2009 March Chess Life

uschess.org

$3.95A USCF Publication

January 2009

$3.95A USCF Publication$3.95A USCF Publication

January 2009March 2009

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The WavemasterFM Robby Adamson Catalina Foothills team coach

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2 Chess Life — March 2009 uschess.org

Chess Life

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03-2009_Hoogland_pg3:chess life 1/27/2009 10:03 AM Page 21


Columns

14 CHESS TO ENJOYWhat Would Fritz Do?By GM Andy Soltis

16 SOLITAIRE CHESSFlankenstein’s DefenseBy Bruce Pandolfini

18 LOOKS AT BOOKSAnswered QuestionsBy Dr. Alexey Root, WIM

19 WHAT’S THE BEST MOVE?Readers Weigh InBy GM Larry Evans

44 BACK TO BASICSLearning From LossesBy GM Lev Alburt

46 ENDGAME LABDresden DramasBy GM Pal Benko

Departments

5 PREVIEW

6 COUNTERPLAY

8 FIRST MOVES

11 USCF HISTORY

48 USCF AFFAIRS

53 TOURNAMENT LIFE

70 CLASSIFIEDS

71 SOLUTIONS

On The CoverFM Robby Adamson, aka “TheWavemaster,” also pictured in thephoto above right with Eli Alster(left) and Kevin Zhang. Kevinannotates a game (on page 28) aspart of our cover story whichbegins on page 24.Cover Photo: Dennis BrownfieldArt Direction: Frankie Butler

March Chess Life

24 | COVER STORY

The WavemasterBy Paul Gold

How do FM Robby Adamson’s Arizonan teams keep knocking offthe scholastic powers from major metropolitan areas?

30 | COLLEGE CHESSCan Anyone Beat These Guys?

By Dr. Alexey Root, WIMOnce again, the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of

Maryland, Balitmore County dominate a college chess event.

34 | KASPAROV

Kasparov’s CurriculumBy Macauley Peterson

Building on your strengths is always a smart business strategy.After a few years of steady, top-flight results by our youngest playerson the international stage, Garry Kasparov comes to New York to workwith a group of America’s best and brightest scholastic chess players.

40 | CORRESPONDENCE CHESSAbsolutely New and Improved

By FM Alex DunneAn experienced, strong group—all of them used to winning—“gathered” on a webserver to contest the 2007 Absolute.

They then finished the 2006 Absolute.

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Chess Life — March 2009 5uschess.org

Contributors

Al Lawrence(“USCF History,” p. 11) served as both USCF and WorldChess Hall of Fame Executive Director. His latest book,with Lev Alburt, is Chess Training Pocket Book II.

Dr. Alexey Root, WIM(“Looks at Books,” p. 18; “College Chess,” p. 30) is a regu-lar Chess Life contributor and is the author of Read, Write,Checkmate: Enrich Literacy with Chess Activities, LibrariesUnlimited, publication date March 30, 2009.

Paul Gold(“The Wavemaster,” p. 24) is a chess master/promoter andoccasional Chess Life contributor living in Tucson, Arizona.

FM Alex Dunne(“Correspondence Chess,” p. 40) is a chess journalistand the correspondence chess director for the USCF.His monthly column, “The Check is in the Mail,”

appears on uschess.org in the correspondence chesssection under “Activities and Interests.”

Macauley Peterson(“Kasparov’s Curriculum,” p. 34) is a media developer& foreign correspondent for the Internet Chess Club’sChess.FM. He was voted 2008 “Chess Journalist ofthe Year” by the Chess Journalists of America. Hiswritten work has appeared in Chess Life, Chess LifeOnline, New in Chess, 64 (Russia), Chess (U.K.), andelsewhere. In 2006, he completed work as an editor onAdam Nemett’s independent feature film, The Instru-ment, which appeared at the 2005 Dances With Filmsfestival, in Los Angeles, and was part of New York’sAnthology Film Archives’ NewFilmmakers series, andhe has produced the DVD releases of A Turnpike RunsThrough It (2008), and Excess Hollywood (2006), forthe Princeton Triangle Show.

March on uschess.org

Uncrowned ChampionsReuben Fine, Pal Benko andGregory Kaidanov (left) arethree of the most accom-plished players in U.S. chesshistory but one title eludedeach of them: U.S. Champion.As the excitement for the 2009

U.S. Championships (May 7-17)in Saint Louis increases, David

Friedman profiles the surprising omissions inchampionship history.

GM Joel on American OlympiadsKeep checking GM Joel Ben-jamin’s regular Chess LifeOnline Q & A column! Recententries include questions onthe likelihood of an Olympiadin America and various open-ing deviations and endgametroubles. Send your ownburning inquiries to

[email protected].

SuperNationals SuperstarsThe list of superstars set to attend the SuperNationals (April 3-5,Nashville, Tennessee) keeps growing. The current roster includesWomen’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk and U.S. Cham-pions GM Yury Shulman (above) and IM Anna Zatonskih. Moresurprise stars and events will be announced on uschess.org sobe sure to book your trip to Nashville if you haven’t already.

March Grand Prix madnessMarch Grand Prix CLO cover-

age includes the WesternChess Congress (March 6-8,Concord, CA), the Eastern

Class Championships (March6-8, Sturbridge, MA) and the

Mid-America Open (March 13-15,Saint Louis, MO).

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MadCap Software correctionChess sponsorship is difficult to obtain

and even harder to retain. So it wasespecially disappointing to see theFebruary article on the American Openattributing the donation of clocks toMad Catz, rather than correctly citingMadCap Software and its website,www.madcapsoftware.com.

Randy HoughTournament Organizer

Chess Life regrets the error. ~ed.

Looking deeperIn the January 2009 issue of Chess

Life, a position from Perelshteyn-Yermolin-sky (U.S. Championship 2008) appearedin “Chess to Enjoy” (Problem I, p. 13) withthe following solution: “1. Rch8! threatens2. R4h7 mate (1. ... Kf7. 2. d5).”The first move and the threat are correct,

but the response to 1. ... Kf7 can beimproved. 2. Bg4 Rh1+ 3. Kxh1 Nf2+ 4. Kg2Nxg4 5. Rxg4 nets more material, thoughthe black pawns on the a- and b-filesremain minor problems. Rybka 3 rates thetwo lines +4.11 and +4.63, respectively.

Dr. Steven M. StannishPotsdam, New York

Olympiad CoverageI try to read every issue of Chess Life

from cover to cover, always finding games,puzzles and news items of interest. As aformer resident of Europe, I am very keenon getting news of international events.Knowing that the Dresden ChessOlympiads took place in November 2008,I looked for news about them in yourDecember and January issues, but foundnothing. Now the February issue “Bronze!”concentrates on the efforts of both ourmen’s and women's teams to end up inthird place.While these efforts were covered in great,

and thrilling, detail, I saw no completetables of results or news of how othercountries fared. I found the names of thegold and silver winners for men and womenby accident on p. 42 in the last paragraphof the “Bronze Times Two” article. MaybeI missed something in the December orJanuary issues, in which case kindly referme to those pages or a website.

Walter UnterbergVan Nuys, California

For the most up-to-date information onchess events, especially ones affectingAmerican players, see Chess Life Onlineon uschess.org. We offered regular cover-age from Dresden, still available in theNovember archives.The event ended on November 25, so the

February issue was the first issue a reportcould appear in. The January issue wasalready in the mail to the membership

when the event concluded.Our editorial policy is to strongly focus

on American chess. There are numerousoutlets for international chess news. ~ed.

Counterplay

Chess Moves #4February 21–28, 2010

w w w. I n S i g h t C r u i s e s . c o m / C h e s s

Join Former U.S. Champions GM Joel Benjamin and GM Larry Christiansen

Western Caribbean Cruise

Roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale to:

Would you like to beprofiled in Chess Life?In an issue later this year we will

profile seven USCF members— exam-ining how the USCF has beenimportant to them—and for this weneed your help. Would you like to beprofiled? Do you know someone whoshould be profiled? If you were born inthe year 1939, 1949, 1959, 1969,1979, 1989, or 1999 and you arewilling to be interviewed and haveyour photograph published in ChessLife, please contact us at [email protected]. If you don’t havee-mail access, please see our addresson page 2.

Chess Life welcomes letters from itsreaders. Letters are subject to editing forcontent and length. Send your letters [email protected], and include yourfull name and a telephone number.Senders should not expect a personalresponse.

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Looks at BooksFirstMoves

According to the I.R.S., not all not-for-profits are created equal. You can donateall the money you want to the USCF, forexample, but you cannot (legally) claimthat donation as a tax deduction. In 1967,the USCF’s then Executive Director, EdEdmondson, saw the need for a charita-ble organization that would be consistentwith the USCF’s mission, but would alsoallow donations to be tax deductible. Heturned to a Boston-based lawyer to drawup the paper work.That lawyer was Harold Dondis. He

created the U. S. Charitable Trust (theTrust) with a one-dollar donation, andremains as its Chairman Emeritus.Over the years the Trust has added anumber of trustees and grown its cor-pus from that single dollar to hundredsof thousands of them. (See sidebar “TheTrust’s Purpose”)

Dondis was born in Rockland, Maineon October 1, 1922. He was educated inthe Rockland public schools, Bowdoin,and then Harvard Law School. At theage of ten, he was taught to play chessby a summer camp counselor. Afterchecking out the one book on chess inthe local library (by Howard Staunton),he was soon playing with a regularopponent after school.The demands of higher education took

him away from the game until a chanceencounter drew him back. He attended ameeting of a modern poetry group whosemembers included Jim Burgess, who wasthen writing the Boston Globe’s chess

column, along with Harry Lyman.Established in his legal career, he

decided he could spare some time forchess, and met Lyman at the BolystonChess Club. He played in his first tour-nament game at the age of 30. He playedin a chess league and remembers tourna-ments with fewer than ten players. Thatall changed when Bobby Fischer camealong.By 1964, Dondis was president of the

Massachusetts Chess Association, andin position to take over the Globe’s chesscolumn following Burgess’ sudden pass-ing (See sidebar, “Dondis’ Column”). Hislove for the game continued to grow as didhis interest in problem solving in general.According to Dondis, “Chess remains anenormous puzzle for me. It involves greatenergy, computational ability, knowledgeand steady care. I find it estheticallypleasing, instructive, and by the way,very helpful in keeping active in one’sold age.”Along the way, the Trust ran into trou-

ble with the IRS and lost its tax exemptstatus. Dondis got it back. The corpus atthe time was around $50,000. Dondisresisted pressure to liquidate and hisdetermination was rewarded when a ladynamed Nearing made a substantial legacyin her will for the USCF, provided that thegift must be tax free. Edmondson’s orig-inal insight and Dondis’ steadfastnesshad been vindicated.Gradually, the Trust grew and other

trustees were appointed. Mr. Dondis doesnot want to overlook anyone’s contribu-tion, but makes a point to mention thatGeorge Cunningham was a “Rock ofGilbraltar.” George served until his deathin 1983.At various points, others pressed the

Trust to merge with the American ChessFoundation (later Chess-in-the-Schools),but Mr. Dondis, while seriously consider-ing it, always concluded that it wouldresult in a loss of membership represen-tation. The Trust continued to grow andeventually purchased the Hall of Fame. Itwas moved first from New Windsor toWashington, and then to its present sitein Miami, Florida.Although the corpus of the Trust has

grown into hundreds of thousands of dol-lars, Mr. Dondis believes it is still toosmall. He is hopeful that the new web site

(uschesstrust.org) will help attract newdonations, but believes that the real keyto success is finding wealthy donors.The Trust has had some challenges

and struggles over time, but Mr. Dondishas persevered throughout. One of hisfavorite things about being a trustee isthat, “It is managed honestly, and thereis little or no rancor among the Trustees,though often there is disagreement.” Per-haps that’s because the right tone was setfrom the top at the beginning.

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HaroldDondis and theU.S. Chess TrustOne of the key charitable partners with the USCF is the U.S. Chess Trust,and Harold Dondis was instrumental in making it viable.

By Jim Eade

The Trust’s Purpose

To promote, stimulate, andencourage the study and play of thegame of chess as a means of devel-oping the intellectual powers; todisseminate information relative tothe history and science of chess; toteach and to cooperate with othersin the teaching of the fundamentalsof chess to persons of all ages andparticularly, but not by way of lim-itation, to students, members of thearmed services of the United States,underprivileged persons, senior cit-izens, prisoners, and hospitalizedand physically handicapped per-sons; to donate chess equipment toschools, colleges, hospitals, militaryinstallations, and similar institu-tions; to support activities of theUnited States Chess Federation(USCF) that qualify as charitableactivities or purposes under Section501(c)(3) of the Federal Internal Rev-enue Code, including scholasticactivities; to sponsor, supervise, andconduct chess tournaments for jun-iors as a means of recreation and ofcombating juvenile delinquency; tosponsor, supervise and conductchess tournaments for members ofthe armed services of the UnitedStates; to cooperate with the UnitedStates government in selecting, train-ing and improving the caliber ofcandidates representing the UnitedStates in international competition,and to assist in financing the partic-ipation of candidates representingthe U.S. in such competition.

Harold Dondis: “Chess remains anenormous puzzle for me.”

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uschess.org Chess Life — March 2009 9

Hugh Myers learned the game of chessfrom Lasker’s Manual of Chess and hisfavorite line from that book (above)inspired his lifelong exploration of open-ings. Thus he explained in his fourthbook, Exploring the Chess Openings(Thinkers’ Press, 1978), a wonderful

examination of offbeat lines and gamesfrom his practice. He was a trailblazer,iconoclast, original thinker, curmudg-eon, and at his peak, a strong master.While he was most proud of his games,

he was best known for his analytic abil-ity in the opening. This was featured in hisbooks and most significantly in The MyersOpenings Bulletin (MOB), a journal that hepublished and edited intermittently from1979-1996. The MOB became a causecelebre for practitioners of unusual open-ings, a forum for airing of opinions ofdiverse chess writers, and a target forthose conformists who would malign thevery existence of offbeat ideas. The criti-cism of the skeptics, coupled with hisopinionated writing style, led at times tooccasional harsh treatment of Myers inprint. But he rose above it and soldieredon, ultimately producing a lifelong bodyof work of which he could be proud, andthat could be considered the vanguard oftoday’s movement toward opening cre-ativity. The current series Secrets ofOpening Surprises (New in Chess) andespecially the journal Kaissiber (edited

and published by Stefan Bucker, an earlycontributor to MOB) have carried onMyers’ legacy.Born in Illinois, he lived most of his life

in Iowa, but traveled, played chess, andlived for a short time in many other statesand countries. At one time or anotherhis exploits included: organizing the firstIllinois Open (1951); membership in theManhattan Chess Club in New York City;defeating William Lombardy (ChessReview, March 1957) in what he consid-ered his best game; chess teacher in theDominican Republic, playing first boardtwice for their Olympic team (Lugano,1968 and Haifa, 1976); and state cham-pion of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa.Myers most important opening work

was on the Nimzowitsch Defense (1. e4Nc6), of which he was considered theforemost authority. His first edition, TheNimzovich Defense (Thinkers’ Press,1973), was followed by later editions pub-lished by Caissa Editions in 1985 and1995. He frequently published analysis ofthis opening in MOB. Based on corre-spondence he published in that journal,

Hugh Myers in 1954 photofrom Chess Review

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Last week we discussed the WorldGrand Prix tournaments, a series ofcompetitions that will choose thefuture challenger to the World Cham-pionship. The challenger will bechosen on the basis of cumulativepoints from best performance in invi-tational tournaments.This week we move back to the

American Grand Prix tournaments.The Grand Prix prizes in this country,previously supported by Chess Café,are now sponsored by U.S. Chess Livethrough the United States Chess Fed-eration. U.S. Chess Live has its ownGrand Prix tournaments on the Inter-net Chess Club web site. Players withthe highest points for the year fromdesignated Grand Prix events receiveprizes. In the past of course adultshave always won it. But now the USCFhas added a Junior Grand Prix eligiblefor players in five separate categories,the oldest being in the group born

between 1985 and 1987.In the adult section Sergei Kudrin of

Connecticut is the clear leader thisyear with 96.16 points. AlexanderIvanov of Massachusetts is runningthird, but no doubt the increased costsof traveling due to higher fuel costs iscreating difficulties in the race forGrand Prix Points. Igor Ivanov won thetitle nine times; Aleksander Wojkiewieczwon it five times through 2004. Bothplayers were careless of their healthand died at an early age. Recent GrandPrix winners have been Jaan Ehlvest ofNew York, entirely more careful withhis habits than his predecessors, in2005 and 2006. The winner last yearwas Zviad Izoria of New York.The USCF has a cornucopia of chess

events for youngsters, and it is notpossible to understate its contribu-tions to scholastic chess. There arethe Denker Tournament for HighSchool Champions, aided by the U.S.

Chess Trust, and of course the massiveelementary to K6-8 championshipswhich plays host to thousands of kidsand parents. The current issue ofChess Horizons has a lead article byDave Angermeier of Franklin explain-ing the rise of his son Danny to the K-3championship. Watching one’s son wina national championship reminds thiscolumn of an owner watching his horsewin the Kentucky Derby. It is evenmore thrilling than that.The Junior Grand Prix is the latest

addition to the scholastic events.We have some reservations about itbecause the prize depends on con-stant attendance at highly ratedtournaments. This requires moneyand a lot of time. We have thought ofscholastic chess as largely supple-mental for children, though a few mayhave their eye on a professional futurein chess.

Dondis’ ColumnHere is a sample of Harold Dondis’ Boston Globe column, a reprint from August 4, 2008, written with GM Patrick Wolff.

“The ground trodden above is yet rather new, and you may exploreit as well as anybody else.” ~EMANUEL LASKER

HughMyers: 1930-2008

By FMAllan Savage

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Looks at Books

much of his work on this opening influ-enced many players around the world,including yours truly.Lesser known but almost as signifi-

cant was Myers’ pioneering effortsregarding the King’s Indian Attack (KIA).He played it first in the early 1950s andapparently may have influenced Fischer’slater use of that opening. Once I askedHugh point blank if he, in fact, was thefirst to use the opening in the UnitedStates. He said “I can claim to be a pio-neer, but the pioneer? I don’t know.” Hegave a lot of credit to Stephan Popel’sKIA games when the latter was cham-pion of Paris in the 1940s, and also toTigran Petrosian (Petrosian-Barcza,Budapest 1952) for the particular knightmaneuver Nd2-f1-h2-g4 that Myers usedin his famous game vs. Penquite (ChessReview, April 1954).Myers researched and wrote exten-

sively about how chess openings werenamed. He believed that precedence ofusing an opening in serious competitionwas most important, but that tradition orpopular acceptance of a name was some-times acceptable. For instance, thoughAron Nimzowitsch was not the first touse the defense 1. e4 Nc6, he was the firstto play it with frequent success in inter-national competition. That is a sufficientreason to accept his name on the open-ing. If an opening had been playedpreviously and analysis published, Myershad little sympathy for those who later

named a variation after themselves evenif they conducted more extensive analy-sis. So in his opinion, the opening 1. e4c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 should notbe called the Panov-Botvinnik Attacksince it was played well before their eraby Paul Leonhardt, Richard Reti, Alexan-der Alekhine, Orland Krause, and others.Myers also had no patience for nameslike “The Rat” (1. e4 g6). He thought thatthis comic attempt was not logical andjust created confusion, since the openinghad so many other names (King’sFianchetto, Robatsch, Ufimtsev, and Mod-ern Defense, to name a few).Myers’ other books include New Strat-

egy in the Chess Openings (Schroeder,1968), Reversed King Pawns: Mengarini’sOpening (Thinkers’ Press, 1977), and hisautobiography, A Chess Explorer (2002).The latter is scarce because it was self-published in an edition of only 300. In myopinion the book is quite enthralling witha myriad of chess stories and colorfulannotations.Hugh Myers dedicated the epilogue in

Exploring the Chess Openings to LouisPaulsen, Nimzowitsch, Savielly Tar-takower, Hans Kmoch, Max Pavey, AlexeySokolsky, Weaver Adams, and NicolasRossolimo. That gives you the true flavorof his philosophy of openings and hispenchant for creative invention. He did-n’t use computers but he was not atechnophobe; he just “despised fanaticswho wanted computers to replace books!”

So he was a bibliophile and researcher,and a true innovator of new ideas.One of his favorite phrases was

“deserves respect” as in [that player] or[this quality game] deserves respect.Clearly this late master, one of Caissa’sdevoted flock, has left us with many ideasthat deserve respect.

English Opening (A11)Hugh MyersWilliam LombardyNew York, 1956

1. g3 Nf6 2. Bg2 d5 3. Nf3 Bf5 4. c4 c6 5.cxd5 cxd5 6. Qb3 Bc8 7. 0-0 e6 8. Nc3 Nc6 9.d4 Bd6 10. Rd1 h6 11. a3 Na5 12. Qc2 Bd713. b4 Nc4 14. e4 dxe4 15. Nxe4 Rc8 16. Ne5Bxe5 17. dxe5 Nd5 18. Qe2 0-0 19. Qh5 Qc720. Rxd5 exd5 21. Nf6+ gxf6 22. exf6 Nd6 23.Bxh6 Bf5 24. Bxd5 Qc2 25. Bxf8 Rxf8 26.Qh6 Ne8 27. Re1 Bg6 28. Rxe8 Qd1+ 29.Kg2 Qxd5+ 30. f3 Qd2+ 31. Qxd2 Rxe8 32.Qh6, Black resigned.

Pirc Defense (B07)Hugh MyersDave FergusonChicago, 1972

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. g4h6 6. Be3 c6 7. h4 Nbd7 8. f4 Qa5 9. Qd2 e510. 0-0-0 b5 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. g5 hxg5 13.fxg5 b4 14. gxf6 bxc3 15. Qd6 Bf8 16. Qxc6Ba3 17. Rxd7 0-0 18. Rd5 Bxb2+ 19. Kb1Qb4 20. Rb5 Qa4 21. Qxa8 Be6 22. Qxf8+,Black resigned.

Mark Diesen, age 51 of Conroe, Texas,native of Buffalo New York, passed awaysuddenly December 9, 2008 in Conroe,Texas. He was a graduate of the Univer-sity of Tennessee with a degree inchemical engineering. He worked as areservoir engineer for Shell Oil, Pennzoiland Noble Energy. Mark was world jun-ior chess champion in 1976, the U.S.Junior co-champion, the Louisiana statechampion in 1986, 1987, 1988, Texasstate champion, Southwestern Openchampion, and an active chess coach inHouston, Texas and online, IM MarkGinsburg has written a two-part featurefor Chess Life Online at uschess.org, Jan-uary archives, titled, “The Games of MarkDiesen.” A sample from the article:“Mark’s play reminded me of GM Hueb-

ner’s style—take what you are given, anddisplay accuracy converting superior posi-

tions. He also practiced controlled aggres-sion—attack when the position demandsit—this latter quality is reminiscent ofGM Portisch. All in all, he struck me asa very “European” player—worlds apartfrom the piece-sacking barbarians oneoften runs into at American Swisses”.

Symmetrical English (A30)Mark DiesenJoel BenjaminNew York, 1977

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 d6 6. 0-0 g6 7. d3 Bg7 8. e4 0-0 9. Nh4Ne8 10. f4 e6 11. Be3 Nc6 12. f5 Nd4 13. Qd2Rb8 14. Rf2 Nf6 15. Bg5 Qd7 16. h3 b5 17.Raf1 exf5 18. exf5 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 b4 20. fxg6fxg6 21. Bxf6 bxc3 22. bxc3 Bxf6 23. Rxf6Rxf6 24. Rxf6 Rb1 25. Kh2 Nc6 26. Qg2 Ne527. Qa8+, Black resigned.Mark Diesen in an archival photo P

HO

TO:

AR

CH

IVA

L

MarkDiesen: 1957-2008Mark Diesen, age 51 of Conroe, Texas native of Buffalo New York,passed away suddenly December 9, 2008 in Conroe, Texas.

CL_03-2009_first_moves_DLF_r7.qxp:chess life 2/9/09 11:04 AM Page 10

uschess.org

During the 10 years America went from watching WaltDisney’s big-screen Sleeping Beauty to wincing at TVimages of the war in Vietnam and protests at home, the

USCF organized itself into an effective service organization,tripling its membership.Bobby Fischer is a historical vortex unto himself, but his ‘60s

highlight-reel provides us a sense of the alternating excitementand frustration he generated. Fischer won seven more U.S.Championships—including the only perfect score (11-0) inevent history. (In Bobby’s absence, Larry Evans won in 1962and 1968.) In 1960 Fischer tied for first with Boris Spassky atMar del Plata, Argentina. In 1961 an unbeaten Bobby wassecond only to recently dethroned world champion MikhailTal at Bled, Yugoslavia, scoring 3½ out of 4 against Soviets. Fis-cher then romped to a win at the 1962 Stockholm interzonal.Falling short in Curaçao of winning the right to challengeresurgent world champion Botvinnik, Fischer famously accusedthe Soviets of collusion and largely abstained from internationalplay until the Sousse, Tunisia interzonal in 1967. There, lead-ing with 8½ out of 10 near the midpoint, he withdrew over ascheduling dispute. Forlorn fans had to wait for another decade.Away from Bobby’s board and brinksmanship, others also

made history. In 1959 Frank Brady took over from Harknessas business manager of the USCF. Arthur Bisguier bagged hisfourth U.S. Open, winning the event’s 60th incarnation inOmaha while honeymooning with wife Carol. The 1960 U.S.Open yielded a milestone, as USCF finally adopted bylaws—pending since 1949. Fred Cramer won the presidency andRobert Byrne the play.Members were spread across the globe doing Cold War duty.

PFC Arthur Feuerstein, serving in France, and Captain JohnHudson jointly won the first Armed Forces Championship in1960. In August the U.S. Student Team—William Lombardy,Charles Kalme, Ray Weinstein, Anthony Saidy, Edmar Mednis,and Eliot Hearst—plucked the first U.S. team gold since our tri-umphant, Kashdan-led Olympiad lineups of the 1930s.The evergreen Gisela Gresser, who first won in 1944, captured

or shared four of the decade’s six U.S. Women’s Championshiptitles. But it was 1959’s winsome champ Lisa Lane who, in 1960,appeared on TV’s popular What’s My Line—and who in 1961graced the widely-read Look (“the picture magazine”), and the

cover of Sports Illustrated.In January 1961, Fred Wren of Maine ended his three-year

editorship. Brady, taking on an added role, remade the publi-cation from a bi-monthly newspaper into a slick, monthlymagazine. (One of his issues spoofed the Zeitgeist with an edi-torial calling for the organization of fallout-shelter chess clubs.)J. F. Reinhart assumed both of Brady’s positions in 1962. In1963 Air Force major Ed Edmondson became USCF president,with a mission to recruit.When Marshall Rohland was elected USCF president in

1966, by then Colonel Ed Edmondson became our first exec-utive director. Soon Burt Hochberg began his much-admiredreign as Chess Life editor. In just four months, Hochberg putthe magazine back on schedule by publishing seven issues.In 1967 Edmondson made a strategic command move,

relocating USCF headquarters from New York City to New-burgh, one hour upstate, avoiding Manhattan expenses. In1968—as USCF membership topped 11,000—Hans Berlinercapped USCF’s third decade by winning the International Cor-respondence Chess Association championship, becomingAmerica’s first correspondence GM. .

Firsts and Fallout SheltersUSCF’S 3RD DECADE: 1959-1968

By Al Lawrence

E N PA S S A N T• “King of the Opens”: Pal Benko won the 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966,and 1967 U.S. Opens, the (first) 1965 American Open, and the 1966and 1968 National Opens.

• Walter Browne, 17 won the first U.S. Junior Invitational in 1966.

• The 1966 U.S. Olympic team of Fischer, R. Byrne, Benko, Evans,Addison, and Rossolimo took silver at Havana, where Fidel Castro,listed as the event organizer, enjoyed simpatico chats with Bobby.

• Trivia: First Chess Life cover date was the same day as John F.Kennedy’s inauguration, January 20, 1961. Headline: “FISCHERWINS U.S. TITLE FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR.”

Burt Hochberg,Chess Life’s longest-serving editor, beganhis tenure in 1966

Chess Life — February 2009 11

CL_03-2009_uscf_history_AKF_r7.qxp:chess life 2/8/09 5:50 PM Page 11

In association with

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Entry Fee$45 if postmarked by March 25th, $70 on-site. USCF membership required. All events will be hosted at Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion Blvd.

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Reigning U.S. Women’s Champion,two-time winner of U.S. Women’s Championship;U.S. Olympiad team member since 2004, includingBronze Medal team of 2008, Silver medalist at 2004

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CL_10-2008_KCFad_FB_r1.qxp:chess life 12/22/08 10:15 AM Page 1


Chess to Enjoy

By GM Andy Soltis

Six decades ago, mankind made a social contract with machines. As computerchess reaches a milestone this month, we now know we got the better of the deal.

What Would Fritz Do?

If computer chess has a birthday, it’sMarch 9. That’s the day 60 years agowhen a mathematician/engineer namedClaude Shannon gave a remarkable talkbefore a conference of radio engineers inNew York.Shannon presented to them his plan for

a “computing routine”—or “program,” hesaid, using a new term. It was a programfor a machine to play chess.Shannon admitted that a chess-playing

computer might have “no practical pur-pose.” But, he said, what scientists wouldlearn from this project would enable themto tackle others, such as devisingmachines to route telephone calls, trans-late foreign languages, orchestrate amelody or even plan military strategy.In other words, we’d teach the

machines how to play chess—and themachines would teach us how to pro-gram. But in 60 years the social contracthas changed. Today the computers areteaching us how to play chess.

WWFD?GM Viswanathan AnandGM Ruslan PonomariovWijk aan Zee 2005

After 7. ... e6

In this, a standard Sicilian Defenseposition, Black’s annoying queen willkeep White from castling kingside for sev-

eral moves. White usually plays some-thing like 8. Qe2, followed by Be3 and0-0-0, even though the queen is some-what clumsy on e2 and his king is oftena target on the queenside.While White was thinking here, specta-

tors following on the Internet asked theuniversal question of 21st century chess:“WWFD?” (What would Fritz do?)They were stunned when their com-

puters answered 8. Ke2!. It’s actually aperfectly good move. Yet it’s one almost nocarbon-based player would consider.That’s beginning to change. The gener-

ation of players who grew up oncomputers has now reached the world’stop 10 and it is proving that “computermoves” are perfectly good. As Gata Kam-sky said in a Sport day by day interview,“When you constantly prepare with com-puters, you begin to think like acomputer.”But how do computers think differ-

ently from us? Here’s a few things they’reteaching us.

Materialism“The use of computers has made peo-

ple more skeptical and now they are proneto go pawn-grabbing unless there is def-inite compensation,” Vishy Anand wrotein his game collection.This challenges a common 20th century

view that if you have a choice betweenobtaining a positional edge and getting amaterial edge of approximately the samevalue, the former is better. AlexanderAlekhine, for example, said a strong mas-ter will always prefer the positional edgeif the alternative is having to defend withthe extra material. This carbon-basedthinking is illustrated by:

Carbon-based thinkingGM Bobby FischerGM Tigran PetrosianCandidates finals match 1971

After 12. Qa4+

Black’s 12. ... Qd7 was praised and sowas White’s reply 13. Re1. One or bothmoves was routinely given an exclamationpoint by annotators.But today a world class player—cer-

tainly a Kramnik or a Leko—would avoid12. ... Qd7? if he were Black. And hewould grab material, 13. Bb5! axb5 14.Qxa8, if he were White.Sure, Black has lots of play after 14. ...

0-0 15. Qa5. But White has the Exchange.Computers are teaching us that Whiteis safe and sound—and better.Another lesson we’re getting concerns

the minor pieces. When a white bishoppins a knight on, say, f6 or c6, Black istempted to ask its intentions by advanc-ing a rook pawn one square. We call that“putting the question to the bishop.”If White is a computer, he is much

more likely than a human to answer withBxN. White may benefit in two ways.First, he gains a tempo, compared withretreating the bishop. Second, he maydouble Black’s pawns. White benefits inboth ways after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5a6 4. Bxc6, rather than 4. Ba4.What is new is that players today, fol-

lowing the lead of computers, are willingto play BxN when they gain only one of thetwo benefits. Case in point: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 and now the unprovoked4. Bxc6!? dxc6 is common.

r+l�qk+ �r+ + �lp�ppp+ + �n ++ +p+ +Q+ + + ++ �NL+ +P�P + �PP�P�R �L +R�K

r�nl+k�l �r+p+ +p�ppp�q �pp�n ++ + + ++ +P+ +

+N�N +P+P�PP+ +P�P�R �LQ�KL+R

CL_03-2009_soltis_JP_r7:chess life 2/10/2009 1:37 PM Page 14


After 4. ... dxc6

Shannon, now called the “father ofinformation theory,” proposed in that1949 lecture that programmers use thesame point-count system that humansdo—nine for a queen, five for a rook andso on down to one for a pawn.But he added something new: The

weakness of a doubled pawn can also bequantified, at minus half a pawn. SinceShannon posited bishops and knights asbeing equal, this means White is alreadya half pawn ahead in the diagram.It is harder to quantify the value of a

tempo, the other benefit of BxN. Buttoday’s GMs, influenced by machines,are increasingly willing to trade the bishopif it saves a tempo—regardless of whetherit inflicts pawn damage. You see this inpopular lines such as 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e63. Bg5 h6 4. Bxf6!? and 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 0-0 5. a3 Bxc3+.

And computers are telling us moreabout “putting the question.” They don’thave a problem making the kind of pawnmoves that we were warned against whenwe had three-digit ratings. A machinecan meet a ... Bg4 pin with h2-h3 andthen answer ... Bh5 with g2-g4! with aclear conscience. Today’s masters arebeginning to agree that loosening thepawn structure isn’t so scary after all.

IndefensibleConventional wisdom tells us the

defender errs much more often than theattacker and therefore we should avoidpositions that seem even slightly dubious.Machines disagree.“Computers teach man not to fear dif-

ficult positions,” David Bronstein said ina 2002 interview, recently published onthe ChessPro website. “You know, a com-puter can defend any ‘hopeless’ position,from a human point of view, findingincredible, again from the human view-point, moves.”

King as defending pieceGM Levon AronianGM Loek van WelyWijk aan Zee 2008

(see diagram top of next column)

The natural defense to Black’s threat of... Bxe3 is 12. Nd1. That makes sensebecause White seems to be forced onto the

After 11. ... Qb6

defensive.But if you remember our first example

this month you know that 12. Ke2! isnot only playable but possibly stronger.White can attack (13. h3! and 14. g4!) withhis king sitting on e2, even if the centeris opened.Play went 12. ... Nh6 13. h3 Nf5 14. g4

Ne7 15. Rb1 a5 16. e4!. Black went down-hill quickly, 16. ... Bb7? 17. f5 Bd4 18.exd5 Bxe5 19. Be3 Qc7 20. Rbc1 b4 21.dxc6 Bxc6 22. Ne4 Rd8? (22. ... 0-0!) andlost following 23. f6 Nd5 24. Rxc6 Qxc625. Rc1 Qd7? 26. Nd6+ Qxd6 27. Bb5+Kf8 28. Bc5.“Think different” was the memorably

ungrammatical Apple computer sloganof a decade ago.“Think the same as us” is what the

computers are saying now.I think they’re right. .

r+l+k+ �r+ + +p�ppp�qp+ + ++p�lp�P ++ + �Pn+

+ �NL�PQ+P�P + +P�P�R �L �K +R

r+l�qk�ln�r�pp+ �pp�+p+p+ +p+

+ �p + ++ +P+ +

+ + +N+P�PP�P �PP�P�RN�LQ�K +R

Marshall/ShowalterCentennial

This year marks the 100thanniversary of one of the lastmatches for the title of U.S. cham-pion. It was a match no one expectedto take place: Frank Marshall hadassumed he was champion after thetitleholder, Harry Pillsbury, died in1906. But a better claim was stakedby the man Pillsbury had succeededas champion, Jackson WhippsShowalter. To settle the issue onceand for all, Marshall defeatedShowalter in 1909 by a score ofseven wins to two, with three draws.Games from the Marshall-Showalterrivalry provide our quiz positionsthis month. In each one, you areasked to find the quickest way towin. For solutions, see page 71.

Problem IJackson ShowalterFrank Marshall

Black to play

Problem IVFrank MarshallJackson Showalter

White to play

Problem IIJackson ShowalterFrank Marshall

White to play

Problem VFrank MarshallJackson Showalter

White to play

Problem IIIJackson ShowalterFrank Marshall

Black to play

Problem VIJackson ShowalterFrank Marshall

White to play

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+ + + +

+ +q+k++p�pl+p�p+ + +n�p

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�P + + �LP�P + �P +

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k+ + + �r�pp+l+q�p+ + + +

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+ + + +P+ +Q+P�P+ �RR+ +K

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+ �N + +�r + �PP�P

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+ +r+k+�p �p + +p+ + �Qp�q

+ �pp+ ++ �L + +

+ + + �NP�PP+ +r�P+K+R+ +R

L+ + +k+�p + + ++ +l+p+

+ + + +�r + �p �K

+ + +P+�P + + �P

�R + + +

CL_03-2009_soltis_JP_r7:chess life 2/10/2009 1:38 PM Page 15


Today the logic behind flank openingsand flank defenses is well known. Theflanking, “hypermodern” player allowsthe opponent to build a pawn center andthen tries to undermine that center, com-pelling it to move unsoundly, with seriousweaknesses spawned in the process. Butthat strategy doesn’t always work. Some-times the center and the initiative itengenders become overwhelming. In thismonth’s game we see an early and almostprimitive use of ... b7-b6. The impreciseplay that follows turns Owen’s Defenseinto a real horror. The opening of theopening was:

Owen’s Defense (B00)Harry PillsburySamuel TinsleyLondon 1899

1. d4 e6 2. e4 b6 3. Bd3 Bb7 4. Ne2 Nf6 5.Nd2 d6 6. 0-0 Nbd7

Your starting position

Now make sure you have the aboveposition set up on your chessboard. Asyou play through the remaining moves inthis game, use a piece of paper to coverthe article, exposing White’s next moveonly after trying to guess it. If you guesscorrectly, give yourself the par score.Sometimes points are also rewarded for

second-best moves, and there may bebonus points—or deductions—for othermoves and variations. Note that ** meansthat the note to Black’s move is over andWhite’s move is on the next line.**7. f4 Par Score: 5

This follows Morphy’s idea from fortyyears earlier. Accept 1 bonus point if youknew the idea of developing the knightsto the second rank, freeing both of White’sbishop-pawns for movement.

7. … c5

Add 1 bonus point if you saw that 7. ...Ng4 would be met by 8. Nf3.**8. c3 Par Score: 5

Naturally, White had intended c2-c3by playing Nb1-d2.

8. … g6

Too many pawn moves. Simply 8. ...Be7 and 9. ... 0-0 looks right. Also, 9. ...cxd4 is fine.**9. Ng3 Par Score: 5

With the d4-pawn secure, White can sethis eyes on supporting f4-f5.

9. … h5

Tinsley plans to attack the g3-knightbut his development is too stunted tosucceed.**10. f5 Par Score: 5

White pushes ahead, ignoring Black’slast “threat.”

10. … h4

Black forges ahead. Safer was 10. ... e5,keeping lines closed until he can developfurther.**11. fxe6 Par Score: 5

Receive only 3 points part credit for 11.Nh1. But why bother with this idea when

White can already open lines of attack.11. … hxg3

It’s too late to turn back. On 11. ...fxe6 Black has to contend with 12. e5hxg3 13. Bxg6+ Ke7 14. exf6+. Add 1bonus point if that was your intention.**12. exd7+ Par Score: 4

12. … Kxd7

On 12. ... Qxd7? 13. Rxf6 (1 bonuspoint) while 12. ... Nxd7 did not appeal.**13. h3 Par Score: 5

Receive only 3 points part credit for 13.hxg3, since even though it opens the h-file it accepts doubled pawns. Pillsburyfigures on doing better, keeping the fileclosed, picking up the g3-pawn later.

13. … cxd4

Black’s move is probably a mistake. Atthis stage the open c-file can only bene-fit White.**14. cxd4 Par Score: 4

That’s why the pawn was placed onc3, for this very purpose.

14. … Qe7

Black develops and pressures the e4-pawn.**15. Qf3 Par Score: 5

A two pronged move: Pillsbury guardse4 while lining up to take at g3.

15. … Bg7

Tinsley continues development, thoughmove 15 is a bit late to get the king’sbishop out.**16. d5! Par Score: 6

White solidifies the center, releasingthe knight to move and free the bishop.

16. … Qe5

r+ �qk�l �r�pl�pn+p�pp�p �pp�n +

+ + + ++ �PP+ +

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Solitaire Chess

Flankenstein’s Defense

By Bruce Pandolfini

Mary Shelley wrote in Frankenstein, “... nothing contributes so much to tranquilizethe mind as a steady purpose. ...” In this month’s game, Pillsbury’s mind shouldhave been very tranquil.

CL_03-2009_pando_JP_r7:chess life 2/10/2009 4:26 PM Page 16


So Black protects g3 and attacks b2,but chess is played in the real world, andthe queen can’t stay on e5 for long.**17. Nb3 Par Score: 5

With this shift, White clears the diag-onal for the dark-square bishop whilewatching d4.

17. … Raf8

18. Bf4 Par Score: 5

Add 1 bonus point if factored this movein when playing 16. d5. Now the queenhas to depart. Deduct 1 point if you wereneedlessly worried about ... Qe5xb2.

18. … Qxb2

Black captures on b2 anyway, figuringit gives him a pawn for his troubles.**19. Bb5+ Par Score: 5

Take only 3 points part credit for cap-turing g3. Taking on d6 is stronger, afterthe king has been driven off.

19. … Kc8

Tally 2 bonus points for expecting toanswer 19. ... Kd8 with 20. Rab1 Qxa2 21.Bg5. Add 1 bonus point more for analyz-ing 19. ... Kc7 20. Rac1+ Kb8 21.Bxd6+.**20. Bxd6 Par Score: 5

With this move White makes sureBlack’s king won’t be able to run to thecorner. Probably the threat is 21. Rb1 (afinesse to control d4) 21. ... Qxa2 22.

Rbc1+ Kd8 23. Bc7+ Ke7 (23. ... Kc8 24.Bxg3+ and 25. Qf4) 24. d6+ Ke6 25. Nd4+Ke5 26. d7+ Kxd4 27. Qd3 mate. Giveyourself 2 bonus points if you saw thegeneral outline of the variation.

20. … Nxd5

Sensing imminent demise Tinsleylaunches a desperate sacrifice.**21. Rac1+ Par Score: 5

21. … Kd8

If Black had played 21. ... Bc3, Whitewould have continued 22. exd5. On 21.... Nc3 Pillsbury could play 22. Bb4, 22.Bxf8 or probably best 22. Qg4+ (2 bonuspoints).**22. Qxg3 Par Score: 5

More threats: 23. Bc7+ (a) 23. ... Nxc724. Qxc7 mate; (b) 23. ... Ke7 24. Qd6mate; (c) 23. ... Kc8, 24. Be5+. Add 1bonus point for each analyzed variant.22. … Bd4+

When in doubt give a check.

23. Nxd4 Par Score: 4

This allows the queen to come to thecenter, but with Black’s dark-squarebishop gone, the dark squares are weakerthan ever.

23. … Qxd4+

24. Rf2 Par Score: 6

White avoids any hassle with 24. ...

Ne3 and sets the finale, tempting Blackto play on the pinned rook. Accept only 5points part credit for 24. Kh2 (or 24. Kh1).

24. … Nf6

Black has run out of options. If heleaves the knight on d5, Pillsbury willsurely take it.**25. Be5 Par Score: 5

This move is also the reply to 24. ...Ne3. Here it forks queen and knight butPillsbury does not really want to takeeither piece.

25. … Nxe4

Tinsley forks queen and rook but he’snot going to get either piece.

26. Bf6+ Par Score: 6

If Black takes on f6 he gets mated onc7. Another way was 26. Bxd4 (accept 5points part credit) 26. ... Nxg3 27. Bf6mate. But here, if Black wanted to be apoor sport, he could decline the queenand put off mate for a few moves.

26. … Black resigns .Total your score to determine yourapproximate rating below:

Total Score Rating

95+ 2400+81-94 2200-239966-80 2000-219951-65 1800-199936-50 1600-179921-35 1400-159906-20 1200-13990-05 under 1200

ABCs of Chess

These problems are all related tokey positions in this month’s game.In each case, Black is to move. Theanswers can be found in Solutionson page 71.

March exercise: After every seriousgame, in a notebook or electronicfile, list the three key things youcould have done better. Be selec-tive, making certain to include themost relevant items, since there'sprobably going to be more thanthree. Being pertinent here is part ofthe remedial art. Review thatexpanding list every week, reading itout loud, in your best actor's voice.Hopefully, it will sound less monot-onous than Jack Nicholson'sominous novel in The Shining.Regardless how repetitious, it shouldmake you more mindful of troublingareas, and that's a good way to startfocusing on recurring problems.

Problem IPin

Problem IVFork

Problem IIMating net

Problem VDiscovery

Problem IIIMating net

Problem VIMating net

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+ + + +

+ + +k++ + +p+r+ + +p+

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CL_03-2009_pando_JP_r7:chess life 2/10/2009 5:19 PM Page 17


Looks at BooksLooks at Books

T reasure Chess answers questionsthat you may have wondered aboutand others that you likely never

considered. The following eight questionsreflect the range of Pandolfini’s topics,from the practical to the historical tothe intriguing. Answers are at the end ofthe review.Have you ever researched which open-

ing is most successful for white?Pandolfini has. For Question One, whichwhite opening wins the greatest percent-age of games? a. Benko Opening (1. g3);b. Blackmar Diemer Gambit (1. d4 d5 2.e4); c. Queen’s Gambit (1. d4 d5 2. c4); d.Ruy Lopez (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5).Pandolfini gives the winning percentagesof 10 different white and black openings.Pandolfini has many true yet humorous

quotes from the world champions.Vladimir Kramnik thought that therewere only two styles of chess. For Ques-tion Two, pick those styles: a. the simpleor the complex one; b. the classical or themodern one; c. the right or the wrongone; d. the losing or the winning one.Similarly, Mikhail Tal thought there wereonly two kinds of sacrifices. For QuestionThree, pick those two types: a. correctones and mine; b. sham and real; c. los-ing ones and mine; d. speculative andsound. World champions were also awareof the competition. For Question Four,when Botvinnik said, “We will have tostart keeping an eye on this boy,” hemeant a. Tal; b. Fischer; c. Kasparov; d.Karpov.Of course, Pandolfini has several quotes

from Bobby Fischer. For Question Five,who was Bobby Fischer talking aboutwhen he said, “That man is too normal.There must be something wrong withhim.” a. Max Euwe; b. Donald Byrne; c.Shelby Lyman; d. Arnold Denker.Pandolfini also features earlier top play-

ers, from the years before the title ofworld champion even existed. For Ques-tion Six, who was the first chess authorto give an example of smothered mate? a.Greco; b. Philidor; c. Lopez; d. Damiano.In addition to his thorough coverage of

top players, Pandolfini also has stories ofchess-playing movie stars and musicians,writers who use chess images, and placeswhere chess has been played. Collegechess even gets its turn. More than acentury before The University of Texas atDallas and University of Maryland, Bal-timore County topped the college chessranks, Cambridge University had a chessteam. But it was not invincible. For Ques-tion Seven, which institution’s teamdefeated Cambridge University in 1883?a. Harvard University; b. House of Lords(Parliament); c. Oxford University; d. Bed-lam Insane Asylum.Pandolfini also gives some intriguing

chess problems, such as this Sam Loydproblem.


For Question Eight, list the squares

A Sam Loyd three-for-the-price-of-one

the black king needs to be on so that: a.it is stalemated; b. it would already bemated; c. it could be mated in one move.The answers for a, b, and c are all differ-ent, so give all three squares.Though I recommend Treasure Chess,

I have two criticisms and one warningabout it. First, Pandolfini doesn’t includereferences. I think the book would havebeen much stronger with a “Sources andNotes” chapter, such as Shenk had inThe Immortal Game. If such documenta-tion would have added too many pages,Pandolfini might have included a link toan online page where he lists his sources.Second, Pandolfini repeats himself. For

example, he gives the same quote fromGustave Flaubert (Chess is “too trivial tobe a science”) on page 226 and 272. Mywarning is about Pandolfini’s sarcastichumor. I enjoyed it, but others might beput off as in this instance from page 20,“You might very well master the processof analyzing a chess position. If you don’t,there is always checkers.” .

+ + + ++ + + ++ + + +

+ + + ++ + +Q+

+ �K + ++ + + +

+ + + �L

Chess Life columnist Bruce Pandolfini pens a chess bookin the tradition of Reinfeld and Chernev

By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM

AnsweredQuestions

Treasure Chess: Trivia, Quotes,Puzzles, and Lore from theWorld’s Oldest Game (2007)

by Bruce Pandolfini.275 pp., New York: Random House.List Price: $19.95. Available onUSCFsales.com with a member’s

discount for $18.95

Answer Key(page number of Treasure Chess with answer)

1. c (page 9)

2. d (page 35)

3. a (page 80)

4. b (page 117)

5. a (page 77)

6. a (page 90)

7. d (page 100)

8. 1. h1 2. e3 3. a8 (page 143)

CL_03-2009_books_AKF_r6.qxp:chess life 2/8/09 4:12 PM Page 18


USCF member gamesGames rarely contain thunder-

bolts destined for the anthologies.Alas, most players struggle in gardenvariety positions that are spoiled byan outright blunder (position 1). Inthe next two examples youthfulDavid Pruess, recipient of the 2006Samford Fellowship (worth $32,000)topples two grandmasters. Finally,Mike Callaham sends his thanksfor some guidance we offered himlong ago while he was stationed inGermany. Solutions on page 71.

Readers are invited to send their posi-tions in for possible consideration inthis column. Send to [email protected] or mail to ChessLife, c/o What’s The Best Move, POBox 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.

1. White moves

(a) Kc6 (b) a4 (c) Rh7

3. Black moves

(a) Qd1 (b) Kh7 (c) h4+

2. White moves

(a) Re7 (b) Rxb7 (c) a4

4. Black moves

(a) Bf6 (b) Qf6 (c) Nf6

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r+ +r+k++ + +p+p+N+ �Pp++ +P�p +p+P+p+ +

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+ + + +

+ +r+ +�pp+ +R++ �Lp+ +

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+k+ + ++R+ + +�p �K + +

+ + + ++ + + +

+ + + +P�r + + ++ + + +

Readers Weigh InBy GM Larry Evans

What’s The Best Move?

CL_03-2009_evans_AKF_r6:chess life 2/10/2009 4:19 PM Page 19

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CL_03-2009_advetorial_JP_r7:chess life 2/11/2009 2:35 PM Page 20

03-2009_Hanon_1:chess life 1/20/2009 4:56 PM Page 21



If you have been following scholasticsin Chess Life the past few years, youwill have noticed some remarkable

accomplishments by the CatalinaFoothills High School chess team fromTucson, Arizona. Four national titles inthe spring nationals (students call this the“real nationals”), seven national titlesoverall, all in the span of five years. Howhas a team from Arizona, of all places,done it?In addition to local, state, and national

newspaper coverage, a Tucson billboardwas dedicated in 2007 to the CatalinaFoothills National High School champi-ons. “Cat Foot” has all but locked outthe competition, winning in 2005, 2007and 2008 (finishing second in 2006). Thishas been against stiff opposition, prima-rily from New York City teams often gracedwith internationally titled players. So howdid this extraordinary team of chess play-ers come about in a place like Tucson?Coach Robby Adamson says that back

in 2003, many of the players from the CatFoot “feeder” program, Orange Grove Mid-dle School, had quit chess or were losinginterest but he saw the potential andreassembled the group. By 2004 therewere results—the team of Sean Higgins,Chris De Sa, Pavel Savine and EddieMoskala won the K-9 nationals, whilefinishing eighth at high school nation-als. Cat Foot team camaraderie was builtin part by the students traveling to adultchess events together, usually with their

coach. The key was to operate and func-tion as a team, with less emphasis onindividual results. The kids responded;some who had been enemies were nowfriends, close and caring about each other.To achieve this level of affinity, Robbyinvested his most valuable commodity—his time—but it was well worth it, hesays. While we talked over material forthis article, Robby’s cell phone went offtwice. One call was from a student inTexas and one from California, both seek-ing advice from the master on specificopening preparation. Robby’s secret ingre-dient is access.

Boy WonderThe year was 1978, my last of high

school, thank God. I attended chess clubback then to play blitz. One night I bat-tled this little kid, an eight-year old boywonder—bright-eyed, hair combed back,fidgeting all over the place; boy, was heobnoxious! After every move he hit myclock harder and harder, while I pleadedwith him to go easy on the timepiece.Finally the plastic clock face fell off andthe thing was broken, and that was myfirst contact with Robby Adamson. It wasthe end of my clock but the beginning ofa long and wonderful relationship.Thirty years have passed. Though we

both live in Tucson, we have lost touch attimes but sooner or later we are alwaysreunited, and always because of chess.

Robby is a purely local chess product,born in Tucson in 1970, matriculatingthrough grade school (where he was firstdiscovered as a prodigy), through middleschool (where he won two national titlesand was ranked in the top ten for hisage) and on into high school (where hewon the Denker), dominating those eventsas the top board of the powerhouse Uni-versity High School teams, which wonthree national team titles. He graduatedfrom the University of Arizona (he is aHUGE Wildcats fan) with a degree inaccounting, and later earned his lawdegree at the McGeorge School of Law.Robby works as an estate planning attor-ney, juggling his day job with his “chessjob.” He is a strong, master-level player,having achieved a peak USCF rating ofabout 2450, and the FIDE-awarded FMtitle. His chess vita includes three individ-ual national titles as a player, ninenational titles as a coach, organizer of theWestern Invitational Chess Camp as wellas tutor, writer, tournament director, andanalyst. But even with all of these creden-tials, Robby chose to play his own gamein an original manner a long time ago,transferring his personal chess aspira-tions into an enterprise of doing for others—a far-reaching move made for long-term compensation. His energetic,ultra-competitive and opinionatedapproach to chess (and just about every-thing else) makes him as popular withkids as he is with adults.


Cover Story

A S T H E S C H O L A S T I C C H E S S W O R L D G E A R S U P F O R T H E SUPERNAT IONAL S

TOURNAMENT B E I N G C O N T E S T E D I N N A S H V I L L E T H I S C O M I N G A P R I L 3 - 5 ,

C H E S S L I F E E X A M I N E S W H AT H A S M A D E FM ROBBY ADAMSON’S T U C S O N ,

A R I Z O N A C H E S S T E A M S S U C H C O N S I S T E N T LY S T R O N G C O M P E T I TO R S

BY PAUL GOLD

THEWave

PH

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:D

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IELD

CL_03-2009_wavemaster_AKF_r7.qxp:chess life 2/10/09 12:51 PM Page 24

masterCL_03-2009_wavemaster_AKF_r7.qxp:chess life 2/10/09 12:52 PM Page 25


A sampling of the best from Arizona scholastic teams of the last few years (left to right): Eli Alster, Chris De Sa, Victor Yee,Jenelle Wallace, Sean Higgins, Kevin Zhang, Pasha Savine, Andy Lin, Vaishnav Aradhyula, Eddie Moskala, Robby Adamson.Not pictured: Landon Brownell (the 2006 National High School champion), Bryant Brownell, Yunlin Zhang.

PH

OTO

:H

EN

RY

D.W

ALL

AC

E

Cover Story

Perhaps Robby’s dedication has its ori-gin in his early days playing chess. Oneof his first teachers, Bill Abbott, while askilled player, was also a kind, gentlesoul who never raised his voice and mayhave taught Robby the first lessons abouttreating everyone with respect. Gradeschool coach Jim Tallmadge and con-temporary master-coaches like KenLarsen and Craig Jones (now in NorthCarolina) must have contributed toRobby’s shaping of his own teachingmethods. The “Robby Stone” was furtheretched assisting future grandmaster and1997 World Junior Champion Tal Shaked(FM Ken Larsen was Tal’s primary coach,while Robby was responsible for his the-oretical repertoire). And there were thecountless blitz games with many localmasters at places like Troy’s Chess Shopin the 1980s (the late Alan Troy was anationally recognized blitz player), as wellas the recent addition to Tucson of IM LevAltounian, whom Robby credits in help-ing to shape the Catalina Foothillsprogram. The recipe would not be com-plete without the influence of crackorganizers like Myron and Rachel Lieber-man, who ran all adult tournaments inPhoenix for many years, and Lee LaFrese,who organized the 1996 Elementary

nationals with a then world record atten-dance. It was the unprecedented successof the nationals held in Tucson that yearwhich caused the USCF to finance allnationals thereafter.But even with this kind of background

and exposure, you might not achieveresults. Something or someone has hadto assemble the pieces. Robby’s tenacityand dedication to chess activities hasbeen played out over decades now. Whilea lot of players fade away from the chessscene in favor of family and other lifepursuits, even after many years, the chessfire still burns brightly in Robby, a pas-sion that has been passed on to hisstudents.

Southern Arizona Chess AssociationRobby credits the Southern Arizona

Chess Association (SACA) as being instru-mental in his development as a player andcoach. It is certain that none of us wouldhave enjoyed the chess “careers” we hadwithout a local organization that has runchess events in southern Arizona fornearly 40 years. SACA has hosted numer-ous national scholastic events (andspawned champions thereof); a typicalscholastic event will draw hundreds of

kids. While SACA is currently run largelyby chess parents, there have always beenstrong players who have volunteered theirtime to help the organization. SACAorganizers fostered the idea of kids play-ing in adult events—few played in thedays when Robby started, but now it is agiven to see many young, strong playersin Tucson adult events. For the past 15years the signature Tucson event hasbeen the U.S. Amateur West, originallyconceived by the late USCF PresidentDenis Barry in 1992, who passed thetorch to this author; the current organ-izers are Karen Pennock and Kiki Huerta(president and vice president of SACA). In2008 the USCF graced SACA with theScholastic Organizer of the Year award.Robby observes that schools in the

Catalina Foothills school district haveparticipated in SACA scholastic tourna-ments for almost thirty years. Nationalsuccess first struck in the Foothills areain 1984 when Orange Grove MiddleSchool, coached by Will Wharton (a sen-ior master who has since coached chessin North Carolina and now in Phoenix),won Junior High Nationals. Orange Groveis one of the most successful middleschool programs in the country, havingwon four national K-8 titles. Because the



Foothills area had no high school at thattime, many of the middle school graduatesattended University High School, a nation-ally recognized public high school, whichby chance is where Robby enrolled theyear after Orange Grove won their firstnational title. The elementary and middleschools in the Foothills district all havethriving chess programs, currentlycoached by Ken Larsen, which feed intoCat Foot. Ken describes the Foothillsschools as “a machine,” churning outlocal, state, and national champions.The success of SACA scholastics can be

partially attributed to the long-standingculture which encourages students totake private lessons or attend chesscamps offered by instructors other thantheir school coach. This trading of stu-dents is done freely and in the bestinterest of the kids. For example, IMLevon Altounian privately tutors severalstudents from Cat Foot, providing a valu-able alternative perspective which Robbybelieves has greatly contributed to theirsuccess. Robby trusts Lev implicitly andhas actually called him while at nation-als if help is needed preparing a studentfor a particular game.

Cat Foot Chess TeamFoothills burst onto the scene at the

2005 SuperNationals, shocking everyonebut their coach by winning the highschool nationals over the redoubtableEdward R. Murrow, a New York City teamfeaturing IMs Alex Lenderman and SalBercys. In an unprecedented move daysbefore the event, Robby announced tohis team that they had a good chance towin nationals and that they should not geton the plane if they didn’t think theycould win. The performance was soimpressive that the team was featured ina chapter of Michael Weinreb’s excellentbook on the Murrow team, The Kings ofNew York. Foothills finished second in2006 despite their top board, LandonBrownell, winning the individual nationaltitle, a finish that bothered Robby formany months (a testament to his compet-itive fire). The team bounced back to winin 2007 with a dramatic last-round per-formance. The “three-peat” was completedby the 2008 team: Vaishnav Aradhyula,Landon Brownell, Kevin Zhang, Eli Alster,Jenelle Wallace, Victor Yee, and MattDavid. This year’s team was depleted bythe inevitability of graduation; the biggestlosses were Aradhyula (to Stanford) andBrownell (to law school). The 2007 cham-pionship team had graduated 2100-ratedSean Higgins (now at Tulane), Chris De Sa(Stanford) and Pasha Savine (Universityof Arizona). Although Robby admits thatwinning nationals is unlikely in thisrebuilding year, the team that will play for

the 2009 championship will be some-thing to reckon with, featuring twoexperts: top board Kevin Zhang returnswith his solid, technical style, and free-wheeling freshman and “ICC junkie” AndyLin. The team is rounded out by Eli Alster,Jenelle Wallace, Sam Cotter and MichaelReed.Interviewing the players at the weekly

chess club and at high school events, Iwas struck by how well-rounded anddiverse they were, seeming more thanable to balance their academic and socialactivities while still being able to playchess at a high level. The students haveparticipated in a wide range of activities,including academic decathlon, band, sci-ence olympiad, cross country, wrestlingand basketball. I asked the kids to discussRobby’s influence on the team and onthem individually. Senior Leland San-son, who hopes someday to work ineconomics or finance, emphasizedRobby’s rapport with the players, sayinghe thinks of Robby more as a friend thanas his coach. Like the other kids, Lelandmentioned Robby’s unique sense ofhumor as one of his attractions. Fresh-man Nam Tran is goofy and mascot-likewith the other kids but was more seriouswhen I got him alone. He said he toolikes how funny Robby is, a continuousreminder that the players judge Robbyfirst as a person, and less on his expert-ise as a player or teacher, which is aninteresting note in itself when you con-sider Robby’s considerable chess resume.I also spoke with Sam Cotter, another

freshman, who reminded me a little of ayoung John Lennon with retro long hairand wire framed glasses. Sam noted dif-ferences between Robby’s aggressivecoaching methods and those of histeacher, the positionally-conscious LevAltounian. Voluble Eli Alster started highschool with a 1200 rating, and while heseemed to be underrated to Robbythroughout middle school, once at CatFoot his rating jumped 600 points, and hecould be counted on when the point wasneeded. Senior Jenelle Wallace is anotherexperienced player who contributes tothe depth of the team. Jenelle has beenrecently accepted at Stanford, anotherCat Foot player headed to Palo Alto.Andy Lin seemed somewhat uncom-

fortable one-on-one, resorting to jocularsilliness, but such are high school boys.Andy told me that the way he got hisexpert rating was that he “got lucky andbeat three 2100 players.” Andy loves thiskind of mantra, always bantering onabout how he is not a good chess playerand that it is all luck. He thinks Robbyhas a very intimidating, aggressive per-sonality, although he says everythingwith a grin and it is hard to mask affec-tion for his coach. Andy explains his style

of play, saying that “I base everything onprobability ... and somehow I usually win... but 95% of the time I am in a toughspot at some point in my games.” Robby’sexchanges with Andy during club meet-ings are as predictable and hilarious asa scripted comedy team routine. You canalways count on Andy to interrupt Robby:

Robby: OK, let’s look at this problem ...what should White do in this position? Iam asking each of you to come up with aplan, and then to—uh, Andy, could youplease be quiet?

Andy: What?Robby: What? (Aping Andy’s deep voice,

getting him to smile.)Andy: Sorry, sorry.Robby: You are not sorry and you know

it. (Everybody laughs.)Sophomore Kevin Zhang remarked that

playing chess helps him with his aca-demics, particularly math, and says chesshas taught him patience when solvingproblems. Like most high school kids,he also likes to play video games andwatch TV (and he dislikes ... reading!).Kevin learned how to play chess in firstgrade from Ken Larsen (Robby’s coachduring high school). Kevin holds the toprating for 15 year old players in Arizona.He says Robby is a very demanding coach,and that it has helped taking private les-sons with him. I was impressed with themature and articulate sophomoreSangeetha Pugazhendi, who was still veryexcited about having attended the 2008nationals where she scored 4/7 in theU1200 section. She spoke highly of theteam spirit and that everyone seems to getalong. While Sangeetha takes private les-sons with Lev Altounian, there seems tobe no issue with this kind of mix, againa common feature of the Tucson scholas-tic chess culture.I was anxious to observe Robby’s

method of teaching at the weekly chessclub and how he interacted with the stu-dents. Robby sometimes reviewed studentgames from a recent tournament. Duringone lecture, he showed the team anendgame of a team member that endedwith an outcome that was “against thelaw!” according to Robby, as the game flip-flopped from lost to worse to drawing towinning for the Cat Foot player, courtesyof his overambitious opponent. It is afavorite technique of Robby’s to querythe players about what the plan shouldbe, forcing them to visualize the correctpath forward (no moving pieces!). Heholds out a long time but knows thatfinding the plan by sight is the best wayto continuously simulate good analyzinghabits. Ultimately the lesson wound downto a point about when to correctly accepta draw, and how easy it is to overstep andlose when pushing too hard for the win.I also observed that the students were



attentive when Robby explained how thegoals of the team are achieved by accept-ing individual challenges. Robby requiresthe students to write down goals for thenext school year, which helps keep thefocus over the summer and into the fol-lowing year.

The WaveThe more time I spent with the Cat

Foot team, getting acquainted with theplayers and attending their events, themore I sensed a mighty shape forming. Iam reminded of the 19th century Frenchpainter Gustave Courbet, who painted“The Wave.” The version I am thinking ofhangs in the Phoenix Art Museum. It ispowerful and dark, expressing the forcesof nature, the viewer watching the greatrolling wave alone from the beach. Robby’schess seasons are waves: small occur-rences beginning far away (the first teammeeting), the inevitable rising approach(the planning and scheming every week atchess club), the buildup, massing (excite-ment, team pulling together) and finallythe crescendo (nationals). Robby hasorchestrated these campaigns for years.He gets each student for only a few yearsand then—poof, they are off to their adultlives. Robby’s challenge is to preservecontinuity, consistency and performancefrom one class overlapping with the next,with all of the certain uncertainty inher-ent in adolescents.

Parent’s TakeAfter talking with the students, I wanted

to gain some insight from their parentsabout their thoughts on Robby and thesuccess of the team. Erwin De Sa, whoserves as the perennial chaperone atnationals, is the father of graduate Chrisand freshman Jacquelyn. Erwin saidthere are three reasons for Cat Foot’schess success. “First, there is Robby,who is an exceptional person. A profes-sional attorney, who never gave up hisown love for chess, carried on as an adult.He could have been doing other fun thingson his Saturday and Sunday nights butchose to teach kids.” Second is theparental involvement. “Early on parentssaw the team chemistry and took advan-tage of this knowledge, encouraging theirkids to be taught, taking them to adulttournaments.” Third, there is SACA’s fos-tering of chess programs. “Without SACA,there is no Foothills team. Sacrifices havebeen made by all of the coaches, par-ents, volunteers, and people behind theorganization in order to provide the forumfor the experiences to occur.” I spoke withCindy Wallace, Jenelle’s mother, aboutwhat makes the magic. “The true teamdefinition is the camaraderie with the

players, keeping the kids together; Robbyis good at focusing on that. Doing whatis best for the team and not the individ-uals. As Jenelle went into high school,what impressed her most was the kidstraveling together, what was done as ateam. If Robby said what was needed wasa draw, then the kids would do it. Robby’sdedication makes it work—he cares abouteach kid and teaches that everyone isimportant. Parents will not step up if thecoach does not have that dedication to theteam. Robby’s funny, infectious person-ality makes me want to help him. Hewants a lot. And somehow he does thisone year after the next, making new teamsafter those that have graduated. Thenationals is where all of that intensitycomes in but it helps so much to likeRobby. I will miss him when Jenelle grad-uates, his passion for chess.”

The Wave Rolls at StateThe AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Asso-

ciation) team championship was held inearly November 2008, at San Luis HighSchool in Yuma, Arizona. While Cat Footwas favored, their archrival Gilbert HighSchool (Gilbert is a suburb of Phoenix)would be there and Robby was curioushow his team would respond. It was notnationals, but an important stop on theCat Foot itinerary—especially for a youngteam that needs to learn to handle pres-sure. Robby recalled the intense stressCat Foot was under at last year’s nation-als as the clear favorite, a pleasant butuncomfortable predicament to be in. “I willalways appreciate the 2008 title becausewe were favored for the first time since Iwas at Foothills, but we did not handle thepressure well until the last day, whenthe team came together and when teampoints were at a premium.”Robby said he agonized about exactly

how to pick his board order for the stateteam tournament, deciding finally to gowith a lineup by rating. When Cat Footlost the coin toss for their round onematch, that was not a problem becausehaving black in round one would meanthat they would very likely face Gilbert aswhite in the last round (white on boardsone, three and five; black on two andfour) ... but then ... their first round oppo-nents inexplicably chose to play black, notwhat Robby wanted or expected. But thisdetail became quickly irrelevant as CatFoot piled up 14 wins (out of a possible15 games) in the first three rounds. TheWave was building toward a final roundmeeting with Gilbert. Robby tried calcu-lating the tiebreaks in the event thatGilbert and Cat Foot might tie, but it wastoo close to determine. Robby went toAndy on board two before the round,telling him that he thought his game was

a “must win” for the team. Kevin got arematch against expert-rated NickThompson on board one (Nick won thelast time they were paired in a tourna-ment). Robby and Kevin’s preparationwas to follow Kevin’s previous game withNick with a slight twist to see how Nickwould react. The gamble paid off withNick not playing the best reply and Kevinhad easy equality that he eventually par-layed into a won position:

Caro-Kann Defense,Exchange Variation (B13)Nick Thompson (2004)Kevin Zhang (2150)Arizona State High School TeamChampionship (4), 11.08.2008Notes by Kevin Zhang

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Qc7

I lost to Nick in a previous game inthis same Exchange Caro-Kann line so Iwent over this with Robby around mid-night the night before the round. Thepurpose of this move is to prevent Whitefrom playing Bf4 and gaining instant con-trol over e5.

6. Nf3

Robby and I spent most of our timelooking at 6. Nf3 because 6. Ne2 is not aseasy to find if you have not seen it before.I was happy when 6. Nf3 was playedbecause Black gets easy equality. Blackaims for a queenside attack, and Whiteusually tries to attack the kingside,though as the game shows, this is diffi-cult to accomplish. 6. Ne2 is morenormal—again the purpose of this moveis to play Bf4.

6. ... Bg4 7. 0-0 e6 8. Nbd2 Bd6

Black has easily equalized, White's c1-bishop is awkward, and it is difficult forWhite to come up with a good plan. Weprepared this exact position and lookedat all the games in the database in thisvariation.

9. Qa4?

I do not know why he played this move.It is not very good because the plan forBlack in these lines is to play a6, b5 any-way, so I will later gain a tempo. 9. h3 wasbetter.

9. ... Nf6

The other move I considered here was9. ... Ne7 but 9. ... Nf6 seemed a littlemore logical.

10. Re1 0-0

Unlike the normal Exchange Caro-Kann lines where White easily gets his

Cover Story



knight to e5, and is backed up with Bf4,Nd2-f3, White can never accomplish thisplan. Black is equal and now is pushingfor an edge.

11. h3 Bh5

After 11. ... Bh5

12. g4?

This seems positionally incorrect, butWhite didn’t know how to proceed. I nowcontrol the f4-square very well and Whitehas unnecessarily weakened his king-side.

12. ... Bg6 13. Bxg6 hxg6 14. Nf1 a6

I expect a kingside attack of some sortbecause White played g2-g4. My plan isto attack the queenside faster with aminority attack with ... a7-a6, ... b7-b5-b4.

15. Qd1 b5 16. Ng5 b4 17. Qf3 bxc3 18. bxc3

Now I have a backward pawn to workon—the entire point of the minorityattack.

18. ... Na5

This may not be best but White has noreal attack here and he has lots of weak-nesses. 18. ... e5 makes sense becauseopening up the center makes his kingsideattack less likely to be successful.

19. h4

White tries to crack my kingside open.

19. ... Rfc8 20. h5

White goes for it, but unfortunatelythings are going to get traded quickly. If20. Bd2 Nc4—White is suffering here—then even ... e6-e5 is still possible.

20. ... gxh5 21. gxh5 Qxc3 22. Be3 Qd3!

This allows me to defend the kingsidewith ... Qf5.

23. Qh3 Qf5

After a queen trade, White’s attack isnot very dangerous.

24. h6 Qxh3 25. Nxh3 Ng4 26. hxg7 Kxg7 27.Re2 Rh8 28. Kg2 Rag8 29. Ng3 Nxe3+ 30.Rxe3 Nc4 31. Rd3 f5 32. f4 Kf6 33. Re1 Rg434. Rf1 Rhh4 35. a3

After 35. a3

35. ... Ke7

35. ... Bxf4 36. Nxf4 Rxf4 37. Rxf4 Rxf438. Nh5+ Kg5 39. Nxf4 Kxf4—I am notlosing this but I didn’t want to allowWhite any counterplay.

36. a4 Bxf4 37. Nxf4 Rxf4 38. Rxf4 Rxf4 39.Ne2 Rg4+ 40. Kf3 e5 41. Kf2 e4 42. Rh3 f443. Nc3 Ne3 44. Rh5 Rg2+ 45. Ke1 Ke6 46.Re5+ Kd6 47. Rh5 f3 48. Rh6+ Ke7 49. Rh7+Kf6 50. Rh6+ Kg7, White resigned.

As is the technique of many topcoaches, Robby prepared his team beforethe round and, in fact, the night before aswell. This scheming may not always payoff, but even if the plan does not playout exactly as anticipated, it is not awaste of effort since there is a strongsense of focus from the feeling of beingprepared. Robby keenly appreciates thatCat Foot and Gilbert have each other.Where else besides possibly New YorkCity do you have two teams ranked in thetop 10 who have to beat each other to wintheir state championship? This kind ofcompetition cannot be bought or repli-cated. Robby thinks of himself as theteam’s sixth man in these situations, try-ing to fire them up. The Wave—Robby’steams are meant to ride the crest.In the critical final-round match with

Gilbert, Eli notched the first win andAndy followed, securing an advantageout of the opening that he converted fairlyeasily. When Nick resigned to Kevin itwas 3-0, Cat Foot. So a nice trophy andanother Cat Foot title, though the matchwas close in the end. The final score was3-2, perhaps some consolation to Gilbertwho took a 5-0 drubbing against Cat Footin the final round the previous year.Gilbert coach Michael Reading looks atCat Foot as the symbol of excellence, butstrongly believes in his own team’schances in the future (in fact, the nearfuture, at the 2009 nationals). This leapseveral months ahead was, of course, onthe mind of the Wavemaster, even with thestate championship trophy still warm tothe touch. Robby’s powerful drive makeshim seem to never be quite satisfied.Two weeks later the Foothills players

were in action again, this time at thestate individual tournament hosted atCat Foot, during round five of six. The firstgame I saw turned out to be the criticalone, with Andy Lin paired against NickThompson on board one. Andy was downa pawn with the worse position; not at allthe kind of passivity I’d expect from thiswily kid. Nick has a very stoic look tohim when he plays, moving the piecesfairly slowly and quietly pressing theclock, more like an adult player. But heis definitely a kid, with his mop of blondhair combed forward, literally hangingin and over his eyes (I pictured my mothersaying “how does he see like that?!”).Andy soon went from being down onepawn to two, but then the landscapechanged when Andy started playing morequickly and the position began to openup. Complications ensued and it becamethe kind of tactical position where itlooked like anybody’s game. In the end,Andy’s counter-tactics resulted in anadvantage and Nick cracked in time pres-sure, trading queens into a lost ending.While Andy easily won his last roundagainst a much lower-rated player, Nickexacted some revenge, defeating Kevinin the last round to finish second to Andy.It was in this manner that Cat Foot fresh-man Andy Lin became the 2008 Arizonastate individual high school chess cham-pion (all luck, eh?). Can he match theWavemaster, who won it four years run-ning when he was in high school?

The CalmI called Robby after the state individual

tournament, asking what the team doesnow, since the trip to SuperNationals inNashville is four months away. With highschool chess league play having ended,how does he keep the players interestedand in some kind of form? Robby pointedout plans for some of the kids to play inadult events in Tucson, Los Angeles andLas Vegas, as well as the weekly chessclub meetings. Robby also mentionedthat he is working with Kevin to helpdevelop his leadership skills, as he didwith some of his former players, becausehe knows every successful team needs aleader, with qualities that will also ben-efit future life endeavors.In a relaxed and offhand moment,

Robby said it will be nice going to nation-als without the expectation to win. I heardwhat he was saying, but also knew thatbased on my 30+ years of knowing RobbyAdamson that the “wave water” was boil-ing somewhere, ready to rise up andcrash over the top. .See how the Arizona teams do at this year’sSuperNationals beginning April 3. Follow theaction onChess Life Online at uschess.org.

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Dreams Come TrueCollege chess isn’t just about tourna-

ments such as the Pan AmericanIntercollegiate Team Chess Championship(Pan Am), but about success in coursesand after graduation too. For Women’sCandidate Master Nelly Estrada, a mem-ber of the B-team from The University ofTexas at Brownsville and Texas South-most College (UTB/TSC), dreams beganwhen Chess Life arrived in her mailbox.She said:

Back in 2005, I remember seeing anarticle in Chess Life about a student win-ning a full-ride scholarship to TheUniversity of Texas at Dallas (UTD). Ithought to myself, “She won a scholar-ship. And my rating is higher than hers.”That article was the first time I had heardof scholarships for chess. I began think-ing about studying in the United Stateson a chess scholarship myself, though Ihad already completed three semesters ata university in Juarez, Mexico.On the day after I read that Chess Life

article, UTB/TSC Chess Program Direc-tor Russell Harwood called my house. Hehad heard about my chess abilities.Because I had just read about collegescholarships for chess, I was interested inwhat he had to say. And Russell Har-wood is a good recruiter and promoter ofchess. UTB/TSC is lucky to have him.This [last] December (2008), I graduated

from UTB/TSC with a 3.88 GPA, MagnaCum Laude. I majored in biology. I havebeen accepted to four different medicalschools. I would like to be a psychiatrist.

Tournament dreams came true for UTDand the University of Maryland, Balti-more County (UMBC), as they are the2008 co-champions of college chess. Bothteams had five out of six match points.

The first place trophy, on tiebreak,went to the B-team from UTD. UTD waswell-prepared, having trained intensivelyfor the month before the December 27-30Pan Am. From November 26-30, UTDinvited four top players from around thecountry to compete with UTD students:the 10-player international master normsection was won by GM Jesse Kraai, andthe 10-player grandmaster norm sectionby GM Julio Becerra. On December 6thseveral UTD students, playing under theteam name Dallas Destiny, won theUnited States Chess League for the sec-ond year in a row.The UMBC team got the second place

trophy. Chess Program Director AlanSherman wrote, “Having narrowly missedPan-Am victories in 2006 and 2007,UMBC was eager to avenge its recentlosses to UTD.” During weekly trainingsessions, the highest-rated players pre-pared with GM Sam Palatnik, UMBCChess Program Associate Director. Sec-ond-echelon players, such as the twoalternates for this year’s winning team,worked with Igor Epshteyn, Coach of theUMBC chess team. GM Palatnik men-tioned that UMBC players compete inopen and invitational tournaments, citingGM Sergey Erenburg’s win at this pastsummer’s New Jersey Futurity. With thisyear’s Pan Am co-championship, Sher-man observed, “UMBC has won (or tied forfirst place) at the Pan Am eight times,more than any other college in the historyof college chess.”The Pan Am serves as the qualifier for

the Final Four, to be held April 4-5, 2009at the UTD campus. Qualifying were thefollowing institutions: UTD, UMBC,UTB/TSC, and Stanford University. Eachinstitution is not restricted to playersthat competed in the Pan Am. UMBC’sAlan Sherman warned, “With IM Sasha

Kaplan (Israel) joining UMBC in January,UMBC will have an even stronger team forthe Final Four.” Full standings for all PanAm events (Intercollegiate, Scholastic,and Open) can be found at http://swchess.com/sce/tourney/PanAms08/Standings.htm.All Pan Am events are six rounds, Swiss

system. In the Intercollegiate section,each team has four players, with up totwo alternates per team allowed. There-fore, a four-board match can be tied 2-2.Match points matter the most. Gamepoints scored within each match are notthe first tiebreak used if teams tie forplaces/trophies, though they are one ofthe later tiebreak mechanisms. Whenthere are multiple teams entered fromone institution, the team with the high-est average rating is labeled the A team,the second team is the B team, and soforth. Of the 29 teams entered in the PanAm, an unprecedented four teams werefrom one institution, UTD. The UTD-Dteam, composed of five women (four play-ers and one alternate), took top teamrated 2000-2199. This was the secondyear in a row for UTD to have an all-female team at the Pan Am. Although noother teams had all-female rosters, sev-eral teams had one or two female players.

Round by Round ActionAt the halfway point of the Pan Am,

UTD-A and UTD-B were the only unde-feated teams, as UMBC and MiamiDade-A tied in round two. In round four,UTD-B and UTD-A quickly tied. Goinginto round five, UTD-A, UTD-B, andUMBC led the tournament with 3½ of 4.The stage was set for two showdowns. Inorder to win the tournament, UMBCwould have to defeat UTD-A in roundfive, and then tie or defeat UTD-B in


College Chess

UTD and UMBC tie at the Pan American Intercollegiate Championship,or, “Dog Bites Man.”

Can Anyone Beat These Guys?

By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM

CL_03-2009_pan_am_AKF_r9.qxp:chess life 2/8/09 5:44 PM Page 30


round six. In round five, UMBC defeatedUTD-A by a score of 2½ to 1½. Tensionwas high during round six. If UMBC tiedwith UTD-B, the teams would be co-champions with the first place trophydetermined by tiebreak. In that finalmatch, UMBC won on board one, boardstwo and three drew, and UTD won onboard four (see games section for boardfour Foisor-Bercys). Therefore, the matchwas tied 2-2, giving UTD-B and UMBCequal first place with 5 of 6 match points.In the last round, UTB/TSC-A was

paired with Stanford. The teams tiedquickly, and thus ensured that they tiedwith UTD-A for third through fifth placesin the Pan Am. UTB/TSC-A (third ontiebreak) and Stanford (fifth on tiebreak)thus earned spots in the Final Four. Sinceeach institution can enter only one teamin the Final Four, the fact that UTD-A alsotied for third through fifth did not affectthe qualifying chances of UTB/TSC-A orStanford. UTB/TSC had another reasonto be excited: It will host the 2009 Pan Amat the Sheraton Beachfront Resort, SouthPadre Island, Texas.

Check ‘em, TechTexas Tech University (TTU) faculty

advisor Dr. Hal Karlsson said that hisplayers had just returned from celebrat-ing holidays. First board IM Gergely Antalflew back from Hungary on the 24th, sec-ond board Chase Watters had been inLouisiana, third board Stephanie Bal-lom’s family lives near Fort Worth(Mansfield), and fourth board JoshOsbourn came in from Kentucky. Sincethe Pan Am is always held betweenChristmas and New Year’s Day, many ofthe 126 college participants were travel-ing directly from holidays in theirhometowns to the tournament site inFort Worth, Texas.Stephanie Ballom’s third round win fit

the team’s slogan of Check ‘em Tech,with Stephanie giving check in six of thelast 11 moves:

Check ‘em Tech and mate ‘n nineErnesto Alvarez (2185), Miami Dade-AStephanie Ballom (1802), TTUPan Am Intercollegiate (3)


The mate in nine is 23. Qh6+ Kxh624. Rh1+ Kg5 25. Rdg1+ Kf4 26. Rh4+Bg4 27. Rgxg4+ Kf3 28. Rg3+ Kxf2 29.Ne4+ Ke1 (or 29. ... Ke2 30. Bd3+ Ke1 31.Rh1 mate) 30. Rh1+ Ke2 31. Bd3 mate.Luckily for Stephanie, her opponentmissed this beautiful mating combination.Instead, Alvarez chose a different 23rdmove.

White to move and mate in nine.

23. Rdf1 Qxa3+ 24. Kd1 Qa1+ 25. Ke2 Qa6+26. Kf3 Rh8 27. Rh1 h5 28. Qg5 Nc6 29.Nxh5+ Kf8 30. Nf6 Nxd4+ 31. Kg2 Bh3+!

(TTU Coach GM Susan Polgar said that31. ... Bh3+ was definitely an exclamationpoint move although the silicon monsterlikes 31. ... Qxf1+).

32. Rxh3 Rxh3 33. Kxh3 Qxf1+, Whiteresigned.

No walk in the parkBecause of Swiss System pairings, the

first round of the Pan Am saw teamspaired 400-800 points above or belowtheir own team average. So the first roundpairing of UTB/TSC-B (average rating of1978.8) with UMBC (2595.5) was not anunusually large gap. Although Nelly (rated1976) lost to her grandmaster opponent,UMBC’s GM Timur Gareev (rated 2631),it was not a walk in the park for thestronger player. In fact, UTB/TSC coachGilberto Hernandez noted, Gareev tooklonger on the clock. As Nelly showed methe game, I recorded her comments asannotations along with the game score.

Bogo-Indian (E11)GM Timur Gareev (2631), UMBCWCM Nelly Estrada (1976), UTB/TSC-BPan Am Intercollegiate (1)Notes by Estrada

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. d4 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2

This has transposed to a regular d4opening.

4. ... Nc6 5. e3 0-0 6. Be2 d6 7. 0-0 Bxd2

I played 7. ... Bxd2 because White wasthreatening Nb3 with the idea of a2-a3.Then my bishop has nowhere to go.

8. Nxd2 e5

As compensation for White having thebishop pair, I get to attack in the center.

9. d5 Ne7 10. b3 Bf5

10. ... c6 directly might have been bet-ter, but White would respond with 11. e4.Therefore, I played 10. ... Bf5 so that,when I play c7-c6, he cannot play e3-e4.

11. Bb2

After 11. Bb2

Now I realized that 11. ... c6 would bemet by 12. dxc6 bxc6 13. c5!

11. ... Ng6 12. Rc1 c5 13. dxc6 e.p.

White wants to capture, because lettingthe black pawn stay on c5 would haverestricted White’s pieces.

13. ... bxc6 14. b4 d5 15. Nf3 Re8 16. cxd5cxd5 17. Rc5

I considered 17. ... Qd6 with the idea of... Rad8. I also thought about 17. ... Qb6,with the idea of pressuring the b-pawnwith ... Rab8 as well.

17. ... Rc8 18. Qa4

If White chooses 18. Qc1 Rxc5 19.Qxc5 Qb6 20. Qxb6 axb6 Black is fine.

18. ... Rxc5 19. bxc5 Qc7

I hoped to play ... Bd7-c6.

20. c6 Rb8 21. Ba3 Ne4

Better would have been 21. ... Ne7 tocoordinate my pieces, for example mov-ing that knight to c8 to defend my a-pawn.

22. Rc1 f6 23. Ba6

With the idea of 24. Bb7 and then 25.Qxa7.

23. ... Bc8

After 23. ... Bc8

Better might have been 23. ... Rb6 tokeep my rook active.

24. Bxc8

I didn't expect this capture. I thoughthe would play 24. Bd3, and then I

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planned 24. ... Bf5 and an eventual ... a7-a5. I also thought he would not capture,because after the capture I have thehomogenous pair (two knights).

24. ... Rxc8 25. Qb5 Qf7 26. Qb7 Nd6

If 27. Bxd6 then 27. ... Qxb7 and I wina queen! But I should have played 26. ...Qc7, because my queen no longer had todefend my d-pawn.

27. Qa6, Black resigned.

My coach, GM Gilberto Hernandez,gave this move an exclamation point.Now I’m lost because if 27. ... Rd8 (todefend my knight) then 28. c7. So Iresigned. I thought this game was inter-esting because he had to find piece playto exploit my uncoordinated pieces.

King’s Indian,Fianchetto Variation (E67)WGM Sabina-FrancescaFoisor (2418), UMBCIM Salvijus Bercys (2483), UTD-BPan Am Intercollegiate (6)Notes by Bercys (with IM Jacek Stopa)

UMBC and UTD-B tied 2-2. By win-ning this game, Bercys also won the boardprize for best fourth board performance,with 5½ of 6. The annotations in thisgame are from Bercys, as I wrote downwhat he said during a post mortem analy-sis. Occasionally IM Jacek Stopa, firstboard for UTD-B, also commented duringthis post mortem.

1. d4 d6

I wanted to avoid the Saemisch.

2. c4 e5 3. Nf3 Nd7 4. Nc3 c6 5. g3 Ngf6 6.Bg2 g6 7. 0-0 Bg7 8. Qc2 0-0 9. Rd1 Qe7 10.b3 h6

After 10. ... h6

I am preparing to play ... e5-e4, anddon't want White to be able to respond to... e5-e4 with Ng5.

11. dxe5

Sal quickly rattled off the followingvariations that he considered while hewas thinking about playing 10. ... h6. Ifshe had responded 11. Ba3 e4 12. Nd2

(12. Ne5 e3 13. f4 c5 with a double-edgedposition) 12. ... e3 13. Nde4 exf2+ 14.Kxf2 c5 then I would have had playagainst the white king.

11. ... dxe5 12. e4

I wanted her to block in her bishopwith this move.

12. ... Re8 13. a4

White has lost control of the darksquares.

13. ... a5 14. Ba3 Nc5 15. h3

This move is too slow. Sal thoughtWhite should play 15. Ne1. He thenintended 15. ... Bf8 16. Nd3 Nfd7 with theidea of ... Qf6.

15. ... Bf8 16. Ne1 Qc7 17. Nd3

After 17. Nd3

17. ... Nxd3

Sal gave the following lines: 17. ... Ne618. c5!; 17. ... b6 18. Nxc5 Bxc5 19. Bxc5bxc5 with the idea of ... Qe7 and redeploy-ing my knight to d4; 17. ... Nfd7 18. Ne2Nxd3 19. Bxf8 Kxf8 20. Qxd3 Qb6.

18. Bxf8 Kxf8 19. Qxd3 Qe7 20. Qe3 Kg7 21.c5 Be6 22. Ne2 Red8 23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24. Qc3Qc7 25. Kh2

Better for White was 25. Rf1 with theidea of f2-f4 according to Sal.

25. ... Kh7 26. Rf1 Nh5 27. Ng1 f6 28. Nf3 Ng729. Rb1 Rd7 30. b4 axb4 31. Qxb4 Qd8 32.a5 Bf7 33. Qc3 Ne6

At this point, IM Jacek Stopa joked thatwith 33. ... Qe7 instead Black could havecompleted his apparent plan of puttingevery piece on the seventh rank.

34. Rb6

Sal said that 34. h4 (to stop Black fromwinning the e-pawn), as White will playBh3 pinning the knight, was a betterchoice.

34. ... Qe7 35. a6 bxa6 36. Rxc6 Rc7 37. Rxa6

Sal said this move was a mistake forWhite. A better line, though one whereBlack is still better, is 37. Rxc7 Qxc7 38.c6 Be8 39. Bf1 Qxc6 where Black is apawn up, but White has drawing chances.

(39. ... a5 40. Bb5 Nd8—IM Stopa sug-gested this line.)

37. ... Nxc5 38. Ra1 Nb3 39. Qb2 Nxa1 40.Qxa1 Qc5

With the plan of putting his rook onWhite’s second rank and winning the f-pawn. The rest of the game is technique.

41. Qb2 Kg7 42. Qd2 Ra7 43. Nh4 Ra2 44.Qd1 Qxf2 45. Qc1 Re2 46. Qg1 Qxg1+ 47.Kxg1 Be8 48. Bf3 Rb2 49. Ng2 Bc6 50. Ne3Rb4 51. Nd5 Bxd5 52. exd5 Rd4 53. Kf2 Kf754. Ke3 Ke7 55. g4 f5, White resigned.

Finally, I leave you with this heavy-weight battle. GM Leonid Kritz hasannotated the game for us.

Alekhine’s Defense (B04)GM Leonid Kritz (2656), UMBCGM Alejandro Ramirez (2608), UTD-APan Am Intercollegiate (5)Notes by Kritz

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 dxe5 5.Nxe5 c6 6. h3!?

It’s not the main line, but still playable.

6. ... Nd7 7. Nf3 g6

Too passive is 7. ... e6. The bishop onc8 will have a difficult life. 8. c4 N5f6 9.Nc3 Bd6 10. Be2 0-0 11. 0-0 Bauer-Luther (Bled, 2002)

8. c4!?

An interesting idea. White intends tocastle long and to attack Black's kingside.Another possible continuation is 8. Bc4Bg7 9. 0-0 0-0 10. Re1. White's maintask is to prevent Black's ... c6-c5 and ...e7-e5. 10. ... e6 11. c3 c5 (11. ... N5b6 12.Bd3 c5 13. Bg5 Qc7 14. Nbd2 cxd4 15.cxd4) 12. Bxd5 exd5 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14.Be3 Ne4 15. Nbd2 Re8 16. Bd4 f6 17. Qb3Macieja- Rozentalis (Warsaw, 2006)

8. ... Nc7!? 9. Nc3 Bg7 10. Bf4

White takes e5 under his control.

10. ... 0-0 11. Qd2 Re8 12. 0-0-0 b5!

Black tries to open queenside files toattack White's king.

13. Ne5?

Taking on b5 doesn't come in ques-tion. Still, White can play stronger with13. h4!

13. ... Bb7 14. Be2


14. ... Nb6?

Black now had a great chance to pun-ish White for the mistake on move 13with 14. ... Ne6! 15. cxb5 Nxf4!

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CollegeChess



After 14. Be2

15. c5!

The position changes with each move—White is better again. One of Black’sgreatest problems is the b7- bishop.

15. ... Nbd5 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 17. Bf3?

It is obvious that 17. Bh6 had to beplayed. 17. Bh6 Bxe5 (17. ... Bh8 18. h4Qc7 19. f4) 18. dxe5 Qc7 19. e6 f6 20. Bf3Rad8 21. Kb1.

17. ... f6 18. Ng4 Qd7?

For the second time Black doesn’t pun-ish White’s mistake. White now seizesthe initiative for the rest of the game.

19. Bh6!

Not to play this move again is dubious.

19. ... Bh8?!

White’s attack is even stronger withthe pair of black bishops on the board.

20. h4 e5!?

Black refuses to wait until he is killed.

21. dxe5 fxe5 22. h5 e4 23. hxg6! exf3

After 23. ... exf3

24. Qg5!!

Not 24. gxh7+? Qxh7 25. Qg5+ Kf7 26.Rxd5 cxd5 27. Qf4+ Kg8 28. Qg5+ Kf7 andequality.

24. ... Re4

Black is helpless.

25. gxf3 Rc4+ 26. Kb1 Rxc5 27. gxh7+ Kf728. Qh5+ Ke7 29. Bg5+ Kf8 30. Qh6+ Kf7 31.Ne5+! Bxe5 32. Qh5+ Kg7 33. h8=Q+ Rxh834. Qxh8+ Kf7 35. Qxe5, Black resigned..

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Ninth grader wins UTDscholarship; newscholarship announced

The Pan American Under 20 Scholas-tic Chess Championships attractedtwelve players. Coming out on top wasexpert Mitchell Powell, who won anAcademic Distinction Scholarship fromThe University of Texas at Dallas for his6-0 victory. Mitchell is a ninth gradestudent at Jasper High School in Plano,Texas. His favorite subject in school isband. He plays trombone, which hedescribed as, “unique among instru-ments because it has a slide and atrigger.” He said marching season,where the band played at all the var-sity football halftimes, was “tough butfun.” Mitchell is also a year ahead inmath, taking algebra II. Next year hewill be in pre-calculus. About bug-house he says, “It opens your eyes towhere pieces could go and makes youaware of the whole board.”He liked being in the same room

with the other Pan Am events. Mitchellsaid, “This is the first time I’ve seen acollege match set-up. It’s been interest-ing. I’m rooting for UTD, since we live10 minutes down the street from it.” Hefelt that his best game of the tourna-ment was his win, as white in roundthree, over USCF master Conrad Holt.

French Defense,Tarrasch Variation (C03)Mitchell Powell (2113)Conrad Holt (2256)Pan Am Under 20 Scholastic (3)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2

Mitchell said that he usually plays 3.Nc3, but noticed in pre-game prepara-tion that Conrad plays 3. ... Nf6. AndMitchell didn't want to play againstthat line.

3. ... Be7 4. Bd3 c5 5. dxc5 Nf6 6. Qe2 0-07. Ngf3 a5

Mitchell said he thought that Conradintended to follow this up with ... a5-a4, to restrict White’s d2-knight.

8. 0-0 Na6 9. b3 Nxc5 10. e5 Nxd3 11.Qxd3

Mitchell said he recaptured with thequeen because he wants to control thed-file. Also, he intends to counterBlack's ... Ba6 by playing c2-c4.

11. ... Nd7 12. Bb2 b6 13. Rfd1 Bb7 14.Qd4 Bc5 15. Qg4 Qe7 16. Re1

Mitchell said that Re1 was to inhibitBlack from playing f7-f6.

16. ... Rae8 17. Re2 f6 18. Rae1 fxe5 19.Nxe5 Nf6 20. Qh3

Here the queen keeps pressure onBlack’s e6.

20. ... Ne4 21. Nd3 Ba6 22. Nxc5

After 22. Nxc5

22. ... bxc5

22. ... Bxe2 23. Ncxe4 is better forWhite; 22. ... Qxc5 23. Nxe4 dxe4 24.c4 and the black e-pawn will fall.

23. c4 Nxd2 24. Rxd2 dxc4 25. bxc4 Bxc426. Qc3 Ba6 27. f3

Mitchell considered instead 27. Rxe6,but he was worried that his back rowwould be weak in the subsequent vari-ations.

27. ... Rf7 28. Qxa5 Bb7 29. Ba3 Qg5 30.Rb2

Mitchell said he spent 20 minutesfinding 30. Rb2, about which he says,“I think this is the only move.”

30. ... Bxf3 31. Qxc5 Bd5

Mitchell thought that 31. ... Rf5 wasa better try for Black.

32. Rxe6 Ref8 33. Re1 Qf4

A blunder by Black, caused by beinglow on time.

34. Qxd5

Now Black realizes that 34. ... Qf1+doesn’t work, because the f7-rook ispinned to the king.

34. ... Rc8 35. Rbe2 Qb8 36. Rf2 Qa7 37.Ref1 Rcc7 38. Qd8+, Black resigned.

The University of Texas at Dallas willaward one Academic Excellence Distinc-tion Scholarship, covering tuition andfees for eight semesters (4 years) to thestudent that wins the 2009 Denker Tour-nament of High School Championssponsored by the U.S. Chess Trust andUSCF. In addition, this scholarship cur-rently provides $1,000 a year towardrental expenses. The Denker is held inconjunction with the U.S. Open.

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Kasparov

Building upon your strengths is always a smart businessstrategy. After a few years of steady, top-flight results by ouryoungest players on the international stage, Garry Kasparovcomes to New York to work with a group of America’s bestand brightest scholastic chess players.

By Macauley Peterson

Kasparov’s

On the shortest day of 2008, a grayand bitterly cold Sunday in NewYork, Garry Kasparov arrives in a

very good mood. His eight pupils for theday are hard at work on an endgamestudy he had left for them as a morningwarm-up, and now the 13th world cham-pion is eager to show the solution. TheKasparov Chess Foundation’s (KCF’s)Master Class is in session.

The room, on the 25th floor of a mid-town office building, is long and narrowwith windows lining one wall and a cor-porate conference table stretching thefull length. A large LCD display hangson the wall at the end of the table whichmirrors the laptop at Kasparov’s seat.The kids sit in plush brown leather chairswith six individual display terminals attheir disposal, sprinkled around the table.There are no chess sets or demo boards—too slow and unwieldy. The KCF hassponsored five training sessions for tal-

ented young Americans over the past fewyears, but this weekend is unusual for theplaying strength of the participants: AlecGetz, Kassa Korley (who was only able toattend on Saturday), Daniel Ludwig, AlisaMelekhina, Mackenzie Molner, AndrewNg, Ray Robson and Sam Shankland,are all masters. Anna Matlin, the youngestin the room and just shy of a 2000 rat-ing, was also invited to watch. Ranging inage from thirteen to twenty they are across section of America’s chess future.

Prior KCF classes were comprised ofmuch larger groups—at first more thantwenty, then fifteen—but Kasparov and hislong time friend and collaborator MichaelKhodarkovsky decided the group was stilltoo big and the gap between the playerswas too wide. It became difficult to explaincertain concepts in a way that was bothclear to the weaker players yet instructiveto the strongest. Kasparov himself hasled every class, and readily agrees that this

group stands out from the rest. “This ses-sion we moved into smaller groups, toconcentrate on the best kids.” The exclu-sivity of this class has its benefits. “Thelevel of discussion is very high because theaverage rating of the group is high, andalso most of the games they show [are] thegames against even stronger players,” heexplains. “Everybody speaks, let’s say,the same language.”

After settling in and going over thewarm-up exercise, Kasparov decidesanother study is in order. The studentsruminate for a minute, before Kasparovoffers them a hint. “Let’s try to attack.”Daniel Ludwig mutters some variation tohimself. “What line cowboy?” asks Kas-parov. No response. Everyone ishunched over the small screens search-ing for the answer.

Not even Kasparov has it worked outentirely. “I vaguely remember the finalidea, but we still have to get there.” A

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CL_03-2009_KCF_class_DLF_r11.qxp:chess life 2/9/09 10:49 AM Page 34

Curriculum

Garry Kasparov: “The level of discus-sion is very high because the averagerating of the group is high ...”



We would look at several studies dur-ing the day, all composed by a Russianchess problemist named Oleg Pervakov fora book in development with Mark Dvoret-sky. They’ve given part of the work toKasparov for review, and as of today’ssession he had reviewed about a hundredof the problems, and refuted five.The next problem, Kasparov explains, is

“just something easy and nice. It’s aboutdomination ... an unusual domination.” Hequickly sets up the position, flipping vir-tual pieces at the sixty-four squares likeplaying cards on a blackjack table.

White to play

1. b8=Q Bd6 2. Qxd6 Rg2+ 3. Kxg2 Kh4+ 4.Ng4!! Qxd6 5. Ne5!

If 5. ... Qxe5, then 6. Bd8+; if 5. ...Qd2+, then 6. Bf2+ Kg5 7. Nf3+; if 5. ...Qd5+, then 6. Nf3+.Sam Shankland protests, “I heard that

in every study every piece has to have apurpose. What is the purpose of the pawnbeing on a6? Kasparov concedes that thisone may not be perfect—the pawn couldperhaps be on a2 instead—but that’s notthe point.Sam is the most talkative of the crew,

always throwing out variations or crack-ing jokes. “Last time I had that manyextra pawns I was playing my grandma,”he blurts out during one endgame, elic-iting giggles. He is tactically sharp with aself-confidence as impressive as his rat-ings history graph. Credit goes, in part,to the KCF training.“When someone improves,” Sam told

me later, “you can point to a whole bunchof reasons and it’s very hard to singleone out as the reason, but I do knowthat, for better or for worse, I went upfrom a 2200 to 2450 FIDE IM in lessthan a year, and [Kasparov] was in the

middle of that. And I don’t think thatplayed a small part. It’s probably a biggerpart than working with my friends andeverything.” I wondered how working withKasparov compares to working with othergrandmasters. Sam indicates it’s a differ-ence of degree, not kind, but he definitelysees a difference. “It’s always good to goover games with strong players, and thisguy is the king of strong players.”Oh yeah. This guy. The short-hand

reminds me of another brash and affableplayer, GM Loek van Wely, who’s beenknown to refer to his opponents in a sim-ilar way. Sam elaborates: “One thingabout this guy is he’s a lot faster than anyother, and a lot better than any other. ...I remember when I went over my game[against] Alexander Ivanov with him, andI saw this tactic that was maybe fifteenmoves deep that I was really proud of, andit led to a better endgame for me. And ittook me about twenty to twenty-five min-utes to figure it out and I got into timetrouble. [Kasparov] looked at the posi-tion and about ten seconds later he founda problem with my variation, where Ivanovcould have proven an advantage. I put itinto Fritz, Fritz disagreed, and then whenI let it run about a minute, it agreed with[Kasparov], and I was just like, ‘wow!’”With the morning exercises out of the

way, they get to the meat of the session:Analysis of the student’s games. Each par-ticipant was asked to bring four-six recentgames to analyze with the entire class.Daniel Ludwig is up to bat. He takes a seatto Kasparov’s left and inputs the moves onthe laptop hooked up to the LCD wallscreen. Ludwig shows a game against GMLeonid Kritz, an Alapin Sicilian, in whichBlack plays ... b6 and ... Bb7. It remindsGarry of a game he played with blackagainst Peter Svidler, the current Russianchampion, and he rattles off about tenmoves from that game on the computer.Kasparov frequently goes off on tan-

gents like this during the eight hoursession. The day is largely unstructured,and Kasparov’s broad aim is to share hisvast experience with the kids. When Ilater ask him about his pedagogicalapproach, he is unequivocal. “I’m not ateacher ... I learned a lot from Botvinnik,and I think his method works because I’msharing my experience. I’m teaching themhow to understand the game of chess. Imean some say, ‘oh, [the class is] very

short it doesn’t change anything’—no, itdoes, because I remember when I was akid and I could hear an opinion of a per-son who represented a great authorityin the game of chess for me and for oth-ers. It doesn’t guarantee tremendousprogress, but it helps them, actually, withtheir work, with their preparation,because they know more about chesswisdom than their competitors ... It helpsthem to broaden their vision of the game.”Daniel comes to a critical moment in his

game with Kritz. “Here he offered me adraw, so i thought for a really long timebecause I figured if a grandmaster isoffering me a draw with white, then theremust be some reason why I can’t take ona1,” winning a pawn, he explains. “Butthere is no reason, so I took.”Fair enough, but Kasparov suggests, “a

more logical conclusion would be thatsince he’s offering you a draw it means heblundered the pawn!” Thus begins a run-ning joke throughout the day: Kasparovis regularly critical of grandmasters whooffer draws in worse positions.Daniel flips through his games to find

another one to analyze. “I don’t have manygames with white to show you because Ijust switched to d4 a month ago.”“Anand did the same!” Kasparov laughs.Kasparov’s own knowledge of opening

theory during his playing career wasunparallelled, and although he no longerkeeps up with the latest theory, he waspleased to answer any questions the stu-dents could throw at him. For instance,from move one he says, “d4 always offersyou a variety of options. It doesn’t meanthat e4 is weak, but it’s no accident thatleading players are all moving to d4. Withe4 there are too many complex problemsthat White has to solve.” In other words,you’d rather deal with the Grunfeld thanwith the Marshall, and confronting a solidQueen’s Gambit is still more pleasantthan facing the Petroff.Daniel finds a new game, against Marc

Esserman whom Ludwig says had beensort of stalking him by following all hisgames live on the Internet Chess Club andusing his blitz history to prepare for theirtournament match up. “But now we traintogether,” he hastily adds, as though todiffuse any suggestion of impropriety.Playing through the opening, Daniel’sposition seems preferable, prompting Kas-parov to quip that Esserman’s “geniuspreparation isn’t working.” “You shouldsend him more blitz games.” The kidseat up this kind of snark from the champ,a sort of ex post facto trash talking thatwould be petty coming frommere mortals,but not from their hero.Daniel continues, “and here I didn’t

even consider taking the knight.”Kasparov is amazed. “I wouldn’t even

consider any other move ... Clearly the

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Kasparov is regularlycritical of GMs who offer

draws in worse positions.

Kasparov



knight is better than the bishop. Blackhas only one good piece. You have lots ofgood pieces.” The observation provides aclear difference between Kasparov andother grandmasters, according to Daniel.Kasparov is able to hone in on flaws in hisplay, that he hopes to correct.Sam and Daniel are friends. They have

roomed together at the U.S. Champi-onship and World Youth. They’re aboutthe same rating. In this room they’re likechess-crazed versions of Dumas’ Aramisand Porthos, minus the wine, women andsong. “I think we’re both pretty good at thisgame,” says Sam. “We both are not shy,and we just like to contribute our varia-tions, and if it means they just get refuted,then great, we realize what we did wrong.”When the gang breaks for a pizza lunch

at one thirty, I expected they would allwant to have a walk, or get some fresh air,and some do. But within a few minutesof eating, and despite being mid-waythrough a day full of chess analysis, Ifind Daniel and Ray Robson in the midstof a blindfold game.“This is kind of just something we do all

the time,” Daniel explains. “We went to theWorld Youth together one time and wetraveled around before that, and we justdid nothing but blindfold chess. Even in

front of, like, the Parthenon and stuff wewere still too busy playing blindfold chessto notice.” A tad obsessive, maybe? “No,I mean it’s fun! Well, I never get to playblindfold chess with anyone and Ray’sthe only one I know who plays it.”From across the room, Sam catches

wind of the conversation and pipes up,“Daniel, d4.”“No! I’m already in a game!”“Blindfold simul!” Sam shoots back,

jokingly.Ray is skeptical, but Daniel says it’s not

too hard. “When you get to about fiveboards that’s really hard, but two I thinkis doable.”“Well I play Rc1,” says Ray, preferring

to focus on the game at hand. Daniel isbusted, or so he says—I, of course, haveno clue of the position.Daniel echoes the general consensus

that this more exclusive training sessionis much better than the only one heattended before, in 2005. Back then thelarger group necessitated that each stu-dent bring only two games instead of fourto six. The smaller class size is a notice-able improvement, he says. “As close asyou can get to one-on-one the better.”Daniel likes the group dynamic as well.Although he has studied with experi-

enced trainers Gregory Kaidanov andLarry Christiansen, “when you’re workingwith Kasparov, the brilliance is so obvi-ous and so apparent,” he has noticed.“The ideas they just come so quickly andso naturally. I think the biggest thingabout working with Kasparov is if there’ssome position that seems unclear to me,he can immediately write it off as muchbetter or much worse or winning, andthat’s something I can’t do at this point.”After lunch, the group tackles another

brief endgame study, to get the mindmoving again.Mackenzie “Mac” Molner, the oldest

participant today, is generally silent. Heand the two young girls (Alisa Melekhinaand Anna Matlin) give the impressionthat they are mainly waiting for theirturn to show Kasparov their games, andare otherwise happy to passively listen.When I ask Kasparov about this after

the session he insists that one thing helearned from Botvinnik is the importanceof involving everyone in the discussion. Itis not ideal that some are just watching.“I’m trying to encourage more participa-tion, but sometimes you have to fightcertain problems of the character.” Somekids are bound to be the quiet type. Andyet the work should be very intense for

Garry Kasparov: “A more logical conclusion would be that since he’s offering you a draw it means he blundered the pawn!”



each of them, including Kasparov himself,he says. He wants the students to learnnot only from their own games, but alsofrom the games of their fellow classmates.The conclusion of Mac’s win over GM

Julio Becerra, a tactical slugfest, gener-ates some camaraderie. Andrew Ng spotsthe final flourish. “Rg7, ‘gg.’ Aww. NiceMac. Poor Becerra.”1 Everyone isimpressed. “Next time, I think we shouldmake a note,” Sam chimes in. “Let’s justgo over Mac’s games ‘cause they’re themost interesting.”In the next game Anna Matlin tries to

get in a small suggestion, one of the fewtimes the group has heard from her. Samshoots it down at first, an unfortunateinclination, but this time Daniel comes toher aid. “Nf5, I like it.”“Interesting,” Kasparov agrees. “Keep-

ing the bishop alive.”At this, a tiny hint of a satisfied smile

creeps onto Anna face. But almost imme-diately the boys move on. A moment laterAnna proffers a new idea. Again, it is ini-tially brushed off, but then Kasparovwarms up to it after all. Sam turns toAnna and whispers, “he just said yoursuggestion was right. I guess we shouldlisten to you more.” This time her smileis unambiguous.Sam can take criticism. “Once you wipe

the tears away, you’re stronger and youhave a better sense of the position,” hesays. “I know some people who are like, ‘ohmy god you said mymove is bad,’ and theygo cry in a corner ... but you don’t get bet-ter by someone saying, ‘all your moves areperfect,’ because, unless you win everygame, all your moves are not perfect.”Not everyone is so thick-skinned, but thebest learn how to recover and move onfrom failure, and everyone needs a littleencouragement from time to time.Today, Kasparov is satisfied. “You

know, I think it’s working nicely, becausein a small group, almost everyone partic-ipated. Even the girls, they had a fewquestions and they had a few comments,but of course when you have a couple ofstrong players and they’re bright, they’requick, they’re trying to dominate, andthere’s nothing wrong with it.”Ray is one of the youngest. His family

drove to New York from Florida, and thisis already his fourth KCF session, secondonly to Andrew, who has attended allfive. The pair are the same age—fourteen—and sit next to each other during the

day, huddled around the same computerscreen, whispering variations. They arenot as aggressive as Sam and Daniel,but nevertheless do not hesitate to jumpinto the conversation when they thinkthey’ve found something noteworthy. Rayin particular speaks up often, and oftenseems to be just a little bit ahead of thediscussion, nearly keeping up with Kas-parov move for move.When it’s his turn to show his games,

Ray picks a tough last round loss fromtheMiami International. Kasparov is incred-ulous. “Did you need to win the last round?”“No, I was a point ahead,” says Ray.“You were a point ahead and you lost?“Yeah.”“With white?” He resets the pieces on

the monitor.Kasparov’s criticism can be swift and

uncompromising. When Ray explains thathe feels he played too passively in themiddle game, he’s met with a slightlysarcastic, “we can see that.” A fewmoments later, Ray, moving the mouse,indicates, “I went here,” provoking animmediate and audible cringe from Kas-parov, who gasps and shakes his head. Hedoesn’t have any words of encourage-ment after Ray’s loss. He just lets it go byand moves on to the next game.Sometimes I would expect Kasparov to

have some salient observation about agiven position, especially during a lullaround the table, when no one seems tohave a comment or even to understandclearly what’s going on. Instead he is silent,just subtly urging Ray to continue. I askedhim about this later, whether there was adifference, or if it was just my imagination.“[Ray] has huge potential,” said Kas-

parov. “He plays, I would say, maturechess, and it was a pleasure to watchthis very young kid showing the linesand playing very high quality games. Icould have offered criticism, but I appre-ciated the fact that it was a very differentstrength. He plays chess which alreadycould make him a GM. So that’s why I toldhim, ‘don’t be too concerned about thetitle. You will get it soon if you keep play-ing the same chess.’”The next game from Ray goes somewhat

better. GM Renier Gonzalez offered Ray adraw in a dead lost position, misbelievingthat there would be a perpetual check.This precipitates uproarious laughter, asyet another illustration of the weekend’sinside joke. Grandmasters don’t like to

lose to young upstarts. Kasparov is amus-ingly dismissive of many grandmasters,even top ten players, the way an ordinarygrandmaster might be with masters, orthe way a master is with a C player.Ray’s last game for the day is from the

Essent Open, in North Holland, played onRay’s birthday, “but it didn’t work out” asa celebration. In a sharp Richter-Rauzer,Kasparov advocates White dropping hisbishop back to e3 and pushing g2-g4because Black’s bishop is misplaced ond7 in an English Attack setup. The f6-knight has no retreat square.He goes on to explain several other

strategic points in the game with GMAbhijeet Gupta from India, plucking outkey moments with incredible speed. Whena line isn’t working, he is decisive as towhere to revert to find the right path. Hedoesn’t like to admit defeat, but will occa-sionally reach a dead end and back up,with a casual, “well, we tried.”Only once, toward the end of the day,

when everyone was a little tired, does heturn Fritz on to confirm the end of a tac-tical sequence. In this case Fritz confirmsa clever only-move defense that Danielspotted.In general, appeals to authority don’t

work on Kasparov, and he constantlyemphasizes the need to think for one-self. He doesn’t once refer to theory, or anyother authority other than his own assess-ment, analysis, and games. That’s not tosay he won’t refer to other games—hedoes—but not to make them the finalarbiter of truth.For instance, after the game analysis,

Kasparov opens the room for questions.These are mostly centered around open-ing selection. Regarding 4. Ng5 in theTwo Knight’s Defense (a.k.a. The FriedLiver Attack), Kasparov approves,although he says it’s still not properlyanalyzed, probably. Daniel is dubious.“This is actually okay for Black, accord-ing to Informant,” he proclaims.“Well, what about common sense?”

comes the immediate retort.Sam asks, “do you think the Dragon is

better than its reputation?”“Look many strong players are playing

it again, but I don’t think it’s an openingI would rely on.”As to why Radjabov has revived the

Kings Indian Defense, he remarks, “Rad-jabov must play complicated unbalancedpositions, because his level of under-standing of simple positions is notsufficient to top level tournaments.”Karjakin’s aptitude for opening innova-

tions “still lags behind” the rest, but as forMorozevich, “he finds something, everysecond or third time.”For more down to earth advice, he sug-

gests that, with the caveat that eachplayer is different, you can exclude cer-

Kasparov

“Last time I had that manyextra pawns I was

playing my grandma.”



tain lines. “There are dead openings, like,you know, the Benoni.” Everyone laughs.“What would you recommend instead ofthe Benoni?” asks Andrew.

“Anything!” Kasparov says.Meanwhile the Marshall attack, “statis-

tically, is like a dead end.” Another toplevel game, another draw, and “Whitehas nothing.” Therefore, the anti-Mar-shall is the way to go. “I wouldrecommend to avoid it. That’s why theyplay [d2-]d3, and these kind of maneuvers... that’s why they play [d2-]d3 at move 5or 6 even.” I begin to notice that Kas-parov even speaks very fast.

It’s after 6:00 now, well past dark. Onelast study before they adjourn for 2008.

White to play

The main defensive idea is for the blackrook to get to either the h-file or eighth rank(and apparently there is no way to stop it).Kasparov is disappointed as he concludesthat this is another Pervakov problem thatwill need to be be added to the “refuted” list.(A few days later the students receive ane-mail containing the winning line. Theyhad all missed the key.)2

The KCF has a difficult task, whichKasparov fully understands. “The chessworld has been stagnating for a while. Itoffers few options for talented kids, sounless you are top ten, you will not makea decent living, so everyone is looking fora better job and for a better future.”

He argues that more attention will beneeded from private sponsors, or stateand local authorities. “Unfortunately, inthe United States, difficult time now in theeconomy we see the talented kids reach-ing a certain point and then being forcedto make a tough choice for their career,and they move out.”

He hopes a few of the talented kidshere will continue. “First you have to buildthe structure to find the talent, to encour-age kids to play chess. So that’s what wehave been doing here, and doing quitesuccessfully. The next problem is how tomake sure this talent stays in the game of

chess, but that’s beyond our task.”All the students show talent and deter-

mination, and have the potential to moveonto the professional level, if they stickwith chess. If today is any indication, it’shard to imagine we won’t see some ofthem competing on the U.S. Olympiadteam in a decade.

It’s the shortest day of the year, but forthese kids, not nearly long enough. .1. Andrew uses the Internet chessabbreviation for “good game.”

2. 1. h7 Re1+ 2. Ne4+!! (the move theymissed!) 2. ... Rxe4+ 3. Kd8 (andBlack cannot now play 3. ... Rh1!) 3.... Nd6 4. Bxd6 (4. Rxd6? Ra4) 4. ...Re8+ 5. Kxe8 c1=Q 6. Be7+ Kg6 7.h8=Q etc.

The KCF was the main sponsor of the U.S.Olympiad teams (see February Chess Life).For more information, including howto order their curriculum guide, seekasparovchessfoundation.org.

Previous KCF class articles in Chess Lifecan be found in the September 2006 andAugust 2008 issues.

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Anna Matlin (left) and Alisa Melekhina (right), two top scholastic players taking the opportunity to pick Kasparov’s brain.

CL_03-2009_KCF_class_DLF_r11.qxp:chess life 2/11/09 2:45 PM Page 39

On August 10, 2007, 13 of the USA’sstrongest correspondence players begana battle for supremacy—not by postcard,not by e-mail, but by webserver. Forthose of you unfamiliar with correspon-dence chess (CC) by webserver, it isalmost exactly like playing against anopponent over-the-board (OTB) chess ona computer screen except instead of min-utes to make a move, you have days (fiftydays to make 10 moves in this tourna-ment), and you may consult books (butnot generate moves using a computer).The chess is generally of very-high qual-ity and free of those blunders caused bynerves, time pressure, and carelessness.The thirteen warriors are names easily

recognized by CC fans and are becomingbetter known to OTB fans as well. Inalphabetical order they are SIM Wesley(Ted) Brandhorst, also first in rating order(2482). Ted won the Absolute event in2002, shared it in 2003, finished secondin 2004, and will tie for third in the 2005.During those four years he lost only twogames against the best of the best. Tedalso won the prestigious X North Ameri-can Invitational.Walter Brower (2384) has future tri-

umphs ahead of him. At this writing heleads the 2006 Absolute. You might won-der why the 2007 Absolute finished aheadof the 2005 and 2006 events. The mainreason is the use of a webserver. Fastereven than e-mail, no bookkeeping, norecording errors, the webserver (comingsoon to a USCF near you) is changing thenature of correspondence chess.Lawrence Coplin (2401) tied for third

place in the 2004 Absolute. SIM EdwardDuliba (2452) is the only player to accom-plish the grand slam of correspondencechess—a first-place tie in the 1992 GoldenKnights and the 1998 Absolute and firstin the 15th United States Correspon-

dence Chess Championship. Gino Figlio(2434) has finished tied for third in the1999 Golden Knights championship andhas been active in ICCF leadership.William Gray (2365) tied for third in the2005 Absolute. Robert Keating (2382)has won back-to-back Golden Knightstournaments in 1995 and 1996. IM KristoMiettinen (2364) is one of the most expe-rienced of the present Absolute players,having appeared in 1992, 2000, 2002,2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and now 2007Absolutes. Ciaran O’Hare (2405), USCFmember and a native of Ireland, is appear-ing in his fifth Absolute.Mark Robledo, Sr. (2336) is the new-

comer to the group, relatively untested intop-flight play, but sporting a hefty ratinggained mostly in scrappy Golden Knightsplay. IM Keith Rodriguez (2384) tied forfirst in the recently finished 2005Absolute. IM Leonard (Corky) Schakel(2329), the new leader of ICCF/US, hasshown his strength in winning the 1998Golden Knights (third in 1992) finishingtied for first in the 2003 Absolute andclear first in the 2004. Abe Wilson (2377)is the winner of the 2000 Golden Knights.The tournament began as most

Absolutes do with a few scattered drawsfollowed by the first decisive result, a winby Brower over Keating when Keating’skingside attack failed to materialize in aKing’s Indian Defense. But then camethe first shocker—less than two monthsinto the event, Abe Wilson defeated TedBrandhorst. Brandhorst had lost onlythree times before this in the last six(!)Absolutes stretching back to 2001 andover 79 games.

Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense (C67)Abe Wilson (2377)Wesley Brandhorst (2482)2007 Absolute

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. 0-0 Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+Kxd8

Both players have had experience withthis line before. Wilson-Jacobs, 2006Absolute, continued 9. Nc3 Be6 10. Ng5Ke7 11. f4 Bc4 12. Rf2 Ke8 13. b3 Bd5later drawn and Everitt-Brandhorst, 2005Absolute with 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 Be7 11.Rd1 Be6 and drawn on move 19.

9. Nc3 Ne7 10. h3 h6 11. Be3 Ke8 12. Rad1Nf5

This is Brandhorst’s theoretical noveltydeviating from Palac-Hracek, 2006Olympiad.

13. Bc1 Be6 14. g4 Ne7 15. Nd4 Bd7 16. f4Nd5 17. Ne4 Rd8 18. f5 c5

After 18. ... c5

19. c4 cxd4 20. cxd5 Bb5 21. Rxd4 c5?

Black had to play 21. ... Bxf1 andaccept a slightly inferior game.

22. Rdd1 Bc4 23. d6 Bxf1 24. Kxf1 b6 25.Kg2, Black resigned.

Not long after Brandhorst’s loss, theother man who had been winningAbsolutes lately fell as Schakel droppeda full point to Edward Duliba.

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Correspondence Chess

Absolutely New and Improved

An experienced, strong group—all of them used to winning—“gathered” on awebserver to contest the 2007 Absolute. They then finished the 2006 Absolute.

By FM Alex Dunne

CL_03-2009_absolute_AKF_10.qxp:chess life 2/8/09 3:11 PM Page 40


Classical Dutch,Classical Stonewall (A93)Edward Duliba (2452)Corky Schakel (2329)2007 Absolute

1. d4 e6 2. c4 f5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf30-0 6. 0-0 d5 7. b3 Bd7

A strategic idea that doesn’t quite panout in this game. Schakel immediatelyplays to activate the problem Stonewallbishop with the plan ... Bd7-e8-h5 but itnever reaches its assigned destination.

8. Nc3 Ne4 9. Bb2 Be8 10. Ne5 Nxc3

With the investment of two bishopmoves to move the bishop from c8 to e8,Black has to avoid trying to establish asStonewall by 10. ... c6 as 11. Nxe4 fxe412. f3 opens up the game favorably forWhite.

11. Bxc3 c6 12. Qd2 Nd7 13. Ba5 Qb8 14.Nd3

White repositions this knight, avoid-ing its exchange for the more passiveblack knight.

14. ... dxc4 15. bxc4 e5 16. Bb4 Bxb4 17.Qxb4 e4

Black has a difficult game after 17. ...exd4 18. Rab1 Rf7 19. Qxb7 Qxb7 20.Rxb7 Nb6 21. Rxf7 Bxf7 22. c5 Nd5 23.Ne5, but that might have been better .

18. Nf4 c5 19. dxc5 Qc8 20. Rad1 Nxc5 21. f3

White’s better development allows himto open up the position favorably.

21. ... exf3 22. Rxf3 Ba4 23. Rd5 b6 24. Re3Rb8 25. Re7, Black resigned.

Final position

Duliba thought that Schakel’s resig-nation was slightly premature, but thenDuliba has the enjoyable side of this posi-tion. Black’s scattered pieces offer littlehope for survival.In January, the Absolute lost six-time

veteran William Gray, Jr. who died at theWalter Reed Hospital. His final score of1½-10½ is hardly representative of histrue strength. Excluding points lost by hisdeath, Gray’s overall Absolute total wasa robust 27-22.

After the initial skirmishes it becameclear that this year it would be a two-manrace between Edward Duliba and GinoFiglio (though both men had to surpassLawrence Coplin, who finished 8-4, andKristo Miettinen, who had a late surge toattain the same score). One of the othercontestants described the race as the“standard ICCF move”—starting slow tosee who were the fish and who the com-petitors, and to establish exactly howhigh a score would be needed ...”

Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation(Poisoned Pawn) (B97)Lawrence Coplin (2401)Gino Figlio (2434)2007 Absolute

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 8. Nb3 Be7 9. Qf3Nbd7 10. 0-0-0 Qc7 11. Bd3 b5 12. a3 Rb813. Bh4

This remarkable move apparently hasa copyright by Coplin. The idea is a king-side pawn storm by g2-g4-g5 withoutbeing impeded by the g5-bishop. It cer-tainly seems worth trying again.

13. ... b4 14. axb4 Rxb4 15. Rhe1 Bb7 16.Qh3 h6 17. Kb1 Ba8 18. Na2 Rb6 19. Nc3

White offers to smoke a peace pipe,but Black wants some adventures.

19. ... Qb8 20. Bf2 Rb4 21. g4 0-0

Into the teeth of the attack! What hap-pens next shows combinative CC at itsfinest. Almost every move for both sidesfrom now to move 35 deserves an excla-mation point.

22. g5 hxg5 23. fxg5 Nh7 24. Nd5 exd5 25.exd5 Nxg5 26. Qxd7 Bf6 27. Ba7 Qd8 28.Qxd8 Rxd8 29. Bxa6 Ra4 30. Bb6 Rb8 31.Bd3 Bxd5 32. Bf5 Be6 33. Bxe6 Nxe6 34. Bf2Be5 35. Bg3 f6 36. Bxe5 dxe5

After the whirlwind an endgame isreached of about even chances, as long asWhite plays actively.

37. Rd6 Ng5 38. Nc5 Rh4 39. Re2 Rb5 40.Ne6 Ne4 41. Rc6 Kf7 42. b3 g5 43. Kc1 Rb844. Kb2 Re8 45. Nc7 Rd8 46. b4 Nd2 47. Ne6Rd5 48. Nc7 Rd7 49. Na6 Rd6 50. Rxd6 Nc4+51. Kb3 Nxd6 52. Nc7 Nc4 53. c3 Ke7 54. Ra2f5 55. Na6 Kd6 56. b5

White cannot let his pawns be suc-cessfully blockaded if he hopes to hold thegame.

56. ... Nb6 57. Rf2 f4 58. c4 Nd7


59. Rc2?

After conducting a titanic struggle,

After 58. ... Nd7

Coplin finally hits an iceberg and his-game sinks. Even with 59. Rd2+ Coplinloses—59. ... Ke7 60. c5 e4 61. b6 e3 62.Rxd7+ Kxd7 63. b7 Rh8 64. Kc3 f3 65.Kd3 f2 66. Ke2 Rf8!. Had Coplin drawnthe game, he would have finished second(instead of tied for third) and Figlio wouldhave dropped to a tie for third. LikelyCoplin was playing this dangerous posi-tion for a win to give him a chance to tiefor first.

59. ... Nc5+ 60. Kb4 Nxa6+ 61. bxa6 f3 62. a7Rh8 63. Ra2

Expecting 63. ... Ra8 64. Ra6+ Ke7 65.Kc3 f2 66. Ra1 which would only leaveBlack with a small edge.

63. ... e4, White resigned.

The rook cannot battle against the con-nected pawns. The end could be 64. Kc3e3 65. Kd3 e2 66. Kd2 Re8! 67. Ke1 f2+and Black wins.

Third-place finisher ICCM Kristo Miet-tinen works as a civil affairs officer whomanages the effect of civilians on U.S.combat operations. Kristo is currentlythe playing team captain of the SixthNorth Atlantic Team Tournament.Miettinen, Kristo’s study of combat sit-

uations surely must have helped in thisferocious struggle against Ciaran O’Hare.

Sicilian Defense, SveshnikovVariation (B33)Kristo Miettinen (2364)Ciaran O’Hare (2405)2007 Absolute

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 Nxd5 8. exd5 Nb89. Qf3 a6 10. Qa3 Be7 11. Bg5 f6

Black cannot profit by 11. ... Bxg5 12.Nxd6+ Kd7 13. Nxf7 when White shouldwin.

12. Be3 0-0 13. 0-0-0 Bf5 14. Nc3 Nd7 15. f3b5 16. h4 Qb8 17. Ne4 Nb6 18. g4 Bd7 19.Ng3

A hard move to find, retreating insteadof attacking, but White must preventBlack from counterattacking in the cen-

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ter. After 19. h5 f5! Black generates coun-terplay.

19. ... Rc8 20. Qd3 b4

Weakening his grip on c4, Black is plan-ning to exchange light-squared bishops,but that maneuver will also weaken f5.

21. Qe4 Bb5 22. g5 Bxf1

After 22. ... Bxf1

23. Nf5!

A solid zwischenzug that strengthensWhite’s attack.

23. ... Bf8 24. Rhxf1 Nd7 25. Nh6+ Kh8

Accepting the sacrifice fails to 25. ...gxh6 26. gxh6 Qc7 27. Rg1+ Kh8 28.Rd2 Nb6 29. Rdg2 Qf7 30. Qg4 Bxh6 31.Bxh6 Rg8 32. Bg7+.

26. Nf7+ Kg8 27. g6 hxg6

Keeping the position closed must fail inthe long run—27. ... h6 28. Qg4 Qc7 29.Rf2 Re8 30. Bxh6 gxh6 31. g7 Kxf7 32.g8=Q+.

28. Qxg6 b3 29. Nh6+ Kh8 30. Qf7 Be7 31.Rg1, Black resigned.

2006 Absolute:Goodbye to e-mailThe 2006 Absolute finished two months

after the 2007 Absolute. Once again thereason was the changing technology thathas been remodeling correspondencechess. The 2007 Absolute was the first tobe played by webserver; the 2006 wasthe last to be played by e-mail. Therewas still plenty of time for the 2006 par-ticipants to follow Italian champion MarioNapolitano’s definition of CC play: “Cor-respondence chess is not a school fortechnique or an academy for virtuosity, itis a discipline of deep thought, ofresearch, of tenacity. There is no place forthe easy and convenient draw by agree-ment, but there is always the torment ofthe search for the best.” That is the phi-losophy, but of the 78 games played, 44were draws, 56% of the total. Still, that

brings in a healthy 44% decisive gamesplayed. The lowest rated player at thestart, Laurence Anderson, summed it up,“I keep being surprised how quickly thesestrong players offer a draw.” Nevertheless,something has to be said for the cau-tious strategy—the co-winners wereundefeated and the top six finishers losta total of three games.That being said, the co-winners of the

2006 Absolute Championship reachedtheir goal by winning four games anddrawing eight. Walter Brower of Hopewell,New Jersey improved on his tie for thirdin the 2005 Absolute by climbing to thetop, but the trip was not always smooth.

Vienna Game (C27)Joe Shipman (2283)Walter Brower (2390)2006 Absolute

Of the “regulars” in the Absolute cham-pionships, Joseph Shipman is an anomaly.He is a throwback to a pre-Steinitz time,the 1850s, where macho men offered andaccepted gambits. One of his main weaponis the Morra Gambit and this “primitive,pre-scientific” approach to the game hastaken many scalps over the years. He is adangerous opponent and draws are rarevisitors to his games.

1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Bc4 Bc5

Walter sidesteps the aptly namedFrankenstein-Dracula Variation of theVienna with 3. ... Nxe4 4. Qh5 Nd6 5. Bb3Nc6 6. Nb5 g6 7. Qf3 where Shipmanwould have been right at home.

4. f4 d6 5. d3 0-0 6. f5

Shipman announces his intention—akingside attack based on a pawn storm.Not many players could withstand thefollowing storm.

6. ... c6 7. Qf3 b5 8. Bb3 a5 9. a3 Bb6!?

I was puzzled by this move when I firstsaw it. I remain puzzled by it now. Thepunctuation mark is for the eventual suc-cess Black achieves with it.

10. g4 Na6

White’s attack looks fierce here—Black’s queenside pieces don’t look likethey can help their king any.

11. g5 Nd7 12. g6 hxg6 13. fxg6 d5 14. Nxd5!?


I am an admirer of Shipman’s chutz-pah. He will attack anybody on thechessboard at any time. But here mostmasters would be content with a materialreward with 14. exd5 Ndc5 15. Ba2 fxg616. dxc6+ with a plus to White.

14. ... cxd5 15. Bxd5 Nf6 16. Bg5

After 14. Nxd5

Strong—but bankers might prefer 16.Bxa8.

16. ... Ra7 17. Ne2

Shipman has played with great verve,but now he misses his last chance tocash in by 17. gxf7+ Raxf7 with a smallplus. Instead he wants to checkmate hisopponent, but now it becomes Brower’sturn to show some attacking prowess.

17. ... Be6! 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20.Qh5 Qf2+ 21. Kd1 Rf6 22. Qxe5

Material is even but the white king isnow the one under fire. It is now Brower’sturn to eschew material gain. What hap-pens next is both brutal and beautiful.

22. ... Qf3 23. Re1 Bf2 24. Qxb5 Nc5! 25.Qb8+ Rf8 26. Qxa7 Nxd3! 27. Qe7 Qe3 28.Qxe6+ Kh8 29. c3 Bxe1

Black takes the rook en route to check-mating the white king. This timeRomanticism failed.

30. Kc2 Qxe2+ 31. Kb3 Qxb2+ 32. Kc4Qxc3+ 33. Kb5 Qc5+ 34. Ka4 Nb2+ 35. Kb3Qc3+ 36. Ka2 Nc4 37. Qh3+ Qxh3, Whiteresigned.

Laurence Anderson of Foristell, Mis-souri finished tied for first, but notwithout a little luck (the good players arealways lucky). His undefeated record mayindicate that we will hear much moreabout him in the future, especially if heplays like he did in the following game:

Symmetrical English (A34)Eric Fischvogt (2316)Laurence Anderson (2231)2006 Absolute

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Nc7 7. b3 e5 8. Bb2 Be7 9.Rc1 Ne6 10. 0-0 0-0

The strategic battle lines have beenjoined. Black occupies the center withpawns and pieces, claiming the territoryfor himself. White keeps his central pawnmajority back, a potential occupying force,and fianchettoes his bishops to strike atthe center at a distance, intending to

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CorrespondenceChess



gradually take over the center at a latertime.

11. Ne1 f5 12. f4!?

This corresponds to White’s plan toattack Black’s center pawn structure,but it has a drawback of weakening thepawn support of White’s own center.

12. ... exf4 13. gxf4 Bf6 14. e3 Bd7 15. Qe2 a616. Kh1?!

White intends a possible Rg1 with somekingside play but he overlooks a tacticalshot that gives Black strong piece activ-ity in the center.

16. ... Nb4 17. a3 Na2!

After 17. ... Na2

Black’s knight, that was commandingfew good squares, finds the opportunityto exchange itself for White’s superiorknight on c3.

18. Rd1 Qe8 19. Nd3 Rd8 20. Ne5

It is easy to condemn this move asWhite’s central pawn structure will beweakened after the following trade but itis not so easy to suggest a better plan.

20. ... Bxe5 21. fxe5 Nxc3 22. Bxc3 Bb5 23.d3 Bc6

The result of Black’s maneuver ... Nb4-a2xc3 is that White’s center has beencompromised, he is stuck with the worsebishop, and White’s passed e5-pawn issecurely blockaded: plus to Black.

24. b4 Bxg2+ 25. Qxg2 f4!

And now White will have to furtherworry about the safety of his king.

26. e4 c4!

Anderson may have been the lowestrated player at the start of this event,but he plays like one of the strongest.White can’t allow the doubled isolated e-pawns. Nevertheless, this had to becarefully calculated.

27. d4 Qh5 28. d5 f3!

Here is the kicker that Black hadplanned on when he played 25. ... f4!White’s keystone to his pawns, the e4-square, falls.

29. Qf2 Ng5 30. Rde1 Rf4 31. e6 Nxe4 32.Rxe4!?

Eric Fischvogt is no stranger toAbsolute events, scoring a plus score thisyear and an even score in 2004. He knowshis only chance is to sacrifice theExchange to reinvigorate his centralpawns, capture f3, and put some fire inhis attack against the black king, but itis not enough.

32. ... Rxe4 33. Qg3 Qg6 34. Qxf3 h5 35. b5

Failing to hold is 35. Qf7+ Kh7! 36.Qxg6+ Kxg6 37. Rg1+ Kf5! 38. Rf1+ Kg4and the center pawns fall.

35. ... Kh7 36. bxa6 bxa6 37. Rd1 Rg4 38. e7Rb8 39. Bb4 c3 40. d6

Naturally 40. Bxc3 fails to 40. ... Rb1.

40. ... c2, White resigned.

The last trick is 41. Rc1 Rbxb4! 42.axb4 Qg5 43. Qxg4 Qxc1+ 44. Kg2 Qd2+45. Kg3 Qe1+ and Black wins.

Thirty years ago in 1976 the FirstAbsolute Championship was held. Ayoung man named Robert Jacobs wonthat event with an undefeated 8-4 score.Robert has played, successfully, in sixAbsolutes. Thirty years later he is stillplaying well. In the following game hedefeats one of the most dominant figuresin recent Absolute play, depriving TedBrandhorst of the opportunity to at leasttie for first.There is absolutely no truth to the

rumor that Jacobs is a magician whoscatters his pieces randomly across theboard, utters an incantation, and, mag-ically, his pieces coordinate into a deadlyattacking unit capable of felling thebiggest giant. And yet ...

Sicilian Defense,Grand Prix Attack (B21)Robert Jacobs (2414)Wesley Brandhorst (2444)2006 Absolute

1. e4 c5 2. f4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Be2 Nc6

Jacobs has tried this line before againststrong opposition. The game Jacobs-Coplin, 2002 Absolute continued 5. d3Nh6 6. 0-0 d5 7. Qe1 0-0 8. c3 d4 whenBlack weathered Jacobs’ attack and adraw was reached by move 45.

5. 0-0 d6 6. d3 e6 7. Qe1 Nge7 8. Kh1

The king is tucked into the corner fortwo reasons here. The first is to avoidany surprises on the g1–a7 diagonal. Thesecond is White plans a kingside pawnstorm when the g-file may become openand White would like a white rook or twoon that file.

8. ... 0-0 9. Qh4

This transfer of the queen to the king-side is standard fare in both the Dutchand Sicilian.

9. ... d5 10. c3 b6 11. Na3 Ba6 12. Rf2 b5

Black has neutralized White’s attackwith center play and some queensideactivity.

13. Nc2 b4?!

After 13. ... b4

This misstep is the beginning of Black’sslide—instead of opening up the queen-side to Black activity, it leads to itsclosing.

14. c4! dxe4

And now the center grows a bit whiter.

15. dxe4 Re8 16. Be3 Qa5 17. g4!

With more than half of Black’s forcesbivouacking on the queenside, White ini-tiates a deadly raid on the kingside.

17. ... Rad8 18. f5 exf5 19. gxf5 f6

Perhaps Brandhorst relied on 19. ...gxf5 here, but then White breaks throughwith 20. Ng5 h6 21. Nxf7! which leads toa winning attack—21. ... Kxf7 22. Bh5+Kg8 23. Rg1 Ne5 24. Bxh6 N7g6 25. Bxg6Nxg6 26. Rxg6 Rd1+ 27. Kg2 Rd7 28.Bxg7 Rxg7 29. Rxg7+ Kxg7 30. Qg5+ Kf731. Rxf5+ and White is winning.

20. Bh6 Bh8 21. Rg2 Bb7 22. Rag1 Rd7 23.Ne3, Black resigned.

Amazing. The white pieces justswarm up the board and the blackking is hopelessly outnumbered.Brandhorst resigns here as there isno reasonable defense—23. ... Nd4 24.fxg6 Nxg6 25. Qh5 Bg7 26. Rxg6! hxg627. Qxg6 Ree7 28. Ng4 and there is nohope for Black. Jacobs is proof that theseeighty year old fellows can play withyouthful vigor. .Read more correspondence chessnews in Alex Dunne’s monthly column,“Check is in the Mail,” online atuschess.org. Click on “Activities andInterests” in the left margin then clickon “Correspondence Chess.”

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Most of my correspondents submit theirwon games; however draws, or evenlosses, can be instructive, for both thewriter and for future readers. The winnerof this month’s award, Paul Serrano,writes:

Here is a submission for your Chess Lifecolumn, different from most, perhaps, inthat the author lost. But we learn morefrom losses than from wins. In this case,it’s the endgame prospects of two piecesagainst a rook.As usual, Lev’s comments are in italics.

Ruy Lopez, Exchange Variation (C68)William Franklin (1521)Paul Serrano (1636)Arlington Ladder, 2008

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5.d4

Not a bad choice for those who love end-ings and hate theory! Today, Fischer’s 5.0-0 is more common and more ambitious—but to play it, some deeper openingknowledge is required.

I don’t see the 5. d4 variation much. It’san old idea, trading center pawns andqueens with the intention of movingquickly to a superior endgame.

5. ... exd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4

After 7. Nxd4

IM Bill Hartston’s manual (The Pen-guin Book Of Chess Openings) gives 7. ...Bd7, followed by ... 0-0-0 and perhaps a

fianchetto of the dark-square bishop. Thebishop pair makes up for the doubledpawns. But I couldn’t remember thatnow. I’m on my own.Garry Kasparov agrees with Hartston:

“Simpler is 7. ... Bd7 and ... 0-0-0 with aquite comfortable game.” Also good was 7.... Bd6, as “Capa” played against Lasker.

7. ... Bc5 8. c3 Ne7 9. Bf4 Bd6

When I get in an opening which isn’tsharp, I relax, perhaps too much. Thebishop comes back sheepishly. But if Ihad recognized how important it is forBlack to avoid trading bishops, I wouldhave looked at 9. ... Bb6.I don’t like 9. ... Bb6 that much; e.g., 10.

a4 or 10. Nd2, followed by Nc4. I think 9.... Bd6 is at least as good. After all, Blackundoubles his pawn while capturingtoward the center.

10. Bxd6 cxd6 11. c4 Ng6 12. g3

Hard to imagine what White was think-ing of here. It prevents the entry of theknight on f4, only to create a hole on f3.

12. ... Ne5 13. b3 Bg4 14. Nd2 Nd3+ 15. Kf1

After 15. Kf1

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to pre-vent White from castling and to bottleup the king rook.

15. ... 0-0-0

The plan now is to clear away the cen-ter pawns and open files. White’s knightsline up on the d-file to make a target.

16. Kg2?

White ignores (or misses) the threat.Pushing the black bishop away wouldhave been better.

16. ... d5 17. exd5 cxd5 18. cxd5 Rxd5 19.N2f3

Now Black has a substantial initiative.How to convert it into something tangible?I figure getting two pieces for a rook willbe winning.

19. ... Rhd8 20. h3 Bh5 21. Nc2

After 21. Nc2

White avoids losses by 21. g4 Bg6 22.Ne2, but his position remains difficult.

21. ... Bg6

I won’t claim that I saw the opportunityto win White’s f-pawn with 21. ... Bxf3+22. Kxf3 Rf5+. But the consequences of23. Ke3 Nxf2 24. Rhf1 with the rookunprotected are too hard to contemplate.The crucial moment. If only Paul could

clearly visualize the position after 24. Rhf1(his line) he’d have found 24. ... Re8+,with a now clear (and perhaps decisive)black advantage. But even simpler to cal-culate, 22. ... Nxf2 (instead of 22. ... Rf5+in Paul’s note) 23. Kxf2 Rd2+ leaves Blackwith an extra pawn and better pieces—alikely win.

22. Ne3 R5d7

22. ... R5d6!?—L.A.

23. Kf1 Be4 24. Ke2 f5

+k�r + ++p+ +p�ppp+ + + ++ +r+ +l+ + + +

+P+n+N�PPP+N+ �PK+�R + + +R

r+ +k+ �r+p+ +p�ppp+p�p + ++ + + ++P�NP+l+

+P+n+ �PP+ �N �P �P�R + +K+R

r+l+k�ln�r+p�p +p�ppp+p+ + ++ + + ++ �NP+ +

+ + + +P�PP+ �PP�P�RN�L �K +R

Back toBasics

Learning FromLosses

Capablanca once said that we learn most from our lost games. Capa’s own mostfamous loss happened in a game against Emanuel Lasker (Petersburg, 1914), in aline with a deserved drawish reputation.

By GM Lev Alburt

CL_03-2009_alburt_AKF_r8:chess life 2/10/2009 3:56 PM Page 44


White is tied up. I want to move ... f5-f4 and trade pawns.

25. Rhd1 f4 26. Ng5 Bg6 27. Ne6

I hadn’t foreseen how White wouldsquirm out, but I figured I’m still gettingtwo pieces for the rook.

27. ... fxe3 28. Nxd8

After 28. Nxd8

28. ... Kxd8

An in-between move, 28. ... exf2, allowsBlack to get a material advantage, albeitafter 29. Ne6! Re7 30. Rxd3 the emergingrook ending is most likely drawish.

29. fxe3

NowWhite has an extra pawn, but I fig-ured I can blockade and win (if only it wasso easy).

29. ... Be4 30. Rd2 Ne5

The trade of rooks is inevitable, even asit favors White.Good observation on both counts.

31. Rxd7+ Kxd7 32. Rc1

After 32. Rc1

Only after I looked at a database did Irealize that R+P beats B+N more oftenthan it loses. I might have set up a defen-sive position with h5 and g6, but at thispoint I still thought I could penetrate.I still believe that, on average, R+P as

in the diagram is, at best, equal to B+N,and indeed not as good if we exclude eas-ily recognizable positions where therook-side has a dangerous passer or eventwo. Indeed, Black is better here but, withgood play, White is likely to draw.

32. ... g5 33. b4 b6

With their 33rd moves, both sides, for nogood reason, create weaknesses for them-selves. Black, for instance, should haveplayed 33. ... Bg2, in order to create forWhite a weak pawn on h4 (after 34. h4gxh4 35. gxh4 Bf3+!.) while 33. ... b6weakened both the b-pawn and the a-pawn. On the other hand, 33. b4weakened White’s queenside.

34. Rd1+ Ke7 35. Rc1 Bd3+ 36. Kd2 Bc4 37.a3 Kd6

After 37. ... Kd6

38. Kc3

A mistake in a difficult position.—L.A.

38. ... b5

I wanted to avoid making my bishop’sposition too rigid, but I thought beingable to block the c-file would be an advan-tage. I forgot about defending the a-pawn.Instead of this move, which weakens

both the a6-pawn and the c5-square, Blackgets a real edge with 38. ... Be6!, threat-ening both 39. ... Bxh3 and 39. ... Nc4.

39. Rd1+ Kc7

Better is 39. ... Ke7 40. Kd4 Nd7, andBlack holds.

40. Kd4 Kd6 41. h4

I think now that trading pawns makesthese positions more drawish.Of course! A rule of thumb: in a worse

ending, trade pawns. Besides, his h-pawnwill be very vulnerable.

41. ... g4 42. Ke4+ Ke6 43. Rd8

With the rook having penetrated, Blackis toast. White will get the a-pawn and apasser on the queenside.Even if Black is lost, this is not a time to

mentally give up. Stay alert and watchfor your chance—an opponent isn’t thatperfect, either, and can err.

43. ... Ke7 44. Ra8 Nf7 45. Rxa6 h5 46. Kf4Nd6 47. Ra7+ Kf6 48. e4 Nf7


49. a4

Stronger was 49. Ra6+ Ke7 50. e5 (If49. ... Be6, 50. Rb6, winning the b-pawn.)

After 48. ... Nf7

49. ... bxa4 50. Rxa4 Ne5 51. Ke3

After 51. Ke3

Last chance to draw? 51. ... Nc6 wouldwin the outside pawn.Not enough to force a draw easily: 52.

Ra1, ready to meet 52. ... Nxb4 with 53.Ra4, enough to create some problems.

51. ... Ke6 52. Ra5 Bf1, Black resigned.

And the score ends, with Black in timetrouble, resigning when promotionbecomes imminent.A very instructive ending, showing prob-

lems, and opportunities on both sides of theR+P vs. B+N equilibrium. .

+ + + ++ + + ++ + �k +

+ + �n +pR�Pl+P+p�P+ + �K �P+ + + +

+ + + +

+ + + +�R + +n++ + �k +

+p+ + +p�Pl+P�Kp�P

�P + + �P+ + + +

+ + + +

+ + + ++ + + +pp�p �k + ++ + �n �p�Pl+ + +

�P + �P �PP+ �K + +

+ �R + +

+ + + ++p+k+ �ppp+ + + ++ + �n ++ +l+ +

+P+ �P �PPP+ +K+ ++ �R + +

+k�N + ++p+r+ �ppp+ + +l++ + + ++ + + +

+P+n�p �PPP+ +K�P +�R +R+ +

Send in your games!If you are unrated or were rated

1799 or below on your Chess Lifelabel, then GM Lev Alburt invitesyou to send your instructive gameswith notes to:Back to Basics, c/o Chess LifePO Box 3967 Crossville, TN38557-3967Or e-mail your material [email protected] Alburt will select the “most

instructive” game and Chess Lifewill award an autographed copy ofLev’s newest book, Chess TrainingPocket Book II (by Lev Alburt and AlLawrence) to the person submittingthe most instructive game and anno-tations.

CL_03-2009_alburt_AKF_r8:chess life 2/10/2009 3:56 PM Page 45


Pawn upGM Gata Kamsky (FIDE 2729, USA)GM Peter Svidler (FIDE 2727, Russia)38th Olympiad, 2008

White to play

Gata is a pawn up against the Russianchampion, but it is difficult to convertthis into a victory. He has tried everythingelse, so now he tries giving up the block-ade of the passed a-pawn.

38. Nc5 b6 39. Ne4 Bf8 40. Ke2 Re8

Black tries to regain the pawn, though40. ... a4 seems more logical.

41. Kd2 Re5 42. Nc2 Rxh5 43. d4 b5 44. c5Rd5 45. Nxb4 Rxd4+ 46. Nd3 Rxe4 47. Rxb5a4 48. Rb8 h5 49. Ra8 Bh6+ 50. Kd1 Bg7

Now the c-pawn becomes dangerous.More effective was 50. ... Rd4 51. Ke2Re4+ 52. Kf1 Bf8 53. c6 Bd6, stopping thepawn.

51. Ra7+ Kg6 52. c6 Rc4 53. Nf4+ Kh6


54. Ra5?!

Though this threatens mate, the imme-diate 54. c7! was better. For example 54.... Be5 55. Ne6 a3 56. Ra6! Kh7 57. Rxa3Kg6 58. Ra8! Bxc7 59. Rc8 wins.

54. ... Bd4?

No bishop moves help here. Thus 54. ...Bf6 55. Rxh5+ Kg7 56. Rc5! Rxc5

After 53. ... Kh6

57. Ne6+ Kf7 58. Nxc5 Bd8 59. Nxa4must be winning. The only move thatseems to offer serious resistance is 54. ...Kh7!

55. c7! Rxc7

The attempt 55. ... a3 also fails sinceafter 56. Rxh5+ Kg7 57. Rc5!! a2 58.Rxc4 a1=Q+ 59. Kc2 Qa2+ 60. Kd3 andfinally Black runs out of useful checks.

56. Rxh5+ Kg7 57. Ne6+ Kg6 58. Rd5

Even simpler was 58. Rg5+ Kf6 59.Nxc7 Kxg5 60. Ne6+ but the game wasalso firmly in White’s grasp.

58. ... a3 59. Rxd4 Ra7 60. Rxg4+ Kf5 61. Rg7Ra4 62. Nc5 a2 63. Nb3 Rb4 64. Ra7 Rxb365. Rxa2 Kg4 66. Ra4+ Kf3 67. Rf4+ Kg2 68.Ke2, Black resigned.

Pawn up IIGM Kirshnan Sasikiran (FIDE 2694, IND)GM Gata Kamsky (FIDE 2729, USA)38th Olympiad, 2008


White has sacrificed a pawn for thisposition, but Black strives for active playinstead of playing defensively with 31. ...Kg7 32. Rf3 etc.

31. ... Rb8! 32. Rxf6?

Risky with a vulnerable back rank, but

Black to play

Black has the advantage even after 32.Rc1 Rb4.

32. ... Ba4! 33. Rb3

Not much better is 33. Bb3, consider-ing 33. ... Rxe4.

33. ... Rb4?!

It was simpler to accept the Exchangeand after 33. ... Bxb3 34. axb3 Ng5 35.e5 Rf8 Black should win after tradingrooks.

34. Rxf7??

Missing his escape chance with 34.Rxb4! then after 34. ... cxb4 35. Bxa4Rxe4 36. Rf1 Rxc4 37. Bb3 Rc8 38. d6 c239. d7 c1=Q 40. d8=Q+ Rxd8 41. Rxc1Rd7 42. Rc8+ Kg7 43. Rb8 would haveequalized.Black could then get even more winning

chances by the 34. ... Bxc2! “sac” butafter 35. Rb7 Bxe4 36. Rfxf7 Bxd5 37.Rfe7 Rd8 38. Rb1 Bxc4 39. Rbe1 theclear win cannot be seen. It is impossibleto calculate such long variations accu-rately within limited time.

34. ... Bxb3 35. axb3 Kxf7 36. Kg1

Even 36. Nd6+ Ke7 37. Nxe8 Kxe8 and... Rd4 are hopeless for White.

36. ... Rxc4, Black resigned.

(see next page)

+r+r+k+�p +l+n+p+ + �pp+

+ �pP+ ++N+P�R +

+ �p + +P+L+ +P�P+R+ + +K

+ + + +�R + + �l+P+ + �k

+ + + +pp+r+ �Np++ + + �P+ + �P +

+ +K+ +

+ �r + ++p+ +k�l+ + + �p

�p + + +PN�nP+ +p++R+P+ �P+ + �P +

+ + �NK+

EndgameLab

DresdenDramas

Four endgames from the Olympiad in Dresden feature two quick victories full oftactical complications and two showing patient maneuvering.

By GM Pal Benko

CL_03-2009_benko_JP_r7:chess life 2/10/2009 4:16 PM Page 46


MarathonGM Peter Leko (FIDE 2747, Hungary)GM Vassily Ivanchuk (FIDE 2786, UKR)38th Olympiad, 2008

Black to play

Black won a pawn on the 32nd movebut White managed to escape into thisposition where the pawns are on one side,without any passed pawns—so a drawlooks probable. After trading two pawnsit should be possible to sac a piece for theremaining pawn for a draw. Let’s see thatin practice.

50. ... Qb8

After a lot of different tactical triesBlack hopes to increase his winningchances in a queenless endgame. I am notgoing to bore my readers so I skip 70moves “featuring” some repetitions andempty tries at exhausting the opponent.

After 120. ... Kf4

Here we go again with an ending thatis fairly frequent.121. Rh8

Giving up the defense of the secondrank was not forced. Better is 121. Rg2 or121. Kg2 since after 121. ... Ra2+ 122.Kg1 Black cannot force a win.121. ... Ra2+ 122. Ke1 Re2+ 123. Kf1 Kg3124. Rd8??

This is a crucial mistake in a toughposition. The only way to hold on was124. Rf8! Re7 (124. ... Ra2 125. Re8! withequality in a Szen position!) 125. Kg1,reaching the Lolly, a theoretically drawnposition—though still complex enoughto be worth studying.124. ... Re3!

Again, the only winning move. Not 124.... Re7? 125. Rd3+.125. Rg8 Re7 126. Rg5 Rh7 127. Ke1 Rd7,White resigned.

Noboby enjoys being the subject ofsuch a “sweating,” normally not even thestronger side, since all efforts may be invain. The next game’s situation is similarto the previous one, but here Leko is thetorturer.Leko as torturerGM Peter Leko (FIDE 2747, Hungary)GM Sergei Zhigalko (FIDE 2592, BEL)38th Olympiad, 2008

Black to play

45. ... Rc4 46. Rb8+

White thought he had better winningchances by avoiding the rook trade. AgainI skip forward 70 moves to the decisivemistake.

After 115. Ra6

Black has set up a satisfactory hedge-hog position and only should make tempomoves like ... Rc7-Rb7 to wait and seewhat happens on the seventh rank, but:

115. ... Nd7?? 116. Nh4!

Black has no more defense becauseafter 116. ... Nf8 117. f5 White wins thelast pawn.

116. ... Nf6 117. g5 Re3+ 118. Kf2 Ng4+ 119.Kg2 Rb3 120. Rxg6+ Kf7 121. Ra6 Ne3+ 122.Kf3 Nd5+ 123. Ke4 Rb4+ 124. Kxd5 Rxf4125. Ng6 Rf5+ 126. Ne5+ Kg7 127. Ra7+Kg8 128. g6 Rf6 129. Re7 Ra6 130. Re6Ra5+, Black resigned.

Moral: With current time controls,moves in the game’s ending phase mustoften be made immediately. In order toavoid disaster we must devote more timeto studying endings. .Abbreviations used in this column:IND=India; UKR=Ukraine; BEL=Belarus

See uschess.org to download a .pgn file ofall the games in this issue or to downloadthe .pdf file of this entire issue ofChess Lifeand Chess Life for Kids.

+ + �n ++ + �r �kR+ + +p++ + + ++ + �PP+

+ + +N�K+ + + +

+ + + +

+r+ + �k+ + + �p+ �n + �p

+ + + +N�R + + ++ + + �P+ + �PK�P

+ + + +

+ + + ++ + + ++ + + +

+ + + ++ + �kl+

+ + + ++ + �K �R

�r + + +

+ �r + �k�q + + �pp+ +l�p +

+ + +N++ + �Q +

+ + + +P+ + +P�K

+ + +R+

Benko’s Bafflers

Most of the time these studiesresemble positions that could actu-ally occur over-the-board. You mustsimply reach a theoretically wonposition for White. Solutions can befound on page 71.

Please e-mail submissions forBenko’s Bafflers to: [email protected]

Problem IGunter Amann, Austria

White to play and draw

Problem IIIuri Akobia, Georgia

White to play and draw

k+ +l+ ++ +n+ �l+ + + +

+ + + ++ + +P+

+ + �K ++ +R+ +

+ + + +

N+ �K + ++ + + ++P�kp+ +

+ + +n++ + �P +

+P�P + �p+ + + +

+ + + +

CL_03-2009_benko_JP_r7:chess life 2/10/2009 4:16 PM Page 47


Sloan vs. USCF, et al., 1:07-cv-08537-DC(District Court for the Southern District of New York)On October 3, 2007, Sam Sloan sued the USCF, membersof the Executive Board, members of the USCF ForumsGovernance, and others citing a lengthy list of allegations.Among the allegations were claims that USCF ExecutiveBoard member Paul Truong had impersonated Sloan inthousands of defamatory and vulgar Internet postings priorto and while both were candidates for the USCF ExecutiveBoard. The suit was filed in federal court in New York, butdismissed due to lack of diversity jurisdiction. Mr. Sloan fileda motion to reconsider with the court, which was denied.He then filed a motion to reconsider the ruling on his motionto reconsider, which was denied. Currently, Mr. Sloan isappealing the dismissal to the federal circuit appellate court.

Parker vs. USCF, et al, 2:08-cv-00829-JCJ(District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania)On February 21, 2008, Gordon Roy Parker sued the USCF,some members of the USCF Executive Board and Mr. Sloan.The complaint alleges, among other things, that Mr. Parkerwas impersonated by Paul Truong in defamatory and vulgarInternet postings. Initially the complaint was dismissedwithout prejudice because it was “long and convoluted, failingto clearly and concisely set forth his factual allegations andlegal claims.” Thereafter, Mr. Parker re-filed his complaint,omitting Mr. Sloan as a defendant. After reviewing theamended complaint, the court dismissed the majority of theclaims made by Mr. Parker, including all counts against theUSCF and most of the Executive Board. The Court ruled thatthree claims against USCF Executive Board members SusanPolgar and her husband, Paul Truong, would survive. Thecourt then ordered Mr. Parker to effectuate proper serviceof process on defendants Polgar and Truong.

USCF vs. Does 1–10, CGC-08-476777(San Francisco Superior Court); after removal and amend-ment the case was renamed as, USCF vs. Polgar,Alexander & Does 1-10, 3:08-cv-05126-MHP (DistrictCourt for the Northern District of California)The USCF discovered that then still unknown persons hadunlawfully accessed the e-mail accounts of one or moreUSCF Executive Board members, and such unknown personshad unlawfully copied and publicly posted attorney-clientprivileged e-mails belonging to the USCF. As a result, on June25, 2008, the USCF filed suit against Does 1-10 in San Fran-cisco Superior Court in California. Thereafter, a San Franciscojudge signed a discovery order permitting the USCF to servesubpoenas in order to investigate and try to identify theunknown persons responsible for the wrongdoing. Based onthe belief that Ms. Polgar and Mr. Truong had information thatcould help with the investigation of this matter and based onthe fact that certain e-mails had appeared in Ms. Polgar’spossession and she gave conflicting answers to how sheacquired the information and then refused to cooperate in theinvestigation, the USCF gave notice of the intent to take theirdepositions during the week of the US Open in Dallas, Texas.Ms. Polgar and Mr. Truong failed to appear at their deposi-tions and subsequently refused to be deposed in the matter.On October 24, 2008, based on information received fromvarious neutral third parties in response to subpoenas, the

USCF amended its complaint to name USCF Executive Boardmember Susan Polgar and USCF member Gregory Alexanderas defendants in the case. USCF Executive Board SecretaryRandall Hough was added as a plaintiff, as Mr. Hough’spersonal e-mail account was one of the accounts improperlyaccessed. The case has been removed to federal court inCalifornia and re-named, USCF v. Polgar, Alexander & Does1-10. Ms. Polgar has filed an answer to the complaint, andMr. Alexander has filed a motion to dismiss for lack of per-sonal jurisdiction. We areThe USCF is waiting for a ruling onMr. Alexander’s motion. Ms. Polgar and Mr. Alexander havedenied the claims and have refused to cooperate in theinvestigation.

Polgar vs. USCF, et. al., 5:08-cv-00169-C(District Court for the Northern District of Texas)On August 9, 2008, at the USCF Delegates meeting,Ms. Polgar filed a lawsuit against the USCF and severalmembers of the USCF Executive Board. The lawsuit namedthe USCF, all Executive Board members excluding Ms. Polgarand Mr. Truong, and a group of other Defendants. The suitwas filed in State Court in Texas and alleges liable, slander,defamation of character, business disparagement, interfer-ence of contract, and a host of other allegations.Subsequently, the case was removed to federal court inTexas. One Defendant, Sam Sloan, denied the claims and filedclaims against Ms. Polgar and Mr. Truong regarding theiralleged improper activities regarding the alleged fake Internetpostings. All remaining dismiss on various grounds, includingPolgar’s failure to state legally sufficient claims. The Parties arecurrently awaiting a ruling on the pending motions.

CyberCafes vs. USCF(Connecticut)On November 13, 2008, CyberCafes, LLC filed suit in State Courtin Connecticut asking for injunctive relief on five contractuallydisputed items. The case is pending in the initial stages and isrelated to our book and equipment outsourcing agreement.

USCF vs. Polgar & Truong, 2008MR000751(Circuit Court for the Seventh Judicial Circuit,Sangamon County, Illinois)On December 29, 2008, the USCF filed suit in State Courtin Illinois asking the Court to remove Susan Polgar and PaulTruong as USCF Executive Board members for variousreasons. At the time of the writing of this update (February10, 2009), the USCF been unable to service the complainton either of the two Defendants. Further, Ms. Polgar andMr. Truong have refused to waive service of process.For additional updates to these cases, please go towww.uschess.org/legalupdates. There we will have all ofthe public documentation from each case available for ourmembership. These are challenging times for the USCFconsidering the time and resources needed to handle thesevarious cases. In an attempt to help protect the USCF, theUSCF Executive Board voted to establish the USCF LegalDefense Fund. Anyone wishing to make a contribution pleasecontact Susan Houston at the USCF office by calling (931)787-1234 ext. 136 or by e-mail [email protected].

~Bill HallExecutive Director, USCF

USCF Affairs March

Report to the USCF Membership Regarding Current LitigationThe USCF is currently involved in six lawsuits. I have listed them below in the order of filing:

CL_03-2009_uscfaffairs_bill_hall_DL_r1.qxp:chess life 2/11/09 10:08 AM Page 48

SuperNationals IV

$50,000 in cash scholarships to be awarded!

www.SuperNationalsIV.comfor tournament information and registration.

Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center2802 Opryland DriveNashville, TN 37214(615) 883-2211

Chess Rate: $139.00 Single – Quad

EENNTTRR II EESS TTOO ::US Chess FederationAttn: SuperNationalsP. O. Box 3967

Crossville, TN 38557

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

See TLA this issue (Nationals section) for detailed tournament information.

supernationals (Page 01).qxp:Layout 1 10/9/08 5:20 PM Page 1

IM Alex Lenderman

Will he now attempt to catch up tonine-time Grand Prix winner, the lateIM Igor Ivanov, another IM who man-aged to outpace the grandmasters?

2008 WORLD CHESS LIVE GP FINAL RESULTSWorld Chess Live sponsors $20,000 at the 2008 Grand Prix!

Welcome to World Chess Live (WCL), a new family-friendly service with special benefits for USCFmembers.WCL is pleased to sponsor USCF’s 2008 Grand Prix (GP)and 2008 Junior Grand Prix. We’re providing prize fundsof $20,000 and $7,500 (in cash, merchandise, and mem-berships), and will also be running online grand prizesatellite events throughout the year.

The final results are in, and it was ultimately theteenage IM Alex Lenderman who took the big cheeseand won all of $5,000. Settling for second—and $2,500—was long-time front-runner GM Sergey Kudrin, whomust have been shocked to see himself outrun in thefinal mile. GM Alexander Ivanov, who was leading thecharts as late in the race as the October standings,

managed third and Julio “the Sleeper” Becerra roundedout the top four.

The Age Category results brought some excitementas well as IM Kirill Kuderinov of Kazakhstan chalked upbig points in Illinois tournaments to beat out GMsFriedel and Nakamura for the top spot for those born1985-1987. The Kazakhstani IM was born in 1987, put-ting him toward the younger end of this age class.

Lenderman easily swept the field for the 1988-1990birth category, but GM Alejandro Ramirez of Universityof Texas at Dallas fame did put in a notable performancefor second, earning over 100 points. Daniel Ludwig,who has shown dramatic improvement over the pastyear, took third.

The category for those born 1991-1992 was the mosthotly contested of any in 2008. Denker Champion FMDaniel Yeager took on IM Sam Shankland in a rough-and-tumble contestwhich the Pennsylvanianwonby a fractionof a point. The next division was a bit more lopsided, asyoung IM Ray Robson made collecting 100 GPP look likechild’s play. Fewer points were earned in the “Those Born1995 and After” category, but FM Daniel Naroditsky’s tri-umph with about 30 GPP was still convincing.

Finally,Massachusetts FM JohnCurdowon the Senior’scategory. GMAnatoly Lein is already off to a good start for2009, though, splitting themoney at a recent GP event inOhio, the Cardinal Open.We’ll seewhat happens in 2009!

~Jonathan Hilton

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1985-87 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100

1988-90 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100

1991-92 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100

1993-94 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100

1995/after 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100

For all of the above junior categories: 1st place is also awarded a3-year WCL junior membership ($75 value); 2nd-5th places areawarded a 2-year WCL junior membership ($50 value); 6th-10thplaces awarded 1-year WCL junior memberships ($25 value).

$7,500 IN JUNIOR GRAND PRIX PRIZES!

FIRST PRIZE: $1,000 !2nd: $600 3rd: $300 4th: $200

5th: $150 6th: $100 7th: $75

8th : $50 9th: $25

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

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

2008 WORLD CHESS LIVE GRAND PRIX STANDINGSThe following point totals reflect all rated event information as of January 29 for the 2008 World Chess Live Grand Prix. These are the official 2008 results.

CATEGORIES AND PRIZES

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OVERALL STANDINGSNAME STATE PTS.1 IM Alex Lenderman NY 298.51

2 GM Sergey Kudrin CT 287.283 GM Alexander Ivanov MA 247.014 GM Julio Becerra FL 236.685 GM Melikset Khachiyan CA 205.006 GM Jaan Ehlvest NY 195.137 GM Alexander Shabalov PA 193.418 IM Enrico Sevillano CA 178.519 GM Alex Yermolinsky SD 160.9610 GM Sergey Erenburg MD 150.5411 GM Mark Paragua NY 143.6312 IM Jay Bonin NY 142.3113 IM Kirill Kuderinov TX 133.8614 IM Bryan Smith PA 121.6115 GM Alexander Stripunsky NJ 117.28

SENIOR CATEGORYPlayers born 1943 and before:

1 FM John Curdo MA 26.002 GM Anatoly Lein OH 18.333 FM Isay Golyak NY 14.66

JUNIOR CATEGORIESNAME STATE PTS.

Players born between 1985 and 1987 inclusive:1 IM Kirill Kuderinov TX 133.862 IM Joshua Friedel NH 83.003 GM Hikaru Nakamura NY 66.71

Players born between 1988 and 1990 inclusive:1 IM Alex Lenderman NY 298.512 GM Alejandro Ramirez TX 103.003 Daniel Ludwig FL 62.16

Players born between 1991 and 1992 inclusive:1 FM Daniel Yeager PA 52.582 IM Samuel Shankland CA 52.013 John Bryant CA 42.06

Players born between 1993 and 1994 inclusive:1 IM Ray Robson FL 105.012 Mark Heimann PA 43.503 Steven Zierk CA 27.08

Players born 1995 and after:1 FM Daniel Naroditsky CA 30.252 FM Darwin Yang TX 12.003-4 Aquino Inigo CAN 10.003-4 Stuart Finney RI 10.00

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Name State Pts.PENA, JOEL ANTHONY U NJ 250HEUNG, CHRISTOPHER FL 220DEJONG, ANDREW NC 185GIANNATOS, PETER NC 180PINKERTON, JAMES CARL MD 180KUTIKOFF, ADAM FL 180HUTTON, JACK NY 170SREENIVASAN, RAMANUJA MD 165BODEK, MICHAEL H NY 160SINGH, REVA SHREE NY 160ROSENTHAL, NICHOLAS FL 155TROFF, KAYDEN WILLIAM UT 155ZHAO, SHICHENG VA 150HARMON-VELLOTTI, LUKE ID 145CHIANG, MICHAEL NY 140CHEN, JEREMY NJ 140PAPALIA, STEVEN A UT 140VIRKUD, APURVA MI 140LARSON, ERIC DANIEL MI 135SCHNEIDER, THOMAS WI 135KLEINMUNTZ, ROBBIE S IL 135SHEINWALD, NOWELL R NY 135

Name and State Winners State Pts.PARSHALL, MATTHEW AK 35HELLWIG, LUKE AL 125CHIKKALA, SNEHA AR 50GURCZAK, JOHN AZ 105AGARWAL, ROHAN CA 125POLSKY, RYAN CA 125HUGHES, TYLER B CO 50CHANDRAN, KAPIL CT 110DEMCZU, CHE DC 30HAUGE, DAVID RICHEY DC 30PERGEORELIS, MICHAEL W DE 55HEUNG, CHRISTOPHER FL 220GUREVICH, DANIEL GA 120KRIENKE, MARISSA M HI 55IYER, VENKAT IA 110HARMON-VELLOTTI, LUKE ID 145KLEINMUNTZ, ROBBIE S IL 135GATER, DANIEL IN 70LATHAM, ANDREW KS 95WHITNEY, RAYSEAN KY 100GLORIOSO, VINCENT J LA 60LEE, MATTHEW R MA 85PINKERTON, JAMES CARL MD 180FISHBEIN, MATTHEW EVAN ME 35VIRKUD, APURVA MI 140VOLKER, SONJA MIL 15ZAGAR, DANE B MN 85CAO, KEVIN Y MO 80DING, JIALIN MO 80HICKS, ALFRED JALADON MS 40

Name and State Winners State Pts.FORD, MONQUEZ MS 40DEJONG, ANDREW NC 185APTE, MANEESH D ND 20GAGE, WILLIAM NE 25MORAN, HARRISON M NH 60LONG, DAVID NH 60BURGER, CAMERON NH 60PENA, JOEL ANTHONY U NJ 250SERNA, JEFFREY MICHAEL NM 75SEID, RAYMOND NV 45HUTTON, JACK NY 170CLAYTON, RYAN DANIEL OH 120LIN, KENNY L OK 50HANNIBAL, CARSON J OR 50FISHER, WILLIAM PA 115FINNEY, STUART S RI 105LAURIA, MICHAEL D SC 60JAMES, JACOB C SD 30VAZQUEZ MACCARINI, CHRIS TERR 30COMAS COLON, ABNELL TERR 30MARSH, MATTHEW L TN 85WOODBURY, GEORGE TN 85BALLOM, STEPHANIE TX 105TROFF, KAYDEN WILLIAM UT 155ZHAO, SHICHENG VA 150BROOKS, WILL JOSEPH VT 75LEHMANN, SPENCER GEORGE WA 90LEE, WILLIAM ALEXANDER `WA` 90SCHNEIDER, THOMAS GEORGE WI 135WESTERN, CASEY JAMES WV 35

World Chess Live, a new family-friendly online chess service, is sponsor of the 2008 World Chess Live Junior GrandPrix (JGP). Official standings for events received and processed by February 9, 2009.Top prize includes free entry and$1,000 in expense money to the 2009 U.S. Open as well as a plaque. Other prizes awarded to the top 20 finishers and

the top individual in each state.

2008 World Chess LiveJunior Grand Prix Top Overall Standings

A new family-friendly onlinechess service from the InternetChess Club, is pleased towelcome our friends fromthe U.S. Chess Federation.

To celebrate its launch, this year WCL will be:

• Sponsoring the USCF’s 2008 Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix• Running weekly and monthly Online Grand Prix tournaments

• Giving every USCF member a free six-month subscription to WCL• And more...

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

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CL_03-2009_adpage_52_JP_r1:chess life 2/2/2009 5:38 PM Page 52


TheTournament Announcements on the following pages are providedfor the convenience of USCF members and for informational pur-poses only. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, neither the U.S.Chess Federation nor Chess Life warrants the accuracy of anythingcontained in these Tournament Announcements. Those interestedin additional information about or having questions concerning anyof these tournaments are directed to contact the organizer listed.Chess Life will exercise all due diligence in providing accuratetypesetting of non-camera-ready copy but assumes no responsibil-ity for errors made in such work.

SUBMISSIONS: If possible e-mail your tla to: [email protected](Joan DuBois). For tla deadline schedule, formatting help and GrandPrix information see January 2009 pg. 49-50 or check www.uschess.org/tla/grprixstdarc.php and click on aWCL GP Summary.Payment can be done online through the TD/Affiliate area or sentto: U.S. Chess, TLA Dept., PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.

NationalsAll tournaments listed in Tournament Life are USCFrated. USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR ALLEVENTS. If not a member, add dues to advance en-try fee or pay them with entry at site.Apr. 3-5, TennesseeSuperNationals IV2009 Elementary, Junior High and High School National Championships in onegreat event! 7SS, G/120 (K-1 G/90), Gaylord Opryland Resort and ConventionCenter, 2802 Opryland Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (615) 883-2211 HR: $139 sin-gle-quad. All under one roof! $50,000 in Cash Scholarships!! 20 Sections(Select only one): High School: K-12 Championship; K-12 U1600; K-12 U1200;K-12 U800; K-12 Unrated. Junior High: K-9 Championship; K-8 Championship;K-9 U1250; K-8 U1000; K-8 U750; K-9 Unrated. Elementary: K-6 Champi-onship; K-5 Championship; K-6 U1000; K-5 U900; K-3 Championship; K-3 U800;K-1 Championship; K-6 Unrated; K-3 Unrated. EF: $40 postmarked, faxed oronline by 3/5, $60 postmarked, faxed or online by 3/19, $75 after 3/19, $80on site. DO NOT mail entries after March 19 – they may not be received in time.$5 extra for all phoned registrations. $20 change fee for roster or sectionchanges after March 19. USCF membership is required (may be paid with entry).AWARDS: Trophies awarded in accordance with Scholastic Regulations andbased on number of participants.Team score= total of top four (min. two) fin-ishers from each section. March 2009 rating supplement will be used.BYES: One 1/2 –pt. bye available in rounds 1-6 if requested prior to 10am, Fri(4/3). On site entries after 10am, Fri 4/3 will receive a 1/2-point bye forthe first round. SCHEDULE: Rounds 1-2: Friday (4/3) 1:00pm & 7:00pm,Rounds 3-5: Saturday (4/4) 9:00am, 2:00pm, & 7:00pm, Rounds 6-7 (4/5)9:00am, & 2:00pm. Main Event Awards Ceremonies, Sunday (4/5); K-1 atapproximately 5pm, all others approximately 7pm. SIDE EVENTS: BughouseChampionships:Thursday, 4/2, 11:00am, Register ON SITE ONLY by 10:00am.EF: $20 per team/2. Blitz Championship:Thursday, 4/2, 5:00pm. EF $15 post-marked, faxed or online by 3/19, $20 after 3/19 or on site. On site registrationends at 4pm. Please refer to the website: www.SuperNationalsIV.com forupdated schedule details, Simuls, lectures, and other activities. Advanceentries must include player’s name/information and all fees to be accepted.Roster changes are considered new entries and will be charged accord-ing to date received. List name, address, phone, section, grade, school (evenif no team), coach’s name, email, birthdate, USCF ID number, USCF expiration(enclose USCF dues if necessary) and rating. Players must be eligible to playin accordance with USCF Scholastic Regulations. Entries may be faxed to: 931-787-1238. Mail Entries To: 2009 SuperNationals IV, P. O. Box 3967, Crossville,TN 38557. Enter online at: www.uschess.org.WCL JGP.

Apr. 24-26, TexasKasparov Chess Foundation in Association with UTD, DCC andUSCF, Presents All Girls Open National Championships6SS G/60, Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd., Dallas, TX 75207; Phone:(800) 233-1234 or 214-651-1234 Mention All Girls National ChessTournamentfor special Hotel rate: $109 Reserve By 4/1. 6 sections: 8 years old andyounger; 10 years old and younger; 12 years old and younger; 14 years old andyounger; 16 years old and younger; 18 years old and younger. Age as of4/1/2009. USCF rated. USCF membership is required.Winner of 18 years oldand younger Section wins an Academic Distinction Scholarship toThe Univer-sity ofTexas at Dallas, worth up to $80,000 for an out-of-state student. EF: $45if postmarked by 3/25. $70 at site. Do not mail after 4/16 as your entry maynot be received. Trophies to top 15 ind. & top 3 teams (top three playersadded for team scores) Sat., April 25: Opening Ceremony: 9 AM, Rounds: 1- 4; 9:30-11:30 AM; 12:00-2:00 PM; 3:00-5:00 PM; 5:30-7:30 PM. Sun., April26: Rounds 5 - 6; 9:00-11:00 AM; 11:30 AM-1:30 PM Sun., April 26: Awards Cer-emony: 2:30 PM One 1/2 pt bye available, any round, if requested before endof rd. 2 and if player has not received a full point bye. Entries to: DallasChess Club, c/o Barbara Swafford, 2709 LonghornTrail, Crowley,TX 76036. Entrymust include Name, USCF ID (or new/pending), date of birth, grade & schooland school location. Email: [email protected], 214-632-9000. Sideevents: Blitz tournament G/5 Friday April 24 3 pm, EF: $15 by 3-25, $25 onsite. Simultaneous exhibition by Anna Zatonskih Fri., April 24 at 7:00 P.M. Bug-house Tournament Fri April 24 5 pm. EF: $25/team. NS, NC,W.

May 23-25, Arizona2009 U.S. Amateur West ChampionshipHoliday Inn Palo Verde, 4550 S Palo Verde Rd.,Tucson, AZ 85714, 520-746-1161.

Tournament Life

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

USCF National EventsSee TLA in this issue for details:2009 SuperNationals IVApril 3-5 • Nashville, Tennessee2009 All Girls Open ChampionshipsApril 24-26 • Dallas, Texas2009 U.S. Amateur - WestMay 23-25 • Tucson, Arizona2009 U.S. Game/10 ChampionshipJune 4 • Las Vegas, Nevada2009 National Open Chess FestivalJune 4-7 • Las Vegas, Nevada2009 U.S. Junior OpenJuly 10-12 • Waukesha, Wisconsin110th U. S. OpenAugust 1-9 • Indianapolis, Indiana

Future Events (Watch for details)2009 U.S. ChampionshipMay 7-17 • St. Louis, Missouri2009 U.S. CadetJuly 6-10 • Crossville, Tennessee2009 U.S. Junior ClosedJuly 12 - 17 • Waukesha, Wisconsin2009 GM Susan Polgar NationalInvitational Tournament for GirlsJuly 26-31 • Lubbock, Texas2009 Denker Tournament of StateHigh School ChampionsAugust 1-4 • Indianapolis, Indiana2009 Tournament of CollegeChampionsAugust 1-4 • Indianapolis, Indiana2009 National Youth ActionNovember 20-22 • Oakbrook, Illinois2009 National Scholastic (K-12)December 11-13 • Dallas, Texas2009 Pan Am IntercollegiateDecember 27-30 • South PadreIsland, Texas2010 National Elementary (K-6)ChampionshipMay 7-9 • Atlanta, Georgia2010 National Scholastic (K-12)ChampionshipDec. 10-12 • Lake Buena Vista,Florida2011 National Elementary (K-6)

ChampionshipMay 6-8 • Dallas, TexasNNoottee:: Organizers previously awarded options forUSCF National Events must still submit proposals(including sample budgets) for their events.

Overdue BidsBids on the following tournaments arepast deadline and will be consideredimmediately:2009 U.S. Amateur (South, North,East)2009 U.S. Senior Open2009 U.S. G/15 (QC)2009 U.S. Action G/302009 U.S. G/602009 U.S. Masters2009 U.S. Class Championships2009 Collegiate Final Four2010 U.S. Open*Bids due by June 15, 2009:2011 U.S. Open*

Bidding DeadlinesPlease contact the National Office ifyou are interested in bidding for aNational Event. The USCF recommendsthat bids be submitted according tothe following schedule. However, bidsmay be considered prior to these dates.

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

Tournament memberships not valid for National events

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

The TLA pages “Informationfor Organizers, TDs, and Affil-iates” and “Information forPlayers” can now be foundonline at main.uschess. org/go/tlainfo.

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Tournament LifeS

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SECTIONS: Championship (U2200), Reserve (U1600), Booster (U1200) &Scholastic (must be K-8 and U1000). Scholastic section is 3 separate 1-daytournaments. SCHEDULE: (Championship, Reserve, and Booster) 6/SS, 40/2,25/1. Reg: By mail or 5/23, 8:30 - 9:30 AM. Rds: 10-4, 10-4, 9-3. (Scholas-tic) 4/SS, G/40. Reg: By mail or 8:30 - 9:30 AM each day. Rds: Round 1 at 10AM then as available for Rounds 2-4. PRIZES: (Championship) Chronos clock+ plaque toTop 3; Digital clock + plaque toTop 1900-1999, 1800-1899, 1700-1799, 1600-1699, and U1600; Plaque to top Senior 50+, Junior U19 andJunior U13. (Reserve) Chronos clock + plaque to 1st; Digital clock + plaqueto 2nd, 3rd,Top 1300-1399, 1200-1299, and U1200; Plaque to top Senior 50+and Junior U13. (Booster) Chronos clock + trophy to 1st; Trophy to 2nd - 5th,Top Unrated and Junior U10. (Scholastic, each day) Digital clock + trophy to1st;Trophy to 2nd - 5th,Top U800, U600, and Unrated. 1-yr USCF membershipfor perfect scores that don’t win the clock. SPECIAL PRIZES:Top 2 Family Pairsin the non-scholastic sections. Biggest Upset of each round in the non-Scholas-tic sections. Chronos clock to Scholastic player with the highest combined scoreover the three 1-day tournaments. EF: (Championship & Reserve) $55 if by 5/20,$65 if after 5/20. (Booster) $40 if by 5/20, $50 if after 5/20. (Scholastic) $15for each tournament or $40 for all three days if by 5/20, additional $5 if after5/20. ALL: Half-point byes allowed for all rounds but must be requested priorto start of Round 2. HR: (if by 5/8): $64 (single) or $72 (suite), mention“SACA”. ENT: Make checks payable to SACA, entry form available atwww.sazchess.org. Info: Karen Pennock, 520-975-3946, e-mail: [email protected], web: www.sazchess.org. NC. NS.W. WCL JGP.

June 4, NevadaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 502009 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC)6SS, G/10. South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South, LasVegas, NV 89183. $$b/100 7,000 ($$Gtd 4,500). 2000-1000-700, U2300 600,U2100 550, U1900 500, U1700 450, U1500 400, U1300 350, U1100 300, unrated150. EF: $79 by 5/19, $89 by 6/3, $100 on site. Late Registration 4-6:30 p.m.Rds: 7-7:30-8-8:30-9-9:30. Higher of regular or quick rating used. Bring clocks.1/2 point bye available in any round (limit 4), must be requested with entry.HR: $65 (not $75) single or double ($95 Friday and Saturday nights). 1-866-791-7626 or (702) 796-7111. ENT: Las Vegas International Chess Festival, PO Box90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925 or www.VegasChessFestival.com. NS NCW.

A Heritage Event!An American Classic!June 5-7 or 6-7, NevadaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)2009 National Open6-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2 day option rds 1-3 G/60). South Point Hotel, Casino andSpa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89183. $100,000 Prize Fundbased on 850 paid entries ($70,000 guaranteed). Championship. $$: 8000-4000-2000-1000-600-400-400-400-400-400-200-200-200-200-200, under 25002000, under 2400 1600, under 2300 1200, Unrated 600-400-200. $2,000 EXTRAfor perfect score.The winner of the Championship section also receives a replicaof the Edmondson Cup. Under 2200. $$: 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. $$:5000-2500-1300-600-350-250-250-250-250-250-100-100-100-100-100. Under1400. $$: 2500-1500-1000-500-250-150-150-150-150-150-100-100-100-100-100. Under 1200. $$: 1500-1000-500-250-150- 100-100-100-100 -100-100-100-100-100-100. Plus score bonus ($16,000) in addition to any other prizes,

every player who finishes with 3-1/2 points or better wins a $50 gift certifi-cate. Plus score certificates will be given on site only. EF: $159 by 1/19, $179by 5/19, $199 by 6/3, $220 on site. $41 less for unrated players, $99 more forplayers rated under 2100 in the Championship Section. This is an open tour-nament - you may play in any section at or above your rating level; unratedplayers may play only in Championship Section. Provisionally rated players maynot win more than 3rd prize in any section except Championship. CCA minimumratings 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. Halfpoint byes available in any round, but round 5 or 6 byes must be requestedbefore the start of round 2. Chess sets and boards provided for tournamentplay only, not for skittles. Please bring chess clocks! The LAS VEGAS INTER-NATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL features the National Open, the U.S Game/10Championship and the Susan PolgarWorld Chess Championship for Girls andBoys.Many free extras and surprises! Free parking. Free raffle with greatprizes. Free lectures by GM Susan Polgar and others. Free analysis of yourgames by GM Arthur Bisguier. Susan Polgar International Chess Camp alldayThursday. Grandmaster SimulThursday afternoon. US. Game/10Thurs-day night. Scholastic Tournament Friday. LOW room rates! HR: $65 (not $75)single or double ($95 Friday and Saturday nights). 1-866-791-7626 or (702)796-7111. Don’t be shut out; make your reservations early and be sure toask for the chess rates; South Point sells out most weekends. Cutoff forspecial hotel rate isMay 19th. Rates may be as high as $150 a night after May19th. RESERVE NOW! Credit card or one night room deposit will be requiredto 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.

July 10-12, Wisconsin2009 U. S. Junior Open ChampionshipThree sections based on age: Under 21, Under 15, Under 11. 5SS, G/90. Mil-waukee MarriottWest,W231N1600 Corporate CT,Waukesha,WI 53186. ChessRate of $85.99 is valid until July 1st. Reserve early. (262)-574-0888. U21:$300+entry to 2010 Junior Closed-$150. Individual trophies: 1st overall, bestplayer for ages 17-18, 15-16, under 15.Team trophies: top three high schools,top club. U15: Individual trophies: top 3 overall, best player for ages 11-13, under11.Team trophies: top three middle schools, top club. U11: Individual trophies:top 3 overall, best player for ages 9, 8, 7, 6&under. Team trophies: top threeelementary schools, top club. All participants receive commemorative medals.EF: $35 ($30 per player if 4 or more pre-register together) advance; $50 afterJuly 10th. Cash only at site. Schedule: Opening ceremony: Friday at 2:45pm.Rounds: Friday 3:00pm, Saturday 10:00am and 2:00pm, Sunday 10:00am and2:00pm. Closing ceremony: Sunday 5:30pm. Side Events: ($20/event) BLITZ:Friday at 7:00pm. BUGHOUSE: Saturday at 7:00pm. SIMUL: Friday at 7:00pmand Saturday at 7:00pm. PARENTS AND COACHES TOURNEY: 3SS G/30 (notrated) Saturday 10:30am, 2:15pm, 3:30pm. Info/questions: [email protected] or 414-234-1005, [email protected] or 608-334-2574.Make ChecksPayable to and Send Entries to: VICA, 6822 North Crestwood Dr., GlendaleWI 53209 or online registration at www.wsca chess.org. WCL JGP.

A Heritage Event!Aug. 1-9, 4-9 or 6-9, IndianaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 300 (enhanced)110th annual U.S. OpenCELEBRATE USCF’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS TRADI-TIONAL EVENT! New features this year include 4-day option requiring only 3nights hotel stay for most players, and later start for 6-day option so most willneed only 5 nights hotel stay. 9SS, 40/2, SD/1 (4 day option, Rds. 1-6, G/60).Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 East 21st St, Indianapolis IN 46219. Luxuri-ous hotel with great lighting in tournament room! Phone: 317-352-1231. HR:$99 single/quad. $50,000 in prizes based on 500 paid entries, else propor-tional, except $40,000 (80% of each prize) minimum guarantee. A one sectiontournament with Class prizes. Top 5 US players qualify for 2010 US Cham-pionship. Many side events, including US Blitz Championship 8/8. USCFDelegates meeting 8/8-9, workshops 8/5-7, USCF Awards Luncheon 8/8 noon,GM lectures & simuls to be announced. Choice of three schedules: Traditional:40/2, SD/1. One round daily at 7 pm, except rd. 9, 8/9 at 3pm. 6-Day Option:8/4 7 pm, 8/5-7 12 noon & 7 pm, 8/8 7 pm, 8/9 at 3pm. 4-Day Option: 8/6 2pm, 5 pm & 8 pm; 8/7 10 am, 1 pm, 3:30 pm & 7 pm, 8/8 7 pm, 8/9 3pm. Allschedules merge after Round 6 & compete for same prizes. Projected prizes:Top Places: $8000-4000-2000-1500-1000-800-600-500, clear winner $200bonus. If tie for first, top two on tiebreak play speed game (white 5 minutes,black 3 minutes and gets draw odds, 5 second delay) for bonus and title.Class Prizes: Top Master (2200-2399): $2500-1200-800-500. Top Expert(2000-2199): $2500-1200-800-500. Top Class A (1800-1999): $2500-1200-800-500. Top Class B (1600-1799): $2500-1200-800-500. Top Class C(1400-1599): $2000-1000-600-400. Top Class D (1200-1399): $1500-700-500-300. Top Class E or below (under 1200): $1500-700-500-300. Top Unrated:$800-400-200. Half Point Byes: must commit before round 4; up to 3 byesallowed for 2000/up, 2 byes for 1400-1999, one bye for Under 1400/Unr. Zeropoint byes are always available in any round. Entry Fee: Online, $135 by5/15, $155 by 7/29. By mail, $137 postmarked by 5/15, $157 postmarked by7/23. By phone, $140 by 5/15, $160 by 7/29. At site, all $180. GMs free.August official ratings used; unofficial ratings used if otherwise unrated. CCAratings used if above USCF. Foreign player ratings: usually 100 points addedto FIDE or FQE, 200+ added to most foreign national ratings, no points addedto CFC. Highest of multiple ratings generally used. Ent: USCF, ATTN: 2009 USOpen, PO. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557. Online entry: https://secure.uschess.org/webstore/tournaments.php. Phone entry: 800-903-8723. Tour-nament website: main.uschess.org/tournaments/2009/usopen/. FIDE rated,no cell phones. Bring a clock - none supplied. Sets/boards supplied for tour-nament but not for skittles. WCL JGP.

Grand PrixMar. 1, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)Grandmaster Challenge(NOTE: Mar. 1 Marshall CC Sunday Action now moved to Mar. 15.) 6-SS G/25(G/20, D/5), Marshall CC, 23W 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 for participants.) GMs free, $25 deducted from prize. Reg. ends11:45 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), special beauty prize.Rds.: 12-1:15-2:30-4:00-5:15-6:30.Byes:limit 2, request before Round 3. Quick rated; regular ratings used for pairingand prize purposes. Additional class prize $500 2800+, $250 2700+.WCL JGP.

Mar. 7-8, California SouthernWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10BIG BANG OpenSponsored by Dr. Harold Valery (Cardinal Medical Group). 6-SS, G/60. Los Ange-les Chess Club, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025, 2nd fl. (4 blksW 405).$$1500 Guaranteed. In two sections, Open: $400-200-50, U2200: $125,U2000: $125. Reserve: (U1800) $$200-100, U1600 $125, Under 1400/unrated$100, U1200 $75. EF: $55 if received by 3/4; $60 at the door ($40 LACC mem-bers if received by 3/4; $45 at the door; $30 new LACC members) $2 off SCCFmembers. Up to 2 half-point byes available. Re-entry $25. Reg.: 11:00 - 11:45a.m. Rds.: 12:00, 2:00, 4:00 each day. 2 Free Parking lots on the SW cornerof Santa Monica & Purdue - 1 block, or in the building basement ($3). Inf: (310)795-5710 or [email protected]. URL:www.LaChessClub.com. Ent: LACC- P.O. Box 251774, Los Angeles, CA 90025. State Championship Qualifier.

Mar. 13-15, California SouthernWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 207th Annual Western Pacific Open5-SS, 3-day 40/2, SD/1, 2-day rds. 1-2 G/60 then merges. LAX Hilton, 5711W.Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. $$6000 b/160, 50% of each prize guar-anteed. In 2 sections: Open, $$1200-700-400-200-100, U2200 $400-250.Amateur (U2000/Unr), $$500-300-150, U1800 400-200-100, U1600 400-200-100, U1400 200, U1200 100, Unr. 100. Unr. may win Unrated prize only. Reg.:5:30-6:30 p.m. Fri., 9-10 a.m. Sat. Rds.: 3-day 7 p.m., 10:30-5, 10-4:30. 2-day:10:30-1 (G/60), then merges. EF: $69 if received by 3-13, $79 at site. All: $25Best Game prize, all sections eligible. One halfpoint bye if requested withentry, rds 4-5 cannot be revoked. SCCF membership req. of S. Cal. res., $18 reg,$10 jr. HR: $109, (310) 410-4000. Ask for “7th AnnualWestern Pacific Open.”Parking $8/day. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Ange-les, CA 90038, on line at www.westernchess.com. Inf: [email protected]. NS,W, F. State Championship Qualifier. WCL JGP.

Mar. 13-15 or 14-15, MissouriWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)13th Annual Mid-America Open5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/70), Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Louis-Clayton, 7750 Carondelet Ave., St. Louis MO 63105 (I-64W/US 40-W Exit 32B,1.2 miles north on Hanley Rd). $$ 20,000 based on 250 paid entries (re-entriescount half, U900 Section one quarter), minimum $16,000 (80% of each prize)guaranteed. In 7 sections: Open: $2000-1000-600-400, clear winner or 1st ontiebreak $100 bonus, top U2300 $900, U2200 $800, U2100/Unr $700. FIDE.Under 2000: $1500-700-400-300. Under 1800: $1500-700-400-300. Under1600: $1500-700-400-300. Under 1400: $1200-600-300-200. Under 1200:$1200-600-300-200. Under 900: $100-60-40, trophies to top 7. Unrated mayenter any section, with prize limits: U900 $50, U1200 $150, U1400 $300,U1600 $400, U1800 $500, U2000 $700. Balance goes to next player(s) in line.EF: 3-day $103, 2-day $102 mailed by 3/5, all $105 online at chesstour.com by3/10, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/10 (entry only, no questions), $120at site. Under 900/Unr Section EF: 3-day $23, 2-day $22 if mailed by 3/5, $25online at chesstour.com by 3/10, $27 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/10, $30 atsite. FREETO UNRATED IN U900 OR U1200 SECTIONS. All: Unofficial uschess.orgratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special1 yr adult USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: online at chess-tour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry $60; not availablein Open Section. No checks at site, credit cards OK. MCA memb. ($5; higher withprinted magazine) required for MO residents. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-3:15. Byes: OK all; must commit before rd 3, hav-ing under 2 pts. HR: $87-87, 888-303-1746, 314-726-5400, request chess rate,reserve by 2/27 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD#D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: ContinentalChess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658. Advanceentries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.

Mar. 14-15, TexasWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)TexOhma Fide Open5SS, G/90 with 30 second increment. Dallas Chess Club, 212 S Cottonwood Dr#A, Richardson, TX 75080. One Section $$550G.: Open: This section is FIDErated but uses USCF Rules. $400-$100-$50. EF: $50, Juniors(U19)/Senior/Hcap$30, plus $5 non-DCC membership fee. Registration: 9:45 -10:15 am. Rds. Sat10:45 - 3:10 - 7:16, Sun 10:45-3:10. One Bye allowed if requested before rd2, withdrawals are not eligible for prizes. Ent: Dallas Chess Club, see addressabove. Info: 214-632-9000, [email protected], www.dallaschess.com NS.NC. FIDE. WCL JGP.

Mar. 15, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)Binghamton Monthly Tourney4 Round SS, Time control G/60. Reg. 8:45 AM to 9:00 AM. (Please register inadvance if possible) ENTRY: $30/ $35 at site. Cash only at site. (checkspayable to Cordisco’s Corner Store) ROUNDS: 9:15-11:45-2:15-4:30. PRIZES:1st $200- 2nd $100- 3rd $50- Best Under 1600 $30. Guaranteed! Please bringclocks. Cordisco’s Chess Center, 308 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901. (607)772-8782. [email protected].

Mar. 17, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)St. John’s Masters at the Marshall Chess Club4SS, G/30.ThirdTues. of every month. 23W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Opento players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNYat MCCThursday 4 Rated GamesTonight! since the prior month’s SJM) EF: $40,members $30, GMs $10 (returned on completion of tournament). For each event,money added to prize fund by the sponsors, St. John’s University, and other gen-erous patrons.Top three prizes guaranteed. $$G 300-200-100.Top U2400 andTop U2300 prizes. Special prize for biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, rds 1 and 4 only; declare at registration.

USCF Membership RatesPremium (P) and Regular (R)(U.S., CANADA, MEXICO)Type 1 yr 2yr 3yrAdult P $49 $85 $120Adult P ** $42 $78 $113Adult R $36 $59 $81Adult R ** $29 $52 $74Senior (65+) ** $36 $65 $93Young Adult P (U25)* $32 $59 $85Youth P (U16)* $27 $49 $70Scholastic P (U13)* $23 $42 $60Young Adult R (U25)* $24 $43 $61Youth R (U16)* $20 $36 $51Scholastic R (U13)* $16 $28 $39

Premium membership provides a printedcopy of Chess Life (monthly) or Chess Life forKids (bimonthly) plus all other benefits ofregular membership. Regular membershipprovides online-only access to Chess Lifeand Chess Life for Kids; TLA Bulletin will bemailed to adults bimonthly and to scholas-tic members three times per year. Youthprovides bimonthly Chess Life, Scholasticbimonthly Chess Life for Kids, others listedabove monthly Chess Life. See www.uschess.org for other membership categories.Dues are not refundable and may bechanged without notice.*Ages at expiration **Purchased online only



Mar. 19, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23West 10 St, bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC:212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specifiedGreater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may be lim-ited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50,Top U2200/unr $105, U2000$95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA ratingsmay 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 State Championship Event!Mar. 21-22, AlabamaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 62nd Annual Alabama Class Championship5-SS, 30/90 SD 30, Quality Inn & Suites, 2705 E South Blvd., Montgomery, Al36116. EF: $39 by 03/14, $49 at site. ACF memb req ($10) OSA. ALL PRIZES100% GUARANTEED! (see full flier at www.teachmechess.com for infoon Beach Vacation prize option; cash alternative available to beach vaca-tion) Four Sections: Open G$$: $250 or Beach Vacation, $120. Class A/B G$$:$200 or Beach Vacation, $100. Class C/D G$$: $170 or Beach Vacation, $90.Class U1200/Unr G$$: $150, $80. Byes 1-4; commit before round 1. Reg.: 8-9. Rds.: Sat 9:30, 2, 7, Sun 9, 1:30. Info: www.teachmechess.com. Questions:[email protected]. NS, NC,W. WCL JGP.

Mar. 21-22 or 22, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)New York March Open!4-SS, 30/90, SD/1, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23W 10 St, bet. 5th-6thAve, NYC: 845-569-9969. $$ 1,200 b/60 paid entries, minimum half each prizeGtd. May be limited to 1st 62 entries! 2 sections, Open. $$ 400-200-100,U2200/unr. $100. FIDE. Under 2000. $$ 200-100, U1800 $100, $100 unr. prizelimit. Both, EF: $45, Club membs $30, GMs free ($25 from prize), specifiedGreater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. Online entry at www.chesscenter.ccthru 3/19. 2 options: 2-Day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day; 1-day (rds 1-2 G/30),10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun., merge rd 3. 2 byes max, commit by rd 2. Reg.ends 15 min. before game. Re-entry $20, counts half. Foreign unr. must enterOpen. CCA Ratings may be used. EF $10 extra by phone! WCL JGP.

Mar. 26, Apr. 2, 9, 16, ConnecticutWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6UCONN Chess Club Championship Grand PrixUCONN Castleman Bldg., Room 204, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. 4-SS, G/90. EF: $35, FREE to all students. $$ 200-100 both gtd.,Top U-2200,TopU2000, U1800, U1600, U1400 $100 each b/30. Trophy to top student. Prizesincreased as entries allow. Reg.: 7 -7:30 PM, Rounds at 7:30 PM. Parking isacross the street behind the Bronwell building. Advance Entry & Info: TomHartmayer, 963 Mansfield City Rd., Storrs, CT 06268. Make checks payableto: “Tom Hartmayer”. 860-989-5394, [email protected], www.uconnchess.uconn.edu. WCL JGP.

A Heritage Event!Mar. 27-29 or 28-29, OhioWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 40 (enhanced)

47th Cincinnati OpenFour sections: Open, Under 2000, Under 1600, Under 1200. Holiday Inn,4501 Eastgate Blvd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45245. 5 Round Swiss System, USCF andFIDE (Open) rated.Time Control: 40/2 SD/60, (2 day option rds 1-2 G/70). Prizes$5,000 (Guaranteed): Open: $800-400-300, Under 2200: $300-150, U2000:$500-250-150, U1800 $300-150, U1600: $400-200-150, U1400 $250-150,U1200: $300-150-100 U1000Trophies to top 5.(no unrated may win over $100in U1200, $200 in U1600 or $300 in U2000. EF: $68, if mailed by 3/23 $80 atsite. Under 1000 and unrated, $28 if mailed by 3/23, $40 at site. Free toGM/IM who complete schedule, $80 deducted from prize. Registration: Fri-day March 27th ends 6:30pm. Saturday March 28th ends 10:30am. Rounds:3 day option: Friday 7pm, Saturday 11am, 6pm, Sunday 9:30am, 3:30pm. 2day option: Saturday 11am, 2:30pm, 6pm, Sunday 9:30am, 3:30pm. Byes:Max-imum two 1/2 point byes, must commit before round 3. Hotel: $79 Holiday Inn,4501 Eastgate Blvd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45245. Call 513-752-4400 (mentionchess). Advance Entry & Questions: Central Ohio Chess c/o Grant Perks, POBox 9830, Bexley, Ohio 43209, [email protected], (614) 774-2532. WCL JGP.

Mar. 27-29, South CarolinaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 62009 South Carolina Senior OpenRamada Inn, 1310Tiger Blvd., Clemson, SC 29631. $800 guaranteed. EF: $35if rec’d by 3/20; $40 at site. GMs and IMs free, $35 deducted from prize. Reen-try $20. Bye: all rds, must commit before 2nd rd. (irrevocable bye). SCCA memb.req’d, OSA. In 4 Sections: 4SS, Game/120 Senior Open: $200-100-50,U2000 $50 guaranteed!!! Senior U1800: $200-100-50, U1600 $50 guaran-teed!!! Seniors must have been born prior to 3/27/59. Senior Schedule: Regends 3/28 at 10:30am. Rds. Sat. 11:00, 5:00, Sun. 10:00, 4:00. 5SS, Game/120Aspiring Senior Open: $200-100-50, U2000 $50 b/20. Aspiring SeniorU1800: $200-100-50, U1600 $50 b/20. Aspiring Seniors must have been bornbetween 3/28/59 and 3/27/90. Aspiring Senior Schedule: 3-day Sched-ule: Reg ends 3/27 at 7pm. Rds. Fri. 7:30, Sat. 1:00, 7:30, Sun. 10:00, 4:00.2-day Schedule: Reg ends at 9:30am on 3/28, Rd 1 at 10:00am, then mergeswith 3-day. HR: $75/night double before 3/15, mention chess (864-654-7501)at Ramada Inn, 1310Tiger Blvd., Clemson, SC 29631. Info/Reg: Greenville ChessClub, c/o Wayne Christensen, 306 Canebreak Lane, Simpsonville, SC [email protected].

Mar. 28-29, California SouthernWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10Kern County Open Championship5-SS, 25/75, SD/30 (Rounds 1-3), 40/2, SD/1 (Rounds 4-5). Clarion Hotel3540 Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93308 (661) 326-1111. $1700 prize fundb/o 40, 80% GUARANTEED: $500 (Gtd!) 300-200 top U2000 $250, U1800 $200,U1600/Unr $150-$100. EF: $45 by 3/25, $55 after; $6 discount for BCC mem-bers and SCCF members. GMs & IMs FREE ($45 from prize). Special K-8Tournament: March 28 5-SS G/30, Rounds 10-11:30-1pm-2:30-4 EF: $20 by3/25, $30 after; prizes 1st–3rd place Overall & 1st – 3rd place trophies inscholastic categories. All: 1/2-pt bye available any round with entry Reg.: 8:45-9:30 a.m. Saturday Rds.: Saturday: 10am-2pm-6pm, Sunday: 10am-4:30pm. Info:Kenneth J. Poole 661-304-7468, [email protected] or visit www.bakersfieldchessclub.com. HR: $59 special rate, mention “BakersfieldChessClub”

reserve by 3/13 or rate may go up! Ent: Bakersfield Chess Club, P.O. Box 176,3501 Mall View Rd., Suite 115, Bakersfield, CA 93306. State ChampionshipQualifier. WCL JGP for Open Championship only.

Mar. 28-29 (Not Mar. 14-15), MarylandWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10UMBC Open - Alvin S. Mintzes Chess Tournament5SS, 20/1, SD/1. University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), 1000 Hill-top Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 (in Commons Bldg, 3rd floor). Held concurrentlywith separate Sweet 16 Invitational, which determines MD Scholastic Cham-pion who wins 4-year tuition scholarship to UMBC (worth over $35,000).Spectators free & welcome. Open: (All) $$650: $350-200-100; $$400 (b/40):Top U2250, U2150, U2050, U1950 $100 ea. Free ent. to GMs, $40 deducted fromany prizes. U1800: (U1800/Unr.) $$765 b/40: $250-175-100, Top U1600,U1400, U1200 (b/4) $80 ea. No Unr. player may win more than $200 in this sect.All EF: $40 if postmarked by 2/27, $50 late, $10 less if under 20. Reg: 8:30-9:30am Sat., Rds: 10am-3-7:30pm, 10:30am-3:30. Byes: Up to three 1/2-pointbyes avail. in Rds. 1-5 if req’d at least 1 hr. before Rd (before Rd 2 for any Rd.4-5 bye), but only at most one 1/2-point bye in Rds 4-5. Hotel: La Quinta Innand Suites, 1734West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD 21090, 410-859-2333, Askfor UMBC chess rate. www.lq.com (From I-95, take Exit 47A onto I-195 towardsBWI Airport.Take Exit 2A onto 295 north towards Baltimore; take first exit, bear-ing right ontoWest Nursery Road.) Directions to UMBC:Take Exit 47B off I-95& follow signs to UMBC. Park in Lot 9 or 16. Ent/Info: Cks payable to UMBC,Dr. Alan T. Sherman, Dept. of CSEE, UMBC, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD21250, Attn: Open. [email protected], 410-455-8499, www.umbc.edu/chess.W. FIDE. WCL JGP.

Mar. 28-29, New HampshireWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 (enhanced)Nashua OpenHoliday Inn Nashua, 9 Northeastern Blvd. Nashua, NH 03062. In 2 Sections:Open: 5SS, GAME/110 + 10 Sec. FIDE rated. $$GTD: $500-250. U2250 $150,U2000 $150. U1750: 5SS, GAME/110+ 10 Sec. Open to 1749 & under. $$GTD:$400-200. U1500 $100, U1250 $100. ALL: EF: $50 in advance, $55 at site. Reg-istration: 9:00-9:45. Advance entries must be postmarked by 3/21/2009.Rds.: 10-2:30-7, 9:30-2. Unrated may only win 50% of place prizes in U1750.ENT: Alex Relyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. INFO: AlexRelyea, [email protected]. www.relyeachess.com. NSW. WCL JGP.

A Heritage Event!Mar. 28-29, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 120 (enhanced)2009 Marchand Open-31st AnnualSt. John Fisher College - Kearney Auditorium. Dr. Erich Marchand “requestedthat his friends play chess in his memory.” 5SS, 30/60, SD/60. St. John FisherCollege, 3690 East Ave, Rochester, NY. $$10,750 Gtd. Open: FIDE Rated (all)$2000-1300-850-550-300, U2200 & U2000 each $500-300. EF: $70. Under 1800:$600-400-250, U1600 $400-250. EF: $65. Under 1400: $400-275-175, U1200$275-175. EF: $60. U1000: $260-190-130-70, U800 $150-90-60. EF: $55.Unrated players in the U1800 section can only win $200, in U1400 & U1000 $100.All EF: $25 more after 3/18. IM and GM free if registered by 3/18. Great food



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available at site. Reg.: 8-9:15 am. 3/28. Rds.: 10-2:15-6:30, 10-2:15. One 1/2point bye available in rd. 3 or 4 if requested at entry. Optional first round 7pm. 3/27 (reg. by 6:30pm.) at Rochester Chess Center, 221 Norris Drive,Rochester, NY 14610. Entries & Info: R.C.C. 585-442-2430. WCL JGP.

Mar. 29, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)Grandmaster Challenge (QC)6-SS G/25 (G/20, D/5), Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-477-3716, lim-ited to first 64 entries. EF: $35 over 55/under 18, $45 others, $10 less toMarshall members (free buffet for participants.) GMs free, $25 deducted fromprize. Reg. ends 11:45 am. G$$350-250-150-100-75-50, $100 U2400, $100U2200, $75 U2000, $50 U1800, top over 55$=age, top under 18 $=3x age, topscoring female ($=# of players), special beauty prize. Rds.: 12-1:15-2:30-4:00-5:15-6:30. Byes: limit 2, request before Round 3. Quick rated; regular ratingsused for pairing and prize purposes. Additional class prize $500 2800+, $2502700+.

A State Championship Event!Mar. 29, PennsylvaniaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 62009 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 3/21, $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 3/21, $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, 25Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245, 412-908-0286.W.

Mar. 30-Apr. 20, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 684th Nassau Grand Prix4-SS, 40/80. 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st &Main Sts, Mineola. 2 sections. Open:EF: $35 by 3/28. $$ (615 b/20, top 2 G) 180-120, U2100, 1900, 1700/UR each105. Booster: open to U1500/UR. EF: $19 by 3/28. $$ (180 b/12) 80, U1300,1100/UR each 50. Both: 2 byes 1-4 (Last rd bye must be req before rd 3 andis irrevocable). $10 more for non-memb. EF $7 more at site. Reg ends: 7:15PM. Rds.: 7:15 each Mon. April ratings used. Info only: [email protected]: Harold Stenzel, 80 Amy Drive, Sayville, NY 11782. WCL JGP.

Apr. 4-5, MichiganWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10Wiener-Rubenstein Memorial5-SS, G-90. All The King’s Men Chess Supplies and Brain Games, ParkviewSquare Strip Mall (Around Back), 27170 Dequindre Rd.,Warren, MI 48092 (11Mile & Dequindre Rds.). USCF and MCA memberships required (can be pur-chased on site). EF: $60 ($50 for Oage 65, Uage 16, or UNR) by Tues., 3/31.Add $10 after. IMs and GMs FREE (EF deducted from prize). No Re-Entriesallowed. Up toTWO 1/2-pt. byes allowed-must be requested prior to start ofRD 3. TL: G-90. REG.: Sat, 4/4, 10-11:30am. RDS.: Sat, 4/4: 12-3:30-7. Sun,4/5: 11-2:30. Headphones cannot be used if opponent objects for any reason.

Must be willing to present same to TD for exam at any time. Failure to do sowill result in removal from tournament without refund. Cell phones must beturned off or in silent mode while in the tournament room. $$2100 (b/52, b/min.6 per prize section). 60% Guaranteed! 1st, 2nd, 3rd: $500, $350; $250;TOP1900-2199, 1600-1899, 1300-1599, 1000-1299, U1000/UNR: $200 each (UNReligible ONLY for Unrated or Overall prizes). $50 Gift Certificate for biggest upsetof tournament! Info & ENT: Dr. Ed Mandell, address above, (586) 558-4790.Toll-Free: (866) 538-7890; Fax: (586) 558-2046; Email: [email protected],Web: www.allthekingsmenchess.com. WCL JGP.

Apr. 4-5, NebraskaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 62nd Annual Spring OpenNote: corrections to prizes which nowmakes this a GP event. 5 SS, Rnd 1 G/90,Rnd 2-5 G/120. Site: Creighton Univ. Harper Center, Rm#2066, 590 N 20th St.,Omaha, NE 68102. EF: $25 if payment received by 4/2. $30 on-site. Prizes: $$G$150-85-65, U1600 $50, U1400 $50, U1200 $50. USCF & NSCAmemb. req’d ($10adult, $6 under 20) Other states honored. Reg.: 9am-9:45. Rds.: Sat 10-1:45-6:30, Sun 9:30-2:30. ENT: Ben Ryan, 4423 Frederick St. Omaha, NE 68105.402.452.7686 [email protected] JGP.This version corrects whatwas in the Feb. CL.

An American Classic!Apr. 8-12, 9-12 or 10-12, ConnecticutWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)11th annual Foxwoods OpenOpen Section, Apr 8-12: 9SS, 40/2, SD/1. GM & IM norms possible. LowerSections, Apr 9-12 or 10-12: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-4 G/50).Foxwoods Resort Casino & Hotel, Rt 2, Mashantucket CT 06339 (I-95 to Exit92 to Rt 2West, or I-395 to Exit 85 to Rt 164 to Rt 2 East). Free parking. 45 milesfromT.F. Green Airport (Providence, RI), 14 miles from Groton/New London Air-port; for shuttle from New London Amtrak station call 1-800-USA-RAIL. Bustransportation: 1-888-BUS2FOX. Free shuttle to Mashantucket Pequot Museum,largest Native American museum in USA. Prizes $100,000 based on 650 paidentries (Seniors count as 3/4 entries; U1000 Section, re-entries, GMs,WGMs& foreign IMs/WIMs as half entries), else proportional, minimum $70,000 (70%of each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections: Open: $10000-5000-2500-1500-1000-700-600-500-400-400, 2300-2499 $3000-1500-700, Under 2300/Unr$3000-1500-700. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game (White 5minutes, Black 3 minutes & gets draw odds, with 5 second delay) for title &free room at 2010 Foxwoods Open. FIDE rated. Under 2100, Under 1900,Under 1700: each $5000-3000-2000-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300. Under1500, Under 1300: $4000-2000-1500-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300. Under1000: $1000-600-400-300-250-200-150-100. Prize limits: 1) Players withunder 26 lifetime games rated as of 4/09 list may not win over $500 in U1000,$1500 in U1300, or $2500 in U1500. Games rated too late for 4/09 list notcounted. 2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on any USCF ratingsupplement 4/08-3/09, prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime gamesrated) cannot win over $300 in U1000, $600 U1300, $1000 U1500, $1300U1700, $1600 U1900, or $2000 U2100. Initial ratings that will appear after the4/09 list used at Director’s discretion; if used, rule 1 applies. 4) Balance of lim-ited prize goes to next player(s) in line.Mailed EF: 5-day (Open only) $205, 4-day$204, 3-day $203 if mailed by 1/10; 5-day $225, 4-day $224, 3-day $223mailed by 3/31; all $250 at site. CSCA members may deduct $4 from mailedEF only. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online EF at chesstour.com: $207by 1/10, $227 by 4/6, $250 after 4/6 until 2 hours before rd 1. Phone EF at406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions): $210 by 1/10, $230 by 4/6. No phoneentry after 4/6. GMs, foreign IMs, foreign WGMs, foreign WIMs free; $150deducted from prize. US WGMs $100; another $100 deducted from prize. EF$70 less to seniors over 65 in Under 1300 & above sections. Under 1000 Sec-tion EF: 4-day $104, 3-day $103 if mailed by 3/31, all $107 online atchesstour.com by 4/6, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 4/6 (entry only, no ques-tions), $120 at site. All: FREE TO UNRATED IN U1000 OR U1300 SECTIONS.Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if oth-erwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: onlineat chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. No checks at site,credit cards OK. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from Open Section to Open Sec-tion. 5-day Open Section schedule: Reg. ends Wed 6 pm, rds. Wed. 7 pm,Thu 12 & 7, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day Lower Sections schedule:Reg. endsThu 6 pm, rds.Thu 7 pm, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day LowerSections schedule: Reg. ends Fri 7 pm, rds Fri 8 pm, Sat 10,12:30, 3, 6, Sun10 & 4:30. 4-day & 3-day merge & compete for same prizes. Byes: OK all; limit4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), must commit before rd 3, having under 2 pts. Bring sets,boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: Grand PequotTower (tournamentsite, very luxurious) $132-132, Great Cedar Hotel (connected building; very close)$118-118, TwoTrees Inn (15 minute walk; free shuttle) $108-108. 1-800-FOX-WOOD, must reserve by 3/26 or you will have to stay at least 3 miles away.Car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online

at chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to FIDE,100 to FQE, 200/more to most other foreign, no pts added to CFC, PR orJamaica. Most foreign ratings other than CFC, PR, FQE or Jamaica not acceptedfor U2000 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who failto disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player ratings: Aprillist used; FIDE ratings not used. Special rules: Players must submit to a searchfor electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 4 or after, players withscores of over 80% and their opponents may not use headphones, earphonesor cellphones or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permis-sion. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Questions:845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com.You may request “lowest possible section”if April rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries willbe posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.

Apr. 10-12, NevadaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 150 (enhanced)9th Annual RENO-FAR WEST OPEN6SS, 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. $$22,500 b/250. $$15,000Gtd. (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 (3/21)or pay late fee at door). $$2,000-1,200-1000-800-600-500-400-400-300-300,(2300/below) - $1,000, (2299/below) - $1,000-500, (2199/below) - $1000-500-300-200 (If a tie for 1st then a playoff for $100 out of prize fund). Sec.”A”(1800-1999) EF: $136; $$1,000-500-300-200-100-100-100-100-100-100. Sec.”B”(1600-1799) EF: $135; $$900-500-300-200-100-100-100-100-100-100. Sec.”C”(1400-1599) EF: $134; $$800-400-300-200-100-100-100-100-100-100.Sec.”D”/under (1399-below) EF: $133; $$700-400-300-200-100-100-100-100;1199/below $$300; Top Senior (65+) -$200; Club Champ.- $400-200. ALL:Entries must be postmarked by 3/28 or pay late fee-$11 until 4/3 (do not mailafter 4/3), $22 at site. All classes have trophies 1st – 3rd. Unrated playersare free entry but not eligible for cash prizes- must join USCF for 1 full yearthru this tournament . 1st Unrated = trophy + 1 yr. USCF Mem. $10 discountto Seniors (65+ yrs.) & Juniors (19-under). Players may play up. Provisionallyrated 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 theunlikely situation occurs 3 colors in a rowmay be assigned. SIDE EVENTS:Thurs.(4/9) 6-7:15pm Free Lecture-GM Larry Evans; 7:30pm-GM Khachiyan Simul($15); 7:30pm-Blitz (5 Min) tourney ($20) 80% entries = Prize Fund. Sat.(4/11) (3-4:30pm) Free Game/Position Analysis - GM Larry Evans. ALL REG:5-9pm (4/09), 9-10am (4/10). RDS: 12-7, 10-6, 9:30-4:30. Byes available anyround (if requested by Rd.1). ENT: make checks payable and send to: SANDSREGENCY (address listed above), postmarked by 3/28. $11 late fee if postmarkedby 4/3. Do not mail after 4/3 or email after 4/08. $22 late fee at site. HR: (Sun-Thurs. $27!) (Fri. & Sat. $54!) + tax.1-866-386-7829 mention (Code) CHESS09(Reserve by 3/21/09). INFO: JerryWeikel 6578 ValleyWood Dr., Reno, NV 89523,(775) 747-1405, [email protected] Or check out our website at: www.renochess.org/fwo. To verify entry check website. WCL JGP.

Apr. 10-12 or 11-12, ColoradoWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 62009 Boulder Open5-SS 40/120 G/60 (2-day schedule, Rds 1-2, G/90). BestWestern Boulder Inn,Flatirons room, 770 28th Street, Boulder, CO. Two sections.Open, U1600. EF:$50, $10 less if rec’d by 4/8, $10 less for Jr/Sr/Unrated. Prizes: $1500 b/50.Open: $300-175-125, U2000, U1800 $100 ea. Reserve: $250-150-100, U1400,U1200 $100 each. 3-day Regis: Fri 6-6:30 PM, Rounds: Fri: 6:30, Sat: 10, 5,Sun 9:30, 4. 2-day Regis: Sat 9-9:45 AM, Rds Sat 10, 1:30, merge with 3-dayat 5. Entries: Klaus Johnson, 3605 Endicott Dr., Boulder, CO 80305. Email: [email protected]. A COTour event, CSCA membership req’d ($15/yr,$10 for Jr/Sr), OSA. WCL JGP.

Apr. 16, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23West 10 St, bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC:212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specifiedGreater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may be lim-ited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50,Top U2200/unr $105, U2000$95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA ratingsmay 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!

Apr. 17- May 8, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6Queens Spring Open4-SS, G/120, All Saints Lutheran Church, 164-02 Goethals Avenue, Jamaica NY11432. EF: $40, QCC members $30. $$200-100 guaranteed to top 2, more per



entries. Up to two 1/2 pt byes with advance notice (if declared before Rd 3).REG.: 7:30-8:00 RDS.: 8:15 each Friday. ENT (mail by 4/11): Ed Frumkin, 445E 14th St #10D, NYC 10009 (212-677-3224 before 10pm and before 5pm onFri).WCL JGP.

Apr. 18-19, LouisianaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 62009 Louisiana Pro-Am5-SS, G/2. Site: Baton Rouge Bridge Center, 3033 Old Forge Dr., Baton Rouge,LA 70808. EF: $45 if mailed by 4/10, $55 at site. LCA Memb. req’d ($10 Adult,$5 Schol.), OSA. Prizes: $2000 b/60, 50% Gtd. Two Sections: Pro (Open):$400-200-100; U2000 $200-100. Amateur (U1800): $250-100; U1600 $200-100;U1400 $150-100; U1200/UNR $100. Reg.: 4/18, 8:15-9:15am. Rds.: Sat: 9:30-2-6:30, Sun: 9:30-2. Bye: A 1/2 point bye is allowed but must be declared beforeround 2 begins. HR: Comfort Suites (very close to site), (225) 923-3377, callfor rates. Ent/Info: Alex Steger, 14946 Currency Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70817,[email protected], (225) 933-9548. NS, NC.WCL JGP.

Apr. 19, California SouthernWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 102009 Westwood Spring Open5-SS, G/40. Los Angeles Chess Club, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025,2nd floor (4 blocks West of 405 Fwy). $$1500 b/50, 80% of each prize guar-anteed. In two sections: Open: $400-200-50, U2200 125, U2000 125. Reserve(U1800): $$200-125, U1600 $100, Under 1400/unrated $100, U1200 $75. EF:$47 if received by 4/18, $55 at site. SCCF memb. ($18, under 18 $10) req. forrated S. CA residents. No checks or credit cards at site. Half point byes: limit1, must be req. w/entry. Reg.: 9-9:45 a.m. Rds.: 10-11:30-1:30-3:15-4:45. 2Free Parking lots on the SW corner of Santa Monica & Purdue, or in the build-ing basement ($3). Inf: [email protected]. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery,835 N.Wilton Place #1, Los Angeles, CA 90038. On-line entry: www.westernchess.com. State Championship Qualifier.WCL JGP.

Apr. 19, District of ColumbiaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10G/60 Spring Sensation$2,200 in prizes for a 1 day, 5 round event! Caldwell Hall Auditorium, 620 Michi-gan Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20064. Open: $600-400-200 Top A,B/unr$120 ea. Free ent. to GMs, $55 deducted from any prizes, preregistrationrequired. U1600: $300-200-100, Top U1200/U1000 $80 ea. Unr. player mustplay in Open Section. All prizes b/o 50, U1600 players count as 2/3 entry. 50%of all prizes guaranteed. Rds. 9:30-11:45-2:30-4:45-6:30. Entry: $50 rec’d by4/13, $60 after. $20 off for U1600. 2 half point byes available - must berequested at registration.Mail EF to CUA Chess, 204 Pryzbyla, 620 MichiganAve. NE, Washington, DC 20064, Visit studentorg.cua.edu/chess for onlineregistration/information.

Apr. 19, New JerseyWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10ICA Spring 2009 Open ChampionshipBergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601. OpenTo All AgesWith Rating >1400 4SS G/60 U. S. Chess Federation Membership Required,Prize Fund ($$ b/40) 1st - 3rd $300, $250, $200, U2000, U1800, U1600 each

$100. Best Under 13Years Old $75, Best Over 65Years Old $75. Prize FundWillNot Be Reduced Below 70 %. Reg Ends at 9 Late EntrantsWill Receive 1/2 PointBye For Rnd 1. EF: Adv (pmk. By Apr 15th) $40, AT Site $45. GMs Free Entry.Make EF: and/or USCF membership checks payable to: International ChessAcademy. INFO 201 287 0250 or 201 833 1741, Email: [email protected] (WebSite Entries: www.icanj.net). Rds: 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM.ENT: Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. NS NCW.

Apr. 21, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)St. John’s Masters at the Marshall Chess Club4SS, G/30.ThirdTues. of every month. 23W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Opento players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNYat MCCThursday 4 Rated GamesTonight! since the prior month’s SJM) EF: $40,members $30, GMs $10 (returned on completion of tournament). For each event,money added to prize fund by the sponsors, St. John’s University, and other gen-erous patrons.Top three prizes guaranteed. $$G 300-200-100.Top U2400 andTop U2300 prizes. Special prize for biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, rds 1 and 4 only; declare at registration.

Apr. 23-May 21, PennsylvaniaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)2009 Hatboro Open5-SS, 40/90, G/1.Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 151W. County Line Road(near Blair Mill Road), Hatboro 19040. $$950 Gtd. In one section: $400-200,U1900 $100, U1700 $100, U1500 $100, Upset Prize $50. EF: $35 at site, $5 lessto Chaturanga CC members.Write checks to “Chaturanga Chess Club.” Reg.:6:45-7:20pm. Rds.: 7:30pm each Thursday. Bye: limit 1, any round, mustrequest before Round 3 starts. Info: Jorge Amador, POB 387, Forest Grove PA18922, (215) 794-8368, (new email) [email protected]. NS, NC, W.WCL JGP.

Apr. 24-26, MichiganWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15Great Lakes Open3 Sections: OPEN, U1800, U1400. 60% Guaranteed. 2-Day & 3-Day sched-ules available for ALL sections. Merge after RD 2. Held at McCamly PlazaHotel, 50 Capital Avenue SW, Battle Creek, MI 49037 (See Lodging below). SPE-CIAL EVENTS: Sat, 7pm BlitzTournament, EF: $10 (90% payout). Sun, 9am IMor GM Lecture ($10). STRICT RULE ENFORCEMENT: Cell phonesmust be offor in silent mode in tournament room. 1st infraction, deduct half remaining timeor game forfeiture if less than 10 minutes remaining on clock; automatic for-feiture for 2nd infraction. Spectator infraction: Banned from tournamentplaying areas for remainder of tournament. Headphones cannot be used if oppo-nent objects for any reason and cannot be used in last round by players witha plus score; must be willing to present headphones to TDs for exam at anytime; failure to do so will result in removal from tournament without refund.ChiefTD: SeniorTD Ed Mandell. EF (Uage 16 deduct $10): By 4/1: OPEN: 2-Day$72; 3-Day $73 (IM’s, GM’s Free; early EF deducted from winnings). U1800:2-Day $62; 3-Day $63. U1400: 2-Day $52; 3-Day $53. By 4/20: 2-Day $82-$72-$62; 3-Day $83-$73-$63. After 4/20 or on-site: 2-Day $92-$82-$72; 3-Day$93-$83-$73. USCF and a State membership required; can be purchased on site.Up to TWO 1/2-pt. byes available; must request prior to start of RD 3. TL: 3-

Day: Rds 1-3, G-2hrs; Rds 4-5, 40/2, SD1. 2-Day: Rds 1-2, G-60; Rd 3, G-2hrs;Rds 4-5: 40/2, SD1. REG.: 3-Day, Fri, 4/24: 5:00-6:29pm. 2-Day, Sat, 4/25: 8:30-10:29am. RDS.: 3-Day: Fri, 7pm; Sat, 12, 4; Sun, 10, 4:30. 2-Day: Sat, 11, 1:30,4; Sun, 10, 4:30. $$: $5,000 Prize Fund (60% guaranteed): OPEN $2,500 (b/42,min. 6 per prize group): 1st, 2nd $1000, $600;TOP X: $350,TOP A: $300;TOPU1800/UNR: $250 (UNR elig. only for OPEN or U1800 prize). U1800 $1,400(b/32,min. 6 per prize group): 1st, 2nd $450, $300;TOP C: $250;TOP D: $225;TOP U1400/UNR: $175 (UNR elig. only forTop or U1400 prize). U1400 $1,100(b/30, min. 6 per prize group): 1st, 2nd $425, $275; TOP E: $225; TOPU1000/UNR: $175 (UNR elig. only for TOP or U1000 prize). Lodging: Forreservations, go online at www.mccamlyplaza.com or call toll-free: 1-888-622-2659; ask for Great Lakes Open chess rate ($79/night if booked by April3rd). Covered lot parking: $4 overnight (unlimited in/out privileges), free innearby areas on weekends. For directions to hotel, go online to www.mapquest.com or www.yahoo.com/maps. Info & Ent: Stan Beckwith, 84 Bond St.,Battle Creek, MI 49037-1907; (269) 964-2927 OR Ed Mandell, AllThe King’s Men,(586) 558-4790, www.allthekingsmenchess.com.

Apr. 24-26 or 25-26, VermontWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 (enhanced)6th annual Vermont Spring Open5 SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60), Stratton Mountain Inn, Mid-dle Ridge Rd (take Stratton Mt Rd from center of Bondville), Stratton Mountain,VT 05155. Bondville is 13 mi SE of Manchester, VT on Rt 30; under 2 hours fromAlbany, NY or Springfield, MA. $$G 2000. In 2 sections. Open: $400-230-120,top 1800-2049/Unr $200-100, top Under 1800 $200-100. Under 1550: $250-120-60, top Under 1300 $150-70, no unrated may win over $100. EF: 3-day $68,2-day $67 mailed by 4/17, all $69 online at chesstour.com by 4/22, $75 phonedto 406-896-2038 by 4/22 (entry only, no questions), $80 at site. No checks atsite, credit cards OK. FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED if paying 1 year USCF dues.Special 1 year USCF dueswith Chess Life if paid with entry- online at chess-tour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry $40, not availablein Open section. GMs free; $50 deducted from prize. 3-day schedule: Reg. endsFri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 12-6, Sun 9-2:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 11:30am, rds. Sat 12-3-6, Sun 9-2:15. Half point byes OK all, must commit beforerd 2; limit 2 byes (limit 1 bye towards U1800 prizes). HR: $79-79, 1-800-STRATTON, 802-297-2500, reserve by 4/10 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 used if otherwiseunrated. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Ques-tions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds.Advance entries posted at chesstour.com.WCL JGP.

Apr. 25, New MexicoWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 615th Annual Pir Maleki MemorialUnited World College, Montezuma, NM. 6 Sections. Professor: Above 1699(U/age 21 above 1599) or UR. 1st 225 gtd, 2nd 125 gtd, U2000: 100 b/12. 3SS,G/100. EF $32, $27 U/21. Tutor: 1300-1800 or UR. 1st 150 gtd, 2nd 100 b/20,U1550: 50 b/20. 4SS, G/60. EF $22, $17 U/21. Sophomore: Under 1350 or UR.1st 100 gtd, 2nd 70 b/20, U1100: 40 b/20. 4SS, G/60. EF $22, $17 U/21.Scholastic: U/age 19 and U1200 or UR. 4SS, G45. 1st 75 gtd, 2nd 45 b/20 +



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trophies. EF $12. Youth U17: U/age 17 and U900 or UR. 4SS, G/45. EF $8. YouthU14: U/age 14 and U700 or UR. 4SS, G/45. EF $8. Round 1 all sections 10 am.Late entries only by e-mail. Complete details at www.nmsco.org/ Sched-ule.html or TD Andy Nowak at 505-310-0095 or [email protected].

Apr. 25, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10The 10th Annual Bruce Bowyer Memorial Chess Tournament4SS, G/45. Hotel NewYorker, 8th Avenue & 34 St., NYC. 212-971-0101. EF: $15.$$G: $250-$175-$125, U2200 $100, U2000 $75, U1800 $60. Reg.: 11:15-11:45, Rds.: 12-1:45-3:45-5:30pm. Ent: Cks or MO payable to Pat Bowyer, (besure to specify “Grand Prix, Saturday”), c/o PAR Group, Inc., 119 N. Park Avenue,Suite 303, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. Limit 70 players & positively NO doorents. April 25th Bughouse team tourney starting time: 8pm. 5 minute Swissor roundrobin depending on # of entries. 2 players per team. EF: $5/player.Cash to top team, trophies to top 2. PLEASE NOTE: Bring clocks and sets, nonewill be provided. $$$ payment must be received byWednesday, April 22nd atthe latest. Info: [email protected] or (Pat Bowyer) 516-371-3717. (SeeNew York section for Apr. 26, 10th Annual Bruce Bowyer Memorial ScholasticTournament.)

Apr. 25, WisconsinWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10Hales Corners Challenge IX4SS, G/60.Two Sections: Open & Reserve (under 1600).Wyndham MilwaukeeAirport Hotel, 4747 S. Howell Avenue, Milwaukee (414-481-8000). EF: $35-Open,$25-Reserve, both $5 more after 4/22.Comp EF for USCF 2200+, call TD fordetails. $$ Open (b/25)=1st-$325 (guaranteed), 2nd-$175 (guaranteed), A-$100,B & Below-$75; $$ Reserve (b/25)=1st-$100, 2nd-$75, D-$50, E & Below-$40.Reg.: 8:30-9:30, Rds.: 10-1-3:30-6. Ent: Payable to Southwest Chess Club, c/oAllen Becker, 6105 Thorncrest Drive, Greendale, WI 53129 Questions to: TDRobin Grochowski: 414-744-4872 or 414-861-2745.

Apr. 25-26, California NorthernWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 64th Annual Frank Doyle OpenExchange Bank, 444 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403. 4 round Swiss,G/120. In 3 Sections Open: $$GTD: $250-175. Reserve: Open to 1899 &under. $$GTD: $200-125. Booster: Open to 1499 & under. $$GTD: $150-100.Unr. must play in Open Section. ALL: EF: $35 advance until 4/18, $45 at site.Reg.: 04/25 8:30am - 9:30am. Rds.: Sat 10,3; Sun 10,3. ENT:Mike Goodall, 461Peachstone Terrace, San Rafael, CA 94903-1327 (415) 491-1269. INFO:[email protected]. No phone or e-mail entries. Bring equipment,none provided. NS NCW.WCL JGP.

A State Championship Event!Apr. 25-26, ConnecticutWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30Connecticut State Chess Association State Championship GrandPrixSponsored by the UCONN School of Engineering & UCONN CC. UCONN Castle-man Building, Room 201, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Parking inNorth Garage. 4 – SS, G/120. 2 sections, Open & Reserve (U-1800). Both EF:

$50 by 4-22, $60 later. Checks payable to “UCONN”. GM’s & IM’s free if no prizewon. Reg.: 8-9:30 AM, Rds.: 10-3, 9-2. Half point byes available in rds. 1-3 only,no last round byes. $$ 700-500-300, Top U-2200 $200, Top U-2000 $200,Reserve $250-$100,Top U-1600 $150-$100.Trophy and state title to top CT res-ident in Open. All cash prizes, $2500, unconditionally guaranteed! Lodgingavailable, please ask. Info & Entries to: Tom Hartmayer, 963 Mansfield CityRd., Storrs, CT 06268, 860-989-5394, [email protected], www.uconnchess.uconn.edu, www.engr.uconn.edu, UCONN Map admissions.uconn.edu/virtualtour/search/.WCL JGP.

Apr. 26, New JerseyWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)2009 South Jersey Open4-SS, G/60, td/5. $2000 Guaranteed Prizes. Wyndham Hotel, 1111 Rt. 73 N.,Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054. Top South Jersey player to be named South JerseyChampion and receive a 1 year lease on the HoffmanTrophy! 4 Sections, Open:$500-250-150-100-50. U2000: $250-100-75-50. U1400: $250-100-75-50.U1000: 1st wins a House of StauntonTournament Pkg. valued at $175.Trophiesto top 4.TD reserves the right to place unr. players at his discretion and/or limitan unr. player’s prize to $75. EF top 3 sections: $49 via mail by 4/20, $52 onlineby 4/25, $59 cash onsite. U1000 EF: $25 via mail by 4/20, $27 online by4/25, $35 cash onsite. Reg.: 8:30 – 9:30 AM. Rds.: 10 AM, then ASAP. Lunchbreak after rd. #2.Two 1/2 pt. byes allowed (rounds 1-3) if requested with EF.ENT: All the King’s Men, 62 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071 or YourChessSet.com/SJopen. INFO: Stephen Dick [email protected] or 856-582-8222. DIR: Just off the NJ Turnpike exit 4 or 295 exit 36A. Hotel Ph #:856-234-7000. Must bring your own equipment! Register online beforeApril 15 and be entered to win a $70, NYTimes Deluxe Handheld Chess Com-puter by Excalibur.WCL JPG.

Apr. 26, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)Grandmaster Challenge6-SS G/25 (G/20, D/5), Marshall CC, 23 W 10th St, NYC: 212-477-3716, lim-ited to first 64 entries. EF: $35 over 55/under 18, $45 others, $10 less toMarshall members (free buffet for participants.) GMs free, $25 deducted fromprize. Reg. ends 11:45 am. G$$350-250-150-100-75-50, $100 U2400, $100U2200, $75 U2000, $50 U1800, top over 55$=age, top under 18 $=3x age, topscoring female ($=# of players), special beauty prize. Rds.: 12-1:15-2:30-4:00-5:15-6:30. Byes: limit 2, request before Round 3. Quick rated; regular ratingsused for pairing and prize purposes. Additional class prize $500 2800+, $2502700+.

May 1-3, South CarolinaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10Lee Hyder Memorial$2000 b/40 ($1000 Gtd.) 5SS, 30/90, SD/1, Tri-Development Center, 314Hampton Ave, Aiken, SC 29801. (2day, Rd.1 - G/90 then merge with 3-day). EF:$55 if rec’d by Apr. 27, $65 at site, $35 re-entry. Free entry to Masters and above($60 deducted from any prizes). Checks payable to W. Taylor. Memb. Req’d:OSA. $$b/40: $500-300-200. U2000, U1700, U1400 each $200-130. 3 day:Reg.: Fri. 6-7p - Rds.: 7:30, 1-7, 9-2:30 2 day: Reg.: Sat. 8-8:45a - Rd.1: 9 then

merge with 3 day. Half pt. byes available all rounds. Must commit to rds.4/5before rd.2. ENT: Bill Taylor 918 Seminole Ave., Aiken, SC 29801. FOR INFO:[email protected]. www.aikenchess.net.WCL JGP.

May 2, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)New York May Action!5-SS, G/30, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23W 10 St, bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC:845-569-9969. EF: $40, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specifiedGreater NY Scholastic prizewinners free! $$ 840 b/42 paid entries, minimumhalf each prize Gtd: $$ 300-200-115, top U2200/unr. $125, U2000 $100. Limit2 byes, commit by 1:30. Re-entry $20. CCA ratings may be used. Rds. 12-1:30-2:45-4-5:20 pm. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Online entry atwww.chesscenter.cc thru 4/30; $10 extra to “enter” by phone!

May 7, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)10 Grand Prix Points Older Tonight!4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23West 10 St, bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC:212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specifiedGreater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may be lim-ited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50,Top U2200/unr $105, U2000$95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA ratingsmay 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!

May 8-10 or 9-10, FloridaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 3016th Space Coast Open5SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day Rd. 1 G/60). Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach OceanfrontResort, 1300 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL. $$10,000 b/165 pd., 60% Gtd.6 Sections: Master/Expert: $1200+trophy-700-300, U2400 $600+trophy,U2200 $600+trophy-300. Class A: $600+trophy-300-200. Class B: $600+tro-phy-300-200. Class C: $600+trophy-300-200. Class D: $600+trophy-300-200.U1200: $600+trophy-300-200, U1000 $300+trophy-200, U800 $200+tro-phy-100, trophies to top Brevard County scholastics players in K-3, K-5, K-8,K-12, book to plus score not winning other prize. All: Rated players may playup one class only. Unr. may play in Master or U1200. Unr. limited to $100 prizeunless place prize in Master. Prizes for 1st-3rd brilliancy and biggest upset rds1-4, sponsored by Hollywood Kings. EF: $79, via mail or on-line by 4/30, $89on-line by 5/6 or at site (no credit cards); $20 less if Unr. or under age 18. Re-entry $40 by round 3 (1/2 point Byes for earlier rounds). GM/IM free entryavailable on-line until 4/15, else $80 from prize. Special EF for Brevard Countystudents in any section: $20 on-line, $25 at site (counts as 1/4 entry for basedon prize fund). Reg: ends 1 hr. before 1st rd. Rds: Rd. 1 8pm Fri (2-day 10amSat. at G/60), Rds. 2-5 Sat. 1-7, Sun. 9-3. Side events: Space Coast Open Blitz.4-SS (2 games/Rd), G/5. Prizes: Cash prizes based on entries. EF $10. Rds Sat.12:30-6:30, Sun. 8:30-2:30. (i.e., Blitz rounds are prior to rounds 2-5 of maintournament). Other events: see sco2009.eventbrite.com. HR: $89.99 single-quad,$109.99 Kids Suite, $189.99 loft. 888-840-8601 or 321-783-2271, code SFT,reserve by 4/17. Ent: Space Coast Chess Foundation, c/o Harvey Lerman, 921N.Thistle Ln, Maitland, FL 32751 or sco2009.eventbrite.com. Info only: PeterDyson 321-452-9863, [email protected]. FIDE,W.WCL JGP.



May 15-17 or 16-17, New YorkWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)17th annual New York State Open5SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60), Howard Johnson Tiki Resort,2 Canada St, Lake George, NY 12845. $$G 3000. In 2 sections. Open: $500-300-200, U2100 $230-120, U1900 $220-110. Under 1700: $400-230-120, U1500$200-100, U1300 $180-90, trophies to top U1100, U900, Unr, no unrated maywin over $200. All: 1 year NYSCAmembership to NY residents who are not mem-bers. EF: 3-day $78, 2-day $77 mailed by 5/8, $79 online at chesstour.com by 5/13, $85 phoned by 5/13 to 406-896-2038 (payment only, no questions), $90at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED if pay-ing 1 year USCF dues. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid withentry- online at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry$40, not available in Open Section. GMs free, $60 deducted from prize. 3-dayschedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 12-6, Sun 9-2:15. 2-dayschedule: Reg ends Sat 11:30 am, rds Sat 12-3-6, Sun 9-2:15. Half point byesOK all, must commit before rd 2; limit 2 byes (limit 1 bye towards U1900 or U1300prizes). 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, useAWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Unofficialuschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games used if otherwise unrated. Ent:Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge forrefunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entriesposted at chesstour.com.WCL JGP.

An American Classic!May 22-25, 23-25 or 24-25, IllinoisWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)18th annual Chicago Open7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/75; 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/45). Under900 section plays separate 2-day schedule only, G/45.Westin Chicago NorthShore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave,Wheeling IL 60090 (from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwaukee, I-94 east to Lake Cook Rd to US-45south.) Free parking. $100,000 guaranteed prize fund. In 8 sections. Open:$8000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-400-400-400, clear winner bonus $200,top Under 2500 $2000-1000. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game(White 5 minutes, Black 3 minutes & gets draw odds, with 5 second delay) fortitle & bonus prize. Under 2300, Under 2100, Under 1900, Under 1700: each$6000-3000-1500-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300. U2300 Section is FIDErated. Under 1500: $5000-2500-1200-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300. Under1300: $3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-300-300-300, top U1100 $800-400.Under 1100 play for both U1300 section prizes & U1100 class prizes; receivelarger if winning both. Under 900: $200-120-80, trophies to top 10. Prize lim-its: 1) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated through 5/09 list may notwin over $1500 U1300 or $2500 U1500. Games rated too late for 5/09 list notcounted. 2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on any list 5/08-4/09,prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $100in U900, $600 U1300, $1000 U1500, $1300 U1700, $1600 U1900 or $2000 U2100.4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line.Mailed EF: 4-day$199, 3-day $198, 2-day $197 mailed by 3/16; 4-day $219, 3-day $218, 2-day$217 mailed by 5/13; all $250 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. OnlineEF at chesstour.com: $200 by 3/16, $220 by 5/19, $250 after 5/20 until 2 hoursbefore rd 1. Phone EF at 406-896-2038: $205 by 3/16, $225 by 5/19 (entryonly, no questions). No phone entry after 5/19. GMs free; $150 deducted fromprize.WGMs $100; another $100 deducted from prize. EF $70 less to all in Under1300 Section and to seniors over 65 in Under 1500 & above sections. Under900 EF: $24 if mailed by 5/13, $25 online at chesstour.com by 5/19, $30phoned to 406-896-2038 by 5/19 (entry only, no questions), $40 at site. Nochecks at site, credit cards OK. All: FREE ENTRY TO UNRATED in U900 orU1300 Sections. ICA membership ($15, scholastic $10) required for rated Illi-nois residents. Special 1 yr adult USCF dueswith Chess Life if paid with entry:online at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry: $100,no re-entry from Open to Open. $20 fee for switching section after 5/19. 4-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, Rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 12 & 7, Sun 12 & 7, Mon10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 11 am, Rds. Sat 12, 3:30 & 7, Sun12 & 7, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U1300 & up): Reg. ends Sun 9 am,Rds. Sun 10-12:30-2:30-4:30-7, Mon 10 & 4:30. Above schedules merge &compete for same prizes. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun10-12:30-2:30-4:30, Mon. 10-12:30-2:30. Byes: OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4rds), must commit before rd 3 having under 2 pts. Hotel rates: $94-94-94-94,800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 5/9 or rate may increase. Car rental:Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chess-tour.com. Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to FIDE, 100 toFQE, 200/more to most other foreign, no pts added to CFC or Jamaica. Mostforeign ratings other than CFC, FQE or Jamaica not accepted for U2000 or below.Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreignor FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player ratings: May official ratingsused; FIDE ratings not used. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or moregames usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: 1) Players must sub-mit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 4 orafter, players with scores over 80% in U1300/up and their opponents may notuse headphones, earphones, cellphones, or go to a different floor of the hotelwithout Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills,NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658, chesstour.com. You may request “low-est possible section” if May rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds.Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com.WCL JGP.

June 4, NevadaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 502009 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC)See Nationals.

A Heritage Event!An American Classic!June 5-7 or 6-7, NevadaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)2009 National OpenSee Nationals.

June 25-29, PennsylvaniaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 150 (enhanced)3rd annual Philadelphia International9SS, 40/2, SD/1, Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts.,Philadelphia, PA 19103. Special parking rate for players with guest rooms

$5/day; may be available for players without guest rooms, through 6/29 only.$$G 10,000: $3000-1500-1000-600-400-300-200, top FIDE 2200-2399 $1000-500, top FIDE under 2200 or unrated $1000-500. Minimum prize if completingall games: $500 to foreign GMs, $200 to US GMs, foreign IMs, foreignWGMs,foreign WIMs. IM & GM norms possible; FIDE rated. EF: GMs, IMs, WGMs,WIMs, 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 onlineby 6/23, $325 phoned by 6/23, $350 at tmt. All: No checks at site, credit cardsaccepted. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry-online at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Reg. endsThu10 am, rdsThu through Sun 11-6, Mon 11. Two half point byes available (mustcommit before rd 2); norm not possible if taking bye. HR: $93-93, 215-448-2000,reserve by 6/5 or rate may increase. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible-none supplied. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577.$15 service charge for refunds. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com.Advance entries posted at chesstour.com.WCL JGP.

A Heritage Event!An American Classic!July 1-5, 2-5, 3-5 or June 29-July 5, PennsylvaniaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 300 (enhanced)37th Annual World Open9SS, 40/2, SD/1 (4-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, 3-day option, rds 1-5 G/45), Under900/Unr Section plays separate 3-day schedule only, G/45. Sheraton City Cen-ter Hotel, 17th & Race Sts., Philadelphia 19103. Parking $5 for hotel guestsplaying in tournament. Downtown location, Franklin Institute, many muse-ums, stores, restaurants within a few blocks. Prizes $250,000 unconditionallyguaranteed. Free analysis of your games by GM Sam Palatnik; free lecturesby other GMs 9 am 7/3 & 7/4. In 9 sections (Unrated eligible only for Open,Under 2400, or Under 900). Open: $20000-10000-5000-2500-1500-1000-800-700-600-500, clear winner bonus $200, top U2500 $2000-1000. If tie for first,top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 7/5, 11 pm (White 5 minutes, Black 3 min-utes & gets draw odds, 5 second delay) for title & bonus prize. GM & IM normspossible in 5-day & 7-day schedules. FIDE rated. Under 2400: $14000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U2300 $2000-1000. FIDE Under2200: $14000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U2100 $2000-1000. Under 2000: $14000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, topU1900 $2000-1000. Under 1800: $14000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1700 $2000-1000. Under 1600: $12000-6000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1500 $2000-1000. Under 1400: $10000-5000-2500-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1300 $1500-800. Under1200: $5000-2500-1500-1000-800-700-600-500-400-300. Under 900/unrated:$300-200-100, trophies to top 10, no unrated may win over $100. Prize lim-its: 1) Players with under 26 games played as of 7/09 list may not win over$1500 in U1200, $3000 U1400 to U1800. Games rated too late for 7/09 list notcounted. 2) Players with official rating more than 30 points over section max-imum any month 7/08-6/09 have a prize limit of $2000. 3) Balance of any limitedprize 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 2hours before rd 1. Phone entry at 406-896-2038: $315 by 2/17, $325 by5/15, $335 by 6/24 (entry only, no questions). No phone entries after 6/24. GMsfree; $200 EF deducted from prize.WGMs $100; another $100 EF deducted fromprize. EF $100 less to all in U1200 Section and seniors over 65 in Under 1400& above. Under 900/Unrated Section EF: $25 if mailed by 6/17, all $26online at chesstour.com by 6/24, $30 phoned by 6/24 (entry only, no questions),$40 at site. FREE ENTRYTO UNRATED in U900/Unr Section. No checks at site;credit cards OK. Re-entry: $160, no re-entry from Open to Open. $20 fee forswitching section after 6/30. Special 1 yr adult USCF dues with Chess Lifeif paid with entry: online at chesstour.com $30, mailed, phoned or paid at site$40. 5-day schedule:Wed 7 pm, Thur 11 am & 6 pm, Fri 11 am & 6 pm, Sat11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 5 pm. 7-day schedule: Mon-Fri each 7 pm, Sat11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 5 pm. 4-day schedule:Thurs 11, 2:30 & 6, Fri 11& 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. 3-day schedule: Fri 11, 1:30, 3:30, 6 & 8:30, Sat11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. All schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under900/Unr schedule: Fri 1:30, 3:45 & 6, Sat 11, 1:30, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 12:30.Half point byes OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), must commit before rd 3and have under 2 pts. Entries, re-entries close 1 hour before your first game.Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: 93-93, 215-448-2000, may sell out about 5/31, two night minimum 7/3-4. Backup hotel:Radisson Plaza Warwick, 215-735-6000, $104-104, special chess rates forparking $8/day with guest room at Radisson. Special car rental rates: Avis,800-331-1600, AWD#D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com.Foreign player ratings: 100 pts added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200 or more tomost foreign, no pts added to CFC. Most foreign ratings other than CFC or FQEor Jamaica not accepted for U2000 or below. Highest of multiple ratings used.Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. USplayer ratings: JULY LIST USED; FIDE ratings not used. Unofficial uschess.orgratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Specialrules: 1) Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requestedby Director. In round 4 or after, players with scores over 80% and their oppo-nents may not use headphones, earphones, cellphones or go to a different floorof the hotel without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Sal-isbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions:www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658.You mayrequest “lowest possible section” if July rating unknown. $15 service chargefor refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Bring set, board,clock if possible- none supplied.WCL JGP.

A Heritage Event!Aug. 1-9, 4-9 or 6-9, IndianaWorld Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 300 (enhanced)110th annual U.S. OpenSee Nationals.

RegionalAlabamaB’ham C. C.Meets Mon. nites each wk., 2116 Columbiana Rd. (Columbiana Crossing Shopg.

Ctr.) B’ham 35226. All skills & levels welcome!W. N.S. USCF rtd tourns. plannedin 09. Mon. Quads by request. Vulcan Open-May; B’ham City C’ships-Aug.; MagicCity Open-Nov. SS 4rd G/60 2d Sat.ea. mo. Details & flyers: R.W. Ellis 205-979-6068, [email protected].

Mar. 21-22, 2nd Annual Alabama Class ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.

Mar. 28, Alabaster Scholastic5SS, TC: G/30. Thompson Intermediate School, 10019 Highway 119,Alabaster, AL 35007. Scholastic (K-12): Rated and Not Rated Divisions with3 Sections each. Late REG.: Mar 28th, 8:00-9:00. EF: $20/$10; if mailed by03/21/2009. $10 more at site. Prizes:Trophies and Medallions –Top 3 eachsection. Rds.: 9:30-10:45-12:30-1:45, 3. Checks PayableTo: Caesar Lawrence.ENT: Caesar Lawrence, 882 McAllister Dr., Calera, AL 35040. Info: [email protected] /ACF: www.alabamachess.com.

Apr. 4, Montgomery Scholastic5SS, TC: G/30. Forest Avenue Magnet School, 1700W 5th St, Montgomery,AL 36106. Scholastic (K-12): Rated and Not Rated Divisions with 3 Sec-tions each. Late REG.: Apr 4th, 8:00-9:00. EF: $20/$10; if mailed by03/28/2009. $10 more at site. Prizes:Trophies and Medallions –Top 3 eachsection. Rds.: 9:30-10:45-12:30-1:45, 3. Checks PayableTo: Caesar Lawrence.ENT: Caesar Lawrence, 882 McAllister Dr., Calera, AL 35040. Info: [email protected]/ACF: www.alabamachess.com.

May 2, En Passant - Birmingham City Scholastic Championship5SS, TC: G/30. W. J. Christian School, 725 Mountain Drive Birmingham, AL35206. Scholastic (K-12): 6 Sections - Rated and Not Rated. Late REG.:May 2nd, 8:00-9:00. Rds.: 9:30-10:45-12:30-1:45, 3. EF: $20/$10; if mailed by04/25/2009. $10 more at site. Prizes:Trophies and Medallions –Top 3 eachsection. Checks PayableTo:Magic City Chess U. ENT: Caesar Lawrence, 882McAllister Dr., Calera, AL 35040. Info: [email protected]/ACF:www.alabamachess.com.

ArizonaMay 23-25, 2009 U.S. Amateur West ChampionshipSee Nationals.

ArkansasMar. 14, Conway Southern Scholastic Open (Bob Nabholz Memo-rial Chess Tournament) – Team & Individual Chess Tournament5SS, G/30. St. Joseph School, 502 Front St., Conway, AR. 7 total Sects: (USCF-rated sects. for teams and ind.) K-2; K-5; K-8; K-12. Reserve Sects (non-USCFrated for ind. only): K-2; K-5; K-8. Reserve Sects are not USCF rated and donot require USCF membership. No elimination – everyone will play all 5 rounds.PRIZES:Trophies to top 5 individuals & top 3 teams in each section (more ind.trophies awarded depending on pre-entries). Every non-trophy winner receivesa souvenir medal. Teams must have minimum of 3 players from the sameschool or home-school district registered in the same section; the top 3 scoreswill count for final team score. USCF-recommended computer tiebreaks willdecide trophy and medal placements for all winners. TOURN. FREEBIES:Every scholastic player will receive a Free chess gift. Free chess clock toplayer who travels farthest to tourn. HR: For info on hotels, restaurants andother attractions in Conway, please click on www.conwayarkansas.org. EF: $20by 3/10; $25 at site. On-site reg. from 9-9:30 a.m., 1st Rd. at 10 a.m. Other Rdswill follow immediately (small lunch break after 2nd Rd. - lunch and snacks willbe avail. for purchase on site). Players should bring their own chess boards,sets and clocks, as none will be provided. Chess vendor Cajun Chess will beon site. Byes: One half-pt. bye avail. for any Rd. (commit before Rd. 3). ENT:On-line registration and printable entry form at www.cajunchess.com, or mailentry form with check payable to Cajun Chess, 7230 Chadbourne Dr., NewOrleans, LA 70126, or fax with credit card info to (504) 208-9620. Moredetailed info at: www.cajunchess.com or Phone Ent.: 504-905-2971. Majorcredit cards accepted.

California NorthernMar. 21-22, Hans Poschmann Memorial4-SS, 30/90; SD/60 Fremont Adult School, 4700 Calaveras Ave., Fremont, CA94538. $$B 80 paid entries (not counting unrated entries) Three Sections:Open: $350-225 U2200 $220-115; A/B (1999-1600): A $220-115 B $220-115; Reserve (U1600): C $220-115 U1400 $220-115 Unr:Trophy First. All, EF:postmarked by 3/16 $50, $60 at site. Unrateds $20 in the Reserve section ormay play up to the Open section for the regular fee. USCF memb. req’d. Mayplay up for add’l $10 per section. Reserve players in the A/B section competefor the B prize. Reg.: Sat 3/21 9:00-9:45am. RDS.: Sat 10:00-3:30; Sun 10:00-3:30; One 1/2 pt bye available if requested in advance (bye in rds 3 or 4 must

WWAARRNNIINNGG!!THE USE OF A

CELL PHONEIN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM IS

PROHIBITED!AT MOST TOURNAMENTS!

IF YOUR CELL PHONE RINGS IN A ROOM WITHGAMES IN PROGRESS, YOU COULD BE SEVERELY

PENALIZED, MAYBE EVEN FORFEITED!

TURN IT OFF!



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be requested before rd 1). 2009 March Ratings List, CCA minimums and Direc-tors discretion will be used to place players as accurately as possible. Pleasebring clocks and equipment. INFO: Ken Zowal (510)-623-9935 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Ent: Ken Zowal, P.O.Box 3211, Fremont, CA 94539. No Phone entries.WCL JGP.

Apr. 4, 23rd Visalia OpenSierra Room, Visalia Convention Center, 303 E Acequia Ave., Visalia, CA 93291.In 2 Sections Open (Current/Former USCF Members): 4SS, Game/60,Prizes:Trophies 1-3, Classes B C D & under 1200. Beginners (Non-rated NewPlayers): 4SS, Game/60, Prizes: Trophies 1-5. ALL: EF: $25 pre-reg; $32 atdoor. Onsite 8:30-9:30. Reg.: 8:30-9:30. Pre-entry must be rec’d by 04/01. Rds.:10:00 12:30 3:00 5:30. ENT: Allan Fifield, PO Box 27, Visalia, CA 93279 559-734-2784; 559-967-3379. INFO: [email protected]. 1/2 point byeavailable. NS NCW.

Apr. 25-26, 4th Annual Frank Doyle OpenSee Grand Prix.

July 4, 6th Pacifica Chess Open5 rounds, G/30. 1125Terra Nova Blvd., Pacifica, CA 94044. Contact: John Galpin,[email protected] or website: atcc.us/Index.htm for additional details.

California SouthernLA CHESS CLUB * www.LaChessClub.comFridays: 8 PM-10 PM (Blitz Tournament) Saturdays:10AM-10 PM (Class& 2 Tournaments) Sundays: 12PM-6 PM (Tournament) Tuesdays: 7:30 PM-9:30 PM(Intermediate/Advanced Lecture) 11514 Santa MonicaBlvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 * (310) 795-5710 (4 blocksWest of 405, Santa Monica& Butler * Second Floor)Private (1:1) Lessons * Group Classes * Tournaments.Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, LACC Sunday Swiss Open3SS, G/60 LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blksW 405. EF:$20 ($15 LACC memb). Reg: 11:30-12. Rds: 12, 2, 4. Prizes: 1/2 EF. Free park-ing on streets. Inf: (310) 795-5710 or www.LaChessClub.com.

Mar. 1, 15, LACC February Scholastics I & II5SS, G/30 LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blksW 405. EF:$25 ($20 LACC memb). Reg: 1:30-2. Rds: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Prizes:Trophies, Medals,special prizes (every player wins a prize!). Free parking on streets. Inf: (310)795-5710 or www.LaChessClub.com.

Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27, LACC Friday Nite Blitz (QC)5SS, G/5 (10 Games). LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blksW 405. EF: $10. Q-rated. Reg: 7:30-8. Rds: 8-8:30-9-9:30,10. 2 Free Parkinglots SW of S Monica/ Purdue; or underground ($3). Prizes: 1/2 EF. Inf: (310)795-5710 or www.LaChessClub.com.

Mar. 7-8, BIG BANG OpenSee Grand Prix.

Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28, LACC LA Masters4SS, G/30 LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blksW 405. EF:

$30 ($20 LACC memb). Reg: 5:30-6. Rds: 6, 7, 8, 9. Prizes: 75% EF. 2 Free lotsSW of S Monica/Purdue; or underground ($3). Inf: (310) 795-5710 or www.LaChessClub.com.

Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28, LACC Saturday Swiss Open4SS, G/30 11514 Santa Monica Blvd LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blksW 405. EF: $20($15 LACC memb). Reg: 11:30-12. Rds: 12, 1, 2, 3. Prizes: 1/2 EF. 2 Free lotsSW of S. Monica/Purdue; or underground ($3). Inf: (310) 795-5710 or www.LaChessClub.com.

Mar. 13-15, 7th Annual Western Pacific OpenSee Grand Prix.

Mar. 14-15, 2009 SCCF State Scholastic ChampionshipLAX Hilton, 5711 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. In 4 sections: HS(gr 12-below), 5-SS, G/75. Reg ends 2 p.m. 3/14. Rds.: Sat 2:20-5:30, Sun 9:30-1-4. Top HS student receives invitation to Denker Tournament of High SchoolChampions, top girl invitation to Susan Polgar Invitational Tournament forGirls.Trophies to top 10, best grade 12-11-10, 1-3 U1200/unr, best club team,school team (sum of all scores, must declare by end of rd. 1, no additions orchanges later). State Championship Qualifier. JHS (gr 9-below): 7-SS, G/45.Reg.:8-9 a.m. Rds.: Sat. 9:30-11:30-2:30-4, Sun 9:30-11:30-2:30.Trophies to top 10,best grade 9-8-7, 1-3 U1000/unr, best club team, school team (sum of allscores, must declare by end of rd. 1, no additions or changes later). Elemen-tary (gr 6-below): 7-SS, G/45. Reg.: 8-9 a.m. Rds.: Sat. 9:30-11:30-2:30-4, Sun9:30-11:30-2:30.Trophies to top 8, 1-2 U800, best club team, school team (sumof all scores, must declare by end of rd. 1, no additions or changes later), bestgrade 6-5-4. Primary (gr 3-below): 7-SS, G/45. Reg.: 8-9 a.m. Rds.: Sat.9:30-11:30-2:30-4, Sun 9:30-11:30-2:30.Trophies to top 6, 1-2 U600, best clubteam, school team (sum of all scores, must declare by end of rd. 1, no addi-tions or changes later), best grade 3-2-1/below. All: SCCF membership ($10)required of players rated 800/above. Best Game prize $100, all sections eli-gible. Refreshments! EF: $35 adv, $40 door. HR: $109. (310) 410-4000. Ask for“7th Annual Western Pacific Open.” Parking $8/day. Ent: SCCF, c/o JohnHillery, 835 NWilton Place #1, Los Angeles, CA 90038, on line: www.westernchess.com. Inf: [email protected]. NS. NC.W.WCL JGP only for HSsection.

Mar. 15, WPO Hexes3-SS, G/90. LAX Hilton, 5711W Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. Six-playersections by rating. EF: $20 if received by 3-13, $25 door. $$ 40-20-10 each sec-tion. Reg.: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Rds.: 10:45-2-5. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835N.Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles, CA 90038, online at www.westernchess.com.

Mar. 28-29, Kern County Open ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.

Apr. 19, 2009 Westwood Spring OpenSee Grand Prix.

ColoradoMar. 28-29, Colorado Class Championship4-SS, 40/120 G/60. Metro State, Auraria Campus, 9th and Larmier Street,Tivoli

Building, Room #320 B & C. Held concurrent with Colorado Closed Champi-onship. 5 Sections, Class X/A, B, C, D, and E. EF: $35, $30 if rec’d by 3/25.$8 less for Jr/Sr/Unrated. Prizes: 60% per entries. Regis.: 8:30-9:30. Rds.:Sat 9:30, 4:00, Sun 9:00, 3:30. Entries: Klaus Johnson, 3605 Endicott Dr.,Boulder, CO 80305. Email: [email protected]. A CO Tour event,CSCA membership req’d ($15/year, $10 for Jr/Sr), OSA.WCL JGP.

Apr. 10-12 or 11-12, 2009 Boulder OpenSee Grand Prix.

ConnecticutUCONN Chess ClubTues. & Thurs 7:30PM. Castleman Building, Room 204,261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Contact: TOMHARTMAYER. Contact Phone: 860-989-5394. Email:[email protected]. Web Site: www. uconnchess.uconn.edu. No dues required. Casual Play, USCF RatedEvents, Blitz Events, League Play, Matches, Club Cham-pionships, Sets & Clocks Available, Chess Items forSale, Classes, Lectures, Simuls, Under Age 18 & Begin-ners Welcome, Handicap Accessible. As location maychange, please check website or call contact phone #.Mar. 26, Apr. 2, 9, 16, UCONN Chess Club Championship GrandPrixSee Grand Prix.

Apr. 8-12, 9-12 or 10-12, 11th annual Foxwoods OpenSee Grand Prix.

Apr. 25-26, Connecticut State Chess Association State Champi-onship Grand PrixSee Grand Prix.

A State Championship Event!Apr. 26, Connecticut State Chess Association K-8 State OpenChampionshipSponsored by the UCONN School of Engineering & UCONN CC. UCONN Castle-man Building Room 206, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Parking inNorth Garage. 4 – SS, G/60. EF: $50, by 4-22, $60 later. Reg.: 8 – 9:30 AM, Rds.:10-12:30-2:30-4:30. Half point byes available in rds. 1-3 only, no last round byes.Prizes: Trophies to Top 5. Trophy to Top 3 teams of 4 from 1 school. Info &Entries to:Tom Hartmayer, 963 Mansfield City Rd., Storrs, CT 06268, 860-989-5394, [email protected], www.uconnchess.uconn.edu, www.engr.uconn.edu,UCONN Map admissions.uconn.edu/virtualtour/search/.

A State Championship Event!Apr. 26, Connecticut State Chess Association K-12 & UCONN Schoolof Engineering High School $14,000 Scholarship State Open Cham-pionshipSponsored by the UCONN School of Engineering & UCONN CC. UCONN Castle-man Building Room 204, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. Parking inNorth Garage. 4 – SS, G/60. EF: $50 by 4-22, $60 after. Checks payable to



“UCONN”. Reg.: 8 – 9:30 AM, Rds.: 10 – 12:30 – 2:30 – 4:30. Half point byesavailable in rds. 1-3 only, no last round byes. Prizes: State Champ title, CSCADenker/Polgar $300 Award & trophy to highest scoring CT male/female res-idents in grades 9-12. UCONN School of Engineering Scholarships to Top 3 ingrades 9-12, 1st:Trophy plus $2000 scholarship renewable for 4 years with 3.4GPA, 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 grades9-12 who are admitted to and enroll in an engineering program at the UCONNSchool of Engineering. Scholarships are not transferable and are renewablefor a maximum of 4 years. Students are limited to 1 scholarship in the Schoolof Engineering. Prior winners are eligible to upgrade only, prior 1st prize win-ners are eligible for trophy & titles only. Other previous winners may upgradeonly. Trophy to top 3 teams of 4 from 1 school. Info & Entries to: Tom Hart-mayer, 963 Mansfield City Rd., Storrs, CT 06268, 860-989-5394, [email protected], www.uconnchess.uconn.edu, www.engr.uconn.edu, UCONN Mapadmissions.uconn.edu/virtualtour/search/.

June 25-29, 3rd annual Philadelphia International (PA)See Grand Prix.

DelawareMar. 21, Greater Philadelphia Scholastic Championships (PA)Radnor Middle School, 150 Louella Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087. Sections: K-3,K-6, K-8, K-12.Time Control: K-3, K-6 5SS, G/30; K-8, K-12 4SS, G/60. EF: $25online by 3/18; $35 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: K-3, K-6 10-11:05-12:30-1:45-3;K-8, K-12 10-12:30-2:30-4:30. Prizes: trophies to top individuals & schools. Freegame analysis by IM Bryan Smith. Winner of K-12 is seeded into GreaterPhiladelphia Junior Invitational. See www.silverknightschess.com to regis-ter.

District of ColumbiaMar. 28, Rated Beginners Open (RBO)4-SS, G/30. US Chess Center, 1501 M St. NW,Washington, DC 20005. Open toplayers rated under 1200 or unrated. EF: $20 ($15 if by 3/21). 5 sections byage. Reg.: 12-12:45. Info: 202/857-4922. www.chessctr.org/rbo.php.

Apr. 19, G/60 Spring SensationSee Grand Prix.

May 3, Metro First Sunday Quads3-RR, G/90. US 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.

FloridaSouth Florida Chess ClubWednesday’s 6:30-10:30pm. Rated G90 Tournamentsand skittles. www.SouthFloridaChessClub.com.Boca Raton Chess ClubFriday nights, Game 90 Tournament, one game a week for 4 weeks.www.bocachess.com, 561-883-2917.WCL JGP.

Mar. 7, Apr. 4, May 2, St. Petersburg $500 Absolutely GuaranteedCash Open5rd Swiss, G/30. Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg. EF: $25; $30at door. (SPCC Mems. $5 off) $100-$60-$40; U1600, U1400, & U1200 $50-$30-$20 each. Part of the lucrative and prestigious FCA Grand Prix. Preregisterwww.stpetersburgchessclub.comwith Paypal. Cash or check only onsite 9-10 AM. Chief Organizer: Andrew Scherman. 727 822 1171. NS NCW.

Mar. 7, Apr. 4, May 2, St. Petersburg 66 Trophy RBO5rd Swiss G/30 USCF RBO 4 Sect. K-2U400; K-5U500; K-8U700; & K-12U1000; top 12 in each get trophy; all others get medal. AlsoTrophies to top12 teams.Team (2 or more) - take best four scores from all divisions. Bughouseat lunch. EF: $18. (SPCC members $15) Onsite reg. cash or chck 9-10AM. Firstround 10:15 AM. Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg. 66 trophiesevery event.www.stpetersburgchessclub.com for dirctins and Paypal pre-rgistration. Chief Organizer: Andrew Scherman. 727 822 1171. NS NCW.

Apr. 11, 2nd DBCC G/50 OpenSchnebly Recreation Center, 1101 N. Atlantic Ave (A1A), Daytona Beach, FL32118. 4SS, G50, EF: $25. $$ ($250/b12): $100-75. U1600: $50-25. Rds.: 10-11:45-2-3:45. ENT: Paul B Tomaino, 575 N. Williamson Bl #116, DaytonaBeach, FL 32114. 386-239-9485. INFO: [email protected]. www.daytonabchcc.org.NS NCW.

Apr. 18, Orlando Bonus Tornado4-SS, G/75, Melody Manor, 813 Montana St. EF: $30, CFCC mbr: $25, Mastersfree-EF deducted from prize. $$605 b/30: 200-100-80, U1800, U1600, U1400$75 ea. Prize increased 50% for 4-0 score. Reg.: 9:30am. Rds.: 10-12:30-3-5:30. Info: (407) 629-6946, centralflchess.org.WCL JGP.

May 8-10 or 9-10, 16th Space Coast OpenSee Grand Prix.

IdahoApr. 4-5, 2009 Idaho Open Chess Championship5SS, G/120. 2 Sections: Open and Reserve (U1400). Site: ISU, Student UnBldg, Salmon River Suites, 1065 S. 8th St., Pocatello, Idaho. EF: USCF mem req.,$30 (U18 & 60+ $25), ISU students and ISU Chess Club $10, by 3/28/09. $40(all) after. Reg & Ck in: 7:30-8:30 AM 04/04/09. Those not paid & ck’d in by8:30 AM may not be paired in 1st rnd. RNDS.: 9,2,7,9,2. 1/2 pt byes: Max 1,Rd 1-4 only. Commit by end of rd 2. Prizes: $$ b/30 non ISU; Open: $200-100-75; Reserve: $100-75-50. HR/ENT/INFO: ICA % Jay Simonson, 391 Carol Ave.Idaho Falls, ID, 83401, 208-206-7667, [email protected], www.idahochessassociation.org. NC, NS,W.WCL JGP.

IllinoisMar. 14, 7th Annual Mark Oestreich Memorial Chess TournamentTime 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, basedon 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 phone314-721-4967, 7358 Shaftesbury, St. Louis, MO 63130. email [email protected].

May 22-25, 23-25 or 24-25, 18th annual Chicago OpenSee Grand Prix.

IndianaChess Club Friday Night Blitz (QC)2302West Morris St. at theWest Morris St. Free Methodist Church. Entranceis in the back, down the stairs by the office.When: Starts Every Friday exceptthe Fri before the second Sat doors open at 6:00 P.M. tournament starts at 6:30P.M. Type: 3 Rounds, Game/5, Round Robin Quad, U.S.C.F. Rated. EF: $7.00 ifreceived 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 eachquad: chess merchandise. Send advance entries to: Donald Urquhart, 501N. East St. #802, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1629. For more info: call Don at (317)634-6259 or e-mail [email protected].

Every SECOND Sat. of the Month. OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT5 Round, G/61, U.S.C.F. rated. 2302West Morris St. at theWest Morris St. FreeMethodist Church in the Ellis Hall Room. Entrance in back, down stairs, by office.Late Ent. 8-9am, Rd 1, 9:30am. Prizes: $465.00 b/o 20 full pd. Ent. 1st $150;2nd $75; Class A, B, C, (D, E, Unr) $60 each. Prizes increased if entries allow.EF: $25 if rec’d one week before tournament date, $30 at door, $5.00 discountfor your birthday month, FIDETitled Players Free. + Free Snack Bar Adv. ENT:Donald Urquhart, 501 N. East St. # 802, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1629. Info: callDon at 317-634-6259 or e-mail [email protected]. Note: there must be atleast 3 entries in a class for that class prize to be awarded. If two adjoiningclass prizes are vacant, a combo prize will be awarded. News Flash!!! OCCC

Has won the bid for 09 US Open. All Sat Monthly’s will offer Orange Pointsthat may be used for FREE ENTRY to US Open in 09. WCL JGP.

FREE ENTRY: Quad Quick Chess Tournament (QC) Fri. before the sec-ond Sat. of the MonthG/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 getschoice of 50% off entry fee for Sat. Monthly a $15.00 value certificate, or chessmerchandise. 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 [email protected]. A ORANGE CRUSH EVENT.

May 18, Indianapolis Youth Open (QC)4SS, G/12, Our Lady of Lourdes School Cafeteria, 30 South Downey Avenue,Indianapolis IN 46219. Open to Age 18 and Under. EF: $5 onsite, $4 in advance.Unr: Free. Prizes: Trophies for 1st-3rd. Reg.: Anytime between 3:05pm and3:55pm. Rds.: 4p, 4:30p, 5p, 5:30p. Clocks and boards provided. ENT:www.ollchessclub.org. INFO: Kieron Mitchell, 317-430-5254. info@ollchess club.org. NS NC.

May 22-25, 23-25 or 24-25, 18th annual Chicago Open (IL)See Grand Prix.

Aug. 1-9, 4-9 or 6-9, 110th annual U.S. OpenSee Nationals.

IowaApr. 24-26 or 25-26, 3rd Annual Okoboji OpenGM Alex Yermolinsky to Play and Hold Lecture & Simul 5SS, G/2, ArrowwoodResort & Conference Center, 1405 Highway 71 S, Okoboji, IA 51355. An IowaQualifying Points Event. EF: $40 by 4/18 or $50 at site. Sr/Jr’s $25 by 4/18 or$35 at site. GMs and IMs Free Entry.Memb. Req’d: $15 (Jr/Sr $10). OSA. USCFreqd. $$b/50 Full Entries: Sr/Jr entry count as half. $300-200-100-50. U1900$175-100-50, U1600 $150-75-50, U1300 $75-50, U1000/Unr $75-50. Trophiesto 1st, top female, top Sr. and top Jr. 1/2 pt bye any round if req. before rd. 2.Rds: 3-Day Option 4/24 6:00, 4/25 9:00-4:30, 4/26 9:00-2:30; 2-Day Option 4/259:00-1:00-4:30, 4/26 9:00-2:30. Reg.: 4/24 5:00-5:45 and 4/25 9:00-9:45.Satellite locations may be available for 1st rd, see website for details. HR: $89by April 10. 1-800-727-4561, mention Chess group. ENT: Jodene Kruse, 934 6thSt, Sibley, IA 51249. INFO: [email protected]. www.fiorechess.org. NS NCW.WCL JGP.

LouisianaA State Championship Event!Mar. 14, 2009 Louisiana G/30 Championship5-SS, G/30. Site: Baton Rouge Bridge Center, 3033 Old Forge Dr., Baton Rouge,LA 70808. EF: $30 if mailed by 3/6, $40 at site. LCA Memb. req’d ($10 Adult,$5 Schol.), OSA. Prizes: $600 b/30, 50% Gtd. $150-50. U2000: $80, U1800: $80,U1600: $80, U1400: $80, U1200: $80. Reg.: 9:15-10:15am. Rds.: 10:30-12-1:15-

PROFESSIONAL PLAYERSHEALTH AND BENEFITS FUNDMany Grand Prix tournament organizerswill contribute $1 per player to the Pro-fessional Health & Benefits Fund. AllGrand Prix tournaments which partici-pate in this program are entitled to bepromoted to the next higher Grand Prixcategory—for example, a six-point tourna-ment would become a 10-pointtournament. Points in the top categoryare promoted 50%.



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2:30-3:45. Ent/Info: Alex Steger, 14946 Currency Drive, Baton Rouge, LA70817, [email protected], (225) 933-9548. NS, NC.

A State Championship Event!Mar. 28, 2009 LA State Scholastic Team & Individual Chess Cham-pionships5SS, G/30 (K-12 sections will play 6SS, G/30/45 – first 3 rds will be G/30, last3 rds will be G/45, Rd. 1 for K-12 sections will start at 9am; Rd. 1 for all othersections will start at 10am). Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel, 901 Airline Dr.,Kenner, LA (504-469-5000 or 800-872-5914). USCF membership required forall sections and may be purchased at site. Sections (individual & team): K-1, K-2, K-3, K-4, K-5, K-6, K-8-Under 800, K-8-Open, K-12-Under 1000, K-12-Open.Team info: Must have a minimum of 2 players to make a team, and all teammem-bers must be from the same school (or home-school district) and register inthe same section.Top 3 scores from each school count as final team score. Nolimit on entries from one school or home-school district. Prizes: Trophies totop 10 individuals & top 3 teams in each section (more ind. trophies awardeddepending on number of pre-entries); medals to all non-trophy winners. USCF-recommended computer tiebreaks will decide trophy & medal placementsexcept for the K-12 Open section where there will be head-to-head playoffs inthe event of a tie to determine the Denker representative.Winner of K-12 Opensection will represent Louisiana at the 2009 Arnold DenkerTournament of HighSchool Champions. HOTEL: $79 plus tax - please request “chess rate.” HiltonNew Orleans Airport Hotel, 901 Airline Dr., Kenner, LA (504-469-5000 or 800-872-5914). Reservations must be made by March 14 to assure group rate.ENTRY FEE: $25 for players in grades K-8, and $30 for players in K-12 sections(includes required $5 LA Chess Assn. dues for K-12 sections) if rec’d by 3/21;$40 thereafter and at site. TEAM ROOMS: Coaches may reserve a private teamroom for the day for $150, subject to hotel availability – please reserve early.Registration: On-site reg. 7:30-8:30am, Rd. 1 for K-12 sections at 9am; Rd.1 for all other sections at 10am. ENTRIES: Go to www.cajunchess.com for on-line reg. or printable entry form which can be faxed to 504-208-9620 with creditcard info, or make check payable to Cajun Chess and mail to 7230 Chad-bourne Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126. For more detailed info go to:www.cajunchess.com and click on “Upcoming Tournaments” or Email:[email protected] or call (504) 208-9596 or (504) 905-2971.

Apr. 18-19, 2009 Louisiana Pro-AmSee Grand Prix.

A State Championship Event!May 9, Louisiana G/60 Championship4-SS, G/60. Site: Baton Rouge Bridge Center, 3033 Old Forge Dr., Baton Rouge,LA 70808. EF: $30 if mailed by 5/1, $40 at site. LCA Memb. req’d ($10 Adult,$5 Schol.), OSA. Prizes: $600 b/30, 50% Gtd. $150-50. U2000: $80, U1800: $80,U1600: $80, U1400: $80, U1200: $80. Reg.: 8:30-9:15am. Rds.: 9:30-12-2:15-4:30. Ent/Info: Alex Steger, 14946 Currency Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70817,[email protected], (225)933-9548. NS, NC.

MarylandSilver Knights Chess TournamentsWe organize USCF-rated tournaments on Saturdays

for adults and kids. Free analysis by a National Masterat every tournament for the scholastic players. Tro-phies to top scholastic finishers; 70% of entries returnedas prizes in open (adult) sections. To see a list of datesand locations, see our website at www.silverknightschess.com. Phone: 610-446-0818. Email: [email protected] State Championship Event!Mar. 21-22, 2009 Maryland Scholastic Championships5SS 8 sections, Dumbarton Middle School, 300 Dumbarton Road,Towson, MD21212, 92 individual and 42 team trophies!MD Residents only. 2-Day Sec-tions: HS Championship (9-12) –Winner is Denker rep for MD; MS Champ(6-8);Elem(K-5) Champ; 1-Day Sections: HS JV(<1000); MS JV(<900); ElemJV(<600); Primary(K-3) Champ; Primary JV(<400). HS, MS, and Elem Champsections are 2-day sections Rds 1-3 G/65, Rds 4-5 G/90 2-day sched Sat 10:00-12:30-3:00, Sun 9-12:15. All JV and K-3 Champ are 1-day. 1-day sched G/30,1st rnd 9:30, then ASAP. EF: $17 by 2/21, $22 by 3/17, $30 online only by 7pm3/19, $35 at the door (1/2 point bye in Rnd 1). Ent:Michael Regan, 1827Thorn-ton Ridge Road,Towson, MD 21204. Detailed rules for all and more information@ www.baltimorechess.org, online entry @ mdstates09.eventbrite.com.

Mar. 28-29 (Not Mar. 14-15), UMBC Open - Alvin S. Mintzes ChessTournamentSee Grand Prix.

Apr. 5, Catonsville First Sunday Tornado4SS, G/61, EF: $18, under 17 $5 off. Rds.: 10:30-1:00-3:15-5:30. Reg.: 9:45am.Bloomsbury Community Center, Room 118, 106 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville,Md. 21228. $$b/24 $100-$50 U1800 $40 U1400 $40, more per entries. Bye 1-3. Info: [email protected] or 410-788-1009. www.geocities.com/catonsvillechess. Ent: Joe Summers, 1201 Daniels Ave, Baltimore, MD. 21207.Include USCF ID. Checks payable to Joe Summers.WCL JGP.

May 10, Maryland Scholastic Chess Spectacular4SS, G/20mins in 2 sections. University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC),1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 (in University Center Ballroom).Open to any student grades 1-12. Coaches welcome to attend free instructionalsessions. Spectators free and welcome. Quick Rated Open: 4SS. For rated andunrated scholastic competitors with prior tournament experience.Trophies totop ten finishers, top individuals (elementary, middle, high, unrated), topschools (elementary, middle, high).Top 10 finishers receive free entry to chesscamp.Top four players, and anyone with a perfect score, advance to knockoutplayoffs. USCF membership required (may be purchased at event). UnratedNovice: 3SS. For unrated scholastic players with no prior tournament expe-rience. Top 4 finishers receive trophy and free entry to chess camp (G/7minsplayoff may be required). Certificate to everyone completing three games.Includes instruction on how to play in tournaments 10-10:45am. USCF mem-bership not required. Unrated Playoffs (invitational): For finalists fromQuick Rated Open. Single-elimination G/7mins (2-sec delay), two games permatch, with move-by-move sports commentary. Ties broken by 5mins-4mins“shootout” in whichWhite with 5mins must win. Coaches Session: 12:45-2:15.Advice on how to teach chess. All: EF: Free entry to any Maryland student whoregisters by 4-24. Limit 200. Late entries may be required to take 1/2-bye inRd1. $20 per person for non-residents. Bring lunch (none will be provided).Teams: School score is sum of points earned by top four finishers from sameschool. Home-schooled students may play for their district school. Reg.: 8-9am,Rds.: 10-11-12:30-1:30, playoffs begin 2:45 ending about 5pm. Byes: 1/2 byeavail. in Rd 1 only. Directions: Take Exit 47B off I-95 and follow signs toUMBC. Ent/Info: Cks payable to UMBC, Dr. AlanT. Sherman, CSEE Dept, UMBC,1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, [email protected]. Register on-line www.umbc.edu/chess/spectacular.W.


MassachusettsMar. 28, Holyoke Saturday Open3SS G/90, Holyoke Public Library Comm. Room, 335 Maple St., Holyoke, MA.EF: $28 by 3/23, $35 at site. $725 Prize fund b/30 adv entries. OPEN 1st $200,2nd $150 U1800 1st $125, 2nd $100 U1400 1st $100, 2nd $50; Reg.: 8:30. Rds.:9:30, 1, 4:15.Titled Masters of any kind, FREE ENTRY!! (Adv EF deducted fromprizes won). New/UNR, $15 by 3/23 (must play in U1400 Section, not eligiblefor prizes). WMCA mem discount: $2 off EF. Adv Ent: Frank Kolasinski, 119Brunswick Street, Springfield, MA 01108. Questions? Call Frank at 413-391-0860or e-mail [email protected]: www.WesternMassachusettsChessAssociation.org.

Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Wachusett CC Championship Prelims5SS, G/110, McKay Campus School, Room C199, Fitchburg State College, 67Rindge Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420. EF: $1 per game played; free toWachusettCC members. Reg.: 7-7:10 p.m., Rds.: 7:15 p.m. No byes. Top 8 scorers qual-ify for “A” division round-robin finals starting May 6. Info: George Mirijanian,176 Oak Hill Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420, [email protected], 978-345-5011,Web-site: www.wachusettchess.org Online ratings as of April 1 will be used.WCLJGP.

Apr. 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, Billerica Friday Swiss6 Rds. 40/90, SD/30. Billerica COA, 25 Concord Rd, Billerica, MA. EF: $15. Reg.:7:30pm. Cash prizes minimal b/entries. For info, call Brad Ryan, (978) 369-8533.NS, NC.WCL JGP.

Apr. 8-12, 9-12 or 10-12, 11th annual Foxwoods Open (CT)See Grand Prix.

May 15-17 or 16-17, 17th annual New York State Open (NY)See Grand Prix.

July 1-5, 2-5, 3-5 or June 29-July 5, 37th Annual World Open (PA)See Grand Prix.

MichiganApr. 4-5, Wiener-Rubenstein MemorialSee Grand Prix.

Apr. 24-26, Great Lakes OpenSee Grand Prix.

MissouriFriday Action Quads - Every Friday Night (QC)3RR, G/29 QR, Chess Club & Scholastic Center, 4657 Maryland Ave., St. LouisMO 63108. EF: $10. Prize fund $36 first in each quad. Club membership req’d.available from $1. Reg.: 6:30 - 6:45. Rounds begin at 7:00. Site entries only.Info: 314-361-CHESS [email protected].

Saint Louis Blitz Series - Every Tuesday night (QC)5SS, G/5 QR, Chess Club & Scholastic Center, 4657 Maryland Ave., St. 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%.Club membership req’d. available from $1. Reg.: 6:30 - 7. Rds.: 7, 7:15, 7:30,7:45, 8. Site entries only. Info: 314-361-CHESS. [email protected].

Mar. 13-15 or 14-15, 13th Annual Mid-America OpenSee Grand Prix.

Mar. 15, Mid-America Open USCF Booster Quads3RR, G/30, St. Louis Host Hotel (see Mid-America Open). EF: $20. 1st prizeeach section: choice of 2 year USCF Adult membership with Chess Life, 3 yearUSCF Young Adult Membership with Chess Life, or $40. Reg: 10 am-12 noon,Rds: 12:30-1:30-2:30. Ent: at site only, no checks.

Mar. 21, Mizzou Quads3RR, G/75. Memorial Union room N208, 518 Hitt St., Columbia. Directions: FromI-70 exit 126, south on Providence, east on Rollins, north on Hitt. Entry fee:$20 if mailed by 3/14, $25 at site. First prize each quad: $70. Site entries cashonly. Reg.: 9:30-10:15. Rounds: 10:30-1:15-4:00. Entries/Info: CharlesWard,2400 Cimarron Drive, Columbia MO 65203, 573-443-6685, Email: [email protected]. W.

Mar. 28, March Action Madness (CCSCSL Quick Championships)(QC)Three events, same day! 8SS G/5, 4657 Maryland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108.MCA Membership Req’d from $5. Armageddon playoff used in case of tie foreach event.Trophy for 1st in each section. EF: $10. PF: 40% of entries to over-all, 40% to top player of bottom half based on rating. Reg.: 10:30-10:50. Rds.:11, 11:15, 11:30, 11:45, 12, 12:15, 12:30, 12:45. 6SS G/10, EF: $10: PF: 40%of entries to overall, 40% to top player of bottom half based on rating. Reg.:1:30-1:50. Rds.: 2, 2:30, 3, 3:30, 4, 4:30. 4SS G/30 Two sections (Open andU1600), EF: $15: PF: 85% of entries per class to 1st in that class. Reg.: 5:00-5:30. Rds.: 5:45, 6:45, 8, 9. Ent: 4657 Maryland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108314-361-CHESS, [email protected].

Apr. 1, April Knights5SS, G/90 Reg.Wednesday, April 1st, 6:00 - 6:45pm. Rounds (one per week)7pm 4/1, 8, 15, 22, 29. Check in withTD by 6:45 to be paired each week/round.No advanced entries. EF: $10. Prize fund is 90% payout, with 1st place getting1/3 of the total prize fund and first A, B, C, D, E and U1000/unrated each take1/9 of the prize fund. One 1/2 point bye if declared by round 1. Annual clubmemb. req’d. MCA memb. req’d from $5 OSA. Info: 314-361-CHESS or [email protected] JGP.

Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, April Cash WednesdayThe Kansas City Chess Club, 2512 NW Vivion Rd., Kansas City, MO 64150. Reg.:Online at www.kansascitychessclub.com or 6:30-7PM onsite. 5SS G75. USCFRated. One Round per week. USCF, CXR, KCCA memb. Req. EF: Online: $35/Members $30. Onsite: $40 100% payout plus a $100 donation by the KCCA. $350Min. Cash Prizes: 1st Open $150/1st U1700 $100/ 1st U1400 $100. Info: KenFee 816-835-7529/e-mail [email protected].

Apr. 25-26, Saint Louis Open5SS,G/120. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 MarylandAve., St. Louis, MO 63108. $$ Guaranteed $300 first place. $$ based on 60: $150each X,A,B,C,D,E,U 1000/Unr. EF: $40 if received by 4/17. $50 at site. K-12 mayenter at half fee but are eligible for only half of class prize. Reg.: 8:30-9:30.Rds.: 10 - 2:30 - 7; 9:30 - 2 MCA membership req’d for MO residents, avail-able at site from $5. Adv. Info/Entries: Missouri Chess Association, 7138Lindenwood, St. Louis, MO 63109 314-645-2897.WCL JGP.

NebraskaApr. 4-5, 2nd Annual Spring OpenSee Grand Prix.

NevadaApr. 10-12, 9th Annual RENO-FAR WEST OpenSee Grand Prix.

June 4, 2009 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC)See Nationals.

June 5, National Open Scholastic Trophy Tournament5-SS Game/30. South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South,Las Vegas, NV 89183. Open to players Uage 20. In 3 sections. U1800, U1200,and U800. Unrateds in the U1200 section and all players in the U800 sectionmust be under age 12.Trophies to top 4 in each section, top 1 in each 200 pointrating group and unrated. EF $29 by 5/19, $35 by 6/3, $40 on site. REG 9-9:45a.m. RDS 10-11:15-12:30-1:45-3. HR: $65 (not $75) single or double ($95 Fri-day and Saturday nights). 1-866-791-7626 or (702) 796-7111. ENT: Las VegasInternational Chess Festival, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0925 orwww.VegasChessFestival.com. NS NCW.

June 5-7 or 6-7, 2009 National OpenSee Nationals.

June 6-7, Susan Polgar World Open Championship for Girls and forBoys5-SS, G/45. South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South, LasVegas, NV 89183. In 8 sections separate for girls and boys: under19, under15, under 11, and under 8 (as of June 7). In each section 1st place receivesa MonRoi Personal Chess Manager. $$ 200-150-100-50 in chess prizes for 2ndthru 5th.Trophies for top 10 individuals, top 3 (3-player) school/club teams eachsection, special medals for next 10 individuals and next 3 school/club teams.Every player receives a special hand-signed certificate from Susan Polgar. Per-fect score also wins a digital chess clock. Scholarships to Texas Tech willbe awarded based in part on performance in this event. EF $45 by 1/19,

Reno-Far West Open IXApril 10-12, 2009

The Sands Regency Casino HotelReno, Nevada

$22,500 (b/250) - $15,000 Gtd.6 Rd Swiss - 5 Sections150 GP Pts (enhanced)

Average entry $135!Rooms $27! mid-week / $54! Fri & Sat.

Sands Regency Reservations 1-866-FUN STAY Code CHESS09

ENTRY FORM/MORE INFO:www.renochess.org/fwo

TD NTD Jerome V “Jerry” [email protected]

775.747.1405SEE TLA IN MARCH ISSUE

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Simul $15!GM Khachiyan



$55 by 5/19, $65 by 6/3, $75 on site. Reg 4-8 p.m. Friday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Sat-urday. Rds 11-1:30-4, 11-1:30. Breakfast with Susan 9 a.m. Sunday. OpeningCeremony 10 a.m. Saturday, Awards Ceremony 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Blitz Cham-pionship 7 p.m. Saturday. Susan Polgar lecture 3:30 p.m. Friday, Puzzle SolvingCompetition 5 p.m. Friday, Simul 6:15 p.m. Friday. Chess Camp 9:00 a.m.Thurs-day. Part of the LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL; see theNational OpenTLA for otherThursday and Friday side events. HR $65 (not $75)single or double ($95 Fri/Sat). 1-866-791-7626 or (702) 796-7111. REG: LasVegas International Chess Festival, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0125, on line at www.VegasChessFestival.com, or by fax at (702) 933-9112. Notelephone entries. NS.W. NC.

New HampshireMar. 28-29, Nashua OpenSee Grand Prix.

New JerseySilver Knights Chess Tournaments2-3 Saturdays per month we run scholastic USCF-rated tournaments throughout the Philadelphia area.Tournament locations include Philadelphia, Mt. Laurel(NJ), Bryn Mawr, Horsham, Collegeville, and more.Tournaments are open to grades K-12. Free game analy-sis by a National or International Master at eachtournament. We have players of all skill levels competein our tournaments, from brand-new kindergarteners upthrough some of the highest-rated scholastic players inthe state. To see a list of dates and locations, see our web-site at www.silverknightschess.com. Phone: 610-446-0818. Email: [email protected] of the Mind Chess School15 Center Street, Springfield, NJ - Lessons onWednes-days and Saturdays for beginners, intermediate andadvanced students. Scholastic USCF-rated tourna-ments. For schedule and information visit our websiteat www.wizardsofthemind.com, email [email protected] or call 973-262-1395.The Newark Sleepless Knights Chess ClubBoylan Recreation Center of Newark, 916 So. Orange Ave. Newark, New Jer-sey 07103. Meets 1st and 2nd Saturdays of every months from 2-6pm. USCFrated tournaments and free chess lessons available.

Mar. 7, ATKM 1st Saturday Kids G/30 Swiss (K-8)For info. and registration, go to YourChessSet.com/KidsSwiss. For more infoe-mail Stephen at [email protected] or call 856-582-8222.

Mar. 15, 2009 Westfield Spring Scholastic3 SS, game/30.Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street,Westfield, N.J. Sections: k-2,3-5, 6-12, trophies to top 3 in each section (tiebreaks). Entrance Fee: $20, $15Members. Registration: 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-4:00-5:15 p.m. Unrated 3ss, game/30. 3 sections k-2,3-5, 6-12, gold medal to first, silver medal to sec-ond, bronze medal to third. Entrance Fee: $10. Registration: 2-2:30 p.m. Rds:2:45-4:00-5:15 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-946-7379. www.westfieldchessclub.com.

Mar. 19, ATKM 3rd Thursday Quads3 RR G/30 t/d5, Quads are grouped by rating. All the King’s Men Chess Shop,62 S Broadway, Pitman NJ 08071. Prizes: $25 1st per quad. Unrated cannotwin more than $10. EF: $12, $10 ATKMCC members. Unrated (i.e. playerswith NO rating whatsoever, provisional or otherwise) $7, $5 ATKMCC members.Reg.: 6:15 - 6:45 PM. Rds.: 7-8-9 pm. INFO: Stephen Dick, [email protected], 856-582-8222. All: Visa/MC/Disc OK w/$1 paid surcharge. Bring aclock!

Mar. 21, Greater Philadelphia Scholastic Championships (PA)Radnor Middle School, 150 Louella Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087. Sections: K-3,K-6, K-8, K-12.Time Control: K-3, K-6 5SS, G/30; K-8, K-12 4SS, G/60. EF: $25online by 3/18; $35 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: K-3, K-6 10-11:05-12:30-1:45-3;K-8, K-12 10-12:30-2:30-4:30. Prizes: trophies to top individuals & schools. Freegame analysis by IM Bryan Smith. Winner of K-12 is seeded into GreaterPhiladelphia Junior Invitational. See www.silverknightschess.com to regis-ter.

Mar. 21, Hamilton Chess Club Quads3RR 40/80 15/30 15/30. Full K. Ray Dwier Recreation Center, Bldg. 392,Groveville, NJ 08620. Quads open to all EF: $10. $25 per Quad. Reg.: 9-10:30/am. Rds.: 10:30/am-1:30/pm-4:30/pm NJ State Chess Federation, nodues magazine Subscription per year, OSA NS NCW.

Mar. 22, ATKM 4th Sunday G/60 Quads/SwissFor info. and registration, go to www.YourChessSet.com/quads4. For more info.E-mail Stephen at [email protected] or call 856-582-8222.

Mar. 28, King’s Chess Club QuadsMorning quads and afternoon quads, G/30, K-12, Bethlehem Church, 758Route 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, [email protected].

Mar. 29, 2009 Westfield Quads3 RR game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street,Westfield N.J. Prizes: $50to first in each section. Entry Fee: $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15p.m. Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info:Todd Lunna 732-946-7379 or web: www.westfieldchessclub.com.

Apr. 4, ATKM 1st Saturday Kids G/30 Swiss (K-8)For info. and registration, go to YourChessSet.com/KidsSwiss. For more infoe-mail Stephen at [email protected] or call 856-582-8222.

Apr. 4, Garden State ScholasticPrevention First, 1405 Route 35, Ocean, NJ 07712. Primary: open to K-3: 4SS, G/30. Trophies to 1st-5th place; Medals to all others. Scholastic Swiss:open to K-12; 4 SS, G/30. Scholastic Quads: open to K-12 G/60 Quads. Tro-phies to 1st and 2nd each quad. All EF: $15 if rec’d by 3/28, $20 on site. Reg.:

9-9:45 am. Rds.: 10 and ASAP. Info: Hal Sprechman, 732 259-3881, [email protected]. Ent: Please make checks payable to CharacterKings and send to Hal Sprechman, P.O Box 1511, Jackson, NJ 08527. Pleaseindicate section.

Apr. 5, 2009 Westfield Quads3 RR game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street,Westfield N.J. Prizes: $50to first in each section. Entry Fee: $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15p.m. Rds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-946-7379 or web: www.westfieldchessclub.com.

Apr. 16, ATKM 3rd Thursday Quads3 RR G/30 t/d5, Quads are grouped by rating. All the King’s Men Chess Shop,62 S Broadway, Pitman NJ 08071. Prizes: $25 1st per quad. Unrated cannotwin more than $10. EF: $12, $10 ATKMCC members. Unrated (i.e. playerswith NO rating whatsoever, provisional or otherwise) $7, $5 ATKMCC members.Reg.: 6:15 - 6:45 PM. Rds.: 7-8-9 pm. INFO: Stephen Dick, [email protected], 856-582-8222. All: Visa/MC/Disc OK w/$1 paid surcharge. Bring aclock!

Apr. 18, Princeton Day School650The Great Road. Plaques to top 3 school teams and top 6 in each section.Medals to all players. Sections: FUTURE MASTERS and CLOSED begin 10:30(must preregister). FUTURE MASTERS: G/60, 3 rounds (Players K-12 over1200), CLOSED: G/45 (K-12 1000-1200) 4 rds. ALL OTHER SECTIONS. 4Rds.: 1, 2, 3, 4pm. (times will be accelerated if possible) G/30: OPEN (PlayersK-12 U-1000), Reserve (K-12 U-800), Novice II (K-8 U-600), Novice I (unratedK-6), K-1 (unrated) NO SCORE K-1 (unrated). PARENTS OF PLAYERS G/30rated, 3 rounds. Info and Register online: www.pds.org/chess. Inquires toBonnie Waitzkin. [email protected]. Pre-registration $30 (On-site$40:11:30-12:30).

Apr. 19, 2009 Westfield Swiss #58 (QC)5 Rd. game/15 full k (QC) Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield,N.J. $500Guaranteed $125,$85,$50 under 2100,under 1850, under 1600, under 1350$60 each Entrance fee: $35, $25. Members. Registration: 2-2:30 p.m.Rounds: 2:45-3:25-4:05-4:45-5:30 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-946-7379www.westfieldchessclub.com.

Apr. 19, ICA Spring 2009 Open ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.

Apr. 19, ICA Spring 2009 Scholastic Championship4 SS, EVERYONE PLAYS 4 GAMES, ALL PLAYERS WITH 2.5 POINTS OR MOREWILL RECEIVE A TROPHY!!! Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hacken-sack, NJ 07601. U.S. CHESS FEDERATION MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED FORSECTIONS 1 AND 2. Info: 201 287 0250 or 201 833 1741 E-mail: [email protected]. (Web Site Entries: www.icanj.net) EF Adv (pmk by Apr 15th) $25 ATSite $30 Reg ends 1/2 hr before 1st rnd. Late entrants will receive 1/2 pointbye for rnd 1. In 4 Sections Section 1: G/45 Open to players rated below 1200K through 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00 PM. Section 2: G/60Open to players rated below 1600 K through 12th grade. Rds: 9:45 AM, 12:00,2:15, 4:30 PM. Section 3: Open to unrated players K through 2nd grade.Rds.: 10:15 AM (tournament will end at approximately 1:00 PM). Section 4:Open to unrated players K through 12th grade. Rds.: 10:00 AM (tournamentwill end at approximately 2:00 PM). ENT: Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Lane,New Milford, NJ 07646. NS NCW.

Apr. 24-26 or 25-26, 6th annual Vermont Spring Open (VT)See Grand Prix.

Apr. 26, 2009 South Jersey OpenSee Grand Prix.

Apr. 26, 2009 Westfield Quads3 RR game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street,Westfield N.J. Prizes: $50to first in each section. Entry Fee: $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15p.m. Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info:Todd Lunna 732-946-7379 or web: www.westfieldchessclub.com.

May 2, ATKM 1st Saturday Kids G/30 Swiss (K-8)For info. and registration, go to YourChessSet.com/KidsSwiss. For more infoe-mail Stephen at [email protected] or call 856-582-8222.

May 2, Garden State ScholasticPrevention First, 1405 Route 35, Ocean, NJ 07712. Primary: open to K-3: 4SS, G/30. Trophies to 1st-5th place; Medals to all others. Scholastic Swiss:open to K-12; 4SS, G/30. Scholastic Quads: open to K-12 G/60 Quads.Trophiesto 1st and 2nd each quad. All EF: $15 if rec’d by 4/25, $20 on site. Reg.: 9-9:45 am. Rds.: 10 and ASAP. Info: Hal Sprechman, 732 259-3881,[email protected]. Ent: Please make checks payable to Char-acter Kings and send to Hal Sprechman, P.O Box 1511, Jackson, NJ 08527. Pleaseindicate section.

May 3, 2009 Westfield Quads3 RR game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street,Westfield N.J. Prizes: $50

to first in each section. Entry Fee: $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15p.m. Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info:Todd Lunna 732-946-7379 or web: www.westfieldchessclub.com.

A State Championship Event!May 9-10, New Jersey Junior Championship5SS, G/100. Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft,NJ 07738, Larrison Hall 116-117, use Parking Lot #2, 4 minutes from GardenState Parkway, Exit# 109. OPEN: (K-12) Trophies to top 10. Top High Schoolplayer from NJ awarded entry to Denker Tournament of HS Champions. Topfemale player from NJ awarded entry to Polgar Invitational Tournament.RESERVE: (U1400)Trophies to top 10, U1300, U1200, U1000, Unr. ALL: Entryfee: $30 if received by 5/2, $45 at site. NJSCF memb. req $8, OSA. Reg.: Sat.9-10am, Rds.: 10:30-2:30-6:15 Sat., 10-2 Sun. ENT: NJSCF P.O. Box 1511,Jackson, NJ 08527 Make checks payable to NJSCF. Info: Hal Sprechman, 732-259-3881, [email protected]. NS, NC,W. WCL JGP.

May 15-17 or 16-17, 17th annual New York State Open (NY)See Grand Prix.


New MexicoMar. 28, The Chessplayer’s Guide to the Galaxy Octagons3-SS, G/60. Main Library, 501 Copper NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, Commu-nity Room (lower level). 8-player sections determined by rating. EF: $10. NOONSITE ENTRIES. Prizes $$b/40: $40-$20 in each section. Check-in: 10:00.Rds.: 10:30, 1:15, 3:30. USCF memb. req’d. but not available at site. N/S, Nofood or beverage. Open to first 40 registered players only. No byes allowed.Entries must be rec’d by 3/25/2009. Info: (505) 550-4654. E-mail: [email protected]. Ent: Chad Schneider, 12004 Prospect Ave. NE, AlbuquerqueNM 87112. Checks payable to: Chad Schneider. Library info:www.cabq.gov/library/main.htm. NM Cup points awarded.

Apr. 4, To Blitz a Mockingbird Blitz Tournament (QC)8-DSS, G/5. Erna Fergusson Library, 3700 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Albuquerque,NM 87110. 1 section for all. EF: $10. NO ONSITE ENTRIES. Prizes ($$b/40):$150-$50-$25; 1st U1800, U1500, U1200 all $25. Check-in: 10:00. Rds.:10:30, 11, 11:30, 12, 1:30, 2, 2:30, 3. USCF memb. req’d. but not available atsite. N/S, No food or beverage. Open to first 40 registered players only. No byesallowed. Entries must be rec’d by 4/1/2009. Info: (505) 550-4654. E-mail:[email protected]. Ent: Chad Schneider, 12004 Prospect Ave. NE, AlbuquerqueNM 87112. Make checks payable to: Chad Schneider.

Apr. 25, 15th Annual Pir Maleki MemorialSee Grand Prix.

New YorkThe Chess Exchange: Chess and Games ClubG/30 Rated Quads 1st Sunday of every Month. G/5 BlitzTournaments Last Sun-day of every Month. 288Third Ave., Brooklyn (718) 645-5896. Mon-Fri 12-8pm,

ONCE RATED,ALWAYS RATED

You never lose your rating, no matter howlong it has been since you last played.

If you return to tournament play after a longabsence, please tell the director yourapproximate rating and year of play.

If you rejoin USCF after many years with-out being a member, please provide thisinformation to the TD and to USCF as well.



Tournament LifeSEE

PREVIO

US

ISSUE

FOR

TLAS

APPEARIN

GMARCH

1-14

Sun 12-6pm. www.TheChessExchange.com www.TriStateChess.com Email:[email protected].

Mar. 1, Grandmaster ChallengeSee Grand Prix.

Mar. 15, Binghamton Monthly TourneySee Grand Prix.

Mar. 15 (not Mar. 1), Marshall CC Sunday Action5SS, G/30, Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members$20. ($$ 360 b/24): 120-70-50, U2200/unr $65, U2000 $55. Rds.: 12-1:30-2:45-4-5:20pm. NOTE CHANGE: One bye available, request with entry.

Mar. 15, Rodeph Sholom Chess Championship4-SS, G/30. 7WEST 83 ST. NYC. 4 SECTIONS. K-1 (grades K-1 only) U1000. PRI-MARY (grades 4/below) U1100. UNRATED NOVICE (grades 2-5 only) U500.OPEN (grades 12/below). AWARDS:Trophies to top 15 in each section.Top U300K-1, U400 Novice, U600 Primary, U800 Open. Special Prizes: Engraved digi-tal chess clocks to Top Player in each section, all 4-0 scores &Top Unrated inOpen Section. Engraved plaque to top UNR player in each section. High Scorertrophy to all who score 2 and do not get into top 15. Engraved medals to allothers. Team Prizes:Trophies to top 4 teams in each section. Engraved digi-tal chess clock toTopTeam in each section. (Team score created by adding top4 scores from same school). EARLY EF: $39 if received (postmarked by March9). LATE EF: $45 Phoned, faxed or online thereafter until March 13, 7pm. OnsiteEF: $55. Reg. 9-9:30. Rds: All 10-11:30-12:45-2. Late entrants may not be pairedfor 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.

Mar. 17, St. John’s Masters at the Marshall Chess ClubSee Grand Prix.

Mar. 18-Apr. 15, Marshall CC Under-2000 Wednesday Swiss5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20.$$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm eachWednes-day. Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3.WCL JGP.

Mar. 19, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!See Grand Prix.

Mar. 21, Prove Your Point!3-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23W 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. 21-22 or 22, New York March Open!See Grand Prix.

Mar. 23-Apr. 20, Marshall CC Under-1600 Monday Swiss5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20.$$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1300 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Mon-day. Byes ok, limit 2, request by rd. 3.WCL JGP.

Mar. 26, 4 Rated Games Tonight!4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23W 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 by8:15. 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 under10 min. before game.

Mar. 28, Marshall CC Saturday G/604SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24)$120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request with entry.

Mar. 28, Syracuse Monthly Open4SS, Rds 1 & 2 G/60, Rds. 3 & 4 G/90. Courtyard by Marriot, 6415 YorktownCircle, E. Syracuse (exit 35 I-90, Carrier Circle, 298 E, left at Holiday Inn).$(b/14): $100-50, Class: $30. Reg.: 8:30-9:15, Rds.: 9:30-12-2:15-5:30. EF: $30.Ent: Joe Ball, 310 Helfer Lane, Mineola, NY 13116.

Mar. 28-29, 2009 Marchand Open - 31st AnnualSee Grand Prix.

Mar. 29, Grandmaster ChallengeSee Grand Prix.

Mar. 29, Studio March Quad3RR Game in 2. Reg.: 9:00 am Rds.: 10-2-6. Studio of Bridge and Games, 1639Eastern Pkwy., Schenectady, NY 12309-6011.

Mar. 30-Apr. 20, 84th Nassau Grand PrixSee Grand Prix.

Apr. 2, 4 Rated Games Tonight!4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23W 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 by8:15. 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 under10 min. before game.

Apr. 2-May 7 FIDE Thursdays!!(note date, round, e.f. & prize corrections), 6SS (not 5SS), 30/90, SD/60.23 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. FIDErated.WCL JGP.

Apr. 4-5 or 5th, Marshall CC April Open!30/90, SD/60 for 2-day. Marshall CC, 23W 10th St., NYC: 212-477-3716.; EF:$45, Members $25. ($360 b/24) $120-70-50, U2000/unr $65, U1700 $55.Reg.: ends 11:50am. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day;1-day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd 3. Byes:

limit two, with entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 players.WCL JGP.for 2-day rds. 1-4 and 1-day rds. 3-4 sections only.

Apr. 5, The Chess Exchange Monthly Trophy Quads3-RR, G/30,The Chess Exchange: Chess & Games Club, 288Third Ave., BetweenCarroll and President, Brooklyn, 718-645-5896. EF: $15 $$: Trophies to top 2in each quad. Reg.: ends 10 minutes before rd. 1. Rds.: 3-4:15-5:30.

Apr. 7, Marshall CC New York Experts4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members$20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. NOTE CHANGE: One bye available, request at entry.

Apr. 8-12, 9-12 or 10-12, 11th annual Foxwoods Open (CT)See Grand Prix.


Apr. 11, Marshall CC Saturday G/604SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24) $120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request withentry.

Apr. 12, Marshall CC Sunday Action5SS, G/30, Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members$20. ($$360 b/24): 120-70-50, U2200/unr $65, U2000 $55. Rds.: 12-1:30-2:45-4-5:20pm. Note: Only one bye available, request with entry.

Apr. 12, The Right Move #152 Team and Individual ChampionshipFREE EF.4SS, G/30. Play starts promptly at 10:00. Players must check in by 9:30A.M.Brandeis H.S., 145 W. 84th St., 10024 (near Columbus Ave, Manhattan, NYC).Open to gr. K-12. Five rated sections: Open, Under 1700, Under 1200,Under 800, Under 600. (May renew or join USCF at tournament). Non-mem-ber sections by grades: K-3, 4-6, 7-12.Trophies to top 3 in each section exceptOpen ($50, $30, $20 for 1st-3rd); medal to each player with 2.5 or morepoints. Team plaque to 1st and 2nd each section, with top 4 scores countingin each section (minimum 3 players on team in section). Non-member sectionsoffer additional prize of USCF membership to players scoring 4 points. To reg-ister: use website at www.therightmove.org or email - thechessstop @aol.comor Fax to 718-455-2863 before 6:00 P.M. on Fri. Give full name, school, grade,USCF ID#, exp. date, and section. NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION.

Apr. 16, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!See Grand Prix.

Adult dues specials! >>New Affiliate programs, lower dues specials!

ACTIVITY MEANS MEMBERSDues slashed for age 20-24!The membership category previously called “Youth” hasbeen renamed “YoungAdult,” and eligibility has changedfrom under 21 to under 25. As a result, annual duesfor those aged 20 through 24 have been almost cutin half, from $49 to $25!

One-year membershipwith Chess Life:If purchased online at uschess.org, now only $41 foreveryone! The sale is in effect through December31, 2008 and may be extended if the response is suf-ficient. Two year memberships are now $76 and threeyear memberships $109. (Note to affiliates: If you collecta $49 membership and submit it online to USCF, thereis a $10 affiliate commission; if you submit it by mailor phone the affiliate commission remains $2.)

RUN AN ADDITIONAL TOURNAMENT THIS SUMMER!Each affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of up to 8lines and up to 2 issues of Chess Life, for any tournamentbetween July and September 2009, if no TLA for such anevent appeared in 2008, and the TLA is e-mailed by theappropriate deadline. The 8 free lines cannot be appliedto longer TLAs.

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

NEW! USCF BOOSTER TOURNAMENT.A tournament thatoffers at least two USCF membership renewal prizes, ora quad that offers at least one per section.

CHESS CLUB SPECIAL. A tournament playing only onone or more weekday evenings.

RBO. Open to Under 1200/Unr or Under 1000/Unr.Tourna-ment namemust 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.USCF dues have recently been drastically reduced formost college students!

STUDENT.For college students or below or age 25 or below(age 25 must be eligible).

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

NON-SCHOLASTIC WITH SCHOLASTIC. A tournamentfor all ages held concurrent (same location) with a scholas-tic tournament that in its previous year drew at least 50players. We encourage organizers of scholastics to holdopen or collegiate events on the side.

SPECIAL RATES FOR CLUB ADS. Up to 5 lines $180 peryear, $100 for 6 months for unchanged club ads in the TLAsection.Announce meeting dates & times, activities, con-tact info, etc.

USCF DISCUSSION GROUPS. See www.uschess.org/forums for four groups: Tournament Organization, ChessClub Organization, Tournament Direction, USCF Issues.

Free LONGER Tournament Life Announcements!



Apr. 17- May 8, Queens Spring OpenSee Grand Prix.

Apr. 18, NY April Under 1600!4-SS, G/50, open to U1600 or unr., Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 845-569-9969. EF $40, Club members $25, spec-ified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. May be limited to 1st 26entries. $$ (300 b/20 paid): 150-70-30, top U1300 $50, $70 limit to unr. Limit2 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 thru4/16. $10 extra to “enter” by phone!

Apr. 18, Prove Your Point!3-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23W 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. 18-19, NY April Under 2300!4-SS, 30/90, SD/1, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 845-569-9969. EF $40, Club members $25, specified Greater NYScholastic 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 12:30-5:30pm each day; 1-day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; bothmerge 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 4/16. $10 extra to“enter” by phone! WCL JGP.

Apr. 19, NEW Sunday Sliding Scale Quads!3-RR, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23W 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. 21, St. John’s Masters at the Marshall Chess ClubSee Grand Prix.

Apr. 22-May 20, Marshall CC Under-2000 Wednesday Swiss5SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20.$$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm eachWednes-day. Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3. WCL JGP.


Apr. 24-26 or 25-26, 6th annual Vermont Spring Open (VT)See Grand Prix.

Apr. 25, Marshall CC Saturday G/604SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24) $120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request withentry.

Apr. 25, The 10th Annual Bruce Bowyer Memorial Chess Tourna-mentSee Grand Prix.

Apr. 26, Grandmaster ChallengeSee Grand Prix.

Apr. 26, The 10th Annual Bruce Bowyer Memorial Scholastic Tour-nament5SS, G/30. Hotel NewYorker, 8th Avenue & 34th St., NYC, 212-971-0101. Opento all students thru grade 12, EF: $10. $$Gtd: $200-$125-$75, U1800 $50, U1600$40, U1400 $30, U1200 $25. Trophy to winner, tiebreak order: Cumulative,Median, Solkoff. All players receive a medal and a T-shirt! Reg.: 10:15-10:45,X Rds.: 11am-12:30-2:30-4pm-5:30. Entries MUST be received by April 22nd!Ent: No door ents. Ck/MO payable to Pat Bowyer c/o PAR Group Inc., 119 N.Park Avenue. Suite 303, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. Limited to first 70 play-ers. Provide name, add., school, USCF rating, ID#, & exp. PLEASE NOTE: Bringclocks and sets, none will be provided. Info: [email protected] or PatBowyer 516.371.3717.

Apr. 27-May 25, Marshall CC Under-1600 Monday Swiss5SS, G/90. 23W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300b/20: $120-70-50, U1300 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Monday. Byesok, limit 2, request by rd. 3. WCL JGP.

Apr. 30, 4 Rated Games Tonight!4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23W 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212-

477-3716.May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20, spec-ified 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.

May 2, New York May Action!See Grand Prix.

May 3, 18th Annual NY May Under 13 Open!4-SS, G/30, open to all born after 5/3/96, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club,23 West 10th St, bet. 5-6 Ave, NYC: 845-569-9969. May be limited to 1st 52entries. 2 Sections. 1. Open, EF: $32 postmarked by 4/25. 2. Novice, for Under1000 or Unrated, EF: $31 mailed by 4/25. Both, EF: $30 online atwww.chesscenter.cc by 4/30, $35 by phone at 845-496-2191 by 4/30, $40at site, Club members $10 less ($10 fee for refunds). Trophies to top 10, topUnr, top 3 teams (top 3 scorers from same school) each section. 8 weeks freeentry to 1st, 4 weeks free to 2nd each section. Speed playoff for 4-0. Limit of2 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, NewWindsor, NY 12553. List USCF ID,rating, section, school/grade, DOB.

May 3, NEW Sunday Sliding Scale Quads!3-RR, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23W 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!

May 3, Sunday Under 1400 Action!4-SS, G/30, Marshall Chess Club, 23West 10 St, between 5-6 Ave, NYC: 212-477-3716, for Under 1400 or unrated. EF $30, Club Members $20, specifiedGreater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$200 b/20 paid: $100-60-40, $60limit to unr. Reg. ends 3:45 pm. Rds. 4-5:15-6:45-8 pm. No advance entries.

May 3, The Chess Exchange Monthly Trophy Quads3-RR, G/30,The Chess Exchange: Chess & Games Club, 288Third Ave., BetweenCarroll and President, Brooklyn, 718-645-5896. EF: $15 $$: Trophies to top 2in each quad. Reg.: ends 10 minutes before rd. 1. Rds.: 3-4:15-5:30.

May 5, Marshall CC New York ExpertsOpen to U2200 4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23W. 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.

May 7, 10 Grand Prix Points Older Tonight!See Grand Prix.

May 9, Utica Four Seasons – Spring4SS Rds. 1-2: G/60, Rds. 3-4: G/90. Mohawk Valley Community College, Exit31, I-90, bear left, South on E. Genesee, (2.6 miles), left on Memorial Highway(2.3 miles), left Sherman, right into MVCC, Cafeteria - Room 116. EF: $30. Prizes(b/20): $200, 125, 75, Class 100. Reg.: 8:30-9:15. Rds.: 9:30-12:00-2:15-5:30. Ent: Joe Ball, 310 Helfer Lane, Minoa, NY 13116.

May 9-10, Marshall CC May OpenMarshall CC, 23W 10th St, NYC: 212-477-3716.; EF: $45, Members $25. ($360b/24) $120-70-50, U2000/unr $65, U1700 $55. Reg.: ends 11:50am. Rds.: 2schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day; 1-day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd 3. Byes: limit two, with entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 players.

May 14, 4 Rated Games Tonight!4-SS, G/30, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23W 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 by8:15. 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 under10 min. before game.

May 14-June 18, FIDE Thursdays!!6SS, 30/90, SD/60. 23W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to all players rated1600 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 eachThursday;FIDE Rated. WCL JGP.

May 15-17 or 16-17, 17th annual New York State OpenSee Grand Prix.


OhioMar. 15, Ides of March Mini-Swiss3SS, 30/60, 30/30, 30/30. HamiltonWilliams Campus Center, Benes Room, OhioWesleyan University, Delaware. $$75 b/8: $50-25. Sections of 8-10 by rating.EF: $12 if rec’d by 3/11, $15 at site. Reg.: 9:30-10:15, Rds.: 10:30, 1:30,4:30. Ent:TomWolber, 272 Hearthstone Dr., Delaware, OH 43015. 740-368-3681,363-9612, [email protected]. NS, NC,W.

Mar. 21, Stakes Chess #153 Rounds - Game/90, td/5. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W 5th St., Dayton, OH45402. Nominal 8 player sections. No byes. USCF rated. $$: 1st-$100-2nd-$35-and-$25 top finish in lower half. EF: $25/$30 adv/after. Reg.: 9:30-10:30.Rds.: 11-3:30-7. Entries to: Dayton Chess Club, 18West 5th St., Dayton, OH45402 or call 937-461-6283.

Mar. 21 & 22, 2009 Ohio High School & Middle School Champi-onshipsWooster High School, 515 Oldman Rd.,Wooster, OH 44691. Format: 6ss Rnds1-4 Sat, Rds 5-6 Sun. HS Ch (9-12), MS Ch (6-8): Rds 1-3 G/60, Rds 4-6 G/90.HS Reserve (U1000), MS Reserve (U800): All Rds G/60. Trophies: All whoscore 4.0, Team trophies. EF: $25 by Mar. 4, $35 thereafter. Side Event: FreeBughouse Tnmt. Flyer/Entry Form: ohioscholasticchess.org. Info:[email protected] 330-494-2833.

Mar. 27-29 or 28-29, 47th Cincinnati OpenSee Grand Prix.

FOREIGN RATING?NOT UNRATED!

If you have no USCF rating, but do have arating or category from any other country,no matter how many years ago, you are notunrated.

If you have a FIDE rating, you are also notunrated.

Tell the Director of any event you enterabout your foreign rating or category oryour FIDE rating, so that you can be pairedappropriately.



Tournament LifeSEEPREVIOUSISSUEFORTLASAPPEARINGMARCH1-14

Apr. 4, Ohio Collegiate Chess Championship4SS, G/90. Full-K. Beeghly Library, Bayley Room, Ohio Wesleyan University,Delaware. $$275 Gtd. Open to full-time Ohio college students. EF: $15 ifrec’d by 4/1, $20 at site. Prizes: $100-50, $25 top each class, trophy top indi-vidual, traveling trophy top team (4 best scores same college). Reg.: 9-9:45.Rds.: 10-1-4-7. Adv. Ent:Tom Green, 196 Georgetowne Dr. #25, Delaware, OH43015, 740-803-2532. [email protected]. NS, NC,W.WCL JGP.

Apr. 11, Toledo Apr SwissOpen, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90.The University ofToledo Health ScienceCampus, Center for Creative Education - Room CE0111, 3000 Arlington Ave.,Toledo, Ohio 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 4/9$25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50,1st Class A ,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031Willowyck Rd., Maumee OH 43537. 419-367-9450.WCL JGP.

Apr. 18, 8th Annual Queen City Classic Chess Tournament5SS, G/30 Paul Brown Stadium, Club West, Downtown Cincinnati, OH. 17School 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 K-3 Open); (Grade 4 Non-Rated); (Grade 5 Non-Rated);(Grade 6 Non-Rated); (Grades 4-6<700); (Grades 4-6 Open); (Grades 7-9Non-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-ratedand K-3 rated sections. Registration form online at: www.queencityclassic.org.Prizes:Trophies to all who score 3.5 or higher, top five team trophies awardedmedals to all others. EF: $35 early bird fee which includes lunch, t-shirt, pro-gram/score book, simul participation. Registration fee increases to $40 afterMarch 15. After April 1, entry fee is $50. Registration closes Wednesday,April 15, 2009. NO SATURDAY REGISTRATIONS. Checks, VISA, MasterCard,Discover and AmEx accepted. Schedule: Friday, April 17, early check is 4-6:00pm. FREE SIMUL at 6:30 p.m. for tournament participants, $20 for non-partic-ipants. SIMUL features International Master Irina Krush and InternationalGrandmasters Maurice Ashley and Gregory Kaidanov. Saturday, April 18, checkin 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., matches begin at 9:00 a.m. All Grandmasters will beavailable for questions and instructions in the skittles room all day Saturday.Entry/Info: Queen City Classic Chess Tournament; 5400 Kennedy Avenue,Cincinnati, OH 45213 [email protected]. 1.866.772.4377, 513.924.5339or fax to 513.352.9359. Confirm all registrations at www.cpu-solutions.com.

May 9, Toledo May SwissOpen, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90.The University ofToledo Health ScienceCampus, Mulford Library Basement Café, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, Ohio43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 5/7 $25 at site.Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50, 1st Class A,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031Willowyck Rd.,Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450.WCL JGP.


OklahomaApr. 19, Seventh Annual Red River Shoot Out (Sunday)StateTeammatch open only to OK andTX residents.Two rounds G/60+30 sec.Must have USCF rating and current USCF membership.Treasure Valley Casino,I-35 Exit 55 & Hwy 7, Davis, OK 73030. EF: $5, Masters Free, all registrationon site. Reg.: 9:30 to 10:45. Rds.: 11 and 2. OK players contact Frank Berryat [email protected]; TX players contact Tom Crane at [email protected] or by phone 817-296-4287.

OregonMar. 14-15, Grants Pass Open XXXVSite: Rogue Community College, 3345 Redwood Hwy: Student Center. 5 Rd Swiss,Time Control: Game in 2hrs. Reg.: 8-9AM, 13th. EF: $30.00 if received by March7th. $900.00 Prizes based on 30. 1st $250.00. 1st $EX/A/B/C/D/E $100.00each. 1st Unrated: $50.00. Info/Entries: Ritch Duron, P.O. Box 3071, CentralPoint, OR 97502. (541) 582-6712.WCL JGP.

PennsylvaniaEvery 2nd Saturday. Allentown 2nd Saturday Quads.3RR, G/40. St. Luke’s Ev. Luth. Church, 417 N. 7th St.,Allentown, PA 18102. Quads open to all. EF: $12.$$24/quad. Reg.: 12-1, Rds.: 1:15-2:45-4:15. No adv.ent. Info: 610-433-6518. Other rated events every week!Silver Knights Chess Tournaments2-3 Saturdays per month we run scholastic USCF-rated tournaments throughout the Philadelphia area.Tournament locations include Philadelphia, Mt. Laurel(NJ), Bryn Mawr, Horsham, Collegeville, and more.Tournaments are open to grades K-12. Free game analy-sis by a National or International Master at eachtournament. We have players of all skill levels competein our tournaments, from brand-new kindergarteners upthrough some of the highest-rated scholastic players inthe state. To see a list of dates and locations, see our web-site at www.silverknightschess.com. Phone: 610-446-0818. Email: [email protected] 1st Saturday Lehigh Valley Super Quads3-RR, St James Church, 11th & Tilghman Sts., Allentown, PA 18102. EF: $10.$30 Perfect Score, else $25 1st. Reg.: 12:30-1:15. Rds.: 1:30-3-4:30. Info: 610-821-4320, [email protected], www.lehighvalleychess.org/.

Every Friday Lehigh Valley “Doubleheader” 5-Minute Blitz Chess(QC)8SS each, G/5, St James Church, 11th & Tilghman Sts., Allentown, PA 18102.EF: $5 each, Prizes: 50% of Entries, 1st -70%, 2nd -30%, if 12 or more play-ers,$7 to top U1600, (If 24 or more players — then 2 sections/ 2 prize funds

each event), One 1/2 bye only. Early Event Reg.: 6:30-6:50p. Rds.:7-7:15-7:30-7:42-7:55-8:10-8:25-8:40p. Late Event Reg.: 8:45-8:55p. Rds.:9-9:15-9:30-9:42-9:55-10:10-10:25-10:40p. Info: Bruce Davis, 610-821-4320, [email protected], www.lehighvalleychess.org/.

North Penn Chess ClubMain & Richardson, Lansdale, PA. See www.npchessclub.org for schedules &info or call 215-699-8418.

Mar. 20, Friday Night Action #34SS, G/30. Bryn Mawr Community Center, 9 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA19010. EF: $30 online; $15 online for players under age 18; $5 more on-site6:30-6:45.Rds: 7:00, then ASAP. Prizes: $100 guaranteed 1st, others per entries.See www.silverknightschess.com to register or for more information.

Mar. 21, 8th Annual Horizons for Youth Scholastic Spring ChessTournament5SS, G/30. Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Main Cam-pus, College Center Building, Bethlehem, PA 18020. Reg.: 7:30-8:45am, Rds.:9:30, 11, 12:30, 2, 3:30. Rated Section Age 18 and under. Non-Rated Sectionsages 14 and under. EF: $25 postmarked by March 18th, $30 later & on site.Prizes: Rated-Trophies-1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th U1400, U1200, U1000, U800, U600,UNR. Non-RatedTrophies b/o age. Please bring chess equipment. Random drawprizes between rounds. Ent: Online reg: forms at www.northampton.edu/prof_com/youth/school_year/chesstournament.htm or call Holly at 610-861-4120. Please print and mail form with payment (CC or check) to Horizons forYouth, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020. Info: Holly 610-861-4120,Scott Zrinski (TD), [email protected] or Ira Riddle (Chief TD), [email protected].

Mar. 21, Greater Philadelphia Scholastic ChampionshipsRadnor Middle School, 150 Louella Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087. Sections: K-3,K-6, K-8, K-12.Time Control: K-3, K-6 5SS, G/30; K-8, K-12 4SS, G/60. EF: $25online by 3/18; $35 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: K-3, K-6 10-11:05-12:30-1:45-3;K-8, K-12 10-12:30-2:30-4:30. Prizes: trophies to top individuals & schools. Freegame analysis by IM Bryan Smith. Winner of K-12 is seeded into GreaterPhiladelphia Junior Invitational. See www.silverknightschess.com to regis-ter.

Mar. 22, 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: [email protected], 412-908-0286.W.

Mar. 28, March Madness4SS, G/30.Wayne Elementary School, 651W.Wayne Avenue,Wayne, PA 19087.Sections: K-6 U/700, K-12 Champ. EF: $20 online by 3/25; $30 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10-11-12-1. Prizes: trophies to top individuals & schools. Free gameanalysis by NM AdamWeissbarth. See www.silverknightschess.com to reg-ister.

Mar. 29, 2009 PA State Game/29 Championship (QC)See Grand Prix.

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-levelpairings. • 1st-place winner receives a trophy.• Entry fee: $10.Victor Palciauskas Prize Tournaments• Seven-player class-level pairings, one game witheach of six opponents. • Players must have a USCFCC rating to enter. • 1st-place winner receives$130 cash prize and a certificate signed by VictorPalciauskas.• Entry fee: $25.John W. Collins Memorial Class Tournaments• Four-player, double round-robin with class-levelpairings (unrateds welcome). • 1st-place winnerreceives a John W. Collins certificate.• Entry fee: $7.

E-mail Rated Events (need e-mail access):Lightning Match • Two players with two, four orsix-game option. • Entry fee $5 per person.Swift Quads • Four-player, double round-robinformat. • 1st-place prize merchandise credit of $30.• Entry fee: $10.Walter Muir E-Quads (webserver chess)• Four-player, double round-robin e-mail formattournament with class-level pairings. • 1st-placereceives a certificate.• Entry fee: $7.Express Tournament• Seven-player events, one game with each of sixopponents.• Prizes: 1st place $30 merchandise credit, 2ndplace $20 credit.• Entry fee: $15.Please circle event(s) selected.NOTE: Except for Lightning Matches, Swift Quads,Walter Muir E-Quads, Electronic Knights & ExpressTournaments, players will use post office mail,unless opponents agree to use e-mail.

To Enter: 800•903•USCF (8723), Fax 931•787•1200or on-line www.uschess.orgName_________________________________________USCF ID# ____________________________________Address ________________ City _________________State ___ ZIP __________Phone _________________E-mail___________________ Est. Rating _________Credit card # (VISA, MC, Discover, AMEX)__________________________ Exp. date __________If using VISA, need V-code ___________________□ Check here if you do not wish to have anopponent who is incarcerated. *Note: This mayslow down your assignment.

Make checks payable to U.S. Chess and mail to: JoanDuBois, USCF, PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557

CHECK OUT USCF’S CORRESPONDENCE CHESS RATED EVENTS

USCF’s 62st ANNUAL2009 Open Correspondence ChessGolden Knights Championship

$1,000 First Prize(plus title of USCF’s Golden Knights Champion and plaque)

• 2nd place $600 • 3rd place $400 • 4th place $300 • 5th place$200 • 6th thru 10th place $100 each. Entry fee: $25.The entry deadline is November 30, 2009.These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCFmembers who reside on the North American continent, islands, or Hawaii,as well as those USCF members with an APO or FPO address. USCFmembers who reside outside of the North American continent are welcometo participate in e-mail events. Your USCF membership must remaincurrent for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S.dollars. Those new to USCF Correspondence Chess, please estimate yourstrength: Class A: 1800-1999 (very strong); Class B: 1600-1799 (strong);Class C: 1400-1599 (intermediate); Class D: 1399 and below (beginner level).Note: Prize fund based on 300 entries and may be decreased proportion-ately per number of entries assigned.

USCF’s 6th ANNUAL2009 E-mail Correspondence ChessElectronic Knights Championship

(Seven-player sections, one game with each of six opponents.)$700 First Prize

(plus title of USCF’s Electronic Knights Champion and plaque)• 2nd place $400 • 3rd place $300 • 4th thru 10th place $100each. Entry fee: $25.The entry deadline is November 30, 2009.These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCFmembers with e-mail access. Your USCF membership must remaincurrent for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S.dollars.Maximum number of tournament entries allowed for the year for eachplayer is ten.Note: Prize fund based on 200 entries and may be decreased propor-tionately per number of entries assigned.



Apr. 4, W.Chester 1st Sat. QuadsOur 20thYear! 3RR, 40/80,sd/30. United Methodist Church, 129 S. High St.WestChester, PA. EF: $20; every tenth quad free $$40, $50 for 3-0, $5 for 3rd rd winif not 3-0. Reg.: 9am; Rds.: 9:30,1,4:30. Info: JimWhite 484-678-3164.

A State Championship Event!Apr. 18-19, 2009 PA State Amateur Champ.Comfort Inn, 58 SR 93,West Hazleton, PA 18202, 1/2 mile from Exit 145 off I81.2 sections: Champ (Sat & Sun): Open to U2200. 5SS. G/90. Rds: 10-1:30-5,9:30-1. EF: $20 rec’d by 4/17, $30 later. Trophies: 1-3, U1800, U1600, U1400,U1200/Unrated, School Team (top 4 scores). Top 2 receive entry into 2009 PAChamp. Title to top PA resident. Scholastic (Sat only): unrated or U1400 ingrades K-12. 4SS. G/40. Rds.: 10:15-12-1:30-3. EF: $15 rec’d by 4/17, $20 later.Trophies: 1-2, U1100, U800/Unrated, SchoolTeam (top 4 scores). All: Reg.: 9-9:30am, PSCF $5, OSA. HR: 570-455-9300, 1-877-424-6423 $71.95+ tax by 3/18.Ent/Info: GHACC, c/o Michael Jemo, 567 Forest Hills Dr., Hazleton, PA 18201,[email protected] 570-455-9261.W.WCL JGP Champ section.

Apr. 19, MasterMinds CC 2nd Sunday Swiss/Open QuadsBlair Christian Academy, Philadelphia, Pa., 220W. Upsal St. 2 events. Quads:3RR, 40/80, SD/30. EF: $20, Perfect score winner $60 else $50. Rds.: 10-2-5.Scholastic Swiss: EF $15, ASAP $5 rec’d byThursday before, $25 at the door.3 sections: Open 3SS G/60, Rds.: 10-12:30-3; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 1200,top unrated; U1100 -1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under 800, top unrated & U750K-6 - 1st,2nd, 3rd, top under 600, top under 400, top unrated 4SS, G/40. Rds.: 10,11:45, 2, 3:45. 1st & 2nd school & club trophies. All Reg. ends 9:30am. Freeparking on site! Ent: MasterMinds CC, 36 E. Hortter St., Philadelphia, Pa.19119. Checks made payable to: MasterMinds CC Info: Bradley Crable,215-844-3881, [email protected], or www.mastermindschess.org.

Apr. 19, 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: [email protected], 412-908-0286.W.

Apr. 23-May 21, 2009 Hatboro OpenSee Grand Prix.

June 25-29, 3rd annual Philadelphia InternationalSee Grand Prix.

July 1-5, 2-5, 3-5 or June 29-July 5, 37th Annual World OpenSee Grand Prix.

Rhode IslandEvery Tuesday, Cranston-Warwick CC Monthly4SS, 40/75, SD/30. Garden City Center, Cranston. EF: $3/game (club mbrs:$2/game). Reg.: 6:30-6:50pm; email preferred. Rds.: 1st 4 Tuesdays of themonth, 7pm sharp! 5th Tuesday extra rated games and events. One bye rd 1-3; if notified in advance. Prizes based on entries. Info:www.cranstonchess.org,[email protected], 401-575-1520.WCL JGP.

Mar. 7 & Apr. 11, BK Tournaments for KidsReg. online: www.rhodeislandchess.org email: [email protected]: (401) 359-1602. See CL4K.

Mar. 14, 101st Rhode Island Pawn Eater4SS, G/60. RI College, Providence, RI. Sections & Prizes: $500 b/50: OPEN,U1900, U1500. EF: $20 by 3/12, $25 at site. REGISTER ONLINE atwww.rhodeislandchess.org Reg: 9-9:30 Rd 1 at 9:30 prompt. Entries after 9:30get ½ point bye. Ent: RI Chess, P.O. Box 15444, Riverside, RI 02915. Site tel.(401) 837-1302. NS, NC,W.

A State Championship Event!Mar. 21, R.I. Scholastic State Championship4SS G/45, Held at R.I. College. Gr. K-5, Gr. 6-8, Gr. 9-12. Trophies top 3 teamsin each section. EF: $48 per team of four by 1/14, $68 at site. Players can befrom different schools. Full schedule & Register at:www.rhodeislandchess.orgemail: [email protected]. phone: (401) 359-1602.

South CarolinaMar. 27-29, 2009 South Carolina Senior OpenSee Grand Prix.

May 1-3, Lee Hyder MemorialSee Grand Prix.

TennesseeMar. 21-22, Jack Smith Memorial 5Site: International Brotherhood of ElectricalWorkers (IBEW) Local 474, 1870Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, phone: (901) 726-4060. Registration:Saturday, 03/21/2009, 7:45am to 8:45am. Three Sections: Open and Under1600 Sections: 5 round swiss (5SS), Game in 120 minutes with 5 second delay(G/120, TD5), Rounds 9-2-7, 9-2. Novice Section: (not rated) 5 round swiss(5SS), Game in 30 minutes with no delay (G/30, TD0), Rounds: 9-10-11-1-2.Prizes based on 30 entries @30$. Open $250, $175, and $75, Under 1600$150, $75, $25. Trophies to top 10 in Novice! Entry fee: $30 by March 14,$40 at site for Open and U1600. $30 for MCC members anytime. $15 entry feefor Novice section anytime. Special Entry Fee: In Open Section all entriesrated over 2000 get free entry fee deducted from winnings! Send entries to:Memphis Chess Club Inc. P.O. Box 17864, MemphisTN 38187-0864.TournamentDirector: Gary Pylant (901) 359-8616. Email: [email protected]. Website:www.memphischess.com.WCL JGP for Open and Under 1600 sections.

Apr. 3-5, SuperNationals IVSee Nationals.

Apr. 25, Bluff City Open2 sections: Open and Under 1600. 4 round swiss, G/60. $525 guaranteed prizefund. EF: $30.00 by 04/18 $40 at site (MCC members $30 anytime). First 4entries with uscf ratings greater than 2100 get free entry fee with fee subtracted

from any winnings. Prizes: Open: 1st $200, 2nd $100 Under 1600: 1st $150,2nd $75. Site: Hampton Inn, 962 South Shady Grove Rd., Memphis, TN 38120.Hotel reservations: (901) 762-0056. Registration (4/25) 7:30am-8:45am.Rounds: 9-11-1:30-3:30. Entries: Memphis Chess Club Inc., PO Box 17864,Memphis, TN 38187-0864. www.memphischess.com, [email protected]. 21-22, Jack Smith Memorial 5 Site: International Brotherhood ofElectrical Workers (IBEW) Local 474, 1870 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN38104, phone: (901) 726-4060. Registration: Saturday, 03/21/2009, 7:45amto 8:45am. Three Sections: Open and Under 1600 Sections: 5 round swiss(5SS), Game in 120 minutes with 5 second delay (G/120, TD5), Rounds 9-2-7,9-2. Novice Section: (not rated) 5 round swiss (5SS), Game in 30 minutes withno delay (G/30, TD0), Rounds: 9-10-11-1-2. Prizes based on 30 entries@30$. Open $250, $175, and $75, Under 1600 $150, $75, $25. Trophies to top10 in Novice! Entry fee: $30 by March 14, $40 at site for Open and U1600.$30 for MCC members anytime. $15 entry fee for Novice section anytime.Special Entry Fee: In Open Section all entries rated over 2000 get free entryfee deducted from winnings! Send entries to: Memphis Chess Club Inc. P.O.Box 17864, Memphis TN 38187-0864. Tournament Director: Gary Pylant (901)359-8616. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.memphischess.com.WCL JGP for Open and Under 1600 sections.

TexasMar. 14-15, Houston Chess Club Absolute ChampionshipHouston CC, 9000 Southwest Freeway, Suite 290, Houston, TX, 77074, 5–SS,Rds.: 1-3 G/90; Rds.: 4-5 G/120. Schedule Sat 10-1-4; Sun 10-2. EF: $40 forClub Members and Under 21, $50 for non members if received by 3/11, all $10more at door. Prizes: $1,500 based on 50, Open: 350 – 200, Under 2200: 200Under 2000: 250 - 100, Under 1800, 1600, 1400, 1200: 100 each. Reg.: 9:00to 9:50 AM. Advance Entries: Houston Chess Club (address above), Info: 713-773-2437 or [email protected], NC, NS, Please bring sets and clocks. WCLJGP.

Mar. 14-15, TexOhma Fide OpenSee Grand Prix.

Mar. 20-22, Southwest Collegiate Championships5-SS, G/90 with 30 sec inc. McAllen Convention Center, W. Expressway 83 &S.Ware Rd., McAllen,TX 78501. Open to any college student or team. USCFmem-bership required. EF: $43 by 3/13, $63 thereafter. March Rating Supplementwill be used. FIDE rated but uses USCF rules. Reg: Fri 5-9 pm, Sat 7-7:45am.Saturday registrants may receive a 1st Rd. 1/2- pt. bye. One 1/2-pt. byeallowed if requested by end of rd. 2. Rds: Sat 9-1:30-6, Sun 9-1:45. $1,500 schol-arship awarded by SBCISD to the top Female and Male. Other cash prizes willbe listed at the event’s website, www.2009texaschesstourney.com/. Plaquesto top 10 Individuals, Plaques to top 5Teams. Open Blitz Tourney: Open, Fri3/20, 8pm, $10, Plaques toTop 5 individual. Registrations available on line oryou may download entry form. Checks payable to San Benito CISD Chess Pro-gram. Mail entries to SBCISD, 450 S. Williams Rd., San Benito, TX 78586. For

GOLD & SILVER AFFILIATES

GOLDAny affiliate that has submitted at least 50USCF memberships during the current orprevious calendar year, or is the recognizedState Affiliate, is eligible to become a GoldAffiliate. Gold Affiliates are honored in a spe-cial list in larger type in Tournament Life eachmonth, giving the affiliate name, address,phone number, e-mail address, and website.Gold Affiliation costs $350 per year, and exist-ing affiliates may substract $3 for each monthremaining on their regular affiliation, or $20for each month remaining on their Silver Affil-iation. As of August 6, 2007, by paying anannual payment of $500 (instead of $350),Gold Affiliate status may be obtained with nominimum requirement for memberships sub-mitted.

SILVERAny affiliate that has submitted at least 25USCF memberships during the current orprevious calendar year, or is the recognizedState Affiliate, is eligible to become a SilverAffiliate. These affiliates will be recognizedin a special list in Tournament Life eachmonth, giving the affiliate name, state, andchoice of either phone number, e-mailaddress, or website. Silver Affiliation costs$150 per year, and existing affiliates maysubtract $3 for each month remaining ontheir regular affiliation. As of August 6, 2007,by paying an annual payment of $250.00(instead of $150), Silver Affiliate status may beobtained with no minimum requirement formemberships submitted.

Cajun Chess7230 Chadbourne DriveNew Orleans, LA 70126

[email protected]

Chess Club and ScholasticCenter of St. Louis4657 Maryland AvenueSt. Louis, MO 63108314-361-CHESS

[email protected]

Continental ChessAssociation

PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills,NY 12577 [email protected]

DC Chess Association2520 Tenth St. NE, Suite 28,Washington, DC 20018

[email protected]

New Jersey State Chess Federationc/o Roger Inglis49-A Mara Rd.,

Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034973-263-8696

[email protected]

New York State ChessAssociationc/o Karl Heck

5426 Wright StreetCounty Route 67,

East Durham, NY 12423,[email protected]

North American ChessAssociation

2516 North Waukegan RoadSuite 342,Glenview

IL [email protected]

SPICEBox 45080, Lubbock, TX 79409

[email protected]

www.SPICE.ttu.edu

Susan Polgar Foundation6923 Indiana Avenue, Suite 154,

Lubbock, TX 79413212-748-9584

[email protected]

Tri-State Chess288 Third Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

[email protected],

www.TriStateChess.com

Unity Chess Club9375 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 100

Office 136,Scottsdale, AZ 85260480-949-5464 (KING)[email protected]

Indiana State Chess Associationwww.indianachess.org

Michigan Chess Associationwww.michess.org

Oklahoma Chess Foundationwww.OKchess.org

Orange Crush Chess Club (IN)[email protected]

Sparta Chess Club (NJ)www.spartachessclub.org

Renaissance Knights (IL)www.RKnights.org

GOLD AFFILIATES

SILVER AFFILIATES



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THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE DONATED TO THE U.S. CHESS TRUST! (June 2007 through March 2008)Legacy Donors: Deborah Doll, Nearing, GM Arnold Denker. Future Legacy Donors: Harold B. Dondis,Wil Wakely. Corporate Donors: Aetna, Exxon, IBM,Microsoft, WalMart, X3D, Mobil, WaMu, Nugent & Haussler, PC Partners. Chess Philanthropists ($50,000 or more): Harold B. Dondis, Frank P. SamfordIII. King Supporters ($10,000 or more): Frank Berry, Mark Fins. Friends of Chess ($5,000 or more): Anonymous, Mitchell Denker, Gerald Hoag, AdamSufrin, JDG Management, Shane Samole, Nearing Trust. Ben Franklin Donors ($1,000 or more): Anonymous NJ, Joel & Susan Channing, Gary Cooper,John Dozier, Leroy Dubeck, Jim Eade, Leonard Helman, Roger Spero, Sunil Weeramantry (National Scholastic Foundation), Mr. & Mrs. Michael T. Graves,Dr.William Henkin, Karl Irons, Victor Laurie, Harvey Schein, Mark Schein, Adam J. Semler, Randy Slifka, Mariko Zeitlin. Heritage Donors ($500 or more):Richard Allen, Norman Forsythe, Clifford Lester, Rick Lester (Ursula Foster Scholarship), Henry Odell, Harold Winston, Steve Doyle, Ann Marks, Drs. LuannMostello & Art Milholland, Bill & Vesna Kelleher, Eric Lester, Robert Messenger, Henry Terrie, Selden Trimble, Mosh & Arianne Weinberger, Yuriko Young,Randall & Leilani Sears, Dave Sutherland, Erland Millikan, J. William Cowart, Paul Albert. Associate Donors ($100 or more): Harvey Susswein, John M.Bartkiw, Randy Bauer/Deborah O’Leary, Walter Brown, Bernie Letner, David Kuhns, Jim Berry, Alan/Judy Cohen, Gary Fine, Martin/Joy Goldberg, RogerGotschall, Jim Gray, Randy Hough, Christopher Lerbs, Myron/Rachel Lieberman, Luke Neyndorff, Glenn Petersen, Larry Weston, Charles/Debrah Unruh,Edward Zatorski, Joe Feagin, Marc Levine, Michael Goodall, Walter Buehl, Jr, GM Susan Polgar/Paul Truong, Dr. Jon E. Quinn, Burton Carpenter, MichaelClark, James Kelley, Jeffrey Davidson, Paul Tomaino, Phyllis Narveson, Brian Bezenek, Robert Emke, Scott Kenyon, Kenneth Rogoff, Hans Morrow, RobertMiller, George Berry, Dr. Ed Epp, Peter Dyson, Harold Blajwas, Denis Strenzwilk, Dr. BentonWheeler, Donald Stetzer, Fred Gruenberg, Barbara Forbes, LawrenceGoch, JamesWheeler, Carol McCloud, Arthur Montgomery, Andrew Marshall, Barbara Falcner, Alexander Blum, Helen Kittsley, Kent Bach, Peter Knopf, ZeviMiller, Dr. Rebecca Meyer, Bruce McMaster, Tim Redman, Robert Goodman, Rick Armagost, John Crawford, David Kerkhove, John Fitch, Jeffrey Quirke,Herbert Drechsler, Neil Levy, Richard Shuford, Roy Eikerenkoetter, Lewis Henry, Robert Pociask, Gail Maury, Dr. R.A. Letourneau, Gilbert Saulter, RogerHale, Albert Epostein, John Elder, Dr. JoeWagner, Peter Stasz, Community Health Charities, Dayton Foundation (Ken/Peg Champney), Peter Tamburro, DonSchultz, John/Eleanor Schweinsberg, Todd Luna, Jorge Calderon, L.J. Lyell, Katherine Gasser, Richard Cheshire, Sheila Donoghue. Contributors ($50 ormore): Alexander Reis,AnonymousWI, Frank Brady, Harvey Drutowski,Woodrow Harris, Michael James,Michael Nietman,Arlen Overvig, Robert Rasmussen,Thomas Richardson, Joseph Roster, Garret Sauber, Stephen Smith, Hal Sprechman,T. Torricellas, Donald Twombly, Douglas Southon, Robert Strickler, CharlesBehler, Peter Scott, Thomas Bagby, Matthew Grinberg, Chess Now Ltd, Peter Spizzirri, Dan Mayers, Joseph Slawinski, Robert Werdan, Robert Rasmussen,Steve Krevinko, Karl Filzer,William McClain, Andrew Nowak, James Lorentz, Robert Carey, Richard Nepolitan, John Brendel, Edmund Breider, Peter Lahde,George Hermes, Ricard Vincent, Arhur Lewis, Allen Kaufman, Imgre Toth, Edward Dowdy, Gordon Gray, Baron Powell, Tony Newhall, Gerald Larson, Don-ald Farrelly, Kenneth John, David Sachs, Tom Beckman, Captn Gary Black, Peter Hanen, Richard Adams, Michael/Laurie Stein, Thomas/Nancy Simpson,John/Emily Summy, Ken Ballou, Ken Marks, Larry Reifurth. In Memory Of George Krauss: Blaine/Carol Asbrock, Edwary/Loretta Sytnik, Gabriel/JoannTrotta, Wayne Rahe, Robert Lardon, Richard Cheshire, Carberry, Mary Alice Burke, Carol Wirtz, James/Jennifer Roth.

OOvveerraallll AAffffiilliiaattee SSttaannddiinnggssNNaammee SSttaattee CCoouunnttCONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 1057*PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 998MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION MI 538*WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB PA 456EN PASSANT CHESS CLUB TX 386BAYAREACHESSCOM GRANADA GUARD CA 344GATEWAY CHESS LEAGUE MO 320CHESS IN THE SCHOOLS NY 285DALLAS CHESS CLUB TX 279LONG ISLAND CHESS NUTS NY 271SSmmaallll SSttaattee AAffffiilliiaattee SSttaannddiinnggssNNaammee SSttaattee CCoouunnttMAINE ASSOC OF CHESS COACHES ME 157METRO CHESS DC 130NEW MEXICO SCHOL CHESS ORG NM 69NEW HAMPSHIRE CHESS ASSN NH 49*SIOUX EMPIRE CHESS CLUB SD 43TALES TOLD TALL CHESS NH 35NEBRASKA STATE CHESS ASSN NE 32*SOUTH DAKOTA CHESS ASSN SD 29*IDAHO CHESS ASSOCIATION ID 26*WELLS MEMORIAL SCHOOL NH 26RReegguullaarr PPrriizzeessNNaammee SSttaattee CCoouunnttCONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 926*JERSEY SHORE HS CHESS LEAGUE NJ 170PENNSYLVANIA ST CHESS FED PA 130*DALLAS CHESS CLUB TX 120SAN DIEGO CHESS CLUB CA 90NEW JERSEY ST CHESS FED NJ 88*GATEWAY CHESS LEAGUE MO 82MINNESOTA ST CHESS ASSN MN 68*CHESS CENTER OF NEW YORK NY 66MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION MI 66*

SScchhoollaassttiicc PPrriizzeessNNaammee SSttaattee CCoouunnttPAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 934MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION MI 472*WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB PA 442EN PASSANT CHESS CLUB TX 366BAYAREACHESSCOM GRANADA GUARD CA 312CHESS IN THE SCHOOLS NY 265LONG ISLAND CHESS NUTS NY 259GATEWAY CHESS LEAGUE MO 238OPTIMIST COASTAL BEND CHESS TX 230NATIONAL SCHOL CHESS FOUND INC NY 227MMeemmbbeerr SSttaannddiinnggssNNaammee SSttaattee CCoouunnttTORRES, CHRIS CA 63ELLIOTT, CAROL MAXHEIMER IA 18RYAN, BEN J NE 18NAVARRO, DANIEL A TX 16CHENEY, WILLIAM G AZ 14HODINA, JAMES D IA 12BARRETT, DAVID CHRISTOPHER TX 11BERRY, FRANK K OK 11ARMSTRONG, ROBERT L KY 10BADY, GLENN PA 9

Membership Appreciation Program (MAP)The MAP program continues in 2009. See details at main.uschess.org/go/MAP. Top standings will appear every two months in Chess Life.

PPCCTT GGaaiinn SSttaannddiinnggss

State Dec07 Dec08 PctVT 202 278 37.6RI 243 298 22.6DC 217 245 12.9SC 474 526 11.0UT 494 545 10.3

State Dec07 Dec08 PctSD 208 227 9.1AL 751 796 6.0MD 2052 2172 5.8GA 1569 1658 5.7VA 2660 2782 4.6

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tournament info, visit our website or contact Lali Betancourt, 956-893-0399.For questions pertaining to tournament rules, you may call the ChiefTD, FrancGuadalupe, 713-530-7820. NS, NC,W, FIDE.WCL JGP.

A State Championship Event!Mar. 20-22, Texas State Scholastic Championships7SS, McAllen Convention Center,W. Expressway 83 & S.Ware Rd., McAllen,TX78501. Hotel Rates vary – 12 great hotels to choose from! Check out websitelinks at tournament website (listed below). Four championships in one greatlocation: TX Primary Scholastic Championships; TX Elementary Scholas-tic Championships; TX Middle School Scholastic Championships; TX HighSchool Scholastic Championships. EF: $37 by 3/13; $59 after 3/13 or onsite. March Rating Supplement will be used. Current USCF membership required(may be obtained on site). On Site Registration: Friday, 5-9pm, 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 Cham-pionship, Primary (K-3) Championship, Primary JV (K-3 w/Ratings Under 700),Elementary (K-5/6) Championship, Elementary JV (K-5/6 Under 800), Elemen-tary 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) Champi-onship, HS JV (9-12 Under 1000). See Article IX, Section 1E, TCA Bylaws foreach section’s eligibility requirement, www.texaschess.org/2007/03/bylaws.html. Four-year scholarship to The University of Texas at Dallasto winner of High School Championship section.Winner must meet UTDentrance requirement and follow team rules. UTD is sole judge as to who winsthe scholarship. Also, $1,500 scholarship awarded by SBCISD to the topFemale and Male of HS Championship! Trophies for top 20 individuals and top15 teams in each section plus participation medals for all K-1 and 21st-30thin each division. Schedule: Round times vary depending on the Championship;Time control also varies. For round times and time control, see: www.2009texaschesstourney.com/, (Divisions). Side Events: Blitz Tourney: K-6 and K-12, Fri-day 8pm. EF: $15. Trophies to top 15 Individual in each section. BughouseTourney: K-6 and K-12, Saturday, 8:35pm. EF: $20 Team (On site registrationonly). Trophies to top 10 teams in each section. All registrations (except Bug-house) available on line at www.2009texaschesstourney.com/ or you maydownload entry form. Checks payable to San Benito CISD Chess Program. Mailentries to SBCISD, 450 S.Williams Rd., San Benito, TX 78586. For tournamentinfo, visit our website or contact Lali Betancourt, 956-893-0399. For questionspertaining to tournament rules, you may call the Chief TD, Franc Guadalupe,713-530-7820. NS, NC,W.

Apr. 4-5, Spring OpenHornbeak Bldg, 2nd floor, 4450 Medical Dr., San Antonio, TX. 4-SS, 30/90,SD/60. $$1,100 b/40, 2 sections. Open: $250-150, U2100 $100, U1900 $100.Reserve (U1800): $150-100, U1700 $100, U1500 $75, U1300/unr. $75. Unr. mayplay for top Open prizes or U1300/unr. only. EF: $30 if rec’d by 4/2, $35 at site.Junior (18/under) or Senior (65+) entry (count 2/3 toward based-on): $20 by4/2, $25 at site. Reg.: 11 am.-12:30 p.m., Rds.: 1-6, 10-3. Half-pt. bye any onerd., notice before rd. 2. Entries: SACC, POB 501, Helotes, TX 78023. Info:home.roadrunner.com/~sachess, 210-695-2324. NS. NC.W.WCL JGP.

April 19, Seventh Annual Red River Shoot Out (Sunday)StateTeammatch open only to OK andTX residents.Two rounds G/60+30 sec.Must have USCF rating and current USCF membership.Treasure Valley Casino,I-35 Exit 55 & Hwy 7, Davis, OK 73030. EF: $5, Masters Free, all registrationon site. Reg.: 9:30 to 10:45. Rds.: 11 and 2. OK players contact Frank Berryat [email protected]; TX players contact Tom Crane at [email protected] or by phone 817-296-4287.

Apr. 24-26, Kasparov Chess Foundation in Association with UTD,DCC and USCF, Presents All Girls Open National ChampionshipsSee Nationals.

VermontApr. 24-26 or 25-26, 6th annual Vermont Spring OpenSee Grand Prix.

VirginiaMar. 14, 21, 28, Apr. 3, 17, 24, Arlington Chess Club Friday Night USCFRating Ladder30/90 SD/1. Lyon Village Community House, 1920 N Highland Rd, Arlington, VA.Player with most monthly points - $50 and most total points March - Decem-ber wins $100. Must Join Club to play ($50 Adult, $40 U18) check web to makesure we are open each week - members.cox.net/arlingtonchessclub/ladder.htm.Ladder has been running for over 45 years, now win money too! Contact:Matt Grinberg for info: [email protected] No advance entries, sign upfor ladder weekly by 8pm, games start 8:15pm. Future monthly events willappear a month in advance here.WCL JGP.

Apr. 4, Kingstowne Quad #54/Action-Plus #26KingstowneThompson Center, 6090 Kingstowne Village Pkwy., Alexandria, VA22315. 2 Events. Quad #54: 3RR G/100. EF: $10 if received by 4/1, $15 at site.Prizes: Medals to 1st and 2nd in each quad: gold to 1st if 3-0 score, else sil-ver; bronze to 2nd. Rds.: 11-3-7. Action-Plus #26: 5SS G/45. EF: $15 ifreceived by 4/1, $20 at site. Prizes $$250/20: $100-60, U1800-U1400-Unr. each$30. Rds.: 11-1-3-5-7. Both: Reg. 10-10:45. Ent (checks payable to): DonW.Millican, 5901B Prince George Dr., Springfield, VA 22152. e-mail (info only):[email protected].

May 2, Kingstowne Quad #55/Action-Plus #27Kingstowne South Center, 6080 Kingstowne Village Pkwy., Alexandria, VA22315. 2 Events. Quad #55: 3RR G/100. EF: $10 if received by 4/29, $15 atsite. Prizes:Medals to 1st and 2nd in each quad: gold to 1st if 3-0 score, elsesilver; bronze to 2nd. Rds: 11-3-7. Action-Plus #26: 5SS G/45. EF: $15 ifreceived by 4/29, $20 at site. Prizes $$250/20: $100-60, U1800-U1400-Unr.each $30. Rds: 11-1-3-5-7. Both: Reg. 10-10:45. Ent (checks payable to): DonW. Millican, 5901B Prince George Dr., Springfield, VA 22152. e-mail (info only):[email protected].


West VirginiaApr. 18, WV Action Tournament7SS, G/30, Morgantown Chess Club, 100 Cobun Ave., Morgantown,WV. Prizes:Trophy to #1WV and #1WV junior. $$300 b/15 $100-75, U2000 $50, U1800

$50, U1300 $25. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: 10-ASAP. EF: $25 by 4/11, $35 at site. Ent:Morgantown CC, c/o J.T. Wassell, 104 Dustin Lane, Morgantown, WV 26501.Email: [email protected], web: morgantownchess.org.

May 2, Morgantown May Day Tournament4SS, G/75, Morgantown Chess Club, 100 Cobun Ave., Morgantown,WV. $$500b/28 2 sections, Open: $120-80, U2000 $60, Reserve (U1800): $90-60, U1600$50 U1300 $40. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: 10-1-4-7. EF: $25 by 4/25, $35 at site. Ent:Morgantown CC, c/o J.T. Wassell, 104 Dustin Lane, Morgantown, WV-26501.Info: Email: [email protected], web: morgantownchess.org.WCL JGP.

WisconsinApr. 25, Hales Corners Challenge IXSee Grand Prix.

May 22-25, 23-25 or 24-25, 18th annual Chicago Open (IL)See Grand Prix.

July 10-12, 2009 U.S. Junior Open ChampionshipSee Nationals.

2009 PwC TORONTO OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPAPRIL 17-19, 2009

Prize Fund: $CDN 16,000+ Guaranteed!Open $3,000 2,000 1,000 etc. Prizes fortop 5 & top juniors, seniors, females ineach section, plus class prizes (<2200,<1800, <1400) & individual game prizes(biggest upset, brilliancy prize) as well asspecial prizes for chess trivia contest win-ner, best dressed etc.Entry Fee: $CDN 90 (or $US 77), Partici-pants must be or become CFC members(go to www.chess.ca for special non-res-ident rates)Accommodation: Special chess rate(10B3TP) of $CDN 169 offered by The Suites.416 548-8100 or 1 866 470-5464 www.onekingwest.com Book early! Limited numberof rooms available at this rate.

Byes: Maximum of 2 through rounds 1-4Equipment: Bring your own chess setsand clocks. None provided.To Enter: Mail to Brian Fiedler P.O. Box67083, Yonge & Eglinton P.S., 2300 YongeSt., Toronto, Ont. M4P 3C8 Canada. Makecheques / money orders payable to: “2009Toronto Open Chess” Deadline for entriesApril 13, 2009 – NO entries accepted at siteon day of tournament . Full refund if youchange your plans prior to April 13, 2009.Additional Info: Bryan Lamb 905 554-4548, 416 904-5938 [email protected] Fiedler 416 733-3199, 416 [email protected] or go towww.monroi.com for further info. & entryform.

Location: The Suites at 1 King West, Finan-cial District, Downtown Toronto, CanadaStyle: 5 round Swiss, 3 Sections (Open,<2000, <1600), CFC rated.

Time Control: Rd. 1 30/90 + 1hr SD, Rds.2-5 40/120 + 1hr SD.Rounds: Fri. 7pm sharp!, Sat. 11/5, Sun.10/4, awards at 10:45pm

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All tournaments are non-smoking with no comput-ers allowed unless otherwise advertised by Sand/or C (see below for explanations).QC: Quick Chess events.$$Gtd: Guaranteed prizes.$$b/x: Based-on prizes, x = number of entriesneeded to pay full prize fund. At least 50% of theadvertised prize fund of $501 or more must beawarded.Bye: Indicates which rounds players who find itinconvenient to play may take ½-point byesinstead. For example, Bye 1-3 means ½-pointbyes are available in Rounds 1 through 3.C: Computers allowed.CC: Chess club.EF: Entry fee.

Enhanced Grand Prix points (see previouspage).Ent: Where to mail entries.FIDE: Results submitted to FIDE for possiblerating.G/: Game in. For instance, G/75 means eachside 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 inroom.JGP: Junior Grand Prix.Memb. req’d: Membership required; cost fol-lows. Usually refers to state affiliate.Open: A section open to all. Often has verystrong players, but some eligible for lower sec-

tions can play for the learning experience.OSA: Other states accepted. Refers to statedues.PPHBF: Professional Players Health and Bene-fits Fund.Quad: 4-player round robin sections; similarstrength players.RBO: Rated Beginner’s Open.Rds: Rounds; scheduled game times follow. Forexample, 11-5, 9-3 means games begin 11 a.m. &5 p.m. on the first day, 9 a.m. & 3 p.m. on the sec-ond day.Reg: Registration at site.RR: Round robin (preceded by number of rounds).S: Smoking allowed.SASE: For more info, send self-addressed

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

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ActivitiesTHE CHESS EXCHANGE: Chess & Games ClubFULL-TIME CHESS CLUB, Backgammon, Scrabble, etc. Hours: MON-THURS 12pm-9pm, FRI 12pm-11pm, SAT 12pm-11pm, SUN 12pm-6pm. Clubaddress: 288 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215. 1-888-CHESS-35, (718) 645-5896. www.TriStateChess.com, [email protected] Chess Club:Candidate Master, 1071 N. Grand Ave., Suite 210, Nogales, AZ 85621. [email protected] Giorgi Kacheishvili and Zviad Izoria are available for par-ticipation in your tournaments, for lectures, simuls or other activities. Pleasecontact [email protected] or cell 646-239-0783.

For SaleWHOLESALE LIST OF CHESS BOOKSThree pages. Send SASE. Thinkers' Press, 1101 West 4th, Davenport, IOWA52802.24 PAGE CHESS CATALOG FREEPreviously owned books and DVDs, new, old, and really old. Big savings on every-thing. Souvenirs, photos, autographs and more. Complete catalog ofThinkers’Press books and Chess Reports. PDF brochure on running part time chess retailbusiness. Send your name and e-mail address to: [email protected] and getyour catalogs pronto. Visit www.chessco.com daily for updated information.www.stores.ebay.com/4yourdeskincElectronic Chess, PurchaseThe Grandmaster, Brand New, 4Your Desk Inc., 471North Broadway, Suite 196, NY 11753, (516) 409-8213, NYS Buyers MustInclude Sales Tax.BOOK COMPARING CHESS960 (FRC) AND CHESS1,modifies our understanding of chess principles. Search Amazon.com for“chess960”. Visit www.CastleLong.com.For a FREE copy of Confidential Chess Lessonssend name and address to James Schroeder, 3011 E 9th St #15, Vancouver,WA 98661.Attractive Chess Art Portraits, done in chalk pastels, prints or orig-inals available for all world champions, and legends. Very reasonalbly priced.Free Catolog for your selection. Call (937) 313-8379 or E-mail at [email protected] is now ChessOndvd.comTheWorld’s Largest DVD ChessStore. Over 200Titles. Get Private Lessons fromGrandMasters, Polgar Roman, Kasparov, Shirov. Karpov on Fischer, Foxy Open-ings, Fischer Spassky. Rematch and more. Retain 70%more than reading a book.ChessOndvd.com, 1-877chessdvd.Deep Tactics 6.0 combo $49, Chess Life & Reviews 33-75$39, Much more, 928-246-1580 www.stores.ebay.com/toby-chessNEW AND ANTIQUE CHESS SETSThe House of Staunton, sole U.S. distributor for Jaques of London, pro-duces unquestionably the finest Staunton Chess sets currently available andoffers the world’s largest selection of antique chess sets dating from 1780.Pay-Pal and all Major Credit Cards accepted. For our new products catalogsend $5.00 or for a 70 page plus color-illustrated catalog of our new and antiqueitems send $15.00 to:The House of Staunton, Inc.; 362 McCutcheon Lane;Toney,AL 35773. Website: www.houseofstaunton.com; phone: (256) 858-8070;email: [email protected] CHESS BOARDS BY STUMPY:Squares & designs burned on to suede. Can be customized. Prices rangeaccording to size & design. Phone: 423-364-1117.Visit WWW.ITALIANGAMBIT.COMA Comprehensive Book for 1. e4 players by Chess Master Jude Acers.ANTIQUARIAN AND OUT OF PRINT CHESS BOOKS For sale.Free catalog. Kramer-books, PO Box 243,Whitehall, PA 18052-0243.TREASURE CHESS: rare, used and new books bought and sold, bargains.650-856-2346; [email protected]; members.aol.com/chess316“TWO DEANS OF AMERICAN CHESS AND THE ORIGIN OFCHESS” send $15 and address to Jerry DeGattis, 3955 Coffee Rd. #76 95355Visit www.thechesslibrary.comNNEEWW BBOOOOKK:: Bronstein: Fifty Great Short Games—IM Minev. Free tourna-ment crosstable archives.CHESS VISUALIZATION COURSEA series of books to help you improve your chess visualization skills. Exer-cises taken from real games. www.chessvisualization.com.

I CHECK THEREFORE I AMT-Shirt, Hats, Mugs and more! Visit www.iamsportswear.com today.World’s largest collection of scanned chess books, magazines, check-mates (12 million+), tactic puzzles (156,000+), Deep Tactics converts chessdiagram on computer to interactive. New opening traps, solitaire chess, train-ers & chess books on video. www.tobychess.com* CHESS BOOKS:* Out of print, used, rare. Large stock online atwww.chessbooks.co.uk <www.chessbooks.co.uk>Two Knights’ Defense cooked: Berliner, Ulvestad, Traxler, Fried Liver+- guaranteed: Refute my analysis, get $10 off purchase price of Magic [email protected] $19.95 + S&H. See Correspondencechess.com for details. Newopening for Black: g6/Bg7/e6/Ne7/d5! (eventually)Visit www.taoofthechessboard.comSay yes to chess, to life and to joy.ANCIENT CHESS.COMChess variants through history and around the world. Unique sets, lessonsand tales. http://ancientchess.comBILGUERS HAND BOOK and addendum.1,300 pages 1873. Fine and complete. Rebound. Make offer. 702-438-1687.

InstructionTOP QUALITY BARGAIN CHESS LESSONS BY PHONEWith more than 39 years of experience teaching chess, the Mid-Atlantic ChessInstruction Center is the best in the business. We specialize in adult students.We offer 32 different courses as well as individual game analysis. Center Direc-tor: Life Master Russell Potter. Tel.: (540) 344-4446. If we are out when youcall, please leave your name & tel. #.CHESS INSTRUCTIONAndrew Karklins, USCF Life Senior Master. Available for lessons and/or analy-sis (by mail or in person). $25 per hr. Call or write (773) 327-0862, 432 W.Wellington #503, Chicago, IL 60657.LEARN MATERIAL POWER RATIOThe newest and quickest system for evaluating positions. $7.95. Barry Cush-ner, 138 Stetson Avenue, Swampscott, MA 01907.CHESS PUZZLES: Thousands of crucial positions from historic & modern games, indexed byGM. Solutions displayed if needed. www.wtharvey.com.LEARN CHESS BY MAIL: Any Strength: Inquire about individual programs. Alex Dunne, 324 West Lock-hart Street, Sayre, PA 18840. [email protected]’LL SEE REAL PROGRESS by Studying with 3- Time U.S.Champ GM Lev Alburt! Private lessons (incl. by mail and phone) from $80/hr. Autographed seven-vol-ume, self-study Comprehensive Chess Course-only $134 postpaid! P.O. Box 534,Gracie Station, NY, NY 10028. (212) 794-8706.*LEGENDARY CHESS INSTRUCTOR*, featured in the LA Times, cannow teach your child this time-tested training program on DVD. Self-test forrating included ... Available at www.videosphotosanddjs.com/chesslessons.htmlCARIBBEAN CHESS CRUISETheory and teaching from Grandmasters * Tournament play with GM/IM commentary * The balmy Caribbean in January. Join us! www.InSightCruises.com/Chess * 650-327-3692CHESS PUZZLES: 10,000 INSTRUCTIVE DIAGRAMS fromGrandmaster Games. Find the Winning Move. www.wtharvey.comFree Chess Training VideosVisit www.chess-videos.com! You can even post your own videos or join our dis-cussion forums for game analysis, playing tips, and general chess discussion.Watch. Discuss. Learn. Chess-videos.com

LEARN FROM A LIFE MASTER FM Craig Mar teaches winning strategies on ICC. (510) 836-2645 [email protected] $25/hour

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR KOPEC’S CHESS CAMPS 2008 in NH(August 17-22)Eight merit scholarships (Two Each at $400, $300, $200, $100), for ages 10-16, Details: www.kopecchess.com/2008 scholarships Questions: IM Dr. DannyKopec 516-867-4031 ([email protected]).

Play Correspondence Chess Online with a Master Five years worth of games only $350. Contact George C. Grasser 863-370-4884or E-Mail [email protected] for details.

FORMER NEW ENGLAND AMATEUR CHAMP. 40 minute lesson,$5 per lesson, by phone. 508-753-0424. References.Working on your game? More than 500 free chess videos at your fin-gertips. www.ChessVideos.TV

Instructors NeededCHESS CLUB IN SPRINGFIELD, NJ is looking for an instructor andcounselors for summer 2007 chess camp: full day or half day. Please [email protected] or call 973-262-1395.

MiscellaneousSAVE IT FOR POSTERITY!Artist will paint your favorite chess position or best move on canvas for all toadmire your brilliancy! Basic chess painting $600. Satisfaction guaranteed. Sam-ples, go to: AGPaderArt.com.

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Tournament Life

uschess.org70 Chess Life — March 2009



Chess to EnjoyProblem I.1. ... Rb5! and ... Rh5 mates.Problem II.1. Rhf1! White threatens mates on f7 or h8, e.g. 1. ...cxd4 2. Qf7+ Kh8 3. Qxe8+.Problem III.1. ... Rc2! 2. Na4 (or 2. Na2) 2. ... Qa7! threatens theknight as well as mate after 3. ... Qxf2+.Problem IV.1. Bxb7+! Kxb7 2. Qe4+ Black resigns in view of 2.... Kc8 3. Qa8+; 2. ... Kb8 3. Bd6 mate and 2. ... Bc63. bxc6+ Nxc6 4. Rb1+ Kc7 5. Bd6+.Problem V.1. Qc5! (not 1. Qxb7 Bc6) 1. ... Rxe4 2. f3! traps therook. White won soon after 2. ... b6 3. Qf2 Bc6 4.Bd3! Rxe5 5. Bxe5 Nxe5 6. Re1!Problem VI.1. Kc7 Rc3+ 2. Kb6 Rd3 3. Rc2! wins with its threatof Rc8 mate. Black resigned after 3. ... Rb3+ 4. Kc7Rb7+ 5. Kc6!.

What’s The Best Move?1. C. Visi-Acers, New Orleans (on 3/2/08).Notes by Jude Acers, resident pro with a redberet at his table outside the Gazebo.A. “Concentrate—even a single move can cost youthe game,” said Bobby Fischer. Here White ruinedmore than 100 tough moves of blunder-free playwith 1. Kc6?? Rc2+ 2. Kxb6 Rb2+ and Rxb7next. My opponent turned crimson, murmured“grand theft” and disappeared pronto.

B. Chess blindness is 1. a4?? Kxb7 stealing a wholerook. Two lashes with a wet noodle if you let thisslip. Shame!

C. Almost any rook move draws in a walk: e.g., 1.Rh7 Rxa2 2. Kc6 slimming down to skin andbones.

2. B. GM Alex Yermolinsky-David Pruess (on4/2/05).A. Disaster struck after 1. Re7? Rxe7 2. Bxe7 Kf3 3.h4 e5 4. h5 e4 5. h6 e3 6. Bf6 e2 7. Bc3 d4 8.Bd2 Ne5 9. h7 Ng6 10. g4 b5 11. g5 a6 12. Kh2

d3 13. Kh3 b4 14. Bxb4 Ke3 15. Bc5+ Kd2 16.Kg4 Kc2 17. Kf5 e1=Q 18. Kxg6 Qe6+.

B. After 1. Rxb7 snuffing a pawn leads to a hardfight.

C. Pointless is 1. a4 Rd8 (or Rc8) with tons of coun-terplay.

3. A. David Pruess-GM Jaan Ehlvest (on12/17/05).A. Black retains winning chances by 1. ... Qd1! 2.h3 Qf1.

B. Drawish is 1. ... Kh7 2. Rb7 Qd3 3. Rxf7+ Kh8 4.Kf2 Qc2+ 5. Kg3 Qd3.

C. Black succumbed after 1. ... h4+?! 2. Kh3 Kh7 3.Rc3 Qb2 4. Qe1 g5 5. Qxe4+ Kh6 6. Rf3 Rac8 7.Ne7 Rg8 8. Nf5+ Kg6 9. Ne3+ with mate loom-ing.

4. C. Efren Florez-Mike Callaham, 2007 Vir-ginia State Championship.A. White is okay after 1. ... Bf6 2. Qc7 threateningQxf7 mate.

B. White gets a won ending on 1. ... Qf6 2. Qxf6+Bxf6 3. a6.

C. The attack raged after 1. ... Nf6! 2. Qxe7 (moreresistant is 2. Kf2 Qh2 3. Qxg5+ Kf8 4. Rh1Nh3+ 5. Ke3 Nxg5 6. Rxh2 Rxh2 7. e5) 2. ...Qh2+ 3. Kf2 Qxg2+ 4. Ke3 Ng4+! 5. fxg4 Rh3+6. Kd4 Qf2+ 7. Ke5 Ng6+ 8. Kd6 Qf4+ 9. e5Nxe7 10. Rd4 Rh6+ 11. Kc5 Qxe5+ 12. Kb4 c5+and White resigned.

Endgame Lab – Benko’s BafflersProblem I.1. c7 Ne7 2. Nb6 Nc6+If 2. ... g2 3. Nc4+! Kc6 4. Ne5+ and White stops thesuccessful promotion with 5. Nf3.3. Kc8 g2 4. Nc4+4. Kb7? Na5+ 5. Kb8 g1=Q and Black wins.4. ... Kc5 5. Kb7 Ne7 6. Nd2 g1=Q 7. Ne4+ Kd5 8.Nf6+ Kd6 9. Ne4+ Kd7 10. Nf6+ draws by perpet-ual check.Problem II.1. Kf4

None of the alternatives work: 1. Kf3? Be5 2. Ke4Bg6+ 3. Kd5 Bc3; 1. Ke4? Nf8 2. Kf5 Bd7+; 1. g5?Bg6 2. Kf4 Nf8.1. ... Nf61. ... Bg6 2. Re7 Bh6+ 3. g5 when White will pick offa piece.2. Kf52. Kg5? Bb5 3. Ra2+ Kb7 4. Kg6 Ne8 5. Ra3 Bd4 6.g5 Kc6 7. Kh7 Kd6 8. g6 Ke7 wins.2. ... Bb5! 3. Ra2+! Kb7 4. Rb2!Black stands better after 4. Kg6? Ne8 5. Ra3 Be5 6.g5 Kc6 7. Kh7 Kd6 8. g6 Ke7.4. ... Kb6 5. Kg65. Rb3? Nd5 6. g5 Kc6 7. Kg6 Be5 8. Kh6 Bf4 andBlack stands better..5. ... Bh8 6. Rh2 Bd3+6. ... Be8+ 7. Kf5 Bd7+ 8. Kg6 Be8+ 9. Kf5 Posi-tional draw. 9. ... Bg7 10. Re2 Bc6! 11. Kg6 Bh8 12.Rh2 Be8+ 13. Kf5 Bd7+ 14. Kg6 Be8+ Positionaldraw.7. Kf7 Bc4+ 8. Kg6 Bd3+ 9. Kf7 Positional draw.

Solitaire Chess – ABCs of ChessProblem I.Pin:With 1. ... Bg4, White can’t defend the knightadequately. If 2. Ke2, then 2. ... Rae8+.Problem II.Mating net: Black mates with 1. ... Qc3+ 2. Bxc3Bxc3 mate.Problem III.Mating net: The immediate 1. ... Rxh3+ 2. gxh3Qh2 mate is quite convincing.Problem IV.Fork: White has no satisfactory answer to 1. ...Qxe5. If 2. Qxe5, then 2. ... Nxg4+ will put Black arook ahead.Problem V.Discovery: White’s queen goes with 1. ... Be4+ 2.Qxc8+ Nxc8. It’s as simple as that.Problem VI.Mating net: The game is over with 1. ... Bf3+ 2.Nxf3 Qc2 mate.

Solutions

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