The Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News 537

My bishops and knights don't become stronger just because they're white.

Alexander Grischuk

In response to why he didn't keep playing with the white pieces in the fourth game of his match with Levon Aronian that ended in a draw after 17 moves.

1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News

2) Bay Area Juniors Shine in National Elementary Championships by Michael Aigner

3) Here and There

Don't forget this Sunday is the 5th Annual Ray Schutt Memorial Blitz. This is always a special event with friendship, good food and strong competition offering an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Details below.

1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News

Mechanic's Institute chess director John Donaldson won the Berkeley Open held last weekend at the Hillside School, home of the Berkeley Chess School. The 52-year-old IM scored 3.5 from 4 to finish half a point

ahead of SM Sevan Buscara and NMs Robin Cunnigham and Samuel Sevian. The latter is zeroing in on 2300 USCF at the age of 10. Richard Koepcke directed the 39-player multi-section event.

The turnout for the Berkeley Open was disappointing and can't be blamed on the organizer or the playing site which were both first rate. Several years ago the Mechanics' and Richard were pretty much the only organizers of adult tournaments in the Bay Area but such is no longer the case.

Now the tournament calendar for weekend Swisses is usually full each month and even one game a week events are all over the Bay Area. Besides the Mechanics' long running Tuesday Night Marathon there is a Friday version in Berkeley and another on Sunday in Lafayette with others appearing on and off in Fremont and Campbell. This increase in activity is good news for the area but the number of active adult players in the Bay Area is likely less than 150 and the number willing to play every weekend much smaller.

Ray Robson, the youngest Grandmaster in the United States at age 16, and his father Dr. Gary Robson, who teaches at St. Petersburg College, will give a talk and book signing at the Mechanics' Institute on Tuesday, June 14th, from 5:15 to 6:15 pm. All are welcome to attend this event.

The winner of last week's Wednesday Night Blitz at the Mechanics' were:

1st - Arthur Ismakov, 2nd - Carlos D'Avila and 3rd - Jules Jelinek.

Book and equipment donations to the Mechanics' are always welcome and tax deductible due to the M.I.'s 501(c) (3) nonprofit status. If you have any chess books or equipment that have been lying around unused for some time consider donating to the Mechanics'. You will not only get a tax write off but also the satisfaction of seeing things put to good use.

2) Bay Area Juniors Shine in National Elementary Championships by Michael Aigner

The Bay Area has performed well at the National Elementary in recent years, including two team titles. Mission San Jose Elementary won the K-6 section while Weibel Elementary tied for first in the K-3 section last year. MSJE and Weibel are crosstown rivals in Fremont and compete for top honors at the CalChess Scholastics each year.


This year, a whopping 62 Bay Area juniors traveled to Dallas to compete at Nationals. More than a third of the kids, 22 to be exact, represented MSJE while 11 more attended Weibel.

FINAL RESULTS

K-6

Allan Beilin 5.5 -- 6th place

Armaan Kalyanpur (MSJE) 5.5 -- tied for 6th place

Kevin Moy (Weibel) 5.0 -- 11th place

Michael Wang (Weibel) 5.0 -- tied for 11th place

Kesav Viswanadha 5.0 -- tied for 11th place

Alvin Kong (MSJE) 4.5

Erik Wong (MSJE) 4.0

Sameer Vijay (Weibel) 3.5

Alex Yin (MSJE) 3.5

Ishas Kekre (Weibel) 3.5

Sharon Lu (Weibel) 3.5

TEAM MSJE earned 2nd place at 17.5

TEAM Weibel finished in 3rd place at 17.0

K-5


Cameron Wheeler (Regnart) 7.0 -- NATIONAL CHAMPION!!!
Udit Iyengar (Regnart) 6.0 -- 2nd place
Vignesh Panchanatham 5.5 -- 6th place
Pranav Srihari (Regnart) 5.5 -- tied for 6th place
Alexander Feghhi 5.5 -- tied for 6th place
Amit Sant (MSJE) 5.0 -- tied for 20th place
Abhishek Handigol 5.0 -- tied for 20th place
Joseph Zhang 5.0 -- tied for 20th place
Shalin Shah (MSJE) 4.5
Steven Li (MSJE) 4.5
Eric Zhu (MSJE) 4.0
Pramodh Srihari (Regnart) 3.5
TEAM Regnart is NATIONAL CHAMPION with 22.0, 3.5 points ahead of the field.
TEAM MSJE captured 4th place at 18.0


K-3
Rayan Taghizadeh 6.0 -- 4th place
John Chan (MSJE) 5.0 -- tied for 20th place

Om Chinchwadkar 5.0 -- tied for 20th place
Mihir Bhuptani (MSJE) 4.0
Ojas Arun (MSJE) 4.0
Alvin Zhang (MSJE) 3.5
TEAM MSJE finished in 4th place (tied for 3rd) at 16.5

K-1
Ben Rood 7.0 -- NATIONAL CHAMPION!!! (two perfect scores)
Milind Maiti 6.5 --3rd place as a Kindergartner!
Balaji Daggupati 6.0 -- 10th place (tied for 4th) also as a Kindergartner
Zarek Azam 5.0 -- 24th place
Jason Zhang 5.0 -- tied for 24th place
Rishith Susarla (MSJE) 5.0 -- tied for 24th place
Bryan Wong 5.0 -- tied for 24th place
Chenyi Zhao (MSJE) 4.5
Soorya Kuppam (MSJE) 4.5
Jeffrey Liu (MSJE) 4.0
TEAM MSJE captures 3rd place at 18.0

3) Here and There

NM Ankit Gupta writes:

Sean's Fund honors the memory of Sean Christian Reader, who lost his valiant battle with leukemia on August 14th 2006. Sean, age 12, was a nationally-ranked chess player and fought his battle with cancer as fiercely as he faced any opponent across the chessboard. Sean's Fund works with California Chess League (CYCL) to provide financial aid to those who need it to pay for chess classes and tournaments. Our deepest respect and appreciation goes to Sean Christian Reader, who loved chess and his family in their selfless efforts to support youth chess talent and interest in the greater Southern California area.

Metropolitan Chess, Inc. will host an International Master norm round robin tournament on May 11 to 15 of 2011. The tournament is sponsored by California Market Center, Fashion Business, Inc, Chess.com, MonRoi, LawyerFy, and Betty Bottom Showroom.

This tournament is dedicated to Sean Christian Reader, titled the Sean Christian ReaderMemorial, and will be held in Suite C998 of the California Market Center on 110 East 9th Street, Los Angeles 90079. The tournament is organized by Ankit Gupta, the chief arbiter is Randy Hough, and the deputy arbiter is Michael Belcher. The participants include: IM Zhanibek Amanov (KAZ), IM Timothy Taylor (USA), IM David Pruess (USA), FM Joel Banawa (USA), FM Pedram Atoufi (IRI), FM Michael Casella (USA), NM Konstantin Kavutskiy (USA), SM Roman Yankovsky (RUS), NM Kayden Troff (USA), and Janyl Tilenbaeva (KGZ).

The tournament will be a 10 player round-robin (all play all), with rounds scheduled as follows - 11th: 7:00 PM, 12th: 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM, 13st: 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM, 14th: 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM, 15th: 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM. Spectators are welcome and encouraged to come to watch the games in person at the tournament site. There will be two grandmaster commentary days live on-site by GM Melikset Khachiyan. These commentaries will also be viewable on www.chess.com/tv

Watch the games relayed live on www.MonRoi.com.

Keep updated with events by Metropolitan Chess, Inc, by visiting our website at www.metrochessla.com


The May 8, 2011, edition of the New York Times (Sunday Business, page 7) had a nice article on Victoria Livschitz the chief executive of Grid Dynamics and mother of the Pleasanton chess playing family that includes husband Leonard, daughters Louiza and Jennifer and son Daniel.

The Pinole Open will be held May 21-22 with former US Champion John Grefe lecturing and providing game analysis on Saturday at 2pm. The location of the event is 2570 Appian Way, Suite #100 in Pinole. Contact Alex Magganas at alexmagganas@earthlink.net for more information.

4) Upcoming Special Events at the Mechanics'

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.

5) Upcoming Events

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

2011 Events


Charles Powell Memorial - May 14
5th Annual Ray Schutt Memorial Blitz - May 15
Arthur Stamer Memorial - June 4-5
William Addison Open - June 11

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.