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Chess players are madmen of a certain quality, the way the artist is supposed to be, and isn't, in general. Marcel Duchamp |
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News 2) Connor Schroth, a Mechanics' Inspiration - by Bob Burger 3) Leonid Shamkovich (1923-2005) 4) Ben Finegold Makes GM Norm in Chicago 5) Gorbachev to Promote World Peace in Lindsborg 6) Chess Poem by NM Dennis Fritzinger 7) Ivanov-Karpov 8) Here and There 9) Upcoming Events 1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club NewsNM Batchimeg Tuvshintugs took a sixth round bye but still leads the Spring Tuesday Night Marathon with 5.5 points. Tied for second at 5 are IM John Grefe, Expert and soon to be Master Igor Traub and former Expert George Sanguinetti who upset NM Russell Wong last night. Three rounds remain for the 68-player field. Not able to visit the Chess Room in person? Go to http://www.monkeyview.net/id/965/chess/index.vhtml and see how MI member Kayven Reise has photographed much of the MI Chess Club. MI Chess Director John Donaldson took home the $1000 1st prize in the Idaho Open this past weekend in Pocatello. Donaldson scored 4.5, drawing soon-to-be GM Igor Ivanov in round four. Ivanov, who took a second round bye, was second at 4 followed by many-time Montana Champion Greg Nowak in third at 3.5 in the multi-section event held at Idaho State University and organized by Herb Maschner. 2) In Memory of Connor Schroth, a Mechanics' Inspiration - by Bob BurgerIn Memory of Connor Schroth, a Mechanics' Inspiration Fifty-five years ago this month I was introduced to a chessplayer, at Mechanics' Institute, whose memory remains with me, in several ways, to this day. His mother, Helen, and his father, George, lived near my parents in Lafayette. They had met at the Olympic Games in Paris, 1924 -- the games memorialized in the film Chariots of Fire. Helen swam the 400 meters for the U.S., George was the captain of the U.S. water polo team. Both of them starred in their events. They married in San Francisco a year later, and their son Connor was born in 1926. Unfortunately, Connor's nervous system was damaged at birth. He was a "spastic," as it was then called, for the rest of his life. Well ahead of his time, Connor learned to ignore this 'stigma' and face the life that was dealt to him. His arms paralyzed except to grasp a support, he learned how to repair radios with tools held in his mouth. He started a business, bought his first car, a Cord, got a driver's license based on a specially built steering wheel, and then learned about chess. Connor and I went to Mechanics' Institute in the fall of 1950 and played a few pickup games on a Saturday afternoon there. I recall that Earl Pruner and Jim Schmitt, two MI stalwarts, watched the games. Connor had to use a long chopstick, held in his mouth, to move the pieces. In a few months he was playing at about 1900 level. He was a handsome young man, with thick black hair and strong features. But of course everything about him was contorted by his partial paralysis. Connor joined the Koltanowski "Chess in Action" group, at my suggestion, then the Golden Gate Chess Club, where Henry Gross made him especially welcome. He progressed to the point where he played on the GG team in the Bay Area Chess League. Henry pointed out to me the little dents in the boards at the club where Connor's chop stick banged the squares. Connor opened a boat shop in Sausalito, where he could use his mechanical talents to fix engines, radios, and sell excursions. He met a young woman who came in looking for a hobby, for she was in a wheelchair. He married her; my wife Theresa and I were best man and bridesmaid. Her name was Helen. George Schroth had been the swimming coach at Cal for many years. When he retired, he kept his hand in by coaching the water polo team at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Finally, realizing his son was fending for himself despite his enormous handicap, he and his wife retired to Mexico. In 1978, however, Connor's condition took a bad turn. We talked by phone, we met. But he was in severe pain and could find no way out. In a few months I learned he took his own life. Helen told me he wanted me to have his chess set. It's the one I now use in Arcata. The board still has those wonderful little dents in it. 3) Leonid Shamkovich (1923-2005)Grandmaster Leonid Shamkovich passed away recently. Shamkovich, who was born June 1st, 1923, in Rostov-on-Don, was a two-time champion of the Russian Federation (in 1954 and 1956). He took part in several USSR championships (best result - equal 5th in 1964/1965) and became a Grandmaster in 1965. In 1974 Shamkovich immigrated to Israel and in 1976 moved to the United States. Along with Anatoly Lein, Shamkovich launched the wave of immigration from the Soviet Union that transformed American chess. He took part in several U.S. championships and was twice U.S. Open Champion (1976 and 1977). Shamkovich qualified for the 1979 Interzonal in Brazil and played on the 1980 U.S. Olympiad team in Malta. Besides his many successes as a player GM Shamkovich was a well-respected writer who wrote several books on the opening and middlegame including the Modern Chess Sacrifice. Shamkovich,L - Kholmov,R B17 29th USSR-ch Baku (10), 30.11.1961 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Bc4 Ngf6 6.Ng5 e6 7.Qe2 Nb6 8.Bd3 h6 9.N5f3 c5 10.Be3 Qc7 11.Ne5 Bd6 12.Ngf3 0-0 13.g4 c4 14.Nxc4 Nxc4 15.Bxc4 Nxg4 16.Rg1 e5 17.0-0-0 Nxe3 18.Qxe3 Kh8 19.Rxg7 Kxg7 20.Rg1+ Kf6 21.dxe5+ Bxe5 22.Qxh6+ Ke7 23.Re1 Be6 24.Nxe5 Rfe8 25.Qg5+ Kf8 26.Qf6 Rec8 27.Ng6+ Ke8 28.Bb5+ 1-0 Shamkovich,L - Kolarov,A D42 Varna, 1970 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Be7 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bd3 0-0 9.0-0 Nc6 10.Bc2 Ncb4 11.Bb1 Nf6 12.Bg5 Bd7 13.a3 Nbd5 14.Qd3 g6 15.Bh6 Re8 16.Ne5 Bc6 17.Ba2 Nh5 18.Qf3 Ndf6 19.d5 Bxd5 20.Nxd5 exd5 21.Rad1 Bf8 22.Nxf7 Qb6 23.Bxf8 Rxf8 24.Ng5 Qxb2 25.Bxd5+ Nxd5 26.Qxd5+ Kh8 27.Rb1 Qc3 28.Rxb7 Nf6 29.Qd6 a5 30.Qe7 Rg8 31.Qxh7+ 1-0 4) Ben Finegold Makes GM Norm in ChicagoThe Chicago Spring Invitational took place 16th-22nd April 2005. The 12 player Category 8 event saw Benjamin Finegold make a GM norm in finishing level with Varuzhan Akobian on 8/11. Jan Van de Mortel made an IM norm. Official site: http://www.ilchess.org/ and Ben Finegold gives round by results and his games at: http://www.angelfire.com/ult/chessassociation/ChicagoPairings.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spring Inv Chicago USA (USA), 16-22 iv 2005 cat. VIII (2436) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Finegold, Benjamin m USA 2522 * = = = 1 = 1 = = 1 1 1 8.0 2602 5) Gorbachev to Promote World Peace in LindsborgContact: Dr. Mikhail Korenman (785) 227-2224 Gorbachev to Promote World Peace in Lindsborg Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev will visit Lindsborg, Kansas in October or November to participate in the Chess for Peace initiative that was launched on April 12 by World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov. Karpov, who announced his Chess for Peace initiative two weeks ago in Lindsborg, returned to Moscow with a letter from Mayor Ron Rolander inviting Gorbachev to Lindsborg. Karpov telephoned Gorbachev and read the letter to him. Karpov said Gorbachev agreed to accept under two conditions: one, that Karpov would accompany him to Lindsborg and two, that Karpov would play a game of chess with him in Lindsborg. Karpov, a close friend of Gorbachev's, said his Chess for Peace initiative will feature a yearlong series of chess events to promote friendship as well as gamesmanship among the youth of countries throughout the world. Gorbachev, who was instrumental in ending the Cold War, will be one of several dignitaries to promote Chess for Peace. "I think it's wonderful that Gorbachev is coming to Lindsborg, because he is a humanitarian and is committed to peace," said Dr. Mikhail Korenman, Director of the Karpov International School of Chess. The Chess for Peace initiative will begin with a series of Internet chess matches between the youth of different countries. During the yearlong initiative, groups of students will also travel to other countries to play chess and make lasting friendships. The events will climax in the summer of 2006, when an expected 2,000 students from throughout the world will converge on Lindsborg to compete in the Chess for Peace Festival. 6) Chess Poem by NM Dennis Fritzingerfamous once
people i didn't know
when i played i had nerves of steel,
i blue-skyed many a game,
in the depths of the tournament hall
but age brought a sudden chill-- 7) Ivanov-KarpovIgor Ivanov is probably the only American player with a plus score against World Champions with the following win over Anatoly Karpov and draws against Gary Kasparov and Boris Spassky. The following game was first anotated by Igor in the Russian chess magazine 64. The English language translation was done by Correspondence Grandmaster Jonathan Berry.
Ivanov,I (2415) - Karpov,A (2705) B43 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5 A reasonable but provocative move. 6.Bd3 Bb7 7.0-0 Ne7 8.Kh1 8.Nb3 leads to a more complicated struggle. 8...Nbc6 9.Nxc6 Nxc6 10.Qg4 h5 11.Qe2 Ne5 Otherwise after 12.f4 Black will have no compensation for his weakened K-side. 12.f4 Ng4 13.Rf3 Qh4 14.h3 Bc5 15.Bd2 I was not filled with unwarranted optimisim. I would have been content if Karpov had given a perpetual check.The world champion's decision is easily understood , but with his next move White completes his development, while the Black King is not very safely placed. 15...g6 16.Raf1 Qe7 17.a3 Preparing counterplay on the Q-side. 17...f5 18.Re1 Played on general considerations. Now I had no regrets about my opponent's refusal to repeat moves. 18...Qf8 Loosens the coordination between Black's pieces, therefore White decides to play actively. After 18...0-0 White would be wise to limit himself to the more modest 19.Ref1; Also not bad was 18...Kf7 , for example 19.b4 Bd4 20.exf5 gxf5 21.Bxf5 Bxf3 22.Qxf3 Nf2+ 23.Kh2 Qf6 24.Ne4 Nxe4 25.Bxe4 with chances for both sides. 19.b4 Bd4 20.a4 Rc8 21.Nd1 The f2 square is now safely defended, but the White Knight does not stand too well. 21...Qf6 Unclear was 21...bxa4 22.c3 Ba7 23.axb5 axb5 24.exf5 The Bishop on b7 is very strong, and in order to initiate successful manoeuvres on the Q-side. I decided to sacrifice my Rook for it. The decision to sacrifice was made much easier because of the fact that White doesn't really have much else to do. 24...gxf5 25.Bxb5 Bxf3 26.Qxf3 Rc7 Weaker is 26...Rb8 27.Qd5 with threats against d7 and e6. 27.c4 Threatening to cut off the Bishop with the pawns. 27...Bd4 28.Qd5 Kd8 29.Qd6 Nf2+ Also after 29...Rg8 30.c5 Qg7 31.Bf1 Nh6 32.Ne3 Nf7 33.Qb6 White has enough compensation for the pawn. 30.Nxf2 Bxf2 31.Be3 After 31.Re2 Qd4 32.Qxd4 Bxd4 33.Be1 an equal ending would arise. 31...Bxe3 31...Bxe1 32.Bb6 with mating threats. 32.Rxe3 Qe7 33.Qd2 If 33.Qd4 Rg8 and probably 34...Qg7. 33...Ke8 34.Qd4 Black's troubles grow. Perhaps the World Champion was not pleased that after 34.Ra3 White can draw with 35.Ra8+ Rc8 36.Ra7 Rc7 37.Ra8+. I feel that in this position White, without great risk, can attempt to create bigger threats. First a threat, then a double-threat that cannot be neutralized. 34...Rg8 Also not safe is 34...Rh6 35.Rg3. 35.Qb6 Qg7 Or 35...Kd8 36.Ra3 36.Qxe6+ For the first time in the game I felt I might win, and just here I made a mistake. After 36.Rxe6+ Kf7 37.Re2 the Rook on c7 is out of play and White wins easily. Everyone knows you must keep your composure until the very end, but how many of us actually do. 36...Kd8 37.Qd5 Ra7 I realized what I had done and felt just awful. But I calmed myself with the thought that 36.Qxe6+ was my payment for 33...Ke8. 38.Rd3 38.Re1 Ra1 39.Rxa1 Qxa1+ 40.Kh2 Qg7 41.Bxd7 Qg3+ would draw. 38...Ra1+? After this it's a loss. Correct was 38...h4 and White can choose between two draws: 39.Rd1 Ra1 40.Rxa1 and then as in the example above, or (40.Qxg8+ Qxg8 41.Rxa1 etc.White could even mate himself with 39.39.Kh2 Qg3+. Also bad for White is 39.Qf3 Qg3.) 39.Kh2 Ra2 40.Bc6 Ra7 41.Qc5 Rc7 42.Qb6 1-0 The threat is 43.Rxd7+. If 42...Ke8 then 43.Qa6+ Kd8 44.Qa8+ Ke7 45.Re3+ Kf6 46.Qa1+. 42...Kc8 CCE # 43, Sept-Oct 1980, page 22 8) Here and ThereRemember the National Telephone League? Founded by Bill Goichberg in the mid 1970s it ran for several years before fizzling out in the early 1980s. Now IM Gregory Shahade, founder of the successful New York Masters series which ran for over four years and a candidate for the USCF Executive Board, is bringing the League back via the Internet. Go to http://www.uschessleague.com and you will discover that all the groundwork is in place for the start later this year. Eight teams (New York, San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Dallas, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Boston) have signed up with GMs Larry Christiansen, Alexander Stripunsky and Julio Becerra among the top rated players competing. Los Angeles based IM Jeremy Silman may no longer play in tournaments but he can still play a mean game of blitz as witnessed by the following rout over a fellow Southland IM at 5 minute. Jeremy Silman - IM X E13 USA 2005 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 b6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 Bb7 7.Nd2 g5 8.Bg3 Bxc3 9.bxc3 Nh5 10.Be5 f6 11.e4 Ng7 12.Bg3 Nc6 13.h4 Kf7 14.Bd3 Qe7 15.f4 gxf4 16.Bxf4 e5 17.Be3 exd4 18.cxd4 Qd6 19.e5 fxe5 20.0-0+ Ke7 21.Ne4 Qa3 22.d5 Nb4 23.Qg4 Rag8 24.Rf7+ Kxf7 25.Qxd7+ Kg6 26.Ng5+ Kh5 27.Be2+ Kxh4 28.Qg4# 1-0 Noted organizer Bill Goichberg, whose prudent financial measures while serving as Executive Director in 2003-2004 helped the USCF stave off bankruptcy, has a campaign website, http://www.checkmate.us/ , where interested voters can learn about his positions on a variety of issues. Hopefully all candidates running for office this year will have similar sites as the space allocated in Chess Life magazine for campaign issues is understandably limited. As mentioned in previous Newsletters the June issue of Chess Life will have a ballot inside it. The two previous elections in which "one member one vote" was used less than 10 percent of those eligible to vote chose to. Hopefully this percentage will rise in this most important of elections. 9) Upcoming EventsUpcoming Tournaments at the MI
Charles Powell Memorial - May 14 Northern California The San Francisco Chess Festival will be held May 6-8 at Fort Mason. Go to http://www.calchess.org/flyers_pdf/SF_Chess_Festival.pdf for more information. Southern California
May 7-8 May 8 Orange County Hexes 3-SS, G/90. Hilton Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. 6-player sections by rating. $$40-20-10 each section. EF: $20 if received by 5-5, $25 door. Reg: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Rds 10:45-2-5. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles CA 90038, or on-line at www.westernchess.com
May 28-30 National and International
Paul Keres Memorial - May 20 - 23
Oklahoma Chess Foundation presents: GPP: 80 Oklahoma May 28-30 or 29-30 Washington Open. 6SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option Rds 1-3 G/60) The new Lynnwood Convention Center, Seattle Area, 3711 196th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036, 425-778-7155, free parking. Prizes: $$12,500 fully guaranteed. Format: 4 sections, Open: FIDE rated. EF $90 adv. Free Entry to GMs, IMs, WGMs. Prizes: $2000-1000-500-400-300-200-100-100, U2150: $600-400-200-100-100. Premier: U2000, EF $80 adv. $$1000-500-250-200-150-100-50-50, U1850 300-200-100-50-50. Reserve: U1700, EF $70 adv. $670-330-160-130-100-70-35-35, U1550: $200-130-70-35-35. Booster: U1400, EF $60 adv. $330-160-80-65-50-35-20-20, U1200 $100-72-36-20-20. UNR: $250-122-40-40-40. ALL: add $4 to any EF for 2-day schedule. All adv. entries must be rec?d by May 20th, add $12 if later or at site. Ten free raffle tickets for Laptop Raffle if entry rec?d by April 15, 5 free tickets if rec?d by May 1st. Canadians may pay $C at par. Reg: Sat, 3day 5/28 10-11:45, Sun, 2day 5/29 9-9:45. Rds: (3day) Sat 12:30-6:45, Sun 10-5, Mon 9-3, (2day) Sun 10-12:30-3-6:45, Mon 9-3. Byes: 2 avail. Rds 4-6 commit by end of Rd.2, irrev. WCF/OCF memb. req?d. OSA. Side Events: WA Blitz Champ. Sun 10:00 p.m., reg 9-9:45, EF $10. Blindfold Mini-Tnmt/Exhibit, Sat 5 p.m. (Reg. 4:30), Lecture: Sat 10:30- 12:00, to be announced. WCF Membership Meeting: Sun 4 p.m. Scholastic: Sat, 5/28, 5SS, G/30 in separate room. K-3, 4-6, 7-12, Trophy Awards. Rds: 10-11:15-1-2:15-3:30. Scholastic Entries to: WCF Scholastic Director, David Hendricks, 2439 220th PL NE, Sammamish, WA 98074, 425-868-3881, DavidCHendricks@comcast.net. Clock Simul, Mon 12:30, G/75 (reg 11:30-12:15). Book/Software/Equipment Vendor, Snacks on site, nearby hotels, restaurants, shopping. HR $69 incl. cont?l breakfast, Best Western Alderwood, 19332 36th Ave. W, Lynnwood WA 425-775-7600, 1 block from Center, reserve by May 20. Ent/Info: WCF Tnmt Coordinator, Carol Kleist, 2420 S. 137th St, Seattle WA 98168 , 206-242-7076, wcftnmtcor@cs.com. All Checks payable to WCF. Also see http://www.whsca.org/ Las Vegas International Chess Festival The Las Vegas International Chess Festival comprises of the following events: June 9th, Polgar Sisters Tandem Simul! For the first time in over 10 years the Polgar sisters, Susan, Judit and Sofia will give a tandem simul. June 9th, National Open Blitz Championship 7 double rounds, seeded Swiss format tournament. June 10th, Breakfast with the Polgar Sisters June 10th-12th, National Open Tournament $55,000 guaranteed prize fund! First place, $5000. 6 round, seeded Swiss format. 8 different sections. US Championship Qualifier. June 13th, US Game/10 Championship $5,000 guaranteed prize fund. 7 round, seeded Swiss format. June 13th-18th, US Senior Championship Open to US residents/citizens born before 6/13/1955. 6 round, seeded Swiss format, one round a day and this is also a US Championship Qualifier. June 13th-18th, US "Under 50" Championship Open to US residents/citizens born on or after 6/13/1955. 6 round, seeded Swiss format, one round a day. You can find out more information about all the above events, along with online entry at http://www.64.com/ |