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Chess holds its master in its own bonds, shakling the mind and brain so that the inner freedom of the very strongest must suffer. Albert Einstein 1) Kaidanov leads US Open 2) Bologan wins in Dortmund 3) Oldest chess clubs in the US 4) USCF update 5) Upcoming Events 1) Kaidanov leads US OpenKentucky GM Gregory Kaidanov leads the US Open in Los Angeles with a score of 8-1 with three rounds to go. There is a large group of players right behind at 7 1/2 including fomer Candidate Jaan Ehlvest. Top MI scorers at 7-2 in the 457 player field are IM Richardo DeGuzman, David Pruess, Michael Aigner (who just beat GM Blatny) and John Donaldson. Complete standings are available at http://www.usopenchess.org/. 2) Bologan wins in DortmundMoldovan GM Viorel Bologan pulled off a major upset by winning the annual super tournament in Dortmund. Final standings: 1 V Bologan (Moldova) 6.5/10; 2-3 V Kramnik (Russia), V Anand (India) 5.5; 4 T Radjabov (Azerbaijan) 5; 5 P Leko (Hungary) 4; 6 A Naiditsch (Germany) 3.5.
V Anand - V Bologan
P Leko - V Anand
V Bologan - A Naiditsch 3) Oldest chess clubs in the USThe Mechanics' Institute Chess Club, founded in 1854, is the oldest in the United States, but who is number two after the demise of the Manhattan last year? Some might think it the Marshall in New York, which was founded around the time of the First World War, but they would be mistaken. Honors go the city of Philadelphia and its Franklin Mercantile club, as historians John Hilbert and Neil Brennen point out. John writes, "I don't have all the details at hand, but the Franklin Chess Club was organized in October 1885. The Mercantile Library, which had had a chess room for quite a few years, I believe, finally formed an association early in 1896: the Mercantile Library Chess Association. The two clubs finally merged in 1955, forming the Franklin-Mercantile.Shipley on Saturday, January 26, 1878, for instance, went to the Mercantile Library to watch the chess games being played--but I don't think they had a formal association then." Neil adds, "The merger of the Franklin and Mercantile took place at the end of 1955. Ray Glover discussed the politics involved in the merger in a series of articles in The Pennswoodpusher 30 years ago. Also, Milton Logan, age 94, has provided me some information as well. The merger was something of a shotgun marriage. The Franklin had the name and the money, and the Mercantile had the players. The Franklin also had a home; the Mercantile Library was torn down in the early 1950's, and the Mercantile players had to move to a variety of locations. There was bitter opposition to the merger in some quarters, such as William A. Ruth's comment that his initials were WAR, and that the Mercantile faced that if they brought up the idea of a merger." 4) USCF updateThe US Open in Los Angeles has provided several political bombshells. Executive Director Frank Niro was not present at the meetings, having resigned shortly before for health reasons. The USCF is projecting a $365,000 loss this year instead of a $75,000 profit as had been projected a few months ago.. This marks over half a decade of annual losses. The national headquarters will be moving from New Windsor to Crossville, Tennessee as soon as possible through the efforts of Harry Sabine and others in that state. The USCF was offered free land. The plan is that the organization will be able to use this opportunity to cut costs and finally make a much needed modernization of their computer system. This efficiency should result in savings due to the reduced number of employees required to operate the office. The USCF had originally entertained a couple of offers in Southern Florida, but neither panned out. New Policy members Beatriz Marinello, Timothy Hanke, and Don Schultz took office and immediately made their weight felt in the voting for the new president. Some insiders had expected that many time PB member Frank Camaratta, who had played a key role in keeping the USCF solvent the past few years would finally be named president but that was not to be. Newcomer Marinello will be leading the USCF in very challenging times. Steve Shutt will serve as Vice President, Hanke as VP of Finance and Frank Brady as Secretary. Mike Nolan will be chief operating officer and Paul Troung Director of Marketing and Public Relations. 5) Upcoming EventsUpcoming Tournaments at the MI Full details at www.chessclub.org Vladimir Pafnutieff: August 23 Bay Area Events Aug. 30-Sept. 1 CalChess Labor Day Championships GPP: 15 California 6SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day option rds 1-3 G/60); Golden Geteway Holiday Inn. Van Ness at Pine, San Francisco. $$ b/130 paid adult, 20 paid junior entries. Seven Sections: Master $700-$350-$200; U2400, $300; Expert $400-$200-$100. "A" $350-$175-$100. "B" $350-$175-$100. "C" $350-175-100. "D/E" $350-$175-$100; U1200 $225. Unr: Trophy First. Trophy to top finisher (State Champion) in each section. All, EF: postmarked by 8/25 $65 (Jrs. $55) 3-day schedule, $64 (Jrs $54) 2-day schedule. $75 at site (Jrs. $65). Unrateds $40 in the D/E section or may play up to the Master section for the regular fee. $5 discount to CalChess members. USCF memb. req'd. May play up one section for add'l $10 (Jrs $5). GM/IM free entry. Reg: Sat 8/30 8-9:30am, Sun 8/31 8-9am. RDS: Choice of schedules- 3-day, 2-day merge at round 4, all compete for the same prizes. 3-day schedule Sat 10:00-4:00; Sun 11:00-4:30; Mon 10:00-3:30. 2-day schedule Sun 9:30-11:45-2:00-4:30 Mon 10:00-3:30. 1/2 pt bye(s) any round(s) if requested in advance (byes rds 5-6 must be requested before rd 1). 2003 August Ratings List, CCA minimums and Directors discretion will be used to place players as accurately as possible. Please bring clocks and equipment. HR: Golden Gateway Holiday Inn (415)-441-4000. Info: Richard Koepcke (415)-964-2640. Ent: Richard Koepcke, P.O. Box 1432, Mountain View, CA 94042. No Phone entries. FIDE. Regional and National The following is now the third largest Labor Day event in the nation after New York and Southern California. Aug. 29-Sept. 1 22nd North American Open GPP: 40 Oklahoma 10SS, 25/80, SD/60. Holiday Inn (Holidome), 2515 W. Sixth Ave (HWY-51) Stillwater. EF: $60, $30Jrs U19. OCA req $10, OSA. EF refunded to rating +2300 men, +1700 women who finish tnmt. $$Gtd: $800-$600-$400-$200. Eleven class plaques and $ per entries. Reg: Noon-1:30pm Fri, Rds: 2-7, 9-2-7, 9-2-7, 9-2. 2 byes rds 1-8. Free Parking. HR: $60(1-4) 405-372-0800. Ent: Jim Berry P O Box 351, Stillwater, OK 74076. 405-624-2281. Email: jaberrycg@aol.com. Western States Open (Reno) October 17-19 21st ANNUAL SANDS REGENCY RENO-WESTERN STATES OPEN GPP: 150 Nevada 6SS, 40/2, 20/1. Sands Regency Hotel/Casino, 345N.Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501. 1-800-648-3553 or 775-348-2200. $$50,000 b/500 $$30,250 Gtd. FREE LECTURE/ANALYSIS by GM LARRY EVANS! G: $3,000-1,500-1,100-1,000-900-800-700- 600-500-400 in Open Section plus 1/2 of all other prizes. 7 Sections: OPEN: EF: GMs and IMs free, Masters $135, (2000-2199) $156, (1999-below) $206. $$3,000+trophy- 1,500-1,100-1,000-900-800-700-600-500-400, (2400-2499) $1,000, (2300-2399) $1,000-600-400, (2299-below) $1,000-600-400. If a tie for 1st overall, then (G/15 min.) playoff for $100 from prize fund. (Note: GM/IM w/free entry not eligible for class prizes (2499/below) ,may elect to pay EF and become eligible). EXPERT: (2000-2199) EF: $134. $$2,000+trophy-1,000-700-500-300-200-200-200-200-100-100-100-100-100- (U2100 $700). "A" SECT. (1800-1999): EF: $133. $$1,900+trophy- 1,000+trophy-700+trophy-500-300-200-200-200-200-200-100-100-100-100-100. "B"SECT. (1600-1799): EF: $132. $$1,800+trophy- 1,000+trophy-600+trophy-500-300-200-200-200-200-200-100-100- 100-100-100. "C" SECT. (1400-1599): EF: $131 $$1,700+trophy- 1,000+trophy-600+trophy-500-300-200-200-200-200-200-100-100- 100-100-100. "D" SECT. (1200-1399 including adult unrated) EF: $130 (Unr.free entry but must join USCF for 1 full yr. thru this tournament. If already a member must join for 1 additional yr.-($49 adults,$25jrs.) $$1,500+trophy-1,000+trophy-500+trophy-400-300-200-200-200-200-200-100-100- 100-100-100, 1st unrated-1yr. USCF membership+trophy. "E" SECT. (1199/below,including unrated Jrs.). EF: $65 (Unrated free but must join USCF for 1 full yr. thru this tournament, if already a member must join for 1 additional yr.-$25/Jrs.). (NOTE: Each entry in this section counts as 1/2 of entry for total prize fund). $$500+trophy- 400+trophy-300+trophy-200+trophy-100-100-100-100-100-100-100- 100-100-100- 100, 1st Unr.-1 yr. USCF membership+trophy. SENIORS: (65yrs./older) $$500- 300-200-100 (Srs. not eligible-provision l rated, unrated, "E" Sect., and Masters). CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP: $$1,000-500-300-200 decided by total score of best 10 scores from one club or area in main tournament (Not eligible- Masters, unrateds, or SECT."E"). ALL: $11 more if postmarked after 9/30, and $22 if postmarked after 10/12 or at site. $20 off EF to Sr. (65yrs. and +) and Jrs. (19/under) (Does not apply to SECT. "E"). Players may play up. Provisionally rated players may only win "up to" 50% of 1st place money except in Open Sec. 1-10. CCA ratings may be used. NOTE: pairings not changed for color alternation unless three in a row or a plus 3 and if the unlikely situation occurs 3 colors in a row may be assigned. REG: 5-9pm (10/16), 9-10am (10/17). RDS: 12-7, 10-6, 9:30-4:30. Byes available any round if requested before 1st round. ENT: Make checks payable and send to: SANDS REGENCY (address above).HR: $39! (Sun-Thurs) and $54! (Fri-Sat) + 13.5% tax. Info: Jerry Weikel (775) 747-1405 (Email: wackyykl@aol.com) FIDE.W. |