Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Newsletter #468

 

 

Reductio ad absurdum is a powerful tool of the logician. The chess master sacrifices a pawn or even a piece, but with this tool the mathematician is willing to sacrifice the whole game.

 

 (T.H. Hardy, 1940)  from The Road to Reality by Roger Penrose

 

 

 

1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News

2) Student Union - a poem by Dennis Fritzinger

3) Local and National News

4) International News

5) Bobby Fischer by Bill Price

6) CalChess Open State and Class Championship

7) American Open

8) Upcoming Events

 

 

 

 

8...Ne4 doesn't enjoy a good reputation and Vinay quickly got the better of it. By 30.Qe4 Qe6 31.h4 he was clearly winning. His technique was not the best but with both players very low on time Vinay missed 46.gxf4 Kxf4 47.Bd5 blockading the pawns and winning easily. Instead after 46.g4?? he should have lost. Danny had no time or he would have found 47...Kd4 48.bxc4 b3 49.Kc1 Ke3 winning. Fortunately for the Mechanics,  Arizona was never better on the bottom two boards and found themselves very short of time.

 

Next Wednesday we face our friends and rivals the Miami Sharks led by the all-time top US Chess League player Julio Becerra and a strong and experienced supporting cast. The battles between these two teams have been epic (after 10 matches stretching over 5 years we are 5-5 and drew earlier this season). This will be a tough one.

 

 

 

 

 

Jerry Weikel, the organizer of the recently concluded Western States Open, won by GM Melik Khachiyan, kindly provides details of the side events

 

 

 

 

 

 

The New York Times published an article by Dylan Loeb McClain on July 3, 2009, about Margeir Petursson, the chairman and founder of MP Bank, the only commercial bank in Iceland that did not collapse last year when the worldwide economic crisis engulfed the country. GM Petursson, who was rated 2590 in 1989, enjoyed a reputation as a tough and resourceful defender in difficult positions throughout his chess career and those skills have not failed him in business. He saw the looming crisis in Iceland long before others did and took appropriate defensive action.

 

 

Regarding the article entitled "Missing Fischer Games" in Newsletter #425 from 12/24/2008, you write:

"Bill Price has a very nice website which appears to be temporarily down but is definitely worth checking for. Thanks to a tip from Chris Mavraedis here are three games from Bobby's 1964 simul tour not featured in Legend on the Road."

My website is back up again at billpriceweb.com. The Fischer games are featured on the following pages:

http://billpriceweb.com/fischer.html
http://billpriceweb.com/fischer2.html
http://billpriceweb.com/fischer3.html

I would like to point out some minor corrections regarding the source of these game scores:

1) The Fischer-Powell game was published in a magazine entitled "Nost-Algia", not "NOST". "NOST" ("Knights of the Square Table") was the name of a postal chess club that published the magazine. (The NOST was organized in March 1960 by Bob Lauzon, and was finally disbanded in June 2003.)

2) The Fischer-Wallace game score is from my private collection. On my website I published the following note accompanying the score:

"You may copy the score of this game and publish it anywhere you want, as long as you mention Bill Price as the source!"

Unfortunately, the source of this score was not clearly specified in your article, and as a result others are now starting to quote the Mechanics Institute Chess Room Newsletter as the source. (See www.chessjournalism.org/2009entries/pdf/Cat02_CH_AprJun09.pdf, page 11) I suppose that cannot be helped, and I'm glad that these "lost" Fischer scores are now being made available to the general public. HOWEVER, if John Donaldson should choose to publish these game scores in a new edition of his book "A Legend on the Road" (and I hope he does), I must insist that he at least mention the correct sources for these game scores; to wit:

1) Fischer-Wallace. Source: Bill Price
2) Fischer-Killian. Source: Anthony J. Killian
3) Fischer-Powell. Source: Walt Erdman in "Nost-Algia", No. 51, July 1964

Kind regards,

Bill Price

 

 

6) CalChess Open State and Class Championship

Northern California will hold its annual State Championship on Thanksgiving weekend this year in Santa Clara.

A State Championship Event!

Nov. 27-29 or 28-29, GPP: 40 California Northern

CalChess Annual State Championship 2009

6SS 40/2 G/1 (2-day option, rounds 1-3 G/60).

Hotel: Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, 5101 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara,

CA 95054. 4-star rooms @ $99. Free parking.

Prizes: $8,010 based on 166 paid entries. 7 sections.

Master/Open (FIDE rated): $$ Gtd. 1000-500-300-200 (top 4 guaranteed),

(u2300 $201-101)

EXPERT: $500-200-100-100 (u2100: 201-101)

A: $500-200-100-100 (u1900: 201-101)

B: $500-200-100-100 (u1700: 201-101)

C: $500-200-100-100 (u1500: 201-101)

D/E: $300-200-100-100 (u1200: 201-100).

Unrated may enter any section but prize limit of $200 in all u2000 sections;

balance goes to next player(s) in line.

EF: $85 3-day, $79 2-day mailed or online by 11/13. Add $15 for 11/14-11/25,

add $25 onsite, add $19 for play-up, and subtract $45 for BayAreaChess Pass.

GMs & IMs free before 11/7 (entry fees deducted from prize).

Re-entry $39. TD may assign ratings.

3-day schedule: Reg.: Fri 10-10:30a, Fri/Sat 11a 5:15p, Sun 10a, 4:15p.

2-day sched: Reg.: Sa 9-9:30a, Sat 10, 12:15, 2:30, 5:15p. Sun 10am, 4:15pm.

Byes must commit before rd 3. Max 2 byes.

Hotel $99 BayAreaChess rate, 800-233-1234. reserve by 11/13 or rate may increase.

Ent: BayAreaChess, 4423 Fortran Ct., Ste. 160, San Jose, CA 95134.

$20 service charge for refunds.

Questions: contact@BayAreaChess.com, Tel 408-786-5515.

Info & Entries: BayAreaChess.com/events/ccc09.

NS NC W

WCL JGP

 

Randy Hough writes:

 

Please be part of Southern California's greatest chess tradition! The only tournament with videos, lectures (GM Melik Khachiyan and IM Jeremy Silman are on the roster), and side events. Great hotel and parking rates too. Details and online entry available at www.americanopen.org.   November 26-29 or 27-29  45th Annual American Open 8-SS, 40/2, SD/1. LAX Renaissance Hotel, 9620 Airport Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90045. $$37,500 b/o 400 entries, $19,500 gtd. In 6 sections (Unr. must play in Unr. or Open). Open: $3600-1800-800-600-500-400, U2450/Unr. $800-400, U2300/Unr. $600-300. U2200, U2000, U1800: Each $3000-1500-700-300. U1600 $2400-1200-500-300. U1400/Unr: $2000-1000-500, U1200 $900-450 (not a separate section; U1200s also eligible for U1400 prizes), Unrated: $300-150 (Unrateds in this section eligible for these prizes only). Special prizes $1000 gtd. in memory of Joyce Jillson: Best tactical games 200-100, best positional games 150-75, best tactical game non-Master 175, biggest rating gain by woman 200, biggest rating gain under age 13 100 (established ratings over 1000). Special cumulative upset prizes $500 gtd. donated by Dr. Harold Valery: Open, Under 2200, Under 2000 Each $100; Under 1800 $75; Under 1600, Under 1400 Each $50; Under 1200 $25. EF: $120 if rec’d by 11/24, $50 more for players rated under 2000 playing in Open, Unrated $40. All: $30 more at door. SCCF membership req’d, $18, $10 jrs under 19 includes Rank & File magazine, OSA. No checks at door - cash, credit card or money order only. 4-day schedule: Reg. closes noon 11/26, Rds. 12:30-7:30, 12:30-7:30, 10:30-5, 10-4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. closes 11:30 a.m. 11/27, Rds. 12-2:30-5-8 (G/1), schedules merge in Rd 5 and compete for common prizes. Byes (2 max) with advance notice. CCA minimum ratings and TD discretion used. November Rating Supplement used. Lectures and videos. HR: $99, (310) 337-2800, reserve early and mention chess. Parking only $6. Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, randallhough@yahoo.com. Ent: American Open, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754 or www.americanopen.org. NS, W, F. WCL JGP. GP: 120. State Championship Qualifier.   November 28 American Open Scholastic 5-SS, G/45. Open to HS/below. LAX Renaissance Hotel, 9620 Airport Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90045. In 4 sections: K-12: trophies top 5, 2 each grades 9-12, 1 each K-8. K-8: trophies top 5, 2 each K-8. K-6: trophies top 5, 2 each K-6. K-3: trophies top 4, 2 each K-3. EF: $16 received by 11/25, $20 at door. Reg: 9-9:45 Rounds: 10-11:30-1-3-4:30. Ent: www.americanopen.org or American Open, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, randallhough@yahoo.com. November 28 American Open Quick Chess Championship 5-SS (double round), G/10. LAX Renaissance Hotel, 9620 Airport Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90045. $$1000: $250-150; U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, Unr. each $100 (Unrated eligible only for Open and Unr. prize). EF: $30 received by 11/25, $35 at site. Reg closes 8 p.m. Rounds: 8:15-9-9:45-10:30-11:15. Double bye (1 pt) available for round 1. Ent www.americanopen.org or American Open, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, randallhough@yahoo.com. GP: 6. November 29 American Open Action 5-SS, G/30. LAX Renaissance Hotel, 9620 Airport Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90045. EF: $20 received by 11/25; $25 at door. 80% of entry fees returned in prizes. Reg: 11-11:45 a.m. Rounds: 12-1:15-3-4:15-5:30. Ent:  www.americanopen.org or American Open, PO Box 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Info: Randy Hough (626) 282-7412, randallhough@yahoo.com.

 

 

2009

 

 

2010

NorCal Open 2010 6SS 30/90 G/60 (2-day option, rounds 1-3 G/60).

Hotel: Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, 5101 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054. 4-star rooms @ $99. Free parking. Prizes: $6,007 129 paid entries.

7 sections.

Master/Open (FIDE rated): $$ Gtd. 700-300-201 (u2300: 200 100)

EXPERT: $400-200-101 (u2100: 100-100)

A: $400-200-101 (u1900: 100-100)

B: $400-200-101 (u1700: 100-100)

C: $400-200-101 (u1500: 100-100)

D/E: $400-200-101 (u1200: 100-100).

Unrated may enter any section but prize limit of $200 in all u2200 sections;

balance goes to next player(s) in line.

EF: $85 3-day, $79 2-day mailed or online by 12/20. Add $5 for 12/21-23, 12/24-26 $15

(no mailed entries after 12/26), add $25 onsite, add $19 for play-up, subtract $45 for BayAreaChess Pass.

GMs & IMs free before 12/20 (entry fee deducted from prize).

Re-entry $39. TD may assign ratings.

3-day schedule: Reg.: Fri 10-10:30a, Fri/Sat 11:30a 4:45p, Sun 10a, 3:15p.

2-day sched: Reg.: Sa 9-9:30a, Sat 10, 12:10, 2:20, 4:45p. Sun 10a, 3:15p.

Byes must commit before rd 3. Max 2 byes.

Hotel $99 BayAreaChess rate, 800-233-1234. reserve by 12/18 or rate may increase.

Ent: BayAreaChess, 4423 Fortran Ct., Ste. 160, San Jose, CA 95134.

$20 service charge for refunds.

Questions: contact@BayAreaChess.com, Tel 408-786-5515.

Info & Entries: BayAreaChess.com/events/10norcal

NS NC W

WCL JGP

---

Salman Azhar, Ph.D. | Email me at Salman@BayAreaChess.Com | Email Contact@BayAreaChess.com for all chess administrative communications | Tel 408-786-5515

Executive Director BayAreaChess 2008-present - Chief Organizer CalChess State Scholastics 2008 to 2012

More info at www.BayAreaChess.com  > After-School, Tournaments, Coaching
Connect with me at http://www.linkedin.com/in/salmanazhar or http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=sazhar

BayAreaChess programs are provided by the contributions from people like you... Thank you

January

Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18   Golden State Open   GPP: 200 Enhanced   California Northern

7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option rds. 1-2 G/75, 2-day option rds. 1-4 G/35, no 2-day Open Section.) Under 900 Section plays separate 2-day schedule Jan 17-18 only, G/35. At Concord Hilton Hotel, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord, CA 94520 (I-680 Willow Pass Rd exit). Free shuttle between hotel and Concord BART station. Free parking. $$60,000 based on 450 paid entries (re-entries & U900 Section count as 1/3 entries), minimum guarantee $40,000 (2/3 each prize). Open, open to all. $$4000-2200-1300-1000-800-700-600-500-400-400, clear or tiebreak winner $300, top U2400 $2000-1000. FIDE. Under 2200: $3000-1500-800-700-600-500-400-300-200-200. Under 2000: $3000-1500-800-700- 600-500-400-300-200-200. Under 1800: $3000-1500-800-700-600-500-400-300-200-200. Under 1600: $2500-1300-700-600-500-400-300-300-200-200. Under 1400: $2000-1000-700-500-400- 300-200-200. Under 1200: $2000-1000-700-500-400-300-200-200. Under 900: $800-400-200-150-100-80-70. Prize limits: 1) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) may enter any section, with maximum prize U900 $200, U1200 $400, U1400 $600, U1600 $900, U1800 $1200, U2000 $1500. 2) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated may not win over $400 in U900, $800 in U1200 or $1200 in U1400. 3) If more than 30 points above section maximum on any list 1/09-12/09, prize limit $1000. 4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Top 7 sections EF: 4-day $174, 3-day $173, 2-day $172 mailed by 1/7, all $175 online at chesstour.com by 1/12, $180 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/12 (entry only, no questions), $200 at site. GMs free; $150 deducted from prize. Under 900 Section EF: $52 mailed by 1/7, $55 online at chesstour.com by 1/12 (entry only, no questions), $60 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/12, $70 at site. All: Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: online at chesstour.com $30; mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry (except Master) $60. Mailed EF $5 less to rated CalChess members. 4-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6:15 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 10:15 am, rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg Sun to 9:15 am, rds Sun 10-12-2-4-6, Sun 10-4:30, not available for Open Section. Under 900 schedule: Reg. Sun to 9:15 am, rds. Sun. 10-12-2-4, Mon. 10-12-2. Byes: OK all; Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4; limit 3 byes in Open. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Foreign player ratings: See chesstour.com. HR: $99-99-109, 925-827-2000, reserve by 1/1 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. $15 service charge for withdrawals. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.