2011 - Chess Life 12

December 2011

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

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

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

Round 6

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Chess Life — December 2011

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December on uschess.org

A Maximal Christmas with Minimal Problems Holiday Chess Times See CLO for stories from the major events over the holiday. Events span from the North American Open in Las Vegas (December 26-29), which will be covered by Kostya Kavutskiy. Also see updates on the premier college event, the Pan-American Intercollegiate Chess Tournament in Fort Worth, Texas (December 27-30), which will include updates by Dr. Alexey Root.

This problem, from Jean Maurice Paradis, La Presse 1938, shows what Steven Dowd intends to cover in CLO with his article “Minimals,” all of which feature only a king and one other piece, often against an opponent’s entire army! Can you see, in this minimal, how White’s bishop and king will checkmate Black, despite Black being up the Exchange and three pawns? See CLO for the solution!

Contributors

National Youth Action Heads West Kids and quick chess—a perfect match! This year the National Youth Action (NYA) will be split into two sunny parts: the NYA East in Miami, Florida and the NYA West in Irvine, California. Both events will take place from December 9-11. Look for coverage on CLO of both, including thoughts from Randy Hough of the Chess Journalists of America on the West.

Greg on Norms Part II IM Greg Shahade follows up his CLO editorial on why our most talented youngsters should focus less on norms. This installment features Greg’s personal feelings on norms as he re-enters the chess world.

Revolutionalize your game!

Jamaal Abdul-Alim (“First Moves,” p. 8) is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. Dr. Alexey Root, WIM (“First Moves,” p. 10) teaches “chess online” courses, available worldwide, for The University of Texas at Dallas. Her first book, Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators (Teacher Ideas Press, 2006) addressed chess with special-needs individuals. GM Joel Benjamin (“Looks at Books,” p. 12) is the youngest inductee in the World Chess Hall of Fame and was IBM’s GM consultant on the Deep Blue team that defeated Garry Kasparov. IM Irina Krush (“Cover Story,” p. 18) is a three-time U.S. women’s champion and frequent contributor to Chess Life. GM Ian Rogers (“Grand Slam Chess,” p. 30) is a frequent contributor of international event reports to Chess Life. Nelly Rosario (“Fashion,” p. 38) was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She received a bachelor of arts in engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master of fine arts from Columbia University, where she currently is an adjunct professor. She is the author of Song of the Water Saints: A Novel. ICCM Bart Gibbons (“Instruction,” p. 42) lives in Joplin, Missouri. He is an over-the-board master (since 1979), and an international correspondence chess master since 1993.

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December Chess Life Columns 12 LOOKS AT BOOKS New York 1927 By GM Joel Benjamin

14 CHESS TO ENJOY Of Oscars and Auctions By GM Andy Soltis

16 SOLITAIRE CHESS Castling on Opposite Sides By Bruce Pandolfini

46 BACK TO BASICS Four (Pawns) Against Alekhine By GM Lev Alburt

48 ENDGAME LAB Progress with the SevenPiece Database By GM Pal Benko

Departments 3

PREVIEW

6

COUNTERPLAY

8

FIRST MOVES

44 USCF AFFAIRS 52 TOURNAMENT LIFE 68 CLASSIFIEDS 69 SOLUTIONS 70 ANNUAL INDEX

18

COVER STORY

Kings vs. Queens: Innovation, Interest, & Intrigue in St. Louis By IM Irina Krush and GM Ben Finegold

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis brings together some of our top players to play a battle of the sexes in classical chess and Chess960.

30 GRAND SLAM CHESS

Carlsen Wins 2011 Grand Slam Title By GM Ian Rogers

Nakamura’s chances killed by OJ.

On The Cover The Saint Louis Chess Center continues to lead the way not just in the U.S. but in the world with innovative chess ideas. This month we report on their Kings versus Queens battle of the sexes involving both classical chess and Chess960. See page 18 for IM Irina Krush and GM Ben Finegold’s article, including some diagrams that have never before been seen on the pages of Chess Life.

38 FASHION

Dress Like a Grandmaster By Nelly Rosario

Revenge of the Nerds, meet The Devil Wears Prada— now mate and be fruitful.

42 INSTRUCTION

Retreat To The First Rank ... And Win! By ICCM Bart Gibbons

Despite the ubiquity of analysis engines, imagination and creativity still plays a role in chess.

Cover design by Shirley Szymanek

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Counterplay

Norman Peacor I was very pelased to read the tribute to Norman Peacor by Stephen Dann (October Chess Life, “USCF Affairs”). My first term on the Policy Board (1976-78) coincided with Peacor’s service as treasurer. Norman was respected by all who kenw him and he did a great deal to put USCF finances on an improved basis. Afrter his service as treasurer, he was chairman of the life membership committee, chairman of the finance committee, and finally a trustee of the U.S. Chess Trust. He was active on the finance committee throughout the 1980s and 1990s. One disagreement with the tribute: Norm did have serious opposition for treasurer in 1976—his opponent was former USCF President Fred Cramer

Harold J. Winston Chairman, U.S. Chess Trust via e-mail

Lou Friscoe I was rereading the February 2011 Chess Life and noted the article about Lou Friscoe being named Volunteer of the Month. The article noted that one of the projects into which Lou was putting his efforts was convincing the city to build a chess pavilion along the river. Nine months later that pavilion is complete— and Lou has already held three chess tournaments there.

Martin Hughes via e-mail

Chess apps I’m writing in response to your cover story on chess apps (October Chess Life), and wanted to clarify and add to the “Chess at ICC” review. Printed space we know is premium, but it was surprising just how little coverage was devoted to our three mobile apps, and how the precious space was used in part simply to specu-

late on how people might feel upon buying our apps. It was also difficult to compare apps in any way as there didn't seem to be any methodology in how apps were tested. The use of a star rating system for example, evaluating apps in different core competencies, would have been useful. Given how little was actually mentioned in terms of features, could you please note that all our Internet Chess Club (ICC) apps have engines to play offline; our Android has an excellent offline database of chess problems; our iPad app allows viewing of ChessFM videos; and both of our iOS apps give you the ability to buy membership months at reduced prices, directly from within the app. In short they aren't just interfaces for online club access, and weren’t conceived only for ICC members.

Brian Pollock ICC Office Manager via e-mail

FM Mike Klein responds:

I was reviewing the apps based on how I perceived their uses (since they don't come with instructions), and after years of using ICC, I just didn't see much additional utility, especially since they are charging for the app, even if you pay the $69.99 yearly ICC membership. I stand by the fact that they are showing some bravado in charging extra, and if their extras are that great, I would have found them on my own. I also don't understand their statement that the app was not conceived just for members, because if you are not a member, you would not be able to sign in and play, which is the largest function of the app. Maybe I am missing something. I also tried to play a U.S. Chess League game a few months ago using the app, and it failed to work properly. But the respondent had it right—it was not possible to quantify every single feature. Send your letters to [email protected]. If Chess Life publishes your letter, you will be sent a copy of Test, Evaluate and Improve Your Chess by IM Danny Kopec and Hal Terrie. Letters are subject to editing for content and length. 6


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kta! e v n Co From

First Moves

OMG: Pairings by Text The jostling that occurs as the pairings are posted has long been a fact of tournament life. Getting you pairing via text message is the latest way technology is improving our ancient game.

By Jamaal Abdul-Alim When I regIstered onlIne for the 51st Maryland open in rockville, Maryland, earlier this year, a prompt appeared on my computer screen and asked if I wanted to get my pairings sent via text message to my cell phone. this was, of course, a no-brainer. Any player who’s ever had to jostle with a crowd of competitors all eagerly awaiting the tournament director to post pairings on a small sheet of paper in a single spot knows that the scene can get a little chaotic rather quickly. this is especially true in large tournaments where many of the players are school-age and have all the decorum that one would expect to find on, well, a school playground. given the ubiquitousness of modernday technology, it’s somewhat curious as to why the option of getting pairings via text message—or some similar tech-savvy fashion—isn’t standard fare at today’s chess tournaments. But the reality is that while other aspects of the immortal game—from game notation to game analysis—have gone digital, the pairing-by-text system developed by astronomer and computer scientist Michael regan, treasurer of the Maryland Chess Association, is still in its infancy. Indications are it’s a relative novelty at tournaments and doesn’t appear to be likely to become available on the market like other pairings software anytime soon. this makes its virtual absence from the chess scene all the more curious, especially given the fact that regan and others who’ve used the system report that it makes tournaments—particularly scholastic tournaments—run a whole lot smoother than they would otherwise. “feedback has been mostly, ‘Why does8


n’t everybody use this?’” regan said. Martin hughes, an organizer of the Mulligan Chess Club’s Masters & experts tournaments in Worthington, ohio, tapped regan to use the system recently after reading a brief mention I made about the program in an article I wrote recently for Chess Life Online (May 2, 2011). he said as soon as he ran the pairings on swisssys chess tournament software, with just one click he was able to send the pairings to the players within a matter of seconds. “the program came with a users guide and worked without a hitch,” hughes said. “It could not have been easier.” hughes further praised the pairingsby-text system for its “cool factor” and other benefits. “It is a new experience that adds to the image of the tournament as well run,” hughes said. he also said it gives tournament players time to prepare for their next opponent, particularly if the pairings get sent the night before. “the players who had not signed up for the text service all called me for their pairings when they found out that other players were preparing for their opponents,” hughes said. And, finally, hughes noted how the system tended to reduce all the “scrum” around the pairings board. “this could be particularly useful at the large scholastic tournaments where not only are hundreds of anxious kids pressing up against the wall, but a like number of restless parents and coaches are also in the stampede,” hughes said. “Michael’s program handles multiple phone numbers per player, so both the player and a coach or parent can receive a text.”

the origin of regan’s system actually goes to the Maryland state scholastic Championships in 2008. “We had a large turnout and one problem with getting the rounds started was that players didn’t know that the pairings had been posted,” regan said. “so, in 2009 I used an online service where I could send out a text message for each section saying that the pairings for that section had been posted. “that improved things but I thought that the best way to get the information to the players would be if each person received a custom text with their pairing information.” so for the 2010 state scholastic Championships, regan used a prototype for the customized texts of pairings—and he says the tournament ran much more smoothly as a result. for those concerned with the technological evolution of the program, initially uschess.org

PHOTO BY BETSY DYNAKO

A relic of the past?

pairings were exported into an html file which Regan’s program then read. But over the last year, Regan rewrote the program to directly read SwissSys files. “This allows me to directly read the phone number for each player that is in the SwissSys tournament file,” Regan said. “That means that all you have to do is select the section once and then each time you want to send a text, you just hit the ‘send text’ button for that section.” When Regan used the system at this year’s Maryland Open, it enabled him to finish the six one-day sections in record time despite having over 530 players. This is because of an accompanying message that notified players that they can start their game early if they both agree, which several did. “By allowing us to start the round up to 15 minutes sooner, we can reduce the time that the players are sitting around waiting for the next round and end the uschess.org

day earlier, which the parents appreciate,” Regan said. I still have the text messages I got during the Maryland Open. The text messages let me know what board I’m playing on, whether black or white, the name and rating of my opponent. For instance, here’s the first text-message pairing I got at the Maryland Open: (Round 1) Abdul-Alim, Jamaal is playing black on board 36 against Barnakov, Vadim Y (1330). For what it’s worth, this text message enabled me to learn that my opponent was the son of the highly-rated Yuri Barnakov, who also played in the Maryland Open. Regan has started to let other people use the pairing-by-text as part of a beta test. He said the cost of texting pairings is less than $1 per player. But despite the relative low cost and positive feedback, Regan said he doesn’t plan to take his

system to market. “I don't plan to patent it,” Regan said. “The cost would be too high.” Ironically, text messaging isn’t the only way—and perhaps not the most feasible way—to use technology to deliver pairings. “I don’t know if texting the pairings is the answer anymore,” said Alan Losoff, a retired bank technology manager and organizer of the Las Vegas International Chess Festival, who says he has looked into texting pairings in the past. “My feeling right now is people are going so much to the Smartphones, the iPhones.” Consequently, he said, it probably makes more sense to post the pairings online, which he said he planned to do at the International Chess Festival. “We post them and a lot of people get their pairings right from websites, using Smartphones or iPads,” Losoff said. “So the demand for us having us text them kind of went away before it got implemented.”

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9

First Moves

Chess with Special-Needs Adults Expanding the boundaries for teaching chess students

When I volunteered to teach similarly introduced. next. toby counted, “1, 2, 3, 4” while children’s chess classes at the denton I asked each man to pick up the white pointing to white pawns, so four white Public library, librarian carmen Grant king. Since the king had been the first pawns went into our bags. Juan didn’t say asked if I would also teach chess occasion- chessman taught, not everyone remem- anything, but pointed to a black bishop. ally to her weekly group of special-needs bered what it looked like. carmen and I We all put a black bishop into our bags. adults. She said, “Some have mental abil- hinted that it was tall with a cross on top. Most of the time, the announced chessities ranging from kindergarten to fourth each of us put a white king into our indi- man or chessmen were correctly put in grade.” to give carmen each bag. I cleared away an idea of how I teach all but two bags and got chess, I described two out two chessboards. challenges (classify and the four men sat across lines) from my forthfrom each other, with one board in between coming book Thinking each pair and one rook with Chess: Teaching for each man. I showed Children Ages 5-14 how the rook moved on (Mongoose Press, 2012). the board, supplemented carmen thought those by moving my arms verchallenges would help tically and horizontally. I the adults practice asked the men to copy fine motor skills, memthose arm movements, orizing, strategy, and but they did not respond pattern recognition. I felt encouraged, though I much. Within each pair, had no experience the men took turns movteaching special-needs ing rooks. one moved a adults. white rook, the other a September 8 was my black one. Sometimes first adult class, attended the rooks were moved by four men. My clasincorrectly. one checksify challenge was for ers-like capture was each man to sort his pile made, but without the captured rook being of 32 chessmen and removed. then explain his sorting I asked the caregiver system. everyone sorted. whether the men played But not everyone talked bingo. they had, he when explaining. For replied. I thought about example, Juan pointed Seated: Edith (left) and Matthew (right, S.W.A.T. hat). calling out random to the two groups he creStanding (l-r): Toby, Chinn, Alexey Root, Josh (tall man behind Root). chessmen and squares, ated. I verbalized, “oh, such as, “Put a black you put the white chesspawn on a5.” But, just men there and the black vidual chess bag. then carmen had before I began, Josh said he knew how to ones over here.” then I taught the names of the chess- everyone pick up the white queen and bag set up the chessmen. he demonstrated by men. I held up a king and said, “the king it. She suggested that Josh select the putting a black king on h8 and black is tall with a cross on top of its head.” I next chessman to put in the bag. Josh queen on g8. his mistake prompted me to drew a cross on the dry-erase board. I said the black king. We went around the change my “bingo” plans. two men were asked everyone to hold up a white king, table having each man decide which equipped with white chessmen, and the and they did. the other chessmen were chessman or chessmen to put in the bags other two got black chessmen. I said,

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXEY ROOT

By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM

“Toby and Chinn, each of you put a white pawn on a2.” On side by side boards, with my help and Carmen’s help, the task was accomplished. “Josh and Juan, each of you put a black pawn on a7.” After we placed the b-, c-, d-, and epawns, Juan placed the rest of his black pawns on the seventh rank. He recognized the pattern. When just f1, g1, and h1 were left to fill in for White and f8, g8, and h8 for Black, we counted how many squares remained until the two chess boards were set up. Juan pointed to count, but the others counted out loud. After the men finished setting up the starting positions, class ended with putting the chessmen back in the bags. To prepare for my next adult class, I reviewed what I had written about chess and special education in Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators. Part of that section (pages 25-26) read: “Michael David Wojcio (1990) has taught special education students to remember (a) the set up of the board; (b) piece names; (c) piece movement; (d) rules; and (e) the concept of checkmate. Wojcio has also taught them to sequence, that is, to put the pawns and pieces correctly on the board at the start of the game. Fine motor skills have also been demonstrated by his students as they move the chess pieces and pawns. They have additionally mastered some basic chess strategies, such as center control, developing one’s pieces, and thinking before moving. Some of his students also mastered the en passant rule.” Like Wojcio, I had taught the chessmen’s names, a piece’s movement, and setting up the starting position. I also asked for advice from Carmen. Carmen always keeps in mind that the men are adults. A week before my chess instruction, Carmen showed a video clip about 9/11 (something she would not do with children). I asked if the men could read and write. Carmen said that the men would more likely recognize a word if it were paired with a picture or photo of what the word represents. Furthermore, all of them could write their names. Some preferred drawing to writing. I mentioned their reluctance to make vertical and horizontal arm movements. Their hesitancy was not a surprise to Carmen. She works on their large motor skills during some classes, for example having relays where they kick or throw balls. On September 22, my next class with the adults, four men and one woman attended. I drew a stick figure on the dry-erase board and labeled it “person.” I said that the drawing and the word rep-

resent a person, but neither looks like a real-life person. I said that the same is true for chess. There are pictures of chessmen and names for chessmen, but they will not look like real chessmen. Then I passed out cards with 12 figures and words representing the six types and

Edith and Matthew, helped by caregivers, executed both moves and captures. The third activity was the Lines challenge from Thinking with Chess. One adult had the 16 white chessmen, and the other had the 16 black chessmen. In this challenge, the chessmen are used like Xs and Os in tic-tac-toe. Taking turns, with White going first, each adult placed one chessman on a square. The first to place four of the same color in a line won the challenge. In Lines, one usually attempts different types of lines (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal). Also, one should block the opponent from completing his or her line. The adults rarely blocked without being advised to do so. Lines were usually horizontal or vertical rather than diagonal. I concluded the second class as I had done the first class, calling out squares bingo-style for the adults to set up starting positions. Josh and Chinn (who had also attended on September 8) seemed somewhat more comfortable this time with setting up the chessboard. Though, on the first commands (“Put a white pawn on a2; Put a black pawn on a7”), Josh put the white pawn on a1 and Chinn put the black pawn on a8. After the ranks’ numbers were pointed out, and the pawns adjusted to the second and seventh rank. respectively, the rest of the pawn placements went smoothly. My next class is scheduled for October 13. During it, I will teach the bishop. Diagonal moves might be difficult to convey, as shown by this incident during the Lines challenge. Though Toby could have completed a diagonal line by placing a chessman on b4 (since he already had chessmen on e1, d2, and c3), he did not. Even when the library practicum student showed the e1-d2-c3 diagonal, Toby tried placing his next chessman at a4, then c2, and then d1. Finally, I pointed to b4. Toby put the chessman there and clapped when I said he had made four in a row. After my two September classes, I asked Carmen what she thought the adults had gained so far from chess. Carmen said, “I think chess is improving the group’s motor, recall, and thinking skills. The Lines challenge was challenging and fun, and allowed the group to learn basic strategy. I also think the group is learning that chess can be fun.” My chess teaching feels like a success, despite my belief that these adults will never play full games of chess. When they learn parts of chess, such as recognizing the chessmen, there is joy.

“When they learn parts of chess, such as recognizing the chessmen, there is joy.”

uschess.org

two colors of chessmen. For example, a student’s card might show “♘ white knight.” The student then opened his or her chess bag and located the threedimensional white knight chessman corresponding to the figure (♘) and the words (white knight). Next, each student drew his or her own representation of the chessman or copied the words for it. I thought the adults might want to do only one or two of the cards. But Edith, Josh, Chinn, and Matthew went through 12 cards each, locating an appropriate chessman and then coloring or writing on each card. Edith printed carefully but did not draw. Chinn scribbled a singlecolor blotch on each card. Josh finished his cards first. So I held up a card and, after looking at the figure and words, Josh found the corresponding chessman. Then Josh held up a card and I found a chessman, and so forth. Toby’s coloring had slowed him down, as he had carefully filled in the white spaces. He finished three cards by the time the others had finished 12. To prepare for a second activity, I reviewed how the rooks move and taught how they capture. White got rooks on a1 and h1 and Black got rooks on b8 and g8. The photo, taken by Carmen Grant, shows us gathered around the board where I demonstrated this activity. After passing out additional boards, I had Toby partner with a library practicum student. The other four adults paired up. The goal for each pair was to move and capture correctly with the rooks. Josh and Chinn moved rooks correctly, but did not capture even after I pointed out captures as options. Toby moved the same rook back and forth to the same squares.

.


11

Looks at Books

New York 1927 A deserving book finally gets an English translation By GM Joel Benjamin

been no full-length translation, but that omission has finally been corrected in an edition translated by Mary Lawrence, and edited by Al Lawrence. Old games may seem quaint by modern standards, but they can reveal history in the making. As GM Andy Soltis points out in his spot-on foreword (see sidebar, next page), the first two games in the tournament introduce the Manhattan Variation, an opening that is still shown to be relevant by the world’s top grandmasters. The lure of the book is of course the commentary from Alekhine, not so much for the quality of his analysis (chess engines can humble any annotator) but for the joyful, unmitigated frankness by which Alekhine attacks the subject matter. Today’s players don’t claim they understand chess better than their rivals; they just try to come to the game armed with useful specific ideas. They can tell the world their thoughts on the games immediately after the tournament, if not the very same day. And despite a few oil and water relationships (Kramnik and Topalov comes to he old tournaments conjure up mind) today’s players don’t express a lot of images in a way that today’s events animus towards each other. In the pre-computer unconnected world do not. Hastings 1895 evokes Pillsbury’s surprise emergence, or von of 1927, players were still battling to put Bardeleben walking away from a ruined their philosophical stamp on the game. position against Steinitz. New York 1924 Participants relished writing tournament is a similarly iconic tournament, but the books because it was a rare opportunity to 1927 New York event has never achieved present their theories and versions of events the same kind of cult status. Perhaps it is to the public. And the elite players often did because the great Emmanuel Lasker did not get along. Much of the tension was not play, perhaps because Capablanca caused by the personal domination of the triumphed easily over his five rivals, two match process that the world champion and a half points ahead of Alexander often enjoyed in the days before FIDE. Alekhine. In any case, New York 1927 Capablanca ducked Alekhine for years might have a different legacy if Alekhine’s much to the latter’s consternation. The tournament victor’s result is put tournament book, published in German in 1938, had come out in the English lan- under the microscope in the eleven-page guage. For more than 60 years there has introduction “New York 1927 as Prologue

T

12


to the World Championship.” Alekhine examined Capablanca’s mini-matches with his five competitors and concluded that they played well below their usual standard, in awe of the Cuban’s reputation, particularly as an endgame genius (Alekhine was not so impressed with Capablanca’s prowess in the ending). It seems petty to make such an assertion about a player who so thoroughly dominated. Note that Alekhine was not expressing his frustrations from the time of the event; the book was published after he had vanquished Capablanca for the title. Maybe Alekhine felt he could express his thesis only after achieving his goal. He certainly wanted the world to know he could see the vulnerabilities in the play of Capablanca that were hidden, to most people, in this obviously successful result. The man has a point when you consider the following example: Inexplicable draw Rudolf Spielmann José Raúl Capablanca Round 7

-+-+-+k+ zp-vl-+pzpp -zppsn-+-+ +-+-+-+-+P+-+L+ vLP+-+-zPP P+-+KzP-+ +-+-+-+Whitetoplay

Here Spielmann inexplicably accepted a uschess.org

draw. Alekhine was relatively gentle, remarking that the position was “without a doubt, worth playing out.” Spielmann clearly lacked confidence in his own endgame abilities, but any grandmaster of today would recognize White’s sizable advantage without the slightest chance of losing. Spielmann was renowned as an attacker but similarly styled players nowadays would possess much greater versatility! I enjoyed Alekhine’s harsh but witty criticism of Nimzovich’s opening play in his second round meeting with Capablanca: 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 d5 4. e3

“As is well known, the moves 4. Bg5 and 4. Nc3 are more vigorous here, and at the same time quite credible developmental moves. But that it is the way it is—in New York one played against Capablanca usually in such a way, as if there was a mot d’ordre to play only the secondor third-best moves against him.” Of course Alekhine had to produce moves and not just words on occasion. Capa’s opposition José Raúl Capablanca Milan Vidmar Round 12

r+lsn-trk+ +-wq-vlpzpp -+-zp-sn-+ p z -zpPzp-+PzpN+P+-+ +-zP-+N+P -zPL+-zPP+ R t -vLQtR-mKAfter15....a5

About Capablanca’s 16. Nfxe5 Alekhine comments, “This much admired exchange combination leads to a certainly somewhat favorable endgame, which Black finally loses with imprecise play.” (Alekhine preferred 16. Be3). The game continued: 16. ... Ba6 17. Bb3 dxe5 18. d6 Bxd6 19. Qxd6 Qxd6 20. Nxd6

... and now Alekhine queried 20. ... Nb7, recommending 20. ... Rb8 21. Bc4 Bxc4 22. Nxc4 Nc6 “with a definitely defensible game.” Nevertheless, after 23. Bd2 Black’s position still looks pretty depressing. The book is not all about the softness of Capablanca’s opposition. We can expect that an all-time great would produce general chess wisdom. I was particularly struck by Alekhine’s comments on the following position: uschess.org

Alekhine being philosophical Frank Marshall Aron Nimzowitsch Round one

-+ktr-+-tr p z pzpqsn-+p -+n+lzp-+ +-+p+-zp-+-zP-+-+ +-zPL+NvLP P+P+-zPP+ +R+Q+RmK-

only serve to mar a classic text, and as Lawrence points out, readers are free to check on their own to look for mistakes. I have just a couple of minor quibbles. The form of the games index does not allow you to pinpoint particular matchups right away. The crosstable on page 12 lists an incorrect total for Capablanca. For chess history buffs this is an obvious addition to their collection, but I would argue it’s a worthy buy for everyone. It may not win a game for you in your next tournament, but it’s a breezy, enjoyable read. New York 1927 offers an interesting look into the insights of one of the games most important figures and a slice of a very different time in chess history.

.

After12....O-O-O

Nimzowitsch’s 12. ... 0-0-0 prompted Alekhine to wax philosophical: “The king takes on the defense of b7 and c7. The king’s role in defense has been strongly underestimated (after the desperate attempt by the aging Steinitz to use this piece to attack on a full board was a miserable fiasco)—and only the years after the war seemed to bring a gradual aboutface in this respect. One can examine the games from the Buenos Aires match, for example, where the kings, already in the middlegame, were used now and then to defend key squares—that is, functioning as active pieces even before the endgame.” Good stuff! And Alekhine actually concluded that Nimzowitsch would have been better off castling kingside if Marshall had continued more accurately in the next few moves. I was intrigued by Alekhine’s comments on the openings. Obviously this part of the game has changed the most since Alekhine’s time. Though his comments may seem curious by today’s standards, I admire the conviction you see in them. In round 15 Spielmann-Alekhine began 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2. Here Alekhine comments: “Apparently Spielmann wants to avoid the dull line 4. Nc3 Bb4! proven successful in this tournament. But as is generally known, Black can also easily obtain equality with the text move (3. ... c5), with some caution.” Alekhine could label the Winawer “dull” because everyone answered with the toothless 4. exd5 instead of the now almost automatic 4. e5. Reading between the lines, we can assume that the French was the favored defense to 1. e4 on the grandmaster level, with White lacking an effective weapon against it. Though Al Lawrence used a chess engine to check Alekhine’s analysis (and for that matter the quality of Capablanca’s moves), he wisely left Alekhine’s prose unmarked by computer analysis. It would

The following is an excerpt from GM Andy Soltis’ introduction: It’s about time this book was published. For decades, Alexander Alekhine’s account of New York 1927 was at the top of the list of works that should have been rendered into English but unaccountably were not. There is no shortage of reasons for why this book was recognized as a classic when it first appeared. First, the tournament was one of the strongest ever held. The only previous events that came close to it in average strength were St. Petersburg 1895-96 and the finals of St. Petersburg 1914. The New York organizers further ensured their place in history by luring José Capablanca back into action. The tournament also captured a pivotal moment in the evolution of chess thinking. New ideas normally gain acceptance slowly, almost glacially. But the games played at the Manhattan Square Hotel in the final days of the winter of 1927 showed how chess thinking had been transformed by the Hypermodern revolution. Even lapsed gambiteers like Frank Marshall and Rudolf Spielmann were experimenting with Indian openings at New York 1927. New theory was being written as early as games 1 and 2, which gave us the “Manhattan Variation” of the Queens Gambit Declined. Put that into perspective: Can you recall a modern tournament that provided the name for an opening? New York 1927 by Alexander Alekhine. Edited by Al Lawrence, translation by Mary Lawrence. Russell Enterprises, 168 pages, $19.95 from uscfsales.com (catalog number B0050RE). See Al Lawrence discuss the book on YouTube; search “Lawrence New York 1927.”


13

Chess to Enjoy

Of Oscars and Auctions The calendar tells us it’s time to get trivial. By GM Andy Soltis Like Christmas, our Trivia Quiz comes but once a year and the once comes in December: It’s time to see how much thoroughly useless information about chess you’ve amassed when you should have been studying rook endings. Answers on page 69.

1. The Elo chess rating system was featured in the plot of which movie that was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar this year? (a) Inception (b) The Social Network (c) The King’s Speech (d) Black Swan

2. Last March archaeologists uncovered what they said was: (a) The oldest known board with dark and light colored squares (b) Pieces from President James Madison’s chess set (c) An 11th-century book in Arabic on Chaturanga, the forerunner of modern chess (d) Several previously unknown scoresheets of Andre Philidor

3. Lajos Portisch holds the record for most career victories (121) in the Olympiad team tournaments. Who is number two in the record book? (a) Miguel Najdorf (b) Viktor Korchnoi (c) Anatoly Karpov (d) Eugenio Torre (e) Bill Hook

4. Under the old (pre-1500) rules of chess, a bishop could only move two squares diagonally at a time. How many different squares could a bishop land on in the course of a game? (Try to do this without looking at a board.) 5. Who am I? My great-grandfather was Greek but was shipwrecked near Odessa and grew up in Russia. My father met my mother in Manchuria where she was a war correspondent. I was the junior 14


champion of Moscow and the overall champion of Paris. (a) Savielly Tartakower (b) Nicolas Rossolimo (c) Ossip Bernstein (d) Aron Nimzowitsch

6. A chess set was auctioned for a record price of $76,275 in New York in April. Its distinction was: (a) It was the only set designed by Andy Warhol. (b) It was used by Garry Kasparov in his first match with Deep Blue. (c) It was made of platinum. (d) It was used only once, in the third game of the 1972 World Championship match. 7. Whose website has translations in English, Russian, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese and Nepalese? (a) Viswanathan Anand (b) Yasser Seirawan (c) Jan Timman (d) Anish Giri 8. What is the significance of the positions that occurs after 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Be7 4. Nc3 Bh4+ 5. Ke2 d5 6. Nxd5 Nf6 7. Nxf6+ Qxf6 8. d4 Bg4 9. Qd2 Nc6 ?

r+ +k+ r ppp +ppp +n+ q + + + + + + PPpll + + +N+ PPPQK+PP R L +L+R

White to play

(a) It occurred in the blindfold game played by the two main characters in the move Queen to Play. (b) An entire 114-page book

devoted to it was published in 2011. (c) It was the subject of the last published analysis of Vassily Smyslov. (d) The Houdini program recently found a forced win for White.

9. In April, Vishy Anand celebrated something that has happened to only five reigning world champions. He: (a) Won the “Chess Oscar.” (b) Amassed a plus score against each of his previous match opponents. (c) Became a father. (d) Was named “Athlete of the Year” by his country. 10. The game between WGM Jolanta Zawadzka and WFM Aleksandra Lach from this year’s Polish Women’s Championship was distinctive because: (a) It was drawn in 213 moves, the fifth-longest game on record. (b) The players are mother and daughter. (c) They agreed to play the game blindfolded. (d) It ended in a very rare double forfeit. 11. Whose picture has appeared on the postage stamps of Armenia, Cambodia, Chad, Congo, Djibouti, Mali, Niger, North Korea, St. Vincent, Surinam and Vietnam, among others? (a) Wilhelm Steinitz (b) José Capablanca (c) Max Euwe (d) Bobby Fischer (e) Anatoly Karpov (f) Garry Kasparov 12. In July this celebrity said, “In my dreams I would start to see chess games. I said, ‘This is not good for me,’” so he switched his hobby to photography. He is: 13. There have been all sorts of

uschess.org

World Open This month’s quiz features combinations played at the most recent World Open, won by Gata Kamsky in a tie-breaking Armageddon game with Michael Adams of Great Britain. Both Kamsky and Adams scored 72 to earn paychecks of more than $14,000 in the 94-player Open section of the annual Philadelphia tournament. In each of the following six positions from the Open section you are asked to find the fastest winning line of play. Usually this will mean the forced win of a decisive amount of material, such as a rook or minor piece. For solutions, see Page 69.

Problem I

GM Alexander Shabalov Eric Rosen

+l+q+nk + +r+r+p p+ + P + +p+p+P+ + Lp+ P + + + QL PPP+ + + +K+R+ R

14. “What started, in 1999, as an attempt to change my luck is now an essential part of how I see myself,” Peter Svidler said in an interview this year. He was speaking of: (a) His trademark tee-shirt (b) His adoption of 1. e4 (c) His habit of studying at night (d) His earring

15. There are different versions of a famous game that introduced “Légal’s Trap.” One version is given as Légal-St. Brie, Paris 1787: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 d6 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. Nc3 g6? (see diagram top of next column)

And now 5. Nxe5! Bxd1 6. Bxf7+ Ke7 7. Nd5 mate. What is interesting about this version? (a) It is the oldest recorded queen sacrifice. (b) “Légal” was a pseudonym for Andre Philidor.

uschess.org

WGM Anna Sharevich Luke Harmon-Vellotti

+

+qr + + +lnpkp pl +p+ + +p+ + +P + +P+ + PP+ + P +Q+ PL+ RN+R+ K

Problem III

GM Giorgi Kacheishvili FM Dov Gorman

r+ + +k+ +l+ + pn + + +qp + P + + p+ +P+ P +pQL+ + L + +P+ + + +RK

White to play

White to play

White to play

IM Salvijus Bercys GM Ilya Smirin

Parker Zhao GM Mark Bluvshtein

Liam Henry IM Darwin Yang

Problem IV

r+ + rk+ pp+ + lp +p+ + + + Pln + Q + +q+ + + +N+ P LL+PP + + RRK

Black to play

international championships, including those limited to women, the vision impaired and players in various age groups. Which of these have not had their own championship? (a) Esperanto speakers (b) Players representing NATO member nations (c) European railroad workers (d) Left-handed people

Problem II

Problem V

r+l+ nk+ p + qpl +pr +p+ + + p Pp + +P+ + +L+ Q +P P+ NNPK+ + R +R+

Black to play

rn qklnr ppp +p+p + p +p+ + + p + +L+P+l+ + N +N+ PPPP PPP R LQK +R

After 4. ... g6

(c) Légal was 85 years old in 1787. (d) It was the shortest record game until the 20th century.

16. Next year 42-year-old Vishy Anand will meet 43-year-old Boris Gelfand in a world championship match. Has there ever been a championship match featuring two players who were closer in age? 17. There were three ways that “our ideology glorified the advantage of the Soviet way of life,” Mark Taimanov said in an 85th birthday interview this year. They are: (a) Chess, ballet and circus (b) Chess, Sputnik and the Olympics (c) Stalinism, Stalingrad and the King’s Indian Defense (d) Vodka, caviar and Mikhail Botvinnik

Problem VI

+ rr+k+ +p+ + l p+pql+Qp + + p + + P p + P P + RP + + +P+ +L+ R K

Black to play

18. In July, one of Anatoly Karpov’s world records was nearly broken. Which one? (a) Most consecutive tournament games played without a loss (b) Most books autographed at a book launch (c) Largest personal collection of postage stamps (d) Most international tournaments won 19. There were cheating scandals at all but one of these recent tournaments. Which one? (a) The 2011 German Championship (b) The 2011 French Championship (c) The 2011 Botvinnik Memorial in Moscow (d) The 2010 Olympiad in Khanty Manisysk 20. Which fictional detective was named after a chess patron? (a) Philip Marlowe (b) Inspector Morse (c) Ellery Queen (d) Lord Peter Wimsley

.

In addition to the Online Viewer of the current issue, archival Chess Life .pdfs and .pgn files are available on uschess.org, Chess Life Magazine, Downloadable Files. Issues are archived starting with October 2008. Chess Life — December 2011

15

Solitaire Chess

Castling on Opposite Sides

An opponent castling on the other wing than you can be like a red flag being waved in front of a bull. By Bruce Pandolfini

One way to practice developing one’s attacking skills is to castle on opposite sides of the board. This action usually enables both players to advance the pawns in front of the enemy king with abandon, leading to all kinds of exciting play. In such instances, victory typically hinges on who gets there first. When one side doesn’t get much of an attack at all, the outcome is likely to favor the opponent. In this month’s game Black falls behind in initiative fairly quickly. Once White castles queenside, Black’s castled king’s position on the kingside is ripe for being ripped open, and that’s what happens. The game began: French Defense (C15) Abramson Moisey Chichman Leningrad, 1951 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Ne2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Nxc3 Nf6

rnlqk+ r ppp +ppp + +pn + + + + + + Pp+ + P N + + PP+ PPP 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 16


bonus points—or deductions—for other moves and variations. Note that ** means that the note to Black’s move is over and White’s move is in the next line.** 7.

Bg5

7.

…

8.

Nxe4

8.

…

9.

Bh4

Par Score 5

White pins the knight with the intention of recovering his pawn by 8. Nxe4 (1 bonus point). Nbd7

If 7. ... h6, then 8. Bxf6 is followed by 9. Nxe4 (1 bonus point).** Par Score 5

White gets his pawn back. No credit for 8. Bxf6? Nxf6, retaining the plus pawn. h6

Black tries to break the pin. All in all, this was stronger on the previous move.** Par Score 5

This forces Black to weaken his kingside if he wants to break the pin.

9.

…

g5

Black makes the commitment. He breaks the pin, threatening to win a piece.** Par Score 4

e5, threatening the skewer, 13. Be5 (1 bonus point). 12.

…

13.

Qe2

13.

…

14.

0-0-0

14.

…

15.

Bd3

15.

…

cxd4

Black momentarily gains a pawn while meeting the threat. If instead 12. ... Qxd4, then 13. Qxd4 cxd4 14. 0-0-0 (or 14. Be5) regains the pawn (1 bonus point).** Par Score 5

White renews the threat of Be5 (1 bonus point). 0-0

Black castles kingside. This unpins the knight so that Be5 now drops a piece.** Par Score 5

White castles queenside and calmly completes development. Naturally, he contemplates an attack on the enemy king and for this he needs the participation of both rooks. a6

The white bishop must now declare its intentions. Par Score 5

Accept 3 points part credit for 15. Bxd7 Bxd7 16. Be5, picking up the gambited d4-pawn, but also promoting Black’s development.

10.

Nxf6+

10.

…

Also possible is 10. ... Nxf6 11. Bg3 Rg8 **.

Black clears a space for the bishop to come out. If instead 15. ... b5?, then 16. Qe4 (1 bonus point).**

11.

Bg3

White saves the bishop and threatens the c7-pawn, gaining time.

16.

Be5

Now both white bishops are pointing in the direction of the black king.

11.

…

16.

…

12.

Bb5!

Deduct 2 points for 10. Bg3? Nxe4, gaining a piece. Qxf6

Par Score 5

c5

Black saves the pawn and menaces White’s center.** Par Score 6

White pins the knight to gain control of

Nc5

Par Score 5

Nxd3+

Off goes the light-squared bishop so the queen can play to g6. If 16. ... Qe7, then 17. Qh5 (1 bonus point). Black’s kingside is full of holes. He’s moved the pawns on the wrong side.** uschess.org

Problem I

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 69.

December Exercise: It’s easy to make mistakes in setting up positions, and easy enough to avoid making them. From a diagram, matching white and black units, separate how many there are on the side or in your mind. Then start setting up, going from pawns to king, naming the diagrammed square each unit occupies before finding its counterpart on the actual board or onscreen backdrop. Practice this procedure often, and you’ll surely cut down on inaccuracies as you become more familiar with the board’s coordinates. And don’t be surprised if this simple method helps you to order other parts of your game as well. 17.

Rxd3

Par Score 5

Deduct 2 points for 17. Qxd3? Qxe5 and take only 2 points part credit for 17. cxd3. The rook capture is the right way. True, Black has eliminated one of the attacking bishops, but at the cost of activating the rook along the third rank. Add 1 bonus point if you anticipated this scenario when playing 15. Bd3. 17.

…

18.

h4

He can’t allow Qh5.**

Qg6

Par Score 5

White has made sufficient preparations for the attack and now it’s time to actually start the attack. The intention is 19. hxg5, opening the h-file. 18.

…

Bd7

Black tries for counterattack since 18. ... g4 doesn’t quite work. White answers 19. Rxd4 h5 20. f3 g3 21. Rh3 and White gets a rook to the g-file (1 bonus point).** 19.

hxg5

19.

…

Par Score 6

Black thinks he has an opportunity. Bb5

Black rightly rejects 19. ... Qxg5+ 20. f4, followed by Rg3 (1 bonus point). The text skewers rook and queen, or pins the rook if you want to look at it that way.** 20.

Rxh6!

Par Score 6

Add 1 bonus point if you anticipated Black’s last and prepared this response. uschess.org

Problem II

Pin

ABCs of Chess

+

+ + + + + + +n+ +k+ + + +p+ + P +l+ + +L+N+ + +K+ + + + + + +

Problem IV

+

+ +k+ + +p+ +n+ +p+ + + L + + + +l+ + + +N+P PP+ +P+ + K + +

21.

Qd2

Qxg5+

Par Score 5

…

Qxd2+

There’s a strong temptation for the defender to get queens off the board. It should weaken the attack. The alternative was to give up the queen: 21. ... Qxe5 22. Rg3+ Qxg3 23. fxg3 f6. This may prolong resistance but all the same we expect White to win.** Par Score 4

Abramson has rightly judged that even with queens gone he still has a winning attack. Add 1 bonus point if you so evaluated. The text threatens 23. Rg3 mate, and if 22. ... Bxd3, then 23. Rh8 mate (1 bonus point). 22.

…

23.

Rg3+

Mating net

+R+ + + k + +Qqp+ + + +p+ + +l+ + + + + P + + + K + + + +

White decides to guard his rook. Full credit for 21. f4 Qxh6 22. Rg3+ Kh7 (22. ... Qg6 23. Qh5) 23. Qe4+ Qg6 (23. ... f5 24. Qxb7+ leads to mate) 24. Rxg6 fxg6 25. Qxb7+ Kh6 26. Qg7+ Kh5 27. Qh7+ Kg4 28. Qh3 mate. In fact add 2 bonus points if you worked it all out.

Kxd2

Problem VI

+

Now White has to figure out how to get out of check.**

22.

+ + + +lk p + + n p + + + + + +L+ L + + + + + + KP+ + + + + +

+

+

Apart from 21. Rxg6+, the main threat is 21. Rh8 mate (1 bonus point). …

+

+

Mating net

+k+ + + +pp q +p + + +l+ + + + p l + +P+ + + PQ+P + N P + + + K +R

20.

Unpin

Problem V

Skewer

21.

Problem III

Removing the guard

f6

Or Black could play 22. ... f5, when White’s reply would be the same.**

+

k

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+ + + +l+ + +r+ + + + +RKR+ +

23.

…

24.

Rh7+

24.

…

25.

Bd6

25.

…

26.

Re7 mate

Kf7 Par Score 5

This carries more punch than 24. Rxf6+ (accept only 3 points part credit). Ke8 Par Score 5

The black rook has no safe move. Meanwhile the threat is 26. Bxf8 Kxf8 27. Rh8+, skewering king and the a8-rook (1 bonus point). Rd8

Black places the rook on a square protected by the king. If 25. ... Rf7, then 26. Rg8+ (1 bonus point).** Par Score 5

For the record Black gave it up at move 22. Let’s give credit where credit’s due.

.

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

Par Score 5 Chess Life — December 2011

17

Cover Story

18


uschess.org

Innovation, Interest, & Intrigue in St. Louis The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis brings together some of our top players to play a battle of the sexes in classical chess and Chess960. By IM IRINA KRUSH & GM BEN FINEGOLD Photos courtesy of The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis

K

ings versus Queens, a battle of the genders in a crossbreed format of regular rapid chess and Fischer Random (FR) (also called Chess960) rapid chess, was staged at everyone’s favorite destination, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, from September 9-16th, 2011. Each team consisted of five competitors, who faced everyone on the opposing team once in both kinds of chess. The players were selected with an eye towards ultimately creating two teams of level strength, so that the outcome would be maximally contested. That meant inviting the best female players in the world as well as anyone the organizers could pull in from the street. Local stars Hikaru Nakamura and Ben Finegold were natural choices for the men’s side. After that, the men’s roster remained up in the air until the entire women’s half was confirmed— it’s much easier to find suitable men players, after all! Anna Zatonskih and I received invitations as the top American women, and then the organizers scoured the globe for other ladies to strengthen our team. Former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk and Ukrainian GM Kateryna Lahno were signed up, and the crown jewel—Judit Polgar. The men eventually added rapidly improving IM Marc Arnold from New York, who’s taking a year off to pursue the grandmaster title before attending Indiana University, and former University of Texas at Dallas student, IM Jacek Stopa from Poland, as well as a late, but very welcome, surprise—the twelfth world champion, Anatoly Karpov. Karpov left serious competition about a decade ago, but he occasionally takes part in special events, and his expected participation certainly elevated the prestige of Kings versus Queens. It’s not every day that you get to play such a legend! Alas, man plans, but ... At the last minute, it became clear that neither Karpov nor Judit would make it to St. Louis. Unforeseen political obligations tied Karpov down in Moscow, while Judit was still playing in the World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, having advanced to the fifth round! Her superb performance in the World Cup put the Saint Louis organizers in a bit of a quandary, as there is simply no one to replace her, and the presence of Hikaru had to be balanced out somehow. The men’s ship would need to throw some rating points overboard. Thus, the organizers

uschess.org


19

Cover Story offered a golden opportunity to local youngster Kevin Cao, a USCF-rated national master. Ecuadorean IM Martha Fierro filled the vacant spot on the women’s team. The teams balanced out on paper at 2476 FIDE. The men’s team had extremes on either pole, while the women’s team was more evenly spread. Which arrangement would prove more effective? From the point of view of the women, one thing was clear: we had to make sure that Hikaru’s heaping of points would be cancelled out by an appropriately modest collection by Kevin. Then we’d have to decide the battle on the middle boards. We failed on both counts, and that’s why we lost the match. Hikaru lived up to (or maybe exceeded, depending on how you look at it) expectations, scoring 91⁄2/10, and Kevin definitely exceeded them. Although he was by far the lowest-rated player in the field, he finished in a respectable tie for 8-10th (and as you can probably guess, he wasn’t tied with his own teammates). That alone would have decided the match in the men’s favor, but we ceded the middle boards to them as well: Marc Arnold, Jacek Stopa, and my co-author Ben all achieved plus scores. The course of the match forbids a roundby-round account, which would look something like: after day one we were down by four, after day two we were still down by four, after the disastrous Fischer Random round of day three we were down by eight; there was no sudden collapse by the men, and the ‘suspense’ ended at the conclusion of the fourth day of play. We finally drifted to the score of 311⁄2-181⁄2. The question asks itself: why such a lopsided result? The beginning of the match was inauspicious for us, of course, but unfortunately, it was also a foreshadowing of essentially more of the same to come. Here is an example of my ‘contribution’ to the team in the first round: A Krush contribution IM Jacek Stopa (2482) IM Irina Krush (2472) Kings versus Queens (1), Saint Louis Chess Club, 09.10.2011

-+-+r+k+ zp-vl-+-+-+p+-snp+ zPpzPp+psN-zP-zP-zp-zP +R+-+N+-+-tR-zPr+ +-+K+-+Whitetoplay

Black is up a pawn, and has the excel20


lent e4-square for the knight. It’s hard to imagine that one day both the ... Nf6 and the ... Re8 will be traded, the ... Rg2 simply trapped (and while Black did lose the rook it had nothing useful to contribute to Black’s efforts) with the Rb3 via the h-file. But with some fine play from Black, that’s what happened and Black resigned. After this bitter loss, I was naturally out for revenge in the second game, and it looked like I was going to get it ...

-mk-+-tr-+ +pzpq+-+p+-zp-+-+ +-+-snP+Q -+PvL-+p+ zP-+P+-tR-mKP+-+-+ +-+-+-+Blacktoplay

‘Rina’s revenge? IM Irina Krush (2472) IM Jacek Stopa (2482) Kings versus Queens Rapid (1), Saint Louis Chess Club, 09.10.2011

-+-+-mk-+ +-tR-+n+p+-zp-+-zp +-+P+Pzp-+-+-+P+ +-+-+-+q P+-+Q+-+ +K+-+-+After34....Rxc7

White resigned on move 54.

Once again, I misplayed this utterly winning position, and then lost all sense of objectivity, declining a draw offer from Jacek in a position that was no longer at all worse for him. For me personally, these games were devastating, and for the team, the result of this mini-match was costly: if I had converted my two winning positions into wins instead of losses, we would have ended day one at 5-5 rather than trailing 7-3. This quality of hapless tragedy accompanied me throughout the tournament. The apex came when I threw away a half point to Ben from the following position in the Fischer Random game of round four: Battle of the authors GM Ben Finegold (2489) IM Irina Krush (2472) Kings versus Queens Fischer Random (4), Saint Louis Chess Club, 09.17.2011 (see diagram top of next column)

A few moves ago I could have tried to extract more, but I let White escape to this position. I had several minutes left, and kept looking for a way to avoid the liquidation that, say, 1. ... Qxf5 led to: (2. Qxf5 Rxf5 3. Bxe5 Rxe5 4. Rxg4 is even). Finally,

I couldn’t see a way to continue to play for a win, so I “acquiesced” to a draw: 3. ...Rxf5??

Why did I take like that? In my mind, both captures on f5 led to a draw, so, without thinking, I picked up the rook. 4. Qh8+ Qc8 5. Ba7+

Tactics 101 ... (I was expecting 5. Qxc8+ Kxc8 6. Bxe5 Rxe5 7. Rxg4 which is equal). Eventually, Black resigned. Anyway, this is all for our selection of “Krush’s Tragicomedies.” I don’t know exactly what it looked like from outside, but to me, it wasn’t exactly “bad form”: I played fine, but when I’d get down to 30 seconds or less, my mind would just switch off, and my hands didn’t make as good decisions as my mind. I should have worked more on preparing myself for situations with little time, so at the board I wouldn’t feel like a panicked rabbit faced with a python. Unfortunately, all the ladies suffered to a greater or lesser degree from gross blunders. The men didn’t play perfectly, but they made far fewer ‘unforced errors’. Ben selected a few memorable highlights from the event: c7, not f6! IM Martha Fierro (2378) GM Hikaru Nakamura (2753) Kings versus Queens Rapid (1), Saint Louis Chess Club, 09.10.2011 Notes by Finegold

-+-+-+-+ +p+r+-vlpzP-zp-+p+ zP-zpNtr-zPp -+PmkPtR-+ tR-+P+K+-+-+-zP-+ +-+-+-+Whitetoplay

uschess.org

Hikaru, as usual, tries very hard to win and now Martha can get a winning position with 83. Nc7! 83. Nf6?

(83. Nc7! Rde7 84. Rb3! winning due to the threat of 85. Nxa6!) 83. ... Bxf6

Now Black is slightly better and with the little time remaining, White could not defend. 84. gxf6 Rf7 85. Ke2 g5 86. Rf3 g4 87. Rf4 Rg5 88. Ra1 Ke5 89. Ke3 Rxf6 90. Rxf6 Kxf6 91. d4 cxd4+ 92. Kxd4 h4 93. Rh1 g3 94. fxg3 hxg3 95. Rg1 g2 96. Ke3 Ke5 97. Kf3 Rg7 98. Ke3 Rg3+ 99. Kf2 Rg7 100. Ke3 Rg8 101. Kf3 Kd4, White resigned.

Walk into my trap.... GM Kateryna Lahno (2554) IM Marc Arnold (2505) Kings versus Queens Rapid (2), Saint Louis Chess Club, 09.11.2011 Notes by Finegold

-+-+-+-+ +Q+-+pmk-+-+l+-+ +-+-zp-+-+-vl-+-sn +-+-+P+p -+-+-+-zP +-+-+-+K After44....Bd4

45. f4

Black thought everything won here, but Lahno has set an amazing trap! Black needs to play 45. ... Bc4! with the idea of ... Bf1 and ... Bg2+. 45. ... Bg4? 46. fxe5 Bf3+ 47. Qxf3 Nxf3 48. e6

-+-+-+-+ +-+-+pmk-+-+P+-+ +-+-+-+-+-vl-+-+ +-+-+n+p -+-+-+-zP +-+-+-+K After48.e6

White either queens her pawn or gets stalemated. 48. ... Bf6 49. e7 Bxe7, Draw agreed.

uschess.org

Heading into the event, the big mystery was: how would people fare in the Fischer Random? Hikaru, Alexandra, and Kateryna all had relatively extensive experience with it, garnered at the now extinct Mainz Chess Classic, while the rest of us were newcomers. When I met Marc on the plane going to St. Louis, he was still unsure about the castling rules! Here is what Ben, who scored an amazing 5/5 in the Fischer Random and finished second in the event overall, had to say about his thoughts going in: “I was quite worried about playing Chess960, since I had no experience. To prepare, I played about eight games on the Internet Chess Club in the week leading up to the event. I won them all, but my opposition was rated about 1500, and the games were not impressive. The best advice I got was from World Champion Vishy Anand. When I asked Anand how to prepare for the games, he simply said, “You cannot prepare for Chess960.” This gave me some confidence that I could do no wrong in my prep! I spoke to Hikaru briefly about strategy, since Hikaru is not only a great chess player, but possibly an even better Chess960 player! Hikaru said to play in the center and activate your pieces (just like regular chess!). Hikaru also was able to score 5-0 in the Chess960 games. He played extremely quickly in the Chess960 games and seemed to feel at home, somehow. My “plan” in all the games was to play quickly. I did not think I could play great chess considering it was Game/25, but I thought if I had a ten minute time advantage, that would work in my favor. I was able to put my theory into practice (not always easy to do) and was ahead on the clock in almost every game. I really do not know how I did so well, but this quote from Hikaru when being questioned by the commentators, Yasser Seirawan and Jennifer Shahade, says it all: “Ben is playing better than he is.” And Ben’s feelings about Fischer Random after the event? “I guess I felt more under pressure and nervous during the Fischer Random games. I was worried I would blunder really early. I was more confident during the regular chess, but my results do not show any of that! I liked Fischer Random more than I thought I would, and it wasn’t as scary as I expected. Which did I enjoy more? In hindsight, the Fischer Random ... not what I expected to say.” Up until July 2011, I’d never played a Fischer Random game, nor did I know the rules. I got my first taste of it at the 2011 Canadian Open, which had a Fischer Random side event that I eagerly attended with the aim of getting some practice for

St. Louis. I played two games against Bulgarian GM Dejan Bojkov, winning with white and losing with black (pathetically, in 14 moves.) I didn’t know if I’d like Fischer Random, but I loved it! In Fischer Random, the thinking starts immediately on move one. There are no well-worn paths to follow; you’re the first to reach the frontier ... and just as life on the frontier is dangerous and uncertain, so is the situation on the 64 squares. That is maybe the best way to capture what Fischer Random is about, how it differs from regular chess: uncertainty. One of the most important aspects of chess is ‘evaluation,’ which tells you how you stand and where you need to go. In Fischer Random, until the game crystallizes into a normal looking chess position, evaluation is a much harder task; the difficulty stems from the fact that there are so many more variables to keep in mind, and they’re in a less fixed state. For example, in chess, you can predict rather easily where your opponent will castle, and it’s likely to happen early on, as you’ve brought out your forces but haven’t committed them yet; in Fischer Random castling often occurs later, and you have to be careful not to have gathered pieces on one side of the board only to find your opponent escaping the other way! (We will see this idea in my game against Marc Arnold). In contrast to Anand’s advice, I did try to prepare for the Fischer Random part of the event, and my preparation consisted of: practice, followed by analysis. Over about three weeks preceding the event, I played rapid training games with several strong friends of mine, over a dozen of them, and analyzed them with my coach Giorgi. I really learned a lot from this analysis, because it turned out that Giorgi’s biggest chess strength was actually magnified in Fischer Random: in Fischer Random, the first priority, of course, is to figure out how to create harmony from disharmony, and for that, you need to have strategic vision, to see the big picture ... for most players, that is the big stumbling block. In my first games of Fischer Random, it was like walking through a dim forest, on the lookout for all its possible surprises (oops, the a2-pawn wasn’t protected!), most of them not too good. In this situation, you’re focused on just not stepping on an unfriendly animal; who has time to think about how to get out of the forest? So that’s what I mean ... in Fischer Random, it’s so tempting to just play in moves, of course with some ideas, but not necessarily a grand construction for the whole position. So what did I learn about Fischer Random that I would put to use in St. Louis? In Fischer Random, just like in regular chess, you need to fight for the center. That’s why as White, for example, you’d


21

Cover Story

QUEENS

.

IM aNNa ZatoNSKIh IM Martha FIErro

W FROM

THE VIE

22


E THE OUTSID

CHESS

CENTER

uschess.org

GM AlexANdrA KoSteNIuK

GM KAteryNA lA

HNo

IM IrINA KruSH

KINGS IM JAceK StopA GM HIKAru NAKAMurA

IM MArc ArNold

KevIN cAo GM BeN FINeGold

uschess.org


23

Cover Story

THERE IS NOTHING RANDOM ABOUT THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND MARKETING EFFORTS BY THE CLUB’S BRAIN TRUST.

normally examine moves like 1. c4, 1. d4, 1. e4, and 1. f4. In FR, I’d say there is an even bigger focus on ‘pieces’ than in regular chess, simply because they usually need more attention! In the chess we are used to, the starting point of the pieces seems so harmonious ... the knights can come out to the center so easily, as well as the bishops; the rooks are tucked away in the corner since there is little for them to do in the beginning of the game; the most powerful piece (the queen) is centralized; castling is easily accomplishable. In Fischer Random, we have to fight for everything we take for granted! So while in regular chess, it is fairly easy for a 24


player to avoid bad pieces (Black’s light squared bishop being an exception in many openings), in FR it is definitely a challenge to avoid poorly placed pieces. So far, it is all pretty obvious ... here’s something more surprising I learned from Giorgi: Black should generally avoid symmetry in Fischer Random (even from move one; the equivalent would be like saying that Black should avoid 1. d4 d5 or 1. e4 e5 in regular chess!) There will definitely be cases where symmetry is fine or even the best option, but in many positions, Black can do better by forging his own path. As Giorgi stressed many times, symmetry is basically a passive strategy, and

Fischer Random generally allows Black to fight for the initiative. In my training games I tried the copycat strategy a few times, but in St. Louis, not once. I learned that bishops in the center of the board (i.e., d1 or e1) are not actually “undeveloped” pieces and I don’t have to give them first priority in development ... of course, knights in the corners tend to come out early. In my initial training games, I found it hard to find the right balance; I tended to play either too passively or too aggressively. As White I’d often be too focused on opening up the center, at the expense of other plans ... The most clear thing I got from my training was a sense of how bad I actually was at Fischer Random. Did this training pay off? It actually did. Quite naturally, many losses in Fischer Random are linked to the opening stage, as people often reach a middle game at a serious disadvantage, but in none of my five games did I experience any problems in the opening. I got fine games as Black, and was able to press with White. The first four games were strategically interesting. The one failure was my final FR game against Hikaru, where as White I walked into a mine on move ... one!—and Black got a comfortable game. So based on my experience, yes, there is a way to improve at Fischer Random, and that’s with the trusty combo of practice and analysis. I already feel nostalgic writing about Fischer Random. I was so eager for the first afternoon game at the Chess Club (we always started with Fischer Random), and playing the rapid game was actually a letdown ... what, standard positions, nothing new to figure out in the first few moves ... argh. Since Fischer Random was really the innovative part of the event, Ben and I decided to focus on it in our games section. It’ll probably be many readers’ first glimpse into the world of Fischer Random, and I hope you guys will give it a try—pick up a chess board and go on the journey. But before you start, let me tell you what you need to know ... in Fischer Random, the pieces are shuffled on the back row. They still move the same way as in chess, and the only difference is in the castling rules. No matter where the king and rook start from, kingside castling means that White’s king and rook will land on g1 and f1, just like in regular chess. Queenside castling means that the king and rook land on c1 and d1. The king always has to start out between the two rooks. I will explain this some more in the games themselves. Annotations by Ben, with my comments listed with “IK”: uschess.org

Scotch (!?) GM Ben Finegold (2489) GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (2469) Kings versus Queens Fischer Random (2), Saint Louis Chess Club, 09.11.2011 Notes by Ben Finegold

rmkqvllsnntr zppzppzppzpp -+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+PzPPzPPzPPzP tRKwQLvLNsNR Startingposition

IK: White castles queenside by removing the Qc1 and Bd1, then sending the king to c1 and Ra1 to d1. For kingside castling, almost the entire back row needs to clear out. Then the king jumps to g1, and the Rh1 to f1. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Ng6 3. d4

A Chess960 Scotch! IK: White takes the chance to open up the center. 3. ... exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Ng3 d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. Bf3 Nb6 8. Qe3

I was already thinking of “long castling” here, and wanted to stop Alexandra from doing the same. 8. ... Bf6 9. Nh5 Be5 10. Bc3 Na4

rmkq+l+-tr zppzp-+pzpp -+-+-+n+ +-+-vl-+N n+-sN-+-+ +-vL-wQL+PzPP+-zPPzP tRK+-+-+R After10....Na4

to worry about Nc5, the ... Bh2 getting trapped and Nxg7.

putting the pawn on e6 leaves the problem of the Be8.)

15. Kh1 Bd6 16. Nxg7 Bd7 17. Rfd1 Bf4 18. Qd4 Bc8 19. Nc5

2. f4

rmkl+-+-tr zppwq-+psNp -+p+-+n+ +-sN-+-+-+-wQ-vl-+ +-zP-+L+P+P+-zPP+ +R+R+-+K After19.Nc5

IK: Black never solved the problem of her king in this game. 19. ... b6 20. Qe4 Qe7

Black had less than two minutes here and I think I had at least 15. My “plan” of not getting into time trouble worked this game. 21. Qxc6 Qh4+ 22. Kg1 Bh2+ 23. Kf1 Qc4+ 24. Rd3 Ba6

It actually took me about a minute to see ... 25. Nd7 mate. Nakagression GM Hikaru Nakamura (2753) IM Anna Zatonskih (2508) Kings versus Queens Fischer Random (2), Saint Louis Chess Club, 09.11.2011 Notes by Krush

rmkqvllsnntr zppzppzppzpp -+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+PzPPzPPzPPzP tRKwQLvLNsNR

11. 0-0!

Startingposition

The longest possible castling in any Chess960 game.

This is also from round two, same position as Finegold-Kosteniuk. Hikaru handles it in a very aggressive way ... but is it best?

11. ... Nxc3 12. bxc3

My safer king and the open “b” file fully compensates for the two bishops and better pawn structure. 12. ... c6 13. Rab1 Qc7 14. Nb3

With the idea of Nc5. 14. ... Bxh2+

I think this is too slow. Now Black has uschess.org

1. e4 e5

In this position, symmetry seems like a good idea (it is never a “bad” idea, just there could be better options around). (1. ... c5 the “Sicilian” has a drawback: After 2. Ne3, which is a very natural square for that knight, Black would probably like to control d5/f5 somehow, but

The “King’s Gambit.” In my experience, gambits rarely work in Fischer Random. I know that is kind of a big statement to make, but I think the reason is that there is simply not enough harmony to sustain it. I guess Anna was not familiar with this idea, or she would have taken the pawn. As Hikaru explained in his postgame interview, his decision to play 2. f4 was psychological; he thought Anna would not be comfortable in the structures arising from accepting the gambit and would decline it, and he guessed right! However, with 2. ... d6, Black hands the initiative over to White. 2. ... d6

2. ... exf4 3. d4 Ng6 (3. ... d5! Black can always use this idea from the King’s Gambit. In this position, it gives the queen a nice square on f5.) 4. h4 h5 5. Nh3 was a line that Hikaru mentioned in the press room. If 5. ... Nxh4 then 6. Nxf4 leaves White happy, because he will also win back the pawn on h5, but again 5. ... d5! 6. exd5 Qf5 gives Black a good game; 2. ... d5!? 3. exd5 exf4. 3. fxe5 dxe5 4. Nf3 Ng6 5. Bg3 Bc6 6. d3

6. Nxe5 Nxe5 7. Bxe5 f6 8. Bg3 Bxe4 9. Ne3 Ne7 10. d3 Bc6 is probably easier for White to play, but Hikaru naturally didn’t want to go for any simplifying lines like this. 6. ... f6 7. Ne3 Be7

rmkq+-+ntr zppzp-vl-zpp -+l+-zpn+ +-+-zp-+-+-+P+-+ +-+PsNNvLPzPP+-+PzP tRKwQL+-+R After7....Be7

8. c3!

This little plan wins the game for White. With one strike, it prepares to solve the problem of the Bd1, facilitates castling, and readies an advance in the center. Black has nothing to counter it with, because the center is not mobile, and her pieces lack the harmony of their counterparts (compare White’s beautiful centralized knights with Black’s). 8. ... Qd7 9. Bc2 0-0-0 10. d4!

To me, this moment shows an important way in which Fischer Random differs Chess Life — December 2011

25

Cover Story from regular chess. In regular chess, you’re not supposed to open up the board with your king not having castled yet, with your rooks unconnected. But here White can do that thanks to the excellent positioning of the minor pieces, and the safety of the king on b1, who can wind up on g1 at a moment’s notice! 10. ... exd4 11. cxd4 Nh6 12. a4!

-+ktr-+-tr zppzpqvl-zpp -+l+-zpnsn +-+-+-+P+-zPP+-+ +-+-sNNvL-zPL+-+PzP tRKwQ-+-+R After12.a4

play. Now Black is probably better after ...

2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc7 5. Ng3 cxd4 6. cxd4 e6 7. Bd3

After16....g5

Looks similar to an advance French. White’s position looks quite good, since there is no pressure on the d4-pawn.

17. fxg5 Nxg5 18. Nxg5 Bxg5 19. Bxg5 Rxg5 20. Rc1 Rg7 21. b3?

7. ... Qh4!?

Did I just say there was no pressure on d4?

Preparing to trap the ... Bc6. The center is worth something in chess, after all. Black was forced to shed a pawn with ... f5, after which White was winning. (Also strong was 12. d5!? Bb5 13. Nd4), Black resigned on move 21. A standard position—almost IM Anna Zatonskih (2508) IM Marc Arnold (2505) Kings versus Queens Fischer Random (5), Saint Louis Chess Club, 09.15.2011 Notes by Finegold

ntrlwqkvlrsn zppzppzppzpp -+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+PzPPzPPzPPzP sNRvLQmKLtRN Startingposition

1. e4

This was the funniest Chess960 position, since the only difference between this and regular chess was the knights and rooks switch. One key difference is that the “h” and “a” pawns are not protected. IK: I liked this position the least out of the ones we got. (IK: 1. Ng3!?) 1. ... Ng6

IK: 1. ... d5! There is a funny back story to this: Later I heard that Hikaru had already played this position at a Mainz event so it was not difficult for him to 26

come up with this move. Alexandra also made this strong move, and soon won a pawn against Kevin Cao (after 2. exd5 the a2 or h2 pawn will be lost). 2. Qh5 It feels like Hikaru is playing White but I just didn’t know what to do about the attack on the e4-pawn. Turns out the Scandinavian is very good when White can’t develop the knight to c3! 2. ... Ng6 3. Qxd5 (3. exd5 Nb6 4. c4 e6 and it looked like Black was already on top.) 3. ... Qxd5 4. exd5 Nb6 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bxd7+ Kxd7 is even. Obviously this opening was not a success for White. IM Irina Krush-GM Hikaru Nakamura/Saint Louis Chess Club 0-1


16. ... g5!

-+ktr-+r+ zppsnlvln+p -+-+p+-wq +-+pzPpzpP+-zP-zP-+ +-+LvLNzP-zP-+-+-zP +R+Q+RmKN

Anna was not in her best form, and simply hangs a center pawn.

8. Nc2 Be7

21. ... Qe3+ 22. Kg2 Qxd4 23. Qe2 Bc6 24. Nf2 h5 25. Nh3 Qb4 26. Bb5 Bxb5 27. axb5 Qe4+ 28. Qxe4 dxe4

Not 8. ... Qxh2? 9. Rh1 Qxg2 10. Bf1 trapping the queen.

Black should win the ending with his extra pawn and White’s numerous weaknesses.

9. 0-0 f5

29. Nf4

-trl+k+r+ zppsn-vl-zpp -+-+p+n+ +-+pzPp+-+-zP-+-wq +-+L+-sNPzPN+-zPPzP +RvLQ+RmKAfter9....f5

10. Nh1!?

Marc was expecting 10. Nh5. Anna must like the h1-square for her pieces (see her game with Kevin Cao). 10. ... Nh8!?

I cannot remember in all my years of chess seeing Nh1 answered with Nh8! Chess960 is fun. IK: I think Black wants to play ... g5? 11. g3 Qh3 12. f4 Nf7 13. Ne1 Bd7 14. Nf3 Qh6 15. Be3 0-0-0

I wonder if the players were ever completely surprised when their opponent castled in the 960 games. I must admit I was thinking about this all the time during my games (perhaps I thought about it too much). 16. a4?

This was Anna’s last chance to play 16. h4 after which Black has very little counter-

IK: Marc almost blundered Nxe6 here! I was watching the game, and he started reaching for one of the rooks, and not to defend e6 either ... but he ruefully caught himself in time. 29. ... Kb8 30. b6 axb6 31. Nxh5 Rd2+ 32. Kg1 Rh7 33. g4 fxg4 34. Rf8+ Ka7 35. Nf4 b5 36. Rf6 Ra2 37. h3 gxh3 38. Kh1 Nd5 39. Rf8 Nxf4 40. Rxf4 e3 41. Re1 e2 42. Re4 Rd7 43. R4xe2 Rxe2 44. Rxe2 Rd3 45. b4 Rd4 46. Rb2 Re4 47. Kh2 Re3 48. Rd2 Rxe5 49. Kxh3 Re4 50. Rb2 Kb6 51. Kg3 Kc6 52. Kf3 Kd5 53. Rb1 e5 54. Rb2 Rd4 55. Ke3 Kc4 56. Rb1 Kc3 57. Rh1 Kxb4 58. Rh5 Rd7 59. Rxe5 Ka4 60. Rh5 b4 61. Rh1 b3 62. Ra1+ Kb4 63. Rb1 b5 64. Ke2 Rd5 65. Ke1 Kc3 66. Rc1+ Kb2 67. Rc7 Kb1, White resigned.

Excitement IM Irina Krush (2472) IM Marc Arnold (2505) Kings versus Queens Fischer Random (3), Saint Louis Chess Club, 09.12.2011 Notes by Krush (see diagram top of next column)

The same starting position as KaterynaBen earlier. 1. e4 c5

Marc’s choice of the Sicilian looked good to me. 2. f3

I didn’t see any other future for the Bg1, uschess.org

qvlntrnmkltr zppzppzppzpp -+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+PzPPzPPzPPzP wQLsNRsNKvLR Startingposition

and the e4-pawn will need protection soon. But I was sad to take away the f3-square from the knight, especially as Giorgi has scolded me about doing that before! 2. ... b6 3. d4

This move is fine here, although in FR, you have to be careful about opening up the center and unwittingly unleashing your opponent’s pieces. I checked to make sure that no knight could appear on c6 or e6 when I’d recapture on d4. 3. ... cxd4 4. Bxd4 f6 5. 0-0 d5 6. c3 Bc7 7. Ne2 Qb8 8. f4 dxe4 9. Bxe4 Bc4 10. Bd3 Bxd3 11. Rxd3!

-wqntrnmk-tr zp-vl-zp-zpp -zp-+-zp-+ +-+-+-+-+-vL-zP-+ +-zPR+-+PzP-+N+PzP wQ-+-sNRmKAfter11.Rxd3

A few moves ago, when I realized Black would play ... Bc4, I figured out I had this strong recapture with the rook and I was happy with my chances in the forthcoming middlegame. The point of the rook recapture is that in case Black castles kingside, which seems likely at this point, White can swing the rook over to h3 and play Qb1, starting an attack on the king. 11. ... Ncd6 12. a4

A prophylactic move against Black’s possible castling queenside. I was reluctant to commit my rook to h3, because Black hadn’t actually committed his king anywhere yet! (I really wanted to play 12. f5 but was concerned about 12. ... g6!? 13. Nf4 Ng7! There is an amazing point behind this move: 14. fxg6 (13. ... Nxf5 also bothered me, but White can simply take material: 14. Ne6+ Kg8 15. Nxd8 Bxd8 and Black doesn’t have enough compensation).

uschess.org

Synerg yinSt.Louis You have to hand it to Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield. They sure know how to give a party. The invitation-only opening of the newly reincarnated World Chess Hall of Fame on Thursday, September 8, attracted more than a hundred special guests. A block of Maryland Avenue in St. Louis’s fashionable Central West End was cordoned off to traffic. Large-screen television monitors broadcast the inaugural events with talks by Rex, city officials, and USCF President Ruth Haring, ably presided over by Master of Ceremonies Harold Winston, the chair of the U.S. Chess Trust, which owns the contents of the museum. Vera Menchik was inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame and Boris Gulko and Andy Soltis into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame. Waiters served wine on trays and more or less potent libations were available at an open bar. After, all were invited to supper at a nearby Italian restaurant. There were so many chess celebrities present that it would be futile to name them all. Suffice it to say that I was happy to see old friends like Yasser and Yvette Seirawan, and Andy and Marcy Soltis. The museum is in a beautifully renovated building directly across from the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. The event resembled the Oscars for chess, as well as a neighborhood block party, and what we used to call back in the “sixties, ‘a happening.’ ” And that was just the opening. Over the course of the weekend and beyond, we could follow the match of “Kings versus Queens: A Battle of the Sexes” at the Center, with ongoing commentary by Yasser and Jennifer Shahade. Chess Collectors International had its western hemisphere meeting at the headquarters hotel two blocks away, the Boy Scouts of America launched its new chess merit badge with a live game, and the brand new Museum and Hall of Fame showcased exhibitions on its three floors. The U.S. Chess Hall of Fame was the brainchild of Gerry Dullea. I remember that when I was USCF president in the early ‘80s, Gerry tried to convince me of the merit of establishing it, even taking me to, as I recall, the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in upstate New York. Fortunately, my successor as USCF president, Steve Doyle, recognized the value of the idea. “Let’s do it,” he said, and it happened, first in the basement of our New Windsor headquarters, then in the basement of David

JEANNE SINQUEFIELD

Mehler’s Chess Center in Washington. With the active involvement of the late Sidney Samole and his son Shane, and the volunteer leadership of Al Lawrence, we got out of the cellar, so to speak, in Florida. The current Museum is a distinct improvement on its predecessors. In keeping with the Sinquefield insistence on excellence and professionalism in all things, the noted art curator, Larry List, was brought in to help. Susan Barrett was tapped to become the director of the Museum. The first floor of the museum has a help desk, a gift shop, and an exhibition devoted currently to significant works of chess art. I was most taken by Liliya Lifanova’s Anatomy is Destiny, the Wardrobe: Game in Waiting (2009) and its accompanying performance video, with chess pieces dancing to bells and their own percussive stomping. The second floor displayed the best of Dr. George and Vivian Dean’s collection of chess sets, including both Fabergé sets. The third floor had the Hall of Fame plaques but also, and I thought that this was an excellent idea, an exhibit on chess in St. Louis. The dynamic idea for the museum—rotating displays—means that visitors will always have new things to visit. I was pleased to renew my acquaintance with Rex Sinquefield, whom I knew from the Chicago chess scene in the ‘70s, and to meet his wife (she and I each pursued Ph.D.s at the University of Chicago during that same period). Jeanne, who was active in scouting in California, was the driving force behind the new chess merit badge for boy scouts. Together, the couple makes for the greatest positive force for chess in this country since Fischer-Spassky 1972. And although I enjoy Texas, I couldn’t help thinking throughout a long, chess-filled weekend, that St. Louis would be a very good place to live. ~Tim Redman


27

Cover Story 17. ... Rxd3!

-wq-tr-mk-tr zp-vl-zp-snp -zp-sn-zpP+ +-+-+-+-+-vL-sN-+ +-zPR+-+PzP-+-+PzP wQ-+-sNRmK-

I was only looking at the interesting queen sac 17. ... Qxh3 18. gxh3 Rxd3 but decided White can’t be doing badly here. 18. Rxd3 Qa6

This double attack was simply out of my field of vision. I was feeling pretty despondent here, thinking “Am I really going to blunder away every game?” when I found White’s best chance: 19. Rd7!

Analysisafter14.fxg6

(Apparently, White should play 14. Ne6+ Nxe6 15. fxe6 although it doesn’t look like Black is doing too badly. 15. ... Qc8 [15. ... Nf5 16. Nf3 0-0]) 14. ... 0-0-0!! Black sacrificed the g6-pawn, but because of the possibility to castle queenside, he suddenly has a powerful attack. That is why in Fischer Random you have to be so vigilant about the castling options of your opponent! It’s rare in chess that the move “castles” changes the evaluation of a position, but in Fischer Random, it’s much more frequent. 12. ... Nf7 13. Rh3 g6 14. Nd3

After the game, Marc suggested a strong regrouping: 14. Be3 Ng7 15. Nd4 Certainly, the knight is more impressive on d4 than the bishop. 14. ... Ng7 15. Qe1 Qc8 16. a5 bxa5 17. Bxa7

Carrying out my positional idea of pressuring Black’s queenside, I completely missed the coming tactical blow ...

Activity is the only hope. 19. ... Qxa7+ 20. Nd4

-+-+-mk-tr wq-vlRzpnsnp -+-+-zpp+ zp-+-+-+-+-sN-zP-+ +-zP-+-+-zP-+-+PzP +-+-wQRmKAfter20.Nd4

Practically speaking, White is not doing badly here (due to the fact that Black hasn’t castled yet—if he does, White’s in trouble). I even thought that White may be better ... 20. ... Qc5

20. ... e6!! Neither Marc nor I saw this brilliant defense of the e-pawn. Black is

KINGS VERSUS QUEENS TOURNAMENT September 9-16, 2011, Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis No. Title

Name

1

GM

Hikaru Nakamura

91⁄2

$5,500

$4,000

2

GM

Ben Finegold

1

7 ⁄2

$5,000

$4,000

3

GM

Marc Arnold

6

$4,250

$4,000

4

IM

Jacek Stopa

6

$4,250

$4,000

Kevin Cao

1

2 ⁄2

$1,500

$4,000

5

Points

Individual Prize

Team Prize

1

GM

Kateryna Lahno

5

$3,000

$0

2

GM

Alexandra Kosteniuk

51⁄2

$3,500

$0

3

IM

Irina Krush

3

$2,500

$0

9

IM

Anna Zatonskih

1

2 ⁄2

$1,500

$0

10

IM

Martha Fierro

2 ⁄2

$1,500

$0

1

The average team rating of both the Queens and Kings was 2476 FIDE. This was a Scheveningen-paired tournament, in which each of the five team members played each of the opposing team members twice: once in a Fischer Random (Chess 960) game with a time control of Game/25 plus 10-second increment and once in a rapid game with a time control of Game/25 with a five-second increment. Tournament website: http://saintlouischessclub.org/kings-vs-queens-tournament

28


preparing to castle and consolidate and on 21. Kh1 there is 21. ... Qb6! What an amazing example of consolidation. Black gets out of the pin, defends e6, and there is simply nothing useful White can do before Black castles on the next move. Once Black takes care of his king, he can move on to using his material advantage. 21. b4 axb4 22. cxb4 Qxd4+ 23. Rxd4 Bb6

-+-+-mk-tr +-+-zpnsnp -vl-+-zpp+ +-+-+-+-zP-tR-zP-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+PzP +-+-wQRmKAfter23....Bb6

Again, it looked like Black had the upper hand ... 24. Qe4

24. Qe3 was better: 24. ... Nf5 25. Rd8+ Bxd8 26. Qc5 0-0 27. b5 and Black’s bishop is not as well-positioned as it was in the game. 24. ... Nf5 25. Rfd1

25. Kh1! Nxd4 (25. ... Bxd4 26. g4 and one of the pieces is lost.) 26. Qb7 and again, Black has a problem with the bishop. 25. ... e5 26. fxe5 fxe5 27. b5 0-0 28. Kh1 Bxd4 29. Qc6

-+-+-trk+ +-+-+n+p -+Q+-+p+ +P+-zpn+-+-vl-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+PzP +-+R+-+K After29.Qc6

With accurate play, Black should eventually win this position, but in rapid chess, it’s not so easy. White’s task is easier: put your pieces on decent squares, then don't blunder anything; let Black come up with a plan. 29. ... Rb8 30. Rb1 Rb6 31. Qc8+ Kg7 32. g4 N5d6 33. Qd7 e4 34. Kg2 Bf6 35. Kf2 Bd4+ 36. Ke2

White has made some progress; the king is well placed on e2, blockading the e-pawn. With Marc down to 10 seconds,

uschess.org

with no plan in sight, he decided to repeat moves. It seemed like a fair ending to an exciting game! 36. ... Rb7 37. Qc6 Rb6 38. Qd7 Rb7 39. Qc6 Rb6, Draw agreed.

Castling proficiency IM Anna Zatonskih (2508) Kevin Cao (2152) Kings versus Queens Fischer Random (4), Saint Louis Chess Club, 09.14.2011 Notes by Finegold

rmknsnltrqvl zppzppzppzpp -+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+PzPPzPPzPPzP tRKsNNvLRwQL Startingposition

I hope we are getting proficient at castling now! But just in case, kingside castling is with the king going to g1, and the Rf1 staying where it is; queenside castling is Kc1 and Ra1 to d1. 1. d4

Anna was having a bad event with only ⁄2 out of six games. This was her first win, and a quite nice one at that. IK: Giorgi didn’t like the move 1. d4. He suggested 1. f4 or 1. g4. 1

1. ... d5

rmk-+ltrqvl zppzp-zp-+p -snn+-+p+ +-+p+p+-+-zP-+-+ +NsN-+PvLPzPP+P+PzP tRK+-+RwQL Analysisafter5....f5

Startingposition

Now it is back to regular chess, although the Bh1 still looks a bit odd.

as Anna.

9. e4 Nec4?

9. ... dxe4. 10. Nxd5 Nxd5 11. Qxa7!!

-+ktrltrq+ wQpzp-+p+p -+-+-+p+ +-+n+-+-+n+P+-+ +N+-+P+PzPP+-+PzP +-mKR+R+L After11.Qxa7

I think the idea of Qxa7 or Qxh7 happened in every round of the 960 games. Anna sees the ... Qg8 is useless in the defense of the black king. 11. ... Ndb6 12. Rxd8+ Kxd8 13. Qb8+ Nc8 14. Rd1+ Bd7 15. Nc5

IK: Black has plenty of good options rather than copying White. He could go 1. ... f5, like Kateryna did against Hikaru, or 1. ... g5, attacking the d4-pawn.

The Bh1 makes a funny impression, but White’s other pieces are all monsters.

2. Nc3 Nb6 3. f3

Black’s king is finally safe, but White’s extra pawns decide the issue. A brutal attack.

As so often happens in Chess960, White activates one bishop (Be1) and, um, makes the other bishop not so good! IK: It’s a good thing that bishop can’t talk. 3. ... Nc6 4. Bg3 g6

IK: Giorgi suggested 4. ... f5! with the idea ... f4, burying the bishop on h1. 5. Nb3 e5

IK: It's still not too late for 5. ... f5! (see diagram top of next column)

This looks pretty bad for White, no? 6. dxe5 Bxe5

IK: 6. ... Nxe5!?. 7. Bxe5 Nxe5 8. 0-0-0 0-0-0

uschess.org

rmknsnltrqvl zppzppzppzpp -+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+PzPPzPPzPPzP tRKsNNvLRwQL

15. ... N4b6 16. Nxb7+ Ke7 17. Qxc7 f6 18. Qc5+ Ke6 19. f4 Qg7 20. Qc7 Kf7 21. Nc5 Kg8

22. Nxd7 Rf7 23. Qd8+, Black resigned.

Mirroring Anna/Kevin GM Hikaru Nakamura (2753) GM Kateryna Lahno (2554) Kings versus Queens Fischer Random, Saint Louis Chess Club (4), 09.14.2011 Notes by Krush (see diagram top of next column)

I thought it would be interesting to show how the course of this game compared to Zatonskih-Cao above. 1. d4

Hikaru chooses the same first move

1. ... f5!

The “Dutch.” 2. g4 f4!

Seizing more space. 3. e4

On 3. e3 Black would support the space with 3. ... g5 [3. ... f3 is probably a bit over ambitious—Black will find the f3-pawn a nuisance to defend after 4. Qg3). 3. ... g5

Of course, opening up the Bh8. 4. f3

The outcome of the opening looks like a big success for Black, due to the bishop on h1. Of course, this didn't stop Hikaru from winning—Kateryna later blundered a rook in a good position and lost. Thank you to the Chess Club and Scholastic Center for organizing this unique event, and to its generous benefactors, Rex and Jeannie Sinquefield, who made it possible for a number of participants to earn their biggest ever prize checks from a chess tournament. I hope this was the start of more Fischer Random events in America ... let’s get on with the chess of the future! The format of the event begged the question: which part did the players enjoy more, regular chess or Fischer Random? I could’ve gotten a definite answer to that question while in St. Louis, but as I was blundering right and left, it slipped my mind that eventually I would have to write about this event. I will, however, make a conjecture about how the players felt ... Kateryna and Alexandra had played Chess960 in Mainz before, even facing each other in the finals of the 960 Women’s World Championship a few years back (Alexandra won). I even found a quote of Alexandra’s from that event, “I enjoy Chess960 very much. You do not have to learn theory, you can just play.”

.

Read more and download a .pgn file of the games from saintlouischessclub.com.


29

Grand Slam Chess

Carlsen Wins 2011 Grand Slam Title NAkAmURA’S CHANCeS kILLeD By OJ agnus Carlsen is the 2011 Grand Slam champion, winning the title after a tiebreaking match against Vassily Ivanchuk, with Hikaru Nakamura just a glass of orange juice away in a tie for third place. After the sixth round of the 2011 Grand Slam final—an elite, six-player, double round-robin tournament split between Sao Paulo, Brazil and Bilbao, Spain— neither World Champion Viswanathan Anand, nor world number one Carlsen, nor Nakamura, gave themselves a realistic chance of overtaking the runaway leader Vassily Ivanchuk. Using the soccer scoring system (Bilbao Rule: Win 3 points, Draw 1 point, Loss 0 points), Ivanchuk was six points (two wins) clear of the field and had beaten every rival except Carlsen. The transfer of the tournament from Brazil to Spain at the halfway point was always expected to favor the younger players but Ivanchuk, 42, had just outplayed Nakamura, 23, in the first game in Bilbao and seemed to also have settled after the distress of being held up at gunpoint in Sao Paulo. However this was to prove the high point for Ivanchuk, who proceeded to lose to tailender Paco Vallejo and then watch as Carlsen and Nakamura closed the gap.

M

The amazing penultimate round decided the tournament. First Anand collapsed to lose in two hours against world number three Levon Aronian, after which the world champion’s title hopes were over. Then Carlsen, who had had to draw on reserves of determination after his own upset against Vallejo early in the event, demolished Ivanchuk to pull level with him. Nakamura, who had beaten Aronian in the previous round, could also join the tie for first if he could beat Vallejo, as he had done with considerable effort in the first cycle. After a shaky start, Nakamura (Black) won a pawn and then suffered perhaps the biggest brain explosion of his career ...

-+-tr-+-mk +-+-+Q+p -+p+-zpp+ +p+-+-+-zP-+-+-zP +-+-+qzP-+-+-zP-+ tR-+r+RmK-

By GM IAN ROGERS

Vallejo, who had been severely short of time, has just retreated his rook to a1, with five seconds on the clock to spare. Nakamura now looked up to the arbiter, Anil Surender of Sweden, and asked “Is it move 40?.” The arbiter, not allowed to inform Nakamura one way or the other, did nothing, though he made just enough involuntary body movement for Nakamura to interpret his response as a nod in assent. Satisfied that he had reached the time control, Nakamura went to pour himself an orange juice but while he was away, his 45 seconds ticked down to nothing and Vallejo was awarded the win. 1-0 time

Nakamura, not surprisingly, became extremely upset and registered an official protest, soon rejected by the tournament technical director, Juan Carlos Fernandez. Nakamura later tweeted that this was his most painful loss ever—had he converted his extra pawn he would have

After40.Ra1

30


PHOTO BY BETSY DYNAKO

“Themainthinginchessistoenjoythegameand playexcitinggames.Youarenotgoingtoliveforever soeverygameItrytodosomethingnewand creative.”—GMHIkaruNakaMura uschess.org

been co-leader with one round to play— but he also accepted that he had mostly himself to blame. At the moment that Nakamura asked the arbiter, Vallejo’s clock had already ticked over to the second time control, showing one hour and 15 seconds (indicating that Vallejo had made 40 moves), while Nakamura’s clock was still ticking

the 2010 Grand Slam final, Carlsen has won four super-tournaments, whereas Anand is now nearing his fourth year without a tournament victory. For Nakamura, the tournament will have bittersweet memories. The American secured a plus score against the best three players in the world and gained enough rating points to move back into

“Youcouldhearsomenoise—whenyou haveabadpositioneverythingbothers you,whenyouareplayingwellnothing disturbsyou.”—GMViswanathananand down seconds with no hour added (indicating that Nakamura had not yet passed move 40). Had Nakamura looked at the clocks rather than the arbiter, he could easily have seen that he had one more move to make to reach the time control, and he would have played 40. ... R(1)d7 followed by 41. ... Kg7 with winning chances. Ivanchuk finished his round nine press conference with an Einstein anecdote, and Nakamura might have found an Einstein quote appropriate as well this day; “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.” Thus only Carlsen and Ivanchuk entered the last round equal on points and both drew quiet final games to set up a tiebreaking match. At the fast playoff time limit—four minutes for all moves plus a three second increment per move—Carlsen was heavily favored and he duly won the match to take the 2011 Grand Slam title and first prize outright. Carlsen deserved his victory; he defeated Ivanchuk twice during the classical part of the tournament and also would have finished half a point clear of the field had a traditional scoring system been used. Carlsen has now moved well clear of World Champion Anand at the top of the world ranking list. Since his failure at

the world’s top 10 but the loss to Vallejo will long cause nightmares. “Overall I am very happy with the way I played in most games,” said Nakamura immediately after the tournament. “However it will take a while before I forget yesterday’s game. But you can’t do much about what happened; there is always tomorrow.” Grand Slam Final Sao Paulo/Bilbao Leading final scores (3 for a win, 1 for a draw): =1. Carlsen (Nor), Ivanchuk (Ukr) 15; =3. Nakamura (USA), Anand (Ind), Aronian (Arm), 12; 6. Vallejo (Spa) 10. Games Nakamura’s best game was the following marathon endgame win against the world number three; a piece of endgame technique worthy of Capablanca.

BILBAO GRAND SLAM FINAL (8) Queen’s Gambit Declined, Semi-Slav (D31) GMhikarunakamura(FidE2753,Usa) GMLevonaronian(FidE2807,aRM) 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5.

What is the Grand Slam? The Grand Slam is an attempt at cooperation between some of the strongest annual grandmaster tournaments. In 2010-11 the tournaments covered by the Grand Slam were Wijk aan Zee, Linares, Nanjing and Bazna. The winner of each event, plus two wild cards, were meant to qualify for the Sao Paulo/Bilbao final but for the second

uschess.org

Bf4 c6 6. e3 Bf5 7. g4!?

An ambitious move popularized by Mikhail Botvinnik during his (unsuccessful) world title match against Petrosian in 1963. 7. ... Be6 8. h4 Nd7

On 8. ... Bxh4?! 9. Qb3 is awkward for Black. 9. h5 Nh6 10. Be2 Nb6 11. Nh3 g5! 12. hxg6 e.p. hxg6 13. Bg3?!

r+-wqk+-tr zpp+-vlp+-snp+l+psn +-+p+-+-+-zP-+P+ +-sN-zP-vLN PzP-+LzP-+ tR-+QmK-+R After13.Bg3

“The opening was unclear—it wasn’t until move 20 that we started playing new moves,” Nakamura said after the game, unaware that his careless move order (13. f3 is necessary, not fearing 13. ... Bh4+ 14. Kd2 ) actually allowed Aronian a big shot. However ... 13. ... Qd7?

13. ... Nxg4! 14. Bxg4 Qd7! would have won a pawn and White will struggle to obtain compensation for it. 14. Nf4 0-0-0 15. Nxe6 Qxe6 16. Rg1 Bd6 17. Qc2 Bxg3 18. Rxg3 f5 19. 0-0-0! Nxg4 20. Bxg4 fxg4 21. Rdg1 Rh4 22. Qe2 Rf8 23. Nd1! Rf4!

-+k+-+-+ zpp+-+-+-snp+q+p+ +-+p+-+-+-zP-trptr +-+-zP-tRPzP-+QzP-+ +-mKN+-tRAfter23....Rf4

year in a row Carlsen threw calculations into confusion by winning more than one Grand Slam tournament. (The ‘Wimbledon of Chess’ in Linares being cancelled due to the Spanish financial crisis compounded the organizers’ difficulties.) Nakamura qualified for the Grand Slam final by winning in Wijk aan Zee in January, ahead of almost all the best players in the world.


31

Grand Slam Chess

“It’s true that I said [after 2007] that I would never play in a cube again but already in Bilbao last year it was much better and here the cube was even bigger and quite comfortable.” —ANAND 24. Kd2!

“The opening has turned into a very strange endgame almost immediately, and Kd2-e1 is a very unusual maneuver, but not bad,” said Nakamura. 24. ... Nc4+ 25. Ke1 Rf3 26. Rxf3 gxf3 27. Qxf3 Qf5?!

“Until 27. ... Qf5 the position was quite playable for Black, and computers will probably say that it is still a draw, but for a human it is very difficult to play,” said

Sao Paulo Grand Slam Final (9) Queen’s Gambit Accepted (D24) GM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2807, ARM) GM Viswanathan Anand (FIDE 2817, IND) 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4

rsnlwqk+-tr zppzp-+pzpp -+-+psn-+ +-+-+-+-vlpzPP+-+ +-sN-+N+PzP-+-zPPzP tR-vLQmKL+R After5....Bb4

6. Bxc4!?

A gambit which has been tried by various top players but only rarely in serious games. No doubt Aronian was trying to avoid any world championship preparation in the main line 6. Bg5.

Aronian's kitchen. 9. Ne5 Be7 led to nothing for White in a Gustafsson-Aronian blitz game, which may have given Aronian reason to analyze this line further. 9. ... Be7

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10. Bxf6! Bxf6 11. d5! exd5 12. Rfe1+ Be6

12. ... Be7? is inferior in view of 13. Nxd5 0-0 (13. ... Be6 14. Nxe7 Qxe7 15. Nd4 is also ugly) 14. Nxe7+ Nxe7 15. Rad1 and Black loses at least a piece. 13. Bxd5 0-0 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Rad1

7. ... Nxc3!? 8. bxc3 Be7 is the main alternative.

White can win his pawn back any time, but wants to do so only when he does not give up his positional edge.

8. Qa4+ Nc6 9. Bg5!?

15. ... Qe8

6. ... Nxe4 7. 0-0 Nf6

Another new idea from

32

Nakamura. “The critical question is whether 27. ... Qe7 is playable or not? After 28. Rxg6 Qb4+ 29. Nc3 I think White is better because 29. ... Qxb2 is impossible because of 30. Rg8+ Kc7 31. Qg3+! and Black has no escape via 31. ... Kb6 because of 32. Na4+. “But instead of 28. ... Qb4+, 28. ... Rxd4 is very interesting.” [Later analysis showed that White wins here with 29. Qg3!—IR] Given that 27. ... Qe7 is insufficient Aronian should have contented himself

On 15. ... Qe7 Anand prob-


with 27. ... Nd6 when the g-pawn is safe for the moment. 28. Qg3 Rh6 29. b3! Nb6 30. Qg4!

“I shouldn't get to this position,” admitted Aronian. “I missed 30. Qg4 but when the trend of the game is changing and you are upset about blundering, it happens.” 30. ... Nd7 31. Qxf5 gxf5 32. Nc3 Nf6 33. Ne2 Ng4 34. Nf4 Rh2 35. Nd3

Almost a perfect endgame position for White, who can slowly improve his position while Black can do nothing. The pressure against f2 is annoying but eventually White will place his king on g3 and threaten to play f2-f3, thereby forcing the black rook back. 35. ... Kd8

35. ... a5 was necessary to gain a little space and/or exchange pawns when White advances. 36. b4! Ke7 37. a4 b6 38. Ke2 Kd6 39. Kf3

ably feared 16. Nd5 but then 16. ... Qf7 is a better version of the game. 16. Ne4 Qe7 17. Qb3 Rab8

The computer analysis preferred returning the pawn immediately with 17. ... Rad8!? 18. Qxb7 Nd4. No doubt Anand feared finishing in an endgame with a bad bishop and wrecked pawns but it turns out that after 19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. b3 Black has the tactical shot 20. ... Bxf2+! 21. Nxf2 Qc5! with advantage. 18. Nxf6+ Rxf6 19. Ng5 Qb4!?

19. ... Kh8 was safer, because 20. Nxe6? would lose material after 20. ... Re8. Probably White has no way to increase the pressure because 20. Rc1!? is adequately met by 20. ... Nd4 21. Qd3 Nf5. 20. Qc2! Rg6?!

“Now things become worse for Black,” said Aronian. 20. ... g6 was necessary, meeting 21. Re4 Qe7 22. Rde1 with 22. ... e5 when White can regain the pawn after 23. f4 but with only a slight advantage. 21. Re4! Qa5

21. ... Qe7 22. h4! the threat of 23. Nxh7! enters the equation.

22. h4! Re8 23. Rd7 h6

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24. b4!

“I had various ways to play," said Aronian—[e.g. 24. Re3 IR]—“but I was very happy that I managed to recover and win [well] today.” 24. ... Qf5?!

This loses immediately but 24. ... Nxb4 also walks into 25. Rxe6!! and 24. ... Qb5 25. a4! also leaves Black helpless, e.g. 25. ... Nxb4 (25. ... Qb6 26. Re1! Ne7 27. Rxe6!! leads to another spectacular finish.) 26. Qxc7! Qxa4 and now White can finish in style with 27. Qd8!! Rf8 28. Rf4!! Rgf6 29. Rxg7+! Kxg7 30. Nxe6+ Kh8 31. Nxf8 and Black’s king is doomed. 25. Rxe6!!, Black resigned.

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39. ... a5?

Panic in time trouble; now the c5-square will become very useful for the white pieces. “It should be a draw,” admitted Aronian, “but I was feeling embarrassed about playing so many bad moves that I couldn't pull myself together ... I guess it was just one of those days.” 40. bxa5 bxa5 41. Kg3! Kc7?! 42. Rc1

ibly, lead to a drawn rook and knight versus rook endgame. 71. ... Rd8 72. c6

72. Re6! Rxd7 (72. ... Kd5 73. Rd6+) 73. Rd6+ was more stylish. 72. ... Rc8

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73. Re6!

This spoils nothing, but 42. f3! Rd2 43. fxg4 Rxd3 44. g5!! Rxe3+ 45. Kf4 wins very quickly.

The only move to win. 73. Ne5? would be met by 73. ... Kd5! and suddenly 73. ... Kd6 is unstoppable, e.g. 74. Kf4 Rf8+! 75. Kxg4 Kd6.

42. ... Rh7 43. Kf4 Re7 44. Rc2

73. ... Rc7 74. Rd6+ Kc4 75. Kxg4 Kb5 76. Ne5

No hurry is Nakamura’s motto in this game. 44. Kxf5? Nxf2! would be the sort of accident Aronian is hoping for.

At last, the rest is easy for White. 76. ... Rh7 77. Rd7 Rh8 78. Kf5 Kb6 79. Ke6, Black resigned.

44. ... Re4+ 45. Kg5 Re8 46. Rb2

Again very calm. 46. Kxf5 Rxe3!? 47. Ne5! Nxe5 48. fxe3 Nc4 must be winning for White but might be slow. 46. ... Rf8 47. Nc5 Kc8 48. Kf4 Rh8 49. f3 Nh2

Desperation, but if 49. ... Nh6 50. Rh2 again ties up the rook and knight, and otherwise the f-pawn falls for nothing. 50. Rf2! Rh3 51. Nb3 Kc7 52. Nxa5 Kb6 53. Nb3 Ka6 54. Nc1 Ka5 55. Ne2 Kxa4 56. Ng1 Rh6 57. Kg3 Ng4 58. fxg4 fxg4 59. Rf5

Stay alert!—59. Kxg4? Rg6+ would be another accident. 59. ... Rh1

Many spectators were expecting Aronian to resign here, but, with a rest day coming, the world number three decides that there is nothing to lose by looking for an unlikely swindle. 60. Kg2 Rh4 61. Ne2 Kb5 62. Nf4 Rh8 63. Kg3 Rg8 64. Re5 Kc4 65. Re6 Kb5 66. Re7 Kb4 67. Nd3+ Kc3 68. Ne5 c5 69. dxc5 d4

Aronian’s last few moves look like suicide before resigning, but Nakamura, to his credit, sat down and thought for 10 minutes to make sure he would not fall for any of the famous Aronian tricks. 70. exd4 Kxd4 71. Nd7!

71. c6? Kd5 72. c7 Rc8! would, increduschess.org

Oksana, who lost her handbag with passport, might have disagreed.) Ivanchuk’s game against Nakamura started slowly—a reliable sign of jet-lag— and soon both players were very short of time. This was expected to play into the hands of Nakamura, since the young American has been noted as the best player of bullet chess (one minute per game for all moves) in the world, yet Nakamura was comprehensively outplayed by Ivanchuk in a flurry of hands. Ivanchuk played his last 10 moves in 30 seconds and every move was to the point. “The way it finished was very disappointing,” said Nakamura. “We reached this crazy time scramble where we were both trying not to blunder.”

BILBAO GRAND SLAM FINAL (6) Sicilian Defense, Kan Variation (B43) GMvassilyIvanchuk(FIde2765,UKr) GMhikarunakamura(FIde2753,USA) 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. f4!?

White’s last three moves, while natural in themselves form an unusual set-up, which Nakamura immediately tries to exploit. 7. 0-0 would be standard. 7. ... Bb4

“Mylifeisastoryofadreamcometrue.Iam highlysatisfiedwithwhatIhaveachieved sofar.PeopleintheWestareverybraveto becomechessprofessionals.Intheformer SovietUnionIcouldn'tachievemuchina normaljobsothedecisionwasmucheasier.” —GMLevonAronIAn, onhIS29thbIrthdAydUrInGroUndSIx

Ivanchuk’s sixth round win over Nakamura was the tournament’s most amazing game, for both on and off-board reasons. If anyone had an excuse to play poorly it was Ivanchuk. He had just flown in from South America, delayed after an ordeal where he and his wife were held up by two gunmen as they got into a taxi to go to the airport. Ivanchuk expressed regret at the loss of a favorite wooden chess set but seemed otherwise unperturbed, saying “At the end of the day, there wasn’t anything particularly valuable there.” (His wife

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Grand Slam Chess

Sao Paulo Chronicle Garry Kasparov has lonG arGued that top chess half-time. yet many came just to watch the big games, and stayed should be played in the big cities of the world, and few are big- until the final press conference had concluded. the devotion of the Brazilian fans could best be seen on the ger than sao paulo (sp); 20 million people in a bustling metropolis full of high rise towers, clogged roads, multiple ethnicities and first three days, when warm days turned into unseasonal chills as soon as the sun went down. even so, as the marathon anandcontrasts of wealth and poverty. In the heart of sao paulo lies Ibirapuera park—a two square Ivanchuk game reached its dramatic conclusion in round three, kilometer oasis of calm where the locals escape to walk, jog, eat more than 150 fans—many shivering in shorts and t-shirts—were or carouse amongst the flowering jacaranda trees, the still lakes on hand to see anand pick up his king on move 70, find that he had nowhere safe to move it and resign. and the varied bird life. the free day after round three saw a dramatic weather change In mid-september a new edifice in Ibirapuera park was erected; an air-conditioned, sound-proofed, glass box which was to play in sao paulo, with temperatures soaring close to 100 degrees for the final two rounds, and decreasing only slightly in the evening. host to the first half of the 2011 Grand slam final. “We had no idea what to expect,” admitted GM and commenta- For round five, the only round played on a non-working day, more tor Gilberto Milos. “sao paulo is the best place in Brazil for chess but than 500 fans braved the heat and watched carlsen take down the leader Ivanchuk. at the concluthe games were in the middle of the sion of the press conference after the working day in the middle of the park— game, carlsen was mobbed by fans perhaps nobody would come to watch.” keen to get a picture with their idol, that fear was replicated when or an autograph. at first carlsen chief organizer davy d’Israel whose seemed disconcerted by being dream it was to bring a top level grabbed by the shoulder, having his tournament to sao paulo, went lookhead moved next to a fan’s head while ing for commercial sponsors. the a friend snapped away on a mobile city of sao paulo, in cooperation phone. however after a while he realwith the sp tourism authority has ized that he was in no physical danger agreed to financially back the Grand and he tried to make sure that every slam final and to allow the use of Ibifan had their chance. d’Israel looked rapuera park for the venue. on in wonder as the desperate cries yet virtually no private company of “Magnus—here!” rang out—“It's in booming Brazil was interested in like if the Brazilian football team was co-sponsoring the tournament, makhere.” ing the budget for the event far tighter eventually carlsen was whisked than had been hoped. (a second away to the palatial Melia hotel where Grand slam final in sao paulo might a modest closing ceremony and lavbe a different matter—after extensive ish cocktail party took place. coverage of the tournament in the late in the evening, the players local media, d’Israel reported plenty made their excuses and retired to of firms expressing a wish to be assotheir rooms, the intercontinental trip ciated with a 2012 tournament.) to Bilbao awaiting the next day. In any case, Milos need not have last to fly were tournament leader worried that the tournament would vassily Ivanchuk and his wife only be watched by two men and a dog. oksana who were held up at gunevery day as the elite grandmasters A cathedral in Sao Paulo, Brazil point and robbed directly outside began their battles in the giant fishthe hotel as they entered a cab to bowl, 300 or more chess fans crowded the area around the box; snapping the grandmasters on their mobile take them to Guarulhos airport. With bad luck, it could have happened in a big city anywhere phones, hanging out for autographs or just listening to the entertaining commentary provided by Milos and offsiders such as GM and d’Israel insists that, contrary to media reports, Ivanchuk never threatened to leave the tournament. Giovanni vescovi or spanish journalist leontxo Garcia. however for the Ivanchuks and for the tournament supporter, the players admitted that the box was not entirely soundproofed; they could hear the audience applauding a win. anand the sao paulo tourist authority, it was a severe misfortune. reported hearing a buzz in the crowd when Ivanchuk played a though the players, Ivanchuk included, heaped praise on the sao particularly surprising move but “I never heard anything useful,” paulo organizers and the city, the tournament may struggle to shake off the memory of sao paulo as the place where Ivanchuk the world champion said regretfully. at the back of the box was a small refreshment area where play- was held up. this would do an injustice to a well organized event which made ers could choose from delicacies such as strawberries, chocolate and of course the fruit juice which proved a game-loser for naka- even anand—a known critic of the glass cube—accept that there might be merit in sao paulo/Bilbao style events. mura in round nine in Bilbao. as aronian said, “It pleases my eye to see so many people comd’Israel had made sure that there were plenty of other reasons for chess fans to come to Ibirapuera park. every day in the tents ing to watch us play and the warmth of the public inspires our surrounding the main event one could find simultaneous exhibi- play. this is the future to bring many people to our game. as a tions, rapid tournaments, junior tournaments—and even a pavilion chessplayer we have many homes—holland, spain—and hopeextolling the delights of Bilbao, where the players were headed after fully Brazil will become one of them.”

34


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”I thought, if we got to where we each have two minutes left, anything can happen, even a miracle!” —GM FrancIsco Vallejo-Pons, aFter hIs wIn aGaInst carlsen

8. Nb3!?

That Ivanchuk was improvising was shown by his clock, already registering half an hour used. (Nakamura was soon to catch up.) The text move (instead of, say, 8. Bd2) is extraordinary not so much because of the pawn sacrifice involved but because White willingly enters a position usually reached via the 4. ... Qb6 5. Nb3 Qc7 Sicilian with the difference that White is a tempo down. 8. ... Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 d6 10. Ba3! 0-0

10. ... Qxc3+ would be too risky after 11. Qd2! Qc7 (11. ... Qxd2+ 12. Nxd2 d5 13. exd5 exd5 14. 0-0 leaves the bishop on a3 a dominant piece.) 12. 0-0 with plenty of compensation for the pawn. 11. Qd2

Exactly why Ivanchuk chose this moment to save his c-pawn is hard to fathom, since after 11. 0-0, White can soon indirectly defend the pawn via Rf3. Ivanchuk, however, was content; “The opening was fine and gave me good chances for attack,” he explained afterwards.

18. ... Nb8!?, heading for d7, looks fatally slow after 19. Rh3 Nbd7 20. g4 but then Black has the remarkable (computer) resource 20. ... g5!! 21. fxg6 e.p. Rxg6 when 22. g5 can be answered by 22. ... Rxg5+ 23. Qxg5 Rg8. 19. Rh3 d5

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By now Nakamura, starting to blitz out his moves, was reasonably pleased that he had escaped the first wave and had reasonable counterchances. However Ivanchuk had his last long think and came up with an ingenious plan which forced Nakamura to slow down. 27. Bxg6 fxg6 28. Rf6! Qc8 29. Rh4! Bf7 30. Nd3 Kg8?

“I was going to play 30. ... Rxd3! 31. cxd3 Qxc3 32. Bb4 but I thought after 32. ... Qc1+ White could play 33. Kf2! (33. Rf1 Qe3+ is only a draw.), but of course I should have played this,” said Nakamura. 31. Bd6! e4

31. ... Re8 was a better chance, hoping for 32. Bxe5? Rxe5! 33. Nxe5 Qc5+. However after 32. Nxe5!, White should prevail,

“If playing in a box is something we have to do for the public, I will do it.” —anand

11. ... Rd8 12. 0-0 Nc6

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13. Rf3 b5 14. Rg3 Kh8 15. Rf1 Bb7 16. f5 Rg8 17. Qg5 e5?!

Ivanchuk was not impressed by this move, which he believed gave his attack free rein. He considered 17. ... exf5 18. Rxf5 as playable for Black but was most worried about 17. ... Ne5! e.g. 18. fxe6 Nxe4! 19. Bxe4 Bxe4 when he could not see anything for White. 18. Qh4 Ne7

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20. Nc5

Ivanchuk is confident that his attack must triumph if he can hold his center together, though the trappy 20. Rff3!?, hoping for 20. ... dxe4 21. Qxh7+!! Nxh7 22. Rxh7+ Kxh7 23. Rh3 mate was more direct, and intending to meet 20. ... Rgc8 with 21. Bxe7 Qxe7 22. g4, as in the game. Kevin Spraggett’s suggestion of 20. Bc1!? also looks very promising, e.g. 20. ... dxe4 (On 20. ... Rgc8 21. g4! is very strong because any ... h7-h6 defense is prevented by the bishop on c1.) 21. Bg5 Ned5 22. Bxe4 and Black will soon be mated. 20. ... dxe4 21. Bxe4 Bd5 22. g4! h6

e.g. 32. ... Qxc3 33. Qxg7+!, winning too many pieces for the queen. 32. Be5! Rd5 33. Rc6 Qf8 34. Bxg7

There was no time to worry about finesses like 34. Rc8!, mating quickly. 34. ... Qxg7 35. Rxe4

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Nakamura spent almost half of his remaining time on this move, which gives up a pawn but holds back the attack. 22. ... Qb6, hoping for 23. g5? Bxe4 24. gxf6 gxf6+ is well met by 23. Rf2.

After35.Rxe4

23. g5 Nh7 24. f6 Ng6 25. fxg7+ Rxg7 26. Qxh6 Rd8

35. ... Rxg5+!


35

Grand Slam Chess A great try which seemed to shock Ivanchuk, though not for long enough to cause him to lose on time while he calculated that ‘losing’ his queen was still winning. 36. Qxg5! Nxg5 37. Rc8+ Be8 38. Rcxe8+ Kh7 39. Rh4+ and Black’s flag fell.

A near-miss for Nakamura against the world champion.

sao paolo GRaND slaM FINal (2) Nakamura’s near miss GMHikarunakamura(FIDe2753,usa) GMViswanathananand(FIDe2817, InD)

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because of 25. ... Bd4 but I completely missed 26. Bc7!,” admitted Nakamura. “If he plays 25. ... Bxg3 I saw that I was completely winning after 26. hxg3.” Anand was not so certain, though accepting that 26. ... b4 27. Rxd7+ Rxd7 28. Qxd7+ Kf6 29. Ba4! would leave him with a long difficult defense ahead. Computer analysis suggested that Black might just be able to survive with the decidedly non-human 25. Bc6 Kf6 26. Rxd7 Rxd7 27. Bxd7 Bxb2!!?, allowing 28. Be8 which can be met by 28. ... Qe7 29. Qxb5 Bd4, ready to answer 30. Qxc4 with 30. ... Bxf2+ when the resulting piece up ending with pawns only on one flank possibly cannot be won by White. 25. ... Qxe5 26. Bc6 Kf6 27. Bxd7 Qxb2 28. Rf1

An ingenious winning try. The back rank threats and the d-file pin prevent White from utilising his extra piece and 28. h4 Qe5 is safe enough for Black. 28. ... c3 29. Qc7 Ra8

25. Bxe5?

Played very quickly by Nakamura and soon regretted. “I had worked out five moves before that 25. Bc6! doesn’t work

Sao Paulo— The Records • In rounds three and four, Ivanchuk became the first player to beat 2800+ opponents in consecutive rounds—both times with black! • In round three, the world number one and two, Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand both lost on the same day, only the second time this has happened since the introduction of the Elo rating system in 1970. • After round three, the world one and two were in clear last place, a first. (Sofia 2005 had Veselin Topalov and Anand tied with Judit Polgar in last place at the halfway mark). • The Grand Slam final was the strongest tournament ever played in the Americas, or in the Southern Hemisphere.

36

“HowmuchdoIstudyperday?Judging bytheresultssofarinthistournament, notenough!”—GMMaGnusCarlsen


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Anand was not interested in investigating 29. ... Rxd7 30. Qxd7 c2 31. Qd2 b4 32. f4 “when 32. ... g4 33. f5 looks dangerous for Black because h6 is hanging,” said Nakamura. “However I thought Black might be OK after 32. ... Kg6!,” he added and this seems to be true. 30. Bxe6!

The slightest look of fear appeared on Anand’s face when Nakamura played this move but he recovered his composure quickly enough. 30. ... fxe6 31. f4 Ra1!

By now Anand’s poker face had returned and he used much of the five minutes he spent on this move gazing

into space. “I think I could also have played 31. ... g4!?,” Anand explained later, “and on 32. Qe5+ Ke7 33. f5 I have 33. ... Ra1, followed by running my king to the queenside, but this seemed a safer option —well, not exactly safe but safe enough. I didn’t see a win—with a lone queen I thought there is no way you can mate, though I was a bit worried.” 32. fxg5+ Kxg5 33. Qg7+ Kh5

Now it was Nakamura’s turn to show his emotions as his clock ticked down; a mixture of disappointment and disgust with himself for throwing away such a great chance. 34. Qf7+ Kg5

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35. Qf6+

“I saw some line where you could play h4+ and get your queen to g6,” said Anand, “but even then when you play Kh2 I have Rxf1 and g3 isn't mate because the g-pawn is pinned.” 35. ... Kh5 36. Qf7+ Kg5 37. Qg7+ Kh5 38. Qf7+, Draw agreed.

... and the players shook hands on a draw six seconds before Nakamura’s clock ticked down to zero. “It is nice to get such a great position but in the end it is the result that matters,” said a disappointed Nakamura after the game. “I can do better than this.” The key game of the tournament.

BIlBao GRaND slaM FINal (8) Nimzo-Indian Defense (E21) GMMagnusCarlsen(FIDe2823,nOr) GMVassilyIvanchuk(FIDe2765,uKr)

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1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 Ne4 8. Qc2 f5 9. g3 Nf6?!

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“He played the opening inaccurately,” said Carlsen. “He wanted to get the position after 9. ... 0-0 10. Bg2 Nf6 11. 0-0 Be4 but I have [another option].” 10. Bh3!?

“I don't know if 10. Bh3 is a great move,” said Carlsen, “but at least it is interesting.” 10. ... 0-0 11. 0-0 a5?!

“The point of 10. Bh3 is that now if he plays 11. ... Be4 I can move the queen and drive the bishop away with Nd2,” explained Carlsen. “However I didn’t expect 11. ... a5 and I thought that he should play 11. ... Qe8 immediately.”

16. Ng5! Qh5

29. ... Ne5

“Already it is very dangerous for Black,” said Carlsen, “for example, 16. ... h6 allows 17. Bxd7! Qe7 18. Qxc4+ Kh8 19. Qe6 and White wins.”

Played after long thought. “I was surprised by 29. ... Ne5,” said Carlsen, “as I thought the knight would be exposed there. I thought he had to play 29. ... Nf8 after which maybe I can play 30. Rd5!? but even here it is not completely clear. [After my miscalculation] I was happy that I still had some chances” Ivanchuk disagreed— “Practically 29. ... Ne7 was the best chance.” However after 29. ... Ne7, White has the unexpected 30. Qb5! when Black must lose material.

17. Rxd7! Kh8!

“I had seen many moves ago that I could play 17. Rxd7 and I got very excited and thought I was going to win quickly,” said Carlsen, “but [now] I couldn’t find anything concrete.” 18. Re7!?

“I considered 18. Rad1! but I had calculated that 18. Re7 would be good,” said Carlsen. “Unfortunately I got lost in calculating variations and missed something.” 18. ... Nd5 19. Bg4 Qg6 20. Nf7+

Also possible is 20. Qxg6 hxg6 21. Rf7 however was not consistent with White’s earlier play, though the endgame must be good for White. 20. ... Kg8 21. Bf5 Qxf5!

30. Qh4! Nc6

Played instantly, but it was better to wait for f4 before moving the knight and try 30. ... Ne6 instead, “but by now he had used up most of his time,” explained Carlsen. 31. Rd5! Ne6 32. Qc4 Ncd8?

“A blunder,” said Carlsen. “He could still resist with (32. ... Ne7 33. Re5 Nf5) but he was under pressure both on position and

“ItwasveryagreeableinBrazil.Ilike Brazilverymuchandtherewerevery goodconditions.(Saidaftertherobbery!)” —GMVaSSIlyIVanchuk

12. Rd1

“Usually when he goes ... a5 in these type of lines I would go b3 to prevent ... a4 but I thought I was well enough developed that he didn’t have time for ... a4 here,” Carlsen explained.

“I realized when I played 21. Bxf5 that I had forgotten something simple,” said Carlsen. “I had seen 21. ... Qxf5! earlier but lost myself in the complications. I am lucky that my position is still not bad. Black has plenty of material for the queen but his bad king is the only reason White has chances.

on the clock.”

34. Qxc8, Black resigned.

14. ... exd5

22. Qxf5 Nxe7 23. Nh6+! gxh6 24. Qg4+ Ng6 25. Bxh6 Rf7 26. Rd1 Re8 27. h4

“He thought for a long time over this move,” said Carlsen. “14. ... exd5 doesn’t look very healthy as it opens the position up for my bishops.”

“I have to act quickly or otherwise I will be worse,” explained Carlsen. “Maybe he could have played 27. ... c3 now [or last move]—his pieces will be more [stable].”

15. Bxf5 dxc4

27. ... Nc5 28. h5 Bc8 29. Qxc4

12. ... Qe8 13. d5 Na6 14. Bf4

“After 14. Bf4 I liked my position very much,” said Carlsen. “All my pieces are well developed.”

r+-+qtrk+ +lzpp+-zpp nzp-+-sn-+ zp-+-+L+-+p+-vL-+ zP-+-+NzP-zPQ+PzP-zP tR-+R+-mKAfter 15. ... dxc4

uschess.org

-+l+r+k+ +-zp-+r+p -zp-+-+nvL zp-sn-+-+P -+Q+-+-+ zP-+-+-zP-zP-+PzP-+ +-+R+-mKAfter 29. Qxc4

33. Qg4+ Ng7

Blundering a piece, but “I saw that after 33. ... Kh8 he has 34. Bd2! followed by 35. Bc3+,” explained Ivanchuk. [Another good reason why Black should have tossed in 26. ... c3. IR] “He was very surprised when I took his bishop, but he was already lost,” said Carlsen.

.

Grand Slam Chess Masters Final At A Glance Date/Location: Sao Paulo, Ibirapuera Park, from September 25th-October 1st; Bilbao, Alhóndiga, from October 5th-11th. Top Finishers: 1st, 15 (1½): Magnus Carlsen; 2nd, 15 (½): Vassily Ivanchuk; 3rd-5th, 12: Hikaru Nakamura, Levon Aronian, Viswanathan Anand; 6th, 10: Francisco Vallejo.


37

Fashion

Dress Like a Grandmaster

Revenge of the Nerds, meet The Devil Wears Prada—now mate and be fruitful.

By NELLY ROSARIO

O

nce upon a time, chess heroes graced the covers of popular magazines. Books on chess play populated shelves. Artists like Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray played chess, drawing creative inspiration from the game. Chess clubs and hallways were as packed as movie theaters and boxing arenas. The Cold War between Russia and the United States especially served to rally up a generation of American chess players deadset on checkmating the opponent. This victory came to fruition in what was coined the “Match of the Century.” In the 1972 World Chess Championship, Bobby Fischer beat defending champion Boris Spassky and snatched the 24-year hold that 38


the Soviets had on the title. Fischer became the first American world champion since 1888 and, of course, graced the covers of magazines from Life to Sports Illustrated. Then the Cold War warmed. Flag colors ran in the wash, and the allure of chess slowly faded from visibility in American pop culture. By the end of the 1980s, the game’s public male image had flattened into two caricatures: 1) the fogey in drab tweeds and, 2) the bespectacled geek in high-water pants, himself a future fogey in drab tweeds. In the last decade, however, it’s as if the concerned loved ones of this homely pair have put in a call to the producers at What uschess.org

Left: GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, women’s world champion from 2008-2010, in a Moscow chess park. Right: A selection of some of the offerings from jewelry company rocklove.com.

Not to Wear and requested a head-to-toe makeover. A shopping trip to New York with $5,000 to spend is just what the sport needs, especially in the bear-market economy of the last few years. More and more, chess is looking to poker and golf for clues on how to revamp its image in order to draw more sponsors and media attention. So how can such an intellectual sport, mainly of interest to those who can play themselves, lure in the dollars and be more media-friendly? The answer lies in the rising tournament participation of two traditionally underrepresented types: 1) the female player and, 2) the young player, who in some cases is also the female player. Chess, then, stands in a unique position to charter new waters in a media and fashion culture obsessed with the female and the youth—both universally considered pinnacles of beauty and of creativity/fertility/virility. On the other side of the board, fashion stands to gain some money, of course, but also muchneeded gravitas, some real substance to its form.

PHOTO: ANDREI ROZEN

Mythbuster Zhigen Lin’s “Secret of Chess” Hypothesis #3: Dress like a grandmaster and you start to play like one. (Lin’s Assessment: Plausible) “Players in the top section have a very good dress code,” Anneke Eder, secretary of the Corus tournament in the Netherlands, told Chess Today. “But players in the lower sections of the tournament can do better with their dress ... but things are improving, it was worse 2-3 years ago.” Chess players might want to read Dress Like a Grandmaster by one Alexander “Coatoff.” Actually, the book can’t be found in stores. It doesn’t even exist—except in National Master Mike Petersen’s blog list of chess books he’d like to see. Who should pen the tome, then? Unfortunately, the real Alexander Kotov is no longer with us to expand on his Think/Play/Train Like a Grandmaster trilogy into realm of fashion—not that Kotov was much of a grandmaster there, with all due respect. The writing assignment, even if penned post-mortem, should be commissioned to the aforementioned, ubiquitous Bobby Fischer. Early in his career Fischer was as much for playing the Two Knights variation as for being an unapologetic clotheshorse. “I used to dress badly until I was about sixteen,” he once said, “but people just didn't seem to have enough respect for me, you know” (i.e., being banned from the Manhattan Chess Club for being improperly “accoutered”). In Profile of a Prodigy, Frank Brady (founding editor of the magazine version of Chess Life) describes Fischer before: “Up until late 1959 he had dressed atrociously for a champion, appearing at the most august and distinguished national and international events in sweaters and corduroys.” One formal photograph shows Fischer in “a ski sweater among the solemnly suited contenders at Bled, incongruous as a hippie at the Plaza.” Enter Grandmaster Pal Benko in the role of What Not to Wear’s Stacy London and Clinton Kelly. Under Benko’s magic wand, Fischer was soon sporting hand-tailored and made-toorder suits from all over the world, later bragging that even his shirts and shoes were also handmade. After all, it was in his genes: his maternal grandfather had been a dress cutter. “He became quite clothes-crazy for a while,” says Brady of Fischer, “but late adolescence is a common age for that.” The “new Fischer,” as the press would name Fischer after, surprised everyone at the 1959 Candidates tournament in Yugoslavia by showing up in a suit, white shirt, and white tie. Also debuting that year was his book of collected games. He had his mojo now. Later, when asked what he’d do when he won the world championship, Fischer said: “I'll have my own club ... It’ll be class. Tournaments in full dress. No bums in there ... then I’ll have some uschess.org

Fashion

“Playersinthetopsection haveaverygooddress code,butplayersinthe lowersectionsofthe tournamentcandobetter withtheirdress…but thingsareimproving,it wasworse2-3yearsago.” Anneke eder, secretary of the corus tournament in the netherlands more suits made. i’d like to be one of the ten best-dressed men. that would really be something. i read that duke snyder made the list.” oh well, Bobby, we can’t win’em all. rocking and loving the endgame against Fischer. no women besides queens allowed in fischer’s ideal tournament, either. Well, maybe allison hourcade, who brings her own bling to the chessboard as the world’s premier jeweler for the game in the World chess hall of fame. the game runs in her blood. she’s the daughter of a chess-enthusiast father, a native of st. louis, missouri. the city, also home to the World chess hall of fame and the chess club and scholastic center, has itself received international attention as the premier chess destination, even named “chess city of the year” by the u.s. chess federation in 2009 and 2011. stuffy old men at the harvard chess club, though, isn’t hourcade’s style. her handmade silver jewelry fuses the romance of historical eras with the edge of rock ‘n‘ roll, making hourcade’s rocklove chess collection an official partner of the u.s. chess championship. the collection has also been added to the u.s. chess federation’s catalog of merchandise and was among the prizes for winners of the 2011 u.s. Women’s championship. hourcade’s fantasy tournament flies in the face of fischer’s and takes yoko ono’s all-white chess-set installation, “Play it By trust,” to a whole new level. all women, first of all. “the chessboard would be made of black and white pavé diamonds,” she said in a telephone interview from her studio, which is located in, well, new york’s diamond district. opponents would wear form-fitting dresses and christian louboutin heels—the ones with the fierce-red soles—in corresponding colors. clean lines. sharp silhouettes. the overall tableau, like her handiwork, should “respect the austere but fashionable nature of the game.” no sneakers or t-shirts allowed in fischer’s ideal tournament, either, and no men besides kings, bishops, knights, and pawns allowed in hourcade’s. But then there’s John o’Brien, the man with whom she often does business and who shares her values of quality, effort, and craftsmanship when it comes to design. necessity drove o’Brien, a lifelong player, to start designing original chess apparel over a decado ago. in an interview with entrepreneur andreea ayers he says, “i never found a chess shirt that

40

Chess Life — december 2011

i would wear in public. so i started making them myself.” his indie company endgame clothing strives “to restore chess to its historically rightful place as one of the greatest gifts man has ever given itself ... one shirt at a time.” no quaint chessy sayings here. many of his t-shirt designs incorporate fractal graphics, reflecting the kind of fourth-dimensional thinking involved in the game. the artistic vision outlined in his website is equally philosophical: “endgame believes that intellectual passions, like chess, are at the very core of what it means to be human. Passion of the body is nothing without passion of the mind. it is our body that engages in the act, but it is our mind that provides us with the lasting joy of it.” o’Brien tells me that he believes chess players have a responsibility to promote the game. “there has always been a clothing company that helps promote and identify a game or sport. surfing has Quiksilver. motocross has fox. mixed martial arts has tapout.” now endgame is worn by players all over the world, from grandmasters to rank beginners. “many of america’s top players, such as nakamura, akobian, hess, shankland and liu wear our shirts. it was truly a surreal moment when we were asked to create a campaign shirt for former World champion anatoly Karpov’s fide election.” how are his shirts received? one player told o’Brien, “i hate

GM Robert Hess in an Endgame Clothing t-shirt.

your shirts, but I wear them all the time ... I really support what you are doing.” Non-chessplayers compliment his designs, then say, “Wait ... is that a chess t-shirt?” While it’s not necessarily adios to blazers and ties, tuxedos and bland logo emblazoned tees, O’Brien offers a bold alternative. “I like to think our fans experience an average increase of 150 rating points when wearing Endgame shirts ... but I’m not sure I can back that up with any evidence.” Assessment: Plausible. Sewing Machine Combined with Chessboard. A readymade art installation at the Swiss Museum of Games.

HESS PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF WEISS; KOSTENIUK BY DIEGO GARCES

Okay, I take back what I said about Alexander Kotov’s sense of fashion. In Play Like a Grandmaster, he unwittingly describes that other great Alexander, fashion designer Alexander McQueen: “the qualities of an artistic creator, a calculating practitioner, and a cold calm competitor” are what distinguish the grandmaster class player from the ordinary player. Kotov and the McQueen-alike brought sharp style, breadth of work, and fearless provocation to their respective games. “You’ve got to know the rules to break them,” said the late McQueen. “That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.” It’s in this aptly named grandmaster that art and fashion and chess mate shamelessly, bearing fruit that bursts with the kind of raw kinetic energy and fragility of emotion that got human Queen Eve into big trouble, once upon a time. In The Beginning, a short story by Alex Shternshain, God creates the queen, who begins her life with color coordinating. The black queen walks up to the white queen and all their regal minds can think is, “Oh no, this woman is wearing the same dress as me, I hope no one notices.” Oh no, nothing of the sort happens in McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2005 ready-to-wear collection, “It’s Only a Game.” Sarah Mower of Style.com writes that the collection “summed up all his experience in sharp tailoring, spectacular romantic dresses, couture richness, and downright showmanship. And, with every look laid out on a giant chessboard, it couldn’t help but suggest a metaphor for the workings of the fashion industry.” McQueen explains to Another Magazine what the idea of the chess game meant to him: “[W]e looked at six different types of women, women on opposing sides. We had the Americans facing the Japanese and the redheads facing the tanned Latinos.” His work was celebrated earlier this year in the sold-out retrospective Savage Beauty at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Beyond mere representation on the runway: grandmasters and world champs as fashion models. “Brains and beauty and world champ and writer and chess ambassador and ...?!” Why not? Ask yet another great Alexandra. This time, Kosteniuk, the 27-year-old 14th woman world champion. Besides selling photos of her God-given self on her website, she’s modeled for Vogue and Marie Claire. “I consider the fashion modeling only like a hobby, and I do it only to promote chess,” she says in a 2008 interview for LatestChess. “I always insist that the magazines that invite me to model for them write an article about chess ... the modeling helps chess as people find out that beauty and brains can go very well together.” 20-year-old Magnus Carlsen of Norway is the youngest player to ever top the international chess federation ranking and is the number-two ranked chess player in the world. Though this Justin Bieber-ish ‘Mozart of chess’ humbly admits that he’s not a fashion connoisseur nor ever thought of himself as a model, the Dutch clothing label G-Star Raw chose him as their newest face for what they call “his uncompromising approach to the game,” an approach that “mirrors G-Star’s own uschess.org

GM Alexandra Kosteniuk: “I consider the fashion modeling only like a hobby, and I do it only to promote chess.”

hardcore design philosophy.” Carlsen is photographed with Liv Tyler, in glorious black and white, wearing leather and denim. “I think I look tough,” Carlsen told the Norwegian media, and it’s impossible not to imagine the ensemble soon cropping up at tournaments, accompanied by visions of slam dunks and hole in ones. Yes, it’s inevitable that the media compare young, talented chess players like Carlsen and Kosteniuk to iconic sports prodigies like Anna Kournikova, LeBron James, Tiger Woods and Venus and Serena Williams—all of whom have imported into their respective arenas new fans, a hotter image, and millions in sponsorship and endorsements. G-Star even launched the Raw World Chess Challenge last year in which Carlsen faced off against the world via Internet from the uber-chic Cooper Square Hotel in New York City. Similarities between chess and modeling: “Just to stand in the same position for a lot of time, it takes some concentration” (Magnus Carlsen). Regardless of what the mating of chess and fashion ultimately begets, enthusiasts on both sides of the board would be wise to heed Yves St. Laurent’s admonition: Fashions fade, style is eternal.

.


41

Instruction

Retreat To The First Rank ... And Win! Imagination and creativity can sometimes be revealed in a “backwards” way.

By ICCM BART GIBBONS The games of Paul morPhy demonstrated to chessplayers the need to develop your pieces early in the opening, and not to waste time grabbing material. These lessons are just as instructive today, and young players continue to hone their skills by learning gambit openings, hoping to trap the unwary. fortunately, there are times in chess when the best move in a position is one that seems to go against our chess instincts. mastery of chess requires one’s imagination to explore freely; to analyze variations that might at first glance seem contrary to the demands of the position. resisting the temptation to play a move that comes automatically to attention is one hallmark of a strong player. With this in mind, this article gives examples of strong moves that retreat a developed piece back to the first rank ... and win! These intriguing positions illustrate an open mind to finding the necessary solution to the problem at hand. retreating moves also can have a shocking effect on the opponent. as grandmaster ray Keene put it, “I have played games where the psychological impact of a move has caused the opponent to collapse—where perhaps the optimal move according to a computer might have complicated things and encouraged the opponent to play on.” In playing through these positions, I get the feeling that the losing side (which includes ex-world champion anatoly Karpov, plus other masters or grandmasters) did not see the 42


retreating move coming. There just seems to be something about moving backwards that chessplayers don’t consider as often as they should. I selected these positions for their creativity and dramatic effect, in the hopes you will find them as fascinating as I have. I’ve also made sure that at least one move by a queen, rook, knight or bishop is included, as well as both colors. I’ve arranged the diagrams and comments in chronological order. let’s get started! A Staunton piece on the first rank Howard Staunton Bernhard Horwitz London, 1851

-+l+-trk+ zp-+-+q+p n+p+pzPp+ vl-zp-vL-+P+-+LzPP+ +-+-+-+Q -+-+N+-zP +-+R+-+K After38....Qf7

from this position howard staunton as White played 39. Ng1! aiming to control the g5- and e5-squares with his knight. The game continued 39. ... Bd8 40. g5 Bb7

41. Nf3 Re8 42. Bd6 Bxf6 (desperation) 43. gxf6 Qxf6 44. Ng5 Qg7 45. Be5 Qe7 46. Bxg6!, Black resigned. rarely do you see two bish-

ops and a knight attacking without resistance from the opponent’s minor pieces. Alekhine’s brilliance Alexander Alekhine Boris Verlinsky Odessa, 1918

r+-+-tr-mk zppwq-+-zpp -+-tR-+-+ +-+-sN-vL-+-+P+-+ +Q+-+-+PzP-+l+PzP +-tR-+-mKAfter23....Rf8

former World Champion alexander alekhine found himself in a wild position in this 1918 game. White is a knight and a pawn up, but the rook on d6 is en prise, and Black also threatens mate with 24. ... Qxc1+ 25. Bxc1 rf1. nor can White capture Black’s queen, due to the mate on f1. White brilliantly met all these threats with 24. Qd1!!, guarding against the mate, protecting the rook on d6, and attacking the bishop on e2! If uschess.org

24. ... Bd1, then White can safely take the queen on c7. The game concluded 24. ... Qa5 25. Qxe2 Qxe5 26. Rd5, Black resigned.

Demonstrating that uncanny mastery of tactics so rare for one his age, Bobby simply played 36. Qd1, ending Black’s threats, and keeping the pressure on Black’s pawn on b6. After 36. ... Qa2 37.

Bronstein’s bishop backup Giorgio Porreca GM David Bronstein Belgrade, 1954

Nxb6 Nxb6 38. Rxb6+ Kc8 39. Qxf3 Qxc4 40. Qf8+ Kd7 41. Qxa3, Black resigned.

r+-+kvl-tr zppwqnzppzpl -+p+-sn-zp +-+-+-+-+LzP-sN-zP +-+-+-sNPzPP+-zPP+ tR-vLQtR-mKAfter11.Re1

Russian GM David Bronstein, who drew the 1951 World Championship match with GM Mikhail Botvinnik, was on the black side of our current position. Black would like to play 11. ... e6 to develop his king bishop, but White is poised to sacrifice on that square. Nor can Black castle right away, as the f7-pawn would fall. Bronstein solved both these problems with 11. ... Bg8!. The game proceeded with 12. Nd3 e6 13. Bf4 Bd6 14. Bxd6 Qxd6 15. Nf5 Qf8 16. Qf3 0-0-0, and Black has a solid game. Bronstein went on to win in 42 moves. The next two examples are from Bobby Fischer’s first U.S. Championship victory, New York 1957. The 14 year-old (!) Bobby had White against the current “Dean of American chess,” GM Arthur Bisguier. Bobby’s Bisguier backup GM Bobby Fischer GM Arthur Bisguier U.S. Championship, 1957

-+n+-+-+ +ksnN+-+p -zpp+p+-+ +-+-zP-zp-+P+-+-+ trQ+-vLpzP-+-+-zP-zP wqR+-+-mKAfter35....Kb7

Black has conjured up threats based on White’s weak back row, so White cannot safely capture anything yet.

uschess.org

Fischer’s shocker Robert Fischer James Sherwin U.S. Championship, 1957

-+-+-trk+ +-+-+Rzpp -+-zp-+-+ +-+L+-wqR+-+P+n+ +-+-+-+P+-+Q+PzP +-tr-+-+K After30....Rc1+

This famous game from the 1957 U.S. Championship was included by Robert Fischer in his classic work My 60 Memorable Games. Of all the positions in this article, this is the one I wish I had been present to see the most. I can only imagine the shock Black must have felt over the next few moves, as he continued to play on after losing two rooks and a knight! (Maybe White was in time pressure). Black had just played 30. ... Rc1+, perhaps only expecting Bobby to continue with 31. Rf1+, after which 31. ... Kh8 wins quickly for Black. However, White uncorked 31. Qf1!!, a truly stunning move which allows Black to take White’s queen with check. The main point is that after 31. ... Rxf1+ 32. Rxf1 discovered check Kh8 33. Rxf8 is mate. The second point is that if 31. ... Rxf7 32. Ra8+ mates, while if Black tries to eliminate White’s monster bishop with 31. ... Qxd5, 32. Rxf8 is mate. Sherwin fought on with 31. ... h5, hoping White would impulsively play 32. Rxf8+? Kh7, winning White’s queen. Instead, White played 32. Qxc1!, again exploiting the discovered check theme (if 32. ... Qxc1+ 33. Rf1+ followed by 34. Rxc1). Black, most likely dazed at this point, continued with 32. ... Qh4 33. Rxf8+ Kh7 34. h3 Qg3 35. hxg4 h4 36. Be6, and Black resigned after this

dazzling tactical display by Bobby. There’s a YouTube video excerpt of Fischer analyzing this game on a demonstration board, with Fischer grinning after 31. Qf1, and the audience applauding.

(see next position top of next column)

Taimanov tickles the chessic ivories GM Anatoly Karpov GM Mark Taimanov Leningrad, 1977

r+-+-+-+ +-+-+-mk-zP-zp-+p+ +-+Pzpn+-+-wq-+-+ +R+-+-+-+-+-+PzP +-+-wQL+K After37.b6

In our next position, then-World Champion Anatoly Karpov is playing Mark Taimanov, known for his concert pianist performances as much as for being a top Soviet grandmaster. Karpov has been advancing his passed b-pawn the last few moves, never stopping to give his king an escape square by playing g2-g3 or h2-h3. Taimanov alertly forced a win with 37. ... Ra1 38. Rb1 (38. Qe2 Qd2!) 38. ... Ng3+! 39. hxg3 Ra8!, and Black mates next move. This example is a lesson for us all, to give the castled king some air. Polgar’s queenly retreat GM Judit Polgar GM Alexei Shirov Amsterdam, 1995

r+-+-+ntr +-+Lmkpvll+-+-snpzp zp-+-zp-vL-+p+N+-+ zP-+-+-+-zP-+-zPPzP +-+QmK-+R After21.Qd1

Finally, we have a gem from Judit Polgar who is playing the fiery Alexei Shirov. Polgar has attacked brilliantly in this game, though Black could have put up some resistance with 20. ... Bb7, instead of 20. ... h6?, as played. White retreated her queen to d1, with the immediate threat of 22. Qd6 mate! Black resigned immediately, as 21. ... Kf8 22. Qd6+ Ne7 23. Bxf6 wins more material. I hope these positions will encourage you to look at all the available squares to find the best move!

.

See a Fischer/Fine bonus game from this article on Chess Life Online. Chess Life — December 2011

43

USCF Affairs December USCF EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT CODY STEWART Position: National Events Assistant Cody Stewart started working for the USCF in January of 2011 as National Events Assistant. His duties include player registration, team room reservations, editing newsletters and assisting with e-mail blasts for tournaments. Cody is responsible for contacting local area media where the USCF national scholastics are being held. At tournaments, he works at Chess Control to assist parents and coaches. Cody and his wife, Sarah, are in their first year of the master’s program at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. The program’s focus is teaching English as a second language, particularly to international students. Cody enjoys music (he plays the drums), cooking, and travel. For his dedication to the USCF and his service to the scholastic community, we are pleased to announce that Cody is in the “Employee Spotlight” this month!

USCF SENDS DELEGATION TO KRAKOW, POLAND FOR 82ND FIDE CONGRESS A full report from Krakow will appear in a future issue of Chess Life. Here are some of the highlights from the various reports posted on uschess.org from the delegation. See Chess Life Online, October archives, and the press release section for other reports. The delegation representing the USCF consisted of Ruth Haring (USCF president and head of delegation), Michael Khodarkovsky (FIDE delegate), Francisco Guadalupe (zonal president), IA Sophia Rohde, IA Walter Brown (qualifications commission [QC]), Bill Hall (USCF executive director), and Tony Rich. Vice President of FIDE and former USCF President Beatriz Marinello also attended as did IA Carol Jarecki (commission member representing BVI) and IA/IO Sevan Muradian (commission member).

Olympiad.” Of course, in the U.S., the SuperNationals has far more players than the World Youth and is held successfully and managed professionally. Another reason for this split proposal is that it was suggested that it is desirable to separate “young children” from “young adults” for social reasons. New rules are being drafted regarding residence requirements for “change of federation” regulations by David Jarrett from the FIDE office in Athens. The World Amateur will be defined as Under 2000. The age categories for the World Senior will be changed to age 50 and 65 for both men and women. There was a formal signing ceremony for the contract for the Tromso Olympiad 2014.

Highlights from Ruth Haring: IO organizer titles approved for Bill Goichberg, Ankit Gupta, Sophia Rohde and Steve Immitt. The Constitutional Commission has created a document and will be From Francisco Guadalupe: inviting comments by the Following some discussions member Federations. (Left to right) IA Walter Brown, IA Sophia Rohde, Zonal President and debate, the QC was in There is a proposal to Francisco Guadalupe, USCF Executive Director Bill Hall, USCF agreement to submit for split the World Youth into President Ruth Haring, FIDE Delegate Michael Khodarkovsky. approval to the executive two events which was board all outstanding titles heartily discussed and it was decided to vote on this matter in Turkey at the next gen- earned in the U.S. by the American players. This concession was eral assembly. The reason for this suggestion was that it is felt accompanied by a September 1, 2011 deadline after which all in other parts of the world that the World Youth has grown so FIDE norm tournaments must use one of the five approved time big it has become unmanageable, and “bigger than the controls, so all organizers must now be aware of these changes.

Reports by Bill Hall, Michael Khodarkovsky, Walter Brown, Tony Rich, and Sophia Rohde are on Chess Life Online, October archives.. 44

ChessLife—December2011

uschess.org

Back to Basics

Four (Pawns) Against Alekhine

Does White simply possess more space and therefore stand better—or is he overextended? By GM Lev Alburt

In the Alekhine Defense Black provokes forward movement of the white pawns, hoping to regain tempos back by attacking these pawns with his own, and perhaps to explore White’s somewhat overextended, and thus weakened, position. In Four Pawn Attacks (comparable to the four pawn’s attack in the King’s Indian and Austrian Attack with d4, e4, and f4 pawns in the Pirc) White allows himself to be provoked to the utmost. In our game of this month, White, and the space, prevail—mostly because Black made a number of opening mistakes, something both players, but especially Black, can hardly afford in this razorsharp system. Writes the winner of this month’s award, Paul Birnbaum:

I am a seasoned tournament player who has been much less active in recent years. Analysis of this game reveals some serious errors by both sides, around moves 12-16. (Lev’s future comments will be in italics).

Alekhine’s Defense, Four Pawns Attack (B03) Paul Birnbaum (1759) Romel Lapay (1574) Marshall Saturday U1800, 06.25.2011

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 Nc6

r+lqkl r ppp pppp nnp + + + + P + +PP P + + + + + PP + +PP RNLQKLNR

After 5. ... Nc6 46


More usual is 5. ... dxe5 6. fxe5 Nc6. 6. Be3

I felt 6. d5 would be premature. At first I thought that 6. d5 Nb8!? (not 6. ... Na5? 7. Bd2, winning) 7. Nc3 (or 7. Be3) should favor White, but then began to change my mind. Thus White’s decision to steer the game into normal channels (as after 5. ... dxe5 6. fxe5 Nc6) seems quite reasonable. 6. ... Bf5 7. Nc3 dxe5 8. fxe5

The main theoretical position has been reached.

r+ qkl r ppp pppp nn+ + + + + Pl+ +PP + + + N L + PP + +PP R +QKLNR

After 8. fxe5

8. ... Nb4?

This seems pointless, encouraging White to keep developing his pieces. 8. ... e6, freeing Black’s f8-bishop, seems better. Correct—L.A.

+kr l r pppqpppp nn+ + + + + Pl+ +PP + + P N LN+ P + +PP + RQKL+R

After 11. ... Nc6

albeit I’d prefer the direct 13. Bxb6 axb6 14. b4, winning decisive material. 12. ... f6

This move sets serious problems for White, who wants to hold his center, complete his development, and make his king safe. 13. Be2

+kr l r pppqp pp nn+ p + + + Pl+ +PP + + P N LN+P P +L+P+ + RQK +R

9. Rc1 Qd7 10. Nf3 0-0-0 11. a3 Nc6

After 13. Be2

(see diagram top of next column)

13. ... h5?

12. h3?

Let the errors begin! Much stronger is 12. d5!, and if 12. ... Na5, 13. Nb5! followed by Nfd4 for White. Here d4-d5 is more than simply strong —it’s winning! e.g., 12. ... Nb8 13. Nb5, threatening checkmate in one move; if 12. ... Na5, Paul’s 13. Nb5 is quite strong,

Black should continue with his plan: 13. ... fxe5, and if 14. dxe5, then Qe6! and the White center is shredded. But after 14. d5 White—in a sharp position—is still better. 14. 0-0 g5?

Black should still play 14. ... fxe5. Not so: now 15. d5 is even stronger uschess.org

than on the move before (see my comment to Paul’s suggestion after 13. ... h5). 15. exf6 exf6 16. d5

+kr l r pppq+ + nn+ p + + +P+lpp +P+ + + P N LN+P P +L+P+ + RQ+RK

After 16. d5

16. ... Ne5?

This loses a pawn. Better might have been 16. ... Ne7. 17. Nxe5 fxe5 18. Bxg5 Bc5+ 19. Kh1

+kr + r pppq+ + n + + + + lPplLp +P+ + + P N + +P P +L+P+ + RQ+R+K

After 19. Kh1

19. ... Rdg8

+k+ +rr pppq+ + n + + + + lPplLp +P+ + + P N + +P P +L+P+ + RQ+R+K

After 19. ... Rdg8

Black might also have played 19. ... Bxh3! And if 20. Bxd8 Bxg2+ 21. Kxg2 Rg8+ 22. Kh2 Qxd8. (see diagram top of next column)

But 23. Qd3 takes the sting out of Black’s attack. 20. h4! (see second diagram top of next column)

Anchors the white bishop.

20. ... Bg4?! uschess.org

+kq +r+ ppp + + n + + + + lPp +p +P+ + + P N + + P +L+ K + RQ+R+

Analysis after 22. ... Qxd8

+k+ +rr pppq+ + n + + + + lPplLp +P+ + P P N + + P +L+P+ + RQ+R+K

After 20. h4

This allows White’s knight access to e4. Black might have considered 20. ... Rxg5!? 21. hxg5 h4, pursuing his attack on White’s king. This attack isn’t dangerous., as after ... h4-h3 and White’s g2-g3, the white king hides behind Black’s h-pawn. And, most importantly, an immediate 21. ... h4 loses tactically: 22. Rxf5 and, if 22. ... Qxf5, 23. Bg4.

21. Ne4 Bd4

21. ... Be7 seems better. Not really: 22 . Rf7!—L.A.

29. ... Nb8 30. cxb6 axb6 31. Qc4 Qd6 32. R1f6 Qd8 33. Rc6!

Threatening mate in two, and the black queen. 33. ... Nxc6

+kq +r+ + p +R+ pn+ + + + +Pp Lp PQl + P P + + + + + +P+ + + + +K

After 33. ... Nxc6

34. Bxd8 Rxd8 35. Qxc6, Black resigned.

And Black resigned, as mate is unstoppable.

I felt euphoric after winning this game. However, my analysis gives Black an edge after 12. ... f6!. I also think, as a 1. e4 player, I need another line against the Alekhine’s defense (other than the “Four Pawns Attack”). It took me three attempts to give you something with decent notes! As Paul himself mentions earlier (his comment to 12. h3), White was much better after 12. d5. Thus, this time he won the opening duel, and can keep playing the Four Pawns Attack. And I wholeheartedly commend Paul’s “three attempts”—time spent analyzing your own games in depth is time very well spent.

.

22. Nf6 Bxe2 23. Qxe2 Qf7 24. Nxg8 Qxg8

White is now up a pawn and an Exchange, and his king is safe. The rest is technique. 25. Rf5 Nd7 26. Rcf1 Qg6 27. b4! b6 28. Rf7 Rg8

+k+ +r+ p pn+R+ p + +q+ + +Pp Lp PPl + P P + + + + +Q+P+ + + +R+K

After 28. ... Rg8

29. c5

Beginning to open lines against Black’s king.

Send in your games!

If you are unrated or were rated 1799 or below on your Chess Life (CL) label, then GM Lev Alburt invites you to send your most instructive game with notes to: Back to Basics, c/o Chess Life PO Box 3967 Crossville, TN 38557-3967 Or e-mail your material to [email protected]

GM Alburt will select the “most instructive” game and CL will award an autographed copy of Lev’s newest book, Chess Training Pocket Book II (by Lev Alburt and Al Lawrence) to the person submitting the most instructive game and annotations. Chess Life — December 2011

47

Endgame Lab

Progress with the Seven-Piece Database

The six-piece endgame database, a marvel in its own right, is now in danger of being overtaken exponentially by the arrival of a seven-piece database. By GM Pal Benko

This month I am providing a short review of recent endgame database progress. The remarkable six-man database, now in the public domain (available at www.k4it.de), has even shown a record 243-move win. The team of Americans Mark Bourzutschky and Russian Yakov Konoval have worked together to aim for even higher peaks. As early as 2006, among other interesting records, they reported an unbelievable 517(!)-move win in a king, queen, knight versus king, rook, bishop, and knight seven-man endgame. But these are positions without pawns—very rare in real games. Their newest article (in EG 2011) presents piece and pawn endgames too. Much more challenging for optimal play because of possible pawn promotions and en passant moves, these endings are much more useful for practical players. Bourzutschky and Konoval gladly answered me and provided some analysis for Chess Life readers. Verdict GM Garry Kasparov The World Internet Challenge, 1999

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

White to play

Now the final word in a much-debated game can be decided thanks to the program. 51. Qh7 b5

Level is 51. ... Ka1.

48


52. Kf6+ Kb2

Black is not going anywhere after 52. ... Kc1. 53. Qh2+ Ka1 54. Qf4 b4?

Either 54. ... Qd3 or 54. ... Qd5 is even.

55. Qxb4 Qf3+ 56. Kg7 d5 57. Qd4+ Kb1 58. g6 Qe4 59. Qg1+ Kb2 60. Qf2+ Kc1 61. Kf6 d4 62. g7 Qc6+ 63. Kg5 Qd5+ 64. Qf5 Qd8+ 65. Kh6 Qg8 66. Qc5+ Kb1 67. Qxd4 Qe6+ 68. Kg5, Black resigned.

It is hard to judge in many queen endings if there is a perpetual check or not. Two mistakes GM Robert James Fischer GM Pal Benko U.S. Championship, New York, 1959

R+ + + + + + +k+ + + +pr + + + + + + + + KP+ + + P+ + + + + + + +

White to play

52. Rd7+ Kf6 53. Rd1 g2 54. Rg1 Rg6 55. a5 Ke7 56. a6 Rb6+?

An unnecessary time-control check that throws away the draw. The natural 56. ... Rxa6! is an easy theoretical draw. 57. Ka5 Rxb3 58. Rxg2 Ra3+ 59. Kb6 Rb3+ 60. Kc5 Ra3 61. a7 Ke6

If 61. ... Kd7, then 62. Rg8 Rxa7 63. Rg7+ wins. 62. Rg7 Ra1 63. Kc6 Ra2 64. Kb7 Rb2+ 65. Kc8 Rc2+ 66. Kb8 Rb2+ 67. Rb7 Rh2 68. a8=Q Rh8+ 69. Ka7, Black resigned.

Dark horses IM Coen Zuidema GM Pal Benko U.S. Championship, New York, 1972

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+ + + +k+ + +Npp+ + n + P + + + +K + + + + + + + +

White to play

52. Kg3? 47. Kb4?

The correct move was 47. b4!!, followed by … g5 48. Ra7+ Kf8 49. b5! Re6 50. Ra4! Re3+ 51.Kb2!! Re2+ 52. Kc3 Ke7 53. a3! Re3+ 54. Kd4!! Rf3 55. Kc5! Kd8 56. Rg4 Rf5+ 57. Kb6! Kc8 58. Rc4+ Kd7 59. a4 etc. But who can see so far ahead, including all the sidelines? The rule of thumb is that the passed pawn must be pushed. 47. ... g5 48. Ra7+ Kf6 49. a4 g4 50. Rd7 g3 51. Rd6+ Kf7

51. ... Kf5 was also drawn after 52. Rd1 g2 53. Rg1 Rg6 54. a5 Kf4.

This natural move loses. White can draw with 52. Ne3, 52. Ne7+ or 52. Nb6.

52. ... Nc6?

Only 52. ... Nb5! wins.

53. Kh3?

White draws with 53. Nb6!.

53. ... Nd8! 54. Kg3 Nf7! 55. Kh3 Nh6 56. Kg3 Ng4 57. Kh3 Kf7 58. h5 Ke6! 59. Nc3 Nh6! 60. Kh4 Nf7! 61. Ne2 Kf6! 62. Nc3 Kg7?

Black is better after 62. ... f4 or 62. ... Ke6. uschess.org

Problem I

Y. Konoval-M. Bourzutschky (2009)

Benko’s Bafflers Most of the time these studies resemble positions that could actually occur over the board. You must simply reach a theoretically won or drawn position for White. Solutions can be found on page 69. Please e-mail submissions for Benko’s Bafflers to: [email protected]

63. Nd5!= Kh6 64. Ne7 Nd6 65. Ng8+ Kg7 66. Ne7! Kf7 67. Nd5 Ke6 68. Nc7+! Kd7 69. Nd5 Nf7 70. Nc3?

A better drawing chance is 70. h6.

70. ... Ke6! 71. Ne2 Kd5?

Still winning is 71. ... Kf6!

72. h6, Draw agreed.

Sometimes it is hard to understand the computer’s mysterious moves. Unfortunately, that can also apply to our own moves!

Resign? GM Sergey Makarichev IM Ye Rongguang Beograd, 1988

+

+ + + + + + +pL +lP + + + + p + + + +k+ + + + + + + K + + + +

White to play

White resigned, but in a drawn posi-

tion! For example: 80. Be7 Kc3 81. Ka2! b3+ 82. Ka3! Kc2 83. Bf6 c5 84. Bg7 c4 85. Kb4! Bd3 86. h7, Draw. Ideal!? J. H. Ulrichsen EG 2011

(see diagram top of next column)

Studies can also be verified by the new tablebase; here is an example: the Valladao theme (which consists of three special elements: castle, en passant and promotion). He did it with only eight men and judged it as “unique and maybe ideal.” uschess.org

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

White to play and win

+

+

+

+ + + + pp + + + + + + + P + + + + + + k + P+ + +p+ R + K +


1. 0-0-0 h5 2. gxh6 e.p. gxh6 3. a4 h5 4. a5 h4 5. a6 h3 6. a7 h2 7. a8=Q wins.

But let’s see the end of this work after 7. ... g1=Q. Here 8. Qa7+ and 9. Qxg1 White mates in 12 moves but after 8. Qh1 the mate is also possible in 22 moves. Using rules of artistic studies, this strictly counts as a “dual” since there should be only one solution in the main line. Echo Pal Benko

Y. Konoval-M. Bourzutschky (2010)

+

+

+

+

q

+

+

+

+ + + + +R+R+ Pk + + + + + + + + +K+ + + + + + +


The surprise: 4. h5? a4 5. h6 a3 6. h7 a2 7. h8=Q b1=Q and it is only a draw. Yet the database also shows a similar position as before in a case of castling long is winning for White, apparently because the white king is closer to its adversary. 4. ... Kc2 5. Rxb2+ Kxb2 6. h5 a4 7. h6 a3 8. h7 a2 9. h8=Q+ Kb1 10. Qb8+ Kc2 11. Qe5 Kb1 12. Qe1+ Kb2 13. Qb4+ Kc2 14. Qa3 Kb1 15. Qb3+ Ka1 16. Qc2 g2 17. Qc1 mate.

P. Benko (Correction)

+

+

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


+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

p

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

k

+

Problem II

+

+

p

+ p + +PP + + K +R


Seeing the above example, I entered into this theme but with minimal material. 1. 0-0 Kd2! 2. g4 hxg3 e.p.

After 2. ... a5 3. g5 a4 4. g6 a3 5. g7 a2 6. g8=Q b1=Q 7. Qxa2+! Qxa2 8. Rf2+ is the quickest win. 3. h4 a5 4. Rb1!

I have pushed the above position to the right from a 1923 composition by V. Platov that has now been found to have a cook. Even after a new critical line:

1. Rh4 g3 2. Rh3 g2 3. Rh2 Kc3 4. Rxg2 Rxg2 5. e8=Q

In the most difficult line White wins in 43 moves since the white king has more space for maneuvering on the left-hand side. So though the computer refuted the original study, because of its processing power it helped save the composition. I asked them about their future plans. “We are not sure whether we even want to generate all the seven-man endgames, because many will not be interesting but still take up a lot of space. Better analysis of the databases generated so far, and moving to interesting eight-man endgames may be more relevant.” Thanks to the team for their excellent work so far.

.


49

2011 TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX SUMMARY Trophies Plus awards $12,500 in cash prizes in the 2011 Grand Prix!

2011 TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX STANDINGS The following point totals reflect all rated event information as of October 26 for the 2011 Grand Prix. All Grand Prix updates are unofficial and subject to change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete.

OVERALL STANDINGS NAME

Four-time U.S. Champion GM ALEXANDER SHABALOV moves up a spot from last month.

STATE

PTS.

1

GM Tamaz Gelashvili

NY

271.60

2

GM Timur Gareyev

TX

252.66

3

GM Sergey Kudrin

CT

246.15

4

GM Mikheil Kekelidze

NY

202.73

5

GM Alexander Shabalov

PA

182.80

6

GM Alejandro Ramirez

TX

174.83

7

GM Aleksandr Lenderman

NY

169.67

8

GM Melikset Khachiyan

CA

150.33

9

GM Alexander Ivanov

MA

138.18

10

GM Mesgen Amanov

IL

120.76

11

IM Enrico Sevillano

CA

108.22

12

IM Yury Lapshun

NY

101.50

13

IM Justin Sarkar

NY

97.63

14

GM Julio Becerra

FL

89.75

15

IM Irina Krush

NY

85.92

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2011 CHESSMAGNETSCHOOL.COM JUNIOR GRAND PRIX TOP OVERALL STANDINGS Name

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Name

CHEN, JASMINE TURE, TANER YEN, MICHAEL J MOORTHY, SRINIVAS RAMANUJA CHIANG, SARAH ZHONG, HOWARD PETERSON, GIA NGUYEN, TRUNG ZACK, DANIEL KULKARNI, SOUMYA CHEN, JUSTIN LU SUN, ABE RIVES, HAL RAJASEKARAN, VIKAS OFFERTALER, BENDEGUZ NGUYEN, PHILIP ZHAO, CHENYI KADAVERU, AJIT SINHA, SAHIL LUO, MAGGIE

State

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Pts.

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See previous issue for TLAs appearing December 1-14

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. Effective with TLAs submitted after November 10, 2010, the following additional rules apply to Grand Prix tournaments: 1) The guaranteed first prize must be at least $150. 2) No more than one prize under $100 may count towards the Grand Prix point total. 3) Prizes below the maximum entry fee do not count towards the Grand Prix point total. SUBMISSIONS: If possible e-mail your tla to: [email protected] (Joan DuBois). For tla deadline schedule, formatting help and Grand Prix information see September 2011 Chess Life pg. 49 and 69 or check http://main. uschess.org/ go/tlainfo. Payment can be done online through theTD/Affiliate area or sent to: U.S. Chess,TLA Dept., PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.

Nationals Dec. 9-11, California, Southern 2011 National Youth Action (West) 9SS, G/30. Hyatt Regency, 17900 Jamboree Blvd., Irvine, CA 92614, 949-975-1234, $109 (Single – Quad). Four Sections: K-3, K-6, K-9, K-12. Entry Fee: $50 by 11/10/11 USPS (or $50 on-line by 11/10, 6 pm cst); $70 by 11/20/11 USPS (or $70 on-line 11/10/11, 6:01 pm cst - 11/20/11, 6 pm cst); $85 USPS 11/21-11/30 (or $85 on-line 11/20/11, 6:01 pm cst – 12/8, 6 pm cst); $85 by 12/9/11 6 PM on site (entries after 12/9/11 6 PM cannot be guaranteed pairing for round 1, instead they may receive 1/2 point bye round 1). Must be current USCF member by 8:30 am, 12/10 to be paired. Checks payable only to Chess Central. Awards: Individual: 1st –20th Place in each section (K-3, K-6, K-9, K-12). Class Awards: 1st-3rd Place, K-3: U800, U600, U400, Unr. K-6: U1000, U800, U600, Unr. K-9: U1200, U1000, U800, Unr. K-12: U1400, U1200, U1000, Unr. Teams: 1st-10th Place in each section. Special Sportsmanship trophy! Schedule: Opening Ceremony Sat., Dec. 10 at 9:30 am. Rds. 1-5 Sat., 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 3:30 pm & 5 pm. Rds. 6-9 Sun., 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm & 3:30 pm. Side Events: Bughouse Tournament – Fri, Dec. 9, 6:30 pm. EF: $20 per team ($10 for individuals and we help you create a team). On site registration only. Registration closes at 5 pm, Fri, Dec. 9. One section only, K-12. Bughouse Awards: 1st-10th Place. Blitz Tournament – Sat, Dec. 10, K-6 & K-12, 6:30 pm, $15 postmarked by 11/30/11, $20 on-site ($15 on-line by 11/30/11, 6 pm cst, $20 on-line 11/30/11, 6:01 pm cst - 12/08/11 6 pm cst) Registration closes at 5 pm, Sat, Dec. 10. Blitz Awards: Individual: 1st-20th in each section. Team: 1st-10th in each section. Puzzle Solving Contest: Sat. Dec. 10, 6:30 pm, Puzzle Solving Prizes: 1st-5th overall; 1st-5th U1000, EF: USPS: $15 postmarked by 11/30/11 (On-line: $15 until 12/08/11, 6 pm cst) $20 at the site by 5 pm. Awards Ceremony for Blitz/Bughouse/Puzzle Solving: Sun, 9 am. NYA Awards Ceremony: Sun, Dec. 11, 5:30-7 pm. Club Teams allowed! Master simuls and analysis scheduled. , Hyatt Regency, 17900 Jamboree Blvd, Irvine, CA 92614, 949-975-1234, $109 (Single – Quad) reserve rooms by following links at http://chessweekend.com. Enter tournament on line (except Bughouse) at http://chessweekend.com. Checks payable only to Chess Central (no checks to USCF): Mail registrations with name-contact info-grade-birthday-team/school-uscf ID & exp.-address-city-zip-e-mail address-coach name & contact info to: Chess Central (Please, no checks payable to USCF), 37165 Willow, Gurnee, IL 60031. Updated info/Hotels/On-Line Entries: http://chessweek end.com. $10 service charge for on-site section/roster changes, and all refunds. Bookdealer scheduled. Dec. 9-11, Florida 2011 National Youth Action (East) 9SS, G/30. DoubleTree Miami Mart/Airport Hotel and Exhibition Center, 711 NW 72nd Ave., Miami, FL 33126, (888) 353-1995, www.doubletree miamimart.com. HR: $129, mention NYA Chess. Four Sections: K-3, K6, K-9, K-12. Entry Fee: $50 by Nov 10; $70 by Nov 20, $85 after. On site registration Friday December 9, 3pm to 9pm. Players registering after that will receive 1/2-point bye in first round. Awards: Individual: 1st-20th Place in each section (K-3, K-6, K-9, K-12). Class Awards: 1st-3rd Place, K-3: U800, U600, U400, Unr. K-6: U1000, U800, U600, Unr. K-9: U1200, U1000, U800, Unr. K-12: U1400, U1200, U1000, Unr. Teams: 1st-10th Place in each section. Schedule: Opening Ceremony Sat., Dec 10 at 9:30 am. Rds. 1-5 Sat., 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 3:30 pm & 5 pm. Rds. 6-9 Sun., 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm & 3:30 pm. Side Events: Bughouse Tournament – Fri, Dec 9, one section only, K-12, on-site registration only, $20Team, closes at 6:30 pm, Fri, Dec 9. Bughouse Awards: 1st-10th Place. Blitz Tournament, two sections: K-6 and K-12 - Sat, Dec 10, 7 pm. EF: $15 if p/m by Nov 30, $20 after or on site. Blitz Awards: Individual: 1st-20th in each section. Team: 1st-10th in each section. GM/IM Simul and Lectures: TBA. Puzzle Solving Contest: TBA. Awards Ceremony for Side Events: Sun, 9 am. NYA Awards Ceremony: Sun, December 11, 5:30-7 pm. Club Teams allowed! Enter on line (except Bughouse) at www.active.com/ more-sports/miami-fl/national-youth-action-east-2011 or mail registrations to: 305 Willow Pointe Dr., League City, TX 77573. Please make checks payable to Francisco Guadalupe (not USCF). Include Name, USCF ID #, Date of Birth, School or Club Team Name, Grade, and Section. For more information and mailed registration form please email flguadalupe@ aol.com or call (713) 530-7820. Participants of NYA, including Side Events, must be current members of USCF.

uschess.org

Dec. 27-30, Texas 2011 Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Tournament Location: DFW Airport Marriott South, 4151 Centreport Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76155. HR: $84/84/84/84. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dfwamdfw-airport-marriott-south/?toDate=12/31/11&groupCode=paipaia&fro mDate=12/26/11&app=resvlink or call 800-228-9290 reserve by 12/5 (or rate could go up) and ask for Pan American Chess rate. Free Parking. Tournament Dates: December 27-30, 2011. Intercollegiate Tournament Format: 4 Player Teams, up to 2 Alternates, traditional 6 round Swiss Tournament, Game/90 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 1, 2011 $240 per team. After December 1, 2011 $295 per team. Prizes: 1st place team = $1400, 2nd place team = $800, 3rd place team = $600, 4th place team = $400, 5th place team = $250, Top International Team = $500, Top Division II Team = $400, Top 4 boards = $100 each. Team Trophies or Plaques: 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 InternationalTeams,Top four Boars, 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. Chess Magnet School JGP. Feb. 17-19 or 18-19, Florida 2012 U.S. Amateur Team Championship - South 5SS, G/120 (2-day option, Rd. 1 G/60). Universal Palms Hotel, 4900 Powerline Rd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. Only 10 mins. to the Beach. $69 hotel chess rate until cut-off date, 954-776-4880. 4-player teams (with one optional alternate). Team average (4 highest ratings - January rating list) must be under 2200. Winning team qualifies for National playoff online. EF per player: $40 by 2/10, $49 later. SPECIAL EF: Team (one entry must be made for all players) $150 by 2/10, $190 later (any team changes $10). Teams from outside Florida will receive $25 off team entry fee. PRIZES:Top 1-3rd place teams;Top class teams: U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, U1000, U800; Top Senior team (all 50 & above), Top Female team, Top College team (same school), Top High School team (same school), Top Middle School team (same school, grades 6-8), Top Elementary School team (same school); Top Boards 1-4. Schedule: 3-day: 1st Rd. Fri. 7:30, 2-Day 1st Rd. Sat. 10; Rds. 2-5 Sat. 1:30, 6:45, Sun. 9:30, 2:45. Free parking and Free Internet. Ent: Boca Raton Chess Club, 2385 Executive Ctr. Dr., Ste. 100, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Online entry & add'l info: www.bocachess.com, 561-479-0351. Chess Magnet School JGP. Feb. 17-19 or 18-19, Illinois 2012 U.S. Amateur Team Championship - North One section: Open. Sets-Boards-Clocks provided for USAT only by North American Chess Association. Open: 5SS, G/90+30/increment, 2-day: rd.1-2 G/60. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2875 N. Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062. 847-298-2525. $83.00 chess rate single-double-triple-quad until 2/3/12, FREE BREAKFAST BUFFET INCLUDED WITH ROOM! Please reserve early. Open to 4 player teams with one optional alternate. Team average (4 highest ratings - January Rating List) must be under 2200. EF: 3-day $140, per team if received USPS or on-line 6 PM by February 4th, $160 if received USPS or on-line 6 PM by Feb. 14th, $180 on-line until Feb. 16th 6 PM and at door. Individuals wishing to play, send $35 and request to be put on a team by USPS (received by 2/14) or on-line by 2/16 6 PM, $45 thereafter. Team changes on site or after 2/16 6 PM $20. Check out official website www.chessweekend.com for more info and complete prize list. Prizes: Awards to top two teams, top teams with average rating u1900, u1600, and u1300. Award for Best Team Name. Winning team qualifies for national play-offs. Prizes to best team composed of juniors (high school and younger-must declare eligibility to win prize). Prizes to top score on each board. Rounds: 3-day: on-site registration/check-in 5:30-6:30pm, rds.: 7pm, 10:00am & 4:00pm, 10:00am & 3:30pm. 2-day: on-site registration/check-in from 8:009:30am, rds. 10:00am & 1:00pm then merge with 3-day. Illinois Blitz Championship on Saturday night, $25 received by 2/14 USPS or online (2/17), $30 at site. Illinois FIDE titled players get free entry-contact us for more info. First round 8 PM, 2 games with each opponent, 5 rounds, bring sets, clock, & boards for Blitz. See www.chessweekend.com for details. All: Checks made payable to and sent to: Chess Central, 37165 Willow, Gurnee, IL 60031. Please include Team's name and roster (plus ID#s), captain's email and phone number, and desired schedule. Info: www.chessweekend.com, 847-773-7706 before 6 PM. North American Chess Association will provide Sets-Boards-Clocksfor USAT only. Chess Magnet School JGP for US Amateur Team – North, Open Section. Feb. 18-20, California, Northern 29th Annual U.S. Amateur Team Championship West (Blitz/Scholastic Feb. 20 only.) Main event: 6SS, 30/90 sd/60. Hyatt Regency, 5101 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara, CA 95054. Free Parking! Hotel: Free Parking! $109 call 800-233-1234 for chess rate. Reserve by Feb. 4 or rates may increase. Four-player teams plus optional alternate, average rating of four highest must be under 2200, difference between ratings of board 3 & 4 must be less than 1000. January 2012 Supp, CCA min & TD discretion to place players accurately. Main Event Prizes: Exclusive commemoratively inscribed digital clocks to each player and trophy to the team for top 3 overall teams, top team u2000, u1800, u1600, u1400, and u1200; top "industry" team (all players from the same company), top "family" team (siblings, cousins, parents, uncle/aunts, grandparents), top junior team, and top school team; top scorer on each board (1-4). Gift certificates for best 3 team names. Main Event EF: $188/team or $47/player by 2/14, 2/15-17: $197/team, $56/player, Onsite: $217/team, $66/player. Main Event Sched: Registration: Sat 9:30-10:30am. Rounds: Sat 11:30 5, Sun 11:30 5, Mon 10,

3:30. Info/flyer: BayAreaChess.com/usatw12. Scholastic Side Event: 5SS G/30. Four-player teams plus optional alternate, may be from same or different schools. Jan 2012 Supp, CCA min & TD discretion to place players accurately. Prizes: Trophies to each player in Top 3 teams overall,Top team u900, u800, u700, u600, u500, u400, u300, u200,Top scorer on each board (1-4). EF: $156/team or $39/player by 2/14, 2/15-17: $175/team, $48/player, Onsite: $185/team, $58/player. Registration: Mon 8-9am. Rounds: 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm. Info/flyer: BayAreaChess.com/usatws12. Blitz Event: Registration Mon 7-8pm, Rounds 8:30-10:30pm. EF: $12. 75% of entry fees returned as prizes. Info/flyer: BayAreaChess.com/usatw12. Help in forming teams: a player and see bayareachess.com/events/12/usatw or email teamhelp@Bay AreaChess.com for teams seeking players & players seeking teams. Contact: For all these events, online entry at BayAreaChess.com/my/ usatw12 and contact Bay Area Chess, 1590 Oakland Rd., Ste B213, San Jose 95131. T: 408-786-5515. E: [email protected]. NS, NC, W, F. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! Feb. 18-20, New Jersey 42nd Annual World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East 6SS, 40/2, SD/1. Parsippany Hilton, 1 Hilton Ct., Parsippany, NJ 07054. Chess Rate valid until 1/16. Reserve early 973-267-7373 or 1-800HILTONS. Morris/Essex train to Morris Plains 1.5 miles. Open to 4player teams with one optional alternate. Team average (4 highest ratings - 2012 January Rating list) must be under 2200. EF: $150 postmarked by 2/5/12. Scholastic teams College and below $145 per team, ALL-$185 after or at door. - all teams, any changes at site $25 charge. Check out official website www.njscf.org. Prizes: 1-5th Place teams, plaque and 4 digital clocks; Top Team (Denis Barry Award) U2100, 2000, 1900, 1800, 1700, 1600, 1500, 1400, 1300, 1200, 1000 each plaque and 4 Digital Clocks;Top college team (same school) 4 Digital Clocks & plaque; Top HS team (grades 9-12 same school), Top Middle School (grades 5-9 same school), Top Elementary School (grades K-6 same school), Top 2 Scholastic Teams (mixed schools okay) (Collins Award), Mixed Doubles (2 males, 2 females-no alternates), Seniors (all players over age 50), Military, each plaque & 4 Digital Clocks to top team; CompanyTeam (same employer) Old Timers Trophy (all players over 65), Family (4 family members), State teams - CT, DE, MD, MA, NJ, NY (Benjamin Award), PA, VA, NC, RI, OH, Canada, each plaque top team; Special Plaque toTop College (NJ , NY, Pennsylvania), Best Player 1-4 and top alternate, All 6-0 scores each Digital clock. Biggest Individual upset each round Engraved Cross pen; Entry fee refunded to team with Best “Chess related” name, Sunday night-- Best “Chess Related” costumes or gimmick—gourmet dinner for four. Reg. 9-12 Sat 2/18: Rds. 1-7:30, 11-6, 9-3:30. Special Events!! Surprises and special give-aways each round. Mystery Guest and special Sunday morning panel on 72 match! Sunday night - Bughouse $20 per team. Cash prizes. HR: Parsippany Hilton, chess rates expire 1/16/2012. Rates $119 (up to 4 in room) 2nd hotel now attached to Hilton also up to 4 in room $126 per night-Hampton Inn---includes breakfast for 4 each day. Back up hotel - Sheraton Parsippany-about 2 miles. 973-515-2000. $99 per night. For help forming teams and more information contact: [email protected] or Facebook: ATETeam. Chks payable to NJSCF, mail by 2/05 to: E. Steven Doyle, 17 Stonehenge Road, Morristown, NJ 07960. (Include Team name, Captain, players full names, USCF Expiration, ID numbers and ratings in board order). No team can include more than two GM's. Include SASE for confirmation if wanted, No registered or certified mail accepted. NS, NC, W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Feb. 26, New Mexico Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (Enhanced) 2012 U.S. G/15 Championship (QC) 6SS, G/15. University of New Mexico – Student Union Building, Albuquerque, NM 87131. USCF Membership required - available onsite. One section, all players have an opportunity to win a U.S. Championship! $$400-200-100 (B/50) U2400, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, U1200: $100 each, unrated: $50. Higher of regular or quick rating used for prize eligibility. EF: $39. $10 late fee if after 1/23. Free entry to GMs, IMs, and WGMs. Rds.: 6:30pm, 7:10pm, 7:50pm, 8:30pm, 9:10pm, 9:50pm. Up to 2 half point byes upon req. before rd 1. NS NC W. ENT: Wired Kings CC; 12004 Prospect Ave NE; Albuquerque, NM 87112. HR: $71 505944-2599 Hilton Homewood Suites – ABQ Airport, available until 2/1/12 or room block full. Online Entry & add'l info: www.SouthernRockyOpen. com, [email protected], 505-550-4654. Part of the 2012 Southern Rocky FIDE Open Chess Festival. See 2012 Southern Rocky FIDE Open in Grand Prix for more information.

Grand Prix Dec. 11, New Jersey Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced) Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Early Winter 2011 Open Championship Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601. Open To All Ages With Rating >1400. 4SS, G/60 USCF Memb Req'd Prize Fund ($$ b/40) 1st - 3rd $300, $250, $200, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600 each $100. Best U13 Yrs Old $75, Best O65 Yrs Old $75. Prize Fund Not Reduced Below 70 %. Reg Ends at 9 AM. Only one requested 1/2 pt bye allowed if requested before the start of rd two. EF Adv (pmk. By Dec 7th) $40 AT Site $45 GMs Free Entry. Info 201 287 0250 or 201 833 1741. www.icanj.net. Email: [email protected]. Rds.: 9:30 AM, 11:45, 2:15, 4:30 PM. ENT: Make EF and/or USCF Memb cks payable to: International Chess Academy. Mail to: DianaTulman, 28 Canterbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. Dec. 17, North Carolina Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 Tobacco Road Action Chess Tournament 7-SS, G/30. Caraleigh Fellowship Hall, 118 Summit Ave., Raleigh, NC. EF: $25 (rec'd by 12/16)/$30 at site. Prizes: $$800 b/40, OPEN: (GTD$ 1st, 2nd) $200-$100-$50, A,B,C,D,u1200 $90 ea. Unrateds will be assigned rating for prize purposes after round 6. Up to 3 1/2-pt. byes for players


53

February 18-20, 2012 | Parsippany Hilton | Parsippany, New Jersey

Join us as we remember the 40th anniversary of the Fischer-Spassky match!

By plane, train or...

Just get me to the teams on time! “But Boris, what if he doesn’t play 1 P-K4?”

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#! !+ !'(!, ) )! #!(( ! !' )$&%

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Need help forming a team? Contact [email protected] or Facebook: ATE-Team

January 2012 Rating List will be used.

January 2011 Rating List will be used.


rated over 1800, two for all others. Must request upon entry. Reg.: 900950. Rds.: 1000-1110-1220-230-340-450-600. NCCA req'd OSA. Info: http://chesstract.info. Jeff Jones (919) 270-9948. RaleighChess@yahoo. com. Dec. 20, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced) Marshall Masters! 4-SS, G/30. Third Tuesday of every month. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring over 50% in any MCC Open or U2300 tournament since the prior month's Masters). EF: $40, members $30, GMs free. $$G250-150-100. Prizes to U2400, U2300 and biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45 pm. Rds.: 78:15-9:30-10:45. One bye available (Rd 1 or 4 only), request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. Dec. 22, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight! 4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 West 10 St., bet. 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may be limited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-11050, Top U2200/unr $105, U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! An American Classic! Dec. 26-29 or 27-29, Nevada Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced) 21st annual North American Open (note reduced hotel rates) 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Bally's Casino Resort, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, NV 89103. $$ 120,000 based on 600 paid entries. Seniors, re-entries & GMs count as half entries, Under 900 or Unrated in U1250 or U1500 as 1/4, else in proportion; $90,000 minimum (75% each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections. Open: $10000-5000-25001200-1000-800-600-500-400-400, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak bonus $200, top Under 2500/Unr $2500-1200. FIDE. Under 2300: $7000-40002000-1200-900-800-600-500-400-400. Under 2100: $7000-4000-20001200- 900-800-600-500-400-400, no unrated may win over $2500. Under 1900: $7000-4000-2000-1200-900-800-600-500-400-400, no unrated may win over $1800. Under 1700: $6000-3000-1600-1000-800-700600-500-400-400, no unrated may win over $1200. Under 1500: $50002500-1400-1000-800-700-600-500-400-400, no unrated may win over $800. Under 1250: $4000-2000-1300-900-700-600-500-400-300-300, top Under 1000 $1000, no unrated may win over $400. Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 games played as of 12/11 list may not win over $1500 U1250, $2500 U1500 or U1700. Games rated too late for 12/11 list not counted. 2) If official rating was more than 30 points over section maximum any month 12/10-11/11, 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 12/15. Online EF: $245 at chesstour.com or entry.cc by 10/15, $275 by 12/20, $300 12/21 until two hours before round 1. Phoned EF: $280 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 12/20 (no questions). No phone entry after 12/20. EF at site: $300. Special EF: Seniors 65/over except Under 900 or Unrated in U1250 or U1500, $130 less. Re-entry $120; not available in Open Section. GMs $150 from prize. EF for Under 900 or unrated (NOTE CHANGE) in U1250 or U1500: 4-day $54, 3-day $53 if mailed by 12/15, $55 online at chesstour.com by 12/20, $60 phoned by 12/20 (406-8962038, entry only, no questions), $70 at site. All: No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. 4-day reg. ends 12/26 5 pm, rds 12/26 6 pm, 12/27 11 & 6, 12/28 11 & 6, 12/29 10 & 4:30. 3-day reg. ends 12/27 10 am, rds 12/27 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, 12/28 11 & 6, 12/29 10 & 4:30. Bye: all, limit 4, limit 2 in last 4 rounds; Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. HR: Rate lowered to 65-65 for Dec. 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, $95 Dec. 24, 800-833-3308, 702739-4111, rate may increase if not reserved by 11/22, all rooms in chess block may sell out about 11/7. 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. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U1900 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign

WARNING! 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!

uschess.org

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. Blitz & Quick side events to be announced. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Dec. 27, District of Columbia Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 Eastern Open Warmup Tourney 4-Rd-SS. TC: G/45. $2,500 in Prizes based on 60 entries. 2 Sections – Open Section: $400-200-100, U2200 $200-100, U2000: $200-100. Under 1800 Section: $400-200-100, U1500 $200-100, U1200 $200. On-Site Reg:Tues 12/27: 9-10:15am. Rds.: 12/27: 10:30, 1pm, 2:45, 4:30. Entries: $50 if postmarked by 12/19. Entries $65 at site! $10 service charge for refunds. Make checks or money orders payable to: Eastern Open. Mail entries to Tom Beckman, PO Box 42225, Washington, DC 20015-2225. See Eastern Open TLA this issue or easternopenchess.com for details. A Heritage Event! Dec. 27-29 or 28-29, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced) 30th annual Empire City Open 6SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-3 G/50). New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Ave at 34th St, across from Penn Station, New York 10001. $10,000 guaranteed prize fund. In 5 sections. Open: $1000-500-300-150, clear or tiebreak 1st $50, top 2200-2299 $500, top U2200/Unr $500. FIDE. Under 2100: $800-400-200-100, top U1900 $500. Under 1800: $800-400-200100, top U1600 $400. Under 1500: $700-400-200-100, top U1300 $300. Under 1200: $600-300-150-100, top U1000 $250. Unrated may not win over $200 in U1200, $300 U1500, or $500 U1800. EF: 3-day $98, 2-day $97 if check mailed by 12/18, $99 online at www.chesstour.com by 12/23, $105 phoned by 12/23 (406-896-2038, no questions), $120 at site. No mailed credit card entries. GMs free ($90 from prize). EF for Under 1000 or Unrated in U1200 or U1500 (NOTE CHANGE): $50 less. All: Reentry $50, not available in Open. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. 3-Day Schedule: Reg. ends Tue 10:30 am. Rds. Tue 11 & 6, Wed 11 & 6, Thu 10 & 4:30. 2-Day Schedule: Reg. ends Wed 9:30 am. Rds. Wed 10, 12:45, 3:15 & 6, Thu 10 & 4:30. Half point byes available all rounds, limit 2 byes, Open must commit before rd. 2, others before rd 4. HR: $229-229, 1-800-764-4680, 212-971-0101, reserve by 5 pm 12/13 or rate will increase, ask for Continental Chess Association rate. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845-569-9969. Advance entries posted at www.chesstour.com. Bring set, clock, board-none supplied. Chess Magnet School JGP. Dec. 27-30, District of Columbia Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 120 (enhanced) 38th Annual Eastern Open 7 round-SS. TC: 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds 1-3, G/60). Westin Washington DC City Center Hotel, 1400 M St. NW, Washington, DC. $16,500 prize fund! Over 60 prizes! Open section prizes guaranteed, others based on 200 entries. 4 Sections – Open Section: $2,000-1,250-650350, U2350 $500-250. FIDE Rated. Under 2200 Section: $1,000-750-500250, U2100 $500, U2000 $500. Under 1900 Section: $1,000-750-500-

250, U1800 $500, U1700 $500. Under 1600 Section: $1,000-500-250150, U1450 $250, U1300 $250, U1150 $250, U1000 $250. For UR prize limits, see Web site. Special Prizes! Winners selected from any section. Upset: For each rd: $50-25 & 2 book prizes. Max 2 prizes per player. Best Played Game: $250-125-75. Brilliancy: $100-75-50. Opening Innovation: $100-75-50. Selected winning games, positions, and openings must be annotated and will be submitted for publication in Chess Life. 4-Day Reg: Tues 12/27: 4-6:30pm. Rds.: 12/27: 7pm, 12/28-30: 10-5. Make Metro connections after evening rds. 3-day Reg: Wed 12/28: 3-5pm. Rds 1-3: Wed 12/28: 5:30pm, 7:45, 10:00. Byes available any rd but rds 47 must commit before rd 3 and are irrevocable. Limit 2 byes for class prizes. Free Lecture on 12/27 4-6pm. Warmup Tourney: 12/27, 10:306pm, see TLA this issue. Blitz Championship: 12/28 at 10:30pm, see TLA this issue. HR: Only $79!! To reserve, go to easternopenchess.com or call 888-627-9035 by 12/15. Entries: If postmarked by Dec 19: Open $125; U2200 $120; U1900 $110; U1600 $100; U1300/UR $85. Entries $25 more at site! Reentry $100 and limited to rounds 1-3. GMs: free entry, but $125 deducted from prize; IMs: $65 advance entry, but $60 deducted. $10 service charge for refunds. No credit cards. Make checks or money orders payable to: Eastern Open. Mail entries toTom Beckman, PO Box 42225, Washington, DC 20015-2225. For entry forms and info, easternopenchess.com or [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP. Dec. 28, District of Columbia Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 Eastern Open Blitz Championship (QC) 5-Rd Double Swiss. TC: G/5. In One Section: $1200 in prizes based on 40 entries. Open $350-250-100, U2200 $150; U1900 $150; U1600 $100; U1300 $100. EF: $35 if postmarked by 12/19. $45 at site, only cash entries. On-Site Reg: At any time during tournament and 12/28 until 10:15pm. Rds begin at 10:30pm promptly and successive rds posted as soon as ready. For late entry, one bye allowed for two-1/2 points. Higher of USCF and Quick used for pairings and prizes. See Eastern Open TLA this issue or easternopenchess.com for details. Dec. 29, Nevada Trophies Plus 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). $$G 2500. In 2 sections: Open: $400-200-150, top U2300/Unr $240-120, U2100 $220-110. Under 1900: $300-150-100, top U1700 $180-100, U1500 $150, U1300 $80. EF: $40, no checks, enter at site only. Quick-rated, but higher of regular or quick USCF rating used for pairings, prizes. Reg. ends 10:15 pm, rds. 10:45-11:30-12:15-12:45-1:15. Bye: 1. A Heritage Event! Dec. 31, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) Your Last Blunder Of 2011! Ring In The New Year With An Annual NY Tradition - Now In its 25th Year!! 5-SS, G/30. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 West 10 St., between 5-6 Ave, NYC: 845-569-9969. EF: $40, Club membs. $30, GMs free ($25 from prize). $$1,000 b/50 paid entries, minimum half each prize Gtd: $$ 300-200-100, top U2200/unr. $150, U2000 $130, U1800 $120. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 1:30. Re-entry $20. CCA ratings may be used. Reg. ends 15 min before game. Rds. 12-1:30-2:45-4-5:20 pm. Online entry at www.chesscenter.cc thru 12/29. Phone entry a Big Mistake! Dec. 31-Jan. 1, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 Chessaholics Anonymous New Year's Eve Insanity Championship!! 10-SS, G/30. Frankie Jay's Speakeasy Center of NY, 23 West 10 Street, between 5-6th Ave, "just 12 steps from the Street," NYC: 212-477-3716. EF: $40, Club membs. $30, $5 less to 12/31 "Last Blunder of 2011"

30th annual EMPIRE CITY OPEN Dec 27-29 or 28-29 at New Yorker Hotel 6 rounds, $10,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND! 8th Ave & 34th St, across from Penn Station. Choice of 3-day or 2-day schedule, Tuesday-Thursday or Wednesday-Thursday. NOTE CHANGE- ENTRY FEE $50 LESS FOR U1000. In 5 sections: Open Section: Prizes $1000-500-300-150, clear/tiebreak win $50 bonus, top 2200-2299 $500, U2200/Unr $500. FIDE rated, 60 GPP (enhanced). Under 2100 Section: $800-400-200-100, top U1900 $500. Under 1800 Section: $800-400-200-100, top U1600 $400. Under 1500 Section: $700-400-200-100, top U1300 $300. Under 1200 Section: $600-300-150-100, top U1000 $250. Unrated limit $200 in U1200, $300 in U1500, or $500 in U1800. FULL DETAILS: see “Grand Prix” in this issue or chesstour.com.


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Tournament Life entries, free to player rejoining USCF after longest membership lapse (minimum 1 year). Top 5 prizes guaranteed, others b/60 paid entries: $$199-101-48-1-1, top rated 1960-2189, 1776-1958, 1492-1775, Under 1492 each $102. Bonus Prizes: $29 to best score with 1. g4 or 1...g5! $50 to best combined score in 12/31 Last Blunder + Insanity (15 games), $60 to best combined score in both events rated Under 1960 (limit of 4 byes total in both events may count towards bonus prizes). Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes: Best male/female duo combined score (must declare by 9 pm): $100-99, $1.99 to TD with stupidest question. Reentry $13.95, counts 0.454-entry. Limit 4 byes in rds. 1-7. Reg. ends 19 min. before game. Rds. 8:01-9:19-10:29 pm-12:09-1:23-2:34-3:45-4:56-6:167:34 am. Phone entry ridiculous. Proper attire appreciated. Dec. 31-Jan. 1, Texas Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) DCC Insanity 10-double SS (Play white and black against each opponent). G/30. Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottownwood Dr., #C, Richardson, TX 75080. EF: $49 ($34 Jr/Sr/Hcap), plus $5 non-DCC membership fee. House players welcome for $1 per game. Reg.: 11:45-12:10 pm. Round 1 at 12:30 pm rest ASAP with hour breaks at around 6:30 pm, 12:30 am and 7:30 am. 4 (double) rounds of 1/2 point Byes allowed. Byes for rounds 9 and 10 must be requested before round 6. $$ 350 GTD, $200-$100-$50, class prizes based on entries. Ent: Dallas Chess Club, see address above. Info: 214-632-9000, [email protected], www.dallaschess.com. NS. NC. Dec. 31-Jan. 2 or Jan. 1-2, California, Northern Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 50 (enhanced) New Year Open 6SS, 30/90 sd/60 (2-day rds 1-3 G/60 merge in rd 4). Hyatt Regency, 5101 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara, CA. Hotel $79! free parking. $6,000 b/97 (80% guar). 3 sects. Open (2000+ FIDE rated): $Gtd 1000-500-200, top u2300 200-100, top u2100 100-100. 1500-1999: 700-300-100, top u1800 400-200, top u1600 200-100. Under 1500: 700-300-100, top u1300 300-200, top u1100 100. Unr max $200 except in Open. EF: $99 3-day, $98 2-day mail by 12/27, online by 12/28, Onsite +$25, Play-up +$20. Re-entry $40. EF Econ Opt: EF-20 & 2/3 of calc prize (not avail in Open). GMs/IMs free: prize-EF. Dec 2011 Supp, CCA min & TD discr to place players. Sched: 3-day Reg Sat 10-11, Rds Sa/Su 11:30-5:30, Mo 10 3:30; 2-day Reg Su 9-9:30, Rds Su 10-12:30-2:50-5:30, Mo 10-3:30. Max two 1/2-pt byes & commit bef rd 3. Ent: BayAreaChess, 1590 Oakland Rd., Ste B213, San Jose, CA 95131. Rfnd fee $20. T:408-786-5515. E: [email protected], Info/Form: BayAreaChess.com/ny12. NS, NC, W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 6-8, Maryland Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 30 2012 Chesapeake Open 5SS, 40/100, SD/45 inc/30, (Rnd 1 G/90 inc/30) (2-day schedule: rds 12 G/45 inc/30) U1400 & U1100 G/120 d/5(2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60 d/5). Rockville Hilton, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. $$Based on score. 6 sections: (correction) Championship (min. rating of 1800) FIDE rated: 5.0=$1500, 4.5=$700, 4.0=$350, 3.5=$150 [min $1500 total payout, top score group raised if less than $1500] top Expert=$145. U2000 & U1800: 5.0=$1200, 4.5=$600, 4.0=$300, 3.5=$100. U1600: 5.0=$1000, 4.5=$500, 4.0=$250, 3.5=$100. U1400 & U1100: 5.0= $500, 4.5=$250, 4.0=$125, 3.5=$50. Unrated may not win over $100 in U1100, $200 U1400, or $300 U1600. Sets and board provided. Clocks provided in the (correction) Championship section. Optionally, pairings can be texted to your phone. Free Sunday morning continental breakfast for players. Free parking for day guests. EF: $90 by 12/21, $100 by 1/3, and $105 online only by 1/5, $110 at the door. Special EFs: $35 less for U1400 & U1100, GMs free, $50 deducted from prize, IMs $45 off entrance fee, $20 deducted from prize. HR: $75, limited number of free rooms Sat. night for GMs. Room rate not avail after 12/30. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 7pm, rds Fri 8, Sat 11&6, Sun 9&3. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10am rds11, 2:15&6, Sun 9&3. 3-day

schedule for U1400 & U1100: Reg. ends Fri 7 pm, rds Fri 8, Sat 11&3:30, Sun 9&1:00. 2-day schedule for 1400 & U1100: Reg. ends Sat 10am rds 11, 1:15 & 3:30, Sun 9&1:00. Ent: Michael Regan, 1827 Thornton Ridge Rd, Towson, MD 21204. Detailed rules, more information and registration at http://thechesapeakeopen.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 6-8 or 7-8, Texas Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 2nd annual Austin Chess Club Championship 5SS, G/90+60sec increment (2-day option, Rd.1 G/90+5sec delay). Bridge Center of Austin, 6700 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin,TX 78752.Total entries limited to first 130 registrants due to limited playing space. Prize Fund: $3,350 unconditionally guaranteed! In 3 sections: Championship (1800+), Reserve (1500-1799), and Booster (U1500). May play up one section. EF: $45 in the top 2 sections, $35 for Booster players if postmarked or online by 12/15, $15 more thereafter/site. Online Registration preferred. No Credit Cards onsite. PRIZES: Championship: $600-300-200, U2200 $250-100, U2000 $200-100.Top ACC member is the Austin Chess Club Champion! Reserve: $400-250-150, U1600 $100. Booster: $250-150-100, U1300 $100, U1100 $100. Unrateds placed at TD's discretion, may only win place prizes. 3-day Schedule: Onsite Registration Friday 01/06 6-7pm, Rounds: 01/06 7:30pm, 01/07 1pm, 7pm, 01/08 9:30am, 3:30pm. 2-day Schedule: Onsite Registration Saturday 01/07 8-8:40am, Rounds: 2-day Rd. 1 01/07 9am, then merges with 3-day. One 1/2 pt. bye if requested before the end of Rd. 2. ENT: online at www.austinchessclub.com. Mail entries to AustinChessTournaments.com, P.O. Box 1386, Round Rock, TX 78680. INFO: Lori Balkum [email protected], tel: 512-417-9008, www.AustinChessClub.com. NS. NC. W. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! Jan. 7-8, Illinois Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 Tim Just's Winter Open/Reserve XXVIII Chicagoland's longest continuously run chess tournament organized by the same organizer for the past 27 years! 5SS, G/90 inc 30. DoubleTree Hotel, 1909 Spring Rd., Oakbrook, IL 60523, (630) 472-6020, (630) 472-6000, $85 room rate for a limited time. $$ ($4,175 b/125 pd players, Guaranteed $$$ increased to maximum as attendance increases!). 2 Sections Only: Open Section: open to all and FIDE rated (USCF ratings & rules used). Open Prizes: $$ 700-300-200; U2200, 300-150; U2000 $300-125; Unr. can win top three only. Reserve Section: open to U1800. Reserve Prizes: $700-300-200; U1600, $225-150; U1400. $200100; U1200, 150-75, Unr. qualify for top prizes only. Both EF: $64 (add $10 if playing up from Reserve into Open section) with name, id, email/phone, to current/renewing USCF if rec'd by 1/4/12; Both $80 at site 8-8:30 AM; $85 at site 8:30-8:45 AM; $10 to play up from Reserve to Open section. Rds: 9-1:30-6; 10-2:30. Re-Entry $40 with 1/2 pt Bye round 1, Byes Rnds 1-4, unretractable rnd 5 at Registration, Ent:Tim Just, 37165 Willow, Gurnee, IL 60031 Info only 847-773-7706 before 6 PM. email for info only (sorry, e-mail entries not available): timjust@chessfor life.com, Checks payable to Chess For Life, LLC, info and PayPal early entries until 6 PM 1-6-12: http://chessforlife.com NS, NC, W. Scheduled Book Dealer: Checkmate Chess Supply: North American Chess Association will supply clocks-sets-boards! An Illinois Chess Association ICA TOUR tournament. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 7-8 or 8, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) Marshall January Grand Prix! 4-SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 4773716. EF: $50, members $30. $$625 Gtd: 275-150, U2200/unr. $105, U2000 $95. Reg. ends 15 min. before round. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, Rds. 12:30-5:30PM each day; 1-day, (Rds. 1-2 G/25d5) 10-11:15AM-12:305:30PM Sun; both merge rd. 3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO REENTRY. FIDE (G/30 not FIDE ratable). www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.

38th annual Eastern Open

38th at annual Eastern Open December 27-30 Washington Westin Hotel

December 27-30 at Washington Westin Hotel $16,500 prize over 60prizes prizes awarded $16,500fund; prize fund; over 60 awarded 7-Round Swiss in 4 Sections: Open Section prizes guaranteed. Remaining prizes based on 200 entries. Open Section: $2,000-1,250-650-350 U2350: $500-250 FIDE Rated Under 2200 Section: $1,000-750-500-250 U2100: $500 U2000: $500 Under 1900 Section: $1,000-750-500-250 U1800: $500 U1700: $500 Under 1600 Section: $1,000-500-250-150 U1450: $250 U1300: $250 U1150: $250 U1000: $250 Special Prizes: Upset, Best Played Game, Brilliancy, and Best Opening Innovation. $1,600 in prizes. 4- & 3-day Schedules Time Control: 4-day schedule = 40/2, SD/1. 3-day option = G/60 for rds 1-3. Warmup Tourney: 12/27, 4 rds, $2,500, Open/U1800 sections. Blitz Championship: 12/28, $1,200. For Full Details: See Grand Prix section of TLA in this issue or easternopenchess.com.

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Jan. 9, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 65th Nassau Action 4-SS, G/25+5 or G/30. 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st & Main Sts., Mineola. EF: $31 by 1/3, $38 at site, non-memb + $5. $$ (540 b/20, top 2 G) 200-100, U2100, 1850, 1600, 1350/UR each 60. 2 byes 1-4. Rds.: 7:158:20-9:25-10:30. Ent: Harold Stenzel, 80 Amy Drive, Sayville, NY 11782. [email protected]. Jan. 13-15 or 14-15, Florida Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 Central Florida Class Championships 5SS, G/120 (2-day: Rd.1 G/60). DoubleTree Hilton Orlando Downtown, 60 South Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando, FL 32804. $$7,000/b130, 70% Guaranteed. 6 Sections: Mast/Exp: $1000-400-200, U2200 $250. Class A: $600-300, U1900 $150. Class B: $600-300, U1700 $150. Class C: $600300, U1500 $150. Class D: $600-300, U1300 $150. U1200: $500-300, U1000 $100, U800 $50. Rated players may play up one class only. Unrateds limited to $70 unless Place prize in Mast/Exp. EF: 3-day $75, 2-day $74 by Jan 2, both $80 later and on-site. Re-entry $40. $15 less to students in grades K-8 in U1200 section. CFCC memb discount: $10 ($5 for Jr/Sr memb). Trophies to top in each section (& Class X) also Class F, G, H, I, J & Unr in U1200 having more than one entry.Trophies and titles limited to Florida residents. Reg.: ends 1/2 hr before 1st rd. Rd.1: 8pm Fri (2-day: 10am Sat at G/60). Rds.: 2-5: Sat 1 & 6, Sun 9 & 2. 1/2 pt. byes if req'd before rd. 2 (max 2). HR: $89 (No Resort Fee) (407) 425-4455; (Mention "Chess"); or at http://tinyurl.com/Jan2012Hotel. (24-hr Cancellation or Checkout penalty.) Reserve by Dec 23. Hot Breakfast Buffet at $5/person/day with room at checkin. Complimentary parking, Fitness Center, and Internet with sleeping rooms. Other covered Day parking available at $5 per day. Ent: CFCC, c/o Harvey Lerman, 921 N. Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751; or online: 2012CFclass.eventbrite.com by Jan 11. Info: 407-629-6946 or www.centralflchess.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 13-15, Missouri Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 Waldo Odak Memorial This will be a three-day chess event to celebrate the life of Waldo Odak and to benefit ALS research. 100% of the entries will be donated to ALS research. Schedule: Friday, 1/13/2012. Blitz Tournament featuring GM Ben Finegold. 5/SS, G/5. $200 Unconditionally Guaranteed!! Blitz Entry--$15 by 1/12, $20 donation at the door. Reg.: 6:00-6:45 PM. Round 1: 7 PM. 1st Place-$60, 2nd Place $50, 3rd Place--$35. Top U2000--$30. Top U1700--$25. Grand Master Simul with Ben Finegold. Simul Entry: $15 by 1/12, $20 donation at door. Reg.: 6:00-7:45 PM. Simul starts at 8 PM. Prizes: Any player that wins or draws will receive a free 1-hour lesson with GM Finegold and have their game featured on our website. Saturday, 1/14 - Sunday 1/15 Chess Tournament Entry Fee: $40 by 1/13 for annual members, $50 donation at door. 100% of the entries will be donated to ALS research. $2,000 UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED!! 5/SS, G/85.Two Sections: Open & U1800. Open: 1st-3rd: $250-$175-$100. Expert: $200-$150. Class A: $150-$75. U1800 Section: 1st-2nd: $200-$100. Class C: $125-$75. Class D: $125-$75. U1200/UNR: $125-$75. Registration: 10:00-10:45 Round Times: Saturday: 11, 2:30, 6. Sunday: 11, 2:30. Two 1/2 point byes available if declared before round 2. MCA Membership required from $5. OSA. Info: 314-361-CHESS. info@saintlouischess club.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, California, Northern Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 120 (enhanced) 3rd annual Golden State Open 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75, 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/40). No 2-day Open Section. 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, many restaurants within walking distance. Prizes $30,000 based on 290 paid entries (re-entries & $70 off entries count as half entries), minimum guarantee $21,000 (70% of each prize). In 5 sections. Open, open to all. $2000-1200-800-700-600500, clear or tiebreak winner $100, top U2300/Unr $1000-500, top U2200/Unr $800-400. FIDE. Under 2100: $1500-1000-800-600-500400, top U1900 $800-400. Under 1800: $1500-1000-800-600-500-400, top U1600 $800-400. Under 1500: $1200-800-600-500-400-400, top U1300 $700-400. Under 1200: $1200-800-600-500-400-400, top U1000 $500. Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) may enter any section, with maximum prize U1200 $300, U1500 $500, U1800 $700, EF: 4-day $129, 3-day $128, 2-day $127 mailed by 1/5, all $130 online at chesstour.com by 1/10, $135 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/10 (entry only, no questions), $150 at site. GMs free; $100 deducted from prize. EF $70 less to Under 1000 or Unrated in U1200 or U1500 section, (NOTE CHANGE). All: Special 1 yr USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Reentry (except Open) $60. Mailed EF $5 less to CalChess members. 4-day schedule: Late reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: Late reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule: Late reg. ends Sun 9:30 am, rds Sun 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 3:45 pm & 6 pm, Mon 10 am & 4:30 pm. No 2-day Open Section. Byes: OK all, limit 3, limit 2 in last 4 rounds; Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Foreign player ratings: See chesstour.com. HR: $99-99-109, 925-827-2000, reserve by 12/30 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Questions: chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845-4969658. Ent: Continental Chess, c/o Goichberg, Box 661776, Arcadia, CA 91066. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! Jan. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, Pennsylvania Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced) 44th annual Liberty Bell Open 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3 day option, rds 1-2 G/70; 2 day, rds 1-4 G/35). No 5 minute deduction for delay clocks. U900 Section plays 1/15-16only, G/35, no 5 minute deduction. Sheraton City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts.,

uschess.org


Philadelphia 19103. $$20,000 b/320 paid entries (U900 Section or unrated count as 1/3, U1100 & U1300 2/3, GMs 1/2), else in proportion, except minimum 70% of each prize guaranteed. In 2006 to 2011, the tournament had over 320 paid entries each year and the $20,000 projected prize fund was increased in proportion. In 9 sections. Open: $17001000-500-300-200, 1st clear or on tiebreak $100 bonus, top Under 2400 $800. FIDE. Under 2300: $1000-600-400-300-200. FIDE. Under 2100: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1900: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1700: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1500: $900-500-400-300-200. Under 1300: $600-300-200-150-100. Under 1100: $600-300-200-150100. Under 900: $200-100-60-40, trophies to top 10. Unrated may enter any section, but may not win over $100 in U900, $200 in U1100, $300 U1300, $500 U1500, or $700 U1700. Top 6 sections EF: 4 day $99, 3 day $98, 2 day $97 if check mailed by 1/5, all $100 online at chesstour.com by 1/9, $105 phoned by 1/9 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) atsite. GMs free, $80 deducted from prize. U1300, U1100 Sections EF: All $30 less than top 6 sections. EF for U900, or unrated in U1100 or U1300: $32 mailed by 1/5, $33 online by 1/9, $35 phoned by 1/9, $40 at site. All: Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. No mailed credit card entries. Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $15. Mailed entry $3 less to PSCF members. Re entry (except Open Section) $80. 4-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 &4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10, 12, 2, 4 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends Sun. 9 am, rds Sun 10, 12, 2 & 4, Mon 10, 12 & 2. Bye: all, limit 3, Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. HR: $99-99-99-99, 215-448-2000, reserve by 12/30 or rate may increase. Parking: $10/day chess rate with guest room at Sheraton, $20/day chess rate without guest room, parking lot 1 block from hotel may be much less than $20. 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. Chess Magnet School JGP (except Under 900). A State Championship Event! Jan. 14-15, Michigan Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 2012 Michigan Master/Expert & Class Championships 5-SS. Radisson Hotel Lansing, 111 N. Grand Ave., (517) 482-0188. HR: $98+tax by 1/2/12, after if space available. www.radisson.com/lansingmi - Code: CHESS12. 7 Sections: M/X, A, B, C, D, E (U1200), Novice (U1000/Unr). Most recent USCF rating supplement used for ratings. Players must play in class of their rating. Unrated players must play in Novice sect. Players may request to play up in class (or unrated players may request being seeded into a class) if their recent tournament history shows achievement into that class.TD must approve all requests and will assign a rating to the player within the rating window of that class. EF: M/X, A, B, C: $40 (U18 $10 off); D, E: $30 (U18 $10 off); Novice: $20 (U18 $5 off). Free entry to GM, IM, FM, & 2200+, advanced entry fee deducted from prize. Advance entries must be received by 1/13/12. Email entries OK, but must pay by end of on-site registration. ALL on-site entries $10 more. Make checks payable to MCA. MCA memb req'd for Michigan residents, other states OK. Reg.: Sat, 8-9am. Rds.: Sat 10am2:30pm-7pm, G/120; Sun 10am-3:30pm, G/150. $$Gtd: $2555; M/X: $280-$180, X: $210 U2100: $110; Class A, B, C: $175-$115; U1900/U1700/U1500: $95; Class D, E: 1st $145 2nd $95; U1300/U1100: $70; Novice:Trophies toTop 3 Overall,Top U900,Top U800,Top U700,Top Unr. Top Michigan finisher each class: State Championship title. Trophies for all place-winners. Ent & Info: Jeff Aldrich, 7453 Whippoorwill Ln., Davison, MI 48423; [email protected]; (810) 955-7271. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 14-15, New Hampshire Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 (enhanced) Portsmouth Open Holiday Inn Portsmouth, 300 Woodbury Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801. In 2 Sections, Open: 4SS, 40/90, SD/30 + 30 Sec. Increment, Analog clocks play 40/90, SD/60, FIDE rated. $$GTD: $500-250. U2250 $150, U2000 $150. U1750: 4SS, 40/90, SD/30 + 30 Sec. Increment, Analog clocks play 40/90, SD/60, Open to 1749 & under. $$GTD: $400-200. U1500 $100, U1250 $100. ALL: EF: $50 in advance, $55 at site. Reg.: 9:00-9:45. Advance entries must be postmarked by 1/07/2012. Rds.: 10-4, 10-4. Accelerated pairings may be used. ENT: Alex Relyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. INFO: Alex Relyea, [email protected]. HR: $79 by 13 December, Mention Relyea Chess, (603) 431-8000. www.relyea chess.com. NS. W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 14-15, Tennessee Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 Tennessee Winter Open 5SS, G/120. Henry Horton State Park, Chapel Hill,TN. $$Gtd. $2000 Prize fund. Sections: Kings (Open) $325-225-125 1st 2000-2199 $125 Top U2000 $100, Queens (U1800) $225-125-75T1500-1599 $100 Top U1500 $75, Rooks (U1400) $150-100-75T1000-1199 $75Top U1000 $50Top UNR $50, Pawns (U1000)Trophies top 5Top 600-799Top U600. Adult UNR must play in Rooks* or Open section. EF: $50 by 01/07 ($60 at site), UNR $25 ($35) *(UNR eligible for UNR prize in Rooks only), Pawns $15 ($25), youth and school members for trophy only $25 ($35) IM and GM Free entry ($50 taken from prize of 150 or more). On site reg. Sat 8:30-10:00 CST. USCF andTCA Dues req. OSA. Rds.: Sat. 11:00, 3:30, 8:00, Sun. 9:00, 1:30. Hotel: Henry Horton State Resort Lodge $65 rate. Info: Enter on-line at TNCHESS.ORG or mail to: Chris Prosser, 733 Long Hunter Ct., Nashville, TN 37217 or [email protected]. 615-399-8432. NS, NC, W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 14-16 or 15-16, California, Southern Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 50 (enhanced) Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial 6SS, 40/2 SD/1 (2-day rds 1-3 G/60 merge in rd 4). Hyatt Regency,

uschess.org

17900 Jamboree Rd., Irvine, CA 92614. HR $99. $10,000 b/197, 50% guaranteed. 3 sects. Open (2000+ FIDE rated): 2000-1000-500-200, top U2300 300-100, top U2100 200-100. 1500-1999: 1000-500-300-100100, top U1800 400-200, top U1600 200-100. U1500: 1000-500-200-100, top U1300 400-200, top U1100 200-100. Unr max $200 except in Open. EF: $85 3-day, $84 2-day by 1/10, onsite +$10, Playup +$10. r/e $30. EF Econ Opt: $69 & 2/3 of calc prize (not avail in Open). SCCF membership ($18, $10 jrs) required for rated Southern Californians. GMs/IMs free: prize-EF. Jan 2012 Supp, CCA min & TD discretion to place players. Sched: 3-day Reg Sat 10-10:30, Rds Sat/Sun 11:15 6, Mon 10 4:40; 2day Reg. Sun 9-9:30, Rds. Sun 10-12:30-3-6, Mon 10-4:40. Max two 1/2-pt byes w/ adv notice. Rfnd fee $20. Ent: SCCF, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Info, online entry: www.scchess.com. NS, NC, W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 17, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced) Marshall Masters! 4-SS, G/25d5. Third Tuesday of every month. Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring over 50% in any MCC Open or U2300 tournament since the prior month's Masters). EF: $40, members $30, GMs free. $$G250-150-100. Prizes to U2400, U2300 and biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45 pm. Rds.: 78:15-9:30-10:45. One bye available (Rd 1 or 4 only), request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. Jan. 19, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight! 4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 West 10 St., bet. 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may be limited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105, U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:3010:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! Jan. 27-29 or 28-29, California, Northern Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) Bay Area Chess Winter Open 6SS, G/90 (2day rds 1-2 G/40). 1590 Oakland Rd., Ste B213, SanJose. Park free. Prize $2,400 b/55. 3 secs. 1900+: $300-200-100 u2100:10080. 1500-1899: $300-200-70 u1700:100-70-70. U1500: $300-200-70 u1300:100-70-70. Unr max $100 exc Open. EF: $67 (2day $66) by 1/25, Onsite +15 Playup +20 R/E 33 EconOpt: EF-20, 1/2 of calc prize. GMs/IMs free: prize-EF. Jan '12 Supp, CCA min & TD discr used. Sched: Reg Fr 6-6:30p, Rds Fr 7, Sa 9 12:15 3:30, Su 9 12:15 (2day Reg Sa 88:30am Rds Sa 9 10:35 merge in rd 3). Max two 1/2-pt byes bef rd 3. Info: BayAreaChess.com/winter12. E: [email protected], NS, NC, W. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! Jan. 27-29, North Carolina Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced) Land of the Sky XXV 5SS, 40/2, SD/30 (U12 G/90). Crowne Plaza Resort, One Resort Dr., Asheville, NC 28806. Weekend before Super Bowl. In 4 Sections. $$20,000 b/320, $11,000 gtd. Open (FIDE-rated, 2/3 gtd): $2400-1200-600-500400. U2300 $600-300. Asheville (U2200): $1600-800-400. 1999-1900, 1899-1800, U1800 $600-300 each; Unr: $75. Buncombe (U1700): $1600800-400. 1599-1500, 1499-1400, 1399-1300, U1300 $600-300 each; Unr: $75. U12 (U1200): $800-400-200. U1000: $300-150 Unr: $75. Upset: $25. EF (Open, Asheville, Buncombe): $84 by 1/20. EF (U12): $42 by 1/20.

Discounts (pre-reg or on-site, one per player): $10 off for players new to Land of the Sky, 2nd family member, or under age 18. All Sections: "No-prize" EF for under age 18 or Unrated EF in Asheville, Buncombe, U12: $21 (no discounts, unr elig for unr prizes only). All on-site entries $10 more. Rds.: 1st rd either Fri 7pm or Sat 9am (G/90), then Sat 1pm-7pm, Sun 9am-3pm. ENT: WW, PO Box 1123, Weaverville, NC 28787. INFO: Wilder Wadford, [email protected] 828-645-4215. HR: $89 for up to four occupants. 828-254-3211 or 800-733-3211. More details and special events like chess360, blitz, lectures, and simuls at www.nc chess.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! Jan. 27-29 or 28-29, Ohio Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced) 35th Cardinal Open Holiday Inn Downtown Columbus (newly renovated), 175 E Town St., Columbus, OH 43215, reservations 800-HOLIDAY, direct 614-221-3281, www.holidayinn.com/cmh-cityctr. $89/night chess rate thru Jan 2, code FKC. 5-SS, 40/120, SD/60 d/5 (2-day rds 1&2 G/75 d/5). Sets provided, bring clocks. Max 2 byes rds 1-4 or 1 in rd 5. $8,200 in 5 sections, 1st 4 prizes guaranteed, rest b/150 paid entries (154 entries last year), re-entries & U1300 students = 1/2. Prizes added if more than 150. Open (FIDE) $1200-800-500-250, all gtd; U2206 $600-300-200; U2100 $700400-200; U1800 $700-400-200; U1500 $500-250-150, U1300 $300-200-100. Upset $50 each section. Unrated prize limit $150 except in Open. EF: $85 if recd by 1/23, then $95; students in U1300 $25 less; re-entry $30; no credit cards. Free to IM/GM, $75 deducted from winnings (waived if 150 paid entries). OCA membership reqd of OH residents. 3-day Schedule: Reg. Fri 5-6:30pm, Rds. 7pm; Sat 11-5:30; Sun 9:304. 2-day: Reg. Sat 9-10:30, Rds. 11-2 then merge w/ 3-day. Blitz tourney Sat night. Enter: FOTK Chess Club, 2720 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH 43219. Full details & entry form: www.neilley.com/chess or [email protected], 614-314-1102. NS, W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 28-29, Florida Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 Central Florida Chess Club Championship 5SS, G/120. Wirz Park, 806 Mark David Blvd., Casselberry, FL 32707. EF: $40. CFCC mem req at $20($10 Jr/Sr). $$GTD 450: 150-90-60, U1800, U1600, U1400 each 50, plaques (if mem as of Dec 28) to Club Champion, U1800, U1600, U1400, & top under age 16. Reg.: Sat 9:30am. Rds.: 102:30-7, 9-2. CFCC elections 1pm Sun. Ent: CFCC, 921 N. Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751. Info: (407) 629-6946 or www.centralflchess.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! Feb. 4, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) 25th Annual Super Saturday In New York! 6-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center at the New Yorker Hotel, 481 8th Ave at 34th St., across from Penn Station, NYC: 845-569-9969. EF: $40, $35 online at www.chesscenter.cc thru 2/2, GMs free ($25 from prize), free to specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners! $$1,000 b/50 paid entries, minimum half each prize Gtd: $$ 300-200-100, top U2200/unr. $150, U2000 $130, U1800 $120. Limit 3 byes (2 byes if U2000), commit by 1:30. Re-entry $20. CCA ratings may be used. Reg. ends 15 min before game. Rds.: 12-1:30-2:45-4-5:15-6:30 pm. Bring sets, clocks! Feb. 4-5, Maine Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 (enhanced) SACO OPEN Hampton Inn Saco/Biddeford, 48 Industrial Park Rd., Saco, ME 04072. Accelerated pairings may be used. In 2 Sections, Open: 4SS, 40/90, SD/30 + 30 Sec. Increment, Analog clocks play 40/90, SD/60, FIDE rated.

CONTINENTAL AMATEUR in BOSTON Jan 6-8 or 7-8, Hyatt Harborside Hotel- $79 rooms!

$10,000 PROJECTED PRIZES for UNDER 2250 Luxurious hotel at Boston’s Logan Airport (free shuttle), dramatic view of Boston harbor and downtown, soundproof guestrooms, adjacent to Water Taxi (7 minutes to downtown). FREE PARKING and GREATLY REDUCED ROOM RATES of $79! 5 rounds, prizes $10,000 based on 200 paid entries. Group 1, open to 1900-2249. $1000-500-300-200, top U2100 $400-200. Group 2, open to 1600-1949. $1000-500-300-200, top U1800 $400-200. Group 3, open to 1200-1649 or unrated. $1000-500-200-100, top U1500 $400-200. No unrated may win over $500. Group 4, open to under 1350 or unrated. $600-300-200-100, top U1200 $300-150. No unrated may win over $300. Group 5, open under 1050 or unrated. $300-150-100, trophy to first 5, top U900, U700, U500, Unrated. No unrated may win over $100. FULL DETAILS: see “Massachusetts” this issue or chesstour.com.


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Tournament Life $$GTD: $500-250. U2250 $150, U2000 $150. U1750: 4SS, 40/90, SD/30 + 30 Sec. Increment, Analog clocks play 40/90, SD/60, Open to 1749 & under. $$GTD: $400-200. U1500 $100, U1250 $100. ALL: EF: $50 in advance, $55 at site. Reg.: 9:00-9:45. Advance entries must be postmarked by 1/28/2012. Rds.: 10-4, 10-4. One half point bye available rounds 1-3. Must be requested before round 1. ENT: Alex Relyea, 49Technology Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. INFO: Alex Relyea, relyea@opera mail.com. HR: $84 Mention Relyea Chess (207) 282-7222. www.relyeachess.com. NS. W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Feb. 10-12 or 11-12, Maryland Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 2012 Baltimore Open 5SS, 40/100, SD/45 inc/30 (Rnd 1 G/90 inc/30) (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/45 inc/30) U1300 G/120 d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60 d/5). DoubleTree BWI, 890 Elkridge Landing Rd., Linthicum, MD 21090. 3 sections (all prizes guaranteed): Open (FIDE rated) $600-400-200, top U2100 $150, top U1950 $125. Under 1800 $500-250-150, top U1600 $125, top U1450 $100. Under 1300 $400-200-125, top U1100 $75, top U900 $50, top unrated $50. Unrated may not win over $200 in U1300 or $300 in U1800. Sets and board provided. Clocks provided in the Open section. Optionally, pairings can be texted to your phone. EF: $55 by 1/27 mail or online, $65 by 2/7 online, and $70 online or at the door (cash or CC). Special EFs: GM&IMs free; $50 deducted from prize. HR: $92, ($15 EF discount if staying in hotel room block) may not be avail after 1/20, Limited number of free Sat. night rooms for GMs registering early. Open & U1800 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 7 pm, rds Fri 8, Sat 11&6, Sun 9&3. Open & U1800 2-day schedule: reg ends Sat 10am rds 11-2:156, 9-3. U1300 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 7 pm, rds Fri 8, Sat 11&3:30, Sun 9&1:00. U1300 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10am rds 11, 1:15 & 3:30, Sun 9&1:00. Ent: MCA, c/o Michael Regan, 1827 Thornton Ridge Rd., Towson, MD 21204. Detailed rules, more information, link for hotel reservation, & online entry at http://thebaltopen.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Feb. 11-12 or 12, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) Marshall February Grand Prix! 4-SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 4773716. EF: $50, members $30. $$625 Gtd: 275-150, U2200/unr. $105, U2000 $95. Reg. ends 15 min. before round. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, Rds. 12:30-5:30PM each day; 1-day, (Rds. 1-2 G/25d5) 10-11:15AM-12:305:30PM Sun; both merge rd. 3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. FIDE (G/30 not FIDE ratable). www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, New Mexico Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced) Southern Rocky Fide Open 5SS, G/90+30s inc. University of New Mexico - Student Union Building. Albuquerque, NM 87131. USCF Membership required - available onsite. Prizes: $5,275 Guaranteed, $6,000 projected in 6 sections. Open

(FIDE Rated): (G/$) $1,500-800-500, U2400 $200, U2200 $200-100, U2000 $200-100. Reserve (U1800): (G/$) $600-300-200, U1600 $15075. Booster (U1400): $$350, (B/35) $200-100, U1200 $75, U1000 $75. Unrated: (B/20) $150+Trophy-100-75. 1-Day Scholastics Sat. & Sunday (K-9, U1200). Trophies 1st-5th, 1st K-6, K-3, & 1st 2-day score. EF (if by 1/23): Open $79, Res. $49, Booster $35, Unr. $25. $10 late fee after 1/23, $20 after 2/16 or at site. Free Entry for GM/IM/WGM. Scholastic $15/Day - $25/Both days. 3-Day Schedule: Fri. (Reg: 5-5:30PM) Rds at 6PM; Sat. 10AM, 6PM. Sun. 9AM, 2PM. 2-Day: Sat. (Reg: 8:30-9AM) Rds at 9:30AM, 1:30PM, 6PM. Sun. 9AM, 2PM. 2-Day Rds 1-2, G/90 and merges into 3-Day G/90+30s at rd. 3. Scholastic: Rounds: 9:30, 10:45, 1, 2:30, 4:00 each day. All games G/30. Up to 2 half point byes upon req. before rd 1 in all sections. NS NC W. ENT: Wired Kings CC; 12004 Prospect Ave NE; Albuquerque, NM 87112. HR: $71 505-944-2599 Hilton Homewood Suites – ABQ Airport, available until 2/1/12 or room block full. GM Khachiyan and GM Yermolinsky Simuls and Lectures - Thu. and Fri. at 3:30p and 6:30p. Thursday events at rec'd hotel. Online Entry & add'l info: www.SouthernRockyOpen.com, [email protected], 505-550-4654. U.S. G/15 Championship held after SRFO on Sunday 2/27, – See National Events. Chess Magnet School JGP. Feb. 24-26, Iowa Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 Quad Cities Chess Championship at The Lodge 5SS, 30/60, SD/60.The Lodge, 900 Spruce Hills Dr., Bettendorf, IA 52722. Iowa Qualifier $$500 gtd. $150-100-50, U1600, U1400, U1200, U1000 $50 each. EF: $20 by Feb 22 ($5 more if on-site). Rds.: 1st rd either Fri 8pm or Sat 9am, then Sat 2:30pm-8pm, Sun 9am-2:30pm. Info: Kevin Hyde, [email protected], 828-674-6073. HR: $89 www.lodgehotel.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Feb. 24-26 or 25-26, Tennessee Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6 Greater Memphis Open 2 6SS, G/120 (Open & U1600). Site: Greater Memphis Chess Center, 5796 Shelby Oaks Drive, Suite 11, Memphis,TN 38134. Round times: Fri 7pm, Sat 9-2-7, Sun 9-2. Optional 2 day with round 1 and 2 as G/60 911:30 and merge. EF: $45 before 2-20-12, $55 after and onsite. GMCC and MCC members $40 anytime. USCF Youth and Scholastic Players may enter either Section to compete for no prize money for $25 anytime. Reentry after round one: $25. Guaranteed Prize Fund: Open: 1st $250, 2nd 125, 3rd 75,Top U1600: 1st 125, 2nd 75, 3rd 50. Special U1000 Scholastic section. 4 round G/1. Entry fee: $15. Round times: Sat 9-11:30, 2, 4:30. Trophies to top 10. Onsite Registration: Friday 2/24: 5pm-6:30pm, Saturday 2/25: 7am-8:30am. Tournament Director: Gary M. Pylant, [email protected], 901-359-8616. memphischess.com. Chess Magnet School JGP for Open & U1600 Sections. Feb. 26, New Mexico Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced) 2012 U.S. G/15 Championship (QC) See Nationals.

Mar. 2-4 or 3-4, Massachusetts Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced) 21st annual Eastern Class Championships 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds1-2 G/75, d/5). Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, 366 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 01566 (I-84 Exit3, near I-90). Free parking. $$ 18,000 based on 220 paid entries (re-entries & $60 off entries count half), minimum $12,000 (2/3 of each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections: Master (2200/up): $1700-1000-500-300, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, 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): $1200-600-300200. Class D (1200-1399): $1000-500-300-200. Class E (Under 1200): $400-200-120-80, trophies to top U1000, U800, U600, Unrated. Rated players may play up one section. Prize limits: Unrated may not win over $150 in E, $250 D, $400C, $600 B, or $800 A. If any post-event rating posted at uschess.org 12/1/11-3/1/12 is more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $500. Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Top 6 sections EF: 3-day $108, 2-day $107 mailed by 2/23, all $109 online at chesstour.com by 2/28, $110 phoned to 406896-2038 by 2/28 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. GMs free, $90 deducted from prize. EF for all in Class E, and unrated in Class D: all $60 less. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Advance EF $5 less to MACA members; may join/renew at masschess.org. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry $60; not available in Master Section. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10:30am, rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Master must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $89-89-99, 800-582-3232, 508-347-7393, request chess rate, reserve by 2/17 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: DirectorAtChess.us, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. Chess Magnet School JGP. A Heritage Event! Mar. 2-4, Virginia Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 30 44th Annual Virginia Open 5SS, Rd. 1 G/120, Rds. 2-5 40/2 SD/1. DoubleTree Hotel Dulles Airport - Sterling 21611 Atlantic Blvd., Sterling, VA 20166. Tel: 1-703-230-0077. Fax: 1-703-230-0078. $69(!!)Rooms. Reserve by Friday Feb 17th to ensure chess rate. Direct link for hotel registration by 12/1 available on tournament website. $$ $3400 in Two Sections, Top 4 G in Open, rest Based on 140 Open $600-400-300-200 (G)Top X, A each $180. Winner gets plaque as 2012 Virginia Open Champion Amateur: $400-200-150, Top B, C, D, U1200 Each $160, Top Unrated $100. Amateur winner gets plaque and 2012 Virginia Open Amateur title. ALL: Reg. Friday 3/2 5:30p-7:45p. Rds.:

3rd annual GOLDEN STATE OPEN Jan 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, Martin Luther King weekend at Concord Hilton 7 rounds, $30,000 projected prizes, $21,000 minimum - U1000 entry fees lowered! 7 rounds, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5, 2-day option except Open Section, rds 1-4 G/40, d/5), Concord Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd, Concord CA 94520, I-680 to Willow Pass Rd. Free BART shuttle, free parking. In 5 sections. Prizes $30,000 based on 290 paid entries (reentries & $70 off entries count half), min. guarantee $21,000 (70% each prize). Open: $2000-1200-800-700600-500, clear/tiebreak win $100, top U2300 $1000-500, U2200/Unr $800-400. FIDE, 120 GPP. Under 2100: $1500-1000-800600-500-400, top U1900 $800-400. Under 1800: $1500-1000-800600-500-400, top U1600 $800-400. Under 1500: $1200-800-600500-400-400, top U1300 $700-400. Under 1200: $1200-800-600500-400-400, top U1000 $500. Unrated prize limits: U1200 $300, U1500 $500, U1800 $700.

58


Entry Fee: 4-day $129, 3-day $128, 2-day $127 mailed by 1/5, all $130 online at chesstour.com by 1/10, $135 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/10 (entry only, no questions), $150 at site. GMs free; $100 deducted from prize. No phone entry after 1/10. Entry fee $70 less to Under 1000 or Unrated in U1200 or U1500. No checks at site; credit cards accepted. Re-entry: $60 (except Open). Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour. com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. USCF membership required. Choice of schedules. All merge & compete for same prizes: 4-day late reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rounds. Fri 7 pm, Sat & Sun 11 am & 6 pm, Mon 10 am & 4:30 pm.

3-day late reg. ends Sat 10 am, rounds Sat 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day late reg. ends Sun 9:30 am, rounds Sun 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 3:45 pm & 6 pm, Mon 10 am and 4:30 pm. No 2-day Open Section. Half-pt byes: OK all, limit 3, limit 2 in last 4 rds. Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. January official USCF ratings used. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Bring set, board, clock if possiblenone supplied. Hotel rates: $99-99-109, 925827-2000, ask for chess rate, reserve by Dec 30 or rate may increase. Entry: Continental Chess, Box 661776, Arcadia CA 91066. Optional entry form faces Chess Life inside back cover, or see entryblank.com. $15 charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com.

uschess.org


8pm Friday, Sat 10a-4:30p, Sunday 9a-3:30p. EF: (Reduced!) $50 if received by Feb 25, $60 later and at site. $30 Re/entry allowed from Rd. 1 into Rd. 2 only. Sat Reg. 9-9:45. One 1/2 point bye allowed with entry, declared before Rd. 1 and then irrevocable. VCF membership required for Virginia residents ($10 Adults, $5 U19) Ent: Make checks payable to "Virginia Chess" and mail to: Michael Atkins, PO Box 6138, Alexandria, VA 22306, website: www.vachess.org/vaopen.htm, [email protected] for questions, NO INTERNET or PHONE entries. NS, NC, W. FIDE (Open). Chess Magnet School JGP. Mar. 9-11 or 10-11, California, Southern Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced) 19th annual Western Class Championships 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds.1-2 G/75, d/5). Sheraton Agoura Hills Hotel (formerly Renaissance), 30100 Agoura Rd., Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (US-101 to Reyes Adobe Road exit). Adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains, 26 miles west of Burbank, 12 miles from Malibu, 28 miles from Ventura. Free parking. $$20,000 based on 230 paid entries (reentries, Class E count as half entries), minimum $16,000 (80% each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections. Master (over 2199): $2000-1000-500300, clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus, topU2300 $800-400. FIDE. Expert (2000-2199): $1500-800-400-200. Class A (1800-1999): $1500800-400-200. Class B (1600-1799): $1500-800-400-200. Class C (1400-1599): $1400-700-400-200. Class D (1200-1399): $1200-600-300200. Class E (Under1200): $600-300-200-100, trophies to top U1000, U800, U600, Unr. Rated players may play up one section. Prize limits: Unrated may not win over $150 in E, $250 D, $400 C, $600 B, or $800 A. If any post-event rating posted at uschess.org 12/8/11-3/8/12 is more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $500. Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Top 6 sections EF: 3-day $113, 2-day $112 mailed by 3/1, all $115 online at chesstour.com by 3/6, $120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/6 (entry only, no questions), $130 at site. EF for all in Class E Section, and unrated in Class D: all $60 less. All: Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com. Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15.Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry (except Master) $60. SCCF memb. ($18, jr $10) required for rated Southern CA residents. 3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 10 am, rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. Byes: OK all rds, limit 2; Master must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 818-707-1220, reserve by 3/5 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD#D657633. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658, DirectorAtChess.us. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for withdrawals. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, Missouri Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced) 16th annual Mid-America Open 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75,d/5). Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Louis-Clayton, 7750 Carondelet Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105 (I-64 W/US 40-W Exit 32B, 1.2 miles north on Hanley Rd). $$ 18,000 based on 220 paid entries (re-entries & $60 off entries count half, U900 Section 1/4), minimum$12,000 (2/3 each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections: Open: $2000-1000-500-300, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top U2300 $900, U2200 $800, U2100 $700. FIDE. Under 2000: $1400-700400-200. Under 1800: $1300-700-400-200. Under 1600: $1200-600-300200. Under 1400: $1000-500-250-150. Under 1200: $1000-500-250-150. Under 900: $200-100, trophies to first 5, top U700, U500, Unrated. Prize limits: Unrated may not win over $100 in U900, $200 U1200, $400 U1400, $700 U1600, or $900 U1800. If any post-event rating posted at uschess.org 12/15/11-3/15/12 is more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $500. Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line.Top 6 sections EF: 3-day $109, 2-day $108 mailed by 3/8, all $110online at chesstour.com by 3/13, $115 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/15 (entry only, no questions), $130 at site. $60 less to unrated in U1200 or U1400. U900 Section EF: All $80 less than top 6 sections EF. No checks at site, credit cards OK. GMs free, $100 deducted from prize. All: Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online atchesstour. com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry $60; not available in Open Section. MCA memb. ($5) required for MO residents. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $89-89, 888-303-1746, 314-726-5400, request chess rate, reserve by 3/2 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD#D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: Director AtChess.us, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. Chess Magnet School JGP. Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, New York Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced) Long Island Open 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5). Holiday Inn Long Island - Islip Airport, 3845 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779. Free parking, free shuttle from LIRR or Islip Airport. Prizes $12,000 based on 150 paid entries, $8000 minimum (2/3 each prize) guaranteed; re-entries & $50 off entries count as half entries. In 4 sections. Open: $1500-800-500-300, clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top U2300/Unr $600, U2200/Unr $500. FIDE. Under 2100: $1000-600-400300, top U1900 $500, U1800 $400. Under 1700: $900-500-300-200, top U1500 $450, U1400 $350. Under 1300: $800-400-200-100, topU1100 $300. Unrated may not win over $200 in U1300 or $400 in U1700. EF: 3-day $103, 2-day $102 mailed by 3/8, all $105 online at chesstour.com by 3/13, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/13 (entry only, no questions), $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. GMs free; $100 deducted from prize. EF for Under 1000 or unrated in U1300: (NOTE CHANGE): $50 less. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20.

uschess.org

Re-entry $60; not available in Open Section. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $75-75, 631-471-0401, reserve by 3/2 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chess tour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845-496-9658.Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Mar. 23-25 or 24-25, Pennsylvania Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced) 13th annual Pittsburgh Open 5SS, 40/2, SD/1. d/5 (2-day option,rds 1-2 G/75, d/5). Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh GreenTree (formerly Radisson), 101 Radisson Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15205. 3 miles south of downtown, 13 miles from Pittsburgh airport (free shuttle). Free parking. $$12,000 based on 150 paid entries (reentries & $50 off entries count half), $9000 (75% each prize) minimum guaranteed. In 5 sections. Open: $1500-800-400-200, clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top Under 2300/Unr $700, Under 2200/Unr $600. Under 2100: $1000-500-250-150, top Under 1900 $400. Under 1800: $1000-500-300-200, top Under 1600 $400. Under 1500: $800-400-300200, top Under 1300 $300. Under 1200: $400-250-150-100, trophies to top Under 1000, Under 800, Under 600, Unrated. Unrated may not win over $150 in U1200, $300 U1500, or $500 U1800. Top 4 sections EF: 3day $103.50, 2-day $102.50mailed by 3/15, all $107 online at chesstour.com by 3/20, $110phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/20 (entry only, no questions), $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. GMs free; $100 deducted from prize. Under 1200 Section EF: $50 less than above. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Reentry $60; not available in Open Section. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:15 pm. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:15 pm. All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd3. HR: $91-91-91-91, 1-800-395-7046, 412-922-8400; reserve by 3/9or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWDD657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, [email protected], 845496-9658. Advance entries posted atchesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Mar. 30-Apr. 1 or Mar. 31-Apr. 1, Florida Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 40 (enhanced) 10th Annual Southern Class Championships 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5(2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5). Wyndham Orlando Resort, 8001 International Dr., Orlando 32819. Free parking. $$14,000 based on 200 paid entries (re-entries & $50 off entries count half), $10,500 (3/4 each prize) minimum guaranteed. In 7 sections. Master (2200/up): $1200-600-400-300, clear or tiebreak winner$100 bonus. FIDE. Expert (2000-2199): $1000-500-300-200. Class A (1800-1999): $1000500-300-200. Class B (1600-1799): $1000-500-300-200. Class C (1400-1599): $1000-500-300-200. Class D (1200-1399): $800-400300-200. Class E (Under 1200): $800-400-300-200. Rated players may play up one section. Unrated may enter A through E, but may not win over $200 in E, $350 D, $500 C or $650B. EF: 3-day $98, 2-day $97 mailed by 3/23, all $99 online atchesstour.com by 3/27, $105 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/27 (entry only, no questions), $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. GMs free; $90 deducted from prize. EF for under 1000 or unrated in E: all $50 less. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult

$20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry $60; not available in Master Section. 3day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11& 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $81-81plus resort fee (currently 7.5%), 1-800421-8001, 407-351-2420; reserve by 3/16 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.us, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, Pennsylvania Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced) 6th annual Philadelphia Open In 8 sections. Open Section, Apr 4-8: 9SS, 40/90, SD/30, inc30. GM & IM norms possible, FIDE rated. U2200 to Under 1200 Sections, Apr 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75, d/5, 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/40, d/5). Under 1000 Section, Apr 7-8: 7SS, G/40, d/5. At the upscale, luxury Loews Philadelphia Hotel, rated Four Diamonds by AAA, 1200 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19107. Prizes $80,000 based on 500 paid entries (seniors, re-entries, GMs, IMs, WGMs count as half entries, U1200 Section 40%entries, U1000 Section 15% entries), else proportional, minimum $60,000 (75% of each prize) guaranteed. Open: $7000-4000-2000-1000-800-700-600-500-400-400, clear or tiebreak first $200 bonus, FIDE Under 2400/Unr $2000-1000. Under 2200, Under 2000, Under 1800: each $5000-2500-1200-800-600500-400-300-300-300. Under 1600, Under 1400: each $4000-2000-1000700-500-400-300-200-200-200. Under 1200: $1500-800-500-300-200-200200-100-100-100. Under 1000: $400-200-100, trophies to first 5, top U800, U600, U400, Unrated. Prize limits: 1) If official rating 4/11-3/12 or unofficial post-event rating posted at uschess.org 4/4/11-4/4/12 is more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $1500. 2) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $200 in U1000, $400 U1200, $800 U1400, $1200 U1600, $1600U1800, or $2000 U2000. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. 3) Provisional (4-25 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $300 in U1000, $800 U1200, $1500U1400, or $2500 U1600. 4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Open EF: free to GMs, IMs, WGMs; $150 deducted from prize. US players with current or former FIDE ratings of 2200/over: $225 mailed by 3/27 or online by 4/2, $250 at site. Foreign FIDE rated players: $175 mailed by 3/27 or online by 4/2, $200 at site, Others: $375 mailed by 3/27 or online by 4/2, $400 at site. U2200 through U1400 Sections EF: 4day $224, 3-day $223, 2-day $222 mailed by 3/27, $225 online by 4/2, $250 at site. U1200 Section EF: 4-day $84, 3-day $83, 2-day $82 mailed by 3/27, $85 online by 4/2, $100 at site. U1000 Section EF: $32 mailed by 3/27, $35 online by 4/2, $50 at site. Phone EF: All $5 more than online EF, 406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions), available only through 4/2. Online late entry after 4/2: available until 2 hours before your first game, same price as entry at site. EF $100 less to rated seniors 65/over in U2200 through U1400. Special 1 year USCF membership with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from Open Section to Open Section. 5-day schedule (Open only): Reg. ends Wed 6 pm, rds. Wed. 7 pm, Thu 12 & 7, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day schedule (U2200-U1200): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule (U2200-U1200): Reg. ends Fri 10 am, rds Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U2200-U1200): Reg. ends Sat. 9am, rds Sat. 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day, 3-day, & 2-day merge & compete for same prizes. Under 1000 schedule: Reg. ends Sat.

44th annual LIBERTY BELL OPEN 7 rounds, Jan 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, Philadelphia

$20,000 projected prize fund, $14,000 minimum This traditional Martin Luther King weekend event has paid MORE than its $20,000 projected prize fund every year since 2006! In 9 sections: Open Section: $1700-1000-500-300-200, clear/tiebreak win $100 bonus, top Under 2400/Unr $800. FIDE rated, 80 GPP (enhanced). Under 2300 Section: $1000-600-400-300-200. FIDE rated. Under 2100 Section: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1900 Section: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1700 Section: $1000-600-400-300-200. Unrated limit $700. Under 1500 Section: $900-500-400-300-200. Unrated limit $500. Under 1300 Section: $600-300-200-150-100. Unrated limit $300. Under 1100 Section: $600-300-200-150-100. Unrated limit $200. Under 900 Section: $200-100-60-40, trophies to top 10. Unr limit $100. FULL DETAILS: see “Grand Prix” in this issue or chesstour.com.


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Tournament Life 9 am, rds Sat 10, 12, 2 & 3:45, Sun 10, 12 & 2. Byes: NOTE CHANGE. Half point byes OK all rounds, limit 4 byes, Open Section must commit before rd 2, other sections before rd 4. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possiblenone supplied. HR: $98-98-123-123, 215-627-1200, reserve by 3/21 or rate may increase. Parking: Hotel has valet parking only, with a special chess rate of $30/day. Many parking lots nearby charge much less, with rates lowest on the weekend. Gateway Garage, 1540 Vine St (1 block from Sheraton Hotel) is about $5/day Sat & Sun, $18/day other days. Car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online at chesstour.com. Ratings: FIDE used for Open, USCF April list for U2200 & below; note that ratings after the April list (see above) may result in a $1500 prize limit. Foreign player ratings: For U2200 and below, usually100 points added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 100/more to most other foreign, no points added to CFC, PR or Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U2000 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. Special rules: Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 3 or after, players with scores of 80% or over and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones or cell phones or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845-496-9658. You may request "lowest possible section" if April rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. An American Classic! May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28, 27-28, or 25-26, Illinois Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced) 21st annual Chicago Open Open Section, May 24-28: 9SS, 40/90, SD/30, inc30, GM & IM norms possible, all Open entry fees $100 more than below for US players never rated 2200/over by FIDE. Under 2300 to Under1300, May 25-28, 2628 or 27-28: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5; 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/40, d/5). Under 1100, May 25-26: 7SS, G/40, d/5. Under 900, May 27-28: 7SS, G/40, d/5. All: No 5 minute time deduction. Players in Under 1100 may also enter a May27-28 section with no schedule conflict. At Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling IL 60090 (from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwaukee,I-94 east to Lake Cook Rd to US-45 south.) Free parking. $100,000 guaranteed prize fund. In 9 sections. Open: $10000-5000-2500-1200-900-700-600-500-400-300, clear or tiebreak winner bonus $200, top FIDE Under 2500/Unr $2000-1000. FIDE rated, GM and IM norms possible. Under 2300: $5000-2500-1200-900-700-600500-400-300-300. FIDE rated. Under 2100: $5000-2500-1200-900-700600-500-400-300-300. Under 1900: $5000-2500-1200-900-700-600-500400-300-300. Under 1700: $5000-2500-1200-900-700-600-500-400-300300. Under 1500: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-400-300-300. Under 1300: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-400-300-300. Under 1100: $1500-700-400-300-200-200-100-100. Under 900: $500-300-200, trophies to first 5, top U700, U500, U300, Unrated. Prize limits: 1) Play-

CONTINENTAL CHESS SCHEDULE Visit our website at www. chesstour. com for late news, results, games, CCA minimum ratings, advance entries, and more! Most tournaments have alternate schedules playing less or more days than listed below. Asterisk means full details in this issueotherwise, see future issues or our website. 12/9-11, 10-11: New England Senior,Amateur & Scholastics, Windsor Locks CT* 12/9-11: New England Amateur, Windsor Locks CT* 12/10-11: New England Scholastics, Windsor Locks CT* 12/26-29: North American Open, Las Vegas NV* 12/26-29: Empire City Open, New York NY* 1/6-8: Continental Amateur, Boston MA* 1/13-16: Liberty Bell Open, Philadelphia PA* 1/13-16: Golden State Open, Concord CA* 3/2-4: Eastern Class Championshipos, Sturbridge MA* 3/3-4: New York State Scholastics, Saratoga Springs NY* 3/9-11: Western Class Championships, Agoura Hills CA* 3/16-18: Mid-America Open, St Louis MO* 3/16-18: Long Island Open, Ronkonkoma NY* 3/30-4/1: Southern Class, Orlando FL* 4/4-8: Philadelphia Open, Philadelphia PA* 5/4-6: Western Team Championship, Los Angeles CA 5/24-28: Chicago Open, Wheeling IL* 6/28-7/2: Philadelphia International, Philadelphia PA* 7/4-8: World Open, Philadelphia PA* 7/20-22: Chicago Class, Wheeling IL 7/20-22: Pacific Coast Open, Agoura Hills CA 7/27-29: Southern Open, Orlando FL 7/27-29: Bradley Open, Windsor Locks CT 8/3-5: Cleveland Open, Cleveland OH 8/10-12: Continental Open, Sturbridge MA 8/17-19: Central California Open, Fresno CA 8/17-19: Indianapolis Open, Indianapolis IN 8/24-26: Atlantic Open, Washington DC 9/1-3: New York State Championship, Albany NY

For later events, see chesstour.com.

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ers with under 26 lifetime games rated through 5/12 list may not win over $800 U1100, $1500 U1300 or $2500 U1500. Games rated too late for 5/12 list not counted. 2) If official rating 5/11-4/12 or unofficial post-event rating posted 5/24/11-5/24/12 was more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $200 inU900, $400 U1100, $700 U1300, $1000 U1500, $1500 U1700, $2000 U1900 or $2500 U2100. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. 4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Top 7 sections Mailed EF: 5-day Open $205, 4-day $204, 3-day$203, 2-day $202 mailed by 3/29; 5-day $225, 4-day $224, 3-day $223, 2-day $222 mailed by 5/16; all $250 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Top 7 sections online EF atchesstour.com: $207 by 3/29, $227 by 5/21, $250 after 5/21 until 2 hours before rd 1. Top 7sections phoned EF at 406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions): $230 by 5/21 (entry only, no questions). No phone entry after 5/21. GMs, IMs, WGMs, foreign FMs free in Open; $200 deducted from prize. All Open Section EF $100 more for US players never rated 2200 or over by FIDE. EF $100 less to seniors age 65/over in top 7 sections. Under 1100 EF: $85 mailed by 5/16, $87 online at chesstour.com by 5/21, $100 at site. Under 900 EF: $35 mailed by 5/16, $37 online at chesstour.com by 5/21, $50 at site. Online or mailed EF $5 less to ICA members; join at il-chess.org. An ICA Tour Event. Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from Open to Open. 5-day schedule (Open): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds Thu 7 pm, Fri 12 & 7, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 4-day schedule (U2300 to U1300): Reg. ends Fri 6pm, Rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 3day schedule (U2300 to U1300): Reg. ends Sat 10 am, Rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day U2300 toU1300 schedule: Reg. ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 4-day, 3day & 2-day U2300 to U1300 schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under 1100 schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, Rds Fri 7 pm & 9 pm, Sat 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10, 12, 2 & 3:45, Mon 10, 12, 2. Byes: OK all, limit 4(limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Hotel rates: $103103-103-103, 800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 5/11 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200/more to most other foreign, no pts added to CFC or Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U1900 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player ratings: May official ratings used; FIDE ratings used for Open Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: 1) Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 3 or after, players with scores of 80% or over and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones, cellphones, or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: DirectorAt Chess.US, 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. You may request "lowest possible section" if May rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP. June 28-July 2, Pennsylvania Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 150 (enhanced) 9th annual Philadelphia International 9SS, 40/90,SD/30, 30 second increment. Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19103. Parking $10/day chess rate with guest room at Sheraton, $20/day chess rate without guest room, parking lot next to hotel may be much less than $20. $$G 8000: $2000-1200-800-700-600-500-400-300, top FIDE under 2300 or unrated $1000-500. Minimum prize $800 to foreign GMs who complete all games with no byes (limited to first 5 foreign GMs to enter), $300 to US GMs, foreign IMs & foreign WGMs (all must complete all games with no byes.) IM& GM norms possible; FIDE rated. EF: Free to GMs, IMs, WGMs. Foreign FIDE rated players: $125 mailed by 6/18, $127 online by 6/23, $150 at tmt. USA current or former FIDE 2200/up rated players: $225 mailed by 6/18, $227 online by 6/23, $250 at tmt. Others: $325 mailed by 6/18, $327 online by 6/23, $350 at tmt. All: No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine: see World Open. Schedule: Late reg. ends Fri 10 am, rds Fri through Mon 11 & 6, Tue 11. Two half point byes available (must commit before rd 2); norm not possible if taking bye. HR: $99-99, 215-448-2000, reserve by 6/5 or rate may increase. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possiblenone supplied. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Invitations: GoAtChess.us (use @ instead of at). Chess Magnet School JGP.

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!

A Heritage Event! An American Classic! July 1-3, 2-8, 4-5, 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, Pennsylvania Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 300 (enhanced) 40th Annual World Open 9SS (Senior Amateur, Women's Championship and Under 13 Booster are 6SS). Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19103. For shuttle info from Philadelphia Airport, call 800559-2040 or 215-616-5370. Parking $10/day chess rate with guest room at Sheraton, $20/day chess rate without guest room, Gateway lot at 1540 Vine, 1 block from hotel, is about $5/day Sat & Sun, $18/day other days. In 13 sections with $250,000 projected prizes, $200,000 minimum. 80% of each prize guaranteed based on 1180 paid entries total in first 9 listed sections, all prizes guaranteed in Senior Amateur, Womens Championship, Under 13 Championship, and Under 13 Booster. GMs, IMs, WGMs, Under 1200, seniors count as 50% entries, Under 900 as 15%entries. Free analysis of your games by GM Sam Palatnik 7/4-8; free GM lectures 9 am 7/6 & 7/7. Time controls: Open 40/90, SD/30, 30 second increment. U2400, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, U1200 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (4-day option rds 1-2 G/75, d/5, 3-day option rds 1-5 G/45, d/5). U900, Under 13 Championship, Under 13 Booster G/65, d/5. Senior Amateur, Womens Championship 40/2, SD/1,d/5. Open, 9SS, July 4-8 or 2-8: $20000-10000-5000-2500-1200-1000-800-700-600500, clear winner bonus $300, top FIDE U2500 $2000-1000. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 11:30 pm 7/8 for title & bonus prize. GM & IM norms possible. FIDE rated. Under 2400/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 2-8: $13000-7000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U2300/Unr $2000-1000. FIDE rated. Under 2200/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 2-8: $13000-7000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U2100 (no unr) $2000-1000. FIDE rated. Under 2000/Unr, 9SS, July 48, 5-8, 6-8 or 2-8: $13000-7000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1900 (no unr) $2000-1000. Under 1800/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 2-8: $13000-7000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1700 (no unr) $2000-1000. Under 1600/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 2-8: $11000-6000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top 1500 (no unr) $2000-1000. Under 1400/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8 or 6-8: $100005000-2500-1200-1000-800-700-600-500-400, top U1300 (no unr) $1600-800. Under 1200/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8 or 6-8: $5000-25001200-1000-800-700-600-500-400-300, top U1100 (no Unr) $1200-600. Under 900/Unr, 9SS, July 6-8: $1000-700-500-400-300-300-300, trophies to first 10, top U700, U500, U300, Unrated. Senior Amateur, 6SS, July 1-3: Open to Under 2010 or unrated born before 7/4/62. $$ 500300-200, topU1810 $280-140, top U1610/Unr $250-130, top U1410 $200. Women's Championship, 6SS, July 1-3: Open to all females. $$ 500300-200, top U1800 $240, U1600 $220, U1400 $200, U1200 $180, U1000 $160, trophy to top U800, U600, Unrated. FIDE rated. Under 13 Championship, 9SS, July 1-3: Open to all born after 7/3/99. Trophies to top 10, 1st C, D, E, Unrated. Free entry to all CCA tournaments 7/15/1212/31/12 to 1st. Under 13 Booster, 6SS, July 4-5: Open to all born after 7/5/99 rated under 1000 or unrated.Trophies to top 10, 1st U800, U600, U400, U200; free entry to all CCA tournaments 7/15/12-10/31/12 to1st. Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 games played as of 7/12 official list may not win over $600 inU900, $1500 in U1200, $3000 in U1400 or U1600. Games rated too late for 7/12 list not counted. 2) If official rating 7/11-6/12 or unofficial post-event rating posted 7/3/11-7/3/12 was more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $2000. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $300 in U900, $800 U1200, $1200 U1400, $1600 U1600, $2000 U1800, or $2500 U2000. 4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Open, U2400, U2200, U2200, U1800, U1600, U1400 EF: Mailed by 2/15, all 5-day $305, 4-day $304, 3-day $303, 7-day $307. Open has 5-day and 7-day only; no 7-day in U1400 orU1200. Mailed by 5/15 all $10 more, mailed by 6/20 all $20 move. Online at chesstour.com, all $307 by2/15, $317 by 5/15, $327 by 6/25, $350 6/26 to 2 hours before round 1 or at site. Phoned to 406-896-2038, all $330 by 6/25. At site, all $350; no checks, credit cards OK. GMs free in Open; $200 deducted from prize. IMs, WGMs EF $100 less, $100 deducted from prize. All Open Section EF $100 more for US players never rated 2200 or over by FIDE. Under 1200 Section EF: all $150 less. EF for U900 Section, or unrated in U1200 Section: $43 mailed by 6/20, $47 online at chesstour.com by 6/25, $60 online to 2 hours before round 1 or at site. Rated seniors 65/up in U1400 or over: all $150 less. Senior Amateur or Women's Championship EF: $76 mailed by 6/20, $78 online by 6/25, $90 at site. Under 13 Championship or Under 13 Novice EF: $39 mailed by 6/20, $41 online by 6/25, $50 at site. No checks at site; credit cards OK. Re-entry: $160, no re-entry from Open to Open. $20 fee for switching section after 7/3. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Open to U1200 5-day schedule: Wed 7 pm, Thu 11 am & 6 pm, Fri 11 am & 6 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 5 pm. U2400 to U1200 4-day schedule: Thu 11, 2:30 & 6, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. U2400 to U1200 3-day schedule: Fri 11, 1:30, 3:30, 6 & 8:30, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. Open to U1600 7-day schedule: Mon-Wed 7 pm, Thu-Fri 6 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. All above schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under 900 schedule: Fri 11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Sat & Sun each 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm. Senior Amateur & Women's Championship schedule: Sun 11 am & 6 pm, Mon 10 & 5, Tue 10 & 4:30. Under 13 Championship schedule: Sun 11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Mon 10, 1 & 4, Tue 10, 1 & 4. Under 13 Booster schedule: Wed 11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Thu 10, 1 & 4. Half point byes OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Limit 1 half point bye in 6 round sections. Entries, re-entries close 1 hour before your first game. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possiblenone supplied. HR: $99-99, 215-448-2000, ask for chess rate, may sell out about May 31, two night minimum July 6-7. Special car rental rates: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 pts added to FIDE (except Open Section), 100 to FQE, 200 or more to most foreign, no pts added to CFC, Puerto Rico or Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U2000 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player ratings: Official July ratings used; FIDE ratings used for Open Section only. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise

uschess.org


unrated. Special rules: 1) Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round3 or after, players with scores of 80% or over and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones, cell phones or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845-496-9658. You may request "lowest possible section" if July rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Bring set, board, clock if possiblenone supplied. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Regional Alabama Dec. 17, Magic City Classic 4SS, TC: G/75. Birmingham Bridge Club, 2112 Columbiana Road, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Open (PF: $$b/25): $200-125-100-U1700:100; Reserve (U1500; PF: $$b/25): $175 -100-75-U1000:75; Rds.: 9-11:302:30-5. EF: $30; if mailed by DEC 10th; $40 at site. Scholastic: 5SS, TC: G/30: Premier (K-12). EF: $20, Trophy: Top 3 Individual, Medals 4th6th. Late REG: DEC 17th: 8-8:40am. Checks payable to: Caesar Chess. ENT: Caesar Chess LLC, 4524 Southlake Parkway, Suite 34 - PMB 310, Birmingham, AL 35244. Info: [email protected]; www.Caesar Chess.com/Blog; www.AlabamaChess.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Arizona Dec. 26-29 or 27-29, 21st annual North American Open (NV) See Grand Prix. Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, Southern Rocky Fide Open (NM) See Grand Prix. Mar. 9-11 or 10-11, 19th annual Western Class Championships (CAS) See Grand Prix.

California, Northern Capital City Chess Club Monthly (Sundays) LOCATION: Thee Upper Crust Pizza, "13th" & "K", Sacramento. TOURNAMENT/ENTRY FEES: Open Swisses, Quick ($3) & Slow (&$15). GUARANTEED: 100% Return in Cash & Plaques. SCHEDULE: Sundays 11am-4pm. DETAILS: capitalcitychessclub.com. DIRECTOR: John C. Barnard (209) 450-6133. A State Championship Event! Dec. 3 (Gr. 4-12)-4 (KG-3), CalChess State Scholastics Hyatt Regency, 5101 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara, CA. Free parking. Hotel $89. Main Event: Trophies to top 20 players w/ winning record & top 10 teams in each section of Grades 1-12. Medals to others.

Trophies to all players in KG. Sections based on grade. KG-3 Su 12/4, 5SSxG/30: Reg. 8-8:30am. Games 9 10:30-12-1:30-3. Grades 4-12 12/34, 6SSxG/60: Reg Sa 8-8:30am. Games Sa/Su 9-11:30-2. Side events 5:30-8: Blitz (Sat), Bughouse (Sun), in 3 sects (K-3 4-6 7-12). EF by 11/24: K-3 $37, 4-12 $47, Blitz/Bughse:$12 ea. Add $20 11/25-11/30, $40 11/30-onsite. USCF & CalChess Mem reqd. Dec 2011 Supp & TD disc to place players. Info: BayAreaChess.com/stategrade11. E: ask@BayArea Chess.com, T: 408.786.5515. NS, NC, W.

Jan. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, 3rd annual Golden State Open See Grand Prix.

Dec. 10, SCS Weibel Fall Scholastic Chess Quads #3 Weibel Elementary School, 45135 S. Grimmer Blvd, Fremont, CA. Info & Entry Form at: www.calnorthyouthchess.org/Applications/FallQuads11GP/. Open to all scholastic players who are USCF members. Trophies to winners of each Quad. Chess medals to all who do not win a trophy. Info: Alan M. Kirshner, Ph.D., [email protected], (510) 659-0358.

Jan. 22, Contra Costa County Elementary School Championship Hilton, 7050 Johnson Dr., Pleasanton. Trophies: Top 7 players & Top 5 teams in each section. 7 sections based on grade 6. Sched: Reg 8:309am. KG, Gr 1 2 3: 5xG30 games 9:30, 10:45, 12:30, 1:45, 3. Gr 4 5 6: 4xG45 games 9:30, 11:15, 1:15, 3. EF: $37 by 1/18. Info/flyer: BayArea Chess.com/contracosta12. NS, NC, W.

Dec. 17, San Jose Quads Trophies: Players w/winning record. Check-in 4p. Games: 4:30-6:30p. 3xG/30. Chess Center, 1590 Oakland Rd., Ste B213, San Jose, CA 95101. EF: Pre-reg $25, Onsite $40. Info: BayAreaChess.com/kids. NS. NC.

Jan. 27-29 or 28-29, Bay Area Chess Winter Open See Grand Prix.

Dec. 17, San Jose Swiss Trophies: Players w/winning record & teams with 2+ players. Medals to others. Games: 10a-2p. 3 Sections: u500, u900, 900+. u900: 5xg30, 900+: 4xg45. Chess Center, 1590 Oakland Rd., Ste B213, San Jose, CA 95101. EF: Pre-reg $33, Onsite $48. Info: BayAreaChess.com/kids. NS. NC. Dec. 26-29 or 27-29, 21st annual North American Open (NV) See Grand Prix. Dec. 31-Jan. 2 or Jan. 1-2, New Year Open See Grand Prix. Jan. 2, NorCal Team Championship Prepare for USATW! 5SS, G/30. Hyatt Regency, 5101 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara. Hotel $79, free parking! Prizes:Trophies to each player in top 3 teams & top team u1000, u800, u600, u400 (based on top 4 avg rating), & top player on each board.Team is 4 or 5 players (4 play/round). EF: $33/player, $132/team mail by 12/27, online by 12/28, Onsite +$16/player +$32/team. Dec 2011 Supp & TD discretion for rating. Sched: Reg. 9-9:30, Rds. 10, 11:30, 1, 2:30, 4. Ent: Bay Area Chess, 1590 Oakland Rd., Ste B213, San Jose 95131. E: [email protected], Info/Form: BayAreaChess.com/nyteam12, T: 408-786-5515. NS, NC, W. Jan. 7, Mar. 10, Bay Area Chess 4 Less Kids Quads 1590 Oakland Rd., Ste B213, San Jose. Trophies for winning record. Sched: Check-in by 3:15p, 3xG30 Games 3:45-6. EF: $19 by Wed before tourney. Info/flyer: BayAreaChess.com/chess4less. NS. NC. Jan. 7, Mar. 10, Bay Area Chess 4 Less Swiss 1590 Oakland Rd., Ste B213, San Jose. Trophies: Players w/winning record, teams w/2+ players. Sched: Reg.: 8:30-9a. Games: 9:30a-2p. 3 Sections: u500 5xG30, u900 5xG30, 900+ 4xG45. EF: $27 by Wed before tourney. Info/flyer: BayAreaChess.com/chess4less. NS. NC.

Jan. 22, Alameda County Elementary School Championship Hilton, 7050 Johnson Dr., Pleasanton. Trophies: Top 7 players & Top 5 teams in each section. 7 based on grade KG-6. Sched: Reg 8:30-9am. KG, Gr 1 2 3: 5xG30 games 9:30, 10:45, 12:30, 1:45, 3:00. 4 5 6: 4xG45 games 9:30, 11:15, 1:15, 3. EF: $37 by 1/18. Info/flyer: BayAreaChess. com/alameda12. NS, NC, W.

Feb. 18-20, 29th Annual U.S. Amateur Team Championship West See Nationals. Mar. 9-11 or 10-11, 19th annual Western Class Championships (CAS) See Grand Prix.

California, Southern

Los Angeles CHESS CLUB The premier chess club in Southern California! (310) 7955710 * www.LAChessClub.com. The premier chess club in Southern California! Saturdays: 10AM-10 pm (Novice Class & 3 Tournaments) Sundays: 12-6 & 1-5 pm (Beginner class & 2 Tournaments) – Details on our web site Tuesdays: 7:30-9:30 pm (Intermediate/Advance Lecture) 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025 * (310) 795-5710 (4 blocks 405 West, Santa Monica& Butler * 2nd Floor – above Javan Restaurant) * Group Classes * Tournaments * Private (1:1) Lessons. Dec. 3&4, 10&11, 17&18, 24&25, LACC - Sat & Sun G/61 6SS, G/61. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $45 ($35 LACC memb). Reg.: 11-12 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm each day. Prizes: 1/2 collections. Parking: Free at BoA and streets ($3 basement). Info: 310/795-5710 or [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP. Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, LACC - 10 Blitz (G/5) Sat Night (QC) 5DSS, G/5 (10 Games). 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blks W 405. EF: $10. Q-rated. Reg.: 8-9 pm. Rds.: 9, 9:20, 9:40, 10, 10:20. Prizes: 1/2 EF. Parking: Free at BoA & streets ($3 basement). Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, LACC - LA Masters G/30 3SS, G/30. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks W 405. EF: $30 ($20 memb). Reg.: 5-6 pm. Rds.: 6, 7, 8 pm. Prizes: ($180 b/10, 75%); Parking: Free at BoA ($3 basement). Info: 310/795-5710.

21st annual NORTH AMERICAN OPEN Dec 26-29 or 27-29, Bally’s Las Vegas - entry fee reduced for U900 7 rounds, $120,000 projected prizes, $90,000 minimum guaranteed! 7-round Swiss, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (3day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5), Bally's Casino Resort, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd So, Las Vegas NV 89103. Free parking. 7 sections. Prizes $120,000 based on 600 entries (seniors, re-entries & GMs count 50%, Under 900 or Unrated in Under 1250 or Under 1500 25%), else proportional; minimum $90,000 (75% of each prize) guaranteed. December official ratings used. Open: $10000-5000-2500-12001000-800-600-500-400-400, clear or tiebreak win $200, top U2500/Unr $25001200. FIDE rated, 200 GPP (enhanced). U2300: $7000-4000-2000-1200-900800-600-500-400-400. FIDE rated. U2100: $7000-4000-2000-1200-900800-600-500-400-400. Unr limit $2500. U1900: $7000-4000-2000-1200-900800-600-500-400-400. Unr limit $1800. U1700: $6000-3000-1600-1000-800700-600-500-400-400. Unr limit $1200. U1500: $5000-2500-1400-1000-800700-600-500-400-400. Unr limit $800. U1250: $4000-2000-1300-900-700600-500-400-300-300, top Under 1000 $1000, Unrated limit $400.

uschess.org

Players with under 26 games rated as of 12/11 list may not win over $1500 in U1250, $2500 in U1500 or U1700. If rating was more than 30 points over section maximum on any list Dec 2010 to Nov 2011, prize limit is $1500. Mailed entry fee: 4-day $274, 3-day $273 mailed by 12/15. Online entry fee: $275 at chesstour. com by 12/20, $300 12/21 until 2 hours before rd 1. Phoned entry fee: $280 by 12/20 (406-896-2038, no questions). No phone entry after 12/20. Entry fee at site, or online until 2 hours before first round: $300. Under 900 or Unrated in U1250 or U1500: 4-day $54, 3-day $53 mailed by 12/15, $55 online by 12/20, $70 at site. Special entry fee: Senior 65/over except Under 900 or unrated in U1250 or U1500, $130 less. Re-entry $120; not available in Open Section. GMs $150 from prize. No checks at site; credit cards OK. Special USCF dues if paid with entry- see chesstour.com or Tournament Life. USCF membership required.

Choice of schedules: 4-day 12/2629, 3-day 12/27-29. Both merge and compete for same prizes. 4-day late reg. ends 12/26 5 pm, Rds. 12/26 6 pm, 12/27 11 am & 6 pm, 12/28 11 & 6, 12/29 10 am & 4:30 pm. 3-day late reg. ends 12/27 10 am, Rds.12/27 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, 12/28 11 am & 6 pm, 12/29 10 & 4:30. Half-point byes: OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds). Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Bring set, board, clock if possiblenone supplied. Hotel rate at Bally’s was reduced to $65, but rooms at this rate may no longer be available. If so, see www. chesstour. com/nao11.htm for alternatives. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #657633. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Entry: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Optional entry form faces inside back cover, or see www.entryblank.com. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. JGP.


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Tournament Life Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, LACC - Saturday G/61 3SS, G/61. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. ($320 b/20), $100/50/30; U1800-1200:$50/40/30/20. EF: $25 ($20 memb). Reg.: 1112 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm. Parking: basement ($3). Info: 310/795-5710.

Dec. 9-11, 2011 National Youth Action (West) See Nationals.

(K-9 under 700 or unrated). Players face only those in their section. EF: HS $42.50, Middle School $42.40, Elem $42.30, Primary $42.20, Scholastic Novice $42.10 if mailed by 12/1, all $43 online at chesstour.com by 12/5, $60 at site. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, Young Adult (age 24/below) $20, Scholastic (age 12/below) $12. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $15. Trophies to top 8 players, top 4 teams, top 3 unrated in each section, top D, E, U1000, U800 (HS), E, U1000, U800 (MS), U1000, U800, U600 (Elem), U700, U500, U300 (Primary), U500, U300 (Scholastic Novice). Free entry in all Continental Chess Association Swiss tournaments until 5/15/12 to top New England player each section. Late reg. ends Sat 9 am, rds Sat 10, 1, 3:45 & 6:30, Sun 9, 12 & 2:45. Awards Sun 5:30 pm. Half point byes allowed any round, limit 2 byes, must commit before rd 2. HR: $87-87, 860-627-5311, reserve by 11/25 or rate may increase. Car rental: 800-331-1600, use AWD D657633 or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: chesstour at aol.com, 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. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Dec. 26-29 or 27-29, 21st annual North American Open (NV) See Grand Prix.

Dec. 27-29 or 28-29, 30th annual Empire City Open (NY) See Grand Prix.

Jan. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, 3rd annual Golden State Open (CA-N) See Grand Prix.

Jan. 6-8 or 7-8, Continental Amateur (MA) See Massachusetts.

Jan. 14-16 or 15-16, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial See Grand Prix.

Jan. 14, Louis Paulsen Memorial CH Booth Library, 25 Main St., 3rd Fl., Newtown, CT 06470, 100 yds. south of Flagpole on Rte.25. 3SS or 3RR, depending on number of entries and ratings. G/45. Prizes: $$ per entries. Rds.: 12:15, and as available thereafter. EF: $15 at door only. Reg.: 11:30-12. Info: licensingagent@ yahoo.com. Check website in case of inclement weather: newtownchessclub.wetpaint.com. Arrive early, space is limited. NS, NC, W.

Dec. 4, 11, 18, 25, LACC - Every Sunday Chess 4 Jrs. 4 separate events – 2 Sections: 1000+ & U1000 (latest rtgs used), 4SS, G/30. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blocks W 405. EF: $25 ($20 LACC memb, $10 off siblings, Free new LACC memb). Reg.: 12-1 pm. Rds.: 1, 2, 3, 4 pm. Prizes: Trophies (Top 3) & Medals (rest); each player receives a prize! Parking: Free at BoA and streets. Free snacks & free class (12-1). Info: (310) 795-5710 or Mick@LAChess Club.com. Dec. 4, 11, 18, 25, LACC - Sunday G/61 3SS, G/61. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025 2nd fl. ($320 b/20), $100/50/30; U1800-1200: $50/40/30/20. EF: $25 ($20 memb). Reg.: 1112 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm. Parking: Free at BoA and streets ($3 basement). Info: 310/795-5710.

Jan. 15, Grade Level Championship Hyatt Regency, 17900 Jamboree Rd., Irvine, CA 92614. Trophies: Top 7 players & Top 5 clubs in each section. 8 sections based on grade KG 1 2 3 4 5 6 7-12. Sched: Reg. 9-9:30am. KG-Gr3: 5xG30 games 10, 11:30, 1, 2:15, 3:30. Gr4-12: 4xG45 games 10, 11:45, 1:45, 3:30. EF: $20 by 1/10, $30 onsite. Info: BayAreaChess.com/scgrade. NS, NC, W. Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, Southern Rocky Fide Open (NM) See Grand Prix. Mar. 9-11 or 10-11, 19th annual Western Class Championships See Grand Prix.

Colorado Dec. 26-29 or 27-29, 21st annual North American Open (NV) See Grand Prix. Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, Southern Rocky Fide Open (NM) See Grand Prix.

Connecticut Dec. 9-11 or 10-11, New England Amateur 5SS, 40/100, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/70). Sheraton Hotel, 1 Bradley Airport (visible at airport entrance), Windsor Locks, CT 06096 (I91Exit 40 to Rt 20). Free parking, free airport shuttle. Open to all under 2200 or unrated. Prizes $2000 based on 40 paid entries ($40 off entries & re-entries count half), else in proportion except $1000 minimum guaranteed: In 2 sections. Under 2200: $400-200-100, Under 1950 $250-150. Under 1700: $300-200-100, Under 1450 $180-120, no unrated may win over $150. EF: 3-day $68.50, 2-day $67.50 mailed by 12/1, $70 online at chesstour.com by 12/7, $75 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 12/7 (entry only, no questions), $80 at site. Unrated in U1700 section, $40 less. Reentry $40. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. 3-day late reg. ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 5:30 pm, Sun 10 am & 3:45 pm. 2-day late reg. ends Sat. 10:30 am, rds Sat 11 am, 2:15 pm & 5:30 pm, Sun 10 am & 3:45 pm. Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 2. HR: $87-87, 860-627-5311, reserve by 11/25 or rate may increase. Car rental: 800-331-1600, use AWD D657633 or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577 (chesstour.com, [email protected]). Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. Chess Magnet School JGP. Dec. 9-11 or 10-11, New England Senior Open 5SS, 40/100, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/70). Sheraton Hotel, 1 Bradley Airport (visible at airport entrance), Windsor Locks, CT 06096 (I91 Exit 40 to Rt 20). Free parking, free airport shuttle. Open to all born before (not after) 12/12/61; no residence requirements. Prizes $2000 based on 40 paid entries, else in proportion except $1000 minimum guaranteed: $600-300-200, Under 2010/Unr $300, Under 1810/Unr $250, Under 1610/Unr $200, Under 1410 $150. EF: 3-day $68, 2-day $67 mailed by 12/1, $70 online at chesstour.com by 12/7, $75 phoned to 406896-2038 by 12/7 (entry only, no questions), $80 at site. GMs $60 from prize. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper magazine if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, Adult (under 65) $30, Senior (65/up) $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Senior $30. 3-day late reg. ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 5:30 pm, Sun 10 am & 3:45 pm. 2-day late reg. ends Sat. 10:30 am, rds Sat 11 am, 2:15 pm & 5:30 pm, Sun 10 am & 3:45 pm. Half point byes OK all, limit 1 bye, must commit before rd 2. HR: $87-87, 860-627-5311, reserve by 11/25 or rate may increase. Car rental: 800-331-1600, use AWD D657633 or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: DirectorAtChess.US. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Dec. 10-11, 8th annual New England Scholastic Championships 7SS, G/65. Sheraton Hotel, 1 Bradley Airport (visible at airport entrance), Windsor Locks, CT 06096 (I-91 Exit 40 to Rt. 20). Free parking, free airport shuttle. Open to all K-12 students; New England titles limited to players & teams from schools in CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, or VT. Team prizes based on top 4 scores from school combined. Teams of 2 or 3 players allowed, but are at a disadvantage. In 5 sections: High School (K-12), Middle School (K-8), Elementary (K-5), Primary (K-2), Scholastic Novice

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Jan. 28, 2nd Newtown Winter Open CH Booth Library, 25 Main St., 3rd Fl., Newtown, CT 06470, 100 yds. south of Flagpole on Rte. 25. 3SS, G/45, Prizes: $$ per entries. Rds.: 12:00, and as available thereafter. EF: $15 at door only. Reg.: 11:30-11:45. Info: [email protected]. Check website in case of inclement weather: newtownchessclub.wetpaint.com. Arrive early, space is limited. NS, NC, W. Mar. 2-4 or 3-4, 21st annual Eastern Class Championships (MA) See Grand Prix. Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, Long Island Open (NY) See Grand Prix. Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, 6th annual Philadelphia Open (PA) See Grand Prix.

Delaware Newark Chess Club 4-SS, G/75. USCF-rated games every Thursday 7-10 PM. 345 School Bell Rd., Bear, DE 19701. For a full year of weekly games $22 for in-state players, $15 out-of-state! www.newarkchessclub.blogspot.com, newark [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP.

District of Columbia Dec. 10, 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: $30 ($20 if by 12/3). 5 sections by age. Reg.: 12-12:45. Info: 202/857-4922. www.chessctr.org/ rbo.php. Dec. 27, Eastern Open Warmup Tourney See Grand Prix. Dec. 27-30, 38th Annual Eastern Open See Grand Prix. Dec. 28, Eastern Open Blitz Championship (QC) See Grand Prix. Jan. 2, Metro Sunday Quads 3-RR, G/90. U.S. Chess Center, 1501 M St. NW. EF: $20 $$ $40 each quad. Scholastic sections. EF: $10, Trophy prizes. Both: Reg: 9:15-9:45. Rds. 10-1-4. (202) 857-4922. www.chessctr.org./quads.php. Jan. 14-15, DC Junior Open U.S. Chess Center, 1501 M Street, NW. Washington, DC 20005 Open to all under age 21. 4-SS. EF: $30 if by 1/8, $20 at door. 6 Sections, Under Age 21, Under Age 21 and rated Under 1000, Under Age 13, Under Age 13 and rated Under 800, Under Age 13 and rated Under 600, Under Age 13 and rated Under 400. $100 Savings Bond prize forTeen Champion.Trophies in all sections. Reg.: 12-12:45. Top Section: G/90. Rds.: 1-4, 12:30-3:30 This section determines the DC Scholastic male and female Champions. Other 5 Sections TC: G/30 with all games played on Saturday. Info: (202) 857-4922. www.chessctr.org/DCJunior.php. Chess Magnet School JGP for Top Section.

Florida Boca Raton Chess Club Friday nights, Game 90 Tournament, one game a week for 4 weeks. www.bocachess.com, 561-479-0351. Chess Magnet School JGP. Dec. 3, December OCG Open Orlando Chess and Games Center, 4SS, G/75. EF: $30. PF: $650 b/30 $250-$150-$100 best U-1600, U-1200, $75 each. Reg.: 9:15-9:45 am. RDS.: 10am-1pm-4pm-7pm, www.orlandochess.com. Info: call 407-2480818 or email [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP. Dec. 9-11, 2011 National Youth Action (East) See Nationals. Dec. 17, December Scholastic Tournament Orlando Chess and Games Center, 5SS, G/30. EF: $30. Trophies and medals to all players, awards at 3:30 pm. Reg.: 9:15-9:55 am. RDS.: 10-

11-12-1:30-2:30, www.orlandochess.com. Info: call 407-248-0818 or email [email protected]. Dec. 27-29, 13th Annual Jr. Orange Bowl International Scholastic Chess Championship 7SS, G/60. Embassy Suites Hotel, Miami Int'l Airport, 3974 NW South River Dr., 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: $129.00, 1-800-EMBASSY or 305-634-5000, reserve by 11/29 or rate may increase. ENT: Make checks payable to JOB. Send checks and registration forms to Junior Orange Bowl Committee, 1390 S. Dixie Hwy, Suite 2202, Coral Gables, FL 33146. For info and registration forms go to www.jrorangebowl.com/chess, email to chess@jrorange bowl.com or call 305-662-1210, fax 305-669-8745. Jan. 13-15 or 14-15, Central Florida Class Championships See Grand Prix. Jan. 28, The Weiss School Fourth Annual Scholastic Located at 4176 Burns Rd., Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. 33410. K-12, 5 Divisions, 5-SS, G/30. Trophies for Top 5 Players and Top 5 Teams in each Division. COFFEE, DRINKS, BREAKFAST & LUNCH ITEMS AND SNACKS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FREE CHILD CARE FOR AGES 6 AND UP FOR SIBLINGS OF PLAYERS. For more info see: www.palmbeachchessclub.info or call President/TD John Dockery at 561-762-3377. Jan. 28-29, Central Florida Chess Club Championship See Grand Prix. Feb. 17-19 or 18-19, 2012 U.S. Amateur Team Championship South See Nationals. Mar. 30-Apr. 1 or Mar. 31-Apr. 1, 10th Annual Southern Class Championships See Grand Prix.

Georgia Mar. 30-Apr. 1 or Mar. 31-Apr. 1, 10th Annual Southern Class Championships (FL) See Grand Prix.

Idaho Dec. 10-11, 2011 Western Idaho Open See TLA in November Chess Life.

Illinois

North Shore Chess Center 5500 W. Touhy Ave., Suite A, Skokie, IL 60077, 847.423.8626, www.nachess.org/nscc. Multiple monthly chess events: Quick and Regular rated tournaments, FIDE amateur tournaments, simuls and lectures by masters. Private & Group lessons for all ages and strengths available. Home of the Chicago Blaze US Chess League team. Contact: Sevan A. Muradian International Arbiter & International Organizer - sevan@na chess.org. Dec. 10, Members Only Special Event North Shore Chess Center, 5500 WestTouhy Ave., Suite A, Skokie, IL 60077. 847.423.8626. Open only to members of the North Shore Chess Center. Free simultaneous exhibition and lecture with a local master. Starts at 4pm. Additional questions: [email protected]. For a complete listing of events visit www.nachess.org/events. A State Championship Event! Dec. 10-11, 2011 IL Class 4SS, G/90 + 30 sec. U1000/U700 sections plays 5SS, G/75 with separate schedule. Orland Park Cultural Center, 14760 Park Lane, Orland Park, 60090 (from I-355 take IL-171 Archer Rd Exit toward 143rd Street (7.5 mi), take West St toward 147th St and follow the curve. From I-55 take US-12E/US-20E/US-45E/ S LaGrange Rd (10 mi); take W 144 PL and follow the curve). Free parking. Prizes $2,000 based on 80 paid entries. In 8 sections; no unrated allowed in Master/Expert section. Master/Expert (2000/up): $250-175-150-100-75. FIDE. Class A (1800-1999/unr): $12575-50. FIDE. Class B (1600-1799/Unr): $125-75-50. Class C (1400-1599/ Unr): $125-75-50. Class D (1200-1399/Unr): $125-75-50. Class E (Under 1200/Unr): $125-75-50. Under 1000 (K-12 only):Trophies to top 5. Under 700 (K-12 only): Trophies to top 5. Rated players may play up one section (additional $10). Unrated prize limit $50 on each section. Top 6 sections EF: $50 by 11/20, $60 after 11/20; $70 at site. U1000/U700: $25 by 11/20, $30 after 11/20; $40 at site. No credit cards on site! Online reservations and payments at www.intecsus.org Official USCF December supplement for ratings will be used if otherwise unrated. Schedule: Reg. on Dec. 10th at 8:30 – 9:30 amTop 6 sections: Sat: 10:00 am & 3:00 pm; Sun: 10:00 am & 3:00 pm U1000/U700 sections: Sat: 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm; Sun: 10:00 am, 1:00 pm Bye: all, must commit before rd 2 or not have plus score. Boards, Sets, and Clocks will be provided by the North American Chess Association. Organizer supplied equipment must be used. Hotels: Comfort Inn Suites (8800 W 159TH ST Orland Park, IL 60462); HR: $85; Homewood Suites by Hilton (16245 LaGrange Road Orland Park, IL 60467); HR: $135 Both hotels are located in 10-15 minutes drive from the tournament site. Ent: IntECS, Inc., 63 W 75th St., Willowbrook, IL 60527 www.intecsus.org 630-789-2951. Chess Magnet School JGP. Dec. 11, North Shore Chess Center G/45 4R-SS, G/45 + 10/sec increment. North Shore Chess Center, 5500 West Touhy Ave., Suite A, Skokie, IL 60077. 847.423.8626. EF: $20 for non-members of the chess center, $15 for members of the chess center received by 12/10. All $5 more onsite. Onsite registration - up to 15 minutes prior to round 1 or round 2. If registering prior to round 2, you will receive a half-point bye for round 1. Round times: 1pm for round one and then 15 minutes after final game from previous round completed. Half-point byes available in any round. Prizes: Book prizes for top three finish-

uschess.org


ers. Biggest upset (150+ points): Free entry to following month G/45 + book prize. Parking: Free self-parking. Mail entries with registration information to: North American Chess Association (make checks payable to), 4957 Oakton Street, Suite 113, Skokie, IL 60077. Online registration preferred. Additional questions email to: sevan@nachess. org. USCF rated. For online registration and list of more events please visit - www.nachess.org/events. Dec. 16-18, 9th North American Amateur Open 5R-SS, G/90 + 30/sec increment. North Shore Chess Center, 5500 West Touhy Ave., Suite A, Skokie, IL 60077. 847.423.8626. Open to players with any established FIDE rating or an established USCF rating of 1600+. All participants compete in a single section. EF: $40 for non-members of the chess center, $30 for members of the chess center received by 12/15. All $10 more onsite. Onsite registration - up to 15 minutes prior to D 2, you will receive a halfround 1 or round 2. If registering prior toEround point bye for round 1. Round times: Friday LL - 7:00pm, Saturday 12pm and E 6pm, Sunday 11am and 5pm. Half-point byes available in any round. NC 2nd - $30 Barnes & Noble Gift Card, Prizes: 1st - $60 Best Buy Gift Card, CA Parking: Free self-parking. Mail entries 3rd - $15 Starbucks Gift Card. with registration information to: North American Chess Association (make checks payable to), 4957 Oakton Street, Suite 113, Skokie, IL 60077. Online registration preferred. Additional questions email to: [email protected]. USCF and FIDE rated. For online registration and list of more events please visit - www.nachess.org/events. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 7, Winter Open Individual Scholastic Tournament DoubleTree Hotel, 1909 Spring Rd., Oakbrook, IL 60523, (630) 472-6020, (630) 472-6000. Early EF: $25, $30 at door by 11:30, $35 after that. Rds.: 12-1-2-3-4, G/25 Delay 0, Open to under 18 years of age, 2 sections: U1200, U700, 10 individual trophies per section (team trophies not available). Participation award to each player. Bring sets-boards-clocks, none provided. Ent:Tim Just, 37165 Willow, Gurnee, IL 60031. Info only 847-773-7706 before 6 PM. E-mail for info only (sorry, e-mail entries not available): [email protected]. Checks payable to: Chess For Life, LLC, info and PayPal early entries until 6 PM 1-6-12: http://chess forlife.com NS, NC, W. Scheduled Book Dealer: Checkmate Chess Supply. Jan. 7-8, Tim Just's Winter Open/Reserve XXVIII See Grand Prix. Feb. 17-19 or 18-19, 2012 U.S. Amateur Team Championship North See Nationals. Feb. 24-26, Quad Cities Chess Championship at The Lodge (IA) Across the river from Moline, IL. See Grand Prix. Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open (MO) See Grand Prix. May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28, 27-28, or 25-26, 21st annual Chicago Open See Grand Prix.

Indiana Every Second Saturday Of The Month 4SS, G/61d5. Donatos Pizza, 825 W 10th St., Indianapolis. Reg.: 1111:30AM, Rd 1, 11:40AM. $$:b/20 1st $200; 2nd $100; Class (A, B,) (C, D, E, Unr) $70 each. Prizes increased if + 20. EF: $27 - $5.00 BD month, - $5.00 for any state association (except ISCA), OCCC Memb.req'd Memb. includes magazine+. FIDETitled Players Free. Ent: Donald Urquhart, 501 N. East St. # 802, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Info: at 317-634-6259 or email [email protected]. 3 entries in a class req'd for that class prize to be awarded. Chess Magnet School JGP. Orange Crush Chess Club Friday Night Blitz (QC) Burger King, 410 E Morris St (E Morris St and S East St). Show your OCCC card for free upsize. Reg.: 6-6:25pm, starts at 6:30pm. Type: 3 RR Quad, G/5d2, QC. EF: $8.00, $$4-Quad 1st $25.00. Ent: Donald Urquhart, 501 N. East St., #802, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Info: Don at 317-634-6259 or email [email protected]. Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open (MO) See Grand Prix. May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28, 27-28 or 25-26, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL) See Grand Prix.

Iowa Feb. 24-26, Quad Cities Chess Championship at The Lodge See Grand Prix. Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open (MO) See Grand Prix.

Kansas Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open (MO) See Grand Prix.

Kentucky Elizabethtown Chess Club Rated tournament the 2ndTuesday of each month and we meet everyTuesday between 7:00 pm-10:30 pm. We meet at the Elizabethtown Community andTechnical College, in Room 108A of the OccupationalTechnical Building. For further details visit our website at http://etownchess.blogspot. com/. A Heritage Event! Dec. 3, 28th Pink Floyd Open Every 1st Saturday Lexington Event. 3 Rounds, G/60. Music played during rounds. EF: 1 penny per USCF rating point, minimum $10. Reg.: 11:30am. Rounds: RD 1 starts at Noon, RD 2-3 asap. Prizes: 90% of entry fees returned, 1st in each class X/above,A,B,C,D/E; Format: Quad or

uschess.org

Open depending on entries, All prizes paid regardless of format. Location: Expansive Art, 3320 Nicholasville Rd #161, Lexington, KY 40503, Directly behindToysRUs. Contact: Matt Gurley, [email protected], Jerry Baker, 859.806.0637, Lexchess.com. Side Event: Speed chess afterwards. Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open (MO) See Grand Prix.

Maine Jan. 6-8 or 7-8, Continental Amateur (MA) See Massachusetts. Feb. 4-5, SACO OPEN See Grand Prix.

Maryland Dec. 16, Catonsville Blitz Championship (QC) 5 Dbl SS, T/D 4/2. EF: $18, club members $15. Rds.: 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00. Bye: 1-4 Max 4. Reg.: 7:15pm. $$Gtd: $120-$60-$40 U1900 $30 U1600 $30 U1300 $30. Bloomsbury Community Center, 106 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228. Info: Joe Summers 410-788-1009. [email protected]. Website: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze12d59q.

1/3, $95 phoned by 1/3, $100 at site. Group 4 EF: 3-day $58, 2-day $57 mailed by 12/29, all $59 online at chesstour.com by 1/3, $65phoned by 1/3, $70 at site. Group 5 EF: 3-day $28, 2-day $27 mailed by 12/29, all $29 online at chesstour.com by 1/3, $35 phoned by 1/3, $40 at site. Phone entry: 406-896-2038, entry only, no questions, no phone entry after 1/3. All: No checks at site, credit cards OK. Advance EF $5 less to MACA members; may join/renew at masschess.org. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry $50. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10:30 am, rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 2. HR: $79-79, 617-568-1234, request chess rate, reserve by 12/23 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-3311600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: DirectorAtChess.us, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, Billerica Friday Swiss 4 Rds. 40/90, SD/30. Billerica COA, 25 Concord Rd., Billerica, MA 01821. EF: $15. Reg.: 7:30pm. Cash prizes minimal b/entries. For info, call Brad Ryan, (978) 369-8533. NS, NC. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Dec. 17, Scholastic Quads (VA) Our Lady of Good Counsel School, 8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, VA 22182. See: www.silverknightschess.com for complete information or to register.

Mar. 2-4 or 3-4, 21st annual Eastern Class Championships See Grand Prix.

Jan. 6-8, 2012 Chesapeake Open See Grand Prix.

Dec. 17, Thinkers Challenge #3 4 Rds. G/45.This is a scholastic tournament with an adult section. Washington-Parks Academy, 11685 Appleton, Redford, MI 48239. Early Online Registration $15 (weplaychess.webs.com), At the door registration $20. Unrated players divisions grades K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-12, Rated players divisions U600, U900, U1200, Open, Adult Section (Unrated and Rated players combined). 1st-5th place trophies for all scholastic sections. For more information go to: weplaychess.webs.com or call Tom Nelson (303) 880-4332.

Jan. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, 44th annual Liberty Bell Open (PA) See Grand Prix. Feb. 4, Kasparov Chess Foundation Presents 4th Annual Greater Mid-Atlantic Scholastic Chess Championships Poly High School, 1400 W. Cold Spring Ln., Baltimore, MD 21209. Open to K-12 players. 8 Sections. 4 sections are 5-SS, G/40, D/5: HS Championship (grades K-12, any rating or unrated, trophies to top 10 players + 5 teams), MS Championship (grades K-8, any rating or unrated, trophies to top 10 players + 5 teams), ES Championship (grades K-5, any rating or unrated, trophies to top 10 players + 5 teams), PS Championship (grades K-3, any rating or unrated, trophies to top 10 players + 3 teams). 4 sections are 5-SS, G/30, D/5: HS Junior Varsity (grades K12, rated Under 1000 or unrated, trophies to top 7 players + 3 teams), MS Junior Varsity (grades K-8, rated Under 800 or unrated, trophies to top 10 players + 5 teams), ES Junior Varsity (grades K-5, rated Under 600 or unrated, trophies to top 10 players + 5 teams), PS Junior Varsity (grades K-3, rated Under 400 or unrated, trophies to top 10 players + 3 teams). Rds.: Rd 1 for all sections: 9:30 AM; subsequent rounds ASAP. Number of rds, time control, + number of trophies may change, based on number of players. EF: $30 by 1/31, $40 by 7 PM on 2/2, $50 at the door (8:30 - 10 AM, mandatory 1/2 point bye in Round 1). Entry: Online registration at www.mdchess.com/tourneyreg. Mail registration: $30, if rcv'd by 1/31. Include: player's name, USCF ID #, USCF exp. date, section, grade, school, phone #, email address, + check (made payable to Maryland Chess Association). Mail to: Maryland Chess Association, c/o Mike Regan, 1827 Thornton Ridge Road, Towson, MD 21204. Sets + boards provided; bring chess clock. Food available for purchase. Info: John D. Rockefeller V, [email protected], 443-621-4557.

Michigan

Jan. 14-15, 2012 Michigan Master/Expert & Class Championships See Grand Prix. Mar. 23-25 or 24-25, 13th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA) See Grand Prix.

Missouri Every Monday Night: Monday Night Cash Prize Quads G/60 The Kansas City Chess Club, 7667 NW Prairie View Rd., Kansas City, MO 64151. Non-Cash Prize EF: 20/$15 club members. Cash Prize EF: $35/$30. Prizes: $60 1st place each quad b/4 cash prize EF. Free Quad entry 1st each quad…must use within 3 months. No cash substitute! EF. USCF & KC Chess Association memb. required. Reg.: 7:15. Rds.: 7:30PM. ENT: Onsite. INFO: Ken Fee [email protected]. www.kansascitychessclub. com. Free Coffee. Chess Books and Equipment for Sale onsite. Jan. 13-15, Waldo Odak Memorial See Grand Prix.

Massachusetts

Jan. 14-15, 2012 Lead Bank New Year Open Lead Bank, 9019 S. 7 Highway, Lee's Summit, MO 64064. 5SS, G/90. Sat. 10-1:30-5:00. Sun 10-1:30. EF: $27 by Jan. 12th. /$35 onsite. Possible Sections: Open/U1500. Prizes: $400 Guaranteed , Open 1st $100, 2nd $75, 3rd $25. U1500:1st $100, 2nd $75, 3rd $25. Ent: Kenneth Fee, 1537 Baker St., Liberty, MO 64068. Questions: 816-399-3703. Req. Memb: USCF & KC Chess Association. Sold onsite. Register online at: www.kansascitychessclub.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Dec. 9-11 or 10-11, New England Amateur (CT) See Connecticut.

Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open See Grand Prix.

Dec. 17, Harry Lyman Memorial 4SS; G/60. Open & U1800. Boylston C.F., 240B Elm St., Suite B9, Somerville, MA 02144. Entry fee: $25, $20 to BCF members. Prizes: $400b/30: 1st $150 2nd $75 Under 1800 1st $100 2nd $75. Reg.: 9:15 to 9:55AM; Rds.: 10:00, 12:40, 3:00, 5:10. NS, NC, W. Tel. 617-629-3933. Email: [email protected].

Montana

Feb. 10-12 or 11-12, 2012 Baltimore Open See Grand Prix.

Jan. 1, BCF Herb Healy Open House 4SS; G/40 dl5; 2 sections: Rated and Non-Rated; Boylston C.F., 240B Elm St., Suite B9, Somerville, MA, 02144. Entry fee: $25, $20 BCF members if received by 12/30, $5 extra on site. $$b/entries. Reg.: 10:45 to 11:40. Rds.: 11:45, 1:25, 3:00, 4:40. Send advance entries to: above address. NS, NC, W. Tel. 617-351-7668. Web site: http://boylstonchessclub.org. Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1, Reggie Boone Memorial 5SS, G/110. Wachusett CC, McKay Campus School, Room C159, Fitchburg State University, 67 Rindge Rd., Fitchburg, MA 01420. EF: $1 per game played; free to Wachusett CC members. Reg.: 7-7:10 p.m. Rds.: 7:15 p.m. Byes: 1-4, limit two. Prizes: Chess books to winner(s). Info: George Mirijanian, 176 Oak Hill Rd., Fitchburg, MA 01420, [email protected], 978-345-5011. Website: www.wachusettchess.org. Online ratings as of Jan. 4 will be used. W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 6-8 or 7-8, Continental Amateur 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d5). Hyatt Harborside at Logan Airport, 101 Harborside Dr., Boston, MA 02128. Free parking, free airport shuttle. $$ 10,000 based on 200 paid entries (re-entries count half, Group 4 2/3, Group 5 1/3), minimum $7000 (70% of each prize) guaranteed. In 5 sections: Group 1, open to 1900-2249. $1000-500-300-200, top U2100 $400-200. Group 2, open to 1600-1949. $1000-500-300-200, top U1800 $400-200. Group 3, open to 1200-1649 or unrated. $1000-500300-200, top U1500 $400-200. Group 4, open to under 1350 or unrated. $600-300-200-100, top U1200 $300-150. Group 5, open to under 1050 or unrated. $300-150-100, trophy to first 5, top Under 900, Under 700, Under 500, Unrated. Unrated prize limits: Group 5 $100, Group 4 $300, Group 3 $500, balance goes to next player(s) in line. Groups 1-3 EF: 3day $88, 2-day $87 mailed by 12/29, all $89 online at chesstour.com by

Jan. 28-29, Joyce's January Thaw Open. 5 SS, G/90. Holiday Inn, 22 N, Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601. Phone (406) 443-2200. Ask for chess room rate. EF: $25, Jrs-$15. USCF & MCA membership required, OSA. (Tournament EF waived for new members.) Reg.: 10-10:40. Rds.: 11, 2:30, 6:00/9AM, 12:30. $$: 1st-$75, 2nd-$50, biggest upset $35 (nonprovisional). Contact: Murray Strong, 406-459-6684. [email protected], www.montanachess.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Nevada Dec. 26-29 or 27-29, 21st annual North American Open (note reduced hotel rates) See Grand Prix. Dec. 29, North American Blitz (QC) See Grand Prix. Jan. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, 3rd annual Golden State Open (CA-N) See Grand Prix. Mar. 9-11 or 10-11, 19th annual Western Class Championships (CAS) See Grand Prix.

New Hampshire Jan. 6-8 or 7-8, Continental Amateur (MA) See Massachusetts. Jan. 14-15, Portsmouth Open See Grand Prix.

New Jersey Caffeine Swiss G/10 (QC) G/10. Wednedays 7-9:30 p.m. Located at CoffeeWorks at the Voorhees Town Center, 8109 Town Center Blvd., Voorhees, NJ 08043. Reg.: 6:30-


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Tournament Life 7:00. EF: $10. $$ 1st, 2nd, and 3rd =50% of registrations. More info: call Dan at (856) 287-2393, email [email protected] or www.south jerseychess.com.

from prize. Prizes: 80% of EF 1st, 2nd, & Class Prizes: based on the # of participants. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ (732) 499-0118, (760) 504-3604. www.chessmatesnj.com.

Dec. 3, Chess Mates Saturday Open G/15 (QC) 7-SS, Rds.: 12:30, 1:10, 1:50, 2:30, 3:10, 3:50, 4:30pm. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ 07065. EF: $25, members $20. GM Free - $20 deducted from prizes. Prizes: 70% of EF. Prizes: 1st, 2nd & Class Prizes: based on the # of participants. Limit 2 byes, commit by 1:30. Re-entry $15, counts half, no re-entry after 2nd round. (732)-499-0118, (760)-504-3604. www.chessmatesnj.

Dec. 10, Central Jersey Chess Tournament 4SS, G/30. All Saints' Church, 16 All Saints' Rd., Princeton, NJ 08540. Parking, playground, wi-fi & lounge. 3 rated sections (all K-8, G/30): Open (>900), Reserve (600-900), Experienced (below 600). 3 unrated sections: K-1, Novice (2nd-8th grade), Parents/Adults.Trophies to 1st, 2nd, 3rd per section, 1st school/club team per section, $20 & Free EF to 1st in Parents/Adults. EF: $30 online at njchess.com by 12/8, $40 after or on-site. Check-in/Reg ends 1pm, first round starts 1:30. Late arrivals may not be paired in first round. Late arrivals may not be paired in first round. Late arrivals may not be paired in first round. Separate awards ceremonies 4-5:30pm. Snacks & drinks sold on-site. Questions: [email protected].

Dec. 4, 11, 18, Every Sunday Scholastic Quad G/30 Quad G/30: 3pm-6pm, Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ 07065. EF: $15/non-member and $10/member. Prizes Quad: 1st Place: Trophy or $25. (732) 499-0118/760-504-3604. www.chessmates nj.com. Dec. 5, 12, 19, HoHoHo Is Not a Dirty Word Quad/Swiss Quad or 3-SS, b/o entries. 40/90, SD/60, faster by mutual agreement. Community Cntr., 293 Main St. (Rte. 46), Hackettstown, NJ. EF: $12. Prizes (b/16): $75/40/25, U1800 $25, free entry top U1500. Reg.: 7 pm 12/5. Rds.: 7:30 pm each Monday. [email protected]. Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26, Every Monday Open G/5 Blitz and Chess Lessons/Simul (QC) GM Yudasin's "Chess Lessons: 3:15pm-8:00 pm, EF: $15 (3 different classes). Blitz: 8:00pm-10:15pm, EF: $20 /$15. GM Free - $15 deducted from prize. Prizes: 80% of EF 1st, 2nd, & Class Prizes: based on the # of participants. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ (732) 499-0118, (760) 504-3604. www.chessmatesnj.com. Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27, Every Tuesday G/90 4SS/Open Round starts at 7pm every Tuesday (Monthly Tournament). Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ 07065. EF: $25, members $20. Prize Fund 70% of EF. Prizes: Based on the # of participants. (732) 499-0118, www.chessmatesnj.com/. Chess Magnet School JGP. Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28, Every Wednesday Open G/5 Blitz and Chess Lessons (QC) GM Yudasin "Chess Lessons: 3:15pm-8:00 pm EF: $15 (3 different classes). Blitz: 8:00pm-10:15pm, EF: $20 /$15. GM Free - $15 deducted

Dec. 10, Chess Mates Saturday U1800 G/45 4-SS, Rds.: 12:30, 2:15, 4:00, 5:45 pm. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ 07065. EF: $25, members $20. GM Free - $20 deducted from prizes. Prizes: 70% of EF. Prizes: 1st, 2nd & Class Prizes: based on the # of participants. Limit 2 byes, commit by 1:30. Re-entry $15, counts half, no re-entry after 2nd round. (732) 499-0118, (760) 504-3604. www.chessmatesnj.com. Dec. 11, Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Early Winter 2011 Open Championship See Grand Prix. Dec. 11, Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Early Winter 2011 Scholastic Championship in 5 Sections 4SS, EVERYONE PLAYS 4 GAMES, ALL PLAYERS WITH 2.5 PTS OR MORE WILL RECEIVE ATROPHY! USCF Memb Req'd For Sections 3, 4 AND 5. Info: 201 287 0250 or 201 833 1741, www.icanj.net. Email: [email protected]. ADV EF (pmk by Dec 7th) $25 At Site $30 Reg ends 1/2 hr before 1st rd Late entrants will receive a 1/2 pt bye for rd 1. BERGEN ACADEMY, 200 HACKENSACK AVE., HACKENSACK, NJ 07601. In 5 Sections, Section 1 Junior Novice (not USCF rated): Open to unr players K thru 2nd grade. Rds.: First Round 10:15 AM then ASAP. Section 2 Novice: Open to unr players K thru 4th grade. Rds.: First Round 10:00 AM then ASAP. Sec-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SILVER AFFILIATES

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Bay Area Chess (CA) www.BayAreaChess.com

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

Oklahoma Chess Foundation www.OKchess.org

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

Marshall Chess Club (NY) www.marshallchessclub.org

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

En Passant Chess Club (TX) [email protected]

Michigan Chess Association www.michess.org

Silver Knights (PA) www.silverknightschess.com

Indiana State Chess Association www.indianachess.org

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

Sparta Chess Club (NJ) www.spartachessclub.org


Dec. 11, ICA RBO Scholastic Championship 2011 (RBO) 4SS, G/45. RNDS.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00 PM. Players K thru 12 th grd with pts =/> 2.5 will receive aTrophy. BERGAN ACADEMY, 200 HACKENSACK AVE., HACKENSACK, NJ 07601. USCF MEMB Req'd. INFO: 201 287 0250 OR 201 833 1741. www.icanj.net. EMAIL: [email protected]. ADV Ent pmk Dec 7th $25 At Site $30. Make EF and/or Memb, cks payable to: International Chess Academy. Mail to: Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Ln., New Milford, NJ 07646. In 2 Sections, NOVICE U800/UNR and RESERVE U1200/UNR. Dec. 11, 18, Chess Mates Sunday Camp Every Other Sunday Camps: 10am-3pm and FREE EF (full-day enrollees) for Scholastic Tournament G/30 participation (3pm-6pm), Entry Fee: $90/day (non-club member); $80/day (club member); Other Options: 10am-12:30pm ($40); 12:30pm-3pm ($40); 10am-3pm ($75) OR $20/hour. $5 OFF for advance entry at least 4 days prior. Includes: FREE Lunch and Snacks. Instructor/s: GM Leonid Yudasin and NM Arthur Macaspac. 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ 07065.732-499-0118/760-504-3604. www.chessmatesnj.com. Dec. 15, 3rd Thursday Quads 3 RR, G/35 t/d5. Quads grouped by rating. All the King's Men Chess & Games Center (Just 22 mins. from Center City Philadelphia), 62 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ. 856-582-8222. Prizes: $25 1st per quad. Unr. cannot win more than $10. EF: $12, members $10. Reg.: 6-6:45 pm. Rds.: 7-8-9 pm. Info: [email protected]. All: Visa/MC/Disc OK w/$1surcharge. Bring a clock! Dec. 17, 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. Prizes: $25 per Quad.

GOLD & SILVER

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

tion 3 G/45 Reserve: Open to players rated below 800 and unr players K thru 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00 PM. Section 4 G/45: Open to players rated below 1200 and unr players K thru 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00 PM. Section 5 G/60: Open to players rated below 1700 and unr players K thru 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 12:00, 2:15, 4:30 PM. ENT: Make EF and/or USCF Memb chks payableTo: International Chess Academy Mail. To: Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Ln., New Milford, NJ 07646.

AFFILIATES GOLD

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

SILVER

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

uschess.org


Reg.: 9-10:30/am. Rds.: 10:30/am-1:30/pm-4:30/pm. NJ State Chess Federation, no dues magazine Subscription per year, OSA. NS, NC, W. Dec. 17, Chess Mates Saturday U2200 G/45 4-SS, Rds.: 12:30, 2:15, 4:00, 5:45 pm. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ 07065. EF: $25, members $20. GM Free - $20 deducted from prizes. Prizes: 70% of EF. Prizes: 1st, 2nd & Class Prizes: based on the # of participants. Limit 2 byes, commit by 1:30. Re-entry $15, counts half, no re-entry after 2nd round. (732) 499-0118, (760) 504-3604. www.chessmatesnj.com. Dec. 24, Chess Mates Saturday Open G/45 4-SS, Rds.: 12:30, 2:15, 4:00, 5:45 pm. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ 07065. EF: $25, members $20. GM Free - $20 deducted from prizes. Prizes: 70% of EF. Prizes: 1st, 2nd & Class Prizes: based on the # of participants Limit 2 byes, commit by 1:30. Re-entry $15, counts half, no re-entry after 2nd round. (732) 499-0118, (760) 5043604. www.chessmatesnj.com. Dec. 27-29 or 28-29, 30th annual Empire City Open (NY) See Grand Prix. Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, Freeze 'Em Good 'n' Hard Swiss 4-SS. 40/90, SD/60. Community Cntr., 293 Main St. (Rte. 46), Hackettstown, NJ. EF: $12. Prizes (b/16): $75/40/25, U1800 $25, free entry top U1500. Reg.: 7 pm 1/2. Rds.: 7:30 pm each Monday. angelodp@gmail. com. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 6-8 or 7-8, Continental Amateur (MA) See Massachusetts. Jan. 7, Princeton Day School 650The Great Road. Plaques to top 3 school teams and top 6 in each section. Medals to all players. Four sections for OVER 1000 begin at 10:15 and must preregister: OVER 1600 (K-12), NEAR MASTERS (K-12 over 1400) and FUTURE MASTERS (Players K-12 over 1200) G/60, 3 rds. CLOSED (K-12 1000-1200) G/45 4 rds. ALL OTHER SECTIONS. G/30 4 rds. Beginning at 12:00 noon. (round times will be accelerated if possible): OPEN (Players K-12 U-1000), RESERVE (K-12 U-800), NOVICE II (K-8 U-600), NOVICE I (unrated K-6), K-1 (unrated) NO SCORE K-1 (unrated). PARENTS OF PLAYERS rated G/30 3 rounds. Pre-registration online, pay at the door $35. Parents play free. On-site 11-12 noon $45. Info and register online: www.pds.org/chess. Inquires to Bonnie Waitzkin Chess [email protected]. Jan. 8, Westfield Quads 3 RR, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. Prizes: $50 to first in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 1:302:15 p.m. Rds.: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, [email protected], www.westfieldchessclub.com. Jan. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, 44th annual Liberty Bell Open (PA) See Grand Prix. Jan. 15, Westfield Quads 3 RR, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. Prizes: $50 to first in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 1:302:15 p.m. Rds.: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, [email protected], www.westfieldchessclub.com. Jan. 22, Westfield Winter Scholastic Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. K-12 3 Sections Open, Under 1250, Under 750. Open 3 SS, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45 Trophies to top 5 in each section. EF: $20, $15 members, at site $30, $25 Members. Reg.: 2-2:30 p.m. Rds.: 2:45-4:25-6:05 p.m. Under 1250 4 SS, G/25 T/D 5s, G/30Trophies to top 5 in each section. EF: $20, $15 members, at site $30, $25 members. Reg.: 2-2:30 p.m. Rds.: 2:45-4:00-5:15-6:30 p.m. Under 750 4 SS, G/25 T/D 5s, G/30 Trophies to top 5 in each section. EF: $20, $15 members, at site $30, $25 members. Reg.: 2-2:30 p.m. Rds.: 2:454:00, 5:15, 6:30 p.m. Tiebreaks for trophies. Info: Todd Lunna 732-5267163, [email protected], www.westfieldchessclub.com. Send advance entries toTodd Lunna, 36 Maple Dr., Colts Neck, NJ 07722 by January 18, 2012. Make checks payable to Westfield Chess Club. Jan. 29, Westfield Quads 3 RR, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. Prizes: $50 to first in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 1:302:15 p.m. Rds.: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, [email protected], www.westfieldchessclub.com. Feb. 12, Westfield Quads 3 RR, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. Prizes: $50 to first in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 1:302:15 p.m. Rds.: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, [email protected], www.westfieldchessclub.com. Feb. 18-20, 42nd Annual World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East See Nationals. A State Championship Event! Feb. 26, New Jersey State Elementary Championships 5SS, G/30. Brookdale College, 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, NJ 07738. Student Life Center, use Parking Lot #7 or #6; 5 minutes from Garden State Parkway exit 109. 2 Sections: Elementary (K-6) & Primary (K-3). All: Trophies to top 15 individuals, top 5 teams. Elementary & Primary:Top 5 in each grade. Rds.: 10am then ASAP.Top 4 scores constitute the team score for Elementary; top 3 for Primary. EF: $30 before 2/18, $45 at site. USCF memb. req'd. Reg.: 8-9:00am After 9:00am 1/2 point bye for round 1. Info: 732 259-3881, Ent: Hal Sprechman, P.O. Box 1511, Jackson, NJ 08527 or online at www.characterkings.org. Entries must include name, grade, school, date of birth, USCF ID and expiration date, mailing address, email address, phone number and entry fee. Checks made out to NJSCF. Mar. 2-4 or 3-4, 21st annual Eastern Class Championships (MA) See Grand Prix.

player teams with one alternate allowed. Coaches set order by player strength. Order must not be changed. Team avg. based on top 5 highest ratings.Trophies to top 10 NJ teams.Trophies for top three players, boards 1-5. Rds.: Sat. 10-2-6, Sun. 10-2. EF: $150-/team before 2/18. $185/team at site. $5 per change on site. Junior Varsity (9-12): 4 player teams with one alternate allowed.Team avg. based on top 4 highest ratings.Trophies to top 10 NJ teams.Trophies for top 3 players, boards 1-4. Rds.: Sat. 102-6, Sun. 10-2. EF: $120/team before 2/18, $150/team on site. $5 per change on site. Booster (K-12):Trophies to top 15 individuals, top 5 teams, top 2 JHS teams, & top 2 elementary teams (K-6). Rds.: Sat. 10-2-6, Sun 10-2. Top 4 scores constitute team score. EF: $30 before 2/25, $37 at site. All: USCF memb. required. Reg.: Sat. 8-9:00am. After 9:00am, 1/2 Point bye for round one. Ent: Hal Sprechman, P.O. Box 1511, Jackson, NJ 08527 or online at www.characterkings.org. Entries must include name, grade, school, date of birth, USCF ID and expiration date, mailing address, email address, phone number and entry fee. Checks made out to NJSCF. Chess Magnet School JGP. A State Championship Event! Mar. 4, New Jersey Junior High School Championships 5SS, G/30. Brookdale College, 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, NJ 07738. Student Life Center, use Parking Lot #7 or #6; 5 minutes from Garden State Parkway exit 109. 5SS, G/30. Section: JHS (K-9). ALL: Trophies to top 15 individuals, top 5 teams. Rds.: 10am then ASAP. Top 4 scores constitute team score. EF: $30 before 2/25, $45 at site. USCF memb. req'd. Reg.: 8-9:00 am. After 9:00 am, half-point bye for round one. INFO: 732-259-3881, [email protected]. ENT: Hal Sprechman, P.O. Box 1511, Jackson NJ 08527 or online at www.characterkings. org. Entries must include name, grade, school, date of birth, USCF ID #, & expiration date, mailing address, phone number & entry fee. Checks made out to NJSCF. Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, Long Island Open (NY) See Grand Prix. Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, 6th annual Philadelphia Open (PA) See Grand Prix.

New Mexico Jan. 14-15, The Eliot O'Brien Memorial/New Mexico Centennial Senior Championship Open to all ages. 4/SS, G/120 +5/d. Rio Rancho Meadowlark Sr. Center, 4330 Meadowlark Ln. SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. Co-sponsored by the Meadowlark Chess Group and the New Mexico Chess Organization. Sections: NM Centennial Open: EF $30. $$b/25 1st $175 Gtd. 2nd 125 U2000 $100. NM Centennial Reserve: U1800 EF $25. $$b/20 1st $125 2nd $75 U1600 $50. New Mexico Centennial Booster: U1400 EF $20. $$b/15 1st $75 U1200 $25. Unrated only eligible for 50% of prize in Reserve/Booster. Rds. 9-2, 9-2. Reg. Sat. 8-8:30. No 1/2 pt byes. 0 pt bye available each rd. $10 late fee if entry not received by 1/12. $5 Family discount after one full-price entry. ENT: checks payable to NMCO, P.O. Box 4215, Albuquerque, NM 87196. Paypal accepted. Recommended Motel: Super8 (505)-896-8888 ask for chess rate. Entry form w/directions, & Map: Website nmchess.org. W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, Southern Rocky Fide Open See Grand Prix. Feb. 26, 2012 U.S. G/15 Championship (QC) See Nationals.

New York Dec. 15, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave.,

NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:159:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game. Dec. 17, Marshall Saturday U1400! 4-SS, G/45. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300 b/20): $160-80, U1100 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45. Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. Dec. 17-18 or 18, Marshall December U2100! NOTE CORRECTIONS: 4SS, 30/90, SD/1. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $45, Members $25. ($540 b/36): $240-120, U1850/unr $95, U1600 $85. Reg.: ends 12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, Rds 12:30-5:30 PM each day; 1 day, (Rds 1-2 G/30) 10-11:15-12:30-5:30 Sun; both merge Rd 3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. www.mar shallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Dec. 20, Marshall Masters! See Grand Prix. Dec. 22, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight! See Grand Prix. Dec. 24, Marshall Saturday G/60! 4-SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360/24): $160-80, U2000 $65, U1700 $55. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45 am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar shallchessclub.org. Dec. 25, Marshall Open & U1500 Christmas Game/45! 4-SS, G/45. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.Two sectionsyou play only those in your section: A. Open ($360/24): $160-80, U2100 $65, U1800 $55. B. U1500 ($240/16): $120-65, U1200 $55. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45 pm. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. Dec. 27-29 or 28-29, 30th annual Empire City Open See Grand Prix. Dec. 28-Jan. 25, Marshall Wednesday U2000! 5-SS, 30/90, SD/1. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. ($300/20): $160-80, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45 pm. Rds.: 7 pm each Wednesday. Limit 2 byes, request by Rd 3. www.marshall chessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Dec. 29, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:159:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game. Dec. 31, Your Last Blunder Of 2011! Ring In The New Year With An Annual NY Tradition - Now In its 25th Year!! See Grand Prix. Dec. 31-Jan. 1, Chessaholics Anonymous New Year's Eve Insanity Championship!! See Grand Prix. Jan. 5, 1st 4 Rated Games Tonight In 2012! 4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $35, Club

NEW YORK STATE SCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS March 3-4, 2012 - Saratoga Springs, NY 6 rounds, three each day, G/61 (except K-1), 5 second delay, open to grades K-12 in any state (top NYS player & team each section are NY champs). Team prizes based on top 4 scores from same school; individual entries welcome. 203 trophies to be awarded, plus free entries for NY players! Reserve hotel room by Feb 18. In 8 sections: High School (K-12), High School Reserve (K-12 under 1200/unr), Junior High (K-9), Middle School Reserve (K-8 under 1000/unr), Elementary (K-6), Elementary Reserve (K-6 under 800 or unrated), Primary (K-3), K-1 (K-1; this section is G/30 and plays Sunday, March 4 only, 5 rounds, G/30, 5 second delay). See TLA under “New York” for full details.

A State Championship Event! Mar. 3-4, New Jersey High School Chess Championships 5SS, G/90. Union County Vocational -Technical School, 1776 Raritan Rd., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076. 3 sections: Varsity Championship (9-12): 5

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Tournament Life membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:159:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game. Jan. 5-Feb. 2, 4th Long Island Chess Club Winter Open 5SS, G/90 (t/d5). United Methodist Church, 470 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow, NY 11554. Open to all U-2300/unr. $(b/20): $150-100. Top U1800, U-1500/unr. $70 ea. EF: $35. Non-LICC members +$10. Reg.: 6:40-7:10 PM, no adv. ent., Rds.: 7:15 PM SHARP ea. Thursday. 2 byes 1-5. Info: www.lichessclub.com. NS. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 5-Feb. 2, Marshall Thursday Members-Only Swiss! 5-SS, G/115d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. Open to MCC members only. EF: $20. ($300 b/20): $160-80, U2000 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7PM each Thursday. Limit 2 byes, request by rd. 3. www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 6-8 or 7-8, Continental Amateur (MA) See Massachusetts. Jan. 7, Marshall Saturday U1800! 4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300 b/20): $160-80, U1500 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45. Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar shallchessclub.org. Jan. 7-8 or 8, Marshall January Grand Prix! See Grand Prix. Jan. 8, The Right Move 175 Team and Individual Championships Riverbank State Park, 679 Riverside Dr., New York, NY 10031. EF: FREE. 4SS, G/30. Open to grades 2-12. Three USCF rated sections: Open, Under 1400 & Under 700. Two Beginner Non-member sections by grades: 2-5 & 6-12. Play starts promptly at 10:00. Player check-in required by 9:15 A.M. (Latecomers will not play in round one). Prizes: Trophies to top 3 in each section (except Open: $50, $30, $20 for 1st-3rd); medal to each player with 2.5 or more points.Team plaque to 1st and 2nd each section, with top 3 scores counting in each section. To register: use website at www.therightmove.org or email registration@therightmove. org by Friday 8:00 PM before the tournament. NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION. Jan. 9, 65th Nassau Action See Grand Prix. Jan. 9-Feb. 13, FIDE Mondays!! 6-SS, G/120. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. Open to all players rated 1600 or above. EF: $50, $30 members. $$500 b/20: $175125-100, U2000 $100; 2 byes OK, commit before Round 4. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7PM each Monday; FIDE rated. www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 12, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:159:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game. Jan. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, 44th annual Liberty Bell Open (PA) See Grand Prix. Jan. 14, Marshall Open & U1500 Saturday Game/25d5! 5-SS, G/25d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Two sections-you play only those in your section: A. Open ($360/24): $160-80, U2100 $65, U1800 $55. B. U1500 ($240/16): $120-65, U1200 $55. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45 pm. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. Jan. 15, Marshall Sunday G/60! 4-SS, G/55d5. Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360/24): $160-80, U2000 $65, U1700 $55. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45 am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar shallchessclub.org. Jan. 16, Martin Luther King Day Madness 6-SS, G/25d5. Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $45, members $25. ($480/24): $200-100, U2000 $70, U1700 $60, U1400 $50. Reg.: 10:15-10:45. Rds.: 11-12:15-1:30-3:00-4:15-5:30. Two byes available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. Jan. 16-Feb. 13, Marshall Monday U1600! PRIZES INCREASED BY 50%! 5-SS, G/85d5. Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $50, members $30. ($450/20): $240-120, U1300 $90. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7 pm each Monday. Limit 2 byes, request by Rd 3. www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 17, Marshall Masters! See Grand Prix. Jan. 19, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight! See Grand Prix. Jan. 21, Marshall Saturday U1600! 4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300 b/20): $160-80, U1300 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45. Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar shallchessclub.org. Jan. 21, Syracuse-Minoa Jan Open 4SS. Rds.: 1&2 G/60, Rds.: 3&4 G/90. Minoa Muncipal Bldg., 240 N. Main St., Minoa, NY (Exit Kirkville Rd. E. from I 481, R. at second light). EF: $30. Prizes: b/20) $200, 125, Class 100. Reg.: 8:30-9:15. Rds.: 9:30, 12:00, 2:15, 5:30. Contact: Joe Ball 315-436-9008. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 21-22 or 22, Marshall CC January U2300! 4SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $45, Members $25. ($540 b/36): $240-120, U2000/unr $95, U1700

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$85. Reg: ends 12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, Rds 12:30-5:30 PM each day; 1 day, (Rds 1-2 G/25d5) 10-11:15AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both merge rd.3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. www.mar shallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 26, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game. A Heritage Event! Jan. 28, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 33rd Annual Greater NY Primary Championship! 5-SS, G/30, open to all born after 1/28/02 in grades 3/below. New Yorker Hotel, 481 8th Ave & 34th St, NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF: $46.60 postmarked by 1/06/12.Trophies to top 12, top rated U900, top 3 unrated, top 6 school teams. Free entry to specified Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 8/1/12 to 1st, thru 8/1 to 2nd, thru 7/1 to 3rd. Novice: open to Under 700 or unrated. EF: $46.50 postmarked by 1/6. Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrated. Free entry to specified Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 7/1/12 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. K-1, open to grade 1/below. EF: $46.40 postmarked by 1/6. Trophies to top 12, top rated U500, top 3 unrateds, top 6 schools. Free entry to specified Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 7/1/12 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. All: EF's $7 extra per player postmarked 1/7-13, all $65 at site. Mail entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from same school in SAME ENVELOPE! All substitutions from advance entry list charged late fee. $15 extra to switch sections, $15 charge for each player refund. All players scoring 4 or more who don't win a trophy will receive a medal! 8 weeks free entry, except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks free, except quads, to 2nd team (top 4 scores from same school = team score). Speed playoff for 5-0. Limit 2 byes (rds. 4-5 commit before rd. 3). Mail entries: list name, rating, ID# (proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues if necessary), school, grade, birthdate, address. Checks to (specify section): Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY, NY 12553.To confirm receipt, enclose SASE. No mail postmarked after 1/13. Phone entries: $59 by credit card thru 1/23: 845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191, 24 hours, entries only). Online entries at www.chesscenter.cc: $46 thru 1/13, $53 1/14-1/23. No phone or on-line entries after 1/23. On-site entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends 9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Questions, team rooms: [email protected] (Jan 27-28 only: 212-971-0101). Bring sets, clocks, boards! A Heritage Event! Jan. 28, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 46th Annual Greater NY Junior High Championship - USCF's Longest-Running Scholastic! 5-SS, G/30, open to all born after 1/28/96 not yet in 10th grade. New Yorker Hotel, 481 8th Ave & 34th St, NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF: $48.60 postmarked by 1/06/12. Trophies to top 12, top U1500, top 3 unrated, top 6 school teams. Free entry to specified Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 8/1/12 to 1st, thru 7/1 to 2nd, thru 6/1 to 3rd. Junior-Varsity: open to Under 1200 or unrated. EF: $48.50 postmarked by 1/6.Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrated, top 6 schools. Free entry to specified Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 7/1/12 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. Novice, open to Under 700 or unrated. EF: $48.40 postmarked by 1/6.Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrateds, top 6 schools. Plaques to top 2 each grade: 4-6 (you can win both plaque & trophy). Free entry to specified Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 6/1/12 to 1st, thru 5/1 to 2nd, thru 4/1 to 3rd. All: EF's $7 extra per player postmarked 1/7-13, all $65 at site. Mail entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from same school in SAME ENVELOPE! All substitutions from advance entry list charged late fee. $15 extra to switch sections, $15 charge for each player refund. All players scoring 4 or more who don't win a trophy will receive a medal! 8 weeks free entry, except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks free, except quads, to 2nd team (top 4 scores from same school = team score). Speed playoff for 5-0. Limit 2 byes (rds. 4-5 commit before rd. 3). Mail entries: list name, rating, ID# (proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues if necessary), school, grade, birthdate, address. Checks to (specify section): Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY, NY 12553.To confirm receipt, enclose SASE. No mail postmarked after 1/13. Phone entries: $59 by credit card thru 1/23: 845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191, 24 hours, entries only). Online entries at www.chesscenter.cc: $46 thru 1/13, $53 1/14-1/23. No phone or on-line entries after 1/23. On-site entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends 9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Questions, team rooms: [email protected] (Jan 27-28 only: 212-971-0101). Bring sets, clocks, boards! Jan. 28, Marshall Open & U1500 Saturday Game/45! 5-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Two sections-you play only those in your section: A. Open ($360/24): $16080, U2100 $65, U1800 $55. B. U1500 ($240/16): $120-65, U1200 $55. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45 pm. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. A Heritage Event! Jan. 29, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 46th Annual Greater NY Elementary Championship - USCF's Longest-Running Scholastic! 5-SS, G/30, open to all born after 1/29/99 not yet in 7th grade. New Yorker Hotel, 481 8th Ave & 34th St, NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF: $47.60 postmarked by 1/06/12. Trophies to top 12, top U1200, top 3 unrated, top 6 school teams. Free entry to specified Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 8/1/12 to 1st, thru 7/1 to 2nd, thru 6/1 to 3rd. Junior-Varsity: open to Under 1000 or unrated. EF: $47.50 postmarked by 1/6. Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrated, top 6 schools. Free entry to specified Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 7/1/12 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. Novice, open to Under 700 or unrated. EF: $47.40 postmarked by 1/6. Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrateds, top 6 schools. Free

entry to specified Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 6/1/12 to 1st, thru 5/1 to 2nd, thru 4/1 to 3rd. All: EF's $7 extra per player postmarked 1/7-13, all $65 at site. Mail entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from same school in SAME ENVELOPE! All substitutions from advance entry list charged late fee. $15 extra to switch sections, $15 charge for each player refund. All players scoring 4 or more who don't win a trophy will receive a medal! 8 weeks free entry, except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks free, except quads, to 2nd team (top 4 scores from same school = team score). Speed playoff for 5-0. Limit 2 byes (rds. 4-5 commit before rd. 3). Mail entries: list name, rating, ID# (proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues if necessary), school, grade, birthdate, address. Checks to (specify section): Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY, NY 12553. To confirm receipt, enclose SASE. No mail postmarked after 1/13. Phone entries: $59 by credit card thru 1/23: 845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191, 24 hours, entries only). Online entries at www.chesscenter.cc: $46 thru 1/13, $53 1/14-1/23. No phone or on-line entries after 1/23. Onsite entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends 9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Questions, team rooms: [email protected] (Jan 27-29 only: 212971-0101). Bring sets, clocks, boards! A Heritage Event! Jan. 29, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 46th Annual Greater NY High School Championship - USCF's Longest-Running Scholastic! 5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 12/below born after 1/29/92. New Yorker Hotel, 481 8th Ave & 34th St, NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF: $49.60 postmarked by 1/06/12. Trophies to top 12, top U1700, top 3 unrated, top 6 school teams. Free entry to specified Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 8/1/12 to 1st, thru 7/1 to 2nd, thru 6/1 to 3rd. Junior-Varsity: open to Under 1600 or unrated. EF: $49.50 postmarked by 1/6.Trophies to top 12, top U1400, top 3 unrated, top 6 schools. Free entry to specified Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 7/1/12 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. Novice, open to Under 1000 or unrated. EF: $49.40 postmarked by 1/6. Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrateds, top 6 schools. Plaques to top 2 each grade: 7-9 (you can win both plaque & trophy). Free entry to specified Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 6/1/12 to 1st, thru 5/1 to 2nd, thru 4/1 to 3rd. All: EF's $7 extra per player postmarked 1/7-13, all $65 at site. Mail entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from same school in SAME ENVELOPE! All substitutions from advance entry list charged late fee. $15 extra to switch sections, $15 charge for each player refund. All players scoring 4 or more who don't win a trophy will receive a medal! 8 weeks free entry, except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks free, except quads, to 2nd team (top 4 scores from same school = team score; no combined schools, even if one school "feeds" another). Speed playoff for 5-0. Limit 2 byes (rds. 45 commit before rd. 3). Mail entries: list name, rating, ID# (proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues if necessary), school, grade, birthdate, address. Checks to (specify section): Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY, NY 12553.To confirm receipt, enclose SASE. No mail postmarked after 1/13. Phone entries: $59 by credit card thru 1/23: 845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191, 24 hours, entries only). Online entries at www.chesscenter.cc: $46 thru 1/13, $53 1/141/23. No phone or on-line entries after 1/23. On-site entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends 9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Questions, team rooms: [email protected] (Jan 27-29 only: 212-971-0101). Bring sets, clocks, boards! Jan. 29, Marshall Sunday G/60! 4-SS, G/55d5. Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360/24): $160-80, U2000 $65, U1700 $55. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45 am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar shallchessclub.org. Feb. 1-29, Marshall Wednesday U1400! A NEW REGULAR MARSHALL CHESS CLUB TOURNAMENT! 5-SS, G/85d5. Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $50, members $30. ($450/20): $240-120, U1100 $90. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds. 7 pm each Wednesday. Limit 2 byes, request by Rd 3. www.marshallchess club.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Feb. 1-29, Marshall Wednesday U2000! PRIZES INCREASED BY 50%! 5-SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $50, members $30. ($450/20): $240-120, U1700 $90. Reg.: 6:15-6:45 pm. Rds. 7 pm each Wednesday. Limit 2 byes, request by Rd 3. www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Feb. 2, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game. Feb. 4, 25th Annual Super Saturday In New York! See Grand Prix.

ORGANIZER AND DIRECTOR SEMINARS If you are a senior level TD or higher and willing to conduct a free seminar about organizing/ directing USCF-rated tournaments, please contact Joan Dubois at [email protected]. uschess.org


Feb. 4, Marshall Saturday U1400! 4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300 b/20): $160-80, U1100 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45. Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. Feb. 4-5 or 5, Marshall February U2100! 4SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $45, Members $25. ($540 b/36): $240-120, U1850 $95, U1600 $85. Reg.: ends 12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, Rds. 12:30-5:30 PM each day; 1 day, (Rds 1-2 G/35) 9:40-11:05AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both merge rd.3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. www.mar shallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Feb. 5, Super Rated Beginners' Open! 4-SS, G/45 + td/5 or G/50 + td/0. Chess Center at the New Yorker Hotel, 481 8th Ave at 34th St., across from Penn Station, NYC: 845-569-9969, for Under 1200 or those not rated in any country. EF $25, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$200 b/20 paid: $100-60-40. Reg. ends 10:30 am. Rds.: 11-1:15-3:15-5:15 pm. Bring sets, clocks! Feb. 5, Super Sunday (Pre)Game/60 Quad! 3-RR, G/55 + td/5 or G/60 + td/0. Chess Center at the New Yorker Hotel, 481 8th Ave at 34th St., across from Penn Station, NYC. EF: $30. NO FREE ENTRIES! $$ (60 to 1st each quad, b/4 per quad). Reg. ends 11:45 am. Rds.: 12-2-4. All players must agree to play ALL 3 games! Bring sets, clocks! Feb. 9, 4 Rated Games Tonight! 4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game. Feb. 9-Mar. 8, Marshall Thursday Members-Only Swiss! PRIZES INCREASED BY 50%! 5-SS, G/115d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. Open to MCC members only. EF: $30. ($450 b/20): $240-120, U2000 $90. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7PM each Thursday. Limit 2 byes, request by rd. 3. www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP. Feb. 11, Marshall Saturday U1800! 4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300 b/20): $160-80, U1500 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45. Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar shallchessclub.org. Feb. 11-12 or 12, Marshall February Grand Prix! See Grand Prix. Feb. 14, Marshall Valentine's Day Action! 4-SS, G/25d5. Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360/24): $160-80, U2000 $65, U1700 $55. EF: $30, members $20. Reg.: 6:15-6:45 pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. Mar. 2-4 or 3-4, 21st annual Eastern Class Championships (MA) See Grand Prix. A Heritage Event! Mar. 3-4, 45th annual 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 8 sections, each is a 6SS, G/61 except K-1 is 5SS, G/30 playing Mar 4 only. No 5 minute time control deduction. High School, open to all in grades K-12. EF $38.20 mailed by 2/10. Top NYS grade 9-12 qualifies for Denker Tournament of HS Champions. High School Reserve, open to K-12 under 1200 or unrated. EF $38 mailed by 2/10. Junior High, open to all in grades K-9. EF $37.90 mailed by 2/10. The higher rated (post-tournament) of the top NYS K-8 in JHS or top NYS K-8 in HS qualifies for Barber Tournament of K-8 Champions. Middle School Reserve, open to K-8 under 1000 or unrated. EF $37.80 mailed by 2/10. Elementary, open to all in grades K-6. EF $37.60 mailed by 2/10. Elementary Reserve, open to grades K-5 under 800 or unrated. EF $37.50 mailed by 2/10. Primary, grades K-3. EF $37.30 mailed by 2/10. K-1, grades K-1. EF $37.10 mailed by 2/10. Postmarked 2/11-21: All EF $10 more. Do not mail entry after 2/21. Online at chesstour.com, all sections: EF $40 by 2/10, $50 by 2/27. No online entry after 2/27. Phoned to 406-896-2038, all sections: EF $55 per player by 2/27. No phone entry after 2/27. Entry at site: all $60. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Trophies to top 15 players and top 7 teams each section, top 3 unrated in Primary, K-1, and each reserve section, and top U1500, U1300 (HS), U900, U700 (HS Reserve), U1200, U1000 (JHS), U700, U500 (MS Reserve), U1000, U800 (Elem), U500, U300 (Elem Reserve). Speed playoff if perfect score tie. Free entry to NY State Championship, Labor Day weekend 2012 (Albany), to top player each section. Schedule: Late reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11, 2, 5, Sun 9, 12, 2:30, awards 5 pm. K-1 schedule: Late reg. ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10, 12, 1:30, 3, 4:30, awards 5:45. Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 2. HR: $117-117, 888-999-4711, 518-584-4000, reserve by 2/18 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,

uschess.org

board, clock if possiblenone supplied. Chess Magnet School JGP (except K-1). Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, Long Island Open See Grand Prix. Mar. 23-25 or 24-25, 13th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA) See Grand Prix. Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, 6th annual Philadelphia Open (PA) See Grand Prix.

North Carolina Dec. 17, Tobacco Road Action Chess Tournament See Grand Prix. Jan. 27, Land of the Sky Chess960 3SS, G/30. Start 8pm at Land of the Sky XXV (see GP TLA). Free entry, plaque to first. www.ncchess.org. Jan. 27-29, Land of the Sky XXV See Grand Prix. Jan. 28, Land of the Sky Blitz (QC) G/5, unrated. Start 10am at Land of the Sky XXV (See GP TLA). EF: $20. 100% of entries paid as prizes. www.ncchess.org.

Ohio Dec. 3, House of Chess Open 4SS, G/45. House of Chess, Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted, OH (W of JC Penny). Sections: Open, U1600. Reg.: 11-11:25 AM. Rds.: 11:301:15-3:30-5:15. Prizes (b/25): Open: 1st $200, 2nd $100; U1900 1st $100; Reserve(U1600): 1st $100. Ent: $25, Club members $20. Info & entries: House of Chess, Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted, OH 44070. Phone: (440) 979-1133. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.thehouseof chess.com/. Dec. 17, Progress with Chess Monthly Open 4SS, G/30. Fairhill Center, 12200 Fairhill Rd., Cleveland, OH 44120. EF: $15. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: 10, 11:30, 1, 2:30. $250 Guaranteed: Open (1st $100, 2nd $50). Reserve U-1500: (1st $65, 2nd $35). Entries: Progress with Chess, 12200 Fairhill Rd., Cleveland, OH 44120. Info: www.progress withchess.org. Contact: Mike Joelson 216-321-7000. Jan. 14, Toledo Jan Swiss Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90. The University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Mulford Library Basement Café, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 1/12, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50, 1st Class A ,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd., Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 27-29 or 28-29, 35th Cardinal Open See Grand Prix. Feb. 11, Toledo Feb Swiss Open, 4SS, Rnd. 1 G/75, Rnds. 2-4 G/90. The University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Mulford Library Basement Café, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 2/9, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50, 1st Class A ,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd., Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450. Chess Magnet School JGP. Mar. 16-17, 11th Annual Queen City Classic Chess Tournament 5SS, G/30. Paul Brown Stadium, Club West, Downtown Cincinnati, OH. 14 School Sections, includes rated and non-rated. Grade K Non-Rated, 1 Non-Rated, 2 Non-rated, 3 Non-rated, K-3 Open, 4 Non-Rated, 5 NonRated, 6 Non-Rated, 4-6 below 700, 4-6 Open, 7-9 Non-Rated, 7-9 Open, 10-12 Non-Rated, K-12 Open. USCF membership is not required for the non-rated and K-3 rated sections. Prizes: Trophies to all who score 3.5 points or higher, top three team trophies awarded and medals to all others. EF: $35 early bird fee and $45 EF after February 17th. EF includes lunch, t-shirt, program/score book, medal, and simul participation. Registration closes Wednesday, March 14, 2012. NO ON-SITE REGISTRATIONS. Schedule: Friday, March 16, check in from 5-6 p.m. FREE SIMUL at 6:30 p.m. for tournament participants, $20 for Non-participants. SIMUL features International Master Irina Krush, International Grandmasters Maurice Ashley and Gregory Kaidanov. March 17, check in 7-8:30 a.m., matches begin at 9:00 a.m. Grandmasters will be available for questions and instructions all day. Entry/Info: 1-866-PS-CHESS (7724377) or www.queencityclassic.org. Mar. 23-25 or 24-25, 13th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA) See Grand Prix.

Oklahoma Dec. 28, 21st Holiday Open 4-SS, G/55+15. (dual rated). Quality Inn, 2515 W 6th Ave. (Hwy-51), Stillwater, OK 1-405-372-0800. HR: $65-65. Free Parking $$100-1st; other $ per entries. Reg.: 9-9:45am. RDS.: 10-12:30-3-5:30. EF: $20. OCF req $10. One (1) half pt bye rds 1-2-3 CMV, LS, W. Jim Berry, P O Box 351, Stillwater, OK 74076. 405-762-1649. [email protected]. Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, Southern Rocky Fide Open (NM) See Grand Prix.

Pennsylvania

Every Second Saturday of the Month 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! www.freewebs.com/allentown centercitychessclub. Every Saturday Lehigh Valley Super Quads & G/10 (QC) (NO QUADS OR BLITZ ON LVCA GRAND PRIX DATES LISTED IN CHESS

LIFE) G/40 Quads, 3-RR. Reg.: 1p. Lehigh County Senior Ctr., 1633 Elm St., Allentown, PA 18102. EF: $10, $30 for 3-0 score, else $25 for 1st. G/10 Quick Chess, 5-SS, Reg.: 5-6:15 pm. EF: $5, Prizes: 50% of Paid Entries. Info: [email protected], http://www.lehighvalleychess.org/. Jan. 7, W.Chester 1st Sat. Quads Our 23rd year! 3RR, 40/75,sd/30,td/5sec. United Methodist Church, 129 S. High St., West Chester, PA. EF: $20; $40, $50 for 3-0. Reg.: 9am; Rds.: 9:30,1,4:30. Info: [email protected]. Jan. 12, MasterMinds CC Swiss/Quads Blair Christian Academy, 220 W Upsal St., Philadelphia, PA. Quads: 40/75 SD/30TD/5. EF: $20 cash, Perfect score winner $50 else $40. Rd. 1 10AM then asap. Scholastic SS, EF $5 rec'd by Thursday before, $15 at the door. 3 sections Rd. 1 10AM then asap: K-12 3SS, G/55 TD/5 1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 1200, top unrated; K-8 4SS G/35TD/5.1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 800, top unrated; K-6 4SS, G/35TD/5.1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 600, top under 400, top unrated. 1st & 2nd school & club trophies. All Reg. ends 9:30am. Ent: MasterMinds CC, 36 E. Hortter St., Philadelphia, PA 19119. Checks made payable to: MasterMinds CC. Info: Bradley Crable, 215-844-3881, [email protected], or www.masterminds chess.org. Jan. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, 44th annual Liberty Bell Open See Grand Prix. Feb. 10-12 or 11-12, 2012 Baltimore Open (MD) See Grand Prix. Mar. 23-25 or 24-25, 13th annual Pittsburgh Open See Grand Prix. Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, 6th annual Philadelphia Open See Grand Prix. June 28-July 2, 9th annual Philadelphia International See Grand Prix. July 1-3, 2-8, 4-5, 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 40th Annual World Open See Grand Prix.

Rhode Island Cranston Chess Club Monthly Every Tuesday. 4SS, 40/70, SD/30. Garden City Center, Cranston. EF: $5/game (club mbrs: $3/game). Reg.: 6:30-6:50pm; email preferred. Rds.: 1st 4 Tuesdays of the month, 7pm sharp! 5th Tuesday extra rated games and events. One bye rd 1-3; if notified in advance. Prizes based on entries. Info: www.cranstonchess.org, 401-575-1520. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 6-8 or 7-8, Continental Amateur (MA) See Massachusetts.

South Carolina A Heritage Event! Feb. 11-12, 38th Snowstorm Special 5SS, 30/90, SD/1 (Rd. 1 G/90). Best Western Charleston-Downtown, 146 Lockwood Dr., Charleston, SC 29403. EF: $50 if rec'd by 2/08, $60 at site, $25 re-entry; USCF & SCCA req'd, OSA. Prize Fund: $950 b/40 ($475 Gtd.) One section, Open to all. Prizes: $300-150, Top A,B,C,D,E & under 1st$100 ea. (Unrateds will be based on perf. rating after 4th rd.) Schedule: Reg.: Sat. 8-9am Rds.: 10am, 2pm, 8pm, Sun. 9am, 2:30pm. Half pt. byes: avail. all rds., must commit before Rd. 2 for Rds. 4&5 (irrevocable). HR: $84.99 (mention "Snowstorm Special") reserve by Jan. 27, 2012 (843-7224000 or toll free 1-877-721-4545) (www.CharlestonBestWestern.com). Other info: Free entry to Masters and above ($50 deducted from any winnings). Info/Reg/Pmt: Charleston Chess Club, c/o David Y.Causey, 741 Dragoon Dr., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 (email: [email protected]). Chess Magnet School JGP.

Tennessee Jan. 7-8, Memphis Candidates 2012 5SS, G/120. EF: $10 for MCC and GMCC members, (non-members: $40 adults, $30 under 18). This event is USCF regular rated. Rounds 9-2-7, 9-2. Registration begins at 7:30pm 1/7. Top 7 finishers meet Chase Knowles for Memphis City Championship. Site: Greater Memphis Chess Center, 5796 Shelby Oaks Dr., Suite 11, Memphis,TN 38134. Entries: Memphis Chess Club Inc., PO Box 17864, Memphis, TN 38187-0864. www.memphischess.com, [email protected]. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 14-15, Tennessee Winter Open See Grand Prix. Feb. 24-26 or 25-26, Greater Memphis Open 2 See Grand Prix. Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open (MO) See Grand Prix.

Texas Dec. 10, Steven Grubbs Memorial 5SS, G/30. Student Union Galaxy Rooms atThe University ofTexas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080. Three rated sections Opened to all in grades preK - 12th: HS/MS(K-12), Elem (K-6), Primary(K-3). One Not Rated section: Elem Not Rated (K-6). This section is opened to all players in grades K-6 including rated players. $$Trophies: HS/MS:Top 10 ind., top 3 teams; Elem:Top 10 ind., top 5 teams; Primary: Top 10 ind., top 3 teams; Elem Not Rated: Top 10 Ind, top 5 teams. EF: $19 if postmarked by 12/3; $28 thereafter and on site. Add $5 for phone entries. On site registration may result in 1/2 point first round bye. Reg.: 8:00-8:45am, Rd 1 pairing posted at 9:20am, all others ASAP with 45-minute lunch break. One 1/2 pt. bye if requested before end of Rd 2. Tournament is not elimination, play all 5 rounds. Pre-Registration requires prepayment with complete information. All changes after 12/8/11 to be made on site only. Make Checks payable to Dallas Chess Club. US Chess Federation Membership is required for all Rated sections. Not Rated sec-


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Tournament Life tions do not require US Chess Federation membership. Enter: Dallas Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. www.dallaschess.com, www.utdallas.edu/chess. E-mail: info@ dallaschess.com, 214-632-9000. Note that seating is limited and is on a first come first serve basis. Park on metered parking by Student Union or get visitors pass at guard shack on University Drive and park on visitor's parking. Due to construction, check website for parking updates. All proceeds from this tournament will go to the Steven M Grubbs Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Texas at Dallas. NS. NC. W. Dec. 27-30, 2011 Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Tournament See Nationals. Dec. 27-30, 2011 Pan American Class Championships Location: DFW Airport Marriott South, 4151 Centreport Blvd., Fort Worth,TX 76155. HR: $84/84/84/84. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ dfwam-dfw-airport-marriott-south/?toDate=12/31/11&groupCode= paipaia&fromDate=12/26/11&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, 2011. Tournament Format: 6 round Swiss System, Game/90 with a 30 second increment. 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, 2011: $60. After December 14, 2011: $75. 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, [email protected]. Ent: Dallas Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 LonghornTrail, Crowley,TX 76036. FIDE. NS. NC. W. Chess Magnet School JGP. Dec. 27-30, 2011 Pan American Under 20 Scholastic Chess Championships Location: DFW Airport Marriott South, 4151 Centreport Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas, 76155. HR: $84/84/84/84. www.marriott.com/hotels/ travel/dfwam-dfw-airport-marriott-south/?toDate=12/31/11&group Code=paipaia&fromDate=12/26/11&app=resvlink or call 800-2289290 reserve by 12/5 (or rate could go up) and ask for Pan American Intercollegiate Chess rate. Free Parking. Tournament Dates: December 27-30, 2011. 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/90 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 1, 2011: $45. After December 1, 2011: $60. Prizes: Four-year scholarship toThe University ofTexas at Dallas to winner. UT Dallas Chess

II Scholarship as the first prize. The Chess II scholarship is worth approximately $105,000 to an out of state (Texas) student and $45,000 to an In-State student. For some more details about the UTD Chess Scholarships please see www.utdallas.edu/chess/scholarships/chess-pro gram-scholarships.html Winner must meet 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. Chess Magnet School JGP. Dec. 31-Jan. 1, DCC Insanity See Grand Prix. Jan. 6-8 or 7-8, 2nd annual Austin Chess Club Championship See Grand Prix. Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, Southern Rocky Fide Open (NM) See Grand Prix.

Utah A State Championship Event! Dec. 2-4, Utah State Championship 5SS, G/120. Research Administration Building, University of Utah. See utahchess.com for map/directions and eligibility details. Eligibility: 1800 and above USCF rating or per webpage. Prizes: $150, $75, plus $50 to 1st U2000 & trophies. Top Utah resident earns 2011 Utah Champion title and corresponding trophy. EF: $25 if received by 30 Nov, $30 on-site. Reg.: 5:30-6:15 pm. Rds.: Friday 6:30 pm, Saturday 10-3:30, Sunday 92:30. 2 byes available if requested before 2nd round. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Virginia

U1200, medal to winner. EF: Open $10, U1200 $7. Unrateds free. Register online at www.meetup.com/sterling-chess-tournaments. Pay on website. Reg.: 11:30-12:00. Rds.: 12:15, 2:45, 5:15, 7:30. Info: [email protected]. Bye: Half-point, any round. Chess Magnet School JGP. Jan. 13-16, 14-16 or 15-16, 44th annual Liberty Bell Open (PA) See Grand Prix. Jan. 14, Kingstowne Quad #81 3RR, G/100. Kingstowne Thompson Center, 6090 Kingstowne Village Pkwy., Alexandria, VA 22315. EF: $10 if received by 1/11, $15 at site. Prizes: Medals to 1st and 2nd in each quad: gold to 1st if 3-0 score, else silver; bronze to 2nd. Reg.: 9-10:30. Rds.: 11-3-7. Ent (checks payable to): Don W. Millican, P.O. Box 2902, Springfield, VA 22152. E-mail (info only): [email protected]. W (please give 48-hour notice if needed). Feb. 10-12 or 11-12, 2012 Baltimore Open (MD) See Grand Prix. Feb. 11, Kingstowne Action-Plus #53 5SS, G/45. KingstowneThompson Center, 6090 Kingstowne Village Pkwy., Alexandria, VA 22315. EF: $15 if received by 2/8, $20 at site. Prizes $$250 b/20: $100-60, U1800-U1400-Unr. each $30. Reg.: 9-10:30. Rds.: 11-13-5-7. Ent (checks payable to): Don W. Millican, P.O. Box 2902, Springfield, VA 22152. E-mail (info only): [email protected]. W (please give 48-hour notice if needed). Mar. 2-4, 44th Annual Virginia Open See Grand Prix. Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, 6th annual Philadelphia Open (PA) See Grand Prix.

Wisconsin

Dec. 17, Scholastic Quads Our Lady of Good Counsel School, 8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, VA 22182. See: www.silverknightschess.com for complete information or to register.

A Heritage Event! Jan. 14-15, 47th Northeastern Open SECTIONS:Three: OPEN, RESERVE (U/1500), and NOVICE (U/1000). All are USCF-rated. FORMAT: OPEN and RESERVE: 5/SS, T/C: 35/90, G/60, Rds. at 10-2:30-7:15 and 10-3. One half-point Bye in any Round. Full-point Bye in Rd 1 to players 2100+ if pre-registered. NOVICE: 6/SS, G/60, Rounds at 10:15, 1, 3:30, 6:30 and 10:15, 1:00. Two half-point Byes allowed. PLAYING SITE: Holiday Inn – Neenah, 123 E. Wisconsin Ave., Neenah, WI 54956. PH: 1-920-725-8441. Site has 24-hour pool, exercise/workout rooms, video game area and sports bar. ROOM RATES: $79 for 1-bed King, or 2-bed double. Must mention chess. REGISTRATION: 8:30 – 9:30 on 1/14/12. ENTRY FEES: OPEN = $39, RESERVE = $18, NOVICE = $16. All are $7 more if emailed, phoned-in or mailed after 1/9/12. Checks payable to: Mike Selig – TD. PRIZE FUND: OPEN ($ 1400 b/60) $330, $220, best 1900 - 180, 1800 - 170, 1700 - 160, 1600 - 150, U/1600 - $120, U/1400 - 70. RESERVE: $60 - 40. Trophies to: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, best 1200, 1100, 1000, U/1000, Unrated. NOVICE: $30,Trophies to: 1st, 2nd, best U/800, U/600, Unrated. ADVANCE ENTRIES: 47th NORTHEASTERN OPEN, Mike Selig – Director, 2895 W. Fourth St. Condo "B" Appleton, WI 54914-4330. TD Phone: 920-739-7550. Email: mselig@ tds.net. OTHER INFO: Special USCF "Tournament Membership" for players age 24/Under is only $ 7.00. Fox River Mega-Mall – 183 stores – is 4 miles from the site! Chess Magnet School JGP.

Dec. 31, Sterling Chess December Open and RBO 4SS, G/61. St. Francis Episcopal Church, Harris Hall, 9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066. Two sections: Open $$125 b/22, 75/35/15.

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

Arlington Chess Club Friday Night USCF Rating Ladder 30/90, SD/1. Arlington Forest United Methodist Church, 4701 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203. Ladder has been running for over 45 years, now win money too! Most monthly game points: $50; most total points Jan. to Dec.: $100. Must join club to play. Yearly dues: $50 adults, $40 seniors and U18, cash or check. Dates found on our website: http://members.cox.net/arlingtonchessclub/. Reg.: weekly sign-up from 7:00-8:00, games start by 8:10, no advance entries. Contact for info only: [email protected]. W, NS. Chess Magnet School JGP (if 4 rounds/games played in that one month). Arlington Chess Club's Monthly Action Tournament Once each month, the ACC sponsors an action tournament (dates found on our website: http://members.cox.net/arlingtonchessclub/.) 3SS, G/30. Prizes b/entries: 80% returned as prizes. Held concurrently with club ladder. Arlington Forest United Methodist Church, 4701 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22202. Reg.: 7:00-8:15. Rd. 1: 8:20. EF: $15 ($10 for ACC Members), no advance entries, cash only. Contact for info only: [email protected]. W. NS.

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For Sale

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Services

Wanted * CHESS-PLAYER SCHOLARS * in top 10% of high school class with USCF > 2000 and SAT (math + critical reading) > 1400 for possible college scholarships to UMBC. Prof. Alan Sherman, Dept. of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore County, 21250. 410-455-2666, [email protected] TRANSLATORS: Major chess book publisher looking for Dutch and German translators for current and future titles. Please contact: hwr@russell- enterprises.com

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uschess.org

Solutions CHESS TO ENJOY (page 15) Trivia Quiz 1. b. Early in the film the main character, Mark Zuckerberg, uses the Elo algorithm to rate the attractiveness of coeds in a forerunner of Facebook. 2. b. On his country estate.

20. b. Author Colin Dexter named the star of his novels (and syndicated TV series) after Sir Jeremy Morse, an avid problemist and chairman of Lloyds Bank, when it sponsored a major international open in London. Problem I.

1. Qg7+! mates. Problem II.

3. e. 117 wins out of 235 games.

1. Qd2! threatens 2. Qxd7 as well as 2. Qg5+ Kh8 3. Qf6+ Kg8 4. h6 and Qg7 mate.

4. Eight. For example, the white bishop that starts on f1 could go to d3, h3, f5, h7, d7, b1, and b5.

Problem III.

5. b. 6. d. This was the game played in a back room, away from spectators to satisfy Bobby Fischer.

1 Bc4+ Kh8 and now 2. Rf7 wins eventually but 2. Bf7! Qg4 3. Bh5! is faster (3. ... Qxh5 4. Qxg7 mate or 3. ... Qd7 4. Rf7). Problem IV.

8. a.

1. ... Nxf3+ 2. Bxf3 Bd4+ 3. Kh1 Rxf3! wins (4. gxf3 Bxf3+).

9. c. Aruna Anand gave birth to a son.

Problem V.

7. d. His father is Nepalese and his mother is Russian.

10. a. 11. f. 12. Howard Stern. 13. Only d. 14. d. “I don’t really know why but I feel naked without it,” he said on crestbook.com. 15. c. Other versions say it was played in 1750, when Légal was only 48. 16. Yes, Emanuel Lasker and David Janowski, born six months apart, played in 1909. 17. a. 18. b. British model Katie Perry came close, her publisher said, to Karpov’s Guinness Book of Records achievement of signing 1,951 books in one sitting. 19. b.

1. ... Qd7! threatens 2. ... Rxd2 but also 2. ... Rd3 and ... Qxh3+, e.g. 2. Nb1 Rd3 3. Qc5 Qxh3+ 4. Kg1 and now 4. ... Bg4, followed by ... Bxe2 or ... Bf3 and mate. Problem VI.

1. ... fxg3! 2. Rf1 (threat of 3. Qh7 mate) 2. ... e4 3. Bxe4 Bf5! 4. Qxf5 Rxe4 is the easiest way to win.

SOLITAIRE CHESS ABCs of Chess (page 17) Pin: Black wins a pawn and a knight with 1. ... Nxd4+. Problem I.

Removing the guard: Black wins a piece by 1. ... Bxf3. Problem II.

Unpin: White loses a piece after 1. ... g5. Problem III.

Skewer: Black wins the rook with 1. ... Be4. Problem IV.

Mating net: Black mates by 1. ... Qb2+, when 2. Kh3 Qg2+ 3. Kh4 Qh2+ (or 3. ... Qh1+) 4. Kg5 Qh6 is mate. Problem V.

Mating net: White has just pinned the bishop, allowing mate in one, 1. ... Re2 mate. Problem VI.

ENDGAME LAB Benko’s Bafflers (page 49) Problem I. 1. Kc7! 1. Qe5+? Kh6 2. g8=R Qc6+ leads to perpetual check or loss of the rook. 1. ... Qg2 1. ... Qh3 2. Qe5+! Kh6 3. g8=R!!; 1. ... Qa8 2. Qh2+ Kg6 3. Qg2+! 2. Qf7+! Kh6 3. g8=N+!! wins. Problem II. 1. g6+! Kh6 2. g7! Qf2+ 3. Rd2 Qf1 3. ... Qf4 4. g8=B (4. g8=R? Qc4+ 5. Kd1 Qf1+; 4. g8=N+? Kh7! 5. Rb7+ Kh8! 6. Ne7 Qe4+); 3. ... Qf3 4. g8=R (4. g8=B? Qc6+!; 4. g8=N+? Kh7 5. Rd7+ Kh8 and White can not consolidate the position. 4. ... Qc6+ 5. Kd1 Qh1+ 6. Ke2! and Black can neither win a rook nor give perpetual check. 4. g8=N+ Kh7 5. Rb7+ Kh8 6. Ne7 wins.

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 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.

CHESS LIFE USPS# 102-840 (ISSN 0197-260X). Volume 66 No. 12. PRINTED IN THE USA. Chess Life, formerly Chess Life & Review, is published monthly by the United States Chess Federation, 137 Obrien Dr., Crossville, TN 385573967. 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 ©2011 by the United States Chess Federation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise without the prior written permission of USCF. Note: Unsolicited materials are submitted at the sender's risk and Chess Life accepts no responsibility for them. Materials will not be returned unless accompanied by appropriate postage and packaging. Address all submissions to Chess Life, PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557-3967. The opinions expressed are strictly those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Chess Federation. Send all address changes to: U.S. Chess, Membership Services, PO Box 3967, Crossville, Tennessee 38557-3967. Include your USCF I.D. number and a recent mailing label if possible. This information may be e-mailed to addresschange@ uschess.org. Please give us eight weeks advance notice. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 41473530 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO EXPRESS MESSENGER INTERNATIONAL P.O. BOX 25058 LONDON BRC, ONTARIO, CANADA N6C 6A8

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Index

2011 Chess Life Index How To Use Index

Month

Cover

#s

Items are listed by month (1-12) and page; so 4:16 refers to April, page 16. There are three sections: Index of Games, Index of Openings, and Index of Features. In Index of Games, (f) refers to a game fragment .

January (1) February (2) March (3) April (4) May (5) June (6) July (7) August (8) September (9) October (10) November (11) December (12)

Vasily Smyslov Steven Zierk Larry Evans Hikaru Nakamura USATE Winning Team College Chess Collage Kamsky & Zatonskih Correspondence Chess World Chess Hall of Fame Chess Apps Samuel Reshevsky Kings vs. Queens

1–72 1–72 1–72 1–72 1–72 1–72 1–80 1–80 1–72 1–80 1–80 1–72

INDEX OF GAMES Abrahamyan,T -Karavade,E: 1:33 -Zatonskih,A: 7:32,34 Adamson,R-Steinfl,A: 8:43 Adhiban,B-Chirila,I: 2:26(f) Akobian,V -Kacheishvili,G: 9:32 -Kamsky,G: 7:18 -Rensch,D: 9:35(f) Alekhine,A -Chajes,O: 2:14 -Verlinsky,B: 12:42(f) Altrock,R-Kamp,C: 4:39 Alvarez,L-Roldan,JL: 4:39 Amanov,Z -Kavutskiy,K: 8:42 -Paragua,M: 8:43(f) -Sevillano,E: 8:43(f) Amateur-Nezhmetdinov,R: 5:16 Anand,V -Aronian,L: 12:32 -Carlsen,M: 8:55(f) -Kramnik,V: 8:14(f) -Nakamura,H: 4:22(f); 12:36(f) -Nepomniachtchi,I: 5:44 -Timman,J: 2:13 Anderson,M-Carlson,M: 10:54 Anderssen,A-Wyvill,M: 1:14 Arnold,M -Krush,I: 12:26 -Lahno,K: 12:22(f) -Sturt,R: 4:25 -Rosen,E: 8:50 -Zatonskih,A: 12:25 Aronian,L -Anand,V: 12:32 -Nakamura,H: 4:18(f); 8:54(f),55(f); 12:31 -Topalov,V: 8:55(f) Averbakh,Y-Spassky,B: 5:14(f) Bachmann,A-Bercys,S: 6:22(f) Baginskaite,C-Papadopoulou,V: 1:29 Balasaygun,A-Bashkansky,N: 10:26(f) Banawa,J -Troff,K: 8:46 -Yankovsky,R: 8:46(f) Bardeleben,C-Burn,A: 10:15 Barden,L-Heaton,A: 11:15(f) Barden,L/Fischer,RPenrose,J/Clarke,P: 11:14(f) Barth,B-Korley,K: 11:54 Bashkansky,N-Balasaygun,A: 10:26(f) Beliavsky,A-Pukshansky,M: 5:15 Benko,P -Fischer,R: 12:48(f) -Reshevsky,S: 6:45 -Zuidema,C: 12:48(f) Bercys,S-Bachmann,A: 6:22(f) Berliner,H-Evans,L: 3:12

70

Birnbaum,P-Lapay,R: 12:46 Bisguier,A -Evans,L: 3:14 -Fischer,R: 12:43(f) Bogart,H-Limbos,P: 8:16 Bogoljubow,E-Colle,E: 6:16 Bonsack,L-Hampton,R: 8:29 Botez,A-Regem,J: 6:41 Botvinnik,M -Bronstein,D: 8:15(f) -Chistyakov,A: 6:15 -Minev,N: 10:56(f) -Najdorf,M: 10:56(f) -Reshevsky,S: 11:45 -Troianescu,O: 10:57(f) Bronstein,D -Botvinnik,M: 8:15(f) -Mikenas,V: 4:14 -Porreca,G: 12:43(f) Brown,MW-Xu,GY: 11:26 Buff,J-Hendricks: 6:12 Burn,A-Bardeleben,C: 10:15 Bykhovsky,A-Gareyev,T: 6:22(f) Cao,K-Zatonskih,A: 12:28 Capablanca,JR -Reshevsky,S: 11:45 -Schroeder,C: 6:13 -Spielmann,R: 12:12(f) -Vidmar,M: 12:13(f) Carlsen,M -Anand,V: 8:55(f) -Gelfand,B: 8:54 -Ivanchuk,V: 12:36 -Kramnik,V: 3:38(f) -Leko,P: 1:12(f) -McShane,L: 3:36(f) -Nakamura,H: 4:20(f) -Short,N: 3:38 -Smeets,J: 5:45 -Wang,H: 4:23 Carlson,M-Anderson,M: 10:54 Chajes,O-Alekhine,A: 2:14 Cheparinov,I-Kamsky,G: 1:26,46(f) Chichman-Moisey,A: 12:16 Chirila,I-Adhiban,B: 2:26(f) Chistyakov,A-Botvinnik,M: 6:15 Clarke,P/Penrose,JFischer,R/BardenL: 11:14(f) Cobb,M-Moore,N: 1:44 Colle,E-Bogoljubow,E: 6:16 Commons,K-Evans,L: 3:13(f) Connelly,T-Jacobs,S: 8:29 Cullum,C-Miller,D: 8:30 Darsey,H-Darsey,R: 6:42 Darsey,R-Darsey,H: 6:42 Deep Fritz-Deep Junior: 9:14(f) Deep Junior -Deep Fritz: 9:14(f) -Shredder: 11:12 de Guzman,R-Kacheishvili,G: 6:32(f) Dembo,Y-Krush,I: 1:29(f) DePesquo,J-Platz,J: 11:15(f) Doda,Z-Fischer,R: 2:12(f)


Donner,J-Portisch,L: 4:41 Dreev,A-Ramirez,A: 4:37 Duggan,JM-McCarver,D: 11:39 Durao,J-Heidenfeld,W: 4:39 Durarbeyli,V-Zierk,S: 2:37 Duz-Khotimirsky,F-Trublenkov: 7:12(f) Dyson,P-Storch,L: 5:28 Ehlvest,J-Robson,R: 10:21 Esserman,M -Lenderman,A: 11:22 -van Wely,L: 11:19 Euwe,M -Fischer,R: 2:22 -Reshevsky,S: 6:44(f) Evans,L -Berliner,H: 3:12 -Bisguier,A: 3:14 -Commons,K: 3:13(f) -Keres,P: 3:25 -Opsahl,H: 3:24,46(f) -Pilnick,C: 3:24 -Pinkus,A: 3:46(f) -Reshevsky,S: 3:24(f) -Rossolimo,N: 3:12(f) -Taimanov,M: 3:24,47(f) Everett,M-Franklin,W: 4:42 Evigelsky,A-Malishauskas,V: 11:16 Fichtl,J-Milotai,D: 4:41 Fieberg,S-Xiong,J: 2:41 Fierro,M-Nakamura,H: 12:22(f) Finegold,B -Kosteniuk,A: 12:24 -Krush,I: 12:22(f) Fine,R-O'Kelly de Galway,A: 7:14 Fischer,R -Benko,P: 12:48(f) -Bisguier,A: 12:43(f) -Doda,Z: 2:12(f) -Euwe,M: 2:22 -Reshevsky,S: 6:44(f); 7:13; 11:49 -Sherwin,J: 12:43(f) Fischer,R/Barden,L-Penrose,J/Clarke,P: 11:14(f) Flores,D-Nakamura,H: 1:46(f) Franklin,W-Everett,M: 4:42 Friedel,J-Kacheishvili,G: 6:36 Fritz 12-Moody,R: 2:44 Gales,W-Rose,B: 8:30 Garbarino,J-Hess,R: 5:22 Garcia,JLF-Polgar,J: 7:11(f) Gareyev,T -Bykhovsky,A: 6:22(f) -van Wely,L: 10:22 Garrett,P-Ranario,D: 2:33 Gelashvili,T-Krush,I: 10:18 Gelfand,B -Carlsen,M: 8:54 -Grischuk,A: 8:20; 9:47(f) -Kamsky,G: 8:22(f),23(f); 9:46(f) Georgiev,K-Sutovsky,E: 9:15(f)

Getz,N-Hushenbeth,N: 11:56(f) Giri,A-Nakamura,H: 4:19(f) Giusfolisi,AM-Torrens,O: 9:16 Gologorshy,R-Regam,J: 11:30 Golub,D-Vilenchuk,M: 11:29 Grandelius,N-Zierk,S: 2:46(f) Greco,G-NN: 4:38 Griffith,RC-Reshevsky,S: 11:42 Grischuk,A -Gelfand,B: 8:20; 9:47(f) -Kramnik,V: 9:46(f) -Nakamura,H: 4:18(f) Gulamali,K-Nakamura,H: 11:20 Gundavaa,B-Nakamura,H: 1:22(f) Gurevich,D-Manion,J: 4:30 Hafizulhelmi,M-Pelletier,Y: 4:13(f) Hakansson,A-Nimzowitsch,A: 5:14 Hampton,R-Bonsack,L: 8:29 Ham,S-Weber,J: 8:38 Hansen,LB-Polgar,J: 7:11(f) Haring,V-Xiong,J: 2:47(f) Hasangatin,R-Yakovich,Y: 1:12(f) Heaton,A-Barden,L: 11:15(f) Hedjesi,BN-Sadorra,JC: 4:35 Heidenfeld,W-Durao,J: 4:39 Hendricks-Buff,J: 6:12 Hess,R -Garbarino,J: 5:22 -Onischuk,A: 7:55(f) -Postny,E: 10:40 -Shulman,Y: 7:24 -Silva,HL: 1:35(f) Hoang,TT-Krush,I: 1:25(f) Horwitz,B-Staunton,H: 12:42(f) Hovhannisyan,R-Robson,R: 11:57(f) Hunter,PB-Xiaxun,X: 10:35 Huschenbeth,N -Lopez,IS: 11:56(f) -Getz,N: 11:56(f) Ivanchuk,V -Carlsen,M: 12:36 -Nakamura,H: 12:33 -van Wely,L: 7:12(f) Jacobs,S-Connelly,T: 8:29 Javakhishvili,L-Zatonskih,A: 1:27 Kacheishvili,G -Akobian,V: 9:32 -de Guzman,R: 6:32(f) -Friedel,J: 6:36 -Kosteniuk,A: 6:33(f) -Smirin,I: 6:35 Kallio,H-Marin,M: 4:41 Kalyoncu,I-Ozkaynak,S: 9:44 Kamp,C-Altrock,R: 4:39 Kamsky,G -Akobian,V: 7:18 -Cheparinov,I: 1:26,46(f) -Gelfand,B: 8:22(f),8:22(f), 23(f); 9:46(f)

-Naroditsky,D: 7:21(f),54 -Radjabov,T: 10:31 -Shulman,Y: 7:54(f) -Sutovsky,E: 1:28 -Topalov,V: 8:23(f) Karas,N-Vilenchuk,M: 11:28 Karavade,E-Abrahamyan,T: 1:33 Karjakin,S-Kramnik,V: 10:15 Karpov,A-Taimanov,M: 12:43(f) Karthikeyan,P-Zivanic,M: 2:25 Kasparov,G -Lautier,J: 10:14 -Nikitin,A/Shakarov,A: 6:14(f) -Rabinovich,A: 7:40 -The World: 12:48(f) Katz,B-Radomskyj,P: 5:22(f) Kaufman,L-Shankland,SL: 9:33(f) Kaufman,R-Lenderman,A: 3:41 Kaushansky,L-Leighton,GN: 9:28 Kavutskiy,K-Amanov,Z: 8:42 Kekelidze,M-Robson,R: 9:34(f) Keres,P-Evans,L: 3:25 Kobalia,M-Poluljahov,A: 1:13(f) Korley,K-Barth,B: 11:54 Kosteniuk,A -Finegold,B: 12:24 -Kacheishvili,G: 6:33(f) Kramnik,V -Anand,V: 8:14(f) -Carlsen,M: 3:38(f) -Grischuk,A: 9:46(f) -Karjakin,S: 10:15 -Morozevich,A: 2:12(f) -Nakamura,H: 1:22; 3:36; 4:22 Kretchetov,A-Sevillano,E: 8:42(f) Kritz,L-Kuljasevic,D: 6:22 Krush,I -Arnold,M: 12:26 -Dembo,Y: 1:29(f) -Finegold,B: 12:22(f) -Gelashvili,T: 10:18 -Hoang,TT: 1:25(f) -Muzychuk,A: 1:47(f) -Stocek,J: 6:34(f) -Stopa,J: 12:20(f),22(f) Kudryavtsev,V-Matikozyan,A: 8:47 Kuljasevic,D-Kritz,L: 6:22(f) Labone,OH-Unknown: 10:16 La Bourdonnais,L-McDonnell,A: 2:12(f); 3:30,32,33 Lahno,K -Arnold,M: 12:22(f) -Nakamura,H: 12:28 L'Ami,E-Nakamura,H: 4:19(f); 5:44 Lapay,R-Birnbaum,P: 12:46 Lasker,E-Reshevsky,S: 11:43 Lautier,J-Kasparov,G: 10:14 Leighton,GN

-Kaushansky,L: 9:28 -Palmquist,W: 11:6 Leko,P-Carlsen,M: 1:12(f) Lenderman,A -Esserman,M: 11:22 -Kaufman,R: 3:41 Levenfish,G-Rubinstein,A: 5:15(f) Li,C-Shulman,Y: 1:32 Limbos,P-Bogart,H: 8:16 Lopez,IS-Huschenbeth,N: 11:56(f) Lyavdansky,V-Volovich,A: 11:14(f) Lybin,D-Ostriker,J: 2:30 Macieja,B-Onischuk,A: 1:30 Makarichev,S-Rongguang,Y: 12:49(f) Malishauskas,V-Evigelsky,A: 11:16 Mamedov,R-Shulman,Y: 10:36 Manion,J-Gurevich,D: 4:30 Marin,M-Kallio,H: 4:41 Marshall,F-Nimzowitsch,A: 12:13(f) Martinson,M-Woodward,D: 8:52 "MasterEd"-Merlock,S: 7:52 Matikozyan,A -Kudryavtsev,V: 8:47 -Taylor,T: 8:47 -van Wely,L: 9:32 Mazur,S-Zierk,S: 2:37 McCarver,D-Duggan,JM: 11:39 McDonnell,A-La Bourdonnais,L: 2:12(f); 3:30,32,33 McShane,L-Carlsen,M: 3:36(f) Menke,J-Rose,B: 8:28 Merlock,S-"MasterEd": 7:52 Mikenas,V-Bronstein,D: 4:14 Miller,D-Cullum,C: 8:30 Milotai,D-Fichtl,J: 4:41 Minev,N-Botvinnik,M: 10:56(f) Mkrtchian,L-Zatonskih,A: 1:27(f) Moisey,A-Chichman: 12:16 Molner,M-van Wely,L: 6:32 Moody,R-Fritz 12: 2:44 Moore,N-Cobb,M: 1:44 Morozevich,A -Kramnik,V: 2:12(f) -Papaioannou,I: 10:14 Muzychuk,A-Krush,I: 1:47(f) Najdorf,M-Botvinnik,M: 10:56(f) Nakamura,H -Anand,V: 4:22(f); 12:36(f) -Aronian,L: 4:18(f); 8:54(f),55(f); 12:31 -Carlsen,M: 4:20(f) -Fierro,M: 12:22(f) -Flores,D: 1:46(f) -Giri,A: 4:19(f) -Grischuk,A: 4:18(f) -Gulamali,K: 11:20

uschess.org

-Gundavaa,B: 1:22(f) -Ivanchuk,V: 12:33 -Kramnik,V: 1:22; 3:36; 4:22 -Lahno,K: 12:28 -L'Ami,E: 4:19(f); 5:44 -Ponomariov,R: 4:19(f) -Shirov,A: 4:19(f) -Smeets,J: 4:20(f) -Sundararajan,K: 11:22 -Wang,H: 4:22(f) -Zatonskih,A: 12:24 Naroditsky,D -Kamsky,G: 7:21(f),54 -Steinfl,A: 8:44 Nepomniachtchi,I-Anand,V: 5:44 Nezhmetdinov,R-Amateur: 5:16 Nguyen,E-Sanchez,A: 10:26(f) Nikitin,A/Shakarov,A-Kasparov,G: 6:14(f) Nimzowitsch,A -Hakansson,A: 5:14 -Marshall,F: 12:13(f) NN-Greco,G: 4:38 O'Kelly de Galway,A-Fine,R: 7:14 Onischuk,A -Hess,R: 7:55(f) -Macieja,B: 1:30 -Sasikiran,K: 10:33 -Shankland,S: 7:22 Opsahl,H-Evans,L: 3:24,46(f) Ostriker,J -Lybin,D: 2:30 -Rydholm,L: 2:31 Othman,N-Shaughnessy,E: 5:40 Ozkaynak,S-Kalyoncu,I: 9:44 Palmquist,W-Leighton,G: 11:6 Panchanathan,M-Sadorra,JC: 4:34 Papadopoulou,V-Baginskaite,C: 1:29 Papaioannou,I-Morozevich,A: 10:14 Paragua,M -Amanov,Z: 8:43(f) -Smith,B: 3:43 Penrose,J/Clarke,PFischer,R/Barden,L: 11:14(f) Perrypawnpusher-PunisherABD: 3:44 Petrosian,T-Spassky,B: 8:14(f) Petrov,M-Sevian,S: 2:40 Pilnick,C-Evans,L: 3:24 Pinkus,A-Evans,L: 3:46(f) Platz,J-DePesquo,J: 11:15(f) Polgar,J -Garcia,JLF: 7:11(f) -Hansen,LB: 7:11(f) -Seirawan,Y: 10:39 -Shirov,A: 12:43(f) Poluljahov,A-Kobalia,M: 1:13(f) Ponomariov,R-Nakamura,H: 4:19(f) Porreca,G-Bronstein,D: 12:43(f) Portisch,L-Donner,J: 4:41 Postny,E-Hess,R: 10:40 Prasanna,V-Ramirez,A: 2:26 Pukshansky,M-Beliavsky,A: 5:15 PunisherABD-Perrypawnpusher: 3:44 Rabinovich,A-Kasparov,G: 7:40 Radjabov,T -Kamsky,G: 10:31 -Xiangzhi,B: 9:14(f) Radomskyj,P-Katz,B: 5:22(f) Ramirez,A -Dreev,A: 4:37 -Prasanna,V: 2:26 -Sadorra,J: 11:24 -Yang,D: 4:37 Ranario,D-Garrett,P: 2:33 Regam,J -Gologorshy,R: 11:30 -Botez,A: 6:41 Rensch,D-Akobian,V: 9:35(f) Reshevsky,S -Benko,P: 6:45 -Botvinnik,M: 11:45

uschess.org

-Capablanca,JR: 11:45 -Euwe,M: 6:44(f) -Evans,L: 3:24(f) -Fischer,R: 6:44(f); 7:13; 11:49 -Griffith,RC: 11:42 -Lasker,E: 11:43 -Vasconcellos,A: 11:51 Robson,R -Ehlvest,J: 10:21 -Hovhannisyan,R: 11:57(f) -Kekelidze,M: 9:34(f) Roldan,JL-Alvarez,L: 4:39 Rongguang,Y-Makarichev,S: 12:49(f) Rose,B -Gales,W: 8:30 -Menke,J: 8:28 Rosen,E-Arnold,MT: 8:50 Rossolimo,N-Evans,L: 3:12(f) Rubinstein,A-Levenfish,G: 5:15(f) Rydholm,L-Ostriker,J: 2:31 Sadorra,JC -Hedjesi,BN: 4:35 -Panchanathan,M: 4:34 -Ramirez,A: 11:24 -Shyam,S: 2:27 Sanal,V-Troff,K: 2:47(f) Sanchez,A-Nguyen,E: 10:26(f) Sasikiran,K-Onischuk,A: 10:33 Schroeder,C-Capablanca,J.R.: 6:13 Schultheis,D-Tracz,J: 8:31 Seirawan,Y-Polgar,J: 10:39 Sevian,S-Petrov,M: 2:40 Sevillano,E -Amanov,Z: 8:43(f) -Kretchetov,A: 8:42(f) Shankland,SL -Kaufman,L: 9:33(f) -Onischuk,A: 7:22 Shaughnessy,E-Othman,N: 5:40 Shen,A-Williams,J: 10:26; 11:27 Sherwin,J-Fischer,R: 12:43(f) Shirov,A -Nakamura,H: 4:19(f) -Polgar,J: 12:43(f) Short,N-Carlsen,M: 3:38 Shredder-Deep Junior: 11:12 Shulman,Y -Hess,R: 7:24 -Kamsky,G: 7:54(f) -Li,C: 1:32 -Mamedov,R: 10:36 Shyam,S-Sadorra,JC: 2:27 Silva,HL-Hess,R: 1:35(f) Smeets,J -Carlsen,M: 5:45 -Nakamura,H: 4:20(f) Smirin,I-Kacheishvili,G: 6:35 Smith,B-Paragua,M: 3:43 Spassky,B -Averbakh,Y: 5:14(f) -Petrosian,T: 8:14(f) Spielmann,R-Capablanca,JR: 12:12(f) Staunton,H-Horwitz,B: 12:42(f) Steinfl,A -Adamson,R: 8:43 -Naroditsky,D: 8:44 Stocek,J-Krush,I: 6:34(f) Stopa,J -Krush,I: 12:20(f),22(f) -Troff,K: 8:44 Storch,L-Dyson,P: 5:28 Sturt,R-Arnold,M: 4:25 Sundararajan,K-Nakamura,H: 11:22 Sutovsky,E -Georgiev,K: 9:15(f) -Kamsky,G: 1:28 Taimanov,M -Evans,L: 3:24,47(f) -Karpov,A: 12:43(f) Taylor,T -Matikozyan,A: 8:47 -Wang,PX: 8:46(f) The World-Kasparov,G: 12:48(f)

Timman,J-Anand,V: 2:13 Topalov,V -Aronian,L: 8:55(f) -Kamsky,G: 8:23(f) Torrens,O-Giusfolisi,AM: 9:16 Tracz,J-Schultheis,D: 8:31 Troff,K -Banawa,J: 8:46 -Sanal,V: 2:47(f) -Stopa,J: 8:44 -Vetoshko,V: 2:41 Troianescu,O-Botvinnik,M: 10:57(f) Trublenkov-Duz-Khotimirsky,F: 7:12(f) Unknown-Labone,OH: 10:16 van Wely,L -Esserman,M: 11:19 -Gareyev,T: 10:22 -Ivanchuk,V: 7:12(f) -Matikozyan,A: 9:32 -Molner,M: 6:32 Vasconcellos,A-Reshevsky,S: 11:51 Verlinsky,B-Alekhine,A: 12:42(f) Vetoshko,V-Troff,K: 2:41 Vidmar,M-Capablanca,JR: 12:13(f) Vilenchuk,M -Golub,D: 11:29 -Karas,N: 11:28 Volovich,A-Lyavdansky,V: 11:14(f) Wang,H -Carlsen,M: 4:23 -Nakamura,H: 4:22(f) Wang,PX-Taylor,T: 8:46(f) Weber,J-Ham,S: 8:38 Weiner,Z-Wheeler,H: 5:22(f) Wheeler,C-Xiong,J: 2:46(f) Wheeler,H-Weiner,Z: 5:22(f) Whitehead,J-Zueger,B: 4:6 Williams,J-Shen,A: 10:26; 11:27 Woodward,D-Martinson,M: 8:52 Wyvill,M-Anderssen,A: 1:14 Xiangzhi,B-Radjabov,T: 9:14(f) Xiaxun,X-Hunter,PB: 10:35 Xiong,J -Fieberg,S: 2:41 -Haring,V: 2:47(f) -Wheeler,C: 2:46(f) Xu,GY-Brown,MW: 11:26 Yakovich,Y-Hasangatin,R: 1:12(f) Yang,D-Ramirez,A: 4:37 Yankovsky,R-Banawa,J: 8:46(f) Zatonskih,A -Abrahamyan,T: 7:32,34 -Arnold,M: 12:25 -Cao,K: 12:28 -Javakhishvili,L: 1:27 -Mkrtchian,L: 1:27(f)

-Nakamura,H: 12:24 Zierk,S -Durarbeyli,V: 2:37 -Grandelius,N: 2:46(f) -Mazur,S: 2:37 Zivanic,M-Karthikeyan,P: 2:25 Zueger,B-Whitehead,J: 4:6 Zuidema,C-Benko,P: 12:48(f)

INDEX OF OPENINGS Albin Counter Gambit: 5:40 Alekhine's Defense: 12:46 Benko Gambit: 8:54 Bird’s Opening: 8:29 Bishop's Opening: 3:32 Caro-Kann Defense: 3:43; 4:23; 6:35,36; 7:54; 8:47; 10:40; 11:22 Catalan Opening: 1:29; 3:41; 4:37; 9:44 Closed Catalan: 5:28 Closed Sicilian: 5:22 Dutch Defense: 6:42; 9:16; 11:6,20,22 English Opening: 8:50; 10:14,18 Englund Gambit: 7:52 Exchange Grünfeld: 5:16; 8:38 Fianchetto Gruenfeld: 8:20 French Defense: 2:27; 3:24,38; 4:38,39,39; 5:14; 6:22,41; 7:18,34; 8:16,42; 11:29,51; 12:16 Giuoco Piano: 3:30; 10:14; 11:26 King's Gambit Accepted: 3:33 King's Gambit Declined: 3:12 King's Indian Defense: 1:22; 2:30; 3:24; 5:42; 6:45; 7:13,24,32; 8:39,44; 10:33,54; 11:24,49 Latvian Gambit: 4:14 Nimzo-Indian Defense: 1:30; 3:25,36; 4:35,41; 5:44; 6:16; 7:22; 8:30,46; 10:39; 12:36 Petrov Defense: 3:14 Ponziani Opening: 11:39 Queen's Gambit Accepted: 11:43; 12:32 Queen's Gambit Declined: 1:32,44; 2:26,33; 3:24; 6:15; 7:14,40; 9:32; 10:15; 11:45; 12:31 Queen's Indian Defense: 1:27 Queen's Pawn Opening: 9:28; 10:35; 11:54 Reti Opening: 8:29; 10:36 Ruy Lopez: 2:22,41; 3:44; 4:22,39,42; 5:15,45 Scandinavian Defense: 8:31,43; 10:16 Scotch Game: 10:31 Semi-Slav: 2:25; 8:28,30; 10:22; 11:45

Sicilian Defense: 1:14; 2:14,44; 8:52; 10:21; 11:16,19 Dragon Variation: 11:28 Kan Variation: 1:28; 6:32; 12:33 Maroczy Bind: 8:44 Najdorf Variation: 1:26,33; 2:40; 5:44; 10:26 Nimzowitsch Variation: 6:12 O'Kelly Variation: 2:37 Richter Rauzer Variation: 2:13; 11:30 Rossolimo Variation: 4:6 Scheveningen Variation: 8:47; 11:12 Sozin Attack: 9:32 Velimirovic Attack: 2:37 Slav Defense: 2:31; 4:25,34,37 Symmetrical English: 3:36; 4:30; 11:27 Two Knights Defense: 3:9; 6:13 Vienna Game: 4:41; 5:22

INDEX OF FEATURES Alex Lenderman is the 2011 Samford Fellow: 6:37 All Rise: A Profile of the Honorable George N. Leighton: 9:26 Amadeus of Chess, The: 7:16 An Encouraging Purr: 8:48 Armageddon Has Arrived!: 5:25 Brave New World: Human Intuition and Computer-assisted Chess: 8:32 Breakthrough!: The 2011 President's Cup: 6:18 Candidate Statements: 5:8; 6:10 Carlsen Wins 2011 Grand Slam Title: 12:30 A Chess Stimulus Package: 3:40 The Chess Master Portraits of David Friedmann: 7:48 Chess 1, Poker 0: 8:18 Chess Journalism of America Awards, 2011: 5:41 Chess Sets Of The World: 11:38 Chess without Money: Stepping away from North America's "Big Tournament" Culture: 8:24 CJA Annual Awards, 2011: 10:52 Comparing Apps to Apps: 10:48 Defending the Citadel: 4:38 Dress Like a Grandmaster: 12:38 Enter the Centaur: 2:28 Fighting Chess in London Town: 3:34 Frank Brady's Masterpiece: 2:16

A Game with Considerable Ego Involvement: 11:36 The Grandmaster Who Did It His Way: 3:18 Great Rivalries: 9:36 Hard Work Pays Off in the Windy City: 6:40 Hedging Genius: 7:36 "I must tell you...": 7:42 Innovations in the Mikenas Benoni: 9:40 Involuntary Retirement: 3:26 Kamsky on the Record: 5:30 Kings vs. Queens: 12:18 League of Extraordinary Players, The: 11:32 Lenderman Is First Among Equals: 11:18 Love Has Its Borders: 9:30 Manion's Next Move: 4:28 McDonell-La Bourdonnais Match, The: 3:30 Metropolitan Chess: The Club of the Year: 8:40 Nakamura Silences the Critics in Wijk aan Zee: 4:16 National Chess Day: 1:42 Never On the Sabbath, But Always With Sharp Elbows: 11:40 996 Moves: 7:28 North American Youth Chess Championship, 2011: 10:24 Panoramic View of the Pan Ams, A: 6:26 Stephen Ham, ICGM: 8:36 Sturt is K-12 Champ: 4:24 Tale Of Two Knights, Golden, A : 8:28 Thug Life can become Chess Life: 10:42 Treasured Traditions: 5:38 USAF Master Sgt. Dan Ranario Takes Off With Interservice Championship: 2:32 U.S. Chess Federation Yearbook, 2010: 5:34 U.S. Left Out In The Cold: 1:18 UTD GM Invitational 2010: 4:32 UTD versus Chennai Telepresence Match: 2:24 Vasily Smyslov's Opening Contributions: 1:36 West Orange Krush Has the Juice to Win the USATE: 5:18 World Chess Hall of Fame Reopens in Saint Louis: 9:18 The Dynamic World Open: 10:18 USA Just Misses Medal In China: 10:28 Zierk Greases U.S. Team's Wheels: 2:34


71

Luxurious site, IM and GM norms possible in Open Section!

PHILADELPHIA OPEN Easter weekend, April 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, Loews Philadelphia Hotel Prizes $80,000 projected, $60,000 minimum guaranteed! Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 19107, rated Four Diamonds by AAA. Chess rate $98-98-123-123, 215-627-1200, reserve by 3/21 or rate may increase. $30 chess rate for valet parking, or use Gateway Garage, 1540 Vine St (1 block from Sheraton Hotel), about $5/day Sat & Sun, $18/day Wed-Fri. Easy walk to restuarants, shops, museums; one block from Reading Terminal Market. In 8 sections- you play only those in your section. Open: 9 rounds, Apr 4-8, 40/90, SD/30, inc/30. U2200 to U1200: 7 rounds, choice of 4-day schedule April 5-8 (40/2, SD/1, d/5), 3-day Apr 6-8 (rounds 1-2 G/75, d/5, then merges into 4-day), or 2day Apr 7-8 (rds 1-4 G/40, d/5, merges into 4-day). U1000: 7 rounds, Apr 7-8 only (G/40, d/5). Prizes based on 500 paid entries with 75% each prize minimum guarantee. Seniors, re-entries, GMs, IMs, WGMs count as half entries, U1200 40% entries, U1000 15% entries. April official USCF ratings used, except FIDE ratings used in Open. Open: $7000-4000-2000-1000-800-700-600-500400-400, clear or tiebreak win $200 bonus, FIDE Under 2400/Unr $2000-1000. GPP: 200 (enhanced). Under 2200: $5000-2500-1200-800-600-500400-300-300-300. Under 2000: $5000-2500-1200-800-600-500400-300-300-300. Unrated limit $2000. Under 1800: $5000-2500-1200-800-600-500400-300-300-300. Unrated limit $1600. Under 1600: $4000-2000-1000-700-500-400300-200-200-200. Unrated limit $1200. Under 1400: $4000-2000-1000-700-500-400300-200-200-200. Unrated limit $800. Under 1200: $1500-800-500-300-200-200-200100-100-100. Unrated limit $400. Under 1000: $400-200-100, trophies to first 5, top U800, U600, U400, Unr. Unrated limit $200. Prize limit: If official rating 4/11-3/12 or unofficial post-event rating posted 4/4/11-4/4/12 was more than 30 pts over section maximum, prize limit $1500.

Open Section entry fee: Free to GMs, IMs, & WGMs; $150 deducted from prize. US players with current or former FIDE ratings of 2200/over: $225 mailed by 3/27 or online by 4/2, $250 at site. Foreign FIDE rated players: $175 mailed by 3/27 or online by 4/2, $200 at site. Others: $375 mailed by 3/27 or online by 4/2, $400 at site. U2200 through U1400 Sections EF: 4-day $224, 3-day $223, 2-day $222 if mailed by 3/27, all $225 online by 4/2, $250 at site. U1200 Section EF: 4-day $84, 3-day $83, 2-day $82 if mailed by 3/27, $85 online by 4/2, $100 at site. U1000 Section EF: $32 mailed by 3/27, $35 online by 4/2, $50 at site. Phone EF: All $5 more than online, 406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions), available only through 4/2. Online late entry after 4/2: available until 2 hours before rd 1, same price as entry at site. Entry fee $100 less less to rated seniors 65/over in U2200 to U1400. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. 5-day schedule (Open): Late entry ends Wed 6 pm, rds. Wed 7 pm, Thu 12 & 7, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day (U1200-U2200): Late entry ends Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu 7, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day (U1200-U2200): Late reg ends Fri 10 am, rds Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day (U1200U2200): Late reg. ends Sat 9 am, rds Sat. 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. Under 1000: Reg. ends Sat 9 am, rds Sat 10, 12, 2, 3:45, Sun 10, 12, 2. Half-point byes available all rounds, limit 4, Open must commit before rd 2, other sections before rd 4. Bring set, board, clock if possiblenone supplied. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. $15 service charge for refunds. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD#657633. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: see chesstour.com.

2011 - Chess Life 12

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