Mechanics' Institute Chess Room Newsletter #125

"Chess books should be used as we use glasses - to assist the sight; although some players make use of them as if they thought they conferred sight."
   Jose Capablanca

1) Win Aung Yee wins Henry Gross
2) Shipman and Thornally tie for lead in Tuesday Night Marathon
3) Jack Dean 1923-2002
4) Ivars Dahlberg 1934-2002
5) Khachiyan wins Foothills Open
6) Carroll Capps winners
7) MI Chess history CD
8) Upcoming events

1) Win Aung Yee wins Henry Gross

Win Aung Yee of Burma defeated top rated Andrey Chumachenko in the last round to win the third annual Henry Gross Memorial G/45 held February 1 at the MI. Teenager Nicholas Yap was half a point behind Yee's perfect score beating NM Victor Baja and drawing NM Robin Cunningham. Tying for third at 4-1 in the fifty player event were Chumachenko, Cunningham, Sean Colure and Jimmy Plumb. Roy Hoppe, who hadn't played a rated game in more than thirty years, scored a very credible 3 1/2 from 5. Anthony Corrales directed for the Mechanics'.

2) Shipman and Thornally tie for lead in Tuesday Night Marathon

IM Walter Shipman defeated up and coming Expert Alex Setzepfandt and FM Frank Thornally beat NM Egle Morkunaite to grab the lead in the Winter Tuesday Night Marathon with a score of 4 1/2 from 5. Three rounds remain in the 80 player event.

3) Jack Dean 1923-2003

MI Chess Room regular Jack Dean recently passed away at the age of 79 after a stroke. Jack, who worked professionally as a bookkeeper, was a well liked member of the Chess Room for over three decades. He was a regular in the Tuesday Night Marathons until his health declined.

4) Ivars Dahlberg 1934-2002

I only recently learned that Ivars Dahlberg passed away last year on February 28 in Los Angeles. Dahlberg, who held the FIDE Master title, and had a peak FIDE rating of 2480, had not played regularly in two decades. Born in Latvia, he came to the United States in the early 1950s, settling in Oregon where he won several state championship titles. He moved to Southern California around 1970, working as a financial planner. Dahlberg had several excellent results in Futurity tournaments at the Chess Set in Los Angeles in the late 1970s. At Lone Pine 1981 he was among the leaders with four points after six rounds before fading at the end.

Anyone with more information about Ivars, particularly information on how to contact his relatives, is urged to contact Val Zemitis (chess@davis.com), who is working on an encyclopedia of Latvian chess players.

5) Khachiyan wins Foothills Open

Melik Khachiyan won the Foothills Open held in Pasadena on February 1 with 4 1/2 from 5. Khachiyan defeated fellow IMs Tim Taylor and Anthony Saidy en route to victory. Tying for second at 4 were Taylor, Saidy and NMs Lernik Manukyan and Ilia Serpik. A total of 86 players participated in the three section event organized by Bill Goichberg's Continental Chess Association.

6) Carroll Capps winners

The Carroll Capps Memorial, held each November to honor the longtime MI Chess Room regular, features an impressive list of winners including former World Junior Champion Julio Kaplan and GMs James Tarjan, Walter Browne, Nick deFirmian, Peter Biyiasas and Gustavo Darcy Lima. Here are all the winners except for November 1979, for which information is unavailable.

1971 Julio Kaplan
1972 Craig Barnes
1973 James Tarjan
1974 Walter Browne
1975 David Strauss and Paul Cornelius
1976 Jay Whitehead and Max Burkett
1977 Jeremy Silman and Cicero Braga
1978 Tournament Canceled
1979 (July) Nick deFirmian and (November) ???
1980 John Grefe, Jay Whitehead and Charles Powell
1981 Peter Biyiasas and John Grefe
1982 Jeremy Silman, Peter Biyiasas, Alan Pollard and Vince McCambridge
1983 Peter Biyiasas, Craig Mar and Victor Baja
1984 Charles Powell, Victor Baja and Bill Orton
1985 Nick deFirmian, Peter Biyiasas, Charles Powell and Rudolfo Hernandez
1986 Igor Ivanov and Jay Whitehead
1987 Marc Leski, John Grefe and Gustavo Darcy Lima
1988 Guillermo Rey, Bill Orton and Romulio Fuentes
1989 Vladimir Strugatsky, Charles Powell and Rudolfo Hernandez
1990 Loal Davis
1991 Walter Browne, Jay Whitehead, and Greg Kotlyar
1992 Walter Browne and Renard Anderson
1993 John Grefe, Emmanuel Perez and Adrian Keatinge-Clay
1994 Craig Mar, John Grefe and Rostislav Tsodikov
1995 Enrico Sevillano and Joe Weber
1996 Igor Ivanov and Omar Cartagena
1997 Alexander Baburin
1998 Mladen Vucic, Mark Pinto, Omar Cartagena, Ron Cusi and Jonathan Baker
1999 Russell Wong, Paul Gallegos, David Blohm, and Larry Snyder
2000 Kenneth Hills and Ryan Porter
2001 Ricardo DeGuzman
2002 Ricardo DeGuzman and Victor Ossipov

The 1978 event was scheduled for the normal dates, the second week of November, but canceled at the last minute. A tournament was held in July of 1979 and another was advertised in Chess Voice to be held in November of that year. All indications are that it was held. We have been unable to find results for this event and ask for assistance.

7) MI Chess History CD: Volume 1

The staff of the Mechanics' Institute recently completed the first of a two volume series on the history of the Mechanics' Institute Chess Room. The fruits of their research are available on a CD which includes almost 90 pages of text, approximately 10 photos from the MI archives and over 150 games in ChessBase format. Visits of World Champions Lasker (twice), Capablanca, Alekhine (twice), and Euwe, are among the highlights. The price of the CD is $10 + $1 for shipping. To order, send a check payable to the Mechanics' Institute for $11 to: Mechanics' Institute, Room 408, 57 Post Street, San Francisco, CA, 94104.

8) Upcoming events

Note: The MI will be starting monthly scholastic quads on Saturdays starting in January. See below.

Upcoming Tournaments at the MI

Full details at www.chessclub.org

A.J. Fink Amateur: February 28, March 1-2, 2003
Max Wilkerson Open: March 15, 2003
Walter Lovegrove Senior Championship: April 12-13, 2003
Imre Konig Memorial: April 26, 2003

Scholastic Quad: February 22.



Other Bay Area Events

Feb. 15-17. 30th Annual People's Chess Tournament.
20 Grand Prix Points

MLK Jr. Student Union, UC-Berkeley Campus.$$3,200 Gtd. in 5 sections. 6SS, 45/2, SD/1, Rds: 11-5:30, 10-4:30, 10-4:30 in Open, Expert, A & B 5SS, 45/90, SD/30, Rds: 11-3-7, 10-3 in Reserve. Open: $500-350-200, 1st U2300 $100. EF: $40. Expert: $300-150-75. EF: $39. Class A: $290-150-75. EF: $38. Class B: $280-140-70. EF: $37. Reserve: $200-125-50, U1400 $100-50. EF: $27. Reg: 9-10am on 2/15 or by mail by 2/8. $3 discount to CalChess Members, $5 discount to UC students. All ents. $5 more after 2/8. All players may play up one section for $5. Ent: ASUC/SPERB, 5 Eshleman Hall, #4500, Berkeley, CA 94720. TDs: Don Shennum and Brad Williams. Info: Don 510-524-5735, dshennum@yahoo.com. W.

Feb. 23. San Leandro 2003 Chess Tournament.

Marina Community Center, 15301 Wicks Blvd.,San Leandro. $$1,250, based on 75 entries, in 3 sections. 4SS, G75/G70-5, Rds: 10 am, 1:30 pm, 4:15 pm, 7:00 pm Open: $500, Reserve U2000: $400, Booster U1600 $350 Within each section the prizes will be allocated according to the number of entries and their rating scope, and will be posted after the start of the tournament. EF: $27 if received by 2/21/2003. Late Reg: 9-9:30 am on 2/23 $32.$2 discount to CalChess Members. Ent: Hans Poschmann, 4621 Seneca Park Ave., Fremont CA 94538
E-mail: hspwood2@attbi.com Tel. 510) 656-8505 ,br> Flyer: http://www.calchess.org/SanLeandro2003/

Mar. 29-30. 2003 Central California Adult & Scholastic Chess Congress
10 Grand Prix Points

Open, Scholastic & Beginner Scholastic. Edison High School, Grant Taggart Gym, 1425 S. Center St., Stockton. Open: (G/2, 5 sec. delay) $$2,000 Gtd: $400-200, X, A, B, C, D, E, & Unr. $200 ea. Trophies to ea. 1st. EF: $35 by 3/28, at site $45. Late Reg. 8-9:30. Byes requested bef. Rd. 1 only. Rds: 10-2:15, 10-2:15. EF includes G/5 Bughouse, G/5 Blitz, G/10 Quick (Rated), Simultaneous & Blindfold challenge (limited 8 highest rated challengers). Trophy/Title prizes for all side events. Scholastic Championship: 5SS, G/1. 4 Sections: K-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-12 (Trophies 10, 15, 15, 10 Resp.). EF: $20 by 3/28, at site $30. Late Reg. at site 8-9:30. Byes requested before Rd. 1 only. Rds: 10-1:15, 10-1:15,3:30. EF includes G/5 Bughouse, G/5 Blitz, G/10 Quick (Rated), Simultaneous. Trophy/Title Prize for all side events. Beginner Scholastic Championship: (3/29, Non Rated) 6SS, G/30. K-8. Certificates to all grade winners + participants. Free USCF membership to all scoring 4 or more pts. EF $10, $20 at site. Late Reg. at site 8-9:30. No byes. Only eligible Simultaneous. Rds: 10-11-12-1-2-3. Prizes all side events. Info: STKNCHES.go.cc or JacobGreen@msn.com. John Charles Barnard, 209-785-7895. 50 cents of ea entry donated to CalChess. Ent: Edison High School Chess Club, 1425 S. Center, Stockton CA 95206 W.

Southern California

20th Annual U.S. Amateur Team West

February 15-17, 2003

Radisson LAX

6225 Century Blvd (corner of Sepulveda), Los Angeles 90045

6-SS, 40/2, SD/1

Open to teams of four players plus optional alternate. Average rating of four highest rated players must be under 2200. Rating difference between 1st and 4th players may not exceed 1000 points.

Prizes: Trophy and four BHB clocks to: Top 3 teams; Top teams rated Under 2100, Under 2000, Under 1800, Under 1600, Under 1400/unrated. Trophies (1 large, 4 small) to top College, Industrial, and Junior (under age 18) teams. Clocks to top scorers on each board (1-4 and Alternate), plus any perfect score. Gift certificates for Best Team Name (1st and 2nd).

Entry Fee: $100 per team in advance, $120 at door. Junior (under age 18): $68 per team in advance, $80 at door. USCF membership required.

Registration: 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. Rounds: 11-6, 11-6, 10-4:30.

Help in forming teams: Mike Carr (mrcarr@pacbell.net), (949) 768-3538, Randy Hough (randallhough@yahoo.com), (626) 282-7412

Hotel rates: $83. Call (310) 670-9000. Be sure to mention chess! Parking $5/day.

Entry Form

Team Name___________________________________________ Average Rating_________

Name_______________________________ Rating ______ USCF ID ______________

Name_______________________________ Rating ______ USCF ID ______________

Name_______________________________ Rating ______ USCF ID ______________

Name_______________________________ Rating ______ USCF ID ______________

Alternate (optional) Name____________________ Rating ______ USCF ID ______________

Entry Fee $100 ____

Junior $68 ____

USCF memberships enclosed (indicate players) $ ____

Total enclosed $ ___

Make checks payable to SCCF.

Please print this form and mail to:

SCCF
PO Box 205
Monterey Park CA 91754

April 11-13. Western Pacific Open
40 Grand Prix Points

5SS, 3-day 40/2, SD/1, 2-day Rds. 1-2 G/75 then merges. LAX Radisson Hotel, 6225 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. $$10,000 b/200, 50% of each prize guaranteed. In 3 sections: Open: $1500-1000-800-400-200 plus $200 (G) bonus for clear 1st, U2400 $400-200, U2300 $200, U2200 $750-500-300. EF: $79 advance, $95 door, $30 more if rated U1800. Premier: (U2000) $750-500-300-100, U1800 $500-300-200. EF: $79 advance, $95 door, $30 more to U1400, no unrated. Amateur: (U1600) $400+trophy-250-100, U1400 $100+trophy-50, U1200 $100+trophy, Unr. $100+trophy, unrated may win unrated prize only. EF: $64 advance, $75 door. Reg: 5:30-6:30pm 4/11, 8:30-10am 4/12. Rds: 3-day 7 p.m., 11-5:30, 10-4:30. 2-day: 10:30-1:30 (G/75), then merges. All: $50 Best Game prize, all sections eligible. One 1/2-pt. bye Rds. 1-3 if requested with ent. SCCF membership req. of rated S. Cal. res., $12 reg, $7.50 Jr. No credit card entries. No checks at door. HR: $84, 310-670-9000, mention chess. Parking: $5/day. Info: Mike Carr, 949-768-3538, mrcarr@pacbell.net; John Hillery admin@westernchess.com. Web site: www.westernchess.com. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl., Los Angeles, CA 90038. State Championship Qualifier. FIDE.

International Events

BERMUDA

The 1st Pan American Amateur Championship will be held at the elegant Fairmont Southampton from 27th January to 5th February 2003. It will be nine rounds plus a rest day and will be held alongside two GM Invitational Tournaments (Cat XV and X). The rate of play will be 150 plus 30 seconds per move. It is open to players under 2000 FIDE or no FIDE rating at all. Each Federation in the Americas is allowed to nominate two players who do not have to pay an entry fee, otherwise entry fee is $150 per player. It will be followed by the 20th Bermuda Open from 6th to 9th February.

Rooms are $125 per night plus taxes etc. for one or two people, a third person in a room would be an extra $30 plus taxes. etc To book rooms contact the Fairmont Southampton on 1-800-441-1414 or 1-441-238-8000, mentioning "PanAmerican Amateur Chess."

Details/Info: www.Bermuda.bm/chess or Nigel Freeman 441-234-2322, cadilly@ibl.bm or Carol Jarecki 917-690-8566, cjareck@attglobal.net.

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