Mechanics' Institute Chess Room Newsletter #27

"If you have made a mistake or committed an inaccuracy there is no need to
become annoyed and to think that everything is lost. You have to reorient
yourself quickly and find a new plan in the new situation."

David Bronstein

1) Linklater Memorial

GMs Alex Wojtkiewicz and Yury Shulman won the recently concluded Linklater Memorial held at the MI with a score of 7-3, dividing $3500. Tying for third, a half point back, were GM Alexander Baburin and IM (elect) Gregory Shahade ($750 each). Shahade and IM Michael Mulyar made their final IM norms and will officially receive the title at the next FIDE Congress.

US Women's Champion Camilla Baginskaite had a difficult first half of the tournament, but proved to be a good finisher. That was also the case in last year's Val Zemitis International. Newcomer Alexander Kretchetov, who is working as a programmer in Silicon Valley, showed that he is underrated at 2300 FIDE. He played all three GMs tough. Aaron Stearns score was not indicative of his play. He had several games where he should have earned points, but the Fates were against him.

2) USA-China Match

The USA beat China 5.5 - 4.5 in the first round of their Summit match in Seattle yesterday (3/14) Mechanics' members Vinay Bhat and Camilla Baginskaite both played. Vinay, facing Bu (the world's youngest Grandmaster), had a very good position and could have forced a draw, but lost playing for a win. Camilla won a very tough and messy fight. Complete information on the match can be found at USA-China

3) Wong and Ossipov lead Tuesday Night Marathon

Russell Wong defeated fellow National Master David Blohm in round six to grab a share of first place. Wong is joined at 5-1 by Victor Ossipov who beat George Sanguinetti. Tied for third at 4 Â½ are Blohm, Peter Grey and Victor Todortsev. Two rounds remain to be played.

4) Alex Setzepfandt featured in Montclarion

MI Member Alex Setzepfandt, rated number two in the country for players ages 10 and under at 1864, had a feature story on him in the March 13 edition of the Oakland-based newspaper The Montclarion. Alex is making rapid progress and should soon be an Expert!

5) Akopian and Zhong win National Open

Grandmasters Vladimir Akopian and Zhang Zhong of China tied for first in the National Open held March 9-11 in Las Vegas. The two winners, who scored 5½ - ½ , each received $6,000 for their efforts. Mechanics" GM-in-Residence Alex Yermolinsky tied for third through eleventh at 5-1, to win $705. Other Bay Area players finishing in the money were Vivek Nambiar at 4-2 in the Open (tied for top under 2300 and Thomas Masur at 5-1 in the Reserve (equal fifth through tenth).

6) Upcoming Events at the MI

March 30-April 1
A.J. Fink Amateur Championship (open to players below 2000)

April 7
Imre Konig Memorial (5 rounds G/45 at ½ K)

April 28-29
Walter Lovegrove Senior Open (players 50 and over)

May 13
Charles Powell Memorial (G/60)

June 2
William Addison Open (5 rounds G/45 at ½ K)

June 8-10
Arthur Stamer Memorial

July 21 Charles Bagby Memorial (G/29- QC)

August 18
Vladimir Pafnutieff Memorial (5 rounds G/45 at ½ K)

More details on these events can be found at the MI Chess Room website Click here: chess pages

If you have trouble reading any part of this newsletter it can be found in its entirety at the MI Chess Room website.

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