Mechanics' Institute Chess Room Newsletter #74

1) Winter Tuesday Night Marathon

2) World Champion boxer Lennox Lewis and Chess

3) Falconer Award Presentation February 21

4) Upcoming Events

1) Winter Tuesday Night Marathon

Larry Snyder defeated Victor Ossipov in a nicely played game last night to take sole possession of first place with 5 from 5 with three rounds to go. A point back are Igor Margulis, Steve Gaffagan, Peter Grey, James Jones, Steven Krasnov, and Chad Sweeney. 12-year-old Ewelina Krubnik (1574) is on 3 1/2, courtesy of an upset win over Mario Samatra (1972).

2) World Champion boxer Lennox Lewis and Chess

Chess and boxing have been compared to each other because in both you can be leading the entire contest only to have the possibility to lose in an instant. World Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis, who is an avid player, shares his views on the similarities:

"It's like boxing: there's a strategy. You have to decide what move to use, or what combination of moves. I'm thinking less when I'm boxing, because the reaction time is a lot quicker, but some people call me the chess boxer because they say I think too much when I'm in the ring. I am taking my time about it and they are not seeing the action they want. Well, that is because I am thinking of the proper strategy to defeat this man. I am thinking and boxing at the same time. Some boxers just go in there and just throw punches and hope to win."

3) Falconer Award Presentation

International Master Vinay Bhat of San Jose will be presented a check for $2505 on February 21st at 3pm at the Mechanics' Institute by Neil Falconer. The check is Vinay's reward for being the top-rated player under 18 in Northern California. The public is welcome to attend.

4) Upcoming Events

AT THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE:

The A.J. Fink Amateur Championship March 1-3, 2002 5 Round Swiss Open to all rated under 2000 USCF
Round One (Game in 2 - Time Control for 1st Rd only! ) : 6:30pm - March 1st Round Two: 10:00am , Round Three: 4:00 pm - March 2nd Round Four: 10:00am, Round Five: 4:00pm - March 3rd Late Registration is from 5-6 pm on March 1st Time Control: 30/90; G/1 ( with the exception of Round one which is Game in 2) Entry Fee: $35 by March 26th. $40. after. $5. discount to MI members Prizes: ($1200 b/40) :$300-$200-$100. B $125/70 C $115/65 D $105/50 Unrated $70 Print/Clip/Send NAME:_______________________________________________
ADDRESS:____________________________________________
CITY:_______________________________________________
USCF #ID:______________________ RATING:____________ DISCOUNTS:______________
TOTAL:_________

The Max Wilkerson Open Saturday, March 30, 2002 5 Round Swiss A One Day G/45 Event Rated 1/2 K
PRIZES:
$600 - total, based on 25 paid entries.
1st 200, 2nd $100, top U2200 $90, U2000 $75, U1800 $70, U1600 $65.
ENTRY FEE:
$25 for MI members, $30 for non-members, $5 discount to juniors
Late fee of $5 for entries received after March 26th.
Make checks payable to the Mechanics' Institute. REGISTRATION:
9AM-9:30AM ROUNDS:
10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
For more information: (415) 421-2258 or Email us
Print/Clip/Send NAME:_______________________________________________
ADDRESS:____________________________________________
CITY:_______________________________________________
STATE AND ZIP:____________ USCF #ID:______________________
RATING:____________ DISCOUNTS:______________
TOTAL:_________

REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS

A Heritage Event
Feb. 16-18 GPP: 20 N California
29th Annual People's Chess Tournament.
6SS, 45/2, SD/1. Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Union, Corner of Bancroft & Telegraph Ave, U.C. Berkeley Campus. $$G 3200. Open: EF: $40 rec'd by 2/9, $45 at site, $500-350-200, U2300 $110. Expert: (2000-2199) EF: $39 rec'd by 2/9, $44 at site, $$300-150-75. Class A: (1800-1999) EF: $38 rec'd by 2/9, $43 at site, $$290-150-75. Class B: (1600-1799) EF: $37 rec'd by 2/9, $42 at site, $$280-140-70. Reserve: (U1600) 4SS, 45/90, SD/1. EF: $27 rec'd by 2/9, $32 at site, $$200-125-50, U1400 $100-50. Reg: 9-10 am sat 2/16. Rds: Open, X,A,B: 11-5:30 Sat., 10-4:30 Sun., 10-4:30 Mon. Reserve: 11-4:30 Sat, 10-3:30 Sun. Bring Equipment-None Supplied. One 1/2 pt Bye available-must be taken at registration, player may play up for $5 add'l. Cks payable to ASUC/Superb. Ent: ASUC/Superb Productions-Academic Games, 5 Eshleman Hall #4500, Berkeley, CA 94720. Info: 415-491-1269 (No phone entries). NS,NC,W,FIDE.

Mar. 23-24. 4th Annual Bay Area Ohlone Tourney.4SS, 30/90, SD/60
College Cafeteria, 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont, CA.
$$(1620 b/100 full entries). 3 sects: Open, open to all. EF $35 if received by 3/21,$40 at site. $$ 300-170-100, U2100 $$ 155, 100. Reserve, open to U1900. EF : $ 35 if received by 3/21, $40 at site. $$ 200-80-70, U1700 $165, 80.Booster, open to U1500. EF: $35 if received by 3/21, $40 at site, $$ 100-60-40. Prizes: Trophy in each sect. +Trophy for best 3 mem. Team. Special EF:Scholastic rated U1100 or new USCF mem., Collegiate/ USCF mem. attending College, $30 in adv., $35 at site. All: $3 CalChess discount. Reg.9-9:30 amRds. Sat. 10-3:30, Sun. 9:30-3.
Ent/Info: Hans Poschmann, 4621 Seneca Park Ave., Fremont, CA 94538, hspwood2@attbi.com

National Events

*A U.S. Championship Qualifier*
Feb. 28-Mar. 3 GPP: 200 Illinois
2002 U.S. Masters: Eugene Martinovsky Memorial.
"The Homecoming of the American Master" 7SS, 40/2, SD/1. Hyatt Regency Oak Brook, 1909 Spring Rd., Oak Brook, IL. 630-573-1234. Free parking. Adjacent to Oak Brook Shopping Ctr. Open to players 2200+ or all who have ever been so rated, plus invited jrs. rated 2000+. EF: $85 rec'd by 2/20; $100 later until 2/25. No site ent's. GMs/IMs play free., confirm IN WRITING by 2/20. $$22,000 Gtd: $6000-4000-2500-1500-1000-700. 2400-2499: $600-350-150; 2300-2399: $600-350-150; 2200-2299: $500-250-100; U2200: $500-250-100. Top non-master jr: $400. Plus $1500 in pt. pool prizes to non-winners of above prizes. $200 Best Game Prize, $150 Best Endgame, $150 Best Combo. HR: $94 sgl./dbl. Mention US Masters & res. by phone/mail by 2/14 for chess rate. 1/2 pt. bye avail. in rds 1 or 2, must commit w/ent. Rds: 2/28 8pm; 3/1 10:30-5; 3/2 10:30-5; 3/3 9:30-4. Sets/boards provided, bring clocks. Ent: Cks payable to Midwest Chess Assoc., Helen Warren, PO Box 305, Western Springs, IL 60558. 630-663-0688, FAX 630-663-0689, apct@aol.com. VISA/MC. NS,NC,W.FIDE.