Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Newsletter #528I don't have any fixed idea that classical chess has exhausted itself. I believe that other types of chess are nevertheless just for fun. You can see that classical chess hasn't exhausted itself even just by looking at the games from a super-tournament - you'll find a huge number of mistakes are made by even the best chess players - never mind the rest... So that means the game is essentially difficult, and even more so as new discoveries appear constantly, particularly with help from computers. For example, no-one could previously have imagined that the queen ending with extra g and h pawns is, it turns out, a draw! Vassily Ivanchuk 1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News 2) IM Jacek Stopa wins 3rd Metropolitan FIDE Invitational by Ankit Gupta 3) Here and There 4) Upcoming Events 1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News 15-year-old Foster City IM Daniel Naroditsky is off to a good start in Cappelle la Grande, France, with 4 from 6 including draws with the three GMs he has faced so far. Three rounds remain in the annual open, one of the largest in Europe. Fellow IM and Bay Area high school student Steven Zierk tied for second in the Southern Rocky FIDE Open held in Albuquerque last weekend. NM Lapid Lior was the upset winner in possibly the strongest tournament ever held in New Mexico, defeating IM Istvan Sipos in the final round to finish with a score of 5-0. GM Mikel Kekelidze joined Steven in second on 4.5 (they drew in round 4). Sipos, who defeated GM Melikset Khachian in round 4 was among those on 4 as was Bay Area talent, 10-year-old Kesav Viswanadha who picked up 45 points to raise his rating to 2053. The Mechanics' blitz tournament continue to be held every Wednesday night. Carlos D'Avila and Jules Jelinek shared first last week with Joe Urquhart placing third. The Spring Tuesday Night Marathon starts on March 15. 2) IM Jacek Stopa wins 3rd Metropolitan FIDE Invitational by Ankit Gupta The 3rd Metropolitan FIDE Invitational which was run by Metropolitan Chess concluded this weekend. It was organized by Ankit Gupta. FM Philip Xiao Wang and FM Joel Banawa both achieved their first IM norms with 6.5 out of 9.0. It is coincidental to note that these two tied for first at the closed Southern California State Championship last year, before again tying for 2nd at this norm tournament and both achieving their IM norms.IM Jacek Stopa took clear first with 7.0 out of 9.0. 3) Here and There The Confederation of Chess for Americas (FIDE America) and the Mexican Chess Federation have announced the 2011 Continental Chess Championship of the Americas.This event will be held in Toluca, Mexico from April 19th to April 24th.This event qualifies six (6) players for the FIDE World Cup. The event is open to all players who belong to a Federation from the Continent of America and who have a FIDE rating.Each participant must be endorsed by the National Federation.The top five (5) U.S. representatives so designated by the Zonal President are entitled to accommodations (double occupancy) and meals. For more information, please visit the event website, http://www.fideamerica.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4243(in Spanish). If interested and to obtain the English version of the tournament announcement, please contact Franc Guadalupe, Zonal President, Zone 2.1 (USA), flguadalupe@aol.com, (713) 530-7820. 4th Annual Ray Schutt Memorial Blitz Tournament May 15 Location: Mechanics' Institute 57 Post Street San Francisco, CA, 94104 United States This tournament is unrated. (Membership in the United States Chess Federation is not required for participation.) ENTRY FEE: $10 (free for International Masters and Grandmasters)PRIZES: $750 total (guaranteed)1st place: $300
TIME CONTROL: 5 minutes per player per game (G/5).
There will be no registration in advance. Register at the tournament site on May 15. The tournament will be held between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The entire event will last between 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Refreshments will be available during the event. There will be an informal awards ceremony immediately following the tournament at approximately 4 p.m. MI Advanced Chess Camp with GM Nick deFirmian - July 24-29 Go to www.chessclub.org for more information. 5) Upcoming Events MECHANICS' TOURNAMENTS (go to www.chessclub.org for more information) 2011 Events A.J. Fink Amateur Championship - March 12-13 BAY AREA TOURNAMENTS 6th Annual Frank Doyle Open - April 16-17 Santa Rosa, CA Exchange Bank, 444 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95401. 4 round Swiss, G/120. In 3 Sections, Open: $$GTD: $250-175. Reserve: Open to 1899 & under. $$GTD: $200-125. Booster: Open to 1499 & under. $$GTD: $150-100. Unr. must play in Booster Section. Unrated players winning prizes will only receive half of the prize. ALL: EF: $35 advance until 4/13, $45 at site. Reg.: 04/16 8:30am - 9:30am. Rds.: Sat 10, 3; Sun 10, 3. ENT: Paul Stagnoli, 4233 Kintyre Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95409-4127. INFO: (707)478-4385 paulgs@sonic.net. No phone or e-mail entries. Bring equipment, none provided. No Cell phones allowed. NS. NC. W. 11th Annual RENO-FAR WEST OPEN April 22-24 Reno, Nevada 6SS,40/2,20/1,G/1/2.Sands Regency Hotel/Casino, 345 N. Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501.1-866-386-7829 or (775) 348-2200. $$21,400 b/250. $$14,400 Gtd. (Prizes 1-10 in Open Section Gtd. plus 1/2 of all other prizes). A "Tribute to GM Larry Evans". 5 Sections. FIDE. Open (2000 & above) EF: $137, (1999 & below = $151) (GMs & IMs free but must enter by (4/1) or pay late fee) .$$2,000-1,200-1000-800-600-500-400-300-300-300,(2399/below)- $1,000, (2299/below)- $1,000, (2199/below) -$1000-500-300-200 (If a tie for 1st then a playoff for $100 out of prize fund plus trophy). Sec. A (1800-1999) EF: $136; $$1,000-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec. B (1600-1799) EF: $135; $$900-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec. C (1400-1599) EF: $134; $$700-500-400-300- 200-100-100. Sec. D/under (1399-below) EF: $133; $$600-400-300-200-100-100-100; Top Senior (65+) -$200; Club Champ.-$400-200. ALL: Entries must be postmarked by 4/1 or pay late fee-$11 until 4/14 (do not mail after 4/14), $22 at site. All classes have trophies 1st - 3rd. Unrated players are free entry but not eligible for cash prizes- must join USCF for 1 full year thru this tournament. 1st Unrated = trophy + 1 yr. USCF Mem. $10 discount to Seniors (65+ yrs.) & Juniors (19-under). Players may play up. Provisionally rated players may only win 1/2 of 1st place money. CCA ratings may be used. Note: pairings not changed for color unless 3 in a row or a plus 3 and if the unlikely situation occurs 3 colors in a row may be assigned. SIDE EVENTS: Thurs. (4/21) 6-7:15pm "Tribute to GM Larry Evans" hosted by IM John Donaldson (FREE); 7:30pm-TBA- Simul ($15); 7:30pm-Blitz (5 Min) tourney($20) 80% entries = Prize Fund. Sat. (4/23) (3-4:30pm) Free Game/Position Analysis - IM John Donaldson. ALL REG.: (4/21) 5-10pm, (4/22) 9-10am. RDS.: (Fri) 12-7, (Sat) 10-6, (Sun) 9:30-4:30. Byes available any round (if requested by Rd.1). ENT: make checks payable and send to: SANDS REGENCY (address listed above), postmarked by 4/1. $11 late fee if postmarked after 4/1 and before 4/14. Do not mail after 4/14 or email after 4/19. $22 late fee at site. HR: (Sun-Thurs. $27!) (Fri. & Sat. $47!) + tax.1-866-386-7829 mention (Code) CHESS421 (Reserve by 4/11/11) to get Chess rate. INFO: Jerry Weikel, 6578 Valley Wood Dr., Reno, NV 89523, (775) 747-1405, wackyykl@aol.com Or check out our website at: www.renochess.org/fwo. To verify entry check website. Chess Magnet School JGP. Berkeley Open May 7-8Berkeley, CA 4-SS, 30/90; G/60. Hillside School; 1581 Le Roy Ave., Berkeley, CA 94720. $$B 60 paid entries (not counting unrated entries). Three Sections: Open Section: $300-160, U2100 $150-75; U1900 Section: $240-130, U1700 $125-75; U1500 Section: $240-125; U1300 $125-75, Unr: Trophy First. All, EF: postmarked by 5/2 $50, $60 on site. Unrateds $20 in the Reserve section or may play up to the Open section for the regular fee. $5 discount to Berkeley Chess Club Members. USCF memb. req'd. May play up for add'l $5 per section. Reg.: Sat 5/7 9:00-9:45 am. RDS.: Sat 10:00-3:30; Sun 10:00-3:30; One 1/2 pt bye available if requested in advance, a bye in rds 3 or 4 must be requested before rd 1. 2011 May Ratings List, CCA minimums and Directors discretion will be used to place players as accurately as possible. Please bring clocks and equipment. INFO: Richard Koepcke (650)-224-4938. Email: ricahrdkoepcke@yahoo.com. Ent: Richard Koepcke, P.O. Box 1432, Mountain View, CA 94042. No Phone entries. Chess Magnet School JGP. May 28-30 or 29-30 or 28-29 CalChess Open State & Class Championship 6SS, 30/90 G/60 (2-day opt rds 1-3 G/60). Sections D/E 6SS G/90 only. Hotel: Marriott, 46100 Landing Pkwy., Fremont, CA 94539. Chess rate $89. Prizes: $13,000 b/207. 80% guaranteed. 6 sections. Open (2200+ FIDE rated): 2000-1000-400-200-100-100. Expert (2000-2199), A (1800-1999), B (1600-1799), C (1400-1599): $1000-400-200-100-100-100. Section D/E (u1400): 600-300-100-u1200:300-200-100. Unr prize limit $300 except in Open. EF mail/online by 5/24: 3day=99 2day=98 onsite+25 Play-up+20. GMs/IMs free-EF subtr from prize. Re-entry $40. Saver EF = EF-$20 & 2/3 of calc. prize. Refunds: $20 fee. May 2011 Supp, CCA min, TD desc to place players accurately. Sched: 3day: Reg Sat10-10:30, Rds Sat/Sun 11 5:15, Mon 10 3:30. 2day: Reg Sun9-9:30, Rds Sun 10 12:25 2:40 5:15, Mon 10 3:30. D/E 2-day only: Reg Sat9-9:30, Rds Sat/Sun 10 1:30 5. Max two 1/2-pt byes - must commit bef rd 3. Quest: ask@BayAreaChess.com. More Info/Ent: BayAreaChess.com/memo. NS, NC, W. Chess Magnet School JGPOct. 1 2011 U.S. Game/60 Championship - Fremont 4SS, G/60 - $4,000 b/117 fully paid entries - 75% guaranteed. Hotel rate $99 by 9/16: Hyatt Regency, 5101 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Free Parking. In 3 sections, Open Section: $500-201-105, u2300 $200-110, u2100 $150, u2000 $130, u1900 $100. 1400-1799 Section: $500-201-100, u1700 $200, u1600 $150, u1500 $100. Under 1400 Section: $500-201-100, u1300 $200, u1200 $150, u1100 $100. Unrated may play in any section but maximum prize is $100 except no limit in the Open Section. Trophies for top 3 places in each section. Entry Fee: Mailed by Mon 9/26 or online by Tue 9/27: $60. Online 9/28-29 or onsite: $75. Add $20 to play-up in a higher section. DISCOUNTS: $10 off each event if also registering for G/30 on Oct 2. $10 cash rebate onsite if staying at the hotel under chess rate. Byes: One 1/2 pt bye allowed must commit by start of Rd 2. Reenter with 1/2pt bye in Rd 1 for $39. September 2011 Supp, CCA min, TD discretion used to place players accurately. SIDE KIDS EVENT for K-12 students rated under 1000: 4SSxG/60 in 2 sections, 600-999 and under 600. Prizes: Trophies to Top 10 players and Top 5 teams in each section. Best 4 players count for team score. Also trophies to top u800, top u700 in 600-999 section and top u400, top u300, and top u200 in u600 section. EF by Mon 9/26 or online by Tue 9/27: $39. Online 9/28-29 or onsite: $54. Add $10 to play-up in a higher section. Schedule: Onsite Registration 8:30-9:30am; Round Times: 10:00am, 12:30, 3:00, and 5:30pm. Mail payments to: Bay Area Chess, 1590 Oakland Rd., Suite B213, San Jose 95131. $20 for refunds. T: 408-786-5515. E: ask@BayAreaChess.com, Info/Form/Entries: BayAreaChess.com/usg60g30. NS, NC, W.Oct. 2 2011 U.S. Game/30 Championship - Fremont 4SS, G/30 - $3,006 b/88 fully paid entries - 75% guaranteed. Hotel rate $99 by 9/16: Hyatt Regency, 5101 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Free Parking. In 3 sections, Open Section: $400-200-102, u2300 $101, u2100 $101, u2000 $100, u1900 $99. 1400-1799 Section: $400-200-102, u1700 $101, u1600 $100, u1500 $99. Under 1400 Section: $400-200-102, u1300 $101, u1200 $100, u1100 $99. Unrated may play in any section but maximum prize is $100 except no limit in the Open Section. Trophies for top 3 places in each section. Entry Fee mailed by Mon 9/26 or online by Tue 9/27: $60. Online 9/28-29 or onsite: $75. Add $20 to play-up in a higher section. DISCOUNTS: $10 off each if also registering for G/60 on Oct 1. $10 cash rebate onsite if staying at the hotel. Byes: One 1/2 pt bye allowed must commit by start of Rd 2. Reenter with 1/2pt bye in Rd 1 for $39. September 2011 Supp, CCA min, TD discretion used to place players accurately. SIDE KIDS EVENT for K-12 students rated under 1000: 5SSxG/30 in 2 sections, 600-999 and under 600. Trophies to Top 10 players and Top 5 teams in each section. Best 4 players count for team score. Also trophies to top u800, top u700 in 600-999 section and top u400, top u300, and top u200 in u600 section. EF by Mon 9/26 or online by Tue 9/27: $39. Online 9/28-29 or onsite: $54. Add $10 to play-up in a higher section. Schedule: Onsite Registration 8:30-9:30am; Round Times: 10:00am, 12:30, 3:00, and 5:30pm. Mail payments to: Bay Area Chess, 1590 Oakland Rd., Suite B213, San Jose 95131. $20 for refunds. T: 408-786-5515. E: ask@BayAreaChess.com, Info/Form/Entries: BayAreaChess.com/usg60g30. NS, NC, W.
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