Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Newsletter #389
The Game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired and
strengthened by it, so as to become habits ready on all occasions for life is a kind of Chess, in which we have points to gain, and competition or adversaries to contend with, and in which there is a vast variety of good and ill events, that are, in some degree, the effect of prudence, or want of it. By playing atChess then, we may learn:
First, Foresight...
Second, Circumspection...
Third, Caution...
And lastly, We learn by Chess the habit of not being discouraged by present bad appearances in the state of our affairs the habit of hoping for a favorable chance, and that of persevering in the secrets of resources.
Benjamin Franklin
Second, Circumspection...
Caution...
And art Date: 6:00 P.M. February 10, 2008
Location: Room 17 at Hillside School, 1581 .orglastly, We learn by Chess the habit of not being discouraged by present bad appearances in the state of our affairs the habit of hoping for a favorable chance, and that of persevering in the secrets of resources."
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Schein-Friedman Awards Announced - By Mark Schein/Aviv Friedman
3) Fischer Photos
4) Local News
5) Upcoming Events
IM John Grefe gave a well-received lecture at the Mechanics' Institute last night and will give another one on Tuesday, April 1, from 5.15 to 6.15pm.
Go to
http://main.uschess.org/content/view/8264/443/ to read a story on newly minted Master Nicholas Nip who turned 10 on March 10 including a win over FM Ron Cusi.IM David Pruess is seconding Irina Krush in the strong Ataturk women's masters in Istanbul. Go to
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=4517 to find a photo of David from the event.The Spring Tuesday Night Marathon has 73 players competing including 19 over 2000. Heading the field are IM Grefe, FM Frank Thornally and Daniel Naroditsky and NMs Sam Shankland and Andy Lee. The form charts were almost 100 percent correct with higher rated players wining all but two of the games. Troy Pendergraft, visiting from Oregon, drew FM Thornally and rapidly improving Kyle Tom defeated Glenn Leotaud, the ironman of Northern California chess players. Each Tuesday night Glenn drives from his home near Sacramento to either Richmond or Pittsburg then BARTs in making his commute over 2 hours each way. That's dedication!
It is not to late to enter the 8 round event with a bye for round 1.
Crime and punishment from round one.
Grefe,John - Persidsky,Andre [A30]
Spring Tuesday Night Marathon San Francisco (1), 19.03.2008
1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.b3 g6 4.Bb2 Bg7 5.g3 Nc6 6.Bg2 0–0 7.0–0 e6 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Nxd4 10.Qxd4 e5 11.Qd2 Re8 12.Nc3 a6 13.Rfd1 Qc7 14.Rac1 Rb8 15.Ba3 Bf8 16.Bxf8 Rxf8 17.Qg5 Kg7 18.Qxf6+ 1–0
Thanks to the generosity of the Schutt family the Bay Area's strongest blitz tournament is back. Last year's event was won by GM Walter Browne with IMs Ricardo DeGuzman and Dmitry Zilberstein right behind.
Second Ray Schutt Memorial Blitz Tournament
May 4th (Sunday) at the Mechanic
's InstitutePrizes:
1st $300
2nd $200
3rd $100
4th $75
5th $50
6th $25
Each player in the event will receive a book prize.
Entry Fee: $10 Free to IMs and GMs. Enter at tournament from 1pm to 1:45. Entries close at 1:45 pm please take note. No phone entries.
Come honor Ray's memory and help make this the largest and strongest blitz tournament in the history of Northern California chess!
|
By Mark Schein/Aviv Friedman |
|
March 11, 2008 |
|
|
The Schein - Friedman Scholastic Recognition Project is glad to announce its first year scholarship recipients. The third scholarship, for $2,500 goes to IM Robert Hess from New York. Robert is already a strong International Master, with a rating nearing the 2500 mark. He is actively pursuing his Grandmaster title. The three winners were selected from am impressive list of promising young applicants, in cooperation with the US Chess Trust (special thanks to Barbara DeMaro). The project is a two-tier program, designed to help some of our younger champions improve and dedicate themselves more to chess, while offsetting the financial expenses that usually come with those. Hopefully the project will reward excelling youngsters, and help them become tomorrow’s best players and Grandmasters. At the same time they would be serving as role models and inspiration to the entire scholastic community. The program is generally designed for youngsters age 7-17. Occasionally, in cases of unusual excellence (considerably exceeding the program’s criterions), applications by players up to age 20 would be considered. We expect to announce our application process for the 2009 year, sometimes in November 2008. |
4) Fischer Photos
Go to
http://www.echecs-photos.be/BobbyFischer-photos/index.html
David Petty,
Salar Jahedi and Farid Mark Watson tied for first with 4.5 from 6 in the 24 player Berkeley Chess Club Bobby Fischer Marathon held February 10th to March 16th.Below are details for the next Sunday Marathon scheduled to start in a few weeks.
Start Date:
6:00 P.M. February 10, 2008It is not yet official but chances are very good that the People's Open will be held in Berkeley on April 12-13 as a four round Swiss at the Hearst Gymnasium just a short walk from the normal Student Union venue on the US Berkeley campus. Final confirmation should come in the next few days.
Ted Castro (
ted0712@yahoo.com) writes:
Hello everyone,
Beginning April 4th we will meet regularly every Friday at 7pm at the Newark Library and hold
tournaments but will also have casual games for those who simply want to play.
Events at the Mechanics'
Mar. 21-23
Reno Far West Open VIII GPP: 150 Enhanced Nevada5 Sections. F.I.D.E. 40/2,20/1,G/30. Sands Regency Hotel/Casino, 345 N. Arlington Ave., Reno, NV. 8950. 1-866-FUNSTAY, HR: Sun-Thurs $27!, Fri-Sat $54 (Code CHE 320). $$25,000 b/250 ($16,500 Gtd.); Rds.: 12-7, 10-6, 9:30-4:30. Open Section: EF: GM/IMs free (must enter by Mar.1 or pay late fee), Masters/Experts- $119, (1999-below)- $201, $$2,000-1,200-1,000-800-700-600-500-400-400-400, (2300-2399)-$1,000-500, (2299-below)- $1,000-500; (2199/below)- $1,000-500-300-200-100; "A" Section (1800-1999)- EF: $118, $1000-500-300-200-100-100-100-100-100-100; "B" Section (1600-1799)-EF: $117, $1,000-500-300-200-100-100-100-100-100-100; "C" Sect.(1400-1599) EF: $116, $900-500-300-200-100-100-100-100-100-100; "D/under" Sect. (1399/below) EF: $115, $800-400-300-200-100-100-100-100-100-100; (1199-below) $500-$300-$200-$100; Top Sr. (65+) $200, Club Champ. $400-200. Top Unrated 1 yr USCF membership; Unrated free entry but must join USCF for 1 yr. thru this tournament (Adults-$49, Sr.-$36, Jrs.U25-$25, U16 -$19, U13-$17). Discounts- Sr (65+) and Jrs. (under 20)-$10. Players may play up. Side Events: Thurs. 3/20 (6:00-7:15pm) GM Larry Evans Lecture (Free), GM TBA Simul 7:30pm ($15), Blitz (5 min)Tourney 7:30 pm EF: $20 (80% of entries returned as prizes), Sat (3/22) GM Larry Evans Clinic Game/Position Analysis (Free) 3-4:30pm, Sun (3/23) Quick Tourney (G/25) ($20) 5Rd Swiss, (80% of entries returned as prizes) Reg. 11-11:30am, Rds-12-1-2-3-4pm. Enter: Send checks and make out to Sands Regency at above address postmarked by Mar.1 ($11 late fee after 3/1), ($22 late fee at site). Do not mail after Mar.14. Questions and enter by e-mail or phone to Jerry Weikel at (775-747-1405) or (
wackyykl@aol.com). Credit card +$5. W. NS. (775-348-2200). 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.
Mar. 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 W2008 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP
QUALIFIER DETAILS ANNOUNCED
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 â€" 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 “USAâ€. (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 â€" 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)
March 28-30
6th Annual Western Pacific Open
5-SS, 3-day 40/2, SD/1, 2-day rds. 1-2 G/75 then merges. LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
$$10,000 b/200, 50% of each prize guaranteed. In 3 sections:
Open: 1600- 1000-800-400-200, U2400 300-200, U2200 700-500-300. EF: $83 if received by 3/28, $95 door.
Premier (U2000): $$ 700-500-300-100, U1800 400- 200-150, U1600 400-200-150. EF: $83 if received by 3/28, $95 door.
Amateur (U1400/Unrated): $$400-200-100, U1200 100, Unr 100, unrated may win unrated prize only. EF: $67 if received by 3/28, $80 door.
On-line entry: