"Intuition in chess can be defined as the first move that comes to mind when you see a position."

   Viswanathan Anand

1) Karpov wins Lindsborg Invitational
2) Ehlvest Marshall Chess Club Champion
3) Ossipov and Bukh tie for first in McClain Memorial  
4) Appeal for Donations  
5) Upcoming Events

1) Karpov wins Lindsborg Invitational

Anatoly Karpov won the Lindsborg (Kansas) Invitational this past weekend. The former World Champion scored an undefeated 3.5 from 5 to win the Category 13 (2574 FIDE) Rapid Chess (G/25 minutes + 10 second increment) roundrobin and pick up $4000. This was Karpov's 158 tournament victory in his career. GM Alex Onischuk was second at 3 followed by GM Yury Shulman and IM John Donaldson 2.5, GM Ivan Morovic at 2 and IM Pascal Charbonneau at 1.5. Karpov led throughout as he won in the first two rounds versus Shulman and Charbonneau. Donaldson had a chance to tie for first if he won in the last round but lost his only game to Shulman.

This event, one of the strongest rapid chess tournaments ever held in the United States, was organized by Dr. Mikhail Korenman of Bethany College and directed by Frank Berry. This coming weekend the Lindsborg Open promise to be a very strong tournament with over 20 GMs and IMs in a 40 player field headed by GM Evgenij Agrest (2605) of Sweden.

2) Ehlvest Marshall Chess Club Champion

GM Jaan Ehlvest of Estonia, currently living in Baltimore, won the 2003 Marshall Chess Club Championship with a score of 6.5 from 9, good for $2000. Tying for second in the small, but strong field, were GMs Alexander Shabalov and John Fedorowicz at 6. Standings can be found at www.marshallchessclub.com .

3) Ossipov and Bukh tie for first in McClain Memorial

There were upsets all over the place in the Guthrie McClain Memorial held December 13 at the Mechanics' Institute. NM Victor Ossipov and Class A player Yefim Bukh drew in the last round to tie for first in the 39-player Swiss. Mongolian master Batsaikhan Tserendorj was the chief giant killer as he knocked off top-seed IM Ricardp DeGuzman. DeGuzman, NM Victor Baja and upcoming junior Wesley Chen tied for third at 4. Anthony Corrales directed for the Mechanics.

4) 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.

5) Upcoming Events

Upcoming Tournaments at the MI

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.