In chess, at least, the brave inherit the earth.
Edmar Mednis
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) January FIDE Ratings
3) US Ch. Qualifier Details Announced by Tom Braunlich
4) US Amateur Team North by Alex Betaneli
5) Upcoming Events
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
NM Sam
Shankland of Orinda is the 2008 Falconer Award winner. The award, given by former US Senior Champion Neil Falconer to the highest rated Bay Area player under 18, is equal to the youngster's rating - in Sam's case 2262.Previous winners:
2000 SM Vinay Bhat
2001 SM Vinay Bhat
2002 SM Vinay Bhat
2003 NM Michael Pearson
2004 NM Nicholas Yap
2005 NM Matthew Ho
2006 NM Matthew Ho
2007 NM Nicholas Yap
The Winter TNM started last Tuesday night. 76 players are signed up including former US Champion John Grefe, FM Frank Thornally, World Under 12 champion Daniel Naroditsky and 2008 Falconer winner Sam Shankland. It is still possible to enter the event with a half point bye for round one.
The Mechanics' Institute is pleased to announce that IM Josh Friedel, the highest rated player in Northern California, will be giving a free lecture on Tuesday, January 22, from 5:15 to 6:15 pm. Don't miss this chance to hear Josh speak!
This Saturday the MI will be hosting the 8th annual Bob Burger Open.
2) January FIDE Ratings
Top 20
1. Kramnik RUS 1975 2799 9
2. Anand IND 1969 2799 3
3. Topalov BUL 1975 2780 14
4. Morozevich RUS 1977 2765 12
5. Svidler RUS 1976 2763 19
6. Mamedyarov AZE 1985 2760 35
7. Shirov ESP 1972 2755 49
8. Leko HUN 1979 2753 9
9. Ivanchuk UKR 1969 2751 30
10. Aronian ARM 1982 2739 16
11. Gelfand ISR 1968 2737 9
12. Radjabov AZE 1987 2735 20
13. Carlsen NOR 1990 2733 37
14. Karjakin UKR 1990 2732 36
15. Kamsky USA 1974 2726 32
16. Adams ENG 1971 2726 31
17. Jakovenko RUS 1983 2720 33
18. Ponomariov UKR 1983 2719 40
19. Cheparinov BUL 1986 2713 36
20. Alekseev RUS 1985 2711 35
21. Grischuk RUS 1983 2711 21
US Top 10
1. Kamsky 2726
2. Nakamura 2670
3. Onischuk 2664
4. Seirawan 2628
5. Shabalov 2622
6. Shulman 2614
7. Ibragimov 2605
8. Kaidanov 2604
9. Ehlvest 2601
10. Akobian 2599
3) US Ch. Qualifier Details Announced by Tom Braunlich
You too may qualify for the 2008 U.S. Chess Championship! Seven invitations will be up for grabs in a special Qualifier Open tournament slated for March 28-30, 2008, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In recent years the system allowing any player to win qualification into the U.S. Championship via other major tournaments throughout the year has been quite popular. Last year over half of the 36 championship contenders were qualifiers.
That tradition continues for 2008, but without qualification events throughout 2007 the championship committee has announced a new format — a single special QUALIFIER OPEN, 7-round Swiss System, at which seven players will earn an invitation to the 2008 Frank K Berry U.S. Chess Championship.
These 7 qualifiers will join 17 top-rated GMs and seeded players including defending champion GM Alex Shabalov to form a field of 24 contenders at the 2008 FKB U.S. Chess Championship to be held May 13-21 in Tulsa. Also, the top female finisher in the Qualifier Open will receive an invitation to the 2008 Frank K. Berry U.S. Women’s Chess Championship, to be held alongside the U.S. Championship.
To win a qualification spot a player must be eligible to play in the U.S. Championship, of course, which means he/she must be a U.S. citizen or resident with federation listed by FIDE as “USA”. (American USCF players without FIDE rating are also eligible.)
Unlike some previous years there is no additional $75 fee to be considered for qualification. Players simply enter and compete in the Qualifier Open just as in any regular large event (see details below).
The top 7 finishers each receive $1000 (Guaranteed) plus a qualification spot (which is itself of value in addition to its prestige; remember that all players in the Championship receive prize money there.).
The event is open to all players, regardless of rating, though of course it is to be expected that masters will be the primary contenders for the top spots. There are also prizes of $1000 (Guaranteed) for top U2400, top U2200, top U2000, and top female finishers.
The Entry Fee is $25 for all masters, $100 for experts, and $200 for anyone rated below 2000. But to get this low EF your entry must be received in advance by March 13. All EFs received after that or at the door cost $100 more. Send entries to: Frank K. Berry, 402 S. Willis St, Stillwater, OK 74074.
The venue is the Best Western Trade Winds Central, ($55/60; 918-749-5561 or 800-685-4564) with free airport shuttle available. See
http://www.tradewindstulsa.com/. It is expected that the hotel will sell out, but note that there are three other motels within a very short walking distance of the venue — the Ramada ($60; 918-743-9811), the Howard Johnson ($55; 918-794-5156), and the Trade Winds East ($45; 800-254-7449). Ask for the chess rate.The Time Control for the Qualifier Open will be Game/90, with 30-second delay. Two half-point byes are available for rounds 1, 2, or 5, if requested in advance. Of course, if there are players tied for the qualification places the prize money will be split normally but the qualification spots themselves will be awarded by mathematical tiebreaks.
Additional info on the Qualifier Open will be available online at
www.uschess.org or in Chess Life TLA announcements. Please direct questions to FKimBerry@aol.com.As far as is known, this is the first time a dedicated Qualifier Open event of this type has ever been held for the prestigious U.S. Championship. We are hoping for an exciting event!
Further details on the 2008 Frank K Berry U.S. Chess Championship, including the details of the new venue and the participant lists, etc., will be forthcoming. It will be a 9-round Swiss, with 24 players and at least a $50,000 prize fund. The 2008 FKB U.S. Women’s Chess Championship will be held at the same time and place, as a 10-player round robin. (The organizing committee for the championship is Frank K. Berry, Jim Berry, and Tom Braunlich)
4) US Amateur Team North by Alex Betaneli
5) Upcoming Events
Events at the Mechanics'
Bob Burger Open - January 12Jan. 18-21, 19-21, 20-21 or 19-20 15th annual Western Class Championships GPP: 80 Enhanced California Southern
6SS, Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel, 30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills CA 91301 (US-101 to Reyes Adobe Road exit). Adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains, 26 miles west of Burbank, 12 miles from Malibu, 28 miles from Ventura. Free parking. In 10 sections. Slow sections: Master, Expert, A, B, C: Choice of Jan 18-21 or Jan 19-21 with all rounds 40/2, SD/1, or Jan 20-21 with rds 1-3 G/60, then 40/2, SD/1. Fast sections: 1700-1899, 1400-1699, D, E, U900/Unr: Jan 19-20, G/90. $$G 20,000 based on 250 paid entries (re-entries count as half entries, U900 as quarter entries), minimum $16,000 (80% each prize) guaranteed. Master (over 2199): $1500-800-400-200, top U2400 $700-400. FIDE. Expert (2000-2199): $1000-500-300-200. Class A (1800-1999): $1000-500-300-200. Class B (1600-1799): $1000-500-300-200. Class C (1400-1599): $1000-500-300-200. 1700-1899: $1000-500-300-200. 1400-1699: $1000-500-300-200. Class D (1200-1399): $1000-500-300-200. Class E (Under 1200): $1000-500-300-200. Under 900/Unr: Trophies to top 7. Rated players may play up 200 points. Unrated must play in A or below with maximum prize A $700, 1600-1799 $600, B $500, 1400-1699 $400, C $300, D $200, E $100; balance goes to next player(s) in line. Top 9 sections EF: Jan 18-21 $104, Jan 19-21 $103, Jan 20-21 $102, Jan 19-20 $101 mailed by 1/11, all $105 online at chesstour.com by 1/15, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/15 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site; all $40 less to unrated. Under 900/Unr Section EF: $28 mailed by 1/11, $30 online at chesstour.com by 1/15 (entry only, no questions), $35 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/15, $40 at site. All: Re-entry (except Master) $60. Advance EF $10 less if paid with $49 USCF dues. SCCF memb. ($14, jrs $9) required for rated Southern CA residents. Jan 18-21 schedule: Reg. Fri to 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 6, Sun 11-6, Mon 10-4:30. Jan 19-21 schedule: Reg. Sat to 10 am, rds Sat 11-6, Sun 11-6, Mon 10-4:30. Jan 20-21 schedule: Reg Sun to 9 am, rds Sun 10-12:30-3-6, Mon 10-4:30. Jan 19-20 schedule: Reg. Sat to 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 10-1:30-5. All schedules: Bye all, limit 3, Master must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. HR: $84-84, 818-707-1220, reserve by 1/4 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Ent: Continental Chess, c/o Goichberg, Box 661776, Arcadia CA 91066. $10 service charge for withdrawals. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. JGP.
A Heritage Event!
6SS 40/2, SD/60 (Reserve 5SS 45/90, SD/30). Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union, UC Campus. EF: $40, Reserve $35, Unrated $15. $5 more after 2/9, $5 UC Discount. $$3500 b/100 Open, 50 Reserve entrants: Open: 500-350-175, U2300 150, X: 300-150-75, A: 300-150-75, B: 300-150-75. Reserve: 250-125-75, U1400 200-100, Unr Trophy. Reg.: Sat 9-10 AM, Rds.: Open-B Sections Sat 10:30-5:00, Sun 10-4:30, Mon 10-4:30. Reserve Sat 10:30-2:45-7, Sun 10-3:30 Ent: ASUC Superb Productions, 4 Eshleman Hall #4500, Berkeley, CA 94720, Payable to ASUC Superb. Info:
richardkoepcke@aol.com. Ph: 650-964-2640. NS NC W. JGP.Bay Area organizer Salman Azhar writes
Thanks for your regular newsletters… they have become my main source of local chess information. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions you have on a Journal that my son and I plan to publish every quarter. You can see the first attempt at
http://www.bayareachess.com/newsletter/08-1-BayAreaJournal.pdf.I will be running the following events in the first half of 2008.
Jan. 19 Bay Area Chess Tournament (Adult/Regular)
4SS G/60. 3003 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95054. EF: $39, Juniors $35. $16 more after 1/15, $1 Cal Chess Discount, Additional discount if combined with other tournament entries. $850 b/40: Open 200-100, U1800 50, highest rating increase 50. Reserve (u1600): 200-100 U1400 50, U1200 50, highest rating increase 50. Reg: Sat 9:15-9:45 AM, Rds: 10:15-12:15, lunch, 12:50-2:50 PM, 3:00-5:00 PM, 5:10-7:10 PM. Ent: Online at
http://www.bayareachess.com/pay_online.php or mail to Azleena Azhar, 1551 Garvey Pl. San Jose, CA 95132. Payable to Azleena Azhar or paypal to sazhar@yahoo.com. Info: http://www.bayareachess.com/. NS NC WMar. 8 Bay Area Chess Tournament (Adult/Regular)
4SS G/60. 3003 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95054. EF: $39, Juniors $35. $16 more after 3/4, $1 Cal Chess Discount, Additional discount if combined with other tournament entries. $850 b/40: Open 200-100, U1800 50, highest rating increase 50. Reserve (u1600): 200-100 U1400 50, U1200 50, highest rating increase 50. Reg: Sat 9:15-9:45 AM, Rds: 10:15-12:15, lunch, 12:50-2:50 PM, 3:00-5:00 PM, 5:10-7:10 PM. Ent: Online at
http://www.bayareachess.com/pay_online.php or mail to Azleena Azhar, 1551 Garvey Pl. San Jose, CA 95132. Payable to Azleena Azhar or paypal to sazhar@yahoo.com. Info: http://www.bayareachess.com/. NS NC WMay. 24 Bay Area Chess Tournament (Adult/Regular)
4SS G/60. 3003 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95054. EF: $39, Juniors $35. $16 more after 5/20, $1 Cal Chess Discount, Additional discount if combined with other tournament entries. $850 b/40: Open 200-100, U1800 50, highest rating increase 50. Reserve (u1600): 200-100 U1400 50, U1200 50, highest rating increase 50. Reg: Sat 9:15-9:45 AM, Rds: 10:15-12:15, lunch, 12:50-2:50 PM, 3:00-5:00 PM, 5:10-7:10 PM. Ent: Online at
http://www.bayareachess.com/pay_online.php or mail to Azleena Azhar, 1551 Garvey Pl. San Jose, CA 95132. Payable to Azleena Azhar or paypal to sazhar@yahoo.com. Info: http://www.bayareachess.com/. NS NC WMay. 24-26 or 25-26 Bay Area Chess Tournament (Adult/Regular)
6SS 30/90 G/60 (2-day option first 3 rounds G/60 merges in round 4). 3003 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95054. EF: $55, Juniors $49. $16 more after 5/20, $1 Cal Chess Discount, Additional discount if combined with other tournament entries. $1475 b/55: OPEN 300-150, u2000 100-75, u1800 100-75, highest rating increase 50. RESERVE (u1600): 200-100 u1400 100, 75, u1200 100, 75, highest rating increase 50. Reg: Sat 10-10:30 AM, Sun 8:15-8:45 AM, Rds: 3-day = 5/24 11am, 4pm; 5/25 11am, 4:30pm; 5/26 10am, 3pm. 2-day = 5/25 9:20, 11:30am, 2pm, round 4 merges with 3-day schedule. Ent: M
ail to Azleena Azhar, 1551 Garvey Pl. San Jose, CA 95132. Payable to Azleena Azhar or paypal to sazhar@yahoo.com. Info: http://www.bayareachess.com/. NS NC W