The difference between an IM and GM varies with each individual. One IM can be great tactically while another may excel in positional areas. For example, yesterday I played a simultaneous which had, among others, six national masters. One swindled me beautifully and others find nice tactical ideas. Clearly these masters were not weak tactically! There is no general difference. Grandmaster openings tend to be better, but overall the differences vary from player to player.
Mikhail Tal ( How to Get Better At Chess: Chess Masters On Their Art , pages 86-87)
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) A poem from Dennis Fritzinger
3) 2009 US Championship
4)
14th North American FIDE Invitational5) Here and There
6) Upcoming Events
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
Three rounds into the Irving Chernev Tuesday Night Marathon the only perfect scores in the 58-player field belong to Evan Sandberg and Dante Argishti.
Sean McLaren
on British Columbia ( no relation to Brian) won the 4th Annual Bernardo Smith Amateur open to players under 1800 last weekend. A point behind his 5.5 from 6 score were Daniel Liu and Vignesh Panchanthan.
MI Members Sam Shankland and Gregory Young attended the latest class of the US Chess School taught by GM Joel Benjamin and held at the Ippolito Chess Academy in Branchburg, New Jersey. The US Chess School is the brainchild of IM Greg Shahade who does a lot of good things for US chess.
MI member Josh Friedel finished tied for fourth with 6 from 9 in the recently concluded New England Masters won by Israeli GM Sergey Erenburg with an impressive 7.5 from 9.
This coming Wednesday the Mechanics' Institute entry in the US Chess League will open its season against the defending champions from Dallas starting at 5:30 pm. Spectators are welcome.
IM Ricardo DeGuzman leads the Alan Benson IM norm event being held at the MI with 4 from 5 followed by IM Vladimir Mezentsev and 2008 co-US Junior Champion Gregory Young with 3 from 4. The tournament will feature non-stop action this weekend and next week. Thanks to MI member William Gray for his donation supporting this event.
GM-elect Josh Friedel will teach the MI's master class for top Bay Area prospects this Saturday.
MI member Peter Sherwood has been diligently entering games from the latest TNM. A selection will appear in upcoming Newsletters with all games eventually making there way to the MI website (
www.chessclub.org) where an online viewer is in the works.
2) A poem from Dennis Fritzinger
Berkeley NM Dennis Fritzinger contributes the following poem.
THE FIGHTER REMINISCES
The Fighter Reminisces first appeared in ASK GM EVANS (Chess Life For Kids, August 2008. page 8).
3) 2009 US Championship
Sometimes the bad news about who is suing who in the USCF tends to obscure the fact that a lot of good stuff is happening in American chess including Greg Shahade's US Chess School and US Chess League, the huge number of talented juniors who are developing and the following announcement concerning the 2009 US Championship.
CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CENTER OF SAINT LOUIS TO HOST 2009 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP INVITATIONAL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
For more information contact:
Mark Bretz,
Slay & Associates314-838-9371 or
mbretz@slayandassociates.comST. LOUIS, August 19, 2008 -- The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, which Steve Goldberg called in
Chess Life Online "certainly one of the most impressive chess centers" in the country, has been selected by the United States Chess Federation to host the 2009 U.S. Championship. The U.S. Chess Championship dates back to 1845.The Chess Club and Scholastic Center, which was founded by retired investment fund manager Rex Sinquefield and opened in July 2008, is located at 4657 Maryland Avenue in St. Louis’ fashionable and historic Central West End neighborhood. The three-level, 6,000-square-foot facility possesses an array of customized features, including DGT chess boards, hand-made wooden chess tables, LCD-screen televisions, video installation art, overhead paging and an adjustable lighting system. The primary colors of the club are black and white, the colors of a traditional chessboard.
The players’ room is private and enclosed with its own kitchen and restroom. There is ample natural lighting with windows along two walls and two skylights in the space. Recessed adjustable lighting fixtures cover the ceiling to ensure an even light with appropriate brightness.
"We are proud to bring the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship to St. Louis," said Tony Rich, executive director of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. "I am certain that the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis and the United States Chess Federation will make this an event unlike any other. The USCF has done an exemplary job of promoting chess nationally, and now we can bring that same national perspective to St. Louis."
The championship will be held in May 2009. It will be a 9-round event, using the Swiss system with one round per day and a rest day between rounds 5 and 6. Time controls will be the classical 40 moves in two hours, with the remaining moves in one hour.
Invitations to potential tournament participants will be issued to some of the top-rated U.S. players, the top-rated women, among other qualifiers and wild card participants, who will be announced later.
The championship will have a purse of $100,000, with $30,000 awarded to the winner, twice the amount of last year’s tournament. In case of even scores, no tie-breakers will be used. Instead, prize funds will be evenly divided between winners.
The underlying goal of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is to create a world class destination for chess players, both beginning and advanced and to elevate the game of chess throughout the Saint Louis metropolitan area. Additionally, the Center financially supports existing local scholastic chess programs while providing new programs, at no cost, to local schools currently without programs.
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization. For more information, please visit www.saintlouischessclub.org.
The United States Chess Federation is the official, not-for-profit U.S. membership organization for chess players and chess supporters of all ages and strengths, from beginners to grandmasters. Founded in 1939 with the merger of the American Chess Federation and the National Chess Federation, USCF has grown to more than 80,000 members and nearly 1,200 affiliated chess clubs and organizations.
Under the management of a professional staff headquartered in Crossville, Tennessee, USCF sanctions thousands of tournaments with more than 500,000 officially rated games annually, 25 National Championships award titles to both amateurs and professionals, ranging from elementary school students to senior citizens.
USCF promotes the study and knowledge of the 1,500-year-old game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, but also as a means for the improvement of society. It encourages the development of a network of institutions devoted to enhancing the growth of chess, from local clubs to state and regional associations, and it promotes chess in American schools
4)
14th North American FIDE InvitationalSevan Muradian writes:
The 14th North American FIDE Invitational is about to begin!
For events specifics including round times visit -
http://www.nachess.org/fide
All games will be held at the Holiday Inn Northshore Hotel in Skokie, IL
Round times are 1pm and 6:30pm Chicago time on Sat & Sun; 6:30pm Chicago time Mon - Fri.
Participants include:
IM Kirill Kuderinov (KAZ)
IM Mesgen Amanov (TKM)
IM Angelo Young (PHI)
FM Florin Felecan (USA) - holds 1 IM norm
FM Marc T. Arnold (USA) - holds 2 IM norms scored at this tournament series
FM Teddy Coleman (USA) - holds 1 IM norm
FM Aleksander Stamnov (MKD)
Parker Zhao (USA) - holds 1 IM norm
Michael Lee (USA)
Robert Loncarevic (USA)
IM Norm - 6.5/9
Spectators are welcome!
Games will be available LIVE on the MonRoi World Databank of Chess.
DGT XL clock donated by Cajun Chess -
5) Here and There
The 2nd FIDE Grand Prix event in Sochi ended with Gata Kamsky near the top.
1. Aronian - 8½,
2. Radjabov - 8,
3-4. Wang Yue and Kamsky - 7½,
5-7. Svidler, Jakovenko and Karjakin -7,
8-9. Ivanchuk and Gashimov - 6½,
10-11. Grischuk and Cheparinov - 6,
12. Gelfand - 5½,
13-14. Navara and Al-Modiahki - 4
Gata is now playing in the even stronger Tal Memorial in Moscow where Daniel and Alan Naroditsky are spectating.
Standings after 3 rounds:
1. Morozevich - 2½
2-3. Ivanchuk and Leko - 2
4-7. Mamedyarov, Gelfand,Ponomariov, Kramnik and Kamsky -1½
9. Alekseev - 1
10. Shirov - 0.
Marc Newman
from the Berkeley Chess Club writes:The Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Newsletter is not the place to look for advice but we did notice the recent interview with GM (and former IMF chief) Ken Rogoff who has long been a professor at Harvard University. Below are a few quotes. Caveat emptor!
"The US is not out of the woods. I think the financial crisis is at the halfway point, perhaps. I would even go further to say the worst is to come," Prof Rogoff said at a conference in Singapore.
In an ominous warning, he added: "We’re not just going to see mid-sized banks go under in the next few months, we're going to see a whopper, we're going to see a big one — one of the big investment banks or big banks," he said.
The professor also sounded a warning over rising US inflation, which rose last month to its highest since 1991, and criticized the Federal Reserve for having cut American interest rates too drastically. "Cutting interest rates is going to lead to a lot of inflation in the next few years in the United States," he said.
Longtime MI Newsletter reader Michael Bacon has a new address for his blog
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6) Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Mechanics' Events
Howard Donnely Memorial - September 20
J.J. Dolan Memorial - October 11
Carroll Capps Memorial - November 8-9
Pierre Saint-Amant Memorial - November 22
Jim Hurt Memorial - December 6-7
Guthire McClain Memorial - December 13
Aug. 30-Sept. 1
2008 CalChess Labor Day Championships GPP: 15 California Northern6-SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day option rds 1-3 G/60); Golden Geteway Holiday Inn. Van Ness at Pine, San Francisco. $$B 160 paid entries (not counting free or unrated entries). Six Sections: Master $700-$400-$250 U2400 $250; Expert $380-$200-$150. "A" $380-$200-$150. "B" $380-$200-$150. "C" $380-200-150. "D/E" $380-$200-$150 U1200 $150. Unr: Trophy First. Trophy to top finisher (State Champion) in each section. All, EF: postmarked by 8/25 $70 (Jrs. $60). $80 at site (Jrs. $70). Unrateds $20 in the D/E section or may play up to the Master section for the regular fee. $5 discount to CalChess members. USCF memb. req'd. May play up one section for add'l $10 (Jrs $5). GM/IM free entry. Reg.: Sat 8/30 8-9:30am, Sun 8/31 8:15-9:15am. RDS.: Choice of schedules- 3-day, 2-day merge at round 4, all compete for the same prizes. 3-day schedule Sat 10:00-4:00; Sun 11:00-4:45; Mon 10:00-3:30. 2-day schedule Sun 9:30-11:45- 2:00-4:45; Mon 10:00-3:30. 1/2 pt bye(s) any round(s) if requested in advance (byes rds 5-6 must be requested before rd 1). 2008 August Ratings List, CCA minimums and Directors discretion will be used to place players as accurately as possible. Please bring clocks and equipment. HR: Golden Gateway Holiday Inn (415)-441-4000. INFO: Richard Koepcke (650)-224-4938. Ent: Richard Koepcke, P.O. Box 1432, Mountain View, CA 94042. No Phone entries. Master Section FIDE Rated. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
Sept. 27
Exchange Bank Fall Classic GPP: 6 California Northern4 Rd Swiss, G/60. Exchange Bank, Andrew J Shepard Building, 444 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa CA 95403. In 3 Sections Open: Open to all. $$GTD: $250-175. Reserve: Open to 1500-1899. $$GTD: $200-125. Booster: Open to under 1500. $$GTD: $150-100. ALL: EF: $35 in advance, $40 after Sept. 20, 2008. Reg.: 8:30-9:30am. Rds.: 10:00am-12:30pm-3:00pm-5:30pm. ENT: Mike Goodall, 461 Peachstone Terrace, San Rafael, CA 94903-1327. INFO: (415)491-1269. Bring equipment, none provided. No phone or e-mail entries. Unrated must play in Open Section. NS NC W.
Heritage Event!
6SS.40/2,20/1,SD/30. Sands Regency Hotel/Casino, 345 N. Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501. 1-800-648-3553 or (775) 348-2200. $$40,000 b/400, Gtd. $$25,850-$3500-2000-1500-1000-800-700-600-600-500-500 in Open Section plus 1/2 of all other prizes. 7 Sections: OPEN: EF: GMs & IMs free (enter by 10/1 or pay late fee), Masters $133, (2000-2199)-$151, (1999-below)-$201. $$ Prizes 1-10 listed above, 2499-below) $1000, (2399-below) $1000-600-400, (2299-below) $1000-600-400. If a tie for 1st overall then 2 (G/10) playoff for $100 from prize fund. (Note: GM/IM w/free entry not eligible for class prizes 2499 and below, may elect to pay entry fee and become eligible). EXPERT: (2000-2199) EF: $132. $$1800-900-500-400-300-200 (under 2100)- $600."A" Sec. (1800-1999) EF: $131, $$1700-900-500-400-300-200-200."B" Sec. (1600-1799) EF: $130, $$1,600-800-500-300-200-200-200. "C" Sec. (1400-1599) EF: $129, $$ 1,400-700-400-300-200-200-200. "D" Sec. (1200-1399) EF:$128, $$1,000-500- 400-300-200-200-200."E" Sec. (1199-below) EF: $65 ("E" Sect. entries count as 1/2 paid player toward prize fund),$$500-400-300-200-100-100-100. (Unrated Players) EF: Free + must join USCF or increase membership for 1 additional year thru this tournament ($49 adults,$25 juniors) Prizes: Top unrated in "D" & "E" Sections wins 1 yr. USCF membership plus trophy. Note: Adult unrated will be put in "D" Sect., Junior unrated in "E", unless requested to play up. Seniors additional prizes (65+) $$400-200-100 (Srs not eligible: provisionally rated, unrated, masters & E Sect); Club Championship $$1000-500-300-200 decided by total score of 10 (and only 10) players from one club or area (not eligible - GMs, IMs, "E" Sec., or unrated). Trophies to Top 3 (A-E Sections). ALL: EF $11 more if postmarked after 10/1 and $22 more if postmarked after 10/11 or at site. Do not mail after 10/11 or email after 10/15. $20 off EF to Srs (65+) and Jrs 19/under (E sect. not eligible). Players may play up. Unrated players not eligible for cash prizes except Open 1-10. Provisionally rated players may win up to 50% of 1st place money except open Section 1-10. CCA ratings may be used. Note pairings not changed for color alternation unless 3 in a row or a plus 3 and if the unlikely situation occurs 3 colors in a row may be assigned. Reg.: (10/16) 5-9 pm, (10/17) 8:30-10 am. Rds.: 12-7, 10-6, 9:30-4. Byes available any round (2 byes max.) if requested before 1st round. SIDE EVENTS: Wed.(10/15) 7pm Clock Simul, (40/2, G/1) (Including an analysis of YOUR game.GM Sergy Kudrin $30 (A great value!). Thursday(10/16) 5:30 "Yermo" champagne reception, 6-7:30 pm GM Larry Evans lecture -Free, 7:30 Simul (only $20!) GM Alex Yermolinsky, 7:30 Blitz (5 min) Tourney ($20). Sat 10/18 (3-4:30pm) GM Larry Evans Clinic(Game/Position Analysis) - Free. Sun. (10/19) Quick Tourney (G/25) 5 Rd. Swiss ($20) (12 (Noon)-5pm) 80% of entries returned as prizes. ENT: Make checks payable and send to: SANDS REGENCY (address above) HR: $34! (Sun-Thurs) & $54 (Fri-Sat) + 13.5% tax. (mention CHE1016 & reserve by 10/4 to guarantee room rates.) INFO: Jerry Weikel
wackyykl@aol.com, (775) 747 1405, or website: www.renochess.org/wso (also go here to verify entry). FIDE .W. WCL JGP.