Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Newsletter #479

 
"I have always liked to play stronger players. Concentration is essential for playing chess well, and I find it much easier to give my full attention to the game if I expect no mistakes from my opponent, and no mercy."

ť 
Rustam Kasimdzhanov on playing Levon Aronian at Jermuk   New in Chess 2009 , issue #7, page 42)
 
 
 

 
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Daniel Narodtsky on John Watson's Chess Talk on ICC
3) Raymond Weinstein
4) Ray Schutt Memorial Blitz
5) Upcoming Events
 

 
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
 
International Master Ricardo DeGuzman continued his many years of  domination of the Mechanics' monthly G/45 series by winning the 10th Annual Henry Gross Memorial with a score of 4.5 from 5 last Saturday. The former member of the Philippine Olympiad team score 4.5 from 5 including a win over master Romulo Fuentes and a last round draw with IM Andrei Florean. Sharing second at 4-1 in the 42-player field were Florean, Fuentes, NM Paul Gallegos, Class A players Michael De Cruz ( who drew with Florean) and Felix Rudyak and Nicholas Silver. The latter entered the event who a provisional rating of 1068 and finished the tournament rated over 400 points higher!
 
The Mechanics' will hold its annual Chess Camp July 19-23 with IM John Donaldson and MI Scholastic Coordinator Anthony Corrales as the instructors. More information about the camp can be found at the MI Chess Club website at www.chessclub.org.
 
Last Wednesday night a dozen players showed up for the weekly blitz,tournament at the Mechanics'.Jorge Lopez took first place with the excellent score of 10.5 out of 11. Carlos Davila and Arthur Ismakov shared second with 9 points.
 
Last week's score of the game McCormick-Wilkerson had some errors in it. Thanks to NM Erik Osbun for pointing this out. Here is the corrected version.
 
McCormick,James (2246) - Wilkerson,Max (1974) [A33]
9th Stamer Memorial San Francisco, 23.06.1973
 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.Nc3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nc6 6.e3 Be7 7.Be2 0–0 8.0–0 d6 9.b3 e5 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Bf3 Qb6 12.Bb2 Be6 13.Rc1 Rad8 14.Qc2 d5 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.Na4 Qb8 17.Qc7 Bd6 18.Qxb8 Bxb8 19.Rfd1 Rc8 20.Be2 Rxc1 21.Rxc1 Rc8 22.Nc5 Bf5 23.Ba6 Rd8 24.Bd3 Bc8 25.b4 Nd7 26.a4 e4 27.Be2 Ne5 28.b5 f5 29.Bd4 g5 30.a5 f4 31.b6 axb6 32.axb6 Nc6 33.Bf6 Rd6 34.Bxg5 f3 35.Ba6 Bf5 36.g3 Rg6 37.Bh4 Nb4 38.Bf1 Rxb6 39.Nb3 Be5 40.Bd8 Rb7 41.Nd4 Bxd4 42.exd4 Nc2 43.g4 e3 44.fxe3 Be4 45.Ba6 Rd7 46.Bf6 Rd6 0–1
 
Go to http://main.uschess.org/content/view/10135/576/ to read about IM Sam Shankland's quest to make his final GM norm in the 8th Gibtelecom Masters. Sam didn't make it but his score of 6.5 from 10, good for a performance rating of 2531, brought his FIDE rating to 2498, just under the necessary 2500 required along with three GM norms (Sam has two) for the title. Fellow Mechanics' member Vinay Bhat also had 6.5. The event ended in a nine-way tie for first at 7.5 between GMs Gustafsson (GER, 2627), Adams (ENG, 2694), Vallejo (ESP, 2705), Sandipan (IND, 2622), Kamsky(USA, 2693), Bacrot (FRA, 2713),  Movsesian, (SVK, 2708), Gopal (IND, 2584) and IM Lenderman (USA, 2560). The first 4 players went into play-off, won by Michael Adams. In the semifinal he defeated Gustafsson 2-1 and in the final he beat Vallejo 1½-½.
 
2) Daniel Narodtsky on John Watson's Chess Talk on ICC by John Henderson
 
 
This week (Tue., 9 February) joining IM John Watson on Chess Talk will be the young American prodigy and author, FM Daniel Naroditsky.  Note: A 10 min free preview that can be published can be found at  http://web​cast.chess​club.com/p​review/Wat​son/2010_0​2_09/Watso​n_preview.​html

Daniel Naroditsky, 14, of the Mechanics Chess Club in San Francisco, shot to fame in 2007 when he won the under-12 World Youth Championship, being only the second American to win a world youth title - and in the process, he was rewarded with a lifetime membership of ICC.  Recently, Daniel has also become the world's youngest chess author in history with the release of Mastering Positional Chess for top chess publishers New in Chess.
 
 
3) Raymond Weinstein
 
The year 1960 will be remembered as a memorable one for American chess. The United States took first place in the Student Team Championship held In Leningrad and in the Olympiad held later in the year at Leipzig they took the silver medals. William Lombardy's sterling role in the former, where he defeated Boris Spassky, and Bobby Fischer's outstanding result at the Olympiad are fondly recalled but both were already recognized as outstanding players before the year began. 1960 was the annus mirabilis for another player who is not so well known but contributed mightily to the success of both teams and also finished third in the US Championship qualifying for the Interzonal ( he declined to play because of his studies). Not bad for nineteen-year-old, especially 50 years ago when young players did not have the opportunities they do today.
 
That player is Raymond Weinstein who was the subject of a chapter in My Seven Great Chess Prodigies  by John Collins and more recently a nine page article in the Swedish magazine Tidskrift för Schack (#5, 2006) by Indrek Martinson. The latter befriended Weinstein in 1961 when the Armeican team visited Stockholm on its way to the Student Team Championship in Helsinki. The article includes excerpts from several letters from Weinstein to Martinson as well as several previously unpublished photographs. The letters paint a picture of bright and likeable if intense young man and hold no clues to the tragedy that was to occur only a few years later.

Tim Krabbe writes about Weinstein's time in Amsterdam where he studied psychology ( http://www.xs4all.nl/~timkr/chess2/diary_4.htm  - item 64) . This was about the time that he was starting to experience the mental problems that would profoundly change his life.

Raymond Weinstein 1960

Leningrad Student Team Olympiad ( US gold team medal) scored 7.5/10 on board three

Leipzig Olympiad ( US silver team medal) scored 2nd 6.5/8 as second reserve

1960/61 US Championship  third place with 6.5/11 behind Fischer and Lombardy.

4)  Ray Schutt Memorial Blitz

4th Annual Ray Schutt Memorial Blitz Tournament

 
A chance to remember and pay tribute to an old friend
May 2 (Sunday)

When: Sunday, May 2nd from 1 to 5 pm. The blitz tournament will be held from 2 to 4 pm. There will be a chance to reminiscence about Ray over light refreshments both before and after the event.
Where: Mechanics' Institute, 57 Post St, San Francisco (Montgomery BART)

Format: Five Double-Round Swiss or Roundrobin depending on entries.

Prizes ( guaranteed):
1st $300
2nd $200
3rd $100
4th $75
5th $50
6th $25

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!
 
5) Upcoming Events
 
 
 
 
A Heritage Event!
Feb. 13-15 or 14-15, GPP: 80 (enhanced) California Northern
36th Annual Peoples Tournament 6SS, 30/90 G/60 (2-day opt rounds 1-3
G/60). Hotel: Crowne Plaza, 45 John Glenn Dr., Concord, CA 94520. Chess
rate $79. Free parking. Prizes: $7,001 b/129. 6 sections. Open (FIDE
rated): $$ Gtd. 1000-500-201 (u2300: 200 100). 1900-2099: 500-200-100-
100-100. 1700-1899: 500-200-100-100-100. 1500-1699: 500-200-100-100-
100. 1300-1499: 500-200-100-100-100. Under 1299: 500-200-100-100-100.
Unrated prize limit of $200 in all sections except Open. EF: $99 3-day & $98
2-day mailed/online by 2/11, Onsite +$25 Play-up +$19. GMs IMs free - EF
subtr from prize. Re-entry $45. EF Econ Opt: Deduct $30 from EF & agree to
donate back 1/2 of prize money won. February 2010 Supp, CCA min & TD
discretion will be used to place players accurately. 3-day sched: Reg Sat
10-11, Rds Sat/Sun 11:15 4:45, Mon 10, 3:30. 2-day sched: Reg Sun 9-9:45,
Rds Sun 10, 12:10, 2:20, 4:45. Mon 10, 3:30. Max two 1/2-pt byes - must
commit bef rd 3. Ent: Bay Area Chess, 4423 Fortran Ct., Ste. 160, San Jose,
CA 95134. $20 charge for refund. Quest: contact@BayAreaChess.com, Tel
408-786-5515. Info & Entries: BayAreaChess.com/events/10/ppl. NS, NC,
W. WCL JGP

 
Spring Chess Festival
February 27-28, 2010
Sponsored by
Atlantis Business Insurance Solutions, LLC
$9,000 Prize Fund b/150 paid entries.
One of the BIGGEST tournaments of the year at the recently renovated 8,000 sq.f. facility!!!
6 rounds of exciting chess action in 6 sections!
Location: 415 Grand Ave 3rd floor, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Entry Fee: Advanced Entries are $80 for entries postmarked by February 14th. Entry at the
tournament site is $100. Players may play up one section for additional $20. IMs and GMs have
free entries ($50 will be deducted from the prize). Unrated players can play up in Master’s section
or Unrated section. Cash only at site.
Time Control: Game in 90.
Regestration & Schedule: Registration: 8:30-9:45 am on 02/27. Rds: 10 am, 1:30 pm, 5:00 pm
both days.
Prizes: Open Section: $700-$500-$300, Top U2300/Unr $300, Under 2200: $600-$400-350,
Under 2000: $600-$400-350, Under 1800: $600-$400-350, Under 1600: $600-$400-350, Under
1400: $600-$400-350, Top U1200 $300. Unrated may not win over $150.
Questions? – Call TD Felix German at (415) 335-0900 or email: felix@atlantisbusinessinsurance.com
Join our group on Facebook: Bay Area Chess Tournaments
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mail advance entries to: 723 Camino Plaza, PMB #170, San Bruno CA 94066. Make checks
payable to: Felix German.
I want to play/play up in a section [ ] Open, [ ] Expert, [ ] A, [ ] B, [ ] C, [ ] D/E. My rating is_____
I need a bye in round: [ ] 1, [ ] 2, [ ] 3, [ ] 4, [ ] 5, [ ] 6, - max. 2 half pt byes, must commit prior
to rd 1.
Name: _________________________________________, USCF ID#______________________
Address:________________________________________________________________________
Email:__________________________________________________________________________
Check enclosed for [ ] $80 Advanced Entry fee + [ ] $_____ Play up Fee = $_____ Total
 
 
                                                                                                                           Regional Events
 
 


February 13-15
27th Annual U.S. Amateur Team Championship West
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1. Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.
Four-player teams plus optional alternate, average rating of four highest must be U/2200, diff. between bds. 3 & 4 may not exceed 1000. Dec. list used.
EF: $132 per team if received by 2-12, $36 individual (on line only), $148 at site, under age 18 or HS/below $96 by 2-12, $110 site.
Trophies and 4 clocks to top 3 teams, U2100, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400/unr. Trophies (1 large, 4 small) to top college, industrial, junior (under 18), Senior (over 50), U1200. Clocks to best score each board, alternate, and any 6-0. Gift certificate prizes for best team names (1st/2nd).
Reg.: 9-10 a.m. 2-13.
Rds.: 11-6, 11-6, 10-4:30.
On-line entry, help in forming teams, advance entry list: www.westernchess.com, teamhelp@westernchess.com.
HR: $119, 800-228-9290, ask for Western Chess. Reserve by Jan. 20 or rates may go up. Parking $6.
Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Place #1A, Los Angeles, CA 90038.
NS, NC, W. F. WCL JGP.

February 15
AT Hexes
3-SS, G/90. Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.
Six-player sections by rating.
EF: $20 if rec. by 2-12, $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 Place #1A, Los Angeles, CA 90038, on line at www.westernchess.com.
 
 
 
National Events

Feb. 12-14 or 13-14   2010 U.S. Amateur Team Championship - North   Wisconsin
Two sections: Open and Scholastic (Saturday only). Open: 5SS, G/90+30/move/increment (G/120 if digital clocks not available; 2-day: rd.1-2 G/60). Crowne Plaza Hotel Milwaukee Airport, 6401 South 13th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53221. 1-414-764-5300. $79.99 chess rate, please reserve early. Open to 4 player teams with one optional alternate. Team average (4 highest ratings-2009 Annual Rating List) must be under 2200. EF: 3-day $140, 2-day $141 per team if received by February 9th, $180 thereafter. Individuals wishing to play, send $35 and request to be put on a team. Team changes on site $20. Check out official website www.wichessacademy.com All advance entries will be posted on February 10th. Prizes: Awards to top two teams, top teams with average rating u1900, u1600, and u1300. Winning team qualifies for national play-offs. Prizes to best team composed of juniors (high school and younger). Prizes to top score on each board. Rounds: 3-day: on-site registration/check-in 5:30-6:30pm, rds.: 7pm, 11:00am & 5:00pm, 10:00am & 3:30pm. 2-day: on-site registration/check-in 9:00-10:30am, rds. 11:00am & 2:00pm then merge with 3-day. **Saturday Only** Scholastic section. 4SS, G/60. Open to 4 player teams with one optional alternate. Team average (4 highest-2009 Annual Rating List) must be under 1600. EF: $120 per team if received by February 9th, $150 thereafter. Individuals wishing to play, send $30 and request to be put on a team. Team changes on site $20. All advance entries will be posted on www.wichessacademy.com on February 10th. Prizes: awards to top team overall, top three High School Teams, top three Middle School Teams, top three Elementary School Teams. Prizes to top score on each board. Rounds: on-site registration/check-in: 9:00am-10:30am; rds.: 11:00am, 1:30pm, 3:45pm, 6:00pm. Checks made payable to and send to: VICA, 6822 North Crestwood Dr., Glendale, WI 53209. Please include Team's name and roster, captain's email and phone number, and desired schedule. Info: abetaneli@hotmail.com, ashish@vajachess.com, 608-334-2574, 414-234-1005. WCL JGP.