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 Chess Life
Editorial Staff
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A Promise For Tomorrow

LETTER OF INTENT
FIDE & Scholastic Associate Chuck Lovingood clovingood@uschess.org ext. 148
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In future support of the work of the U.S. Chess Trust, I want to provide for future
generations and to ensure the continuity of services by the U.S. Chess Trust.
USCF Executive Board
Therefore,
 I have made provision  I will make provision
President Jim Berry jaberrycg@aol.com
PO Box 351
Stillwater, OK 74076
to support the U.S. Chess Trust by:
Vice President Ruth Haring ruth@ruthharing.com
 making a bequest or endowment provision in my Will PO Box 1993

 creating a charitable remainder or lead trust naming

Chico, CA 95927
Vice President Finance Randy Bauer randybauer2300@yahoo.com
the U.S. Chess Trust as a beneficiary. 3923 - 153rd Street
 establishing an endowment or special fund at the Urbandale, IA 50323
U.S. Chess Trust. Member at Large Michael Atkins matkins2@cox.net
 directing the trustees or directors of my foundation
PO Box 6138
Alexandria, VA 22306
to continue beyond my lifetime making an annual
gift to the U.S. Chess Trust. Member at Large Bill Goichberg chessoffice@aol.com

 Making an outright gift to the U.S. Chess Trust during

my lifetime in the sum of $_____________.
This Letter of Intent represents my commitment to the work of the U.S. Chess Trust.
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2 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

 February on uschess.org
Hilton in the big classroom Our stars >
Jonathan Hilton,
in Gibraltar
the co-author of Watch some of Americas
Wojos Weapons best players at the
(February 2010, Gibtelecom Chess
Mongoose) narrates Festival (January
his chess adventures 26-February 4).
during a study abroad American participants
tour in Latin America, include U.S. Women's
from taking on a Champion Anna
local hustler in Zatonskih (left), GM
Nicaragua to visiting Gata Kamsky, GM-elect
the site of the Alex Lenderman,
canceled Carlos GM Vinay Bhat, IM
Torre Memorial Irina Krush (right), IM
in Mexico. Sam Shankland.
Look for exclusive
coverage on CLO.

< Bermuda Open

Last years champ GM Pascal
Charbonneau will write about
the 2010 Bermuda Open,
scheduled for February 5-7.
Youll wish you were there
when you read about it
and browse the photos!
HILTON BY KIP SHAFFER; PASCAL BY IRINA KRUSH; ZATONSKIH AND KRUSH BY BETSY DYNAKO

Team Extravaganza >

On Presidents weekend (February 13-15), look for news on four of the most exciting
tournaments on the American calendar. The Amateur Team South in Orlando, Florida;
The Amateur Team North in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; The Amateur Team West in
Woodland Hills, California; The Amateur Team East in Parsippany, New Jersey.
The Eastern edition will celebrate its ruby anniversary (40th year).

This Months Contributors

Pete Tamburro
(Looks at Books, p. 12) is a frequent contributor to Chess Life and Chess
Life for Kids and a past president of the Chess Journalists of America.
GM Ben Finegold
(Cover Story, p. 18) is Americas newest grandmaster.
Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
(College Chess, p. 31) is the author of four
books on chess in education, including her
latest People, Places, Checkmates: Teaching
Social Studies with Chess (March 30, 2010,
Westport, Connecticut: Teacher Ideas Press).

GM John Fedorowicz GM Ian Rogers

(2009 World Youth, p. 26) was just inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall (Instruction, p. 40) is a frequent
of Fame in 2009. contributor to Chess Life.

uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 3

February Chess Life
Columns
18 COVER STORY
12 LOOKS AT BOOKS The 40-Year-Old GM
Botvinnik the Invincible! By GM Ben Finegold
By Pete Tamburro
Americas latest player
14 CHESS TO ENJOY to earn the GM title
The Ups and Downs of bucks the youth trend.
Annotating
By GM Andy Soltis

16 SOLITAIRE CHESS 26 2009 WORLD YOUTH

The Extraordinary Pillsbury
By Bruce Pandolfini
Samritha and
Tanuj, or
42 ENDGAME LAB
Problematic Endings The Silver Medals:
By GM Pal Benko A Story of
44 BACK TO BASICS Chess in Turkey
An Extra Pawn By GM John Fedorowicz
By GM Lev Alburt
The Fed reports on our
relatively inexperienced
youth teams performance
46 WHATS THE BEST MOVE?
at the world youth
Surprising Twists
By GM Larry Evans
championships.

Departments
31 COLLEGE CHESS
3 PREVIEW A UTD
6 COUNTERPLAY Thanksgiving:
8 FIRST MOVES Roses and
10 USCF AFFAIRS Recognition
50 TOURNAMENT LIFE By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
Despite problems
unique to college
70 CLASSIFIEDS
71 SOLUTIONS chess, UTDs eighth
norm event
proves a success.

36 REMEMBRANCE
Remembering YHR
Long-time Chess Life
reporter Jerry Hankens
death means our
magazines tournament
reports will no longer
have the same flavor.

On The Cover 40 INSTRUCTION

Ben Finegold has long been The Lazy Persons
considered the strongest IM
in America. No longer.
Guide to Endgames
By GM Ian Rogers
Cover photo by Suzy Gorman, The conclusion of the
design by Frankie Butler article from the January
issue that gives you a
Right: The many faces of Ben
Finegold through the years. shortcut to endgame study.

4 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

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Counterplay
Correction
Please correct name as a top finisher at
the 2009 U.S. Senior Open: 70-74. It
should be Jorge Montero rather than
Jose, the age: 72 is correct. My life mem-
bership name is listed as Dr. J.A.
Montero. It is not often that I make it as
a finisher!
Dr. Jorge Montero
via e-mail
McFarland & Company
It was great to see the small announce-
ment in your December issue (page 10) of
our book winning the Fred Cramer Award
for Best Chess Book of 2009. The two
authors of Blindfold Chess: History, Psy-
chology, Techniques, Champions, World
Records, and Important Games and the
three award sponsors were all named
but not us.
It cannot take anything away from the
superb manuscript delivered by authors
Eliot Hearst and John Knott to modestly
point out that McFarland put a hundred
hours or more of intensive editorial and
design work on the book, not to mention
the very challenging typesetting joband
manufacturing it to the highest stan-
dards now being pursued in U.S. book
publishing.
As Chess Life readers no doubt know
there are precious few review media world-
wide currently dealing with serious,
high-research, historically-oriented chess
books and McFarland is one of the few
6 Chess Life February 2010
publishers still doing them. Give us a lit- I am not trying to demean your solu-
tle nod now and then! Thanks. tions, but rather show you a better one.
Robert Franklin, president, McFarland & I have been a chess enthusiast for 50
Company, Inc., publishers (and a USCF life years and enjoy the game very much. I
member since the early 70s) belong to a fledgling chess club here in
Centralia, Washington where we have
only a dozen players, but we do have lots
Bettering the ABCs of enthusiasm. I look forward to your
In regards to the December issue of next issue of Chess Life.
Chess Life, in the ABCs of Chess prob-
Gary E. Hollis
lem V, I have found a better solution: Napavine, Washington
+ +k+ r
+ +
p +
NATIONAL
+ + + p
+ + p +
OPEN
nqP+ + +
+ + P + June 11-13
+KNP+ R or
+ Q + +
Black to play
June 12-13
1. ... Qc3+ 2. Kd1 Nb2+
At this point, either queen takes knight Las Vegas
and queen takes queen, or the king moves
to e1 (and White still loses the queen and INTERNATIONAL
the knight). Please note that I did not
have to sacrifice the rook in my solution. CHESS FESTIVAL
Or, the more disastrous move:
2. Kb1 Rb8+
... where White still loses the queen
www.VegasChessFestival.com
and is mated in two.
Chess Life welcomes letters from its readers. Letters are subject to editing for content and length. Send
your letters to letters@uschess.org, and include your full name and a telephone number. If Chess Life
publishes your letter, you will be sent a copy of Test, Evaluate and Improve Your Chess (see ad below).
uschess.org
First Moves
President Marck
Cobb with Anatoly
Karpov in
Poikovski, Russia
Kansas, Karpov,
and Caissa
Karpov Chess School wraps up 2009
By Wes Fisk
THE NINTH ANNUAL LINDSBORG OPEN,
held on December 19, marked the end of
scheduled activities for the Karpov Chess
School in Lindsborg, Kansas. In an un-
usual turn of events, 16-year-old Thorton
Bonner, of Spring Valley, Kansas decided
to enter the Lindsborg tournament,
although he had never played in a USCF-
sanctioned event. After five grueling
rounds, Bonner found that he tied for
first place, along with fellow Kansans
Taimoor Noor, Jason Wawrzaszek, and
Vladimir Inglesias.
This is the ninth consecutive year
that we have held the Lindsborg Open,
Chess School Director Tom Brownscombe
said. It is always held around Christmas,
so its now established as part of the
chess tradition in the Midwest.
Noor won the first place trophy, based
on tiebreaks, and Bonner took home the
trophy for best result by an unrated
player. Chess players typically compete in
their own rating category, determined by
USCF ratings, to assure they are paired
8 Chess Life February 2010
with players with similar skill levels.
Kansas Chess Association treasurer Lau-
rence Coker, Overland Park, and James
Smith of Missouri shared first place for
players rated under 1800.
Scholarships and chess camps
Through the generosity of donors, the
chess school awarded 17 scholarships
to area students to attend the two chess
camps held at the Karpov School in July.
Many students would not have been able
to attend without the scholarships. Stu-
dents attending the weeklong camps were
treated to instruction by one of the top
chess grandmasters in the United States.
GM Var Akobian, winner of the 2007
World Open, not only taught the students
chess, but also showed them the finer
points of soccer during their free time.
The chess schools director, Tom Brown-
scombe, worked alongside GM Akobian
and Chris Purdy to provide instruction to
the 49 students from throughout the
United States who attended the camps.
President Marck Cobb & Karpov in Russia
In June, Marck Cobb and his son Lay-
ton, at their own expense, boarded a plane
to Moscow; at the same time Mikhail
Korenman and three other families from
Chicago also boarded a plane for Moscow.
The combined group of seven adults and
seven young people became known as the
American delegation. Karpov and the
American delegation boarded another
plane to Surgut, arriving around mid-
night. After a couple of bus rides, the
group arrived in Poikovski, a small town
in Siberia where Karpov has a chess
school. Some in Lindsborg may recall it
was Poikovski that sent a number of their
young people to Lindsborg to compete
and get to know their host families.
Poikovski boasts a cultural center that
serves 22 smaller surrounding communi-
ties. Their cultural center employs seven
instructors, who in turn provide instruc-
tion to about 500 students.
Over the next few days, students from
both countries competed with one
another, and despite language difficul-
ties they managed to make some friend-
ships. Another Lindsborg alumni flew in
to join the main tournament; GM Alexan-
der Onischuk visited Lindsborg on several
occasions, where he taught at the chess
school. There were other grandmasters
throughout the world that also arrived for
the competition. The American student
team placed fifth out of several teams in
the Poikovski youth tournament.
Upon leaving Poikovski, the Americans
made their way to St. Petersburg and
Moscow where they relaxed and toured.
The Russians were holding another tour-
nament in the city of Voronezh, the 13th
International Chess Festival. The Amer-
icans took the train to Voronezh and
played several matches with Russian stu-
dents. Karpov Chess School president
Marck Cobb offered a scholarship to any
student who would fly to Lindsborg.
It was a wonderful experience for stu-
dents from different countries to get to
know one another, said Cobb. Its all
possible because of chess.
Director Brownscombe and area schools
Director Tom Brownscombe expanded
the chess schools reach by teaching chess
in the local schools, such as St. Marys in
Salina, Canton-Galva, and the Lindsborg
virtual school. Tom also officiated at sev-
eral national tournaments during 2009.
Brownscombe won the Kansas State
Chess Championship in July. The Kansas
championships have been held in Lindsborg
for several years. This is the second Kansas
Championship win for Brownscombe, who
previously won it in 2007. He is also the for-
mer Nevada state champion.
More information can be obtained by going
to www.anatolykarpovchessschool.org.
uschess.org
 In association with

Present
The Seventh Annual All-Girls Open National Championships
April 16 18, 2010 Columbus, Ohio

Awards 6-SS, G/90, Sections Side Events

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

Update on E-mail Capabilities

The USCF has made several enhancements to its e-mail capabilities recently.
This gives us several tools that members may be interested in:
BE A USCF
1. Members can now receive e-mail updates when an event they played in
has been rated. These may even arrive before the event is available on
Benefactor!
uschess.org/msa.
2. Members can sign up for TLA Mail and get daily updates of upcoming events HELP PROMOTE
that they are interested in. As of today, TLA Mail now lists events that have
been or will be advertised in Chess Life as well as ones listed by organiz- AMERICAN CHESS
ers in the USCFs Online TLA Service.
3. Members can sign up for the above services using the e-mail preferences BY BECOMING A
page, https://secure2.uschess.org/email/email-pref-update.php. (For now
they will need to know their USCF ID and PIN (available on your mailing label) USCF BENEFACTOR
to update their e-mail preferences. In the future, members may be able to use
their uschess.org login and password.) MEMBER.
4. In addition to the above, members can also use the above link to opt in or
out of e-mail sent by the USCF on behalf of our book and equipment part-
ner, USCF Sales, e-mail sent by the USCF on behalf of affiliates, and Benefactor Membership includes Life
e-mail sent by the USCF on behalf of other third parties. Membership, a special membership
5. We are now sending out e-mail renewal notices for USCF memberships. card, and recognition on a benefactor
6. Every year the USCF sends out several thousand replacement membership
cards. As a possible alternative, the USCF office now has the ability to
page of our website and periodically
e-mail a member a replacment USCF membership card as a PDF file, e- in Chess Life. The cost is $3,000, or
mailed to the address in the members USCF record. It can be printed out
on a laser or inkjet printer, though it will look best if it is printed on card stock. $1,500 to existing Life Members. Half
the funds collected will go to the

Chess Educator of the Year

USCF Life Member Assets Fund and
half to assist USCF operations.
The Chess Educator of the Year award ceremony will be at 7:00 pm on Thurs-
day, February 25 in McDermott suite on the fourth floor of the McDermott
Become a Benefactor at uschess.org,
Library, at the University of Texas at Dallas. As the university celebrates its 40th by phone at 1-800-903-8723, or by
anniversary, we are pleased to announce our first international honoree is GM
Jonathan Rowson from Scotland. mail to USCF, PO Box 3967,
Currently, Jonathan is a senior researcher at the Royal Society for the encour- Crossville TN 38557.
agement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), a think tank in London.
Jonathan holds a first class degree in politics, philosophy, and economics
from Oxford University, an Ed.M. from Harvard University in mind, brain and edu-
cation, and an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded Ph.D. THA NKS TO O U R
from Bristol University. His doctoral thesis, supervised by Professor Guy Clax-
ton, is an inter-disciplinary and multi-method examination of the concept of
wisdom, including a detailed analysis of the challenge of overcoming the psycho-
BENEFA CTO R S !
social constraints that prevent people becoming wiser, similar to what the RSA
terms The Social Aspiration Gap. USCF Benefactor Members
Jonathan was British champion for three consecutive years, 2004-6. Prior
to joining the RSA he was a professional player, teacher, and writer. Jonathan views
as of January 1, 2010:
chess as a form of praxis in which we come to better understand our
own natures, and has written accessible books (The Seven Deadly Chess Sins and
Chess for Zebras) on the subject that have been translated into several
J EFFREY DAVI DSON ( CA)
foreign languages. An invited speaker at international conferences on
learning, thinking, and sport, he has written for The New Statesman
BIL L GOI C HBE RG ( NY)
magazine, The Herald, and has been featured on BBC radio and television.
His interest in connected communities and social capital strategies
CHARLES UN RUH ( OK)
stems partly from his role in publicizing research funded by The Scottish
Executive that demonstrated the positive role of chess in raising social
E DWA RD WYC OFF (C A)
capital in deprived areas in his home town of Aberdeen.

BECOME A BENEFACTOR

10 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

Looks at Books
Botvinnik the Invincible!
Bibliographic Botvinnik
By Pete Tamburro
MIKHAIL BOTVINNIK DOMINATED AN
AGE OF CHESS. For those of us over 60
years of age, he was The Man. If you
asked a young master back in the 50s or
60s about their most influential chess
books on the road to mastery, the book
so often mentioned was 100 Selected
Games by Botvinnik. It was dog-eared,
underlined and quoted by heart. People
played the Winawer French or the Dutch
just because he did.
This is not so much a book review as a
presentation with two goals. The first goal
is to make the current generations of chess
players aware of just who this man was.
The second goal is to convince you why you
should plunk down 34 bucks for this book.
The first part is the history of Botvin-
nik. From the 1930s to the 1960s, he
was the standard by which chess players
Botvinnik-Smyslov/Three World Chess / measured themselves. Did you work as
Championship Matches: 1954, 1957, 1958
Mikhail Botvinnik hard? Did you do your opening prepara-
288 pages. New In Chess, 2009, $33.95 tion as thoroughly? Did you have that
available on uscfsales.com same indomitable will to win? Were you
as self-critical?
He was born in 1911, six years before
the Russian Revolution, and lived through
two world wars fought on his countrys
soil. He won six Soviet championships
(only Tal won as many) and the Absolute
Championship in 1941 along with such
memorable international tournaments
as Moscow 1935, Nottingham 1936,
Groningen 1946 and the biggest of them
allthe World Championship of 1948,
where he dominated at the Hague and
Moscow against Smyslov, Keres,
Reshevsky and Euwe.
He considered himself primus inter
parisfirst among equals. R.W.B. Clarke,
% in the April 1953, British Chess Magazine
(BCM), compiled a table from tourna-
Player Played Won Lost Drawn
Botvinnik 31 13 5 13 62.9 ments in the period 1946-52 appearing in
BCM. The results of the top eight players
in the world (among themselves) during
Bronstein 28 9 8 11 51.8
that period can be seen in the table imme-
Kotov 36 8 8 20 50.0
Keres 51 13 14 24 48.2 diately to the left.
Najdorf 23 3 4 16 47.8 It looks more like Botvinnik was first and
everyone else was equal. However, when
you look at Botvinniks match results,
Smyslov 52 9 12 31 47.1
Boleslavsky 32 5 7 20 46.9
therein begins a drama of epic propor-
Reshevsky 23 4 6 13 45.7 tions, the highlight of which is this drama
in three acts that our book deals with.
12 Chess Life February 2010
He played in seven world championship
matches. His first defense of the crown
was against Bronstein in 1951 and he
retained the crown by drawing 12-12 in
an incredible match. To this day masters
argue about some of those positions.
Then came the Smyslov trilogy. Vass-
ily Smyslov is one of the chess worlds
greatest players. His games are art. Some
of the newer generations might recall he
was still playing in the candidates final in
1984 against a young Garry Kasparov.
For the real enthusiasts of the Botvin-
nik-Smsylov encounters, Moravian Chess
published a two-volume Smyslovs Best
Games that came out in 2003. Trans-
lated by Ken Neat, it has Smsylovs notes
to the great games of his chess career. The
set will cost you about $100.
One thing you might have noticed is
that Botvinnik started playing his world
championship matches in his 40s. This in
itself is remarkable.
Our book under review has all of the
games of the three matches. You cant find
better chess. It ranks right up there with
Kasparov-Karpov. I have wondered at
times whether Botvinniks student, Kas-
parov, also learned his incredible will to
win from his teacher.
Botvinnik also drew his first match with
Smyslov (who had won the legendary
Zurich 1953 candidates tournament to
meet Botvinnik), thus winning the match.
Smyslov, not to be denied, came back again
in 1957 and beat Botvinnik decisively with
six wins, three losses and 13 draws. Under
the rematch rules, Botvinnik got his revenge
with a 7-5 win (11 draws) in 1958. Smyslov
actually won one more game than Botvin-
nik over the three matches, but Botvinnik
prevailed. Primus inter paris.
Then came the tornado of 1960 known
as Mikhail Tal. Tal: 6 wins. Botvinnik: 2
wins(!), 13 drawn. Rematch! Botvinnik:
10(!), Tal: 5, 6(!) drawn. We wont go into
the whys and wherefores of those two
matches. Much has been written, but
the best world championship match book
ever written is Tals 1960 match book, and
its in its latest reprinting.
These matches were all-out brawls. All
of them. The matches with Smyslov were
uschess.org
pressure packed. My one regret for this
book is that they didnt cite a few quotes
from Harry Golombeks on the scene
reporting for British Chess Magazine.
Quoting Golombek every so often would
have spoken volumes for the drama of
each occasion. Also, Golombeks inter-
pretations of what happened and why
would have really given life to this book.
Now comes the sad part. Botvinnik
loses his last championship match 2-5,
with 15 draws against Petrosian in 1963.
There was no rematch clause, and Botvin-
nik did not want to go through the
candidates to play another match. By
now, he was 52 years old, and that was
enough. His match record at this point
was 36 wins, 39 losses and 82 draws. His
play against Petrosian was listless in
comparison to his prior matches.
In writing about why he lost to Petrosian
in Frank Bradys Chessworld magazine in
1964, he talked about losing his inner har-
mony and the style of Petrosians game, but
his passage at the end spoke to the ages.
He asked a master, Peter Romanovsky,
after an early tournament game, How
could I have lost this game?
When you lose a game you should
Botvinnik Books
Here is an abbreviated bibliography of Botvinnik-
related books in English:
Botvinnik Game Collections:
Botvinnik, Mikhail, One Hundred Selected Games
(trans. Garry), Bell Pub., Philadelphia, 1951.
(Also, a Dover paperback first published in 1960).
Botvinnik, Mikhail, Championship Chess (trans.
Garry), Bell Pub., Philadelphia, 1951. (Also, a reprint
by Hardinge Simpole Chess Classics)
Botvinnik, Mikhail, Selected Games, 1967-1970,
Pergamon Press, 1981.
Botvinnik, Mikhail, Botvinniks Best Games
1947-1970, Batsford, 1972.
Botvinnik, Botvinniks Best Games (Three vol-
umes: 1925-1941; 1942-1956; 1957-1970; 1352
pages! From the Russian Analiticheskie i kritich-
eskie raboty, translated by Ken Neat), Moravian
Chess Publishing, 2001.
Reinfeld, Fred, editor, The Games of the Match
Between S. Flohr and M. Botvinnik played in
Moscow and Leningrad November 28 to Decem-
ber 19, 1933, New York, 1935. Quite scarce.
Reinfeld, Fred, editor, Botvinniks Best Games,
Part 1: 1927-1934, New York, 1937. Quite scarce.
uschess.org
have won, Mischa, came the calm reply,
it means you didnt want to win enough.
Botvinnik ended his chess playing by
1970. His last tournament win was at
Beverwijk in 1969. He died in 1995. For
my generation and the one before us,
Botvinnik was the title of the Fred Rein-
feld book in 1946: Botvinnik the Invincible.
It was typical Reinfeld hyperbole, but it
accurately reflected the opinion of many
chess fans, thus the title of the review.
We are fortunate that his three Smyslov
matches have been put together with his
notes. Why should you get this book? The
games are epic struggles. There is more
chess in them than you will see in many
modern tournaments. Botvinniks notes
are instructive. They always have been
in his books. They are economical, to the
point and extraordinarily perceptive.
A truly fascinating part of the book is
the Botvinnik preparation notebook for
two of the three matches. In one, he has
his mental and physical plan as well. The
opening notes he has for the two matches
are really intriguing. You have to remem-
ber that these men were amateurs, as
Tal characterized it to me in a Chess Life
interview years ago. There were no data-
Reinfeld, Fred, Botvinnik the Invincible, McKay,
Philadelphia, 1946. Scarce.
Great Botvinnik Tournaments & Matches:
Adams, Jimmy (trans. with Hurst), The Second
International Chess Tournament, Moscow, 1935,
Caissa Editions, Yorklyn, DE, 1998.
Adams, Jimmy (ed. and trans.), Moscow, 1936
International Chess Tournament, Caissa Editions,
Yorklyn, DE, 1988.
Alekhine, Dr. A., The Book of the Nottingham
International Chess Tournament (1936), David
McKay Co., 1937 (Later Dover paperback edition).
Botvinnik, Mikhail, Return Match for the World
Chess Championship: Botvinnik-Tal, Olms, 2004.
Botvinnik, Mikhail, Match for the World Chess
Championship: Botvinnik-Bronstein, Olms Edition,
2004.
Botvinnik and Petrosian, The World Chess
Championship 1963, Hardinge Simpole Ltd.,
2002.
Euwe, Max and Kmoch, Hans, Groningen (1946),
edited by B.H. Wood, book form of articles pub-
lished in Chess magazine in 1949-50, Sutton
Coldfield, England, 1950.
Golombek, Harry, The World Chess Championship
1948, Bell Pub., London, 1949. Scarce.
bases, no chess engines, and very few
specialty opening books.
There were notecards! You can spend
hours prospecting for opening nuggets
(theoretical oldies, as I used to call open-
ing novelties reborn from before Chess
Informant days) in these notes. The thor-
oughness of his preparation is quite
remarkable. He had something ready for
just about anything. He even had the
von Hennig-Schara gambit in there, of
all thingsand Black was doing well in
his notes! He didnt have Black play
against the Fantasy Variation of the Caro-
Kann, which I found especially curious as
Smyslov won some nice games with it.
Maybe he figured Smyslov wouldnt have
the guts to play it against him!
The bottom line is that you have 69
games, with a few exceptions, annotated by
Botvinnik, in the style that made several
generations of future chess masters all
over the world study with great interest. Its
value is that it teaches about the opening,
the middlegame and the endgame. Its not
just a book of three matches. Its three
books in one about how to play all three
aspects of the game. We old timers learned
from him. You can, too. .
Golombek, Harry, World Chess Championship
1954, MacGibbon and Kee, London, 1954. Scarce.
Tal, Mikhail, Tal-Botvinnik: Match for the
world chess championship,1960,
(Trans. by Hanon W. Russell),
RHM Press, 1977. (Later published
editions available as well).
Winter and Wade, The World Chess
Championship: 1951, Turnstile Press,
London, 1951. Scarce.
Other Books of Interest:
Botvinnik, Mikhail, Botvinnik on the Endgame,
Chess Enterprises, Coraopolis, PA, 1985.
Botvinnik, Mikhail, 15 Games and Their
Stories, (trans. Marfia), Chess Enterprises,
Coraopolis, PA, 1982.
Botvinnik and Estrin,
The Gruenfeld Defense,
RHM Press, 1980.
Cafferty and Taimanov, The Soviet
Championships, Cadogan Books,
London, 1998.
Kasparov, Garry, My Great Predecessors,
Part II, Everyman, London, 2003.
Soltis, Andrew, Soviet Chess, 1917-1991,
McFarland and Company, North Carolina, 2000.
Chess Life February 2010 13
 Chess to Enjoy
The Ups and Downs of Annotating
By GM Andy Soltis
No two annotators are the same. Each one views a game from his own
perspectivelooking up or down.
Lets imagine, for the moment, what
two grandmasters would say about this
position.
Grandmaster conversation
GM Vladimir Kramnik (FIDE 2759)
GM Arkady Naiditsch (FIDE 2697)
Dortmund, 2009
+r+ +r+
+p+nkp+p
p+ +pp +
+ + P +
+ R + Q
+ 
q +N+
P+ + PPP
+ + +RK
After 21. ... Rhg8
White played 22. Kh1. A typical writer,
lets call him annotator A, might say:
This is the only winning attempt. If
instead, 22. Rfd1, then 22. ... Qxf3? 23.
Rxd7+ Ke8 24. g3 favors White. But 22.
... Rgd8! 23. Rxd7+ Rxd7 24. Qxf6+ Ke8
25. Qh8+ Ke7 or 23. Kf1 Nxe5 24. Nxe5
Rxd4 25. Rxd4 Qa1+ 26. Ke2 Rc2+ 27.
Kf3 Rc3+ 28. Nd3 Qd1+ 29. Ke3 Qe1+.
Another guy, annotator B, would com-
ment quite differently:
The point of 22. Kh1 is to meet Blacks
threat of ... Qxf3. Other moves allow
Whites initiative to die, such as after 22.
exf6+ Nxf6.
Lets carry this one step further. After
Black replied 22. ... b5 in the game, anno-
tator B might explain:
Black wants to trade the rook on d4 to
kill the White attack. He is preparing ...
Rc4xd4. He also looks forward to an
endgame where he can create a passed
14 Chess Life February 2010
pawn after ... b4 and ... a5-a4.
Annotator A might go in a different
direction and talk only about an alterna-
tive to 22. ... b5:
With 22. ... Qc6 Black sets a devilish
trap, e.g. 23. exf6+ Nxf6 24. Rfd1 threat-
ens Rd7+. But after 24. ... Rg6 25. Rg1
Kf8 26. Ne5? White gets mated by 26. ...
Qxg2+! 27. Rxg2 Rc1+.
What is happening here is common
yet rarely mentioned. Annotator A makes
move-heavy notes for the benefit of a
fairly strong audience. He is writing up.
The second annotator is teaching and
explaining, rather than analyzing, and is
aiming at a lower rated readership. He is
writing down.
This isnt a matter of the authors
strength. Annotator B doesnt write this
way because he cant figure out a seven-
move variation. Nor is A incapable of
seeing a game with the eyes of a mere
mortal. In fact, each of these notes is
roughly based on what Vladimir Kramnik
wrote for competing magazines.
Which approach an annotator takes is
usually a matter of choice, his choice.
Some great analysts, like Mikhail Botvin-
nik or Robert Huebner, liked to write way
up. But an equally good annotator, David
Bronstein, wrote down. He deplored write-
up authors who, he said, provide long
variations of analysis in order to give
readers an inferiority complex.
Its a matter of choice because most
strong players can write either way. My 60
Memorable Games was aimed at a fairly
sophisticated audience. But Bobby Fis-
cher wrote quite differently for Boys Life.
When he annotated a game that began 1.
e4 d6 2. d4 for the Boy Scout magazine
his only comment on those moves was I
want to get control of the center.
After his opponent replied 2. ... Nf6, Fis-
cher wrote, This is the Pirc Defense. He
has to get the knight out so that he can
later fianchetto his bishop and castle
his king into safety. The only other knight
move is ... Nh6. Thats a terrible square
for the knight ... and so on.
Writing down that much is bound to
annoy stronger readers. But even the
greatest annotators disappoint some of
their audience. Heres what Mikhail Tal
had to say in his deservedly praised book
on the 1960 world championship match:
Tal speaks out
GM Mikhail Botvinnik
GM Mikhail Tal
Match, 10th game, Moscow 1960
+ + l  +
+p+ + +k
P 
 p n +
p 
 rP
p +p
P+ + + +
+ +K NL+P
+ + + +
+ + +  R
After 39. ... Kh7
White, a pawn down, has been tempo-
rizing for several moves. After he played
40. Be4+, Tal packed a lot in his note:
He explained that Black threatened to
gain a possibly decisive edge with 40. ...
Bh6. He outlined the sporting situation
(Botvinnik, literally in the last seconds
before his flag fell, realizes the danger
and changes plans). Tal added that other
annotators thought 40. Be4+ was dubi-
ous but he believed it deserves a double
exclamation point.
Nevertheless, Tals comment ends on a
note that frustrates most readers. Blacks
uschess.org
 Problem I Problem II Problem III
Isaac Kashdan William Albert Fairhurst Yefim Bogolyubov Isaac Kashdan
Isaac Kashdan Isaac Kashdan Oscar Tenner

Isaac Kashdan starred on gold- + + + + + +

+ k
 +
+ +k+
medal-winning U.S. Olympiad + + + + p + + +p
 p +n+ 
 pp
teams, helped found Chess Review,
and organized and directed the leg-
kn+ +P+
 + + + + + +q+ +
endary Lone Pine and Piatigorsky p + + +
 + l + n + +p+p+
Cup tournaments. Yet although + + +  r +Q+ +K+ Q+ P + +
Kash was one of the worlds top 10 +r+ + + + N + P + n 
PN+
players for several years, his games
remain unknown to many of todays
+ + K + PP + 
q  P P+ +  PPP
fans. That should change with the + + +  Q + + + + +R+ +  K
publication of Isaac Kashdan, Amer- Black to play Black to play White to play
ican Chess Grandmaster, by Peter
P. Lahde. This months quiz draws Problem IV Problem V Problem VI
from the 757 games collected by Christian Poulsen Isaac Kashdan Isaac Kashdan
Isaac Kashdan Herbert Seidman Anthony Santasiere
Lahde. In each of the following six
positions you are asked to find the + r
 + k
 +r+ + + +rrnlk+
fastest winning line of play. Usually
this will mean the forced win of a
+ +
+ + +p+ +klp +lqn+ppp
decisive amount of material, such p

+q+pp p+q+pnp+ p
p p + +
as a rook or minor piece. Solutions + + n + + +p+ + + + +N P
are on Page 71. + + + + + + + + P+ +P+ +
Q 
 P +P
P +P+ 
Q PL + N 
L +
P+ + +K P P
L +PP P PP+L
 Q P
+ + R + + + +RK + +R+R K
Black to play White to play White to play

answer is forced, he wrote without elab-
oration. Since Black played 40. ... Nxe4,
the poor reader is left wondering why 40.
... Kh8 would be so bad.
Up and coming players tend to write...
well, upoften at least 100 rating points
above their playing strength. When
Alexander Alekhine was making his move
towards challenging Jose Capablanca for
the world championship, he wrote in a
style that seemed to say, Of course, I
dont have to explain all these moves
because theyre just so obvious to me.
But Capablanca saw his role as being
the games No. 1 recruiter of newcom-
ers. He wrote so far down that many of his
notes were accessible to the newest new-
bies. What can an average player make of
all this? Well, the first point is that if you
dont understand what an annotator is
saying, it may be that youre just not
ready for him. (And for some heavy-
handed writers, you may never be.)
On the other hand, if you find a book
such as Irving Chernevs write-down classic
Logical Chess, Move by Moveto be simplis-
tic, it may simply be that youve graduated
from the Chernev school of chess.
You also have to guard against guess-
ing how a writer really thinks. If a write-up
annotator gives a 13-move variation, you
might (wrongly) assume he actually saw
all of this by himself. Conversely, you
may underestimate a write-down annota-
tor because of his simplified terms.
One of the most famous down-writers
uschess.org
was Siegbert Tarrasch. His words were
aimed at students and he handed them rnl
qk+n r
sweeping declarations about the pp
 p lp
pp
supremacy of mobility, the need to meet 1.
e4 with 1. ... e5, the evils of losing time in + +p+ +
the opening and of a bad bishop and so on. + +p+ +
As a result, some readers concluded
that Tarrasch played the way he wrote. + +P+ +
That is, he chose moves according to +P+ + +
abstract rules, rather than according to
the concrete position. PLP
PQPPP
The post-Tarrasch view says you have RN+ 
 KL
NR
to play the position. The proper way to
After 4. Bb2
examine chess is to start from the game
itself, not to impose something upon it
from the outside, as Cecil Purdy wrote raschs rules. He chose 4. ... Bf6!? because
more than 60 years ago. he didnt like the more natural 4. ... Nf6
But Tarrasch did play according to the for a specific reason5. exd5 exd5 6.
position. Theres ample evidence of this Bxf6 gxf6 doubles Blacks pawns and
should favor White. Even though he may
but lets just look at his titanic match with
have handed his readers dumbed-down
Mikhail Tchigorin. Three times Tarrasch
dogmatism, Tarrasch didnt think and
answered Tchigorins favorite French play that way.
Defense weapon, 1. e4 e6 2. Qe2, with 2. So why cant an annotator think one
... Be7 3. b3 d5 4. Bb2: way and still satisfy the broadest audi-
ence? Why cant he bridge the 2,000-plus
rating point gap from the strongest to
(see diagram top of next page)
He played 4. ... Bf6!?. Black strangely weakest readers?
offers to trade his good bishop, leaving Well, thats what Garry Kasparov tried
himself with a queen bishop that is the to do in Kasparov versus the Rest of the
notorious problem-piece of the French World. He started out the book writing
defense. If White doesnt like 5. Bxf6 Nxf6 way down, but ended way up, analyzing
6. e5 he has an attractive option in 5. e5 a highly complex queen and pawn
Be7. Then Black has a cramped position endgame requiring very long lines of
and has spent three of his five moves on analysis. He left many readers bewil-
this bishop. deredand took 202 pages to annotate a
But Tarrasch wasnt relying on Tar- single game. .
Chess Life February 2010 15
Solitaire Chess

The Extraordinary Pillsbury

By Bruce Pandolfini

Harry Nelson Pillsbury was one of the top players in the world in 1900. He shows
why in this months selection.

Myth, exaggeration, or whatever, its
an old story. Supposedly, Harry Nelson
Pillsbury could give amazing exhibitions,
such as playing, blindfolded, 20 games of
chess, 20 games of checkers, and a hand
of whist. He would also memorize a list of
40 made-up words, backwards and for-
wards, reciting it at the beginning and end
of the exhibition. The topper was that
throughout the entire event he would
carry on witty conversations. Maybe the
story is all baloney, but he really did play
quite brilliantly during these public dis-
plays, as in this victory over W. Chalk,
played at a Montreal simultaneous in
1900. This particular game took off from:
French Defense (C10)
Harry Nelson Pillsbury
W. Chalk
Montreal, 1900
second-best moves, and there may be 11. Ne5 Par Score: 5
bonus pointsor deductionsfor other
Blacks last move has turned over the
moves and variations. Note that ** means
central outpost, so Pillsbury occupies it
that the note to Blacks move is over and
with his knight.
Whites move is on the next line.**
11. Bd7
Add 1 bonus point for spotting 11. ...
5. Nxf6+ Par Score: 5
Accept only 4 points part credit for 5.
Qc7? 12. Ng6. The freeing attempt, 11. ...
Bg5, and only 3 points part credit for 5.
c5, opens the position prematurely and
Ng3 or even 5. Bd3.
backfires after 12. dxc5 Qxc5 (12. ...
Bxc5? 13. b41 bonus point) 13. Qa4+
Bd7 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. Bb5, along with
5. Qxf6
Rad1. Best was likely 11. ... Be7, getting
ready to castle kingside.**
6. Nf3 Par Score: 5
Intending 7. Bd3 and 8. Bg5, trapping
the queen (1 bonus point). Black can avoid 12. Nc4 Par Score: 5
it by playing ... h7-h6, but he prefers to
White plays a direct attack on the
remove the queen from the danger zone,
queen, to see where it goes. On 12. ...
even at the cost off several tempi.
Qa6? there follows 13. Nd6+ (1 bonus
point), discovering on the queen. Take
full credit also for the semi-waiting move,
6. Qf5
12. Re1. If 12. ... Be7 (not 12. ... Bd6? 13.
Nc4 1 bonus point), and White is still
7. Bd3 Par Score: 5

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 7. Qa5+ better.

rnl
qkl r 12. Qd8
The try 12. ... Qd5 puts the queen in a
8. c3 Par Score: 5
pp
 p +ppp After 8. Bd2 (full credit) 8. ... Qb6, White
tight spot after 13. Be5 (1 bonus point),
has to decide if he should defend the b2-
+ +pn + threatening 14. b4 and 15. Ne3, ensnar-
pawn or make it a gambit. The text is
ing the queen.**
+ + + + simpler, especially for simultaneous play
+ 
PN+ + on 26 boards. 13. Nd6+ Par Score: 6
White plays for the two bishops, control
+ + + + 8. c6
of the dark squares, and attack to the
Black opens a path for the queen to
PPP+ PPP uncastled black king.
retreat to c7 or d8.**
R 
 LQKL
NR 13. Bxd6
Your starting position
9. Bf4 Par Score: 5
White eliminates ... Qa5-d7, as well as 14. Bxd6 Par Score: 4
Now make sure you have the above ... Bf8-d6.
Accept 1 bonus point if you had this
position set up on your chessboard. As
position in mind when playing 12. Nc4.
you play through the remaining moves in
9. Nd7
this game, use a piece of paper to cover 14. Bc8
the article, exposing Whites next move
The bishop returns to its starting
10. 0-0 Par Score: 5
only after trying to guess it. If you guess
square, more or less proving that 11. ...
correctly, give yourself the par score.
Bd7 was a waste of time.**
10. Nf6
Sometimes points are also rewarded for The knight vacates d7 for the bishop.**

16 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

 Problem I Problem II Problem III
ABCs of Chess Trapping Trapping Discovery

+l+ + + + + r + +
+ +k+
These problems are all related to
key positions in this months game.
+p+ k 
p + +
p
k Q + +q+p+
In each case, Black is to move. The +p
l n + + lpn p + + +p+
answers can be found in Solutions + + + + + 
p + + + + +l+p
on page 71. + + + + + + +  P + +n+ +
February Exercise: A key to plan-
+ + PQ+ + + P + + + 
P +
ning is pawn configuration and how + + PP+ + + +L+ +Q+ P +
it supports and enables the pieces. + + K + + + K + + + 
K +R
For practice, diagram critical strate-
gic setups twice: for both players,
once with pawns, and a second time Problem IV Problem V Problem VI
with everything placed. Affix sets of Fork Trapping Skewer
such diagrams to opposite sides of
index cards. As you review these + +k+ q
 +
+r+k+ q+ + +k+
cards, start each one from the side + +
+p+p p
 +
+pp + + +pp
with just pawns, imagining where + + +l+ p + + +
 +r+ + +
pieces are located on the other side
of the card. Then check your results.
+ +p+ + + +p+ + + + + pQ
Do this regularly and you might Q+ +n+ + +lQ + + p 
 P + +
become more attuned to pawn struc- + +L
P + +  P 
P + + + + P
ture and its complement, optimal + + +P+ P+q N P + PP+ 
 P +
piece placements. You know, the
stuff dreams are made of.
+ 
L + K R + 
 K + +K+ + +R

15. Ba3 Par Score: 5 part credit for 19. Rae1. The text threat- is back to her old stand, attacking g7.
ens to trap the queen by 20. Re5, since
This is the correct retreat, preventing
20. ... Nxe5 leaves mate at e7 (1 bonus
Black from castling.
23. g6
point).
24. Rxe6+ Par Score: 6
15. h5
Black tries to get some value from his
19. h3
Now 20. Re5? allows mate at g2.**
rook at h8. Perhaps the h-file will open
24. Black resigned.
If 24. ... fxe6, then 25. Qxg6 is mate.
up.** 20. Be4 Par Score: 5
16. Qf3 Par Score: 5 This is more forcing than 20. Bf1 (4
points part credit), which would likely
With the black king stuck on e8 White r+lqk+  r
transpose back into the game after 20. ...
can prepare to open the center, either by
hxg2 21. Bxg2 Qg5. Accept 4 points part pp+n+p+

c3-c4, and d4-d5, or by f2-f4-f5. Pills-
credit also for the sneaky 20. f3 hxg2 21.
bury has in mind yet another plan, +p
+R+p+
Re5 Qxf3 22. Rxe6+ fxe6 23. Bg6+ Qf7 24.
attacking the undefended g7-pawn and
Qd6!, gaining queen for rook. Again Black + + + +
seeing how Black defends it. Take full
should respond 20. ... Qg5.
credit for 16. Qe2 (idea f2-f4-f5), also 16. + 
P + +
Re1. 20. Qg5 L 
 P + Q
16. Qd5
PP + P
L P
Black offers a trade of queens, which
21. Re3 Par Score: 5
The move 21. g3 (receive 4 points part R + + 
 K
would greatly ease defense. Naturally,
credit) looks safer but Pillsbury does not Final position
Pillsbury declines.**
fear the opening of the h-file. Plus he
17. Qg3 Par Score: 5 wants to leave g3 open, available for his
heavy pieces. Solitaire Chess scores:
17. h4 Total your score to determine
your approximate rating below:
21. hxg2
18. Qc7 Par Score: 5
Deduct 3 points for 18. Qxg7?, running
22. Bxg2 Par Score: 4 Total Score Approx. Rating

into 18. ... Rg8 19. Qxf6 Qxg2 mate.

95+ 2400+
22. Qd8 81-94 2200-2399
The queen has no more to do on the
66-80 2000-2199
18. Nd7
kingside (22. ... Qh4? 23. Rh31 bonus
51-65 1800-1999

point), so he drives the white queen off.**

36-50 1600-1799
19. Rfe1 Par Score: 5 21-35 1400-1599
Take 3 points part credit for 19. h3 (too 06-20 1200-1399
defensive), preventing ... h3 and 4 points
23. Qg3 Par Score: 5
0-05 under 1200
After a brief interlude Pillsburys queen

uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 17

Cover Story

PHOTO BY BETSY DYNAKO

The 40 -Year-Old
Americas latest player to
18 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org
 By GM Ben Finegold

he road to grandmaster did not

T start at age 20 when I earned the

international master title. No, it
started well before that, probably around
age 5.
My dad, Ron Finegold, was a chess
master, even losing a rated tournament
game to Bobby Fischer in 1963. He taught
me the moves at age five, and I was play-
ing in tournaments soon thereafter. My
family is from Detroit, Michigan, and we
grew up as a chess family, with my
brother, Mark, higher rated than me until
I was 13 years old. Unlike most kids, I
preferred to play in adult (open) events,
and not scholastic championships. Dont
get me wrong, as I did play in the annual
Michigan Junior Championships, but, I
never played in the national scholastics.
At age 15, I decided to go to the 1985
Cleveland Open, instead of the state jun-
ior championships, and tied for first by
beating GM Miguel Quinteros in the last
round. The score of that game is lost in the
depths of time, but, I do remember being
slightly worse with black, then he dropped
a piece to a relatively simple tactic. How-
ever, my dads game against Fischer will
be around forever, and, is still interesting
to analyze today (see sidebar, p. 23).
My first trip abroad to study chess was
in 1984, as I went to Moscow, Russia
with fellow American Joey Waxman. I was
only 14 at the time and had the time of my
life, studying chess at the Central Chess
Club with the likes of GMs Suetin, Gufeld,
Krogius, Smyslov, and many other strong
players. Going to Russia in 1984, espe-
cially for a young person such as myself
was quite a big deal, and I received a let-
ter from the Michigan governor and a
proclamation from the state senate! Get-
ting the visa and being able to afford the
trip were also quite difficult, but the good
people of the Michigan Chess Association
were able to raise quite a bit to make the
trip doable. I still have notes from the
chess seminar as well as a picture of all
the participants, including future GMs
David Norwood and Vasilios Kotronias.
My first trip abroad to play in a chess
event was to the Oakham Junior Cham-
pionships in 1986. This tournament was

GM
held in the very small town of Oakham,
in northern England. I flew to London
with future GM Patrick Wolff, as we were
the only two Americans in the field. I met
future world champion Viswanathan
Anand at that event, and was quite
impressed with his accurate calculation
and speed of play. I was extremely fortu-
nate to draw against Vishy in this event,
which saw quite a material turnaround in
the ending (see next page):

earn the GM title bucks the youth trend.

uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 19
 Cover Story

A turnaround 62. Kc1 g5 63. Kc2 h5 64. Kc1 h4 65. there, and, my most famous opponent,
Benjamin Finegold (FIDE 2280) Kc2 h3 66. Kc1 e4 67. Kc2 e3 68. fxe3, GM Boris Gelfand, was also my most
GM Viswanathan Anand (FIDE 2405) Stalemate. famous victim.
Oakham Junior Championship (3), 1986
When I graduated high school in June Nimzo-Indian Defense,
+ rk+
 + 1986, I decided to forego college and give Classical Variation (E38)
chess a whirl. I moved to Columbus, Ohio, Benjamin Finegold (FIDE 2375)
+ + +  pp and played in weekend tournaments, GM Boris Gelfand (FIDE 2590)
p + +n+
 studied chess, and gave chess lessons. I OHRA-B Amsterdam, 1989
was rated about 2400 USCF, which, at the
+NlP
p + time, was quite good for a 16-year-old.
One of the greatest chess events ever
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5.
+ +P+p+
held was in St. John, New Brunswick in
dxc5 Qc7
+ + +  P February 1988. The World Chess Festi- An unusual move. Black prevents White
val was aptly named. Not only were there from playing a later Bf4. Luckily, g5 is a
P
P +  P  P fine square for the bishop.
candidates matches, but also two very
+ R +  K strong internationals, as well as the World
Blitz Championship with a first prize of
6. Nf3 Bxc5 7. Bg5 a6 8. e3 Be7 9. Be2 b6 10.
Black to play
$50,000 (in Canadian dollars)! Grand-
0-0 Bb7 11. Rfd1 d6 12. Rd2 Nbd7 13. Rad1
Here Vishy with his usual speed bashed masters (GMs) from all over the world Black has decided to play in hedgehog
out a move I would never have considered. came, and I was wondering if I could com- style. Now, the game is about equal if
pete with such heavyweights, especially Black castles kingside, but, as Kotov once
35. ... Nh8!
since I was on a roll, playing 50 consecu- said Dizziness due to success ...
It took me a moment to figure out this tive USCF- rated games without a loss. The
confusing move. Then I realized Black internationals were strong, and I scored
13. ... 0-0-0?
was going to play Nf7-g5 or Nf7-d6 and about 50% in each event. I was in New
Whites position is hopeless. Brunswick for almost a month, playing
+kr + r
chess, watching the worlds best, and being +lqn
lp
pp
cold (harsh weather there in February!).
36. Nc7 Nf7 37. Ne6 Ra8 38. a3 Nd6 39. b4
Bd4 40. Rc6
I did not exactly have a spectacular
p
p pp
n +
I need to get my d-pawn going or the event, but, at least I got revenge against + + + L
extra piece will tell. IM Robert Kuczynski, who was the winner
of the above-mentioned Oakham junior
+P+ + +
event. Robert beat me in the first round of
40. ... Nxe4 41. d6 Nf6 42. Rc7 Ne8 43. Rc6
+ N 
PN+
Oakham, and I was surprised to see him
Ra7 44. Rc8 Kf7 45. Nd8+ Kf6 46. Nc6 Nxd6
47. Nxa7 Nxc8 48. Nxc8 Ke6
win clear first when all was said and done.
P
PQRL
PPP
Black gives back the piece. Anand Later that year, the 1988 New York + +R+ K
thought his better king and better minor Open was quite an important event in my After 13. ... 0-0-0
piece would seal the deal. However, I will life. I was able to stay at the home of Gina
able to make dangerous threats on the Linn, one of the top female players in Clearly Black wants to win, but this is
queenside even without my king. the U.S., who I had known for quite some too much.
time. After the event, I stayed with her in
New York, and soon thereafter she was
49. Na7 Kd5 50. a4! Bc3 51. b5 Bb4 52. Nc6 Kc4 14. b4! h6 15. Bf4 e5?
offered a job in Brussels, Belgium with Much too anti-positional. Black should
the Grandmasters Association (GMA)
+ + + + play 15. ... Ne5. Now the reader should
+ + + pp founded by Garry Kasparov and Bessel keep an eye on the weak f5-square.
Kok. We moved to Brussels in July, and
I played as much chess as I could. Gina
pN+ + +
 16. Bg3 g5 17. a4 Rdg8?
+P+ 
p + and I were married in January 1989 in Now the d6-pawn is weakened further,
Hastings, England where I also received and the h8-rook is trapped. Not Gelfands
an international master (IM) norm. I
P
lk+ +p+ best game!
+ + + P eventually earned all of my IM norms,
and my rating, which was FIDE 2380
18. a5 bxa5 19. c5!
when we arrived in Europe, had gone
+ + P P It was not necessary to sacrifice pawns,
+ + + K up to 2490 by January 1990. I was an but, I wanted to get at his king first. At age
After 52. ... Kc4 IM, married, had a good rating, and was 19, sacrificing is easy!
playing in three European chess leagues
(Belgium, Holland, Germany).
19. ... g4
53. a5! bxa5 54. Nxb4! Kxb5! 55. Nc2 My chess was improving quite a bit, Black cannot play 19. ... dxc5? 20.
The ending that started with Black and, in July 1989, I had my best tourna- Nxe5! Nxe5 21. Qf5+That f5 square!
having an extra piece has seen a com- ment to date. There was a 26-player Swiss 21. ... Nfd7 22. Rxd7.
plete turnaround, and now White is in Amsterdam, with half the players GMs,
ahead a knight! Luckily, for both if us, and the other half IMs or strong Dutch
20. cxd6 Bxd6 21. Rxd6 gxf3 22. Bxa6!
the game is drawn. players. Somehow, I was invited, and Crashing through. Black is helpless.
almost made a GM norm, although I had
to settle for an IM norm, losing to tourna-
55. ... Kc4 56. Kf1 Kb3 57. Ne1 a4 58. Ke2 a3 22. ... Bxa6 23. Rxa6 axb4 24. Ra8+ Nb8
59. Kd2 a2 60. Nc2 Kb2 61. Na1!, Draw agreed. ment winner Zurab Azmaiparashvili in If Black plays 24. ... Kb7 25. Ra7+
The finish could have been 61. ... Kxa1 the last round. I played some good chess Kxa7 26. Nb5+ wins neatly.

20 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

 The commentators at the 2009 U.S. Womens Championship: (l-r) Frequent Chess Life contributor Macauley Peterson, Chess Life Online
editor Jennifer Shahade, and Finegold.
25. Qf5+, Black resigned.
Proving the point that 15. ... e5? was
too weakening.
A year after our son was born in June
1991, Gina and I moved back to the USA.
The U.S. Open, coincidently, was held in
Dearborn, Michigan in August 1992, only
15 miles or so from our home in South-
field. I was back in the USA permanently
for the first time as an IM, husband, and
father. I did well, winning seven and draw-
ing five, but as only equal second behind
the new American player, GM Gregory
Kaidanov. Gregory was on a roll from
1991-1993, winning almost every tourna-
ment. We became friends, and, I worked
with Gregory for two years when I won the
Samford fellowship in 1993.
My chess improved immensely while I
PHOTO BY BETSY DYNAKO
had the fellowship, and I tied for second
in the 1993 U.S. Open and tied for first
in 1994. My USCF rating rose to over
2600, and I was invited, for the first time
based on rating, to the U.S. Champi-
onship. I was invited once before when I
was equal first in the 1989 U.S. Junior
uschess.org
Championship, but was unable to play.
The 1994 Championship was held in Key
West, Florida, and I was raring to play!
Unfortunately, all my good play the
previous year did not spill over into such
a strong round robin, and I was lucky to
avoid last place, scoring only 4 out of 13.
Still, I won one nice game, against GM
Dmitry Gurevich.
Dutch Defense (A90)
IM Benjamin Finegold (2623)
GM Dmitry Gurevich (2651)
U.S. Championship (11), 1994
1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Bg2 c6 5. Nc3 d5
6. Nh3 Bd6 7. 0-0 0-0 8. Bf4 Be7
This may look odd, but it actually makes
a lot of sense! Black does not want to
trade bishops, as he will be left with the
bad Bc8. Also, Black wants to attack with
... h7-h6, ... g7-g5 and the Bf4 allows
Black to gain back the tempo.
9. Qb3 Kh8 10. Rad1 a5 11. c5 Nfd7
Since Black has a6 for his queens
knight, he decides to put his kings knight
on d7, controlling e5 and c5, and prepar-
ing ... g7-g5 without the need for ... h7-h6.
12. Na4 g5 13. Bc1 Bf6
Black has played quite well, and now,
I felt the need to open the center quickly,
before Black develops his remaining forces.
14. f3 h6 15. e4 Na6 16. a3 Rb8! 17. Qc2 b5
18. Nc3 b4 19. Na4
Move 19 and no trades yet! A fascinat-
ing struggle all over the board, as Black has
more space on the kingside and queenside!
19. ... bxa3 20. bxa3 Nc7!
Now I started to get worried about ...
Ba6-c4-b3!
21. Rfe1 Ba6 22. Bf1 Bxf1 23. Rxf1 fxe4
Dmitry thought the game was dynam-
ically balanced until this point, and was
quite critical of his choice here. Opening
up the center and f-file only helps White.
24. fxe4 Qe8 25. e5 Bd8 26. Nb6! Rxf1+ 27.
Rxf1 Nxb6 28. cxb6 Nb5 29. Bb2 Bxb6
(See diagram top of next page)
Chess Life February 2010 21
Cover Story
r

+q+  k
+ + + +
lp+p+ 
 p
pn+p
 P 
p Nimzowitsch Defense (B00)
+ 
P + +
P + + 
 PN
LQ+ + 
 P
+ + +R K
After 29. ... Bxb6
30. Qd1!
I have used this idea more than once.
When I was a little boy, I remember look-
ing at an old Tal game where he used d1
to transfer his queen from one side of
the board to the other.
30. ... Bd8 31. a4!
Taking time out to put the knight off
sides before the kingside onslaught.
31. ... Na7 32. Ba3 Be7 33. Bxe7 Qxe7 34.
Qg4 Kg7 35. Nf4
All of Whites pieces are attacking. The
end is near.
35. ... Kh7 36. Nxe6 Rg8 37. Rf6 Rg6, Black
resigned.
Black did not wait for 38. Qf5.
I played chess on and off from 1995-
1999, when I was a full time student at
Wayne State University in Detroit,
Michigan. Gina earned a PhD in clini-
cal psychology in 1999, but since our
marriage also ended, I decided to go
back full time to chess. I moved to
Brooklyn, New York and taught chess in
public and private schools for a few
months. My son, Spencer, and I were
not too keen on New York City, and in
March 2000, we went back to Michigan.
Although there were fewer opportunities
for teaching, I was playing in more tour-
naments, and hoped to snag some GM
norms.
I met my second wife, Kelly, on the
Internet Chess Club (ICC), and we mar-
ried at the National Open in March
2001. I had an excellent tournament,
and drew three Chinese super-GMs in
the last three rounds. Late December
saw the birth of our daughter, Erum. I
knew it was time to earn the GM title!
My first big chance at a GM norm
was the 2002 World Open. I started
with 3-, and then had to start play-
ing the big boys. In round five, I was
able to win a very long game versus
Finegold showing some of the personality that has always made him a fan favorite.
22 Chess Life February 2010
GM Pavel Blatny which made it into
Robert Byrnes column in the New York
Times.
IM Benjamin Finegold (2620)
GM Pavel Blatny (2573)
World Open (5), 07.05.2002
1. d4 b6
A Blatny specialty, although I must
say I was not prepared!
2. e4 Bb7 3. Nc3 e6 4. Nf3 Bb4 5. Bd3 Nf6 6.
Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Qxf6 9. 0-0 d6
This position has occurred many times,
but, unfortunately, I did not know any of
the games! The right plan for White is 10.
Nd2 e5 11. f4! which I rejected during the
game. Black is equal after my plan of a4-
a5 and trading off my weak pawn.
10. a4 e5 11. a5 0-0 12. Qe2 Nc6 13. axb6
axb6 14. Qe3 Ne7 15. Nd2 g5! 16. g3 Qg7!
17. f3 Bc6 18. Nc4 f6?
This move shocked me! His queen on g7
put pressure on d4, and now he allows me
to maneuver my knight to the excellent
e3-square by blocking his queen!
19. Qe2 Rxa1?
This sequence of moves Blatny has
prepared leads to a wretched position.
He simply overlooked a simple tactic.
20. Rxa1 exd4? 21. cxd4 f5 22. c3 g4? 23. f4!
fxe4 24. Bxe4
++ rk+
+  p 
n q
pl
 p +  p
+ + + +
+NPL
Pp+
+  P + P
+ +Q+  P
R + + 
 K
After 24. Bxe4
Now his planned 24. ... d5 fails to either
25. Ne5 dxe4 26. Nxc6 Nxc6 27. Qc4+ or
25. Bg2 dxc4 26. Bxc6 Nxc6 27. Qxc4+.
Blatny overlooked the Qc4+ idea.
24. ... Bb5 25. Bd3 Bc6 26. Qe6+ Kh8 27. Ne3
h5 28. Ra7 Rf6 29. Qc4
Now mutual time trouble makes the game
PHOTOS BY BETSY DYNAKO
a toss-up. Lucky for me, I did not blunder!
29. ... b5 30. Qb3 Nc8 31. Ra2 Qf8 32. Bxb5
Qe8 33. Bxc6 Qxe3+ 34. Kg2 Ne7 35. Qb5
uschess.org
Rf5 36. Qb8+ Kg7 37. Qxc7 d5 38. Bd7 Qf3+
Funny thing was I ONLY saw Qe4+ and
this move scared me! Stupid time trouble.
39. Kg1 Qd1+ 40. Kf2 Qf3+
Now with time on my clock, I found
the way to win.
41. Ke1! Qh1+ 42. Kd2 Qxh2+ 43. Kd1 Qxa2
44. Bxf5
Black has no escape and no perpetual
check.
44. ... Qa4+ 45. Kd2 Kf8 46. Qe5 Qa2+ 47.
Bc2 Ng8 48. Qg5
Actually 48. Qxh5 or 48. Qe6 are both
faster. Luckily all roads lead to Rome.
48. ... Qa6 49. Qxd5 Qf1 50. Qd6+ Kg7 51.
Qg6+ Kf8 52. Qd6+ Kg7 53. Qe5+ Kf8 54.
Bb3 Qf2+ 55. Kc1 Qg1+ 56. Kb2 Qg2+ 57.
Ka3 Qa8+ 58. Ba4 Qf3 59. Qe8+ Kg7 60.
Bb3 Nh6 61. Qe7+, Black resigned.
A difficult game.
After this, I secured my first GM norm
by drawing super-GMs Alexander Onis-
chuk, Ilya Smirin, and Art Yusupov. I
tied for first, and was told later by Inter-
national Arbiter Carol Jarecki that I had
surpassed the GM norm by half a point.
Determing the future world champion
French Defense (C15)
GM Robert James Fischer
Ronald Finegold
Western Open Championship (5),
07.06.1963
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5.
bxc3 dxe4 6. Qg4 Nf6 7. Qxg7 Rg8 8. Qh6
This was a Fischer favorite against the
French, but Black should get a good
game (and why this line is rarely
played nowadays). Fischer often suf-
fered in the Winawer.
8. ... Rg6 9. Qe3 b6 10. Bb2 Bb7 11. 0-0-0
Nbd7 12. h3 Qe7 13. Ne2 0-0-0 14. c4
The game is pretty equal. Now the
players trade a lot of material and
open up the game, which is good for
Whites two bishops.
14. ... e5!? 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Rxd8+ Kxd8
17. Nf4 Rg8 18. Be2 Kc8 19. Rd1 Rd8 20.
Rxd8+ Kxd8 21. Qg3 Ng6 22. h4 Nxf4 23.
Qxf4 Ne8
An unusual ending has occurred.
White has two bishops and Black has
an isolated h-pawn. However, Whites
queenside pawns are also quite weak.
uschess.org
I was very lucky to draw Smirin, as my Weakens my pawn structure and gives
tenacity paid off in the following ending. White more targets.
26. Rd1 Bc2? 27. Rxd5 Nf6 28. Rd6 Bxb3 29.
Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense (C65)
Rxf6 Be6
GM Ilya Smirin (2794) When I played 29. ... Be6 I thought the
IM Benjamin Finegold (2620) Rf6 would be trapped, or at least off sides.
World Open (8), 07.06.2002 Instead, his rook gets out easily and I
am a pawn down.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. 0-0 Bc5 5.
30. f4! g4 31. Rh6! Rd8 32. Rxh7 Rd2+ 33.
c3 0-0 6. d4 Bb6 7. dxe5 Nxe4 8. Qd5 Nc5 9.
Kg3 Rxb2 34. Rh5 Rb3 35. Rc5 Ke7 36. f5
Bg5 Qe8 Bd7 37. Kxg4 Kd6 38. Rc4 Ke5 39. Bd3 Bc6
I think 9. ... Ne7 is a better way of 40. g3 Ra3 41. h4
playing. I was not familiar with the 7.
dxe5 line, so I was winging it.
+ + + +
10. Re1 Qe6 11. Qd1 a6 12. Bf1 d5?! +p+ +p+
This impatient move leads to a worse p+l+ + +
position. I should have tried to sideline his
bishop with 12. ... h6.
P + 
 kP+
13. exd6 e.p. Qxd6 14. Qxd6 cxd6 15. Nbd2
+R+ +KP
d5 16. Be3 Bg4 17. a4 Nd7?! r 
 PL+ 
P
Once again, too impatient. I should + + + +
improve my position with 17. ... Rfe8 instead
of going for trades.
+ + + +
After 41. h4
18. Bxb6 Nxb6 19. Ne5 Nxe5 20. Rxe5 Rfe8
21. Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. a5 Nd7 23. f3 Bf5 24. At least I did not lose on time! Now I
Nb3 Kf8 25. Kf2 g5?! thought for 25 minutes in the hopeless
position. But, Smirin was getting tired
24. h5 Bc8 25. h6 Qd6 26. Qg5+ Qe7 27. Bxc4 a5 43. Ba2
Material is equal, but White has a
Qd5+ Qd6 28. Qg5+ Qe7 29. Qg3 Bf5 30.
better king, and Black has trouble
Qf4 Qe6 31. g4 Bg6 32. Qg5+ Qe7 33.
making any moves.
Qd5+ Qd6 34. Be5 Qxd5 35. cxd5
White has successfully undoubled his
c-pawns. Black is worse, but still in
43. ... f5 44. gxf5 Bxf5 45. Bb3
the drawing zone. Black was hoping for the blunder 45.
Bb1? which loses to 45. ... e3!.
35. ... f6 36. Bg3 Ke7 37. Kd2 Nd6 38. Ke3
b5? 45. ... Bg6 46. Ba4 Bf5 47. Be8!
+ + + + +
+L+ +
p p
  k +p + p

+ +p
+ 
n plP + 
k + P
+p+P+ + p +P+l+

+ +p+P+ + 
Kp+ +
P + 
 K 
L P + + +

+P+LP + + + P +
+ + + + + + + +
After 38. ... b5 After 47. Be8
This is the losing move. My dad told Zugzwang!
me he simply missed Fischers next
move. He never expected White to vol-
47. ... Ke7 48. Ke5 Bg4 49. Bg6! Bd7 50.
untarily give up the two bishops.
Bxh7 c6 51. dxc6 Bxc6 52. Bxe4 Bxe4 53.
However, giving up one advantage for
Kxe4 Kf6 54. f4, Black resigned.
another was a Fischer trademark. My dad told me years later I knew
whoever won this game would
go on to be world champion ...
39. Bxd6+! Kxd6 40. Kd4 a6 41. c4 bxc4 42.
Chess Life February 2010 23
 Cover Story
At the 2009 U.S. Womens Championship, Finegold hoists IM Irina Krush (l) and WIM Iryna Zenyuk.
(he had already played six GMs in the first
seven rounds!) and started to play worse
in the fifth and sixth hours.
41. ... f6 42. Kh5?! Bd5! 43. Rc8 Bc6!
Now Black has counterplay!
44. Kg6 Rxc3 45. Rd8 Bb5 46. Bxb5 Rxg3+ 47.
Kf7 axb5 48. Rb8 Kxf5 49. Rxb7 Rb3 50. a6?
White has some winning chances with
50. Rb6.
50. ... Ra3! 51. Rxb5+ Kg4 52. Rb6 f5
The only move to draw, but easy to find!
53. Kg6 f4 54. h5 f3 55. Rf6 f2, Draw agreed.
We actually got a standing ovation at
the end of this game. This game ensured
my first GM norm with a round to spare.
It took three years to earn my second
norm, in the Chicago Spring Invitational.
I scored 8-3 to earn a norm in 11 rounds.
The norm was clinched after round nine,
where I drew the highest-rated player,
GM Varuzhan Akobian. Winning in round
ten versus Chicago mainstay Al Chow
24 Chess Life February 2010
and a perfunctory draw with future GM Blacks queen is now in a big mess.
Jesse Kraai was icing on the cake.
23. ... hxg3
Black loses his queen after 23. ... Qxf3
A norm clincher!
24. Nf6+ Nxf6 25. Qxf3.
IM Benjamin Finegold (2616)
FM Albert Chow (2226)
Chicago Spring Invitational (10),
24. hxg3 Qg4 25. Nxe5, Black resigned.
Once again, if 25. ... Nxe5 then 26.
04.21.2005
Nf6+ wins the queen.
+r+  rk+ It took four more years to get my last
+ +n+ + norm! My second marriage ended in 2008,
and since I rarely play in GM-norm-round
p+  P +  p robin events, it was serendipitous that
+p lQ
pp+ two such events occurred within one
month of each other in August-September
+p+N q p 2009. I was well on my way to my last
P + +N+
 norm in Chicago, with 4-1 after six
rounds. I was black against soon-to-be-GM
P + 
 PPP wunderkind Ray Robson, when I butchered
PHOTO BY BETSY DYNAKO
R + 
 R K the game in mutual time trouble. I did
not have long to wait, as I was soon flying
Black to play
to Lubbock, Texas for the 2009 Spice Cup
Chow was doing well until this point, B group.
when he was done in by time trouble! I started well, with 5-1, and needed
only two more draws in my last three
22. ... Rf7? 23. g3! games for the title! I achieved this with a
uschess.org
 round to spare, then naturally lost in the
final round to GM Eugene Perelshteyn,
who ended up catching me with a final
score of 6-3 (as did GM Vinay Bhat, who
also won his last round).
My easiest game was in round three
against Texas IM Davorin Kuljasevic.
Slav Defense (D15)
IM Benjamin Finegold (2601)
IM Davorin Kuljasevic (2581)
Spice Cup 2009 (3), 09.21.2009
... Nf6! This is actually a well-known posi- 14. Ra1! Qb2 15. Bc4!, Black resigned.
tion, but not well known to the players in
Black has no defense to 16. Ra2.
this game!
So now I am a 40-year-old GM. My
next stint will be as the grandmaster-in-
11. Bd2 Qb2 12. Rb1 Qa3 13. a5
White has fantastic compensation for
residence at the fabulous Chess Club
the pawn. Now Davorin thought for quite
and Scholastic Center of St. Louis. I
some time. He wanted to end his positional
already found a nice townhouse about one
troubles, and he was successful. Unfortu-
block from the chess club, and hopefully
nately, the tactical troubles did not end.
I can do well in the 2010 U.S. Champi-
onship which will be held at the club,
13. ... c5?

r+l+k l 
r
and make the local players proud! .
Read more about Finegold on his blog and
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. a4 e6 +p+n+p pp website: http://finegoldchess.blogspot.com/
6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. e3 Qa5 8. cxd5 Nxd5
p+ +p+ + and www.benjaminfinegold.com/.
In my pre-game prep I had only looked
at 8. ... exd5. I wondered why Black did

P p + +
not play the text move, but, I was so busy + 
PP+ +
looking at other lines, I simply did not
have the time to look further. Now I had

q + +N+
to start thinking! + 
L PP
P
9. e4! Nxc3 10. bxc3 Qxc3+? +R+Q KL+R
Black should preface this move with 10. After 13. ... c5

Finegold at a Glance
1992 Tied for second U.S. Open
(Dearborn, Michigan)
1993 Tied for second U.S. Open
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
1994 Tied for first U.S. Open (Chicago, Illinois)
1994 Tied for second Chicago International
(Chicago, Illinois)
1994 1st U.S. G/30 Championship
(Bloomington, Illinois)
2002 Tied for first World Open
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) (1st GM
norm)
2002 1st U.S. Game/30 Championship
(Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
2005 Tied for first Chicago Spring Invitational
(Chicago, Illinois) (2nd GM norm)
2005 Tied for first National Open
(Las Vegas, Nevada)
2006 Tied for first Chicago Open
(Chicago, Illinois)
2007 Tied for first U.S. Open
(Cherry Hill, New Jersey) A young Finegold
in an archival
2008 First 7th NACA FIDE (Chicago, Illinois) Chess Life photo.
PHOTO BY BILL HOOK

2008 Tied for first National Open

(Las Vegas, Nevada)
2009 Tied for first SPICE Cup B group
(Lubbock, Texas) (3rd GM norm)

uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 25

2009 World Youth
Samritha and Tanuj,
or The Silver Medals:
A Story of
Chess in
Turkey
The Fed reports on our relatively
inexperienced youth teams performance
at the world youth championships.
By GM John Fedorowicz
or the fifth straight year I had
F the fun task of being one of the
coaches at the World Youth Cham-
pionship. This years event was played in
Antalya, Turkey from November 11-23,
for the second time in three years. The
city of Kemer (where the hotel is located)
is a very picturesque hour-and-a-half
drive from the airport. Two years ago I
missed the view as it was too dark dur-
ing our drive. With the mountains and
Mediterranean Sea, we couldnt have a
more relaxed atmosphere for good chess.
The Limra Hotel is a self-contained
compound. Team USA had all their rooms
close together. This made meeting for
preparation very easy. As we did two
26 Chess Life February 2010
years ago all the coaches assembled in the
lobby for the post mortems. We consider
this a very important part of the learning
process. With the organizers putting out
the bulletins regularly, patching up holes
quickly was necessary. Another plus was
the close proximity to the tournament
hall. It was literally 100 feet from the
rooms, eliminating hectic bus rides and
panic. Jet lag can always be a factor, but
our kids were fineunlike your humble
writer. I didnt adjust to the time change
until only two rounds were left! I was
awake for pregame prep and post game
analysis though!
This years team was one of our least
experienced in recent times. This could be
blamed on the conflict with school calen-
dars for a lot of our top players and
potential medal contenders. (58 players
were invited from the USA). We looked at
this from the bright side, taking up a new
and daunting challenge. This year we had
five coaches for 25 kids, an easy division.
My five students were Alec Getz, Andrew
Ng (Under 16 open), David Adelberg (Under
14 open), Varun Krishnan (Under 12 open)
and Alisha Chawla (Girls Under 8).
Alec and Andrew had the toughest task
as their section was very tough. David was
a pleasant surprise last year in Vietnam
where he contended for a medal. He had
chances again this year with six points
after eight rounds, but he disappoint-
uschess.org
 Young Turks in Turkey.
From left to right: Darrian Robinson,
Abby Marshall, Andrew Ng, Stuart Finney.

Photos below: Our silver medallists:

Samritha Palakollu and Tanuj Vasudeva.

ingly lost his last three games. Varuns

preparation with black was a problem; if
he gets this fixed hell be a factor next
year. Alisha started off slowly, but at the
end was really rolling. I can see her con-
tending next year.
Lets look at some games from our high
scorers and potential future world cham-
pions. Our first game sees Tanuj clinch the
silver medal with this tactical sparkler. I
wasnt a coach at the Pan American Youth
last summer, so I hadnt seen Tanuj yet.
PHOTOS BY GENE NG

I only knew that he won his section eas-

ily. He exhibits a positional and tactical feel
beyond his youth, has a nice personality,
and loves chessthis guy deserves watch-
ing. A bright chess career awaits.

uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 27

 2009 World Youth

French Defense (C10) 5. ... g6 6. Bb5 Bd7 7. 0-0 Bg7 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9.
FM Tanuj Vasudeva r+r+ +  Q Bc4 Nf6 10. Be3 0-0 11. Qd2
Hamzah Amier p + 
 kp
p Typically 11. Bb3 in Dragon/Sozin posi-
World Youth (11), 2009
+ 
ll+ + tions is played, keeping the c4-bishop
1. e4 less exposed.
qp+ + 
 P
This was an unbelievable game for such 11. ... Nxe4!?
a young player. At first I thought Tanuj's + 
p +  P Opening the board for the bishop pair.
sacrifices were unsound, but analysis + +L+ +
engines proved me wrong. 12. Nxe4 d5 13. Bxd5 cxd5 14. Qxd5 Bf5 15.
PPP+ P + Qxd8 Rfxd8 16. Ng3 Bxc2 17. Rac1 Bd3 18.
1. ... e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Bd3
+K+R R + Rfd1 Bxb2 19. Rc7
Whites best line versus Blacks solid After 28. ... Ke7 Black has played very well, but now
setup is 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. c3 she falters.
c5 8. Ne5 with good attacking chances.
30. Qxg7 Be5 31. Bf5+! 19. ... Ba6
Better is 19. ... a5! 20. Rxe7 a4 when
5. ... Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. Nf3 Be7?!
If Black plays too passively White devel- r+r+ + + White's a2-pawn becomes a problem.
ops a nice initiative. 7. ... c5 hitting at the p + +p
 Q
center is a must. 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. h3 Bf6 22. Rxa7 Bc4 23.
+ +k+ + a4 Rd1+ 24. Kh2 Ra1?
Better is 24. ... h5!; Blacks king needs
8. Qe2 0-0 9. Bg5 c5 10. dxc5 Qa5+?! 11.
qp+ 
 lL
P
air badly, and this makes a draw possible.
Bd2 Qxc5 12. 0-0-0
White has the stronger attack in this + 
p +  P
opposite-side castling type position. + + + + 25. Bh6!

12. ... Bd7 13. Ne5 Rfc8 14. Bc3 Be8 PPP+ P + + +k+ +
Whites threat of Nxd7 and Bxh7+ +K+R+ +
forces Black to waste time.
R + 
 pp+p
After 31. Bf5+ + + l
pL
15. Bd4!
This trick prevents ... Rxc3 ideas and
+ + + +
puts Black in serious trouble.
31. ... Kxf5
After 31. ... Kd6 32. Qxf7 Black has no
P+l+ + +
15. ... Qa5 defense to 33. Qd7+ or 33. Qe6+. + + +  NP
Not 15. ... Qxd4?? 16. Bxh7+. 32. Qxf7+ Kg4 33. Rg1+ Kh3 34. Qf3+, Black + + P
PK
resigned.
r + + +

Black never did anything to distract
16. Kb1
Its not clear what Black should do here. After 25. Bh6
Tanuj from his attack.
Samritha jumps on her opponents
Our second silver medalist was Sam-
16. ... b5
error. All of a sudden Black is lost.
Risky is 16. ... Nd5!?, but what isnt?
ritha Palakollu, who displayed a consistent
and sound approach. Her only losses
25. ... Bd5 26. Rd7 e6 27. Rc7 Bb7 28. Rxb7
came against the strong Chinese duo that
17. g4 h6?
Black violates the rule of pawn storms.
Be5 29. Re7 f5
took gold and bronze. She maintained a Blacks back-rank weakness has
Don't weaken the side where the defense
great attitude whether she won or lost. In proved costly.
is happening. 17. ... Nd5!? followed by ...
this age group, pieces are hung and sud-
Nb4 ideas gives some chances to survive.
den mates abound, but not from
30. Rxe6 Re1 31. Rc6 f4 32. Nh1 f3+ 33. g3
Samritha! This round eight victory over her
Re2 34. a5 Bd4 35. Rc8+ Kf7 36. Rf8+ Ke7
Russian counterpart put Samritha in seri-
18. h4 Nd5
Black threatens to play ... Nf4xd3
37. Rxf3 Ra2 38. Bf8+ Ke6 39. Bh6 Rxa5
ous medal contention. And White won, mopping up and
removing the important d3-bishop.
finally mating on move 62.

Jarod Pamatmat was in great shape

19. Qe4! Nf6 20. Qf3 Bd6 21. Qh3
Loading up on g5 and dodging the
threat of ... Bxe5 and ... Bc6.
21. ... Nd7 22. Nxd7 Bxd7 23. g5 h5 24. Qf3
e5 25. Qxh5 exd4 26. Qh7+ Kf8 27. Rhe1
Sicilian Defense,
Accelerated Dragon (B34) with three rounds to go, but put up only
a draw in those final games. Nevertheless
Samritha Palakollu
Irina Galstyan he had a great tournament including this
well-played attack in a queenless mid-
World Youth (8), 2009
dlegame. A lot of young players fold up

when queens are gone, but there was no

Be6 28. Qh8+ Ke7
(see diagram top of next column)
29. Rxe6+ Kxe6
I thought 29. ... fxe6 was Blacks chance
for defense. 30. Qxg7+ Kd8 31. Be4! with
the double attack on d4 and a8 and
Whites attack continuesthe passed
pawns are lurking as well.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 d6 sign of that here.
Black usually plays 4. ... Nf6 to force Nc3.
Slav Defense (D12)
Jarod Pamatmat (FIDE 2029)
5. Nc3
With the white knight still on b1, White
Zhakshylyk Nurlanov
can play the Maroczy bind with 5. c4!?. World Youth (4), 2009
This ensures White a spatial advantage. Notes by The Fed and Pamatmat

28 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

 The Next Generation of Female Stars
It wasnt until after my bags were unpacked, my sou-
venir magnet was on my refrigerator, and I had recovered from
days of travel and Thanksgiving dinner that I realized how
much I was going to miss going to the World Youth. I learned
so much about chess in those two weeks from my coach Sam
Palatnik and from the games themselves. I loved observing
the variations in how people dressed and what foods they are
and how they prepared for their games. Anything goes.
Besides the cultural exposure, I will also miss the cama-
raderie of the team and witnessing the burgeoning talent of
the young players, especially the girls.
This was my second World Youth, and I had my eyes on
a medal. I won my first game; looking at the pairings for round
two, I saw that I was a visitor on board one. I had been pre-
pared to play some tough games, but not this soon! She was
2400 and Russian. I was worse throughout the middlegame
but managed to mix it up to reach a complicated endgame.
Maybe she was still better. The game continued until we were
just playing on thirty second increment. I had a chance to
at least draw and maybe win. Unfortunately, I misplayed the
position, and at the end of the fifth hour I resigned.
After that loss, nothing about my performance was notable,
but I got to be excited about the progress of the U.S. team.
I was very happy by the number of strong female players on
the team. Samritha Palakollu was the big superstar, winning
the silver in the Girls Under 8, thanks to her skill and strong
fighting spirit. Her parents said that after Samritha lost in
round two, she was upset because she really wanted a medal.
She became very determined and bounced back. Annie Wang
was also impressive; her rating put me to shame. Through-
out the tournament Alena Kats kept her calm, intense
composure while playing on the top boards, while Simone Liao
and Darrian Robinson worked very hard preparing and at the
board. They have much potential and promise.
The dedication and talent from this group of female play-
ers is so encouraging because I believe that once more
women start playing chess, then the numbers will be there
and the achievement gap in chess between men and women
will close. Meanwhile, its funny for me to think that in five
or ten years or so these girls will all be my peers, though now
theyre still so little. I do know to watch out.
This tournament and the high school nationals in the spring
are my big goodbyes to youth chess, so Im feeling sad and a
little weird. Its been an awesome journey from cleaning out the
novice sections in Columbus to competing for the world cham-
pionship in Antalya. Im eighteen years old and off to college
next year. I hope to keep playing throughout my college years,
though if I do take a break I know that I will be back someday.
I have some big goals in chess that may not have been real-
ized at the World Youth, but I remain optimistic. ~Abby Marshall

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 she showed good understanding, taking

e6 6. Nh4!? + r +n R advantage of her Uzbek opponents inaccu-
This move gives White the bishop pair +p
nkrp+ racies to win an easy one.
and a slight edge. +p+ +p+
+ 
Pp+  P French Defense (C19)
Alena Katz (FIDE 2001)
6. ... Bg6 7. Qb3
Another try is 7. Nxg6 hxg6 8. Qe2!? + PP
L + Elena Verbova
with g2-g3 to follow. World Youth (3), 2009
+ +L+P+
7. ... Qb6 8. Nxg6 hxg6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bd3
Bd6 11. h3 Qxb3 12. axb3
+ + +  R 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. a3
After the queen swap Jarod outplays his
+ + +K+ Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. Nf3 Nbc6 8. Bd3

opponent. After 37. Bf4 Nick de Firmians favorite at this point

is 8. a4!?. A search shows many wins
A possible line: 38. fxe4 Ne6 39. Be3 f5 from the likes of Fischer and Spassky.
40. exf5 Nxc5 41. dxc5 Rxe3 42. Bc4 Re5
12. ... Nbd7 13. Bd2 0-0 14. 0-0 Rfe8 15. f3

43. R2h7+ Kc8 44. fxg6 Rf5+ 45. Ke2 Rxg5

Bb4 16. Rfe1 a6 17. Re2 Nb6?!
The knight is misplaced here. With 17.
... Nf8!? the knight can put pressure on
d4 when needed.
18. Kf2 Rad8 19. Rc1 Re6 20. h4 Ree8 21. g4
8. ... c4
46. Be6+ Kb8 47. Bxg8 Rxg6 48. Bf7 Rg2+. Black is better off keeping the position
flexible; now Blacks bishop is like a big
38. ... Ne6 39. Be5 Nxg5 40. Rb2 Ke6 41. Bb1
pawn. 8. ... Qa5 9. Bd2 f6 is normal for
Black and gets into complicated theory.
Red7 42. Re2 Nxf3 43. Bg7+ Kd5 44. Ba2 mate.
White found creative attacking chances

in the queenless middlegame.

Kf8 22. Rh1 a5 23. h5! gxh5 24. g5 Ng8 25. 9. Be2 0-0?!
After locking the queenside, Black's
Rxh5 g6 26. Rh7 Re7 27. Rh3 Ree8 28. Kf1

One of our most experienced players is king should head there instead.
Re7 29. Reh2 Bxc3 30. bxc3 a4 31. bxa4

Alena Kats. This was her fourth world youth

Nxa4 32. Bc1 Ke8 33. c4!?
White's most accurate line is 33. Rh8 (we first met in 2006 in Batumi, Georgia)
10. 0-0 f6 11. exf6 Rxf6 12. Bg5 Rf8 13. Ne5

Kd7 34. Rc2 b5 35. e4. and shes shown steady improvement. Her
Nxe5 14. dxe5 Qc7 15. Bxe7!

father Michael (Viva Trabzon) kept me con- Whites dark square bishop becomes a
liability in the Winawer.
stantly entertained with his fast wit and
33. ... Nb6 34. Rh8 Kd7 35. c5 Na8 36. e4 Nc7

jovial personality. With a little luck she

37. Bf4
(see diagram top of next column)
Whites bishop pair is strong while
Blacks forces are discombobulated.
couldve gotten to 8, but had to settle for
a more than respectable 7. In the follow-
ing game she crushed her opponent from a
locked French Winawer position. These
15. ... Qxe7 16. Qd4
Black has a more solid pawn chain,
but lacks any type of activity.
16. ... Qg5?

37. ... dxe4 38. Bxe4 locked positions are very difficult to play, but Black is struggling. 16. ... Bd7 rerout-

uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 29

 2009 World Youth

ing this piece to g6 is Blacks only defen-
sive hope.
17. f4 Qg6 18. Rf2 b6 19. Raf1 Bb7 20. h3
Rf7 21. Kh2 Raf8 22. g4 Bc8 23. Bd1 h6 24.
h4 Qh7 25. Kg3 g6 26. Kh2 Bb7 27. Qe3 Rd7
28. f5!
is a better chance for Black although
White still has an edge.
9. exf6 e.p. Nxf6 10. 0-0
With attacking chances and a target on
e6, White is in the drivers seat.
plentiful, and service was excellent.
In closing I would like to thank my fel-
low coaches GM Sam Palatnik, IM Armen
Ambartsoumian, FM Aviv Friedman, and
FIDE Trainer and Head of Delegation
Michael Khodarkovsky. Not only did we do
a great job with the chess, but it was

very enjoyable hanging out with these

10. ... Bxc3 11. bxc3
+ +  rk+ Blacks loose king and the backward- guys. Id like to thank Semen Filatov and
pl+r+ +q
 e6 pawn add up to a nice edge for Dachey. his mom Anna as well. Next years event
is rumored to be in Greece, 2011 in Rio
de Janeiro and 2012 back in Antalya. To
p +p+p
 p 11. ... Qe8?

+ +p PP+ Black was trying for kingside counter- all future world youth players, I wish you
play, but runs into a simple idea: good preparation, good practice, and good
luck! Looking forward to more successes
+p+ +P P
P 
 P 
Q +
+P+  R 
K
12. Ba3!
This alert move wins material.
next year. .
See more World Youth reporting at
12. ... c5 uschess.org, Chess Life Online,
+ +L+R+ If 12. ... Rf7, 13. Ne5 traps the rook. November archives.
After 28. f5

This decisive thematic break wraps

13. dxc5 dxc4 14. Bxc4 Qe7 15. Ng5 bxc5 16.

things up quickly.
Rae1! Kh8 17. Bxe6 Qb7 18. Bxc5

rnl+ 
r  k Team USA Results
28. ... exf5 29. gxf5 Rxf5 30. Bg4! Rxf2+ 31.
Qxf2 Rd8 32. Be6+, Black resigned. pq+ + 
 pp Girls Under 8
Samritha Palakollu 8,
The rook on d8 will fall with check. + +L
n + Alisha Chawla,
Liza Vigna, Annie Wang, 7.
Another player who is showing rapid + L + N
improvement is Dachey Lin. I like his style + + + + Girls Under 10
and the fact that he plays 1. d4, which Simone Liao 7.
causes problems for other kids. I think + P + +
young players are all well prepared for 1. Girls Under 12
e4, but not equipped against 1. d4. The
P+Q+ PP P Sarah Chiang 7.
style of play is less tactical and requires + + RRK
more strategy. This game is a typical exam- After 18. Bxc5 Girls Under 14
ple of Whites superior handling of the Alena Kats 7,
Nimzo Indian Qc2 line. Lins penultimate- Anna Matlin 6.
round win let him finish on a high note. 18. ... Bxe6
If the rook moves, then Nf7+ cleans Girls Under 16
up. Darrian Robinson 5.
Nimzo-Indian Defense,
Classical Variation (E32) 19. Bxf8 Nbd7 20. Rxe6 Nxf8 21. Re3 Girls Under 18
Dachey Lin (FIDE 1742) Dachey is up a lot of material, so he Abby Marshall 6.
Nikolai Golikov (FIDE 1875)
takes his time.
World Youth (10), 2009 Open Under 8
Tanuj Vasudeva, 8,
Winston Zeng, 5.
21. ... Qd5 22. Ne4 Qf5 23. Qa4 Ng4 24. Rf3
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 Qe5 25. Ng3 Nf6 26. Qc6 Rd8 27. Qb7 h5?

Popular at all levels, White avoids dou- Open Under 10

28. Rf5 Qe6 29. Nxh5 Rd7 30. Qf3 Rd6 31.
bled pawns with this variation, and can Dachey Lin 7,
Nxf6 gxf6 32. Qg4 Nh7 33. h3 Qxa2 34. Rc5

possibly control the center with e2-e4. Tommy He 7,

Qf7 35. Rc8+ Nf8 36. Re1 Kh7 37. Qb4 Re6

Jonathan Chiang 6.
38. Rxe6 Nxe6 39. Qh4+.
4. ... 0-0 5. Nf3
Black lost on time here, but his posi-
With 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Bg5 tion is also losing. Open Under 12
Bb7 8. e3, White hopes his bishop pair Jarod Pamatmat 7,
compensates for his lagging development. The Turkish Chess Federation (TCF) Arthur Chen 7,
once again did a wonderful job organizing Daniel Gurevich,
5. ... b6?!
this event. I saw reports that as many as Michael Brown,
Better is 5. ... c5!?; this center hit takes 1,500 players from 89 different countries and Varun Krishnan, 6.
the steam out of Whites possible e4. 6. could be participating. I knew from two
dxc5 Na6 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. Qxc3 Nxc5 gives years ago what to expect. Very seldom does Open Under 14
Black decent play. an undertaking this large run so smoothly. David Adelberg,
It began with the timely pickups of large, Stuart Finney, 6,
6. e4!
travel-weary delegations and rapid hotel Daniel Rozovsky 5.
Much stronger than on move 5. check-ins. For this I was very thankful.
The pairings were posted about an hour Open Under 16
after all games finished and opponents Alec Getz 6,
Andrew Ng 5.
6. ... d5 7. e5 Ne4 8. Bd3 f5?!
This move gives me the creeps! 8. ... games could be looked up on the Internet.
Bb7!? 9. 0-0 Bxc3 10. bxc3 Nd7 11. Nd2 The restaurant was spacious, food was

30 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

College Chess
A UTD Thanksgiving:
R O S ES A N D R EC O G N I T I O N
Despite problems unique to college chess, the University of Texas
at Dallas eighth norm event proves a success.
W
hile most Americans were eating
turkey and spending time with fam-
ily, 16 students from The University
of Texas at Dallas (UTD) competed at
chess for norms and pride. From Novem-
ber 21-29, 2009, UTD sponsored two
10-player round robin tourna- ments.
Four invited players rounded out the
tournaments: GMs Zviad Izoria and Giorgi
Kacheishvili in the GM (grandmaster)-
norm section, and GMs Babakuli
Annakov and Ildar Ibragimov in the IM-
norm section. Winning the GM-norm
section with six points out of nine were
the two invited GMs. Winning the IM
(international master)-norm section with
six points out of nine was UTD junior
Tautvydas Vedrickas. Though Vedrickas
didnt earn an IM norm, he raised his
rating from 2272 to 2294 FIDE.
The 2009 event was the eighth interna-
tional norm event sponsored by UTD in
the last nine years. In 2001, 2002, and
2004, IM-norm tournaments were held on
the UTD campus. In 2005, 2006, and
2007, the tournaments moved to commu-
nity room sites in the city of Richardson
and became GM-norm tournaments. In
2008 and 2009, to accommodate the
growing number of norm-hopeful UTD
students, both GM-norm and IM-norm
sections were held off campus at area
hotels. A handful of UTD students made
uschess.org
BY DR. ALEXEY ROOT, WIM
norms at these events. GM norms were
achieved by Magesh Chandran Pan-
chanathan in 2005, by Drasko Boskovic
in 2006, and by Davorin Kuljasevic in
2007. John Bartholomew made an IM
norm in 2006, and in 2009, a woman
international master norm (WIM) for
Zorigt Bayaraa.
For the GM-norm section, an IM needed
to score six points out of nine to make a
GM norm. For the IM-norm section, which
included the only two female competi-
tors, 6 points earned an IM norm, 6
points got a woman grandmaster norm,
and 4 points nabbed a WIM norm.
A Norm for Zorigt
Although she has a higher rating than
many WIMs, Zorigt (its a silent g, Zor-
eet) Bayaraa (pronounced Byra, like Myra
with a B) is a woman FIDE master. She
earned her first WIM norm in the 2009
UTD IM-norm section with 5 points out
of 9. With better luck, this might have
been her second instead of her first WIM
norm. In 2008, at this same event,
Bayaraa also scored 5 points, one point
above the requirement for a WIM norm.
But there was a problem in 2008 with the
composition of the IM-norm section. UTD
Chess Program Director Jim Stallings
explained, Bayaraa had enough points in
the 2008 UTD IM-norm section for a WIM
norm. But due to a last-minute player
substitution (which filled the require-
ment for enough players from other
federations but not the requirement for
titled players), a norm was not achieved.
In 2009, luckily, no such problems
existed.
Zorigt is a senior at UTD, in the man-
agement honors program. The manage-
ment honors program provides an intel-
lectually challenging and stimulating
academic experience in a unique learning
environment for the best and brightest
students. Zorigt fits the best and bright-
est description with a 3.9 grade point
average, an academic honors scholar-
ship, an undergraduate research scholar
award, and a deans excellence scholar-
ship. She has a double major in finance
and accounting. Zorigt started playing
chess competitively at age 11 in her native
Mongolia. Her dream is to open a chess
palace, with instruction and tournaments,
in Mongolia.
Logistics
The tournament was a 15-minute drive
from UTD, where the students live. Not all
of them have cars, so that made for trans-
portation problems. For round five, FM
Daniel Yeager was still at UTD when his
opponent, WIM Karina Vazirova, started
his clock at the Marriott Quorum hotel
Chess Life February 2010 31
College Chess

Above: Various scenes from the event, including top left, reading about the UTD chess team visit to Cuba in the Dallas Morning News. Below,
the GM group photo: (l-r) Ludwig, Wang, Kacheishvili, Izoria, Stopa, Sadorra, and Bercys. Simutowe, Zivanic, and Ramirez not shown.

PHOTOS BY ALEXEY ROOT

32 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

playing site. Not wanting to win by forfeit,
Vazirova borrowed FM John Daniel
Bryants cell phone to talk to Yeager. After
determining that Yeager was indeed
stranded, she drove to UTD, picked Yea-
ger up, drove him to the hotel, drew
against him, then drove him back to UTD.
I gave several post-round rides. Most
memorable were freshmen Tyler Hughes
and Bryant, who asked to be dropped at
Braums Ice Cream rather than at their
residence hall.
Classes caused quick draws and sched-
uling headaches. IM Salvijus Bercys told
me that his round one opponent, UTD
graduate student GM Alejandro Ramirez,
offered a draw after just seven moves.
The reason, according to Bercys, was
that Ramirez had to return to UTD to
work on a paper. UTD had classes Mon-
day through Wednesday (November
23-25). Seven of the GM-section players
had five or more draws each, with many
of those draws near the minimum of 10
moves requested by Stallings. Competitors
with evening classes postponed games
until the day after Thanksgiving. By
Thanksgiving break, UTD graduate stu-
dent GM Amon Simutowe had completed
only two of five rounds and several other
students were missing one round.
I asked UTD Chess Coach IM Rade
Milovanovic about these logistical prob-
lems. First of all, he replied, all tourna-
ments have scheduling difficulties. Sec-
ond, it is important to have the norm
tournaments before the Pan American
Intercollegiate Team chess tournament.
This year, the Pan Am is December 27-30,
2009. Milovanovic uses these norm tour-
naments, the December rating list, and his
own perceptions of the playing strength
and team compatibility of each UTD stu-
dent to determine his Pan Am teams.
During the norm tournaments he said, I
Reti Opening (A07)
GM Giorgi Kacheishvili (2650)
IM Julio Sadorra (2532)
UTD Invitational (2)
Notes by Doug Root
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. 0-0 Bf5 5. d3
h6 6. b3 e6 7. Bb2 Be7 8. Nbd2 0-0
Often played instead is 8. ... Nbd7. But
then White can play 9. e4. If 9. ... dxe4
(more common is retreating the bishop)
10. dxe4 Nxe4 11. Bxg7. Sadorras 8. ...
0-0 prevents 9. e4, because now the black
king defends the g7-pawn.
9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. e4 Bh7 11. Nxd7 Nxd7 12.
Qe2 Qa5 13. a3
To prevent Black from playing his
uschess.org
change my mind almost every day about
who will be on our Pan Am teams.
Rade added that he, Stallings, and UTD
Chess Program Assistant Director Luis
Salinas confer about which four profes-
sional players to invite to the norm
tournaments. Although they prefer USCF
professionals, sometimes they need to
pick players with international federa-
tions to ensure that norm possibilities
exist for the UTD students. No more than
six players in a section can be from the
same federation. This year, the IM-norm
section had exactly six USCF members.
Roses and Recognition
During round seven, GM Timur Gareev
of The University of Texas at Brownsville
bought roses for the players as well as for
Milovanovic. He was one of a handful of
enthusiastic spectators on hand through-
out the event.
At the closing dinner, Stallings thanked
the GMs, particularly the invited profes-
sionals, for participating. Although no
norms were achieved in the GM-norm
section, Stallings said, This means that
our visitors provided good learning exer-
cises for team members. He also added
words of appreciation for FIDE Arbiter
Jon Haskel for being the tournament
director for both norm sections. Recogni-
tion was given to the UTD administration
for its support of the chess team and
program.
Stallings also addressed the logistical
problems of the 2009 norm tournaments.
Stallings stated, This year is only the
second one that we have held the tourna-
ment during the academic year. Previ-
ously, it was held immediately at the end
of the semester around December 7. Our
academic calendar was extended by two
weeks in 2008; and it was no longer fea-
sible to have the tournament at the end
bishop to a3 and to prepare b3-b4.
13. ... Bf6 14. d4 Bg5
Black's move loses time, since 15. f4 is
helpful to White.
15. f4 Be7 16. c4 dxe4 17. Nxe4 Nf6 18. Nf2
Qb6 19. b4
Perhaps the more solid 19. Qf3 might
be stronger.
19. ... Qa6
Better is 19. ... a5 which puts pressure
on Whites advanced pawns. With 19. ...
Qa6, Blacks queen becomes misplaced on
the side of the board.
20. Rfe1 Rad8 21. Rac1 Qa4 22. Nd3 Bxd3
23. Qxd3 a5
of the semester. The challenge became
when to hold the tournament. The
Thanksgiving holidays were the best place
on the calendar. Last year, two rounds a
day were played. This year we went to the
original format of one round a day to see
if this might be more beneficial for team
members. We have already started collect-
ing feedback from team members to study
how we might further improve the tour-
nament for 2010. As with all aspects of
our chess program, the program staff
seeks to optimize conditions for our team
members, maximize budgetary savings,
represent the University in a positive
manner, and seek new, innovative ideas
for college chess.
Annotated Games
The time control for this tournament
was Game/90 with a 30-second incre-
ment. Players were required to keep score
for all moves, and games were transmit-
ted live over MonRoi. To play through
games go to www.monroi.com, then click
on CHESS GAMES, and then scroll to
UTD INVITATIONAL, Nov 21-29.
GM-norm section winners Izoria and
Kacheishvili are both from Soviet Georgia
but currently call Brooklyn, New York
home. As of November 2009, Izoria has
been in the U.S. for 3 years, and
Kacheishvili has been here for one year.
Kacheishvilis best game was probably
his round two win over UTD freshman
IM Julio Sadorra. Originally from the
Philippines, Sadorra is now neighbors
with GM Wesley So. Just as Sadorra is not
the strongest player in his neck of the
woods, I am not the strongest player in
mine. Annotations for this game are by the
strongest player at my house, IM Doug
Root.
(see game below)
Blacks queen has no retreat and is in
danger of being trapped.
+ r rk+
+p+  lpp
+p+pn  p
p + + +

qPPP P +
P +Q+ 
 P
L + +L
 P
+  R 
R K
After 23. ... a5
24. Ra1! Rd7
Chess Life February 2010 33
 College Chess

White wins material after 24. ... axb4 Queens Gambit Accepted,
Classical Variation (D27)
34. Kf2
25. axb4 Qxb4 26. Ba3.
34. Qc1 Bg5 35. Qb1This line may be
IM Puchen Wang (2515)
25. Bc3 Rfd8 more precise than 34. Kf2 and 35. Kf3. IM Julio Sadorra (2532)
Time trouble is a factor at this point in UTD Invitational (7)
Black loses the queen after 25. ... axb4
the game. Notes by Doug Root
26. axb4 Qb3 27. Reb1.
34. ... e3+ 35. Kf3 R4d6 36. g4 Re8 37. c5
26. Qb1 b6 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e3
An interesting alternative is 26. ... Rxd4
bxc5 38. bxc5 Bxc3 39. Qxc3 Rf6+ 40. Kg3
Rf2 41. Qd3 g6 42. h4 Re6 43. Qc4 Kf8 44. a6 6. a4 c5 7. Bxc4 Nc6 8. 0-0 Be7 9. Qc2
27. f5! If White had tried 27. Bf3 then
cxd4 10. Rd1 e5?
Better is 10. ... 0-0.
Qd3 Kg8 45. Qc4 Kf8 46. Qa6 Kg8 47. Qa8+
Black can reply 27. ... c5. Kh7 48. Qa2 Ref6 49. Qc4 Re6 50. h5 g5 51.
Qd3+ Kg8 52. Qa6 Rxe2 11. exd4 exd4 12. Ne2 0-0 13. Nexd4 Nxd4
27. f5 exf5 28. Bf3 Ne4
A mistake. Better was to leave the rook
28. ... c5 29. d5 Ra7 30. bxa5 and
14. Rxd4 Qb6 15. Be3 Bc5 16. a5!
and put the king on g7. Forcing the black queen from the
White has the advantage. defense of d8.
53. Qxe2 Kf8 54. Kg2 Kg8 55. Kf1 Kf8 56.
29. Rxe4 fxe4 30. Bd1 axb4 31. axb4 Qxa1
Qd3 e2+ 57. Ke1 Kg8 58. Qd8+ Kg7 59. Qc8 16. ... Qa7
32. Qxa1 Bf6 33. Be2 Rxd4
Now Black has no good moves left. r+l+ r k+
++k+ r

+ + +p p
59. ... Kf6 60. Qf8, Black resigned. qp+ +p
 pp
p+ + n  +
pp+ 
 l p Root considered IM Puchen Wang over
+ + + + Sadorra to be the best game of the norm P 
 l + +
tournaments. Although it may seem +LR + +
unfair to put two Sadorra losses in one
PP
 rp+ +
+  L + 
P article, Sadorra played some of the most
+ +  LN+
+ +L+  P interesting chess of the GM section. He PQ+ P
 PP
had just two draws in nine rounds. R + + 
 K
Q + + 
 K After 16. ... Qa7
After 33. ... Rxd4

UMBC PREPARES
FOR PAN AMS
The University of Maryland,
Baltimore County A Team
as it was in preparation
for the Pan Am Intercol-
legiate which was held
from December 27-30:
(top row, l-r)
WGM Sabina Foisor,
IM Sasha Kaplan,
GM Sergey Erenburg,
GM Leonid Kritz.
(bottom row, l-r)
Igor Epshteyn, coach;
Dr. Alan T. Sher-
man, Director,
UMBC chess
program; GM
Sam Palatnik,
Associate
Director,
UMBC chess
program.

34 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

 17. Bxf7+! Kh8
The alternatives are quite awful as
well17. ... Rxf7 18. Rd8+ Rf8 19. Rxf8+
Kxf8 20. Bxc5+; 17. ... Kxf7 18. Qc4+
Ke7 (18. ... Kg6 19. Nh4+ Kh5 20. Rd5+)
19. Re1.
18. Bb3 Bxd4 19. Bxd4 b6 20. axb6 Qb7 21.
Bc5 Bg4
21. ... Rd8 22. Ng5 which is winning for
White.
22. Ne5 Rac8 23. Bxf8!
A precisely-calculated finish.
23. ... Rxc2 24. Nf7+ Kg8 25. Nd8+ Qd5 26.
Bxd5+ Nxd5 27. b7 Rxb2 28. Bd6, Black
resigned.
IM-norm section winner Vedrickas said
that his last round win over Vazirova
would be the most enjoyable for Chess Life
readers. He showed it to me just before
Sunday nights closing dinner. I quote
and paraphrase his annotations.
Queens Gambit Declined,
Exchange Variation (D35)
Tautvydas Vedrickas (2300)
WIM Karina Vazirova (2109)
UTD Invitational (9)
Notes by Vedrickas and Alexey Root
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 exd5 5.
Bg5 c6 6. e3 Bf5
I expected 6. ... Be7. My plan is to play
Ng1-e2-g3.
7. Nge2 Nbd7 8. Ng3 Bg6
Here I realized that maybe my h4 idea
wasnt good because Black can respond
with ... h7-h6. Black also has the idea of
Qb6 on my b-pawn.
9. Bd3 Bb4
I didn't expect this move. I thought she
might play 9. ... Bd6 with the idea of h6.
Then when I retreat my bishop to f4, she
could play ... Bxf4.
10. 0-0 0-0 11. f3 Re8
This is a good move by Karina. I can't play
e3-e4 because my d4-pawn is weak to ...
Qb6.
12. Bxg6 hxg6 13. e4 Qa5
Once again, I am surprised. I expected
13. ... Qb6.
PHOTO COURTESY OF UMBC
14. e5 Nh7 15. Bd2 Qb6 16. Be3 f5
Karina stops my plan of f3-f4-f5. The b-
pawn is indirectly defended, i.e. 16. ...
Nxe5 17. Na4; 16. ... Bxc3 17. bxc3 Nxe5
18. Rb1.
17. Na4 Qc7
uschess.org
Also possible is 17. ... Qd8 18. Qb3.
18. h4 Ndf8 19. Qb3
Defends my bishop on e3, with tempo
(because I am attacking her bishop on b4).
19. ... Ba5 20. h5 Qf7 21. hxg6 Nxg6
Now I have to play f3-f4 to stop Black
from playing ... f4. My knight finds a nice
square after 21. ... Qxg6 22. Ne2.
22. f4 Nhf8 23. Qd3 Ne7 24. Kf2 Ne6 25. Nc5
If I played Rh1 first, Black sets up a
defense with ... g6, ... Kg7, and ... Rh8.
25. ... Nxc5 26. dxc5
26. ... d4 is a positional pawn sacrifice
which I think is a good alternative. The
idea for Black would be to follow up ...
Rad8.
26. ... g6 27. Rh1 Qe6
Nimzowitsch said that the queen is not
a good blockader.
28. Ne2 Kg7 29. Nd4 Qc8 30. Nf3 b6 31. Bd4
bxc5 32. Ng5 cxd4 33. Rh7+, Black resigned.
r+q+r+ +

p +  n 
kR
+p+ +p+

l +p Pp
N
+ 
p P +
+ +Q+ +
PP + KP+

R + + +
After 33. Rh7+
And Black resigned because of check-
mate in four moves. Here are the lines: 33.
... Kg8 (33. ... Kf8 34. Rf7+ Kg8 35. Qh3
Be1+ 36. Rxe1 d3 37. Qh7 mate) 34. Qh3
Be1+ 35. Rxe1 d3 36. Rh8+ Kg7 37. Qh6
mate.
Zorigts favorite game was her win, as
white, over Tyler Hughes. She showed
me the game on Saturday night, as she
was waiting to give several of her fellow
students a ride back to UTD.
French Defense (C00)
WFM Zorigt Bayaraa (2255)
Tyler Hughes (2354)
UTD Invitational (4)
Notes by Bayaraa and Alexey Root
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3
Tyler plays his openings really well, so
I played 3. d3 to avoid his preparation.
3. ... Nc6 4. g3 Nf6 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nbd2 Be7 7.
0-0 0-0
This is all theory. I knew during the
game that we were following a book line.
8. Re1 b5 9. e5 Nd7 10. Nf1 a5 11. h4 b4 12.
Bf4
My idea is to maneuver my Nf1-e3-g4,
then move the other N to g5, then sacri-
fice my g4 N on f6.
12. ... a4 13. a3 bxa3 14. bxa3 Ba6 15. Ne3
Nb6
I think 15. ... Na5 is more common,
with the idea of ... c5-c4. After 15. ... Na5
I would have played 16. h5. 15. ... Nb6
also takes away protection from f6, where
I plan to make my sacrifice.
16. Ng5 Qe8 17. Ng4 Kh8 18. Rb1 Rb8 19. h5
I had considered 19. Nf6 but it didn't
work.
19. ... Qd8 20. Qd2 c4
I thought Black should have played
20. ... h6 instead.
21. h6 g6 22. Nf6 Bxf6 23. exf6 Rc8
+r
q r k
+ + +p+p
lnn+pPpP
+ +p+  N
p+p+ L  +
P +P+ 
 P
+P
Q PL+
+R+  R 
K
After 23. ... Rc8
24. Rxe6
At this point, Tyler walked by and com-
mented, I didn't see where the rook was
going when she picked it up.
24. ... fxe6 25. Nxe6 Qxf6 26. Nxf8 Nd4 27.
Qe3 Kg8 28. Rxb6 Qxb6 29. Qe7 Ne2+ 30.
Kh2 Qd4 31. Bxd5+, Black resigned. .
UTD Invitational
At A Glance
Date: November 21-29, 2009
Location: Marriott Quorum,
Dallas, Texas
Top Finishers: GM, 1st-2nd,
Zviad Izoria, Giorgi Kacheishvili, 6;
3rd, Alejandro Ramirez, 5; 4th,
Puchen Wang, 5th-7th, Marko
Zivanic, Daniel Ludwig, Jacek
Stopa, 4; 8th-10th, Salvijus
Bercys, Julio Sadorra, Amon
Simutowe, 3. IM, 1st, Tautvydas
Vedrickas, 6.
Tournament Director: Jon Haskel
Chess Life February 2010 35
Remembrance

Remembering
(Your Humble Reporter)

YHR
36 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org
 Long-time Chess Life reporter Jerry Hankens death means
this magazines tournament reports will no longer have the same
flavor. Chess politician, chess journalist, and, most importantly,
chess lover, Hanken always seemed to be right in the middle
of various USCF activities. This month we focus on the reporter.

FROM THE EDITOR

The first time I spoke to Jerry Hanken I intended for it to be the last time. I had just been hired as Chess Life editor, and in
reading the previous few years worth of issues, I was completely unimpressed with Hankens articles; it struck me that he
was operating on autopilot and that the articles had merely become vanity pieces. These lines, from October 2005, World
Open: New Site, Repeat Champion, could have appeared in just about any Hanken article from that period:
Your Humble Reporter [YHR] never fails to fill you in on his own performance, no matter how bad it is. I promised a cou-
ple of people that I wouldnt include any of my games in this report, because there were so many fine GM games. However,
I must say that I was not totally disappointed in my score of 3, and had a chance for an even score in the last round,
playing in it against Parker Zhao of New York, who was celebrating his eleventh birthday.
But, before I was able to call him, he called me to introduce himself. I was very quickly taken in by his enthusiasm for chess
and his exuberant personality. Instead of telling him I would now be using different reporters, I explained to him my concerns
and he agreed, reluctantly, to write to my specifications, which included no more raw game scoresall games must be anno-
tated; only sparing use of sidebar interviewsbetter to incorporate the interviews within the text of the main article; and (most
painfully to Jerry) take himself out of the story and stop using his favorite YHRYour Humble Reporter.
As likeable as Jerry was, he could be exasperating beyond belief. He never met a deadline. He never met a comma he did-
nt like. An article was never finishedhe always had an addition or two well after the initial submission. And he rarely wrote
a story that didnt include a Jerry Hanken game. It became a little contest between us; he would include a game of his and
explain to me why it should be printed. More often than not, I simply cut the game, though he won this argument a few times.
The winning argument was simply how much joy the particular game gave him.
Over time, I found that the exasperation proved well worth the effort, and he rediscovered the voice that first made him a
favorite of Chess Lifes readers. Jerry always found some nugget, some element of humanity, that made his tournament
reports compelling reading. In his final World Open report, The Alexander Technique from the October 2009 issue, his first-
person reporting now serves the reader rather than himself:
LENDERMAN! LENDERMAN!The chant could be heard all throughout the second floor of the hotel. A crowd of
80 or so chess players were packed tightly in a circle right outside the playing room between rounds two and three of the
traditional World Open blitz championship. After nine rounds of grueling, grinding, serious play, the players were letting
off steam. I could not penetrate the dense circle, three or four bodies deep, some standing on chairs, some even sitting on
others shoulders, many with their cell phones taking videosall having one heck of a good time!
What a beautiful picture that opening paragraph paints.
Jerry told me that the compliment he appreciated the most from me was my telling him how I admired his ability to tell a
fresh story about tournaments he had covered for many years. This is an undervalued ability and can only be achieved
by a dedicated chess journalist who truly loves chess and chessplayers.
In the movie Cinema Paradiso, the young boy Toto grows up in a small post-war Sicilian village and falls in love with the
movies. However, the prudish town priest cuts any kissing scene from any movie before it is shown to the general public.
PHOTO BY CHRIS BIRD

When the adult Toto returns home 30 years later for his good friend the projectionists funeral, he is given a gift by the widow:
a reel with all the cut kissing scenes.
As we say goodbye to Jerry Hanken after his death on October 1, 2009 due to complications from diabetes, Chess Life here
offers a tribute I would like to think that Jerry would appreciate. What follows are some of Hankens gameshis kisses to
the chess worldthat he provided but that were cut from the print version of the articles. ~Daniel Lucas

uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 37

 Remembrance
Jerrys work for Chess Life ranged from
the excellent to the mediocre. At his best,
he was as good as the best. Often, and
especially in the last five years, his articles
often seemed phoned in, without much
care or art.
USCF PAST PRESIDENT TIM REDMAN
SEPTEMBER 2006
W O J T K I E W I C Z S N AT I O N A L
O P E N VA L E D I C T O RY
The following game had some bearing
on the tournament result. In round one
this reporter (one of the eventual three
pointers) faced defending champion Gure-
vich. After a complex struggle in the
opening and early middlegame, I knew I
had him, and began swelling with pride
that I could beat such a grandmaster
(GM). Then I looked again. A cold chill
came over me when I realized, or thought
that I realized, that the natural capture of
the knight would enable him to advance
his king to h5 and form an unstoppable
mating net. Hanken, you idiot! I said to
myself. How could I think it would be so
easy? Thinking that I must stop the mate,
I played the howler in the text, Qxe5?? Of
course, now the knight that I should have
taken comes to d7, simply winning my
queen. For some reason I had not seen the
simple consecutive pawn checks that drive
the king back if he plays ... Kh5. This
was clearly an example of a loss to a
grandmaster by a master through self-
intimidation.
Kings Indian Defense (E61)
Jerry Hanken (2200)
GM Dmitry Gurevich (2565)
2006 National Open (1)
1. c4 g6 2. g3 Bg7 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nc3 0-0 5. e3
d6 6. Nge2 e5 7. 0-0 c6 8. d4 Qe7 9. Qc2 a5
10. b3 Na6 11. a3 Bf5 12. e4 Bd7 13. dxe5
dxe5 14. Be3
Normally this would not be playable
without a preparatory h2-h3, but the b6-
square is available for the bishop, which
then cannot be attacked by ... Nd7.
14. ... Nc5 15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16. Na4
Now White takes control of the queen-
side dark squares. He has a plus over
equals advantage.
16. ... Qa7 17. c5 Be6 18. b4 Nd7 19. Nec3
axb4 20. axb4 b5 21. cxb6 e.p.
Now the weaknesses are on the light
squares. Giving up the queen for two
rooks looks promising, but in the long run
White keeps an edge.
38 Chess Life February 2010
the game. I achieved an advantage out of
21. ... Nxb6 22. Nc5! Qxa1 23. Nxe6 fxe6 24.
Rxa1 Rxa1+ 25. Bf1 Bh6 26. Ne2 Be3
I had overlooked this possibility, but the
more I examined the position the more
clear it became that Whites king could
find safety while Black remained vulner-
able to the white queen.
27. fxe3 Raxf1+ 28. Kg2 R8f2+ 29. Kh3 Rh1
30. Qxc6 Kg7 31. Qc7+ Kh6
+ + + +
+ Q + +p
n +p+p
 k
+ + p +
retains the edge.
P +P+ +

+ + P 
PK
+ +Nr P
+ + + +r
After 31. ... Kh6
In this position, White has three moves
to keep a significant advantage: 32.
Qxb6, 32. Kg4, and the most decisive
move, which I missed, 32. Nf4!! exf4 33.
exf4 which cuts the Black king off from
going to the dark squares, and if he tries
to lock White in with ... Kh5, White sim-
ply plays 34. g4+ and 35. g5+ which
retains a definite advantage. Instead, I
chose ...
32. Qxe5?? Nd7!, White resigned.
In the bulletin, editor Chris Bird ran his
Fritz and found that the move, which I did-
nt see, 32. Nf4, wins almost instantly.
Of course, there was also 32. Kg4, where
his Majesty has found safe sanctuary,
also winning. Not my first chess tragedy
by any means, but one I will remember to
the end.
Jerry Hanken was one of the original lost boys.
He never grew up. That was the source of his
charm andsometimeshis lack thereof.
FORMER CHESS LIFE EDITOR GLENN PETERSEN
J U LY 2 0 0 7
THE PRINCE OF FOXWOODS
You may wonder why I chose to show
you this first-round game, which Your
Reporter lost to Sarkarit is because of the
interesting psychological goings-on during
the opening, and kept it for some time. The
last strong player in the world that I would
want to beat was Justin, as I was rooting
for him to get his GM norm in this tour-
nament. I had to choose a place in the
game to offer a draw, when I was still bet-
ter, so that I could clear my mind and
simply play the position. Here it is:
Symmetrical English (A36)
Jerry Hanken (2200)
IM Justin Sarkar (2442)
2007 Foxwoods Open (1)
1. c4 g6 2. g3 Bg7 3. Bg2 c5 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. e3
e5 6. Nge2 Nge7 7. 0-0 0-0 8. a3 a5 9. Nb5 d6
10. d4
White has an edge.
10. ... exd4 11. exd4 Bg4 12. f3 Bd7 13. d5 Ne5
Black offers his d-pawn. He will even-
tually recover it, but White definitely
14. Nxd6 Qb6 15. f4 Qxd6 16. fxe5 Bxe5 17. Bf4
This was my dilemma: I knew that I
was more than slightly better in this
position, with the protected passed d-
pawn, so, I thought it was time to offer
a draw, which I did. After the game,
Justin told me that he seriously consid-
ered accepting it because he knew that
his position was not that great. How-
ever, one generally doesnt make GM
norms by drawing with low masters in
the first round. After the psychology
dissipated, we just played chess.
17. ... Nf5 18. Qd2 Bxf4 19. Rxf4 Qe5 20. Re4
Qc7 21. Rf1 Rae8 22. Nc3 Kg7 23. Rxe8 Rxe8
24. Ne4 b6 25. d6
White still maintains an edge with this
move, but the opening of the a8-h1 diagonal,
and its implications, did not sink in with me.
25. ... Qd8 26. Qc3+ Nd4 27. b4 axb4 28.
axb4 Re5
This is a very clever moveit defends
c5, while simultaneously preparing the
way for ... Bc6, attacking the knight on e4.
uschess.org
 I went out to play in the 45th American Open in Los Angeles over Thanksgiving
weekend. This was the first one Jerry missed. How many of us can say weve
played in a tournament 44 years in a row? Randy Hough shared a few words
about how Jerry helped save the tournament when they lost their sponsor in
the 1990s. He also mentioned his contributions to helping getting the Lone
Pine tournaments going back in the 70s.
[Hough also spoke] about checking into the hotel before this years event,
and having one of the desk people ask him about Jerry. Randy explained that
he passed away. The man was sorry to hear that and mentioned how Jerry
had given him some chess sets and books.
POLLY WRIGHT

29. Kh1
As soon as the game ended, Justin
instantly pointed out to me that this was
the losing move. Of course, he was cor-
rect. Putting the king on such a vulner-
able diagonal was just about the worst
move I could have done.
I was afraid of the fork on e2, which
became possible because of the clever
way Justin broke the pin on the d4-
knight. 29. Re1 appeared to be a
reasonable alternative, but 29. ... Be6
seems to still give Black the edge, so what
should I have played? My Fritzy sug-
gests 29. Qa1, which would allow me to
at least, for now, maintain equality.
29. ... Bc6
The over-extended d-pawn is now lost.
30. Rf4 Bxe4
My game is a post-apocalyptic wreck.
Alas, Babylon!
31. Bxe4
J U LY 2 0 0 8
KAUFMAN: A PERFECT CHAMPION
+ r + k
While trying to find one more game to +l+ Q 
l
annotate, it seems that my first-round vic- + +p+  p
tory was pretty interesting. I scored plus
one and was in the running until my + + + pq
exciting last round loss to Bill [Kramer].
p + + +

This is by far the best game I have played
since my illness last year and gives the old +P+ Nr
P
guy hope for the future.
P+ +NP +
+ R +R
K
Symmetrical English (A37) After 30. Qe7
Juan E. Dominguez (1744)
I must admit that I had not seen this
Jerry Hanken (2200)
move and felt a moment of panic. When
2008 Senior Open (1)
I got control of my nerves, I saw the deci-
This is my first round win which did- sive line, Rf7. I had to see that I can give
nt get on the MonRoi system. It has a nice up my rook with check. Mate or loss of the
point at the end. queen makes this line forced.
1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. 30. ... Rf7 31. Qxd8+ Rf8 32. Qxf8+ Bxf8 33.
Bg2 e6 6. d3 Nge7 7. 0-0 0-0 8. Bf4 d6 9. Rc1 f3 Bd6
Taking the f-pawn is not good, but now
h6 10. Qd2 Kh7 11. h4
Creating an unnecessary weakness on

the kingside. the bishops really come into their own.

+ + + q

34. Kg2
+ +pkp+ 11. ... a6 12. b3 Rb8 13. e4 f5 14. exf5 Nxf5
15. Nh2 Ncd4 16. Be3 b5 17. cxb5 axb5 18.
34. Nc4 is a little better but the dark-
p 
 P +p+ Bxd4 Nxd4 19. Qd1 b4 20. Ne2 Nf5
square bishop goes to b8 and has a great
+ p 
r + In order to keep and best utilize my future.
PP

+ 
nLR +
Q + P
space advantage, I have to avoid trading
my knight. 34. ... g4 35. Rh1 Bxf3+, White resigned. .
21. h5 g5 22. Be4 Kh8 23. Bxf5
+ + +  P This is far too accommodating, giving
+ + + +K me two bishops against two knights on an
open board.
After 31. Bxe4
For more tributes to Jerry Hanken,
23. ... Rxf5 24. Ng4 Bb7 25. Ne3 Rf3 26. d4
31. ... g5 32. bxc5 bxc5 33. Rf5 Rxe4 34. Rxc5 White finally gets this in but it is too late. please see the December issue
Qf6 35. Qa1 of The Chess Journalist at
chessjournalism.org.
26. ... Qe8 27. dxc5 dxc5
Only now, I think of this move. There is no hurry. Whites position
35. ... Re2, White resigned. hangs by a thread. There are also many memories posted on
And the rest is silence. 28. Qd6 Rd8 29. Qxc5 Qxh5 30. Qe7 the USCF Issues forum at uschess.org.

uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 39

Instruction
[NOTE: CONTINUED FROM THE JANUARY ISSUE]
THE LAZY PERSONS GUIDE TO . . .
PART 4 (CONTINUED)
More pawns mean more trou-
bles for a lazy player. If Magnus
Carlsen can twice lose simple
R+1 versus R+2 endings, what
hope is there for mere mortals
to cope with rook endings with
even more pawns?
Fortunately, a few general
rules help ease the burden:
Rule 4Use your king to do
the big jobs.
Whether it is helping out
your extra passed pawns or
stopping your opponents
advance, an active king is a
PART 5
Many moons ago I had
the misfortune of watching
two strong players reach the
following position:
(See diagram top of next
column)
40 Chess Life February 2010
BY GM IAN ROGERS
lazy players friend. If you find
your king near the back rank,
you know you have work to
do, and who wants to do work?
Rule 5Harass with your rook.
If you cant simply take
pawns, tie your opponent to
their defense with your rook.
Then your king (and pawns)
will have time to do their thing.
(see diagram next column)
As a generic rook endgame,
this is hard to beat. You may
have heard that four pawns
against three on the same side
in a rook endgame is a draw.
Well, a not-so-lazy player
named Kasparov lost this posi-
tion with black so it cant be
that easy.
+ + + +
+ + + +
p+ +k+ +
P + + +
 I was flabbergasted. Until
P +K+ +

+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
White to play
White had cashed in a big
material advantage to reach
this position and after 1. b5! his
+ + + +
+ + 
Rpk
+ + +p+
+ + 
P Kp
+ + P +
+ + + P
r+ + +  P
+ + + +
Position 7
Status: Win
Assessment: Tricky
In fact White has all the
ingredients needed for suc-
cess; in particular a great king.
(The white king is so good, in
fact, that if Black had his rook
on ... e2 here, White could
force a winning pawn endgame
with the pawn sacrifice 1. e6!)
opponent quickly realized that
both 1. ... axb5 2. a6 and 1. ...
Kd6 2. b6 were hopeless and
resigned.
then I had assumed that
almost everybody knew that
the position after 1. b5 Kd6! 2. b6
Kc6 was a dead drawan
exceptional case when a pro-
tected passed pawn is not
enough for victory. Even play-
ing carelessly Black can hardly
lose this position, because after
While it is bad luck that
here 1. e6 Ra5+ 2. Kh4 Kf6!
(the active king!) hangs on for
Black, not surprisingly there
is a different way to break
through: 1. f5! gxf5 2. e6! Rxh2
3. Rxf7+ Kg8 (the back rank =
death) 4. Kf6! and the e-pawn
will soon run through.
Sadly, rook endings need
precision and general rules
will only get you so far. Per-
haps the best advice one
can offer to the lazy player
is to buy a copy of Dvoret-
skys Endgame Manual.
There is no need to read it;
just place it next to your
board when you are play-
ing a rook ending and your
opponent will hopefully fold
in the face of your awesome
endgame skills (acquired
through osmosis).
3. Kd4 Kb7 4. Kc5 Kc8?! 5. Kc6
Kb8 6. b7 Ka7 7. Kc7 is stalemate!
This is just one of chess
many injustice patternsposi-
tions where logic tells you that
one side should be winning
easily but the defenders
resources prove to be sufficient.
The term injustice pattern
was coined by John Purdy, the
son of the first World Corre-
spondence Champion Cecil
Purdy. I first saw many of the
examples which follow in an
uschess.org
article John Purdy wrote for the The lazy player might think pattern early enough, the There is nothing terribly
Australian medical journal Drug that, with Blacks king kept out Ameri- can legend would have unfair about White being
Therapy in the 1970s, and this of the corner, the win should be saved game one of his 1972 unable to win this position,
article owes a great debt to his simple. It is, but not after 1. match against Boris Spassky until you consider what would
pioneering work. The two most Kc4 b5+! 2. axb6+ e.p. (other- the famous game where
Fischer gave up a bishop for no happen if Black had an extra
obvious examples of injustice in wise 2. ... Kb7) 2. ... Kb7, giving pawn on e6. Then Black is
chess are the bishop and apparent reason.
the diagram labeled b-pawn completely defenseless! Adding
wrong a- or h-pawn and the The bishop can cause some
and entombed bishop. Once the black pawn on e6, White
endgame 2Ns versus K. Surely injustice of its own, especially
you recognize the danger, 1.
when faced with the seemingly plays his king to e7 and rook
an advantage of bishop and Kb4! b5 2. a6 is not hard to find
pawn, or two knights should overwhelming force of rook to f8, forcing ... e5. White plays
and the win is not far away.
be enough to force checkmate, and pawn. fxe5, moves the rook around to
Injustice patterns are counter-
but it isnt! intuitive and therein lies the f6 and wins with e6! Bxe6,
However one shouldnt for- problem for the lazy chess- + + k
 + Rxe6!, when the pawn
get the classic knight and player, one who likes to say endgame is trivial, or ... fxe6
Rf7+ and Kf6.
R
 + + +
wrong a- or h-pawn: That looks goodIll work it
out when I get there. However
+
+ 
P +
all that glitters is not gold; + + + K
+
+Q+ +
+ + + + much as it may cost time and +l+ + +
effort, there could be some
Pk+ + +
 + + + + + + + pk
+N+ + + merit in trying to remember + + + + + + 
r +
some of these examples. + + + KP
The bishop seems to be
+ + + + + + + +
Draw
+ + + +
K + + +
 particularly vulnerable to
injustice patterns:
+ + + +
Whites king cannot get close
+ + + +
+ + + +
enough to cause any damage
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + + + + + + so long as Black remembers
Draw
An easy draw  
p k + + to answer 1. f7 with 1. ... Kg7!
The draw is easy for Black,
Pp + + + Winning with queen and
The following example is pawn versus rook and pawn is
who simply moves in and out +PpL+ +
even more surprising: usually just a matter of swap-
of the cornerjust as easy as +P+K+ +
ping pawns but here it cant be
if the knight had been a dark-
done. However, this injustice
+ + + +
squared bishop. ++ + +
pattern applies in only a few
+ + + +
+ +k++
+ + + + positions; for example, move
Or how about the b-pawn An injustice pattern Whites pawn to g4, and the win
+ + + K
and entombed bishop?
will be easy after Kh4 and g5.
+ + + +P
Draw! Despite the extra + + + + The final example is one of
bishop, Blacks king cannot
+ + + + be forced from the squares b8,
+ + + 
R the most remarkable injustice
Lk+ + +
 c8 and, if necessary, a8. This +l+ + + patterns yet. Few players
P + + +
 pattern works without the c + + + + appear to be aware of it.
+K+ + + pawns and even without the c- Draw
and b-pawns. +
+ + +
White has succeeded in forc-
+ + + +
ing Blacks king from the
+ + + + + + + +
corner but he cannot extricate
+ + + +
+k+ + + kn+ + +

+ + + + +p+ + + his own king from the h-file + +Kp +
pP + + + without allowing the black
b-pawn and entombed bishop + + + +
P +L
 K + king back to h8. (It is possible
for White to win if the pawn is
+ + P +
A useless piece of knowl-
back on h4 but the technique
+ + + + + + + +
edge, you might think, until + + + + is so convoluted that no lazy
you reach the following
+ + + +
+ + + + player should even consider Draw!
endgame ... + + + + learning it.)
Not for the lazy player! Normal practice would sug-
+ + + + gest an easy win for Black yet
Another strange case where White can manage to hold a
+ + + +
an extra bishop is worthless
Lp
 k + +
draw by keeping the opposi-
R + +p
 k
+ + + + and it doesnt matter if White + + +p+ tion1. Kd6 Kb7 2. Kd7!.
has a dark-squared bishop
Now, even with its new-found
P + + +

instead of the d5-bishop. Of
+ + +  P
+ + + +
course a player who doesnt + + 
P + freedom, Blacks knight cannot
+ K + + know about the first diagram +l+ + + find a better square from
+ + + + in this section might think that which to defend the e-pawn,
1. Bxb7+ led to a win, but
+ + 
K +
e.g. 2. ... Nd4 3. Kd6 Nf3 4.
+ + + +
White to play
Blacks defenses are sufficient.
Had Fischer recognized this
+ + + +
White to win
Kd5 followed by 5. Ke4. .
uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 41
 Endgame Lab

Problematic Endings

By GM Pal Benko

At a tournament in Bazna, Romania, problematic-endgame turning points only

become clear at the analysis table.

A small but high level GM tournament 48. Kxe4 Nd6+ 49. Kd4 Nxb5+ 50. Kxc4
took place in Bazna, Romania and pro- Nd6+ ++ + +
vides the basis for this months column. + + Lp+p
+ + + +
Missed Solution k +p+p+

GM Gata Kamsky (FIDE 2720) p
 + + + + + + P
GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu (FIDE 2675) +
 
n k + +l+ + P
+
+r+ + + +P+ + P + +P+

p +k+ +
 +K+ + + + +P
K +
+n+ + + + 
P + +P + + + +
+ +p+  p P+ + + + White to play
+ + + +
+p
P 
p + White is a pawn up and the h7-pawn
After 50. ... Nd6+
+ P +N+P is a target. Despite this, there is little
chance to win because of the opposite-col-
P+n+NKP+ 51. Kd4? ored bishops.
+ + +R+ Gata discovered the right solution only
after the game: 51. Kc5 Ne4+ 52. Kb4! (52.
45. e4 Bb3 46. Ke3 Bd1 47. f4 Bc2?
Black to play
Kd4? Ng5 ) and now if 52. ... Ke5 happens Here 47. ... e5! could have secured the
White has a slight advantage since the 53. c4 Kd6 54. h4 Nf6 55. Kb5 etc. wins draw. After 48. fxe5 Bc2 49. Kd4 Kc6 or
black pawns are more vulnerable. while after 52. ... a5+ 53. Kc4 Nd6+ 54. 48. f5 Kc6 holds on. The move played
Kc5 Ne4+ 55. Kc6 Nxc3 56. d6 Ke6 57. left the route open to the weak h7-pawn.
a3! Nd5 58. h4 Nf6 59. h5 wins.
36. ... Ne3
Better is 36. ... Rg8 or even 36. ... g4.
48. Kd4 Kc6 49. Ke5 Kd7 50. Kf6 Ke8
51. ... Nb5+ 52. Kd3? Too passive. Still, 50. ... e5 is better.
He still could have returned to the right
37. Rb1 g4 38. Nh4 Re4
Black loses a pawn; maybe 38. ... f3 path via 52. Kc4 Nd6+ 53. Kb4.
51. e5 Bb3 52. Bb4 Bc2 53. Kg7 Ba4 54.

could have provided stronger resistance.

Kxh7 Bc2 55. Kg7 Bb3 56. Kf6 Bc2 57. Bd6!
52. ... Ke5 53. c4 Nd6 54. h4 Bb3

A slight edge is provided by 54. c5 Ne4

39. Ng6 g3+ 40. Kf3 Nxg2 41. Ngxf4 Nxf4 42.
Nxf4 Ne7 43. Kxg3
55. Kc4 Nd2+.
+
+k+ +
Tricky, but stronger is 43. Rg1, though + + +p+
not 43. Nxd5? Nxd5 because of 44. Kxe4
54. ... Nf5 55. h5 Kd6 56. Kc3 Kc5 57. Kb3
Nxc3+. Now the counter-trap is 43. Kxg3 With the passed pawns blockaded, the
+ 
LpKp+
Re3+ 44. Kf2 Rxc3? 45. Rb7+ followed by win has slipped away. + +  P 
P
46. Rxe7. + + P P
57. ... Nh6 58. Ka4 Kxc4 59. d6 Kc5, Draw.
43. ... Kc6 44. Kf3 Nf5 45. Nxd5!? Pl+ + +

A nice sac, but with limited time it cre- Gata has had many winning opportu- + + + +
ates problematic complications. More nities in his recent endgames, but failed
practical is 45. Ng6 playing to use the to seal the deal. After a long layoff from + + + +
passed h-pawn. competition, it seems that now that he is After 57. ... Bb3
back he is playing too much.
45. ... Kxd5 46. Rb5+ Ke6 47. d5+ Kf6
If 47. ... Ke5? then 48. d6+ Ke6 49. Wrong Solution
58. a4??

Rxf5! Kxf5 50. d7 wins. GM Boris Gelfand (FIDE 2733) The correct breakthrough is the imme-
GM Alexei Shirov (FIDE 2745) diate 58. f5!! exf5 59. e6! Bxe6 60. h5

42 Chess Life February 2010 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 or
drawn position for White.
Solutions can be found on page
71.
Please e-mail submissions for
Benkos Bafflers to:
pbenko@uschess.org
gxh5 61. g6 fxg6 62. Kxe6 Kd8 63. Kd5!
Kc8 64. Kc6, preventing the black king
from reaching the a8 corner and drawing.
64. ... g5 65. a4 f4 66. a5 f3 67. a6 f2 68.
a7 f1=Q 69. a8=Q mate would have come
just in timemuch like in a composed
problem.
58. ... Bxa4 59. f5 Bc2!
A feasible defense since White has given
up his ace a-pawn.
60. fxe6 fxe6 61. Kxe6 Bb3+ 62. Kf6 Bc2 63.
e6 Bd3 64. Bg3 Bc2 65. h5 gxh5 66. g6 Bd3
67. Bh4 Kf8 68. e7+ Ke8 69. Kg7 Bc2 70. Kh6
Bb3 71. Kxh5, Draw.
After 71. g7 Bg8, the black bishop can-
not be approached, while after 71. Kh7 or
71. Kg7 Bc2, White makes no further
progress.
Lets see some games of the more
adventurous players.
Sharp solution
GM Alexei Shirov (FIDE 2745)
GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu (FIDE 2675)
rll+k+n r
+ +p+p p
p+  R 
n  p
+p+  p +
P +P+ +
 Problem mate
P + 
 LPN
+P+ +P P
+  KN+L+R
White to play
20. Bc5!?
Shirov, famous for his attacking style,
does not disappoint here. He demon-
strates the weakness of the d6-square
with this sacrifice, though the solid 20.
Rd2 is also fine.
20. ... Ne7
uschess.org
Problem I
S. Belokon, 1969
kl + + +
L + + +
 + + + +
K+P+P+ +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ +r+ +
+ + + +
+ + + +
White to play and win
If 20. ... Bxd6, then 21. Bxd6 and White
snags the e5-pawn (though this is not
his main goalit is the long-term block-
ade of the d7-pawn, as is soon revealed).
21. Ne3 Bxd6 22. Bxd6 Bb7 23. c4 Bc6 24.
Kb2 Ng6 25. Ngf5 Kd8?
Giving up the g7-pawn does not ease
his hardships, so 25. ... Rh7 is correct.
The d6-bishop splits the black camp.
Besides, White now has the clear plan of
mobilizing his kingside pawns.
26. Nxg7 Ne8 27. Nxe8 Rxe8 28. Nf5 Re6 29.
h4 h5 30. c5 Re8 31. g4!
Not wasting time by following a Rh3-
Rg3 plan (though this is also good). Black
has no counterplay. If 31. ... a5, then
32. a4! is strong.
31. ... hxg4 32. h5 Nf4
If 32. ... Nh8, then 33. Bg2.
33. Nh6 gxf3 34. Nxf7+ Kc8 35. Bxe5 Rxe5
Desperation. 35. ... Rf8 would have
allowed him to last longer.
36. Nxe5 Kc7 37. h6 Rh8 38. h7 Bxe4 39. Rh4
Rxh7 40. Rxf4 Rh2+ 41. Kc3, Black resigned.
The tournaments winner was lucky in
the following positionbut luck must be
stimulated, seen, and seized:
GM Vassily Ivanchuk (FIDE 2746)
GM Alexei Shirov (FIDE 2745)
+ + + +
+ + ++
+ +l
p +
+ + p +p
+ + +  P
+ Nk+ P
p+ + K +
L + + +

Black to play
Problem II
V. Ratner, 1925 (Version by P.
Benko)
 
l p +p+
Lk + + +
+ + N +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + 
K +
N + + +

White to play and win
Shirov again could not resist sacrific-
ing a piece in this game; the draw is in
hand here because of the strong passed
pawn. Simply by playing either 58. ...
Kc2 or 58. ... Bf7, White may only draw
at best.
58. ... Bc4
This move allows the opportunity for
White to create a passed pawn; Black
can now easily go wrong.
59. g4! hxg4 60. h5 e4 61. h6 e3+ 62. Ke1
Bg8 63. Nxa2 f5 64. Be5 Ke4 65. Bc7 f4 66.
Nc3+ Kf5
Also good enough is 66. ... Kd3, and if
67. Nd5, then ... f3 can follow.
67. Nd5 Bh7?
Unnecessary. A quick draw follows 67.
... g3! 68. Nxf4 Kg5 or 68. Bxf4 Ke4.
68. Ke2 g3??
A crucial mistake. Quite unbelievably,
after 68. ... f3+ 69. Kxe3 Kg6 the win
cant be forced. The f3-pawn always must
be guarded and the g4-pawn can hardly
be taken. I leave the task of checking
this to the readers.
69. Kf3! e2
No better is 69. ... g2 either. Thus after
70. Kxg2 e2 71. Kf2 f3 72. Ba5 the f3-
pawn proves just as feeble as in the game
continuation.
70. Kxe2 g2 71. Kf2 f3 72. Bb6 Ke6 73. Nc3
Kf7 74. Be3 Kg6 75. Nd5 Kf7
If 75. ... Kh5 76. Nf6+ Kg6 77. Nd7!
wins.
76. Kxf3 Bb1 77. Nc3 Bc2 78. Kxg2 Kg6 79.
Kg3 Kh5 80. Nd5 Kg6 81. Kh4 Bb1 82. Bg5
Bc2 83. Nf6 Bf5 84. h7!, Black resigned.
White has prepared a problem-like
mate. 84. ... Kg7 85. Bh6+ Kh8 86. Kg5
Bxh7 87. Bf8 Bg6 88. Kh6 then Bg7 mate
is forced. Such a mate has been worked
out in several problems. I present two of
them in the Bafflers. .
Chess Life February 2010 43
 Back to Basics

An Extra Pawn

By GM Lev Alburt

Among grandmasters, two extra pawns usually spell victory, while one extra
pawn means about a 50% winning chance. What about for the class player?

In the following game, White won a 3. ... Nf6

pawn in an early opening skirmish. After rn +kl r
The move 3. ... Nc6 would avoid the pit-
that, he demonstrated both purposeful
falls that follow. pp+q+p
 pp
strategy and skillful tactics. Finally, the
Indeed.
game was crowned by a not-so-obvious + +p+ +
queen sacrifice. Writes the winner of this 4. e5 + +p P +
months award, Joseph Lauchlan:
Facebook offers an application, powered rnl
qkl r + +n+ +
by chess.com, where opponents play cor- + +  QN+
respondence chess, allowing three to ten pp+ 
 pp
pp
days per move. On the site, Im rated + 
p n + PPP
P PPP
1955; in two appearances in official tour- RN
 L K +R
naments, my rating is 1422. I play white + p P +
After 9. ... e6
in the following game, while Steve Cecutti +L+ + +
plays black.
(Levs further comments are in italics). + + +N+ 10. d4
PPP
P PPP Stronger here is 10. d3, forcing the
Social networking chess knight to c5, e.g., 10. d3 Nc5 11. d4 Ne4,
Joseph Lauchlan RN
 LQK +R
and White has won a tempo (and 11. d3-
Steve Cecutti After 4. e5
d4 isnt a must). If 10. ... Bc5, then the
This interesting move, gleaned from simple 11. d4 is OK, but the material grab-
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6
the Shredder chess online opening data- bing 11. Nd4 is even stronger.
Im not comfortable in many lines of the base, throws a wrench in my opponents
Sicilian. Some variety of 3. d4 cxd4 4. Sicilian ideas. He probably should take
10. ... Nc6 11. 0-0 Be7 12. c3 0-0 13. Nbd2

Nxd4 is my usual method. But Black has the pawn.

Nxd2 14. Nxd2

too many good choices, and I inevitably
end up in a complicated position with
which I am not familiar. I must start to
play some of these lines.
Or Joseph may learn a solid line for
4. ... d5 5. Bb5+ Bd7
After 5. Nfd7, White has good options
starting with 6. e6 fxe6 7. Ne5; for exam-
ple, 7. Nc6 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Bxc6 Rb8
I want to spring my f-pawn, following
the maxim that I should attack on the side
where my pawn chain leads me.
14. ... f6 15. f4

White, like 2. c3. 10. Qh5+ g6 11. Qe5 and White has his r+ + r k+
choice of rooks; or 8. Qb6 9. Nxa7 and
either capture allows White to eventu- pp+q
 l 
pp
3. Bc4
ally check at h5, preventing Black from +n+pp +
rnl
qklnr castling. As it is, 5. Bd7 gives White the
pp+ 
 pp
pp pawn on c5, at least. + +p P +
Id add just a few comments to these + 
P P +
+ 
p + + quite good analyses: after 6. ... fxe6 7.
+ p + + Ne5, Blacks best is 7. ... g6 (to stop Qh5+); + P Q +
for White, Id prefer 7. Ng5, with advan- PP 
N +P P
+L+P+ + tage. However, you shouldnt try to choose
+ + +N+ between 7. Ne5 and 7. Ng5 before your R 
 L +RK
opponent actually plays 5. ... Nfd7. After 15. f4
PPP
P PPP
Time to make an assessment. White is
6. Qe2 Bxb5 7. Qxb5+ Qd7 8. Qxc5 Ne4 9.
RN
 LQK +R
up a pawn, for no or very little compensa-
Qe3 e6
After 3. Bc4

44 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

tion. Among grandmasters Id guess the ported by other forcesthus, it cant be
outcome would be about 7-3: four wins for viewed even as a nuisance! +r+ +  k
White, six draws (see my book on this PP+ +r+p

subject, Building up Your Chessthe Art
27. ... Rf7 28. a6 b6
of Evaluation). Blacks best would be to P+ +p+p+
take on e5, and, after 16. fxe5, exchange +r+ +  k + qpPp+
of rooks, followed by ... b5 and, perhaps, p +q
 lr+p
a sort of minority attack. Instead, Black + + PnP
started shuffling his f-rook to f7 (not the Pp +p+p+ + + +N+
best position, as well see so vividly) and +PPpPp+
back. + 
L +P K
+ 
P PnP RR+ + +

15. ... Rf7 16. Nf3 f5 17. Bd2 Na5
+ Q +N+ After 35. ... Ng4+
This is a mistake. With the kingside
closed and little room to maneuver, this + 
L +P+
move seems natural. But it places the RR+ + 
 K 36. Kg3
knight on the bishops recently claimed After 28. ... b6 Usually, a queen and knight duo is
line and allows White to expand on the capable of creating deadly threats to the
queenside. Advancing the pawn seems to delay opponents king; here, however, the pair is
the breakthrough as the c5-pawn is quite toothless.
attacked thrice and pinned to the queen.
18. b3
Advancing the c-pawn does not help; for 36. ... Qf2+ 37. Kh3 Rff8
r+ + +k+ example, 29. c6 Qc7 30. Qb3 Rcf8 31. Too late!
pp+q
 lr
pp Bb4 Re8.
Very good observationWhite must be 38. bxc8=Q Rxc8 39. Rb8 Qxa7 40. Rxc8+
+ +p+ + careful not to let Black build a strong Kg7 41. Rc7+
fortress.
n +p
 Pp+ Passed pawn lusts to expandNim-
+ 
P P + 29. cxb6! zowitsch).

+PP QN+ When White, with 27. Qc3, put his queen
on the same file as the black rook, I was
41. ... Qxc7 42. a7 Nf2+ 43. Kh2 Ng4+ 44.

somewhat surprised. Now, I am simply

Kg3 Qc5 45. Be1 Kh6 46. a8=Q Kh5 47. Qd8
P+ L +P P
curious: did Joseph foresee his brilliancy
h6 48. Ra6 Qc2 49. Ra7, Black resigned.
R + +R
 K when playing his 27th move? Black cannot stop 50. Qg5+! hxg5 51.
After 18. b3 Rh7+ 52. hxg5 threatening Rxh6 mate.
29. ... Rxc3 30. bxa7! A well-deserved win, and instructive
comments. Perhaps Josephs real strength
is close to his Facebook rating of 1955,
18. ... Rc8 19. c4 Nc6 20. c5 g6 21. b4 Nd8 22.
a4 Rf8 23. b5 Kh8

+r
n r k
+ + + 
 +q
P lr+p
k
with his USCF rating soon to follow. .
P+ +p+p+
pp+q
 l +p +P+p Pp+
+ +p+p+ Send in your games!
+ 
P PnP If you are unrated or were rated
+PPpPp+ + r +N+ 1799 or below on your Chess Life
P+ P P + + 
L +P+ (CL) label, then GM Lev Alburt invites
you to send your most instructive
+ +  QN+ RR+ + 
 K game with notes to:
+ 
L +P P After 30. bxa7 Back to Basics, c/o Chess Life
R + +R
 K PO Box 3967 Crossville, TN
38557-3967
After 23. ... Kh8
Or e-mail your material to
30. ... Rc8 31. b6
Another maxim: two connected pawns
Could any of Blacks queenside pawns backtobasics@uschess.org
on the sixth rank are better than a rook.
have challenged for space instead of allow- Add a third with rooks supporting them, GM Alburt will select the most
ing White to further restrict Blacks and White simply does not need his instructive game and CL will award
pieces? It seems that any advancement queen. an autographed copy of Levs newest
would allow the breakthrough to occur If only Blacks other rook stayed on the book, Chess Training Pocket Book II
more quickly. eighth rank ... (by Lev Alburt and Al Lawrence) to
the person submitting the most in-
structive game and annotations.
24. h4 Nf7 25. Rfb1 Nh6 26. a5 Ng4 27. Qc3 31. ... Bc5 32. dxc5 Qc6 33. b7
Black has returned his rook to f8 and White can avoid the pesky checks by Do not send games with only a
brought his knight from a5 to g4! Mean- 33. Ra5 Rxa7 34. bxa7 Ra8 35. Rb8+ few notes, as they are of little instruc-
while, White dominates the queenside Kg7 36. Rxa8 Qxa8 37. Rb5 Kh6 38. Rb7 tive value and cant be used. Writing
and will soon open up a file, line up his followed by 39. Ba5 and 40. Bb6. skills are a plus, but instructiveness
rooks, and look to exchange advanta- is a must! Make sure your game (or
geously. part of it) and your notes will be of
33. ... Qxc5+ 34. Kh1 Nf2+ 35. Kh2 Ng4+
The black knight on g4 cant be sup- interest to other readers.
(see diagram top of next column)

uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 45

Whats The Best Move?

Surprising Twists
By GM Larry Evans

The tipping point 1. White moves 2. White moves

Pilots quip that flying consists of
hours and hours of boredom punc- r+lq rk+ + +l+ +
tuated by moments of sheer terror pp+ +pp pq+ p k
reminiscent of chess games that
reach a tipping point. Each one of
lp+ n p p pP+ R
these positions features a surprising
+ + + + +P+P+ K
twist where White failed to find the + + L + +rp + +
right move at the critical moment. +NP +QP + + + +
Can you?
Solutions to this months quiz
PP + PLP P+ + +Q+
positions are on page 71. R + +RK + + + +
(a) Rad1 (b) Rfd1 (c) Be5 (a) Kf5+ (b) Rh8 (c) Qe4

3. White moves 4. White moves

+ +r+k+ r+l+k+ r
+ + Rppp pp+ppplp
p Q + + +n+ np+
pq+ +r+ q + + +
+ + + + +LNP+ +
+P+ p P + N L +
P+ +PPKP PPP+ PPP
+ +R+ + R +QK +R
(a) Rxe8+ (b) a4 (c) Qxb6 (a) Nb3 (b) Qd2 (c) 0-0

46 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

 2009 WORLD CHESS LIVE GRAND PRIX SUMMARY
World Chess Live sponsors over $25,000 at the 2009 Grand Prix!

Welcome,
Welcome to World Chess Live (WCL), a new family-
friendly service with special benefits for USCF members.
Once again, WCL is pleased to sponsor USCFs 2009 Grand
Prix (GP) and 2009 Junior Grand Prix (JGP). Were provid-
ing prize funds of $25,080 and $10,200 (cash, merchandise,
and memberships), and will also be running online grand
prize satellite events throughout the year.
2010 Grand Prix point grabbing is officially under way!
But while players are setting their clocks for the next big
tournament, inevitably the final points from last year are
still being tallied.
Clearly GM-elect Alex Lenderman, 19, has nothing left to
prove with a 172 point lead and big end-of-year wins at
the Edward Lasker Memorial/Marshall Chess Club Cham-
pionship and the D.C.'s annual Eastern Open. Maybe he's
Members!
just trying to break 500 points? Kudrin is holding on to
second place by 68 points over GM Jaan Ehlvest. GM
Melikset Khachiyan hasnt given up his hopes though on
the runners-up spot just yet, and he continues to play
in order to close the 17 point gap between himself and
Ehlvest. Fourth through eighth places still have a chance
to change dramatically with the pack tightly bunched.
Holding on to ninth place this month is 'Iron Man' IM
Jay Bonin, who earned his Cal Ripken moniker by play-
ing in 130 of the New York Master tournaments. Bonin,
who is a self-described free-spirited nomad, makes sure
he doesnt miss any tournaments held along the East
coast. The Marshall Chess Club stalwart has won their
championship three timesand his most recent vic-
tory, in 1997, also saw him clinching the New York State
Championship and the Manhattan Chess Club Champi-
onship titles to become the only player to have won the
triple crown of New York championships.
Bonin is still considered one of the most active over-the-
board (OTB) tournament players in the United States a
few years ago; he reinforced this by playing over 700
rated tournament games. He's also one tough cookie and
an awkward player for the grandmasters to face, espe-
cially as he holds the record for number of wins over
grandmasters (GMs) by a non-GM in U.S. chess history.
And if his OTB activities aren't enough, you can also find
him doing battle almost everyday online at the Internet
~Betsy Dynako (WCL)
Chess Club!

2009 WORLD CHESS LIVE GRAND PRIX STANDINGS

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

OVERALL STANDINGS JUNIOR CATEGORIES

NAME STATE PTS. NAME STATE PTS.
1 IM Alex Lenderman NY 456.02 Players born between 1986 and 1988 inclusive:
2 GM Sergey Kudrin CT 284.28 1 GM Alejandro Ramirez TX 104.33
3 GM Jaan Ehlvest NY 216.79 2 IM Oliver Barbosa NY 95.00
4 GM Melikset Khachiyan CA 199.33 3 IM Jacek Stopa TX 93.40
5 IM Enrico Sevillano CA 193.86 Players born between 1989 and 1991 inclusive:
6 GM Giorgi Kacheishvili NY 190.70 1 IM Alex Lenderman NY 456.02
7 GM Alexander Ivanov MA 188.97 2 IM Samuel Shankland CA 85.25
8 IM Bryan Smith PA 178.18 3 FM John Daniel Bryant TX 59.66
9 IM Jay Bonin NY 148.54 Players born between 1992 and 1993 inclusive:
10 IM Ben Finegold MO 118.88 1 FM Conrad Holt KS 92.82
11 GM Alexander Shabalov PA 115.54 2 Michael Thaler NY 30.20
12 GM Varuzhan Akobian CA 112.34 3 Steven Zierk CA 24.66
13 GM Jesse Kraai CA 109.58 Players born between 1994 and 1995 inclusive:
14 GM Dmitry Gurevich IL 104.66 1 Parker Zhao NY 34.50
15 GM Alejandro Ramirez TX 104.33 2 FM Daniel Naroditsky CA 32.33
3 Deepak Aaron NY 12.77
SENIOR CATEGORY
Players born 1996 and after:
Players born 1944 and before:
1 FM Darwin Yang TX 39.00
Iron Man IM Jay Bonin has now 1 FM Isay Golyak NY 27.96
played in 130 New York Masters 2 Yian Liou CA 28.40
2 FM Alex Dunne PA 26.00
tournaments. 3 David Adelberg AZ 22.66
3 FM Asa Hoffmann NY 22.86

CATEGORIES AND PRIZES

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

ior and USCF Young Adult memberships and a special prize

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

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

 World Chess Live, a new family-friendly online chess service, is sponsor of the 2009 World Chess Live Junior Grand
Prix (JGP). Official standings for events received and processed by January 6, 2010 are unofficial and subject to
change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete. There are currently 5,263 players with JGP points. 473
JGP events resulted in points earned. Top prize includes $1,000 cash, trophy and free entry to the 2010 U.S. Open.
Other prizes awarded to the top 20 finishers and the top individual in each state.

2009 World Chess Live

Junior Grand Prix Top Overall Standings

Name State Pts. Name State Pts.

WINTER, CURTIS A MD 305 ZHOU, JASON MO 135
DOMMALAPATI, ABHINAY VA 290 SHETTY, ATULYA ARYA MI 135
MIZUSHIMA, DEREK MD 265 KUMAR, ARAVIND NJ 130
ATTANAGODA, ISURU ADEEPA VA 205 SINGH, REVA SHREE NY 130
MARUPUDI, PRANAV NJ 195 GURCZAK, JOHN AZ 125
PISANI, NICHOLAS WA 190 FINEGOLD, SPENCER MI 125
RAJASEKARAN, VIKAS VA 180 FU, JASON TN 125
RICHMAN, JONATHAN NY 180 JOHNSTON, DANIEL F NY 125
HUANG, WINSTON MA 175 PILLAI, KADHIR ANDRES NY 125
PISANI, PAUL WA 175 JACOBS, CASEY NY 120
TROFF, KAYDEN W UT 170 SEVIAN, SAMUEL CA-N 120
SREENIVASAN, RAMANUJA MD 170 TUHRIM, RICHARD J NY 120
CHEN, JEREMY NJ 160 SERNA, JEFFREY MICHAEL NM 115
HUGHES, JOHN LODGER OH 160 MOORTHY, SRINIVAS R MD 115
FISHER, WILLIAM PA 155 JING, AARON C WI 110
KARAMSETTY, JEEVAN VA 150 KOGEN, JONATHAN S IL 110
QU, CHEN NY 145 MARTINSON, TIMOTHY MICHAEL NM 110
VIRKUD, APURVA MI 145 GADSON, ISAIAH MO 110
DING, JIALIN MO 135 LATHAM, ANDREW KS 110
HARMON-VELLOTTI, LUKE ID 135 STEINBERG, MAX NY 110

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uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 49

 Tournament Life

USCF National Events Note: Tournament memberships not valid for National events
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING FEBRUARY 1-14

April 23-May 6 St. Louis, Missouri

See TLA in this issue for details: 2010 U.S. Championship 2012 National High School (K-12)

April 13-15 Minneapolis, Minnesota

Championship
Feb. 12-14 or 13-14 Milwaukee,
2010 U.S. Amateur Team - North
2010 Burt Lerner National Elementary (K-
Wisconsin
May 7-9 Atlanta, Georgia
6) Championship 2012 National Elementary (K-6)

May 11-13 Nashville, Tennessee

Championship
Feb. 12-14 or 13-14 Orlando, Florida
2010 U.S. Amateur Team - South
July 31-Aug. 8 Irvine, California
2010 U.S. Open

Nov. 30-Dec. 2 Orlando, Florida

2012 National Scholastic (K-12)
Feb. 13-15 Woodland Hills, California
2010 U.S. Amateur Team - West
2010 Denker Tournament of High School

July 31-Aug. 3 Irvine, California TBA Nashville, Tennessee

40th Annual World Amateur Team & U.S. Champions 2013 SuperNationals V

Feb. 13-15 Parsippany, New Jersey

Amateur Team - East
July 31-Aug. 3 Irvine, California Dec. 13-15 Lake Buena Vista, Florida
2010 Tournament of College Champions 2013 National Scholastic (K-12)

Feb. 19-21 Indianapolis, Indiana

2010 U.S. Junior Chess Congress
July 31-Aug. 3 Irvine, California
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May 9-11 Dallas, Texas

Championship
March 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21
2010 U.S. Masters
August 22-27 Boca Raton, Florida
2010 U.S. Senior Open
Hendersonville, North Carolina
Dec. 12-14 Orlando, Florida
2014 National Scholastic (K-12)

Nov. 3-5 Long Branch, New Jersey

2010 National Youth Action
April 16-18 Columbus, Ohio
2010 All Girls National Championships
2015 National Elementary (K-6)

Dec. 10-12 Lake Buena Vista, Florida May 8-10 Nashville, Tennessee
2010 National Scholastic (K-12) Championship
May 29-31 Tucson, Arizona
2010 U.S. Amateur West Championship

Dec. 5-7 Orlando, Florida

2010 Pan-American Intercollegiate 2015 National Scholastic (K-12)
June 11-13 or 12-13 Las Vegas,
2010 National Open
Dec. 27-30 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Championship
Nevada FIDE EVENTS
FUTURE EVENTS (Watch for details)
2011 National Junior High (K-9)
2010 FIDE World Amateur
April 15-17 Columbus, Ohio
Championship

March 19-25 Skokie, Illinois

2010 National Junior High (K-9) Chess Championship

April 9-11 Minneapolis, Minnesota

Championship 2011 National High School (K-12)
2010 FIDE Intercontinental School Team
April 29-May 1 Nashville, Tennessee
Championship

March 26-28 Skokie, Illinois

Final Four (playoff from 2009 Pan Am Chess Championship

April 9-11
Intercollegiate Championship) 2011 National Elementary (K-6)

May 6-8 Dallas, Texas

Championship
2010 National High School (K-12)

April 16-18 Columbus, Ohio Dec. 9-11 Dallas, Texas

Championship 2011 National Scholastic (K-12)

2010 U.S. Junior Closed - TBA 2011 Pan-American Intercollegiate

2010 U.S. Junior Open - TBA Championship
BIDS
2011 Collegiate Final Four
Note: Organizers previously awarded options for USCF

2010 Collegiate Final Four 2011 U.S. Junior Open

National Events must still submit proposals (including Deadline: June 1, 2010:

2011 U.S. Junior Chess Congress 2011 U.S. Junior Closed

sample budgets) for their events.
Overdue Bids
2011 U.S. Amateur Teams (East, North, 2011 U.S. Armed Forces Open
South, West)
Bids on the following tournaments are past deadline and
2011 U.S. Amateur (East, North, South)
Bidding Deadlines
2010 U.S. Class Championship
will be considered immediately:
2011 National Open
2010 U.S. Amateur
Please contact the National Office if you are interested
2011 U.S. Game 10
(East, North, South)
in bidding for a National Event. The USCF recommends
2011 U.S. Game 15
2010 U.S. Game/60
that bids be submitted according to the following sched-
2011 U.S. Game 60
2010 U.S. Game/30
ule. However, bids may be considered prior to these
2011 U.S. Action G/30
2010 U.S. Game/10 (QC) T.B.A.
dates.
2011 U.S. Masters
2010 U.S. Game/15 (QC)
*USCF reserves the right to decline all bids and organ-
2011 U.S. Class Championship ize the event itself.

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online at main.uschess.org/go/tlainfo.

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Many scholastic tournaments exist that are not USCF-rated, and the USCF is concerned that the reason is that organizers fear losing players unwill-
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membership. The idea behind the TMs is not to sign up a lot of them, but rather to cause more USCF-rated tournaments to be held. More details
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out advance publicity of such a policy.

50 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

TheTournament Announcements on the following pages are provided
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Overall: $3000-2000-1600-1400; Top Women: $1000-600-400-200; (1799-
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$150 by 6pm 03/15; $200 thereafter and onsite. No re-entries allowed. No half-
point byes allowed (zero point byes only). Onsite registration from 3-5pm 03/19.
Rds.: 3/19 6:30pm; 3/20-21- 12pm and 6:30pm per day; 3/22-25 6:30pm
per night. Mail entries with registration information to: North American
Chess Association (make checks payable to), 4957 Oakton Street, Suite 113,
Skokie, IL 60077. More information and online registration available at:
www.worldchesschamps.com. Questions via email only: sevan@worldchess
champs.com. No smoking. For more information on additional prizes such as
FIDE titles, Scholarships toTexasTech University, a progressive prize fund, entry
fee specials, and more, please visit the tournament website. Boards, sets, clocks
provided. Tournament provided equipment must be used. WCL JGP.
Mar. 26-28, Illinois

All tournaments listed in Tournament Life are USCF

2010 FIDE Intercontinental School Team Chess Championship - an
sippany Hilton, chess rates expire 1/16/2010. Rates $119 (up to 4 in room) 2nd Official FIDE Intercontinental Chess Championship!
rated. USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR ALL
hotel now attached to Hilton also up to 4 in room $117 per night-Hampton Inn

EVENTS. If not a member, add dues to advance en-

7R-SS G/90 w/5-sec delay. Holiday Inn Hotel, 5300 W. Touhy Ave., Skokie, IL
-includes breakfast for 4 each day. For help forming teams and more information

try fee or pay them with entry at site.

Feb. 12-14 or 13-14, Wisconsin
2010 U.S. Amateur Team Championship North
Two sections: Open and Scholastic (Saturday only) Open: 5SS, G/90+30/move/
increment (G/120 if digital clocks not available; 2-day: rd.1-2 G/60). Crowne
Plaza Hotel Milwaukee Airport, 6401 South 13th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53221.
1-414-764-5300. $79.99 chess rate, please reserve early. Open to 4 player
teams with one optional alternate. Team average (4 highest ratings2009
Annual Rating List) must be under 2200. EF: 3-day $140, 2-day $141 per team
if received by February 9th, $180 thereafter. Individuals wishing to play, send
$35 and request to be put on a team.Team changes on site $20. Check out offi-
cial website www.wichessacademy.com. All advance entries will be posted on
February 10th. Prizes: Awards to top two teams, top teams with average rat-
ing u1900, u1600, and u1300. Winning team qualifies for national play-offs. Prizes
to best team composed of juniors (high school and younger). Prizes to top score
on each board. Rounds: 3-day: on-site registration/check-in 5:30-6:30pm, rds.:
7pm, 11:00am & 5:00pm, 10:00am & 3:30pm. 2-day: on-site registration/check-
in 9:00-10:30am, rds. 11:00am & 2:00pm then merge with 3-day. **Saturday
Only** Scholastic section. 4SS, G/60. Open to 4 player teams with one
optional alternate. Team average (4 highest2009 Annual Rating List) must
be under 1600. EF: $120 per team if received by February 9th, $150 thereafter.
Individuals wishing to play, send $30 and request to be put on a team. Team
changes on site $20. All advance entries will be posted on www.wichessacademy.
com on February 10th. Prizes: awards to top team overall, top three High School
Teams, top three Middle School Teams, top three Elementary School Teams.
Prizes to top score on each board. Rounds: on-site registration/check-in:
9:00am-10:30am; rds.: 11:00am, 1:30pm, 3:45pm, 6:00pm. Checks made
payable to and send to: VICA, 6822 North Crestwood Dr., Glendale, WI 53209.
Please includeTeams name and roster, captains email and phone number, and
desired schedule. Info: abetaneli@hotmail.com, ashish@vajachess.com,
608-334-2574, 414-234-1005. WCL JGP (in Open Section).
Feb. 12-14 or 13-14, Florida
2010 U.S. Amateur Team South
5SS, G/120 (2-day option, rd 1 G/60). Sheraton Orlando Downtown Hotel,
60 South Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando, FL 32804. 4-player teams (plus alternate). 2
Sections (using Yr-end ratings): OPEN, Team Avg rtng<2200. SCHOLASTIC,
Game/60, Team avg<1200. Players need not be from the same school.
contact esdoyle@aol.com: Chks payable to NJSCF, mail by 2/05 to: E.Steven
Doyle, 17 Stonehenge Road, Morristown, NJ 07960. (Include Team name,
Captain, players full names, USCF Expiration, ID numbers and ratings in board
order). Include SASE for confirmation if wanted, No registered or certified mail
accepted. NS, NC, W. WCL JGP.
Feb. 19-21, Indiana
2010 U.S. Jr. Chess Congress
6SS, Rds. 1-4 G/60, Rds. 5-6 G/90. Radisson Hotel at the Indianapolis Airport,
2500 S. High School Rd., Indianapolis, IN. NEW sections this year: 12th grade
& Under, 8th grade & Under, 6th grade & Under, and 3rd grade & Under.
CLUB TEAMS are welcome! Club and school teams are the top 4 scoring team
members (minimum 2). Schedule: Blitz side event Fri. (2/19) at 7 pm, see below.
Regular 6/SS tournament Sat. and Sun only. Opening Ceremony Sat. 2/20 at
8:30 am, Rds 1-4 at 9am, 12:00pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. Bughouse tournament side
event Sat. evening at 7:00 pm, see below. Sun 2/21 Rds. at 9am, 1pm. Awards
at 4:30pm. Entry Fee: $40 by 2/8/10, $50 by 2/18/10, $60 after and onsite.
Register: Make checks payable to East Side Middle School Chess Club and mail
to: 2010 Chess Congress, East Side Middle School, 2300 Lindberg Rd., Ander-
son, IN. 46012. Email entries to Register@2010ChessCongress.com. EMAIL
ENTRIES are NOT confirmed until receipt of entry fees. Entries will be posted
at www.2010ChessCongress.com as they are received. Onsite entries will be
accepted Friday evening after 5 pm (and during the blitz tournament) and from
6:30am to 8:00am on Sat. morning, 2/20. 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 2/20 at 7:00 pm. Register for bug-
house onsite ONLY for $10 per player Friday evening or during the day on
Saturday. Bughouse awards to each team member of at least the top 5 scor-
ing 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 sec-
tion, top 5 teams. Numerous additional class prizes for each section. See
website for details. Hotel: Indianapolis Airport Radisson. Conveniently located
at the Indianapolis International Airport and offering free shuttle service
from airport terminals 24/7. FREE PARKING at hotel. $70 per night room rate!!!
Hotel offers free wireless internet access. Additional Info: Limited team
rooms available, contact number below for details. Concessions and chess mer-
chandise will be available onsite. All event details at www.2010Chess
Congress.com. Questions, call (765) 617-3845 after 3pm. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced)
Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, North Carolina
60077. 847.679.8900. Open to players in 5 age categories in teams of 4:
U10, U12, U14, U16, U18. Please see tournament website for more detailed
age and team regulations. Prizes: Team-winners of First, Second and Third
places in each age category and the members of the teams will be awarded
Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, Diplomas and Special Trophies. Team tro-
phies will be awarded also teams finished in 4th 20th places in each age
category. EF: $150 by 6pm 02/01, $175 by 6pm 03/01; $200 thereafter. No onsite
registrations allowed. No re-entries allowed. No half-point byes allowed (zero
point byes only). Rds.: 3/26 6:00pm; 3/27 & 28 9am, 12pm and 6:00pm.
Mail entries with registration information to: IntECS (make checks payable
to), 63 75th Street, Willowbrook, IL 60527. More information and online reg-
istration available at: www.worldchesschamps.com. Questions via email
only: mikhail@worldchesschamps.com. No smoking. Boards, sets, clocks pro-
vided. Tournament provided equipment must be used. WCL JGP.
Apr. 16-18, Ohio
2010 All Girls National Championship presented by the Kasparov
Chess Foundation in association with the USCF and UTD.
6SS, G/90. Hyatt Regency Columbus, 350 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215,
(614) 280-1234, Hotel Rate $127. 6 Sections: 8 years old and younger; 10 and
younger, 12 and younger, 14 and younger, 16 and younger, 18 and younger. Age
as of 4/1/2010. USCF membership required. Winner of 18 years old and
younger Section wins an Academic Distinction Scholarship to The University of
Texas at Dallas, worth $80,000 for an out-of-state student. EF: $50 if postmarked
by 3/21; $70 if by 4/4; $85 by 4/15 or $90 on-site. Do not mail after 4/8 as
your entry may not be received on time. Opening Ceremony: 6pm, Friday.
Rounds: Rd 1 - 6:30pm Fri; Rounds 2-4 - Sat 10am, 2:30pm, 6:30pm; Rounds
5-6 - Sun 9am & 1pm. Awards Ceremony: Sun. 5pm. Trophies to top 15 indiv
& top 3 teams (top 3 players added for team scores). Bye: One 1/2-pt bye avail-
able, any round, if requested before end of Rd. 2 and if player has not received
a full-point bye. Side Events: Bughouse Tournament - Fri. 1pm, EF $25/team.
Blitz Tournament - Fri. 3pm, EF $15 by 4/4, $20 after or on site. Entries: Mail
to USCF, Attn: All Girls, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 or online at
http://uschess.org/tournaments/2010/allgirls. NS, NC, W. WCL JGP.
USCF Membership Rates

(U.S., CANADA, MEXICO)

Teams can be formed on-site. ***FCA members in Open are eligible for Premium (P) and Regular (R)
FL GP Points. *** Winning Open team competes in national playoff 2010 U.S. Masters
online. EF per player: OPEN $30 by 2/6, $40 later. SCHOLASTIC $20 by 2/6, 9SS, 40/2,SD/30. Hendersonville, NC. $$5000 b/50 fully paid: $1500-900-
$25 later. SPECIAL EF: 5-player team $140 by 2/6, $180 later. PRIZES: OPEN 300-200-200-200-200-200-200. U2300: $300-200-200-200-200. Open only to
players who have ratings over 2200, those who have ever been so rated, for- Type 1 yr 2yr 3yr
1st, 2nd teams: plaques and four Excalibur Clocks, 3rd: plaques; SCHOLAS-
TIC 1st, 2nd teams: plaques and four Excalibur Clocks, 3rd: trophies; Board eign FIDE-rated players, and juniors (under age 21) rated over 2000. Concurrent Adult P $49 $85 $120
Prizes: each section: Brds. 1-4, Excalibur Clocks. Class Prizes: OPEN: U2000, with N.C. Sub-Masters for those with lower ratings. Rds (2 schedules merge
round 5): 2-Weekend schedule: Sat 12, 7, Sun 12, 7, Fri 7, Sat 12, 7, Sun 12, Adult P ** $42 $78 $113
U1800, U1600, U1400; Scholastic: U1000, U800Trophies. Other awardsTBD.
Schedule: OPEN 3-day: rds 8, 1-7, 9-3, 2-day: rds 10-1-7, 9-3; SCHOLAS- 7; 7-Day schedule: Mon 7, Tue 7, Wed 7, Thurs 7, Fri 7, Sat 12, 7, Sun 12, 7 Adult R $41 $59 $81
TIC (Sat & Sun): 10-1-4, 9-12, Awards 2:30. HR: $79 (888) 627-8525 or (407) EF: $150 by Feb 13, $160 by Mar 9, $170 at site. GMs, IMs, and foreign FIDE-
rated players receive reduced fee entry of $30 if preregistered (counts as 1/5 Adult R ** $34 $52 $74
425-4455; (Mention Chess). Complimentary parking voucher & internet with
sleeping rooms; other parking at $5 per day. Reserve by Jan 29, ALL HOTELS entry toward prizes). Byes: 4 available rds 1-5. HR: Quality Inn & Suites, 201 Senior (65+) ** $36 $65 $93
FILL UP USATS WEEKEND! ENT: CFCC, 921 N. Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751 Sugarloaf Rd,, Hendersonville, NC 28792. $60 or $68/night with hot breakfast,
indoor pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and mini-golf. 800-581-4745, http://www.qualityinn- Young Adult P (U25)* $32 $59 $85
or online usats2010.eventbrite.com. See www.centralflchess.org for details
or call (407)629-6946. WCL JGP (in Open Section). suiteshvl.com. Info and entry: Kevin Hyde, 705 Old Mountain Page Rd., Saluda, Youth P (U16)* $27 $49 $70
NC 28773. hyde@ioa.com http://www.ncchess.org. FIDE. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event! Scholastic P (U13)* $23 $42 $60
Feb. 13-15, California Southern Mar. 19-25, Illinois
2010 FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship - an Official FIDE Young Adult R (U25)* $24 $43 $61
27th Annual U.S. Amateur Team West
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1. Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, World Chess Championship! Youth R (U16)* $20 $36 $51
CA 91367. Four-player teams plus optional alternate, average rating of four high- 9R-SS G/90 + 30/sec increment. Holiday Inn Hotel, 5300 W. Touhy Ave.,
Scholastic R (U13)* $16 $28 $39
Premium membership provides a printed
est must be U/2200, diff. between bds. 3 & 4 may not exceed 1000. Dec. list
used. EF: $132 per team if received by 2-12, $36 individual (on line only), $148
copy of Chess Life (monthly) or Chess Life for
at site, under age 18 or HS/below $96 by 2-12, $110 site.Trophies and 4 clocks

DROPPING OUT? Kids (bimonthly) plus all other benefits of

to top 3 teams, U2100, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400/unr. Trophies (1 large, 4

regular membership. Regular membership

small) to top college, industrial, junior (under 18), Senior (over 50), U1200. Clocks

provides online-only access to Chess Life

to best score each board, alternate, and any 6-0. Gift certificate prizes for best
Have to miss a round?
and Chess Life for Kids; TLA Bulletin will be
team names (1st/2nd). Reg.: 9-10 a.m. 2-13. Rds.: 11-6, 11-6, 10-4:30. On-line
entry, help in forming teams, advance entry list: www.westernchess.com. HR:
mailed to adults bimonthly and to scholas-
$119, 800-228-9290, ask for Western Chess. Reserve by Jan. 20 or rates may

tic members three times per year. Youth

go up. Parking $6. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Place #1A, Los It is very important that you
provides bimonthly Chess Life, Scholastic
Angeles, CA 90038. NS, NC, W. F. WCL JGP.

bimonthly Chess Life for Kids, others listed

A Heritage Event! NOTIFY THE DIRECTOR
above monthly Chess Life. See www.us
Feb. 13-15, New Jersey
before pairings are made, so no one
chess.org for other membership categories.
40th Annual World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East Ruby Anniver-
sary
Dues are not refundable and may be
6SS, 40/2, SD/1. Parsippany Hilton, 1 Hilton Ct., Parsippany, NJ. 07054. Chess is deprived of a game! If you forfeit
changed without notice.
Rate valid until 1/16. Reserve early 973-267-7373 or 1- 800-HILTONS. Mor- without notice, you may be FINED up
*Ages at expiration **Purchased online only
ris/Essex train to Morris Plains 1.5 miles. Open to 4- player teams with one
optional alternate.Team average (4 highest ratings2009 Annual Rating list)
to the amount of the entry fee!
must be under 2200. EF: $145 postmarked by 2/5/10. Scholastic teams Col-

uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 51

 Tournament Life
May 29-31, Arizona
2010 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) &
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING FEBRUARY 1-14
Scholastic (must be K-6 and U1000). Scholastic section is 3 separate 1-day
tournaments. SCHEDULE: (Championship, Reserve, and Booster) 6/SS, 40/2,
25/1. Reg.: 5/29, 8:30 - 9:30 AM. Rds.: 10-4, 10-4, 9-3. (Scholastic) 4/SS, G/40.
Reg: 8:30 - 9:30 AM each day. Rds.: Round 1 at 10 AM then as available for
Rounds 2-4. PRIZES: (Championship) Chronos clock + plaque to Top 3; Digi-
tal clock + plaque to Top 1900-1999, 1800-1899, 1700-1799, 1600-1699, and
U1600; Plaque to top Senior 50+, Junior U20 and Junior U14. (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 U14.
(Booster) Chronos clock + trophy to 1st; Trophy to 2nd - 5th, Top Unrated and
Junior U11. (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-scholas-
tic sections. Biggest Upset of each round in the non-Scholastic sections.
Chronos clock to Scholastic player with the highest combined score over the
three 1-day tournaments. EF: (Championship & Reserve) $55 if recd by 5/26,
$65 if after 5/26. (Booster) $40 if recd by 5/26, $50 if after 5/26. (Scholas-
tic) $15 each day or $40 for all three days if by 5/26, additional $5 if after 5/26.
ALL: Half-point byes allowed for all rounds but must be requested prior to start
of Round 2. SIDE EVENT: Blitz tournament Friday 5/28; G/5, 5 Rounds, Dou-
ble SS; Entry Fee: $10 ($15 to non-tournament players); Reg.: 6:006:45pm at
site; Rounds: begin at 7:00pm. Prizes: ($$b/20) $75-$45, Top U1600 $30,
Medallion to top K-12, K-8, K-6. ENTER: www.sazchess.org/store/store.php
or mail to (make checks payable to SACA): SACA, Attn: US Amateur West,
PO Box 42407,Tucson, AZ 85733 or at site. HR: $69 (single/double) or $85 (suite)
if by 5/14, mention SACA. INFO: Karen Pennock, 520-975-3946, email: kpen-
nock_83@yahoo.com, web: www.sazchess.org. NC. NS. W. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
June 11-13 or 12-13, Nevada
2010 National Open
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2 day option rds 1-3 G/60). South Point Hotel, Casino and
Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89183. $100,000 Prize Fund
based on 850 paid entries ($70,000 guaranteed). Championship. $$: 8000-
4000-2000-1000-600-400-400-400-400-400-200-200-200-200-200, under 2500
2000, under 2400 1500, under 2300 1000. $2,000 EXTRA for perfect score.The
winner of the Championship section also receives a replica of the Edmondson
Cup. Under 2200. $$: 5000-2500-1300-600-350-250-250-250-250-250-100-
100-100-100-100. Under 2000. $$: 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. Unrated,
$$: 600-400-200-100-100-100. 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
52 Chess Life February 2010
gift certificate. Plus score certificates will be given on site only. EF: $159 by
1/19, $179 by 5/17, $199 by 6/9, $220 on site, $100 more for players rated
under 2100 in the Championship Section.This is an open tournament - you may
play in any section at or above your rating level; unrated players may play only
in Unrated or Championship Section. Provisionally rated players may not win
more than 3rd prize in any section except Championship. CCA minimum ratings
or other ratings may be used if higher than USCF June Supplement. Reg: 4-11
p.m. Thursday, 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 available in any round, but round 5 or 6 byes must be requested before
the start of round 2. Chess sets and boards provided for tournament play only,
not for skittles. Please bring chess clocks! The LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL
CHESS FESTIVAL features the National Open, the U.S Game/10 Champi-
onship and other championship events. Many free extras and surprises! Free
parking. Free raffle with great prizes. Free GM Lectures. Free GM analysis of
your games. Chess Camp for all ages onThursday. Grandmaster SimulsThurs-
day afternoon. US. Game/10 Thursday night. Scholastic Tournament Friday.
Girls & Boys Championships Saturday & Sunday. LOW room rates! HR: $65
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 Point sells out most weekends. Cutoff for
special hotel rate is May 15th. Rates may be as high as $150 a night after May
15th. RESERVE NOW! Credit card or one night room deposit will be required
to hold reservation, may be canceled 72 hours in advance for nominal fee.Tour-
nament 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: 30
Feb. 12-14, Texas
South Houston Open
5SS, G/120, FIDE rated. Free entry for GMs and IMs (EF deducted from win-
nings). SIDE EVENTS: (Schol.Team & Ind., 5SS, G/30, 1-day only, Sat. Feb. 13th);
5-min. Blitz CAJUN KNOCK-OUT (Sat. night after Rd. 3). Separate room for
schol. Players - A trophy or medal will be awarded to each schol. player. Hilton
Houston NASA Clear Lake, 3000 NASA Road One, Houston (281-333-9300). 5
Sects. PRIZES: $10,000 b/200 paid ent., min. $5,000 Gtd. OPEN: $1400-800-
500-300-200; U2200: $700-400; U2000: $800-400-200-100-50; U1800:
$800-400-200-100-50; U1600/Unr*: $800-400-200-100-50; U1300: $400-300-
200-100-50. *Unrated players may only win 50% of the prize fund except in the
Open Sect. where they must pay full EF and are eligible for full prize fund. Schol.
Sects. (Team & Individual): K-2, K-5, K-8, K-12. Prizes:Trophies to top 5 indi-
viduals & top 3 teams in each section (more ind. trophies depending on
attendance). Every non-trophy winner receives a souvenir chess medal.Teams
may have as many players as they wish from the same school in the same sec-
tion but must have a minimum of 3 players to be considered a team; the top
3 scores will count for final team score. Scholastic players may play in both adult
and scholastic tournaments by registering for both tournaments and taking a
bye for Rd. 2 in the adult tournament. USCF-recommended computer tiebreaks
will decide trophy and medal placements for winners of all schol. sections. Free
chess clock to player who travels farthest to tourn. in both adult and schol. tour-
naments. CAJUN BOUNTY: Defeat the top ranked player and win free entry
to our next tournament! EF: $79 by 2/10; $89 at site; Unr. (U1600) and Jrs.
(under 19 yrs of age and playing in U1300 or U1600 Sections) $49 by 2/10; $59
at site. Schol. EF: $20 by 2/10; $25 at site; Re-Entry Fee: $25 (avail. up to Rd.
4 in all sections; 3 re-entries or 2 Jr. entries count as one additional entry
for prize fund). 3-day Sched: Reg. Fri. 5:30-7pm, Rds. Fri. 8pm; Sat. 11-6:30,
Sun. 9:30-2:30. 2-day Sched: Reg. Sat. 8:30-10am, (Rds 1 & 2, G/75) Sat. 11-
2:30-6:30, Sun. 9:30-2:30. Both schedules merge at Rd. 3. Schol. Sched: (All
5 rds G/30one day only, Sat., Feb. 13). Reg. Sat. 8:30-9:30am, Rd. 1 at 10am;
Other rds will follow immediately. Byes: Avail. all Rds. (commit before Rd. 3).
HR: $89 for single or double; $99 for triple; $109 for quad (281-333-9300),
reserve by Jan. 29 and mention Cajun Chess tournament to assure group rate.
ENT: On-line registration and printable entry form at www.cajunchess.com, or
mail entry form to Franc Guadalupe, 305 Willow Pointe Dr., League City,TX 77573.
Info or Phone Ent: 713-530-7820 or 504-905-2971. Major credit cards accepted
(no checks at site). FIDE. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Feb. 13, New York
Jenifer Woods Memorial Grand Prix
4SS RDS. 1 & 2 G/60, RDS. 3 & 4 G/90 at RCC (GTD) $150-90-60 class $80. Reg.:
8:30-9:15. Rds.: 9:30-12-2:15-5:30 EF: $30. Adv Ent/Info: Rochester Chess
Center, 221 Norris Drive, Rochester, NY 14610. (585)442-2430. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15
Feb. 13-14, Virginia
Kingstowne Chess Festival
Kingstowne Snyder Center, 6450 S. Van Dorn St., Alexandria, VA 22315. 4
Sections. Open (FIDE-rated): 4SS 40/100, SD/60. EF: $40 if received by 2/10,
$50 at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $84 if received by 2/10, $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 2/10, $30
at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $64 if received by 2/10, $74 at site.
Prizes $$500 b/32: $180-100-70. U1600-U1400-Unr. each $50. No unrated may
win more than $150. Rds.: 11-3-7, 11:30-4. Booster (U1600-unr.): 5SS G/100.
EF: $15 if received by 2/10, $25 at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $59
if received by 2/10, $69 at site. Prizes $$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 2/10, $18 at
site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $54 if received by 2/10, $62 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 Sat. and irrevo-
cable. Reg.: 9:30-10:45. Ent (checks payable to): Don W. Millican, P.O. Box 2902,
Springfield, VA 22152. e-mail (info only): dm407_92@hotmail.com. FIDE W.
WCL JGP.
uschess.org
 Tournament Life

A Heritage Event!

World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 50 (enhanced)

Feb. 13-15 or 14-15, California Northern

36th Annual Peoples Tournament

SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING FEBRUARY 1-14

6SS, 30/90 G/60 (2-day opt rounds 1-3 G/60). Hotel: Crowne Plaza, 45 John
Glenn Dr., Concord, CA 94520. Chess rate $79. Free parking. Prizes: $7,001
b/129. 6 sections. Open (FIDE rated): $$ Gtd. 1000-500-201 (u2300: 200 100).
1900-2099: 500-200-100-100-100. 1700-1899: 500-200-100-100-100. 1500-
1699: 500-200-100-100-100. 1300-1499: 500-200-100-100-100. Under 1299:
500-200-100-100-100. Unrated prize limit of $200 in all sections except Open.
EF: $99 3-day & $98 2-day mailed/online by 2/11, Onsite +$25 Play-up +$19.
GMs IMs free - EF subtr from prize. Re-entry $45. EF Econ Opt: Deduct $30 from
EF & agree to donate back 1/2 of prize money won. February 2010 Supp, CCA
min &TD discretion will be used to place players accurately. 3-day sched: Reg
Sat 10-11, Rds Sat/Sun 11:15 4:45, Mon 10, 3:30. 2-day sched: Reg Sun 9-
9:45, Rds Sun 10, 12:10, 2:20, 4:45. Mon 10, 3:30. Max two 1/2-pt byes - must
commit bef rd 3. Ent: Bay Area Chess, 4423 Fortran Ct., Ste. 160, San Jose, CA
95134. $20 charge for refund. Quest: contact@BayAreaChess.com, Tel 408-
786-5515. Info & Entries: BayAreaChess.com/events/10/ppl. NS, NC, W.
WCL JGP.

World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15

Feb. 13-15, Oklahoma

Jerry Hanken FIDE Winter Open

7-SS, G/90+30 sec, Quality Inn, 2515 W. 6th Ave. (Hwy-51) Stillwater, OK 1-
405-372-0800. HR: 70-70-70. One section open to all. EF: $40 if postmarked
or received by cash or ck before Feb 10, $50 at door. $10 OCF membership
required from all players. Reg.: Sat 10:30-11:45; Rds.: Sat 12, 4:30, Sun 9-1:15-
5:30, Mon 9-1:30. $$G 2,450 will not be lowered. $$G, $400, 300, 200. $$G
$300 each class ($150-100-50) Ex,A,B,C,D & below. Unr. competes in D &
below. $50 - upset, One (1) half pt bye rds 3-7. Free Parking. Ent: Frank Berry,
402 S. Willis, Stillwater, OK 74074. 1-405-372-5758. FKimBerry@aol.com NC,
CMV, LS, W, USCF, OCF, FIDE. WCL JGP.

World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)

Feb. 16, New York

Marshall Masters
(formerly the St. Johns Masters) 4SS. G/30. Third Tues. of every month. 23
W. 10th St., NYC 212 477-3716. Open to players rated over 2100 (plus all play-
ers scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNY at MCC Thursday 4 Rated Games Tonight!
since the prior months Masters) EF: $40, members $30, GMs $10 (returned
on completion of tournament).Top three prizes guaranteed. $$G 250-150-100.
Top U2400 andTop 2300 prizes. Special prize for biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45.
Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45PM. One bye available, rds. 1 or 4 only; declare at reg-
istration.

World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)

Feb. 18, 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), spec-
ified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may
be limited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105,
U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA
ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game.
Rds 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible!
A Heritage Event!

World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6

Feb. 19-21, 20-21 or 21, Minnesota

117th Warren Stenberg Memorial Annual Minnesota Open

Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth, MN
55441. In 5 Sections, Premier: Open to All. 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, 5 sec. delay (2-
day option rds 1-2 G/90), EF: $65 (3-day option) or $64 (2-day option) by
2/12; $75 on site. $$b/35: $500-300-150. U2200, U2100 each $125. Amateur
(U2000): 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, 5 sec. delay (2-day option rds 1-2 G/90). Open to
1999 & under. EF: $55 (3-day option) or $54 (2-day option) by 2/12; $65 on site.
$$b/35: $400-250-125. U1900, U1800 each $100. Reserve (U1700): 6SS,
Game/2, 5 sec. delay (2-day option rds 1-2 G/60), Open to 1699 & under. EF:
$50 (3-day option) or $49 (2-day option) by 2/12; $60 on site. $$b/40: $350-
175-100. U1600, U1500, U1400 each $75. Sophomore (U1400): 6SS, Game/2,
5 sec. delay (2-day option rds 1-2 G/60), Open to 1399 & under. EF: $40 (3-day
option) or $39 (2-day option) by 2/12; $50 on site. $$b/45: $300-150-75.
U1300, U1200, U1100 each $60. Bantam (U1100): 6SS, Game/2, 5 sec. delay
(2-day option rds 1-2 G/60), Open to 1099 & under. EF: $35 (3-day option) or
$34 (2-day option) by 2/12; $45 on site. $$b/42: $250-100-50. U1000, U900
each $50. ALL: MSCA Memb. Reqd: $18. OSA. Class prizes based on 5 per
class. Ratings based on February 2010 Supplement. Discounted EF must be
received by 2/12/2010, please specify 3-day or 2-day option. 3-day option
schedule: On site Reg.: 5-6pm Fri, Feb 19. Rnds.: Premier and Amateur: Fri
7; Sat 10-4:30; Sun 10-4:30; Reserve, Sophomore, and Bantam: Fri 7; Sat 10-
2:30-7.; Sun 10-3. 2-day option schedule: On site Reg.: 8-8:30am Sat, Feb
20. Rnds.: Premier and Amateur: Sat 9-1-4:30, Sun 10-4:30; Reserve, Soph-

ONCE RATED,
ALWAYS RATED
You never lose your rating, no matter how
long it has been since you last played.
If you return to tournament play after a long
absence, please tell the director your
approximate rating and year of play.
If you rejoin USCF after many years with-
out being a member, please provide this
information to the TD and to USCF as well.

54 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

omore, and Bantam: Sat 9-11:30-2:30-7; Sun 10-3. 2 Side Events: Saturday
Non-rated Beginners Tournament: Open to players rated below 800 or
unrated, who have never won a membership at a Novice tournament. EF:
$15. Prizes: 1st, 2nd, 3rd all get trophies. All players who score 4 out of 5 points
receive USCF and MSCA memberships. Reg.: 10-10:30 Sat, Feb 20. Rnds.: Sat
(approx): 11-12:15-1:30-3:15-4:30. Sunday Tornado: EF: $15 by 2/12/2010:
$20 at site. $$b/14: $100-50. $50 for the top player in the lower rating half.
Reg.: Sun 9-9:45. Rnds.: Sun (approx): 10-12:30-3:00-6:30. ENT: MSCA, PO
Box 582754, Minneapolis, MN 55458-2754. INFO: Shu Lee shuman.lee@gmail.
com. HR: $89 special rate at the Radisson. Send email to shuman.lee@gmail.
com to check on availability and make reservations (763) 559-6600, Reserva-
tions 1-800-395-7046 US/Canada Toll-free Radisson Hotel and Conference
Center, 3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth, Minnesota 55441. Round one start time
is approximate. It will begin at the conclusion of the General Member-
ship Meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. on Friday evening. NS NC W. WCL
JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Feb. 19-Mar. 19, New York
Queens Late Winter Open
5-SS, G/120. All Saints Lutheran Church, 164-02 Goethals Avenue, Jamaica, NY
11432. EF: $35 advance, $40 at site, $5 less to QCC members. $$200-$100 gtd
to top 2, more per entries. Up to two 1/2 pt byes ok with advance notice (byes
for Rounds 4 and/or 5 must be declared before Round 3). REG.: 7:30-8:00. RDS.:
8:15 each Friday. ENT: (mail by 2/12) Ed Frumkin, 445 E 14th St #10D, NYC
10009 (212-677-3224 before 10 pm - do not call on Friday). WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Feb. 20, 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:
845-569-9969. EF: $40, Club membs $30, GMs free ($25 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 15 min. before game. Online entry at
www.chesscenter.cc thru 2/18; $10 extra to enter by phone!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Feb. 20, Pennsylvania
2010 Presidents Week LVCA Grand Prix
4SS, G/90. St. James Church, 11th & Tilghman Sts., Allentown, PA 18102.
EF: $40, LVCA Members $30, $$200-100 guaranteed to top 2, more per paid
entries. FREE ENTRY TO UNRATEDS, if paying 1 year USCF Dues. Up to two
1/2 pt byes (if declared before round 3). REG.: Ends 10am. RDS.: 10:30-1:30-
4:45-7:45. Ent/Info: Check payable: Bruce Davis, 1208 Linden St., Fl 1,
Bethlehem, PA 18018. or call 610-625-0467 or bdavis@lehighvalleychess.org/.
WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 120 (enhanced)
Feb. 20-21, New York
2010 Marchand Open - 32nd Annual
Dr. Erich Marchand requested that his friends play chess in his memory. 5SS,
uschess.org
30/60, SD/60. St. John Fisher College, 3690 East Ave., Rochester, NY. $$10,750
Gtd. Open Section: $2000-1300-850-550-300, Under 2200 & U2000 each
$500-300 120 Grand Prix Points. FIDE Rated. EF: $70. U1800 Section: $600-
400-250. Under 1600 $400-250. EF: $65. U1400 Section: $400-275-175.
Under 1200 $275-175. EF: $60. U1000 Section: $260-190-130-70. Under 800
$150-90-60. EF: $55. Unrated players in the U1800 section can only win
$125, in U1400 & U1000 $55. IM and GMs free if registered by 2/12. Great
food available at site. Reg.: 8-9:15 am. Rds.: 10-2:15-6:30, 10-2:15. One 1/2
point bye available in rd. 3 or 4 if requested at entry. Info: 585-442-2430. Ent:
Rochester Chess Center, 221 Norris Drive, Rochester, NY 14610. W. WCL
JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Feb. 20-21, Virginia
Hampton Chess & Sports Festival
5SS, G/2. Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Dr., Hampton. 2
sections: Open & U1600. Prizes: $1350 b/0 50 Increased with 56+ entries.
Open: $250-200-150 1800-1999 $100 U1800 $100. U1600 Section: $150-
120-100 1200-1399 $90 U1200 $90. HR: Holiday Inn, 1815 Mercury Blvd.,
Hampton $79 + tax (757) 838-0200. www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/
hotel/lfiva. EF: $40 by 2/18 else $50. Reg.: 9:00-9:40. Rds.: Sat. 10-2:30-7,
Sun. 10-2:30. Entries/Cks: Virginia Chess, 1370 S. Braden Cres., Norfolk, VA
23502. Info: Ernie (757) 853-5296, ESchlich@verizon.net. www.vachess.org.
Single half pt. Bye available. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Feb. 22-Mar. 22, New York
86th Nassau Grand Prix
5-SS, 40/80. 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st & Main Sts., Mineola. 2 sections:
Open: EF: $38 by 2/20, $$ (630 b/18, top 2 G) 200-100, U2100/UR, 1900, 1700
each 110. Booster: open to U1500/UR, EF $22 by 2/20. $$ (270 b/15) 100,
U1300, 1100/UR each 85. Both: non-memb EF $11 more. EF at site $7 more.
2 byes 1-5. Reg ends 7:15 PM. Rds: 7:15 each Mon. Ent: Harold Stenzel, 80 Amy
Dr., Sayville, NY 11782. captnhal@optonline.net. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Feb. 26-28, New York
4th annual Saratoga Open
5SS, 30/90, SD/1, Saratoga Hilton Hotel, 534 Broadway (I-87 Exit 13-N, 4 miles
north on US 9), Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. $$G 1200. In 2 sections: Open:
$$ 300-150-70, U2200 120, U2000 100. Under 1800/Unr: $$ 150-90-50, U1600
100, U1400 70. EF: $52 mailed by 2/19, $53 online at chesstour.com by 2/23,
$55 phoned by 2/23, $65 at site. Reg. ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11-4:30,
Sun 9-2:30. Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 2. HR: $117-
117, 888-999-4711, 518-584-4000, reserve by 2/13 or rate may increase. 48
hours notice required for room cancellation. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box
249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chess-
tour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Feb. 27, Wisconsin
UW Winter Open
4-SS, Rd1 G/60, Rds 2,3,4 G/90. Inn Wisconsin Room, Memorial Union, 800 Lang-
don St., Madison, WI. EF: $20 Open, $15 Reserve by 25 Feb, $5 more at site.
$$1000G Open: $200, $150, A $125, U1800 $100. Reserve (U1600): $100, $85,
D $75, E $65, U1000 $55, Unr $45. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: 10, 12:30, 4, 7:30.
ENTRIES: Guy Hoffman, PO Box 259822, Madison, WI 53725. Info: schach
fuhrer@hotmail.com, 608-262-0308 11AM-6PM M-F. NS, NC, W. A Wisconsin
Tour event. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15
Feb. 27-28, California Northern
Spring Chess Festival
with $9,000 Prize fund b/150 entries. 6 SS, G/90. 415 Grand Ave., 3rd
Floor, South San Francisco, CA 94080. 6 sections. EF: $80 by 02/15, $100 at
site, $20 to play a section up. GMs & IMs free ($50 will be deducted from prize).
Reg.: 8:30-9:45 on 02/27. Rds.: 10 am, 1:30 pm & 5:00 pm both days. Prizes:
Open Section: $700-$500-$300, top U2300- $300, Prizes for Expert/A/B/C/D
sections are 1st 600, 2nd 400, 3rd 350, Top U1200 - 300. Ent: Felix German,
723 Camino Plaza, PMB 170 San Bruno, CA 94060. Info: Ph# 415-335-0900,
email: felix@atlantisbusinessinsurance.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Feb. 27-28, Florida
Central Florida Chess Club Championship
5SS, G/120. Orlando Chess & Games Ctr, 8751 Commodity Cir., Suite 4,
Orlando, 32819. EF: $40. CFCC mem req @ $25 ($15 Jr/Sr). $$G 600: 190-
100-70, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400 each 60, plaques (if mem as of Jan
27) to Club Champion, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, & top under
age 16. Reg.: Sat 9:15am. Rds.: 10-2-6, 9-2. CFCC elections 1pm Sun. Ent:
CFCC, 921 N.Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751. Info: (407) 629-6946 or www.central
flchess.org. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10
Feb. 27-28, Maryland
UMBC Open - Alvin S. Mintzes Chess Tournament
5SS, 20/1, SD/1. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Cir-
cle, Baltimore (in Commons, 3rd floor). Held concurrently with Maryland
Sweet 16 (Invitational) - winner to receive in-state fixed-dollar tuition schol-
arship to UMBC. Open: (All) $$1050: $350-200-100 Gtd., Class prizes $100 ea.
to top U2250, U2150, U2050, U1950. Free ent. to GMs, $40 deducted from any
prizes. U1800: (U1800/Unr.) $$765 b/40: $250-175-100, Class prizes $80 ea.
to top U1600, U1400, U1200 (b/4). No Unr. player may win more than $200 in
this section. All: EF: $40 if postmarked by 2/12, $50 later, $10 less if under age
20. Reg.: 8:30-9:30am Sat., Rds.: 10-3-7:30pm Sat, 10:30-3:30pm Sun. Byes:
Up to three 1/2-pt. byes avail. in Rds. 1-5 if reqd at least 1 hr. before Rd. (before
Rd 2 for any Rd. 4-5 bye), but only at most one 1/2-point bye in Rds 4-5. HR:
La Quinta Inn and Suites, 1734 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD 21090, 410-
859-2333, Ask for UMBC chess rate. www.lq.com (From I-95, take Exit 47A onto
I-195 towards BWI Airport.Take Exit 2A onto 295 north towards Baltimore; take
first exit, bearing right onto West Nursery Road.) Directions to UMBC: Take
Exit 47B off I-95 & follow signs to UMBC. Park in Lot 9 or 16. Ent: Dr. Alan T.
Sherman, Dept. of CSEE, UMBC, Attn: Championship, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Bal-
timore, MD 21250. Make out check to UMBC. For more information:
ChessClub@umbc.edu, (410) 455-8499, www.umbc.edu/chess. NS, W, FIDE.
WCL JGP.
Chess Life February 2010 55
 Tournament Life
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10
Feb. 27-28, Washington
18th Dave Collyer Memorial
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING FEBRUARY 1-14
5SS, G/120. St. Annes Childrens Center Conference Room, W. 25 Fifth Avenue,
Spokane WA 99201. Sleep in option: Players may play round 1 beginning at
noon with a g/60 t/c. EF: $27 if received by 2/26; $33 at door Under 19 $5 less.
$$GTD: $325-200-125. Ex $100; A; B; C; D/E/Unr: $100-75; Biggest Upsets:
$100-50 (non-provisional ratings only). One prize per player except for biggest
upset. Reg.: Feb. 27 8:30-9:30 am (sleep-in option must register by 11:40). Rds.:
2/27: 10(or 12) 2:30 7:00; 2/28: 9:00; 1:30. one 1/2 point bye available.
Players meeting at 9:45 Feb. 27. ENT: Spokane CC, c/o Kevin Korsmo, 9923 N.
Moore, Spokane, WA 99208-9339. INFO: www.spokanechessclub.org, kmko-
rsmo@comcast.net. NS NC W. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)
Feb. 28, New York
Grandmaster Challenge
6-SS G/30, (NOTE CHANGE). Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC 212 477-3716,
limited to first 64 entries. EF $35 over 55/under 18, $45 others, $10 less to
Marshall members (free buffet to participants) GMs free, $25 deducted from
prize. Reg. ends 11:45 AM. G$$350-250-150-100-75-50, $100 U2400, $100
U2200, $75 U2000, $50 U1800, top over 55 $=age, top under 18 $= 3x age,
top scoring female $=# of players. Rds.: 12-1:20-2:40-4-5:20-6:40. (NOTE
CHANGE) Byes: limit 2, request before Round 3. Additional class prize $500
2800+, $250 2700+.
A State Championship Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Mar. 5, Pennsylvania
2010 PA Quick Chess Championship (QC)
6SS, G/10, T/D3. Hotel Carlisle & Embers Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg
Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit 52A NB/Exit 52 SB off I-81, Exit 226 off PA Turn-
pike. 3 sections, EF recd by 2/16: Open: $12. U1500: $10. U1100: $8. $$ (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 2/16, PSCF
$5 OSA. Reg.: 6-6:30pm. Rd 1: 7pm. Feb 2010 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: 80 (enhanced)
Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, Massachusetts
19th annual Eastern Class Championships
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Under 900 Section is 6 rounds
playing March 6-7 only, 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, U900 one-third), minimum $12,000 (60% of each
prize) guaranteed. In 8 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): $1200-600-300-200. Class
D (1200-1399): $1200-600-300-200. Class E (Under 1200): $800-400-200-
56 Chess Life February 2010
100. Under 900: $200-100-60-40. Rated players may play up one section.
Unrated may enter U900 through A, with prize limits: U900 $100, E $200, D
$300, C $400, B $500, A $600. Balance goes to next player(s) in line. EF: 3-day
$108, 2-day $107 mailed by 2/25, all $109 online at chesstour.com by 3/2, $110
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/2 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. GMs
free, $90 deducted from prize. Class E EF: All $20 less. Under 900 EF: all $70
less. No checks at site, credit cards OK. All: 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, Adult $30, Young
Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry
$60; not available in Master Section. MACA memb. ($12, under 18 $6) required
for MA residents; WMCA accepted for western 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. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends
Sat. 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-12:30-3:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Master
must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 800-582-3232, 508-
347-7393, request chess rate, reserve by 2/19 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. Ques-
tions: 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. $15 service
charge for refunds. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30
Mar. 5-7, Virginia
42nd 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 27. 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 inTwo 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 3/5 5:30p-7:45p Rds 8pm Friday, Sat. 10a-
4:30p, Sunday 9a-3:30p. EF: $60 if received by Feb 28, $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 Virginia residents ($10
Adults, $5 U19). Ent: Make checks payable to Virginia Chess and mail to:
Michael Atkins, PO Box 6138, Alexandria, VA 22306. Website: www.vachess.org/
vaopen.htm. matkins2@cox.net for questions, NO INTERNET or PHONE entries
only NS, NC, W. FIDE. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)
Mar. 6-7, California Northern
Spring Open
6SS, G/90. Bay Area Chess Center, 4423 Fortran Ct., San Jose, CA 95134. Free
parking. Prizes: $3,000 b/77 - $$Gtd 2,000. 3 Sections. Open (1800 & up): $$
Gtd. 500-200-100-100-100. 1400-1799: $500-200-101 (u1600=100-66-66).
u1400: 500-200-101 (u1200:100-66). Unrated prize limit of $200 in all sections
except Open. Sections EF: $66 mail/online by 3/4, Onsite +$19 Play-up
+$19. GMs & IMs free before 3/4. Re-entry $33. March 2010 Supp, CCA min
& TD discretion will be used to place players accurately. Sched: Reg. Sat 10-
10:30a, Games at Sat 11, 2:15, 5:30; Sun 10, 1:15, 4:30. Ent: Bay Area Chess,
4423 Fortran Ct., Ste. 160, San Jose, CA 95134. $20 charge for refund. Ques-
tions: contact@BayAreaChess.com, Tel 408-786-5515. Info & Entries:
BayAreaChess.com/events/10/spring. NS, NC, W. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Mar. 6-7, Pennsylvania
2010 Carlisle Open & PA Collegiate Championship
5SS, G/90, T/D5. Hotel Carlisle & Embers Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg
Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit 52A NB/Exit 52 SB off I-81, Exit 226 off PA Turn-
pike. 2 sections: Open & U1500. $$ (1260G): Open: 180-120, U2200 $110,
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 2/16, $39 after, PSCF $5 OSA. Reg.: 8:45-9:30
am. Rds.: 10-2-5:30, 9-1. Feb 2010 ratings used. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd 2. HR:
Mention PA States for best rate; 800-692-7315 $75. Ent: PSCF, c/oTom Mar-
tinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. Info: martinak_tom_m@
hotmail.com. 412-908-0286. W. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
Mar. 12-14 or 13-14, California Southern
17th annual Western Class Championships
Note corrections: 5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75), Under 900
Section is 6 rounds. G/75 playing Mar 13-14 only. 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 Ventura. Free parking. $$20,000 based on
230 paid entries (re-entries, U900 count as half entries), minimum $16,000 (80%
each prize) guaranteed. In 8 sections. Master (over 2199): $2000-1000-500-
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): $1200-600-
300-200. Class D (1200-1399): $1000-500-300-150. Class E (1000-1199):
$1000-500-300-150. Under 900: $300-150-100-50. 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, U900 $100; balance goes lineto next player(s)
in line. Top 7 sections EF: 3-day $113, 2-day $112 mailed by 3/4, all $115 online
at chesstour.com by 3/9, $120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/9 (entry only, no
questions), $130 at site. Special EF: $60 less to unrated in A through E. $60
less to all in Under 900. All: Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with
entry: Online at chesstour.com. Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or
paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry (except Master) $60. SCCF
memb. ($18, jr $10) required for rated Southern CA residents. 3-day sched-
ule: Reg. Fri to 6 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11-6, Sun 10-4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg.
Sat to 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 10-4:15. U900 schedule: Reg Sat to 9:30
am, rds 10-1-4 each day. Byes: OK all rds, limit 2; Master must commit before
rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 818-707-1220, reserve by Mar 3 or rate
may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Questions:
uschess.org
chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury
Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for withdrawals. Advance entries posted
at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Mar. 13-14, Louisiana
2010 Louisiana Pro-Am
5-SS, G/2 (Round 1: G/90). Site: Holiday Inn New Orleans Westbank, 275 Whit-
ney Ave., Gretna, LA 70053. EF: $50 if mailed by 3/6, $60 at site. LCA Memb.
reqd ($10 adult, $5 Schol.), OSA. Prizes: $1800 b/60, 50% Gtd. Two Sections:
Pro (Open): $400-200; U2000 $200-100. Amateur (U1800): $250-100; U1600
$200-100; U1400 $150; U1200/UNR $100. Reg.: 3/13, 8-9am. Rds.: Sat: 9:15-
1-5:30, Sun: 9:30-2. HR: $99, (504) 366-8535. Ent/Info: Adam Caveney, 1301
Gen. Taylor St., New Orleans, LA 70115, cb20234@yahoo.com, (504) 895-
4133 (evenings), (504) 615-6730 (on day of tourney). NS, NC. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Mar. 13-14 or 14, New York
March Open
4SS, 30/90, SD/1. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $45,
Members $25. $$625 Gtd: 250-100-75, U2200/Unrated $100, U 2000 $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 play-
ers. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Mar. 13-14, Texas
TexOhma FIDE Open
5SS, G/90 with 30 second increment. Dallas Chess Club, 212 S. Cottonwood Dr.
#A, Richardson, TX 75080. One Section $$550G. Open: This section is FIDE
rated but uses USCF Rules. $400-$100-$50. EF: $55, Juniors (U19)/Senior/Hcap
$35, plus $5 non-DCC membership fee if applicable. Registration: 9:45 -10:15
am. Rds.: Sat 10:45 - 3:10 - 7:16, Sun 10:45-3:10. One Bye allowed if requested
before rd 2, withdrawals and zero point last round byes are not eligible for prizes.
Ent: Dallas Chess Club, see address above. Info: 214-632-9000, info@dallas
chess.com. NS. NC. FIDE. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced)
Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, North Carolina
2010 U.S. Masters
See Nationals.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Mar. 16, New York
Marshall Masters
(formerly the St. Johns Masters) 4SS. G/30. Third Tues. of every month. 23
W. 10th St., NYC 212 477-3716. Open to players rated over 2100 (plus all play-
ers scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNY at MCC Thursday 4 Rated Games Tonight!
since the prior months Masters) EF: $40, members $30, GMs $10 (returned
on completion of tournament). Top three prizes guaranteed. $$G 250-150-
100. Top U2400 and Top 2300 prizes. Special prize for biggest upset. Reg.:
6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45PM. One bye available, rds. 1 or 4 only;
declare at registration.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
Mar. 19-21 or 20-21, Missouri
14th annual Mid-America Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Under 900 is 6 rounds playing
March 20-21 only, G/75. 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 Han-
ley Rd). $$ 20,000 based on 250 paid entries (re-entries count half, U900 Section
one-third), minimum $16,000 (80% of each prize) guaranteed. In 8 sections:
Open: $2000-1000-500-300, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top
U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Under 2200: $1400-700-400-300. Under 2000: $1400-
700-400-300. Under 1800: $1400-700-400-300. Under 1600: $1200-600-300-
200. Under 1400: $1200-600-300-200. Under 1200: $800-400-200-100. Under
900: $200-100-60-40. Unrated may enter any section, with prize limits: U900
$100, U1200 $200, U1400 $300, U1600 $400, U1800 $500, U2000 $600. Bal-
uschess.org
ance goes to next player(s) in line. EF: 3-day $108.50, 2-day $107.50 mailed
by 3/9, all $109 online at chesstour.com by 3/16, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038
by 3/16 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. GMs free, $90 deducted from
prize. Under 1200 EF: All $20 less. Under 900 EF: all $70 less. All: No checks
at site, credit cards OK. 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, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed,
phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry $60; not available
in Open Section. MCA memb. ($5) required for MO residents. 3-day sched-
ule: 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. Under 900 schedule: Reg.
ends Sat. 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-12:30-3:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Open
must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 888-303-1746, 314-
726-5400, request chess rate, reserve by 3/3 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. Ques-
tions: 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. $15 service
charge for refunds. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Mar. 20, Pennsylvania
2010 March LVCA Grand Prix
4SS, G/90. St. James Church, 11th & Tilghman Sts., Allentown, PA 18102. EF:
$40, LVCA Members $30, $$200-100 guaranteed to top 2, more per paid
entries. FREE ENTRY TO UNRATEDS, if paying 1 year USCF Dues. Up to two 1/2
pt byes (if declared before round 3). REG.: Ends 10am. RDS.: 10:30-1:30-4:45-
7:45. Ent/Info: Check payable: Bruce Davis, 1208 Linden St., Fl. 1, Bethlehem,
PA 18018 or call 610-625-0467 or bdavis@lehighvalleychess.org. WCL JGP.
A State Championship Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Mar. 20, Pennsylvania
2010 PA State Game/29 Championship (QC)
5SS, G/29. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pitt., 5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
2 Sections: Champ: EF: $25 by 3/12, $35 later. $$ (690G): $200-100, U2000
$90, U1800 $80, U1600 $70, U1400 $60, U1200 $50, U1000 $40. Trophies: 1-
3 U1400, 1-3 U1200, 1-3 U1000. Scholastic: Grades K-12 unrated or U900. EF:
$15 by 3/12, $25 later.Trophies toTop 7, 1-3 U600. ALL:Trophies: 1-2 Schools,
1-2 Clubs, Teams of 4-7 players from both sections. PSCF $5, OSA. Reg.: 10-
10:30am. Rds.: 11-12:30-1:45-3-4:15. Ent/Info: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25
Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245, 412-908-0286. W.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)
Mar. 21, New York
Grandmaster Challenge
6-SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC 212 477-3716, limited to first 64
entries. EF: $35 over 55/under 18, $45 others, $10 less to Marshall members
(free buffet to participants) GMs free, $25 deducted from prize. Reg. ends 11:45
AM. Prizes: G$$350-250-150-100-75-50, $100 U2400, $100 U2200, $75 U2000,
$50 U1800, top over 55 $=age, top under 18 $= 3x age, top scoring female
$=# of players. Rds.: 12-1:20-2:40-4-5:20-6:40. (NOTE CHANGE) Byes: limit
2, request before Round 3. Additional class prize $500 2800+, $250 2700+.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Mar. 25, 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), spec-
ified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may
be limited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105,
U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA
ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game.
Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10
Mar. 27, New Jersey
Greater Cherry Hill Super Sunday Grand Prix
5SS, Game 30. SECTION 1: 1st $450, 2nd $300, 3rd $150. SECTION 2: U1800
1st $125, 2nd $75, 3rd $50. $$ 100% guaranteed. FIRST 5 GMs and Ims PRE-
REGISTER FREE! ($50 deducted from winnings). EF online: $50 by 2/15, $60
by 3/5, after 3/5 $70. $75 ONSITE. Register at www.greaterchchess.com. Cherry
Hill Library Multi-cultural room from 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Onsite reg. 9:30-10 a.m.
1st rd. 10:15. More info: hermanator3@comcast.net or (856) 287-2393.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10
Mar. 27-28, Florida
North Florida Classic Chess Championships II
5SS, G/90. Price-Martin Center, 220 N. 11th Street, Palatka, Florida. $500 to
First Place Unconditionally Guaranteed. 2nd Place $ 250, 3rd $ 125, Top
U1800, U1600, U1400, U1200/UNR Each $ 150. First Place Fully Guaranteed,
other prizes based on entries (b/38) More Entries Mean More Prize Money! EF:
$45 if by Feb. 28, $50 at Site. USCF Rated.TD Ben Cody & Jim Hedge. Reg ends
9:30 a.m. Saturday. Rounds: 10-1:30-5, Sunday 11-3. Championship Trophy to
First, Trophies to Top each class listed above. 5-Second Time Delay permitted.
NS NC W. Advance Entries: Jim Hedge 4502 Pontiac Street, Palatka, FL
32177. www.palatkachessclub.com, bencodychess@yahoo.com, (386) 972-
4225. Sponsored by The Palatka Chess Club and the City of Palatka. Contact us
for special rates Before you book Hotel rooms. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Mar. 27-28 or 28, New York
New York March Open!
4-SS, 30/90, SD/1. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 W. 10 St., bet. 5th-
6th Ave., NYC: 845-569-9969. $$ 1,200 b/60 paid entries, minimum half each
prize Gtd. May be limited to 1st 62 entries! 2 sections, Open. $$ 400-200-
100, U2200/unr. $100. FIDE. Under 2000. $$ 200-100, U1800 $100, $100 unr.
prize limit. Both, EF: $45, Club membs $30, GMs free ($25 from prize), spec-
ified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. Online entry at
www.chesscenter.cc thru 3/25. 2 options: 2-Day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each
day; 1-day (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun., both merge rd
3. 2 byes max, commit by rd 2. Reg. ends 15 min. before game. Re-entry $20,
counts half. Foreign unr. must enter Open. CCA Ratings may be used. EF $10
extra by phone! WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
Mar. 31-Apr. 4, Apr. 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Open
Open Section, Mar 31-Apr 4: 9SS, 40/2, SD/1. GM & IM norms possible.
U1300 to U2100, Apr 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-
2 G/75, 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/40). U1000, April 3-4: 7SS, G/40. Sheraton
City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Prizes $100,000
based on 650 paid entries (Seniors count as 3/4 entries; U1000 Section, re-
entries, GMs, WGMs & foreign IMs as half entries), else proportional, minimum
$70,000 (70% of each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections: Open: $10000-5000-
2500-1300-1000-700-600-500-400-400, clear first bonus $200, FIDE 2300-2449
$3000-1500-700, FIDE Under 2300/Unr $3000-1500-700. If tie for first, top 2
on tiebreak play speed game for title & bonus. FIDE rated. Under 2100,
Under 1900, Under 1700: each $5000-3000-2000-1000-700-600-500-400-
300-300. Under 1500, Under 1300: each $4000-2000-1500-1000-700-600-500-
400-300-300. Under 1000: $1000-600-400-300-250-200-150-100. Prize lim-
Chess Life February 2010 57
 Tournament Life
its: 1) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated as of 4/10 list may not win
over $500 in U1000, $1500 in U1300, or $2500 in U1500. Games rated too late
for 4/10 list not counted. 2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on
any USCF rating supplement 4/09-3/10, prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 life-
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING FEBRUARY 1-14
time games rated) cannot win over $200 in U1000, $400 U1300, $800 U1500,
$1200 U1700, $1600 U1900, or $2000 U2100. Unofficial uschess.org ratings
based on 4 or more games used if otherwise unrated. 4) Balance of limited prize
goes to next player(s) in line. Mailed EF: 5-day (Open only) $205, 4-day $204,
3-day $203, 2-day $202 if mailed by 1/13; 5-day $225, 4-day $224, 3-day
$223, 2-day $222 mailed by 3/23; all $250 at site. PSCF members may deduct
$3 from mailed EF only. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online EF at
chesstour.com: $207 by 1/13, $227 by 3/29, $250 after 3/29 until 2 hours before
rd 1. Phone EF at 406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions): $210 by 1/13, $230
by 3/29. No phone entry after 3/29. GMs, foreign IMs, foreign WGMs free;
$150 deducted from prize. US WGMs $100; $120 deducted from prize. Special
EF: $100 less for Under 1000 Section. $50 less to unrated in U1300 to U2100
sections. $70 less to rated seniors 65/over in U1300 & above sections. Spe-
cial 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com,
Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young
Adult $30. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from
Open Section to Open Section. 5-day schedule (Open only): Reg. ends Wed
6 pm, rds. Wed. 7 pm,Thu 12 & 7, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day sched-
ule: (U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11
& 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule (U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Fri 10 am,
rds Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U1300 to
U2100): Reg. ends Sat. 9 am, rds Sat. 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. Under
1000 schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 9 am, rds. Sat. 10. 12. 2, 3:45, Sun. 10, 12, 2.
4-day, 3-day, & 2-day merge & compete for same prizes. Byes: all; limit 4
(limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Bring
sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: $93-93-93-93, 215-448-
2000, reserve by 3/23 or rate may increase. Parking $8/day with guest room,
$15/day without; garage near hotel is about $10 on weekend. Car rentals: Avis,
800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online at chesstour.com. For-
eign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200/more
to most other foreign, no points added to CFC, PR or Jamaica. Some foreign
ratings not accepted for U1900 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually
used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US
player ratings: April list used; FIDE ratings used in Open Section. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: Players
must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round
3 or after, players with scores of 80% or over and their opponents may not use
headphones, earphones or cellphones or go to a different floor of the hotel with-
out Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY
12577. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. You may request low-
est possible section if April rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds.
Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP (except U1000).
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 150 (enhanced)
Apr. 2-4, Nevada
10th Annual Reno-Far West Open
6SS,40/2,20/1,G/1/2. Sands Regency Hotel/Casino, 345 N. Arlington Ave.
Reno, NV 89501.1-866-386-7829 or (775) 348-2200. $$21,200 b/250. $$14,200
Gtd. (Prizes 1-10 in Open Section Gtd. plus 1/2 of all other prizes). Free Lec-
ture & Analysis Clinic by GM Larry Evans! 5 Sections. Open (2000 & above)
EF: $137, (1999 & below = $151) (GMs & IMs free but must enter by (3/13)
or pay late fee). $$2,000-1,200-1000-800-600-400-300-300-300-300,
(2399/below)- $1,000, (2299/below)- $1,000, (2199/below) -$1000-500-300-
200 (If a tie for 1st then a playoff for $100 out of prize fund plus trophy). Sec.A
(1800-1999) EF: $136; $$1,000-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec.B (1600-
1799) EF: $135; $$900-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec.C (1400-1599) EF:
$134; $$700-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec.D/under (1399-below) EF:
$133; $$600-400-300-200-100-100-100;Top Senior (65+) -$200; Club Champ.-
$400-200. ALL: Entries must be postmarked by 3/13 or pay late fee-$11 until
3/26 (do not mail after 3/26), $22 at site. All classes have trophies 1st 3rd.
Unrated players are free entry but not eligible for cash prizes- must join USCF
for 1 full year thru this tournament. 1st Unrated = trophy + 1 yr. USCF Mem.
58 Chess Life February 2010
$10 discount to Seniors (65+ yrs.) & Juniors (19-under). Players may play up.
Provisionally rated players may only win 1/2 of 1st place money. CCA ratings
may be used. Note: pairings not changed for color unless 3 in a row or a plus
3 and if the unlikely situation occurs 3 colors in a row may be assigned. SIDE
EVENTS:Thurs. (4/1) 6-7:15pm Free Lecture-GM Larry Evans; 7:30pm-GM YER-
MOLINSKY Simul ($15); 7:30pm-Blitz (5 Min) tourney ($20) 80% entries = Prize
Fund. Sat. (4/3) (3-4:30pm) Free Game/Position Analysis - GM Larry Evans. ALL
REG: (4/1) 5-9pm,(4/2) 9-10am. RDS: (Fri) 12-7, (Sat)10-6, (Sun)9:30-4:30. Byes
available any round (if requested by Rd.1 2 max in Open sect.). ENT: make checks
payable and send to: SANDS REGENCY (address listed above), postmarked by
3/13. $11 late fee if postmarked after 3/13 and before 3/26. Do not mail after
3/26 or email after 3/31. $22 late fee at site. HR: (Sun-Thurs. $27!) (Fri. & Sat.
$47!) + tax. 1-866-386-7829 mention (Code) CHESS410 (Reserve by 3/15/10)
to get Chess rate. INFO: Jerry Weikel, 6578 Valley Wood Dr., Reno, NV 89523,
(775) 747-1405, wackyykl@aol.comOr check out our website at: www.reno
chess.org/fwo. To verify entry check website. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Apr. 3-4, Texas
North Texas FIDE Open
5SS, G/90 with 30 second increment. Dallas Chess Club, 212 S. Cottonwood Dr.
#A, Richardson, TX 75080. One Section $$550G. Open: This section is FIDE
rated but uses USCF Rules. $400-$100-$50. EF: $55, Juniors (U19)/Senior/Hcap
$35, plus $5 non-DCC membership fee if applicable. Registration: 9:45 -10:15
am. Rds.: Sat 10:45 - 3:10 - 7:16, Sun 10:45-3:10. One Bye allowed if requested
before rd 2, withdrawals and zero point last round byes are not eligible for prizes.
Ent: Dallas Chess Club, see address above. Info: 214-632-9000, info@dallas
chess.com. NS. NC. FIDE. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10
Apr. 10, Kentucky
Western Kentucky University Open
4SS, G/60, USCF rated. PRIZES: $1500 b/50 full pd. ent.Top 4 places gtd. Free
Entry for GMs and IMs (EF deducted from winnings). OPEN SECTIONS, PRIZE
FUND: 1st - 4th place (Gtd): $325,175, 80, 50, Class A $100, 65, 35, Class B
$100, 65, 35, Class C $100, 65, 35, Class D $75, 35, Class E and below $75, 35,
Top Unrated $50. *Unrated players can only play in unrated section. If we reach
75 full pd ent then we will double the prize fund. SIDE EVENTS: College team
tournament: Sat. Only 3/27. 4SS, G/60. Trophies to top three teams, Medals
to top five players. EF: $25 by March 31st, $35 on site. Reg. Sat. 8-9 am. Rds:
10-1-3-5. Format: Mod. Swiss (players may play other players from own school
and will be mixed in with open section), open to College and University teams
from North America.Teams must provide current college ID w/ picture (shown
at registration). Tiebreak: All Ties will be broken. G/10 playoff for first place.
SIDE EVENTS: Scholastic Tournament: Sat. Only 4/10. 5SS, G/30. Trophies to
top five teams in each section, medals for top 8 players in each section. EF:
$15 postmark by March 31st, $25 on site. Reg: Sat. 8-9 am. Rd 1: 10 am. Rds:
2-5 ASAP/ as announced. SECTIONS: High School (open to grades 9-12), Jr. High
(open to grades 6-8), Elementary (open to grades 4-5), Primary (open to
grades k-3). Format: 5 Round Swiss. Top 4 scores count towards team total.
Tiebreak: see above. OPEN EF: $35 if postmarked by 4/2/2010, $50 at site.
GMs and IMs receive free entry (EF deducted from winnings). Dues Required:
USCF membership, Kentucky Chess Association for KY residents (Adult $8, Youth
$4). Reg. Sat. 8-9 am.; Byes: 1/2 point for any Rd. (limit 1), must commit by
reg. HR: Hampton Inn (270) 842-4100, $79.00, includes continental breakfast
and free internet, Reserve by Mar. 10 and mention WKU Open to assure group
rate. Airport Shuttle: Bowling Green Shuttle (866) 234-8705 will provide air-
port shuttle from Nashville Airport to Bowling Green: reservations:
www.BGShuttle.com. Playing site: Garrett Conference Center - WKU Campus.
Chief TD: Chris Prosser. ENT: Online registration & directions: www.hilltopper
chess.net (accepts check or credit card; cash or check at site). Info or phone
entry: Samuel J. Hunt (918) 809-6278.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30
Apr. 10-11, Missouri
Saint Louis Open
Battle wits with 2009 U.S. Champion GM Hikaru Nakamura and GM Ben
Finegold at the most beautiful and technologically advanced Chess Club in the
world! 5SS, G/120. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Mary-
land Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. Free entries for GMs and IMs, deducted from
prize. EF: $60, $50 for annual members of the club if registered by 4/9. MCA
Membership Reqd from $5. OSA. One Section. PF: $3,700 Unconditionally
Guaranteed! 1st Place: $750. 2nd Place: $450. Top U2300: $350. 2nd U2300:
$150. $300 1st/$100 2nd in each A, B, C, D, U1200. Top 2 finishers qualify for
2011 Club Championship. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: 10, 2:15, 6:30. Sunday: 9, 1:15.
Two 1/2 point byes available if declared before round 1. Hotel (ask for chess
rate): Chase Park Plaza Hotel, 1-877-587-2427, $159/night. Parkway Hotel, 314-
256-7777, $97/night. Water Tower Inn, 314-977-7500, $70/night. Ent: 4657
Maryland Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108, or online at saintlouischessclub.org. Info:
314-361-CHESS or info@saintlouischessclub.org. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced)
Apr. 16-18 or 17-18, Connecticut
Hartford Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Sheraton Hotel, 1 Bradley Air-
port (visible at airport entrance), Windsor Locks, CT 06096 (I-91 Exit 40 to Rt
20). Free parking. $$ 15,000 based on 220 paid entries, $10,000 (2/3 each prize)
minimum guaranteed. U1105 Section & re-entries count as 60% entries
towards prize fund. In 7 sections. Open: (FIDE rated) $1500-700-500-300, top
Under 2305 $800400.. Under 2205: $1000-500-300-200. Under 2005: $1000-
500-300-200. Under 1805: $1000-500-300-200. Under 1605: $1000-500-300-
200. Under 1405: $800-400-300-200. Under 1105: $500-300-200-100. Unrated
may not win over $100 in U1105, $200 U1405, $300 U1605, $400 U1805, or $500
U2005. Prize limit $300 if official rating was 50 or more points over section
or prize maximum on any list 4/08 to 3/09. Top 6 sections EF: 3-day $98, 2-
day $97 mailed by 4/8, all $99 online at chesstour.com by 4/14, $105 phoned
to 406-896-2038 by 4/14 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. Under 1105
Section EF: 3-day $58, 2-day $57 mailed by 4/8, all $59 online at chess-
tour.com by 4/14, $65 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 4/14 (entry only, no
questions), $70 at site. $20 less to unrated in U1105 Section. All: No checks
at site, credit cards OK. GMs free, $80 deducted from prize. Mailed EF $3 less
to CSCA or WMCA members. Re-entry $60; not available in Open Section.
Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if oth-
erwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry-
online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid
at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. 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. 11-
2:30-6, 9-3:15. Bye: all, limit 2; must commit before rd 2. HR: $87-87,
860-627-5311; reserve by 4/2 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-
1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent:
Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for
refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries
posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 40 (enhanced)
Apr. 23-25 or 24-25, Tennessee
9th Southern Class Championships
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Radisson Hotel at Opryland, 2401
Music Valley Drive (TN-155 to West McGavock Pike Exit 12), Nashville, TN
37214. Free parking. Prizes $10,000 based on 160 paid entries (Class E,
unrated, & re-entries count as half entries), $7500 (minimum 75% each prize)
guaranteed. In 6 sections; no unrated allowed in Master-Expert. Master-
Expert (2000/up): $1000-500-300-150, clear win or first on tiebreak $50, top
U2200 $700-400. FIDE. Class A (1800-1999/Unr): $800-400-200-100. Class
B (1600-1799/Unr): $800-400-200-100. Class C (1400-1599/Unr): $800-400-
200-100. Class D (1200-1399/Unr): $700-400-200-100. Class E (Under
1200/Unr): $400-300-200-100. Rated players may play up one section.
Unrated prize limit $100 E, $200 D, $300 C, $400 B, $500 A. Top 5 sections
EF: 3-day $88, 2-day $87 mailed by 4/15, all $89 online at chesstour.com by
4/20, $90 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 4/20 (entry only, no questions), $100 at
site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special EF for all in Class E Section
and unrated in Class C or D: all $40 less. Special Radisson entry fee: $20
less if staying at Radisson with chess rate 4/24 (limit one deduction per guest
room). All: TCA memb. required for TN residents. GMs free, $70 deducted
from prize. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- online
at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult
$40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry $50; not available in Master Section. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise
unrated. 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. Bye: all, Master-Expert must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3.
HR: $92-92, 615-889-0800, 800-395-7046, ask for chess rate, reserve by 4/9
or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633.
Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied. Ent: Continental Chess, Box
249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chess-
tour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Apr. 29-May 27, Pennsylvania
2010 Hatboro Open
(Note correction of GP pts.) 5-SS, 40/90, G/1. Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian
Church, 151 W. County Line Road (near Blair Mill Road), Hatboro 19040. $$950
b/30. In one section: $400-200, U1900 $100, U1700 $100, U1500 $100,
Upset Prize $50. EF: $30 if postmarked by 4/8, $35 at site, $5 less to Chatu-
ranga CC members. Write checks to Chaturanga Chess Club. Reg.: 7-7:20pm.
Rds.: 7:30pm eachThursday. Bye: limit 1, any round, must request before Round
3 starts. Ent/Info: Jorge Amador, POB 387, Forest Grove, PA 18922, (215) 794-
8368, chaturanga@verizon.net. NS, NC, W. WCL JGP.
For details on
2010 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM EVENTS
East, North, South, West
See Nationals Section!
uschess.org
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)
Apr. 30-May 2 or May 1-2, Vermont
21st annual Vermont Resort Open
5 SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Lake Morey Resort, 1 Clubhouse
Rd, Fairlee, VT 05045 (I-91 to Exit 15; less than a mile to the resort on Lake
Morey Rd). 2 1/2 hours from Boston or Hartford, 1 hour 45 minutes from Man-
chester, NH, 20 minutes from Dartmouth College. 600 acre lake with boating,
indoor pool, health club, tennis, basketball, biking, hiking, etc. $4000 guaran-
teed prizes. In 5 sections. Open: $500-300-200, top Under 2200/Unr $350-150.
FIDE. Under 2000: $400-200-100. Under 1800: $400-200-100. Under 1600:
$300-150-100. Under 1400: $300-150-100. Unrated may enter any section but
may not win over $80 in U1400, $160 in U1600 or $240 in U1800. EF: 3-day $73,
2-day $72 mailed by 4/22, all $75 online at chesstour.com by 4/28, $80 phoned
to 406-896-2038 by 4/28 (entry only, no questions), $85 at site. $50 less to
unrated. No checks at site, credit cards OK. GMs free; $60 deducted from prize.
Re-entry $40, not available in Open. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess
Life if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20.
Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. 3-day schedule: Reg.
ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 9 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg
ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30, 6, Sun 9 & 3:15. Half point byes OK all,
limit 2; must commit before rd 2. HR: $85-85-95, 800-423-1211, 802-333-
4311, reserve by 4/16 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600,
AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continen-
tal Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658,
www.chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. May ratings used. Advance
entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 (enhanced)
May 14-16 or 15-16, New York
18th annual New York State Open
5SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60). Howard Johnson Tiki Resort,
2 Canada St., Lake George, NY 12845. $$G 4000. In 3 sections. Open: $$ 500-
250-130, top 1910-2109 $200-100, top Under 1910 $200-100. Senior, open to
under 2010 or unrated born before 5/17/60. $$ 400-200-100, top Under 1810
$200-100, top Under 1610 $170-90. Under 1710: $$ 400-200-100, Under 1510
$200-100, Under 1310 $170-90. No unrated may win over $250 in Senior or $150
in Under 1710. All: 1 year NYSCA membership to NY residents who are not mem-
bers. EF: 3-day $78, 2-day $77 mailed by 5/7, $79 online at chesstour.com by
5/12, $85 phoned by 5/12 to 406-896-2038 (payment only, no questions), $90
at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. $40 less to unrated in U1710 or Sen-
ior sections. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- online
at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site,
Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry $40, not available in Open Section. GMs
free, $60 deducted from prize. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri
7, Sat 12-6, Sun 9-2:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 11:30 am, rds Sat 12-
3-6, Sun 9-2:15. Half point byes OK all, must commit before rd 2; limit 2 byes
(limit 1 bye towards U1910, U1610 or U1310 prizes). HR: 59-59-70 (2 double
beds), 65-65-76 (2 queen beds), 518-668-5744, reserve by 5/5 or rate may
increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car
online through chesstour.com. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more
games usually used if otherwise unrated. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Sal-
uschess.org
isbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chess
tour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
An American Classic!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 300 (enhanced)
May 27-31, 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31, Illinois
19th annual Chicago Open
Open Section, May 27-31: 9SS, 40/2, SD/1, GM & IM norms possible. Under
1300 to Under 2100, May 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day
option, rds 1-2 G/75; 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/40). Under 1000, May 30-31:
7SS, G/40. Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave.,
Wheeling, IL 60090 (from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwau-
kee, I-94 east to Lake Cook Rd to US-45 south.) Free parking. $100,000
guaranteed prize fund. In 7 sections. Open: $10000-5000-2500-1200-1000-
700-600-500-400-400, clear winner bonus $200, FIDE 2300-2449
$3000-1500-700, FIDE Under 2300/Unr $3000-1500-700. If tie for first, top 2
on tiebreak play speed game for title & bonus. FIDE rated. Under 2100,
Under 1900, Under 1700: each $5000-3000-2000-1000-700-600-500-400-
300-300. Under 1500, Under 1300: $4000-2000-1500-1000-700-500-400-300-
300-300. Under 1000: $1000-600-400-300-300-300-200-200-200-200. Prize lim-
its: 1) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated through 5/10 list may not
win over $500 U1000, $1500 U1300 or $2500 U1500. Games rated too late for
5/10 list not counted. 2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on any
list 5/09-4/10, prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) can-
not win over $200 in U1000, $400 U1300, $800 U1500, $1200 U1700, $1600
U1900 or $2000 U2100. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games
usually used if otherwise unrated. 4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next
player(s) in line. Mailed EF: 5-day (Open only) $200, 4-day $199, 3-day $198,
2-day $197 mailed by 3/15; 5-day $220, 4-day $219, 3-day $218, 2-day $217
mailed by 5/19; all $250 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online EF
at chesstour.com: $203 by 3/15, $223 by 5/24, $250 after 5/24 until 2 hours
before rd 1. Phone EF at 406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions): $205 by 3/15,
$225 by 5/24 (entry only, no questions). No phone entry after 5/24. GMs, for-
eign IMs, foreign WGMs free; $150 deducted from prize. US WGMs $100; $120
deducted from prize. Special EF: $50 less to unrated in U1000 to U2100 sec-
tions. $70 less to rated seniors 65/over in U1300 & above sections. Under 1000
EF: $82 if mailed by 5/19, $83 online at chesstour.com by 5/24, $85 phoned
to 406-896-2038 by 5/24 (entry only, no questions), $100 at site. No checks at
site, credit cards OK. ICA membership ($15, scholastic $10) required for rated
Illinois residents. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry:
Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid
at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from Open Sec-
tion to Open Section. 5-day schedule (Open only): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds
Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 4-day sched-
ule (U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, Rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11
& 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: (U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Sat 10 am,
Rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U1300 to
U2100): Reg. ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. Above
schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under 1000 schedule: Reg.
ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45, Mon. 10, 12, 2. Byes: OK all, limit 4
(limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Hotel
rates: $98-98-98-98, 800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 5/14 or rate may
increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online
through chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to
FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200/more to most other foreign, no pts added to CFC or
Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U1900 or below. Highest of mul-
tiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings
may be expelled. US player ratings: May official ratings used; May FIDE rat-
ings used for Open Section. Special rules: 1) Players must submit to a search
for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 3 or after, players with
scores of 80% or over and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones,
cellphones, or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission.
Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: 845-
496-9658, www.chesstour.com. You may request lowest possible section if
May rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be
posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP (except U1000).
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
June 11-13 or 12-13, Nevada
2010 National Open
See Nationals.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
June 11-13 or 12-13, Vermont
7th annual Vermont Spring Open
5SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60). Stratton Mountain Inn, Middle
Ridge Rd. (take Stratton Mountain Road from center of Bondville), West Wards-
boro, VT 05360. 35 minutes east from Manchester, VT or 55 minutes west from
Brattleboro on Rt 30; under 2 hours from Albany, NY or Springfield MA. $$G
2000. In 3 sections. Open: $300-150-80, top Under 1950/Unr $180-90. Under
1750: $250-120-60, top Under 1550 $160-80, no unrated may win over $150.
Under 1350: $200-100-50, top Under 1150 $120-60, no unrated may win over
$80. EF: 3-day $68, 2-day $67 mailed by 6/4, all $69 online at chesstour.com
by 6/9, $75 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 6/9 (entry only, no questions), $80 at
site. $40 less to unrated in U1350 or U1750 Section. No checks at site, credit
cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry.
Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid
at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry $40, not available in Open. GMs
free; $40 deducted from prize. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds
Fri 7, Sat 12 & 6, Sun 9 & 2:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 11:30 am, rds.
Sat 12, 3 & 6, Sun 9 & 2:15. Half point byes OK all, must commit before rd 2;
limit 1 bye towards class prizes. HR: $79-79, 1-800-STRATTON, 802-297-2500,
reserve by 5/28 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD
#D657633, or reserve car online at chesstour.com. Unofficial uschess.org
ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Ent: Con-
tinental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658,
chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at
chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 150 (enhanced)
June 25-29, Pennsylvania
4th annual Philadelphia International
Chess Life February 2010 59
 Tournament Life
9SS, 40/2, SD/1. Valley Forge Convention Center (and Scanticon & Radisson
Hotels), 1160 1st Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406. Free parking. $$G 7000:
$2000-1200-800-600-400-300-200, top FIDE under 2300 or unrated $1000-500.
Minimum prize $600 to foreign GMs who complete all games with no byes, $300
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING FEBRUARY 1-14
to foreign IMs & foreign WGMs who complete all games with no byes. IM &
GM norms possible; FIDE rated. EF: Free to GMs, foreign IMs, foreign WGMs;
$100 deducted from prize of US GMs. Foreign FIDE rated players $115 mailed
by 6/16, $117 online by 6/23, $125 phoned by 6/23 (406-896-2038, payment
only, no questions), $150 at tmt. USA FIDE 2100/up rated players: $215 mailed
by 6/16, $217 online by 6/23, $225 phoned by 6/23, $250 at tmt. Others: $315
mailed by 6/16, $317 online by 6/23, $325 phoned by 6/23, $350 at tmt. All:
No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life:
see World Open. Schedule: Late reg. ends Thu 10 am, rds Thu through Sun 11
& 6, Mon 11.Two half point byes available (must commit before rd 2); norm not
possible if taking bye. HR: $99-99, 610-337-2000, reserve by 6/5 or rate may
increase. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. Ent: Continen-
tal Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds.
Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. Advance entries posted at
chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
An American Classic!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 300 (enhanced)
June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, Pennsylvania
38th Annual World Open
9 SS, 40/2, SD/1 (4-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, 3-day option, rds 1-5 G/45), Open
Section plays 5-day July 1-5 or 7-day June 29-July 5 only. Under 900/Unr Sec-
tion plays separate 3-day schedule July 3-5 only, G/45. Valley Forge
Convention Plaza (and Scanticon & Radisson Hotels), 1160 1st Ave., King
of Prussia, PA 19406. Free parking. 20 miles west of Philadelphia (PA Turnpike
to I-76 East to Exit 327, right on N Gulph Rd, right on 1st Ave, or from Philadel-
phia, I-76 West to Exit 328B-A, right on Mall Blvd, right on N. Gulph Rd., right
on 1st Ave.). For shuttle info from Philadelphia Airport or 30th St train station,
call 800-559-2040 or 215-616-5370. All play in same room (brightly lighted exhibit
hall with capacity 1800 players). Radisson and Scanticon hotels are connected
to Convention Plaza. Prizes $250,000 based on 1100 paid entries (seniors, re-
entries, U1200 Section, GMs, WGMs count as 50% entries, rated players in U900
as 25% entries, Unrated in U900 or U1400 not counted), $175,000 minimum
(70% of each prize) guaranteed. Free analysis of your games by GM Sam
Palatnik; free GM lectures 9 am 7/3 & 7/4. In 9 sections (Unrated eligible only
for Open, Under 2400, Under 1400 or Under 900). Open: $20000-10000-5000-
2500-1200-1000-800-700-600-500, clear winner bonus $200, top FIDE U2500
$2000-1000. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 11:30 pm 7/5
for title & bonus prize. GM & IM norms possible. FIDE rated. Under 2400/Unr:
$13000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600- 500, top U2300 $2000-1000.
IM norms may be possible. FIDE rated. Under 2200: $13000-7000-3000-
2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U2100 $2000-1000. Under 2000:
$13000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1900 $2000-1000.
Under 1800: $13000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1700
$2000-1000. Under 1600: $12000-6000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-
500, top U1500 $2000-1000. Under 1400/Unr: $10000-5000-2500-1200-1000-
60 Chess Life February 2010
900-800-700-600-500, top U1300 $1500-800, top Unrated $200-100, no unrated
may win over $400. Unrateds may be paired against each other in later rounds,
even with different scores. Under 1200: $5000-2500-1200-1000-800-700-
600-500-400-300, top U1050 $1000-500. Under 900/Unr: $1000-600-400-300-
300-300-200-200-200-200, no unrated may win over $200. Prize limits: 1) Play-
ers with under 26 games played as of 7/10 list may not win over $500 in U900,
$1500 in U1200, $3000 U1400 or U1600. Games rated too late for 7/10 list not
counted. 2) Players with official rating more than 30 points over section max-
imum any month 7/09-6/10 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 chess-
tour.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; $150 EF deducted from prize.
EF $150 less to all in U1200 Section and rated seniors over 65 in Under 1400
& above. Under 900/Unr Section EF: $78 if mailed by 6/17, $80 online at chess-
tour.com by 6/24, $85 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 6/24 (entry only, no
questions), $100 at site. Special EF to unrated in U900 or U1400 Sections:
$28 mailed by 6/17, $30 online at chesstour.com by 6/24, $35 phoned to 406-
896-2038 by 6/24 (entry only, no questions), $40 at site. No checks at site;
credit cards OK. Re-entry: $160, no re-entry from Open to Open. $20 fee for
switching section after 6/30. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid
with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed,
phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. 5-day schedule: Thu 7 pm,
Fri 11 am & 6 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 11 am & 6 pm, Mon 10 am & 5 pm.
7-day schedule: Tue-Thu each 7 pm, Fri-Sat each 6 pm, Sun 11 am & 6 pm,
Mon 10 am & 5 pm. 4-day schedule: Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 &
6, Mon 10 & 5. 3-day schedule: Sat 11, 1:30, 3:30, 6 & 8:30, Sun 11 & 6, Mon
10 & 5. All schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under 900/Unr
schedule: Sat 1:30, 3:30 & 6, Sun 11, 1:30, 3:30 & 6, Mon 10 & 12:30. Half
point byes OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd
2, others before rd 5. Entries, re-entries close 1 hour before your first game.
Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: Scanticon or
Radisson $99-99, 610-337-2000, 888-267-1500 ask for chess rate, may sell out
about May 25, two night minimum July 3-4. Backup hotel: Dolce (formerly Hilton),
$99-99, 610-337-1200 ask for chess rate. Special car rental rates: Avis,
800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com.
Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 pts added to FIDE (except Open Section),
100 to FQE, 200 or more to most foreign, no pts added to CFC, Puerto Rico or
Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U2000 or below. Highest of mul-
tiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings
may be expelled. US player ratings: Official JULY ratings used; FIDE ratings
(May list) used for Open Section only. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on
4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: 1) Play-
ers must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In
round 3 or after, players with scores over 80% 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: 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 (except U900).
Regional
Alabama
Feb. 27, Birmingham Feb Tornado
4SS, TC: G/75. Homewood Community Center, 1632 Oxmoor Road, Home-
wood, AL 35209. OPEN ($375 b/15): $200-100-75; RESERVE (U1500; $375
b/15): $200-100-75; Late REG.: FEB 27th, 8-8:40am. Rds.: 9, 11:30, 2:30, 5.
EF: $30, if mailed by FEB 20th; $40 at site. SCHOLASTIC (K-12): 5SS, TC: G/40
- AMATEUR (UNR-999). EF: $20, if mailed by FEB 20th, $10 more at site. Tro-
phy: Top 3. Rds.: 9-10:30-12:30-2, 3:30. Checks payable to: Caesar Chess.
ENT: Caesar Chess 4524 Southlake Parkway, Suite 34-PMB 310, Birmingham,
AL 35244. Info: info@CaesarChess.com, www.CaesarChess.com. WCL JGP.
Mar. 6, Alabaster Scholastic
5SS, TC: G/40. Thompson Intermediate School, 10019 Hwy 119, Alabaster, AL
35007. RATED: (K-12), (K-6); (K-3) - EF: $20 and NOT RATED: (K-8) and (K-
3) - EF: $10, If mailed by FEB 27th; $30/$20 at site. Trophy: Top 3; Medals
4th-6th andTeamTop 2 ea section. Rds.: 9-10:30-12:30-2, 3:30. Late REG: MAR
6th from 8-8:40am. Checks payable to: Caesar Chess. ENT: Caesar Chess LLC,
4524 Southlake Parkway, Suite 34 PMB 310, Birmingham, AL 35244. Info:
info@CaesarChess.com, www.CaesarChess.com.
Arizona
Every Friday - Friday Night Action
SS G/30, Every Friday, Rounds 7, 8, 9, 10pm. Chess Emporium, 10801 N 32nd
St., Phoenix, AZ 85029. EF: $35. 82% prize fund. ChessEmporium.com. 602-482-
4867.
Every Tuesday - Tuesday Night Action
SS 45/2 SD/1, 1 round every Tuesday of the month at 7pm. Registration first
Tues. of month. Chess Emporium, 10801 N 32nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85029. EF: $35.
60% prize fund. ChessEmporium.com. 602-482-4867. WCL JGP.
Mar. 12-14 or 13-14, 17th annual Western Class Championships (CA-
S)
See Grand Prix.
May 29-31, 2010 U.S. Amateur West Championship
See Nationals.
California Northern
Feb. 13, SRJC Chess Club Tournament
3RR, G/60 (no time delay). 1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401-4395,
room 4608. EF: $10. Prizes: $20 1st in each quad. Rds.: 9-12-3. No equipment
will be provided, so players are asked to bring their own boards/sets/clocks.
uschess.org
Reg.: reg starts at 8 am the day of the tournament. Contact: Aaron Crotty,
srjc.chess@gmail.com, (707) 293.6661.
Feb. 13-15 or 14-15, 36th Annual Peoples Tournament
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 14, CalNorth Youth Chess Age Level Championships
San Mateo Marriott, 1770 South Amphlett Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94402. Room
Rate is $89. A $15 rebate from the tournament will be provided for hotel guests
reducing the room cost to $74. Free shuttle service from the San Francisco Air-
port. Info & Entry: Form at www.calnorthyouthchess.org/AgeLevel2010. Open
to 4 through 13 year olds who are USCF members. Competition by age not grade.
Minimum of eight trophies to winners of each age group + a special 4 through
9 open group with longer time controls. Ages 4-5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Game/30, 5 Rds.:
Ages 10, 11, 12, 13 + Open 4 to 9 Game/60, 4 Rds. Club/SchoolTeam trophies.
Chess medals to all who do not win a place trophy. Info: Alan M. Kirshner, Ph.D.,
Alan@CalNorthYouthChess.org, (510) 659-0358.
Feb. 27-28, Spring Chess Festival
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 6-7, Spring Open
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 12-14 or 13-14, 17th annual Western Class Championships (CA-
S)
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Apr. 16-18, CalChess State Scholastics 2010
at Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara, CA
95054. Free parking. Hotel: Hyatt Regency, 5001 Great America Pkwy., Santa
Clara, CA 95054. Hotel rate $99 code G-BACH. 14 sections.Trophies to top 20
players & top 10 teams in each section. Trophies to all KG players & teams.
Sched: KG or 1-3 new & under 800> Sat 9-4:30. 4-6 new & under 600> Sun
9-4:30. All other sections> Sat & Sun 9-6. Blitz & Bughouse in 4 sections (K-
3 4-6 7-8 9-12) on Fri 6-9 & Sat 6-9, respectively. EF: 1-day> $48, 2-day> $60,
Blitz & Bughouse: $15. 10% discount to first 400 entries, 5% to next 200, 2.5%
to next 200. Register early to save your money & help our planning. More info
at: CalChessScholastics.org. NS, NC, W.
May 19-21, Denker Qualifier and Regional Championship Event!
Free parking. Hotel: Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, 5101 Great America Pkwy.,
Santa Clara, CA 95054. Hotel rate $99 code G-BACH. 12 sections. Trophies to
top 10 players & top 10 teams in each section.Trophies to all KG players & teams.
Sched: KG, 1-3 new & under 800, 4-6 new & under 600> Sat 9-4:30 only * 7-
8 Varsity & 9-12 Varsity> 6 x G/120 Fri 5:45, Sat 9, 1:15, 5:45, Sun 10, 2:15.
2-day opt. Sat 9, 12, 3 merges with the 3-day sched in rd 4. All other sections>
Sat & Sun 9-6. Blitz & Bughouse in 4 sections (K-3 4-6 7-8 9-12) on Fri 6-9
& Sat 6-9, respectively. EF for sections: 1-day> $48, 2-day> $60, Blitz & Bug-
house: $15. 10% discount to first 100 entries, 5% to next 100, 2.5% to next 100.
Register early to save your money & help our planning. More info at: CalChessS-
cholastics.org. NS, NC, W.
California Southern
LA Chess Club
www.LAChessClub.com. Saturdays: 10AM-10 PM (Class
& 3 Tournaments). Sundays: 12-6 & 1-5 PM (Adult &
Junior Tournaments) Details on our website. Tuesdays:
7:30-9:30 PM (Intermediate/Advanced Lecture). 11514
Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 795-
5710. (4 blocks 405 West, Santa Monica & Butler, 2nd
Floor). Private (1:1) Lessons, Group Classes, Tourna-
ments.
Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, LACC LA Masters G/15 (QC)
5SS, G/15. LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Floor. 4 blocks 405
West. EF: $30 ($20 LACC memb). Reg.: 6-6:30 pm. Rds.: 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30.
Prizes: 3/4 EF. Q-rated. Free BOA or street parking; or underground ($3).
Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, LACC Saturday G/60
3SS, G/60. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks W 405. EF: $20
($15 LACC memb). Reg.: 11:30-12 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4. Prizes: 1/2 EF. Parking:
2 Free lots SW of S. Monica/Purdue; or underground ($3). Info: (310) 795-5710
or www.LAChessClub.com.
Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, LACC Saturday Nite Double Blitz G/5 (QC)
5DSS, G/5 (10 Games). LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4
blks W 405. EF: $10. Q-rated. Reg.: 9-9:30 pm. Rds.: 9:30, 9:50, 10:10, 10:30,
10:50 pm. Prizes: 1/2 EF. Free BOA or street parking; or underground ($3).
WA RN I N G !
Feb. 6 & 20, Beverly Hills SATURDAY Scholastic Tournament (K-12)
5SS, G/30. BHCC, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. EF:
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
$20 if received one week in advance, $25 after, $30 at site (Siblings $5 off). Mail
checks to Beverly Hills Chess Club. Prizes: Trophies, medals, & gift cert. Reg.:
12-12:45 pm. Rnds.: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 pm. Comp. Lecture 11-12 pm. Lunch: $5
Pizza & Soda. www.bhchessclub.com. Info: Robert Minoofar, 888-91-CHESS
(24377), or 310-274-7873, bhchessclub@hotmail.com.
Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, LACC Junior Grand Prix Sunday Scholastics
5SS, G/30. LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blocks 405
West. EF: $25 ($20 LACC memb, Free for new LACC memb). Reg.: 12-1 pm. Rds.:
1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Prizes: A Disney prize for each player and top 10 qualify for the
Junior Grand Prix with trophies, medals distributed at the end of the month.
Free BOA or street parking; or underground ($3). Free refreshments. Free class
(12-1 pm). Info: (310) 795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com.
Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, LACC Sunday G/60
3SS, G/60. LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blocks 405
West. EF: $20 ($15 LACC memb). Reg.: 11:30-12 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4. Free BOA
or street parking. Info: (310) 795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com.
Feb. 13-15, 27th Annual U.S. Amateur Team West
See Nationals.
Feb. 15, 13th Annual Southern California Scholastic Amateur Team
4-SS, SD/45, Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA
91367. Four-player teams plus optional alternate, Grade 12/below, average rat-
ing of four highest must be U1200. (Dec. 2009 rating list used, Feb. 2010 used
for previously unrated players.) EF: $75 per team received by 2/12, $85 at site.
Trophies (team & individual) to top 3 teams, top U1000, U800, U400/unr. Reg.:
9:00-10 a.m. Rds.: 10:30-1-2:45-4:30. Info, help in forming teams: schol-
team@westernchess.com. Web site, advance entry list: www.westernchess.
com. HR: $119, 800-228-9290, ask for Western Chess. Reserve by Jan. 20 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.
Feb. 15, AT HEXES
3-SS, G/90. Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA
91367. Six-player sections by rating. EF: $20 if rec. by 2-12, $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 at
www.westernchess.com.
Feb. 21, Beverly Hills AFTERNOON Blitz Tournament (QC)
5 DSS, G/5 Q-Rated. BHCC, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA
90211. EF: $10 if received one week in advance, $15 after, $20 at site (Mem-
bers $5 off). Mail checks to Beverly Hills Chess Club. Prizes: 80% of EF ($100
Guaranteed) 1st/2nd/3rd: 40%,25%,15%. Reg.: 1-1:30 pm. Rnds.: Starts at
2 pm. Free Parking. www.bhchessclub.com. Info: Robert Minoofar, 888-91-CHESS
(24377), or 310-274-7873, bhchessclub@hotmail.com.
Feb. 28, Beverly Hills SUNDAY Scholastic Tournament (K-12)
5SS, G/30. BHCC, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. EF:
$20 if received one week in advance, $25 after, $30 at site (Siblings $5 off). Mail
checks to Beverly Hills Chess Club. Prizes: Trophies, medals, & gift cert. Reg.:
12-12:45 pm. Rnds.: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 pm. Comp. Lecture 11-12 pm. Lunch: $5
Pizza & Soda. www.bhchessclub.com. Info: Robert Minoofar, 888-91-CHESS
(24377), or 310-274-7873, bhchessclub@hotmail.com.
Mar. 12-14 or 13-14, 17th annual Western Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 27-28, SCCF Super State Scholastic Championship
HS and JH Championship section 6-SS, G/80. Elem and Primary (K-3rd) 6-SS,
G/60. K-1 section 5-SS, G/30. OC Great Park, Irvine Marine Way, Irvine, CA
92618. Free parking. LaQuinta Inn & Suites $75 rate code Chess Palace. 14972
Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, CA - (949) 551-0909 . Trophies to top 10 players,
top 3 teams, and top 3 clubs in all sections. 9 Sections. Sat 9a-4:30p only: K-
1, Primary Reserve, Elementary Reserve Sun 9a-4:30p only: Jr. High
Reserve, High School Reserve, unrated section. Sat & Sun 9a-6p: all Champi-
onship sections (Elementary, Jr. High, and High). Sat 6-9: Bughouse in 4
NATIONAL OPEN
June 11-13 or June 12-13
Las Vegas
INTERNATIONAL CHESS
FESTIVAL
www.VegasChessFestival.com
sections (K-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-12). Entry Fee: for 1-day sections: $35, 2-day sec-
tions: $45, Blitz & Bughouse: $15 each. 10% discount to first 50. 5% to next
50. Register early to save your money and our time. More info at:
www.chesspalace.com. WCL JGP for HS and JH Championship section.
Colorado
Mar. 6-7, Manitou Springs: Colorado Springs
Open 5-SS, Rds 1-3 40/90 and G/1; Rds.: 4-5 40/2 and G/1. Manitou Springs
City Hall, 606 Manitou Ave., One open section. EF: $30 if recd by March 4, $35
at site. $8 EF discount for juniors, seniors, unrated. CSCA required, ($15, jrs
& srs 10), OSA. Cash prizes per entries. Registration: 8:30-9:30, Rds.: 10, 2:30,
7:00; 9:00 AM, 3:00. Entries to: Richard Buchanan, 1 Sutherland Rd., Manitou
Springs, CO 80829. Phone (719) 685-1984 or e-mail buckpeace@pcisys.net.
COLORADO TOUR EVENT. WCL JGP.
Connecticut
Feb. 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, UCONN Winter Tune Up 2010
4-SS, G/90. UCONN Castleman Building, Room 206, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs,
CT 06269. EF: $10, students free. Reg.: 7:15-7:30 PM. Rds.: 7:30 PM. $$
50%-30%-20% net proceeds from EFs. 1/2 point byes available in rounds 1-
3 only, no last round byes. Info: Tom Hartmayer, 860-989-5394, tomhart3@
charter.net. WCL JGP.
Feb. 20, Newtown Dead-of-Winter G/30
CH Booth Library, 25 Main St., 3rd Fl., Newtown, CT 06470, 100 yds. south of
Flagpole on Rte.25. 3SS or 3RR, depending on number of entries and ratings,
G/30, Prizes: $75 = 1st each quad or section, $40 = 2nd if Swiss. Rds.: 1:15,
and as available thereafter. EF: $20 at door only. Reg.: 12:30-1. Info: licensin-
gagent@yahoo.com. Check website in case of inclement weather: newtown
chessclub.wetpaint.com NS, NC, W. Space is limited, arrive early.
Feb. 28, UCONN February K-6 Scholastic Open
4-SS, G/30. UCONN Castleman Building, Room 204, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs,
CT 06269. EF: $25, $30 at site. Reg.: 9-9:45 AM. Round 1 at 10 AM, all others
ASAP. Trophies to Top 5, Top 5 K-3. 1/2 point byes available in rounds 1-3 only,
no last round byes. Info:Tom Hartmayer, 860-989-5394, tomhart3@charter.net.
Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, 19th annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 25, Apr. 1, 8, 15, UCONN Chess Club Championship 2010
4-SS, G/90. UCONN Castleman Building, Room 206, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs,
CT 06269. EF: $20, students free. Reg.: 7:15-7:30 PM. Rds.: 7:30 PM. $$
35%-30%,Top U-1600 20%-15% net proceeds from EFs.Trophy toTop Student.
1/2 point byes available in rounds 1-3 only, no last round byes. Info:Tom Hart-
mayer, 860-989-5394, tomhart3@charter.net. WCL JGP.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 28, Connecticut State Chess Association K-6 Scholastic State
Championship
Out of state welcome & prize eligible. Sponsored by the UCONN School of
Engineering & UCONN CC. UCONN Castleman Building, rooms 204 & 206, 261
Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Parking in North Garage. 4 - SS, G/30. 5 Sec-
tions: K - 6 Open, (Open to all), Reserve K - 6 U-700, K - 3, Reserve K - 3
U-700. All EF: $50 by 3-24, $60 after. Checks payable to UCONN. Reg.: 8-
9:30 AM, Rds.: 10-11-12-1. Half point byes available in rds. 1 - 3 only, no last
round byes. Prizes: Trophies to Top 5 in each section. Trophies to Top 5 teams
of top 4 from 1 school combined from all sections. All players with plus scores,
2.5 or better, get free entry into CSCA K-8 Championship on April 4th.
Ties broken by USCF tiebreak rules. Info & Entries: John Fikiet, 15 Holly Dr.,
Storrs, CT 06268. 860-429-1350, fikiet@eng2.uconn.edu, www.uconnchess.
uconn.edu, www.engr.uconn.edu, UCONN Map http://admissions.uconn.edu/
virtualtour/search/.
A State Championship Event!
Apr. 4, Connecticut State Chess Association K-8 State Open Cham-
pionship
Out of state welcome & prize eligible. Sponsored by the UCONN School of
Chess Life February 2010 61
 Tournament Life
Engineering & UCONN CC. UCONN Castleman Building Rooms 204 & 206, 261
Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Parking in North Garage. 4- SS, G/60. EF: $50,
by 4-1, $60 later. Checks payable to UCONN. 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
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING FEBRUARY 1-14
byes. Prizes: Trophies to Top 5 overall, Top 5 Grade 7, Top 5 Grade 6. Trophy
to Top 5 teams of 4 or less from 1 school. Ties for Top 5 individual places bro-
ken by G/60 playoff tournament or match on May 16th same location, round
1 at 10 AM. All other ties broken according to USCF tiebreak rules. All play-
ers with plus scores, 2.5 or better, get free entry into CSCA K-12
Championship on April 25th. Info & Entries to: John Fikiet, 15 Holly Dr.,
Storrs, CT 06268, 860-429-1950. fikiet@eng2.uconn.edu, www.uconnchess.
uconn.edu, www.engr.uconn.edu, UCONN Map http://admissions.uconn.edu/
virtualtour/search/.
Apr. 16-18 or 17-18, Hartford Open
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Apr. 25, Connecticut State Chess Association K-12 & UCONN School
of Engineering High School $14,000 Scholarship State Open Cham-
pionship
Out of state welcome & prize eligible except for Denker/2010 U.S. Girls
Open Chess Championship awards. Sponsored by the UCONN School of Engi-
neering & UCONN CC. UCONN Castleman Building Room 204, 261 Glenbrook
Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Parking in North Garage. 4 - SS, G/60. EF: $50 by 4-21,
$60 after. Checks payable to UCONN. 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: State Champ title, CSCA Denker/2010 U.S. Girls Open Championship
$300 Award & trophy to highest scoring CT male/female residents in grades
9-12. UCONN School of Engineering Scholarships to Top 3, (out of state eli-
gible), 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 winners are eligible for trophy & titles only. Trophy to top 3 teams of 4
or less from 1 school. Ties for top 3 individual places broken by G/60 playoff
tournament or match on May 16th same location, round 1 at 10 AM. Other ties
broken by USCF tiebreak rules. Info & Entries: John Fikiet, 15 Holly Dr.,
Storrs, CT 06268, 860-429-1950. fikiet@eng2.uconn.edu, www.uconnchess.
uconn.edu, www.engr.uconn.edu, UCONN Map http://admissions.uconn.edu/
virtualtour/search/.
Apr. 30-May 2 or May 1-2, 21st annual Vermont Resort Open (VT)
See Grand Prix.
Delaware
Feb. 27, 4th Sat. of the Month Quad
Howard Johnsons Hotel, 1119 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19713. (time con-
trols:40/75, s/d 30) EF: $20. $$GTD: $40. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rds.: 9:45-1:45-5:30.
ENT: Kevin Pytel, 604 N. Walnut St., Newport, DE 19804-2624, 302-753-6877.
KevinJPytel@aol.com. INFO: Email is the best way to contact me. NS, W.
Mar. 27, Greater Cherry Hill Super Sunday Grand Prix (NJ)
See Grand Prix.
District of Columbia
Feb. 13-14, Kingstowne Chess Festival (VA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 7, Metro First Sunday Quads
3-RR, G/90. U.S. Chess Center, 1501 M St. NW. EF: $20 $$ $40 each quad.
Scholastic sections. EF: $10,Trophy prizes. Both: Reg.: 9:15 - 9:50. Rds.: 10-
1-4. (202) 857-4922. www.chessctr.org./quads.php.
PLAN AHEAD for 2010 !
NEW: U.S. Girls Junior Open Championship
Tournament of College Champions
Denker Tournament of High School Champions
All three tournaments above held
July 31-Aug. 3, 2010 - Irvine, California
U.S. Open
July 31-Aug. 8, Aug. 3-8 or Aug. 5-8, 2010
Irvine, California
More details to be announced in March 2010 Chess Life!
62 Chess Life February 2010
Mar. 28, Metro Sunday Quads
3-RR, G/90. U.S. Chess Center, 1501 M St. NW. EF: $20 $$ $40 each quad.
Scholastic sections. EF: $10,Trophy prizes. Both: Reg.: 9:15 - 9:50. Rds.: 10-
1-4. (202) 857-4922. www.chessctr.org./quads.php.
Apr. 11, Rated Beginners Open (RBO)
4-SS, G/30. US Chess Center, 1501 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20005. Open to
players rated under 1200 or unrated. EF: $20 ($15 if by 4/3). 5 sections by age.
Reg.: 12-12:45. Info: 202/857-4922. www.chessctr.org/rbo.php.
Florida
Boca Raton Chess Club
Friday nights, Game 90 Tournament, one game a week for 4 weeks.
www.bocachess.com, 561-883-2917. WCL JGP.
Palm Beach Gardens Chess Club
Meets every Saturday 9 am till 4 pm. 4-SS Rated Games G/75 or G/120 (WCL
JGP). Also, Scholastic Games G/30, 4-SS. For more info: see www.palmbeach
chessclub.info or call President/TD John Dockery at 561-762-3377.
Feb. 6, Mar. 6, Apr. 3, May 1, $500 Guar. Cash Opens
5rd Swiss, G/30. EF: $25; $30 at door. SPCC mems $5 off. $100-$60-$40;
U1600, U1400, & U1200 $50-$30-$20 each. 1st rd 10:15 AM. Sunshine Cen-
ter, 330 Fifth St. N., St. Pete. NC, W. prereg at www.stpetersburgchessclub.com.
727-822-1171.
Feb. 6, Mar. 6, Apr. 3, May 1 St. Petersburg Rated Beginners Opens
(RBOs)
5rd Swiss, G/30. USCF RBO 4 Sect. K-2U400; K-5U500; K-8U700; & K-12U1000;
top 12 in each get trophy (all K-2 get trophy) all others medal.Team (2 or more)
- best four scores from all divisions trophy to top 12. EF: $18. SPCC mems $15.
1st rd 10:15 AM. Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg, FL. NC, W.
pregister online at www.stpetersburgchessclub.com. 727-822-1171.
Feb. 12-14 or 13-14, 2010 U.S. Amateur Team South
See Nationals.
Feb. 20, February OCG Scholastic Tournament
5SS G/30. Trophies and Medals. Ent: $20. OCGC members $16. Reg.: 9:15 -
9:45am. Rds.: First round 10:00am. Awards ceremony at 3:30pm. Info: www.
orlandochess.com, 407-248-0818.
Feb. 20, Palm Beach Day Academy Scholastic
Located at 1901 South Flagler Drive, WPB, Fl. 33401. K-12, 5 Divisions, 5-SS,
G/30, Saturday, 2/20/10. Trophies for Top 5 Players and Top 5 Teams in each
Division. For more info: see www.palmbeachchessclub.info or call Presi-
dent/TD John Dockery at 561-762-3377.
Feb. 27-28, Central Florida Chess Club Championship
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 27-28, North Florida Classic Chess Championships II
See Grand Prix.
Georgia
Apr. 23-25 or 24-25, 9th Southern Class Championships (TN)
See Grand Prix.
June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, 38th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Idaho
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 13-15, 2010 Idaho State Closed Championship
IDAHO RESIDENTS ONLY! Boise State University (BSU) Student Union Building,
1910 University Dr., Boise, Idaho 83725. 6SS, 30/120, SD/60. Rounds: 9, 4,
9:30, 4, 8, 3. One 1/2 point bye, rounds 1-5, must commit before 2nd rnd pair-
ings. Chk in & Reg: 7am-8am, Sat., Feb 13. Those not Reg. by 8am may not
be paired in 1st rnd. One Section: Open. EF: $35 (includes $10 ICA Member-
ship) by February 9, 2010. $30 (includes $10 ICA Membership) for Seniors (60+)
and Juniors (under 18) by February 9, 2010. $10 for the host BSU Chess Club
members (plus $10 ICA Membership) by February 9, 2010. $50 (includes $10
ICA Membership) for EVERYONE after February 9, 2010. Prizes: Trophies:
1st, 2nd, 3rd Overall; 1st, 2nd: Class X, A, E, F, Woman, Junior, Senior, Unrated;
1st, 2nd, 3rd: Class B, C, and D. HR/ENT/INFO: ICA, % Jay Simonson, 391 Carol
Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83401, 208-206-7667, email rooknjay@yahoo.com,
www.idahochessassociation.org. NC, NS, W. WCL JGP.
Illinois
North American Chess Association
Tournaments for kids and adults of all playing strength.
Creators of the electronic scoresheet, eNotate. Monthly
FIDE title tournaments (WIM, WGM, IM). Sevan A.
Muradian, FIDE Arbiter & International Organizer.
www.nachess.org | info@nachess.org | 888.80.CHESS.
Feb. 20, Quad Tournament
3 rounds, G/80. Holiday Inn Hotel, 495 Airport Road, Elgin, IL 60123. (Inter-
section of I-90 & Rt. 31.) Entry fee is $20 (cash or check only). Cash prizes of
$40 for first and $20 for second in each Quad. Registration begins at 8:30 A.M.
First round starts at 9:30, and this single day event ends by 6:30. For more
information see: www.mchenryareachess.org, or call Bob at 815-519-3323.
Feb. 27, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights Greater
Chicago Junior High Championship!
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 8/below. Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 Mil-
waukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (free parking). 2 sections: 1. Varsity:
open to all. Trophies: top 6 players, the top 3 schools, top rated Under 1200
and top 3 unrated. 2. Junior Varsity: Open to Under 1000 or unrated.Trophies:
top 6 players, top 3 schools, top rated Under 700 and top 3 unrated. Any player
who scores 4 or more points and doesnt win a trophy will receive a medal! EF:
$35 per player postmarked by 2/8/10. All EF $7 extra per player postmarked
2/9-15 (no mail accepted postmarked after 2/15). Mailed entries $5 less
per player if 4 or more from same school mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE!
Mail Entries: list name, rating USCF ID# (proof of current USCF membership
required, enclose dues if necessary) school, grade, birth date, address & sec-
tion. Checks payable & mailed to: Renaissance Knights, PO Box 1074,
Northbrook, IL 60065. Online entries at www.rknights.org $35 thru 2/15,
$42 2/15-23, No online entries after 2/23. $5 extra to switch sections.
Refunds: $10 service charge for each player refunded. On-Site entry fee: $50.
On-site registration: ENDS 9:15 AM. RDS.: 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Byes: Limit 2.
More info: www.rknights.org. Questions: renknights@aol.com (773) 844-0701.
HR: $79 chess rate, reserve by 2/12, may sell out,Tel: 847-298-2525. Sets pro-
vided, bring clocks.
Feb. 27, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights pres-
ent Greater Chicago Primary Championship!
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 3/below. Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 Mil-
waukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (free parking). 2 sections: 1. Varsity:
open to all. Trophies: top 6 players, top 3 schools, top rated Under 900 and top
3 unrated. 2. Junior Varsity: Open to Under 700 or unrated. Trophies: top 6
players, top 3 schools, top rated Under 500 and top 3 unrated. Trophies to the
top 3 Kindergartners! Any player who scores 4 or more points and doesnt
win a trophy will receive a medal! EF: $35 per player postmarked by 2/8/10.
All EF $7 extra per player postmarked 2/9-15 (no mail accepted postmarked
after 2/15). Mailed entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from same school
mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE! Mail Entries: list name, rating USCF ID#
(proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues if necessary)
school, grade, birth date, address & section. Checks payable & mailed to:
Renaissance Knights, PO Box 1074, Northbrook, IL 60065. Online entries at
www.rknights.org $35 thru 2/15, $42 2/15-23, No online entries after 2/23.
$5 extra to switch sections. Refunds: $10 service charge for each player
refunded. On-Site entry fee: $50. On-site registration: ENDS 9:15 AM. RDS.:
10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Byes: Limit 2. More info: www.rknights.org. Questions:
renknights@aol.com (773) 844-0701. HR: $79 chess rate, reserve by 2/12, may
sell out, Tel: 847-298-2525. Sets provided, bring clocks.
Feb. 28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights Greater
Chicago Elementary Championship!
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 6/below. Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 Mil-
waukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (free parking). 2 sections: 1. Varsity:
open to all. Trophies: top 6 players, top 3 schools, top rated Under 1000 and
top 3 unrated. 2. Junior Varsity: Open to Under 800 or unrated. Trophies: top
6 players; top 3 schools, top rated Under 600 and top 3 unrated. Any player
who scores 4 or more points and doesnt win a trophy will receive a medal! EF:
$35 per player postmarked by 2/8/10. All EF $7 extra per player postmarked
ATTENTION AFFILIATES
The United States Chess Federation has
partnered with R.V. Nuccio & Associates
Insurance Brokers, Inc. to provide USCF
affiliates with affordable annual liability
and short term event insurance. The lia-
bility coverage is available for approxi-
mately $265 per year for a $1,000,000
limit of insurance. Also available is con-
tents property and bonding insurance.
For more information, please go to
www.rvnuccio.com/chess-federation.html.
For event insurance, please go to www.rv
nuccio.com.
uschess.org
2/9-15 (no mail accepted postmarked after 2/15). Mailed entries $5 less per
player if 4 or more from same school mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE! Mail
Entries: list name, rating USCF ID# (proof of current USCF membership
required, enclose dues if necessary) school, grade, birth date, address & sec-
tion. Checks payable & mailed to: Renaissance Knights, PO Box 1074,
Northbrook, IL 60065. Online entries at www.rknights.org $35 thru 2/15,
$42 2/15-23, No online entries after 2/23. $5 extra to switch sections.
Refunds: $10 service charge for each player refunded. On-Site entry fee: $50.
On-site registration: ENDS 9:15 AM. RDS.: 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Byes: Limit 2.
More info: www.rknights.org. Questions: renknights@aol.com (773) 844-0701.
HR: $79 chess rate, reserve by 2/12, may sell out,Tel: 847-298-2525. Sets pro-
vided, bring clocks.
Feb. 28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights Greater
Chicago High School Championship!
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 12/below. Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 Mil-
waukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (free parking). 2 sections: 1. Varsity:
open to all.Trophies to the 6 top-scoring players and the 3 top-scoring schools,
the top rated Under 1500, and the top 3 unrated. 2. Junior Varsity: Open to
Under 1200 or unrated. Trophies: top 6 players; top 3 unrated, top 3 schools,
top Under 900 and top 3 unrated. Any player who scores 4 or more points and
doesnt win a trophy will receive a medal! EF: $35 per player postmarked by
2/8/10. All EF $7 extra per player postmarked 2/9-15 (no mail accepted
postmarked after 2/15). Mailed entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from
same school mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE! Mail Entries: list name, rat-
ing USCF ID# (proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues if
necessary) school, grade, birth date, address & section. Checks payable &
mailed to: Renaissance Knights, PO Box 1074, Northbrook, IL 60065. Online
entries at www.rknights.org. $35 thru 2/15, $42 2/15-23, No online entries
after 2/23. $5 extra to switch sections. Refunds: $10 service charge for each
player refunded. On-Site entry fee: $50. On-site registration: ENDS 9:15
AM. RDS.: 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Byes: Limit 2. More info: www.rknights.org. Ques-
tions: renknights@aol.com (773) 844-0701. HR: $79 chess rate, reserve by
2/12, may sell out, Tel: 847-298-2525. Sets provided, bring clocks.
Mar. 13, 8th Annual Mark Oestreich Memorial Chess Tournament
Time controls 30/70, then 40/60. No sudden death. Salem Community Center,
416 Oglesby St., Salem, Illinois. Entry fee: $15.00. Prize fund: $360.00, based
on 30 players. 1st $80, 2nd $40. Classes: A, B, C, D/E/Unrated $60.00 each.
Registration: 8:00 9:15. Rounds: 9:30, 1:00, 5:00. Entries: Jim Davies phone
314-721-4967, 7358 Shaftesbury, St. Louis, MO 63130. email jandadavies@sbc
global.net.
Mar. 19-21 or 20-21, 14th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 19-25, 2010 FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship
See Nationals.
Mar. 26-28, 2010 FIDE Intercontinental School Team Chess Cham-
pionship
See Nationals.
May 27-31, 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31, 19th annual Chicago Open
See Grand Prix.
Indiana
Chess Club Friday Night Blitz (QC)
2302 West Morris St. at the West Morris St. Free Methodist Church. Entrance
is in the back, down the stairs by the office. When: Starts Every Friday except
the Fri before the second Sat doors open at 6:00 P.M. tournament starts at 6:30
P.M. Type: 3 Rounds, Game/5, Round Robin Quad, U.S.C.F. Rated. EF: $7.00 if
received one week before tournament starting date, $8.00 at the door. Prizes:
Based on 4 full Pd. entries per quad, First in each quad: $20.00, Second in each
quad: chess merchandise. Send advance entries to: Donald Urquhart, 501
N. East St. #802, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1629. For more info: call Don at (317)
634-6259 or e-mail akakarpov@att.net.
Every SECOND Sat. of the Month. OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT
5 Round, G/61, U.S.C.F. rated. 2302 West Morris St. at the West Morris St. Free
Methodist Church in the Ellis Hall Room. Entrance in back, down stairs, by office.
Late Ent. 8-9am, Rd 1, 9:30am. Prizes: $465.00 b/o 20 full pd. Ent. 1st $150;
2nd $75; Class A, B, C, (D, E, Unr) $60 each. Prizes increased if entries allow.
EF: $25 if recd one week before tournament date, $30 at door, $5.00 discount
for your birthday month, $5.00 discount for any state associaton (except
ISCA), FIDE Titled Players Free. + Free Snack Bar Adv. ENT: Donald Urquhart,
501 N. East St. # 802, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1629. Info: call Don at 317-634-
6259 or e-mail akakarpov@att.net. Note: there must be at least 3 entries in
a class for that class prize to be awarded. If two adjoining class prizes are
vacant, a combo prize will be awarded. WCL JGP.
FREE ENTRY: Quad Quick Chess Tournament (QC) Fri. before the sec-
ond Sat. of the Month
G/15, U.S.C.F. rated. Located at 2302 West Morris St. at the West Morris St.
Free Methodist Church in the Ellis Hall Room. Entrance in back, down stairs,
by office. Late Ent. 6-6:25pm. Rd 1, 6:30pm. Prizes: First in each quad gets
choice of 50% off entry fee for Sat. Monthly a $15.00 value certificate, or chess
merchandise. A cash buyback option is available on the certificate, call for details.
Second gets the prize not chosen by First EF: Free. Adv. ENT: Donald Urquhart,
501 N. East St. # 802, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1629. Info: call Don at 317-634-
6259 or e-mail akakarpov@att.net. A ORANGE CRUSH EVENT.
Feb. 19-21, 2010 U.S. Jr. Chess Congress
See Nationals.
Feb. 27-28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights
present Greater Chicago Scholastic Championships!
See Illinois.
Iowa
Feb. 27, Drake Chess Festival 2010-IASCA Mini-Qualifier
NOTE CORRECTIONS: 4SS, G/75 T/D 5. Open. Where: Olmsted Center on the
Drake University Campus, at the corner of 29th Street and University Avenue
(North of University Avenue), Des Moines, IA 50311. Reg.: 8:30 to 9:30 am.
Rounds: 9:45-1:15-4:00-7:00 (earlier if agreed upon). Entry Fee: $20.00 if
received by November 12th, $30.00 at site. Prize Info: 1st $75.00, 2nd $40.00,
3rd $20.00, U1900 1st, $30.00, 2nd $15.00. One prize per player. Prizes based
on 20 entries for Open section. US Chess Federation (USCF) membership
required. On-Site Available. IASCA membership required, $15, $10 Jr. or Sr.
On-Site Available. Send Entry Fee to: Bill Broich, 7149 Wilshire Blvd., Wind-
sor Heights, Iowa 50324. Additional Info: Phone 515-205-8062 or E-mail
broich01@yahoo.com. WCL JGP.
Feb. 27, Drake Chess Festival 2010-Rated RBO
5SS, G/30 with 5 second delay. Open to 1199 & under. Where: Olmstead Cen-
ter on the Drake University Campus, 2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA
50311. Reg.: 8:30 to 9:30 am. Rounds: 9:45-11:00-1:00-2:15-3:30. Entry
Fee: $10.00 if received by February 25th, $15.00 at site. Prize Info: Trophies
for the Top Score U1200, U1000, U800, U600, U400, U200. US Chess Feder-
ation (USCF) membership required. On-Site Available. Send Entry Fee to:
Bill Broich, 7149 Wilshire Blvd., Windsor Heights, Iowa 50322. Additional
Info: Phone 515-205-8062 or E-mail broich01@yahoo.com.
Feb. 27, Drake Chess Festival 2010-Reserve
NOTE CORRECTIONS: 4SS, G/75-T/D 5. Open to 1599 & under. Where: Olm-
sted Center on the Drake University Campus, at the corner of 29th Street and
University Avenue, (North of University Avenue), Des Moines, IA 50311. Reg.:
8:30 to 9:30 am. Rounds: 9:45-1:15-4:00-7:00 (earlier if agreed upon). Entry
Fee: $20.00 if received by February 25th, $30.00 at site. Prize Info: $40.00-
20.00-10.00. U1400 1st $20.00, 2nd $10.00. One prize per player. Prizes based
on 20 entries for Reserve section. US Chess Federation (USCF) member-
ship required. On-Site Available. Send Entry Fee to: Bill Broich, 7149 Wilshire
Blvd., Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324 Additional Info: Phone 515-205-8062 or
broich@yahoo.com. WCL JGP.
Kentucky
Mar. 27, Carpetbagger Minus Score Quick #1 (QC)
5-SS. G/25. The Clifton Center, 2117 Payne St. (corner of Clifton & Payne),
Louisville, KY. EF: $24 if by 3/17/10, $30 at site. Prizes (260 b/30): $60, U1950
$56, U1700 $52, U1450 $48, U1200/Unr. $44. MINUS SCORE (if you are not a

GOLD AFFILIATES GOLD & SILVER AFFILIATES

Cajun Chess Jersey Shore High School San Diego Chess Club GOLD
Any affiliate that has submitted at least 50
7230 Chadbourne Drive Chess League 2225 Sixth Avenue
USCF memberships during the current or
New Orleans, LA 70126 PO Box 773, Lincroft, NJ 07738 San Diego, CA 92101
previous calendar year, or is the recognized
504-208-9596 jbart1517@yahoo.com 619-239-7166
cajunchess@yahoo.com chucnglo@aol.com State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Gold
Affiliate. Gold Affiliates are honored in a spe-
New Jersey State Chess Federation
www.cajunchess.com http://sdchessclub.multiply.com
cial list in larger type in Tournament Life each
c/o Roger Inglis

month, giving the affiliate name, address,

Chess Club and Scholastic 49-A Mara Rd. Tri-State Chess

phone number, e-mail address, and website.

Center of St. Louis Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034 288 Third Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Gold Affiliation costs $350 per year, and exist-

4657 Maryland Avenue 973-263-8696, rwij@njoychess.com 1-888-CHESS-35

ing affiliates may substract $3 for each month

St. Louis, MO 63108. 314-361-CHESS www.njscf.org MKurtzman@TriStateChess.com,
info@stlouischessclub.org
remaining on their regular affiliation, or $20
www.TriStateChess.com
www.stlouischessclub.org PaperClip Pairings
for each month remaining on their Silver Affil-
c/o J. Houghtaling Jr & Remy Ferrari Unity Chess Club
iation. As of August 6, 2007, by paying an
Continental Chess 6005 Forest Blvd 9375 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 100
Association Brownsville, TX 78526 Office 136, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, annual payment of $500 (instead of $350),
956-459-2421 480-949-5464 (KING)
NY 12577. 845-496-9658 Gold Affiliate status may be obtained with no
jejrhoughtaling@bisd.us info@unitychess.com, unitychess.com
chesstour@aol.com minimum requirement for memberships sub-
www.chesstour.com Renaissance Knights Western PA Youth Chess Club mitted.
Chess Foundation Attn: Jerry Meyers
En Passant Chess Club PO Box 1074 4101 Windsor Street SILVER
Any affiliate that has submitted at least 25
1301 North Shore Drive Northbrook, IL 60065 Pittsburgh, PA 15217
USCF memberships during the current or
San Benito, TX 78586 773-844-0701 412-422-1770
previous calendar year, or is the recognized
956-399-9724 renknights@aol.com catnipper99@yahoo.com
State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Silver
edguetzow@sbcglobal.net www.renaissanceknights.org www.youthchess.net
Affiliate. These affiliates will be recognized
in a special list in Tournament Life each
month, giving the affiliate name, state, and
SILVER AFFILIATES choice of either phone number, e-mail
address, or website. Silver Affiliation costs
$150 per year, and existing affiliates may
Chess Center of New York (NY) Long Island Chess Nuts (NY) Oklahoma Chess Foundation

subtract $3 for each month remaining on

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

uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 63

 Tournament Life

prize winner & have a score under 2.5 then you get money): 2pts $5, 1.5pts $4,
1pts $3, 0.5pts $2, 0 pts $1. Rds.: 1:15-2:25-3:30-4:30-5:30. Reg.: 12:30-
1pm. Half point bye available (2 max) any round w/registration. Info via
e-mail (chess in subject) to: carpetbaggerchess@yahoo.com. ENT: Lawrence
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING FEBRUARY 1-14
Apr. 10-11, Catonsville-Fells Point Open June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, 38th Annual World Open (PA)
Bloomsbury Community Center, 106 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228. See Grand Prix.
2 Sections, Open: 5SS, G/90, $$b/30 $225-$110-$85 U2200 $75 U2100 $75
U2000 $75 b/4, more per entries. U1900: 5SS, G/90, $$b/30 $200-$100-$75 Michigan

Cohen, P.O. Box 6632, Villa Park, IL 60181. NS, NC.
Apr. 10, Western Kentucky University Open
See Grand Prix.
Louisiana
Mar. 13-14, 2010 Louisiana Pro-Am
See Grand Prix.
Maine
Apr. 30-May 2 or May 1-2, 21st annual Vermont Resort Open (VT)
See Grand Prix.
Maryland
Feb. 13, MCA Chestertown Scholastic
Chestertown Middle Sch., 402 East Campus Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620
4 sections: Rally: K-12, 4SS, G/65 MD Sweet 16 Rally Section; Under 1200:
K-12 and U1200, 4SS, G/65; U900 K-8, 5SS, G/30; Novice: K-5 U500, 5SS
G/30. EF: $12 by 2/9, $20 by 2/12, $25 at the door reg. Trophies top individ-
uals in each section. At door reg 8:30-9:00 receives 1st rnd 1/2 pnt bye. 1st
rnds at 9:30 for top 2, and 10:00 for next two. Ent: Michael Regan, 1827
Thornton Ridge Rd.,Towson, MD 21204. Detailed rules, info, & online entry:
http://chestertown.eventbrite.com/.
Feb. 13-14, Kingstowne Chess Festival (VA)
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 19, Catonsville Friday Knight Quick #96 (QC)
5SS, G/15. EF: $8, club members $5. Reg.: 7:30pm. Rds.: 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30, 10.
$$b/24 1st=$50, 2nd=$25, U1850 $12. Bloomsbury Community Center, 106
Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228. Info: Joe Summers 410-788-1009,
josephas2@verizon.net Website: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze12d59q/.
Feb. 27-28, UMBC Open - Alvin S. Mintzes Chess Tournament
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 6, Catonsville First Saturday Action
5SS, G/30. EF: $20, club members $17, under 17 $15. Rds.: 12:00-1:45-3:00-
4:15-5:30. Reg.: 11:15am. Bloomsbury Community Center, Room 118, 106
Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228. Two Sections: Open $$b/24 $100-
$60-$42 U1850 $40 U1550 $40, more per entries. U1200 $$b/12 $50-$25 U1000
$25 b/4 U800 $25 b/4. Bye: 1-4. Info: josephas2@verizon.net. Website:
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze12d59q. Ent: Joe Summers, 1201 Daniels Ave.,
Balt., MD 21207. Include USCF ID, rating and section. Checks payable to Joe
Summers. PH: 410-788-1009.
Mar. 27, Greater Cherry Hill Super Sunday Grand Prix (NJ)
See Grand Prix.
U1700 $70 U1500 $70 U1300 $70 b/4. All EF: $30 before March 28, $40 after,
under 17 $10 off. GMs or IMs: free entry but $40 deducted from any prize. Reg.:
9:45-10:45am. Rds.: Sat 11:00-3:00-7:00 Sun 10:00-2:00. Bye: 1-4, max 2. Info:
josephas2@verizon.net, Website: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze12d59q. Ent:
Joe Summers, 1201 Daniels Ave., Balt., MD. 21207. 410-788-1009. Make checks
payable to Joe Summers, include USCF ID and section, Open or U1900. Dir:
695 to Exit 13 West, Left at second light (Bloomsbury Ave),Three blocks on right.
WCL JGP.
June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, 38th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Massachusetts
Feb. 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, George E. ORourke Memorial
5SS, G/110, T/D5. Wachusett Chess Club, McKay Campus School, Room C188,
Fitchburg State College, 67 Rindge Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420. EF: $1 per game
played; free to Wachusett CC and Mass. Chess Assn. members. Reg.: 7-7:10
p.m. Rds.: 7:15 p.m. Byes: 1-4, limit two. Prizes: chess books and back issues
of Chess Horizons. Info: George Mirijanian, 176 Oak Hill Road, Fitchburg, MA
01420, miriling@aol.com, 978-345-5011, Website: www.wachusettchess.org.
Online ratings as of Feb. 10 will be used. W. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
Feb. 13-14 or 14, 85th Western MA/CT Valley Championship
5SS, G/90. (w/1 day option) Holyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Ave.
(Route 202), Holyoke, 01040. Reg.: 8:30-9:30. Rds.: Sat. 9:30, 1:30 & 4:45. Sun.
1:30 & 4:45. Section: One. Prizes: Revolving trophy to 1st, Trophy to Top
Expert, Class A, B, C, D, E & Un-rated. EF: $22 by Feb 9th, checks payable to:
W.M.C.A. $27 at site. Ent: Edward Kostreba, P.O Box 1372, Ware, MA 01082-
5372, 413-967-3242, www.wmass-chess.us, NS, NC. WCL JGP.
Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, 19th annual Eastern Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 28, Connecticut State Chess Association K-6 Scholastic State
Championship (CT)
See Connecticut.
Apr. 4 Connecticut State Chess Association K-8 State Open Cham-
pionship (CT)
See Connecticut.
Apr. 25, Connecticut State Chess Association K-12 & UCONN School
of Engineering High School $14,000 Scholarship State Open Cham-
pionship (CT)
See Connecticut.
May 14-16 or 15-16, 18th annual New York State Open (NY)
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 27-28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights
present Greater Chicago Scholastic Championships!
See Illinois.
Minnesota
Feb. 19-21, 20-21or 21, 117th Warren Stenberg Memorial Annual
Minnesota Open
See Grand Prix.
May 27-31, 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31, 19th annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
Missouri
Friday Action Quads - Every Friday Night (QC)
3RR, G/29 Quick Rated. Chess Club & Scholastic Center, 4657 Maryland Ave.,
Saint Louis, MO 63108. EF: $10. Prize fund $36 first in each quad. Club mem-
bership reqd. available from $1. Reg.: 6:30 - 6:45. Rounds begin at 7. Site entries
only. Info: 314-361-CHESS, www.saintlouischessclub.org. NS, NC, W.
Saint Louis Blitz Series - Every Tuesday Night (QC)
5SS, G/5 Quick Rated. Chess Club & Scholastic Center, 4657 Maryland Ave., Saint
Louis, MO 63108. EF: $5. Prize fund 100% payout! First overall will take home
75% of all entry fees, and the highest scoring player in the bottom half takes
25%. For example, with 20 entries, 1st place is $75 and the highest scoring player
with a rating in the lower half takes $25. Club membership reqd. available from
$1. Reg.: 6:30 - 7. Rds.: 7, 7:15, 7:30, 7:45, 8. Site entries only. Info: 314-361-
CHESS, www.saintlouischessclub.org. NS, NC, W.
Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, February Knights
4SS, G/90. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Maryland
Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. Reg. Wednesday, February 3, 5:30-6:15pm. Rounds
(one per week) 6:30pm 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24. Check in with TD by 6:15 to be
paired each week/round. No advanced entries. EF: $10. Prize fund is 90% pay-
out, with 1st place getting 1/3 of the total prize fund and first A, B, C, D, E and
U1000/unrated each take 1/9 of the prize fund. Winner qualifies for 2009 Club
Championship in March. One 1/2 point bye if declared before round 2. Annual
club memb. reqd. MCA memb. reqd from $5 OSA. Info: 314-361-CHESS.
info@saintlouischessclub.org. WCL JGP.
Feb. 13, 2nd Annual Metro Saint Louis Class Championship
3SS, G/120. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Maryland Ave.,
Saint Louis, MO 63108. Free entries for GMs and IMs, deducted from earnings.
GMs and IMs are not counted toward the based on prize fund total. EF: $35,
$30 for annual members of the club if registered by 2/12. MCA Membership
Reqd from $5. OSA. PF: $1,200 (b/40): $200 and trophy for 1st in each M/X,
A, B, C, D, U1200/UNR. Winner of M/X section qualifies for 2011 Club Cham-

ACTIVITY MEANS MEMBERS

Free 8-Line Tournament Life Announcements!
Adult Dues Options! >>
New Free TLA Categories Added!
RUN AN ADDITIONAL TOURNAMENT THIS SPRING!
Each affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of up to 8
lines and up to 2 issues of Chess Life, for any tournament
between April and June 2010, if no TLA for such an event
appeared in 2009, and the TLA is e-mailed by the appro-
priate deadline. The 8 free lines cannot be applied to longer
TLAs.
SPECIAL CATEGORIES QUALIFY FOR FREE TLAS! Each
affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of up to 8 lines
for events in the following categories, if submitted by
e-mail. The free lines cannot be applied to longer TLAs:
NEW CATEGORY! SENIOR. For age 50 or above, or a
higher minimum age.
NEW CATEGORY! UNRATEDS FREE. Any tournament
that offers free entry to unrated players. If your prizes
are based on entries, say paid entries.
USCF BOOSTER TOURNAMENT. A tournament that offers
at least two USCF membership renewal prizes, or a quad
that offers at least one per section.
CHESS CLUB SPECIAL. A tournament playing only on
one or more weekday evenings.
RBO. Open to Under 1200/Unr or Under 1000/Unr.Tourna-
ment name must include Rated Beginners Open or RBO.
BLITZ. Time control of Game/5. TLAs such as USCF-
rated Blitz every Friday 7 pm are accepted.
COLLEGIATE. A tournament limited to college students.
JUNIOR. For age 20/below (age 20 must be eligible).
NON-SCHOLASTIC WITH SCHOLASTIC. A tournament
for all ages held concurrent (same location) with a scholas-
tic tournament that in its previous year drew at least 50
players. We encourage organizers of scholastics to hold
open or collegiate events on the side.
SPECIAL RATES FOR CLUB ADS. Up to 5 lines $180 per
year, $100 for 6 months for unchanged club ads in the TLA
section. Announce meeting dates & times, activities, con-
tact info, etc.
USCF DISCUSSION GROUPS. See www.uschess.org/
forums for four groups: Tournament Organization, Chess
Club Organization, Tournament Direction, USCF Issues.
Ages 21-24 dues lower than
Adult dues!
The membership category once called Youth has been
renamed Young Adult, and eligibility has changed from
under 21 to under 25. Annual dues for this category
are only $32 with paper Chess Life or $24 with the
online version!
One-year membership with
Chess Life:
If purchased online at uschess.org, now only $42 for Pre-
mium Membership, which includes a copy of Chess
Life every month. Regular Memberships are available
for $34 and give online-only access to Chess Life and a
mailed TLA Newsletter (bi-monthly). (Note to affiliates: If
you collect a $49 membership, you may submit it online to
USCF for $42, in effect creating a $7 commission. If you
submit it by mail or phone the affiliate commission is $3.)

64 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

pionship. Players must compete in their own rating section. Reg.: 9-9:45.
Rds.: 10, 2:15, 6:30. One 1/2 point bye if declared before round 1. Hotel: Water
Tower Inn at 314-977-7500 ask for the chess rate of $70/night. Ent: 4657
Maryland Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108, or online at saintlouischessclub.org. Info:
314-361-CHESS or info@saintlouischessclub.org.
Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Club Championship
(invitational tournament) 5SS, G/90. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of
Saint Louis, 4657 Maryland Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. This is an invitational
event for those that qualified in the previous Knights events. No entry fees.
Winner of the Club Championship will receive a plaque to take home commem-
orating their accomplishment. In addition, a trophy at the club will be displayed,
chronicling each club champion! Winner qualifies for 2011 Club Championship.
Winner will also get a year family membership to the club. Every contestant
will receive some club gear for successful participation! Rounds (one per week)
6:30pm: 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31. Check in with TD by 6:15 to be paired
each week/round. Annual club memb. reqd. MCA memb. reqd from $5 OSA.
Info: 314-361-CHESS. info@saintlouischessclub.org. WCL JGP.
Mar. 19-21 or 20-21, 14th annual Mid-America Open
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 10-11, Saint Louis Open
See Grand Prix.
Nevada
Apr. 2-4, 10th Annual Reno-Far West Open
See Grand Prix.
June 11-13 or 12-13, 2010 National Open
See Nationals.
New Jersey
International Chess Academy (Fair Lawn, NJ)
Chess Classes: Tuesday 6:30 9:00 PM, Thursday 6:30 9:00 PM, Saturday
10:00 AM 1:00 PM. Add. 14-25 Plaza Rd. N, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. Phone 201-
797-0330. Website: www.icanj.net. Contact: Diana Tulman, 201-287-0250.
Email: Diana@icanj.net. Fair Lawn facility offers Advance Chess Training for
serious chess players (rating > 1800).
International Chess Academy (Teaneck, NJ)
Chess Classes: Monday 6:30 7:30 PM, Wednesday 6:30 9:00 PM, Sunday
10:00 AM 3:30 PM. Add. 185 Court Street, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Phone 201-
833-1741. Website: www.icanj.net. Contact: Diana Tulman, 201-287-0250.
Email: Diana@icanj.net.Teaneck facility offers a Summer Chess Camp and Mon-
day night tournaments 7:30 PM 9:30 PM.
Feb. 6, Princeton Day School
650 The Great Road. Plaques to top 3 school teams and top 6 in each section.
Medals to all players. Four sections for OVER 1000 begin at 10:15 and must
preregister: OVER 1600 (K-12), NEAR MASTERS (K-12 over 1400) and
FUTURE MASTERS (Players K-12 over 1200) G/60, 3 rds. CLOSED (K-12
1000-1200) G/45 4 rds. ALL OTHER SECTIONS. G/30 4 rds. beginning at 12:00
noon. (round times will be accelerated if possible): OPEN (Players K-12 U-1000),
RESERVE (K-12 U-800), NOVICE II (K-8 U-600), NOVICE I (unrated K-6), K-1
(unrated) NO SCORE K-1 (unrated). PARENTS OF PLAYERS rated G/30 3
rounds. Pre-registration online $35. On-site 11-12 noon $45. Info and regis-
ter online: www.pds.org/chess. Inquires to Bonnie Waitzkin
Chessteach@gmail.com.
Feb. 7, Monmouth Chess School & Club Anniversary Tournament
51 Monmouth St., Red Bank, NJ directions www.monmouthchess.com. 4SS,
G/40, EF: $35/25 members postmarked by 2/1; $45/35 site. Masters free, EF
deducted from winnings. Prizes based on 30 entries: OPEN 150-75; U1900 100-
50; U1600 100-50; U1300 80 40; U1000 75. Reg.: 11:45 - 12:15; Rds.: 12:30,
2:00, 3:30, 5:15. Mail checks to: MCS&C, c/o Dr. Koblentz, 9 Rimwood Lane,
Colts Neck, NJ 07722. Non-members cash only at site. Questions 732-219-0916.
Feb. 13-15, World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East
See Nationals.
Feb. 19, Monmouth Chess School & Club February Scholastic
51 Monmouth St., Red Bank, NJ directions www.monmouthchess.com. 4SS or
5SS if 30 or more entries, G/30, EF: $35/25 members postmarked by 2/1;
$45/35 site. Trophies top 5 in each section, medals for all who complete four
rounds. Book/merchandise prizes $100 for first in each section: K-12; K-8, K-
5, K-2. Reg.: 11:45-12:15; Rds.: 12:30, 1:45, 3:15, 4:30. Accelerated rounds
if possible. Mail checks to: MCS&C, c/o Dr. Koblentz, 9 Rimwood Lane, Colts
Neck, NJ 07722. Non-members cash only at site. Questions 732-219-0916.
Feb. 20, Jersey Shore K-12 Regionals
The Academy at Grace and Peace, 1563 Old Freehold Rd., Toms River, NJ
08755. All Sections open to K-12. Section A: U500, Section B: 500-1000,
Section C: 1000-1500, Section D: 1500+. Section A, B, C 4SS, G/30. Sec-
tion D: 3 Rounds, G/60. Trophies to Top 5 in each section, Medals to all
others. EF: $25 if recd by 2/13, $30 on site. Reg.: 9:00-9:45 AM. Rds.: 10:00
AM and ASAP. Info: John Burke, 908-705-7958 or johnpburke@yahoo.com. Ent:
Make checks payable toThe Academy at Grace and Peace. Please indicate USCF
ID# and section.
Feb. 21, Westfield Quads
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street Westfield, NJ. $50 to first
in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m.
Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163,
www.westfieldchessclub.com.
Feb. 22, Quick Fun (QC)
5-SS, G/10. Hackettstown Community Center, 293 Main St., (Rte. 46). EF: $6.
Prizes: All EF returned as prizes, 1st prize: 50% of total EF, other prizes based
on entries, class prizes possible. Reg.: 7-7:30 p.m. Rds.: 7:30 p.m., then ASAP.
Info: ericmark4@yahoo.com. NS, NC.
Feb. 26, ATKMs 4th Friday G/10 Swiss (QC) (6 Rounds)
For info. and registration, go to YourChessSet.com/g10. For more info e-mail
Stephen at cs@ATKMchessSets.com or call 856-582-8222.
Feb. 27, 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-
uschess.org
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.
Feb. 27, Super Scholastics Saturday Swiss K-8
Somerset Ramada Inn, 60 Cottontail Ln., Somerset, NJ Exit #12 off I-287. (In
4 Sections/& skittles) Trophies to top 5, others get medals/prizes. Hot Shots
(always U1700): 4SS G/45, $150-100-50, b/10. Checkmates (always U1300):
4SS G/45, $100-50 b/10, New Stars (always U1000): 5SS G/30, $100-50
b/10, Chess Pirates (always U600): 5SS G/30, $100-50 b/10. Players high-
est life time rating used. Rds.: 11am then ASAP, lunch break. EF: $27 mailed
by 02/22 or paid online, entryfeesrus.com. EF at site $35. Cash only. Reg.: before
10:45am. Ent: 115 W. Moore St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Info: Ken Thomas
acn@goes.com or 908-763-6468. NS, NC, W.
Feb. 27-28, New York State Scholastic Championships (out of
state welcome)
See New York.
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 28, New Jersey Junior High School 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. 5SS, G/30. Section: JHS (K-9). More Trophies! ALL: Tro-
phies to top =2 015 individuals, top 5 teams. Rds.: 10am then ASAP.Top 4 scores
constitute team score. EF: $30 before 2/20, $50 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, hsprech-
man@characterkings.org. ENTRY: Aaron Kiedes, 4 Seymour Terrace,
Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Entries must include name, grade, school, date of birth,
USCF ID #, & expiration date, mailing address, phone number & entry fee.
Checks made out to NJSCF.
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 28, 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.: 10am then ASAP. Top 4 scores constitute the team score for Ele-
mentary; top 3 for Primary. EF: $30 before 2/21, $50 at site. USCF memb. reqd.
EF includes 1 year Atlantic Chess News for NJ state residents. Reg.: 8-9:00am
After 9:00am 1/2 point bye for round 1. Info: 732 259-3881, Ent: Aaron Kiedes,
4 Seymour Terrace, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Entries must include name,
grade & school, date of birth, USCF ID and expiration date, mailing address,
email address, phone number and entry fee. Checks made out to NJSCF.
Feb. 28, Westfield Quads
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street Westfield, NJ. $50 to first
in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m.
Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163,
www.westfieldchessclub.com.
Mar. 1-29, Spring Swiss Bliss
5-SS, 40/90. Hackettstown Community Center, 293 Main St., (Rte. 46). EF: $15;
Under 18 & Over 65, $12. Prizes: $75-$50-$25, U-1800 $30, U-1400 $30, b/20
entries, first prize guaranteed. Reg.: 7-7:30 p.m. on March 1. Rds.: 7:30 p.m.
each Monday. Byes: any round, must commit to last-round bye w/entry; must
score one half-point OTB to win a prize. ENT: Eric Mark, 609 Thomas St.,
Stroudsburg, PA 18360; ericmark4@yahoo.com. Checks payable to: Hack-
ettstown Chess Club. NS, NC. WCL JGP.
Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, 19th annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 6, Kings Chess Club Quads
Morning quads and afternoon quads, G/30, K-12, Bethlehem Church, 758
Route 10, Randolph, NJ 07869. EF: None. Reg.: 9-9:20 am., 1st rd. 9:40. Arr.
by noon to reg. only for afternoon quads. Medal to each quad winner. Info: Beth-
lehem Church 973-366-3434 or Bob McAdams 973-694-3988, rwm@fambright.
com.
NATIONAL OPEN
June 11-13 or June 12-13
Las Vegas
INTERNATIONAL CHESS
FESTIVAL
www.VegasChessFestival.com
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 6-7, New Jersey High School Chess Championships
5SS, G/90. Rutgers University - Rutgers Student Center, 126 College Avenue,
New Brunswick, NJ 08901. 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: $150-/team before
2/27. $185/team at site. $5 per change on site. Junior Varsity (9-12): 4 player
teams with one alternate allowed. Team avg. based on top 4 highest ratings.
Trophies to top 10 NJ teams. Trophies for top 3 players, boards 1-4. Rds.: Sat.
10-2-6, Sun. 10-2. EF: $120/team before 2/27, $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: $30 before 2/27, $37 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
birth, USCF ID# & exp. date, mailing address, email address, phone number
and entry fee. WCL JGP.
Mar. 7, Westfield Swiss #62 (QC)
Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. 5 SS game/15 (QC) full k. $425
Guaranteed $125, $60 U2100, U1850, U1600, U1350 $60 each. Entrance
Fee: $35, $25 Members. Reg.: 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-3:25-4:05-4:45-5:30
p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfieldchessclub.com.
Mar. 13, Princeton Day School
650 The Great Road. Plaques to top 3 school teams and top 6 in each section.
Medals to all players. Four sections for OVER 1000 begin at 10:15 and must
preregister: OVER 1600 (K-12), NEAR MASTERS (K-12 over 1400) and
FUTURE MASTERS (Players K-12 over 1200) G/60, 3 rds. CLOSED (K-12
1000-1200) G/45 4 rds. ALL OTHER SECTIONS. G/30 4 rds. beginning at 12:00
noon. (round times will be accelerated if possible): OPEN (Players K-12 U-1000),
RESERVE (K-12 U-800), NOVICE II (K-8 U-600), NOVICE I (unrated K-6), K-1
(unrated) NO SCORE K-1 (unrated). PARENTS OF PLAYERS rated G/30 3
rounds. Pre-registration online $35. On-site 11-12 noon $45. Info and regis-
ter online: www.pds.org/chess. Inquires to Bonnie Waitzkin Chessteach@
gmail.com.
Mar. 14, Westfield Quads
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street Westfield, NJ. $50 to first
in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m.
Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfield
chessclub.com.
Mar. 20, Jersey Shore K-12 Regionals
The Academy at Grace and Peace, 1563 Old Freehold Rd., Toms River, NJ
08755. All Sections open to K-12. Section A: U500, Section B: 500-1000,
Section C: 1000-1500, Section D: 1500+. Section A, B, C 4SS, G/30. Sec-
tion D: 3 Rounds, G/60. Trophies to Top 5 in each section, Medals to all
others. EF: $25 if recd by 3/13, $30 on site. Reg.: 9:00-9:45 AM. Rds.: 10:00
AM and ASAP. Info: John Burke, 908-705-7958 or johnpburke@yahoo.com. Ent:
Make checks payable to:The Academy at Grace and Peace. Please indicate USCF
ID# and section.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 20-21, First Only New Jersey State Championship
(Only for NJ Players and Past NJ Champs.) Dean of Chess Academy, 3150 US
Rt. 22, Branchburg, NJ. In 3-Sections: G$$2800. Only NJ Masters-Experts sec-
tion: 4SS, TC: 40/2hrs, SD/60. G$$: $500-300-200-100. Top Expert $100. Only
one Sat half point bye. Rds. Sat. 10am- 4:30pm, Sun. 9am-4pm. Only NJ Class
A-B section: (Only for 1600-1999) $300-200-100. Top Class B $100. Only NJ
Class C section: (Only U1600) $300-200-100. Top Class D, E, & F $100 each.
Lower Sections: 5SS, TC: G/100. Only 2 byes in rounds 1-4. Rds.: Sat: 10-2-6,
Sun: 11-3. Trophies: Top 3 each section, Top Expert, Class B, D, E, F & Unrated,
Senior age 65. & K-8. (Only rated players win cash) Early EF: Only Master-Exp:
Chess Life February 2010 65
 Tournament Life
$70, Other sections $65 if by 3/15. Past NJ Champs EF is $35 if early, but $80
at site: Please join online at entryfeesrus.com. On site EF: Master-Exp $80,
Lower sections $75. Cash only at site. Reg.: 3/20, 8am-9:45am. Hotel Sierra
is nearby and a great deal. Hotel Rates $89/free Breakfast. (908) 704-2191.
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING FEBRUARY 1-14
The playing hall accommodates Only 100 players, so the only the first 100 EFs
received will play. Ent: KenThomas, 115 West Moore Street, Hackettstown, NJ
07840-2233. Make checks payable to NJSCF. For info contact Ken,
acn@goes.com or (908)763-6468. Players and spectators cell phones & ear
covering are restricted. FIDE, NS, NC, W. WCL JGP.
Mar. 21, Westfield Spring Scholastic
Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. 3 Sections k-12 full k Open,
Under 1250, Under 750. Open Section 3 SS game/45 trophies to top five play-
ers in each section. Entrance Fee: $20, $15 Members at site $30, $25
Registration 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-4:25-6:05 p.m. Under 1250 4 SS
game/30 Trophies to top 5 in each section Entrance Fee: $20, $15 Members
at site $30, $25 Members. Registration 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-4:00-5:15-
6:30 p.m. Under 750 trophies to top five players in each section. Entrance Fee:
$20, $15 Members at site $30, $25. Registration: 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-
4:00-5:15-6:30 p.m. Tiebreaks for trophies Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163,
lunnaco@aol.com, www.westfieldchessclub.com. Send Advance Entries to:Todd
Lunna, 36 Maple Drive, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 by March 17th.
Mar. 27, Greater Cherry Hill Super Sunday Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 27, Super Scholastics Saturday Swiss K-8
Somerset Ramada Inn, 60 Cottontail Ln., Somerset, NJ Exit #12 off I-287. (In
4 Sections/& skittles) Trophies to top 5, others get medals/prizes. Hot Shots
(always U1700): 4SS G/45, $150-100-50, b/10. Checkmates (always U1300):
4SS G/45, $100-50 b/10, New Stars (always U1000): 5SS G/30, $100-50
b/10, Chess Pirates (always U600): 5SS G/30, $100-50 b/10. Players high-
est life time rating used. Rds.: 11am then ASAP, lunch break. EF: $27 mailed
by 03/22 or paid online, entryfeesrus.com. EF at site $35. Cash only. Reg.: before
10:45am. Ent: 115 W. Moore St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Info: Ken Thomas
acn@goes.com or 908-763-6468. NS, NC, W.
Mar. 28, Westfield Quads
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street Westfield, NJ. $50 to first
in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m.
Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163,
www.westfieldchessclub.com.
Mar. 31-Apr. 4, Apr. 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4, Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 16-18 or 17-18, Hartford Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
May 14-16 or 15-16, 18th annual New York State Open (NY)
See Grand Prix.
New York
Feb. 6, Syracuse University Winter Open
4SS Rds.: 1&2 G/60, Rds.: 3&4 G/90. Syracuse University, Carnegie Hall,
Rm. 222 (Fr 81N, Ex. 690E, Ex. 14, Son Teal to Columbus, L on E. Genesee, R.
Westcott, R. Euclid, to Park Check Pt, 3rd right. Fr 81S, Ex. E. Adams, R on E.
Adams, R on Comstock, R Euclid, to Park Check Pt, 3rd right). 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 (315) 436-9008. WCL JGP.
Feb. 13, Jenifer Woods Memorial Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 16, Marshall Masters (formerly the St. Johns Masters)
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 18, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
See Grand Prix.
66 Chess Life February 2010
Feb. 18-Mar. 25, FIDE Thursdays!!
6SS, G/120. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. Open to all players rated 1600
or above. EF: $50, $30 members. $$500 b/20: $175-125-100, U2000 $100; 2
byes OK, commit before Round 4. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7PM each Thursday;
FIDE rated. WCL JGP.
Feb. 19-Mar. 19, Queens Late Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 20, New York February Action!
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 20-21, 2010 Marchand Open - 32nd Annual
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 21, 11th Annual NY February Under 13 Open!
4-SS, G/30, open to all born after 2/21/97. Chess Center at Marshall Chess
Club, 23 West 10th St., bet. 5-6 Ave., NYC: 845-569-9969. May be limited to 1st
52 entries. 2 Sections. 1. Open, EF: $32 postmarked by 2/12/10. 2. Novice,
for Under 1000 or Unrated, EF: $31 mailed by 2/12. Both, EF: $30 online at
www.chesscenter.cc by 2/18, $35 by phone at 406-896-2191 by 2/18, $40
at site, Club members $10 less ($10 fee for refunds). Trophies to top 10, top
Unr, top 3 teams (top 3 scorers from same school) each section. 8 weeks free
entry to 1st, 4 weeks free to 2nd each section. Speed playoff for 4-0. Limit of
2 byes, commit by 11:30. On-site reg. ends 9:30 am. Rds 10-11:30-12:45-2 pm.
Ent: Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. List USCF ID,
rating, section, school/grade, DOB.
Feb. 21, Binghamton Monthly Tourney
FREE USCF ONLINE MEMBERSHIP ($34 VALUE, call for details) WITH
ENTRY FEE. 4 ROUND SS, GAME/60. Reg.: 8:45 AM to 9:00 AM. ENTRY: $35
Cash only on site. Please register in advance if possible. (Checks payable to
Cordiscos Corner Store.) Rounds: 9:15, 11:45, 2:15, 4:30. Prizes: b/14. Open
Section. 1st- $130, 2nd - $70, 3rd- $30.Trophies 1st - 3rd. Under 1700. 1st- $65,
2nd- $30. Trophies 1st - 4th. Please bring clocks. Cordiscos Chess Center, 308
Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901. (607) 772-8782. jcordisco@stny.rr.com.
Feb. 21, NEW Sunday Sliding Scale Quads!
3-RR, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W. 10th St., NYC: 212-
477-3716. EF: Master $35, Expert $30, A $25, U1800 $20. $$ (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. 21, Sunday Under 1400 Action!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at 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. $$200 b/20 paid: $100-
60-40, $60 limit to unr. Reg. ends 3:45 pm. Rds. 4-5:15-6:45-8 pm. No advance
entries.
Feb. 22-Mar. 22, 86th Nassau Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 22-Mar. 22, Marshall CC Under 1600 Monday Swiss
5SS, G/90. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300
b/20: $120-70-50, U1300 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7 PM each Monday.
Byes OK, limit 2, request by Rd. 3. WCL JGP.
Feb. 25, 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. 26-28, 4th annual Saratoga Open
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 27, 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-
11:45AM. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request at entry.
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 27-28, 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.Team prizes based on top 4 scores from
same school; no combined school teams allowed even if one school feeds
another. Teams of 2 or 3 players allowed, but are at a disadvantage. In 6 sec-
tions, each is a 6SS, G/60 except K-1 is 5SS, G/30 playing Feb 28 only. High
School, grades K-12. EF $38 mailed by 2/5. Top NYS grade 9-12 qualifies for
DenkerTournament of HS Champions. Junior High, grades K-9. EF $37.90 mailed
by 2/5. Elementary, grades K-6. EF $37.60 mailed by 2/5. Elementary Novice,
grades K-6 under 800 or unrated. EF $37.50 mailed by 2/5. Primary, grades
K-3. EF $37.30 mailed by 2/5. K-1, grades K-1. EF $37.10 mailed by 2/5.
Postmarked 2/6-16: All EF $10 more. Do not mail entry after 2/17. Online
at chesstour.com, all sections: EF $40 by 2/6, $50 by 2/22. No online entry
after 2/22. Phoned to 406-896-2038, all sections: $55 by 2/22. No phone
entry after 2/22. Entry at site: all $60. 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 2010 (Albany), to top player each section. Schedule: Late reg.
ends Sat 11 am, rds Sat 12-3-6, Sun 9-12-2:30. 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: $117-117, 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 Marriott, 2 blocks away, 518-226-0538. Special car
rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #657633. Mail entry: Continental
Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Include name, rating, USCF ID,
USCF expiration (non-members enclose dues), section, school, grade, birth date,
address of each player. Checks payable to Continental Chess. $15 per player
service charge for refunds. $10 extra to switch sections, all substitutions from
advance list charged $60. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Bring set,
board, clock if possible- none supplied.
Feb. 28, Grandmaster Challenge
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 2, Marshall CC New York Experts
Open to U2200 4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF:
$40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50. U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.:
7-8:15-9:30-10:45. One bye available, request at entry.
Mar. 3-31, Marshall CC Under 2000 Wednesday Swiss
5SS, 30/90,SD/1. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $40, members $20.
$$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7 PM each
Wednesday. Byes OK, limit 2, request by Round 3. WCL JGP.
Mar. 4, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (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. 5-7 or 6-7, 19th annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 6-7 or 7, Marshall March U2300
4SS, 30/90, SD/1. 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
12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, rds 12:30-5:30 PM each day; 1 day, (rds
1-2 G/30) 10-11:15 AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both merge rd.3. Limit 2 byes,
request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. may be limited to first 60 players. WCL JGP.
Mar. 6-27, 3rd Farmingdale CC March Swiss
4SS, G/140. Farmingdale Public Library, 116 Merritts Rd., Farmingdale, NY 11735.
Open to all U-2300/unr.: $: 100% of EFs to be returned as prizes! 1st: 35%,
2nd: 25%, Top U-1800, U-1500/unr. 20% each. EF: $20. Reg.: 9:15-9:45 AM.
No adv. ent. Rds.: 10:00 AM SHARP each Saturday. 2 byes 1-4. Info:
www.farmcc.webs.com. NS, W. WCL JGP.
Mar. 7, Rodeph Sholom Scholastic Chess Championship III
4-SS, G/30. 7 WEST 83 ST., NYC. 5 SECTIONS. BEGINNER (grades K-1 only)
Unrated Players Only. NOVICE (grades 2/below) U600. RESERVE (grades 2-
6 only) U500. PRIMARY (Grades 5/below) U1000. CHAMPIONSHIP/OPEN
(grades 12/below). AWARDS: Trophies to top 15 in each section. Top U400
NOVICE, U700 PRIMARY, U800 CHAMPIONSHIP. Special Prizes: Engraved dig-
ital chess clocks to: Top Player in each section, all 4-0 scores & Top Unrated
in Open Section. Engraved plaque to top UNR player in each section. High Scorer
trophy to all who score 2 and do not get into top 15. Engraved medals to all
others. Team Prizes: Trophies to top 4 teams in each section. Engraved digi-
tal chess clock to Top Team in each section. (Team score created by adding top
4 scores from same school). EARLY EF: $39 if received (postmarked by March
1). LATE EF: $45 Phoned, faxed or online thereafter until March 5, 5pm.
Onsite EF: $55. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rds.: All 10-11:30-12:45-2. Late entrants may
not be paired for the first round. Mail Entries: and make check payable to Tri-
State Chess, 1675 York Ave. #2M, N.Y. N.Y. 10128 Phone: (718) 645-5896 Fax:
(718) 535-7896 Online Entry: www.TriStateChess.com.
For details on
2010 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM EVENTS
East, North, South, West
See Nationals Section!
uschess.org
Mar. 7, The Chess Exchange Monthly Trophy Quads
1st Sunday every month. 3-RR, G/30,The Chess Exchange: Chess & Games Club,
288Third Ave., Bklyn, 718-645-5896. EF: $15 $$:Trophies to top 2 in each quad.
Reg.: ends 10 minutes before rd. 1. Rds.: 3-4:15-5:30.
Mar. 7, The Right Move #160 Team and Individual Championship
FREE EF.
4SS, G/30. Play starts promptly at 10:00. Players must check in by 9:15 A.M.
(Latecomers will not play in round one). Brandeis H.S., 145 W. 84th St., 10024
(near Columbus Ave., Manhattan, NYC). Open to gr. K-12. Five rated sections:
Open, Under 1700, Under 1200, Under 800, Under 600. (May renew or join
USCF at tournament). Non-member sections by grades: K-3, 4-6, 7-12.Trophies
to top 3 in each section except Open ($50, $30, $20 for 1st-3rd); medal to each
player with 2.5 or more points. Team plaque to 1st and 2nd each section, with
top 4 scores counting in each section (minimum 3 players on team in section).
To register: use website at www.therightmove.org or email - thechessstop@
aol.com or Fax to 718-455-2863 before 6:00PM on Fri. Give full name, school,
grade, USCF ID#, exp. date, and section. NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION.
Mar. 11, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (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. 13, Utica Four Seasons Fall
4SS Rds. 1-2: G/60, Rds. 3-4: G/90. Mohawk Valley Community College, Exit
31, I-90, bear left, South on E. Genesee, (2.6 miles), left on Memorial Highway
(2.3 miles), left Sherman, right into MVCC, IT Building. 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. WCL JGP.
Mar. 13-14 or 14, March Open
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 16, Marshall Masters (formerly the St. Johns Masters)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 18, 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. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
10 min. before game.
Mar. 20, Marshall CC Saturday G/60
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($360 b/24)
$120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
11:15-11:45AM. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request
at entry.
Mar. 21, Grandmaster Challenge
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 25, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 27, Greater Cherry Hill Super Sunday Grand Prix (NJ)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 27, Prove Your Point!
3-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W. 10th St., NYC: 212-477-
3716. EF: $20. 3-0 wins $40, 2.5 wins $20, 2 wins $10. Reg ends 7:20 pm. Rds.
7:30-8:30-9:30.
Mar. 27-28 or 29, New York March Open!
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 28, Connecticut State Chess Association K-6 Scholastic State
Championship (CT)
See Connecticut.
Mar. 29-Apr. 26, Marshall CC Under 1600 Monday Swiss
5SS, G/90. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300
b/20: $120-70-50, U1300 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7 PM each Monday.
Byes OK, limit 2, request by Rd. 3. WCL JGP.
Mar. 31-Apr. 4, Apr. 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4, Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 1, Fools Rush In Tonight!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Fools Paradise, 23 W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 40 entries. EF $2. Everyone wins a
prize! Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry very foolish!
Apr. 1-May 6, Marshall CC Thursday Members-Only Swiss
6SS, G/120. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to members only. EF: $30.
$$500 b/20: $175-125-100, U2000 $100. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm eachThurs-
day Byes ok, limit 3, request before round 4. WCL JGP.
Apr. 3-4 or 4, Marshall April Open
4SS, 30/90, SD1. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $45,
Members $25. ($360 b/24) $120-70-50, U2000/unr $65, U1700 $55. Reg.: ends
11:50am. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day; 1-day, (rds
1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd 3. Limit 2 byes,
request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 players. WCL JGP.
Apr. 4 Connecticut State Chess Association K-8 State Open Cham-
pionship (CT)
See Connecticut.
Apr. 6, New York Experts
Open to U2200 4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF:
$40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.:
7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, request at entry.
Apr. 7-May 5, Marshall CC Under 2000 Wednesday Swiss
5SS, 30/90, SD/1. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $40, members $20.
$$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7 PM each
Wednesday. Byes OK, limit 2, request by Round 3. WCL JGP.
Apr. 8, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (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.
Apr. 10, NY April Under 1600!
4-SS, G/50, open to U1600 or unr. Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W.
10th St, bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 845-569-9969. EF $40, Club members $25, speci-
fied Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. May be limited to 1st 26
entries. $$ (300 b/20 paid): 150-70-30, top U1300 $50, $70 limit to unr. Limit
2 byes, commit by 2:30. Reg. ends 15 min before game. Rds. 12:30-2:30-4:30-
6:30 pm. CCA Ratings may be used. Online entry at www.chesscenter.cc thru
4/8. $10 extra to enter by phone!
Apr. 10, Prove Your Point!
3-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W. 10th St., NYC: 212-477-
3716. EF $20. 3-0 wins $40, 2.5 wins $20, 2 wins $10. Reg ends 7:20 pm. Rds.
7:30-8:30-9:30.
Apr. 10-11 or 11, NY April Under 2300!
4-SS, 30/90, SD/1. Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet
5-6 Ave., NYC: 845-569-9969. EF $40, Club members $25, specified Greater NY
Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-50, top U2000 $95,
U1800 $85. Reg. ends 15 min. before game. 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 by rd 2. Re-entry $20, counts half. Class pair-
ings OK rd 4. Online entry at www.chesscenter.cc thru 4/8. $10 extra to
enter by phone! WCL JGP.
Apr. 11, 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!
Apr. 25, Connecticut State Chess Association K-12 & UCONN School
of Engineering High School $14,000 Scholarship State Open Cham-
pionship (CT)
See Connecticut.
May 14-16 or 15-16, 18th annual New York State Open
See Grand Prix.

CHECK OUT USCFS CORRESPONDENCE CHESS RATED EVENTS

USCFs 63rd ANNUAL USCFs 7th ANNUAL

2010 Open Correspondence Chess 2010 E-mail Correspondence Chess
Golden Knights Championship Electronic Knights Championship
$1,000 First Prize (Seven-player sections, one game with each of six opponents.)
(plus title of USCFs Golden Knights Champion and plaque) $700 First Prize
2nd place $600 3rd place $400 4th place $300 5th place (plus title of USCFs Electronic Knights Champion and plaque)
$200 6th thru 10th place $100 each. Entry fee: $25. 2nd place $400 3rd place $300 4th thru 10th place $100
each. Entry fee: $25.
These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF
members who reside on the North American continent, islands, or Hawaii, These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF
as well as those USCF members with an APO or FPO address. USCF members with e-mail access. Your USCF membership must remain
members who reside outside of the North American continent are welcome current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S.
to participate in e-mail events. Your USCF membership must remain dollars.
current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. Maximum number of tournament entries allowed for the year for each
dollars. Those new to USCF Correspondence Chess, please estimate your player is ten.
strength: Class A: 1800-1999 (very strong); Class B: 1600-1799 (strong); Note: Prize fund based on 200 entries and may be decreased propor-
Class C: 1400-1599 (intermediate); Class D: 1399 and below (beginner level).
tionately per number of entries assigned.
Note: Prize fund based on 300 entries and may be decreased proportion-
ately per number of entries assigned.

Correspondence Chess Matches (two players)
$5 entry fee per person with two, four or six-
game options.
Win A Correspondence Chess Trophy
Four-player, double round-robin with class-level
pairings. 1st-place winner receives a trophy.
Entry fee: $10.
Victor Palciauskas Prize Tournaments
Seven-player class-level pairings, one game with
each of six opponents. Players must have a USCF
CC rating to enter. 1st-place winner receives
$130 cash prize and a certificate signed by Victor
Palciauskas.
Entry fee: $25.
John W. Collins Memorial Class Tournaments
Four-player, double round-robin with class-level
pairings (unrateds welcome). 1st-place winner
receives a John W. Collins certificate.
Entry fee: $7.
E-mail Rated Events (need e-mail access):
Lightning Match Two players with two, four or
To Enter: 800903USCF (8723), Fax 9317871200
six-game option. Entry fee $5 per person.
Swift Quads Four-player, double round-robin Name_________________________________________
or on-line www.uschess.org
format. 1st-place prize merchandise credit of $30.
Entry fee: $10. USCF ID# ____________________________________
Walter Muir E-Quads (webserver chess) Address ________________ City _________________
Four-player, double round-robin e-mail format
tournament with class-level pairings. 1st-place State ___ ZIP __________Phone _________________
receives a certificate.
Entry fee: $7. E-mail___________________ Est. Rating _________
Express Tournament Credit card # (VISA, MC, Discover, AMEX)
Seven-player events, one game with each of six __________________________ Exp. date __________
opponents.
Prizes: 1st place $30 merchandise credit, 2nd If using VISA, need V-code ___________________
place $20 credit.
Entry fee: $15. Check here if you do not wish to have an
Please circle event(s) selected.
opponent who is incarcerated. *Note: This may
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 February 2010 67

 Tournament Life

June 11-13 or 12-13, 7th annual Vermont Spring Open (VT)
See Grand Prix.
June 25-27, 2nd annual World Open Senior Amateur (PA)
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING FEBRUARY 1-14
Mar. 13, 9th Annual Queen City Classic Chess Tournament
5SS, G/30. Paul Brown Stadium, Club West, Downtown Cincinnati, OH. 17
School Sections, includes rated and non-rated. Grade K Non-Rated, Grade
1 Non-Rated, Grade 2 Non-rated, Grade 3 Non-rated, Grades K-3<600, Grades
between Tulsa or Okla. City (see www.okchess.org for details). 3-SS.
G/55(+15). View Acres Baptist Church, 2327 S. 65th W. Ave., Tulsa. EF: $25,
cash or check, at site only. Free EF for players rated 2000+ (deducted from
their prize winnings, if any). Reg.: 8:30-9:20. OCF mem. encouraged ($10). Rds.:

See Pennsylvania.
June 26-27, 2nd annual World Open Girls Championship (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
June 26-27, World Open Under 13 Championship (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
North Carolina
Feb. 20, TACO LIX
3-SS, G/90. Caraleigh Fellowship Hall, 118 Summit Ave., Raleigh, NC. EF: $21
(recd by 2/18)/$25 at site. Prize fund: $$640 b/40. OPEN: $120-$60 u2000:
$60, U1800: $100-$50 u1600 $50, U1400: $100-$50 u1200 $50. Reg.: 9-9:45.
Rds.: 10-1:45-5. NCCA reqd $5 OSA. Info: http://raleighchess.freewebpages.
org/taco.html. Jeff Jones (919)270-9948. kwyjibo924@aol.com.
Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, 2010 U.S. Masters
See Nationals.
Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, N.C. Sub-Masters
9SS, 40/2,SD/30 .Hendersonville, NC. $$1670 b/50. Rds.: Concurrent with U.S.
Masters. EF: $50 by Feb 13, $55 by Mar 9, $60 at site. HR: Quality Inn & Suites,
201 Sugarloaf Rd., Hendersonville NC 28792. $60 or $68/night with hot break-
fast, indoor pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and mini-golf. 800-581-4745, www.qualityinn-
suiteshvl.com. Info and entry: Kevin Hyde, 705 Old Mountain Page Rd., Saluda,
NC 28773. hyde@ioa.com www.ncchess.org. WCL JGP.
Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, Sub-Sub-Masters RBO
9SS, 40/2,SD/30. Hendersonville, NC. Rated U1000 or unrated. Plaque to 1st.
Rds.: Concurrent with U.S. Masters. EF: $10. Info and entry: Kevin Hyde, 705
Old Mountain Page Rd., Saluda, NC 28773. hyde@ioa.com www.ncchess.org.
WCL JGP.
Mar. 20, TACO LX
3-SS, G/90. Caraleigh Fellowship Hall, 118 Summit Ave., Raleigh, NC. EF: $21
(recd by 3/18)/$25 at site. Prize fund: $$640 b/40. OPEN: $120-$60 u2000:
$60, U1800: $100-$50 u1600 $50, U1400: $100-$50 u1200 $50. Reg.: 9-9:45.
Rds.: 10-1:45-5. NCCA reqd $5 OSA. Info: http://raleighchess.freewebpages.
K-3 Open, Grade 4 Non-Rated, Grade 5 Non-Rated, Grade 6 Non-Rated, Grades
4-6<700, Grades 4-6 Open, Grades 7-9 Non-Rated, Grades 7-9<900, Grades
7-9 Open, Grades 10-12 Non-Rated, K-12 Open, Collegiate. USCF membership
is not required for the non-rated and K-3 rated sections. Registration form online
at www.queencityclassic.org. Prizes: Trophies to all who score 3.5 points or
higher, top five team trophies awarded medals to all others. EF: $35 early bird
fee which includes lunch, t-shirt, program/score book, medal, simul partic-
ipation. Registration fee increases to $50 after February 16. Registration
closes Wednesday, March 10, 2010. NO SATURDAY REGISTRATIONS.
Checks, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and AmEx accepted. Schedule: Friday,
March 12, early check in from 4-6 p.m. FREE SIMUL at 6:30 p.m. for tourna-
ment participants, $20 for non-participants. SIMUL features International
Master Irina Krush, International Grandmasters Maurice Ashley and Gregory
Kaidanov and special guests. Saturday, March 13, check in 7- 8:30 a.m.,
matches begin at 9:00 a.m. Grandmasters will be available for questions and
instructions in the skittles room all day Saturday. Entry/Info: Queen City Clas-
sic Chess Tournament, 5400 Kennedy Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45213. 1.866.
772.4377, 513.924.5038 or fax to 513.352.9370. Confirm all registrations at
www.cpu-solutions.com.
Mar. 13, Toledo Mar Swiss
Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90.The University ofToledo Health Science
Campus, Mulford Library Basement Caf, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, Ohio
43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 3/11 $25 at site.
Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50, 1st Class A
,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd.,
Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450. WCL JGP.
Apr. 10, Toledo Apr Swiss
Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90.The University ofToledo Health Science
Campus, Mulford Library Basement Caf, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, Ohio
43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 4/8 $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.
Apr. 16-18, 2010 All Girls National Championship presented by
9:30, 12:30, 3:00. Prizes: 1st $100 (G), plus class prizes per entries plus
Series Prizes: $7.50 from each EF goes to a series prize fund to be distrib-
uted at end of series. Info: tom.braunlich@cox.net. NS. W.
Feb. 13-15, Jerry Hanken FIDE Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 6, Sooner Chess Series #2
(sponsored by the Challengers Chess Club of Oklahoma City) Second of
10 one-day events held the first Saturday each month alternating betweenTulsa
or Okla. City (see www.okchess.org for details). 3-SS. G/55(+15). Episcopal
Church of the Resurrection, 13112 N. Rockwell Ave., Oklahoma City. 73142
(located on the east side of Rockwell Ave., 1/2 mile south of John Kilpatrick
Tpke/Memorial Road and 1/2 mile north of NW 122nd St). EF: $25, cash or
check, at site only. Free EF for players rated 2000+ (deducted from their prize
winnings, if any). Reg.: 8:30-9:20. OCF mem. optional ($10). Rds.: 9:30, 12:30,
3:00. Prizes: 1st $100 (G), plus class prizes per entries - plus Series Prizes:
$7.50 from each EF goes to a series prize fund to be distributed at end of series.
Info: jtloki@gmail.com. NS. W.
A Heritage Event!
Mar. 13-14, 25th Annual Phillips 66 Chess Classic (FIDE Rated)
4 round Swiss, time controls: primary - 40 moves/2 hours, secondary 30 min-
utes/game. Registration limited to first 48 players. Advance registration
recommended by March 6th. On-site registration (if available) from 8:30 to 9:30
AM. Entry fee: $100/person. OCF membership required ($10). 100% of entries
returned as prize fund. Woolaroc Events Center, highway 123 south of
Bartlesville, OK. Rounds: Sat. 11 & 5, Sun. 9 & 2. Brunch served Saturday
and Sunday. Dinner served Saturday. (no charge). Free entry to Woolaroc.
Hotel: Microtel Inn, 2696 SE Washington Blvd., $55/single, $64/double, free
continental breakfast, (918) 333-2100. Entries to: Steve Wharry, 8409 N. 70th
East Ave., Owasso, OK 74055, phone: (918) 376-9698, email:
p66@smwharry.net. See: www.okchess.org or www.smwharry.net/Woolaroc.
htm for more details. WCL JGP.
Pennsylvania
North Penn Chess Club

Main & Richardson, Lansdale, PA. See www.npchess

org/taco.html. Jeff Jones (919)270-9948. kwyjibo924@aol.com. the Kasparov Chess Foundation in association with the USCF and

club.org for schedules & info or call 215-699-8418.

Ohio
Feb. 20-21, Mid-Ohio Super Tournament
5 Round Swiss, G/90. Mansfield YMCA, 750 Scholl Rd., Mansfield, Ohio 44902.
To be split into sections according to entries. Open Section, Under 2200,
U2000, U1800, U1600 U1400 U1200. Prizes will be the same in all sections based
on Entries. 70% to players. Reg. ends 9:30 a.m. Feb. 20th, Rds at 10 a.m. 1:15
p.m. 4:30 p.m. Feb. 21st, 10:a.m. 1:15p.m. Enter in Advance $30.00. At Door
$35.00.TD. Carl R. Boor, 244 S. Adams St., Mansfield, Ohio 44902, 419-566-4029.
WCL JGP.
UTD.
See Nationals.
Apr. 23-25 or 24-25, 9th Southern Class Championships (TN) Every Saturday Lehigh Valley Super Quads and G/10 (QC)
See Grand Prix.
(NO QUADS OR BLITZ ON LVCA GRAND PRIX DATES LISTED IN CHESS LIFE)
June 25-29, 4th annual Philadelphia International (PA) G/40 Quads, 3-RR. Reg.: 1p. St. James Church, 11th &Tilghman Sts., Allentown,
See Grand Prix. PA 18102. G/10 Swiss, 5-SS. Info: bdavis@lehighvalleychess.org,
www.lehighvalleychess.org/.
Oklahoma A State Championship Event!
Feb. 6, Sooner Chess Series #1 Feb. 6, 2010 PA State Amateur Team Championship
First of 10 one-day events held the first Saturday each month alternating 4SS, G/75. William Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh,

PLAN AHEAD for 2010 !

NEW:
U.S. Girls Junior Open Championship

Tournament of College Champions

Denker Tournament
of High School Champions
All three tournaments above held
July 31-Aug. 3, 2010
Irvine, California

U.S. Open
July 31-Aug. 8, Aug. 3-8 or Aug. 5-8, 2010
Irvine, California

More details to be announced

in March 2010 Chess Life!

68 Chess Life February 2010 uschess.org

PA 15213. 4-player teams, average rating U2200, alternates allowed. EF:
$60/team by 1/29, $80 later. $$ (700 b/16 teams): $250-100, U2000 $95, U1800
$90, U1600 $85, U1400 $80. Reg.: 9-9:30 Rds.: 10-1-4-7. PSCF $5, OSA.
Ent/Info: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223, 412-
908-0286, martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com. W. WCL JGP.
Feb. 19, Friday Night Action #14
4SS, G/30. Belmont Park Classroom, 200 Anderson Road, King of Prussia, PA
19406. Sections: Open, U/1400. EF: $30 online by noon the day of the event;
$10 more on-site 6:30-6:45; $10 less for players under 18. Rds.: 7:00, then ASAP.
Prizes: $100 to 1st overall; others per entries. Register at www.silverknights
chess.com. Registration limited to first 30 players.
Feb. 20, 2010 Presidents Week LVCA Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 21, PCL February Quick Quads (QC)
3RR, G/15. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & Bigelow, Pittsburgh,
PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-11:15am, Rds.: 11:30am-
Noon-12:30pm. Info: martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com, 412-908-0286. W.
Feb. 27, Scranton Winter Open
4R SS, Gm/40. Clarion Hotel, 300 Meadow Ave., Scranton, PA (Exit 184 off I-
81). $$ (b/20), $125, $75, U1800 -$50, U1400/unr -$40 Upset prize, & door prize.
EF: $25 rec. by Feb.26, $30 at site. Reg.: 8:30 - 9:45am. Rds.: 10, 11:30, 1:30
& 3. 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. 27, State Warm-Up
4SS, G/30. Mother of Divine Providence School, 405 Allendale Road, King of
Prussia, PA 19406. Sections: K-6 U/700, K-12 Champ. EF: $22 online by 2/24;
$27 online by noon 2/26; $35 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10:00, then ASAP.
Prizes: trophies to top individuals & schools. Free game analysis by NM Peter
Minear. See www.silverknightschess.com to register, or for information about
sections for unrated players.
Mar. 5, 2010 PA Quick Chess Championship (QC)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 6, W.Chester 1st Sat. Quads
Our 21st 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.
Mar. 6-7, 2010 Carlisle Open & PA Collegiate Championship
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 6-7, 2010 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 3/6 & 7 unless
indicated): EF: K-3 Open: (Sat 3/6 only) $29. K-6 U800: (Sat 3/6 only) $27.
K-9 U1000: (Sun 3/7 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 2/16, $10 more recd 2/17-3/2, $20 more after 3/2. Feb 2010 ratings
used. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd 2. Reg Fri 3/5 6-10 pm, Sat 3/6 9:30-10:15 am,
Saturday at site entries get 1/2-bye. $5 charge for changes/refund after
2/16. Rds (Sat 3/6 1-day sections): G/40T/D5; 10-11:45-2-3:45-5:30; (Sun 3/7
K-9 U1000): G/40, T/D5; 9-10:30-12:30-2-3:30; (2-day sections): G/90, T/D5;
10-2-5:30, 9-1. Bughouse: Reg on-site only until Sat 3/6 8:30pm. Rds begin
Sat 3/6 8:45pm. EF: $20/team. 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. WCL JGP in 2-Day sections.
Mar. 20, 2010 March LVCA Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 20, 2010 PA State Game/29 Championship (QC)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 20, Greater Philadelphia Scholastic Championships
Radnor Middle School, 150 Louella Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087. Sections: K-1,
K-3, K-6, K-8, K-12. Time Control: K-1, K-3, K-6 5SS, G/30; K-8, K-12 4SS, G/60.
EF: $30 online by 3/17; $35 by noon 3/19; $40 on-site if at least 30 minutes
before round 1. Rds.: K-1, K-3, K-6 10-11:05-12:30-1:45-3:00, awards ceremony
at 4:00; K-8, K-12 10-12:30-2:35-3:40, awards ceremony at 5:40. Prizes: tro-
phies to top individuals & schools. All players in K-1, K-3, and K-6 sections get
trophies. Free game analysis by NM Peter Minear. Winner of K-12 is seeded
into Greater Philadelphia Junior Invitational. See www.silverknightschess.com
to register.
Mar. 21, PCL March 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. 26, Friday Night Action #15
4SS, G/30. Belmont Park Classroom, 200 Anderson Road, King of Prussia, PA
19406. Sections: Open, U/1400. EF: $30 online by noon the day of the event;
$10 more on-site 6:30-6:45; $10 less for players under 18. Rds.: 7:00, then ASAP.
Prizes: $100 to 1st overall; others per entries. Register at www.silverknights
chess.com. Registration limited to first 30 players.
Mar. 27, Greater Cherry Hill Super Sunday Grand Prix (NJ)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 31-Apr. 4, Apr. 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4, Philadelphia Open
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 11, PCL April 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.
Apr. 29-May 27, 2010 Hatboro Open
See Grand Prix.
June 25-27, 2nd annual World Open Senior Amateur
5SS, 40/2, SD/1. Valley Forge Convention Plaza (see World Open). Open to all
born before 6/28/60 and rated under 2010 or unrated. Prizes: $2000 based
on 35 entries, else in proportion except $1000 minimum guaranteed: $500-250-
125, Under 1810 $300-150, Under 1610/Unr $250-125, Under 1410 $200-100.
EF: $68 mailed by 6/16, $70 online at chesstour.com by 6/23, $75 phoned to
406-896-2038 by 6/23, $80 at site. Reg. ends 6:30 pm 6/25, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat
11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. Byes: OK all, limit 2 byes if 1810/over, limit 1 bye oth-
erwise, must commit before rd 2. Special USCF dues: see chesstour.com. HR
& Ent: See World Open.
June 25-29, 4th annual Philadelphia International
See Grand Prix.
June 26-27, 2nd annual World Open Girls Championship
5SS, G/90. Valley Forge Convention Plaza (see World Open).Open to all girls
born after 6/28/92.Trophies to top 5, 1st C, D, E, Under 1000, Under 800,
Unrated; free entry in all CCA Swiss tournaments 7/15/10-12/31/10 to 1st.
EF: $41 mailed by 6/16, $43 online at chesstour.com by 6/23, $45 phoned to
406-896-2038 by 6/23, $50 at site. Late reg. 9 to 9:30 am 6/26, rds. Sat 10-
2-6, Sun 10-2. One half point bye allowed, must commit before rd 2. HR & Ent:
See World Open. WCL JGP.
June 26-27, World Open Under 13 Championship
6SS, G/65. Valley Forge Convention Plaza (see World Open). Open to all born
after 6/28/97. Trophies to top 5, 1st C, D, E, Under 1000, Under 800, Unrated;
free entry in all CCA Swiss tournaments 7/15/09-12/31/09 to 1st. EF: $42
mailed by 6/16, $43 online at chesstour.com by 6/23, $45 phoned to 406-896-
2038 by 6/23, $50 at site. Reg. 6/26 9 to 10:30 am, rds. Sat. 11-2-5, Sun. 10-1-4.
One half point bye allowed, must commit before rd 2. HR & Ent: See World Open.
WCL JGP.
June 26, 28, 30, World Open G/65
4SS, G/65, separate event each day. Valley Forge Convention Plaza (see World
Open). Open to under 2050 or unrated. EF: $40. Prizes $500 based on 16 entries,
otherwise raised or lowered in proportion: Top 2 $150-80, Under 1800 $100,
Under 1550 $90, Under 1300 $80. Reg: 9-9:45 am each day, Rds: 10-1-3:30-
6. Ent: at site only, no checks. WCL JGP.
June 27, 29, World Open G/30
5SS, G/30, separate event each day. Valley Forge Convention Plaza (see World
Open). Open to under 2150 or unrated. EF: $40. Prizes $500 based on 16 entries,
otherwise raised or lowered in proportion: Top 2 $150-80, Under 1900 $100,
Under 1650 $90, Under 1400 $80. Reg: 9-9:45 am each day, Rds: 10-11:30-1-
2:30-4. Ent: at site only, no checks.
June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, 38th Annual World Open
See Grand Prix.
July 1, World Open G/20 (QC)
5SS, G/20. Valley Forge Convention Plaza (see World Open). Open to under 2200
or unrated. EF: $40. Prizes $500 based on 16 entries, otherwise raised or low-
ered in proportion: Top 2 $150-80, Under 1950 $100, Under 1700 $90, Under
1450 $80. Reg: 9-9:45 am each day, rds. 10-11-12-1:30-2:30. One half point bye
allowed, must commit before rd 2. Ent: at site only, no checks. Quick rated, but
higher of quick or regular rating used for pairings & prizes.
Rhode Island
Feb. 20, 106th Rhode Island Pawn Eater
4SS, G/60. RI College, Providence, RI. Sections & Prizes: $500 b/40: OPEN,
U1900, U1500. EF: $25 by 2/18, $30 at site. REGISTER ONLINE (Paypal) at:
www.rhodeislandchess.org NO EMAIL ENTRIES. Reg.: 9-9:30, Rd 1 at 9:30
prompt. Entries after 9:30 get 1/2 point bye. Ent: RI Chess, P.O. Box 15444, River-
side, RI 02915. Site tel. (401) 837-1302. NS, NC, W.
Feb. 27 & Mar. 13, BK Tmt for kids
Register online website: www.richess.org, email: rhodeislandchess@yahoo.
com. (401) 359-1602.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 27, R.I. Scholastic State Championship
Open to Out Of State Players. All Sections USCF Rated. Individual & team tro-
phies for top 3 in each section. K-4, Gr 5-6, Gr 7-8, Gr. 9-12. EF $20 advance
by 3/14, $25 by 3/19, $40 at site. Register online: www.richess.org email:
rhodeislandchess@yahoo.com. Phone: (401) 359-1602.
Mar. 28, Connecticut State Chess Association K-6 Scholastic State
Championship (CT)
See Connecticut.
Apr. 4 Connecticut State Chess Association K-8 State Open Cham-
pionship (CT)
See Connecticut.
Apr. 25, Connecticut State Chess Association K-12 & UCONN School
of Engineering High School $14,000 Scholarship State Open Cham-
pionship (CT)
See Connecticut.
Tennessee
Feb. 27, Pre-Spring Special
3 sections: G/60 (4 rds) and G/30 (7 rds) and U1200 G/45 (5 rds), EF: $20 ($15
MCC members) 1st G/30-$100; 1st G/60-$100 guaranteed prizes. U1200: Tro-
phies to Top 3. Free blitz tournament for all entries after last rd! ($10 for blitz
only), unrated g/5, trophy for 1st. Registration 2/27: 8-9:30am. Rounds
(G/60): 10-1-3-5. Rounds (G/30): 10-11-1-2-3-4-5. Rounds (G/45): 10 and as
soon as possible. Site: Hampton Inn, 962 South Shady Grove Rd., Memphis,
TN 38120. Hotel reservations: (901) 762-0056. Entries: Memphis Chess Club
Inc., PO Box 17864, Memphis, TN 38187-0864. www.memphischess.com, gpy-
lant@gmail.com.
Mar. 19-21 or 20-21, 14th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 27, Jack Smith Memorial 6
Two sections: (Open 4SS, G/60) and (U1200 5SS, G/45), EF: $20 (MCC mem-
bers $15), Prizes: $200 in prizes guaranteed! 1st $150, top U1600: $50,
U1200:Trophies to top 3. Site: Hampton Inn, 962 South Shady Grove Rd., Mem-
phis, TN 38120. Hotel reservations: (901) 762-0056. Registration (3/27)
8-9:30am. Rounds: Open 10-1-3-5, U1200 10 etc. Entries: Memphis Chess Club
Inc., PO Box 17864, Memphis, TN 38187-0864. www.memphischess.com, gpy-
lant@gmail.com.
Apr. 23-25 or 24-25, 9th Southern Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
Texas
Feb. 12-14, South Houston Open
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 19-21, 2010 Texas State Scholastic Championships
7SS. Sheraton Dallas North (Formerly Adams Mark), 400 North Olive Street,
Dallas,TX 75201. HR: $105-$105-$105-$105, 888-627-8191, MentionTexas Chess
Association to get Hotel Chess Rate. One night deposit may be required by Hotel.
Four championships in one great location: TX Primary Scholastic Champi-
onships; TX Elementary Scholastic Championships; TX Middle School
Scholastic Championships; TX High School Scholastic Championships.
EF: $39 by 2/11; $69 after 2/11 or on site. February Rating Supplement will
be used. Current USCF membership required (may be obtained on site). On Site
Registration: Friday, 7-9pm, Saturday, 7-7:45am. Saturday registrants may
receive a 1st Rd. 1/2-pt. bye. One 1/2-pt. bye (for any round) allowed if
requested by the end of Rd. 2. Sections: K-1 Championship, Primary (K-3) Cham-
pionship, Primary JV (K-3 w/Ratings Under 700), Elementary (K-5/6)
Championship, Elementary JV (K-5/6 Under 800), Elementary Novice (K-5/6
Under 500), Middle School (6-8/9) Championship, MS JV (6-8/9 Under 900),
MS Novice (6-8/9 Under 600), High School (9-12) Championship, HS JV (9-12
Under 1000). See Article IX, Section 1E, TCA Bylaws for each sections eligi-

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 available in Rounds 1 through 3.
C: Computers allowed.
CC: Chess club.
EF: Entry fee.
Enhanced Grand Prix points (see previous
page).
Ent: Where to mail entries.
FIDE: Results submitted to FIDE for possible
rating.
G/: Game in. For instance, G/75 means each
side has 75 minutes for the entire game.
GPP: Grand Prix Points available.
HR: Hotel rates. For example, 60-65-70-75 means
$60 single, $65 twin, $70/3 in room, $75/4 in
room.
ond day.
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 sec-
tions can play for the learning experience.
OSA: Other states accepted. Refers to state
dues.
PPHBF: Professional Players Health and Bene-
fits 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-
Reg: Registration at site.
RR: Round robin (preceded by number of rounds).
S: Smoking allowed.
SASE: For more info, send self-addressed
stamped envelope.
SD/: Sudden-death time control (time for rest of
game follows). For example, 30/90, SD/1 means
each player must make 30 moves in 90 minutes,
then complete the rest of the game in an hour.
Section: A division of a tournament, usually
excluding players above a specified rating. Play-
ers 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.

uschess.org Chess Life February 2010 69

 Tournament Life
bility requirement, www.texaschess.org/2007/03/bylaws.html. Also
www.swchess.com also has eligibility rules. Four-year scholarship to The
University of Texas at Dallas to winner of High School Championship sec-
tion. Winner must meet UTD entrance requirement and follow team rules. UTD
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING FEBRUARY 1-14
is sole judge as to who wins the scholarship.Trophies for top 20 individuals and
top 15 teams in each section plus participation medals for all, and plus Score
Awards for players scoring 4 or more points that do not win an individual tro-
phy. Schedule: Round times vary depending on the Championship;Time control
also varies. For round times and time control, see: www.swchess.com. Side
Events: Blitz Tourney: K-6 and K-12, Friday 8pm. EF: $15. Trophies to top 15
Individual in each section. Bughouse Tourney: K-6 and K-12, Saturday,
8:35pm. EF: $20 Team (On site registration only). trophies to top 10 teams in
each section. All registrations (except Bughouse) available on line: see
www.swchess.com and you can download flyers and entry forms. Checks
payable to Dallas Chess Club. Mail entries to Dallas Chess Club, c/o Barbara
Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. For tournament info, visit
our website or contact Barbara Swafford, info@dallaschess.com or 214-632-
9000. Refunds will be given only up to 2/17 with a $10 surcharge for
withdrawing, after 2/17 there will be no refunds. There will be no substitution
of team members.There will be a $10 change fee for changes after 2/17.There
will be a $5 surcharge per player for phone registrations USCF membership
is required. Proof of membership is required or player must join/renew their
memberships. No registration/changes/or withdrawals after 2/17/10. After
that date you must make changes at site (Sheraton Dallas North). Chess In Edu-
cation Conference for coaches, teachers and administrators, contact
Russell.Harwood@utb.edu for more info. NS, NC, W.
Feb. 20-21, Texas
Southwest Collegiate Championships
(Correction, not a GP event as was published in Jan. CL.) 5-SS, G/90 with 30
sec inc. Sheraton Dallas North (Formerly Adams Mark), 400 North Olive Street,
Dallas,TX 75201. HR: $105-$105-$105-$105, 888-627-8191, MentionTexas Chess
Association to get Hotel Chess Rate. One night hotel deposit may be required.
Open to any college student or team. Top 4 count for team score. USCF mem-
bership required. EF: $49 by 2/11/10, $69 thereafter. Dont mail after 2/14,
entry may not be received. Online/Credit Card registration link at
www.swchess.com. Note that active.com charges a small fee. Reg.: Fri 7-9 pm,
Sat 7-7:45am. Saturday registrants may receive a 1st rd. 1/2 pt. bye. One 1/2
pt. bye allowed if requested by end of rd. 2. Rds.: Sat 9-1:30-6, Sun 9-1:45. $$
$500-$250-$125, 1st U2000 $150, 1st U1600 $150, 1st U1200 $150, Unrated
eligible for U1200 prize. Plaques to top 10 Individuals, Plaques to top 5Teams.
Open Blitz Tourney: Open, Fri 2/19, 8:00 pm, $10, $$ Plaques to Top 5 indi-
vidual. Ent: Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. (Make
Checks payable to Dallas Chess Club. One check can be sent for multiple play-
ers.) Entries must include name, USCF ID or new/pending (include a copy of
the receipt), rating, USCF expiration date & school. All incomplete registrations
will be charged the late EF, additionally there will be a $5 per player surcharge
on registration received without payment, these players could possibly not be
paired for round 1 and not be paired until payment is received. Refunds will
be given only up to 2/17 with a $10 surcharge for withdrawing, after 2/17 there
will be no refunds. There will be no substitution of team members. There will
be a $10 change fee for changes after 2/17. There will be a $5 surcharge per
player for phone registrations. USCF membership is required. Proof of mem-
bership is required or player must join/renew their memberships. No
registration/ changes/or withdrawals after 2/17/10. After that date you must
make changes at site (Sheraton Dallas North). February Supplement will be used.
Chess In Education Conference for coaches, teachers and administrators,
contact Russell.Harwood@utb.edu for more info. Tournament Info: Barbara
Swafford, 214.632.9000 please do not call after 2/17, info@dallaschess.com.
Website: www.swchess.com. NS. NC. W. FIDE. WCL JGP.
Mar. 6, Steven Grubbs Memorial
5SS, G/30. Student Union Galaxy Rooms at The University of Texas at Dallas,
800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080. Three rated sections
Opened to all in grades preK - 12th. HS/MS(K-12), Elem (K-6), Primary(K-
3). One Not Rate section Elem Not Rated (K-6). This section is opened to all
players in grades K-6 including rated players. $$Trophies: HS/MS:Top 10 ind.,
top 3 teams; Elem: Top 10 ind., top 5 teams; Primary: Top 10 ind., top 3 teams;
Elem Not Rated: Top 10 Ind, top 5 teams. EF: $16 if postmarked by 2/26; $26
thereafter and on site. Add $5 for phone entries. On site registration may result
in 1/2 point first round bye. Reg.: 8:00-8:45am, Rd 1 pairing posted at 9:20am,
all others ASAP with 45-minute lunch break. One 1/2 pt. bye if requested before
end of Rd 2. Tournament is not elimination, play all 5 rounds. Pre-Registration
requires prepayment with complete information. All changes after 3/4/10 to
be made on site only. Make Checks payable to: Dallas Chess Club. US Chess
Federation Membership is required for all Rated sections. Not Rated sections
do not require US Chess Federation membership. Enter: Dallas Chess Club, C/O
Barbara Swafford, 2709 LonghornTrail, Crowley,TX 76036.www.dallaschess.com,
www.chess.utdallas.edu. E-mail: info@dallaschess.com, 214-632-9000. Note
that seating is limited and is on a first come first serve basis. Park on metered
parking by Student Union or by UTD bookstore. Or get visitors pass at guard
shack on University Drive and park on visitors parking. All proceeds from this
tournament will go to the Steven M. Grubbs Memorial Scholarship Fund at the
University of Texas at Dallas. NS, NC, W.
Mar. 13-14, TexOhma FIDE Open
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 27, Spring Slammer
Hornbeak Bldg, 2nd floor, 4450 Medical Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229. 5-SS, Rd.
1 G/30, Rds. 2-5 G/60. $$1,000 b/40: $250-150; A, B, U1600 ea. $100-$75.
U1400/unr. $75. EF: $30 if recd by 3/25, $35 at site. Junior (18/under) or Sen-
ior (65+) entry (count 2/3 toward based-on): $20 by 3/25, $25 at site. Reg.:
9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10:30-11:30-2-4:30-7:30. Half-pt. bye any 1 rd., notice before
rd. 2. Entries: SACC, POB 501, Helotes, TX 78023. Info: www.sanantonio
chess.com, 210-695-2324. NS. NC. W.
Mar. 27, Victoria Open
Victoria College, 2200 E. Red River, Victoria, TX. 4SS, G/60. EF: $10 if recd by
3/20, $15 at site, Masters free ($10 from prize). 65% prize fund. Reg.: 8-8:45a.
Rds.: 9am, others ASAP w/ 1hr between Rd2/3. Entries: Lisa DeVries, 217 Nan-
tucket Ave., B103, Victoria, TX 77904. Info: 361-237-4177. LS, NC, W.
Apr. 3-4, North Texas FIDE Open
See Grand Prix.
70 Chess Life February 2010
May 27-31, 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31, 19th annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
Vermont
Mar. 6, Middlebury Open
4SS, G/60. Courtyard Marriott, 309 Court St. (Route 7), Middlebury, VT 05753.
EF: $25 in advance or $30 at door; free to residents of NY, NH & MA. $$: 100%
of paid EFs. Rds.: 10-12:30-3:30-6. Contact: Parker Montgomery, green-
monty@earthlink.net, cell 603-499-2139.
Apr. 30-May 2 or May 1-2, 21st annual Vermont Resort Open
See Grand Prix.
June 11-13 or 12-13, 7th annual Vermont Spring Open
See Grand Prix.
Virginia
Feb. 13-14, Kingstowne Chess Festival
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 20, February Freeze K-8 Chess Tournament
4SS, G/30. Montessori School of McLean, 1711 Kirby Road, McLean, VA 22101.
Sections: K-8 Rated, K-8 Unrated. EF: $20 online by 2/17; $25 online by noon
2/19; $30 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10:00, then ASAP. Prizes: trophies to top
individuals & schools. Free game analysis by NM Adam Weissbarth. See
www.silverknightschess.com to register.
Feb. 20-21, Hampton Chess & Sports Festival
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 5-7, 42nd Annual Virginia Open
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 12-14, Virginia State Scholastic & College Chess Champi-
onships
6SS, Rds. 1-3 G/60; Rds. 4-6 G/90. Virginia Tech University, Squires Student
Center, Blacksburg, VA. Organized by VA Chess Federation. Blitz Champi-
onships Friday March 12, 6PM. Main Tournament Saturday and Sunday,
March 13-14. Players in MainTournament must be K-12 & college players attend-
ing school or college in Virginia beginning Jan. 10, or must be Virginia residents.
Virginia residency is not required for the Blitz Tournament. Registration, eli-
gibility, tournament details and hotels at www.vachess.org or www.vschess.org.
Questions to Mike Hoffpauir, mhoffpauir@aol.com, or 757-846-4805. WCL JGP.
Mar. 20, Kingstowne Quad #62/Action-Plus #34
Kingstowne Thompson Center, 6090 Kingstowne Village Pkwy., Alexandria, VA
22315. 2 Events. Quad #62: 3RR, G/100. EF: $10 if received by 3/17, $15 at
site. Prizes: Medals to 1st and 2nd in each quad: gold to 1st if 3-0 score, else
silver; bronze to 2nd. Rds.: 11-3-7. Action-Plus #34: 5SS, G/45. EF: $15 if
received by 3/17, $20 at site. Prizes $$250 b/20: $100-60, U1800-U1400-Unr.
each $30. Rds.: 11-1-3-5-7. Both: Reg. 9:30-10:45. Ent (checks payable to):
Don W. Millican, P.O. Box 2902, Springfield, VA 22152. e-mail (info only):
dm407_92@hotmail.com. W.
June 25-29, 4th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Washington
Feb. 27-28, 18th Dave Collyer Memorial
See Grand Prix.
West Virginia
Feb. 13-14, Kingstowne Chess Festival (VA)
See Grand Prix.
Wisconsin
Feb. 12-14 or 13-14, 2010 U.S. Amateur Team Championship -
North
See Nationals.
Feb. 27, UW Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 27-28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights
present Greater Chicago Scholastic Championships!
See Illinois.
A Heritage Event!
Mar. 27, 29th Annual Waukesha Memorial
A Wisconsin Tour Event! 4SS. G/60. Dual rated. Comfort Suites Hotel, Exit
294, I-94 and WI 164, Pewaukee, WI 53072. $$Non-monetary, traveling tro-
phy to First, books for class winners. Open to all. EF: $15 ($12 by 3/26). Reg.:
9:00-9:45, Rds.: 10:00; 1:00; 3:30; 6:00. No state memb. reqd. OSA. Mail entries
to Waukesha CC, 1911 Stardust Dr., Waukesha, WI 53186. Phone Info: Jim Nick-
ell (262) 544-6266. Online info: jnickell@wi.rr.com.
Mar. 27, Rated Beginners Open (RBO)
4SS, G/60. Dual rated. Comfort Suites Hotel, Exit 294, I-94 and HWY 164, Pewau-
kee, WI 53072. Open to players rated under 1200 or unrated. Prizes: Trophy
to first, book prizes for class winners. EF: $15 ($12 by 3/26). Reg.: 9:00-9:45,
Rds.: 10:00; 1:00; 3:30; 6:00. Mail entries to: Waukesha CC, 1911 Stardust
Dr., Waukesha, WI 53186. Phone Info: Jim Nickell (262) 544-6266. Online info:
jnickell@wi.rr.com.
For details on
2010 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM EVENTS
East, North, South, West
See Nationals Section!
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Worlds largest collection of scanned chess e-books, magazines,
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Instruction Center is the best in the business. We specialize in adult students.
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call, please leave your name & tel. #.
LEARN CHESS BY MAIL:
Any Strength: Inquire about individual programs. Alex Dunne, 324 West Lock-
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Miscellaneous
FREE computer program for Hostage Chess (fascinating, excit-
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CHESS-PLAYER SCHOLARS
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TDs, and Affiliates
and
Information for Players
can now be found online
at
main.uschess.org/go/tlainfo
uschess.org
 Solutions

Chess to Enjoy (page 14) B. Tame but playable is 1. Rfd1 Bg4 2. Rxd8 Raxd8 Endgame Lab Benkos Bafflers
3. Bc7! Bxf3 4. Bxd8 Rxd8 5. Bxf3 with an equal
Problem I. (page 42)
opposite bishop ending.
C. The best try for an edge is 1. Be5.
Fairhurst-Kashdan, Folkestone 1933
1. ... Rh2+! 2. Ke1+ Kb7 (threatening 3. ... Rb1 Problem I.
mate) 3. Qxh2 Rb1+ 4. Kf2 Rb2+ 5. Kg3 Rxh2 fol- 2. B. Jacob Aagaard (2420)-Robert Kempinski (2545) 1. e7 Rd8!? 2. exd8=N! Bxa7 4. c7 Bb8 5. c8=B!
lowed by ... Ne7, ... a5-a4-a3-a2-a1=Q. Groningen, 1998. wins.
Problem II. A. White settled for a draw by perpetual: 1. Kf5+ Problem II.
Bogolyubov-Kashdan, Stockholm 1930 Kxh6 2. Qg5+ Kh7 3. Qh4+ Kg7. 1. Bf1! Kb7+ 2. Kf3 Bd4 3. Nb3 Bxe5 4. Na5+ Ka8
1. ... Qf3+! 2. Kxg5 Be7+ and mates or 2. Kh4 Qf5, B. The king can be an attacking pieceuse it! 1. 4. ... Kc8 5. Bh3+.
threatening 3. ... Nf3 mate ( 3. g4 Bf2+ or 3. Qg4 Rh8!! Kxh8 (if 1. ... Rc2!? 2. Qh1! Qxd5+ 3. Qxd5 5. Nc6 Bd6 6. Ba6 f5 7. Ke3 Bg3
Nf3+ 4. Kh3 Ng1+ 5. Kh4 Be7+). Rc5 4. Qxc5 bxc5 5. Rxe8; or 1. ... Bg6 2. Rg8+! 7. ... Bf4+ 8. Kd4; 7. ... Bh2 8. Kd4 f4 9. Ke4 Bg3 10.
Problem III. Kxg8 3. Kh6) 2. Kh6 Qxd5 3. Qg7 mate. Kf5 f3 11. Kg4.
C. Tempting but fatal is 1. Qe4? Qxd5+! 2. Qxd5
Kashdan-Tenner, New York 1934 8. Kd4 f4 9. Kd5 f3 10. Ke4 f2 11. Kf3 f1=Q+ 12.
1. Qxd7! Qxd7 2. Rb8+ Kf7 3. Ne5+ and 4. Nxd7. Bxf1 Kb7 13. Na5+ Kb6 14. Nc4+ wins.
Rc5.
Problem IV.
Poulsen-Kashdan, Stockholm 1937
3. A. Hussein Asabri (2191)-Daniel Gemy (2200) Solitaire Chess ABCs of Chess
Dresden Olympiad, 2008.
A. Decisive is 1. Rxe8+ Qxe8 2. Qxb6 exf2 3. Kf1!
1. ... Rd2+ 2. Kh1 Nxf3! (not 2. ... Qh3 3. Qf8+ Kh7 (page 16)
4. Qe7+) and now 3. Rxe6 Rxh2 mate or 3. Qf8+
Trapping: The queen is lost to 1. ... Bg4.
Problem I.
threatening Rd8.
B. White played 1. a4? and won but Black missed a
Kh7 4. Qxf3 Qxe1+ or 3. Qa8+ Kg7 4. Qa7+ Qf7 and
mates.
Trapping: Black traps the queen with 1. ... Rh7.
Problem II.
Problem V. draw by 1. ... Rxf2+ 2. Kg1 Rg2+! 3. Kxg2 Qxe2+
with perpetual check.
C. Also 1. Qxb6? Rxf2+ 2. Kh1 Rxh2+! leads to a
Kashdan-Seidman, U.S. Championship 1940
Discovery: White loses material after 1. ... Ng3.
Problem III.
1. Rc1 Qd7 2. Bxe6+! Qxe6 3. Qxe6+ and 4. Rxc8.
Problem VI. draw.
Fork: The simple 1. ... Nc5 wins the d3-bishop.
Problem IV.
Kashdan-Santasiere, New York 1929 4. C. Hikaru Nakamura (2710)-Lubomir Ljubojevic
(2553) Amsterdam, 2009.
A. The current USA champion fell for an opening
1. Ne7+! Bxe7 2. Qxf7+ Kh8 3. Qxe7 threatens 4.
Trapping: Black traps the queen with 1. ... Re4,
Problem V.
Rf8+ Nxf8 5. Qxf8 mate.
trap by dropping a pawn, and later the game: 1. since 2. Nxe4 allows 2. ... Qe2 mate.
Whats The Best Move? (page 46) Nb3? Qb4! 2. Bd3 (if 2. Nd2 Qxb2 3. Nb5 Qe5 4.
Skewer: White gets skewered by 1. ... Rh6.
Problem VI.
1. C. Stephan Berndt (2440)-Daniel Fridman (2630) f4 Qb8) 2. ... Nxe4! 3. Bxe4 Bxc3+ 4. bxc3 Qxe4.
Germany, 2008. B. Even worse is 1. Qd2? Nxe4 2. Nxe4 Qxd2+ 3.
A. White lost the Exchange and the game after the Kxd2 Nxd4.
natural 1. Rad1? Bg4! 2. Rxd8 Rfxd8 3. Qe3 C. The simplest solution is 1. 0-0 0-0 2. Bb3 (or
(also futile is 3. Bc7 Bxf3 4. Bxb6 Bxg2 5. Bxd8 Bd5).
Bxf1) 3. ... Bxe3.

CHESS LIFE USPS# 102-840 (ISSN 0197-260X). Volume 65 No. 2. PRINTED IN THE USA. Chess Life, formerly Chess Life & Review, is published monthly by the United States Chess Federation, 137 Obrien Dr., Crossville, TN
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