"In chess, as in life, we are constantly subjected to tests. We are immersed in a world of struggle, which demands that we be constantly on the alert. We need to be able to carry out our ideas, to achieve recognition. "

   GM Joseph Dorfman - The Critical Moment

1) Anatoly Karpov to play in Lindsborg
2) Matthew Gross leads Fall TNM 
3) Berkeley Chess Club Moves
4) Here and There
5) Appeal for Donations
6) Upcoming Events

1) Anatoly Karpov to play in Lindsborg

Former World Champion Anatoly Karpov will be making his first tournament in the United States since San Antonio 1972 this weekend in Lindsborg, Kansas. GMs Alex Onischuk, Ivan Morovic, Yury Shulman, GM-elect Pascal Charbonneau and IM John Donaldson complete the field in this Category 13 (2574+ FIDE) game/25 (with ten-second increment) roundrobin event which will be shown live on the ICC (www.chessclub.com). Round times (Central time) are December 13: 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM December 14: 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM.

2) Matthew Gross leads Fall TNM

Rapidly improving Expert Matthew Gross is still in the lead with one round to go in the Fall Tuesday Night Marathon. Gross, who nearly beat NM Egle Morkunaite in round eight, has 6.5/8 followed by Morkunaite, IM Walter Shipman, NM Victor Ossipov and Expert Larry Snyder.

The last round of the Fall TNM will be played next Tuesday. The Winter TNM starts January 6.

Note that the last of MI GM-in-Residence Alex Yermolinsky's weekly lectures for 2003 will be held tonight starting at 5:15 PM. The series resumes on January 6.

3) Berkeley Chess Club Moves

The Berkeley Chess Club has moved back to its old location at the beautiful Berkeley City Club at 2315 Durant Avenue. The location is only a block from the UC Berkeley campus and is a 5 minute walk from the downtown Berkeley BART station. The club, which meets Fridays, offers weekly USCF rated play. The program for kids run 6:30 PM to 8 PM and for adults 8 PM to Midnight. Call Alan Glascoe at (510) 652-5324 for more information.

4) Here and There

Congratulations to 15-year-old San Jose High School student Matthew Ho who just earned his USCF Master title. His post-tournament rating from the Ralston Memorial was 2236.

Congratulations also go to another MI member. Well-known author FM Eric Schiller (USCF 2210) had an excellent performance at the American Open, scoring 4-4 while playing up the entire event against opposition averaging over 2300.

5) Appeal for Donations

All donations to the Mechanics' (including your annual membership dues) are tax deductible due to the M.I.'s 501(c) (3) nonprofit status. If you have any chess books or equipment that has 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 it put to good use.

6) Upcoming Events

Upcoming Tournaments at the MI

Guthrie McClain Memorial - Dec. 13
Bob Burger Open - Jan. 17, 2004
Henry Gross Memorial - Feb. 7, 2004

Dec. 19-23. GPP: 60 Kansas 2nd Annual Lindsborg Open. 9SS, 30/90, SD/1.First two rounds accelerated pairing. 3,500 guaranteed prize fund! GM & IMnorms are available! FIDE rating 1st - $1,200, 2nd - $800, 3rd - $600, 4th 400, 5th 200. U2400: $100 75; U2200: $100 75EF: GMs & IMs free. Membership at KCA is required for Kansas residents.Before 11/15/03: FIDE >2300, $80. FIDE, USCF >2200, $90. FIDE <2200, $100. non-FIDErated, USCF <2200 *, $130. Before 12/1/03: $90, $100, $110, $140, respectively. At site: $100, $110, $120, $150, respectively. * number of players in this section will be limited. Schedule: Opening Ceremony December 19, 2003 at 11:00am. Rds: 12/19 - 12:00noon & 6:00 pm; 12/20, 21, 22 - 10:00am & 5:00pm; 12/23 9:00am 1/2-pt byes OK at ALL. Limit 3. FIDE, USCF. NS, NC. Ent: INTECS,Inc. (232 N. Main St, Lindsborg, KS 67456) 785-906-0402

Dec. 19-21. GPP: Kansas 3rd Annual Lindsborg Rotary Open. 6SS, $1,500 guaranteed prize fund! Open: G/120. 1st - $300, 2nd - $200, 3rd - $100; U1800: $100 75 50; U1600: $100 75 50; U1400: $100 75 50; U1200-UNR: $100 75 50 EF: $50 (paid before 11/15); $60 (before 12/15); $70 (at site) Schedules: Reg: 12/19 by 5:30pm. Rds: 12/19 6:00pm; 12/20 9:00, 1:30, 7:00; 12/21 9:00, 1:30. 1/2-pt byes OK at ALL. Last bye must commit before round 4. USCF. NS, NC. Ent: INTECS, Inc. (232 N. Main St, Lindsborg, KS 67456) 785-906-0402, http://www.intecsus.org/. Info: intecsus@yahoo.com HR: http://www.lindsborg.org/ 1-888-227-2227.

Dec. 13. Karpov Chess School Scholastic Tournament. Presents tournament guests: 12th World Champion Anatoly Karpov; 2003 World Championship Qualified Grandmasters Alexander Onischuk, Yury Shulman, and Ivan Morovic (Chile). 5SS, G/30. Sections: K-3, K-5, K-8, K-12. Trophies for each category: 1-3 (teams and individuals); medals 4-20. Schedule: Reg: Ends at 9:30am. Opening Ceremony: 9:45am. Rds: 10:00am; 12:45pm, 2:00pm, 3:15pm, 4:30pm. Closing ceremony: 5:45pm EF: $25, including tournament registration, tournament brochure, autographed photo with Grandmasters, and free tickets to the Invitational tournament (details on www.lindsborg.org). Ent: INTECS, Inc. (232 N. Main St, Lindsborg, KS 67456) 785-906-0402, http://www.intecsus.org/. Info: intecsus@yahoo.com HR: http://www.lindsborg/.org, 1-888-227-2227.