January 2009 uschess.

org

He won the 1992

World Open and
he didnt get a cover.

He won the 1992

U.S. Open and
he didnt get a cover.

He tied for first at

4 National Opens
and he didnt get a cover.

Finally, we give a cover to ...

GM Gregory
Kaidanov A USCF Publication $3.95
 Chess Life
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2 Chess Life January 2009 uschess.org

Editors Note January Contributors:
Platinum. This is the metal associated with 70th anniversaries, the anniversary year Dr. Alexey Root, WIM (Looks at
the USCF is now celebrating. Advertisers link platinum with wealth (think platinum Books) is the author of Science,
credit cards for example) and this serves nicely as a metaphor for the USCFs 70th
Math, Checkmate: 32 Chess Activities
year as we celebrate our greatest wealth: The USCF member.
In an issue later this year we will profile seven USCF members examining how for Inquiry and Problem Solving |
the USCF has been important to them and for this we need your help. Would you Al Lawrence (USCF History) is
like to be profiled? Do you know someone who should be profiled? If you were born a former USCF Executive Director |
in the year 1939, 1949, 1959, 1969, 1979, 1989, or 1999 and you are willing to be
GM Ian Rogers (World Championship)
interviewed and have your photograph published in Chess Life, please contact us at
letters@uschess.org. If you dont have e mail access, please see our address on p. 2. is a frequent contributor of interna
As part of our anniversary celebrations we introduce a new Chess Life department tional chess reports | FM Mike Klein
in this issue, USCF History, penned by former USCF Executive Director Al Lawrence. (Kaidanov) is a frequent contributor
Each month through the July issue we will look at one decade of USCF history. For
to Chess Life | GM John Fedorowicz
this first month, Lawrence looks at the years 1939 1948, a time of Reshevsky and
Steiner and of beginnings: both Chess Life and the Golden Knights correspondence (World Youth) has long been one
chess tournament began this decade. For even more history, see former USCF Pres of Americas top GMs and scholastic
ident John McCrarys write up on p. 8 of the organizations that preceded the USCF. coaches | WGM Jennifer Shahade
If you wish to purchase the USCF a 70th anniversary gift, use your platinum credit
card (or just your run of the mill card!) at uschess.org to join the USCF or to extend (Hip Hop Variation) is the editor of
your membership. You and the USCF will be glad you did. ~Daniel Lucas Chess Life Online at uschess.org

January on uschess.org

Best of CLO Indian Problem-

A year of original solving
articles and interviews Gary Kevin Wares
+ N
 + +
will be ranked in the + ++p + January CLO problem
second annual Best + + + + column deals with
of CLO Awards. Last the Indian theme.
years top articles were
+ +pPL+P
The Double Indian,
written by GMs Jesse
+ 
prP 
p
to the left, a mate
Kraai, Josh Friedel and in 4 composed by
+P+kl +R
Alex Onischuk. This P 
 p + L Don French, stumped
year's judges will + +K+ + GM Walter Browne.
include a mix of top Mate in 4 Can you solve it?
players, journalists Go to Chess Life
and fans. Online for the answer!

Ask GM Joel Holiday chess weekend

In January, Joel responds Martin Luther King Day
to a reader who wants an weekend sees two major
opinion on his strategy of Grand Prixs on both coasts,
playing drawish openings the Liberty Bell Open in
against higher rated players Philadelphia and the
and sharper openings against Western Class Champi
lower rated players. Send onships in Agoura Hills,
Joel your own inquiries to California. Check out
askgmjoel@uschess.org. CLO coverage of both,
by CLO editor Jennifer
Shahade in Philly and
Jerry Hanken in California.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2009 3

January Chess Life
Columns

12 CHESS TO ENJOY
Fischer Secrets
By GM Andy Soltis

14 SOLITAIRE CHESS
Morphy Was Quicker
By Bruce Pandolfini
16 LOOKS AT BOOKS

By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM

Poktactics

17 WHATS THE BEST MOVE?

26th Sands Regency

By GM Larry Evans
Western States Open

42 BACK TO BASICS
Tal is Smiling
By GM Lev Alburt

44 ENDGAME LAB
The 2008 Womens
World Championship
By GM Pal Benko

Departments

3 PREVIEW
6 COUNTERPLAY
8 FIRST MOVES
10 USCF HISTORY
26 | COVER STORY
40 USCF AFFAIRS
The Quiet Kentuckian
49 TOURNAMENT LIFE By FM Mike Klein
GM Gregory Kaidanov has built one of the most impressive
resums in American chess.
70 CLASSIFIEDS
71 SOLUTIONS

20 | WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Anand is Matchless
By GM Ian Rogers
GM Viswanathan Anand defeats GM Vladimir Kramnik in the format in which the
Russian had previously shown himself invincible: a head to head match. The
Indian is now the indisputable world champion.

32 | 2008 WORLD YOUTH

Bronze for Shankland and Yang
By GM John Fedorowicz
Is there no stopping our scholastic chess players on the international stage? After
a year that has seen multiple gold medals for the U.S., our team picks up even
more medals in Vietnam.

On The Cover 36 | HERE AND THERE

GM Gregory Kaidanov outside Hip Hop Variation
By WGM Jennifer Shahade
of the U.S. Chess School in
Chess boxing. Scuba chess. Hip Hop artists playing tandem chess with
Lexington, Kentucky.
a former U.S. womens champion. We seem to be in a golden age of aggressive
Cover Photo: Matt Barton chess marketing.

4 Chess Life January 2009 uschess.org

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Counterplay
That mysterious knight move
I am surprised that Frank Camarattas
interesting article on the origin of the
knight move does not raise two issues
(The Mysterious Knight Move, October
2008). The first derives from the fact that
in modern chess, the knight is the com
plement of the queen. That is, if the knight
attacks the queen, the queen does not
attack the knight, and vice versa. Try
placing seven queens on a chess board so
that they do not attack one another.
Hence, if the original king, queen (adviser),
bishop and rook moved as Mr. Cama
ratta reasons, the knight would be a
complement to their combined motions,
now embodied in a single piece, the mod
ern queen.
A second issue is one of color. To use
Hans Kmochs terminology, most of the
original chess pieces, at least as Mr.
Camaratta defines them, were color
bound or monochromic. Not only were
bishops confined to squares of one color,
but so were the original queens (advi
sors) and the original rooks, if they could
move only two squares, not one.
Kmoch termed the knight rotochromic,
changing colors with each move, a prop
erty the original king and non capturing
pawns shared if the pawns could only
advance one square on the first move.
Color complex strategy could have been
quite different in primordial chess as Mr.
Camaratta has reconstructed it, making
winning the knight pair a priority.
James S. Morgan
Haddonfield, New Jersey
Frank Camaratta responds:
This stems from the very nature of the
thesis that from a given square, each of
the chessmen would attack a unique
square. There would be no overlap in the
span of control of each piece. There can
be no doubt that in the game as originally
posed, the knight was by far the strongest
piece. Unfortunately, this also had the
drawback that the rooks and bishops
could not attack each other and made the
game somewhat laborious. The game
became much more playable once the
powers of the rooks were expanded.
On the question of color, I believe that the
original game was played on the points
not the squares and I also believe that
the squares on the earliest chessboards
were all the same color. The game was, in
effect, played on a grid, much like Chi
nese chess, Shogi or Go. ~Frank Camaratta
6 Chess Life January 2009
Modern chess typos
Chess Life devoted its front cover and
a feature article to the 15th edition of
Modern Chess Openings (September
2008). I turned to my copy MCO 15 to see
what it had to say about a variation of the
6. ... Bc4 Najdorf. It gave (p. 264):
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5.
Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 Nbd7 8. f4 Nc5 9. f5
13. axb3 b5! 14. Nxb5?! d5 (and then in the
Be7 10. Qf3 0-0 11. Be3 e5 12. Nde2 Nxb3
footnote) 15. Qg4 g6 16. Bh6 Nxe5 17. Qf4
b4
Not only do the moves 15. Qg4 and 17.
Qf4 leave the queen en prise, but the
moves 16. Nxe5 and 17. b4 are
patently impossible. Because of this edi
torial carelessness, Ill never know what
Nick de Firmian is referring to when he
concludes a sharp position with chances
for both sides.
Soon thereafter I bought a copy of
Jeremy Silmans Complete Endgame
Course. Silman advises us to put aside
all other endgame books and trust your
endgame study to Silmans Complete
Endgame Course (p. xiv).
I was eager to sample this self pro
claimed greatest of all endgame primers
that I had just purchased, so I sat down
in the bookstore and turned to the first
example in the Bobby Fischer chapter
(p. 511). I was disappointed when I got to
the first annotation:
3. g5 Kd7 4. g5 Kf5 5. Bf6 Kg6, =.
Without even seeing the diagram it is
evident that 4. g5 and 4. Kf5 are impos
sible. It turns out that 5. Bf6 is also.
What a disappointment to have plunked
down $25 for a sloppily edited chess book.
If a move or two is misprinted or omit
ted it is often possible to piece together the
intended meaning. However, the above
examples were so badly botched that I
could not recreate the intended sequence
of moves.
It appears that in the rush to get out the
next hot selling chess book publishers
are not spending enough time on proof
editing for obvious errors. As a result,
the chess student gets deprived of what
he or she paid for.
Denny Helmuth, life member
via e-mail
EGOists
The article written by Michael Jeffreys
(Is Your EGO Costing You Your ELO?
October, 2008) points out pitfalls all chess
players have to go through. I have played
tournament chess for over 30 years, and
would like to share some of my own expe
riences that were beyond my control.
In 1993, I was up against a grandmas
ter and was playing well when another
player in the room dropped dead at his
board! The emergency personnel were
summoned, and all the games had to be
stopped. Upon resumption, I blundered
away a knight, and my game was over.
In 1994, I was paired against a grand
master in the first round, but on the
morning I was to leave for this tourna
ment, I lost my job. I made the trip
anyway, and promptly got slaughtered.
In 1998, I had all kinds of problems
with the playing site as it was a circular
room on a hotels roof. That night, severe
weather headed in our direction, and I
just simply did not feel safe playing
there and promptly lost in 15 moves.
The point is to place more credence in
objective rather than emotional thought
because your ego will get to you. Block out
the extenuating circumstances, and your
ego will definitely be in check.
David Cole, life member
via e-mail
uschess.org
 SuperNationals IV

$50,000 in cash scholarships to be awarded!

www.SuperNationalsIV.com
for tournament information and registration.

Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center

2802 Opryland Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 883-2211
Chess Rate: $139.00 Single Quad

ENT R IES TO:

US Chess Federation
Attn: SuperNationals
P. O. Box 3967
Crossville, TN 38557

Questions and Team Rooms: Cheryle Bruce cbruce@uschess.org 931-787-1234 ext. 147
On site entries after 10 a.m., Friday 4/3/2009 will receive a 1/2-point bye for the first round.

See TLA this issue (Nationals section) for detailed tournament information.
First Moves
Participants at the First American Chess Congress
Before the USCF: Early American
Chess Associations
As we celebrate this 70th anniversary year, a former
USCF president answers, What came before?
By John McCrary
s we celebrate 70 years of the
USCF, let us look at the various
A national chess associations in the
U.S. that preceded the USCF. Between
1857 and 1939 Americans tried to feder
ate themselves on a national level on at
least nine occasions, but all those organ
izations ceased to exist, although the last
two merged to create our USCF in 1939.
It began on October 19, 1857, when the
American Chess Association was voted
into existence by participants at the First
American Chess Congress in New York.
Paul Morphy nominated Colonel Charles
D. Mead of New York to be its first pres
ident. That first American Chess
Association was among the first of its
kind in the world.
The American Chess Association was
evidently only the third national organ
ization started for any sport in the U.S.,
following horse racing and cricket. Base
ball began its national organization in
March 1858.
Why did Paul Morphy nominate the
first president of that first American
Chess Association? The answer may be
found in the sectional tensions of that
8 Chess Life January 2009
1922 regarding conditions for future
time. The likely candidates for the pres
idency were Judge A.B. Meek of Alabama
and Charles Mead of New York. Asking
Morphy, a southerner, to nominate the
northern candidate (with Meeks bless
ing) was thus a gesture of unity that
began the new association on a good
footing despite the sectional tensions of
the day.
Unfortunately that first American
Chess Association died quickly, although
a rare copy of its brief periodical is exhib
ited at the World Chess Hall of Fame in
Miami. Subsequently, there was a long
succession of failed attempts to create
new American chess associations. Follow
ing is a brief list of such attempts:
In 1871, another American Chess
Association was created in Cleveland at
the Second American Chess Congress.
After its fund raising appeal was apathet
ically received, it died.
In 1874, yet another American Chess
Association (same name again) was
started in Chicago at the Third American
Chess Congress. That association tried to
organize the Fourth American Chess
Congress in 1876 in Philadelphia, but
dissolved itself after losing a power strug
gle with the Philadelphia chess club over
control of the Congress.
In 1880, the Chess Association of the
United States of America was established
at the Fifth American Chess Congress.
Despite its longer name, it did not enjoy a
long tenure.
In 1888, the United States Chess Asso
ciation was established in Cincinnati. It
was created at the behest of six estab
lished State Chess Associations, namely
those of Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
New Jersey, Virginia, Indiana, and Ohio,
according to Steinitz. This association
thrived briefly but died out by 1897.
In 1897, discussion began for the estab
lishment of another national organization,
and by 1899 The Chess Association of the
United States was functioning. It had the
new feature of emphasizing clubs, rather
than individuals, as members, although it
allowed individual members. That organ
ization also failed to thrive, despite the
efforts of World Champion Emanuel
Lasker, who published its constitution in
his Laskers Chess Magazine, November
1904, in order to bring new life into the
organization.
In 1921, the United States Chess Asso
ciation was formed, adopting the
constitution of its predecessor of the
late 1890s. Although it was communicat
ing with Jose Capablanca as late as
world championship matches, it does
not seem to have remained active for
much longer.
In 1926 a major step toward a perma
nent national chess organization occurred
when the National Chess Federation of the
USA was established, affiliating with the
world chess federation (FIDE), which was
also newly formed. It survived long
enough to gain control of the U.S. cham
pionship, and then in 1939 to merge with
yet another national organization, the
American Chess Federation, which had
been formed out of the Western Chess
Association. The result of that merger is
the modern USCF.
The USCF began in September 1939,
the same month that World War II began.
As late as October 1943, the USCF had
only 299 members, but it grew to its
record membership of around 95,000
members in early 2003. The USCF owes
many things to all those failed predeces
sors. The idea of inexpensive dues in
order to be accessible to all social classes
was established as early as 1857. Support
of scholastic chess came early, as did
the sanctioning of national competitions
in an effort to regulate disputed title
PHOTO: ARCHIVAL
claims. In time, the USCF would become
pioneers in developing ratings for over
the board play worldwide, and in helping
to bring chess computers into homes
around the world. .
uschess.org
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uschess.org Chess Life January 2009 9

 U S C F H I S T O RY
On the Shoulders of Chess Giants
USCFS 1ST DECADE: 1939-1948
W
by Al Lawrence
eve come to expect a lot from our
USCF: hundreds of school and com
munity clubs, thousands of tourn
aments each year with timely rating adjust
ments, and a professionally prepared,
monthly Chess Life. Even the sky is no
longer the limit; U.S. school children, with
voting tallied by USCF, are now sending
moves into space, playing against orbiting
U.S. astronaut Gregory Chamitoff. With
that gravity defying feat in mind, it seems
doubly appropriate to recall Sir Isaac New
Samuel Reshevsky (left) dominated the U.S. championship in USCFs first decade. George Sturgis (top of page) was USCFs first president.
tons humbling reminder that we can see
so far only because we stand on the shoul
ders of giants. Over the next eight issues,
well briefly recall some of those giants of
USCF, looking this month at its first decade.
On December 27, 1939, the National
Chess Federation and the American Chess
Federation merged to form USCF, with
yearly dues of one dollar and fewer than
1,000 members. USCFs first president,
George Sturgis of Boston, set his sights on
2,000 a goal not realized for 15 years. In
1940 Reuben Fine bested 27 others to
win USCFs first U.S. Open in Dallas (where
the first USCF business meeting was also
held). An ominous event in 1941 reminds
us of the state of their world Hitlers
10 Chess Life January 2009
bloody invasion of Russia put an end to its
national chess championship prelims.
Sheltered in the U.S., aging legends took
their leave of the Earth: Emanuel Lasker,
longest reigning chess king; Jos Ral
Capablanca, the once dashing idol of the
gilded age; Frank Marshall, U.S. champ
for nearly three decades. A future champ
was born, Bobby Fischer.
In 1942 Mona May Karff, born in czarist
Russia, won her second U.S. womens
championship title in a row, ending the
back and forth with Belgian born Adele
Rivero. The 1940s ended with the rise of
the astonishing Gisela Kahn Gresser.
Discovering the Swiss System was the
invention of the tournament chess wheel.
Texan J.C. Thompson, at the advice of
George Koltanowski, ran the 1942 South
west Open as a Swiss. Before this, large
events were unwieldy, requiring many
games to determine a winner. When
Thompson organized the 1947 U.S. Open
in Corpus Christi, won by Isaac Kashdan
and directed by Kolty, he made it a
Swiss, and ingenuity became tradition.
In September 1945, three weeks after
VJ Day brought peace to a war exhausted
world (lest we forget, the dead numbered
70 million), 10 of our best players took on
the U.S.S.R.s stars in a double round
robin played by radio. On boards one
and two, Botvinnik blanked Denker and
Smyslov shut out Reshevsky. Overall,
the Soviets won 15 to 4. (An in per
son match the next year in Moscow saw
the U.S. lose by an improved but still
lopsided score.) Also in 1945, C.F.
Rehberg won the first USCF Golden
Knights correspondence tournament.
EN PASSANT
New Yorker Sammy Reshevsky
dominates the decades U.S.
championships; only exceptions
Arnold Denker wins in 1944, and
Hollywoods Herman Steiner in 1948.
1944: Chess Review flooded with
letters debating the change in notation
from Kt to N.
Chess Life begins as a newspaper
in 1946.
1948: Fine declines to play in the
world championship tournament;
Botvinnik wins, beginning the long
Soviet domination of world chess.
Trivia: Two of the three U.S. champs
who ruled USCFs first decade were
promising young boxersSteiner and
Denker knew their way around the
board and the ring.
On September 5, 1946, Chess Life
began as a twice monthly newspaper,
edited by picaresque Chicagoan Mont
gomery Major, who wrote some columns
under the inverted pseudonym William
Rojam. Koltanowski launched a nation
wide simul exhibition and blindfold tour.
Larry Friedman won the first U.S. junior
chess championship in Chicago.
In 1948, USCF ended its initial decade
as two promising teenagers, Larry Evans
and Arthur Bisguier, won the Marshall
Chess Club championship and the U.S.
Junior, respectively. Weaver White to
Move and Win Adams steamrolled his
last nine opponents 7 1 to win the U.S.
Open in Baltimore. .
uschess.org
Chess to Enjoy
Fischer Secrets
Its been a year since the most secretive of world champions was laid to rest. Now
By GM Andy Soltis
some of his secrets can be told.
Bobby Fischer had few acquaintances,
fewer friends and one rule: Never talk
about my private life. But since his death
last January, people he allowed to know
him have been breaking their silence.
One was Vassily Smyslov. The former
world champion recalled Bobbys behav
ior at an international tournament in
April 1970, shortly after he resurfaced
after a mysterious absence from chess.
Bobby was in fine form until the eighth
round, when he was crushed in 30 moves
by an untitled Yugoslav. It was traumatic.
Fischer hadnt lost a chess game in three
years. Worse still, he was White and was
beaten by an opening he regarded as
simply bad, the French Winawer.
The next day Smyslov was due to play
Fischer. He came to the board and played
1. e4. But minutes went by and there
was no sign of Bobby, Smyslov told the
Russian publication Profil. Smyslov and
his wife, both more than 20 years older
than Fischer, felt almost parental concern.
My wife said, Lets go to his room and
bring some food. It turned out he was sit
ting in his hotel room, completely aloof
and hungry.
Fischer refused to leave. The Smyslovs
convinced him to order from room serv
ice. They sent breakfast. Fischer ate a bit
and came to play an hour late. They again
started his clock, he sat down and began
to play, Smyslov said. It was as if noth
ing had happened.
Sicilian Defense,
Closed Variation (B26)
GM Vassily Smyslov
GM Robert J. Fischer
Rovinj Zagreb 1970
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3
Nc6 6. Be3 Rb8 7. Qd2 b5 8. Nf3 b4 9. Nd1
Bg4!? 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 Nf6 12. Bg2 0-0
13. 0-0 Re8 14. Bh6 Bh8 15. Ne3 Nd7 16.
Rab1 Rb6 17. Nc4 Ra6! 18. a3 Nb6 19. axb4
12 Chess Life January 2009
cxb4 20. Be3 Nxc4 21. dxc4 Ra2 22. f4!?
Bxb2 23. e5 Bc3 24. Qd5 Ra6
As much as Fischer cherished extra
material he rarely played computer
moves like 24. ... Na5!?.
25. e6 fxe6 26. Qxe6+ Kh8
+
qr+ k
p + p +p
r+npQ+p+
+ + + +
pP+ P +
+ l L PP
+P+ +L+
+R+ +RK
After 26. ... Kh8
Black can neutralize the attack (27.
Bxc6 Rxc6 28. Rxb4 Qc8! but not 28. ...
Bxb4?? 29. Bd4 mate).
27. f5 Nd4! 28. Bxd4+ Bxd4+ 29. Kh1 g5! 30.
Rxb4 Bf6 31. Rfb1 Rb6 32. Rxb6 axb6 33.
Bd5 Rf8 34. Qe3 Qc8 35. g4 Qc5, Draw.
Another rare glimpse of Fischer came
from patron Bessel Kok. In 1990 Kok was
the prime mover in the grandmasters
association and Bobby was living under
ground in the U.S. Fischer called Kok
out of the blue and said he wanted to talk
to him in person about the future of
chess.
Kok agreed to Bobbys conditions a
first class airplane ticket, five star hotel
room and $2,500 in cash on arrival
and Fischer flew to Belgium. He checked
into the Brussels Sheraton for five days
under an assumed name. Kok also
arranged for Boris Spassky and his wife
Marina to come, he wrote in the new
Dutch magazine Matten.
Why Spassky? Because Bobby wanted
Kok to arrange a Fischer Spassky world
championship rematch with a $2.5 mil
lion prize fund. Fischer, Kok and the
Spasskys spent a pleasant evening at an
Italian restaurant. When the name Kas
parov inevitably came up, it didnt make
much of an impression on Bobby. But
when Anatoly Karpovs name was men
tioned he launched into his theory that he
could tell Karpov was Jewish by looking
at his eyes in photographs.
The next day the Spasskys returned
to Paris but Fischer went to another Kok
dinner, this time with GM Jan Timman.
Among the evenings highlights: Fischer
told the Hungarian waitress I am Bobby
Fischer. I am the world chess champion.
Of course, my darling, she replied.
You are Bobby Fischer. And I am Sophia
Loren.
Fischer left the next day on good terms.
But he flew into a rage two weeks later
when Sports Illustrated reported on his
visit. Someone had broken the rule. He
never had contact with Kok again.
Viktor Korchnoi told a similar tale to the
Russian magazine 64: The last time I
met with Fischer was 1983 when I gave
simuls in the States, in California. He
gave me tens of books about the world
conspiracy of Jews and about the evils
of smoking.
At his next simultaneous exhibition
Korchnoi made the mistake of talking
about meeting Fischer. Word got back to
Bobby. The next day I received a letter
from him in which he expressed the sus
picion that I worked in the KGB,
Korchnoi said. I didnt see him further.
After Fischer died, some Russians rem
inisced about the 15 year old Bobby who
visited Moscow in 1958. He came to play
five minute games with a world champion
and was disappointed when he could only
take on mere masters and grandmasters.
When Bobby and his sister Joan
appeared we presented them with a trans
uschess.org
 Problem I Problem II Problem III
2008 U.S. GM Eugene Perelshteyn IM Larry Kaufman GM Eugene Perelshteyn
GM Alex Yermolinsky FM Michael Langer FM Michael Langer
Championship
+R+ + + + + +k+ rr+ +k+
When Yury Shulman won the + + + k +p+ + np Q + +Rpp
2008 U.S. Championship he joined + r +p+ q+ p Lp+ + + + +
a rapidly expanding group of players
to hold the national title. There have
pp+ + P + pP+ + + + q +
been 13 different grandmasters who
+ P + R rPR+ + + +p+P+ +
won or tied for first place in the U.S. + +n+L+ + + r +P + +P+ P
championship in the last 13 years. + + + K +Q+ +P+ + +PRKP
That brings the total to 29 champs
in the 73 years since the modern
+ r + + +R+ + K + + + +
championship began in 1936. Last White to play White to play White to play
years tournament in Tulsa provides Problem IV Problem V Problem VI
our six quiz positions. In each of the IM Benjamin Finegold GM Gregory Kaidanov GM Boris Gulko
following positions you are asked to Samuel Shankland IM Joshua Friedel IM Larry Kaufman
find the fastest winning line of play.
Usually this will mean the forced + Q + + + + +k+ + +
r k
win of a decisive amount of material, +r+ + kp +q+l+rpp p +
+Plp
such as a rook or minor piece. For L R p + p + +p+
solutions, see Page 71.
+ + +p+
+ + +pK P + p + n + + +q
+ + + P + nP+ + + + +lL
+ + + P +r+ + P + +LPN+
+ + + + + + QLP P+Q+ PPP
+ + + + + R + K + +R+ K
White to play White to play White to play

lator, room and board at a hotel and
money for pocket expenses, Lev Abramov,
a veteran Soviet chess official told 64.
They presented us with a letter of the
mother in which she recommended
which gifts to give to Bobby so it will be
easier for him to carry his baggage.
Joan went sightseeing but Bobby
played blitz from morning to night. Sev
eral days before the planned departure
Bobby and Joan showed up in my room
and announced they wanted to extend
their visit in Moscow and play some seri
ous games, Abramov recalled.
But a few days later Bobby was at a
restaurant, waiting for his food and nerv
ously rocking back and forth in his chair.
Joan cautioned him but he continued
and fell down. When he got up he left the
room, growling something very uncompli
mentary about Russian hosts. The
translator went to the Fischers room and
relayed instructions that they were to
leave Moscow. But before he left, Fischer
told Abramov he was still interested in
serious games. What honorarium will I
receive for these games? he asked.
None, Abramov said. You are our guest
and we dont pay fees to guests. Fischer
left soon after.
One of Fischers blitz opponents was
Evgeni Vasiukov, then a 25 year old
national master. Four years later, after he
became a grandmaster, Soviet authorities
remembered his games with Bobby and
gave him the job of preparing opening
uschess.org
surprises to beat Fischer at the 1962
Candidates tournament in Curacao.
One of Vasiukovs ideas arose in a Pirc
Defense:
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3
0-0 6. Be2 c5 7. dxc5 Qa5 8. 0-0 Qxc5+ 9.
Kh1 Nc6
He figured that Fischer, who devoured
Russian chess literature, would have
known of the game Vasiukov Bastrikov,
Kharkov 1956 and would follow it. (White
won after 10. Nd2 Nd4 11. Nb3 Nxb3 12.
axb3 Bd7 13. e5! Ne8? 14. Be3! based on
14. ... Qxe3? 15 Nd5.) But Vasiukov had
found a strong antidote in 10. ... a5!.
r+l+ rk+
+p+ pplp
+np np+
p q + +
+ +PP +
+ N + +
PPPNL+PP
if it reached him or not, he said.
R LQ+R+K
After 10. ... a5
Vasiukov presented his analysis to Paul
Keres, one of the four Soviet candidates
headed for Curacao. But Keres said he
never played the Pirc. Mikhail Tal and
Tigran Petrosian also refused.
However, Viktor Korchnoi said, This
suits me! When they met in the fifth
round at Curacao Fischer went straight
into the Vasiukov analysis. After:
11. Nb3 Qb6 12. a4 Nb4
He played:
13. g4??
And was lost soon after:
13. ... Bxg4! 14. Bxg4 Nxg4 15. Qxg4 Nxc2.
Despite the gift point, Korchnoi fin
ished fifth at Curacao, just below Bobby.
The real beneficiary of the game was
Vasiukov. He was rewarded by Soviet
officials with a rare invitation to a strong
tournament in Berlin. His first prize there
was his greatest achievement in chess.
Almost none of the grandmaster broth
erhood had contact with Fischer in his
later years. But when he was jailed in
Japan during 2004 2005 in a strange
passport dispute, Smyslov composed a
White to play and draw study and ded
icated it to Bobby. I sent it over the
Internet to the jail in Japan. I dont know
And at least one grandmaster kept in
close contact with Bobby by e mail and
phone. Pal Benko told 64: Fischer and I
talked about a week before his death,
Evidently he didnt know his health was
in such a serious condition. We discussed
the possibility of organizing a match with
Judith Polgar ... .
Chess Life January 2009 13
Solitaire Chess
Morphy was Quicker
Just because Morphy was the first to truly understand the importance of seizing
By Bruce Pandolfini
the initiative does not mean he did not understand that defense plays a role in
chess too. He just did it in a way that allowed him to then seize the initiative.
Among Paul Morphys contributions to
chess was his understanding of the
importance of fighting for the initiative by
building a lead in development. Game
after game he would find little ways to get
out all his pieces, often with his opponent
still having unmoved pieces in the final
position. Nor would having to play defense
for a bit deter him. In this game from
1859, for instance, Morphy must ward off
Blacks early threat, but somehow winds
up turning it around and completing his
development, leaving several black pieces
collecting dust. It all began as a Queens
Pawn Counter Gambit:
Latvian and Elephant Gambits (C40)
Paul Morphy
Augustus Mongredien
Paris, 1859, 6th match game
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5
rnlqklnr
ppp +ppp
+ + + +
+ +pp +
+ +P+ +
+ + +N+
PPPP PPP
RNLQKL+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 Whites 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
14 Chess Life January 2009
bonus points or deductions for other
moves and variations. Note that ** means
5. Qe5
With this move Black attacks the knight
that the note to Blacks move is over and
once again as well as the d5 pawn. White
Whites move is on the next line.
could retreat 6. Nb3 (accept only 3 points
part credit), answering 6. ... Qxd5 with 7.
Nc3, attacking the queen and e pawn,
3. exd5 Par Score: 5
Also 3. Nxe5 (4 points part credit) is
but it wasnt Morphys style to move back
reasonable. The pawn capture (e4xd5)
ward when he could go forward.**
was approved by the books of the day (it
still is). Morphy also had some previous
experience playing it against Paulsen two
6. Nb5 Par Score: 5
Saves the knight and indirectly pro
years earlier.
tects the d5 pawn with the c7 attack.
Take 1 bonus point for having seen that
6. ... Qxd5? fails to 7. Nxc7+.
3. e4
After White takes at d5, Black still has
to do something about his attacked e5
pawn. If 3. ... Qxd5 then 4. Nc3 (1 bonus
6. Bd6
Black guards c7 and now threatens to
point) loses time with the queen. And
remove the d5 pawn.**
with 3. ... Bd6, the Elephant Gambit,
Blacks position doesnt stack up too well
when White reacts vigorously in the cen
7. d4 Par Score: 5
By vigorous play in the center Morphy
ter, 4. d4 e4 5. Ne5 (1 bonus point). That
is able to maintain his advantage. On 7.
leaves pushing the pawn.**
... exd3 e.p. follows 8. Nxd6+ cxd6 9.
Qxe5+ dxe5 10. Bxd3 (2 bonus points),
preserving his extra pawn with a fine
4. Qe2 Par Score: 6
Black saved his pawn, advancing it to
game. And if 7. ... Qxd5 White has two
attack the knight. If White then casually
good moves: 8. N1c3 and 8. c4 (1 bonus
moved his knight away, say 4. Nd4 (accept
point for either). Both moves lead to the
only 2 points part credit), then Black fol
win of the e4 pawn while gaining ground
lows with 4. ... Qxd5, recovering his pawn
in the center.
with a fine game. General development
principles frown on early queen moves,
especially those that block in the f1
7. Qe7
bishop. However, every position is subject
to its own special rules and the player is
8. c4 Par Score: 5
White aims to trap the bishop by 9. c5
expected to make the adjustment. Here
(1 bonus point). This induces Mongredian
the queen pins the e pawn and threatens
to trade his bishop before it gets lost.
to take it. If Black guards the pawn by 4.
... f5 or 4. ... Nf6, White s intention is to
attack it again by 5. d3 (1 bonus point).
8. Bb4+
Black avoids the trap with a gain of
4. Qe7 time.**
Black guards the pawn and unpins it
so that the knight is threatened once
9. Bd2 Par Score: 5
With so many points under Whites
again.**
observation (b4, c7, e4) Black decides to
5. Nd4 Par Score: 4 reduce some of his responsibilities.
uschess.org
 Problem I Problem II Problem III
ABCs of Chess Fork Trapping Removing the guard

These problems are all related to

k + + + +
+k+ + r+ +kl +
key positions in this months game.
+ + + l + +
+p+  p + q +p
In each case, Black is to move. The + + + + + +l+ + + + + +
answers can be found in Solutions + +p+ + + pp+ + + + + +
on page 71. n P + + + +P+ + + + + +
January exercise: In these days
+ + + + + +L+ + + +n+ +
of perfunctory opening study players Q + + + +P+KP + + +Q+ P
often hope to escape the book by K + + + + + + + + LK+ NR
employing black systems for white,
judging the extra move to give the
first player an edge. Thus we see a Problem IV Problem V Problem VI
plethora of Kings Indian Attacks. Discovery Discovery Skewer
Yet that opening has been analyzed
to death and no longer is a revela + +r+k+ k + r + r+ + +k+
tion. To explore less trodden paths +p+ q p +p+ + + + + + pp
try practicing the Caro Kann, +n+ + + + + + + +p+ + +
French, and Modern Defenses in
reverse, say, against chess software.
+ + + + + q + + +ql + +
You may be surprised by how many + +Q+ + + p + + + + + +
doors of rote logic the added tempo + N + + + + + + + P +Q+
closes, but dont be surprised by P + +P+ + +Q+PP + + +PP
how many doors of keen perception
it opens.
+ K R + + + R K +N+ +R+K

9. Bxd2+ 13. 0-0 17. Kh8

A question to keep in mind is which Black decides to step off the diagonal
player winds up gaining time on all this.** and away from discovered check (d5 d6).
14. f3 Par Score: 5
From White s perspective everything is Accept 1 bonus point if you noticed the
going according to plan. The e pawn is still possibility of it.**
10. Nxd2 Par Score: 4
Clearly, Morphy has benefited. Black pinned. If 14. ... exf3? then 15. Qxe7 (1
traded a bishop already developed and bonus point); nor can the e pawn be suf
18. Bd3 Par Score: 5
Morphy was able to develop and exchange ficiently protected. If 14. ... Re8 then 15.
a bishop in the process. At the end, White fxe4 fxe4 16. Ncxe4 (threat 17. Nxf6+)
18. Bb7
also gets his queen knight developed. 16. ... Nxe4 17. Qxe4 Qxe4 18. Rxe4 Rxe4
19. Nxe4, emerging two pawns ahead (2
19. Nxf6 Par Score: 5

bonus points). The reason for 16. Ncxe4, Simply 19. Nc5 wins a piece (1 bonus
10. a6

rather than 16. Ndxe4, is to avoid 16. ... point).

Nxe4 17. Qxe4 Qg5+ by discovering on the
11. Nc3 Par Score: 4
Accept 2 bonus points if you thought queen (1 bonus point).
19. Qxf6
about 11. d6 cxd6 12. Nxe4 axb5 13.
Nxd6+ Kd8 14. Qxe7+ Nxe7 (14. ... Kxe7 14. b5 20. Rhf1 Par Score: 6
15. Nxc8+) 15. Nxf7+. But Black has sev
eral improvements along the way. First 15. fxe4 Par Score: 5 20. Qd8
theres 13. ... Kd7; and later Maroczy If White takes 15. cxb5 (no credit), he
pointed out the possibility of 13. ... Kf8!, plays into Blacks hands. It would lead to
21. Rxf8+ Par Score: 5
to answer 14. Nxc8 with 14. ... Qc7, gath the opening of the a file and a weakening
ering up the knight. of the d5 pawn.
21. Qxf8
Now if White plays 22. Qxc7, Black can
answer with 22. ... Bxd5. Meanwhile,
11. f5
Black needs just one more move to clear
15. fxe4
If Black doesn t take, White will push
his home rank. Hes almost catching up
on to e5 (1 bonus point), driving the knight
12. 0-0-0 Par Score: 5
Here White could consider the under in development.**
from f6. And the insertion of 15. ... b4
mining move, 12. g4 (3 points part credit),
doesnt really change anything. White
but what Morphy comes up with (castling)
will move his attacked knight to a4 and
22. Qb4! Par Score: 6
is even stronger. The idea is to pin the e4 Naturally, 22. ... Qxb4 allows a back
then settle in on c5 (1 bonus point).**
pawn by Re1, then pile up and win it row mate after 23. Re8+. And the attempt
after f2 f3. Accept 1 bonus point if this was to save the bishop, 22. ... Qc8, fails for a
your plan too. similar reason after 23. Qxb7!. Accept 1
16. Ncxe4 Par Score: 5

bonus point for seeing each variation.

12.

13.

Re1 Par Score: 5

Nf6
16.

17.

Qxc4 Par Score: 5

bxc4

Scoring box on page 71.

22. Black resigned. .
uschess.org Chess Life January 2009 15
Looks at Books
Poktactics
Chess Life columnist GM Lev Alburt
releases his second Chess Training Pocket Book.
okmon are pocket sized monsters.
They come in a variety of sizes and
P strengths, yet each Pokmon fits
inside the same size Pokball. So when a
trainer throws a Pokball at you, it could
contain any one of 400+ Pokmon.
GM Lev Alburt and Al Lawrence, chess
trainers, throw 320 Pokballs, metaphor
ically speaking, at readers. And the reader
does not know, from one Poktactic
(pocket tactic) to the next, whether the
solution will be extremely hard or merely
difficult. Compounding the challenge,
about 10% of the Poktactics are not tac
tics but strategic or quiet moves. This
really confuses the reader, who has
become used to looking for tactics.
Therefore, to be ready for Alburt and
Lawrences Pokball barrage, you should
first master Reinfelds 1001 Winning
Chess Sacrifices and Combinations and
1001 Brilliant Ways to Checkmate. Like
Alburt and Lawrence, Reinfeld offers
chess problems in diagram form. In other
words, board and pieces are not neces
sary. Unlike Alburt and Lawrence,
however, Reinfelds problems are organ
ized by themes. Reinfeld has several pages
in a row of queen sacrifices, several pages
of discovered checks, etc. Thus, less
experienced players know what type of
solution to look for on particular pages.
Alburt and Lawrence mix and match
types of problems and difficulty levels on
each four diagram page. Although the
cover of Pocket Book II says the book is for
all players, this categorization is unreal
istic. Alburt and Lawrence write, Under
analytic training conditions [of spending
20 minutes on each problem], the goal for
an expert player is to score at least 50%
correct. Therefore, this book is not suited
for players rated below 1500, who would
likely get one or no problems right after
spending 80 minutes on a page. Alburt
and Lawrence write that it is fine to get
problems wrong, or to spend less time on
problems, as long as the ideas become part
of ones repertoire. But I think lower rated
16 Chess Life January 2009
By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
Chess Training Pocket Book II
(2008) by Lev Alburt and Al
Lawrence. 208 pp., New York: Chess
Information and Research Center.
List Price: $18.95. Available on
USCFsales.com with a members
discount for $17.95
players (especially children) would get dis
couraged by being consistently wrong.
Pocket II is an improvement over
Alburts Pocket I (2000). Pocket I repli
cated many positions from other books.
Of the 300 positions in Pocket Book I,
only nine were from 1980 or later. In con
trast, Pocket II has many positions that
are not yet available in other books. 75 of
the Pocket II positions are from 1980 or
later, including 50 from 2000 2008.
Pocket II adds a new chapter, Tactics: the
dirty dozen, which clearly defines the
12 most important tactics. From this
chapter I learned the difference between
deflection (diverts an enemy piece from
a particular square) and decoy (diverts
an enemy piece to a certain square).
Both Pocket I and Pocket II index posi
tions by tactical theme (pin, desperado,
etc.) Opposite from each four diagram
page are the corresponding answers and
the game from which the position was
taken. Listing the game source of each
Poktactic appeals to me, especially when
I know the players involved. Thus
Youngsworth [sic] Seirawan, 1979
caught my eye.
I know Yasser Seirawan, and my hus
band Doug played against both players.
According to Doug, before this particular
game Perry Youngworth had been leading
the 1979 U.S. Junior Championship, an
invitational event. After Youngworth lost
to Seirawan, Seirawan ended up winning
the tournament.
Seirawan later reflected, I won the
1979 U.S. Junior Championship, which
was to propel my career significantly.
That victory sent me on to win the World
Junior Championship. Here is Seirawans
Poktactic, which I would classify as an
average difficulty Poktactic for Pocket
Book II:
+r+ +k+
+ + + +p
p+ + +p+
+p+P P +
P + n
 q+
+ + +  P
+ 
R +  P
L +Q+ +K

Black to play
Solution: 1. ... Rc1! (deflection) 2. Qxc1
Qf3+ 3. Kg1 Nh3, mate.
As illustrated by Youngworth Seirawan,
Alburt and Lawrences game citations allow
the reader to research the stories behind
each Poktactic. But the main point of
Pocket Book II is chess improvement. For
those rated 1500 and up, studying this
Pokbooks 320 Poktactics should help
you on the road to mastery. .
uschess.org
Whats The Best Move?

26th Sands Regency Western States Open

By GM Larry Evans

252 Compete In Reno 1. White moves 2. White moves

Despite a dismal economy and a
reduced turnout (88 fewer players + +rr k rq+rlk+
than 2007) indomitable organizer p +n+R+ p pl+p+
Jerry Weikel awarded $26,000 in
prizes. GM Sergey Kudrin took clear
p q +p+ p + n p
first at 5 1 in the top section of 43
+ pPp Pp +LpPp +
(including eight grandmasters and +P+P+ P Q+ +P+pn
five international masters). Jaan P +N+Q+ + N L N
Ehlvest, Melik Khachiyan and Enrico
Sevillano trailed by a half point. In
+ + +K+ PP + PPP
keeping with tradition every October, + + +R+ + +RR K
I kicked off the event with a lecture (a) Rxd7 (b) Qh3 (c) Rxf8+ (a) Qxa7 (b) Bxd7 (c) Nh5
on the Anand Kramnik title match.
3. Black moves 4. Black moves
Solutions on page 71.

Readers are invited to send their posi

+r+ +k+ r+ k + r
tions in for possible consideration in + q +ppp +p+ pQ+p
this column. Send to whatsthebest + +p+ + p+np +p+
move@uschess.org or mail to Chess p +nP + + +N+ q
Life, c/o Whats The Best Move, PO
Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.
p Q n + + lP+l+
+Pp + + +L+ +P+
P+ N PPP PPPR +PP
+ RR+K+ + +K+ +R
(a) Qb7 (b) Qc6 (c) c2 (a) Bd7 (b) Bc8 (c) Ne5

Thank You, U.S. Chess Trust!

The World Chess Hall of Fame in Miami thanks the U.S. Chess Trust for funding both
the travel and hotel expenses of all three 2008 U.S. Chess Hall of Fame inductees and their
wives. The U.S. Chess Trusts support made possible the recent public celebration of the
careers of GMs Joel Benjamin, Larry Christiansen, and Nick de Firmian.
The U.S. Chess Trust is an independent 501(c)(3),
non profit organization. Created in 1967, the Trust
was organized to promote, stimulate and encour
age the study and play of the game of chess as a
means of intellectual development. Its trustees act
without compensation, and are dedicated to the
U.S. Chess Trusts mission. Your valuable contri
butions help make a difference!

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

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

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

uschess.org Chess Life January 2009 17

 In association with
Present
The Sixth Annual All-Girls Open National Championships
April 24 26, 2009 Dallas, Texas
Awards Main Event
The University of Texas at Dallas, Saturday, April 25
www.utdallas.edu, has established an 9:00 AMOpening Ceremony
Academic Distinction Scholarship to the Rounds 14:
winner of the 18-years-old and younger 9:3011:30 AM; 12:002:00 PM;
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Sunday, April 26
Rounds 56:
Trophies to top 15 individuals and top
9:0011:00 AM;
3 teams in each section. 3 or more
11:30 AM1:30 PM;
players from the same school to make
2:30 PMClosing Ceremony
a team (top 3 scores added to give
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All events will be hosted at Hyatt Regency
Special Appearance by Anna Zatonskih Dallas at Reunion Blvd.
Side Events
Friday, April 24
3:00 PM Blitz Tournament (G/5)
$15 if postmarked by March 25,
$25 on-site.
5:00 PM Bughouse Tournament,
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7:00 PMSimultaneous Exhibition by
WGM Anna Zatonskih.
Reigning U.S. Womens Champion, Please bring clocks for all the events.
WGM Anna Zatonskih is two-time U.S. Womens Champion, Chess sets and score sheets provided
Member of US Olympiad Womens Team since 2004,
Silver medalist of the 2004 World Chess Olympiad.
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Online registration
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 Official Sponsor of the 2008 US Mens and Womens Olympiad Teams.

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Supported by charitable donations from concerned individuals, private foundations and corporate sponsors.
World Championship
Anand is M
world championship title that had so far eluded him.
n a career lasting more than two
decades, Indias Viswanathan Anand
I had won almost every title worth win
ning, including world championships in
lightning, rapid, knock out and tourna
ment formats. The one title missing from
Anands resum was the most presti
gious the match title which has been
recognized as deciding world champions
from 1886 until the present day. Anand
had earned a single title shot in 1995
but had himself been shot down in flames
by Garry Kasparov, 7 10.
In October 2008, Anand had a second
chance to make history, taking on
20 Chess Life January 2009
Vladimir Kramnik in a 12 game match in
Bonn, Germany.
Kramnik had held the world match
title since deposing Kasparov in 2000
and had hung on to the crown in two
nail biting title defenses in 2004 and
2006. As most readers will already know,
Anand beat Kramnik 6 4 to become
the 15th world champion. However, few
understand the intense year long prepa
ration and teamwork that goes into a
world title fight. Fortunately, the day
after his victory in the Bonn world cham
pionship match, Viswanathan Anand
explained to Ian Rogers:
By GM Ian Rogers
How I Beat Kramnik
Even before Viswanathan Anand won
the FIDE world championship in Mexico
City in September 2007 he already knew
that the winner would probably be required
to play a world title match against Vladimir
ALL PHOTOS BY CATHY ROGERS
Kramnik in Germany in 2008.
To win such a match would require
more than the help of his trusty lieu
tenant Peter Heine Nielsen, Anands
regular second since 2002; a much larger
team was needed and Anand started
creating Team Anand long before the con
tract for the match against Kramnik was
officially signed.
uschess.org
atchless
Surya [Ganguly] I asked pretty early,
in November 2007. In December I got
Radek [Wojtaszek]s details at a German
Bundesliga match I am not sure if he
knew why at the time. Rustam
[Kasimdzhanov] was added in April; to get
a former world champion on the team
was great. Not since the match against
Kasparov in 1995 have I worked with
such a large team of seconds.
At first we had a structure certain
tasks for each person, but it just didnt
work out that way; everyone was helping
each other. The seconds must trust each
other and get on with each other. Fortu
uschess.org
nately everyone got along splendidly.
Most of our training camps were held
in Frankfurt, lasting two to three weeks.
In April I had a camp with Surya and
[other top Indian players].
I decided to play 1. d4 against Kram
nik already last year. You cant
compensate for Vlads years of 1. d4 expe
rience with a few months work, but I
thought that if he had spent, say, 60% of
his preparation on 1. e4, that would bal
ance the chances. If he had spent 80% of
his time on 1. e4, even better. Also it was
interesting and new work for me, which is
important when you are working so hard.
Anand wasnt too disappointed by his
awful last place in the Bilbao Grand Slam
Final just before the championship match.
I was able to put the Bilbao result in
perspective. When you lack focus you
need some luck. I think if I had won an
early game I might still have done well in
Bilbao but after I lost to Topalov I could
nt [do anything]. I had been working on
1. d4 so my 1. e4 was very weak.
After Bilbao I did some work with [Nor
wegian wonder boy Magnus] Carlsen.
However he couldnt come to Bonn.
When Team Anand arrived in Bonn they
took up residence in a wing on the third
Chess Life January 2009 21
World Championship
Team Anand
Peter Heine Nielsen, Denmark,
grandmaster, age 35, rating 2662
Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Uzbekistan,
grandmaster, age 28, rating 2672
floor of the Bonn Hilton. Anand and his
wife/manager Aruna occupied a suite
with his seconds having rooms nearby. A
separate war room was set up with
computers and it was here that Anand
and his seconds would do their work.
A typical Anand day before the match
would involve time in the gym, work with
seconds, lunch, work, dinner, work, fin
ishing at around 11:00 at night. However,
once the match started, Anand and his
seconds workloads altered dramatically.
One problem is that you cant work
too hard yourself, especially not working
too much with computers. You have to
keep energy for the game and not get too
used to playing advanced chess dur
ing a game you cant just push the space
bar. (This is a reference to a ChessBase
habit; pressing the space bar causes the
computer engines suggested move to
appear on the board.)
The night before a game I would dis
22 Chess Life January 2009
Radoslaw Wojtaszek, Poland,
grandmaster, age 21, rating 2599
Surya Ganguly. India, grandmaster,
age 25, rating 2603
cuss what I wanted to play the next day
and my seconds would work and in the
morning show me the problems and
their solutions. There were a lot of all
nighters. Only when I left for the game
did my seconds have time to catch up on
sleep.
There seemed to be an informal compe
tition within the seconds as to who would
go to bed last, with Nielsen and Ganguly
seemingly able to survive on no sleep at
all on some occasions.
I dont know who worked on what. two games, Anand endured a painful
Sometimes they worked together, some
times individually whatever works. If
there was a major crisis then they would
all come on to it.
The Nimzo Indian lines, 4. f3 and 4.
Qc2 we worked out well in advance but
there are always last minute problems.
You look at a variation for months but
five minutes before the game the varia
tion collapses. And sometimes you see
things during the game that you didnt
see before working with computers.
Maybe you are more concentrated.
Chess problems dont break out in an
easy order but when a problem arose, we
solved it. Chess gives its mysteries away
at its own pace.
Anands first scoreboard breakthrough
came in game three, a game watched
nervously by Anands team from the
Hilton to see if their opening work would
hold up in practice it did.
I had my successes in the opening,
choosing 8. ... a6 rather than 8. ... Bb7
[in game 3] was one.
If 1. d4 had ruined 60% of Kramniks
preparation with Black, Anands choice of
variation in the Semi Slav, when he him
self was Black, was another. A yet bigger
shock for Kramnik was to come on move
14 of game 3 with the gambit 14. ... Bb7.
I found ... Bb7 myself but then I
discovered that Rustam had worked
on it independently last year; he had
done much more work on it. Before
hand I had decided to play 15. ... Rg8
but just before the third game I
changed my mind.
Even with 15. ... Rg8 ready to go in
game 5, it was nerve wracking for Anand
and his team when Anand played the
Semi Slav line a second time, knowing
that Kramniks team would have sub
jected it to intensive scrutiny over the
previous two days.
I was very nervous in the fifth game,
playing it again. Most variations have a
short shelf life nowadays.
At the Hilton, Team Anand forewent
sleep and there was great relief and hap
piness when Anand obtained a
satisfactory position and finally tri
umphed thanks to a Kramnik blunder.
The next few games went smoothly for
Anand In the Vienna [game eight] I got
my idea in first. but then came a nerv
ous game 9 and a disastrous loss in
game 10.
18. Re1 was a big hit he got me with
18. Re1. I didnt understand his idea; the
plan Be3 f4 e3 is pretty impressive.
I was very concentrated during the
games. Before the games I was very tense
but my mind didnt wander. Well, once;
when playing 22. ... Bg4 in game 10 my
mind wandered. Then when he played
23. Qa6 I woke up.
Still needing only a draw in the final
rest day wondering what Kramnik would
try with black in game 11.
When your opponent is in kamikaze
mode he could go anywhere. I played 1.
e4 partly because his normal openings
the Petroff and the Berlin were not
possible [given the match situation].
After Kramnik had offered the draw
which gave the title to Anand, Anands
uschess.org
seconds raced to the playing hall, for the
first time in the match. A bleary eyed
Ganguly gave Anand a giant bear hug
before watching the final press confer
ence with his fellow seconds and Aruna.
Team Anand celebrated that evening by
eating at an Indian restaurant in Bonn,
with teetotaller Anand even raising a
glass of champagne.
The next day, while Anand did a never
ending round of media interviews,
Ganguly expressed a feeling of empti
ness. We worked for Anand for 18 hours
a day, said Ganguly. It was a tremen
dous responsibility and a pleasure. We
havent come to terms with the fact that
we are not working now.
Anands Opening Surprise: 1. d4
Nimzo-Indian Defense,
Classical Variation (E34)
GM Viswanathan Anand (FIDE 2783)
GM Vladimir Kramnik (FIDE 2772)
Bonn 2008, Game 6
1. d4!
By now, game 6, Kramnik would have
been well aware that Anands move from
his life long favorite 1. e4 to the queen
pawn opening was not just a one off.
What Kramnik could hardly have real
ized were the number of surprises Anand
had in store for Kramniks favorite Nimzo
Indian Defense.
1. ... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2
Varying from 4. f3 which Anand played
in game 2.
4. ... d5 5. cxd5 Qxd5 6. Nf3 Qf5 7. Qb3!? Nc6
8. Bd2 0-0
r+l+  rk+
pp
 p +ppp
+n+pn +
+ + +q+
l 
 P + +
+Q N +N+
PP LP
PPP
R + 
 KL+R
After 8. ... 0-0
So far a fairly normal position where
White usually develops quietly with 9.
e3. However Anand and his team have
come up with a completely new way of
playing the position.
9. h3!!?
Intending to embarrass the black queen
with 10. g4.
9. ... b6!? 10. g4 Qa5 11. Rc1
uschess.org
I spent time looking for something the end of this article while in game 5
direct but in the end could not find any he tried the even more ambitious:
thing better than the queen exchange
[which follows], said Anand. The
15. ... Rg8!?
endgame is a little awkward for Black as That game was very tense until Kram
the c pawn is a bit weak. nik walked into a spectacular
combination, starting at the diagrammed
position ...
11. ... Bb7 12. a3 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 Qd5 14.
Qxd5 Nxd5
On 14. ... exd5, GM Anatoly Karpovs + + + +
suggestion of 15. Bd2! and 16. Bf4 looks
strong. +l+nkp+p
+ +pq +
15. Bd2 Nf6
A very calm move which accepts that +L+ + +
White will have a small but persistent P
P p p
Q+
advantage. 15. ... f5!? was less healthy
but also more testing for White. + r +N+
16. Rg1 Rac8 17. Bg2 Ne7?! 18. Bb4! c5?
+ + PP P
The passive 18. ... Rfe8 was neces + + R K
sary. Now after ... White to play
19. dxc5 Rfd8 20. Ne5
... Anand was a safe pawn ahead,
29. Nxd4??
A tricky idea, but there is a sting in the
which he converted into a point 27 moves
later. tail which Kramnik has missed. 29. Nd2!?
was playable.
29. ... Qxd4! 30. Rd1! Nf6! 31. Rxd4 Nxg4 32.
Anands New Gambit
Semi-Slav, Meran System (D49)
Rd7+ Kf6 33. Rxb7 Rc1+ 34. Bf1
GM Vladimir Kramnik (FIDE 2783) + + + +
GM Viswanathan Anand (FIDE 2772)
Bonn 2008, Games 3 and 5
+R+ +p+p
+ +pk +
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 + + + +
Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 a6!? 9.
P
P + pn+
e4 c5 10. e5 cxd4 11. Nxb5 axb5 12. exf6
+ + + +
gxf6 13. 0-0 Qb6 14. Qe2
r+l+k l r + + PPP
+ +n+p+p + r +L
K
After 34. Bf1
q +p
 p +
The previous four moves had been
played almost instantly but now Anands
+p+ + +
+ p + + hand reached out to move his knight.
Just before moving, Anand hesitated
whereupon Kramnik saw, far too late,
+ +L+N+
PP +QPPP what was about to befall him and

R  L +R
K slumped back into his chair.
After 14. Qe2 34. ... Ne3!! 35. fxe3 fxe3, White resigned.
Blacks b5 pawn is under attack and,
until this match, in almost all previous
games Black has chosen to protect or
Kramniks Big Hit
move the pawn. However, Anand and Kramnik reminds Anand why he is
Kasimdzhanov both realized that Black such a tough opponent and that this is,
might be able to get away with ... after all, a world championship match:
Nimzo-Indian (E20)
GM Vladimir Kramnik (FIDE 2772)
14. ... Bb7! 15. Bxb5
GM Viswanathan Anand (FIDE 2783)
Bonn 2008, Game 10
It Gets Worse For Kramnik ...
... and now in game 3 Anand tried 15.
... Bd6 and won a spectacular game see
(see diagram next page)
Chess Life January 2009 23
 World Championship
Tickets Please!
Paying to see a sporting event is
hardly a radical concept, but when the
Bonn organisers released tickets for
the Anand vs. Kramnik World Champi
onship match at prices ranging
between $50 for the cheap seats to
$400 for VIP tickets, many believed
that the prices would be too high for
most fans.
Yet, with 400 500 seats available for
each game, the theater in the giant
Bonn Exhibition Hall was close to
capacity on most days. 87% of all tick
ets were sold and on some days
desperate chess fans could be seen
holding signs outside the venue asking
for tickets.
r+ +  rk+
p + +p
 pp
np+p+ +
 Qn + p +
+ + + +q
Ql+P+ +
 + +P+l+
+  P + P
P+  L 
PL P
R +R+ 
 K
After 17. ... Qh5
Anand is very familiar with this posi
tion; not only did he successfully defend
it against Garry Kasparov in 2000 but his
secret assistant Magnus Carlsen is also
experienced in the line. However Kramnik
is now able to unleash his first big nov
elty of the Championship.
18. Re1!?
A ridiculously subtle new move. This is
a novelty; not a crushing one but it offers
Black a choice. Normally White commits
his bishop immediately to e3 or f4. There
are a lot of nuances in the position one
piece here or there completely alters the
position. Even for top players it is difficult
to understand, explained Kramnik.
18. ... c5 19. Qa5 Rfc8 20. Be3 Be2 21. Bf4 e5
22. Be3
It looks as if I lost a lot of tempi with
my Be3 f4 e3, said Kramnik, but I have
managed to get Blacks pawn to e5 and his
pieces are not coordinating well.
22. ... Bg4?!
The first of two mistakes which leave
Blacks position in dire straits. Actually,
I had no idea what he was doing, admit
ted Anand later I thought Id take control
of c4 and be fine.
23. Qa6! f6?
24 Chess Life January 2009
Paying spectators could go from the
playing hall, with the two players play
ing below a giant demonstration screen,
to the commentary room, where GMs
Artur Yusupov and Helmut Pfleger
explained the games, while $400 ticket
holders also had the option of a VIP
room with free drinks and personal
commentary from GM Klaus Bischoff.
Of course the majority of chess fans
watched the match on the Inter
net millions throughout the world on
the official site and the many relay
sites which included not just chess
sites such as the Internet Chess Club
and ChessVibes but also some of the
biggest German media outlets. ~I.R.
r+r+ +k+
p + + 
 pp
+ p 
p +q
+ P 
L P
P+ +  PLP
R + 
 R K
After 23. f6
24. a4! Qf7 25. Bf1! Be6 26. Rab1!
Now all the tactics work in Whites
favor, e.g. 26. ... Bc4 27. Bxc4 Qxc4 28.
Rxb6! or 26. ... Rc7 27. Rxb6! or Kram
niks spectacular line 26. ... Kh8 27. a5
Nc4 28. Rb7 Qg8 29. Bh6!! gxh6 30.
Bxc4. Depressed Anand races to his
doom.
26. ... c4 27. a5 Na4 28. Rb7 Qe8 29. Qd6!,
Black resigned.
An early resignation but Anand realized
that after 29. Qd6 Bf7 (On 29. ... Nxc3 30.
Re7 wins the bishop.) 30. Qb4 his knight
is completely trapped and material loss
cannot be avoided, e.g. 30. ... Qc6 31. Rd1
Rd8 32. Rxd8+ Rxd8 33. Rxa7 and Blacks
cause is hopeless.
The 2008 World Championship match
produced one magnificent game, the third,
which may in retrospect have decided
the match psychologically. Anand sacri
fices a pawn, Kramnik ups the ante with
a multiple piece sacrifice and Anand even
tually returns the material and more for
a withering attack. Eventually Kramnik
makes an unforced error and Anand
scores a key point with the Black pieces.
Kramnik, like Roger Federer after his epic
loss to Rafael Nadal in Wimbledon in
July, must have wondered how he could
play so well and not win. The answer is
that his opponent simply played better.
Semi-Slav, Meran System (D49)
GM Vladimir Kramnik (FIDE 2772)
GM Viswanathan Anand (FIDE 2783)
Bonn 2008, Game 3
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3
Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 a6
Anand had previously tried 8. ... Bb7
against Kramnik last year.
9. e4 c5 10. e5 cxd4 11. Nxb5 axb5 12. exf6
gxf6 13. 0-0 Qb6 14. Qe2 Bb7!?
A novelty at least to me, Kramnik
admitted. 14. ... b4 and 14. ... Ba6 have
been standard until now.
15. Bxb5 Bd6 16. Rd1
The first tough decision for Kramnik,
one which cost him half an hour. At first
sight 16. Nxd4!? looks attractive but 16.
... Qxd4 (also playable after 16. ... Rg8 17.
g3) 17. Rd1 can be well met by 17. ...
Bxh2+ (17. ... Qc5 18. Be3 Qc7 19. Rac1
Qb8 20. Bxd7+ Kxd7 21. Qb5+) 18. Kxh2
Qh4+ 19. Kg1 Bxg2! when Black has at
least a draw.
16. ... Rg8 17. g3
r+ +k+r+
+l+n+p+p
q 
 lp
p +
+L+ + +
+ p + +
+ + +N P
PP +QP  P
R 
 LR+ K
After 17. g3
17. ... Rg4!!
The first new move, obliging serious
material sacrifices. 17. ... Bc5 18. b4!
was disastrous for Black in the only other
game to have reached this position, DIs
rael Gerbelli, Americana 2000, which
White won in 24 moves.
18. Bf4!!
Another half an hour disappeared on
this inspired move, leaving Kramnik an
hour behind on the clock. All the Internet
kibitzers were crying out for 18. Nd2,
their computer masters missing at first
that Black can reply 18. ... Ke7!! 19. Bxd7
(19. Qxg4 Qxb5 gives Black excellent
light squared play for the Exchange.) 19.
... Rag8 and a sacrifice on g3 is coming,
e.g. 20. Bb5 d3 21. Qxd3 (21. Bxd3 Bxg3!)
21. ... Rxg3+ 22. hxg3 Rxg3+ 23. Kf1
uschess.org
Rxd3 24. Bxd3 Qd4 and Blacks queen this is a better practical chance than the
runs rings around Whites uncoordinated game continuation is a moot point, since
22. ... Rg7!
Anands second long think brought him
pieces. I couldnt find any refutation of 33. ... Bxd3 34. Bxd3 Qxf4 35. Qxe6 Qxf2
level on the clock with Kramnik, both
[Anands novelty] and the way I played will not be simple for White to defend.
players now having just over 40 minutes
looked entertaining, Kramnik said. I
to reach the time control at move 40.
liked my position.
Kramnik considered the text move to be
32. ... Bf5+

almost forced but Anand realized that he

could force a draw if he wished by play
18. ... Bxf4 + + + +
I spent a long time on 18. ... Rxf4 19.
ing 22. ... Bxg3 23. hxg3 h4 when 24.
gxf4 Ke7 but after 20. Nh4! I think I am
+ + + +
Qd6+ Qxd6 25. Rxd6 Rb4 26. Bc6 is dead
better, Kramnik explained.
equal.
+ +p
p  k
19. Nxd4! +L+ +l+p
Planning another sacrifice. 19. Rxd4
23. Rxg7
23. Rd1!? was also very interesting
P+ q P
 +
Kf8! 20. Bxd7 Rd8 looks bizarre but works
but I couldnt figure out what was going
out well for Black, e.g. 21. Rad1 Rxd7! 22.
R + +P+

on, admitted Kramnik.
Rxd7 Bxg3! 23. hxg3 Rxg3+ 24. Kh2 Bxf3 PK+Q+ 
 P
25. Qc2 Rg2+ 26. Kh3 Bc6 and Black
has nothing to fear because 27. Qxh7?
23. ... Kxg7 24. gxf4 Rd8! 25. Qe2
+ + +  r
Played instantly, although 25. Qb3!?
loses immediately to 27. ... Rh2+!!. After 32. Bf5+
was a viable alternative. My intuition
tells me that White is OK with two extra
pawns but of course my king is not so
19. ... h5 33. Bd3?!
With only a couple of minutes left on
r+ +k+ + [safe], Kramnik said. the clock, Kramnik blunders and allows
Black a choice of winning methods. On
33. Kb3!, Kramnik feared 33. ... Rc1 34.
+l+n+p+ 25. ... Kh6 26. Kf1 Rg8 27. a4!

q +p
 p + I was intending 27. f5 but I had missed
27. ... Bg2+ 28. Ke1 Bh3 when I couldnt
+L+ + +p make it work for White, Kramnik
+ 
N 
lr+ explained. Kramniks intuition was right,
even if his analysis was not perfect. In the
+ + +  P variation Kramnik gives, White would
PP +Q
P  P still be alive after 29. Rd1! but in fact
Black can force a win after 27. f5 Bg2+ 28.
R +R+ 
 K Ke1 with 28. ... Bc6!! 29. Qd2+ Kh7! 30.
After 19. h5 Bxc6 Qxc6 and the white king is too
exposed to survive, e.g. 31. Ke2 Qb5+
Now it was Anands turn to think, using 32. Kf3 Rg4 33. Re1 Qc6+ 34. Ke2 Qc4+
up 40 minutes on this move; I considered 35. Kf3 Rd4! 36. Qxd4 Qxd4 37. fxe6
practically every legal move ... Rg5, ... Qg4+ when Black wins the e pawn and
Rg6, ... Rg8, but it seemed useful to have the game.
the pawn on ... h5.
27. ... Bg2+ 28. Ke1 Bh3! 29. Ra3?
Maybe the decisive mistake,
20. Nxe6!
20. Bxd7+ Kxd7 21. Nxe6+ Bd6 leads bemoaned Kramnik. I was looking at 29.
nowhere for White. Rd1 and didnt see anything clearly wrong
with it.
After 29. Rd1! Anand should probably
20. ... fxe6 21. Rxd7 Kf8!
Refusing to be tempted by the tricky 21. try 29. ... Rg1+, since the endgame after
... Ba6?! which gives Black a slight mate 29. ... Bg4 30. Qe3 Qxe3+ 31. fxe3 Bxd1
rial edge after 22. Rd6+ Qxb5 23. Qxe6+ 32. Kxd1 Rg2 33. Kc1! Rxh2 34. Bc6!
Kf8 24. Rd7 Qxd7 25. Qxd7 but leaves his offers chances mostly for White.
forces disorganized. However even after 30. Kd2 Rg2 White
can hold, by a whisker, after 31. Qe3
Rxf2+ 32. Be2 Qa5+ 33. Qc3 Qf5 34.
22. Qd3
a5 e5!? but Anand believed that after 35.
Ra4! White was still well in the game.
35. ... Qc5 is very difficult for White but
I am not sure it is a forced win for me.
(Anand was right 36. Bc4! should hold.)
34. ... Qd5+ also flashed through my
head, but it was all getting out of control.
Anand admitted that he might well have
played 34. ... Rc2, as in the note to 31. ...
Bg4, when I can win the queen and [if
necessary] take an immediate perpetual.
However with five minutes to reach
move 40, Anand might just have found
the forced win which was available with
the move which flashed through his
head 34. ... Qd5+!, when play could
continue 35. Bc4 Qb7+ 36. Bb5 (36. Ka4
Rc2!) 36. ... Rc2!! 37. a6 Qb6 38. Qf1
Qe3+ 39. Ka2 Qd2! 40. Qa1 (On 40. Rb3
Rc1! ensnares the white queen.) 40. ...
Qd5+ 41. Rb3 and now, with the time
control reached, Anand would have had
time to find 41. ... Rc5!! leaving White
helpless.
33. ... Bh3
Crushing, though 33. ... Bxd3+ 34.
Rxd3 (34. Qxd3 Rg2+) 34. ... Qc4+ 35. Kd2
Qc1 mate was simpler.

Qb4! with 35. Qf8+ to follow.

r+ + k + 34. a5 Rg2 35. a6 Rxe2+ 36. Bxe2 Bf5+ 37.
+l+R+ +
q +p
 p +
29. ... Rg1+ 30. Kd2 Qd4+ 31. Kc2 Bg4!?
I couldnt see a forced win after 31. ...
Bf5+ 32. Kb3 Rc1 33. a5! Rc2 34. Qxc2
Kb3 Qe3+ 38. Ka2 Qxe2 39. a7 Qc4+ 40.
Ka1 Qf1+ 41. Ka2 Bb1+, White resigned. .
+L+ + +p Bxc2+ 35. Kxc2 Qc5+ 36. Kb1 Qxb5 37. See another Anand game from 1987
a6! and I certainly looked hard in our profile of GM Gregory Kaidanov
+ + 
lr+ enough! so I decided to try 31. ... Bg4 on page 26. More dispatches from the
+ +Q+  P first, Anand explained. World Championship by Ian Rogers
(including more annotated games)
PP + 
P  P 32. f3 can be found on Chess Life Online,
R + + 
 K After 32. Rd3!? Bf5 33. Kb3 I keep October archives. The website
good drawing chances the Exchange uschess.org is now running on a
After 22. Qd3
down, Kramnik opined. However whether faster server.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2009 25

Cover Story
The Quiet Ke
The unassuming Gregory Kaidanov has quietly gone about
building one of the most impressive
By FM Mike Klein
he short list of famous Russians
living in Lexington, Kentucky,
T begins and ends with Gregory
Zinovyevich Kaidanov. His circuitous path
to bluegrass pastures landed him half a
world from his homeland, but he would
not have it any other way.
The grandmaster, 49, is eternally bearded
with an unassuming smile that hides his
complexity. Tournament photos of him are
unique in that he is almost never straining
while at the board. Kaidanovs breadth of
experience, euphoric and deflating, on the
chess board and off, have endowed him
with a unique perspective on how to man
age the inner world of competition a skill
he is slowly branding on Americas top
junior players, and which he hopes will
one day be his lasting legacy.
Kaidanov, once ranked as high as a top
16 world player, has seamlessly
transitioned to Americas premier chess
trainer. At elite camps or at his home
chess office, his approach to students is
based on pedagogical techniques usually
reserved for patients, not players.
I emphasize the importance of psy
chology, Kaidanov said of his
methodology. I hope that is something
that will be my contribution to chess
teaching.
Of course, Kaidanov covers the tradi
tional areas too, but as he sees it, there is
a chasm between chess teachers roles
as providers of the games skillful ele
ments and students needs for deeper
analyses of recurrent mental weaknesses.
He said his worldly adventures have sub
stituted for any specific training in
psychology.
Everybody has a different personal
ity, Kaidanov explained. The approach
26 Chess Life January 2008
should be completely different. Time trou
ble is a purely psychological problem.
Depending on the reason you have to cor
rect it differently. It is very hard to separate
psychological problems from chess prob
lems. They are usually linked together. It
is kind of a difficult process to get into the
mind of a student.
I draw on my experience from all my
previous life. As a player and teacher you
travel all over the world and interact with
hundreds, if not thousands of people.
Kaidanovs teaching acumen presents
itself best when he combines his experi
ences with charming anecdotes, though
he will remain honest in his assessments.
(When asked midway through the recent
chess olympiad if he was satisfied with the
play of the womens team, which was 4
1 at the time, he said laconically, No.)
A setting seemingly tailored to his gunny
sack of skills is the U.S. Chess School,
where Kaidanov has instructed since the
inaugural meeting in 2006.
IM Greg Shahade, the founder of the
program, has hired Kaidanov for five of
the sessions, which last about one week
each and provide intensive chess training
to Americas burgeoning young talents.
Gregory is very good at putting him
self in the students shoes, Shahade
said. Perhaps his best quality is his
understanding of chess psychology,
which is great, because this is the kind
of thing that you dont need to be very
strong at chess to understand, thus mak
PHOTO: MATT MBARTON
ing him easily accessible to all levels.
This is not your Eastern European,
dogmatic, sit and listen type oratory.
Kaidanov does not hold forth from a
lectern. He engages the student with per
sonal stories and innovative approaches,
uschess.org
 GM Gregory Kaidanov with students at the U.S. Chess School
in Lexington, Kentucky.

ntuckian
resums in American chess.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2008 27

Cover Story
while keeping his lessons student cen
tered. I always try to keep my classes
interactive, he said.
Doreen Tanaka, parent of a U.S. Chess
School attendee, said, He is a facilita
tor encouraging dialog between the
students, letting them drive the discus
sion. At one of the U.S. Chess School
I hope that [the importance
of psychology] will be my
contribution to chess teaching.
meetings, in Lexington in 2007, he clipped
an article related to the importance of
admitting fault and apologizing, then amaz
ingly parlayed it into a chess lesson on the
principle of retreating from a failed plan.
Sports metaphors, life experiences, pithy
aphorisms they are all in play. He suc
cessfully teaches life through chess,
Tanaka said.
Rather than calling them lectures, it
probably would be fair to say that we
had discussions, Kaidanov recalled about
that camp. Everybody contributed stories
about their chess experiences, frankly
talking about their strengths and weak
nesses. I thought it was incredibly
instructional for all kids to learn that
many decisions they make over the chess
board are based not only on their chess
ability, but also depend on their person
ality traits.
When we flew to the U.S. Chess School
in San Diego this past summer, I did not
quite know what to expect from a Russ
ian chess trainer, said Daniel Velotti,
parent of a past camper. Over the course
of the week. ... I found that Kaidanov
had many wonderful qualities that I would
find particularly suited to training juniors.
He has a great sense of humor and a
very affable personality. He is able to
maintain a gentle demeanor, even when
he is critiquing the students and going
over their mistakes in their chess games.
Shahade holds his teacher in esteem for
his determination (Kaidanov has been
selected to teach more U.S. Chess School
sessions than anyone else). [Kaidanov] is
ideal because he wasnt some super tal
ent who was a GM at 16 years old, he
said. He became a GM relatively late in
life, and clearly had to work very hard to
do so. This kind of work ethic will hope
fully rub off on his students, although
admittedly I doubt that many young
American players work anywhere close to
how hard Gregory worked.
28 Chess Life January 2008
The path to Kentucky began in
Berdichev, Ukraine, where Kaidanov was
born in 1959, thus making his life jour
ney similar to that of the towns most
famous son, Joseph Conrad (though with
out any Heart of Darkness). Like the
peripatetic novelist, Kaidanov began trav
eling early, as his family soon moved to
~GREGORY KAIDANOV
Kaliningrad, then Moscow, where he
spent his formative years. His father
taught him the game at age six and two
years later he became a regular visitor to
the Pioneers Palace, which he said had
less mystique than most Westerners con
ceptions would suggest.
There is a big myth of the Soviet chess
school people think of it as very struc
tured, Kaidanov said. It was not. The moved into town. He gave me a notebook
invitation only Botvinnik Chess School
might fit this mold better, but Kaidanov
never attended. He compared Pioneers
Palace to a community center, where chil
dren could come after school to do a
variety of different activities, of which
chess held no more standing than knit
ting. The teacher there, a woman on the
short side of expert by todays standards,
was more of an organizer and story teller.
Like many GMs, we never had a formal
coach. You can compare this to the cul
ture of basketball in this country. If you
are playing in the school team, you may
not necessarily have a coach that is great,
but you are playing with other people all
the time and getting better.
Even so, recent research suggests that
an osmotic approach alone is generally
not enough to achieve Kaidanovs level of
success. In Malcolm Gladwells recent
book, Outliers: The Story of Success, the
statistical guru drew on the research of
neurologist Daniel Levitin to postulate
that it takes good, old fashioned hard
work to become great in any field. He
said the average person takes 10,000
hours to assimilate the elements to reach
mastery, whether the activity is music,
computer programming or chess (Gladwell
bluntly defines chess success as the
grandmaster [GM] title). Gladwells math
works out to be three hours per day for
about ten years. Kaidanovs experience
matches he said he attended Pioneers
Palace three hours a day, three times per
week. Thats only half of Gladwells equa
tion, but then, Kaidanov did not get his
GM title until the age of 29, about 21
years after he began his chess studies.
Twenty one years at nine hours per week
equates to 9,828 hours nearly a per
fect fit. Of course Kaidanov may have
reached the threshold sooner had he not
gone to college to study railroad engi
neering (he also married wife Valeria and
had a daughter, Anastasia, in 1983), but
the formula likely would not have
changed he may have received the title
sooner, but roughly the same amount of
actual study time would be required.
Gladwells model continued: The thing
that distinguishes one performer from
another is how hard he or she works.
Thats it. Whats more, the people at the
very top dont just work much harder
than everyone else. They work much,
much harder. Certainly the chess world
contains exceptions to Gladwells out
liers, but his point is clear. Kaidanov,
like other subjects in the book, including
Bill Gates and The Beatles, reached his
fields zenith with the typical but exhaust
ing formula of time plus dedication.
Kaidanov said his work ethic comes
from his parents and from an incident
when he was 14. One of the masters
with his annotated games. This was a
life changing experience and I saw how
much work was involved. Thats what I do
with my students. Unfortunately only a
few can do this work. He cited all the dis
tractions of todays children Kids have
too many interests. We didnt have all
this liberal arts education. Accordingly,
the privation of Russian youth may have
been one of the leading catalysts of the
glut of Soviet GMs.
The gap between making master in
1978 and international master (IM) in
1987 involved a lot of frustration. Still,
he turned professional in 1985, and after
making IM, ascended to GM only one
year later, which was not exactly a formal
ity back then. Consider Kaidanovs
impressive performance at a tournament
in Moscow in 1987.
This was like a miracle tournament for
me, Kaidanov recalled. Though he won
with a +5 score and he beat two young
IMs named Viswanathan Anand and
Alexander Khalifman, both of whom went
on to become world champions, his per
formance was not even good enough for
a GM norm.
Considering the competition and the
stunning coup de grce, his win against
the Indian super GM remains his most
famous game ever. Played in a round
robin tournament in Moscow, the lineup
consisted of some prominent grandmas
ters such as Evgeny Sveshnikov and a
group of young IMs including Anand and
Khalifman.
uschess.org
Queens Gambit Declined,
Semi-Tarrasch (D42)
IM Gregory Kaidanov (FIDE 2420)
IM Viswanathan Anand (FIDE 2500)
Moscow, Russia, 1987
Notes by Kaidanov
Despite being one of the lowest rated
players in this event, I managed to win the
tournament outright with seven wins,
three losses and four draws.
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nc6
Vishy played incredibly quickly in
those days, very rarely spending more
than 20 minutes on the entire game.
Needless to say, it led to a lot of mis
takes. Its amazing that despite this he still
was already very strong! As Vishy
acknowledged after the game, he intended
to play 4. ... Nf6, but touched the wrong
knight.
5. cxd5 Qxd5 6. Nf3 e6 7. Nc3 Qd8 8. Bd3
Nf6 9. 0-0 Be7 10. a3 0-0 11. Re1
Now we reach a position which very
often arises after different move orders,
such as in the c3 Sicilian.
11. ... b6 12. Bc2 Ba6
A new move for me at the time, though
a database search shows that it was
played quite frequently.
13. b4 Bc4 14. b5 Na5 15. Ne5 Rc8 16. Re3
+rq rk+
p + 
 lppp
p +p
 n +
nP+ 
 N +
+lP + +
P 
 N 
R +
+L+  PPP
R 
 LQ+ K
After 16. Re3
16. ... Rc7
Vishy belongs to the group of players
called intuitive. It means that they
choose the majority of their moves based
on intuition, not calculation. Karpov is
another example of such a player.
On the other hand, Kasparov was a
player who tended to start examining a
position by calculating enormous
amounts of variations. It doesnt mean
that Kasparovs intuition was bad, it just
shows a different approach to chess.
By the way, Vishys calculation is
incredibly fast. Anyone who has a chance
to discuss variations with him can con
firm that it is very hard to keep up with
his speed. His last move is a pure intu
itive decision. The rook is ready to protect
uschess.org
f7 and can also be transferred to d7 if the
white knight leaves e5.
17. Rg3 Re8 18. Bh6 Bf8
Now we can see the point of 16. ... Rc7.
19. Bg5 Be7 20. Bxf6
Nowadays I would probably prefer 20.
h4 but back then I had less patience.
This is not always a bad
thing sometimes a lack of patience is
simply the reverse of hesitance.
20. ... Bxf6 21. Bxh7+ Kxh7 22. Qh5+ Kg8 23.
Ne4
+
qr+k+
 the popular Informants (major preparation
p
 +p
pr

p +p
 l +
nP+ 
 N +Q
+l
PN+ +
P + + 
 R
+ + PPP
R + + 
 K
After 23. Ne4
23. ... Bd5
The immediate 23. ... Kf8 was also pos
sible. 24. Nxf6 gxf6 (White wins after 24.
... Qxf6 25. Rf3 Be2 26. Ng6+ Qxg6 27.
Qxg6 Bxf3 28. Qg3.) 25. Rd1 The position
remains unclear. Black should have no
problems with Whites attack after 25.
Qh6+ Ke7 26. Nxf7 Qxd4.
24. Rh3 Kf8
Played instantly. 24. ... g6 25. Nxg6
fxg6 26. Qxg6+ Bg7 27. Ng5 Kf8 28. Nh7+
Kg8 29. Ng5 should lead to a draw. Black
loses if he tries to play for a win. 29. ...
Qc8 30. Rh8+ Kxh8 31. Qh7 mate.
25. Qxf7+, Black resigned.
At this point Vishy looked up at me.
There was so much pain in his eyes that
I remember this look until today.
A brilliancy for the new GM
In 1988, newly crowned GM Kaidanov
played a game that he said changed his
life. Against countryman GM Mark
Taimanov, his queens rook performed a
Prefontaine run from a8 to h2. The bril
liant maneuver sparked a spirited attack
and the game won the brilliancy prize.
I received $4,000 and at the time it was
like a huge amount of money, he cheer
fully reminisced. The Kaidanovs now
numbering four as Valeria Kaidanov had
recently given birth to one year old
Boris used the winnings to buy a new
apartment in Moscow. This game really
kind of set my whole life on track.
English Opening (A13)
GM Mark Taimanov (FIDE 2480)
GM Gregory Kaidanov (FIDE 2535)
Belgrade, Yugoslavia, 1988
Notes by Kaidanov
This game has an interesting story
behind it. In the mid 1980s Garry Kas
parov created the GMA (The Grandmaster
Association). This organization held a
series of very strong Swiss tournaments.
Belgrade was the first one. In a short
period between the second and fifth round
I played Mark Taimanov, Samuel
Reshevsky and Efim Geller. One of the
participants jokingly noted that instead of
tools back then) I should have brought
Bronsteins book Zurich 1953!
1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 Nf6 3. Bb2 e6 4. c4 c5 5. e3
Nc6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bb5 Bd6 8. Ne5
We all know this principle: In the open
ing dont move the same piece twice.
However, It doesnt look so inappropriate
here. After all, White creates an attack on
c6.
8. ... 0-0
Black decides to sacrifice a pawn for an
advantage in development.
9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Be2
Played after some deliberation. GM
Taimanov would rather attack than
defend. Accepting the pawn sac was
indeed dangerous.
After the game we looked at the fol
lowing variation: 10. Bxc6 Rb8 11. Bxf6
(11. 0 0 Bxh2+ 12. Kxh2 Ng4+ 13. Kg1
Qd6 14. f4 Qh6 [of course, 14. ... Qxc6 is
good enough, but Black aims for more] 15.
Re1 Qh2+ 16. Kf1 Ba6+ 17. d3 Qh1+ 18.
Ke2 Qxg2 mate). 11. ... Qxf6 12. Nc3 d4
13. Ne4 Qg6 14. Nxd6 Qxd6 15. Bf3 Ba6
16. Be2 d3 17. Bf3 c4 18. bxc4 Bxc4 19.
0 0 Rb2 and Black is threatening 20. ...
Qb4 to win the d2 pawn.
+
+ rk+
p
 +p
pp +
+ 
q + +
+ + + +
+l+ + +
+ +p PL+
Pr 
P PPP
R +Q+R
 K
Analysis after 19. ... Rb2
Despite being down a pawn he is prob
ably better. After 10. Be2, White hopes
after castling to exploit the weakness of
the c5 pawn.
10. ... Re8
Chess Life January 2008 29
 Cover Story

One of the reasons I like this game is ment leader, GM Efim Geller, in the last
that all of Blacks moves (up to a certain round.
17. ... Rxe3
At this point my opponent picked up
point) could be explained by classical The celebration was short lived. At din
the b2 bishop and knocked it down on f6.
chess principles. Here, after developing his ner the following evening, the Kaidanovs
minor pieces and castling, Black simply had all of their luggage stolen from the
puts his rooks on open files. trunk of a car. The losses included ten
18. Bf6

+ +k+ q
 years of chess analysis and Valerias entire
wardrobe. The most valuable things,
11. 0-0 Rb8
During my lessons I constantly empha p + +p
 pp Kaidanov joked when asked whose loss
size the important of open files and +p
l L + was greater. The calm retelling of the
activity of the pieces. Unfortunately, the incident almost embarrasses the grand
majority of club players worry about such + pp+ + master the robbery has superseded the
things as doubled pawns and weak + + +P+ tournament in fame, which is not entirely
squares, but they dont worry about the undeserved when you consider what hap
fact that their pieces are passive. +P+P r 
P pened the very next day at the corner of
P+ N +  r 42nd Street and Broadway.
We were walking down the street and
12. d3
Whites plan now is to play Nd2, Rc1, R +Q+R
 K I am sure we were behaving like typical
Ba3 in a hope to win the pawn on c5. The After 18. Bf6 tourists, stopping all the time, Kaidanov
problem is that he doesnt have time for said. A circle of men formed around them,
that. Then he looked around as though ask and in a pre Giuliani Times Square, that
ing: Did everyone see this move? I was could only mean one thing. It was kind
12. ... Rb4 lucky to calculate one move further. of funny because the robbers took all the
dollars but they left the English pounds
+lqr+k+ because they didnt know what they
18. ... Rh3
As loud of a statement as Whites pre were.
vious move was (a long bishop move,
p + +p
 pp
These stories have reached folklore sta
+pl 
n + made with a knock), it is answered by a tus. The Russian fish out of water story
quiet and unassuming Black response resembles Robin Williams in Moscow on
(a very gentle one square move). The con
+  pp+ +
the Hudson. The incidents tested the
r + + +
 sequences are, however, devastating for resolve of the Kaidanovs, who now had no
White. clean clothes, very little money and no
+P+P P +
plane tickets (they were scheduled to fly
PL +LPP P to Chicago in a few days). So when the
19. Rf3
A main line was 19. Bxd8 Rexg3+ 20. grandmaster tells his students he knows
Kf2 Rh2+ 21. Ke1 Re3+ 22. Qe2 Rexe2+
RN+Q+R
 K
adversity, he may not explicitly cite these
After 12. ... Rb4 23. Kd1 Rxd2+ 24. Kc1 (24. Ke1 Rhe2 two days in New York, but he can be
mate) 24. ... c4 (24. ... Rxd3 would win a trusted nonetheless.
The queens rook is the only Black piece
fourth pawn; also not bad!) 25. dxc4 Ba3+ I am still missing those notes,
which is far away from the kingside.
26. Kb1 Rb2+ 27. Kc1 Rbf2+ 28. Kd1 Kaidanov said. Right now it is maybe
Blacks last move poses a dilemma for
Rxf1 mate). not so much practical. It is more emo
White: either to undouble Blacks pawns
with 13. d4 or allow the rook to join the tional attachment. I still have notebooks
attack. with games as a little kid. Holding those
19. ... Rxg3+ 20. Kh1 gxf6 21. Rxg3 Bxg3 22.

notebooks in my hand is very special. He

Nf3 Qd7, White resigned.
White is down three pawns, about to sometimes brings his remaining child
lose the fourth one, so he resigned. This
13. Nd2
A risky decision. 13. d4 cxd4 14. exd4 hood analysis to U.S. Chess Schools,
game was awarded a brilliancy prize of hoping the sight of his earliest annota
(14. Bxd4 c5 with a good game for Black)
$4,000, at the time the largest in chess tions will have the power to inspire his
14. ... Rb7 and the rook finds a new place
history. students like an early Picasso sketch.
of employment.
The real test on that first sojourn to the
U.S. was the days and weeks that fol
A tough transition to the west
13. ... Rh4 14. g3
After both 14. h3 Bxh3 and 14. Nf3 lowed. Others in the same situation have
Even with the extra cash, the economic taken the easy road by packing up and
Rh6 Black would have a strong attack.
climate of the Soviet Union mitigated his going home. Instead, Kaidanov, with GM
Still, it probably would be better than
newfound wealth. There was no food in Dmitry Gurevich and others, took his
the game continuation.
the stores, Kaidanov said. Compared 300 and chess skill and engineered the
to other people we had a pretty good life oft told American success story. He con
in Moscow. Other people suffered more.
14. ... Ng4
Already here I saw my 18th move. vinced the airline to reissue his tickets to
We had money but the problem was you Chicago. Gurevich phoned friend Ken
could not buy anything. It was time to Troutman in Kentucky to arrange a few
explore more of the world and he jumped
15. Bxg4 Bxg4 16. f3
Both the rook on h4 and bishop on g4 exhibitions to make back his stolen
at the chance to take his game to the money and possessions. Kaidanov entered
are under the attack. Which one to save?
West. In 1990, Kaidanov and his wife a tournament in Louisville and then
The answer is: neither one!
traveled to New York City. The grand played a simultaneous in Lexington.
master entered a tough round robin Troutman told the Kaidanovs, perhaps
tournament at the now defunct Manhat
16. ... Rxh2 17. fxg4
If 17. Kxh2, then ... Qh4+ 18. Kg1 you will only be robbed here once.
tan Chess Club, in which he sensationally Visiting Kentucky after Chicago and
Qxg3+ 19. Kh1 Qh2 mate.
shared first place by beating the tourna New York was a completely different expe

30 Chess Life January 2008 uschess.org

rience, he recalled. Both my wife and
I fell in love with this place. At the time
we lived in a completely broken country
... I didnt want [Kentucky] to remind
me of Russia. But the Kaidanovs
returned to Moscow, hoping to emigrate
yet resigned to their unlikely chances.
That is when Troutman and friends
really got to work.
[Kaidanov] referred to Lexington as
heavens front yard, Troutman said. Kaidanovs preparation sessions in Dres
This did not hurt our feelings. I was
able to navigate the rules of the INS and
get an H1 visa by explaining that no one
in Kentucky had his skills in regard to
chess training. This required a significant
number of attempts. Explaining that
people actually teach chess was not
easy.
The following year, the family had a
new home more than 5,000 miles away.
Diplomacy proved the best defense for
domestic chess players; once Kaidanov
moved to the U.S. he wasted no time
engraving his name on Grand Prix lists
and winners trophies. He added to his
1990 win in New York with a trifecta in the
summer of 1992 he won both the World
Open and the U.S. Open outright (the
first player ever to accomplish that in the
same year), after beginning his run with
a split of the National Open title. Kaidanov
was to American chess what Garry Kas
parov was to international chess in
1992 unbeatable.
An American on the world stage
From there he began to represent the
U.S. in various team competitions. In
1993, Kaidanov helped the Americans to
victory in his first event under the Stars
and Stripes. Their win in the World Team
Championships remains the only world
title the U.S. has won as a team in more
than 30 years. He went on to compete in
six straight Olympiads for the U.S. From
1996 2006 he won three team medals
and an individual silver in Calvia, 2004.
Throw in another few medals at succes
sive World Mens Team Championships,
including a personal gold medal in 1997,
and you have the most decorated Amer
ican team player since Isaac Kashdans
run ended in the 1930s.
This year, the Dresden Olympiad
reduced the number of male players by
one. Kaidanov, who scored the highest
percentage of any team member at Turin,
2006, had his rating dip below 2600. The
rise of young GMs Hikaru Nakamura and
Varuzhan Akobian meant missing the
team for the first time in a decade. But his
presence was still needed. When the
American women needed a coach, they all
gravitated toward Kaidanov.
I have to say that it was not an easy
decision for me, Kaidanov said. Finan
uschess.org
cially I am probably better off sitting at
home giving chess lessons. I kind of felt
I had to honor their request. He spoke
effusively about the unity of the team
and his pride in his selection, and has
also said previously that he would con
tinue teaching even if there were no
money in it.
GM Sam Palatnik, himself a past coach
of U.S. teams, sat in on several of
research, loss and perseverance. He will
The incidents tested the resolve
of the Kaidanovs, who now
had no clean clothes, very little
money and no plane tickets.
den. He praised the coachs style, saying
Kaidanov is good mannered and trusted
in his approach, strongly suggesting but
never forcing information on his charges
(Kaidanov would often stay awake until
3:00 a.m. preparing e mail dossiers for his
players). He knows when to motivate and
when to give more specific guidance. He
wont crush their fighting spirit, Palatnik
said.
For all of Kaidanovs ease at the board,
he resembled something closer to a nerv
ous father in the playing hall of the
Olympiad, pacing slowly, with folded arms
and a pensive brow. Shortly before one
round, his anxiety was evident when one
player came close to forfeiture by nearly
arriving late. After she hurried in,
Kaidanov relaxed for a second, gave her
a you almost broke curfew smile, and
then resumed his paces.
When Kaidanov returns to Lexington
after Dresden, he will have only one child
left living at home. Daughter Sonya was
born eight years after Boris and is now 13
(both his son and Anastasia are away at
college; all three children have nominal
ratings).
His students will eagerly phone and e
mail to catch up on missed lessons.
Kaidanov accepts students of all levels
and says he is nearly booked solid, despite
the grandmasters Herculean willingness
to sometimes teach for more than ten
hours at a stretch.
At the next Olympiad, in Khanty Man
siysk 2010, Kaidanov likely will be left off
the squad again. While he might still be
physically able his peak FIDE rating of
2646 was reached only six years ago after
he beat four score of GMs to win the
Aeroflot Open (and his highest USCF rat
ing of 2749 was only four years ago) his
love for teaching is beginning to trump
personal ambition.
I am not very optimistic about it, he
said of competing in Siberia. In order to
do that I am sure I have to give up my
teaching. You have to work a lot of hours,
and as you get older you have to give
even more hours than when you were
younger.
So the students will continue to call and
e mail. Kaidanov will cull all the stories
Pioneers Palace, bread lines, dogmatic
tell the story of the day before his tenth
birthday, when he would have moved up
one category at the chess club if not for
being checkmated in six moves. But he
will come back to the games human ele
ment when he speaks of the rain of tears
that followed. He will slyly package
humanism in between his mention of
outposts and outflanking. The messages
will be furtively placed within the context
of algebraic sequences, like a priest sub
tly imparting moral instructions within
homiletic allegories. And like the clergy,
Kaidanov wants his students to employ
his teachings in all their decisions.
I think the most important thing is to
be analytical about the events in your
personal life, Kaidanov said. I think
this is where chess helps a lot. Many
people do stupid things which may make
their life experience difficult. Chess
teachers help you to find the best solu
tions. Unfortunately many chess players
do this on the chess board but dont do
this outside it.
Chess fans will still see him reemerge
and play in the occasional tournament.
Kaidanov thinks chess teachers should
stay active to remain attuned to the
games practical considerations.
Obviously I achieved some success as
a player but I am hoping that what I am
doing as a teacher is kind of unusual for
a grandmaster, he said, as though fully
acquiescing to the second stage of his
chess life. He is now ensconced as a Ken
tuckian, perfectly content to spend most
days teaching from home.
Professional chess is brutal. .
The Kaidanov coached Womens
Olympiad team won a bronze medal
in Dresden, finishing behind winner
Georgia and runner up Ukraine, and
beating Russia and Poland for the
bronze on tiebreaks.
Chess Life January 2008 31
 Bronze
2008 World Youth

for
Shankland
and
Yang
Put down your chess books
and pick up a knight, Team
USA is gonna have a whole
lotta fun way down yonder
in Vietnam.
By GM John Fedorowicz

nce again I had the pleasure of
being a coach at the World Youth
O Championship. The 2008 edition
was hosted by Vietnam in the small
seaside resort of Vung Tau from October
20 30. Ive been traveling for chess many
years now, but never this far. I took one
made New York at rush hour look tame;
never have I seen so many motor bikes,
most disobeying the traffic laws! Ive never
been one to adjust to the time difference
quickly (11 hours from EST) so arriving
three days early was a must. Flipping
the TV remote control I was pleasantly
At the coaches meeting, we divvy up the
players (five per coach) according to rat
ing and private students. We also consult
each other on opening problems and game
analysis. My daily routine started with
Dan Ludwig at 9 a.m. and ended with
Caroline Zhu at 11:30 a.m. A half hour per

SHANKLAND BY BETSY DYNAKO; YANG COURTESY OF SUBJECT

look at my aisle seat and wondered if
Id survive!
My flight on Cathay Pacific Airlines
from New Yorks JFK to Hong Kong was
scheduled to take 15 hours, followed by
a two hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Amazingly, the travel came off without a
hitch. A lot of boredom for sure, but zero
problems. While waiting for my second
flight, I even made two new friends, Glenn
and Jonah Lee of Canada.
Getting my Vietnam visa took awhile,
but I didnt mind. It was good not to be
on an airplane. The three of us (Glenn,
Jonah and I) were met outside the airport
and immediately driven to our hotel. The
drive took just over two hours through Ho
Chi Minh City. The traffic jams wouldve
surprised to see the baseball playoffs live.
That provided me with some pre tour
nament entertainment.
Now onto some chess! I wasnt sure
what to expect from our young and rela
tively inexperienced team but I thought
we had good medal chances in several age
groups. Darwin Yang and last years world
youth champion Daniel Naroditsky were
two of my favorites, along with Sarah and
Jonathan Chiang, Simone Liao, Daniel
Ludwig and Sam Shankland. We defi
nitely had one of the strongest support
groups. The six coaches consisted of FIDE
Senior Trainer (FST) Michael Khodark
ovsky, FM Aviv Friedman, IM Armen
Ambartsoumian, GM Dmitry Gurevich,
GM Sam Palatnik, and myself.
player isnt a lot of time for preparation,
but it had to suffice.
The players started their games at 3
p.m. while the coaches set up headquar
ters in the lobby at 4:30 p.m. for game
analysis. From past world youths, we
noticed a trend where other countries
would prepare based on our earlier games.
This made patching up the opening or
correcting middlegame problems of great
importance.
Lets now discuss our top finishers. Of
our medal winners, Darwin Yang, who
was ranked third in the boys under 12,
had the highest expectations. Darwin
raced out to 6/7 including this fine
fifth round win over eventual gold medal
ist Sayantan Das.

32 Chess Life January 2008 uschess.org

Ruy Lopez, Archangel and
Moller Defense (C77)
FM Darwin Yang (FIDE 2182)
Sayantan Das (FIDE 2112)
2008 World Youth, Vung Tau, Vietnam
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5.
d3
This safe move avoids a large body of
Ruy Lopez theory including the Berlin
and Archangel.
5. ... b5 6. Bb3 Bc5
The Archangel variation has become
very popular and seriously theoretical in
the past few years. Since White has
already played d2 d3, the normal 6. ...
Be7!? is close to equal.
7. 0-0 0-0 8. c3 d6 9. Nbd2 Bb6
This feels like a waste of time; the
bishop is fine on c5.
10. Re1 Bb7?!
The bishop looks useless here. 10. ...
Bg4?! 11. h3 Bh5 12. Nf1 and after White
chases down the h5 bishop, White gains
control of the light squares. Black's best
is 10. ... Be6!?.
11. Nf1 Ne7 12. Ng3 Ng6 13. Nf5 d5!?
Black decides unwisely to sacrifice
material. Keeping an eye on the f5 knight
with 13. ... Bc8!? is an idea this also
keeps open a ... Be6 idea.
14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Nxe5 Bxf2+
r+ q rk+
+lp +ppp
p+ + +n+
+p+nNN+
+ + + +
+LPP+ +
PP + lPP
R 
 LQ
R K
After 15. ... Bxf2+
Entering into a very confusing situation
where Darwin has seen a little further. 15.
... Nxe5 16. Rxe5 and Black has little
compensation in a Marshall Attack like
position.
16. Kxf2 Qf6 17. Bxd5!? Bxd5 18. Qh5 Be6
19. g4 Nxe5
Good for White is 19. ... Bxf5 20. Qxf5
Qh4+ 21. Kf1 Qxh2 22. Nf3 Qg3 23. Be3.
20. Rxe5! g6
Not 20. ... Qxe5?? 21. Ne7+.
21. Qg5
A faster way to win is 21. Qh4! Qxe5 22.
uschess.org
d4 Qe4 23. Ne7+ Kg7 24. Bh6+.
21. ... Qxg5 22. Bxg5 gxf5
OK for Black is 22. ... f6 23. Rxe6? (23.
Ne7+ Kf7 24. Rxe6 Kxe6 25. Re1+ Kd7 26.
Bh6 Rfe8 27. Nd5 when White will start
munching Black's pawns thereby increas
ing his material edge) 23. ... fxg5.
23. Bh6 Rfe8 24. gxf5 Bd7 25. Rg1+ Kh8 26.
Bg7+ Kg8 27. Rc5 h5 28. f6 Bg4 29. Rxg4!,
Black resigned.
After Black recaptures with 29. ... hxg4,
30. Rh5 mates.
Unfortunately for us and Darwin the
last four rounds saw him score only three
draws and a loss. His final score of 8 3
was good enough for the bronze.
One very pleasant surprise was Sam
Shanklands tying for first place and win
ning Team USAs second bronze medal.
Sam is already an experienced player
despite his young age of 17. He has played
previously in world youths, not to men
tion the U.S. championship. Starting off
ranked 17th in the boys under 18 made
him a long shot, but Sams toughness
showed up in the end. Sams strengths
are his opening preparation and his
intense approach to the game. This 10th
round rout of his Indian opponent gave
Sam an international master norm and
put him into medal contention.
Slav Defense (D19)
IM Pandian Karthikeyan (FIDE 2402)
Sam Shankland (FIDE 2436)
2008 World Youth, Vung Tau, Vietnam
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4
The Semi Slav is an extremely solid
system for Black.
5. a4
Otherwise Black keeps the pawn with
... b7 b5.
5. ... Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Nbd7 8. Qe2 Bb4 9.
0-0 0-0 10. e4
White should play more slowly with
10. Rd1!?, yielding a slight edge.
10. ... Bg4!? 11. e5!?
Shankland criticized this move, but it's
White's next that caused the problems.
11. h3? Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Nb6 13. Qd3 Bxc3
14. bxc3 Nxc4 15. Qxc4 Nxe4 wins a
pawn.
11. ... Nd5 12. Na2?!
About equal is 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Bd3.
12. ... Ba5
(see diagram top of next column)
r+ q r
k+
pp+n+p
 pp
+p+p+ +
l +n
 P +
P+LP +l+
+ + +N+
NP +Q
PP P
R 
 L +RK
After 12. ... Ba5
At this point I prefer Black because of
his better minor pieces.
13. Bxd5?!
Solving one problem in the short term,
but opening up another can of worms. 13.
Qe4!? puts White near equality.
13. ... exd5!?
The most aggressive reply. Along with
Dmitry and Shankland, I liked 13. ...
cxd5. Black would use the open c file
and bishop pair.
14. h3 Bh5 15. g4?
White goes hog wild opening up his
own king! 15. Qe3 breaking the pin is
more prudent.
15. ... Bg6 16. h4 h6!
This calm move rebuffs Whites inten
tions.
17. Bf4 Qe7 18. Nc3 Qe6 19. Nh2 f6 20. Bg3
fxe5 21. dxe5 d4 22. Ne4 Qd5 23. Nd6 d3 24.
Qe3 Bb6 25. Qe1 Bd4 26. e6 Ne5 27. e7
Qxd6 28. exf8=Q+ Rxf8 29. Kg2 Qd5+ 30. f3
Nc4 31. Bf2 Re8 32. Qb4 Re2 33. Kg1 Bxf2+
34. Rxf2 Qd4!, White resigned.
35. Rf1 Rxf2 36. Rxf2 d2 ends mat
ters.
Two of our brighter hopes of the future
are Jonathan Chiang and his sister
Sarah. Jonathan finished in fifth place
with eight points, while Sarah finished in
13th place on tiebreaks with seven points.
Jonathans excellent score propelled the
U.S. to a silver medal in the open under
8. In this round 10 game Jonathan fin
ished off his opponent with some nice
fireworks.
Pirc Defense (B07)
Jonathan Chiang (FIDE 1535)
Dinh Nguyen Anh Le (FIDE Unrated)
2008 World Youth, Vung Tau, Vietnam
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be3 Nf6 5.
f3!?
This is a very dangerous system vs.
the Pirc. White sets up a Yugoslav Attack
Chess Life January 2008 33
 2008 World Youth
type formation, going for a kingside pawn
storm.
5. ... a6?!
Already Black is struggling to find the
proper idea. With 5. ... c6!? Black prepares
... b7 b5 counterplay and gets the queen
involved.
6. Qd2 Nc6 7. 0-0-0 e5 8. d5?!
Jonathan locks the center, which he
must reopen later. 8. Nge2 keeps things
fluid and allows White to start the pawn
storm.
8. ... Ne7 9. g4 b6
Black is wasting time. With 9. ... h5!?
Team USA Results
Girls 8: Alisha Chawla 4,
Reva Singh 6, Hannah Liu 7,
Sarai Guillen 4.
(Team Bronze Medal)
Girls 10: Simone Liao 7,
Margaret Hua 4.
Girls 12: Sarah Chiang 7,
Caroline Zhu 5.
Girls 14: Alena Kats 6,
Anna Matlin 6, Katherine Wu 4.
Girls 16: Karsten McVay 5,
Jennie Liu 4.
Open 8: Jonathan Chiang 8,
Tommy He 7, Raymond Sun 6.
(Team Silver Medal)
Open 10: Jeevan Karamsetty 7,
Christopher Wu 6.
Open 12: Darwin Yang 8
(Bronze Medal), Aleksandr
Ostrovskiy 5, Alexander
Velikanov 6, Atulya Shetty 5,
Jarod Pamatmat 6,
David Adelberg 6.
(Team Bronze Medal)
Open 14: Daniel Naroditsky 7.
Open 18: Sam Shankland 8
(Bronze Medal),
Daniel Ludwig 6, Matt Parry 5.
Coaches
FIDE Senior Trainer IM Michael
Khodarkovsky, FM Aviv Friedman,
IM Armen Ambartsoumian, GM
Dmitry Gurevich, GM Sam
Palatnik, GM John Fedorowicz.
34 Chess Life January 2008
Black looks to lockdown the entire board
with an equal position.
d4!?
Already Reva is faced with a tricky mix
ture of ideas. 5. 0 0 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. Re1
is the usual routine, which weve seen mil
10. Bh6 Kf8 11. Bxg7+
As Aviv pointed out, this helps Black
lions of times.
unravel. 11. h4!? is more accurate fol
lowed by h4 h5, putting White in control.
5. ... b5!?
Black reaches a safe position with 5. ...
Nxd4 6. Nxd4 exd4 7. e5 Ne4 8. Qxd4
11. ... Kxg7 12. h4 h5
Better is 12. ... h6, which makes it
Nc5.
hard for White to breakthrough. 13. g5
(13. h5 g5 would be a tough nut to crack)
13. ... Nh5 when Whites attack has
6. Bb3 exd4 7. 0-0 Bc5?!
stalled. I've warned Reva about keeping gam
bit pawns! 7. ... d6!? looks like a solid
13. g5 Nd7 choice. 8. Nxd4?? Nxd4 9. Qxd4 c5 fol
lowed by ... c5 c4 falls for the famous
r+lq + r Noahs Ark trap.
+ pn
np
k 8. Re1?!
p
p p +p+ After sacrificing a pawn, White must be
+ +Pp 
Pp more aggressive. Now Black is fine. 8.
e5! is very tough to deal with. 8. ... Ng4
+ +P+  P (8. ... Ne4 9. Qe2 d5 10. exd6 f5 11. dxc7
Qxc7 12. Ng5 and Blacks king has no
+ N +P+
safe haven) 9. Bxf7+ Kxf7 10. Ng5+ Kg8
P
PPQ + + 11. Qxg4 and Black is in difficulties.
+ KR+L
NR 8. ... 0-0 9. Bg5 d6 10. Bd5 Bb7 11. Bxc6
After 13. ... Nd7 Bxc6 12. e5 dxe5 13. Rxe5 Bb6 14. Rf5 Kh8!
r+ q r
  k
14. Bh3!
Jonathan is preparing f3 f4, his only + p +ppp
break.
pll+ n
 +
14. ... Qf8 15. Nce2 f5 16. Qc3!
+p+ +R L
Forcing Black to defend his c7 square.
+ 
p + +
16. ... Ra7
+ + +N+
With the action on the kingside, its as
if Black is down a rook.
PPP+ P
P P
17. f4
RN+Q+ 
 K
After 14. ... Kh8
Now White is clearly on top.
Anticipating White's Bxf6. Doubled
pawns in front of the king isn't always
17. ... Kh7 18. Rf1 Qg7 19. exf5 gxf5 20. fxe5
bad.
Nxe5 21. Nd4 Nxd5 22. Qb3 Ne7 23. Nxf5
Nxf5 24. Bxf5+ Bxf5 25. Rxf5 Qg8 26. Qa4 b5
Black's final chance was 26. ... Qc4!?.
15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. Rf4 Rg8
Who's attacking now? Reva has turned
the tables on her opponent. Black's devel
27. Qe4! Qg6 28. Qf4 Kg7 29. Nf3 Nxf3 30.
opment, bishop pair, open g file and extra
Qxf3 Qe8 31. Rf1 c6 32. Qc3+ Kg8 33. Rf8+,
pawn spell trouble for White.
Black resigned.
For my student Reva Singh, this was
her first big international tournament,
and she played very well. Her 6 points
17. Rh4
White is struggling to find a plan.
was a main reason for our bronze medal
in the girls under 8. She was very proud
of this game where she exhibits a good feel
17. ... Qe7 18. Qd3 Rg6
Easily sidestepping the mate threat.
for attack.
19. Nbd2 Re8 20. b3 Ba5!
Ruy Lopez (C77) Threatening to eliminate Whites
Shiri Binder (FIDE Unrated) defenders on d2 and f3.
Reva Singh (FIDE Unrated)
2008 World Youth, Vung Tau, Vietnam
21. h3 Bxd2
Winning.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. 22. Qxd2 Bxf3 23. Qd3 Qe1+!
uschess.org
 sensible. 13. ... 0 0 14. Bh6 Ne8 15. Rad1
Rd8 16. Rd3 (16. Bg5) 16. ... Kh8 17.
( )
+ +r+  k
+ p +p+p Bg5 Bxg5 18. Qxg5 Nf6 19. Qd2 Rd7 was
about equal in Dolmatov Polugaevsky,
p+ +  pr+ Moscow TV 1987.
+p+ + +
13. ... Rg8 14. Qh6 0-0-0 15. f3
+ 
p +  R Black's king is safe and White will be on
+P+Q+l+P the defensive for a long time.
P+P+  PP+
15. ... Rg6 16. Qh3 Kb8 17. Be3 Rdg8 18. g3
h5 19. Ne2 Qe8 20. Nf4 Rg5
R + 
 q 
K along with a very large pool. Most of Team
After 23. ... Qe1+  +q+r+
k USA stayed at the Hotel Dic Star, a five
Finishing the game with style! +l+ lp+
p+ pp
n +
24. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 25. Qf1 Rxg2+ 26. Kh1 Rxf1
+p+ +  rp
mate.
David Adelberg was a surprise medal
contender for most of the tournament, but
+ +P
N +
tailed off at the end. His round eight vic +L+ LPPQ
tory showed his attacking skills in an
extremely sharp Najdorf. Davids fine per
PPP+ +  P
formance helped Team USA to a team R + 
 R K
bronze in the boys under 12.
After 20. ... Rg5
Sicilian Defense,
21. Bf2
Scheveningen/Najdorf (B87) White should be happy with a repetition
Mikhail Antipov (FIDE 1887) via 21. Nd3!?.
David Adelberg (FIDE Unrated)
2008 World Youth, Vung Tau, Vietnam
21. ... Bc8 22. Qf1?
The queen needs to keep an eye on g3.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. 22. ... h4! 23. Qd3
Nc3 a6
Very strong for Black is 23. g4 Nxg4 24.
The Najdorf is considered a very aggres fxg4 Rxg4+ 25. Ng2 h3.
sive response to 1. e4.
23. ... hxg3 24. hxg3 Nd7 25. Qe3 Nc5 26.
6. Bc4 Rad1
The Sozin was a favorite of Bobby Fis 26. Kg2 was forced.
cher and numerous other grandmasters.
26. ... Rxg3+!
6. ... e6 7. 0-0
This fine Exchange sacrifice collapses
By not playing 7. Bb3 White avoids the Whites king position.
... Nbd7 c5 idea. 7. ... Nbd7 8. f4 Nc5 9.
Qf3 b5 gives Black good counterplay. 27. Bxg3 Rxg3+ 28. Kf2 Qg8 29. Rg1 Bh4!
30. Kf1 e5
7. ... b5 8. Bb3 Be7 9. Qf3 Qc7 10. Qg3 Nc6
Opening the diagonal for the c8 bishop.
11. Nxc6 Qxc6 12. Re1 Bb7
31. Rxd6 exf4 32. Rb6+ Ka7 33. Rg6 Qxg6
r+ +k+  r 34. Qxc5+ Qb6
+l+ lppp Forcing everything off the board makes
it easy for David.
p+qppn +
+p+ + + 35. Qxb6+ Kxb6 36. Rxg3 fxg3
The rest is a simple mop up operation.
+ +P+ +
+LN + Q 37. Kg2 Be6 38. Bxe6 fxe6 39. b4 Be7 40.
Kxg3 Bxb4 41. Kf4 Bd6+ 42. e5 Bb8 43. Ke4
PPP+ PPP Kc5 44. f4 Kc4 45. Kf3 Kd4 46. Kg4 Ke4 47.
R 
 L 
R K Kg5 b4 48. Kf6 Kxf4 49. Kxe6 Bxe5 50. Kd5
Bc3 51. Kc4 a5 52. a3 Ke3 53. axb4 axb4 54.
After 12. ... Bb7 Kb3 Kd2 55. Ka2 Kc1, White resigned.
After getting settled in I did one impor
13. Qxg7?!
Snatching this pawn allows Black an
tant thing. I found the tournament hall.
It was located 1 miles away from the
enduring initiative. 13. a3!? is safe and hotel, and with the heat and humidity was
a tough walk. It was an indoor arena
similar to where a small time college bas
ketball team would play. It easily housed
the large group of players that came for
battle. The pairings were always up on
time. They could be found online or
posted outside the hotel. Games of that
days opponent could be found online as
well. This aided our preparation greatly.
Good prep gives our player more confi
dence, and every little thing counts.
The beach was right across the street
star hotel. The food was pretty good with
a lot of choices. I thought the tourna
ment was very well organized considering
all the things that could go wrong. Buses
left before each round from the hotel and
returned at regular intervals.
I have a couple of gripes. My first one
is the tournament halls air condition
ing. In countries where the climate is
very hot, a lack of air conditioning could
prove to be unhealthy and dangerous.
They tried hard to cool us, but even the
fans and air conditioning were not
enough. In the future FIDE needs to
address this type of situation and keep it
from occurring again. At our team meet
ing, players were told that they must be
seated at their board five minutes before
the start of the round. If this rule wasnt
followed, they would forfeit! This rule is
being used in the Dresden Olympiad as
well. Im interested in whether this stu
pidity will be enforced. Another wonderful
job by FIDE. Maybe they should think
about more important matters.
The most impressive country this year
was India. Dominating the medal count
with an unbelievable four world champi
onships, I guess India is going through an
Anand Boom where chess may be sup
planting cricket as the top sport. While the
USA is going through no such boom, we
still have a very large and strong group of
youngsters. With players like Darwin
Yang and Daniel Naroditsky leading the
way, we have hope in the future of com
peting with countries like India.
In closing I would like to thank a num
ber of people. Ill start off with Michael
Khodarkovsky, our FIDE senior trainer,
for dealing with all kinds of problems
chess and otherwise. The other coaches
were a lot of fun to hangout with as were
Kimberly Doo, Sharon Senkiewicz, and
Diane Parry. My friends Glenn, Jonah,
Anna, Semen, William and Elizabeth kept
me busy as well. With some good inter
national chess experience under their
belts, Team USA should return next year
with renewed determination and hope. Till
next year in Antalya, Turkey, play well
and study hard! .
See more reporting from Vietnam on
Chess Life Online, October archives.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2008 35

Here and There
Hip Hop Variation
Rap artist RZA is the latest figure to arise in an emerging
trend towards aggressive chess marketing.
or over a year, rumors have swirled
in the chess world that RZA, a
F founder of the rap group Wu Tang
Clan, is serious about chess and wants to
earn the master title. In addition to want
ing to improve and inspire youth, RZA,
who is interested in Asian culture and
philosophies, sees chess as a way to self
improve: 64 squares lined up in eight
columns, we sit and meditate and calcu
late on life problems.
RZA is not like a stand up comic who
cant stand being funny in real life he is
a word artist on and offstage. Preten
tious terms became simple while plain
language is spiced up: RZA called team
chess doubles splash and rejected
adjust and Jdoube in favor of, Fix it. explained that his interest in founding
If you havent heard of RZA, youre not
alone, hes not the most famous rapper in
America but his fans are fervid. Jay Z is
to RZA as Spielberg is to Woody Allen.
Dont even ask where Kanye and Eminem
fall in; my metaphor doesnt stretch that
far.
I wrote a couple of articles for Chess Life
Online about Hip Hop Chess Federation
(HHCF) events such as the October 2007
Kings Invitational in San Francisco,
which RZA won. I couldnt find any game
scores but was hoping to give CLO read
ers an idea of his strength, so I asked IM
Josh Waitzkin about RZAs approximate
ELO [rating]. Josh was promoting his
book The Art of Learning at the HHCF
events, which combine chess, martial
arts and music. Josh wrote back with
an estimate that he admitted might be
generous but said: I kind of have this
feeling that it kills the vibe to slap a num
ber on them.
I got a chance to see RZAs chess skills
36 Chess Life January 2009
By WGM Jennifer Shahade
for myself in a series of events hosted
this summer by a non profit I co founded
(see note at end of article), 9 Queens and
WuChess, a hip hop chess server. At the
9 Queens knockout, a promotional event
in Chelsea, New York, RZA started with
the two hours late opening, a variation
that is common for musicians but is
offensive to chessplayers, who despite
their propensity for sleeping in, know to
be punctual when the clock is set. Despite
the fools mate of a start, RZA was both
charming and charmed when he arrived.
He got a chance to meet an idol of his own
GM Maurice Ashley, and because it was
RZAs birthday, he received a triple decker
chess set from thechesspiece.com. He
WuChess and collaborating with 9
Queens was not just as an aspiring chess
player, but also as a spokesperson for
anti violence and foresight; In our com
munity ... if people think before they do
... they could avoid teenage pregnancy
... avoid crime, the penal institution; a lot
of guys are in jail for 25 to life because
they didnt think before they did it. It
was too spontaneous.
RZA and I played a tandem chess game
(two partners take turns making moves,
consultation is forbidden) against Brit
tanie Uddin and Jasmine Fermin from I.S.
318, the junior high school championship
Brooklyn team coached by Elizabeth Vic
ary. I knew that the girls were probably
underrated at 1400 and 1500. The 318
girls probably would have beat us if they
played more quickly, because RZA seemed
to be constantly searching for the perfect
moves. Some may attribute his unhurried
pace to too much herbal tea. I dont think
any of us were that experienced in team
chess or the unusual 12 minute time
control, but I also think RZA lacked con
fidence about his obvious natural talent.
Jasmine and I started first and then
switched moves. In the opening/ mid
dlegame, RZA played well, with the
exception of the purposeless 14. ... b6. 14.
... Na5 or 14. ... Rc8, immediately seizing
the initiative against Whites main weak
ness (the c4 pawn) were preferable.
Kings Indian Defense (A48)
Jasmine Fermin/Brittanie Uddin
Jennifer Shahade/Bobby Diggs (aka
the RZA)
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. e3 Bg7 4. Bd3 c5 5. b3
0-0 6. Bb2 Nd5 7. c4 Nb4 8. 0-0 Nxd3 9. Qxd3
d5 10. Nc3 Bf5 11. Qd2 dxc4 12. bxc4 cxd4
13. exd4 Nc6 14. Ne2 b6 15. Rac1 Na5 16. d5
Bxb2 17. Qxb2 Bd3 18. Rfe1 Nxc4 19. Qd4
Bxe2 20. Rxe2 b5 21. Qc5 Rc8 22. Qxe7
+r
q rk+
p + 
 Qp+p
+ + +p+
+p+P+ +
+n+ + +
+ + +N+
PHOTO: BLAKE EICHENSEER
P+ +R PPP
+ R + K
After 22. Qxe7
Move 22 was the most interesting of the
game. RZA began to think for over 30
seconds then he passed the one minute
uschess.org
 Jennifer Shahade and The RZA playing tandem chess in Camden, New Jersey.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2009 37

The RZA and Jennifer Shahade playing tandem chess against FM Mike Shahade and rapper the Monk.
9 Queens co-founder Jean Hoffman watches over.

mark. I stared nervously at the clock
just like in bughouse, getting low on time
is a strategic disaster in team chess.
Besides, it seemed to me the only reason
able move was 22. ... Qxd5, regaining
our pawn. According to the rules of team
games or tandem chess, talking to your
opponent is strictly forbidden. But when
even more easily than usual with the
queen vs. rook and knight in quick chess.
Instead the game continued ...
22. ... Qxd5 23. Qxa7 Qd3 24. Rce1 Ra8 25. Qe7
... and the position is balanced, but
we were up almost two minutes at this
point and won on time.
chose an offbeat but creative line against
my fathers trusty English. He kept his
king in the center and launched an ulti
mately unsuccessful attack with h5, h4,
Qc8, Bh3 and so on.
I think RZA has the talent to become an
expert chessplayer but the only way he
can do that is to get in the trenches and

To my shock ... I discovered

RZA finally moved his play in real tourna
fingers toward the d ments. His real name

that RZA correctly sensed

pawn, I heaved an is Robert Diggs. You
audible sigh of relief that may find yourself

a critical position.
was as close as I could
get to cheating. When I
came home and began
to reconstruct the game,
I discovered that RZA
correctly sensed a critical position. There
actually is a far superior choice to 22. ...
Qxd5 Black can play 22. ... Ne5!, win
ning! The move defines mind boggling,
across the table from
him at your next local
tournament.
RZAs ties with chess
go way back. RZA
A few days later, RZA played some learned chess at the age of 11, to a girl
games with my father, FM Michael Sha who became more than just a girlfriend.
hade at a Learn Chess day in Camden, On Wu Tang Clans 1993 debut album,
New Jersey. My father started out with Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers), the
PHOTO: BLAKE EICHENSEER

and Im pretty sure that in a quick time
control, most players would lose in a few
moves to variations such as 23. Qxd8
Nxf3+ 24. gxf3 Rxc1+ 25. Kg2 Rxd8 or 23.
Qa3 Nxf3 24. gxf3 Qg5+. The least losing
move is the sad 23. Rxc8 Qxe7 24. Rxf8+
Qxf8 25. Rxe5 when Black should win
two great opening lines: Who should I tell
people I met today? (repeated about four
times) and Lets play for one of those
(pointing to the rocks on RZAs fingers
that looked like they could cover a down
payment on a Manhattan loft).
RZA laughed at both questions and
song, Da Mystery of Chessboxin begins:
The game of chess, is like a swordfight;
You must think first, before you move.
The chessboxing title was prescient in
more ways than one not only did the
leader of the Wu Tang get more and more
into the violent rumble and tumble of

38 Chess Life January 2009 uschess.org

 318 students Jasmine Fermin and Brittanie Uddin team up against
the RZA in Chelsea.

chess as a sport, but chessboxing now
has a federation based in Berlin (World
Chess Boxing Organization, WCBO), com
petitions, titles, even a newswire.
Although the sport has yet to hit the U.S.
big time, Andreas Dilschneider of the
WCBO predicts that there will be a more
vibrant chessboxing scene here soon.
Zatonskih and T.V. detective Monk are
playing their game on the bottom of the
ocean while scuba diving. Meanwhile,
Maurice Ashley and I comment on the
action in a cave.
Everything alluded to in that para
graph actually happened, just not all at
once. While at the Curacao Chess Festi
Ella Baron, organized a cave chess match
deep in the Belizean jungle. Hikaru Naka
mura won a 960 tournament in Mainz,
Germany, coming ahead of 44 grandmas
ters, including Rustam Kasimdzhanov and
Sergei Movsesian.
All these events offer one good photo
op after another, throwing a knockout

The game of chess is like

David doubleD Depto punch to the typical
is from Los Angeles, chess photos of one vs.

a swordfight; you must

where a future fight is one that show nobodys
planned, and the face. The future of chess

think first before you move.

WCBO met with the
Wu Tang in Berlin to
discuss a U.S. collabo
ration. Wu Tang Clans
new album, 8 Dia
grams (2008) includes even more
references to chess including songs such
as Windmill and Weak Spot.
The attention that RZA brought to the
game this summer is part of what seems
PHOTO: DANIEL MEIROM
val, Anna played a 30 minute game
against the Dutch IM Robin Swinkels
underwater the whole time and using
scuba gear. NASA challenged USCF
scholastic players to a chess game against
is obviously coming, and
its going to become the
present at the 2009 U.S.
Championship set for
the new and elegant
Saint Louis Chess Club and Scholastic
Center. I hope well get to see Gata, Hikaru
and Alex O., our 2700+ triad, all vying
for the 35K grand prize. Im rooting for a
lot of chess boxing on the board. .

to be a movement toward more aggressive astronauts in space, hosted on

promotional chess events. Imagine this:
RZA plays a team game with Hikaru
Nakamura in a spaceship where the
pieces are shuffled in the back row. Their
opponents U.S. Womens Champ Anna
uschess.org. The hit USA detective show
Monk featured a chess related murder
mystery, Mr. Monk and the Genius.
Belizechess, a non profit organization
founded by former New York chess coach
9 Queens (9queens.org) is a non profit
organization that Jean Hoffman (from
Tucson) and I founded in 2007. The
name refers to the potential of all children
and pawns to reach their eighth rank.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2009 39

USCF Affairs January
Volunteer of the Month:
Dave Gavin
This month
the USCF is
pleased to
name David P.
Gavin, Sergeant
First Class,
U.S. Army
retired, our Vol
unteer of the
Month. Dave
Gavin, or known to some as Big Dave
(standing at 6 foot, 7 inches), had started
directing USCF events as far back as
1965 and has been instrumental in the
growth of U.S. military chess.
Something Dave always strived for was
Pittsburgh Chess Club director Bill
Bylands approach to chess: never make
a spectacle of himself, always get the job
done in a quiet, determined manner. This
inspired confidence. As Dave states, even
Bobby Fischer couldnt rattle Bill.
In Daves recent years, he would be
called upon by a local base to be their
tournament director (TD) for a base cham
pionship, Armed Forces qualifying event,
or a scholastic event, and he would only
request a Mountain Dew in return for
his services. Dave always felt his meager
contribution was the best way he could
support the troops and kids. Daves inno
vation and organizational leadership as a
volunteer organizer helped to double the
attendance of the Armed Forces Open
chess championship in the recent years.
Dave always found directing and organ
izing enjoyable, especially for the military
and the kids.
Some of Daves accomplishments over
the years have been:
1965-1967High school team captain and
club president
1965Started directing USCF events (before
certification program)
1968-1969Membership director of the
Pittsburgh Chess Club
1969-1970President, Pittsburgh Chess
League
1973-1976TD at the Tainan Air Base
Recreation Center in Taiwan
1978-1981Vice president of the European
Chess District (USCF affiliate) directing
events all over southern Germany
1980Led U.S. military (Army & Air Force)
at the NATO team championship
1982-1990Located and identified strong
Army chess players and assisted them in
getting into Army events leading to higher-
level events
1987-1988Wrote the selection procedure
that is still used today in deciding selection
to the U.S. Army championship
1994-1995Secretary of the Masonic Postal
Chess Club
2003-2008Assisted in building up the U.S.
Armed Forces Open chess championship
tournament
Unfortunately just this past year, Dave
was diagnosed with cancer, seriously
curbing his volunteer organizational activ
ities, among other things. Dave should be
remembered for being kind, considerate,
and always ready to volunteer. Hes
always been the U.S. Armed Forces gen
tle giant, believing that chess is more
than just a game or an art form, and
that it is a tool to help people under
stand each other. Dave believes he owes
a lot to the Pittsburgh Chess Club and
their library of chess books from when he
was a kid, so he currently plans on donat
ing his extensive chess library to them so
that someone else may benefit the way he
had. ~John Farrell
The USCF Volunteer of the Month is
named by a different member of the
executive board each month. This
month, Jim Berry named our honoree.

Membership Appreciation Program (MAP)

More details and MAP standings will appear more frequently at main.uschess.org/go/MAP. Top standings will appear every two months in Chess Life.
Overall Affiliaate Standings Sc
cholastic
c Prizzes
Name State Count Name State Count
CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 1010 PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 934
PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 998 MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION MI 465
MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION MI 524 WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB PA 371
WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB PA 383 EN PASSANT CHESS CLUB TX 308
BAYAREACHESSCOM GRANADA GUARD CA 335 BAYAREACHESSCOM GRANADA GUARD CA 303
EN PASSANT CHESS CLUB TX 325 CHESS IN THE SCHOOLS NY 265
GATEWAY CHESS LEAGUE MO 320 LONG ISLAND CHESS NUTS NY 259
CHESS IN THE SCHOOLS NY 285 GATEWAY CHESS LEAGUE MO 238
LONG ISLAND CHESS NUTS NY 271 OPTIMIST COASTAL BEND CHESS TX 230
OPTIMIST COASTAL BEND CHESS TX 260 NATIONAL SCHOL CHESS FOUND INC NY 222
Small State Affiliate Standings Member Standings
Name State Count Name State Count
MAINE ASSOC OF CHESS COACHES ME 157 TORRES, CHRIS CA 63
METRO CHESS DC 102 ELLIOTT, CAROL MAXHEIMER IA 18
NEW MEXICO SCHOL CHESS ORG NM 69 RYAN, BEN J NE 18
NEW HAMPSHIRE CHESS ASSN NH 48 CHENEY, WILLIAM G AZ 14
SIOUX EMPIRE CHESS CLUB SD 43 NAVARRO, DANIEL A TX 14
TALES TOLD TALL CHESS NH 30 HODINA, JAMES D IA 12
SOUTH DAKOTA CHESS ASSN SD 29 BARRETT, DAVID CHRISTOPHER TX 11
IDAHO CHESS ASSOCIATION ID 26 ARMSTRONG, ROBERT L KY 10
WELLS MEMORIAL SCHOOL NH 26 BADY, GLENN PA 9
MESA CHESS CLUB NM 24 BERRY, FRANK K OK 8
Regular Prize
es
Name State Count
CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 880
JERSEY SHORE HS CHESS LEAGUE NJ 170 PC
CT Gain Standing
gs
PENNSYLVANIA ST CHESS FED PA 130
PHOTO: ERNIE SCHLICH

DALLAS CHESS CLUB TX 105 State Dec07 Aug08 Pct State Dec07 Aug08 Pct
NEW JERSEY ST CHESS FED NJ 88 VT 202 282 39.6 GA 1567 1704 8.7
SAN DIEGO CHESS CLUB CA 85 RI 244 295 20.9 WI 1192 1293 8.5
GATEWAY CHESS LEAGUE MO 82 DC 217 246 13.4 SC 474 514 8.4
MINNESOTA ST CHESS ASSN MN 67 UT 494 539 9.1 TX 7767 8314 7.0
CHESS CENTER OF NEW YORK NY 65 IA 644 702 9.0 NJ 3170 3356 5.9
MARSHALL CHESS CLUB NY 64

40 Chess Life January 2009 uschess.org

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uschess.org Chess Life January 2009 41

 Back to Basics

Tal is Smiling

Those who like to attack and who believe that tempo is gold will enjoy, and
By GM Lev Alburt

greatly benefit from, the writings and games of their patron saint: Mikhail Tal.
This months winner already has the spirit.
The winner of this months award, For his pawn, White gets several tem
Michael Coon (the namesake of the 8th pos a knight on c3, open lines for the r+lqkl r
World Champion; Mikhail being the queen and both bishops. pp+ pp+p
Russian spelling of the great Archangels
name) knew little of Smith Morra theory + p np+
4. ... d6 5. Bc4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Nf6
when he employed this gambit on a + + n N
friends advice. But Michaels instincts r+lqkl r
were just fine. pp+ pppp +L+P+ +
Writes Mr. Coon: +np n + +QN + +
I am 54 years old. This tourney was + + + + PP + PPP
held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Septem R L +RK
ber 7, 2008. My ranking was 1418 on +L+P+ +
the label of the September Chess Life + N +N+ After 9. Qb3
magazine. My opponent was Michael Protecting the bishop and bringing
Dang, rated 1588. This was the third PP + PPP another piece to bear on his f7 pawn.
round game. We were each 1 1. R LQK +R
(As usual, Levs comments will be in
After 6. ... Nf6
italics).
9. ... Nxc4
This loses. The only defense was 9. ...
e6.
Sicilian Defense,
Smith-Morra Gambit (B21)
7. 0-0
So far, so good. I castled at this point
Michael Coon (1418)
10. Qxc4
so my attack could not be ruined later on He traded pieces but the threat is still
Michael Dang (1588) by a surprise check that would bail out there.
Ann Arbor, MI, 9/2008 my opponent. Also this would eventually Two threats and there is no way to
enable me to develop my rook to e1 where stop both.
it can be useful in controlling the center.
Blacks sixth move is viewed as inaccu
1. e4 c5
The Sicilian again. My first round oppo
10. ... e6

nent, a 1612, had soundly thrashed me
when my attack failed. But I was deter
mined to play better this time.
2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3
rate, as it allows 7. e5!, with some He shut the door on that threat but ...
advantage for White. Black, of course,
shouldnt lose a queen after 7. ... Nxe5? 8. 11. Nb5
Nxe5 dxe5 9. Bxf7+; but even more stub
born 7. ... dxe5 8. Qxd8+! Nxd8! (8. ... r+lqkl r
Kxd8? 9. Ng5!) and 7. ... Ng4 8. exd6

(opening the position while ahead in devel

pp+ +p+p
rnlqklnr
oping is usually good; 8. e6 also is + ppnp+
pp+ppppp promising) all favor White. Mr. Coon, not +N+ + N
+ + + + knowing the theory, follows opening prin
ciples (early castle) the right strategy +Q+P+ +
+ + + + under such circumstances! + + + +
+ +P+ + 7. ... g6 8. Ng5 PP + PPP
+ N + + Here I jumped on the opportunity to R L +RK
PP + PPP start to attack.
After 7. ... g6 (safer was 7. ... e6, trans After 11. Nb5
R LQKLNR ferring to normalcy) 8. e5 gains even The other knight rides into battle,
After 4. Nxc3 more in strength, compared to 7. e5 (as in threatening the rook and king fork. I did
my earlier comment). not see a way for him to counter this and
I played a gambit suggested by a friend
of mine who said it fit my attacking style. 8. ... Ne5 9. Qb3 was sure I would at least win the

42 Chess Life January 2009 uschess.org

Exchange.
Black could try 11. ... Rb8, but Whites
position will be overwhelming after either
12. Be3 (eyeing the a7 square and thus the
rook) or 12. Rd1.
11. ... d5
A queen threat will usually put a tem
porary halt to things while the queen is
moved to safety.
Blacks counterattack required White to
play accurately, and boldly and White
did.
12. Nc7+
The knights quest was not going to be
delayed; besides, I wanted his king stuck
in the center where I could easily get at
him.
Excellent!
12. ... Ke7
If 12. ... Kd7, White had many pleasant
choices: the simple 13. exd5, the greedy
13. Nxf7, and the strongest 13. Qb5+
Kxc7 14. Bf4+ (or first 14. Nxf7).
13. exd5
I considered checking the king again,
but after he moves it, my queen is endan
gered again and I lose a tempo. If you are
an attacker like me, sometimes a tempo
is worth more than a minor piece and cer
tainly more than a pawn.
The moves 13. Qc5+ Kd7 14. Qb5+
transfer into my comment to Blacks 12th
move (White wins). But 13. exd5 is equally
strong.
13. ... Nxd5 14. Nxa8
Mission accomplished.
Well done!
14. ... Bd7
N+ q l r
pp+lkp+p
+ +p+p+
+ +n+ N
+Q+ + +
+ + + +
PP + PPP
R L +RK
After 14. ... Bd7
15. Bf4
I wanted to send the message take
the knight now or risk losing your chance
forever.
After accomplishing an important mis
sion, a natural human tendency is to relax
(just a bit) on well deserved laurels. To
be truly successful, this tendency must
be fought tooth and nail search for the
uschess.org
best move as hard as you can! Why sur
render your brave knight so easily? After
the simple 15. Qc5+ and 16. Qxa7, the
game would be practically over. Of course,
15. Bf4 also wins, but more effort would
be required.
15. ... Qxa8
The temptation was too great. Now I
have his queen virtually out of the game
at a8. This should give me a couple of
moves to operate before she can return to
the action. Tempo is gold.
16. Rfe1 Nxf4
Playing Black, Id try here 16. ... b5.
17. Qxf4
The attack has returned to f7, and the
kings rook on e1 is sure to come in handy
later.
17. ... Qe8
Now the mighty queen is tied down to
a lowly pawn and still is of no use as an
offensive threat.
18. Rad1
Grabbing the open file, threatening the
bishop, and cutting off the kings later
retreat.
18. ... Bc6
+ +ql r
pp+ kp+p
+l+p+p+
+ + + N
+ + Q +
+ + + +
PP + PPP
+ +RR K
After 18. ... Bc6
Hoping to somehow untangle his pieces.
19. Ne4
Threatening mate with the queen by
covering the kings escape route and free
ing the white queen for action.
Good move but 19. Qd6+ Kf6 20. Qe5+
Ke7 21. Qxe6+! wins even faster.
19. ... Bxe4 20. Rxe4
Well, there goes another mate threat.
But if I can double my rooks on the d file,
I can still cause some mischief.
White is ahead in material (an Exchange
for a pawn) in addition to the black king
being stuck in the center. Not surprisingly,
White is winning.
20. ... Qc6 21. Red4
The rooks are doubled up and its three
against one. The black queen, finally out
of her hole, is alone against the white
queen and two rooks. The black rook and
bishop are still in the starting blocks.
21. ... f5
+ + l r
pp+ k +p
+q+p+p+
+ + +p+
+ R Q +
+ + + +
PP + PPP
+ +R+ K
After 21. ... f5
22. Qg5+
The lights are starting to flicker as the
black king fights for his life.
The final assault is coming.
22. ... Kf7 23. Rd7+ Kg8
King to e8 would have been the end.
Yes, after 24. Qd8, checkmate.
24. Qf6
Now Qf7 is mate.
24. ... Qxd7 25. Rxd7 Be7
Delaying the inevitable.
26. Rxe7 h5 27. Qg7 mate.
The king is dead, long live the king! .
Send in your games!
If you are unrated or were rated
1799 or below on your Chess Life
label, then GM Lev Alburt invites
you to send your instructive games
with notes to:
Back to Basics, c/o Chess Life
PO Box 3967 Crossville, TN
38557 3967
Or e mail your material to
backtobasics@uschess.org
GM Alburt will select the most
instructive game and Chess Life
will award an autographed copy of
Levs newest book, Chess Training
Pocket Book II (by Lev Alburt and Al
Lawrence) to the person submitting
the most instructive game and anno
tations.
Do not send games with only a
few notes, as they are of little instruc
tive value and cant be used. Writing
skills are a plus, but instructiveness
is a must! Make sure your game (or
part of it) and your notes will be of
interest to other readers.
Chess Life January 2009 43
Endgame Lab

The 2008 Womens World Championship

As a conflict took place between Russian and Georgian troops, the womens
By GM Pal Benko

world championship lost competitors to the political fallout. One consequence

is the imprecision of many of the championship-level endgames.
The 2008 Womens World Champi
onship began in controversy as six
Rb6
Kosintseva is not satisfied with a draw,
k + + r
Georgian participants declined to play in
but better here is 42. ... Na4 since after np+l+ pp
Nalchik, Russia due to their nations con
43. Nxe5 Nxe5 44. Bxa4 Nxf3+ may have
flict with Russia. Instead of 64 players, p+ +p+ +
come. However, either 43. Ra1 or 43. c4
only 53 started. The Georgians called on
could have been playable for White. + rpP +P
others to follow their boycott, which two
time U.S. womens champion IM Irina P+ + + +
Krush joined, while our current womens
45. Kf2 Na4? 46. Nxe5! Nxe5 47. Bxa4 Rh6

champion, IM Anna Zatonskih, and WGM

48. Bd1 + PL+N+
Katerina Rohonyan participated. Now White is better because of the con + + PP+
Russian GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, who nected passed pawns, though 48. Bxb5
lives in Miami, Florida part of each year, Rb6 49. c4 was simpler. +R+ K +R
White to play
became the champion with zero losses
over the course of the event. However, it
48. ... Rxh3 49. Ra1

was not a precision effort as she missed More accurate is 49. Be2 since now
some winning opportunities during some 49. ... Rh1 was a possible alternative.
22. Bxa6 Rc7 23. Kd2 Bxa4 24. Rb4 Bd7 25.

of her endgames.
Rhb1 Bc8 26. Nd4
49. ... Rh6?! 50. Be2 Rb6 51. Ke3 Kf7 52. Kd4 The knight dominates, permanently
keeping pressure on the feeble e6 pawn.
Passed pawns This assures a long term advantage for
Nd7 53. e5 Nb8 54. f4 gxf4 55. gxf4

GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (FIDE 2510) With three connected passed pawns

arrayed against her, Black is in trouble. White.
IM Tatiana Kosintseva (FIDE 2511)
Nalchik, 2008 26. ... Re8 27. f4 Ree7
There are no better moves. 27. ... Ka8
55. ... b4 56. e6+
Here 56. c4 b3 57. Kc3 was simple but
r
+ + + does no good since taking on a6 is not a
strong.
+ +n+ +k threat due to the simple Rb8 mate.
56. ... Ke7 57. Bxa6 Nxa6
l+ + + + In case of 57. ... Rxa6 58. Rxa6 Nxa6
28. Rb6!
Prevents ... Nc6 and puts further pres
+pnPp p 59. cxb4 Nxb4 60. f5 wins.
sure on e6.
+ +P+N+ 58. cxb4?
Missing the win that comes with further
28. ... h6 29. g3 Re8 30. Rd6 Ree7 31. Bf1!
+ P + +P The target remains e6.
+L+ PP+ centralizing the king: 58. Ke5!. For exam
ple, 58. ... b3 59. Rh1 b2 60. d6+ Rxd6
61. Rh7+ Kf8 62. e7+ wins.
31. ... Bd7
+R+ + K Here 31. ... Re8 would have put up
White to play
more resistance. For example: 32. Bh3
Rce7 33. Rbb6 Bd7 34. Bxe6 Nc8 35.
58. ... Kd6!
Here, White has sacrificed a piece for an This blockade assures the draw since
attack that was repulsed. However, White Rxb7+! Kxb7 36. Rxd7+ Rxd7 37. Bxd7
59. b5 can be answered by 59. ... Nc7 as Rd8 38. Bc6+ Kb6 39. Ne6 Rg8 40. Bxd5
has at least three pawns as compensation. satisfactory defense.
For the time being, these pawns cause and White should win too but it takes
Black no problems, so she takes the time much longer with practical difficulties
along the way.
59. e7 Kxe7 60. Re1+ Kd7 61. f5 Nxb4 62.
to go after the vulnerable c3 pawn. This Rh1 Rd6 63. Rh7+ Kd8 64. Ke4, Draw.
is not an easy task.
Feeble Pawn
32. Bh3 Nc8 33. Bxe6! Nxd6 34. exd6 Bxe6
35. dxe7 Bd7 36. Nf5, Black resigned.
GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (FIDE 2510) In this same round the surprise girl of
41. g3
Better is 41. f3 followed by Kf2. GM Pia Cramling (FIDE 2544) the event, the 14(!) year old Chinese Yifan
41. ... Kg7 42. f3 Nb7 43. Bd3 Nbc5 44. Bc2 Nalchik, 2008 Hou, was fighting for much longer against

44 Chess Life January 2009 uschess.org


Benkos Bafflers
Most of the time these studies
resemble positions that could actu
ally occur over the board. You must
simply reach a theoretically won
position for White. Solutions can be
found on page 71.
Please e mail submissions for
Benkos Bafflers to: pbenko@
uschess.org
the Indian Koneru Humpy (2622). Hou
finally defeated her in the lightning games
after two regular and another two rapid
games finished tied. In the finals, there
were four regular games to play. Hou lost
the first and was in trouble in the follow
ing two games as well but she succeeded
in saving the draws.
Three Pawns Down
GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (FIDE 2510)
GM Yifan Hou (FIDE 2557)
Nalchik, 2008
+k+ + +
+ + + +
+lr + +
+p+ +p+
+Pnp+p+
+ + N P
PP +L+ P
+K+ R +
White to play
The queens have just been exchanged
and White snags a second extra pawn
and so should win but ...
38. cxb5 Nxe2 39. bxc6
Not bad but even stronger was the
intermediate move 39. Nxf5!.
39. ... Nd4 40. Rf1 Kc7 41. Nxf5 Nxf5 42. Rxf5
Kxc6 43. Re5
The rook ending can be won in any of
several ways but White plays inaccu
rately. The best here is 43. Kc1 (if 43. Kc2
Rh6 or 43. Rf4 Kd5; 43. Rg5 Rd2).
43. ... Rd4 44. Kc1
The right path here was either 44. Rg5
or 44. Kc2 Kd6 45. Re8 Kd7 46. Rf8 since
after 46. ... e3 47. Rf4! could have come.
44. ... Kd6 45. Re8 Kd7 46. Rf8 Ke6 47. Rf4
Ke5 48. Rxg4?
uschess.org
Problem I
Colin McRae, Maryland
+ + + k
+p+ +ppp
+ + + +
P + + PP
+pr + +
+pR +L+
+P+ n +
+ K + +
Black to play, White wins
Once again it is proven true that it is
not the quantity of pawns, but their qual
ity that is most important. After this
greedy capture, Blacks last pawn
becomes a super power. The position was
still possible to improve by playing 48. Rf8
Rd6 49. Re8+ Kf5 50. Rb8 Rh6 51. Kd2
Rxh2+ 52. Ke3 Rg2 53. Rb5+ Ke6 54.
Kxe4, with winning chances.
48. ... Rd8 49. Rg5+ Kf6 50. Rc5 e3 51. Rc2
Kf5 52. a4 Ke4 53. Rc4+ Kd3 54. Rc3+ Ke4
There was nothing better left for either
party than to repeat moves, holding on for
a draw. Thus 54. ... Ke2?! 55. Rc7 Kf2 56.
Rf7+ Ke1 57. b4 e2 58. Kc2 could have
been dangerous for Black.
55. Rc4+ Kd3 56. Rc3+ Ke4 57. Rc4+ Kd3,
Draw.
Two Pawns Less
GM Yifan Hou (FIDE 2557)
GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (FIDE 2510)
Nalchik, 2008
+
+r+ +
+ + +k+
p+ +lp +
+ + l p
+p+N+P+
+ + L +
PP + PP+
+ + R K
After 29. ... bxc4
Black had sacrificed a pawn but should
retrieve it with two white pawns under
fire.
30. Rd1?
After 30. Bd4! White could have the
upper hand (netting a pawn) 30. ... Bxg4
31. Bxe5 (31. Nxg5+ fxg5 or even 31. ...
Kg6 does not give much for White) 31. ...
Rxe5 32. Re1 f5 33. Nd6+ Ke6 34. Rxe5+
Problem II
Richard Becker, Oregon
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
p+ p + +
+ p + +
kN + + +
+R+K+ +
White to play and win
Kxe5 35. Nxc4+ Kd4, winning a pawn,
though the black king becomes quite
active.
30. ... Rb8!
After this it is White who must strug
gle to survive.
31. b3 cxb3 32. axb3 Rxb3 33. Bd4 Bxg4 34.
f3 Bxd4+ 35. Rxd4 Be6 36. Rd6
Though a pawn down, White has suc
ceeded in getting rid of the bishop pair.
The rook naturally intends to get behind
the passed pawn.
36. ... a5 37. Nc5 Rb1+ 38. Kf2 Bf5 39. Ra6
Rb5 40. Ne4 Bxe4 41. fxe4
White has managed to escape into a
theoretically drawn rook endgame. The
black king is chained to the f6 pawn and
even trading it would not help.
41. ... Rb2+ 42. Kf3 Ra2 43. Kg3 a4 44. Kf3
a3 45. Kg3 Ra1 46. Kh2 a2
Liberating the black king, but placing
the rook in the pillory.
47. Kg3 Ke7 48. Kh2 Kd7 49. Kg3 Kc7 50.
Kh2 Kb7 51. Ra3 Kb6 52. Ra8 Kb5 53. Rb8+
Kc4 54. Ra8 Kd4 55. Ra4+ Kd3 56. Kg3 Ke3
57. Kh2 Kf4 58. e5+! Kxe5
Blacks achievements are but an illu
sion. This is drawn despite the two pawns
plus.
59. g4! Kd5 60. Kg2 Kc5 61. Ra8 Kb4 62. Ra6
Kc4 63. Ra3 Kd4 64. Ra6 Ke5 65. Ra4 Ke6
Even if Black could trade the f6 pawn
for the g4 one, the position is a draw.
66. Ra8 Ke5 67. Ra4 Re1 68. Rxa2 Kf4 69.
Rf2+ Kxg4 70. Rxf6 Re2+ 71. Kg1 Kg3 72.
Rf1, Draw.
Kosteniuk ironically commented that
Tarrasch was right in saying that every
rook ending is a draw. She also expressed
her belief that Hou will be a world cham
pion one day. .
See p. 5 for all of your USCF membership
option.
Chess Life January 2009 45
 2008 WORLD CHESS LIVE GRAND PRIX SUMMARY
World Chess Live sponsors $20,000 at the 2008 Grand Prix!

Welcome,
Welcome to World Chess Live (WCL), a new family-
friendly service with special benefits for USCF members.
WCL is pleased to sponsor USCFs 2008 Grand Prix (GP)
and 2008 Junior Grand Prix. Were providing prize funds
of $20,000 and $7,500 (in cash, merchandise, and mem-
berships), and will also be running online grand prize
satellite events throughout the year.
In 1991, American long-jumper Mike Powell leapt an
incredible distance of 29 feet and 4.4 inches at the world
championship in athletics, held in Tokyo, Japan. Seven-
teen years later, in 2008, GM Alexander Shabalov leapt
Members!
leap-frog spirit, Shabalov did it in a single tournament
the 17th Annual Kings Island Open in Cincinnati, Ohio!
This 120 Grand Prix Point tournament ended in a three-
way tie, giving Shabalov the points he needed to continue
his Grand Prix rampage.
Shabalov has earned his Grand Prix points from scoring
big wins in big-ticket item tournaments. Amazingly, all
of his 159.91 points came from just four events! He
received major prize money early in the year at the East-
ern Class Championships (100 GPP) and kept rolling
ahead with Foxwoods (200 GPP). He didnt score again,
ahead of a grandmaster-packed Grand Prix field to put him
back in the limelight.
Other major jumpers include the current front-runner, GM
Sergey Kudrinwho let loose and tore through the score-
board, going from 204.54 to 251.21and GM Jaan Ehlvest,
who moved from a disappointing 11th place last month
to a respectable seventh this time around. As these chess
athletes prepare for their final sprint to the finish line, the
question is: Who will leap the farthest? You can follow
the action at www.uschess.org/datapage/GP-standings.
php. For more on Shabalovs win at the Kings Island

~Jonathan Hilton
from tenth place in the World Chess Live Grand Prix to however, until he shared first at the U.S. Open in Dallas, Open, see Tim Moroneys article in the November Chess
fifth place in a single month. And keeping in that same Texas this August. His Kings Island win catapulted him Life Online archives.

2008 WORLD CHESS LIVE GRAND PRIX STANDINGS

The following point totals reflect all rated event information as of November 25 for the 2008 World Chess Live Grand Prix. All Grand Prix updates are unofficial and subject
to change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete.

OVERALL STANDINGS JUNIOR CATEGORIES

NAME STATE PTS. NAME STATE PTS.
1 GM Sergey Kudrin CT 251.21 Players born between 1985 and 1987 inclusive:
2 GM Alexander Ivanov MA 235.01 1 IM Kirill Kuderinov TX 131.11
3 GM Julio Becerra FL 205.93 2 IM Joshua Friedel NH 83.00
3 GM Hikaru Nakamura NY 66.71
4 IM Alex Lenderman NY 205.76
Players born between 1988 and 1990 inclusive:
1 IM Alex Lenderman NY 205.76
6 GM Sergey Erenburg MD 150.54 2 GM Alejandro Ramirez TX 98.50
7 GM Jaan Ehlvest NY 150.38 3 IM Salvijus Bercys NY 48.58
8 GM Melikset Khachiyan CA 150.25 Players born between 1991 and 1992 inclusive:
9 IM Enrico Sevillano CA 147.08 1 FM Daniel Yeager PA 45.66
10 GM Mark Paragua NY 141.63 2 IM Robert Hess NY 36.80
11 GM Alex Yermolinsky SD 136.96 3 FM Warren Harper TX 36.00
12 IM Kirill Kuderinov TX 131.11 Players born between 1993 and 1994 inclusive:
1 IM Ray Robson FL 88.01
2 Mark Heimann PA 43.50
SENIOR CATEGORY 3 Steven Zierk CA 26.25
GM Alexander Shabalov jumped five Players born 1943 and before: Players born 1995 and after:
places this month in the WCL GP 1 FM John Curdo MA 26.00 1 FM Daniel Naroditsky CA 26.25
standings, largely on the strength of 2 GM Anatoly Lein OH 18.33 2-3 FM Daniel Yang TX 12.00
his performance at the 17th Annual 2-3 Aquino Inigo CAN 12.00
3 FM Isay Golyak NY 14.66
Kings Island Open.

CATEGORIES AND PRIZES

$12,000 IN CASH PRIZES! SENIOR CATEGORY $7,500 IN JUNIOR GRAND PRIX PRIZES!
FIRST PRIZE: $5,000 ! 1943 / before 1st: $300 2nd: $200 3rd: $100 FIRST PRIZE: $1,000 !
2nd: $2,500 3rd: $1,000 4th: $800 2nd: $600 3rd: $300 4th: $200
5th: $700 6th: $600 7th: $500 JUNIOR CATEGORIES 5th: $150 6th: $100 7th: $75
(according to date of birth)
8th : $400 9th: $300 10th: $200 8th : $50 9th: $25
1985-87 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100
1988-90 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100 The first place JGP winner will also receive U.S. Open entry and
$4,000 IN MERCHANDISE PRIZES! a plaque from the USCF. 1st 10th place winners will receive 2 year
PHOTO: BETSY DYNAKO

1991-92 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100 WCL junior and USCF Young Adult memberships; 11th 20th place
11th: $200 13th: $200 15th: $150 1993-94 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100 winners will receive 1 year WCL junior and USCF Young Adult
12th: $200 14th: $150 1995/after 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100 memberships. Each state JGP winner will receive 1 year WCL
junior and USCF Young Adult memberships and a $20 WCL store
Top 40 non titled players: 1 year WCL membership worth $50. For all of the above junior categories: 1st place is also awarded a gift certificate.
(FIDE titled players are always free on WCL) 3 year WCL junior membership ($75 value); 2nd 5th places are
awarded a 2 year WCL junior membership ($50 value); 6th 10th
places awarded 1 year WCL junior memberships ($25 value).

www.worldchesslive.com Real chess. Real people. Real fun!

 World Chess Live, a new family-friendly online chess service, is sponsor of the 2008 World Chess Live Junior Grand
Prix (JGP). Official standings for events received and processed by December 4, 2008 are unofficial and subject to
change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete. There are currently 4,678 players with JGP points. 459
JGP events resulted in points earned. Top prize includes free entry and $1,000 in expense money to the 2009 U.S.
Open as well as a plaque. Other prizes awarded to the top 20 finishers and the top individual in each state.

2008 World Chess Live

Junior Grand Prix Top Overall Standings

Name State JGP Pts. Name State JGP Pts.

PENA, JOEL ANTHONY U NJ 225 SHEINWALD, NOWELL R NY 120
HEUNG, CHRISTOPHER FL 210 DANG, MICHAEL MI 115
GIANNATOS, PETER NC 180 KLEINMUNTZ, ROBBIE S IL 110
KUTIKOFF, ADAM FL 175 COGHLAN, TOMMY J NJ 110
PINKERTON, JAMES CARL MD 175 GRAIF, WILLIAM NY 110
HUTTON, JACK NY 150 AGARWAL, ROHAN CA-N 110
SREENIVASAN, RAMANUJA MD 150 CACHAY, JOHN JEFFERSON CA-S 110
BODEK, MICHAEL H NY 150 BAT-AMGALAN, MARAL CA-N 110
ZHAO, SHICHENG VA 150 DELLOMARGIO, ANGELO PA 110
DEJONG, ANDREW NC 145 AMARASINGHE, PRASHANTHA N MI 110
ROSENTHAL, NICHOLAS FL 145 LARSON, ERIC DANIEL MI 110
SINGH, REVA SHREE NY 145 LI, BRIAN S VA 110
PAPALIA, STEVEN A UT 140 GUREVICH, DANIEL GA 110
VIRKUD, APURVA MI 140 FINNEY, STUART S RI 105
TROFF, KAYDEN WILLIAM UT 135 HELLWIG, LUKE AL 105
HARMON-VELLOTTI, LUKE ID 125 GURCZAK, JOHN AZ 105
CHEN, JEREMY NJ 125 MC CLANAHAN, GAVIN JACOB IL 105
POLSKY, RYAN CA-S 125 TALWAR, JAMES V NY 105
CHIANG, MICHAEL NY 120 EDGERLE, IAN MI 105
SCHNEIDER, THOMAS GEORGE WI 120 FISHER, WILLIAM PA 105

A new family-friendly online

chess service from the Internet
Chess Club, is pleased to
welcome our friends from
the U.S. Chess Federation.

To celebrate its launch, this year WCL will be:

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

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

uschess.org Chess Life January 2009 47

 Tournament Life

Information for Organizers, TDs, and Affiliates

To qualify, an event must be USCF The tournament director has the right
Organizing a 2009 Grand Prix Event Tournament Directors No Tournaments in your area?

Its not much work to hold a small

rated (regular or quick) and meet these
criteria:
All USCF rated players over 2199 must be
eligible to play in the top (or only) section.
The prize fund for which all masters
are eligible must equal or exceed $300
guaranteed.
Class prizes for Under 2300 or a higher
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points, but if they exceed 25% of the total
qualifying Grand Prix money, they count
as 25% of the total.
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utes, by the time delay used, in seconds.
Example: Clocks for G/60 with 5 second
time delay (t/d5) may be set at 55 min
utes instead of 60.
There is no requirement to advertise
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To speed up the processing of rating
Organizers, TDs and Affiliates
Why not organize one?
tournament, and there is little risk if you
use a low cost site and avoid guaranteed
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Remember, you can both run and play
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for other membership categories. Dues are not

Nov. Sept. 10 Nov. 15 End Oct.
$30,000 & up 36 32 29 26 21 18 14 12 8 4 200
refundable and may be changed without
Dec. Oct. 10 Dec. 15 End Nov.

notice.
$ (Enhanced) 54 48 44 39 31 27 21 18 12 6 300

Points involved divided equally (rounded to two

decimal points) among tied players.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2009 49

 Tournament Life

Information for Players

rejected or have adjustment points added. TLA ads for entering options. Along with
If not a member, add dues to advance If details are not announced, players wish entry fee, send full name, address, USCF
USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EVENTS.

entry fee or pay them with entry fee at
site.
U.S. Championship Qualifier. Tournament
in which qualification spots for the U.S.
Championship are awarded.
American Classic. Generally, an event that
has been held by one organizer for the
last three years and has attracted more
than 400 players each year.
Heritage Event. Tournament held for at
least 25 years.
Quick Chess. Tournaments with time con
trols of G/5 to G/29. There is a separate
quick or overall rating system that
includes these events, and games played
in these tournaments will not affect a
player's regular rating. Games played with
a time control of G/30 through G/60 will
ing to use such ratings should contact
the organizer in advance.
For foreign players with multiple rat
ings (USCF, FIDE, CFC, FQE, other
foreign), the highest rating is used, with
possible adjustment points added, unless
otherwise announced.
Ratings based on 4 25 games are called
provisional ratings to indicate they are
less reliable than established ratings. How
ever, such ratings are valid for pairing
and prize purposes at all USCF rated
events, unless otherwise stated.
A Director may assign an estimated rat withdraw before Round 1 is paired, unless
ing to any player, and may expel an
improperly rated player from an event.
Rates listed are often special chess
Hotel-Motel Rates
ID number, expiration date, and section
desired (if any). Also, give your last official
USCF rating from your magazine label
(first 4 numbers on top row). If you are
unrated, or have a rating from many years
ago, be sure to indicate this. Your official
USCF rating is on the top line of your
mailing label: Regular, Quick, and Corre
spondence.
Mailed entries are usually not acknowl
edged unless you enclose a self addressed
postcard. If entering online, print confirma
tion of entry. They are refundable if you
otherwise stated.
For National Events, refund requests
must be submitted in writing no later than
30 days after the tournament ends. Any

be rated in both the quick/overall system requests made after this date may not be
rates you must request chess rates or
and the regular system. honored.
you will be charged more. The chess rates
may be unavailable if not reserved sev If You Must Withdraw
eral weeks in advance, or if the block of If you enter by mail and cannot attend,
In most events, you dont have to win the
Rating Classes

tournament to win a prize you can win a
class prize as a top scorer of your rating
group, or a section prize in a section
restricted to your rating group. These rat
ing groups are:
Senior Master - 2400 & up
chess rooms is used up. Hotel desk per or must drop out of a tournament in
sonnel are often poorly informed about progress, it is important you give notice
chess rates if that is the case, ask for the before pairings are started, so no one is
Sales Office or contact the tournament deprived of a game. Mail entrants should
organizer. send withdrawal notices at least a week
beforehand phone any later than this.
To withdraw by phone on tournament day,
Along with a pen or pencil and your call the site and ask specifically for the
What to Take to a Tournament

USCF ID card (or current Chess Life), take chess tournament. E mail withdrawals
Master 2200-2399 Class C 1400-1599 Class G 600-799

a chessboard, set, and clock if you have several days in advance are acceptable if
Expert 2000-2199 Class D 1200-1399 Class H 400-599

them.
Class A 1800-1999 Class E 1000-1199 Class I 200-399
the TDs e mail address is listed. Any later
Some tournaments use different groups For prizes of $600 or more, bring your than this, both e mail your withdrawal
Class B 1600-1799 Class F 800-999 Class J 199/below

such as 1900 2099, and some have
under prizes or sections including all
below a specified level.
You never lose your rating, no matter
Ratings Information
how long it has been since you last played.
If you return after a long absence, please
tell the director and USCF your approxi
mate rating and last year of play.
If you have a FIDE rating, or a rating or
category from any other country, no mat
U.S. Social Security card. If you have no and call the tournament site as the TD
Social Security number, the organizer might not have access to his (her) e mail
must deduct 30% from your prize for the account. If you forfeit without notice, you
IRS (this includes foreigners). may be fined up to the amount of the
Warning! The use of a cell phone in the entry fee.
tournament room is prohibited at most
tournaments. If your cell phone rings in a Tournament Directors
Tournament Director Certification is an
room with games in progress, you could be
endorsement of professional competence
penalized, or even forfeited.
only. Such certification does not in itself
render any Tournament Director an agent
Entering by mail or online (if available) of the USCF, nor is any Affiliate an agent
How to Enter in Advance

ter how many years ago, you are not

unrated. FIDE or foreign ratings may be
Tournament Life Abbreviations & Terms
All tournaments are non-smoking with no comput-
ers allowed unless otherwise advertised by S
and/or C (see below for explanations).
QC: Quick Chess events.
$$Gtd: Guaranteed prizes.
$$b/x: Based-on prizes, x = number of entries
needed to pay full prize fund. At least 50% of the
advertised prize fund of $501 or more must be
awarded.
Bye: Indicates which rounds players who find it
inconvenient to play may take -point byes instead.
For example, Bye 1-3 means -point byes are avail-
able in Rounds 1 through 3.
C: Computers allowed.
CC: Chess club.
EF: Entry fee.
is easier for both you and the tournament of the USCF.
organizer and often costs less. Check the
Enhanced Grand Prix points (see previous
page).
Ent: Where to mail entries.
FIDE: Results submitted to FIDE for possible rat-
ing.
G/: Game in. For instance, G/75 means each side
has 75 minutes for the entire game.
GPP: Grand Prix Points available.
HR: Hotel rates. For example, 60-65-70-75 means
$60 single, $65 twin, $70/3 in room, $75/4 in room.
JGP: Junior Grand Prix
Memb. reqd: Membership required; cost fol-
lows. Usually refers to state affiliate.
Open: A section open to all. Often has very strong
players, but some eligible for lower sections can
play for the learning experience.
OSA: Other states accepted. Refers to state dues.
PPHBF: Professional Players Health and Benefits
Fund.
Quad: 4-player round robin sections; similar
strength players.
RBO: Rated Beginners Open.
Rds: Rounds; scheduled game times follow. For
example, 11-5, 9-3 means games begin 11 a.m. &
5 p.m. on the first day, 9 a.m. & 3 p.m. on the sec-
ond day.
Reg: Registration at site.
RR: Round robin (preceded by number of rounds).
S: Smoking allowed.
SASE: For more info, send self-addressed stamped
envelope.
.
SD/: Sudden-death time control (time for rest of
game follows). For example, 30/90, SD/1 means
each player must make 30 moves in 90 minutes,
then complete the rest of the game in an hour.
Section: A division of a tournament, usually exclud-
ing players above a specified rating. Players in a
section face only each other, not those in other
sections.
SS: Swiss-System pairings (preceded by number of
rounds).
T/Dx: Time delay, x = number of seconds.
Unr: Unrated.
USEF: Combined entry fee & USCF dues.
W: Site is accessible to wheelchairs.
WEB: Tournaments that will use a players on-line
rating.

50 Chess Life January 2009 uschess.org

Tournament Life

August 1 9 Indianapolis, Indiana

USCF National Events 110th U. S. Open The TLA pages Information
for Organizers, TDs, and Affil-
December 11 13 Dallas, Texas
See TLA in this issue for details: 2009 National Scholastic K-12 iates and Information for
Players can now be found
Feb. 13 15 or 14 15 Orlando,
2009 U.S. Amateur Team - South
2010 National Elementary (K-6) online at main.uschess. org/
Florida
May 7 9 Atlanta, Georgia
Championship go/tlainfo.

Feb. 13 15 or 14 15 Waukesha,
2009 U.S. Amateur Team - North
2010 National Scholastic (K-12)
Wisconsin
Dec. 10 12 Lake Buena Vista,
Championship

Florida
ATTENTION AFFILIATES
Feb. 14 16 Woodland Hills, Califor
2009 U. S. Amateur Team - West

nia 2011 National Elementary (K-6) The United States Chess Federation has

May 6 8 Dallas, Texas

World Amateur Team & U.S. Team -
February 14 16 Parsippany, New
East - 39th Annual
Jersey
Feb. 28 Mar. 1 Anderson, Indiana
2009 U.S. Junior Chess Congress
April 3 5 Nashville, Tennessee
2009 SuperNationals IV
April 24 26 Dallas, Texas
2009 All Girls Open Championships
May 23 25 Tucson, Arizona
2009 U.S. Amateur - West
June 4 Las Vegas, Nevada
2009 U.S. Game/10 Championship
June 4 7 Las Vegas, Nevada
2009 National Open Chess Festival
Championship partnered with R.V. Nuccio & Associates
Insurance Brokers, Inc. to provide USCF
affiliates with affordable annual liability
Noote: Organizers previously awarded options for
USCF National Events must still submit proposals and short term event insurance. The lia-
bility coverage is available for
(including sample budgets) for their events.
approximately $265 per year for a
Bids on the following tournaments are
Overdue Bids $1,000,000 limit of insurance. Also avail-
past deadline and will be considered
able is contents property and bonding
immediately:
insurance. For more information, please
2009 U.S. Amateur (South, North,
go to www.rvnuccio.com/chessfedera
East)
tion.html. For event insurance, please
2009 U.S. Senior Open
go to www.rvnuccio.com.
2009 U.S. G/15 (QC)
2009 U.S. Action G/30
2009 U.S. G/60
TheTournament Announcements on the following pages are provided
2009 U.S. Masters
for the convenience of USCF members and for informational pur-
poses only. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, neither the U.S.

Future Events (Watch for details) 2009 U.S. Class Championships

Chess Federation nor Chess Life warrants the accuracy of anything

2009 National Youth Action

contained in these Tournament Announcements. Those interested
in additional information about or having questions concerning any

May 2009 St. Louis, Missouri 2009 Pan Am Intercollegiate

2009 U.S. Championship of these tournaments are directed to contact the organizer listed.

2009 Collegiate Final Four

Chess Life will exercise all due diligence in providing accurate
typesetting of non-camera-ready copy but assumes no responsibil-

July 6 10 Crossville, Tennessee 2010 U.S. Open*

2009 U.S. Cadet ity for errors made in such work.
SUBMISSIONS: If possible e-mail your tla to: tla@uschess.org

July 17 19 Waukesha, Wisconsin

2009 U.S. Junior Open Bids due by June 15, 2009: (Joan DuBois). For tla deadline schedule, formatting help and Grand

2011 U.S. Open*

Prix information see October 2008 pg. 52-53 or check
www.uschess.org/tla/grprixstdarc.php and click on a WCL GP Sum-

July 19 23 Waukesha, Wisconsin

2009 U.S. Junior Closed mary. Payment can be done online through the TD/Affiliate area or
sent to: U.S. Chess, TLA Dept., PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.
Please contact the National Office if
Bidding Deadlines

you are interested in bidding for a

2009 GM Susan Polgar National
Nationals
National Event. The USCF recommends All tournaments listed in Tournament Life are USCF
July 26 31 Lubbock, Texas
Invitational Tournament for Girls
rated. USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR ALL
that bids be submitted according to EVENTS. If not a member, add dues to advance
the following schedule. However, bids entry fee or pay them with entry at site.
2009 Denker Tournament of State

August 1 4 Indianapolis, Indiana may be considered prior to these dates.

High School Champions
Feb. 13-15 or 14-15, Florida
2009 U.S. Amateur Team - South

*USCF reserves the right to decline all

2009 Tournament of College 5SS, G/120 (2-day option, rd 1 G/60). Orlando International Airport Hotel

bids and organize the event itself.

& Conference Center, 3835 McCoy Road, Orlando, FL 32812. 4-player teams

August 1 4 Indianapolis, Indiana

Champions (plus alternate). 2 Sections (using Yr-end ratings): OPEN, Team Avg rtng
below 2200. SCHOLASTIC, Game/60, Team avg below 1200. 2008 Annual
USCF List. Players need not be from the same school. Teams can be formed
on-site. ***FCA members in Open are eligible for FL GP Points. *** Win-
ning Open team competes in national playoff online. EF: per player:
OPEN $30 by 2/6, $40 later. SCHOLASTIC $20 by 2/6, $25 later. SPECIAL EF:
Tournament memberships not valid for National events 5-player team $140 by 2/6, $180 later. PRIZES: OPEN 1st,2nd teams: plaque
and four Excalibur specials, 3rd: plaques; SCHOLASTIC 1st, 2nd teams:
plaques and four Excalibur specials, 3rdTrophy Board Prizes: each section:
Junior Tournament Memberships (JTMs) Available Brds1-4, Excalibur specials; Class Prizes: OPEN: U2000, U1800, U1600,
USCFs Tournament Membership (TM) program, which allows players the option of joining for only
U1400; Scholastic: U1000, U800Trophies. Other awardsTBD. Schedule: OPEN

one event at a greatly reduced rate, has been modified. Junior TMs for age 24 or below may be
3-day: rds 8, 1-7, 9-3, 2-day: rds 10-1-7, 9-3; SCHOLASTIC (Sat & Sun): 10-

purchased from affiliates and are now available to them for $7 online with rating report submis
1-4, 9-12, Awards 2:30. HR: $85 (Interior) 407-859-2711; $69 (exterior)

sions. They include one issue of Chess Life or Chess Life for Kids, and $5 of this fee may be applied
407-367-4225; (mention Chess) Reserve by Jan 30, ALL HOTELS FILL UP

to a full membership within 60 days. JTMs not valid for National events.
USATS WEEKEND! ENT: CFCC, 921 N. Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751 or online

Many scholastic tournaments exist that are not USCF rated, and the USCF is concerned that the
usats2009.eventbrite.com. See www.centralflchess.org for details or call
(407)629-6946. WCL JGP (Open Section). 2009 USAT Playoff is scheduled
reason is that organizers fear losing players unwilling or unable to pay entry fee plus dues. The
for March 21, 2009 on ICC. More details will be posted soon.

availability of a $7 option should cause some of these events to switch to being USCF rated, pro Feb. 13-15 or 14-15, Wisconsin
moting membership. The idea behind the TMs is not to sign up a lot of them, but rather to cause
2009 U.S. Amateur Team Championship North
more USCF rated tournaments to be held.
Two sections: Open and Scholastic (Saturday only) 5SS, 30/90, SD/60

More details on uschess.org.

(rounds 1-2 for 2-day schedule G/60; scholastic section G/60 all four rounds).
Milwaukee Marriott West, W231N1600 Corporate CT, Waukesha, WI 53186.
Chess Rate of $85.99 is valid until Feb. 1st. Reserve early (262) 574-0888.
Rating supplements will be updated EACH MONTH on the USCF website, and each
OPEN: Open to 4 player teams with one optional alternate (individuals can enter

monthly rating supplement will be used for all tournaments beginning in that month,
and be assigned teammates). Team average (4 highest ratings2008 Annual

unless otherwise announced in Chess Life. The USCF website at www.uschess.org also
Rating list) must be under 2200. EF: $140 ($141 if 2-day schedule) postmarked

frequently lists unofficial ratings.The purpose of unofficial ratings is to inform you of

by 2/5/09; $180 after or at door. Prizes: 4 clocks to top two teams, 4 clocks

your progress; however, most tourna- ments do not use them for pairing or prize pur-
to top teams with average rating u1900, u1600, and u1300. Prizes to best team

poses. If you would otherwise be unrated, organizers may use your unofficial rating at
composed of juniors (high school and younger). Special prizes to top score on

their discretion, even without advance publicity of such a policy.

each board. Best game prize. Schedule: 3-day: Late Registration: 6-7pm on
02/13. Rounds: 7:30pm; 10:00am-4:00pm; 10:00am-4:00pm. 2-day: Late Reg-
istration: 9-10:30am on 02/14. Rounds: 11:00am-1:30pm-4:00pm; 10:00am-

uschess.org Chess Life January 2009 51

 Tournament Life
4:00pm. Saturday Night Special: dessert + blitz tournament with $$ prizes.
SCHOLASTIC: Open to 4 player team with one optional alternate (all players
must be High School age or younger; individuals can enter and be assigned team-
mates). Team average (4 highest ratings2008 Annual Rating list) must be
under 1200. EF: $120 postmarked by 2/5/09; $150 after or at door. Prizes:
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
Prizes to top team overall, top three High SchoolTeams, top three Middle School
Teams, top three Elementary SchoolTeams. Special prizes to top score on each
board. Schedule: Late Registration: 8:30-9:30am on 02/14. Rounds: 10:15am-
1:00pm-3:30pm-6pm. Saturday Night Special: dessert + blitz tournament with
$$ prizes. Information/Help with Teams: ashish@vajachess.com, 414-234-
1005 or abetaneli@wichessacademy.com. Make Checks Payable to and Send
Entries to: VICA, 6822 North Crestwood Dr, Glendale, WI 53209. Please
include captains email and phone number. WCL JGP (Open Section). 2009
USAT Playoff is scheduled for March 21, 2009 on ICC. More details will
be posted soon.
A Heritage Event!
Feb. 14-16, California Southern
26th Annual 2009 U.S. Amateur Team - West
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1. Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills,
CA 91367. Four-player teams plus optional alternate, average rating of four high-
est must be U/2200, diff. between bds. 3 & 4 may not exceed 1000. Dec. list
used. EF: $118 per team if received by 2-13, $30 individual (on line only), $136
at site, under age 18 $86 by 2-13, $100 site. EF: $118 per team if received by
2-15, $30 individual (on line only), $136 at site, under age 18 $86 by 2-15, $100
site. Trophies and 4 clocks to top 3 teams, U2100, U2000, U1800, U1600,
U1400/unr. Trophies (1 large, 4 small) to top college, industrial, junior (under
18), Senior (over 55), U1200. Clocks to best score each board, alternate, and
any 6-0. Gift certificate prizes for best team names (1st/2nd). Reg.: 8:30-10
a.m. 2-14. Rds.: 11-6, 11-6, 10-4:30. On-line entry, help in forming teams,
advance entry list: www.westernchess.com. HR: $119, 800-228-9290, ask for
Western Chess. Reserve by Jan. 23 or rates may go up. Parking $6. Ent:
SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N Wilton Place #1A, Los Angeles, CA 90038. NS,
NC, W. F. WCL JGP. 2009 U.S. Amateur Team Playoff will be held March
21, 2009 on ICC. More details will be posted soon.
A Heritage Event!
Feb. 14-16, New Jersey
World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East
39th Annual Celebrate the 60s!
6SS, 40/2, SD/1. Parsippany Hilton, 1 Hilton Ct., Parsippany,N.J. 07054. Chess
Rate valid until 1/16. Reserve early 973-267-7373 or 1- 800-HILTONS. Mor-
ris/Essex train to Morris Plains 1.5 miles. Open to 4- player teams with one
optional alternate.Team average (4 highest ratings2008 Annual Rating list)
must be under 2200, no more than 1000 points between 3rd & 4th board if team
average over 2000. EF: $140 postmarked by 2/5/09. $180 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;TopTeam
(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 play-
ers over age 50), Military, each plaque & 4 Digital Clocks to top team;
CompanyTeam (same employer) Old Timers Trophy (all players over 65), Fam-
ily (4 family members), State teamsCT, DE, MD, MA, NJ, NY, (Benjamin
Award), PA, VA, NC, Canada, Ethel Collins Perseverance (lowest scoring
scholastic) each plaque top team; 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 gimmick1960s themegour- updated schedule details, Simuls, lectures, and other activities. Advance
met dinner for four. Reg. 9-12 Sat 2/14. Rds. 1-7:30, 11-6, 9-3:30. Special
Events!! Surprises and special give-aways each round. Sunday night
Bughouse $20 per team-cash prizes, Sunday Morning 960 Tournament
8AM-Two Person team event $20 per teamprizes per entries. HR: Parsip-
pany Hilton, chess rates expire 1/16/2009. Rates $117 (up to 4 in room) 2nd
hotel now attached to Hilton also up to 4 in room $112 per night-Hampton Inn
-includes breakfast for 4 each day. For help forming teams and more information
contact esdoyle@aol.com: Chks payable to NJSCF, mail by 2/01 to: E.Steven
NO TOURNAMENTS IN YOUR AREA?
WHY NOT ORGANIZE ONE?
Do you need to go out of town for tournament play? Would you and others in your area
like the convenience of an occasional event closer to home? Organize one!
Its not much work to hold a small tournament, and there is little risk if you use a low-
cost site and avoid guaranteed prizes. You might even make a profit! Either a based-on
Swiss with projected prizes up to $500, a Quad format, or a trophy tournament will vir-
tually guarantee taking in more in fees than you pay out in prizes.
The affiliation fee is just $40 a year. You will receive the annual rating supplement and
have access to the TD/Affiliate area of our website.
Remember, you can both run and play in a small event. Many of them wouldnt be held
if the organizer/TD couldnt play.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? Contact Joan DuBois at joandubois@uschess.org.
Well be glad to help you be part of the promotion of American chess!
52 Chess Life January 2009
Doyle, 17 Stonehenge Road, Morristown, NJ 07960. (Include Team name,
Captain, players full names, USCF Expiration, ID numbers and ratings in board
order). Include SASE for confirmation if wanted, No registered or certified mail
accepted. NS, NC, W. WCL JGP. 2009 USAT Playoff will be held March 21,
2009 on ICC. More details will be posted soon.
Feb. 28-Mar. 1, Indiana
2009 U.S. Jr. Chess Congress
6SS, Rds. 1-4 G/60, Rds. 5-6 G/90. East Side Middle School 2300 Lindberg Rd.
Anderson, Indiana 46012. 6 Sections based on age! 18 & Under, 16 & Under,
14 & Under, 12 & Under, 10 & Under, 8 & Under. CLUBETEAMS are welcome!
Club and school teams are the top 3 scoring team members (minimum 2).
Schedule: Opening Ceremony Sat. 2/28 at 8:30 am, Rds 1-4 at 9am, 11:30am,
2pm, 4:30pm. Sun 3/1 Rds. at 9am, 12:30pm. Awards at 4pm. Entry Fee: $40
by 2/16/09, $55 by 2/23/09, $75 after and onsite. Register: Make checks
payable to East Side Middle School Chess Club and mail to: c/o 2009 Chess Con-
gress, East Side Middle School, 2300 Lindberg Rd., Anderson, IN. 46012. Email
entries to Register@2009ChessCongress.com. EMAIL ENTRIES are NOT con-
firmed until receipt of entry fees. Entries will be posted at
www.2009ChessCongress.com as they are received. Onsite entries will be
accepted from 6:30am to 8:00am on Sat. morning. Any player not registered
by 8am will receive a half-point bye for round one and begin play in round two.
Side event: Bughouse tournament Sat. evening 2/28 at 7:00 pm. Register for
bughouse onsite ONLY for $10 per player between 10am and 6pm on 2/28. Bug-
house awards to each team member of at least the top 5 scoring teams in 2
sections, 12th grade & Under and 6th grade & Under. Awards: More trophies
this year!Trophies to at least the top 20 individuals in each section, top 5 teams.
Numerous additional class prizes for each section. See website for details. Hotel:
Several close to school, Holiday Inn (765) 644-2581, Comfort Inn (765) 649-
3000, Hampton Inn (765) 622-0700. Additional Info: Limited team rooms
available, contact number below for details. Concessions and chess merchan-
dise will be available onsite. All event details at www.2009ChessCongress.com.
Questions, call (765) 617-3845 after 3pm. WCL JGP.
Apr. 3-5, Tennessee
SuperNationals IV
2009 Elementary, Junior High and High School National Championships in one
great event! 7SS, G/120 (K-1 G/90), Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention
Center, 2802 Opryland Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (615) 883-2211 HR: $139 sin-
gle-quad. All under one roof! $50,000 in Cash Scholarships!! 20 Sections
(Select only one): High School: K-12 Championship; K-12 U1600; K-12 U1200;
K-12 U800; K-12 Unrated. Junior High: K-9 Championship; K-8 Championship;
K-9 U1250; K-8 U1000; K-8 U750; K-9 Unrated. Elementary: K-6 Champi-
onship; K-5 Championship; K-6 U1000; K-5 U900; K-3 Championship; K-3 U800;
K-1 Championship; K-6 Unrated; K-3 Unrated. EF: $40 postmarked, faxed or
online by 3/5, $60 postmarked, faxed or online by 3/19, $75 after 3/19, $80
on site. DO NOT mail entries after March 19 they may not be received in time.
$5 extra for all phoned registrations. $20 change fee for roster or section
changes after March 19. USCF membership is required (may be paid with entry).
AWARDS: Trophies awarded in accordance with Scholastic Regulations and
based on number of participants. Team score = total of top four (min. two)
finishers from each section. March 2009 rating supplement will be used.
BYES: One 1/2 pt. bye available in rounds 1-6 if requested prior to 10am, Fri
(4/3). On site entries after 10am, Fri 4/3 will receive a 1/2-point bye for
the first round. SCHEDULE: Rounds 1-2: Friday (4/3) 1:00pm & 7:00pm,
Rounds 3-5: Saturday (4/4) 9:00am, 2:00pm, & 7:00pm, Rounds 6-7 (4/5)
9:00am, & 2:00pm. Main Event Awards Ceremonies, Sunday (4/5); K-1 at
approximately 5pm, all others approximately 7pm. SIDE EVENTS: Bughouse
Championships:Thursday, 4/2, 11:00am, Register ON SITE ONLY by 10:00am.
EF: $20 per team/2. Blitz Championship:Thursday, 4/2, 5:00pm. EF $15 post-
marked, faxed or online by 3/19, $20 after 3/19 or on site. On site registration
ends at 4pm. Please refer to the website: www.SuperNationalsIV.com for
1/2 point bye available in any round (limit 4), must be requested with entry.
entries must include players name/information and all fees to be accepted.
Roster changes are considered new entries and will be charged accord-
ing to date received. List name, address, phone, section, grade, school (even
if no team), coachs name, email, birthdate, USCF ID number, USCF expiration
(enclose USCF dues if necessary) and rating. Players must be eligible to play
in accordance with USCF Scholastic Regulations. Entries may be faxed to: 931-
787-1238. Mail Entries To: 2009 SuperNationals IV, P. O. Box 3967, Crossville,
TN 38557. Enter online at: www.uschess.org. WCL JGP.
April 24-26, Texas
Kasparov Chess Foundation in Association with UTD, DCC and
USCF, Presents All Girls Open National Championships
6SS G/60, Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd., Dallas, TX 75207; Phone:
(800) 233-1234 or 214-651-1234 Mention All Girls National Chess Tournament
for special Hotel rate: $109 Reserve By 4/1. 6 sections: 8 years old and
younger; 10 years old and younger; 12 years old and younger; 14 years old and
younger; 16 years old and younger; 18 years old and younger. Age as of
4/1/2009. USCF rated. USCF membership is required. Winner of 18 years old
and younger Section wins an Academic Distinction Scholarship to The Univer-
sity ofTexas at Dallas, worth up to $80,000 for an out-of-state student. EF: $45
if postmarked by 3/25. $70 at site. Do not mail after 4/16 as your entry may
not be received. Trophies to top 15 ind. & top 3 teams (top three players
added for team scores) Sat., April 25: Opening Ceremony: 9 AM, Rounds: 1
- 4; 9:30-11:30 AM; 12:00-2:00 PM; 3:00-5:00 PM; 5:30-7:30 PM. Sun., April
26: Rounds 5 - 6; 9:00-11:00 AM; 11:30 AM-1:30 PM Sun., April 26: Awards Cer-
emony: 2:30 PM One 1/2 pt bye available, any round, if requested before end
of rd. 2 and if player has not received a full point bye. Entries to: Dallas
Chess Club, c/o Barbara Swafford, 2709 LonghornTrail, Crowley,TX 76036. Entry
must include Name, USCF ID (or new/pending), date of birth, grade & school
and school location. Email: info@dallaschess.com, 214-632-9000. Side
events: Blitz tournament G/5 Friday April 24 3 pm, EF: $15 by 3-25, $25 on
site. Simultaneous exhibition by Anna Zatonskih Fri., April 24 at 7:00 P.M. Bug-
house Tournament Fri April 24 5 pm. EF: $25/team. NS, NC, W.
May 23-25, Arizona
2009 U.S. Amateur - West Championship
Holiday Inn Palo Verde, 4550 S Palo Verde Rd.,Tucson, AZ 85714, 520-746-1161.
SECTIONS: Championship (U2200), Reserve (U1600), Booster (U1200) &
Scholastic (must be K-8 and U1000). Scholastic section is 3 separate 1-day
tournaments. SCHEDULE: (Championship, Reserve, and Booster) 6/SS, 40/2,
25/1. Reg: By mail or 5/23, 8:30 - 9:30 AM. Rds: 10-4, 10-4, 9-3. (Scholas-
tic) 4/SS, G/40. Reg: By mail or 8:30 - 9:30 AM each day. Rds: Round 1 at 10
AM then as available for Rounds 2-4. PRIZES: (Championship) Chronos clock
+ plaque to Top 3; Digital clock + plaque to Top 1900-1999, 1800-1899, 1700-
1799, 1600-1699, and U1600; Plaque to top Senior 50+, Junior U19 and
Junior U13. (Reserve) Chronos clock + plaque to 1st; Digital clock + plaque
to 2nd, 3rd, Top 1300-1399, 1200-1299, and U1200; Plaque to top Senior 50+
and Junior U13. (Booster) Chronos clock + trophy to 1st; Trophy to 2nd - 5th,
Top Unrated and Junior U10. (Scholastic, each day) Digital clock + trophy to
1st; Trophy to 2nd - 5th, Top U800, U600, and Unrated. 1-yr USCF membership
for perfect scores that dont win the clock. SPECIAL PRIZES:Top 2 Family Pairs
in the non-scholastic sections. Biggest Upset of each round in the non-Scholas-
tic sections. Chronos clock to Scholastic player with the highest combined score
over the three 1-day tournaments. EF: (Championship & Reserve) $55 if by 5/20,
$65 if after 5/20. (Booster) $40 if by 5/20, $50 if after 5/20. (Scholastic) $15
for each tournament or $40 for all three days if by 5/20, additional $5 if after
5/20. ALL: Half-point byes allowed for all rounds but must be requested prior
to start of Round 2. HR: (if by 5/8): $64 (single) or $72 (suite), mention
SACA. ENT: Make checks payable to SACA, entry form available at
www.sazchess.org. Info: Karen Pennock, 520-975-3946, e-mail: kpen-
nock_83@yahoo.com, web: www.sazchess.org. NC. NS. W. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 50
June 4, Nevada
2009 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC)
6SS, G/10. South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las
Vegas, NV 89183. $$b/100 7,000 ($$Gtd 4,500). 2000-1000-700, U2300 600,
U2100 550, U1900 500, U1700 450, U1500 400, U1300 350, U1100 300, unrated
150. EF: $79 by 5/19, $89 by 6/3, $100 on site. Late Registration 4-6:30 p.m.
Rds: 7-7:30-8-8:30-9-9:30. Higher of regular or quick rating used. Bring clocks.
HR: $75 single or double ($95 Friday and Saturday nights). 1-866-791-7626 or
(702) 796-7111. ENT: Las Vegas International Chess Festival, PO Box 90925,
Henderson, NV 89009-0925 or www.VegasChessFestival.com. NS NC W.
A Heritage Event!
An American Classic!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
June 5-7 or 6-7, Nevada
2009 National Open
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2 day option rds 1-3 G/60). South Point Hotel, Casino and
Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89183. $100,000 Prize Fund
based on 850 paid entries ($70,000 guaranteed). Championship. $$: 8000-
4000-2000-1000-600-400-400-400-400-400-200-200-200-200-200, under 2500
2000, under 2400 1600, under 2300 1200, Unrated 600-400-200. $2,000 EXTRA
for perfect score.The winner of the Championship section also receives a replica
of the Edmondson Cup. Under 2200. $$: 5000-2500-1300-600-350-250-250-
250-250-250-100-100-100-100-100. Under 2000. $$: 5000-2500-1300-600-350-
250-250-250-250-250-100-100-100-100-100. Under 1800. $$: 5000-2500-
1300-600-350-250-250-250-250-250-100-100-100-100-100. Under 1600. $$:
5000-2500-1300-600-350-250-250-250-250-250-100-100- 100-100-100. Under
1400. $$: 2500-1500-1000-500-250-150-150-150-150-150-100-100-100-100-
100. Under 1200. $$: 1500-1000-500-250-150-100- 100-100-100-100-100-
100-100-100-100. Plus score bonus ($16,000) in addition to any other prizes,
every player who finishes with 3-1/2 points or better wins a $50 gift certifi-
cate. Plus score certificates will be given on site only. EF: $159 by 1/19, $179
by 5/19, $199 by 6/3, $220 on site. $41 less for unrated players, $99 more for
players rated under 2100 in the Championship Section. This is an open tour-
nament - you may play in any section at or above your rating level; unrated
players may play only in Championship Section. CCA minimum ratings or other
ratings may be used if higher than USCF June Supplement. Reg: 4-11 p.m.Thurs-
day, 8-9:30 a.m. Friday. Rds: 11-6, 11-6, 10-5. 2-day schedule: Reg: 8-9 a.m.
Saturday. Rds: 10-12:30-3-6: merge with 3-day in round 4. Half point byes avail-
able in any round, but round 5 or 6 byes must be requested before the start
of round 2. Chess sets and boards provided for tournament play only, not for
skittles. Please bring chess clocks! The LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL CHESS
FESTIVAL features the National Open, the U.S Game/10 Championship and the
Susan Polgar World Chess Championship for Girls and Boys. Many free extras
and surprises! Free parking. Free raffle with great prizes. Free lectures by
GM Susan Polgar and others. Free analysis of your games by GM Arthur Bis-
guier. Susan Polgar International Chess Camp all dayThursday. Grandmaster
uschess.org
 World Amateur
Team
A N D
th
39 Annual
U.S. Amateur Team
East
F EBRU ARY 14 -16, 20 09 PARSIPPANY HILTON PARSIPPANY, NEW JERSEY

Co me ce le br at e th e 60 s wi th th e mo st Need help in forming

a team? Want to
en th us ia st ic pl ay er s in th e wo rl d! be on a team?
m Name awards, Contact Steve Doyle at
Best Team Costume and Best Tea
ays each round, make esdoyle@aol.com.
along with surprises and give-aw
t want to miss.
this a three day experience you won Your hosts are the USCF
and prizes. and the New Jersey State
See our TLA for complete details Chess Federation.
ur.
Clock awards supplied by Excalib
d to bring
Boards are supplied, but youll nee
nds!
a set and a clockand THREE frie
 Tournament Life
SimulThursday afternoon. US. Game/10Thursday night. Scholastic Tourna-
ment Friday. LOW room rates! HR: $75 single or double ($95 Friday and
Saturday nights). 1-866-791-7626 or (702) 796-7111. Dont be shut out;
make your reservations early and be sure to ask for the chess rates; South
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
Point sells out most weekends. Cutoff for special hotel rate is May 19th.
Rates may be as high as $150 a night after May 19th. RESERVE NOW! Credit
card or one night room deposit will be required to hold reservation, may be can-
celed 72 hours in advance for nominal fee. Tournament Registration: National
Open, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0125, on line at
www.VegasChessFestival.com or by fax at (702) 933-9112. NS. W. FIDE. WCL
JGP.
Grand Prix
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
Jan. 16-19, 17-19 or 17-18, California Southern
16th annual Western Class Championships
7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75; Class E & U1000 play 1/17-18
only, G/65). Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel, 30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills
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 Ven-
tura. Free parking. $$20,000 based on 230 paid entries (re-entries, E, U1000
count as half entries), minimum $16,000 (80% each prize) guaranteed. In 8 sec-
tions. Master (over 2199): $1600-900-500-300, clear or tiebreak winner $100,
top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Expert (2000-2199): $1400-700-400-200. Class A
(1800-1999): $1400-700-400-200. Class B (1600-1799): $1400-700-400-200.
Class C (1400-1599): $1300-700-400-200. Class D (1200-1399): $1200-600-
300-200. Class E (1000-1199): $600-300-200-100. Under 1000: $600-300-
200-100. Rated players may play up one section. Unrated must play in A or
below with maximum prize A $600, B $500, C $400, D $300, E $200, U1000 $100;
balance goes to next player(s) in line. Top 6 sections EF: 4-day $114, 3-day
$113 mailed by 1/9, all $115 online at chesstour.com by 1/13, $120 phoned to
406-896-2038 by 1/13 (entry only, no questions), $130 at site. Class E, Under
1000 Sections EF: $52 mailed by 1/9, $55 online at chesstour.com by 1/13
(entry only, no questions), $60 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/13, $70 at site.
All: FREETO UNRATED. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games
usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if
paid with entry: online at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40.
Re-entry (except Master) $60. SCCF memb. ($18, jr $10) required for rated South-
ern CA residents. 4-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11-6, Sun
11-6, Mon 10-4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun
11-6, Mon 10-4:30. Class E & U1000 schedule: Reg Sat to 9:30 am, rds Sat
10-1-4-7, Sun 9-12-3. All schedules: Byes OK all, limit 3, must commit before
rd 3 and have under 2 pts. HR: $87-87, 818-707-1220, reserve by Jan 2 or rate
may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Questions:
chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Ent: Continental Chess, c/o Goichberg, Box
661776, Arcadia CA 91066. $15 service charge for withdrawals. Advance
entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 50 (enhanced)
Jan. 16-18, Texas
JGs Old-Fashioned Hamburgers Texas Masters
5SS, G/90 with 30 sec increment, Student Union Galaxy Rooms at The Univer-
sity of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd, Richardson TX 75080. Open to
1.) players rated 2200 and above or who have been rated 2200 on any
crosstable on MSA or 2.) any Fide rated/titled player and 3.) a maximum of 6
who do not meet previous requirements and who sign up online. FIDE rated.
Please do not mail entries after January 4. You may register on active.com until
Jan 10th. EF: USCF +2400 $50, USCF 2200-2400 or fide rated $90, U2200 $175
(limited to only six who register on active.com. 1st come 1st serve). Fide GMs
Free. Online Registration (note that Active.com charges small fee.):
www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1646856. TCA Memb. reqd:
Regular $11, Jr/Student $8.50, No Magazine $5, Family $16. OSA. USCF Mem-
bership Required. $$b/20: 75% Guaranteed. $1500-750-250. U2400 $500.
Reg.: 1/16: 6:00-7:00 pm. Rds.: 7:20 pm, 12:30 pm - 5:15 pm, 9:10 am - 2:45
pm. 1 bye if requested before end of round 2. Park on metered parking by Stu-
dent Union or by UTD bookstore. Or get visitors pass at guard shack on
University Drive and park on visitors parking. ENT: Dallas Chess Club, C/O Bar-
bara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. 214.632.9000. INFO:
Barb Swafford, info@dallaschess.com www.swchess.com. NS NC W FIDE. WCL
JGP.
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
Jan. 16-19, 17-19 or 18-19, Pennsylvania
41st annual Liberty Bell Open
7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3 day option, rds 1-2 G/75; 2 day, rds 1-4 G/40). U900 Sec-
tion plays 1/18-19 only, G/40. Sheraton City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts.,
Philadelphia 19103. $$20,000 b/320 paid entries (U900 Section counts 1/3, GMs
), else in proportion, except minimum 60% of each prize guaranteed. In 2006
to 2008, the tournament had over 320 paid entries each year and the $20,000
projected prize fund was increased. In 8 sections. Open: $2000-1000-500-300-
200, 1st clear or on tiebreak $100 bonus, 2300-2399 $800-400, U2300/Unr
$800-400. FIDE. Under 2100: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1900: $1000-
600-400-300-200. Under 1700: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1500:
$1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1300: $700-400-250-150-100. Under 1100:
$700-400-250-150-100. Under 900: $150-100-50, trophies to top 8. Unrated
may enter any section, but may not win over $50 in U900, $100 in U1100, $200
U1300, $300 U1500, $400 U1700, or $500 U1900. Top 5 sections EF: 4 day
$99, 3 day $98, 2 day $97 mailed by 1/8, all $100 online at chesstour.com by
For details on
2009 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM EVENTS
East, North, South, West
See Nationals Section!
54 Chess Life January 2009
1/13, $105 phoned by 1/13 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions), $120 (no
checks, credit cards OK) at site. GMs free, $80 deducted from prize. U1300,
U1100 Sections EF: All $20 less to rated players. U900 Section EF: $27
mailed by 1/8, $28 online by 1/13, $30 phoned by 1/13, $40 at site. All: FREE
TO UNRATED. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usu-
ally used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid
with entry: online at chesstour.com $30; mailed, phoned or paid at site $40.
Mailed entry $3 less to PSCF members. Re entry (except Open Section) $80.
4-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds 7 pm, 11-6, 11-6, 10-4:30. 3-day
schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds.11-2:30-6, 11-6, 10-4:30. 2-day sched-
ule: Reg ends Sun 9 am, rds 10-12-2-4-6, 10-4:30. Under 900 schedule:
Reg. ends Sun. 9 am, rds 10-12-2-4, 10-12-2. Bye: all, limit 3, must commit before
rd 3 and have under 2 pts. HR: $93-93-93-93, 215-448-2000, reserve by Jan 2
or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or
reserve through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills
NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. $15 service charge
for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
A State Championship Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Jan. 17-18, Michigan
Michigan Master/Expert & Class Championships
Radisson Hotel Lansing, 111 N. Grand Ave. From East: I-496 to Grand Ave (Exit
7A), Right on Grand Ave. From West: I-496 to Pine/Walnut Streets (Exit 6), Left
on Grand Ave. HR: $92+tax by 1/5/09, (517) 482-0188. $$ 2555 Guaranteed:
M/X: $280-$180, X $210, U2100 $110. Class A: $175-$115, U1900 $95. Class
B: $175-$115, U1700 $95. Class C: $175-$115, U1500 $95. Class D: $145-$95,
U1300 $70. Class E (U1200): $145-$95, U1100 $70. Novice (U1000/Unr):Tro-
phy 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, Top U900, Top U800, Top U700, 1st & 2nd Unr. State
Title toTop MI finisher(s).Trophies for all place-winners.The most recent USCF
rating supplement will be used for determining ratings. Players must play in
the class in which their rating indicates. Unrated players must play in Novice
section. 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. The TD must approve all requests. One half-point
bye allowed in rounds 1-4. USCF and MCA memb required, OSA. EF: M/X, A,
B, C $40 (U18 $10 off) by 1/16; D, E $30 (U18 $10 off) by 1/16, Novice $20 (U18
$5 off) by 1/16. All $10 more on-site. Free entry to GM, IM, FM, & 2200+,
advanced EF deducted from prize. E-mail entries OK, must pay during reg. Reg.:
Sat 8-9am; 5-SS Rds.: Sat 10-2:30-7, Sun 10-3:30; TL: Sat G/120, Sun G/150.
Ent: Jeff Aldrich, 7453 Whippoorwill Ln, Davison, MI 48423, 810-955-7271, jef-
fchess@charter.net. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10
Jan. 17-18, Tennessee
Tennessee Class Championships
$3,000 Prize Fund (Guaranteed) 5SS, G/2 hours, Measurement Inc., 3800
Ezell Rd., Nashville, TN 37211. EF: Expert, Class A, B, C, D, E $45 if mailed by
1/12, $55 at site. Class F, G, and UNR $20 by 1/12, $30 at site. IMs and GMs
free entry ($45 deducted from winnings of $200 or more). 9 Sections: (Must
play in your section) Open (expert and above) $350-$175-$150 U2200 $125-
$100, Class A, B $225-$150-$100, Class C, D $200-$125-$75, Class E
$175-$100-$75, Class F, G/below, and Unr. Plaques to top 3. All, onlyTennessee
residents eligible for plaques. January Supp Used. USCF andTCA memb. reqd.
($15), Reg.: 7:30-8:30 am CDT 8/30. Rds.: Sat. 9:00 am-1:30 pm-6:00 pm, Sun.
9:00 am-1:30 pm. Byes: 1/2-point bye available for any one round if requested
at or before registration. Flyer available atTNCHESS.ORG. Info (questions only):
(615) 399-8432 or Regioniii@aol.com. Ent: Chris Prosser, 733 Long Hunter Ct.,
Nashville, TN 37217. NS. NC. W. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Jan. 18, New York
Binghamton Monthly Tourney
4 Round SS, Time control G/60. Reg. 8:45 AM to 9:30 AM. ENTRY: $30/ $35
at site.Cash only at site. (checks payable to Cordiscos Corner Store). ROUNDS:
9:45-12:30-3:00-5:30. Prizes: 1st $200 - 2nd $100 - 3rd $50. Guaranteed! Lim-
ited to first 24 entries. Please bring clocks. Cordiscos Chess Center 308
Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901 (607) 772-8782 jcordisco@stny.rr.com.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Jan. 20, New York
St. Johns Masters at the Marshall Chess Club
4SS, G/30.ThirdTues. of every month. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open
to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNY
at MCCThursday 4 Rated GamesTonight! since the prior months SJM) EF: $40,
members $30, GMs $10 (returned on completion of tournament). For each event,
money added to prize fund by the sponsors, St. Johns University, and other gen-
erous patrons.Top three prizes guaranteed. $$G 300-200-100.Top U2400 and
Top U2300 prizes. Special prize for biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-
9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, rds 1 and 4 only; declare at registration.
A Heritage Event!
A State Championship Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 40 (enhanced)
Jan. 23-25 or 24-25, Arizona
Tucson Open and Scholastics
(Arizona State Championship). Holiday Inn Palo Verde, 4550 S. Palo Verde Rd.,
Tucson, AZ 85714, 520-746-1161. SECTIONS: Open, Reserve (U1800), Booster
(U1400) & Scholastics (K-8/U1000). Scholastic section is 2 separate 1-day
tournaments. Open, Reserve, & Booster Schedule: (3-day) 5/SS, 40/2, SD/1;
Reg: 1/23 5:30-6:30 PM; Rds: 7, 10-5, 9-4. (2-day) 5/SS, Rds: 1-2 G/90; Rds.
3-5 40/2, SD/1; Reg: 1/24 8:30-9:30 AM; Rds: 10-1:30-5, 9-4. (Scholastics)
4/SS, G/40; Reg: 1/23-25 8:30-9:30 AM; Round 1 at 10am then as available.
PRIZES: (Open) $$G: $600(plaque)-400-300-200; $$b/4 X, A, B/below $150
ea. Trophy Top Jr. U20, Jr. U14, Sr. 50+, Top AZ Resident is also 2008 AZ State
Champion; (Reserve) $$b/38: $250(plaque)-150(plaque); $$b/4 C, D/below
$100 ea. Trophy to Top UNR, Jr. U14, Sr. 50+; (Booster) Trophy to Top 1st
5th Place, Top E, U1000/Unr and Jr. U11; (Scholastic each day) Trophy to 1st
- 5th Place, Top U800, U600, and Unrated. EF: GM/IM are FREE! (Open) $55;
(Reserve) $45; (Booster) $25; (Scholastics) $15 for each tournament or $25
for both days. LATE FEE: Additional $10 ($5 for Scholastic) if entry received
after 1/21. DISCOUNT: $10 off EF for Juniors (under age 20) and Seniors (age
50+) in Open and Reserve. ALL: 1/2 pt byes allowed for all rounds but must
be requested prior to start of Round 2 (max 2). No Re-entries. HR: $109 (sin-
gle) 119 (jr. suite) or $139 (suite) if by 1/11, mention SACA. Info: Karen
Pennock, 520-975-3946, email: kpennock_83@yahoo.com, web: www.saz
chess.org. Ent: Make checks payable to SACA, mail to SACA, Attn: 2009 Tuc-
son Open, PO Box 42407, Tucson, AZ 85733. NC. NS. W. WCL JGP (top 3
sections).
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
Jan. 23-25, North Carolina
Land of the Sky XXII
Note new time controls. 5SS, 30/90, then G/60 (2-day option, Rd 1, 30/90, G/30).
Crown Plaza Resort Asheville, One Resort Dr., Asheville, NC 28806, 828-254-
3211 or 800-733-3211. HR: $84 for up to four occupants, reserve early, mention
tournament. $$20,000 b/320, $10,000 Gtd. Open - FIDE rated: 1st $2500,
2nd $1000, 3rd $800, 4th $500, 5th $400, 2299-2200, 2199-2100, 2099-under
each category $700-400. Amateur: (U2000) 1st $1600, 2nd $800, 3rd $400,
1899-1800, 1799-1700, 1699-under each category $700-400. Booster: (U1600)
1st $1500, 2nd $800, 3rd $400, 1499-1400, 1399-1300, 1299-under ea. cate-
gory $500-300, Unr. $300. Unr. eligible for unr. prize only. EF: $84 postmarked
by 1/16, $10 more at site or $44 postmarked by 1/18 and $40 at site. $10 off
pre-entry or at site for players new to Land of the Sky. Family discount: first
member full EF, $20 off each additional (immediate family only, d/n apply to tro-
phy entries). Players under 18: Trophy only-$20, pre or at site, no discounts,
if playing for money $10 off pre or at site EF. One discount per player. Visa &
Mastercard Accepted (add $3 to EF). Optional Re-entry: Re-enter for $47 after
Friday rd, counts as 1/2 entry toward based-on prize fund. Reg.: Fri. 3pm-7:30
pm for Friday round, anytime until Saturday 1pm (one 1/2 pt bye avail rds 1-
3). Rds.: 1st rd-Your Choice-Fri. 8pm or Sat. 9am (will assume Sat. Rd. if no
choice made), other 2:15-7:15 on Sat., 9-2:15 on Sun. Blitz Tournament:
Saturday morning. U1200 Section (rated): 5SS, G/60. 70% of EF paid in
prizes. EF: $40 pre (no discounts), $10 more at site. $$ 20% to 1st, 15% to 2nd,
10% to 3rd, U900 10% to 1st, 5% to 2nd, Unr. 10% to 1st. Unrated eligible for
unrated prize only. Reg.: anytime up to one hour before any round (one 1/2
point bye available rds 1-3). Rds.: Sat. 10:30-1:30-4, Sun. 9-1:30. Ent: Checks
payable to WW, PO Box 1123, Weaverville, NC 28787, 828-645-4215, fax: 828-
645-4216, wilderwad@aol.com. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)
Jan. 23-25 or 24-25, Ohio
32nd Cardinal Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75), The Doubletree Hotel Columbus
Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43235. Free parking. $$ 8,000
based on 125 paid entries (re-entries, under 1200 and under 1000 section count
as 50% entry). In 7 sections: Open: $1000-600-400, top U2200/Unr $500-250.
FIDE. Under 2000: $800-400-200. Under 1800: $800-400-200. Under 1600:
$700-400-200. Under 1400: $500-250. Under 1200: $200-100 trophies to
top 5. Under 1000: $200-100, trophies to top 5. Unrated prize limits: Under
1000 $50, Under 1200 $100, Under 1400 $200, Under 1600 $300, Under 1800
$500. Balance goes to next player(s) in line. EF: (all sections except Under 1200
and Under 1000) $80 mailed by 1/19, or online at ohiochess.org by 1/22, $90
at site. Under 1200 and Under 1000 Section EF: $40 if mailed by 11/19, or
online at ohiochess.org by 1/22, $50 at site. Re-entry $40; not available in Open
Section. OCA membership is required of all Ohio residents. $15 per year, $10
junior, $2 second family member. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds
Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9:30-3:30. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10:30 am,
rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9:30-3:30. Byes: Okay rounds 1-4, limit 2, must com-
mit by rd 3. HR: $89, reserve online at OhioChess.org or 614-888-3334 mention
chess, reserve early, contact organizer if rate not available. Ent: COCA, Box 9830,
Columbus Ohio 43209. Questions: 614-774-2532 or GPerks2@aol.com. WCL
JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Jan. 24-25, Colorado
2009 Boulder Winter Grand Prix
University Memorial Center, CU Campus, Boulder, CO. Room #415. Open: 5-
SS G/90, EF: $35, $5 less if recd by 1/21, $8 less for Jr/Sr/Unrated. CSCA
required ($15, $10 for Jr/Sr) Prizes: $675 gtd. 1st-2nd: $180, $120
U2000,U1800,U1600,U1400, U1200 $75 each. Rds.: Sat: 10, 2, 6, Sun: 11:30,
3:30. Entries: Klaus Johnson, 3605 Endicott Dr., Boulder, CO 80305. Website:
www.geocities.com/boulderchessclub Email: boudlerchessclub@yahoo.com.
CO TOUR event. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Jan. 24-25, New York
New York Marshall CC January GP!
4SS, 30/90, SD/1; Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $45, Mem-
bers $25. $$625 Gtd: 250 -100-75, U2200/Unrated $100, U2000 $100. Reg. ends
15 min. before game. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day;
1-day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd 3. Limit
2 byes, commit at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 players. WCL
JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10
Jan. 25, California Southern
2009 Westwood Winter Open
5-SS, G/40. Los Angeles Chess Club, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd, LA, CA 90025,
2nd floor (4 blocks West of 405 Fwy). $$1500 b/50, 80% of each prize guar-
anteed. In two sections: Open: $400-200-50, U2200 125, U2000 125. Reserve
(U1800): $$200-125, U1600 $100, Under 1400/unrated $100, U1200 $75. EF:
$47 if received by 1/24, $55 at site. SCCF memb. ($18, under 18 $10) req. for
rated S. CA residents. No checks or credit cards at site. Half point byes: limit
1, must be req. w/entry. Reg.: 9-9:45 a.m. Rds.: 10-11:30-1:30-3:15-4:45. 2
Free Parking lots on the SW corner of Santa Monica & Purdue, or in the build-
ing basement ($3). Inf: admin@westernchess.com. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery,
835 N. Wilton Place #1, Los Angeles, CA 90038. On-line entry: www.western
chess.com. State Championship Qualifier.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Jan. 26-Feb. 9, New York
20th Nassau G/60 Championship
6-SS, G/1. 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st & Main Sts., Mineola. EF: $37 by
1/24, $44 at site, non-memb $9 more. $$ (780 b/24, top 2 G) 180-120, U2100,
1900, 1700, 1500, 1300/UR each 96. 3 byes 1-6 (Last rd bye must be req before
rd 4 and is irrevocable). Rds.: 7:15-9:25 each Mon. Rule 14H not used.
Captnhal@optonline.net. Ent: Harold Stenzel, 80 Amy Dr., Sayville, NY 11782.
uschess.org
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 60
Jan. 29-Feb. 1, Bermuda
2009 Bermuda International Open, 25th Anniversary
5SS, 40/2, G/1. Fairmont Southampton Resort.Thurs. Jan. 29. Cocktail recep-
tion 6:30 followed by 8 pm Blitz tournament. Rounds: Fri. 8pm, Sat./Sun. 9am,
3pm. 1 bye any rd. but 5th. Coffee, tea, cookies served S & S. Closing party:
Sun. 7:30pm Buffet dinner free for all participants and spouses. Prize fund Gtd.
$5000: Open $1000 (plus air from East Coast and hotel for 10), $800, $600,
$400, $200. U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600 all $250, $150, $100. Top non-titled
also wins RT from East Coast and hotel for 2010. EF: $100, payable on site. Free
to GMs, IMs, EF deducted from prize. Sets provided, bring clock. Fairmont
Southampton 1-866-540-4497, chess tournament rate ($199+tx). More
info contact: Nigel Freeman cadilly@northrock.bm or IA Carol Jarecki car-
olj10280@yahoo.com. FIDE Ratings available. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Jan. 31-Feb. 1, Florida
Central Florida Chess Club Championship
5SS, G/120. Melody Manor, 813 Montana St., Orlando. EF: $39. CFCC mem req
$25. $$G 600:190-100-70, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400 each 60, plaques (if
mem as of Dec 31) to Club Champion, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400,
& top under age 16. All FCA members earn points towards $2050 Florida
Gran Prix. Reg.: Sat 9:15am. Rds: 10-2-6, 9-2. CFCC elections 1pm Sun. Ent:
CFCC, 921 N. Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751. Info: (407) 629-6946 or
www.centralflchess.org. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Feb. 6-8, South Carolina
35th Snowstorm Special
5SS, 35/90, SD/1(2day schedule rd. 1 G/90), Best Western Charleston-Down-
town, 250 Spring St., Charleston, SC 29403. EF: $60 if recd by 2/02, $70 at site,
$35 re-entry USCF and SCCA memberships reqd, OSA. $$1,500 b/40 ($750 Gtd.),
One section, Open to all. Prizes: $400-200, Top Expert,A,B,C,D,E & under -
1st -$100, 2nd-$50 (Unrateds will be based on performance rating after 4th
rd.) 3 day schedule: Reg.: Fri. 6-7pm Rds.: 8, 2-8, 9-2:30. 2 day schedule:
Reg.: Fri. 6-7pm, Sat. 8-9am Rd. 1: 10am, then merge with 3day schedule. Half
pt. Byes: avail. all rds., must commit before Rd. 2 for Rds. 4&5 (irrevocable)
HR: $79.99 (mention Charleston Chess Club) reserve by Jan. 30 (843-722-
4000 or toll free 1-888-377-2121) Other info: Free entry to Masters and
above; $60 deducted from any winnings. More $$ per entries. Info/Reg/Pmt:
Charleston Chess Club, c/o David Y. Causey, 741 Dragoon Dr., Mt. Pleasant, SC
29464 (email: causey6@bellsouth.net) (Please indicate whether playing in 2
or 3 day schedule when registering.) WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Feb. 7, New York
22nd Annual Super Saturday Game/45 Deferred!
5-SS, G/45, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 W 10 St, bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC:
845-569-9969. EF: $40, Club membs $30, GMs free ($25 from prize), specified
Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free! $$ 920 b/46 paid entries, minimum
uschess.org
half each prize Gtd: $$ 300-200-115, top U2200/unr. $125, U2000 $100, U1800
$80. Limit 2 byes, commit by 2 pm. Re-entry $20. CCA ratings may be used. Rds.
12-2-3:45-5:30-7:20 pm. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Online entry at
www.chesscenter.cc thru 2/5; $10 extra to enter by phone!
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Feb. 7-8, New Hampshire
33rd Queen City Open
4SS, 40/2, SD/1. Comfort Inn, exit 4 (Queen City Bridge) off I-293, Manches-
ter, NH. 603-668-2600. HR: $79, mention NH
Chess, reserve early. $$2000 b/65, 75% Gtd. 4 sections: Open: EF: $42 by
2/5, GMs/IMs free. $300-200-100, U2100 $125. U1900: $150-100-75, U1750
$100. No Unr. may win over $75. U1600: $150-100-75, U1450 $100. No Unr. may
win over $75. U1300: $150-100-75, U1000 $100. No Unr. may win over $75. All:
EF: $42 by 2/5. Special EF for jrs U21 in U1300 section only, $26 if by 2/5. Sun-
day Swiss (2/8 only). 3SS, G/60. EF: $25 if by 2/5. $$80-50-30 (b/8). Sun.
Swiss Reg: 9:30-10:30am Sunday, Rds: 11-1:30-4. All EF: $6 more if at site.
Two-day Reg: 8:30-9:30am Sat., Rds: 10-4:30, 9:30-4.One 1/2 pt. bye OK for
Rds.1-3 if recd with ent. Ent: NH Chess Assoc., Hal Terrie, 377 Huse Rd. #23,
Manchester, NH 03103. Info: 603-668-8368 or halterrie@comcast.net. W.
WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10
Feb. 7-8, Wisconsin
UW Winter Open
5ss, 45/2, 25/1, SD/1; Rd. 4: 45/2, SD/1. Inn Wisconsin Room, Memorial Union,
800 Langdon St., Madison, WI. EF: $20 if received by 4 Feb, $25 at site. $$GTD
$1000. $200-165-135, A $100, B $90, C $80, D $70, E $60, U1000 $55, Unr $45.
REG.: 9-9:30 am. RDS.: 10, 2:30, 7:30; 10, 3:30. One point bye in rd.1 to
2200+ if requested in advance. ENT: Guy Hoffman, PO Box 259822, Madison,
WI 53725. INFO: 608-262-0308 (11am-6:30pm M-F) schachfuhrer@ hot-
mail.com. NS NC W. A WCA Tour Event. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10
Feb. 8, New Jersey
ICA Winter 2009 Open Championship
Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave, Hackensack NJ 07601. OpenTo All Ages
With Rating >1400 4SS G/60 U. S. Chess Federation Membership Required,
Prize Fund ($$ b/40) 1st - 3rd $300, $250, $200, U2000, U1800, U1600 each
$100. Best Under 13 Years Old $75, Best Over 65 Years Old $75. Prize Fund Will
Not Be Reduced Below 70%. Reg Ends at 9 Late Entrants Will Receive 1/2 Point
Bye For Rnd 1. EF: Adv (pmk. By Feb 4th) $40, AT Site $45. GMs Free Entry. Make
EF: and/or USCF membership checks payable to: International Chess Academy.
INFO 201 287 0250 or 201 833 1741, Email: Diana@icanj.net (Web Site
Entries: www.icanj.net). Rds.: 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM. ENT: Diana
Tulman, 28 Canterbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. NS NC W.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Feb. 12, New York
10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 West 10 St, bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC:
212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specified
Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid, top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-
110-50, Top U2200/unr $105, U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000),
commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd.
4. Reg ends 10 min before game. Rds 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often
impossible!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15
Feb. 14-15, Virginia
Kingstowne Chess Festival
Kingstowne Snyder Center, 6450 S. Van Dorn St., Alexandria, VA 22315. 4
Sections. Open (FIDE-rated): 4SS 40/100, SD/1. EF: $40 if received by 2/11,
$50 at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $84 if received by 2/11, $94 at
site. Prizes $$1000G: $400-250-125. U2000, U1800, unr. each $75. Rds.: 11-
5, 10-4. Amateur (U1800-unr.): 5SS G/100. EF: $20 if received by 2/11, $30
at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $64 if received by 2/11, $74 at site.
Prizes $$500 b/32: $180-100-70. U1600-U1400-unr. each $50. No unrated may
win more than $140. Rds.: 11-3-7, 11:30-4. Booster (U1600-unr.): 5SS
G/100. EF: $15 if received by 2/11, $25 at site. If joining USCF for 1st time,
USEF $59 if received by 2/11, $69 at site. Prizes $$370 b/32: $150-80-50.
U1400-U1200-Unr. each $30. No unrated may win more than $100. Rds.: 11-
3-7, 11:30-4. Novice (U1400-unr.): 6SS G/75. EF: $10 if received by 2/11, $18
at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $62 if received by 2/11, $70 at site.
Prizes $$285 b/32: $100-70-40. U1200-U1000-Unr. each $25. No unrated
may win more than $80. Rds.: 11-2-5-8, 12:30-4. All: One half-point bye
allowed in Open, two in other sections. Last-round bye must commit by end of
play Saturday and irrevocable. Reg.: 10-10:45. Ent (checks payable to): Don
W. Millican, 5901B Prince George Dr., Springfield, VA 22152. e-mail (info only):
dm407_92@hotmail.com. FIDE. W. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30
Feb. 14-16, Oklahoma
Stillwater Winter FIDE Open
7 SS, G/90+30. Quality Inn, 2515 W. 6th Ave (Hwy-51), Stillwater, OK. 1-405-
372-0800. HR: $70. Free Parking. Reg.: Sat 11-Noon. One section open to all.
RDS.: 1-5; 10-2-6:30; 9-1:15. EF: $50 if postmarked before Feb 9, or $60 at door.
$10 OCF required from all players (includes 4 issues of OCQ). $$4,500G:
$600, $400, $300, $200; $600 each class ($300-200-100) Ex,A,B,C,D & below.
Unr. competes in D & below. 2 half pt byes rds 1-7; Ent: Frank Berry, 402 S. Willis,
Stillwater, OK 74074. NC, CMV, LS, W, USCF, FIDE. FKimBerry@AOL.com. WCL
JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Feb. 17, New York
St. Johns Masters at the Marshall Chess Club
4SS, G/30.ThirdTues. of every month. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open
to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNY
at MCCThursday 4 Rated GamesTonight! since the prior months SJM) EF: $40,
members $30, GMs $10 (returned on completion of tournament). For each event,
money added to prize fund by the sponsors, St. Johns University, and other gen-
erous patrons.Top three prizes guaranteed. $$G 300-200-100.Top U2400 and
Top U2300 prizes. Special prize for biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-
9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, rds 1 and 4 only; declare at registration.
Chess Life January 2009 55
 Tournament Life
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Feb. 21, New York
New York February Action!
5-SS, G/30, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 W 10 St, bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC:
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
845-569-9969. EF: $40, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specified
Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free! $$ 840 b/42 paid entries, minimum
half each prize Gtd: $$ 300-200-115, top U2200/unr. $125, U2000 $100. Limit
2 byes, commit by 1:30. Re-entry $20. CCA ratings may be used. Rds. 12-1:30-
2:45-4-5:20 pm. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Online entry at www.chess
center.cc thru 2/19; $10 extra to enter by phone!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Feb. 21, Virginia
Winter Seasonal Special
3-round Swiss System. Game / 90 with 5 seconds delay. Virginia Heights Bap-
tist Church. Corner of Grandin Rd. and Memorial Ave. SW, Roanoke, Va. 24038.
GUARANTEED PRIZES: Top Section: $125-100-75. Additional Sections: If
Octagonals, Each is guaranteed $125 - $100. If Hexagonals, Each is guaran-
teed $100-75. If Quads, Each is guaranteed $100 1st. ENTRY FEE: If received
by Feb. 20, $30.00. At site, $40.00. REGISTRATION: 6-9pm 02/20; 8-9:30am
02/21. ROUNDS: 10-2-6. BYES: Only one per tournament; must request before
1st round begins. ADVANCE ENTRIES: Roanoke Valley Chess Club, P.O. Box
14143, Roanoke, Va. 24038. PHONE: (540) 344-4446. E-MAIL: info@roanoke
chess.com WEB PAGE: roanokechess.com.WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30
Feb. 27-Mar. 1, Virginia
41st Annual Virginia Open
5SS, Rd1 G/2, Rds 2-5 40/2 SD/1. Crowne Plaza, Tysons Corner, 1960 Chain
Bridge Rd., McLean 22102. www.cptysonscorner.com. Chess room rates of $79
for Single and Double, reserve before Feb 6. Walk-up chess rate possible, but
not guaranteed, reserve early!! No Outside Food allowed in Tournament Play-
ing Room! See www.vachess.org/vaopen.htm for online link to register for hotel.
$3400 in Two Sections, Open and Amateur (U1900) Top 4 G in Open, rest
based on 140. Open: $600-400-300-250 Top X,A Each $180 Winner also gets
plaque and title 2009 Virginia Open Champ. Amateur: $400-200-150, Top
B,C,D, U1200 Each $160, Top Unrated $100. Amateur winner gets plaque and
2009 Virginia Open Amateur title. ALL: Reg. Friday 2/27 5:30p-7:45p. Rds. 8pm
Friday, Sat 10a-4:30p, Sunday 9a-3:30p. EF: $60 if received by Feb 21, $70 later
and at site. $5 discount to active military personnel. $35 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 irrevokable. VCF membership required for Vir-
ginia residents ($10 Adults, $5 U19) Ent: Make checks payable to Virginia
Chess and mail to: Michael Atkins, PO Box 6138 Alexandria VA 22306 web-
site: www.vachess.org/vaopen.htm. matkins2@cox.net for questions, NO
INTERNET or PHONE entries only by mail, at site or Arlington Chess Club and
Tidewater Chess Club in Norfolk. NS, NC, W. FIDE (Open). WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Feb. 28-Mar. 1, New York
3rd annual Saratoga Open
56 Chess Life January 2009
6SS, G/65, Saratoga Hilton Hotel, 534 Broadway (I-87 Exit 13-N, 4 miles north
on US 9), Saratoga Springs NY 12866. Free parking. $$G 1200. In 2 sections:
Open: $$ 300-150-70, U2200 120, U2000 100. Under 1800/Unr: $$ 150-90-50,
U1600 100, U1400 70. EF: $52 mailed by 2/20, $53 online at chesstour.com by
2/25, $55 phoned by 2/25, $65 at site. Reg. ends Sat 11 am, rds Sat 12-3-6,
Sun 9-12-2:45. Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 2. HR: $114-
114, 888-999-4711, 518-584-4000, reserve by 2/13 or rate may increase. 48
hours notice required for room cancellation. Backup hotel: Courtyard by Mar-
riott, 2 blocks away, 518-226-0538. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249,
Salisbury Mills NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chess-
tour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. March
official ratings used; unofficial ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. WCL
JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Mar. 6, Pennsylvania
2009 PA Quick Chess Champ. (QC)
6SS, G/10, T/D3. Hotel Carlisle & Embers Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg
Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit 52A NB/Exit 52 SB off I-81, Exit 226 off PA Turn-
pike. 3 sections, EF recd by 2/17: Open: $12. U1500: $10. U1100: $8. $$ (730G):
Open: 175-100-50, U1800 $45, U1600 $40. U1500: 125-75-50, U1200 $40, Unr
$30. U1100: Trophies: 1-5, U800, U600, 1-2 Unr. All: EF: $20 after 2/17, PSCF
$5 OSA. Reg: 6-6:30pm. Rd 1: 7pm. Feb 2009 Regular ratings used. Bye: limit
1, ask by rd 2. HR: Mention PA States for best rate; 800-692-7315 $75. Ent:
PSCF, c/oTom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. Info: mar-
tinak_tom_m@hotmail.com 412-908-0286 W.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
Mar. 6-8 or 7-8, California Northern
Western Chess Congress
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75; U1100 & U900 sections are 6SS,
3/7-8 only, G/65). Concord Hilton Hotel, 1970 Diamond Blvd, Concord CA
94520 (I-680 Willow Pass Rd exit). Free shuttle between hotel and Concord
BART station. Free parking. In 8 sections. $$G 20,000. Premier, open to all over
1950 and juniors under 18 over 1800: $1600-900-500-300, clear or tiebreak win-
ner $100, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Under 2100: $1400-700-400-300. Under
1900: $1400-700-400-300. Under 1700: $1400-700-400-300. Under 1500:
$1200-600-300-200. Under 1300: $1200-600-300-200. Under 1100: $600-
300-200-100. Under 900: $600-300-200-100. Unrated must play in U1900 or
below with maximum prize U1900 $600, U1700 $500, U1500 $400, U1300
$300, U1100 $200, U900 $100; balance goes to next player(s) in line. Top 6 sec-
tions EF: 4-day $119, 3-day $118 mailed by 2/26, all $120 online at
chesstour.com by 3/3, $125 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/3 (entry only, no ques-
tions), $140 at site. U1100, U900 Sections EF: $57 mailed by 2/26, $60
online at chesstour.com by 3/3 (entry only, no questions), $65 phoned to 406-
896-2038 by 3/3, $70 at site. All: FREE TO UNRATED. Unofficial uschess.org
ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special
1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: online at chesstour.com $30;
mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry (except Master) $60. Mailed EF
$7 less to rated CalChess members. 3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6:30 pm, rds
Fri 7:30, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:30. 2-day schedule: Reg Sat to 10 am, rds Sat 11-
2:30-6, Sun 9-3:30. U1100 & U900 schedule: Reg. Sat to 11:30 am, rds. Sat.
12-3-6, Sun. 9-12:30-3:30. All schedules: Byes OK all, limit 2, must commit
before rd 3 and have under 2 pts. HR: $99-99-109, 925-827-2000, reserve by
2/20 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633.
Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Ent: Continental Chess, c/o Goich-
berg, Box 661776, Arcadia CA 91066. $15 service charge for withdrawals.
Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
Mar. 6-8 or 7-8, Massachusetts
18th annual Eastern Class Championships
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75), Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, 366
Main St, Sturbridge MA 01566 (I-84 Exit 3, near I-90). Free parking. $$ 20,000
based on 250 paid entries (re-entries count half), minimum $12,000 (60% of
each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections: Master (2200/up): $2000-1000-500-300,
clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Expert
(2000-2199): $1400-700-400-300. Class A (1800-1999): $1400-700-400-300.
Class B: $1400-700-400-300. Class C (1400-1599): $1200-600-400-300. Class
D (1200-1399): $1000-500-300-200. Class E (Under 1200): $1000-500-300-200.
Rated players may play up one section. Unrated may enter A through E, with
prize limits: E $100, D $200, C $300, B $400, A $600. Balance goes to next
player(s) in line. EF: 3-day $103, 2-day $102 mailed by 2/26, all $105 online
at chesstour.com by 3/3, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/3 (entry only, no
questions), $120 at site. GMs free, $100 deducted from prize. All: FREE TO
UNRATED. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used
if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr adult USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with
entry: online at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry
$60; not available in Open Section. No checks at site, credit cards OK. MACA
memb. ($12, under 18 $6) required for MA residents; WMCA accepted for west-
ern MA res. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun
9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-3:15.
Byes: OK all; must commit before rd 3, having under 2 pts. HR: $84-84, 800-
582-3232, 508-347-7393, request chess rate, reserve by 2/15 or rate may
increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car
online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury
Mills NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chess-
tour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Mar. 7-8, New York
New York Marshall CC March GP!
4SS, 30/90, SD/1; Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $45, Mem-
bers $25. $$625 Gtd: 250 -100-75, U2200/Unrated $100, U2000 $100. Reg.
ends 15 min. before game. Rds : 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each
day; 1-day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd 3.
Limit 2 byes, commit at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 players.
WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Mar. 7 & 8, Pennsylvania
2009 Carlisle Open & PA Collegiate Championship
5SS, G/90, T/D5. Hotel Carlisle & Embers Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg
Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit 52A NB/Exit 52 SB off I-81, Exit 226 off PA Turn-
pike. 2 sections: Open & U1500. $$ (1260G): Open: 180-120, U2200 $110,
uschess.org
U2000 $100, U1800 $90, U1600 $80. U1500: 150-100, U1400 $90, U1200 $85,
U1000 $80, Unr $75. All: College Tr: 1-2 in each section, 1-2 team (top 4 over
both sections). EF: $29 recd by 2/17, $39 after, PSCF $5 OSA. Reg: 8:45-9:30
am. Rds 10-2-5:30, 9-1. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd 2. HR: Mention PA States for
best rate; 800-692-7315 $75. Ent: PSCF, c/oTom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pitts-
burgh, PA 15223-2245. Info: martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com 412-908-0286 W.
Feb. 2009 ratings used. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
Mar. 13-15 or 14-15, Missouri
13th Annual Mid-America Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/70), Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Louis-
Clayton, 7750 Carondelet Ave., St. Louis MO 63105 (I-64 W/US 40-W Exit 32B,
1.2 miles north on Hanley Rd). $$ 20,000 based on 250 paid entries (re-entries
count half, U900 Section one quarter), minimum $16,000 (80% of each prize)
guaranteed. In 7 sections: Open: $2000-1000-600-400, clear winner or 1st on
tiebreak $100 bonus, top U2300 $900, U2200 $800, U2100/Unr $700. FIDE.
Under 2000: $1500-700-400-300. Under 1800: $1500-700-400-300. Under
1600: $1500-700-400-300. Under 1400: $1200-600-300-200. Under 1200:
$1200-600-300-200. Under 900: $100-60-40, trophies to top 7. Unrated may
enter any section, with prize limits: U900 $50, U1200 $150, U1400 $300,
U1600 $400, U1800 $500, U2000 $700. Balance goes to next player(s) in line.
EF: 3-day $103, 2-day $102 mailed by 3/5, all $105 online at chesstour.com by
3/10, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/10 (entry only, no questions), $120
at site. Under 900/Unr Section EF: 3-day $23, 2-day $22 if mailed by 3/5, $25
online at chesstour.com by 3/10, $27 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/10, $30 at
site. FREETO UNRATED IN U900 OR U1200 SECTIONS. All: Unofficial uschess.org
ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special
1 yr adult USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: online at chess-
tour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry $60; not available
in Open Section. No checks at site, credit cards OK. MCA memb. ($5; higher with
printed magazine) required for MO residents. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri
6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10
am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-3:15. Byes: OK all; must commit before rd 3, hav-
ing under 2 pts. HR: $87-87, 888-303-1746, 314-726-5400, request chess rate,
reserve by 2/27 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: 845-496-9658. Advance
entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10
Mar. 14-15, Maryland
UMBC Open - Alvin S. Mintzes Chess Tournament
5SS, 20/1, SD/1. University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), 1000 Hill-
top Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 (in Commons Bldg, 3rd floor). Held concurrently
with separate Sweet 16 Invitational, which determines MD Scholastic Cham-
pion who wins 4-year tuition scholarship to UMBC (worth over $35,000).
Spectators free & welcome. Open: (All) $$650: $350-200-100; $$400 (b/40):
Top U2250, U2150, U2050, U1950 $100 ea. Free ent. to GMs, $40 deducted from
any prizes. U1800: (U1800/Unr.) $$765 b/40: $250-175-100, Top U1600,
U1400, U1200 (b/4) $80 ea. No Unr. player may win more than $200 in this sect.
All EF: $40 if postmarked by 2/27, $50 late, $10 less if under 20. Reg: 8:30-
uschess.org
9:30am Sat., Rds: 10am-3-7:30pm, 10:30am-3:30. Byes: Up to three 1/2-point
byes avail. in Rds. 1-5 if reqd at least 1 hr. before Rd (before Rd 2 for any Rd.
4-5 bye), but only at most one 1/2-point bye in Rds 4-5. Hotel: La Quinta Inn
and Suites, 1734 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD 21090, 410-859-2333, Ask
for UMBC chess rate. www.lq.com (From I-95, take Exit 47A onto I-195 towards
BWI Airport.Take Exit 2A onto 295 north towards Baltimore; take first exit, bear-
ing right onto West Nursery Road.) Directions to UMBC: Take Exit 47B off I-95
& follow signs to UMBC. Park in Lot 9 or 16. Ent/Info: Cks payable to UMBC,
Dr. Alan T. Sherman, Dept. of CSEE, UMBC, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD
21250, Attn: Open. ChessClub@umbc.edu, 410-455-8499, www.umbc.edu/
chess. W. WCL JGP.
An American Classic!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
Apr. 8-12, 9-12 or 10-12, Connecticut
11th annual Foxwoods Open
Open Section, Apr 8-12: 9SS, 40/2, SD/1. GM & IM norms possible. Lower
Sections, Apr 9-12 or 10-12: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-4 G/50).
Foxwoods Resort Casino & Hotel, Rt 2, Mashantucket CT 06339 (I-95 to Exit
92 to Rt 2 West, or I-395 to Exit 85 to Rt 164 to Rt 2 East). Free parking. 45 miles
fromT.F. Green Airport (Providence, RI), 14 miles from Groton/New London Air-
port; for shuttle from New London Amtrak station call 1-800-USA-RAIL. Bus
transportation: 1-888-BUS2FOX. Free shuttle to Mashantucket Pequot Museum,
largest Native American museum in USA. Prizes $100,000 based on 650 paid
entries (Seniors count as 3/4 entries; U1000 Section, re-entries, GMs, WGMs
& foreign IMs/WIMs as half entries), else proportional, minimum $70,000 (70%
of each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections: Open: $10000-5000-2500-1500-
1000-700-600-500-400-400, 2300-2499 $3000-1500-700, Under 2300/Unr
$3000-1500-700. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game (White 5
minutes, Black 3 minutes & gets draw odds, with 5 second delay) for title &
free room at 2010 Foxwoods Open. FIDE rated. Under 2100, Under 1900,
Under 1700: each $5000-3000-2000-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300. Under
1500, Under 1300: $4000-2000-1500-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300. Under
1000: $1000-600-400-300-250-200-150-100. Prize limits: 1) Players with
under 26 lifetime games rated as of 4/09 list may not win over $500 in U1000,
$1500 in U1300, or $2500 in U1500. Games rated too late for 4/09 list not
counted. 2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on any USCF rating
supplement 4/08-3/09, prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games
rated) cannot win over $300 in U1000, $600 U1300, $1000 U1500, $1300
U1700, $1600 U1900, or $2000 U2100. Initial ratings that will appear after the
4/09 list used at Directors discretion; if used, rule 1 applies. 4) Balance of lim-
ited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Mailed EF: 5-day (Open only) $205, 4-day
$204, 3-day $203 if mailed by 1/10; 5-day $225, 4-day $224, 3-day $223
mailed by 3/31; all $250 at site. CSCA members may deduct $4 from mailed
EF only. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online EF at chesstour.com: $207
by 1/10, $227 by 4/6, $250 after 4/6 until 2 hours before rd 1. Phone EF at
406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions): $210 by 1/10, $230 by 4/6. No phone
entry after 4/6. GMs, foreign IMs, foreign WGMs, foreign WIMs free; $150
deducted from prize. US WGMs $100; another $100 deducted from prize. EF
$70 less to seniors over 65 in Under 1300 & above sections. Under 1000 Sec-
tion EF: 4-day $104, 3-day $103 if mailed by 3/31, all $107 online at
chesstour.com by 4/6, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 4/6 (entry only, no ques-
tions), $120 at site. All: FREE TO UNRATED IN U1000 OR U1300 SECTIONS.
Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if oth-
erwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: online
at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. No checks at site,
credit cards OK. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from Open Section to Open Sec-
tion. 5-day Open Section schedule: Reg. ends Wed 6 pm, rds. Wed. 7 pm,
Thu 12 & 7, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day Lower Sections schedule:
Reg. endsThu 6 pm, rds.Thu 7 pm, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day Lower
Sections schedule: Reg. ends Fri 7 pm, rds Fri 8 pm, Sat 10,12:30, 3, 6, Sun
10 & 4:30. 4-day & 3-day merge & compete for same prizes. Byes: OK all; limit
4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), must commit before rd 3, having under 2 pts. Bring sets,
boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: Grand PequotTower (tournament
site, very luxurious) $132-132, Great Cedar Hotel (connected building; very close)
$118-118, Two Trees Inn (15 minute walk; free shuttle) $108-108. 1-800-FOX-
WOOD, must reserve by 3/26 or you will have to stay at least 3 miles away.
Car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online
at chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to FIDE,
100 to FQE, 200/more to most other foreign, no pts added to CFC, PR or
Jamaica. Most foreign ratings other than CFC, PR, FQE or Jamaica not accepted
for U2000 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail
to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player ratings: April
list used; FIDE ratings not used. Special rules: Players must submit to a search
for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 4 or after, players with
scores of over 80% and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones
or cellphones or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permis-
sion. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Questions:
845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. You may request lowest possible section
if April rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will
be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Apr. 23-May 21, Pennsylvania
2009 Hatboro Open
5-SS, 40/90, G/1.Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 151 W. County Line Road
(near Blair Mill Road), Hatboro 19040. $$950 Gtd. In one section: $400-200,
U1900 $100, U1700 $100, U1500 $100, Upset Prize $50. EF: $35 at site, $5 less
to Chaturanga CC members. Write checks to Chaturanga Chess Club. Reg.:
6:45-7:20pm. Rds.: 7:30pm each Thursday. Bye: limit 1, any round, must
request before Round 3 starts. Info: Jorge Amador, POB 387, Forest Grove PA
18922, (215) 794-8368, elcid@compuserve.com. NS, NC, W. WCL JGP.
A State Championship Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30
Apr. 25-26, Connecticut
Connecticut State Chess Association State Championship Grand
Prix
Sponsored by the UCONN School of Engineering & UCONN CC. UCONN Castle-
man Building, Room 201, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Parking in
North Garage. 4 SS, G/120. 2 sections, Open & Reserve (U-1800). Both EF:
$50 by 4-22, $60 later. Checks payable to UCONN. GMs & IMs free if no prize
won. Reg.: 8-9:30 AM, Rds.: 10-3, 9-2. Half point byes available in rds. 1-3 only,
Chess Life January 2009 57
 Tournament Life
no last round byes. $$ 700-500-300, Top U-2200 $200, Top U-2000 $200,
Reserve $250-$100,Top U-1600 $150-$100.Trophy and state title to top CT res-
ident in Open. All cash prizes, $2500, unconditionally guaranteed! Lodging
available, please ask. Info & Entries to: Tom Hartmayer, 963 Mansfield City
Rd., Storrs, CT 06268, 860-989-5394, tomhart3@charter.net, www.uconnchess.
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
uconn.edu, www.engr.uconn.edu, UCONN Map admissions.uconn.edu/virtual
tour/search/. WCL JGP.
An American Classic!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
May 22-25, 23-25 or 24-25, Illinois
18th annual Chicago Open
7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/75; 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/45). Under
900 section plays separate 2-day schedule only, G/45. 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 8 sections. Open:
$8000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-400-400-400, clear winner bonus $200,
top Under 2500 $2000-1000. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game
(White 5 minutes, Black 3 minutes & gets draw odds, with 5 second delay) for
title & bonus prize. Under 2300, Under 2100, Under 1900, Under 1700: each
$6000-3000-1500-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300. U2300 Section is FIDE
rated. Under 1500: $5000-2500-1200-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300. Under
1300: $3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-300-300-300, top U1100 $800-400.
Under 1100 play for both U1300 section prizes & U1100 class prizes; receive
larger if winning both. Under 900: $200-120-80, trophies to top 10. Prize lim-
its: 1) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated through 5/09 list may not
win over $1500 U1300 or $2500 U1500. Games rated too late for 5/09 list not
counted. 2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on any list 5/08-4/09,
prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $100
in U900, $600 U1300, $1000 U1500, $1300 U1700, $1600 U1900 or $2000 U2100.
4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Mailed EF: 4-day
$199, 3-day $198, 2-day $197 mailed by 3/16; 4-day $219, 3-day $218, 2-day
$217 mailed by 5/13; all $250 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online
EF at chesstour.com: $200 by 3/16, $220 by 5/19, $250 after 5/20 until 2 hours
before rd 1. Phone EF at 406-896-2038: $205 by 3/16, $225 by 5/19 (entry
only, no questions). No phone entry after 5/19. GMs free; $150 deducted from
prize. WGMs $100; another $100 deducted from prize. EF $70 less to all in Under
1300 Section and to seniors over 65 in Under 1500 & above sections. Under
900 EF: $24 if mailed by 5/13, $25 online at chesstour.com by 5/19, $30
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 5/19 (entry only, no questions), $40 at site. No
checks at site, credit cards OK. All: FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED in U900 or
U1300 Sections. ICA membership ($15, scholastic $10) required for rated Illi-
nois residents. Special 1 yr adult USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry:
online at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry: $100,
no re-entry from Open to Open. $20 fee for switching section after 5/19. 4-
day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, Rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 12 & 7, Sun 12 & 7, Mon
10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 11 am, Rds. Sat 12, 3:30 & 7, Sun
12 & 7, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U1300 & up): Reg. ends Sun 9 am,
Rds. Sun 10-12:30-2:30-4:30-7, Mon 10 & 4:30. Above schedules merge &
compete for same prizes. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun
58 Chess Life January 2009
10-12:30-2:30-4:30, Mon. 10-12:30-2:30. Byes: OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4
rds), must commit before rd 3 having under 2 pts. Hotel rates: $94-94-94-94,
800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 5/9 or rate may increase. Car rental:
Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chess-
tour.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. Most
foreign ratings other than CFC, FQE or Jamaica not accepted for U2000 or below.
Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign
or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player ratings: May official ratings
used; FIDE ratings not used. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more
games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: 1) Players must sub-
mit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 4 or
after, players with scores over 80% in U1300/up 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: 845-496-9658, chesstour.com. You may request low-
est possible section if May rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds.
Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 50
June 4, Nevada
2009 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC)
See Nationals.
A Heritage Event!
An American Classic!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
June 5-7 or 6-7, Nevada
2009 National Open
See Nationals.
A Heritage Event!
An American Classic!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 300 (enhanced)
July 1-5, 2-5, 3-5 or June 29-July 5, Pennsylvania
37th Annual World Open
9SS, 40/2, SD/1 (4-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, 3-day option, rds 1-5 G/45), Under
900/Unr Section plays separate 3-day schedule only, G/45. Sheraton City Cen-
ter Hotel, 17th & Race Sts., Philadelphia 19103. Parking $5 for hotel guests
playing in tournament. Downtown location, Franklin Institute, many muse-
ums, stores, restaurants within a few blocks. Prizes $250,000 unconditionally
guaranteed. Free analysis of your games by GM Sam Palatnik; free lectures
by other GMs 9 am 7/3 & 7/4. In 9 sections (Unrated eligible only for Open,
Under 2400, or Under 900). Open: $20000-10000-5000-2500-1500-1000-800-
700-600-500, clear winner bonus $200, top U2500 $2000-1000. If tie for first,
top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 7/5, 11 pm (White 5 minutes, Black 3 min-
utes & gets draw odds, 5 second delay) for title & bonus prize. GM & IM norms
possible in 5-day & 7-day schedules. FIDE rated. Under 2400: $14000-7000-
3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U2300 $2000-1000. FIDE Under
2200: $14000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U2100 $2000-
1000. Under 2000: $14000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top
U1900 $2000-1000. Under 1800: $14000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-
600-500, top U1700 $2000-1000. Under 1600: $12000-6000-3000-2000- 1000-
900-800-700-600-500, top U1500 $2000-1000. Under 1400:
$10000-5000-2500-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1300 $1500-800.
Under 1200: $5000-2500-1500-1000-800-700-600-500-400-300. Under
900/unrated: $300-200-100, trophies to top 10, no unrated may win over $100.
Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 games played as of 7/09 list may not
win over $1500 in U1200, $3000 U1400 to U1800. Games rated too late for 7/09
list not counted. 2) Players with official rating more than 30 points over sec-
tion maximum any month 7/08-6/09 have a prize limit of $2000. 3) Balance of
any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. EF, if mailed by 2/17: 7-day
$307, 5-day $305, 4-day $304, 3-day $303. Mailed by 5/15: 7-day $317, 5-day
$315, 4-day $314, 3-day $313. Mailed by 6/18: 7-day $327, 5-day $325, 4-day
$324, 3-day $323. At site: All $350; no checks, credit cards OK. Online entry
at chesstour.com: $310 by 2/17, $320 by 5/15, $330 by 6/24, $350 after 6/24
until 2 hours before rd 1. Phone entry at 406-896-2038: $315 by 2/17, $325
by 5/15, $335 by 6/24 (entry only, no questions). No phone entries after 6/24.
GMs free; $200 EF deducted from prize. WGMs $100; another $100 EF deducted
from prize. EF $100 less to all in U1200 Section and seniors over 65 in Under
1400 & above. Under 900/Unrated Section EF: $25 if mailed by 6/17, all $26
online at chesstour.com by 6/24, $30 phoned by 6/24 (entry only, no questions),
$40 at site. FREE ENTRYTO UNRATED in U900/Unr Section. No checks at site;
credit cards OK. Re-entry: $160, no re-entry from Open to Open. $20 fee for
switching section after 6/30. Special 1 yr adult USCF dues with Chess Life
if paid with entry: online at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site
$40. 5-day schedule: Wed 7 pm, Thur 11 am & 6 pm, Fri 11 am & 6 pm, Sat
11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 5 pm. 7-day schedule: Mon-Fri each 7 pm, Sat
11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 5 pm. 4-day schedule: Thurs 11, 2:30 & 6, Fri 11
& 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. 3-day schedule: Fri 11, 1:30, 3:30, 6 & 8:30, Sat
11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. All schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under
900/Unr schedule: Fri 1:30, 3:45 & 6, Sat 11, 1:30, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 12:30.
Half point byes OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), must commit before rd 3
and have under 2 pts. Entries, re-entries close 1 hour before your first game.
Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: 93-93, 215-448-
2000, may sell out about 5/31, two night minimum 7/3-4. Backup hotel:
Radisson Plaza Warwick, 215-735-6000, $93-93. Special car rental rates: Avis,
800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com.
Foreign player ratings: 100 pts added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200 or more to
most foreign, no pts added to CFC. Most foreign ratings other than CFC or FQE
or Jamaica not accepted for U2000 or below. Highest of multiple ratings used.
Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US
player ratings: JULY LIST USED; FIDE ratings not used. Unofficial uschess.org
ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special
rules: 1) Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested
by Director. In round 4 or after, players with scores over 80% and their oppo-
nents may not use headphones, earphones, cellphones or go to a different floor
of the hotel without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Sal-
isbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. You may
request lowest possible section if July rating unknown. $15 service charge
for refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Bring set, board,
clock if possible- none supplied. WCL JGP.
uschess.org
Regional
Alabama
Bham C. C.
Meets Mon. nites each wk., 2116 Columbiana Rd. (Columbiana Crossing Shopg.
Ctr.) Bham 35226. All skills & levels welcome! W. N.S. USCF rtd tourns. planned
in 09. Mon. Quads by request. Vulcan Open-May; Bham City Cships-Aug.; Magic
City Open-Nov. SS 4rd G/60 2d Sat.ea. mo. Details & flyers: R.W. Ellis 205-979-
6068, kee@bellsouth.net.
Feb. 7, QoHs Scholastics
6 Sections 5SS, TC: G/30. AUM Taylor Center 7440 East Drive Montgomery,
AL 36117. EF: $20/Rated and $10/Not Rated mail by JAN31st; ($10 more @
site).Trophies: (Rated) Top 3 Individuals;Top 2Teams. Medallions: (Not Rated)
Top 3 Individuals. Rds: 9:30-10:45-12:30-1:45-3. Late REG.: FEB 7th 8:30-9:10.
Checks payable to: Montgomery Chess Club. Ent: MCC-QoH 668 Sandhurst
Drive Montgomery, AL 36109. Info: www.alabamachess.com or Caesar.
Lawrence@juno.com.
A Heritage Event!
Feb. 7-8, Queen of Hearts (37th Annual)
5SS, TC: 30/90;SD: 30. AUM Taylor Center 7440 East Drive, Montgomery, AL
36117. EF: $40 by JAN 31st; ($50 @ Site). Open (All): $$b/25: $300+T, $200,
$150, A $150+T, U1800 $100+T. Reserve (U1600): $$b/20: $200+T, $150,
D $125+T, E $100+T, U1000 $50. Rds.: 9, 2, 7 & 9-3. Late REG.: FEB 7th 7:45-
8:30. Checks payable to: Montgomery Chess Club. Ent: MCC-QoH 668
Sandhurst Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109. Info: www.alabamachess.com or
Caesar.Lawrence@juno.com. WCL JGP.
Alaska
Feb. 20-22, 2009 Rondezvous Chess Tournament
5SS G/120 IBEWTraining Center 5800 B St. Anchorage, AK 99518. EF: $30, $15
Age 15 and Under. Reg.: 5 - 6:45P Fri Feb 20th. Rds.: Fri 7PM, Sat/Sun 10A
and 3P. Info: Mike dfensman@yahoo.com. WCL JGP.
Arizona
Jan. 23-25 or 24-25, Tucson Open and Scholastics
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 13-16, 4th Susan Polgar 2009 Open Challenge for Boys and Girls
Over $250,000 in scholarships and chess prizes! Organized and Directed by
Susan Polgar Foundation and Chess Emporium, LLC. 7SS, G/45, Sunrise
Mountain High School, 21200 N 83rd Ave, Glendale, AZ 85382. Winners in the
Girls sections will qualify for the 2009 SP National Invitational, if meet eligi-
bility requirements. Sections: All-Girls and Open (Boys/Girls): Primary
(K-2); Elementary (3-5); Middle School (6-8), High School. Parents/Adults: All
ages. Prizes (All Scholastic Sections): Laptop Computer to 1st, $200 (in Chess
Prizes) to 2nd, $150 to 3rd $100 to 4th, $50 to 5th All the above are in kind,
chess prizes such as chess books/DVDs etc, and not a cash prize. Digital
Clock to 7-0 score,Trophies to top 20 Individuals,Trophies to top 3 teams, Medals
uschess.org
to 21st-30th Individuals, and to 4-6th Teams, Trophies to top 3 Par-
ent/Child/Sibling Teams. Scholarships toTexasTech University andTexas A&M
-Kingsville will be offered. (Must meet entrance requirements and chess tour-
nament scholarship criteria www.spice.ttu.edu). Adult Section: $300-$200-
$150-$100 in cash prizes, based on 20 paid entries. All sections: EF: $55 by 1/10;
$59 by 1/24; $65 by 2/6; $69 after. On Site registration will receive Rd 1 (1/2
pt) bye. Byes: (1/2 pt) must be scheduled by the start of round 2. Schedule:
Opening Ceremony 2/14 9:00 am; Rounds: 2/14 9:15-11:30-1:30-3:30; 2/15
9:00-1:00-3:00. Side-Events: Puzzle Solving Championship 2/13 6:00pm.
EF: $15 if by 2/6; $20 after. Registration closes 5:30pm. Susan Polgar 64 Board
Simultaneous Exhibition 2/13 7:15pm. EF: $25 by 2/6; $30 after. Registra-
tion closes 7:00pm (Limit 1st 64 entries). Bughouse Championship, 2/13: 5
Double Rd Swiss, G/5. Prizes: Trophies top 10 teams (2/15 3:30pm - Awards
Ceremony). Rounds: 2/13 6:30-7:00-7:30-8:00-8:30. EF (Team): $20 by 2/6;
$25 after. Registration closes 6:00pm. Susan Polgar Free Lecture 2/14 12:30-
1:30pm. Blitz Championship, 2/14: 5 Double Rd Swiss, G/5. Sections:
Primary (K-2); Elementary (3-5); Middle School (6-8), High School / Adults U1600.
Prizes: Primary, Elementary, Middle School Trophies to top 10 in each sec-
tion, High School / Adult U1600 trophies to top 5 (2/15 3:30pm - Awards
Ceremony). Rounds: 2/14 6:00-6:30-7:00-7:30-8:00. EF: $20 by 2/6; $25
after. Registration closes 5:30pm. Susan Polgar 64 Board Simultaneous
Exhibition 2/15 5:30pm. EF: $25 by 2/6; 30 after. Registration closes 5:00pm
(Limit 1st 64 entries). Susan Polgar Chess Camp (am) Mon 2/16 9:00am-
12:30pm. EF: $49 by 2/6; $59 after. Susan Polgar Chess Camp (pm) 2/16
1:30pm-5:00. EF: $49 by 2/6; $59 after. ENT: online registration available at
www.chessemporium.com, or mail entry form to Chess Emporium, 10801 N.
32nd St, Suite 6, Phoenix, AZ 85028. Info or Phone Credit Card entries: 602-
482-4867. E-mail Kids@chessemporium.com. Cancellations: No later than
Feb 11, 7:00pm. 80% refund only. Other Info: Chief TD: Scott Freneaux; Assis-
tant Matthew Okunevich; Pairing Director AJ Pheasant. Vendors: Chess
Emporium Books, Chess Equipment, Clocks,T-Shirts. Sponsors: Chess Empo-
rium, City of Peoria. Accommodation: Hampton Inn, 8408 W. Paradise Lane,
Peoria, AZ 85382. 623-486-9918 @ $159. Holiday Inn Express, 16771 N. 84th
Ave., Peoria, AZ 85382. 623-853-1313 @ $139. Or possible better rates for hotel
and air at Diamond Travel at 602-870-9197....ask for Eldon.
May 23-25, 2009 U.S. Amateur - West Championship
See Nationals.
California Northern
Jan. 16-19, 17-19 or 17-18, 16th annual Western Class Champi-
onships (CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 25, Cupertino G/60 Open Tournament!
4SS, G/60. 10675 S. De Anza Blvd., #4, Cupertino, CA 95014. 408-996-1236.
($500 b/32) 1st overall: $100, u2000 $100, u1800 $100, u1600 $100, u1400 $100.
EF: $30 by 1/24, $40 same day. Reg.: 10-10:45 Rds.: 11-1:30-3:45-6:15. Site
capacity: 32. Info: albertjrich@yahoo.com.
Mar. 6-8 or 7-8, Western Chess Congress
See Grand Prix.
California Southern
LA CHESS CLUB * www.LaChessClub.com
Fridays: 8 PM-10 PM (Blitz Tournament) Saturdays:
10AM-10 PM (Class& 2 Tournaments) Sundays: 12
PM-6 PM (Tournament) Tuesdays: 7:30 PM-9:30 PM
(Intermediate/Advanced Lecture) 11514 Santa Monica
Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 * (310) 795-5710 (4 blocks
West of 405, Santa Monica& Butler * Second Floor)
Private (1:1) Lessons * Group Classes * Tournaments.
Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, LACC Friday Nite Blitz (QC)
5SS, G/5 (10 Games). LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks
W 405. EF: $10. Q-rated. Reg: 7:30-8. Rds: 8-8:30-9-9:30,10. 2 Free Parking
lots SW of S Monica/ Purdue; or underground ($3). Prizes: 1/2 EF. Inf: (310)
795-5710 or www.LaChessClub.com.
Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, LACC LA Masters
4SS, G/30 LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks W 405. EF:
$30 ($20 LACC memb). Reg: 5:30-6. Rds: 6, 7, 8, 9. Prizes: 75% EF. 2 Free lots
SW of S Monica/Purdue; or underground ($3). Inf: (310) 795-5710 or
www.LaChessClub.com.
Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, LACC Saturday Swiss Open
4SS, G/30 11514 Santa Monica Blvd LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks W 405. EF: $20
($15 LACC memb). Reg: 11:30-12. Rds: 12, 1, 2, 3. Prizes: 1/2 EF. 2 Free lots
SW of S. Monica/Purdue; or underground ($3). I nf: (310) 795-5710 or
www.LaChessClub.com.
Jan. 4, 11, 18, LACC Sunday Swiss Open
3SS, G/60 LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks W 405. EF:
$20 ($15 LACC memb). Reg: 11:30-12. Rds: 12, 2, 4. Prizes: 1/2 EF. Free park-
ing on streets. Inf: (310) 795-5710 or www.LaChessClub.com.
Jan. 4, 18, LACC January Scholastics I & II
5SS, G/30 LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks W 405. EF:
$25 ($20 LACC memb). Reg: 1:30-2. Rds: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Prizes:Trophies, Medals,
special prizes (every player wins a prize!). Free parking on streets. Inf: (310)
795-5710 or www.LaChessClub.com.
Jan. 16-19, 17-19 or 17-18, 16th annual Western Class Champi-
onships
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 18, Western Class Sunday USCF Booster Quads
3RR, G/45, Renaissance Hotel (see Western Class). EF: $20. 1st prize each sec-
tion: choice of 2 year USCF Adult membership with Chess Life, 3 year USCF Young
Adult Membership with Chess Life, or $40. Reg: 10 am-12:30 pm, Rds: 1-
2:30-4. Ent: at site only, no checks.
Jan. 19, Western Class Monday USCF Booster Quads
3RR, G/30, Renaissance Hotel (see Western Class). EF: $20. 1st prize each sec-
tion: choice of 2 year USCF Adult membership with Chess Life, 3 year USCF Young
Adult Membership with Chess Life, or $40. Reg: 10 am-12 noon, Rds: 12:30-
1:30-2:30. Ent: at site only, no checks.
Chess Life January 2009 59
 Tournament Life

Sale, Classes, Lectures, Simuls, Under Age 18 & Begin-

ners Welcome, Handicap Accessible. As location may
Jan. 25, 2009 Westwood Winter Open

The BEST of CHESS INSTRUCTION

change, please check website or call contact phone #.
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 14-16, 26th Annual 2009 U.S. Amateur Team - West

Chess Educator Legend

See Nationals. Feb. 5, UCONN CC Open House (QC)
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14

UCONN Castleman Bldg., Room 204, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. #
Feb. 15, 12th Annual Southern California Scholastic Amateur Team

I M Dr. Danny Kopec

of rounds for RR to be determined onsite. G/5. EF: FREE !!! Round 1 at 7:30
4-SS, SD/45, Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA
PM, all others ASAP. Free pizza & refreshments.Used booksale. Info:TomHart-
91367. Four-player teams plus optional alternate, Grade 12/below, aver-
mayer, 860-989-5394, tomhart3@charter.net, www.uconnchess.uconn.edu.
age rating of four highest must be U1200. (Dec. 2008 rating list used, Feb.

covering All Aspects at All Levels

2009 used for previously unrated players.) EF: $69 per team received by Feb. 8, Western Connecticut Open
2/13, $84 at site.Trophies (team & individual) to top 3 teams, top U1000, U800, 4SS, G/45 (G/40 + 5 sec. delay), Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center, 1 School
U400/unr. Reg.: 9:00-10 a.m. Rds.: 10:30-1-2:45-4:30. Info, help in forming St., Bethel, CT 06801. EF: $30 mailed by 2/10, $35 on site. $$b/20: $200-$120.
teams: Info, help in forming teams: Jim Bullock, 714-848-4377, jim.bullock@ U1600 $80. Reg.: 9-9:40 AM. Rounds: 10:00-12:00-2:00-4:00 Entries: Ed

8 DVDs - a total of over 18 hours

boeing.com. Web site, advance entry list: www.westernchess.com. HR: $119, Scimia, 20 A Durant Ave., Bethel, CT 06801. Info: erscimia@gmail.com. NS NC
800-228-9290, ask for Western Chess. Reserve by Jan. 23 or rates may go up. W.

of first class instruction . . .

Parking $6. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N Wilton Place #1A, Los Angeles
Feb. 12, 19, 16, 23, UCONN Winter Tune Up
CA 90038. NS, NC, W. See Nationals for 26th Annual U.S. Amateur Team West

The Kopec Master Class DVDs:

UCONN Castleman Bldg., Room 204, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. 4 -
details.
SS, G/90. Reg.: 7-7:30pm. Rds.: 7:30pm. EF: At site $10, $5 students. $$ 50%
Feb. 16, AT HEXES - 30% - 20% net EFs. 1/2 point byes available in rounds 1 - 3 only, no last round

3-SS, G/90. Marina Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland
Hills, CA 91367. Six-player sections by rating. EF: $20 if rec. by 2-13, $25 door.
$$40-20-10 each section. Reg.: 9:30-10:15 a.m. Rds.: 10:30-1:30-4:30. Ent:
SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N Wilton Place #1A, Los Angeles CA 90038, on line
Millennium Edition
byes. Info: Tom Hartmayer, 860-989-5394, tomhart3@charter.net,
www.uconnchess.uconn.edu. WCL JGP.
Feb. 28-Mar. 1, NY State Scholastics (out of state welcome)

Also Available in BLU-RAY HD!

See New York.
at www.westernchess.com. See Nationals for details for 26th Annual U.S.

5 DVDs - Over 10 hrs of Chess Insights!

Amateur Team West. Mar. 6-8 or 7-8, 18th annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 6-8 or 7-8, Western Chess Congress (CA-N)

(1) How to Visualize Combinations

See Grand Prix. Mar. 22, Connecticut State Chess Association K-6 Scholastic State
Championship Preliminaries EAST

(2) Pawn Structures

Colorado Sponsored by the UCONN School of Engineering & UCONN CC. UCONN Castle-

and How to Play Them

man Building Rooms 204 & 206, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Parking
Jan. 21, January G/29 Colorado Grand Prix Series (QC) in North Garage. 4 SS, G/30. 6 Sections: K6th Open, (Open to all),
3-SS G/29. Site: University Memorial Center, room 382, Boulder, CO. Entry Fee:

(3) How to Analyze a Position

Reserve K6th U-700, K 3rd, Reserve K3rd U-700, 1st Grade Open,
$3. Prizes: 60% of Entries, remainder after rating fee will go towards grand Kindergarten Open. All EF: $50 by 3-25, $60 after. CSCA membership required,

(4) Opening Pawn Structures

prix prize fund. Reg.: 6:30-7:00. Rounds 7, 8, 9. Email: boulderchessclub@ $5, other states OK. Checks payable to UCONN. Reg.: 89:30 AM, Rds.
yahoo.com. Not a USCF Grand Prix event. 101112:301:30. Half point byes available in rds. 1-3 only, no last round byes.

Vol 1: King Pawn Openings

Jan. 24-25, 2009 Boulder Winter Grand Prix Please bring a board, set & clock. Prizes: Trophies to Top 5, Books to 6th-
See Grand Prix. 8th CT residents in each section. Books donated by USCF Sales/ChessCafe.

(5) Opening Pawn Strucutes

com. Top 5 in each section eligible to play in CSCA Tournament of Scholastic
A Heritage Event!

Vol 2: Queen Pawn Openings

Champions Finals on 3-29 in Storrs. Trophies to Top 5 teams of top 4 from 1
Feb. 7-8, Loveland Open
school combined from all sections. Free commemorative UCONN chess sets
4SS, 40/2, SD/1. Larimer County Fairgrounds, McKee Community Bldg., 5280
to 1st 100 entrants. Info & Entries to: Tom Hartmayer, 963 Mansfield City Rd.,
Arena Cir., Loveland, CO, 80538. 2 sections: Open: open to all; Santa Fe:
Storrs, CT 06268. 860-989-5394, tomhart3@charter.net, www.uconnchess.

and more Chess DVDs . . .

open to U1610 & unr. EF: $30 ($25 if recd by 2/5). Jr., Sr, unr less 25% of early
uconn.edu, www.engr.uconn.edu, UCONN Map admissions.uconn.edu/virtual
entry. Prizes: based on entries. Reg.: 8-9:30 AM. Rds.: 10-4, 9-3. State memb.
tour/search/.

(6) The Kopec System

reqd, $15, OSA. Adv. ent: Randy Reynolds, 1839Thyme Ct., Ft. Collins, CO 80528.
randy_teyana@msn.com. Colorado Tour Event. NC, NS, W. WCL JGP. Mar. 22, Connecticut State Chess Association K-6 Scholastic State

(7) Essential Endgame Knowledge

Championship Preliminaries - WEST
Mar. 7-8, Manitou Springs: COLORADO SPRINGS OPEN
Sponsored by the UCONN School of Engineering & UCONN CC. UCONN Stam-

(8) Middlegame Pawn Play for Mate

5-SS, Rds.: 1-3 40/90 and G/1; Rds.: 4-5 40/2 and G/1. Manitou Springs City
ford Campus, One University Place, Stamford, CT 06901. Parking in Washington
Hall, 606 Manitou Ave. One open section. EF: $30 if recd by March 5, $35 at
Blvd. Garage. 4-SS, G/30. 6 Sections: K 6th Open, (Open to all), Reserve

- A Chessplayers Toolbox (4 hrs!!)

site. $8 EF discount for juniors, seniors, unrated. CSCA required, ($15, jrs &
K6th U-700, K3rd, Reserve K3rd U-700, K1st. All EF: $50 by 3-25, $60
srs 10), OSA. Cash prizes per entries. Registration: 8:30 - 9:30, Rds.: 10, 2:30,
after. CSCA membership required, $5, other states OK. Checks payable to
7:00; 9:00 AM, 3:00. Entries to: Richard Buchanan, 844B Prospect Place,
UCONN. Reg.: 8-9:30 AM, Rds.: 10-11-12:30-1:30. Half point byes available

Chess Books:
Manitou Springs, CO 80829. Phone (719) 685-1984 or e-mail buck-
in rds. 1-3 only, no last round byes. Please bring a board, set & clock. Prizes:
peace@pcisys.net . COLORADO TOUR EVENT. WCL JGP.
Trophies & Books toTop 5, Books to 6th-8th, CT residents in each section. Books

(1) Mastering Chess:

Connecticut donated by USCF Sales/ChessCafe.com.Top 5 in each section eligible to play

UCONN Chess Club

a Course in 21 Lessons
in CSCATournament of Scholastic Champions Finals on 3-29 in Storrs.Trophies

Tues. & Thurs 7:30PM. Castleman Building, Room 204,

to Top 5 teams of top 4 from 1 school combined from all sections. Free com-

261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Contact: TOM

(2) World Title Contenders
memorative UCONN chess sets to 1st 100 entrants. Info & Entries to: Tom

HARTMAYER. Contact Phone: 860-989-5394. Email:

Hartmayer, 963 Mansfield City Rd., Storrs, CT 06268. 860-989-5394,

and Their Styles

tomhart3@charter.net. Web Site: www.uconnchess.
tomhart3@charter.net, www.uconnchess.uconn.edu, www.engr.uconn.edu,

uconn.edu. No dues required. Casual Play, USCF Rated

UCONN-Stamford Map stamford.uconn.edu/maps.htm.

(3) Mastering The Sicilian

Events, Blitz Events, League Play, Matches, Club Cham-
A State Championship Event!
pionships, Sets & Clocks Available, Chess Items for
(4) Winning the Won Game
Mar. 29, Connecticut State Chess Association Tournament of
Scholastic Champions Finals

(5) Practical Middlegame Techniques

( 6 ) Test, Evaluate & Improve Your Chess:
A Knowledge-Based Approach
(7) Champions of the New Millennium

Chess CDs:
( 1 ) Test, Evaluate & Improve Your Chess:
ChessBase International, 2006
(2) Total Kopec
- 750 games by IM Danny Kopec

Please visit:
www.kopecchess.com
Or contact:
KOPEC CHESS SERVICES
42 Hamilton Road
Merrick, NY 11566
516 - 705 - 4335

60 Chess Life January 2009 uschess.org

Sponsored by the UCONN School of Engineering and the UCONN CC. UCONN
Castleman Building Room 204, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Parking
in North Garage. 4 SS, G/30. 3 Sections: K6, K3, K1.Trophies to 1st Place
CT residents in each section, medals for all others. Open to top 5 finishers
in all sections in both EAST & WEST Scholastic Prelims and any K-6 player
over 1000. EF: FREE to qualifying prelim players, $50 by 3-25, $60 later to
eligible over 1000 who did not play in prelims. Checks payable to UCONN.
Reg.: 8 9:30 AM, Rds. 10 11 12:30 1:30. Info & Entries to: Tom Hart-
mayer, 963 Mansfield City Rd., Storrs, CT 06268. 860-989-5394, tomhart3@
charter.net, www.uconnchess.uconn.edu, www.engr.uconn.edu, UCONN Map
admissions.uconn.edu/virtualtour/search/.
Apr. 8-12, 9-12 or 10-12, 11th annual Foxwoods Open
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 25-26, Connecticut State Chess Association State Champi-
onship Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Apr. 26, Connecticut State Chess Association K-8 State Open
Championship
Sponsored by the UCONN School of Engineering & UCONN CC. UCONN Castle-
man Building Room 206, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Parking in
North Garage. 4 SS, G/60. EF: $50, by 4-22, $60 later. Reg.: 8 9:30 AM, Rds.:
10-12:30-2:30-4:30. Half point byes available in rds. 1-3 only, no last round byes.
Prizes: Trophies to Top 5. Trophy to Top 3 teams of 4 from 1 school. Info &
Entries to:Tom Hartmayer, 963 Mansfield City Rd., Storrs, CT 06268, 860-989-
5394, tomhart3@charter.net, www.uconnchess.uconn.edu, www.engr.uconn.edu,
UCONN Map admissions.uconn.edu/virtualtour/search/.
A State Championship Event!
Apr. 26, Connecticut State Chess Association K-12 & UCONN School
of Engineering High School $14,000 Scholarship State Open Cham-
pionship
Sponsored by the UCONN School of Engineering & UCONN CC. UCONN Castle-
man Building Room 204, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Parking in
North Garage. 4 SS, G/60. EF: $50 by 4-22, $60 after. Checks payable to
UCONN. Reg.: 8 9:30 AM, Rds.: 10 12:30 2:30 4:30. Half point byes rgistration. Chief Organizer: Andrew Scherman. 727 822 1171. NS NC W.
available in rds. 1-3 only, no last round byes. Prizes: State Champ title, CSCA
Denker/Polgar $300 Award & trophy to highest scoring CT male/female res-
idents in grades 9-12. UCONN School of Engineering Scholarships to Top 3 in
grades 9-12, 1st:Trophy plus $2000 scholarship renewable for 4 years with 3.4
GPA, 2nd: Trophy plus $1000 scholarship renewable for 4 years with 3.4 GPA,
3rd: Trophy plus $500 scholarship renewable for 4 years with 3.4 GPA, 4th -
5th:Trophies. Scholarships are available only to tournament winners in grades
9-12 who are admitted to and enroll in an engineering program at the UCONN
School of Engineering. Scholarships are not transferable and are renewable
for a maximum of 4 years. Students are limited to 1 scholarship in the School
of Engineering. Prior winners are eligible to upgrade only, prior 1st prize win-
ners are eligible for trophy & titles only. Other previous winners may upgrade
only. Trophy to top 3 teams of 4 from 1 school. Info & Entries to: Tom Hart-
mayer, 963 Mansfield City Rd., Storrs, CT 06268, 860-989-5394, tomhart3@
uschess.org
charter.net, www.uconnchess.uconn.edu, www.engr.uconn.edu, UCONN Map
admissions.uconn.edu/virtualtour/search/.
from each school. To compete as a team, the FSCL School Membership form
District of Columbia
Jan. 17-18, D.C. Junior Open
U.S. Chess Center, 1501 M Street, NW. Washington, DC 20005. Open to all under
9:30-12-2:15-4:30, Sun. 5-6 (G/60) 9-12. Awards Ceremony Sun. 3pm. Entry
age 21. 4-SS. EF: $15 if by 1/10, $20 at door. 3 Sections: Teens, Preteens Open
Fees: $40/Individual (if postmarked by 1/16/09), $50 thereafter or on site. On
& Preteens U800. $100 Savings Bond prize for Teen Champion. Trophies in all
sections. Reg.: 12-12:45. Teen TC: G/90. Rds.: 1 - 4, 12:30 - 3:30 A Denker
qualifier. Preteens TC: G/30 with all games played on Saturday. Info: (202) 857-
4922. www.chessctr.org/DCJunior.php. WCL JGP (Teens Section).
Florida
South Florida Chess Club
Wednesdays 6:30-10:30pm. Rated G90 Tournaments
and skittles. www.SouthFloridaChessClub.com.
Boca Raton Chess Club
Friday nights, Game 90 Tournament, one game a week for 4 weeks.
www.bocachess.com, 561-883-2917. WCL JGP.
Jan. 10, Feb. 7, Mar. 7, Apr. 4, May 2, Florida
St. Petersburg $500 Absolutely Guaranteed Cash Open
5rd Swiss, G/30. Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg. EF: $25; $30
at door. (SPCC Mems. $5 off) $100-$60-$40; U1600, U1400, & U1200 $50-$30-
$20 each. Part of the lucrative and prestigious FCA Grand Prix. Preregister
www.stpetersburgchessclub.com with Paypal. Cash or check only onsite 9-
10 AM. Chief Organizer: Andrew Scherman. 727 822 1171. NS NC W.
Jan. 10, Feb. 7, Mar. 7, Apr. 4, May 2, St. Petersburg 66 Trophy RBO
5rd Swiss G/30 USCF RBO 4 Sect. K-2U400; K-5U500; K-8U700; & K-
12U1000; top 12 in each get trophy; all others get medal. Also Trophies to top
12 teams.Team (2 or more) - take best four scores from all divisions. Bughouse
at lunch. EF: $18. (SPCC members $15) Onsite reg. cash or chck 9-10AM. First
round 10:15 AM. Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg. 66 trophies
every event. www.stpetersburgchessclub.com for dirctins and Paypal pre-
Jan. 24, January OCG Open Tournament
4 round Swiss, game/90 minutes. EF: $30. PF-b/30: $175-$110-$75. Best U-
1600, U-1400, U-1200, $65 each. Reg.: 9:15am-9:45am. Rds.: 10am-1pm-4pm-
7pm. Info: call 407-248-0818, www.orlandochess.com. WCL JGP.
Jan. 31-Feb. 1, Central Florida Chess Club Championship
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 6-8, Miami Florida 2009 Superstate VI Championship
6SS, Rds 1-4 G/45, Rds 5 & 6 G/60. Miami Mart Airport Hotel & Convention Cen-
ter, 711 NW 72nd Ave, Miami, FL 33126 (305)261-3800 ask for Florida Scholastic
chess League rate ($169Double/$179Quad) or go to www.miamimartairport
hotel.com and use the group code (clb06a). 11 Sections: K-1 Open, K-3 Open,
K-3 U/600, K-5 Open, K-5 U/750, K-5 Unrated, K-8 Open, K-8 U/850, K-8
Unrated, K-12 Open, K-12 U/1000. January 2009 rating supplement will be
used. 1/2 point bye available any round (except round 6) if requested in
advance of round 1. Team score = total of top four (minimum of 2) finishers
and theTeam Entry form must be in possession of the FSCL commissioner. First
place teams and individuals will be State Champions of their sections. Sched-
ule: Opening Ceremony Sat., Feb 7 at 9:00am. Rounds: Sat. 1-4 (G/45)
site registration Fri. 3pm-8pm. No entries after 8pm 2/6/09. Awards:Trophies
to top 5 teams and top 10 individuals in all sections, other special awards &
prizes, commerative medal for all! Side Events: Blitz: Fri., Feb 6 at 7:30pm. Reg-
istration on site only 5pm-7pm. $10 per player.Trophies to top 5 in K-5 and K-12
Sections. Bughouse: Sat., Feb 7 at 7:30pm. Registration on site only 5pm-7pm.
$20 per team. Trophies to top 5 in K-5 and K-12 Sections. Team Rooms: Con-
tact ElizabethTejada: (786)444-2467. Hotel info: (866)578-4078 Questions: FSCL
Commissioner Elizabeth Tejada: tejada@fsclchess.org or PO Box 22629,
Hialeah, FL 33002-2629. More information available at www.fsclchess.org.
Feb. 7, February Swiss Madness (QC)
7SS G/29, Orlando Chess & Games Center, 8853 Commodity Circle #9, Orlando,
FL 32819 Reg.: 9:15-9:45, Rds.: 10-11-12:30-1:30-2:30- 3:30-4:30. EF: $30,
members: $24. PF-b/30: $175-125-100-75, Lower Half Crosstable: $75-50.
Info: 407-248-0818, www.orlandochess.com.
Feb. 13-15 or 14-15, 2009 U.S. Amateur Team - South
See Nationals.
Feb. 21, February OCG Open Tournament
4 round Swiss, game/90 minutes. EF: $30. PF-b/30: $175-$110-$75. Best U-
1600, U-1400, U-1200, $65 each. Reg.: 9:15am-9:45am. Rds.: 10am-1pm-4pm-
7pm. Info: call 407-248-0818, www.orlandochess.com. WCL JGP.
Mar. 7, Orlando Bonus Tornado
4-SS, G/75, Melody Manor, 813 Montana St. EF: $30, CFCC mbr: $25, Masters
free-EF deducted from prize. $$605 b/30: 200-100-80, U1800, U1600, U1400
$75 ea. Prize increased 50% for 4-0 score. Reg.: 9:30am. Rds.: 10-12:30-
3-5:30. Info: (407) 629-6946, centralflchess.org. WCL JGP.
Idaho
Feb. 14-16, 2009 Idaho Closed
IDAHO RESIDENTS ONLY! Shilo Inn, 1586 Blue Lakes Blvd No., Twin Falls, ID
83301. 6SS, 30/120, SD/60. Rounds: 9, 4, 9, 4, 8, 3. One 1/2 Pt Bye, Rounds
1 - 5, Must notify TD before second round. Reg.: 8am - 8:30am Saturday Feb
14. One Section: Open. EF: $30 by 2/10/2009, $40 at door. Prizes: 1st, 2nd,
3rd Overall - 1st, 2nd XThru F, Junior, Senior, Unrated. HR: $79/2-4 People, $15
Each Additional Person. FREE breakfast for each occupant. 866-539-0036,
Ask for Darlene or mention chess. Contact: ICA % Jay Simonson, 208-206-7667.
Mailto: rooknjay@yahoo.com. NS, NC, W.
Illinois
Jan. 31, JJC Winter Open
4SS, G45, Joliet Jr. College, Bldg J, 1215 Houbolt Road,Joliet, Il. 60431 (Park
Chess Life January 2009 61
 Tournament Life
in J lot). $$$250 b/30, $60-30 A,B,C,D,E/F each $35, unrated book prize. EF:
$15 by 1/19, $25 at site, one half pt bye max. Reg.: 10:00am-10:50am. Rds.:
11:00-12:45-3:00-4:45. Checks payable to: Dennis Doyle, c/oJJC Chess Club,
536 Springwood Drive, Joliet Il. 60431, no phone or credit card entries, bring
chess set and clocks, none provided. Bring USCF id to tournament. E-
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
mail:ddoyle@jjc.edu.
Mar. 13-15 or 14-15, 13th Annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
May 22-25, 23-25 or 24-25, 18th annual Chicago Open
See Grand Prix.
Indiana
Feb. 28-Mar. 1, 2009 U.S. Jr. Chess Congress
See Nationals.
Mar. 13-15 or 14-15, 13th Annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
Iowa
Jan. 31, Cedar Rapids Leatherjackets
4SS, G/60 (IA Mini-Qualifier). Kirkwood Community College, Iowa Hall, Mar-
land Room, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 EF: $18 postmarked
by 1/24, $22 on-site. REG: 8:30-9:30 RDS: 10-1-3:15, 5:30. G/60T/D5. PRIZES:
1st $40+Trophy, 2nd $20+Trophy, U1900, U1700, U1500, U1300 each $20+Tro-
phy. IASCA membership required ($15 Reg, $10 Jr.) or OSA. ENT: James
Hodina, 3411 Blue Pt Ct. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404. INFO: 319-390-6525 or
james.hodina@mchsi.com. Campus Map: www.kirkwood.edu/maincampus.
Kentucky
Elizabethtown Chess Club Special
Rated tournament the 2nd Tuesday of each month and we meet every Tues-
day between 6:30-10:00. We meet at the Elizabethtown Community and
Technical College, in Room 108A of the OccupationalTechnical Building. For fur-
ther details visit our website @ www.geocities.com/elizabethtownchessclub/
A State Championship Event!
Jan. 17, 2009 Kentucky Class Championship
5SS, G/45, $2240 with 50% guaranteed - full prize awarded in any class with
at least 10 entries. If less than 4 entries class will be cancelled. St. Matthews
United Methodist Church, 319 Browns Lane, Louisville, Ky. Sections: M, X, A,
B, C, D, E/under. EF: $29 if received by 01/10, $35 on site. KCA membership
required for all Ky residents ($8 adult, $4 sr or jr). Prizes: 1st: $200, 2nd: $120
(each section). Reg.: 9am - 9:45. Rds.: 10, 11:30, 1:30, 3, 4:30. Ent: KCA, PO
Box 8035, Louisville, KY 40257. Info: Allen Priest 502-228-5054. kychess.org.
Jan. 24, Begin Anew
4SS, Rd1,2-G/30, Rd3,4-G/60. Full open with no lower sections. UK Student Cen-
ter Room #231, Avenue of Champions (Euclid Ave), Lexington KY. Plenty of easy
and free parking. 2200+ rated players get FREE entry. EF: $1 for every 100
rating points. Minimum $10. PRIZES: 90% of entry fees returned. RDS: 10:15
62 Chess Life January 2009
- 11:15 - lunch - 1 - 3:15. ENT: Stephen Miller, 859.200.8460, zepper55@
yahoo.com, Jerry Baker, 859.806.0637, Lexchess@insightbb.com. Lexchess.com.
Jan. 24, LTMS Chess Club Scholastic Tournament
at P.L. Dunbar High School, Lexington. More Information available at:
www.ltms.fcps.net/chess.
Feb. 7, Chess is in the Air
4SS, G/45. U1600 or U1400 section depending on entries. UK Student Center
Room #231, Avenue of Champions (Euclid Ave), Lexington KY. 2200+ rated play-
ers get FREE entry. EF: $1 for every 100 rating points. Minimum $10. PRIZES:
90% of entry fees returned. RDS: 10:15-lunch-12:30-2:15-3:45. ENT: Stephen
Miller, 859.200.8460, zepper55@yahoo.com, Jerry Baker, 859.806.0637, Lex-
chess@insightbb.com. Lexchess.com.
Maryland
Silver Knights Chess Tournaments
We organize USCF-rated tournaments on Saturdays
for adults and kids. Free analysis by a National Mas-
ter at every tournament for the scholastic players.
Trophies to top scholastic finishers; 70% of entries
returned as prizes in open (adult) sections. To see a list
of dates and locations, see our website at www.silver
knightschess.com. Phone: 610-446-0818. Email:
chess@silverknightschess.com.
Jan. 9 & 23, Feb. 6, Catonsville Friday Knight Quick #75, #76 & #77
(QC)
5SS, G/15, Catonsville Chess Club, Bloomsbury Community Center, 106 Blooms-
bury Ave, Catonsville, MD. 21228. EF: $5.00 Reg.: 7:30pm. Rds.: 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30,
10. Prizes based on entries with 65% returned in prize fund. Info: Joe Sum-
mers josephas2@comcast.net or 410-788-1009. www.geocities.com/catons
villechess. Dir: 695 to exit 13 West, left at second light, 3 blocks on right.
Jan. 10, Dumbarton Scholastic
Dumbarton Middle Sch., 300 Dumbarton Road,Towson, MD 21212. 5 sections:
Contenders: K-12 >1200, 4SS, G/65 MD Sweet 16 Rally Section; Future Con-
tenders: K-12 >800 and U1300, 4SS, G/65; HS/MS Reserve: 6-12 U900,
5SS, G/40; Elementary Reserve: K-5 U900, 5SS, G/40. Novice: K-5 U500,
4SS G/30, EF: $15 by 12/23, $20 by 1/6, and $25 online only by 1/9, no at the
door reg. Trophies top individuals in each section. 1st rnds @9:20, 9:30, 9:40,
9:40, and 10:30 respectively. Ent: Michael Regan, 1827Thornton Ridge Rd,Tow-
son, MD 21204. Detailed rules, info, & online entry: jandumbar.eventbrite.com/.
WCL JGP.
Jan. 24, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents Greater Mid-Atlantic
Elementary Championship!
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades K-6/ below. Hilton Pikesville, 1726 Reisterstown
Road, Baltimore, MD 21208. 2 sections: Elementary Varsity, open to all. EF:
$30 postmarked by 1/10/09. Trophies to the 8 top-scoring players and the 4
top-scoring schools, the top rated Under 1000, and the top 3 Unrated. Elemen-
tary Novice rated Under 800 or Unrated. EF: $30 postmarked by 1/10/09.
Trophies: top 8 players; top 3 Unrated, top 4 schools, top Under 600. Any player
who scores 4 or more points and doesnt win a trophy will receive a medal!The
Top individual players in each section also win free entree into Chess Pro week-
end chess camps a saving of hundreds of dollars! All entry fees $5 less per
player if 4 or more from same school mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE!
Refunds: $10 service charge for each player refund. $10 extra to switch sec-
tions. Current USCF Membership is required to participate. TO REGISTER, list
each players name, USCF ID# and expiration (new players write NEW)
address, birth date, school and grade. BE SURETO INDICATETHE CORRECT SEC-
TION. Make checks for entry fees + all USCF dues (1 check for total amount
is best) payable and mail to: CHESSPRO, 14 Hartley Circle, #532, Owings
Mills, MD 21117. Questions: (443)-660-8025.All entry fees $7 extra per
player postmarked January 12-16 (no mail accepted postmarked after Jan.16).
On-Site Entry fee: $40 per player at the tournament! On-site registration
ENDS 9:15 AM.
Jan. 24, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents Greater Mid-Atlantic
Primary Championship!
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades K-3/ below. Hilton Pikesville, 1726 Reisterstown
Road, Baltimore, MD 21208. 2 sections: Primary Varsity, open to all. EF: $30
postmarked by 1/10/09. Trophies to the 8 top-scoring players and the 4 top-
scoring schools, the top rated Under 900, and the top 3 Unrated. Primary
Novice rated Under 700 or Unrated. EF: $30 postmarked by 1/10/09.Trophies:
top 8 players; top 3 Unrated, top 4 schools, top Under 500. Trophies to the top
4 Kindergartners! Any player who scores 4 or more points and doesnt win a
trophy will receive a medal! The Top individual players in each section also win
free entree into Chess Pro weekend chess camps a saving of hundreds of
dollars! All entry fees $5 less per player if 4 or more from same school mailed
together in SAME ENVELOPE! Refunds: $10 service charge for each player
refund. $10 extra to switch sections. Current USCF Membership is required to
participate. TO REGISTER, list each players name, USCF ID# and expiration
(new players write NEW) address, birth date, school and grade. BE SURETO
INDICATETHE CORRECT SECTION. Make checks for entry fees + all USCF dues
(1 check for total amount is best) payable and mail to: CHESSPRO, 14 Hart-
ley Circle, #532, Owings Mills, MD 21117. Questions: (443)-660-8025. All
entry fees $7 extra per player postmarked January 12-16 (no mail accepted
postmarked after Jan.16). On-Site Entry fee: $40 per player at the tournament!
On-site registration ENDS 9:15 AM.
Jan. 25, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents Greater Mid-Atlantic
High School Championship!
5-SS, G/30, open to all in grades K-12/ below. Hilton Pikesville, 1726 Reister-
stown Road, Baltimore, MD 21208. 2 sections: High School Varsity, open to
all. EF: $30 postmarked by 1/10/09. Trophies to the 8 top-scoring players and
the 4 top-scoring schools, the top rated Under 1500, and the top 3 Unrated.
High School Novice rated Under 1200 or Unrated. EF: $30 postmarked by
1/10/09. Trophies: top 8 players; top 3 Unrated, top 4 schools, top Under 900.
Any player who scores 4 or more points and doesnt win a trophy will receive
a medal! The Top individual players in each section also win free entree into
Chess Pro weekend chess camps a saving of hundreds of dollars! All entry
fees $5 less per player if 4 or more from same school mailed together in SAME
ENVELOPE! Refunds: $10 service charge for each player refund. $10 extra to
switch sections. Current USCF Membership is required to participate. TO REG-
uschess.org
ISTER, list each players name, USCF ID# and expiration (new players write
NEW) address, birth date, school and grade. BE SURETO INDICATETHE COR-
RECT SECTION. Make checks for entry fees + all USCF dues (1 check for total
amount is best) payable and mail to: CHESSPRO, 14 Hartley Circle, #532,
Owings Mills, MD 21117. Questions: (443)-660-8025. All entry fees $7 extra
per player postmarked January 12-16 (no mail accepted postmarked after
Jan.16). On-Site Entry fee: $40 per player at the tournament! On-site registra-
tion ENDS 9:15 AM.
Jan. 25, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents Greater Mid-Atlantic
Junior High Championship!
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 9/ below. Hilton Pikesville, 1726 Reisterstown
Road, Baltimore, MD 21208. 2 sections: Junior High Varsity, open to all. EF:
$30 postmarked by 1/10/09. Trophies to the 8 top-scoring players and the 4
top-scoring schools, the top rated Under 1200, and the top 3 Unrated. Junior
High Novice rated Under 1000 or Unrated. EF: $30 postmarked by 1/10/09.
Trophies: top 8 players; top 3 Unrated, top 4 schools, top Under 700. Any player
who scores 4 or more points and doesnt win a trophy will receive a medal!The
Top individual players in each section also win free entree into Chess Pro week-
end chess camps a saving of hundreds of dollars! All entry fees $5 less per
player if 4 or more from same school mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE!
Refunds: $10 service charge for each player refund. $10 extra to switch sec-
tions. Current USCF Membership is required to participate. TO REGISTER, list
each players name, USCF ID# and expiration (new players write NEW)
address, birth date, school and grade. BE SURETO INDICATETHE CORRECT SEC-
TION. Make checks for entry fees + all USCF dues (1 check for total amount
is best) payable and mail to: CHESSPRO, 14 Hartley Circle, #532, Owings
Mills, MD 21117. Questions: (443)-660-8025.All entry fees $7 extra per
player postmarked January 12-16 (no mail accepted postmarked after Jan.16).
On-Site Entry fee: $40 per player at the tournament! On-site registration
ENDS 9:15 AM.
A State Championship Event!
Jan. 31, 5th Annual Maryland State Girls Chess Championship
Roland Park Country School; 5204 Roland Ave; Baltimore, MD 21210. Come out
and play in an all-girl environment - limited to Maryland girl residents in
grades K-12. Winner of Championship section will be MD Qualifier to the
Susan Polgar National Invitational tournament for Girls. In 3 sections: Cham-
pionship (Polgar Qualifier): 4-SS, G/60. Reserve (U800): 5-SS, G/30. Novice
(U500): 5-SS, G/30. Number of rounds and time control may change based on
number of players. Sets and boards provided, please bring chess clock. Check-
in: 9:10-9:50am. Rds: Round 1 @ 10am. EF: $20 by 1/24; $25 by 1/29; $30
at door. Ent: Online registration at mdgirls09.eventbrite.com. Mail registration:
if postmarked by 1/27, mail name, section, USCF number, grade, school,
phone, and email plus check to Maryland Chess Association; c/o Chris Kim; 3903
N Charles St; Baltimore, MD 21218. Info: Chris Kim, cysk@attglobal.net, 410-
794-6312.
Jan. 31, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 43rd Annual
Greater NY Junior High Championship!
See New York.
uschess.org
Jan. 31, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 30th Annual Feb. 28-Mar. 1, 3rd annual Saratoga Open (NY)
Greater NY Primary Championship! See Grand Prix.
See New York.
Feb. 28-Mar. 1, NY State Scholastics (out of state welcome)
Feb. 1, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 43rd Annual See New York.
Greater NY Elementary Championship!
See New York.
Mar. 6-8 or 7-8, 18th annual Eastern Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 1, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 43rd Annual
Greater NY High School Championship! Apr. 8-12, 9-12 or 10-12, 11th annual Foxwoods Open (CT)
See New York. See Grand Prix.
Mar. 14-15, UMBC Open - Alvin S. Mintzes Chess Tournament Michigan
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 17-18, Michigan Master/Expert & Class Championships
Massachusetts See Grand Prix.
Jan. 17, 18th Annual Mid-Winter Classic Minnesota
3SS, G/90, Florence Congregational Church, 130 Pine Street, Florence, MA
01063. $725 Prize fund (based on 30 adv. entries) EF: $28, by 1/12/09; $35 May 22-25, 23-25 or 24-25, 18th annual Chicago Open (IL)
at site. Titled Masters, FREE ENTRY!! (Adv. EF deducted from any prizes won). See Grand Prix.
New/UNR players, $15 by 1/12/09 (New/UNR must play in U1400 Sec).
W.M.C.A. MEMBER DISCOUNTS: $2 off. SEC./PRIZES: OPEN/1st $200, 2nd Missouri
$150 U1800/1st $125, U1400/1st $100, 2nd $50. Byes: Limit of one 1/2-point Jan. 17, Kansas City New Year Open
bye, available for any round, specified w/entry. Reg: 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM. Rds.: 3SS, G/90. The Kansas City Chess Club. 2512 NW Vivion Rd., Riverside, MO
9:30, 1:00, 4:15. Ent: Frank Kolasinski, 119 Brunswick St., Springfield MA 64150. 2 Sections: Open & U1600. Prizes: $300 b/30. EF: $5 online kansasc-
01108 Questions? Call Frank @ 413-209-9450/e-mail: horseyman5000@ itychessclub.com, $10 onsite. Reg.: 10AM. Rds.: Sat. 10:30/2/5:30. Byes.
aol.com. WMCA website: www.WesternMassachusettsChessAssociation.org. USCF & KCCA mem.req. 816-835-7529 INFO e-mail chessclub@powrpawn.net.
Feb. 1, BCF 2nd Superbowl Quads Jan. 24, Wilhelm Steinitz Open
3RR, G/60. Boylston C.C., 240B Elm St. Suite B9, Somerville, MA 02144. EF: $27, 3SS, G/75. UMC Memorial Union room N208, 518 Hitt St., Columbia MO. Direc-
$17; BCC members; $$50 1st per Quad. Reg.: 11:00-11:25AM. Rounds: 11:30, tions: From I-70 exit 126, south on Providence, east on Rollins, north on Hitt.
1:45, 4:00. NS, NC, W.Tel. 617-629-3933 Website: www.boylstonchessclub.org. Reg.: 9:30-10:15. Rds.: 10:30, 1:15, 4:00. EF: $1, no prizes just the satis-
Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, Thursday Night Swiss faction of playing well. Info: Charles Ward, 573-443-6685, czar8196@
4SS; 40/90, G/20. Two sections: Open & Under 1800; Minimun 5 players to tranquility.net. W.
have an Open section or these players will roll over the Under 1800 section. Mar. 13-15 or 14-15, 13th Annual Mid-America Open
Boylston C.F., 240B Elm St. Suite B9, Somerville, MA 02144. EF: $27, $17 BCC; See Grand Prix.
Prizes: b/20 1st $100, 2nd $20 in each section. Reg.: 6:30- 6:50 PM. Rd at 7PM.
NS, NC, W. Tel. 617-629-3933. WCL JGP. Nebraska
Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, Billerica Friday Swiss A Heritage Event!
4 Rds. 40/90, SD/30. Billerica COA, 25 Concord Rd, Billerica, MA. EF: $12. Reg.: Jan. 17, 30th Merrick County Open
7:30pm. Cash prizes minimal b/entries. For info, call Brad Ryan, (978) 369-8533.
NS, NC. WCL JGP.
Feb. 7, BCF Quads 9-2
3RR, G/60. Boylston C.C., 240B Elm St. Suite B9, Somerville, MA 02144. EF: $27, For details on
$17; BCC members; $$50 1st per Quad. Reg.: 9:15-9:55AM. Rounds: 10:00,
12:40, 3:00. NS, NC, W.Tel. 617-629-3933. Website: www.boylstonchessclub.org. 2009 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM EVENTS
Feb. 22, BCC Sunday Scholastic East, North, South, West
4SS, G/40. Boylston C.C., 240B Elm St. Suite B9, Somerville, MA 02144. Three
sections: Under 8, 11, 14 years old. EF: $20; $10 BCC members. Prizes:Tro-
phies to top two in each section. Reg.: 9:15 9:55 AM. Rounds: 10 rest asap.
See Nationals Section!
NS, NC, W. Tel. 617-629-3933.
Chess Life January 2009 63
 Tournament Life
4SS, G/65. Open. Nebraska Christian School Dining Room, one mile west,
then north of Central City, NE 68826. Reg.: 8-8:30am. EF: $10.30 before 1/14,
$15 at site. 1st Rd.: 9:10am. Trophies to: 1st, 1st U1700, 1st U1500, 1st
U1300. K-12 Section: 5SS, G/65. 1st Rd.: 9:20am. Trophies to: 1st, 1st High
School, 1st K-6, 1st U900/unr. ENT: Richard Olson, 409 E. Amity St., Clarks, NE
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
68628. (308) 548-2634. NS, NC, W. WCL JGP.
Nevada
Mar. 6-8 or 7-8, Western Chess Congress (CA-N)
See Grand Prix.
June 4, 2009 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC)
See Nationals.
June 5, National Open Scholastic Trophy Tournament
5-SS Game/30. South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South,
Las Vegas, NV 89183. Open to players Uage 20. In 3 sections. U1800, U1200,
and U800. Unrateds in the U1200 section and all players in the U800 section
must be under age 12.Trophies to top 4 in each section, top 1 in each 200 point
rating group and unrated. EF $29 by 5/19, $35 by 6/3, $40 on site. REG 9-9:45
a.m. RDS 10-11:15-12:30-1:45-3. HR: $75 single or double ($95 Friday and Sat-
urday nights). 1-866-791-7626 or (702) 796-7111. ENT: Las Vegas International
Chess Festival, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925 or www.VegasChess
Festival.com. NS NC W.
June 5-7 or 6-7, 2009 National Open
See Nationals.
June 6-7, Susan Polgar World Open Championship for Girls and for
Boys
5-SS, G/45. South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South,
Las Vegas, NV 89183. In 8 sections separate for girls and boys: under19, under
15, under 11, and under 8 (as of June 7). In each section 1st place receives
a MonRoi Personal Chess Manager. $$ 200-150-100-50 in chess prizes for 2nd
thru 5th.Trophies for top 10 individuals, top 3 (3-player) school/club teams each
section, special medals for next 10 individuals and next 3 school/club teams.
Every player receives a special hand-signed certificate from Susan Polgar. Per-
fect score also wins a digital chess clock. Scholarships to Texas Tech will
be awarded based in part on performance in this event. EF $45 by 1/19,
$55 by 5/19, $65 by 6/3, $75 on site. Reg 4-8 p.m. Friday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Sat-
urday. Rds 11-1:30-4, 11-1:30. Breakfast with Susan 9 a.m. Sunday. Opening
Ceremony 10 a.m. Saturday, Awards Ceremony 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Blitz Cham-
pionship 7 p.m. Saturday. Susan Polgar lecture 3:30 p.m. Friday, Puzzle Solving
Competition 5 p.m. Friday, Simul 6:15 p.m. Friday. Chess Camp 9:00 a.m.Thurs-
day. Part of the LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL; see the
National Open TLA for other Thursday and Friday side events. HR $75 single
or double ($95 Fri/Sat). 1-866-791-7626 or (702) 796-7111. REG: Las Vegas
International Chess Festival, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0125, on line
at www.VegasChessFestival.com, or by fax at (702) 933-9112. No telephone
entries. NS. W. NC.
New Hampshire
Jan. 24, Amherst Scholastic
4SS, G/30. Amherst Middle School, 14 Cross Rd., Amherst, NH 03031. 3 Sec-
64 Chess Life January 2009
tions: K-5 U800; K-8 U1000; and K-12 Open. EF: $5 if info recd by 1/22,
$9 at site. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rd 1: 10:00, Rds 2-4 ASAP. Trophies and medals
awarded. Entries should include name, section, USCF ID. Checks payable to:
Chess Club, More info: 603-827-3272. vbradley@sau29.org. NS, W.
Feb. 7-8, 33rd Queen City Open
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 14, February Freeze Scholastic
4SS, G/30. Wells Memorial School, 235 Chesham Rd., Harrisville, NH 03450.
3 Sections: K-5 U800; K-8 U1000; and Open K-12. EF: $5 if info recd by
5/19, $9 at site. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rd 1: 10:00, Rds 2-4 ASAP. Trophies and medals
awarded. Entries should include name, section, USCF ID. Refreshments & hot
food will be sold by PTA. Checks payable to: Chess Club, More info: 603-827-
3272. vbradley@sau29.org. NS, W.
New Jersey
Silver Knights Chess Tournaments
2-3 Saturdays per month we run scholastic USCF-
rated tournaments throughout the Philadelphia area.
Tournament locations include Philadelphia, Mt. Laurel
(NJ), Bryn Mawr, Horsham, Collegeville, and more.
Tournaments are open to grades K-12. Free game analy-
sis by a National or International Master at each
tournament. We have players of all skill levels compete
in our tournaments, from brand-new kindergarteners up
through some of the highest-rated scholastic players in
the state. To see a list of dates and locations, see our web-
site at www.silverknightschess.com. Phone: 610-446-
0818. Email: chess@silverknightschess.com.
Wizards of the Mind Chess School
15 Center Street, Springfield, NJ - Lessons on Wednes-
days and Saturdays for beginners, intermediate and
advanced students. Scholastic USCF-rated tourna-
ments. For schedule and information visit our website
at www.wizardsofthemind.com, email info@wizardsofthe
mind.com or call 973-262-1395.
The Newark Sleepless Knights Chess Club
Boylan Recreation Center of Newark, 916 So. Orange Ave. Newark, New Jer-
sey 07103. Meets 1st and 2nd Saturdays of every months from 2-6pm. USCF
rated tournaments and free chess lessons available.
Jan. 15, ATKM 3rd Thursday Quads
3 RR G/30 t/d5, Quads are grouped by rating. All the Kings Men Chess Shop,
62 S Broadway, Pitman NJ 08071. Prizes: $25 1st per quad. Unrated cannot
win more than $10. EF: $12, $10 ATKMCC members. Unrated (i.e. players
with NO rating whatsoever, provisional or otherwise) $7, $5 ATKMCC members.
Reg.: 6:15 - 6:45 PM. Rds.: 7-8-9 pm. INFO: Stephen Dick, cs@ATKMchess
Sets.com, 856-582-8222. All: Visa/MC/Disc OK w/$1 paid surcharge. Bring a
clock!
Jan. 16-19, 17-19 or 18-19, 41st annual Liberty Bell Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 17, Somerset County K-8 Scholastic Championship
(In 4 sections) Clarence Dillon Public Library 2336 Lamington Rd (off Rt# 206)
Bedminster, NJ. 5SS, Game/30. Top in each grade will be County Champ. Tro-
phies to top 10 in each section, others get Medallions. First Round at 10am,
then ASAP with lunch break after round #2. U1200: Open to 1199 & under.
U900: Open to 899 & under. Open to Unrated Grades 5 - 8. U500: Open to 499
& under. Open to Unrated Grades K-4. All in rated sections must be USCF mem-
ber. Beginner/unrated K-8 Section. USCF membership not required. Early
EF: $10 if mail by Jan 12, Late EF: $15 Jan 17 at site before 10am. Enter online
at entryfeesrus.com. Ent: Ken Thomas, 115 West Moore St. Hackettstown, NJ
07840. Info: Ken Thomas, (908) 763-6468. acn@goes.com. NS, NC, W.
Jan. 18, 2009 Westfield Winter Scholastic
3 SS game/30 Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, N.J. Trophies to top 3
in each section (tiebreaks). Sections: k-2,3-5,6-12. Entrance fee: $20, $15
Members. Registration: 2-2:30 Rounds: 2:45-4:00-5:15 p.m. Unrated Section
3 SS Game/30 gold medal to first, silver medal to second, bronze medal to third
Registration 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds 2:45-4:00-5:15 p.m. Entrance Fee $10. Info:
Todd Lunna 732-946-7379. www.westfieldchessclub.com.
Jan. 24, Hamilton Chess Club Quads
3RR 40/80 15/30 15/30. Full K. Ray Dwier Recreation Center, Bldg. 392,
Groveville, NJ 08620. Quads open to all EF: $10. $25 per Quad. Reg.: 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.
Jan. 25, 2009 Westfield Swiss #56 (QC)
5 Rd. game/15 full k (QC) Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield,N.J. $500
Guaranteed $125,$85,$50 under 2100,under 1850, under 1600, under 1350
$60 each Entrance fee: $35, $25. Members. Registration: 2-2:30 p.m.
Rounds: 2:45-3:25-4:05-4:45-5:30 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-946-7379
www.westfieldchessclub.com.
Feb. 7, Princeton Day School
650 The Great Road. Plaques to top 3 school teams and top 6 in each section.
Medals to all players. Sections: FUTURE MASTERS and CLOSED begin 10:30
(must preregister). FUTURE MASTERS G/60 3 rounds (Players K-12 over
1200), CLOSED G/45 (K-12 1000-1200) 4 rds, ALL OTHER SECTIONS On Site
Reg.: 11:30-12:30. 4 Rds.: 1, 2, 3, 4pm. (times will be accelerated if possible)
G/30: OPEN (Players K-12 U-1000), Reserve (K-12 U-800), Novice II (K-8 U-600),
Novice I (unrated K-6), K-1 (unrated) NO SCORE K-1 (unrated). PARENTS OF
PLAYERS G/30 rated, 3 rounds. Info and Register online: www.pds.org/chess.
Inquires to Bonnie Waitzkin. Chessteach@gmail.com. Pre-registration $30 (On-
site $40).
Feb. 8, ICA Winter 2009 Open Championship
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 8, 2009 Westfield Quads
3 RR game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield N.J. Prizes: $50
to first in each section. Entry Fee: $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15
p.m. Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-946-7379.
www.westfieldchessclub.com.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Reno-Far West Open IX
April 10-12, 2009
The Sands Regency Casino Hotel
Reno, Nevada
$22,500 (b/250) - $15,000 Gtd.
6 Rd Swiss - 5 Sections
150 GP Pts (enhanced)
Average entry $135!
Rooms $27! mid-week / $54! Fri & Sat.
Sands Regency Reservations
1-866-FUN STAY Code CHESS09
Simul $15!
GM Khachiyan
ENTRY FORM/MORE INFO:
www.renochess.org/fwo
TD NTD Jerome V Jerry Weikel
wackyykl@aol.com
775.747.1405
SEE TLA IN MARCH ISSUE
uschess.org
Feb. 8, ICA Winter 2009 Scholastic Championship
4 SS, EVERYONE PLAYS 4 GAMES, ALL PLAYERS WITH 2.5 POINTS OR MORE
WILL RECEIVE A TROPHY!!! Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hacken-
sack, NJ 07601. U.S. CHESS FEDERATION MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED FOR
SECTIONS 1 AND 2. Info: 201 287 0250 or 201 833 1741 E-mail:
Diana@icanj.net. (Web Site Entries: www.icanj.net) EF Adv (pmk by Feb 4th)
$25 AT Site $30 Reg ends hr before 1st rnd. Late entrants will receive 1/2
point bye for rnd 1. In 4 Sections Section 1: G/45 Open to players rated below
1200 K through 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00 PM. Section 2:
G/60 Open to players rated below 1600 K through 12th grade. Rds: 9:45 AM,
12:00, 2:15, 4:30 PM. Section 3: Open to unrated players K through 2nd
grade. Rds.: 10:15 AM (tournament will end at approximately 1:00 PM). Sec-
tion 4: Open to unrated players K through 12th grade. Rds.: 10:00 AM
(tournament will end at approximately 2:00 PM). ENT: Diana Tulman, 28 Can-
terbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. NS NC W.
Feb. 9 - May 18, Spring Round Robin
9-15-RR. 40/90, Additional 40/60 or SD 60 - Players Choice. Hackettstown Com-
munity Center, 293 Main St., Hackettstown, NJ. EF: $16, JRS - SRS $12. Winner
gets double prize, trophy or chess books ordered from the USCF catalog.
Remaining top 40% trophy or chess books to each. Reg.: 7-7:30PM. RDS.:
7:30PM Mondays. ENT: Harold J Darst, 111 W. Moore St., Hackettstown, NJ
07840. (908) 852-5925. WCL JGP.
Feb. 14-16, World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East
See Nationals.
Feb. 22, 2009 Westfield Quads
3 RR game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield N.J. Prizes: $50
to first in each section. Entry Fee: $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15
p.m. Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-946-7379.
www.westfieldchessclub.com.
Feb. 28-Mar. 1, NY State Scholastics (out of state welcome)
See New York.
Mar. 1, 2009 Westfield Swiss #57 (QC)
5 Rd. game/15 full k (QC) Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield,N.J. $500
Guaranteed $125,$85,$50 under 2100,under 1850, under 1600, under 1350
$60 each Entrance fee: $35, $25. Members. Registration: 2-2:30 p.m.
Rounds: 2:45-3:25-4:05-4:45-5:30 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-946-7379.
www.westfieldchessclub.com.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 1, New Jersey State Elementary Championships
5SS, G/30. Brookdale College, 765 Newman Springs Road, 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: Tro-
phies to top 15 individuals, top 5 teams. Elementary & Primary: Top 5 in each
grade. Rds.: 10 am then ASAP. Top 4 scores constitute the team score for Ele-
mentary; top 3 for Primary. EF: $25 before 2/23, $45 at site. USCF memb. reqd.
EF includes 1 year memb. to NJSCF for NJ state residents. Reg.: 8-9:00 am.
After 9:00 am, 1/2 point bye for round 1. INFO: 973-228-7039, ENT: Mike
Somers, 29 Oakland Ave., West Caldwell, NJ 07006. Entries must include
name, grade & school, date of birth, USCF ID # & Expiration date, mailing
address, email address, phone number and entry fee. Checks made out to NJSCF.
Mar. 6-8 or 7-8, 18th annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 7-8, New Jersey High School Championships
5SS, G/90. Rutgers University - Busch Campus Center 604 Bartholomew Rd.,
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8002. Call (732) 445-6127 for directions. 3 sections: Var-
sity Championship (9-12): 5 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: $125/team before
2/28. $175/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.
10-2-6, Sun. 10-2. EF: $100/team before 2/28, $150 team on site. $5 per change
on site. Booster (K-12): Trophies to top 15 individuals, top 5 teams, top 2 JHS,
& top 2 elementary (K-6). Rds.: Sat. 10-2-6, Sun 10-2. Top 4 scores constitute
team score. EF: $25 before 2/28, $35 at site. All: USCF memb. required. EF
includes 1 year membership to NJSCF for NJ residents. Reg.: Sat. 8-9:00am.
After 9:00am, 1/2 Point bye for round one. Info: 973-794-4601. ENT: Make
checks payable to NJSCF and send to Roger Inglis, 49A Mara Rd., Lake
Hiawatha, NJ 07034. Entries must include, name, grade & school, date of
WA RN I N G !
birth, USCF ID# & exp. date, mailing address, email address, phone number
and entry fee. WCL JGP.
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
TURN IT OFF!
PENALIZED, MAYBE EVEN FORFEITED!
uschess.org
Mar. 8, 2009 Westfield Quads
3 RR game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield N.J. Prizes: $50
to first in each section. Entry Fee: $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15
p.m. Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-946-7379. www.west
fieldchessclub.com.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 8, New Jersey Junior High School Championships
5SS, G/30. Rutgers University - Busch Campus Center 604 Bartholomew Rd.,
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8002. Section: JHS (K-9). ALL: Trophies to top 15 indi-
viduals, top 5 teams. Rds.: 10am then ASAP.Top 4 scores constitute team score.
EF: $25 before 2/28, $45 at site. $5 for changes at site. USCF memb. reqd. EF
includes 1 year memb. to NJSCF for NJ state residents. Reg.: 8-9:00 am. After
9:00 am, half-point bye for round one. INFO: 732-259-3881, hsprechman@
aol.com. ENT: New Jersey State Chess Federation (NJSCF), PO Box 1511,
Jackson, New Jersey 08527. Entries must include name, grade & school, date
of birth, USCF ID # & Expiration date, mailing address, email address, phone
number and entry fee. Checks made out to NJSCF.
New Mexico
Jan. 17-18, 2009 Memorial/Senior Championship
4SS, G/2, Days Inn, 2120 Menaul NE, Albuquerque. 505-884-0250. Prize fund
$1000 $$b/80. Sections: Tom Keffer 1600 and above. EF: $35. Randy
Greenup U1800. EF: $30. Robert Zing U1400. EF: $25. Reg.: 8-8:30 A.M. Jan
17 Rds.: 9-2-, 9-2. Byes: 1/2 pt. max. request. before Rd 1. NM Senior Cham-
pion: highest scoring senior (over age 50) inTom Keffer sect. Free entry to oldest
senior. All: Advance Ent. must be recd. by Jan.16. ($10 more at site). USCF
Memb. Reqd. After one full-price entry, additional immediate family mem-
bers $10 discount. Ent: checks payable to NMCO, PO Box 4215, Albuquerque,
NM 87196. Info: nmchess.org. WCL JGP.
New York
The Chess Exchange: Chess and Games Club
G/30 Rated Quads 1st Sunday of every Month. G/5 BlitzTournaments Last Sun-
day of every Month. 288 Third Ave., Brooklyn (718) 645-5896. Mon-Fri 12-8pm,
Sun 12-6pm. www.TheChessExchange.com www.TriStateChess.com Email:
TheChessExchange@TriStateChess.com.
Jan. 10-Feb. 7, 2nd Farmingdale CC Winter Swiss. Slowest club time
control!
5SS, G/140. Farmingdale Public Library, 116 Merritts Rd. Farmingdale, NY
11735. Open to all U-2300/unr.: $(b/20): $200-100,Top U-1800 $80, U-1500/U-
1300 $60 each. EF: $30. Reg.: 9:15-9:45 AM. No adv. ent. Rds.: 10:00 AM SHARP
each Saturday. 2 byes 1-5. Info: www.farmcc.webs.com. Please do not call the
library. NS. W. WCL JGP.
Jan. 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 $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
10 min. before game.
Jan. 16-19, 17-19 or 18-19, 41st annual Liberty Bell Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 17, Marshall CC Saturday G/60
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24) $120-
70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. One bye available, request at entry.
Jan. 18, Binghamton Monthly Tourney
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 18, Marshall CC Sunday Action
5SS, G/30, Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members
$20. ($$ 360 b/24): 120-70-50, U2200/unr $65, U2000 $55. Rds.: 12-1:30-2:45-
4-5:20pm. One bye available, request with entry.
Jan. 20, St. Johns Masters at the Marshall Chess Club
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 22, 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 $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
10 min. before game.
Jan. 22-Feb. 19, Marshall CC Thursday Members-Only Swiss
5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to members only.
EF: $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U2000 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each
Thursday. Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3.
Jan. 24, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents Greater Mid-Atlantic
Elementary Championship!
See Maryland.
Jan. 24, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents Greater Mid-Atlantic
Primary Championship!
See Maryland.
Jan. 24-25, New York Marshall CC January GP!
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 25, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents Greater Mid-Atlantic
High School Championship!
See Maryland.
Jan. 25, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents Greater Mid-Atlantic
Junior High Championship!
See Maryland.
Jan. 25, Studio January Quad
3RR Game in 2. Reg.: 9:00 am Rds.: 10-2-6. Studio of Bridge and Games, 1639
Eastern Pkwy., Schenectady, NY 12309-6011.
Jan. 26-Feb. 9, 20th Nassau G/60 Championship
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 27, Marshall CC Victory U-1800
4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members
$20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1400 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-
10:45pm. One bye available, request at entry.
Jan. 29, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212-
477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (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. 31, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 43rd Annual
Greater NY Junior High Championship USCFs Longest-Run-
ning Scholastic
5-SS, G/30, open to all born after 1/31/93 not yet in 10th grade, February 2009
ratings used. New Yorker Hotel, 481 8th Ave & 34th St, NYC. 3 sections: Var-
sity, open to all. EF: $48.60 postmarked by 1/09/09. Trophies to top 12, top
U1200, top 3 unrated, top 6 school teams. Free entry to all Chess Center
tmts. except quads thru 8/1/09 to 1st, thru 7/1 to 2nd, thru 6/1 to 3rd. Jun-
ior-Varsity: open to Under 1000 or unrated. EF: $48.50 postmarked by 1/9.
Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrated, top 6 schools. Free entry to all Chess Cen-
ter tmts. except quads thru 7/1/09 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd.
Novice, open to Under 700 or unrated. EF: $48.40 postmarked by 1/9.Trophies
Chess Life January 2009 65
 Tournament Life

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 all Chess Center tmts. except quads
thru 6/1/09 to 1st, thru 5/1 to 2nd, thru 4/1 to 3rd. All: EFs $7 extra post-
marked 1/10-16, all $65 at site. Mail entries $5 less per player if 4 or more
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
site entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends 9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. A Heritage Event!
Questions, credit card entries, team rooms: 845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191, Feb. 1, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 43rd Annual
24 hours, entries only) or chesscentr@aol.com (Jan 30-31 only: 212-971- Greater NY High School ChampionshipUSCFs Longest-Run-
0101). Bring sets, clocks, boards NONE SUPPLIED! ning Scholastic!

from same school in SAME ENVELOPE! All substitutions from advance entry
list charged late fee; $15 extra to switch sections. $15 charge for each
refund. All players scoring 4 or more who dont win a trophy will receive a
medal! 8 weeks free entry, except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks
free, except quads, to 2nd team (top 4 scores from same school = team). 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 sec-
tion): Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY, NY 12553. To
confirm receipt, enclose SASE. No mail postmarked after 1/16. Phone entries:
$59 by credit card thru 1/26. Online entries at www.chesscenter.cc: $46
thru 1/16, $53 1/17-1/26. No phone or on-line entries after 1/26. On-site entry
fee: $65. On-site reg. ends 9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Questions,
credit card entries, team rooms: 845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191: 24 hours,
entries only) or chesscentr@aol.com (Jan 30-31 only: 212-971-0101).Bring
sets, clocks, boards NONE SUPPLIED!
A Heritage Event!
Jan. 31, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 30th Annual
Greater NY Primary Championship!
5-SS, G/30, open to all born after 1/31/99 in grades 3/below, February 2009
ratings used. New Yorker Hotel, 481 8th Ave & 34th St, NYC. 3 sections: Var-
sity, open to all. EF: $46.60 postmarked by 1/09/09. Trophies to top 12, top
rated U900, top 3 unrated, top 6 school teams. Free entry to all Chess Cen-
ter tmts. except quads thru 8/1/09 to 1st, thru 7/1 to 2nd, thru 6/1 to 3rd.
Novice: open to Under 700 or unrated. EF: $46.50 postmarked by 1/9. Tro-
phies to top 12, top 3 unrated. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads
thru 7/1/09 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. K-1, open to grade 1/below.
EF: $46.40 postmarked by 1/9.Trophies to top 12, top rated U500, top 3 unrat-
eds, top 6 schools. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru
7/1/09 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. All: EFs $7 extra postmarked
1/10-16, all $65 at site; $15 extra to switch sections. Mail entries $5 less
per player if 4 or more from same school in SAME ENVELOPE! All sub-
stitutions from advance entry list charged late fee. $15 charge for each
refund. All players scoring 4 or more who dont win a trophy will receive a
medal! 8 weeks free entry, except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks
free, except quads, to 2nd team (top 4 scores from same school = team score).
Speed playoff for 5-0. Limit 2 byes (rds. 4-5 commit before rd. 3). Mail
entries: list name, rating, ID# (proof of current USCF membership required,
enclose dues if necessary), school, grade, 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 1/16. Phone
entries: $59 by credit card thru 1/26. Online entries at www.chesscenter.cc:
$46 thru 1/16, $53 1/17-1/26. No phone or on-line entries after 1/26. On-
Jan. 31, Syracuse Monthly Open
4SS, Rds 1 & 2 G/60, Rds. 3 & 4 G/90. Courtyard by Marriot, 6415 Yorktown
Circle, E. Syracuse (exit 35 I-90, Carrier Circle, 298 E, left at Holiday Inn).
$(b/14): $100-50, Class: $30. Reg.: 8:30-9:15, Rds.: 9:30-12-2:15-5:30. EF:
$30. Ent: Joe Ball, 310 Helfer Lane, Mineola, NY 13116.
Jan. 31-Feb. 1, February Marshall CC JanuFeb Open
4-SS, 30/90, SD/60. Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-477-3716.; EF: $45,
Members $25. ($360 b/24) $120-70-50, U2000/unr $65, U1700 $55. Reg.: ends
11:50am. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day; 1-day, (rds
1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd 3. Byes: limit two,
with entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 players. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
Feb. 1, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 43rd Annual
Greater NY Elementary ChampionshipUSCFs Longest-Running
Scholastic!
5-SS, G/30, open to all born after 2/1/96 not yet in 7th grade, New Yorker Hotel,
481 8th Ave & 34th St, NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF: $47.60 post-
marked by 1/09/09. Trophies to top 12, top U1200, top 3 unrated, top 6
school teams. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 8/1/09
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 1/9. Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrated,
top 6 schools. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 7/1/09
to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. Novice, open to Under 700 or
unrated. EF: $47.40 postmarked by 1/9. Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrateds,
top 6 schools. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 6/1/09
to 1st, thru 5/1 to 2nd, thru 4/1 to 3rd. All: EFs $7 extra postmarked 1/10-
16, 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 refund. All play-
ers scoring 4 or more who dont win a trophy will receive a medal! 8 weeks
free entry, except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks free, except quads,
to 2nd team (top 4 scores from same school = team). 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 1/16. Phone entries: $59 by credit card thru
1/26. Online entries at www.chesscenter.cc: $46 thru 1/16, $53 1/17-1/26.
No phone or on-line entries after 1/26. On-site entry fee: $65. On-site reg.
ends 9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Questions, credit card entries,
team rooms: 845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191: 24 hours, entries only) or
chesscentr@aol.com (Jan 30-Feb 1 only: 212-971-0101). Bring sets, clocks,
boards NONE SUPPLIED!
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 12/below born after 2/1/89, New Yorker
Hotel, 481 8th Ave & 34th St, NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF:
$49.60 postmarked by 1/09/09. Trophies to top 12, top U1700, top 3 unrated,
top 6 school teams. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru
8/1/09 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 1/9. Trophies to top 12, top
U1400, top 3 unrated, top 6 schools. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except
quads thru 7/1/09 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. Novice, open to
Under 1000 or unrated. EF: $49.40 postmarked by 1/9.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 all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 6/1/09
to 1st, thru 5/1 to 2nd, thru 4/1 to 3rd. All: EFs $7 extra postmarked 1/10-
16, 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 refund. All play-
ers scoring 4 or more who dont win a trophy will receive a medal! 8 weeks
free entry, except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks free, except quads,
to 2nd team (top 4 scores from same school = team score; no combined
schools, even if one school feeds another). 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 1/16. Phone entries: $59 by credit card thru 1/26.
Online entries at www.chesscenter.cc: $46 thru 1/16, $53 1/17-1/26. No
phone or on-line entries after 1/26. On-site entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends
9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Questions, credit card entries, team rooms:
845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191: 24 hours, entries only) or chess-
centr@aol.com (Jan 30-Feb 1 only: 212-971-0101). Bring sets, clocks,
boards NONE SUPPLIED!
Feb. 3, Marshall CC New York Experts
4SS, G/30. Open to U2200/unrated only. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-
477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1800 $60. Reg.:
6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, request at entry.
Feb. 5, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC:
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (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.

GOLD AFFILIATES GOLD & SILVER AFFILIATES

Cajun Chess New Jersey State Chess Federation SPICE GOLD
7230 Chadb30ourne Drive c/o Roger Inglis Box 45080, Lubbock, TX 79409 Any affiliate that has submitted at least 50
New Orleans, LA 70126 49-A Mara Rd., 806-742-7742 USCF memberships during the current or
504-208-9596 Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034 SPICE@ttu.edu previous calendar year, or is the recognized
cajunchess@yahoo.com 973-263-8696 www.SPICE.ttu.edu State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Gold
www.cajunchess.com rwij@njoychess.com Affiliate. Gold Affiliates are honored in a spe
cial list in larger type in Tournament Life each
www.njscf.org Susan Polgar Foundation

month, giving the affiliate name, address,

Chess Club and Scholastic 6923 Indiana Avenue, Suite 154,

phone number, e mail address, and website.

Center of St. Louis New York State Chess Lubbock, TX 79413

Gold Affiliation costs $350 per year, and exist

4657 Maryland Avenue Association 212-748-9584

ing affiliates may substract $3 for each month

St. Louis, MO 63108 c/o Karl Heck PolgarFoundation@aol.com

remaining on their regular affiliation, or $20

314-361-CHESS 5426 Wright Street www.SusanPolgarFoundation.org

for each month remaining on their Silver Affil

info@stlouischessclub.org County Route 67,
Tri-State Chess
iation. As of August 6, 2007, by paying an
www.stlouischessclub.org East Durham, NY 12423,
518-966-8523 288 Third Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Continental Chess sldkth@nyair.net 1-888-CHESS-35
Association annual payment of $500 (instead of $350),
www.nysca.net MKurtzman@TriStateChess.com, Gold Affiliate status may be obtained with no
PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, www.TriStateChess.com
NY 12577 845-496-9658 minimum requirement for memberships sub-
North American Chess
chesstour@aol.com Association Unity Chess Club mitted.
www.chesstour.com 2516 North Waukegan Road 9375 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 100
SILVER
Any affiliate that has submitted at least 25
Suite 342,Glenview Office 136,

USCF memberships during the current or

DC Chess Association IL 60025 Scottsdale, AZ 85260
2520 Tenth St. NE, Suite 28,
previous calendar year, or is the recognized
888-80-CHESS 480-949-5464 (KING)
Washington, DC 20018
State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Silver
info@nachess.org info@unitychess.com
202-506-2927
Affiliate. These affiliates will be recognized
www.nachess.org unitychess.com
vbennett@dcchess.com
www.dcchess.com 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
SILVER AFFILIATES $150 per year, and existing affiliates may
subtract $3 for each month remaining on
their regular affiliation. As of August 6, 2007,
Indiana State Chess Association Oklahoma Chess Foundation Sparta Chess Club (NJ)
www.indianachess.org www.OKchess.org www.spartachessclub.org by paying an annual payment of $250.00
(instead of $150), Silver Affiliate status may be
Michigan Chess Association Orange Crush Chess Club (IN) Renaissance Knights (IL) obtained with no minimum requirement for
www.michess.org akakarpov1@mw.net www.RKnights.org memberships submitted.

66 Chess Life January 2009 uschess.org

Feb. 7, 22nd Annual Super Saturday Game/45 Deferred!
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 8, NEW Sunday Sliding Scale Quads!
3-RR, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-477-
3716. EF: Master $35, Expert $30, A $25, U1800 $20. $$ (all EFs returned less
$36 per quad). Reg ends 7:20 pm. Rds. 7:30-8:30-9:30. NO FREE ENTRIES!!
No phone entry!
Feb. 8, NY February Under 1800!
4-SS, G/50, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave,
NYC: 845-569-9969. EF $40, Club members $30, $10 less if also entering 2/7
Super Saturday G/45, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free.
Online entry at www.chesscenter.cc thru 2/5. $$ (480 b/32 paid entries):
150-100-50, top U1600 $95, top U1400 $85. Limit 2 byes, commit by 2 pm. Reg.
ends 15 min before game. Rds. 12-2-4-6 pm. CCA Ratings may be used. $10
extra to enter by phone!
Feb. 8, The Right Move #150 Team and Individual Championship
FREE EF.
4SS, G/30. Play starts promptly at 10:00. Players must check in by 9:30A.M.
Brandeis H.S., 145 W. 84th St., 10024 (near Columbus Ave, Manhattan, NYC).
Open to gr. K-12. Five rated sections: Open, Under 1700, Under 1200,
Under 800, Under 600. (May renew or join USCF at tournament). Non-mem-
ber sections by grades: K-3, 4-6, 7-12. 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 4 scores counting
in each section (minimum 3 players on team in section). Non-member sections
offer additional prize of USCF membership to players scoring 4 points. To reg-
ister: use website at www.therightmove.org or email - thechessstop @aol.com
or Fax to 718-455-2863 before 6:00 P.M. on Fri. Give full name, school, grade,
USCF ID#, exp. date, and section. NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION.
Feb. 11-Mar. 11, Marshall CC Under-2000 Wednesday Swiss
5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20.
$$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg : 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Wednes-
day. Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3. WCL JGP.
Feb. 12, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 14, Marshall CC Saturday G/60
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24) $120-
70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. One bye available, request at entry.
Feb. 15, Marshall CC Sunday Action
5SS, G/30, Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members
$20. ($$ 360 b/24): 120-70-50, U2200/unr $65, U2000 $55. Rds.: 12-1:30-2:45-
4-5:20pm. NOTE CHANGE: One bye available, request with entry.
Feb. 16-Mar. 16, Marshall CC Under-1600 Monday Swiss
5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20.
$$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1300 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Mon-
day. Byes ok, limit 2, request by rd. 3.
Feb. 17, St. Johns Masters at the Marshall Chess Club
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 19, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212-
477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (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. 21, New York February Action!
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 22, 10th Annual Greater NY February Under 13 Open!
4-SS, G/30, open to all born after 2/22/96, Chess Center at Marshall Chess
Club, 23 West 10th St, bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC: 845-569-9969. May be limited to 1st
52 entries. 2 Sections. 1. Open, EF: $32 postmarked by 2/14. 2. Novice, for
Under 1000 or Unrated, EF: $31 mailed by 2/14. Both, EF: $30 online at
www.chesscenter.cc by 2/20, $35 by phone at 845-569-9969 by 2/20, $40
at site, Club members $10 less ($5 fee for refunds).Trophies to top 10, top Unr,
top 3 teams (top 3 scorers from same school) each section. 8 weeks free entry
to 1st, 4 weeks free to 2nd each section. Speed playoff for 4-0. Limit of 2 byes,
commit by 11:30. On-site reg. ends 9:30 am. Rds 10-11:30-12:45-2 EDT! Ent:
Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. List USCF ID, rat-
ing, section, school/grade, DOB.
Feb. 22, NEW Sunday Sliding Scale Quads!
3-RR, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-477-
3716. EF: Master $35, Expert $30, A $25, U1800 $20. $$ (all EFs returned less
$36 per quad). Reg ends 7:20 pm. Rds. 7:30-8:30-9:30. NO FREE ENTRIES!!
No phone entry!
Feb. 22, Sunday Under 1400 Action!
4-SS, G/30, Marshall Chess Club, 23 West 10 St, between 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212-
477-3716, for Under 1400 or unrated. EF $30, Club Members $20, specified
Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$200 b/20 paid: $100-60-40, $60
limit to unr. Reg. ends 3:45 pm. Rds. 4-5:15-6:45-8 pm. No advance entries.
Feb. 24, Marshall CC Victory U-1800
4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members
$20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1400 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-
9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, request at entry.
Feb. 26, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212-
477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (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. 26-Mar. 26, Marshall CC Thursday Members-Only Swiss
5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to members only.
EF: $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U2000 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds : 7pm
each Thursday; Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3.
Feb. 28, Marshall CC Saturday G/60
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24) $120-
70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. NOTE CHANGE: One bye available, request
at entry.
Feb. 28-Mar. 1, 3rd annual Saratoga Open
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 28-Mar. 1, New York State Scholastic Championships
Open to grades K-12 in any state (top NYS player & team in each section are
NY champions). Saratoga Hilton, 534 Broadway (I-87 Exit 13-N, 4 miles north
on US 9), Saratoga Springs NY 12866. Free parking. Team prizes based on top
4 scores from same school; no combined school teams allowed even if one
school feeds another. Teams of 2 or 3 players allowed, but are at a disad-
vantage. In 6 sections, each is a 6SS, G/65 except K-1 is 5SS, G/30 playing Mar
1 only. High School, grades K-12. EF $42 mailed by 2/6. Top NYS grade 9-12
qualifies for Denker Tournament of HS Champions (Indianapolis, 8/1-4). Jun-
ior High, grades K-9. EF $41.90 mailed by 2/6. Elementary, grades K-6. EF
$41.60 mailed by 2/6. Elementary Novice, grades K-6 under 800 or unrated.
EF $41.50 mailed by 2/6. Primary, grades K-3. EF $41.30 mailed by 2/6. K-1,
grades K-1. EF $41.10 mailed by 2/6. Postmarked 2/7-17: All EF $10 more.
Do not mail entry after 2/17. Online at chesstour.com, all sections: EF $43 by
2/6, $53 by 2/23. No online entry after 2/23. Phoned to 406-896-2038, all sec-
tions: EF $55 by 2/23. Credit cards only, no questions. No phone entry after
2/23. Entry at site: all $60. 1 year NYSCA membership to all NY residents who
are not members. Trophies to top 20 players, top 3 Unrated, and top 8 teams
each section and top each U1400, U1200, U1000 (HS), U1200, U1000, U800
(JHS), U1000, U800 (Elem), U600, U400 (Elem Novice). Speed playoff if perfect
score tie. Free entry to NY State Championship, Labor Day weekend 2009
For details on
2009 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM EVENTS
East, North, South, West
See Nationals Section!

CHECK OUT USCFS CORRESPONDENCE CHESS RATED EVENTS

USCFs 62st ANNUAL USCFs 6th ANNUAL

2009 Open Correspondence Chess 2009 E-mail Correspondence Chess
Golden Knights Championship Electronic Knights Championship
$1,000 First Prize (Seven player sections, one game with each of six opponents.)
(plus title of USCFs Golden Knights Champion and plaque) $700 First Prize
2nd place $600 3rd place $400 4th place $300 5th place (plus title of USCFs Electronic Knights Champion and plaque)
$200 6th thru 10th place $100 each. Entry fee: $25. 2nd place $400 3rd place $300 4th thru 10th place $100
The entry deadline is November 30, 2009. each. Entry fee: $25.
These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF The entry deadline is November 30, 2009.
members who reside on the North American continent, islands, or Hawaii, These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF
as well as those USCF members with an APO or FPO address. USCF members with e mail access. Your USCF membership must remain
members who reside outside of the North American continent are welcome current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S.
to participate in e mail events. Your USCF membership must remain dollars.
current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. Maximum number of tournament entries allowed for the year for each
dollars. Those new to USCF Correspondence Chess, please estimate your player is ten.
strength: Class A: 1800 1999 (very strong); Class B: 1600 1799 (strong); Note: Prize fund based on 200 entries and may be decreased propor
Class C: 1400 1599 (intermediate); Class D: 1399 and below (beginner level).
tionately per number of entries assigned.
Note: Prize fund based on 300 entries and may be decreased proportion
ately per number of entries assigned.

Correspondence Chess Matches (two players) E-mail Rated Events (need e-mail access):
$5 entry fee per person with two, four or six- Lightning Match Two players with two, four or
game options.
To Enter: 800903USCF (8723), Fax 9317871200
six-game option. Entry fee $5 per person.
Win A Correspondence Chess Trophy Swift Quads Four-player, double round-robin Name
or on-line www.uschess.org
Four-player, double round-robin with class-level format. 1st-place prize merchandise credit of $30.
pairings. 1st-place winner receives a trophy. Entry fee: $10. USCF ID#
Entry fee: $10.
Victor Palciauskas Prize Tournaments
Walter Muir E-Quads (webserver chess) Address City
Four-player, double round-robin e-mail format
Seven-player class-level pairings, one game with tournament with class-level pairings. 1st-place State ZIP Phone
each of six opponents. Players must have a USCF receives a certificate.
CC rating to enter. 1st-place winner receives Entry fee: $7. E mail Est. Rating
$130 cash prize and a certificate signed by Victor
Express Tournament Credit card # (VISA, MC, Discover, AMEX)
Palciauskas.
Entry fee: $25. Seven-player events, one game with each of six Exp. date
opponents.
John W. Collins Memorial Class Tournaments Prizes: 1st place $30 merchandise credit, 2nd If using VISA, need V code
Four-player, double round-robin with class-level place $20 credit.
pairings (unrateds welcome). 1st-place winner Entry fee: $15. Check here if you do not wish to have an
receives a John W. Collins certificate. Please circle event(s) selected.
opponent who is incarcerated. *Note: This may
Entry fee: $7. slow down your assignment.
NOTE: Except for Lightning Matches, Swift Quads,
Walter Muir E-Quads, Electronic Knights & Express
Tournaments, players will use post office mail, Make checks payable to U.S. Chess and mail to: Joan
unless opponents agree to use e-mail. DuBois, USCF , PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557

uschess.org Chess Life January 2009 67

 Tournament Life

(Albany), to top player each section. Schedule: Late reg. ends Sat 11 am, rds
Sat 12-3-6, Sun 9-12-2:45. Awards 5:30-6 pm. K-1 schedule: Late reg. ends
Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10-12-1:30-3-4:30. Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must com-
mit before rd 2. HR: $114-114, 888-999-4711, 518-584-4000, reserve by 2/14
(note correction) or rate may increase. 48 hours notice required for room can-
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15- Bsq451@sbcglobal.net. HR: 85.00 single or double 216-252-5333. Mention
11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. NOTE CHANGE: One bye available, request at entry. Westside Christian Academy to secure rate. NS.
Mar. 14, Utica Four Seasons Winter Mar. 14, Toledo Mar Swiss
4SS Rds. 1-2: G/60, Rds. 3-4: G/90. Mohawk Valley Community College, Exit Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90.The University ofToledo Health Science

cellation. Backup hotel: Courtyard by Marriott, 2 blocks away, 518-226-0538.
Special car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #657633. Mail entry: Con-
tinental 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 substi-
tutions from advance list charged $60. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658.
Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied. March official ratings used.
Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if oth-
erwise unrated.WCL JGP (top 5 sections, K-1 not WCL JGP).
Mar. 1, Marshall CC Sunday Action
5SS, G/30, Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members
$20. ($$ 360 b/24): 120-70-50, U2200/unr $65, U2000 $55. Rds.: 12-1:30-2:45-
4-5:20pm. NOTE CHANGE: One bye available, request with entry.
Mar. 3, Marshall CC New York Experts
4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members
$20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-
10:45pm. NOTE CHANGE: One bye available, request at entry.
Mar. 5, 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 $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
10 min. before game.
Mar. 6-8 or 7-8, 18th annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 7-8, New York Marshall CC March GP!
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 12, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212-
477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (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.
31, I-90, bear left, South on E. Genesee, (2.6 miles), left on Memorial Highway
(2.3 miles), left Sherman, right into MVCC, Cafeteria - Room 116. EF: $30. Prizes
(b/20): $200, 125, 75, Class 100. Reg.: 8:30-9:15. Rds.: 9:30-12:00-2:15-
5:30. Ent: Joe Ball, 310 Helfer Lane, Minoa, NY 13116.
Apr. 8-12, 9-12 or 10-12, 11th annual Foxwoods Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
North Carolina
Jan. 23-25, Land of the Sky XXII
See Grand Prix.
Ohio
Jan. 23-25 or 24-25, 32nd Cardinal Open
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 31, 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.: 11:30-1:15-3:30-
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:
info@houseofchess.com. Web www.thehouseofchess.com/.
Feb. 7, 2009 Cleveland Scholastic Open
4SS, G/30, Hampton Inn Downtown, 1460 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH
44114. Open to all students in grades K-12. Reg.: 8:45am - 9:30am. Round 1
at 10:00am. Four sections: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12. EF: $25 if postmarked by
1/24, $30 thereafter. Prizes:Trophies to top five in each section. ENT: Dan Pat-
terson 11313 Lake Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44102 Tel. 216-281-1313. INFO:
Bsq451@sbcglobal.net. HR: 89.00 single or double 216-241-6600. NS.
Feb. 14, Toledo Feb Swiss
Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90.The University ofToledo Health Science
Campus, Center for Creative Education - Room CE0111, 3000 Arlington Ave.
Toledo, Ohio 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 2/12
$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. WCL JGP.
Feb. 28, 2009 North Coast Scholastic
4SS, G/30, Cleveland Airport Marriott, 4277 West 150th Street, Cleveland, OH
44135. Open to all students in grades K-12. Reg. 8:45am - 9:30am Round 1 at
10:00am. Four sections: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12. EF: $25 if postmarked by 2/14,
Campus, Center for Creative Education - Room CE0111, 3000 Arlington Ave.
Toledo, Ohio 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 3/12
$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. WCL JGP.
May 22-25, 23-25 or 24-25, 18th annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
July 1-5, 2-5, 3-5 or June 29-July 5, 37th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Oklahoma
Jan. 24-25, OKC Winter Open
5SS, G/2, Quality Inn, I-240 & S Western, Oklahoma City. EF: $30 if recd by
1/21, $35 at site, OCA membership included. $$/entries, plaques. Reg.: 9-
9:45am, Rds.: 10-2:30-7, 10-2:30. One 1/2-point bye Rds 1-4. HR: $54.99
plus tax, 800-843-4241 or 405-632-6666. Ent: Jim Gray, 720 S. Husband #5,
Stillwater, OK 74074, 405-624-1777, jaimegris@juno.com. More info:
www.ochess.org. WCL JGP.
Feb. 7, Tulsa Chess Series #1
First of 10 one-day events the first Saturday each month. 3-SS. G/60 (+5).
Hardesty Regional Library, 8316 E. 93rd St. (just east of Memorial on 93rd),Tulsa.
EF: $20, cash or check, at site only. Reg: 9-9:30. OCF mem. required ($10). Rds:
9:45, 12:15, 2:30 Prizes: 1st $100 (G), plus class prizes per entries, plus
Series Prizes $6 from each EF goes to a series prize fund to be distributed
at end of series. (See www.okchess.org for details). Info: tom.braunlich@
cox.net. NS. W.
Feb. 14-16, Stillwater Winter FIDE Open
See Grand Prix.
Pennsylvania
Silver Knights Chess Tournaments
2-3 Saturdays per month we run scholastic USCF-
rated tournaments throughout the Philadelphia area.
Tournament locations include Philadelphia, Mt. Laurel
(NJ), Bryn Mawr, Horsham, Collegeville, and more.
Tournaments are open to grades K-12. Free game analy-
sis by a National or International Master at each
tournament. We have players of all skill levels compete
in our tournaments, from brand-new kindergarteners up
through some of the highest-rated scholastic players in

the state. To see a list of dates and locations, see our web-
Mar. 14, Marshall CC Saturday G/60 $30 thereafter. Prizes: Trophies to top five in each section. ENT: Dan Patter-
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24) $120- son 11313 Lake Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44102 Tel. 216-281-1313. INFO:

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE DONATED TO THE U.S. CHESS TRUST! (June 2007 through March 2008)
Legacy Donors: Deborah Doll, Nearing, GM Arnold Denker. Future Legacy Donors: Harold B. Dondis, Wil Wakely. Corporate Donors: Aetna, Exxon, IBM,
Microsoft, WalMart, X3D, Mobil, WaMu, Nugent & Haussler, PC Partners. Chess Philanthropists ($50,000 or more): Harold B. Dondis, Frank P. Samford
III. King Supporters ($10,000 or more): Frank Berry, Mark Fins. Friends of Chess ($5,000 or more): Anonymous, Mitchell Denker, Gerald Hoag, Adam
Sufrin, JDG Management, Shane Samole, Nearing Trust. Ben Franklin Donors ($1,000 or more): Anonymous NJ, Joel & Susan Channing, Gary Cooper,
John Dozier, Leroy Dubeck, Jim Eade, Leonard Helman, Roger Spero, Sunil Weeramantry (National Scholastic Foundation), Mr. & Mrs. Michael T. Graves,
Dr. William Henkin, Karl Irons, Victor Laurie, Harvey Schein, Mark Schein, Adam J. Semler, Randy Slifka, Mariko Zeitlin. Heritage Donors ($500 or more):
Richard Allen, Norman Forsythe, Clifford Lester, Rick Lester (Ursula Foster Scholarship), Henry Odell, Harold Winston, Steve Doyle, Ann Marks, Drs. Luann
Mostello & Art Milholland, Bill & Vesna Kelleher, Eric Lester, Robert Messenger, Henry Terrie, Selden Trimble, Mosh & Arianne Weinberger, Yuriko Young,
Randall & Leilani Sears, Dave Sutherland, Erland Millikan, J. William Cowart, Paul Albert. Associate Donors ($100 or more): Harvey Susswein, John M.
Bartkiw, Randy Bauer/Deborah OLeary, Walter Brown, Bernie Letner, David Kuhns, Jim Berry, Alan/Judy Cohen, Gary Fine, Martin/Joy Goldberg, Roger
Gotschall, Jim Gray, Randy Hough, Christopher Lerbs, Myron/Rachel Lieberman, Luke Neyndorff, Glenn Petersen, Larry Weston, Charles/Debrah Unruh,
Edward Zatorski, Joe Feagin, Marc Levine, Michael Goodall, Walter Buehl, Jr, GM Susan Polgar/Paul Truong, Dr. Jon E. Quinn, Burton Carpenter, Michael
Clark, James Kelley, Jeffrey Davidson, Paul Tomaino, Phyllis Narveson, Brian Bezenek, Robert Emke, Scott Kenyon, Kenneth Rogoff, Hans Morrow, Robert
Miller, George Berry, Dr. Ed Epp, Peter Dyson, Harold Blajwas, Denis Strenzwilk, Dr. Benton Wheeler, Donald Stetzer, Fred Gruenberg, Barbara Forbes, Lawrence
Goch, James Wheeler, Carol McCloud, Arthur Montgomery, Andrew Marshall, Barbara Falcner, Alexander Blum, Helen Kittsley, Kent Bach, Peter Knopf, Zevi
Miller, Dr. Rebecca Meyer, Bruce McMaster, Tim Redman, Robert Goodman, Rick Armagost, John Crawford, David Kerkhove, John Fitch, Jeffrey Quirke,
Herbert Drechsler, Neil Levy, Richard Shuford, Roy Eikerenkoetter, Lewis Henry, Robert Pociask, Gail Maury, Dr. R.A. Letourneau, Gilbert Saulter, Roger
Hale, Albert Epostein, John Elder, Dr. Joe Wagner, Peter Stasz, Community Health Charities, Dayton Foundation (Ken/Peg Champney), Peter Tamburro, Don
Schultz, John/Eleanor Schweinsberg, Todd Luna, Jorge Calderon, L.J. Lyell, Katherine Gasser, Richard Cheshire, Sheila Donoghue. Contributors ($50 or
more): Alexander Reis, Anonymous WI, Frank Brady, Harvey Drutowski, Woodrow Harris, Michael James, Michael Nietman, Arlen Overvig, Robert Rasmussen,
Thomas Richardson, Joseph Roster, Garret Sauber, Stephen Smith, Hal Sprechman, T. Torricellas, Donald Twombly, Douglas Southon, Robert Strickler, Charles
Behler, Peter Scott, Thomas Bagby, Matthew Grinberg, Chess Now Ltd, Peter Spizzirri, Dan Mayers, Joseph Slawinski, Robert Werdan, Robert Rasmussen,
Steve Krevinko, Karl Filzer, William McClain, Andrew Nowak, James Lorentz, Robert Carey, Richard Nepolitan, John Brendel, Edmund Breider, Peter Lahde,
George Hermes, Ricard Vincent, Arhur Lewis, Allen Kaufman, Imgre Toth, Edward Dowdy, Gordon Gray, Baron Powell, Tony Newhall, Gerald Larson, Don-
ald Farrelly, Kenneth John, David Sachs, Tom Beckman, Captn Gary Black, Peter Hanen, Richard Adams, Michael/Laurie Stein, Thomas/Nancy Simpson,
John/Emily Summy, Ken Ballou, Ken Marks, Larry Reifurth. In Memory Of George Krauss: Blaine/Carol Asbrock, Edwary/Loretta Sytnik, Gabriel/Joann
Trotta, Wayne Rahe, Robert Lardon, Richard Cheshire, Carberry, Mary Alice Burke, Carol Wirtz, James/Jennifer Roth.

68 Chess Life January 2009 uschess.org

site at www.silverknightschess.com. Phone: 610-446-
0818. Email: chess@silverknightschess.com.
Every 1st Saturday Lehigh Valley Super Quads
3-RR, St James Church, 11th & Tilghman Sts., Allentown, PA 18102. EF: $10.
$30 Perfect Score, else $25 1st. Reg.: 12:30-1:15. Rds.: 1:30-3-4:30. Info: 610-
821-4320, bdavis@lehighvalleychess.org, www.lehighvalleychess.org/.
Every Friday Lehigh Valley Doubleheader 5-Minute Blitz Chess
(QC)
8SS each, G/5, St James Church, 11th & Tilghman Sts., Allentown, PA 18102.
EF: $5 each, Prizes: 50% of Entries, 1st -70%, 2nd -30%, if 12 or more play-
ers,$7 to top U1600, (If 24 or more players then 2 sections/ 2 prize funds
each event), One 1/2 bye only. Early Event Reg.: 6:30-6:50p. Rds.:7-7:15-7:30-
7:42-7:55-8:10-8:25-8:40p. Late Event Reg.: 8:45-8:55p. Rds.:9-9:15-9:30-
9:42-9:55-10:10-10:25-10:40p. Info: Bruce Davis, 610-821-4320, bdavis@
lehighvalleychess.org, www.lehighvalleychess.org/.
North Penn Chess Club
Main & Richardson, Lansdale, PA. See www.npchessclub.org for schedules &
info or call 215-699-8418.
Jan. 16-19, 17-19 or 18-19, 41st annual Liberty Bell Open
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 19, Liberty Bell USCF Booster Quads
3RR, G/30, Sheraton Philadelphia (see Liberty Bell Open). EF: $20. 1st prize each
section: choice of 2 year USCF Adult membership with Chess Life, 3 year
USCF Young Adult Membership with Chess Life, or $40. Reg: 10 am-12 noon,
Rds: 12:30-1:30-2:30. Ent: at site only, no checks.
Jan. 23, Friday Night Action #1
4SS, G/30. Bryn Mawr Community Center, 9 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA
19010. EF: $30 online; $15 online for players under age 18; $5 more on-site
6:30-6:45. Rds: 7:00, then ASAP. Prizes: $100 guaranteed 1st, others per entries.
See www.silverknightschess.com to register or for more information.
Jan. 24, ASAP Chess Challenge Tournament
Great Hall, Moore College of Art and Design, 20th St. and the Parkway, Philadel-
phia, PA 19103. 5 Sections. ALL SECTIONS FREE. Scholastic Rated Sections:
K-5, K-8, K-12: 3SS, G/60.Trophies for top 5. Scholastic Non-Rated Sections:
K-6, 6-12: 4SS, G/40. Not USCF-rated. Medallions to winners. All: Depending
upon entries, an additional round may be added or sections divided. Reg.:
8:30am-9:30am. 1st Rd at 10am. Ent/Info: Justin Ennis, 1520 Locust St., Suite
1104, Phila., PA 19102, jennis@phillyasap.org, 215-545-2727 ext. 17.
Jan. 25, PCL January Quick Quads (QC)
3RR, G/15. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & Bigelow, Pittsburgh,
PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg: 11-11:15am, Rds: 11:30am-
Noon-12:30pm. Info: martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com, 412-908-0286. W.
A State Championship Event!
Jan. 31, 2009 PA State Amateur Team Championship
William Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. 4-
player teams, average rating U2200, alternates allowed. 4SS, G/75. EF:
$60/team by 1/23, $80 later. $$ (700 b/16 teams): $250-100, U2000 $95, U1800
$90, U1600 $85, U1400 $80. Reg: 9-9:30 Rds: 10-1-4-7. PSCF $5, OSA. Ent/Info:
PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223, 412-908-0286,
martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com W. WCL JGP.
Feb. 7, Scranton Winter Open
4R SS, Gm/60, Embury United Methodist Church, 942 S. Main Ave., Scranton,
PA. EF: $20 by Feb.6, $25 at site. Reg.: 9 -10am, Rds.: 10, 12:30, 3 & 5.
Prizes: (b/20), $125, $75, U1800, U1500, U1200/unr: $50 ea. Upset prize, &
door prize. Entries/Info: Bernie Sporko, 127 S. Main St., Carbondale, PA
18407. 570-282-2793, cell: 570-604-2461, e-mail: basp0529@verizon.net.
Online entries acc. thru PayPal, include entry info in message.
Feb. 7, W.Chester 1st Sat. Quads
Our 20th Year! 3RR, 40/80,sd/30. United Methodist Church, 129 S. High St. West
Chester, PA. EF: $20; every tenth quad free $$40, $50 for 3-0, $5 for 3rd rd win
if not 3-0. Reg.: 9am; Rds.: 9:30,1,4:30. Info: Jim White 484-678-3164.
Feb. 8, MasterMinds CC 2nd Sunday Swiss/Open Quads
Blair Christian Academy, Philadelphia, Pa., 220 W. Upsal St. 2 events. Quads:
3RR, 40/80, SD/30. EF: $20, Perfect score winner $60 else $50. Rds.: 10-2-5.
Scholastic Swiss: EF $15, ASAP $5 recd byThursday before, $25 at the door.
3 sections: Open 3SS G/60, Rds.: 10-12:30-3; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 1200,
top unrated; U1100 -1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 800, top unrated & U750K-6 - 1st,
2nd, 3rd, top under 600, top under 400, top unrated 4SS, G/40. Rds.: 10,
11:45, 2, 3:45. 1st & 2nd school & club trophies. All Reg. ends 9:30am. Free
parking on site! Ent: MasterMinds CC, 36 E. Hortter St., Philadelphia, Pa.
19119. Checks made payable to: MasterMinds CC Info: Bradley Crable,
215-844-3881, info@mastermindschess.org, or www.mastermindschess.org.
Feb. 22, PCL February Quick Quads (QC)
3RR, G/15. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & Bigelow, Pittsburgh,
PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg: 11-11:15am, Rds: 11:30am-
Noon-12:30pm. Info: martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com, 412-908-0286. W.
Mar. 6, 2009 PA Quick Chess Champ. (QC)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 7 & 8, 2009 Carlisle Open & PA Collegiate Championship
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 7 & 8, 2009 PA State Scholastic Championship
5SS. 142 Trophies!! (With 107 Individual & 35 Team). Hotel Carlisle & Embers
Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit 52A NB/Exit
52 SB off I-81, Exit 226 off PA Turnpike. 8 sections (Sat & Sun 3/7 & 8 unless
indicated): EF: K-3 Open: (Sat 3/7 only) $29. K-6 U800: (Sat 3/7 only) $27.
K-9 U1000: (Sun 3/8 only) $27.25. K-6 Open: $30.50. K-8 Open: $31.50. 7-
12 U1000: $28.50. 7-12 U1300: $29.50. K-12 Open: $32.50. All: EFs if recd
by 2/17, $10 more recd 2/18-3/3, $20 more after 3/3. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd
2. Reg Fri 3/6 6-10 pm, Sat 3/7 9:30-10:15 am, Saturday at site entries get 1/2-
bye. $5 charge for changes/refund after 2/17. Rds (Sat 3/7 1-day sections):
G/40 T/D5; 10-11:45-2-3:45-5:30; (Sun 3/8 K-9 U1000): G/40, T/D5; 9-10:30-
12:30-2-3:30; (2-day sections): G/90, T/D5; 10-2-5:30, 9-1. Bughouse: Reg
on-site only until Sat 3/7 8:30pm. Rds begin Sat 3/7 8:45pm. EF: $20/team.
uschess.org
HR: Mention PA States for best rate; 800-692-7315 $75. Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom
Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. Info: Steve: 215-784-5938
piecebreaker@hotmail.com Dan: 610-649-0750 danheisman@comcast.net
www.pscfchess.org/pascholasticchamp/ W. Feb. 2009 ratings used.WCL JGP
(2-day sections).
Apr. 8-12, 9-12 or 10-12, 11th annual Foxwoods Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 23-May 21, 2009 Hatboro Open
See Grand Prix.
July 1-5, 2-5, 3-5 or June 29-July 5, 37th Annual World Open
See Grand Prix.
Rhode Island
Jan. 17, 2009 Winter Team Challenge
4SS G/45, Held at R.I. College. Gr. K-5, Gr. 6-8, Gr. 9-12. Trophies top 3 teams
in each section. EF: $48 per team of four by 1/14, $68 at site. Players can be
from different schools. See full schedule, register online: www.rhodeisland
chess.org email: rhodeislandchess@yahoo.com. phone: (401) 359-1602.
Jan. 31 & Feb. 28, BK Tournaments for Kids
Reg. online: www.rhodeislandchess.org email: rhodeislandchess@yahoo.com
phone: (401) 359-1602. See CL4K.
South Carolina
Jan. 17, 4th Patrick D. Hart Memorial Scholastic
4SS, G30 (Rds 1-3), G45 (Rd 4) Best Western Charleston - Downtown 250 Spring
St., Charleston, SC 29403. EF: $20 if recd by 1/12;$25 at site USCF and SCCA
memberships reqd, OSA, Trophies to 1st, 2nd & 3rd plus free 1 yr USCF mem-
berships each. Reg.: 8-9:30am. Rds.: 10am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm. In 3 sections:
HS (9-12), MS (6-8), Elem/K (K-5). HR: $69.99 plus 12.5% tax (mention
Charleston Chess Club) reserve by 12/31/08. Adv Ent: Charleston Chess Club,
c/o David Y. Causey, 741 Dragoon Dr., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. Email:
causey6@bellsouth.net.
Feb. 6-8, 35th Snowstorm Special
See Grand Prix.
Tennessee
Jan. 17-18, Tennessee Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 13-15 or 14-15, 13th Annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 3-5, SuperNationals IV
See Nationals.
Texas
Jan. 16-18 or 17-18, JGs Old-Fashioned Hamburgers Texas Class
Championships
University ofTexas at Dallas, Galaxy Rooms At Student Union, 800 West Camp-
bell Rd, Richardson TX 75080. 5SS, G/120, Rd 1 of 2day is G/60. In 7 Sections:
Under 2200: Open to 2199 & under. Unrateds may play in this section but are
ineligible for prizes. 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 sec-
tion. ALL: $$ 60% returned as prizes (30% for 1st, 20% for 2nd and 10% for
3rd.). EF: $49 by 1/4/09, Juniors U19/Seniors Over 65/Handicap $30 by
1/4/09. Else $65 or Jr/Sr/Hcap $40. Please do not mail after Jan 4th. You may
register online until Jan 10th. No Credit Cards onsite. www.active.com/
event_detail.cfm?event_id=1646857. Two 1/2 pt. byes if requested before rd
2, but byes for both round 4 and round 5 is not allowed. Two schedules: 3 day
and 2 day. 3 day Onsite Registration: 1/16: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Rounds: Fri 7:20
pm, Sat 12:30 pm - 5:15 pm, Sun 9:10 am - 2:45 pm. 2 day Onsite Registra-
tion: 1/17: 8:00 - 8:30 am. Rounds: Sat 9 am then merge with 3 day. Park on
metered parking by Student Union or by UTD bookstore. Or get visitors pass
at guard shack on University Drive and park on visitors parking. ENT: Dallas
Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036.
214.632.9000. www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1646857 INFO:
Barb Swafford, info@dallaschess.com, www.swchess.com. NS NC W. WCL JGP
(2-day sections).
Jan. 16-18, JGs Old-Fashioned Hamburgers Texas Masters
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 24, Region III Scholastic Championships
5SS, Rds. 1-3 G/30, Rds. 4-5 G/45. Student Union Galaxy Rooms at The Uni-
DROPPING OUT?
Have to miss a round?
It is very important that you
NOTIFY THE DIRECTOR
before pairings are made, so no one
is deprived of a game! If you forfeit
without notice, you may be FINED up
to the amount of the entry fee!
versity of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080.
Use University Drive entrance. Six rated sections: Opened to all but only play-
ers who live in or attend school in Region 3 may be Region 3 champions. High
School (grades 9-12), Middle School (grades 6-8/9), Elementary (grades K-
5/6), Elementary U800 (grades K-5/6 rated under 800), Primary (grades
preK-3), and K-1 (grades pre-k-1). $$Trophies for rated sections: HS section:
Top 10 ind., top 3 teams; MS Top 10 ind., top 3 team. Elem: Top 10 ind., top 5
teams; Elem U800: Top 10 ind., top 5 teams; Primary: Top 10 ind., top 5 teams;
K-1 Top 7 ind., top team. EF for Rated Section: $25 if postmarked by 1/17;
$39 thereafter and on site. Add $5 for phone entries. On site registration may
result in 1/2 point first round bye. US Chess Federation Membership required.
One Not rated sections: K-6 not rated Open. This section is opened to all play-
ers in Grades k-6. $$Trophies for K-6 not rated sections:Top 10 ind,Top 5 teams.
EF for not rated section is $15 if postmarked by 1/17, $25 thereafter and on
site. On site registration may result in 1/2 point 1st round bye. ALL: Reg.: 7:30-
8:30am, Rd 1 at 9:15am, all others ASAP with 35-minute lunch break. One 1/2
pt. bye if requested before end of Rd 2. Medals to all the participants. Tourna-
ment is not elimination, play all 5 rounds. Pre-Registration requires prepayment
with complete information. All changes after 1/22/08 to be made on site only,
$10 for changes made after 1/22/08. No credit cards accepted onsite. Spe-
cial TCA rules on which section a player can play in Rated Sections. See
www.swchess.com/sce/tourney/tsc2006/tsc06.htm for some guidelines.
Online Registration: www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1646858
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 Solutions

Chess to Enjoy C. Exploiting the overburdened knight eventually Solitaire Chess ABCs of Chess
won after 1. Nh5! Nxh5 2. Bxd7 b5 3. Bxb5 Rd8
Fork: White loses all hope after 1. ... Bxd4, since 2.
Problem I. Problem I.
1. Rch8! threatens 2. R4h7 mate (1. ... Kf7 2. d5). 4. Ba6 regaining the pawn while shattering
Problem II.
Blacks pawn structure. Qxd4 meets up with the fork 2. ... Nc2+.

Trapping: With 1. ... c4 Whites bishop has

1. Bxg7 Kxg7 2. b5! threatens both the queen and 3. A. Michael Langer (2315) - Cornelius Rub- Problem II.

A. Crushing was 1. ... Qb7! 2. Nc4 (if 2. Nf3 Qa6+)

rook. On 2. ... Rxc4 White has 3. Qb2+! and 4. bxa6.
Problem III.
1. R2f5! Qb2 2. d4! cuts the defense against Rxg7+
and mates. Black resigned after 2. ... Qxe2+ 3. Kh3.
Problem IV.
1. Qd4+! Kg8 2. Qd5+ Rf7 3. Kh6! is Zugzwang (3.
... Kf8 4. Qd8 mate). Or 1. ... Kf7 2. Qd5+ and 3.
Qxb7 or 1. ... Kf8 2. Qh8+ and Qxh7+/Qxb7.
Problem V.
1. Bxd4 exd4 2. e5 threatens 3. Bxb7, 3. Bd5 or 3.
samen (2273)
2. ... Rxc4! 3. Qxc4 Ne3+! 4. fxe3 Qxg2+ 5. Ke1
Qg1+ 6. Qf1 Qxe3+.
B. The plausible 1. ... Qc6 does not threaten 2. ...
cxd2. White can hang on with 2. f3.
C. Okay is 1. ... c2 2. Re1 Qc3 but its still a fight.
4. C. Andrew Karklins (2256) - Michael Langer
A. Black remains a piece ahead on 1. ... Bd7 2. c3
(2315)
nowhere to go; and if 2. exd5, then 2. ... cxd3+ is
more than good enough.
Removing the guard: The simple exchange 1.
Problem III.
... Qxe2+ leaves White with two poor choices: He
could take back with the knight, 2. Nxe2, and fall to
2. ... Nf2+; or he could take back with the king, 2.
Kxe2, and lose the bishop, 2. ... Nxc1+. Some
choice.

Discovery: The check 1. ... Qg5+ exposes a dis-

e6 (2. ... Qb4 3. Bd5). Bc5. Problem IV.
Problem VI. B. Also adequate is 1. ... Bc8.
C. The quietus was 1. ... Ne5! 2. Qf4 (if 2. Qxe7+
1. Be7! Rxf7 2. Bc4! Nxc4 (2. ... Rxe7 3. Rd8+ Bf8 4. covery to Whites queen. However White replies he
Qc3+ and mates) 3. Rd8+ Bf8 4. Bxf8! Rxf8 5. must lose material.
Qxe7 3. Nxe7 Nxf3! 4. Nd5 Nxd2+; or 2. Qg7
Discovery: After 1. ... d3+ 2. Qe3 d2, White can
Rxf8+ wins. If 1. ... Rc8 then 2. Be4! threatens 3. Problem V.
Nxf3 3. Rxd4 Nxd4+ wins) 2. ... Qxf4 3. Nxf4 Be3
Qxc8+! Bxc8 4. Rd8+ and leads to 2. ... Rb8 3. Qc7!
White resigns. resign, since 3. Qxc5 allows 3. ... dxe1=Q mate.
or 2. ... h6 3. Bxg6 and wins. Similarly 1. ... Ra8 2.

Skewer: The direct attack 1. ... Rf8, backed up by

Be4 Rb8 3. Qc7!. Endgame Lab Benkos Bafflers Problem VI.

Whats The Best Move? Problem I.

1. ... Nd1!? 2. Bxd1 Rxd1+ 3. Kxd1 b2 4. Rxc4 b1=Q+ the bishop, skewers queen and rook. The rest is bad
1. B. Jaan Ehlvest (2637) - Cornelius Rub- for White.
5. Kd2 h6 6. g6 fxg6 7. hxg6 Qa2 8. Rc8+ Qg8 9.
A. Indecisive is 1. Rxd7 Qxd7 2. Qxf8+ Rxf8 3.
samen (2273)
Rxg8+ Kxg8 10. c4 Kf8 11. c5 Ke7 12. c6 wins.
Rxf8+ Kg7 4. Nxe5 Qa4. Problem II.
B. White won by Zugzwang after 1. Qh3! Rxf7 2. Solitaire Chess scores:
1. Kc2

Total your score to determine

Rxf7 Re7 3. Rxe7 Qxe7 4. Qe6! Qg7 5. a4 a5 6. 1. Kc1? c2! 2. Kxc2 a3 3. Kc1 d3 4. Na4 d2+ 5. Kc2

your approximate rating

Kf2 Kh7 7. Ke2 Kh8 8. Kd2 Kh7 9. Kc3 Kh8 10. d1=Q+ 6. Rxd1 stalemate

below:
Kb3. 1. ... a3 2. Ra1+!
C. Good enough but less elegant is 1. Rxf8+ Rxf8 2.
2. Nc4? d3+ 3. Kc1 d2+ 4. Nxd2 cxd2+ 5. Kc2
d1=Q+ 6. Rxd1 stalemate; 2. Nd3 stalemate Total Score Approx. Rating
Qh3 Rxf1 3. Kxf1 Nf8 4. Qc8 Kg8 5. Qe8. 95+ 2400+
2. ... Kxa1 3. Nd3 Ka2
2. C. Dereque Kelley (2108) - Ruth Haring 81-94 2200-2399
3. ... a2 4. Kc1 c2 5. Nc5 d3 6. Nb3 mate 66-80 2000-2199
A. The queen gets trapped after 1. Qxa7?? Ra8 2.
(1954) 4. Nb4+ Ka1 5. Kc1 c2 51-65 1800-1999
5. ... d3 6. Nxd3 Ka2 7. Kc2 Ka1 8. Nc1 a2 9. Nb3 36-50 1600-1799
Bxd7 Nxd7.
B. White regains the pawn with 1. Bxd7 Qxd7 2.
mate 21-35 1400-1599
6. Nxc2+ Ka2 7. Nxd4 Ka1 8. Kc2 Ka2 9. Ne2 Ka1 06-20 1200-1399
Qxa7 Ra8 3. Qb7 Rab8 4. Qa6 but its still 10. Nc1 a2 11. Nb3 mate. 0-05 under 1200
unclear.

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