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2 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org

 January on uschess.org
< Hikaru in Corus
Our U.S. champion, GM Hikaru Nakamura, will be playing in the "A"
group of Corus (Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, January 15-31) this year.
His opponents will include World Champion GM Anand and current
top gun 2800+ GM Magnus Carlsen, who Nakamura defeated recently
in a blitz chess match. GM Ian Rogers will report from the scene.

Chess stars: theyre just like us!

From St. Louis

to Turkey >

<
Nominations
The U.S. is sponsored this year by
the Chess Club and Scholastic
for Best of CLO
Center of St, Louis on their trip to In January, well countdown the
the World Team Championship, ten best articles of 2009 so you
January 3-14 in Bursa, Turkey. can catch up on some of the time-
The squad consists of GMs less web pieces you may have
Nakamura, Onischuk, Shulman missed. Nominees for best articles
(right), Akobian and Hess. IM include stories by GM Pascal
Donaldson will captain. See CLO Charbonneau, GM Josh Friedel,
for updates including blogs! FM Mike Klein, WFMs Abby Mar-
shall and Elizabeth Vicary.

This Months Contributors

Mike Klein
(Cover Story, p. 18) is a a frequent contributor
to Chess Life.

Paul Gold
(Profile, p. 30) is a chess master/promoter
and occasional Chess Life contributor living
NAKAMURA AND SHULMAN BY BETSY DYNAKO

inTucson, Arizona.

Dr. Alexey Root, WIM

(2009 U.S. Womens Open, p. 34) is a frequent
contributor to Chess Life and is the author of
Read, Write, Checkmate: Enrich Literacy with
Chess Activities (2009), Westport, Connecticut:
<

The Scoop on Martin Luther King Teacher Ideas Press.

weekend tourneys
The U.S. Chess Scoop will do spot interviews with partici- GM Ian Rogers
(Instruction, p. 37) is a frequent contributor
pants at the Liberty Bell Open in Philadelphia. Also on
to Chess Life.
Martin Luther King Day weekend (January 15-18), look for
updates from the Golden State Open in Concord, California.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 3

January Chess Life
Columns

12 LOOKS AT BOOKS
Diary of a Chess Queen
By GM Alexandra Kosteniuk

14 BACK TO BASICS
Zwischenzug!
By GM Lev Alburt

16 SOLITAIRE CHESS
Young Fischer
By Bruce Pandolfini

42 CHESS TO ENJOY
EGTN
By GM Andy Soltis

44 ENDGAME LAB
Pawn Mate
By GM Pal Benko

46 WHATS THE BEST MOVE?

PHOTO: BETSY DYNAKO

Tricky Endgames
By GM Larry Evans

Departments

3 PREVIEW 18 | COVER STORY

6
8
COUNTERPLAY
FIRST MOVES
My mom
10 USCF AFFAIRS
is the champion
50 TOURNAMENT LIFE of America
70 CLASSIFIEDS By FM Mike Klein
71 SOLUTIONS IM Anna Zatonskih captures
her second U.S. Womens
Special Issue! Championship.
In addition to focusing on women
in chess, this issue takes a special
look at endgames. On page 37,
GM Rogers gives you a shortcut to 30 | PROFILE
endgame study. Additionally, our
columnists GM Andy Soltis, GM
E Squared: Empowerment, Exposure
Larry Evans, and, of course, GM By Paul Gold
Pal Benko, all examine endgames Jean Hoffman has taken an uncoventional path
and are grouped together following towards her chess promotion efforts.
Rogers feature (see p. 42). Finally,
First Moves on page 8 combines 34 | 2009 U.S. WOMENS OPEN
both our themes this month, look-
ing at a particularly exciting
Opening Up
endgame from the World Blitz By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
Championship by GM Kosteniuk. The first U.S. Womens Open draws 16
to OklahomaSaheli wins, and Zenyuk qualifies
On The Cover for 2010 Womens Championship.
Yes, this is still Chess Life and not
a fashion magazine. But we could- 37 | INSTRUCTION
nt resist the glamour shot of our Lazy Endgames
new U.S. womens champion by St.
By GM Ian Rogers
Louis photographer Suzy Gorman.
GM Rogers shows you endgames that can be played almost
Cover design by Frankie Butler on autopilot. (Article will conclude in February 2010 issue.)

4 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org

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Counterplay
Improving on Carlsen
I had a dispute occur when my oppo-
nent, playing the black pieces, ran out of
time on his clock. The tournaments time
control was 60 minutes for the first time
control of 30 moves, and game 90. (Each
player had one hour to make his first 30
moves, and then 30 minutes after that to
make the remainder of his moves.)
My opponent ran out of time before
making his 30th move. The clock beeped,
his time showed 0.00, and I looked up
at him, thinking that the game was over.
He quickly made his 30th move and hit
the clock, and then I said that the game
was over because he ran out of time.
He claimed that because I had not
voiced a claim that he ran out of time
before his 30th move, that he then got the
additional 30 minutes. I claimed that
because he had not made the first time
control, he does not get the extra 30 min-
utes, and therefore I can claim a time
victory when I did.
Please let me know the ruling on this
dispute. The tournament director (TD)
did not know the ruling, but in the end
sided with my opponent. You may also
want to publish this and other common
rules disputes, or tournament etiquette,
as it would be very beneficial to others like
me who are not well versed in tournament
settings.
David Seidel
Oakland, California
David Kuhns, a National Tournament
Director and chair of the USCF rules com-
mittee, responds:
You are correct, and your opponent
(and the TD) are not correct.
The rule states: 9F. Last move of the
time control. When determining whether
the prescribed number of moves has been
made in the allotted time, the last move
is considered complete only after the
player presses his clock. if the flag is
down (time expired) after the move and
the opponent has not yet handled the
clock, the player has failed to make the
time control.
There should never be a dispute
whether or not the last move of time con-
trol was made or the flag fell first, as a
move is not complete until the clock is
pressed. In order to make a time control
the time must not have expired on the
clock at the time the clock is pressed.
If the time has expired (flag down or
time reads 0:00 or advances to the next
time control), the player has not accom-
plished this task, and the director must
rule that the move had not been com-
pleted in time.
6 Chess Life January 2010
November cover
Our November cover showing GM Lev
Alburt with two models was apparently a
love it or hate it item, generating more
reader response than usual. Below, Mr.
Chressanthis best states the case of those
who did not like our attempts at creating
a James Bond-like movie poster:
As a member of the USCF spanning
almost 45 years, I was appalled by the
cover of the Chess Life November 2009
issue. After getting over the brief chuckle
of the pun from an old James Bond movie
(which Im sure had to be explained to our
younger members, and thats if they even
realized the pun), I was then taken back
by the cover and what disturbing mes-
sages this sends to our younger and
female members.
The cover was totally inappropriate for
our scholastic members. Are these the
images we want our scholastic members
to be associated with chess? To our male
members, the cover further perpetuates
an image of men versus women where the
former has the brains and where the lat-
ter having only the beauty and desire to
serve them.
But moreover, did anyone reflect how
the portrayal of women on the cover as
mere sex objects to serve the egos of men
would be received by our female mem-
bers? The cover portrayed a disturbing
lack of editorial judgment, poor taste,
and insensitivity to a segment of our
membership that is likely tired of seeing
this type of stereotypical portrayal of
women. This is not about political correct-
ness. This is about making editorial
decisions that are in keeping with the
mission and values of the USCF.
I strongly suggest that an apology is in
order to our members as well as a need
for steps to ensure this type of poor judg-
ment is not repeated that is offensive,
insensitive, and not in keeping with our
USCF mission and values. We deserve
better.
George Chressanthis
via e-mail
Scholastic members receive Chess Life
For Kids, not Chess Life, and Youth mem-
bers (who only receive six issues per year)
did not receive the November issue. Chess
Life is strongly committed to promoting
women in chess (for example, open to just
about any page in this issue), but that
does not necessarily preclude having fun
with pop-culture imagery.
We will let regular contributor FM Mike
Klein have the last word:
The addition of the women to the photo,
from my view, was meant to enhance the
James Bond motif and was not gratu-
itously salacious. Still, it was a great pun,
very apropos to the article, and fitting, see-
ing as how he dressed in a tux in that
photo of him playing blitz, and Bond
being a Cold War-era hero.
Chess Life welcomes letters from its
readers. Letters are subject to editing
for content and length. Send your let-
ters to letters@uschess.org, and
include your full name and a tele-
phone number.
If Chess Life publishes your letter,
you will be sent a copy of Test, Eval-
uate and Improve Your Chess (see ad
below).
uschess.org
First Moves

Kosteniuk Blitzes in Moscow

From Miami to Moscow, Kosteniuk continues to be, along with U.S. Champion
Hikaru Nakamura, one of our most visible representatives on the world stage.

Kosteniuk (left) accepts Polgars resignation

AT THE WORLD BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP IN MOSCOW, held November 16-18, the Womens World Champion and Miami, Florida
resident GM Alexandra Kosteniuk showed her win at the U.S. Open blitz tournament was no fluke (see November Chess Life).
Though she finished at the bottom of the strong 22-player field, with GM Magnus Carlsen emerging as champion, she scored
some impressive victories, including wins over current world number one GM Carlsen, GM Viswanathan Anand, and GM Judit
Polgar. Kosteniuk was the only representative from the U.S. in the event. Below, she annotates her game against Polgar.

Besting Judit Polgar 63. g4!! The only move that saves the game
GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (FIDE 2517) here is 70. ... Kf3! 71. Kxe5 Nh7! again,
That's what we call pattern recognition!
GM Judit Polgar (FIDE 2680) the only move.
World Blitz Championship 2009, 63. ... Nc7
Moscow
Despite the unpleaseant surprise
71. Kf7
Notes by Kosteniuk The immediate 71. Nd4 was also pos-
Judit is choosing the most stubborn
sible, but I needed to gain extra time.
way to defend.
+
+n+ + 71. ... Nh7 72. Kg6 Nf8+ 73. Kg7 Ne6+ 74. Kf6
64. gxh5 Ne6 65. h6 Nf8 66. hxg5 fxg5 67.
+ + + + Kf3 Kd3 68. Kg4 Ke2 69. Kxg5?!
Nf8
Here I had 10 seconds left on my
+ + p + Wins, but much eaiser would have
clock but I managed to find the winning
been 69. f3 Nh7 70. Ng3+ winning the
+ + 
pNpp continuation.
g-pawn without giving away the f-pawn.
+k+ +  P 75. Nd4! e3 76. Kg7 Ne6+
69. ... Kxf2 70. Kf6?
Black also loses after 76. ... e2 77.
PHOTO: DIEGO GARCES

+ + + P
According to the tablebase, here White
Nxe2 Ne6+ 78. Kf6 Nf8 79. Nd4.
+ +KP + wins in 32 moves after 70. Kg4 or 70.
+ + + + Nd6; all other moves (except 70. Nd4 or
70. Ne3) lead to a draw.
77. Nxe6 e2 78. Nf4!, Black resigned.
White to play Video of this game is available at:
70. ... e4? www.tubechess.com/index.php?id=160

8 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org

 In association with

Present
The Seventh Annual All-Girls Open National Championships
April 16 18, 2010 Columbus, Ohio

Awards 6-SS, G/90, Sections Side Events

The University of Texas at Dallas, 8-years-old and younger Bughouse Tournament
www.utdallas.edu, has established an 10-years-old and younger Friday April 17, 1:00 PM
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12-years-old and younger Entry fee: $25 per team
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$68,000 for an out-of-state student. 16-years-old and younger Blitz Tournament (G/5)
18-years-old and younger Friday April 17, 3:00 PM
Trophies to top 15 individuals and top
Entry fee: $15 if p/m by April 4,
3 teams in each section. 3 or more
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Main Event
a team (top 3 scores added to give
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USCF Affairs January

Across the Board

Your USCF Executive Board consists of myself (Oklahoma), Ruth Haring (California), Randy
Bauer (Iowa), Bill Goichberg (New York) and Mike Atkins (Virginia). Ruth and Mike are our
newest executive board members, bringing breathtaking enthusiasm to our meetings from
the get-gono learning curve for these two. Their agenda is to volunteer for every assign-
ment and question all things standard. Actions and solutions are their mantra, not the status
quo. I say, Good job! to my fellow USCF members for electing them. Their excitement causes
Bill Goichberg, Randy Bauer and me to all raise our eyebrows in amazement. They are like
the cavalry to the rescue.
This may be the best executive board in recent memory, and if you add two more people to
the mix: executive director Bill Hall and Chess Life editor Dan Lucasboth of whom I find delight-
ful, diligent and dedicated in their commitment to the USCF membershipwe have a bright
future ahead. These seven people bring over 250 years of USCF experience to the table.
I wish to adapt U.S. President John Kennedys famous quote to chess, Ask not what the
USCF can do for you, but ask what you can do for your Federation. Organize, sponsor, pro-
USCF PRESIDENT mote, direct or just play in a local upcoming tournament event. Thats how you can do your
JIM BERRY part to help build chess in America.
~Jim Berry, USCF President

Organizer and Director Seminars Jerry Hanken games

To encourage USCF rated tournaments to be held in more areas Denis Strenzwilk of the U.S. Open committee is compiling a
throughout the United States, we are asking those with expe- database of Jerry Hanken games. If you have games you can
rience to consider volunteering to help train new or contribute, please e-mail them to: hankengames@gmail.com.
inexperienced organizers and directors.
If you are a tournament director certified at the senior level
or higher, or a member who has organized USCF-rated tour-
naments with at least 100 players, and are willing to conduct
a free seminar, lecture, or question and answer session regard-
ing organizing, directing, or both, Chess Life and uschess.org
will provide free publicity for this event in a new monthly box
in Tournament Life and seminar page on the USCF website.
The Tournament Life box is expected to begin with the March
issue, and the webpage is at uschess.org/seminars.
Though such events may be held anywhere at any time, they
may be especially successful at weekend tournaments which
draw out of town players, providing an extra attraction for play-
ers who are considering getting into organizing or directing.
To submit seminars for announcement by USCF, indicate
date, time and location, who will conduct the event, and sub-
ject (organizing, directing, or both). The usual TLA deadlines
will apply, and events submitted early enough will be publi-
cized in multiple issues of Chess Life. JERRY HANKEN

Committee corrections
We have two corrections from the USCF committee list that appeared in the December 2009 issue. The Polgar Invitational com-
mittee no longer exists. Also, IM Greg Shahade is no longer chair of the Top Players Committee; that seat is currently vacant.

The USCF Mission

JERRY HANKEN BY CHRIS BIRD

USCF is a not-for-profit membership organization devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. USCF promotes the study
and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, but also as a means for the improvement of society. It
informs, educates, and fosters the development of players (professional and amateur) and potential players. It encourages the develop-
ment of a network of institutions devoted to enhancing the growth of chess, from local clubs to state and regional associations, and it
promotes chess in American society. To these ends, USCF offers a monthly magazine, as well as targeted publications to its members
and others. It supervises the organization of the U.S. Chess Championship, an open tournament held every summer, and other national
events. It offers a wide range of books and services to its members and others at prices consistent with the benefits of its members. USCF
serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and as a participant in international chess organizations and projects. It
is structured to ensure effective democratic procedures in accord with its bylaws and laws of the state of Illinois.

10 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org

Looks at Books
Diary of a Chess Queen
In excerpts from her new book, Womens World Champion
and Miami, Florida resident GM Alexandra Kosteniuk writes
about being a woman in the chess world.
often hear the question, Why do
I women not play chess as strongly as
men? Having been in chess for so
long, I cannot answer precisely for
myself. Its very difficult to explain to
those who dont play chess themselves
that a game of chess creates enormous
nervous and physical tension, and, con-
sequently, great expenditures of strength
and energy.
The fact that men are physically stronger
is a factor that tells in an extended battle.
Of course, in contrast to other forms of
sport, our physical strength does not play
the main role here; thus, women can play
against men with increasing success
and they have been doing so in recent
years. I believe the main reason there
are more men GMs than women GMs is
that far fewer girls start playing chess
than do boys. For the last two years, I
have been holding a childrens tourna-
ment, the Alexandra Kosteniuk Cup, for
children 6-8 years old, and I can see for
12 Chess Life January 2010
By GM Alexandra Kosteniuk
myself that the ratio of boys to girls is
about 70 to 30 percent.
If only a few girls start playing chess,
then that many fewer will remain in the
professional game. For a talented girl who
finds a strong trainer and has the oppor-
tunity to work with him starting at the
earliest possible age, I see no barrier to her
eventually being able to play on an equal
footing with men grandmasters. Here I
should also note that talent does not sim-
ply mean the purely chess abilities nature
has given us, but also the ability to work
hard, to keep up the drive to win during
difficult tournaments, and much else. All
this can be found in numbers small
enough to count, especially among girls,
whose very natures are ill-designed for
the waging of constant war against an
opponent and against oneself.
Besides enormous effort, working with
chess requires financial outlays too, espe-
cially during a players development. You
must understand that its very hard to
earn a living at chessand in childrens
tournaments there are no cash prizes at
all. There are very few who can allow
themselves the luxury of playing steadily
and training with the finest specialists.
Besides the players individual determi-
nation to grow and mature, she must
have serious financial support in order to
be able to focus on nothing but her chess
and her training. And once a girl decides
that its time for her to start a family,
theres no point in even thinking about
competing with men, because children
take up all of a womans time and energy.
The most she can allow herself after
starting her family is the occasional tour-
nament. So my advice to all girls who
dream of playing chess professionally is:
Start working seriously on chess as
early as you can.
The career of a chessplayer may be
long, but the career of a professional
woman chessplayer is bound to be a
short one.
uschess.org
Mens events
Women chessplayers often face the
question of whether or not they should
play in mens tournaments. On the one
hand, competing in a strong mens com-
petition, especially a round-robin, would
be excellent training. On the other, its far
more difficult to win any kind of prizes
playing against men. A few years ago,
you could count the number of womens
events on your fingers. But lately, individ-
ual and team events for women have
multiplied; in fact, one could spend the
whole year playing in nothing but
womens events. Of course, as far as our
professional development is concerned,
competing in one mens round-robin can
aid us far more than competing in three
womens events. So I would recommend
to young women that they regularly test
their strength by playing not only against
the girls, but against the boys, too.
Women play fighting chess
WGM Tatiana Kosintseva (FIDE 2447)
IM Alexandra Kosteniuk (FIDE 2469)
Dresden 2004
r

+r+k+
+ + + p
p+pPp+ p
+ + + q
+ + +n+
+ NQ+ +
P
PP+ +P+
+K+R+R+
White to play
22. d7 Red8 23. Qd6?
This gives Blacks knight a chance to get
into the game. 23. Ne4 was better.
23. ... Ne3 24. Qxe6+ Kh8 25. Qxc6 Nxf1?
Passing on the chance to draw by 25.
... Rxb2+ 26. Kxb2 Rb8+ 27. Nb5 Rxb5+
28. Qxb5 Nxd1+ 29. Rxd1 Qxb5+ 30. Ka1
Qe5+ 31. c3 Qxc3+ 32. Kb1 Qb4+, with
perpetual check.
26. Rxf1 Qa5 27. Rd1 Rb6 28. Qc8 Rb8 29.
Qc6 Rb6 30. Qc8 Rb8 31. Qc4?
Of course, White should have taken
the draw, which would have cost me my
shot at the gold medal. But women play-
ers arent famous for their fighting spirit
for nothing: the game is always played out
to the last pawn, and agreeing to a draw
is considered a sign of weakness.
31. ... Rb7 32. Qe4 Qb4 33. Qe8+??
The fatal error: 33. Qxb4 Rxb4 34. Rd6
Rf4 35. a4 Rf6 36. Rd5 Rf7 37. Ra5 would
uschess.org
lead to an approximately equal ending.
33. ... Kh7 34. Na4 Rbxd7, White resigned.
+ 
rQ+ +
+ +r+ 
pk
p+ + + p
+ + + +
N
q + + +
+ + + +
P
PP+ +P+
+K+R+ +
After 34. ... Rbxd7
Those wonderful childhood years
I first became acquainted with chess
more than twenty years ago. On April
23, 1989, my birthday present was a
board and a set of chess pieces, and my
first lesson from Dad. After two months
work, I had already learned the rules and
could play the game. In the fall of that
same year, Dad took me to the Hall of Pio-
neers near the Medvedkovo subway
station, where I succeeded in outplaying
several players older than me, and was
awarded the 4th category (roughly equiv-
alent to a U.S. Chess Federation rating of
1200-1400 - ed.).
From my earliest lessons, Dad devoted
a lot of time to blindfold training. First I
would try to guess the color of a square
without looking at the board. Then, when
I had absorbed this lesson, and could eas-
ily see the entire board with my eyes closed,
we played over many of the elementary
positions and solved problems blindfolded.
The first major tournament for mewhich
did not end very successfully was the
Little Octobrists Tournament in the fall of
1990 (which in those days had replaced
the Moscow Championship) for children
below age 10. At that time there were
very few girls playing, and boys and girls
played in the same tournament. I scored
2 points out of 8, winning my first- and
last-round games.
The following year, playing in the same
age group, my result improved to 6 out of
8. I lost just two gamesto Alexander
Grischuk and Vitaly Kuninshowed the
best result among the girls, and was
awarded the title of Moscow Champion
among girls under 10. Immediately after
this tournament, the newspaper
Moskovskaya Pravda ran an article about
me under the heading, Remember This
Name!, and I had to sign my first-ever
autographs.
Those were not the easiest of times in
Russia. In order to feed his family and
still have the opportunity to work with
me, Dadwho had by then decided to
resign his Army commissionwent to var-
ious institutions, firms, and acquaint-
ances, looking for those who would be
willing to give financial assistance to a
small but talented little girl. Sometimes I
would also have to earn money by playing
for stakes. Dad would take my sister and
me to hotels, such as the Rossiya,
Intourist, or Slavyanskaya, and leave us
there to play for stakes. Since I had been
a very introverted child from my earliest
years, Oxana would be the one to find
opponents for me; my job was to beat
them. Since that time, I have been very
careful with money, because I knew what
it was worth from a very young age.
Thankfully, Russia has always been a
country as rich in philanthropists as it is
in talent; and people were found who sup-
ported and aided both me and my family,
providing us with funds for training and
for traveling to tournaments.
A month after winning the Moscow
Championship, in January 1992, I made
my first trip to the Russian Junior Cham-
pionship. The Under-10 Russian Cham-
pionship took place in Lipetsk; and I only
remember that we had to stay in an
unheated hotel. Nevertheless, in spite of
my youth I performed very successfully,
taking second place with 6 out of 9 points.
A few months after the Lipetsk champi-
onship, it was announced that, in order
to select representatives for the 1992
World Youth Championships in Europe,
an additional Russian Championship
would be organized, this one to take place
in St. Petersburg. At this championship,
I was not as successful as in Lipetsk;
returning to Moscow empty-handed, we
once again set to work.
In the fall of 1992, at 8 years of age,
I became Moscow Champion once again,
scoring 9 out of 9 in the Girls Under-10
section. It was my sister Oxanas first
championship; at age 5 she was fighting on
equal terms with ten-year-olds. For this
championship, we were intentionally paired
in the first round, to prevent us from fix-
ing our game in the later rounds. There are
times when life in childrens tournaments
resembles a tragicomedy. At this level, the
battles between parents and between train-
ers have already begun. Each one thinks
that his children, or his students, are the
best. Ksiusha and I were always suspected
of telling each other moves, or of being
told moves, so we were always followed and
watched. Today its really funny to look
back on this; but the most interesting
thing is that, when I read various articles
about Moscow junior tournaments now,
I find that nothing has changed. .
Diary of a Chess Queen
Mongoose, 2009
Alexandra Kosteniuk
244 pages, $24.95 (paperback)
available on uscfsales.com (B0044EU)
Chess Life January 2010 13
 Back to Basics

Zwischenzug!

Some games are roller coasters. In others, there is just one critical position, the
By GM Lev Alburt

handling of which determines the future course of the game.

The winner of this months award,

Stephen Kuzma, suggested as a title Con-
trol the Center. Indeed, most of the action pl+plppp
in his game below occurs there. The key
moment happened when White grabbed
the central pawn on move 18. (Levs fur-
ther comments are in italics).
Sicilian Defense (B33)
Stephen M. Kuzma (1314)
Zachary High (1586)
U.S. Open, 2009 (6)
After 9. ... Bb7
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6
13. ... Re8 14. Bb5
r+ q rk+ Now three times, but I wanted to force
the rook off the king file.
Of course! 13. ... Re8 was a waste of
time, as 14. Bb5 reveals. Better was 13.
+p+ n +
+ + p L ... Qa5, preparing Ra or f-d8.
+ +P+ +
14. ... Rf8 15. Qd4
+ NL+ + Fighting to regain some control of the
center.
A natural move, but perhaps more the
PPP+ PPP
R +Q+RK subtle 15. Qd2 was stronger, becauseas
well seethe queen on d4 is unprotected,
as many following lines illustrate.
Too cautious. Stronger is 10. Re1, indi-

r+lqkl r rectly stopping 10. ... d5 (Blacks e5-pawn

15. ... a6 16. Ba4 Qd6
will hang after 10. ... d5 11. exd5).
pp+ppppp r+ + rk+
+n+ n + 10. ... d5 11. exd5 cxd5
+l+ lppp
Black now has control of the center
with both the d- and e-pawns while I
+ + + + p+ q n +
+ NP+ + have none. + +p+ L
+ + + + 12. Re1 L+ Qp+ +
PPP+ PPP r+ q rk+ P N + +
RNLQKL+R pl+ lppp PP+ PPP
After 4. ... Nf6
+ + n + R + R K
After 16. ... Qd6
5. Nxc6 + +pp L
Too quick, as we trade knights and I + + + + A grandmaster (GM) once told me to
soon lose control of the center. always take enough timeespecially as a
This capturewhich allows Black to P NL+ + new player. I studied this position for
retake toward the center, makes sense PP+ PPP about 15 minutes. If 17. Bxf6 Qxf6, mate-
only if White can then play e4-e5, harass- rial is even; however, Black has two
ing the f6-knight (not possible here, as R +QR K bishops working together. But the gam-
after 5. ... bxc6, 6. e5 loses a pawn to 6. After 12. Re1 ble paid off.
... Qa5+). Grandmaster knows best! (Seriously,
that was very good advice).
5. ... bxc6 6. Nc3 e5 7. Bd3 Be7 8. Bg5 0-0 9. 12. ... e4 13. Bf1
More of an escape than anything else.
0-0 Bb7 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nxe4!
I also moved the same piece twice in the
opening, which breaks one rule of devel-
(see diagram top of next column) (see diagram top of next column)

Black wants to play ... d7-d5. Also good
was 9. ... d6, or 9. ... Rb8.
10. a3
opment.
This rule isnt applicable any more, as
the game is long out of the opening.
Now if 18. ... Bxd4 19. Nxd6 Bxb2 20.
Rab1, pinning the black bishops.
18. ... Qd8

14 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org

 26. h3 Kh8
r+ + rk+ +r+ r + +rr + +
+l+ +ppp + + +pkp + + Rp+
p+ q l + p+ + pq+ p+ + pkp
+ +p+ + + +Q+ + + P + +
L+ QN+ + + +R+ + PP + +P+
P + + + P P + + + + +P+
PP+ PPP P + PPP + + +PK
R + R K + +R+ K + R + +
After 18. Nxe4 After 25. ... Qg6 After 41. a4

In this truly critical position, Black goes
wrong, meekly accepting the loss of a
pawn and other calamities. Both oppo-
nents overlooked (and Stephen also missed
it when annotating), the powerful Zwis-
chenzug (in-between move) 18. ... Qxh2+.
After 19. Kxh2 Bxd4 not only does Black
get a pawn back, but Whites f2-pawn is
no longer protected by the white king.
Suddenly, the position is likely to favor
Black again.
19. Nxf6+
Forcing either (1) a queen exchange
and/or (2) a doubled pawn on the black
king bishop file, while opening up Blacks
king on the knight file.
19. ... gxf6
A smart move by Black to save his
queen.
After 26. ... Rcd8 22. Rg4 Rxd5 23. Rxd5
Rb8 24. Rxg6+ (now or on a later move)
hxg6 Black would improve his kingside
pawnsbut being two pawns down
should still lose the game.
27. Rde1 Rb8 28. b4 Rbc8 29. Qb3 Qh6 30.
c4 Qd2 31. c5
Up two pawns, Im now pushing a
queenside attack.
31. ... Kg8 32. R4e2 Qd4 33. Qf3 Qh4
+r+ rk+
+ + +p+p
p+ + p +
Im still working to attain the rating he has
already achieved. This was one of my
better games which I was fortunate
enough to win.
Now, a quick review of the game. White
erred on move 5, improving, for no good
reason, Blacks pawn formation; then he
failed to prevent, on move 10, the creation
of Blacks d5 and e5 duo. On the black
side, 13. ... Re8 was clearly also an error.
All in all, through most of the early game,
Blacks strong center was a factor in his
favorhowever White wasnt left without
his chances, as his pressure on the center
could, in some cases, become quite annoy-
ing (see, for instance, my recommendation
on move 15.)
But the real climax happened after
White, correctly, went for clarification

+ P + + with 17. Bxf6, and, after 17. ... Bxf6,

r+ q rk+ playedas he should18. Nxe4. In this
P + + q truly crucial position Black missed the in-
between move 18. ... Qxh2+, still with
+l+ +p+p P + +Q+P
somewhat better chances, and de-facto
p+ + p +
+ +p+ +
+ +RPP+
+ + R K
accepted defeat. .
After 33. ... Qh4
L+ Q + +
P + + + Send in your games!
If you are unrated or were rated
PP+ PPP 1799 or below on your Chess Life
34. Qg4+

R + R K
After 19. ... gxf6
Since move 18 helped me regain some
control of the center, I now concentrated
on capturing Blacks isolated d5-pawn.
The last move, 19. ... gxf6, leaves Black
down a pawn, with many pawn weak-
nesses and a very vulnerable king.
However, the ending after 19. ... Qxf6 was
Although I double the pawn, I check the
king and force a queen exchange. Remem-
ber, GMs know how to win with style,
but D players just want to winperiod!
I like 34. Qg4+. By the way, Whites
kingside pawns are not significantly hurt
by the trade (even if the g-pawns are dou-
bled)but Blacks pawns are.
34. ... Qxg4 35. hxg4 Kg7 36. Re3 Kg6 37.
(CL) label, then GM Lev Alburt invites
you to send your most instructive
game with notes to:
Back to Basics, c/o Chess Life
PO Box 3967 Crossville, TN
38557-3967
Or e-mail your material to
backtobasics@uschess.org
GM Alburt will select the most
instructive game and CL will award

equally bad. an autographed copy of Levs newest

Kh2 Kg5 38. f3 h6 39. Re7 Kg6 40. Rc1 Rfd8

book, Chess Training Pocket Book II

41. a4

(by Lev Alburt and Al Lawrence) to

20. Rad1 Rc8 21. Bb3
Going for the d5-pawn. the person submitting the most in-
(see diagram top of next column)
Positioning to keep the b-and c-pawns
working together. structive game and annotations.
Do not send games with only a
21. ... Kg7
Thinking, I guess, Ill forget my c2- few notes, as they are of little instruc-
pawn. tive value and cant be used. Writing
41. ... Rd4 42. Rb7 Kg7 43. d6 Rd6 44. c7 Rd7

skills are a plus, but instructiveness

45. b5 axb5 46. axb5 Kf8 47. Rb8, Black

is a must! Make sure your game (or

resigned.
And Mr. Kuzma, nicely, concludes:
22. c3 Qd7 23. Bxd5 Bxd5 24. Qxd5 Qg4 25.

part of it) and your notes will be of

Re4 Qg6

(see diagram top of next column) Note I have great respect for Zachary as interest to other readers.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 15

Solitaire Chess
Young Fischer
A classic Fischer game that shows the ease with which even the teenage Bobby
By Bruce Pandolfini
could manipulate the pieces in the Najdorf variation.
At his best, Robert James Fischers
games play themselves, everything seem-
ing inevitable, with opponents falling
apart under the incessant pressure man-
ifested by his moves and very presence at
the board. A case in point is then 16-
year-old Fischers game against Olicio
Gadia from a 1960 event at Mar del Plata,
Argentina. Fischer plays his pet system in
the Sicilian, gets a dominant knight
against a mired bishop, and easily finds
a resource that capitalizes, blunder or
not. But lets see what were talking about.
With Black playing the Najdorf variation,
the game began:
Sicilian Defense,
Najdorf Variation (B87)
Robert Fischer
Olicio Gadia
Mar del Plata (3), 1960
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5.
Nc3 a6
rnlqkl r
+p+ pppp
p+ p n +
+ + + +
+ NP+ +
+ N + +
PPP+ PPP
R LQKL+R
Your starting position
Now make sure you have the above
position set up on your chessboard. As
you play through the remaining moves in
this game, use a piece of paper to cover
the article, exposing Whites next move
only after trying to guess it. If you guess
correctly, give yourself the par score.
16 Chess Life January 2010
Sometimes points are also rewarded for
second-best moves, and there may be
bonus pointsor deductionsfor other
moves and variations. Note that ** means
that the note to Blacks move is over and
Whites move is on the next line.**
6. Bc4 Par Score: 5
There are lots of sixth moves here: 6.
a4, f3, f4, g3, h3, Be2, Bd3, Be3, Bg5.
Take full credit for any of them. Add 1
bonus point if you knew that.
6. e6
Add 1 bonus point if you knew why
Black can't win a pawn here: 6. ... b5 7.
Bb3 b4 8. Na4 Nxe4? 9. Bd5!, forking
rook and knight.**
7. Bb3 Par Score: 5
Accept only 4 points part credit for 7. a3,
making a home for the bishop at a2.
7. b5
8. 0-0 Par Score: 5
Assume only 4 points part credit for
any of these eighth moves: a3, Qf3, f3,
Be3, Bg5, Qe2 and f4. They are sidelines
to the main move, 8. 0-0. In fact, accept
full credit if you planned to play 7. 0-0 and
then 8. Bb3. These two moves are virtu-
ally interchangeable.
8. Bb7
Accept 1 bonus point if you understood
that 8. ... b4 9. Na4 Nxe4 10. Re1 gives
White compensation for his pawn.
9. f4 Par Score: 5
Accept full credit for 9. Re1, a move
Fischer played in later games.
9. Nc6
This move does not really fit into Blacks
setup and has disappeared from practi-
cal play, perhaps as a result of this very
game. Generally, Black tries 9. ... b4, 9.
... Nxe4, or 9. ... Nbd7.**
10. Nxc6 Par Score: 6
Deduct 2 points for 10. f5? Qb6 11.
Be3 e5, winning a piece.
10. Bxc6
No credit for other moves if you're scor-
ing for Black. For instance, 10. ... Qb6+
11. Nd4 e5 12. Be3 Ng4 13. Qxg4 exd4 14.
Bf2, gains White a piece.**
11. f5 Par Score: 6
Deduct 1 point for 11. e5 dxe5 12. fxe5
Bc5+ 13. Kh1 Qxd1 14. Rxd1 Ng4. Con-
versely, add 1 bonus point if you saw and
avoided it.
11. e5
Black plays into White's hands, a
tougher response being 11. ... Qd7. Add
1 bonus point if you then intended to con-
tinue 12. fxe6 fxe6 13. Qd4 Be7 14. Bg5,
with a pretty good sized initiative. What
were you going to do if Black played 11.
... b4? Hopefully, not 12. Na4 e5!, when
the knight is quite unable to reach the
outpost square d5. Add 2 bonus points if
your thinking was to sacrifice the knight,
12. fxe6! bxc3 13. exf7+ Ke7 (13. ... Kd7
14. e5); and now, perhaps 14. Qd4 or
14. Qe1, both intending 15. e5, with a ter-
rific attack against Black's king.**
12. Qd3 Par Score: 5
12. Be7
Black develops and gets ready to cas-
tle. He might have postponed this for one
move and played 12. ... h6.**
13. Bg5 Par Score: 6
Part of White's strategy is to gain per-
manent control of d5. He's going to trade
off the f6-knight, one of Black's two minor
pieces that can contest d5.
uschess.org
 Problem I Problem II Problem III
ABCs of Chess Fork Pin Fork

These problems are all related to

+ + + + + + +k+ + + +k+
key positions in this months game.
+p+ + + +  p + p q + + +p
In each case, Black is to move. The k+ + + + +n+l+ + p+ + n Q
answers can be found in Solutions p + N + + +P+ + +p+ + +
on page 71. r + + + + + p + + + + +
January Exercise: Lets say you try
+ + +P+ + P + + + + + +
to solve a block of tactical problems + +K+ + L+ + + + P + RP+
of a certain difficulty and set aside a R + + l + + + K + + + K
fixed period for solving each problem.
Completing the group, solve the
same problems a week later. Now, a Problem IV Problem V Problem VI
minute a problem should be suffi- Mating net Mating net Fork
cient, just enough to get your
bearings. Repeat the process a week + r k + r+ + +k+ k r + +
after that and the answers should be + +
+p+p + + +p+ +p+ +p+
a matter of instant recognition. Your + + +p+ +Q+ + q p+ p +p+
aim should be to build a data pool of
many useful setups. As your bank
+ +Np + + +r+ + + +q+ +p
account of concepts grows you can Q +P+ + + + + + P+ n + +
feel more confident. You become + + q + + + +pP +P+ +P+
armed with tools, poised for real + + nPP + + P P +P+L+PP
thinking. + + +RK + R + RK R +Q+ K

points part credit if you tried to force your

13. Qb6+
14. Kh1 Par Score: 4
Deduct 3 points for the self pin 14.
Rf2?, which allows Black to pile on with
14. ... Ng4.
14. 0-0
Add 2 bonus points if you saw the clean
refutation of 14. ... Ng4, namely 15. Nd5!
Nf2+ (15. ... Bxd5 16. Qxd5) 16. Rxf2
(and not 16. Kg1?, allowing Black a
smothered mate after 16. ... Nh3+ etc.) 16.
... Qxf2 17. Bxe7 Bxd5 18. Qxd5 Kxe7 19.
f6+ (the cleanest) 19. ... Qxf6 20. Qb7+
Ke8 21. Qxa8+ Qd8, and White, a piece
ahead, can trade off the queens or, bet-
ter yet, collect queenside pawns.**
15. Bxf6 Par Score: 6
No credit for other moves. The bishop
went to g5 to trade off the f6-knight, so it
should be done.
way through on the kingside with 21. f6
17. Rxc6
In the event of 17. ... Qxc6, White would
Bxf6 22. Rxf6 gxf6 23. Rf1.
have to guard c2 before Nd5 can be
played. So add 1 bonus point for 18. Rf2.**
21. f6
This is designed to prevent f5-f6, but
there's a problem: the a2-g8 diagonal is
18. Rad1 Par Score: 7
Receive only 3 points part credit for the
weakened. On 21. ... Bf8 White continues
premature 18. Nd5.
his plan, 22. a4; and if 22. ... Rb8, then
23. Nb4 Rcb6 24. a5 R6b7 25. Nc6 (2
bonus points). Nor does 21. ... Rc4 22. b3
18. Rfc8
Add 2 bonus points for seeing 18. ... Qd4
R4c6, followed by 23. a4 hold up White (1
19. Qg3 Qc4 20. Nd5 Bd8 21. f6 g6 22.
bonus point).**
Qe3!, with a mating attack. Receive an
additional 3 bonus points if you took it fur-
ther with 22. ... Kh8 23. b3! (aiming to
22. a4 Par Score: 5
White threatens to win a pawn by cap-
push the queen away from e4 and e2) 23.
turing twice on b5 (1 bonus point).
... Qc5 (if 23. ... Qxc2 24. Rc1) 24. Qh6
Rg8 25. Rd3 (the threat is 26. Qxh7+
Kxh7 27. Rh3 mate) 25. ... g5 26. Rh3,
22. Rb8
If Black instead takes, 22. ... bxa4,
with inevitable mate.**
then 23. Rxa4, followed by doubling rooks
on the a-file, will lead to the win of the a6-
pawn. Add 2 bonus points for so
19. Nd5 Par Score: 6
concluding. The advance 22. ... b4 does-
nt help either. White doesnt take with the
19. Qd8

c-pawn, opening the file for the rooks,

15. Bxf6

but simply 23. Nxb4 (1 bonus point). **

20. c3 Par Score: 4
16. Bd5 Par Score: 6
Fischer targets the c6-bishop, which is
20 Be7
currently pinned to the rook. Accept only
23. Nxe7+ Par Score: 7

3 points part credit for 21. Nd5 Bxd5 22.

21. Ra1 Par Score: 7
Q or Bxd5. The piece White ultimately A nice, simple Fischer-like move. The
23. Black resigned
On 23. ... Qxe7 there follows 24. Qd5+
wants on d5 is the c3-knight. rook has served its purpose at d1 (the
and 25. Qxc6, gaining a full rook (1 bonus
16. Rac8
black queen no longer can enter d4) and
now looks for an open file. The d-file is not
suitable; the d5-knight jams things up.
point). Its hard to play a rook down. .
The answer is open the a-file. Theres a
17. Bxc6 Par Score: 6
Accept no credit for other moves. convenient target at b5. Accept only 3 For scoring box, see page 71.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 17

Cover Story
My mom is the
champion of
America.
Anna Zatonskih defends her championship with style,
dominating the field with a 2700+ performance rating.
efore the first round of the 2009
B U.S. Womens Championship,
top-seeded IM Anna Zatonskih
professed an especially modest goal for
a defending champion. She only wanted
to finish the event. A stalwart Zatonskih
did more than that, overwhelming nearly
every other player with positional dom-
inance and blistering counterattacks
en route to victory and the $15,000
winners check.
Returning to St. Louis for the first
time since withdrawing from the U.S.
Championship in May after two rounds
for health reasons, Zatonskih compiled
eight wins and one draw against the
field, clinching the tournament with
one round to spare. The tournament
took place from October 3-13 at the
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of
St. Louis. Her error-free play resulted in
a 2700+ performance rating. Coupled
with the statistically improbable low
number of draws, the tournament pro-
18 Chess Life January 2010
By FM Mike Klein
duced a sea change in domestic
womens chess. Playing for a record
$64,500 prize fund, the ten competitors
played 20 consecutive decisive games
over the final four rounds, debunking
any stereotypes of an effete style.
I think it is the strongest U.S. Champi-
onship I ever played, Zatonskih said. It is
the best result of my chess career. I never
had such a high performance [rating].
Motivation came in many forms. After
her illness in May, tournament sponsor
Rex Sinquefield and his wife Jeanne
used their house as a makeshift infir-
mary before Zatonskih could fly back to
her home in Germany. She later referred
to them as her family in St. Louis.
Zatonskih wanted to play well as a ges-
ture toward both the Sinquefields
hospitality and the exemplary condi-
tions at the playing site and host hotel.
She said the quality of the tournament
organization made me feel like I am
doing something important ... They
treated us like celebrities!
Then there was her disastrous result
in September in China at the Womens
World Team Championships, in which
Zatonskih only scored two points in seven
games. She had no wins and a perform-
ance rating nearly 500 points lower than
in St. Louis as the American team limped
to eighth place out of ten teams.
One other reason for her inspired
wire-to-wire title defense came from a
desire to win fashionably. The drawing
of lots at the opening ceremony morphed
into the selection of scarves, and Zaton-
skihs choice of a turquoise scarf
resulted in getting more blacks than
whites. I was not happy about this, she
reasoned midway through the Champi-
onship, but I really like the scarf, so
this is the price to pay. She ended a
perfect 5-0 as Black.
Zatonskih continually showed per-
spicacious opening preparation tailored
to each opponents tendencies. In round
uschess.org
PHOTO: SUZY GORMAN

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 19

Cover Story
one, she sought to defuse the aggressive-
ness of WIM Iryna Zenyuk with a surprise,
the Dutch Defense. The defending cham-
pion had not played it in four years, and
though Zenyuk still found a way to sac-
rifice for the initiative, the early decisions
in the opening left Zenyuk with too little
time to find the right path. Zenyuk missed
an equalizing pawn thrust and flagged in
a lost position just before the time control.
In round two, Zatonskih adopted
another shrewd opening. Playing white,
she uncorked the solid Fianchetto Vari-
ation of the Kings Indian Defense, stifling
WIM Battsetseg Tsagaans position and
inducing an unsound piece sacrifice.
Zatonskih found a few easy defensive
moves to consolidate her position, and she
moved to 2-0.
Her march to sole leader only took two
games as every other woman already had
a blemished record. Second-seeded IM
Irina Krush could only muster a draw in
her first game, and then she beat third-
seeded IM Rusudan Goletiani in the next
round to puncture her hopes of keeping
pace. For the next several rounds, the
closest challengers came from two dif-
ferent generations, 41-year-old WGM
Camilla Baginskaite (champion in 2000)
and 18-year-old WIM Alisa Melekhina
(playing in only her second champi-
onship), respectively the oldest and
youngest players in the field.
Chess fans with good memories cir-
cled the third round on their tournament
calendar. Not only were the top two seeds
slated to play, but it would also be the first
encounter between Zatonskih and Krush
since their infamous episode at the 2008
U.S. Womens Championship. Last year
the duo tied for first place and played a
series of tiebreaker games that still left
them deadlocked. During the final
Armageddon blitz match, Zatonskih called
Krushs flag and claimed victory with a
solitary second left on her clock. Non-
plussed by what she perceived as
unsporting manners during the final
moves, Krush slapped her king across
the room and rushed out of the room. The
two did not speak for months until the
chess Olympiad, when Krush claimed
they began to reconcile for the teams
benefit (they were also teammates in
China). Both women downplayed any
special significance to the third round, but
Krush, perhaps alluding to her behavior
last year, allowed that she has come to
view chess as an outlet for correcting
items in her personality that she wished
to improve. Going into the game, Krush
said, Im going to let my moves do the
talking.
Born of a stolid opening, the game pro-
duced the most memorable move of the
tournament, sure to find its way into a
tactics book soon.
20 Chess Life January 2010
Queens Gambit Declined, know how close his prediction would
Laskers Defense (D56) come to reality.
IM Irina Krush (2491)
IM Anna Zatonskih (2470)
21. h3 Bf5 22. Bf1?
2009 U.S. Women's Championship (3)
r+rq +k+
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. +p+ +pp
Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 0-0 7. e3 Ne4
Initiating the Lasker Defense, which
+pn + p
Zatonskih used in China as well. p Qp+l+
+ P + +
8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Rc1 Nxc3 10. Rxc3 c6 11.
Qc2 + R P +P
According to GM-elect Ben Finegold, PP N PP+
11. Bd3 is more common but White is try-
ing to make productive moves to induce + R +LK
... dxc4 and not waste a tempo with the After 22. Bf1
bishop. The position is unclear after 11.
Bd3 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Nd7 13. 0-0 e5 14. White should admit his bishop is no
Bb3 Re8 (FM Graham Burgess). longer better and simply trade into an
equal game.
11. ... Nd7 12. cxd5?!
This lets Blacks bishop out too easily.
22. ... b5!!
White should begin to prepare for a minor-
ity attack by advancing a2-a3 and b2-b4. r+rq +k+
There is a plan with cxd5 but it usually
involves putting the queen on b3 and
+ + +pp
recapturing with bxc3 on move 10. Then, +pn + p
White pressures b7 and can also advance
with c3-c4.
ppQp+l+
+ P + +
12. ... exd5 13. Bd3 Nb6!
Most spectators assumed 13. ... Nf6,
+ R P +P
but Black's idea is to clog the c-file by PP N PP+
playing ... Be6 and plopping the knight on
c4 as soon as White gets in b2-b4. White
+ R +LK
has an edge after 13. ... Nf6 14. 0-0 Ne4 After 22. ... b5
15. Bxe4 dxe4 16. Ne5 (Zatonskih).
The move of the tournament. It is hard
to see the idea for many reasons: ... Nb7
had previously not been legal, and Black
14. 0-0 Be6 15. Rb1
Preparing b2-b4, perhaps with Nd2
first to prevent ... Nc4. normally would never want to move his b-
pawn off the protection of c6. The threat
is simply 23. ... Nb7 24. Qa3 b4. White's
rooks are too cumbersome to give the
15. ... a5 16. Nd2 Nc8
Now that the knight has been blocked
from c4, it heads to d6, where it will have queen any room to breathe.
the most options. 23. Rb3?
It is hard to fault Krush after such a
shocking turn of events. Assistant arbiter
17. Ra3
The tournament had many rook levers,
but this one has little point since Black Chris Bird said her eyes were working
overtime to find a solution. In fact, her
wanted to play 17. ... Nd6 anyway,
thereby connecting his rooks. Krushs best practical chance is the paradoxical
23. Bd3 right back where it came from!
plan to pin the knight is also dubious.
23. ... Nb7 24. Bxf5 Nxc5 25. Bxc8 Rxc8
26. Rxc5 when White may hold by not
allowing a queen breakthrough.
17. ... Nd6 18. Qc5
Better is 18. Nb3 with the idea of Nc5
because ... b7-b6 gravely weakens the c-
pawn.
23. ... Nb7 24. Qa3 b4 25. Qa4 c5
25. ... Bd7 also wins after 26. Rd3 c5
27. Qd1 c4 but White can last longer
than in the game with 26. Rc5.
18. ... Qc7 19. Rc3 Rfc8 20. Rbc1
Unknowingly entombing the queen.
26. dxc5 Nxc5 27. Qb5 Rab8!
Accurate until the endthis wins a
20. ... Qd8
Here Finegold joked that if White played
21. a3 to prepare b2-b4, then Black could whole rook.
win the queen with 21. ... b6. Little did he 28. Qe2 a4, White resigned.
uschess.org
 The Opposition

WIM Alisa Melekhina WIM Iryna Zenyuk IM Rusudan Goletiani

Rating: 2253 Rating: 2271 Rating: 2437

IM Irina Krush WGM Camilla Baginskaite WGM Sabina-Francesca Foisor

Rating: 2490 Rating: 2356 Rating: 2379
PHOTOS BY BETSY DYNAKO

WIM Battsetseg Tsagaan WFM Tatev Abrahamyan Yun Fan

Rating: 2265 Rating: 2342 Rating: 2134

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 21

Cover Story

After most matches, a phlegmatic Kings Indian Defense,

Zatonskih usually entered the press room
Zatonskih shyly, head down, claiming almost acci-
dental success. But after the relative ease
AT A GLANCE and relief of the match with Krush, she
exuded more excitement. She did not let
reporters finish their questions before
beginning her answers, and gave rapid-
fire variations through her glistening lip
Classical Variation (E94)
WGM Sabina-Francesca Foisor (2383)
WIM Alisa Melekhina (2291)
2009 U.S. Women's Championship (4)
Notes by GM-elect Ben Finegold
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3

gloss. Foisor surprises us once again by avoid-

She called 22. ... b5 a very unusual ing her usual Saemisch variation with 5.
tactic. Grandmaster-elect commentator f3.
Ben Finegold admitted he overlooked ...
b7-b5 and it wasnt the first move I over-
5. ... 0-0 6. Be2 e5 7. Be3 Na6 8. 0-0 Ng4
looked in this game. It was just In round two, Foisor got this position
shockingsuch a great move. against Tatev Abrahamyan. However, the
... b7-b5 doesnt come in my mind move order was slightly different (7. 0-0
first, Zatonskih said. But its only two Na6 8. Be3 Ng4). Melekhina said she
moves. Im kind of upset I didnt find it looked at ths line, and thought she could
sooner. Im a very emotional person. I improve on Blacks play.
went to bed early and tried to calm down.
She said that she sequestered herself
9. Bg5 Qe8 10. c5 h6 11. Bh4 exd4 12. Nxd4
from chess media during the event, not
dxc5 13. Nb3 c4
wanting to read her name in print. This was Melekhinas prepared
Zatonskih deflected questions of improvement. The idea is to stop White
whether she could go 9-0 or even tie from destroying the black pawn struc-
Krushs outstanding score of 8/9 at ture on the queenside with the usual
the 1998 Championship. She speculated Bxa6 ideas (as seen in the Abrahamyan
that 7 would be the winning score, as game: 13. ... g5 14. Bg3 Ne5 15. Bxa6
it was for her last year. Little did she bxa6 16. Nd5 Rb8 17. Nxc7 Qa4 18. Qd6
know how close she would come to per- Rb6 19. Qxc5 Rc6 20. Qxa7 Nd3 21. Nd5
fection. Kh8 22. e5 Nxe5 23. Nc3 Qb4 24. Rae1
The win meant that Zatonskih has still Nd3 25. Re4 Qb6 26. Qxb6 Rxb6 27. h4
Mariupol, Ukraine City
1991:
never lost to Krush in a classical time con- Nxb2 28. Be5 Bb7 29. Bxg7+ Kxg7 30.
(Adult) Championship trol. Baginskaite could only draw Goletiani Re2 Nd3 31. hxg5 hxg5 32. Rd2 Nf4 33.
but Melekhina ended a streak of two f3 Rh8 34. Ne2 Nxe2+ 35. Rxe2 Bd5 36.
draws by winning. Both women had one Re5 Bxb3 37. axb3 f6 38. Ra5 -
Bulgarian Womens
1993:
win and a pair of draws, while WGM Foisor-Abrahamyan).
Champion Sabina Foisor held sole second with two
wins and a draw.
14. Bxc4 Nb4
Round four turned into moving day at
Third Place World
1994:
the Championship, as all four undefeated r+l+qrk+
Junior Championship women met over the board. Zatonskih
(Girls Under 16) had White versus Baginskaite and Foisor
ppp +pl
took White against Melekhina. + + +pp
Zatonskih, who is notoriously hard to
Awarded WGM title
1999:
prepare for, threw another curveball with
+ + + +
a prepared novelty on move 13. Bagin- nL+P+nL
skaite said even her husband, GM Alex
Ukrainian
2001:
Yermolinsky, cannot guess Zatonskihs
+NN + +
Womens Champion
openings. As became her convention, the PP + PPP
defending champion gained a sizeable
advantage on the clock, and after Bagin-
R +Q+RK
Ukrainian
2002:
skaite went in the tank for 40 minutes on After 14. ... Nb4
Womens Co-champion
one move, Zatonskih had nearly an extra
hour to figure out how to turn the screws.
Though always slightly worse, Bagin-
15. Bb5
Chess Olympiad
2004:
Played after long thought (apparently,
silver medal with skaite talked her position back from the
a noveltyM.K.). During the live com-
U.S. team edge and drew to keep the gap between
mentary, I did not understand this move.
her and Zatonskih at one point.
However, Melekhina thought it was a fan-
Melekhina-Foisor thus became a bat-
tastic improvement! If Black tries the
Chess Olympiad tle for second. In a battle of Drexel versus
2008:
obvious 15. ... c6, then Alisa was wor-
UMBC, the two college students played a
PHOTO: SUZY GORMAN

bronze medal with
U.S. team and
individual gold medal
U.S. Womens champion
2006, 2008, 2009:
ried about 16. Be2, and the ... Nb4 has
tactical melee. Though Foisor found a
trouble finding a safe haven, after 17.
strong novelty, Melekhina was not fazed.
a3.
I play better when I get in worse posi-
tions, she said.
15. ... Nc6?
(see game top of next column) Pinning the knight cannot be correct.

22 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org

Black should bite the bullet and either
move her queen or play 15. ... c6. The long
think Foisor spent over her accidental
novelty pays off quickly.
16. h3
Even better is the immediate 16. Nd5!
which we expected in the commentary
room. If Black tries 16. ... Qxe4, then 17.
f3! is most annoying.
16. ... Nf6?!
In the commentary room, we were look-
ing at 16. ... Bxc3 17. bxc3 Qe5 18. hxg4
Qxb5. Rybka thinks this line is best, and
that only holds a small advantage.
17. Re1 Nh5 18. Nd5
I thought 18. e5 was stronger, but,
Rybka agrees with Foisors choice. White
has a clear advantage.
18. ... Qe5 19. Rc1! Re8?
This loses immediately. Black is worse,
but still fighting after the expected 19. ...
Qxb2.
20. Rxc6?
Throws away the win. In the commen-
tary room, we all thought 20. Na5! won
outright. I asked Melekhina after the
game, and, she agreed, and expected
Foisor to play this way. Rybka is
absolutely giddy after 20. Na5 Be6 21. Nc4
Qd4 22. Qxd4 Bxd4 23. Nxc7, but now,
after the text move, White is only a little
better.
20. ... bxc6 21. Bxc6 Be6 22. Bxa8 Rxa8
r+ + +k+
 p p +pl
+ +l+pp
+ +Nq +n
+ +P+ L
+N+ + +P
PP + PP+
+ +QR K
After 22. ... Rxa8
23. Bd8!?
A bolt from the blue, and probably the
reason Foisor went in for 20. Rxc6. Black
needs to play 23. ... c6 now, and after 24.
Ne7+ Kh7 25. Nxc6 Qxb2, the game is
about equal. Alisa thinks she sees a win,
and plays too aggressively with ...
23. ... Bxh3? 24. Nxc7?
24. f4! A very difficult move to find! 24.
... Qe6 (24. ... Nxf4 25. Bxc7; 24. ... Qxb2
25. gxh3) 25. Bxc7 Bg4 26. Qd2.
24. ... Bg4!
uschess.org
Now the players were in time trouble,
as the game has been so tactically rich.
25. Qd2 Rc8 26. Rc1?
Loses. Best was the unusual 26. Na6,
and White is worse, but not losing. Now,
it's all over.
26. ... Qf4! 27. Qd3 Be5 28. g3 Qf3!
Melekhina had seen this idea when
playing 26. ... Qf4.
29. Qxf3 Bxf3
White loses a piece, and the rest is
easy for Black.
30. Rc5 Rxd8 31. Nd5
31. Rxe5?? Rd1+.
31. ... Bxe4 32. Ne3 Bxb2 33. Rc7 a6 34. Nc5
Bf3 35. Nxa6 Ra8 36. Nb4 Ba3 37. Nbc2 Bd6
38. Rd7 Bc5 39. Ne1 Bxe3 40. Nxf3 Bc5 41.
Rc7 Bf8 42. Rc2 Bg7 43. Kg2 Nf6 44. Ne5
Nd5 45. Nd3 Ra3 46. Nc1 Rc3 47. Rd2 Nf4+
48. gxf4 Rxc1 49. Rd8+ Kh7 50. Rd7 f5 51.
Ra7 h5 52. a4 Kh6 53. a5 Rc2 54. Rd7 Ra2
55. Rd5 Bc3, White resigned.
With Zatonskih at 3/4, Melekhina
jumped to sole second with 3/4. I was-
nt expecting to have such a good start,
Melekhina said. Its dangerous to start
thinking about [winning] this early in the
tournament.
Though humility prevailed with most
players throughout the event, Melekhina
had more reason than most to expect a
good result. She entered the champi-
onship as a newly-crowned gold medalist.
Representing the U.S. in her first interna-
tional team event, she was heavily utilized
as the teams fourth board at the Womens
World Team Championships. Melekhina
played three 2400s and went undefeated
over six games, playing at a level almost
250 points above her rating. Her win
against a Chinese WGM secured the
match win for the Americans in the teams
lone bright spot of the event.
Alisa made a very strong impression on
me during the World Team Champi-
onship, said U.S. Coach GM Gregory
Kaidanov. Unfortunately her opening
preparation is much weaker than her
overall chess skill. To help make up for
this, Melekhina trotted out some variety
in her openings, using new systems at the
U.S. Womens Championship.
Melekhina survived the next big test of
the event, playing a solid draw against
Goletiani in round five. She used the c3-
Sicilian for the second time in the event,
as opposed to her usual Closed Sicilian,
but Goletiani said she did not see the
first incarnation.
The action reached a heightened state
during the time control period of the fifth
round, as all ten women were at or below
five minutes with ten moves remaining.
Everyone made the mark, and once again
Zatonskih outplayed an opponent in an
otherwise evenhanded middlegame. This
time her victim was fellow China and
Olympiad teammate WFM Tatev Abra-
hamyan, but the lesson was basic
opposite-colored bishops favor the
attacker.
Krush continued to struggle, only man-
aging to draw against good friend Zenyuk.
The two Iri(y)nas met at the 2007 U.S.
Womens Championship. As roommates,
Krush said she observed Zenyuks fight-
ing spirit and unbridled will to find every
available resource. Many of the women at
the championship count their fellow play-
ers as friends, and the two Irinas are
especially closeafter the sudden third-
round loss to Zatonskih, Krush waited at
her board for about an hour until Zenyuk
finished her game.
Zenyuk overlooked 23. b4, but true to
Krushs description of her, she found an
obscure defense culminating with 26. ...
Ba2! that gave her enough complications
to make the win too hard to find in time
pressure.
An obscure defense
IM Irina Krush (2491)
WIM Iryna Zenyuk (2276)
2009 U.S. Women's Championship (5)
+r+ +k+
pr+ pplp
+ +l+p+
+q+ + +
+pPp+ +
+ P P LP
PQ+LPP+
R + R K
After 22. ... Qxb5
23. b4!
Burned by the b-pawn once, now Krush
uses the unexpected thrust herself.
23. ... cxb3 e.p.!?
Objectively best, otherwise White will
have a free hand to attack all the weak
black pawns now that there is no more
backward pawn on b2.
24. Bxb5 bxc2 25. Ba6 Rb1 26. Bxc8 Ba2!
The amazing point of Blacks 23rd
move. Down a rook and with White seem-
ingly guarding against promotion, Black
puts his bishop en prise with the idea of
trading rooks on a1 and playing ... Bb1.
27. Raxb1
Forced ...
Chess Life January 2010 23
 Cover Story
27. ... cxb1=Q 28. Rxb1 Bxb1 29. c4 e5 30. d5
Ba2
30. ... Kf8 may be an improvement,
but both players were down to less than
one minute and were playing largely on
instinct.
31. Ba6?
Missing the first winKrush mentioned
some analysis in the post-mortem where
she would actually lose by allowing the
advance of the a-pawn. With the seconds
ticking away, 31. Ba6 is a very human
choice, taking away the possibility of the
dreaded third result. White wins with 31.
d6 Bxc4 (31. ... Bf8 32. c5 f6 33. Bb7!
would also eventually win) 32. Bh4! Bb5
33. d7 Bxd7 34. Bxd7.
31. ... f6 32. d6 Kf7 33. c5 Bf8 34. f4 exf3 e.p.
35. gxf3
Which piece should Black put on e6?
35. ... Ke6?!
The bishop may have preferred to go
here in light of the game continuation.
36. Be1 Kd5
This should lose quickly. 36. ... Bd5 was
the only other chance.
37. Bb4?
37. d7 Be7 38. Ba5 and White would
win prosaically.
37. ... Kc6 38. Kf2 Be6 39. h4 f5 40. Ba3 h6
41. Bd3
+ + l +
p + + +
+kPl+pp
+ P pp+
+ + + P
L +LPP+
+ + K +
+ + + +
After 41. Bd3
41. ... Bg7!
The waiting move matters! Black avoids
any pitfalls with the unattended f8-
bishop. White picks off a piece after 41.
... Bc8 42. Bc2 Kb5 43. c6! Kxc6 44. d7.
42. Bc2
Now Black just needs to keep control of
the a4-e8 diagonal to hold the balance.
42. ... Kb5 43. Bd3+ Kc6 44. Bc2 Kb5 45.
Bd3+ Kc6, Draw agreed.
With her chances to win the event now
basically nonexistent, Krush called miss-
24 Chess Life January 2010
ing a win part of a never ending disap-
pointment. Zenyuk, who is in graduate
school, said she usually awakens at 6:30
a.m. to study chess. Its insane, but it
pays off, she said.
Baginskaite kept pace by eking out a
long victory over Yun Fan, who recently
moved to the U.S. to attend college in
Indiana. Fans inexperience in high level
tournaments landed her in severe time
trouble for most of the tournament. Foisor
dropped her second game in a row, this
time to Tsagaan, so the three-woman
troika of Zatonskih (4), Baginskaite
(3) and Melekhina (3) all remained
undefeated, with an important battle
looming after the coming rest day.
In round six, Zatonskih took white
against Melekhina. Zatonskih again tried
to diffuse the Kings Indian bomb with her
tournament-favorite, the Fianchetto Sys-
tem. Melekhina took the non-classical
approach of playing ... Bd7 followed by ...
Qc8. Her unorthodox idea has good com-
pany; the maneuver is similar to an idea
that GM Hikaru Nakamura used with
success at both Foxwoods 2009 and as
white (with Bd2, Qc1) against 2650+ GM
Pentala Harikrishna at the 2008 Chess
Olympiad.
For her part, Zatonskih played a near
flawless game that featured her favorite
move of the tournament. Though in stark
contrast to the tactical shot ... b5 versus
Krush, her move appeals to more Karpov-
ian sensibilities, not surprising since
Zatonskihs father, a former coach, used
to study his games.
Karpovian
IM Anna Zatonskih (2470)
WIM Alisa Melekhina (2291)
2009 U.S. Women's Championship (6)
+r+r+k+
p + ppl
p +n+ +
+ +NP pq
+P+ + +
+P+ + R
PL + Q P
+ + +RK
After 40. ... g5
41. a4!
Only a deep understanding of the posi-
tion gives credence to Zatonskihs idea.
She reasoned that most of Blacks pieces
are tied down to defense, except the c8-
rook. The ... b6-b5 lever is Blacks only
source of counterplay, which would loosen
the outposted knight on d5 and open the
c-file for a later rook invasion to the sec-
ond rank. White takes time out from
offensive operations to prevent any queen-
side turmoil. This was an especially
important idea considering how saavy
Melekhina has become at fighting back
from worse positions. Though more of a
body blow compared to her round three
... b7-b5 uppercut, Zatonskih called this
her favorite move of the tournament.
41. ... Rcd8 42. Qf5 Qg6 43. Qg4 Kh7 44. h4
Bh6 45. Qf3 Rf8
The next few moves show the culmina-
tion of Whites suffocationMelekhina
tosses in all of her kingside pawns to try
to avoid being run over.
46. h5 Qc2 47. Rg2 g4 48. Qxg4 Rg8 49.
Rxf7+ Kh8 50. Rxc2 Rxg4+ 51. Rg2 Rxg2+
52. Kxg2 Nf4+ 53. Nxf4 Rd2+ 54. Kf3 Rxb2
55. Ng6+ Kg8 56. Rxe7 Rxb3+
+ +k+ +
p + R +
p + +Nl
+ + P +P
P+P+ + +
+r+ +K+
+ + + +
+ + + +
After 56. ... Rxb3+
But the counterplay is too lateWhites
e-pawn is too fast.
57. Ke4 Rb4 58. Rc7 Rxa4 59. e6 Ra1 60.
Rc8+ Kg7 61. e7 Re1+ 62. Kd5 Kf7 63. Rf8+,
Black resigned.
Alisa defended her position very well,
Zatonskih said. Even in a very bad posi-
tion, she came up with some very
interesting ideas.
I dont know why her rating is only
2220 (FIDE). It is paradoxical to me. She
is very underrated. She has more energy
to me.
After the event, Melekhina said that
the Kings Indian Defense might be the
next opening that she may strike from her
repertoire.
Round six also began a streak of a
score of decisive games. The twenty con-
secutive drawless contests may be
unprecedented in a tournament of this
caliber, and several spectators in atten-
dance noted that Bobby Fischers
ridiculous streak of consecutive wins in
candidates matches was only 19. The
games of the Championship petered out
without a victor only ten times out of 45,
for a draw rate of 22 percent.
Finegold, along with tournament chair-
person WGM Jennifer Shahade, gave live
uschess.org
 Zatonskih taking
blindfold chess
literally.

Ceremonies Fit
for a Queen
ST. LOUIS, A CITY FOUNDED BY THE FRENCH, OFFERED
a veritable mlange of activities to promote and enhance
the round robin main event.
Kicking off the fortnight was the Queens of Jazz con-
cert at the Contemporary Art Museum in St. Louis, where
the ladies and tournament staff dressed to the nines for
performances by platinum composer, crooner and Tony-
nominee Ann Hampton Calloway and guest Denise Thimes
(Denise is from St. Louis, also a vocalist).
The following day at the same location, the community
got a chance to face off against the women in a Bounty
Blitz event, whereupon only a few highly rated tourna-
ment players nicked the women for a spot draw or an even
rarer win. In the highlight of the days festivities, Anna
Zatonskih conducted a blindfold simultaneous, scoring 5-
0 and setting the tone for the remainder of the event. Also
fitting was that the last man standing was club founder
and president, Rex Sinquefield. That evening, in a draw-
ing of lots tailored to the championship, players chose from
designer scarveson each, a pairing number was stitched.
The players were then blindfolded on stage, sat on alter-
nating red and silver chairs and contested a five versus
5 group blindfold blitz game. Black won with the Najdorf
but all ten ladies got a standing ovation for their efforts.
After round five, the off-day was in name only. The play-
ers attending a morning breakfast to jump start the Chess
for Life program, meant to use the game to help patients
in a hospital setting. A pair of simultaneous exhibitions for
children followed at a local science center and at the Chess
Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis. Many women
then chose glamour over rest by attending a fashion shoot
with oversized chess pieces in the landscape.
At the closing ceremony, organizers rented the top floor
of the host hotel. The executive director of the chess club,
Tony Rich, presided and awarded checks and special
prizes. Zatonskih won the best game honors for her win
over Melekhina and made it a clean sweep by winning the
fighting chess award. The mayor of St. Louis, Francis
Slay also spoke. Jeanne Sinquefield got the biggest laugh
when she said she originally allowed her husband, Rex, to
play chess again, figuring it was cheaper than most activ-
ities. Rex Sinquefield is the main sponsor of both the
chess club and the 2009 U.S. Womens Championship and
2009 and 2010 U.S. Championship.
At the close of the ceremony, players gave a standing
ovation when USCF Executive Director Bill Hall announced
that the USCF and Chess Club and Scholastic Center of
St. Louis had agreed in principal to host the 2010 U.S.
Womens Championship. The women headed downstairs
to dance the night away.
The championship events continued for one more day,
as Zatonskih and Sinquefield played a new kind of chess
at the Chance Aesthetics Show at the Kemper Art
Museum. Roulette chess, which was created by Jennifer
Shahade and curator Larry List, was inspired by Marcel
Duchamps wish that chess and chance ought to meet in
the middle. Zatonskihs luck was finally mitigated by a
spinning wheel; Sinquefield held the draw.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 25

 Cover Story
commentary during each round. Of all
the round robins Ive seen, this has had
the most fighting chess, Finegold said.
Tournament rules prohibit draw offers
before move 30, and Zatonskih admitted
that in at least three of her games, she
would have offered draws before then if
she were allowed (she called the rule very
good for chess). She also said that women
played more attacking chess than men.
The prize structure may have also dictated
playevery place earned different pay-
outs, so even a half point could mean as
much as a few thousand dollars, much
more than the amount that many week-
end Swisses offer for first place.
In other round six action, Fan began
her good second half play with her first
point, and Krush won a creative strug-
gle with 2. ... a6, the offbeat OKelly
Sicilian, an opening she first prepared
for the final round of the 2007 U.S.
Womens Championship. Some lines you
just have affection for, Krush said. I
was just attracted by the fact that on
move two Black can just avoid main-
stream theory. It was her first win since
round two. Melekhinas loss took her out
of the hunt for first, but Baginskaite ben-
efited from Zenyuks ill-timed eschewal of
a three-fold repetition. Her will to win
hurt her on this occasion. The games
continuation resulted in an easily winning
endgame for Baginskaite, who still lurked
only one point behind the leader. She
remained one mistake away from the top
of the tables.
Round seven could not produce a
change at the top either. Zatonskih won,
but again Baginskaite kept pace. Zaton-
skihs game had similarities to her round
five winshe attacked on the dark
squares as black and again defeated a
teammate from the U.S. womens team.
Reti Opening (A09)
IM Rusudan Goletiani (2429)
IM Anna Zatonskih (2470)
2009 U.S. Womens Championship (7)
Notes by GM-elect Ben Finegold from
Tournament Bulletin
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 e5 5. d3
Nf6 6. 0-0
A sort of Reverse Benoni. The fact that
Black has not played ... c7-c5 early,
means that she can maneuver her knight
to that square.
6. ... Nd7 7. e3
This is the most common move in the
position. White wants to open up the cen-
ter whilst Black has yet to castle.
7. ... Be7 8. exd4 exd4 9. Re1 0-0 10. Na3
I expected this move when doing live
26 Chess Life January 2010
commentary, but, White also plays 10.
Nbd2 in this position. I thought the text
move made more sense, and White can
play Nc2 later, attacking d4, preparing b2-
b4, and the Qd1 protects the d3 pawn,
unlike when White plays the knight to d2.
10. ... Nc5 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. Rxe5 c6 13. Nc2
a5 14. b3 Bd6
r+lq rk+
+p+ +ppp
+pl + +
p n R +
+Pp + +
+P+P+ P
P+N+ PLP
R LQ+ K
After 14. ... Bd6
Surprisingly, this has all been played
before! White played 15. Re1 in the game
Barle-Mikhalchisin, 1995, which Black
eventually won. Here, I suggested 15.
Rh5 in the commentary room, but, I
thought it was more of a fun, blitz move
than a serious move. Imagine my surprise
when that is exactly what Goletiani
played! After the game, Zatonskih said she
thought 15. Rh5 was fine.
15. Rh5!? Ne6
This is what I expected during the live
commentary. Rybka prefers 15. ... g6.
16. Bb2 Be7 17. Re5 Bf6 18. Re1
After a little detour, the rook finds a rea-
sonable home on e1. Zatonskih has done
well to protect her d4-pawn, and now, she
completes development with simple
moves.
18. ... Qb6 19. Rb1 Bd7
I thought the position was about equal,
and Zatonskih agreed. Now, Goletiani
plays a move I did not like, but, she
thought it was okay, but that her later 24.
f4? was to blame. I dislike moving the
pawns in front of Whites king, as it seems
to weaken her king more than it does to
put pressure on Blacks king.
20. h4!? c5
Anna solidifies her d4-pawn, and at
the same time attempts to trade off the
strong Bg2.
21. Qh5 Bc6 22. Bh3?
Jen (Shahade) did not like this move.
She thought giving away the a8-h1 diag-
onal was more important than the
pressure White gets with Bh3. I agree.
22. ... g6 23. Qg4 Rfe8 24. f4?
This is the losing move. Now White has
too many weaknesses around her king.
Zatonskihs play hereafter is aggressive
and accurate.
24. ... Ng7 25. Qd1 Nh5 26. Kh2 Qc7 27. Bg4?
Losing quickly. A spectator in the live
audience suggested 27. Qg4! which allows
White to still play on. Now Zatonskih exe-
cutes a brutal sacrificial mating attack.
27. ... Nxf4! 28. Rf1
28. gxf4 Qxf4+ 29. Kh3 Qf2.
28. ... Be5! 29. gxf4 Bxf4+ 30. Kh3
The alternatives fare no better: 30. Kg1
Bh2+ 31. Kf2 Qg3 mate; 30. Rxf4 Qxf4+
31. Kh3 h5.
30. ... h5! 31. Bxh5 gxh5 32. Qxh5 Bd7+! 33.
Kg2 Ra6!
Normally, I do not give exclamation
points to so many moves, but, in this
game, Zatonskih played so many power-
ful/best moves, it is easy to see why she
has 6-!
34. Rf3 Rg6+ 35. Kf1 Bg4 36. Qd5 Re5,
White resigned.
+ + +k+
+pq +p+
+ + +r+
p pQr +
+Pp llP
+P+P+R+
PLN+ + +
+R+ +K+
An incredible final position
In the beginning, I was happy with a
draw, Zatonskih said. I have a very bad
score with Goletiani. In fact, Zatonskih
had never defeated her before this game.
With Zatonskih refusing to falter, an
interesting subplot became the focus.
The battle for second place began in
earnestthe winner would earn a few
extra thousand dollars and the second of
two automatic invitations to the Womens
World Championships, to be held next
year in Turkey. Baginskaite held the
inside track with 5, but Krush won her
second game in a row to get to 4 and the
two were scheduled to meet in the next
round. Melekhina equaled Krushs 4
by rebounding with a win of her own.
Im not chasing Anna [Zatonskih] so
much anymore, said Baginskaite. Real-
istically it will be difficult to catch her.
The race to qualify bunched up even
tighter in round eight. Krush coolly
rebuffed Baginskaites rare Chigorin
Defense in their head-to-held duel. The
victory pulled the two women into a tie for
uschess.org
Left to right: Sabina-Francesca Foisor, Yun Fan, Irina Krush (top), Iryna Zenyuk (in front of Krush), Rusudan Goletiani, Battsetseg Tsagaan,
Camilla Baginskaite, Alisa Melekhina, Anna Zatonskih (lying down), and Tatev Abrahamyan
Making it special
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
rolled the red carpet down the d-file for the ten queens of
American chess. With an attentive eye toward professional-
ism and finery, the organizational team made this a
championship to cherish for the ladies.
The organization and planning that went into this event
was evident, and produced the most professional atmos-
phere out of any tournament Ive participated in, said
Melekhina. The small details that went into ensuring the play-
ers were treated not only with respect, but like celebrities, was
amazing. Zatonskih and others echoed the feeling of being
in the limelight.
Players eagerly attended elaborate opening and closing
ceremonies, and most took advantage of the off-day to attend
a glamorous photo shoot. Afterward, players studied their
proofs with about as much scrutiny as their games, nixing
some shots while showing off their favorites.
Tournament participants, including commentators and
arbiters Carol Jarecki and Chris Bird, were all treated to pri-
vate suites at the Chase Park Plaza, a hotel with numerous
accolades in a trendy neighborhood (Speaker of the House
of Representatives Nancy Pelosi gave a $2,400 per person
fundraising event at the Chase during the tournament, held
in the same penthouse ballroom as the championships clos-
uschess.org
ing ceremonies). The Chase also features a first-rate spa
and gym as well as an art-house movie theater. Melekhina
called the hotel posh and the transportation to and from
the airport luxurious. After several rounds, players want-
ing to explore the city were given chauffeured car service.
Sumptuous daily catering for players and spectators came
from the artisan bakery next door and tournament sponsor
Rex Sinquefield commonly hosted after-round dinners at
local white-tablecloth restaurants.
Melekhina added, Even things usually taken for granted
such as having comfortable playing conditions, which included
comfortable room temperature, each game having a roomy,
individual table with a separate table behind it for placing
belongings and drinks, and having professional wooden
chess sets and digital clocks provided made a difference. Rich
said the chess tables were custom-made and designed specif-
ically for the club.
The club also offered more than a dozen flat-screen tele-
visions which broadcasted games live, a documentary film
group that followed the action, and a support staff that
Melekhina said promptly addressed any player concerns. The
daily personnel on hand to assist players included two
arbiters, three commentators, two security guards, two cater-
ers, and a club staff of about ten.
Chess Life January 2010 27
Cover Story

second and it was Baginskaites first loss
of the event. After the game, Baginskaite
remained at her board for ten minutes,
reviewing her notation and longingly
searching for the answers that she could
not find during the game.
Melekhina lost to Zenyuk and fell one
point off the pace for second.
Zatonskihs inexorable march to her
second title in as many years also ended
in round eight. She played the longest
game of the round, and though she only
needed a draw to clinch first place, she
was never in danger at the end and fit-
tingly played for the win, as she had done
all tournament.
I could easily spoil everything ... I was
playing for a draw, as safe as I can, she
said of her initial play. But I realized its
not any way to play chess. By refusing
to settle, she was rewarded with a chance
to win the title in style. The final blow
reminded many of Shirovs 47. ... Bh3
against Topalov in Linares 1998. Though
ranking as one of the best moves of all
time on several lists, Zatonskih could not
recall ever seeing the move!
Recalling Shirov
WGM Sabina-Francesca Foisor (2383)
IM Anna Zatonskih (2470)
2009 U.S. Women's Championship (8)
+ + + +
+ + + +p
+k+ + +
+ +pLl+
p+ P + +
+ + +P+p
+ K + +
+ + + +
After 56. Be5
56. ... Be4!, White resigned.
White resigned since 57. fxe4 (57. Kc3
Kb5 58. Bg3 Bxf3 59. Bh2 Bd1 60. Bg3
a3 61. Bh2 a2 62. Kb2 Bb3 and Whites
paralyzed pieces cannot stop a king inva-
sion; 57. f4 h2) 57. ... dxe4 58. Ke3 Kd5.
+ + + +
+ +p+ + in a row. Of the fighting chess exhibited
+ + + +
+ +kL +
p+ Pp+ +
+ + K +p
+ + + +
+ + + +
Analysis after 58. ... Kd5
Zatonskih expressed reliefthe pres-
sure from playing from the leaders spot
was finally over.
Im very glad that in my last round I
dont need anything, she said. I dont
even need a draw.
The title decided, now the trip to Turkey
was the only final-round drama. Several
games produced severe time pressure,
curious since the 40/2 SD/1 controls
are more leisurely than the international
standard of Game/90 that many of the
players are accustomed to.
Krush had the worst final-round time
management of the leadersshe had only
30 seconds to make six moves. She made
a host of small mistakes leading up to
move 40, capped by a bit of bad luck on
her 38th move. Her opponent, Abra-
hamyan, was also low on time and
sacrificed a rook confidently and quickly
to break through Krushs pawn shelter
around her king. There were two lines to
consider after capturing the rookKrush
only had time to look at one, and saw her
king would be mated. She also reasoned
that her opponent would not be so reck-
less as to bluff, so Krush made the
decision to decline the offer and walk her
king to the middle of the board. She lost
shortly thereafter.
Abrahamyans mistake (she later said
she did not see her opponents winning
variation either) produced her third win
over the final four rounds, she benefited
the most. Abrahamyan started round
seven in a tie for last and finished the
tournament in clear fifthfighting chess
netted her $6,000, or $4,000 more than
if she had remained in the cellar.
Melekhina kept her longshot hopes of
qualifying when Tsagaan allowed a mat-
ing tactic in time pressure. Melekhina
gained a substantial amount of time in the
opening by again expanding her reper-
toire; she played 1. d4 for the first time in
her life, wanting to finally be on the white
side of a Kings Indian. Maybe youth is
blessed with confidenceat the U.S.
Championship, Robert Hess, then still
an IM, trotted out his first ever Sicilian
against GM Gata Kamsky.
Tsagaan lamented her slow play but
insisted that the Championship is also her
vacation. My husband keeps saying, just
make the first 20 moves in one hour, but
it never happens, Tsagaan said with a
laugh.
Melekhina and Krush now had to wait
to see if Baginskaite would falter; loom-
ing was a potentially messy three-way
tiebreaker to decide who would go to the
World Championships. Baginskaite
played the longest game of the round,
but the tournaments elder stateswoman
removed the drama by eventually grind-
ing down Foisor to clinch clear second.
I did not expect Krush to lose, Bagin-
skaite said. It was very likely I would
need to win today. She said overcoming

2009 U.S. WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP

October 3-13, 2009 Chess Club and Scholastic Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Chief Tournament Director: Carol Jarecki
# Player USCF FIDE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score

1 Anna Zatonskih 2492 2462 XX 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8

2 Camilla Baginskaite 2356 2317 XX 0 1 1 1 1 1 6
3 Alisa Melekhina 2253 2220 0 XX 1 1 0 1 1 5
4 Irina Krush 2490 2458 0 1 XX 0 1 1 1 5
5 Tatev Abrahamyan 2342 2275 0 0 0 1 XX 1 1 0 4
6 Sabina-Francesca Foisor 2379 2320 0 0 0 0 XX 1 1 0 1 3
7 Rusudan Goletiani 2437 2391 0 0 0 XX 1 1 0 3
8 Iryna Zenyuk 2271 2285 0 0 1 0 0 0 XX 1 3
9 Battsetseg Tsagaan 2265 2258 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 XX 1 2
10 Yun Fan 2134 1935 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 XX 2

28 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org


Irina Krush (on floor) and Iryna Zenyuk dance the night away at the closing ceremonies.
her round eight defeat was psychologi-
cally difficult and she decided to refocus
on the final round without regard to tour-
nament standing (she did not even know
the complex tiebreaker format).When
asked why she did not take a draw to
ensure qualification after Krushs loss,
Baginskaite seemed to regard such an
action as impure. I couldnt see any way
for [Foisor] to hold. Why should I agree to
a draw? Its about self-respect. You have
to win this position. She added that even
Kasparov once offered a draw in a winning
position to clinch a world championship
against Karpov.
Then came her most shocking revela-
tion of the tournament: she did not use
a computer to prepare for any of her
PHOTOS: BETSY DYNAKO
games. I remember I had some very bad
tournaments where I studied too much,
Baginskaite said. As for preparation
itself, there is really no substitute for
daily work. In her game with Zatonskih,
her opponent knew she played the open-
ing the same as from a game in 1994, but
uschess.org
Baginskaite had forgotten! With a score
of 6, she earned her first international
master norm, a $12,000 payday, and she
punched her ticket to Turkey in Decem-
ber, 2010. This will be good incentive to
buy my own laptop!
Zatonskihs victory lap went as
smoothly as her previous eight games.
Though she admitted nerves, she used
her last-round spatial advantage to once
again overwhelm an opponent. Her win
over Fan typified her play over the ten
days, and her score of 8/9 was the
highest since Krushs similar tally in
1998. The 2009 performance was more
sensational in that the average rating
was nearly 100 points higher than in
1998, and this year was the first cham-
pionship in which every player was a
master. Zatonskih, however, discounted
the significance of the winning score
(which won the championship by two
points) by continually alluding to Anna
Aksharumova, who won with a perfect
score in 1987. Zatonskih did say it was
the strongest U.S. Womens Champi-
onship field that she had ever faced. I
concentrated on every game without
thinking about my points, she said.
Her celebration schedule was almost as
long as the tournament. Zatonskih cele-
brated with her friends/fellow players
after she clinched in round eight, then
again after the finale, then once more
after arriving back home in Germany,
where her parents were visiting for the
first time, and a final time after her hus-
band, GM Daniel Fridman, finished the
European Team Championships.
Despite the five collegians competing,
the two women who qualified for the
Womens World Championship, Zaton-
skih and Baginskaite, were two of the
three oldest women in the event. It is a
pleasure to feel young competing with a
younger generation and still be able to
beat them, Zatonskih said. I am glad
that two mothers qualified ... It means we
can have a family and play good chess at
the same time.
Baginskaite has two school-aged chil-
dren. While Zatonskih is a chess profes-
sional (she jokingly called herself a pro-
fessional mom), Baginskaite is studying
to become an art teacher. Prior to the
event, she said that she wanted to become
serious about chess again, especially once
her children get more self-sufficient. She
said after learning of her norm, now I
almost have an obligation to play more
often.
Zatonskihs daughter is two and neces-
sarily was not old enough to understand
when her mother won the title in 2008.
This year, upon returning home, Zaton-
skihs parents, visiting from the Ukraine,
taught the toddler to surprise mom with
a sentence in English: My mom is the
champion of America. .
Once again, Rex Sinquefields (seated)
sponsorship helped create a world-class
championship. In background is Tony Rich,
executive director of the Chess Club and
Scholastic Center of St. Louis.
Chess Life January 2010 29
Profile
E SQUARED:
Empowerment, Exposure
Imagination is more important than knowledge. ~Albert Einstein
S
Jean Hoffman
ome people possess a certain kind of
energy. This is the vigor with which
a story is told, the force breathed into
spoken words and especially the way
faces express excitement. Vitality
enhances powerful ideas and often
accompanies an idiosyncratic style.
Actions, of course, say the most about
someone. This is a story about Jean Hoff-
manabout the way she articulates her
ideas and more tellingly, the way she
acts. I first met Jean almost twenty years
ago when I became her chess teacher.
Jean was just 10 or 11 but even then I
remember something unusual about her.
Certainly her family contributed to this
it was not long before I got to know her
parents well enough to trade novels with
them. And the eclectic bent in their won-
derful home was immediately apparent in
their taste in art, buying locally from
artists whose work I also happened to
enjoy.
Jean and I would be formally connected
30 Chess Life January 2010
By Paul Gold
as teacher/student for just a year or two
she stopped playing tournament chess
at the end of eighth grade. I have always
had a complicated relationship with
chess, she said when we got together to
chat in late April this year. Complicated,
indeed, for Jean possesses a number of
traits that combine to form the unique
chess personality that she has become.
Jean is a passionate chess promoter while
not being a particularly strong player
herself; it is more usual for highly rated
players to have an egoistic attraction to
the game that is rooted in their expertise.
She also has degrees from Yale and Har-
vard, a pedigree that might suggest a
lucrative job, perhaps in the field of
finance or academics, but not so for Jean.
Now, just a couple years shy of 30, what
is she doing with her life? She has decided
to explore the strong possibilities chess
offers as an educational tool. Chess
empowers kids, says, I can do this.
After many years being away from chess
as a competitor, Jean discovered that the
path to her quest was a journey she had
actually been on for quite some time. After
completing her undergraduate degree in
history at Yale, she considered a civil rights
internship with the idea of possibly becom-
ing an attorney. My parents always
reminded me of the security and privilege
that I had enjoyed but they also stressed
a focus on being happy. I think they were
afraid I would become a lawyer or maybe
even a Republican. Jeans father, Rick,
remembers that Jean had a love/hate
relationship with chess, ultimately leading
to her quitting playing tournaments. But
on her college entrance forms she wrote
that she is and will always be a chess
player. The learning, the experience stuck.
Unsure exactly how to proceed, Jean
started studying for the Law School Admis-
sion Test (LSAT) and taking an easy job
teaching chess at the New York based
Chess-in-the-Schools program. Three years
later she had still not taken the LSATs. By
now she had earned her masters in edu-
cation degree at Harvard but found
conventional teaching unappealing. I was
horrible as a seventh grade geography
teacher, was miserable and looking for a
job. I came back to Tucson in 2007. I
wanted to do something with chess and
education but not work within the tradi-
tional public education system.
Jean began to assimilate the best les-
sons learned from her time spent at
Chess-in-the-Schools. Chess teaching
was challenging, not instant gratification
I did not get that teaching geography.
Playing chess had given Jean self-confi-
dence and helped her with real-life
problem solving, as well as helping her
tackle academics; she also learned
that not everyone has the capability to
overcome situations by analysis. Chess-
in-the-Schools serves about 20,000
students, a number of whom have been
underprepared by our educational sys-
tem. Many conventionally-minded teach-
ers did not see the potential regarding
kids who were good at chess but not aca-
demics. Chess made them aware that
they could be good at something, pro-
viding identification; perhaps seeing
themselves as someone. Along the way
Jean was influenced by chess teacher/
player/writer Elizabeth VicaryShe is
amazing you should see her. She may
be the best middle school teacher in the
country! She brought 58 kids to the
SuperNationals in Nashville. Vicary is
something of a hybrid, a credentialed
secondary school teacher in Brooklyn
who also carries an impressive chess
resume as a teacher and player.
uschess.org
 In 2007 Jean returned to Tucson and
co-founded 9 Queens with WGM Jen-
nifer Shahade, the editor of Chess Life
Online. 9 Queens is a tax deductible non-
profit organization that is dedicated to
extending the benefits of chess to those
most in need of its benefits, especially
girls and at-risk youth. There are 9
Queens programs/affiliations in Tucson,
Philadelphia and Charlotte, North Car-
olina. Another 9 Queens description on
a recent event flyer read A nonprofit
organization dedicated to empowering
underserved and under-represented pop-
ulations through chess. Jeans informal
description of 9 Queens goals: Go after
chess as a powerful tool. A lot of kids
are not being reached in our educational
system; a lot of kids experience no suc-
cess as a thinker. 9 Queens holds a
number of chess workshops with a decid-
edly female lean, but there is no doubt
that Jeans theme song is chess for every-
one. Kids ask her if chess can get them
into college. UTD (University of Texas at
Dallas) gives chess scholarships, but
those are few. Because the benefits are
not easily articulated, programs can get
cut. It can be frustratinghard to sell
someone on chess in general, when peo-
ple dont even try it ... maybe it was the
way that chess was first taught to some-
one. Tucson has great chess coaches but
there are not necessarily as many chess
teachers able to correlate chess to life.
In addition to her role as the 9 Queens
executive director, Jean also serves as the
general manager for Chesspark, an online
chess venue designed to be a fun place for
anyone to pick up a game. Chesspark is
not intended to be another ICC (Internet
Chess Club); the interface is easier, not as
techie; the premise is to reach closeted
players. Like 9 Queens, the Chesspark
plan is to slowly grow and eventually sup-
port salaried positions. Jean is well-
connected inside and outside of Tucson.
She has affiliations with the Tucson
mayors office, Congresswoman Gabrielle
Giffords and the Tucson city council. She
has relationships with the USCF, Chess-
in-the-Schools and more contemporary
chess personalities in the Hip Hop Chess
Federation and chess player/rapper RZA.
PHOTOS BY JEFF SMITH / WWW.JEFFSMITHUSA.COM

But the manifestation of Jeans vision

is most evident in her organization of
Chess Fest.
In its second year in Tucson, the Chess

Chess empowers kids, says,

Fest is a kaleidoscope of chess events and

I can do this.
people, a downtown Tucson chess party

with everyone invited. 9 Queens is the
sponsor/benefactor of Chess Fest, which
has attracted 300-500 people per event.
Held May 2nd at the Hotel Congress, this
years event agenda included chess work-
shops, lessons and lectures, a human
chess match on a life-size board, a blind-
fold chess exhibition, blitz tournament, art

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 31

Profile
auction, face painting, hula hoop con-
test, wine tasting and a live musical
performance by a local rock band. The
noon-to-whenever event hosted a variety
of Tucson celebrities, both chess playing
(masters) and otherwise (political person-
alities). The hipster hotel was packed
with players, sets and boards everywhere,
from the front room site of the blitz tour-
nament to the lobby, bar area and disk
jockey (DJ)-manned back patio. In one
room was how-to-play instruction not far
from a 60-player speed chess event. There
were a lot of people there whom I had not
seen in a long time and everyone was hav-
ing a marvelous time. There is something
about this event that gets peoples juices
going; Jean seems to have tapped into the
main artery of Smile City. Rick Quesada,
now a teacher and a DJ, recalled the
importance of being in chess tournaments
as a kid. It has meant a lot to me to be
involved in chess, which started with a
middle school teacher/coach I will always
remember. Now Im a teacher too. Parent
Mark Kinsey watched his young daughter
play in the blitz tournament. I asked what
he thinks she gets from chess and he said
its the manipulation; I think she likes to
beat people. As we watched she sat down
to play an adult who politely asked her if
she knew how to play. Within minutes
she was up a queen, knight and a pawn.
A week later I stopped by at a 9 Queens
workshop and asked Jean for a recap of
Chess Fest. She thought a lot of the prepa-
ration paid off and overall the event met
her expectations. She noted useful feed-
back from participants which she will use
in planning for next years event. Appar-
ently there were dozens of players who had
never before played in an organized tour-
nament. Local support was tremendous.
The musical act, Golden Boots, had com-
mitted to the free benefit concert when
Jean met with them months earlier
(the band loves chess; they play each
other when they are touring). It was inter-
esting to note some of Jeans comments
measuring the success of Chess Fest.
I remember the stress and pressure of
playing organized chess as not always so
I am intrigued by
the educational
potential of
chess my kids
have achieved
so much in such
a short time.
32 Chess Life January 2010
fun; 9 Queens was created with the idea
of presenting chess in a relaxed environ-
ment with an emphasis on enjoyment.
The workshop into which Id intruded
was actually advertised in the local news-
paper as chess for women and girls of all
ages. The event was ably run by Jean,
Amanda Mateer and Jenelle Wallace, with
about a dozen young girls in attendance
and two adult women who had come to
learn how to play. I talked to the husband
of one of the women (she was busy!) who
informed me that his wife wanted to learn
how to play so she might know what is
going on when her son plays in tourna-
ments. I chatted with a couple of parents
about 9 Queens all-girl events and they
said the kids love them, enjoying having
the chance to play against other girls,
not so usual in tournaments in which
mostly boys participate. The moms also
said that they like their girls being
exposed to great role models like Jenelle
(a National Merit Scholar headed for Stan-
ford) and Amanda (expert rated,
effervescent, personality-plus college stu-
dent). We talked about what it is like for
girls to play boys. Boys playing girls
might feel confused, intimidated, defen-
sive, can even be mean, afraid to lose
From all the happy faces on these pages,
Jean Hoffmans organization of Chess
Fest has been a success.
(but boys cry just as much as girls when
they lose). They also noted the general
noise level. It is decidedly lower at this
all-girl event. Boys are wild and run
around. I dont think we have ever had to
ask the girls to quiet down at these work-
shops. Maybe girls are quieter because
they are able to focus better.
Martha Underwood is a notable 9
Queens advocate and volunteer. The pos-
itive influence of organized chess is visible
through the aperture of her kids, Zak
and Aiya Cancio. In one year since get-
PHOTOS BY JEFF SMITH / WWW.JEFFSMITHUSA.COM
ting involved in chess, my kids have
improved so much in everything they do.
I am intrigued by the educational poten-
tial of chess ... my kids have achieved so
much in such a short time. Martha has
been pulled into the chess vortex herself.
Im in love with the game, drawn to even
the physical aesthetics of the boards and
sets. Marthas predilection for statistics
and crunching results has made her dis-
cover an interest in tournament directing.
A special education professor at the Uni-
versity of Arizona, Martha has insight into
the mechanics of research grants; she
pondered translating the benefits of chess
uschess.org
Chess Fest: A kaleidoscope
of chess events and people,
a downtown Tucson chess
party with everyone invited.
into funding for programs like 9 Queens.
Martha also noted the social value that
chess events offer. The kids experience
morality, ethics, even justice. And there is
a community of chess families. We have
met some really wonderful people at chess
events and support for the players is recip-
rocal, everyone pulling for each other. My
son could lose his game in the tournament
hall and then bring his opponent, now a
new friend, into the area where the fam-
ilies hang out. I dont see any Little League
syndrome in chess.
uschess.org
So what does the future hold for 9
Queens and Jean Hoffman? Will the
organization stay low-key, pursuing its
grass roots approach to providing chess for
the masses via local workshops and
events? Or will a spiffy consultant be
brought in to create the business cases,
plans and milestone charts to predict
future growth and chart revenue-capture
progress? One thing seems certainpeo-
ple who care in organizations like 9
Queens will indeed have a clear impact on
those they touch, whether as an uncon-
ventional start-up or in a more traditional
business setting. Its all good! And Jean
will continue to distinguish herself and her
questpromoting the benefits of chess
with heart and selflessness. Her immedi-
ate reply to my asking why she does what
she does seems like a rationale for success
in any endeavor. This line of work makes
me feel happy and fulfilled. .
Read this issue online or download
a .pdf file by going to uschess.org,
Chess Life magazine link.
Chess Life January 2010 33
2009 U.S. Womens Open

Opening Up
The first U.S. Womens Open
draws 16 to OklahomaSaheli
(left) wins, and Zenyuk qualifies
for 2010 Womens Championship
By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM

he first World Series of Poker tour-

T nament in Vegas in the 1970s had

less than a dozen players, said the
Okie Chess Festivals chief tournament direc-
tor and sponsor International Arbiter Frank
K. Berry. We have 16 women participating in
this first-ever U.S. Womens Open. Its a start,
and I hope it will continue and grow. Berry
added that he and organizer Tom Braunlich
like to challenge themselves by creating new
tournaments and new combinations of tour-
naments. The Womens Open was one of four
tournaments in the 2009 Okie Chess Festi-
val, held over Labor Day weekend in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. My wrap-up of the other three
tournaments (the U.S. Senior Open, Okie
Open, and Master Invitational) appeared
in the December 2009 Chess Life.
The U.S. Womens Open had four women
international masters and two women FIDE
masters. My USCF rating of 2000 put me at
the top of the bottom half of the field, so I
played top seed WIM Iryna Zenyuk in round
one. After Zenyuk defeated me, in a game I
annotated for Chess Life Online, Zenyuk
drew WIM Karina Vazirova. Also in round
two, WFM Nath Saheli drew WFM Bayaraa
Zorigt. Both Zenyuk and Nath won
in rounds three and four. Thus the
stage was set for their round five
encounter, which Berry and
Braunlich selected as the
tournaments best game.
Harry Payne of Oklahoma
donated the $100 best
game prize.

See game on p. 36.

34 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org

 Player Profile: Dr. Marilyn Pelias
From Katrina to Caissa
When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August of
2005, Marilyn Pelias and her four children hunkered down
in their home. School was cancelled. Israeli guards were
hired to protect their uptown neighborhood from looters.
Sometimes, the guards played chess. Pelias had learned the
rules of chess from Alfred Carlin, the coach at her sons
Country Day School. She played several games against the
guards. Of course, she said, I lost every game. But it
piqued my interest. After Carlin moved to Texas, she took
a few lessons with IM Stan Kriventsov, who was attending
graduate school at Tulane but then moved to Canada.
Now her teacher is Jude Acers, whenever she finds time for
a lesson.
Finding time for chess is not easy with Pelias schedule.
She teaches surgical anatomy at the Louisiana State Uni-
versity School of Medicine, practices as a general (vascular)
surgeon, and volunteers teaching chess at Country Day
School. Yet, since January 2007, she has played 23 tour-
naments and her rating has risen from the 700s to the
1400s. The U.S. Womens Open was her first time to be
paired with other women. Pelias said, I thought this was
a unique opportunity to play awesome women who are bet-
ter than me. In the last round, she lost to Natasha
Christiansen, who competed in the 1989 U.S. Womens
Chess Championship. Afterwards, she, Natasha, and GM Dr. Pelias (right) with
Iryna Zenyuk by the
Larry Christiansen analyzed together on Larrys computer. playing site pool.
Here are GM Christiansens annotations:

Sicilian Defense (B20) 11. ... Qa5+ 12. Kf1 15. ... b6?! 16. h4! Ba6+ 17. Kg1 Qc3 18.
Marilyn Pelias (1436)
12. Ke2! Get those rooks con-
Rb1 Qxa3 19. Ng5
Natasha Christiansen (1823)
nected!!
Notes by GM Larry Christiansen r+ +n rk+
12. ... f6
1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3 Nc6
p +p+ 
 p
3. ... d5! 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6
r+l+n rk+ lpn+ppQ+
6. d4 Nf6 7. c4 bxc3 e.p. 8. Nxc3 Qa5 pp+p+ 
 pp + +  P 
N
9. d5 Qxc3+ 10. Bd2 Qc5 11. dxc6 +n+pp + + 
P +  P
Qxc6.
q + 
 P + q + + +

4. d4
+ 
P + + +P+ PP+
4. axb4 d5 5. b5.
N +L
 QN+ +R+ +  KR
4. ... e6 5. Nf3
+P+ PPP After 19. Ng5
5. d5 exd5 6. exd5 Ne5 7. f4 Ng6 8.
d6 Qf6.
R + +K+R

SAHELI BY ALEXEY ROOT; PELIAS BY TOM BRAUNLICH

19. ... fxg5 20. hxg5 Nxe5! 21. dxe5 Qc5

After 12. ... f6
5. ... bxa3 6. Nxa3 21. ... Rf5 22. Rh7.
White has a strong initiative after
With compensation for the material.
12. ... d5 13. h4 Bd7 14. Ng5 g6 15. h5
22. Qh7+ Kf7 23. g6+ Ke7 24. Qh4+ Nf6
6. d5! exd5 7. exd5 Qe7+ 8. Be2; 6.
Ng7.
25. exf6+
c4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Qxd2. 25. Re1.
13. Bxh7+
This is very optimistic but inspired.
6. ... Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Qxd2 Nf6 9. 25. ... Rxf6 26. Rh3 Qxc2 27. Qb4+ d6

Bd3 0-0 10. e5 Ne8 11. Qe3
11. Nc4 d6 12. 0-0; 11. 0-0 d6 12.
Nc4 dxe5 13. dxe5 Qe7 14. Qf4 f6
15. Qh4 f5 16. Qxe7 Nxe7 17. Nb6
Rb8 18. Rxa7 with a slight advantage
to White.
13. Qe4 f5 14. Qh4 Qd8 15. Qxd8
Nxd8 16. Nc4 with a slight advan-
tage to White.
13. ... Kxh7 14. Qe4+ Kg8 15. Qg6
15. h4.
27. ... Qc5.
28. Rb2 Qxg6 29. Rg3 Qh6 30. Rd2 e5
31. Rh3 Qf4 32. Qb2 Rh6 33. Qc3 Rc8
34. Qb2 Rxh3 35. gxh3 Bb7, White
resigned.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 35

 2009 U.S. Womens Open
Sicilian Dragon, (Calcutta), India. In her high school grad-
Yugoslav Attack (B76) uating year (2008), she was the all-India
WFM Nath Saheli (2026) topper in the all-India senior school cer-
WIM Iryna Zenyuk (2272) tification examination in the humanities
Notes by IM Doug Root (arts) stream. A Calcutta newspaper arti-
cle cited her exam score and chess
credentials, Nath Saheli: 95.2% (arts) ...
A national-level chess player, she won
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5.
national age group title under-9 in 1998,
Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 0-0 9.
under-14 in 2002 and under-16 in 2004.
0-0-0
Saheli told me, In India, you hear more
r+lq rk+ about Ivy League schools such as Harvard
pp+ 
 pp
lp or Princeton. But thankfully because of
chess, I also heard of The University of
+n
p np+ Texas at Dallas (UTD). When the director
of Eugene McDermott scholars program
+ + + +
visited India, I talked to her and was con-
+ 
NP+ + vinced that UTD is really the place that I
wanted to be. Saheli is majoring in eco-
+ N LP+ nomics and finance. In addition to being
a UTD chess team member, she also par-
PPP
Q +P P
ticipates in Model United Nations, Give to
+ KR+L+R Live, as well as the Financial Leadership
After 9. 0-0-0 Association.
The top U.S. finisher in the Womens
Open was WIM Iryna Zenyuk. Therefore,
9. ... Nxd4
Zenyuk qualified for the 2010 U.S.
9. ... d5 is more common. Womens Championship. Zenyuk is a
graduate student in mechanical engi-
neering at Carnegie Mellon. She is
10. Bxd4 Be6 11. Kb1 Nd7
11. ... Qc7 is a better move. The move researching renewable energy. Her chess
played abandons Blacks king. accomplishments include earning a
womans grandmaster norm and an inter-
national master norm. Zenyuk writes a
12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. Nd5 Bxd5 14. exd5 f6 15.
weekly chess column on Chess.com
h4 Rc8 16. f4 Rc5 17. h5 Nb6 18. hxg6 hxg6
The only controversy in the Okie Chess
19. f5 Rh8 20. Bd3 Rxd5 21. fxg6 Nd7 22. g4
Festival happened in round 1 in the
Nc5 23. Qg2 Rd4
+ 
q +  r Womens Open. As I played my game with
Zenyuk, I heard Airapetian saying some-
pp+ 
 p 
k thing about passing move 40. How odd,
+ 
p pP+ I thought. The time control was Game/90
plus a 30 second increment, so move 40
+ n + + was not a magic number. But Airapetian
+ 
r +P+ thought the time control was 40/90. She
offered her score sheet to her opponent,
+ +L+ + Julia Jones. Airapetian figured that Jones
should catch up her score sheet since it
PPP+ +Q+
+K+R+ +R
was already move 42 or 43. Jones had not
kept score since move 32, which, she
After 23. ... Rd4 told me later, was because of her listen-
ing to Frank Berrys announcement at
the start of round one. Then Airapetians
24. g5 flag fell. More precisely, the display on the
24. Rxh8 Qxh8 25. Rh1 Rxg4 is not as digital clock read 0:00. The floor tour-
good as what Saheli played. nament director (TD) believed that, with
a 30-second increment, Jones should not
24. ... fxg5 25. Qxg5 e5 26. Rh7+, Black get the win because of her incomplete
resigned. score sheet. He added 30 seconds to
Black resigned because if 26. ... Rxh7 Airapetians clock. With the added time,
27. Qxd8. and with a flustered Jones, Airapetian
later won the game by checkmate. For
In the last round, Saheli secured first round two, Airapetian was paired as a win
place, with a score of 5 points out of 6, by and Jones as a loss.
drawing Jennifer Acon. Zenyuk defeated After round two, Frank Berry ruled the
Zorigt to finish clear second with 4 of 6. game a draw. I interviewed him about
Tied for third through fifth places were what he called his King Solomon decision.
WFM Chouchanik Airapetian, Acon, and Before the first round, Berry said that
Medina Parrilla, each with 4 of 6. he told the players, It is desirable to
The 2009 U.S. Womens Open cham- keep score because we collect score sheets
pion, WFM Nath Saheli, is from Kolkata here. I also said that we go by USCF
36 Chess Life January 2010
rules. If you have less than five minutes,
you can stop keeping score. Please con-
tact the TD or a nearby interested
spectator if you want them to keep score
for you. I did not hear this announce-
ment, because I was retrieving my clock
from my hotel room. But several players
confirmed that Berry mentioned not keep-
ing score if under five minutes.
After the first round began, Frank Berry
left the tournament for six hours. When he
came back, he overruled the floor TD
because, Julia was not keeping an accu-
rate score sheet with a 30-second incre-
ment. Yet I could not reward Chouchanik
for letting her flag fall. Chouchanik mistak-
enly thought the time control ended at
move 40. She could have kept her flag up
if she had known her time control. Berry
added, The pages in the rulebook regard-
ing keeping score and score sheets during
a flag fall contradict each other.
I traveled to the Okie Chess Festival
with four students from UTD: freshman
Parrilla, sophomore Saheli, junior
Vazirova, and senior Zorigt. I learned that
Parrilla begins every other sentence with,
In New York we. For example, when
Zorigt prepared herself a big breakfast,
Parrilla said, You call that a big break-
fast? In New York we eat everything under
the sun when we have a big breakfast.
We learned the meaning of each others
first names. Mine, Alexey, is because my
mom was reading Russian novels when
she was expecting me. She thought that
changing Alexei to Alexey would make
my name a girls name. According to every
Russian chess player Ive met, including
Vazirova, my mom was wrong. Karina
means pretty. Medina [pronounced Meh-
DEEN-ah] is a kingdom in Africa and a
city in the Middle East. Bayaraa [BY-rah]
means happiness. And Saheli [Sa-HEE-
lee] means friend. One of UTDs goals for
our Okie road trip was to develop friend-
ships. From what I saw, goal achieved. .
2009 U.S. Womens
Open At A Glance
Date: September 5-7, 2009
Location: Tulsa Best Western
Trade Winds Central, Tulsa,
Oklahoma.
Top Finishers: 1st, Nath Saheli,
5; 2nd, Iryna Zenyuk, 4; 3rd-
5th, Chouchanik Airapetian,
Medina Parrilla, Jennifer Acon, 4;
6th-7th, Bayaraa Zorigt, Karina
Vazirova, 3; 8th, Natasha
Christiansen, 3; 9th-12th,
Courtney Jamison, Alexey Root,
Margaret Hua, Brianna Conley,
2.
Chief Tournament Director:
Frank K. Berry.
uschess.org
Instruction
A Z Y P ERSONS GUIDE
THE L
Here is a painless method to help you
PART 1
Most chess players dont have
the time or the inclination to
study endgames. They hold
the view that endgames dont
turn up too often and, if they
are unlucky enough to be
forced to play one in one of
their own games, they should
be able to work out what to do
over the board.
Endgame books tend not to
appreciate the sort of informa-
tion which could be useful for
a reluctant endgame player.
Rather than fill their heads with
methods of winning certain tech-
nical positions, your endgame-
uschess.org
TO . .
.
Dont like to study endgames?
in this often-avoided area.
By GM Ian Rogers
averse player would rather
know what chance they have to
work out the right moves in
actual play. When swapping
off pieces, the essential advice
needed is whether the resulting
position will be easy to win or
draw, not whether it can be
done by stringing together a
series of excellent but impossi-
ble-to-find moves.
Luckily, most technical
endgames can be divided into
three broad groups: easy, easy
if you know what you are
doing, and difficult. Positions
from the first two groups can
be solved over the board with
knowledge of general ideas or
certain positions to aim for.
The latter group requires
advanced techniques (i.e. spe-
cific moves) to win or hold, Browne failed to win within
which a lazy endgame player the 50-move rule. Although
should avoid as they may cost the six-time U.S. champion
valuable time and brain cells. was successful on his second
In this article I will survey the try, the endgame subsequently
basic pawn-free endgames, gained an undeserved repu-
most of which are much eas- tation for being quite difficult.
ier than they look. In later In fact its hard to go wrong
parts I will introduce pawns with the queen.
and show many common
types of endgames which can
also be played on auto-pilot.
+ +Q+ +
+ + + 
rk
+ + 
K +
+ + + +
QUEEN VERSUS ROOK
Status: Win
+ + + +
Assessment: Easy + + + +
Comments: Two decades ago + + + +
GM Walter Browne accepted a + + + +
bet that he could beat a chess
Diagram 1
computer in this endgame but
Chess Life January 2010 37
Instruction

Once you have brought up can go wrongeven if your but after 1. Kf1 there is only Diagram 6 is Blacks per-
your king and reached the king is stuck on the back rank, one way for Black to win: 1. ... fect blockadethere is no way
position in diagram 1, Black the knight can usually check Rf2+ 2. Ke1 Rf7! and now for White to bring in his king
will be forced to move the rook the opposing king away when- White will be mated after both and Black will play ... Kg8-h8-
away from his king and you ever it tries to set up a mate by 3. Rd6 Rg7! and 3. Rd5 Re7+! g8 or ... Bg7-h8-g7 ad
should be able to pick it off taking the opposition. With 4. Kd1 Rh7, or 4. Kf1 Rg7. infinitum. In most cases it
with a series of checks. (If you the rook, this endgame is only should not be a problem for
find that you have reached the worth playing from a favor- the attacker to prevent this
diagrammed position with able starting position; e.g.
position from arising.
White to move, you can lose a when the knight and king have ROOK AND
move through 1. Qe4+ Kg8 2. been separated. KNIGHT VERSUS
Qa8+ Kh7 3. Qe8.) ROOK
Diagram 2 shows the only Status: Draw
type of trap into which White Assessment: Easy
QUEEN VERSUS
can fallBlack has perpetual Comments: The knight is weak TWO KNIGHTS
Status: Win
ROOK AND
check because of the stale- at covering checks from the
Assessment: Easyfor the
BISHOP VERSUS
mate trick 1. Kh6 Rh7+! 2. Kg6 back; so weak, that if the
defender!
ROOK
Status: Draw defender is alert it may never
Assessment: Easy, if you know be necessary even to retreat Comments: As with the two
Rg7+ 3. Kf6 Rg6+!.
This trick also works one
file to the right. the key defensive position the king to the back rank. For bishops, the defender should
the attacking side, this ending put the knights adjacent to
is barely worth playing unless each other and the king next
the defenders king is already
+
+R+ +
to the knights. Keeping your
+ + 
k +
+ + + 
r + + + + near a corner. king in front of the knights to
+ +Q+ + + + + + head off the attacking king
+ + + 
K + + 
l + also makes sense. The queen
+ + + + + +k+ + has an easier job when the
knights merely protect each
QUEEN VERSUS
+ + + + + + + +
otherthey tie each other up
TWO BISHOPS
r+ + + + Status: Drawn
and the attacking king can
+ + + +
Assessment: Easy, but handle
often walk around them.
+ + + + + + 
K +
Diagram 4 with care.
Diagram 2
Comments: Set the bishops
Comments: To defend, keep next to each other and your
the rook on the opposite side king and the opposing king
of the board to your king and will not be able to break QUEEN AND
use it to pin the bishop. When through the barrier. This end-
ROOK VERSUS BISHOP
Status: Draw
KNIGHT VERSUS
Assessment: Easy, if the your opponents king tries to ing is definitely worth playing QUEEN
unpin, head in the other direc- on with the queen. The queen Status: Draw
defending king runs to the
tion with your own king. (e.g. should try to tie down a bishop Assessment: Difficult, for the
correct corner.
1. ... Kf4 2. Kd1 Bd4 3. Re2 and by pinning ityou may force defender
the white king can leave the some lack of coordination in Comments: The knight is very
first rank. White will proba- the defending camp and be good at sheltering a king from
+ + + +
+ + + + bly soon reach a rotated able to move in with your king. checks, so an immediate per-
+ + + + version of diagram 4 when the petual for the defending side is
+ + + + king gets to a4.) rarely available. Checks will
+ + + + If trying to win with the rook however tend to distract your
and bishopand it is certainly QUEEN VERSUS opponent from the task
worth a tryyou will need to
k
 + + +
of building a cage around
BISHOP AND
+ + + 
r know certain techniques KNIGHT
your king. When playing with
which, unfortunately, border Status: Win
the queen and knight, an
KL+ + +

Diagram 3 on the difficult zone. Assessment: Easy
Comments: With one excep- opponents king on the edge
Comments: If the white king tion, the bishop and knight can constitute a winning
runs to a corner not covered + R
 + + cannot set up a permanent advantage as in diagram 7,
by the bishop, theres noth- + + + + barrier to the attacking king. a Troitzky study.
ing the rook can do. It is worth + + + +
playing on with the rook, but + + + + + + + +
only until your opponents
+ + + 
k
king is at the right corner.
+ 
l + +
 + + + 
l + + 
K +
+ +k+ + + +K+ + + + + +
r+ + + + + + 
nQ+ + + + 
Nk
+ + 
K + + + + + + + + +
Diagram 5
ROOK VERSUS KNIGHT
Status: Draw + + + + + + + +
Assessment: Easy In diagram 5, White has
+ + + + + + +Q+
Comments: Keep the knight allowed the bishop and king to + + + + +q+ + +
near your king and nothing move too close to his own king Diagram 6 Diagram 7

38 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org

 After 1. Ne6 Black is helpless
because the checks run out
after 1. ... Qb4+ 2. Kf6 Qc3+ 3.
Kf7 and running with the king
is not an option1. ... Kh4 2.
Qg5+ Kh3 3. Nf4+ and mate
next move.
None of this would be very dif-
ficult to work out over the board.
PART 2
Queen
Endings
Lazy chessplayers tend to be
scared of queen endings,
believing that they require
hard work to win or draw.
While this may be true occa-
sionally, if a player can
overcome their fear of checks
and acquire knowledge of a
few general rules, queen
endgames should prove much
easier to play than rook
endgames.
Rule 1: An outside passed
pawn almost always wins,
unless the defender has per-
petual check.
Rule 2: In a queen
endgame, there is no such
thing as perpetual check.
Clearly rule 2 is not univer-
sal, but it is true more often
than not and should give the
lazy player confidence that,
even if you cant calculate a
way out of a series of checks,
an escape will present itself
sooner or later.
Q+ + + +
+ + +pk
+ + +p+
+ + + +p
+ + + P
P + + 
 P
q+ + PK+
+ + + +
Example 1
Status: Win
Assessment: Very easy
Comments: With rooks instead
uschess.org
The tricky part is Troitzkys
main line which runs 1. ... Qc1
2. Qh3+ Kg6 3. Qg4+ Kh6 4.
Qh4+ Kg6 5. Nf4+ Kf5 6. Qh7+!
Kg4 7. Qh5+! and Blacks
queen will be lost.
Once aware of this theme
John Nunn calls the knight on
f4 an unguarded pivotplay-
of queens, White would prob-
ably not be able to win but
with queens on the board
Whites life could not be much
easierWhite pushes the a-
pawn and then moves the
queen out of the way and cre-
ates a new queen. Black can
try to whip up counterplay but
against Whites perfect king-
side pawn structure he has
no hope, e.g. 1. a4 f6 2. a5 g5
3. hxg5 fxg5 4. a6 h4 5. Qb7+
Kg6 6. a7 h3+ 7. Kxh3 Qxf2 8.
a8=Q and Black has no more
than some checks (Rule 2).
When the kings are more
exposed than in example 1, it
is necessary to implement
Rule 3A centralized queen is
the best insurance against
perpetual check.
Status: Win
Assessment: Easy
Comments: The kingside
pawns are not particularly rel-
evantthey provide no
protection for either king and
White would win just as eas-
ily without them. The winning
technique involves Whites
king charging up the board
to c7 whereupon Blacks
checks will run out due to
Whites many cross-checking
possibilities.
+ + + +
+P+ + +
+ + + k
+ +Q+ +p
+ + + P
+ + + +
+q+ 
K +
+ + + +
Example 2
ing for a win with the queen is
easy and may be worthwhile.
QUEEN AND BISHOP
VERSUS QUEEN
Status: Draw
Assessment: Easy
Example 2 is typical of most
Q+P versus Q endgameseven
a pawn much further back can
slowly advance supported by
the king. The winning tech-
nique is as easy as it sounds
escape the checks and push
the pawn.
The exception is a lone a-
or h-pawn, which provides
less protection against
checks. In that case a lazy
player might quite reason-
ably decide that he should
not bother trying to convert
the extra pawn into a point,
while a more motivated player
could try maneuvering their
king close to the opponents
king to increase the cross-
check possibilities. Even
then, a win is not guaran-
teedunfortunately Rule 2
does not always apply.
So how should a lazy player
defend a queen versus queen
and pawn endgame? Since
perpetual check will rarely
be possible, the key is to
maneuver your king to a use-
ful square, as in the following
two examples:
+k+ + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ 
PQ
K +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+q+ + +
+ + + +
Example 3
Assessment: Easy
Comments: If the defender
Chess Life January 2010
Comments: The bishop is
hopeless at stopping checks
so given a free move the
defender can almost always
secure a perpetual check.
With the queen and bishop,
if you cant force a win
directly, dont bother play-
ing this out.
manages to get his king in
front of the pawn the draw
should be safe. Once the
defender begins checking, a
queen interposition or cross-
check can usually be answered
by an exchange of queens and
a drawn pawn endgame.
If the defenders king is
behind the pawn, there is only
one chance to make a com-
fortable draw:
+ + + +
+ + + +K
+ + + +
+ + + +
+Q+ 
P +
+ + + +
+ 
k + +

q + + +
Example 4
Status: Draw (but only just!)
Assessment: Easy, if you know
how.
Comments: Generic positions
such as this, with Blacks king
badly offside, tend to be lost
and a slack move such as a
random queen check or 1. ...
Ke3, allowing 2. f5, would
doom Black to a painful and
probably unsuccessful de-
fense. However 1. ... Qb1+! 2.
Kg7 Ke3! hangs on to the back
of the pawn and, by tying up
the White queen, forces a
draw. White can do nothing
with his king alone, e.g. 3. Kf6
Qb2+ 4. Kf7 Qb1! and White
can make no progress.
Continue to Part 3 >
39
Instruction
PART 3
Opposite
Colored
Bishop
Endings
Lazy chessplayers usually enjoy
endgames where the bishops
run on opposite colors.
Winning or drawing plans
tend to be obvious, pawns are
easy to protect and blockade,
and kings can often charge up
the board without challenge.
Even better, the lazy player is
rarely challenged if they reduce
brainwork and calculation to a
minimum by agreeing to a
draw, since everybody knows
how drawish opposite bishop
endings are.
While this is an understand-
able attitude, some of these
draws can be turned into wins
and painful defense made eas-
ier with knowledge of just a few
key principles and positions.
PRINCIPLE 1
Two connected pawns
should not be sufficient to win
unless the pawns can reach
the sixth rank.
Corollary 1a
There is only one, far from
obvious, drawing technique,
so if you have the connected
pawns it is always worth test-
ing your opponents knowledge
of the technique.
Example 1
+ + + +
+ + + +
 +
k + +
+ + + +
+L
PP+ +
+ +K+ +
+ + + +
+ + l +
Black to play
40 Chess Life January 2010
Status: Draw
Assessment: Easy, if you know
howeasy to lose if you dont.
Comments: Countless games
have been lost from this type
of position because Black
assumed that preventing e4-
e5+ was the necessary
strategy. However this is
merely a delaying tacticif the
black bishop goes to the f4-h2
diagonal with 1. ... Bg3 White
would have the simple plan of
2. Ke2-f3-g4-f5, after which
e4-e5+ cannot be stopped. The
correct defense involves
maneuvering the bishop to the
front of the pawns, i.e. 1. ...
Ba5!! 2. e5+ Ke7 3. Ke4 Bc7 4.
d5 Bb8 and White can make
no progress. Note how the
bishop not only holds up d5-
d6+, it also attacks one of the
pawns and ties down the white
king. (Unfortunately this
defense does not work once
the pawns reach the sixth
rank as the black pieces run
out of space.)
Positions with more pawns
may involve some work but
there are a few principles which
have a general application.
PRINCIPLE 2
If the attacking side can cre-
ate two widely separated
passed pawns which cannot
be controlled by a bishop on a
single diagonal, a win is usu-
ally assured.
Corollary 2a
Passed pawns do not pro-
vide serious counterplay for the
defending side if they can be
stopped by the opposing bishop
on the same diagonal that it
uses to defend its own pawns.
Example 2
+ + + +
P
 + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
++ K +
+ +
+l+p
+ + 
Lpk
+ + + +
Black to play
Status: Win trouble holding a pawn chain
Assessment: Tricky from the back.
Comments: An exception to
2a which is worth knowing. It
would be easy to believe that
Black can make no progress,
Example 4
until you see 1. ... g1=Q! 2.
Bxg1+ Kg2!!. Now White has
run out of moves, and giving
+
+
+
+p
++
+
+
up his prized pawn only
delays the inevitable after 3.
+ + +p+
+ +l+p+
a8=Q Bxa8 4. Kg4 Bb7! 5. Kh4
+ +kP P
Bf3. +p
K + P
+ + + +
+ + 
L +
Black to move
PRINCIPLE 3
When your opponent has Comments: The technique for
an outside passed pawn, use winning the g-pawn is
your bishop to stop the pawn straightforward and is worth
only when you can use your
remembering: 1. ... Kf3 2. Kb2
king to block the opposing
Ke2 3. Bc3 Kf2!. That was
king. (Otherwise the king will
quickthe slower part is cre-
walk in and win your bishop.) ating a second passed pawn,
In most cases you will need to
but after 4. Bf6 Kxg3 5. Bg5
use your king to stop the
passed pawn and your bishop
Kg4 6. Kc3 Kh5 7. Bf6 h6 8. Bg7
g5! the goal is achieved. Black
to guard the other flank. (If
the bishop cant do the job, will eventually win the bishop
you are probably losing.) for the f-pawn and win with
A typical example is the the b-pawn.
following: Divided pawns are harder
for the bishop to defend, but it
Example 3 is easy to get overconfident.
+ + + + Example 5
+ + +p+
+ +k+p+ + + + +
+ +l+ +p + + + +
+ + 
p 
p
+ + + 
P
+ 
lL+ +

Kp+ 
L 
P
+ + 
P + + + + 
P
+ + + + 
pK+ 
kP+
White to play + + + +
+ + + +
Status: Draw
Black to play
Assessment: Reasonably easy
Comments: White seems to Status: Win
have a perfectly secure king-
Assessment: Easyif you see
side but he cannot afford to
Whites threat
sit tight, since if Black achieves
Comments: The obvious try 1.
the plan ... Ke6-f5-g4, ... f7-f6
and ... g6-g5 he will be able to ... Kf4 2. h5! Kg5 3. Bf7 Kf4 4.
Bd5 leads nowhere for Black,
create a winning second
passed pawn. Realizing that so it becomes easy to find the
Blacks plan involves ... f7-f6 winning line: 1. ... h5! 2. Bf7
and ... g6-g5 makes the defen- (otherwise ... Ke3-f4-g3 wins
sive plan rather easy to find: 1. the h-pawn) 2. ... Kxf3 3.
Bb6 f6 2. Bd8! Kf5 3. Be7 g5 4. Bxh5+ Kg3 when the White
Bd8 and there is no danger of h-pawn again falls and the
Black creating a second passed
White bishop will be lost for
pawn so a draw is inevitable. the f-pawn.
Bishops have much more
uschess.org
PART 4
Rook
Endgames
Lazy players have terrible
trouble with rook endgames.
There are so many tricky tech-
niques to learn that it is
tempting to throw your hands
up in the air and say Too much
information! Ill work everything
out when I get there.
Luckily there is one rule
secretly guarded by grand-
masters who want to maintain
the mystery of their profes-
sionwhich enables a lazy
player to defend most rook
endgames without calculating
any variations.
Rule number 1, 2 and 3 of
rook endgames is ...
Put your king in front of
their passed pawn.
Seethat wasnt so difficult
was it?
The corollary to the rule is
that if your king is cut off from
their passed pawn, you are
likely to be in trouble, possibly
big trouble.
To show how this rule works
in practice, here are a few
examples. (Truly lazy players,
however, do not need to read
any further.)
 + +k+
r
R + + +
 know how
+ + +P
K sneak your way back in front
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
Position 1
Status: Draw
Assessment: Easy
This one is simplewith a
side pawn (h, g, b or a) and his
king in front of it, Black can
defend passively with no danger.
Drawing with ... Rc8-b8- c8-b8;
you cant get lazier than that!
uschess.org
With a more central pawn,
passive defense fails so youll
need some other method.
+ + + +
+ + k +
R + + +
 + + + +
+ + + +
+ +P
K +
+ + + +
+ + + +
r + + +

Position 2
Status: Draw
Assessment: Easy
With a pawn closer to the
center, you cant be completely
lazy1. ... Ra7?! 2. Kf5 Ra5+
3. e5 Ra7 4. Rh6! sets prob-
lems that a lazy player doesnt
want to have to solve.
Here the main goal is to
stop the white king from mov-
ing in front of the pawn. Thus
1. ... Ra5! 2. e5 Ra1! draws,
since Black can now start
checking along the back rank.
+ + + 
k Whites king reaching the
+ +
+ +R
+ +K+ +
+ + 
P +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + +r+
Position 3
Status: Draw
Assessment: Easy, if you
Once Whites king gets too
close to yours, the defender
has a problem. The problem
can be solved by hanging on
to the back of the pawn as
follows:
1. ... Re1! 2. Rh8+ Kc7 3. Kf6
Kd7!
Suddenly White has no good
move. The pawn cannot
advance while rook moves
along the h-file allow Blacks
king to jump back in front of
the pawn. If White waits,
through a move of the rook on
the eighth rank, Black can
wait on the e-file. Blacks only hope lies in 1.
... Re8! when White must
+ 
R + + either swap into a drawn pawn
endgameeven a lazy player
should know this much!or
+ + 
K 
k
+ +P+ +
+ + + +
allow your king to run in front
of the white pawn.
+ + + r
+ + + +
+ + + + + + + +

r + + + + + k +
Position 4 + 
K + +
Status: Draw
+ 
P + +
Assessment: Difficult, but this
+ + + +
is your last chance! + + + +
+ + R +
Things are looking worse Position 6
and worse for Black. His king
is being forced away from the Status: Draw
Assessment: Difficult
pawn and the hanging on
defense no longer works (e.g.
Since the white king has
1. ... Re1 2. Rd2! Re3 3. Rg2+,
moved ahead of the pawn, a
forcing the Black king away,
pawn ending is not going to
after which the white pawn
can keep advancing.) save you now. Your last hope
here lies in the hanging on
Fortunately the last line of
defense, the check from a dis- to the pawn from the front
tance defense, is still enough, defence, preventing White
i.e. 1. ... Ra7+ 2. Rd7 Ra8!! from pushing his pawn.
The key is to prevent This can be achieved by
checking the white king, and
back rank. whenever it moves away from
So many defenses, so much the c-file, playing ... Rd8. If
to remember, I hear you cry. White then tries to protect the
However dont forget that any pawn with Re4 you must be
one of these defenses is ready to knock the rook away
with ... Kf5.
enough to hold the drawit
doesnt matter which one you
implement.
+ r
 + +

Once your king is sepa-
rated from the passed pawn,
+ + + +
you are in big trouble. Your
K
 + + +
first task is to see if you can + +

+k+
+ 
PR+ +
of the pawn. + + + +
+ + + +
+ + 
r + + + + +
Analysis after ... Kf5
+ +k++
+ + + + This is probably too chal-
+ +P+ + lenging for most lazy players,
so it is better to follow rules 1,
+K+ + +
2 and 3 and avoid the position
+ + + +
unless absolutely necessary.
+ + + +
+ + 
R +
Position 5 See the conclusion of this
article, examining endgame
Status: Draw injustices and ones with
Assessment: Easy, if you more pawns, in the February
know how. 2010 Chess Life.
Chess Life January 2010 41
Chess to Enjoy
EGTN
Opening ideas come and go. But endgame theory changes with the speed of
By GM Andy Soltis
glaciers. So why dont we appreciate it when a glacier takes a big step?
In every game, theres a new move. Its
typically an opening idea that hasnt been
played before. When one occurs in an
international tournament, its hailed as a
theoretical novelty, or TN, and quickly
becomes one of the rock stars of opening
theory.
Fans following a game online eagerly
watch for them, such as in last years
Melody Amber tournament, when they
plugged Gata Kamskys opening moves
into a database and realized he had just
introduced a TN in the Caro-Kann
Defense.
But in the same round as Kamskys
novelty, there was another innovation
that should have drawn more attention.
It was that rarity we can call an EGTN,
a new idea in the endgame.
EGTN
GM Yue Wang (FIDE 2739)
GM Viswanathan Anand (FIDE 2791)
Melody Amber (blindfold) 2009
+ + + +
+ + + +
+k+ + +
K + + +
+ + + +
+ P +nn
+ + + +
+ + + +
After 61. Kxa5
What you need to know to appreciate
this is: A king and two knights cannot
beat a lone king because whenever they
get close to checkmate, they allow stale-
mate. But stalemate isnt possible if the
defender has a pawn to push.
That pawn allows Black to try a four-
42 Chess Life January 2010
step winning plan. First, he blockades
the pawn. Then he nudges the White king
to the edge of the board. At the right
moment, Black releases the blockade
and uses all his pieces to deliver mate.
The reason the blockade is step one is
that books say the winning chances
depend on which square the pawn is
stopped. Here they would say Black has
a forced win if the pawn is stopped on c4
but White can usually draw if it reaches
c5.
Lets see why. The first step is 61. ...
Ne4 62. c4 Nc5!blockade.
Step two begins with 63. Kb4 Kb6 64.
Kc3 Ne5 65. Kd4 Ned3! 66. Kd5 Kc7 67.
Kd4 Kd6 68. Ke3 Ke5 69. Kf3 Nf4 70.
Ke3 Nfe6 71. Kf3 Kf5 72. Ke3 Kg4!.
It continues with 73. Kf2 Kf4 74. Ke2
Nd4+ 75. Kd2 Ke4 76. Kc3 Nc6! 77. Kd2
Kf3! 78. Kd1 Ke3 79. Ke1 Nd4 80. Kf1 Nf5!
81. Ke1 Ng3 82. Kd1 Nge4 83. Ke1 Kf3.
Now 84. Kf1 would allow Black to
release the blockade and carry out step
three, 84. ... Nd3! 85. c5 Nd2+ 86. Kg1
Kg3 87. c6 Ne5! 88. c7.
In step four White promotes but its
one move too late: 88. ... Nef3+ 89. Kh1
Ne4 90. c8=Q Nf2 mate. But if the pawn
had reached c5 before step three, it would
have queened more quickly, and averted
mate.
So far, nothing new to theory. But this
game didnt go according to book.
Back at the diagram Black played 61.
... Kc5. This blockaded with the wrong
piece. Since two knights alone cannot
nudge the king, Black had to switch
blockaders. There followed 62. c4 Ne4
63. Ka4 Nd4 64. Ka5.
(see diagram top of next column)
What few people appreciated before
this game is that Black can still win
even though he let the pawn go too far.
After 64. ... Nc6+ 65. Ka6 Kd6!! 66. c5+
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
K k + +
+Pnn+ +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
After 64. Ka5
Kc7 White will be matedin a mere 58
more moves, according to databases. It
turns out that even if the pawn gets to c5,
White loses if his king enters a danger
zone (63. Ka4??).
Now, this may not seem like much.
But when an endgame discovery is made,
its a big deal.
Back in 1978, a Soviet grandmaster
named Adrian Mikhalchishin had a
queen, king and doubled c-pawns against
a queen and king. Many onlookers
thought it was a draw.
But Mikhalchishin showed it was an
easy win because two pawns, even if dou-
bled, do a lot better at avoiding perpetual
check than one pawn. His victory rewrote
theory by indicating the general case of
Q+doubled Ps-versus-Q is a forced win.
But if that game is remembered today
its because it was one of the rare losses
for a 15-year-old named Garry Kasparov.
Among those who paid the price for
not knowing that theory had changed
was Bobby Fischer. In 1992, Fischer had
a chance to get Q+doubled c-pawns-ver-
sus-Q in his rematch with Boris Spassky.
But Fischer, who kept abreast of all open-
ing TNs, didnt know of the endgame
novelty and only drew.
Mikhalchishins game, like Wang-
uschess.org
 Problem I Problem II Problem III
U.S. Chess League FM Oleg Zaikov IM Marc Esserman GM Leonid Kritz
IM Blas Lugo IM Yury Lapshun GM Larry Christiansen

This months quiz features games r+ +r+ k k+ r + + +Q+ + +

from the most recent season of the
14-team U.S. Chess League. The
 p + +p+ pr+ + P p + +r+k
weekly four-board matches, played
+ + + p +Q+ + + + + qpp
online at the Internet Chess Club, +PNn+q+ +P+ + +p +pL + +
have produced some of the best + + + + + + + + + +p+ +
games between Americans in the
last five years. In each of the follow-
+ +Q+ +p + + + +P +P+ + nP
ing six positions your task is to find
P +LPlP + + PK+ +P+ PP+
the fastest winning line of play. Usu- + +RK R + + + + + +RK +
ally this will mean the forced win of Black to play White to play Black to play
a decisive amount of material, such
as a rook or minor piece. For the Problem IV Problem V Problem VI
solutions, see page 71. GM Josh Friedel FM Bruci Lopez GM Jaan Ehlvest
IM Marko Zivanic IM Jan Van De Mortel GM Alejandro Ramirez

r+l+ + Q R+ + n k + r + +
+pqpkpr + + +Ll +pr pklQ
p+ +p+ + + p + p + + +p+
+ + + + + + p + + PP+ +p
+ l P + + + + Q q+ + + +
+ N + +P + P + + p + +LPP
PPL+ +P+ qNK Pr+ P+RR +K+
R + +R+K + + + + + + + +
White to play White to play White to play

Anand, added a new insight to an old
question. But there are also EGTNs that
add a specific new move to what was an
old technique.
GM Lev Aronian (FIDE 2739)
GM Vassily Ivanchuk (FIDE 2751)
Wijk aan Zee 2008
+ + + +
+R+ +p+
+ +k+p+
+P+ + +p
+ + + P
+ + + P
r + P +
+ + K +
After 46. Ke1
The books have a lot to say about posi-
tions like this, in which one player enjoys
an extra queenside pawn. Whites plan is
to shift his king to shepherd his passer.
That allows Black to pick off kingside
pawns. But eventually he must give up his
rook to stop the b-pawn. Then the games
outcome hinges on how far Blacks pawns
get before White rushes back from the
queenside and wins them.
Nevertheless, we know a lot more about
the Sicilian Defense than about precise
positions like this. We can only reach a
uschess.org
consensus.
Thirty years ago, the experts liked
Whites chances in these positions. But
since then the consensus has leaned
towards a draw. For example, GM Mark
Dvoretsky said Black survives if he leaves
his pawns where they are and keeps his
king around f6, e.g. 46. ... Kf6 47. b6
Ke6 48. f3 Rb3 49. Ke2 Kf6.
There is no better time for 50. Kd2
than now, and Dvoretskys analysis con-
tinued with 50. ... Rxf3 51. Rc7 Rb3 52.
b7 Kf5 53. Kc2 Rb6 54. Rxf7+ Kg4 and ...
Kxg3 draws.
But as IM Igor Yanvarjov pointed out on
Chesspro.com, theres a flaw. White can
win with 55. Rg7! since 55. ... Kxg3 allows
Rxg6+!. And if Black cant play ... Kxg3 he
is helpless against Kc3-c4-c5, etc.
So once again, theory was in flux. The
passive ... Kf6-e6 plan seemed doomed.
We were back where we were 30 years
ago: White might be winning in the dia-
gram after all.
Thats where the Vassily Ivanchuks
EGTN comes in. He played 46. ... f6! fol-
lowed by ... g5.
A similar idea had been tried before, in
a Portisch-Petrosian candidates game,
but failed. This time play went: 47. Kf1
Kf5 48. b6 Ke6 49. f3 Rb1+ 50. Kf2 Rb3
51. Ke2 g5!, in order to quickly create a
passed black pawn.
After White played 52. hxg5 fxg5 53.
Rb8 he threatened 54. b7 followed by 55.
Re8+ and 56. b8=Q.
If Blacks king runs left, he loses both
kingside pawns. So he ran right, 53. ...
Kf7 54. b7 Kg7 (otherwise a familiar trick,
55. Rh8! Rxb7 56. Rh7+, wins).
R + + +
+P+ + k
+ + + +
+ + + pp
+ + + +
+r+ +PP
+ +K+ +
+ + + +
After 54. ... Kg7
His aggressive defense was tested by 55.
f4!. White threatens to push the f-pawn
as far as it will go. But Black rewrote
endgame theory with 55. ... h4!!.
The point is that 56. f5 h3 57. f6+ Kf7!
58. Rh8 does not win this time in view of
58. ... h2!.
Then 59. Rxh2 Kxf6! is a draw and 59.
b8=Q? Rxb8 is worse.
In other words, the previous diagram
and the general case of an extra b-pawn
is looking drawish again. And Ivanchuk,
who gets credit all the time for coming up
with new opening ideas, may have made
one of the biggest contributions to theory
with this EGTN. .
Chess Life January 2010 43
 Endgame Lab

Pawn Mate

Paring down to pawns

By GM Pal Benko

Mate can be a valid theme in artistic Generally, if the purpose of the pieces
endgame compositions. However, it is simply to be traded off, this is not a + + + R
should not be a forced-mate problem with strong selling point. However, the stale- + + + p
a given number of moves, but a game-like mate possibility absolves this composition.
composition. As seen in Baffler problem Unfortunately, it is hard to see anything + +K+ +
I as well as early as the 18th century, it new within this old-hat themefound at + + + pP
is possible to deliver mate even with a sin- least 30 similar compositions. Let us see
gle pawn. Technique has advanced how this motif has been developed and + + + k
significantly since the 18th century, so see refined. pp+p+ +
the same idea explored in Baffler prob-
lem II. For this column, we add pieces Rook sacrifices + + +P+
while exploring the same theme. L. Prokes, 1924 + + + +
One composer sent in the following
White to play and win
work that nicely illustrates our topic. + + + +
Geoffrey Caveney, Illinois + + + + A. Wotawa 1953
+ + + + (Correction by Pal Benko)
+ +Q+ + pp+ + +R
+ +p+ + k+ + + p + + + +
Klp + + + K + + +p+ + +p
pn+ +q+ P + +p+ +pP + k
k+ + + + + + + + + + + +p
White to play and win
pR+ + + + +r+P+
P+ + + + In most of these compositions, the mate
P + + +
+ + + +L was spiced up via a rook sacrifice. Prokes +K+ + +
White to play and win was a pioneer in this field. + R + +
1. Rg5 h3 2. Rg4+ b4+ 3. Kc4 h2 4. Rg3 White to play and win
1. Qe3
White now threatens both 2. Rxa3 and Originally there was another white
g1=Q 5. Ra3+! bxa3 6. b3 mate.
This was a good start, but the follow- pawn on a4but this allowed a cook. 1.
2. Rb4+ followed by 3. Qb3 mate.
ing is a masterpiece. Rd1 Re8 2. gxh5 Rd8 3. Kc3 Kxh5 4. Kc4
The white bishop was originally on a8,
but this allows a 1. ... Qd5 cook. With b6 5. a5! bxa5 6. Kc5 etc. also winning.
A. Maximovskikh-V. Shupletsov,
Caveneys consent, I eliminated the cook
1987 Solution:
simply by placing the bishop in the oppo-
site corner! (see diagram top of next column) 1. d7 Rc4+ 2. Kd3! Rxc1 3. Ke2 Rc2+ 4. Ke3
1. ... Qc5+ 2. Qxc5 dxc5 3. Bxc6 dxc6 4. 1. h6! gxh6 2. Rd4+ Kh5 Rc3+ 5. Ke4 Rc4+ 6. Ke5 Rc5+ 7. Kf6 Rd5 8.

2. ... g4 3. Kf5 h5 4. Rxd3 a2 5. Kf4

Rxb5!! d8=Q Rxd8 9. g5 mate.

4. Kxc5 fails because of 4. ... Nc3! 5.
Rxc3 stalemate.
4. ... cxb5 5. Kxc5 b4 6. Kc4 b3 7. axb3 mate.
The author writes White trades off all
his pieces one by one and mates with
only a king and a pawn.
a1=Q 6. Rh3+ gxh3 7. g3 mate.
3. Kf5 b2 4. g3 b1=Q 5. Rh4+! gxh4 6. g4
mate.
The rook fights the advancing pawns,
finally sacrificing itself. Lets take a look
at some further rook sacrifice ideas.
Eliminating the superfluous a4-pawn
corrects the composition. A king walk
gives us a game-like position.
J. Fritz, 1950
(see diagram top of next column)

44 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org

 Problem I Problem II
I. Votruba, 1887 A. Kazantsev, 1985
Benkos Bafflers
Most of the time these studies
+ + + + + + + +
resemble positions that could actu- + +p++ + + + p
ally occur over-the-board. You must + + p p p+ + +p+
simply reach a theoretically won
position for White. Solutions can be
+ + +KPk kp+ + p
found on page 71.
+ + + p + K + +
+ + + +P + + + P
Please e-mail submissions for + + + + PP + + +
Benkos Bafflers to: pbenko@us
chess.org
+ + + + + + + +
White to play and win White to play and win

Knight sacrifice L. Ulanov, 1983

k + + + I. Trestling, 1910
ppp pK+ + + + +
n + + + + + K + pp+p+ +
+P+ + + + + + +p + + + R
l+ + + + + + + + k KN+ +
P +R+ + + + +NPp p+pN + +
L+ l + + + + +p+ + + + +
+ + + + + + +k+P q+P+ + +
White to play and win
+ + + P + + + +
+ + + + White to play and win
White to play and win
1. Rd8+ Nc8 2. Be6 a6 3. Bxc8 Ba5 4. Bd7+
Ka7 5. b6+ cxb6 6. Bxa4 b5 7. Rd5 bxa4 8.
1. Ra6+ bxa6 2. Nc6+ dxc6 3. Nb4 Qa3 4. c3
Rxa5 b5 9. Kxe7 Kb6 10. Kd6 Kxa5 11. Kc5
Qxc3
4. ... Qxb4+ 5. cxb4 mate
b4 12. axb4 mate. 1. Ke7 gxh3 2. Nh4+ Kg4 3. Kf6 Kxh4 4. Kf5
In the majority of the previous problems
h6 5. Kf4 hxg5+ 6. Kf3 g4+ 7. Kf4 g3 8. hxg3
the problem king has started on the
mate.
boards edge. However, in this problem his This composition is skillfully done and
5. Nxc6 mate.
Curbing the black queen via Zugzwang
arrival there is set up by the innocent- completely correct.
should be noted.
looking a3 pawn. This is a brilliant
conception. Multiple sacrifices
Queen sacrifice
G. Kasparian, 1929
E. Pogosyants, 1964
Bishop sacrifice
L. Prokes, 1924 + + + + + + + K
+ + + + + +p+ + + + + +p
+ + p+ p + + + + +PLpk
+ +K+L+ pk+P+ + + + + +p
+ + + +p Rr + + + + + + +
+ + +kP p + K + + + +r+P
+ + + + PN P + + + + + +
+ + +P+ + + + + + + + +
White to play and win
+ + + + White to play and win

White to play and win Several composers have introduced the

idea of a series of sacrifices containing a
1. e7 Re3 2. h4 Re6 3. e8=Q Rxf6 4. Qe3+
variety of mating patterns.
Kg7 5. Qe5 Kh6 6. Ke7 Rf5 7. Qf6 Rxf6 8.
1. Bf5+ Kxh4 2. Bh3 g5 3. Kf5 g4 4. Kf4 gxh3
Kxf6 g5 9. hxg5 mate
Breaking the fortress with the surpris-
5. g3 mate.
The bishop maneuver is a surprise.
1. Nd1 Rxa4 2. Nc3+ Kb4 3. Kd4 d6
3. ... b5 4. Ne4 d6 5. Nc5 dxc5+ 6. Kd3 ing queen-sacrifice is an excellent
(see next position, next column)
The only solo knight sacrifice I found is
c4+ 7. Kd4 c3 8. dxc3 mate. discovery. .
Renew your USCF membership at
100 years old! uschess.org, click on Join/Renew.
4. Nxa4 Kxa4 5. Kc4 b5+ 6. Kc3 b4+ 7. Kc4
b3 8. axb3 mate.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 45

Whats The Best Move?

Tricky Endgames
By GM Larry Evans

Deceptive Simplicity 1. Black moves 2. Black moves

Endgames may seem deceptively
simple because so few pieces remain + + + + ++k+ +
on the board, yet many players fre- + +
+pkp + +
+p+
quently go astray in this phase of the
game. These notable hits and misses
P + p + + LpKp+
were made by some of the worlds
+R+ p + + + PPP
premier players in 2009. K + +P+ l+ + + P
Solutions to this months quiz + + + +P + + + +
positions are on page 71. + + + + + + + +
+ r + + + + + +
(a) Rc8 (b) Rb1+ (c) e4 (a) Bc2 (b) exf5 (c) gxf5

3. Black moves 4. Black moves

+ + + + ++n+ +
+ + +kpp + + k +
+ +pp + KP+ +p+
+ + + + + + P +
n K + + L+ + + +
+P+ + + + + + +
L + PPP + + + +
+ + + + + + + +
(a) Ke7 (b) Ke8 (c) Nc2+ (a) Kd8 (b) Ke6 (c) g5

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 2009 WORLD CHESS LIVE GRAND PRIX SUMMARY
World Chess Live sponsors over $25,000 at the 2009 Grand Prix!

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Once again, WCL is pleased to sponsor USCFs 2009 Grand
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to change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete.

OVERALL STANDINGS JUNIOR CATEGORIES

NAME STATE PTS. NAME STATE PTS.
1 IM Alex Lenderman NY 415.27 Players born between 1986 and 1988 inclusive:
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3 GM Jaan Ehlvest NY 216.79 2 IM Oliver Barbosa NY 95.00
4 GM Giorgi Kacheishvili NY 190.70 3 IM Jecek Stopa TX 93.40
5 GM Alexander Ivanov MA 188.97 Players born between 1989 and 1991 inclusive:
6 IM Enrico Sevillano CA 179.36 1 IM Alex Lenderman NY 415.27
7 GM Melikset Khachiyan CA 175.33 2 IM Samuel Shankland CA 71.25
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9 IM Jay Bonin NY 121.04
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1 FM Conrad Holt KS 80.82
11 GM Varuzhan Akobian CA 112.34
2 Michael Thaler NY 30.20
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13 GM Dmitry Gurevich IL 104.66 Players born between 1994 and 1995 inclusive:
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Junior Grand Prix Top Overall Standings

Name State Pts. Name State Pts.

WINTER, CURTIS A MD 285 SINGH, REVA SHREE NY 130
DOMMALAPATI, ABHINAY VA 285 PILLAI, KADHIR ANDRES NY 125
MIZUSHIMA, DEREK MD 225 FU, JASON TN 125
ATTANAGODA, ISURU ADEEPA VA 190 VIRKUD, APURVA MI 125
PISANI, NICHOLAS WA 180 JOHNSTON, DANIEL F NY 125
RAJASEKARAN, VIKAS VA 180 GURCZAK, JOHN AZ 125
HUANG, WINSTON MA 175 TUHRIM, RICHARD J NY 120
TROFF, KAYDEN W UT 170 SEVIAN, SAMUEL CA-N 120
SREENIVASAN, RAMANUJA MD 170 FINEGOLD, SPENCER MI 120
MARUPUDI, PRANAV NJ 170 JACOBS, CASEY NY 120
RICHMAN, JONATHAN NY 165 MOORTHY, SRINIVAS R MD 115
HUGHES, JOHN LODGER OH 160 FISHER, WILLIAM PA 115
QU, CHEN NY 145 ZHOU, JASON MO 115
KARAMSETTY, JEEVAN VA 145 KOGEN, JONATHAN S IL 110
PISANI, PAUL WA 145 GADSON, ISAIAH MO 110
CHEN, JEREMY NJ 140 LATHAM, ANDREW KS 110
HARMON-VELLOTTI, LUKE ID 135 TANENBAUM, ZACHARY CHEN CT 110
SHETTY, ATULYA ARYA MI 135 DANG, MICHAEL MI 110
DING, JIALIN MO 135 TALWAR, JAMES V NY 105
KUMAR, ARAVIND NJ 130 VEECH, JOHN WI 100

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uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 49

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Game/60, Team avg<1200. Players need not be from the same school.
bids and organize the event itself.
Teams can be formed on-site. ***FCA members in Open are eligible for
FL GP Points. *** Winning Open team competes in national playoff
online. EF per player: OPEN $30 by 2/6, $40 later. SCHOLASTIC $20 by 2/6,
$25 later. SPECIAL EF: 5-player team $140 by 2/6, $180 later. PRIZES: OPEN
1st, 2nd teams: plaques and four Excalibur Clocks, 3rd: plaques; SCHOLAS-
TIC 1st, 2nd teams: plaques and four Excalibur Clocks, 3rd: trophies; Board
Prizes: each section: Brds. 1-4, Excalibur Clocks. Class Prizes: OPEN: U2000,
uschess.org
U1800, U1600, U1400; Scholastic: U1000, U800Trophies. Other awardsTBD.
Schedule: OPEN 3-day: rds 8, 1-7, 9-3, 2-day: rds 10-1-7, 9-3; SCHOLAS-
TIC (Sat & Sun): 10-1-4, 9-12, Awards 2:30. HR: $79 (888) 627-8525 or (407)
425-4455; (Mention Chess). Complimentary parking voucher & internet with
sleeping rooms; other parking at $5 per day. Reserve by Jan 29, ALL HOTELS
FILL UP USATS WEEKEND! ENT: CFCC, 921 N. Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751
or online usats2010.eventbrite.com. See www.centralflchess.org for details
or call (407)629-6946. WCL JGP.
Feb. 12-14 or 13-14, Wisconsin
2010 U.S. Amateur Team Championship North
Two sections: Open and Scholastic (Saturday only) Open: 5SS,
G/90+30/move/increment (G/120 if digital clocks not available; 2-day: rd.1-
2 G/60). Crowne Plaza Hotel Milwaukee Airport, 6401 South 13th Street,
Milwaukee, WI 53221. 1-414-764-5300. $79.99 chess rate, please reserve
early. Open to 4 player teams with one optional alternate.Team average (4 high-
est ratings2009 Annual Rating List) must be under 2200. EF: 3-day $140, 2-day
$141 per team if received by February 9th, $180 thereafter. Individuals wish-
ing to play, send $35 and request to be put on a team. Team changes on site
$20. Check out official website: www.wichessacademy.com. All advance entries
will be posted on February 10th. Prizes: Awards to top two teams, top teams
with average rating u1900, u1600, and u1300. Winning team qualifies for
national play-offs. Prizes to best team composed of juniors (high school and
younger). Prizes to top score on each board. Rounds: 3-day: on-site registra-
tion/check-in 5:30-6:30pm, rds.: 7pm, 11:00am & 5:00pm, 10:00am & 3:30pm.
2-day: on-site registration/check-in 9:00-10:30am, rds. 11:00am & 2:00pm then
merge with 3-day. **Saturday Only** Scholastic section. 4SS, G/60. Open
to 4 player teams with one optional alternate.Team average (4 highest2009
Annual Rating List) must be under 1600. EF: $120 per team if received by Feb-
ruary 9th, $150 thereafter. Individuals wishing to play, send $30 and request
at 4:30pm. Entry Fee: $40 by 2/8/10, $50 by 2/18/10, $60 after and onsite.
Register: Make checks payable to East Side Middle School Chess Club and mail
to: 2010 Chess Congress, East Side Middle School, 2300 Lindberg Rd., Ander-
son, IN. 46012. Email entries to Register@2010ChessCongress.com. EMAIL
ENTRIES are NOT confirmed until receipt of entry fees. Entries will be posted
at www.2010ChessCongress.com as they are received. Onsite entries will be
accepted Friday evening after 5 pm (and during the blitz tournament) and from
6:30am to 8:00am on Sat. morning, 2/20. Any player not registered by 8am will
receive a half-point bye for round one and begin play in round two. Side
event: Bughouse tournament Sat. evening 2/20 at 7:00 pm. Register for bug-
house onsite ONLY for $10 per player Friday evening or during the day on
Saturday. Bughouse awards to each team member of at least the top 5 scor-
ing teams in 2 sections, 12th grade & Under and 6th grade & Under. Awards:
More trophies this year! Trophies to at least the top 20 individuals in each sec-
tion, top 5 teams. Numerous additional class prizes for each section. See
website for details. Hotel: Indianapolis Airport Radisson. Conveniently located
at the Indianapolis International Airport and offering free shuttle service
from airport terminals 24/7. FREE PARKING at hotel. $70 per night room rate!!!
Hotel offers free wireless internet access. Additional Info: Limited team
rooms available, contact number below for details. Concessions and chess mer-
chandise will be available onsite. All event details at www.2010Chess
Congress.com. Questions, call (765) 617-3845 after 3pm. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced)
Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, North Carolina
2010 U. S. Masters
9SS, 40/2,SD/30. Hendersonville, NC. $$5000 b/50 fully paid: $1500-900-
300-200-200-200-200-200-200. U2300: $300-200-200-200-200. Open only to
players who have ratings over 2200, those who have ever been so rated, for-
eign FIDE-rated players, and juniors (under age 21) rated over 2000. Concurrent
SECTIONS: Championship (U2200), Reserve (U1600), Booster (U1200) &
Scholastic (must be K-6 and U1000). Scholastic section is 3 separate 1-day
tournaments. SCHEDULE: (Championship, Reserve, and Booster) 6/SS, 40/2,
25/1. Reg.: 5/29, 8:30 - 9:30 AM. Rds.: 10-4, 10-4, 9-3. (Scholastic) 4/SS, G/40.
Reg: 8:30 - 9:30 AM each day. Rds.: Round 1 at 10 AM then as available for
Rounds 2-4. PRIZES: (Championship) Chronos clock + plaque to Top 3; Digi-
tal clock + plaque to Top 1900-1999, 1800-1899, 1700-1799, 1600-1699, and
U1600; Plaque to top Senior 50+, Junior U20 and Junior U14. (Reserve)
Chronos clock + plaque to 1st; Digital clock + plaque to 2nd, 3rd, Top 1300-
1399, 1200-1299, and U1200; Plaque to top Senior 50+ and Junior U14.
(Booster) Chronos clock + trophy to 1st; Trophy to 2nd - 5th, Top Unrated and
Junior U11. (Scholastic, each day) Digital clock + trophy to 1st; Trophy to 2nd
- 5th, Top U800, U600, and Unrated. 1-yr USCF membership for perfect scores
that dont win the clock. SPECIAL PRIZES:Top 2 Family Pairs in the non-scholas-
tic sections. Biggest Upset of each round in the non-Scholastic sections.
Chronos clock to Scholastic player with the highest combined score over the
three 1-day tournaments. EF: (Championship & Reserve) $55 if recd by 5/26,
$65 if after 5/26. (Booster) $40 if recd by 5/26, $50 if after 5/26. (Scholas-
tic) $15 each day or $40 for all three days if by 5/26, additional $5 if after 5/26.
ALL: Half-point byes allowed for all rounds but must be requested prior to start
of Round 2. SIDE EVENT: Blitz tournament Friday 5/28; G/5, 5 Rounds, Dou-
ble SS; Entry Fee: $10 ($15 to non-tournament players); Reg.: 6:006:45pm at
site; Rounds: begin at 7:00pm. Prizes: ($$b/20) $75-$45, Top U1600 $30,
Medallion to top K-12, K-8, K-6. ENTER: www.sazchess.org/store/store.php or
mail to (make checks payable to SACA): SACA, Attn: US Amateur West, PO
Box 42407, Tucson, AZ 85733 or at site. HR: $69 (single/double) or $85 (suite)
if by 5/14, mention SACA. INFO: Karen Pennock, 520-975-3946, email: kpen-
nock_83@yahoo.com, web: www.sazchess.org. NC. NS. W. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!

World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)

to be put on a team.Team changes on site $20. All advance entries will be posted
on www.wichessacademy.com on February 10th. Prizes: awards to top team
overall, top three High School Teams, top three Middle School Teams, top
three Elementary School Teams. Prizes to top score on each board. Rounds:
on-site registration/check-in: 9:00am-10:30am; rds.: 11:00am, 1:30pm, 3:45pm,
6:00pm. Checks made payable to and send to: VICA, 6822 North Crestwood Dr.,
Glendale WI 53209. Please includeTeams name and roster, captains email and
phone number, and desired schedule. Info: abetaneli@hotmail.com, ashish@
vajachess.com, 608-334-2574, 414-234-1005. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
Feb. 13-15, California Southern
27th Annual U.S. Amateur Team West
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1. Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills,
CA 91367. Four-player teams plus optional alternate, average rating of four high-
est must be U/2200, diff. between bds. 3 & 4 may not exceed 1000. Dec. list
used. EF: $132 per team if received by 2-12, $36 individual (on line only), $148
at site, under age 18 or HS/below $96 by 2-12, $110 site.Trophies and 4 clocks
to top 3 teams, U2100, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400/unr. Trophies (1 large, 4
small) to top college, industrial, junior (under 18), Senior (over 50), U1200. Clocks
to best score each board, alternate, and any 6-0. Gift certificate prizes for best
team names (1st/2nd). Reg.: 9-10 a.m. 2-13. Rds.: 11-6, 11-6, 10-4:30. On-line
entry, help in forming teams, advance entry list: www.westernchess.com. HR:
$119, 800-228-9290, ask for Western Chess. Reserve by Jan. 20 or rates may
go up. Parking $6. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Place #1A, Los
Angeles, CA 90038. NS, NC, W. F. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
Feb. 13-15, New Jersey
40th Annual World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East Ruby Anniver-
sary
6SS, 40/2, SD/1. Parsippany Hilton, 1 Hilton Ct., Parsippany, NJ. 07054. Chess
Rate valid until 1/16. Reserve early 973-267-7373 or 1- 800-HILTONS. Mor-
with N.C. Sub-Masters for those with lower ratings. Rds (2 schedules merge
round 5): 2-Weekend schedule: Sat 12, 7, Sun 12, 7, Fri 7, Sat 12, 7, Sun 12,
7; 7-Day schedule: Mon 7, Tue 7, Wed 7, Thurs 7, Fri 7, Sat 12, 7, Sun 12, 7
EF: $150 by Feb 13, $160 by Mar 9, $170 at site. GMs, IMs, and foreign FIDE-
rated players receive reduced fee entry of $30 if preregistered (counts as 1/5
entry toward prizes). Byes: 4 available rds 1-5. HR: Quality Inn & Suites, 201
Sugarloaf Rd,, Hendersonville, NC 28792. $60 or $68/night with hot breakfast,
indoor pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and mini-golf. 800-581-4745, www.qualityinn-
suiteshvl.com. Info and entry: Kevin Hyde, 705 Old Mountain Page Rd., Saluda,
NC 28773. hyde@ioa.com www.ncchess.org. FIDE. WCL JGP.
Mar. 19-25, Illinois
2010 FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship - an Official FIDE
World Chess Championship!
9R-SS G/90 + 30/sec increment. Holiday Inn Hotel, 5300 W. Touhy Ave.,
Skokie, IL 60077. 847.679.8900. $20,000 Guaranteed. Open to players with
no FIDE title and rated under 2000 FIDE. All players compete in a single sec-
tion. Please see tournament website for more detailed rating regulations.
Overall: $3000-2000-1600-1400; Top Women: $1000-600-400-200; (1799-
1600): $1000-600-400-200; (1599-1400): $1000-600-400-200; (U1400):
$1000-600-400-200; (Unrated): $1000-600-400-200. EF: $120 by 6pm 02/15,
$150 by 6pm 03/15; $200 thereafter and onsite. No re-entries allowed. No half-
point byes allowed (zero point byes only). Onsite registration from 3-5pm 03/19.
Rds.: 3/19 6:30pm; 3/20-21- 12pm and 6:30pm per day; 3/22-25 6:30pm
per night. Mail entries with registration information to: North American
Chess Association (make checks payable to), 4957 Oakton Street, Suite 113,
Skokie, IL 60077. More information and online registration available at:
www.worldchesschamps.com. Questions via email only: sevan@worldchess
champs.com. No smoking. For more information on additional prizes such as
FIDE titles, Scholarships toTexasTech University, a progressive prize fund, entry
fee specials, and more, please visit the tournament website. Boards, sets, clocks
provided. Tournament provided equipment must be used. WCL JGP.
June 11-13 or 12-13, Nevada
2010 National Open
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2 day option rds 1-3 G/60). South Point Hotel, Casino and
Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89183. $100,000 Prize Fund
based on 850 paid entries ($70,000 guaranteed). Championship. $$: 8000-
4000-2000-1000-600-400-400-400-400-400-200-200-200-200-200, under 2500
2000, under 2400 1500, under 2300 1000. $2,000 EXTRA for perfect score.The
winner of the Championship section also receives a replica of the Edmondson
Cup. Under 2200. $$: 5000-2500-1300-600-350-250-250-250-250-250-100-
100-100-100-100. Under 2000. $$: 5000-2500-1300-600-350-250-250-250-250-
250-100-100-100-100-100. Under 1800. $$: 5000-2500-1300-600-350-250-
250-250-250-250-100-100-100-100-100. Under 1600. $$: 5000-2500-1300-
600-350-250-250-250-250-250-100-100-100-100-100. Under 1400. $$: 2500-
1500-1000-500-250-150-150-150-150-150-100-100-100-100-100. Under 1200.
$$: 1500-1000-500-250-150-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100.
Unrated, $$: 600-400-200-100-100-100. Plus score bonus ($16,000) in addi-
tion to any other prizes, every player who finishes with 3-1/2 points or better
wins a $50 gift certificate. Plus score certificates will be given on site only. EF:
$159 by 1/19, $179 by 5/17, $199 by 6/9, $220 on site, $100 more for play-
ers rated under 2100 in the Championship Section.This is an open tournament
- you may play in any section at or above your rating level; unrated players may
play only in Unrated or Championship Section. Provisionally rated players
may not win more than 3rd prize in any section except Championship. CCA min-
imum ratings or other ratings may be used if higher than USCF June Supplement.
Reg: 4-11 p.m. Thursday, 8-9:30 a.m. Friday. Rds.: 11-6, 11-6, 10-5. 2-day
USCF Membership Rates

(U.S., CANADA, MEXICO)

ris/Essex train to Morris Plains 1.5 miles. Open to 4- player teams with one Mar. 26-28, Illinois Premium (P) and Regular (R)
optional alternate.Team average (4 highest ratings2009 Annual Rating list) 2010 FIDE Intercontinental School Team Chess Championship - an
must be under 2200. EF: $145 postmarked by 2/5/10. Scholastic teams Col- Official FIDE Intercontinental Chess Championship!
lege and below $140 per team, ALL-$180 after or at door.all teams, any 7R-SS G/90 w/5-sec delay. Holiday Inn Hotel, 5300 W. Touhy Ave., Skokie, IL Type 1 yr 2yr 3yr
changes at site $25 charge. Check out official website www.njscf.org. Prizes: 60077. 847.679.8900. Open to players in 5 age categories in teams of 4:
1-5th Place teams, plaque and 4 digital clocks; Top Team (Denis Barry U10, U12, U14, U16, U18. Please see tournament website for more detailed Adult P $49 $85 $120
Award) U2100, 2000, 1900, 1800, 1700, 1600, 1500, 1400, 1300, 1200, 1000 age and team regulations. Prizes: Team-winners of First, Second and Third Adult P ** $42 $78 $113
each plaque and 4 Digital Clocks; Top college team (same school) 4 Digital places in each age category and the members of the teams will be awarded
Clocks & plaque; Top HS team (grades 9-12 same school), Top Middle School Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, Diplomas and Special Trophies. Team tro- Adult R $41 $59 $81
(grades 5-9 same school), Top Elementary School (grades K-6 same school), phies will be awarded also teams finished in 4th 20th places in each age Adult R ** $34 $52 $74
Top 2 Scholastic Teams (mixed schools okay) (Collins Award), Mixed Doubles category. EF: $150 by 6pm 02/01, $175 by 6pm 03/01; $200 thereafter. No onsite
(2 males, 2 females-no alternates), Seniors (all players over age 50), Military, registrations allowed. No re-entries allowed. No half-point byes allowed (zero Senior (65+) ** $36 $65 $93
each plaque & 4 Digital Clocks to top team; Company Team (same employer) point byes only). Rds.: 3/26 6:00pm; 3/27 & 28 9am, 12pm and 6:00pm. Young Adult P (U25)* $32 $59 $85
Old Timers Trophy (all players over 65), Family (4 family members), State Mail entries with registration information to: IntECS (make checks payable
teamsCT, DE, MD, MA, NJ, NY (Benjamin Award), PA, VA, NC, RI, OH, to), 63 75th Street, Willowbrook, IL 60527. More information and online reg- Youth P (U16)* $27 $49 $70
Canada, each plaque top team; team traveling longest distanceentry istration available at: www.worldchesschamps.com. Questions via email Scholastic P (U13)* $23 $42 $60
refunded. Best Player 1-4 and top alternate, All 6-0 scores each Digital clock. only: mikhail@worldchesschamps.com. No smoking. Boards, sets, clocks pro-
Biggest Individual upset each round Engraved Cross pen; Entry fee refunded vided. Tournament provided equipment must be used. WCL JGP. Young Adult R (U25)* $24 $43 $61
to team with Best Chess related name, Sunday night Best Chess Related Apr. 16-18, Ohio Youth R (U16)* $20 $36 $51
costumes or gimmickgourmet dinner for four. Reg.: 9-12 Sat 2/13. Rds.: 2010 All Girls National Championship presented by the Kasparov Scholastic R (U13)* $16 $28 $39
Premium membership provides a printed
1-7:30, 11-6, 9-3:30. Special Events!! Surprises and special give-aways Chess Foundation in association with the USCF and UTD.
each round. Sunday nightBughouse $20 per team. Cash prizes. HR: Parsip-
copy of Chess Life (monthly) or Chess Life for
6SS, G/90. Hyatt Regency Columbus, 350 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215,
pany Hilton, chess rates expire 1/16/2010. Rates $119 (up to 4 in room) 2nd (614) 280-1234, Hotel Rate $127. 6 Sections: 8 years old and younger; 10 and
Kids (bimonthly) plus all other benefits of
hotel now attached to Hilton also up to 4 in room $117 per night-Hampton Inn younger, 12 and younger, 14 and younger, 16 and younger, 18 and younger. Age

regular membership. Regular membership

-includes breakfast for 4 each day. For help forming teams and more information as of 4/1/2010. USCF membership required. Winner of 18 years old and

provides online-only access to Chess Life

contact esdoyle@aol.com: Chks payable to NJSCF, mail by 2/05 to: E.Steven
Doyle, 17 Stonehenge Road, Morristown, NJ 07960. (Include Team name,
Captain, players full names, USCF Expiration, ID numbers and ratings in board
order). Include SASE for confirmation if wanted, No registered or certified mail
younger Section wins an Academic Distinction Scholarship toThe University of
and Chess Life for Kids; TLA Bulletin will be
Texas at Dallas, worth $80,000 for an out-of-state student. EF: $50 if postmarked
by 3/21; $70 if by 4/4; $85 by 4/15 or $90 on-site. Do not mail after 4/8 as
mailed to adults bimonthly and to scholas-
your entry may not be received on time. Opening Ceremony: 6pm, Friday.

tic members three times per year. Youth

accepted. NS, NC, W. WCL JGP. Rounds: Rd 1 - 6:30pm Fri; Rounds 2-4 - Sat 10am, 2:30pm, 6:30pm; Rounds

provides bimonthly Chess Life, Scholastic

Feb. 19-21, Indiana 5-6 - Sun 9am & 1pm. Awards Ceremony: Sun. 5pm. Trophies to top 15 indiv

bimonthly Chess Life for Kids, others listed

2010 U.S. Jr. Chess Congress
6SS, Rds. 1-4 G/60, Rds. 5-6 G/90. Radisson Hotel at the Indianapolis Airport,
& top 3 teams (top 3 players added for team scores). Bye: One 1/2-pt bye avail-
able, any round, if requested before end of Rd. 2 and if player has not received
above monthly Chess Life. See www.us
a full-point bye. Side Events: Bughouse Tournament - Fri. 1pm, EF $25/team.

chess.org for other membership categories.

2500 S. High School Rd., Indianapolis, IN. NEW sections this year: 12th grade
& Under, 8th grade & Under, 6th grade & Under, and 3rd grade & Under. Blitz Tournament - Fri. 3pm, EF $15 by 4/4, $20 after or on site. Entries: Mail

Dues are not refundable and may be

CLUB TEAMS are welcome! Club and school teams are the top 4 scoring team to USCF, Attn: All Girls, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 or online at

changed without notice.

members (minimum 2). Schedule: Blitz side event Fri. (2/19) at 7 pm, see below. http://uschess.org/tournaments/2010/allgirls. NS, NC, W. WCL JGP.

*Ages at expiration **Purchased online only

Regular 6/SS tournament Sat. and Sun only. Opening Ceremony Sat. 2/20 at May 29-31, Arizona
8:30 am, Rds 1-4 at 9am, 12:00pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. Bughouse tournament side 2010 U.S. Amateur West Championship
event Sat. evening at 7:00 pm, see below. Sun 2/21 Rds. at 9am, 1pm. Awards Holiday Inn Palo Verde, 4550 S. Palo Verde Rd.,Tucson, AZ 85714, 520-746-1161.

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 51

 Tournament Life
schedule: Reg: 8-9 a.m. Saturday. Rds.: 10-12:30-3-6: merge with 3-day in round
4. Half point byes available in any round, but round 5 or 6 byes must be
requested before the start of round 2. Chess sets and boards provided for tour-
nament play only, not for skittles. Please bring chess clocks! The LAS VEGAS
INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL features the National Open, the U.S
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
Game/10 Championship and other championship events. Many free extras and
surprises! Free parking. Free raffle with great prizes. Free GM Lectures. Free
GM analysis of your games. Chess Camp for all ages onThursday. Grandmas-
ter Simuls Thursday afternoon. US. Game/10 Thursday night. Scholastic
Tournament Friday. Girls & Boys Championships Saturday & Sunday. LOW
room rates! HR: $65 single or double ($95 Friday and Saturday nights). 1-
866-791-7626 or (702) 796-7111. Dont be shut out; make your reservations
early and be sure to ask for the chess rates; South Point sells out most week-
ends. Cutoff for special hotel rate is May 15th. Rates may be as high as $150
a night after May 15th. RESERVE NOW! Credit card or one night room deposit
will be required to hold reservation, may be canceled 72 hours in advance for
nominal fee. Tournament Registration: National Open, PO Box 90925, Hender-
son, NV 89009-0125, on line at www.VegasChessFestival.com or by fax at
(702) 933-9112. NS. W. FIDE. WCL JGP.
Grand Prix
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20
Jan. 9-10, Illinois
Tim Justs Winter Open/Reserve XXIV
5SS, 40/90, SD/30. New Site: DoubleTree Hotel, 1909 Spring Road, Oak-
brook, Illinois 60523, (630) 472-6020, (630) 472-6000, Lower $70 room rate
for a limited time. More prizes! $$ (4,175 b/125 pd players, Guaranteed $$$
increased to maximum as attendance increases!). 2 Sections: Open: open to
all. Open Prizes: $$ 700-300-200; U2200, 300-150; U2000 $300-125; Unr. can
win top three only. Reserve: open to U1800. Reserve Prizes: $700-300-200;
U1600, $225-150; U1400. $200-100; U1200, 150-75, Unr. qualify for top prizes
only. Both:, EF: $64 (add $10 if playing up from Reserve into Open section) with
name, id, e-mail/phone, to current/renewing USCF if recd by 1/5/10; Both $80
at site 8-8:30 AM; $85 at site 8:30-8:45 AM; $10 to play up from Reserve to
Open section. Rds.: 9-1:30-6; 10-2:30. Re-Entry $40 with 1/2 pt Bye round 1,
Byes Rnds 1-4, unretractable rnd 5 at Registration, Bring sets, boards, clocks,
none provided, Ent: Tim Just, 37165 Willow, Gurnee, IL 60031 (847) 244-7954
before 6 PM. e-mail for info only (sorry, e-mail entries not available):
timjust@chessforlife.com, Checks payable to Chess For Life, LLC, info and Pay-
Pal early entries until 6 PM 1-8-10: http://chessforlife.com. NS, NC, W. Book
Dealers: Checkmate Chess Supply: www.checkmatechesssupply.com/. WCL
JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Jan. 10, New Jersey
ATKM 2nd Sunday Swiss
(2 Sections) ATKM Chess Center, 62 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ, 856-582-8222.
1600+ Section: be limited to 1st 20 entries. 4SS, G/60. Prizes: 80% Guar-
anteed. $250, $125, $75. U2200, U1900 $50 ea. EF: $35. IMs, GMs Free ($35
from prize). U1600 Section: 3SS, G/80 May be limited to 1st 14 entries.
Prizes (chess shop gift certificates): $50, $35, U1200 $25. EF: $20. Reg.
ends: 9:45 AM. Rds.: 10 AM, then ASAP with lunch break. Byes: 1/2 pt. bye
allowed, rd 1 only, if reqstd with EF. Space is limited so reg. early at YourChess-
Set.com/sunswiss. Bring equipment!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15
Jan. 15-17 or 16-17, Florida
Central Florida Class Championships
G/120 (2-day: Rd.1 G/60). Sheraton Orlando Downtown Hotel, 60 South Ivan-
hoe Blvd., Orlando, FL 32804. $$7000/ b130, 60% Guaranteed. 6 Sections:
OPEN: $1000-400-200, U2200 $150, U2100 $100. Class A: $600-300, U1900
$150. Class B: $600-300, U1700 $150. Class C: $600-300, U1500 $150. Class
D: $600-300, U1300 $150. U1200: $500-300, U1000 $100, U800 $50. Rated play-
ers may play up one class only. Unrateds limited to $50 unless Place prize in
OPEN. EF: 3-day $69, 2-day $68 by Jan 2, both $80 later and on-site. Re-entry
PLAN AHEAD!
NEW: 2010 U.S. Girls Junior Open Championship
(see TLA page 51)
2010 Tournament of College Champions
2010 Denker Tournament of High School Champions
July 31-Aug. 3, 2010 - Irvine, California
AND
2010 U.S. Open
July 31-Aug. 8, Aug. 3-8 or Aug. 5-8
More details to be announced in February 2010 Chess Life!
52 Chess Life January 2010
$40. $15 less to students in grades K-8 in U1200 section. CFCC memb discount:
$15 ($5 for Jr/Sr memb).Trophies to top in each section (& Class X) also Class
F, G, H, I, J & Unr in U1200 having more than one entry. Trophies and titles
limited to Florida residents. FCA membs eligible for FL GP Awards. Reg.: ends
1/2 hr before 1st rd. Rd.1: 8pm Fri (2-day: 10am Sat at G/60). Rds.: 2-5: Sat
1 & 6, Sun 9 & 2. 1/2 pt. byes if reqd before rd. 2 (max 2). HR: $79 (888) 627-
8525 or (407) 425-4455; (Mention Chess). Reserve by Dec 30. Complimentary
parking voucher & internet with sleeping rooms; other parking at $5 per day.
Ent: CFCC, c/o Harvey Lerman, 921 N. Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751; or
online: 2010CFclass.eventbrite.com. Info: 407-629-6946 or www.centralflchess.
org. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 50 (enhanced)
Jan. 15-17, Texas
JGs Old-Fashioned Hamburgers Texas Masters
5SS, G/90 with 30 sec increment. Student Union Galaxy Rooms at The Univer-
sity of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080. Open to
1.) players rated 2200 and above or who have been rated 2200 on any
crosstable on MSA or 2.) any Fide rated over 2000/Fide titled player and 3.)
players who do not meet previous criteria can play by paying a hefty entry fee.
FIDE rated. Please do not mail entries after January 6. You may register on
active.com until Jan 12th. EF: USCF +2400 $50, USCF 2200-2400 or fide rated
$90, otherwise $200. Fide GMs Free. Online Registration (note that
Active.com charges fee.): www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=
1796624. TCA Memb. reqd: Regular $11, Jr/Student $8.50, No Magazine $5,
Family $16. OSA. USCF Membership Required. $$b/20:75% Guaranteed.
$1500-750-250. U2400 $500. Reg.: 1/15: 6:00-7:00 pm. Rds.: 7:20 pm, 12:30
pm - 5:15 pm, 9:10 am - 2:45 pm. 1 bye if requested before round 2. Park on
metered parking by Student Union or by UTD bookstore. Or get visitors pass
at guard shack on University Drive and park on visitors parking. Due to con-
truction, check website for parking updates. Recommended Hotel: Hawthorn
Suites Richardson, 250 Municipal Dr., Richardson,TX 75080. 972-669-1000. HR:
$79 for 1 bedroom will pullout couch, $99 for 1 bedroom plus another king bed-
room plus pullout couch. Mention UTD rate to get hotel rate. Any problems
booking your room, please ask for Lynn Koutney. Free hot breakfast with hotel
room. ENT: Dallas Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 LonghornTrail, Crow-
ley, TX 76036. 214.632.9000. INFO: Barb Swafford, info@dallaschess.com
www.swchess.com. NS, NC. FIDE. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, California Northern
Golden State Open
7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option rds. 1-2 G/75, 2-day option rds. 1-4 G/35, no
2-day Open Section.) Under 900 Section plays separate 2-day schedule Jan
17-18 only, G/35. At Concord Hilton Hotel, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord, CA
94520 (I-680 Willow Pass Rd exit). Free shuttle between hotel and Concord BART
station. Free parking. $$60,000 based on 450 paid entries (re-entries &
U900 Section count as 1/3 entries), minimum guarantee $40,000 (2/3 each
prize). Open, open to all. $$4000-2200-1300-1000-800-700-600-500-400-400,
clear or tiebreak winner $300, top U2400 $2000-1000. FIDE. Under 2200: $3000-
1500-800-700-600-500-400-300-200-200. Under 2000: $3000-1500-800-
700-600-500-400-300-200-200. Under 1800: $3000-1500-800-700-600-500-400-
300-200-200. Under 1600: $2500-1300-700-600-500-400-300-300-200-200.
Under 1400: $2000-1000-700-500-400- 300-200-200. Under 1200: $2000-1000-
700-500-400-300-200-200. Under 900: $800-400-200-150-100-80-70. Prize
limits: 1) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) may enter any section, with max-
imum prize U900 $200, U1200 $400, U1400 $600, U1600 $900, U1800 $1200,
U2000 $1500. 2) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated may not win over
$400 in U900, $800 in U1200 or $1200 in U1400. 3) If more than 30 points above
section maximum on any list 1/09-12/09, prize limit $1000. 4) Balance of any
limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Top 7 sections EF: 4-day $174, 3-
day $173, 2-day $172 mailed by 1/7, all $175 online at chesstour.com by 1/12,
$180 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/12 (entry only, no questions), $200 at site.
GMs free; $150 deducted from prize. Under 900 Section EF: $52 mailed by
1/7, $55 online at chesstour.com by 1/12 (entry only, no questions), $60
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/12, $70 at site. All: Special 1 yr USCF dues with
Chess Life if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult
$20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry
(except Master) $60. Mailed EF $5 less to rated CalChess members. 4-day
schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6:15 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon
10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 10:15 am, rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun
11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg Sun to 9:15 am, rds Sun 10-12-
2-4-6, Sun 10-4:30, not available for Open Section. Under 900 schedule:
Reg. Sun to 9:15 am, rds. Sun. 10-12-2-4, Mon. 10-12-2. Byes: OK all; Open must
commit before rd 2, others before rd 4; limit 3 byes in Open. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise
unrated. Foreign player ratings: See chesstour.com. HR: $99-99-109, 925-827-
2000, reserve by 1/1 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use
AWD #D657633. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Ent: Continental
Chess, c/o Goichberg, Box 661776, Arcadia, CA 91066. $15 service charge for
withdrawals. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, Pennsylvania
42nd annual Liberty Bell Open
7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3 day option, rds 1-2 G/75; 2 day, rds 1-4 G/40). U900 Sec-
tion plays 1/17-18 only, G/40. Sheraton City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts.,
Philadelphia 19103. $$20,000 b/320 paid entries (U900 Section counts 1/3, GMs
1/2), else in proportion, except minimum 60% of each prize guaranteed. In 2006
to 2009, the tournament had over 320 paid entries each year and the $20,000
projected prize fund was increased. In 8 sections. Open: $2000-1000-500-300-
200, 1st clear or on tiebreak $100 bonus, 2300-2399 $800-400, U2300/Unr
$800-400. FIDE. Under 2100: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1900: $1000-
600-400-300-200. Under 1700: $1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1500:
$1000-600-400-300-200. Under 1300: $700-400-200-150-100. Under 1100:
$700-400-200-150-100. Under 900: $200-100-60-40, trophies to top 10.
Unrated may enter any section, but may not win over $100 in U900, $200 in
U1100, $300 U1300, $400 U1500, $500 U1700, or $600 U1900. Top 5 sections
EF: 4 day $99, 3 day $98, 2 day $97 mailed by 1/7, all $100 online at chess-
tour.com by 1/11, $105 phoned by 1/11 (406-896-2038, entry only, no questions),
$120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. GMs free, $80 deducted from prize.
U1300, U1100 Sections EF: All $20 less. U900 Section EF: $32 mailed by 1/7,
$33 online by 1/11, $35 phoned by 1/11, $40 at site. All: Unofficial uschess.org
ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special
1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com,
Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young
Adult $30. Mailed entry $3 less to PSCF members. Re-entry (except Open
Section) $80. 4-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun
11-6, Mon 10-4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds.Sat 11-2:30-6,
Sun 11-6, Mon 10-4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10-12-
2-4-6, Mon 10-4:30. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends Sun. 9 am, rds Sun
10-12-2-4, Mon 10-12-2. Bye: all, limit 3, Open must commit before rd 2, oth-
ers before rd 4. HR: $95-95-95-95, 215-448-2000, reserve by 1/1 or rate may
increase. Parking: $8/day chess rate with guest room at Sheraton, $15/day
chess rate without guest room, parking lot 1 block from hotel may be less than
$15. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve through
chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Ques-
tions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds.
Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Jan. 16-17, Minnesota
Minnesota 2010 Winter Open
Roseville Civic Center Skating Arena, 2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville, MN
55113. In 5 Sections, Premier: 5SS, Round 1: G/60, 30 sec inc. Rounds 2 through
5: G/90, 30 sec. inc. EF: $40 advance if received by 9 Jan, $50 at site. Memb.
Reqd: 18. OSA. $$b/30: $400-200. U2200 $100, U2000 $100. Reg.: Saturday,
January 16, 8:00-9:00am. Rds.: Sat. 9:30-1-6, Sun. 10-3. Reserve (Open to
under 1700): 5SS, Round 1: G/60, 30 sec inc. Rounds 2 through 5: G/90, 30
sec. inc. Open to 1699 & under. EF: $35 advance if received by 9 Jan, $45 at
site. Memb. Reqd: 18. OSA. $$b/35: $250-150. U1600, U1400 $70 each.
Reg.: Saturday, January 16, 8:00-9:00am. Rds.: Sat. 9:30-1-6, Sun. 10-3. Ban-
tam (Open to under 1200): 5SS, Round 1: G/60, 30 sec inc. Rounds 2 through
5: G/90, 30 sec. inc. Open to 1199 & under. EF: $25 advance if received by 9
Jan, $35 at site. Memb. Reqd: 18. OSA. $$b/35: $125-75. U1000, Unrated $50
each. Reg.: Saturday, January 16, 8:00-9:00am. Rds.: Sat. 9:30-1-6, Sun. 10-
3. Saturday Non-Rated Beginners Tournament: 5SS, G/30, td 5, Open to
799 & under. EF: $15. Prizes: 1st: Free entry to Sunday Blizzard tournament.
USCF & MSCA memberships for all players scoring 4 points in 5 rounds. Reg.:
Saturday, January 16, 10:00-10:30 am. Rds.: 5 Rounds Saturday, as time per-
mits. Winter Blizzard: 4SS, G/60, td 5, EF: $20 advance if received by 9 Jan,
$25 at site. $$GTD: Minimum 50% of entry fees returned as prizes, prize for
the top score in the lower half. Reg.: Sunday, January 17, 10:00-10:30 am.
Rds.: Sun. 11-1:30-4:00-6:30. ENT: MSCA, PO Box 582754, Mpls. MN 55458.
WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 (enhanced)
Jan. 16-17, New Hampshire
Portsmouth Open
A NH Grand Prix Event. Holiday Inn Portsmouth, 300 Woodbury Avenue,
Portsmouth, NH 03801. In 2 Sections, Open: 5SS, GAME/110 + 10 Sec. Ana-
log clocks play GAME/115, FIDE rated. $$GTD: $500-250. U2250 $150, U2000
$150. U1750: 5SS, GAME/110 + 10 Sec. Analog clocks play GAME/115, Open
to 1749 & under. $$GTD: $400-200. U1500 $100, U1250 $100. ALL: EF: $50 in
advance, $55 at site. Reg.: Registration 9:00-9:45. Advance entries must be
postmarked by 1/09/2010. Rds.: 10-2:30-7, 9:30-2. Unrated may only win 50%
of place prizes in U1750. ENT: Alex Relyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89, Bedford,
For details on
2010 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM EVENTS
East, North, South, West
See Nationals Section!
uschess.org
 Tournament Life
NH 03110. INFO: Alex Relyea relyea@operamail.com. HR: $79 by 16 Decem-
ber, Mention Relyea Chess (603) 431-8000. www.relyeachess.com. NS, W.
WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Jan. 19, New York
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
Marshall Masters (formerly the St. Johns Masters)
4SS, G/30.ThirdTues. of every month. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Open
to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNY
at MCC Thursday 4 Rated Games Tonight! since the prior months Masters) EF:
$40, members $30, GMs $10 (returned on completion of tournament).Top three
prizes guaranteed. $$G 250-150-100.Top U2400 and Top U2300 prizes. Spe-
cial prize for biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One
bye available, rds. 1 or 4 only; declare at registration.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Jan. 21, New York
10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 West 10 St., bet. 5-6 Ave.,
NYC: 212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), spec-
ified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may
be limited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105,
U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA
ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game.
Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 40 (enhanced)
Jan. 22-24 or 23-24, Arizona
Tucson Open and Scholastics
Holiday Inn Palo Verde, 4550 S. Palo Verde Rd.,Tucson, AZ 85714, 520-746-1161.
SECTIONS: Open, Reserve (U1800), Booster (U1400) & Scholastics (K-
6/U1000). Scholastic section is 2 separate 1-day tournaments. Open, Reserve,
& Booster Schedule: (3-day) 5/SS, 40/2, SD/1; Reg.: 1/22 5:30-6:30 PM;
Rds.: 7, 10-5, 9-4. (2-day) 5/SS, Rds 1-2 G/90; Rds. 3-5 40/2, SD/1; Reg.: 1/23
8:30-9:30 AM; Rds.: 10-1:30-5, 9-4. (Scholastics) 4/SS, G/40; Reg.: 1/23-25
8:30-9:30 AM; Round 1 at 10am then as availble. PRIZES: (Open) $$G:
$600(plaque)-400-300-200; $$b/4 X, A, B/below $150 ea. Trophy Top Jr. U20,
Jr. U14, Sr. 50+; (Reserve) $$b/38: $250(plaque)-150(plaque); $$b/4 C,
D/below $100 ea.Trophy toTop UNR, Jr. U14, Sr. 50+; (Booster)Trophy toTop
1st - 5th Place, Top E, U1000/Unr and Jr. U11; (Scholastic each day) Trophy
to 1st - 5th Place, Top U800, U600, and Unrated. EF: GM/IM are FREE!; if recd
by 1/21 Open: $55, Reserve: $45, Booster: $25, Scholastics: $15 for one day
or $25 for both days; after 1/21 Open: $65, Reserve: $55, Booster: $35,
Scholastics: $20 for one day or $30 for both days; DISCOUNT: $10 off EF for
Juniors (under age 20) and Seniors (age 50+) in Open and Reserve. ALL: 1/2
pt byes allowed for all rounds but must be requested prior to start of Round
2 (max 2). No Re-entries. ENTER: www.sazchess.org/store/store.php or mail
to (make checks payable to SACA): SACA, Attn: Tucson Open, PO Box 42407,
Tucson, AZ 85733 or at site. HR: $99 (single/double), $109 (jr. suite), or $129
(suite) if by 1/8, mention SACA. INFO: Karen Pennock, 520-975-3946, email:
kpennock_83@yahoo.com, web: www.sazchess.org. NC. NS. W. WCL JGP.
54 Chess Life January 2010
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20
Jan. 23-24, California Southern
Orange County Open
5SS, Rds. 1-3 G/90, Rds. 4 & 5 40/2, SD/1 (No time delay). Hanley Chess Acad-
emy, 7390 Center Ave., Huntington Beach, CA. 92646. $$5,000 b/120, 50% of
each prize guaranteed. One Section: Open: 1000-500-300-200,Top X: 400-225-
125, U2000: 250-125-75, U1800: 250-125-75, U1600: 250-125-75, U1400:
250-125-75, U1200/UNR: 250-125-75. EF: $55 if received by 10/22, $65 door.
On-line entry: www.hanleychessacademy.org. No checks entries at door. All:
One half point bye if requested with entry, rds 4-5 cannot be revoked. Reg.:
8:30am-9:30am Sat 1/23. Rds.: 10am-1pm-4pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. Info:
refchess@gmail.com. Ent: Hanley Chess Academy, c/o Joe Hanley, 7390 Cen-
ter Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92646. NS. NC. F. Side Event: Hexes on 1/24;
3SS G/90. EF: $25. Reg.: 9:30am-10:15am. Prizes: $50-$25-$15 in each Hex.
Rds.: 10:30-2-5. WCL JPG.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Jan. 23-24 or 24, New York
January Open
4SS, 30/90, SD/1. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $45, Mem-
bers $25. $$625 Gtd: 250-100-75, U2200/Unrated $100, U2000 $100. Reg. ends
15 min. before game. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 pm each day;
1-day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 am-12:30-5:30 pm Sun; both merge rd 3. Limit
2 byes, commit at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 players. WCL
JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Jan. 25-Feb. 8, New York
21st Nassau G/60 Championship
6-SS, G/1. 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st & Main Sts, Mineola. EF: $37 by 1/23,
$44 at site, non-memb $9 more. $$ (800 b/25, top 2 G) 180-120, U2100, 1900,
1700, 1500, 1300/UR each 100. 3 byes 1-6. Rds.: 7:15-9:25 each Mon. Rule 14H
not used. Captnhal@optonline.net. Ent: Harold Stenzel, 80 Amy Dr., Sayville,
NY 11782.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
Jan. 29-31, North Carolina
Land of the Sky XXIII
Note new time controls. 5SS, 30/90, then G/60 (2-day option, Rd 1, 30/90,
G/30). Crown Plaza Resort Asheville, One Resort Dr., Asheville, NC 28806, 828-
254-3211 or 800-733-3211. HR: $87 for up to four occupants, reserve early,
mention tournament. $$20,000 b/320, $10,000 Gtd. Open - FIDE rated: 1st
$2500, 2nd $1000, 3rd $800, 4th $500, 5th $400, 2299-2200, 2199-2100, 2099-
under each category $700-400. Amateur: (U2000) 1st $1600, 2nd $800, 3rd
$400, 1899-1800, 1799-1700, 1699-under each category $700-400. Booster:
(U1600) 1st $1500, 2nd $800, 3rd $400, 1499-1400, 1399-1300, 1299-under ea.
category $500-300, Unr. $300. Unr. eligible for unr. prize only. EF: $84 postmarked
by 1/16, $10 more at site or $44 postmarked by 1/18 and $40 at site. $10 off
pre-entry or at site for players new to Land of the Sky. Family discount: first
member full EF, $20 off each additional (immediate family only, d/n apply to tro-
phy entries). Players under 18: Trophy only-$20, pre or at site, no discounts,
if playing for money $10 off pre or at site EF. One discount per player. Visa &
Mastercard Accepted (add $3 to EF). Optional Re-entry: Re-enter for $47 after
Friday rd, counts as 1/2 entry toward based-on prize fund. Reg.: Fri. 3pm-7:30
pm for Friday round, anytime until Saturday 1pm (one 1/2 pt bye avail rds 1-
3). Rds.: 1st rd-Your Choice-Fri. 8pm or Sat. 10am (will assume Sat. Rd. if no
choice made), other 2:15-7:15 on Sat., 9-2:15 on Sun. Blitz Tournament:
Saturday morning. U1200 Section (rated): 5SS, G/60. 70% of EF paid in prizes.
EF: $40 pre (no discounts), $10 more at site. $$ 20% to 1st, 15% to 2nd, 10%
to 3rd, U900 10% to 1st, 5% to 2nd, Unr. 10% to 1st. Unrated eligible for unrated
prize only. Reg.: anytime up to one hour before any round (one 1/2 point bye
available rds 1-3). Rds.: Sat. 10:30-1:30-4, Sun. 9-1:30. Ent: Checks payable
to: WW, PO Box 1123, Weaverville, NC 28787, 828-645-4215, fax: 828-645-4216,
wilderwad@aol.com. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)
Jan. 29-31 or 30-31, Ohio
33rd Cardinal Open
Concourse Hotel, 4300 International Gateway, Columbus, OH 43219, free
parking, $79/night chess rate thru 1/8. 5-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day rds 1&2
G/75). Max 2 byes rds 1-4. Sets provided, bring clocks. $$6,800 b/126 pd entries,
re-entries & U1200 students = 1/2. 5 Sections: Open (FIDE) $1000-600-400,
U2300 $500-250 U2200 $300-100, U2000 $700-350-200, U1800 $600-300-150,
U1500 $500-250, U1200 $400-200 & trophies top 5 students. Unrated prize
limit $150 any section except Open. EF: $80 if received by 1/28, then $90; stu-
dents in U1200 $30 less; re-entry $40 (not in Open). Free to IM/GM, $80
deducted from winnings. OCA membership required of OH residents. 3-day
Schedule: Reg. Fri. 5-6:30pm, Rds. 7pm; Sat. 10-5:30; Sun. 9-3:30. 2-day: Reg.
Sat. 9-10:30am, Rds. 11-2-5:30; Sun 9-3:30. Ent: FOTK Chess Club, 2720 Air-
port Dr., Columbus, OH 43219. Info: grant@neilley.com, www.neilley.com/chess,
614-314-1102. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20
Jan. 29-31, Virginia
Springfield Open
5SS, Rd 1 Friday G/120, Rds 2-5 30/90 SD/60 $$ 2,200 (top three G) b/80.
Holiday Inn Express, 6401 Brandon Ave., Springfield, VA. 22150. Conveniently
located at the junction of I-95, I-495 and I-395. AMAZING renovations to the
hotel since last tnmt here!! Ph: at 1-877-834-3613 Ask for chess rate and men-
tion NoVa Chess HR: $79 reserve before Jan 15, 2009. One section: Open:
$550-350-200 (G); top X/A/B/C/D and top U1200 each $170, top Unrated $100.
Reg.: Fri, Jan 29: 5pm - 7:45 PM. Rounds: Fri 8pm Sat. 10-4, Sunday 10-3:30
pm. One 1/2 pt bye all, must declare before Rd 1 and then irrevokable. EF: $50
if recd by Jan 22, 2009, $60 later and at site. Ent: Michael Atkins, PO Box 6138,
Alexandria VA 22306. Make checks to Michael Atkins. Email Information:
matkins2@cox.net, NO E-MAIL ENTRIES Web: http://members.cox.net/tourna
ments/springfield.htm. W, NS, FIDE. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10
Jan. 30-31, Florida
North Florida Classic Chess Championships
5SS, G/90. Price-Martin Center, 220 N 11th Street, Palatka, Florida. $500 to
First Place Unconditionally Guaranteed. 2nd Place $ 250, 3rd $ 125, Top
uschess.org
U1800, U1600, U1400, U1200/UNR Each $ 150. First Place Fully Guaranteed,
other prizes based on entries (b/38) More Entries Mean More Prize Money! EF:
$37 if by Sep 30, $45 if by Nov 30, $ 50 at Site. USCF Rated. TD Ben Cody & Jim
Hedge. Reg ends 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Rounds: 10-1:30-5, Sunday 11-3. Cham-
pionshipTrophy to First,Trophies toTop each class listed above. 5-SecondTime
Delay permitted. NS NC W. Advance Entries: Jim Hedge, 4502 Pontiac Street,
Palatka, FL 32177. www.palatkachessclub.com, bencodychess@yahoo.com,
(386) 972-4225. Sponsored by The Palatka Chess Club and the City of Palatka.
Contact us for special rates Before you book Hotel rooms. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!

World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6

Jan. 30-31, New Hampshire

34th Queen City Open

4SS, 40/100, SD/1. Comfort Inn, exit 4 (Queen City Bridge) off I-293, Manches-
ter, NH. 603-668-2600. HR: $80, mention NH Chess, reserve early. $$2,225
b/65, 75% Gtd. 4 sections: Open: EF: $42 by 1/28, GMs/IMs free. $300-200-
100, U2100 $125-75. U1900: $150-100-75, U1750 $100-50. No Unr. may win
over $75. U1600: $150-100-75, U1450 $100-50. No Unr. may win over $75.
U1300: $150-100-75, U1000 $100-50. No Unr. may win over $75. All: EF: $42
by 1/28. Special EF for jrs U21 in U1300 section only, $26 if by 1/28. Sunday
Swiss (1/31 only). 3SS, G/60. EF: $25 if by 1/28. $$80-50-30 (b/8). Sun. Swiss
Reg.: 9:30-10:30am Sunday, Rds.: 11-1:30-4. All EF: $6 more if at site.Two-day
Reg: 8:30-9:30am Sat., Rds: 10-3:30, 9:30-3.One 1/2 pt. bye OK for Rds.1-3 if
recd with ent. Ent: NH Chess Assoc., Hal Terrie, 377 Huse Rd. #23, Manches-
ter, NH 03103. Info: 603-668-8368 or halterrie@comcast.net. W. WCL JGP.

World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10

Jan. 31, California Southern

2010 Westwood Winter Open

5-SS, G/40. Los Angeles Chess Club, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90025,
2nd floor (4 blocks West of 405 Fwy). $$1500 b/50, 80% of each prize
guaranteed. In two sections: Open: $400-200-50, U2200 125, U2000 125.
Reserve (U1800): $$200-125, U1600 $100, Under 1400/unrated $100, U1200
$75. EF: $48 if received by 1/30, $55 at site. SCCF memb. ($18, under 18 $10)
req. for rated S. CA residents. No checks or credit cards at site. Half point byes:
limit 1, must be req. w/entry. Reg.: 9-9:45 a.m. Rds.: 10-11:30-1:30-3:15-4:45.
2 Free Parking lots on the SW corner of Santa Monica & Purdue, or in the build-
ing basement ($3). Inf: admin@westernchess.com. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery,
835 N. Wilton Place #1, Los Angeles, CA 90038. On-line entry: www.western
chess.com. State Championship Qualifier.

World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)

Jan. 31, New York

Grandmaster Challenge (QC)

6-SS G/25 (G/20, D/5). Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC: 212-477-3716, lim-
ited to first 64 entries. EF: $35 over 55/under 18, $45 others, $10 less to
Marshall members (free buffet for participants.) GMs free, $25 deducted from
prize. Reg. ends 11:45 am. G$$350-250-150-100-75-50, $100 U2400, $100
U2200, $75 U2000, $50 U1800, top over 55$=age, top under 18 $=3x age, top
scoring female ($=# of players.) Rds.: 12-1:15-2:30-4:00-5:15-6:30. Byes:
limit 2, request before Round 3. Quick rated; regular ratings used for pairing
and prize purposes. Additional class prize $500 2800+, $250 2700+.
A Heritage Event!

World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 60

Feb. 5-7, Bermuda

2010 Bermuda International Open

5SS, 40/2, G/1. FIDE. Fairmont Southampton Resort & C.C. Feb 4 (Thurs.): Cock-
tail reception 6:00 followed by 8 pm Blitz tournament. Rounds: Friday 8pm,
Sat./Sun. 9am, 3pm. Closing party: Sun. 7:30pm Buffet dinner, open bar, free
for all players and spouses. Coffee/pastry served during rds. S & S. Prize fund
Gtd. $5000: Open $1000 (plus airfare NEast and hotel room for 2011), $800,
$600, $400, $200. U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600 all $250, $150, $100. Top
non-titled also wins airfare from NEast and hotel for 2011. EF: $100, payable
on site cash pls. Free to GMs, IMs, $100 deducted from prize. Sets provided,
bring clock. Fairmont Southampton, (866) 540-4497 chess rate $179+tx
(reduced from previous $199). More info contact: nigelfreeman@fide.com
or Chief Arbiter carolj10280@yahoo.com. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!

World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6

Feb. 5-7, South Carolina

36th Snowstorm Special

5SS, 35/90, SD/1 (2 day schedule rd. 1 G/90). Best Western Charleston-
Downtown, 250 Spring St., Charleston, SC 29403. EF: $60 if recd by 2/03, $70
at site, $35 re-entry. USCF & SCCA memberships reqd, OSA, $$1,600 b/40
($800 Gtd.), One section, Open to all. Prizes: $400-200-100, Top
Expert,A,B,C,D,E&under - 1st-$100, 2nd-$50 (Unrateds will be based on perf.
rating after 4th rd.). 3 day schedule: Reg:-Fri.6-7pm, Rds.: 8, 2-8, 9-2:30. 2
day schedule: Reg.- Fri. 6-7pm, Sat. 8-9am, Rd. 1: 10am, then merge with 3
day schedule. Half pt. byes: avail. all rds., must commit before Rd. 2 for Rds.
4&5 (irrevocable) HR: $74.99 (mention Snowstorm Special) reserve by Jan.
29, 2010 (843-722-4000 or toll free 1-888-377-2121) Other info: Free entry to
Masters and above; $60 deducted from any winnings. Info/Reg/Pmt: Charleston
Chess Club c/o David Y. Causey, 741 Dragoon Dr., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
(email: chessbass@att.net) (Please indicate whether playing in 2 or 3 day sched-
ule when registering.) WCL JGP.

World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)

Feb. 6, New York

23rd Annual Super Saturday in New York!

5-SS, G/30. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 W 10 St., bet. 5-6 Ave., NYC:
845-569-9969. EF: $40, Club membs $30, GMs free ($25 from prize), specified
Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free! $$ 920 b/46 paid entries, minimum
half each prize Gtd: $$ 300-200-115, top U2200/unr. $125, U2000 $100, U1800
$80. Limit 2 byes, commit by 1:30 pm. Re-entry $20. CCA ratings may be used.
12-1:30-2:45-4-5:20 pm. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Online entry at
www.chesscenter.cc thru 2/4; $10 extra to enter by phone.
A Heritage Event!

World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6

Feb. 6-7, Alabama

Queen of Hearts - 38th Annual

5SS, TC: 30/90; SD/30. AUM Taylor Center, 7440 East Drive, Montgomery,
AL 36117. OPEN ($900 b/25; PF: 50% GTD): $300-200-150-A: $150-U1800:

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 55

 Tournament Life
$100; RESERVE ($725 b/25; PF: 50% GTD): $250-150-125-E: $125-U1000:
$75. Late REG.: FEB 6th, 8-8:40am. Rds: 9-2-7; 9-3. EF: $40, if mailed by JAN
30th; $50 at site. SCHOLASTIC (K-12): 5SS, TC: G/40. AMATEUR (600-999),
PREMIER (UNR-599) and NOVICE (Not Rated): EF: $20/$10, If mailed by
JAN 30th, $30/$20 at site. Trophy: Top 3; Medals 4th-6th and Top Team
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
Trophy each section. Rds: 9-10:30-12:30-2, 3:30. Checks payable to: Mont-
gomery Chess Club. ENT: Montgomery Chess Club, 2624 Burkelaun Drive,
Montgomery, AL 36111. Info: info@caesarchess.com, www.alabama
chess.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10
Feb. 7, New Jersey
ICA Winter 2010 Open Championship
Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601. OpenTo All Ages
With Rating >1400 4SS, G/60. U. S. Chess Federation Membership Required,
Prize Fund ($$ b/40) 1st - 3rd $300, $250, $200, U2000, U1800, U1600 each
$100. Best Under 13 Years Old $75, Best Over 65 Years Old $75. Prize Fund Will
Not Be Reduced Below 70 %. Reg Ends at 9 AM Late Entrants Will Receive 1/2
Point Bye For Rnd 1. EF: Adv (pmk. By Feb 3rd) $40, AT Site $45. GMs Free Entry.
INFO: 201-287-0250 or 201-833-1741, Email: Diana@icanj.net (Web Site
Entries: www.icanj.net). Rds.: 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM. ENT: Make
EF and/or USCF Membership checks payableTo: International Chess Academy.
Mail to: DianaTulman, 28 Canterbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. NS, NC, W.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30
Feb. 12-14, Texas
South Houston Open
5SS, G/120, FIDE rated. Free entry for GMs and IMs (EF deducted from win-
nings). SIDE EVENTS: (Schol.Team & Ind., 5SS, G/30, 1-day only, Sat. Feb. 13th);
5-min. Blitz CAJUN KNOCK-OUT (Sat. night after Rd. 3). Separate room for
schol. Players - A trophy or medal will be awarded to each schol. player. Hilton
Houston NASA Clear Lake, 3000 NASA Road One, Houston (281-333-9300). 5
Sects. PRIZES: $10,000 b/200 paid ent. OPEN: $1400-800-500-300-200;
U2200: $700-400; U2000: $800-400-200-100-50; U1800: $800-400-200-100-
50; U1600/Unr*: $800-400-200-100-50; U1300: $400-300-200-100-50. *Unrated
players may only win 50% of the prize fund except in the Open Sect. where they
must pay full EF and are eligible for full prize fund. Schol. Sects. (Team & Indi-
vidual): K-2, K-5, K-8, K-12. Prizes:Trophies to top 5 individuals & top 3 teams
in each section (more ind. trophies depending on attendance). Every non-tro-
phy winner receives a souvenir chess medal.Teams may have as many players
as they wish from the same school in the same section but must have a min-
imum of 3 players to be considered a team; the top 3 scores will count for final
team score. Scholastic players may play in both adult and scholastic tourna-
ments by registering for both tournaments and taking a bye for Rd. 2 in the adult
tournament. USCF-recommended computer tiebreaks will decide trophy and
medal placements for winners of all schol. sections. Free chess clock to player
who travels farthest to tourn. in both adult and schol. tournaments. CAJUN
BOUNTY: Defeat the top ranked player and win free entry to our next tourna-
ment! EF: $79 by 2/10; $89 at site; Unr. (U1600) and Jrs. (under 19 yrs of age
and playing in U1300 or U1600 Sections) $49 by 2/10; $59 at site. Schol. EF:
$20 by 2/10; $25 at site; Re-Entry Fee: $25 (avail. up to Rd. 4 - in all sections;
3 re-entries or 2 Jr. entries count as one additional entry for prize fund). 3-
56 Chess Life January 2010
day Sched: Reg. Fri. 5:30-7pm, Rds. Fri. 8pm; Sat. 11-6:30, Sun. 9:30-2:30. 2-
day Sched: Reg. Sat. 8:30-10am, (Rds 1 & 2, G/75) Sat. 11-2:30-6:30, Sun.
9:30-2:30. Both schedules merge at Rd. 3. Schol. Sched: (All 5 rds G/30
one day only, Sat., Feb. 13). Reg. Sat. 8:30-9:30am, Rd. 1 at 10am; Other rds
will follow immediately. Byes: Avail. all Rds. (commit before Rd. 3). HR: $89 for
single or double; $99 for triple; $109 for quad (281-333-9300), reserve by Jan.
29 and mention Cajun Chess tournament to assure group rate. ENT: On-line reg-
istration and printable entry form at www.cajunchess.com, or mail entry form
to: Franc Guadalupe, 305 Willow Pointe Dr., League City,TX 77573. Info or Phone
Ent: 713-530-7820 or 504-905-2971. Major credit cards accepted (no checks
at site). FIDE. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15
Feb. 13-14, Virginia
Kingstowne Chess Festival
Kingstowne Snyder Center, 6450 S. Van Dorn St., Alexandria, VA 22315. 4
Sections. Open (FIDE-rated): 4SS 40/100, SD/60. EF: $40 if received by 2/10,
$50 at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $84 if received by 2/10, $94 at
site. Prizes $$1000G: $400-250-125. U2000, U1800, Unr. each $75. Rds.: 11-
5, 10-4. Amateur (U1800-unr.): 5SS G/100. EF: $20 if received by 2/10, $30
at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $64 if received by 2/10, $74 at site.
Prizes $$500 b/32: $180-100-70. U1600-U1400-Unr. each $50. No unrated may
win more than $150. Rds.: 11-3-7, 11:30-4. Booster (U1600-unr.): 5SS G/100.
EF: $15 if received by 2/10, $25 at site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $59
if received by 2/10, $69 at site. Prizes $$370 b/32: $150-80-50. U1400-
U1200-Unr. each $30. No unrated may win more than $100. Rds.: 11-3-7,
11:30-4. Novice (U1400-unr.): 6SS G/75. EF: $10 if received by 2/10, $18 at
site. If joining USCF for 1st time, USEF $54 if received by 2/10, $62 at site. Prizes
$$285 b/32: $100-70-40. U1200-U1000-Unr. each $25. No unrated may win more
than $80. Rds.: 11-2-5-8, 12:30-4. All: One half-point bye allowed in Open, two
in other sections. Last-round bye must commit by end of play Sat. and irrevo-
cable. Reg.: 9:30-10:45. Ent (checks payable to): Don W. Millican, P.O. Box 2902,
Springfield, VA 22152. e-mail (info only): dm407_92@hotmail.com. FIDE. W.
WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15
Feb. 13-15, Oklahoma
Jerry Hanken FIDE Winter Open
7-SS, G/90+30 sec, Quality Inn, 2515 W. 6th Ave (Hwy-51) Stillwater, OK 1-
405-372-0800. HR: 70-70-70. One section open to all. EF: $40 if postmarked
or received by cash or ck before Feb 10, $50 at door. $10 OCF membership
required from all players. Reg.: Sat 10:30-11:45; Rds.: Sat 12, 4:30, Sun 9-1:15-
5:30, Mon 9-1:30. $$G 2,450 will not be lowered. $$G, $400, 300, 200. $$G
$300 each class ($150-100-50) Ex,A,B,C,D & below. Unr. competes in D &
below. $50 - upset, One (1) half pt bye rds 3-7. Free Parking. Ent: Frank Berry,
402 S. Willis, Stillwater, OK 74074. 1-405-372-5758. FKimBerry@aol.com NC,
CMV, LS, W, USCF, OCF, FIDE. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Feb. 16, New York
Marshall Masters (formerly the St. Johns Masters)
4SS. G/30.ThirdTues. of every month. 23 W. 10th St., NYC 212 477-3716. Open
to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scoring 2.5 or more at any CCNY
at MCC Thursday 4 Rated Games Tonight! since the prior months Masters) EF:
$40, members $30, GMs $10 (returned on completion of tournament).Top three
prizes guaranteed. $$G 250-150-100. Top U2400 and Top 2300 prizes. Spe-
cial prize for biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45PM. One
bye available, rds. 1 or 4 only; declare at registration.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Feb. 18. New York
10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 West 10 St., bet. 5-6 Ave.,
NYC: 212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs $25, GMs free ($20 from prize), spec-
ified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may
be limited to 1st 36 to enter), top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105,
U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes (1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA
ratings may be used. Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game.
Rds 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible!
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Feb. 19-21, 20-21 or 21, Minnesota
117th Warren Stenberg Memorial Annual Minnesota Open
Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth, MN
55441. In 5 Sections, Premier: Open to All. 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, 5 sec. delay (2-
day option rds 1-2 G/90), EF: $65 (3-day option) or $64 (2-day option) by
2/12; $75 on site. $$b/35: $500-300-150. U2200, U2100 each $125. Amateur
(U2000): 5SS, 40/2, SD/1, 5 sec. delay (2-day option rds 1-2 G/90). Open to
1999 & under. EF: $55 (3-day option) or $54 (2-day option) by 2/12; $65 on site.
$$b/35: $400-250-125. U1900, U1800 each $100. Reserve (U1700): 6SS,
Game/2, 5 sec. delay (2-day option rds 1-2 G/60), Open to 1699 & under. EF:
$50 (3-day option) or $49 (2-day option) by 2/12; $60 on site. $$b/40: $350-
175-100. U1600, U1500, U1400 each $75. Sophomore (U1400): 6SS, Game/2,
5 sec. delay (2-day option rds 1-2 G/60), Open to 1399 & under. EF: $40 (3-day
option) or $39 (2-day option) by 2/12; $50 on site. $$b/45: $300-150-75.
U1300, U1200, U1100 each $60. Bantam (U1100): 6SS, Game/2, 5 sec. delay
(2-day option rds 1-2 G/60), Open to 1099 & under. EF: $35 (3-day option) or
$34 (2-day option) by 2/12; $45 on site. $$b/42: $250-100-50. U1000, U900
each $50. ALL: MSCA Memb. Reqd: $18. OSA. Class prizes based on 5 per
class. Ratings based on February 2010 Supplement. Discounted EF must be
received by 2/12/2010, please specify 3-day or 2-day option. 3-day option
schedule: On site Reg.: 5-6pm Fri, Feb 19. Rnds.: Premier and Amateur: Fri
7; Sat 10-4:30; Sun 10-4:30; Reserve, Sophomore, and Bantam: Fri 7; Sat 10-
2:30-7.; Sun 10-3. 2-day option schedule: On site Reg.: 8-8:30am Sat, Feb
20. Rnds.: Premier and Amateur: Sat 9-1-4:30, Sun 10-4:30; Reserve, Soph-
omore, and Bantam: Sat 9-11:30-2:30-7; Sun 10-3. 2 Side Events: Saturday
Non-rated Beginners Tournament: Open to players rated below 800 or
unrated, who have never won a membership at a Novice tournament. EF:
$15. Prizes: 1st, 2nd, 3rd all get trophies. All players who score 4 out of 5 points
receive USCF and MSCA memberships. Reg.: 10-10:30 Sat, Feb 20. Rnds.: Sat
(approx): 11-12:15-1:30-3:15-4:30. Sunday Tornado: EF: $15 by 2/12/2010:
$20 at site. $$b/14: $100-50. $50 for the top player in the lower rating half.
Reg.: Sun 9-9:45. Rnds.: Sun (approx): 10-12:30-3:00-6:30. ENT: MSCA, PO
uschess.org
Box 582754, Minneapolis, MN 55458-2754. INFO: Shu Lee shuman.lee@
gmail.com. HR: $89 special rate at the Radisson. Send email to shuman.
lee@gmail. com to check on availability and make reservations (763) 559-6600,
Reservations 1-800-395-7046 US/CanadaToll-free Radisson Hotel and Confer-
ence Center, 3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth, Minnesota 55441. Round one start
time is approximate. It will begin at the conclusion of the General Mem-
bership Meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. on Friday evening. NS NC W. WCL
JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Feb. 19-Mar. 19, New York
Queens Late Winter Open
5-SS, G/120. All Saints Lutheran Church, 164-02 Goethals Avenue, Jamaica, NY
11432. EF: $35 advance, $40 at site, $5 less to QCC members. $$200-$100 gtd
to top 2, more per entries. Up to two 1/2 pt byes ok with advance notice (byes
for Rounds 4 and/or 5 must be declared before Round 3). REG.: 7:30-8:00. RDS.:
8:15 each Friday. ENT: (mail by 2/12) Ed Frumkin, 445 E. 14th St. #10D, NYC
10009 (212-677-3224 before 10 pm - do not call on Friday). WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Feb. 20, New York
New York February Action!
5-SS, G/30. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 W. 10 St., bet. 5-6 Ave., NYC:
845-569-9969. EF: $40, Club membs $30, GMs free ($25 from prize), specified
Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free! $$ 840 b/42 paid entries, minimum
half each prize Gtd: $$ 300-200-115, top U2200/unr. $125, U2000 $100. Limit
2 byes, commit by 1:30. Re-entry $20. CCA ratings may be used. Rds. 12-1:30-
2:45-4-5:20 pm. Reg. ends 15 min. before game. Online entry at www.chess
center.cc thru 2/18; $10 extra to enter by phone!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 20 (enhanced)
Feb. 20-21, Texas
Southwest Collegiate Championships
5-SS, G/90 with 30 sec inc. Sheraton Dallas North (Formerly Adams Mark), 400
North Olive Street, Dallas, TX 75201. HR: $105-$105-$105-$105, 888-627-
8191, MentionTexas Chess Association to get Hotel Chess Rate. One night hotel
deposit may be required. Open to any college student or team. Top 4 count for
team score. USCF membership required. EF: $49 by 2/11/10, $69 thereafter.
Dont mail after 2/14, entry may not be received. Online/Credit Card registra-
tion link at www.swchess.com Note that active.com charges a small fee. Reg.:
Fri 7-9 pm, Sat 7-7:45am. Saturday registrants may receive a 1st rd. 1/2 pt.
bye. One 1/2 pt. bye allowed if requested by end of rd. 2. Rds.: Sat 9-1:30-6,
Sun 9-1:45. $$ $500-$250-$125, 1st U2000 $150, 1st U1600 $150, 1st U1200
$150, Unrated eligible for U1200 prize. Plaques to top 10 Individuals, Plaques
to top 5Teams. Open Blitz Tourney: Open, Fri 2/19, 8:00 pm, $10, $$ Plaques
to Top 5 individual. Ent: Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX
76036. (Make Checks payable to Dallas Chess Club. One check can be sent for
multiple players.) Entries must include name, USCF ID or new/pending (include
a copy of the receipt), rating, USCF expiration date & school. All incomplete reg-
istrations will be charged the late EF, additionally there will be a $5 per player
surcharge on registration received without payment, these players could pos-
sibly not be paired for round 1 and not be paired until payment is received.
uschess.org
Refunds will be given only up to 2/17 with a $10 surcharge for withdrawing,
after 2/17 there will be no refunds. There will be no substitution of team
members. There will be a $10 change fee for changes after 2/17. There will
be a $5 surcharge per player for phone registrations. USCF membership is
required. Proof of membership is required or player must join/renew their mem-
berships. No registration/ changes/or withdrawals after 2/17/10. After that
date you must make changes at site (Sheraton Dallas North). February Sup-
plement will be used. Chess In Education Conference for coaches, teachers and
administrators, contact Russell.Harwood@utb.edu for more info. Tourna-
ment Info: Barbara Swafford, 214.632.9000 please do not call after 2/17,
info@dallaschess.com. Website: www.swchess.com. NS. NC. W. FIDE. WCL
JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Feb. 20, Pennsylvania
2010 Presidents Week LVCA Grand Prix
4SS, G/90. St. James Church, 11th & Tilghman Sts., Allentown, PA 18102.
EF: $40, LVCA Members $30, $$200-100 guaranteed to top 2, more per paid
entries. FREE ENTRY TO UNRATEDS, if paying 1 year USCF Dues. Up to two
1/2 pt byes (if declared before round 3). REG.: Ends 10am. RDS.: 10:30-1:30-
4:45-7:45. Ent/Info:Check payable:Bruce Davis, 1208 Linden St., Fl 1, Bethlehem,
PA 18018. or call 610-625-0467 or bdavis@lehighvalleychess.org/. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Feb. 26-28, New York
4th annual Saratoga Open
5SS, 30/90, SD/1, Saratoga Hilton Hotel, 534 Broadway (I-87 Exit 13-N, 4 miles
north on US 9), Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. $$G 1200. In 2 sections: Open:
$$ 300-150-70, U2200 120, U2000 100. Under 1800/Unr: $$ 150-90-50, U1600
100, U1400 70. EF: $52 mailed by 2/19, $53 online at chesstour.com by 2/23,
$55 phoned by 2/23, $65 at site. Reg. ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11-4:30,
Sun 9-2:30. Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 2. HR: $117-
117, 888-999-4711, 518-584-4000, reserve by 2/13 or rate may increase. 48
hours notice required for room cancellation. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box
249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chess-
tour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Feb. 27-28, Florida
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/2 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. GMs
Central Florida Chess Club Championship
5SS, G/120. Orlando Chess & Games Ctr, 8751 Commodity Cir., Suite 4,
Orlando, 32819. EF: $40. CFCC mem req @ $25 ($15 Jr/Sr). $$G 600: 190-
100-70, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400 each 60, plaques (if mem as of Jan
27) to Club Champion, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, & top under
age 16. Reg.: Sat 9:15am. Rds.: 10-2-6, 9-2. CFCC elections 1pm Sun. Ent:
CFCC, 921 N. Thistle Ln., Maitland, FL 32751. Info: (407) 629-6946 or
www.centralflchess.org. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)
Feb. 28, New York
Grandmaster Challenge
6-SS G/30, (NOTE CHANGE). Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC 212 477-3716,
limited to first 64 entries. EF $35 over 55/under 18, $45 others, $10 less to
Marshall members (free buffet to participants) GMs free, $25 deducted from
prize. Reg. ends 11:45 AM. G$$350-250-150-100-75-50, $100 U2400, $100
U2200, $75 U2000, $50 U1800, top over 55 $=age, top under 18 $= 3x age,
top scoring female $=# of players. Rds.: 12-1:20-2:40-4-5:20-6:40. (NOTE
CHANGE) Byes: limit 2, request before Round 3. Additional class prize $500
2800+, $250 2700+.
A State Championship Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Mar. 5, Pennsylvania
2010 PA Quick Chess Championship (QC)
6SS, G/10, T/D3. Hotel Carlisle & Embers Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg
Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit 52A NB/Exit 52 SB off I-81, Exit 226 off PA Turn-
pike. 3 sections, EF recd by 2/16: Open: $12. U1500: $10. U1100: $8. $$ (730G):
Open: 175-100-50, U1800 $45, U1600 $40. U1500: 125-75-50, U1200 $40, Unr
$30. U1100: Trophies: 1-5, U800, U600, 1-2 Unr. All: EF: $20 after 2/16, PSCF
$5 OSA. Reg.: 6-6:30pm. Rd 1: 7pm. Feb 2010 Regular ratings used. Bye: limit
1, ask by rd 2. HR: Mention PA States for best rate; 800-692-7315 $75. Ent:
PSCF, c/oTom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. Info: mar-
tinak_tom_m@hotmail.com. 412-908-0286. W.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, Massachusetts
19th annual Eastern Class Championships
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Under 900 Section is 6 rounds
playing March 6-7 only, G/75. Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, 366 Main St., Sturbridge,
MA 01566 (I-84 Exit 3, near I-90). Free parking. $$ 20,000 based on 250 paid
entries (re-entries count half, U900 one-third), minimum $12,000 (60% of each
prize) guaranteed. In 8 sections: Master (2200/up): $2000-1000-500-300,
clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Expert
(2000-2199): $1400-700-400-300. Class A (1800-1999): $1400-700-400-300.
Class B: $1400-700-400-300. Class C (1400-1599): $1200-600-300-200. Class
D (1200-1399): $1200-600-300-200. Class E (Under 1200): $800-400-200-
100. Under 900: $200-100-60-40. Rated players may play up one section.
Unrated may enter U900 through A, with prize limits: U900 $100, E $200, D
$300, C $400, B $500, A $600. Balance goes to next player(s) in line. EF: 3-day
$108, 2-day $107 mailed by 2/25, all $109 online at chesstour.com by 3/2, $110
free, $90 deducted from prize. Class E EF: All $20 less. Under 900 EF: all $70
less. No checks at site, credit cards OK. All: Unofficial uschess.org ratings based
on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues
with Chess Life if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young
Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry
$60; not available in Master Section. MACA memb. ($12, under 18 $6) required
for MA residents; WMCA accepted for western MA res. 3-day schedule:
Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg
ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-3:15. Under 900 schedule: Reg. ends
Sat. 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-12:30-3:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Master
must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 800-582-3232, 508-
347-7393, request chess rate, reserve by 2/19 or rate may increase. Car
rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through
Chess Life January 2010 57
 Tournament Life
chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Ques-
tions: 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. $15 service
charge for refunds. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30
Mar. 5-7, Virginia
42nd Annual Virginia Open
5SS, Rd1 G/2, Rds 2-5 40/2 SD/1. Crowne Plaza Tysons Corner, 1960 Chain
Bridge Rd., McLean 22102. www.cptysonscorner.com. Chess room rates of $79
for Single and Double, reserve before Feb 27. Walk-up chess rate possible, but
not guaranteed, reserve early!! No Outside Food allowed in Tournament Play-
ing Room! See www.vachess.org/vaopen.htm for online link to register for hotel.
$3400 inTwo Sections, Open and Amateur (U1900) Top 4 G in Open, rest based
on 140. Open: $600-400-300-250 Top X,A Each $180. Winner also gets plaque
and title 2009 Virginia Open Champ. Amateur: $400-200-150,Top B,C,D, U1200
Each $160, Top Unrated $100. Amateur winner gets plaque and 2009 Virginia
Open Amateur title. ALL: Reg: Friday 3/5 5:30p-7:45p Rds 8pm Friday, Sat. 10a-
4:30p, Sunday 9a-3:30p. EF: $60 if received by Feb 28, $70 later and at site.
$5 discount to active military personnel. $35 Re/entry allowed From Rd 1 into
Rd 2 only Sat. Reg: 9-9:45. One 1/2 point bye allowed with entry, declared before
Rd 1 and then irrevokable. VCF membership required for Virginia residents ($10
Adults, $5 U19). Ent: Make checks payable to Virginia Chess and mail to:
Michael Atkins, PO Box 6138, Alexandria, VA 22306. Website: www.vachess.org/
vaopen.htm. matkins2@cox.net for questions, NO INTERNET or PHONE entries
only NS, NC, W. FIDE. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Mar. 6-7, Pennsylvania
2010 Carlisle Open & PA Collegiate Championship
5SS, G/90, T/D5. Hotel Carlisle & Embers Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg
Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit 52A NB/Exit 52 SB off I-81, Exit 226 off PA Turn-
pike. 2 sections: Open & U1500. $$ (1260G): Open: 180-120, U2200 $110,
U2000 $100, U1800 $90, U1600 $80. U1500: 150-100, U1400 $90, U1200 $85,
U1000 $80, Unr $75. All: College Tr: 1-2 in each section, 1-2 team (top 4 over
both sections). EF: $29 recd by 2/16, $39 after, PSCF $5 OSA. Reg.: 8:45-9:30
am. Rds.: 10-2-5:30, 9-1. Feb 2010 ratings used. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd 2. HR:
Mention PA States for best rate; 800-692-7315 $75. Ent: PSCF, c/oTom Mar-
tinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. Info: martinak_tom_m@
hotmail.com. 412-908-0286. W. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
Mar. 12-14 or 13-14, California Southern
17th annual Western Class Championships
Note corrections: 5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75), Under 900
Section is 6 rounds. G/75 playing Mar 13-14 only. Renaissance Agoura Hills
Hotel, 30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (US-101 to Reyes Adobe Road
exit). Adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains, 26 miles west of Burbank, 12
miles from Malibu, 28 miles from Ventura. Free parking. $$20,000 based on
230 paid entries (re-entries, U900 count as half entries), minimum $16,000 (80%
each prize) guaranteed. In 8 sections. Master (over 2199): $2000-1000-500-
300, clear or tiebreak winner $100, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Expert
(2000-2199): $1400-700-400-200. Class A (1800-1999): $1400-700-400-200.
Class B (1600-1799): $1400-700-400-200. Class C (1400-1599): $1200-600-
300-200. Class D (1200-1399): $1000-500-300-150. Class E (1000-1199):
$1000-500-300-150. Under 900: $300-150-100-50. Rated players may play
up one section. Unrated must play in A or below with maximum prize A $600,
B $500, C $400, D $300, E $200, U900 $100; balance goes lineto next player(s)
in line. Top 7 sections EF: 3-day $113, 2-day $112 mailed by 3/4, all $115 online
at chesstour.com by 3/9, $120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/9 (entry only, no
questions), $130 at site. Special EF: $60 less to unrated in A through E. $60
less to all in Under 900. All: Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with
entry: Online at chesstour.com. Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or
paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry (except Master) $60. SCCF
memb. ($18, jr $10) required for rated Southern CA residents. 3-day sched-
ule: Reg. Fri to 6 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11-6, Sun 10-4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg.
Sat to 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 10-4:15. U900 schedule: Reg Sat to 9:30
am, rds 10-1-4 each day. Byes: OK all rds, limit 2; Master must commit before
rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 818-707-1220, reserve by Mar 3 or rate
may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Questions:
chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury
58 Chess Life January 2010
Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for withdrawals. Advance entries posted
at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Mar. 13-14, Louisiana
2010 Louisiana Pro-Am
5-SS, G/2 (Round 1: G/90). Site: Holiday Inn New Orleans Westbank, 275 Whit-
ney Ave., Gretna, LA 70053. EF: $50 if mailed by 3/6, $60 at site. LCA Memb.
reqd ($10 adult, $5 Schol.), OSA. Prizes: $1800 b/60, 50% Gtd. Two Sections:
Pro (Open): $400-200; U2000 $200-100. Amateur (U1800): $250-100; U1600
$200-100; U1400 $150; U1200/UNR $100. Reg.: 3/13, 8-9am. Rds.: Sat: 9:15-
1-5:30, Sun: 9:30-2. HR: $99, (504) 366-8535. Ent/Info: Adam Caveney, 1301
Gen. Taylor St., New Orleans, LA 70115, cb20234@yahoo.com, (504) 895-
4133 (evenings), (504) 615-6730 (on day of tourney). NS, NC. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 6
Mar. 13-14 or 14, New York
March Open
4SS, 30/90, SD/1. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $45,
Members $25. $$625 Gtd: 250-100-75, U2200/Unrated $100, U 2000 $100. Reg.
ends 15 min. before game. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day, rds 12:30-5:30 PM each
day; 1 day, (rds 1-2 G/30), 10-11:15 AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both merge
rd.3. Limit 2 byes, commit at entry, NO RE-ENTRY. May be limited to first 60 play-
ers. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced)
Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, North Carolina
2010 U. S. Masters
See Nationals.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
Mar. 19-21 or 20-21, Missouri
14th annual Mid-America Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Under 900 is 6 rounds playing
March 20-21 only, G/75. Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Louis-Clayton, 7750 Carondelet
Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105 (I-64 W/US 40-W Exit 32B, 1.2 miles north on Han-
ley Rd). $$ 20,000 based on 250 paid entries (re-entries count half, U900 Section
one-third), minimum $16,000 (80% of each prize) guaranteed. In 8 sections:
Open: $2000-1000-500-300, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top
U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Under 2200: $1400-700-400-300. Under 2000: $1400-
700-400-300. Under 1800: $1400-700-400-300. Under 1600: $1200-600-300-
200. Under 1400: $1200-600-300-200. Under 1200: $800-400-200-100. Under
900: $200-100-60-40. Unrated may enter any section, with prize limits: U900
$100, U1200 $200, U1400 $300, U1600 $400, U1800 $500, U2000 $600. Bal-
ance goes to next player(s) in line. EF: 3-day $108.50, 2-day $107.50 mailed
by 3/9, all $109 online at chesstour.com by 3/16, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038
by 3/16 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. GMs free, $90 deducted from
prize. Under 1200 EF: All $20 less. Under 900 EF: all $70 less. All: No checks
at site, credit cards OK. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games
usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life
if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed,
phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry $60; not available
in Open Section. MCA memb. ($5) required for MO residents. 3-day sched-
ule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule:
Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-3:15. Under 900 schedule: Reg.
ends Sat. 10 am, rds Sat 11-2:30-6, Sun 9-12:30-3:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Open
must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 888-303-1746, 314-
726-5400, request chess rate, reserve by 3/3 or rate may increase. Car
rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through
chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Ques-
tions: 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. $15 service
charge for refunds. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
Mar. 31-Apr. 4, Apr. 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Open
Open Section, Mar 31-Apr 4: 9SS, 40/2, SD/1. GM & IM norms possible.
U1300 to U2100, Apr 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-
2 G/75, 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/40). U1000, April 3-4: 7SS, G/40. Sheraton
City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19103. Prizes $100,000
based on 650 paid entries (Seniors count as 3/4 entries; U1000 Section, re-
entries, GMs, WGMs & foreign IMs as half entries), else proportional, minimum
$70,000 (70% of each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections: Open: $10000-5000-
2500-1300-1000-700-600-500-400-400, clear first bonus $200, FIDE 2300-2449
$3000-1500-700, FIDE Under 2300/Unr $3000-1500-700. If tie for first, top 2
on tiebreak play speed game for title & bonus. FIDE rated. Under 2100,
Under 1900, Under 1700: each $5000-3000-2000-1000-700-600-500-400-
300-300. Under 1500, Under 1300: each $4000-2000-1500-1000-700-600-500-
400-300-300. Under 1000: $1000-600-400-300-250-200-150-100. Prize lim-
its: 1) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated as of 4/10 list may not win
over $500 in U1000, $1500 in U1300, or $2500 in U1500. Games rated too late
for 4/10 list not counted. 2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on
any USCF rating supplement 4/09-3/10, prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 life-
time games rated) cannot win over $200 in U1000, $400 U1300, $800 U1500,
$1200 U1700, $1600 U1900, or $2000 U2100. Unofficial uschess.org ratings
based on 4 or more games used if otherwise unrated. 4) Balance of limited prize
goes to next player(s) in line. Mailed EF: 5-day (Open only) $205, 4-day $204,
3-day $203, 2-day $202 if mailed by 1/13; 5-day $225, 4-day $224, 3-day
$223, 2-day $222 mailed by 3/23; all $250 at site. PSCF members may deduct
$3 from mailed EF only. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online EF at
chesstour.com: $207 by 1/13, $227 by 3/29, $250 after 3/29 until 2 hours before
rd 1. Phone EF at 406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions): $210 by 1/13, $230
by 3/29. No phone entry after 3/29. GMs, foreign IMs, foreign WGMs free;
$150 deducted from prize. US WGMs $100; $120 deducted from prize. Special
EF: $100 less for Under 1000 section. $50 less to unrated in U1300 to U2100
sections. $70 less to rated seniors 65/over in U1300 & above sections. Spe-
cial 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com,
Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young
Adult $30. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from
Open Section to Open Section. 5-day schedule (Open only): Reg. ends Wed
6 pm, rds. Wed. 7 pm,Thu 12 & 7, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day sched-
ule: (U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11
& 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule (U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Fri 10 am,
rds Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U1300 to
U2100): Reg. ends Sat. 9 am, rds Sat. 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. Under
1000 schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 9 am, rds. Sat. 10. 12. 2, 3:45, Sun. 10, 12, 2.
4-day, 3-day, & 2-day merge & compete for same prizes. Byes: all; limit 4
(limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Bring
sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: $93-93-93-93, 215-448-
2000, reserve by 3/23 or rate may increase. Parking $8/day with guest room,
$15/day without; garage near hotel is about $10 on weekend. Car rentals: Avis,
800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online at chesstour.com. For-
eign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200/more
to most other foreign, no points added to CFC, PR or Jamaica. Some foreign
ratings not accepted for U1900 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually
used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US
player ratings: April list used; FIDE ratings used in Open Section. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: Players
must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round
3 or after, players with scores of 80% or over and their opponents may not use
headphones, earphones or cellphones or go to a different floor of the hotel with-
out Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY
12577. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. You may request low-
est possible section if April rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds.
Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP (except U1000).
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 150 (enhanced)
Apr. 2-4, Nevada
10th Annual Reno-Far West Open
6SS,40/2,20/1,G/1/2. Sands Regency Hotel/Casino, 345 N. Arlington Ave.
Reno, NV 89501.1-866-386-7829 or (775) 348-2200. $$21,200 b/250. $$14,200
Gtd. (Prizes 1-10 in Open Section Gtd. plus 1/2 of all other prizes). Free Lec-
ture & Analysis Clinic by GM Larry Evans! 5 Sections. Open (2000 & above)
EF: $137, (1999 & below = $151) (GMs & IMs free but must enter by (3/13)
or pay late fee). $$2,000-1,200-1000-800-600-400-300-300-300-300,
(2399/below)- $1,000, (2299/below)- $1,000, (2199/below) -$1000-500-300-
200 (If a tie for 1st then a playoff for $100 out of prize fund plus trophy). Sec.A
(1800-1999) EF: $136; $$1,000-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec.B (1600-
1799) EF: $135; $$900-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec.C (1400-1599) EF:
$134; $$700-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec.D/under (1399-below) EF:
$133; $$600-400-300-200-100-100-100;Top Senior (65+) -$200; Club Champ.-
$400-200. ALL: Entries must be postmarked by 3/13 or pay late fee-$11 until
uschess.org
3/26 (do not mail after 3/26), $22 at site. All classes have trophies 1st 3rd.
Unrated players are free entry but not eligible for cash prizes- must join USCF
for 1 full year thru this tournament. 1st Unrated = trophy + 1 yr. USCF Mem.
$10 discount to Seniors (65+ yrs.) & Juniors (19-under). Players may play up.
Provisionally rated players may only win 1/2 of 1st place money. CCA ratings
may be used. Note: pairings not changed for color unless 3 in a row or a plus
3 and if the unlikely situation occurs 3 colors in a row may be assigned. SIDE
EVENTS:Thurs. (4/1) 6-7:15pm Free Lecture-GM Larry Evans; 7:30pm-GM YER-
MOLINSKY Simul ($15); 7:30pm-Blitz (5 Min) tourney ($20) 80% entries = Prize
Fund. Sat. (4/3) (3-4:30pm) Free Game/Position Analysis - GM Larry Evans. ALL
REG: (4/1) 5-9pm,(4/2) 9-10am. RDS: (Fri) 12-7, (Sat)10-6, (Sun)9:30-4:30. Byes
available any round (if requested by Rd.1 2 max in Open sect.). ENT: make checks
payable and send to: SANDS REGENCY (address listed above), postmarked by
3/13. $11 late fee if postmarked after 3/13 and before 3/26. Do not mail after
3/26 or email after 3/31. $22 late fee at site. HR: (Sun-Thurs. $27!) (Fri. & Sat.
$47!) + tax. 1-866-386-7829 mention (Code) CHESS410 (Reserve by 3/15/10)
to get Chess rate. INFO: Jerry Weikel, 6578 Valley Wood Dr., Reno, NV 89523,
(775) 747-1405, wackyykl@aol.comOr check out our website at: www.reno
chess.org/fwo. To verify entry check website. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced)
Apr. 16-18 or 17-18, Connecticut
Hartford Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Sheraton Hotel, 1 Bradley Air-
port (visible at airport entrance), Windsor Locks, CT 06096 (I-91 Exit 40 to Rt
20). Free parking. $$ 15,000 based on 220 paid entries, $10,000 (2/3 each prize)
minimum guaranteed. U1105 Section & re-entries count as 60% entries
towards prize fund. In 7 sections. Open: $1500-700-500-300, top Under 2305
$800400. Under 2205: $1000-500-300-200. Under 2005: $1000-500-300-200.
Under 1805: $1000-500-300-200. Under 1605: $1000-500-300-200. Under
1405: $800-400-300-200. Under 1105: $500-300-200-100. Unrated may not
win over $100 in U1105, $200 U1405, $300 U1605, $400 U1805, or $500
U2005. Prize limit $300 if official rating was 50 or more points over section
or prize maximum on any list 4/08 to 3/09. Top 6 sections EF: 3-day $98, 2-
day $97 mailed by 4/8, all $99 online at chesstour.com by 4/14, $105 phoned
to 406-896-2038 by 4/14 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. Under 1105
Section EF: 3-day $58, 2-day $57 mailed by 4/8, all $59 online at chess-
tour.com by 4/14, $65 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 4/14 (entry only, no
questions), $70 at site. $20 less to unrated in U1105 Section. All: No checks
at site, credit cards OK. GMs free, $80 deducted from prize. Mailed EF $3 less
to CSCA or WMCA members. Re-entry $60; not available in Open Section.
Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if oth-
erwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry-
online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid
at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds.
Fri 7 pm, Sat 11-6, Sun 9-3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. 11-
2:30-6, 9-3:15. Bye: all, limit 2; must commit before rd 2. HR: $87-87,
860-627-5311; reserve by 4/2 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-
1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent:
Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for
refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries
posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 40 (enhanced)
Apr. 23-25 or 24-25, Tennessee
9th Southern Class Championships
5SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Radisson Hotel at Opryland, 2401
Music Valley Drive (TN-155 to West McGavock Pike Exit 12), Nashville, TN
37214. Free parking. Prizes $10,000 based on 160 paid entries (Class E,
unrated, & re-entries count as half entries), $7500 (minimum 75% each prize)
guaranteed. In 6 sections; no unrated allowed in Master-Expert. Master-
Expert (2000/up): $1000-500-300-150, clear win or first on tiebreak $50, top
U2200 $700-400. FIDE. Class A (1800-1999/Unr): $800-400-200-100. Class
B (1600-1799/Unr): $800-400-200-100. Class C (1400-1599/Unr): $800-400-
200-100. Class D (1200-1399/Unr): $700-400-200-100. Class E (Under
1200/Unr): $400-300-200-100. Rated players may play up one section.
Unrated prize limit $100 E, $200 D, $300 C, $400 B, $500 A. Top 5 sections
NATIONAL OPEN
June 11-13 or June 12-13
Las Vegas
INTERNATIONAL CHESS
FESTIVAL
www.VegasChessFestival.com
uschess.org
EF: 3-day $88, 2-day $87 mailed by 4/15, all $89 online at chesstour.com by
4/20, $90 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 4/20 (entry only, no questions), $100 at
site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special EF for all in Class E Section
and unrated in Class C or D: all $40 less. Special Radisson entry fee: $20
less if staying at Radisson with chess rate 4/24 (limit one deduction per guest
room). All: TCA memb. required for TN residents. GMs free, $70 deducted
from prize. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- online
at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult
$40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry $50; not available in Master Section. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise
unrated. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun
9 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun
9-3:15. Bye: all, Master-Expert must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3.
HR: $92-92, 615-889-0800, 800-395-7046, ask for chess rate, reserve by 4/9
or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633.
Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied. Ent: Continental Chess, Box
249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chess-
tour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Apr. 29-May 27, Pennsylvania
2010 Hatboro Open
5-SS, 40/90, G/1.Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 151 W. County Line Road
(near Blair Mill Road), Hatboro 19040. $$950 b/30. In one section: $400-200,
U1900 $100, U1700 $100, U1500 $100, Upset Prize $50. EF: $30 if postmarked
by 4/8, $35 at site, $5 less to Chaturanga CC members. Write checks to Chat-
uranga Chess Club. Reg.: 7-7:20pm. Rds.: 7:30pm each Thursday. Bye: limit
1, any round, must request before Round 3 starts. Ent/Info: Jorge Amador, POB
387, Forest Grove, PA 18922, (215) 794-8368, chaturanga@verizon.net. NS, NC,
W. WCL JGP.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 30 (enhanced)
April 30-May 2 or May 1-2, Vermont
21st annual Vermont Resort Open
5 SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Lake Morey Resort, 1 Clubhouse
Rd., Fairlee, VT 05045 (I-91 to Exit 15; less than a mile to the resort on Lake
Morey Rd). 2 1/2 hours from Boston or Hartford, 1 hour 45 minutes from Man-
chester, NH, 20 minutes from Dartmouth College. 600 acre lake with boating,
indoor pool, health club, tennis, basketball, biking, hiking, etc. $4000 guaran-
teed prizes. In 5 sections. Open: $500-300-200, top Under 2200/Unr $350-150.
FIDE. Under 2000: $400-200-100. Under 1800: $400-200-100. Under 1600:
$300-150-100. Under 1400: $300-150-100. Unrated may enter any section but
may not win over $80 in U1400, $160 in U1600 or $240 in U1800. EF: 3-day $73,
2-day $72 mailed by 4/22, all $75 online at chesstour.com by 4/28, $80 phoned
to 406-896-2038 by 4/28 (entry only, no questions), $85 at site. $50 less to
unrated. No checks at site, credit cards OK. GMs free; $60 deducted from prize.
Re-entry $40, not available in Open. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess
Life if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20.
Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. 3-day schedule: Reg.
ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 9 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg
ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30, 6, Sun 9 & 3:15. Half point byes OK all,
limit 2; must commit before rd 2. HR: $85-85-95, 800-423-1211, 802-333-
4311, reserve by 4/16 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600,
AWD D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continen-
tal Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: 845-496-9658,
www.chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. May ratings used. Advance
entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
An American Classic!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 300 (enhanced)
May 27-31, 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31, Illinois
19th annual Chicago Open
Open Section, May 27-31: 9SS, 40/2, SD/1, GM & IM norms possible. Under
1300 to Under 2100, May 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day
option, rds 1-2 G/75; 2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/40). Under 1000, May 30-31:
7SS, G/40. Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave.,
Wheeling, IL 60090 (from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwau-
kee, I-94 east to Lake Cook Rd to US-45 south.) Free parking. $100,000 guar-
anteed prize fund. In 7 sections. Open: $10000-5000-2500-1200-1000-700-600-
500-400-400, clear winner bonus $200, FIDE 2300-2449 $3000-1500- 700,
FIDE Under 2300/Unr $3000-1500-700. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play
speed game for title & bonus. FIDE rated. Under 2100, Under 1900, Under
1700: each $5000-3000-2000-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300. Under 1500,
Under 1300: $4000-2000-1500-1000-700-500-400-300-300-300. Under 1000:
$1000-600-400-300-300-300-200-200-200-200. Prize limits: 1) Players with
under 26 lifetime games rated through 5/10 list may not win over $500 U1000,
$1500 U1300 or $2500 U1500. Games rated too late for 5/10 list not counted.
2) If more than 30 points over section maximum on any list 5/09-4/10, prize
limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $200 in
U1000, $400 U1300, $800 U1500, $1200 U1700, $1600 U1900 or $2000 U2100.
Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if oth-
erwise unrated. 4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line.
Mailed EF: 5-day (Open only) $200, 4-day $199, 3-day $198, 2-day $197
mailed by 3/15; 5-day $220, 4-day $219, 3-day $218, 2-day $217 mailed by 5/19;
all $250 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online EF at chess-
tour.com: $203 by 3/15, $223 by 5/24, $250 after 5/24 until 2 hours before rd
1. Phone EF at 406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions): $205 by 3/15, $225
by 5/24 (entry only, no questions). No phone entry after 5/24. GMs, foreign
IMs, foreign WGMs free; $150 deducted from prize. US WGMs $100; $120
deducted from prize. Special EF: $50 less to unrated in U1000 to U2100 sec-
tion. $70 less to rated seniors 65/over in U1300 & above sections. Under 1000
EF: $82 if mailed by 5/19, $83 online at chesstour.com by 5/24, $85 phoned
to 406-896-2038 by 5/24 (entry only, no questions), $100 at site. No checks at
site, credit cards OK. ICA membership ($15, scholastic $10) required for rated
Illinois residents. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry:
Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or paid
at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from Open Sec-
tion to Open Section. 5-day schedule (Open only): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds
Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 4-day sched-
ule (U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, Rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11
& 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: (U1300 to U2100): Reg. ends Sat 10 am,
Rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U1300 to
U2100): Reg. ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. Above
schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under 1000 schedule: Reg.
ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45, Mon. 10, 12, 2. Byes: OK all, limit 4
(limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Hotel
rates: $98-98-98-98, 800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 5/14 or rate may
increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online
through chesstour.com. Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to
FIDE, 100 to FQE, 200/more to most other foreign, no pts added to CFC or
Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U1900 or below. Highest of mul-
tiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings
may be expelled. US player ratings: May official ratings used; May FIDE rat-
ings used for Open Section. Special rules: 1) Players must submit to a search
for electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 3 or after, players with
scores of 80% or over and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones,
cellphones, or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission.
Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: 845-
Chess Life January 2010 59
 Tournament Life
496-9658, www.chesstour.com. You may request lowest possible section if
May rating unknown. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be
posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP (except U1000).
A Heritage Event!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
June 11-13 or 12-13, Nevada
2010 National Open
See Nationals.
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 150 (enhanced)
June 25-29, Pennsylvania
4th annual Philadelphia International
9SS, 40/2, SD/1. Valley Forge Convention Center (and Scanticon & Radisson
Hotels), 1160 1st Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406. Free parking. $$G 7000:
$2000-1200-800-600-400-300-200, top FIDE under 2300 or unrated $1000-500.
Minimum prize $600 to foreign GMs who complete all games with no byes, $300
to foreign IMs & foreign WGMs who complete all games with no byes. IM &
GM norms possible; FIDE rated. EF: Free to GMs, foreign IMs, foreign WGMs;
$100 deducted from prize of US GMs. Foreign FIDE rated players $115 mailed
by 6/16, $117 online by 6/23, $125 phoned by 6/23 (406-896-2038, payment
only, no questions), $150 at tmt. USA FIDE 2100/up rated players: $215 mailed
by 6/16, $217 online by 6/23, $225 phoned by 6/23, $250 at tmt. Others: $315
mailed by 6/16, $317 online by 6/23, $325 phoned by 6/23, $350 at tmt. All:
No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life:
see World Open. Schedule: Late reg. ends Thu 10 am, rds Thu through Sun 11
& 6, Mon 11.Two half point byes available (must commit before rd 2); norm not
possible if taking bye. HR: $99-99, 610-337-2000, reserve by 6/5 or rate may
increase. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. Ent: Continen-
tal Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for
refunds. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. Advance entries
posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.
A Heritage Event!
An American Classic!
World Chess Live Grand Prix Points: 300 (enhanced)
June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, Pennsylvania
38th Annual World Open
9 SS, 40/2, SD/1 (4-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, 3-day option, rds 1-5 G/45), Open
Section plays 5-day July 1-5 or 7-day June 29-July 5 only. Under 900/Unr Sec-
tion plays separate 3-day schedule July 3-5 only, G/45. Valley Forge
Convention Plaza (and Scanticon & Radisson Hotels), 1160 1st Ave., King
of Prussia, PA 19406. Free parking. 20 miles west of Philadelphia (PA Turnpike
to I-76 East to Exit 327, right on N Gulph Rd, right on 1st Ave, or from Philadel-
phia, I-76 West to Exit 328B-A, right on Mall Blvd, right on N. Gulph Rd., right
on 1st Ave.). For shuttle info from Philadelphia Airport or 30th St train station,
call 800-559-2040 or 215-616-5370. All play in same room (brightly lighted exhibit
hall with capacity 1800 players). Radisson and Scanticon hotels are connected
to Convention Plaza. Prizes $250,000 based on 1100 paid entries (seniors, re-
entries, U1200 Section, GMs, WGMs count as 50% entries, rated players in U900
as 25% entries, Unrated in U900 or U1400 not counted), $175,000 minimum
(70% of each prize) guaranteed. Free analysis of your games by GM Sam
60 Chess Life January 2010
Palatnik; free GM lectures 9 am 7/3 & 7/4. In 9 sections (Unrated eligible only
for Open, Under 2400, Under 1400 or Under 900). Open: $20000-10000-5000-
2500-1200-1000-800-700-600-500, clear winner bonus $200, top FIDE U2500
$2000-1000. If tie for first, top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 11:30 pm 7/5
for title & bonus prize. GM & IM norms possible. FIDE rated. Under 2400/Unr:
$13000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600- 500, top U2300 $2000-1000.
IM norms may be possible. FIDE rated. Under 2200: $13000-7000-3000-
2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U2100 $2000-1000. Under 2000:
$13000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1900 $2000-1000.
Under 1800: $13000-7000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top U1700
$2000-1000. Under 1600: $12000-6000-3000-2000-1000-900-800-700-600-
500, top U1500 $2000-1000. Under 1400/Unr: $10000-5000-2500-1200-1000-
900-800-700-600-500, top U1300 $1500-800, top Unrated $200-100, no unrated
may win over $400. Unrateds may be paired against each other in later rounds,
even with different scores. Under 1200: $5000-2500-1200-1000-800-700-
600-500-400-300, top U1050 $1000-500. Under 900/Unr: $1000-600-400-
300-300-300-200-200-200-200, no unrated may win over $200. Prize limits:
1) Players with under 26 games played as of 7/10 list may not win over $500
in U900, $1500 in U1200, $3000 U1400 or U1600. Games rated too late for 7/10
list not counted. 2) Players with official rating more than 30 points over sec-
tion maximum any month 7/09-6/10 have a prize limit of $2000. 3) Balance of
any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. EF, if mailed by 2/17: 7-day
$307, 5-day $305, 4-day $304, 3-day $303. Mailed by 5/15: 7-day $317, 5-day
$315, 4-day $314, 3-day $313. Mailed by 6/18: 7-day $327, 5-day $325, 4-day
$324, 3-day $323. At site: All $350; no checks, credit cards OK. Online entry
at chesstour.com: $310 by 2/17, $320 by 5/15, $330 by 6/24, $350 after 6/24
until 2 hours before rd 1. Phone entry at 406-896-2038: $315 by 2/17, $325
by 5/15, $335 by 6/24 (entry only, no questions). No phone entries after 6/24.
GMs free; $200 EF deducted from prize. WGMs $100; $150 EF deducted from
prize. EF $150 less to all in U1200 Section and rated seniors over 65 in Under
1400 & above. Under 900/Unr Section EF: $78 if mailed by 6/17, $80 online
at chesstour.com by 6/24, $85 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 6/24 (entry only, no
questions), $100 at site. Special EF to unrated in U900 or U1400 Sections:
$28 mailed by 6/17, $30 online at chesstour.com by 6/24, $35 phoned to 406-
896-2038 by 6/24 (entry only, no questions), $40 at site. No checks at site;
credit cards OK. Re-entry: $160, no re-entry from Open to Open. $20 fee for
switching section after 6/30. Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid
with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed,
phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. 5-day schedule: Thu 7 pm,
Fri 11 am & 6 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 11 am & 6 pm, Mon 10 am & 5 pm.
7-day schedule: Tue-Thu each 7 pm, Fri-Sat each 6 pm, Sun 11 am & 6 pm,
Mon 10 am & 5 pm. 4-day schedule: Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 &
6, Mon 10 & 5. 3-day schedule: Sat 11, 1:30, 3:30, 6 & 8:30, Sun 11 & 6, Mon
10 & 5. All schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under 900/Unr
schedule: Sat 1:30, 3:30 & 6, Sun 11, 1:30, 3:30 & 6, Mon 10 & 12:30. Half
point byes OK all, limit 4 (limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd
2, others before rd 5. Entries, re-entries close 1 hour before your first game.
Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. HR: Scanticon or
Radisson $99-99, 610-337-2000, 888-267-1500 ask for chess rate, may sell out
about May 25, two night minimum July 3-4. Backup hotel: Dolce (formerly Hilton),
$99-99, 610-337-1200 ask for chess rate. Special car rental rates: Avis,
800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com.
Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 pts added to FIDE (except Open Section),
100 to FQE, 200 or more to most foreign, no pts added to CFC, Puerto Rico or
Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U2000 or below. Highest of mul-
tiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings
may be expelled. US player ratings: Official JULY ratings used; FIDE ratings
(May list) used for Open Section only. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on
4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules: 1) Play-
ers must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested by Director. In
round 3 or after, players with scores over 80% and their opponents may not
use headphones, earphones, cellphones or go to a different floor of the hotel
without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills,
NY 12577. Questions: www.chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. You may request
lowest possible section if July rating unknown. $15 service charge for
refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Bring set, board, clock
if possible- none supplied. WCL JGP (except U900).
Regional
Alabama
Jan. 16, MLK Scholastic
5SS, TC: G/40, Kingwood Christian School, 1351 Royalty Dr, Alabaster,
AL 35007. RATED: (K-12), (K-6); (K-3) EF: $20 and NOT RATED: (K-6) and
(K-3) - EF: $10, If mailed by JAN 9th; $30/$20 at site. Trophy: Top 3;
Medals 4th-6th and Team Top 2 ea section. Rds.: 9-10:30-12:30-2, 3:30.
Checks payable to: Caesar Chess. ENT: Caesar Chess LLC, 4524 Southlake Park-
way, Suite 34 PMB 310, Birmingham, AL 35244. Info: info@caesarchess.com.
Feb. 6-7, Queen of Hearts - 38th Annual
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 23-25 or 24-25, 9th Southern Class Championships (TN)
See Grand Prix.
Arizona
Every Friday - Friday Night Action
SS G/30, Every Friday, Rounds 7, 8, 9, 10pm. Chess Emporium, 10801 N. 32nd
St., Phoenix, AZ 85029. EF: $35. 82% prize fund. ChessEmporium.com. 602-482-
4867.
Every Tuesday - Tuesday Night Action
SS 45/2 SD/1, 1 round every Tuesday of the month at 7pm. Registration first
Tues. of month. Chess Emporium, 10801 N 32nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85029. EF: $35.
60% prize fund. ChessEmporium.com. 602-482-4867. WCL JGP.
Jan. 22-24 or 23-24, Tucson Open and Scholastics
See Grand Prix.
uschess.org
Mar. 12-14 or 13-14, 17th annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
May 29-31, 2010 U.S. Amateur West Championship
See Nationals.
California Northern
Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, Golden State Open
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 23, Visalia Chess for Kids
Freedom Elementary, 575 E. Citrus, Farmersville, CA 93223. In 3 Sections, 9-
12: 5SS, Game/30, 7-8: 5SS, Game/30, K-6: 5SS, Game/30, ALL: EF: $13
pre-registered by mail or fax; $20 at the door. Individual and Team Trophies.
Reg.: 8:30-9:20 AM. Rds.: Games start at 10; Rounds thereafter ASAP. ENT:
Chess for Kids, PO Box 27, Visalia, CA 93279. Fax 559-636-8045 Sequoiachess@
sbcglobal.net. INFO: Allan Fifield 559-734-2784; Cell 559-967-3379.
http://SequoiaChess.Com. Event includes Non Rated K-3 and 4-6 sections.
Food & chess vendor at site. NS W.
Feb. 14, CalNorth Youth Chess Age Level Championships
San Mateo Marriott, 1770 South Amphlett Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94402. Room
Rate is $89. A $15 rebate from the tournament will be provided for hotel guests
reducing the room cost to $74. Free shuttle service from the San Francisco Air-
port. Info & Entry: Form at www.calnorthyouthchess.org/AgeLevel2010. Open
to 4 through 13 year olds who are USCF members. Competition by age not grade.
Minimum of eight trophies to winners of each age group + a special 4 through
9 open group with longer time controls. Ages 4-5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Game/30, 5 Rds.:
Ages 10, 11, 12, 13 + Open 4 to 9 Game/60, 4 Rds. Club/SchoolTeam trophies.
Chess medals to all who do not win a place trophy. Info: Alan M. Kirshner, Ph.D.,
Alan@CalNorthYouthChess.org, (510) 659-0358.
Mar. 12-14 or 13-14, 17th annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
California Southern
LA Chess Club
90211. Prizes: Trophies, medals, & gift certificates. Reg.: 12-12:45 pm.
Rounds: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 pm. Complimentary Lecture 11- 12 pm. Lunch: $5 Pizza
& Soda. Web Site: www.bhchessclub.com. Info: Robert Minoofar, 888-91-
CHESS, 888-912-4377 or email us: bhchessclub@hotmail.com.
Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, LACC LA Masters G/15 (QC)
5SS, G/15. LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Floor. 4 blocks 405
West. EF: $30 ($20 LACC memb). Reg.: 6-6:30 pm. Rds.: 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30.
Prizes: 3/4 EF. Q-rated. Free BOA or street parking; or underground ($3).
Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, LACC Saturday G/60
3SS, G/60. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks W 405. EF: $20
($15 LACC memb). Reg.: 11:30-12 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4. Prizes: 1/2 EF. Parking:
2 Free lots SW of S. Monica/Purdue; or underground ($3). Info: (310) 795-5710
or www.LAChessClub.com.
Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, LACC Saturday Nite Double Blitz G/5 (QC)
5DSS, G/5 (10 Games). LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4
blks W 405. EF: $10. Q-rated. Reg.: 9-9:30 pm. Rds.: 9:30, 9:50, 10:10, 10:30,
10:50 pm. Prizes: 1/2 EF. Free BOA or street parking; or underground ($3).
Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, LACC Junior Grand Prix Sunday Scholastics
5SS, G/30. LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blocks 405
West. EF: $25 ($20 LACC memb, Free for new LACC memb). Reg.: 12-1 pm. Rds.:
1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Prizes: A Disney prize for each player and top 10 qualify for the
Junior Grand Prix with trophies, medals distributed at the end of the month.
Free BOA or street parking; or underground ($3). Free refreshments. Free class
(12-1 pm). Info: (310) 795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com.
Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, LACC Sunday G/60
3SS, G/60. LACC, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blocks 405
West. EF: $20 ($15 LACC memb). Reg.: 11:30-12 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4. Free BOA
or street parking. Info: (310) 795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com.
Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, Golden State Open (CA-N)
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 23-24, Orange County Open
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 24, Beverly Hills Sunday Scholastic Tournament (K-12)
Jan. 31, 2010 Westwood Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 6 & 20, Beverly Hills SATURDAY Scholastic Tournament (K-12)
5SS, G/30. BHCC, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. EF:
$20 if received one week in advance, $25 after, $30 at site (Siblings $5 off). Mail
checks to Beverly Hills Chess Club. Prizes:Trophies, medals, & gift cert. Reg.:
12-12:45 pm. Rnds.: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 pm. Comp. Lecture 11-12 pm. Lunch: $5
Pizza & Soda. www.bhchessclub.com. Info: Robert Minoofar, 888-91-CHESS
(24377), or 310-274-7873, bhchessclub@hotmail.com.
Feb. 13-15, 27th Annual U.S. Amateur Team West
See Nationals.
Feb. 15, 13th Annual Southern California Scholastic Amateur Team
4-SS, SD/45. Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA
91367. Four-player teams plus optional alternate, Grade 12/below, average rat-
ing of four highest must be U1200. (Dec. 2009 rating list used, Feb. 2010 used
for previously unrated players.) EF: $75 per team received by 2/12, $85 at site.
Trophies (team & individual) to top 3 teams, top U1000, U800, U400/unr. Reg.:
9:00-10 a.m. Rds.: 10:30-1-2:45-4:30. Info, help in forming teams: schol-
team@westernchess.com. Web site, advance entry list: www.westernchess.
com. HR: $119, 800-228-9290, ask for Western Chess. Reserve by Jan. 20 or
rates may go up. Parking $6. Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Place
#1A, Los Angeles, CA 90038. NS, NC, W.
Feb. 15, AT HEXES
3-SS, G/90. Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA
91367. Six-player sections by rating. EF: $20 if rec. by 2-12, $25 door. $$40-
20-10 each section. Reg.: 9:30-10:15 a.m. Rds.: 10:30-1:30-4:30. Ent: SCCF,
c/o John Hillery, 835 N. Wilton Place #1A, Los Angeles, CA 90038, on line at
www.westernchess.com.
Feb. 21, Beverly Hills AFTERNOON Blitz Tournament (QC)
5 DSS, G/5 Q-Rated. BHCC, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA
90211. EF: $10 if received one week in advance, $15 after, $20 at site (Mem-
bers $5 off). Mail checks to Beverly Hills Chess Club. Prizes: 80% of EF ($100
Guaranteed) 1st/2nd/3rd: 40%,25%,15%. Reg.: 1-1:30 pm. Rnds.: Starts at

www.LAChessClub.com. Saturdays: 10AM-10 PM (Class

5 SS, G/30. BHCC, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, BH, 90211. EF: $20 if received 2 pm. Free Parking. www.bhchessclub.com. Info: Robert Minoofar, 888-91-CHESS

& 3 Tournaments). Sundays: 12-6 & 1-5 PM (Adult &

one week in advance, $25 after, $30 at site (Siblings $5 off) Mail checks to (24377), or 310-274-7873, bhchessclub@hotmail.com.

Junior Tournaments). Tuesdays: 7:30-9:30 PM (Inter-

Beverly Hills Chess Club, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA
Feb. 28, Beverly Hills SUNDAY Scholastic Tournament (K-12)
mediate/Advanced Lecture). 11514 Santa Monica Blvd.,
90211. Prizes: Trophies, medals, & gift certificates. Reg.: 12-12:45 pm.
5SS, G/30. BHCC, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. EF:
Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 795-5710. (4 blocks 405
Rounds: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 pm. Complimentary Lecture 11- 12 pm. Lunch: $5 Pizza

West, Santa Monica& Butler, 2nd Floor). Private (1:1) Les-

& Soda. Web Site: www.bhchessclub.com. Info: Robert Minoofar, 888-91- $20 if received one week in advance, $25 after, $30 at site (Siblings $5 off). Mail

sons, Group Classes, Tournaments.

Jan. 2 & 16, Beverly Hills Saturday Scholastic Tournament (K-12)
5 SS, G/30. BHCC, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, BH, 90211. EF: $20 if received
one week in advance, $25 after, $30 at site (Siblings $5 off) Mail checks to
Beverly Hills Chess Club, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #210, Beverly Hills, CA
CHESS, 888-912-4377 or email us: bhchessclub@hotmail.com.
Jan. 30, Joshua Tree Chess Fest
4SS, G/60, T/D:0. Reg.: 8-9:15. Rnds.: 9:30, 11:45, 2:45, 5:00. Faith Lutheran
Church, 6336 Hallee Rd., Joshua Tree. (2 blks N. of Hwy 62), EF: $30. Prizes:
70% EF. Info and Ent: Mark Muller, P.O. Box 502, 29 Palms, CA 92277 (760)367-
2311, Email: muller29@roadrunner.com. NS, NC, W.
checks to Beverly Hills Chess Club. Prizes:Trophies, medals, & gift cert. Reg.:
12-12:45 pm. Rnds.: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 pm. Comp. Lecture 11-12 pm. Lunch: $5
Pizza & Soda. www.bhchessclub.com. Info: Robert Minoofar, 888-91-CHESS
(24377), or 310-274-7873, bhchessclub@hotmail.com.
Mar. 12-14 or 13-14, 17th annual Western Class Championships
See Grand Prix.

ACTIVITY MEANS MEMBERS

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SPECIAL CATEGORIES QUALIFY FOR FREE TLAS! Each
affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month of up to 8 lines
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higher minimum age.
NEW CATEGORY! UNRATEDS FREE. Any tournament
that offers free entry to unrated players. If your prizes
are based on entries, say paid entries.
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at least two USCF membership renewal prizes, or a quad
that offers at least one per section.
CHESS CLUB SPECIAL. A tournament playing only on
one or more weekday evenings.
RBO. Open to Under 1200/Unr or Under 1000/Unr.Tourna-
ment name must include Rated Beginners Open or RBO.
BLITZ. Time control of Game/5. TLAs such as USCF-
rated Blitz every Friday 7 pm are accepted.
COLLEGIATE. A tournament limited to college students.
JUNIOR. For age 20/below (age 20 must be eligible).
NON-SCHOLASTIC WITH SCHOLASTIC. A tournament
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tic tournament that in its previous year drew at least 50
players. We encourage organizers of scholastics to hold
open or collegiate events on the side.
SPECIAL RATES FOR CLUB ADS. Up to 5 lines $180 per
year, $100 for 6 months for unchanged club ads in the TLA
section. Announce meeting dates & times, activities, con-
tact info, etc.
USCF DISCUSSION GROUPS. See www.uschess.org/
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for $29 and give online-only access to Chess Life and a
mailed TLA Newsletter (bi-monthly). (Note to affiliates: If
you collect a $49 membership, you may submit it online to
USCF for $42, in effect creating a $7 commission. If you
submit it by mail or phone the affiliate commission is $3.)

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 61

 Tournament Life

Colorado
Jan. 21, January 2010 G/29 Grand Prix Event Greeley (QC)
Part of the Colorado G/29 Grand Prix, not a USCF GP Event. 3SS, G/29, no
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
3 only, no last round byes. Info:Tom Hartmayer, 860-989-5394, tomhart3@ char-
ter.net. WCL JGP.
12:30 - 3:30. This tournament determines the DC Scholastic male and female
Champions. Other 4 Sections TC: G/30 with all games played on Saturday. Info:
(202) 857-4922. www.chessctr.org/DCJunior.php. WCL JGP.
Feb. 20, Newtown Dead-of-Winter G/30
Feb. 13-14, Kingstowne Chess Festival (VA)
CH Booth Library, 25 Main St., 3rd Fl., Newtown, CT 06470, 100 yds. south of

delay. One Section, Accelerated Pairings with more than 12 entries. EF: $3.
Prizes: 100% minus USCF rating fee. (70% for tourney prizes, rest to Grand
Prix Prize Fund.) Reg.: 6:30-7:00pm onsite only, e-mail if you intend to come.
Rds.: 7pm, 8pm, 9pm. Site: Zachariahs Food Court, University of Northern Col-
orado campus, Greeley, Colorado, 80631. For Info: Lee Lahti, Phone:
970-372-8590, E-Mail: fc-chess@comcast.net.
A Heritage Event!
Jan. 30-31, Loveland Open
4SS, 40/2, SD/1. Larimer County Fairgrounds, 1st Nat. Bank Exhib. Hall, 5280
Arena Cir., Loveland, CO 80538. 2 sections: Open: open to all; Santa Fe: open
to U1610 & unr. EF: $35 ($30 if recd by 1/28). Jr., Sr., unr $7 discount. Prizes:
based on entries. Reg.: 8-9:30 AM. Rds.: 10-4, 9-3. State memb. reqd, $15,
OSA. Adv. Ent: Randy Reynolds, 1839 Thyme Ct., Ft. Collins, CO 80528.
randy_teyana@msn.com. Colorado Tour Event. NC, NS, W. WCL JGP.
Connecticut
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, 10th Nick Stevens Memorial
4-SS, G/90. UCONN Castleman Building, Room 206, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs,
CT 06269. EF: $10, students free. Reg.: 7:15-7:30 PM. Rds.: 7:30 PM. $$
50%-30%-20% net proceeds from EFs. 1/2 point byes available in rounds 1-
3 only, no last round byes. Info: Tom Hartmayer, 860-989-5394, tomhart3@
charter.net. WCL JGP.
Flagpole on Rte.25. 3SS or 3RR, depending on number of entries and ratings,
G/30, Prizes: $75 = 1st each quad or section, $40 = 2nd if Swiss. Rds.: 1:15,
and as available thereafter. EF: $20 at door only. Reg.: 12:30-1. Info: licensin-
gagent@yahoo.com. Check website in case of inclement weather: newtown
chessclub.wetpaint.com. NS, NC, W. Space is limited, arrive early.
Feb. 26-28, 4th annual Saratoga Open (NY)
See Grand Prix or www.chesstour.com.
Feb. 27-28, New York State Scholastics (out of state welcome)
See New York.
Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, 19th annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 25, Apr. 1, 8, 15, UCONN Chess Club Championship 2010
4-SS, G/90. UCONN Castleman Building, Room 206, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs,
CT 06269. EF: $20, students free. Reg.: 7:15-7:30 PM. Rds.: 7:30 PM. $$
35%-30%,Top U-1600 20%-15% net proceeds from EFs.Trophy toTop Student.
1/2 point byes available in rounds 1-3 only, no last round byes. Info:Tom Hart-
mayer, 860-989-5394, tomhart3@charter.net. WCL JGP.
Apr. 16-18 or 17-18, Hartford Open
See Grand Prix.
See Grand Prix.
Florida
Boca Raton Chess Club
Friday nights, Game 90 Tournament, one game a week for 4 weeks.
www.bocachess.com, 561-883-2917. WCL JGP.
Palm Beach Gardens Chess Club
Meets every Saturday 9 am till 4 pm. 4-SS Rated Games G/75 or G/120 (WCL
JGP). Also, Scholastic Games G/30, 4-SS. For more info: see www.palmbeach
chessclub.info or call President/TD John Dockery at 561-762-3377.
Jan. 9, Feb. 6, Mar. 6, Apr. 3, May 1, $500 Guar. Cash Opens
5rd Swiss, G/30. EF: $25; $30 at door. SPCC mems $5 off. $100-$60-$40;
U1600, U1400, & U1200 $50-$30-$20 each. 1st rd 10:15 AM. Sunshine Cen-
ter, 330 Fifth St. N., St. Pete. NC, W. prereg at www.stpetersburgchessclub.com.
727-822-1171.
Jan. 9, Feb. 6, Mar. 6, Apr. 3, May 1 St. Petersburg Rated Beginners
Opens (RBOs)
5rd Swiss, G/30. USCF RBO 4 Sect. K-2U400; K-5U500; K-8U700; & K-12U1000;
top 12 in each get trophy (all K-2 get trophy) all others medal.Team (2 or more)
- best four scores from all divisions trophy to top 12. EF: $18. SPCC mems $15.

Jan. 16, Newtown Winter G/30

CH Booth Library, 25 Main St., 3rd Fl., Newtown, CT 06470, 100 yds. south of
Flagpole on Rte. 25. 3SS or 3RR, depending on number of entries and ratings,
G/30, Prizes: $40 = 1st each quad or section, $20 = 2nd if Swiss. Rds.: 1:15,
and as available thereafter. EF: $10 at door only. Reg.: 12:30-1. Info: licensin-
gagent@yahoo.com. Check website in case of inclement weather: newtown
chessclub.wetpaint.com. Arrive early, space is limited. NS, NC, W.
Feb. 4, UCONN Open House & Winter Blitz Championship (QC)
Format TBD b/attendance, G/5, 2. UCONN Castleman Building, Room 206,
261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs, CT 06269. EF: $5, students free. Reg.: 7:15-7:30 PM.
Rds.: 7:30 PM. $$ 50%-30%-20% net proceeds from EFs. Pizza & refreshments,
used book sale. Info: Tom Hartmayer, 860-989-5394, tomhart3@charter.net.
Feb. 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, UCONN Winter Tune Up 2010
4-SS, G/90. UCONN Castleman Building, Room 206, 261 Glenbrook Rd., Storrs,
CT 06269. EF: $10, students free. Reg.: 7:15-7:30 PM. Rds.: 7:30 PM. $$
50%-30%-20% net proceeds from EFs. 1/2 point byes available in rounds 1-
Delaware
Jan. 9, Greater Cherry Hill Chess Quads
See New Jersey.
Jan. 23, 4th Sat. of the Month Quad
Howard Johnsons Hotel, 1119 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19713. (time con-
trols:40/75, s/d 30) EF: $20. $$GTD: $40. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rds.: 9:45-1:45-5:30.
ENT: Kevin Pytel, 604 N. Walnut St., Newport, DE 19804-2624 302-753-6877.
KevinJPytel@aol.com. INFO: Email is the best way to contact me. NS, W.
District of Columbia
Jan. 16-17, DC Junior Open
U.S. Chess Center, 1501 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Open to all under
age 21. 4-SS. EF: $15 if by 1/9, $20 at door. 5 Sections, Under Age 21, Under
Age 21 and rated Under 1200, Under Age 13, Under Age 13 and rated Under
900, Under Age 13 and rated Under 600. $100 Savings Bond prize forTeen Cham-
pion. Trophies in all sections. Reg.: 12-12:45. Top Section: G/90. Rds.: 1 - 4,
1st rd 10:15 AM. Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg, FL. NC, W.
pregister online at www.stpetersburgchessclub.com. 727-822-1171.
Jan. 15-17 or 16-17, Central Florida Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 30, January OCG Quick-Rated Swiss Madness (QC)
7SS G/29 (USCF Quick-Rated). Reg.: 9:15-9:45am. Rds.: 10-11-12:30-1:30-2:30-
3:30-4:30. Ent: $30, OCG Mem: $24. PF-b/30: $175-125-100-75, Lower Half
Crosstable: $75-50. Info: www.orlandochess.com, 407-248-0818.
Jan. 30-31, North Florida Classic Chess Championships
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 12-14 or 13-14, 2010 U.S. Amateur Team South
See Nationals.
Feb. 20, Palm Beach Day Academy Scholastic
Located at 1901 South Flagler Drive, WPB, Fl. 33401. K-12, 5 Divisions, 5-SS,
G/30, Saturday, 2/20/10. Trophies for Top 5 Players and Top 5 Teams in each

GOLD AFFILIATES GOLD & SILVER AFFILIATES

Cajun Chess Jersey Shore High School San Diego Chess Club GOLD
Any affiliate that has submitted at least 50
7230 Chadbourne Drive Chess League 2225 Sixth Avenue
USCF memberships during the current or
New Orleans, LA 70126 PO Box 773, Lincroft, NJ 07738 San Diego, CA 92101
previous calendar year, or is the recognized
504-208-9596 jbart1517@yahoo.com 619-239-7166
cajunchess@yahoo.com chucnglo@aol.com State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Gold
Affiliate. Gold Affiliates are honored in a spe-
New Jersey State Chess Federation
www.cajunchess.com http://sdchessclub.multiply.com
cial list in larger type in Tournament Life each
c/o Roger Inglis

month, giving the affiliate name, address,

Chess Club and Scholastic 49-A Mara Rd. Tri-State Chess

phone number, e-mail address, and website.

Center of St. Louis Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034 288 Third Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Gold Affiliation costs $350 per year, and exist-

4657 Maryland Avenue 973-263-8696, rwij@njoychess.com 1-888-CHESS-35

ing affiliates may substract $3 for each month

St. Louis, MO 63108. 314-361-CHESS www.njscf.org MKurtzman@TriStateChess.com,
info@stlouischessclub.org
remaining on their regular affiliation, or $20
www.TriStateChess.com
www.stlouischessclub.org PaperClip Pairings
for each month remaining on their Silver Affil-
c/o J. Houghtaling Jr & Remy Ferrari Unity Chess Club
iation. As of August 6, 2007, by paying an
Continental Chess 6005 Forest Blvd 9375 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 100
Association Brownsville, TX 78526 Office 136, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, annual payment of $500 (instead of $350),
956-459-2421 480-949-5464 (KING)
NY 12577. 845-496-9658 Gold Affiliate status may be obtained with no
jejrhoughtaling@bisd.us info@unitychess.com, unitychess.com
chesstour@aol.com minimum requirement for memberships sub-
www.chesstour.com Renaissance Knights Western PA Youth Chess Club mitted.
Chess Foundation Attn: Jerry Meyers
En Passant Chess Club PO Box 1074 4101 Windsor Street SILVER
Any affiliate that has submitted at least 25
1301 North Shore Drive Northbrook, IL 60065 Pittsburgh, PA 15217
USCF memberships during the current or
San Benito, TX 78586 773-844-0701 412-422-1770
previous calendar year, or is the recognized
956-399-9724 renknights@aol.com catnipper99@yahoo.com
State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Silver
edguetzow@sbcglobal.net www.renaissanceknights.org www.youthchess.net
Affiliate. These affiliates will be recognized
in a special list in Tournament Life each
month, giving the affiliate name, state, and
SILVER AFFILIATES choice of either phone number, e-mail
address, or website. Silver Affiliation costs
$150 per year, and existing affiliates may
Chess Center of New York (NY) Long Island Chess Nuts (NY) Oklahoma Chess Foundation

subtract $3 for each month remaining on

www.chesscenter.cc 516-739-3907 www.OKchess.org
Indiana State Chess Association Marshall Chess Club (NY) Orange Crush Chess Club (IN) their regular affiliation. As of August 6, 2007,
www.indianachess.org www.marshallchessclub.org akakarpov@att.net by paying an annual payment of $250.00
International Chess Academy (NJ) Michigan Chess Association Sparta Chess Club (NJ) (instead of $150), Silver Affiliate status may be
www.icanj.net www.michess.org www.spartachessclub.org obtained with no minimum requirement for
memberships submitted.

62 Chess Life January 2010 uschess.org

Division. For more info: see www.palmbeachchessclub.info or call Presi-
dent/TD John Dockery at 561-762-3377.
Feb. 27-28, Central Florida Chess Club Championship
See Grand Prix.
June 25-29, 4th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Idaho
Jan. 15-16, Ogden Airport Chess Odyssey (UT)
See Utah.
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 13-15, 2010 Idaho State Closed Championship
IDAHO RESIDENTS ONLY! Boise State University (BSU) Student Union Building,
1910 University Dr., Boise, Idaho 83725. 6SS, 30/120, SD/60. Rounds: 9, 4,
9:30, 4, 8, 3. One 1/2 point bye, rounds 1-5, must commit before 2nd rnd pair-
ings. Chk in & Reg: 7am-8am, Sat., Feb 13. Those not Reg. by 8am may not
be paired in 1st rnd. One Section: Open. EF: $35 (includes $10 ICA Member-
ship) by February 9, 2010. $30 (includes $10 ICA Membership) for Seniors (60+)
and Juniors (under 18) by February 9, 2010. $10 for the host BSU Chess Club
members (plus $10 ICA Membership) by February 9, 2010. $50 (includes $10
ICA Membership) for EVERYONE after February 9, 2010. Prizes: Trophies:
1st, 2nd, 3rd Overall; 1st, 2nd: Class X, A, E, F, Woman, Junior, Senior, Unrated;
1st, 2nd, 3rd: Class B, C, and D. HR/ENT/INFO: ICA % Jay Simonson, 391 Carol
Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83401, 208-206-7667, email rooknjay@yahoo.com,
www.idahochessassociation.org. NC, NS, W. WCL JGP.
Illinois
North American Chess Association
Tournaments for kids and adults of all playing strength.
Creators of the electronic scoresheet, eNotate. Monthly
FIDE title tournaments (WIM, WGM, IM). Sevan A.
Muradian, FIDE Arbiter & International Organizer.
www.nachess.org | info@nachess.org | 888.80.CHESS.
Jan. 9-10, Tim Justs Winter Open/Reserve XXIV
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 16, Gerald Anderson Memorial
4 rounds Swiss, regular rating system, G/75 with 5 second delay. Scovill Ban-
quet Facility, 3909 W. Main Street, Decatur, IL 62522. ENTRY FEE: $15 if
received by 01/15/2010, $18 at site, free to masters. PRIZES: Prizes 100% of
entry fee. 1st place: 30%, 2nd place: 20%, 3rd place: 10%, A/B: 10%, C/D: 10%,
under 1200: 10%, unrated: 5%, upset: 5%. Registration: 8 - 8:45 AM. Rounds:
9, 12, 2:45, 5:30 no state membership required. OTHER INFORMATION: half-
point bye in any round, Rd. 4 must be elected before start of Rd. 3. Website:
www.decaturchessclub.com. CONTACT FOR ADVANCE ENTRIES: Jeremy
Milligan, (217) 619-3532, Jeremy.milligan@decaturchessclub.com. WCL JGP.
Jan. 16, Swiss Tournament
4SS, G/60. Holiday Inn Hotel, 495 Airport Road, Elgin, IL 60123. (Intersection
of I-90 & Rt. 31.) Entry fee: $20 (cash or check only), cash prizes based on
entries. Registration begins at 8:30 A.M. Round times at 9:30, 11:35, 2:25,
4:30. Two sections if attendance warrants, otherwise one section with class
and upset prizes. For more information see: www.mchenryareachess.org or
call Bob at 815-519-3323.
Jan. 30, 2010 Peoria Winter Tornado
Lakeview Museum, 1125 W. Lake Ave., Peoria IL 61614. 2 sections, Open: 4 Rds.,
Swiss, G/80 with 5 second delay. Entry fee: $17 if received by 1-28-10, $20
at site, $2 discount to ICA members, $2 discount to GPCF members, free to Mas-
ters. Prize fund: 80% of EFs, 1st: 25%, 2nd: 15%, A, B, C, D & below: 10% each.
Registration, 8-8:45 AM, Rds. 9, 12, 2:45, 5:30. Novice (1399 & below): 4
Rds., Swiss, G/45 with 5 second delay. Entry fee: $12 (includes USCF Tourna-
ment Membership if needed). Prizes: 1st: trophy (includes free entry to next
1 day Peoria tournament. Top Unrated: trophy (includes free entry to next 1
day Peoria tournament). Registration, 9-10 AM, Rds. 10:15, 12, 1:45, 3:30.
Other information: half-point bye in any 1 round, but a bye in Rd. 4 must be
elected before the start of Rd. 3, www.gpcf.net. Advance entries: Fred Mal-
come, 1000 Lilac Lane, Metamora, IL 61548, 309-367-4833, malcomef@mtco.
com, NS, NC. WCL JGP.
Feb. 27, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights Greater
Chicago Junior High Championship!
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 8/below. Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 Mil-
waukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (free parking). 2 sections: 1. Varsity:
open to all. Trophies: top 6 players, the top 3 schools, top rated Under 1200
and top 3 unrated. 2. Junior Varsity: Open to Under 1000 or unrated.Trophies:
top 6 players, top 3 schools, top rated Under 700 and top 3 unrated. Any player
who scores 4 or more points and doesnt win a trophy will receive a medal! EF:
$35 per player postmarked by 2/8/10. All EF $7 extra per player postmarked
2/9-15 (no mail accepted postmarked after 2/15). Mailed entries $5 less
per player if 4 or more from same school mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE!
Mail Entries: list name, rating USCF ID# (proof of current USCF membership
required, enclose dues if necessary) school, grade, birth date, address & sec-
tion. Checks payable & mailed to: Renaissance Knights, PO Box 1074,
Northbrook, IL 60065. Online entries at www.rknights.org $35 thru 2/15,
$42 2/15-23, No online entries after 2/23. $5 extra to switch sections.
Refunds: $10 service charge for each player refunded. On-Site entry fee: $50.
On-site registration: ENDS 9:15 AM. RDS.: 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Byes: Limit 2.
More info: www.rknights.org. Questions: renknights@aol.com (773) 844-0701.
HR: $79 chess rate, reserve by 2/12, may sell out,Tel: 847-298-2525. Sets pro-
vided, bring clocks.
Feb. 27, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights pres-
ent Greater Chicago Primary Championship!
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 3/below. Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 Mil-
waukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (free parking). 2 sections: 1. Varsity:
open to all.Trophies: top 6 players, top 3 schools, top rated Under 900 and top
3 unrated. 2. Junior Varsity: Open to Under 700 or unrated. Trophies: top 6
players, top 3 schools, top rated Under 500 and top 3 unrated. Trophies to the
top 3 Kindergartners! Any player who scores 4 or more points and doesnt
win a trophy will receive a medal! EF: $35 per player postmarked by 2/8/10.
All EF $7 extra per player postmarked 2/9-15 (no mail accepted postmarked
after 2/15). Mailed entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from same school
mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE! Mail Entries: list name, rating USCF ID#
(proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues if necessary)
school, grade, birth date, address & section. Checks payable & mailed to:
Renaissance Knights, PO Box 1074, Northbrook, IL 60065. Online entries at
www.rknights.org $35 thru 2/15, $42 2/15-23, No online entries after 2/23.
$5 extra to switch sections. Refunds: $10 service charge for each player
refunded. On-Site entry fee: $50. On-site registration: ENDS 9:15 AM. RDS.:
10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Byes: Limit 2. More info: www.rknights.org. Questions:
renknights@aol.com (773) 844-0701. HR: $79 chess rate, reserve by 2/12, may
sell out, Tel: 847-298-2525. Sets provided, bring clocks.

Membership Appreciation Program (MAP)

Top standings will appear every two months in Chess Life. More frequent MAP standings and details will appear at main.uschess.org/go/MAP.

Overall Affiliate Standings Adult Memberships Standings

Name State Count Name State Count
PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 1076 CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 643
CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 705 JERSEY SHORE HS CHESS LEAGUE NJ 168
BAYAREACHESSCOM GRANADA GUARD CA 322 DALLAS CHESS CLUB TX 107
EN PASSANT CHESS CLUB TX 307 SAN DIEGO CHESS CLUB CA 94
WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB PA 300 THE ATLANTA CHESS & GAME CNTR GA 85
DALLAS CHESS CLUB TX 263 PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 81
LONG ISLAND CHESS NUTS NY 249 MARSHALL CHESS CLUB NY 80
SCHOLASTIC CHESS OF INDIANA IN 209 MAINE ASSOC OF CHESS COACHES ME 76
CHESS CLUB, OAK VIEW CA 186 CHESS CENTER OF NEW YORK NY 73
SILVER KNIGHTS PA 186 HAMILTON ELEM SCH CHESS CLUB MI 59

Small State Affiliate Standings Scholastic and Youth Memberships Standings

Name State Count Name State Count
MAINE ASSOC OF CHESS COACHES ME 152 PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 995
METRO CHESS DC 104 EN PASSANT CHESS CLUB TX 296
SIOUX EMPIRE CHESS FOUNDATION SD 54 WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB PA 285
MESA CHESS CLUB NM 36 BAYAREACHESSCOM GRANADA GUARD CA 268
WEST CHESTER CHESS CLUB DE 24 LONG ISLAND CHESS NUTS NY 239
NEW MEXICO SCHOL CHESS ORG NM 23 CHESS CLUB, OAK VIEW CA 186
AIRLINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL ME 21 SILVER KNIGHTS PA 171
WELLS MEMORIAL SCHOOL NH 20 DALLAS CHESS CLUB TX 156
RELYEA CHESS NH 18 SCHOLASTIC CHESS OF INDIANA IN 155
WETZEL COUNTY CHESS CLUB WV 16 CHESS NUTS FL 151

State Chapter Affiliate Standings Member Standings

Name State Count Name State Count
MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION MI 362 DOCKERY, JOHN T FL 48
PENNSYLVANIA ST CHESS FED PA 218 NAVARRO, DANIEL A TX 44
MARYLAND CHESS ASSOCIATION MD 149 DIXON, MARK A TX 25
MASSACHUSETTS CHESS ASSOC MA 114 BERRY, FRANK K OK 23
MINNESOTA ST CHESS ASSN MN 110 RYAN, BEN J NE 20
NEW JERSEY ST CHESS FED NJ 72 ELLIOTT, CAROL MAXHEIMER IA 20
NEW HAMPSHIRE CHESS ASSN NH 52 CHRISMER, GARIE L TX 20
WASHINGTON CHESS FEDERATION WA 42 CLARK, MIKE MO 17
GEORGIA CHESS ASSOCIATION GA 33 WILLIS, MARVIN, P CA 15
WISCONSIN CHESS ASSOCIATION WI 30 SYGIEL, CHET KY 14

PCT Gain Standings

State Dec08 Nov09 Pct State Dec08 Nov09 Pct State Dec08 Nov09 Pct State Dec08 Nov09 Pct
MT 76 87 14.5 DC 247 275 11.3 NE 296 313 5.7 NM 748 776 3.7
AR 278 312 12.2 SD 228 251 10.1 IN 1610 1693 5.2
NV 811 908 12.0 TN 1597 1718 7.6 LA 601 626 4.2

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 63

 Tournament Life
Feb. 28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights Greater
Chicago Elementary Championship!
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 6/below. Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 Mil-
waukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (free parking). 2 sections: 1. Varsity:
open to all. Trophies: top 6 players, top 3 schools, top rated Under 1000 and
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
top 3 unrated. 2. Junior Varsity: Open to Under 800 or unrated. Trophies: top
6 players; top 3 schools, top rated Under 600 and top 3 unrated. Any player
who scores 4 or more points and doesnt win a trophy will receive a medal! EF:
$35 per player postmarked by 2/8/10. All EF $7 extra per player postmarked
2/9-15 (no mail accepted postmarked after 2/15). Mailed entries $5 less per
player if 4 or more from same school mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE! Mail
Entries: list name, rating USCF ID# (proof of current USCF membership
required, enclose dues if necessary) school, grade, birth date, address & sec-
tion. Checks payable & mailed to: Renaissance Knights, PO Box 1074,
Northbrook, IL 60065. Online entries at www.rknights.org $35 thru 2/15,
$42 2/15-23, No online entries after 2/23. $5 extra to switch sections.
Refunds: $10 service charge for each player refunded. On-Site entry fee: $50.
On-site registration: ENDS 9:15 AM. RDS.: 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Byes: Limit 2.
More info: www.rknights.org. Questions: renknights@aol.com (773) 844-0701.
HR: $79 chess rate, reserve by 2/12, may sell out,Tel: 847-298-2525. Sets pro-
vided, bring clocks.
Feb. 28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights Greater
Chicago High School Championship!
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 12/below. Crowne Plaza Northbrook, 2875 Mil-
waukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 (free parking). 2 sections: 1. Varsity:
open to all.Trophies to the 6 top-scoring players and the 3 top-scoring schools,
the top rated Under 1500, and the top 3 unrated. 2. Junior Varsity: Open to
Under 1200 or unrated. Trophies: top 6 players; top 3 unrated, top 3 schools,
top Under 900 and top 3 unrated. Any player who scores 4 or more points and
doesnt win a trophy will receive a medal! EF: $35 per player postmarked by
2/8/10. All EF $7 extra per player postmarked 2/9-15 (no mail accepted
postmarked after 2/15). Mailed entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from
same school mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE! Mail Entries: list name, rat-
ing USCF ID# (proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues if
necessary) school, grade, birth date, address & section. Checks payable &
mailed to: Renaissance Knights, PO Box 1074, Northbrook, IL 60065. Online
entries at www.rknights.org. $35 thru 2/15, $42 2/15-23, No online entries
after 2/23. $5 extra to switch sections. Refunds: $10 service charge for each
player refunded. On-Site entry fee: $50. On-site registration: ENDS 9:15
AM. RDS.: 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Byes: Limit 2. More info: www.rknights.org. Ques-
tions: renknights@aol.com (773) 844-0701. HR: $79 chess rate, reserve by
2/12, may sell out, Tel: 847-298-2525. Sets provided, bring clocks.
Mar. 19-21 or 20-21, 14th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 19-25, 2010 FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship - an Offi-
cial FIDE World Chess Championship!
See Nationals.
Mar. 26-28, 2010 FIDE Intercontinental School Team Chess Cham-
pionship - an Official FIDE Intercontinental Chess Championship!
See Nationals.
64 Chess Life January 2010
May 27-31, 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31, 19th annual Chicago Open
See Grand Prix.
June 25-29, 4th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, 38th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
on 20 entries for Reserve section. US Chess Federation (USCF) member-
Indiana
Feb. 19-21, 2010 U.S. Jr. Chess Congress
See Nationals.
Feb. 27-28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights
present Greater Chicago Scholastic Championships!
See Illinois.
Iowa
Feb. 6, 2010 Cedar Rapids Leatherjackets - IASCA Mini Qualifier
One-day, 4 Round Swiss. Where: Kirkwood Community College, Iowa Hall, Iowa
Room, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. Reg.: Advanced
entries postmarked by 1/30. On-site 8:30 - 9:30 am. Rounds: 10-1-3:15-5:30.
G/60 T/D5. Entry Fee: $18 in advance, $22 on site. Prize Info: 1st $50+Tro-
phy, 2nd $30+Trophy, U1900, U1700, U1500, U1300, U1100 each $20+Trophy.
US Chess Federation (USCF) membership required. On-Site Available. IASCA
membership required or OSA, $15, $10 Jr. or Sr. On-Site Available. Send Entry
Fee to: James Hodina, 3411 Blue Pt. Ct. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404 Additional
Info: James Hodina, 319-390-6525 or james.hodina@mchsi.com. See www.
chessinowa.org for flyer.
Jan. 22, Feb. 5, Catonsville Friday Knight Quick #94 & 95 (QC)
Feb. 27, Drake Chess Festival 2010-IASCA Mini-Qualifier
NOTE CORRECTIONS: 4SS, G/75 T/D 5. Open. Where: Olmsted Center on the
Drake University Campus, at the corner of 29th Street and University Avenue
(North of University Avenue), Des Moines, IA 50311. Reg.: 8:30 to 9:30 am.
Rounds: 9:45-1:15-4:00-7:00 (earlier if agreed upon). Entry Fee: $20.00 if
received by November 12th, $30.00 at site. Prize Info: 1st $75.00, 2nd $40.00,
3rd $20.00, U1900 1st, $30.00, 2nd $15.00. One prize per player. Prizes based
on 20 entries for Open section. US Chess Federation (USCF) membership
required. On-Site Available. IASCA membership required, $15, $10 Jr. or Sr.
On-Site Available. Send Entry Fee to: Bill Broich, 7149 Wilshire Blvd., Wind-
sor Heights, Iowa 50324. Additional Info: Phone 515-205-8062 or E-mail
broich01@yahoo.com. WCL JGP.
Feb. 27, Drake Chess Festival 2010-Rated RBO
5SS, G/30 with 5 second delay. Open to 1199 & under. Where: Olmstead Cen-
ter on the Drake University Campus, 2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA
50311. Reg.: 8:30 to 9:30 am. Rounds: 9:45-11:00-1:00-2:15-3:30. Entry
Fee: $10.00 if received by February 25th, $15.00 at site. Prize Info: Trophies
for the Top Score U1200, U1000, U800, U600, U400, U200. US Chess Feder-
ation (USCF) membership required. On-Site Available. Send Entry Fee to:
Bill Broich, 7149 Wilshire Blvd., Windsor Heights, Iowa 50322. Additional
Info: Phone 515-205-8062 or E-mail broich01@yahoo.com.
Feb. 27, Drake Chess Festival 2010-Reserve
NOTE CORRECTIONS: 4SS, G/75-T/D 5. Open to 1599 & under. Where: Olm-
sted Center on the Drake University Campus, at the corner of 29th Street and
University Avenue, (North of University Avenue), Des Moines, IA 50311. Reg.:
8:30 to 9:30 am. Rounds: 9:45-1:15-4:00-7:00 (earlier if agreed upon). Entry
Fee: $20.00 if received by February 25th, $30.00 at site. Prize Info: $40.00-
20.00-10.00. U1400 1st $20.00, 2nd $10.00. One prize per player. Prizes based
ship required. On-Site Available. Send Entry Fee to: Bill Broich, 7149 Wilshire
Blvd., Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324 Additional Info: Phone 515-205-8062 or
broich@yahoo.com. WCL JGP.
Kentucky
Winchester Chess Club
Open & Scholastic tourneys. Regular sessions 1st Monday of each month 6 pm.
More info. at winchesterky.com. (click on chess club link).
Mar. 19-21 or 20-21, 14th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 23-25 or 24-25, 9th Southern Class Championships (TN)
See Grand Prix.
Louisiana
Mar. 13-14, 2010 Louisiana Pro-Am
See Grand Prix.
Maryland
5SS, G/15. EF: $8, club members $5. Reg.: 7:30pm. Rds.: 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30, 10.
$$b/24 1st=$50, 2nd=$25, U1850 12. Bloomsbury Community Center, 106
Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228. Info: Joe Summers 410-788-1009,
josephas2@verizon.net. Website: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze12d59q/.
Jan. 23, MCA Boonsboro Scholastic
Boonsboro Middle School, 1 JH Wade Dr., Boonsboro, MD 21713-1152. 4 sec-
tions: Rally: K-12, 3SS, G/90 MD Sweet 16 Rally Section; Under 1200: K-12
and U1200, 4SS, G/65; U900 K-8, 4SS, G/30; Novice: K-5 U500, 5SS G/30.
EF: $12 by 1/19, $20 by 1/22, $25 at the door reg. Trophies top individuals in
each section. At door reg 8:30-9:00 receives 1st rnd 1/2 pnt bye. 1st rnds at
9:30 for top 2, and 10:00 for bottom two. Ent: Michael Regan, 1827 Thornton
Ridge Rd., Towson, MD 21204. Detailed rules, info, & online entry:
http://boonsboro.eventbrite.com/. WCL JGP for K-12 sections.
Jan. 24, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents Greater Mid-Atlantic
Scholastic Championships!
5-SS, G/30. Hilton Garden Inn, Baltimore/ Arundel Mills, 7491-A, New Ridge
Rd., Hanover, MD 21076. Tel: 410-878-7200. 8 sections: 1. Primary Varsity,
open to all grades 3/ below. 2. Primary Novice, grades 3/ below, rated
Under 700 or Unrated. 3. Elementary Varsity, open to all grades K-6/blow.
4. Elementary Novice, grades 6/ below, rated Under 800 or Unrated. 5.
uschess.org
Junior High Varsity, open to all grades 9/ below. 6. Junior High Novice,
grades 9/ below, rated Under 1000 or Unrated. 7. High School Varsity, open
to all in grades K-12. 8. High School Junior, rated Under 1200 or Unrated.
Entry Fee (EF): $30 per player postmarked by 1/11/10. Trophies to the 6 top-
scoring players, the 3 top-scoring schools and the top 3 Unrated in each
section. Special Trophies to the top rated Under 900, Under 500, Under 1000,
Under 600, Under 1200, Under 700, Under 1500 and Under 900. Trophies to
the top 3 Kindergartners! Any player who scores 4 or more points and
doesnt win a trophy will receive a medal! Top individual player in each Var-
sity section also win 50% discount into one of KCF weekend chess
camps - saving more than a hundred of dollars! All entry fees $5 less per
player if 4 or more from same school mailed together in SAME ENVELOPE!
Refunds: $10 service charge for each player refund. $5 extra to switch sections.
Current USCF Membership is required to participate. TO REGISTER, list each
players name, USCF ID# and expiration (new players write NEW) address,
birth date, school and grade. BE SURE TO INDICATE THE CORRECT SECTION.
Make checks for entry fees + all USCF dues (1check for total mount is best)
payable and mail to: CHESSPRO, 14 Hartley Circle, #532, Owings Mills, MD
21117. Questions :( 443)-660-8025. All entry fees $7 extra per player post-
marked January 12-18 (no mail accepted postmarked after Jan.18. On-Site
Entry fee: $40 per player at the tournament! On-site registration ENDS 9:15
AM.
A State Championship Event!
Jan. 30, 6th Annual Maryland State Girls Chess Championship
Roland Park Country School, 5204 Roland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21210. Come out
and play in an all-girl environment - limited to Maryland girl residents in
grades K-12. Winner of Championship section will be the 2010 Maryland Girls
Champion. Prizes to be determined. In 3 sections: Championship (National
Qualifier): 4-SS, G/65. Reserve (U800): 5-SS, G/30. Novice (U500): 5-SS, G/30.
Number of rounds and time control may change based on number of players.
Sets and boards provided, please bring chess clock. Check-in: 9:00-9:50am.
Rds.: Rd. 1 Championship at 9:30; Reserve/Novice at 10:00. EF: $20 by 1/23;
$25 by 1/28; $30 at door. Ent: Online registration at http://mdgirls10.event
brite.com. Mail registration: if recd by 1/28, mail name, section, USCF num-
ber, grade, school, phone, and email plus check to Chris Kim, 3903 N. Charles
St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Info: Chris Kim, cysk@attglobal.net, 410-794-6312.
WCL JGP for Championship section.
Feb. 13-14, Kingstowne Chess Festival (VA)
See Grand Prix.
Massachusetts
Jan. 10, Williams College Open
3SS, G/90, Griffin Hall Room 3 and 4, Williams College, Williamstown, MA
01267. EF: $12. Prizes: $355 b/17. Sections: Open and U1600. Reg.: 9-9:30.
Rds.: 10, 1:30 and 5. Info: Email Trevor at tmurphy@williams.edu with ques-
tions.
Jan. 16, 19th Mid-Winter Classic
3SS G/90. Florence Congregational Church, 130 Pine St., 01062. Reg.: 8:30-
9:15. Rds.: 9:30, 1 & 4:15. One 1/2 pt Bye available with advance entry. $$600
b/30. Sections: Open: 1st $140,Top A $100. U1800: 1st $120,Top C $80. U1400:
1st $100, Top U-1200 $60. EF: $27, Rated over 2200 & up and Unr (Unr not eli-
gible for prizes) $7, postmarked by 1/12. EF ALL: Add $5 at site late reg. fee,
WMCA discounts apply. Ent: W.M.C.A., c/o Edward Kostreba, P.O Box 1372, Ware,
MA 01082-5372, 413-967-3242, www.wmass-chess.us, NS, NC.
Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 Billerica Friday Night Swiss
4 Rds. 40/90, SD/30. Billerica COA, 25 Concord Rd., Billerica, MA. EF: $15. Reg.:
7:30pm. Cash prizes minimal b/entries. For info, call Brad Ryan, (978) 369-8533.
NS, NC. WCL JGP.
Feb. 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, George E. ORourke Memorial
5SS, G/110, T/D5. Wachusett Chess Club, McKay Campus School, Room C188,
Fitchburg State College, 67 Rindge Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420. EF: $1 per game
played; free to Wachusett CC and Mass. Chess Assn. members. Reg.: 7-7:10
p.m. Rds.: 7:15 p.m. Byes: 1-4, limit two. Prizes: chess books. Info: George
Mirijanian, 176 Oak Hill Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420, miriling@aol.com, 978-
345-5011, Website: www.wachusettchess.org. Online ratings as of Feb. 10 will
be used. W. WCL JGP.
Feb. 27-28, New York State Scholastics (out of state welcome)
See New York.
Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, 19th annual Eastern Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 30-May 2 or May 1-2, 21st annual Vermont Resort Open (VT)
See Grand Prix.
Michigan
Feb. 27-28, Kasparov Chess Foundation & Renaissance Knights
present Greater Chicago Scholastic Championships!
See Illinois.
June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, 38th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Minnesota
Jan. 16-17, Minnesota 2010 Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 19-21, 20-21 or 21, 117th Warren Stenberg Memorial Annual
Minnesota Open
See Grand Prix.
Missouri
Jan. 16, Winter Open
4SS, G/75. EF: $25 or $20 for annual members of the club. Free entries for GMs
and IMs, deducted from earnings. Not counted in b/40. PF ($750 b/40): 1st
$100, 2nd $25 in each M/X, A, B, C, D, U1200/UNR. 1st overall qualifies to play
in the CCSCSL club championship. Reg.: 9-9:50am. Rnds.: 10, 12:45, 3:30, 6.
Entries & info: Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Mary-
land Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. info@saintlouischessclub.org. (314) 361-2437.
WCL JGP.
Jan. 23, Mikhail Botvinnik Open
3SS, G/75. UMC Memorial Union room N208, 518 Hitt St., Columbia, MO.
Directions: From I-70 exit 126, south on Providence, east on Rollins, north on
Hitt. Reg.: 9:30-10:15. Rds.: 10:30, 1:15, 4:00. EF: $1, no prizes just the
satisfaction of playing well.Two ratings-equivalent sections if 18+ players. Info:
czar8196@tranquility.net. W.
Jan. 30, Blame Ben Open
Presented by Westport Chess Club of KC. 4 Rd Swiss System, G/30. Reg.:
9-10 a.m. Rds.: 10, 11:30, 1:30, 3:00. Prizes: Guar 50% of EF returned: Prizes
(based on 25 entries): 1st $100, 2nd $75, 3rd $50; U1795 1st $75, 2nd 60 3rd
$40. Book prizes to 1st three schoolkids. EF: $20, $10 to schoolkids. At: West-
port Flea Market, 817 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO. EF to: Ray Birt, PO Box
32774, Kansas City, MO 64171. No Checks at site. Make checks payable to Ray
Birt and mail (postmark) by 1/23.
Mar. 19-21 or 20-21, 14th annual Mid-America Open
See Grand Prix.
May 27-31, 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31, 19th annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
Montana
Jan. 16-17, Joyces January Thaw
Open, 5SS, G/90: Red Lion Colonial Inn, 2301 Colonial Dr., Helena, MT. EF: $25
by Jan 14, $30 at site, jrs 1/2. Reg.: 10:15-10:45 am. Rds.: 11-2:30-7, 9-12:30.
$$b/$320 (more per entries), $50, $30, $25. Biggest upset (both non-prov) $25.
Info and entries (payable to): Mel Drake, 5950 Canyon Ferry Rd., Helena, MT
59602, 406-475-3481 (no phone entries please). MCA reqd ($12), OSA. NC. 1/2
pt bye for rd 5 if requested before rd4. WCL JGP.
Nevada
Apr. 2-4, 10th Annual Reno-Far West Open
See Grand Prix.
June 11-13 or 12-13, 2010 National Open
See Nationals.
New Hampshire
Jan. 16-17, Portsmouth Open
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 30-31, 34th Queen City Open
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 30-May 2 or May 1-2, 21st annual Vermont Resort Open (VT)
See Grand Prix.

CHECK OUT USCFS CORRESPONDENCE CHESS RATED EVENTS

USCFs 63rd ANNUAL USCFs 7th ANNUAL

2010 Open Correspondence Chess 2010 E-mail Correspondence Chess
Golden Knights Championship Electronic Knights Championship
$1,000 First Prize (Seven-player sections, one game with each of six opponents.)
(plus title of USCFs Golden Knights Champion and plaque) $700 First Prize
2nd place $600 3rd place $400 4th place $300 5th place (plus title of USCFs Electronic Knights Champion and plaque)
$200 6th thru 10th place $100 each. Entry fee: $25. 2nd place $400 3rd place $300 4th thru 10th place $100
each. Entry fee: $25.
These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF
members who reside on the North American continent, islands, or Hawaii, These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF
as well as those USCF members with an APO or FPO address. USCF members with e-mail access. Your USCF membership must remain
members who reside outside of the North American continent are welcome current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S.
to participate in e-mail events. Your USCF membership must remain dollars.
current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. Maximum number of tournament entries allowed for the year for each
dollars. Those new to USCF Correspondence Chess, please estimate your player is ten.
strength: Class A: 1800-1999 (very strong); Class B: 1600-1799 (strong); Note: Prize fund based on 200 entries and may be decreased propor-
Class C: 1400-1599 (intermediate); Class D: 1399 and below (beginner level).
tionately per number of entries assigned.
Note: Prize fund based on 300 entries and may be decreased proportion-
ately per number of entries assigned.

Correspondence Chess Matches (two players)
$5 entry fee per person with two, four or six-
game options.
Win A Correspondence Chess Trophy
Four-player, double round-robin with class-level
pairings. 1st-place winner receives a trophy.
Entry fee: $10.
Victor Palciauskas Prize Tournaments
Seven-player class-level pairings, one game with
each of six opponents. Players must have a USCF
CC rating to enter. 1st-place winner receives
$130 cash prize and a certificate signed by Victor
Palciauskas.
Entry fee: $25.
John W. Collins Memorial Class Tournaments
Four-player, double round-robin with class-level
pairings (unrateds welcome). 1st-place winner
receives a John W. Collins certificate.
Entry fee: $7.
E-mail Rated Events (need e-mail access):
Lightning Match Two players with two, four or
To Enter: 800903USCF (8723), Fax 9317871200
six-game option. Entry fee $5 per person.
Swift Quads Four-player, double round-robin Name_________________________________________
or on-line www.uschess.org
format. 1st-place prize merchandise credit of $30.
Entry fee: $10. USCF ID# ____________________________________
Walter Muir E-Quads (webserver chess) Address ________________ City _________________
Four-player, double round-robin e-mail format
tournament with class-level pairings. 1st-place State ___ ZIP __________Phone _________________
receives a certificate.
Entry fee: $7. E-mail___________________ Est. Rating _________
Express Tournament Credit card # (VISA, MC, Discover, AMEX)
Seven-player events, one game with each of six __________________________ Exp. date __________
opponents.
Prizes: 1st place $30 merchandise credit, 2nd If using VISA, need V-code ___________________
place $20 credit.
Entry fee: $15. Check here if you do not wish to have an
Please circle event(s) selected.
opponent who is incarcerated. *Note: This may
slow down your assignment.
NOTE: Except for Lightning Matches, Swift Quads,
Walter Muir E-Quads, Electronic Knights & Express
Tournaments, players will use post office mail, Make checks payable to U.S. Chess and mail to: Joan
unless opponents agree to use e-mail. DuBois, USCF , PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 65

 Tournament Life
New Jersey
International Chess Academy (Fair Lawn, NJ)
Chess Classes: Tuesday 6:30 9:00 PM, Thursday 6:30 9:00 PM, Saturday
10:00 AM 1:00 PM. Add. 14-25 Plaza Rd. N., Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. Phone 201-
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
797-0330. Website: www.icanj.net. Contact: Diana Tulman, 201-287-0250.
Email: Diana@icanj.net. Fair Lawn facility offers Advance Chess Training for
serious chess players (rating > 1800).
International Chess Academy (Teaneck, NJ)
Chess Classes: Monday 6:30 7:30 PM, Wednesday 6:30 9:00 PM, Sunday
10:00 AM 3:30 PM. Add. 185 Court Street, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Phone 201-
833-1741. Website: www.icanj.net. Contact: Diana Tulman, 201-287-0250.
Email: Diana@icanj.net.Teaneck facility offers a Summer Chess Camp and Mon-
day night tournaments 7:30 PM 9:30 PM.
Jan. 9, Greater Cherry Hill Chess Quads
EF: $25. $$50. Pre-register online at www.greaterchchess.com. Any ques-
tions, contact Dan: hermanator3@comcast.net or (856) 287-2393.
Jan. 9, The Greater South Jersey Individual Chess Championship
back at its original site, Oakcrest High School, 1824 Dr. Forman Drive, Mays
Landing, NJ 08330, just off Route 322, Route 40 and Cologne Ave. Three divi-
sions: K-5, 6-9 and 10-12. Entry fee: only $35 (if USCF member only $20)
All Sections: 5-SS, G/30, Trophies to Top 10, all ties decided by Game 5.
Registration: by mail with post mark of Saturday 12/30. First round will start
at 10am sharp, then ASAP with lunch bar available at site. Late entrees: $50
at site between 8:30 to 9:00. Make checks payable to: Oakcrest H.S. Chess.
Indicate section desired and your grade level. Information contact: David Jung-
blut, at DJungblut@geh.nj.k12us.com, for more information.
Jan. 10, ATKM 2nd Sunday Swiss
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, 42nd annual Liberty Bell Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 16, Jersey Shore K-12 Regionals
The Academy at Grace and Peace, 1563 Old Freehold Rd., Toms River, NJ
08755. All Sections open to K-12. Section A: U500, Section B: 500-1000,
Section C: 1000-1500, Section D: 1500+. Section A, B, C 4SS, G/30. Sec-
tion D: 3 Rounds, G/60. Trophies to Top 5 in each section, Medals to all
others. EF: $25 if recd by 1/9, $30 on site. Reg.: 9:00-9:45 AM. Rds.: 10:00
AM and ASAP. Info: John Burke, 908-705-7958 or johnpburke@yahoo.com. Ent:
Make checks payable toThe Academy at Grace and Peace. Please indicate USCF
ID# and section.
Jan. 17, Westfield Quads
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. $50 to first
in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m.
Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfield
chessclub.com.
Jan. 22, ATKMs 4th Friday G/10 Swiss (QC) (6 Rounds)
For info. and registration, go to YourChessSet.com/g10. For more info e-mail
Stephen at cs@ATKMchessSets.com or call 856-582-8222.
Jan. 23, Hamilton Chess Club Quads
3RR 40/80 15/30 15/30. Full K. Ray Dwier Recreation Center, Bldg. 392,
Groveville, NJ 08620. Quads open to all EF: $10. $25 per Quad. Reg.: 9-
10:30/am. Rds.: 10:30/am-1:30/pm-4:30/pm NJ State Chess Federation, no
dues magazine Subscription per year, OSA NS NC W.
Jan. 24, Westfield Winter Scholastic
Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. 3 Sections k-12 full k Open,
Under 1250, Under 750. Open Section 3 SS game/45 trophies to top five play-
ers in each section. Entrance Fee: $20, $15 Members at site $30, $25
Registration 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-4:25-6:05 p.m. Under 1250 4 SS
game/30 Trophies to top 5 in each section Entrance Fee: $20, $15 Members
at site $30, $25 Members. Registration 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-4:00-5:15-
6:30 p.m. Under 750 trophies to top five players in each section. Entrance Fee:
$20, $15 Members at site $30, $25. Registration: 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-
4:00-5:15-6:30 p.m. Tiebreaks for trophies Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163,
lunnaco@aol.com, www.westfieldchessclub.com. Send Advance Entries to:Todd
Lunna, 36 Maple Drive, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 by January 20th.
Jan. 30, Super Scholastics Saturday Swiss K-8
Somerset Ramada Inn, 60 Cottontail Ln., Somerset, NJ Exit #12 off I-287. (In
4 Sections/& skittles) Trophies to top 5, others get medals/prizes. Hot Shots
(always U1700): 4SS G/45, $150-100-50, b/10. Checkmates (always U1300):
WA RN I N G !
4SS G/45, $100-50 b/10, New Stars (always U1000): 5SS G/30, $100-50
b/10, Chess Pirates (always U600): 5SS G/30, $100-50 b/10. Players high-
CELL PHONE
THE USE OF A
PROHIBITED!
IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM IS
AT MOST TOURNAMENTS!
IF YOUR CELL PHONE RINGS IN A ROOM WITH
GAMES IN PROGRESS, YOU COULD BE SEVERELY
TURN IT OFF!
PENALIZED, MAYBE EVEN FORFEITED!
66 Chess Life January 2010
est life time rating used. Rds.: 11am then ASAP, lunch break. EF: $27 mailed
by 01/25 or paid online, entryfeesrus.com. EF at site $35. Cash only. Reg.: before
10:45am. Ent: 115 W. Moore St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Info: Ken Thomas
acn@goes.com or 908-763-6468. NS, NC, W.
Jan. 31, Westfield Quads
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. $50 to first
in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m.
Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfield
chessclub.com.
Feb. 7, ICA Winter 2010 Open Championship
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 7, ICA Winter 2010 Scholastic Championship
in 5 sections. 4SS, EVERYONE PLAYS 4 GAMES, ALL PLAYERS WITH 2.5
POINTS OR MORE WILL RECEIVE ATROPHY! US CHESS FEDERATION MEMBER-
SHIP REQUIRED FOR SECTIONS 4 AND 5. Info: 201-287-0250 or 201-833-1741.
E-mail: Diana@icanj.net (Web Site Entries: www.icanj.net) ADV EF (pmk Feb
3rd) $25 At Site $30. Reg ends 1/2 hr before 1st rnd. Late entrants will receive
a 1/2 point bye for rnd. 1. Site Address: Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave.,
Hackensack, NJ 07601. In 5 Sections: Section 1 Junior Novice: Open to
unrated players K through 2nd grade. Rds.: First Round 10:15 AM, then ASAP
(tournament will end at approximately 1:00 PM). Section 2 Novice: Open to
unrated players K through 4th grade. Rds.: First Round 10:00 AM, then ASAP
(tournament will end at approximately 2:00 PM). Section 3 Reserve: Open to
unrated players K through 12th grade. Rds.: First Round 10:00 AM, then ASAP
(tournament will end at approximately 2:00 PM). Section 4 G/45: Open to play-
ers rated below 1200 K through 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00
PM. Section 5 G/60: Open to players rated below 1700 K through 12th grade.
Rds.: 9:45 AM, 12:00, 2:15, 4:30 PM. ENT: Make EF and/or USCF Membership
checks payableTo: International Chess Academy MailTo: DianaTulman, 28 Can-
terbury Lane, New Milford, NJ 07646. NS NC W.
Feb. 13-15, World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East
See Nationals.
Feb. 21, Westfield Quads
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. $50 to first
in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m.
Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfield
chessclub.com.
Feb. 27, Super Scholastics Saturday Swiss K-8
Somerset Ramada Inn, 60 Cottontail Ln., Somerset, NJ Exit #12 off I-287. (In
4 Sections/& skittles) Trophies to top 5, others get medals/prizes. Hot Shots
(always U1700): 4SS G/45, $150-100-50, b/10. Checkmates (always U1300):
4SS G/45, $100-50 b/10, New Stars (always U1000): 5SS G/30, $100-50
b/10, Chess Pirates (always U600): 5SS G/30, $100-50 b/10. Players high-
est life time rating used. Rds.: 11am then ASAP, lunch break. EF: $27 mailed
by 02/22 or paid online, entryfeesrus.com. EF at site $35. Cash only. Reg.: before
10:45am. Ent: 115 W. Moore St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Info: Ken Thomas
acn@goes.com or 908-763-6468. NS, NC, W.
Feb. 27-28, New York State Scholastics (out of state welcome)
See New York.
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 28, New Jersey Junior High School Championships
5SS, G/30. Brookdale College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738.
Student Life Center, use Parking Lot #7 or #6; 5 minutes from Garden State
Parkway exit 109. 5SS, G/30. Section: JHS (K-9). More Trophies! ALL: Tro-
phies to top =2 015 individuals, top 5 teams. Rds.: 10am then ASAP.Top 4 scores
constitute team score. EF: $30 before 2/20, $50 at site. USCF memb. reqd. EF
includes 1 year memb. to NJSCF for NJ state residents. Reg.: 8-9:00 am. After
9:00 am, half-point bye for round one. INFO: 732-259-3881, hsprech-
man@characterkings.org. ENTRY: Aaron Kiedes, 4 Seymour Terrace, Hack-
ettstown, NJ 07840. Entries must include name, grade, school, date of birth,
USCF ID #, & expiration date, mailing address, phone number & entry fee.
Checks made out to NJSCF.
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 28, New Jersey State Elementary Championships
5SS, G/30. Brookdale College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738.
Student Life Center, use Parking Lot #7 or #6; 5 minutes from Garden State
Parkway exit 109. 2 Sections: Elementary (K-6) & Primary (K-3). All: Tro-
phies to top 15 individuals, top 5 teams. Elementary & Primary: Top 5 in each
grade. Rds.: 10am then ASAP. Top 4 scores constitute the team score for Ele-
mentary; top 3 for Primary. EF: $30 before 2/21, $50 at site. USCF memb. reqd.
EF includes 1 year Atlantic Chess News for NJ state residents. Reg.: 8-9:00am
After 9:00am 1/2 point bye for round 1. Info: 732 259-3881, Ent: Aaron Kiedes,
4 Seymour Terrace, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Entries must include name,
grade & school, date of birth, USCF ID and expiration date, mailing address,
email address, phone number and entry fee. Checks made out to NJSCF.
Feb. 28, Westfield Quads
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. $50 to first
in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m.
Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfield
chessclub.com.
Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, 19th annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 6, Kings Chess Club Quads
Morning quads and afternoon quads, G/30, K-12, Bethlehem Church, 758
For details on
2010 U.S. AMATEUR TEAM EVENTS
East, North, South, West
See Nationals Section!
Route 10, Randolph, NJ 07869. EF: None. Reg.: 9-9:20 am., 1st rd. 9:40. Arr.
by noon to reg. only for afternoon quads. Medal to each quad winner. Info: Beth-
lehem Church 973-366-3434 or Bob McAdams 973-694-3988, rwm@fambright.
com.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 6-7, New Jersey High School Chess Championships
5SS, G/90. Rutgers University - Rutgers Student Center, 126 College Avenue,
New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Call (732) 445-6127 for directions. 3 sections: Var-
sity Championship (9-12): 5 player teams with one alternate allowed.
Coaches set order by player strength. Order must not be changed. Team avg.
based on top 5 highest ratings. Trophies to top 10 NJ teams. Trophies for top
three players, boards 1-5. Rds.: Sat. 10-2-6, Sun. 10-2. EF: $150-/team before
2/27. $185/team at site. $5 per change on site. Junior Varsity (9-12): 4 player
teams with one alternate allowed. Team avg. based on top 4 highest ratings.
Trophies to top 10 NJ teams. Trophies for top 3 players, boards 1-4. Rds.: Sat.
10-2-6, Sun. 10-2. EF: $120/team before 2/27, $150/team on site. $5 per change
on site. Booster (K-12):Trophies to top 15 individuals, top 5 teams, top 2 JHS,
& top 2 elementary (K-6). Rds.: Sat. 10-2-6, Sun 10-2. Top 4 scores constitute
team score. EF: $30 before 2/27, $37 at site. All: USCF memb. required. EF
includes 1 year membership to NJSCF for NJ residents. Reg.: Sat. 8-9:00am.
After 9:00am, 1/2 Point bye for round one. Info: 973-794-4601. ENT: Make
checks payable to NJSCF and send to Roger Inglis, 49A Mara Rd., Lake
Hiawatha, NJ 07034. Entries must include, name, grade & school, date of
birth, USCF ID# & exp. date, mailing address, email address, phone number
and entry fee. WCL JGP.
Mar. 7, Westfield Swiss #62 (QC)
Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. 5 SS game/15 (QC) full k. $425
Guaranteed $125, $60 U2100, U1850, U1600, U1350 $60 each. Entrance
Fee: $35, $25 Members. Reg. : 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-3:25-4:05-4:45-5:30
p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfieldchessclub.com.
Mar. 14, Westfield Quads
3 RR, game/45 full k. Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. $50 to first
in each quad. Entry Fees $20, $15 Members. Registration: 2-2:15 p.m.
Rounds: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, www.westfield
chessclub.com.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 20-21, First Only New Jersey State Championship
(Only for NJ Players and Past NJ Champs.) Dean of Chess Academy, 3150 US
Rt. 22, Branchburg, NJ. In 3-Sections: G$$2800. Only NJ Masters-Experts sec-
tion: 4SS, TC: 40/2hrs, SD/60. G$$: $500-300-200-100. Top Expert $100. Only
one Sat half point bye. Rds. Sat. 10am- 4:30pm, Sun. 9am-4pm. Only NJ Class
A-B section: (Only for 1600-1999) $300-200-100. Top Class B $100. Only NJ
Class C section: (Only U1600) $300-200-100. Top Class D, E, & F $100 each.
Lower Sections: 5SS, TC: G/100. Only 2 byes in rounds 1-4. Rds.: Sat: 10-2-6,
Sun: 11-3. Trophies: Top 3 each section, Top Expert, Class B, D, E, F & Unrated,
Senior age 65. & K-8. (Only rated players win cash) Early EF: Only Master-Exp:
$70, Other sections $65 if by 3/15. Past NJ Champs EF is $35 if early, but $80
at site: Please join online at entryfeesrus.com. On site EF: Master-Exp $80,
Lower sections $75. Cash only at site. Reg.: 3/20, 8am-9:45am. Hotel Sierra
is nearby and a great deal. Hotel Rates $89/free Breakfast. (908) 704-2191.
The playing hall accommodates Only 100 players, so the only the first 100 EFs
received will play. Ent: KenThomas, 115 West Moore Street, Hackettstown, NJ
07840-2233. Make checks payable to NJSCF. For info contact Ken,
acn@goes.com or (908)763-6468. Players and spectators cell phones & ear
covering are restricted. FIDE, NS, NC, W. WCL JGP.
Mar. 21, Westfield Spring Scholastic
Westfield Y, 220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ. 3 Sections k-12 full k Open,
Under 1250, Under 750. Open Section 3 SS game/45 trophies to top five play-
ers in each section. Entrance Fee: $20, $15 Members at site $30, $25
Registration 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-4:25-6:05 p.m. Under 1250 4 SS
game/30 Trophies to top 5 in each section Entrance Fee: $20, $15 Members
at site $30, $25 Members. Registration 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-4:00-5:15-
6:30 p.m. Under 750 trophies to top five players in each section. Entrance Fee:
$20, $15 Members at site $30, $25. Registration: 2-2:30 p.m. Rounds: 2:45-
4:00-5:15-6:30 p.m. Tiebreaks for trophies Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163,
lunnaco@aol.com, www.westfieldchessclub.com. Send Advance Entries to:Todd
Lunna, 36 Maple Drive, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 by March 17th.
Mar. 31-Apr. 4, Apr. 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4, Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
New Mexico
Jan. 30-31, 2010 Don Wilson Memorial/Senior Championship
Open to all ages. 4/SS, G/2. Rio Rancho Meadowlark Sr. Center, 4330 Mead-
owlark Ln. SE, Rio Rancho, NM. Co-sponsored by the Meadowlark Chess Group
and the New Mexico Chess Organization. $$: 1000 b/80. Sections: Keffer Open
to1600 & above EF $30. Reserve U1700 EF $25. Booster U1300 EF $20. Rds.:
9-2, 9-2 Best finish by NM Senior in Tom Keffer section: name inscribed on the
permanent plaque. Reg.: Sat. 8-8:30. $10 late fee if entry not received by 1/29.
$5 Family discount after one full-price entry. Byes: one 1/2 pt available Rds.
1-3 if reqd before Rd. 1. ENT: checks payable to NMCO, P.O. Box 4215, Albu-
querque, NM 87196. Recommended Motel: Super8 (505)-896-8888 ask for
chess rate. Entry form w/directions, & Map: Website nmchess.org. W. WCL JGP.
New York
Jan. 9-Feb. 6, 3rd Farmingdale CC Winter Swiss
5SS, G/140. Farmingdale Public Library, 116 Merritts Rd., Farmingdale, NY 11735.
Open to all U-2300/unr.: $(b/20): $200-100, Top U-1800 $80, U-1500, U-
1300/unr. $60 each. EF: $30. Reg.: 9:15-9:45 AM. No adv. ent. Rds.: 10:00 AM
SHARP each Saturday. 2 byes 1-5. Info: www.farmcc.webs.com. NS. W. WCL
JGP.
Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, 42nd annual Liberty Bell Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 16, Marshall CC Saturday G/60
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24)
$120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request at entry.
uschess.org
Jan. 17, Marshall CC Sunday Action in SAME ENVELOPE! All substitutions from advance entry list charged late fee. quads thru 7/1/10 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. Novice, open to
5SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $15 extra to switch sections, $15 charge for each player refund. All players scor- Under 1000 or unrated. EF: $49.40 postmarked by 1/8. Trophies to top 12, top
$20. ($360 b/24): 120-70-50, U2200/unr $65, U2000 $55. Rds.: 12-1:30- ing 4 or more who dont win a trophy will receive a medal! 8 weeks free entry, 3 unrateds, top 6 schools. Plaques to top 2 each grade: 7-9 (you can win both
2:45-4-5:20pm. One bye available, request at entry. except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks free, except quads, to 2nd team plaque & trophy). Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru
(top 4 scores from same school = team score). Speed playoff for 5-0. Limit 2 6/1/10 to 1st, thru 5/1 to 2nd, thru 4/1 to 3rd. All: EFs $7 extra per player
Jan. 19, Marshall Masters (formerly the St. Johns Masters) byes (rds. 4-5 commit before rd. 3). Mail entries: list name, rating, ID# postmarked 1/9-15, all $65 at site. Mail entries $5 less per player if 4 or
See Grand Prix.
(proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues if necessary), more from same school in SAME ENVELOPE! All substitutions from advance
Jan. 21, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight! school, grade, birthdate, address. Checks to (specify section): Chess Center entry list charged late fee. $15 extra to switch sections, $15 charge for each
See Grand Prix. of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. To confirm receipt, enclose SASE. player refund. All players scoring 4 or more who dont win a trophy will receive
No mail postmarked after 1/15. Phone entries: $59 by credit card thru 1/25: a medal! 8 weeks free entry, except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks
Jan. 23-24 or 24, January Open
845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191, 24 hours, entries only). Online entries at free, except quads, to 2nd team (top 4 scores from same school = team
See Grand Prix.
www.chesscenter.cc: $46 thru 1/15, $53 1/16-1/25. No phone or on-line score; no combined schools, even if one school feeds another). Speed play-
Jan. 24, Binghamton Monthly Tourney entries after 1/25. On-site entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends 9:15 am. Rds. 10- off for 5-0. Limit 2 byes (rds. 4-5 commit before rd. 3). Mail entries: list
FREE USCF ONLINE MEMBERSHIP ($34 VALUE, call for details) WITH 12-2-3:30-5:15. Questions, team rooms: chesscentr@aol.com (Jan 29-30 name, rating, ID# (proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues
ENTRY FEE. 4 ROUND SS, GAME/60. Reg.: 8:45 AM to 9:00 AM. ENTRY: $35 only: 212-971-0101). Bring sets, clocks, boards NONE SUPPLIED! if necessary), school, grade, birthdate, address. Checks to (specify section):
Cash only on site. Please register in advance if possible. (Checks payable to Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. To confirm receipt,
Cordiscos Corner Store.) Rounds: 9:15, 11:45, 2:15, 4:30. Prizes: Guaran-
Jan. 30, Marshall CC Saturday G/60
enclose SASE. No mail postmarked after 1/15. Phone entries: $59 by credit
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24)
teed. Open Section. 1st- $130, 2nd - $70, 3rd- $30. Trophies 1st - 3rd. Under card thru 1/25: 845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191, 24 hours, entries only).
$120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
1700. 1st- $65, 2nd- $30.Trophies 1st - 4th. Please bring clocks. Cordiscos Chess Online entries at www.chesscenter.cc: $46 thru 1/15, $53 1/16-1/25. No
11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request at entry.
Center, 308 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901. (607) 772-8782. jcordisco@ phone or on-line entries after 1/25. On-site entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends
stny.rr.com. Jan. 31, Grandmaster Challenge (QC) 9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Questions, team rooms: chess-
See Grand Prix. centr@aol.com (Jan 29-31 only: 212-971-0101). Bring sets, clocks, boards
Jan. 24, SAR Academy Scholastic Chess Championship VIII
4-SS, G/30. 655 W. 254 St., Bronx (RIVERDALE), NY. 5 SECTIONS. BEGINNER A Heritage Event! NONE SUPPLIED!
(grades K-1 only) Unrated Players Only. NOVICE (grades 2/below) U600. Jan. 31, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 44th Annual Feb. 2, Marshall CC New York Experts
RESERVE (grades 2-6 only) U500. PRIMARY (Grades 5/below) U1000 CHAM- Greater NY Elementary Championship - USCFs Longest-Running Open to U2200. 4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF:
PIONSHIP/OPEN (grades 12/below). AWARDS: Trophies to top 15 in each Scholastic! $40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.:
section. Top U400 NOVICE, U700 PRIMARY, U800 CHAMPIONSHIP. Special 5-SS, G/30, open to all born after 1/31/97 not yet in 7th grade. New Yorker 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One bye available, request at entry.
Prizes: Engraved digital chess clocks toTop Player in each section, all 4-0 scores Hotel, 481 8th Ave. & 34th St., NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF:
&Top Unrated in Open Section. Engraved plaque to top UNR player in each sec- $47.60 postmarked by 1/08/10. Trophies to top 12, top U1200, top 3 unrated, Feb. 4, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
top 6 school teams. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
tion. High Scorer trophy to all who score 2 and do not get into top 15. Engraved
8/1/10 to 1st, thru 7/1 to 2nd, thru 6/1 to 3rd. Junior-Varsity: open to 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
medals to all others. Team Prizes: Trophies to top 4 teams in each section.
Under 1000 or unrated. EF: $47.50 postmarked by 1/8. Trophies to top 12, top specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
Engraved digital chess clock to Top Team in each section. (Team score created
3 unrated, top 6 schools. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
by adding top 4 scores from same school). EARLY EF: $39 if received (post-
7/1/10 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. Novice, open to Under 700 or 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
marked by JAN 19). LATE EF: $45 Phoned, faxed or online thereafter until Jan
unrated. EF: $47.40 postmarked by 1/8.Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrateds, top 9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
22, 5pm. Onsite EF: $55. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rds.: All 10-11:30-12:45-2. Late
6 schools. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 6/1/10 to 10 min. before game.
entrants may not be paired for the first round. Mail Entries: and make check
payable to Tri-State Chess, 1675 York Ave. #2M, N.Y. N.Y. 10128. Phone: (718) 1st, thru 5/1 to 2nd, thru 4/1 to 3rd. All: EFs $7 extra per player postmarked Feb. 6, 23rd Annual Super Saturday in New York!
645-5896. Fax: (718) 535-7896 Online Entry: www.TriStateChess.com. 1/9-15, all $65 at site. Mail entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from same See Grand Prix.
school in SAME ENVELOPE! All substitutions from advance entry list charged
Jan. 25-Feb. 8, 21st Nassau G/60 Championship late fee. $15 extra to switch sections, $15 charge for each player refund. All Feb. 6, Syracuse University Winter Open
See Grand Prix. players scoring 4 or more who dont win a trophy will receive a medal! 8 weeks 4SS Rds.: 1&2 G/60, Rds.: 3&4 G/90. Syracuse University, Carnegie Hall,
Rm. 222 (Fr 81N, Ex. 690E, Ex. 14, Son Teal to Columbus, L on E. Genesee, R.
Jan. 27-Feb. 24, Marshall CC Under-2000 Wednesday Swiss free entry, except quads, to 1st team each section, 4 weeks free, except
Westcott, R. Euclid, to Park Check Pt, 3rd right. Fr 81S, Ex. E. Adams, R on E.
5SS, 30/90, SD/1. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. quads, to 2nd team (top 4 scores from same school = team score). Speed play-
off for 5-0. Limit 2 byes (rds. 4-5 commit before rd. 3). Mail entries: list Adams, R on Comstock, R Euclid, to Park Check Pt, 3rd right). EF: $30. Prizes
$$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7pm each Wednes-
(b/20): $200, 125, 75 Class 100. Reg.: 8:30-9:15. Rds.: 9:30, 12:00, 2:15, 5:30.
day. Byes ok, limit 2, request by round 3. WCL JGP. name, rating, ID# (proof of current USCF membership required, enclose dues
if necessary), school, grade, birthdate, address. Checks to (specify section): Ent: Joe Ball (315) 436-9008. WCL JGP.
Jan. 28, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. To confirm receipt, Feb. 7, Super Rated Beginners Open! RBO
enclose SASE. No mail postmarked after 1/15. Phone entries: $59 by credit 4-SS, G/50. Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 West 10 St., between 5-
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
card thru 1/25: 845-569-9969 (or 406-896-2191, 24 hours, entries only). 6 Ave., NYC: 845-569-9969, for Under 1200 or those not rated in any country.
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
Online entries at www.chesscenter.cc: $46 thru 1/15, $53 1/16-1/25. No EF $30, Club Members $20, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
phone or on-line entries after 1/25. On-site entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends free. $$200 b/20 paid: $100-60-40. Reg. ends 11:45 am. Rds. 12-2-4-6 pm.
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15. Questions, team rooms: chess- No advance entries.
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
centr@aol.com (Jan 29-31 only: 212-971-0101). Bring sets, clocks, boards
10 min. before game. Feb. 7, Super Sunday (Pre) Game/60 Quad!
NONE SUPPLIED!
3-RR, G/60. Chess Center at the Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet. 5-6th Ave.,
A Heritage Event!
Jan. 30, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 31st Annual A Heritage Event! NYC: 845-569-9969. EF: $30, Club membs. $20 NO FREE ENTRIES!! $$ (60
Greater NY Primary Championship Jan. 31, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 44th Annual to 1st each quad, b/4 per quad). Reg. ends 11:50 am. Rds. 12-2-4. All
Greater NY High School Championship - USCFs Longest-Running players must agree to play all 3 games. NO PHONE ENTRIES!
5-SS, G/30, open to all born after 1/30/00 in grades 3/below. New Yorker Hotel,
Scholastic!
481 8th Ave. & 34th St., NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF: $46.60 post- Feb. 7, The Chess Exchange Monthly Trophy Quads
5-SS, G/30, open to all grades 12/below born after 1/31/90. New Yorker
marked by 1/08/10. Trophies to top 12, top rated U900, top 3 unrated, top 6 1st Sunday every month. 3-RR, G/30.The Chess Exchange: Chess & Games Club,
Hotel, 481 8th Ave. & 34th St., NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF:
school teams. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 8/1/10 288Third Ave., Bklyn, 718-645-5896. EF: $15. $$:Trophies to top 2 in each quad.
$49.60 postmarked by 1/08/10. Trophies to top 12, top U1700, top 3 unrated,
to 1st, thru 7/1 to 2nd, thru 6/1 to 3rd. Novice: open to Under 700 or unrated. Reg.: ends 10 minutes before rd. 1. Rds.: 3-4:15-5:30.
top 6 school teams. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru
EF: $46.50 postmarked by 1/8. Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrated. Free entry
8/1/10 to 1st, thru 7/1 to 2nd, thru 6/1 to 3rd. Junior-Varsity: open to Feb. 7, The Right Move #159 Team and Individual Championship
to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 7/1/10 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru
Under 1600 or unrated. EF: $49.50 postmarked by 1/8. Trophies to top 12, top FREE EF.
5/1 to 3rd. K-1, open to grade 1/below. EF: $46.40 postmarked by 1/8. Tro-
U1400, top 3 unrated, top 6 schools. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except 4SS, G/30. Play starts promptly at 10:00. Players must check in by 9:15 A.M.
phies to top 12, top rated U500, top 3 unrateds, top 6 schools. Free entry to
all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 7/1/10 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru
5/1 to 3rd. All: EFs $7 extra per player postmarked 1/9-15, all $65 at site. Mail
entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from same school in SAME ENVE-
LOPE! All substitutions from advance entry list charged late fee. $15 extra to
switch sections, $15 charge for each player refund. All players scoring 4 or more
who dont win a trophy will receive a medal! 8 weeks free entry, except quads,
to 1st team each section, 4 weeks free, except quads, to 2nd team (top 4 scores
from same school = team score). Speed playoff for 5-0. Limit 2 byes (rds. 4-
5 commit before rd. 3). Mail entries: list name, rating, ID# (proof of current
USCF membership required, enclose dues if necessary), school, grade, birth-
date, address. Checks to (specify section): Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615,
New Windsor, NY 12553. To confirm receipt, enclose SASE. No mail post-
marked after 1/15. Phone entries: $59 by credit card thru 1/25: 845-569-9969
(or 406-896-2191, 24 hours, entries only). Online entries at www.chess cen-
ter.cc: $46 thru 1/15, $53 1/16-1/25. No phone or on-line entries after 1/25.
On-site entry fee: $65. On-site reg. ends 9:15 am. Rds. 10-12-2-3:30-5:15.
Questions, team rooms: chesscentr@aol.com (Jan 29-30 only: 212-971-
0101). Bring sets, clocks, boards NONE SUPPLIED!
A Heritage Event!
Jan. 30, Kasparov Chess Foundation presents the 44th Annual
Greater NY Junior High Championship - USCFs Longest-Running
Scholastic!
5-SS, G/30, open to all born after 1/30/94 not yet in 10th grade. New Yorker
Hotel, 481 8th Ave. & 34th St., NYC. 3 sections: Varsity, open to all. EF:
$48.60 postmarked by 1/08/10. Trophies to top 12, top U1500, top 3 unrated,
top 6 school teams. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru
8/1/10 to 1st, thru 7/1 to 2nd, thru 6/1 to 3rd. Junior-Varsity: open to
Under 1200 or unrated. EF: $48.50 postmarked by 1/8.Trophies to top 12, top
3 unrated, top 6 schools. Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru
7/1/10 to 1st, thru 6/1 to 2nd, thru 5/1 to 3rd. Novice, open to Under 700 or
unrated. EF: $48.40 postmarked by 1/8.Trophies to top 12, top 3 unrateds, top
6 schools. Plaques to top 2 each grade: 4-6 (you can win both plaque & tro-
phy). Free entry to all Chess Center tmts. except quads thru 6/1/10 to 1st, thru
5/1 to 2nd, thru 4/1 to 3rd. All: EFs $7 extra per player postmarked 1/9-15,
all $65 at site. Mail entries $5 less per player if 4 or more from same school

uschess.org Chess Life January 2010 67

 Tournament Life
(Latecomers will not play in round one). Brandeis H.S., 145 W. 84th St., 10024
(near Columbus Ave., Manhattan, NYC). Open to gr. K-12. Five rated sections:
Open, Under 1700, Under 1200, Under 800, Under 600. (May renew or join
USCF at tournament). Non-member sections by grades: K-3, 4-6, 7-12.Trophies
to top 3 in each section except Open ($50, $30, $20 for 1st-3rd); medal to each
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
player with 2.5 or more points. Team plaque to 1st and 2nd each section, with
top 4 scores counting in each section (minimum 3 players on team in section).
To register: use website at www.therightmove.org or email - thechessstop@aol.
com or Fax to 718-455-2863 before 6:00PM on Fri. Give full name, school, grade,
USCF ID#, exp. date, and section. NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION.
Feb. 11, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
10 min. before game.
Feb. 13, Marshall CC Saturday G/60
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360 b/24)
$120-70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
11:15-11:45. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request at entry.
Feb. 14, Marshall CC Sunday Action
5SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10 St., NYC, 212-477-3716. EF: $40, members
$20. ($360 b/24), 1/2 price for couples in honor of St. Valentines Day: 120-
70-50, U2200/unr $65, U2000 $55. Rds.: 12-1:30-2:45-4-5:20pm. One bye
available, request at entry.
Feb. 16, Marshall Masters (formerly the St. Johns Masters)
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 18, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 18-Mar. 25, FIDE Thursdays!!
6SS, G/120. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. Open to all players rated 1600
or above. EF: $50, $30 members. $$500 b/20: $175-125-100, U2000 $100; 2
byes OK, commit before Round 4. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7PM each Thursday;
FIDE rated. WCL JGP.
Feb. 19-Mar. 19, Queens Late Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 20, New York February Action!
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 21, 11th Annual NY February Under 13 Open!
4-SS, G/30, open to all born after 2/21/97. Chess Center at Marshall Chess
Club, 23 West 10th St., bet. 5-6 Ave., NYC: 845-569-9969. May be limited to 1st
52 entries. 2 Sections. 1. Open, EF: $32 postmarked by 2/12/10. 2. Novice,
for Under 1000 or Unrated, EF: $31 mailed by 2/12. Both, EF: $30 online at
www.chesscenter.cc by 2/18, $35 by phone at 406-896-2191 by 2/18, $40
at site, Club members $10 less ($10 fee for refunds). Trophies to top 10, top
Unr, top 3 teams (top 3 scorers from same school) each section. 8 weeks free
entry to 1st, 4 weeks free to 2nd each section. Speed playoff for 4-0. Limit of
2 byes, commit by 11:30. On-site reg. ends 9:30 am. Rds 10-11:30-12:45-2 pm.
Ent: Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615, New Windsor, NY 12553. List USCF ID,
rating, section, school/grade, DOB.
Feb. 21, NEW Sunday Sliding Scale Quads!
3-RR, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 W. 10th St., NYC: 212-
477-3716. EF: Master $35, Expert $30, A $25, U1800 $20. $$ (all EFs returned
less $36 per quad). Reg ends 7:20 pm. Rds. 7:30-8:30-9:30. NO FREE ENTRIES!!
No phone entry!
Feb. 21, Sunday Under 1400 Action!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Chess Club, 23 West 10 St., between 5-
6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716, for Under 1400 or unrated. EF $30, Club Members
68 Chess Life January 2010
$20, specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$200 b/20 paid: $100-
60-40, $60 limit to unr. Reg. ends 3:45 pm. Rds. 4-5:15-6:45-8 pm. No advance
entries.
Feb. 22-Mar. 22, Marshall CC Under 1600 Monday Swiss
5SS, G/90. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $40, members $20. $$300
b/20: $120-70-50, U1300 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7 PM each Monday.
Byes OK, limit 2, request by Rd. 3. WCL JGP.
Feb. 25, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
10 min. before game.
Feb. 26-28, 4th annual Saratoga Open
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 27, Marshall CC Saturday G/60
4SS, G/60. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($360 b/24) $120-
70-50, 1700-1999/unr $60, U1700 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.:
11:15-11:45AM. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. Note: Only one bye available, request
at entry.
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 27-28, New York State Scholastic Championships
Open to grades K-12 in any state (top NYS player & team in each section are
NY champions). Saratoga Hilton, 534 Broadway (I-87 Exit 13-N, 4 miles north
on US 9), Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.Team prizes based on top 4 scores from
same school; no combined school teams allowed even if one school feeds
another. Teams of 2 or 3 players allowed, but are at a disadvantage. In 6 sec-
tions, each is a 6SS, G/60 except K-1 is 5SS, G/30 playing Feb 28 only. High
School, grades K-12. EF $38 mailed by 2/5. Top NYS grade 9-12 qualifies for
DenkerTournament of HS Champions. Junior High, grades K-9. EF $37.90 mailed
by 2/5. Elementary, grades K-6. EF $37.60 mailed by 2/5. Elementary Novice,
grades K-6 under 800 or unrated. EF $37.50 mailed by 2/5. Primary, grades
K-3. EF $37.30 mailed by 2/5. K-1, grades K-1. EF $37.10 mailed by 2/5.
Postmarked 2/6-16: All EF $10 more. Do not mail entry after 2/17. Online
at chesstour.com, all sections: EF $40 by 2/6, $50 by 2/22. No online entry
after 2/22. Phoned to 406-896-2038, all sections: EF $45 by 2/6, $55 by 2/22.
No phone entry after 2/22. Entry at site: all $60. Trophies to top 20 players,
top 3 Unrated, and top 8 teams each section and top each U1400, U1200, U1000
(HS), U1200, U1000, U800 (JHS), U1000, U800 (Elem), U600, U400 (Elem
Novice). Speed playoff if perfect score tie. Free entry to NY State Championship,
Labor Day weekend 2010 (Albany), to top player each section. Schedule:
Late reg. ends Sat 11 am, rds Sat 12-3-6, Sun 9-12-2:30. K-1 schedule: Late
reg. ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10-12-1:30-3-4:30. Half point byes OK all, limit
2, must commit before rd 2. HR: $117-117, 888-999-4711, 518-584-4000,
reserve by 2/13 or rate may increase. 48 hours notice required for room can-
cellation. Backup hotel: Courtyard by Marriott, 2 blocks away, 518-226-0538.
Special car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #657633. Mail entry: Con-
tinental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Include name, rating,
USCF ID, USCF expiration (non-members enclose dues), section, school, grade,
birth date, address of each player. Checks payable to Continental Chess. $15
per player service charge for refunds. $10 extra to switch sections, all
substitutions from advance list charged $60. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-
496-9658. Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied.
Feb. 28, Grandmaster Challenge
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 2, Marshall CC New York Experts
Open to U2200 4SS, G/30. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF:
$40, members $20. $$300 b/20: $120-70-50. U1800 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.:
7-8:15-9:30-10:45. One bye available, request at entry.
Mar. 3-31, Marshall CC Under 2000 Wednesday Swiss
5SS, 30/90,SD/1. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $40, members $20.
$$300 b/20: $120-70-50, U1700 $60. Reg.: 6:15-6:45, Rds..: 7 PM each
Wednesday. Byes OK, limit 2, request by Round 3.
Mar. 4, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
10 min. before game.
Mar. 5-7 or 6-7, 19th annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 6-7 or 7, Marshall March U2300
4SS, 30/90, SD/1. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $45,
Members $25. ($360 b/24) $120-70-50, U2000/unr $65, U1700 $55. Reg.: ends
12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, rds 12:30-5:30 PM each day; 1 day, (rds
1-2 G/30) 10-11:15 AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both merge rd.3. Limit 2 byes,
request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. may be limited to first 60 players. WCL JGP.
Mar. 7, Rodeph Sholom Scholastic Chess Championship III
4-SS, G/30. 7 WEST 83 ST., NYC. 5 SECTIONS. BEGINNER (grades K-1 only)
Unrated Players Only. NOVICE (grades 2/below) U600. RESERVE (grades 2-
6 only) U500. PRIMARY (Grades 5/below) U1000. CHAMPIONSHIP/OPEN
(grades 12/below). AWARDS: Trophies to top 15 in each section. Top U400
NOVICE, U700 PRIMARY, U800 CHAMPIONSHIP. Special Prizes: Engraved dig-
ital chess clocks to: Top Player in each section, all 4-0 scores & Top Unrated
in Open Section. Engraved plaque to top UNR player in each section. High Scorer
trophy to all who score 2 and do not get into top 15. Engraved medals to all
others. Team Prizes: Trophies to top 4 teams in each section. Engraved digi-
tal chess clock to Top Team in each section. (Team score created by adding top
4 scores from same school). EARLY EF: $39 if received (postmarked by March
1). LATE EF: $45 Phoned, faxed or online thereafter until March 5, 5pm.
Onsite EF: $55. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rds.: All 10-11:30-12:45-2. Late entrants may
not be paired for the first round. Mail Entries: and make check payable to Tri-
State Chess, 1675 York Ave. #2M, N.Y. N.Y. 10128 Phone: (718) 645-5896 Fax:
(718) 535-7896 Online Entry: www.TriStateChess.com.
Mar. 11, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/30. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23 W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC:
212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36 entries. EF $30, Club membs $20,
specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewinners free. $$ (480 b/32 paid): 150-100-
50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min. before game. Rds. 7-8:15-
9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible! $5 extra if entering under
10 min. before game.
Mar. 13-14 or 14, March Open
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 31-Apr. 4, Apr. 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4, Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 16-18 or 17-18, Hartford Open (CT)
See Grand Prix.
North Carolina
Jan. 16, TACO LVIII
3-SS, G/90. Caraleigh Fellowship Hall, 118 Summit Ave., Raleigh, NC. EF: $21
(recd by 1/14)/$25 at site. Prize fund: $$640 b/40. OPEN: $120-$60 u2000:
$60, U1800: $100-$50 u1600 $50, U1400: $100-$50 u1200 $50. Reg.: 9-9:45.
Rds.: 10-1:45-5. NCCA reqd $5 OSA. Info: http://raleighchess.freewebpages.
org/taco.html. Jeff Jones (919)270-9948. kwyjibo924@aol.com.
Jan. 29-31, Land of the Sky XXIII
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Raleigh Tournament Chess Club #7
4-SS, G/75 one game per week, Explore! 6801 Falls of Neuse Rd., Raleigh, NC.
EF: $3/night Prizes: 75% GTD. Info: http://raleighchess.freewebpages.org.
Jon Achelpohl (740)466-8995. rtcchess@gmail.com. WCL JGP.
Feb. 20, TACO LIX
3-SS, G/90. Caraleigh Fellowship Hall, 118 Summit Ave., Raleigh, NC. EF: $21
(recd by 2/18)/$25 at site. Prize fund: $$640 b/40. OPEN: $120-$60 u2000:
$60, U1800: $100-$50 u1600 $50, U1400: $100-$50 u1200 $50. Reg.: 9-9:45.
Rds.: 10-1:45-5. NCCA reqd $5 OSA. Info: http://raleighchess.freewebpages.
org/taco.html. Jeff Jones (919)270-9948. kwyjibo924@aol.com.
Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, 2010 U. S. Masters
See Nationals.
Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, N.C. Sub-Masters
9SS, 40/2,SD/30. Hendersonville, NC. $$1670 b/50. Rds.: Concurrent with U.S.
Masters. EF: $50 by Feb 13, $55 by Mar 9, $60 at site. HR: Quality Inn & Suites,
201 Sugarloaf Rd., Hendersonville NC 28792. $60 or $68/night with hot break-
fast, indoor pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and mini-golf. 800-581-4745, www.qualityinn-
suiteshvl.com. Info and entry: Kevin Hyde, 705 Old Mountain Page Rd., Saluda,
NC 28773. hyde@ioa.com www.ncchess.org. WCL JGP.
Mar. 13-14, 19-21 or 15-21, Sub-Sub-Masters RBO
9SS, 40/2,SD/30. Hendersonville, NC. Rated U1000 or unrated. Plaque to 1st.
Rds.: Concurrent with U.S. Masters. EF: $10. Info and entry: Kevin Hyde, 705
Old Mountain Page Rd., Saluda, NC 28773. hyde@ioa.com www.ncchess.org.
WCL JGP.
June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, 38th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Ohio
Jan. 16-17, 6th Annual Holiday Blues Open
5 Round SwissTmt, Rds. 1&2, G/75, td/5; Rds. 3, 4, & 5, G/2h30m, td/5. Reg.:
Sat: 9:30-10:30 am. Rds.: Sat 11-2-5:30, Sun 10-3:30. One BYE permitted.
Declare prior to R2. 3 Sections: OPEN/U1900/U1500. EF: $26/$40 - adv/after
01/13/10. DCC mbr discount $3. EF refunded to 2200 & up who complete sched-
uschess.org
ule. PRIZES: OPEN: $250-125. U1900: $225-100. U1500: $200-100. $1000
b/48 paid entries, re-entries $15 count as 1/2 entry. LOC: Dayton Chess Club
- 18 West Fifth Street, Dayton, OH 45402. Call 937.461.6283 or email
DCC.18W5@sbcglobal.net or go to www.DaytonChessClub.com for additional
info (directions, parking, hotels, etc.). Register online at www.daytonchess
club.com or mail to Dayton Chess Club location address above (please note which
section you intend to play in). WCL JGP.
Jan. 29-31 or 30-31, 33rd Cardinal Open
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 13, Toledo Feb Swiss
Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds. 2-4 G/90. The University of Toledo Health Sci-
ence Campus, Mulford Library Basement Caf, 3000 Arlington Ave.,Toledo, Ohio
43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 2/11 $25 at site.
Reg.: 9-10 a.m. Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50, 1st Class A
,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd.,
Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450. WCL JGP.
Mar. 13, 9th Annual Queen City Classic Chess Tournament
5SS, G/30. Paul Brown Stadium, Club West, Downtown Cincinnati, OH. 17
School Sections, includes rated and non-rated. Grade K Non-Rated, Grade
1 Non-Rated, Grade 2 Non-rated, Grade 3 Non-rated, Grades K-3<600, Grades
K-3 Open, Grade 4 Non-Rated, Grade 5 Non-Rated, Grade 6 Non-Rated, Grades
4-6<700, Grades 4-6 Open, Grades 7-9 Non-Rated, Grades 7-9<900, Grades
7-9 Open, Grades 10-12 Non-Rated, K-12 Open, Collegiate. USCF membership
is not required for the non-rated and K-3 rated sections. Registration form online
at www.queencityclassic.org. Prizes: Trophies to all who score 3.5 points or
higher, top five team trophies awarded medals to all others. EF: $35 early bird
fee which includes lunch, t-shirt, program/score book, medal, simul participa-
tion. Registration fee increases to $40 after February 1. After March 1, entry
fee is $50. Registration closes Wednesday, March 10, 2010. NO SATUR-
DAY REGISTRATIONS. Checks, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and AmEx accepted.
Schedule: Friday, March 12, early check in from 4-6 p.m. FREE SIMUL at 6:30
p.m. for tournament participants, $20 for non-participants. SIMUL features Inter-
national Master Irina Krush, International Grandmasters Maurice Ashley and
Gregory Kaidanov and special guests. Saturday, March 13, check in 7- 8:30 a.m.,
matches begin at 9:00 a.m. Grandmasters will be available for questions and
instructions in the skittles room all day Saturday. Entry/Info: Queen City Clas-
sic Chess Tournament, 5400 Kennedy Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45213.
1.866.772.4377, 513.924.5038 or fax to 513.352.9370. Confirm all registrations
at www.cpu-solutions.com.
Mar. 13, Toledo Mar Swiss
Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90.The University ofToledo Health Science
Campus, Mulford Library Basement Caf, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, Ohio
43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by 3/11 $25 at site.
Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20, $100-50, 1st Class A
,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd.,
Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450. WCL JGP.
Apr. 16-18, 2010 All Girls National Championship presented by
the Kasparov Chess Foundation in association with the USCF and
UTD.
See Nationals.
May 27-31, 28-31, 29-31 or 30-31, 19th annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
Oklahoma
Feb. 13-15, Jerry Hanken FIDE Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
Pennsylvania
Every 2nd Saturday. Allentown 2nd Saturday Quads
3RR, G/40. St. Lukes Ev. Luth. Church, 417 N. 7th St.,
Allentown, PA 18102. Quads open to all. EF: $12.
$$24/quad. Reg.: 12-1, Rds.: 1:15-2:45-4:15. No adv.
ent. Info: 610-433-6518. Other rated events every week!
North Penn Chess Club
Main & Richardson, Lansdale, PA. See www.npchess
club.org for schedules & info or call 215-699-8418.
Jan. 9, Greater Cherry Hill Chess Quads
See New Jersey.
Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18, 42nd annual Liberty Bell Open
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 16, Winter Blast
4SS, G/30. Doylestown Activity Center, 425 Wells Road, Doylestown, PA 18901.
Sections: K-6 U/700, K-12 Champ. EF: $22 online by 1/13; $27 online by
noon 1/15; $35 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10:00, then ASAP. Prizes: trophies to
top individuals & schools. Free game analysis by NM Adam Weissbarth. See
www.silverknightschess.com to register, or for information about sections
for unrated players.
Jan. 23, 6th William J. Browne Memorial Quads
3RR, G/60. Pittsburgh Chess Club, 5604 Solway St., Suite 209, Pittsburgh, PA
15217. EF: $12 by 1/19, $17 later, $2 discount to PCC Members. $30 to first
each quad. Reg.: 10-10:45am, Rds.: 11AM-1:30PM-4PM. Info: 412-421-1881,
www.pittsburghcc.org. Ent: Pittsburgh Chess Club, Attn: Mike Holsinger, 5604
Solway Street, Suite 209, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Checks payable to Pittsburgh
Chess Club. NC, W.
Jan. 23, January Joust
4SS, G/30. Wayne Elementary School, 651 W. Wayne Ave., Wayne, PA 19087.
Sections: K-6 U/700, K-12 Champ. EF: $22 online by 1/20; $27 online by
noon 1/22; $35 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10:00, then ASAP. Prizes: trophies to
top individuals & schools. Free game analysis by NM Adam Weissbarth. See
www.silverknightschess.com to register, or for information about sections
for unrated players.
Jan. 29, Friday Night Action #13
4SS, G/30. Belmont Park Classroom, 200 Anderson Road, King of Prussia, PA
19406. Sections: Open, U/1400. EF: $30 online by noon the day of the event;
uschess.org
$10 more on-site 6:30-6:45; $10 less for players under 18. Rds.: 7:00, then ASAP.
Prizes: $100 to 1st overall; others per entries. Register at www.silverknights
chess.com. Registration limited to first 30 players.
Jan. 30, ASAP Chess Challenge Tournament
Great Hall, 2nd Floor, Winnet Building, Comm. College of Phil., 1700 Spring Gar-
den St., Philadelphia, PA 19130. 6 Sections. ALL SECTIONS FREE. Scholastic
Rated Sections: K-5: 4SS G/45, K-8: 4SS G/45, K-12: 3SS, G/60. Trophies for
top 5. Scholastic Non-Rated Sections: K-5: 4SS, G/40, K-8: 4SS, G/40, K-
12: 4SS, G/45. Non-USCF-rated. Medallions to winners. All: Depending upon
entries, an additional round may be added or sections divided. Reg.: 8:30am-
9:30am. 1st Rd at 10am. Ent/Info & Pre-Reg (by Wed 5pm): Windsor Jordan,
1520 Locust St., Suite 1104, Phila., PA 19102, wjordan@phillyasap.org, 215-
545-2727 ext. 18.
Jan. 31, PCL January Quick Quads (QC)
3RR, G/15. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & Bigelow, Pittsburgh,
PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-11:15am, Rds.: 11:30am-
Noon-12:30pm. Info: martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com, 412-908-0286. W.
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 6, 2010 PA State Amateur Team Championship
4SS, G/75. William Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th & Bigelow, Pittsburgh,
PA 15213. 4-player teams, average rating U2200, alternates allowed. EF:
$60/team by 1/29, $80 later. $$ (700 b/16 teams): $250-100, U2000 $95, U1800
$90, U1600 $85, U1400 $80. Reg.: 9-9:30 Rds.: 10-1-4-7. PSCF $5, OSA.
Ent/Info: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223, 412-
908-0286, martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com. W. WCL JGP.
Feb. 6, Chess Bowl 2010
4SS, G/30. Wayne Elementary School, 651 W. Wayne Ave., Wayne, PA 19087.
Sections: K-6 U/700, K-12 Champ. EF: $22 online by 2/3; $27 online by noon
2/5; $35 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10:00, then ASAP. Prizes: trophies to top indi-
viduals & schools. Free game analysis by NM Adam Weissbarth. See
www.silverknightschess.com to register, or for information about sections
for unrated players.
Feb. 19, Friday Night Action #14
4SS, G/30. Belmont Park Classroom, 200 Anderson Road, King of Prussia, PA
19406. Sections: Open, U/1400. EF: $30 online by noon the day of the event;
$10 more on-site 6:30-6:45; $10 less for players under 18. Rds.: 7:00, then ASAP.
Prizes: $100 to 1st overall; others per entries. Register at www.silverknights
chess.com. Registration limited to first 30 players.
Feb. 20, 2010 Presidents Week LVCA Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 21, PCL February Quick Quads (QC)
3RR, G/15. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & Bigelow, Pittsburgh,
PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-11:15am, Rds.: 11:30am-
Noon-12:30pm. Info: martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com, 412-908-0286. W.
Feb. 27, State Warm-Up
4SS, G/30. Mother of Divine Providence School, 405 Allendale Road, King of
Prussia, PA 19406. Sections: K-6 U/700, K-12 Champ. EF: $22 online by 2/24;
$27 online by noon 2/26; $35 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10:00, then ASAP.
Prizes: trophies to top individuals & schools. Free game analysis by NM Peter
Minear. See www.silverknightschess.com to register, or for information about
sections for unrated players.
Mar. 5, 2010 PA Quick Chess Championship (QC)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 6-7, 2010 Carlisle Open & PA Collegiate Championship
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 6-7, 2010 PA State Scholastic Championship
5SS. 142 Trophies!! (With 107 Individual & 35 Team). Hotel Carlisle & Embers
Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit 52A NB/Exit
52 SB off I-81, Exit 226 off PA Turnpike. 8 sections (Sat & Sun 3/6 & 7 unless
indicated): EF: K-3 Open: (Sat 3/6 only) $29. K-6 U800: (Sat 3/6 only) $27.
K-9 U1000: (Sun 3/7 only) $27.25. K-6 Open: $30.50. K-8 Open: $31.50. 7-
12 U1000: $28.50. 7-12 U1300: $29.50. K-12 Open: $32.50. All: EFs if recd
by 2/16, $10 more recd 2/17-3/2, $20 more after 3/2. Feb 2010 ratings
used. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd 2. Reg Fri 3/5 6-10 pm, Sat 3/6 9:30-10:15 am,
Saturday at site entries get 1/2-bye. $5 charge for changes/refund after
2/16. Rds (Sat 3/6 1-day sections): G/40T/D5; 10-11:45-2-3:45-5:30; (Sun 3/7
K-9 U1000): G/40, T/D5; 9-10:30-12:30-2-3:30; (2-day sections): G/90, T/D5;
10-2-5:30, 9-1. Bughouse: Reg on-site only until Sat 3/6 8:30pm. Rds begin
Sat 3/6 8:45pm. EF: $20/team. HR: Mention PA States for best rate; 800-
692-7315 $75. Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA
15223-2245. Info: Steve: 215-784-5938 piecebreaker@hotmail.com Dan: 610-
649-0750 danheisman@comcast.net www.pscfchess.org/pascholasticchamp/.
W.
Mar. 20, Greater Philadelphia Scholastic Championships
Radnor Middle School, 150 Louella Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087. Sections: K-1,
K-3, K-6, K-8, K-12. Time Control: K-1, K-3, K-6 5SS, G/30; K-8, K-12 4SS, G/60.
EF: $30 online by 3/17; $35 by noon 3/19; $40 on-site if at least 30 minutes
before round 1. Rds.: K-1, K-3, K-6 10-11:05-12:30-1:45-3:00, awards ceremony
at 4:00; K-8, K-12 10-12:30-2:35-3:40, awards ceremony at 5:40. Prizes: tro-
phies to top individuals & schools. All players in K-1, K-3, and K-6 sections get
trophies. Free game analysis by NM Peter Minear. Winner of K-12 is seeded
into Greater Philadelphia Junior Invitational. See www.silverknightschess.com
to register.
Mar. 31-Apr. 4, Apr. 1-4, 2-4 or 3-4, Philadelphia Open
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 29-May 27, 2010 Hatboro Open
See Grand Prix.
June 25-29, 4th annual Philadelphia International
See Grand Prix.
June 29-July 5, July 1-5, 2-5 or 3-5, 38th Annual World Open
See Grand Prix.
Rhode Island
Jan. 9, Cumberland Chessfest for kids
Register online website: www.richess.org, email: rhodeislandchess@yahoo.
com. (401) 359-1602.
Jan. 23 & Feb. 27, BK Tmt for kids
Register online website: www.richess.org, email: rhodeislandchess@yahoo.
com. (401) 359-1602.
South Carolina
Jan. 23, 5th Patrick D. Hart Memorial Scholastic
(Chess Adventures South Carolina Grand Prix tournament, for info, go to
www.chessadventures.com) 4SS, G30. Best Western Charleston-Downtown, 250
Spring St., Charleston, SC 29403. EF: $20 if recd by 1/20/10; $25 at site. USCF
& SCCA memberships reqd. OSA,Trophies to 1st, 2nd & 3rd plus free 1yr USCF
memberships each. Reg.: 8-9:30am. Rds.: 10am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm. In four
USCF rated sections: K-3, K-5, K-8 & K-12 (Sections may be combined for pair-
ing purposes, if necessary.) Special Non-rated Beginners section - 4 rds,
G/30 Open to beginning players. No USCF membership reqd. EF: $15 Prize for
top finisher/s - free 1 yr USCF membership. HR: $69.99 plus 12.5% tax (men-
tion tournament) Adv. Ent: Charleston Chess Club c/o David Y. Causey, 741
Dragoon Dr., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. Email: chessbass@att.net.
Feb. 5-7, 36th Snowstorm Special
See Grand Prix.
Tennessee
Feb. 27, Pre-Spring Special
3 sections: G/60 (4 rds) and G/30 (7 rds) and U1200 G/45 (5 rds), EF: $20 ($15
MCC members) 1st G/30-$100; 1st G/60-$100 guaranteed prizes. U1200:Tro-
phies to Top 3. Free blitz tournament for all entries after last rd! ($10 for blitz
only), unrated g/5, trophy for 1st. Registration 2/27: 8-9:30am. Rounds
(G/60): 10-1-3-5. Rounds (G/30): 10-11-1-2-3-4-5. Rounds (G/45): 10 and as
soon as possible. Site: Hampton Inn, 962 South Shady Grove Rd., Memphis,
TN 38120. Hotel reservations: (901) 762-0056. Entries: Memphis Chess Club
Inc., PO Box 17864, Memphis, TN 38187-0864. www.memphischess.com, gpy-
lant@gmail.com.
Apr. 23-25 or 24-25, 9th Southern Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
Texas
Jan. 9-10, Texas Team Championship
4SS, G/90 with 30 sec. increment (G/120 if no increment clock available). Bridge
Center of Austin, 6700 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin,TX. Open to four-player teams
avg. U2200 based on Dec. 2009 rating list. One alternate allowed, must be low-
est rated. EF: $100/team if recd by Jan 7th, $125 at site.TCA memb. req. ($10
reg. $7.50 jr. U19, $1 jr. tmt), o.s.a. $$($1325 b/16 teams): 1st - $500 + tro-
phy, 2nd - $250, 1st U1900 - $250 + trophy, 2nd U1900 - $125. Board prizes:
Top scorer on each board - $50 + plaque. Reg.: 10:30-11:45 am. Rds.: 12:30-
6:00, 9:30-3:00. Ent: online at www.AustinChessTournaments.com or mail
entry to AustinChessTournaments.com, P.O. Box 1386, Round Rock,TX, 78680;
512-417-9008; Lori.Balkum@AustinChessTournaments.com NS. NC. W. WCL
JGP.
Jan. 15-17 or 16-17, JGs Old-Fashioned Hamburgers Texas Class
Championships
University ofTexas at Dallas, Galaxy Rooms At Student Union, 800 West Camp-
bell Rd., Richardson,TX 75080. 5SS, G/120, Rd 1 of 2 day is G/60. In 7 Sections
Under 2200: Open to 2199 & under. Unrateds may play in this section but are
ineligible for prizes. Under 2000: Open to 1999 & under. Unrateds may play
in this section but not be eligible for prizes. U1800: Open to 1799 & under. Unrat-
eds may play in this section but not be eligible for prizes. U1600/Unrateds:
Open to 1599 & under. Unrateds play in this section. Unrated may only win
unrated prizes that are determined by unrated entry fees. The unrated entry
fees do not apply for U1600 prizes. U1400: Open to 1399 & under. Unrateds
may not play in this section. Under 1200: Open to 1199 & under. Unrateds may
not play in this section. Under 1000: Open to 999 & under. Unrateds may not
play in this section. ALL: $$ 60% returned as prizes (30% for 1st, 20% for 2nd
and 10% for 3rd.). EF: $49 by 1/6/10, Juniors U19/Seniors Over 65/Handicap
$30 by 1/6/10. Else $65 or Jr/Sr/Hcap $40. Please do not mail after Jan 6th.
Register online until Jan 12th: www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=
1796626. Two 1/2 pt. byes if requested before rd 2, but byes for both round 4
and round 5 is not allowed. Two schedules: 3 day and 2 day. 3 day Onsite
Registration: 1/15: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Rounds: Fri 7:20 pm, Sat 12:30 pm - 5:15
pm, Sun 9:10 am - 2:45 pm. 2 day Onsite Registration: 1/16: 8:00 - 8:30 am.
Rounds: Sat 9 am then merge with 3 day. Park on metered parking by Student
Union or by UTD bookstore. Or get visitors pass at guard shack on University
Drive and park on visitors parking. Due to contruction, check website for
parking updates. Recommended Hotel: Hawthorn Suites Richardson, 250
Municipal Dr., Richardson,TX 75080. 972-669-1000. HR: $79 for 1 bedroom will
DROPPING OUT?
Have to miss a round?
It is very important that you
NOTIFY THE DIRECTOR
before pairings are made, so no one
is deprived of a game! If you forfeit
without notice, you may be FINED up
to the amount of the entry fee!
Chess Life January 2010 69
 Tournament Life
pullout couch, $99 for 1 bedroom plus another king bedroom plus pullout
couch. Mention UTD rate to get hotel rate. Any problems booking your room,
please ask for Lynn Koutney. Free hot breakfast with hotel room. ENT: Dallas
Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036.
214.632.9000 INFO: Barb Swafford, info@dallaschess.com, www.swchess.com.
SEE PREVIOUS ISSUE FOR TLAS APPEARING JANUARY 1-14
NS, NC. WCL JGP.
Jan. 15-17, JGs Old-Fashioned Hamburgers Texas Masters
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 23, 2010 HCC Closed
OPEN TO HCC MEMBERS ONLY. 9000 SW FRWY STE. 428, Houston, TX 77074.
713-773-2437, EF: $40 BEFORE Jan. 23, 2010, $50 at the door. REG.: 7:30 to
8:30 am Jan. 23, 2010. 60% of entries will be paid out. Rd times: 9am, 12 pm,
2pm, 4 pm. Time control: G/60. Please contact: MARK D. at: dixon-
mark82@yahoo.com or DENNIS at: dng0215@hotmail.com.
Feb. 12-14, South Houston Open
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 19-21, 2010 Texas State Scholastic Championships
7SS. Sheraton Dallas North (Formerly Adams Mark), 400 North Olive Street,
Dallas,TX 75201. HR: $105-$105-$105-$105, 888-627-8191, MentionTexas Chess
Association to get Hotel Chess Rate. One night deposit may be required by Hotel.
Four championships in one great location: TX Primary Scholastic Champi-
onships; TX Elementary Scholastic Championships; TX Middle School
Scholastic Championships; TX High School Scholastic Championships.
EF: $39 by 2/11; $69 after 2/11 or on site. February Rating Supplement will
be used. Current USCF membership required (may be obtained on site). On Site
Registration: Friday, 7-9pm, Saturday, 7-7:45am. Saturday registrants may
receive a 1st Rd. 1/2-pt. bye. One 1/2-pt. bye (for any round) allowed if
requested by the end of Rd. 2. Sections: K-1 Championship, Primary (K-3) Cham-
pionship, Primary JV (K-3 w/Ratings Under 700), Elementary (K-5/6)
Championship, Elementary JV (K-5/6 Under 800), Elementary Novice (K-5/6
Under 500), Middle School (6-8/9) Championship, MS JV (6-8/9 Under 900),
MS Novice (6-8/9 Under 600), High School (9-12) Championship, HS JV (9-12
Under 1000). See Article IX, Section 1E, TCA Bylaws for each sections eligi-
bility requirement, www.texaschess.org/2007/03/bylaws.html. Also www.sw
chess.com also has eligibility rules. Four-year scholarship to The Univer-
sity of Texas at Dallas to winner of High School Championship section.
Winner must meet UTD entrance requirement and follow team rules. UTD is
sole judge as to who wins the scholarship. Trophies for top 20 individuals and
top 15 teams in each section plus participation medals for all, and plus Score
Awards for players scoring 4 or more points that do not win an individual tro-
Classifieds
Chess Life accepts classified advertising in these categories: Activities, For Rent, For Sale, Games, Instruc-
tion, Miscellaneous, Services, Tournaments, Wanted. Only typed or e-mailed copy is accepted. Absolutely no
telephone orders. Rates (per word, per insertion): 1-2 insertions $1.50, 3-6 insertions $1.25, 7 + insertions
$1.00. Affiliates pay $1.00 per word regardless of insertion frequency. No other discounts available. Adver-
tisements with less than 15 words will cost a minimum of $15 per issue. Post office boxes count as two words,
For Sale
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Chess sets. *Pay-Pal and all Major Credit Cards accepted. The
House of Staunton, Inc.; 1021 Production Court; Suite 100; Madison, AL 35758.
*Website: www.houseofstaunton.com; phone: (256) 858-8070; email:
sales@houseofstaunton.com.
Worlds largest collection of scanned chess e-books, magazines,
checkmates & tactic puzzles www.tobychess.com
Chess Art Paintings.
www.rogermorinartgallery.com
Unique holiday gift:
Magic: Endorsed by GM Lev Alburt, ICM John Elburg and FM Alex Dunne. Best
Odds game ever. Best Individual Game For Instructional Aid (Q & A format) Over
300 Diagrams. Supersedes all Ng5 TKD books + Anti-English, Anti-Reti, Phi-
losophy of Artificial Intelligence. MONEY BACK GUARANTEE IF NOT FULLY
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Seventy (70) Staunton sets for sale. Great money makers!
Email: colmac@prodigy.net. Address: Colmac, PO Box 48299, Coon Rapids,
MN 55448.
Visit www.taoofthechessboard.com
Say yes to chess, to life and to joy.
70 Chess Life January 2010
phy. Schedule: Round times vary depending on the Championship; Time con-
trol also varies. For round times and time control, see: www.swchess.com. Side
Virginia
Events: Blitz Tourney: K-6 and K-12, Friday 8pm. EF: $15. Trophies to top 15 Jan. 29-31, Springfield Open
Individual in each section. Bughouse Tourney: K-6 and K-12, Saturday, See Grand Prix.
8:35pm. EF: $20 Team (On site registration only). trophies to top 10 teams in
Jan. 31, Springfield Sunday Quads
each section. All registrations (except Bughouse) available on line: see
3-RR, G/61. EF: $25 Adv if recd by 1/22/2009, $30 at site. $$80 1st. Reg.:
www.swchess.com and you can download flyers and entry forms. Checks
Sunday 1/31 9a-10:25a. Rds.: 10:30a - 1:30p - 3:45p. See Springfield Open
payable to Dallas Chess Club. Mail entries to Dallas Chess Club, c/o Barbara
for site and entry details.
Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. For tournament info, visit
our website or contact Barbara Swafford, info@dallaschess.com or 214-632- Feb. 13-14, Kingstowne Chess Festival
9000. Refunds will be given only up to 2/17 with a $10 surcharge for See Grand Prix.
withdrawing, after 2/17 there will be no refunds. There will be no substitution Feb. 20, February Freeze K-8 Chess Tournament
of team members.There will be a $10 change fee for changes after 2/17.There 4SS, G/30. Montessori School of McLean, 1711 Kirby Road, McLean, VA 22101.
will be a $5 surcharge per player for phone registrations USCF membership Sections: K-8 Rated, K-8 Unrated. EF: $20 online by 2/17; $25 online by noon
is required. Proof of membership is required or player must join/renew their 2/19; $30 on-site 9:00-9:30. Rds.: 10:00, then ASAP. Prizes: trophies to top
memberships. No registration/changes/or withdrawals after 2/17/10. After individuals & schools. Free game analysis by NM Adam Weissbarth. See
that date you must make changes at site (Sheraton Dallas North). Chess In Edu- www.silverknightschess.com to register.
cation Conference for coaches, teachers and administrators, contact
Russell.Harwood@utb.edu for more info. NS, NC, W. Mar. 5-7, 42nd Annual Virginia Open
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 20-21, Southwest Collegiate Championships
See Grand Prix. West Virginia
Utah Feb. 13-14, Kingstowne Chess Festival (VA)
See Grand Prix.
Jan. 15-16, Ogden Airport Chess Odyssey
Kemp Jet Services (Ogden Airport), 4282 So. 1650 West, Ogden, UT 84405. 4SS,
ONE Section ONLY. EF: Paid entries in by Jan 12, $25. Entry info in by Jan 13,
Wisconsin
$30, can pay at tournament. ON-site, $35. Time Controls: Rd 1&2 G/90, Rd Feb. 12-14 or 13-14, 2010 U.S. Amateur Team Championship -
3&4 30/60 SD/60 (ALL td/5). Rds.: Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 9AM, 1:15PM, 5:30. $$: North
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 Solutions

Chess to Enjoy (page 43) B. A deadly Zugzwang ensues after 1. ... exf5? 2. e6 Problem II.
Problem I. Bb3 (if 2. ... fxe6 3. Kxg6 f4 4. Bxf4 Kf8 5. Kf6 1. Kc5 g4
1. ... Nf4! prompted resignation in view of 2. Qxf5 wins) 3. exf7+ Bxf7 4. Kg7 f4 5. Bxf4 Ke7 6. 1. ... Ka4 2. g4 b4 3. Kc4 a5 4. a3 bxa3 5. b3 mate.
Bd6+ Ke8 7. Bc5. 2. b3 g5 3. a3 g6 4. a4 bxa4 5. b4 mate.
C. On 1. ... gxf5? 2. h5 f4 3. g6 fxg6 4. h6 this pawn
Rxe2 mate or 2. Qc3+ Kh7 3. Rd2 Qb1+.
Problem II. Solitaire Chess ABCs of Chess
1. Qd5! wins a rook in view of 1. ... Rxd5 2. g8=Q+. queens. (page 17)
Problem III. 3. B. GM Grischuk-GM Shirov, 2nd Grand
Fork: Black wins at least the knight with 1. ... Bd4.
Problem I.
A. The knight gets pinned after 1. ... Ke7? 2. Ba3.
1. ... Qc3+ 2. Rd2 e3! wins (3. Bxe3 Qxc8; 3. fxe3 Slam Masters, Spain 2009.

B. The best chance to hold even if insufficient, is 1.

Rf1 mate).
Pin: With 1. ... Bf7, Black keeps a pin on the d5-
Problem II.
Problem IV.
1. Nd5+! exd5 2. Rfe1+ Kd6 (2. ... Kf6 3. Qh4+!) 3. ... Ke8 2. Bc3 Nd5 3. Bd2 Kd7 4. Kc5 Kc7 5. b4
pawn and saves a piece.
Nb6 6. Kb5 Kb7.
C. Shirov went down fighting with 1. ... Nc2+!? 2.
Qf8+ Kc6 4. Ba4+ b5 (4. ... Kb6 5. Qb4+ Ka7 6.
Fork: Black sacs to get it back: 1. ... Qxf2+ 2. Kxf2
Problem III.
Qxd4+ and 7. Qxg7) 5. Rac1+ Kb6 6. Rxc7 and
wins. Kc5 Ne1 3. Kc6 Nxg2 4. b4 Nf4 5. b5 Nd5 6. Kd6 Ng4+.
Problem V. Kg6 7. Bd4 Kg5 8. b6 Nxb6 9. Bxb6 e5 10. Ke6
Mating net: The game ends by 1. ... Nh3+ 2. Kh1
Problem IV.
1. Rxf8+! Bxf8 2. Qf6+ and now 2. ... Bg7 3. Qd8+ e4 11. Kf7 f5 12. Kxg7 h5 13. Kf7 f4 14. Ke6 Kg4
or 2. ... Rg7 3. Qxh6+ Rh7 4. Qxf8 mate or 2. ... Kh7 15. Ke5 Kf3 16. h4! and Black resigned in view of
Qg1+ 3. Rxg1 Nf2 mate.
3. Bd5! and 4. Qxf8 or 4. Bxg2. 16. ... e3 17. Kf5! e2 18. Ba5 Kxf2 19. Kxf4.
Mating net: Black wins quickly, 1. ... Qxh2+ 2.
Problem V.
Problem VI. 4. B. GM Kramnik-GM Khalifman,

A. Black lost after 1. ... Kd8? 2. Bc2 g5 3. Bf5 Nc7

1. Rf2! Qxc2! 2. Be2+! (not 2. Rxc2 Rh8!) and wins, Champions Rapid, Switzerland 2009.
Kxh2 Rh5 mate.
e.g. 2. ... Ke8 3. Bb5+. Or 2. ... Qf5 3. Rxf5+ gxf5 4.
Fork: Its simple: 1. ... Nxe2+ wins a piece, since
4. Bh3 Na8+ 5. Kc5 Ke7 6. Kd5 Nc7+ 7. Kc5 Na8 Problem VI.
Bxh5+ Kf8 5. Qxf5+ Kg8 6. Bf7+ Kf8 7. Be6+ or 6.
... Kh8 7. Qh5+. (Also lost is 5. ... Bf6 6. Qg6.) 8. Bg4 Nc7 9. Kb6 Kd8 10. Kb7 Ne8 11. e6 Nd6+
12. Kb8 Nb5 13. Bh3. 2. Qxe2 allows 2. ... Qd4+.
B. The knight must get to e7 to draw: 1. ... Ke6! 2.
Total your score to deter-
Whats The Best Move? (page 46)

mine your approximate

1. C. GM Nakamura-GM van Wely, Bc2 Kxe5 3. Bxg6 Nd6 4. c7 Ke6 5. Bh5 Nc8+ 6.

A. Inadequate is 1. ... Rc8? 2. b7 Rb8 3. Kc5 Kg6 4. rating below:

Amsterdam 2009. Kb7 Ne7 7. Bg4+ Kd6 with a fortress.
C. Inadequate is 1. ... g5 2. Bd1 Kd8 (or 2. ... Ke6 3.
Kc6 Kg5 5. Kc7 Rxb7+ 6. Rxb7 Kh4 7. Rb3.
B. Equally hopeless is 1. ... Rb1+? 2. Kc5.
Bh5) 3. e6 Ke7 4. Bg4 Kd8 5. Kb7 Nd6+ 6. Kb8
Total Score Approx. Rating

C. The wily Dutchman found 1. ... e4! 2. b7 e3 3.

Nb5 7. Bh3 Nd6 8. c7+ Ke7 9. c8=Q Nxc8 10. 95+ 2400+
Kxc8. 81-94 2200-2399
b8=Q e2 and drew many moves later with care- 66-80 2000-2199
ful defense after 4. Rg5+ fxg5 5. Qe5+ Kf8 6. Endgame Lab Benkos Bafflers 51-65 1800-1999
Qxe2 Rc6 7. Qe5 h6 8. Kb5 Re6, etc. (page 45) 36-50 1600-1799
21-35 1400-1599
A. Black drew with 1. ... Bc2! 2. fxe6 fxe6 3. Kxe6
2. A. GM Gelfand-GM Shirov, Romania 2009.
Problem I. 06-20 1200-1399
1. g6 fxg6+ 2. Kxf6 g5 3. Kf5 g4 4. hxg4 mate. 0-05 under 1200
Bb3+ 4. Kf6 Bc2.

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