Mechanics's Institute Chess Room Newsletter #79

"I have won many games that have not made me happy; and when I lose, I am also not happy. My friends ask "so when are you happy?". That's the way chess is; you are happy only rarely; the rest is grief."
   GM Ljubomir Ljubojevic

1) Sunnyvale
2) National Open (Part 2)
3) MI Chess History 1946
4) Kurt Bendit
5) Cal Chess Membership
6) Upcoming Events

1) Sunnyvale

NM Michael Aigner writes:

The LERA tournament was held March 9-10 in Sunnyvale About 75 players showed up, allowing organizer Rod McCalley to increase the prize fund slightly. The top section featured six masters, led by IM Vinay Bhat and NMs Robin Cunningham and Michael Aigner. After the first two rounds, those were the only players with perfect scores. When the dust settled, Aigner took clear first with 3.5/4, defeating Bhat with white in the last round. Second place was shared by Cunningham (who also drew Bhat) and underrated junior Akash Deb (whose lone blemish was a loss to Aigner), both at 3.0/4.

2) National Open (Part 2)

The following MI members scored 50 percent or better in the Reserve (1999-1600) and Booster (1599 and below).
Reserve: Lazar Shnaiderman, Marty Cortinas, Paul Ganem and Nikunj Oza all 3.5-2.5. Booster: Ake Gullmes 3.5-2.5.

Last week I omitted the name of NM Jon Frankle who scored 3.5-2.5 in the open section.

3) MI Chess History 1946

Playing in the strongest championship field mustered in the last few years by the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club of San Francisco, Carroll Capps walked off with first prize by scoring 10-2. He was closely followed by V. Pafnutieff 9 1/2 - 2 1/2 and A.J. Fink 9-3.

Chess Review, August-September 1946, p.12

In the following tournament report we see MI Trustee Neil Falconer near the top of the standings in the 1946 California State Championship. A.J. Fink won, this time scoring 8 1/2 - 3 1/2 in a good field. Other leading scores were: V. Pafnutieff 7 1/2; N. Falconer 7 and R. Konkel 6.

   Chess Review December 1946

4) Kurt Bendit

Former MI Chess Club Director Kurt Bendit is at Lawton Healthcare 1575 7th Ave. (at Lawton) (415) 566-1200 and would enjoy hearing from old friends. Kurt is best known for his organizational abilities, but he tied for first in the 1956 Cal Open with 16-year-old Gil Ramirez and Robert Cross.

5) Cal Chess Membership

Cal Chess, the official body representing the United States Chess Federation in Northern California, is becoming increasingly more active under President Tom Dorsch and California Chess Journal Editor Frisco del Rosario and deserves support. Members receive discounts on the entry fee to many chess tournaments in Northern California as well as a subscription to the bimonthly Journal which includes annotations by the likes of GM Alex Yermolinsky. The cost of a years membership is $15 ($13 for scholastic). Contact Tom Dorsch at POB 7453, Menlo Park CA 94026. (650) 322-0955 tomdorsch@aol.com.

6) Upcoming Events

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 nonmembers, $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

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

Hercules Open April 27th and 28th

$1,350 based on 50 paid entries at The Mechanics Bank (Operations Center), 725 Alfred Noble Dr., in Hercules, CA!!
Directions: From SF/Berkeley: take Interstate I-80 East to State Route 4/ Hercules Exit -(willow Rd.). Make right turn off ramp onto Willow Rd. then make another right turn at light onto Sycamore Dr. Then a right turn at light on San Pablo Ave. Then make a left turn on John Muir Parkway, entrance to North Shore Business Park at the intersection of John Muir Parkway and San Pablo Ave. Then make the only right turn onto Alfred Noble Dr. Go up the hill to 725 Alfred Noble Dr. The Mechanics Bank.
From State Hwy 4: Travel East on State HWY 4 to John Muir Parkway Exit. Keep straight into the North Shore Business Park at the intersection of San Pablo Ave. and John Muir Parkway. Then make the only right turn onto Alfred Noble Dr. Go up hill to 725 The Mechanics Bank (Operations Center).
From Vallejo/ Napa: take Interstate I-80 West to Willow Rd. Exit. Make Right off interstate and go up to San Pablo Ave.-Make the only left turn. Make a Right turn onto John Muir Parkway at the intersection of State Route 4 and John Muir Pkwy, into the North Shore Business Park. Then make the only right turn on Alfred Noble Dr. Go up hill to 725 The Mechanics Bank.
Free Parking / skittles room!
See the most beautiful site in the East Bay!!

One Section: 4 Round Swiss, G/2, (Limited to 50 Players)
$350-250-150, Best X $140, Best A $130, Best B $120, Best C $110, Best D/E/Unr. $100.
Pre-entries: $35.00 if postmarked by 4/20/01; $40.00 at site/no checks at site. Make checks payable and send to: Rico Adkins, 15696 Crestwood Dr. #172, San Pablo, CA 94806. Please include your name, address, & USCF number and Exp. Date, and rating with entry. Byes must commit before first round. USCF membership required, membership renewal available at site. Apr. Supplement used. Questions/ Info. (510) 262-9061/e-mail: Fgh348@cs.com. Reg. ends at Sat 9:30 am. Rounds: Sat 10:30am, 3:30pm; Sun 10am 3:00pm. Bring sets, clocks.