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www.uschess.org 1

Building Champions: In the Classroom and the Community4657 Maryland Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63108 | 314.361.CHESS (2437)saintlouischessclub.org | @CCSCSL #STLChessClub The CCSCSL admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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2 September 2017 | Chess Life

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COLUMNS 14 LOOKS AT BOOKS / SHOULD I BUY IT?

By John Hartmann

16 CHESS TO ENJOY / ENTERTAINMENT

By GM Andy Soltis

18 BACK TO BASICS / READER ANNOTATIONS

By GM Lev Alburt

20 IN THE ARENA / PLAYER OF THE MONTH

By GM Robert Hess

46 SOLITAIRE CHESS / INSTRUCTION

By Bruce Pandolfini

48 THE PRACTICAL ENDGAME / INSTRUCTION

By GM Daniel Naroditsky

DEPARTMENTS 6 SEPTEMBER PREVIEW / THIS MONTH IN CHESS LIFE AND US

CHESS NEWS

8 COUNTERPLAY / READERS RESPOND

9 US CHESS AFFAIRS / NEWS FOR OUR MEMBERS

10 FIRST MOVES / CHESS NEWS FROM AROUND THE U.S.

11 FACES ACROSS THE BOARD / BY AL LAWRENCE

52 TOURNAMENT LIFE / SEPTEMBER

71 CLASSIFIEDS / SEPTEMBER

71 SOLUTIONS / SEPTEMBER

72 MY BEST MOVE / PERSONALITIES

WGM SABINA-FRANCESCA FOISOR

ON THE COVER

The land of Capablanca has long been off limits to U.S. chessplayers, but recently travel restrictions have been lifted incertain situations. Our correspondents took the opportunityto make a chess trip. See the full story on page 22.

COVER PHOTO: IRINA MEDVEDEV

22 COVER STORY / CHESS IN CUBA

BY FM JACOB CHUDNOVSKY AND IRINA MEDVEDEV

With the recent easing of travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba,our correspondents took the opportunity to visit our neighbor 90 milesoff the coast of Florida.

28 US CHESS NATIONAL EVENTS / NATIONAL OPEN

BY IM NAZI PAIKIDZE

Las Vegas International Chess Festival hosts long-running National Open and multiple side events for all ages and players

34 INTERNATIONAL EVENTS / NORWAY CHESS

BY GM IAN ROGERS

second, and fourth, in one of the strongesttournaments in history

42 INTERNATIONAL EVENTS / 2017 WORLD TEAM

BY GM SAM SHANKLAND

No medals this year for our U.S. squads

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Six-year-old José learns to checkmate with king and rook versus king at the Trinidad Chess Club.

www.uschess.org 5

September Preview / This month in Chess Life and US Chess News

CONTRIBUTORS

MASTER CLASSWITH GARRYKASPAROVUS Chess fans were rivetedto see Kasparov return tochess for the Saint LouisRapid & Blitz in August.Continue to be inspired bythe legend and look forVanessa West’s review ofGarry Kasparov’s onlineMasterClass course.

US CHESS SCHOOL INSIGHTSWe continue the “Back to School” theme with insights from recent editionsof the US Chess School (USCS), a free one-week camp featuring the toptalent in the U.S. Look for our coverage of USCS #40 in San Francisco,which will include puzzles and problems you can try to solve along with thecampers. Also check out July archives for an in-depth piece by Akira Nakadaon the 38th edition of the US Chess School held in St. Louis.


LABOR DAY MADNESSFollow tournament reports from the wide range of statechampionships and Grand Prixes held over Labor Dayweekend, and share your own photos and memorablemoments with us on facebook.com/uschess andtwitter.com/uschess.

US CHESS NEWS PREVIEW SEPTEMBER

AMERICANS IN THE WORLD CUPFollow our American delegationat the World Cup in Tbilisi,Georgia (Sept. 2-28). Ourrepresentatives include worldnumbers two and three, WesleySo and Fabiano Caruana, as wellas Hikaru Nakamura, who will be

shooting for a spot in the Candidates’ cycle. Young Americantalents such as Jeffery Xiong (World Junior champ) and SamSevian (Continental champ) will also be playing in the 128-player knockout.

GM SAM SHANKLAND(World Team) was California state champion in 2008,2009, 2011, and 2012; champion of state champions in2009; world U18 championship bronze medalist in 2008;and U.S. junior champion in 2010. As a member of theUnited States team, Shankland won the gold medal for thebest individual result at the reserve board at the 41st ChessOlympiad in 2014. He also was a member of the U.S. teamat the 42nd Chess Olympiad in 2016, where the UnitedStates won gold for the first time in 40 years. InSeptember 2016, he was ranked 57th in the world.

GM IAN ROGERS(Norway Chess) is the firstAustralian grandmaster and coversinternational events for Chess Life.

IM NAZI PAIKIDZE(National Open) is the 2016 U.S.Women’s Champion. She was twiceWorld Youth girls’ champion andfour-time European youth girls’ champion in her age category.

FM JACOB CHUDNOVSKY(Cover Story) is a semi-professionalchess player and writer with aregular column in Chess Horizonsmagazine.

IRINA MEDVEDEV (Cover Story and Photos) is a nature, wildlife, and humaninterest photographer and travel writer.

www.uschess.org 7

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US CHESS70th ANNUAL

2017 Open Correspondence Chess Golden Knights Championship $800 FIRST PRIZE

(PLUS TITLE OF US CHESS GOLDEN KNIGHTS CHAMPION AND PLAQUE)

2ND PLACE $500 • 3RD $300 • 4TH THRU 10TH PLACE $100 EACH • ENTRY FEE: $25 These US Chess Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all US Chess members who reside on the North American continent, islands,or Hawaii, as well as those US Chess members with an APO or FPO address. US Chess members who reside outside of the North Am erican con-tinent are welcome to participate in e-mail events. Your US Chess membership must remain current for the duration of the event, and entry feesmust be paid in U.S. dollars. Those new to US Chess Corre spond ence Chess, please estimate your strength: Class A: 1800-1999 (very strong);Class B: 1600-1799 (strong); Class C: 1400-1599 (intermediate); Class D: 1399 and below (beginner level). Note: Prize fund based on 200entries and may be decreased proportionately per number of entries assigned.

US CHESS14th ANNUAL

2017 E-mail Correspondence Chess Electronic Knights Championship (SEVEN-PLAYER SECTIONS, ONE GAME WITH EACH OF SIX OPPONENTS.)

$800 FIRST PRIZE(PLUS TITLE OF US CHESS ELECTRONIC KNIGHTS CHAMPION AND PLAQUE)

2ND PLACE $500 • 3RD $300 • 4TH THRU 10TH PLACE $100 EACH • ENTRY FEE: $25These US Chess Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all US Chess members with e-mail access. Your US Chess membership mustremain current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars. Maximum number of tournament entries allowed for theyear for each player is ten. Note: Prize fund based on 200 entries and may be decreased proportionately per number of entries assigned.

Correspondence Chess Matches (two players)TWO OR SIX-GAME OPTIONS. ENTRY FEE: $5.

❑ WIN A CORRESPONDENCE CHESS TROPHYFour-player, double round-robin with rating-level (0000-1499;1500-1799; 1800-2000+) pairings. 1st-place winner re ceives atrophy.ENTRY FEE: $10.

❑ VICTOR PALCIAUSKAS PRIZE TOURNAMENTSSeven-player class-level pairings, one game with each of six opponents. 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 rating-level (0000-1499;1500-1799; 1800-2000+) pairings (unrateds welcome). 1st-placewinner receives a John W. Collins certificate.ENTRY FEE: $7.

Email Rated Events (need email access)❑ LIGHTNING MATCH Two players with two or six-game option.ENTRY FEE: $5.

❑ SWIFT QUADSFour-player, double round-robin format.1st-place prize US Chess CC entry credit of $30.Rating-Levels 0000-1499; 1500-1799; 1800-2000+.ENTRY FEE: $10.

❑ WALTER MUIR E-QUADS (WEBSERVER CHESS)Four-player, double round-robin webserver format tournament with class-level pairings. 1st-place receives a certificate. ENTRY FEE: $7.

Please check event(s) selected.NOTE: Except for Lightning Matches, Swift Quads, Walter Muir E-Quads & Electronic Knights, players will use post office mail,unless opponents agree to use e-mail.

CHECK OUT US CHESS CORRESPONDENCE CHESS RATED EVENTS!

The exhibition PINNED! showcases the

MIND. ART. EXPERIENCE.4652 Maryland Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63108(314) 367-WCHF (9243) | worldchesshof.org@WorldChessHOF #PINNEDChess

Opens OCTOBER 5, 2017

IRONMAN, IRON SKIN

I was surprised and dismayed by John Hartmann’s review of Jay Bonin'srecent book, Active Pieces (“Caissa’s Devoted Servant,” June, 2017). Whilethe book may have some analytic errors (although I don’t know thatbeing wrong about the locations where some games were played reallymerits criticism), I don't share Mr. Hartmann's “disappointment” at all.

Bonin’s annotations were not computer assisted and thus we can expecta few human oversights. The review fails to discuss the greatest value ofplaying over these games by club and master level players, and even bygrandmasters: Bonin is an excellent chess psychologist. From the veryfirst moves, he tries to prevent his opponents from reaching the formationsthey’re aiming for, and thus gets them out of their comfort zone.

For example, as Black he might play 1. d4 c5 2. c3 Qa5. Only two movesinto the game, White is disrupted if his plan was to play 3. Bf4 becauseof the annoying 3. ... cxd4. There are many such early ideas, with bothcolors, and against players who themselves are sly, experienced competitorswith clever ideas of their own.

In my opinion, playing over these games can be of much greater practicalvalue than studying deep analyses of grandmaster games. I think thebenefits far outweigh any drawbacks the review dwells on, and I stronglyrecommend the book.

Mark WiederKinnelon, New Jersey

John Hartmann responds:

If basic facts like place are wrong, as they are in Active Pieces, readers shouldrightly wonder what else might be incorrect in the book. When authors claim tohave “checked these variations with the help of our silicon friend Houdini,” (7)and then can be shown to have regularly failed to do so, it casts a sickly paleover the book as a whole.

I agree that part of the charm of Active Pieces lies in eavesdropping on astrong player’s thought process, and I said as much in the review. But thoughtprocesses can be wrong, and a more honest (and edifying) rendering wouldhave acknowledged these in-game errors.

Had Bonin and Keener written something like “I thought 38. ... Ne6 was decisive,with the f-pawn having a say in matters, but there was a miracle draw herewith 38. ... Rb5” in the example cited in the review, I'd have no complaints. Insteadthey entirely glossed over the difficulty, something that occurs multiple times inthe text.

Truth and accuracy matter, and today more than ever. Authors and publishershave a duty to perform editorial due diligence so as to provide the book-buyingpublic the best product available. Active Pieces fails that test, whatever its othervirtues might be, and its authors and publisher owed their buyers a better book.

Counterplay / Readers Respond

Remembering Joan Schlich

Joan Schlich, who died in June of this year, was a member ofUS Chess since at least the early 1960s and by the late '60sshe was on the woman's Top-50 list (see some of her trophyplates below). Joan (above with GM Arthur Bisguier at the1978 National Open) married Ernie Schlich, who was justrecognized by US Chess with an Outstanding Career Achievementaward, in 1973. She directed the first tournament Ernie everplayed in and then taught him how to direct chess tournaments.When Ernie served as technical director for US Chess, Joanworked in the New Windsor, New York office as part of ourgeneral office staff.

While Ernie was deployed, she would take some of the clubkids to U.S. Opens. She had been active in clubs in Charleston,South Carolina; Norfolk, Virginia; Nashua, New Hampshire;and the Washington, D.C. area. She served as the chess coachfor Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua and organized anddirected the Southern NH Scholastic Chess League.

Ernie reported of a memorial service held on July 22: “Wehad a very nice service for Joan held at the church that hoststhe Hampton Roads Chess Club. After the service we had apot luck lunch and played chess, which is something that Joanwould have loved.”


2017 EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTION

Empowering people through chess one move at a time.

US CHESSMISSION

US CHESSVISION

Our vision is to enrich the lives of all persons and communities through increasing the play,

study, and appreciation of the game of chess.

The results of the ballot count are as follows:

Mike Nietman (top left): 830 votes

Allen Priest (second from left): 776 votes

Hal Sprechman (third from left): 654 votes

Lakshmana “Vish” Viswanath (fourth from left): 578 votes

Ryan Velez: 555 votes

Fun Fong: 544 votes

These results were presented to the Delegates Saturday, August 5, 2017, for certification. Nietman,Priest, and Sprechman were elected to three-year terms ending in 2020 and Viswanath was elected to aone-year term ending in 2018. The Election committee expresses great thanks to Mr. Harry Sabine andhis team of tellers for counting the ballots for this year’s election and having the results ready so promptly.

See page two for the current makeup of the 2017-18 US Chess Executive Board

2017ANNUALREPORTThe 2017 US Chess AnnualReport is available fordownload as a PDF in thegovernance section ofuschess.org. A limitednumber of print copies arealso available; contactKathleen Collins,[email protected], torequest a copy.

eosCheess : A Game F r LiffCh : A Gam For L f

2017 ANNUAL REPORT

When I was young my father was my best friend. He taught me chess. Then my parents got divorced. Chess was the only part of our relationship that survived. Whenever I could put my life on those 64 squares it was special. Each move a silent nod to my dad. So from high school tournaments, to the parks of New York City and Philadelphia, to US Chess, I played because it was the piece of him no one could take from me. Dad gave me chess; he never knew what it would mean. Now, I give chess to my nephews because I know someday it will be the piece of me that can’t be taken from them.

— PETER ROCCAFORTE

18

I started playing chess five years ago when I was six years old. I started taking classes and then playing in tournaments. I am shy but at chess I feel comfortable and happy. I have many friends, and I sometimes get to travel to fun places like Florida and Tennessee. One of my favorite things about chess is that you can be losing terribly but there is always a chance to win. My mommy thinks chess helps me understand and learn that it’s important to never give up and always try to learn from my mistakes. Chess teaches me to never give up.

—JANE GOLDMAN

20

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TTIONTIONATAT

JANUARY 2017US Chess Trust selects GM Jefferey Xiong as the 2017 Samford Fellow.

Kasparov Chess Foundation celebrates its 15th anniversarywith 15 chess events around the country.

MA60 Minutes

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PRO Chess League debuts, attracting top players from around the world.

Fabiano Caruana appears on the prestigious Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list, which showcases “600 of the brightest young entrepreneurs, innovators and game changers” every year.

MARCH 2017Edward Lasker is inducted into the US Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis.

The Saint Louis Arch Bishops, led by Wesley So, win PRO Chess League’s

inaugural season by defeating GM Magnus Carlsen’s team, the Norway Gnomes.

Weebster University wins its record-breaking fifth national college championship at the The Final Four of College Chess, sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton and Two Sigma.

features chess in a segment on a rural chess team from Franklin County, Mississippi.

AYY 2017 SuperNationals VI breaks rbecoming the largest rated

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APRIL 2017US Chess’ Twitter account shatters records with more than 558,000 impressions over a 30-day period.

oouth, two-time consecutive USATE winner, takes the national championship at the U.S. Amateur Team playoffs.

Sophie Morris-Suzuki wins the All-Girls National Championship, sponsored by the Kasparov Chess Foundation.

FEBRUARY 2017US Chess launches its “New Member Recruitment Pilot Program,” an initiative aimed at helping affiliates attract new adult members.

GM Hikaru Nakamura wins Tradewise Gibraltar Masters for the third year in a row.

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Weesley So reaches the number two positionin the world and a career peak rating of 2822.

CHESS FOUNDACHESS FOUNDAARARKASPKASPPAPAROROOOVV

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records with 5,575 attendees, tournament in history. 9

UNE 2017Awonder Liang scores his final GM norm at the Chicago Open. 11

US Chess’ Facebook page doubles its fan base, jumping from 4,700 to 9,300 followers in a year.

GM Sam Sevian wins the 2017 Con-tinental Championship in Medellin, Colombia, thereby earning a spot at the next FIDE World Cup, and making history as the youngest Continental Champion ever. 12

in the world and a career peak rating

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www.uschess.org 9


First Moves / Chess news from around the U.S.

Aging,Memory,andChessChess can be a therapy to help people have better brain function.by DR. GERALD M. LEVITT

Did you ever walk into a room andforget what you were looking for? Youstand there scanning around for a clue

as to what you were seeking to jog your mem -ory. Can’t remember where your eyeglassesare, then find them on your head?

These questions foreshadow events that mayhappen to you, your relatives, your friends, orjust about anyone you know. Memory dysfunc -tion has various names: senility, dementia,Alzheimer’s, mental decay, etc. It is an often-debilitating condition that progresses and canleave people misunderstood, unable to function,depressed, and vulnerable to the stresses ofmodern day life as they fight to cope in a worldthey can’t understand.

Chess is a world of concentrated thought,spatial analysis, and continued learning. Wenow understand that chess can be a therapy tohelp people have better brain function and thusfight off the effects of the many memory-sapping conditions that affect so many of ourelderly. My wife and I are members of a seniorcenter here in Naples, Florida called The JewishFamily and Community Services of SouthwestFlorida (a non sectarian human service agency).According to Marla Ramsey, the acting andvery capable director of the center, there areover 800 active members of many ethnic andreligious backgrounds, ranging in age from 60to 101 years. The center has classes and dis -cussions on many subjects, including art, politics,current events, computer and cell phone help,health care, memory loss, exercise, games (e.g.mah jongg, pinochle), etc. They also have theDakim Brain Fitness program on their com -puters for use anytime by the members.

I approached the leadership of the centerabout starting a chess class to help improvememory. They were very supportive andencouraging about starting such a program.Ms. Ramsey even came up with the appropriatename, “Improve Brain Fitness Through Chess.”

Dr. Kenneth S. Kosik, MD is an Americanneurologist and physician scientist. With EllenClegg, he authored The Alzheimer’s Solution: HowToday’s Care Is Failing Millions and How We CanDo Better, which received the Will Solimeneaward. Recently he co-authored OutsmartingAlzheimer’s with Alisa Bowman. His work hasbeen widely shown in the media.

From 1980, Dr. Kosik held a series ofacademic appointments at the Harvard MedicalSchool and achieved the rank of full professorthere in 1996. He also held appointments atmany other notable hospitals and facilities.

Kosik’s work with early onset familialAlzheimer’s disease in Colombia was the basisfor a novel prevention trial to treat Alzheimer’sdisease by helping discover the Tau protein inthe Alzheimer neurofibrillary tangle.

His awards are numerous and impressive.

www.uschess.org 11


They include a Whitaker Health SciencesAward from the Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology, the Zenith Award and TempleAward from the Alzheimer’s Association, theNASA Group Achievement Award to theNeurolab Science Team, among many more.Dr. Kosik was kind enough to contribute hisspecific thoughts for this article.

A quite impressive body of evidence nowsupports the idea that challenging the brainsustains the brain. The frontal lobes, wherethe ability to plan strategically resides, are afrequent site of brain degeneration as we age.Using the frontal lobes can sustain theirfunction—and few activities activate the frontallobes as effectively as chess. The game offerscomplex challenges, which require mentallyenvisioning multiple possible configurationson the board and thencomput ing a furtheropti mal strategy. It'sgreat way to give thebrain a work-out.

Ms. Ramsey told methat many of themembers have had con -cerns over mem oryaware ness. They oftenlose their keys or simplyforget what task theywere going off to do.They seek out theco m p u t e r m e m o r yh e l p e r p r o g r a m(Dakim), and also cometo talks by health profes-sionals and others to tryto learn what they cando to deflect the ravagesof memory loss. The members often discussthe difficulties of daily life. Feeling theirmemory ability slipping away seems to be oneof their main concerns.

I decided to keep the chess group on thesmall side so individual attention would beavailable. I used to teach larger classes whenI taught at private schools in Naples, but Ifelt a smaller class size here would be moreappropriate, so the group is limited to six-to-eight students. The center purchased threenew sets with boards and bags from US ChessSales. I purchased a large display chess boardso the class could see more easily when Idiscuss games, tactics, or other chess thoughts.US Chess has been very gracious in sendinga number of back issues of Chess Life Kids thatI distribute to the Center students. Teachingis a difficult, but greatly rewarding, activity.I usually start out our classes with some pieceof chess history, or perhaps current events:Morphy’s game against the Duke and theCount while at the Paris Opera in 1858 is an

attention-gathering game, as is the evolutionof and need for chess clocks; living chessplayed by live people and the tales of capturedpieces being put to death in long ago timesgets rapt attention; blindfold chess and chessfor the blind also attract interest. There areso many areas of entertaining interest toengage in.

After the introductory discussion we soonstart playing games between the students. Iencourage the students to keep written scoresof their games. This slows them down andhelps avoid rash moves that can easily costthem the game. If we have an odd numberof students that session, I substitute for themissing student. We discuss the avenuesavailable on the internet to learn to play andhave access to other chess players around the

world. I also urge themto try correspondencechess. Postal chess is agreat way for them totake some time, thinkthings out, and exercisetheir brains.

The point of thisarticle is to inspire you,the reader, to take upthe fight against brainfatigue. It is also a battleto help preserve ourown memory andfunctioning capa bilities.

By helping othersy o u c a n a l s o h e l py o u r s e l f . M o s t o f u s h a v e r e l a t i v e s ,friends, or acquain-tances battling memory

issues. You don’t have to teach to a group. Ifyou can, great. Volunteer. But you might bea very capable person, one-on-one, teachingthe game you know so well. How did youlearn to play chess? Before the computerrevolution in chess, someone showed youhow to play. With computers it is easier thanever to learn the game. One of my favoritebooks for new students is Bobby Fischer TeachesChess. Another of my favorite books forinstructional learning is Fischer’s My 60Memorable Games. Even Fischer had a teacherin the great John Collins. You may turn outto be a future world champion’s mentor.

By teaching chess, you yourself will becomea better chess player. When you startdiscussing pawn storms, forks, en passant,weak squares, and so on, you refresh yourmemories and will be more aware when youplay. In using your ability to help others, youwill help yourself. So ask grandma or grandpa,an ailing aunt or uncle, relative, or friend.See if they are up for a game. Don’t forget.

FACES ACROSS THE BOARD

KATHYA LOPEZLA FERIA, TEXAS“It’s a game for both girls and boys.”

“What are you playing?”Kathya asked her dad Ger-ardo one day when she was

seven. “Chess,” he said, and asked her if shewanted to give the game a try. “I lost, but I reallygot interested. So I studied,” training with well-known chess teacher and organizer Russell Har-wood. “And then I joined the chess team.” Herteam now has more than 50 players. Her biggestaccomplishment in her young chess career hasbeen “earning a spot in the Girls’ Top 100 List”for girls age 10. “Chess helps me focus and think.”As a fourth-grader at Sam Houston ElementarySchool, she pursues many interests: drawing,reading, singing, swimming, and tennis. Her goal?“To become a grandmaster!” In her first tourna-ment game, she got the best of both worlds, notonly winning but learning a valuable lesson. Heropponent, already a rook ahead, captured her remaining rook. But that grab walked into a mate-in-one. “I won because he was greedy!”

VICTORIAGUTIERREZHARLINGEN, TEXAS

“My first tournament made mehungry for more!”

Victoria wasn’t satisfied with the participationmedal she received in her first tournament. Shebegan getting up extra early to practice at herschool’s early-morning chess program. “It’s fun,and I get to improve every day.” Just five yearsold, Victoria is another student at Sam HoustonElementary who learned chess from RussellHarwood and has earned a spot on the Girls’Top 100 List for her age. (Half a dozen of Har-wood’s students appear on Top-100 lists.) Vic-toria’s sister Amber and her two uncles, Chrisand Izzie, also play the game. “I’m having funwith my chess family and being able to usetechniques I learn at practice.” Her favorite chessexperience so far? “Placing first at the 6th An-nual St. Mary's Christmas Tournament.” Outsideof school, she likes to Rollerblade, color, anddraw. And she keeps “adding to the collection”on a shelf crowded with seven trophies and fourmedals—“Not including participation medals!”

By AL LAWRENCE

Using the frontal lobes can

sustain theirfunction and fewactivities activatethe frontal lobes

as effectively as chess.

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Overall Affiliate StandingsName State CountCONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 1235PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 1099BAY AREA CHESS CA 671THE BERKELEY CHESS SCHOOL CA 366WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB PA 273BOCA RATON CHESS CLUB FL 269ROCKS & ROOKS CHESS CLUB TX 253CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CTR MO 242FOOTHILL HS CHESS CLUB CA 237EN PASSANT CHESS CLUB TX 224

Small State Affiliate StandingsName State CountMAINE ASSOC OF CHESS COACHES ME 73ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL CC ME 56NEW MEXICO SCHOL CHESS ORG NM 43WVSCA WV 40TOURNAMENT IN A BOX NH 24AIRLINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL ME 22 RELYEA CHESS NH 21OMAHA CHESS COMMUNITY NE 15KNIGHTS CHESS CLUB NH 11DELAWARE YOUTH CHESS ORG DE 10ENDGAME CHESS NM 10CHESS CLUB OF ADDISON COUNTY VT 10MESA CHESS CLUB NM 10

State Chapter Affiliate StandingsName State CountMARYLAND CHESS ASSOCIATION MD 453MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION MI 234WASHINGTON CHESS FEDERATION WA 158PENNSYLVANIA ST CHESS FED PA 155MASSACHUSETTS CHESS ASSOC MA 82MINNESOTA ST CHESS ASSN MN 46TENNESSEE CHESS ASSOCIATION TN 41IOWA STATE CHESS ASSOCIATION IA 36NEVADA CHESS INC NV 28NEW HAMPSHIRE CHESS ASSN NH 27

Adult Membership StandingsName State CountCONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 1007MARSHALL CHESS CLUB NY 187CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CTR MO 149JERSEY SHORE HS CHESS LEAGUE NJ 143SAN DIEGO CHESS CLUB CA 113ROCHESTER CHESS CENTER NY 84LOS ANGELES CHESS CLUB CA 83DALLAS CHESS CLUB TX 83BAY AREA CHESS CA 81PAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 68

Scholastic and Youth Membership StandingsName State CountPAPERCLIP PAIRINGS TX 1031BAY AREA CHESS CA 590THE BERKELEY CHESS SCHOOL CA 329WESTERN PA YOUTH CHESS CLUB PA 260CONTINENTAL CHESS ASSN NY 228ROCKS & ROOKS CHESS CLUB TX 223EN PASSANT CHESS CLUB TX 219FOOTHILL HS CHESS CLUB CA 219BOCA RATON CHESS CLUB FL 205SACRAMENTO VALLEY SCH CL CA 199

Member StandingsName State CountNAVARRO, DANIEL A TX 19SOSO, VAUGHN NY 17CLARK, MIKE MO 15KRANICH RITTER, TANIA FL 13TUSING, TIMOTHY A FL 12WAGUESPACK, GARY PHILLIP MD 9SPENCER, ALEC CA 5SLAVIN, DANIEL JOSHUA NY 5BRACKENRIDGE, KEITH W OH 5STALLINGS, JAY CA 4SHAEFFER, JAY CO 4MOY, BOBBY NY 4SETSER, BRADY SC 4ALVAREZ, WAYLON TX 4

Membership Appreciation Program (MAP)The MAP program continues in 2016. See details at main.uschess.org/go/MAP. Top standings will appear every two months in Chess Life.

PCT Gain Standings

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State Dec15 Dec16 PCTKY 1529 1733 13.3NV 894 1010 13.0LA 667 738 10.6

State Dec15 Dec16 PCTTX 10787 11902 10.3GA 2288 2495 9.0ND 135 147 8.9

State Dec15 Dec16 PCTCT 1303 1413 8.4

Benefactor Membership includes Life Membership, a special membership card, and recognition on a benefactor page ofour website and periodically in Chess Life. The cost is $3,000, or $1,500 to existing Life Members. Half the funds

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Be a US Chess Benefactor!

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www.uschess.org 13


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NOTABLE NAKAMURA

MEMORABLE QUOTE“THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THINGIN LIFE IS TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELFREGARDLESS OF WHAT EVERYONEELSE SAYS.”

NICKNAMES

“THE HBOMB”

for hisexplosive

style ofplay

“THE BULLETDEMON”for hisrenowned speed chessskills

SUPERSTAR STATUSUNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL

#1 #2PEAK NATIONAL

RANKPEAK WORLD

RANK

2900PEAK

US CHESSRATING

2816PEAKFIDE

RATING

MOVE MARATHON

275MOVES

Rybka (computer) versus Nakamura

ICC Blitz 3 0(2007)

@GMHikaruon Twitter

1,906TWEETS55,258FOLLOWERS

DISPELLING ACHESS MYTH:

“No, I’m not a natural mathematician.”

– CNN interview, 8/25/15

TRADEWISE GIBRALTARMASTERS CHAMPION

32015, 2016, 2017

YEARSIN AROW 4

U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS

2005

2009

2012

2015

Ihave noticed that a lot of amateur defendersof the King’s Indian Defense (KID) tend to“wing it” in the opening. They trust that

their general knowledge of the KID will sufficeas they fling their pawns and pieces forward,or that the Muse will grace them with the rightmove just when they need it.

What they forget is that even Kasparov—one of the most dynamic players in chess historyand one of the KID’s greatest champions—hadto marry inspiration with theory, memorizingvariation after variation as he tried to survivehis theoretical arms races with Karpov andKramnik. Eventually he gave up, deciding thatthe memory work required to play both theNajdorf and the KID was too much and thatthe Najdorf was a better use of his time.

It is absolutely critical to know your theoryif you want to play the KID, particularly at themaster level or in correspondence play. Andchess publishers have come to the rescue witha slew of recent titles that cover the main lines,the side lines, and everything in between. We’lltake a look at seven books by three authorsthis month, using two examples to help illustratethe strengths and weaknesses of each author’sproject.

The fifth and final volume of VasiliosKotronias’ epic series on the KID is newlypublished by Quality Chess. Clocking in at over2,300 pages, these five volumes—Kotronias onthe King’s Indian 1: Fianchetto Systems (2013), 2:Mar del Plata I (2015), 3: Mar del Plata II (2015), 4:Classical Systems (2016), and 5: Sämisch and theRest (2017)—almost certainly represent the mostdetailed examination of a single opening inchess history.

In a clear echo of Quality Chess’ slogan, theseries promotes the most central and principled

of main lines in KID theory. This includes the“Kasparov” line against the Fianchetto (v1)featuring ... Nbd7, ... e5, and ... Qb6, the famousMar del Plata variation in the Classical (v2 andv3), and the super-topical 6. ... c5 against theSämisch (v5). While the vast majority of thelines discussed in the early volumes still standup—current top-level correspondence gamesseem to support this—Kotronias has kindlyincluded 46 pages of updates and revisions tohis previous analysis in the fifth book.

Victor Bologan’s Bologan’s King’s Indian: AModern Repertoire for Black (New in Chess, 2017)is a mildly revised version of his 2009 The King’sIndian from Chess Stars. Some of the materialalso appears on two DVDs released byChessBase in 2009 and 2015. The book is notdesigned to be an exhaustive treatment of theopening à la Kotronias, but rather, one thatdescribes the “KID Bologan Style.” (8)

On the whole the repertoire is very similarto that proposed in the 2009 edition. It trendstowards the main lines (Panno against theFianchetto, the Mar del Plata, 6. ... c5 versusthe Sämisch) but nearly always includes multiplerepertoire choices for readers to choose from.Bologan also provides suggestions against theEnglish Opening, White’s double fianchetto,the Torre and the London. His is the only bookunder current discussion that does so.

Our third and final book comes from MilosPavlovic and Thinkers Publishing. New Weaponsin the King’s Indian (2017) consists mainly oflesser known paths in the KID. Pavlovicanalyzes the ... exd4 lines in the Classical and6. ... Nbd7 in the Sämisch (which backs up intosome 6. ... c5 variations). He eschews typicalKID lines in the fianchetto variations, insteadarguing for the viability of an old pawn sacrifice

in the English Four Knights after 1. d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c5 5. Bg2 cxd4 6. Nxd40-0 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. 0-0 d6!?.

Pavlovic’s book is largely raw analysis. Thereis, the table of contents notwithstanding, nobibliography in the book, and it can sometimesresemble a database dump a bit too much formy taste. The layout is very clear and pageshave plenty of white space, but once again aThinkers Publishing book suffers from mangledEnglish. It is fully readable, to be sure, but theeditorial lapses range from the mild to thecomical.

One of the best ways to try and compareopening books is to compare their commonanalyses. There is quite a bit of overlap in someof the main lines between Kotronias andBologan, and some with Pavlovic. Here we’lltake a look at what they have to say about twocurrently theoretically important positions.

The Bayonet Attack in the Classical KIDremains quite trendy at all levels. After 1. d4Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7. 0-0 Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. b4 Black hastwo main options: 9. ... Nh5 and 9. ... a5.

Both Bologan and Kotronias analyze 9. ...Nh5, where one of White’s current thematic

No KIDding: A Slew ofNew KID BooksBooks that will help you marry inspiration with theory in theKing’s Indian DefenseBy JOHN HARTMANN


Look at Books / Should I Buy It?

tries is 10. Re1 f5 11. Ng5 Nf6 12. Bf3 c6. Here13. Be3 and 13. Bb2 are White’s most commonmoves, but 13. dxc6!? is a rare move played byVishy Anand’s long-time second RadoslawWojtaszek. After 13. ... bxc6 14. exf5 gxf5 15.b5 White has given up the center, but has sometactical possibilities in exchange. Kotroniasdevotes a full chapter to this variation, claimingthat Black can “hold his own” after 15. ... h616. Nh3 d5 17. bxc6!? e4 18. Ba3 d4 and 17.Ba3 e4 18. cxd5 cxd5 19. Nf4 Re8, with analysisrunning out to move 49!

13. dxc6 does not appear in Bologan’s book,but he does (briefly) discuss the alternative 12.... h6. This precludes Wojtaszek’s move andforces White back into more traditional lineswith 13. Ne6 Bxe6 14. dxe6 c6 as discussed byDavid Vigorito in his excellent column atChessPublishing.com.

Bologan also covers 9. ... a5 and 9. ... c6 asalternatives to 9. ... Nh5. His discussion of 9. ...a5 is worth particular attention. After 10. Ba3(10. bxa5 c5 locks up the queenside) 10. ... axb411. Bxb4 Nd7 12. a4 he analyzes the relativelyrare 12. ... Kh8!? and shows it to be a veryreasonable path for Black.

Another important variation—this time inthe Sämisch—comes from the famous gamebetween Peter Svidler and Alexander Grischukin the 2013 FIDE Candidates Tournament.After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5.f3 0-0 6. Be3 c5 7. Nge2 Nc6 8. d5 Ne5 9. Ng3h5 10. Be2 h4 11. Nf1 e6 12. f4 Grischuk setthe board aflame with the fantastic piecesacrifice 12. ... Nxc4!? 13. Bxc4 b5 14. Bxb5exd5 15. e5.

(see diagram next column)

All three books include this position as partof their repertoires, although Pavlovic reaches

it by means of a slightly different move order (6. ... Nbd7 7. Nge2 c5 8. d5 Ne5, transposing).

Grischuk continued with 15. ... dxe5, butthere is an alternative: 15. ... Bg4. The keyvariation is 16. exf6 Bxd1 17. fxg7 Kxg7 18.Rxd1. Bologan thinks that this is an improve -ment over the Grischuk game: “[i]f White ...exchanges queen for minor pieces, he will haveto fight against a pawn wedge in the center.”(183) Pavlovic extends Bologan’s analysis with18. ... d4 19. Rxd4 cxd4 20. Bxd4+ f6 and claimsthat Black stands better. (51)

Kotronias disagrees. Citing GM DmitrySvetushkin, he thinks that after 21. Ne3 “Whitehad the more pleasant position ... Black had anominal material advantage with a queen anda rook against four minor pieces, but the piecescoordinate beautifully.” (476) I suspect that hemight be right here, at least in terms of practicalplay. There are four over-the-board games with15. ... Bg4 in my database, and after 16. exf6White won all of them.

This is, by necessity, a small analyticalsampling, but these examples help to illustratesome of the relative strengths and weaknessesof our authors and their books. Kotronias’ booksare astoundingly detailed, scrupulously sourced,and analytically precise. It is hard to think that

they could be bettered in accuracy or coverage.At 2,300 pages, no one—not even Kasparov—could hope to memorize it all, so I suggest thatreaders focus on the skeleton at the beginningof each chapter and the summaries at theirends. Fill in details as interest, practice, andtime allow.

Bologan’s book has two main strengths. Itis concise, and it offers multiple repertoirechoices where Kotronias tends to offer justone. That it covers “sidelines” like the English,London or Torre is also very useful. Bologan’sanalysis is generally of a high standard, butreaders should pay special critical attention topages that lack game citations after 2009.

I am less enthusiastic about Pavlovic’s book.I don’t trust his evaluation of 15. ... Bg4 asdescribed above, and as I checked his analysis,both of Svidler-Grischuk and more broadly, Ikept finding small problems. I think the bookcan be useful for those looking for lesser-traveled paths in the KID or for those whoserepertoire matches up with his or her choices,but it’s just not in the same league as Bologanor Kotronias.

www.uschess.org 15

Looks at Books / Should I Buy It?

Bologan, Victor. Bologan’s King’s Indian: A ModernRepertoire for Black. New in Chess, 2017. ISBNPaperback: 978-9056917203. FAN. 448 pages. (Availablefrom uscfsales.com, catalog number B0185NIC, $32.95)

Kotronias, Vassilias. Kotronias on the King’s Indian,Volume Five, Sämisch & The Rest. Quality Chess,2017. ISBN: 978-1-78483-035-9. 560 pages. (Availablefrom uscfsales.com, catalog number B0134QT, $32.50)

Pavlovic, Milos. New Weapons in the King’s Indian.Thinkers Publishing, 2016. ISBN Paperback:9789492510020. FAN. 242 pages. (Available fromuscfsales.com, catalog number B0008TH, $31.50)

Chess to Enjoy / Entertainment


WHEN THE WORLD’S TOP-RATEDplayers faced off earlier this year in Norway,fans following online computer analysis wereoften bewildered. It wasn’t the grandmastermoves that stumped them. It was what theknow-it-all engines had to say.

+9 EQUALS DRAWGM Anish Giri (FIDE 2771, NED)GM Fabiano Caruana (FIDE 2808, USA)altibox Norway Chess 2017 (8),Stavanger, Norway, 06.15.2017

AFTER 62. ... Nf7

White wins easily, the machines agreed. Onecomputer estimated his advantage at +8.98.That’s nearly an extra queen among us humans.

Yet after 63. Kf4 White offered a draw.Black can just move his knight back and forth,say to 64. ... Nh8, and deny progress.

Some computers faulted White’s move andsaid he would be at least +4.00 ahead after anotherking move. But if you looked at their 30-plus-move variations, you wondered why they didn’tsee the obvious draw. Or consult a tablebase.

Baffling computer evaluations began withthe first round: (see next position top of next column)

One of the high-profile computers saidWhite had a substantial edge and supported itwith 54. h4 Kf6 55. Ke3 Ke7 56. Ke2 Ke6 57.

A BAFFLING EVALUATIONGM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2832, NOR)GM Wesley So (FIDE 2812, USA)altibox Norway Chess 2017 (1), Stavanger, Norway, 06.06.2017

AFTER 53. ... Kg6

Kd3 Kd7 58. Ke3 Ke7. But White isn’t makingprogress this way. He’s just treading water.

Instead, White played for a trap:54. h4 Kf6 55. Kf3 Kf7 56. Ke3 Ke7 57.Kd3 Kd7 58. Kc4!

Another online program saw the only goodmove. 58. ... Ke6!

But it said White was still ahead, by a marginof +0.87. In fact, this was another dead drawand the players soon made it official. And inthe next round:

CONFUSINGGM Hikaru Nakamura (FIDE 2785, USA)GM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2793, ARM)altibox Norway Chess 2017 (2), Stavanger, Norway, 06.07.2017

(see diagram top of next column)

The three computers featured on Chessdom.com thought Black was much better. Houdini,which gave Black the biggest edge, -1.01,recommended 60. ... Nxg3.

AFTER 60. Ng3

Yes, Black is better. An extra pawn is, afterall, an extra pawn. But 61. Rxg3 would createa bookish position that many could draw.

If you believe that computers are alwaysright, this had to be confusing. How could aposition be very favorable and yet a “dead draw”?

The answer is that there are some positionsthat computers get wrong, very wrong. In manycases they get it wrong because they come tosnap judgments. The early sensation of theNorway tournament was this:

SNAP JUDGEMENTGM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2793, ARM)GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2832, NOR)altibox Norway Chess 2017 (4), Stavanger, Norway, 06.10.2017

AFTER 18. Ng5+

Driving in your Computer’sBlind SpotWhen not to believe your computerBy GM ANDY SOLTIS

Chess to Enjoy / Entertainment

www.uschess.org 17

One program’s evaluation was that 18. ...Kg6 is best and would limit White’s edge to+0.52. Wrong on both counts.

The machine’s actual analysis wasn’t far off.It ran 19. Qf3 f5 20. Nxe6 Rg8 21. g4 Kf7 22.Ng5+ Ke8 23. Qxc6 Qa2 24. d5 Kd8 25. Qe6Rf8 26. d6 Qxe6 27. Nxe6+ Ke8 28. Nxf8 Nxf829. gxf5 bxc5 30. bxc5 Bxf5 31. c6 Rb6 32. d7+Kd8 33. Ba5. But the final position isn’t +0.52.It’s resignable for Black.

The problem is we rely on computers somuch that we don’t realize they have blind spots.In a recent book, I cited several situations inwhich grandmasters typically have doubts aboutwhat their computer tells them. Among them:

(1) In low-calculation endgames, (2) When one side has a space advantage on

a wing, and(3) When there is a fortressWhat these situations have in common is

that they don’t let programs do what they dobest. If a program can’t see 20 moves aheadwith certainty, it may exaggerate positionaltrumps or extra material, which are values itcan convert more easily into binary code.

Fortresses are almost always endgames inwhich one side has a substantial positional ormaterial advantage but cannot break down awell-coordinated defensive setup. A lot of fansfirst became aware of it with this position:

FORTRESSGM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2818, RUS)GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2894, NOR)FIDE World Championship Match 2016.TB. Rapid. (4), New York, NY, 11.15.2016

AFTER 45. Nd1

Now 45. ... fxg4 46. Ne3 sets up a blockadethat is hard, if not impossible, to break. 45. ... f4

In the post-game press conference, Whitesaid the position was “probably. ... a fortress”then. Black conceded a draw after nearly 40more moves. But in Chessbomb.com’s analysis,Black’s superiority soon grew to -2.38 beforeit slowly dropped.

After Stavanger I would add one more casethat some programs can get wrong—potentialstalemates. This should be easy to calculate but:

STOCKFISH SEES THE TRAPGM Wesley So (FIDE 2812, USA)GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2781, RUS)altibox Norway Chess 2017 (4), Stavanger, Norway, 06.09.2017

AFTER 68. ... Re1

Some programs thought White would wineasily with a rook move. Stockfish, however,noticed a trap that the others didn’t: 69. Ra2 R8xe7! 70. Bxe7 Re5+! since 71.Kxe5 is stalemate.

And that’s how the game ended.

Did you know that you could read archival copies of“Chess to Enjoy” (and all columns and features)?Go to uschess.org, click on “Chess Life Magazine,”and then “Archives.”

Paris 1867 Back in the days when they heldWorld’s Fairs, international or majornational chess tournaments wereoften held at the same time. Thissummer marks the 150th anniversaryof one of the most impressive events,Paris 1867. It was won by Ignatz vonKolisch, perhaps the greatest Slovakplayer of all time. Sam Loyd, the“Puzzle King,” became the firstAmerican to play in an internationaltournament but finished 61⁄2/24.Eugene Rousseau, who finished last,had lost the first recognized U.S.Championship, a match in 1845. Inthis month’s quiz you are asked tofind the fastest winning line of playin games from Paris 1867. This willusually mean the forced win of adecisive amount of material. Forsolutions, see page 71.

PROBLEM IIgnatz von KolischSam Loyd

WHITE TO PLAY

PROBLEM IVWilhelm SteinitzSam Loyd

WHITE TO PLAY

PROBLEM IICelso Golmayo ZupideWilhelm Steinitz

BLACK TO PLAY

PROBLEM VSimon WinawerIgnatz von Kolisch

BLACK TO PLAY

PROBLEM IIICecil De VereSamuel Rosenthal

BLACK TO PLAY

PROBLEM VIEmile D’AndreSam Loyd

BLACK TO PLAY

Back to Basics / Reader annotations


HOW TO WIN A WON POSITION—SAY,after winning a piece? How to create chancesto hold (for the one down a piece)? Veryimportant, very practical questions, and thegame below definitely addresses them.

Writes the tenacious defender/counter-attacker, Tom Barkasi, who also provided thesubtitle for this column (my further commentsare in italics):

I’m 48 and played my first chess tournamenta couple years ago. After winning the C group,under 1200, I moved up to the B group, 1200-1700. After losing a bunch of games playingpeople 300-400 points higher, my once proudrating of 1250 dropped to 1130.

In the game I’m sending, I blunder away apiece early in the opening, but instead of givingup, I fight on and eventually win.

ENGLISH OPENING (A22)Billy Monk (1311)Tom Barkasi (1130)Boca Raton C.C.-Mar./Apr. 2017, B Group(3), Boca Raton, Florida, 04.07.2014

1. c4 e5

Not knowing much opening theory, espe -cially against the English, I do the basics,developing and controlling the center.

2. Nc3

White plays the Sicilian Defense—with an extratempo, Nc3.

2. ... Bb4

More common is to play first 2. ... Nf6, andonly then 3. ... Bb4. Why?—See my note to White’snext move.

3. g3

The move 3. Nd5 is tempo-winning, and strong,but not crushing—Black removes the bishop andthen regains a lost tempo by ... c7-c6.

3. ... Nf6 4. Bg2

4. ... d6??

How can this be bad???An important tactic to remember. After the

normal 4. ... 0-0, the game is almost even.

5. Qa4+

Ouch. 5. ... Nc6

This defense would be effective if in case thedefender, the c6-knight, is captured, Black could playthe in-between move 6. ... Bxc3. However this optionis not available to Black since 6. Bxc6 is a check!

6. Bxc6+

(see diagram top of next column)

6. ... bxc6 7. Qxb4 c5

Frustrated, I attack his queen.

8. Qb3 c6

I did not want his knight ever coming intob5 or d5. My thought now was to keep hispieces at bay.9. d3 h6

Again keeping his bishop out of g5, pinningmy knight.

Tom’s notes to his two last moves show goodprophylactic thinking!

10. e4

10. ... Be6

Clearly, of two natural moves, 10. ... Be6 orcastling, castling is the one more needed. For exam -ple, if White continued (quite likely) 11. Nge2—ashe did in the game—11. ... Bh3 leaves Black with avaluable extra move (10. ... 0-0).

11. Nge2

The Miracle ExplainedWhen down material, play dynamically.By GM LEV ALBURT

Back to Basics / Reader annotations

www.uschess.org 19

The easiest way for White to finish his devel -opment—and then to win relatively easily with hisextra piece—was to castle by hand: 11. Kf1, 12. Kg2.

11. ... Bh3

Not letting him castle.12. f3

Blunders a pawn. Stronger, and simple, was 12. f4.

12. ... 0-0

Black missed a chance to win a pawn: 12. ... Bg2.Here was one of those rare occasions where castlinghas to wait.

13. Kf2 Nh7

Preparing ... f7-f5.14. g4

Trying to trap my bishop.I’d rather expel that annoying bishop with—yes,

14. Ng1!.

14. ... Qh4+ 15. Ng3

15. ... Nf6

Being down a piece, I’m seriously thinkingof sacrificing my knight to expose his king.

Suddenly—after several dubious or even outrightbad moves (11. Nge2, 12. f3, 13. Kf2 and especially14. g4)—White’s win is no longer pre-ordained.Here, for Black I’d prefer 15. ... h5, opening the f-file without extra sacrifices (16. gxh5 f5!).

16. Qd1

Now, after 16. ... Nxg4+ sacrifice, Black will gaina tempo by attacking this queen. Stronger was 16.Nd1, with the eventual Ne3 in mind.

16. ... Nxg4+ 17. fxg4 Bxg4 18. Nce2 f5

I finally get to play ... f7-f5 and get my rooksinvolved. I’m feeling happy even though I knowhe is still winning.

Black’s attack is very powerful.

19. exf5 Rxf5+ 20. Ke1 Raf8 21. Kd2

Escaping to the queenside.21. ... Rf2 22. Kc3 d5

My center pawns look menacing.Tom employs all of his resources—very skillfully.

23. cxd5 cxd5 24. b3

24. ... Bh5?

I wanted to bring my queen to b4 with check.24. ... Bxe2 was better.

Indeed: 24. ... Bxe2 25. Nxe2 Qd4+!! (if 26. Nxd4?then 26. ... exd4 is checkmate).

25. Ba3?

The computer says it’s dead even. He’s pro -tecting b4 but he should have taken on h5.25. ... d4+

I did not see 25. ... Qd4+ (26. Nxd4 exd4mate).

Of course—as in my note above—26. Nxd4 isn’tforced (26. Kc2, and the game goes on).

26. Kc2 Bxe2

I see a combination going into an endgamewith a queen and two pawns against his tworooks and a bishop. Probably not good for mebut I take the chance.27. Nxe2 Rxe2+ 28. Kb1?

Even after the best move, 28. Qxe2 Rf2 29. Rae1e4! Black dominates the game.

28. ... Rff2

He told me after the game he did not wantto lose his queen. I felt extremely comfortableat this point.

I am learning that when you are up inmaterial and have a winning position it is soeasy to make big mistakes when your opponentstarts playing dynamically. You have to be awareof your opponent’s threats but not so muchthat you disregard your own and blunder.29. Bc1

Not 29. Bxc5 Rb2+ 30. Kc1 Qf4+.

29. ... e4

An excellent finale. The game is practically over.

30. Re1? exd3 31. Qxd3??

This is the kind of mistake that happenswhen you’re under pressure.

Here—in a completely lost position.

31. ... Rxe1 32. a4 Qxh2 33. Qc4+ Kh7 34.Qxc5 Rb2 mate.

Blundering a piece on move four, Black continuedto play, and play well. He built up a strong attackby sacrificing another piece for two pawns, andeventually won, not by a gift of a returned blunder,but by skillful, purposeful play. A lot to learn fromboth sides.

Did you know you could read archival copies of“Back to Basics” (and all columns and features)?Go to uschess.org, click on “Chess Life Magazine,”and then “Archives.”

Send in your games!If you are unrated or rated 1799 or be -low, then GM Lev Alburt invites you tosend your most instructive game withnotes to:Back to Basics, c/o Chess LifePO Box 3967 Crossville, TN 38557-3967Or e-mail your material to [email protected]

www.ChessWithLev.com

In The Arena / Player of the Month


SABINA FOISOR IS NOW A HOUSEHOLDname for chess fans thanks to her sparklingperformance at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Cham -pionship. With wins in all six of her gameswith the white pieces and a final tally of 8/11,Foisor outpaced her nearest competitor, 2016champion IM Nazi Paikidze, by a full point.

Foisor followed up her impressive displayat the national championship with a strongperformance representing the national team atthe 2017 Women’s World Team Champi-onship. Her best result was the following winover a Polish international master. Her patienceand her opponent’s hesitation combined toscore her a fine victory.

ENGLISH OPENING (A17)WGM Sabina-Francesca Foisor (FIDE 2331, USA) IM Karina Szczepkowska (FIDE 2414, POL) Women’s World Team Chess Championship (3), Khanty-Mansiysk,Russia, 06.19.2017

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 b6 4. a3

The point of this thematic move is to prevent... Bb4, which threatens a bishop for knightexchange that makes White’s task of playinge2-e4 much more cumbersome. Yet without aquick burst in the center this can also be a wasteof time. As we’ll see in the game, this push didnot really benefit White.

The main continuation is 4. g3 with the ideaof challenging the long diagonal with thekingside fianchetto. 4. ... Bb7 5. Bg2 Bb4 mustbe what Foisor wanted to avoid, but here Whitedoes quite well. Another plausible plan is 4. e4Bb7 5. Bd3!? which was a favorite of thelegendary GM Viktor Korchnoi.

4. ... Be7 5. g3 Bb7 6. Bg2 0-0 7. 0-0c5 8. Qc2

Surprisingly, it appears that game was thefirst time this position has been reached.

In choosing to play a3 on move four, Foisorhas made it clear she is not intending to playd2-d4. Doing so would initiate a series of tradesthat does not give White any edge, largelybecause that queenside pawn push looks whollyunproductive. 8. d4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bxg2 10.Kxg2 d5 (If Black wishes to refrain from playing... d7-d5 too quickly, another perfectly viablemove is 10. ... Qc8. Delaying the exchanges inthe center can allow Black to build up pressureon the pawn on c4.) 11. cxd5 (Keeping thetension with 11. Qd3 requires Black to makethe decisions. However, 11. ... dxc4 12. Qxc4Qd7 13. Bf4 Qb7+ 14. Kg1 Rc8 is full equality.)11. ... Nxd5 and Black has escaped the openingcompletely unscathed. 8. ... Nc6 9. Rd1 Rc8 10. d3

Seeing that exchanging pieces does not leadto an advantage, Foisor opts to keep the positionclosed. Yet here Black is ahead in developmentand is slightly better. The continuation 10. d4cxd4 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. Rxd4 Bxg2 13. Kxg2if anything is preferable for Black. 10. ... d5 11. e4

11. ... d4

Premature is 11. ... Nd4 12. Nxd4 cxd4because now 13. Nb5 is a nuisance. Both a7

and d4 are en prise, and moves like 13. ... Ba6are quite ugly to play. Playing for more thanequality with 11. ... Qd7 could backfire. Whitecan expand her center with 12. e5 Ng4 13.Qe2 and take the initiative. For instance, 13.... d4 14. Nb1 f6 15. exf6 Nxf6 is clearly betterfor White thanks to pressure along the e-file.The asymmetrical pawn structure favorsWhite, for her pieces can take advantage ofboth the e4- and e5-squares while the f-filedoes little for Black. 12. Ne2 Nd7 13. h4

Attempting to close the queenside with 13.b4 was probably the more precise starting point.That flank is where Black intends to makeprogress, whereas White is aiming to eventuallystrike on the kingside. Black is ill-advised tocapture on b4 since d4 is the more importantpawn. 13. ... Nde5 14. Nh2

I’m a big fan of this decision. While Foisoris by no means better here, she will have aneasier time developing an initiative if she hasmore forces to work with. 14. ... Nd7 15. Nf4 Bd6 16. Nh3 e5 17. Qe2

Because White can’t recapture with the pawn,after 17. f4 the thematic break isn’t timed well.After 17. ... exf4 Black will establish controlover the vital e5 square. 17. ... a6 18. Bd2 b5 19. b3 bxc4

There was no need to relieve the tension soquickly. It is by no means a “bad” move, but ithands White the additional option of comfort -ably doubling on the b-file. Black welcomesWhite to initiate the pawn exchange on b5,meaning she could have started with 19. ... Nb620. Rab1 Rb8.20. bxc4 Rb8 21. Rab1

(see diagram top of next page)

Sabina at the World TeamSometimes launching your pieces on the queenside is the best formof kingside defense; sometimes the best strategy is passive shuffling.Knowing when to employ which method will save you many a game.By GM ROBERT HESS

In The Arena / Player of the Month

www.uschess.org 21

21. ... Bc8

Black really begins to lose the thread. Onceagain, this move is not bad per se, but it suggeststhat Black will defend by passive shuffling inresponse to White’s attack. In doing so thePolish player essentially admits that she isplaying reactive chess, anxiously waiting forher opponent to strike. Better is 21. ... Nb6 22.Rb3 Na4 23. Rdb1 Bc8 which is extremelypleasant for Black. Foisor’s kingside progresspales in comparison to the swift counterplayshe faces on the queenside.

22. Ng5 Qc7 23. Ng4 Nd8

Good luck convincing anyone to now play23. ... Nb6 since it is met by the vicious 24.Nf6+! gxf6 25. Qh5 Rd8 (The second knight isimmune, lest Black succumb to a forcedcheckmate. 25. ... fxg5 26. Qxg5+ Kh8 27. Qf6+Kg8 28. Bh6) 26. Qxh7+ Kf8 after which theonly way to maintain reasonable chances ofsurvival is to somehow fend off an attack thatat worst gives White a rook and two pawnsfor two minors. For instance: 27. Bf3 ...

27. ... Ke8 (Just one example of how frighteningthis position is: 27. ... Re8 28. Bh5 Nd8 29.Qh6+ Ke7 30. Nh7 Nd7 31. Bg5 and if Blackdoes not lose, it is a miracle.) 28. Nxf7 Qe7 29.Qg8+ Qf8 30. Qxf8+ Kxf8 31. Nxd8 Nxd8 isnot fun to hold.

24. Bh3

White should have started with 24. h5though it did not end up making a difference.

24. ... f6 25. Nf3 Rf7

Now Black has fully committed herself to atough defensive task and stands significantlyworse. For the last time, she could have played25. ... Nb6 and fought for the initiative. 26. h5 Nf8 27. Nh4 Nc6 28. Kg2

Foisor’s continuation is sensible, though theimmediate 28. Nf5 at the very least secures thetwo bishops. 28. ... Ne7 29. Nh2 Rxb1

A misguided grasp at counterplay due tothe discomfort of passivity. This is the mostfrequent mistake humans make: we get “antsy”and seek activity, even if it leaves our positionin shambles. The followup 29. ... Bxh3+ 30.Kxh3 Rb7 forces Foisor to prove her advantageis anything more than symbolic. Black’sfoundation remains extremely solid. 30. Rxb1 Bxh3+ 31. Kxh3

31. ... f5

The strategically losing move, though thedamage was done with the rook trade. Themove 31. ... Qc6 maintains the status quo andquestions how White will make headway. 32. N2f3

More precise was 32. exf5 Nxf5 33. N4f3since White dominates the light squares andBlack’s kingside falls apart. The additional minoronly aids White’s progress. 32. ... h6 33. Kg2

Foisor again should have taken on f5 for anearly decisive edge: 33. exf5 Nxf5 34. Nxf5Rxf5 35. Qe4 Qf7 36. Kg2 and all is defended.Either capture on h5 runs into g3-g4. 33. ... Qc6 34. exf5 Nxf5 35. Nxf5 Rxf5 36.Qe4!

(see diagram top of next page)

Foisor exhibits a masterful understandingof the endgame transition. The queen trade isforced and all remaining pieces favor her. Blackis completely blockaded.36. ... Qxe4

Resignable is 36. ... Qd7 37. Rb6 Rf7 38. Rxa6.

37. dxe4 Rf6

Worse is 37. ... Rxh5?? 38. g4.38. Rb7 Re6 39. Nh4 Nh7 40. Nf5

Foisor could have—and probably shouldhave—scooped up the a-pawn with 40. Rb6though the game continuation proved sufficient.Black can barely move. 40. ... Bf8 41. f3 Nf6 42. g4 Ne8 43. Kg3Nd6 44. Nxd6 Rxd6

It may seem as if Black has increased herdrawing chances, but a timely breakthroughseals her fate. Simply look at how superiorWhite’s pieces are. 45. f4 exf4+ 46. Bxf4 Rd8 47. e5 d3 48.Bd2 Rd4 49. Kf3 Rxc4 50. e6

Quality beats out quantity in most endgames.Here, Black has to sacrifice material to preventpromotion. 50. ... Bd6 51. Rd7 Rd4 52. Rd8+ Kh7 53.Bc3 d2 54. Bxd2 Rxd2 55. e7 Bxe7 56.Rxd2

The rest is a matter of technique. 56. ... c4 57. Ra2

The continuation 57. a4 Bb4 58. Rd7 c3 59.Ke4 was even more direct. 57. ... c3 58. Ke2 Kg8 59. Kd3 Bf6 60. Re2Kf7 61. Re4 Bd8 62. Kxc3 Kf6 63. Kd3 a564. Ke3 Be7 65. Ra4 Bd8 66. Ke4 Kg5 67.Kf3 Kf6 68. Rc4 Be7 69. Rc6+ Ke5 70. Ra6Bd8 71. Ra7 Kf6 72. Kf4, Black resigned.

Did you know you could read archival copies of “InThe Arena” (and all columns and features)? Go touschess.org, click on “Chess Life Magazine,” andthen “Archives.”


Cover Story / Chess in Cuba

In Havana especially, casual games of chess happen in various nooks and crannies of the city, sometimes with the sidewalk itself serving as the table.

C U B A N C H E S S : C o m m u n i t y , C u l t u r e , a n d C h a n g e

With the recent easing of travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba, our correspondents took the opportunity

to visit our neighbor 90 miles off the coast of Florida.

By FM JACOB CHUDNOVSKY and IRINA MEDVEDEV | Photos by IRINA MEDVEDEV

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On a cobblestone street lined with colorful houses and liberallysprinkled with horse manure, a little boy plays with a makeshifttoy of cardboard and string. His brow furrowed, he concentrates

intensely on the mysterious task, trying to find the perfect knot. Steppingthrough broken sidewalk, we turn a corner, passing antique cars, straydogs, and a horse-drawn carriage. As we make our way into town insearch of the Trinidad Chess Club, we can’t help but stop to help amother struggling with her son’s wheelchair as they try to cross thebumpy street. On the other side of the town square, we spot the entranceto the Chess Club, painted with a rook and knight.

In late fall of 2016, we had the pleasure of spending a week in Cuba,split between the colonial town of Trinidad and the capital city ofHavana. Initially, our plan was to explore Cuban culture in Trinidadand spend the time in Havana getting an in-depth look into the chesscommunity. During our pre-trip correspondence with chess players inHavana, we learned that the Cuban chess community suffers from ashortage of supplies. Thanks to the generosity of several players fromthe Boston area, we collected an overwhelming amount of chess boards,sets, clocks, and more. The number of items was so large, in fact, thatupon arrival in Trinidad, we had an idea to see if there might be a needfor chess equipment there. Thus, armed with a hand-drawn map anddirections from our host, we embarked on a search for the local chessclub across the street from the town square.

The Trinidad Chess Club cannot boast of a large size or fancy setting.But make no mistake—inside the modest room with a cracked tile floorand a few simple tables and chairs is a serious and passionate community.We peer into the small room, and a couple of gentlemen interrupt their

chess game to welcome us in with handshakes and introductions. Atone table, Vladimir “Putin” Batteta projects focus and aggression in ablitz match against his partner. At the next table, Francisco Moreno, the“chess professor,” patiently teaches six-year-old José to checkmate withking and rook versus king, while José’s grandmother watches on. Whensomeone at another table has a question, Vladimir gets up—in the middleof a speed chess game!—to help out. He is happy to chat between games,and the next day, Francisco and Vladimir greet us like old friends.

Chess is a major part of childhood education in Cuba and is taught inmany schools there. In this way, many kids like José become interestedin the game from a young age. This is how Vladimir, now a professionalplayer seeking his international master title, first got hooked on chess.In fact, it is well known there that Cuba’s top players, including GMsLeinier Domínguez Perez and Lázaro Bruzón Batista, got started thisway as well. During our conversations at the chess club, we hear kidsplaying in the park across the street. As popularity of games goes, socceris certainly king, with informal games going on in nearly every parkand plaza. Chess, however, is not too far behind. In Havana especially,casual games of chess happen in various nooks and crannies of the city,sometimes with the sidewalk itself serving as the table.

On our last day in Trinidad, we returned to the club with bags ofchess equipment to donate. It is late in the evening, but Vladimir and“the professor” are still there, analyzing a game. They are touched bythe generous gifts, and their gratitude is visible as they examine thebrand new boards and pieces. We ask that they pass along a toy car andcalculator to José and give our regards to his grandmother. Before wedepart, we exchange contact information, and they ask us to keep in

www.uschess.org 23


In a simultaneous exhibition withBarrio Habana’s chess team,despite no wins or draws, the kids’talent and potential were clearlyvisible, and their excitement aboutchess was even more obvious.

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Francisco (”the chess professor”)projects focus and aggression ina blitz match.

The Capablanca Chess Club is abeauty, with gorgeous woodenchessboard tables and chairs andhigh-quality sets of pieces.

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Creative spectators provide light byholding their cell phones over theboard when power is out.

The entrance to the Trinidad Chess Club, painted with a rook and knight.

touch and come back and visit. The predominant feeling throughout the trip, both in Trinidad and

Havana, was of genuine hospitality. Partly, this is inherent to Cubanculture, as the people are kind, warm, and welcoming, almost withoutexception. Moreover, the game of chess brings together people of allbackgrounds, from all corners of the world, and the shared passioncreates an unmistakable bond. Local chess players meeting us for thefirst time were generous with their time and storytelling, providing uswith a unique inside look into the Cuban chess culture.

Even after only a few days in Trinidad, our next destination, Havana,could not be more different in appearance. The clack of horses’ hooveson the narrow cobblestone streets of colonial Trinidad is replaced withthe noise of colorful antique cars on the wide avenues of the capital.The one-story blue, green, and yellow buildings of the former give wayto crowded apartment complexes, dramatic monuments, and high-endtourist hotels of the latter. Yet the rich culture of chess for which Cubais known, and the talent and passion exhibited by even the most casualplayers, are on display in both cities. From young kids to venerableelders, from the small club in Trinidad to a street corner in Havana,everyone’s skill level is consistently impressive, with a number ofamateurs playing at least at U.S. master strength.

At our first meeting with Luis, a local player with whom wecorresponded prior to the trip, we learned that while chess teachersand clubs may be plentiful in Cuba, children with particular talent arerecruited to study at the Latin American Superior Institute of Chess(ISLA) in Havana. ISLA was founded by legendary grandmaster SilvinoGarcia Martinez, Cuba’s first grandmaster and president of the CubanChess Federation. Domínguez, Bruzón, and other elite players came upthrough the ISLA system. Regardless of skill level, the fire, the drive tolearn, and the excitement about the magic of the game of chess is clearlyvisible in the eyes of the children.

The enthusiasm of the Cuban chess commu -nity is undeniable, but one cannot talk aboutthis community without discussing the strugglesit faces. A clear consensus is that the U.S.embargo has had an indirect, but significant,effect on Cuban chess. Besides obvious effects,such as making it more difficult for Cubanplayers to travel to the U.S., the embargo hashurt the Cuban economy, and resources forchess players—informational, organizational,and financial—are lacking at every level. Onemajor problem is lack of funding for develop -ment of top Cuban players. ISLA helps developtalented young kids, but after leaving theInstitute, the players are on their own. EvenLeinier Domínguez Perez, the number-24 activeplayer in the world as of the time of thispublication, does not have a team nor sponsors,something players in other countries may take for granted.

At the amateur level, the difficulties start with simply finding equipmentfor play and study. Boards and sets are not easy to come by, but cansometimes be found in stores. Chess clocks, however, are the real rarity.Chess clocks are extremely difficult to find anywhere in Cuba, andwithout them, it is impossible to hold tournaments. Of all the items webrought, the clocks produced the most palpable gratitude and excitementon the faces of chess teachers and organizers. Each additional clockmeans two more kids playing in a competitive environment and partic-ipating in tournaments.

Similarly, tournament venues have also struggled. The venerableCapablanca Chess Club in Havana, established for almost a century andhost to many great tournaments, has seen better days. In 2014, the chess

club had to close altogether, as the building was used as a shelter duringa natural disaster. Afterwards, it served as housing, until in 2016 theHavana chess community lobbied to regain control of the building.Inside, the Capablanca Chess Club is a beauty, with gorgeous woodenchessboard tables and chairs and high-quality sets of pieces. Once thesun goes down, however, playing chess at the club becomes challenging,as the building does not have electricity.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, chess players in Cuba arehampered by the lack of general internet access. Like a virtual RobinHood, the internet has taken chess from traditional powers, such asRussia, Ukraine, and Hungary, and shared it with the rest of the world.It is easy to take for granted that chess knowledge, lessons, and opportu-nities to play a wide variety of opponents are available to players inevery corner of the globe. World Champion Magnus Carlsen might bethe best example of the way the new, globalized chess community hasallowed talented chess players from countries far outside the traditionalchess centers to flourish and fulfill their potential.

Sadly, this is one revolution that has bypassed Cuba, where internetaccess is an expensive luxury. Even in Havana, wireless Internet is onlyavailable in a few select locations, such as the Hotel Tryp Habana Libre,where it can be rented at a steep per-hour price. One can see crowds ofpeople gathered around the hotel with their tablets and phones, usingtheir temporary hotspot access. Thus, chess players in Cuba arehandicapped compared to the rest of the world, lacking access to theinformation and opportunities that are available to players in most othercountries. As one of our new friends put it, “We are 90 miles from theU.S. and on another planet.”

Despite these problems, Cuban chess players adapt and persist witha resilient spirit and a positive attitude. At the Capablanca Chess Club,for example, the local enthusiasts find inventive ways to keep playingafter sunset despite the lack of electricity. We arrive at the club in early

evening, when it is still light, and watchas two gentlemen play at a table rightoutside the entrance. As it gets darker andthe porch lights remain turned off, theplayers simply move the table a few yardsunder a streetlight and continue theirmatch. What may be an annoyance tosome is just part of life for the people ofCuba.

Meanwhile, inside the club, an eight-year-old Cuban boy and an elderly Russiangentleman watch a game in progress. Asthe Russian gentleman loudly voices hisdismay and delight without a word ofSpanish, gesturing with his hands, itappears as though no one understandshim. The international language of chess,however, is not lost, as the Cuban boy

calmly interprets the intended analysis of his Russian friend. As theplayers struggle to finish the game in the dark, Luis and other creativespectators provide light by holding their cell phones over the board.

The erudition of Cuban players with respect to international chess isquite impressive. In Trinidad, several people at the chess club spokeknowledgably about the top American players. In Havana, a group offriends playing on the sidewalk by the city’s Central Park engaged in aspirited debate on whether Fabiano Caruana was more Italian orAmerican.

Indeed, there is a peculiar dichotomy in the Cuban chess arena. Onthe one hand, numerous barriers make it difficult to pursue the gamecompetitively or professionally. On the other hand, the country’s chessculture continues to flourish outside the formal tournament structure.



If one steps back and observes, chess isa unifying force thatfosters dialogue,collaboration, andfriendship.

To quote a player at the Capablanca Chess Club, “The best chess is inthe streets.”

One family-led community organization, however, is trying to breakdown these barriers. Barrio Habana, founded and led by the husband-and-wife team of Pavel Garcia Valdes and Sandra Sotolongo Iglesias, isstriving to improve the neighborhood, provide positive activities anduseful life lessons for local kids, and establish a serious training programfor young chess players, all at the same time. The organization is asociocultural endeavor that we first heardabout from chess journalist Peter Doggers.Prior to meeting Pavel and Sandra in person,we had little knowledge of who they are orwhat they do, other than a general conceptof Barrio Habana as a community serviceproject. The time spent with them and thekids who participate in their project turnedout to be the most inspiring and eye-openingexperience of the trip.

We first met Pavel and Sandra at theirunassuming apartment on a narrow streetin the Belen neighborhood of Havana, wheretheir home serves as the project headquarters.Pavel certainly makes a fascinating firstimpression. With his long black hair andtall stature, he has a Jesus-like appearance.Every woman, man, and child in the neigh -bor hood knows Pavel, a fact we learnedfirst-hand while trying to locate the apart -ment on our first visit. The adults seek toshake his hand and have a conversation. Thekids, even rowdy teenage boys, respect himas a leader and teacher and listen to his everyword. Yet he has not a trace of arroganceand is clearly more interested in helping the community than in anykind of personal glory.

The Barrio Habana project came together from several disparatecircumstances and observations. Pavel and Sandra’s son, Fabio, unfortu-nately, has an illness that prevents him from playing physical sports,such as soccer. Thus, Pavel and Sandra introduced Fabio to chess, andFabio quickly became passionate and serious about the game, an interestfueled in part by meeting Lázaro Bruzón Batista, Cuba’s number twoplayer. As they were trying to support their son’s, and now their daughterSofia’s, interest, Pavel and Sandra noticed the shortages of equipment,organized chess lessons, and tournaments that plague the local chessscene. In parallel, Pavel had traveled to the U.S. and visited WashingtonSquare Park in New York, with its famous outdoor chess tables. Seeingthe way a chess-focused outdoor space brought people together, Pavelwas inspired to reproduce the concept back home in Havana. Finally,Sandra and Pavel also wanted to revitalize Belen, a neighborhood thathad become run-down, with a fenced-off square used as a garbage dumpand a general lack of healthy and educational activities for children.

Founded with the diverse mission to improve organized chess inHavana, clean up the neighborhood, and provide positive activities forlocal kids, the sociocultural community project Barrio Habana was born.

To revitalize the neighborhood and replicate the outdoor chess setupof Washington Square Park, Pavel and Sandra led an effort to installchess tables in nearby Plaza del Cristo, which also boasts an impressivechess board built into the ground. Now part of the landscape alongsidebenches, walkways, and green space in front of a beautiful old church,the tables not only add character to the plaza but attract local playersand help raise interest in the game.

As for the space that previously served as a garbage dump, Barrio

Habana received formal permission from the local government to cleanup and repurpose the site. The space is in the process of being remadeinto an outdoor activity venue for kids, with movies, puzzles, boardgames, and a giant chess set. This is great in itself, but what makes thisproject truly unique and amazing is that everything is being built withhelp from the local kids and entirely out of recycled materials found inBelen. This effort achieves a rich variety of benefits: it cleans up theneighborhood by repurposing the trash for good use, keeps the local

kids out of trouble and gives them a feelingof accomplishment and a sense of pride intheir work, and creates a small but viableinfrastructure for children’s activities, includ -ing chess. Even Mikhail Tal would be proudof this combination.

The giant chess set, which Pavel claims isthe only one in Havana, and possibly evenin all of Cuba, outside hotels and resorts, isone of the items that was made by and forthe neighborhood kids. Pavel and Sandratold us that playing chess outdoors withpieces almost as big as themselves has madea number of local children interested inlearning more about the game. The pieces,indeed, are quite big and very heavy. AsPavel says, “It’s a good weight. Having touse effort to move the pieces forces the kidsto concentrate and think about their moves.”

Barrio Habana does not stop at merelyintroducting the local children to the gameof chess. Another brainchild of Sandra andPavel has been a serious chess-trainingprogram for a team of local children. As theycame across obstacles standing in the way

of neighborhood kids, including their son, who wanted to improve atchess, Sandra and Pavel proceeded to overcome these hindrances withperseverance and confidence. They found a lack of a centralized chessteaching system, so they went street by street, knocking on doors andrecruiting local chess teachers to the program. As they discovered ashortage of tournaments, especially larger-scale ones such as provincechampionships, they worked with ISLA to make them more accessible.

Lastly, at the most basic level, Pavel and Sandra found a seriousshortage of equipment, a struggle that is ongoing. Donations have helpedto some extent, but more important is the do-it-yourself approachcentral to the Barrio Habana philosophy. When the chess school neededa demonstration board for the classes, they teamed up with local kidsand made one from scratch, entirely from recycled materials. BarrioHabana’s chess team has achieved remarkable results. A girl namedSabina won the national under-8 championship, and another namedMairelys is ranked number one in Havana under the age of 10. Fabio isalso progressing and is currently ranked number three in the provinceunder the age of eight and number 20 under 10. In a simultaneousexhibition to several members of the team, despite no wins or draws,the kids’ talent and potential were clearly visible, and their excitementabout chess was even more obvious. Under Pavel and Sandra’s guidance,the kids are revitalizing the neighborhood with their own hands, partic-ipating in interesting and stimulating activities, and growing up with apositive attitude about their ability to enact positive change.

The Barrio Habana project is hyper-local but highly ambitious, withimplications stretching far beyond the neighborhood. There is no reasonthis approach has to be confined to Belen, or to Havana, or to Cuba.

Continued on page 71

www.uschess.org 27


In Havana, a groupof friends playing onthe sidewalk by thecity’s Central Parkengaged in a spiriteddebate on whetherFabiano Caruanawas more Italian orAmerican.

The National Open is one of the longestrunning open tournaments in the U.S.and is the crown jewel of the Las Vegas

International Chess Festival, which also featuresmany side events alongside the main event: U.S.Women’s Open, Walter Browne MemorialBlitz, International Youth Championship,grandmaster simultaneous exhibitions, freelectures by guest grandmasters, youth blitz andpuzzle-solving competition, and additional blitzsectionals. It was refreshing to see chess playersof all ages competing together.

This year, I decided to play my first NationalOpen because it was being held in my newhometown of Las Vegas, Nevada, from June16-18 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort &Casino. I was very impressed by the level oforganization and professionalism that I experi -enced at this event that features a guaranteedprize fund of $100,000. The organizers, Al andJanelle Losoff, and staff members did everythingthey could to make this festival enjoyable forall the players and the spectators. They providedboards and sets for all, including DGT boardswith a live transmission for the top boards.There were no delays in posting the pairingsor starting the rounds on time. The venue wasbig, bright, and spacious. Hats off to them fordoing a terrific job organizing one of the bestchess festivals in the country.

Las Vegas must be a lucky city for GM TigranL. Petrosian from Armenia. He finished in clearfirst with 5/6 in the National Open and tiedfor first in the Walter Browne Memorial Blitz.Tigran has been a grandmaster since 2004, andreached his peak FIDE rating of 2671 in 2015.

The sole side event that I participated in wasthe U.S. Women’s Open. There are very fewwomen’s-only chess tournaments in the U.S.—

Petrosian is NationalOpen ChampionLas Vegas International Chess Festival hosts long-runningNational Open and multiple side events for all ages and playersBy IM NAZI PAIKIDZE | Photos by TIM HANKS


US Chess National Events / National Open

I offer a special “thank you!” to Janelle Losofffor supporting women’s chess by holding thiswonderful tournament. I managed to win thetournament with a perfect 5/5 score, but moreimportantly, I was able to meet and chat withmany young female chess players who wereinspired by this event to keep playing morechess. I hope we start to see more women’sopens in the coming years. Overall, my firstexperience participating in the Las VegasInternational Chess Festival was excellent andI am already looking forward to participatingagain next year, which is scheduled for June 20-24, 2018.

Here are some of the best games from Vegas:

PHILIDOR DEFENSE (C41)GM Ruifeng Li (2652)GM Tigran L. Petrosian (2699)2017 National Open (5), Las Vegas, Nevada,06.18.2017

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7

5. Bc4 Be7 6. 0-0 0-0 7. Re1 c6 8. a4 a5

The players are following one of the mainlines of the Philidor’s Defense (there arethousands of games in the database). 9. h3 h6 10. Ba2 Re8 11. Be3 Qc7 12. Qd2

12. ... exd4

Tigran decided to change the pawn structurein the center. Usually, in this line, both Blackand White try to maintain the tension in thecenter for a bit and improve the position bymaneu vering pieces to better squares.

For example, one way Black could continuedeveloping and improving the position wouldbe 12. ... Nf8 13. Rad1 Be6 14. d5. It is temptingto push the pawn with a tempo, but it also hasa surprising tactical idea behind it 14. ... Bd715. Nxe5! dxe5 16. d6 Bxd6 17. Qxd6 Qxd6 18.Rxd6 Be6 19. Bxe6 Nxe6 20. Red1 White has aslightly better endgame, but with accurate play,Black should have no problems making a draw.

13. Nxd4 Bf8

This opens up the e-file to put pressure onthe e4-pawn.

14. Nf5

A good-looking move, but a bit premature.White needed to make a prophylaxis move like14. f3, followed by Bf2-Rad1, slowly improvingthe position without giving Black any goodcounterplay.

14. ... Nc5

14. ... Nxe4? is a trap. 15. Nxe4 Rxe4 16.Bxh6! An unexpected tactic. 16. ... Rxe1+

a) 16. ... d5 17. Rxe4 dxe4 18. Qg5 Qe5 Theonly move to defend the g7-pawn is 19. Rd1—one last piece joining the kingside attack. Oneof the deadly ideas of Rd1 is Rd6-Rg6! It is

www.uschess.org 29


Participants in the U.S. Women’s Open surround the champion, IM Nazi Paikidze (black off-the-shoulder shirt) and Organizer Janelle Losoff (seated, red skirt).

difficult for Black to come up with a gooddefense. 19. ... Qf6 Exchanging queens whenyou are under a strong attack can save you fromgetting checkmated. However, it comes with aprice. Black is losing material. 20. Rd4 Qxg521. Bxg5 If Black tries to cling to the pawn, heends up losing even more material 21. ... Nc5??22. Rd8;

b) 16. ... Nc5 17. Nxg7! (17. Bxg7 also leadsto a big advantage 17. ... Bxg7 18. Nxg7 Kxg719. Qg5+ Kf8 20. Qh6+ Ke8 21. Rxe4+ Nxe422. Re1 d5 23. f3) 17. ... Bxg7 18. Qg5 Rxe1+19. Rxe1 Ne6 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. Re3 The well-known rook lift leads to a completely winningposition for White.

17. Rxe1 gxh6 18. Re8! Black is paralyzed.All White’s pieces are targeting the king. 18.... Nf6 (18. ... d5 Blocking the monster bishopon a2 isn’t enough to save the king. After 19.Qxh6 White wins.) 19. Rxf8+ Kxf8 20. Qxh6+Ke8 21. Qh8+ Kd7 22. Qxf6 c5 23. Bd5! Theblack king has nowhere to hide. Checkmate isun avoid able in the next few moves. 15. Bxc5

It’s a bit late for 15. f3?! Bxf5 16. exf5 d5!Black dominates the center and blocks thebishop on a2. 15. ... dxc5


It is always important to re-evaluate theposition after big changes (exchanges, sacrifices,changes in the pawn structure). The currentevaluation of this position is about equal: Blackhas a bishop pair but doubled pawns on the c-

file. The newly opened d-file is up for grabs. 16. Rad1?!

As it turned out, White’s biggest mistake inthis game was allowing the exchange on f5. 16.Nh4 moving the knight back to f3 was the bestidea. 16. ... Be6 17. Bxe6 Rxe6 18. Nf3 Rae819. Qd3. 16. ... Bxf5!

Black exchanges an undeveloped bishop anddamages White’s pawn structure, which playeda decisive role in this game. 17. exf5 Rad8 18. Qc1 Rxe1+

I can see why Tigran chose to avoid the line18. ... Rxd1 19. Qxd1 (19. Rxd1 Qe5 Black winsa pawn.) 19. ... Qf4 20. Rxe8 Nxe8 Afterexchanging both pairs of rooks, Black’s advan -tage looks smaller and less significant. White’sbishop on a2 can become a dangerous attacker,with the help of the active queen on the d-file.21. Qd7 At first glance, this move looks scary—attacking both f7- and b7-pawns and the knighton e8. But, Black has a simple response to defendall the weaknesses 21. ... Nd6 when the position

is much better for Black. 19. Rxe1 Rd4 20. Qe3 Qd7

Black is taking full control of the d-file. 21. Qf3 Rd2 22. Nb1

Li should have tried to exchange the rookswith 22. Rd1. The position will still be betterfor Black, but it would be easier for White toplay on without the rooks. 22. ... Rxd1+ 23.Nxd1 (23. Qxd1 Qxf5) 23. ... Qd2 24. Bb3.22. ... Rd4

Too greedy is 22. ... Rxc2? and does not workdue to 23. Qb3 trapping the rook on c2. 23. ...Qxf5 24. Qxf7+ Kh7 25. Nd2!! is the key movein the combination. The knight defends the weakpawn on f2, while at the same time leaves theb1-square available for the bishop. Black has nogood response—he is going to lose a lot ofmaterial. 23. Nc3 Rb4

Going after the weak pawn on b2. 24. Rd1

24. Rb1 is too passive but it had to be done. 24. ... Qe7 25. b3

The move that leaves the light-squaredbishop out of the game. 25. ... Rd4 26. Bb1 Qe5 27. Rf1

It’s difficult to find good moves for White.His position is terribly passive. 27. ... c4 28. Qe3 Qxe3

Black had a chance to get a winningadvantage with 28. ... Ne4! a strong move thatjust needs accurate calculation 29. Ne2 (29.Nxe4 Rxe4 30. Qf3 c3 Completely suffocatingWhite’s bishop) 29. ... Rd2 30. Ng3 Bc5! Finallygetting the bishop in the game (better late thannever)! 31. Qxe4 Qxg3 32. Qe8+ Kh7 33. Qxf7Bxf2+ 34. Kh1 c3 with a completely winningposition for Black.

29. fxe3 Rd8

It is time to re-evaluate the position: afterthe queen exchange on e3, White’s pawnstructure is more damaged than before. Black’sbishop will be targeting the weakness on e3,



621 chess players participated in this year’s National Open.

while White’s bishop is still having a hard timecoming back into the game. 30. bxc4 Bc5 31. Re1

White has an extra pawn, but Black’scompensation is more than enough—there aretoo many weak and isolated pawns on a4, c2,c4, e3, and f5. 31. ... Bb4

The king in the endgame is just as strong asany other piece; it is time to improve its positionand bring it to the center with 31. ... Kf8 32.Ba2 Ke7.32. Rd1

Now Black has to temporarily give up thecontrol of the d-file. 32. ... Re8

Exchanging rooks and going to a minor pieceendgame with opposite-colored bishops wouldlead to a drawish endgame. 32. ... Rxd1+ 33.Nxd1.33. Rd3 Bxc3

It is logical to exchange White’s good minorpiece and transform into a good-knight versusbad-bishop endgame. 34. Rxc3 Ne4 35. Ra3 Nc5

To maximize Black’s advantage, the bestmove was 35. ... h5! with the idea to play ...Re5 and weaken White’s kingside pawnstructure as well. The more weaknesses youcan create in your opponent’s position, theeasier it will be to win. 36. Kf1 Re5 37. g4 Nc538. Ke2 hxg4 39. hxg4 Re4.36. Kf2 Re4 37. Ba2 Kf8 38. Bb3

White is using the bishop as the lone defend -er of all weak, queenside pawns, thus freeingup the rook to come back to the game viaa1-d1. 38. ... Re8 39. Ra1 Rd8

Gaining control back over the d-file. 40. Kf3

White can not afford to fight for the openfile. If they exchange the rooks, the minor pieceendgame is hopelessly lost. 40. Ke2 Ke7 41.

Rd1 Rxd1 42. Kxd1 Kf6 43. g4 Kg5.

40. ... Ke7 41. g4 Rd2!

There is nothing better than a rook on theseventh rank.42. Rf1 f6

Black is creating another good outpost forthe knight on e5.

43. Kf4 Nd7 44. e4 Ne5 45. c5

White’s bishop can finally see an open diag -onal. However, it is shooting aimlessly, sinceBlack did not leave any kingside pawns on thelight squares.

45. ... Nd7 46. Ke3 Rh2 47. Kd4 Ne5!

Great technique—not allowing White tocreate any counterplay. After 47. ... Rxh3?!48. Be6! Ne5 49. Rb1 Black has nothing betterthan a perpetual check with 49. ... Nf3+ 50.Ke3 Ne5+ 51. Kd4 (51. Kf4?? Rf3 mate) 51.... Nf3+.48. Rb1 Kd8 49. Be6 Kc7 50. Rb3 Rxc2 51.

Rg3


51. ... Rh2

It was time to create a passed pawn 51. ...b6! 52. cxb6+ Kxb6 53. Rb3+ Kc7.52. Rb3 Rd2+ 53. Ke3 Rd1 54. Rc3 Ra1 55.

Bb3 Rf1 56. Ke2 Rh1 57. Kf2 Rh2+ 58. Kg3

Rd2 59. Bc2 Re2 60. Kf4 Rf2+ 61. Ke3

Rf3+ 62. Kd4

Li has been defending the weaknesses in the

position quite well. Tigran decided to exchangethe rooks and try his chances in the minor pieceendgame.

62. ... Rxc3 63. Kxc3 b6 64. cxb6+ Kxb6

65. Bd1 Kc5

This is a tough endgame to play for White,with a passive, light-squared bishop, blocked-in by pawns. Meanwhile, the black knight isfree to maneuver all over the board. But withvery accurate play, engines surprisingly holdthe draw for White.

66. Be2

With 66. Bb3 Nd7 67. Bc2 Kd6 68. Kd4 Nb669. h4 c5+ 70. Kd3 Ke5 71. h5 Kf4 72. Bd1 c4+ 73.Kd4 c3 74. Kxc3 Kxe4 75. Bb3 Kf4 76. Bd1 Nd5+77. Kd4 Ne3 78. Be2 Nxg4 79. Kc5 Kxf5 80. Kb6Ne5 81. Kxa5 Ke6 82. Kb6 Kd6 83. a5 Nd7+ 84.Kb7 Nc5+ 85. Kb6 the endgame is drawn.

66. ... Nd7 67. Bd3 Kd6 68. Kd4 Nb6

(see diagram next page)

www.uschess.org 31


GM Illia Nyzhnyk (left) and IM Dmitry Gordievsky were in a group of six that finished in a tie for second-seventh. Thisround-five game ended in a draw.

69. e5+

The follow up 69. Bc2 c5+ 70. Ke3 Ke5 isalso losing for White.

69. ... fxe5+ 70. Ke4 Nxa4 71. Bc4 Nb6 72.

Ba2 Nd5 73. Bc4 a4 74. h4 a3 75. g5 hxg5

76. hxg5 a2 77. Bxa2 Nc3+, White

resigned.

This was a critical win for Tigran againstthe 2016 National Open winner Ruifeng Li.

CARO-KANN DEFENSE,

PANOV-BOTVINNIK ATTACK (B14)GM Illia Nyzhnyk (2715) IM Dmitry Gordievsky (2685) 2017 National Open (5), Las Vegas, Nevada,06.18.2017

Illia and Dmitry finished second and third,right behind Tigran in both the National Openas well as in the Walter Browne MemorialBlitz.

1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. e3 Nf6 5.

d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. Bg5 Ne4 8. cxd5

Nxg5 9. Nxg5

9. ... e5!?

Castling looks more natural 9. ... 0-0 10. Qd2Nd7 11. Bc4 Bh6 12. f4 Nf6 13. 0-0 a6 14. a4 Bf515. a5 Rc8 16. Bb3 Qd6 as in Viktor Korchnoi(2628)-Alexander Morozevich (2679), ½-½, Biel2003.

10. Nf3

White could have played an intermediatecheck 10. Bb5+ before returning back to f3with the knight. Similar to the Catalan opening,1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2

where the idea of the check is to force White’sbishop to develop on a “not so ideal” square—d2. 10. ... Bd7 11. Nf3 exd4 12. Nxd4 0-0 13.0-0 with an interesting position.10. ... exd4 11. Nxd4 0-0 12. Qd2 Nc6

A nice way to actively develop the knight. 13. Nc2

Rule of thumb: You should exchange pieceswhen you have a material advantage. However,in this position, going to an endgame againsttwo strong bishops is not the right choice forWhite. 13. dxc6 Qxd4 14. Qxd4 Bxd4 15. cxb7Bxb7 Black’s position is preferable. 13. ... Ne7 14. Bc4 b5

A typical move to try to remove one of thedefenders from the d5-pawn.15. Nxb5

15. Bxb5?! Rb8! threatening 16. ... Bxc3,followed by ... Rxb5 or ... Nxd5 (Immediately 15.... Bxc3? does not lead to a good position forBlack 16. bxc3 Nxd5 17. Bc6 Re8+ 18. Bxe8Qxe8+ 19. Ne3 Nxe3 20. fxe3 Ba6 21. Kf2 Blackdoes not have sufficient compensation for thematerial.) 16. d6 Nf5 17. d7 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Rxb519. dxc8=Q Re5+! 20. Ne3 Qxc8 21. 0-0 Rd8Black manages to get the pawn back and hisposition is slightly better. 15. ... Bxb2 16. Rb1 Be5 17. f4

An aggressive move to fight for an advantage.Castling leads to an equal position 17. 0-0 a618. Nbd4 Qc7 19. Nf3 Qxc4 20. Nxe5 Qxd5. 17. ... Nf5!

Tactics!18. 0–0

If 18. fxe5 Black has 18. ... Qh4+ 19. g3 Qxc4with an unclear position.

18. ... Bg7 19. Kh1

A prophylaxis move. 19. ... a6 20. Nbd4 Nd6 21. Nc6

Keeping the light-squared bishop was a betterchoice for White. 21. Bb3. 21. ... Nxc4 22. Qe2 Qd6 23. Qxc4 Bf5 24.

Rbe1 Rfc8

Better was 24. ... Rfe8. 25. Ne3 Bd7 26. Rc1 Re8 27. Qd3 Bxc6 28.

Rxc6 Qe7 29. Nc4

Suddenly, White has a solid advantage. Afterexchanging a pair of minor pieces, the passedd-pawn becomes very dangerous. 29. ... Rad8 30. d6 Qe4 31. Qxe4 Rxe4

32. Rd1?!

There was no good reason to give up the f4-pawn. White has a huge edge after 32. g3 Rd433. Rb1.32. ... Rxf4 33. g3

Better was 33. Na5! preparing Rxa6 whichwins a pawn for White. 33. ... Rf6?

Passive defense does not work in thisposition. Black should have played 33. ... Rd4!34. Rxd4 Bxd4 35. Rxa6 f5 It is difficult toevaluate this endgame correctly at first glance,but after some analysis, it is clear that thisposition is equal. The black king is only twomoves away from attacking the d6-pawn (...Kf7-Ke6) and with a great centralized bishop,Black will have no trouble making a draw. 34. a4 Re6 35. Rxa6 Bf6 36. Rb1?

In order to increase the advantage, Whiteshould have tried to push the a-pawn furtherwith 36. Rc6 Kg7 37. a5. The text move allowsBlack’s pieces to activate. 36. ... Rc8 37. Rb4 Kg7

And now it is difficult for White to make progresswithout giving any counterplay to Black. 38. Ra7 Rc5 39. Rc7 Rd5 40. Kg2 Rf5



Black managed to rearrange the rooks inmuch more active positions, causing troublefor White’s king. 41. Rbb7 Re2+ 42. Kh3 Bd8 43. Rd7 Rff2

44. Rxd8 h5

White’s king is trapped and the draw isunavoidable. 45. Kh4

45. g4 Rxh2+ 46. Kg3 Rhg2+ 47. Kf3 Rgf2+.45. ... Re4+ 46. Kh3 Ree2 47. Kh4 Re4+,

Draw agreed.

ROOK+BISHOP VERSUS QUEENGM Dmitry Gurevich (2514)IM Dmitry Gordievsky (2685) 2017 National Open (3), Las Vegas, Nevada,06.17.2017

AFTER 25. ... d5

Evaluating material imbalances can be tricky.For example, in this game, Black has a rook anda bishop as compensation for a queen. In general,a rook and a piece is not enough compensationfor the queen, but it always depends on theposition. To my surprise, “the material deficitside” ended up winning this game. 26. Nf5 d4!?

Black’s reason behind the pawn sacrifice isclear: keep the knight pinned on d4 and createa play around it. However, White manages todeal with the pinned knight quite well.

A better choice was 26. ... dxc4. 27. Rxd8+Rxd8 28. bxc4 Rd1+ 29. Kg2 Rd2! With a nicetactic, Black manages to get the rook on thesecond rank 30. Qxd2 e3+ 31. Qd5 Bxd5+ 32.cxd5 exf2 33. Kxf2 hxg3+ 34. hxg3 with an equalendgame. 27. Nxd4 Rd7 28. Bb2 Rcd8 29. Kg2

It is surprising that with so many pieces onthe board, both White and Black have difficultycoming up with moves. Black is using most ofhis pieces to have the knight pinned on the d-file, and White is using all of his resources todefend it. It’s not too easy to make changes. 29. ... Bc8 30. h3 Bb7 31. Bc3 Ne7 32. g4

Ng6 33. Nf5

White finds a tactical way to change thedynamics of the game. 33. ... Rxd1 34. Bxf6

34. ... R8d2!

Ignoring the hanging bishop on f6 and play ingactively against White’s king. Of course not 34. ...gxf6?? 35. Qh6 e3+ 36. f3 and White wins.

35. Bg5?

35. Kh2! was White’s only good move. Itwas necessary to move the king away from theh1-a8 diagonal 35. ... Rc2 (35. ... gxf6?? stillloses 36. Qh6) 36. Bxh4 Rcc1 37. Ne7+ Nxe738. Bxe7 with equal chances. 35. ... Re1!

Using a tactical resource on the h1-a8diagonal gives Black a winning advantage.

36. Nd4

The line 36. Qxd2 e3+ 37. Qd5 Bxd5+ 38.cxd5 Rxe2 39. Bxe3 Rxa2 is winning forBlack.

36. ... Rdd1

White’s king is trapped.

37. f4 Rxd4!

38. Kf2

No better is 38. Qxd4 e3+ 39. Kh2 Rh1mate.

38. ... Rd3 39. Qxd3 exd3 40. Kxe1 f6,

White resigned.

As I stated previously, material imbalancescan be very tricky!

www.uschess.org 33


At A Glance Las Vegas International Chess Festival

Date: June 16-18, 2017 | Location: Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada | 11 sections | 621 players | Open:

1st, 5: Tigran L. Petrosian; 2nd-7th, 4½: Illia Nyzhnyk, Dmitry Gordievsky, Elshan Moradiabadi, Rogelio P. Barcenilla, Jr., Andrey Gorovets,Nick E. de Firmian; Under 2300: 1st-5th, 5: Josef Pribyl, Carla Heredia, Bryon Doyle, Ronald Cusi, Leo Creger; Under 2100, 1st, 6: PeterWalsh; 2nd, 5½: James Huddleston, Saikhanchimeg Tsogtsaikhan, Joshua Grabinsky, Nicholas Gross; Under 1900: 1st-3rd, 5½: VardanBetikyan, Joseph Levine, James Gould; Under 1700, 1st, 5½: Alexander Connelly; 2nd-8th, 5: Paulexander Elauria, Guy Sirak, Grant Hodson,Roman Gurovich, Shawn Adams, Matthew G. David, Rohan Patil; Under 1500: 1st, 5½: Ronald Martin Cusi, Jr.; 2nd-5th, 5: Ethan Smith,Todd Gutierrez, Matthew Nestler, Imaad Rana; Under 1300, 1st, 5½: Kyriakos Kypriotakis; 2nd-5th, 5: Matthew Polentz, Jay Tumanan,Abraham Martinez, Abrel Martinez; Beginners-Friday, 1st-2nd, 4½: Perry Hegewald, Mohammed M. Jarullah; 3rd, 4: Max Higa; Beginners-

Saturday, 1st, 4½: Mohammed M. Jarullah; 2nd-3rd, 4: Brandon Levy, Yakov Gurovich; Beginners-Sunday, 1st, 4½: Mohammed M. Jarullah;2nd, 4: Max Higa; 3rd, 3½: Jordan Henderson; U.S. Women’s Open, 1st, 5: Nazi Paikidze; 2nd-5th, 4: Yaniet Marrero Lopez, Ramya Inapuri,Saikhanchimeg Tsogtsaikhan, Jamie Olsen-Mills. | Chief Tournament Director: Enrique Huerta.

http://www.vegaschessfestival.com/

Aronian Wins 5th


International Events / Norway Chess

Nakamura second, Caruana and So fourth, in one of the strongest tournaments in history

By GM IAN ROGERS | Photos by MARIA EMELIANOVA

GM Levon Aronian continued hisstellar form in 2017 by convincinglywinning the 5th Norway Chess

tournament in Stavanger. Norway Chess 2017 could justifiably claim

to be one of the strongest tournaments inhistory, including seven of the top eight playersin the world and 10 of the top 12. (The onlycomparable tournament in the past twodecades was the 2015 Sinquefield Cup in St.Louis, also won by Aronian.)

Aronian was only in trouble in one game—a time scramble against Anish Giri in roundthree where Aronian left himself with only twominutes and no increment to play 12 moves.“That draw woke me up,” said Aronian, whoclaimed the three major scalps of GMs MagnusCarlsen, Vladimir Kramnik, and Sergey Karjakinin the next four rounds. Aronian’s victory againstCarlsen, his second consecutive win over theWorld Champion in Stavanger, was the gameof the year so far, with multiple sacrifices byAronian and defense by Carlsen which onlyfaltered when time trouble was threatening.

SEMI-SLAV DEFENSE (D45)GM Levon Aronian (FIDE 2793, ARM)GM Magnus Carlsen (FIDE 2832, NOR) altibox Norway Chess 2017 (4), Stavanger,Norway, 06.10.2017

1. d4

“It’s always exciting to play someone asstrong as Magnus—much more exciting thanplaying someone who just wants to make adraw,” said Aronian. “Also, after yesterday Irealized that being a farmer is much tougherthan being a chessplayer, so I decided toconcentrate on the game!”1. ... d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5.

e3 a6!?

The Chebanenko Slav. 6. b3 Bb4 7. Bd2 Nbd7 8. Bd3 0-0 9. 0-0

Qe7

“This is an old line. People nowadays don’tplay 9. ... Qe7,” said Aronian, who wasexpecting the main line 9. ... Bd6.

10. Bc2!?

“I had analyzed this in 2003,” said Aronian,“but during the game I couldn’t figure outwhat exactly I wanted—I forgot White’sintention behind 10. Bc2!?” An impressed Giricommented, “Levon managed to play a newopening idea—nobody gets new opening ideasany more!” Aronian responded, “When youplay for as long as I have, you will have openingideas in every opening.” The most frequentlyplayed move for White here is 10. Qc2.

10. ... Rd8

A reply that cost Carlsen 25 minutes, whichin a time control of 40 moves in 100 minuteswith no increment is serious time usage. “Ionly remembered that I was stopping 10. ...e5,” explained Aronian, who no doubt intended11. Nxd5! cxd5 12. Bxb4 Qxb4 13. dxe5 whenBlack should probably return the pieceimmediately with 13. ... dxc4 (13. ... Ng4?! 14.Qd4! Nh6 15. cxd5 is very promising forWhite.)

11. a3!

Played after 16 minutes’ thought, whichprobably encouraged Carlsen to believeAronian was improvising. “This occurs insome similar lines,” said Aronian. “For example

Norway Chess

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Nakamura is all smiles in round two as heprepares to play Aronian in a game that ended ina draw for the two eventual tournament leaders.



Fabiano Caruana

USA 2808

Fourth-Sixth/41⁄2

Vishy Anand

India 2786

Seventh-Ninth/4

Wesley So

USA 2812

Fourth-Sixth/41⁄2

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

France 2796

Seventh-Ninth/4

Vladimir Kramnik

Russia 2808

Second-Third/5

Hikaru Nakamura

USA 2785

Second-Third/5

Anish Giri

Netherlands 2771

Fourth-Sixth/41⁄2

Levon Aronian

Armenia 2793

First/6

Magnus Carlsen

Norway 2832

Seventh-Ninth/4

[GM Vladimir] Potkin, a former second, wona game with the idea when Black had played ...b5.”11. ... Bxa3

Carlsen used only eight minutes before takingup the challenge.

The continuation 11. ... Bd6 12. e4 is simplyslightly better for White, since the usual 12. ...dxc4? is unplayable here due to 13. e5. 12. Rxa3!

“I am always in the mood for this kind ofplay—it’s exciting!” said Aronian. “In any case,if I don’t play this way my 10. Bc2 doesn’t makemuch sense. My original intention was 12. e4but actually 12. ... dxe4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4Bb4 is not too scary for Black.”

12. ... Qxa3 13. c5! b6

14. b4!?

“My calculations told me that I would alwayshave positional compensation, even if I did nottrap the queen,” said Aronian. After the gameAronian was shown the computer line 14. Nb1!

Qa2 15. Qc1!! with the idea 15. ... bxc5 16. Nc3Qa5 17. Nxd5 Qb5 18. Nc7, e.g. 18. ... Qb7 19.Nxa8 Qxa8 20. Ba5 Re8 21. dxc5 Nxc5 22.Bxh7+ Kxh7 23. Qxc5 and White is clearlybetter. “So my plan was really strong?” askedAronian rhetorically. “Well, I don’t need confir-mation that I am a genius!” he joked.

14. ... Ne4!?

“I thought that this was almost forced,” saidAronian, “though I also wasn’t sure about 14.... e5, which is another critical move. I thoughtif he plays it I will start calculating because Iknew that in a worst case I have 15. Nb1 witha repetition and in any case 14. ... e5 is notreally freeing the queen.”; 14. ... Qxb4 losesbeautifully to 15. Nxd5 Qc4 16. Ne7+ (16. Bb3Qxf1+! is not so clear.) 16. ... Kf8 17. Nxc6 Re818. Nb4! when the only way to save the queenis 18. ... Qb5 (18. ... bxc5 19. Bd3) 19. Bd3 Qa5leaving White with an absolutely dominatingposition after 20. c6 Nb8 21. Ne5. Accordingto the Norwegian supercomputer Sesse, lookingmore than 20 moves ahead for each side, theonly defense for Black was the “unhuman” 14.... Qb2!, when apparently Black can hold equalitywith best play, e.g. 15. Ne1 Ne4 16. Nxe4 dxe417. Bxe4 Bb7 18. cxb6 Nxb6 19. Nd3 Qa2 20.Nc5 Rab8 and White still cannot quite trap thequeen.

15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Bxe4

“At first I was planning 16. Ng5!? Nf6 17. f3h6 18. Nxf7 Kxf7 19. fxe4 and if 19. ... e5 20.Qh5+!,” said Aronian, “but really this line iscompletely ridiculous and cannot be more thanplaying for a draw.”

16. ... Rb8

Played after 18 minutes, after which Carlsen’sclock had already become a serious factor—andAronian is in his element playing against anopponent in time trouble. “I thought that thiswas the best move,” said Aronian. “If 16. ...bxc5 17. bxc5 a5, I was planning 18. Bxc6 Ba6(18. ... Ra7 is safer.—IR) 19. Qa1! when Whiteis better. Also after 16. ... a5, hoping for 17.b5 (!) bxc5 18. bxc6 Nf6 19. c7 Rd5!, I wasintending to reply with the simple 17. Qb1!?,when it is hard for Black to find a move.” Infact Aronian’s first line was working wellenough, because after 20. Bxd5 Nxd5 21. Qb1!!Black is helpless against the threat of 22. Qb8because 21. ... Nxc7 loses material after 22. Qb6Ba6 23. Rc1! Ne8 24. Qc6! and a piece falls. 17. Bxh7+!

“If you get the chance to play something thatmight make the instruction books, it’s alwaysgood,” said Aronian, smiling. Later Aronianpointed out that his Greek Gift may not evenbe the best move in the position. He had dis -missed 17. Qc2 because of 17. ... Nf6 but his

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The Greatest?

When Norway Chess invited its field for the 2017 tournament early in the year,they simply went down the rating list and signed up the top 10 players.

Unfortunately for the organizers, in the interim months Shakhriyar Mamedyarovand Ding Liren both won major tournaments and forced their way into thetop 10, leaving Norway Chess’ ambition to be the strongest tournament inhistory to wait for at least another year.

Nonetheless, with seven of the top eight players in the world, Norway Chess2017 equaled the achievement of the 2015 Sinquefield Cup and edged outLas Palmas 1996, a six player tournament won by Garry Kasparov which hadsix of the world’s top seven at the time.

However, the tournament that still holds the title of strongest tournament ofall time remains the 1938 AVRO tournament in the Netherlands, which wasmade up of the top eight players in the world. Remarkably, in an event whichincluded Capablanca, Alekhine, Euwe, and Botvinnik, the winners were twoplayers who never became world champion: Paul Keres and Reuben Fine.

Sergey Karjakin

Russia 2781

10th/31⁄2

computer then pointed out 18. Bxh7+!! Nxh719. Ne5! b5 (otherwise 20. Nc4) 20. Bc3 andthe black queen is doomed. 17. ... Kxh7 18. Ng5+ Kg8

“There are some spectacular lines if he tries18. ... Kg6 when I was planning 19. Qg4 f5 20.Qg3 Kf6 and now 21. d5!! is incredibly strong,”explained Aronian. “Now if 21. ... exd5 22.Qd6+ Kxg5 23. e4+ Kh5 and 24. Qf4 mates.” 19. Qh5 Nf6 20. Qxf7+ Kh8 21. Qc7 Bd7!

“I thought that Magnus played really wellhere,” said Aronian. 22. Nf7+ Kh7 23. Nxd8 Rc8 24. Qxb6 Nd5

25. Qa7

“I calculated to this point when sacrificingthe bishop on h7 and I thought White shouldbe better,” explained Aronian.

“[The line] 25. Qb7 Rxd8 26. e4 Bc8 27. Qxc6Ne7 might not be so easy because he takes on d4.”25. ... Rxd8 26. e4 Qd3?

Played quickly since Carlsen had only 15minutes left to reach the move 40 time control.“A real cheapo, but now I felt my chances towin became very good,” said Aronian. “Iexpected 26. ... Nf6! 27. Bg5 Qxb4! 28. e5 Qxd4(28. ... Kg6! is the improvement missed by bothplayers. After 29. h4 Qxd4 30. exf6 gxf6 31.Qb6 Bc8 32. Be3 Qd5 Black should survive.—IR) 29. exf6 gxf6 and now probably I shouldplay 30. Qc7 (If 30. Be3 Qd3 and he will stabilizehis position with ... e5.) 30. ... Rc8 31. Bxf6!Qxf2+! 32. Rxf2 Rxc7 33. Be5 which is veryunpleasant for Black but his best chance.”27. exd5!

“If I am not careful and play 27. Bg5? Qxe4!28. Bxd8 then after 28. ... Nf4!, I will lose thegame,” said Aronian. 27. ... Qxd2 28. Qc7 Qg5 29. dxc6 Bc8

“It is important that 29. ... Be8 doesn’t workbecause of 30. Qb7!,” explained Aronian. 30. h3 Qd5

“Asking for trouble. I thought his best trywas 30. ... e5!? and after 31. f4 exf4 32. Qxf4Qxf4 33. Rxf4 Be6 when maybe it’s winning,

maybe it’s not,” said Aronian, who had not yetseen the trick 34. d5!! Rxd5 (34. ... Bxd5 35.Rd4) 35. Re4! Bf5 36. Re8 and White wins. 31. Rd1

“After I get my rook to g3, it’s finished,” saidAronian. 31. ... e5?!

The last chance was 31. ... Rf8, although ifWhite avoids 32. Rd3 Qe4! 33. Rg3 Qxd4 andplays 32. Qd6, Black’s defensive task in timetrouble will still be onerous.32. Rd3! exd4

The continuation 32. ... e4 33. Rg3 Qxd4 34.Rxg7+ Qxg7 35. Qxd8 should be a slow butsure win for White. 33. Qe7 Bf5

Played using almost half of Black’s remainingeight minutes.

The try 33. ... Rg8 makes White’s task tooeasy after 34. Qh4+ Kg6 35. Rxd4. 34. Rg3 Bg6 35. Qh4+, Black resigned.

35. ... Kg8 36. Rxg6 d3 37. Qf6 is hopelessfor Black. “The difference between my winsagainst Magnus and his wins against me is thatI have to work hard for mine—his I give as apresent!” said Aronian with a laugh.

Aronian, who moved up to number four onthe world rankings with his win in Stavanger,attributed his recent good form to being “moreconcentrated and I want to win more.”

Aronian could often be seen in the eveningplaying the card game Avalon with other playersincluding GMs Carlsen, Kramnik, and MaximeVachier-Lagrave. “I don’t particularly like thegame,” he admitted, “I just like hanging out withthe guys. It’s fun to make friends with yourcolleagues—that’s what is missing some times.”

Only Hikaru Nakamura, who took the early lead,challenged Aronian for first place, but his hopes for atie for first place ended in the final round, when heran into some dangerous opening preparation fromFabiano Caruana in a sharp game that Nakamuraneeded to win with black.

SICILIAN DEFENSE, NAJDORF VARIATION: POISONED PAWN (B97)GM Fabiano Caruana (FIDE 2808, USA)GM Hikaru Nakamura (FIDE 2785, USA)altibox Norway Chess 2017 (9), Stavanger,Norway, 06.16.2017

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6

5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5

“I used to play 6. Bg5 a lot when I was youngbut then I abandoned it,” said Caruana. “Recent -ly I took it up again.”6. ... e6

“I was expecting the Najdorf,” said Caruana,“but I really wasn’t expecting the Poisoned Pawnline. Last time he played 6. ... Nbd7—there areso many lines he could try.”7. f4 Qb6

8. Qd3!?

The move 8. Qd2 is standard but “maybe Iplayed 8. Qd3 when I was young,” notedCaruana. “I think theory says that Black hasabout seven ways to draw after this move!Hikaru played 8. a3 against Nepomniachtchiin the [Moscow] Grand Prix but I didn’t wantto repeat that.”8. ... Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3 10. f5 Be7 11. fxe6

fxe6 12. Be2 Qa5 13. Bd2 Qc7 14. g4 h6

“Hikaru is playing the main line,” said Caruana,“but my next move is new. I think if you wantto play these lines with black you have to preparefor every possible white move, ridiculous or not.It’s a lot of work but if you don’t want to dothis, play a less challenging opening.”

15. Rg1!?

“A very blunt move—I just want to play 16.g5. [The line] 15. Qh3 0-0 16. g5 hxg5 17. Nxe6leads to a miraculous draw, which I would behard pressed to remember,” admitted Caruana.

15. ... Bd7

This move took Nakamura 20 minutes,having used not more than 30 seconds on anyprevious move. “15. ... Bd7 is good,” saidCaruana. “One of the points of 15. Rg1 is thatafter 15. ... Nc6 16. Nxc6 Qxc6 my rook is notunder attack after 17. e5! dxe5 18. Qg6+.”16. g5 hxg5 17. Rxg5 Nc6!?



Played after 31 minutes’ thought. “I wasshocked by this,” admitted Caruana. ”My notessay that 17. ... Nc6 is an interesting option butthat nobody will ever go for this! I was sure hewould play either 17. ... Rg8 or 17. ... Rh7because to play 17. ... Nc6 you have to see adetail way down the road. I wondered for asecond if he had prepared this and was justtrying to remember it.”18. Rxg7 0-0-0

19. Ncb5!

“An obvious move,” said Caruana modestly.“I could try 19. Qxa6!? which is cute but unfortu-nately doesn’t have a threat and Black can simplyreply 19. ... Nxd4 .”19. ... axb5 20. Nxb5 Ne5

“Forced, because after 20. ... Qb8 21. Rxe7!wins,” explained Caruana. 21. Nxc7 Nxd3+ 22. cxd3 Ng8?

“A very welcome surprise,” said Caruana,after a 20 minute wait for Nakamura’s decision.“22. ... Ng8 is obviously not the way you shouldplay. I understand he did not see anything betterbecause 22. ... Kxc7 23. Rxe7 is not great butBlack has 22. ... Rxh2!! I was going to respond23. Rc1 Rh1+ 24. Bf1 Kb8 25. Rxe7 but thenhe has the important move 25. ... Rf8!! ...

... which you have to see when playing 17. ...Nc6. In fact, when he played 17. ... Nc6, Icouldn’t believe he had calculated all the wayup to here—that would have been unbelievable.He’s a fantastic calculator, but for anyone thatwould have been unbelievable. If he hadcalculated up to here he would have deserveda draw—or maybe more than a draw! After 26.

Nxe6 Bxe6 27. Rxe6 Ng4! I am almost mated,e.g. 28. Ke2 Rf2+ 29. Kd1 Ne3+! So I wouldhave to play 28. Kd1 when I have an extra pawnbut I will lose it back after 28. ... Rhxf1+ 29.Kc2 Rc8+.” Play could continue 30. Kb2 Rfxc131. Bxc1 Nf2! 32. Rxd6 Nd1+ 33. Kb1 Nc3+34. Ka1 Nxe4, leading to a drawn rook ending. 23. Na8!

The move 23. Ba5! is also very strong butCaruana had missed that after 23. ... Rxh2 hecan reply with the simple 24. Kd2!. 23. ... Kb8 24. Nb6 Bc6 25. Bf4 e5

“25. ... Bf6 was a slightly better version ofthe game,” said Caruana. “I would have to goback with my rook because 26. Rf7? (26. Rg2Bc3+ 27. Kd1 Nf6 28. Bf3 still keeps control soI was not too concerned.) 26. ... Be8 27. Rf8Be7 loses.” 26. Bg3 Bf6 27. Rf7 Be8 28. Rf8 Bg7

“Probably he should trade bishops with 28.... Be7 29. Rf2 Bh4 but after 30. Kd2 Bxg3 31.hxg3 White has very good winning chances,”said Caruana. 29. Rf2 Ne7

30. Bg4!

“Here I thought that the game was overbecause his pieces are in complete disorder.”

30. ... Nc6 31. Rfb2 Nd4 32. Nd5 b5 33.

a4!

“Now I think it also dawned on him thatthere was nothing he could do,” said Caruana. 33. ... Bh6 34. axb5 Rg8 35. h3 Kb7 36.

Ne7 Rf8 37. Nc6 Bxc6 38. bxc6+ Kxc6 39.

Bf2 Rxf2

Desperation, but 40. Bxd4 and 41. Rc2 matewas threatened. 40. Kxf2 Rf8+ 41. Kg2 Be3 42. Rb8 Rxb8

43. Rxb8 d5 44. Rc8+ Kd6 45. Rd8+ Ke7

46. Rd7+ Kf6 47. exd5 e4 48. dxe4 Bf4

“I was a little irritated by him playing on,”admitted Caruana, “but it was clear he was notthinking about the current position but whathad happened earlier in the game.”49. h4 Nb5 50. h5 Be5 51. Bf5 Kg5 52.

Bg6 Nd6 53. Re7 Nc4 54. Re6 Bf6 55. d6

Ne5 56. Bf5 Nd3 57. Rxf6 Kxf6 58. d7 Ke7

59. h6, Black resigned.

Prior to that game, Nakamura had lookedvery solid: working hard to hold his difficultpositions while steadily converting advantagesagainst Giri in round one and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in round four.

Nakamura finished tied for second place withKramnik, the Russian who enjoyed as manywins as Aronian but who also suffered two badlosses. The penultimate round defeat toVachier-Lagrave from a slightly better endgameparticularly annoyed Kramnik: “I was so frus -trated because it was spoiling the wholetournament in a most idiotic way. Unfortu-nately this is happening to me from time totime, maybe because of tension I have a totalblackout. What can I do about it?”

“WHAT CAN I DO?”GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FIDE 2796, FRA)GM Vladimir Kramnik (FIDE 2808, RUS)altibox Norway Chess 2017 (8), Stavanger,Norway, 06.15.2017

AFTER 23. ... Rfd8

Vachier-Lagrave had been suffering after aneffective opening novelty by Kramnik and nowhad a difficult choice: allow a dangerous pinby playing 24. Bb2 or first push around theblack bishop with 24. a5?24. Bb2!

The right call. Kramnik was hoping for 24.a5? which loses beautifully to 24. ... Rd3+ 25.Ka4 Nc2! 26. Ra2 Nd4 27. Re1 ...

www.uschess.org 39


... and now, out of nowhere, Black forces matevia 27. ... Bxa5! 28. bxa5 c5!! 29. Rb2 (The onlyway to prevent 29. ... b5 mate!) 29. ... Ra3+!(Not of course 29. ... Rxa5+? 30. Kxa5 Ra3+31. Kb6.) 30. Kxa3 Rxa5 mate.24. ... Rd3+ 25. Bc3 Bd4 26. Rc1 Nd1 27.

Nb1! Nxc3 28. Nxc3

Now Kramnik could make a draw by ex -chang ing on c3 and taking on a4. “HoweverKramnik was still playing for a win,” saidVachier-Lagrave. The game continued ...

28. ... Be5 29. a5 Rg3 30. Rf2 c6 31. Rf3!

Rxg4 32. Na4!

This move generates enough counterplay toconfuse Kramnik, who eventually lost a trickyrook endgame.

32. ... Rxg2 33. Nc5 Rb2+ 34. Kc4 Bd6?

“A panic move,” said Kramnik. “I had intend -ed to play 34. ... Rd8 but then suddenly noticedhis threat of 35. Nd3. I was a complete idiot tomiss the trick 35. ... Re2! 36. Nxe5 Rxe4+ whichI’d seen in other lines. After I played 34. ... Bd6I saw the trick and then I couldn’t play anymore. It was ridiculous. Instead of getting abetter endgame with some chances I just got aworse position. Just a mental blackout.”

35. Rd1! Bxc5 36. Kxc5 Re8?!

The continuation 36. ... h5! 37. Rd7 Rc2+!38. Kb6 Rb2 39. Rd4 Ra6+! 40. Kxb7 Rxa5 wasnot easy to see but should hold.

37. Rd7! Re5+ 38. Kc4 h5?!

Making White’s task easier, but even afterVachier-Lagrave’s suggestion 38. ... Rxe4+ 39.Kc3 Rbe2 40. Rxb7 Black will have to work toearn a draw. 39. Rxb7 Rxe4+ 40. Kc5 Rc2+ 41. Kd6

Rd4+ 42. Kc7

Having the white king supporting the a-pawn is more important than Black’s connectedpassed pawns. 42. ... Ra2 43. Kxc6 h4 44. Rb6 Rg4 45.

a6 Kh7 46. Rf5 Ra4 47. Rh5+ Kg6 48.

Rxh4!, Black resigned.

On 48. ... Rxh4 49. Kb5+ wins.

Just behind Nakamura and Kramnik wereCaruana and GM Wesley So. The two “new”Americans spoiled a number of opportunitiesin drawing their first five games each—GMSergey Karjakin’s stalemate swindle against Sowas the most entertaining, although perhapsWesley did not think so.

STALEMATE SWINDLEGM Wesley So (FIDE 2812, USA)GM Sergey Karjakin (FIDE 2781, RUS)altibox Norway Chess 2017 (4), Stavanger,Norway, 06.10.2017

AFTER 44. ... Rb2

Black’s position appears close to lost—“Imixed up something in the opening and got avery unpleasant position,” said Karjakin, “andthen I completely missed 26. Rxb8 and waslost.” So had missed at least one excellent chanceto win but he was not worried; Karjakin hadused up all but 10 minutes of his time on themove 60 time control and “I thought I couldplay g4-g5 whenever,” said So. 45. Bc7

This does not throw away the win, since Sohas plenty of chances to return to the winningidea, but now was the moment to crash throughwith 45. g5!! hxg5 46. h6 Qxg6 47. fxg6 Re848. h7+ Kh8 49. Ra1! ...

... and Black is in trouble, e.g., 49. ... Rb4(49. ... Rb7 50. Ra6! f5 51. Rxc6 f4 52. Rb6 Ra753. c6 g4 54. c7 g3 55. Rb8 Ra8 56. Rd8! “andyou can never sacrifice for stalemate,” said So.)Either 50. Ra6, or 50. Ra7 f5 51. Rd7 Re4 52.Rd8 and now Black just misses out by givingup a rook through 52. ... R4xe7 53. Bxe7 Rxd854. Bxd8 g4 55. Bc7 f4 because of 56. Be5! g3

57. Kg2! f3+ 58. Kxf3 g2 59. Bxg7+! Kxg7 60.Kxg2 “It’s very close,” admitted So. “If he didn’thave the g-pawn it would be a draw thanks tothe stalemates.”45. ... Rd2 46. Bf4 Rd4 47. Bd6 Rb4 48.

Re2 Rb1+ 49. Kf2 Rb3 50. Bc7 Rd3 51. Bf4

Rd4 52. Bd6 Rb4 53. Kg3

It was hard to foresee, but the white king issafer on the back rank, out of the way of advanc -ing black pawns, than it is on the third rank. 53. ... Rb3+ 54. Kh4 Rba3 55. Re6 R3a7

56. Re3 Ra4 57. Kg3 Rb4 58. Bc7 Rd4 59.

Bf4 Rd7 60. Bd6 Rb7

Finally So goes for the pawn break, but itfails by a miracle. 61. g5 hxg5 62. h6 Qxg6 63. fxg6 Re8!

“I totally underestimated the stalemate idea,”admitted So. “I thought Black would play 63.... gxh6 64. e8=Q+ Rxe8 65. Rxe8+ Kg7 andtake three pawns for the piece.” Karjakin added,“But it should be lost.”64. h7+ Kh8 65. Kg4

The line 65. Ra3 f5 66. Ra6 f4+ 67. Kg4 f3!is much slower than the version on move 45.“At least I have a plan,” said Karjakin. “I justgive up everything!”

65. ... f5+! 66. Kxg5 Rb1! 67. Ra3 Rg1+ 68. Kxf5

The follow up 68. Bg3 f4! would set upsimilar stalemate possibilities. 68. ... Re1 69. Ra2 R8xe7! 70. Bxe7 Re5+!

71. Kxe5, Stalemate.

While world number two So continued onhis drawing ways, eventually finishing withnine consecutive draws and falling to thirdplace on the world rankings, Caruana had amore eventful path to 50 percent.

Caruana fell to last place—equal with Carlsen!—after being outplayed by Viswanathan Anandin the sixth round, but his last round victoryover Nakamura enabled a respectable finish in afield that included the last three world champions.

At the other end of the crosstable, reigningWorld Champion Carlsen suffered his seconddisastrous Norway Chess in three years, winninghis first and only game in the penultimate round



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after being heavily beaten by Aronian andKramnik and suffering, but holding, in othergames as well.

After the tournament, Carlsen made theshocking admission that he, the world numberone, was lacking in confidence and concen-tration, saying, “I managed to build myself upat least a bit for every game, but then it wouldall disappear very quickly. Basically I know thatI can play, but I’m not so convinced about my

ability to win games. My instincts in blitz arestill good, but in classical I am over-thinking.”

Kramnik identified Carlsen’s problems as hischoice of black openings, saying, “In this kindof tournament you need to be extremely wellprepared with black to avoid problems.” HoweverAnand was not so sure: “Magnus’ ability wasalways that it didn’t matter what opening heplayed because he could conjure up some magicanyway. That avenue is not blocked.”

By the end of the tournament, Carlsen was athis lowest FIDE rating in six years and little morethan 10 points ahead of Kramnik, So, andAronian. It is far too early to say that the Carlsenera is coming to an end, but he has not won aclassical tournament for a year. After modestresults this year in Wijk aan Zee, Baden-Badenand Stavanger, following his shaky world titledefense against Karjakin, it may be that Carlsenno longer strikes fear into the hearts of his rivals.

Levon Aronian Speaks

“FOR SOME REASON MY

GENERATION, BORN IN THE 80S,

[WAS] NOT VERY AMBITIOUS.”

After his victory in Norway, Aronianspoke to Ian Rogers about his winagainst Carlsen, playing Alekhine,and why he is the only memberof his generation currently amongthe elite.

I think generally I had a good tournament with good positions.Against Giri I was pretty calm because the position didn’trequire anything spectacular. It was a difficult positionbefore the time trouble escalated, but then after weexchanged queens I think I had enough time and confidenceto pull through.

Against Carlsen I remember the move 10. Bc2 was supposedto be an interesting try, but when he played 10. Rd8 Ithought, “What’s the point?” If it was that simple for Black,then probably 10. Bc2 just doesn’t work.

I had some doubts when I was sacrificing the exchange—but the 11. a3 and 12. Rxa3 idea is not that alien to theposition—it occurs a lot. Honestly speaking, I wasn’t thatoptimistic—I didn’t see how I was trapping his queen exactlybecause it takes a long time, but it looked daring andinteresting so I just went for it. It seems it was even betterthan I thought. I came back and saw some analysis by mycolleagues—my computer colleagues—and I realized thatthe queen is in serious danger.

Even in the game I probably shouldn’t take on h7 on move17—it is probably still good compensation for me and after30. h3 I was really confident and thought I was winning.But 31. ... Rf8—which looks really unnatural—people say thecomputer gives only a draw. But I could have played 17.Qc2! which I avoided because of 17. ... Nf6. However thenthere is some crazy idea 18. Bxh7+!! Nxh7 19. Ne5 and I amjust playing 20. Nc4 and capturing the queen. I completelymissed this; it is just so unnatural for a human. So apparentlyhis queen was in much much bigger danger than it seems.

I think every player, even the greatest players in the world—

a category to which Magnus belongs—get to a certain momentwhen they are being chased by the opposition. So they haveto step up. I think what he means when he says he is notconfident is that he doesn’t have chances to win every singlegame. For quite a while he was doing that wasn’t he?

Before the tournament I did more sports than I usually do—running, for example.

On learning that a website called Chess Time Machine isdemonstrating an Alekhine–Aronian game, based on allgames played by each player:

Ooh! Mystery! But this cannot be true. Alekhine would be180 years old, you know. He is too old and just wants toexchange everything. I don’t think I can beat Alekhine fromthe current position, after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Nd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. e5—he has improved recently!

On feeling a generation apart from the other elite players:

Actually I was discussing this with Gelfand; I can’t rememberwhen. We thought that the generation born in the 1980swas probably the second worst generation, behind the 50sgeneration. The 70s were far superior, and the 90s.

My generation, born in the 1980s, is more or less just myselfplus Grischuk, Nakamura, and Mamedyarov—the 90s and70s have far more people at the elite level. There are other80s guys who are very talented but are playing badly: manygood players like Bacrot, Ponomariov, Sargissian, Vallejo.My generation, for some reason, was not entirely ambitiousthough very talented, though of course it feels good to beone of the best players of the decade.

It’s not just legends born in the 70s—Kramnik and Anand—that keep me feeling young; the younger guys give mehope. I play them and see there are things that I do betterso it makes me feel younger than them!

In Armenia generally chess is viewed as something if youdo well it can be a job. If you tell someone that you are achessplayer they don’t ask you what you do for a living.

SELF DEPRECATINGGM Radoslaw Wojtaszek (FIDE 2730, POL) GM Samuel Shankland (FIDE 2676, USA) World Team Championship2017 (2), Khanty-Mansiysk,Russia, 06.18.2017


9. e3

According to my understandingof these structures, White shouldbe a bit better if he can get hisbishop to a3. Here I misplayed theposition a bit.9. ... Bg4?!

AFTER 8. ... Ne4

A step in the wrong direction. Ihad seen that Ba3 could be met bya quick ... b7-b5-b4 and did notthink that White could use his leadin development to punish me for

losing time with my pawns, but Ihad overlooked a nice resource: 9.... Bf5! (This was to be preferred.The threat of ... Nc3 compelsWhite to put the bishop on b2. Isaw this move but was aware itwould be transposing to a mainlinethat I wasn’t fully satisfied with,and mistakenly went with themore ambitious ... Bg4.) 10. Bb2(10. Ba3? Nc3 And Black winsmaterial 11. Qe1 [11. Qc1 Ne2+]11. ... Bd3) 10. ... Nxd2 (10. ... a4)11. Qxd2 Be4. Black is more or lessokay here, but will have to suffera bit with slightly less space.

10. Ba3!

Well calculated. If the bishopcan remain here, Black will beworse. The line 10. h3 Bf5 was myidea, thinking that the pawn isworse on h3 than h2. For instance,11. Bb2 a4 12. bxa4 Nxd2 13. Qxd2dxc4 14. Qb4 Qd7 and the pawnhangs here, forcing White to losesome time.10. ... b5 11. cxd5 cxd5

Here if Black gets one moremove to play ... b4, he might evenbe better. But my opponent wasready:

Don’t Worry, “B” Happy

No medals this year for our U.S. squads

By GM SAM SHANKLAND


International Events / 2017 World Team

The World Team Championship has long been one of the strongest tournaments in the world. Its inception in 1985 saw the Soviet Unionwin in Lucerne, spearheaded by World Champion Anatoly Karpov on board one. Over the years, despite only ten teams qualifying, all ofthe powerhouse chess countries have participated, with most of them picking up the title at least once. The U.S. made good use of the

Soviet Union collapsing in 1991—in the 1993 edition, not only did they not have an unstoppable juggernaut to fight against, but they also hadtaken a bunch of ex-Soviet players, winning the gold with Gata Kamsky, Alex Yermolinsky, Boris Gulko, and Gregory Kaidanov manning thefirst four boards. All four of these players have remained in the U.S. ever since and have contributed enormously to American chess culture, butthe U.S. has failed to repeat their success.

Fast forwarding to 2017, the U.S. once again qualified for the World Team. We had just come off of a drought-ending Olympiad victory theprevious year, but our squad had been significantly weakened as our top three players, all ranked among the world’s top ten, were playing in theconflicting Grand Chess Tour instead. While I played alongside them on board four in the Olympiad, their absence meant I would be manningboard one at the World Team.

Even though we were sending a “B” team, I was optimistic about our chances. Alex Onischuk, at 43 years young, had just tied for first in the U.S.Championship, Varuzhan Akobian had been stuck in the low 2600s for a long time but recently had a breakthrough and got up to 2673, and withthe young and improving stars Ray Robson and Jeffery Xiong to round out the squad, I thought we could hang tight with just about any team.

The first challenge we faced was simply getting to Khanty-Mansiysk! It was a long journey for all of us, involving three flights and long layovers.In addition, the tournament schedule got pushed forward by one day, so while we had planned on having two full days to recover from the traveland get ready to play, our rest time was cut in half. The men’s team managed to get through a Magnus-less Norway in round one.

Both the men’s and women’s squads had very tough pairings in round two. In our match with Poland, I was the dog of the day, losing badly toGM Radoslaw Wojtaszek, the world number 23, while the other games were drawn. I am always loathe to advertise my shortcomings, but Radoslawdid play a really nice game.

12. Qc1!

Very energetic and strong.White breaks the pin on the f3-knight, thus threatening Nxe4,while not choosing a square wherethe queen will be harassed. Alter -natives were worse: 12. Qe2? Nc313. Qe1 b4 and Black is better; 12.Qe1 b4 13. Bb2 Nc5! also leads totrouble for White; 12. Rc1 b4 13.Bb2 Nd7 and Black is absolutelyfine here.12. ... b4 13. Bb2

And here I realized my positionis already rotten. I need to slamdown on the c-file to punish Whitefor putting his queen on c1, but Iam one tempo too slow and Nxe4is a serious threat.13. ... Na6?

A bad move in a bad position:13. ... Nxd2 14. Qxd2. The com -puter recommends this for Black,but the position is very difficultafter 14. ... Nd7 (14. ... Bxf3 15.Bxf3 e6 16. Rfc1 is also depressingfor Black). 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. dxe5Be6 17. Rfc1 The g7-bishop ispermananently passive.White hasa lot more space and can clampdown on the dark squares with f2-f4 and Bd4, and a2-a3 could comeat some point. The try 13. ... Bf5was probably best, though aftersome-thing like 14. Nh4 Nxd2 15.Qxd2 Be6 16. a3! Black is stillslightly worse.14. Nxe4! dxe4 15. Ng5

And the e4-pawn is falling, since15. ... f5 will fail to Ne6. I had seenthis much and thought I washolding it together after 15. ... e5,but missed a crucial detail.15. ... e5

The continuation 15. ... Rc8 16.Qd2 e5 17. Nxe4 f5 almost savesBlack since the knight is trapped,but after 18. f3! the knight gainsthe f2-square and White remainsa pawn up.16. Nxe4 exd4 17. Bxd4! Bxd418. exd4 Qxd4

I had only checked Qf4 in thisposition, which looks like it winson the spot due to the double threatof Qxg4 and Nf6+. But White hasa better move:

19. Qg5!

And loose pieces will drop off19. Qf4? f5! is not nearly aseffective.19. ... Be2 20. Rfe1 Rac8

21. Rac1

After 21. Qf6 I would haveresigned if facing this move, butthe text should be good enough,too. 21. ... Qxf6 22. Nxf6+ Kg7 23.Rxe2 Kxf6 24. Bb7! My opponenttold me he missed this move afterthe game.21. ... Qb2

The move 21. ... Rxc1 offersmore resist ance, though, after 22.Qxc1 Bd3 23. Rd1 Black is in allsorts of pins and should still lose;for example: 23. ... Kg7 24. Bf1 isthe simplest (24. h4!? The ma -chine’s recommendation is prob -ably even stronger—Black is nearlystalemat ed and h5-h6 is coming)24. ... Qxe4 25. Bxd3 Qb7 26. Bf1.With Rd6 followed by Qc5 on theway, Black will lose at least a pawn.26. ... Rc8 27. Qb2+ Rc3 28. Rc1Qc6 29. Bxa6 Qxa6 30. Rxc3 bxc331. Qxc3+.22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23. Nd6

And I cannot avoid a disasteron f7.23. ... Rf8 24. Qe7 Bh5 25.Bd5, Black resigned.

On the other side, the womenlost by the same 2½-1½ score,falling to India as IM Sachdev Taniascored the lone victory againstSabina Foisor. Just looking aroundat everyone at the buffet wasenough for me to know that theywere all feeling the same travelfatigue that I was, and both teams’morale was not in the right place.I remember sleeping really poorlythat night—the loss stung even

more knowing that I let down mycountry as well as myself in whatturned out to be the critical gameof the match. But there was no restfor the wicked—we were playingagainst China, the top seed andreigning champions, the next day.With a very challeng ing matchahead of us, we came after themwith everything we had. And wefought a very good fight.

All four games in the matchwere drawn, but we squanderedsome real chances. Ray missed anice win in severe time pressurethat I’d like to invite my readersto solve:

SOLVE FOR WHITE TO WIN!GM Ray Robson (FIDE 2656, USA)GM Yi Wei (FIDE 2728, CHN)World Team Championship2017 (3), Khanty-Mansiysk,Russia, 06.19.2017

AFTER 36. Rb1

36. ... b6

With only the increment to playon, Ray missed his chance here.I’m sure he would have found theway if he had more time.37. Nd3?!

Very strong was 37. b4! Thepoint is that 37. ... axb4 fails to (37.... bxc5 38. bxc5 is a disaster forBlack, who cannot stop Rb7) 38.Rdxb4! bxc5 39. Rb8! Rxb8 40.Rxb8 when Black is surprisinglyhelpless to stop the a-pawn.37. ... bxc5 38. Nxc5

White is still a bit better here,but it’s unlikely to be enough towin. Yi defended well and thegame was drawn.38. ... Nb6 39. b4 axb4 40.Rbxb4 Nd7 41. Nxd7+ Bxd742. Rb7 Be6 43. f4, Drawagreed.

While Ray had a good positionfor much of the game, that was theonly moment he really could havewon on the spot. In addition, I hadLiren Ding in all sorts of trouble,but did not manage to put himaway. It was a really frustratingand disappointing game for me.

The women got on the score -board, tying their match withPoland, thanks in no small part toSabina bouncing back from herloss to score the first individualvictory for the women’s team.

Even though we did not manageto beat China, we definitely out -played them. This helped give ourteam some much needed confi -dence ... until a massacre at thehands of India ruined it. I sat outfor this match and had to stopwatching at some point—everygame was a total disaster. OnlyAlex Onischuk managed half apoint, and even he was a bitfortunate to get that much. On theother side, the women won theirfirst match, dispatching Egypt 3½-½. Anna won a quick game as heropponent walked into a well-known Catalan trap.

I can’t speak for all of the otherAmericans, but I was still not quitedone getting adjusted to the timechange. We had one more matchbefore the rest day, and I was readyto expend all reserve energy I had,knowing that a day off should beenough to get me fully back to 100percent efficiency. The men’s squadwas playing Belarus, and the matchstarted very well. Two reasonablyfast draws on boards three and fourleft just me and Alex Onischukplaying, and we both had very goodpositions—the match seemed allbut locked up. But then thingsstarted to fall apart.

I was really disappointed withmyself once again after this game—I felt like I got absolutely every -thing I could ever ask for from theposition, and still managed not towin. At least when I got back tothe room I found out that I nevermissed a direct forced win. Still, Ireally believed I could have walkedaway with a full point with a bitmore patience. However, thingshad taken a turn for the worse inAlex’s game, and it had done a full

www.uschess.org 43


180. Alex was losing! But it wasnever that easy, and a couple ofmistakes allowed him to escapewith a draw.

ALEX O. ESCAPESGM Vladislav Kovalev (FIDE 2641, BLR) GM Alexander Onischuk (FIDE 2685, USA)World Team Championship2017 (5), Khanty-Mansiysk,Russia, 06.21.2017

AFTER 38. ... h4

39. Qf1

Black is winning here but he hasto be precise.39. ... h3?

This is very tempting as itmaroons the bishop on h1, but itactually is incorrect. 39. ... Qc7!was winning. The point is nowWhite cannot play Qd3 and after40. Qf2

a) 40. Qd3 hxg3 wins easily; b) 40. gxh4 Qxh2; c) 40. Qf4 My guess is this is

why Alex did not play 39. ... Qc7,but Black is definitely winning 40.... Qxf4 (40. ... h3!! This gorgeousmove is computer generated, butthe human move is good enoughtoo 41. Bh1 Qc3+ 42. Kd1 Kg6)41. exf4 (41. gxf4 h3 42. Bf1 Ne4+and ... g4-g3 is going to hurt) 41.... hxg3 42. hxg3 Nh5 43. c3 bxc3+44. Kxc3 Nxg3 45. b4 Kf8. Blackis winning;

Now 40. ... h3! 41. Bh1 (41. Bf1Ne4+) 41. ... Qc3+ wins in quickorder.

40. Bh1 Qc7 41. Qd3

Now the bishop is stuck on h1,but oddly enough the knight is alsostuck on f6—as soon as it moves,e3-e4 will break the bishop out. IfBlack could play ... f7-f5 throughthe f6-knight, he would be easilywinning. As is, it’s not as clear.

41. ... Qc6

The move 41. ... Nh5! was win -ning, though I can imagine howridiculous it must look to allowe3-e4. The idea is the veryinhuman 42. e4 Nf4! The point is43. gxf4 Qxf4+ 44. Kd1 Qxh2 45.Qf1 g3 when Black will even get asecond queen.42. Kc1 Kf8 43. Kb2 Ke7 44.Qd2 Qb5 45. Qe1 Qb6 46. Qe2Qc7 47. Qd2 Qd6 48. Qe2 e5

After maneuvering around forawhile with no progress, Alexopens the position. But this carriessome risk.49. dxe5 Qxe5+ 50. Kb1 d4 51.e4

51. ... Qg5?

The last winning try was 51. ...Nd7, though it feels inhuman tolose the g4-pawn 52. Qxg4 d3! 53.cxd3 Qd4! and White cannotprevent a decisive invasion.

52. Qc4 Qd2 53. Qc5+ Kd8 54.Qb6+ Ke7 55. Qc5+ Kd8 56.Qa5+ Kc8?

Best was 56. ... Ke7 which draws.57. Qa6+ Kc7 58. Qxf6!

White bravely continues thegame.58. ... Qe1+ 59. Kb2 Qc3+ 60.Kb1 Qe1+ 61. Ka2 Qxh1 62.Qxf7+ Kb6 63. Qe6+ Kc7 64.Qc4+ Kd7 65. Qxd4+ Ke8 66.Qe5+ Kd7 67. Qf5+ Kc7 68.Qf7+ Kc6 69. Qe6+ Kc7 70.Qe7+ Kc6 71. e5 Qxh2 72.Qd6+ Kb7 73. Qxb4+ Kc7 74.Qd6+ Kb7 75. Qd7+ Kb6 76.Qe6+ Kb7 77. Qf7+ Kb6 78.Qe6+ Kb7 79. Qd5+ Kb6 80.Qd4+ Kc7 81. Qc5+ Kd7 82.Qd6+ Ke8 83. Qe6+ Kd8 84.Qf6+ Kc7 85. Qe7+ Kc6 86.Qd6+ Kb7 87. Qd3 Qg1 88. e6h2 89. Qe4+ Kc7 90. e7 h1=Q91. Qxh1 Qxh1 92. e8=Q

It baffles me that Alex did notlose here, but somehow he didn’t!92. ... Qf3 93. Qe5+ Kc6 94.Kb2 Kb6 95. b4 Kb7 96. c3Qd1 97. Qe4+ Kc7 98. c4 Qd2+99. Kb3 Qd1+ 100. Qc2 Qf3+101. Qc3 Qd1+ 102. Ka3 Qf3103. Kb2 Qe2+ 104. Kb1 Qd1+105. Ka2 Qe2+ 106. Kb3 Qd1+107. Ka2 Qe2+ 108. Qb2 Qxc4+109. Qb3 Qe2+ 110. Ka3 Kb6111. Qc3 Qf3 112. Kb2 Qg2+ 113.Kc1 Qf1+ 114. Kd2 Qf2+ 115. Kd1Qf1+, Draw agreed.

The women had really back -break ing pairings, facing Russiaand China back-to-back in roundsfive and six. At first their play wasexemplary, and they even hadchances to beat Russia. But unfor -tu nately, Anna made a criticalmistake that is all too commonamong chess players of all levels—after defending a worse positionvery resourcefully, she was a bittoo happy to make a draw that shecould have only dreamed of a fewmoves before. In fact, she hadoutplayed her former women’sworld champion opponent sodecisively that she was actuallymuch better!

In round six we played againstEgypt, the bottom seed but a verydangerous team nonetheless. Wetook care of business, winning bothwhite games and drawing bothblack games (though not withoutsome adventures!). Ray scored hisfirst win of the event, quicklypunishing a mistake early on.

The match was not smooth, asVar was dead lost and I bungledwhat should have been an easilywinning position, but we held ittogether. Ultimately, I did win mygame and some heroic defensefrom Var left us winning by a 3-1margin. It was not pretty, butwinning is winning!

The women were in for a toughride against China next. They lost3-1, and never really had a chanceto win. While Jennifer Yu andAnna Zatonskih played very soliddraws, nobody was ever better,and the Chinese ladies were veryunforgiving of errors. Sabina hada very solid position throughout,but as soon as she missed oneresource, her opponent never lether back into the game.

Going into round seven, we hada real opportunity on our hands.A win would put us in prime con -tention to fight our way to thepodium if we could keep onwinning the final two rounds, andwinning two matches in a rowwould be a welcome reprieve fromwhat had otherwise been anincredibly tough tournament. Wewere facing Turkey—one of thebottom seeds on paper, with aboard one lower than our boardfive. But they were having thetournament of their lives! Aftersix rounds they were still undefeat -ed, weathering the storm whileplaying up every round. They hadonly lost one individual game, nomatches, and had beaten bothNorway and Poland.

Still, as impressive as their playhad been, ratings seldom lie and Ifelt that we should be favoritesgoing in. I equalized easily playingblack against Dragan Solak onboard one, and was all too happyto accept his draw offer in a veryboring and level position, leavingit to the rest of the team to try tomake things happen with twowhites and one black. And whilethe games were definitely up anddown, we did come through,winning 3-1. Ray won an absolute -ly gorgeous game over Emre Can,brutally checkmating the lonelywhite king.

BRUTAL MATEGM Emre Can (FIDE 2589, TUR) GM Ray Robson (FIDE 2656, USA) World Team Championship2017 (7), Khanty-Mansiysk,Russia, 06.24.2017

(see diagram top of nextpage)

25. b3 Nd2!!



AFTER 24. ... Qe8

A brilliant shot. Black gives apiece to get the queen to h5.26. Qxd2 Qh5 27. f3

The line 27. Rfe1 Qh2+ 28. Kf1Ne4 promptly leads to mate.27. ... g4!

Another good move. Blackloosens White’s defenses beforeinvading with the queen.28. Nf4?

After 28. Kf2 gxf3 29. Bxf3Ne4+! 30. Bxe4 dxe4 White willbe mated; The try 28. Rf2! Thiswas the last chance, though afterthe simple 28. ... Qh2+ 29. Kf1Qxg3 White faces a difficult de -fense, and may lose even still.28. ... Qh2+ 29. Kf2 gxf3 30.Kxf3 Ne4

And White is crushed. Ray wasnot the most precise in timetrouble, but the win was never inquestion. 31. Qe1 Bxf1 32. Bxf1 Kf7 33.Bg2 Rc2 34. Rc1 Rxg2 35.Nxg2 Rf6+ 36. Nf4 h5!

A very aesthetically pleasingsilent move to end the game. Blacksimply takes the g4-square undercontrol and White has no answerto ... Ng5.37. Rc7+ Kg8 38. Rc8+ Kh7 39.Qb1 Qf2 mate.

Alex’s game was also a bit upand down, but he emerged on top

in the time scramble. Jeffery couldhave made it 3½-½, but he misseda couple of opportunities. Still, hewas never once in danger of beingworse and it felt like a prettysmooth victory for the U.S.

Round seven also saw the criticalmatch of the tournament as Russiasquared off with China. The toptwo seeds were both performingwell, with Russia holding a halfpoint lead. A drawn match wouldsuit them just fine, but they didnot quite manage. Chao Li was thehero of the day, scoring the lonevictory over Vladimir Fedoseev.

The women drew their roundseven match with Vietnam. Itlooked like they were in serioustrouble, but one should never giveup hope, especially when timescrambles are looming—resourcestend to have a way of presentingthemselves to people who workhard to create them. Jennifer wasall but dead and buried against ThiKim Phung Vo, but she dug in,made her opponent work for thevictory, and took advantage ofevery slip. At the end of the timescramble, she had done a full 180and was clearly winning.

With the last two rounds ap -proaching, both of our squads werenot in great places, but not terribleones either. The final two matcheswould really make or break thetournament for us, and unfortu-nately, it turned out to be the latter.

The men faced Ukraine in roundeight. Ukraine had been having adreadful tournament, with multipleplayers facing double digit ratinglosses, and were at the back of thestandings. In addition, like manyother teams, they were missingseveral of their best players, suchas GMs Vassily Ivanchuk, PavelEljanov, and Yuriy Kryvoruchko.Still, their squad was formidable,even when not in the best form.

I thought I would be betteragainst GM Ruslan Ponomariov,but never managed to find my way.These kinds of hybrid Ruy Lopez/King’s Indian positions are verydifficult to understand, made evenmore so because the computer isoften useless. It was a fascinatingand tense struggle, but ultimatelyI did not manage to put that muchpressure on my opponent.

With the score level at 1½-1½from these three games, it all camedown to Var. In what felt like areally tragic turn of events, Varlost on time in a drawn rookending.

This loss eliminated us from anymedal contention. This was atough pill to swallow, and the U.S.had no reason to celebrate as thewomen also suffered a brutal roundeight. They had Azerbaijan in badshape, but some strangeness onboard four led to the Azeris draw -ing the match.

With the final round approach -ing, no medals were possible. Butthat does not mean the tournamentwas over. Every game is always abattle, and there is always some -thing to fight for. The men’s teamwas facing Russia in the finalround, and although we foughthard, the match was a disaster. Welost 4-0. But while the score isembarrassing, some of the gamesshowed that it was a much closermatch than one would think. Ifound a really nice idea against IanNepomniachtchi on board one, butunfortunately, it was not enoughfor an advantage and a couple ofmistakes later on sealed my fate.Still, I think it was an extremelyinteresting game, and we bothplayed quite well (him especially).

While we never really hadchances to not lose the match, iteasily could have been 2½-1½instead. Unfortunately for ourhosts, China defeated Poland inthe final round to take the goldanyway. Once again, Chao Li wasthe hero, defeating Mateusz Bartelto clinch first place for his country.

In the women’s section, Russiatook the gold by a wide margin.

When all was said and done, itwas an extremely rough tourna -ment for the U.S. in more waysthan one. I felt especially bad aboutmy results—every other time I haveplayed on Team USA, I haveoverperformed, and I felt as thoughI really let my country down. Butthere will be plenty more eventsin the future, and I hope to be amainstay on the team for a longtime. In addition, our youngplayers—Jeffery, Jennifer, andAkshita—all impressed me withtheir eagerness to learn andimprove, and I expect them to helpthe U.S. perform better than wedid this time in future tourna -ments.

See more information and gamesat http://ugra2017.fide.com/. Moreannotated games from Shankland willappear in a “web extra” at uschess.org.

www.uschess.org 45


OpenStandings1 CHINA 16

2 RUSSIA 15

3 POLAND 12

4 INDIA 11

5 TURKEY 10

6 UKRAINE 8

7 BELARUS 8

8 U.S. 8

9 NORWAY 2

10 EGYPT 0

Women’sStandings1 RUSSIA 16

2 CHINA 13

3 GEORGIA 12

4 INDIA 12

5 UKRAINE 12

6 POLAND 9

7 U.S. 6

8 VIETNAM 5

9 AZERBAIJAN 5

10 EGYPT 0

Solitaire Chess / Instruction


How Offhand Is Casual?This month, a friendly game involving CapablancaBy BRUCE PANDOLFINI

WHAT CONSTITUTES A CASUAL CHESSgame? Clearly, a game is not considered “casual”if it takes place in a tournament or a match. Butjust because a game is played on more friendlyterms doesn’t mean that it can’t be interestingor entertaining. Need we point out that the mostfamous chess game of all time (the celebratedMorphy Opera House Game of 1858) was playedin maybe 10 minutes, with nothing in particularat stake other than possibly pride? Here’s anothersuch casual engagement, played in New Yorkin 1918 between the great José Raúl Capablancaand Marc Fonaroff (Black). An old-time BerlinDefense to the Ruy Lopez, it began quietly:

RUY LOPEZ, STEINITZ DEFENSE (C66)José Raúl Capablanca Marc FonaroffCasual Game, New York, NY, 06.18.1918

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6

Now ensure that the above position is set upon your chessboard. As you play through theremaining moves in this game, use a piece ofpaper to cover the article, exposing White’s nextmove only after trying to guess it. If you guesscorrectly, give yourself the par score. Sometimespoints are also awarded for second-best moves,and there may be bonus points—or deductions—for other moves and variations. Note that means that White’s move is on the next line.

4. 0-0 Par Score 5

By castling, White secures his king andprepares for the possibility of opening the centerwith a pawn advance. Full credit for either 4.Nc3, transposing into a Spanish Four Knight’sGame, or the quiet 4. d3.4. … d6

Black solidifies his e-pawn, which generallyremains a source of attack for White in theRuy Lopez.5. d4 Par Score 5

With the c6-knight now pinned, this advancemakes a good sense. It’s also in line with White’splan of opening the center. As a rule, it’s moreprudent to open the center only when castled.5. … Bd7

The pin is broken. Black’s ace in the hole ishis counterattack against the white e-pawn,though taking it properly is often a matter oftiming and king safety. (One must be carefulabout opening the center with one’s king stillin it.)6. Nc3 Par Score 5

Another straight-forward developing move,with the additional merit of guarding the e4-pawn. Capablanca often seems to be merelydeveloping his pieces, but for the most part,they usually wind up on excellent squares.6. … Be7

Black clears the back rank and prepares tocastle. But his pieces are not very active, andWhite has an edge in space.7. Re1 Par Score 5

White strengthens his center while activatingthe rook for king-file work, accentuating hisgreater mobility. In some lines, White is alsoable to utilize f1 for retreats and maneuvers.7. … exd4

This allays some of Black’s central concerns,but it also ensures that White gets the betterof it in the middle zone. With White’s e4-pawnfacing off against Black’s d6-pawn, White getsa spatial edge, often described as the “littlecenter.”8. Nxd4 Par Score 5

Nothing special going on yet. Black has aposition with slightly less scope, and that givesWhite a playing edge, offhand or not.8. … Nxd4

Avoiding doubled pawns on c6, but also, byexchanging a couple of pieces, Black hopes torelieve the pressure on his cramped position.9. Qxd4 Par Score 5

White’s queen comes to the center. New -comers are often dissuaded from bringing thequeen to the center since it may be possible todrive the queen from the center with advantage.But if that can’t be done, or if driving the queenfrom the middle can only be done by incurringdisadvantage, then a queen can be well posi -tioned in that busy area.9. … Bxb5

Black continues to simplify the game, hopingit will then become easier to hold thingstogether. But Capablanca never seemed to needmuch to get the upper hand.10. Nxb5 Par Score 3

10. … 0-0

By castling, Black pulls his king out of thecenter, rendering his position generally safer.His main problem still consists in White’ssuperior space, reflected in the slightly ham -pering d6-pawn.11. Qc3 Par Score 5

This may look like a pointless attacking move,since Black can defend by driving away the

Solitaire Chess / Instruction

www.uschess.org 47

white knight. But actually the retreat clears upd4, which gives the knight a great jumping offspot to reach the black kingside.

11. … c6

Go away knight! Unfortunately for Black,there’s a wonderful place to go away to.

12. Nd4 Par Score 5

This is a better withdrawal than retreatingto a3. From d4, White’s knight remains focaland active.

12. … Nd7

By this withdrawal, Black exposes the a1-h8diagonal temporarily, hoping to secure his campby shifting his bishop to f6.13. Nf5 Par Score 5

Mate is threatened, and no matter what,White’s knight has assumed an imperiouspost, overseeing d6 and g7, anchored by thee4-pawn.13. … Bf6

Give yourself 1 bonus point if you had seenahead of time that 13. ... g6?? would allow matein one, 14. Nh6 mate or 14. Qg7 mate.14. Qg3 Par Score 5

A nice shift across the third rank. Like theknight, the queen also does double duty againstd6 and g7.14. … Ne5

Black, at least for now, defends both targets.This maneuver also enables the knight to blockthe g-file from g6, if needed.

15. Bf4 Par Score 5

A simple developing move that emphasizesWhite’s overall advantage. Pressure is mountedalong the h2-b8 diagonal, with Rad1 in theoffing.

15. … Qc7

Black keeps d6 guarded, while preparing thepossibility of posting a backup rook soon to bemoved to d8.

16. Rad1 Par Score 5

These offhand games, especially when playedby Capablanca, seem to play themselves.

16. … Rad8

This was expected, but it turns out to be acase of “the wrong rook.” What now happensis not so casual, and it could have been avoidedby playing 16. ... Rfd8 instead.17. Rxd6 Par Score 7

Does this work? Isn’t d6 guarded adequately? 17. … Rxd6

18. Bxe5 Par Score 5

So that’s White’s point. Add 1 bonus point ifyou realized that 18. ... Bxe5 would be answeredby 19. Qxe5, threatening mate at g7 and therook at d6.

18. … Rd1

Black thinks he has a saving trick. Does he?19. Rxd1 Par Score 5

With mate threatened at e1, White doesn’thave much choice. Deduct 5 points if you playedthe ridiculously casual, 19. Bxc7??.19. … Bxe5

Black has held the fort, so to speak, but he isdown a pawn. He will soon be down more.20. Nh6+ Par Score 5

This forces the black king to the corner. IfBlack had moved the other rook (16. ... Rf8-d8), f8 would now be clear and Black couldhave replied 20. ... Kf8. C’est la guerre.

20. … Kh8

21. Qxe5 Par Score 8

21. … Qxe5

A dying man can eat anything, even a hang -ing queen.22. Nxf7+ Par Score 6

Take that. Give yourself 1 bonus point if yourealized that, before Black played 21. ... Qxe5,this was White’s point: that the knight couldn’tbe taken because of the ensuing back rank mate.Accordingly, and most casually ...22. … Black resigned.

See scoring box on page 71.

ABCs of ChessThese problems are all related to keypositions in this month’s game. In eachcase, Black is to move. The answers canbe found in Solutions on page 71.

September Exercise: A problem formany students is inconsistency in theiropening choices for white and black.One winds up playing at least somesystems at odds with one’s basic nature.How can you avoid this? Zero in on atop player you admire. That player haslikely already done the work. That is,he or she, if truly a leading proponent,has probably selected a set of openingsand defenses consistent with a style.By adopting his or her choice of open -ings and defenses, at least you’ll knowyou’re playing within a comfort zone,and that can make all the difference.

PROBLEM IMating net

PROBLEM IVMating net

PROBLEM IIMating net

PROBLEM VMating net

PROBLEM IIIMating net

PROBLEM VIMating net

The Practical Endgame / Instruction


DRAMATIS PERSONAEBOBBY FISCHER, a grandmaster and worldchampion from 1972-1975DANIEL NARODITSKY, a patzerSTOCKFISH 8, a beast

ACT I, SCENE IGM Paul Keres GM Bobby FischerCuracao, 1962

AFTER 55. ... Qg5

56. Nf1?

BOBBY: A blunder on the last move of thesecond time-control. Perhaps Keres hasallowed me to get a little too much out of theposition, but he can still hold a draw with 56.Qe5+ Qxe5 57. dxe5 (threatening Bd7) 57. ...Rxa3 58. Nxg4, etc.

DANIEL: Makes sense. Maybe Black can try56. ... Qf6, hoping for 57. Qxf6+ Kxf6 58. Bd7Kg5. Ah, but then White plays 57. Qc7+, forcinga draw with 57. ... Qf7 58. Qe5+. If Black tries57. ... Kh6, then 58. Qxg3! wins.

STOCKFISH: I’m not sure one can call 56.Nf1 a blunder, but yes, 56. Qe5+ draws. 56. ... Rh3+?

BOBBY: I had a feeling this might be amistake, but time was short and I had to makea move—any move. “Patzer sees a check, givesa check. ” But now the game can no longer bewon. Correct is 56. ... Rxa3! 57. d5 g3 58. d6

(if 58. Bd7, then 58. ... Ra1 59. Kg2 Ra2+ 60.Kg1 Qf6 61. Bf5 Rf2 wins) 58. ... Ra1 59. Qe7+(if 59. Kg1, then Qc5+ wins) 59. ... Qxe7 60.dxe7 h3! 61. e8=N+ Kf8 wins.

DANIEL: Wow, that is some fascinating stuff.Let’s play these variations out on the board. Itseems that the idea of ... Rxa3 is not so much tosnag a pawn, but rather to jump to the first rankas quickly as possible. In the position after 58. ...Ra1, though, my intuition keeps telling me thatWhite has some defensive resource that Bobbyis missing. If only White can hold back theavalanche for a move or two, he will have enoughtime to mount some sort of counterplay againstBlack’s king. Let’s rifle through the options:

1) 59. Qd4+ Qf6 60. Qg4+ Kh6 and Blackescapes the checks. Darn.

2) Okay, I like the idea of Qe7+, so why don’twe start with 59. Kg2? Then, if 59. ... h3+,I can play 60. Kxh3 Rxf1 61. Qe7+, withat least a draw. If 59. ... Ra2+, then I havea nice little square on h3. So after 60. Kg1g2 61. Qd4+ I think I have a perpetual.Could Bobby be wrong?! (Saliva tricklesdown Daniel’s chin).

STOCKFISH: (Laughs metallically) Well, well,well. Where shall we start? First of all, 56. ...Rxa3 is a mistake. After the incredibly stupidresponse 57. d5 (you humans never cease toamaze me, 57. Qe6 is best, drawing), Black winswith 57. ... Rf3 58. Kg1 Qf6 59. Qxg4+ Kh6.Bobby, your line 57. ... g3 58. d6 Ra1 actuallygives White the draw with 59. Qd3! (notDaniel’s idiotic suggestion 59. Kg2 h3+ 60.Kxh3 Rxf1 61. Qe7+ due to 61. ... Kh6) and if58. ... Qf6 (58. ... Qg6 is +1.78 for Black), thesimple 59. Kg2 ends Black’s winning chances.Daniel, I will begrudg ingly admit that yourintuition served you right, though, to be quitefrank, woe betides the organization thatawarded either of you the grandmaster title.

Oh, I forgot to add one more thing. 56. ...Rf3 was the only way to maintain winningchances. The line 57. Kg1 Rf4 58. Qe5+ Qxe5

59. dxe5 is forced, and now 59. ... Rf5! 60. e6Re5 yields decent chances. 57. Kg1 Rxa3 58. d5 g3

DANIEL: Was there any point in pushingthe other pawn with 58. ... h3? I guess not:White could respond as in the game with 59.Bd7, and now 59. ... h2+ 60. Kxh2 doesn’t lookpromising in the least. 59. Bd7! Ra1 60. Bf5!

BOBBY: The idea is to advance the pawn tod6 without allowing ... Qc5+. I must confessthat I still expected to win. But now Keres reallystarts to find moves!

DANIEL: I can see why Bobby still expectsto win. White’s defensive construction looksreal flimsy. 60. ... Qf6 61. Qf4 Re1

DANIEL: This looks forced too. Black stopsQc7+.

STOCKFISH: To be exact, there are 16 othermoves that lead to the same evaluation. Wantto know what is forced?

DANIEL: What?STOCKFISH: Your face.

62. d6 Re5 63. Qg4+!

BOBBY: Not 63. d7? Rxf5 64. Qxf5 Qxf5 65.d8=Q Qf2+ and mate next.

DANIEL: Makes sense to me. STOCKFISH: Actually, 63. Ne3 also drew.

63. ... Qxd6 64. Qxh4 and you can figure therest out yourself. 63. ... Kf8 64. d7 Rd5

BOBBY: Now 64. ... Rxf5 65. d8=Q+ Qxd866. Qxf5+ draws.

DANIEL: Okay, the line makes sense. Butwhat about 64. ... Ke7? I really don’t want to tiethe rook down. Oh, fudge, 65. Qg8 is game over. 65. Kg2!

DANIEL: Why is this so good? Well, I guessKeres is simply improving the position of his

“Endgame”: A Play in One ActThis month, a little bit of endgame theaterBy GM DANIEL NARODITSKY

The Practical Endgame / Instruction

www.uschess.org 49

king and preventing a possible ... h3. Now thatBlack cannot give a second-rank check withhis rook, this move becomes possible. 65. ... Rxd7!

BOBBY: On 65. ... Qb2+ 66. Kh3 Qf2 67.Be4! Qxf1+ 68. Bg2 Qf2 69. Qb4+! holds andpossibly wins.

DANIEL: What a line! This king maneuverto h3 seems to be a recurring theme in thisendgame. I faintly remember Nimzowitschmentioning this concept of the king actingas a “dentist” and plugging cavities createdby pawn chains. But ... wait a minute. In theposition after 68. Bg2, can Black try 68. ...Qd1? Now, 69. Qb4+ Rc5! saves the rookand covers up the check. If White tries 69.Bxd5 instead, I can recapture on d5 and Idon’t see how White promotes the pawn. If,after 69. ... Qxd5 White tries 70. Kxh4, I canplay, at the very least, 70. ... g2. Following71. Qxg2 Qxd7 I’m not so sure that Whitehas an easy draw. Could Black be winningafter all?

STOCKFISH: Nice try, Patzer. After 68. ...Qd1, White draws with 69. Qf4+ Ke7 70. Qe4+.Didn’t you see the hanging rook? I can recom -mend some good eye doctors in the area! 66. Bxd7!

BOBBY: I thought this was a mistake at thetime, but that he was lost anyway. Keres,however has seen just one move further—66. ... Qf2+ 67. Kh3 Qxf1+ 68. Kxh4 g2 69.Qb4+ Kf7! 70. Qb3+ Kg7 71. Qg3+ Kh7!

BOBBY: Haven—at last. Now I was sure Ihad him. Surely he would go in for 72. Bf5+Qxf5 73. Qxg2 Qf4+! 74. Qg4 (on 74. Kh3,Qh6+! wins) 74. ... Qxg4+ 75. Kxg4 Kg6!gaining the opposition and winning White’slast pawn by force. 72. Qe5!!


BOBBY: What’s this? He makes no attemptto stop me from queening!? Gradually myexcitement subsided. The more I studied thesituation, the more I realized Black had no win.

DANIEL: No. Way. I can see that 72. ... g1=Q73. Bf5+ is a draw, but in these situations, onecan usually give a check to force the king ontoan exposed square. What about 72. ... Qf2+? ...

... Then, the king can’t move onto the g-file.Check. If 73. Kh5, I can play 73. ... Qf7+ andthen promote. So that leaves 73. Kh3. But thenBlack can promote to a knight, 73. ... g1=N+!Surely the ensuing attack must be winning?Let’s take a look: 74. Kg4 Qg2+. This looks likegame over. 75. Kh5 Qg6+ followed by ... Nf3+.Otherwise, queen and knight just have to getthe better of the king in such a situation. Sowhat am I missing? 72. ... Qh1+?

DANIEL: WHAT?

BOBBY (scoffs): The main line also draws—by a miracle: 72. ... Qf2+ 73. Kh3 g1=Q (makinga knight with check also doesn’t win) 74. Bf5+Kh6 75. Qf6+ Kh5 76. Bg6+! Qxg6 77. Qg5+!!Kxg5 Stalemate!

DANIEL: Have you gone mad, Bobby?Guards, take him away!

STOCKFISH: You’re right about one thing.Bobby has gone mad. But, apparently, so haveyou: take a good, close look at the position after74. ... Qg2+. Did you consider 75. Kf5?

DANIEL: Yes, I did! Then 75. ... Qh3+ winsa bishop.

STOCKFISH: ... DANIEL: Oh, no. 76. Kf6 Qxd7 77. Qh5+

Kg8 78. Qg6+ with a perpetual. 73. Bh3 Qxh3+

BOBBY: 73. ... g1=Q 74. Qh5+ Kg7 75. Qg6+!forces stalemate or a perpetual.

DANIEL: That’s pretty cool. Note to self:always watch out for stalemate if you have nomore pawn moves left. 74. Kxh3 g1=Q 75. Qe7+

DANIEL: Alright, now this is obviously adraw. 75. ... Kh8 76. Qf8+ Kh7 77. Qf7+, Drawagreed.

NARRATOR: Today’s column, as you couldprobably tell, featured something a little bitdifferent. Daniel didn’t have a clear goal inmind, but he’s seen these sorts of chess articlesin the past and always thought they were quiteamusing, and sometimes even instructive. Pleasenote that Daniel’s own lines were not “madeup”; he fully analyzed the position before turningon the beast. As for Stockfish’s sass, I thinkDaniel might live to regret his asinine behavior.

Daniel’s computer flickers to a Blue Screenof Death as an inhuman roar emanates fromthe screen.

THE END

PROBLEM I: 1500 LEVELIM Twan BurgFM Daniel NaroditskyWijk aan Zee 2009

WHITE TO MOVE

PROBLEM II: 2000 LEVELKling & Horowitz, Study, 1851

WHITE TO MOVE

PracticumEach month GM Naroditsky will presenttwo problems taken from actual gamesthat illustrate the theme of this month’scolumn. Your task is to find the best lineof play. Problem I should be solveable bya player at roughly a 1500 rating andProblem II by a player roughly at a 2000rating.

See the solutions on page 71.

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The Berlin Defence Unraveled

NEW! NEW!

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2017 US CHESS GRAND PRIX STANDINGS NAME STATE PTS .

1 GM ANDREY STUKOPIN TX 167.99

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3 GM ELSHAN MORADIABADI TX 154.61

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6 GM VLADIMIR BELOUS TX 135.95

7 GM ALEXANDER IVANOV MA 129.50

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13 GM SERGEY ERENBURG VA 77.76

14 GM ANGEL ARRIBAS LOPEZ TX 74.50

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The Grand Prix point totals reflect allrated event information as of August 8,2017 for the 2017 Grand Prix.

Name State Pts.HUNG, ALAN CA-N 8874PILLAI, ADITHYA VA 7345PETERS, AARON OK 6842RAMESH, RAHUL NC 6715KOKA, ABHINAV CA-N 6395

State Leaders State Pts.KING, KENNY PAUL AK 700WU, ROCHELLE AL 2993BELLISARIO, STEVEN AR 5127SELVAM, SANJAY AZ 4872SIVAKUMAR, SHAAKETH CA-N 6390HUANG, YISHI CA-S 6300VISPUTE, AYUSH PANKAJ CO 2286HATCHER, KATHERINE CT 4444SPASOJEVIC, NICHOLAS DC 6226YALIMAIWAI, ZAKARA DE 3219SHUKLA, ANIKET FL 4056MYDUKUR, AMIT GA 4819WHITE, ADRIEL HI 2268VIGIL, BARRY IA 3737PORTH, DARWIN ALBERT ID 2759

State Leaders State Pts.ZHANG, RICHARD IL 5400MU, GRANT IN 3013SHESHAPPA, SAMEETH KS 4186SHAWKAT, SAIF KY 2398APPLEGARTH, BRYANT LA 2124WANG, TIANNA MA 4218NISSEN, PHILLIP M MD 2660AMAR, BENJAMIN ME 3446PARASURAMAN, SAGHANA MI 3627FRIEDMANN, ZACHARY MN 3236ZHOU, CELINA MO 4587WU, RYAN BOYD MS 4097MCGLENN, SIMON BLAISE MT 418LIPSHAY, ADAM MICHAEL NC 4630SOORI, ISAIAH C ND 652LE, BENNY NE 1932TIRUVEEDHULA, SUHAVI NH 4217CHINNAMBETI, ABHINAV NJ 4958CONTRERAS, ANDRES NM 3980GIOVANNETTI, GRANT NV 680CHIN, KATHERINE NY 4816CAO, ELTON OH 4388

State Leaders State Pts.WANG, OSCAR OK 3424BATTIS, GREGORY ADAM OR 3405LI, DANIEL MASON PA 4990VAIJAEEPAY, VAISHNAVI RI 2108MOORE, ELI DAVIS SC 2209TAO, ARTHUR SD 1146RODRIGUEZ, CARLOS XAVIER TERR 2100WU, LILLIAN TN 4695METPALlY, JASON TX 3397RAY, UJAN UT 5759LALWANI, JAY VA 6069NATARAJAN, OLIVER VT 1300LI, ALBERT WA 4211GHAI, MANSHA WI 4318ELLIS, ANYA WV 704FROST, ANDREW WY 700

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Official standings for events received and processed by August 8, 2017.

Grand Prix / Junior Grand Prix

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Tournament Life / September

National Events Note: Tournament memberships not valid for National events

See TLA in this issue for detailsSeptember 15-16 • Lindsborg, Kansas

September 23 • Santa Clara, CaliforniaSeptember 24 • Santa Clara, California

November 10-12 or 11-12 • Houston, TexasDecember 8-10 • Lake Buena Vista, Florida

FUTURE EVENTS (Watch for details)October 7-9 • West

Point, New YorkDecember 27-30 • Columbus, Ohio

February 16-18 • Schaumburg, IllinoisFebruary 17-19 • Santa Clara,

CaliforniaFebruary 23-25 • Orlando, FloridaApril 6-8 • Atlanta, Georgia

April 20-22 • Chicago, IllinoisApril 27-29 • Columbus, OhioMay 11-13 • Nashville,

TennesseeJune 21-24 • Kenner, Lousiana June 21-24 • Kenner, Lousiana

July 28-August 5 • Middleton, WisconsinDecember 14-16 • Orlando, Florida

May 10-12 • Nashville, Tennessee

December 13-15 • Lake Buena Vista, FloridaMay 8-10 • Nashville,

Tennessee December 11-13 • Orlando, Florida

May 7-9 • Nashville, Tennessee

BidsNote: Organizers previously awarded optionsfor US Chess National Events must still submitproposals (including sample budgets) for theirevents.

OVERDUE BIDSPlease contact the National Office if you areinterested in bidding for a National Event. USChess recommends that bids be submittedaccording to the following schedule. However,bids may be considered prior to these dates.US Chess reserves the right to decline all bidsand organize the event itself.

www.uschess.org/content/view/12116/705/.

RATING SUPPLEMENTSRating supplements will be updated EACHMONTH on the US Chess website, and eachmonthly rating supplement will be used for alltournaments beginning in that month, unlessotherwise announced in Chess Life. The US Chesswebsite at www.uschess.org also frequently listsunofficial ratings. The purpose of unofficial rat-ings is to inform you of your progress; however,most tournaments do not use them for pairingor prize purposes. If you would otherwise beunrated, organizers may use your unofficial ratingat their discretion, even without advance publicityof such a policy.

NOTEThe TLA pages “Information for Organizers,TDs, and Affiliates” and “Information for Play-ers” can now be found online at main.uschess.org/go/tlainfo.

PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS HEALTH ANDBENEFITS FUNDMany Grand Prix tournament organizers willcontribute $1 per player to the ProfessionalHealth & Benefits Fund. All Grand Prix tour-naments which participate in this program areentitled to be promoted to the next higherGrand Prix category—for example, a six-pointtournament would become a 10-point (Enhanced)tournament. Points in the top category are pro-moted 50%.

ATTENTION AFFILIATESUS Chess has partnered with R.V. Nuccio &Associates Insurance Brokers, Inc. to provideUS Chess affiliates with affordable annual lia-bility and short term event insurance. Theliability coverage is available for approximately$265 per year for a $1,000,000 limit of insur-ance. Also available is contents property andbonding insurance. For more information, pleasego to www.rvnuccio.com/chess-federation.html. Forevent insurance, please go to www.rvnuccio.com.


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See previous issue for TLAs appearing September 1-14

NationalsUS Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 15-16 (FRI & SAT), KANSASUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 202017 U.S. BLIND CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP IN LINDSBORG, KSLindsborg is a small safe community of 3,000 people. 4 SS or 4 RR(depends on #of players), G/135 d0. EF: Free. Playing site: KarpovSchool, 106 S. Main St., Lindsborg, KS 67456. Reg.: must be receivedby Sept. 1, 2017: Contact: Anna James 785-227-7555, [email protected] Onsite Thurs. Sept. 14: 5-8 pm, Fri. Sept. 15: 9-9:30 am.Rds.: Fri. Sept. 15: 10-4, Sat., Sept. 16: 9-3. Prize Fund: $1,400 GTD:1st: $400, 2nd: $300, 3rd: $200, 4th: $100, $100-Best player U1400,$100-Class E (1000-1199), $100-Class F (800-999), $100-Upset Prize.All players: $100 scholarship toward Summer Chess Camp at the KarpovChess School in Lindsborg. Thurs. Sep. 14, 5-6 pm Reg. for Blindfoldexhibition with GM Timur Gareyev. 6pm Lecture, 6:45 Clock BlindfoldedSimul-7 boards. Participants of the Championship get the free spots inthe simul and priority in registration, for others $20. Award Ceremonyin Swedish Country Inn, 8pm, with Swedish dance-music with smorgas-bord. NOTE: All players must be classified as Legally Blind and bringproof. You must also be a current member of USCF for $18 a year. Youcan join to USCF at the event! Swedish Country Inn, with the traditionalSwedish breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner. Free shuttle to/from airportWichita/Salina. HR: $130/night: tax and meals included. Contact: AnnaJames 785-227-7555, [email protected].

SEPT. 23, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERNUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)2017 U.S. GAME/30 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP5SS, G/30 d5 - $8,000 b/199 fully paid entries - 60% guaranteed. SantaClara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy., CA 95054. Parkfree. Hotel Room $99 at Biltmore. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/usg60g30. In 4 sections: Open Section (1900+): $1,500, 700, 300,100, Top u2100 $200 100. 1600-1899 Section: $1,000, 400, 200, 100.1300-1599 Section: $1,000, 400, 200, 100. Under 1300 Section:$1,000, 400, 200, 100. Unr capped at 200 exc in Open. EF: $84, after9/17 $109. Play-up: $25. GM free, IM free before 9/13 (EF subtr fromprize for all free entries). DISCOUNT: $139 if registering for both U.S.G/30 (9/23) and U.S. G/60 (9/24). Byes: One 1/2 pt bye allowed mustcommit by start of Rd 2. Reenter with 1/2pt bye in Rd. 1 for $44. Sept2017 Supp, CCA min, TD discr used to place players accurately. SIDEEVENT for KIDS for K-12 students rated under 1000: 5SSxG/30 d5 in 4sections based on rating: 800-999, 600-799, 400-599, 200-399, u200.Prizes: Trophies to Top 15 players in each section and Top 5 Clubs &Top 5 Schools in each section. Min 2, Top 3 players count for teamscore EF: $54, after 9/17 $69. DISCOUNT: $94 if registering for bothU.S. G/30 (9/23) and U.S. G/60 (9/24). Play-up: $10. Schedule for allsections: On-site Reg: 8-8:30am. Rounds: 9a, 10:30a, 12:30p, 2p, 3:30p.Blitz Event: Reg: Sat 9/23 Reg: 4:30-5pm, Rounds 5:30-7p, total 8-10rounds. EF: $14, $16 onsite. 75% of EFs returned as prizes. Reg. online:http://BayAreaChess.com/my/usg60g30 or Mail payments to BayAreaChess, 2050 Concourse Drive #42, San Jose, CA 95131. Rfnd fee: $25.Organizer: Dr. Judit Sztaray. Email: [email protected]. T: 408-409-6596. W.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 24, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERNUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)2017 U.S. GAME/60 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP4SS, G/60 d6 - $10,500 b/240 fully paid entries - 60% guaranteed. SantaClara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy., CA 95054. Parkfree. Hotel Room $99 at Biltmore. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/usg60g30. In 6 sections: Open Section (2000+): $1,200 600 300 100100 Top u2200 $200, 100. 1800-1999 Section: $1,000 400 200 100.1600-1799 Section: $1,000 400 200 100. 1400-1599 Section: $1,000400 200 100. 1200-1399 Section: $800 400 200 100. Under 1200 Sec-tion: $700 300 200 100. Unr capped at 300 exc in Open. EF: $84, after9/18 $109. Play-up: $25. GM free, IM free before 9/14 (EF subtr fromprize for all free entries). DISCOUNT: $139 if registering for both U.S.G/30 (9/23) and U.S. G/60 (9/24). Byes: One 1/2 pt bye allowed mustcommit by start of Rd. 2. Reenter with 1/2pt bye in Rd. 1 for $44. Sept2017 Supp, CCA min, TD disc used to place players accurately. SIDEEVENT for KIDSfor K-12 students rated under 1000: 4SSxG/60 d5 in 5sections based on rating: 800-999, 600-799, 400-599, 200-399, u200.Prizes: Trophies to Top 15 players in each section and Top 5 Clubs &Top 5 Schools in each section. Min 2, Top 3 players count for teamscore. EF: $54, after 9/18 $69. DISCOUNT: $94 if registering for bothU.S. G/30 (9/23) and U.S. G/60 (9/24). Play-up: $10. Schedule for allsections: On-site Reg: 8-8:30am. Rounds: 9a, 12p, 2:30p, 5p. BlitzEvent: Reg: Sat 9/23 Reg: 4:30-5pm, Rounds 5:30-7p, total 8-10 rounds.EF: $14, $16 onsite. 75% of EFs returned as prizes. Reg. online:http://BayAreaChess.com/my/usg60g30 or mail payments to BayAreaChess, 2050 Concourse Drive #42, San Jose, CA 95131. Rfnd fee:$25.Organizers: Dr. Judit Sztaray. Email: [email protected]. T:408-409-6596. W.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, TEXASUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 402017 U.S. CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS5SS, G/90 i30. $16,000 Prize Fund b/250 full-paid entries, 50% guaran-teed. 2-day or 3-day Schedule avail. No entry fee for GMs, IMs, WGMsand WIMs but EF will be deducted from winnings. Houston MarriottNorth, 255 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Houston 77060, Ph: 281-875-4000, $89 chess rate! Free Parking! Free airport shuttle serviceto/from IAH! Free wireless internet in all guestrooms! Discounted HotelBreakfast Coupons ($12 per person + tax & gratuity)! 8 Sects (Ratedplayers may play up one class only – Master & Expert Sects. are FIDErated and Re-Entry is not allowed in those two sects only): Master(2200/up): $1500-900-700-500; U2400: $600-400; Expert (2000-2199):

$1000-700-500-350; Class A (1800-1999): $1000-700-500-350; ClassB (1600-1799): $800-600-400-200; Class C (1400-1599): $800-600-400-200; Class D (1200-1399): $400-300-200-100; Class E (Under 1200):$400-300-200-100; Unr: $200-100. National Class Champion title toeach class winner(s) and plaque to class winner on tiebreaks (MSCO),if necessary. All players must have a USCF membership to play; provisionalratings will be used based on at least a minimum of 4 games. Ratingsused will be from Nov. 2017 supplement. EF: $99 for Classes M,X,A,B,Cby 11/3; $119 at site. $59 for Classes D,E,Unr. by 11/3; $79 at site.Re-Entry Fee (not avail in Classes M or E): $35 for all other Classesavail. up to Rd. 3. 3 re-entries or 2 reduced entries count as one additionalentry for prize fund. Free chess gift to oldest and youngest player andto player who travels farthest in main event. 3-day Sched: Reg. Fri.5:30-7pm, Rds. Fri. 8pm; Sat. 2-7, Sun. 10-3. 2-day Sched: Reg. Sat.7:45 -8:30am, Rds. Sat. 9-2-7, Sun. 10-3. Both schedules merge at Rd.2. Byes: Two 1/2pt. byes allowed – avail. for any round (must committo Byes before Rd. 3). CAJUN BOUNTY: Defeat the top ranked player inthe main event and win free entry to our next tournament. SIDE EVENTS:7SS, G/5 d0, USCF-Blitz rated “BAYOU BLITZ” (Open to All - Sat. nightafter Rd. 3 – uses USCF-Blitz Ratings for pairings & prizes - $20 EF -Cash Prizes – sign up on site). Schol. Team & Ind., 4SS, G/30 d5, 1-day only, Sat. Nov. 11; Separate room for schol. players - A trophy ormedal will be awarded to each schol. player. Schol. Sects. (Team &Individual): K-2, K-5, K-8, K-12. Minimum of 3 players from the sameschool or home school district to make a team; the top 4 scores willcount toward final team score. Prizes: Trophies to top 10 individuals ineach section and to top 3 teams in each section. Every non-trophywinner receives a souvenir chess medal. USCF-recommended computertiebreaks will decide trophy and medal placements for winners of allschol. sections. Schol. EF: $25 by 11/3; $35 at site. Schol. Sched: (All4 rds G/30 d5 - one day only, Sat., Nov. 11). Reg. Sat. 8:30am-9:30am,1st Rd. at 10am (lunch break after 1st Rd.) Remaining Rds. at 12noon-1:15pm-2:30pm. Byes: One 1/2-pt. bye allowed for any round (mustnotify TD prior to Rd. 1). Scholastic players may play in both adult (mainevent Classes D, E and Unr.) and scholastic tournaments by registeringfor the 3-day schedule in the main event with a 1/2-pt. bye for Rd. 2and registering for the scholastic tournament, and those players willreceive a discounted Entry Fee of $69 to play in both events. HR: $89 +tax for king or double (281-875-4000), reserve by Oct. 21 and mentionCajun Chess tournament to assure group rate. ENT: On-line registration,printable entry form, and more detailed info at www.cajunchess.com,or mail entry form to Cajun Chess, 12405 Hillary Step Dr., Olive Branch,MS 38654. Info or Phone Ent: 504-208-9596 or 504-905-2971. Majorcredit cards accepted (no checks at site). FIDE.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!DEC. 8-10, FLORIDA2017 NATIONAL K-12 GRADE CHAMPIONSHIPS7SS, G/90 d5. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, 1000 West BuenaVista Dr., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. Guest rooms can be booked, NLT11/3/2017, by calling (407) 939-1000, mention “US Chess”. HR: $135Single/Double/Triple/Quad (fees and applicable taxes not included).13 Sections. Play only in your grade section – No “playing up” allowed.December Rating Supplement will be used. Only one 1/2-point bye avail-able, any round except Round 7, if requested prior to the start of Rd. 1.Team score = total of top three (minimum two) finishers from eachschool per grade. First place individual and team, including ties, will bethe National Champion for their grade. Schedule: Opening ceremonyFri. 12:45 PM. Rds.: Fri. 1 PM - 6 PM, Sat. 10 AM - 2 PM - 6 PM, Sun. 9AM - 1 PM. Awards Ceremony Sun., approx. 5 PM. Special round timesfor K-1 sections: Fri. 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM, Sat. 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM - 5:30PM, Sun. 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM. K-1 Awards Ceremony Sun. approx. 4:30PM. EF: $50/participant postmarked or online by 11/20, $70 postmarkedor online by 11/27, $85 by 12/7, $90 on site; $5.00 extra for all phoneregistrations; $20 fee for roster or section changes after 12/1 or anyonsite changes. Onsite registration Thurs. 9 AM to 9 PM & Fri. 8 AM to11 AM. Players who register or change sections after 11AM on Fridaywill receive a 1/2-point bye for Rd. 1. Awards: Trophies to top individuals& top teams in each grade. Every player receives a commemorativemedal! Full list of trophies on tournament info page. Side Events: Bug-house: Thurs. 11 AM, Reg. onsite only Thurs. 9-10 AM, $25/team. Blitz:K-6 and K-12, G/5 d0, Thurs. 5 PM, Reg. onsite until 4 PM. Blitz EF: $15

by 11/27, $20 after or at site. Blitz Awards: Trophies in K-6 and K-12sections. Full list of trophies on tournament info page. Bughouse Awards:Top 5 Teams. Team Rooms are limited. Contact Boyd Reed at 931-787-2244 or by email: [email protected]. General Questions: SusanKantor at 931.787.1234 ext.136. Entries: U.S. Chess Federation, Attn.:2017 K-12 Championship, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 or onlineat https://secure2.uschess.org/webstore/tournament.php. See websitefor additional information about the event, advance entries, awards,meetings, updates, corrections, and registration forms, www.uschess.org/tournaments/2017/k12/.

Grand PrixUS Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 2-3, OKLAHOMAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10JERRY SPANN MEMORIAL5-SS; G/90+30. Crowne Plaza Oklahoma City, 2945 Northwest Express-way, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, (405)848-4811, Free WiFi. Website:http://bit.ly/2s0jwhM Two Sections: Open, and Reserve (U1700). EF:$40 if mailed by 8/25, $50 thereafter, FREE entry for Masters 2200+(deducted from prizewinnings). Free OCF Memb. Prizes $$2100 (1stprize Gtd., the rest b/62). Open: $450(G)-200 U2100: 200-100, U1900:200-100, Reserve (U1700): $250-150, U1400: 200-100, U1100/UNR:150. More $$ if entries permit. Byes: One half-point bye Rds 1-5 ifcommit before Sat 9PM. REG.: 9-9:45 Sat AM. Rounds: 10-2:30-7, 9-1:15. Entries to: Tom Braunlich, 7500 S. Birch, Broken Arrow, OK 74011.Inquiries: [email protected] Web: www.ocfchess.org

A Heritage Event!US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 2-4 OR 3-4, NEW JERSEYUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6070TH ANNUAL NEW JERSEY OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPAll Prizes Guaranteed!! 6-SS, 40/2 d5, SD/1. Headquarters Plaza Hyatt,3 Headquarters Plaza, Morristown, NJ 07960. (973) 898-9100. A luxuryhotel including spa. Free parking. For chess rate ($124/night) usehttps://aws.passkey.com/go/NJChessSep17 for online reservations.Room block expires on 8/1. Short walk to train station with service toNew York and Philadelphia (via Newark). 5 minute walk to many restau-rants and shopping. In 3 sections, Open Section, Under 2000, Under1600. With 3 day and 2 day schedules. Prizes: Open: $1000-$800-$600-$400-$200, Top Expert & A: $200 and trophy. Trophy to NJ Champion.Under 2000 $500-$300-$100. Top B & C: $200 and trophy. Under 1600:$500-$300-$100. Top D, E & F: $200 and trophy. $100 prize for bestOpen section game. $100 prize for best game in either Under 2000 orUnder 1600 section. All Prizes Guaranteed. All sections get these trophies:Top 3, Top Senior over age 55, Top Under Age 16, Top Under Age 13.Unrated may win first place in Open section only. Early Entry Fee $68if paid by 8/29. EF onsite is $80. $50 for re-entry. Make checks payableto NJSCF. Online registration is $70 at njscf.org until midnight on 8/31.3 day reg at hotel: 9:00am-11:00am 9/2. 2 day reg at hotel: Sunday,9/3 9-10am. Rounds: 3 day Saturday 12:00 & 6:30pm, Sunday 11am &6pm, Monday 9am & 3:30pm. Rounds: 2 day 1-2-3(G/60 d5) Sunday10:30am, 12:45pm and 3:00pm. 3 Day and 2 Day schedules merge inround 4. Entries to Hal Sprechman, 66 Cromwell Ln., Jackson, NJ 08527.Email: [email protected]. Phone: 732 259-3881. Entries shouldinclude name, USCF ID and expirations, mailing address, email address,phone, section and schedule desired and entry fee.

SEPT. 3, NEW YORKUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10 (ENHANCED)NEW YORK STATE BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP (BLZ)Out of state welcome, NYS Blitz title to top NY resident, on tiebreak ifnecessary. 5SS, G/5 d0, double round, 10 games, Albany Marriott (seeNY State Championship in Aug CL issue or uschess.org). $800 guaranteedprizes: $200-100-50, Under 2200/Unr $120-60, U1900/Unr $100-50,U1600/Unr $80-40. EF $40, NYSCA members $35, at site only, no checks.GMs free; $40 deducted from prize. Reg. ends 9:45 pm, rds. 10, 10:30,11, 11:30, 12. Bye: 1, must commit before rd 2. Blitz rated, but higherof regular or blitz used for pairings & prizes.

The Tournament Announcements on the following pages are provided for the convenience of US Chess members and forinformational purposes only. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, neither US Chess nor Chess Life warrants the accuracyof anything contained in these tournament announcements. Those interested in additional information about or havingquestions con cerning any of these tournaments are directed to contact the organizer listed. Chess Life will exercise all duediligence in providing accurate typesetting of non-camera-ready copy but assumes no responsibility for errors made insuch work.

www.uschess.org/data page/JGP-Rules.php

SUBMISSIONS: E-mail your tla to: [email protected] (Joan DuBois). For tla deadline schedule, formatting help and GrandPrix information check www.uschess.org/go/tlainfo and “Advertising” at uschess.org. Payment can be done online throughthe TD/Affiliate area or sent to: US Chess, TLA Dept., PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.

http://www.uschess.org/ datapage/JGP-Rules.php

A Heritage Event!US Chess Junior Grand Prix!A State Championship Event!SEPT. 9-10, WEST VIRGINIAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10 (ENHANCED)79TH WV STATE CHAMPIONSHIP5SS, G/90 d5, Rd. 1 G/60 d5. West Virginia Ballroom, 17 WildernessHwy., Mt. Nebo, WV 26679. One Open Section. EF: $50 by 9/1, $60 atsite. $$1,250 b/30: 1st-3rd $300-200-100, U1900/U1600/U1300 $130-70, Upset Prize $50. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: Sat 10-1-5, Sun 9-1. WVCABusiness Meeting Sat 9am. Ent: WVCA, 444 Ashberry Dr., Flemington,WV 26347. HR: $83. Quality Inn Summersville, 304-872-6500. Reserveby 8/26. Ask for WV Chess rate. Info: 304-476-5402, [email protected]. WVCA Memb. req’d ($10), OSA.

SEPT. 15-16 (FRI & SAT), KANSASUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 2017 U.S. BLIND CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP IN LINDSBORG, KSSee Nationals.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 15-17, WASHINGTONUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6WASHINGTON WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP5SS, G/90, +30. Seattle Chess Club, 2150 North 107th St., Seattle, WA98133. FIDE Rated. $$1,000/b20. $300-200-100, U1800 $80, U1600$80, U1400 $80, U1200 $80, U1000/Unrated $80. Foreign ratings usedfor players with no USCF rating. EF: $50 if postmarked or online by09/13, $60 at site. Free entry for WGMs. Registration: 6:00-6:45pm.Rds.: Fri. 7:00pm, Sat. 11am & 5pm, Sun. 11am & 5pm. Bye: limit 2,request before end of Rd. 2. Memb. Req’d: $25 ($19 juniors). OSA. ENT:Checks payable to Washington Chess Federation. Mail to: JoshuaSinanan, 3610 218th Street SW, Brier, WA 98036-8087. Info: [email protected], (425) 776-1626. Enter online: www.nwchess.com/onlineregistration.

SEPT. 16, PENNSYLVANIAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 152ND ANNUAL LVCA RUBEN SHOCRON MEMORIAL $1050 GTD-RBO5SS, G/30 d5. College Hill Moravian Church, 72 W. Laurel St., Bethlehem,PA. 2 Sections: Open: $350-$250-$150, U2100/Unr-U1900-U1600-U1300$75 each. U1200 Scholastic: Trophies:1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, U900, Unr. EF:$30 by 9/11, $35 CASH onsite, GM/IM free; $30 off prize, Schedule:Reg ends-10:45 am, Rds.: Sat-11, 12:30, 2:30, 4, 5:30. 1/2 point byes:limit 2. Info: www.lehighvalleychessclub.org, 484-866-3045. Checkspayable to: Bruce Davis, 1208 Linden St., Fl. 1, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 16-17, SOUTH DAKOTAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20PAUL SALEM SIOUX FALLS OPEN - GRAND PRIX5 Rds., G/90 d5. Ramkota Hotel, 3200 West Maple St., (I-29 S, Exit 81)Sioux Falls, SD, (605)336-0650. $3,500 GTD. Two sections: Open &Reserve (Under 1400). $$: Open: $600-450-300; Under 2000 $300-150;Under 1800 $300-150; Under 1600: $300-150. Reserve (Under 1400):$300-150-75; Under 1000/Unrated $150-75. Upset prize: $50. Rounds:Saturday 9 a.m. 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Byes: one1/2 point bye available if requested before round 2. Contact: Organizedby De Knudson (605) 338-9431 or [email protected] for questions.

Entries should be sent to De Knudson, 2201 East St. Charles Circle,Sioux Falls, SD 57103. EF: $20 entry fee if postmarked by September13; $40 on site. Free entry for grandmasters and international masters.Checks should be made out to the Paul Salem Sioux Falls Open. Includeyour USCF # and indicate what section you wish to enter.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 16-17, TENNESSEEUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10MIKE BARTON MEMORIAL 7Site: IBEW Local 474, 1870 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104.$2000 in prizes based on 30 paid entries. 5SS, G/90 i30. Two Sections:Open, 1st $650, 2nd 400, 3rd 200. Under 1600 1st $400, 250, 100. EF:$40 by 9/10; $50 at door. MCC members $40 anytime. Masters: freeentry with EF deducted from winnings. Rounds: Saturday: 9-2-7; Sunday9-2. On site registration: 9/16; 7:30am-8:45am. Email: [email protected]. Online reg: http://memphischessclub.home stead.com/Mike-Barton-7.html. Send mail entries to: MCC, P.O. Box 17864, Memphis,TN 38187. Special thanks to Carl Barton, Mike’s brother, for donationshelping make this memorial possible.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 16-17, MARYLANDUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15UMBC CHAMPIONSHIP5SS, G/90, +30incr. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000Hilltop Circle, Baltimore (in Commons, 3rd floor). Open: (All) $$1260:$400-300-200 Gtd., Class prizes $120 ea. to top U2300, U2100, U1900.Top UMBC student awarded trophy & title of 2017-2018 UMBC ChessChampion. Certificates & UMBC Class titles to top UMBC students U2200,U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, U1200, & Unr. All prospective membersof any UMBC Chess Team for academic year 2016-2017 must play inthis section. Free ent. to GMs, $50 deducted from any prizes. U1800:(U1800/Unr.) $$1080 b/40: $350-250-150, Class prizes $110 ea. to topU1600, U1400. No Unr. player may win more than $250 in this section.See separate TLA for rated beginners tournament held 9/16. All: EF:$50 if postmarked by 9/1, $60 later, $10 less if under age 20. Reg.:8:30-9:30am Sat., Rds.: 10-3-7:30pm Sat, 10:30-3:30pm Sun. Byes: Upto three 1/2-pt. byes avail. in Rds. 1-5 if req’d at least 1 hr. before Rd.(before Rd. 2 for any Rd. 4-5 bye), but only at most one 1/2-point bye inRds. 4-5. HR: La Quinta Inn and Suites, 1734 West Nursery Rd., Linthicum,MD 21090, 410-859-2333, www.lq.com (From I-95, take Exit 47A ontoI-195 towards BWI Airport. Take Exit 2A onto 295 north towards Balti-more; take first exit, bearing right onto West Nursery Road.) Directionsto UMBC: Take Exit 47B off I-95 & follow signs to UMBC. Park inCommons Drive garage. Ent: Register online at http://mdchess.com(email questions to [email protected]), or mail to Dr. Alan T. Sherman,Dept. of CSEE, UMBC, Attn: Championship, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore,MD 21250. Make out check to Maryland Chess Association. For moreinformation: [email protected], www.umbc.edu/chess. W.

SEPT. 16-17, MASSACHUSETTSUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10 (ENHANCED)2ND MASSACHUSETTS SENIOR OPEN4SS, 40/90, SD/30 d5. Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 181 BostonPost Road West, Marlboro, MA (I-495, exit 24B, Rt. 20W, one mile fromexit). Open to players born before 9/18/67. $$ 1,100 b/30 fully paidentries ($20 off entries count 60%), 80% G. 2 sects. Open: $250-125,top U2210, top U2010 $100. Under 1810: $200-125, top U1610 $100,

top U1410 $100. All: Unrated can play in either sect. but can’t win morethan $100 in U1810. EF: $49 if mailed by 9/11 or online by 9/14, $60 atsite. $20 discount to players in U1810 sect. rated under 1200 or unrated.GMs and IMs free. Reg.: Sat.8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Rds.: 10 am and 3 pmeach day. Bye: O.K. all, limit 1, must commit before rd. 2, no half pointbyes to players receiving full point byes. Ent.: payable to MACA andmail to Robert Messenger, 4 Hamlett Dr., Apt. 12, Nashua, NH 03062 orenter online at www.MassChess.org. HR: $119-119, reserve by 8/17.508-460-0700 or 888-543-9500. Info: email to [email protected] orphone 603-891-2484. Day of the tournament phone 603-557-1732. W.

SEPT. 19, NEW YORKUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10MARSHALL MASTERS4-SS, G/25 d5. Open to 2000+ players. FIDE Rapid rated. $750 GTD:250-150-100. Top U2400 125, Top U2300 100, Biggest upset $25. EF:$40, MCC Mbrs $30. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. 23 W.10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 22-24 OR 23-24, CONNECTICUTUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 40 (ENHANCED)8TH ANNUAL HARTFORD OPEN5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). SheratonHartford Hotel, 1 Bradley Airport (visible at airport entrance), WindsorLocks, CT 06096 (I-91 Exit 40 to Rt 20). Free parking. $6500 guaranteedprize fund. 4 sections. Open: Open to all; U1800/Unr EF $50 more.$1000-500-300, U2210/Unr $400-200. Under 2010: $700-380-200, topU1810/Unr $400-200. Under 1610: $500-300-150, top U1410 (no Unr)$280-140. Under 1210: $300-150-100, plaques to first 3, top U1000,U800, U600, Unrated. Unrated may not win over $100 in U1210 or $200in U1610. Mixed doubles: $200-100 bonus to best male/female combinedscore among all sections. Team average must be under 2200; may playin different sections; teams must register by 2 pm 9/23. Top 3 sectionsEF: $78 online at chessaction.com by 9/20, 3-day $83, 2-day $82 ifcheck mailed by 9/13, $90 at site, or online until 2 hours before round1. U1210 Section EF: all $20 less than above. No checks at site, creditcards OK. GMs, IMs & WGMs free, $60 deducted from prize. Online EF$3 less to CSCA or WMCA members. Re-entry (no Open Section) $40.Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chessac-tion.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed or at site,Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. 3-day schedule: Reg endsFri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Regends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Bye: all, limit 2; mustcommit before rd. 2. HR: $105-105, 860-627-5311; reserve by 9/8 orrate may increase. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions:www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. Entries postedat chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournamentSaturday 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 22-24 OR 23-24, FLORIDAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20CFCC ORLANDO AUTUMN OPEN & SCHOLASTIC5SS, G/120 d5 (2-day: Rd.1 G/60 d5). Wyndham Orlando Resort, 8001International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819. $$8,500/b150 (Scholastic = 1/2-entry), 70% Guaranteed. 5 Sections: Premier $1000-500-300, U2200$400-200. Under 2000 $800-400-200, U1800 $400-200. Under 1700$800-400-200, U1500 $400-200. Under 1400 $600-300-200, U1300$200-100. Scholastic Under 1200 $300-200, U1000 $100, U800 $100.Trophies in Scholastic to top U1200, U1000, and U800. Rated playersmay play up one section only. Unrateds limited to $100 unless Placeprize in Premier. Event part of CFCC $600 GP. EF: $90 (ScholasticU1200 $45), after Sep 12 EF $100 (Schol $55); plus $5 if paid on-site.CFCC Memb discount: $10 ($5 for Jr/Sr memb). Re-entry $50. Reg.:ends 1/2 hr before 1st rd. Rd.1: 7pm Fri (2-day and Scholastic: 10amSat at G/60 d5). Rds.: 2-5: Sat 1 & 6, Sun 9 & 2. Byes: 1/2 pt. mustcommit before rd 2 paired (max 2). HR: $109 (No Resort Fee) (407)421-2420; Reserve ASAP (Mention “Chess” or CFCC); or onlinehttp://tinyurl.com/september2017hotel; (72-hr Cancellation fee). EFQuick link is https://onlineregistration.cc/CFCC/OAO17 Free Parking& WiFi for all. Ent: CFCC, c/o Larry Storch, 95 Orense Way, Oviedo, FL32765 or online: http://onlineregistration.cc by Sep 22, or $5 extraonsite. Info: Call 407-629-6946 or www.centralflchess.org. After 4pmSep 22, call hotel, Chess Office or (407-670-9304 for onsite cell.)

SEPT. 23, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERNUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)2017 U.S. GAME/30 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPSee Nationals.

A State Championship Event!SEPT. 23, PENNSYLVANIAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 62017 PA STATE GAME/60 CHAMPIONSHIP4SS, G/60 d5. O’Hara Student Center, Univ. of Pitt., 4024 O’Hara St.,Pittsburgh PA 15213. 3 Sections, $$ (695G): Champ: EF: $30 by 9/15,$40 later. $200-100, U2000 $75, U1800 $50. Premier: U1600. EF: $25by 9/15, $35 later. $90-60, U1400 $50, U1200 $40, U1000 $30. Trophiesto Top 2, Top 2 U1400, Top 2 U1200, Top 2 U1000. Scholastic: GradesK-12 U900. EF: $15 by 9/15, $25 later. Trophies to Top 7, Top 3 U600.All: Trophies: Top 2 Schools, Top 2 Clubs. PSCF $5, OSA. Reg ends10am. Rds: 10:30-1-3:15-5:45. Ent/Info: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223, 412-908-0286, [email protected]. W.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 23, OHIOUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10“AUTUMN DAYS” PAWN STORM XXXVIII



TOURNAMENT LIFE: ABBREVIATIONS & TERMSAll tournaments are non-smoking with no computers allowed unless otherwise advertised.

BLZ:QC:$$Gtd:$$b/x:

Bye:

CC:dx:+xx:

EF:Ent:FIDE:G/:

GPP:HR:

JGP:

Blitz rated.

Quick Chess events.

Guaranteed prizes.

Based-on prizes, x = number of entries needed topayfull prize fund. At least 50% of the advertisedprize fund of $501 or more must be awarded.

Indicates which rounds players who find it incon-venient to play may take 1⁄2-point byes instead.For example, Bye 1-3 means 1⁄2-point byes areavailable in Rounds 1 through 3.

Chess club.

Time delay, x = number of seconds.

Time increment, xx = number of seconds addedafter each move.

Entry fee.

Where to mail entries.

Results submitted to FIDE for possible rating.

Game in. For instance, G/75 means each side has75 minutes for the entire game.

Grand Prix Points available.

Hotel rates. For example, 60-65-70-75 means $60single, $65 twin, $70/3 in room, $75/4 in room.

Junior Grand Prix.

Memb.req’d:Open:

Quad:

RBO:Rds:

Reg:RR:SD/:

SS:

Unr:W:WEB:

Membership required; cost follows. Usually refersto state affiliate.

A section open to all. Often has very strong play-ers, but some eligible for lower sections can playfor the learning experience.

4-player round robin sections; similar strengthplayers.

Rated Beginner’s Open.

Rounds; scheduled game times follow. For exam-ple, 11-5, 9-3 means games begin 11 a.m. & 5 p.m.on the first day, 9 a.m. & 3 p.m. on the second day.

Registration at site.

Round robin (preceded by number of rounds).

Sudden-death time control (time for rest of gamefollows). For example, 30/90, SD/1 means eachplayer must make 30 moves in 90 minutes, thencomplete the rest of the game in an hour.

Swiss-System pairings (preceded by number of

rounds).

Unrated.

Site is accessible to wheelchairs.

Tournaments that will use a player’s online rating.

4SS, G/60, +10. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. Fifth St., Dayton, OH 45402.EF: $40 to Sept 18 then $50. GTD Prizes: Open $400-200, U1900 Section$200-$101 class U1600 $100. Reg.: 9:30-1015. Rds.: 10:30-1:30-4:30-7:00. DCC mbrs $5 disc. Mail EF to: Dayton Chess lub, 18 W. 5th St.,Dayton, OH 45402 or register online at www.daytonchessclub.com.More info call 937.461.6283 or email [email protected].

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 23-24, MISSOURIUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6THE SOUTHWEST MO DIEHARDS’ FALL OPEN5-SS, G/90, +30. Hilton Garden Inn, 2644 E. 32nd St., Joplin, MO 64804.1 Section, Open: $200-150, U1600 100, U1400: 80, U1200/UNR 60.5.0 Bonus: $40. Prizes: $590 Guaranteed. EF: $40 by 9/22, $50 at door.Scholastic (rating only) $20 by 9/22, $30 at door. Email entry acceptedfor lower rate. MCA membership required, OSA. Reg.: 8-9:30. Rounds:Sat 10, 2:30, 7; Sun 9:30, 2:00. Byes: One 1/2 point bye if requestedbefore round 3. Ent: [email protected] with cash on-siteor mailed to Joplin Chess Club, 2609 New Hampshire, Joplin, MO 64804.Checks payable to Martin Stahl. Info: joplinchess.org, [email protected], 417-483- 1554.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 23-24, WISCONSINUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10GREG KNUTSON MEMORIAL5-SS, TC rds. 1-3 G/120 d5, rds. 4-5 45/2 d5, SD/1 d5. Howard Johnson’s,3841 East Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53704, 608-244-2481. HR:$79 1-4 guests includes breakfast buffet. Ask for chess tournament.Reserve by Sept 8. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rds.: 10, 2:30, 7:30; 10, 3:30. EF: $25if received by 9/21, $30 at site. $$ $1000 GTD. 1st $200, 2nd $165,3rd $135, A $100, B $90, C $80, D $70, E $60, U1000 $50, Unr $50.Entries: Guy Hoffman, 1305D Tompkins Dr., Madison, WI [email protected] Phone: 920-279-0701. WI Chess Tour Event.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 23-24, VERMONTUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6DANVILLE OPENDanville Community Center, 41 US-2, Danville, VT 05828. In 2 Sections.Open: 4SS, 40/90, SD/30; +30 Analog clocks play 40/90, SD/60, FIDErated. $$GTD: $300-150. U2000 $125 U1800 $125. U1600: 4SS, 40/90, SD/30; +30 Analog clocks play 40/90, SD/60, Open to 1599 &under. $$GTD: $250-125. U1400 $100, U1200 $100. ALL: EF: $50 post-marked by 16 September, $55 at site. $50 prize for best game donatedby sponsor. International online membership included for Canadian res-idents. Reg.: Registration 9:00-9:45. Rds.: 10-4, 10-4. ENT: Alex Relyea,49 Technology Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. INFORMATION: Alex Relyea,email: [email protected]. www.relyeachess.com. W.

SEPT. 23-24, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERNUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 62017 BOTVINNIK MEMORIAL(A sponsored event) 4 Sections. Open/U1800/U1400/U1000; 6SS, G/60d5 for top 2 sections and G/30 d0 for bottom 2. 11514 Santa MonicaBlvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $75; $55 LACC members; No prizes 1/2,spouses/siblings 1/2, new members 1/2. Reg.: Sat 10-11:45. Rds.: 12,2, 4 pm each day. Byes: Up to three 1/2-point byes. Last Rd bye beforeRd. 5. 1-Day option I: Play 1 day- no 1/2 pt byes- 1/2 EF. 1-Day optionII: Play 1 day & get three 1/2 pt byes- Full EF. Prizes: $$1,500 (b/45)$750 Gtd. 1st-3rd $400-200-100 U2000: $100. U1800: $200-100-$50;U1600: $100-50; U1400: $100-50; U1200: Book prize. Best attack: $25;Biggest upset: $25. Info: (310) 795-5710; [email protected] orwww.LAChessClub.com. Parking: Free on streets, BoA, or basement.

SEPT. 24, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERNUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)2017 U.S. GAME/60 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPSee Nationals.

SEPT. 29, NEW YORKUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6MARSHALL $500 FIDE BLITZ (BLZ)9-SS, G/3 +2. FIDE Blitz rated. $500: $200-100, top U2400/unr, U2200,U2000, U1800: $50. USCF regular rating used for pairings & prizes. EF:$30, MCC Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-7:30-7:50-8:10-8:40-9-9:20-9:40-10pm. Max three byes. Request at entry. 23 W. 10thSt., NYC. 212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, MICHIGANUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)2017 ANNUAL HAROLD STEEN MEMORIAL CUPwith Co-Sponsorship from Michigan Chess Festival, LLC. 3 Sections:Open, Reserve (U1700), Novice (U8OO, Sat. only). 2- & 3-Day Schedules.This Annual Memorial Swiss is in memory of the LATE HAROLD STEENfor his enormous contribution to young chess players in the Detroitarea. Each year, the First Place Open and Reserve Winners’ names areadded to the Harold Steen Memorial Cup and displayed at All TheKing’s Men. TOURNAMENT SITE: The Edward Hotel-Michigan (formerlythe Adoba Hotel), Dearborn, MI (Lodg/Dir below). SPECIAL: 2ndAnnual BREAKFAST WITH MRS. HAROLD STEEN on Saturday morn-ing, 9:00-10:30am. Come! Join us! Enjoy a fabulous breakfast buffetwith Mrs. Altha Steen at GIULIO’S RESTAURANT, 2nd Floor of thehotel. Adults: $22, Children 12 and under: $12. Payable online atwww.onlineregistration.cc or directly to All The King’s Men. Enjoy adelicious meal and wonderful conversation before playtime. You’ll beglad you came to hear this outstanding woman speak about her husbandand his unique LIFE OF CHESS! The stories are endless! ALSO, therewill be an IM or FM Lecture on Saturday evening from 5:30-6:30pm.FREE to participants! ($10 minimum donation for others). FORMAT:5-SS, 4-SS in Novice (U800) Section. OPEN Section FIDE-Rated. USCFrating used for pairing and prizes (FIDE + 50 used if there is no estab-lished USCF rating). SCHEDULES MERGE AFTER RD 2. PRIZE FUND:

$5,000. 65% Guar. USCF and MCA memberships required—can be pur-chased on site. Online Registration available at www.onlineregistration.cc. EF by Mon, Sept. 25th, add $10 after: IM’s/GM’sFREE! ($90 EF deducted from prize). 3-Day Open: $93. 3-Day Reserve(U1700): $73. No RE-Entries in OPEN or Novice sections. 2-DayOpen: $92. 2-Day Reserve (U1700): $72. Re-Entries: $50. (*See Novicesection below.) Up to TWO 1/2-point byes available—must be requestedprior to start of RD 3. TL: 3-Day Schedules: G/115 d5. RDS: Fri: 7PM. Sat: 11:30, 6:30. Sun: 10-3. REG.: Fri, 4:00-6pm TL: 2-Day Sched-ules: Rds. 1-2, G/55 d5. Rds. 3-5 G/115 d5. RDS.: Sat: 11:00, 2, 6:30.Sun: 10-3. REG.: 8:30-10:00. $$: $5,000. Each section 65% guar. (b/50per section; b/min. 6 per prize section): OPEN: $2,800: 1st $700, 2nd$600, 3rd $450, 4th $300, Top X, A, U1800/Unr: $250 each. RESERVE(U1700): $2,200: 1st $550, 2nd $400, 3rd $300, 4th $250, TOP C, D, E,U1000/UNR: $175 each. UNR eligible only for UNR and Overall prizes.Bring boards, pieces, clocks! None supplied except for U800 section.Book Vendor on site will have supplies, sets, clocks, books, software,accessories, more for sale. CELL PHONE/HEADSET RULES: Cell phonescannot be on your person during your games. INFRACTION: Auto-matic game forfeiture! Headphones cannot be used if opponent objectsfor any reason and cannot be used in the last round by players with aplus score. FULL DESCRIPTION OF RULES POSTED AT SITE. *NOVICE(U800) SECTION: Sat, 9/30. 4-SS. TL: G/25 d5. EF by Mon, 9/25: $25;ADD $10 after. RDS.: 11,1, 2:20, 3:40. REG.: 8:30-10am. $$: Trophiesfor 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Top U600, U400, U200, UNR. LODG, DIR: EdwardHotel-Michigan, 600 Town Center Dr., Dearborn, MI 48126. Located N.of Michigan Ave., S. of Hubbard St., E. of Evergreen Rd., W. of SouthfieldRd. For maps, go online to: www.mapquest.com or www.yahoo.comand click on Maps. Room Rate: $105 by 9/9; after only if rooms are stillavailable. Call (313) 592-3622 or reserve online at www.edwardvil-lagedearborn.hotelsone.com-. Ask for the Harold Steen Chess Rate.ENTRIES & INFO: All The King’s Men, Mrs. Marcie Kahn at (586) 558-4790 or Dr. Ed Mandell (248) 635-2375 (Cell). Email: [email protected] or [email protected]. NOTE: This version supercedeswhat will appear in August CL issue.

A Heritage Event!US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, NORTH CAROLINAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 2044TH ANNUAL LIPKIN/PFEFFERKORN OPEN5-SS. The Hawthorne Inn and Conference Center, 420 High St., Win-ston-Salem, NC 27101. 1-(336)-777-3000. In 6 sections: $11,000 basedon 165 entries; 65% Guaranteed. Championship: FIDE. Must be 1950!$1,200-600-300-200; under 2200- $600- 300-200. Under 2000: $800-400-200-125; u1900- $100. Under 1800: $800-400-200- 125; u1700-$100. Under 1600: $800-400-200-125; u1500- $100. Under 1400: $600-300-200125; u1300- $100. Under 1200:$500-250-150; u1000- $300-200. Time controls: Championship – “40/90, SD/30, d10”. Othersections- G/120 d5. All sections: 2-day: Round 1 G/90 d5. 3-day sched-ule: Reg. ends Fri 7:00pm; Rounds: 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.,Sun. 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 2-day schedule: Reg: ends Sat 10am; Rds.10:30am, then merges with 3-day schedule. Entry Fee: $93 (3-day),$92 (2-day) if rec’d. by 9/28th; $99 at site. Juniors: $6 less. Unrated:$65. Unrated must play in Under 2000 or Under 1800 and can win only50% of any prize. (W)GMs, (W)IMs FREE, with $60 subtracted fromprize won! Re-entry: $65 (not available in Championship). Half-pointByes: Available all rounds (limit two), must request before Round 1, nochanges. Hotel: $99 must book by September 15th to be guaranteed aroom. Mention LPO or chess tournament. Florida State football in town!Reserve early. Room comes with FREE hot breakfast! Info:[email protected] or Thad Rogers (478)-973-9389. Enter:www.americanchesspromotions.com.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, GEORGIAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10TRI-STATE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPHilton Garden Inn, 1702 Gornto Rd., Valdosta, GA 31601. Phone: 229-219-1011. 5SS, G/120 d5 (RD. 1 G/90 d5). $2,800 b/65 full entries. 3Sections: Open: $600-300-150, U/2000 $125-75. U/1800: $400-200-125, U1600 $100-50. U/1400: $300-150-100, U/1200 $75, U/1000 $50.Open to players from any state. Trophy to state with most points, Florida,Georgia, or Alabama (top 6 players scores from each state (any section)added together to determine top state). USCF membership requiredcan renew onsite. Unrated players may enter any section but not eligiblefor class prizes limited to $100 unless in open. Entry Fee: $60 prior to8/1/2017 $65 prior to 9/27/2017 $75 after 9/27; Free entry GM or IM($65 deducted from prize). Online entry at www.events4chess.com ormail to C.H.E.S.S., 821 Upland Dr., Port Orange, FL 32127. RD. 1 Sat10:00 RD. 2 & 3 Sat 1:30, 6:00, RD. 4 & 5 Sun 10:00 & 2:30pm. 1/2-point bye available for any round (limit 2) must commit prior to RD. 2pairing. Registration ends at 9:45 am on Saturday, late entries will get1/2-point bye in RD. 1. Hotel Rate: $109, 229-219-1011 reserve priorto 9/16/2017 to guarantee rate. Side Events: Quick Chess Friday9/29/17, 7pm, G/15 d3, 5-SS, EF: $25 prizes based on entries. SaturdayScholastic 9/30/17, 5SS, EF: $20, G/30 d5, Rds. 11/12/2:30/3:30/4:30.Trophies to top 3 and top 3 K-3 USCF membership required can join attournament. For more information, contact Steve Lampkin 386-682-9527 or [email protected] or [email protected].

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, MAINEUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)BANGOR OPENBangor Ramada Inn, 357 Odlin Rd., Bangor, ME 04401. In 2 Sections.Open: 4SS, 40/90, SD/30 + 30 Sec. Increment. Analog clocks notallowed in this section. FIDE rated. $$GTD: $500-250. U2250 $150,U2000 $150. U1750: 4SS, 40/90, SD/30 + 30 Sec. Increment, Analogclocks play 40/90, SD/60, Open to 1749 & under. $$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 9/23/

2017. Rds.: 10-4, 10-4. Accelerated pairings may be used. ENT: AlexRelyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. INFO: Alex [email protected]. www.relyeachess.com. W.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, TEXASUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)2017 DCC FIDE OPEN X5SS, G/90 inc/30. Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr. #C, Richard-son, TX 75080. Two sections: Open and Reserve. Open: $$875G. FIDEand US Chess rated but uses FIDE rules. Use US Chess ratings andrules for pairings and for awarding prizes. Default late forfeiture timeis one hour. TD may extend this time at TD’s discretion. Note thatForeign players must disclose their FIDE ID number before 1st roundin order to play. Note that USA Players with no FIDE ID must disclosetheir email address. $$ $500-$250-$125. EF: 2400+ $125, 2000-2399$90, 1600 -1999 $99, U1600 $125, Senior/Birthday during tournament/Additional Family Member $55. Dallas Chess Club membership requiredor pay $20 non-member fee. Small Minimum prize to the First threeGM/IM’s who apply. GM/IM must play all rounds to get minimum prize(entry fee may be deducted from prize). Reserve: Open to players ratedbelow 2000 USCF. This section is not Fide Rated but is US Chess ratedand uses US Chess rules. EF: $40. $10 non Dallas Chess Club membershipfee. The Reserve give back 10% in prizes and if at least 8 paid entriesand if there is a clear winner, then that winner receives free entry tonext DCC Fide Open. In the reserve section, Tournament reserves theright to use Fide rules on electronic devices and on starting White’sclock at start of a round and to use FIDE pairing rules. Also clocks willbe set to ‘halt at end’. Both: Reg.: Saturday from 9:45–10:15 am. Rds.:Sat 10:45 am-3:10pm-7:16pm, Sun 9:45 am- 2:10pm. One half point Byeallowed if requested before end of round 2 and before getting full pointbye. Withdrawals and zero point last round byes are not eligible forprizes. Note that house players (if required) must pay $5 per round andbe US Chess members. NEW: Mix Doubles: Teams (one male and onefemale make up a team) that pay a $20 fee, are eligible for a Mix DoublesPrize.Teams must be formed before the 3rd round. Prizes for Mix doublesare 1st receives 60% of mix doubles fees and 2nd receives 30% of mixdoubles fees. ENT: Make/mail Checks payable to Dallas Chess Club,C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036-4719.Info: 214-632-9000. FIDE.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 1, NEW JERSEYUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15 (ENHANCED)DR. DAVID OSTFELD MEMORIAL ICA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP4SS, G/61 d5. Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ07601. Open to All Ages With Rating above 1400. Prize Fund ($$b/40)1st - 3rd $300, $250, $200, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600 each $100Best Under 13 Years Old $75, Best Over 55 Years Old $75. Reg ends at9 AM. Only one 1/2-point bye allowed, if requested before the start ofround two. EF: Adv (pmk. By Sep 26th) $45, AT Site $50. GMs Free Entry.

www.uschess.org 55


CONTINENTAL CHESS SCHEDULE

More details at chesstour.com. For late

news, hotel availability, lectures, results,

games, etc, sign up for free CCA Newsletter

at chesscalendar.com or chesstour.com.

Most tournaments have alternate schedules

with less or more days than below.

Asterisk means full details in this issue-

otherwise, see future issues or chesstour.com.

Phone entry at 406-896-2038. $10 more than

online fee, available to 4 days before tournament.

Events in red offer FIDE norm chances.

9/22-24: Hartford Open, Windsor Locks CT*

10/6-9: Washington Congress, Arlington VA*

10/6-8: Midwest Class, Wheeling IL*

10/20-22: Central New York Open, Syracuse NY*

10/27-29: Eastern Chess Congress, Princeton NJ*

11/3-5: Los Angeles Open, Van Nuys CA*

11/3-5: Stamford Open, Stamford CT*

11/10-12: Kings Island Open, Blue Ash OH*

11/24-26: National Chess Congress, Philadelphia*

12/26-30: North American Open, Las Vegas NV*

12/28-30: Empire City Open, New York NY

1/5-7: Boston Chess Congress, Boston MA

1/12-15: Liberty Bell Open, Philadelphia PA

1/12-15: Golden State Open, Concord CA

2/16-19: Southwest Class, Fort Worth TX

2/23-25: Geo Washington Open, Falls Church VA

3/2-4: Western Class, Van Nuys CA

3/10-11: NY State Scholastics, Saratoga Springs

3/16-18: Southern Class Champs, Orlando FL

3/23-25: Mid-America Open, St Louis MO

3/29-4/1: Philadelphia Open, Philadelphia PA

4/27-29: Eastern Class, Sturbridge MA

5/24-28: Chicago Open, Wheeling IL

6/15-17: Continental Class, Falls Church VA

6/28-7/3: Philadelphia International, Phila PA

7/3-8: World Open, Philadelphia PA

7/20-22: Chicago Class, Wheeling IL

8/15-19: Continental Open, Sturbridge MA

For later events, see chesstour.com.

For info, call 201-797-0330, email [email protected] or visiticanj.net. Prize Fund Will Not Be Reduced Below 70%. Rds.: 9:30 AM,11:45 AM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM. Enter online at https://ica.jumbula.com/ICA-Tournaments2017/DrDavidOstfeldMemorialICAOpenChampionship_183or mail information to Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Ln., New Milford,NJ 07646. Make checks payable to International Chess Academy. W.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 6, 13, 20, 27, NOV. 3, 10, 17, NEW YORKUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15 (ENHANCED)2017 QUEENS CHESS CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP7-SS, G/120 (G/115 d5). All Saints Lutheran Church, 164-02 GoethalsAve., Jamaica, NY 11432. EF: $55 advance, $60 at site, $900 gtd: $300-$180-$120, U2100 $108, U1800 $90, U1500 $72, upset $30. Prizes increasedproportionally if over 24 paid entries (increased by 1/3 the last 4 years(32 players each time)). QCC membership required ($25 for 6 mos, $20U19/65+/female). Up to three 1/2 pt byes permitted (request prior toRd. 4). Mail advance entries by 9/30/17 to: Ed Frumkin, 445 E. 14th St.#10D, New York, NY 10009. Rounds at 7:45 each Friday.

A Heritage Event!US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 6-8 OR 7-8, ILLINOISUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)26TH ANNUAL MIDWEST CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). WestinChicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, IL60090 (from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwaukee, I-94to Lake Cook Rd to US-45 south). Free parking. $20,000 guaranteedprizes. In 7 sections. Premier (1900/up): $2000-1000-500-300, clearwin or 1st on tiebreak $100, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. 1700-2099:$1400-700-400-200. 1500-1899/Unr: $1400-700-400-200. 1300-1699/Unr: $1300-700-400-200. 1100-1499/Unr: $1200-600-400-200.Under 1300/Unr: $1000-500-300-200. Under 1100/Unr: $500-300-200-100, plaques to top 3, top U900, U700, U500, Unrated. Mixed doublesbonus prizes: best male/female 2-player combined score among allsections: $800-400-200. Team must average under 2200; may play indifferent sections; must register (no extra fee) by 2 pm 10/7. Unratedprize limits: $100 U1100, $200 U1300, $300 1100-1499, $400 1300-1699, $600 1500-1899. Top 6 sections EF: $109 online atchessaction.com by 10/4, 3-day $113, 2-day $112 mailed by 9/27, all$125 at site, or online until 2 hrs before round 1. Under 1100 EF: all$50 less than above. All: No checks at site, credit cards OK. Online ormailed EF $5 less to ICA members; join/renew at il-chess.org. Unofficialuschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yearUSCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com,Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed or paid at site, Adult$40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Re-entry $50; not available inPremier Section. GMs $90 from prize. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri6 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. endsSat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Bye: all, limit 2; Premier

must commit before rd. 2, others before rd. 3. HR: $111-111-111-111,800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserve by 9/22 or rate may increase.Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Ent: chessaction.comor Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Questions:chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. $15 service chargefor refunds. Entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries postedinstantly). Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 6-9 OR 7-9, VIRGINIAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)9TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON CHESS CONGRESS7SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10, (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Hilton CrystalCity at National Airport, 2399 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA 22202(2/5 mile from Crystal City Metro). Free shuttle from airport and Metro.$24,000 guaranteed prizes. In 4 sections: Premier: Open to 1900/up.$3000-1500-800-500-300, clear/tiebreak first bonus $100, top Under2300 $1400-700. FIDE. Under 2100: $2000-1000-600-400-300, topUnder 1900 (no Unr) $1200-600. Under 1700: $1700-900-500-300-200,top Under 1500 (no Unr) $1000-500. Under 1300: $1000-500-300-200-100, top Under 1100 (no Unr) $400-200. Prize limits: Unrated limitU1300 $200, U1700 $400, U2100 $700. Mixed doubles bonus prizes:best male/female 2-player combined score among all sections: $1000-500-300. Must average under 2200; may play in different sections;register (no extra fee) before both begin round 2. Unofficial webratings usually used if otherwise unrated, Top 3 sections EF: $148online at chessaction.com by 10/4, 4-day $154, 3-day $153 mailed by9/27, all $170 at site until 1 hour before rd 1, or online at chessaction.comuntil 2 hours before. U1300 Section: all EF $70 less than top 3 sectionsEF. GMs: $140 from prize. Special 1 yr USCF with magazine paid withentry: Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic$15. Mailed or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. Nochecks at site, credit cards OK. Re-entry (except Premier) $80. 4-dayschedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm. Sat 11 & 5, Sun 11 & 5,Mon 10 & 3:15. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 &5, Sun 11 & 5, Mon 10 & 3:15. Byes: OK all; limit 2; Premier mustcommit before rd. 2, others before round 4. Bring sets, boards, clocksif possible- none supplied. HR: $99-99-109, 1-800-HILTONS, 703-418-6800, reserve by 9/21 or rate may increase.Special chess rate parking$13/day, with or without guest room. Car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600,use AWD #D657633 or reserve car online at chesstour.com. Ent: Con-tinental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Questions: DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269, www.chesstour.com. $15 service charge forrefunds. Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entriesposted instantly). Blitz tournament Sunday 9:30 pm, enter by 9:16 pm.

An American Classic!A Heritage Event!US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 13-15 OR 14-15, NEVADAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)

35TH ANNUAL SANDS REGENCY RENO - WESTERN STATESOPEN - FIDE - NATIONAL CHESS DAY!6SS, OPEN Section 40/2, G/55 Min-d5, (“A”, “B”, “C”, “D” Sections40/2, G/1-d5 - 2-Day Schedule G/1-d5). Sands Regency Hotel/Casino,345 N. Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501.1-866-386-7829 or (775) 348-2200. $$25,500 b/275. $$15,500 Gtd. (Prizes 1-7 in Open Section Gtd.plus 1/2 of all other prizes). 6 Sections. Open (2200 & above) EF: $159,(2000-2199) EF: $200 (1999 & below) EF: $300) (GMs & IMs free butmust enter by (9/15) or pay late fee). $$2,000-1,000-800-600-500-300-300, (2399/below)- $1,000-500, (2299/below)- $1,000-500. (If there isa tie for 1st then a playoff for $100 out of prize fund plus trophy). ExpertSection (2000-2199) EF: $159; $$2,000-700-400-300-300. Sec. ”A”(1800-1999) EF: $158; $$1,800-700-400-300-300, Sec. ”B” (1600-1799)EF: $157; $$1,700-700-400-300-300, Sec. ”C” (1400-1599) EF: $156;$$1,400-600-400-300-300, Sec. ”D”/under (1399 & below) EF: $150;$$1,000-400-300-300; (1199 & below) - $$300; 2-Day EF: $155 (No OpenSection). Top Senior (65+) -$200; Club Champ.-$600-300. ALL: Entriesmust be postmarked by 9/15 or pay late fee-$11, do not mail after 10/6or email after 10/10, $22 at site. Trophies 1st – 3rd (“A” – “D” sections).Unrated players are free entry but not eligible for cash prizes- mustjoin USCF for 1 full year thru this tournament. 1st Unrated = trophy +1 yr. USCF Mem. Senior discount (65+ yrs.) $10. Players may play up.Provisionally rated players may only win 1/2 of 1st place money (exceptOpen Section 1 – 7). CCA ratings may be used. Note: pairings notchanged for color unless 3 in a row or cause a plus 3 and if the unlikelysituation occurs 3 colors in a row may be assigned. SIDE EVENTS: Wed.(10/11) 7:00pm GM Sergey Kudrin – Clock Simul with game analysis($30); Thurs. (10/12) 6-7:15pm Lecture by IM John Donaldson (FREE);7:30pm- GM Alex Yermolinsky - Simul ($20); 7:30pm-Blitz (G/5 d0))Tourney ($25) 80% entries = Prize Fund. Sat. (10/14) (3-4:30pm) FreeGame/Position Analysis - IM John Donaldson. REG.: (10/12) 5-8pm(10/13) 9-10am and (10/14) 9-10 am. RDS.: (Fri) 12-7, (Sat) 10-7, (Sun)9:30-4:30. 2-Day (10/14) Rd. 1 (11:00 am), Rd. 2 (1:15 pm), Rd. 3 (3:45pm), Rd. 4 merge with regular schedule – (7:00 pm). Byes available anyround if requested by Rd.1 (Open Section 2 byes max). ENT: make checkspayable and send to: SANDS REGENCY (address listed above), postmarkedby 9/15. $11 late fee if postmarked after 9/15. Do not mail after 10/6or email after 10/10. $22 late fee at site. HR: (Sun-Thurs. $47.19!) (Fri.& Sat. $81.19!) 1-866-386-7829 Reservation Code: CHESS1017 (Reserveby 9/23/17 to get Chess rate. INFO: Jerry Weikel, 6578 Valley WoodDr., Reno, NV 89523, (H) 775-747-1405 or (Cell) 775-354-8728 [email protected] or check out our website at: www.renochess.org. Toverify entry check website.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 13-15 OR 14-15, OHIOUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 605TH ANNUAL WRIGHT BROTHERS OPEN - NATIONAL CHESS DAY!5-SS, USCF & FIDE RATED. 40/90 +30, SD/30 +30. (2-day schedule,Rd. 1 G/60 +30). Bring Increment Clocks. Location: Dayton ChessClub, 18 West 5th St., Dayton, OH. PRIZES $6,000 b/70. $2000-1200-



9th annual WASHINGTON CHESS CONGRESSOct 6-9 or 7-9, 2017 - Columbus Day weekend - Hilton Crystal City

7 rounds, $24,000 guaranteed prizes

Hilton Crystal City, 2399Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington VA22202. Free shuttle to Metro &Reagan National Airport. Parking$13/day. Rooms $99-99-109,703-418-6800, reserve by 9/21 orrate may increase.

Schedule options: 4-day Oct6-9 (40/100, SD/30, d10) or 3-day Oct 7-9 (rds 1-2 G/60, d10);both merge and compete for sameprizes. In 4 sections.

Premier: for 1900/over. Prizes$3000-1500-800-500-300, clear/tiebreak 1st $100 bonus, U2300$1400-700. FIDE, 150 GPP.

Under 2100: $2000-1000-600-400-300, top Under 1900 (nounr) $1200-600.

Under 1700: $1700-900-500-300-200, top Under 1500 (no Unr)$1000-500.

Under 1300: $1000-500-300-200-100, top Under 1100 (no Unr)$400-200.

Unrated prize limits: U1300$200, U1700 $400, U2100 $700.

Mixed Doubles: bestmale/female 2-player teamcombined score among allsections: $1000-500-300. Mustaverage under 2200; may play indifferent sections; register (noextra fee) by 2 pm Oct 7.

Top 3 sections entry fee:$148 online at chessaction. comby 10/4, 4-day $154, 3-day $153if check mailed by 9/27, all $170at site until 1 hour before round1, or online until 2 hours beforeround 1.

Premier Section free to GMs, $140 deducted from prize.

Under 1300 Section entryfee: All $70 less than top 3sections.

Re-entry $80; no re-entryfrom Premier to Premier.

No checks at site, creditcards OK.

.

4-day reg. ends Fri 6 pm,rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 11 &5, Mon 10 & 3:15.

3-day reg. ends Sat 10 am,rds Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 11 & 5,Mon 10 & 3:15.

Byes: OK all, limit 2; Premiermust commit before rd 2, othersbefore round 4.

All: Oct official USCF ratingsused; unofficial usually used ifotherwise unr. Bring set, board,clock if possible- none supplied.

USCF mem. required. Forspecial rates see Chess Life orchesstour.com.

Entry: chessaction.com orContinental Chess, PO Box 8482,Pelham NY 10803. $15 servicecharge for refunds.

Entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries postedinstantly).

Blitz tournament Sunday9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.

1000-800-600-400. Entry Fee: $105 if mailed or registered online byOct 9, 2016, thereafter $120. Free to 2400 & above $100 deducted fromwinnings), DCC mbrs $5 discount. 3-day schedule: Reg.: Fri. 6- 7:30pm,Rds: Fri 8pm; Sat. 12:30pm & 6:30pm; Sun 10:00am & 4:00pm. 2-dayschedule: Reg.: Sat. 8:00-8:45am. Rd.1 9:00am, then merges with 3-day. Re-entry: $33. Any player who loses Fri night may re-enter for $33and loss will not count in tournament standings. One 1/2pt bye availablein Rds.1-4 (request prior to R2). HOTEL – TBD. ENTRIES: Mail to DaytonChess Club, 18 West 5th St., Dayton, OH 45402 or Register online atwww.DaytonChess-Club.com. No checks at site.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 14, MISSOURIUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6$1,000 NATIONAL CHESS DAY G/65 CHAMPIONSHIP4SS, G/65 d5. EF: $25, $20 for annual members of the club if registeredby 10/13. One Section. Prize Fund: $1000 UNCONDITIONALLY GUAR-ANTEED!! $200-$150. $125 for 1st in each Section: A, B, C, D, U1200/UNR.Biggest Upset: $25. Reg.: 10-10:45. Rds.: 11, 1:15, 3:45, 6:15. One 1/2point bye if declared before round 2. Ent: 4657 Maryland Ave., SaintLouis, MO 63108, or online at saintlouischessclub.org. Info: 314-361-CHESS [email protected].

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 14, WISCONSINUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10HALES CORNERS CHALLENGE XXVI - NATIONAL CHESS DAY!4SS, G/60 d6. 2 Sections: Open & Reserve (under 1600). Olympia ResortHotel, 1350 Royale Mile Rd., Oconomowoc, WI 53066; 1-800-558-9573(mention Southwest Chess Club for $99 room rate). EF: $40-Open, $30Reserve, both $10 more after October 12. Comp EF for USCF 2200+.$$GTD: Open: 1st-$325, 2nd-$175, A-$100, B & below-$75; Reserve:1st $100, 2nd $75, D-$50, E & below $40. Goddesschess prizes for femalesin addition to above prizes. Reg.: 8:30-9:30. Rds.: 10-1-3:30-6. Questionsto Chris Wainscott (414-839-5232, after 5:30 pm), or e-mail: [email protected]. Entries to: Robin J. Grochowski, 3835 E. MorrisAve., Cudahy, WI 53110, (414-861-2745), e-mail: [email protected].

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 14, MASSACHUSETTSUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6WN 2017 FALL OPEN ON NATIONAL CHESS DAYTown Hall Annex, 381 Main St., West Newbury, MA 01985. In 2 Sections.Open: 4SS, G/65 d5, $$GTD: $150-120-80. U1900 $50. U1600: 4SS, G/65d5, Open to 1599 & under. $$GTD: $120-80-60-50- 40. U1200 $50. ALL:EF: Entry fee $40 postmarked by 7 October, $45 at site. Free entry to allplayers rated 2200 or higher. Reg.: 8:45-9:15. Rds.: 9:30-12:30-3-5:30. 1half point bye rounds 1-3. ENT: Alex Relyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89, Bedford,NH 03110. INFO: Alex Relyea [email protected]. www.relyeachess.com.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 14, IDAHO

US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6NORMAN FRIEDMAN MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT - NATIONALCHESS DAYNW Grand Prix. Site: Community Campus, 1050 Fox Acres Rd., Hailey,ID. 5 SS, TC: G/120 d5. One Section: Open, USCF rated. EF: $25.00($40.00 Family) Reg & checkin: 8:30 - 10 am or online at idahoches-sassociation.org. US Chess & ICA/OCF/WCF mem req., can be purchasedat reg. Opening Cer. 9 am, Rd. times: 10/14 10 am, 2 pm, 7 pm, 10/159 am, 1 pm. Byes: Rd. 1-4. Prizes: $750 guaranteed! 1st - 2nd placeOverall $200, $150, 100 U1800, U1600, U1400, U1200, U1000 each:$50/class. ICA, www.idahochessassociation.org. Contact: Adam Porth,SCHS, 1060 Fox Acres Rd., Hailey, ID 83333.

OCT. 14, PENNSYLVANIAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6NATIONAL CHESS DAY FELIX SCHWARZ MEMORIAL4SS, G/60 d5. CLC Charter Schl., 2643 W. College Ave., State College,PA. 3 sections. Open: $300, 200, 100; U1600: $100, 50; U1000 : $100,50. Trophy to highest-scoring K-8. Prizes based on 30 entries. EF: $39online by Oct 10; $50 after. Reg.: www.donaldbyrnechess.org. On-sitecash only 9-9:30. Rds.: 10:00-1:00-3:30-6:30. Bye: Any round, commitbefore 1st round. Parking: Free at site. Info: [email protected].

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 14-15, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERNUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10 (ENHANCED)NATIONAL CHESS DAY SENIOR/JUNIOR OPENat the San Diego Chess Club 2225 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101.$9,000 prize fund, based on 90 entries, 6 Rd. SS, 2 Divisions with 2Sections each: Senior Division is for players 50 years or older, JuniorDivision is under 50 years old. Both divisions have Open and Reserve(U1800) sections. All games are G/60 with 30 second increment eachmove. Rds are 10:30 AM, 2 PM & 5:30 PM Saturday and Sunday, twobyes available, any round, please request 1 hour before round, lastround before Rd. 3. EF: $90 if rcvd by 8/31 (early bird rate), $100from 9/01 to 10/07, $110 from 10/08 to 10/13, $120 on event day.U1600 or Unr is only $80. Book prize only for unrated players. SCCFmembership Req’d, ($18 Adult/$13 Jr), this is a State ChampionshipQualifier. Reg.: 9 - 10 AM on 10/14, or call in to SDCC 619-752-4377.Prizes: Open Section: $500-200-100, BU2200: $400-200-100, BU2000$400-200-100 Reserve Section (under 1800): $500-200-100, BU1600:$300-200-100, BU1400: $300-200-100 Age based Prizes (for thosewho don’t win a bigger place prize): $50 each for Best over 60, 70and 80 years old, plus $50 each for best under 20, 16 and 12 yearsold. Age based pries for all 4 sections, but only for player who don’twin bigger prizes. Ent: SDCC, POB 120162, San Diego, CA 92112.Info: call Chuck Ensey (858) 432-8006, or see the SDCC website athttps://www.sandiegochessclub.org.

OCT. 14-15, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERNUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 62017 NATIONAL CHESS DAY WEEKENDER

(A sponsored event) 1 open Section. 6SS, G/60 d5. 11514 Santa MonicaBlvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $75; $55 LACC members; No prizes ½,spouses/siblings 1/2, new members 1/2. Reg.: Sat 10-11:45. Rds.: 12,2, 4 pm each day. Byes: Up to three 1/2-point byes. Last Rd bye beforeRd. 5. 1-Day option I: Play 1 day- no 1/2 pt byes- 1/2 EF. 1-Day optionII: Play 1 day & get three 1/2 pt byes- Full EF. Prizes: $$1,500 (b/45)$750 Gtd. 1st-3rd $400-200-100 U2000: $100. U1800: $200-100-$50;U1600: $100-50; U1400: $100-50; U1200: Book prize. Best attack: $25;Biggest upset: $25. Info: (310) 795-5710; [email protected] orwww.LAChessClub.com. Parking: Free on streets, BoA, or basement.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 14-15, TEXASUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)2017 NATIONAL CHESS DAY FIDE WEEKEND OPEN5SS, G/90 inc/30. Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr. #C, Richardson,TX 75080. Two sections: Open and Reserve. Open: $$875G. FIDE and USChess rated but uses FIDE rules. Tournament uses US Chess ratings andrules for pairings and for awarding prizes. Default late forfeiture time isone hour. TD may extend this time at TD’s discretion. Note that Foreignplayers must disclose their FIDE ID number before 1st round in order toplay. Note that USA Players with no FIDE ID must disclose their emailaddress. $$ $500-$250-$125. EF: 2400+ $125, 2000-2399 $90, 1600 -1999 $99, U1600 $125, Senior/Birthday during tournament/AdditionalFamily Member $55. Dallas Chess Club membership requirement waivedin honor of National Chess Day. Small Minimum prize to the First threeGM/IM’s who apply. GM/IM must play all rounds to get minimum prize(entry fee may be deducted from prize). Reserve: Open to players ratedbelow 2000 USCF. This section is not Fide Rated but is US Chess ratedand uses US Chess rules. EF: $40. The Reserve give back 10% in prizesand if at least 8 paid entries and if there is a clear winner, then thatwinner receives free entry to next DCC Fide Open. In the reserve section,Tournament reserves the right to use Fide rules on electronic devicesand on starting White’s clock at start of a round and to use FIDE pairingrules. Also clocks will be set to ‘halt at end’. Both: Reg.: Saturday from9:45–10:15 am. Rds.: Sat 10:45 am-3:10pm-7:16pm, Sun 9:45 am- 2:10pm.One half point Bye allowed if requested before end of round 2 and beforegetting full point bye. Withdrawals and zero point last round byes are noteligible for prizes. Note that house players (if required) must pay $5 perround and be US Chess members. NEW: Mix Doubles: Teams (one maleand one female make up a team) that pay a $20 fee, are eligible for a MixDoubles Prize.Teams must be formed before the 3rd round. Prizes forMix doubles are 1st receives 60% of mix doubles fees and 2nd receives30% of mix doubles fees. ENT: Make/mail Checks payable to Dallas ChessClub, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036-4719. Info: 214-632-9000. FIDE.

A Heritage Event!OCT. 15, MASSACHUSETTSUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15 (ENHANCED)84TH GREATER BOSTON OPEN

www.uschess.org 57


Advanced ChessOrganization6715 Jamieson AvenueReseda, CA [email protected]

Bay Area Chess2050 Concourse Drive #42San Jose, CA [email protected]

Cajun Chess12405 Hillary Step DriveOlive Branch, MS [email protected]

Chess Club andScholastic Centerof Saint Louis 4657 Maryland Avenue St. Louis, MO 63108314-361-CHESS [email protected]

ChessNYC.comMichael PropperP.O. Box 189, 1710 1st AvenueNew York, NY 10128212-475-8130 [email protected]

Continental Chess AssociationP.O. Box 8482Pelham, NY 10803 [email protected]

Marshall Chess Club23 West 10th StreetNew York, NY 10011212-477-3716 [email protected]

Oak Hall School Chess Club7257 NW 4th Boulevard, Suite 21Gainesville, FL 32607352-316-1199 [email protected]

PaperClip Pairingsc/o Remy Ferrari4 Jalapa CourtBrownsville, TX 78526 956-621-0377 [email protected]

San Diego Chess Club2225 Sixth AvenueSan Diego, CA 92101 619-752-4377 [email protected]

U P D A T E D 0 8 - 0 2 - 2 0 1 7

GOLD & SILVER AFFILIATESGOLD Any affiliate that has submitted at least 50 US Chess memberships during thecurrent or previous calendar year, or is the recognized State Affiliate, is eligible to becomea Gold Affiliate. Gold Affiliates are honored in a special list in larger type in Tournament Lifeeach month, giving the affiliate name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and website.Gold Affiliation costs $350 per year, and existing affiliates may subtract $3 for each monthremaining on their regular affiliation, or $20 for each month remaining on their Silver Af-filiation. By paying an annual payment of $500 (instead of $350), Gold Affiliate statusmay be obtained with no minimum requirement for memberships submitted.

SILVER Any affiliate that has submitted at least 25 US Chess memberships during thecurrent or previous calendar year, or is the recognized State Affiliate, is eligible to becomea Silver Affiliate. These affiliates will be recognized in a special list in Tournament Life eachmonth, giving the affiliate name, state, and choice of either phone number, e-mail address,or website. Silver Affiliation costs $150 per year, and existing affiliates may subtract $3 foreach month remaining on their regular affiliation. Alternatively, for an annual payment of$250.00 (instead of $150), the requirement for a minimum number of US Chess memberswill be waived.

Dallas Chess Club (TX)www.dallaschess.com

En Passant Chess Club (TX)[email protected]

Evangel Chess Club (AL)www.evangelchurch.me

Foot Hill Chess Club (CA)[email protected]

Jersey Shore HS Chess League(NJ)[email protected]

Little House of Chess, Inc. (NY)[email protected]

Los Angeles Chess Club (CA)www.LAChessClub.com

Michigan Chess Association (MI) www.michess.org

Oklahoma Chess Foundation (OK)www.OCFchess.org

Rochester Chess Center (NY)http://www.chessset.com

Rocks & Rooks Chess Club (TX)512-426-7841

Sparta Chess Club (NJ)www.spartachessclub.org

Success Chess School (CA)www.successchess.com

The Berkeley Chess School (CA)www.berkeleychessschool.org

Western PA Youth Chess Club (PA)www.youthchess.net

4SS, G/60, d5. Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 181 Boston Post RoadWest, Marlboro, MA (I-495, exit 24B, Rt. 20W, one mile from exit). 508-460-0700 or 888-543-9500. $$ 2,500 b/100 paid entries (U1200 counts75%), $2,000 minimum (80% of each prize). 5 sects. Open Section:$400-200, top U2300 $200. Under 2100 Section: $300-150. Under1900 Section: $275-125, top U1750 $125. Under 1600 Section: $250-125, top U1400 $125. Under 1200 Section: $150-75, trophies to top 3,top Under 1000, Under 800, Under 600, Unrated. All: Unrated can playin any sect. but can’t win more than $75 in U1200, $125 in U1600, $150in U1900, $200 in U2100. Unpublished uschess.org ratings usually usedif otherwise unrated. EF: $39 if mailed by 10/10 or online by 10/13,$45 at site. GMs and IMs free. $10 discount for U1200 sect. MACAmemb. req’d for Mass. residents ($12 adult, $6 junior U18, add $8 forChess Horizons sub.) Reg.: 8:30 to 9:30 am. Rds.: 10 am, 1 pm, 3:30pm, 6 pm. Bye: all, limit 1, must commit before round 2. No half pointbyes for players receiving full point byes. Ent: payable to MACA andmail to Robert Messenger, 4 Hamlett Dr., Apt. 12, Nashua, NH 03062,or enter online at www.MassChess.org. Info: email to [email protected] phone 603-891-2484. Day of the tournament phone 603-557-1732.Please bring chess set and clock. W

OCT. 17, NEW YORKUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10MARSHALL MASTERS4-SS, G/25 d5. Open to 2000+ players. FIDE Rapid rated. $750 GTD:250-150-100. Top U2400 125, Top U2300 100, Biggest upset $25. EF:$30; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for Rd. 1 or 4 only;request at entry. Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.23 W. 10th St. / NYC / 212-477-3716.

A Heritage Event!US Chess Junior Grand Prix!A State Championship Event!OCT. 20-22 OR 21-22, INDIANAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 2076TH ANNUAL INDIANA STATE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP5/SS, G/120 d5 (3day), 2day Rd.1 G/60 d5. Crowne Plaza IndianapolisAirport, 2501 S. High School Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46241. Ph: 317-244-6861. HR: $109 by 9/15. $$ 3,000(grntd) Open: 1st, $500+plaque(IN.res.only), $400, X $300, A $300; Reserve(U1800): 1st $500+plaque(IN.res.only), $400, C $300, D/Under $300. UNR may only win overallplace prizes. REG.: 3day Fri.6-6:30PM, 2day Sat.8-8:30AM. Rds: 3dayRd.1 Fri. 7PM, Sat.11:30, 4:30, Sun. 10:00, 4:00; 2day Rd.1 Sat. 9AMthen merge. Top bd. in each section broadcast live at indianachess.org.EF: $50 by 10/13, $65 onsite, Reentry $25, player 13 yrs and under $25by 10/18, $40 onsite, ISCA memb. reqd, OSA. 1 bye if before Rd.2, NOLAST BYES. ENTRIES: indianachess.org OR Mail to: Gerry Roberts, 700S. Main St., Elkhart, IN 46516. MEMBERSHIP MTG. SUNDAY AT 2:30.Side Events: Indiana State Blitz Championship will be held Sat. night10/21, see TLA.

A State Championship Event!OCT. 21, INDIANAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 6INDIANA STATE BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP (BLZ)5/SS, double rounds, G/5 d0. Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Airport, 2501S. High School Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46241. Prizes: $$500(grntd), $200,$100, U1800 $100, U1400 $100. Round 1 will begin at 9PM. EF: $20 by10/13 at indianachess.org OR Mail to: Gerry Roberts, 700 S. Main St.,Elkhart, IN 46516, $25 onsite before 8:30PM. ISCA memb. reqd, OSA.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 21-22, NEW YORKUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)4TH ANNUAL CENTRAL NEW YORK OPEN5SS, rounds 1-2 G/90 d10, rds. 3-5 40/100, SD/30 d10. Hall of Languages,Syracuse University, S. Crouse Ave., Syracuse 13210. $2500 guaranteedprizes. In 3 sections. Open: $500-300-200, top U2100/Unr $210. Under1900: $300-150-70, top U1700 (no unr) $160. Under 1500: $200-100-50, top U1300 (no unr) $110. Unrated may not win over $140 in U1500.Mixed doubles: $150 bonus to best male/female combined scoreamong all sections. Team must average under 2200; may enter differentsections; must register by 2 pm 10/21. College team prizes: Plaquesto first 3 teams based on top 3 scorers from school among all sections.Top 2 sections EF: $68 online at chessaction.com by 10/18, $72 mailedby 10/12, $80 at site, or online until 8 am 10/21. Online entry $5 less toNYSCA members (may join with entry). U1500 Section EF: all $20 less.No checks at site, credit cards OK. GMs, IMs & WGMs: $60 fromprize. Re-entry (no Open Section) $40. Unofficial uschess.org ratingsusually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF with magazineif paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult$22, Scholastic $15. Mailed or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25,Scholastic $17. Schedule: Reg ends Sat 9 am, rds. Sat 10, 2 & 6, Sun10 & 3:15. Bye: all, limit 2; must commit before rd. 2. HR: See travelwebsites. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham,NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com,DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. Entries posted at chessaction.com(online entries posted instantly).

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 21-22, PENNSYLVANIAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 15MASTERMINDS FALL OPENEsperanza Academy, 421 W. Bristol St., Phila., PA 19140. 5 SS, G/85 d5,$2025b/72 paid entries in the top 3 sections, Open $875 GTD. Open section$500-250; U2000 $125. U1800 section $300-150; U1600 $125. U1400section $300-150; U1200 $125. Scholastic K-12 U1100 & Unr in grades 8to 12, trophies top 3. K-7 U700 & Unr in grades K to 7, trophies top 3.Scholastic team trophies top 2 schools and top 2 clubs 4 to 7 players perteam in any section. EF:top 3 sections $40 postmarked by 10/16, $60after. EF: bottom 2 sections $15 postmarked by 10/16, $30 after. Bye:One 1/2 point bye 1-3 if requeted by the end of the second round. Reg.:

Saturday 8:30 - 9:00 AM. Rds.: Saturday 9:30, 1:00, 4; Sunday 10, 1:30.Info: mastermindschess.org or [email protected]. Ent: Mas-terMinds CC, 36 E. Hortter St., Philadelphia, PA 19119.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 27, NEW YORKUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30FISCHER V SPASSKY 45TH YEAR COMMEMORATION (BLZ)9-SS, G/3 +2. FIDE Blitz Rated. $2500 Guaranteed! $600-450-350-250-150; top U2400/unr, U2200, U2000, U1800: $100 each; Top Senior (bornin/before 1955): $100-50; Top Junior (born in/after 2001): $100-50. EF:$25; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr Fee. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm.Rds.: Begin at 7pm and continue ASAP. Max three byes; request at entry.This tournament is made possible thanks to the generosity of Mr. Paul M.Albert, Jr. Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register. 23 W.10th St. / NYC / 212-477-3716.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, GEORGIAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 102017 ATLANTA CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP5-SS, Interactive College of Technology, 5227 New Peachtree Rd., Cham-blee, GA 30341. $5,000 b/95 in top 6 sections; $3,000 Guaranteed. In 6sections: Master/Expert: $500-350-200; under 2200: 400-200-100.FIDE rated. Must be 1950 with no playing up! Class A (1800-1999):$400-200-100. Class B (1600-1799): $400-200-100. Class C (1400-1599): $400-200-100. Class D (1200-1399): $300-200-100. Class E(1000-1199): $300-150-100. Entry Fees: $74 3-day, $73 2-day byOctober 26th; $79 at site. GMs, IMs & WGMs free, $60 deducted fromprize. Unrated: $40 Limited to 2nd place prize in each section. Unofficialuschess.org ratings used if otherwise unrated. Players may play up onesection! 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri. 6:30 p.m. Rounds: Fri. 7 pm,Sat. 2:30 and 7, Sun. 10 and 3:30. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 10am. Rounds: 10:30 then merges with 3-day. Time Controls: Master/Expert: 40/90, SD/30 d10; Class A and below: G/120 d5. 2-day option:G/90 d5. All, Byes: Available all rounds (limit 2), must commit before1st round. Info: [email protected] or (478)-973-9389. Enter: www.americanchesspromotions.com

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, NEW JERSEYUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)21ST ANNUAL EASTERN CHESS CONGRESS5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Hyatt RegencyPrinceton, 102 Carnegie Center, Princeton, NJ 08540. Free parking,wireless & fitness center,10% discount in hotel restaurant (except alco-hol). Guaranteed prizes $20,000. In 7 sections. Premier (1900/up):$2000-1000-500-300, clear win or 1st on tiebreak $100, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Under 2100: $1400-700-400-200. Under 1900: $1400-700-400-200. Under 1700: $1300-700-400-200. Under 1500: $1200-600-400-200. Under 1300: $1000-500-300-200. Under 1100: $500-300-200-100, plaques to top 3, top U900, U700, U500, Unrated. Mixed



21st annual Eastern Chess CongressOctober 27-29 or 28-29, 2017 - 7 sections, Hyatt Regency Princeton

$20,000 guaranteed prizes- $110 room rates, free parking, free wireless

5 rounds, Hyatt Regency,102 Carnegie Center, PrincetonNJ 08540 40/100, SD/30, d10(2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60, d10,merges with 3-day after rd 2).

Premier (1900/up): $2000-1000-500-300, clear or tiebreak1st $100 bonus, top Under 2300$800-400. FIDE rated, 120 GPP.

U2100: $1400-700-400-200.U1900: $1400-700-400-200.U1700: $1300-700-400-200.U1500: $1200-600-400-200. U1300: $1000-500-300-200.U1100: $500-300-200-100,

plaque to first 3, top Under 900,Under 700, Under 500, Unrated.

Unrated prize limits: U1100$150, U1300 $300, U1500 $450,U1700 $600, U1900 $750.

M i x e d d o u b l e s : be s tmale/female 2-player team (averageunder 2200) combined score: $800-400-200. May play in differentsections; register by 2 pm Oct 28.

Top 6 sections entry fee:$113 at chessaction.com by 10/25, 3-day $118, 2-day $117 mailed by10/18, $130 (no checks, creditcards OK) at site, or online until 2hours before round 1.

Under 1100 Section fee: all$50 less than top 6 sections.

Unofficial uschess.org ratingsusually used if otherwise unrated.

Special USCF dues paid onlinewith entry: Adult $35, Young Adult$22, Scholastic $17. Mailed or atsite: Adult $40, Young Adult $25,Scholastic $17. USCF mem required.

3-day schedule: Reg. to Fri6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am &5 pm, Sun. 10 am & 3:15 pm.

2-day: Reg to Sat 10 am, rdsSat 11, 2 & 5; Sun 10 & 3:15.

1/2 pt bye OK all (limit 2),Premier must commit by rd 2,other by rd 3.

Bring set, board, & clock ifpossible- none supplied.

Re-entry (no Premier): $50.

Hotel rates: $110-110, 609-987-1234 or use link at chesstour.com, reserve by 10/12.

Entry: chessaction.com orContinental Chess, Box 8482,Pelham NY 10803. $15 servicecharge for refunds. Entries posted at chessaction.com (onlineentries posted instantly).

doubles: best male/female 2-player combined score among all sections:$800-400-200. Must average under 2200; may play in different sections;register (no extra fee) by 2 pm 10/28. Unrated prize limits: $150U1100, $300 U1300, $450 U1500, $600 U1700, $750 U1900. Top 6 sec-tions EF: $113 online at chessaction.com by 10/25, 3-day $118, 2-day$117 mailed by 10/18, all $130 at site, or online until 2 hours beforeround 1. Under 1100 EF: all $50 less than above. All: No checks atsite, credit cards OK. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if oth-erwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid withentry. Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic$15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic$17. Re-entry $50; not available in Premier. GMs $90 from prize. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 &3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10& 3:15. Bye: all, limit 2; Premier must commit before rd. 2, othersbefore rd. 3. HR: $110-110, 609-987-1234 or use link at chesstour.com,reserve by 10/12 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600,use AWD #D657633. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Questions: chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US,347-201-2269. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries postedat chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Bring set, board,clock if possible- none supplied.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!A State Championship Event!OCT. 28-29, VERMONTUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 62017 VERMONT OPEN4SS, 40/90, SD/45 d5. Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall, 149Church St., Burlington, VT 05401. Three sections. Championship: EF:$44 if rec’d by 10/26. $$G: 250-160, U2110 155, U1910 150. Statechampion title to top-scoring Vermont resident. Under 1810: EF: $39 ifrec’d by 10/26. $$ b/16: 200-135, U1610 130-100. Under 1410: EF ifrec’d by 10/26: $34 if rated 800-1409, $24 if U800/Unr. $$ b/16: 150-100, U1210 90, U1010 80. All sections: EF $6 more if paid at site. NoUnr may win more than $90 in Under 1810, $45 in Under 1410. Reg.:Sat. 9-10:05 a.m., Rds.: 10:30-3:45, 10-3:15. Half-point bye OK exceptfor Champ round 4. Ent: Parker “Monty” Montgomery, PO Box 831,Middlebury, VT 05753-0831; [email protected], mobile 802-349-7739.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 28-29, ILLINOISUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50CITY OF CHICAGO CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPSStudent Center East, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago, 750 S. Halsted, Chicago,IL 60607. 4SS, 40/100, SD/30; +30 increment from move 1. $5,600guaranteed! FIVE SECTIONS: Open: FIDE. EF: Advance $69 if ratedabove 2099, $89 if rated below 2100. $20 more onsite. GMs & IMs:free w/ advance registration. $1000-500-300-200. U2300 $400-250.Accelerated possible. Under 2100: EF: Advance $68 if above 1899, $88

if rated below 1900. $20 more onsite. $500-250-100. Under 1900: EF:Advance $67 if above 1699, $87 if below 1700. $20 more onsite. $450-225-100. Under 1700: EF: $66 if above 1499, $76 if under 1500; $20more onsite. $400-200-100. Under 1500: EF: Advance $62; $20 moreonsite. $350-175-100. ALL: Rounds Sat. 10 & 4, Sun. 10 & 4. Oct. ratingsused. Re-entry: $50. Byes: limit 2, must commit before rd. two; 2nd vol-untary bye in rd. 3 or 4 counts as 0.4 towards prizes. REG.:chichess.org/events; mail to Chicago Chess Center NFP Inc., PO Box180095, Chicago, IL 60618 postmarked by Oct. 20. No phone entries.Onsite 8:30-9:30 Sat. and 8:30-9:30 Sun. INFO: Bill Brock (773) 294-1709, [email protected]. Sets & clocks supplied. W.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 3-5 OR 4-5, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERNUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 80 (ENHANCED)12TH ANNUAL LOS ANGELES OPENNOTE Corrections: This version supercedes all previous versionspublished prior to the Oct. 2017 CL issue: 5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10(2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Airtel Plaza Hotel, 7277 ValjeanAve., Van Nuys, CA 91406. Parking $8/day, $12 including overnight.Flyaway bus from LAX to Van Nuys $9 each way; free shuttle to busand train station. Free wireless, gym, indoor pool, got tubs; restaurantswithin walking distance. $15,000 guaranteed prizes. 6sections. Open: Open to all; U1800/EF $50 more. $1500-700-500-300,clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top U2250 $600-300. Under2050: $1200-600-300-200. Under 1850: $1200-600-300-200. Under1650: $1000-500-300- 200. Under 1450: $1000-500-300-200. Under1200: $800-400-200-100. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usuallyused if otherwise unrated. Prize limits: Unrated may not win over$100 in U1200, $200 U1450, $300 U1650 or $500 U1850. Mixeddoubles bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player team combinedscore among all sections: $600-300. Team must average under 2200;may play in different sections; register (no extra fee) by 2 pm 11/4. Top5 sections EF: $108 online at chessaction.com by 11/1, 3-day $113,2-day $112 mailed by 10/25, $120 online until 2 hours before round 1or at site. Under 1200 EF: all $40 less than top 5 sections EF. GMsfree; $100 deducted from prize. No checks at site; credit cardsOK. Online EF $5 less to SCCF members; join/renew atscchess.com. All: Special 1 yr USCF dues with magazine if paid withentry: Online at chessaction.com. Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic$15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25,Scholastic $17. Re-entry (except Open) $60. 3-day schedule: Reg.Fri to 6 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg.Sat to 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Byes: OK all rds, limit2; Open must commit before rd. 2, others before rd. 3. HR: $109-109,818-997-7676, reserve by 10/4 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis,800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Questions: chesstour. com, 347-201-2269, DirectorAtChess. US. Ent: chessaction.com or ContinentalChess, PO Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds.Entries posted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly).Blitztournament Saturday 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 3-5 OR 4-5, CONNECTICUTUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 40 (ENHANCED)3RD ANNUAL STAMFORD OPEN5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). SheratonHotel, 700 Main St., Stamford, CT 06901. Free parking. $8000 guaranteedprizes. In 5 sections. Open: Open to all; U1800/Unr EF $50 more.$1000-500-300, top Under 2210/Unr $400. Under 2010: $800-400-200,top U1810 $300. Under 1710: $700-400-200, top U1510 $300. Under1410: $600-300-200, top U1210 $200. Under 1110: $300-200-100,plaques to first 3, top Under 900, Under 700, Unrated. Unrated mayenter any section, but cannot win over $100 in U1110, $200 in U1410 or$300 in U1710. Mixed doubles bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player team combined score among all sections: $400-200. Team mustaverage under 2200; may play in different sections; register (no extrafee) by 2 pm 11/4. Top 4 sections EF: $83 online at chessaction.comby 11/1, 3-day $88, 2-day $87 if check mailed by 10/25, $95 at site, oronline until 2 hours before round 1. Under 1110 Section EF: All $40less than above. No checks at site, credit cards OK. GMs free, $80deducted from prize. Online EF $3 less to CSCA members. Re-entry $40;not available in Open Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usuallyused if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazineif paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult$22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, YoungAdult $25, Scholastic $17. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am,rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Bye: all, limit 2; must commit beforerd. 2. HR: $105-105, 800-408-7640, 203-358-8400; reserve by 10/20 orrate may increase. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box8482, Pelham, NY 10803. Refunds, $15 service charge. Questions: Direc-torAtChess.us, www.chesstour.com, 347-201-2269. Advance entriesposted at chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly). Blitz tour-nament Sat 9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.

NOV. 4, PENNSYLVANIAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 616TH HORIZONS FOR YOUTH FALL SCHOLASTIC RBO$375 GTD. 5SS, G/30 d5. NorthamptonCom.College, 3835 Green PondRd., Main Campus, Coll. Ctr. Bldg., Bethlehem, PA 18020. Reg.: 8:30am,Rds: 9:30, ASAP. 2 Events:1) Open and U1200,18yrs & under 2) Age-Based, Non-Rated,14 yrs & under. EF: $34 by 11pm, 11/2, $39 after.Prizes: OPEN $200-1st +, $100-2nd+Trophys-1st,2nd, 3rd, 4th, U14;U1200 $75-1st+Trophys 1st, 2nd, 3rd, U10, U8, U6,UNR. OpenTie (Blit-zoff); Non-USCF Rated b/0 age. Ent: https://northampton.edu/noncredit/horizons-for-youth/bethlehem-school-year-programs.htmOnline only. Info: 610-861-4120; [email protected].

A State Championship Event!NOV. 4, PENNSYLVANIAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 62017 PA STATE ACTION CHAMPIONSHIP

www.uschess.org 59


In the July and August editions of ChessLife, the TLA for the 12th annual LosAngeles Open was missing some vitalinformation due to an editing error. Thecorrect version of the TLA for the

appears on page 59 andnow includes information related to:Prizes, Prize limits, Byes, Car rental, andSections. You can also view the correctTLA on our website at uschess.org in our“Upcoming Tournaments” area under“Grand Prix Events.” We apologize forany inconvenience.

L.A. OPENCORRECTIONS

NO TOURNAMENTSIN YOUR AREA?

WHY NOT ORGANIZE ONE?Do you need to go out of town for tournament play?Would you and others in your area like the convenienceof an occasional event closer to home? Organize one! It’s not much work to hold a small tournament, and thereis little risk if you use a low-cost site and avoid guaranteedprizes. You might even make a profit! Either a based-onSwiss with projected prizes up to $500, a Quad format, ora trophy tournament will virtually guarantee taking inmore in fees than you pay out in prizes.The affiliation fee is just $40 a year. You will receive theannual rating supplement and have access to the TD/Affil-iate area of our website.Remember, you can both run and play in a small event.Many of them wouldn’t be held if the organizer/TDcouldn’t play.

Want to know more?

Contact Joan Du Bois at [email protected].

We’ll be glad to help you be part of the promo-

tion of American chess!

6SS, G/30 d5. O’Hara Student Center, Univ. of Pitt., 4024 O’Hara St.,Pittsburgh PA 15213. 2 Sections: Championship: EF: $25 by 10/27,$35 later. $$ (690G): $200-100, U2000 $90, U1800 $80, U1600 $70,U1400 $60, U1200 $50, U1000 $40. Trophies: 1-3 U1400, 1-3 U1200, 1-3 U1000. Scholastic: Grades K-12 U900. EF: $15 by 10/27, $25 later.Trophies to Top 7, 1-3 U600. All: Trophies: 1-2 Schools, 1-2 Clubs. PSCF$5, OSA. Reg ends 10am. Rds: 10:30-Noon-1:15-2:30-3:45-5:15. Ent/Info:PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223. 412-908-0286 [email protected].

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, FLORIDAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30CHESS STARS 16TH ANNUAL TURKEY BOWL5SS, Open section G/90+30 sec. incr., All other sections but U1100G/120 d5, U1100 section G/90 d5 (2-day Option all sections Rd. 1 G/60d5). Sawgrass Grand Hotel, 3003 N. University Dr., Sunrise, FL 33322(Sunrise is close to Ft. Lauderdale). $$9,000 b/200 paid entries, 70%min. Gtd. Open: $1000/Trophy-600-450, U2300/Unr. $350-250. FIDE.U2100: $800/Trophy-500-400, U1950 $300-250. U1750: $700/Trophy-450-350, U1650 $250-200. U1450:$700/Trophy-450-350, U1350/Unr.$250-200. U1100: Trophies for 1st to 3rd, 1st U900, 1st U700, Medalsto all others. Top Senior Prize (among all cash prize sections, must beat least 55 on November 10) $200. Unr. May enter Open, U1450 orU1100 only. EF: $89 by November 7, $10 more later, $15 more on-site,GMs & IMs free ($89 deducted from prize). U1100 section $44 by Novem-ber 7, $10 more later, $15 more on-site. Re-entry cash prize sections$45. Reg.: Ends 1/2 hr before 1st rd. Rds.: 3-Day 1st Rd. Fri. 7:30; 2-Day 1st Rd. Sat 10; 2nd Rd. Sat. 1:15; 3rd Rd. all sections but U11006:30, 3rd Rd. U1100 5:45; 4th Rd. Sun. all sections but U1100 9:30,4th Rd. U1100 10:00; 5th Rd. 2:30. 2 1/2 pt. byes, if req’d before rd. 2.Side Event: Chess Stars “Choose Your Moves & Win”,www.chessstars.com, Over $400 in Prizes, 1st Prize each day $100,Free entry for Turkey Bowl players (if you have a long game, you maynot be able to make it), Sat. 4:30-5:30, Sun. 1:00-2:00. HR: $79 by Cut-off Date ($15 resort fee waived), Includes free Internet & parking,954-748-7000. Ent: Boca Raton Chess Club, 2385 Executive Ctr. Dr.,Ste. 100, Boca Raton, FL 33431. $10 service charge for refunds. Onlineentry & add’l info: www.bocachess.com, 561-302-4377.

A Heritage Event!US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, OHIOUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 120 (ENHANCED)26TH ANNUAL KINGS ISLAND OPEN5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Embassy SuitesCincinnati Northeast, 4554 Lake Forest Dr., Blue Ash, OH 45242 (I-71 toExit 15 or I-275N to Exit 47). Free parking. $$ 30,000 based on 350 paidentries (GMs, re-entries & U1000 Section count as half entries); minimum$21,000 (70% of each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections: Major: Open to1800/up. $3000-1500-700-500-300, clear win or 1st on tiebreak $100

bonus, top U2300 $1600-800. FIDE. Under 2100: $2000-1000-500-400-300. Under 1900: $2000-1000-500-400-300. Under 1700: $1800-900-500-300-200. Under 1500: $1500-800-400-300-200. Under 1250: $1200-600-400-300-200. Under 1000: $800-400-250- 150-100. Mixed doubles: bestmale/female 2-player “team” combined score among all sections: $1000-500-300. Team must average under 2200; may play in different sections;register (no extra fee) by 2 pm 11/11; prize limits do not apply to mixeddoubles. Unrated prize limits: U1000 $100, U1250 $200, U1500 $300,U1700 $400, U1900 $600. Balance goes to next player(s) in line. Top 6sections EF: $118 online at chessaction.com by 11/8, 3-day $123, 2-day$122 mailed by 11/1, $140 at site or online until 2 hours before round 1.GMs free, $100 deducted from prize. Under 1000 Section EF: all $40less than above. OCA members: online EF $5 less.. All: No checks atsite, credit cards OK. Re-entry $60; not available in Major Section. Unofficialuschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yearUSCF dues with magazine if paid with entry- online at chessaction.com,Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid atsite, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. 3-day schedule: Regends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Regends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Byes: OK all; limit 2,Major must commit by rd. 2, others by rd. 3. HR: Suite with king bed &queen couch/bed $105, suite with 2 beds & queen couch/bed $115, morethan 2 in room $10 more each additional person. Rates include free hotbreakfast for all room occupants and free wifi. Up to 4 people allowed inking suite, up to 6 in larger suite. 513-733-8900, reserve by 11/1 or ratemay increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, orreserve car online through chesstour.com. Car rental is easiest & cheapesttransportation from Cincinnati Airport. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 8482,Pelham, NY 10803 (chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269).$15 service charge for refunds. Entries posted at chessaction.com (onlineentries posted instantly). Blitz tournament Sat 9:30 pm, reg. by 9:15 pm.

NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, TEXASUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 402017 U.S. CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPSSee Nationals.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 11, NEW YORKUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 103RD ANNUAL SENECA LAKE OPENPresbyterian Church, 24 Park Place, Geneva, NY 14456. 4 Round Swiss,G/60 d5 first 2 rounds and G/90 d5 last 2 rounds. 2 Sections: Open,U1500. EF: $40 all sections, $25 youth under 18, Add $20 at door. Guar-anteed Prize Fund over $1000. $$ Open: 350, 200, 100; U1500: 150,100, 75; U1000: 50. Rds.: 9:30, 12, 2:15, 5:30. Entries to: JonathanPorschet, 191 White Springs Rd., Geneva, NY 14456. Checks to: JonathanPorschet. Questions: [email protected].

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 18-19, TENNESSEE

US CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 1058TH MID-SOUTH OPEN5SS, G/120 d5. Site: IBEW Local 474, 1870 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN38104. Three Sections: Open, U1700, and U1000. $1700 Prizes arebased on 35 paid entries in top 2 sections. Open: $550, $300, $200.U1700: $350, $200, $100. Entry Fee: $50 early by Nov 11, $60 late.MCC Members $50 anytime; Masters: free (EF deducted from winnings).Rounds: Saturday: 9am-2pm-7pm; Sunday: 9am-2pm. U1000 TrophySection: 4SS, G/45 d5; Saturday only; Entry Fee: $15. Trophies for top3 overall, top U800 and top U600. Round 1 at 9am, next rounds ASAP(as soon as possible). On-site Registration: November 18, 2017 -7:30am-8:45am. Send mail entries to: MCC, P.O. Box 17864, Memphis,TN 38187. On-line entries: http://memphischessclub.homestead.com/58th-Mid-South-Open.html. Email: [email protected].

An American Classic!A Heritage Event!US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 23-26 OR 24-26, CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERNUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)53RD ANNUAL AMERICAN OPENCosta Mesa. 8 rounds, 40/120, SD/55 d5. (3-day option, rounds 1-4,G/60 d5). Site: Hilton Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA92626. Prizes: $$50,000 based on 500 entries, $25,000 guaranteed. In6 sections: Open: $5000-2500-1200-800-600-300, U2450/Unr. $1500-700-500, top U2300/Unr. $800-400. FIDE Rated Under 2200: $3000-1500-1000-500-400-300. FIDE Rated. Under 2000: $3000-1500-1000-500-400-300. Under 1800: $3000-1500-1000-500- 400-300. Under 1600:$3000-1500-700-500-400-300. Under 1400/Unr: $2000-1000-500-300-200-100, U1200 $1000-500-300 (not a separate section; U1200s alsoeligible for U1400 prizes), Unrated: $300-200-100 (Unrateds in thissection eligible for these prizes only). Mixed Doubles: Top 3 best maleand female team $500-250-125. Plus score bonus: every player whofinishes with 4 1/2 points or better who don’t place in the money prizeswins a $25 gift certificate towards chess store - redeemable only onsite.EF: $185 by Nov. 22nd, $220 after, $50 more for players under 2000playing in Open. All: SCCF membership required for So Cal residents($18 adults, $13 youth with print mag, $3 youth without mag). Re-entry$100. No checks at door - cash only, credit card accepted for a $10 fee.Schedule: 4-day schedule Reg. closes 9:30 am on 11/23, Rounds 11– 6, 10:30-5:30, 10 - 5, 9:30 -4). 3-day schedule: Reg. closes 9:30amon 11/24.1st thru 4th rounds are 11 -2:30 – 5 — 8pm (G/60 d5), sched-ules merge in Rd. 5 and compete for common prizes. Bye: Two halfpoint byes for all rounds may be requested in advance. Lectures andvideos. LOW room rates! Across street from John Wayne Airport, com-plimentary shuttle available. HR: Use group code “American Open” toreduce regular rate of >$214 to a discounted rate $125/day single ordouble, rates may go up after Oct 23. Call Hilton (714) 540-7000. Parking:>$20 $10 per day. Ratings: November Rating Supplement used. CCAminimum ratings and TD discretion used to protect you from improperlyrated players. Info: organizing club - Chess Palace 714-899-3421,



26th annual KINGS ISLAND OPENEMBASSY SUITES CINCINNATI NORTHEAST, Blue Ash, Ohio

5-round Swiss, November 10-12 or 11-12, 2017

PRIZES $30,000 PROJECTED, $21,000 MINIMUM GUARANTEED

5 rounds, 40/100, SD/30, d10 (2-dayoption, rds 1-2 G/60, d10), Embassy SuitesCincinnati Northeast, 4554 Lake ForestDrive (1 mile from I-71 Exit 15), Blue Ash,Ohio 45242. Free parking.

Prizes $30,000 based on 350 paidentries (re-entries, GMs & U1000 count50%), else proportional; minimum 70%each prize guaranteed.

In 7 sections: Major: Open to 1800/up. Prizes $3000-

1500-700-500-300, clear/tiebreak 1stbonus $100, Under 2300 $1600-800. FIDE, 120 GPP (enhanced).

U2100: $2000-1000-500-400-300. U1900: $2000-1000-500-400-300. U1700: $1800-900-500-300-200. U1500: $1500-800-400-300-200. U1250: $1200-600-400-300-200.U1000: $800-400-250-150-100.Unrated prize limits: U1000 $100,

U1250 $200, U1500 $300, U1700 $400,U1900 $600.

Mixed Doubles bonus prizes: bestmale/female 2-player combined scoreamong all sections: $1000-500-300. Teammust average under 2200; teammates mayplay in different sections; must register (noextra fee) by 2 pm 11/11.

Top 6 sections entry fee: $118online at chessaction.com by 11/8, 3-day$123, 2-day $122 mailed by 11/1. $140 atsite, or online until 2 hours before round 1.Re-entry $60, not available to go fromMajor to Major Section.

Under 1000 Section entry fee: all$40 less than top 6 sections entry fee.

No checks at site, credit cards OK.OCA members: Online EF $5 less.Special 1 year USCF dues with

magazine if paid with entry: atchessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult$22, Scholastic $15. By mail or at site,Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic$17.

USCF membership required.

3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm,rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 5 pm, Sun 10am & 3:15 pm.

2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 10am, rds. Sat 11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Sun 10am & 3:15 pm.

All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2;Major must commit before rd 2, othersbefore rd 3. Bring set, board, clock ifpossible- none supplied.

Hotel rates: Suite $105 with king bed& queen couch/bed, $115 with two beds &queen couch/bed, over 2 in room $10each, all include free hot breakfast. 513-733-8900, reserve by 11/1.

Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, #D657633, or reserve at chesstour.com.

Entry: chessaction.com or ContinentalChess, PO Box 8482, Pelham NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds. Entriesposted at chessaction.com (online entriesposted instantly). Blitz tournament Sat9:30 pm, enter by 9:15 pm.

[email protected]. Entry: American Open, 5246 Lampson Ave.,Garden Grove, CA 92845 or www.AmericanOpen.org. W. FIDE.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 23-26 OR 24-26, TEXASUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50 (ENHANCED)2017 TEXAS MASTERS7SS, G/90 inc/30. Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr. #C, Richard-son, TX 75080. FIDE and USCF rated but uses FIDE rules. Will use USCFratings and rules for awarding prizes. Default late forfeiture time isone hour. TD may extend this time at TD’s discretion. Two sections:Masters and Reserve. Masters: EF: USCF +2400 $90, USCF 2200-2400(or if you ever been rated 2200 USCF) $105, Fide rated 2000 andabove is $140, U2200USCF/U2000Fide $175. USCF Membership Required.Texas Chess Association Membership also required for Texas players).$$b/25: 70% Guaranteed. $1600-800-400-275. U2400 $500. Reserve:Open to players rated U2000. EF: $50, This section is not Fide ratedand uses USCF rules. Tournament reserves the right to use Fide ruleson electronic devices and on starting White’s clock at start of a roundand to use FIDE pairing rules. Both: Registration: 4 day 5:00 - 5:45 onThurs 11/23. Rds.: Thurs 6 pm, Friday 2:30 pm, 7:00 pm, Sat 11am -4:30pm, Sun 9:00am-2pm. Reg 3 day on Friday 9 am - 9:45 am, Rd. 1 at10 am then merge with 4 day. Two half point Bye allowed if requestedbefore end of round rd. 2 and before getting full point bye, but halfpoint byes for both rounds 6 AND 7 is not allowed. Withdrawals andzero point last round byes are not eligible for prizes. NEW: Mix Doubles:Teams (one male and one female make up a team,) that pay a $20 fee,are eligible for a Mix Doubles Prize. Teams must be formed before the3rd round. Prizes for Mix doubles are 1st receives 60% of mix doublesfees and 2nd receives 30% of mix doubles fees. ENT: Make/mail Checkspayable to Dallas Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 LonghornTrail, Crowley, TX, 76036-4719. INFO: Barb Swafford, 214-632-9000,[email protected],www.dallaschess.com. FIDE.

An American Classic!A Heritage Event!US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 24-26 OR 25-26, PENNSYLVANIAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)48TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CHESS CONGRESS6SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-3 G/45 d10). Trophysections play separate 2-day schedule only, 11/25-26, G/45 d10. SheratonPhiladelphia Downtown Hotel, 201 North 17th St., Philadelphia, PA19103. $35,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND. In 10 sections. Premier,open to 1900/above. $3000-1500-700-400-200, clear win or 1st ontiebreak $200, U2400 $1600-800. FIDE. Under 2200: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Under 2000: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Under 1800:$2000-1000-500-300-200. Under 1600: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Under1400: $1600-800-400-300-200. Under 1200: $1600-800-400-300-200.Under 1000: Trophies to top 10. Under 800: Trophies to top 10. Scholas-tic Under 600: K-12 only, trophies to top 10. Unrated may not win over$200 in U1200, $400 in U1400, $600 in U1600, $800 in U1800, or $1000in U2000. Mixed doubles prizes: best male-female 2-player team com-bined score among all sections: $2000-1000-600-400. Team must averageunder 2200; may play in different sections; must register (no extra fee)before both players begin round 2, teams including an unrated limitedto $400. Student/Alumni plaques to top 5 teams of 4 (regardless ofsection) representing any U.S. college, HS or pre-HS players attend orhave graduated from. Top 7 sections entry fee: $120 online at chess-action.com by 11/22, 3-day $128, 2-day $127 mailed by 11/14, $140 atsite, or online until 2 hours before rd 1. GMs $100 from prize. Re-entry$60, not available in Premier. Under 1000, Under 800, Under 600entry fee: $42 online at chessaction.com by 11/22, $45 mailed by 11/14,$50 at site. All: No checks at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 yearUSCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com,Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or at site,Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. 3-day schedule: Reg. endsFri 11 am, rds. Fri 12 & 6, Sat 12 & 6, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day top 7sections schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 9 am, rds. Sat 10, 12:45, 3:15 & 6,Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-day Under 1000, Under 800, Under 600 schedule:Reg. ends Sat 9 am, rds. Sat 10, 12:45 & 3:15 each day. Half pointbyes OK all rounds; limit 3, Premier must commit before rd. 2, othersbefore rd. 4. HR: $106-106-126, 215-448-2000, reserve by 11/9 or ratemay increase. Parking: Hotel parking chess rate 50% off regular rate(about $20). Gateway Garage, 1540 Spring St/1540 Vine St. (1 blockfrom site), about $7/day Sat & Sun, $20/day other days. Car rental:800-331-1600, use AWD D657633 or reserve car online through chess-tour.com. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham,NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chesstour.com,chesstour.info, 347-201-2269. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com(online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournament Sat 10 pm; enterby 9:45 pm.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!DEC. 23-24, TEXASUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 20 (ENHANCED)2017 DCC FIDE OPEN XI5SS, G/90 inc/30. Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr. #C, Richard-son, TX 75080. Two sections: Open and Reserve. Open: $$875G. FIDEand US Chess rated but uses FIDE rules. Use US Chess ratings andrules for pairings and for awarding prizes. Default late forfeiture timeis one hour. TD may extend this time at TD’s discretion. Note thatForeign players must disclose their FIDE ID number before 1st roundin order to play. Note that USA Players with no FIDE ID must disclosetheir email address. $$ $500-$250-$125. EF: 2400+ $125, 2000-2399$90, 1600 -1999 $99, U1600 $125, Senior/Birthday during tournament/Additional Family Member $55. Dallas Chess Club membership requiredor pay $20 non-member fee. Small Minimum prize to the First threeGM/IM’s who apply. GM/IM must play all rounds to get minimum prize(entry fee may be deducted from prize). Reserve: Open to players ratedbelow 2000 USCF. This section is not Fide Rated but is US Chess ratedand uses US Chess rules. EF: $40. $10 non Dallas Chess Club membershipfee. The Reserve give back 10% in prizes and if at least 8 paid entries

and if there is a clear winner, then that winner receives free entry tonext DCC Fide Open. In the reserve section, Tournament reserves theright to use Fide rules on electronic devices and on starting White’sclock at start of a round and to use FIDE pairing rules. Also clocks willbe set to ‘halt at end’. Both: Reg.: Saturday from 9:45–10:15 am. Rds.:Sat 10:45 am-3:10pm-7:16pm, Sun 9:45 am- 2:10pm. One half point Byeallowed if requested before end of round 2 and before getting full pointbye. Withdrawals and zero point last round byes are not eligible forprizes. Note that house players (if required) must pay $5 per round andbe US Chess members. NEW: Mix Doubles: Teams (one male and onefemale make up a team) that pay a $20 fee, are eligible for a Mix DoublesPrize.Teams must be formed before the 3rd round. Prizes for Mix doublesare 1st receives 60% of mix doubles fees and 2nd receives 30% of mixdoubles fees. ENT: Make/mail Checks payable to Dallas Chess Club,C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036-4719.Info: 214-632-9000. FIDE.

An American Classic!A Heritage Event!US Chess Junior Grand Prix!DEC. 26-30, 26-29 OR 27-29, NEVADAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 200 (ENHANCED)27TH ANNUAL NORTH AMERICAN OPENOpen Section, Dec 26-30: 9SS, 40/2, SD/30 d10. GM & IM normspossible. Other sections, Dec 26-29 or 27-29: 7SS, 40/2, SD/30 d10(3-day option, rds 1-2 G/60 d10). Bally’s Casino Resort, 3645 LasVegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89103. $120,000 guaranteed prizes. In7 sections. Open: $10000-5000-2500-1200-1000-800-600-500-400-400,clear winner or 1st on tiebreak bonus $200, top FIDE Under 2400/Unr$2400-1200. FIDE rated, GM & IM norms possible. Under 2300: $7000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-500-400-400. Under 2100: $7000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-500-400-400, no unrated may win over $2500.Under 1900: $7000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-500-400-400, nounrated may win over $1800. Under 1700: $6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-500-400-400, no unrated may win over $1300. Under 1500:$5000-2500-1300-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300, no unrated may winover $900. Under 1250: $3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-400-300-300, top Under 1000 (no unr) $1000-500, no unrated may win over $500.No separate U1000 section; players under 1000 in U1250 play for bothU1250 and U1000 prizes; receive larger if winning both. Prize limits:1) Under 26 games played as of Dec. 2017 list may not win over $1500U1250, $3000 U1500 or U1700. Games rated too late for Dec. 2017 listnot counted. 2) If post-event rating posted 12/20/16-12/20/17 wasmore than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $2000. 3) Balanceof any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Mixed doubles bonusprizes: best male/female combined 2-player “team” score: $2000-1000-500-300-200. Only rounds 1-7 of Open Section counted. Team mustaverage under 2200; may play in different sections; must register (noexta fee) by 3 pm 12/27; prize limits do not apply to mixed doubles.Top 6 sections EF: Online at chessaction.com: $245 by 9/15, $275 by12/23. Mailed by 12/15: 5-day $280, 4-day $279, 3-day $278. Do notmail entry after 12/15. Online 12/24 to 2 hours before round 1, or atsite 12/26 to 1 hour before round 1: $300. Open Section EF $100more to US players if not USCF or FIDE rated 2200/over. Under 1250Section EF: All $120 less than above. Seniors 65/over in U1500/over:All $120 less than above. Re-entry $120; not available in Open Section.GMs, foreign IMs/WGMs in Open Section: Free; $200 deducted fromprize. US IMs/ WGMs, foreign FMs/WIMs in Open Section: Entryfees $100 less than above. All: No checks at site, credit cards OK.Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online atchessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed,phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. 5-day reg. ends 12/26 10 am, rds. 12/26-28 11 & 6, 12/29 10 & 4:30,12/30 10 am. 4-day reg. ends 12/26 5 pm, rds. 12/26 6 pm, 12/27-2811 & 6, 12/29 10 & 4:30. 3-day reg. ends 12/27 10 am, rds. 12/27 11,2:30 & 6, 12/28 11 & 6, 12/29 10 & 4:30. Bye: all, limit 4, limit 2 in last4 rounds; Open must commit before rd. 2, others before rd. 4. HR: $99-99, 800-833-3308, 702-739-4111, rate may increase or chess block sellout about 11/15. Free parking. Car rental: for special Avis rate reservethrough chesstour.com or call 800-331-1600, use AWD #657633. Rat-ings: December FIDE used in Open, December official USCF in others.For foreign players in U2300 & below, see www.chesstour.com/ for-eignratings.htm; highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players whofail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. Special rules:CCA electronic devices rules used; see www.chesstour.com/devices.htm.Blitz 12/29 10 pm. Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, Box249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577 (DirectorAtChess.us, www.chesstour.com,347-201-2269). $15 service charge for refunds. Entries posted at ches-saction.com (online entries posted instantly).

A Heritage Event!US Chess Junior Grand Prix!DEC. 28-30 OR 29-30, NEW YORKUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 80 (ENHANCED)36TH ANNUAL EMPIRE CITY OPEN6SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-3 G/40 d10). Hotel Penn-sylvania, 401 Seventh Ave (32nd-33rd St., across from Penn Station),New York 10001. $15,000 guaranteed prize fund. In 7 sections. Major(1800/up): $1300-700-400-200, clear/tiebreak win $100 bonus, topUnder 2300 $600-300. Under 2100: $1000-500-300-200. Under 1900:$1000-500-300-200. Under 1700: $900-500-300-200. Under 1500: $800-400-250-150. Under 1300: $800-400-250-150. Under 1100: $500-300-200-100. Unrated may not win over $100 in U1100, $200 U1300, $300U1500, $400 U1700, or $500 U1900. Mixed doubles: best male/female2-player team combined score among all sections: $600-400-200. Mustaverage under 2200; may play in different sections; register beforeboth players begin rd 2. Top 6 sections EF: $105 online at www.ches-saction.com by 12/24, 3-day $113, 2-day $112 mailed by 12/17, all $120at site, or online until 2 hours before rd 1. GMs: $100 from prize. Under1100 Section EF: All $30 less than top 6 sections EF. All: Re-entry $50(no Major to Major). Online EF $5 less to NYSCA members; $12 NYSCAdues may be paid with EF. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Unofficialuschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year

USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at chessaction.com,Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or at site,Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic $17. 3-Day Schedule: Reg. endsThu 10 am. Rds. Thu 11 & 5, Fri 11 & 5, Sat 10 & 3:15. 2-Day Schedule:Reg. ends Fri 9 am. Rds. Fri 10, 12:15, 2:30 & 5, Sat 10 & 3:15. Halfpoint byes available all rounds, limit 2 byes, Major must commit beforerd. 2, others before rd. 4. HR: $139-149-159 plus required $20/nightfacility fee, reserve at chesstour.com or call 1-800-223-8585 or 212-736-5000, reserve by 12/5 (earlier is better) or rate may increase.Facility fee includes high speed wireless in room, unlimited local & longdistance calling & use of Ballys Total Fitness next door to hotel. Ent:chessaction.com or Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY12577. Questions: chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269.$15 service charge for refunds. Entries posted at chessaction.com(online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournament12/29 9:30 pm, enterby 9:15 pm.

DEC. 29, NEVADAUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 30 (ENHANCED)NORTH AMERICAN OPEN BLITZ (BLZ)5SS, G/5 d0, double round, 10 games,.Ballys Casino Resort (see NorthAmerican Open). $3000 guaranteed prizes. In 2 sections. Open: $500-300-200, U2300/Unr $230-120, U2100/Unr $220-110. Under 1900:$400-200-100, U1700 $220-110, U1500 $140-70, U1300 $80. EF (at siteonly, no checks): $40 by 7 pm 12/29, $50 after 7 pm 12/29. GMs free;$40 deducted from prize. Reg. ends 9:30 pm, rds. 10 pm, 10:45, 11:15,11:45, 12:15. Bye: 1. Blitz rated, but higher of regular or blitz used forpairings & prizes.

DEC. 31-JAN. 1, TEXASUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 10 (ENHANCED)DCC NEW YEAR EVE INSANITY10 Rd. G/30 d5. 2-SS (Play white and black against each opponent),Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr, #C, Richardson, TX 75080.EF: $40. $25 Junior/Senior/Hcapp/Birthday during tournament. Limitednumber of House players welcome for $2 per game. Dallas Chess Clubmembership required or pay $10 non member fee. $$GTD: $200-100.Class prizes (if any) depends on entries. Reg.: 12/31 at 5pm – 5:45 pm.Rds.: Round 1 at 6:05 pm rest ASAP with hour breaks at around 12:30am, 7:30 am and 12:30 pm. 4 points of 1/2 point Byes allowed. Byes forround 9 and 10 must be requested before round 6. ENT: Dallas ChessClub, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036.INFO: Barbara Swafford, 214-632-9000, [email protected]. www.dal-laschess.com.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!JAN. 5-7 OR 6-7, MASSACHUSETTSUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 50 (ENHANCED)6TH ANNUAL BOSTON CHESS CONGRESS5SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (2-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10). Hyatt BostonHarbor, 101 Harborside Dr., Boston, MA 02128. Free parking, freeairport shuttle. Prizes $12,000 based on 220 paid entries (U1250 &re-entries count 60%), minimum $8000 (2/3 each prize) guaranteed. In6 sections. Premier (1900/over): $1200-600-400, clear or tiebreak 1st$100 bonus, top U2300 $500-250. Under 2100: $1000-500-300. Under1900: $1000-500-300. Under 1700: $900-500-300. Under 1500: $800-400-300. Under 1250: $400-200-150. Unrated may not win over $100in U1250, $200 U1500 or $300 U1700. Mixed doubles: best male/female2-player team combined score among all sections: $800-400-200. Teammust average under 2200; may play in different sections; register at site(no extra fee) by 2 pm 1/6. Top 5 sections EF: $87 at chessaction.comby 1/3, 3-day $93, 2-day $92 if check mailed by 12/26, $100 at site, oronline until 2 hours before round 1. GMs free; $80 from prize. Under1250 Section EF: All $40 less than above. All: Online EF $5 less toMACA members; may join/renew at masschess.org. Re-entry $50 (noPremier to Premier. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Unofficialuschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yearUSCF dues if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $35, YoungAdult $22, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult $40, YoungAdult $25, Scholastic $17. 3-Day Schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6 pm. Rds.Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. 2-Day Schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10am. Rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 3:15. Half point byes available allrounds, limit 2 byes, Premier must commit before rd. 2, others beforerd. 3. HR: $99-99, 617-568-1234, request chess rate, reserve by 12/22or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #657633.Ent: chessaction.com or Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills,NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chesstour.com,DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269. Entries posted at www.chesstour.com(online entries posted instantly). Blitz tournament Sat. 9:30 pm, enterby 9:15 pm.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!JAN. 12-15, 13-15 OR 14-15, CALIFORNIA, NORTHERNUS CHESS GRAND PRIX POINTS: 150 (ENHANCED)9TH ANNUAL GOLDEN STATE OPEN7SS, 40/100, SD/30 d10 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/60 d10, 2-day optionexcept in Major Section, rds. 1-4 G/30 d10). Crowne Plaza Hotel, 45John Glenn Dr., Concord, CA 94520 (free BART shuttle often available).Prizes $25,000 unconditionally guaranteed. In 5 sections. Major,open to 1800/up. $3000-1500-700-500-300, clear or tiebreak winner$100, top U2300 $1000-500. FIDE. Under 2100: $1700-900-500-300-200, top U1900 $800-400 . Under 1800:$1700-900-500-300-200, topU1600 $600-300. Under 1500: $1400-700-400-300-200, top U1300 $400-200. Under 1200: $1000-500-400-300-200, top U1000 $200-100. Unratedprize limits: U1200 $200, U1500 $350, U1800 $500. Mixed doubles:best male/female 2-player team combined score among all sections:$1000-500-300. Must average under 2200; may play in different sections;register (no extra fee) before both players begin round 2. Top 4 sectionsEF: $138 online at chessaction.com by 1/10, 4-day $144, 3-day $143, 2-day $142 mailed by 1/3, all $160 at site, or online until 2 hours beforeround 1. GMs $120 from prize. U1200 Section EF: $30 less than top 4sections entry fee. All: Special 1 yr USCF with magazine if paid withentry. Online at chessaction.com, Adult $35, Young Adult $22, Scholastic

www.uschess.org 61


$15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $25, Scholastic$17. Re-entry (no Major to Major) $60. Online EF $5 less to CalChessmembers. 4-day schedule: Late reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat12 & 6, Sun 12 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:15. 3-day schedule: Late reg. ends Sat11 am, rds. Sat 12, 3 & 6, Sun 12 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule:Late reg. ends Sun 9 am, rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 3:15.No 2-day Major Section. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Major must commit beforerd. 2, others before rd. 4. Unofficial uschess.org ratingsusually usedif otherwise unrated. Foreign player ratings: See chesstour.com/for-eignratings.htm. HR: $115-115-125, 877-286-8389, 925-825-7700, reserveby 12/29 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, useAWD #D657633. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY12577. Questions: chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 347-201-2269.$15 service charge for refunds. Bring set, board, clock if possible; nonesupplied. Advance entries posted at chessaction.com (online entriesposted instantly). Blitz tournament Sun 10 pm, enter by 9:45 pm.

RegionalALABAMA

SEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 44th Annual Lipkin/Pfefferkorn Open (NC)See Grand Prix.SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, Tri-State Chess Championship (GA)See Grand Prix.OCT. 14, National Chess Day Scholastic - A Charity Event!5SS, TC: G/30 d5. Brookwood Village. 780 Brookwood Village, Birm-ingham, AL 35209. Rated: Rook (K-12), EF: $20. Not Rated: Novice(6th-12th). Primary (K-5th): EF: $20, if mailed by OCT 7th. Trophy: Top3, Medals 4th – 6th. Late REG.: OCT 14th at 8AM; $10 More. Rds.: 9-10-11-1-2. Checks payable to: Caesar Chess. Proceeds goes toChildren’s of Alabama. ENT: Caesar Chess, LLC 5184 Caldwell MillRoad, Suite 204-202, Birmingham, AL 35244. Info: [email protected]; www.AlabamaChess.org.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 2017 U.S. Class Championships (TX)See Nationals.

ALASKADEC. 26-30, 26-29 OR 27-29, 27th annual North AmericanOpen (NV)See Grand Prix.

ARIZONAUS Chess Junior Grand Prix!Tuesday Night Open4 or 5 round, USCF rated tournament; ROUND TIMES: 7:00pm One gameevery Tuesday of the month: Time Control: 40/120, SD/60 d5. PRIZES:1st Place and Class Prizes based on number of entries; ENTRY FEE:$45; TO REGISTER: chessemporium.com, call 602-482-4867. SITE: 7000E. Shea Blvd., Suite H-1910, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.

OCT. 13-14, Stubenrauch/Schneider Memorial “National ChessDay” TournamentPuente de Hozho, 3401 N. Fourth St., Flagstaff, AZ 86004. In 2Sections, U1000: 5SS, G/30 d5, Open to 1000 & under. EF: Free if reg-istered before 10/9. $20 10/9-10/13, $40 onsite. Open: 5SS, G/55 d5,EF: Free for students before 10/9. Adults $30 before 10/9. 10/9-10/13= $40, $50 onsite. ALL: onsite registration = 1/2 point bye for firstround. Prizes: Trophies to top 3 scholastic. Cash prizes to adults only.ENT: Bill Cheney 928-266-2122. INFO:[email protected]. www.Flagstaffchess.comNOV. 3-5 OR 4-5, 12th annual Los Angeles Open (CA-S)See Grand Prix.

DEC. 26-30, 26-29 OR 27-29, 27th annual North AmericanOpen (NV)See Grand Prix.DEC. 29, North American Open Blitz (BLZ) (NV)See Grand Prix.

JAN. 12-15, 13-15 OR 14-15, 9th annual Golden State Open(CA-N)See Grand Prix.

ARKANSASSEPT. 2-3, Jerry Spann Memorial (OK)See Grand Prix.SEPT. 23-24, The Southwest MO Diehards’ Fall Open (MO)See Grand Prix.OCT. 14, 2nd Annual AR/OK Friendly Feud for National Chess DayBlitz-at-the-Border and Quick-Draw Championship! Check-in 9-9:15, playstarts at 9:30am. 15 Rounds: 4 Round Quick-Draw G/20 d5, lunch break,followed by G/10 d0 Blitz Battle, and then finishing off with a six-shooterG/5 d0 Blitz. This 1-day event will offer three time controls, lots of fast-paced play, with a special keepsake award to the top player from EACHstate for EACH time control, plus the unique Travelling Team Trophy box(and big-time braggin’ rights) for the winning state. Oklahoma is currentlyholding it, but Arkansas will battle to get it back! Site: 1st floor of theFriedman Mincer Bldg. 1100 Garrison Ave. (at Towson/11th), Ft. Smith.Entry Fee: $12 if postmarked by 10/5/17 or in Karis’ hands by 10/10/17;$20 after that. ($5 off for second member in the same household). USCFrated, Quick and Blitz ratings only, no impact to regular ratings! USCFMembership required, available on-site. Send EF w/full name, email, USCFID if known, city, state to: Karis Bellisario, 3409 Ramsgate Way, Ft. Smith,AR 72908. For AR chess events and details visit www.ArkansasChess.net.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 2017 U.S. Class Championships (TX)See Nationals.

CALIFORNIA, NORTHERNSEPT. 17, Milpitas Luper$wiss (3SS, G/90 d5)1639A S. Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035. Prizes: $1,300 b/50. 60% guar.1900+: $200-100-100, u2000 50-50. 1500-1899: $200-100, u1600 50-50. u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50. Sep 17 Supp & TD disc. Reg.: 9-9:15.Rds.: 9:30-12:50-4:15. EF: 49 Econ 35 w 1/2 prz. after 9/13+15, playup+15, Rtd 2200+ $0 by 9/3. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/grandprix.SEPT. 17, San Jose Kids Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)2050 Concord Drive #42, San Jose, CA 95131. Trophies: players w +score. Sched: Required Check-in 2:30-3p. Games: 3-5:30p. EF: 29, 44after 9/13. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.SEPT. 17, San Jose Kids Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)2050 Concord Drive #42, San Jose, CA 95131. Trophies: players w +score. Sched: Reg. 9:30-9:45a. Games: 10a - 1:30p. EF: 34, 49 after9/13. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.SEPT. 23, 2017 U.S. Game/30 National ChampionshipSee Nationals.SEPT. 24, 2017 U.S. Game/60 National ChampionshipSee Nationals.SEPT. 24, Cupertino DuperSwiss75 (3SS, G/75 d5)Courtyard Marriott, Cupertino, CA 95014. Prizes: $1,300 b/50. 60%guar. 1900+: $200-100-100, u2000 50-50. 1500-1899: $200-100, u160050-50. u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50. Sep 17 Supp & TD disc. Reg.: 8-8:45. Rds.: 9-11:45-2:40. EF: 49 Econ 34 w 1/2 prz, after 9/20 +15,playup +25, Rtd 2200+ $0 by 9/13. Info: http://BayArea Chess.com/grandprix. W.SEPT. 30, Bay Area San Ramon Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)Courtyard Marriott, 18090 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, CA94583. Trophies: Players w + score. Sched: Reqrd Check-in 1:30-2p.Games: 2:15-5p. EF: 29, 44 after 9/25. Info: http://BayArea Chess.com/signature. W.SEPT. 30, Bay Area San Ramon Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)Courtyard Marriott, 18090 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, CA94583. Trophies: players w + score. Sched: Reg. 9:30-9:45a. Games:10a - 1:30p. EF: 34, 42 after 9/25. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/sig-nature. W.OCT. 1, Pleasanton Duper$wiss75 (3SS, G/75 d5)Sheraton Pleasanton, 5990 Stoneridge Mall Rd., Pleasanton, CA 94588.Prizes: $1,300 b/50. 60% guar. 1900+: $200-100-100, u2000 50-50.1500-1899: $200-100, u1600 50-50. u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50. Oct17 Supp & TD disc. Reg.: 8:30-8:45. Rds.: 9-11:45-2:40. EF: 49, Econ 34

w 1/2 prz. After 9/27 +15, playup +15, Rtd 2200+ $0 by 9/20.Info:BayAreaChess.com/grandprix. W.OCT. 1, San Jose Kids Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)2050 Concord Drive #42, San Jose, CA 95131. Trophies: players w +score. Sched: Required Check-in 2:30-3p. Games: 3-5:30p. EF: 29, 44after 9/26. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.OCT. 1, San Jose Kids Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)2050 Concord Drive #42, San Jose, CA 95131. Trophies: players w +score. Sched: Reg.: 9:30-9:45a. Games: 10a - 1:30p. EF: 34, 49 after9/26. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.OCT. 7, Sacramento LuperSwiss (3SS, G/90 d5)Courtyard Marriott, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. Prizes: $600 b/36.1700+: $150-100, u1900 50. u1700: $150-100, u1600 50. Oct 17 Supp& TD disc. Reg.: 9-9:15. Rds.: 9:30-12:50-4:15 EF: 45, Econ 29 1/2 prz.,after 10/3 +15, playup +15, Rated 2200+ $0 by 9/27. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/grandprix. W.OCT. 7, Sacramento Kids Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)Courtyard Marriott, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. Trophies: players w+ score. Sched: Reqrd. Check-in 1:30-2p. Games: 2:30-5p. EF: 29, 34after 10/5. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.OCT. 8, Bay Area Fremont Swiss (PK-12; 4SS, G/30 d5)*NEW Location* Fremont Marriott, 46100 Landing Parkway, Fremont,CA 94538. Trophies: players w + score. Sched: Reg.: 9:30-9:45a.Games: 10a - 1:30p. EF: 34, 49 after 10/4. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.OCT. 8, Bay Area Fremont Quads (PK-12; 3xG/30 d5)*NEW Location* Fremont Marriott, 46100 Landing Parkway, Fremont,CA 94538. Trophies: Players w + score. Sched: Reqrd. Check-in 1:30-2p. Games: 2:15-5p. EF: 29, 44 after 10/4. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/signature. W.OCT. 8, Fremont DuperSwiss75 (3SS, G/75 d5)*NEW Location* Fremont Marriott, 46100 Landing Parkway, Fremont,CA 94538. Prizes: $1,300 b/50. 60% guar. 1900+: $200-100-100, u200050-50. 1500-1899: $200-100, u1600 50-50. u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50. Oct 17 Supp & TD disc. Reg.: 8:30-8:45. Rds.: 9-11:45-2:40. EF: 49,Econ 34 w 1/2 prz. after 10/4 +15, playup +15, Rtd 2200+ $0 by9/25. Info: BayAreaChess.com/grandprix. W.

OCT. 14, National Chess Day - Foster City DuperSwiss75 (3SS,G/75 d5)Foster City Courtyard, Marriott, 550 Shell Blvd., 94404. Prizes: $1,300b/50. 60% guar. 1900+: $200-100-100, u2000 50-50. 1500-1899: $200-100, u1600 50-50. u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50. Oct 17 Supp & TDdisc. Reg.: 8:30-8:45. Rds.: 9-11:45-2:40. EF: 49, Econ 34 w 1/2 prz.after 10/9 +15, playup +15, Rtd 2200+ $0 by 10/2. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/grandprix. W.

OCT. 14, National Chess Day - Special BAC Blitz Championship(4 D-SS, G/5 d0) (BLZ)2050 Concord Drive #42, San Jose, CA 95131. Prizes: 75% of the EF:45% to 1700+, 30% to u1700. Sched: Required Check-in 5-5:15p.Games: 10 games between 5:30p-8:30p. EF: 16, 20 after 10/4 Info:http://BayAreaChess.com/blitz. W.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 14-15, National Chess Day - Special 5-round Milpitas$uper$wiss (5SS, G/61 d5)1639A S. Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035. Prizes: $1,300 b/50. 60% guar.1900+: $200-100-100, u2000 50-50. 1500-1899: $200-100, u1600 50-50.u1500: $200-100, u1200 50-50. Oct 17 Supp & TD disc. Sched: Reg. Sat11-11:15. Rds. Sat 11:30, 2:30, Sun 9, 11:30 2. Entry fee is the same as 4round $uper$wiss: 49, Econ 34 w 1/2 prz. after 10/4 +15, playup +25,Rtd 2200+ $0 by 9/30. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/grandprix.NOV. 3-5 OR 4-5, 12th annual Los Angeles Open (CA-S)See Grand Prix.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 4-5, North American All Girls Championship - A SusanPolgar Foundation Event (PK-12)Biltmore Santa Clara, 2151 Laurelwood Rd., Santa Clara, CA 95054.$99/night. Info: http://BayAreaChess.com/allgirls. 5 Sections based onRating: 1400+, 1000-1399, 700-999, 400-699, u400&unr. Nov 17 Supp &TD disc to place players accurately. Prizes: Trophies to Top 10 players ineach section, Top 3 unrated in u400 section, and Top 5 Clubs & Top 5Schools in sections combined. Min 2, Top 4 players count for team score.



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$48,000 scholarship to Webster to Top HS student, Free SPF SummerCamp entry to the Winner of 1400+; Free BAC chess camp entry to allsection winners. Details at http://BayArea Chess.com/allgirls 1000+players: 2-day event: 5SS, G/75 d5. On-site Reg.: Sa 8-8:30am. Rounds:Sa: 9a, 12:30p, 3:30p Su: 9:30a 12:30p. Max two 1/2pt byes, Rds. 5 byelocked bef Rd. 1. EF: 2day: $58, after 10/28 $73. Play-up +15. Forunder1000 players: 1-day event: 5SSxG/30 d5; On-site Reg.: Sun 8-8:30am. Rounds: 9a, 10:30a, 12:30p, 2p, 4p. EF: 1day: $48, after 10/28$63. Play-up +10. Special side events throughout the day. Reg. online:http://BayAreaChess.com/my/allgirls. Organizer: Dr. Judit Sztaray.Email:[email protected]. T: 408-409-6596. W.

DEC. 26-30, 26-29 OR 27-29, 27th annual North AmericanOpen (NV)See Grand Prix.DEC. 29, North American Open Blitz (BLZ) (NV)See Grand Prix.JAN. 12-15, 13-15 OR 14-15, 9th annual Golden State OpenSee Grand Prix.

CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERNTHE LOS ANGELES CHESS CLUBThe Most Active Club on the West Coast! (310) 795-5710. *LACC: www.LAChessClub.com; VCC: www.ValleyChessClub.com; Contact: [email protected]; Saturday & Sun-days: 10 am-9 pm (Beginner/Novice & Intermediate classes +3 Tournaments each day – Details on our web site. Tuesdays:7:30-9:30 pm (Advance lecture). 11514 Santa Monica Blvd.,Los Angeles, CA 90025. (4 blocks W of 405, SW corner ofSanta Monica & Butler * 2nd Floor – above Javan Restaurant)Group Classes * Tournaments * Private (1:1) Lessons.VELLOTTI’S CHESS SCHOOLBeginners Welcome! Now offering online lessons, Vellotti’sChess School makes chess FUN for both boys & girls fromPreK thru 8th grade. Our Award-Winning Enchanted Chessadventure-based system is currently used to train & developthousands of students into state and national champions. Superstar International Master Luke Vellotti supervises the devel-opment of lesson plans and also coaches more advanced studentsand titled players. Now in two locations- Idaho and SouthernCA. For more info about Classes, Camps, and Tournaments,call (208) 713-2486 or email [email protected]. Visitus online at SuccessInChess.com or SoCalChess.com to registerfor a FREE class today!SEPT. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, Every Saturday & SundayChess 4 Juniors9 separate events- 5SS, G/30 d0. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd. & Butler,LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blocks West of 405. EF: $30 ($20 LACC memb, No

prize 1/2, siblings 1/2, Free new LACC members). Reg.: 12-1 pm.Register at LAChessClub.com and receive a free gift. Rds.: 1pm & asap;done by 4; Prizes: Trophies & medals; All players receive prizes! Parking:Free on streets & BoA. Free healthy refreshments. Info: (310) 795-5710or www.LAChessClub.com or [email protected]. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, LACC - Sat Nite Blitzathon G/5 (BLZ)5 separate events- 7DSS, G/5 d0 (Blitz,14 Games). 11514 Santa MonicaBlvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blks W of 405. EF: $20 ($15 LACC memb). Noprizes 1/2. Reg.: 6-6:30 pm. Register at LAChessClub.com and receivea free gift. Rds.: 6:30, 6:55, 7:20, 7:45, 8:10, 8:35, 9 pm. Prizes: 1/2collections. Parking: Free on streets & BoA. Info: 310/795-5710 orwww.LAChessClub.com.SEPT. 2, 9, 16, 30, LACC Saturday G/604 separate events- 4 Sections. Open/U1800/U1400/U1000; 6SS, G/60d5 for top 2 sections and G/30 d0 for bottom 2. 11514 Santa MonicaBlvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $30/ ($20 LACC memb; No prizes 1/2). Reg.:11-12. Register at LAChessClub.com and receive a free gift. Rds.: 12,2, 4 pm each day. Prizes: 1/2 collections. Parking: Free at BoA, streets,& basement. Info: 310/795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com.SEPT. 3, 10, 17, LACC Sunday G/603 separate events- 4 Sections. Open/U1800/U1400/U1000; 6SS, G/60d5 for top 2 sections and G/30 d0 for bottom 2. 11514 Santa MonicaBlvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $30/ ($20 LACC memb; No prizes 1/2). Reg.:11-12. Register at LAChessClub.com and receive a free gift. Rds.: 12,2, 4 pm each day. Prizes: 1/2 collections. Parking: Free at BoA, streets,& basement. Info: 310/795-5710 or www.LAChessClub.com.SEPT. 12, 19, 26, Santa Monica Bay Chess ClubTUESDAY EVENINGS; (3-RR, G/1:55; d5) Cash prizes. St. Andrew’sChurch, 11555 National Blvd., WLA, 90064 QUADS: EF: $10 - Club mem-bers, $20 - non-members Reg.: 7-7:10 p.m. Rds.: 7:10-11:00 p.m., USCFrated Free parking. Free coffee. INFO: (310) 827-2789.SEPT. 23-24, 2017 Botvinnik MemorialSee Grand Prix.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 3, 10, 17, 24, Santa Monica Bay Chess ClubTUESDAY EVENINGS; (4-SS, G/1:55; d5) Cash prizes. St. Andrew’sChurch, 11555 National Blvd., WLA, 90064 EF: $10 - Club members, $25- non-members Reg.: 7-7:10 p.m. Rds.: 7:10-11:00 p.m., USCF ratedFree parking. Free coffee. INFO: (310) 827-2789.OCT. 14-15, National Chess Day Senior/Junior OpenSee Grand Prix.OCT. 14-15, 2017 National Chess Day WeekenderSee Grand Prix.NOV. 3-5 OR 4-5, 12th annual Los Angeles OpenSee Grand Prix.NOV. 23-26 OR 24-26, 53rd Annual American OpenSee Grand Prix.

www.uschess.org 63


DEC. 26-30, 26-29 OR 27-29, 27th annual North AmericanOpen (NV)See Grand Prix.DEC. 29, North American Open Blitz (BLZ) (NV)See Grand Prix.


COLORADOA Heritage Event!US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 53rd Annual Colorado Springs CityChess Championship5SS. TC: G/90+30. Site: Ballroom in the Acacia Apartment Building,104 E. Platte, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Open: USCF Membershiprequired EF: $15 (1 game / week); $5 discount for CSCC SupportingMembers. Prizes: Cash prizes will be announced at event. Reg.: About6:00pm until 6:45pm each week, Rounds: 7:00pm. Ent.: Paul Anderson.Phone: (719) 459-9612 SMS. E-mail: [email protected].

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 53rd Annual Colorado Springs CityChess Championship5SS. TC: G/90+30. Site: Ballroom in the Acacia Apartment Building,104 E. Platte, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Open: USCF Membershiprequired EF: $15 (1 game / week); $5 discount for CSCC SupportingMembers. Prizes: Cash prizes will be announced at event. Reg.: About6:00pm until 6:45pm each week, Rounds: 7:00pm. Ent.: Paul Anderson.Phone: (719) 459-9612 SMS. E-mail: [email protected].

OCT. 14, Colorado USA National Chess Day Celebration (3SS,G/90 +30, 2 Sections)Site: Hampton Inn & Suites Denver/South-RidgeGate, 10030 TrainstationCir., Lone Tree, CO 80124. Prizes: 100% entry payout. $705 total b/12entries each section with GTD 1ST in Open. Open: $$Gtd 1st $180,$$b/12 2nd $120, U2000 $90. Under 1700: $$b/12 1st $150, 2nd $99,U1400 $66. Rds.: 10, 2:30, 7. Bye: One any round declared on entry.Reg.: 9-9:30 a.m. EF: $30 checks must be received by 10/10; onlinepay by 10/13. $40 day of cash or card (+card fee). Add $15 for U1700in Open. Ent: Checks (by 10/10) payable to Shirley Herman, 1450 OldNorth Gate Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80921. Online pay: coloradochess.com/newtourn.shtml#1211 Or send to paypal.me/callmeShirleyand email the player details. Limited to 24 entries. Cell: (719) 510-0169.E-mail: [email protected].

DEC. 26-30, 26-29 OR 27-29, 27th annual North AmericanOpen (NV)See Grand Prix.

26th annual Midwest Class ChampionshipsOctober 6-8 or 7-8, 2017 - Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel

$20,000 GUARANTEED PRIZES, ODD CLASS CUTOFFS

5 rounds, 40/100, SD/30, d10(2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60, d10).

Westin Chicago North ShoreHotel, 601 N Milwaukee Av, WheelingIL 60090 (from Chicago, I-294 N toMilwaukee Ave N; from Milwaukee, I-94 to Lake Cook Rd to Milwaukee AveSouth.) Free parking. In 7 sections.

Premier (1900/up): $2000-1000-500-300, clear or tiebreak win $100,U2300 $800-400. FIDE rated, 120Grand Prix Points (enhanced).

1700-2099: $1400-700-400-200.1500-1899: $1400-700-400-200. 1300-1699: $1300-700-400-200. 1100-1499: $1200-600-400-200.Under 1300: $1000-500-300-200. Under 1100: $500-300-200-100,

plaques to top 3, top Under 900,Under 700, Under 500, Unrated.

Unrated prize limits: U1100$100, U1300 $200, 1100-1499 $300,1300-1699 $400, 1500-1899 $600.

Mixed doubles bonus prizes:Best male/female 2-player teamcombined score among all sections:$800-400-200. Must average under2200; may play in different sections; register by 2 pm 10/7, prize limits donot apply.

Top 6 sections entry fee: $109online at chessaction.com by 10/4, 3-day $113, 2-day $112 mailed by 9/27,all $125 (no checks, credit cards OK)at site until 1 hour before rd 1, oronline until 2 hours before.

Under 1100 entry fee: All $50less than above.

Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: see TLA, chesstour.com or chessaction.com.USCF membership required.

Advance entry fee $5 less toICA members; join at il-chess.org.

Re-entry: $50 (not available to gofrom Premier to Premier).

3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6pm, rounds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 5pm, Sun 10 am & 3:15 pm.

2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat10 am, rds. Sat 11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm;Sun. 10 am & 3:15 pm

Half point byes OK all, limit 2,Premier must commit before rd 2,others before rd 3.

All: Bring board, clock, set ifpossible- none supplied. Unofficial webratings usually used if otherwiseunrated.

Hotel rates: $111-111-111-111,800-937-8461, 847-777-6500, reserveby 9/22 or rate may increase.

Entry: www.chessaction.com orContinental Chess, Box 8482, PelhamNY 10803. Refunds, $15 servicecharge. Entr ies posted atchessaction.com (online entries postedinstantly).

Blitz Sat 9:30 pm, reg. by 9:15.


CONNECTICUTSEPT. 22-24 OR 23-24, 8th Annual Hartford OpenSee Grand Prix.OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, 21st annual Eastern Chess Congress (NJ)See Grand Prix.NOV. 3-5 OR 4-5, 3rd annual Stamford OpenSee Grand Prix.NOV. 24-26 OR 25-26, 48th annual National Chess Congress (PA)See Grand Prix.DEC. 28-30 OR 29-30, 36th annual Empire City Open (NY)See Grand Prix.JAN. 5-7 OR 6-7, 6th annual Boston Chess Congress (MA)See Grand Prix.

DELAWAREOCT. 7, DE National Chess Day Scholastic (Early)5SS, G/25 d3. Limestone Presbyterian Church, 3201 Limestone Rd., Wilm-ington, DE 19808. EF: $20 by 10/4. $25 at site. Prizes: Trophies to Top 3Teams (2 lower sections), Top 2 Teams (open), and Top 5 players in eachsection. Sections: K-4 U600, K-8 U1000, K-12 Open. Reg.: 8:30am -9:30am on site. Info & Early Ent: Delaware Chess Association, 2400 N.Broom St., Apt.203, Wilmington, DE 19802. Email: Trueman56@ gmail.com.Rds.: 10, 11:15, 1, 2:15, 3:30pm TD: William Trueman 302-893-9519.OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, 21st annual Eastern Chess Congress (NJ)See Grand Prix.NOV. 24-26 OR 25-26, 48th annual National Chess Congress (PA)See Grand Prix.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAOCT. 6-9 OR 7-9, 9th annual Washington Chess Congress (VA)See Grand Prix.OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, 21st annual Eastern Chess Congress (NJ)See Grand Prix.

FLORIDABoca Raton Chess ClubFriday night tournament games, one game a week for 4 weeks.www.bocachess.com, 561-302-4377.SEPT. 22-24 OR 23-24, CFCC Orlando Autumn Open & ScholasticSee Grand Prix.SEPT. 28, Village Senior QuadsOpen to all*. 3 round Quad G/60 d5. Captiva Rec Center, 658 PinellasPl., The Villages, FL 32163. Rds.: 10AM, 1PM, 3:15PM. EF: $5, prizesbased on entries. Unrateds free. Booster: $12, Prize 1 year membershipin USCF, nonrated. Reg.: 9AM at site. Adv. Reg.: send to Herbert Menen-dez, 3133 Jemima Ave., The Villages, FL 32163. Email: [email protected]. Note: * Lake, Sumter and Marion county res-idents must reside in The Villages.

SEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 44th Annual Lipkin/Pfefferkorn Open (NC)See Grand Prix.SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, Tri-State Chess Championship (GA)See Grand Prix.

OCT. 14, National Chess Day Tournament G/30 Scholastic (K-12) 5SS, G/30 d0Hialeah Gardens Middle School, 11690 NW 92 Ave., Hialeah Gardens, FL33018. Entry Fees: $20 by 10/6/17 per person, $25 onsite. Onsite Regis-tration 8-8:45 a.m. Rounds: 9:00, 10:20, 11:45, 1:15, 2:30 pm. Prizes:Team & Individual Trophies (Top 3 each section). Medals for all participants.Mail entries to: Online at www.fsclchess.org. Elizabeth Tejada, P.O. Box22629 Hialeah, FL 33002. Checks payable to FSCL. Questions: [email protected] and/or [email protected], [email protected], 786444-2467. Advanced entries posted at www.fsclchess.org.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 2017 U.S. Class Championships (TX)See Nationals.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, Chess Stars 16th Annual Turkey BowlSee Grand Prix.DEC. 8-10, 2017 National K-12 Grade ChampionshipsSee Nationals.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!FEB. 9-13, Chess Moves #5 Cuba & Caribbean Cruise Tournament4SS, G/90 d5. US Chess Rated, Onboard the Holland America’s msVeendam, www.InsightCruises.com/events/cm05/. Cruise, itself,is from Feb. 7 to Feb. 14. Prizes: $750.00 Guaranteed; 1st $250, 2nd$200, 3rd $150, 4th $100, 5th $50. EF: $100 (if cruise booked withInsight Cruises). Rds.: 1st Rd. Feb. 9, 9 a.m.; 2nd Rd. Feb. 9, 1:30 p.m.;3rd Rd. Feb. 13, 9 a.m.; 4th Rd. Feb. 13, 1:30 p.m. Players need to bringchess sets and clocks. Contact: Neil Bauman [email protected] limited to the first 40 that register.

GEORGIASEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 44th Annual Lipkin/Pfefferkorn Open (NC)See Grand Prix.

SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, Tri-State Chess ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.

OCT. 6-9 OR 7-9, 9th annual Washington Chess Congress (VA)See Grand Prix.OCT. 14, National Chess Day 2nd Annual Campout TournamentPresented by Metro Atlanta Chess Partners. Outdoor Activity Center,1442 Richland Road, SW, Atlanta, GA 30310. Check in will begin at 11:00am. This is a scholastic (K-12) tournament with two sections: K-2nd U800and 3rd -12th U1200. *50 PARTICIPANT MAXIMUM, US CHESS (USCF)MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED* Entry fee deadline: $30 by Thursday, October,12, 2017 at www.macpchess.org. No onsite registration. Five Rounds(G/30 d5) – 1st Round starts at 12:00pm, 2nd Round-1:15pm, 3rd Round-2:30pm, 4th Round-3:45pm and 5th Round-5:15pm. *PRIZES- 1st, 2ndand 3rd places trophies for both sections. Participants and their familieswill enjoy outdoor camping, making s’mores over a camp fire and aguided night nature hike within a 26-acre urban forest preserve.OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, 2017 Atlanta Class ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.OCT. 29, 2017 ACP October Scholastic Championship4-SS, G/30 d5. Interactive College of Technology, 5227 New PeachtreeRd., Chamblee, GA 30341. Entry fee: $29 by October 28th, $33 at site.In three sections. Middle School K-8, Elementary K-6, and PrimaryK-3. Trophies to the top five, top unrated, top girl in each section.Medals to all participants who do not get a trophy. Registration ends10:30 a.m. Rounds: 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., then as soon as possible. Spe-cial: A master or expert will be on hand for FREE analysis. Bring chessequipment, none supplied! Info: (478) 973-9389 or [email protected]. 10-12 OR 11-12, 2017 U.S. Class Championships (TX)See Nationals.

FEB. 9-13, Chess Moves #5 Cuba & Caribbean Cruise Tournament (FL)See Florida.

HAWAIIDEC. 26-30, 26-29 OR 27-29, 27th annual North AmericanOpen (NV)See Grand Prix.


IDAHOVELLOTTI’S CHESS SCHOOLBeginners Welcome! Now offering online lessons, Vellotti’sChess School makes chess FUN for both boys & girls fromPreK thru 8th grade. Our Award-Winning Enchanted Chessadventure-based system is currently used to train & developthousands of students into state and national champions. Superstar International Master Luke Vellotti supervises the devel-opment of lesson plans and also coaches more advanced studentsand titled players. Now in two locations- Idaho and SouthernCA. For more info about Classes, Camps, and Tournaments,call (208) 713-2486 or email [email protected]. Visitus online at SuccessInChess.com or SoCalChess.com to registerfor a FREE class today!OCT. 14, Norman Friedman Memorial Tournament - NationalChess DaySee Grand Prix.



ILLINOISSEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 2017 Annual HaroldSteen Memorial Cup (MI)See Grand Prix.OCT. 6-8 OR 7-8, 26th annual Midwest Class ChampionshipsSee Grand Prix.OCT. 14, Springfield National Chess Day Open4SS, G/60 d5. Douglas United Methodist Church, 501 S. Douglas, Springfield.Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: 10-12:45-3:00-5:15. Lunch break at 12:15. EF: $17 by10/11, $20 at site, $2 less to SCC members. Prizes: $$400 b/30. 140-80,1600-1999 60, 1200-1599 50, Under 1200 40, Unrated 30. Ent/Info: DavidLong, 401 S. Illinois St., Springfield 62704. 217-726-2584. Information anddirections available at www.springfieldchessclub.com.OCT. 28-29, City of Chicago Class ChampionshipsSee Grand Prix.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 26th annual Kings Island Open (OH)See Grand Prix.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 18-19, All Americas Chess Women’s Youth Championship5-SS in 3 Sections for women and girls under the age of 25 (as of Jan 01,2017). At the Sheraton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel located at the cornerof Mannheim & Higgins Roads, Chicago, IL. Just 1 block north of O’Hareremote parking Lot F along Mannheim. U25 [$3600G in cash prizes]:$900-550-330-160, U2100 $350-200, U1900 $310-170, U1700 $270-140,

U1500/Unr. $220 T/L: G/90, + 30 increment [Alt T/L: G/2 d5]. U18Trophies to Top 7 overall, Top 2 U1600, Top 2 U1400, Top U1200/Unrated,Top 2 teams, Top U1400 team [teams are 2-5 players, with top 3 scorescounting; club teams allowed. Team average is avg. of all rated playerson team] T/L; G/90 + 30 increment [Alt T/L:G/2 d5]. U12 Trophies toTop 7 overall, Top 2 U1300, Top 2 U1100, Top 2 U900, Top 3 U700, Top 3U500, Top Unr; Top 2 teams, Top U1000 team, Top U600 team [Teaminfo/qualifying same as U18 section]. T/L: G/75 + 30 increment [AltT/L: G/90 d5]. Rds for U12 10-2-6:30, 9:30-1:30. Rds U25 & U18 10-2:30-7:30, 9:30-2. ALL: Awards start 5pm. FREE Pizza Buffet SaturdayEvening for all players [Pizza, Salad, Cookies, Lemonade & Ice Tea],Raffle Prizes. TOURNAMENT is limited to about 320 players. All EF $10more at site [11/17 8-9pm], if space allows. U25 EF: $88 by 10/15, $95by 11/9; U18 EF: $63 by 10/15, $75 by 11/9; U12 EF: $50 by 10/15, $65by 11/9. Bring boards, sets & clocks as limited number are available. HR$109, & should be reserved by 10/27 to ensure rate & room availability.Credit card payment at Eventbrite.com [Women’s Youth Chess Champi-onship]. Mail entries [payable to] Lawrence Cohen, P.O. Box 6632, VillaPark, IL 60181. Info: [email protected]. W.

INDIANASEPT. 9-10, Golden Buckeye Senior & Adult Open (OH)See Ohio.

SEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 2017 Annual HaroldSteen Memorial Cup (MI)See Grand Prix.OCT. 6-8 OR 7-8, 26th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)See Grand Prix.

OCT. 20-22 OR 21-22, 76th Annual Indiana State Chess ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.OCT. 21, Indiana State Blitz Championship (BLZ)See Grand Prix.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 26th annual Kings Island Open (OH)See Grand Prix.

IOWASEPT. 16, Blank Park Chess ZOOTACULAR5SS, G/30 d5. Blank Park Zoo Pavilion. Rds.: Sat 10:00am; 11:00am;1:pm; Then ASAP. EF: $20. PZ: Trophy 1st thru 5th Place, top 5 secondaryplayers and top player each grade K-6. Ent: Eric Vigil, 445 Galway Dr.,Iowa City, IA 52246. [email protected] 319-621-3116 or online athttps://www.onlineregistration.cc/ Additional Info: $7 Zoo entry fee,Free Scholastic Membership if new or expired with entry fee. USCFRated. Open Section EF: $20. G/40 d5, 4SS, 1st place $100, 2nd $50,3rd $25 based on 16 entries (60%). 10:00-12:00-then ASAP.OCT. 6-8 OR 7-8, 26th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)See Grand Prix.OCT. 14, Loras Chess Club Open and RBOLoras Chess Club Open and RBO. RDS.: 5SS, G/30 d5. Loras CollegeBallroom 4th floor in the Alumni Campus Center (ACC), 1450 Alta VistaSt., Dubuque, IA 52001 Rds.: RBO: 10:00am; 11:00am; 1:pm; ThenASAP. EF: $15. PZ: Trophy 1st thru 5th Place, top 5 secondary playersand top player each grade K-6 . Open Section: EF: $20. G/40 d5. 4SS.1st place $100, 2nd $50, 3rd $25 based on 16 entries (60% payout)10:00-12:00-then ASAP. Ent: Eric Vigil, 445 Galway Dr., Iowa City, IA52246. [email protected], 319-6213116 or online at https://www.onlineregistration.cc/ Additional Info: Free Scholastic Membership if newor expired with entry fee.

KANSASSEPT. 2-3, Jerry Spann Memorial (OK)See Grand Prix.

SEPT. 15-16 (FRI & SAT), 2017 U.S. Blind Chess Championshipin Lindsborg, KSSee Nationals.SEPT. 23-24, The Southwest MO Diehards’ Fall Open (MO)See Grand Prix.OCT. 6-8 OR 7-8, 26th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)See Grand Prix.

KENTUCKYSEPT. 9-10, Golden Buckeye Senior & Adult Open (OH)See Ohio.OCT. 14, Lexington 2nd Saturday - National Chess DayUniv of KY. 5SS, G/30 d5. EF: $30. Prizes: Class prizes only. Over2000,A, B, C, D, E, Under1000. 93% of entry fees go to prizes. Reg.: 11:30 at304 Scott St, Dickey Hall, Rm.325. Rds.: 12:00-1:45-3:15-4:45-6:00.Info: Lexchess.com, [email protected]. Extra: FREE entry foranyone joining USChess or first rated tourn.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 26th annual Kings Island Open (OH)See Grand Prix.

LOUISIANAUS Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 14-15, 2017 Lafayette Open - James Patrick MacManusMemorial5SS, G/120 d5, except for RD. 1, which is G/75 d5. SITE: Best WesternPlus, 125 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508. Free parking. To



reserve by phone, call 337-235-1367 and reference Lafayette ChessClub and Lafayette Open. RR: $112.99. REG.: Sat. 8:30-9:45. Rounds:Sat. 10am, 1:30pm, 6pm. Sun. 9am, and 1pm. Byes: One 1/2 pt. availableif requested before 2nd rd. Prizes: 70% returned. 1st 200; 2nd 150. 3person in each class or combined. EF: $70. Entry/Info: Checks payableto Lafayette Chess Club. No electronic devices of any kind in TournamentHall; No MonRoi, No Ipad/Ipod Touch. Medically approved hearing aidsmay be used; bring supporting Medical documentation. Contact: ThomasC. Leblanc, at 337-981-1821 or [email protected]. 10-12 OR 11-12, 2017 U.S. Class Championships (TX)See Nationals.

MAINESEPT. 30-OCT. 1, Bangor OpenSee Grand Prix.

OCT. 14, Brewer Community School Chess Tourney - NationalChess Day!Quads: G/60 d5; U-1000 4 rd/ss, G/45 d5; Unrated K-6 4 rd/ss, G/45d0. EF: $15 by Oct 12, 2017, $20 at door. Prizes: Quads $20, Resttrophies top two. Reg.: 8 am.- 9 am. EF: payable to Steve Wong, 54Wilson St., Brewer, ME 04412. Information: 207-945-3969 or email:[email protected]. Location: Machias Savings Bank, 581 WilsonSt., Brewer, ME 04412 (across the street from Marden’s). No concessions,but many within a two minute walk. Parking in back, but use frontentrance.NOV. 4, 42nd New Hampshire Amateur Championship (NH)See New Hampshire.JAN. 5-7 OR 6-7, 6th annual Boston Chess Congress (MA)See Grand Prix.

MARYLANDMARYLAND CHESS TOURNAMENTSMD Chess runs scholastic tournaments 2 Saturdays per monthfrom September through June & open tournaments 2 Saturdaysor weekends per month throughout the year. Visit www.MDChess.org to find tournament announcements, tutors, coaches,& camps; register online for tournaments; & subscribe to scholas-tic and/or open e-newsletters. MD scholastic players whocompete in the Varsity section (exclusively for players rated1600+) of a MD-Sweet-16 Qualifier can qualify for the $45,000scholarship to UMBC awarded annually. The University ofMaryland, Baltimore County’s chess team is a perennial top-10 contender for the national championship.SEPT. 16, Waldorf Quad #203 Rd. Quads, G/90 d5. Waldorf Chess Club, 2932 Mattawoman BeantownRD., Waldorf, MD 20601. EF: $20. $$GTD: $50. 1st each Quad. Reg.: 8:30 - 9:45 AM. Rds.: 10:00, 2:00, and 5:30. INFO: Roland Thorpe, 301-752-5169, [email protected]. DIR: Located within 30-40 minutesof the DC, and Northern VA metro area. http://waldorfchessclub.org.SEPT. 16-17, UMBC ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.OCT. 6-9 OR 7-9, 9th annual Washington Chess Congress (VA)See Grand Prix.OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, 21st annual Eastern Chess Congress (NJ)See Grand Prix.NOV. 24-26 OR 25-26, 48th annual National Chess Congress (PA)See Grand Prix.

MASSACHUSETTSSEPT. 16-17, 2nd Massachusetts Senior OpenSee Grand Prix.SEPT. 17, WN 2017 G/30 HEXPLEASE NOTE: Tournament is NOT at the Town Hall Annex. 5 Rd. RR, WestNewbury Old Town Hall, 491 Main St., West Newbury, MA 01985. Eachsix people will be divided into a hex. Play five people close to you in rating!EF: $30 by 10 September, $35 at site. Free entry to all players rated 2200and above. $$GTD: $100-50. Reg.: 8:45-9:15. Rds.: 9:30-10:45-1-2:15-3:30. No byes or withdraws available. All players agree to play all rounds.ENT: Alex Relyea, 49 Technology Dr. #89, Bedford, NH 03110. INFO: AlexRelyea [email protected]. www.relyeachess. com. No refreshmentsavailable onsite. Maps for dining provided. W.SEPT. 22-24 OR 23-24, 8th Annual Hartford Open (CT)See Grand Prix.OCT. 14, WN 2017 Fall Open on National Chess DaySee Grand Prix.OCT. 15, Fuller Craft National Chess Day G/30 d5 QuadEvent Location: Fuller Craft Museum, 455 Oak St., Brockton, MA 02301.Time Control: Three-round G/30 d5. Swiss QUAD. Round Times: Round1 at 12:00 PM (Round 3 done by 5:00 PM at latest) Byes: None. PrizeInfo: 1st Prize in each Section. Inquiry: [email protected],508-588-6000 (Museum); 781-733-0849 (my cell). Event Webpage:http://fullercraft.org/event/national-chess-day-tournament/. RegistrationInformation: Entry Fee: $25 ($20 for Club Members) pre-registered by10/12/2017; $30 ($25 for Club Members) onsite Registration - Onsite:10:45 AM-11:45 AM. Membership Requirement: Current USCF Mem-bership in good standing.OCT. 15, 84th Greater Boston OpenSee Grand Prix.OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, 21st annual Eastern Chess Congress (NJ)See Grand Prix.

NOV. 4, 42nd New Hampshire Amateur Championship (NH)See New Hampshire.NOV. 24-26 OR 25-26, 48th annual National Chess Congress (PA)See Grand Prix.JAN. 5-7 OR 6-7, 6th annual Boston Chess CongressSee Grand Prix.

MICHIGANSEPT. 9-10, Golden Buckeye Senior & Adult Open (OH)See Ohio.

SEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 2017 Annual HaroldSteen Memorial CupSee Grand Prix.OCT. 6-8 OR 7-8, 26th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)See Grand Prix.OCT. 14, Universal 2017 National Chess Day Action QuadsSite: TOURNAMENT ROOM, All The King’s Men, 26640 Gratiot Ave.,Roseville, MI 48066. FORMAT: 3-RR. EF: by Mon, 10/9: $25; add $10after. TL: G/30 d5. REG.: 10-12 Noon. RDS.: 1-4 PM. USCF and MCAmemberships required—can be purchased on site or at online regis-tration. Online Registration available at www.onlineregistration.cc.$$: $75 per Section. Book Vendor on site will have supplies, sets,clocks, books, software, accessories for sale. CELL PHONE/HEADSETRULES IN EFFECT. RULES POSTED ON SITE. ENTRIES & INFO: AllThe King’s Men: Mrs. Marcie Kahn at (586) 558-4790 OR Dr. Ed Mandellat (248) 635-2375 (Cell) OR Jack Kahn at [email protected]. Email:[email protected]. 10-12 OR 11-12, 26th annual Kings Island Open (OH)See Grand Prix.

MINNESOTAOCT. 6-8 OR 7-8, 26th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)See Grand Prix.

MISSISSIPPINOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 2017 U.S. Class Championships (TX)See Nationals.

MISSOURIThursday Improve Your USCF Rating NightThe Kansas City Chess Club, 2 S. Water St., Liberty, MO 64068. 3SS,G/30 d5 at 6:30PM - every Thursday evening. Free Parking! Free Coffee!EF: $10. Flyer at www.kansascitychessclub.com.SEPT. 23-24, The Southwest MO Diehards’ Fall OpenSee Grand Prix.OCT. 6-8 OR 7-8, 26th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)See Grand Prix.OCT. 14, $1,000 National Chess Day G/65 ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 4-5, 2017 Springfield OpenCo-hosted by the Drury, Joplin and Springfield Park Board Chess Clubs.5-SS, G/90, +30. Drury University, Trustee Science Center - Reed Audi-torium, 900 N. Benton Ave., Springfield, MO 65802. 1 Section, Open:$150-120, U1600 90, U1400: 60, U1200 40. 5.0 Bonus: $40. Prizes:b/25 non-scholastic entries. EF: $30 by 11/3, $40 at door. Scholastic(rating only) $15 by 11/3, $25 at door. Email entry accepted for lowerrate. MCA membership required, OSA. Reg.: 8-9:30. Rounds: Sat 10,2:30, 7; Sun 9:30, 2:30. Byes: One 1/2 point bye if requested beforeround 3. Ent: [email protected] with cash on-site or mailedto Joplin Chess Club, 2609 New Hampshire, Joplin, MO 64804. Checkspayable to Martin Stahl. TD Info: joplinchess.org, [email protected], 417-483-1554. Site Map: www.drury.edu/map/drurymap_color.pdfNOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 26th annual Kings Island Open (OH)See Grand Prix.

NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 2017 U.S. Class Championships (TX)See Nationals.

MONTANAUS Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 14-15, Great Falls National Chess Day Chinook Open5SS, G/90 d5. Holiday Inn, 1100 5th St. South, Great Falls, MT, 406-727- 7200. REG.: 8:30-9:30am Sat. Rds.: 10am, 2pm, 6pm, 9am, and1pm or ASAP. $$$ b/25, $75, $50, $25. Biggest upset: (non-prov) $30.EF: $25 by Oct 13, $5 more at site, Jrs @1/2. MCA $15, OSA. MCA freeto unrated players. Entries: Jim Skovron, 1312 Camas Drive, GreatFalls, MT 59405. Info: [email protected], 406-781-7898. Misc:Updates and more info: www.montanachess.org, hotel discount availableuntil Sept 29, mention chess. Montana Grand Prix event.


NEBRASKAOCT. 6-8 OR 7-8, 26th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)See Grand Prix.

NEVADAOCT. 13-15 OR 14-15, 35th Annual Sands Regency Reno -Western States Open - FIDE - National Chess Day!See Grand Prix.NOV. 3-5 OR 4-5, 12th annual Los Angeles Open (CA-S)See Grand Prix.DEC. 26-30, 26-29 OR 27-29, 27th annual North AmericanOpenSee Grand Prix.DEC. 29, North American Open Blitz (BLZ)See Grand Prix.


NEW HAMPSHIRESEPT. 22-24 OR 23-24, 8th Annual Hartford Open (CT)See Grand Prix.

A Heritage Event!NOV. 4, 42nd New Hampshire Amateur Championship4SS, G/60 d5. Holiday Inn, 9 Northeastern Blvd. (exit 4 off EverettTnpk/Rte. 3), Nashua, NH. 3 Sections: Championship, open to U2100or Unr. EF: $37 if rec’d by 11/2, $42 at site. $$G: $180-120-60; trophiesto top 2, top 2 U1850. Intermediate, open to U1750 or Unr. EF: $37 ifrec’d by 11/2, $42 at site. $$G: $130-80-50; trophies to top 2, top 2U1500. Novice, open to U1350 or Unr. EF: $31 ($26 to jrs. U21) if rec’dby 11/2, $36 at site ($31 jrs. U21). Trophies to top 3, top 2 U1100. All,NHCA membership req’d of rated NH residents; dues $8 adult, $6 under19. Reg.: 8:30-9:35am Sat. 11/4, Rds.: 10-1:00-3:30-6:00. Bye: All Rds.(except no final Rd. bye in top section), limit 1, must commit before Rd.2. No half-point byes for players receiving full-point byes. Online advanceentry available at www.nhchess.org until 11/3 at 6 PM. Ent: NHCA, c/oHal Terrie, 377 Huse Rd. #23, Manchester, NH 03103. Info: [email protected]; no phone calls.JAN. 5-7 OR 6-7, 6th annual Boston Chess Congress (MA)See Grand Prix.

NEW JERSEYSEPT. 2, New Jersey Scholastic K-8 Championship5-SS, G/30 d5. Hyatt Morristown, 3 Speedwell Ave., Morristown, NJ07960. If staying, for chess rate, please make reservations athttps://aws.passkey.com/go/NJChessSep17. Room Block expires 8/1.Phone: 973-647-1234, mention NJ Chess. Free parking, public trans-portation to NYC, Phila. walking distance, 30 restaurants, shops and

www.uschess.org 65


4th annual

CENTRAL NEW YORK OPEN

October 21-22 at Syracuse University

$2500 GUARANTEED PRIZES

For full details see “Grand Prix” in this issue.

parks within 5 minute stroll. In three sections: Under 1200, Under 900,Under 600. Trophies to Top Ten in each section. Registration: Saturday,September 2, 11am -12noon. Rounds: 12:30pm, then ASAP. EF: $30 ifpostmarked by August 26. $40 cash at site. One 1/2 point bye allowed ifrequested with entry fee. September Rating Supplement used. Entries:Hal Sprechman, 66 Cromwell Ln., Jackson, NJ 08527. Entries must includename, USCF ID and expiration date, mailing address, email address,phone number, grade level, section and entry fee. Checks made out toNJSCF. Register online at njscf.org for $32 by midnight 8/31. Questionsto [email protected]. Phone: 732 259-3881. W.SEPT. 2-4 OR 3-4, 70th Annual New Jersey Open ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.SEPT. 9, Princeton Charter SchoolTOURNAMENT LOCATION: Princeton Charter School at:100 Bunn Dr.,Princeton, NJ 08540. TIME CONTROL: G/30, d0; Swiss to 4 rounds. SEC-TIONS: Open above 1000; U1000; U700; U300/Unrated. (sections willbe combined. Awards will be given to the top 3 in each section.) ParentalSupervision Required: The parents or another adult must be designatedto supervise the student player between rounds. Schedule (will beaccelerated if possible) First Round: 12:01 PM; Second Round: ASAP;Third Round: ASAP; Fourth Round: ASAP; Award Ceremony: ASAP(4:05 the latest). Schedule will be accelerated if possible. (*) OnlineRegistration $30 Only if register one week before: www.ChessKid-sNY.com/PCSChessProgram.htm. (*) Fee will increase automaticallyto $35 if register later. On site registration the date of the event:$40 from 11:45 am to 12:00 noon. Information: email to Miguel Iniguezat: [email protected]. Results will be posted online the same dayof the event!SEPT. 16, Central Jersey Chess TournamentPrinceton Academy, 1128 Great Rd., Princeton. 3 rated sections – Open,U1000, U600 – each K-12, 4 rounds, G/30 d5. 2 unrated sections –Intermediate (K-8), Beginners (K-2): 4 rounds. Trophies to 1st-3rd &top team per section, medals to all! $35 pre-reg online by 9/14. $45 on-site 1:15-1:45. Rd.1 2:00. njchess.com

SEPT. 16, ICA Super Saturday Quads354 Rock Road, Glen Rock, NJ 07452 (Education building, 2nd floor).3SS, G/45 d5. Registration: On site before 1:20 PM at the day of thetournament. Entry Fee: $25 all sections. Rounds: 1:30 - 3:00 - 4:30.Prize: $60 1st place (each quad). Call 201-797-0330 or email [email protected] for more information.SEPT. 17, Westfield G/45 Quads3-RR. G/40 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25,$20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. Register: 1:15-1:50p.m. Those registering after 1:50 will be charged $5 extra. Rounds:2:00, 3:45, 5:30 p.m. Information: John Moldovan: [email protected]. NEW WEB SITE: www.westfieldchessclub.org.

SEPT. 21, 3rd Thursday Quads3 RR, G/30 d10. Effects Quick/Reg Rating. Quads grouped by Reg Rating.All the King’s Men Chess & Games Center (Just 22 mins. from Phila/NJbridges), 62 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ. 856-582-8222. Prizes: $25 1stper quad. Unr. cannot win more than $10. EF: $12.50, members $10.Reg.: 6 -7:15 pm. Rds.: 7:30-8:30-9:30 pm. All: Visa/MC/Disc/AmexOK w/$1surcharge. Info: Bring a clock!SEPT. 22-24 OR 23-24, 8th Annual Hartford Open (CT)See Grand Prix.SEPT. 23, ICA Super Saturday Quads354 Rock Road, Glen Rock, NJ 07452 (Education building, 2nd floor).3SS, G/45 d5. Registration: On site before 1:20 PM at the day of thetournament. Entry Fee: $25 all sections. Rounds: 1:30 - 3:00 - 4:30.Prize: $60 1st place (each quad). Call 201-797-0330 or email [email protected] for more information.SEPT. 24, Westfield G/60 Quads3-RR. G/55 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25,$20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. Register: 11:45 a.m.- 12:20 p.m. Those registering after 12:20 will be charged $5 extra.Rounds: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00 p.m. Information: John Moldovan: [email protected]. NEW WEB SITE: www.westfieldchessclub.org.

SEPT. 30, Hamilton Chess Club Quads3RR, 40/80 15/30 15/30 d0. Full K. McManimon Hall, 320 Scully Ave.,Hamilton Twp., NJ 08610. Quads open to all. EF: $10. Prizes: $25 perQuad. Reg.: 9-10:30am. Rds.: 10:30am-1:30pm-4:30pm. OSA. Contactemail: hamiltonchessclub.com. W.OCT. 1, Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Championship in 5 Sections4SS. Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601.All players with 2.5 points or more will receive a trophy! USCF MembReq’d For Sections 3, 4 AND 5. For info, call 201-797-0330, email [email protected] or visit icanj.net. ADV EF (pmk by Sep 26th) $35 AtSite $40. Reg ends 1/2 hr before 1st rd. Late entrants will receive a1/2 pt bye for rd. 1. In 5 Sections: Section 1 Junior Novice (not USCFrated): Open to unr players K thru 2nd grade. Rds.: First Round 10:15AM then ASAP. Section 2 Novice (not USCF rated): Open to unr playersK thru 4th grade. Rds.: First Round 10:00 AM then ASAP. Section 3G/45 d5 U800: Open to players rated below 800 and unrated players Kthru 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00 PM. Section 4 G/45d5 U1200: Open to players rated below 1200 and unrated players Kthru 12th grade. Rds.: 9:45 AM, 11:30, 1:15, 3:00 PM. Section 5 G/60d5 U1400: Open to All Ages rated below 1400 or unrated. Rds.: 9:30AM, 11:45, 2:00, 4:30 PM. Enter online at https://ica.jumbula.com/ICA-Tournaments2017/DrDavidOstfeldMemorialICAChampionshipssections15_169 or mail checks to Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Ln., New Milford,NJ 07646. Make checks payable to International Chess Academy. W.OCT. 1, Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Open ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.OCT. 1, Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA U1600 Championship4SS, G/60 d5. Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ07601. Open to all ages with rating below 1600. Prize Fund ($$ b/25):

1st - 3rd $200, $150, $100, TU1400 $50, TU1200 $50, Call 201-797-0330, email [email protected] or visit icanj.net for more info.ADV EF (pmk by Sep 26th) $40. At Site $45. Reg ends 1/2 hr before 1strd. Late entrants will receive a 1/2 pt bye for rd. 1. Rds.: 9:30 AM,11:45 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM. Enter online at https://ica.jumbula.com/ICA-Tournaments2017/DrDavidOstfeldMemorialICAU1600Championship_252or mail to Diana Tulman, 28 Canterbury Ln., New Milford, NJ 07646.Make checks payable to International Chess Academy. W.OCT. 1, Westfield G/45 Quads3-RR. G/40 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25,$20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. Register: 1:15-1:50p.m. Those registering after 1:50 will be charged $5 extra. Rounds:2:00, 3:45, 5:30 p.m. Information: John Moldovan: [email protected]. NEW WEB SITE: www.westfieldchessclub.org.

OCT. 6-9 OR 7-9, 9th annual Washington Chess Congress (VA)See Grand Prix.OCT. 7, ICA Super Saturday Quads354 Rock Road, Glen Rock, NJ 07452 (Education building, 2nd floor).3SS, G/45 d5. Registration: On site before 1:20 PM at the day of thetournament. Entry Fee: $25 all sections. Rounds: 1:30 - 3:00 - 4:30.Prize: $60 1st place (each quad). Call 201-797-0330 or email [email protected] for more information.OCT. 7, Princeton Day School650 The Great Road. Sections for OVER 1000 rated players begin at10:15 and must preregister: 3 rds. G/55 d5: ALL AFTERNOON SECTIONSfor unrated to 1000 rated players: G/25 d5 4 rds, beginning at 12:00noon (round times will be accelerated if possible): OPEN (Players K-12U-1000), RESERVE (K-12 U-800), NOVICE II (K-8 U-600), NOVICE I(unrated K-8), K-1 (unrated) NO SCORE K-1 (beginner). MORNINGSECTIONS are for OVER 1000 rated players begin at 10:15 and mustpreregister: 3 rds.G/55 d5: NEAR MASTERS (K-12 OVER 1400), FUTUREMASTERS (K-12 1200-1400), CLOSED (K-12 1000-1200). PARENTS OFPLAYERS rated G/25 d5 3rds. Parents play free. Plaques to top 3 schoolteams and top 8 in each section under 1000, top 3 over 1000. Medals toall players. Info and pre-registration online, $35 pay at the door:www.pds.org/chess. On site registration $45. Inquiries to BonnieWaitzkin [email protected]. 8, Westfield G/45 Quads3-RR. G/40 d5. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. EF: $25,$20 members. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. Register: 1:15-1:50p.m. Those registering after 1:50 will be charged $5 extra. Rounds:2:00, 3:45, 5:30 p.m. Information: John Moldovan: [email protected]. NEW WEB SITE: www.westfieldchessclub.org.

OCT. 15, Westfield Fall ScholasticWestfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. K-12. 3 Sections: Open,U1250, U750. Open: 3-SS. G/40 d5. Rounds: 2:00, 3:45, 5:30 p.m. U1250& U750: 4-SS. G/25 d5. Rounds: 2:00, 3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Prizes:Trophies to Top 5 in each section. Tiebreaks used. See USCF Rule 34E.EF: $25, $20 members. Register: 1:15-1:50 p.m. Information: JohnMoldovan: [email protected]. NEW WEB SITE: www.west-fieldchessclub.org.

OCT. 21, Saint Joseph Fall ScholasticSt. Joseph HS, 145 Plainfield Rd., Metuchen. Drive to cafeteria in rearof school. K-8 (Current SJHS Students are eligible to play but not eligiblefor prizes) 2 Sections: Open, Novice. Open: USCF Membership Required.Novice: USCF Membership Not Required – perfect for newer playersTime Control: 5-SS, G/25 d5. Rounds: 1st Round 10:00 then immediatelyfollowing. EF: $20. Prizes: Trophies to Top 3 players in each section.Tiebreaks used. USCF Rule 34E. Register: 9:00 – 9:30. Lunch providedon site for parents/students (included in reg. fee). Information:[email protected]. Please bring equipment.OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, 21st annual Eastern Chess CongressSee Grand Prix.NOV. 3-5 OR 4-5, 3rd annual Stamford Open (CT)See Grand Prix.

A State Championship Event!NOV. 19, New Jersey K-12 Grade Championship5SS, G/30 d5. Brookdale College, 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, NJ07738. Student Life Center, use Parking Lot #7 or #6; 4 miles fromGarden State Parkway exit 109. 13 Sections: Play only in your grade!Grades K-12: Trophies to top 10 individuals, top 3 teams - top 3 fromeach school/grade; 50% of players receive trophy or medal!; Rds.: 10amand ASAP. EF: $35 by 11/12, $55 at site. USCF mem req’d. Reg.: 8-9:00am After 9:00am 1/2 pt bye rd. 1. Info: 732 259-3881 [email protected] Ent: Please make checks payable to NJSCF and send to HalSprechman, 66 Cromwell Lane, Jackson, NJ 08527. Entries must includename, grade school, date of birth, USCF ID # & expiration, mailingaddress, phone number & entry fee, please include email address.Register online at: www.njscf.org until midnight 11/17.NOV. 24-26 OR 25-26, 48th annual National Chess Congress (PA)See Grand Prix.DEC. 28-30 OR 29-30, 36th annual Empire City Open (NY)See Grand Prix.JAN. 5-7 OR 6-7, 6th annual Boston Chess Congress (MA)See Grand Prix.

NEW MEXICOUS Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 14-15, National Chess Day Event in SocorroNew Mexico TECH Joseph A. Fidel Center, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro,NM 87801. In 4 Sections, Open: 5SS, G/90 d5, Masters & NMT studentsw/ current USCF membership play free. EF: $40. $200-1st $150-2nd$100-3rd place in all sections Open, Reserve & Booster. Reg.: On-Siteon Oct 14 from 10am-12pm w/zero point bye for Round 1 for All Sections.Rds.: Sat. 9:30am, 2:00pm, 6:00pm & Sun. 10:00am, 2:00pm for Open,

Reserve and Booster. Reserve U1700: 5SS, G/90 d5, NMT studentsw/ current USCF membership play free. EF: $40. Booster U1300: 5SS,G/90 d5, NMT students w/ current USCF membership play free. EF:$40. Scholastic K-12 U1100: 4SS, G/45 d0, EF: $15. Socorro K-12 stu-dents w/current USCF membership play free. Prizes: 1st-3rd medalsand other prizes. Rds.: Sat. 9:30am, 11:30am, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. ENT:Steve Perea 505-315-8709 http://tinyurl.com/ECNCDES. INFO:[email protected]


NEW YORKSEPT. 3, New York State Blitz Championship (BLZ)See Grand Prix.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 7, 14, 21, 28, OCT. 5, 8th Long Island CC Sept. Open5SS, G/90 d5. United Methodist Church, 470 East Meadow Ave., EastMeadow, NY 11554. Open to all. $(b/20 pd. ent.): $110-90. Top U-2000, U-1500/unr. $60 ea. EF(cash only): $35. Non-LICC members+$10. UNRATED FREE! Reg.: 6:45 - 7:15 PM, no adv. ent., Rds.: 7:30PM ea. Thursday. 2 byes 1-5. Info: www.lichessclub.com.SEPT. 15, Marshall Quick Chess! (QC)6-SS, G/10 +3. ($300 b/25): $150-75, U1700: $75. EF: $30, MCC Mbrs$20. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-7:30-8:00-8:45-9:15-9:45pm. Two byes;request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 15-17, 16-17 OR 17, Marshall Monthly U23005-SS, 40/90 SD30 +30. Open to players rated below 2300 USCF. $800Gtd: $300-150-100. U2100: $125; U1800 $125. EF: $60, MCC Mbrs $40.Reg.: Ends 15 min before round start. Rds.: 3-day: Fri. 6pm, Sat. &Sun. 12:30 & 5:30pm. 2-day: Sat. 11:00am (G/25 d5) then merge with3-day in round 2. 1-day: Sun. 9-10:10-11:20am (G/25 d5) then merge inround 4. Max two byes, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.SEPT. 16, Marshall Sunday U18004-SS, G/40 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1500: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs$20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45pm. One bye available,request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 18, 25, OCT. 2, 9, 16, 23, Marshall FIDE Mondays/U18006-SS, G/90 +30. Two sections. Open: Open to all players 1600+. FIDERated. ($600 b/25) $200-150-100. U2000: $100-50. U1800: ($600 b/25)$200-150-100. U1500: $100-50. EF: $60, MCC Mbrs $40. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rd: 7pm each Mon. Limit two byes; request by rd. 4. 23 W.10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.SEPT. 19, Marshall MastersSee Grand Prix.SEPT. 21, Marshall Thursday Action!4-SS, G/25 d5. ($375 b/25): $150-100, U2200: $75, U1900: $50. EF:$40, MCC Mbrs $25. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. 23 W.10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 21, 28, OCT. 5, 12, 19, 26, Marshall Thursday Open6-SS, G/90 +30. ($600 b/25): $250-150, U2100: $100. U1800: $100EF: $60, MCC Mbrs $40. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7pm each Thurs.Limit two byes; request by rd. 4. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W.10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.SEPT. 22, Marshall U2200 Friday Night Action!4-SS, G/25 d5. ($300 b/25): $150-75, U1900: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs$20. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, forround 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W.10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.SEPT. 22-24 OR 23-24, 8th Annual Hartford Open (CT)See Grand Prix.SEPT. 23, Marshall Saturday G/60 (Open & U1800)4-SS, G/55 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2400:$75, U2100: $75. U1800 ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1500: $75. EF: $40,MCC Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7pm. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.SEPT. 24, Marshall Sunday G/45 (Open & U1600)4-SS, G/40 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2200:$75, U1900: $75. U1600: ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1300: $75. EF: $40,MCC Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45pm. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 24, 76th Binghamton OpenNEW ENTRY FEE - $10.00. 4SS, G/65 d5. Cordisco’s Chess Center,308 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901, (607) 772-8782. EF: $10.Two sections: Open & U1700. PRIZES: Winner of each section willreceive a free entry into a future tournament! REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE.Schedule: Reg. on site 8:45-9:15AM. Rounds: 9:30-12Noon-2:30-4:45.Please bring clocks, none supplied.SEPT. 28, Marshall Thursday Action!4-SS, G/25 d5. ($375 b/25): $150-100, U2200: $75, U1900: $50. EF:$40, MCC Mbrs $25. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. 23 W.10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.



SEPT. 29, Marshall $500 FIDE Blitz (BLZ)See Grand Prix.SEPT. 30, Marshall Saturday G/60 (Open & U1700)4-SS, G/55 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2300:$75, U2000: $75. U1700 ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1400: $75. EF: $40,MCC Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7pm. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.OCT. 1, Marshall Scholastic Action! (3 Rounds)3-SS, G/25 d5. Open to youth K-12. ($225 b/25): $100-50, U1000: $75.EF: $30, MCC Mbrs: $15. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10:10-11:20am. Nobyes. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.OCT. 1, Marshall Sunday G/45 (Open & U1500)4-SS, G/40 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2100:$75, U1800: $75. U1500: ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1200: $75. EF: $40,MCC Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 12:15-12:45pm. Rds.: 1-2:45-5:00-6:45pm. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.

OCT. 4, 11, 18, 25, Community Chess Club of Rochester WedNight Chess!Note: 1 game rated per night, G/80 d5. Rochester Chess Center, 221Norris Dr., Rochester, NY 14610. 585-442-2430. EF: $5, CCCR members$3. Reg.: 6:30-7:20 pm. Rd.: 7:30pm. www.rochesterchessclub.org.OCT. 5, Marshall $15 Special Action!4-SS, G/25 d5. $350 GTD: $125-75, U2200: $75, U1900: $75. EF:$40, MCC Mbrs: Only $15!!! GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.:7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Requestat entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.OCT. 6, Marshall U2200 Friday Night Action!4-SS, G/25 d5. ($300 b/25): $150-75, U1900: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs$20. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, forround 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W.10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.

OCT. 6, 13, 20, 27, NOV. 3, 10, 17, 2017 Queens Chess ClubChampionshipSee Grand Prix.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 6-8, Marshall Weekend FIDE5-SS, 40/90 SD/30 +30. FIDE Rated. ($600 b/25): $250-125. U2200:$125; U1900 $100. EF: $60, MCC Mbrs $40. GMs Free. Reg.: Ends 15min before round start. Rds.: Fri. 6pm, Sat. & Sun. 12 & 5:30pm. Max 2byes, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St.,NYC. 212-477-3716.OCT. 6-9 OR 7-9, 9th annual Washington Chess Congress (VA)See Grand Prix.

OCT. 7, Marshall Morning U1700 Action4-SS, G/25 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1400: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs$20. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10-11:15am-12:15pm. One bye available,request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.OCT. 7, 14, 21, 28, Rochester Chess Center Saturday Tournaments!3-SS, G/60 d5. Rochester CC, 221 Norris Dr., Rochester, NY 14610. 585-442-2430. Prizes based on entries. EF: $15, RCC members $13. $2 lessfor HS and Pre-HS. Reg.: 1-1:45 pm. Rds.: 2-4-6. One bye available,request at entry. www.nychess.org. Also, Youth tournament, G/30 d5,every Saturday morning 10am-1pm, trophies and prizes. EF: $5.OCT. 8, Marshall Morning Action! (4 Rounds)4-SS, G/25 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1800: $75. EF: $40, MCC Mbrs$20. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10-11:15am-12:15pm. One bye available,request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.OCT. 9, Marshall Columbus Day Action!6-SS, G/25 d5. ($525 b/25) $200-100. U2300: $75, U2000: $75, U1700:$75. EF: $50, MCC Mbrs $30. GMs Free. Reg.: 10:15-10:45am. Rds.:11am-12:15-1:30-3:00-4:15-5:30pm. 2 byes available, request at entry.www.marshallchessclub.org. 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.OCT. 12, Marshall Thursday Action!4-SS, G/25 d5. ($375 b/25): $150-100, U2200: $75, U1900: $50. EF:$40, MCC Mbrs $25. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for round 1 or 4 only. Request at entry. 23 W.10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 12, 19, 26, NOV. 2, 9, 7th Long Island CC Fall Open5SS, G/90 d5. United Methodist Church, 470 East Meadow Ave., EastMeadow, NY 11554. Open to all. $(b/20 pd. ent.): $110-90. Top U-2000, U-1500/unr. $60 ea. EF(cash only): $35. Non-LICC members+$10. UNRATED FREE! Reg.: 6:45 - 7:15 PM, no adv. ent., Rds.: 7:30PM ea. Thursday. 2 byes 1-5. Info: www.lichessclub.com.OCT. 13, Marshall Friday Night Blitz (BLZ)9-SS, G/3 +2. ($500 b/35): $200-100, top U2400/unr, U2200, U2000,U1800: $50. USCF regular rating used for pairings & prizes. EF: $30,MCC Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7-7:30-7:50-8:10-8:40-9-9:20-9:40-10pm. Max three byes. Request at entry. Blitz rated.23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.OCT. 14, Marshall Morning U1800 Action4-SS, G/25 d5. Open to youth K-12. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1500: $75.EF: $40, MCC Mbrs $20. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10-11:15am-12:15pm. One bye available, request at entry. 23 W. 10th St., NYC.212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.OCT. 14, Marshall Saturday G/60 Open4-SS, G/55 d5. Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2400: $75, U2100: $75.EF: $40, MCC Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-

2:30-4:45-7pm. One bye available, request at entry. 23 W. 10th St.,NYC. 212-477-3716, www.marshallchessclub.org.OCT. 14, Bed-Stuy National Chess Day Tourney4SS. Restoration Plaza Amphitheater, 1368 Fulton St., Brooklyn, NY11216. EF: FREE. Time control: G/25 d5. Reg.: 9:45-10:45am. Rounds:11am; 12:15pm; 2pm; 3:15pm. Four Sections: (All players must beunder 18 years old.) Open Section, U1100, U600 and Unrated Section.Prizes: Trophies to top five in each section. Please bring set, boardand clock. RSVP through: eventbrite.com. Questions & addt’l info:Bob Ali, Secretary of Kingsmen Chess Club, Email: [email protected]. 15, Marshall Sunday G/45 (Open & U1600)4-SS, G/40 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2200:$75, U1900: $75. U1600: ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1300: $75. EF: $40,MCC Mbrs $20. GMs Free. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45pm. One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 16, 23, 30, NOV. 6, 13, 20, Vassar-Chadwick Club ChampionshipOpen to all! 5-SS, G/90 d10. Tiebreak playoff rd. 6 if necessary. Vassar-Chadwick CC, Rockefeller Hall 101, Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave.,Poughkeepsie, NY 12604. EF: $10, $5 Juniors under 18, Masters free.Rds.: 7:30pm each Monday. Two byes available rds. 1-4, request atsite. Plaque to 1st, Trophies to 2nd, Class A/B/C/D (min. 3 entrantseach). http://vassar-chadwick.com/club/OCT. 17, Marshall MastersSee Grand Prix.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 18, 25, NOV. 1, 8, 15, 29, Marshall Weekly Wednesdays6-SS, G/90 +30. Two sections. U2000: ($600 b/25) $250-150-100,U1700: $100. U1400: ($600 b/25) $250-150-100, U1100: $100. EF: $40;Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7pmeach Wed. Two byes available; request by Rd. 4. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC/ 212-477-3716. Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.OCT. 19, Marshall Thursday Action!4-SS, G/25 d5. ($375 b/25): $150-100, U2200: $75, U1900: $50. EF:$25; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for Rd. 1 or 4 only;request at entry. Register online: www.marshallchessclub/register. 23W. 10th St. / NYC / 212-477-3716.OCT. 20, Marshall Quick Chess (QC)6-SS, G/10 +3. ($250 b/25): $125-75, U1700: $50. EF: $15; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.:7-7:30-8:00-8:45-9:15-9:45pm. Two byes available; request at entry.Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register. 23 W. 10th St./ NYC / 212-477-3716.

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Chess LifeRUN AN ADDITIONAL TOURNAMENT THIS WINTER! Each affiliate is entitled to one TLA per month ofup to 8 lines and up to 2 issues of Chess Life, for any tournament between January and March 2018, if no TLA for such an eventappeared in 2017, and the TLA is e-mailed by the appropriate deadline. The 8 free lines cannot be applied to longer TLAs.

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SENIOR For age 50 or above, or ahigher minimum age.

UNRATEDS FREE Any tournamentthat offers free entry to unrated players.If your prizes are based on entries, say“paid entries.”

US CHESS BOOSTER TOURNAMENTA tournament that offers at least twoUS Chess membership renewalprizes, or a quad that offers at leastone per section.

CHESS CLUB SPECIAL A tourna-ment playing only on one or moreweekday evenings.

RBO Open to Under 1200/ Unr orUnder 1000/ Unr. Tournament namemust include “Rated Beginners Open” or “RBO.”

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COLLEGIATE A tournament limited tocollege students.

JUNIOR For age 20/below (age 20must be eligible).

NON-SCHOLASTIC WITH SCHOLASTICA tournament for all ages held concur-rent (same location) with a scholastictournament that in its previous yeardrew at least 50 players. We encourageorganizers of scholastics to hold openor collegiate events on the side.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 20-22, 21-22 OR 22, Marshall Monthly U23005-SS, 40/90 SD30 +30. Open to players rated below 2300 USCF. $800Gtd: $300-150-100, U2100: $125, U1800: $125. EF: $40; Non-MCC Mbr:Additional $25 Mbr fee. Reg.: Ends 15 min before round start. Rds.: 3-day: Fri. 6pm, Sat. & Sun. 12:30 & 5:30pm. 2-day: Sat. 11:00am (G/25 d5)then merge with 3-day in round 2. 1-day: Sun. 9-10:10-11:20am (G/25 d5)then merge in round 4. Max two byes; request at entry. Register online:www.marshallchessclub/register. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC / 212-477-3716.OCT. 21, Marshall Saturday U15004-SS, G/40 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1500: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCCMbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45pm. One bye available; request at entry. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC /212-477-3716. Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.OCT. 21-22, 4th annual Central New York OpenSee Grand Prix.OCT. 26, Marshall Thursday Action!4-SS, G/25 d5. ($375 b/25): $150-100, U2200: $75, U1900: $50. EF:$25; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for Rd. 1 or 4 only;request at entry. Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.23 W. 10th St. / NYC / 212-477-3716.OCT. 27, Fischer v Spassky 45th Year Commemoration (BLZ)See Grand Prix.OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, 21st annual Eastern Chess Congress (NJ)See Grand Prix.OCT. 28, Marshall Saturday G/60 (Open & U1700)4-SS, G/55 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2300:$75, U2000: $75. U1700 ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1400: $75. EF: $20;Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. GMs Free. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am.Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7pm. One bye available; request at entry. Registeronline: www.marshallchessclub.org/register. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC /212-477-3716.OCT. 29, Marshall Scholastic Action! (3 Rounds)3-SS, G/25 d5. Open to youth K-12. ($225 b/25): $100-50, U1000: $75.EF: $15; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am.Rds.: 9-10:10-11:20am. No byes. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC / 212-477-3716.Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.OCT. 29, Marshall Sunday G/45 (Open & U1500)4-SS, G/40 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2100:$75, U1800: $75. U1500: ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1200: $75. EF: $20;Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. GMs Free. Reg.: 12:15-12:45pm.Rds.: 1-2:45-5:00-6:45pm. One bye available; request at entry. Registeronline: www.marshallchessclub.org/register. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC /212-477-3716.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 30, NOV. 6, 13, 20, 27, DEC. 4, Marshall FIDEMondays/U18006-SS, G/90 +30. Two sections. Open: Open to all players 1600+. FIDERated. ($600 b/25) $200-150-100, U2000: $100-50. U1800: ($600 b/25)$200-150-100, U1500: $100-50. EF: $40; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25Mbr fee. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rd: 7pm each Mon. Two byesavailable; request by Rd. 4. Register online: 23 W. 10th St. / NYC / 212-477-3716. Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.NOV. 2, Marshall Guaranteed Action!4-SS, G/25 d5. $350 GTD: $125-75, U2200: $75, U1900: $75. EF: $15;Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm.Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. One bye available; request at entry. Registeronline: www.marshallchessclub.org/register. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC /212-477-3716.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 2-DEC. 14, Marshall Thursday Open6-SS, G/90 +30. ($600 b/25): $250-150, U2100: $100, U1800: $100EF: $40; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm.Rds.: 7pm each Thurs. Two byes available; request by Rd. 4. Registeronline: www.marshallchessclub.org/register. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC /212-477-3716.NOV. 3, Marshall U2200 Friday Night Action!4-SS, G/25 d5. ($300 b/25): $150-75, U1900: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCCMbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for Rd. 1 or 4 only; request at entry. Registeronline: www.marshallchessclub.org/register. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC /212-477-3716.NOV. 3-5 OR 4-5, 3rd annual Stamford Open (CT)See Grand Prix.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 3-5, Marshall Weekend FIDE5-SS, 40/90 SD/30 +30. FIDE Rated. ($600 b/25): $250-125. U2200:$125; U1900 $100. EF: $40; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. GMsFree. Reg.: Ends 15 min before round start. Rds.: Fri. 6pm, Sat. & Sun.12 & 5:30pm. Max two byes; request at entry. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC /212-477-3716. Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.NOV. 4, Marshall Morning U1700 Action4-SS, G/25 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1400: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCCMbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10-11:15am-12:15pm. One bye available; request at entry. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC /212-477-3716. Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.NOV. 5, Marshall Morning Action! (4 Rounds)4-SS, G/25 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1800: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCCMbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10-11:15am-12:15pm. One bye available; request at entry. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC /212-477-3716. Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.NOV. 9, Marshall Thursday Action!4-SS, G/25 d5. ($375 b/25): $150-100, U2200: $75, U1900: $50. EF:$25; Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-

6:45pm. Rds.: 7-8:15-9:30-10:45pm. Max one bye, for Rd. 1 or 4 only;request at entry. Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.23 W. 10th St. / NYC / 212-477-3716.NOV. 10, Marshall Friday Night Blitz (BLZ)9-SS, G/3 +2. ($500 b/35): $200-100, top U2400/unr, U2200, U2000,U1800: $50. USCF regular rating used for pairings & prizes. EF: $20;Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. GMs Free. Reg.: 6:15-6:45. Rds.:7-7:30-7:50-8:10-8:40-9-9:20-9:40-10pm. Max three byes. Request atentry. Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register. 23 W. 10thSt. / NYC / 212-477-3716.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, Chess Stars 16th Annual Turkey Bowl (FL)See Grand Prix.NOV. 11, 3rd Annual Seneca Lake OpenSee Grand Prix.NOV. 11, Marshall Morning U1800 Action4-SS, G/25 d5. ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1500: $75. EF: $20; Non-MCCMbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. Reg.: 8:15-8:45am. Rds.: 9-10-11:15am-12:15pm. One bye available, request at entry. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC /212-477-3716. Register online: www.marshallchessclub.org/register.NOV. 11, Marshall Saturday G/60 Open4-SS, G/55 d5. ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2400: $75, U2100: $75. EF: 20;Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. GMs Free. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am.Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7pm. One bye available; request at entry. Registeronline: www.marshallchessclub.org/register. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC /212-477-3716.NOV. 12, Marshall Sunday G/45 (Open & U1600)4-SS, G/40 d5. Two sections: Open: ($450 b/35): $175-125, U2200:$75, U1900: $75. U1600: ($325 b/25): $150-100, U1300: $75. EF: $20;Non-MCC Mbr: Additional $25 Mbr fee. GMs Free. Reg.: 11:15-11:45am.Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45pm. One bye available, request at entry. Registeronline: www.marshallchessclub.org/register. 23 W. 10th St. / NYC /212-477-3716.NOV. 24-26 OR 25-26, 48th annual National Chess Congress (PA)See Grand Prix.DEC. 28-30 OR 29-30, 36th annual Empire City OpenSee Grand Prix.JAN. 5-7 OR 6-7, 6th annual Boston Chess Congress (MA)See Grand Prix.

FEB. 9-13, Chess Moves #5 Cuba & Caribbean Cruise Tournament (FL)See Florida.

NORTH CAROLINASEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 44th Annual Lipkin/Pfefferkorn OpenSee Grand Prix.OCT. 1, 2017 Lipkin/Pfefferkorn Open Scholastic4-SS, G/30 d5. The Hawthorne Inn and Conference Center, 420 HighSt., Winston-Salem, NC 27101. In 3 sections: Middle School: K-8; Ele-mentary: K-6; and Primary: K-3. Entry Fee: $29 by 9/30; $33 at site.Trophies to top 7, top unrated, top girl each section. Medals to everyplayer who didn’t get a trophy. Registration ends 10:30 a.m. sharp!!Rounds: 1st at 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m., then as soon as possible. Shouldbe over by 6 p.m. Info: Thad Rogers (478)-973-9389 or [email protected]. Enter: americanchesspromotions.com.OCT. 6-9 OR 7-9, 9th annual Washington Chess Congress (VA)See Grand Prix.

OCT. 14, Celebrate National Chess Day with Triangle Chess,RBO - Raleigh, NCK-12 Youth Open: 9a to 12p, Quads, G/30 d5, 1st Place Trophy, 2ndMedal. Adult Open & K-12 1200+: 1p to 6p, Quads, G/50 d5, 1stPlace $60. First Time Tournament Players Welcome! $20 Online,$25 Onsite. Visit: TriangleChess.com, (919) 272-8017. Site: TraingleChess Center, 5920 S. Miami Blvd., Morrisville, NC 27560.OCT. 14, National Chess Day 1st Annual Phoenix ClassicPresented by Mt. Mourne School, 1431 Mecklenburg Hwy., Mooresville,NC 28115. 4SS, G/30 d5. Open non-rated section and Scholastic (K-12)with two sections: U800 and U1500. Individual Trophies -Top 3 eachsection. Entry fees: $10 non-rated section; $20 rated sections (paycash or check at the door) Email registration info to [email protected] with any questions.OCT. 14, National Chess Day in Hendersonville3SS, G/60 d5. 708 South Grove St., Hendersonville, NC. 80% returned,EF: $5. Rds.: 9:30 - 11:45 - 2:00. Info: [email protected]. Part ofSecond Saturday series which runs Sept through April.OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, 21st annual Eastern Chess Congress (NJ)See Grand Prix.

NORTH DAKOTAOCT. 6-8 OR 7-8, 26th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)See Grand Prix.

OHIOSEPT. 8, DCC Friday Nite Quick (QC)4SS, G/24 +5. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. Rds.:7:30/8:30/9:30/10:30. One bye. Prizes: based on entries. EF: $15 ($10DCC mbr). Info: [email protected], 937-461-6283.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 9-10, Golden Buckeye Senior & Adult OpenSalt Fork State Park Lodge, Cambridge OH. Age 18 & up only. A relaxedschedule, rustic secluded venue and natural setting make for a memorable

weekend! 2 sections Senior (age 50+), Adult U1700 (18+). 5SS, G/75d10. Reg. Sat 9:30-10:15, Rnds. 10:30-2-6:30 Sun 9:30-1:30. EF: $45thru 8/28 then $55; OCA members $2 less. Trophy prizes, 1st place OHresident is 2017 OH Sr Champ! Fellowship of the King group rate$109/night, 800-ATA-PARK, reserve early! More info neilley.com/chess,[email protected], or 614-314-1102.SEPT. 15, DCC Friday Nite Quick (QC)4SS, G/24 +5. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. Rds.:7:30/8:30/9:30/10:30. One bye. Prizes: based on entries. EF: $15 ($10DCC mbr). Info: [email protected], 937-461-6283.

SEPT. 17, Beachwood Scholastic Quads >10003RR, G/30 d5. Players grouped by closest rating. Beachwood CommunityCenter, 25325 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood, OH 44122. EF: $20 online orat site. Players must have rating > 1000. Registration: online at www.pro-gresswithchess.org,12:30-1:15 at site. Prizes: Awards issued each weekto quad winners. Info: Contact: Mike Joelson, 216-321-7000.SEPT. 22, DCC Friday Nite Quick (QC)4SS, G/24 +5. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. Rds.:7:30/8:30/9:30/10:30. One bye. Prizes: based on entries. EF: $15 ($10DCC mbr). Info: [email protected], 937-461-6283.

SEPT. 23, “Autumn Days” Pawn Storm XXXVIIISee Grand Prix.SEPT. 24, Beachwood Scholastic Quads Over 10003RR, G/30 d5. Players grouped by closest rating. Beachwood CommunityCenter, 25325 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood, OH 44122. EF: $20 online orat site. Players must have rating > 1000. Registration: online at www.pro-gresswithchess.org, 12:30-1:15 at site. Prizes: Awards issued each weekto quad winners. Info: Contact: Mike Joelson, 216-321-7000.SEPT. 29, DCC Friday Nite Quick (QC)4SS, G/24 +5. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. Rds.:7:30/8:30/9:30/10:30. One bye. Prizes: based on entries. EF: $15 ($10DCC mbr). Info: [email protected], 937-461-6283.

SEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 2017 Annual HaroldSteen Memorial Cup (MI)See Grand Prix.SEPT. 30, Mustard Seed Fall Frenzy4SS, G/30 d5. Mustard Seed Market, 6025 Kruse Dr., Solon, OH 44139.EF: $30 online or at site until 9:45am, $35 after. IMs, GMs free. Sections:Open, U2000, U1500, U1000. Registration: 9-9:45 at site. Rds.: 10:00,11:30, 1:00, 2:30, U-1000 ASAP. Prizes: $800 Guaranteed!! Open:$150, $50, U-2100 $40. U-2000: $100, $40, U1750 $40. U-1500: $100,$40, U1250 $40. U1000: $80, $40, U750 $40, U500 $40. Free healthybox lunch to ALL players!Convenient Online Registration at progress-withchess.org Info: Contact: Mike Joelson, 216-321-7000.OCT. 6, DCC Friday Nite Quick (QC)4SS, G/24 +5. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. Rds.:7:30/8:30/9:30/10:30. One bye. Prizes: based on entries. EF: $15 ($10DCC mbr). Info: [email protected], 937-461-6283.

OCT. 6-8 OR 7-8, 26th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)See Grand Prix.OCT. 6-9 OR 7-9, 9th annual Washington Chess Congress (VA)See Grand Prix.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 8, NOV. 5 & DEC. 3, Columbus Chess League1 Open Section. 6SS, G/75 d5. 2 rounds each date at OSU Campus Donatos.EF: $70/team, 4-board teams w/ 2 alternates. Trophies top 2 teams, 1stU1700 team & individual boards. Advance entries only, due 9/24. Fulldetails: neilley.com/chess, [email protected] or 614-314-1102.

OCT. 13-15 OR 14-15, 5th Annual Wright Brothers Open -National Chess Day!See Grand Prix.OCT. 14, National Chess Day Scholastic SwissCincinnati Scholastic Chess Series season 11 begins on National ChessDay at Princeton High School, 100 Viking Way, Cincinnati, OH 45246.4SS, 4 sections: K-12 Open, K-12 U1000, K-6 U700, K-6 Non-Rated.Time control: G/30 d5. Prizes: Medals to all scoring 3.0 or more ineach section. Series trophies in rated sections based on points scored;best five scores from six tournaments count toward trophies. Completeseries information atwww.chesscincinnati.com. Send questions [email protected] or text/phone Alan Hodge at 513-600-9915.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 14, Toledo October Swiss - National Chess Day!Open, 4SS, Rnd. 1 G/75 d5, Rnds. 2-4 G/85 d5. University of ToledoHealth Science Campus, Mulford Library Basement Cafe, 3000 ArlingtonAve., Toledo, OH 43614. Can split into multiple sections if enough players.EF: $20 by 10/12, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7.Prizes: $450 b/25, $100-50, Class prizes TBD based on split. Ent:[email protected]. 7031 Willowyck, Maumee, OH 43537.419-367-9450.OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, 21st annual Eastern Chess Congress (NJ)See Grand Prix.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 26th annual Kings Island Open See Grand Prix.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 11, Toledo November SwissOpen, 4SS, Rnd. 1 G/75 d5, Rnds. 2-4 G/85 d5. University of ToledoHealth Science Campus, Mulford Library Basement Cafe, 3000 ArlingtonAve., Toledo, OH 43614. Can split into multiple sections if enough players.EF: $20 by 11/9, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes:$450 b/25, $100-50, Class prizes TBD based on split. Ent: [email protected]. 7031 Willowyck, Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450.

A State Championship Event!NOV. 18, Ohio Grade Level State Championship



Site: Newark High School, 314 Granville St., Newark, OH 43055. 13sections, 1 each K-12. 5-SS; K-6 G/30 d5, 7-12 G/45 d5. One 1/2-ptbye rounds 1-4. Check in 8:30-9:30am, round 1 10am. Trophies: to allscoring 3.5+ and top 3 teams each section, medals to all others. EF:$30 by 11/4, $35 after, final deadline 11/14; limited number $15/$20EFs for low income students, call for availability. Refund less $7 adminfee if w/d by noon 11/16, no refunds after. neilley.com/chess forcomplete details, hotel info, mail-in entry form and online entry. Contact:Tim Beltz, [email protected] or 740-745-2875.

OKLAHOMASEPT. 2-3, Jerry Spann MemorialSee Grand Prix.SEPT. 23-24, The Southwest MO Diehards’ Fall Open (MO)See Grand Prix.

OCT. 14, 2nd Annual AR/OK Friendly Feud for National ChessDay (AR)See Arkansas.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 2017 U.S. Class Championships (TX)See Nationals.

OREGONDEC. 26-30, 26-29 OR 27-29, 27th annual North AmericanOpen (NV)See Grand Prix.


PENNSYLVANIAMasterMinds Scholastic Summer LeagueInfo at: www.mastermindschess.org.North Penn Chess ClubMain & Richardson, Lansdale, PA. See www.northpennchessclub.orgfor schedules & info or 215-699-8418.SEPT. 9-10, Golden Buckeye Senior & Adult Open (OH)See Ohio.

SEPT. 16, 2nd Annual LVCA Ruben Shocron Memorial $1050Gtd-RBOSee Grand Prix.

A Heritage Event!SEPT. 17, 58th Annual Pittsburgh Chess League30/90, SD/60 d5. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & BigelowBlvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Monthly 4-player team event from Sept. toApr. EF: $50/team by 9/14. Rds.: 2pm. Info: 412-908-0286, [email protected], www.pitt.edu/~schach/. W.SEPT. 17, Main Line Chess and Games Quads3 RR, G/60 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd., Paoli,PA 19301. EF: $20. Prizes: $50 to first in each 4 player section. Register:12 noon - 12:30 p.m. Rounds: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15 p.m. Information, emailTom Bartell at [email protected]. Phone him at 610-240-8900 or visit our website- mainlinechessandgames.net, mainlinechessandgames.com. Bring a chess clock.SEPT. 23, 2017 PA State Game/60 ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.SEPT. 24, Main Line Chess and Games Quads3 RR, G/60 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd., Paoli,PA 19301. EF: $20. Prizes: $50 to first in each 4 player section. Register:12 noon - 12:30 p.m. Rounds: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15 p.m. Information, emailTom Bartell at [email protected]. Phone him at 610-240-8900 or visit our website- mainlinechessandgames.net, mainlinechessandgames.com. Bring a chess clock.

SEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 2017 Annual HaroldSteen Memorial Cup (MI)See Grand Prix.OCT. 1, Main Line Chess and Games Quads3 RR, G/60 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd., Paoli,PA 19301. EF: $20. Prizes: $50 to first in each 4 player section. Register:12 noon - 12:30 p.m. Rounds: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15 p.m. Information, emailTom Bartell at [email protected]. Phone him at 610-240-8900 or visit our website- mainlinechessandgames.net, mainlinechessandgames.com. Bring a chess clock.OCT. 6-9 OR 7-9, 9th annual Washington Chess Congress (VA)See Grand Prix.OCT. 7, W.Chester 1st Sat. QuadsOur 28th year! 3RR, Game/80 d5. 2nd Presbyterian Church, 114 S.Walnut St., West Chester, PA. EF: $20; $40, $50 for 3-0. Reg.: 9am.Rds.: 9:40, 1:00, 4:00. Info: [email protected]. 8, Main Line Chess and Games Quads3 RR, G/60 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd., Paoli,PA 19301. EF: $20. Prizes: $50 to first in each 4 player section. Register:12 noon - 12:30 p.m. Rounds: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15 p.m. Information, emailTom Bartell at [email protected]. Phone him at 610-240-8900 or visit our website- mainlinechessandgames.net, mainlinechessandgames.com. Bring a chess clock.

OCT. 14, Free Pizza Party Chess Tournament on National ChessDay!4-SS, G/30 d5. EF: $25, $30 CASH ONLY after 10/9 AT SITE. $$300GTD in Open: 1st-$100, U2000-$100, U1600-$100, U1200 Scholastic:

Trophy’s-U1200-1st, 2nd,3 rd; U900-1st, 2nd, 3rd;1 st-U600, 1st-U400,1 st-UNR. FREE PIZZA PARTY for every player. Rds.:1p-2:45-4-5:15p; Reg.: Ends 12:45 pm. Site: College Hill MoravianChurch, 72 W. Laurel St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Entry Payable: BruceDavis,1208 Linden St., Bethlehem, PA 18018; 484-866-3045. Email:[email protected]. More Info: www.lehighvalleychess-club.org/.

OCT. 14, Greater Philadelphia Monthly Scholastic On NationalChess DayLocation: Days Inn, 245 Easton Rd., Horsham, PA 19044, freeparking/wifi, off of PA Turnpike, close to Philadelphia & Trenton, NJ.Monthly scholastic tournament is also held on Aug 19, Sept 16, Nov18, Dec 16. Time Control: 4 rounds, G/25 d5. Rounds: 12:00-4:00PM.Max one 1/2 point bye. EF: $32 online by Oct 11; $35 online by Oct 13;$40 cash at site. Refundable for withdrawals before Oct. 14, 11:30amand 3% processing fee deducted. 4 Sections:Championship, Under1000, Under 600, Beginners, all K-12. Info/Reg: keystonechessclub.org267-629-2162. Onsite Reg: to 11:30am. Trophies to top 3 & participationtrophies to the rest. Chess sets and clocks are provided. Onsite gamereview, simul after awards ceremony.

OCT. 14, Keystone Saturday Night Blitz on National Chess Day(BLZ)Location: Days Inn Horsham/Philadelphia, 245 Easton Rd., Horsham,PA 19044. Free parking/ free wifi. Time Control: 8 round SS, G/3;inc/2.USCF blitz rated only. Rounds: 7:00-9:00PM. Max two 1/2 point byes,request before first round. EF: $10, pay at site, no checks. Prizes: Min-imum 50% returned. 1st-70%, 2nd-30%. Reg.: keystonechessclub.org,onsite to 6:45PM. Chess sets and clocks provided. Other Saturday NightBlitz scheduled for Sep 16, Nov 18, Dec 16.OCT. 14, MasterMinds National Chess DayEsperanza Academy, 301 W. Hunting Park Ave., Phila., PA 19140. Quads:3RR, G/85 d5. EF: $30 cash; winner $100. Reg. ends 9AM. Rds. :9:30, 1,4. Scholastic: 4SS, K-12 Open, K-8 U1200, K-6 U800, K-3 U500. G/40d5. Entries rec’d after 10/11/16 will receive half point first round bye.On site reg. ends 9AM. Rds.: 10, 12, 2, 4. Trophies Top 10 each sections,1nd place School and Club across sections. FREE ENTRY. Mail Ent: Mas-terMinds CC, 36 E. Hortter St., Philadelphia, PA 19119 or email [email protected]. Info: mastermindschess.org.

OCT. 14, National Chess Day - Bob Johnson Memorial TeamChess TournamentLocation: Mercyhurst North East Campus, Tom Ridge Center ConferenceRoom, 16 West Division St., North East, PA 16428. Rounds: 10 AM-1:30 PM-4:30 PM. FREE - No entry fee, but donations accepted. Threeround Swiss Style. There will be a maximum of 5 players per team, butmultiple teams are permitted. Under 1600 and Open categories. Playersmust be current USCF members or renew at the tournament. “TopTeam” will be determined by the top 4 scorers combined from the Openand Under 1600 sections. Unrated players will NOT count towards topteam points. Time control: G/90 with a 5 second delay, if you are usinga digital clock. Important: Advanced Registration of your Team is stronglyencouraged. Please bring a chess board and chess set and a clock ifavailable if you intend to play in any section. There will be a limitednumber of sets/boards/clocks available onsite for “emergencies”. Reg-ister in advance with a reply to [email protected]. Please copy inour TD Rick Mitchell at [email protected] or call 814-899-8920.Please include your full name, USCF number, rating (if you have one)section (Open or Under 1600, team you’ll be competing for and youremail address or phone number. If you register directly with me pleasecopy in your team captain for your Club. Directions to the tournament:Exit I-90 at Exit 41 (North East). Take Rt. 89 North through town andpast the second light (Division Street). Turn left to enter MercyhurstNorth East campus. The Tom Ridge Building is the first building on theRight. Park in the first parking lot in front of the Tom Ridge Building.OCT. 14, National Chess Day Felix Schwarz MemorialSee Grand Prix.OCT. 15, Main Line Chess and Games Quads3 RR, G/60 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd., Paoli,PA 19301. EF: $20. Prizes: $50 to first in each 4 player section. Register:12 noon - 12:30 p.m. Rounds: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15 p.m. Information, emailTom Bartell at [email protected]. Phone him at 610-240-8900 or visit our website- mainlinechessandgames.net, mainlinechessandgames.com. Bring a chess clock.OCT. 15, PCL October Quick Quads (QC)3RR, G/15 d3. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & BigelowBlvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-11:15am. Info: [email protected], 412-908-0286. W.OCT. 21-22, 4th annual Central New York Open (NY)See Grand Prix.OCT. 21-22, MasterMinds Fall OpenSee Grand Prix.OCT. 22, Main Line Chess and Games Fall ScholasticMain Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd., Paoli, PA 19301. K-12:3 Sections, Open, U1250, U750. Open: 3 SS, G/40 d5. Rounds 12:45,2:30, 4:15 p.m. U1250 & U750 4SS, G/25 d5. Rounds 12:45, 2:00,3:15,4:30 p.m. Prizes: Trophies to top 5 in each section. Tiebreakersused - See USCF Rule 34E. EF: $20. Register: 11:45-12:15 p.m. Infor-mation: email Tom Bartell at [email protected] him at 610- 240-8900 or visit our website: mainlineches-sandgames.net, mainlinechessandgames.com. Bring a chess clock.OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, 21st annual Eastern Chess Congress (NJ)See Grand Prix.OCT. 29, Main Line Chess and Games Quads3 RR, G/60 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd., Paoli,PA 19301. EF: $20. Prizes: $50 to first in each 4 player section. Register:12 noon - 12:30 p.m. Rounds: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15 p.m. Information, emailTom Bartell at [email protected]. Phone him at 610-

240-8900 or visit our website- mainlinechessandgames.net, mainlinechessandgames.com. Bring a chess clock.NOV. 4, 16th Horizons for Youth Fall Scholastic RBOSee Grand Prix.NOV. 4, 2017 PA State Action ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.NOV. 5, Main Line Chess and Games Quads3 RR, G/60 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd., Paoli,PA 19301. EF: $20. Prizes: $50 to first in each 4 player section. Register:12 noon - 12:30 p.m. Rounds: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15 p.m. Information, emailTom Bartell at [email protected]. Phone him at 610-240-8900 or visit our website- mainlinechessandgames.net, mainlinechessandgames.com. Bring a chess clock.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, Chess Stars 16th Annual Turkey Bowl (FL)See Grand Prix.NOV. 11, Greater Pocono 11th Annual K-12 RBO5-SS, G/30 d5. EF: $30, $35 after 11/1, 2 Sections, 10 Trophy’s, K-12 OPEN-1st (Blitzoff if tie 1st Open Sect), 2nd, 3rd, Top U1400; K-12U1000-1st, 2nd, 3rd,T op U800,Top U600,Top Unr; Food Onsite. Rds.:9:30-10:45-12:30-1:45-3. Reg.: 8-9:15 am. Site: Pocono Mountain EastHigh School, 231 Pocono Mountain School Rd., Swiftwater, PA. Ent:Check payable to: PMECPA, c/o Sue Velardi, 2751 Pocono Cir., Bar-tonsville, PA, (610)-297-5962. Info:www.pmechess.com/

NOV. 12, PCL November Quick Quads (QC)3RR, G/15 d3. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & BigelowBlvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-11:15am. Info: [email protected], 412-908-0286. W.NOV. 12, Main Line Chess and Games Quads3 RR, G/60 d5. Main Line Chess and Games, 7 South Valley Rd., Paoli,PA 19301. EF: $20. Prizes: $50 to first in each 4 player section. Register:12 noon - 12:30 p.m. Rounds: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15 p.m. Information, emailTom Bartell at [email protected]. Phone him at 610-240-8900 or visit our website- mainlinechessandgames.net, mainlinechessandgames.com. Bring a chess clock.NOV. 24-26 OR 25-26, 48th annual National Chess CongressSee Grand Prix.DEC. 28-30 OR 29-30, 36th annual Empire City Open (NY)See Grand Prix.

RHODE ISLANDSEPT. 22-24 OR 23-24, 8th Annual Hartford Open (CT)See Grand Prix.JAN. 5-7 OR 6-7, 6th annual Boston Chess Congress (MA)See Grand Prix.

SOUTH CAROLINASEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 44th Annual Lipkin/Pfefferkorn Open (NC)See Grand Prix.

SOUTH DAKOTASEPT. 16-17, Paul Salem Sioux Falls Open - Grand PrixSee Grand Prix.OCT. 6-8 OR 7-8, 26th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)See Grand Prix.

TENNESSEESEPT. 16-17, Mike Barton Memorial 7See Grand Prix.

SEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 44th Annual Lipkin/Pfefferkorn Open (NC)See Grand Prix.OCT. 14, 2017 Cumberland County Fall Open - National Chess DayCumberland Co. Community Complex, 1398 Livingston Rd., Crossville, TN38555. $420 guaranteed prize fund. In 2 Sections, Open: 4SS, G/60 d5,$$: $75. 30- X,A,B,C,D/Below. Amateur: 4SS, G/60 d5, Open to U1200 &under. $$: $75. 30-F,G,H/Below,UNR UNR eligible for unrated prize only.ALL: EF: $15 if mailed by 10/9, $20 at site. Memb. Req’d: TCA $10 TNresidents only. ENT: Harry D. Sabine, P. O. Box 381, Crossville, TN 38557.INFO:www.cumberlandcountychess.org or Harry at 931-261-8440. W.OCT. 14, National Chess Day!4SS, G/60 d5. Site: The Connection Tutoring Center, 4726 Poplar Ave.#7, Memphis, TN 38117. Prizes based on 30 paid entries: $150, 100,75, 50, 25. Class prizes: B, C, D/E $50 each. EF: $25 by Oct 07, $35 late.MCC members $25 anytime. Masters: free (EF deducted from winnings).Rds. start at 10am and other ASAP. Registration starts at 8am. [email protected]; Online entries and other info: www.memphischess.com; Sendmail entries to: MCC, P.O. Box 17864, Memphis, TN 38187.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 26th annual Kings Island Open (OH)See Grand Prix.

NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 2017 U.S. Class Championships (TX)See Nationals.NOV. 18-19, 58th Mid-South OpenSee Grand Prix.

TEXASUS Chess Junior Grand Prix!SEPT. 16-17, DCC Fundraiser FIDE II

www.uschess.org 69


4-SS. G/90 +30 sec inc. Dallas Chess Club, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr. #C,Richardson, TX 75080. FIDE and US Chess rated but uses FIDE rules.Tournament uses US Chess ratings and rules for pairings and forawarding prizes. Default late forfeiture time is one hour. TD may extendthis time at TD’s discretion. Note that Foreign players must disclosetheir FIDE ID number before 1st round in order to play. Note that USAPlayers with no FIDE ID must disclose their email address. EF: $30,Senior/Birthday during tournament/Additional Family Member $20.There is a $10 non DCC membership fee if applicable. Reg.: Saturdayfrom 8:45–9:15 am. Rds.: Sat 9:35 am-2:05pm, Sun 9:35 am-2:10pm.One half point Bye allowed if requested before end of round 2 andbefore getting full point bye. Note that Fundraiser tournaments do notaward any prizes, but the TD may choose to award minimal prizes iftournament has a great turnout. Make/mail Checks payable to DallasChess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX76036-4719. Info: 214-632-9000. FIDE.

SEPT. 23-24, 2017 Texas Armed Forces and Military VeteransOpen Chess Championships4SS, G/60 d5. Community Room, North Richland Hills Library, 9015Grand Ave., North Richland Hills, TX 76180. See our website for specialdiscount rates, for rooms and suites, at nearby Hurst Holiday InnExpress. EF: Free Entry, however both US Chess and Texas Chess Asso-ciation memberships are required and available during on site registration.Memb. Req’d: $10 per year ($7.50 for college students). Prizes: Atleast ten wall plaques will be awarded. More may be added based onAdvance Entries and Fund Raising. Certificates will be awarded forspecial and significant achievements (TBD). Reg.: Saturday, 23 September2017, 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Send email to armychess@aol. com, nolater than 17 September 2017. Rds.: 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 10:00 AM,1:00 PM. Veterans Dinner, Saturday, 23 September 2017, 5:30 PM to7:00 PM. Please wear your Military Class A Uniform on Sunday (if it stillfits) or appropriate Business Casual Attire. ENT: FREE ENTRY by advanceemail (preferred) or on-site registration only. [email protected]: Major Jim Hollingsworth (U.S. Army, retired). http:// seriouschess-players.com/scp_txafcc.html. Free entry, however both US Chessand Texas Chess Association memberships are required and avail-able during on-site registration. W.SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 2017 DCC FIDE Open XSee Grand Prix.OCT. 14, National Chess Day Houston Scholastic5SS, G/25 d5 (Advanced Players >1200 4SS, G/45 d5) at Chavez HighSchool, 8501 Howard Dr., Houston, TX 77017. K-12 Scholastic Only. Tro-phies to positive scores. Sections based on advance entries received.Sections combined for School Team Trophies 1st to 3rd. EF: $19 by mailpostmarked by 10/10, or $20 by PayPal by 10/12, or $30 at site. Reg.8:30-8:45; Rd 1 at 9:00, others ASAP. Info & Entries: James Liptrap, POBox 12053, Spring, TX 77391, 832-492-7154. On-line entry: http://chess.jliptrap.us/enter.htm. Flier: http://chess.jliptrap.us/hca17chav.htm. W.OCT. 14, Borderland Chess Scholastic National Chess DayNOTE VENUE CHANGE: El Paso Public Library Armijo Library Branch,620 E. 7th Ave., El Paso 79901 NOT Central Library, 501 N. Oregon St.,El Paso, TX 79901 as printed in August CL issue. In 4 Sections, RatedOpen 6th Grade – 12th & Early College: 5SS, G/30 d5, Rated 3rd-5th Grade: 5SS, G/30 d5, Rated Kinder-2nd Grade: 5SS, G/30 d5,Non-Rated Kinder-12th Grade: 5SS, G/30 d5. ALL: EF: FREE ENTRY TOALL SECTIONS!!! Top 3 Winners in Rated Sections get a Medal. Non-Rated Section winners get USCF Voucher & other prizes. Rds.: Saturday10:30pm, 11:40 pm, 12:50 pm Lunch Break then 3:10 pm and 4:20 pm.Zero point bye first round for late entries. ENT: http://tinyurl.com/BCSNCD. https://www.facebook.com/borderlandchessnews.OCT. 14-15, 2017 National Chess Day FIDE Weekend OpenSee Grand Prix.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!OCT. 28-29, Dallas Open, Amateur and Novice5SS, G/90 with 30 second increment. Dallas CC, 200 S. Cottonwood Dr.Ste C, Richardson, TX 75080. EF: $30 ($20 Jr/Sr/Hcap), plus $10 non-DCC mbr fee if applicable. $$ Prizes based on entries 50 % returned.Open: Open to all. Highest finishing club member receives free entry toTexas Masters which will determine the DCC club champion. Amateur:Open to U2000. Novice: Open to U1400 and unrated. Reg.: 9:45-10:15am.Rds.: 10:45-3:10-7:16, 9:45-2:10. One half-point bye if requested beforerd 2 (and if requested before receiving a full point bye). Tournamentreserves the right to use Fide rules on electronic devices and on startingWhite’s clock at start of a round. Ent: Dallas Chess Club, C/O BarbaraSwafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. Info: 214-632-9000,[email protected], www.dallaschess.com.

A State Championship Event!NOV. 3-5, 21st Annual North/Central Texas Grade ChampionshipsHilton Houston North, 12400 Greenspoint Dr., Houston, TX 77060. HR:$95/$95/$95/$95, 281-875-2222 or 866-577-1154. Mention “NTGC”group code to get rate. Room comes with 2 breakfast coupons. Reserveby Oct 19 or rate may not be honored. Each grade is Open to TX residentsor players attending Texas schools. Note a recent rule change passedwhere players cannot play in two separate closed scholastic state cham-pionships in different states. Players must play in their own grade. Notethat small sections may be merged with another section. Also if sectionsare small you may have to play a teammate or play someone twice.One 1/2 pt bye available, any round, if requested before end of rd. 2and if player has not received a full point bye or forfeit win. Teampairings may be turn off for later rounds. Trophies to top 10 ind. & top5 teams (top three players added for team scores, no more than 2teams per school in each grade.) EF: $35 if postmarked by 10/28/17,$59 thereafter or on site. Do not mail after 10/30 as your entry maynot be received on time. Grades 6-12: 6SS, G/60 d5. Schedule: Reg:Fri 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Rd. 1 Fri. 7:45 pm, Sat 10am-1:00pm-4pm, Sun.10 am and 1:00 pm. Grades K-5: Nov 3 – Nov 5. 6SS, Rds. 1 G/45 d5;Rds. 2-6 G/60 d5. Schedule: Reg: Fri 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Rd. 1 Fri.

7:45 pm, Sat 10am-1:00pm-4pm, Sun. 10 am and 1:00 pm. All: Entriesto: Dallas Chess Club, c/o Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crow-ley, TX 76036. Entry must include Name, USCF ID (or new/pending),grade & school and school location. Incomplete entries will be chargedat site entry fee. No refunds after 11/2. Email: [email protected]. Do not call after 11/1 as we are traveling. Online regis-tration and team room information on website at www.dallaschess.com/2017 Texas Grade/index.htm Side events: Unrated Blitz open tournamenton Saturday at 7pm. EF: $15, Trophy prizes. Bughouse Open TournamentSat. 8:35 pm. EF: $20/team. Trophy prizes. Registration for side eventsonsite only. W.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 2017 U.S. Class ChampionshipsSee Nationals.NOV. 23-26 OR 24-26, 2017 Texas MastersSee Grand Prix.DEC. 2, 2017 Dallas Junior Open5-SS, (rds. 1-3 G/30; d5, rds. 4-5 G/45; d5). Dallas Chess Club, 200 S.Cottonwood Dr. #C, Richardson, TX 75080. EF: $24. Reg. 8:15-8:45 am.3 sections: Championship (opened to 20 yrs old and under), Cadet(opened to 14 yrs old and under), Youth (opened to 10 yrs old andunder). Ages as of 1/1/17. Rd. 1 at 9 am rest ASAP. $$65% of entryfees given back in prizes. ENT: Make/mail Checks payable to DallasChess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX,76036-4719. INFO: Barb Swafford, 214-632-9000, [email protected],www.dallaschess.com.DEC. 23-24, 2017 DCC FIDE Open XISee Grand Prix.

DEC. 26-30, 26-29 OR 27-29, 27th annual North AmericanOpen (NV)See Grand Prix.DEC. 31-JAN. 1, DCC New Year Eve InsanitySee Grand Prix.


UTAHDEC. 26-30, 26-29 OR 27-29, 27th annual North AmericanOpen (NV)See Grand Prix.


VERMONTSEPT. 23-24, Danville OpenSee Grand Prix.OCT. 28-29, 2017 Vermont OpenSee Grand Prix.JAN. 5-7 OR 6-7, 6th annual Boston Chess Congress (MA)See Grand Prix.

VIRGINIASEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 44th Annual Lipkin/Pfefferkorn Open (NC)See Grand Prix.

SEPT. 30, 2017 Shenandoah Valley Open - pre National ChessDay Event!4SS, G/40 d5. Bowman Library, 871 Tasker Rd., Stephens City, VA 22655.Sections: Open and Scholastic, K-8. Prizes: Open section: $50 1st, $252nd. Scholastic: 1st & 2nd medals, Participation Ribbons. Reg.: 9:15 to10:00 am. Open Round times: 10:15, 11:45, 2:00, 3:30. ScholasticRound Times as soon practical. Fee: $15 Open, $10 Scholastic pre-registered. Site entries add $5 cash or check only. Max 1/2 half bye. Mustbe announced by Rd. 2. Entries/Info: www.winchesterchess.com, DavidHubbard, [email protected], 973-280-7189.OCT. 6-9 OR 7-9, 9th annual Washington Chess CongressSee Grand Prix.OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, 21st annual Eastern Chess Congress (NJ)See Grand Prix.NOV. 24-26 OR 25-26, 48th annual National Chess Congress (PA)See Grand Prix.

WASHINGTONSEPT. 15-17, Washington Women’s ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.OCT. 14, National Chess Day Fundraiser Simul & FestivalNorthwest University, Donald H. Argue Health and Sciences Center,5520 - 108th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98033. Description: U2000 TandemSimul & Girls-only Tandem Simul, featuring Ugandan chess players WCMPhiona Mutesi (subject of 2012 book & 2016 film Queen of Katwe) andExpert Benjamin Mukumbya. All donations and proceeds to benefit theircollege living expenses! EF for Simul: pre-registration $25, on-site $35(suggested minimum donations). EF for Festival games: Free (donationsaccepted). Doors open at 1:00 PM, check-in for Simuls 1:00PM-1:30pm,Simuls begin at 1:30pm. Fun Carnival games and prizes! Details:www.chess4life.com. Questions: [email protected] or 425-283-0549.



WEST VIRGINIASEPT. 9-10, Golden Buckeye Senior & Adult Open (OH)See Ohio.SEPT. 9-10, 79th WV State ChampionshipSee Grand Prix.

SEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 44th Annual Lipkin/Pfefferkorn Open (NC)See Grand Prix.OCT. 27-29 OR 28-29, 21st annual Eastern Chess Congress (NJ)See Grand Prix.NOV. 10-12 OR 11-12, 26th annual Kings Island Open (OH)See Grand Prix.

WISCONSINSEPT. 23-24, Greg Knutson MemorialSee Grand Prix.

SEPT. 29-OCT. 1 OR SEPT. 30-OCT. 1, 2017 Annual HaroldSteen Memorial Cup (MI)See Grand Prix.OCT. 6-8 OR 7-8, 26th annual Midwest Class Championships (IL)See Grand Prix.OCT. 14, Hales Corners Challenge XXVI - National Chess Day!See Grand Prix.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!NOV. 4-5, WCA Veteran’s Tournament5SS, G/120 d5. Gruenhagen Conference Center, UW-Oshkosh, Cornerof High and Osceola St., Oshkosh, WI 54901. HR: $40 (dorm room) 920-424-1106. Open to Age 18 and over. EF: $25 by 10/31; $30 at site.$$b/40 and 3 per class: $175-105. A-$85; B-$75; C-$60; D-$50; E/Unr-$50. Reg.: 11/4 8:45-9:30 A.M. Rds.: 10:15-2:30-7:15; 10:00-3:00. Heldin conjunction with the WI Junior Open but in a separate room. ENT:Mike Nietman, 2 Boca Grande Way, Madison, WI 53719. INFO: MikeNietman, 608-467-8510 (evenings before 11/3) [email protected]. www.wischess.org. W.

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!A State Championship Event!NOV. 4-5, 2017-2018 Wisconsin Junior OpenGruenhagen Conference Center, UW-Oshkosh, Corner of High andOsceola St., Oshkosh, WI 54901. HR: $40 Full Service, $30 StudentService; (dorm room) 920-424-1106. 2018 Denker/Barber/NGTOCqualifier; Open to youth born after 11/4/1996. In 5 Sections, Open:EF: $17 in advance by 10/31; $22 at site. Trophies: Top 5, Top 2each 1600, 1500, 1400, 1300, 1200, 1100 and top 3 Under 1100 andUnrated. Girl’s Junior Open: EF: $17 in advance by 10/31; $22 atsite. Trophies: Top 6. Reserve (U1100 or Unrated): EF: $17 inadvance by 10/31; $22 at site. Trophies: Top 5, Top 2 each 900, 800,700, 600, 500 and Under 500 and top 3 Unrated. Non-Rated Begin-ner’s Grade 7-12: Open to Grades 7-12. EF: $16 in advance by 10/31;$21 at site. Trophies: Top 5 and top 3 Grade 7-9. Non-Rated Begin-ner’s Grade K-6: Open to Grades K-6. EF: $16 in advance by 10/31;$21 at site. Trophies: Top 5 and top 3 Grade K-3. ALL: 5SS, G/120d5. Reg.: 11/4 8:45-9:30 A.M. Rds.: 10:15-2:30-7:15; 10:00-3:00.ENT: Mike Nietman, 2 Boca Grande Way, Madison, WI 53719. INFO:Mike Nietman, 608-467-8510 (before 11/3) [email protected]. W.

WYOMINGUS Chess Junior Grand Prix!A State Championship Event!OCT. 14-15, National Chess Day Wyoming Closed State Cham-pionshipStrausner Student Center, Room 217, Casper College, 125 College Dr.,Casper, WY. 5 round swiss. TL: 40/90 Game 60 d5. HR: Best WesternRamkota, 800 North Poplar St., Casper (ph 307-266-6000). $79 per night,mention chess tournament. Additional rooms available at Hilton GardenSuites, 1150 North Poplar, Casper (855-499-0001) $91 per night. MentionCasper College to receive rate. On-site registration will be from 7:30 -8:30am on the 14th. Entry fees:$25 pre-registration until August 30th,then $35 at the door. Please bring sets, boards and clocks. None supplied.Send pre-registration check or money order (make payable to CasperCollege Chess Club) to: Joe Simon, Tournament Director, BU 203 Thor-son Business Building, 125 College Dr., Casper, WY 82601. Credit cardtournament registrations can be taken by emailing [email protected] for a printable registration form which can be sent to theabove address. Rds.: Saturday 9am-2pm-7pm, Sunday 10am -3pm.Playoff (if necessary) 30 minutes after last round - G/10 d0. Prizes:Gtd 1st place $250 and trophy; Reserve (under 1400) $100 and trophy- other prizes based on entries. For more details contact: WilliamHoffman (CC Club president) 1-307-797-7286 or Joe Simon (CC ChessClub advisor) 1-307-268-2376.




Classifieds / Solutions / September

www.uschess.org 71

ClassifiedsChess Life accepts classified advertising in these categories:Activities, For Rent, For Sale, Games, Instruction, Miscel-laneous, Services, Tournaments, Wanted. Only typed ore-mailed copy is accepted. Absolutely no telephone orders.Rates (per word, per insertion): 1-2 insertions $1.50, 3-6insertions $1.25, 7 + insertions $1.00. Affiliates pay $1.00per word regardless of insertion frequency. No other dis-counts available. Advertisements with less than 15 wordswill cost a minimum of $15 per issue. Post office boxescount as two words, telephone numbers as one, ZIP codeis free. Full payment must accompany all advertising. Alladvertising published in Chess Life is subject to the appli-cable rate card, available from the Advertising Department.Chess Life reserves the right not to accept an advertiser’sorder. Only publication of an advertisement constitutesfinal acceptance. For a copy of these complete set of reg-ulations & a schedule of deadlines, send a stamped,self-addressed envelope to: Chess Life Classifieds, PO Box3967, Crossville, TN 38557. Ads are due two months prior(by the 10th) of the issue cover date you want your ad toappear in. (For example: October CL ads MUST be sub-mitted no later than August 10th). You can e-mail yourclassified ad to Joan DuBois, [email protected].

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MiscellaneousCHESS FEAR (newsletter)Books, Q&A, secrets, illustrated catalog. Free sub-scription when you send: name and email addressto [email protected]

Wanted* CHESS-PLAYER SCHOLARS *in top 10% of high school class with USCF > 2000and SAT (math + critical reading + writing) > 2150for possible college scholarships to UMBC. Prof. AlanSherman, Dept. of Computer Science and ElectricalEngineering, Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore County,21250. [email protected]

SolutionsPAGE 17 / CHESS TO ENJOY

PROBLEM I. 26. Qxg6!, Black resigned (26. ... hxg627. Rf3 and Rh3 mates). PROBLEM II. 12. ... Qxh7

13. Qxa8 Nc6! traps the queen, e.g. 14. c3 Ba6 or 14.

d5 Qe4+. PROBLEM III. 21. ... Qe6! threatens 22. ...Qh6+ and mates, e.g. 22. g5 Qg4 23. Kg2 Rc8! or22. Bh3 Qh6 23. Kg2 Ng5. PROBLEM IV. 17. Nxd5!

threatens 18. Nc7 as well as 18. Qh5 followed by Ne7mate (17. ... cxd5 18. Bxd5+ Kh8 19. Qh5+ or 18. ... Rf719. Qh5). PROBLEM V. 28. ... Rd4! 29. Qe1 Rxb4!

(30. Qxb4 Qa1+ and mates). Not 28. ... Rxb4? 29.Qd8+ Kf7 30. Qd7+ with perpetual check. PROBLEM

VI. 18. ... Qd5! 19. Rg1 g5! wins the queen (20. Qxg5Qf3 mate or 20. hxg4 gxf4 21. Kxe2 fxg4 and wins).

PAGE 47 / ABCS OF CHESS

PROBLEM I. Mating net: Black has a smotheredmate: 1. ... Qg1+ 2. Rxg1 Nf2 mate. PROBLEM II.

Mating net: Mate starts with 1. ... Nh3+. If 2. Qxh3,then 2. ... Rxf1+; or if 2. Kh1, then 2. ... Rxf1 mate.PROBLEM III. Mating net: The bold 1. ... Nh3+ matesnext. PROBLEM IV. Mating net: Black mates by 1.... Qb4+ 2. Ka1 Qc3 mate. PROBLEM V. Mating

net: The mate is forced by 1. ... Qg1+ 2. Qxg1 Ng3

mate. PROBLEM VI. Mating net: Black mates nextmove after 1. ... Re2.

PAGE 49 / PRACTICUM

PROBLEM I. DANIEL: Draw? TWAN: 96. Rf8+

Kg7 97. Rg8+!!, Black resigned. Eat that. PROB-

LEM II. BLACK’S KING AND PAWNS: Muahaha- hahhahaa. WHITE’S PIECES: You like apples?BLACK’S KING AND PAWNS: Uhh, yeah. WHITE’SPIECES: 1. g5 Ke6 2. gxh6 Kf6 3. Kc2!! c4 4. Kc1

d3 (4. ... b3 5. Kb2 d3 6. Kc3; 4. ... c3 5. Kc2) 5.

Kd2 b3 6.Kc3 b2 7.Kxb2 d2 8.Kc2 c3 9.Kd1, White

wins. WHITE’s PIECES: How about them apples?Bonus: what movie am I referencing here? As agesture of good will, hunt it down and watch it!(See answer at bottom of this column.)

Naroditsky movie: Good Will Hunting

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CHESS LIFE USPS # 102-840 (ISSN 0197-260X). Volume 72 No. 9. PRINTED IN THE USA. Chess Life, formerly Chess Life & Review, is publishedmonthly by the United States Chess Federation, 137 Obrien Dr., Crossville, TN 38557-3967. Chess Life & Review and Chess Life remain the propertyof USCF. Annual subscription (without membership): $50. Periodical postage paid at Crossville, TN 38557-3967 and additional mailing offices.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Chess Life (USCF), PO Box 3967, Crossville, Tennessee 38557-3967. Entire contents ©2017 by the UnitedStates Chess Federation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any formor by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise without the prior written permission of USCF. Note: Unsolicited materials aresubmitted at the sender's risk and Chess Life accepts no responsibility for them. Materials will not be returned unless accompanied by appropriatepostage and packaging. Address all submissions to Chess Life, PO Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557-3967. The opinions expressed are strictly thoseof the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Chess Federation. Send all address changes to: U.S. Chess,Membership Services, PO Box 3967, Crossville, Tennessee 38557-3967. Include your USCF I.D. number and a recent mailing label if possible. Thisinformation may be e-mailed to [email protected]. Please give us eight weeks advance notice. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO.41473530 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO EXPRESS MESSENGER INTERNATIONAL P.O. BOX 25058 LONDON BRC, ONTARIO,CANADA N6C 6A8

Continued from page 27We certainly have no shortage of Americancities with decaying neighborhoods and kidsin need of productive and stimulating activ-ities. Perhaps the model pioneered by Paveland Sandra could be tried here as well.

The recent thaw in U.S.-Cuban relationsand easing of travel restrictions have beenwelcomed by the general Cuban population.The attitudes toward the U.S. seem, on thewhole, positive and hopeful. Many taxi driv-ers in Havana have American flags hangingon the mirror, and some restaurants haveposters of Barack Obama hanging next tothose of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.

For Cuban chess players, the improvedrelations bring hope for new opportunities.Vladimir bemoaned the shortage of normtournaments in Cuba and expressed opti-mism that he will be able to play in the U.S.in the near future. For Pavel and Sandra,easier travel between the U.S. and Cuba pro-vides a chance to expand the Barrio Habanaproject beyond their neighborhood and cityand establish connections to chess programshere in America. Pavel spoke with greatenthusiasm about his desire to create a chess-based U.S.-Cuba exchange program for kids.

All in all, what stood out in this experiencemore than anything is the way chess canturn vastly different individuals into a wel-coming community. From an eight-year-oldCuban boy to an elderly Russian gentlemanto a young man balancing his cigarette withchess pieces, chess is an international lan-guage that brings people together. In theworld of the 64 squares, the ancient game isa representation of war, but if one steps backand observes, chess is just the opposite: aunifying force that fosters dialogue, collab-oration, and friendship. By nurturingcommunication across boundaries and bor-ders, perhaps it even makes the world abetter place.


In January, I received the shocking news thatmy mother wasn’t well. Not long after, shepassed away. Losing her was a huge mental

blow, but knowing how much she would havewanted to see me perform well at the U.S. Wom -en’s Championship gave me the strength to moveforward. Seeded sixth, nobody expected muchexcept myself. However, by round 10, I was sharingfirst with the defending champion. Playing withthe black pieces in the last round against thetalented Apurva Virkud wasn’t going to be easy.

NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENSE,CLASSICAL VARIATION (E39)WFM Apurva Virkud (2258) WGM Sabina-Francesca Foisor (2365) 2017 U.S. Women’s Championship (11), St.Louis, Missouri, 04.09.2017

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 0-0 5.

Nf3 c5 6. dxc5 Na6

I was expecting either 7. g3 or 7. a3. However,I was surprised by:7. c6?!

Pioneered by Morozevich to delay Black’s knightfrom c5. However, it helps Black strengthen thecenter.7. ... bxc6 8. g3?!

Necessary is 8. a3, then 8. ... Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 d510. e3 with a balanced position.8. ... d5 9. Bd2?!

A slow move which gives Black a lot of space.9. a3 was a must once again.9. ... d4! 10. Ne4 Rb8 11. Nxf6+ Qxf6 12. Bg2

e5 13. 0-0 Bf5 14. Qc1 Bxd2

To stop White from any active play.15. Qxd2

A better choice is 15. Nxd2.15. ... h6 16. Qa5 c5 17. b3

White could have gone for a more active 17.Nxe5 but after 17. ... Qxe5 18. Qxa6 Rxb2 19. Qxa7Rxe2 Black has control over both open files whileWhite’s weakness on c4 is an easy target.

WGM Sabina-

Francesca Foisor

2017 U.S.Women’s

Champion

17. ... e4 18. Nd2 Rfe8 19. Rad1 Rb6!?

With the idea Qe7 to protect a7 and c5followed by Nb4.20. Nb1 Qe7 21. e3 Bg4 22. Rd2

This is a critical moment for Black. Themomentum is building up!22. ... Nb4!

The last inharmonious piece joins theforces! This move played a key role in thefinal phase of the game.23. exd4

It was part of White’s plan to activate her

pieces. Unfortunately for her, with the en-trapped queen on a5, White’s king is exposedto a deadly attack.23. ... e3!

This rips White’s kingside.24. fxe3 Qxe3+ 25. Kh1 Rf6!!

With this rook move I“develop” my last piece to the kingside attack.26. Rg1??

My heart started beating very fast here. Iwas hoping for this move so I could finishspectacularly. I took my time to double-checkthat I was in fact winning.26. ... Qxg1+!!

And now mate is unstoppable!27. Kxg1 Re1+ 28. Bf1 Rfxf1+ 29. Kg2

Rg1+ 30. Kf2 Ref1+ 31. Ke3 Rf3+

And as mate is inevitable:31. ... Rf3+ 32. Ke2 (32. Ke4 Re1+ 33. Re2Rxe2 mate.) 32. ... Rf6+ 33. Ke3 Re1+ 34. Re2Rxe2 mate.

This is the most memorable game in mycareer. A game in my mom’s memory!

I was hoping for this move so I could finish spectacularly.“ ”

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NorthAmerican OpenDec 26-30, 26-29 or 27-29at BALLY'S LAS VEGAS$120,000 guaranteed prizes!

In 7 sections. Enter by Sept 15 for lowest fee!Open Section: $10000-5000-2500-1200-1000-800-600-500-400-400, clear/tiebreak bonus $200.Top FIDE Under 2400/Unr $2400-1200. FIDE rated, GM & IM norms possible.Under 2300 Section: $7000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-500-400-400.Under 2100 Section: $7000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-500-400-400. Unr limit $2500.Under 1900 Section: $7000-4000-2000-1200-800-600-500-500-400-400. Unr limit $1800.Under 1700 Section: $6000-3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-500-400-400. Unr limit $1300.Under 1500 Section: $5000-2500-1300-1000-700-600-500-400-300-300. Unr limit $900.Under 1250 Section: $3000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-400-300-300,top U1000 (no unr) $1000-500. Unrated limit $500.Mixed Doubles: $2000-1000-500-300-200.

Prize limits: If under 26 games as of Dec2017 official list, $1500 in U1250, $3000U1500 or U1700. If any post-event rating12/20/16-12/20/17 is more than 30 pointsover section maximum, limit $2000.Open schedule: reg. to 12/26 10 am, rds12/26-28 11 & 6, 12/29 10 & 4:30, 12/30 10.Other sections 4-day schedule: reg. ends12/26 5 pm, rds 12/26 6 pm, 12/27-28 11 &6, 12/29 10 & 4:30.Other sections 3-day schedule: reg. ends12/27 10 am, rds 12/27 11, 2:30 & 6, 12/2811 & 6, 12/29 10 & 4:30.Time limit: 40/2, SD/30, d10 (3-daylower sections option, rounds 1-2 G/60, d10).

Top 6 sections entry fee: Online atchessaction.com, $245 by 9/15, $275 by12/23, $300 until two hours before round 1.Higher by mail see Tournament Life.Open Section is $100 more to US playersnot FIDE or USCF rated 2200/over.Special entry fee: All in U1250 Sectionor Senior 65/over in U1500/up, $120 less.Open GMs, foreign IMs/WGMs free,$200 from prize. US IMs/WGMs, foreignFMs, WIMs: entry fee $100 less.No checks at site; credit cards OK.Re-entry (except Open) $120.FIDE ratings used for Open, Dec 2017official USCF for other sections.

Unofficial web ratings usually used ifotherwise unrated.Special 1 year USCF membership if paidwith entry- see Tournament Life orchesstour.com. . USCF membership required.Hotel rates: $99-99, 800-833-3308, 702-739-4111, rate may increase if not reservedby Nov 15. Free parking (use Paris garage).Equipment: Bring sets, boards, clocks ifpossible- none supplied.Blitz 12/29, 10 pm.Entry: chessaction.com or ContinentalChess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577.$15 charge for refunds. Entries posted atchessaction (online entry posted instantly).

September 2017 | USChess.org

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Transcript of September 2017 | USChess.org