Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Newsletter #405

A week ago, I blogged about FM-elect Sam Shankland as a patient teacher who mentored some of the Bay Area's top juniors during a meeting of the San Francisco School of Chess. However, Sam is better known as a fearless tournament competitor who is capable of beating literally anyone, anytime, anyplace. He emphatically proved this point in the first round of the World Open when he scalped last year's US Champion GM Alexander Shabalov with a crushing kingside attack. What could Sam do for an encore?

The primary goal for Shanky's adventure in Philadelphia was to earn one of the three norms required for the International Master title.. To score a norm, the player must perform at a level above 2450 FIDE in a 9+ round tournament against a variety of opponents from different countries, at least 3 who hold the GM/IM title. After beating GM Shabalov, Sam scored against two strong titled players from India and drew with IM Dean Ippolito. His final result in the World Open was merely 50% (4.5 out of 9), but he faced an incredibly difficult field of 4 Grandmasters, 3 IMs and a WGM! Thanks to these high rated opponents, Sam could wrap up his norm even before the final round began. Mad props to the Shankinator for his first IM norm! His next norm opportunity comes at the Mechanics' Institute invitational in August.

Several other local juniors also participated in the World Open. FM Danya Naroditsky remained in contention for an IM norm through 7 rounds with several impressive draws in a row with titled players, plus a win against local IM David Pruess. Unfortunately, Danya's dream ended with a loss to a Grandmaster in round 8 and he finished at 4.5/9. Teenage expert Rohan Agarwal scored 50% in the U2400 section, defeating three opponents rated above 2270. Last but not least, CalChess Denker representative Steven Zierk won major money at the World Open for a third time in his young life by sharing 3rd place in U2200 at 7.0/9. Way to go Steven.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3 Nf6 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.Bc2 e6 8.d3 Be7 9.Nbd2 Qc7 10.Qe1 O-O-O 11.a3 Kb8 12.b4 h6 13.b5 Na5 14.c4 g5 15.Bb2 Rhg8 16.Nh2 g4 17.Qe3 gxh3 18.Qxh3 Be2 19.Rfe1 Bg4 20.Nxg4 Nxg4 21.Bd1 Ne5 22.Nf1 Bf6 23.Ra2 Qe7 24.Bc1 h5 25.Nh2 h4 26.Nf1 Ng6 27.f4 Bc3 28.Ree2 Qf6 29.Qf3 h3 30.Nh2 hxg2 31.Be3 Bd4 32.Rf2 Bxe3 33.Qxe3 Qh4 34.Bg4 e5 35.fxe5 Nxe5 0-1

Finally, thanks to National TD John McCumiskey for once again running a smooth and enjoyable weekend tournament in Sacramento. He has run every single major chess e

vent in town since the mid 1990s and since established himself as the Finally, thanks to National TD John McCumiskey (wearing red, white and blue for the holiday) for once again running a smooth and enjoyable weekend tournament in Sacramento. He has run every single major chess e

vent in town since the mid 1990s and since established himself as the top director in Northern California. This year, there were actually two McCumiskey's present at the tournament, as John's younger brother Tom (see photo here) visited from Virginia and played in the Open section.top director in Northern California. This year, there were actually two McCumiskey's present at the tournament, as John's younger brother Tom visited from Virginia and played in the Open section.

4) USCF Award Winners

Recently circulated information on the upcoming USCF Delegate's meeting in Dallas this August list the names of three Westerners who will be honored for their contribution's to American chess. Jerry Weikel, who has put on the Western States Open since the early 1980's and held the strongest US Open ever ( Reno 1999), is receiving the Organizer of the Year Award. Kerry Lawless, who runs the best historical chess site in the United States  www.chessdryad.org , the  Special Service Award, while Gary Dorfner, the driving force behind the Tacoma Chess Club for more than thirty years, gets the Meritorious Service Award. Congratulations!  

Go to  www.admoil.ru.to follow the event.

Dear Chess Player,

The early entry fee deadline is approaching for the New England Masters which will take place in Rhode Island from August 11-15, 2008.

To pay the lowest possibly entry fee, your entry must be received by this Friday, July 11.  After that date all entry fees will increase by $100!

There are currently 27 entries confirmed for the tournament, which means the field is over half full (maximum of 50 entries will be accepted).  More entries are expected in before the early entry deadline and so guarantee your place in this top quality tournament as soon as possible!  Once again, space is limited and entries are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Also, July 11 is the final date to guarantee the special hotel rate ($89/night) and availability.  After this date it may not be possible to obtain the low chess tournament rate.  Book your hotel room today by calling the Comfort Inn Pawtucket at (401) 723-6700 and remember to request the "Chess Tournament" rate.

Complete details along with our online entry system (all major credit cards accepted) are available by visiting the tournament website at http://www.newenglandmasters.com.

Best wishes,

Chris Bird
Organizer, New England Masters 2008
http://www.newenglandmasters.com

Regular Newsletter reader and longtime USCF member Michael Bacon has started a blog go to http://baconlog.blogspot.com .

                                                                                                                                                    
For More information please visit   www.themiamichessopen.com

Open: 9 rounds , GM and IM norms possible! Fide Rated. Other sections 7 rounds, at luxurious Hyatt Regency Miami. Fifteen minutes away from the Miami International Airport, fifteen minutes away from Miami Sea-Aquarium and world famous South Beach with it’s amazing nightlife. The Sidney Samole Chess Hall of Fame also makes its home in Miami Florida and also welcomes you to visit. Miami’s biggest malls are nearby (Dolphin Mall, International Mall, Mall of the Americas).

Open Section: 9-SS, 90mins with 30 seconds increment for the whole game. GM and IM norms possible. In 7 sections. Prizes based on 650 paid entries, else proportional, 70% of prizes guaranteed. Re-entries count as half an entry. Unrated must enter U1100/Unr or Open Section.

Other sections: 7-SS, 90mins with 30 seconds increment for the whole game.


Prizes $100,000 based on 650 entries, $70,000 guaranteed

Open Section: $10000-5000-3000-1500-1000-700-600-500-400-400, clear first bonus $200, 2300-2499 $2000-1000. Under 2300/Unr Section: $3000-1500-700. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak plays speed game for title & bonus prize. FIDE rated, 150 GPP.

Under 2200 Section: $5000-3000-2000-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300.
Under 2000 Section: $5000-3000-2000-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300.
Under 1800 Section: $5000-3000-2000-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300.
Under 1600 Section: $5000-3000-2000-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300.
Under 1300 Section: $4000-2000-1500-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300.
Under 1100/Unrated Section: $1000-500-300-200-100
Prize limits:
1) If under 26 total games as of 8/08 list, limit $1000 U1300, $2000 U1600 through U2200.
2) If more than 20 points over section maximum on any list 8/08 or after, prize limit $1000.

Mailed entry fee: By 7/10: $225, by 8/10 $250, all $275 at site. All sections except U1100/Unr will pay the same. No checks at site credit cards OK.

Under 1100/Unrated Section entry fee: $100 phoned to 305-262-2700 $125 at the tournament site.

Scholastic Championship - July 12

Charles Bagby Memorial - July 19
Vladimir Pafnutieff Memorial - August 9
Bernardo Smith Amateur - August 16-17

3 and 2-day schedules available.  For more information, contact John McCumiskey at sactochess@sbcglobal.net or check out the flyer and advance entries

on the Weekend Events page of the Sacramento Chess Club Website at http://sacramentochessclub.org

July 4-6
48th Annual Pacific Southwest Open
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day schedule rds 1-3 G/60, then merges). LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
$$8,000 b/240, half of all prize guaranteed. In 2 sections:
Open, $$1400-700-400-300-200, U2200 $600-300-150, U2000 $600-300-150.
Amateur, open to U1800/Unr, $$600-300-150, U1600 500-250-150, U1400 400-250, U1200 150, Unr. 150. Unr. may win Unrated prize only.
All, EF $69 if rec'd by 7-3, $79 at site. SCCF memb. req'd of So. Californians ($18, jrs. U18 $10, includes Rank & File magazine).
Reg.: 3-day 9-10 a.m. 7-4, 2-day 8:30-9:30 a.m. 7-5.
Rds.: 3-day: 10:30-5 Fri-Sat, 10-4:30 Sun. 2-day: 10-12:15-2:30 Sat., then merges.
Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles CA 90038, on line at www.westernchess.com.
HR: $109 (310) 410-4000, mention chess. Parking $10/day.
Inf: admin@westernchess.com.
NS, W, F.  GP: 30. State Championship Qualifier.

July 6
PSW Hexes.
3-SS, G/90. LAX Hilton, 5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
Six-player sections by rating.
EF: $20 if received by 7-3, $25 door.
$$ 40-20-10 each section.
Reg.: 9:30-10:15 a.m. Rds.: 10:30-1:30-4:30.
Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles CA 90038, online at www.westernchess.com

Aug. 2-3   Fremont Open

4-SS, 30/90; SD/60 Fremont Adult School, 4700 Calaveras Ave., Fremont, Ca, 94538. $$B 80 paid entries (not counting unrated entries ). Two Sections: Open $300-200 U2200 $200-100 U2000 $200-100; Reserve (U1800) $200-100 U1600 $200-100 U1400 $200-100 Unr: Trophy First. All, EF: postmarked by 7/28 $45, $50 at site. Unrateds $20 in the Reserve section or may play up to the Open section for the regular fee. USCF memb. req'd. May play up for addt'l $5. Reg.: Sat 8/2 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 be requested before rd 1). 2008 July Ratings List, CCA minimums and Directors discretion will be used to place players as accurately as possible. Please bring clocks and equipment. INFO: Ken Zowal (510)-623-9935 Email: kenneth.zowal@sbcglobal.net or richardkoepcke@yahoo.com Ent: Ken Zowal, P.O. Box 3211, Fremont, CA 94539. No Phone entries. W. NC. WCL JGP.