison, Ms. Lubbock, Texas, and Linda Diaz.

among the older girls. But she still came away with three wins. Ashbea Oyadomari of Hawaii had limited tournament experience, but she surprised three opponents for wins. Even in the cases where the favorite pulled out the win, that valuable lesson of “play the board, not the rating” was well learned.

PHOTO: PAUL TRUONG

Girls just being girls It would be an oversight to fail to mention the “fun” aspect of the tournament. Games and rating points will continue to be won and lost, but the Polgar has carved out a niche as being a fun event. My daughter Amelia, 18, was friends with Ananya Roy of Georgia from last year’s event. They roomed together in Texas Tech’s Gordon Hall while I stayed in a nearby hotel. Soon, there were six girls who had become best friends, experiencing all that Texas Tech had to offer. If having fun was a crime, they were the guiltiest girls there. Somewhere along the week there were late-night food runs, running through sprinklers, splashing in fountains, pyramid building, t-shirt decorating and general sorority-house hi-jinks. And that’s just what I found out. Maybe that’s why the rounds started at 1:30 p.m. Getting plenty of sleep usually meant waking up at noon.

Building the foundation for chess-playing girls If the tournament has succeeded at anything, it is probably that is has focused attention on chess-playing girls—especially at the state level. States as varied as North Carolina, Indiana, Idaho and Ohio now have special qualifiers for the Polgar. Previously, those tournaments did not exist. In North Carolina, our first All Girls Open in 2005 drew 10 girls—and we were happy with the turnout. This year, the tournament drew 32. At its top levels, the Polgar players compete toe-to-toe with the boys. Jamison and Utah’s Jamie Olsen-Mills have played in the Denker. (Jamison scored 3½/6 in the 2008 Denker— a week following the Polgar.) Players like Sylvia Yang and Woman Candidate Master Claudia Munoz of Texas have competed successfully on the international stage. uschess.org

But in terms of depth, chess-playing girls are still far away from the boys. While populous states like Texas, New York and California have a good number of talented girls, other states are lucky to have one of two quality players. Changes are happening and the geographic scope of chessplaying girls are expanding. Tori Whatley was the first girl ever from South Carolina to participate at the Polgar. She scored 2½/6, even though she was lower-rated in practically every round.

Chess dad, reporter—so-so player In addition to doing some online reporting for the USCF, my primary job was chess dad to my daughter. That meant 15-20 minutes of prep time with her before each round. Tournament director Frank Berry was usually the only one around when we met. He was probably curious about the routine since he knew she was a better player than I. That was evident at the quad tournament on the Saturday night before the main event began. She won three games to capture the top-rated section. I was crushed by the three Polgar participants in my section. I did gain some respect back in the Friends & Family Open—tying for first at 3½/4 with Polgar’s son, Tommy. We were originally paired in the final round, but the section was later re-paired and we had different opponents. He seemed genuinely disappointed—probably realizing what an easy mark I was. The rest of my time was spent pacing with the other pacing parents. Some parents hover near where their child is playing— some knit or work on their laptops. Not me. I like to be far away from the action. Luckily, there was a nice group outside—trying to remain in the few spots of shade. With Amelia going to college next year, my days of pacing should be coming to an end. But for some of the other parents, there are still a few more years of pacing—and maybe another Polgar Invitational or two. After this year’s week-long affair, Texas Tech looks to be settling in as the home for the Polgar and the girls seemed to embrace the new location. As for the parents? Given the choice, they’d probably say “I want to come back,” too. Chess Life — October 2008

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2008 Polgar

The Champion’s Story by Courtney Jamison The 2008 Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls (SPNI) was a great tournament in every aspect, and I was very pleased to participate in it for the fourth time. Since the tournament has moved to Texas Tech University, I didn’t exactly know what to expect from the new venue and circumstances. Even though I reside in the great state of Texas, this has only been my second trip to west Texas, and first time in Lubbock, so I didn’t have any home-field advantage of any kind. Over the six days of fun, friendship, and fighting (over the board of course), there were many enjoyable memories and experiences that I will gladly tell my grandchildren, as the witty Dewain Barber, Polgar Committee Chairperson, included in his speeches. The lovely Frasier Alumni Pavilion was the venue for the newly relocated SPNI, and it sure was a beautiful site, with enormous windows to shed the strong, west Texas light onto the boards. Everything went as smoothly as one could hope, and the dining hall, dorms, and playing hall were within walking distance of each other. The side events comprising the puzzle solving competition, blitz, and bughouse had a great turnout in all three. The housing was a refreshing difference from staying at a hotel; I had more interaction with the players and it was a quick glimpse into the college life I will dive into two years from now. The one game a day with the FIDE time control of 90 minutes Ruy Lopez, Deferred Steinitz (C74) Courtney Jamison (2038) Brianna Conley (1573) Polgar Invitational, Lubbock, TX (4) Notes by Courtney Jamison 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6

Brianna decides to play a Steinitz. Usually 3. ... a6 4. Ba4 then d6, would be something I'm used to, which would then be the Steinitz deferred. The game in fact transposes to this after her next move. 4. c3 a6 5. Ba4 b5 6. Bc2 Bg4 7. d3 Nge7 8. 0-0 Ng6 9. h3

I thought Brianna did well in maneuvering her pieces throughout this game. After she played ... Ng6, I thought that she had a threat of ... Nh4 and later ... Qf6, putting pressure on my pinned f3-knight. 9. ... Bd7 10. Re1 Be7 11. Nbd2 0-0 12. Nf1 f5

r+ q rk+ + pl l pp p+n p +n+ +p+ pp+ + +P+ + + PP+N+P P PL+ PP+ R LQ RN K

After 12. ... f5

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with 30 second increments was a pleasant, relaxing time schedule that I prefer to quicker time controls. International tournaments like the World Youth Chess Championship and the Pan-American Chess Festival use this time control as well, and back at home tournament director Luis Salinas of the Dallas Chess Club holds tournaments with this time control to help condition young players who will go on to those tournaments, so I am used to the difference and enjoy it. My rounds were a lot cleaner than I had played in previous Susan Polgar Invitationals, and I was very happy with my results. However, I still had to prove to my competition, let alone myself, that I could keep the top-seed rank. All of my games were tough, and there were some close calls at times. The game in particular was very arduous against Brianna Conley of Ohio, who I had previously drawn in the 2006 3rd All-Girls National chess tournament in Chicago. Overall, I tied for third in the blitz side event, tied for first in the bughouse event, and won the main event with 5½/6. The results for me had been a major improvement from the other times I had attended, but not without working diligently against some of the best girls in the country. Without the help of the Texas Chess Association for promoting chess in Texas, Igor Shtern for helping me become the player I am, and my mom for supporting me above anything else, I could not have achieved this. Hopefully I can qualify for next year to represent the Lone Star state, and repeat the same results for the Texas Tech scholarship.

It seems that she has a solid plan in mind to try and break my center, opening lines on my kingside. I am going to try to break her center open with d3-d4 and maneuver my f1-knight to d5, or maybe g3 to have more protection on e4. 13. d4 f4 14. Qd3 Qc8 15. Kh2

I tried to be overprotective on my king, especially with a possible sack on h3. 15. ... Kh8 16. a3 Nh4 17. N1d2 Qe8 18. Bd1

I wanted to prevent the queen from getting to h5 because she might have an ugly threat of ... Nxg2 in the future, with the h3-pawn hanging.

18. ... Rd8 19. a4 Bf6 20. axb5 axb5 21. d5

+

q r r k + pl+ pp +n p l + +p+P p + + +P p n + PQ+N+P P N PP K R LL R +

After 21. d5

At this point, all of my counterplay had to be on the queenside as I just closed the center, and I have an open a-file, but I think she has more useful play on the kingside.

21. ... Ne7 22. b3 Qg6 23. Qf1

I know 23. Qf1 looks very passive, but if I had moved 23. Rg1 instead, she could play 23. ... Qh6 with the threat of 24. ... Nxg2.

+

r r k + pl n pp + p l q +p+P p + + +P p n +P PQ+N+P + N P P K R LL+ R

Analysis after 23. ... Qh6

Taking back with the rook will not help the hanging pawn on h3, but taking with the queen will. 23. ... Qh6 24. Be2 b4 25. cxb4 Ra8

Instead of trying to stop my limited counterattack on the queenside, I thought she could have continued with her promising kingside attack. A move that really scared me was 25. ... g5, with the threat of ... g5-g4, forcing me to retreat my knight, or worsen my kingside pawns. Either way, it will probably not end well for me. 26. Ra6 c6

Again, going back to defending her uschess.org


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Girls just want to have fun: (left to right) Ashley Carter, Michigan; Erica Barkell, Idaho; Rita Mirchandani, Florida; Ananya Roy, Georgia; Amelia Wheeless, North Carolina; Nisha Deolalikar, California.

queenside; I think aggressive moves like ... g5 would still be fine because it would take too long for me to materialize any problems on the opposite side of the board. Playing 26. ... c6 just weakens her pawn structure and allows me to have a passed pawn on the b-file. 27. dxc6 Bxc6 28. b5 Nxf3+ 29. Bxf3 Rxa6 30. bxa6

Now she has let me undouble my extra b-pawn, and consolidate on the kingside, thus neutralizing her attack.

PHOTO: RANDY WHEELESS

30. ... Nc8 31. Ba3 Rd8 32. Qc4 Na7 33. Rc1 Qh4 34. Kg1 Be7 35. Qc3 Qf6 36. Qa5 Rc8 37. Qb6 d5 38. Bxe7 Qxe7 39. exd5 Bxd5 40. Rxc8+ Nxc8 41. Qb8 (see diagram top of next column)

Now all I have to do is concentrate on promoting my pawn on the sixth rank. I just needed a way to trade off pieces in order to get rid of her defense, so now my pawn has a clear path.

41. ... Be6 42. Bb7 Qa3 43. Bxc8 Qf8 44. a7 Bxc8 45. a8=Q h6 46. Qxc8 Qxc8 47. Qxc8+ uschess.org

Kh7 48. Qf5+ Kg8 49. Ne4 Kh8 50. Nd6 f3 51. Qf7 g6 52. Ne8, Black resigned.

Qn+ + k + + q pp P+ + + + + +l p + + + p + +P+ +L+P + N PP+ + + + K

After 41. Qb8

It was a hard-fought game with chances and mistakes on both sides, but in the end I managed to slip through her ominous attack and win on the queenside. Brianna played a great game.

.

For more games, photos, reporting, and information on this event, see Chess Life Online at uschess.org, July and August archives, and susanpolgar.blogspot.com (label: SP National Invitational for Girls).

AT A GLANCE: 5th Annual Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls Date: July 27-August 1, 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Overall winner: Courtney Jamison, Texas Blitz: (tie) Ashley Carter, Michigan; Janice Chen, Utah Bughouse: (tie) Ashley Carter, Michigan & Rita Mirchandani, Florida; Courtney Jamison, Texas & Sylvia Yang, Texas Puzzle-Solving: Rebekah Liu, California and Michael Khodarkovsky’s International Chess School team. Prize Fund: Sponsored by the Susan Polgar Foundation and the U.S. Chess Trust; $1,250 divided into four scholarship prizes: 1st ($500), 2nd ($300), 3rd ($250), and 4th ($200). Chess Life — October 2008

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History

The Mysterious Knight Move Chess is a logical game, or so most of us would like to think. But have you ever wondered why the knight moves as illogically as it does?

By Frank Camaratta

hen I first learned to play chess as a teenager, I was captured by the pure simplicity of the moves of each piece. All, that is, but one. The knight move bothered me. So I began to research the game for some clues. This led to an intriguing discovery: the moves of each piece have evolved over the years to their present form, except for the horse. I learned that there have been all sorts of theories to explain how the knight came to move in that funny L-shape. However, they all appear to lack two fundamental ingredients—simplicity and logic. The world seems to place a high priority on simplicity. In nature, the minimum energy state is the most stable. In writing, the least complicated exposition is the best understood. The optimal solution to a chess problem is the shortest. And on it goes. To understand my hypothesis for the mysterious knight move, let’s suppose for a moment that there was a single individual responsible for inventing the game of chess. The game has clearly evolved over the centuries, but I believe that it did have a precise beginning. Clues are found in the way the pieces moved before chess rules were streamlined in the 16th century. Looking into the mind of our game

W

34


inventor, we can surmise that he wanted to create a game of conflict involving pieces with different powers, unlike checkers which is most certainly an older game and one in which the original pieces look and move alike. He probably decided that this new creation would still retain the look and size of the 8x8 checkerboard. Historical documents indicate that the original game of chess consisted of the same basic pieces we have today, but with somewhat different names and somewhat different moves. In fact, it may have resembled the way Chinese chess is played today, using a general (king), two elephants (bishops), two knights, two chariots (rooks) and two, not one, advisors (queens). The cannons in Chinese chess have no equivalent in the modern game, and were most likely a later enhancement to the Chinese version. It is generally believed that before the rules of chess were overhauled approximately 500 years ago, the pieces were essentially short-range fighters. It makes sense, then, that our theoretical chess creator concentrated on each piece’s effect within a small group of squares, say fiveby-five. Now the kernel of my theory is this: Whoever devised chess started with the premise that each piece would control a unique set of squares in this five-by-five grid. There

would be no duplication of control. Let’s see how this might work. We start with the general, or king, placed in the center of the grid. The king is permitted to move one square horizontally or vertically, but not diagonally. Why not diagonally? Because this follows the pattern of other forms of the game, such as Chinese chess. The span of control of the king is indicated by the shaded squares in diagram 1.

+

+

+

+

k

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

Diagram 1

Continuing with this line of thought, the next piece to be considered is the advisor, or queen. It would have a field of action such that, when placed in the center of the grid, it would control the squares diagonally adjacent to the center square —squares the king is unable to travel to. uschess.org

CL_10-2008_history_AKF_r10.qxp:chess life

The queen’s potential moves are indicated by the shaded squares in diagram 2, and these are identical to the abilities of the advisor in both Chinese chess and in an older version of the Western form of the game.

+

+ + + + + q + + + + + +

Diagram 2

Since our original hypothesis was that no two pieces are allowed to control the same squares from the center of the fiveby-five grid, each of the remaining pieces (bishop, rook, knight) will have their fields of control limited to some portion of the outer ring of 16 squares. The most obvious piece to consider next is the primordial bishop. This piece has the ability to jump one square diagonally in any direction. It does not control the intervening square, nor can it be obstructed. The squares controlled by such a bishop are indicated in diagram 3.

+ + + + + l + + + + + +

+

Diagram 3

This ancestor to our present-day bishop is similar to the elephant in Chinese chess, and can also be found in several other versions of the game. The next piece of the puzzle involves a bit more of a stretch. It seemed logical to assume that there must have been, at least in the embryonic form of the game, a piece that moved like the bishop. This piece, however, would move horizontally and vertically rather than diagonally, and would also jump one square when moving. The field of control of this piece, the chariot or rook, is demonstrated by the shaded squares in diagram 4. (see diagram top of next colum)

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+ + + + + r + + + + + + +

Diagram 4

I was convinced that the game’s inventor would have created a piece with this movement, but initially, I could find no mention of it in the literature. Then, while perusing my copy of Murray’s The History of Chess, I stumbled upon the mention of just such a game piece. Although Murray rejects this piece as the progenitor of our modern rook, I believe that in fact, it was its earliest ancestor, and the last important piece of the puzzle. The unique double-move of castling that we have today may represent a link to this earlier rook move. We know that at some point, the king was permitted to move two squares on its first move. It would have been quite natural, then, for the king to make this two-square move toward the safer corner, followed on the next turn by the rook making it’s jump to the other side of the king. Today’s kingside castling simply combines both of these movements in one move. After assessing the moves of these early pieces, a look at the remaining uncontrolled squares should paint a familiar pattern for the one piece left, the knight:

+

+

+

+

n

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

Diagram 5

I’m sure that the first experiments with the game made it clear that some of the pieces would need a greater field of control in order to effect capture of the opposing monarch. The king, queen, rook and bishop all have seen their powers enhanced in our 21st century version of chess, but the stately knight remains unchanged. It’s interesting, though, to hypothesize what a similarly enhanced knight move might look like. If we were to expand our

horizon to a 7x7 board and consider all squares not already controlled by the current moves of the other pieces, we have the following:

+ + + + + + + + + + + n + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Diagram 6

Quite a powerful piece this would be, rivaling the powers of the queen herself. In the words of the immortal Crocodile Dundee, “Now that’s a knight!”

.

The Magic Square Of course, there are other theories which have been advanced over the years that attempt to put some logic into the move of the knight. The most popular of these is the theory of the Magic Square. Imagine a chessboard and place the numbers 1-64 on each square such that the corresponding pairs sum to 65. An example of corresponding squares would be a8-h1, a1-h8, or b6-g3, etc. In an 8x8 “Magic Square” in which the sum of numbers along each of the two major diagonals, each rank, and each file all equals 260, we have created the Safadi board. If the chessmen are arranged according to present-day praxis, the board can be used to derive all the movements of all the chess pieces in their original form. The bishop, or “al-Fil,” jumps diagonally over the intervening square. It can move to exactly eight squares on the entire chessboard. If placed on c1, the total of the eight squares to which it can reach is, amazingly, 260. The same is true for the rook, or the jumping rukh, which jumps vertically or horizontally over the intervening square. When placed on its starting square, c1, then after eight jumps, the magical sum of 260 is obtained. Similarly, the knight’s jump on the Safadi board magically produces the constant 260 after eight jumps. ~F.C. Chess Life — October 2008

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8/31/2008

2008

9:06 PM

Page 1

NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC K-12 CHAMPIONSHIP

December 12-14, 2008 DISNEY’S CORONADO RESORT 1000 W. BUENA VISTA DRIVE • LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL 32830 Reservations: 407-939-1000 • Group Reservations: 407-939-1020 Opening Ceremony

12/12 Friday: 12:30pm

SIDE EVENTS

Rounds

Friday: 1pm, 6pm Saturday: 10am, 2pm, 6pm Sunday: 9am, 1pm

Bughouse:

Awards Ceremonies

Sunday: 4:30pm (K-1) & 5pm (Approx.)

Blitz:

Special round times for K- 1 sections

Friday: 1:30pm, 5:30pm Saturday: 9:30am, 2:30pm, 5:30pm Sunday: 9:30am, 1:30pm

On-site registration

12/11: 9am-10pm 12/12: 8am-Noon Players registering late (after 10am Friday) may not be paired for round 1, will receive a 1/2 point bye, and will begin play round 2.

Thursday: 11am On-site entry only Thursday, 9am until 10am $25 per team.

Thursday: 5pm On-site entry until 4pm • Entry in advance $15 by 11/28 • $20 after 11/28 or 0n-site • Register at www.uschess.org/tournaments/2008/K12

Simul:

TBA Register on-site only.

Team Rooms are limited!

contact Cheryle Bruce [email protected] • 931-787-1234 ext.147

7SS, G/90, 13 sections: Play only in your grade. December Rating Supplement will be used. Team Score = total of top three (minimum two) finishers from each school per grade. First place individual and team will be National Champion for their grade.

Awards:

Trophies to top 10 individuals & top five teams in each grade (minimum). Many other class prizes. Every player receives a commemorative item!

Blitz:

Trophies in K-6 and K-12 sections, individual and team.

Bughouse:

Trophies to be announced.

Name____________________________________USCF ID #_____________________________Rating____________________________________ Address______________________________________________City________________________________State____________Zip_____________ e-mail Address__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ School____________________________________________________________________Grade _________________________________________

Bye Requested: Rd. 1 ❑ 2 ❑ 3 ❑ 4 ❑ 5 ❑ 6 ❑ 1/2-pt bye available if requested in advance (except rd. 7) USCF Membership Dues: Please go to www.uschess.org for appropriate membership category and rates.

Entry Fees: $40/participant postmarked by 11/11, $60/participant postmarked by 11/28, $75 after 11/28 or $80 on site. (Add $5 for phone entry.) Blitz entry: $15 until 11/28 or $20 after 11/28 or on-site. Amount Enclosed: Entry Fee $____________ Blitz $____________ USCF Dues $___________ Total Enclosed $______________________________ In advance: Make checks payable to: U.S. Chess Federation (USCF). On site: Make payments in Cash, by Money Order, or Credit Card. ❑ MASTER CARD ❑ DISCOVER ❑ AMEX ❑ VISA V-Code (last 3 digits on the signature line) _______________________________________________________ Number __________________________________ EXP. ____ /____ SIGNATURE: _______________________________________________________ Registration information: USCF membership is required and must be current. You may pay USCF membership with your entry. Adult: Please check our website (uschess.org) for Adult and Young Adult options. Advance entries must include player’s name and all fees to be accepted. Roster changes are considered new entries and will be charged according to date received. List name, address, phone, section, grade, school (even if no team), coach’s name, e-mail, birth date, USCF ID #, USCF expiration (enclose USCF dues if necessary) and rating. Players must be eligible to play in accordance with USCF Scholastic Regulations. Please bring clocks. Ent: “K-12 Champ.,” c/o USCF, PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557-3967. For more info or to register online: www.uschess.org. Please make all checks payable to USCF.

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2008 CJA /Cramer Awards 2008 CJA/Cramer Awards

And The Winner Is ...

The Chess Journalists of America and the Cramer Committee awards this year highlight both the healthy state of American chess journalism and changing trends with the addition of “Best Blog” and “Best Video/Podcast.” Enjoy some samples of winning entries over the next two pages. CHESS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Macauley Peterson

BEST REGULAR NEWSPAPER COLUMN OF LOCAL INTEREST

GALLERY OF DISTINGUISHED CHESS JOURNALISTS

Bill Cornwall Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel “Chess: A Knight’s Tour”

Bruce Pandolfini Previous inductees can be seen at: www.chessdon.com/cramer_awards.htm BEST CHESS COLUMN

BEST STATE WEBSITE

Tiffany Wang http://www.masschess.org BEST GENERAL WEBSITE

BEST STATE MAGAZINE

Jennifer Shahade USCF - United States Chess Federation www.uschess.org BEST VIDEO/PODCAST

MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT IN CORRESPONDENCE CHESS

Alex Dunne “Team USA Makes Olympiad Finals,” Chess Life, January 2008 BEST LAYOUT

Frankie Butler Senior Art Director, Chess Life for Kids

Alexandra Kosteniuk Free Chess Video Podcasts www.chesskillertips.com/

BEST HUMOROUS CONTRIBUTION

Josh Friedel Chess Life Online, www.uschess.org “Diary of a Samford Scholar: European Fall Part II” SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Macauley Peterson Chess Life, June 2007 “Get Ready for the Next Generation” BEST HUMAN INTEREST

Michael Goeller The Kenilworthian www.kenilworthchessclub.org/kenilworthian/

C. K. Damrosch Chess Life, December 2007 “Sunday in the Park” George Mirijanian Chess Horizons, July-September 2007 “In Memoriam: Gilbert F. Gosselin” Jerry Hanken Chess Life, May 2008 “Farewell to Boris”

Alexandra Kosteniuk and Rene Duret Chess is Cool Comic Series

Olimpiu G. Urcan Chess Life, July 2007 “Chess Expert Jailed”

BEST PHOTOGRAPH

BEST INTERVIEW

Diego Garces Black & White Magazine, July 2007 “Chess Photo of Maryam Mansur”

Jennifer Shahade Chess Life Online, www.uschess.org “E. Vicary on Chess, Girls, and Genius”

BEST TOURNAMENT REPORT

BEST EDITORIAL

John Watson Chess Life, August 2007 “U.S. Championship”

Greg Shahade Chess Life Online, www.uschess.org “Greg on Chess: The Swiss is Terrible”

BEST REGULAR NEWSPAPER COLUMN

BEST REVIEW

Lubomir Kavalek The Washington Post, “Chess”

Jonathan Hilton Chess Life Online, www.uschess.org “How Wojo Won: The Sicilian”

BEST BLOG

BEST HISTORICAL ARTICLE BEST CHESS ART

Alexandra Kosteniuk Swiss Chess Review “Deep Analysis Lecture” BEST INSTRUCTIVE LESSON

Andy Soltis “Chess to Enjoy,” Chess Life

David Woolf & Mark N. Taylor eds., Georgia Chess

BEST ANALYSIS

Pete Tamburro Chess Life, November 2007 “Watson: The Sequel”

As the purpose of the awards is to recognize the best in chess journalism, the CJA are releasing the scores of winning articles. Although all of the winning pieces were respectable, I would encourage anyone looking for exceptional, role-model examples to examine the submissions that scored over 35.0/40, or 26.0/30. These articles topped the fields of the most competitive categories, such as Best Tournament Report and Best Interview, which are the heart of this competition. This can all be found at chessjournalism.org.

~Jonathan Hilton, Chief Judge

The CJA awards honorable mentions for entries that finish very close to the first-place item. There were so many quality entries this year that there was not enough space to list all of the honorable mentions. For more award details, including a listing of all of the honorable mention winners, please see chessjournalism.org. The “Best Book” award will be announced by the Cramer Committee later in the year. uschess.org


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BEST LAYOUT

CHESS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Frankie Butler, Chess Life for Kids

Macauley Peterson

BEST STATE MAGAZINE

GALLERY OF DISTINGUISHED CHESS JOURNALISTS

Georgia Chess

Bruce Pandolfini


uschess.org

PETERSON COURTESY OF PETERSON; PANDOLFINI BY BRIAN KILLIGREW

2008 CJA/Cramer Awards


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BEST PHOTOGRAPH

Diego Garces

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CL_09-2008_NYAad_JP_r1:Layout 1

8/27/2008

4:28 PM

Page 1

National Youth Action November 7-9, 2008 UTB/TSC FORT BROWN MEMORIAL CENTER 600 International Blvd., Brownsville, TX 78520

HOLIDAY INN 3777 N. Expressway, Brownsville, TX 78520 • Chess rate: $69 • (956) 547-1500 Four sections to choose from: K-12, K-9, K-6, K-3 Time Control: Game/30

Side Event Schedule

Awards List

Friday, Nov. 7 Blitz Tournament • K-6 & K-12 6:30 pm

Individuals: K-3, K-6, K-9, K-12: 1st –25th place Teams: 1st – 15th place

Schedule

Entry fee $15 if p/m by 10/11, $20 after or on site. Registration closes at 5 pm.

Saturday, Nov. 8 Rounds 1-2-3-4-5; 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 3:30 pm & 5 pm

Saturday, Nov. 8 Bughouse Tournament 6:30 pm Entry fee $20 per team. On site entry only. Registration closes at 5 pm.

Sunday, Nov. 9 Rounds 6-7-8-9; 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm & 3:30 pm

Sunday, Nov. 9 Awards Ceremony 5:30-7 pm

Class Awards 1st – 3rd place K-3: U800, U600, U400, unrated K-6: U1000, U800, U600, unrated K-9: U1200, U1000, U800, unrated K-12: U1400, U1200, U1000, unrated

Club Teams are Allowed! Contact Franc Guadalupe at 713-530-7820 or e-mail [email protected]. Visit www.uschess.org/tournaments/2008/nya/ for additional tournament information

Name______________________________ USCF ID #________________ Rating (Oct. Supplement)_____________________ Address______________________________________City____________________ State____________Zip_____________ School _______________________________Grade_________ e-mail Address ____________________________________ Section Options: K-12 ❑ K-9 ❑ K-6 ❑ K-3 ❑ Bye Requested: Round 1 ❑ 2 ❑ 3 ❑ 4 ❑ 5 ❑ 6 ❑ 7 ❑ 8 ❑ One 1/2-point bye available if requested in advance (except rd. 9). USCF Membership Types: Please go to www.uschess.org for appropriate membership category and rates. Entry Fees: $40 postmarked by 10/11, $60 postmarked by 10/25, $75 after 10/25 or on site (Add $5 for phone entry.) Advance registration is strongly encouraged. Amount Enclosed: Entry Fee $_________ USCF Dues $________ Total Enclosed $_________________ In advance: Make checks payable to U.S. Chess Federation (USCF). On site: Make payments in Cash or Money Order. MASTER CARD

DISCOVER

AMEX

VISA

V-Code (last three digits on the signature line) ___________

NUMBER ___________________________________ EXP. ____/____ SIGNATURE:___________________________________________ United States Chess Federation PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557-3967 Phone: 931-787-1234 x128 Fax: 931-787-1200

1-800-903-USCF (8723)

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USCF Affairs October

The friendly and inviting Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis

PHOTO COURTESY OF CLUB

Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis to host 2009 U.S. Championship

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, which Steve Goldberg on Chess Life Online calls “certainly one of the most impressive chess centers” in the country, has been selected by the USCF to host the 2009 U.S. Championship. The Chess Club and Scholastic Center, which was founded by retired investment fund manager Rex Sinquefield and opened in July 2008, is located at 4657 Maryland Avenue in St. Louis’ fashionable and historic Central West End neighborhood. The three-level, 6,000-square-foot facility possesses an array of customized features, including DGT chess boards, hand-made wooden chess tables, LCD-screen televisions, video installation art, overhead paging and an adjustable lighting system. The primary colors of the club are black and white, the colors of a traditional chessboard. The players’ room is private and enclosed with its own kitchen and restroom. There is ample natural lighting with windows along two walls and two skylights in the space. Recessed adjustable lighting fixtures cover the ceiling to ensure an even light with appropriate brightness. “We are proud to bring the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship to St. Louis,” said Tony Rich, executive director of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. “I am certain that the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis and the United States Chess Federation will make this an event unlike any other. The USCF has done an exemplary job of promoting uschess.org

chess nationally, and now we can bring that same national perspective to St. Louis.” The championship will be held in May 2009. It will be a nine-round event, using the Swiss system with one round per day and a rest day between rounds five and six. Time controls will be the classical 40 moves in two hours, with the remaining moves in one hour. Invitations to potential tournament participants will be issued to some of the top-rated U.S. players, the top-rated women, among other qualifiers and wild card participants, who will be announced later. The championship will have a purse of $100,000, with $30,000 awarded to the winner, twice the amount of the 2008 tournament. In case of even scores, no tiebreakers will be used. Instead, prize funds will be evenly divided among winners. The underlying goal of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is to create a world class destination for chess players, both beginning and advanced and to elevate the game of chess throughout the Saint Louis metropolitan area. Additionally, the Center financially supports existing local scholastic chess programs while providing new programs, at no cost, to local schools currently without programs. The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a notfor-profit, 501(c)3 organization. For more information, please visit saintlouischessclub.org. Chess Life — October 2008

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USCF Affairs Two New U.S. Correspondence Chess Titlists

At the September 2008 ICCF Congress in Pleven, Bulgaria, the ICCF bestowed international titles upon two Americans, Michael Proof and Dan Fleetwood. Michael Proof of Riverside, California earned his for his performance at the Ninth Pan American Team Championship which gained him both the international master (IM) and senior international master (SIM) title. Michael exceeded the norm for the SIM title twice, the last coming a week after his IM confirmation came through. Mike’s excellent results (12½-2½ with five draws, currently 4½ points ahead of the second-place finisher) will prove a major boost if the U.S. team scores its hoped-for medal in the PanAmerican event. Proof told Chess Life, “My wife knew it took me years of playing, studying, and reading every single day to get the IM and SIM titles, so the first thing she asked me after I tell her of my title-elect is, ‘Is there a title above that?’” Joining a select group of seven other Americans (four native born, three

adopted citizens) who have earned the title, Dan Fleetwood of Brentwood, Tennessee has become the eighth to claim the title of international correspondence grandmaster. Dan earned his title by playing on boards three and one in the 14th and 15th International Correspondence Chess Olympiads respectively these last five years. He finished tied for seventh in the finals of the 18th World Championship. On the domestic front, Dan has also been quite successful. Dan had a fifthplace finish in the 1978 Golden Knights and appeared in five Absolute tournaments, winning in 1993. Outside of chess, Dan is chair of the electrical engineering and computer science department at Vanderbilt University. He is recognized as one of the 250 most frequently cited authors in engineering by the Institute for Scientific Information. A sample of Daniel’s sharp play is this tactical gem from the 19th World Championship (see below right).

Volunteer of the Month: Bill Kelleher

The USCF Volunteer of the Month is named by a different member of the executive board each month. This month, Bill Goichberg named our honoree.

SIM Michael Proof

ICGM Dan Fleetwood

Reti/Zukertort Opening (A04) Bernard Leiber (ICCF 2567) Daniel Fleetwood (ICCF 2487) 19th World Championship, 1999

Black has achieved a hedgehog-like position with sound play for his minor pieces and a c-file for his major ones. 17. e4 Rc5 18. Qb3 Rfc8 19. a4 Qc7

After this tripling on the c-file, White should be striving to find a draw. 20. Bd3 d5 21. h3 Qa5 22. exd5 exd5 23. Rfd1 Be6 24. Ne2 d4, White resigned.

Bill Kelleher

I first came in contact with the USCF in 1964 when, as naïve 15-year-olds, my next-door neighbor and I wrote a letter to Fred Reinfeld, care of the Marshall Chess Club, challenging him to a game of postal chess! Someone at the club kindly responded informing us that Fred had passed away several years earlier. Our correspondent also included a complimentary issue of Chess Life. I immediately subscribed and have been a USCF member ever since. I did not play in a rated tournament until four years later and was the proud recipient of a rating of 1408. I became a regu42


+r+ +k+ +p+ lp pp + +l n + qP r + + P+ p + + +Q+L+ +P L +N PP+ + RR+ K

After 24. ... d4

White resigns rather than face 25. Rxc5 Rxc5 26. Qa3 Rc1!. ~FM Alex Dunne

uschess.org

PROOF AND FLEETWOOD PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUBJECTS; KELLEHER PHOTO ARCHIVAL

1. Nf3 c5 2. b3 Nc6 3. Bb2 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. e3 e6 7. Be2 Be7 8. 0-0 0-0 9. c4 a6 10. Nc3 Bd7 11. a3 Rc8 12. Rc1 Qc7 13. b4 Qb8 14. Nxc6 Bxc6 15. b5 axb5 16. cxb5 Bd7

CL_10-2008_uscfaffairs_AKF_r6:chess life

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lar player and in 1975 achieved a master rating. In the late 1980s I got my peak rating of 2470 and also received the title of FIDE master. I am a former Massachusetts and New England champion. I was also six-time champion of the Boylston Chess Club, the main club in Boston. My most memorable game was at the 1986 U.S. Open where I played the legendary Sammy Reshevsky. After an exciting battle I managed a draw. Of course Sammy was 76 years old at the time! But it was a thrill to play him. Over the years I have defeated a number of grandmasters (along with uncountable losses). The strongest player I have beaten was Michael Adams in 1996. In the ’70s I was on the board of directors for the Boylston Chess Club. For a number of years I was also the games annotator for Chess Horizons, the magazine of the Massachusetts Chess Association. I was also an occasional book reviewer for the magazine. Several years ago I was also a volunteer book reviewer for ChessCafé.com, the excellent website of Hanon Russell. For most of my career I was involved only in Massachusetts The USCF Mission

USCF is a not-for-profit membership organization devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. USCF promotes the study and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, but also as a means for the improvement of society. It informs, educates, and fosters the development of players (professional and amateur) and potential players. It encourages the development of a network of institutions devoted to enhancing the growth of chess, from local clubs to state and regional associations, and it promotes chess in American society. To these ends, USCF offers

Page 43

chess. However in 1998 I received an offer from then-USCF-president Don Schultz, to be the USCF delegate to FIDE. Needless to say I was very surprised, but I immediately accepted. I was the FIDE delegate until 2006. During that time I was the chairman of the FIDE ethics commission. In that capacity I was kept pretty busy. Last year I testified at the International Court of Sport Arbitration in Lausanne, Switzerland in a suit brought against FIDE because of one of our ethics decisions. I am very thankful to Don for giving me the opportunity to represent the USCF in FIDE. In 2006 at the FIDE Congress in Turin, I ran for the post of FIDE vice-president (VP) as an opposition candidate to the ticket headed by FIDE President, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. I managed to win the election and am currently one of the three independent VPs on the FIDE presidential board. I have never regretted my involvement in chess. It has led to many unexpected places and has always been rewarding.

~Bill Kelleher

a monthly magazine, as well as targeted publications to its members and others. It supervises the organization of the U.S. Chess Championship, an open tournament held every summer, and other national events. It offers a wide range of books and services to its members and others at prices consistent with the benefits of its members. USCF serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and as a participant in international chess organizations and projects. It is structured to ensure effective democratic procedures in accord with its bylaws and laws of the state of Illinois.

Thank You, U.S. Chess Trust!

The World Chess Hall of Fame in Miami thanks the U.S. Chess Trust for funding both the travel and hotel expenses of all three 2008 U.S. Chess Hall of Fame inductees and their wives. The U.S. Chess Trust’s support made possible the recent public celebration of the careers of GMs Joel Benjamin, Larry Christiansen, and Nick de Firmian.

The U.S. Chess Trust is an independent 501(c)(3), non-profit organization. Created in 1967, the Trust was organized to promote, stimulate and encourage the study and play of the game of chess as a means of intellectual development. Its trustees act without compensation, and are dedicated to the U.S. Chess Trust’s mission. Your valuable contributions help make a difference!

Joel Benjamin receives his Hall of Fame plaque from U.S. Chess Trust chairman Harold Winston (r.) and then World Chess Hall of Fame executive director Al Lawrence (l.)

Go to www.uschesstrust.org to make a donation today! uschess.org

13755 SW 119th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33186 Phone: 782.242.HALL


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Page 44

Solitaire Chess

The Dragon can be the Monster

When the Sicilian Dragon works and the bishop radiates successful power, it has produced some memorable counterattacks. But when it fails, Black’s downfall can come quite quickly. By Bruce Pandolfini

The Sicilian Defense is the most popular answer to 1. e4. The Dragon Sicilian, with all its subsets, but characterized by Black flanking the king-bishop, has had a storied history. It can produce powerful counterattacks, but when it fails, often enough because of weaknesses to the kingside, Black’s can quickly disintegrate. In the game Herman Pilnik-Isaac Kashdan, played in New York (1948-49), White’s hounding of Black’s weak squares and troubled king leave no doubt to the result. The game began: Sicilian Defense, Dragon Variation (B71) Herman Pilnik Isaac Kashdan New York, 1948-49 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. f4 Bg7 7. e5 dxe5 8. fxe5 Ng4

rnlqk+ r pp+ pplp + + +p+ + + P + + N +n+ + N + + PPP+ +PP R LQKL+R

Your starting position

Now make sure you have the above position set up on your chessboard. As you play through the remaining moves in this game, use a piece of paper to cover the article, exposing White’s next move only after trying to guess it. If you guess correctly, give yourself the par score. Sometimes points are also rewarded for second-best moves, and there may be bonus points—or deductions—for other 44


moves and variations. Note that ** means that the note to Black’s move is over and White’s move is on the next line.

Take 1 bonus point if you saw that 13. … Nxe5? 14. Nxe5 allows White to keep the extra piece.**

9.

Bb5+

14.

Nxe7!

9.

…

14.

…

15.

Nd5

Par Score: 5

Deduct 3 points for playing 9. e6?, which is refuted by 9. … Qxd4. Nc6

Add 1 bonus point if you realized that 9. … Kf8 loses the queen to 10. Ne6+. Also add 1 bonus point if understood that 9. … B (or N) d7 loses to 10. Qxg4.** 10.

Nxc6

Par Score: 5

Accept 1 bonus point if you saw that 10. … bxc6 11. Bxc6+ loses the Exchange, with a capital “E.”

Par Score: 6

White returns the piece, emerging with an extra pawn. The shot also affects the position of Black’s king while weakening the dark squares, having destroyed the e7-pawn, which guarded two of them. Bxa4

Add 1 bonus point for 14. … Kxe7 15. Bg5+ Ke8 16. Bxd7+ Kxd7 17. Ne3, judging that White remains on top.** Par Score: 5

10.

Kashdan chops off the queens and goes about recovering his lost piece.**

…

Add 1 bonus point if you saw that the knight threatens two forks, one at c7 and one at b6, while also observing Black’s weakened dark squares on the kingside (e7 and f6).

11.

Nxd1

15.

…

16.

c4

16.

…

Qxd1+

Par Score: 4

Full Credit for 11. Kxd1, so that the c3-knight keeps the b5-bishop protected. Black can go in for 11. … Nf2+ 12. Ke2 Nxh1, but after 13. Bf4 and Rxh1, White will have two pieces for the rook. 11.

…

12.

Ba4

12.

…

13.

h3

13.

…

a6

This pushes the bishop to an undefended square.** Par Score: 5 Bd7

Black pins and essentially wins the knight. White has to come up with something to keep the advantage.** Par Score: 5

White drives back the knight to where it comes under fire from the c1-bishop. This will keep the g7-bishop occupied so it can’t lop off the e5-pawn. Nh6

Rd8

The text evades the forks and threatens both d5 and c2.** Par Score: 5

White saves both knight and c-pawn. The e5-pawn is indirectly held, since 16. … Bxe5 is met by 17. Bxh6 (1 bonus point). At the moment Black has four pieces in the field to White’s one, but that will quickly change after Bc1-g5 and N1c3, both moves coming with tempo. Nf5

Black can slow White down with 16. … Bxd1 17. Kxd1 Nf5 18. Bg5 Rd7, but apparently not enough, since 19. Kc2 Bxe5 20. Rhe1 Nd4+ 21. Kc3 Nc6+ 22. Rxe5+ Nxe5 23. Bf6 0-0 24. Bxe5 leaves White with at least two pieces for the rook. It’s even worse as Black will have trouble avoiding further loss of the Exchange. Another pleasant but less forcing alternative is 23. Re1 0-0 24. Rxe5 uschess.org

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October Exercise: For this exercise you can use a notebook or create an electronic word document file. Whenever you encounter a meaningful situation that can be described in a clarifying paragraph, reduced to a helpful rule of thumb, or declared in a colorful maxim or aphorism, date and record it in your special place. Use mainly words, resorting to specific notation only when it helps illuminate a concept (imagine explaining it to a group of newcomers, without a chess set). Read through this growing text regularly, and you might start to gain command over ideas you barely appreciated or didn’t know existed. Kg7 (to cope with the threat of Nd5-f6+), then 25. Bf6+ Kh6 (25. … Kg8 26. Ne7+) 26. Ne3, and Black is having a bad day.** Par Score: 5

Pilnik develops with tempo on the rook, once again attacking Black’s weakened dark squares. 17.

…

18.

N1c3

Rd7 Par Score: 5

Now White develops with tempo against the bishop. 18.

…

Bc6

This is the safest place for the bishop, since ... Ba4-c2 puts the bishop on an attackable square.** 19.

0-0-0

19.

…

Par Score: 5 h5

Black’s move further weakens the dark squares, since g5 can no longer be guarded by the h-pawn. But Black had to be careful, since 19. … 0-0 loses a piece to 20. g4. For example, if 20. … Ng3, then 21. Rhg1 Bxe5 22. Rxg3 Bxg3 23. Nf6+; if 20. … Nh6, then 21. Nf6+ Bxf6 22. exf6, and the knight is trapped; and if 20. … h6, then 21. Bf6, etc. Accept 3 bonus points, if and only if, you saw it all.** 20.

Nc7+

Par Score: 5

White takes over the d-file, since 20. … Rxc7 21. Rd8 mate, exploits those dark squares (1 bonus point). uschess.org

Problem II

Discovery

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.

Bg5

Page 45

Problem I

ABCs of Chess

17.

10:36 AM

+

+k+ p + + + + + +n+ + + + + + + + + + + +PL + + +Q+K+ +

q

+

+

Problem IV

20.

…

21.

Rxd7

r+ +r+ + + k + + p + + + + p + + + nL+ + P N + + P + + + + +RK +

…

22.

Rd1

…

23.

Rxd7

23.

…

Kf8 Par Score: 5

Bxd7 Par Score: 5

Bxe5 Par Score: 5

Taking a piece while defending another. h4

Black gets an idea: to play 24. … Rh5, hoping for 25. … Rxg5 26. Nxg5 Bf4+, fighting back for the dark squares. One can hope.** Ne4

Par Score: 5

White deals with the threat, prepared to meet 24. … Rh5 with 25. Rd8+ Kg7 26. Ne8+ Kh7 (for instance) 27. N8f6+ Bxf6 28. Nxf6+ Kg7 29. Rg8 mate. Once the Dragon bishop goes, the kingside dark squares are even more vulnerable. 24.

…

Pin

+k+ + + +r+ + p + + p + p +np + np+l+ + L + PN P R PLP + + + K

This explains the “more,” inasmuch as White wins a piece after 22. … Be8 23. Rd8, menacing the bishop and mate (1 bonus point). 22.

Problem VI

r+l+k+ + pp+ p + +N+ n + +L+ + + + + + + + + + + P+ + + + R + K +

+

White plays to gain time for further attack, maintenance of the initiative, and “more.” 21.

+k+ + + + + + +p+ + + + + + + + nr+ + + P +lPK + + P P + R +R+ +

Trapping

+k+ + + l +p+ + + +p+ + + + Lr + + + + + + + + +P+ + + + K + R +

Mating net

Problem V

Fork

24.

Problem III

Pin

Nd4

On 24. ... Kg7, there follows 25. Ne6+ Kg8 (if 25. ... Kh7, then 26. Rxf7+) 26.

Nf6+ Bxf6 27. Bxf6 fxe6 28. Rd8+ Kf7 29. Bxh8. The knight guards e6 in preparation for Kf8-g7, but it’s too late to hold White off.** 25.

Rd8+

25.

…

26.

Ne8+

26.

…

27.

N4f6+

27.

…

28.

Nxf6+

28.

…

Par Score: 5 Kg7 Par Score: 5

This is clearly better than 26. Rxh8, which receives only 3 points part credit. Kh7

If 26. ... Kf8, then 27. Nd6+ Kg7 28. Rxh8 Kxh8 (or 28. ... Bxd6 29. Bf6 mate) 29. Nxf7+ and 30. Nxe5 (2 bonus points); if instead 26. ... Kg8, then 27. N4f6+ Kf8 28. Nd6+ Ke7 (28. ... Kg7 29. Rxh8 Bxd6 30. Rg8 mate) 29. Nd5+ Ke6 30. Nc7 mate (2 bonus points).** Par Score: 5

There’s also 27. N8f6+; and if 27. ... Kg7 (27. ... Bxf6 transposes to the game) 28. Bh6+! (full credit if you saw this) 28. ... Kxh6 (28. ... Rxh6 29. Rg8 mate) 29. Rxh8+, lets White be a rook ahead. Bxf6 Par Score: 5

If Black tries 28. ... Kg7, then 29. Rxd4 puts White two pieces up. So ... Scoring box on p. 71.

.


Black resigned.

45

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Back to Basics

No Breathing Room

If a situation has abruptly changed in your favor and you see a move that secures your advantage, don’t rush to play it. Make a mental note of that move and then search for a stronger one. By GM Lev Alburt

The winner of this month’s award, David Mueller, stopped an upset in the making in the game below. Playing an opponent rated almost 400 points below him, David, as black, achieved an easy equality on the fifth move, a slight edge on the sixth move, and an obvious, serious, advantage on the seventh move. After a few imprecise moves and a blunder on the tenth move, the game turned around. White won a pawn while he could have won two—and perhaps the game. He didn’t and eventually lost, in a quite instructive endgame struggle. My comments will continue in italics.

Scandinavian Defense (B01) Sanchit Wadhawan (1169) David Mueller (1654) GKCC May Club Swiss (1), 05.01.2008

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bc4 Bg4

rn qkl r ppp pppp + + n + + +P+ + +L+ +l+ + + + + PPPP PPP RNLQK NR

After 4. ... Bg4

5. Nf3

5. f3 is more normal.

5. ... Nxd5 6. d3

Why not 6. d4, controlling the important central squares d4 and e5? Already on move 7, Black would have a choice of either square for his knight.

6. ... Nc6 7. Bd2 (see diagram top of next column) 46


r+ qkl r ppp pppp +n+ + + + +n+ + +L+ +l+ + +P+N+ PPPL PPP RN+QK +R

After 7. Bd2

A critical position, or rather a critical choice between two promising, same-purpose moves: 7. ... Ne5 and 7. ... Nd4. Black stands better, a direct result of White’s passive play, and “deserves” a true, significant edge. I’d prefer here 7. ... Nd4, giving Black an option to take, when the time comes, on f3 with a bishop. Then if forced away from d4, this black knight will go to f5, threatening White’s kingside. If 7. ... Nd4 8. Nc3, then simply 8. ... e6. Altogether, the knight on d4 is both safer and more threatening than on e5. 7. ... Ne5 8. Nc3 Nxf3+

The following course of action is interesting: 8. ... Bxf3 9. gxf3 Nxc4 10. dxc4 Nxc3 11. Bxc3 Qxd1+ 12. Rxd1.

r+ +kl r ppp pppp + + + + + + + + +P+ + + + L +P+ PPP+ P P + +RK +R

Analysis after 12. Rxd1

Will the White initiative neutralize Black’s (much) superior pawn structure?— probably not. Still, you see now why 7. ...

Nd4 was better than 7. ... Ne5, as in the game. 9. gxf3 Be6 10. Qe2

r+ qkl r ppp pppp + +l+ + + +n+ + +L+ + + + NP+P+ PPPLQP P R + K +R

After 10. Qe2

Black apparently achieved what he wanted to: with 8. ... Nxf3+, he doubled White’s f-pawns, while preserving his lightsquare bishop. Dave probably felt that he was better, perhaps even much better, in the diagrammed position—a logical outcome of the earlier opening play. Thus, he didn’t watch for trouble and blundered. (In reality, it’s Black who needs to search for equality here perhaps with 10. ... Nxc3 11. Bxc3 Bd5, or 10. ... Qd7 11. Ne4 g6!?— as White’s initiative and superior development should trump his defective kingside pawn structure). 10. ... g6?? 11. Qe5! Nf6 12. Bxe6 fxe6

r+ qkl r ppp p +p + +pnp+ + + Q + + + + + + NP+P+ PPPL P P R + K +R

After 12. ... fxe6

13. Qxe6?! uschess.org

CL_10-2008_alburt_JP_r9:chess life

9/10/2008

When possible, never let an opponent breathe! After 13. Nb5! Kf7 14. Nxc7 Rc8 15. Nxe6 Qd6 16. Ng5+ Kg7 17. Qe6 Qxe6+ 18. Nxe6+ Kf7 19. Ng5+ White has a winning advantage. White settles for less rather than going for a kill. 13. ... c6

I’d prefer 13. ... Qd6, which Dave played a move later. 14. 0-0-0 Qd6 15. Qxd6

15. Rde1 seems better. True, but even stronger is 15. Qb3. White’s king is safer, so White should keep queens on the board. If 15. ... 0-0-0, 16. Ne4 (or 16. Qa4), with a clear advantage. Being up a pawn and “playing up” Sanchit perhaps wanted to reach the safety of the endgame—giving up, unfortunately, his real trumps in the process (another flaw of 15. Qxd6: it reconnects the black pawns).

15. ... exd6 16. Rde1+ Kd7

Black has “fixed” his pawn structure, and White's extra pawn is doubled.

17. Re2

r+ + l r pp+k+ +p +pp np+ + + + + + + + + + NP+P+ PPPLRP P + K + +R

After 17. Re2

Can anyone claim that White has a pawn advantage on the kingside? Especially with rooks on board, doubled f-pawns will be a constant target. I think that after 17. ... d5, which prepares 18. ... Bd6 while restricting—very important— White’s knight, Black stands better. After David’s more natural 17. ... Bg7 (to finish development), the game is equal. 17. ... Bg7 18. Rhe1 Rae8 19. Rxe8 Nxe8

To attack the f-pawn—i.e., to play for the win—Dave correctly preserves one rook. 20. Ne4 h6

20. ... Rf8?! 21. Ng5 h6 22. Ne6 Rxf3 23. Nxg7 Nxg7 24. Bxh6 Nf5 25. Be3 Rh3 26. Bxa7 Rxh2 and White is still a pawn up. 21. Bc3

Better is 21. Rg1 g5 22. f4.

21. ... Rf8

Better is 21. ... Bxc3 and only then 22.

uschess.org

2:13 PM

Page 47

... Rf8 (see comment to 23. Re3). 22. Bxg7 Nxg7

+ + r + pp+k+ n +pp +pp + + + + + +N+ + + +P+P+ PPP+ P P + K R +

After 22. ... Nxg7

23. Re3?

This move causes a lot of trouble. Instead 23. Rg1! and if 23. ... g5 24. h4!. True. White misses this chance to get a clearly better (solid pawn-up) ending. 23. ... Nf5 24. Re1 Nd4 25. Nd2 Nxf3 26. Nxf3 Rxf3 27. Rf1

After the game I thought that 27. Re2 was better, but after 27. ... g5 28. Kd2 h5 29. a4 Rh3 White still has problems. 27. ... g5 28. Kd2 h5 29. Ke2

+ + + + pp+k+ + +pp + + + + + pp + + + + + +P+r+ PPP+KP P + + +R+

After 29. Ke2

29. ... Rf5

I’d prefer 29. ... Rh3, tying up, even if only for a while, White’s rook, and then ... Ke6, activating my king.

30. Rg1 d5 31. Rg3

31. d4 followed by 32. c3 seems better to me. I agree. 31. ... d4 32. Rf3

I think it is a mistake to trade rooks. Usually it is much easier to win pawn endings than rook and pawn endings. A very true observation, which, very importantly, Dave doesn’t take to the extreme by playing 32. ... Rxf3? allowing White’s king to reach e4.

32. ... Ke6 33. Rxf5

Decisive error. 33. Rg3 was a must, still holding.

33. ... Kxf5 34. Kf3 c5

+ + + + pp+ + + + + + + + p +kpp + p + + + +P+K+ PPP+ P P + + + +

After 34. ... c5

35. Kg3

35. a4 is another try, and then the game might go 35. ... h4 36. h3 b6 37. b3 a6 and now White is in Zugzwang—he doesn’t want to move 38. Kg2 Kf4 39. Kg1 Kf3 40. Kf1 a5 41. Kg1 Ke2 42. Kg2 Kd2 43. Kf3 Kxc2 wins. The usual way to analyze king and pawn endings is to count moves to queening, and in all cases Black queens first by two or three moves. 35. ... h4+ 36. Kf3 g4+ 37. Kg2 Kf4

White has the same problem here, eventually he will run out of moves when the Black king will come in and decide things. 38. c3 dxc3 39. bxc3 b5 40. a3 a5, White resigned.

White cannot stop the passed pawn on the queenside after ... b4, but Black can easily stop the White d-pawn.

.

Send in your games!

If you are unrated or were rated 1799 or below on your Chess Life label, then GM Lev Alburt invites you to send your instructive games with notes to: Back to Basics, c/o Chess Life PO Box 3967 Crossville, TN 38557-3967

Or e-mail your material to [email protected] Please type or write clearly and please be sure to double-check your notations and leave ample space for GM Alburt’s comments! Because of the volume of mail, personal replies are not possible. GM Alburt will select the “most instructive” game and Chess Life will award an autographed copy of Lev’s newest book, Chess Openings for White, Explained (by Lev Alburt, Roman Dzindzichashvili and Eugene Perelshteyn) to the person submitting the most instructive game and annotations.


47

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Page 48

Endgame Lab

Restoration!

Many readers notice “cooks” in older, artistic endgames, but don’t always offer corrections. Here, with a pawn promotion theme, Benko gives some guidelines for the aspiring “chef.” By GM Pal Benko

Here are some examples of pawn-promotion endgame compositions that require some corrections to solidify them. In the typical example, I try to work with fewer pieces in the modern style preferred by practical players. Theory A. A. Troitzky 1924

+

L

+

+ + + + +K P+ + + + +r+ + + +p+ + + k + + + + + + + + + + +


The main intention is:

1. Bc7 Rh5+ 2. Kg7 Rg5+ 3. Kf7 Rh5(!) 4. a7 Rh8 5. Bd6+ Kb3 6. Bf8 Rh7+ 7. Bg7

And wins, but the ravages of time have eaten away at this work. After 1. Bc7 Kb2 2. a7 Rb7 3. a8=Q Rxc7+ 4. Kg6 c3, there come a queen vs. rook and pawn ending. Computers can now judge positions quite precisely up to six pieces, and this is now evaluated as a draw here because of 5. Qb8+ Ka1 6. Qxc7 c2! Even the rook loss can be ignored since the cpawn on the second rank assures a draw against the queen. This can easily be corrected by placing the c4-pawn on d4 instead. Then the computer proves the position is winning. However, proving a solution via machine is not an elegant practice, so I have improved this work in a different way.


The main line is the same as previously shown. The improvement lies in adding the following thematic lines: 48


Improved elegance Benko—version after A. A. Troitzky

+

+

+

+ + + + +K P+ + p + +r+ + + k + L + + + + + + + + + + + + +


1. Bc7 Rc5 2. Bd6 Kb5 3. a7 Rc8 4. Bb8 and wins.

Or:

1. Bc7 Rh5+ 2. Kg7 Rh1 3. Ba5+! Kxa5 4. a7 and wins.

Multiple promotion A. A. Troitzky 1928

+

+L+ + + + + N + + rPk + + + + + + + P + + + + + + + + + + + K


Troitzky’s plan was:

1. Nh5! Kxh5 2. g7+ Rg6+!? 3. Bxg6+ Kh6 4. g8=N+! to win.

The try 2. ... Kh6 3. g8=R was thought to be winning, avoiding the stalemate by promoting a rook. But there is a cook in it since after 3. ... Re6! it is impossible to

win because of the threat of ... Kh7, and if rooks are traded the bishop is the wrong color to successfully promote the h-pawn. Moving the white king to the h-file eliminates the cook but loses the nice pattern that the knight conversion provides. My improvement saves this possibility. Saving the knight promotion Benko—version after A. A. Troitzky

+

+L+ + + + + + + + PPk + + + + + + + P + + + + + + r + + + + +K


1. g7 Rf1+

Now 1. ... Rxf6? 2. g8=R wins.

2. Kh2! Rf2+ 3. Kh3! Rf3+ 4. Kg4! Rxf6

Winning is 4. ... Rf1 5. g8=N+! Kh7 6. Bf7. 5. g8=R! Re6 6. Kf5! and wins.

Less is more A. A. Troitzky 1930 Correction by P. Benko (see diagram top of next column) 1. c6! Kf2 2. Kh2 Rxc6 3. e7 Rg6 4. e8=N! wins.

If 4. e8=Q? then 4. ... Rxg2+! will draw. In Troitzky’s original, the pawn was on c4 and the rook on d4, and after 1. c5, … Rc4 looked evident. But after 1. c5 Kf4! 2. Kh2 Ra4! 3. c6 Ra7 there is no win, so I skipped the first pair of moves. uschess.org

CL_10-2008_benko_AKF_r7:chess life

9/9/2008

10:27 AM

Problem I

Most of the time these studies resemble positions that could actually occur over-the-board. You must simply reach a theoretically won position for White. Solutions can be found on page 71.

+

+

+

+

+

+

+ + +P+ + + P + + +r+ + + + + k +L + + +P+ + + + +K +


Two improvements!? R. Reti 1923 Correction by Cheron 1951

R+ + + + p + + + + + N + + + + + K + + p +p+ + +p + k + + + + + +


In Reti’s work the knight was on c5 and there was a black pawn on f6. But in that position there were cooks like 1. Nxb3+ or 1. Rd8+ or 1. Rxa7. This has been skillfully corrected—saving the main line too—by putting the knight on f6.

1. Ka3!! h2 2. Re8! h1=Q 3. Ne4+ Kc1 4. Rc8+ Kb1 5. Nd2+ Ka1 6. Nxb3+ Kb1 7. Nd2+ Ka1 8. Rc2 wins.

GM Evans in his March “What’s the Best Move” column to my surprise published four Reti studies, including this one:


uschess.org

+

+

+

+

Yuri Bazlov & Vitali Kovalenko, I. Bilek 75, 2007

+

K+ +N+q+ + + nk+ l+ P + + +PR + + n + + + + + + + + +L+ + + + + +

+

+ + + + + + + + N+ lp+ + p + + + +P+ +R+ n K +k+

Please e-mail submissions for Benko’s Bafflers to: pbenko@ uschess.org

+

Problem II

R. Becker and I. Akobia, I. Bilek 75, 2007

Benko’s Bafflers

+

Page 49

White to play and draw

+

R

+

+

+

N

+

+

p

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+ + + p Kp+ + + + k + p + + + +


1. Re8!

Winning as shown previously. Unfortunately the name of the study’s revisionist remains unknown. Giving up the battery is a good idea but is it worth leaving Reti the “star move” 1. Ka3!!. We should keep the basic idea of the author in our improvements. The long way A. A. Troitzky 1912

+

+

+

+ + + + +N k +pp + + +P+ + + + + + + + + + +r+ + + + + +K+R


Even a correct study can be improved with the addition of aesthetic considerations. Our last example shows how. 1. dxe6 Rc1+ 2. Kf2 Rxh1 3. e7 Rh2+ 4. Kf3 Rh3+ 5. Kf4 Rh4+ 6. Kf5 Rh5+ 7. Kxf6 Rh6+

Now we have to climb the same ladder all over again.

White to play and draw

8. Kf5 Rh5+ 9. Kf4 Rh4+ 10. Kf3 Rh3+ 11. Ke2 Rh2+ 12. Kd3 Rh3+ 13. Kd4 Rh4+ 14. Kd5 Rh5+ 15. Kd6 Rh6+ 16. Nf6! Rxf6+ 17. Kd5 Rf5+ 18. Kd4 Rf4+ 19. Kd3 Rf3+ 20. Ke2 wins.

There is pretty king tour that starts with a rook sac, but if possible a study should not start with a capture. We could also start with a black pawn already on e6 if there is no other way to improve the study. The h1-rook’s only role is that of a sacrificial lamb. Here is a more acceptable version. Penning the lamb A. A. Troitzky 1912 Version by P. Benko

+

+ + + +N + +Ppr+ k + + + + + + + + + KR+ + + + p + + + + +

+

+


1. Rf5+

If 1. Rh3?, then 1. ... Rg3+!

1. ... Kb6 2. Rh5 Rg1!? 3. Kf2!

The try 3. Rxh2? Re1+ 4. Re2 Rxe2+ 5. Kxe2 Kc7 draws.

3. ... h1=Q

After 3. ... Rg8, White wins with 4. e7! Re8 5. Nxf6 Rxe7 6. Nd5+. 4. Rxh1 Rxh1 5. e7

And we have arrived to the main line as before. Download a .pgn file of all the games from this issue at uschess.org.

.


49

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11:09 AM

Page 52

2008 WORLD CHESS LIVE GRAND PRIX SUMMARY World Chess Live sponsors $20,000 at the 2008 Grand Prix!

Welcome,

Members!

behind him, trying to regain his lead, and is only trailing by 1.133 points. If only chess had some equivalent of the Olympic swimmers’ Speedo swimsuits, something that could just give one GM or the other the slightest edge!

Welcome to World Chess Live (WCL), a new familyfriendly service with special benefits for USCF members. WCL is pleased to sponsor USCF’s 2008 Grand Prix (GP) and 2008 Junior Grand Prix. We’re providing prize funds of $20,000 and $7,500 (in cash, merchandise, and memberships), and will also be running online grand prize satellite events throughout the year.

The race between Ivanov and Kudrin rippled slightly when the two GP super-contenders faced off on August 10 at the 13th Annual Bradley Open in Connecticut— Kudrin’s USCF-listed home state. They drew, leaving Ivanov a solid half-point ahead. But in the “slow-mo video replay” (aka the wall chart), you can see that the two tied for first with two others, splitting the GP

If every World Chess Live Grand Prix point Alexander Ivanov has won since last month’s standings were equal to 844.0917 miles, he’d have gained enough Grand Prix miles to travel once around the circumference of Earth. Yet Sergey Kudrin is “swimming” some strong strokes

points and leaving their total tallies neck-and-neck. Meanwhile, Sergey Erenburg has continued gaining on the leaders and has now moved from a distant seventh in the rankings to an up-close-and-personal third. The UMBC student had launched himself furiously from the GP starting block at the start of the summer, but has indicated he may ease off his Michael Phelpsian pace as the new school year hits with full force. But will he make it to the #1 spot before then? Be sure to check for live standings updates at uschess.org/datapage/ GP-standings.php.

2008 WORLD CHESS LIVE GRAND PRIX STANDINGS The following point totals reflect all rated event information as of August 28 for the 2008 World Chess Live Grand Prix. All Grand Prix updates are unofficial and subject to change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete.

OVERALL STANDINGS

JUNIOR CATEGORIES

1 2 3 4 5 6

NAME GM Alexander Ivanov GM Sergey Kudrin GM Sergey Erenburg GM Mark Paragua GM Julio Becerra GM Alex Yermolinsky

STATE MA CT MD NY FL SD

PTS. 161.68 160.54 150.54 141.63 141.43 136.96

7

GM Alexander Shabalov

PA

135.18

8 9 10 11 12

GM Melikset Khachiyan IM Alex Lenderman IM Jay Bonin GM Jaan Ehlvest IM Enrico Sevillano

CA NY NY NY CA

101.75 99.93 94.81 91.38 90.58

SENIOR CATEGORY A series of impressive tournament results has let GM Alexander Ivanov rise from third place last month to the top spot this month.

Players born 1943 and before: 1 GM Anatoly Lein 2 FM John Curdo 3 FM Alex Dunne

OH MA PA

18.33 18.00 10.00

NAME STATE Players born between 1985 and 1987 inclusive: 1 IM Kirill Kuderinov TX 2 GM Hikaru Nakamura NY 3 IM Joshua Friedel NH

78.11 66.71 58.50

Players born between 1988 and 1990 inclusive: 1 IM Alex Lenderman NY 2 GM Alejandro Ramirez TX 3 FM Kazim Gulamali GA

99.93 86.00 37.51

Players born between 1991 and 1992 inclusive: 1 IM Robert Hess NY 2 Warren Harper TX 3 FM Daniel Yeager PA

36.80 36.00 35.00

Players born between 1993 and 1994 inclusive: 1 Mark Heimann PA 2 FM Ray Robson FL 3 Steven Zierk CA

31.50 29.26 26.25

Players born 1995 and after: 1 FM Daniel Naroditsky 2-3 Aquino Inigo 2-3 Stuart Finney

26.25 10.00 10.00

CA CAN RI

PTS.

CATEGORIES AND PRIZES $12,000 IN CASH PRIZES!

SENIOR CATEGORY

FIRST PRIZE: $5,000 ! 2nd: $2,500 5th: $700 8th : $400

3rd: $1,000 6th: $600 9th: $300

1943 / before 1st: $300 4th: $800 7th: $500 10th: $200

PHOTO: BETSY DYNAKO

$4,000 IN MERCHANDISE PRIZES! 11th: $200 12th: $200

13th: $200 15th: $150 14th: $150

Top 40 non-titled players: 1-year WCL membership worth $50. (FIDE-titled players are always free on WCL)

$7,500 IN JUNIOR GRAND PRIX PRIZES! 2nd: $200

3rd: $100

JUNIOR CATEGORIES (according to date of birth)

1985-87 1988-90 1991-92 1993-94 1995/after

1st: $250 1st: $250 1st: $250 1st: $250 1st: $250

2nd: $150 2nd: $150 2nd: $150 2nd: $150 2nd: $150

3rd: $100 3rd: $100 3rd: $100 3rd: $100 3rd: $100

For all of the above junior categories: 1st place is also awarded a 3-year WCL junior membership ($75 value); 2nd-5th places are awarded a 2-year WCL junior membership ($50 value); 6th-10th places awarded 1-year WCL junior memberships ($25 value).

www.worldchesslive.com

FIRST PRIZE: $1,000 ! 2nd: $600 5th: $150 8th : $50

3rd: $300 6th: $100 9th: $25

4th: $200 7th: $75

The first place JGP winner will also receive U.S. Open entry and a plaque from the USCF. 1st-10th place winners will receive 2-year WCL junior and USCF Young Adult memberships; 11th-20th place winners will receive 1-year WCL junior and USCF Young Adult memberships. Each state JGP winner will receive 1-year WCL junior and USCF Young Adult memberships and a $20 WCL store gift certificate.

Real chess. Real people. Real fun!

CL_10-2008_jgp_AK_r1:chess life

9/12/2008

3:49 PM

Page 51

World Chess Live, a new family-friendly online chess service, is sponsor of the 2008 World Chess Live Junior Grand Prix (JGP). Official standings for events received and processed by September 3, 2008 are unofficial and subject to change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete. There are currently 4,408 players with JGP points. 323 JGP events resulted in points earned. Top prize includes free entry and $1,000 in expense money to the 2009 U.S. Open as well as a plaque. Other prizes awarded to the top 20 finishers and the top individual in each state.

2008 World Chess Live

Junior Grand Prix Top Overall Standings Name ZHAO, SHICHENG GIANNATOS, PETER PENA, JOEL ANTHONY U PINKERTON, JAMES CARL GRAIF, WILLIAM SHEINWALD, NOWELL R DEJONG, ANDREW VIRKUD, APURVA CACHAY, JOHN JEFFERSON HUTTON, JACK LI, BRIAN S FISHER, WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, THOMAS GEORGE BODEK, MICHAEL H AMARASINGHE, PRASHANTHA N MC CLANAHAN, GAVIN JACOB MOST, ERIC M CHILLAKANTI, KARTIK HELLWIG, LUKE HARMON-VELLOTTI, LUKE

State VA NC NJ MD NY NY NC MI CA-S NY VA NY WI NY MI IL VA CA-N AL ID

JGP Pts. 135 135 135 125 120 120 115 110 110 110 110 105 105 105 100 100 100 100 100 100

Name CHIANG, MICHAEL GUREVICH, DANIEL LARSON, ERIC DANIEL OSMULSKI, MAX DANG, MICHAEL SINGH, REVA SHREE MALHOTRA, AKSHAY BAT-AMGALAN, MARAL CHEN, JEREMY SIA, DERRICK LEE ROSENTHAL, NICHOLAS WOODBURY, GEORGE NARODITSKY, DANIEL A DING, RICHARD TALWAR, JAMES V MO, KEVIN AGARWAL, ROHAN HILTON, JONATHAN LAWRENCE MATLIN, ANNA R CLAYTON, RYAN DANIEL

State NY GA MI NJ MI NY TX CA-N NJ CA-S FL TN CA-N AZ NY PA CA-N OH NJ OH

JGP Pts. 95 95 95 95 95 90 90 90 90 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 80

A new family-friendly online chess service from the Internet Chess Club, is pleased to welcome our friends from the U.S. Chess Federation. To celebrate its launch, this year WCL will be:

• Sponsoring the USCF’s 2008 Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix • Running weekly and monthly Online Grand Prix tournaments • Giving every USCF member a free six-month subscription to WCL • And more...

For details, go to www.worldchesslive.com/uscf uschess.org


51

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Page 52

Tournament Life

Information for Organizers, TDs, and Affiliates To qualify, an event must be USCFrated (regular or quick) and meet these criteria: • All USCF-rated players over 2199 must be eligible to play in the top (or only) section. • The prize fund for which all masters are eligible must equal or exceed $300 guaranteed. • Class prizes for Under 2300 or a higher rating requirement qualify towards GP points, but if they exceed 25% of the total qualifying Grand Prix money, they count as 25% of the total. • Other than entry fees and USCF dues, no charges over $25 are permitted. • The tournament must be submitted for the Tournament Life section of Chess Life and designated by the submitter as a Grand Prix tournament. • Only players who are USCF members during the tournament may earn GP points. Foreign GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs can play without being members, but they will not obtain Grand Prix points unless they join. • Conditions concerning USCF Grand Prix tournaments are subject to review and adjustment by the USCF Executive Director. The top prizes must be unconditionally guaranteed (or if a Grand Prix event’s prize fund is based on entries, only the absolutely guaranteed minimum payout counts for point awards) and announced in Chess Life. Even if prizes are raised at the tournament, no additional points can be awarded because the bonus would be unfair to players who may otherwise have entered. If you have questions about the Grand Prix, please contact Chuck Lovingood at [email protected] or 931-787-1234 ext. 148. Organizing a 2008 Grand Prix Event

The tournament director has the right to shorten the basic time control, in minutes, by the time delay used, in seconds. Example: Clocks for G/60 with 5-second time delay (t/d5) may be set at 55 minutes instead of 60. There is no requirement to advertise this option in advance. It may also be used for games starting later than the official starting time of any particular round even when not used otherwise. Tournament Directors

To speed up the processing of rating reports, USCF now asks that wherever possible these reports have IDs for every player. If you collect a new membership, do not submit your rating report until your disk and paper reports include that player’s ID number. To assist TDs in doing this, we have made several enhancements to our web server which will speed up online membership processing and give TDs a quick way to obtain USCF IDs for new memberships. We also recommend that TDs use the Member Services Area to check for member IDs. The search capabilities of MSA have been enhanced to assist TDs in finding existing member IDs. For more details, please check the USCF website: www.uschess.org/rtgchange.php. Organizers, TDs and Affiliates

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 that participate in this program are entitled to be promoted to the next higher Grand Prix category — for example, a 6-point tourna ment would become a 10-point tourna-

ment. Points in the top category are promoted 50%. No Tournaments in your area? Why not organize one?

Do you need to go out of town for tournament play? Would you and others in your area like the convenience of an occasional event closer to home? Organize one! It’s not much work to hold a small tournament, and there is little risk if you use a low-cost site and avoid guaranteed prizes. You might even make a profit! Either a based-on Swiss with projected prizes up to $500, a Quad format, or a trophy tournament will virtually guarantee taking in more in fees than you pay out in prizes. The affiliation fee is just $40 a year. You will receive the annual rating supplement and have access to the TD/Affiliate area of our website. Remember, you can both run and play in a small event. Many of them wouldn’t be held if the organizer/TD couldn’t play. Want to know more? Contact Joan DuBois at [email protected]. We’ll be glad to help you be part of the promotion of American chess! If at all possible, please e-mail your TLAs. This will help to reduce errors.

Submissions

[email protected] fax: 931-787-1200 TLA Department U.S. Chess Federation PO Box 3967 Crossville, TN 38557

TLAs received after the 10th of the deadline month will not appear in the issue currently being processed.

.

Guaranteed Grand Prix points awarded for: Top Prizes

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

$300-$499

6

Tot

$500-$749

8

2

10

$750-$999

10

5

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

6

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. 52


Chess Life TLA Deadlines

USCF Membership Rates

Cover date

TLA must be received by

Tournaments beginning

Expected release

Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

Nov. 10 Dec.10 Jan. 10 Feb. 10 March 10 April 10 May 10 June 10 July 10 Aug. 10 Sept. 10 Oct. 10

Jan. 15 Feb. 15 March 15 April 15 May 15 June 15 July 15 Aug. 15 Sept. 15 Oct. 15 Nov. 15 Dec. 15

End Dec. End Jan. End Feb. End March End April End May End June End July End Aug. End Sept. End Oct. End Nov.

(U.S., CANADA, MEXICO) Type Adult Adult (online purch) Senior (65+) Young Adult (U25) Youth (U16) Scholastic (U13)

1 yr $49 $41 $36 $25 $19 $17

2yr $83 $76 $65 $44 $33 $30

3yr $116 $109 $93 $62 $46 $42

Youth provides bimonthly Chess Life, Scholastic bimonthly Chess Life for Kids, others listed above monthly Chess Life. See www.uschess.org for other membership categories. Membership dues are not refundable. Dues may be changed without notice and promotional rates may be withdrawn or modified. uschess.org

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Information for Players If not a member, add dues to advance entry fee or pay them with entry fee at site. U.S. Championship Qualifier. Tournament in which qualification spots for the U.S. Championship are awarded. American Classic. Generally, an event that has been held by one organizer for the last three years and has attracted more than 400 players each year. Heritage Event. Tournament held for at least 25 years. Quick Chess. Tournaments with time controls of G/5 to G/29. There is a separate “quick” or “overall” rating system that includes these events, and games played in these tournaments will not affect a player's regular rating. Games played with a time control of G/30 through G/60 will be rated in both the quick/overall system and the regular system. USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EVENTS.

In most events, you don’t have to win the tournament to win a prize—you can win a class prize as a top scorer of your rating group, or a section prize in a section restricted to your rating group. These rating groups are: Rating Classes

Senior Master - 2400 & up Master 2200-2399 Class C Expert 2000-2199 Class D Class A 1800-1999 Class E Class B 1600-1799 Class F

1400-1599 1200-1399 1000-1199 800-999

Class G 600-799 Class H 400-599 Class I 200-399 Class J 199/below

Some tournaments use different groups such as 1900-2099, and some have “under’’ prizes or sections including all below a specified level. You never lose your rating, no matter how long it has been since you last played. If you return after a long absence, please tell the director and USCF your approximate rating and last year of play. If you have a FIDE rating, or a rating or category from any other country, no matter how many years ago, you are not unrated. FIDE or foreign ratings may be

Ratings Information

rejected or have adjustment points added. If details are not announced, players wishing to use such ratings should contact the organizer in advance. For foreign players with multiple ratings (USCF, FIDE, CFC, FQE, other foreign), the highest rating is used, with possible adjustment points added, unless otherwise announced. Ratings based on 4-25 games are called “provisional ratings” to indicate they are less reliable than established ratings. However, such ratings are valid for pairing and prize purposes at all USCF-rated events, unless otherwise stated. A Director may assign an estimated rating to any player, and may expel an improperly rated player from an event.

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 Hotel-Motel Rates 30 days after the tournament ends. Any Rates listed are often special chess requests made after this date may not be rates—you must request “chess rates’’ or honored. you will be charged more. The chess rates may be unavailable if not reserved sev- If You Must Withdraw If you enter by mail and cannot attend, eral weeks in advance, or if the block of chess rooms is used up. Hotel-desk per- or must drop out of a tournament in sonnel are often poorly informed about progress, it is important you give notice chess rates—if that is the case, ask for the before pairings are started, so no one is Sales Office or contact the tournament deprived of a game. Mail entrants should send withdrawal notices at least a week organizer. beforehand — phone any later than this. What to Take to a Tournament To withdraw by phone on tournament day, Along with a pen or pencil and your call the site and ask specifically for “the USCF ID card (or current Chess Life), take chess tournament.’’ E-mail withdrawals a chessboard, set, and clock if you have several days in advance are acceptable if them. the TD’s e-mail address is listed. Any later For prizes of $600 or more, bring your than this, both e-mail your withdrawal U.S. Social Security card. If you have no and call the tournament site as the TD Social Security number, the organizer might not have access to his (her) e-mail must deduct 30% from your prize for the account. If you forfeit without notice, you IRS (this includes foreigners). may be fined up to the amount of the Warning! The use of a cell phone in the entry fee. tournament room is prohibited at most tournaments. If your cell phone rings in a Tournament Directors Tournament Director Certification is an room with games in progress, you could be endorsement of professional competence penalized, or even forfeited. only. Such certification does not in itself How to Enter in Advance render any Tournament Director an agent Entering by mail or online (if available) of the USCF, nor is any Affiliate an agent is easier for both you and the tournament of the USCF. organizer and often costs less. Check the

.

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.


53

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SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING OCTOBER 1-14

Tournament Life

USCF National Events See TLA in this issue for details: 2008 49th Annual U.S. Armed Forces Open Oct. 11-13 • Bethesda, Maryland

November 7-9 • Brownsville, Texas

2008 National Youth Action

2008 National Scholastic K-12 Championship December 12-14 • Kissimmee, Florida

2008 Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Tournament

December 27-30 • Ft. Worth, Texas Future Events (Watch for details) April 3-5• Nashville, Tennessee

2009 Supernationals IV

June 4-7 • Las Vegas, Nevada

2009 National Open

2009 Tournament of College Champions

August 1-3 • Indianapolis, Indiana December 11-13 • Dallas, Texas

2009 National Scholastic K-12

2010 National Elementary (K-6) Championship May 7-9 • Atlanta, Georgia

2011 National Elementary (K-6) Championship May 6-8 • Dallas, Texas

2012 National Elementary (K-6) Championship

May 11-13 • Nashville, Tennessee

2015 National Elementary (K-6) Championship

May 8-10 • Nashville, Tennessee Note: Organizers previously awarded options for USCF National Events must still submit proposals (including sample budgets) for their events.

Bids on the following tournaments are past deadline and will be considered immediately: 2008 U.S. Masters 2009 U.S. Amateur Team (West, South, North) 2009 U.S. Junior Chess Congress 2009 U.S. Amateur (West, South, North, East) 2009 U.S. Senior Open 2009 U.S. Junior Open & Closed 2009 U.S. Cadet

Overdue Bids

2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009

U.S. G/15 (QC) U.S. Action G/30 U.S. G/60 U.S. Masters U.S. Class Championships National Youth Action Pan Am Intercollegiate Collegiate Final Four

Bids due by Dec. 1, 2008:

2010 U.S. Open*

Bids due by Dec. 15, 2008: 2011 U.S. Open*

Bids due by June 15, 2009: 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.

Bidding Deadlines

*USCF reserves the right to decline all bids and organize the event itself.

Tournament memberships not valid for National events Junior Tournament Memberships (JTMs) Available

USCF’s Tournament Membership (TM) program, which allows players the option of joining for only one event at a greatly reduced rate, has been modified. Junior TMs for age 24 or below may be purchased from affiliates and are now available to them for $7 online with rating report submissions. They include one issue of Chess Life or Chess Life for Kids, and $5 of this fee may be applied to a full membership within 60 days. JTMs not valid for National events. Many scholastic tournaments exist that are not USCF-rated, and the USCF is concerned that the reason is that organizers fear losing players unwilling or unable to pay entry fee plus dues of $17 (Scholastic), $19 (Youth), or $25 (Young Adult). The availability of a $7 option should cause some of these events to switch to being USCF-rated, promoting membership. The idea behind the TMs is not to sign up a lot of them, but rather to cause more USCF-rated tournaments to be held. More details on uschess.org.

Beginning in 2007 with the February rating List, the 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. 54


TheTournament Announcements on the following pages are provided for the convenience of USCF members and for informational purposes only. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, neither the U.S. Chess Federation nor Chess Life warrants the accuracy of anything contained in these Tournament Announcements. Those interested in additional information about or having questions concerning any of these tournaments are directed to contact the organizer listed. Chess Life will exercise all due diligence in providing accurate typesetting of non-camera-ready copy but assumes no responsibility for errors made in such work. SUBMISSIONS: If possible e-mail your tla to: [email protected] (Joan DuBois). For tla deadline schedule, formatting help and Grand Prix information see pg. 52-53 or check http://www.uschess.org/ tla/grprixstdarc.php and click on a WCL GP Summary. Payment can be done online through theTD/Affiliate area or sent to: U.S. Chess, TLA Dept., PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.

Nationals

All tournaments listed in Tournament Life are USCF rated. USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EVENTS. If not a member, add dues to advance entry fee or pay them with entry at site. A Heritage Event! Oct. 11-13, Maryland 49th Annual U. S. Armed Forces Open 6SS, Rds.: 1-2 G/90, Rds.: 3-4 G/2, Rds 5-6 30/90, SD/1 Site: Galley, Building 9, basement level of the National Naval Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD EF: FREE! Must check in by 0845 on Sat. to be paired. Reg.: Sat. 0800-0845, Rds.: Sat. 0900-1230-1600,Sun. 0900-1400, Mon. 0900. Two 1/2point byes available. Open to all Active Duty, Reservists, Military Retirees, Cadets, Midshipmen, and ROTC (with DOD ID) who have a USCF Membership. Prizes: Trophies/Plaques to Top Service Team, Top 3 overall players, Top player of each DoD service on Active Duty, Top Reservist, Top Retiree, Top three Cadets/Midshipmen/ROTC, Top two each class A-D and below, Highest Upset, and other Trophies/Plaques and special prizes. Awards ceremony to be conducted on Monday, 10/8 after round ends. HR: Bethesda Navy Lodge, 301-654-1795. $77 Located within walking distance (Mention Chess when making reservation). Please reserve by 28 September 2008 Info/Ent: Please use the website to enter if possible www.usmilitarychess.org/ or mail to Ernest Schlich, 1370 S. Braden Cres. Norfolk, VA 23502 with Rank, Name, USCF ID #, current rating, branch of service. Bring your clocks! NC. NS. W. Send all questions to Ernie Schlich. [email protected] 757-853-5296.

Nov. 7-9, Texas 2008 National Youth Action 9SS, G/30, UTB/TSC Fort Brown Memorial Center, 600 International Blvd., Brownsville, Texas 78520. Four Sections – K-3, K-6, K-9, K-12. Entry Fee: $40 by Oct. 11; $60 by Oct. 25; $75 after Oct 25 or on site. Awards: Individual: 1st –25th Place in each section (K-3, K-6, K-9, K-12). Class Awards: 1st-3rd Place, K-3: U800, U600, U400, Unr. K-6: U1000, U800, U600, Unr. K-9: U1200, U1000, U800, Unr. K-12: U1400, U1200, U1000, Unr. Teams: 1st-15th Place in each section. Schedule: Opening Ceremony Sat., Nov 8 at 9:30 am. Rds. 1-5 Sat., 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 3:30 pm & 5 pm. Rds. 6-9 Sun., 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm & 3:30 pm. Side Events: Blitz Tournament – Fri, Nov 7, K-6 & K-12, 6:30 pm, EF $15 if p/m by Oct 11, $20 after or on site. Registration closes at 5 pm, Fri, Nov 7. Bughouse Tournament – Sat, Nov 8, 6:30 pm. Registration on site only, closes at 5 pm, Sat., Nov 8. One section only, K-12. Blitz Awards: Individual: 1st-20th in each section. Team: 1st-10th in each section. Bughouse Awards: 1st-10th Place. Awards Ceremony for Blitz and Bughouse: Sun, 9 am. NYA Awards Ceremony: Sun, Nov 9, 5:30-7 pm. Club Teams allowed! Hotel Info: Holiday Inn, 3777 North Expressway, Brownsville, TX 78520, (956) 547-1500, HR $69!! Homewood Suites, 3759 North Expressway, Brownsville,TX 78520, (956) 574-6900, HR $99! Mention CHESS. Free shuttle service from/to Brownsville Airport, 10 minutes away. Additional details: www.uschess.org/tournaments/ 2008/nya/. Enter on line (except Bughouse) at https://secure.uschess.org/ webstore/tournament.php. Mail entries to: US Chess Federation, Attn: 2008 NYA, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38555 or to NTD Francisco Guadalupe, 305 Willow Pointe Dr., League City, TX 77573. For info call (281) 557-0242.

Dec. 12-14, Florida 2008 National Scholastic K-12 Championship 7SS, G/90. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, 1000 W. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. 407-939-1020 or 407-939-1000 and ask for the chess rate ($120). 13 Sections. (No collegiate section). Play only in your grade section. December rating supplement will be used. 1/2- point bye available any round (except round seven) if requested in advance of rd. 1. Zero point byes available for any round if requested prior to pairings. Team score = total of top three (minimum two) finishers from each school per grade, first place individual and team, including ties, will be National Champion for their grade. Schedule: Opening ceremony Fri. 12:30 pm. Rds.: Fri. 1 pm-6 pm, Sat. 10 am2 pm-6 pm, Sun. 9 am-1 pm. Awards Ceremony Sun., Approx. 5 pm. Special round times for K-1 sections: Fri. 1:30 pm-5:30 pm, Sat. 9:30 am-1:30 pm-5:30 pm, Sun. 9:30 am-1:30 pm. Awards Ceremony Sun Approx. 4:30 pm for K-1 EF: $40/participant (postmarked by 11/14), $60/participant (postmarked by 11/28), $75 later or $80 at site, $5.00 extra for all phone registrations, $20 change fee for roster or section changes after 11/14 or any onsite changes. Onsite registration Thurs. 9 am-10 pm & Fri. 8 am-noon. After 10 am players may not be paired for round 1. Awards: Trophies to top 10 individuals & top five teams (minimum) in each grade. Class prizes: 1st-3rd place K-3: 800-999, 600-799, U600, Unr. 4-6: 1000-1199, 800-999, 600-799, U600 Unr. 7-9: 12001399, 1000-1199, 800-999, U800, Unr. 10-12: 1400-1599, 1200-1399, 1000-1199, U1000, Unr. Every player receives a commemorative item! Side Events: Bughouse: Thurs. 11 am, Reg. onsite only Thurs. 9 am-10 am, $25/team. Blitz Sections: K-6 and K-12, Thurs. 5 pm, Reg. onsite until 4 pm. Blitz EF: Onsite - $20; Advance/online entry: $15. Blitz Awards: Trophies in K-6 and K-12 sections. Individual: TBA, Team: 1st-15th place. K-6 Class: 1000-1199, 800-999, 600-799, U600 Unr. K-12 Class: 1400-1599, 1200-1399, 1000-1199, U1000, Unr. Bughouse Awards:Trophies for Bughouse,TBA. Team Rooms are limited. Contact Cheryle Bruce 931-787-1234 ext.147. Hotel info: disneyworld.disney.go.com/ wdw/resorts/resortLandid=CoronadoSpringsResortLandingPage Questions:

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Tournament Life Cheryle Bruce: 931-787-1234 ext. 147, Email: [email protected] or Ent: U.S. Chess, Attn.: K-12 Championship, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 or online at https://secure.uschess.org/webstore/tournament.php. Website: main.us chess.org/tournaments/2008/k12/. WCL JGP.

Dec. 27-30, Texas 2008 Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Tournament Location: DFW Airport Marriott South, 4151 Centreport Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas, 76155. HR: $79/79/79/79. marriott.com/dfwam?groupCode=pan pana&app=resvlink, or call 800-228-9290 reserve by 12/5 (or rate could go up) and ask for Pan American Intercollegiate Chess rate. Free Parking. Tournament Dates: December 27-30, 2008. Intercollegiate Tournament Format: 4 Player Teams, up to 2 Alternates, traditional 6 round Swiss Tournament, Game/120 with a 30 second increment. Coach/captain must hand in proposed team roster changes one hour before the beginning of the round. Rounds: Rd. 1: 12/27 6 pm, Rd. 2: 12/28 10 am, Rd. 3: 5 pm, Rd 4: 12/29 10 am, Rd 5: 5 pm, and Rd 6: 12/30 9 am. Open to: College and University teams (at least two Players) from North and South America including the Caribbean. Teams must supply letter from University stating that the players meet eligibility requirements. Entry Fees: Priority Registration by December 2, 2008 $200 per team. After December 2, 2008 $225 per team. Prizes: 1st place team = $1250, 2nd place team = $750, 3rd place team = $600, 4th place team = $400, 5th place team = $250, Top International Team = $500, Top 4 boards = $100 each. Team Trophies: Division I Champion 2200 and above, Division II Champ 2000-2199, Division III Champion 1800-1999, Division IV Champion Under 1800, Top 5 teams, Top 3 International Teams, Top four Boards, and Top Alternate.Tournament is Fide Rated but uses USCF rules. For Additional information or online registration go to: www.swchess.com or contact Barbara Swafford, 214-632-9000, [email protected] Ent: Dallas Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. NS NC W FIDE. WCL JGP.

Grand Prix Oct. 12, California Southern World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 2008 Westwood Fall Open 5-SS, G/40. Los Angeles Chess Club, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd, LA, CA 90025, 2nd floor (4 blocks West of 405 Fwy). $$1500 b/50, 80% of each prize guaranteed. In two sections: Open: $400-200-50, U2200 125, U2000 125. Reserve (U1800): $$200-125, U1600 $100, Under 1400/unrated $100, U1200 $75. EF: $47 if received by 10/11, $55 at site. SCCF memb. ($18, under 18 $10) req. for rated S. CA residents. No checks or credit cards at site. Half point byes: limit 1, must be req. w/entry. Reg.: 9-9:45 a.m. Rds.: 10-11:30-1:30-3:15-4:45. 2 Free Parking lots on the SW corner of Santa Monica & Purdue, or in the building basement ($3). Inf: [email protected]. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Place #1, Los Angeles, CA 90038. On-line entry: www.westernchess.com. State Championship Qualifier.

Oct. 12, New Jersey World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6 ICA Fall 2008 Open Championship NEW FORMAT & INCREASED PRIZE FUND Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601. Open To All Ages With Rating >1400 4SS G/60 U. S. Chess Federation Membership Required, Prize Fund ($$ b/40) 1st - 3rd $300, $250, $200, U2000, U1800, U1600 each $100. Best Under 13 Years Old $75, Best Over 65 Years Old $75. Prize Fund Will Not Be Reduced Below 70 %. Reg Ends at 9 Late Entrants Will Receive 1/2 Point Bye For Rnd 1. EF: Adv (pmk. By Oct 8th) $40, AT Site $45. GMs Free Entry. Make EF: and/or USCF membership checks payable to: International Chess Academy. 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: Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. NS NC W.

A Heritage Event! A State Championship Event! Oct. 17-19 or 18-19, Indiana World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) 67th Indiana State Chess Championship

Players) EF: Free + must join USCF or increase membership for 1 additional year thru this tournament ($49 adults,$25 juniors) Prizes: Top unrated in “D” & “E” Sections wins 1 yr. USCF membership plus trophy. Note: Adult unrated will be put in “D” Sect., Junior unrated in “E”, unless requested to play up. Seniors additional prizes (65+) $$400-200-100 (Srs not eligible: provisionally rated, unrated, masters & E Sect); Club Championship $$1000-500-300-200 decided by total score of 10 (and only 10) players from one club or area (not eligible – GMs, IMs, “E” Sec., or unrated).Trophies toTop 3 (A-E Sections). ALL: EF $11 more if postmarked after 10/1 and $22 more if postmarked after 10/11 or at site. Do not mail after 10/11 or email after 10/15. $20 off EF to Srs (65+) and Jrs 19/under (E sect. not eligible). Players may play up. Unrated players not eligible for cash prizes except Open 1-10. Provisionally rated players may win up to 50% of 1st place money except open Section 1-10. CCA ratings may be used. Note pairings not changed for color alternation unless 3 in a row or a plus 3 and if the unlikely situation occurs 3 colors in a row may be assigned. Reg.: (10/16) 5-9 pm, (10/17) 8:30-10 am. Rds.: 12-7, 10-6, 9:304. Byes available any round (2 byes max.) if requested before 1st round. SIDE EVENTS: Wed.(10/15) 7pm Clock Simul, (40/2, G/1) (Including an analysis of YOUR game.GM Sergy Kudrin $30 (A great value!). Thursday(10/16) 5:30 “Yermo” champagne reception, 6-7:30 pm GM Larry Evans lecture -Free, 7:30 Simul (only $20!) GM Alex Yermolinsky, 7:30 Blitz (5 min)Tourney ($20). Sat 10/18 (3-4:30pm) GM Larry Evans Clinic(Game/Position Analysis) – Free. Sun. (10/19) Quick Tourney (G/25) 5 Rd. Swiss ($20) (12 (Noon)-5pm) 80% of entries returned as prizes. ENT: Make checks payable and send to: SANDS REGENCY (address above) HR: $34! (Sun-Thurs) & $54 (Fri-Sat) + 13.5% tax. (mention CHE1016 & reserve by 10/4 to guarantee room rates.) INFO: Jerry Weikel [email protected], (775) 747 1405, or website: www.renochess.org/wso (also go here to verify entry). FIDE .W. WCL JGP.

Oct. 17-19, Texas World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 Houston Open 5SS, G/120, $10,000 prize fund b/200 full paid ent., 50% guaranteed. Open Sect. is FIDE rated. DoubleTree Hotel (Bush Intercontinental Airport), 15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Houston (800-222-8733 or 281-848-4000), $82 chess rate,! Free parking! Free airport shuttle service! Free entry for GMs and IMs (EF deducted from winnings). 5 Sects. OPEN: $1400-800-500-300-200; X: $700-400; U2000: $800-400-200-100-50; U1800: $800-400-200-100-50; U1600/Unr*: $800-400-200-100-50; U1300: $400-300-200-100-50. *Unrated players may only win 50% of the prize fund unless playing in the Open Sect. with full-pd EF. SIDE EVENTS: (Schol. 5SS, G/30, 1-day only, Sat. Oct. 18); 5-min. Blitz “CAJUN KNOCK-OUT” (Sat. night after Rd. 3). Separate room for schol. players—A trophy or a medal will be awarded to each schol. player along with a free chess gift! Schol. Sects. (Team & Individual): K-2, K-5, K-8, K-12. Prizes: Trophies to top 3 individuals & top 3 teams in each section (more trophies added based on advance entries). Every non-trophy winner receives a souvenir medal. Teams must have minimum or 3 players from the same school in the same section; the top 3 scores will count for final team score. Scholastic players may play in both adult and schol. sections, if desired. USCF-recommended computer tiebreaks will decide trophy and medal placements for winners of all schol. sections. Free chess clock to player who travels farthest to tourn. CAJUN BOUNTY: Defeat the top ranked player and win free entry to our next tournament! EF: $79 by 10/15; $89 at site – 10% discount for Seniors over 65; Special EF: Unr. (playing in U1600) and Jrs. (under 18 yrs of age and playing in U1300 or U1600 Sections) $49 by 10/15; $59 at site. Schol. EF: $20 by 10/15; $25 at site; Re-Entry Fee: $25 (avail. up to Rd. 4—no re-entry in OPEN section). Reentries count as 1/3 and Special EFs count as 2/3 of one additional entry for prize fund. 3-day Sched: Reg. Fri. 5:30-7pm, Rds. Fri. 8pm; Sat. 11-6:30, Sun. 9:30-2:30. 2-day Sched: Reg. Sat. 8:30-9:30am, (Rds 1 & 2, G/75) Sat. 11-2:306:30, Sun. 9:30-2:30. Both schedules merge at Rd. 3. Schol. Sched: (All 5 rds G/30—one day only, Sat., 10/18) Reg. Sat. 8:30-9:30am, Rd. 1 at 10am; Other rds will follow immediately. Byes: Avail. all Rds. (must commit before Rd. 3). HR: $82 for single, double, triple or quad (800-222-8733 or 281-848-4000), reserve by Oct. 5 and mention Cajun Chess tournament to assure group rate. ENT: On-line registration and printable entry form at www.cajunchess.com, or mail entry form to NTD Franc Guadalupe, 305 Willow Pointe Dr., League City,

TX 77573. Info or Phone Credit Card Ent: 713-530-7820 or 504-905-2971. Major credit cards accepted on site (no checks at site). WCL JGP.

A Heritage Event! Oct. 17-19, 25-26, New York World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced) Edward Lasker Memorial and 92nd Annual Marshall Chess Club Championship 9-SS, 40/120, SD/60 (Rds 1-2 30/90, SD/60), Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-477-3716. Open to members and nonmembers rated 2200+, qualifiers from Marshall Amateur Championship Oct.10-12, and seeded players. $$4500 gtd: $2000-$1000-$500-$350-$100, U 2400/unr $250, U 2300 $200, U 2200 $100. PLUS: Edward Lasker Memorial Brilliancy Prize $300.Title of 2008 Marshall Chess Club Champion to highest-scoring Club member. EF: $125, members $100 if received by 10/16, all $20 more at site. No phone entries; GM EF returned upon completion of tournament; 2 Schedules: 5-Day, Reg. 6:30-7 10/17; rounds 7:30 10/17, 12:30&6PM 10/18, 11&5:30PM 10/19, 10/25, 10/26. 4-Day Schedule: Reg: 9:15-9:45 AM 10/18 Rd.1 (G/60) 10 AM, then merge with 5-Day.Two byes available, must request at registration, no byes on 10/26. FIDE. IM/GM norms may be possible. WCL JGP.

Oct. 18, New York World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6 Buffalo Kellogg Leadership for Community Change Monthly Grand Prix - Every 3rd Saturday 4SS, Rd. 1-3: G/45, Rd. 4: G/60. Main Place Mall – Upper Level, 390 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. Food Court has several vendors available during Mall Operation. EF: $50.00. No checks or credit cards onsite. $$GTD: $250-150.00. U1750 $80.00, GUARANTEED. Reg.: 8:15AM AND 9AM. $40.00 If postmarked no later than 7 days prior to the start of the tournament. Rds.: RD1: 9:30AM, RD2:11:15AM, RD3:1PM AND FINALS, RD4:2:45PM G/60. One half byes available if directed to tournament director by the prior round. Chess gear & supplies available for purchase by Sophia Lynn. Ent: Archangel 8 Chess Academy. No phone entries. Email: [email protected]. INFO: Mc Duffie – Chess Ambassador. Advanced entries greatly appreciated! Canadians Welcomed! NS NC W.

A State Championship Event! Oct. 18, Pennsylvania World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6 2008 PA State Game/60 Championship 4SS, G/60. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pitt., 5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh PA 15213. 3 Sections, $$ (695G): Championship: EF: $30 by 10/10, $40 later. $200-100, U2000 $75, U1800 $50. Premier: U1600. EF: $25 by 10/10, $35 later. $90-60, U1400 $50, U1200 $40, U1000 $30;Trophies toTop 2,Top 2 U1400,Top 2 U1200, Top 2 U1000. Scholastic: Grades K-12 U900. EF: $15 by 10/10, $25 later. Trophies to Top 7, 1-3 U600. ALL: Teams of 4 to 7 combined from all sections, Trophies 1st-2nd schools, clubs. PSCF $5, OSA. Reg.: ends 10am. Rds.: 10:301-3:15-5:45. Ent/Info: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223, 412-908-0286, [email protected] W.

A State Championship Event! Oct. 18-19, District of Columbia World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 Oscar Shapiro D. C. Open US Chess Center, 1501 M Street, NW, Wash. DC 20005 $$G 3000. 5 Sections. Open, 4-SS, TC: 40/2, SD/1. EF: $48 by 10/11. $$500-300-200, U2200 150 – 100. DC Championship title and trophy to top DC resident. Reg.: 10 – 11. Rds.: 11:30 – 6, 11 – 5. Amateur, open to U2000. 5-SS, TC: 30/90, SD/1. EF: $43 by 10/11. $$ 300 – 200 – 100, U1800 150 – 100. DC Amateur Championship title and trophy to top DC resident. Reg: 8 – 9, Rds. 9:30-2:45-8, 11-4:30. Reserve, open to U1600. 5-SS,TC: 30/90, SD/1. EF: $43 by 10/11. $$ 300-200-100, U1400 150 – 100. Reg.: 8 – 9, Rds.: 9:30-2:45-8, 11-4:30. Booster, open to U1200. 4-SS, TC: G/45. EF: $13 by 10/11. $50 + Trophy for first, trophies and medallions thru 15 places. Reg.: 12 - 1. Rds.: 1:30 - 4 - 6:30 - 8. Beginner, open to children (age 11 and younger) rated U800 or unrated. 4-SS, TC: G/30. EF: $13 by 10/11.Trophies and medallions thru 15 places. Reg.: 12 - 1. Rds.: 1:30 - 2:45 - 4:00 - 5:15. All, $7 more after 10/11. Make checks payable to “DCCL”, mail

5SS, 40/2 SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75) Ramada Conference Center, 3550 E. Market St. Logansport IN 46947. $$2800 b/80. In 2 Sections Championship: EF: $73 rcvd by 10/14, $80 at site. 50% discount off at site EF to former State Champions rcvd by 8/30. $$: $500-250. U2300 $245, U2200 $240, U2000 $235, Upset $50. $100 State Champion Award. 1st Place Guaranteed. Reserve: Open to 1799 & under. EF: $58 rcvd by 10/14, $65 at site. $$: $300-215-210. Class C $205, Class D & Under $200, Upset $50. ALL: July discount $13 off adv EF, August discount $6 off adv EF. Memb. Req’d: ISCA. OSA. Reg: Ends Fri. 6: 30pm (2-day option: Regs. ends Sat. 9:30am). Rds: Fri. 7pm, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 9-3:30 (2-day option: Sat. 10-1:30-5, Sun. 9-3:30). Annual Meeting 2: 30pm Sunday. Car load discount, sign up in groups of 4 and receive 10% off adv EF excluding discounts, rcvd by 9/26. 10% cancellation fee. ENT: Gary J Fox, 134 Wheatland Ave. Logansport, IN 46947. INFO: 574-722-4965 [email protected]. HR: $75 574-753-6351, Reservation by 10/10/08, code CGSCA. www.indiananchess.org. NS NC W. WCL JGP.

A Heritage Event! An American Classic! Oct. 17-19, Nevada World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced) 26th Annual Sands Regency Reno-Western States Open 6SS.40/2,20/1,SD/30. Sands Regency Hotel/Casino, 345 N. Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501. 1-800-648-3553 or (775) 348-2200. $$40,000 b/400, Gtd. $$25,850$3500-2000-1500-1000-800-700-600-600-500-500 in Open Section plus ½ of all other prizes. 7 Sections: OPEN: EF: GMs & IMs free (enter by 10/1 or pay late fee), Masters $133, (2000-2199)-$151, (1999-below)-$201. $$ Prizes 1-10 listed above, 2499-below) $1000, (2399-below) $1000-600-400, (2299-below) $1000-600-400. If a tie for 1st overall then 2 (G/10) playoff for $100 from prize fund. (Note: GM/IM w/free entry not eligible for class prizes 2499 and below, may elect to pay entry fee and become eligible). EXPERT: (2000-2199) EF: $132. $$1800-900-500-400-300-200 (under 2100)- $600. ”A” Sec. (1800-1999) EF: $131, $$1700-900-500-400-300-200-200. “B” Sec. (1600-1799) EF: $130, $$1,600-800-500-300-200-200-200. “C” Sec. (1400-1599) EF: $129, $$ 1,400700-400-300-200-200-200. “D” Sec. (1200-1399) EF:$128, $$1,000-500-400300-200-200-200.”E” Sec. (1199-below) EF: $65 (“E” Sect. entries count as 1/2 paid player toward prize fund),$$500-400-300-200-100-100-100. (Unrated

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Tournament Life to U.S. Chess Center, 1501 M St., NW, Washington, DC 20005. Info: 202/8574922. www.chessctr.org. WCL JGP.

7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, rds 1 and 4 only; declare at registration.

Oct. 18-19, Minnesota World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 2nd Annual Chessnuts Challenge Open

A State Championship Event! Oct. 24-25, Utah World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6 Utah Open Championship

Concordia College, Grant Center, Moorhead MN 56560. In 2 Sections, Open: 5SS, R1G/90, R2G/120, R3-5 30/90;G/60, $$b/80: $1200-600-300. U2100: 200100; U1900: 200-100; Upset: 100. Reserve: 5SS, R1G/90, R2G/120, R3-5 30/90;G/60, Open to 1899 & under. $$: $400-200-100. U1700: 100-50; U1500: 100-50; U1300: 100-50; Upset: 50. ALL: EF: $50. $60 after 10/10/2008. 1/2 point byes available rounds 1-4. ENT: BrianThompson / 773 15th Ave. E / West Fargo, ND 58078. www.ndchessnut.com. NS NC W. WCL JGP.

Oct. 19, New Jersey World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) GAME 10’s GALORE #1 (QC) 2 sections (Open and U2200). Dean of Chess Academy, 1161 Route #202 North, Branchburg, NJ 08876 (near Chubb Lane) GRAND PRIX SECTION: 9RR, G/10 All Masters will be in top section, which will be a 9SS if necessary. $300, G$$ 100-100-100. U2200 SECTION: 10RR OR 10SS based on entries. G$$ 90% of EF collected returned in prizes. 1-2-3 get 50%-30%-20%. BOTH SECTIONS: Rounds 11am then ASAP with a break. No Byes: $33 if mailed by October 13, $36 online at entryfeesrus.com, $39 at site. Reg.: 10-11am, October 19. Entries to Ken Thomas 115 W Moore St, Hackettstown NJ 07840. Contact Ken at Cell 908-763-6468 or [email protected]. No chewing tobacco, No snuff, NS NC W.

Oct. 20-Dec. 22, (Champ), Oct. 20-Nov. 17 (other sections) New York World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced) Nassau Championship 40/80. 1st Presby Church, 1st & Main Sts., Mineola. 3 sections. Champ: 10SS over 1999, jrs under 21 over 1799, top 100 U13, women, 2.5 pts in Semi-finals. EF: memb $92, non-memb $111 by 10/17. $$ (3500 G) 800-500-400-300-250200-175-150-125-100, U2100, 2000/UR ea 250. GMs complete tourn w/o forfeit gtd min of $300 & IMs/WGMs gtd $150. 4 byes 1-10. Amateur: 5SS U2000/UR, EF: memb $30, non-memb $41 by 10/17. $$ (324 b/12) 124, U1800, 1600 ea 100. 2 byes 1-5. Novice: 5SS U1400/UR. EF: memb $16, non-memb $27 by 10/17. $$ (120 b/10) 70, U1200/UR 50. 2 byes 1-5. All: EF: $8 more at site. Reg to 7:15 PM. Rds: 7:15 each Mon. Ent: H. Stenzel, 80 Amy Dr, Sayville, NY 11782 NS W. [email protected]. WCL JGP.

Oct. 21, New York World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced) St. John’s Masters at the Marshall Chess Club 4SS, G/30.ThirdTues. of every month. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNY at MCCThursday 4 Rated GamesTonight! since the prior month’s SJM) EF: $40, members $30, GMs $10 (returned on completion of tournament). For each event, money added to prize fund by the sponsors, St. John’s University, and other generous patrons. Top three prizes guaranteed. $$G 300-200-100. Top U2400 and Top U2300 prizes. Special prize for biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.:

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5SS. Student Center, Salt Lake Community College (4500 S 1700 W) Down Stairs. $$700 Gtd plus section & class trophies. Open: 1st $200, 2nd $100. Reserve U1600: 1st $150, 2nd $75. Reserve U800: 1st $100, 2nd $75. UT State Champion trophies to top male & female finishers in Open from UT. Open: Reg.: Fri 2-2:45 or 6-6:25 and Sat 8-9:30; 1/2 pt bye avail. for any 2 rds at registration to accommodate those unable to play both rounds on Fri. Rds.: 1-3 G/90, Rds.: 4-5 G/2, Fri. 3-6:30, Sat 10-1:15-5:30. (5 sec delay all rounds.) Reserve: Sat. only. (2 sect’s: U1600 & U800). Reg.: 8-9:30 am. U1600 G/60, Rds.: 10-12:302:45-5-7:30. U800 G/45, Rds.: 10-12-1:45-3:30-5:15. EF: $25 Adult, $20 Youth; $5 less in adv. GM, IM free. UCA mtg: Saturday, 9:30-9:55. Ent/Info: Grant Hodson, 5856 Cilma Dr., West Valley City, UT 84128, 801-968-1724, [email protected], and at www.utahchess.com. WCL JGP.

Oct. 24-26 or 25-26, Georgia World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6 2008 Boris Kogan Memorial 5-SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day schedule, Rd. 1 G/90). Atlanta Chess Center, 3155A East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Scottdale, Georgia 30079. In 6 sections: $2600 b/89, 50% GTD. Open: EF: $41 if received by 10/22; $45 at site. Re-entry: $25. $400200-100, u2200- $225-150. Under 2000: $225-150. Under 1800: $200-150. Under 1600: $200-150. Under 1400: $200-150, u1200- $100. Unrated: EF: $19. (Not part of base.) Trophies to top 5. All, Byes, all rounds, must commit before 1st. 3-day schedule: Reg.: ends 7:15 p.m. Rounds: 7:45 p.m.; 2-7:30; 10-3:30. 2-day schedule: Reg.: ends 9:30 a.m. Rounds: 1st at 10 a.m., then merges with 3-day. Hotel/Info: (404)-377-4400 or [email protected]. Enter: Same as above. NS. www.atlantachessclub.com. WCL JGP.

Oct. 26, Connecticut World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 UCONN October Open Grand Prix UCONN Castleman Bldg., Room 204, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. 4SS, G/60. EF: $35, $45 at site. $$ 350-200 both gtd.,Top U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400 $100 each b/30. Prizes increased as entries allow. Reg.: 9-9:45 AM Round 1 at 10AM all others ASAP. Parking is across the street behind the Bronwell building. Advance Entry & Info: Tom Hartmayer, 963 Mansfield City Rd., Storrs, CT 06268. Make checks payable to: “Tom Hartmayer”. 860-989-5394, [email protected], www.uconnchess.uconn.edu.

A Heritage Event! Oct. 26, Massachusetts World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6 75th Greater Boston Open 4SS, G/60, Kennedy Senior Center, 117 E. Central St., Natick, MA 01760. $$1700 guaranteed. In four sections: Open: $300-$150, under 2150 $125. Under 2000: $250-$125, under 1850 $100. Under 1700: $200-$100, under 1550 $75. Under 1400: $150-$75, under 1200 $50. Unrated may play in any section

but can’t win 1st except in the Open section. EF: $39 postmarked by 10/21 or online at www.MassChess.org by 10/24; $45 at site. Discounts: $15 off to unrated, $10 off to seniors (65+) or additional family member (1st pays full EF). Limit one discount per player. MACA membership required ($12 adult/$6 under 18); OSA. Reg.: 8:30-9:30 AM. Rds.: 10-1-3:15-5:30. Byes: limit 1, must request with entry. Ent: payable to MACA, mail to Ken Ballou, 27 Fenway Drive, Framingham, MA, 01701-4012 or online (PayPal) at www.MassChess.org. Info: George Mirijanian, 978-345-5011, [email protected]. NS. NC. W.

Oct. 30, New York World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight! 4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 West 10 St, bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may be limited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105, U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game. Rds. 78:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible!

Oct. 31-Nov. 2, California Southern World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 Los Angeles Open 5-SS, 3-day 40/2, SD/1, 2-day rds. 1-2 G/60 then merges. LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. $$8000 b/200, 50% of each prize guaranteed. In 2 sections: Open, $$1600-800-400-300-200, U2200 $600-300-150. Amateur (U2000/Unr), $$600-300-150, U1800 500-250-150, U1600 500-250150, U1400 400-200, U1200 100, Unr. 100. Unr. may win Unrated prize only. Reg.: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Fri., 9-10 a.m. Sat. Rds.: 3-day 7 p.m., 10:30-5, 10-4:30. 2-day: 10:30-1 (G/60), then merges. EF: $69 if rec’d by 10-31, $79 at site. All: $25 Best Game prize, all sections eligible. One halfpoint bye if requested with entry, rds 4-5 cannot be revoked. SCCF membership req. of S. Cal. res., $18 reg, $10 jrr. HR: $109, (310) 410-4000. Be sure to mention Western Chess. Parking $8/day. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles CA 90038, on line at www.westernchess.com. Inf: [email protected]. NS, W, F. State Championship Qualifier. WCL JGP.

Oct. 31-Nov. 2 or Nov. 1-2, Connecticut World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 50 (enhanced) 14th annual Northeast Open 5-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/70), Holiday Inn Select, 700 Main St, Stamford CT 06901. NOVEMBER RATINGS USED. Downtown hotel, free parking, indoor pool, many restaurants, theatres & stores within walking distance. Free shuttle from train station; trains to NYC, Westchester & other CT locations run frequently. $$G 7000. 4 sections. Open: $1000-500-250, U2300/Unr $400-200. FIDE. Under 2100: $700-300-200, U1900 $400-200. Under 1700: $700-300-200, U1500 $400-200. Under 1300: $600-300-150, trophy to top 800999, Under 800, Unrated. Unrated may not win over $100 in U1300, $300 U1700 or $500 U2100. EF: 3-day $83, 2-day $82 mailed by 10/24, all $84 online at chesstour.com by 10/29, $90 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 10/29 (entry only, no questions), $100 at site. All $40 less to Under 1000. No checks at site, credit

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cards OK. All: FREE TO UNRATED. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, unrated $20, rated $30. If mailed, phoned or paid at site, unrated $30, rated $40. Cost of reduced dues borne by CCA. Re-entry $50; not available in Open Section. CSCA members may deduct $3 from mailed EF only. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11-2:306, Sun 9-3:15. Bye (note change): OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 3 and have under 2 pts. HR: $99-99, 800-408-7640, 203-358-8400, reserve by 10/17. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. $10 charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.

A State Championship Event! Oct. 31-Nov. 2 or Nov. 1-2, North Carolina World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 2008 North Carolina Open Championship 5-SS, 30/90, SD/1. (2-day option Round 1 G/80). Clarion Hotel Greensboro Airport, 415 South Swing Road (Guilford College Rd. & Business 40: Exit 25), Greensboro 27409. (336)-299-7650. $10,000 b/179 full paid entries. $5,000 GTD. November rating will be used. FIDE Rating top section only! In 7 sections: Open: $700-500-425, u2300- $425-200. Under 2200: $650-400-300, u2100- $200. Under 2000: $650-400-300, u1900- $200. Under 1800: $650-400-300, u1700$200. Under 1600: $650-400-300, u1500- $200. Under 1400: $650-400-300, u1200- $200. Unrated:Trophies to top 7. (Unrateds must play in either Unrated or Open section) EF: $83 3-day, $82 2-day if received by 10/29; $89 at site. GMs and IMs Free, $70 deducted from any prize. Unrated: $23 3-day, $22 2-day if received by 10/29; $25 at site. Juniors: $48 if playing for trophy, $69 for cash if received by 10/29; $10 more at site. Playing Friday in best costume gets FREE entry! 3-day schedule: Reg.: ends 7 p.m. Rounds: 7:30, 2-7:30, 10:30-3:45. 2-day schedule: Reg.: ends 11/01 at 9:30 a.m. Rounds: 1st at 10 a.m., then merges with 3-day. All, Re-entry: $40, not in open. NCCA membership required $5 (adults only), other states ok. Half-point byes available in 1st 4 rounds, limit 2, must commit before 1st round. Hotel: $89 Double/King with 2 Complimentary Breakfast per room night!! Cut-off date on 10/16 to be guaranteed a room. Mention Chess Tournament. Info: Thad Rogers (478)-742-5607, Atlanta Chess Center (404)-377-4400. This tournament is sponsored by American Chess Promotions on the behalf of the North Carolina Chess Association. Enter: American Chess Promotions, 3055 General Lee Road, Macon, Georgia 31204-1517. e-mail: [email protected]. NS. WCL JGP.

Nov. 1, District of Columbia World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 Fall Fest 4SS G/75 Pryzbala Center Great Room, Catholic University 620 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20064. One Section: Open, Top G: $500-350-225, rest b/o 55. Top A,B/unr,C,D,U1200 each $120. Rds.: Sat: 10-1:30-4-7. REG.: 8:45-9:45 am. EF: $35 if rec’d by 10/27, $45 after. One 1/2 pt bye available before rd 1 and irrevocable. Visit studentorg.cua.edu/chess for online entry, registration form and official rules. Make checks payable to: CUA Chess Club, 204 Pryzbala Center, 620 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20064. Questions to [email protected]. WCL JGP.

Nov. 1-2, Iowa World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 Ames Chess Festival XXIII (IA GP Qualifier) 5SS. 30/75, SD/1. Molecular Biology Building, ISU Campus, Ames, IA. EF: $40 by 10/25, $50 at site. Jr/Sr: $25 by 10/25, $35 at site. IA memb req’d $15, Jr/Sr $10. OSA ($$ b/40, top 3G): 250+T, 150, 100, U1900, U1600, U1300, U1000, each 75-50. Reg.: 8-8:30 am. Rds.: 10-2:30-7:30, 102:30. NS NC WC. Entries to: Roger Gotschall, 1341 Truman Place, Ames, IA 50010. Info: [email protected] or 515-233-4239. WCL JGP.

Nov. 1-2, Michigan World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 West Michigan Open 5-SS, G/120, WMU Bernhard Center, 1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49008. $$2,700 b/80 (min. 75% gtd.). Open: $350-275-200, U2000 $180-90, U1800 $160-80, top upset $25. Reserve (U1600): $325-250-175, U1400 $16080, U1200 $140-70, U1000/unr $120, top upset $20. Unrated only eligible for open or unrated prizes and count as half entries. All entries beyond 80 full entries added to prize fund. EF: $45 received by Oct. 24, $60 after or at site (Unrated $25 by Oct. 24, $40 after or at site). Reg.: Sat 9-9:45am. Rds.: Sat 10-2:30-7, Sun 9-1:30. Ent/Inf: Mike Schulte, 921 W. Kalamazoo Ave. Apt 4, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, 248-496-0869, [email protected], www.westmichiganchess.com. WCL JGP.

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must be booked by 10/03 to receive the Chess Rate. Call 888-888-3780 and mention Pan Am or Chess. Hotel Website: www.bocaratonmarriottbrochure.com. Prizes guaranteed: 1st 4,000 ; 2nd 3,000; 3rd 2,000; 4th 1,500; 5th 1,000; 6th 900; 7th 800; 8th 700 ; 9th 600; 10th 500; 11th 200; 12th 200; 13th 200; 14th 200; 15th 200. Special Prizes: Top Player under 18 $300; Top women player $300; Top player over 50 $300. Titles: Continental Championship regulations apply for titles and norms in this event. Entry Fee: Online or by mail, $175 postmarked by 9/30, $200 after September 30. Make Checks Payable to: Chess Educators, LLC and mail to P.O. Box 160 New York, NY 10028. Official Website: www.ChessEducators.com. Online Registration and Payment available. Characteristic: Each National Federation may register as many players as it wishes. These players must have a minimum FIDE rating of 2000 or USCF rating of 2100. All participants must be endorsed by their FIDE recognized, national federations. WCL JGP.

Nov. 2, New Jersey World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) GAME 10’s GALORE #2 (QC) 2 sections (Open and U2200). Dean of Chess Academy, 1161 Route #202 North, Branchburg, NJ 08876 (near Chubb Lane) GRAND PRIX SECTION: 9RR, G/10 All Masters will be in top section, which will be a 9SS if necessary. $300, G$$ 100-100-100. U2200 SECTION: 10RR OR 10SS based on entries. G$$ 90% of EF collected returned in prizes. 1-2-3 get 50%-30%-20%. BOTH SECTIONS: Rounds 11am then ASAP with a break. No Byes: $33 if mailed by October 28, $36 online at entryfeesrus.com, $39 at site. Reg.: 10-11am, November 2. Entries to Ken Thomas 115 W Moore St, Hackettstown NJ 07840. Contact Ken at Cell 908-763-6468 or [email protected]. No chewing tobacco, No snuff, NS NC W.

A State Championship Event! Nov. 7-9 or 8-9, Vermont World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced) 12th annual Green Mountain Open & Vermont Championship 5 SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60), Grand Summit Resort, 89 Grand Summit Way, Mount Snow, VT 05356. Take Rt 9 west from Brattleboro or east from Bennington To Rt 100, Then Rt 100 north 8 miles to Mount Snow (about 90 minutes from Albany, NY or Springfield, MA). $$G 1000: $300-150-70, top U2000/Unr $180, U1800 $160, U1600 $140, state championship trophy to top VT resident. EF: 3-day $43, 2-day $42 mailed by 10/24, all $44 online at chesstour.com by 10/29, $45 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 10/29 (entry only, no questions), $50 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED. All sections: Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, unrated $20, rated $30. If mailed, phoned or paid at site, unrated $30, rated $40. Cost of reduced dues borne by CCA. GMs free; $40 deducted from prize. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 12-6, Sun 9-2:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-2:15. Half point byes OK all, limit 1; must commit before rd 2. HR: $82-89, 800-261-9442, 802-464-6600, reserve by 10/17 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com/. $10 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.

Nov. 8, New York World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) Jennifer Woods Memorial Grand Prix 4SS RDS. 1 & 2 G/60, RDS. 3 & 4 G/90 @RCC (GTD) $150-90-60 class $80. Reg.: 8:30-9:15. RDS.: 9:30-12-2:15-5:30 EF: $30 Adv Ent/Info: Rochester Chess Center, 221 Norris Drive, Rochester, NY 14610. (585)442-2430.

Nov. 8, Virginia World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6 Frank Creasey Memorial 3-round Swiss System. Game / 90 with 5 seconds delay. Virginia Heights Baptist Church. Corner of Grandin Rd. and Memorial Ave. SW, Roanoke, Va. 24038. GUARANTEED PRIZES: Top Section: $125-100-75. Additional Sections: If Octagonals, Each is guaranteed $125 - $100. If Hexagonals, Each is guaranteed $100-75. If Quads, Each is guaranteed $100 1st. ENTRY FEE: If received

by Nov. 7, $30.00. At site, $40.00. REGISTRATION: 6-9pm 11/7; 8-9:30am 11/8. ROUNDS: 10-2-6. BYES: Only one per tournament; must request before 1st round begins. ADVANCE ENTRIES: Roanoke Valley Chess Club, P.O. Box 14143, Roanoke, Va. 24038. PHONE: (540) 344-4446. E-MAIL: [email protected] WEB PAGE: roanokechess.com.

Nov. 8-9, Colorado World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6 Boulder Fall Classic University Memorial Center, CU Campus, Boulder, CO Room #415.Two sections. Open: 5-SS G/90, EF: $35, $5 less if rec’d by 11/5, $8 less for Jr/Sr/Unrated. CSCA required ($15, $10 for Jr/Sr) Prizes: $600 gtd. 1st-2nd: $180, $120 U2000,U1800,U1600,U1400 $75 each. Rounds: Sat: 10, 2, 6, Sun: 11:30, 3:30. U1200: 5-SS G/30. EF: $15, $5 less for Jr/Sr/Unrated. $5 discount on CSCA with entry. Prizes: Trophies to top 3, U1000, U800, and unrated. Rounds, all Saturday, 10:00, 11:15, 1:30, 2:45, 4. Entries: Klaus Johnson 3605 Endicott Dr. Boulder, CO 80305. Website: www.geocities.com/boulderchessclub.Email: [email protected]. CO TOUR event. WCL JGP for Open section.

Nov. 8-9, Missouri World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 Saint Louis Classical Swiss 2 4SS, 40/2 SD/1, Chess Club & Scholastic Center, 4657 Maryland Ave. St. Louis MO 63108. EF: $60, $40 for annual members of the club. Free entry for any GM, IM, WGM, or WIM. MCA Membership Req’d from $5. OSA. $$GTD $2,300: $500 1st and $200 2nd overall, $200/$100 1st/2nd ea. A, B, C, D, U1200. $50 1st Unrated. $50 perfect score. Reg.: 9:00 - 9:50. Rds.: 10am, 4:30pm, Sunday 9am, 3:30pm. One 1/2 point bye if declared before round 1. Ent: PO Box 4641, St. Louis, MO 63108 314-361-CHESS. [email protected] www.saintlouischessclub.org. NS NC W. WCL JGP.

A Heritage Event! Nov. 8-9, Oklahoma World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 OCF Championship - 63rd Jerry Spann Memorial 5-SS, G/90 + 30 sec, $$G 1,700. Quality Inn, 2515 W. 6th Ave (Hwy – 51), Stillwater, OK 1-405-372-0800 HR: $60-60-60. Wi-Fi, EF: $25 reserve, $40 Open, $10 more at site. OCF $10. Two Sections: FIDE Open: Gtd 1st 500, 300, 200 A: $200 B: $200 Reserve: U-1600 Gtd 1st $200, 100, Class $ per entries; Reg.: 9-9:45am. Rds at 10-2:30-7, 9-1:15. 2 half pt byes rds 1-4, Open is FIDE rated, NC, CMV, LS, W, Free Parking. Jim Berry, Box 351, Stillwater, OK 74076, 1–405 762-1649. WCL JGP.

A State Championship Event! Nov. 8-9, Pennsylvania World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 2008 Pennsylvania State Championship Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Hall, 7193 Jonestown Rd., Harrisburg PA 17112. 2-day Sections: 5SS, G/120. Reg: 9-9:30am. Rds: 10-2:30-7, 10-2:30. Open: EF: $40 by 10/23, $50 later. $$(680G) $350-150, U2100 $70, U2000 $60, U1900 $50. U1800: EF: $30 by 10/23, $40 later. $$(420 b/20) $150-90, U1700 $70, U1600 $60, U1500 $50. U1400: EF: $20 by 10/23, $30 later. $$(280 b/20) $10070, U1200 $60, U1000 $50. Saturday-only U1000 Scholastic: 5SS, G/30. Reg: 11-11:30am. Rds: 12-1:15-2:30-3:45-5:30. EF: $15 by 10/23, $25 later.Trophies: 1-5, 1-2 U600, 1-2 U300, 1-2 Unrated, 1-2 Schools. All: PSCF req’d, $5 OSA. Local Info: [email protected], 717-730-4461. Ent/Info: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245, martinak_tom_m@ hotmail.com, 412-908-0286. WCL JGP.

Nov. 14-16 or 15-16, Ohio World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 120 (enhanced) 17th annual Kings Island Open 5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75), Kings Island Resort, 5691 Kings Island Drive (I-71, 6 mi north of I-275), Mason OH 45040. Free parking. $$ 25,000 based on 360 paid entries (re-entries count as 70% entries, U1000 Section EF 30% entries, unrated not counted); minimum $20,000 (80% of each prize) guaranteed. Free analysis of your games by GM Arthur Bisguier. In 7 sections:

Nov. 1-7, Florida World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 150 FIDE Event: 2008 Pan American - Continental Championship Qualifier to the 2009 FIDE World Cup! Tournament Format: 9 Rounds, Swiss System. Rules: FIDE rules apply 9SS, 40/90 min, SD/30 min. plus 30 sec. increment per move Schedule: Available at www.chesseducators.com When: November 1-7, 2008 Where: Marriott Boca Raton Hotel, Boca Raton, Florida. Chess Rate $120 1-4 in room. Rooms

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

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


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Tournament Life Open: $2500-1200-600-300-200, 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top U2300/Unr $1400-700. FIDE. Under 2100: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Under 1900: $20001000-500-300-200. Under 1700: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Under 1500: $1500-700-400-200-100. Under 1300: $1500-700-400-200-100. Under 1000: $100-60-40, trophies to top 10. Unrated prize limits: U1000 $40, U1300 $100, U1500 $200, U1700 $300, U1900 $500. Balance goes to next player(s) in line. EF: 3-day $103, 2-day $102 mailed by 11/6, all $105 online at chesstour.com by 11/11, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 11/11 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. Under 1000 Section EF: 3-day $33, 2-day $32 if mailed by 11/6, $34 online at chesstour.com by 11/11, $36 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 11/11, $40 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Re-entry $70; not available in Open Section. All: FREE ENTRYTO UNRATED. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, unrated $20, rated $30. If mailed, phoned or paid at site, unrated $30, rated $40. Cost of reduced dues borne by Continental Chess. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-3:15. Byes: (note change): OK all, limit 2, must commit by rd 3 and have under 2 pts. HR: $71-71, 800-727-3050, 513-398-0115, reserve by 10/31 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Car rental is easiest & cheapest transportation from Cincinnati Airport. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658. $10 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.

Nov. 15-16, New Hampshire World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 (enhanced) Southern New Hampshire Open Best Western Executive Court Inn, 13500 S. Willow Street, Manchester, NH 03103. In 2 Sections, Open: 5SS, GAME/110 + 10 Sec. FIDE rated. $$GTD: $500-250. U2250 $150, U2000 $150. U1750: 5SS, GAME/110 + 10 Sec. Open to 1750 & under. $$GTD: $400-200. U1500 $100, U1250 $100. ALL: EF: $50 in advance, $55 at site. Reg.: Registration 9:00-9:45. Advance entries must be postmarked by 11/9/2008. Rds.: 10-2:30-7, 9-2. Unrated may only win 50% of place prizes in U1750. ENT: Alex Relyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. INFO: Alex Relyea [email protected]. HR: $89.99 877-627-2525. www.relyeachess.com. FIDE NS W. WCL JGP.

Nov. 15-16, Virginia World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 13th Annual Northern Virginia Open 5SS, Rds 1-3 G/2, rds 4-5 30/90 SD/1. $$2,100 (Top 3 G) B/80. New Location: Hotel Sierra, 45520 Dulles Plaza, Sterling, VA 20166. www.hotel-sierra.com luxurious single and double suites. 20 Reserved Single Suites available by Oct 21 at $99. Doubles are great for families! Contact hotel at 703-435-9002 or 1800.4.SIERRA (Be sure to ask for Virginia Chess rates) or lauren.osburn@ hotel-sierra.com or book it online at stay.hotel-sierra.com/?id=VIR Near Dulles Airport. Wonderful new playing site! See tournament website for directions and more information. Open: $575-300-200 (G);Top X/A-Unr/B/C/D each

$175, Top U1200 $150, Reg.: Saturday Nov 3: 8:30 am-9:45am. Rounds: Sat 10-230-7, Sunday 10-3:30p. One 1/2 pt bye allowed, must commit to byes before Rd 1, and are irrevocable after play starts. EF: $45 if rec’d by Nov 8th, $55 at site. Ent: Michael Atkins, PO Box 6138 (yes 6138!), Alexandria VA 22306. Make checks to: “Virginia Chess”. Email: [email protected], but NO email entries, just information Web: www.vachess.org/nova.htm. W, NS, FIDE. WCL JGP.

Nov. 18, New York World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced) St. John’s Masters at the Marshall Chess Club 4SS, G/30.ThirdTues. of every month. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNY at MCCThursday 4 Rated GamesTonight! since the prior month’s SJM) EF: $40, members $30, GMs $10 (returned on completion of tournament). For each event, money added to prize fund by the sponsors, St. John’s University, and other generous patrons. Top three prizes guaranteed. $$G 300-200-100. Top U2400 and Top U2300 prizes. Special prize for biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:159:30-10:45pm. One bye available, rds 1 and 4 only; declare at registration.

Nov. 20, New York World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight! 4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 West 10 St, bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may be limited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105, U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game. Rds 78:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible!

Nov. 21-23, Florida World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced) 7th Annual Turkey Bowl 5SS, G/120, Sat. (2-day Sch.) Rd. 1 G/60. Hosted by the Student Union at Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton. $$5,200 b/160 paid entries, 60% min. Gtd. 4 Sections: Open: $800/Trophy-500-300, U2300/Unr $200100. U2100: $600/Trophy-300-200. U1700: $600/Trophy-300-200. U1300: $600/Trophy-250-150, top U1000/Unr $100. Unr. may enter Open or U1300 only. EF: $59 by Nov. 18, $10 more later and on-site, GMs & IMs free ($59 deducted from prize). Reg.: ends 1/2 hr before 1st rd. Rds.: 3-Day 1st Rd. Fri. 7:15, 2Day 1st Rd. Sat 10, Rds. 2-5 Sat. 1:15, 6:30, Sun. 9:30, 2:30. 2 1/2 pt. byes, if req’d before rd. 2. HR: $74 by Cut-off Date, Fairfield Inn, 561-417-8585. Ent: Boca Raton Chess Club, 2385 Executive Ctr. Dr., Ste. 100, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Online entry & add’l info: www.bocachess.com, 561-883-2917. FIDE. WCL JGP.

A State Championship Event! Nov. 21-23 or 22-23, Georgia World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 2008 Georgia Class Championships

Ponce de Leon Ave, Scottdale, Ga 30079. $4,000 based on 84 entries, 75% Gtd. 6 Sections. Premier (over 1999): $500-325-225, u2200: $275-175; A (18001999), B (1600-1799), C (1400-1599), D (1200-1399), U1200: $250-150-100 each section. Note: u2200 is not a separate section. Players may play one section above current rating. Trophy to top Georgia resident each section. EF: $49 if rec’d by 11/19. $60 later or at site. Reg.: 6-7pm on 11/21 or 8:30-9:30am on 11/22. Rds.: 7:30; 2-7; 10-3. 2 day schedule: rd 1 at 10am on 11/22, then schedules merge. Half point bye any round, limit 2, must commit when entering. No changes. GCA membership req’d for Ga residents. Ent: GCA, PO Box 1611, Decatur GA 30079-1611. Make check payable to GCA. No credit cards. Info: Scott Parker, 770-939-5030, [email protected], www.georgiachess.org. WCL JGP.

Nov. 22-23 or 23, New York World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) What A Turkey Open! 4-SS, 30/90, SD/1, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 W 10 St, bet. 5th-6th Ave, NYC: 845-569-9969. $$ 1,200 b/60 paid entries, minimum half each prize Gtd. May be limited to 1st 62 entries! 2 sections, Open. $$ 400-200-100, U2200/unr. $100. FIDE. Under 2000. $$ 200-100, U1800 $100, $100 unr. prize limit. Both, EF: $45, Club membs $30, GMs free ($25 from prize), specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. Online entry at www.chesscenter.cc thru 11/20. 2 options: 2-Day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day; 1-day (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun., merge rd 3. 2 byes max, commit by rd 2. Reg. ends 15 min. before game. Re-entry $20, counts half. Foreign unr. must enter Open. CCA Ratings may be used. EF $10 extra by phone! WCL JGP.

A Heritage Event! An American Classic! Nov. 27-30, California Southern World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 80 44th Annual American Open 8SS, 40/2, SD/1. LAX Renaissance Hotel, 9620 Airport Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90045. $$36,000 b/o 400 entries, 50% of each prize gtd. In 6 sections (Unr. must play in Unr. or Open). Open: $3600-1800-800-600-500-400, U2450/Unr. $800-400, U2300/Unr. $600-300. U2200, U2000, U1800: Each $3000-1500-700-300. U1600 $2400-1200-500-300. U1400/Unr: $2000-1000-500, U1200 $900-450 (not a separate section; U1200s also eligible for U1400 prizes), Unrated: $300-150 (Unrateds in this section eligible for these prizes only). Special prizes $1400 in memory of Joyce Jillson: Best tactical games 200-100, best positional games 200-100, best tactical game non-Master 200, biggest rating gain by woman 400, biggest rating gain under age 13 200 (established ratings over 1000). EF: Open, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400 $120 if rec’d by 11/25, $50 more for players rated under 2000 playing in Open, Unrated $40. All: $30 more at door. SCCF membership req’d, $18, $10 jrs under 19 includes Rank & File magazine, OSA. No checks at door – cash, credit card or money order only. 4-day schedule: Reg. closes noon 11/27, Rds. 12:30-7:30, 12:30-7:30, 10:305, 10-4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. closes 11:30 a.m. 11/28, Rds. 12-2:30-5-8 (G/1), schedules merge in Rd 5 and compete for common prizes. Byes (2 max) with advance notice. CCA minimum ratings andTD discretion used to pro-

5-SS, G/120 (2 day schedule, rd 1 G/90), Atlanta Chess Center, 5155A E.

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tect you from improperly rated players. November Rating Supplement used. Lectures and videos. HR: $99, (310) 337-2800, mention chess. Parking only $6. Info: NTD Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, [email protected]. Ent: American Open, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754 or www.americanopen.org. NS, W, F. WCL JGP.

Open, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, [email protected].

Nov. 28-30, Michigan World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 2008 Motor City Open

4-SS G/75, New Song Comm Church, 13873 National Rd, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. EF: $20 by 11/26, then $30; $5 less w/Golden Buckeye Card. Sections: Open, Reserve (U1600). Prizes $725 Gtd: Open 200-150 U1800 100 Upset 25; Reserve 100-75 U1400 50, Upset 25. Reg.: 8:30-9, Rds.: 9:30, 12:30, 3:15, 6:30. More Info: www.neilley.com/chess, [email protected], 614-3141102. WCL JGP.

6-SS. 3 Sections: OPEN, U1800, U1300.Top section FIDE-rated. $9,250 OVERALL. 66 2/3% Guaranteed. Held at the CROWNE PLAZA AUBURN HILLS, 1500 Opdyke, Auburn Hills, MI 48326 (Directions and Lodging Info below). 2Day & 3-Day Schedules available. Up to three 1/2-pt. byes available; must be requested before start of RD 4. All sections merge after RD 3. Unrated eligible only for UNR and Overall prizes in ALL sections, can play in ANY section. Cell phones must be turned off or in silent mode while in tournament room. INFRACTION: deduct 1/2 the remaining time or game forfeiture if less than 10 minutes remaining on clock; automatic forfeiture for 2nd infraction. Spectators will be subjected to expulsion for the remainder of the event for any offense. Headphones cannot be used if opponent objects for any reason and cannot be used in the last round by players with a plus score. Player must be willing to present same toTDs for examination at any time. Failure to do so will result in removal from tournament without refund. Strict headphone and cell phone rules in effect. Rules posted at site. USCF and MCA memberships required; can be purchased on site. Bring boards, pieces, clocks. IM Ben Finegold Lecture on Fri, 11/28, 3:30-4:30pm ($10). EF by Mon., 11/24 (add $10 after): OPEN: $100 ($90 for Oage 64, Uage 16 or UNR). IM’s and GM’s Free ($100 EF deducted from prize). NO Re-Entries in OPEN Section. U1800: $90 ($80 for Oage 64, Uage 16 or UNR). U1300: $80 ($70 for Oage 64, Uage 16 or UNR). Re-Entries: $45, $40 (Up to two 1/2-pt. byes allowed from previous RDS). TL: 3-Day Schedule: G-120. 2-Day Schedule: Rds 1-3, G-60; Rds 4-6, G-120. REG: 3-Day Schedule: Fri, 11/28, 9:00-11:00am. 2-Day Schedule: Sat, 11/29, 8:30-9:30am. RDS: 3-Day Schedule: Fri, 11-6; Sat, 12-6; Sun, 10-2:30. 2-Day Schedule: Sat, 10-12:30-3-6; Sun, 10-2:30. $$9,250 OVERALL (66 2/3% guar.): OPEN: $4,600 (b/56): 1st-2nd-3rd, $1,200-$600-$400; 1st-2nd U2400, $350-$250; 1st-2nd U2200, $350-$250; 1st-2nd U2000, $350-$250; 1st-2nd U1800/UNR, $350-$250. U1800: $2,450 (b/40): 1st-2nd-3rd, $700-$400$350; 1st-2nd, U1600, $300-$200; 1st-2nd U1300/UNR, $300-$200. U1300: $2,200 (b/38): 1st-2nd-3rd, $600-$400-$300; 1st-2nd U1200, $275-$175; 1st2nd U1000/UNR, $275-$175. Mechanical or Quartz Clock for Biggest Upset in each section! Directions & Lodging: CROWNE PLAZA AUBURN HILLS, located off I-75 at Exit 79 (University Drive). Turn left over overpass, right at the first light (Opdyke). Go 1/2 block down. Reserve online at www.cpauburnhills.com or call toll-free at 1-800-593-5434. Ask MCO chess rate ($69) by 11/7. Info, Ent: Ed Mandell, All The King’s Men, 28546 Dequindre Rd, Warren, MI 48092, (586) 558-4790. Toll-Free, (866) 538-7890. Fax, (586) 5582046. Email: [email protected], Web: www.allthekingsmenchess.com. WCL JGP.

An American Classic! A Heritage Event! Nov. 28-30 or 29-30, Pennsylvania World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 150 (enhanced) 39th annual National Chess Congress 6SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-3 G/50). Trophy sections play separate 2-day schedule only, 11/29-30, G/50. NOTE CHANGE: There is no Unrated Section; unrateds may enter any section between Under 800 and Under 2200. Sheraton Hotel Philadelphia City Center, 17th & Race Sts., Philadelphia 19103. $30,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND. Free analysis of your games by GM Arthur Bisguier. In 10 sections. Premier, open to all rated 2000/above and juniors under 18 rated 1800/above. $3000-1500-700-400-200, clear win or 1st on tiebreak $100, U2400/Unr $1400-700. FIDE. Under 2200: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Under 2000: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Under 1800: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Under 1600: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Under 1400: $1400-700-400-300200. Under 1200: $1400-700-400-300-200. Unrated may not win over $100 in U1200, $200 in U1400, $300 in U1600, $500 in U1800, or $700 in U2000. Top 7 sections entry fee: 3-day $108, 2-day $107 mailed by 11/19, all $109 online at chesstour.com by 11/25, $115 phoned by 11/25 (406-896-2038, no questions), $130 at site. GMs free, $100 deducted from prize. Re-entry $60, not available in Premier. Mailed EF $3 less to PSCF members. No checks at site, credit cards OK. 3-day late entry ends Fri 11 am, rounds Fri 12 & 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day late entry ends Sat 9 am, rounds Sat 10, 12:45, 3:30 and 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. Trophy Sections: Under 1000, Under 800, Under 600. Trophies to top 8 players in each section. Entry fee: $27 mailed by 11/19, $28 online at chesstour.com by 11/25, $35 phoned by 11/25 (406-896-2038, no questions), $40 at tmt. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Late entry ends Sat 9 am, rounds 10 am, 12:45 pm, 3:30 pm each day. All trophy sections: Entry fee: $27 mailed by 11/19, $28 online at chesstour.com by 11/25, $35 phoned by 11/25 (406-896-2038, no questions), $40 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Late entry ends Sat 9 am, rounds 10 am, 12:45, 3:30 pm each day. All sections: FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, unrated $20, rated $30. If mailed, phoned or paid at site, unrated $30, rated $40. Cost of reduced dues borne by Continental Chess. Student/Alumni trophies to top 5 teams of 4 (regardless of section) representing any U.S. college, HS or pre-HS players attend or have graduated from. Half point byes OK all rounds; limit 2, must commit before rd 3 or have under 2 pts. HR: $91-91-91-91, reserve by 11/13 or rate may increase. Parking $5/day to all players; guest room not required. Car rental: 800-331-1600, use AWD D657633 or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. $10 charge for refunds. Questions: chesstour.com, ccaguide.com, 845496-9658. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP (top 7 sections).

Nov. 29, California Southern World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6 American Open Quick Chess Championship (QC) 5-SS (double round), G/10. LAX Renaissance Hotel, 9620 Airport Bl., Los Angeles, CA 90045. $1000 Gtd.: $250-150; U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, Unr. each $100 (Unrated eligible only for Open and Unr. prize). EF: $30 received by 11/25, $35 at site. Reg closes 8 pm. Rounds: 8:15-9-9:45-10:30-11:15. Double bye (1 pt) available for round 1. Enter: www.americanopen.org or American

uschess.org

Nov. 29, Ohio World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) Tryptophan Open

A Heritage Event! Nov. 29, Tennessee World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6 48th Mid-South Open 2 sections: Open and Under 1600. 5 round swiss, G/60. $525 guaranteed prize fund. EF: $30.00 by 11/22. $40 at site (MCC members $30 anytime). First 4 entries with uscf ratings greater than 2100 get free entry fee with fee subtracted from any winnings. Prizes: Open: 1st $200, 2nd $100 Under 1600: 1st $150, 2nd $75. Site: Hampton Inn, 962 South Shady Grove Rd., Memphis, TN 38120. Hotel reservations: (901) 762-0056. Registration (11/29) 7:30am-8:45am. Rounds: 9-11-1:30-3:30-5:30. Entries: Memphis Chess Club Inc., PO Box 17864, Memphis TN 38187-0864.

Dec. 5-7 or 6-7, Florida World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 40 (enhanced) North Florida Open 5-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/70), Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 East Coast Line Drive, Jacksonville FL 32202. Downtown hotel, adjacent to Jacksonville Landing and Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. $$G 5000. 4 sections. Open: $800-400-300, U2200/Unr $300-150. FIDE. Under 2000: $500-250-150, U1800 $300-150. Under 1600: $400-200-150, U1400 $250-150. Under 1200: $300-150-100. No unrated may win over $100 in U1200, $200 U1600 or $300 U2000. EF: 3-day $68, 2-day $67 mailed by 11/27, all $69 online at chesstour.com by 12/3, $75 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 12/3 (entry only, no questions), $80 at site. $30 less to Under 1000. No checks at site, credit cards OK. All: FREETO UNRATED. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, unrated $20, rated $30. If mailed, phoned or paid at site, unrated $30, rated $40. Cost of reduced dues borne by CCA. Re-entry $40; not available in Open Section. 3day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-3:15. Byes (note change0: OK all (limit 2), must commit before rd 3 and have under 2 pts. HR: $89-89, 904-588-1234, reserve by 11/21 or rate may increase. See www.northfloridaopen.com for low cost parking; hotel garage is $15. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. $10 charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.

GOLD & SILVER 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.

GOLD AFFILIATES Cajun Chess

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

Continental Chess Association

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

DC Chess Association

2520 Tenth St. NE, Suite 28, Washington, DC 20018 202-506-2927 [email protected], www.dcchess.com

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

New York State Chess Association

c/o Karl Heck, 5426 Wright Street, County Route 67, East Durham, NY 12423, 518-966-8523, [email protected], www.nysca.net

North American Chess Association

2516 North Waukegan Road, Suite 342, Glenview, IL 60025 888-80-CHESS [email protected], www.nachess.org

SPICE

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

Susan Polgar Foundation 6923 Indiana Avenue, Suite 154, Lubbock, TX 79413 212-748-9584 [email protected] www.SusanPolgarFoundation.org

Tri-State Chess

288 Third Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215 1-888-CHESS-35 [email protected], www.TriStateChess.com

Unity Chess Club

9375 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 100, Office 136, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 480-949-5464 (KING) [email protected] unitychess.com

___________________________________

SILVER AFFILIATES Michigan Chess Association www.michess.org

Oklahoma Chess Foundation www.OKchess.org

Orange Crush Chess Club (IN) [email protected]

Sparta Chess Club (NJ) www.spartachessclub.org

Renaissance Knights (IL) www.RKnights.org


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Dec. 6 & 7 or Dec. 7, New York World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6 New York Marshall CC December GP!

18th annual North American Open

4SS, 30/90, SD/1; Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $45, Members $25. $$625 Gtd: 250 -100-75, U2200/Unrated $100, U2000 $100. Reg. ends 15 min. before game. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day; 1-day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd 3. Limit 2 byes, commit at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 players. WCL JGP.

Dec. 7, New Jersey World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6 ICA Early Winter 2008 Open Championship NEW FORMAT & INCREASED PRIZE FUND Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601. Open To All Ages With Rating >1400 4SS G/60 U. S. Chess Federation Membership Required, Prize Fund ($$ b/40) 1st - 3rd $300, $250, $200, U2000, U1800, U1600 each $100. Best Under 13 Years Old $75, Best Over 65 Years Old $75. Prize Fund Will Not Be Reduced Below 70 %. Reg Ends at 9 Late Entrants Will Receive 1/2 Point Bye For Rnd 1. EF: Adv (pmk. By Dec 3rd) $40, AT Site $45. GMs Free Entry. Make EF: and/or USCF membership checks payable to: International Chess Academy. INFO 201 287 0250 or 201833 1741, Email: [email protected] (Web Site Entries: www.icanj.net). Rds.: 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM. ENT: DianaTulman, 28 Canterbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. NS NC W.

Dec. 26-28 or 27-28, New York World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 40 (enhanced) 4th annual Empire State Open 6SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-3 G/60), Saratoga Hilton Hotel, 534 Broadway (I-87 Exit 13-N, 4 miles north on US 9), Saratoga Springs NY 12866. Free parking. $$G 5000. In 4 sections. Open: $800-400-300, top U2200/Unr $300-150. FIDE. Under 2000: $500-250-150, top U1800 $300-150. Under 1600: $400-200-150, top U1300 $250-150. Under 1200: $300-150-100. Unrated may not win over $100 in U1200 or $200 in U1600. EF: 3-day $83, 2-day $82 mailed by 12/18, all $84 online at chesstour.com by 12/23, $86 phoned to 406896-2038 by 12/23 (entry only, no questions), $90 at site. Special EF: FREE TO UNRATED. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: online at chesstour.com $30; mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Reentry $50; not available in Open. GMs free, $60 deducted from prize. All: No checks at site, credit cards OK. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 10:30 am, rds. Fri 11-6, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 9:30 am, rds Sat 10-1-3:30-6, Sun 9-3:15. Bye: all, limit 2, must commit before rd 3 & have under 2 pts. HR: $102-102, 888-999-4711, 518-584-4000, reserve by 12/12 or rate may increase. Car rental: 800-331-1600, use AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Inquiries: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.

Dec. 26-29 or 27-29, Nevada World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)

7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds 1-4 G/75), Bally’s Casino Resort, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89103. $$ 150,000 based on 750 paid entries (seniors count as 3/4 entries, re-entries & GMs as half entries, U1000/Unr Section rated players as 1/5, unrateds in U1000 not counted), else in proportion; $100,000 minimum (2/3 each prize) guaranteed. Unrated must enter U1000/Unr or Open Section. In 7 sections. Open: Open to all, but EF is $200 more if Under 1900 or unrated. $12000-6000-3500-2500-1400-1000-800-700-600-500, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak bonus $200, 2300-2499 $3000-1500, U2300/Unr $3000-1500. FIDE. Under 2100: $10000-5000-3000-2000-1000-800-700-600500-400. Under 1900: $10000-5000-3000-2000-1000-800-700-600-500-400. Under 1700: $10000-5000-3000-2000-1000-800-700-600-500-400. Under 1500: $8000-4000-2000-1500-1000-800-700-600-500-400. Under 1300: $80004000-2000-1500-1000-800-700-600-500-400. Under 1000/Unr: $400-200120-80, trophies to top 10, no unrated may win over $100. Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 games played as of 12/08 list may not win over $1500 U1200, $2500 U1500 through U2100. Games rated too late for 12/08 list not counted. 2) If more than 30 pts over section maximum on any list 12/07-11/08, prize limit $1500. 3) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Mailed EF: 4-day $244, 3-day $243 mailed by 10/15, 4-day $274, 3-day $273 mailed by 12/12. Online EF: $245 online at chesstour.com by 10/15, $275 by 12/19, $300 12/20 until two hours before round 1. Phoned EF: $250 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 10/15 (no questions), $280 by 12/19. No phone entry after 12/19. EF at site: $300. Open Section EF surcharge: Open Section EF $200 more if under 1900 or unrated; 90% of surcharges added to prize fund. Special EF: Seniors over 65 in Under 1300 or above, $70 less. Re-entry $120; not available in Open Section. GMs $150 from prize. U1000/Unr Section EF: 4-day $44, 3-day $43 if mailed by 12/12, $45 online at chesstour.com by 12/19, $50 phoned by 12/19 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), $60 at site. FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED in U1000/Unr Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. All: No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, unrated $20, rated $30. If mailed, phoned or paid at site, unrated $30, rated $40. Cost of reduced dues borne by Continental Chess. 4-day reg. ends 12/26 5 pm, rds 12/26 6 pm, 12/27 10-5, 12/28 10-5, 12/29 10-4:30. 3-day reg. ends 12/27 4 pm, rds 12/27 5-8:30, 12/28 10-1:30-5, 12/29 10-4:30. Byes (note change): OK all, limit 3, must commit before rd 3 and have under 2 pts. HR: $96-96, 800-833-3308, 702-739-4111, rate may increase if not reserved by 11/22, all rooms in chess block may sell out about 11/1. Free parking (garage at adjacent Paris Las Vegas Hotel is most convenient). Car rental: for special Avis rate reserve car through chesstour.com or call 800-331-1600, use AWD #657633. Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200/more to most other foreign, no pts added to CFC or Jamaica. Most foreign ratings other than CFC, FQE or Jamaica not accepted for U2000 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player ratings: December list used; FIDE ratings not used. Special rules: In round 3 or after, players with scores of 80% or more and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones, or cellphones or go to a different floor of the

hotel without Director permission, and must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.

Dec. 27-30, Texas World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 2008 Pan American Class Championships Location: DFW Airport Marriott South, 4151 Centreport Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas, 76155. HR: $79/79/79/79. marriott.com/dfwam?groupCode=pan pana&app=resvlink, or call 800-228-9290 reserve by 12/5 (or rate could go up) and ask for Pan American Intercollegiate Chess rate. Free Parking. Tournament Dates: December 27-30, 2008. Tournament Format: 6 round Swiss System. G/120, 30 sec. inc. 7 Sections. Open: Open to all, U2000: Open to 1999 & under. Unrateds may play in this section but not be eligible for prizes. U1800: Open to 1799 & under. Unrateds may play in this section but not be eligible for prizes. U1600/Unrateds: Open to 1599 & under. Unrateds play in this section. Unrated may only win unrated prizes that are determined by unrated entry fees.The unrated entry fees do not apply for U1600 prizes. U1400: Open to 1399 & under. Unrateds may not play in this section. U1200: Open to 1199 & under. Unrateds may not play in this section. U1000: Open to 999 & under. Unrateds may not play in this section. Rounds: Rd. 1: 12/27 6 pm, Rd. 2: 12/28 10 am, Rd. 3: 5 pm, Rd 4: 12/29 10 am, Rd 5: 5 pm, and Rd 6: 12/30 9 am. Entry Fees: Priority Registration by December 14, 2008: $60. After December 14, 2008: $75. Guaranteed Prizes: Open: 1st= $600, 2nd = $300, 3rd = $200, 1st U2200 = $400, 2nd U2200 $200. For all other sections (U2000, U1800 etc.) 60% returned as prizes (30% for 1st, 20% for 2nd and 10% for 3rd). Additional Info: One bye available if requested by end of round 2. However players in the Pan Am Intercollegiate may have byes any time as long as requested 45 minutes before round starts AND as long as they are paired in the Pan American Intercollegiate. Open section is Fide rated but uses USCF rules. Sections may be combined if there is a low turnout in one of the sections. More info: www.swchess.com or contact Barbara Swafford, 214-632-9000, info@dallas chess.com Ent: Dallas Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. FIDE NS NC W. WCL JGP.

Dec. 29, Nevada World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced) North American Blitz (QC) 5-SS, G/5 (double round,10 games), Bally’s Las Vegas (see North American Open). $$G 2500. In 2 sections: Open: $400-200-150, top U2400/Unr $240120, U2200 $220-110. Under 1800: $300-150-100, top U1600 $180-100, U1400 $150, U1200 $80, no unrated may win over $150. EF: $40, no checks, enter at site only. Quick-rated, but higher of regular or quick USCF rating used for pairings, prizes. Reg. ends 10:15 pm, rds. 10:45-11:30-12-12:30-1. Bye: 1.

Jan. 16-19, 17-19 or 17-18, California Southern World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced) 16th annual Western Class Championships 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75; Class E & U1000 play 1/17-18 only, G/65). Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel, 30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills

FIDE Event: 2008 Pan American - Continental Championship

2008 CO-SPONSORS

November 1-7, 2008 - Qualifier to the 2009 FIDE World Cup ! Hotel Marriott Boca Raton at Boca Center, Chess Rate $120 1-4 in room ! Must be booked by 10/03 to receive the Chess Rate. Boca Raton the Best Chess Get-Away with it’s Famous Beaches only 5 miles away !

_________________________________________________________________________________________ The Confederation of Chess for America (CCA), the United States Chess Federation (USCF), and Chess Educators, LLC are pleased to invite all National Federations of the Americas to the 2008 Pan American – Continental Championship ! The event was planned in Boca Raton and to take place prior to the Chess Olympiad in Dresden to allow players from different countries in the Americas to participate in the Championship as well as in the Chess Olympiad. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ When:

November 1-7, 2008

Where: Marriott Boca Raton Hotel , Boca Raton, Florida. Chess Rate $120 1-4 in room. Rooms must be booked by 10/03 to receive the Chess Rate. Hotel: www.bocaratonmarriottbrochure.com Prizes:

1st 4,000; 2nd 3,000; 3rd 2,000; 4th 1,500; 5th 1,000; 6th 900; 7th 800; 8th 700 ; 9th 600; 10th 500; 11th 200; 12th 200; 13th 200; 14th 200; 15th 200

Special Prizes: Top Player under 18 $300; Top women player $300; Top player over 50 $300 Titles:

Continental Championship regulations apply for titles and norms in this event.

Entry Fee: Online or by mail, $175 postmarked by 9/30, $200 after September 30. Make Checks Payable to: Chess Educators, LLC and mail to P.O. Box 160 New York, NY 10028.

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Official Website/Contact: www.ChessEducators.com. Online Registration and Payment available. Email: [email protected]. For more info contact [email protected]. Characteristic: Each National Federation may register as many players as it wishes. These players must have a minimum FIDE rating of 2000 or USCF rating of 2100. All participants must be endorsed by their FIDE recognized, national federations. Tournament Format: 9 Rounds, Swiss System. Rules: FIDE rules apply 9SS, 40/90 min, SD/30 min. plus 30 sec. increment per move Schedule: Available at www.chesseducators.com Reminders: FIDE rated, USCF rated, no cell phones. Bring a clock - none supplied. Sets/boards supplied for tournament, but not for skittles.

uschess.org


9/8/2008

CA 91301 (US-101 to Reyes Adobe Road exit). Adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains, 26 miles west of Burbank, 12 miles from Malibu, 28 miles from Ventura. Free parking. $$20,000 based on 230 paid entries (re-entries, E, U1000 count as half entries), minimum $16,000 (80% each prize) guaranteed. In 8 sections. Master (over 2199): $1600-900-500-300, clear or tiebreak winner $100, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Expert (2000-2199): $1400-700-400-200. Class A (1800-1999): $1400-700-400-200. Class B (1600-1799): $1400-700-400-200. Class C (1400-1599): $1300-700-400-200. Class D (1200-1399): $1200-600300-200. Class E (1000-1199): $600-300-200-100. Under 1000: $600-300-200-100. Rated players may play up one section. Unrated must play in A or below with maximum prize A $600, B $500, C $400, D $300, E $200, U1000 $100; balance goes to next player(s) in line. Top 6 sections EF: 4-day $114, 3-day $113 mailed by 1/9, all $115 online at chesstour.com by 1/13, $120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/13 (entry only, no questions), $130 at site. Class E, Under 1000 Sections EF: $52 mailed by 1/9, $55 online at chesstour.com by 1/13 (entry only, no questions), $60 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/13, $70 at site. All: FREETO UNRATED. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: online at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry (except Master) $60. SCCF memb. ($18, jr $10) required for rated Southern CA residents. 4-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11-6, Sun 11-6, Mon 10-4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 10 am, rds Sat 11-6, Sun 116, Mon 10-4:30. Class E & U1000 schedule: Reg Sat to 9:30 am, rds Sat 10-1-4-7, Sun 9-12-3. All schedules: Byes OK all, limit 3, must commit before rd 3 and have under 2 pts. HR: $87-87, 818-707-1220, reserve by Jan 2 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Ent: Continental Chess, c/o Goichberg, Box 661776, Arcadia CA 91066. $15 service charge for withdrawals. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.

A Heritage Event! Jan. 16-19, 17-19 or 18-19, Pennsylvania World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced) 41st annual Liberty Bell Open 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3 day option, rds 1-2 G/75; 2 day, rds 1-4 G/40). U900 Section plays 1/18-19 only, G/40. Sheraton City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts., Philadelphia 19103. $$20,000 b/320 paid entries (U900 Section counts 1/3, GMs ½), else in proportion, except minimum 60% of each prize guaranteed. In 2006 to 2008, the tournament had over 320 paid entries each year and the $20,000 projected prize fund was increased. In 8 sections. Open: $2000-1000-500-300200, 1st clear or on tiebreak $100 bonus, 2300-2399 $800-400, U2300/Unr $800-400. FIDE. Under 2100: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1900: $1000600-400-300-200. Under 1700: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1500: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1300: $700-400-250-150-100. Under 1100: $700-400-250-150-100. Under 900: $150-100-50, trophies to top 8. Unrated may enter any section, but may not win over $50 in U900, $100 in U1100, $200 U1300, $300 U1500, $400 U1700, or $500 U1900. Top 5 sections EF: 4 day $99, 3 day $98, 2 day $97 mailed by 1/8, all $100 online at chesstour.com by 1/13, $105 phoned by 1/13 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. GMs free, $80 deducted from prize. U1300, U1100 Sections EF: All $20 less to rated players. U900 Section EF: $27 mailed by 1/8, $28 online by 1/13, $30 phoned by 1/13, $40 at site. All: FREE TO UNRATED. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: online at chesstour.com $30; mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Mailed entry $3 less to PSCF members. Re entry (except Open Section) $80. 4-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds 7 pm, 11-6, 11-6, 10-4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds.11-2:30-6, 11-6, 10-4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sun 9 am, rds 10-12-2-4-6, 10-4:30. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends Sun. 9 am, rds 10-12-2-4, 10-12-2. Bye: all, limit 3, must commit before rd 3 and have under 2 pts. HR: $93-93-93-93, 215-448-2000, reserve by Jan 2 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.

Mar. 6-8 or 7-8, California Northern World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced) Western Chess Congress 5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75; U1100 & U900 sections are 6SS, 3/7-8 only, G/65). Concord Hilton Hotel, 1970 Diamond Blvd, Concord CA 94520 (I-680 Willow Pass Rd exit). Free shuttle between hotel and Concord BART station. Free parking. In 8 sections. $$G 20,000. Premier, open to all over 1950 and juniors under 18 over 1800: $1600-900-500-300, clear or tiebreak winner $100, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Under 2100: $1400-700-400-300. Under 1900: $1400-700-400-300. Under 1700: $1400-700-400-300. Under 1500: $1200-600-300-200. Under 1300: $1200-600-300-200. Under 1100: $600300-200-100. Under 900: $600-300-200-100. Unrated must play in U1900 or below with maximum prize U1900 $600, U1700 $500, U1500 $400, U1300 $300, U1100 $200, U900 $100; balance goes to next player(s) in line. Top 6 sections EF: 4-day $119, 3-day $118 mailed by 2/26, all $120 online at chesstour.com by 3/3, $125 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/3 (entry only, no questions), $140 at site. U1100, U900 Sections EF: $57 mailed by 2/26, $60 online at chesstour.com by 3/3 (entry only, no questions), $65 phoned to 406896-2038 by 3/3, $70 at site. All: FREE TO UNRATED. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: online at chesstour.com $30; mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry (except Master) $60. Mailed EF $7 less to rated CalChess members. 3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7:30, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:30. 2-day schedule: Reg Sat to 10 am, rds Sat 112:30-6, Sun 9-3:30. U1100 & U900 schedule: Reg. Sat to 11:30 am, rds. Sat. 12-3-6, Sun. 9-12:30-3:30. All schedules: Byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 3 and have under 2 pts. HR: $99-99-109, 925-827-2000, reserve by 2/20 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Ent: Continental Chess, c/o Goichberg, Box 661776, Arcadia CA 91066. $15 service charge for withdrawals. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.

Apr. 8-12, 9-12 or 10-12, Connecticut World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced) 11th annual Foxwoods Open Open Section, Apr 8-12: 9SS, 40/2, SD/1. GM & IM norms possible. Lower Sections, Apr 9-12 or 10-12: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-4 G/50). Foxwoods Resort Casino & Hotel, Rt 2, Mashantucket CT 06339 (I-95 to Exit

uschess.org

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92 to Rt 2 West, or I-395 to Exit 85 to Rt 164 to Rt 2 East). Free parking. 45 miles fromT.F. Green Airport (Providence, RI), 14 miles from Groton/New London Airport; for shuttle from New London Amtrak station call 1-800-USA-RAIL. Bus transportation: 1-888-BUS2FOX. Free shuttle to Mashantucket Pequot Museum, largest Native American museum in USA. Prizes $100,000 based on 650 paid entries (Seniors count as 3/4 entries; U1000 Section, re-entries, GMs, WGMs & foreign IMs/WIMs as half entries), else proportional, minimum $70,000 (70% of each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections: Open: $10000-5000-2500-15001000-700-600-500-400-400, 2300-2499 $3000-1500-700, Under 2300/Unr $3000-1500-700. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game (white 7 minutes, black 5 minutes & gets draw odds) for title & free room at 2010 Foxwoods Open. FIDE rated. Under 2100, Under 1900, Under 1700: each $5000-30002000-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300. Under 1500, Under 1300: $4000-20001500-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300. Under 1000: $1000-600-400-300-250200-150-100. Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated as of 4/09 list may not win over $500 in U1000, $1500 in U1300, or $2500 in U1500. Games rated too late for 4/09 list not counted. 2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on any USCF rating supplement 4/08-3/09, prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $300 in U1000, $600 U1300, $1000 U1500, $1300 U1700, $1600 U1900, or $2000 U2100. Initial ratings that will appear after the 4/09 list used at Director’s discretion; if used, rule 1 applies. 4) Balance of limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Mailed EF: 5-day (Open only) $205, 4-day $204, 3-day $203 if mailed by 1/10; 5-day $225, 4-day $224, 3-day $223 mailed by 3/31; all $250 at site. CSCA members may deduct $4 from mailed EF only. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online EF at chesstour.com: $207 by 1/10, $227 by 4/6, $250 after 4/6 until 2 hours before rd 1. Phone EF at 406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions): $210 by 1/10, $230 by 4/6. No phone entry after 4/6. GMs, foreign IMs, foreign WGMs, foreign WIMs free; $150 deducted from prize. US WGMs $100; another $100 deducted from prize. EF $70 less to seniors over 65 in Under 1300 & above sections. Under 1000 Section EF: 4-day $104, 3-day $103 if mailed by 3/31, all $107 online at chesstour.com by 4/6, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 4/6 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. All: FREE TO UNRATED IN U1000 OR U1300 SECTIONS. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: online at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from Open Section to Open Section. 5-day Open Section schedule: Reg. ends Wed 6 pm, rds. Wed. 7 pm, Thu 12 & 7, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day Lower Sections schedule: Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu 7 pm, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day Lower Sections schedule: Reg. ends Fri 7 pm, rds Fri 8 pm, Sat 10,12:30, 3, 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day & 3-day merge & compete for same prizes. Byes: OK all; limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), must commit before rd 3, having under 2 pts. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: Grand Pequot Tower (tournament site, very luxurious) $132-132, Great Cedar Hotel (connected building; very close) $118-118,TwoTrees Inn (15 minute walk; free shuttle) $108-108. 1-800-FOXWOOD, must reserve by 3/26 or you will have to stay at least 3 miles away. 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 pts added to CFC, PR or Jamaica. Most foreign ratings other than CFC, PR, FQE or Jamaica not accepted for U2000 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player ratings: April list used; FIDE ratings not used. Special rules: Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 4 or after, players with scores of over 80% and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones or cellphones or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. You may request “lowest possible section” if April rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.

Regional Alabama Oct. 18, Dancing Knights Scholastic 6 Sections – 5SS, TC: G/30. Jefferson State – Shelby Campus 4600 Valleydale Road Birmingham, AL 35242. EF: $20/Rated and $10/Not Rated - mailed by OCT 11th; ($10 more at site). Trophies: (Rated) Top 3 Individuals; Top 2 Teams. Medallions: (Not Rated) Top 3 Individuals. Rds: 9:30-10:45-12:30-1:45-3. Late REG.: OCT 18th 8:30-9:10. Checks payable to: Caesar Lawrence. Ent: Caesar Lawrence 882 McAllister Drive Calera, AL 35040. Info: ACF www.alabamachess.com or Email: [email protected].

Oct. 18-19, Athens-Huntsville CC October 2008 4SS, G100, T/D5, Athens Rec. Ctr., 270 US Hwy 31 N @ US Hwy 251 I-65/Ex. 351; Athens, 35611. $250/b/20: 125-75-50, U1800/$30 U1600/$20 EF: $19, if received by Oct. 15, $25 Oct. 20 RDS. 9:00-12:30 daily. ENT/Checks: Edward Labate; P.O. Box 1404; Athens 35612. INFO: www.labatechess.com WCL JGP.

Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26 Athens-Huntsville CC November Wednesdays 4SS, G90, T/D5, Athens Rec. Ctr., 270 US Hwy 31 N @ US Hwy 251 I-65/Ex. 351; Athens, 35611. EF: $5. 1st Rd. 6:15 RDS.: 6:45. INFO: 256.829.2298. WCL JGP.

Nov. 29-30, Athens-Huntsville CC November 2008 4SS, G100, T/D5, Athens Rec. Ctr., 270 US Hwy 31 N @ US Hwy 251 I-65/Ex. 351; Athens, 35611. $250/b/20:125-75-50, U1800/$30 U1600/$20. EF: $19, if received by Nov. 26, $25 Nov. 29. RDS. 9:00-12:30 daily. ENT/Checks: Edward Labate; P.O. Box 1404; Athens 35612. INFO: www.labatechess.com. WCL JGP.

Dec. 3, 10, 17 Athens-Huntsville CC December Wednesdays 4SS, G90, T/D5, Athens Rec. Ctr., 270 US Hwy 31 N @ US Hwy 251 I-65/Ex. 351; Athens, 35611. EF: $5. 1st Rd. 6:15 RDS.: 6:45. INFO: 256.829.2298. WCL JGP.

California Northern Dec. 26-29 or 27-29, 18th annual North American Open (NV) See Grand Prix.

Mar. 6-8 or 7-8, Western Chess Congress See Grand Prix.

California Southern

LA CHESS CLUB * www.LaChessClub.com Fridays: 8 PM-10 PM (Blitz Tournament) Saturdays: 10AM-10 PM (Class& 2 Tournaments) Sundays: 12 PM-6 PM (Tournament) Tuesdays: 7:30 PM-9:30 PM (Intermediate/Advanced Lecture) 11514 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 * (310) 795-5710 (4 blocks West of 405, Santa Monica& Butler * Second Floor) Private (1:1) Lessons * Group Classes * Tournaments. Oct. 12, 2008 Westwood Fall Open See Grand Prix.

Oct. 31-Nov. 2, Los Angeles Open See Grand Prix.

Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, LACC LA Masters G/30 4SS, G/30. LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025, 2nd Fl (4 blks 405W). EF: $20, ($20 LACC memb). Reg.: 5:30-6. Rds.: 6, 7, 8, 9. Prizes: 3/4 collections. 2 Free lots SW of S. Monica/Purdue; or bldg. basement ($2). Inf: (310) 795-5710.

Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, LACC Saturday Swiss G/30 4SS, G/30. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025, 2nd Fl (4 blks 405W). EF: $20, (15 LACC memb). Reg.: 11:30-12. Rds.: 12, 1, 2, 3. Prizes: 1/2 collections. 2 Free lots SW of S. Monica/Purdue; or bldg basement ($2). Inf: (310) 795-5710.

Nov. 2, LAO Halloween Scholastics 5-SS, G/30. LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Open to gr. 12-below. In two sections: Open: Trophies to top 5, top 3 U1200, top 2 Unrated. Grade 6/below U1000:Trophies to top 5, top 3 U700, top 2 Unrated. All: Trophy to best costume each section. Refreshments. Reg.: 8:30-9:15. Rds.: 9:30-11-12:15-1:45-3. EF: $16 if received by 10-31, $20 door. Inf: John Hillery, [email protected]. On-line ent: www.westernchess.com. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles CA 90038.

Nov. 2, LAO Hexes 3-SS, G/90. LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Six-player sections by rating. EF: $20 if received by 10-31, $25 door. $$ 40-20-10 each section. Reg.: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Rds.: 10:45-2-5. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles CA 90038, online at www.westernchess.com.

Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, LACC Sunday Swiss G/60 3SS, G/60. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025, 2nd Fl (4 blks 405W). EF: $20, ($15 LACC memb). Reg.: 11:30-12. Rds.: 12, 2, 4. Prizes: 1/2 collections. 2 Free lots SW of S. Monica/Purdue; or bldg. basement ($2). Inf: (310) 7955710.

Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28, LACC Friday Nite Blitz G/5 (QC) 5SS, G/5 (10 Games). LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025, 2nd floor (4 blks 405W). EF: $10. USCF Quick rated. Reg.: 7:30-8. Rds.: 8-8:30-9-9:3010. 2 Free Parking lots SW of S. Monica & Purdue; or in the bldg. basement ($2). Prizes: 1/2 collections. Inf: (310) 795-5710 or [email protected].

Nov. 27-30, 44th Annual American Open See Grand Prix.

Nov. 29, American Open Quick Chess Championship (QC) See Grand Prix.

Nov. 29, American Open Scholastic 5-SS, G/45. LAX Renaissance Hotel, 9620 Airport Bl., Los Angeles, CA 90045. Open to HS/below. In 4 sections K-12: trophies top 5, 2 each grades 9-12, 1 each K-8. K-8: trophies top 5, 2 each K-8. K-6: trophies top 5, 2 each K-6. K3: trophies top 4, 2 each K-3. EF: $16 received by 11/25, $20 at door. Reg.: 9-9:45 Rounds: 10-11:30-1-3-4:30. Enter: www.americanopen.org or American Open, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, [email protected].

Nov. 30, American Open Action 5-SS, G/30 LAX Renaissance Hotel, 9620 Airport Bl., Los Angeles, CA 90045. EF: $20 received by 11/25; $25 at door. 80% of entry fees returned in prizes Reg.: 11-11:45 a.m. Rounds: 12-1:15-3-4:15-5:30. Enter: www.americanopen. org or American Open, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, [email protected].

Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26, LACC Friday Nite Blitz G/5 (QC) 5SS, G/5 (10 Games). LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025, 2nd floor (4 blks 405W). EF: $10. USCF Quick rated. Reg.: 7:30-8. Rds.: 8-8:30-9-9:3010. 2 Free Parking lots SW of S. Monica & Purdue; or in the bldg. basement ($2). Prizes: 1/2 collections. Inf: (310) 795-5710 or [email protected].

Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27, LACC LA Masters G/30 4SS, G/30. LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025, 2nd Fl (4 blks 405W). EF: $20, ($20 LACC memb). Reg.: 5:30-6. Rds.: 6, 7, 8, 9. Prizes: 3/4 collections. 2 Free lots SW of S. Monica/Purdue; or bldg. basement ($2). Inf: (310) 795-5710.

Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27, LACC Saturday Swiss G/30 4SS, G/30. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025, 2nd Fl (4 blks 405W). EF: $20, (15 LACC memb). Reg.: 11:30-12. Rds.: 12, 1, 2, 3. Prizes: 1/2 collections. 2 Free lots SW of S. Monica/Purdue; or bldg basement ($2). Inf: (310) 795-5710.

Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28, LACC Sunday Swiss G/60

Arizona

3SS, G/60. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025, 2nd Fl (4 blks 405W). EF: $20, ($15 LACC memb). Reg.: 11:30-12. Rds.: 12, 2, 4. Prizes: 1/2 collections. 2 Free lots SW of S. Monica/Purdue; or bldg. basement ($2). Inf: (310) 7955710.

Dec. 26-29 or 27-29, 18th annual North American Open (NV)

Dec. 26-29 or 27-29, 18th annual North American Open (NV)

See Grand Prix.

Jan. 16-19, 17-19 or 17-18, 16th annual Western Class Championships (CA-S) See Grand Prix.

See Grand Prix.

Jan. 16-19, 17-19 or 17-18, 16th annual Western Class Championships See Grand Prix.


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Tournament Life Mar. 6-8 or 7-8, Western Chess Congress (CA-N) See Grand Prix.

UCONN Castleman Bldg., Room 204, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. 4 - SS, G/90. Reg.: 7-7:30pm. Rds.: 7:30pm. EF: At site $10, $5 students. $$ 50% - 30% - 20% net EF’s. 1/2 point byes available in rounds 1 - 3 only, no last round byes. Info: Tom Hartmayer, 860-989-5394, [email protected]. WCL JGP.

Colorado


Nov. 20, Dec. 4, 11, 18, UCONN’s “Uncle Ken” Montenegro Memorial

Nov. 8-9, Boulder Fall Classic See Grand Prix.

Nov. 11, November 2008 G/29 Series Event – Greeley (QC) A CO G/29 Grand Prix Event. (Not a USCF GP Event) 3SS, G/29, no delay. One Section, Accelerated Pairings with more than 12 entries. EF: $3. Prizes: 100% minus USCF rating fee. (60% for tourney prizes, remainder to Grand Prix Prize Fund.) Reg.: 630-700pm onsite only, e-mail if you intend to come. Rds.: 7pm, 8pm, 9pm. Site: Zachariah’s Food Court, University of Northern Colorado campus, Greeley, Colorado, 80631. For Info or Directions: Travis Pape, Phone: 970-978-1511, E-Mail: [email protected].

Dec. 6-7, Manitou Springs: Winter Springs Open 4-SS, 40/2 and G/1, Masonic Lodge, 455 El Paso Blvd, Manitou Springs. 3 Sections: June (open to all), July (U1800), August (U1400). Entry fee $30 if rec’d by 12/4, $35 at site. $8 off EF for Juniors, Seniors, Unrated. Cash prizes per entries. Register 8:30 - 9:30, rds schedule 10, 4; 9, 3. Entries to Richard Buchanan, 844 B Prospect Place, Manitou Springs CO 80829. Phone (719) 685-1984 or e-mail [email protected]. CSCA membership required ($15, 10 for juniors/seniors), OSA. Colorado Tour Event. WCL JGP.

Connecticut

UCONN Chess Club Tues. & Thurs 7:30PM. Castleman Building, Room 204, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Contact: TOM HARTMAYER. Contact Phone: 860-989-5394. Email: [email protected]. Web Site: www.uconnchess. uconn.edu. No dues required. Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Blitz Events, League Play, Matches, Club Championships, Sets & Clocks Available, Chess Items for Sale, Classes, Lectures, Simuls, Under Age 18 & Beginners Welcome, Handicap Accessible. As location may change, please check website or call contact phone #. Oct. 26, UCONN October Open Grand Prix See Grand Prix.

Oct. 26, UCONN School of Engineering October Scholastic UCONN Castleman Bldg., Room 204, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. 3 Sections: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 All: 4-SS, G/30. EF: $25, $30 at site. Reg.: 9-9:45 AM. Round 1 at 10AM, all others ASAP. Prizes: Trophies to top 3 in each section. Sections may be combined for pairing purposes, if less than 5, but prizes remain the same. Parking across the street behind Bronwell bldg. Advance Entry & Info: Tom Hartmayer, 963 Mansfield City Rd., Storrs, CT 06268. Make checks payable to: “Tom Hartmayer”. 860-989-5394, [email protected], www.uconnchess.uconn.edu.

Feb. 28-Mar. 1, New York State Scholastic Championships (out of state welcome) See New York.

Oct. 18, Orlando Bonus Tornado 4-SS, G/75, Melody Manor, 813 Montana St. EF: $30, CFCC mbr:$25, Masters free-EF deducted from prize. $$605 b/30: 200-100-80, U1800, U1600, U1400 $75 ea. Prize increased 50% for 4-0 score. Reg.: 9:30am. Rds.: 10-12:30-35:30. Info: (407)629-6946, centralflchess.org. WCL JGP.

Delaware Oct. 25, 4th Sat. of the Month Quad Howard Johnson’s Hotel, 1119 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19713. PRIZES: $40 per QUAD WINNER! (Every 10th quad free) (3 pt score=free entree next quad) (time controls:40/75, s/d 30). EF: $20. All female players $5. Reg.: 99:30. Rds.: 9:45 1:15 5. ENT: Rick Lathem, 47 Birchgrove Road, Newark, DE. 19702-3747. 302-299-5407. [email protected]. NS W.

A State Championship Event! Nov. 22-23, 2008 Delaware State Open Championship Howard Johnson’s Hotel (Constitution Room), 1119 S. College Ave., Newark, DE 19713. 5-SS: TC: Rds 1-3, G/90; Rds 4&5, G/120. REG.: Sat 8:45-9:30. Rounds: Sat 9:45, 1:15, 5:15 Sunday 10, 3 (DCA meeting 9:15 Sunday) Byes: limit 1, byes in rounds 4 & 5 are irrevocable and must be requested prior to round 3. In 4 Sections OPEN SECTION: EF: $40 by 11/17, $50 at site (GM, IM free). $$60% Rtd: 40%-25%-15%. under 2000 10%, under 1800 10%. StateTitle andTrophy to Delaware Men’s champion and Delaware Women’s champion (both must play in open section). Open Trophy for 1st (if 1st is DE player, that player gets DE champion trophy & open trophy goes to next in line). RESERVE SECTION (Under 1800): EF: $35 by 11/17, $45 at site. $$60% Rtd: 40%-25%-15%. Under 1600 - 10%, Under 1400- 10%. Trophy to Reserve Champion. AMATEUR SECTION (under 1200): EF: $35 received by 11/17, $45 at site. $$60% Rtd: 50%-30%-20%. Trophy to Amateur Champion. SCHOLASTIC: Rounds 5 SS, G/30, EF: $10. Prizes: Trophies for top 3. Reg.: 8:45-9:30. Rds.: 9:45, 11:15, 1:00, 2:30, 4:00. ALL: Memb. Req’d: DCA membership $10 ($5 under 18). OSA. ENT: David Power, 7005 Pleasant Court, Wilmington, DE 19802. INFO: David Power, [email protected]. (302)-762-4695 (home only). HR: $69 single, $74 double 1-888-268-8521 or 302-368-8521 must reserve by Friday 11/14. www.delawarechess.org. NS NC W. WCL JGP excluding Scholastic Section.

Nov. 15-16, 29th Townsend Cup 4-SS, 40/2, SD/1. Comfort Suites, 64 Knotter Dr., Southington, CT. Three sections: OPEN, EF: $40, $$50%-30%-20%, trophies top 3 Under 2000. RESERVE (Under 1700), EF: $25, trophies 1-2-3. NOVICE (Under 1400), on Sat., 4/SS, G/1, EF: $20, trophies 1-2-3. Unrated players in Reserve, Novice not eligible for first prize. ALL: EF $10 more at door. Reg.: 8:30-9, Rds.: 9-2, 9-2. (Novice 9-11-2-4). HR: $89. Ent: Fred Townsend, 11 Cole Dr., Wolcott, CT 06716. [email protected], (203)-879-2009. NS. NC. WCL JGP.

10936 N 56th, Temple Terrace, 33617. 4SS, G/30 +5 secs. Entry: $20. Grades K-12 only. U600 & Unrated players. b/20 each sect. $100, 60, 40. USCF required. Trophies 1-5 plus team. Rd1-1pm, 2-4 asap. No pre-reg. ENT/INFO: www.wflachess.org. CoachT Call 813-727-8852. NS, NC.

Oct. 25, DBCC Club Championship Open 5SS, G/45, Schnebly Recreation Center, 1101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32118. 2 sections: Open EF $25, $$(250b/12): 100-75, Top U1600 50-25. Must be a member of the DBCC by 10/1/08 to be eligible for Title & trophy. Scholastic: EF $5, Trophies. Reg.: 9:00-9:45. Rds.: 10-11:35-2-3:35-5:10. Ent: P. B.Tomaino, 575 N. Williamson Bl., #116, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. INFO: 386-239-9485 [email protected]. www.daytonabchcc.org W NS NC.

Nov. 1-7, FIDE Event: 2008 Pan American - Continental Championship See Grand Prix.

Nov. 5, $500 Guar. Cash Opens 5rd Swiss G/30 EF: $25; $30 at door. $100-$60-$40; U1600, U1400, & U1200 $50-$30-$20 each. 1st rd 10:15 AM. Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg, FL. NS, NC, W. preregister at: www.stpetersburgchessclub.com. 727-822-1171.

Nov. 5, St. Petersburg Rated Beginner’s Open (RBO)

District of Columbia Oct. 18-19, Oscar Shapiro D. C. Open

Nov. 9, Tampa Chess Club Tornadoes

See Grand Prix.

Nov. 1, Fall Fest See Grand Prix. 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.

See Vermont.

Oct. 19, Tampa Chess Club U600/Unr Sizzles

5rd Swiss G/30 USCF RBO 4 Sect. K-2U400; K-5U500; K-8U700; & K12U1000; top 12 in each get trophy; all others medal. Team (2 or more) - best four scores from all divisions. EF: $18. 1st rd: 10:15 AM. Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg, FL. NS, NC, W. pregister online at www.stpeters burgchessclub.com. 727-822-1171.

Nov. 2, Metro First Sunday Quads

Nov. 8-9, 5th annual New England Scholastic Championships (VT)

Boca Raton Chess Club Friday nights, Game 90 Tournament, one game a week for 4 weeks. Monday nights, Blitz tourney. www.bocachess.com, 561-883-2917. WCL JGP.

See Grand Prix.

See Grand Prix. 3RR, G/30, Holiday Inn Select (see Northeast Open). EF: $20. 1st prize each section: choice of 2 year USCF Adult membership with Chess Life, 4 year USCF Young Adult Membership with Chess Life, or $40. Reg: 9-11 am, Rds: 11:3012:30-1:30. Ent: at site only, no checks.

Palm Beach Gardens Chess Club Rated tournaments and skittles games every Saturday morning 9:00 am till 4:00 pm. www.palmbeachchess club.info, (561) 762-3377.

Apr. 8-12, 9-12 or 10-12, 11th annual Foxwoods Open

Oct. 31-Nov. 2 or Nov. 1-2, 14th annual Northeast Open Nov. 2, Stamford USCF Booster Quads

Florida

Nov. 9, National Capital Scholastic Cup 4-SS. G/30. US Chess Center, 1501 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Open to any student in K - 12th grade living in DC, Maryland or Virginia. EF: $20 if by 11/2, $30 at site. Reg.: Noon - 12:45. Top 16 players qualify for a series of play-off matches. $$200-100-50-50 savings bonds to champion, finalist and semi-finalists of the play-offs. Trophies to the top 16 and others with the same score as the lowest of the top 16. Champion‘s name engraved on permanent cup on display at the US Chess Center. www.chessctr.org/Cup.php 202/857-4922.

Dec. 13, Rated Beginners Open (RBO) 4-SS, G/30. US Chess Center, 1501 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20005. Open to players rated under 1200 or unrated. EF: $15 ($12 if by 12/6). 5 sections by age. Reg.: 12-12:45. Info: 202/857-4922. www.chessctr.org/rbo.php.

10936 N 56th, Temple Terrace, 33617. 4SS,G/45 +5 secs. Entry $30, Masters FREE! Open & U1400. Each section (b/25): 200-100-50 & U1800, U1600, U1200, U1000 $50. Reg.: 12:30. Rd1-1pm, 2-4 asap. No pre-reg. ENT/INFO: www.wflachess.org. CoachT Call 813-727-8852. NS, NC.

Nov. 15, 4th DBCC Game/45 Open 5SS,G/45, Schnebly Recreation Center, 1101 N. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118. 2 sections: Open EF $25, $$(250b/12): 100-75, Top U1600 50-25. Scholastic: EF $5, Trophies. Reg.: 9:00-9:45. Rds.: 10-11:35-2-3:35-5:10. Ent: P. B.Tomaino, 575 N. Williamson Bl., #116, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. INFO: 386-239-9485. [email protected]. www.daytonabchcc.org W NS NC.

Nov. 15, Orlando Bonus Tornado 4-SS, G/75, Melody Manor, 813 Montana St. EF: $30, CFCC mbr:$25, Masters free-EF deducted from prize. $$605 b/30: 200-100-80, U1800, U1600, U1400 $75 ea. Prize increased 50% for 4-0 score. Reg.: 9:30am. Rds.: 10-12:30-35:30. Info: (407)629-6946, centralflchess.org. WCL JGP.

Nov. 21-23, 7th Annual Turkey Bowl See Grand Prix.

Nov. 23, Tampa Chess Club U600/Unr Sizzles 10936 N 56th, Temple Terrace, 33617. 4SS, G/30 +5 secs. Entry: $20. Grades K-12 only. U600 & Unrated players. b/20 each sect. $100, 60, 40. USCF required. Trophies 1-5 plus team. Rd1-1pm, 2-4 asap. No pre-reg. ENT/INFO: www.wflachess.org. CoachT Call 813-727-8852. NS, NC.

Dec. 5-7 or 6-7, North Florida Open See Grand Prix.

NO TOURNAMENTS IN YOUR AREA? WHY NOT ORGANIZE ONE? Do you need to go out of town for tournament play? Would you and others in your area like the convenience of an occasional event closer to home? Organize one! It’s not much work to hold a small tournament, and there is little risk if you use a lowcost site and avoid guaranteed prizes. You might even make a profit! Either a based-on Swiss with projected prizes up to $500, a Quad format, or a trophy tournament will virtually guarantee taking in more in fees than you pay out in prizes. The affiliation fee is just $40 a year. You will receive the annual rating supplement and have access to the TD/Affiliate area of our website. Remember, you can both run and play in a small event. Many of them wouldn’t be held if the organizer/TD couldn’t play. WANT TO KNOW MORE? Contact Joan DuBois at [email protected]. We’ll be glad to help you be part of the promotion of American chess!

Dec. 7, Jacksonville USCF Booster Quads 3RR, G/30, Hyatt Regency (see North Florida Open). EF: $20. 1st prize each section: choice of 2 year USCF Adult membership with Chess Life, 4 year USCF Young Adult Membership with Chess Life, or $40. Reg: 9-11 am, Rds: 11:30-12:30-1:30. Ent: at site only, no checks.

Dec. 12-14, 2008 National Scholastic K-12 Championship See Nationals.

Dec. 27-29, 11th Annual Jr. Orange Bowl International Scholastic Chess Championship 7SS, G/60, Embassy Suites Hotel, Miami Int’l Airport, 3974 South River Drive, Miami FL 33142. In 4 Sections: Ages 9 and under, 10-12, 13-15, 16-20. Players must have a USCF membership EF: $50 individual, $160 team (4 players in a team). Prizes: Trophies to top 10 individuals and top 5 teams. HR: $139.00, 1-800-EMBASSY or 305-634-5000, reserve by 11/26 or rate may increase. ENT: Make checks payable to JOB. Send checks and registration forms to Kennedy Chess Association, 6280 Coral Way, Miami FL 33155. For info and registration forms go to www.jrorangebowl.com - chess championship, email to [email protected] or call 305-984-9896, fax 305-666-4031.

Georgia Oct. 24-26 or 25-26, 2008 Boris Kogan Memorial See Grand Prix.

Nov. 21-23 or 22-23, 2008 Georgia Class Championships See Grand Prix.

Dec. 5-7 or 6-7, North Florida Open (FL) See Grand Prix.

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Illinois Nov. 8, Illinois All State Grade Scholastic Chess Tournament Palatine High School, 1111 North Rohlwing Rd., Palatine, Illinois 60074, Players enter and play in their own grade only. K-1 Rounds: 9-10:15-11:30-12:45-2, Grades 2-5 Rounds: 9-10:30-12-1:30-3, Grades 6-12 Rounds: 9-11-1-3. TC: Grades K-1 G/30, 5-SS; Grades 2-5 G/40, 5-SS; Grades 6-12 G/50, 4-SS, (High School Grades might have to be combined.). Prizes: 3 Team Trophies per each grade in K-1; 6-8; 9-12; 5 Team Trophies per each grade in 2-5; 10 Individual Trophies for grades K-1; Medals for all other K-1players; 15 IndividualTrophies for grades 2-5; 10 Individual Trophies for grades 6-8; 3 Individual Trophies for grades 9-12.Team Score:Top 3 finishers with a minimum of 2 players from each school per grade. SPACE LIMITED TO FIRST 600 ENTRIES. Entry Fee is $25 if received by 10/24/06, $35 after 10/24. $10 service charge for adjusted registration fees and USCF memberships paid for on site. To be paired for round 1 adjusted registration fees and USCF memberships must be paid by 8:00 A.M. on the day of the tournament. No Saturday on site entries: only on-line entries from 11/4/08 – 11/7/08 (Noon). Players must reside in Illinois or attend an Illinois school and must be USCF members. Check main.uschess.org for more membership information. Checks payable to Chess Central: Mail registrations with name-contact info-grade-birthday-school-uscf ID & exp.address-city-zip-e-mail address-coach name & contact info to Mike Zacate (Please, no checks payable to Mike), 9401 Birch, Mokena, IL 60448. Updated info/Hotels/On-Line Entries: www.chessforlife.com/chess/allgrade08/all grade08.html. Team Rooms: Check on-line for our limited availability of team rooms. Bookdealer on site.

Indiana ChessClub Friday Night Blitz (QC) 2302 West Morris St. at the West Morris St. Free Methodist Church. Entrance is in the back, down the stairs by the office. When: Starts Every Friday except the Fri before the second Sat doors open at 6:00 P.M. tournament starts at 6:30 P.M. Type: 3 Rounds, Game/5, Round Robin Quad, U.S.C.F. Rated. EF: $7.00 if received one week before tournament starting date, $8.00 at the door. Prizes: Based on 4 full Pd. entries per quad, First in each quad: $20.00, Second in each quad: chess merchandise. Send advance entries to: Donald Urquhart, 501 N. East St. #802, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1629. For more info: call Don at (317) 634-6259 or e-mail [email protected].

Every SECOND Sat. of the Month. OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT 5 Round, G/61, U.S.C.F. rated. 2302 West Morris St. at the West Morris St. Free Methodist Church in the Ellis Hall Room. Entrance in back, down stairs, by office. Late Ent. 8-9am, Rd 1, 9:30am. Prizes: $465.00 b/o 20 full pd. Ent. 1st $150; 2nd $75; Class A, B, C, (D, E, Unr) $60 each. Prizes increased if entries allow. EF: $25 if rec’d one week before tournament date, $30 at door, $5.00 discount for your birthday month, FIDE Titled Players Free. + Free Sack Bar Adv. ENT: Donald Urquhart, 501 N. East St. # 802, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1629. Info: call Don at 317-634-6259 or e-mail [email protected]. Note: there must be at least 3 entries in a class for that class prize to be awarded. If two adjoining class prizes are vacant, a combo prize will be awarded. News Flash!!! OCCC Has won the bid for 09 US Open. All Sat Monthly’s will offer Orange Points that may be used for FREE ENTRY to US Open in 09. WCL JGP.

FREE ENTRY: Quad Quick Chess Tournament (QC) Fri. before the second Sat. of the Month

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Rated tournament the 2nd Tuesday of each month and we meet every Tuesday between 6:30-10:00. We meet at the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, in Room 108A of the OccupationalTechnical Building. For further details visit our website @ www.geocities.com/elizabethtownchessclub/

A Heritage Event! Oct. 25, 25th Pink Floyd Open 4SS, G/60. Music will be played during the rounds! U1600 or U1400 section depending on entries. NEW PLAYING SITE: UK Student Center, 404 South Limestone, Lexington KY. 2200+ rated players get FREE entry. EF: $20. 90% of entry fees returned. Rds.: 10:15 - lunch - 1 - 3 - 5:15. ENT: Stephen Miller, 859.200.8460, [email protected], Jerry Baker, 859.806.0637, Lexchess@ insightbb.com. Lexchess.com.

A Heritage Event! Oct. 25, 29th Annual MSU Open

Oct. 25, Eastern Maine Open 4SS, G60. U Maine Memorial Union, Orono, ME. Maine Player of the Year Event. Open: $100 + trophy, X-$25, A-$25, B-$25, C-$25. U1400: $40 + trophy, D- $25, E-$25. U1000: $30 +trophy, F-trophy, G-trophy, U600 -trophy. EF: $15 adv by 10/23, $20 site. Reg.: 8:30-9:00. Rds.: 9:30, 12:00, 2:00, 4:00. Ent: Tom Sandford, 7 Wedgewood Drive, Veazie, ME 04401. 207-942-0598 evng, 207581-2183 day. [email protected].

Maryland

Nov. 14-16 or 15-16, 17th annual Kings Island Open (OH)

Silver Knights Chess Tournaments We organize USCF-rated tournaments on Saturdays for adults and kids. Free analysis by a National Master at every tournament for the scholastic players. Trophies to top scholastic finishers; 70% of entries returned as prizes in open (adult) sections. To see a list of dates and locations, see our website at www.silverknightschess.com. Phone: 610-446-0818. Email: [email protected].

See Grand Prix.

Oct. 11-13, 49th Annual U. S. Armed Forces Open

Dec. 5-6, The Lexington Chess Tournament 2008

See Nationals.

$G: 1000. 4SS at 10, 1 and asap thereafter, G/60.Third floor, Curris Center, Murray St. Univ., Murray, KY. EF: $20 if rec’d by Oct. 22nd, $30 afterward. In two sections: Open and Amateur for those rated under 1400. Guaranteed prizes: $1000 Open: $200 + trophy to 1st; $100 + Trophy to first in each of A, B and C; $50 + trophy to 1st rated under 1400 or unrated; Amateur: $100 + trophy to 1st in each of the following categories - rated below 1400, rated below 1200, rated below 1000, rated below 800; and $50 to 1st UNR in amateur section. Ent: Wayne Bell, 1710 Audubon Dr., Murray, KY 42071, site 9:00-9:45. Info only: 270-293-7675 8-11 PM or [email protected]. memb. required USCF. W.

The Lexington Convention Center, 430 West Vine Street, Lexington, KY 40507. Schedule: GM Gregory Kaidanov SIMUL Friday 12/5 at 6:30 pm (first 50 registered participants only). Saturday 12/6 tournament begins at 8:45 am. All rounds will begin at specific times. 5 Sections – Primary: K-1: 5SS, G30. K3: 5SS, G30. Elementary: K-5: 5SS, 1-3 G30, 4-5, G45. Middle School: K-8: 5SS, 1-3, G30, 4-5, G45. High School: K-12: 4SS, G60. Tournament only: $20 if postmarked by Nov. 28, $40 thereafter. Tournament and Simul (first 50 registered participants): $30 if postmarked by Nov. 28, $50 thereafter (based on availability). Simul only: $20 (based on availability). No onsite registration. Send completed registration forms to Vicki Fahmy at [email protected]. Make checks payable to Sayre Chess Club. Mail entries to: Vicki Fahmy, 3129 Althorp Way, Lexington, KY 40509. Entry fees include a free program and individual score book and a pencil. Award List: Individual: K-1: Top 8. K-3, K-5, K-8, K-12: Top 10. Class Awards:** K-1: Top 3 U300, Top 5 unrated. K-3: Top 3 U800, U500, Top 5 unrated. K-5: Top 3 U900, U600, Top 5 unrated. K-8: Top 3 U1000, U700, Top 5 unrated. K-12:Top 3 U1000. Teams:Top 4. ** Number and category trophies/medals will be adjusted based on entrants. There will be a minimum of 2 class categories per section. All K-1 players will receive a participation medal. Biggest upset medal per section for rated players. Awards Ceremony: Sat. 6:00 – 8:00 pm. INFO: Larry Bell, [email protected], 859.338.8293. DIR: See website www.sayrechess.org for more information and directions.

Maine Oct. 11, Maine Rating Floor Open

G/15, U.S.C.F. rated. Located at 2302 West Morris St. at the West Morris St. Free Methodist Church in the Ellis Hall Room. Entrance in back, down stairs, by office. Late Ent. 6-6:25pm. Rd 1, 6:30pm. Prizes: First in each quad gets choice of 50% off entry fee for Sat. Monthly a $15.00 value certificate, or chess merchandise. A cash buyback option is available on the certificate, call for details. Second gets the prize not chosen by First EF: Free. Adv. ENT: Donald Urquhart, 501 N. East St. # 802, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1629. Info: call Don at 317-6346259 or e-mail [email protected]. A ORANGE CRUSH EVENT.

4SS, 1st G/75. (A Maine Chessplayer of the Year Event). Bowdoin College, Moulton Union, Brunswick, ME 04011. Total Prize Fund: $650 b/28 players. 2 Sections: Championship: OPEN to ALL. Prize fund: $420 – Prizes: 1st $200, Top U2010 $120, Top U1810 $100. Reserve: OPEN to U1610. Prize fund: $230. Prizes: 1st $150,Top U1400 $80. ALL EF: $30 if rec’d by 10/09, $35 at site. Reg.: 8-9. Rds.: 9:30, 12:30, 3:15, 6:30. State Membership Req’d. $10 Adult, $5 Student. Address for advance entry: Philip H. Lowell, Jr., 143 Lamb St., Apt. 2, Westbrook, ME 04092. Phone: (207) 854-4028. Email: [email protected]. WCL JGP.

Oct. 17-19 or 18-19, 67th Indiana State Chess Championship

Oct. 11, Maine RBO

See Grand Prix.

4SS. 1st G/60. (A Maine Chessplayer of the Year Event). Bowdoin College, Moulton Union, Brunswick, ME 04011. Rated Beginners Open: OPEN to U1200 &

Oct. 18, Beginners Tourney

Unrated. EF: $15 if rec’d by 10/09, $20 at site, FREE TO BOWDOIN COLLEGE STUDENS, FACULTY & STAFF. Prizes: 1st $50 & trophy, 2nd–5th trophy, 6th-10th medal. Reg.: 9:30-10:15. Rds.: 10:30,1,3,5. State Membership required: $10 Adults, $5 Students. Address for Advance Entry: Philip H. Lowell, Jr., 143 Lamb St., Apt. 2, Westbrook, ME 04092. Phone: (207) 854-4028. Email: plowell2@ maine.rr.com.

Oct. 17, Catonsville Friday Knight Quick #73 (QC) 5SS, G/15, Catonsville Chess Club, Bloomsbury Community Center, 106 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228 EF: $5.00 Reg.: 7:30pm. Rds.: 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30, 10. Prizes based on entries with 60% returned as prizes. Info: josephas2 @comcast.net or 410-788-1009. Joe Summers or www.geocities.com/catons villechess Dir: 695 to exit 13 West, left at second light, 3 blocks on right.

Nov. 2, Catonsville First Sunday Action 5SS, G/30, EF: $15.00, Rds.: 11am,12:45pm,2pm,3:15pm,4:30pm. Reg.: 10:15am. Bloomsbury Community Center, Room 118, 106 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, Md. 21228. Prizes based on entries with 65% returned as prizes and at least two class prizes. One 1/2 point bye available rounds 1-3. Info: [email protected] or 410-788-1009 www.geocities.com/catonsvillechess Advance entries: Joe Summers, 1201 Daniels Ave., Baltimore, MD. 21207. Include USCF ID and rating and make checks payable to Joe Summers.

Jan. 16-19, 17-19 or 18-19, 41st annual Liberty Bell Open (PA) See Grand Prix.

Massachusetts Oct. 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, Dr. Dieter H. Keller Memorial 5SS, G/110, Wachusett Chess Club, McKay Campus School, Room C199, Fitchburg State College, 67 Rindge Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420. EF: $1 per game played; free to Wachusett CC members. Reg.: 7-7:10 p.m., Rds.: 7:15 p.m. Byes: 1-4, limit two. Prizes: chess books. Info: George Mirijanian, 978-345-5011, [email protected], Website: www.wachusettchess.org Online ratings as of Oct. 15 will be used. WCL JGP.

Oct. 26, 75th Greater Boston Open See Grand Prix.

Nov. 1, 3rd Annual WMCA Memorial 3SS, G/90, Palmer Public Library, 1455 N. Main St., Palmer MA. EF: $26 by 10/27; rated 2200+, FREE (Adv. EF deducted fr/prize winnings), UNR $16 by 10/27. $32 at site. $750 PRIZE FUND b/30. Entries paying SPECIAL ENTRY FEE are not included in the b/30. Sections/prizes: Open: 1st $200, 2nd $150 U1800: 1st $150, 2nd $100 U1400: 1st $100, 2nd $50. New/UNR players, $16 by Oct. 27th. New/UNR players must play in U1400 Section. WMCA member discounts: $2 off: Reg.: 8:30-9:15 AM. Rds.: 9:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:15 PM. Adv Ent.: Frank

5SS, Game/30, Ramada Conference Center, 3550 E. Market St., Logansport, IN 46947. Open to 1199 & under. EF: $10 rcvd by 10/14, $15 at door. Memb. Req’d: ISCA. OSA. Prizes: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Trophies. Reg.: 11-12:30. Rds.: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. ENT: Gary J Fox, 134 Wheatland Ave., Logansport, IN 46947 574-722-4965. INFO: [email protected]. www.indianachess.org.

Nov. 1, Tri-State Fall Chess Open Evansville Airport Marriott, 7101Highway 41 North, Evansville IN 47725. In 2 Divisions Open: 4SS, G/70, EF: $40 in advance. NO checks onsite. Scholastic: 5SS, G/40, Open to 12th grade or younger. Sections: 3U, 6U, 12U. Bonus trophies awarded to K-1 players. EF: $20 in advance. NO checks onsite. Prizes: Individual and Parent/Child Team trophies awarded. All round finishing players will receive at least a participation trophy. 8:45 players/parents meeting. ALL: Reg: NO ONSITE REGISTRATION. Registration by mail and check must be received by 10-31-08. Registration by email, through our website, and payment by PayPal is encouraged. Rds.: first round 9:00am, others ASAP. PayPal to: [email protected]. ENT: Terry Vibbert, 1125 Suwannee Drive, Evansville, IN 47725. 812-626-0030 evansvillechess.org. HR: $65 800853-5728. DIR: see website for directions. NS NC W. WCL JGP.

Nov. 14-16 or 15-16, 17th annual Kings Island Open (OH) See Grand Prix.

Dec. 6-7, A-B-C Open 5-SS, G/120, Jameson Inn, 215 Dixie Way S. (Roseland), South Bend, IN 46637. (574) 277-3211. All 1 section, open only to players rated 1400-1999. At least $1,000 G. $$ 1st, 2nd, B, C, more details next month. Reg.: 9-9:30, Rds.: 10-2-7, 10-2. ENT & Info: Roger Blaine, P O Box 353, Osceola IN 46561. (574) 257-9033, [email protected]. WCL JGP.

Iowa Nov. 1-2, Ames Chess Festival XXIII See Grand Prix.

Kentucky Elizabethtown Chess Club Special

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Kolasinski, 119 Brunswick St., Springfield MA 01108; Questions: Call Frank at 413-209-9450/e-mail: [email protected]. WMCA website: www.Western MassachusettsChessAssociation.org.

See Grand Prix.

5SS, G/60, $$b/15: $200-90-30. U1300: 5SS, G/60, $$b/15: $200-90-30. Unrates qualify and count solely for top unrate prize $50. ALL: EF: $30 before 11/22. Onsite $35 cash. Send adv. entries to Isaiah Angeli, 4611 Starview Dr., St. Louis, MO 63128. USCF memb. req’d and dual rated. Rds.: 9, 11:15, 1:45, 4:15, 6:45. One 1/2 point bye available before round 1. INFO: Matt Angeli 314315-0222. [email protected]. NS.

Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28, Billerica Friday Swiss

Nebraska

Nov. 7-9 or 8-9, 12th annual Green Mountain Open & Vermont Championship (VT)

5 Rds. 40/90, SD/30. Billerica COA, 25 Concord Rd, Billerica, MA. EF: $12. Reg.: 7:30pm. Cash prizes minimal b/entries. For info, call Brad Ryan, (978) 369-8533. NS, NC. WCL JGP.

Nov. 8, Nov Plus Score

Dec. 26-28 or 27-28, 4th annual Empire State Open (NY)

4 SS, G/75. Site: Creighton Univ. Harper Center, Rm #2066, 590 N 20th St., Omaha, NE 68102. EF: $20 if payment received by 11/6. $25 on-site. Plus Score prize format 4.0 $100, 3.5 $50, 3.0 $25, 2.5 $10. USCF memb. req’d. Reg.: 9am9:45. Rds.: 10:00, 1:00, 3:45, 7:00. ENT: Ben Ryan, 4423 Frederick St. Omaha, NE 68105. 402.452.7686 [email protected]. WCL JGP.

See Grand Prix.

Nov. 8, Rated Beginners Open V (RBO)

Michigan

6 SS, G/30. A “Play for Pieces” Event Site: Creighton Univ. Harper Center, Rm #2066, 590 N 20th St., Omaha, NE 68102. EF: $10 if payment received by 11/6. $15 on-site. Prizes: Trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 1st U800, 2nd U800. USCF memb. req’d. Reg. 9am-9:45. Rds.: 10:00, 11:15, 1:00, 2:15, 3:30, 4:45. ENT: Ben Ryan, 4423 Frederick St. Omaha, NE 68105. 402.452.7686 ben.j.ryan @hotmail.com.

Nov. 8-9, 5th annual New England Scholastic Championships (VT) See Vermont.

Nov. 1-2, West Michigan Open See Grand Prix.

Nov. 28-30, 2008 Motor City Open See Grand Prix.

Nevada

Minnesota Oct. 18-19, 2nd Annual Chessnuts Challenge Open See Grand Prix.

Oct. 17-19, 26th Annual Sands Regency Reno-Western States Open See Grand Prix.

Dec. 26-29 or 27-29, 18th annual North American Open

Missouri

See Grand Prix.

Oct. 18, Adolf Anderssen Open

Dec. 29, Las Vegas USCF Booster Quads

through some of the highest-rated scholastic players in the state. To see a list of dates and locations, see our website at www.silverknightschess.com. Phone: 610-4460818. Email: [email protected].

Wizards of the Mind Chess School 15 Center Street, Springfield, NJ - Lessons on Wednesdays and Saturdays for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. Scholastic USCF-rated tournaments. For schedule and information visit our website at www.wizardsofthemind.com, email info@wizardsof themind.com or call 973-262-1395. Oct. 11, Greater Cherry Hill Chess Swiss, Quads, and Kids Swiss For info. and registration, go to: www.octoberchess.eventbrite.com. Info. also available by calling Dan at (856) 287-2393.

Oct. 12, ICA Fall 2008 Open Championship See Grand Prix.

Oct. 12, ICA Fall 2008 Scholastic Championship 4 SS, EVERYONE PLAYS 4 GAMES, ALL PLAYERS WITH 2.5 POINTS OR MORE WILL RECEIVE A TROPHY!!! Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601. U.S. CHESS FEDERATION MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED FOR SECTIONS 1 AND 2. Info: 201 287 0250 or 201 833 1741 E-mail: [email protected]. (Web Site Entries: www.icanj.net) EF Adv (pmk by Oct. 8th) $25 AT Site $30 Reg ends 1/2 hr before 1st rnd. Late entrants will receive 1/2 point bye for rnd 1. In 4 Sections Section 1: G/45 Open to players rated below 1200 K through 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00 PM. Section 2: G/60 Open to players rated below 1600 K through 12th grade. Rds: 9:45 AM, 12:00, 2:15, 4:30 PM. Section 3: Open to unrated players K through 2nd grade. Rds.: 10:15 AM (tournament will end at approximately 1:00 PM). Section 4: Open to unrated players K through 12th grade. Rds.: 10:00 AM (tournament will end at approximately 2:00 PM). ENT: Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. NS NC W.

3SS, G/75. UMC Memorial Union room N208, 518 Hitt St., Columbia MO. Directions: From I-70 exit 126, south on Providence, east on Rollins, north on Hitt. Reg.: 9:30-10:15. Rds.: 10:30, 1:15, 4:00. EF: $1, NO PRIZES — just the satisfaction of playing well. Info: Charles Ward, 573-443-6685, czar8196@ tranquility.net. W.

3RR, G/30, Ballys (see North American Open). EF: $20. 1st prize each section: choice of 2 year USCF Adult membership with Chess Life, 4 year USCF Young Adult Membership with Chess Life, or $40. Reg: 10 am-12 noon, Rds: 12:301:30-2:30. Ent: at site only, no checks.

Oct. 26, Saint Louis Swiss 5

See Grand Prix.

4SS, G/90, Chess Club & Scholastic Center, 4657 Maryland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108. EF: $35, $25 for annual members of the club. MCA Membership Req’d from $5. OSA. $$GTD $1,200: $175 1st in each M/X, A, B, C, D, U1200. $50 1st Unrated. Reg.: 8:00 - 8:50. Rds.: 9, 12:30, 3:45, 7. 1/2 point bye if declared before round 1. Ent: PO Box 4641, St. Louis, MO 63108. 314-361-CHESS. Info: [email protected] or www.saintlouischessclub.org. NS NC W. WCL JGP.

New Hampshire

Nov. 8-9, Saint Louis Classical Swiss 2

Nov. 15-16, Southern New Hampshire Open

See Grand Prix.

See Grand Prix.

Oct. 19, GAME 10’s GALORE #1 (QC)

Nov. 29, Thanksforchess

New Jersey

Oct. 19 & 26, 16th Annual Elmwood Park Chess Club Open

Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Maryland, Saint Louis, MO 63108. In 3 Sections O1700: 5SS, G/60, $$b/15: $200-90-30. 1300-1700:

Dec. 29, North American Blitz (QC)

Oct. 11, Dartmouth Open 4SS, G/60. Kemeny Hall, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH. ($360/24) $120-7050, 1600-1999/UNR $60, U1600 $60. EF: $20 by 10/1, else $30. Reg.: 9-9:45, Rds.: 10-12:30-3-5:30. Byes: Rd 1 only. Bring boards, sets, clocks! ENT: Robert Cousins, HB 1979, Hanover, NH 03755 646.391.3559.

International Chess Academy (Fair Lawn, NJ) Affiliate Type: School. Chess Classes: Tuesday 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Thursday 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM. Saturday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Add. 17-10 River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. Phone 201 797 0330. Website: www.icanj.net Contact: Diana Tulman, 201 287 0250. Email [email protected]. Add. 28 Canterbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646.

International Chess Academy (Teaneck, NJ) Affiliate Type: School. Chess Classes: Monday 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM, Wednesday 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM. Add. 185 Court Street, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Phone 201 833 1741. Website: www.icanj.net Contact: Diana Tulman, 201 287 0250. Email: [email protected]. Add. 28 Canterbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. The Teaneck facility offers a Summer Chess Champ, and Monday night tournaments 6:30 PM 9:00 PM (tournaments can run later if necessary). Silver Knights Chess Tournaments 2-3 Saturdays per month we run scholastic USCFrated tournaments throughout the Philadelphia area. Tournament locations include Philadelphia, Mt. Laurel (NJ), Bryn Mawr, Horsham, Collegeville, and more. Tournaments are open to grades K-12. Free game analysis by a National or International Master at each tournament. We have players of all skill levels compete in our tournaments, from brand-new kindergarteners up

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. 64


Oct. 16, ATKM 3rd Thursday Quads 3 RR G/30 in rated/unrated sections. All the King’s Men Chess Shop, 62 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071. Prizes: $25/1st each rated quad, $10/1st each unrated quad. $$b: 4/quad. EF: $10 Rated, $5 Unrated. Reg.: 6-7pm. Rds.: 7-8-9pm. Info: Stephen Dick, 856-582-8222 or [email protected]. All: No cks onsite. Visa/MC/Disc OK w/$1 paid surcharge. Bring clocks!

Oct. 18, Hamilton Chess Club Quads 3RR 40/80 15/30 15/30. Full K. Ray Dwier Recreation Center, Bldg. 392, Groveville, NJ 08620. Quads open to all EF: $10. $25 per Quad. Reg.: 910:30/am. Rds.: 10:30/am-1:30/pm-4:30/pm NJ State Chess Federation, no dues magazine Subscription per year, OSA NS NC W. See Grand Prix. 4-SS, G/60, Municipal Building, 182 Market St., EP. EF: $10. Generous noncash prizes, place and class, per entries. Reg.: 12:30 pm, rds. 1-3:15 each Sun. Byes: 1-2; must be requested with entry. Modified pairings may be used. Info: (201) 797-8170 or e-mail [email protected]. W.

Oct. 24, Greater Cherry Hill Rapid Chess For info. and registration, go to www.octoberrapidchess.eventbrite.com. Info. also available by calling Dan at (856) 287-2393.

Oct. 25, Viking Last Saturday Quads Somerset Ramada Inn, 60 Cottontail Lane, Somerset Exit 12, Route #287. In 4 player Quads. G/90, Regs.: before 9am, Rds.: 9-12-3, EFTop quad $30, lower Quads EF is $20 or $30. Prize: Top quad is $80, Lower quads between $40 and $80. Prize is based on the number of players paying $30. Player paying $20 may win only $40. Info: Ken Thomas, [email protected] / cell 908-763-6468. No electronic scoresheets. NS, NC, W.

Oct. 26, Westfield Swiss #54 (QC) 5 Rd. game/15 full k (QC) Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, N.J. $500 Guaranteed $125,$85, $50 under 2100, under 1850, under 1600, under 1350 $60 each. Entrance Fee: $35, $25 members. Registration: 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-3:25-4:05-4:45- 5:30 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-946-7379 www.westfieldchessclub.com.

Oct. 31-Nov. 2 or Nov. 1-2, 14th annual Northeast Open (CT) See Grand Prix.

Nov. 2, GAME 10’s GALORE #2 (QC) See Grand Prix.

Nov. 2, Westfield Quads 3 RR game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield N.J. Prizes: $50 to first in each section. Entrance Fee: $20, $15 members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m. Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-9467379www.westfieldchessclub.com.

Nov. 8, Princeton Day School 650 The Great Road. Plaques to top 3 school teams and top 6 in each section. Medals to all. Sections: FUTURE MASTERS and CLOSED begin 10:45 (must preregister). FUTURE MASTERS G/60 3 rounds (Players K-12 over 1200), CLOSED G/45 4 rds. (over 1000), ALL OTHER SECTIONS Onsite reg: 11:30-12:30. 4 Rds.: 1, 2, 3, 4pm. (times will be accelerated if possible) G/30: OPEN (Players K-12 U-1000), Reserve (K-12 U-800), Novice II (K-8 U-600), Novice I (unrated K-6), K-1 (unrated) NO SCORE K-1 (unrated). PARENTS OF PLAYERS G/30, rated, 3 rounds. Info and Register online: www.pds.org/chess. Inquires to Bonnie Waitzkin. [email protected] Registration $30 > (On-site $40).

Nov. 9, Westfield Quads 3 RR game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield N.J. Prizes: $50 to first in each section. Entrance Fee: $20, $15 members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m. Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info:Todd Lunna 732-946-7379www.westfield chessclub.com.

Nov. 9, Wizards of the Mind Chess Tournament www.wizardsofthemind.com. 15 Center Street, Springfield, NJ 07081. 3 sections. Trophies to top 5 in each section. Open: 3 SS rounds, Game/45, Reg. 1-1:20, Rounds start 1:30pm. U1200: 4 SS rounds, Game/30, Reg. 1-1:20, Rounds start 1:30pm. U700: 4 SS rounds, Game/30, Reg. 9-9:20am, rounds start

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9:30am. EF: 25 mailed by 11/01/2008, $30 on-site. Mail entries to: 15 Center Street, Springfield, NJ 07081. Make checks payable to: “Wizards of the Mind.” Bring chess sets and clocks.

Nov. 15, King’s Chess Club Quads Morning quads and afternoon quads, G/30, K-12, Bethlehem Church, 758 Route 10, Randolph, NJ 07869. EF: None. Reg.: 9-9:20 am., 1st rd. 9:40. Medal to each quad winner. Info: Bethlehem Church 973-366-3434 or Bob McAdams 973-694-3988, [email protected].

Nov. 16, Westfield Swiss #55 (QC) 5 Rd. game/15 full k (QC) Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, N.J. $500 Guaranteed $125,$85, $50 under 2100, under 1850, under 1600, under 1350 $60 each. Entrance Fee: $35, $25 members. Registration: 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-3:25-4:05-4:45- 5:30 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-946-7379 www.westfieldchessclub.com.

A State Championship Event! Nov. 23, New Jersey K-12 Grade Championship 5SS, G/30. Brookdale College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738. Student Life Center, use Parking Lot #7 or #6; 4 miles from Garden State Parkway exit 109. 13 Sections: Play only in your grade! MORE TROPHIES! Grades K-6:Trophies to top 10 individuals, top 5 teams - top 3 from each school/grade; 50% of players receive trophy or medal! Grades 7-12: Trophies to top 5 individuals, top 5 teams. Rds.: 10am and ASAP. EF: $30 by 11/16, $50 at site. USCF mem req’d. Reg.: 8-9:00 am. After 9:00am 1/2 pt bye rd 1. Info: 732 259-3881, [email protected] Ent: Please make checks payable to NJSCF and send to NJSCF, PO Box 1511, Jackson, NJ 08527. Entries must include name, grade, school, date of birth, USCF ID # & expiration, mailing address, phone number & entry fee, please include email address.The 1st Place player and team from NJ in each grade will be recognized as the NJ Champion for that grade! Chess sets and boards will be provided!

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8:30 am Sat. All: $10 addit. on site. Family discount: $10 each addit. member after one full price entry. Highest finishing NM Resident in Open is 2008 NM Champion. Annual meeting/elections Sun. 2:30. Info: entry blank at nmchess.org. Checks payable to NMCO, PO Box 4215, Albuquerque, NM 87196. WCL JGP (Open & U1800 Sections)..

Oct. 27-Nov. 24, Marshall CC Under-1600 Monday Swiss

New York

See Grand Prix.

The Chess Exchange: Chess and Games Club G/30 Rated Quads 1st Sunday of every Month. G/5 BlitzTournaments Last Sunday of every Month. 288 Third Ave., Brooklyn (718) 645-5896. Mon-Fri 12-8pm, Sun 12-6pm. www.TheChessExchange.com www.TriStateChess.com Email: [email protected].

Oct. 16, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-10050, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:159:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game.

Oct. 17-19, 25-26, Edward Lasker Memorial and 92nd Annual Marshall Chess Club Championship See Grand Prix.

Oct. 18, Buffalo Kellogg Leadership for Community Change Monthly Grand Prix - Every 3rd Saturday See Grand Prix.

Oct. 20-Dec. 22, Nassau Championship See Grand Prix.

Nov. 23, Westfield Quads

Oct. 21, St. John’s Masters at the Marshall Chess Club

3 RR game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield N.J. Prizes: $50 to first in each section. Entrance Fee: $20, $15 members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m. Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info:Todd Lunna 732-946-7379www.westfield chessclub.com.

See Grand Prix.

Oct. 22-Nov. 19, Marshall CC Under-2000 Wednesday Swiss

Nov. 28-30 or 29-30, 39th annual National Chess Congress (PA)

5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Wednesday. Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3. WCL JGP.

See Grand Prix.

Oct. 23, 4 Rated Games Tonight!

Nov. 30, Westfield Quads

4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-10050, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:159:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game.

3 RR game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield N.J. Prizes: $50 to first in each section. Entrance Fee: $20, $15 members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m. Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info:Todd Lunna 732-946-7379www.westfield chessclub.com.

Dec. 7, ICA Early Winter 2008 Open Championship See Grand Prix.

Dec. 7, ICA Early Winter 2008 Scholastic Championship 4 SS, EVERYONE PLAYS 4 GAMES, ALL PLAYERS WITH 2.5 POINTS OR MORE WILL RECEIVE A TROPHY!!! Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601. U.S. CHESS FEDERATION MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED FOR SECTIONS 1 AND 2. Info: 201 287 0250 or 201 833 1741 E-mail: [email protected]. (Web Site Entries: www.icanj.net) EF Adv (pmk by Dec. 3rd) $25 AT Site $30 Reg ends 1/2 hr before 1st rnd. Late entrants will receive 1/2 point bye for rnd 1. In 4 Sections Section 1: G/45 Open to players rated below 1200 K through 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00 PM. Section 2: G/60 Open to players rated below 1600 K through 12th grade. Rds: 9:45 AM, 12:00, 2:15, 4:30 PM. Section 3: Open to unrated players K through 2nd grade. Rds.: 10:15 AM (tournament will end at approximately 1:00 PM). Section 4: Open to unrated players K through 12th grade. Rds.: 10:00 AM (tournament will end at approximately 2:00 PM). ENT: Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. NS NC W.

Dec. 7, Westfield Quads 3 RR game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield N.J. Prizes: $50 to first in each section. Entrance Fee: $20, $15 members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m. Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info:Todd Lunna 732-946-7379www.westfield chessclub.com.

Oct. 23-Nov. 20, Marshall CC Thursday Members-Only Swiss

5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1300 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Monday. Byes ok, limit 2, request by rd. 3. WCL JGP.

Oct. 30, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight! Oct. 31-Nov. 2 or Nov. 1-2, 14th annual Northeast Open (CT) See Grand Prix.

Nov. 1, Capital District Scholastic Championships 5-SS, G/30. Coxsackie-Athens High School, 24 Sunset Blvd., Coxsackie (Thruway Exit 21B, left on 9W to second light, left 1.5 mi, bear right on Washington, right on Sunset). 7 sections: Open, Under 1200, Under 800, Under 500 (all rated). Grades K-3, 4-6, 7-12 (all unrated). EF Rated $12 by 10/26, $15 at site, Non-rated $10. Trophies: 1st-5th place each section, top 2 unrated, top team in each section. Playoff for 1st place, G/7. Reg.: 9:00-9:30 am. Rds.: 10:00, 11:00, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30. Food at site. Ent: Pacuk, 54 Adams Road, Athens, NY 12015. For more info: Tom or Susan Pacuk at 518-731-8946. E-mail: [email protected].

Nov. 1, Marshall CC Saturday G/60 4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24) $120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. NOTE CHANGE: One bye available, request at entry.

Nov. 2, Marshall CC Sunday Action 5SS, G/30, Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. ($$ 360 b/24): 120-70-50, U2200/unr $65, U2000 $55. Rds.: 12-1:30-2:454-5:20pm. NOTE CHANGE: One bye available, request with entry.

Nov. 2, The Chess Exchange Sunday Trophy Quads 3-RR, G/30,The Chess Exchange: Chess & Games Club, 288Third Ave., Between Carroll and President, Bklyn. EF: $15 $$: Trophies to top 2 in each quad. Reg.: ends 10 minutes before rd. 1. Rds.: 3-4:15-5:30 718-645-5896.

Nov. 4, Marshall CC New York Experts 4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:159:30-10:45pm. NOTE CHANGE: One bye available, request at entry.

Nov. 6, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-10050, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:159:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game.

5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to members only. EF: $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U2000 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Thursday; Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3.

Nov. 7-9 or 8-9, 12th annual Green Mountain Open & Vermont Championship (VT)

Oct. 25, Syracuse Monthly Open

A State Championship Event! Nov. 8, 2008 New York State Action Chess Championship

4SS, Rds 1 & 2 G/60, Rds 3 & 4 G/90. Courtyard by Marriot, 6415 Yorktown Circle, E. Syracuse (exit 35 I-90, Carrier Circle, 298 E, left at Holiday Inn). $(b/14): $100-50, Class: $30. Reg: 8:30-9:15, Rds: 9:30-12- 2:15-5:30. EF: $30. Ent: Joe Ball, 310 Helfer Lane, Minoa, NY 13116.

Oct. 25-Nov. 22, 1st Farmingdale CC Fall Swiss 5SS, G/140. Farmingdale Public Library, 116 Merritts Rd. Farmingdale, NY 11735. Open to all U-2300/unr.: $(b/20): $200-100, Top U-1800 $80, U1500/U-1300 $60 each. EF: $30. Reg.: 9:15-9:45 AM. No adv. ent. Rds.: 10:00 AM SHARP each Saturday. 2 byes 1-5. Info: www.farmcc.webs.com. Please do not call the library. NS. W. WCL JGP.

Oct. 26, Studio October Quad 3RR Game in 2. Reg.: 9:00 am Rds.: 10-2-6. Studio of Bridge and Games, 1639 Eastern Pkwy., Schenectady, NY 12309-6011.

See Grand Prix.

Quality Inn and Suites, Albany/Schenectady Road, Latham (Northway Exit 7). 4-SS in one-day format in two sections: Open and Scholastic in combination with the 2008 New York State Quick Chess Championship. NYSCA membership required. Open $20 entry fee if received by 11/5, $25 at site, with one additional $3 discount for entries in the New York State Quick Chess Championship, carpools of three or more, or military ID. Place and class prize based on entries. Scholastic: $12 entry fee if received by 11/5, $15 at site. Registration by mail or at site from 3-4:30 p.m. Rounds: 11-12:15-1:30-2:45. Entries/Information: Karl Heck, ENYCA, 5426 Route 67, East Durham, NY 12423, [email protected], www.enyca.org, 518-966-8523.

A State Championship Event! Nov. 8, 2008 New York State Quick Chess Championship (QC) Quality Inn and Suites, Albany/Schenectady Road, Latham (Northway Exit 7).

Feb. 28-Mar. 1, New York State Scholastic Championships (out of state welcome) See New York.

New Mexico A State Championship Event! Nov. 1-2, New Mexico Open Days Inn, 2120 Menaul NE, Albuquerque. 505-884-0250 reservations/airport shuttle. $$: 1000 b/80. Open: $35 ($15 additional if rated U/1600). U/1800: $30. Both Sects: 5SS. Sat. G/2, Rds.: 9,1:30,6. Sun. 30/90, SD/60, Rds.: 9,3. One 1/2 pt bye if req’ before rd 1. U/1400: $25. U/1100: $20. Both lower Sects: 6SS. G/60, Rds 9,12,3 Sat/Sun. Two 1/2 pt byes if req’ before rd 1. Reg.: 8-

ONCE RATED, ALWAYS RATED You never lose your rating, no matter how long it has been since you last played. If you return to tournament play after a long absence, please tell the director your approximate rating and year of play. If you rejoin USCF after many years without being a member, please provide this information to the TD and to USCF as well. uschess.org


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Tournament Life 6-SS in two sections: Open and Scholastic in combination with the 2008 New York State Action Chess Championship. NYSCA membership required. Open $20 entry fee if received by 11/5, $25 at site, with one additional $3 discount for entries in the New York State Action Chess Championship, carpools of three or more, or military ID. Place and class prize based on entries. Scholastic: $12 entry fee if received by 11/5, $15 at site. Registration by mail or at site from 3-4:30 p.m. Rounds: 5-5:30-6;6:30-7-7:30 p.m. Entries/Information: Karl Heck, ENYCA, 5426 Route 67, East Durham, NY 12423, [email protected], www.enyca.org, 518-966-8523.

Nov. 8, Jennifer Woods Memorial Grand Prix See Grand Prix.

Nov. 8, Utica Four Seasons – Fall 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, Cafeteria - Room 116. EF: $30. Prizes (b/20): $200, 125, 75, Class 100. Reg.: 8:30-9:15. Rds.: 9:30-12:00-2:155:30. Ent: Joe Ball, 310 Helfer Lane, Minoa, NY 13116.

Nov. 8-9, Third Marshall CC Amateur Team Championship! 4SS, G/120; Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $30 per player, Members $25. All, $5 less if played in first or second MCC AmateurTeam. 2 player teams with ratings averaging under 2200. $$ (b/15 teams): 150-75, U1800 team $90, top scores bds.1 &2 $90 each. Reg. ends 15 min. before game. Rds.: 12-5:00 pm each day; Limit 1 team bye, request with entry. Replacement player must have same or lower rating, must play same board. WCL JGP.

Nov. 13, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-10050, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:159:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game.

Nov. 15-16, Marshall CC November Open 4-SS, 30/90, SD/60, Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-477-3716. EF: $45, Members $25. ($360 b/24) $120-70-50, U2000/unr $65, U1700 $55. Reg.: ends 11:50am. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day; 1-day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd 3. NOTE CHANGE: Byes: limit two, with entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 players. WCL JGP.

Nov. 22, Syracuse Monthly Open 4SS, Rds 1 & 2 G/60, Rds 3 & 4 G/90. Courtyard by Marriot, 6415 Yorktown Circle, E. Syracuse (exit 35 I-90, Carrier Circle, 298 E, left at Holiday Inn). $(b/14): $100-50, Class: $30. Reg: 8:30-9:15, Rds: 9:30-12- 2:15-5:30. EF: $30. Ent: Joe Ball, 310 Helfer Lane, Minoa, NY 13116.

See Grand Prix.

See Grand Prix.

Dec. 7, The Chess Exchange Sunday Trophy Quads

Nov. 26-Dec. 17, Marshall CC Under-2000 Wednesday Swiss

3-RR, G/30,The Chess Exchange: Chess & Games Club, 288Third Ave., Between Carroll and President, Bklyn. EF: $15 $$: Trophies to top 2 in each quad. Reg.: ends 10 minutes before rd. 1. Rds.: 3-4:15-5:30 718-645-5896.

NOTE CHANGE: 4SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Wednesday. NOTE CHANGE: Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 2. WCL JGP.

Nov. 28-30 or 29-30, 39th annual National Chess Congress (PA) See Grand Prix.

Nov. 29, Marshall CC Saturday G/60 4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24) $12070-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. NOTE CHANGE: One bye available, request at entry.

Nov. 30, Marshall CC Sunday Action 5SS, G/30, Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. ($$ 360 b/24): 120-70-50, U2200/unr $65, U2000 $55. Rds.: 12-1:30-2:454-5:20pm. NOTE CHANGE: One bye available, request with entry.

Dec. 1-29, Marshall CC Under-1600 Monday Swiss 5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1300 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Monday. Byes ok, limit 2, request by rd. 3. WCL JGP. 4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:3010:45pm. NOTE CHANGE: One bye available, request at entry.

Dec. 4, 4 Rated Games Tonight!

Nov. 20, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!

Dec. 4-Jan. 15, Marshall CC Thursday Members-Only Swiss

See Grand Prix.

5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to members only. EF: $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U2000 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Thursday; NO GAMES Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3.

3-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-4773716. EF $20. 3-0 wins $40, 2.5 wins $20, 2 wins $10. Reg ends 7:20 pm. Rds. 7:30-8:30-9:30.

Dec. 11, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-10050, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:159:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game.

Dec. 13-14 or 14, Marshall CC December Open 4-SS, 30/90, SD/60, Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-477-3716.; EF: $45, Members $25. ($360 b/24) $120-70-50, U2000/unr $65, U1700 $55. Reg.: ends 11:50am. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day; 1-day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd 3. NOTE CHANGE: Byes: limit two, with entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 players. WCL JGP.

Dec. 26-28 or 27-28, 4th annual Empire State Open See Grand Prix.

Dec. 30, Saratoga USCF Booster Quads

Dec. 2, Marshall CC New York Experts

See Grand Prix.

Nov. 22, Prove Your Point!

Dec. 6 & 7 or Dec. 7, New York Marshall CC December GP!

Nov. 22-23 or 23, What A Turkey Open!

4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-10050, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:159:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game.

Nov. 18, St. John’s Masters at the Marshall Chess Club

Rt. 29), Greenwich, NY. Sections: Open: EF $20, U1500: EF: $15; both sections EF $5 less for Life and New members (joining at site). $$b/16 $270. Open: $7035, top U1750 $50; U1500: $50-25, top U1250 $40. Reg.: 9:00-9:45 AM, Rds.: 10-1:15-5. Info: John Hartnett 518-692-9030, [email protected].

Dec. 6, 11th Annual Greenwich Holiday Open 3SS, Rd 1 G/75, Rd 2, 3 G/90, Greenwich Free Library, Academy & Main St. (NYS

3RR, G/30, Saratoga Hilton (see Empire State Open). EF: $20. 1st prize each section: choice of 2 year USCF Adult membership with Chess Life, 4 year USCF Young Adult Membership with Chess Life, or $40. Reg: 9-11 am, Rds: 11:3012:30-1:30. Ent: at site only, no checks.

A State Championship Event! Feb. 28-Mar. 1, New York State Scholastic Championships Open to grades K-12 in any state (top NYS player & team in each section are NY champions). Saratoga Hilton, 534 Broadway (I-87 Exit 13-N, 4 miles north on US 9), Saratoga Springs NY 12866. Free parking. Team prizes based on top 4 scores from same school; no combined school teams allowed even if one school “feeds” another. Teams of 2 or 3 players allowed, but are at a disadvantage. In 6 sections, each is a 6SS, G/65 except K-1 is 5SS, G/30 playing Mar 1 only. High School, grades K-12. EF $42 mailed by 2/6. Top NYS grade 9-12 qualifies for Denker Tournament of HS Champions (Indianapolis, 8/1-4). Junior High, grades K-9. EF $41.90 mailed by 2/6. Elementary, grades K-6. EF $41.60 mailed by 2/6. Elementary Novice, grades K-6 under 800 or unrated. EF $41.50 mailed by 2/6. Primary, grades K-3. EF $41.30 mailed by 2/6. K-1, grades K-1. EF $41.10 mailed by 2/6. Postmarked 2/7-17: All EF $10 more.

Membership Appreciation Program (MAP) More details and MAP standings will appear more frequently at main.uschess.org/go/MAP. Top standings will appear every two months in Chess Life.

Overall Affiliate Standings

Name

State

Count

CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION BAYAREACHESSCOM GRANADA GUARD WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB CHESS IN THE SCHOOLS EN PASSANT CHESS CLUB SCHOLASTIC CHESS OF INDIANA DALLAS CHESS CLUB PENNSYLVANIA ST CHESS FED Small State Affiliate Standings

NY TX MI CA PA NY TX IN TX PA

858 468 405 302 279 270 220 197 185 178

Name

State

Count

MAINE ASSOC OF CHESS COACHES NEW MEXICO SCHOL CHESS ORG METRO CHESS NEW HAMPSHIRE CHESS ASSN SOUTH DAKOTA CHESS ASSN WELLS MEMORIAL SCHOOL IDAHO CHESS ASSOCIATION TALES TOLD TALL CHESS NEBRASKA ST CHESS ASSOC AIRLINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Regular Prizes

ME NM DC NH SD NH ID NH NE ME

156 69 62 46 29 26 26 20 19 18

Name

State

Count

CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN JERSEY SHORE HS CHESS LEAGUE PENNSYLVANIA ST CHESS FED NEW JERSEY ST CHESS FED DALLAS CHESS CLUB MINNESOTA ST CHESS ASSN MARSHALL CHESS CLUB SAN DIEGO CHESS CLUB MAINE ASSOC OF CHESS COACHES CHESS CENTER OF NEW YORK

NY NJ PA NJ TX MN NY CA ME NY

739 170 89 81 79 67 54 54 53 52

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Scholastic Prizes

Name

State

Count

PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION BAYAREACHESSCOM GRANADA GUARD WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB CHESS IN THE SCHOOLS EN PASSANT CHESS CLUB CHESS ACADEMY SCHOLASTIC CHESS OF INDIANA NATIONAL SCHOL CHESS FOUND INC ROCKS & ROOKS CHESS CLUB Member Standings

TX MI CA PA NY TX IL IN NY TX

430 362 275 271 255 209 170 166 165 152

Name

State

Count

RYAN, BEN J HODINA, JAMES D CHENEY, WILLIAM G BARRETT, DAVID CHRISTOPHER ARMSTRONG, ROBERT L BADY, GLENN KAVALL, ROBIN J ABELLA, ANGELITO AGUILAR BERRY, FRANK K WHATLEY, HANNAH VICTORIA

NE IA AZ TX KY PA MD TX OK SC

14 12 11 11 10 9 7 6 6 5

PCT Gain Standings State

Dec07

VT 202 RI 243 UT 493 DC 216 GA 1569

Aug08

295 297 552 241 1730

Pct

46.0 22.2 12.0 11.6 10.3

State

Dec07

SC 472 VA 2661 MD 2050 MT 82 FL 4234

Aug08

499 2754 2115 84 4308

Pct

5.7 3.5 3.2 2.4 1.7

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Do not mail entry after 2/17. Online at chesstour.com, all sections: EF $43 by 2/6, $53 by 2/23. No online entry after 2/23. Phoned to 406-896-2038, all sections: EF $45 by 2/6, $55 by 2/23. Credit cards only, no questions. No phone entry after 2/23. Entry at site: all $60. 1 year NYSCA membership to all NY residents who are not members. Trophies to top 20 players, top 3 Unrated, and top 8 teams each section and top each U1400, U1200, U1000 (HS), U1200, U1000, U800 (JHS), U1000, U800 (Elem), U600, U400 (Elem Novice). Speed playoff if perfect score tie. Free entry to NY State Championship, Labor Day weekend 2009 (Albany), to top player each section. Schedule: Late reg. ends Sat 11 am, rds Sat 12-3-6, Sun 9-12-2:45. Awards 5:30-6 pm. K-1 schedule: Late reg. ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10-12-1:30-3-4:30. Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 2. HR: $114-114, 888-999-4711, 518-584-4000, reserve by 2/29 or rate may increase. 48 hours notice required for room cancellation. Backup hotel: Courtyard by Marriott, 2 blocks away, 518-226-0538. Special car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #657633. Mail entry: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Include name, rating, USCF ID, USCF expiration (non-members enclose dues), section, school, grade, birth date, address of each player. Checks payable to Continental Chess. $15 per player service charge for refunds. $10 extra to switch sections, all substitutions from advance list charged $60. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied. WCL JGP (top 5 sections).

tournaments in series; others are Nov 7, 2008 - Lakota East High School, Jan 10, 2009 - Milford High School, Feb 7 - Cincinnati Country Day School, Mar 7 Sycamore High School. Sections: K-3, 4-6, 7&8, 9-12. EF: Onsite $20, advance/multiple entry discounts available. Reg.: 8:00-8:45 am, Rd 1: 9:00 am. Prizes: Medals to top 3 finishers in each section each tournament; additional trophies and medals for cumulative series score. Complete information and registration form at www.chessinnati.com. Info: Doug 513-484-3768 or Alan 513-697-0763.

Apr. 8-12, 9-12 or 10-12, 11th annual Foxwoods Open (CT)

Nov. 8, Parma Open

See Grand Prix.

4SS, G/45 German Central Organization, 7863 York Rd. (1/4 mi. N of Sprague), Parma OH. Sections: Open, U2000, U1600, U1200. Reg.: 8-9AM. Rds.: 9:3011:15-1:30-3:15. Prizes (b/70): Open 1st $160, 2nd $100; U2000 1st $150, 2nd $100; U1600 1st $150, 2nd $90; U1200 1st $140, 2nd $90; Ent: $20 by Nov 4, $25 at door. Info & entries: William Wright, 19121 Wheelers Lane, Strongsville, OH 44149 Phone: (440) 572-9565 E-mail: [email protected]. Web www.parmachessclub.org/.

North Carolina Oct. 31-Nov. 2 or Nov. 1-2, 2008 North Carolina Open Championship See Grand Prix.

Nov. 2, 2008 North Carolina Open Championship Scholastics

Oct. 26, Trick or Treat Mini-Swiss 3SS, 30/60, 30/30, 30/30. Hamilton William Campus Center, Benes Room, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware. $$75 b/8: $50-25. Sections of 8-10 by rating. EF: $12 if rec’d by 10/22, $15 at site, free to OTB Masters and OWU students. Reg.: 9:30-10:15, Rds.: 10:30-1:30-4:30. Ent: Tom Green, 196 Georgetowne Dr. #25, Delaware, OH 43015. 740-363-3482, 368-3236, 803-2532 tagreen@ owu.edu. NS, NC, W.

Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19, Dec. 3, 10, 2008 Cincinnati City Championship 6SS, G/2, USCF RATED Cincinnati Chess Club. 2101 Grandin Rd., EF: $35. Reg.: 5:45 Til 6:25pm; no round Nov 26. Rds. start at 6:30pm, all days. Prizes: 80% of entries. Info: Duane Larkin 513-237-1053; www.cincinnatichessclub.com. WCL JGP.

Nov. 8, Toledo Nov Swiss

Campus, Center for Creative Education - Room CE0111, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 12/11 $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50, 1st Class A ,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd., Maumee OH 43537. 419-367-9450. WCL JGP.

Oklahoma Oct. 11, 1st Ada Open 1st Presbyterian Church, WFC Center, 301 E. Kings Road, Ada 74870 3-SS, G60 + 30 sec, EF: $20; OCF req $10; USCF rated, $$ G:100 first, other prizes as entrees permit. Rds.: 10, 1, 4 Reg.: 9-9:45, Pre-entrees: Frank Berry, 402 S. Willis, Stillwater, OK 74074 [email protected], (From downtown Ada turn South on Broadway - about a mile - until you come to the top of a hill, which is a four way stop. Turn left (East) on King’s Road. In one block King’s Road dead-ends at the church. The second church bldg, behind the first and down the hill, is the Westminster Fellowship Center (WFC). The tournament will be in the WFC.).

Nov. 8-9, OCF Championship - 63rd Jerry Spann Memorial See Grand Prix.

Nov. 15 (Sat.), OCF November Saturday Open Quality Inn, 2515 W. 6th Ave (Hwy – 51), Stillwater, OK 1-405-372-0800 HR: $6060-60. Wi-Fi, 3-SS, G-60 + 30 sec, EF: $20; OCF req $10; USCF rated, $$ G:100 first, other prizes per entries. Rds.: 10, 1, 4 Reg.: 9-9:45am, Pre-entries: Jim Berry, P O Box 351, Stillwater, OK 74076, 1–405 762-1649.

Pennsylvania

North Penn Chess Club Main & Richardson, Lansdale, PA. See www.npchess club.org for schedules & info or call 215-699-8418.

Oct. 25, Ameriprise House of Chess Open

Nov. 16, Kings Island USCF Booster Quads

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: 11:30-1:15-3:30-5:15 Prizes (guaranteed): 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.thehouseofchess.com/.

3RR, G/30, Kings Island Resort (see Kings Island Open). EF: $20. 1st prize each section: choice of 2 year USCF Adult membership with Chess Life, 4 year USCF Young Adult Membership with Chess Life, or $40. Reg: 9-11 am, Rds: 11:3012:30-1:30. Ent: at site only, no checks.

Silver Knights Chess Tournaments 2-3 Saturdays per month we run scholastic USCFrated tournaments throughout the Philadelphia area. Tournament locations include Philadelphia, Mt. Laurel (NJ), Bryn Mawr, Horsham, Collegeville, and more. Tournaments are open to grades K-12. Free game analysis by a National or International Master at each tournament. We have players of all skill levels compete in our tournaments, from brand-new kindergarteners up through some of the highest-rated scholastic players in the state. To see a list of dates and locations, see our website at www.silverknightschess.com. Phone: 610-4460818. Email: [email protected].

Nov. 29, Tryptophan Open

1st Saturday Lehigh Valley Super Quads

Oct. 25, Cincinnati Scholastic Chess Series

Dec. 13, Toledo Dec Swiss

4-SS, G/30. Clarion Hotel Greensboro Airport, 415 Swing Road (I-40 at Exit 213), Greensboro, North Carolina 27409. (336)-299-7650. Limit to first 50!! EF: $20 in advance; $22 at site. In 2 sections: K-12 and K-8. Trophies to top 10 each section. All non-trophy winners get medals. Reg.: ends 11 a.m. Rounds: 1st at 11:30, then immediately after each round is completed. Info: Thad Rogers (478)-742-5607 or [email protected]. Enter: American Chess Promotions, 3055 General Lee Road, Macon, Georgia 31204-1517.

Open, 4SS, Rnd 1: G/75, Rnds 2-4: G/90. The University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Center for Creative Education - Room CE0111, 3000 Arlington Ave. Toledo, Ohio 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 11/7 $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. WCL JGP.

Nov. 14-16 or 15-16, 17th annual Kings Island Open

Ohio

See Grand Prix.

4SS, G/30, Seven Hills School, 5400 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati. First of 5

See Grand Prix. Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90.The University ofToledo Health Science

3 Rd. RR, St James Church, 11th &Tilghman Sts, Allentown, PA 18102. EF: $10. $30 Perfect Score, else $25 1st. Reg.: 12:30-1:30. Rds.: 1:30-3-4:30. No adv ent. Visit at www.lehighvalleychess.org/ or Call: 610-821-4320.

CHECK OUT USCF’S CORRESPONDENCE CHESS RATED EVENTS

USCF’s 61st ANNUAL 2008 Open Correspondence Chess Golden Knights Championship $1,000 First Prize

(plus title of USCF’s Golden Knights Champion and plaque)

• 2nd place $600 • 3rd place $400 • 4th place $300 • 5th place $200 • 6th thru 10th place $100 each. Entry fee: $25.

The entry deadline is November 30, 2008. These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF members who reside on the North American continent, islands, or Hawaii, as well as those USCF members with an APO or FPO address. USCF members who reside outside of the North American continent are welcome to participate in e-mail events. Your USCF membership must remain current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars. Those new to USCF Correspondence Chess, please estimate your strength: Class A: 1800-1999 (very strong); Class B: 1600-1799 (strong); Class C: 1400-1599 (intermediate); Class D: 1399 and below (beginner level). Note: Prize fund based on 300 entries and may be decreased proportionately per number of entries assigned. Correspondence Chess Matches (two players) • $5 entry fee per person with two, four or sixgame options. Win A Correspondence Chess Trophy • Four-player, double round-robin with class-level pairings. • 1st-place winner receives a trophy. • Entry fee: $10. Victor Palciauskas Prize Tournaments • Seven-player class-level pairings, one game with each of six opponents. • Players must have a USCF CC rating to enter. • 1st-place winner receives $130 cash prize and a certificate signed by Victor Palciauskas. • Entry fee: $25. John W. Collins Memorial Class Tournaments • Four-player, double round-robin with class-level pairings (unrateds welcome). • 1st-place winner receives a John W. Collins certificate. • Entry fee: $7.

uschess.org

USCF’s 5th ANNUAL 2008 E-mail Correspondence Chess Electronic Knights Championship

(Seven-player sections, one game with each of six opponents.)

$700 First Prize

(plus title of USCF’s Electronic Knights Champion and plaque)

• 2nd place $400 • 3rd place $300 • 4th thru 10th place $100 each. Entry fee: $25.

The entry deadline is November 30, 2008. These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF members with e-mail access. Your USCF membership must remain current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars. Maximum number of tournament entries allowed for the year for each player is ten. Note: Prize fund based on 200 entries and may be decreased proportionately per number of entries assigned.

E-mail Rated Events (need e-mail access): Lightning Match • Two players with two, four or six-game option. • Entry fee $5 per person. Swift Quads • Four-player, double round-robin format. • 1st-place prize merchandise credit of $30. • Entry fee: $10. Walter Muir E-Quads (webserver chess) • Four-player, double round-robin e-mail format tournament with class-level pairings. • 1st-place receives a certificate. • Entry fee: $7. Express Tournament • Seven-player events, one game with each of six opponents. • Prizes: 1st place $30 merchandise credit, 2nd place $20 credit. • Entry fee: $15. Please circle event(s) selected. NOTE: Except for Lightning Matches, Swift Quads, Walter Muir E-Quads, Electronic Knights & Express Tournaments, players will use post office mail, unless opponents agree to use e-mail.

To Enter: 800•903•USCF (8723), Fax 931•787•1200 or on-line www.uschess.org Name_________________________________________ USCF ID# ____________________________________ Address ________________ City _________________ State ___________________ ZIP __________________ Phone _____________ E-mail____________________ Credit card # (VISA, MC, Discover, AMEX) __________________________ Exp. date __________ If using VISA, need V-code ___________________ □ Check here if you do not wish to have an opponent who is incarcerated. *Note: This may slow down your assignment.

Make checks payable to U.S. Chess and mail to: Joan DuBois, USCF , PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 Chess Life — October 2008

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Tournament Life Every 2nd Saturday. Allentown 2nd Saturday Quads


3RR, G/40. St. Luke’s Ev. Luth. Church, 417 N. 7th St., Allentown, PA 18102. Quads open to all. EF: $12. $$24/quad. Reg.: 12-1, Rds.: 1:15-2:45-4:15. No adv. ent. Info: 610-433-6518. Other rated events every week!

Oct. 18, 2008 PA State Game/60 Championship See Grand Prix.

Oct. 18, State Championship Warm-up 4SS, Open: G/70, Shiremanstown United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall (new building behind the church) 125 East Main Street, Shiremanstown, PA 17011. Reg.: 8-8:30am. EF: $25 if postmarked by Oct 10, $32 later, PSCF required $5, OSA. Prizes: ($150 b/25): 100-50, Free Entry into 2008 PA State Championship (Nov. 8-9) for winner, Class prizes based on entries. Door Prize Drawings, Free Continental Breakfast, Free Lunch, Rds.: 9am (free lunch served at 11:30), 12:00, 2:25pm, 4:45pm. Scholastic Section: Open to students in grades K-12 rated under 1000 or unrated. 4SS, G/30, Reg.: 11:30-12:00, Rds.: 12:20, 1:30, 2:45, 4:00, EF: $12 if postmarked by 10/10, $17 later, Trophies to top 3 overall, Top U600, Top U300, Top Unrated, door prize drawings between rounds. Information & Entrees: Sam Lamonto, 717-580-7492. 1408 Walnut Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011-3966, Email: [email protected]. WCL JGP for Open section.

Oct. 19, Lehigh Valley Halloween Octagonal (8-player sections) 3SS, G/40, St James Church, 11th & Tilghman Sts., Allentown, PA 18102. EF: $10 Adv Ent by 10/16, or $10 CASH ONLY AT SITE. Prize: 1st-$60 for perfect score, else $50 to each Octo. Also, FREE random Drawing. Reg.: 12:30-1:15pm. Rds.: 1:30-3-4:30. Ent/Info: Checks payable to-Bruce Davis, 725 Quincy St., Allentown, PA 18109. Also, come play 5-min Blitz Every Thursday 7:30-10pm. 610-821-4320 or [email protected] or www.lehigh valleychess.org/.

A Heritage Event! Oct. 25-26, 51st Gateway Open 4-SS. G/120. Pittsburgh Chess Club, 5604 Solway St., Suite 209, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. EF: $28 postmarked by 10/20, $38 later, $3 discount to PCC members, $5 extra to play up a section, half-price to players rated 2100 & above. Two sections: Championship and Reserve (U1800). $$(655 b/30) Championship: $150-100, U2000 $70. Reserve: $$100-70, U1600 $60, U1400 $55, U1200/Unr $50. Reg.: 9-9:45 AM. Requests for half-point byes in Rounds 3 & 4 must be made by the start of Round 2. Rounds: 10 AM - 3 PM each day. Info: 412-4211881, www.pittsburghcc.org. Entries: Pittsburgh Chess Club, Attn: Clyde Kapinos, 5604 Solway Street, Suite 209, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Make checks payable to Pittsburgh Chess Club. NC. W. WCL JGP.

Nov. 1, W.Chester 1st Sat. Quads 3RR, 40/80,sd/30. United Methodist Church, 129 S. High St. West Chester, Pa. EF: $20; every tenth quad free. $$40, $50 for 3-0, $5 for 3rd rd win if not 3-0. Reg.: 9am; Rds.: 9:30,1,4:30. Info: Jim White 484-678-3164.

Nov. 2, PCL November Quick Quads (QC) 3RR, G/15. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave & Bigelow, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 juniors. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-11:15am. Rds.:

11:30am-Noon-12:30pm. Info: [email protected], 412-908-0286. W.

Nov. 8, Gary Bates Memorial Quads 3RR, Gm/90, Embury United Methodist Church, 942 S. Main Ave., Scranton, PA. EF: $30, ($25 by Nov.7), $$75 1st ea sect., $90 for 3-0 score. Drawings btw rds. Reg.: 9 -10am, Rds.: 10, 1:30,& 5. Entries/Info: Bernie Sporko: 127 S. Main St., Carbondale, PA 18407, 570-604-2461, [email protected] or Mike Kagel: 570-842-7534, [email protected].

Nov. 8-9, 2008 Pennsylvania State Championship

5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh PA 15213. 7 sections: 2-day (Sat & Sun): Ages 16 to 20 Open, Ages 13 to 15 Open, Ages 9 to 12 Open. EF: $18 by 11/14, $28 later. TL: G/90. Reg ends 9:30. Rds: 10-1:30-5, 11-2:30. 1-day (Sun only): Ages 8 & Under Open, Ages 9-20 U900, Ages 9-20 U600, Ages 8 & Under U600. EF: $15 by 11/14, $25 later.TL: G/40. Reg ends 10:30. Rds: 11-12:30-2-3:30-5. All: Trophies 1st-7th, additional medallions, teams of 4 to 7 combined from all sections, Trophies 1st-2nd schools, clubs. PSCF required $5, OSA. Info: 412-908-0286, [email protected] Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St, Pittsburgh, PA 15223. W. WCL JGP (2-Day only).

A State Championship Event! Nov. 22-23, 2008 Welsh S. White PA State Senior Championship

See Grand Prix.

Nov. 9, MasterMinds CC 2nd Sunday Swiss/Open Quads Blair Christian Academy, Philadelphia, Pa., 220 W. Upsal St. 2 events. Quads: 3RR, 40/80, SD/30. EF: $20, Perfect score winner $60 else $50. Rds.: 10-2-5. Scholastic Swiss: EF $15, ASAP $5 rec’d by Thursday before, $25 at the door. 3 sections: Open 3SS G/60, Rds.: 10-12:30-3; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 1200, top unrated; U1100 -1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 800, top unrated & U750K-6 - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 600, top under 400, top unrated 4SS, G/40. Rds.: 10, 11:45, 2, 3:45. 1st & 2nd school & club trophies. All Reg. ends 9:30am. Free parking on site! 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.mastermindschess.org.

Nov. 22, Early Bird Blitz (QC)

5SS, G/120. Wm Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh PA 15213. Open to ages 50 & Up. $$ (450G): 150-80, Ages 65 & Up $70, U1800 $60, U1600 $50, U1400 $40.Trophies to Champion &Top Ages 65 & Up. EF: $25 by 11/14, $35 later, PSCF required $5, OSA. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rds.: 10-2:30-7, 102:30. Info: 412-908-0286. Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St, Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. W. WCL JGP.

Nov. 28-30 or 29-30, 39th annual National Chess Congress See Grand Prix.

Nov. 30, Philadelphia USCF Booster Quads 3RR, G/30, Sheraton Hotel (see National Chess Congress). EF: $20. 1st prize each section: choice of 2 year USCF Adult membership with Chess Life, 4 year USCF Young Adult Membership with Chess Life, or $40. Reg: 10 am-12 noon, Rds: 12:30-1:30-2:30. Ent: at site only, no checks.

4 double Rd SS, Gm/5, (play wh & blk vs. ea. opp., 8 gms total) Clarion Hotel, 300 Meadow Ave., Scranton, PA (exit 184 off I-81). EF: $12 by 11/21, $15 at site. Prizes (b/12): $50-$25,U1600-$25 upset prize & door prize! Reg.: 8:309:15am. Rds.: 9:30 and asap. Entries/Info: Bernie Sporko, 127 S. Main St., Carbondale, PA 18407. ph: 570-282-2793, cell: 570-604-2461 e-mail: basp [email protected].

3RR, G/15. 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.: 11:30amNoon-12:30pm. Info: [email protected], 412-908-0286. W.

Nov. 22, Perkiomen Valley Classic

Jan. 16-19, 17-19 or 18-19, 41st annual Liberty Bell Open

Perkiomen Valley Middle School East, 100 Kagey Road, Collegeville, PA 19426. In 3 sections: K-12 Champ, K-8 U/1000, K-3 U/1000. (Students in grades 8 and below may play in K-12 Champ if rated 800 or higher.) K-12 Champ: 3SS, G/40. Rds: 10:00-11:20-12:40. K-8 U/1000 & K-3 U/1000: 4SS, G/30. Rds: 10:00-11:00-12:00-1:00. EF: $20 online by 11/19; $30 on-site till 9:30.Trophies to top players and school teams in each section. 1/2 pt. byes available. Free game analysis by a National Master. See www.silverknightschess.com to register or for more information.

See Grand Prix.

Nov. 22, Turkey-Shoot Quads 3RR, Gm/50, Clarion Hotel, 300 Meadow Ave., Scranton, PA(exit 184 off I-81). EF: $25 by 11/21, $30 at site. $$60 1st ea. sect. Thanksgiving Turkey for 3-0 score! Reg.: by 11:45am, Rds.: 12- 2- 4. Entries/Info: Bernie Sporko, 127 S. Main St., Carbondale, PA 18407. ph: 570-282-2793 , cell: 570-604-2461 email: [email protected].

A State Championship Event! Nov. 22-23, 2008 PA State Junior Championships 5SS. 53 Trophies! (49 Individual, 4 Team). Wm Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh,

Dec. 7, PCL December Quick Quads (QC)

Rhode Island Every Tuesday, Cranston-Warwick CC Monthly 4SS, 40/75, SD/30. Garden City Center, Cranston. EF: $3/game (club mbrs: $2/game). Reg.: 6:30-6:50pm; email preferred. Rds.: 1st 4 Tuesdays of the month, 7pm sharp! 5th Tuesday extra rated games and events. One bye rd 13; if notified in advance. Prizes based on entries. Info: www.cranstonchess.org, [email protected], 401-575-1520. JGP.

Oct. 18, Max Malyuta Memorial NOTE CHANGES. 4SS, G/60. LeFoyer Club, 151 Fountain St., Pawtucket, RI 02860. Sections & Prizes: $600 b/60: OPEN, U2000, U1600. EF: $25 advance by 10/16, $30 at site. All proceeds donated to top RI High School boy & girl to play in nationals. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rd 1 at 9:30 prompt. Entries after 9:30 get 1/2 point bye. Ent: RI Chess, P.O. Box 15444, Riverside, RI 02915. NO EMAIL entries. Reg. online: www.rhodeislandchess.org. Site Directions: www.lelfoyerri.com. Site tel. (401) 837-1302. NS NC W.

ACTIVITY MEANS MEMBERS New Affiliate programs, lower dues specials!

Adult dues specials! >> Free LONGER Tournament Life Announcements! RUN AN ADDITIONAL TOURNAMENT THIS WINTER! 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 January and March 2009, if no TLA for such an event appeared in 2008, and the TLA is e-mailed by the appropriate deadline. The 8 free lines cannot be applied to longer TLAs.

COLLEGIATE. A tournament limited to college students. USCF dues have recently been drastically reduced for most college students!

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:

NON-SCHOLASTIC WITH SCHOLASTIC. A tournament for all ages held concurrent (same location) with a scholastic tournament that in its previous year drew at least 50 players. We encourage organizers of scholastics to hold open or collegiate events on the side.

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

STUDENT. For college students or below or age 25 or below (age 25 must be eligible). JUNIOR. For age 20/below (age 20 must be eligible).

Dues slashed for age 20-24! The membership category previously called “Youth” has been renamed “Young Adult,” and eligibility has changed from under 21 to under 25. As a result, annual dues for those aged 20 through 24 have been almost cut in half, from $49 to $25!

One-year membership with Chess Life: If purchased online at uschess.org, now only $41 for everyone! The sale is in effect through December 31, 2008 and may be extended if the response is sufficient. Two year memberships are now $76 and three year memberships $109. (Note to affiliates: If you collect a $49 membership and submit it online to USCF, there is a $10 affiliate commission; if you submit it by mail or phone the affiliate commission remains $2.)

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.

BLITZ. Time control of Game/5. TLAs such as “USCFrated Blitz every Friday 7 pm” are accepted.

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Nov. 1, BK Tournaments for Kids Reg. online: www.rhodeislandchess.org, Email: [email protected] phone: (401) 359-1602. See CL4K.

Nov. 8-9, 2008 Rhode Island Open 5SS, Sat Rds 1-3 G/75; Sun Rds 4-5 G/120. RI College, Providence, RI 02860. Sections & Prizes: $2000 b/65 Open, U2000, U1600. Trophies each section and U2200. EF: $45 ADVANCE by 11/6 $55 AT SITE. Reg.: 9-9:30 Rd 1 at 9:30 prompt. Entries after 9:30 get 1/2 point bye. Ent: RI Chess, P.O. Box 15444, Riverside, RI 02915. NO EMAIL REG. Site tel. (401) 837-1302 Register online: www.richess.org NS NC W. WCL JGP.

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UTD entrance requirement and follow team rules. UTD is sole judge as to who wins the scholarship. Top 10 trophies, medal to all participants. For Additional information or online registration go to: www.swchess.com or contact Barbara Swafford, 214-632-9000, [email protected] Ent: Dallas Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. WCL JGP. Nov. 15, Scholastic Turkey Tournament (K-12) 5SS G/30 Sloan Creek Middle School, 440 Country Club Road, Fairview, TX 75069 EF: $10 if registered before 11/01/08. $20 after 11/01/08. On-Site Registration: 8:30-9:00 am. 1st Round: 9:00 am, all others ASAP. 1st, 2nd, 3rd PlaceTrophies in U500, 500800, 800+, and unrated. 4th Place winners receive a frozen turkey! Email: [email protected] JGP.

Tennessee

Utah

Nov. 29, 48th Mid-South Open

Oct. 24-25, Utah Open Championship

See Grand Prix.

Texas Oct. 17-19, Houston Open See Grand Prix.

Nov. 7-9, 2008 National Youth Action See Nationals.

Nov. 15, Scholastic Turkey Tournament (K-12) 5SS G/30 Sloan Creek Middle School, 440 Country Club Road, Fairview,TX 75069. EF: $10 if registered before 11/01/08. On-Site Registration: H8:30-9:00 am. 1st Round: 9:00 am, all others ASAP. 1st, 2nd, 3rd PlaceTrophies in U500, 500-800, 800+, and unrated. 4th Place winners receive a frozen turkey! Email: [email protected].

A State Championship Event! Nov. 22-23, 12th Annual Texas Collegiate Championships

See Grand Prix.

Vermont Oct. 25, South Burlington Plus-Score 4SS, GAME/65, Comfort Suites, 1712 Shelburne Rd., South Burlington, VT 05403. EF: $20. $$b/score: $$Based on score. 4.0 = $100, 3.5 =$50, 3.0 = $25, 2.5 = $10. Reg.: 9- 9:45. Rds.: 10-1-3:25-5:45. ENT: Alex Relyea, 49Technology Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. INFO: Alex Relyea, [email protected] [email protected]. www.relyeachess.com. NS W. WCL JGP.

Nov. 7-9 or 8-9, 12th annual Green Mountain Open & Vermont Championship See Grand Prix.

Nov. 8-9, 5th annual New England Scholastic Championships

5SS, G/90, 30 sec inc. Hilton Americas, 1600 Lamar, HoustonTX 77010. HR: $101$101-$101-$101, mentionTexas Grade and Collegiate Championships to get rate. Reserve By 10/19 or rate may increase. College section open to any college player. Only Texas Colleges can be Texas Collegiate Champs. Plaques to top 10 ind. & top 5 teams (top three players added for team scores, no more than 2 teams per school.) EF: $33 if postmarked by 11/14. $49 at site. Do not mail after 11/14 as your entry may not be received. Entries to: Dallas Chess Club, c/o Barbara Swafford, 2709 LonghornTrail, CrowleyTX 76036. Entry must include Name, USCF ID (or new/pending), grade & school and school location. Incomplete entries will be charged at site entry fee. No refunds after 11/16. Email: [email protected] 214-632-9000. Do not call after 11/14 as we are traveling. Reg. Fri 11/21 from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm. Reg. Sat.11/22 at 7:30 am-8:30 am. Sat. registration may require a 1/2 pt. 1st rd. bye. Sat. rds 911:30-6:00. Sun. rds 9-1:30. 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. Fide rated but uses USCF rules. Online registration (active.com charges a fee) : www.active.com/ event_detail.cfm?event_id=1625966 Limited number ofTeam rooms available, www.swchess.com. Side events: 4 rd G/30 open tournament on 11/21 at 7:30 pm.This G/30 tournament has three sections: Open, U1400 and U750. EF: $15, $$$60% of entry fees. Bughouse OpenTournament Sat. 8:35 pm. EF: $20/team. Trophy prizes. Registration for side event online or onsite only. NS, NC, W. FIDE. WCL JGP.

7SS, G/45, Grand Summit Resort, 89 Grand Summit Way, Mount Snow VT 05356. Free parking. Take Rt 9 west from Brattleboro or east from Bennington to Rt 100, then north 8 miles to Mount Snow (about 90 minutes from Springfield, MA or Albany, NY). Free parking. Open to all K-12 students; New England titles and free entry prizes limited to players & teams from schools in CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, or VT. Team prizes based on top 4 scores from same school combined. Teams of 2 or 3 players allowed, but are at a disadvantage. In 4 sections: High School (K-12), Middle School (K-8), Elementary (K-5), Primary (K-2). Players face only those in their section. EF for USCF members: HS $37.75, Middle School $37.50, Elem $37.25, Primary $37 if mailed by 10/31, all $38 online at chesstour.com by 11/4, $50 at site. EF for non-USCF members (fees include membership), HS $47.75, Middle School $47.50, Elem $47.25, Primary $47 if mailed by 10/31, $48 online at chesstour.com by 11/4, $60 at site. Trophies to top 10 players, top 7 teams, top in each section, top E, U1000, U800 (HS), U1000, U800, U600 (MS), U800, U600, U400 (Elem), U600, U400, U200 (Prim). Free entry in all Continental Chess Association Swiss tournaments until 5/31/09 to top New England player each section. Late reg. ends Sat 9 am, rds begin Sat 10 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, and 5:30 pm, Sun 9 am, 11 am, and 1:30 pm. Awards Sun 3:30 pm. Half point byes allowed rds 1-4 only, with at least 1 hour notice. $10 charge for refunds, all substitutions $50. HR: $82-89, 800261-9442, 800-464-6600, reserve by 10/25 or rate may increase. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Include school, grade, birth date, USCF ID, address of each player. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com.

A State Championship Event! Nov. 22-23, 12th Annual Texas K-12 Grade Championships

Virginia

6SS, Rds 1-3 G/45, Rds 4-6 G/60. Hilton Americas, 1600 Lamar, Houston TX 77010. HR: $101-$101-$101-$101, mention Texas Grade and Collegiate Championships to get rate. Reserve By 10/19 or rate may increase. The K-12 is Open to TX residents or players attending Texas schools. 13 separate tournaments, one per grade (K-12).Trophies to top 10 ind. & top 5 teams (top three players added for team scores, no more than 2 teams per school in each grade.) Winner of 12th Grade Section wins a 4 year scholarship to The University of Texas at Dallas, worth up to $43,000. Scholarship winner must meet UTD entrance requirements and follow team rules. EF: $33 if postmarked by 11/14. $49 at site. Do not mail after 11/14 as your entry may not be received. Entries to: Dallas Chess Club, c/o Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley TX 76036. Entry must include Name, USCF ID (or new/pending), grade & school and school location. Incomplete entries will be charged at site entry fee. No refunds after 11/16. Email: [email protected] 214-632-9000. Do not call after 11/14 as we are traveling. Reg. Fri 11/21 from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm. Reg. Sat. 11/22 at 7:30 am-8:30 am. Sat. registration may require a 1/2 pt. 1st rd. bye. Sat. rds 9:30-12:00-2:05-4:10. Sun.rds 10-1:15. 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. Online registration (active.com charges a fee) : www.active. com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1625920 Limited number of Team rooms available, www.swchess.com. Side events: 4 rd G/30 open tournament on 11/21 at 7:30 pm.This G/30 tournament has three sections: Open, U1400 and U750. EF: $15, $$$60% of entry fees. Bughouse Open Tournament Sat. 8:35 pm. EF: $20/team. Trophy prizes. Parent/Child team tourney Sat. 6:35 pm. EF: $10/team. Trophy prizes. Registration for side event online or onsite only. NS, NC, W.

Dec. 26-29 or 27-29, 18th annual North American Open (NV) See Grand Prix.

Dec. 27-30, 2008 Pan American Class Championships See Grand Prix.

Dec. 27-30, 2008 Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Tournament

Oct. 11, Kingstowne Quad #50/Action-Plus #22 Kingstowne Snyder Center, 6450 S. Van Dorn St., Alexandria, VA 22315. 2 Events. Quad #50: 3RR G/100. EF: $10 if received by 10/8, $15 at site. Prizes: Medals to 1st and 2nd in each quad: gold to 1st if 3-0 score, else silver; bronze to 2nd. Rds.: 11-3-7. Action-Plus #22: 5SS G/45. EF: $15 if received by 10/8, $20 at site. Prizes $$250/20: $100-60, U1800-U1400-Unr. each $30. Rds.: 11-1-3-5-7. Both: Reg. 10-10:45. Ent (checks payable to): Don W. Millican, 5901B Prince George Dr., Springfield, VA 232152. e-mail (info only): [email protected] W.

Oct. 25, Armed Forces Open Aftermath Action 4SS, G/30. Henderson Hall (Arlington), VA (Tournament to be held at the AllHands Club). Military ID required for access to Henderson Hall. EF: Free! Reg.: 0930-1030. Rds.: 1030, 1145, 1330, 1445. Open to all Active Duty, Reservists, Military Retirees, Cadets, ROTC, DoD Employees and DoD Dependents. Prizes: Trophies to Top 3 overall, Upset Prize, and Top under age 18. Come on out and relive your triumph or tragedy from the 2008 AFOCC with your fellow Military personnel! Same hospitality we received at the 2007 AFOCC from the Henderson Hall MCCS, with free refreshments and hors ‘d orderves for all participants. Info/Ent preferably in advance by e-mail to: JohnnyUSMC@ aol.com, or if necessary by snail mail to John Farrell, 2500 N Van Dorn St #1623, Alexandria, VA 22302. Please bring sets and clocks! NS.

Nov. 7, 14, 21, Arlington Chess Club Friday Night USCF Rating Ladder 30/90 SD/1. Lyon Village Community House, 1920 N Highland Rd, Arlington, VA. Player with most monthly points - $50 and most total points May - December wins $100. Must Join Club to play ($50 Adult, $40 U18) check web to make sure we are open each week - members.cox.net/arlingtonchessclub/ladder.htm. Ladder has been running for over 40 years, now win money too! Contact: Matt Grinberg for info: [email protected] No advance entries, sign up for ladder weekly by 8pm, games start 8:15pm. Future monthly events will appear a month in advance here. WCL JGP.

See Nationals.

Nov. 8, Frank Creasey Memorial

Dec. 27-30, 2008 Pan American Under 20 Scholastic Chess Championships

See Grand Prix.

Location: DFW Airport Marriott South, 4151 Centreport Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas, 76155. HR: $79/79/79/79. marriott.com/dfwam?groupCode=pan pana&app=resvlink, or call 800-228-9290 reserve by 12/5 (or rate could go up) and ask for Pan American Intercollegiate Chess rate. Free Parking. Tournament Dates: December 27-30, 2008. Under 20 years old Scholastic Tournament Format: Open to players under 20 years old who are not yet enrolled in college. This is a 6 round Swiss, Game/120 with a 30 second increment. Rounds: Rd. 1: 12/27 6 pm, Rd. 2: 12/28 10 am, Rd. 3: 5 pm, Rd 4: 12/29 10 am, Rd 5: 5 pm, and Rd 6: 12/30 9 am. Entry Fees: Priority Registration by December 2, 2008: $35. After December 2, 2008: $50. Prizes: Four-year scholarship to The University of Texas at Dallas to winner. Winner must meet

See Grand Prix.

uschess.org

Nov. 15-16, 13th Annual Northern Virginia Open

Wisconsin Nov. 8-9, WCA Veteran’s Tournament 5SS, G/120, Gruenhagen Conference Center, UW-Oshkosh, Corner of High and Osceola St. Oshkosh WI 54901. Open to Age 21 and over. EF: $20 by 11/4; $25 at site. $$b/40 and 3 per class: $160-110. A - $75; B - $60; C - $55; D $40; E/Unr - $65. Reg.: 11/8 8:45-9:30 A.M. Rds.: 10:15-2:30-7:15; 10:00-3:00. Held in conjunction with the WI Junior Open but in a separate room. ENT: Mike Nietman, 2 Boca Grande Way, Madison, WI 53719. INFO: Mike Nietman, 608-

467-8510 (evenings before 11/7) [email protected]. HR: 920-424-1106 $35 (dorm room) (Mention Chess). www.wischess.org. NS NC W.

Nov. 8-9, 2008-2009 Wisconsin Junior Open Gruenhagen Conference Center, UW-Oshkosh, Corner of High and Osceola St., Oshkosh, WI 54901. Open to youth born after 11/8/1987. In 4 Sections Open Section: 5SS, G/120, EF: $15 in advance by 11/4; $20 at site. Prizes: Top 5, Top 3 each 1300, 1200 and 1100,Top 4 Under 1100 andTop 3 Unrated. Reserve (Under 1100 or Unrated): 5SS, G/120, EF: $14 in advance by 11/4; $19 at site. Prizes:Top 5,Top 3 each 900, 800, 700, Under 700 and top four Unrated. NonRated Beginner’s Grade 7-12: 5SS, G/120, Open to Grades 7-12. EF: $11 in advance by 11/4; $16 at site. Prizes:Top 5 places,Top 3 Grade 7-9. Non-Rated Beginner’s Grade K-6: 5SS, G/120, Open to Grades K-6. EF: $10 in advance by 11/4; $15 at site. Prizes: Top 5 places, Top 3 Grade K-3. ALL: Reg: 11/8, 8:45-9:30 A.M. Rds: 10:15-2:30-7:15; 10:00-3:00. ENT: Mike Nietman, 2 Boca Grande Way, Madison, WI 53719. INFO: Mike Nietman, 608-467-8510 (before 11/7) [email protected]. HR: 920-424-1106 $35 double (dorm room) (Mention Chess). www.wischess.org. NS NC W. WCL JGP (Open section).

Nov. 22-23, 50th North Central Open/Martz Memorial A WCA Tour Event! Comfort Suite Hotel, N14 W24121Tower Place, Pewaukee, WI 53072. In 2 Sections, Open: 5SS, 30/90 Then SD/1, $5 Discount to juniors and new members. EF: $35 Before 11-22, $40 at the site. $$b/50: $200-150-110. A 90, B 90, C 80, D 80, E 70, Under 1000 70, biggest upset 60. Rds.: ON 11-22, 10, 2:30, 7:30. On 11-23, 10, 3. 1/2 Point byes, 2 at most. 1 FULL POINT BYES FOR MASTERS. SCHOLASTIC: 5SS, G/30, EF: $15 Before 11-22, $20 at the site. Prizes: Trophies to the top 3 in K-12, K-8, K-5, & K-3. Rds.: on 11-22, 10, 11:30, 1:30, 3, 4:30. Scholastic players that played in the scholastic section may play in the open section starting in round 3 and will get a $10 discount for playing in the open section. ENT: Ben Corcoran, N68 W24878 Stonegate Ct. #212, Sussex, WI 53089. Info: Ben 262-506-4203 [email protected]. HR: $89/night. Book before 11-7. 262-506-2000. WWW.WAUKESHACHESSCLUB.ORG/NCO. HTML. NS NC W.

Dec. 6-7, The Wisconsin Memorial 5SS, 45/2,25/1,SD/1 (45/2,SD/1 Round 4 only), Union South, UWMadison, 227 N. Randall Street, Madison WI 53715. EF: $20 (Juniors $16) by Dec. 2. $3 more later or on site. $$b/60 and 4 per class: $160-110. A - $90; B - $80; C - $70; D - $60; E - $50; U1000 - $40; Unr - $40; Upset - $50. Reg.: 9-9:30 A.M. Dec. 6. Rds.: 10:00-2:30-7:30; 10:00-3:30. ENT: Guy Hoffman, PO Box 259822, Madison, WI 53725. INFO: Guy Hoffman, (608)-262-0308 (11 A.M.-6:30 P.M.) [email protected]. HR: (608)-263-2600 Call for rates and availability. www.wischess.org. NS NC W. WCL JGP.

Wyoming Oct. 30, October 2008 G/29 Series Event - Cheyenne, Wyoming (QC) A Colorado G/29 Grand Prix Event (Not a USCF GP Event) 3SS, G/29, no delay. One Section, Accelerated Pairings with more than 12 entries. ENTRY FEES: $3. PRIZES: 100% minus USCF rating fee (60% for tourney prizes, remainder to Grand Prix Prize Fund). REGISTRATION: 6:30-7:00 pm, onsite only, e-mail if you intend to come. ROUNDS: 7:00-8:00-9:00 p.m. SITE: Laramie County Community College Cafeteria, 1400 East College Drive, Cheyenne, Wyoming. For Info or Directions: Allan Cunningham, (307)635-3102, e-mail: [email protected].

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/chessfederation.html. For event insurance, please go to www.rvnuccio.com.

WA RN I N G ! CELL PHONE THE USE OF A

PROHIBITED! IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM IS AT MOST TOURNAMENTS!

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

TURN IT OFF!


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Solutions

Looks at Books Problem I.

1. Rh8+ Kxh8 2. Bf5+ (this is not an illegal move under ancient rules) Kg8 3. Rh8+ Kxh8 4. g7+ Kg8 5. Nh6 mate. Problem II.

1. Rc1! Rxc1 2. a7 Ka3 3. Kc3.

Chess to Enjoy Problem I.

Black resigned after 1. Qg5! in view of mating checks at g7 and d8. Problem II.

White wins eventually after 1. g7+ (not 1. h7?? Rxg6+! 2. Kxg6 stalemate). But the fastest is to “pass” with a move like 1. Rb5 or 1. Rc5 (Also quite effective is 1. Rf5 Rd8 2. Rf8+ Rxf8 3. g7+ Kg8 4. Kg6) followed by 2. h7, e.g. 1. Rb5 Re8 2. h7 Kg7 3. Rb7+ Kh8 4. Kh6 Re6 5. Rb8+. Also 1. Kh5 R-moves 2. h7 wins. Problem III.

1. ... g5+! 2. Kxe5 Qc3 mate! Or 2. Kxg5 Nf7+ 3. Bxf7 Qxd6. Problem IV.

Not 1. Nd2+? Kd3, e.g. 2. Ke6 Kxd2 3. Kd6 Kc2 4. Kxc6 Kxb3 5. Kxb6 Kb4!. But 1. Ke6! Kxf3 2. Kd6 or 1. ... Kd3! 2. Kd6 Kc3 3. Kxc6 Kxb3 4. Kb5!. Problem V.

1. ... f3! 2. gxf3 Bg5 and wins (3. Rxe6 Rxe6 4. Qd7+ Re7). Problem VI.

Black played 1. ... b5? but 1. ... fxe4! wins, e.g. 2. Qxe4 Bxd4! 3. Nxd4 Rf4 or 3. Qxd4 Qxd4 4. Nxd4 Rf4 5. c3 c5. Also lost is 2. fxe4 Rf2! 3. Nf3 (3. Qg3 Qxe4+) 3. ... Qh5 4. Neg1 Rf8 or 4. ... Qg4 5. Ne1 d5! 6. exd5 Rd2 (or 6. ... Bd6).

What’s The Best Move? 1. C. Composed by Joseph. A. Of course 1. Qxa1?? is stalemate. B. After 1. Qe8? Qg7! White can’t extricate his king. Note that Black now would lose were he on move (2. ... Qh7 3. Qe5+ Ka8 4. Qa5+ Kb8 5. Qa7 mate). Also inadequate is 1. Qf8? Qa3! C. The journey of White’s queen from h8-e8-e5-h8 forms a perfect triangle after 1. Qg8! Qa2! 2. Qe8! Qa4! 3. Qe5+ Ka8 4. Qh8! threatens 5. Kd7

mate—now 4. ... Qa1 5. Qxa1 WITH CHECK wins. 2. B. Lichtenstein-Sternberg, Vienna 1923.

A. White has no more than perpetual check after 1. Qe5+? Kg6 2. Qe4+ Kf7 3. Qh7+ Ke8. B. Decisive is 1. f3! Qg6 (if 1. ... gxf3+ 2. Kh3! Qg6 3. g4+ Kg5 4. Qe5+ and mates) 2. Qe5+ Qg5 3. Qe8+ Qg6 4. fxg4+ Kg5 5. Qe5+ Kxg4 6. Qf4+ Kh5 7. Qh4 mate. C. Inadequate is 1. Qf7+? Qg6 2. Qe7 Qf5 3. Qe8+ Qg6. A. Only one move wins. If 1. Kd7? Kd4 2. Kc6 Ke5! 3. Kb7 Kd6 4. Kxa7 Kc7 5. Ka8 Kc8 6. a7 stalemate. B. The diagonal route 1. Kd5! restricts Black access to the key d4 square. On 1. ... Kb4 2. Kc6 Ka5 3. Kb7 Kb5 4. Kxa7 Kc6 5. Kb8 Kb6 6. a7 and the pawn queens. C. The actual game was drawn after 1. Kd6? Kd4! 2. Kc6 Ke5! 3. Kb7 Kd6 4. Kxa7 Kc7 entombing White’s king (as in “a”). 3. B. Schlage-Ahues, Berlin 1921.

A. White resigned, overlooking a miracle draw by 1. Kg4! Ke5 2. g6! h6 (if 2. ... hxg6 3. fxg6 f5+ 4. Kg5 f4 5. h5 f3 6. h6 gxh6+ 7. Kxh6 f2 8. g7 and both sides queen) 3. Kh5 Kxf5 stalemate! Never give up the ship! B. Hopeless is 1. g6? h5! 2. Kf3 Ke5 grazing on pawns for dessert. C. Equally futile is 1. h5? h6 2. gxh6 gxh6 3. Kf3 Ke5 4. Kg4 Ke4 5. Kg3 Kxf5 mopping up. 4. A. Chigorin-Tarrasch, Ostend 1905.

7. Rb1 Bd4 8. Rb2 Be5 9. Re2 Bf4 10. Rxe3 Bxe3 stalemate. Problem II. 1. Bc4+ Ned5 2. d7 Ke7 2. ... Qg5 3. Rc8 is even. 3. Rc8 Kxd7 3. ... Nb6+ 4. Ka7 Nxc8+ 5. dxc8=N+!! is drawn. 4. Nf6+ Kxc8 5. Nxg8 Nc6 6. Ne7+ Ncxe7 6. ... Ndxe7 7. Be6+ Kc7 8. bxc6 Nxc6 9. Bc8 holds the draw. 7. Bxd5 Nxd5 8. b6 Bb7+ 8. ... Nxb6+ 9. Ka7 wins one of Black’s pieces; 8. ... Nb4 9. Ka7 Bb7 stalemate 9. Ka7 Bc6 10. b7+ Bxb7 stalemate.

Solitaire Chess – ABCs of Chess Discovery: White’s queen is lost after 1. ... Ne3+. Problem I.

Pin: White loses two pieces for a rook by 1. ... Rxe4+ 2. Nxe4 Re8. Problem II.

Mating net: After 1. ... Ne6!, White cannot avert mate, since 2. g4 Rxg4 mates next move. Problem III.

Fork: Black wins with a setup to a fork, 1. ... Rxg5, since 2. Rxg5 fails to 2. ... Bf4+. Problem IV.

Trapping: With 1. ... Nf3+ 2. Bxf3 exf3, White must lose the knight. Problem V.

Pin: Black comes out ahead, not with 1. ... bxc6? 2. Bxc6+, but by 1. ... a6, when 2. Ba4 is met by the pin, 2. ... Bd7. Problem VI.

Endgame Lab – Benko’s Bafflers Problem I. 1. Rd2 a2 Black wins the rook with 1. ... Be3 2. Nc3 a2 3. Kb2 Bxd2 4. Nxe4 but at the cost of both his pawns which draws. 2. Nc5! Nxc2 3. Nb3 a1=Q+ 3. ... Be3 4. Kxc2 Bxd2 5. Nxd2+ Kg2 6. Kb2 e3 7. Nc4 e2 8. Ne3+ Kf2 9. Nc2 and White tracks down the last problem. 4. Nxa1 Nxa1 5. Kd1 e3 5. ... Nb3 6. Rd3 e3 (6. ... exd3 stalemate) 7. Rxb3 e2+ 8. Kc2 e1=Q 9. Rb1 when Black will be left with no mating material. 6. Rb2 Bc5 6. ... Bxb2 stalemate; 6. ... Nb3 7. Rxb3 e2+ 8. Kc2 e1=Q 9. Rb1 which transposed to the previous note.

“Solitaire Chess” scores: 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

CHESS LIFE USPS# 102-840 (ISSN 0197-260X). Volume 63 No. 10. 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 ©2008 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 uschess.org


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Chess Life 2008-10 October

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