Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Newsletter #530

In fact it's not only about the games themselves, but also the time between games. For me the big problem is the latter - waiting, getting butterflies in your stomach, expectation and nerves. For that reason, perhaps, it's better for me to play in rapid chess tournaments which end after a day or two: you play 26 blitz games in one day, and that's it - you can forget about it, like a nightmare, and start something else. But not all tournaments are arranged like that, and I also want to play classical chess - which means you have to prepare and withstand the tension between games. It's particularly difficult when the tournament's an important one, and it's not going as well as you'd like.

Vassily Ivanchuk

1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Daniel Naroditsky ties for first in Spring Spice Cup
3) Terrain by Dennis Fritzinger
4) 2011 US Championship Fields
5) Special Events at the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club
6) Upcoming Events

1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News

The Spring Tuesday Night Marathon started last night with FM Frank Thornally and NMs Peter Zavadsky and Russell Wong the top seeds. It's still possible to enter the eight round event with a half point bye for the first round.

Uyanga Byambaa and Rodell Mapp shared first place honors with 5-1 scores in the A.J. Fink Amateur Championship held last weekend. Thirty-nine participants competed in the event open to players below 2000 last week.

Three-time US Champion Nick deFirmian will be the lead instructor for the Mechanics' annual summer camp for intermediate and advanced players to be held July 25-29. Below is the curriculum for the camp as set by GM deFirmian. IM Vince McCambridge and FM Mark Pinto will join IM John Donaldson and MI Scholastic Chess Coordinator Anthony Corrales in assisting GM deFirmian.

Curriculum for 2011 MI Intermediate and Advanced Chess Camp

Day 1 Endgames
A technique in the final stage (with little left on the board)
rook endgames
pawn endgames
briefer coverage of knight, bishop and queen endings and bishop vs. knight
B Complex endgames
Examples of converting the advantage to a win in queenless positions. These strategically involved endings often lead to final stage endings.

Day 2 Hunting the King - the direct quest for checkmate.
A The decision - to attack or not to attack (use of the initiative).
B Storming the barricades
1 The slow buildup - bringing all the forces to the confrontation.
2 Sacrifices - quick and deadly (but risky).

Day 3 Strategic play
A Pawn structure - weak pawns, holes, backward pawns, isolated pawns, etc.
B Good pieces/bad pieces - when are they doing their job right?
C Space - how to use it.
D How to make a strategic plan

Day 4 Latest trends in openings from the top players around the world.

Covering new opening ideas that set problems for the opponent. The range of openings and strategies will be broad, reflecting the different styles of the world's top players.

The later part of Day 4 will be for specific opening/strategy questions from the camp participants.

Day 5 Games and ideas from Carlsen and Anand.

Looking at the play of the World's top two players to see how to see how they achieve their success.

The second half of the day will have blitz and bughouse tournaments

2011 MI Intermediate/Advanced Chess Camp

Who: Open to all ages from 8 and up.
When : July 25 - 29, 2011 from 10 am to 4 pm
Where: 57 Post Street, 4th floor (Montgomery BART station)
Cost: $320 for Mechanics' members, $355 for junior (under 21) non-members, $415 for adult non-members. All non-members will receive a one year membership in the MI. There is a limit of 40 players for this camp. If you can't attend the whole camp there is a drop in fee of $80 a day.

2) Daniel Naroditsky ties for first in Spring Spice Cup

Mechanics' Institute member IM Daniel Naroditsky turned in the best result of his career to date in tying for first in the 2011 Spring Spice Cup. His plus three score was just a half point short of the GM norm. Third place winner Darwin Yang made his third and final IM norm in the event organized by the Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE) and held at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.

1-2. GM Kuljasevic, IM Naroditsky 6.0
3. FM Yang 5.5
4-6. GM Bykhovsky, GM Diamant, IM Esserman 5.0
7-8. IM Altounian, IM Sipos 4.0
9. SM Aleskerov 2.5
10. IM Kleiman 2.0

3) Terrain by Dennis Fritzinger

terrain

the terrain of the benko
is different from
the terrain of the king's gambit
or the ruy lopez
or the caro-kann.
the terrain of the french
and the english
couldn't be more different,
and the latvian gambit
and evans gambit,
except they're both gambits,
have nothing in common.
everyone has a terrain
they're comfortable with,
some more than others.
some know many terrains,
but there aren't many
who are comfortable
whatever terrain
they find themselves in,
and nobody knows the whole board.

4) 2011 US Championship Fields

The sections have been made for the 2011 US Championship. The top two in each group advance to match play.

Round Robin 1				Round Robin 2
No.	First Name	Last Name	FIDE Rating	No.	First Name	Last Name	FIDE Rating
1.	Gata	Kamsky	2733	1.	Alexander	Onischuk	2678
2.	Yury	Shulman	2622	2.	Yasser	Seirawan	2636
3.	Varuzhan	Akobian	2611	3.	Alexander	Shabalov	2590
4.	Jaan	Ehlvest	2586	4.	Larry	Christiansen	2586
5.	Alexander	Stripunsky	2578	5.	Gregory	Kaidanov	2569
6.	Alexander	Ivanov	2540	6.	Robert	Hess	2565
7.	Ray	Robson	2522	7.	Sam	Shankland	2512
8.	Daniel	Naroditsky	2438	8.	Ben	Finegold	2500
Average Rating			2578.75	Average Rating			2579.5

.5) Special Events at the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club

Talk and book signing with two-time US Womens Champion Jennifer Shahade - March 29th from 5:15 to 6:30 pm.

5th 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
2nd place: $200
3rd place: $100
4th place: $75
5th place: $50
6th place: $25

The prizes are guaranteed due to the generosity of the Schutt Family.

FORMAT: Five double-round Swiss or Roundrobin, depending on the number of entries. Each player will probably play ten blitz (fast) games in this tournament.

TIME CONTROL: 5 minutes per player per game (G/5).

REGISTRATION: 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on May 15, 2010

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. 6) Upcoming Events

MECHANICS' TOURNAMENTS (go to www.chessclub.org for more information)
2011 Events

Max Wilkerson Open - March 19
WGM Jennifer Shahade talk and book signing - March 29
Imre Konig Memorial - April 9
Walter Lovegrove Senior Open - April 16-17
Charles Powell Memorial - May 14
5th Annual Ray Schutt Memorial Blitz - May 15
Arthur Stamer Memorial - June 4-5
William Addison Open - June 11

BAY AREA TOURNAMENTS

6th Annual Frank Doyle Open - April 16-17

Santa Rosa, CAExchange 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 7-8

Berkeley, CA4-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 JGP

Oct. 1

2011 U.S. Game/60 Championship - Santa Clara 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 - Santa Clara 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.