February 2012 uschess.

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winning vision combines hip-hop, chess,

and martial arts with life-strategy coaching to educate children
02

around the country and the world.

 in association with

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 Chess Life
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2 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org

 Contributors February on uschess.org
Al Lawrence
(Looks at Books, p. 12) is a former
executive director of both USCF Team Time
and the World Chess Hall of Fame.
His latest book with GM Lev
The U.S. Amateur Team Championships
are widely considered the most fun
Alburt, Chess for the Gifted
tournament series in the national
and Busy, can soon be previewed
at www.chesswithlev.com. calendar of events. CLO will feature
coverage from all four events, held
over Presidents Day weekend from
Macauley Peterson February 17-20 in Northbrook, Illinois
(Looks at Books, p. 14) is a
(North), Parsippany, New Jersey (East),
freelance mediamaker, currently
Fort Lauderdale, Florida (South) and
for hire. His written work has
Santa Clara, California (West). Also look
appeared in New in Chess
for U.S. Chess Scoop videos from the
magazine and Matten (The
Netherlands), 64 (Russia), Chess U.S. Amateur Team East in Parsippany.
(U.K.), Pen de Rey (Spain) and
Schach (Germany).

Eric K. Arnold
(Cover Story, p. 20) is a freelance
photojournalist based in Oakland,
California. A lifelong chess
aficionado, Arnold won a 2011 Improve Your Rep
award from the Society of
IM Greg Shahade follows up
Professional Journalists for
multimedia arts and culture his piece on opening books with
coverage of Oaklands hip-hop scene. an essay on opening repertoires,
and the kinds of openings he
believes most suitable for various
Nelly Rosario playing strengths.
(Chess and Love, p. 26) is the
author of Song of the Water Saints
and currently teaches creative
writing in the MFA program at
Texas State University.

GM John Fedorowicz
(2011 World Youth, p. 30) is in Chess on the Rock
the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame, has The 10th year anniversary Gibraltar
captained the U.S. Olympiad team Chess Congress features a star-studded
on two occasions and has field including many Americans such as
frequently acted as a second or Varuzhan Akobian, reigning Womens
advisor to Gata Kamsky. Champ Anna Zatonskih, Irina Krush
and Marc Arnold. Top seeds include
Jamaal Abdul-Alim Peter Svidler and Judit Polgarlook
(2011 K-12, p. 36) is a for reportage by Macauley Peterson.
journalist and chess teacher
in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Tim Redman Jonathan Hilton on Chess

(Education, p. 42) has been a
contributor to this magazine for
more than 35 years. He served
twice as president of the USCF.
Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
(Education, p. 44) is the author
of The Living Chess Game: Fine
Arts Activities for Kids 9-14
(Libraries Unlimited, Santa
Barbara, CA; 2011) and a frequent
contributor to Chess Life and
Chess Life Online.
Around the World
From chess cosmopolitanism to his adventures
in Central America, Jonathan Hilton continues
to reveal how chess has influenced his education
off the board. In Februarys installment, he
completes his piece on learning firsthand about
the experience of being an immigrant in Belgium.
As usual, a blindfold chess game is involved!
Follow Chess Life and Chess Life Online on Facebook!
Get regular updates as part of your newsfeed, post comments,
and easily communicate directly with the editorial staff.

uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 3

February Chess Life
Columns

12 LOOKS AT BOOKS
Small Scenes with Big
Players Behind the Old Iron
Curtain
By Al Lawrence

14 LOOKS AT BOOKS
Still Going Strong: Yuri
Averbakh
By Macauley Peterson

16 CHESS TO ENJOY
Will You Walk Into My
Parlour?
By GM Andy Soltis

18 SOLITAIRE CHESS
The Great Vera Menchik
By Bruce Pandolfini

46 BACK TO BASICS
Corporal Aventuras Borodino
By GM Lev Alburt

48 ENDGAME LAB
A Master of the Endgame
By GM Pal Benko

Departments

3 PREVIEW
6 COUNTERPLAY
8 USCF AFFAIRS
10 FIRST MOVES
52 TOURNAMENT LIFE
70 CLASSIFIEDS
71 SOLUTIONS

On The Cover
It is hard to believe that at one time
the dominant image the public had
of a chess player was an old man
with a long, gray beard. Perhaps
he had a pipe. My, how things have
changed. The Hip Hop Chess
Federation is the latest organization
combining chess with pop culture
elements, in this case hip hop
and martial arts. Adisa Banjokos
PHOTO: ERIC K. ARNOLD

organization celebrates its fifth

anniversary this month; our report
begins on page 20.

Cover photo by Eric K. Arnold

Design by Frankie Butler

4 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org

2012 Membership Options
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Counterplay
A sour Dutch treat?
In Bruce Pandolfinis normally excellent
Solitaire Chess column, I have noticed
a couple of errors, the most striking of
which occurs in the analysis to Whites
14th move (Dutch Treat, September
2011). White played 14. Be6+, certainly
a reasonable move, and after 14. ... Kh8
15. Qe2 White won a nice game. But in
the notes, Pandolfini only gives 2 points
part credit for the (significantly stronger)
sacrifice 14. Bxg6 hxg6 15. Qxg6+, writ-
ing, The queen, by herself, can effect a
draw ... But there is probably no more
attack. ... Accept 1 bonus point if you
realized this.
rsn-wq-trk+
zpp+-vl-+-
-+pzp-+Q+
+-+-zP-+-
-+P+-+-+
+-+-+-zP-
PzP-+-zP-zP
tR-vL-+RmK-
After 15. Qxg6
In fact I think White should take penalty
points for stopping his analysis at this
point, as there is a forced win to be had: 15.
... Kh8 16. Qh5+! (Pandolfini only analyzes
16. Qh6+, which wins by repeating the
position and then playing Qh5, but this
move is necessary at some point, as well as
6 Chess Life February 2012
16. Bh6 Rg8 17. Qh5 Qe8 which also clearly
favors White but does not represent an
immediate winning attempt like my main
line) 16. ... Kg8 (or 16. ... Kg7 17. Bh6+,
where 17. ... Kg8 gets mated in two and the
other king moves lose the rook with check
while White continues the assault) 17. Bh6
(threatening mate in two) after which there
is no defense that does not lose a lot of
material. The only real try is 17. ... Bf6 (17.
... Qe8 gets mated by 18. Qg4+) and White
just captures on f6, 18. exf6, after which
Black is totally lost, much more so than in
the game continuation.
Christopher Girardo
via e-mail
Simple but profound?
There are an unlimited number of chess
variants we can imaginethe Fischer Ran-
dom position is just one, but the one rules
change that may impact the royal game
the least is to give the second player, the
choice of color i.e. even though he/she
moves second, he/she can have the white
pieces so that the first move goes to the
player with the black pieces.
For tournaments the player who moves
first is identified on the chart with the player
of the black pieces getting to choose the
color. To a computer it wont matter, but I
predict that a player who moves second
with the white pieces will play more aggres-
sively. It might make for an interesting
psychology experiment.
Richard Moody, Jr.
Schoharie, New York
Corrections
In the January 2012 issue, USCF
Affairs, IM John Donaldson has
replaced John McCrary as the chair
for the Professional Players Health
and Benefits committee. Donald-
sons e-mail is imwjd@aol.com.
Donaldson is also chair of the
Awards committee using the same e-
mail address. Further, in the same
committee list, there was a typo in
Rules committee chair David Kuhns
e-mail address, which should read
e4e5@hughes.net.
In the December 2011 issue, ICCM
Bart Gibbons article Retreat To The
First Rank ... And Win! incorrectly
stated that the 1957 U.S. Champi-
onship game Bobby Fischer/James
Sherwin was included in Fischers
My 60 Memorable Games. Thanks
to many readers for pointing out
that it was actually their game three
months earlier at the New Jersey
Open that Fischer used in his book.
In the December 2011 Endgame
Lab, the game Coen Zuidema/Pal
Benko was incorrectly identified as
being played at the 1972 U.S. Cham-
pionship. It was played at Skopje,
Yugoslavia, at the 20th Olympiad.
Thank you to IM Anthony Saidy and
Howard Sample for the correction.
In the November 2011 issue, reader
Vladimir Zelevinsky caught two
errors: In Chess to Enjoy, the play-
ers cities were reversed; Vladimir
Lyavdansky played for Leningrad
and Anatoly Volovich played for
Moscow. Also, in our Reshevsky
cover story, we listed the 1948 World
Championship (The Hague - Moscow)
as a quadruple, but the event had
five rather than four rounds.
Send your letters to letters@uschess.org.
If Chess Life publishes your letter, you
will be sent a copy of Test, Evaluate
and Improve Your Chess (see ad to the
left). Letters are subject to editing for
content and length.
uschess.org
 









 













USCF Affairs February

USCF EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT SUSAN HOUSTON

Position: Accounting Associate
Susan started as a USCF employee in February, 2005. For those of you who remember the phrase gal
Friday, Susan is ours! Working in our accounting department, not only does she take care of daily accou-
ting duties including invoicing advertisers with USCF publications, she also assists in the
membership/ratings department with the processing of memberships, inputtting tournaments, and
assisting organizers with getting set up in our TD/Affiliate area of uschess.org. Susan just recently
added overseeing the Junior Grand Prix, Grand Prix and chess coach program to her duties.
Susan is very active in the Cumberland County Chess Club with running chess events and inputting
the tournaments and memberships.
We are delighted with and proud of the dedication that Susan shows to the USCF and all of our mem-
bers and organizers.

USCF Remembers

ART WANG: 1942-2011
By JIM EADE
Art Wang passed
away on Monday,
December 12, 2011.
The cause of death
was esophageal
cancer. Art was a
chess master when
chess masters were
few and far between.
He was born in
Chungking, China
in June of 1942. He came to the United
States in 1946 with his mother and older
brother, Harvey. His father stayed behind
as head of security for Chiang Kai-shek.
His father did not survive the year.
Things were difficult for Mrs. Wang, who
had lost everything but a small inheri-
tance. They ended up in Berkeley,
California, where Art grew up.
Art learned to play chess at a Koltanowski
chess festival in Sonoma. Koltanowski
was an extremely active chess promoter,
and there was always someplace to play
chess in northern California when Art
was a kid. He became a regular at the
Berkeley YMCA, and later at the Mechan-
married and started a family. He returned BOB DONALDSON, 1920-2011
to chess as a member of the famous Cas- By STEVE DOYLE
tle Club in the late 1960s. Members
would take turns hosting events in their
homes, and Art recalled those days
fondly. Those were good memories, in
part, because he won or was co-champion
of the club nine times.
Arts other main hobby was golf. He
was not very good at golf (one mutual
friend said it was more like watching
polo) but he was very good at betting.
Whenever he was behind, he would offer
a new bet, and more often than not
would figure out a way to break even, if
not come out ahead.
The following game was played against
another promising junior player at the
Bob Donaldson with his son Robert
time. The two players remained friends
to the very end. Bob Donaldson, a long-time New Jersey
chess leader, died at the age of 91. Bob was
active in the Wilmington YMCA Chess Club
Queens Gambit Declined (D30) in the 50s and 60s before moving to Toms
Art Wang River, New Jersey and starting the Toms
Don Sutherland River Chess Club in 1964. Bob was instru-
Oakland YMCA Invitational, 1960 mental in representing New Jersey to the
USCF and attended many delegate meetings
and U.S. Opens. He was active in chess up
until nine years ago as illness prevented
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 c6 5. Nbd2
him from going to tournaments and clubs.
Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Nxc4 b5 8. Nce5 Bb7

ics Institute of San Francisco. Bob promoted chess in a small shore

9. 0-0 Bd6 10. a3 0-0 11. e4 Qc7 12. Nxd7

Art participated in the 1957 U.S. Jun- community and the club that he founded
Nxd7 13. e5 Be7 14. Ng5 g6 15. b4 a5 16.

ior, which was won by Bobby Fischer. Art eventually grew to 200 plus members
Rb1 axb4 17. axb4 Nb6 18. Qg4 Nd5 19.

later won the California Junior Champi-

onship in 1960. Art considered a 1960
Mechanics tournament to be his best
ever. He tied for first with Bill Addison,
who later became one of the leading
players in the United States.
Art enlisted in the Army in 1962, got
Ne4 Rfd8 20. Bg5 Ra4 21. Qh4 Rda8 22.
Bc2 R4a7 23. Bb3 Bxg5 24. Nxg5 h5 25.
Bxd5 cxd5 26. Qf4 Qe7 27. g4 hxg4 28. f3
g3 29. Qxg3 Kg7 30. h4 Ra2 31. h5 Rh8 32.
hxg6 Rhh2 33. f4 fxg6 34. Rfc1 Ba8 35. Rc5
Bb7 36. Rbc1 Rag2+ 37. Qxg2 Rxg2+ 38.
Kxg2 Kg8 39. Rh1, Black resigned.
and was one of the largest chess clubs in
the country. Through the 1980s Bob
stayed involved with the club on its advi-
sory board. He was a gracious and kind
man that loved chess and will be long
remembered by all who touched this
knight of our royal game.

Chess Lifes obituary policy: Generally, only players who impacted the national chess scene are eulogized. Occasionally, as space
allows, players of local or regional importance are included. The USCF maintains an In Passing section of uschess.org at the About
USCF link. Send Joan DuBois the obituary at jdubois@uschess.org.

8 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org

First Moves

dozens of games including several chess-based competitions, such

as speed chess, Chess960 and bughouse. Over tea near Etans art
gallery, Tenderpixel, he explained the rules and inspiration behind
Diving Chess. Players compete using a floating chessboard and
waterproof setyou can only think about your moves underwater.
Once a player emerges from the water, he must move within five sec-
onds. If he fails to, he receives a penalty. Three penalties equals a
time forfeit. If someone surprises you with a tactical trap, its hard
to hold your breath for over a minute [to analyze the lines].
Etan said, Its a way to bring the physical into chess. When you
hear chess and physical, I cant blame you for thinking of chess-
boxing (though in my case, I think of hula chess!). Chessboxing,
a striking visual combination, was invented by Berlin-based artist
Iepe B.T. Rubingh and has since exploded into a phenomenon, with
its own organization and clubs from India to Los Angeles. The hybrid
sport has been featured in news networks all over the world, and
draws hundreds to events for the fight cards, and also to London,
which has one of the most active clubs. Malcolm Pein, organizer
of the London Chess Classic, said its thrilling to call the play to
hundreds of spectators at chessboxing matches. Its the most
accessible analysis he has ever ventured. Malcolm points out the
most esoteric things for non-chessplayers is algebraic notation. I
never call out the name of a square (i.e.- g5) unless Im sure its
highlighted on the screen.
Malcolm is also the manager of the London Chess Centre, which
was just a block away from my hotel on the famous Baker Street,
home of fictional Sherlock Holmes. At the shop I met Sabrina
Chevannes, an energetic chess expert, promoter and founder of the
Chevannes Academy. She also works with Malcolm on various proj-
ects, including publicity for the London Chess Classic. Sabrina
told me about her passion for promoting women in chess. Like in
the U.S., many people she spoke to about sponsorship and support
took a hyper-logical approach that constantly asked questions like
Why support a female player who would not get any special atten-
tion for her accomplishments if she was male? rather than asking
a question we both felt more connected to: Why is promoting
women in chess important to bringing more players and attention
to chess? Sabrina organized the 1st English Womens Rapid Play,
which featured over a dozen players including Jovanka Houska, the
number one woman player in England.
Although Id love to see a higher ratio of female players in all tour-
Diving chess: The latest idea for combining naments, there is much to be proud of stateside. When I told
physicality with our mind game. Sabrina about the prize fund, structure and publicity scope of the
U.S. Womens Championship, she was impressed. At the British
Championship, women play in the overall competition along with the
men. The womens prizes and title goes to the player who scores the
most points. In 2011, IM Jovanka Houska scored 7/11 and received
From Diving Chess 1,000 pounds (about $1,600) for winning the British and English
womens titles. Anna Zatonskih earned over ten times more ($18,000)
at last years U.S. Womens Championship at the Chess Club and
to Painted Games: Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.
My final adventure in British chess promotion was at the Univer-
sity of Greenwich at a gallery show by Lizi Sanchez and Tom
Adventures in Hackney, The Knight Turns its Head and Laughs. Many of Tom Hack-
neys paintings were abstract works, painted according to chess
games. Paint is applied whenever a piece travels through a partic-
British Chess ular square, leaving a visual impression of the most heavily trodden
paths of a chessboard. Over traditional pub fare by the river Thames,
Hackney and I spoke about his work and the intersections of chess
Chess Life Online Editor and art. He told me he uses the moves of a chess game to gener-
ate form, whereby that form is encoded. His painted abstract
works feature games from the Spassky versus Fischer match as well
Jennifer Shahade reports from England
as two victories by Marcel Duchamp. Working with Duchamp
games is kind of like playing a guitar Johnny Marr (of The Smiths)
played. This was more than just a cute metaphorHackney once
CHESS CAN LITERALLY take your breath away in diving chess, strummed the legends guitar at a friends apartment.
a new form that Etan Itfeld debuted at the Mind Sport Games in Lon- The annual London Chess Classic made the city an interna-
PHOTO: ETAN ITFELD

don last August. Imagine being engrossed in the intricacies of a pawn
endgame or a complex Sicilian, while your thinking time is limited
by the strength of your lungs. Itfeld, who previously lived in Cali-
fornia, is the organizer of the Mind Sport Games. The one-week
competition series held annually in London in August consists of
10 Chess Life February 2012
tional chess center, piquing American interests as we watch our
Hikaru Nakamura battle the likes of Magnus Carlsen and
Viswanathan Anand. From diving chess to painted chess games,
my trip to London showed there are plenty of chess adventures
to explore under the surface. .
uschess.org
 Tracing the life of the troubled chess genius
from brilliant beginning to shocking endgame.

Bobby Fischer Against the World is a documentary feature

exploring the tragic and bizarre life of the late chess master
Bobby Fischer. The drama of Bobby Fischer's career was undeni-
able, from his troubled childhood, to his rock star status as World
Champion and Cold War icon, to his life as a fugitive on the run.
This film explores one of the most infamous and mysterious
characters of the 20th century.

In 1972, an epic chess match took place in Iceland between

representatives of the two great super-powers of the world:
Bobby vs. Boris. Boris was backed by the Mighty Soviet Union,
with late night phone calls coming from his handlers in Moscow,
telling him what his next move should be.

Meanwhile, Bobby stood alone against the might of the oppos-

ing nation. But, Bobby was not exactly alone. The Americans did
not need to tell him what moves to make on the chessboard.
Bobby already knew how to do that. Rather, what the Americans
needed to do was somehow to get him to sit down at the board
and play the game.

Here is the story of that titanic struggle: One half of the world
trying to get Bobby to play, while the other half was trying to
defeat him assuming that he did play.

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The US Chess Federation
Small Scenes with Big Players
Behind the Old Iron Curtain
Yuri Averbakh has been influencing many important aspects
of chess for the better part of a century.

AVERBAKH AT 90 Yuri Averbakh, the worlds oldest living grandmaster, turns 90 this month. He was of worldwide impor-
tance in no fewer than four areas of our gameplaying, writing, coaching, and governing. He won the Moscow Championship in
1949, became a grandmaster in 1952, and was a candidate for the world championship at Zurich in 1953. He competed in the
USSR championship (the most powerful national chess championship that ever existed) 16 times, winning the title in 1954, ahead
of a constellation of now legendary starsincluding Mark Taimanov, Viktor Korchnoi, Tigran Petrosian, Efim Geller and Salo Flohr.
He tied for first in 1956 with Boris Spassky and Taimanov. In 1958, Averbakh qualified for the Potoroz interzonal, barely missing
the cut for the candidates tournament. For decades he edited the highly influential Shakhmaty v SSSR (Chess in the USSR) and
Shakhmatny Bulletin (which Bobby Fischer called the worlds best chess magazine). The publication of Averbakhs five-volume Com-
prehensive Chess Endings cemented his reputation as a renowned expert on the endgame. As a trainer and second, he aided, among
others, four world championsMikhail Botvinnik, Mikhail Tal, Petrosian, and Spassky. Averbakh held important positions within
the Soviet Chess Federation, becoming its president in 1972.

Over the next few pages, Macauley Peterson provides a brief profile of Yuri, while Al Lawrence reviews Averbakhs
autobiography, just this year translated into English.

12 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org

 Looks at Books

Yuri Averbakh, walking treasure-house of chess history, championship match. Two years later, after Korchnois defec-
comrade and confidant of the greatest generations of Soviet tion while in Holland, then-federation president Averbakh
champions from Andor Lilienthal and Mikhail Botvinnik to was asked to sign an official letter of condemnation. Failing
Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov, and for many years one to return from a trip abroad was then considered a criminal
of the most powerful men in the USSRs chess apparatus, has offence, tantamount to defecting from ones nationality, Aver-
hundreds of historically revealing insider-stories to tell. bakh writes. Next come two sentences exquisitely framed to
But hes keeping those to himself. confess the pettiest instincts of man. But that was not the
Instead, with the less-than-modestly entitled Centre Stage and main thing, of course. Given that Korchnoi had only recently
Behind the Scenes: The Personal Memoir of a Soviet Chess Leg- written me an apologetic letter, I had absolutely no desire to
end, he gives us chatty, jumbled reminiscences of small scenes support him now. Averbakh signed. And he catalogs some
with the big chess playersenjoyable enough for a real fan of notables who had also signedTal, Vassily Smyslov, Pet-
the game. Along the way, we get a taste of what it was like to steer rosian, Taimanov, and others, and goes on to write that Only
a wary course through the Kafkaesque chambers of the old a few failed to signBotvinnik didnt, Gulko, who immedi-
Soviet hierarchy, with divisions like the Department of Propa- ately fell out of favor, and David Bronstein, who then became
ganda and Agitation, a phrase a neviezdny for a long time.
right at home in an old Monty Averbakh shrugs off the arranged
Python skit. But it wasnt funny at draws between Soviets during
the time. A scribbled note made in interzonals with an after-all-
your file could wreck a career or, theyre-friends attitude, never
during Stalins reign, get you sent acknowledging the USSRs col-
right to the Gulag or even shot. lective approach to producing
And the offense neednt be communist challengers while con-
important or even political. structing a Berlin Wall of collusion
In 1954, despite being national to block the progress over three
champion, Averbakh himself was decades of Western threats like
made a neviezdnyone who was- Sammy Reshevsky and Fischer.
nt allowed abroadbecause, Averbakh cruises through a quick
cranky and tired from losses to recollection of 1953 Zurich with-
Donald Byrne in the USA-USSR out even a whisper of the
match, he refused instructions to conspiracy now acknowledged
help with teammate Alexander (with at least ostensible repen-
Kotovs adjournment. Averbakh tance) by the super-tournaments
rehabilitated himself by joining chief chronicler and second-place
the Communist Party. Always and finisher, Bronstein.
everywhere, life is a series of Ironically, Bobby Fischer made
accommodations. Averbakh president of the USSR
The next year he served as Chess Federation. Soviet chess
teenage Boris Spasskys second apparatchiks were diving out of
to the 1955 World Junior Cham- the way before the bulldozer
pionship. After winning the event, Bobby was driving left them try-
Spassky, channeling his salty- ing to explain the shambles to
tongued trainer Alexander Tolush, their bosses. There were no oth-
issued a barrage of foul language ers who wanted to put their neck
while playing billiards in Antwerp on the line. That left Yuri. So
with the Soviet ambassador, who they made him an offer he could-
dutifully reported the lapse in nt refusenik.
comportment to the Sports Com- Centre Stage and Behind the Scenes: The Personal Averbakh felt compelled to visit
mittee. Spassky was immediately Memoir of a Soviet Chess Legend by Yuri Averbakh. Spasskys training camp, and the
recalled to Moscow for a hearing New In Chess, 2011, 272 pages, $32.95 from uscf- peek we get confirms the legend of
which would have kept him from sales.com (catalog number B0109NIC). Boris as the loveable, lazy Russ-
going to the Interzonal in Stock- ian bear of chess. The table was
holm and perhaps derailed his career. Luckily for his charge, covered with dominos and playing cards, and when it came to
Averbakh knew how to ooze just the right oil on the perilous lunchtime, a smiling Boris produced a bottle of whisky. With
waters, and the young champ went on to play in Sweden. all the pressure from the Kremlin to stop Fischer, you might
Like anyone, Averbakh seeks to put himself in a good light. expect instead a dour cadre of Russian theoreticians laboring
Three-time U.S. and Ukrainian champion GM Lev Alburt, who into the wee hours to uncover ambushes in the Najdorf Sicil-
defected in 1979, told me that Averbakh never did anything ian. So I asked Alburt if he could verify Averbakhs image.
hurtful unless he was really forced to. High praise, I suppose, Well, not exactly, he laughed. When I visited, it was only a
for a long-term Soviet apparatchik. After all, few have the con- bottle of vodka.
victions and courage of a Boris Gulko, who, in The KGB Plays Oddly, theres nary a diagram or a chess move in the book,
PHOTO: MACAULEY PETERSON

Chessa truly revelatory and important book, recalls Aver- which seems a strange omission when the onboard position is
bakh as a willing KGB-collaborator. Sometimes, even in central to a specific reminiscence. Just a dozen or so well-placed
Averbakhs own version, we can see through the cracks in the game snapshots would have added a lot of interest for the
books persona. books target audience.
In 1974 Viktor Korchnoi had written Averbakh an insult- If a book, like a restaurant meal, has to be judged in part
ing letter blaming him for the late starting time for his finalist based on its potential, then this one is like getting a plate of
match with Anatoly Karpov, which turned out, when Bobby beans at Mortons Steakhouse. Theyre nice beans, but youd
Fischer refused to defend his title, to be the de facto world expect a meatier dish.

uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 13

 Looks at Books
Still Going Strong: Yuri Averbakh
This month a great chess player, historian,
author and trainer turns ninety years old.
Yuri Lvovich Averbakh lives in Moscow,
and during a visit to the Tal Memorial in
November, he invited me to the Moscow
Central Chess Club (now dedicated in
honor of Mikhail Botvinnik) on Gogolevsky
Boulevard, for a friendly chat.
In a hall flanked by black and white
portraits of grandmasters and formal
world champions, with a chessboard in
front of him, Averbakh shared some of his
insights into professional chess, and how
he approaches the game, both as a com-
petitor, and now as a coach and mentor.
Of particular interest to me was his
characterization of players based on sty-
listic archetypes. He has six:
Killers: Marked by the desire not only to
win, but to score decisive knockout blows.
Alexander Alekhine, Viktor Korchnoi, and
Mikhail Botvinnik were killers.
Fighters: Have an extreme will to win, but
not necessarily by knockout. [Garry]
Kasparov is a fighter with strong motiva-
tion. Lets say hes half fighter, half killer.
Averbakh notes that the necessary qual-
ities of fighters and killers may be harmful
to a players life away from chess. Kas-
parov, he suggests, isnt a successful
politician because hes too much of a
killer, too eager to score that knockout
blow, which runs counter to the political
requirement of compromise.
Sportsmen: View chess like any other
game. They play to win, but lack any
obsessive tendencies, and away from the
chessboard are readily able to lead a nor-
mal life. Jos Ral Capablanca and Boris
Spassky are two.
Gamblers: Enjoy many games, such as bil-
liards or cards. Karpov is the classic example.
These first four groups all have strong
motivation, endemic to their character.
Scientists (also known as Explorers):
Approach chess the way they would sci-
ence, with a particular fondness for
analysis. Chief among their aims is the
accumulation of knowledgethey seek
to understand chess, but may lack the
single-minded focus on victory that it
takes to reach the absolute summit of
the chess hierarchy. These include Aron
Nimzowitsch and Akiba Rubinstein.
And finally:
Artists: For artists, it is not only impor-
14 Chess Life February 2012
By MACAULEY PETERSON
tant to win, but to do so artistically. Each whereby he or she may hit that peak of
chess game is an opportunity for artistic concentration and creativity.
expression. The Russian grandmaster Finding a personal approach is impor-
Vladimir Simagin was one. tant for Averbakh. In the West we have
often heard lauded the Botvinnik school,
Sometimes a player doesnt fit neatly
the training methods followed by many of
into one category, but is instead a hybrid
todays top grandmastersincluding Kas-
of two. David Bronstein and Mikhail Tal,
parov and Kramnik. But Averbakh stresses
for instance were both fighters and artists.
that Botvinniks method only works for
Averbakh counts himself among the sci-
Botvinnik, citing as an example Taimanovs
entists, and in fact he studied engineering
crushing defeat at the hands of Bobby
before becoming a professional chess player.
Fischer in their 1971 Candidates Match.
I discovered immediately when I
[Botvinnik] wrote this is my method
started ... that I have not enough motiva-
and you can see the story of Taimanov ...
tion to be a real champion. But from
He asked Botvinnik to help him and
another point [of view] I like to analyze, I
Botvinnik gave him lots of advice. This
like to work on chess, and of course my
advice was very good for Botvinnik but not
approach was scientific.
for Taimanov, because Taimanov was a
As a professional, Averbakh tried
completely different mancompletely dif-
methodically to improve his game by exer-
ferentin approach to life [and] to chess.
cising his subconscious mind, and
Taimanov, a concert pianist has an
intuition. It is very important to raise con-
artistic personality, says Averbakh, and
sciousness when you are working in
therefore an artist such as Mikhail Tal
chess, he explains. Theatre has long
would have been better suited to aid his
played an important role in Russian cul-
match preparation. Nevertheless,
ture, and Averbakh found inspiration as
Taimanov counted himself as a pupil of
a player in the method-acting training
Botvinnik and so sought his help instead.
approach of Constantine Stanislavski.
Avarbakh sees this as a mistake.
It turns out a relative of Averbakhs
It was necessary to think about Fischer
wife was a student of Stanislavski, and
too, because [Botvinnik] gave advice, not
recommended that the young Averbakh
thinking about what personality Fischer
examine Stanislavskis oeuvre. May I
[had], because he wanted to fight Fis-
say I was looking for what I have found in
cher on Fischers territory. And Fischer on
Stanislavskis worka way how to
his territory was too strong for Taimanov
approach chess [analysis]. To use the
too strong, he emphasizes.
same system which Stanislavski used in
Nowadays, Averbakh says he is trying
[the] theatre. The same approach.
to combine the scientific and artistic
For instance I was working on some
approaches. When I look at chess, I try
ideas in endings ... I had one problem to
to represent games as theatre. You can
solve and I couldn't find the solution.
show on a chess board, any kind of play
And when I was not working on this ... I
drama, tragedy, comedy, ballet. All what
was away somewhere, not over the chess-
is typical for art, you can represent on a
board, but immediately I found the chess board.
solution, because my mind was working. In the theatre you may find a tragedy
The gap between a strong grandmaster in four acts, but Averbakh showed me the
and a world championship candidate is tragedy of one tempo.
partly a difference in the ability to attain
peak performance during the game. Aver-
bakh thinks this is about more than just -+-tr-+r+
study of positions, but it lies in the subcon- +-+-+-+k
scious churning away while the player is,
for instance, walking in a park or sitting in -+-+-+-+
the theatre watching a performance. +-+-+-+K
I believe it is the best way to create real
chess masters: To use Stanislavskis system. -+-+-+-+
But what does this mean in practice? Its +-+-+-+-
clearly an individual process, which may
not be amenable to sweeping generaliza- -+-+-+-+
tions. Averbakh seemed to be describing
the need for a player to get himself into a
+-+RtR-+-
particular frame of mind at the board,
White to move and win or
Black to move and draw
uschess.org
 If it were Black to play after exchang- White has two rooks against the queen,
ing rooks he would reach an easy draw. and the move.
But White to move can win.
1. Rg2+ Kf8 (Of course 1. ... Kh8 allows
1. Re7+ Kh8 2. Kh6 Rge8 is forced. 3. Rdd7! mate on the h-file.)
Kg8 4. Kg6 and the rooks will soon mate.
And now the ballet starts.
Averbakh moves on to a comedy.
2. Kg5+! Kg7 Moving to the e-file allows
the king and queen to be skewered.
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+K
3. Kf4+ Kf6 4. Kg3+ Kg5 5. Kf2+ Kf4 6.
Kg1+! And Black finds himself without a
-tR-+-+-vL partner, and soon without a queen!
+-+-+k+- It means that you can represent on the
-zp-+-+-+ chessboard, all kinds of dramasof the-
atrical exhibitions. And this is a very
+PzP-+-+- interesting approach because it shows
pvl-+-+-+ that chess is not only a sport, but chess
is an art. It is very good for teaching, for
+-+-+-+- instance, girls, because not every girl
White to move likes to fight, but for them a theatrical
approach is more interesting.
White has an extra rook, but Black Averbakh finds the pedagogical device
threatens to queen his a-pawn. is equally effective amongst young children
and his work with elderly people, using
chess as a means of fending off Alzheimers
1. Rb5+
Black cannot move the king to the disease. Middle-aged women have no inter-
fourth rank because of Rxb4+ and Ra4 est in fighting either, but show them a
stopping the pawn. Therefore: position where the movement of the pieces
mirrors a ballet or comedy and they can
1. ... Ke6 2. Ra5 become happily engaged.
Now if 2. ... a1=Q, 3. Rxa1 Bxa1 4. Of course, Averbakh retains a wealth of
cxb4, and only White can win. So ... first hand knowledge about chess as a
sport. In his professional career, the high
2. ... Ba3, renewing the threat. point was his 1954 win of the USSR
3. Bg7 a simple move, but one which Championship, at the age of thirty-two.
doesnt obviously solve Whites problem. In my time, the best time to be a world
champion was before forty. Thirty-two or
3. ... a1=Q 4. Re5+ Kd6 (4. ... Kf7 5. thirty-three is best. Bronstein, Geller,
Rf5+, etc.). Taimanov, and Petrosian were all within
five years of each other. Petrosian was the
best because he was younger.
5. Rd5+! Kc6
The rook cannot be captured in view of Thirty years later, in 1984, Averbakh
c4+ winning the queen! served as an arbiter of the first Karpov-
6. Rc5+! Kb6 Again the rook is immune. Kasparov World Championship match.
Theoretically [the] first match should
7. Rb5+! Ka6 8. Ra5+! be a win by Karpov, because at that time
At the end of this illustration, its nearly Karpov was practically much stronger.
impossible to hide my amusement. Yuri But Karpov wanted not only to win, Kar-
Lvovich pounces: You are smiling! It is pov wanted to win 6-0, to crush Kasparov.
a comedy! But it was too much. Karpov was not so
strong to play five months, and in the
Even dance can be found on the chess- final he couldnt play. He was in very bad
board, and here is an example of a ballet: condition. His people were trying very
much to help him but he was helpless. He
-+-+q+k+ overestimated himself.
Averbakh believes that the controver-
+-+-+-+- sial decision by FIDE President Florencio
-+-+-mK-+ Campomanes to stop the match was inap-
propriate, in part because Karpov had a
+-+-+-+- rematch clause in the rules. The interven-
-+-+-+-+ tion was not sportsmanlike, he says.
He marvels at the effect the epic match
+-+-+-+-
R+-+-+-+
had on Kasparov, who was still just
twenty-one at the time. Kasparov began
this match as a young boy, and finished
+-+-+R+- as a man.
White to move Averbakh played his last tournament in
uschess.org
1993 at age 71, but since then he has
worked extensively as a coach. He relates
an observation working with children
from remote areas of Russia during a
summer camp.
I discovered these children are not
developednot on the same level as [chil-
dren in] Moscow or [St. Petersburg] or a
big city ... And chess can help them to
take the necessary level, not with the
aim of training new chess professionals,
but simply to prepare them academically.
Teaching in chess is also an art,
Averbakh suggests, because its neces-
sary to have an individual approach.
Lets say you have thirty people, and [not
all of them can] be world champion.
Maybe one from thousands. But for many
people it is just amusement, practically,
and good spending of time.
For a child to succeed its necessary
[that] he must be interested in it. If hes
not interested, it will be no good really.
Chess has the advantage that its such a
rich game, allowing for a variety of styles
and approaches. Unlike cards or other
games, Averbakh thinks, chess can help
anybody with the right approach.
If a child is to move on to study chess
more seriously, he adds, first of all its
necessary to understand what he wants,
whether it be to become world champion,
or simply to use chess as a means of
self-development. And after you discover
[that], its necessary to work to develop his
best qualities in this direction.
As he moves into his ninth decade,
Averbakh remains active, busying himself
with work on the history of chess. Inter-
estingly, the memoir, recently published
in English by New in Chess, was written
in Russian a few years ago, but it has yet
to be published in Russia. Averbakh
reports that he now has a contract with
a Russian publisher and expects the work
to appear there sometime this year.
Averbakh is in remarkable shape for his
age, a fact he attributes to an athletic
lifestyle. When I was a young boy, I was
a sportsman. I played volleyball, hockey
and skating. I was in a school where
sport was on a very high level. He was
also a strong swimmer, and a boxer.
Ironically, it was only after he began to
focus on chess that Averbakh experi-
enced an unusually late growth spurt;
he says he grew more than three inches
between the ages of eighteen and twenty-
five. As a volleyballer, he could have really
used that height!
The chess world can hope that, from
this giant of the game, still of sound body
and mind, his memoir will not be the
last word. .
These books by Averbakh are also avail-
able on uscfsales.com: Chess Endings
Essential Knowledge and Chess Tactics
For Advanced Players.
Chess Life February 2012 15
 Chess to Enjoy
Will You Walk Into My Parlour?
By GM Andy Soltis
Greed is punished most dramatically in opening traps. But these days its other
transgressions that can cost you the game.
Opening traps used to be the morality
tales of chess. They were mini-parables
about the wages of sin, particularly the sin
of avarice:
One side delays development to win a
pawn. He knows the dangers of pawn-
grabbing but goes ahead anywayand
gets crushed.
The moral was clear. Dont be greedy.
Play safe moves and live a clean life.
But a new generation of devilish traps
punishes players for making ... well, safe-
looking moves. Consider the following
position, which appears hundreds of
times in databases. It can come about
from several openings, including 1. c4, 1.
Nf3, and 1. d4. One popular route is 1. d4
d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4
Bf5 6. Nc3 e6 7. g3 Nbd7 8. Bg2 Be7 9.
0-0 0-0.
r+-wq-trk+
zpp+nvlpzpp
-+p+psn-+
+-+-+l+-
-+QzP-+-+
+-sN-+NzP-
PzP-+PzPLzP
tR-vL-+RmK-
After 9. ... 0-0
White needs a solid, developing move.
What is more solid than 10. Rd1 ?
But this is a losing blunder because 10.
... Bc2! threatens the rook and also cuts
off the queens retreat (11. ... Nb6!). White
is lost. At least 15 strong players, includ-
ing grandmasters like Maya Chiburdanidze
and Istvan Csom, have fallen for this.
This is another feature of todays traps.
They often claim a great player as their
victimeven their first victim. That was
the case when Tigran Petrosian, in his
first game in a Soviet championship, met
1. d4 with the safest defense there was,
the Queens Gambit Declined, 1. ... d5 2.
16 Chess Life February 2012
c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6.
After 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 c6
7. Qc2 Black usually castles and looks for
an opportunity to simplify his way to
safety by trading pieces, such as 7. ... 0-
0 8. Nf3 Ne4, e.g. 9. Nxe4 dxe4 10. Qxe4?
Bxg5.
rsnlwqk+-tr
zpp+-vlpzpp
-+p+-sn-+
+-+p+-vL-
-+-zP-+-+
+-sN-zP-+-
PzPQ+-zPPzP
tR-+-mKLsNR
After 7. Qc2
But Petrosian chose the immediate 7.
... Ne4?? and discovered to his horror
that he was lost after 8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9.
Nxd5! cxd5 10. Qxc8+.
Accident? Yes, but in the 60 years since
it was first sprung, more than 60 other
players have blundered exactly this way,
according to databases.
This could be called the Petrosian
Trap. Hes not the only world champion
with that kind of dubious distinction.
There are two candidates for the title of
the Fischer Trap.
One occurs in the Caro-Kann, 1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5. Bobby
experimented with 5. Nc5. Its not a bad
move. But twice on his Fischers cele-
brated 1964 simultaneous exhibition tour
he met 5. ... b6 with 6. Na6?.
(see diagram top of next column)
Neither of his opponents found the
punishing 6. ... Nxa6 7. Bxa6 Qd5!, which
threatens to win the bishop with 8. ...
Qa5+ and to raid the kingside with 8. ...
Qxg2. White may not be completely lost
after 8. Be2 Qxg2 9. Bf3 Qg6 but his
position isnt promising.
rsn-wqkvlntr
zp-+-zppzpp
Nzpp+-+-+
+-+-+l+-
-+-zP-+-+
+-+-+-+-
PzPP+-zPPzP
tR-vLQmKLsNR
After 6. Na6
The other Fischer Trap arises in the
Sicilian Defenses Accelerated Dragon, 1.
e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6
and now 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 0-
0. Bobby loved to set up an attacking
formation, with Qd2, f2-f3, Bb3, 0-0-0
and h2-h4-h5.
To reach the desired position, White
should play 8. Bb3 and then 8. ... d6 9.
f3 and 10. Qd2. But in his first Inter-
zonal in 1958, Fischer played 8. f3? and
was surprised by 8. ... Qb6!.
Blacks obvious threat is 9. ... Qxb2
but he also has two subtle ones, 9. ...
Nxe4 and 9. ... Ng4, followed by 10. ...
Bxd4. Fischer thought for more than an
hourhis longest ever thinkand man-
aged to draw after 9. Bb3 Nxe4?! (9. ...
Ng4!) 10. Nd5!. Since he already had a
reputation as an opening expert, the trap
should have become world-famous.
Yet 8. f3? Qb6! has occurred more than
1,000 times(!), according to databases.
Among the victims was Paul Keres.
Todays traps occur in modern openings
but they often use tactical tricks that are
well over a century old. One arises in a
trendy line of the Trompowsky Attack,
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. Bf4 c5 4. c3 Qb6.
A natural move is the innocent-looking
5. Qb3. How could offering to go into an
endgame be risky?
The answer lies in 5. ... cxd4, so that 6.
cxd4 Qxd4. White can avoid this with 6.
Qxb6 axb6but would be in trouble after
uschess.org
 Problem I Problem II Problem III
Olaf Olaf Ulvestad
Al Horowitz
Larry Yeager
Olaf Ulvestad
Olaf Ulvestad
Anthony Santasiere

This year marks the 100th anniver- -+-+-+k+ -+-+rtrk+ -+-tr-+-+

sary of the birth of one of Americas zpL+-zpp+p zppzp-+pzpp zpl+-vl-mk-
least known stars. Olaf Ulvestad won
no titles higher than Washington
Pzp-trl+p+ -+-vl-wq-+ -zpq+p+-+
state champion but amassed an
+-+-+-+- +-+-+-+- +-zp-zP-+Q
impressive record over 40 years that -zP-+-+-+ -+Lsn-+-+ -+-+-zP-+
included wins over Lajos Portisch +-+-vL-zPn +P+-sN-+P zP-+-vL-mK-
and David Bronstein and a tie for
third place in the 1948 U.S. Cham-
-+-+-zPKzP P+-wQ-zPP+ -zPP+-+-+
pionship. The Two Knights Defense
+-tR-+-+- tR-+-+RmK- +-+-+R+-
line that runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3.
Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 b5!? could
White to play Black to play White to play

be known as the Ulvestad Variation,

Problem IV Problem V Problem VI
thanks to his extensive analysis. The
Olaf Ulvestad Olaf Ulvestad Herman Hesse

Chessmetrics website figures he was

Arpad Elo Herman Steiner Olaf Ulvestad

the 81st strongest player in the world lsn-+kvl-tr -+q+-trk+ r+-wq-trk+

at his peak, in 1946. Ulvestad, who
spent his later years in Spain, pro-
+-+p+pzp- +-+ntRp+p +-zp-+p+-
vided us with games for this months -+-+-+-zp -+-zp-+p+ p+n+-+pzp
quiz. In each of the following posi- +LzpPzP-+- +-zp-+-wQP +p+-+-zP-
tions you are asked to find the fastest -wq-+-+-+ -zp-zP-+-+ Pvl-+-+nzP
winning line of play. This will usually
mean the forced win of a decisive
+Q+-+N+- +L+-+-+- +PsNp+N+-
amount of material, such as a rook -+-sN-zPPzP -zPP+-zPP+ -zP-+-zP-vL
or minor piece. For solutions, see +-+-+RmK- +-+-+-mK- +-+RwQK+R
page 71. White to play White to play Black to play

7. cxd4 Nc6 8. e3 Nb4. So he tries to 6. Nd2 (and then 6. ... Nxd4 7. Ndxe4) or
escape with 7. Bxb8. something else. He decided to play more rsnlwqkvl-tr
sharply and looked at 6. d5. zpp+-+pzpp
rvLl+kvl-tr The point is that 6. d5 exf3 7. dxc6
fxg2 seems to win material (8. Bxg2 bxc6) -+-+psn-+
+p+pzppzpp but White can avoid that by inserting a +-+p+-vL-
-zp-+-+-+ check, 8. cxd7+.
Instantly I played the moves. In my cal- -+PsN-+-+
+-+-+-+- culation I supposed that after 8. ... Qxd7 +-sN-+-+-
-+-zpn+-+ or 8. ... Bxd7 Id get the better endgame,
he wrote in Shakhmaty v SSSR. As soon PzP-+PzPPzP
+-zP-+-+- as my hand released the pawn I realized tR-+QmKL+R
PzP-+PzPPzP with horror that it loses.
Black won a piece after 8. ... Nxd7!, Black to play
tRN+-mKLsNR threatening both 9. ... Qxg5 and 9. ... 10. Bxf6 Bb4+ turned the tables.
gxh1=Q. He was more upset when he Fines game began 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3.
realized the trap had occurred in another
After 7. Bxb8

But now 7. ... dxc3! threatens to queen
after 8. ... cxb2. White can stop that with
8. Be5 but then 8. ... Rxa2! won in sev-
eral master games. If the idea seems
familiar its very similar to what might
have happened in a celebrated game of
Karl Schlechters back in 1911.
A Russian master named Vladimir
Doroshkevich explained how he became
one of the victims of a trap that begins 1.
c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 f5. He was white
in a Soviet championship game in 1970
and recalled that 4. d4 and then 4. ... e4
5. Bg5 had been played before. But his
memory gave out when Black replied 5.
... Nf6.
Doroshkevich spent 15 minutes trying
to recall whether the right response was
Soviet event that year. (In fact, two of
them.)
What makes some modern traps so
diabolical is that you can fall into them via
different move orders. That didnt happen
much with old-style traps, which typi-
cally began with 1. e4. But it occurs a lot
in todays 1. d4 games. For example,
check out this position.
(see diagram top of next column)
Seems routine, right? Wrong. Black is
better after 6. ... e5! as Reuben Fine
learned when he lost a miniature as White
after 7. Ndb5 a6 and then 8. Nxd5? axb5
9. Nxf6+.
He expected to win after 9. ... gxf6 10.
Qxd8+ and 11. Bxf6+. But 9. ... Qxf6!
Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 c5 5. Bg5? cxd4 6. Nxd4
and the moral seemed to be that White
just had to avoid his faulty fifth move.
But there have been dozen of victims of
6. ... e5 since Finebecause they kept
reaching the diagram by other sequences:
Some fell into it via 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6
3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 c5 and now 5. Nf3?
cxd4 6. Nxd4 e5.
Others got there via the Benoni, 1. d4
Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 and now 4. Nc3
cxd4 5. Nxd4 d5 6. Bg5? e5.
And in a 1984 match, Sammy
Reshevsky began a game with 1. d4 e6 2.
Nf3 c5 3. c4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d5
6. Bg5?and was punished by Larry
Christiansens 6. ... e5!. .
Read Chess Life Onlines daily news updates.

uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 17

Solitaire Chess
The Great Vera Menchik
By Bruce Pandolfini
Join the club!
Vera Menchik (1906-1944) was possibly
the first woman to compete successfully
with the top male players. She captured
the first official womens title in 1927 and
wound up defending her womens world
championship all six times it was con-
tested. It was master Albert Becker who
supposedly made up the concept of the
Vera Menchik Club, which consisted of top
men Menchik defeated. Soon thereafter
Becker became its first member. In the fol-
lowing game between Menchik and George
Thomas (Black), played in London in 1932,
Thomas is added to the club very nicely.
The game began:
Kings Indian Defense,
Smisch Variation (E70)
Vera Menchik
George Thomas
London, 1932
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6
rsnlwqk+-tr
zppzp-zppvlp
-+-zp-snp+
+-+-+-+-
-+PzPP+-+
+-sN-+-+-
PzP-+-zPPzP
tR-vLQmKLsNR
Your starting position
Now make sure you have the above
position set up on your chessboard. As
you play through the remaining moves in
this game, use a piece of paper to cover
the article, exposing Whites next move
only after trying to guess it. If you guess
correctly, give yourself the par score.
Sometimes points are also rewarded for
second-best moves, and there may be
bonus pointsor deductionsfor other
moves and variations. Note that ** means
18 Chess Life February 2012
that the note to Blacks move is over and
Whites move is in the next line.**
5. f3 Par Score 4
White plays the Smisch Variation,
securing e4 and g4. Receive full credit for
the alternatives 5. Nf3, the Classical Sys-
tem; 5. f4, the Four Pawns Attack; 5.
Be2, the Averbakh System; and 5. g3,
the Fianchetto Variation.
5. 0-0
6. Be3 Par Score 5
Accept full credit for 6. Nge2 e5 7. Bg5.
If 6. Bg5, there follows 6. ... c5.
6. e5
Even here 6. ... c5 can be played as a
gambit, but no one knew that in 1932.
Well, no one talked about it in public.**
7. Nge2 Par Score 5
This was Alekhines recommendation in
place of the immediate 7. d5 (for which we
award full credit). The idea 7. dxe5 dxe5
8. Qxd8 Rxd8 (only 4 points part credit)
was Botvinniks choice versus Tal, 1961.
It doesnt offer advantage, but against
Tal it usually wasnt a bad notion to get
queens off the board.
7. b6
Blacks choice is a rightly forgotten
move that reduces options on the queen-
side. Today, 7. ... c6, with 8. ... Nbd7, is
the main line. Perhaps Sir George wanted
to avoid 7. ... Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. c5.**
8. Qd2 Par Score 5
Menchik prepares 0-0-0 in the short
run and Bh6 in the long run. Add 1 bonus
point for each thought.
8. Nc6
9. d5 Par Score 5
Menchik is agreeable as the advance
comes with tempo on the knight.
9. Ne7
Not 9. ... Nd4?, dropping a pawn after
10. Nxd4 exd4 11. Bxd4 (1 bonus point).
If 9. ... Na5, then 10. b3, with 11. g4, and
then 12. Ng3 offers full play on the king-
side. Sir Georges countrymen, Amos
Burn and F.D. Yates, retreated 9. ... Nc6-
b8, following up with ... a7-a5, ... Nb8-a6,
and ... Na6-c5. Its awfully slow, and
when the knight reaches c5, it butts up
against the solidly guarded e4-pawn.**
10. g4 Par Score 5
White stakes out space on the kingside.
10. Nd7
Black is thinking about reposting the
knight at c5, but theres also the idea of
following with the advance ... f7-f5. As we
already know, c5 is not a great square ver-
sus the Smisch, so maybe 10. ... Ne8,
guarding g7, with the idea of playing ... f7-
f5, is probably better.**
11. Rg1 Par Score 5
Often the rook remains on h1 to sup-
port the advance, h2-h4-h5. But as the
present game shows the h-pawn can
advance without rook support. Its place-
ment at g1 is to discourage f7-f5. Now
White is poised to open the g-file against
the black king.
11. a5
Black aims to prevent b2-b4, thus
securing c5 for the knight. Despite Whites
last move, 11. ... f5 should be played,
because without this advance Black is
sure to get out-spaced on the kingside.
After 11. ... f5 12. gxf5 gxf5 13. Bh6, the
move 13. ... Ng6 defends and even threat-
ens ... Qd8-h4+.**
12. 0-0-0 Par Score 5
To quote the great Fred Reinfeld: Cas-
tles queenside!
12. Nc5
13. Ng3 Par Score 5
uschess.org
 Problem I Problem II Problem III
ABCs of Chess Pin Pin Skewer

These problems are all related to

-+-wq-+k+ -+-mk-+r+ -mk-tr-+-+
key positions in this months game.
+-+-+pzpp +-zpq+-+- +pzpq+-+-
In each case, Black is to move. The -+-+-+-+ -+-+-+-+ -+-zpl+-+
answers can be found in Solutions +-+pzp-+- +-+-+-zp- +-+-+-+-
on page 71. -+-+P+-+ -+-+-vL-+ -+-+-+-sn
February Exercise: Create a spe-
+-+P+-+P +-+P+-+l +-+P+-vL-
cial book or file. Every time you play -+-+-zPP+ -+-+-zPL+ -+P+-+L+
a game, or analyze through one, sum- +-+Q+-mK- +-+Q+RmK- +-+Q+RmK-
marize the three most important ideas
youve derived from that experience.
The notations might refer to moves, Problem IV Problem V Problem VI
maneuvers, plans, techniques, pit- Trapping Trapping Mating net
falls, or anything of consequence.
You may even go elsewhere, if the -+-+-+-mk -+k+-+r+ -+-+-+-+
chess material suggests useful or +-+-snr+p +-zp-+-+- +-+k+-+-
intriguing matters in other areas of -+-+-zppwQ -+-zpq+n+ -+-+-+-+
your life. Make a habit of reviewing
this mounting register at least several
+-+-+-+P +-+-zp-wQ- +-+-zp-+-
times a week. Such reinforcement -+-+-+-+ -+-+-+-zP -+-zpPsn-+
will naturally strengthen your game +-+-+-+- +-+-+-+- +-+-+KvLq
as it suggests something else: that so -zP-+-+-+ -+P+-vL-mK -+-wQ-zP-+
much of learning has to do with
relearning.
+K+-+-+- +-+-+R+- +-+RtR-+-

No credit for 13. Bxc5 bxc5. This would Deduct 2 points for making either bad
be a misuse of the dark-square bishop, choice.
16. Bh6 Par Score 5
White eliminates a key defender, after
which has a more important role to play. which the dark squares around the black
king are weak.
20. Kh8
If 20. ... Kxf6, then 21. Qg5+ Kg7 22.
13. Bd7
Now its too late for 13. ... f5, which h6+ Kg8 23. Qf6 and mate at g7 to follow
would have been answered by 14. gxf5
16. Qa7
If 16. ... Bxh6, then 17. Qxh6 brings the
(1 bonus point).**
gxf5 15. Nh5 Ng6 16. Nxg7 Kxg7 (16. ... queen too close to the king.**
f4 17. Bxc5) 17. Bh6+, winning the
21. Qh6 Par Score 5

Exchange (accept 2 bonus points for so White infiltrates on the weak dark
squares and threatens mate.
17. Bxg7 Par Score 5
analyzing).**
17. Kxg7
14. h4 Par Score 5 21. axb2+

White seeks contact with the g6-pawn 18. Nf5+! Par Score 6
and the eventual opening of the h-file (1
22. Kb1 Par Score 5

bonus point). 18. Nxf5 Here the white king is safe.

If 18. ... Kf6, then 19. g5 is mate (1
bonus point). On 18. ... gxf5 there follows
14. a4 22. Rg8

Better 14. ... f6, to answer 15. h5 with 15. 19. gxf5+ Kh8 20. Qh6 Rg8 (20. ... Ng6 21.
... g5. That would have kept the lines closed. hxg6 fxg6 22. fxg6) 21. Qf6+ Rg7 22.
23. hxg6 Par Score 5

Theres also the trap 14. ... f6 15. Bh6
Bxh6 16. Qxh6 Kh8 17. h5? g5, with Ne7-
g8 catching the entombed queen. Add 1
Threatening Qxh7 mate (1 bonus point).
Qxg7 mate (2 bonus points).
Better would have been 18. ... Bxf5,
since the bishop plays no role in the sub-
23. fxg6

bonus point if you saw through that one. On If 23. ... Rxg6, then 24. Rxg6 (1 bonus
sequent proceedings.**
14. ... f6 White would probably have played point).**
15. Be2 and 16. f4 (1 bonus point). Note that
19. gxf5 Par Score 5
15. ... Qc8 16. f4 exf4 17. Bxf4 Bxg4 fails
24. Qxh7+ Par Score 5
On 24. ... Kxh7, its over with 25. Rh1+
to 18. Bxg4 Qxg4 19. Nf5 and wins.**
Bh3 26. Rxh3 mate (1 bonus point). This
19. a3
There is no satisfactory way to
is more potent than 24. Rh1 (only 3 points
strengthen the kingside defenses, so Black
part credit), allowing 24. ... Bh3 25. Rxh3
15. h5 Par Score 5
White maintains the general plan of a goes all out on the queenside.**
c6, delaying mate.
kingside attack, thinking of opening lines.
15. Qb8
20. f6+ Par Score 5
If 20. bxa3, then 20. ... Qxa3+ plays into
24. Black resigned. .
Perhaps Black eyed some hope of sack- Blacks hands. The same would have For scoring box, see page 71.
ing on a3, opening the b-file.** been true for 20. b3 Nxb3+ 21. axb3 a2.

uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 19

Cover Story

20 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org

uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 21
Cover Story

24 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org

Adisa Banjoko: Im not trying to really cultivate competitive chess players out of these kids. I just want them to survive. Behind Banjoko,
left to right: Sam Martin, Shanghua Zhong, Warren Medina, Jesus Medina.

uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 25

 By NELLY ROSARIO

February is the month for lovers, including,

and especially, chess mates.

26 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org

Chess & Love
HESS PLAYERS, REJOICE.
You would have been sexy in the Middle Ages, when skills
on the chessboard was what separated the wheat from
the chaff among singles looking for mates of distinction.
The chessboard came to qualify as a sexual space after the
queens appearance drew more and more women and girls to
the game, according to historian Marilyn Yalom in Birth of the
Chess Queen. For the nobility in Europe, a highly ritualized and
hierarchical game like chess, where each piece moves in its pre-
scribed directions, served as the perfect excuse for lovebirds to
spar their hearts out on a level playing field.
Chess and romance are no longer bedfellows in our collec-
tive psyche. Online dating sites like www.chesslover.co.uk,
which markets itself as helping singles find their perfect
match, elicit chuckles from chess players and non-players alike.
The crudest and most literal image I have of chessboard as sex-
ual space is from Brian Kaplan, a high-school classmate who
told me that he once saw two homeless people [embraced] on
the chess tables in Washington Square Park back in the 80s.
Far more telling of the contemporary divorce of chess from sex
or romance is the fact that Kaplan prefaced this anecdote with:
Probably inappropriate for [Chess Life].
For those who live and breathe chess, discussing the game
in relation to that other game describes a game unto itself.
In most games, I am thinking about girls for about 50-75 per-
cent of the time, says Grandmaster and American champion
Alexander Shabalov in Jennifer Shahades 2005 book Chess
Bitch, another 50 percent goes to time management, and with
Love and War are the same thing, and stratagems and policy
are as allowable in the one as in the other.
Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes
whats left over I am calculating.
Its actually a sexy game, British international master
Jovanka Houska tells The Telegraph. Its the clash of wills, the
intellectual battle, the power struggle between a man and a
woman. Thats quite romantic.
Guardian writer Stephen Moss view is that the true nature
of chess is a Darwinian struggle for power and sexual
supremacy. He echoes the common Freudian view that the
desire to play chess in males is born out of a subconscious desire
to kill the father, that the importance/impotence of the king is
what attracts boys to the game, whose rules mirror those of sex.
Shahade scoffs at these kinds of Oedipal models. The writer
and woman grandmaster prefers a more Jungian reading of the
game as a system of opposites ... knowing when it is time to
attack and when to defend.
White or black, yin or yang, Freud or Jungwhichever side
of the board one chooses, most talk of chess can be boiled down
to coded definitions of courtship and sex.
Queens Gambit, Accepted or Declined
Its time for some mind sex, we aint got to take our clothes off
yet ... Relax, I got the good vibrations ... Before we make love lets
have a good conversation ... African princess, tell me yo inter-
ests ... we can play a game of chess on the futon ... When you
show me your mind, it make me wanna show you minesBefore
the nights through, we could get physical too ... Opposites
attract thats the basis ... Our sex is the wind that separates the
yin from the yang
Mind Sex, Dead Prez
uschess.org
The Medieval troubadour was in part responsible for landing
the queen on the chessboard and thus sexualizing the game,
according to Yalom. It was the troubadours verses that put
women on pedestals and at the center of romantic conquest. He
sang of checkmate in the game of love, of suffering under the
multi-squared wiles of his beloved, of woman as the object of
conquest and as the font of a male bliss earned valiantly
through knightly trial and tribulationjousting, difficult jour-
neys, pain, injury, and other acts of chivalry that further
popularized the erotic nature of chess.
Circa 2003, Carl sits in my apartment in Brooklyn. Were lis-
tening to Dead Prez, warily measuring the strange chemistry
between us.
Definitely not my type, this round the way boy. Way too young.
Uniformed in baggy jeans, baseball caps, sneakers, and T-
shirts. Line of work unclear. Built like a football player. Not much
of a talker, either, save for the occasional disyllabic phrase:
whattup, dont know, hey ma.
You play? he says, fiddling with the chessboard on my cof-
fee table. Why else would I have a set? I say.
True, true.
No sir, no way, no how, Im thinking.
He sets up the pieces. Queens on their colors, white square
to the right, all that jazz. He chooses black. When I offer a switch,
he shrugs, says, Nah. White makes the first mistake, ma.
And then we spar our hearts out, right beside the fica tree
in the living room.
He plays like his build, steadily forging ahead and gaining ter-
ritory with his quarterbacks. Oh, how he works those little men.
Its sexy as all hell, the leaden simplicity and perseverance of
his game.
Touchdown, checkmate, whatever ...
Serbian Woman GM Maria Manakova had her own sweet sur-
render. Heres how she describes to The Telegraph her first game
against ex-husband Serbian grandmaster Miroslav Toi :
I made a move. I didnt go with my king to the corner, I went
to the center, and my ex-husband thought, Oh, shes so brave.
He fell in love with me immediately, because in this move was
my character, my wish to be with him. Maybe I didnt want to
show it, but maybe I wanted him to win a little bit. I surren-
dered myself to him. He liked that.
Then theres the love story of Zhu Chen, which Shahade
writes about in her book. Chinas second womens world chess
champion and the countrys 13th grandmaster first met her hus-
band at a 1994 Asian youth tournament in Malaysia. Mohammad
Al-Modiahki was Qatars first grandmaster and named player of
the century within the Arab countries. Before Chen could
improve her English, which Al-Modiahki speaks fluently, chess
and love was their lingua franca.
Their parents disapproved of the union, believing that there
were too many differences between thema sentiment that
Chen refers to as a cold war. But Chen and Al-Modiahki
stayed together. There are many combinations with the king and
queen that are quite beautiful, she says in an Asian Times inter-
view. And in her own autobiography she writes, Chess is a good
way to bridge different cultures in a peaceful way, and my rela-
tionship with Al Modiahaki is a great example of this.
Chess Life February 2012 27
Chess & Love
Chess is also a good way to bridge gay characters with
straight moviegoers.
[C]ultural divisions over race have been supplanted in the pop-
ular American consciousness by a debate over gay rights, says
E! Online writer Jennifer Arrow. Shes referring to the tacit love
affair between future archenemies Charles Xavier (Professor X)
and Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto) of Marvel Comics X-Men saga. The
2011 summer blockbuster X-Men: First Class includes a chess
game between them thats all too reminiscent of the famous
sexually-charged scene between Faye Dunaway and Steve
McQueen in the 1968 crime thriller The Thomas Crown Affair.
Arrow points to scenes in which the two mutants (i.e., gay) loll
around together on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial while play-
ing chess and gazing at the oh-so-phallic Washington Monument.
No, seriously, playing chess is obviously PG-13 movie code for
And then Magneto and Professor X did it ... again.
And there it is, a modern-day take on the Medieval associa-
tion of the image of the (mixed-sex) chess match with romance.
In fact, according to Yalom, the image of chess play between a
man and a woman came to be so strongly linked to romance
in the Middle Ages that the mere use of it as cover art suggested
love and sex as subject matter, whether or not actual game play
factored in the content.
But alas, though its 2011, proponents of gay marriage believe
that were still living in the Dark Ages. Unlike Chen and Al-Modi-
ahki, Professor X and Magneto must remain closeted forevermore.
They should be married and living happily ever after, insists
Arrow, but for now theyll spend the rest of their lives in mis-
erable devotion ... facing each other from across the line, instead
of living together in Westchester mansion splendor, playing
chess until theyre too old and creaky to move the pieces. culture ... Here in the Skittles room, chess was still just a toy ...
My own miserable devotion was to an online player named
peaceart. That marriage lasted a month. He was a trash-talk- number of self-published dating-advice books geared towards
ing, 45-year-old Aquarius from Canada, miles ahead of me in
rank. A rather abusive relationship. Our chat box would be just
as often littered with at-sign bleeps as with civil digressions on
the nature of peace and art. He had a crush on my avatar, a
curly-haired brown girl in a blue halter top, back-dropped by
soaring dolphins. Yes, Im a blundering fish of a player. And
peacearts aggressive game aroused me. We flirted in English,
Spanish, and Italian. He mentioned his amazing trip to the
Dominican Republic, the beaches, the music, the women, how
an Italian stallion and a Dominicana would be explosivea
remote possibility, further sabotaged by his constant play on
the word checkmate, along with a porn clip he e-mailed that
went straight to my spam folder.
After two weeks of humiliating games, peaceart was the devil
I knew. He played in that romantic chess style of the 19th cen-
tury, gambits galore. Cheap tactics included chats in all-caps
Gift ideas for the afficionado...
White- and milk-chocolate chess sets$45 to $300
Love Chess Heart sticker by HappyDoggies$6
RockLove Jewelrys King and Queen sterling-silver earrings
(or any same-sex pair from the Chess Earring collection)$96
Donation to 9Queens, an organization that provides chess
instruction to those most in need of the games benefits,
especially girls and at-risk youth$1 and up.
28 Chess Life February 2012
about spirituality and the state of the Middle East.
But Carl had taught me a thing or two about perseverance.
One day, two of my queens mated peacearts king to death, and
I havent played him since.
Kibtizin
The mating game seems to amount to a certain type of chess
problem addressed by Vladimir Nabokov in the preface to his
novel The Luzhin Defense:
... the point is not merely the finding of a mate in so many
moves, but what is termed retrograde analysis, the solver
being required to prove from a back-cast study of the diagrams
position that Blacks last move could not have been castling or
must have been the capture of a white knight en passant.
In other words, a good part of the pleasure we derive from
romance is not merely in the culmination of the sex act itself
(a petite mort lasts seconds), but in the chase (pre-mort) and in
the Monday-morning quarterbacking (post-mort).
Before and after the king is dead, then, its off to the skittles
room for all matter of pre- and post-mortem kibitzing, of wheel-
ing and dealing and quickies. In The Chess Artist, writer and
chess enthusiast J. C. Hallman recalls his first visit to a World
Open skittles room in Philadelphia with the kind of melancholy
a church boy would on being introduced to a brothel:
I watched them play for a time, two or three dollars a game ...
and the rooms mood was lively. But I found the Skittles Room
depressing ... I wanted organized chess to be a thing that elevated
Yes, kid, sex is just a toy, is the message proposed by a good
men. Ill reluctantly mention Bettor[sic] Off Single: Why Commit-
ment Is A Bad Gamble For Men by one Ray Gordon, if only
because its chess-sex kibitzing gone wild. In this e-clunker, a mid-
dle-aged, self-avowed PUA (pick-up artist) and amateur chess
player performs a meticulous post-mortem on his entire career.
The manual, priced at a whopping $0, is geared towards the
seduction community and divided into two volumes, comprised
of 44 lessons further subdivided into Field Reports. Each field
report concludes with an Obligatory Postgame Network Press
Conference, followed by an After Further Review. (Its worth men-
tioning here that the character of Grandmaster Luzhin in
Vladimir Nabokovs novel suffers a nervous breakdown).
Chess was my way of making seduction my top priority ...
and this is why I was getting results: I was actually trying, while
most of my peers were living on autopilot, not developing any
alpha gimmicks, writes Gordon in what has to be the most
uschess.org
TMId, bizarre, and psychotic PDFs Ive ever scrolled through
an endless string of projected moves, crackpot tactics, and
strategies on how to find love, or at least try to.
Chess is not an easy [conquest], says even Burt Hochberg,
game expert and former Chess Life editor. Apparently, neither
are women, because it takes Gordon 591 pages to demon-
strate to the grandmaster the delicate art of picking-up SHBs
(smoking-hot babes).
At one point, Gordon considers quitting chess altogether, evok-
ing Hallmans realization that he no longer wanted to be a
serious chess player after panning the watered-down machismo
and bent personalities of the Skittles room.
A woman plays chess with the devil in the 14th-century
moral treatise The Edifying Book of Erotic Chess by French
physician Evrart de Conty. First meant as commentary on the
allegorical work of a poet, the extensiveness of de Contys notes
made it a popular work in its own right. This manual of seduc-
tion offered highly symbolic descriptions of a series of love
battles between the narrator and his lady. The move-by-move
narrative was meant to clarify respectiveand respectablegen-
der roles in courtship (and to guide a future narrator during her
online games with a so-called peaceart). One of the original man-
uscripts was destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden in 1945.
Knights in Shining Armor:
Love Triangles on Squares
Back to square a1: Chess and romance are no longer bedfel-
lows in our collective psyche. However, the game pieces still
embody the notions of chivalry and romance that are still big
players in Western consciousness. Women are to wait (in vain)
for their knights in shining armor, having been raised on Dis-
ney-princess paraphernalia. A king-sized bed is a requisite of
the consummate bachelor pad. Men are to be knightly and fight
for a womans honor, be it in a sports arena, on the silver
screen or in a nightclub in Turin. Chaste or not, the bride is to
say yes! to the corset and white dress, made popular during
the Middle Ages by Anne of Brittany as a symbol of virginity.
And because illicit affairs never go out of fashion, were still in
love with legends of knights who squarely gallop into triangles.
Many films have revisited the legend of Tristan and Iseult. King
Mark (Rufus Sewell!) sends his nephew Tristan (James Franco!)
to Ireland to fetch the princess Iseult (Sophia Myles!), who is
betrothed to the king. On the trip back, Tristan and Iseult acci-
dentally drink a love potion meant for the bride and groom, after
which viewer discretion is advised. Instead of depicting the lovers
in flagrante delicto, a 14th-century carving renders them, well,
engaged in a game of chess.
The legend of Tristan and Iseult is said to have influenced that
other one we treasure, Lancelot and Guinevere. Its a familiar story:
Lancelot, King Arthurs trusted knight, falls in love with the kings
wife Guinevere. A 14th-century painting depicts Lancelot send-
ing Guinevere his prize after winning a chess game: a magic
chessboard in which the pieces move on their own accord.
The lasting power of these legends is especially not lost on
marketing forces. In 1997, Playboy ran a Smirnoffs print ad that
was captioned Pure Mate. The photograph captures a chess
game in progress, during which the white queen (e1) is swept
off her pedestal by a black knight (e2).
Their embrace is made to look illicit in a number of dramatic
ways. That the queen is white and the knight is black imme-
diately appeals to taboos about crossing class and racial lines,
not to mention the implied beauty and beast (white-princess
and black-horse-man). And whether positioned deliberately or
by artistic license, the black king stands in his queens square
and the white queen in her kings square (off her color). The
uschess.org
kiss is made further secretive by the framing of the couple inside
the product bottle, which stands rather erect in the foreground.
Behind the couple and partly framed within the bottle is a
naughty little voyeurthe black bishop (f5)! Refraction bends
the bishops upper body to suggest that hes leaning towards
the couple in a gesture of curiosity and disapproval.
Meanwhile, beyond the frame of the bottle, the game of life
appears to be in stasis for those chess pieces not immersed in
vodka or in the throes of lust. These poor souls include: 1) a
black pawn standing alone (c3), 2) a black rook (a8) facing a
white bishop (a5) and a white pawn (b6), 3) a white pawn (d5)
singlehandedly confronting the black king (d8), and 4) the
God-fearing half of the aforementioned black bishop (f5).
I leave it to the chess analyst to divine any other subliminal mes-
sages from the board positions of this ridiculously staged game:
White and Black to mate after choosing
to drink love potion.
r+-mk-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-zP-+-+-+
vL-+P+l+-
-+-+-+-+
+-zp-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
(Smirnoff, 1997)
Making Moves
The most talked about convergence of alcohol, chess, love and
battle took place in 2006, after the 37th World Chess Olympiad
in Turin, Italy. In this contemporary legend, coined Gormally-
gate by the media, British GM Danny Gormally punches
Armenian GM and world number three Levon Aronian in a jeal-
ous fit after Gormally sees Aronian dancing with Australian
Woman International Master Arianne Caoili. The duel takes place
at a nightclub with the impossible name of Hiroshima Mon
Amour. Revenge comes a few days later, when Gormally is
allegedly assaulted by several of Aronians teammates. In the
end, the chess world gets more press coverage than ever, the
dueling knights patch up, and Aronian and Caoili live on hap-
pily ever after as a couple.
Caoili has since won the London Chess Classic Womens
Invitational Tournament and appeared as a celebrity dancer in
Australias fifth season of Dancing with the Stars.
When two people make moves, like in sex, like in love, they
do some moves to win, says Maria Manakova, ex-wife of
Yugoslav grandmaster Miroslav Toi . Yes, not only he, but she,
the woman.
The Erotic Book of Chess encourages women to play an active
role in seduction. According to Yalom, not only does the woman
make the first move by playing white, but she initiate[s] the
course of love through her most strategic weapon, a weapon
Manakova deployed when she posed nude for the Russian
mens magazine Speed.
Once people see that chess is not just for nerds, says
American International Master Jeremy Silman, but also for real
people who love all that life has to offer, more people might give
[chess] a serious try.
If hes right, Chess and Romance might just be pausing their
game to open a bottle of wine. .
Chess Life February 2012 29
 PHOTO: ANDI ROSEN

30 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org

 2011 World Youth

Awonder Liang takes gold and Ruifeng Li takes

silver at the 2011 World Youth Championship

F
By GM JOHN FEDOROWICZ

or the first time the World Youth Chess Championship was played in South America. Previous tournaments were played
in Spain, Greece, Turkey, France, The Republic of Georgia, and Vietnam. This years event was hosted from November
17th to the 27th by the Brazilian town Caldas Novas, famous for its water parks and hot springs. I traveled with Aviv
Friedman, Armen Ambartsoumian, Gennady Zaitchik and Michael Khodarkovsky.
We always leave a few days early just in case we encounter travel snafus. JFK airport got us off to a bad start with our flight depart-
ing two hours late. We made up some time on our way to Sao Paulo, but not enough to save our connection. After a seven-hour
wait in Sao Paulo we finally made it to Goinia where we were met by a small car. With poor Aviv cramped into a backseat we made
our way to Caldas Novas in a driving rain storm. We conversed in Spanish with our enthusiastic young driver. GM Joel Benjamin
had bigger problems as his ride from Brasilia to Caldas Novas failed to find him. The tired grandmaster arrived about 10 hours
later than he shouldve after some unwanted adventures, but in one piece.
Just like a year ago in Halkidiki, Greece, we had our largest delegation ever. With over 60 players, it was about 20 more than last
year. Also like last year, the group was dominated by our under 8 and under 10 (30 players), making for a very inexperienced team
something like we are used to. Our two highest-rated players were Eric Rosen, 2305 FIDE, and Michael Vilenchuk at 2219 FIDE.
Despite this we felt we still had good medal chances. Good experienced coaches of course can help a lot and we had quite a strong
crew. In addition to this author and my four travel companions we were helped by GMs Joel Benjamin, Nick de Firmian, Sam Palat-
nik, Yury Shulman, and IM Andranik Matikozyan. I cant imagine any country coming too close to this staff of coaches. In addition,
Yury Shulman and Shaun Smith helped out with Justus Williams, James Black and Rochelle Ballantyne who were sponsored by
Chess In the Schools. The coaches were responsible for six players each with 20 to 30 minutes of preparation time. Thanks to organ-
izer GM Darcy Lima and the Thermas di Roma Hotel for providing us with a team room; with 10 coaches we needed a good-sized
room and we got one. We gathered there for our all important post-game analysis.
The way Team USA is set up, as in past world youths, our strong medal contenders come from relatively unknown young-
sters. This year was no different. Wisconsins Awonder Liang dominated the boys under 8 section. He started with seven wins
then had a draw followed by a last round loss to Ram Aravind L N of India. His tiebreaks were so strong he had clinched the
gold medal before the last game. I chose these two Awonder games because he won the games while exhibiting different styles.
His round five game took a positional path while his round seven win flashed big tactics (with help from his opponent).

Sicilian Defense, Bg5!? is more to the point. 12. ... Re8?!

Black keeps playing moves without
Scheveningen Variation (B83)
finding a constructive plan. 12. ... a4 13.
11. ... a5!?
Awonder Liang (FIDE 1872, USA)
Nc1 a3 14. b3 Nb4 gives Black good coun-
CM Matvey Pak (FIDE 1860, RUS)
r+-wq-trk+
terplay.
World Youth 2011 (5), 11.22.2011

1. e4
+p+-vlpzpp 13. Kh1 h6?!
This is my favorite game from Awon-
-+nzplsn-+ Blacks best is again 13. ... a4 14. Nc1
ders event. For such a young player he zp-+-zp-+- a3 15. b3 Nb4.
showed a Karpovian positional sense. -+-+P+-+ 14. a3!
1. ... c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 +NsN-vL-+- As weve seen in previous notes, its impor-
e6 6. Be3 Be7 7. Be2 Nc6 8. 0-0 0-0 9. Qd2 tant to keep Black from pushing to a3.
Typical of the Boleslavsky variation is
PzPPwQLzPPzP
9. f4 e5 10. Nb3 exf4 11. Bxf4 Be6. +-+R+RmK- 14. ... a4?

After 11. ... a5 The pawn on a4 is easy pickings.

9. ... e5?!
This move can be played if Whites Black should charge this pawn down
15. Nc1 Qa5 16. Nb5

pawn is on f4, when Black would secure to a3. White sees that the trade of queens
e5 for a knight. leaves Black with two targets on a4 and d6.
12. f3
Blacks main idea is 12. a4 Nb4 playing
10. Nb3 Be6 11. Rad1 16. ... Qxd2 17. Rxd2 Red8 18. Rfd1 Ne8 19.

Attacking the d5 point with positional for a fast d5; 12. a3!? slowing down Blacks
Nc3! Bf6 20. Bb5 Nd4 21. Bxe8

ideas similar to the Sveshnikov with 11. a5-pawn keeps things under control. Taking with 21. Bxa4!? looks like it

uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 31

 2011 World Youth
snags a pawn, but Awonder elects to
play it safe.
21. ... Rxe8 22. N1e2 Nxe2 23. Rxe2 Bc4 24.
Red2 Be7 25. Nd5 Bxd5 26. Rxd5
White is clearly better here. Blacks
queenside will come under heavy
pressure.
26. ... Rec8 27. c3 Rc6 28. Rb5 Rc7 29. Rdd5
Ra6 30. Ra5!
-+-+-+k+
+ptr-vlpzp-
r+-zp-+-zp
tR-+Rzp-+-
p+-+P+-+
zP-zP-vLP+-
-zP-+-+PzP
+-+-+-+K
After 30. Ra5
Forces the a win of clear pawn with no
compensation for Black.
30. ... Rcc6 31. Rxa6 Rxa6 32. Rb5 Bg5 33.
Bxg5 hxg5 34. Rxb7
Now its just a mopup operation.
34. ... g6 35. Kg1 Kg7 36. Kf2 Kf6 37. Ke3 Ke6
38. Kd3 f5 39. c4 Ra8 40. h3 fxe4+ 41. fxe4
Rf8 42. Rg7 Kf6 43. Ra7 Rb8 44. Kc2 Rb3 45.
Rxa4 Rg3 46. b4 Rxg2+ 47. Kd1 Rg3 48. b5
Rxh3 49. b6 Rh7 50. Rb4 Rb7 51. a4 g4 52. a5
Kg5 53. Ke2 Rf7 54. b7, Black resigned.
Colle System (D05)
Awonder Liang (FIDE 1872, USA)
Cenker Eren Tan (FIDE Unrated, TUR)
World Youth 2011 (7), 11.24.2011
This was Awonders seventh straight win
and virtually clinched the championship.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3
Better in this position is 3. Bg5 or 3.
Bf4, getting the bishop out before playing
e2-e3.
3. ... d5 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3
The Colle System is a popular, but pas-
sive opening.
5. ... Nc6 6. 0-0 Bd6 7. Nbd2 0-0 8. a3
(see diagram top of next column)
8. ... b6
There is a slight edge after 8. ... e5!?,
freeing the position.
9. b3 Qc7 10. e4 cxd4 11. cxd4 dxe4 12. Nxe4
Nxe4 13. Bxe4 Bb7 14. Bb2 Ne7!
So far he is playing the moves the
32 Chess Life February 2012
Closed Ruy Lopez,
r+lwq-trk+ Chigorin Defense (C96)
zpp+-+pzpp Ruifeng Li (FIDE 1919, USA)
Erdemdalai Yondonjamts (FIDE UNR, MGL)
-+nvlpsn-+ World Youth 2011 (1), 11.18.2011
+-zpp+-+- Ruifeng got the ball rolling towards
-+-zP-+-+ medal contention with this round one
win.
zP-zPLzPN+-
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5.
-zP-sN-zPPzP 0-0 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. Re1 0-0 8. h3
tR-vLQ+RmK- The so called Anti Marshall system is
After 8. a3 a good way for White to channel Black
into normal Ruy lines. 8. c3 d5 9. exd5
position requires. The d5 point is an Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4
excellent outpost. Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15. Be3 Bg4
16. Qd3 Rae8 is an example of main line
Marshall theory. If anyone is looking for
15. Rc1 Qd7 16. Bb1!
White correctly keeps this important a solid defense versus 1. e4, this variation
attacking piece. must be considered.
16. ... Bd5 17. Qd3 f5 18. Rce1 Nc6 8. ... d6
Playing 18. ... Be4!? would force an Playing 8. ... d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5
important decision for White ... sac or Nxe5 11. Rxe5 Bb7 12. d3 with an
not sac? 19. However, after Rxe4 fxe4
improved version of the Marshall Gambit
20. Qxe4 g6 21. Ng5 collapsing e6 looks for White since his c-pawn is on c2 not
very good for White. hampering his development.
19. b4 a6 20. Bc2 Bxf3?? 9. c3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Nc6 12. d5 Nb8
The beginning of a chess blindness
combination that loses a piece and the rsnlwq-trk+
game.
+-+-vlpzpp
21. Qxf3 Nxd4
p+-zp-sn-+
r+-+-trk+ +pzpPzp-+-
+-+q+-zpp -+-+P+-+
pzp-vlp+-+ +-zP-+N+P
+-+-+p+- PzPL+-zPP+
-zP-sn-+-+ tRNvLQtR-mK-
zP-+-+Q+- After 12. ... Nb8
-vLL+-zPPzP
13. Nbd2
+-+-tRRmK- 13. a4!? gives White a potential target
After 21. ... Nxd4 on b5 and takes advantage of Blacks
suspicious move order. 13. ... Bb7 (13. ...
Bd7 14. axb5 Bxb5 15. Na3 Bd7 16.
Nxe5! dxe5 17. d6) 14. axb5 axb5 15.
22. Bxd4 Bxh2+ 23. Kxh2 Qxd4
Black mustve been wondering, How
Rxa8 Bxa8 16. b4 c4 is one of my favorite
did this happen? Ruy Lopez games of all time, Karpov-
Unzicker, Nice 1974, where White won in
painful positional style.
24. Rxe6 Rad8 25. Kg1 Rc8 26. Bb3 Kh8 27.
Rfe1 h6 28. Qe3 Qb2 29. Rxh6+ gxh6 30.
Qxh6 mate. 13. ... Nbd7 14. Nf1 Nb6 15. b3 h6 16. Ng3
Kh7?!
Another young player that finished with
This doesnt feel right in principle. Black
a medal was Ruifeng Li. I helped Ruifeng is looking for trouble from the Bc2.
and his dad with some opening prepara-
tion for his late-round games. I was 17. Be3
impressed with his systematic way of
Moving the knight with 17. Nh2!?, play-
studying and all the ChessBase work he ing for a rapid f2-f4, is a good alternative.
had done. Having organized openings
and a willingness to study will help 17. ... Re8 18. Qd2 Bf8 19. Nh2 g6 20. f4!
Ruifengs progress a lot.
As a rule, White should play this when
(see game top of next column) Black cant establish a strong ... Ne5.
uschess.org
20. ... exf4 21. Bxf4 Bg7
Black is under heavy pressure with
21. ... Nfd7 22. Rf1 Qe7 23. Ng4.
22. Rad1 Ng8 23. Nf3
Playing for a timely e4-e5.
23. ... Bb7 24. h4!
r+-wqr+n+
+l+-+pvlk
psn-zp-+pzp
+pzpP+-+-
-+-+PvL-zP
+PzP-+NsN-
P+LwQ-+P+
+-+RtR-mK-
After 24. h4
White is picking apart Blacks kingside.
24. ... Nf6 25. h5 Bc8 26. hxg6+ fxg6 27. Bb1
Bg4 28. Qc2
Loading up for e5!
28. ... Nh5 29. Nxh5 Bxh5 30. Rf1 Rf8 31. Be3
Bxf3?
The ... Bh5 was holding things together.
32. gxf3 Qh4 33. Rd2 Nd7 34. Rh2 Qg3+ 35.
Rg2 Qh3 36. Rh2 Qg3+ 37. Qg2 Qe5?
White has chances to blast g6 after 37.
... Qxg2+ 38. Rxg2, but at least Black is
still playing.
38. Qh3!
This simple double attack does the job.
38. ... Nf6 39. Bxh6 Nh5 40. f4 Qf6 41. e5,
Black resigned.
One of our oldest representatives was
Eric Rosen, who competed in the open
under 18. Eric started the tournament
with a rank of 27, meaning a lot of hard
work and highly-ranked opponents lay
ahead of him. He was up to the task. Con-
gratulations to Eric for making an
international master norm. Seven out of
Erics nine opponents were higher-rated,
making his 6-3 score an impressive achieve-
ment. Here is one of Erics easier victories:
Closed Ruy Lopez (C87)
FM Eric Rosen (FIDE 2305, USA)
FM Toms Kantans (FIDE 2338, LAT)
World Youth 2011 (5), 11.22.2011
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. 0-0 a6 5. Ba4
Nf6 6. Re1 Be7
A good way for Black to develop in the
Steinitz system is 6. ... Bd7 7. c3 g6 8. d4
uschess.org
Bg7. Black could also try 6. ... b5 7. Bb3
Na5 gaining the bishop pair, but falls
behind in development after 8. d4 Nxb3
9. axb3.
7. c3 0-0 8. h3 b5 9. Bc2 d5?!
r+lwq-trk+
+-zp-vlpzpp
p+n+-sn-+
+p+pzp-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-zP-+N+P
PzPLzP-zPP+
tRNvLQtR-mK-
After 9. ... d5
An odd-looking move, getting into some
kind of Marshall but down some time.
10. d4!?
Compare the position after 10. exd5
Nxd5 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. Rxe5 c6 13. d4
to a Marshall and we must agree this is
good for White.
10. ... Nxe4 11. dxe5 f5
After 11. ... Nc5!? the game has trans-
posed into an Open Ruy Lopez-type of
position.
12. exf6 e.p. Nxf6 13. Bg5 Bc5 14. Nbd2 Qd6
15. Nb3 Bb6 16. Nbd4 Nxd4 17. cxd4 Ne4 18.
Bxe4 dxe4 19. Rxe4 Qg6?
r+l+-trk+
+-zp-+-zpp
pvl-+-+q+
+p+-+-vL-
-+-zPR+-+
+-+-+N+P
PzP-+-zPP+
tR-+Q+-mK-
After 19. ... Qg6
The bishop move 19. ... Bb7!? 20. Be7
Qd7 21. Bxf8 Bxe4 leaves Black down a
pawn, but with some chances.
20. Qb3+ Kh8 21. Rae1 h6 22. Be7 Bf5 23.
Ne5, Black resigned.
Blacks queen lacks a good square.
Our highest-scoring girls were WCM
Sarah Chiang, Mariya Oreshko and Agata
Bykovtsev. Take a look at Sarahs han-
dling of the Petrosian variation against her
Brazilian opponent. The game starts off
as a positional struggle favoring White,
but the early c4-c5 push allowed crazy
complications.
Kings Indian Defense,
Classical Variation (E92)
WCM Sarah Chiang (FIDE 2056, USA)
Julia Alboredo (FIDE 1813, BRA)
World Youth 2011 (2), 11.19.2011
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e4 Bg7
The Kings Indian Defense is a popular,
complicated, and somewhat antiposi-
tional opening.
5. Be2 0-0 6. Nf3 e5 7. d5
The Petrosian Variation, named after
the former world champion, the late great
Tigran Petrosian.
7. ... a5 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 Bd7
With 9. ... g5 10. Bg3 Nh5 11. Nd2 Nf4
12. 0-0, White has the positional idea of
Bg4 or play on the queenside.
10. Nd2 Na6 11. a3 Qe8 12. b3 Nh7 13. f3 g5?!
This move weakens crucial light
squares near Blacks kingside. Better is
13. ... h5!? 14. Rb1 Nc5 15. 0-0 Bh6 16.
Qc2 f5 17. b4 axb4 18. axb4 Na4 19.
Nb5 with some advantage for White.
14. Bf2 f5 15. exf5 Bxf5
r+-+qtrk+
+pzp-+-vln
n+-zp-+-zp
zp-+Pzplzp-
-+P+-+-+
zPPsN-+P+-
-+-sNLvLPzP
tR-+QmK-+R
After 15. ... Bxf5
Black has given White a strong out-
post on e4 for no good reason.
16. Nde4 Nf6 17. Bd3 Bg6 18. 0-0 Nh5 19.
c5!?
I felt that Blacks lack of active play
means White was better off keeping the
tension. 19. Rb1! followed by b3-b4 leaves
the Na6 looking ridiculous was the patient
approach. Its hard to find a decent plan
for Black.
19. ... Nxc5 20. Nxc5 dxc5 21. Bxc5 e4!?
Why not? Black confuses the issue.
22. Bb5
Safer was 22. Nxe4!? Bxa1 23. Qxa1
with White still holding on to a slight
advantage.
22. ... c6 23. dxc6 Bxc3 24. cxb7 Qxb5 25.
Qd5+
(see diagram top of next page)
Chess Life February 2012 33
 2011 World Youth
r+-+-trk+
+P+-+-+-
-+-+-+lzp
zpqvLQ+-zpn
-+-+p+-+
zPPvl-+P+-
-+-+-+PzP
tR-+-+RmK-
After 25. Qd5+
25. ... Bf7??
Black falls apart in the complications,
losing a lot of material. 25. ... Kh7! Going
over the game afterwards this move con-
cerned us. It seems that it wins for Black.
26. bxa8=Q Rxa8 27. Qxa8 Qxc5+ 28.
Kh1 Bxa1 (28. ... e3!?) 29. Rxa1 e3.
26. bxa8=Q Rxa8 27. Qxa8+
All of a sudden Sarah is up two
Exchanges.
27. ... Be8 28. Qd5+ Bf7 29. Qd8+ Kh7 30.
Qe7 Qxb3 31. Qxe4+ Kg8 32. Rad1 Nf6 33.
Rd8+ Kg7 34. Bf8+ Kg8 35. Bxh6+ Be8 36.
Qg6+, Black resigned.
Mate follows on g7.
Mariya employed her favorite anti-Sicil-
ian weapon (the Wing Gambit) to good
effect in the following game. Whites devel-
opment and pressure caused a terrible
blunder.
Sicilian Defense (B20)
Mariya Oreshko (FIDE 1694, USA)
Karamcheti Priyamvada (FIDE 1782, IND)
World Youth 2011 (5), 11.22.2011
Mariya was one of our top scorers in the
girls under 12 along with Agata Bykovt-
sev, both at 612.
1. e4 c5 2. b4!?
The Wing Gambit is a tricky gambit
that isnt seen much nowadays. The idea
is to clear out Blacks wing pawn and
gain control of the center.
2. ... cxb4 3. a3 bxa3?!
White gets too much play after this.
Declining the gambit is best with 3. ... d5
4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nf3 (5. axb4?? Qe5+ 0-1
was the unfortunate game Shirazi-Peters,
1984 U.S. Championship, Berkeley) 5.
... e6 6. Bb2 Nf6 7. c4 bxc3 e.p. 8. Nxc3
Qd8 was coach Armens excellent prepa-
ration from last years World Youth in
Greece. In Vetoshko-Troff, White was
down a pawn in an isolated-pawn position
with zero attacking chances.
34 Chess Life February 2012
4. d4 g6
This was Mariya playing white two
rounds earlier versus Nominerdene: 4.
... d6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Bd3 e6 7. 0-0 (7. c3
Be7 8. Qe2 0-0 9. e5 dxe5 10. dxe5 Nd5
11. h4 It might be easier for White to
create kingside threats without castling.
The Rh1 could help with Bh7 Ng5 ideas)
7. ... Be7 8. Bxa3 0-0 9. e5 Ne8 10. Nc3
with attacking chances in a French
Defense type position.
5. Nf3 Bg7 6. Bc4 d6 7. 0-0 Nf6 8. e5!?
White needs to play aggressively or the
compensation could dry up.
8. ... dxe5 9. Nxe5 0-0 10. Bxa3
Whites bishops are exerting great pres-
sure on Blacks kingside, making developing
difficult.
10. ... Nc6 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Re1 Re8 13. Bc5
a5 14. Qf3 Bb7??
r+-wqr+k+
+l+-zppvlp
-+p+-snp+
zp-vL-+-+-
-+LzP-+-+
+-+-+Q+-
-+P+-zPPzP
tRN+-tR-mK-
After 14. ... Bb7
Black cracks under the pressure. 14. ...
Ba6 gives Black good defensive chances.
15. Qb3!
This nasty double attack wins a lot of
material.
15. ... Ba6 16. Bxf7+ Kh8 17. Bxe8 Nxe8 18.
c3 Bf6 19. Qa3 Bd3 20. Bxe7 Bxe7 21. Qxe7
Qxe7 22. Rxe7 a4 23. Na3 Nd6 24. Re6 Rd8
25. f3 Kg7 26. Re7+ Kh6 27. Rc7 Bb5 28. h4
How about 28. Rc1!.
28. ... Re8 29. g4 g5 30. hxg5+
With 30. Nxb5!? cxb5 31. Rc6 Blacks
remaining forces will be tied up.
30. ... Kxg5 31. Kf2 Kf4 32. Nxb5 cxb5 33.
Rd7 Re6 34. Rb1 Rh6 35. Rxd6!
This simplifying combo takes care of
Blacks small hopes.
35. ... Rxd6 36. Rxb5
The mate threat allows Whites rook to
get behind Blacks passed pawn.
36. ... Rf6 37. Ra5 h5 38. Rxh5 a3 39. Ra5 a2
40. Rxa2 Rh6 41. Kg2, Black resigned.
Jeffrey Xiong finished with an excellent
7-2 score, good enough for fifth place in
the open under 12. Still it had to be a bit
of a disappointment after last years unbe-
lievable 9-2 and second on tiebreak finish
(tied for first place). I like Jeffreys style:
good, crisp, aggressive chess mixed with
good preparation. Hell be a perennial
contender as he moves up in the age
groups. This game shows Jeffrey catch-
ing his opponent in a theoretical spin
cycle. Black was in trouble early with no
chance to defend.
Ruy Lopez (C77)
FM Jeffrey Xiong (FIDE 2056, USA)
Joshua Johnson (FIDE 1862, TRI)
World Youth 2011 (2), 11.19.2011
In this game Jeffrey takes care of his
Trinidadian opponent in tactical style.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5.
d4!?
One of the many trappy tactical lines
White can try.
5. ... b5
Blacks results from this position are
horrible. 5. ... exd4!? 6. e5 Ne4 7. 0-0 Be7
8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Nc5 is a much
better and safer path than what Black
played in the game.
6. Bb3 exd4 7. e5 Ng4 8. 0-0 Be7 9. Bf4 Bb7
White has compensation after 9. ...
h5!? 10. c3 g5 11. Bd2 Ngxe5 12. Nxe5
Nxe5 13. cxd4 Nc6 14. Qf3 because of
Blacks unsafe king.
10. Bd5 Qb8 11. Bxc6 dxc6 12. Nxd4
rwq-+k+-tr
+lzp-vlpzpp
p+p+-+-+
+p+-zP-+-
-+-sN-vLn+
+-+-+-+-
PzPP+-zPPzP
tRN+Q+RmK-
After 12. Nxd4
Already Black is in big trouble.
12. ... Nh6 13. Bxh6 gxh6 14. e6 c5 15. exf7+
Kf8 16. Ne6+ Kxf7 17. Nxc5!
Winning a pawn and leaving Black with
a leaky king position.
17. ... Rg8 18. Nxb7 Qxb7 19. g3
This forced defensive move ends any
hope Black has for attack or defense.
19. ... Rg5 20. Nd2 Bf6 21. c3 Rd8 22. Qc2
Rg6 23. Rad1 Qc8 24. Ne4 Rdg8 25. a4 h5
uschess.org
26. axb5 h4 27. bxa6 h3 28. Qd3 Be7 29. a7
Kg7 30. Qd7 Qf8 31. a8=Q!
This deflection wins the bishop and
the game.
31. ... Qf3 32. Qxe7+ Kh8 33. Ng5, Black
resigned.
Last up in our game section is a game
played by one of our youngest partici-
pants, seven-year-old Jason Metpally,
showing a tactical alertness that will serve
him well in future battles.
Sicilian Defense,
Dragon Variation (B70)
Dmitry Minko (FIDE 1375, RUS)
Jason Metpally (FIDE Unrated, USA)
World Youth 2011 (5), 11.22.2011
Nb5 Qd7 19. Nd4 Qc7 20. c3 Qc4 21. Qf2?? little ones going for a subway ride!) The
tournament hall was a short 100 yard
walk from the hotel lobby. Across the
-+r+-trk+
street from our hotel was an enormous
zp-+-zppvlp water park with some incredible pools
-zp-zp-snp+ and water slides. The atmosphere was
always festive and upbeat, conducive for
+-+-snP+- relaxation and good chess. The accom-
modations were fine as was the food, with
-+qsNP+-+
many choices.
+-zP-+-+P One thing that bothered me was FIDE
changing the format from 11 rounds to
PzP-+-wQLmK
nine rounds. I figure if were traveling
tR-vL-+R+- that far, more games are better. Most
After 21. Qf2 sections were decided by tiebreak, 11
rounds would most likely bring a clear
White is having problems with tactics winner. I hope next year it reverts back to
on the g4-square and this one ends the 11 games.
game. Id like to extend a special thanks to the
U.S. Chess Trust for their generous con-
tribution of $11,000. With many coaches
21. ... Neg4+! 22. hxg4 Nxg4+ 23. Kg1 Nxf2

At SEVEN years old Jason was our and travel expenses it was greatly appre-
24. Kxf2 Bxd4+ 25. cxd4 Qxd4+ 26. Ke1

youngest representative. Here he takes ciated. The chess is very serious, but
Qb4+ 27. Kd1 Kg7 28. Rh1 Qd4+ 29. Ke1

care of his Russian counterpart. when its done it was fun hanging out with
Rxc1+!
Jason continues to play accurately. friends and parents thanks to them. The
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. group of players I was assigned were hard
working and cooperative. We didnt win
30. Rxc1 Qxb2 31. Kd1 Qxg2 32. Re1 Qxa2
Nc3 g6
The Dragon Variation is very popular any team medals, but we fought hard
33. Re2 Qb3+ 34. Rec2 Qd3+ 35. Rd2 Qxe4

with young players. and won some nice games. Thanks to

36. fxg6 Qxg6 37. Rcc2 Qg1+ 38. Ke2 Qg2+

Emily, Joshua, Michael, Apurva, Kadhir,

39. Kd3 Qf3+ 40. Kc4 Rc8+ 41. Kb4 Rxc2 42.

Josiah and Ben for making my job easy.

Rxc2 Qe4+ 43. Kc3 h5 44. Rc1 h4 45. Rg1+
6. g3 Bg7 7. Bg2 0-0 8. 0-0 Nc6 9. Nce2 Bd7
Next years tournament will be played in
Kh7 46. Kd2 Qd4+ 47. Ke1 Qxg1+ 48. Kd2
10. h3 Rc8 11. Be3 b6 12. f4 Be6 13. Kh2
About equal is 13. Nxe6 fxe6. Maribor, Slovenia. I wish all of our kids
Qg3 49. Ke2 h3 50. Kd2 h2 51. Ke2 h1=R 52.

the best of luck, keep playing and study-

.
Kd2 Rh2+ 53. Kd1 Qg1 mate.

ing! See you all in Maribor!

The city of Caldas Novas is a Brazilian
13. ... Na5 14. g4??
Walking into a nice tactic that wins an
tourist attraction because of its agua
important pawn.
Read more USCF reporting from Brazil on
quente (hot water in Portuguese). Hot Chess Life Online, November archives,
tub springs were everywhere. Most of the including Andrea Rosens Sucesso in
USA contingent stayed at the Thermas di
14. ... Bxg4! 15. f5
With 15. hxg4 Nxg4+ Whites game col-
Brazil where she wraps-up the World
Roma Hotel. For safety reasons, the best
lapses.
Youth and declares it Sucesso even
world youth venues are always self-con- beyond fantastic quantifiable achieve-
15. ... Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Nc4 17. Bc1 Ne5 18. tained. (It wouldnt be good to have the ments such as Liang's gold medal.

2011 World Youth Championship At A Glance

Date: November 17-27, 2011
Location: Caldas Novas, Brazil
U.S. Results: Under 8 Girls: 6 pointsKaavya Ramesh, Naomi Bashkansky, Chenyi Zhao; Under 8 Open: 712 pointsAwonder Liang,
612 points (GOLD)David Peng, 6 pointsBrian Gu, 512 pointsBen Rood, 5 pointsJosiah Stearman, Ethan Joo, Aydin Turgut, 412
pointsJason Metpally, Ajay Krishnan, 4 pointsArman Baradaran Hosseini, Nguyen Dang Minh; Under 10 Girls: 6 pointsAnnie
Wang, 512 pointsEmily Nguyen, Katherine Davis, Devina Devagharan, 4 pointsSadia Qureshi; Under 10 Open: 7 pointsRuifeng
Li (SILVER), Tianming Xie, 612 pointsAlbert Lu, 6 pointsTanuj Vasudeva, John Burke, 512 pointsMichael Wang, Bovey Liu, Mar-
cell Szabo, Thomas Knoff, 412Nicolas Checa, 4 pointsBrandon Nydick; Under 12 Girls: 612 pointsMariya Oreshko, Agata
Bikovtseva, 6 pointsSimone Liao, 512 pointsKimberly Ding, 5 pointsMaggie Feng; Under 12 Open: 7 pointsJeffrey Xiong, 6
pointsCameron Wheeler, 512 pointsKesav Viswanadha, Michael Chen, Allan Beilin, 5 pointsJonathan Chiang, 412 points
Andrew Tang, 4 pointsKadhir Pillai; Under 14 Girls: 7 pointsSarah Chiang, 512 pointsRachel Gologorsky, 412 pointsLillia Poteat,
Apurva Virkud; Under 14 Open: 612 pointsKevin Wang, Varun Krishnan, 6 pointsMichael Bodek, 512 pointsJustus Williams, Jarod
Pamatmat, Michael Brown, Tommy He; 412 pointsJames Black, 4 pointsJialin Ding, Joshua Colas; Under 16 Girls: 5 points
Jessica Regam, 412 pointsRochelle Ballantyne; Under 16 Open: 412 pointsJohn Hughes; Under 18 Girls: 5 pointsEmily Tallo;
Under 18 Open: 6 pointsEric Rosen, 5 pointsMichael Vilenchuk.
Full results can be found here: http://www.wycc2011.com/

Coaching Staff: IM Armen Ambartsoumian, GM Joel Benjamin, GM Nick de Firmian, GM John Fedorowicz, FM Aviv Friedman, FST
Michael Khodarkovsky, IM Andranik Matikozyan, GM Sam Palatnik, GM Yury Shulman, GM Gennady Zaitchik.

uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 35

2011 K-12
Perfect scores abound in Texas, led by 12-year-old
Christopher Wu, with 17-year-old Matthew Dahl taking
top honors in the National K-12 Championships.
f all the youths whove com-
peted in the National K-12
Championships over the
years, few have matched the
accomplishments of 12-
year-old Christopher Wu.
Ever since he first came on the chess
scene as a young tyke in 2004, Christo-
pher has won first place at the K-12
Championships on four different occa-
sionsand three times he did so with
perfect scores.
The first perfect score took place when
Christopher competed in his National K-
12 Championship as a kindergartner in
2004. He accomplished the feat again in
2005 as a first-grader.
Over the past few years, he never
finished the grade-level competition in
less than second place, and he won
first place for a third time in 2009 with
6 12 pointsjust a half point shy of a
perfect score.
Now a seventh grader at Walter R. Satz
School in Holmdel, New Jersey, this past
fall, Christopher regained his status as
undefeated champion in his section of the
National K-12 Championships, held
36 Chess Life February 2012
By JAMAAL ABDUL-ALIM
November 18-20 at the opulent Hilton
Anatole in Dallas, Texas, by securing his
third perfect score of 7 points at the
national scholastic tournament.
Even though he was the highest-rated
player in his section, which he entered with
an official rating of 2256, Christopher says
achieving a perfect score during this last go-
round was more difficult than a simple
calculation of the odds might suggest.
A lot of people think that it is very
easy for the top seat to win first place,
Christopher told Chess Life. However, it
is actually harder if you are the first seat.
You're expected to win first place and
beat everyone else ... and if I don't it will
be a disappointment.
At the time of the tournament, Christo-
pher was a full 120 rating points higher
than the second-highest-rated player,
Andrew Liu, whom he defeated in an
exciting round six game that is anno-
tated on page 38. Only one other youth in
the seventh grade section had cleared
the 2000 rating threshold.
Christopher wasnt the only youth who
finished the 2011 K-12 Nationals as a
sole victor with a perfect score.
The others who achieved perfect scores
were fifth-grader Christopher Chen, of
Texas; third-grader Marcus Ming Miyasaka,
of New York; and first-grader Aryaman
Bansal, of Texas.
The top honor went to 17-year -old
Matthew Dahl, a senior at Saint Thomas
Academy in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Though one point shy of a perfect score,
Dahl emerged as the sole victor in the
12th grade section, thereby securing a
four-year scholarship to the University of
Texas at Dallas (UTD).
Its a great opportunity for chess play-
ers to get a full-ride to college and really
continue their chess careers beyond the
high school level, said Chief Tourna-
ment Director Jonathan David Shacter.
The USCF really appreciates having UTD
provide that for the students.
Dahl, a student of Life Master Victor
Adler, told Chess Life he plans to accept the
scholarship and study business at UTD.
The K-12 Championship, he said, was
really tough.
A lot of games I got really lucky in,
Dahl said, recounting one game in which
he and his opponent agreed to a draw
uschess.org
 Matthew Dahl wins, and plans to accept, a four-year
scholarship to the University of Texas at Dallas.

when Dahl had only one second on his

clock and his opponent had five seconds.
Although chess is a big part of the culture
at UTD, Jim Stallings, Director of the Chess
Program at UTD, told the youths that there
are easier ways to get into the university
than battling it out on the chessboard:
And that is through good academics,
Stallings told the youths. We have far, far
more scholarships for good academics. So
just because we only give out one scholar-
ship here today doesnt mean you cant
get an academic scholarship.
Judging by his sheer dominance at
the K-12 Championships over the years,
Christopher, a student of GM Alexander
Shabalov, seems well-positioned to col-
lect the UTD scholarship should he
decide to compete for it as a high school
senior in 2016. Asked how he won so
PHOTOS: JAMAAL ABDUL-ALIM

many K-12 Championships at such an

early age, Christopher attributed his suc-
cess to natural talent and a simple love for
the game.
Ever since I started playing, I have
enjoyed the game and thought it was
interesting, Christopher said. There was
also a natural talent involved. Christopher Wu: His fourth first K-12 first-place finish and third perfect score.

uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 37

 2011 K-12

Coach Tim Tusing of Oak Hall School in Gainesville, Florida: We just have a nice family network that sticks together and helps support me and support chess.
Left to right, with Tusing: Kindergartners Hailey Griffis, Emory Ezzell, Will Guan, Aryaman Sriram, Rikhil Venkataperumal.

Some people are good at certain things, Modern Defense (B06)
and other people are good at different
things. I just happen to have a natural tal-
ent for chess, and that is how I got so good
when I was young. Notes by Wu
On a more specific level, Christopher
credits his various K-12 Championship
victories over the years to the fact that he
always gets a good rest before each game
and regularly reviews his openings. At
larger tournaments, he occasionally
reviews opponents games as well.
But, by far, the most important thing
I do that helps me succeed is that I always
9. ... b6
If 9. b5 then I could attack with 10.
Christopher Wu (2256)
a4 and break open the queenside.
Andrew Liu (2136)
National K-12 Championships, Round 6
10. Ne2 Bb7 11. Nh2
Opening up the c- and f-pawns.
1. e4 g6
I prepared against this.
11. ... Nf6 12. Ng3 c5 13. c3 Nd7?
Why does he go back?
2. d4 d6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Be3 a6 5. Bd3 e6 6. Nf3
I wasn't sure if my setup was good,
14. h5 g5?!
because it blocks the f- and c-pawns. Not sure if this is necessary; he could
just leave the pawn structure as it is.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF TIM TUSING

This allows the f2-f4 lever.

focus as hard as I can, every round at the
6. ... Ne7 7. Qd2 h6

board, Christopher said. Even if Im Stops Bh6 but now he cant castle. 15. Bc2
exhausted, I keep pushing at the board,
and sometimes can salvage a win out of
8. h4 (see diagram top of next column)

a losing position. Maybe playing for h4-h5. Defending d4 to prepare for f2-f4 (15.
Here are notes from Christophers f4 gxf4 16. Bxf4 e5 17. Be3 cxd4 18. cxd4
round-six game against Andrew Liu; he exd4 19. Bf4 Ne5).
8. ... Nd7 9. 0-0

says. Strength wise, this was the hard- Castling queenside he could play
est game to play because my opponent ... b7-b5 and ... c7-c5 and open up the 15. ... e5!

was the strongest. queenside, weakening my king. He has to play this to stop f2-f4 to

38 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org


r+-wqk+-tr
+l+nsnpvl-
pzp-zpp+-zp
+-zp-+-zpP
-+-zPP+-+
+-zP-vL-sN-
PzPLwQ-zPPsN
tR-+-+RmK-
After 15. Bc2
break open the center.
16. Rad1
Thinking about cracking open the d-file.
16. ... Qc7 17. Bb3
Aiming for the f7-weak spot so he cant
castle queenside (17. dxc5 dxc5 and not
much play on the d-file. 18. Qd6 Rc8).
17. ... Nf6?
Goes back again to try to attack pawns.
18. f3 0-0
Brings his king to relative safety so
that he can try something in the center.
19. Ng4 Nxg4
He doesnt really have a choice. (19. ...
Rad8 20. Nxh6+ [20. Bxg5 hxg5 21. Qxg5
also a possibility] 20. ... Bxh6 21. Bxg5
Bg7 22. h6 Bh8 23. Bxf6 Bxf6 24. Nh5
Bh8 25. Qg5+ Ng6 26. Qxg6+).
20. fxg4 cxd4?!
A bad move, he has to play 20. ... c4 to
lock out my key bishop.
21. cxd4 d5?
Looks good, but White is better devel-
oped so any center break is bad for Black.
22. Nf5
Getting the knight out of the queens
range.
22. ... Nxf5
Pretty much forced because I can take
out his good bishop and have some
sacrifice ideas.
23. gxf5
(see diagram top of next column
23. ... Bf6
Has to stop the powerful f6 from trap-
ping is bishop. (23. ... dxe4 24. f6 Bh8
25. Bxg5 hxg5 26. Qxg5+ Kh7 27. Be6
Bc8 28. Rc1; 23. ... Rfe8 24. f6 Bf8 25.
exd5 e4 26. Rf5 White is still better
because of more space and potential
sacs on g5; 23. ... Rad8 24. f6 Bh8 25.
dxe5 dxe4 26. Bd4).
uschess.org
r+-+-trk+
+lwq-+pvl-
pzp-+-+-zp
+-+pzpPzpP
-+-zPP+-+
+L+-vL-+-
PzP-wQ-+P+
+-+R+RmK-
After 23. gxf5
24. dxe5 Qxe5 25. exd5 Qg3?
Maybe a better defense could have been
offered. 25. ... Qd6 blockades the pawn
and keeps on applying pressure.
26. Bd4 Bd8 27. Qc3 Qh4
Trying to come up with something.
28. Bg7
Not the most precise, but I felt the
endgame was winning after 28. ... Rc8 29.
Qd4 Qxd4+ 30. Bxd4.
28. ... b5?
No better is 28. ... Re8 29. Bh8 f6 30.
Bxf6 Bxf6 31. Qxf6.
29. Bxf8 Bb6+ 30. Bc5 Rc8 31. Bxb6 Rxc3
32. bxc3 Qg4
A little better is 32. ... g4, but he is still
lost. 33. Rd4.
33. Rde1 Kh7 34. f6, Black resigned.
White is completely winning since when
his rook arrives on e7 his bishop can
check on c2 and eventually he will dou-
ble up on the e-file and play Re8.
Many parents of children who com-
peted in the K-12 Championships in
Dallas this year said they believe strongly
in the benefits of hired coaches.
Dilesh Bansal, a management consult-
ant in Dallas and father of first-grade,
first-place winner Aryaman Bansal, is
not one of them.
I have strong opinions on this, and I
have surveyed so many chess parents
here in Dallas so I will say this, Bansal
said. For my son, Aryaman, I self coach.
He relates that he hired three different
coaches on different occasions, paying
them each for about two or three lessons
for Aryaman.
But I did not find value for money in
them at $50 an hour, Bansal said. Using
tactics books, online video lessons is
much better.
Whatever one thinks about Bansals
disdain for hired chess coaches, the fact
remains that his son not only took first
place in the first grade section, but did so
by achieving a perfect score.
Bansals father estimates that in the past
year, Aryaman has spent about 300 hours
on study, another 300 hours at or traveling
to tournaments, and about 200 hours of
just fun play-chess-at-home time.
This last part does not contribute to
chess, and is just poor discipline on our
part, Bansal explains apologetically.
In his peer group, Bansals son is a rel-
ative rarity in that his only coach is his dad.
Almost all my sons chess friends have
coaches weekly, though, Bansal said.
Below is an annotated game from
round six between Bansals son and
Rishith Susarla.
I think this game was pretty good,
Bansal said. Short, dynamic, full of tac-
tics and counterplay, with some instructive
tactical errors from both sides.
The father and son regularly review
Aryamans games together.
Any lines missed we look through using
Fritz, Bansal says of the computer-based
chess program. The commentary is all
what my son says, and I type it up in
Fritz for him, mostly to remember what
was going through his mind while he
played the game.
Elephant Gambit (C40)
Aryaman Bansal (1413)
Rishith Susarla (1422)
National K-12 Championships, Round 6
Notes by Bansal
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Bd6
He plays an opening that I don't know!
4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bb5+ c6 6. dxc6 bxc6 7. Bc4
0-0 8. 0-0 e4
rsnlwq-trk+
zp-+-+pzpp
-+pvl-sn-+
+-+-+-+-
-+L+p+-+
+-sN-+N+-
PzPPzP-zPPzP
tR-vLQ+RmK-
After 8. ... e4
9. Nd4?
My best move is 9. Ng5 Bxh2+ 10. Kxh2
Ng4+ 11. Kg1 Qxg5 (11 ... Qd6 12. g3??
Qh6) 12. d4 Qh5 13. Bf4.
9. ... Bxh2+ 10. Kxh2 Qxd4
My opponent missed the Greek-gift
mating line.
11. d3 Qe5+ 12. g3 Ng4+?
Too late for the Greek gift; there is no
Chess Life February 2012 39
2011 K-12
more mate threat (12. ... Bg4 bishop could
own the weakened light-square complex
13. Qd2 Qh5+ 14. Kg1 Bf3 leads to mate).
13. Kg2 Qh5? 14. Rh1
Now his queen is under fire!
14. ... Qe5 15. Qe2 Re8 16. dxe4 Qc5 17. Be3!
rsnl+r+k+
zp-+-+pzpp
-+p+-+-+
+-wq-+-+-
-+L+P+n+
+-sN-vL-zP-
PzPP+QzPK+
tR-+-+-+R
After 17. Be3
With the idea of baiting his knight to get
an open file against f7.
17. ... Nxe3+ 18. fxe3 Nd7 19. Raf1 Ne5 20.
Bb3 Bg4
An overloaded knight and a free f7-pawn.
21. Bxf7+! Kh8??
The decisive blunder giving a mate in
two. Check-Sac-Mate!
22. Rxh7+ Kxh7 23. Rh1+, Black resigned.
Though not everyone believes in hired
coaches, its hard to make a case against
private lessons when you consider the
success of the students of NorCal House
of Chess instructor Ted Castro. Three of
his students won first place at the K-12
Championships, and many others would
have done better were it not for the fact
that they had to play each other.
In the kindergarten section of this years
K-12 Championships, one of Castros
students, Maurya Palusa, of Fremont,
California, tied for first place.
Another student, Rayan Taghizadeh,
won first place in the fourth grade section,
and boosted his rating from 1970 to 1984.
This is his third national title, Castro
says of Rayan, who also finished first with
a perfect score at the National K-12 Cham-
pionships in 2009. More recently, he
finished first place with a perfect score in
the 11-and-under section of the National
Junior Congress Championships in Santa
Clara, California last October.
Both he won convincingly and won
clear first, Castro says.
At the most recent National K-12
Championships, the only thing that
stopped Rayan from achieving a perfect
score was a round six draw against the
higher-rated Praveen Balakrishnan, who
dropped slightly at the K-12 Champi-
onships, from 2031 to 2029.
40 Chess Life February 2012
When Praveen drew in the seventh
round, too, it enabled Rayan to finish with
clear first at 612 points to Praveens 6 points.
Rayan and Praveenwho have become
friendly rivalsboth represented the United
States and finished with seven out of 11
points at the World Youth Chess Champi-
onships in Greece (held in 2010) and
finished 22nd and 21st place, respectively.
Both youths plan to compete at
the World Youth Chess Championships
set to take place this November in
Maribor, Slovenia.
Another one of Castros students, Vig-
nesh Panchanatham, tied for first in the
sixth grade section at this years National
K-12 Championships. Like Rayan, Vig-
nesh won clear first at the National Junior
Congress Championships, even though he
played up in the 13-and-under section.
He also finished ninth at the 2010
World Youth Chess Championships in
Greece, and, like Rayan, plans to compete
at the World Youth in Slovenia this year.
Castro notes that 20 of his other stu-
dents also fared well in various sections
at the K-12 Championships.
In the sixth grade section, five out of
the top ten are my students and unfortu-
nately had to play against each other,
Castro said. In the final round, Vignesh
had to play another student of mine,
Kevin Moy, who also did pretty well in that
tournament. Two of my studentsJef-
frey Tao and Kevin Moywho ended up
in the top five, only lost to Vignesh.
The K-12 Championships were about
far more than just wins and losses. It
was largely about learning.
As youths played out their games in the
various ballrooms on the ground floor of
the hotel, dozens of chess educators from
across the countryincluding this writer
gathered for the 2nd George Koltanowski
Memorial Conference on Chess and Edu-
cation (see story on page 42).
Just outside the chess and education con-
ference, members of the University of Texas
at Dallas team set up a table and made
themselves available to play matches with
youths or go over their tournament games.
Priceless, said Robert Friedlander,
when asked what he thought of the fact
that his two sons, Benjamin, 7, and
Justin, 5, were able to go over their games
with UTD chess team player Daniel Gater
(2174), a freshman majoring in econom-
ics and pre-med.
Were kind of here on our own without
a coach, Friedlander said. Our coaches
are involved with a tournament in Ari-
zona. Our coaches are very upset they
could not travel with us to help the boys
during their tournament in Dallas.
Gaterin an interview with this writers
daughter, Hadiyah Abdul-Alim, 10, who
also competed in the K-12 Champi-
onships for the experiencesaid he
enjoyed making himself available to help
the young players improve.
I like looking at games, looking at what
they did, and I like to have something to
offer them, Gater said.
Gater had plenty to offer young Ben-
jamin, including some tips on how he
could have taken a strong position and
made it even stronger in a game that he
was clearly winning.
Hes really tied down, Gater said of
Benjamins opponent. I dont know if its
clear you can checkmate him by force, but
youve got some good stuff going on.
But instead of moving his queen to e6,
Ben played queen to f3, traded away a
bishop that he had positioned on a very
dangerous diagonal, and missed an
opportunity to gain tempo and a better
position with a check.
Still, with Blacks king stuck in the
center, Gater said, Benjamin did a good
job of trading off all the pieces that were
defending his king.
So now you need to get the rest of
your attacking pieces in, Gater said.
But in a series of trades, Benjamin
mistakenly left his king vulnerable to a
stunning back-rank checkmate, a last-
chance opportunity to win that his
otherwise losing opponent saw and seized.
Black got really lucky, Gater told Ben-
jamin. No one likes to lose like this.
The K-12 Championships arent always
about scoring the most points as an indi-
vidual. Sometimes, its about scoring the
most points as a team.
One person who knows something
about putting together a good chess team
is Tim Tusing, chess coach at Oak Hall
School in Gainesville, Florida, which won
first-place team trophies in the kinder-
garten and first-grade sections after they
scored 1012 and 13 points, respectively.
The winning Oak Hall first-grade team
members were Nicholas Dang, Avery
Bernstein, and Frederick Huang. The
kindergartners were Richard Ezzell, Arya-
man Sriram, and Hailey Griffis.
Tusing, their coach, is a military aircraft
parts broker by day and front man in a
fledgling Florida-based rock band called
Radio Ghost by night.
You gotta be a front man if youre
going to be a chess coach, Tusing said
after he and his kindergarten and first-
grade students collected their first-place
team trophies.
Chess is serious business at Oak Hall
School.
We do chess club four days a week,
Tusing said. Kids do a lot of puzzles, a
lot of homework, a lot of private lessons.
The average chess student at Oak Hall,
he said, puts in up to two hours of study
per day. Computer programs arent a
uschess.org
part of the chess team. Tusing says pre-
vious awards won by Oak Hall students
help motivate current students to win.
They see what the other kids have
done, Tusing said. Thats a good confi-
dence builder.
Parents play a major role, too.
We just have a nice family network
that sticks together and helps support me
and support chess, Tusing said.
At tournaments such as the K-12
Championships, Tusing says, he has stu-
dents ask themselves a series of basic
questions before every move.
There is a list of idiot questions that
they ask, Tusing said. Like, Can he
take my queen? Can he checkmate me?
Can I checkmate them?
Evidently, asking the idiot questions
has its rewards. .
The USCF was deeply saddened to learn
of the death of K-12 participant 17-year-
old Quinton Smith from Lubbock, Texas.
Our sincere condolences to his family
and friends. For information, including
a link to a memorial fund, please see
main.uschess.org/content/view/11492/3
19/. For scholarship information, please
see main.uschess.org/content/view/
8164/131.

2011 National Scholastic (K-12) Championship At A Glance

Date: November 18-20, 2011 Location: Hilton Anatole, Dallas, Texas Chief Tournament Director: Jonathan David Shacter
Top Finishers: 12th grade1st, 6: Matthew Dahl, 2nd-4th, 512: Ben Gershenov, Jason Altschuler, Zhou Fang; 11th grade1st,
612: Christopher Heung, 2nd, 6: Kevin Chandra; 10th grade1st, 612: Sam Schmakel, 2nd-3rd, 512: Derek Chang, Eve Zhurbin-
skiy; 9th grade1st, 612: Bryan Hu; 2nd, 6: Tyler Rhodes; 8th grade1st, 612: Mika Brattain, 2nd-3rd, 512: Andy Shao, Akshay
Malhotra; 7th grade1st, 7: Christopher Wu, 2nd, 6: Andrew Liu; 6th grade1st-2nd, 612: William Graif, Vignesh Pan-
chanatham; 5th grade1st, 7: Christopher Chen, 2nd, 6: Rishi Rajendran; 4th grade1st, 612: Rayan Taghizadeh, 2nd-3rd, 6:
Praveen Balakrishnan, Dante Peterson; 3rd grade1st, 7: Marcus Miyasaka, 2nd-5th, 6: Akshita Gorti, Maanav Ganthapodi,
Akash Vijay, Anirudh Ganesh; 2nd grade1st-6th, 6: Christopher Shen, Daniel Levkov, Rohan Suryawanshi, Constantine
Oskiper, Corwin Cheung, Luke Robitaille; 1st grade1st, 7: Aryaman Bansal, 2nd-4th, 6: Rishith Susarla, James Cooper,
Milind Maiti; Kindergarten1st-2nd, 6: Chinguun Bayaraa, Maurya Palusa. 12th grade team1st-2nd, 14: Solomon Schechter
Westchester, University High; 11th grade team1st, 1512: Plano East High School, 2nd, 15: Horace Mann; 10th grade team
1st, 1412: Westwood, 2nd-3rd, 1212: St. Johns School, Hanna High School; 9th grade team1st, 15: Catalina Foothills High
School, 2nd, 13: Trinity Prepatory School; 8th grade team1st, 14: I.S. 318, 2nd, 10: Canyon Ridge Middle School; 7th grade
team1st, 1312: Hunter College Campus School, 2nd, 2nd, 13: I.S. 318; 6th grade team1st, 14: Canyon Vista Middle School,
2nd, Quail Valley Middle School; 5th grade team1st-2nd, 1312: Scicore Academy, Dalton; 4th grade team1st-3rd, 1212: Dal-
ton, Aspen Elementary, Skaggs Elementary; 3rd grade team1st, 17: Universal Academy, 2nd, 1512: Dalton; 2nd grade
team1st-2nd, 1412: Scicore Academy, Columbia Grammar; 1st grade team1st, 13: Oak Hall, 2nd, 12: Dalton; Kindergarten
team1st, 1012: Oak Hall, 2nd, 10: Dalton.

THE USCF ONLINE CORRESPONDENCE CHESS SERVER

WELCOME TO THE USCF GAME COURT!

Online Play:
An exciting new membership benefit for you from your
United States Chess Federation!

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uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 41

Education
Reaching the Next Level
The Second Koltanowski International Conference on chess and education
fter a ten-year interval, Kolty 2
A was held Friday and Saturday,
November 18 and 19 at the Hilton
Anatole Hotel in Dallas, in conjunction
with the National K-12 Championship. A
lot has happened in the field of chess
and education in the last ten years.
Joseph Eberhard, in one of the two talks
in plenary session on Friday afternoon,
described a key change: Neuroscience is
taking us to the next level. He observed
that cognitive neuroscience is helping us
understand how people
learn, but he also chal-
lenged: Can we now use
neuroscience to better
More artists fail
understand affective devel-
opment? Dr. Eberhard was for lack of character than
one of the returning veter-
ans. His talk in 2001 was
on the benefit of chess
for lack of intelligence.
instruction for economically
disadvantaged children. In
his talk at the one-day
Chess in Education workshop held in con-
junction with the U.S. Open in Oakbrook,
Illinois, in 2006, his thinking had evolved.
There he suggested a change in the lan-
guage of the claims we are making for
chess, from chess makes you better in
math, reading, etc. to chess develops
the thinking skills that are at the founda-
tion of improvement in math and reading.
At Kolty 2 he said simply: Much has been
learned about how we learn.
This discussion about neuroscience
42 Chess Life February 2012
By DR. TIM REDMAN
started at Kolty 1. In an essay based on
their talk, William Bart and Michael Ather-
ton gave an introduction to the
neuroscientific basis of chess playing and
provided fMRI (functional magnetic reso-
nance imaging) scans that were published
in the conference book, Chess and Educa-
tion: Selected Essays from the Koltanowski
Conference. At Kolty 2, Stephen Lipschultz
spoke on Advances in Cognitive and Neu-
rosciences: the Impact on Educational
Chess. Acknowledging that he is a physi-
~EZRA POUND
cian not a neuroscientist, Dr. Lipschultz
then proceeded to give a bravura sum-
mary of the current state of cognitive
neuroscience with particular emphasis on
chess. Although he said that there is not
much science to support our claims that
chess helps with reading and math skills,
he pointed to a promising area of research
that could demonstrate the educational
benefits of chess.
Until now, the Holy Grail of research in
chess and education has been the attempt
to find skill transferthat learning chess
will help student performance in math,
reading, science, and social science. With
some limited evidence to support the ben-
efit of chess on reading (Margolies, Rifner)
which is my own area of interest, nothing
has been found to demonstrate that domain
mastery in chess transfers to other aca-
demic areas. Anecdotal evidence abounds
and we teachers can see the benefits of
chess for our students, but scientific evi-
dence is lacking. So concluded several
papers from both
Koltanowski conferences.
The United States has a
proud tradition of local
control of schools so
research is needed to make
the case for chess one
school district at a time.
We dont have a national
ministry of education.
And yet, Dr. Lipschultz
pointed out, we are con-
fronted by the absolutely terrifying data
on low socio-economic status children
who enter school with deficient language
skills. As David Barrett pointed out in
his study about Using Chess to Improve
Math Achievement for Students Who
Receive Special Education Services, the
gap, as registered on the TAKS (Texas
Assessment of Knowledge and Skills)
exam widens as time goes on. The gap
between the special education students
and the overall student score for math is
uschess.org
-6.0 in third grade growing to -35.4 in
eleventh grade. We could expect the same
worsening problem in other areas. Eco-
nomically disadvantaged students begin
their education with poor cultural cap-
ital, the subject of another university
conference on chess and education held
in Aberdeen, Scotland, a few years ago
and covered in Chess Life. These stu-
dents begin the game giving rook odds.
Dr. Lipschultz believes that poverty
affects brain development in a potentially
reversible way. The single most important
new approach coming out of Kolty 2 has
to do with the potential benefit of chess
not on skill transfer but on improved
executive functions. Inhibition, what
we call self control, positively affects life
success in areas such as health and
wealth. To the extent that chess can
improve metacognition, impulse control,
planning, and restraint, it can be of great
benefit to children.
David MacEnultys talk on Preparing
Children for Tournament Play had noth-
ing to do with openings, middlegames, or
endgames and everything to do with psy-
chological preparation. After regaling the
audience with a number of horror stories
from his experience as a coachintimidat-
ing behavior before the game and during
the game, breaking rules, and other exam-
ples of unethical behavior, not just on the
part of the children playing, but also on the
part of parents, coaches, and tournament
directorshe explained how he prepared
uschess.org
his students to deal with these obstacles.
Davids approach is to highlight the pri-
macy of character in his preparation.
Dr. Teresa Parr presented the most tan-
gible evidence of the promise contained in
this new approach in her talk Exploring
the Malleability of Executive Control.
After touching on the problems with exist-
ing research in chess and education, she
narrowed her focus to exploring the ques-
tion: How and why does chess have its
impact? She and her colleagues have just
received a million-dollar grant from the
Department of Education to explore the
impact of chess on beneficial character
traits, grouped under the umbrella term
executive control. These include habits trol groups) and it concluded that there
promoted through chess such as metacog-
nition (thinking about thinking), inhibition
versus impulsivity (consider the touch-
move rule), and immediate feedback on
hypotheses tried over the board. Funding
agencies dont want to hear about chess,
she advised, thus the indirect approach
taken. Her work, aside from the promise
of its research, inaugurates a new rhetor-
ical basis for arguing for the benefits of
chess, an approach advocated by Dr. Eber-
hard five years ago. [See Dr. Roots
interview with Dr. Parr in this issue.]
Of course, Fernando Moreno has been
saying this for some years now. He spoke
about the perspective from counseling,
and how he uses chess metaphors to help
students make good life choices. Dmitry
Schneider spoke about chess and finance
and specifically about how skills and char-
acter formation acquired through chess
transfer into the world of investment bank-
ing. To remind us that Kolty 2 was an
academic conference, not a cheerleading
convention, University of Texas at Dallas
(UTD) undergraduate Saheli Nath reported
on The Effects of Playing Chess on Self-
esteem: A Case-Control Pilot Study. Her
project was funded through a scholar-
award by the UTD Office of the Vice
President for Research and it was super-
vised by Dr. Alexey Root. The group
studied consisted of forty college students
ages 18-40 divided into chess players and
non chess players (experimental and con-
were no significant differences between the
self-esteem scores of the two groups. Julie
Blasingame disagreed, arguing that chess
builds self-esteem.
Returning to the increasing importance
of neuroscience in chess and education,
three cognitive psychologists from the Uni-
versity of Texas at Dallas, James Bartlett,
Amy Boggan, and Daniel Krawczyk, spoke
about their work. UTD Chess Program
Director James Stallings approached Pro-
fessor Krawczyk after hearing him talk
about brain health and suggested that he
use chess in his research. UTD has two
centers, The Center for Brain Health and
the Center for Vital Longevity whose
research interests can coincide with inter-
ests in chess and education. With an assist
from IBM executive Rodney Thomas, the
Chess Life February 2012 43
Education

chair of the Chess Program Advisory Board
at the University, the research went for-
ward. Professor Bartlett gave a general
orientation to their work on face recogni-
tion, UTD Ph.D. student Amy Boggan
explained how chess is an area particularly
suited for this kind of study, and Profes-
sor Krawczyk gave a detailed explanation
of brain function and chess perception. Dr.
Krawczyk noted that chess is a very emo-
tional game and Dr. Bartlett confirmed
that emotional-affective systems play a
critical role in chess.
A traditional subject of discussion in the
field of chess and educationchess as
social goodwas also prevalent. Texas
Chess Association President Clemente
Rendon gave an uplifting talk about how
chess made a difference in Brownsville
County, Texas, one of the poorest coun-
ties in the United States. He correctly
pinpointed the rhetorical interest in the
Brownsville story on the part of the
national media as the timeless appeal of
the underdog. Kevin OConnell in the sec-
ond plenary session presented an account
of the runaway success of the scholastic
chess program in Turkey. Professor
Charles Moura Netto of Brazil gave a mov-
ing presentation about the use of chess in
prisons in the Brazilian state of Espirito
Santo. Noting a partnership between the
municipality of Santa Maria de Jetibs
pro-chess pedagogical program and the
State Secretary of Justice to place chess
in prisons in Espirito Santo, Professor
Netto described a classic win-win out-
come. The scholastic program developed
cognitive ability in students and the prison
program reduced prisoner violence and
aimed to reduce the rate of recidivism.
UTD Senior Lecturer Tom Lambert
assisted with a simultaneous translation
from and into Spanish for Professor Netto.
Chess and the Marshmallow Test
By Dr. Alexey Root, WIM
When the essential funding for the Kolty
2 Conference was in place, Dr. Alexey
Root approached UTD alumnus Clemente
Rendon about additional support. As a
result, the Texas Chess Association pro-
vided significant funding. We decided that
those funds would be best used for Texas
teachers. As a result, and due to Dr. Roots
efforts, four ninety-minute sessions on
Friday (so teachers could get excused par-
ticipation) were available to provide
six-hour potential clock hours for Texas
gifted and talented teachers (G/T). The
sessions were comprised of 45 minutes on
the nature and needs of G/T Learners, 45
minutes for creativity and instructional
strategies, 90 minutes for social and emo-
tional needs, 90 minutes for differentiated
curriculum, and 90 minutes for identifi-
cation and assessment. The latter session
was a plenary session in which Dr. Eber-
hard presented his ideas (see above) and
Dr. Root presented some intriguing lesson
plans that will be included in her next
book, Thinking with Chess: Teaching Chil-
dren Ages 5-14, forthcoming from Mongoose
Press in October 2012.
Frank Bradys personal memories of
Bobby Fischer provided a great close in
his keynote address.
As you can well imagine, much more of
great worth was presented. PDFs of all the
talks or powerpoint presentations are
available at The University of Texas at
Dallas chess website, www.utdallas.edu/
chess/kolty2.
George and Leah Koltanowski were
dear friends of mine for several decades.
I enjoyed reminiscing with Myron and
Rachel Lieberman, also their good friends,
about stories we recalled. It is fitting that
a second Kolty Conference be dedicated
to their memory.
The Second International Koltanowski
Conference on Chess and Education was
sponsored by the U.S. Chess Trust and the
University of Texas at Dallas. The U.S.
Chess Trust chair, Harold Winston, has
been a tireless advocate for the value and
importance of this kind of academic con-
ference. As a proud member of the board
of the U.S. Chess Trust, I am particularly
grateful for its support. Myron Lieberman
wrote an article about the Conference that
can be found at the Chess Trust website
www.uschesstrust. org. The University of
Texas at Dallas was an equal sponsor with
the Trust. From the outset of the chess pro-
gram at UTD, Provost Hobson Wildenthal
has stressed that the function of a univer-
sity is not just to field a championship
chess team, but to do research, hold con-
ferences, and teach online courses on
chess and education. His vision has held,
and although we are very proud of the
great successes of our chess team, UTD
also values the academic side of chess. I
have already noted the great value provided
by the co-sponsorship of the Texas Chess
Association. The U.S. Chess Federation
also contributed by providing us with meet-
ing rooms during their national K-12, as
they did for Kolty 1 in 2001.
I am proud to have served as Conference
chair for this second Koltanowski Confer-
ence on Chess and Education. But I must
emphasize that the entire Conference was
an effort by Team UTD. Associate Chair
Dr. Alexey Root organized all of the Texas
Association for the Gifted and Talented
sessions and chaired several sessions.
Associate Chair James Stallings handled
all matters of logistics flawlessly, helped
by Assistant Chair Luis Salinas. And
eleven (11!) UTD students from the chess
club and the chess team all volunteered
their time to make this event happen. To
all, my thanks. .

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded $1,049,094 to research how chess
might help with executive control and, also, with academic achievement. GM Maurice
Ashley and Teresa Parr, Ph.D. (photo, left), are part of the research team. The grants
title is Exploring the Malleability of Executive Control1.
Just before I learned of this grant, I read the marshmallow test chapter of Daniel
Aksts We Have Met the Enemy: Self-control in an Age of Excess. In typical experiments,
a four-year-old child would be left alone with a single marshmallow, a pair of
marshmallows, and a bell. The experimenter would explain that he had to leave for
a bit and that the child would have a choice. If he waited for the adults return, he
could have the pair of marshmallows. But if he didnt want to wait, he could summon
the grown-up by ringing the bellin which case he could only have one marshmallow.
PHOTO: ALEXEY ROOT

Waiting longer for two marshmallows is associated later in life with good grades in
school and getting along well with others. Akst wrote, If self-control is so important
for kids, can it be taught? There is every reason to believe that it can. ... Martial arts,
music lessons, or other activities requiring sustained attention probably help. When
I read that last sentence, I thought that chess, like martial arts and music, might teach
self-control. I interviewed Dr. Parr via e-mail to find out more.

44 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org

Are self-control and executive control
Executive control is an umbrella term
similar?
which includes our ability to reason,
plan ahead, multi-task or switch
between tasks, sustain attention,
delay gratification, and make complex
decisions. So, depending on how
broadly you are using the term
self-control, you could say that it
is an aspect of executive control.
What do you hope to find about
connections between chess, executive
control, and academic achievement?
What implications will this research
have for chess in schools?
Those of us who work in the field have
no doubts that broad-based
implementation of chess programs
across the country would have a
dramatic impact on academic
achievement. Schools, however, are
inundated with such claims, and are
looking for evidence before they invest
ever-decreasing funds into a program
or curriculum. There is a lot of
anecdotal and correlational research
that supports the benefits of chess as a
way of boosting success; however,
correlational research can only tell
us whether changes in one variable
(in this case, chess) are associated with
changes in another variable (academic
performance). So, in our case, we
cannot know with certainty whether
other factors cause the relationship
we see. Perhaps, for example, the
relationship between the coach and
the students, rather than playing
chess, causes students to study harder.
We are interested in whether chess
might have its impact by improving
executive functions. If that is the case,
it would help explain why playing chess
seems to impact performance in so
many areas. If we can begin to narrow
down the mechanisms of change
involved, the case for chess in schools
is that much stronger.
Tell me about how the grant came about,
since one of the collaborators is from the
My training is in clinical psychology,
University of Cambridge in England.
so when I became interested in the
potential of chess to enhance academic
success, I naturally started combing
journals to learn more. I found
numerous studies from all over the
world that reported correlations
between playing chess and
improvements in academics and
behavior. I was intrigued that playing
chess seemed to impact subjects not
obviously related to chess. Intuitively,
we assume that playing chess
enhances skills such as planning
ahead and focusing which likely
uschess.org
leads to improvements in achievement.
However, I did not find a single study
that directly examined this
relationship. Since executive functions
is not my area of expertise, a colleague
of mine recommended that I talk to
Dr. Ellefson, who was, at the time,
a faculty member at nearby Virginia
Commonwealth University. She
specializes in executive functions and
curriculum development, so she was
the perfect person for me to consult.
After several conversations, we began
to concoct a plan to conduct this
research ourselves. As our study
started to take shape, we realized
we needed additional expertise, so
we reached out to Dr. Serpell at
Virginia State University. Dr. Serpell
also has expertise in the area of
executive functions, but has additional
expertise and experience in conducting
school-based research in urban
settings. Our next goal was to find a
school system interested in partnering
with us.
Fortunately, we found a large urban
school system in the mid-Atlantic
region willing to work with us. They
already had chess programs in some of
their schools and a strong commitment
to chess, so they were a natural fit. The
next step was to find a funding agency.
The Department of Educations
Institute for Education Sciences was
another good fit. Their mission, as
stated on their website, is to provide
rigorous and relevant evidence on
which to ground education practice and
policy. We applied to their program on
cognition and student learning which
focuses on research designed to
improve educational practices through
the use of advances in cognitive science
which matched well with the focus of
our study on executive functions.
What chess curriculum (software,
teacher instruction) will be used with
the subjects?
We are working with graduate students
from Virginia State University and
Morgan State University to run the
program. They will be using a
curriculum designed by GM Ashley
and me. The curriculum is based on
methods GM Ashley has used for over
twenty years. A key component of his
approach is the disaggregated teaching
method in which complex subjects are
broken down into their constituent
parts and studied in depth before being
taught as a whole. So, for example,
participants will work on gaining
fluency with each piece before playing
a full game. We also include opportu-
nities for students to explore
connections between chess and other
Dr. Teresa Parr
Dr. Teresa L. S. Parr has a doctor-
ate degree in clinical psychology.
She has spent years working with
families and children of all ages in a
variety of therapeutic, educational,
medical, and research settings. Dr.
Parrs undergraduate and graduate
work was completed at Virginia
Commonwealth University. Her clin-
ical internship was completed at the
University of North Carolina Medical
School at Chapel Hill. Her scholarly
writing has been published in book
chapters and research articles in
the field of psychology. Dr. Parr lives
outside of Richmond, Virginia with
her husband and three children.
subjects, as well as activities that
might appeal to students with different
interests and learning styles. It is
important that we provide a uniform
experience to all of the students
involved in the project, so we have
to use a very detailed curriculum
and provide rigorous training and
oversight. Most chess coaches have
other responsibilities which would
prohibit their involvement in such
a comprehensive project.
What roles do you [Teresa] and GM
Ashley have in the research?
Drs. Serpell and Ellefson and I worked
together to write the proposal, and,
now, to run the research project.
GM Ashleys primary responsibilities
are curriculum design and training.
The initial U.S. Department of Educations
Institute of Education Sciences grant
is listed at http://ies.ed.gov/funding/
grantsearch/details.asp?ID=1202. Where
will Chess Life readers be able to learn more
about this research as it progresses?
Chess Life readers can follow our progress
pions.com/researchnews. .
via our blog at www.mauriceashleycham-
1The program is funded by the Institute of
Education Sciences, U.S. Department of
Education, through grant R305A1 10932 to the
University of Cambridge for an internationally
collaborative project between the University of
Cambridge, Virginia State University and
Ashley-Parr, LLC. The opinions expressed here
are those of the author(s) and do not represent
views of the Institute or the U.S. Department
of Education, University of Cambridge or
Virginia State University.
Chess Life February 2012 45
 Back to Basics

Corporal Aventuras Borodino

By GM Lev Alburt

At Borodino (September 7, 1812) Napoleon, ill and uncharacteristically

overcautious, allowed a Russian army under Kutuzov to escape to fight another
daya sort of chess draw.

The winner of this months award, Rene Signaling my intent to reposition my

Aventura (U.S. Army) filled his annota- -vlrwq-trk+ knight in preparation for an attack against
tions with military terms, which I found +p+-+pzpp my opponents kingside.
quite contagious.
(My further comments are in italics). p+n+psn-+ 18. Qe2 b5 19. Rac1 h5 20. h4 Qd6 21. Na2?!

+-+p+-+- -vlr+r+-+
Slav Defense (D15)
Enrico Balmaceda (2037, U.S. Navy) -+-zP-+-+ +-+-snpmk-
Rene Aventura (1720, U.S. Army) zP-sNLzPQ+P p+-wqpsnp+
2011 U.S. Interservice Chess
Championship, 06.15.2011 -zP-vL-zPP+ +p+p+-+p
tR-+R+-mK- -+-zP-+-zP
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 a6 After 13. ... Bb8
The Slav Defense is not my favorite
zP-+-zP-zP-
opening as black in response to 1. d4. I the passive position after move 14, so I NzP-+QzPL+
played this Slav simply because it was decided to make a weakening move 14. ...
fashionable in the 2011 All Army Chess g6 in front of my king with the intention +-tRRvL-mK-
Championship held May 15-19. of positioning my pawn in support of my
pieces to attack first before he can react.
After 21. Na2

At first, I was surprised to see the

Sailors move, it does not seem right to
5. e3 Bg4 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 e6 Mr. Aventura is quite correct in the

retreat an active piece during the battle.

assessment of the game and in the chosen
rsn-wqkvl-tr
History check! Navy Admiral Nimitz did
plan (to play ... h7-h5).

not retreat during the Battle of the Mid-

+p+-+pzpp 16. Bf1
p+p+psn-+ At this time, I took a badly needed way, General MacArthur retreated to
break, closing my eyes for 25 minutes Australia in the Battle of the Philippines.
as my headache was unbearable and the
+-+p+-+- I like 21. Na2, as it allows the activation
-+PzP-+-+ medicine didnt seem to work. The of the otherwise very passive bishop. The
+-sN-zPQ+P headache continued to linger with little knight could be brought into the fray then.
relief. After the break I made the casual
PzP-+-zPP+ move Re8.
21. ... Nf5 22. Bb4!
A nice counterattack from the Sailor,
taking control of the a3-f8 diagonal.
tR-vL-mKL+R 16. ... Re8 17. Bg2
After 7. ... e6

The Navys two-bishop advantage is

-vlrwqr+-+ 22. ... Qd7 23. Qe1

purely academic. +p+-+pmkp -vlr+r+-+

8. cxd5 cxd5 9. Bd3 Nc6 10. 0-0 Bd6 11. Rd1 p+n+psnp+ +-+q+pmk-
0-0 12. a3 Rc8 13. Bd2 Bb8 +-+p+-+- p+-+psnp+
(see diagram top of next column) -+-zP-+-+ +p+p+n+p
Around this time, I was quite happy zP-sN-zPQzPP -vL-zP-+-zP
with my position as all my pieces are
developed to reasonable squares. I felt
-zP-+-zPL+ zP-+-zP-zP-
that I had equalized the position. tR-+RvL-mK- NzP-+-zPL+
After 17. Bg2
14. Be1 g6 15. g3 Kg7 +-tRRwQ-mK-
My opponent seems to be content with 17. ... Ne7 After 23. Qe1

46 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org

23. ... Ng4 24. e4 Too slow. White had to play 30. d5 and 41. d7 Qh3+ 42. Kf2 Rf4+ 43. Ke1 Qh1+,
(if allowed) 31. d6. Draw agreed.
Suddenly the quiet positional game
opens up and becomes very sharp and 30. ... f4!
-+-+-+-+
A key move. The Army intends to use
tactical.
the light squares of the h3-c8 diagonal +-+P+-mk-
with the intended target on the g4-square
24. ... dxe4 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Bxe4
p+-+-+p+
-vlr+-+-+ for his powerful queen. Then the weak-
ness on h4 and f4 will tell. The Navy will +p+-zp-+p
+-+q+pmk- not be able to mount a counterattack -+-+-tr-+
p+-+p+p+ with an extra pawn on d4 quickly enough
to deflect the Armys plan. (31. gxf4 Nf6, zP-+-+-+-
+p+-+n+p followed by ... Qg4+.) -zP-+Q+-+
-vL-zPL+nzP 31. Ne2 fxg3 32. Nxg3 Bxg3 33. fxg3 Re3 +-+RmK-+q
zP-+-+-zP- Final position
-+-+-+-+
This is the first time in my life that I
NzP-+-zP-+
played a game of chess for more than
+-+RwQ-mK- +-+q+pmk-
p+-+-+p+ five hours. I never knew that chess con-
centration could last this long. All I
After 26. Bxe4

wanted was to rest my head and I offered

26. ... Ba7?
Black should either take the pawn on d4
(why not?) or block it with 26. ... Ne7 and
then 27. ... Nf6eventually, with ... N
(either) d5.
27. Bxf5 exf5
A big mistake, paving the way for a
+pvL-+-+p
him a draw for the second time despite my
-+-zP-+nzP
positional and material advantage and
my friend gladly accepted it. The ending
zP-+-tr-zP-
-zP-wQ-+-+ would have been 44. Kd2 Rd4+ 45. Kc2
Qc6+ and 46. ... Rxd7, winning.
+-+R+-mK- A good chessplayer, like a good Soldier,
After 33. ... Re3
should train himself to be able to play/fight

winning naval passed pawn.

Correct. 27. ... gxf5 weakens the black
kings guardbut Whites strong passer is
a greater evil.
28. Bc5?!
My opponent missed the opportunity to
take advantage of my mistake. The Sailor
was short on time with less than five
minutes left on his clock while I had 14
34. d5
Other moves also lose, e.g. 34. Qg2 (or
34. Kg2) 34. ... Qc7.
34. ... Rxg3+ 35. Kh1 Qf5!
With the threat to mate in three moves.
36. Qe2
reasonably well even when sick or tired.
Kibitz ... (chess) History check! About
twenty years ago British-American Grand-
master Tony Miles played all his games in
a super-strong Wijk aan Zee tournament
lying on his stomach (due to a serious
back injury)and came in first!
But, in fairness, both players can be

-+-+-+-+ .
proud of this gameand learn a lot from
it.

minutes. A better move for White would +-+-+pmk-

have been 28. Bc3, grabbing a tempo Send in your games!
while solidifying the center. If 28. ... Qd5
p+-+-+p+
If you are unrated or were rated
then 29. Nb4 followed by f2-f3 and Kg2 +pvLP+q+p 1799 or below on your Chess Life
with a comfortable position for the Navy. -+-+-+nzP (CL) label, then GM Lev Alburt invites
you to send your most instructive
game with notes to:
28. ... Re8! zP-+-+-tr-
A fine move by this Soldier, forcing the -zP-+Q+-+ Back to Basics, c/o Chess Life
Sailors queen to go to a passive square.
The Soldier seized the initiative. +-+R+-+K PO Box 3967 Crossville, TN
38557-3967
After 36. Qe2
29. Qd2 Bb8 Or e-mail your material to
backtobasics@uschess.org
GM Alburt will select the most
36. ... Ne5??
White has 19 seconds left and I have
-vl-+r+-+
instructive game and CL will award
+-+q+pmk- five minutes. I completely missed check- an autographed copy of Levs newest
mating Black in three moves. 36. ... Nf2+ book, Chess Training Pocket Book II
37. Bxf2 Qh3 checkmate (37. Qxf2 Qe4+
p+-+-+p+
(by Lev Alburt and Al Lawrence) to
+pvL-+p+p 38. Kh2 Qxh4 checkmate). the person submitting the most in-
-+-zP-+nzP The last checkmate is tricky and difficult structive game and annotations.
to see in time pressure. Do not send games with only a
zP-+-+-zP- 37. Bd4 f6 38. Bxe5 fxe5 39. d6 Rh3+ 40. few notes, as they are of little instruc-
NzP-wQ-zP-+ Kg2 Rxh4 tive value and cant be used. Writing
At this time I offered a draw to my
skills are a plus, but instructiveness
+-+R+-mK-
friendly colleague in the U.S. Armed
is a must! Make sure your game (or
Forces despite my superior position, but
After 29. ... Bb8 part of it) and your notes will be of
he refused.
interest to other readers.
30. Nc3

uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 47

 Endgame Lab
A Master of the Endgame
By GM Pal Benko
GM Gedeon Barcza (1911-1986)
1911 was a good year for grandmaster
births. Besides Sammy Reshevsky,
Mikhail Botvinnik and Andor Lilienthal,
the strong Hungarian GM Gedeon Barcza
also entered this world. Champion of
Hungary eight times and a member of
his countrys Olympic team (among other
international successes), he was a math-
ematics professor who later became editor
of the Hungarian chess magazine. As a
teacher he left his mark on multiple gen-
erations. Endgame students will find his
games valuable for study since he was,
first of all, an endgame specialist.
Barcza Opening (A11)
GM Gedeon Barcza
GM Vasily Smyslov
Moscow Ol, 1956
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Bf5 (?)
This opening used by GM Barcza (and
named after him) often transfers into
other systems. The bishop excursion is
one of these transpositions, but it is safer
to prepare for it with c6 first.
4. c4 c6 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Qb3 Qc8 7. Nc3 e6 8.
d3 Nc6 9. Bf4 Be7 10. 0-0 0-0 11. Rac1 Qd7
12. e4!
With a significant development advan-
tage, White is correct in opening lines to
secure an endgame edge.
12. ... dxe4 13. dxe4 Nxe4 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15.
Ne5 Nxe5 16. Bxe4 Nc6 17. Rfd1 Qc8 18.
Qa4 Rd8 19. Rxd8+ Qxd8 20. Bxc6 bxc6 21.
Qxc6 h6 22. Be5 Bg5 23. Rc4 Qd1+ 24. Kg2
Rd8 25. Qf3! Qxf3+ 26. Kxf3 Bf6(?)
Trading for Whites strong bishop but GM Paul Keres
weakening his own pawn-structure.
Instead 26. ... Rd5 followed by a7-a5 Tallin, 1957
was more advisable.
27. Bxf6 gxf6
(see diagram top of next column)
28. Ke3!
Blacks difficulty will mainly be due to 58. Ke2 Kf4
48 Chess Life February 2012
-+-tr-+k+ -+-+-+-+
zp-+-+p+- +-+-+-+-
-+-+pzp-zp -+p+-+r+
+-+-+-+- +p+-+p+R
-+R+-+-+ -+-+k+-zP
+-+-+KzP- +-zP-+-+-
PzP-+-zP-zP -+-+-mK-+
+-+-+-+- +-+-+-+-
After 27. ... gxf6 Black to play
the queenside pawn minority, but two Also good was 58. ... f4 59. Rc5 f3+ then
other factors demonstrate the inferiority after 60. Ke1 Ke3 61. Re5+ Kf4 62. Rc5
of the black position: Black is unable to Kg3 63. Rf5 Rd3 etc.
create a passed pawn on the kingside
because of his doubled pawns, and the
59. Rh8 Kg4 60. Rh7 Re6+ 61. Kd3
king is confined to his feeble h-pawn. If 61. Kf2 Re4! followed by 62. ... Rc4
wins.
28. ... Rd5 29. b4! Kg7 30. a4 e5
30. ... a5 31. Rc5!
61. ... f4 62. h5 Kf3 63. h6 c5 64. Rh8
After 64. c4 b4 65. Rh8 b3 66. h7 Re7
wins.
31. b5 Rd1
In case of 31. ... Rd7, 32. a5 followed
by b4-b5-b6 and Rb4 wins.
64. ... Rd6+ 65. Kc2 c4 66. Kb2 Re6 67. Ka3
Ke3 68. Kb4 f3 69. h7 Re7 70. Kxb5 f2 71.
32. Rc7 a6 33. bxa6 Rd4 34. a7 Rxa4 35. Kd3 Rf8 Rxh7 72. Re8+ Kd3 73. Rf8 Rh5+ 74.
f5 36. Kc3 Kf6 37. Kb3 Ra1 38. Kb4 Kg5 39. Kb4 Ke3 75. Re8+ Kf4, White resigned.
Whenever GM Barcza found himself a
Kb5 Kh5
In time trouble Black realized only after pawn up, he usually managed to win
touching the king that 39. ... Kg4 is los- even theoretically drawn positions.
ing after 40. Rc4+ followed by 41. Ra4.
King Misstep
40. Kb6, Black resigned.
Gedeon Barcza
Barcza played very accurately. Petar Trifunovi
Budapest, 1948
Mutual Passed Pawns
(see diagram top of next column)
GM Gedeon Barcza The position is drawn but transferring
theory into practice does not always go
smoothly.
(see diagram top of next column)
1. Ke4 Kg3
Either 1. ... Rh8 or 1. ... Rg5 were still
57. ... Rd6
Black plays carefully. Either 57. ... Kd3
playable.
or 57. ... c5 58. Rh8 Rb6 look forceful.
This is a draw, but converting theory
into practice does not always go smoothly.
uschess.org
 Problem I Problem II
Benkos Bafflers O. Pervakov R. Becker
Harold van der Heijden 50 JT, 2010 Harold van der Heijden 50 JT, 2010

Most of the time these studies

resemble positions that could actu-
-+-+-+-+ -+-+-+-+
ally occur over the board. You must +-+-+-+- +-+-+-+p
simply reach a theoretically won or -+-+-+-tr -+-+-+-+
drawn position for White.
Solutions can be found on page
+-trk+-+- +-+-+-+l
71.
-mK-+R+-+ -zpR+-+-+
Please e-mail submissions for +-+-+-+- +-zp-+-+K
Benkos Bafflers to: p+-+-tR-+ -+-+-+-+
pbenko@uschess.org +-vL-+-sN- +-+-+-+k
White to play and win White to play and draw

-+-+-+-+ -+-+-+-+ -+-+-+-+

tR-+-+-+- +-+-+-+N +-vL-+-+-
-+-+-+-+ -+-+-+-+ -+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+r +-+n+-+- zP-+-+kzpp
-+-+-+k+ -+-+-+-+ -+-+-zp-+
+-+-mK-+- +-+-+-mK- +-+-+P+P
-+-+P+-+ -mk-+-+-zP r+-+-+P+
+-+-+-+- +-+-+-+- +-+-+-mK-
White to play Black to play White to play

1. Ke4 Kg3
Both 1. ... Rh8 and 1. ... Rg5 are playable.
2. Re7 Ra5 3. e3 Kg4??
The losing move as the black king gets
52. Kf3 Nf5 53. Nf8 Kc3 54. Kf4 Nh4 55. Kg3
Nf5+ 56. Kg4 Ne3+ 57. Kg5 Kd4
Again, simpler and better was 57. ...
Ng2 58. Ne6 Kc4, etc.
Rf4 67. Kh3 Kf3 68. Bc7 Rxf5 69. Kxh4 Ke4
70. Bd8 Rb5 71. Bc7 Kf5 72. Bd6 Kg6 73. Bc7
Rb4+ 74. Kh3 Rg4 75. Bd6 Kf5 76. Bc7 Ke4
77. Bd6 Kf3 78. Bc7 Rg1 79. Kh2 Rc1 80. Bb8

pushed to the side of the board. Either 3.

... Rc5, 3. ... Rg5 or even 3. ... Rh5 are
good, but 3. ... Rb5? would lose to 4.
Rg7+ Kf2 5. Kf4 Rb8 6. Rf7 Rb3 7. Kg4+
Kxe3 8. Rf3+. Computers are required
for such finesses.
4. Rg7+ Kh5 5. Kf4 Ra8 6. e4 Kh6 7. Rg1 Kh7
8. Kf5 Ra7
Kg4 81. Be5 Rc2+ 82. Kh1 Kh3 83. Kg1 Rc5
58. h4 Ke5 59. h5 Nf5 60. Ng6+ Ke6 61. Nf4+
84. Bb8 Rg5+ 85. Kf1 Rg4!, White resigned.
It is useful to be aware of the fact that
Ke5? 62. Nd3+ Ke6 63. Nf2 Ke5 64. Ng4+!
the position is drawn if the pawn is on h4.
Ke6
After 64. ... Ke4, 65. Ne3 would quickly
win.
Turn back to the above diagram, the
65. Kg6 Nh4+ 66. Kg7 Nf5+ 67. Kf8! Kd6 right defensive method could have been:
Mutual Zugzwang. If 67. ... Kd5, then
again 68. Ne3+! would win.
53. Kf1 Ra3

After 8. ... Rf8+ 9. Ke6 Re8+ 10. Kf7
wins.
9. e5 Ra2 10. Kf6 Rf2+ 11. Ke7 Ra2 12. e6
Re2 13. Kf7 Rf2+ 14. Ke8 Ra2 15. e7 Rd2 16.
Rg4, Black resigned.
Since he sees the Lucena position
16. ... Rd1 17. Kf7 Rf1+ 18. Ke6 Re1+ 19.
Kf6 Rf1+ 20. Ke5 and the coming win.
Zugzwang
GM Gedeon Barcza
Hans-Joachim Hecht
Budapest, 1962
(see diagram top of next column)
Here 52. Kf3 would be winning but it is
Blacks turn.
51. ... Ne3
This is OK since 52. h4 meets 52. ...
68. Kf7 Kd7 69. Kf6 Ne7 70. Ne3 Kd6 71. Kf7
Nc6 72. Nc4+ Kd7 73. h6 Nd8+ 74. Kf6
Black resigned.
An Exchange Up
GM Jan Hein Donner
GM Gedeon Barcza
Budapest, 1967
(see diagram top of next column)
53. g4+?
White feared the g5-g4 breakthrough.
But, as we will see later, this fear was
unfounded. Now Black wins with long,
accurate, and instructive play.
53. ... fxg3 e.p. 54. Bxg3 Rxa5 55. Bc7 Ra2
56. Bg3 Ke6 57. Bc7 Rc2 58. Bb8 Kd5 59.
Now after 53. ... g4 54. hxg4+ hxg4 55.
g3! fxg3 56. Bxg3 gxf3 57. Bc7 the posi-
tion is a theoretical draw.
54. Bb6 g4 55. hxg4+ hxg4 56. fxg4+ Kxg4
57. Bf2 Rxa5
GM Barcza proved that this position
cannot be won.
58. Ke1
Not 58. Be1?
58. ... Ra1+ 59. Ke2 Rc1
If 59. ... Rh1 then 60. Be1!
60. Kd2! Rh1 61. Ke2 Rh2 62. Kf1 f3 63. Kg1!!
Rxg2+ 64. Kf1
And again the so-called del Rio posi-
tion draw appears. This endgame, a
valuable addition to endgame theory, was

Nf5+ but 51. ... Kc3 was simpler.

Ba7 Ke5 60. Bb8+ Kd4 61. Ba7+ Kd3 62. Bb6
Ke2 63. Kg2 Rc8 64. h4 gxh4 65. f4 Rc4 66. f5 later confirmed by computer. .
uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 49
 2011 TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX SUMMARY
Trophies Plus awards $12,500 in cash prizes in the 2011 Grand Prix!

2011 TROPHIES PLUS GRAND PRIX STANDINGS

The following point totals reflect all rated event information as of December 28 for the 2011 Grand Prix. All Grand
Prix updates are unofficial and subject to change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete.

Several strong tournament finishes, including the 42nd Annual OVERALL STANDINGS
National Chess Congress and the Chess Club and Scholastic Center
of Saint Louis Invitational, helped elevate IM IRINA KRUSH to a NAME STATE PTS.
current 15th place in the 2011 Grand Prix.
1 GM Sergey Kudrin CT 356.77

2 GM Timur Gareyev TX 290.56

3 GM Mikheil Kekelidze NY 276.07

4 GM Tamaz Gelashvili NY 271.60

5 GM Alexander Shabalov PA 205.20

6 GM Alexander Ivanov MA 195.58

7 GM Alejandro Ramirez TX 174.83

8 GM Melikset Khachiyan CA 173.28

9 GM Aleksandr Lenderman NY 169.67

10 IM Enrico Sevillano CA 127.22

11 GM Mesgen Amanov IL 120.76

12 IM Justin Sarkar NY 111.10

13 IM Yury Lapshun NY 101.50

14 GM Varuzhan Akobian CA 97.33

15 IM Irina Krush NY 93.20

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 ChessMagnetSchool.com is the sponsor of the 2011 Junior Grand Prix (JGP). Official standings for events received and processed by January 4, 2012
are unofficial and subject to change during the year or until year-end tabulation is complete. 2011 JGP prizes were not available as of press time and
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2011 CHESSMAGNETSCHOOL.COM JUNIOR GRAND PRIX TOP OVERALL STANDINGS

Name State Pts. Name State Pts.

KORBA, NICKY CA-S 11735 YAN, KEVIN NY 6086
SHUBEN, MATTHEW CA-S 10888 CHEN, JASMINE NY 6066
MIZUSHIMA, DEREK MD 8556 KOENIG, JAKE MD 5907
ROACH, ANDREW UT 8512 ZHAO, CHENYI CA-N 5728
ZHONG, HOWARD OK 8437 GORTI, AKSHITA VA 5698
BANERJEE, ABHIMANYU FL 7848 QAZI, RAFEH R IL 5684
KUMAR, ARAVIND NJ 7712 LUO, MAGGIE VA 5666
SOHAL, TANRAJ S 7152 CAO, JONATHAN VA 5623
CAO, ALVIN VA 6909 PETERSON, DANTE CA-S 5479
VISWANADHA, KESAV CA-N 6700 MOON, KYLE NY 5477
MOTURI, SOUREESH PA 6650 GAN, ERIC VA 5451
REEDER, CHARLIE PARKER NY 6649 MOORTHY, SRINIVAS RAMANUJA MD 5413
SETIADIKURNIA, SLOAN WA 6525 ESWARAN, ASHRITHA CA-N 5407
RICHMAN, JONATHAN NY 6373 HAIRAPETYAN, ARMAN CA-S 5406
LIANG, ADREAM WI 6345 LEVKOV, DANIEL NY 5394
ATTANAGODA, ISURU ADEEPA VA 6261 TURE, TANER NY 5332
SCHEIN, AARON O NY 6207 GHATTI, SANJAY GA 5320
KADAVERU, AJIT VA 6128 SANT, AMIT CA-N 5267
WIENER, ALEXANDRA CT 6120 RIVES, HAL NY 5142
SCHNEIDER, THOMAS G WI 6120 PETERSON, GIA CA-S 5140

In future support of the work of the U.S. Chess Trust, I want to provide for future
generations and to ensure the continuity of services by the U.S. Chess Trust.
Therefore,
I have made provision I will make provision
to support the U.S. Chess Trust by:
making a bequest or endowment provision in my Will
creating a charitable remainder or lead trust naming
the U.S. Chess Trust as a beneficiary.
establishing an endowment or special fund at the
U.S. Chess Trust.
directing the trustees or directors of my foundation
to continue beyond my lifetime making an annual
gift to the U.S. Chess Trust.
Making an outright gift to the U.S. Chess Trust during
my lifetime in the sum of $_____________.

This Letter of Intent represents my commitment to the work of the U.S. Chess Trust.
It does not represent a legal obligation and may be changed by me at any time.
Whatever the amount of your gift, when you leave a legacy for the future of the
U.S. Chess Trust, you are an important part of the Promise for Tomorrow.

Please send with your name, address, phone, and email contact information
and email Barbara DeMaro at bduscf@aol.com (845-527-1167)

*Please note that there is a required amount in order to be listed as a Future Legacy Donor.
Write or send an email to Barbara DeMaro, bduscf@aol.com for this amount. Donations
to the U.S. Chess Trust are tax-deductible. A 501(c)(3) organization. BD:08/03

uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 51

Tournament Life

USCF National Events

Note: Tournament memberships not valid for National events
Bids
Note: Organizers previously awarded
options for USCF National Events must
SEE TLA IN THIS ISSUE FOR DETAILS still submit proposals (including sample
2012 U.S. Amateur Team Championship - South Feb. 17-19 or 18-19 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida budgets) for their events.

2012 U.S. Amateur Team Championship - North Feb. 17-19 or 18-19 Northbrook, Illinois NOW PAST DEADLINE OF
2012 29th Annual U.S. Amateur Team Championship West Feb. 18-20 Santa Clara, California JULY 1, 2011:
2012 42nd Annual World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East Championship Feb. 18-20 2012 U.S. Amateur
(North, West)
Parsippany, New Jersey
2012 U.S. Class Championship
2012 U.S. Game/15 Championship Feb. 26 Albuquerque, New Mexico
2012 U.S. Masters Championship
2012 U.S. Junior Chess Congress March 3-4 Burlingame, California
2012 National High School (K-12) Championship April 13-15 Minneapolis, Minnesota
DEADLINE JULY 1, 2012:
2013 U.S. Amateur Team Championship
2012 All-Girls National Championships April 20-22 Chicago, Illinois (North, South, West)
2012 National Junior High (K-9) Championship April 27-29 San Diego, California 2013 U.S. Amateur
(East, North, South, West)
2012 National Elementary (K-6) Championship May 11-13 Nashville, Tennessee
2013 U.S. Senior Open
68th Annual (2012) U.S. Amateur East Championship May 26-28 or 27-28 Somerset, 2013 National Open
New Jersey
2013 U.S. Game 10 Championship
2012 U.S. Amateur South Championship June 9-10 Memphis, Tennessee 2013 U.S. Game/15 Championship
2012 U.S. Game/10 Championship June 14 Las Vegas, Nevada 2013 U.S. Game 60 Championship
2012 National Open June 15-17 or 16-17 Las Vegas, Nevada 2013 U.S. Action G/30 Championship

FUTURE EVENTS (Watch for details) DEADLINE JULY 1, 2013:

2014 U.S. Senior Open
2012 U.S. Senior Open Championship July 9-14 Houston, Texas
2012 U.S. Junior Open Championship July 13-15 Houston, Texas OVERDUE BIDS
2012 U. S. Open Aug. 4-12 Vancouver, Washington Please contact the National Office if
you are interested in bidding for a
2012 U. S. Game/60 Oct. 27 Pleasanton, California National Event. The USCF recom-
2012 U. S. Action Game/30 Oct. 28 Pleasanton, California mends that bids be submitted ac-
cording to the following schedule.
2012 National Scholastic (K-12) Nov. 30-December 2 Orlando, Florida
However, bids may be consi- dered
2013 SuperNationals V April 5-7 Nashville, Tennessee prior to these dates. *USCF reserves
2013 National Scholastic (K-12) December 13-15 Lake Buena Vista, Florida the right to decline all bids and
organize the event itself.
2014 National High School (K-12) Championship April 4-6 San Diego, California
2014 National Elementary (K-6) Championship May 9-11 Dallas, Texas
2014 National Scholastic (K-12) December 12-14 Orlando, Florida
The TLA pages Information for Organizers, TDs, and
2015 National Elementary (K-6) Championship May 8-10 Nashville, Tennessee Affiliates and Information for Players can now be
2015 National Scholastic (K-12) December 5-7 Orlando, Florida found online at main.uschess.org/ go/tlainfo.

Rating supplements will be updated EACH MONTH on the USCF website, and each monthly rating supplement will be used for all tournaments beginning in
that month, unless otherwise announced in Chess Life. The USCF website at www.uschess.org also frequently lists unofficial ratings.The purpose of unoffi-
cial ratings is to inform you of your progress; however, most tournaments do not use them for pairing or prize purposes. If you would otherwise be unrated,
organizers may use your unofficial rating at their discretion, even without advance publicity of such a policy.

Tournament Life Abbreviations & Terms

All tournaments are non-smoking with no comput-
ers allowed unless otherwise advertised by S
and/or C (see below for explanations).
QC: Quick Chess events.
$$Gtd: Guaranteed prizes.
$$b/x: Based-on prizes, x = number of entries
needed to pay full prize fund. At least 50% of the
advertised prize fund of $501 or more must be
awarded.
Bye: Indicates which rounds players who find it
inconvenient to play may take -point byes
instead. For example, Bye 1-3 means -point
byes are available in Rounds 1 through 3.
CC: Chess club.
EF: Entry fee.
Ent: Where to mail entries.
FIDE: Results submitted to FIDE for possible
rating.
G/: Game in. For instance, G/75 means each
side has 75 minutes for the entire game.
GPP: Grand Prix Points available.
HR: Hotel rates. For example, 60-65-70-75 means
$60 single, $65 twin, $70/3 in room, $75/4 in
room.
JGP: Junior Grand Prix.
Memb. reqd: Membership required; cost fol-
lows. Usually refers to state affiliate.
Open: A section open to all. Often has very
strong players, but some eligible for lower sec-
tions can play for the learning experience.
Quad: 4-player round robin sections; similar
strength players.
RBO: Rated Beginners Open.
Rds: Rounds; scheduled game times follow. For
example, 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 sec-
ond day.
Reg: Registration at site.
RR: Round robin (preceded by number of rounds).
SD/: Sudden-death time control (time for rest of
game follows). For example, 30/90, SD/1 means
each player must make 30 moves in 90 minutes,
then complete the rest of the game in an hour.
SS: Swiss-System pairings (preceded by number
of rounds).
T/Dx: Time delay, x = number of seconds.
Unr: Unrated.
W: Site is accessible to wheelchairs.
WEB: Tournaments that will use a players on-line
rating.

52 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org


The Tournament Announcements on the following pages are provided
for the convenience of USCF members and for informational pur-
poses only. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, neither the U.S.
Chess Federation nor Chess Life warrants the accuracy of anything
contained in these Tournament Announcements. Those interested
in additional information about or having questions concerning any
of these tournaments are directed to contact the organizer listed.
Chess Life will exercise all due diligence in providing accurate
typesetting of non-camera-ready copy but assumes no responsibil-
ity for errors made in such work.
Effective with TLAs submitted after November 10, 2010, the fol-
lowing additional rules apply to Grand Prix tournaments:
1) The guaranteed first prize must be at least $150.
2) No more than one prize under $100 may count towards the
Grand Prix point total.
3) Prizes below the maximum entry fee do not count towards
the Grand Prix point total.
SUBMISSIONS: If possible e-mail your tla to: tla@uschess.org
(Joan DuBois). For tla deadline schedule, formatting help and Grand
Prix information see January 2012 Chess Life pg. 48-49 or check
http://main.uschess.org/go/tlainfo. Payment can be done online
through the TD/Affiliate area or sent to: U.S. Chess, TLA Dept., PO
Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.
Nationals
Feb. 17-19 or 18-19, Florida
2012 U.S. Amateur Team Championship - South
5SS, G/120 (2-day option, Rd. 1 G/60). Universal Palms Hotel, 4900
Powerline Rd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. Only 10 mins. to the Beach.
HR: $69 hotel chess rate expires Dec. 14, then $89 is the hotel chess
rate, 954-776-4880. 4-player teams (with one optional alternate). Team
average (4 highest ratings - January rating list) must be under 2200. Win-
ning team qualifies for National playoff online. EF per player: $40 by 2/10,
$49 later. SPECIAL EF: Team (one entry must be made for all players)
$150 by 2/10, $190 later (any team changes $10). Teams from outside
Florida will receive $25 off team entry fee. PRIZES:Top 1-3rd place teams;
Top class teams: U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, U1000, U800; Top Sen-
ior team (all 50 & above), Top Female team, Top College team (same
school), Top High School team (same school), Top Middle School team
(same school, grades 6-8), Top Elementary School team (same school);
Top Boards 1-4. Schedule: 3-day: 1st Rd. Fri. 7:30, 2-Day 1st Rd. Sat.
10; Rds. 2-5 Sat. 1:30, 6:45, Sun. 9:30, 2:45. Free parking and Free Inter-
net. Ent: Boca Raton Chess Club, 2385 Executive Ctr. Dr., Ste. 100, Boca
Raton, FL 33431. Online entry & add'l info: www.bocachess.com, 561-
479-0351. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 17-19 or 18-19, Illinois
2012 U.S. Amateur Team Championship - North
One section: Open. Sets-Boards-Clocks provided for USAT only by
North American Chess Association. Open: 5SS, G/90+30/increment, 2-
day: rd.1-2 G/60. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2875 N. Milwaukee Ave.,
Northbrook, IL 60062. 847-298-2525. $83.00 chess rate single-double-
triple-quad until 2/3/12, FREE BREAKFAST BUFFET INCLUDED WITH
ROOM! Please reserve early. Open to 4 player teams with one optional
alternate. Team average (4 highest ratings - January Rating List)
must be under 2200. EF: 3-day $140, per team if received USPS or on-
line 6 PM by February 4th, $160 if received USPS or on-line 6 PM by Feb.
14th, $180 on-line until Feb. 16th 6 PM and at door. Individuals wishing
to play, send $35 and request to be put on a team by USPS (received by
2/14) or on-line by 2/16 6 PM, $45 thereafter. Team changes on site or
after 2/16 6 PM $20. Check out official website www.chessweek
end.com for more info and complete prize list. Prizes: Awards to top
two teams, top teams with average rating u1900, u1600, and u1300.
Award for Best Team Name. Winning team qualifies for national play-offs.
Prizes to best team composed of juniors (high school and younger-must
declare eligibility to win prize). Prizes to top score on each board.
Rounds: 3-day: on-site registration/check-in 5:30-6:30pm, rds.: 7pm,
10:00am & 4:00pm, 10:00am & 3:30pm. 2-day: on-site registration/check-
in from 8:00-9:30am, rds. 10:00am & 1:00pm then merge with 3-day.
Illinois Blitz Championship on Saturday night, $25 received by 2/14
USPS or on-line (2/17), $30 at site. Illinois FIDE titled players get free
entry-contact us for more info. First round 8 PM, 2 games with each oppo-
nent, 5 rounds, bring sets, clock, & boards for Blitz. See www.chessweek
end.com for details. All: Checks made payable to and sent to: Chess Cen-
tral, 37165 Willow, Gurnee, IL 60031. Please include Team's name and
roster (plus ID#s), captain's email and phone number, and desired
schedule. Info: www.chessweekend.com, 847-773-7706 before 6 PM.
North American Chess Association will provide Sets-Boards-Clocksfor
USAT only. Chess Magnet School JGP for US Amateur Team North,
Open Section.
Feb. 18-20, California, Northern
29th Annual U.S. Amateur Team Championship West
(Blitz/Scholastic Feb. 20 only.) Main event: 6SS, 30/90 sd/60. Hyatt
Regency, 5101 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara, CA 95054. Free Park-
ing! Hotel: Free Parking! $109 call 800-233-1234 for chess rate. Reserve
by Feb. 4 or rates may increase. Four-player teams plus optional alter-
nate, average rating of four highest must be under 2200, difference
between ratings of board 3 & 4 must be less than 1000. January 2012
Supp, CCA min & TD discretion to place players accurately. Main Event
Prizes: Exclusive commemoratively inscribed digital clocks to each
player and trophy to the team for top 3 overall teams, top team u2000,
u1800, u1600, u1400, and u1200; top industry team (all players from
the same company), top family team (siblings, cousins, parents,
uncle/aunts, grandparents), top junior team, and top school team; top
scorer on each board (1-4). Gift certificates for best 3 team names. Main
uschess.org
See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14
Event EF: $188/team or $47/player by 2/14, 2/15-17: $197/team,
$56/player, Onsite: $217/team, $66/player. Main Event Sched: Regis-
tration: Sat 9:30-10:30am. Rounds: Sat 11:30 5, Sun 11:30 5, Mon 10,
3:30. Info/flyer: BayAreaChess.com/usatw12. Scholastic Side Event:
5SS, G/30. Four-player teams plus optional alternate, may be from same
or different schools. Jan 2012 Supp, CCA min & TD discretion to place
players accurately. Prizes: Trophies to each player in Top 3 teams over-
all, Top team u900, u800, u700, u600, u500, u400, u300, u200, Top scorer
on each board (1-4). EF: $156/team or $39/player by 2/14, 2/15-17:
$175/team, $48/player, Onsite: $185/team, $58/player. Registration: Mon
8-9am. Rounds: 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm. Info/flyer:
BayAreaChess.com/usatws12. Blitz Event: Registration Mon 7-8pm,
Rounds 8:30-10:30pm. EF: $12. 75% of entry fees returned as prizes.
Info/flyer: BayAreaChess.com/usatw12. Help in forming teams: a player
and see bayareachess.com/events/12/usatw or email teamhelp@Bay
AreaChess.com for teams seeking players & players seeking teams.
Contact: For all these events, online entry at BayAreaChess.com/my/
usatw12 and contact Bay Area Chess, 1590 Oakland Rd., Ste B213, San
Jose 95131. T: 408-786-5515. E: ask@BayAreaChess.com. NS, NC, W, F.
Chess Magnet School JGP.
A Heritage Event!
Feb. 18-20, New Jersey
42nd Annual World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East
6SS, 40/2, SD/1. Parsippany Hilton, 1 Hilton Ct., Parsippany, NJ 07054.
Chess Rate valid until 1/16. Reserve early 973-267-7373 or 1-800-
HILTONS. Morris/Essex train to Morris Plains 1.5 miles. Open to 4-
player teams with one optional alternate. Team average (4 highest rat-
ings - 2012 January Rating list) must be under 2200. EF: $150 postmarked
by 2/5/12. Scholastic teams College and below $145 per team, ALL-$185
after or at door. - all teams, any changes at site $25 charge. Check out
official website www.njscf.org. Prizes: 1-5th Place teams, plaque and 4
digital clocks; Top Team (Denis Barry Award) U2100, 2000, 1900,
1800, 1700, 1600, 1500, 1400, 1300, 1200, 1000 each plaque and 4 Dig-
ital Clocks;Top college team (same school) 4 Digital Clocks & plaque;
Top HS team (grades 9-12 same school), Top Middle School (grades 5-9
same school), Top Elementary School (grades K-6 same school), Top 2
Scholastic Teams (mixed schools okay) (Collins Award), Mixed Doubles
(2 males, 2 females-no alternates), Seniors (all players over age 50), Mil-
itary, each plaque & 4 Digital Clocks to top team; Company Team (same
employer) Old Timers Trophy (all players over 65), Family (4 family mem-
bers), State teams - CT, DE, MD, MA, NJ, NY (Benjamin Award), PA, VA,
NC, RI, OH, Canada, each plaque top team; Special Plaque to Top College
(NJ , NY, Pennsylvania), Best Player 1-4 and top alternate, All 6-0 scores
each Digital clock. Biggest Individual upset each round Engraved Cross
pen; Entry fee refunded to team with Best Chess related name, Sun-
day night-- Best Chess Related costumes or gimmickgourmet dinner
for four. Reg. 9-12 Sat 2/18: Rds. 1-7:30, 11-6, 9-3:30. Special
Events!! Surprises and special give-aways each round. Mystery
Guest and special Sunday morning panel on 72 match! Sunday night
- Bughouse $20 per team. Cash prizes. HR: Parsippany Hilton, chess rates
expire 1/16/2012. Rates $119 (up to 4 in room) 2nd hotel now attached
to Hilton also up to 4 in room $126 per night-Hampton Inn---includes
breakfast for 4 each day. Back up hotel - Sheraton Parsippany-about 2
miles. 973-515-2000. $99 per night. For help forming teams and more
information contact: noreen@deanofchess.com or Facebook: ATE-
Team. Chks payable to NJSCF, mail by 2/05 to: E. Steven Doyle, 17
Stonehenge Road, Morristown, NJ 07960. (Include Team name, Cap-
tain, players full names, USCF Expiration, ID numbers and ratings in board
order). No team can include more than two GM's. Include SASE for con-
firmation if wanted, No registered or certified mail accepted. NS, NC, W.
Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 26, New Mexico
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
2012 U.S. G/15 Championship (QC)
6SS, G/15. University of New Mexico Student Union Building, Albu-
querque, NM 87131. USCF Membership required - available onsite. One
section, all players have an opportunity to win a U.S. Championship!
$$400-200-100 (B/50) U2400, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400,
U1200: $100 each, unrated: $50. Higher of regular or quick rating used
for prize eligibility. EF: $39. $10 late fee if after 1/23. Free entry to GMs,
IMs, and WGMs. Rds.: 6:30pm, 7:10pm, 7:50pm, 8:30pm, 9:10pm,
9:50pm. Up to 2 half point byes upon req. before rd 1. NS NC W. ENT: Wired
Kings CC; 12004 Prospect Ave NE; Albuquerque, NM 87112. HR: $71 505-
944-2599 Hilton Homewood Suites ABQ Airport, available until 2/1/12
or room block full. Online Entry & add'l info: www.SouthernRockyOpen.
com, WiredKingsCC@gmail.com, 505-550-4654. Part of the 2012
Southern Rocky FIDE Open Chess Festival. See 2012 Southern
Rocky FIDE Open in Grand Prix for more information.
Mar. 3-4, California, Northern
2012 U.S. Junior Chess Congress
(Blitz on Mar. 2) San Francisco Airport Hyatt Regency, 1333 Bayshore
Highway, Burlingame, CA 94010. Experience Spring in San Francisco! Hotel
rate $99 only. 8 sections based on age: 6 & under, 8 & under, 10 & under,
12 & under, 14 & under, 16 & under, 18 & under, 20 & under. Individual
Trophies: All (6 & under), top 20 (8 & under, 10 & under, 12 & under), top
15 (14 & under), or top 10 (16 & under, 18 & under, 20 & under). Super
Performance trophies to players tied for last place with a trophy award
and the top player(s) in each rating class who did not get a place trophy.
Participation medals to all entrants. Team Trophies: Top 10 (6 & under,
8 & under, 10 & under, 12 & under) or top 5 (14 & under, 16 & under, 18
& under, 20 & under) based on section. Winning record required for all
trophies. Time control: G/90 except G/30 for Ages 6 & under and Ages
8 & under) Schedule: Onsite Registration: Saturday 7:30-8:30am.
Rounds: Saturday 9am, 12:45, 4:30pm, and Sun 9, 12:45pm. Ages 6 &
under: Saturday 9:00am, 10:45am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:30pm. Ages 8 &
under: Onsite Registration: Sunday 7:30-8:30am. Round: Sunday 9:00am,
10:45am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:30pm. Byes: Max one 1/2-point bye
except last round (must request before start of 1st round). Entry Fees
by 2/18: 1-day $48, 2-day $60, Add $10 (2/19-25), $20 (2/26-3/1), $40
(3/2-3 & onsite). Blitz: Friday Registration: 5-5:30pm, Games 6-8pm. 2
sections (11 & under, 20 & under). Bughouse: Sunday Registration: 5-
5:30pm, Games 6-8pm. 1 section. Side Event Fees: Blitz $15, Bughouse
$15, Bughouse team $25. Onsite +$2. Side Event Prizes: Top 3 play-
ers and top 3 teams in each section. USCF Membership required for all
events except bughouse. March 2012 Supplement & TD discretion to place
players accurately. Commemorative T-shirts: $15 pre-order, $20 onsite.
Organizers/TDs: S. Azhar, R. Koepcke, T. Langland, & J. McCumiskey. Spon-
sored by CalChess and Bay Area Chess. More info & flyer: BayArea
Chess.com/usjr12.php. Register online at BayAreaChess.com/my/usjr12.
php. Mail entries to Bay Area Chess, 1639A S. Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035.
Register early to save. Questions: ask@BayAreaChess.com. NS, NC, W.
Chess Magnet School JGP for G/90 rounds.
Apr. 13-15, Minnesota
2012 National High School (K-12) Championship
(Apr. 12 Bughouse & Blitz) 7SS, G/120. Hyatt Regency Minneapolis,
1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403, 612-370-1234. Chess Rate
$125. 5 Sections: K-12 Championship, K-12 Under 1600, K-12 Under
1200, K-12 Under 800, K-12 Unrated. April Rating Supplement will
be used. Unrated players may play in the Championship or Unrated sec-
tion only. One 1/2-point bye for any round, except Rd. 7, if requested in
advance. EF: $50 if by March 25, $70 if by April 8, $85 by 6 PM CDT on
April 12 or $90 at site. Mailed entries must be p/m by April 8. $5 extra
for all phone registrations, $20 change fee for roster or section changes
after April 8. Onsite registration: Thurs. 9am-10pm & Fri. 8am-10am.
Players registering after 10am will get 1/2-point for Round 1. Awards:
A minimum of 1 individual trophy per 10 players and 1 team trophy per
15 players (average attendance in the past two years, not incl. SN IV)
plus plaques for 4 players and coach of top five teams in each section.
Class trophies to the top three in the following classes: K-12 Cham-
pionship: 1900-1999; 1800-1899; 1700-1799; 1600-1699; 1500-1599;
1400-1499; 1300-1399; 1200-1299; U1200, K-12 UNR. All participants will
receive a commemorative medal at the completion of the final round.
Teams: A team must have at least two players, although no maximum
number of players. The top four scores in any section will count for the
team score. All on team must attend the same school. Opening Cere-
mony: 12:30pm Friday. Main Event rounds: Friday 1pm, 7pm; Saturday
9am, 2pm, 7pm; Sunday 9am, 2pm. Awards Ceremony: Approx 7pm Sun-
day. Special Events: National High School Bughouse Championship:
Thursday 11am; EF: (On site only) $25 per team. Bughouse registration
ends at 10am Thurs. National High School Blitz Championship:Thurs-
day 5pm; EF: $15 per player, $20 after April 8 or on site. Scholastic
Meeting: 3pm Saturday. Parents and Friends Tournament: 4SS, G/30,
Saturday 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. Onsite registration only.
Rated and Unrated sections. Trophies for Parents/Friends, participant and
student combined results. ALL: Please bring clocks. Sets and score
sheets provided. USCF membership required. Mail entries to: U.S.
Chess Federation, Attn: High School, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.
Additional details, updates, corrections and on-line registration:
www.uschess.org/tournaments/2012/hs. Chess Magnet School
JGP.
Apr. 20-22, Illinois
2012 All-Girls National Championships presented by the Kasparov
Chess Foundation in association with the Renaissance Knights
Chess Foundation & USCF
6SS, G/90 d5. Swissotel, 323 E. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60601, 888-737-
9477, Hotel Rate includes full breakfast & children under 18 stay
free. 6 Sections: 8 years old and younger; 10 and younger, 12 and
younger, 14 and younger, 16 and younger, 18 and younger. Age as of
USCF Membership Rates
Premium (P) and Regular (R)
(U.S., CANADA, MEXICO)
Type 1 yr 2yr 3yr
Adult P $46 $84 $122
Adult R $40 $72 $104
Senior (65+) $40 $72 $104
Young Adult P (U25)* $33 $61 $88
Young Adult R (U25)* $26 $47 $67
Youth P (U16)* $28 $51 $73
Youth R (U16)* $22 $40 $57
Scholastic P (U13)* $24 $43 $61
Scholastic R (U13)* $17 $30 $42
Premium membership provides a printed copy
of Chess Life (monthly) or Chess Life for Kids
(bimonthly) plus all other benefits of regular
membership. Regular membership provides
online-only access to Chess Life and Chess Life
for Kids; a tournament life announcement
newsletter will be mailed to adults bimonthly
and to scholastic members three times per
year. Youth provides bimonthy Chess Life,
Scholastic bimonthly Chess Life for Kids, oth-
ers listed above monthly Chess Life. See
www.uschess.org for other membership cat-
egories. Dues are not refundable and may be
changed without notice.
*Ages at expiration
Chess Life February 2012 53
Tournament Life

4/1/2011. USCF membership required. EF: $50 if postmarked/online by

3/25; $70 if by 4/8; $85 by 4/19; $90 after/ on-site Do not mail after 4/13

NATIONAL SPRING
as your entry may not be received on time. Opening Ceremony: 6pm,
Friday. Rounds: Rd. 1 6:30pm Fri; Rounds 2-4 Sat 10am, 2:30pm,
6:30pm; Rounds 5-6 Sun 9am & 1pm. Awards Ceremony: Sun. 5pm.
Trophies to top 15 indiv & top 3 teams (top 3 players added for team

SCHOLASTIC
scores). Bye: One 1/2-pt bye available, any round, if requested before
end of Rd. 2 and if player has not received a full-point bye. Side Events:
Bughouse Tournament Fri. 1pm, EF $25/team. Blitz Tournament
Fri. 3pm, EF $15 by 4/19, $20 after or on site. HR: $169-169 includes full
breakfast, children under 18 stay free, 888-737-9477, reserve by 3/15
or rate may increase. Entries: online/info at: www.renaissanceknights.

CHAMPIONSHIPS org/allgirls or mail to RKnights, Attn: All Girls, PO Box 1074, North-
brook, IL 60065, include name, section, rating, USCF ID#, date of birth,

2012
grade, school name city & state. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Apr. 27-29, California, Southern
2012 National Junior High (K-9) Championship
(Apr. 26 Bughouse & Blitz) 7SS, G/120. Town and Country, 500 Hotel
Circle North, San Diego, CA 92108, 1-619-291-7131 or 800-772-8527,
Chess Rate $125. 6 Sections: K-9 Championship, K-9 Under 1250, K-
9 Unrated, K-8 Championship, K-8 Under 1000, K-8 U750. April
Rating Supplement will be used. Unrated players may play in the Cham-
pionship or Unrated sections only. One 1/2-point bye for any round,
except Rd. 7, if requested in advance. EF: $50 if by April 8, $70 if by April
22, $85 by 6 PM PDT on April 26 or $90 at site. Mailed entries must be
p/m by April 22. $5 extra for all phone registrations, $20 change fee for
roster or section changes after April 22. On-site registration:Thurs. 9am-
10pm & Fri. 8am-10am. Players registering after 10am will get 1/2-point
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL for Round 1. Awards: A minimum of 1 individual trophy per 10 players
and 1 team trophy per 15 players (average attendance in the past two
(K-12) CHAMPIONSHIP years, not incl. SN IV) plus plaques for 4 players and coach of top five
teams in each section. Class trophies to the top three in the follow-
ing classes: K-9 Championship: 1400-1599; 1200-1399; 1000-1199;
APRIL 1315, 2012 U1000; Unrated. K-8 Championship: 1500-1599; 1400-1499; 1300-1399;
1200-1299; 1100-1199; 1000-1099; U1000; UNR. All participants will
receive a commemorative medal at the completion of the final round.
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Teams: A team must have at least two players, although no maximum
1300 Nicolett Mall number of players. The top four scores in any section will count for the
team score. All on team must attend the same school. Opening Cere-
Minneapolis, MN 55403 mony: 12:30pm Friday. Main Event rounds: Friday 1pm, 7pm; Saturday
9am, 2pm, 7pm; Sunday 9am, 2pm. Awards Ceremony: Approx 7pm Sun-
612-370-1234 day. Special Events: National Junior High Bughouse Championship:
Thursday 11am; EF (on site only) $25 per team. Bughouse registration
Chess rate: $125 ends at 10am Thurs. National Junior High Blitz Championship:Thurs-
single/double/triple/quad day 5pm; EF $15 per player, $20 after April 22 or on site. Scholastic
Meeting: 3pm Saturday. Parents and Friends Tournament: 4SS, G/30,
Saturday 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. Onsite registration only.
Rated and Unrated sections. Trophies for Parent/Friends participant
NATIONAL JUNIOR HIGH and student combined results. ALL: Please bring clocks. Sets and score
sheets provided. USCF membership required. Mail entries to: U.S.
Chess Federation, Attn: Junior High, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557.
(K-9) CHAMPIONSHIP Additional details, updates, corrections and on-line registration:
www.uschess.org/tournaments/2012/jhs. Chess Magnet School
APRIL 2729, 2012 JGP.
May 11-13, Tennessee
Town and Country Resort 2012 National Elementary (K-6) Championship
(May 10 Bughouse & Blitz) 7SS, G/120, K-1 G/90. Gaylord Opryland,
500 Hotel Circle North 2800 Opryland Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. 615-889-1000 or 888-777-6779
Chess Rate $139. 9 Sections: K-6 Championship, K-6 Under 1000, K-
San Diego, CA 92108 6 Unrated, K-5 Championship, K-5 Under 900, K-3 Championship,
1-800-772-8527 K-3 U800, K-3 Unrated, K-1Championship. May Rating Supple-
ment will be used. Unrated players may play in the Championship or
Chess rate: $125 Unrated sections only. One 1/2-point bye for any round, except Rd. 7, if
requested in advance. EF: $50 if by April 22, $70 if by May 6, $85 by 6
single/double/triple/quad PM CDT on May 10 or $90 at site. Mailed entries must be p/m by May
6. $5 extra for all phone registrations, $20 change fee for roster or sec-
tion changes after May 6. On-site registration: Thurs. 9am-10pm & Fri.
8am-10am. Players registering after 10am will get 1/2-point for Round
NATIONAL ELEMENTARY 1. Awards: A minimum of 1 individual trophy per 10 players and 1 team
trophy per 15 players (average attendance in the past two years, not incl.
(K-6) CHAMPIONSHIP SN IV) plus plaques for 4 players and coach of top five teams in each sec-
tion. Class trophies to the top three in the following classes: K-6
MAY 1113, 2012 Championship: 1300-1399; 1200-1299; 1100-1199; 1000-1099; 900-999;
800-899; U800; UNR. K-5 Championship: 1300-1399; 1200-1299; 1100-
1199; 1000-1099; 900-999; 800-899; U800; UNR. K-3 Championship:
Gaylord Opryland Resort and 1100-1199; 1000-1099; 900-999; 800-899; 700-799; 600-699; U600;
UNR. K-1 Championship: All players in this section receive a trophy. All
Convention Center participants will receive a commemorative medal at the completion of the
2800 Opryland Drive final round. Teams: A team must have at least two players, although no
maximum number of players. The top four scores in any section will count
Nashville, TN 37214 for the team score. All on team must attend the same school. Open-
ing Ceremony: 12:30pm Friday. Main Event rounds: Friday 1pm, 7pm;
615-889-1000 or 888-777-6779 Saturday 9am, 2pm, 7pm; Sunday 9am, 2pm. Schedule for K-1: Friday
1:30pm, 6:30pm; Saturday 9:30am, 1:30pm, 6:30pm; Sunday 9:30am,
Chess rate: $139 1:30pm. Awards Ceremony: Approx 7pm Sunday. Awards Ceremony
single/double/triple/quad for K-1: Approx 5:30pm Sunday. Special Events: National Elementary
Bughouse Championship: Thursday 11am; EF (on site only) $25 per
team. Bughouse registration ends at 10am Thurs. National Elementary
Blitz Championship: Two sections: K-6 and K-3. Thursday 5pm; EF $15
per player, $20 after May 6 or on site. Scholastic Meeting: 3pm Satur-
day. Saturday. Parents and Friends Tournament: 4SS, G/30, Saturday
10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. Trophies for Parents/Friends, par-
ticipant and student combined results. Mail entries to: U.S. Chess
Federation, Attn: Elementary, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557. Addi-
tional details, updates, corrections and on-line registration:
www.uschess.org/tournaments/2012/elem. Chess Magnet School
JGP.
FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT USCHESS.ORG A Heritage Event!
May 26-28 or 27-28, New Jersey
68th Annual U.S. Amateur East Championship
6-SS, 50/2, SD/1. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 110 Davidson Ave., Somerset, NJ,

54 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org



 

 

 
 

February 18-20, 2012 | Parsippany Hilton | Parsippany, New Jersey

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 Tournament Life
Telephone 732-560-0500 (NYC train to Bound Brook 1 miles away). In 3
Sections: Championship (U2200), Reserved (U1800), Booster (U1400).
2-day & 3-day schedules. 3-Day Registration: Saturday May 26, 9:30-
10:45 am. Schedule: Rounds 12-6, 11-5, 9-3. 2-Day Registration:
Sunday May 27, 8:30-9:30 am. Schedule: First 3 games, 5/27, G/60.
Rounds 10-12:15-2:30. All schedules merge in round four. Each Sections:
Trophies to top five and top Senior 55/over and Jr's under ages 16 & 13.
Championship:Trophies to top U2000, U1900 and U1850. Reserve:Tro-
phies to top U1600 and U1500. Booster: Trophies to top U1200, U1100,
U1000, U900 and U800. EF: $49 if postmarked by May 23, or paid online
via EntryFeesRus.com. EF: at site $60 cash. Byes: Three 1/2 point byes
allowed in rounds 1-5. Ent: Ken Thomas, 115 W. Moore St., Hackettstown,
NJ 07840. Checks to NJSCF. Info: 908-619-8621 or acn@goes.com. NS.
NC. W. Chess Magnet School JGP.
June 9-10, Tennessee
2012 U.S. Amateur South Championship
University of Memphis, University Center, 499 University St., Memphis,
TN 38152. SECTIONS: Championship (U2200) & Reserve (U1600).
SCHEDULE: 5/SS, G/90 td/5. Reg.: Sat. 9:00-9:45AM. Rds.: Sat. 10-2-
6; Sun. 9:30-1:30. PRIZES: $1000 of Gift Certificates and awards based
on 60 paid entries. (Championship): 1st- River Cup trophy + $150 GC,
2nd-plaque +$100 GC, 3rd-plaque+$75 GC; U2000 1st-small tro-
phy+$50 GC. (Reserve): 1st-large plaque+$125 GC, 2nd-plaque+$75
GC, 3rd-plaque+$50 GC; U1400 1st-small trophy+$50 GC; Unrated
1st-$50 GC. EF: $40 ($10 less to Juniors under age 18 or Seniors over
age 60), $50 on-site. MISC: One requested half-point bye allowed, any
round, must request before the start of Round 3. SIDE EVENT: SATUR-
DAY ONLYScholastic (K-12) sections in a separate room from main
tournament: U1000, U550, & Unrated. 4/SS, G/30 td/5. Reg. 11-11:45AM.
Rd. 1 at 12PM, rest ASAP. EF-$15 by two days before the event, $20 after
& on-site. Trophies or Medals for all Side Event players! ADDL. DETAILS:
www.shelbycountychess.org. ENTRY: Online entry at www.cajunchess.com
or mail registration to Shelby County Chess, ATTN: Amateur South, 1614
Vance Ave., Memphis, TN 38104. INFO: Arlene Kleiman, midsouthchess@
hotmail.com; Korey Kormick, kjkormick@hotmail.com. Chess Magnet
School JGP for main event.
June 14, Nevada
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
2012 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC)
6SS, G/10. Riviera Hotel and Casino, 2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South,
Las Vegas 89109. $$G 5,000. 1500-800-500, U2300 450, U2100 400,
U1900 350, U1700 300, U1500 250, U1300 200, U1100 150, unrated
100. There must be 3 players eligible for each prize to be awarded. EF:
$69 by 5/28, $79 by 6/13 $100 on site. REG.: 2-4 p.m. Rds.: 5-5:30-6-
6:30-7-7:30. Higher of regular or quick rating used. Bring clocks. 1/2 point
bye available in any round (limit 2). HR: $59 single or double ($89 Friday
and Saturday nights). 1-800-634-6753 or (702) 734-5110. ENT: National
Open, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0125, on line www.Vegas
ChessFestival.com or fax at (702) 933-9112. NS. NC. W.
A Heritage Event!
An American Classic!
June 15-17 or 16-17, Nevada
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
2012 National Open
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1 (2 day option rds 1-3 G/45). Riviera Hotel and Casino,
2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas 89109. $80,000 Guaran-
teed Prize Fund will not be reduced. Championship. $$: 6400-3200-1600-
800-500-300-300-300-300-300-200-200-200-200-200, under 2500 1600,
under 2400 1200, under 2300 1000. $2,000 EXTRA for perfect score. The
winner of the Championship section also receives a replica of the Edmond-
son Cup. Under 2200. $$: 3200-1600-800-500-400-250-250-250-250-250-
18th annual WESTERN CLASS
March 9-11, Sheraton Hotel, Agoura Hills, CA
$20,000 projected prizes, $16,000 minimum guaranteed
5 round Swiss in 7 sections, you play only those in your section (may play up one
class). Choice of 3-day or 2-day schedule, both merge after round 2. Prizes based on
230 paid entries (Class E & re-entries count half); min. 80% of each prize guaranteed.
Master Section (2200/up): Prizes $2000-1000-500-300, clear/tiebreak
win $100 bonus, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE rated, 100 GPP (enhanced).
Expert Section (2000-2199): $1500-800-400-200.
Class A Section (1800-1999): $1500-800-400-200.
Class B Section (1600-1799): $1500-800-400-200.
Class C Section (1400-1599): $1400-700-400-200.
Class D Section (1200-1399): $1200-600-300-200.
Class E Section (Under 1200): $600-300-200-100, trophies to top Under
1000, Under 800, Under 600, Unrated
Unrated limit $150 in E, $250 D, $400 C, $600 B, $800 A. $500 limit
if post-event rating more than 30 pts over section max 12/8/11-3/8/12.
FULL DETAILS: see Grand Prix in this issue or chesstour.com.
56 Chess Life February 2012
200-200-200-200-200. Under 2000. $$: 3200-1600-800-500-400-250-250-
250-250-250-200-200-200-200-200. Under 1800. $$: 3200-1600-800-500-
400-250-250-250-250-250-200-200-200-200-200. Under 1600. $$:
3200-1600-800-500-400-250-250-250-250-250-200-200-200-200-200.
Under 1400. $$: 2000-1000-700-400-300-250-250-250-250-250. Under
1200. $$: 1200-600-400-300-250-200-200-200-200. Unrated, $$: 500-
300-200. Plus Score Bonus ($14,000 guaranteed) in addition to any other
prizes, every player who finishes with 3-1/2 points or better wins a $50
gift certificate. Plus score certificates will be awarded on site only. Play-
ers under age 15 are eligible for best game prizes including the Freddie
award plus $200 (donated by Fred Gruenberg). Top 2 sections FIDE
rated. EF: $169 by 2/29, $199 by 5/28, $219 by 6/13, $240 on site. $40
discount for seniors 65 and over. Add $120 for adults rated under 2100
or juniors under 2000 playing in the Championship Section. This is an open
tournament - you may play in any section at or above your rating level;
unrated players may play only in Unrated or Championship Section. Pro-
visionally rated players may not win more than 3rd prize in any section
except Championship. CCA minimum ratings or other ratings may be used
if higher than USCF June Supplement. Reg.: 3 p.m.-10 p.m. Thursday, 8-
8:30 a.m. Friday. Rds.: 11-6, 10-5, 10-5. 2-day schedule: Reg.: 8-9 a.m.
Saturday. Rds.: 10-12-2-5: merge with 3-day in round 4. Half point byes
available in any round, but round 5 or 6 byes must be requested before
the start of round 2. Chess sets and boards provided for tournament play
only, not for skittles. Please bring chess clocks! The LAS VEGAS INTER-
NATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL features the National Open, the U.S
Game/10 Championship, the International Youth Championship and other
events. Many free extras and surprises! Free parking. Free raffle with
great prizes. Free GM Lectures. Free GM analysis of your games. Grand-
master Chess Camp for all ages on Thursday. U.S. Game/10 and
Grandmaster Simuls Thursday afternoon. Youth Tournaments Fri-
day, Saturday & Sunday. Poker Tournament Monday morning. LOW
room rates! HR: $59 single or double ($89 Friday and Saturday
nights). 1-800-634-6753 or (702) 734-5110. Don't be shut out; make
your reservations early and be sure to ask for the chess rates; The
Riviera sells out most weekends. Cutoff for special hotel rate is May 28th.
Rates may be as high as $150 a night later. RESERVE NOW! Credit
card or one night room deposit will be required to hold reservation, may
be canceled 72 hours in advance for nominal fee. Tournament Registra-
tion: National Open, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0125, on line
at www.VegasChessFestival.com or by fax at (702) 933-9112. Info: (702)
560-0955 and leave a message. NS. W. FIDE. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Grand Prix
Feb. 11, New York
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
New Yorker Winter Game/75!
4-SS, G/75 + td/5. Chess Center at the New Yorker Hotel, 481 8th Ave
at 34th St., across from Penn Station, NYC: 845-569-9969. EF: $40, $33
postmarked by 2/3, $35 phoned with credit card by 2/8 to 406-896-2191
(credit card entries only), $32 online at www.chesscenter.cc thru
2/8, GMs free ($25 from prize), free to specified Greater NY Scholastic
prizewinners! $$1,200 b/60 paid entries, minimum half each prize Gtd:
$$ 300-200-100, top U2200/unr. $150, U2000 $130, U1800 $120; Mixed
Doubles Bonus Prizes: best male/female duo combined score (must
declare by 1:30 pm): $125-75. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if U2000), commit by
2 pm. Re-entry $20. Ent (mail by 2/3): Chess Center of NY, PO Box 4615,
New Windsor, NY 12553. CCA ratings may be used. Reg. ends 30 min
before game. Rds. 11 am-2-4:45-7:45 pm. Bring sets, clocks! Chess
Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 11-12, California, Southern
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
What's in a Name?
(Sponsor: Harold C. Valery, MD, INC.) Open (6SS, G/60, No time
delay), Reserved (7SS, G/60, No time delay) 11514 Santa Monica Blvd.,
LA 90025, 2nd fl. 2 sections: OPEN & RESERVED. EF: $60 at the door ($55
if received by 2/10); $50 LACC members ($45 if received by 2/10); Sib-
lings $15 off, $30 new LACC members, Free new LACC Life members! 20%
off EF for each friend you bring in. Reg.: Sat 2/10 11-12 pm. Rds.: 12,
2, 4 pm each day. Byes: Up to three 1/2-point byes available. 1-Day
option I: Play 1 day- no 1/2 pt byes- 1/2 EF. 1-Day option II: Play 1 day
& receive three 1/2 pt byes- full EF. Prizes: $$ 1,500 Cash & Gifts (b/45,
2/3 Guaranteed). 1st-3rd $400-200-75 U2200: $125. U1900: $200-100;
U1700: $10050-Digital Clock; U1500: $100-50; U1300/unrated: $75. Ent:
LACC, Box 251774, LA, CA 90025. Info: Mick Bighamian: Cell (310) 795-
5710; Mick@LaChessClub.com or www.LAChessClub.com. Parking:
Free street & BoA Parking; or building basement ($3).
Feb. 11-12, Missouri
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15
2012 Club Championship
5SS, G/90. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Maryland
Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. PF: $1,200 UNCONDITIONALLY GUARAN-
TEED: 1ST Place-$400 + Plaque, 2nd Place-$300, 3rd Place-$200. Top
Under 2100--$150-$100-$50. Registration: 10:00-10:45. EF: $60, $50 for
annual members of the club if registered by 2/10. Round Times: Sat-
urday: 11, 2:30, 6. Sunday: 11, 2:30. One 1/2 point bye available if
declared before round 2. MCA Membership required from $5. OSA. Info:
314-361-CHESS, info@saintlouischessclub.org. Chess Magnet School
JGP.
Feb. 16, New York
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0, Chess Center at the Marshall Club,
23 West 10 St., bet. 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs
$25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specified Greater NY Scholastic prizewin-
ners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may be limited to 1st 36 to enter),
top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105, U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes
(1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA ratings may be used.
Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game. Rds 7-8:15-9:30-
10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible!
Feb. 18-19, Virginia
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
3rd Annual Hampton Chess & Sport Festival
5SS, G/2. Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Dr., Hamp-
ton. 2 sections: Open & U1600. Prizes: $1500 b/0 50 Increased with
56+ entries. Open Section: $250-200-150 1800-1999 $120 U1800
$110. U1600 Section: $200-150-120 1200-1399 $100 U1200 $100. Free
tee shirt & athlete badge to every entry. HR: See website for hotels.
EF: $40 by 2/15 else $50. Reg.: 9:00-9:40. Rds.: Sat. 10-2:30-7, Sun. 10-
2:30. Entries/Cks: Virginia Chess, 1370 S. Braden Cres., Norfolk, VA
23502. Info: Ernie (757) 853-5296, ESchlich@verizon.net. www.vachess.
org. Single half pt. Bye available. Chess Magnet School JGP. NOTE: VCF
Cup Simul. Exhibition by IM Adu Fri. at 7pm EF: $15. This is part of a sports
festival and your athlete badge gives you free entry to watch other
sports. Scholastic event Sat. 2/18.
Feb. 18-20, California, Southern
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 150 (enhanced)
The Recession Buster Open (over Presidents' Day weekend)
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1, or 2-day schedule rds 1-3 G/60, then merges; 5 sec-
ond time delay for all games, no deduction. Sheraton Mission Valley Hotel,
1433 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108. $$20,000 Guaranteed
prize fund. 5 Sections. Prizes: Open Sec 1st $2,600-1,800-1,200-900-600-
500-400, BU2300 $800-400, BU2200 $1,000-600-400-200; Premier
Section (U2000): $1,000-600-400-200; Amateur Section (U1800)
$1,000-600-400-200; Reserve Section (U1600) $1,000-600-400-200;
Booster Section (U1400) $600-400-200-100, BU1200 $300-150, Best
Unrated $100. Plus Best Game Prizes: $75-50-25, one reserved for
non-open sections. Reg.: 3-day: 9 to 10:30 AM Saturday, Feb official rat-
ing list used. 2-day: 9 AM to 10 AM Sunday. Rds.: 3 day: 11 AM & 6 PM
on Sat & Sun; 10 AM & 4:30 PM on Mon. 2-day: 10:30 AM, 12:45 & 3 PM
Sun, then merges. EF: Only $100 if received by 2/12, or $120 at door. No
credit cards at door, checks or cash only. Special rate of only $75 if U1400
or unrated and received by 2/12, or $90 at door. Also special rate for GMs
and IMs: $20 if recv'd by 2/12, or $60 at door. Open section expected to
be FIDE rated unless prohibitively expensive. Unrateds may play in any
section, but can win only $100 in the Booster Section and $200 in all other
sections, except the Open where they can win place prizes only. SCCF
membership req'd ($18 Adult, $10 Jr) for all So Cal residents. Two half
point byes OK in rds 1- 4 only, must be requested at least one hour before
round. Byes in rd 5 - 6 must be requested before Rd 2, and are irrevo-
cable. Re-entry Fee: from 3 day to 2 day is $75, for non-Open sections
only. Ent: SDCC, PO Box 120162, San Diego, CA 92112 or enter online at
www.scchess.com. For more info call Bruce Baker of SDCC at (619)
239-7166 or see our website at sdchessclub.multiply.com. Hotel Rates:
Special rate of only $110 single or double, 619-260-0111. Please book
ASAP, ask for chess rate, as rates will go up and rooms may sell out. See
www.sheraton.com/sandiegomv Close to airport, great attractions such
as Sea World, the SD Zoo. Big parking lot allows large vehicles to be just
steps away. This is a State Championship Qualifier. Chess Magnet
School JGP.
Feb. 18-20, Oklahoma
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20
3rd Jerry Hanken FIDE Open
8-SS, G/90+30spm, (Reserve: 10-SS, G-60+15spm dual rated) $$G
2,400. Quality Inn-Stillwater, 2515 W. 6th Ave. (Hwy-51) Stillwater, OK 1-
405-372-0800. HR: 68-68. Wi-Fi, EF: Open: $55, Reserve: $30 (deduct $10
only if ck postmarked before Feb 15): OCF $10 required OSNA. Two Sec-
tions: Open (FIDE): Gtd 1st 500, 300, 200, X: $200 A: $200-100, B:
$200, C: $200, D: $100. Rds. at 10-2:30-7, 10-2:30-7, 9-1:15. 2 half pt byes
rds 1-7, FIDE (Open) Reserve: U-1350 1st $100, Other class prizes per
uschess.org

entries; Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds at 10-1-4-7, 10-1-4-7, 9-Noon. 3 half pt byes
rds 1-9 for Reserve, LS, W, Free Parking. Frank Berry, 402 S. Willis St.,
Stillwater, OK 74074. FKimBerry@AOL.com, 405 372-5758. Chess Mag-
net School JGP for Open Section.
Feb. 21, New York
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Marshall Masters!
4-SS, G/25d5. Third Tuesday of every month. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St.,
NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scor-
ing over 50% in any MCC Open or U2300 tournament since the prior
month's Masters). EF: $40, members $30, GMs free. $$G250-150-100.
Prizes to U2400, U2300 and biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45 pm. Rds.: 7-
8:15-9:30-10:45. One bye available (Rd 1 or 4 only), request at entry.
www.marshallchessclub.org.
Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, New Mexico
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
Southern Rocky Fide Open
5SS, G/90+30s inc, University of New Mexico - Student Union Building.
Albuquerque, NM 87131. USCF Membership required - available onsite.
Prizes: $5,275 Guaranteed, $6,000 projected in 6 sections. Open
(FIDE Rated): (G/$) $1,500-800-500, U2400 $200, U2200 $200-100,
U2000 $200-100. Reserve (U1800): (G/$) $600-300-200, U1600 $150-
75. Booster (U1400): $$350, (B/35) $200-100, U1200 $75, U1000 $75.
Unrated: (B/20) $150+Trophy-100-75. 1-Day Scholastics Sat. & Sun-
day (K-9, U1200). Trophies 1st-5th, 1st K-6, K-3, & 1st 2-day score. EF
(if by 1/23): Open $79, Res. $49, Booster $35, Unr. $25. $10 late fee after
1/23, $20 after 2/16 or at site. Free Entry for GM/IM/WGM. Scholas-
tic $15/Day - $25/Both days. 3-Day Schedule: Fri. (Reg: 5-5:30PM) Rds
at 6PM; Sat. 10AM, 6PM. Sun. 9AM, 2PM. 2-Day: Sat. (Reg: 8:30-9AM)
Rds at 9:30AM, 1:30PM, 6PM. Sun. 9AM, 2PM. 2-Day Rds 1-2, G/90 and
merges into 3-Day G/90+30s at rd. 3. Scholastic: Rounds: 9:30, 10:45,
1, 2:30, 4:00 each day. All games G/30. Up to 2 half point byes upon req.
before rd 1 in all sections. NS NC W. ENT: Wired Kings CC; 12004
Prospect Ave NE; Albuquerque, NM 87112. HR: $71 505-944-2599 Hilton
Homewood Suites ABQ Airport, available until 2/1/12 or room block
full. GM Khachiyan and GM Yermolinsky Simuls and Lectures - Thu. and
Fri. at 3:30p and 6:30p. Thursday events at rec'd hotel. Online Entry &
add'l info: www.SouthernRockyOpen.com, WiredKingsCC@gmail.
com, 505-550-4654. U.S. G/15 Championship held after SRFO on
Sunday 2/27, See National Events. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 24-26, Iowa
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
Quad Cities Chess Championship at The Lodge
5SS, 30/60, SD/60. The Lodge, 900 Spruce Hills Dr., Bettendorf, IA 52722.
Iowa Qualifier $$500 gtd. $150-100-50, U1600, U1400, U1200, U1000
$50 each. EF: $20 by Feb 22 ($5 more if on-site). Rds.: 1st rd either Fri
8pm or Sat 9am, then Sat 2:30pm-8pm, Sun 9am-2:30pm. Info: Kevin Hyde,
hyde@ioa.com, 828-674-6073. HR: $89 www.lodgehotel.com. Chess
Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 24-26 or 25-26, Tennessee
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
Greater Memphis Open 2
6SS, G/120 (Open & U1600). Site: Greater Memphis Chess Center,
5796 Shelby Oaks Dr., Suite 11, Memphis, TN 38134. Round times: Fri
7pm, Sat 9-2-7, Sun 9-2. Optional 2 day with round 1 and 2 as G/60 9-
11:30 and merge. EF: $45 before 2-20-12, $55 after and onsite. GMCC
and MCC members $40 anytime. USCF Youth and Scholastic Players may
enter either Section to compete for no prize money for $25 anytime. Re-
entry after round one: $25. Guaranteed Prize Fund: Open: 1st $250, 2nd
125, 3rd 75, Top U1600: 1st 125, 2nd 75, 3rd 50. Special U1000 Scholas-
tic section. 4 round G/1. Entry fee: $15. Round times: Sat 9-11:30, 2,
4:30. Trophies to top 10. Onsite Registration: Friday 2/24: 5pm-6:30pm,
Saturday 2/25: 7am-8:30am. Tournament Director: Gary M. Pylant, gpy-
lant@gmail.com, 901-359-8616. memphischess.com. Chess Magnet
School JGP for Open & U1600 Sections.
Feb. 24-Mar. 9, New York
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Queens Late Winter Open
6-SS, G/45 (G/40d5). All Saints Lutheran Church, 164-02 Goethals Ave.,
Jamaica, NY 11432. EF: $40, $45 at site, $10 less to QCC members. $$200-
$100 guaranteed to top 2, more per entries. Up to two 1/2 pt byes ok
with advance notice (all byes must be declared at entry). REG.: 7:30-8:00.
RDS.: 8:15 and 10:00 each Friday. ENT (mail by 2/17/12): Ed Frumkin,
445 E. 14th St. #10D, NYC 10009, (212-677-3224 before 10pm and
before 5pm on Fri).
Feb. 25-26, Maryland
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10
UMBC Open - Alvin S. Mintzes Chess Tournament
5SS, 20/1, SD/60;D/5. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000
Hilltop Circle, Baltimore (in Commons, 3rd floor). Held concurrently with
Maryland Sweet 16 (Invitational) - winner to receive in-state fixed-dol-
lar tuition scholarship to UMBC. Open: (All) $$1050: $350-200-100 Gtd.,
Class prizes $100 ea. To top U2250, U2150, U2050, U1950. Free ent. to
GMs, $40 deducted from any prizes. U1800: (U1800/Unr.) $$765 b/40:
$250-175-100, Class prizes $80 ea. to top U1600, U1400, U1200 (b/4).
No Unr. player may win more than $200 in this section. All: EF: $40 if post-
marked by 2/10, $50 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: Up to 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 in Rds. 4-5. HR:
La Quinta Inn and Suites, 1734 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD
21090, 410-859-2333, Ask for UMBC chess rate. www.lq.com (From I-95,
take Exit 47A onto I-195 towards BWI Airport. Take Exit 2A onto 295 north
towards Baltimore; take first exit, bearing right onto West Nursery
Road.) Directions to UMBC: Take Exit 47B off I-95 & follow signs to
UMBC. Park in Lot 9 or 16. Ent: Dr. Alan T. Sherman, Dept. of CSEE, UMBC,
Attn: Open, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250. Make out check to
UMBC. For more information: ChessClub@umbc.edu, (410) 455-8499,
www.umbc.edu/chess. NS, W. Chess Magnet School JGP.
uschess.org
See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14
A Heritage Event!
Feb. 25-26, New Hampshire
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
36th Queen City Open
4SS, 40/100, SD/1, d5. Comfort Inn, exit 4 (Queen City Bridge) off I-293,
Manchester, NH. 603-668-2600. HR: $80, mention NH Chess , reserve
early. $$2,225 b/65, 75% Gtd. 4 sections: Open: EF: $44 by 2/23,
GMs/IMs free. $300-200-100, U2100 $125-75. U1935: $150-100-75,
U1750 $100-50. No Unr. may win over $75. U1635: $150-100-75, U1450
$100-50. No Unr. may win over $75. U1335: $150-100-75, U1000 $100-
50. No Unr. may win over $75. All: EF: $44 by 2/23. Special EF for jrs U21
in U1335 section only, $29 if by 2/23. Sunday Swiss (2/26 only). 3SS, G/60.
EF: $28 if by 2/23. $$100-50-30 (b/8). Two sections w. duplicate prizes
if entries permit. Sun. Swiss Reg: 9:30-10:30am Sunday, Rds: 11-1:30-
4. All EF: $5 more if at site. Two-day Reg: 8:30-9:30am Sat., Rds: 10-3:30,
9:30-3.One 1/2 pt. bye OK for Rds.1-3 in two-day sections if rec'd with
ent. Ent: NH Chess Assoc., Hal Terrie, 377 Huse Rd. #23, Manchester,
NH 03103. Info: 603-668-8368 or halterrie@comcast.net. W. Chess
Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 25-26, Texas
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
Winter Open
Hornbeak Bldg, 2nd floor, 4450 Medical Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229. 4-SS,
30/90, SD/60. $$1,450 b/40 full entries, 2/3 gtd., 2 sections. Open:
$300-200, U2200 $150, U2000 $150. Reserve (U1800): $200-150, Class
C $150, U1400 $100, unr. $50. Unrated may play only for top Open prizes
or Unrated. EF: $40 if rec'd by 2/23, $45 at site. Option: play for 1/2 prizes,
EF $20 by 2/23, $25 at site, counts as 1/2 entry towards based-on. Reg.:
11 am.-12:30 p.m., Rds.: 1-6, 10-3. Swap & shop used books, equip. 10:30
a.m.-noon. Half-pt. bye any one rd., notice before rd. 2. Entries: SACC,
9306 Autumn Sunrise, San Antonio, TX 78254. Info: sanantoniochess.com,
jphyltin@yahoo.com. NS. NC. W. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 25-26, Washington
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15
20th Dave Collyer Memorial
5SS, G/115. St. Anne's Children's Center Conference Room, W. 25 Fifth
Ave., Spokane WA 99201. Sleep-in Option: Players may play round 1 begin-
ning at noon with a G/60 t/c. EF: $27 if received by 2/24; $33 at door
Under 19 $5 less. $$GTD: $400-250-175. Ex -- $100; A; B; C; D; E/Unr:
$100-75; Biggest Upsets: $100-50-50 (non-provisional ratings only).
One prize per player except for biggest upset. Reg.: Feb. 25 8:30-9:30
am (sleep-in option must register by 11:40). Rds.: 2/25: 10(or 12) -- 2:30
-- 7:00; 2/26: 9:00; 1:30. one 1/2 point bye available. Players meeting
at 9:45 Feb. 25. ENT: Spokane CC, c/o Kevin Korsmo, 9923 N. Moore,
Spokane, WA 99208-9339. INFO: www.spokanechessclub.org, kmko-
rsmo@comcast.net. NS NC W. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 25-26, Wisconsin
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10
UW Winter Open
5-SS, TC rds 1-3 G/120 rds 4-5 45/2, SD/1. Union South, 1308 W. Day-
ton St., Madison, WI 53715, 608-263-2600. Rds.: 10, 2:30, 7:30; 10, 3:30.
EF: $20 if received by 2/23, $25 at site. $$ $1000 GTD. 1st $200, 2nd
$165, 3rd $135, A $100, B $90, C $80, D $70, E $60, U1000 $55, Unr $45.
Entries: Guy Hoffman, 1305D Tompkins Dr., Madison, WI 53716-3279.
Phone: 920-279-0701 NC. NS. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 26, New Mexico
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
2012 U.S. G/15 Championship (QC)
See Nationals.
16th annual MID-AMERICA OPEN
Mar 16-18 or 17-18, Clayton, MO (Saint Louis)
$18,000 projected prizes, $12,000 minimum guaranteed
5 round Swiss, 7 sections, play only those in your section. Choice of 3-day or 2-day
schedule, both merge after rd 2. Prizes based on 220 paid entries (re-entries & $60 off
entries count half, U900 Section 1/4); 2/3 each prize minimum guaranteed.
Open Section: Prizes $2000-1000-500-300, clear/tiebreak win $100
bonus, top U2300 $900, U2200 $800, U2100 $700. FIDE rated, 80 GPP.
Under 2000 Section: $1400-700-400-200.
Under 1800 Section: $1300-700-400-200.
Under 1600 Section: $1200-600-300-200.
Under 1400 Section: $1000-500-250-150.
Under 1200 Section: $1000-500-250-150.
Under 900 Section: $200-100, trophies to first 5, top U700, U500, Unr.
Unrated limit $100 in U900, $200 U1200, $400 U1400, $700 U1600,
$900 U1800. $500 limit if post-event rating is more than 30 pts over section
max 12/15/11-3/15/12.
FULL DETAILS: see Grand Prix in this issue or chesstour.com.
Feb. 27-Mar. 26, New York
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
92nd Nassau Grand Prix
5-SS, 40/80. 1st Presbyterian Church, 1st & Main Sts., Mineola. 2 sec-
tions: Open: EF: $38 by 2/25, $$ (630 b/18, top 2 G) 200-100, U2100/UR,
1900, 1700 each 110. Booster: open to U1500/UR, EF $22 by 2/25. $$
(270 b/15) 100, U1300, 1100/UR each 85. Both: non-memb EF $11
more. EF at site $7 more. 2 byes 1-5. Reg ends 7:15 PM. Rds.: 7:15 each
Mon. Ent: Harold Stenzel, 80 Amy Dr., Sayville, NY 11782. captnhal@opt
online.net. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 2, Pennsylvania
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
2012 PA Quick Chess Champ (QC)
6SS, G/7d3. Hotel Carlisle & Embers Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg
Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit 52A NB/Exit 52 SB off I-81, Exit 226 off PA
Turnpike. 3 sections, EF rec'd by 2/13: Open: $12. U1500: $10. U1100:
$8. $$ (730G): Open: 175-100-50, U1800 $45, U1600 $40. U1500: 125-
75-50, U1200 $40, Unr $30. U1100: Trophies: 1-10, U800, U600, 1-2 Unr.
All: EF: $20 after 2/13, PSCF $5 OSA. Reg.: 6-6:30pm. Rd 1: 7pm. Feb
2012 Regular ratings used. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd 2. HR: Mention PA
States for best rate; 800-692-7315 $75. Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak,
25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. Info: martinak_tom_m@hot
mail.com, 412-908-0286. W.
Mar. 2-4 or 3-4, Massachusetts
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
21st annual Eastern Class Championships
5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5). Host Hotel at
Cedar Lake, 366 Main St., Sturbridge, MA 01566 (I-84 Exit3, near I-90).
Free parking. $$ 18,000 based on 220 paid entries (re-entries & $60 off
entries count half), minimum $12,000 (2/3 of each prize) guaranteed. In
7 sections: Master (2200/up): $1700-1000-500-300, clear winner or 1st
on tiebreak $100 bonus, top U2300 $800-400. FIDE. Expert (2000-2199):
$1400-700-400-200. Class A (1800-1999): $1400-700-400-200. Class B:
(1600-1799) $1400-700-400-200. Class C (1400-1599): $1200-600-300-
200. Class D (1200-1399): $1000-500-300-200. Class E (Under 1200):
$400-200-120-80, trophies to top U1000, U800, U600, Unrated. Rated
players may play up one section. Prize limits: Unrated may not win over
$150 in E, $250 D, $400C, $600 B, or $800 A. If any post-event rating
posted at uschess.org 12/1/11-3/1/12 is more than 30 points over
section maximum, prize limit $500. Balance of any limited prize goes to
next player(s) in line. Top 6 sections EF: 3-day $108, 2-day $107 mailed
by 2/23, all $109 online at chesstour.com by 2/28, $110 phoned to 406-
896-2038 by 2/28 (entry only, no questions), $120 at site. GMs free, $90
deducted from prize. EF for all in Class E, and unrated in Class D: all
$60 less. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Advance EF $5 less to MACA
members; may join/renew at masschess.org. Unofficial uschess.org
ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 yr USCF dues with
magazine if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young
Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young
Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry $60; not available in Master Section.
3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10
& 4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10:30am, rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6,
Sun 10 & 4:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Master must commit before rd 2,
others before rd 3. HR: $89-89-99, 800-582-3232, 508-347-7393, request
chess rate, reserve by 2/17 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis,
800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through
chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY
12577. Questions: DirectorAtChess.us, 845-496-9658. Advance entries
posted at chesstour.com. $15 service charge for refunds. Chess Mag-
net School JGP.
Chess Life February 2012 57
 Tournament Life
A Heritage Event!
Mar. 2-4, Virginia
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 30
44th Annual Virginia Open
5SS, Rd. 1 G/120 D/5, Rds. 2-5 40/2 SD/1 D/5. DoubleTree Hotel Dulles
Airport - Sterling 21611 Atlantic Blvd., Sterling, VA 20166. Tel: 1-703-230-
0077. Fax: 1-703-230-0078. $69(!!)Rooms. Reserve by Friday Feb 17th to
ensure chess rate. Direct link for hotel registration by 12/1 available on
tournament website. $$ $3400 in Two Sections, Top 4 G in Open, rest
Based on 140 Open $600-400-300-200 (G) Top X, A each $180. Winner
gets plaque as 2012 Virginia Open Champion. Amateur (U1900): $400-
200-150, Top B, C, D, U1200 Each $160, Top Unrated $100. Amateur
winner gets plaque and 2012 Virginia Open Amateur title. ALL: Reg. Fri-
day 3/2 5:30p-7:45p. Rds.: 8pm Friday, Sat 10a-4:30p, Sunday 9a-3:30p.
EF: (Reduced!) $50 if received by Feb 25, $60 later and at site. $30
Re/entry allowed from Rd. 1 into Rd. 2 only. Sat Reg. 9-9:45. One 1/2 point
bye allowed with entry, declared before Rd. 1 and then irrevocable. VCF
membership required for Virginia residents ($10 Adults, $5 U19) Ent: Make
checks payable to Virginia Chess and mail to: Michael Atkins, PO Box
6138, Alexandria, VA 22306, website: www.vachess.org/vaopen.htm,
matkins2@cox.net for questions, NO INTERNET or PHONE entries. NS,
NC, W. FIDE (Open). Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 3-4 or 4, New York
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Marshall March Grand Prix!
4-SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-
3716. EF: $50, members $30. $$625 Gtd: 275-150, U2200/unr. $105,
U2000 $95. Reg. ends 15 min. before round. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day,
Rds. 12:30-5:30PM each day; 1-day, (Rds. 1-2 G/25d5) 10-11:15AM-12:30-
5:30PM Sun; both merge rd. 3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO
RE-ENTRY. FIDE (G/30 not FIDE ratable). www.marshallchessclub.org.
Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 3-4, Pennsylvania
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
2012 Carlisle Open & PA Collegiate Championship
5SS, G/90d5. Hotel Carlisle & Embers Convention Center, 1700 Harris-
burg Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit 52A NB/Exit 52 SB off I-81, Exit 226
off PA Turnpike. 2 sections: Open & U1500. $$ (1260G): Open: 180-120,
U2200 $110, U2000 $100, U1800 $90, U1600 $80. U1500: 150-100,
U1400 $90, U1200 $85, U1000 $80, Unr $75. All: College Tr: 1-2 in each
section, 1-2 team (top 4 over both sections). EF: $29 rec'd by 2/13, $39
after, PSCF $5 OSA. Reg.: 8:45-9:30 am. Rds. 10-2-5:30, 9-1. Feb 2012
ratings used. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd 2. HR: Mention PA States for best
rate; 800-692-7315 $75. Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St.,
Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. Info: martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com, 412-
908-0286. W. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 9-11 or 10-11, California, Southern
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
19th annual Western Class Championships
5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds.1-2 G/75, d/5). Sheraton Agoura
Hills Hotel (formerly Renaissance), 30100 Agoura Rd., Agoura Hills, CA
91301 (US-101 to Reyes Adobe Road exit). Adjacent to the Santa Mon-
ica Mountains, 26 miles west of Burbank, 12 miles from Malibu, 28 miles
from Ventura. Free parking. $$20,000 based on 230 paid entries (re-
entries, Class E count as half entries), minimum $16,000 (80% each
prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections. Master (over 2199): $2000-1000-500-
300, clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus, topU2300 $800-400. FIDE.
Expert (2000-2199): $1500-800-400-200. Class A (1800-1999): $1500-
800-400-200. Class B (1600-1799): $1500-800-400-200. Class C
(1400-1599): $1400-700-400-200. Class D (1200-1399): $1200-600-300-
200. Class E (Under1200): $600-300-200-100, trophies to top U1000,
U800, U600, Unr. Rated players may play up one section. Prize limits:
13th annual PITTSBURGH OPEN
March 23-25 or 24-25, Doubletree Green Tree
$12,000 projected prizes, $9,000 minimum!
5 round Swiss, choice of 3-day or 2-day schedule. Prizes $12,000
based on 150 paid entries (re-entries & $50 off entries count half),
with 75% of each prize minimum guaranteed. In 5 sections:
Open Section: Prizes $1500-800-400-200, clear/tiebreak win $100
bonus, top U2300/Unr $700, U2200/Unr $600. FIDE rated, 60 GPP
Under 2100 Section: $1000-500-300-200, top Under 1900 $400.
Under 1800 Section: $1000-500-300-200, top Under 1600 $400.
Under 1500 Section: $800-400-300-200, top Under 1300 $300.
Under 1200 Section: $400-250-150-100, trophy to top Under
1000, Under 800, Under 600, Unrated.
Unrated limit: $150 in U1200, $300 U1500, or $500 in U1800.
FULL DETAILS: see Grand Prix in this issue or chesstour.com.
58 Chess Life February 2012
Unrated may not win over $150 in E, $250 D, $400 C, $600 B, or $800 A.
If any post-event rating posted at uschess.org 12/8/11-3/8/12 is
more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $500. Balance of
any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Top 6 sections EF: 3-day
$113, 2-day $112 mailed by 3/1, all $115 online at chesstour.com by 3/6,
$120 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/6 (entry only, no questions), $130 at
site. EF for all in Class E Section, and unrated in Class D: all $60 less.
Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. All:
Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: Online at
chesstour.com. Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15.Mailed, phoned
or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry
(except Master) $60. SCCF memb. ($18, jr $10) required for rated South-
ern CA residents. 3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 6 pm, rds Fri 7, Sat 11 &
6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 10 am, rds Sat 11, 2:30
& 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. Byes: OK all rds, limit 2; Master must commit before
rd 2, others before rd 3. HR: $87-87, 818-707-1220, reserve by 3/5 or
rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD#D657633.
Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658, DirectorAtChess.us. Ent: Con-
tinental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service
charge for withdrawals. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess
Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 10-11, Louisiana
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
2012 Louisiana Pro-Am
5-SS, G/2 (Round 1: G/90). Site: Holiday Inn Metairie New Orleans Air-
port, 2261 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, LA 70001. EF: $50 if mailed by
3/5, $60 at site. LCA Memb. req'd ($10 adult, $5 Schol.), OSA. Prizes:
$1800 b/60, 50% Gtd. Two Sections: Pro (Open): $400-200; U2000 $200-
100. Amateur (U1800): $250-100; U1600 $200-100; U1400 $150;
U1200/UNR $100. Reg.: 3/10, 8-9am. Rds.: Sat: 9:15-1-5:30, Sun: 9:30-
2. HR: Call for Rates, (504) 373-5946; rates will be high and availability
low because the SEC Basketball Tournament is in New Orleans at the time,
cheaper lodging may be available at the following hotels within walking
distance: Days Hotel (504) 833-8201; LaQuinta Inn (504) 835-8511.
Ent/Info: Adam Caveney, 1301 Gen. Taylor St., New Orleans, LA 70115,
cb20234@yahoo.com, (504) 895-4133 (evenings), (504) 615-6730 (on day
of tourney). NS, NC. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 13, 20, 27, Apr. 10, 17, 24, May 8, New Jersey
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
West Orange CC 2012 Championship
7 rds., G/100 (5 sec. delay), Reg. 7-7:30 P.M., rds. start at 8:00. EF: $30.00,
members $25.00. Prizes: 1st $150, 2nd $100, 3rd $75, Best under 1900
$60, 1700 $50, 1500 $40. All prizes guaranteed. Details: westor-
angechessclub.blogspot.com and buickchess@gmail.com or 973-736-
3433. Byes: Three 1/2 byes available in any rd; must know by the end
of rd.4. Address: Toby Katz Community Center, 650 Pleasant Valley Way,
West Orange, NJ 07052. Advance entrees welcome. Chess Magnet
School JGP.
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, California, Northern
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
Bay Area Chess Spring Open
5SS, G/120 (2day rds 1-2 G/45). 1639A S. Main St., Milpitas. Park free.
Prize: $2,400 b/55. 3 sections. 1900+ $300-200-100 u2100:100-80.
1500-1899 $300-200-70 u1700:100-70-70. U1500 $300-200-70 u1300:100-
70-70. Unr max $100 exc Open. EF: $67 (2d $66) by 3/14, Onsite +15
Playup +20, r/e 33 EconOpt: EF-20, 1/2 of calc prize. GMs/IMs free:
prize-EF. Mar 12 Supp, CCA min & TD disc used. Sched: Reg F 6-6:30p,
Rds F 7, Sa/Su 9:30, 2 (2 day Reg Sa 8:30-9a Rds Sa 9:30, 11:30 merge
rd3). Max two 1/2-pt byes commit bef rd3. Info: BayAreaChess.com/
spring12. E: ask@BayAreaChess.com, NS, NC, W. Chess Magnet School
JGP.
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, Missouri
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
16th annual Mid-America Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75,d/5). Crowne Plaza Hotel
St. Louis-Clayton, 7750 Carondelet Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105 (I-64 W/US
40-W Exit 32B, 1.2 miles north on Hanley Rd). $$ 18,000 based on 220
paid entries (re-entries & $60 off entries count half, U900 Section 1/4),
minimum$12,000 (2/3 each prize) guaranteed. In 7 sections: Open:
$2000-1000-500-300, clear winner or 1st on tiebreak $100 bonus, top
U2300 $900, U2200 $800, U2100 $700. FIDE. Under 2000: $1400-700-
400-200. Under 1800: $1300-700-400-200. Under 1600: $1200-600-300-
200. Under 1400: $1000-500-250-150. Under 1200: $1000-500-250-150.
Under 900: $200-100, trophies to first 5, top U700, U500, Unrated.
Prize limits: Unrated may not win over $100 in U900, $200 U1200,
$400 U1400, $700 U1600, or $900 in U1800. If any post-event rating
posted at uschess.org 12/15/11-3/15/12 is more than 30 points over sec-
tion maximum, prize limit $500. Balance of any limited prize goes to next
player(s) in line. Top 6 sections EF: 3-day $109, 2-day $108 mailed by
3/8, all $110online at chesstour.com by 3/13, $115 phoned to 406-896-
2038 by 3/15 (entry only, no questions), $130 at site. $60 less to unrated
in U1200 or U1400. U900 Section EF: All $80 less than top 6 sections
EF. No checks at site, credit cards OK. GMs free, $100 deducted from prize.
All: Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Spe-
cial 1 yr USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online atchesstour.
com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid
at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry $60; not avail-
able in Open Section. MCA memb. ($5) required for MO residents. 3-day
schedule: Reg ends Fri 6pm, rds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15.
2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 &
4:15. Byes: OK all, limit 2; Open must commit before rd 2, others before
rd 3. HR: $89-89, 888-303-1746, 314-726-5400, request chess rate,
reserve by 3/2 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use
AWD#D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Con-
tinental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: DirectorAt
Chess.us, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. $15
service charge for refunds. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, New York
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced)
Long Island Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2G/75, d/5). Holiday Inn Long
Island - Islip Airport, 3845 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY
11779. Free parking, free shuttle from LIRR or Islip Airport. Prizes
$12,000 based on 150 paid entries, $8000 minimum (2/3 each prize) guar-
anteed; re-entries & $50 off entries count as half entries. In 4 sections.
Open: $1500-800-500-300, clear or tiebreak winner $100 bonus, top
U2300/Unr $600, U2200/Unr $500. FIDE. Under 2100: $1000-600-400-
300, top U1900 $500, U1800 $400. Under 1700: $900-500-300-200, top
U1500 $450, U1400 $350. Under 1300: $800-400-200-100, top U1100
$300. Unrated may not win over $200 in U1300 or $400 in U1700. EF:
3-day $103, 2-day $102 mailed by 3/8, all $105 online at chesstour.com
by 3/13, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/13 (entry only, no questions),
$120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. GMs free; $100 deducted
from prize. EF for Under 1000 or unrated in U1300: (NOTE CHANGE):
$50 less. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise
unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry.
Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15.
Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20.
Re-entry $60; not available in Open Section. 3-day schedule: Reg
ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15. 2-day
schedule: Reg ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:15.
All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, Open must commit before rd 2, oth-
ers before rd 3. HR: $75-75, 631-471-0401, reserve by 3/2 or rate may
increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car
online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury
Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.
chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845-496-9658.Advance entries
posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 17, New Jersey
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 (enhanced)
St. Patrick's Day
Somerset Holiday Inn, 195 Davidson Ave., Somerset: Exit #10 off I-287,
off Easton Ave. (One Open Section and K-8 Quads). Grand Prix Section:
4SS, G/60, $$G: $300-200-100-100-50. Also $75 Minimum Prize (not a
class prize-see web site) Top Expert, A, B, and U1600 No pooling nor dupli-
cate prizes! Trophies to 1st, Top Exp. A, B, C, D/E, Sr., Jr. EF: $39 on
entryfeesrus.com. $49 cash at site. Reg.: 9-10am. Starts at 10 am then
ASAP With lunch break. Scholastic Quads (K-8): 3RR, G/45, EF: $15 early
EntryFeesRus.com or $20 cash at site by 10am. $$G: $40 or Trophy, all
get awards. 1st round 10am then ASAP with lunch break. Info: call Ken
at 908-619-8621 or email, njchess64@yahoo.com. NS, NC, W.
Mar. 17-18, Tennessee
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
Saint Patrick's Day Open
5SS, G/120 (Open & U1600). Site: Greater Memphis Chess Center, 5796
Shelby Oaks Dr., Suite 11, Memphis, TN 38134. Round times: Sat 9-2-
7, Sun 9-2. EF: $25 before 3-15-12, $30 after and onsite. GMCC and MCC
members $25 anytime. USCF Youth and Scholastic Players may enter either
Section to compete for no prize money for $15 anytime. Re-entry after
round one: $15. Guaranteed Prize Fund: Open: 1st $200, 2nd 100, 3rd
50, Top U1600: 1st 100, 2nd 50, 3rd 25. Special U1000 Scholastic sec-
tion. 4 round G/1. Entry fee: $15. Round times: Sat 9-11:30, 2, 4:30.
Trophies to top 10. Onsite Registration: Saturday 3/17: 7am-8:30am.
Tournament Director: Gary M. Pylant, gpylant@gmail.com, 901-359-
8616. www.memphischess.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 20, New York
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 15 (enhanced)
Marshall Masters!
4-SS, G/25d5. Third Tuesday of every month. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St.,
NYC. 212-477-3716. Open to players rated over 2100 (plus all players scor-
ing over 50% in any MCC Open or U2300 tournament since the prior
uschess.org

month's Masters). EF: $40, members $30, GMs free. $$G250-150-100.
Prizes to U2400, U2300 and biggest upset. Reg.: 6:15-6:45 pm. Rds.: 7-
8:15-9:30-10:45. One bye available (Rd 1 or 4 only), request at entry.
www.marshallchessclub.org.
Mar. 23-25 or 24-25, Pennsylvania
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced)
13th annual Pittsburgh Open
5SS, 40/2, SD/1. d/5 (2-day option,rds 1-2 G/75, d/5). Doubletree Hotel
Pittsburgh Green Tree (formerly Radisson), 101 Radisson Dr., Pittsburgh,
PA 15205. 3 miles south of downtown, 13 miles from Pittsburgh airport
(free shuttle). Free parking. $$12,000 based on 150 paid entries (re-
entries & $50 off entries count half), $9000 (75% each prize) minimum
guaranteed. In 5 sections. Open: $1500-800-400-200, clear or tiebreak
winner $100 bonus, top Under 2300/Unr $700, Under 2200/Unr $600.
Under 2100: $1000-500-300-200, top Under 1900 $400. Under 1800:
$1000-500-300-200, top Under 1600 $400. Under 1500: $800-400-300-
200, top Under 1300 $300. Under 1200: $400-250-150-100, trophies to
top Under 1000, Under 800, Under 600, Unrated. Unrated may not win
over $150 in U1200, $300 U1500, or $500 U1800. Top 4 sections EF: 3-
day $103.50, 2-day $102.50mailed by 3/15, all $107 online at
chesstour.com by 3/20, $110 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 3/20 (entry only,
no questions), $120 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site. GMs free; $100
deducted from prize. Under 1200 Section EF: $50 less than above. Unof-
ficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special
1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry: online at
chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed,
phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-
entry $60; not available in Open Section. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri
6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:15 pm. 2-day
schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10
am & 4:15 pm. All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, Open must commit before
rd 2, others before rd3. HR: $91-91-91-91, 1-800-395-7046, 412-922-8400;
reserve by 3/9or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600,
AWDD657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com. Ent: Con-
tinental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge
for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com, Director@Chess.US, 845-
496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet
School JGP.
Mar. 30-Apr. 1 or Mar. 31-Apr. 1, Florida
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 40 (enhanced)
10th Annual Southern Class Championships
5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5(2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5). Wyndham Orlando
Resort, 8001 International Dr., Orlando 32819. Free parking. $$14,000
based on 200 paid entries (re-entries & $50 off entries count half),
$10,500 (3/4 each prize) minimum guaranteed. In 7 sections. Master
(2200/up): $1200-600-400-300, clear or tiebreak winner$100 bonus. FIDE.
Expert (2000-2199): $1000-500-300-200. Class A (1800-1999): $1000-
500-300-200. Class B (1600-1799): $1000-500-300-200. Class C
(1400-1599): $1000-500-300-200. Class D (1200-1399): $800-400-
300-200. Class E (Under 1200): $800-400-300-200. Rated players
may play up one section. Unrated may enter A through E, but may not
win over $200 in E, $350 D, $500 C or $650B. EF: 3-day $98, 2-day $97
mailed by 3/23, all $99 online atchesstour.com by 3/27, $105 phoned to
406-896-2038 by 3/27 (entry only, no questions), $120 (no checks, credit
cards OK) at site. GMs free; $90 deducted from prize. EF for under 1000
or unrated in E: all $50 less. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually
used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine
if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20,
Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30,
Scholastic $20. Re-entry $60; not available in Master Section. 3-day
schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11& 6, Sun 10 & 4:15.
2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 10 &
4:15. All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, Open must commit before rd 2,
others before rd 3. HR: $81-81 plus resort fee (currently 7.5%), 1-800-
421-8001, 407-351-2420; reserve by 3/16 or rate may increase. Car
rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD D657633, or reserve car online through
chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY
12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chesstour.com,
40th annual WORLD OPEN
Sheraton City Center Hotel, Philadelphia - $254,000 projected prizes, $204,000 minimum!
Open Section: 9 rounds, July 4-8 or 2-8, FIDE norms possible
Under 2400 through U1600: 9 rounds, July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 2-8
Under 1400, Under 1200: 9 rounds, July 4-8, 5-8 or 6-8
Under 900: 9 rounds, July 6-8
Senior Amateur, Womens Championship: 6 rounds, July 1-3*
Under 13 Championship: 9 rounds, July 1-3*
Under 13 Booster: 6 rounds, July 4-5*
Open through Under 1200 schedules merge and compete for same prizes.
Also Philadelphia International June 28-July 2.
See Tournament Life or chesstour.com for details. *Schedule allows play in more than one section.
uschess.org
See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14
DirectorAtChess.us, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.
com. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 30-Apr. 1, North Carolina
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 (enhanced)
The Big Enchilada II
Holiday Inn - Highwoods, 2805 Highwoods Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604. 5-
SS, 30/90 SD/60 or Rd.1 G/90 for two day. $7,000 b/132. $5,000 GTD!!
OPEN (FIDE rated): $1,000-$500-$300-150-100. X, u2000 $300-$100 ea.
U1800: $800-$400-$250-150-100. u1600 $250-$100. U1400: $700-$350-
$200-150-100. u1200 $200-$100 Top Upset in each section: $60-40.
ALL: EF: $70 (by 3/23)/$80 on site. +$2 for PayPal Re-entry $40 (counts
as 1/2 EF). GM/IM Free. $70 deducted from any prize. NCCA req'd OSA.
Up to 2 byes allowed. Must request by noon Sat. Reg.: Fri. 6PM-7:45PM.
Sat. 8AM-9:45AM. Rds.: Fri. 8PM or Sat. 10AM. Then 2PM-8PM, Sun. 9AM-
2:30PM. Unr. may not win 1st prize in U1400 or U1800. INFO: Jeff Jones
(919) 270-9948. RaleighChess@yahoo.com. ENT: RTCC, PO Box 37331
Raleigh, NC 27627. HR: $79 1-4. (919) 872-3500. Ask for the Chess rate
by 3/23 to guarantee. Website: www.chesstbe.info/. Chess Magnet
School JGP.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 31, Connecticut
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10
2012 CT Open State Championship
$$2000 b/60. 4-SS, G/60. Hopkins School, 986 Forest Rd., New Haven,
CT 06515. Two Sections: OPEN, U1600. EF: $60 Online or mail, $100 at
site. Prizes: Open $500-$300-$200 3x$100, 5x$50, U1600 $300- $100-
$50. Trophies: CT Open Champion, U1600 Champion, ONE DAY Reg.:
8:00-8:45. Rds.: 9-11-1-3. Register Online: www.edutechchess.com or
www.CTChess.com.
Mar. 31-Apr. 1 or Apr. 1, New York
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
Marshall March/April Grand Prix!
4-SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-
3716. EF: $50, members $30. $$625 Gtd: 275-150, U2200/unr. $105,
U2000 $95. Reg. ends 15 min. before round. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2-day,
Rds. 12:30-5:30PM each day; 1-day, (Rds. 1-2 G/25d5) 10-11:15AM-12:30-
5:30PM Sun; both merge rd. 3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO
RE-ENTRY. FIDE (G/30 not FIDE ratable). www.marshallchessclub.org.
Chess Magnet School JGP.
A Heritage Event!
Mar. 31-Apr. 1, New York
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 120 (enhanced)
2012 Marchand Open (34th Annual)
Dr. Erich Marchand requested that his friends play chess in his mem-
ory. 5SS, 30/60, SD/60 5 Sec delay. Location: Strong National Museum
of Play, One Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY. $$10750 Gtd. Open
Section: $2000-1300-850-550-300, Under 2200 & U2000 each $500-
300. FIDE Rated EF: $70. U1800 Section: $600-400-250. Under 1600
$400-250. EF: $65. U1400 Section: $400-275-175. Under 1200 $275-175.
EF: $60. U1000 Section: $260-190-130-70. Under 800 $150-90-60. EF:
$55. Unrated players in the U1800 section can only win $125, in U1400
& U1000 $55. IM and GM's free if registered by 3/17. Great food avail-
able at site. Reg.: 8:30-9:15 am. Rds.: 10-2:15-6:30, 10-2:15. One 1/2
point bye available in rd 1. 2, 3, or 4 if requested at entry. Info: 585-442-
2430. Ent: Rochester Chess Center, 221 Norris Dr., Rochester, NY 14610.
W. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Apr. 1, Pennsylvania
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 6
2012 PA State Game/29 Champ. (QC)
5SS, G/29d0. O'Hara Student Center, Univ. of Pitt., 4024 O'Hara St., Pitts-
burgh, PA 15213. 2 Sections: Champ: EF: $25 by 3/24, $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. Scholas-
tic: Grades K-12 unrated or U900. EF: $15 by 3/24, $25 later. Trophies
to Top 7, 1-3 U600. ALL: Trophies: 1-2 Schools, 1-2 Clubs, Teams of 4-7
players from both sections. PSCF $5, OSA. Reg.: 10-10:30am. Rds.: 11-
12:30-1:45-3-4:15. Ent/Info: PSCF, c/o Tom Martinak, 25 Freeport St.,
Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245, 412-908-0286, W.
Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, Pennsylvania
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
6th annual Philadelphia Open
In 8 sections. Open Section, Apr 4-8: 9SS, 40/90, SD/30, inc30. GM &
IM norms possible, FIDE rated. U2200 to Under 1200 Sections, Apr
5-8, 6-8 or 7-8: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75, d/5,
2-day option, rds. 1-4 G/40, d/5). Under 1000 Section, Apr 7-8: 7SS,
G/40, d/5. At the upscale, luxury Loews Philadelphia Hotel, rated
Four Diamonds by AAA, 1200 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Prizes $80,000 based on 500 paid entries (seniors, re-entries, GMs, IMs,
WGMs count as half entries, U1200 Section 40%entries, U1000 Section
15% entries), else proportional, minimum $60,000 (75% of each prize)
guaranteed. Open: $7000-4000-2000-1000-800-700-600-500-400-400,
clear or tiebreak first $200 bonus, FIDE Under 2400/Unr $2000-1000.
Under 2200, Under 2000, Under 1800: each $5000-2500-1200-800-600-
500-400-300-300-300. Under 1600, Under 1400: each $4000-2000-1000-
700-500-400-300-200-200-200. Under 1200: $1500-800-500-300-200-200-
200-100-100-100. Under 1000: $400-200-100, trophies to first 5, top U800,
U600, U400, Unrated. Prize limits: 1) If official rating 4/11-3/12 or unof-
ficial post-event rating posted at uschess.org 4/4/11-4/4/12 is more than
30 points over section maximum, prize limit $1500. 2) Unrated (0-3 life-
time games rated) cannot win over $200 in U1000, $400 U1200, $800
U1400, $1200 U1600, $1600U1800, or $2000 U2000. Unofficial uschess.
org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. 3) Provisional (4-25 life-
time games rated) cannot win over $300 in U1000, $800 U1200,
$1500U1400, or $2500 U1600. 4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next
player(s) in line. Open EF: free to GMs, IMs, WGMs; $150 deducted from
prize. US players with current or former FIDE ratings of 2200/over:
$225 mailed by 3/27 or online by 4/2, $250 at site. Foreign FIDE rated
players: $175 mailed by 3/27 or online by 4/2, $200 at site, Others: $375
mailed by 3/27 or online by 4/2, $400 at site. U2200 through U1400 Sec-
tions EF: 4-day $224, 3-day $223, 2-day $222 mailed by 3/27, $225 online
by 4/2, $250 at site. U1200 Section EF: 4-day $84, 3-day $83, 2-day $82
mailed by 3/27, $85 online by 4/2, $100 at site. U1000 Section EF: $32
mailed by 3/27, $35 online by 4/2, $50 at site. Phone EF: All $5 more
than online EF, 406-896-2038 (entry only, no questions), available only
through 4/2. Online late entry after 4/2: available until 2 hours before
your first game, same price as entry at site. EF $100 less to rated sen-
iors 65/over in U2200 through U1400. Special 1 year USCF membership
with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young
Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young
Adult $30, Scholastic $20. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Re-entry:
$100, no re-entry from Open Section to Open Section. 5-day schedule
(Open only): Reg. ends Wed 6 pm, rds. Wed. 7 pm, Thu 12 & 7, Fri 11 &
6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day schedule (U2200-U1200): Reg. ends
Thu 6 pm, rds. Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day
schedule (U2200-U1200): Reg. ends Fri 10 am, rds Fri 11, 2:30 & 6, Sat
11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule (U2200-U1200): Reg. ends Sat.
9am, rds Sat. 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 4-day, 3-day, & 2-day
merge & compete for same prizes. Under 1000 schedule: Reg. ends Sat.
9 am, rds Sat 10, 12, 2 & 3:45, Sun 10, 12 & 2. Byes: NOTE CHANGE:
Half point byes OK all rounds, limit 4 byes, Open Section must commit
before rd 2, other sections before rd 4. Bring sets, boards, clocks if
possible- none supplied. HR: $98-98-123-123, 215-627-1200, reserve by
3/21 or rate may increase. Parking: Hotel has valet parking only, with
a special chess rate of $30/day. Many parking lots nearby charge much
less, with rates lowest on the weekend. Gateway Garage, 1540 Vine St
(1 block from Sheraton Hotel) is about $5/day Sat & Sun, $18/day other
days. Car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633 or reserve
car online at chesstour.com. Ratings: FIDE used for Open, USCF April
list for U2200 & below; note that ratings after the April list (see above)
may result in a $1500 prize limit. Foreign player ratings: For U2200 and
below, usually100 points added to FIDE, 100 to FQE, 100/more to most
other foreign, no points added to CFC, PR or Jamaica. Some foreign rat-
ings not accepted for U2000 or below. Highest of multiple ratings usually
used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may be expelled.
Chess Life February 2012 59
 Tournament Life

Special rules: Players must submit to a search for electronic devices
if requested by Director. In round 3 or after, players with scores of 80%
or over and their opponents may not use headphones, earphones or cell
phones or go to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission.
Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Questions:
www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845-496-9658. You may request
lowest possible section if April rating unknown. $15 service charge for
refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Chess Mag-
net School JGP.
Apr. 12, New York
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 10 (enhanced)
10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center at the Marshall Club,
23 West 10 St., bet. 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. EF: $35, Club membs
$25, GMs free ($20 from prize), specified Greater NY Scholastic prize win-
ners free. $$560 b/32 paid entries (may be limited to 1st 36 to enter),
top 2 Gtd: $$ 200-110-50, Top U2200/unr $105, U2000 $95. Limit 2 byes
(1 bye for U2000), commit by 8:15. Reentry $15. CCA ratings may be used.
Class pairings OK rd. 4. Reg ends 10 min before game. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-
10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossible!
Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, Maryland
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 50
2012 Maryland Open
5SS, 40/100, SD/45 inc/30, (Rnd 1 G/90 inc/30) (2-day schedule: rds 1-
2 G/45 inc/30) U1200 G/120 d/5(2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60 d/5).
Rockville Hilton, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-468-1100.
All prizes guaranteed. 4 sections: Open FIDE: $1200-600-300-200-100,
top U2201 $125, top Life Master $100. Amateur Section (U2000):
$800-400-250-125-75, top U1800 $125, top 1st Cat $90. Reserve Sec-
tion (U1600): $650-350-200-100-75, top U1400 $110, top 3rd Cat $80.
Novice (U1200): $500-250-150-100-75, top U1000 $100, top unrated $70.
Unrated may not win over $200 in U1200 or $300 in U1600. A free con-
tinental breakfast for participants will be provided on Sunday
morning. We will optionally text your pairings to your cell phone. EF: $60
by 4/12 mail or online, $70 by 4/24 online, $75 by 4/26 online, and $80
at the door. Special EFs: GM&IMs free; $60 deducted from prize. Spe-
cial HR: $99, ($25 EF discount if staying in hotel) may not be avail after
4/12, free Sat. night room for GMs registering early. Open, U2000, &
U1600 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 7 pm, rds Fri 8, Sat 11&6, Sun 9&3.
Open, U2000, & U1600 2-day schedule: reg ends Sat 10am rds 11-2:15-
6, 9-3 U1200 3-day schedule Reg. ends Fri 7 pm, rds Fri 8, Sat 11&3:30,
Sun 9&1:00 U1200 2-day schedule Reg. ends Sat 10am rds 11, 1:15 & 3:30,
Sun 9&1:00. Ent: MCA, c/o Michael Regan, 1827 Thornton Ridge Rd., Tow-
son, MD 21204. Online entry and link to room reservations at: http://the
mdopen.com. Questions: mregan@baltimorechess.org. Chess Magnet
School JGP.
Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, Vermont
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 (enhanced)
23rd annual Vermont Resort Open
5SS, 30/90, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60, d/5). Holiday InnRut-
land/Killington, 476 Holiday Drive (near intersection US-4 and US-7),
Rutland, VT 05701. Free shuttle to Amtrak, bus terminal or Rutland Air-
port. Free parking, free wireless, heated pool, whirlpool, exercise room;
restaurants within easy walking distance. $2000 guaranteed prizes.
In 3 sections. Open: $400-200-150, top Under 2010/Unr $220-110.
Under 1810: $300-150-80, top Under 1610 $160-80, no unrated may win
over $150. Under 1410: $100-50, trophies to first 3, top Under 1210,
Under 1010, Under 810, Unrated. Top 2 sections EF: 3-day $68, 2-day
$67 if check mailed by 4/20, all $69 online at chesstour.com by 4/25, $75
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 4/25 (entry only, no questions), $80 at site.
Under 1410 Section EF: All $40 less than top 2 sections EF. All: No checks
at site, credit cards OK. Special 1 year USCF dues with paper maga-
zine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult
$20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult
$30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry $40, not available in Open. GMs & IMs free;
$60 deducted from prize. 3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds
Fri 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 9 & 2:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10:30 am,
rds. Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 9 & 2:15. Half point byes OK all, limit 2; must
commit before rd 2. HR: $89-89, 802-775-1911, reserve by 4/13. Car
rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online at
chesstour.com. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if other-
wise unrated. Ent: Continental Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY
12577. DirectorAtChess.us, chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. $15 service
charge for refunds. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess
Magnet School JGP.
A Heritage Event!
May 4-5 or 5-6, Ohio
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 60 (enhanced)
48th Cincinnati Open
5SS. Hilton Garden Inn, 5200 Natorp Blvd., Mason, OH 45040. Five
Sections: Open, U2200, U1900, U1600, U1300. Time Control: 40/2,
SD/60 d/5; 2-day rds 1&2 G/75 d/5. Prizes: Open: $1,000-750-500-250;
U2200: $700-500-300-150; U1900: $400-300-200-100; U1600: $300-
200-150-100; U1300: $225-150-125-100. Open section prizes guaranteed;
other prizes in the under sections based on 100 total entries for the tour-
nament, else proportional. (No unrated may win more than the third-place
prize amount except in Open.) Entry fee: $95 if mailed/emailed by April
30, 2012; $115 after April 30/onsite. Re-entry $50. Free entry to GMs/IMs
who complete schedule; $95 deducted from prize. Registration: Friday,
May 4 5:00-6:30; Saturday, May 5 9:00-10:30. 3-day schedule: Friday
7:00, Saturday 11:00 and 5:30, Sunday 9:30 and 4:00. 2-day schedule:
Saturday 11:00 and 2:00, then merge with 3-day. Byes: Maximum two
half-point byes, must commit before round 3. HR: $99, group code COT,
reserve by 4/13/2012 or rate may go up; reservations 800-560-7843 or
513-204-6000 or www.cincinnatimason.hgi.com. Bring sets and clocks.
Advance entries: Cincinnati Open, PO Box 499006, Cincinnati, OH
45249-9006 or by email to a.hodge195@gmail.com. Registration form
and complete information at www.Chessinnati.com. Questions: Alan
Hodge 513-697-6930, a.hodge195@gmail.com. Chess Magnet School
JGP.
May 18-20 or 19-20, New York
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 20 (enhanced)
20th annual New York State Open
5SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/60). Tiki Resort (formerly
Howard Johnson), 2 Canada St., Lake George, NY 12845. $$G 3000. In
4 sections. Open: $$ 400-200-150, top Under 2010 $230-120, top Under
1810/Unr $220-110. Senior, open to under 1910 or unrated born before
5/21/62. $$ 300-150-80, top Under 1710 $120-60. Under 1610: $$ 300-
150-80, Under 1410 $120-60, unrated limit $150. Under 1310: $100-50,
trophies to first 3, top U1000, U800, Unr. All: 1 year NYSCA membership
prize to NY residents who are not members. EF: 3-day $78, 2-day $77
mailed by 5/11, both $79 online at chesstour.com by 5/16, $85 phoned
to 406-896-2038 by 5/16 (entry only, no questions), $90 at site. No

GOLD AFFILIATES GOLD & SILVER

Cajun Chess
7230 Chadbourne Drive
New Orleans, LA 70126
Shore HS Chess League
PO Box 773
Lincroft, NJ 07738
San Diego Chess Club
2225 Sixth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101, 619-239-7166
AFFILIATES
504-208-9596 shorehschessleague@yahoo.com chucnglo@aol.com GOLD
Any affiliate that has submitted at least 50
cajunchess@yahoo.com http://sdchessclub.multiply.com
www.cajunchess.com New Jersey State
USCF memberships during the current or
Chess Federation Texas Tech University SPICE
previous calendar year, or is the recognized
Chess Club and Scholastic c/o Roger Inglis, 49-A Mara Rd. Box 45080

State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Gold

Center of St. Louis Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034 Lubbock, TX 79409
973-263-8696, rwij@njoychess.com 806-742-7742
Affiliate. Gold Affiliates are honored in a
4657 Maryland Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63108. www.njscf.org SPICE@ttu.edu
special list in larger type in Tournament
314-361-CHESS www.SPICE.ttu.edu

Life each month, giving the affiliate name,

info@stlouischessclub.org New York City Chess Inc
Tri-State Chess
address, phone number, e-mail address,
www.stlouischessclub.org c/o Russell Makofsky
230 Thompson Street The Chess Exchange
and website. Gold Affiliation costs $350 per
New York, NY 10012, 212-475-8130 325 East 88th Street
Continental Chess
year, and existing affiliates may substract $3
info@chessnyc.com New York, NY 10128
Association 212-289-5997
for each month remaining on their regular
PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, www.chessnyc.com
info@TriStateChess.com
affiliation, or $20 for each month remaining
NY 12577. www.TriStateChess.com
845-496-9658 North American Chess Association
on their Silver Affiliation. As of August 6,
chesstour@aol.com 4957 Oakton Street, Suite 113
Skokie, IL 60077, 888.80.Chess Village Chess Shop of NYC
www.chesstour.com c/o Michael Propper
sevan@nachess.org 2007, by paying an annual payment of $500
www.nachess.org 230 Thompson Street
Dallas Chess Club New York, NY 10012 (instead of $350), Gold Affiliate status may
200 S. Cottonwood Dr. Suite C PaperClip Pairings 212-475-9580 be obtained with no minimum requirement
Richardson, TX 75080 c/o J. Houghtaling Jr & Remy Ferrari info@chess-shop.com
972-231-2065 for memberships submitted.
6005 Forest Blvd www.chess-shop.com
info@dallaschess.com Brownsville, TX 78526, 956-459-2421
www.dallaschess.com jejrhoughtaling@bisd.us Western PA Youth Chess Club SILVER
Any affiliate that has submitted at least 25
Attn: Jerry Meyers
USCF memberships during the current or
International Chess Academy (NJ) 4101 Windsor Street

previous calendar year, or is the recognized

28 Canterbury Lane Pittsburgh, PA 15217
New Milford, NJ 07646 412-422-1770
State Affiliate, is eligible to become a Silver
201-287-0250 catnipper99@yahoo.com
Affiliate. These affiliates will be recognized
diana@icanj.net, www.icanj.net www.youthchess.net

in a special list in Tournament Life each

month, giving the affiliate name, state, and
SILVER AFFILIATES choice of either phone number, e-mail
address, or website. Silver Affiliation costs
$150 per year, and existing affiliates may
Bay Area Chess (CA) Long Island Chess Nuts (NY) Oklahoma Chess Foundation

subtract $3 for each month remaining on

www.BayAreaChess.com 516-739-3907 www.OKchess.org

their regular affiliation. As of August 6, 2007,

Beverly Hills Chess Club (CA)
www.bhchessclub.com
En Passant Chess Club (TX)
td_edg@sbcglobal.net
Indiana State Chess Association
www.indianachess.org
Marshall Chess Club (NY)
www.marshallchessclub.org
Michigan Chess Association
www.michess.org
Monmouth Chess School & Club (NJ)
www.monmouthchess.com
Our Lady of Sorrows Academy (AZ)
professor.revesz@gmail.com
by paying an annual payment of $250.00
Silver Knights (PA)
www.silverknightschess.com (instead of $150), Silver Affiliate status may
be obtained with no minimum requirement for
Sparta Chess Club (NJ)
www.spartachessclub.org memberships submitted.

60 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org


checks at site, credit cards OK. Entry fee $50 less to all in U1310. Spe-
cial 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry- online at
chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed,
phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Re-
entry $40, not available in Open Section. GMs free, $60 deducted from
prize. 3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7, Sat 12 & 6, Sun
10 & 3:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 11:30 am, rds Sat 12, 3 &, 6,
Sun 10 & 3:15. Half point byes OK all, must commit before rd 2; limit 2
byes (limit 1 bye if under 1810/unr in Open). HR: 65-65 (poolside), 75-
75 (regular), call 518-668-5744 Mon-Fri 9 am-5pm, reserve by 5/5 or rate
may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633, or
reserve car online through chesstour.com. Unofficial uschess.org ratings
usually used if otherwise unrated. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Sal-
isbury Mills, NY 12577. www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.us,
845-496-9658. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries posted
at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.
An American Classic!
May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, Illinois
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
21st annual Chicago Open
Open Section, May 24-28: 9SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5, GM & IM norms pos-
sible, all Open entry fees $100 more than below for US players never rated
2200/over by FIDE. Under 2300 to Under 1300, May 25-28, 26-28 or
27-28: 7SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5; 2-day
option, rds. 1-4 G/40, d/5). Under 1100 (NOTE CHANGE), May 26-28
or 27-28: 7SS, G/90, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-4 G/40, d/5). Under 900,
May 27-28: 7SS, G/40, d/5. All: No 5 minute time deduction. At Westin
Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling IL 60090
(from Chicago, I-294 north to US-45 north; from Milwaukee, I-94 east to
Lake Cook Rd to US-45 south.) Free parking. Free analysis of your
games by GM John Fedorowicz, beginning two hours after the start of
each 4-day round. Free lectures by GM Fedorowicz 5pm Friday, 9 am each
day Saturday, Sunday, Monday. $100,000 guaranteed prize fund. In 9
sections. Open: $10000-5000-2500-1200-900-700-600-500-400-300,
clear or tiebreak winner bonus $200, top FIDE Under 2500/Unr $2000-
1000. FIDE rated, GM and IM norms possible. Under 2300: $5000-2500-
1200-900-700-600-500-400-300-300. FIDE rated. Under 2100: $5000-
2500-1200-900-700-600-500-400-300-300. Under 1900: $5000-2500-
1200-900-700-600-500-400-300-300. Under 1700: $5000-2500-1200-
900-700-600-500-400-300-300. Under 1500: $4000-2000- 1000-800-600-
500-400-400-300-300. Under 1300: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-
400-300-300. Under 1100: $1500-700-400-300-200-200- 100-100. Under
900: $500-300-200, trophies to first 5, top U700, U500, U300, Unrated.
Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated through 5/12
list may not win over $800 U1100, $1500 U1300 or $2500 U1500. Games
rated too late for 5/12 list not counted. 2) If official rating 5/11-4/12 or
unofficial post-event rating posted 5/24/11-5/24/12 was more than 30
points over section maximum, prize limit $1500. 3) Unrated (0-3 lifetime
games rated) cannot win over $200 inU900, $400 U1100, $700 U1300,
$1000 U1500, $1500 U1700, $2000 U1900 or $2500 U2100. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. 4) Balance of any
limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Top 7 sections Mailed EF:
5-day Open $205, 4-day $204, 3-day$203, 2-day $202 mailed by 3/29; 5-
day $225, 4-day $224, 3-day $223, 2-day $222 mailed by 5/16; all $250
at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK. Top 7 sections online EF
atchesstour.com: $207 by 3/29, $227 by 5/21, $250 after 5/21 until 2
hours before rd 1. Top 7sections phoned EF at 406-896-2038 (entry only,
no questions): $230 by 5/21 (entry only, no questions). No phone entry
after 5/21. GMs, IMs, WGMs, foreign FMs free in Open; $200 deducted
from prize. All Open Section EF $100 more for US players never rated 2200
or over by FIDE. EF $100 less to seniors age 65/over in top 7 sections.
Under 1100 EF: $85 mailed by 5/16, $87 online at chesstour.com by 5/21,
$100 at site. Under 900 EF: $35 mailed by 5/16, $37 online at chesstour.
com by 5/21, $50 at site. Online or mailed EF $5 less to ICA members;
join at il-chess.org. An ICA Tour Event. Special 1 yr USCF dues with mag-
azine if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult
$20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult
$30, Scholastic $20. Re-entry: $100, no re-entry from Open to Open. 5-
day schedule (Open): Reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rds Thu 7 pm, Fri 12 & 7, Sat
11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 4-day schedule (U2300 to U1300):
Reg. ends Fri 6pm, Rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30.
3-day schedule (U2300 to U1300): Reg. ends Sat 10 am, Rds. Sat 11,
2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day U2300 to U1300 sched-
ule: Reg. ends Sun 9 am, Rds. Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30.
4-day, 3-day & 2-day U2300 to U1300 schedules merge & compete for
same prizes. 3-day Under 1100 schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 1 pm, Rds Sat
2 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10, 2 & 6, Mon 10 & 2. 2-day Under 1100 schedule:
Reg. ends Sun 9 am, Rds Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 2. 3-day &
2-day U1100 schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under 900
schedule: Reg. ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10, 12, 2 & 3:45, Mon 10, 12, 2.
Byes: OK all, limit 4(limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd
2, others before rd 4. Hotel rates: $103-103-103-103, 800-937-8461, 847-
777-6500, reserve by 5/11 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-
331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com.
Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 points added to FIDE, 100 to FQE,
200/more to most other foreign, no pts added to CFC or Jamaica. Some
foreign ratings not accepted for U1900 or below. Highest of multiple rat-
ings usually used. Players who fail to disclose foreign or FIDE ratings may
be expelled. US player ratings: May official ratings used; FIDE ratings
used for Open Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if oth-
erwise unrated. Special rules: 1) Players must submit to a search for
electronic devices if requested by Director. In round 3 or after, players
with scores of 80% or over and their opponents may not use head-
phones, earphones, cellphones, or go to a different floor of the hotel
without Director permission. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salis-
bury Mills, NY 12577. Questions: DirectorAtChess.US, 845-496-9658,
www.chesstour.com. You may request "lowest possible section" if May rat-
ing unknown. $15 service charge for refunds. Advance entries will be
posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.
uschess.org
See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14
May 26-28 or 27-28, California, Northern
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 100 (enhanced)
Best of the West Class Championship
6SS 30/90 sd/60 (2-day rds 1-3 G/60 merge in rd4). Marriott, 2700 Mis-
sion College Blvd., Santa Clara, CA. Hotel $89. Prize: $17,000 b/264
(2/3rd guaranteed). 6 sections. Open (2200+ FIDE rated 82% Gtd): 2500-
1200-600-200, top u2300 300-100. Expert/A/B/C: 1200-600-300-100-100-
100. D/E/unr: 1000-400-200-100, top u1200 600-300-100. Unr max $300
exc in Open. EF by 5/22: $99. Onsite +$25, Play-up +$20. r/e $40. Econ
Opt: EF-20 & 2/3 calc prize (not avail in Open). GMs/IMs free: prize-EF.
May 2012 Supp, CCA min, & TD disc to place players. Sched: 3-day Reg
Sa 10-11, Rds Sa/Su 11:30-5:30, Mo 10-3:30; 2-day Reg Su 9-9:30, Rds
Su 10-12:30-2:50-5:30, Mo 10-3:30. Max two 1/2-pt byes, commit bef rd
3. Parking $5. Ent: Bay Area Chess, 1639A S. Main St., Milpitas, CA
95035. Rfnd fee $20. Info: BayAreaChess.com/bestwest. E: ask@Bay
AreaChess.com. T: 408.786.5515. NS, NC, W. Chess Magnet School JGP.
June 14, Nevada
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 80 (enhanced)
2012 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC)
See Nationals.
A Heritage Event!
An American Classic!
June 15-17 or 16-17, Nevada
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 200 (enhanced)
2012 National Open
See Nationals.
June 29-July 3 (New date), Pennsylvania
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 150 (enhanced)
9th annual Philadelphia International
9SS, 40/90,SD/30, 30 second increment. Sheraton Philadelphia City
Center Hotel, 17th & Race Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19103. Parking $10/day
chess rate with guest room at Sheraton, $20/day chess rate without guest
room, parking lot next to hotel may be much less than $20. $$G 8000:
$2000-1200-800-700-600-500-400-300, top FIDE under 2300 or unrated
$1000-500. Minimum prize $800 to foreign GMs who complete all games
with no byes (limited to first 5 foreign GMs to enter), $300 to US GMs,
foreign IMs & foreign WGMs (all must complete all games with no byes.)
IM& GM norms possible; FIDE rated. EF: Free to GMs, IMs, WGMs. For-
eign FIDE rated players: $125 mailed by 6/18, $127 online by 6/23, $150
at tmt. USA current or former FIDE 2200/up rated players: $225 mailed
by 6/18, $227 online by 6/23, $250 at tmt. Others: $325 mailed by 6/18,
$327 online by 6/23, $350 at tmt. All: No checks at site, credit cards OK.
Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine: see World Open. Schedule:
Late reg. ends Fri 10 am, rds Fri through Mon 11 & 6, Tue 11. Two half
point byes available (must commit before rd 2); norm not possible if tak-
ing bye. HR: $99-99, 215-448-2000, reserve by 6/5 or rate may increase.
Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none supplied. Ent: Continen-
tal Chess, PO Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for
refunds. Questions: 845-496-9658, www.chesstour.com. Advance entries
posted at chesstour.com. Invitations: GoAtChess.us (use @ instead of
at). Chess Magnet School JGP.
A Heritage Event!
An American Classic!
July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, Pennsylvania
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 300 (enhanced)
40th Annual World Open
9SS (Senior Amateur, Women's Championship and Under 13 Booster are
6SS). Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, 17th & Race Streets,
Philadelphia, PA 19103. For shuttle info from Philadelphia Airport, call 800-
559-2040 or 215-616-5370. Parking $10/day chess rate with guest room
at Sheraton, $20/day chess rate without guest room, Gateway lot at 1540
Vine, 1 block from hotel, is about $5/day Sat & Sun, $18/day other
days. In 13 sections with $250,000 projected prizes, $200,000 mini-
mum. 80% of each prize guaranteed based on 1180 paid entries total in
first 9 listed sections, all prizes guaranteed in Senior Amateur, Womens
Championship, Under 13 Championship, and Under 13 Booster. GMs,
IMs, WGMs, Under 1200, seniors count as 50% entries, Under 900 as
15%entries. Free analysis of your games by GM Sam Palatnik 7/4-8; free
GM lectures 9 am 7/6 & 7/7. Time controls: Open 40/90, SD/30, 30 sec-
ond increment. U2400, U2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, U1200
40/2, SD/1, d/5 (4-day option rds 1-2 G/75, d/5, 3-day option rds 1-5
G/45, d/5). U900, Under 13 Championship, Under 13 Booster G/65,
d/5. Senior Amateur, Womens Championship 40/2, SD/1,d/5. Open,
9SS, July 4-8 or 2-8: $20000-10000-5000-2500-1200-1000-800-700-600-
500, clear winner bonus $300, top FIDE U2500 $2000-1000. If tie for first,
top 2 on tiebreak play speed game 11:30 pm 7/8 for title & bonus prize.
GM & IM norms possible. FIDE rated. Under 2400/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8,
5-8, 6-8 or 2-8: $13000-7000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top
U2300/Unr $2000-1000. FIDE rated. Under 2200/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8,
5-8, 6-8 or 2-8: $13000-7000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top
U2100 (no unr) $2000-1000. FIDE rated. Under 2000/Unr, 9SS, July 4-
8, 5-8, 6-8 or 2-8: $13000-7000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500,
top U1900 (no unr) $2000-1000. Under 1800/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8,
6-8 or 2-8: $13000-7000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top
U1700 (no unr) $2000-1000. Under 1600/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8
or 2-8: $11000-6000-3000-1500-1000-900-800-700-600-500, top 1500 (no
unr) $2000-1000. Under 1400/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8 or 6-8: $10000-
5000-2500-1200-1000-800-700-600-500-400, top U1300 (no unr)
$1600-800. Under 1200/Unr, 9SS, July 4-8, 5-8 or 6-8: $5000-2500-
1200-1000-800-700-600-500-400-300, top U1100 (no Unr) $1200-600.
Under 900/Unr, 9SS, July 6-8: $1000-700-500-400-300-300-300, tro-
phies to first 10, top U700, U500, U300, Unrated. Senior Amateur, 6SS,
July 1-3: Open to Under 2010 or unrated born before 7/4/62. $$ 500-
300-200, topU1810 $280-140, top U1610/Unr $250-130, top U1410 $200.
Women's Championship, 6SS, July 1-3: Open to all females. $$ 500-
300-200, top U1800 $240, U1600 $220, U1400 $200, U1200 $180, U1000
$160, trophy to top U800, U600, Unrated. FIDE rated. Under 13 Cham-
pionship, 9SS, July 1-3: Open to all born after 7/3/99. Trophies to top
10, 1st C, D, E, Unrated. Free entry to all CCA tournaments 7/15/11-
12/31/11 to 1st. Under 13 Booster, 6SS, July 4-5: Open to all born after
7/5/99 rated under 1000 or unrated. Trophies to top 10, 1st U800, U600,
U400, U200; free entry to all CCA tournaments 7/15/12-10/31/12 to1st.
Prize limits: 1) Players with under 26 games played as of 7/12 official
list may not win over $600 in U900, $1500 in U1200, $3000 in U1400 or
U1600. Games rated too late for 7/12 list not counted. 2) If official rat-
ing 7/11-6/12 or unofficial post-event rating posted 7/3/11-7/3/12
was more than 30 points over section maximum, prize limit $2000. 3)
Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) cannot win over $300 in U900, $800
U1200, $1200 U1400, $1600 U1600, $2000 U1800, or $2500 U2000. 4)
Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Open, U2400,
U2200, U2200, U1800, U1600, U1400 EF: Mailed by 2/15, all 5-day $305,
4-day $304, 3-day $303, 7-day $307. Open has 5-day and 7-day only; no
7-day in U1400 orU1200. Mailed by 5/15 all $10 more, mailed by 6/20
all $20 move. Online at chesstour.com, all $307 by2/15, $317 by 5/15,
$327 by 6/25, $350 6/26 to 2 hours before round 1 or at site. Phoned
to 406-896-2038, all $330 by 6/25. At site, all $350; no checks, credit cards
OK. GMs free in Open; $200 deducted from prize. IMs, WGMs EF $100
less, $100 deducted from prize. All Open Section EF $100 more for US
players never rated 2200 or over by FIDE. Under 1200 Section EF: all
$150 less. EF for U900 Section, or unrated in U1200 Section: $43
mailed by 6/20, $47 online at chesstour.com by 6/25, $60 online to 2 hours
before round 1 or at site. Rated seniors 65/up in U1400 or over: all $150
less. Senior Amateur or Women's Championship EF: $76 mailed by
6/20, $78 online by 6/25, $90 at site. Under 13 Championship or
Under 13 Novice EF: $39 mailed by 6/20, $41 online by 6/25, $50 at site.
No checks at site; credit cards OK. Re-entry: $160, no re-entry from Open
to Open. $20 fee for switching section after 7/3. Special 1 year USCF
dues with magazine if paid with entry: Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30,
Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40,
Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20. Open to U1200 5-day schedule: Wed
7 pm, Thu 11 am & 6 pm, Fri 11 am & 6 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10
am & 5 pm. U2400 to U1200 4-day schedule: Thu 11, 2:30 & 6, Fri 11
& 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. U2400 to U1200 3-day schedule: Fri 11,
1:30, 3:30, 6 & 8:30, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. Open to U1600 7-day sched-
ule: Mon-Wed 7 pm, Thu-Fri 6 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 5. All above
schedules merge & compete for same prizes. Under 900 schedule: Fri
11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Sat & Sun each 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm. Senior Ama-
teur & Women's Championship schedule: Sun 11 am & 6 pm, Mon 10
& 5, Tue 10 & 4:30. Under 13 Championship schedule: Sun 11 am, 2
pm & 5 pm, Mon 10, 1 & 4, Tue 10, 1 & 4. Under 13 Booster schedule:
Wed 11 am, 2 pm & 5 pm, Thu 10, 1 & 4. Half point byes OK all, limit 4
(limit 2 in last 4 rds), Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd
4. Limit 1 half point bye in 6 round sections. Entries, re-entries close 1
hour before your first game. Bring sets, boards, clocks if possible- none
supplied. HR: $99-99, 215-448-2000, ask for chess rate, may sell out about
May 31, two night minimum July 6-7. Special car rental rates: Avis, 800-
331-1600, AWD #D657633, or reserve car online through chesstour.com.
Foreign player ratings: Usually 100 pts added to FIDE (except Open Sec-
tion), 100 to FQE, 200 or more to most foreign, no pts added to CFC, Puerto
Rico or Jamaica. Some foreign ratings not accepted for U2000 or below.
Highest of multiple ratings usually used. Players who fail to disclose for-
CONTINENTAL CHESS SCHEDULE
Visit our website at www. chesstour. com for
late news, results, games, CCA minimum ratings,
advance entries, and more!
Most tournaments have alternate schedules
playing less or more days than listed below.
Asterisk means full details in this issue-
otherwise, see future issues or our website.
3/2-4: Eastern C lass C hampionshipos, Sturbridge M A*
3/3-4: N ew Y ork State Scholastics, Saratoga Springs N Y *
3/9-11: W estern C lass C hampionships, Agoura Hills C A*
3/16-18: M id-America O pen, St Louis M O *
3/16-18: Long Island O pen, R onkonkoma N Y *
3/23-25: Pittsburgh O pen, Pittsburgh PA*
3/30-4/1: Southern C lass, O rlando FL*
4/4-8: Philadelphia O pen, Philadelphia PA*
4/27-29: G reen M ountain O pen, R utland V T*
5/4-6: W estern Amateur, Los Angeles C A*
5/18-20: N ew Y ork State O pen, Lake G eorge N Y *
5/24-28: C hicago O pen, W heeling IL*
6/29-7/3: Philadelphia International, Philadelphia PA*
7/4-8: W orld O pen, Philadelphia PA*
7/20-22: C hicago C lass, W heeling IL
7/20-22: Pacific C oast O pen, Agoura Hills C A
7/27-29: Southern O pen, O rlando FL
7/27-29: Bradley O pen, W indsor Locks C T
8/3-5: C leveland O pen, C leveland O H
8/10-12: C ontinental O pen, Sturbridge M A
8/17-19: M anhattan O pen, N ew Y ork N Y
8/17-19: C entral C alifornia O pen, Fresno C A
8/24-26: Atlantic O pen, W ashington D C
9/1-3: N ew Y ork State C hampionship, Albany N Y
9/21-23: Louisville O pen, Louisville KY
10/4-8: C ontinental C lass, Arlimgton V A
10/5-7: Los Angeles O pen, Los Angeles C A
10/12-14: M idw est C lass, W heeling IL
10/19-21: Boardw alk O pen, Asbury Park N J
11/9-11: Kings Island O pen, M ason O H
F or later events, see chesstour.com .
Chess Life February 2012 61
 Tournament Life

eign or FIDE ratings may be expelled. US player ratings: Official July
ratings used; FIDE ratings used for Open Section only. Unofficial
uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special rules:
1) Players must submit to a search for electronic devices if requested
by Director. In round 3 or after, players with scores of 80% or over and
their opponents may not use headphones, earphones, cell phones or go
to a different floor of the hotel without Director permission. Ent: Conti-
nental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills, NY 12577. Questions:
www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845-496-9658. You may request
lowest possible section if July rating unknown. $15 service charge for
refunds. Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com. Bring set, board,
clock if possible- none supplied. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Jul. 28-Aug. 1, Maryland
Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 150
2012 Washington International
9SS, 40/90, SD/30 inc/30. Rockville Hilton, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville,
MD 20852, 301-468-0308. Guaranteed Prizes: $5000-3000-2000-1000-
900-800-700-600-500-500, top U2500 $700-300, top U2300 $700-300.
(minimum 2100 FIDE to play. FIDE ratings used for pairings and
prizes). Sets, board and clocks provided. GM and IM norms pos-
sible. Free Continental breakfast every morning. Optionally, pairings
can be texted to your phone. EF: GMs, non-US IMs, or FIDE over 2500
Free, US IMs, non-US FIDE rated, or FIDE over 2400 $200, FIDE over 2300
$300, FIDE over 2200 $400, FIDE under 2200 $500. All $25 more after
6/1, $50 more after 6/29, $75 more after 7/24, $100 more at the door.
Special EFs: ALL EFs $50 less, if staying at the Hilton. Schedule: Reg
ends Sat 10 am, rds 7/28-7/31:11&6, Wed 8/1 10am. HR: $98. Ent: MCA,
c/o Michael Regan, 1827 Thornton Ridge Rd., Towson, MD 21204. More
information, link for hotel reservation & online entry at: http://washing-
ton internationalchess.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Regional
Alabama
A Heritage Event!
Feb. 18-19, Queen of Hearts - 40th Annual
5SS, TC: 30/90; SD/30. AUM Taylor Center. 7401 East Dr., Montgomery,
AL 36117. OPEN ($$b/25): $325-200-150-A:125-U1800: $100; RESERVE
($$ b/25): $275-150-125-E:100-U1000: $75. Late REG.: FEB 18th, 8-
8:45am. Rds.: 9-2-7; 9-2:30. EF: $40; if mailed by FEB 11th; $50 at site.
SCHOLASTIC (K-12): 5SS, TC: G/30. PREMIER (UNR-1200) and NOVICE
(K-8; Not Rated): EF: $20/$10; if mailed by FEB 11th, $10 more at site.
Trophy: Top 3; Medals 4th-6th. Rds.: 9-10:15-12-1:15, 2:30. Checks
payable to: Montgomery Chess Club. ENT: Montgomery Chess Club,
2625 Burkelaun Dr., Montgomery, AL 36111. Info: ChessClubMont
gomery@gmail.com/www.AlabamaChess.com. Chess Magnet
School JGP.
Mar. 3, Alabaster Scholastic
5SS, TC: G/30. Thompson Intermediate School, 10019 Hwy 119,
Alabaster, AL 35007. Open (K-12): EF: $20; Middle (K-8), Elementary (K-
4): EF: $10, if mailed by FEB 25th. Trophy: Top 3 Individual, Medals
4th-6th. Late REG.: MAR 3rd at 8AM. Rds.: 9-10:15-12-1:15-2:30. Checks
payable to: Caesar Chess. ENT: Caesar Chess LLC, 5184 Caldwell Mill
Road, Suite 204 - 202, Birmingham, AL 35244. Info: CaesarChess@yahoo.
com/www.AlabamaChess.com.
Mar. 30-Apr. 1 or Mar. 31-Apr. 1, 10th Annual Southern Class Cham-
pionships (FL)
See Grand Prix.
Arizona
Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, Southern Rocky Fide Open (NM)
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 25, Liulia Cardona's Tempe Open
4 round, USCF rated tournament; SECTIONS: USCF: 2000 & up/1600-
1999/1200-1599/U1200. ASCF: U1000; G/60 for the top 4 sections.
G/30 for U1000; ROUND TIMES: 4 top sections: 9am/11:15am/1:30pm/
3:30pm. 5:30pm Ceremony. U/1000: 9am/10:15am/12:00pm/1:15pm.
2:30pm Ceremony. PRIZES: $200 1st, $100 2nd 2000 & up/ Top 3 trophies
in 1600-1999, 1200-1599, and U1200/ Top 5 U1000 plus best U800 and
U600; ENTRY FEE: $20 by 2/22, $23 by 2/23, $26 by 2/24, $30 at site.
$10 to play up. TO REGISTER: chessemporium.com, call 602-482-4867.
SITE: 1835 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe, AZ.
Mar. 9-11 or 10-11, 19th annual Western Class Championships
(CA-S)
See Grand Prix.
May 4-6 or 5-6, Western Amateur (CA-S)
See California, Southern.
California, Northern
Capital City C. C. Sundays Chess for Kids
Round Table Pizza, 3005 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento. Quads (3/RR). T/C:
G/30 w/5 Second Delay. RDS.: 12pm/Ongoing. PRIZES: 1st - Trophy or
Inscribed Chess Clock, 1st thru 4th - Medals or Pins. TIE-BREAK: G/7 w/3
Second Delay. EF: $20 (Includes $5 Food Gift Certificate). REG.: 11am at
Site Only. DIRECTOR: John C. Barnard 209-450-6133. JohnCharles
Barnard@gmail.com, capitalcitychessclub.com.
Feb. 11, Pleasanton Taco Bell Quads at Hilton
Hilton, 7050 Johnson Dr., Pleasanton. Trophies: Players w/winning
record. Sched: Check-in 4p, Games 4:30-6:30p. 3xG/30. EF: $25 by
2/9, Onsite +$15. Info/flyer: BayAreaChess.com/tacobell12. NS. NC.
Feb. 11, Pleasanton Taco Bell $uperSwiss at Hilton
Hilton, 7050 Johnson Dr., Pleasanton. Prize: $1,000 b/44. Sched: Reg
9-9:30 4ssxG/60 10 12:30 2:50 5:10. 2 Sects: u1700, 1700+. EF: $44
by 2/9. Info: BayAreaChess.com/superswiss12. NS, NC, W.
Feb. 11, Pleasanton Taco Bell Swiss at Hilton
Hilton, 7050 Johnson Dr., Pleasanton. Trophies: Players w/winning
record, teams w/2+ players. Sched: Reg 9-9:30a. Games 10a-2p. 3 Sec-
tions: u500 5xG/30, u900 5xG/30, 900+ 4xG/45. EF: $33 by 2/9, Onsite
+$15. Info/flyer: BayAreaChess.com/tacobell12. NS. NC.
Feb. 18-20, 29th Annual U.S. Amateur Team Championship West
See Nationals.
Mar. 3-4, 2012 U.S. Junior Chess Congress
See Nationals.
Mar. 9-11 or 10-11, 19th annual Western Class Championships (CA-
S)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, Bay Area Chess Spring Open
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 31, Santa Clara County Elementary Championship
Harker Middle, 3800 Blackford Ave., San Jose. Trophies: Top 7 players
& Top 5 teams in each section. 7 sections based on grade KG-6. Sched:
Reg. 8:30-9a. KG, Gr 1 2 3: 5xG/30 games 9:30, 10:45, 12:30, 1:45, 3.
Gr 4 5 6: 4xG/45 games 9:30, 11:15, 1:15, 3. EF: $37 by 3/28. Info/flyer:
BayAreaChess.com/santaclara12. NS, NC, W.
Apr. 7, May 6, Bay Area Chess4Less Quads
1639A S. Main St., Milpitas. Trophies for winning record. Sched: Check-
in by: 3:15p, 3xG/30. Games: 3:45-6. EF: $19 by Wed before tourney.
Info/flyer: BayAreaChess.com/chess4less. NS. NC.
Apr. 7, May 6, Bay Area Chess 4 Less Swiss
1639A S. Main St., Milpitas. Trophies: Players w/winning record, teams
w/2+ players. Sched: Reg. 8:30-9a. Games: 9:30a-2p. 3 Sections: u500
5xG/30, u900 5xG/30, 900+ 4xG/45. EF: $27 by Wed before tourney.
Info/flyer: BayAreaChess.com/chess4less. NS. NC.
A State Championship Event!
Apr. 20 or 21 or 22 or 21-22, CalChess State Scholastics Champi-
onship 2012
Note corrections: Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America
Pkwy. Park free. Hotel $109: Hyatt Regency, 5101 Great America Pkwy.,
Santa Clara. Main Event: Trophies to all KG & top 20 players (winning
record) in each section. Medals to others. K-3 u900 sections: Sat 9a. K
& 4-6 u750: Sun 9a. Blitz Fr 6-8:30p. Bughouse Sa 6-8:30p. EF by 4/10:
1-day $48, 2-day $60. Onsite+$40. Apr Supp & TD disc to place players.
Info/reg: CalChessScholastics.org. Quest: ask@BayAreaChess.com.
USCF+CalChess Mem reqd. NS, NC, W.
May 4-6 or 5-6, Western Amateur (CA-S)
See California, Southern.

CHECK OUT USCFS CORRESPONDENCE CHESS RATED EVENTS!

2012 Open Correspondence Chess Golden Knights Championship CORRESPONDENCE CHESS MATCHES (TWO PLAYERS)
Two or six-game options. ENTRY FEE: $5.
th $1,000 F IRST P RIZE
USCF s 65 (plus title of USCFs Golden Knights Champion and plaque) Win A Correspondence Chess Trophy

ANNUAL 2nd place $600 3rd place $400 4th place $300 5th place $200
Four-player, double round-robin with class-level pairings.
1st-place winner receives a trophy.
6th thru 10th place $100 each ENTRY FEE: $25 ENTRY FEE: $10.
These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF members who reside on the North American continent, Victor Palciauskas Prize Tournaments
islands, or Hawaii, as well as those USCF members with an APO or FPO address. USCF members who reside outside of the North Seven-player class-level pairings, one game with each
American continent are welcome to participate in e-mail events. Your USCF membership must remain current for the duration of of six opponents.
the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars. Those new to USCF Correspondence Chess, please estimate your strength: 1st-place winner receives $130 cash prize and a certificate
Class A: 1800-1999 (very strong); Class B: 1600-1799 (strong); Class C: 1400-1599 (intermediate); Class D: 1399 and below signed by Victor Palciauskas.
ENTRY FEE: $25.
(beginner level). Note: Prize fund based on 300 entries and may be decreased proportionately per number of entries assigned.
John W. Collins Memorial Class Tournaments
Four-player, double round-robin with class-level pairings
(unrateds welcome).
2012 E-mail Correspondence Chess Electronic Knights Championship 1st-place winner receives a John W. Collins certificate.
ENTRY FEE: $7.
(Seven-player sections, one game with each of six opponents.)
USCF s 9
th
$700 FIRST PRIZE
ANNUAL (plus title of USCFs Electronic Knights Champion and plaque)
E-MAIL RATED EVENTS (NEED E-MAIL ACCESS):
Lightning Match
2nd place $400 3rd place $300 4th thru 10th place $100 each ENTRY FEE: $25 Two players with two or six-game option. ENTRY FEE: $5.
These USCF Correspondence Chess events are rated and open to all USCF members with e-mail access. Your USCF Swift Quads
membership must remain current for the duration of the event, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars. Maximum Four-player, double round-robin format.
number of tournament entries allowed for the year for each player is ten. Note: Prize fund based on 200 entries 1st-place prize merchandise credit of $30.
and may be decreased proportionately per number of entries assigned. ENTRY FEE: $10.
Walter Muir E-Quads (webserver chess)
TO ENTER: 800-903-USCF(8723) OR FAX 931-787-1200 OR ONLINE AT WWW.USCHESS.ORG Four-player, double round-robin e-mail format tournament
with class-level pairings.
Name_________________________________________ USCF ID#_______________________________________ 1st-place receives a certificate.
Address _______________________________________ City___________________ State ___ ZIP ____________ ENTRY FEE: $7.
Phone __________________________ E-mail____________________________________ Est. Rating __________ Please circle event(s) selected.
Credit card # (VISA, MC, Disc., AMEX) _________________________________________ Exp. date ________________
If using VISA, need V-code ________________ q Check here if you do not wish to have an opponent who is incarcerated. NOTE: Except for Lightning Matches, Swift Quads, Walter
*Note: This may slow down your assignment. Muir E-Quads & Electronic Knights, players will use post
office mail, unless opponents agree to use e-mail.
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO U.S. CHESS AND MAIL TO: JOAN DUBOIS, USCF, PO BOX 3967, CROSSVILLE, TN 38557

62 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org


May 26-28 or 27-28, Best of the West Class Championship
See Grand Prix.
May 27, Azhar Memorial NorCal Grade Level Champ
Marriott, 2700 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, CA. Hotel $89. Trophies:
Top 20 players & Top 10 teams in ea section. 8 sections: KG 1 2 3 4 5 6
7-12. Sched: Reg. 8:30-9a. K-3: 5xG/30 games 9:30 11 12:30 1:50
3:15. Gr 4-12: 4xG4/5 games 9:30 11:20 1:15 3:15. EF by 5/22: $39. Info:
BayAreaChess.com/grade12. NS, NC, W.
California, Southern
The premier chess club in Southern California! (310) 795-
Los Angeles CHESS CLUB
5710 * www.LAChessClub.com. The premier chess club
in Southern California! Saturdays: 10AM-10 pm (Novice
Class & 3 Tournaments) Sundays: 12-6 & 1-5 pm
(Beginner class & 2 Tournaments) Details on our web
site Tuesdays: 7:30-9:30 pm (Intermediate/Advance
Lecture) 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
90025 * (310) 795-5710 (4 blocks 405 West, Santa
Monica& Butler * 2nd Floor above Javan Restaurant)
* Group Classes * Tournaments * Private (1:1) Lessons.
Feb. 4&5, 18&19, 25&26, LACC - Sat & Sun G/61
6SS, G/61. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $45 ($35 LACC
memb). Reg.: 11-12 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm each day. Prizes: 1/2 collec-
tions. Parking: Free at BoA and streets ($3 basement). Info: 310/795-
5710 or Mick@LAChessClub.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, LACC - LA Masters G/30
3SS, G/30. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd Fl. 4 blks W 405.
EF: $30 ($20 memb). Reg.: 5-6 pm. Rds.: 6, 7, 8 pm. Prizes: ($180
b/10, 75%); Parking: Free at BoA ($3 basement). Info: 310/795-5710.
Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, LACC - Sat Nite Blitz (G/5) (QC)
5DSS, (10 Games). 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blks
W 405. EF: $10. Q-rated. Reg.: 8-9 pm. Rds.: 9, 9:20, 9:40, 10, 10:20.
Prizes: 1/2 EF. Parking: Free on Butler ($3 basement).
Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, LACC - Saturday G/61
3SS, G/61. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. ($320 b/20),
$100/50/30; U1800-1200:$50/40/30/20. EF: $25 ($20 memb). Reg.: 11-
12 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm. Parking: basement ($3). Info: 310/795-5710.
Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, LACC - Sunday G/61
3SS, G/61. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025 2nd fl. ($320 b/20),
$100/50/30; U1800-1200:$50/40/30/20. EF: $25 ($20 memb). Reg.: 11-
12 pm. Rds.: 12, 2, 4 pm. Parking: Free at BoA and streets ($3 basement).
Info: 310/795-5710.
Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, LACC - Every Sunday Chess 4 Jrs.
4 separate events 2 Sections: 1000+ & U1000 (latest ratings used),
5SS, G/30. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 90025, 2nd fl. 4 blocks W 405.
EF: $25 ($20 LACC memb, $10 off siblings, Free new LACC memb). Reg.:
12-1 pm. Rds.: 1, 2, 3, 4 pm; Prizes: Trophies (Top 3) & Medals (rest);
each player receives a prize! Parking: Free at BoA and streets. Free
snacks & free class (12-1). Info: (310) 795-5710 or Mick@LAChessClub.
com.
Feb. 11-12, What's in a Name?
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 18-19, LACC - Sat & Sun G/90
4SS, G/90. 11514 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90025, 2nd fl. EF: $45 ($35 LACC
memb). Reg.: 11-12 pm. Rds.: 12, 3 pm each day. Prizes: 1/2 collections.
Parking: Free on Butler ($3 basement). Info: 310/795-5710 or
Mick@LAChessClub.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 18-20, The Recession Buster Open (over Presidents' Day
weekend)
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, Southern Rocky Fide Open (NM)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 9-11 or 10-11, 19th annual Western Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 17, Joshua Tree March Madness
4SS, G/60, T/D:0. Reg.: 8-9:15. Rnds. 9:30, 11:45, 2:45, 5:00. Faith
Lutheran Church, 6336 Hallee Rd., Joshua Tree. (2 blks N. of Hwy 62). EF:
$30. Prizes: 70% EF. Info and Ent: Mark Muller, P.O. Box 502, 29 Palms,
CA 92277, (760)367-2311, Email: muller29@roadrunner.com. NS, NC, W.
Apr. 27-29, 2012 National Junior High (K-9) Championship
See Nationals.
May 4-6 or 5-6, Western Amateur
5SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75, d/5). Sheraton Four
Points LAX, 9750 Airport Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. Special parking
$5/day. $$10,000 guaranteed. In 5 sections. Under 2300: $1000-500-
300-200, top Under 2100/Unr $400-200. FIDE. Under 2000: $1000-
500-300-200, top Under 1800 $400-200. Under 1700: $800-500-300-200,
top Under 1500 $400-200. Under 1400: $600-300-200-100, top Under
1200 $300-150. Under 1100: $400-200-100-50, trophies to top 3,1st Under
900, Under 700, Under 500, Unrated. Unrated may not win over $200 in
U1100, $300 U1400, or $500 U1700. Top 3 sections EF: 3-day $83, 2-
day $82 mailed by 4/26, all $85 online at chesstour.com by 5/1, $90
phoned to 406-896-2038 by 5/1 (entry only, no questions), $100 (no
checks, credit cards OK) at site. U1400 Section EF: All $20 less than top
3 sections EF. U1100 Section EF: All $40 less than top 3 sections EF. All:
re-entry $60. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if other
unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry.
Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic$15.
Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20.
3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 6 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10
& 4:15. 2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 10 am, rds. Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun
10 & 4:15. All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 3.
HR: $89-89, 1-800-529-4683, 310-649-7025; reserve by 4/20 or rate may
increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, AWDD657633, or reserve car
uschess.org
See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14
online through chesstour.com. Ent: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury
Mills, NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: www.chess
tour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at
chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Colorado
Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, Southern Rocky Fide Open (NM)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 10-11, Manitou Springs: COLORADO SPRINGS OPEN
5-SS, Rds. 1-3 40/90 and G/1; Rds. 4-5 40/2 and G/1. Manitou Springs
City Hall, 606 Manitou Ave., One open section. EF: $30 if rec'd by March
8, $35 at site. $8 EF discount for juniors, seniors, unrated. CSCA required,
($15, jrs & srs 10), OSA. Cash prizes per entries. Registration: 8:30-9:30,
Rds. 10, 2:30, 7:00; 9:00 AM, 3:00. Entries to: Richard Buchanan, 1 Suther-
land Rd., Manitou Springs, CO 80829. Phone (719) 685-1984 or e-mail
buckpeace@pcisys.net. COLORADO TOUR EVENT. Chess Magnet School
JGP.
May 4-6 or 5-6, Western Amateur (CA-S)
See California, Southern.
Connecticut
Feb. 4, Brown University Open (RI)
See Rhode Island.
Feb. 11, Blizzard Open
CH Booth Library, 25 Main St., 3rd Fl., Newtown, CT 06470, 100 yds. south
of Flagpole on Rte. 25. 3SS, G/45. Prizes: $$ per entries. Rds.: 12:15,
and as available thereafter. EF: $15 at door only. Reg.: 11:30-12. Info:
licensingagent@yahoo.com. Check website in case of inclement weather:
newtownchessclub.wetpaint.com. Arrive early, space is limited. NS, NC,
W.
Feb. 25, Mikhail Tal Memorial
CH Booth Library, 25 Main St., 3rd Fl., Newtown, CT 06470, 100 yds. south
of Flagpole on Rte. 25. 3SS or 3RR, depending on number of entries and
ratings, G/45. Prizes: $$ per entries. Rds.: 12:15, and as available
thereafter. EF: $15 at door only. Reg.: 11:30-12. Info: licensingagent@
yahoo.com. Check website in case of inclement weather: newtownchess
club.wetpaint.com. Arrive early, space is limited. NS, NC, W.
Mar. 2-4 or 3-4, 21st annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 10, Fischer Memorial
CH Booth Library, 25 Main St., 3rd Fl., Newtown, CT 06470, 100 yds. south
of Flagpole on Rte.25. 3SS, G/45. Prizes: $$ per entries. Rds.: 12:15, and
as available thereafter. EF: $15 at door only. Reg.: 11:30-12. Info:
licensingagent@yahoo.com. Check website in case of inclement weather:
newtownchessclub.wetpaint.com. Arrive early, space is limited. NS, NC,
W.
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, Long Island Open (NY)
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 24, 2012 K-6, K-8, K-12 Connecticut Scholastic Champi-
onships
Held at RLMS on the Same Day! (A CT State Chess Association (CSCA)
sanctioned event hosted by the Roger Ludlowe Middle School PTA and
DJA Chess Instruction) 5SS, G/30. Roger Ludlowe Middle School (RLMS),
689 Unquowa Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824, (203) 255-8345 (I-95 exit 21 Mill
Plain Road). Out of state players: prize and scholarship eligible except
for 2012 Dewain Barber Tournament of K-8 Champions awards.
Championship Sections: Middle School (Grades 6 through 8), Elemen-
tary (Grades 4 and 5), Primary (Grades 2 and 3), First Grade, Kindergarten;
Novice Sections: Middle School (Grades 6 through 8 U1000), Elemen-
tary (Grades 4 and 5 U800), Primary (Grades 2 and 3 U600); EF: $55 if
postmarked by 3/11; $75 by 3/18; $100 by 3/23 or later. NO ONSITE
ENTRIES! Entry Fee includes $5 CSCA annual membership and participa-
tion fee. RDS.: 9:15-11:30-1:00-2:30-4:00 or as soon as possible if
round finishes earlier; team pairings in rounds 1-4 only. Awards Cere-
mony: 6:00 PM. Grade Champion Plaques: Grade champions will be
awarded for each grade in the Championship and Premier sections. A
Grade champion will be awarded for each grade; Top CT resident or top
out-of-state resident attending a CT school full-time receives a plaque
as top overall CT grade champion of that section. Championship and Pre-
mier Section; The highest scoring Connecticut player in the Middle School
Championship Section will be awarded the K-8 Open State Champion Title
and eligibility for the 2012 Dewain Barber Tournament of K-8 Cham-
pions; $300 CSCA grant applied as assistance in travel expenses to this
national tournament event for the winner. Trophy Prizes Based on 50
entries PER SECTION (400 total entries). Trophy Prizes may be scaled down
(or up). Individual and team trophies to be awarded as follows: Trophies
to top 10; Trophies to top 5 unrated in each Premier Section. Team tro-
phies to top 10 in each section; Large medals to all non-trophy winners;
Top 10 schools combined sections team awards. All Sections: 3/2012
Supplement used for Ratings and Pairings; Minimum of 2 players com-
prise a team, top 4 scores counted as team score. Team Rooms:
Available through the RLMS PTA at $100/room/day. Contact Mrs. Laura
Bernaschina (lamb5@optonline.net) for reservations and details. ENT:
DJA Chess Instruction, 248 Mill Street, Southington, CT 06489. NO
PHONE ENTRIES. Please include name, grade, school, section, USCF ID#,
Exp. Date, home address, birth date, parent home and work phone num-
bers, parents' names, e-mail address, and name of adult supervisor if
under 16. INCOMPLETE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. NOTE: MAKE
CHECKS PAYABLE TO: CT ST SCHOLASTIC CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP. Info:
DJA Chess Instruction office (860) 628-6777.
Mar. 24, Newtown Spring Open
CH Booth Library, 25 Main St., 3rd Fl., Newtown, CT 06470, 100 yds. south
of Flagpole on Rte.25. 3SS, G/45. Prizes: $$ per entries. Rds.: 12:15, and
as available thereafter. In 2 Sections: Open, Under 1200/Unrated.
Unrated may not win more than 50% of prizes. EF: Both Sections: $15
at door only. Reg.: 11:30-12. Info: licensingagent@yahoo.com. Check
website in case of inclement weather: newtownchessclub.wetpaint.com.
Arrive early, space is limited. NS, NC, W.
Mar. 31, 2012 CT Open State Championship
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 31, 2012 New Haven Scholastic Championship
5-SS, G/30. Hopkins School, 986 Forest Rd., New Haven, CT. 06515.
Three Sections: U1200, U1000, U800/unrated. EF: $50 Online or mail,
$100 at site. Trophies: Top 5 each section, Top 3 Scholastic Teams. ONE
DAY Reg.: 9:00-9:45. Rd. 1 10am then asap. Register Online: www.edu
techchess.com or www.CTChess.com.
Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, 6th annual Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 23rd annual Vermont Resort Open (VT)
See Grand Prix.
Delaware
Newark Chess Club
4-SS, G/75. USCF-rated games every Thursday 7-10 PM. 345 School
Bell Rd., Bear, DE 19701. For a full year of weekly games $22 for in-state
players, $15 out-of-state! www.newarkchessclub.blogspot.com, newark
chess@gmail.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Florida
Boca Raton Chess Club
Friday nights, Game 90 Tournament, one game a week for 4 weeks.
www.bocachess.com, 561-479-0351. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Epicure Grand Prix Series at Miami Country Day
Scholastic and Non-Scholastic Sections. More info at: www.bocachess.com
or call 954-421-8222 or 561-479-0351.
Pine Crest School Scholastic Grand Prix Series, Boca Raton
More info at: www.bocachess.com or call 561-479-0351.
South Florida Chess Club
Wednesday's 6:30-10:30pm. Rated G/90 Tournaments and skittles. Most
tournaments are 4+ rounds Call 561-573-3677 or 954-304-0928 or
email southfloridachessclub@gmail.com or visit www.SouthFloridaChess
Club.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 4, February OCG Open
Orlando Chess and Games Center. 4SS, G/75. EF: $30. PF: $650 b/30
$250-$150-$100 best U-1600, U-1200, $75 each. Reg.: 9:15-9:45 am.
RDS.: 10am-12:30pm-3pm-6pm, www.orlandochess.com. Info: call 407-
248-0818 or email alex@orlandochess.com. Chess Magnet School
JGP.
Feb. 11, February OCG Quick Open (QC)
Orlando Chess and Games Center. 6SS, G/29. EF: $30. PF: $650 b/30:
$250-$150-$100, U-1600, U-1200 $75 each. Reg.: 9:15-9:55 am. RDS.:
10-11-12:30-1:30-2:30-3:30, www.orlandochess.com. Info: call 407-248-
0818 or email alex@orlandochess.com.
Feb. 17-19 or 18-19, 2012 U.S. Amateur Team Championship -
South
See Nationals.
Feb. 25, February Scholastic Tournament
Orlando Chess and Games Center. 5SS, G/30. EF: $30. Trophies and
medals to all players, awards at 3:30 pm. Reg.: 9:15-9:55 am. RDS.: 10-
11-12-1:30-2:30, www.orlandochess.com. Info: call 407-248-0818 or
email alex@orlandochess.com.
Mar. 3, March OCG Open
Orlando Chess and Games Center. 4SS, G/75. EF: $30. PF: $650 b/30:
$250-$150-$100 best U-1600, U-1200, $75 each. Reg.: 9:15-9:45 am.
RDS.: 10am-12:30pm-3pm-6pm, www.orlandochess.com. Info: call 407-
248-0818 or email alex@orlandochess.com. Chess Magnet School
JGP.
Mar. 10, March OCG Quick Open (QC)
Orlando Chess and Games Center. 6SS, G/29. EF: $30. PF: $650 b/30:
$250-$150-$100, U-1600, U-1200 $75 each. Reg.: 9:15-9:55 am. RDS.:
10-11-12:30-1:30-2:30-3:30, www.orlandochess.com. Info: call 407-248-
0818 or email alex@orlandochess.com.
Mar. 30-Apr. 1 or Mar. 31-Apr. 1, 10th Annual Southern Class Cham-
pionships
See Grand Prix.
Georgia
Mar. 30-Apr. 1 or Mar. 31-Apr. 1, 10th Annual Southern Class Cham-
pionships (FL)
See Grand Prix.
DROPPING OUT?
Have to miss a round?
It is very important that you
NOTIFY THE DIRECTOR
before pairings are made, so no one
is deprived of a game! If you forfeit
without notice, you may be FINED
up to the amount of the entry fee!
Chess Life February 2012 63
 Tournament Life

Idaho
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 18-20, 2012 Idaho Closed State Championship
IDAHO RESIDENT'S ONLY! Chief TD: Jay Simonson. AmeriTel Inn (Boise
Towne Square), 7965 W. Emerald St., Boise, ID 83704. 208-378-7000. 6SS,
30/120, SD/60, d5. Annual ICA Business Meeting beginning at 8 AM prior
to rnd 3. Rds.: 9, 4, 10, 4:30, 8, 3. Byes: One 1/2 pt Bye, rnds 1-5, One
0 pt bye avail rnd 6, must notify TD before rnd 2. Reg. & Ck in: 7:30-8:30
Sat Feb 18. One Section: Open. EF: $35 (includes $10 ICA Membership)
if registered by February 14, 2012. $30 (includes $10 ICA Membership)
for Seniors (60+) and Juniors (under 18) if registered by February 14,
2012. $50 (includes $10 ICA Membership) for EVERYONE if registered after
February 14, 2012. Optional Northwest Chess memberships available for
additional $15. Prizes: Trophies or plaques, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Overall; 1st, X,
A, Woman, Junior, Senior, Unrated; 1st-2nd, B thru E. HR: $69.95 men-
tion chess, 208-378-7000. Contact: Jay Simonson, rooknjay@yahoo.com,
391 Carol Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83401, 208-206-7667. NC, NS, W. Chess
Magnet School JGP.
Illinois
5500 W. Touhy Ave., Suite A, Skokie, IL 60077,
North Shore Chess Center
847.423.8626, www.nachess.org/nscc. Multiple monthly
chess events: Quick and Regular rated tournaments,
FIDE amateur tournaments, simuls and lectures by
masters. Private & Group lessons for all ages and
strengths available. Home of the Chicago Blaze US
Chess League team. Contact: Sevan A. Muradian Inter-
national Arbiter & International Organizer - sevan@na
chess.org.
Feb. 12, Knights Quest #74
4SS, G/30,d5. Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel, 933 Skokie Blvd.,
Northbrook, IL. Presented by Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation.
USCF Rated Sections: Open (K-12 & Adults), U1400 (K-12 & Adults),
U1000 (K-8) & U600 (K-8). Awards: Top 5 each section, Top 2 teams
(except open), medals all others. Reg.: 12:00-12:30 pm. Rds.: 1 at 1:00
pm, rest ASAP. EF: $25 by 2/6, $30 after, $35 on-site. Online Registra-
tion: http://events.r20constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=mlwzh
4bab&oeidk=a07e5a1217j49897fla. Mail-in Reg: Renaissance Knights,
PO Box 1074, Northbrook, IL 60065. $5 discount to siblings and team mem-
bers when registering together. Info: www.rknights.org, 773-844-0701.
Feb. 17-19 or 18-19, 2012 U.S. Amateur Team Championship - North
See Nationals.
Feb. 24-26, Quad Cities Chess Championship at The Lodge (IA)
Across the river from Moline, IL. See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 2-4, 2012 Illinois K-8 State Championships
7SS. Clock Tower Resort, 7801 State St., Rockford, IL 61108, (815)398-
6000 Toll Free: 1-800-358-7666, rooms: $95 (single-quad), Free Wi-Fi at
hotel, free parking, indoor water park, video arcade. Four Sections: K-
1 (G/25 d/5), Grades 2-3 (G/40 d/5), Grades 4-5 (G/55 d/5), Grades 6-8
(G/55 d5). Entry Fee: $35 postmarked by 2/20/12 USPS (or $35 on-line
by 2/20, 6 pm); $50 postmarked 2/21 2/27 or On-Line by 3/1/12,
6 pm, or on-site by 3/2/12(on-site entries after 3/2/12 cannot be guar-
anteed pairing for round 1, instead they may receive 1/2 point bye
round 1). Must be current USCF member by 8:30 am, 3/3 to be paired.
Checks payable only to Chess Central. Awards: Individual: 1st-25th
Place in each section (K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8). Grade Awards: 1st-2nd each
grade. Class Awards: 1st-2nd Place with several classes per section. Com-
memorative medal or ribbon to all players. Teams: 1st-10th Place in each
section. Special Sportsmanship trophy! Schedule: Opening Ceremony Sat.,
3/2/12 at 9:30 am. K-1: Sat. 10-12:30-2-3:30, Sun. 9-10:30-12:30;
Grades 2-3: Sat. 10-12:30-2:30-4:30 Sun. 9-11-1; Grades 4-5 & Grades
6-8: Sat. 10-12:45-3:15-5:45 Sun. 9-11:30-2. Side Events: Bughouse
Tournament Fri, 3/2/12, 6:15 7:45 pm. EF at site only: $20 per team ($10
for individuals and we help you create a team) FREE INDIVIDUAL BUG-
HOUSE ENTRY WITH RECEIPT FOR BOTH BLITZ & PUZZLE SOLVING!
Registration closes at 5:45 pm, Fri, 3/2/12. One section only, K-8. Bug-
house Awards: 1st-3rd Place. Blitz Tournament 5 SS Fri, 3/2/12,
8-9:30 pm, $15 postmarked by 2/20/12 or on-line 2/20/12 until 6 pm,
$20 USPS post marked 2/21/12 - 2/27/12, or on-site or on-line until
3/1/12, 6 pm. Registration on site closes at 7:30 pm, 3/2/12. Blitz
Awards: Individual: 1st-5th plus class awards. Puzzle Solving Contest:
Sat. 3/3/12, 6:30 pm, Puzzle Solving Prizes: 1st-5th overall; 1st-5th
U1000, EF: USPS: $15 postmarked by 2/20/12 or On-line until 2/20/12,
6 pm. $20 USPS post marked 2/21/12 - 2/27/12 or on-line by 3/2/12,
6pm or at site by 5:45 pm. Awards Ceremony for Blitz/Bug house/ Puz
zle Solving: Sun, 9 am. K-8 Awards Ceremony: Sun, 3/4/12, 5:30-7
pm. Enter tournament on line (except Bughouse) at http://chessweek-
end. com. Checks payable only to Chess Central (no checks to
USCF or Mike Zacate): Mail registrations with name-contact info-
grade-birthday-team/school-uscf ID & exp.-address-city-zip-e-mail
address-coach name & contact info to: Mike Zacate, 9401 Birch Ave.,
Mokena, IL 60448. Updated info/Hotels/On-Line Entries: http://chess-
weekend.com. $10 service charge for on-site changes, and all refunds.
Bookdealer scheduled to be there.
Mar. 10, 10th Annual Mark Oestreich Memorial Tournament
Time controls: 30/70, then 40/60. No sudden death. Salem Community
Center, 416 Oglesby St., Salem, IL. EF: $15.00. Prize fund: $360.00, based
on 30. 1st $80, 2nd $40. Classes: A, B, C, D/E/Unrated $60.00 each. Reg-
istration: 8:009:15. Rounds: 9:30, 1:00, 5:00. Entries: Jim Davies
314-721-4967, 7358 Shaftesbury, St. Louis, MO 63130. jandadavies@
sbcglobal.net.
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 17-18, 48th Greater Peoria Open
5 SS, G/120 T/d5. Lakeview Museum, 1125 Lake Ave., Peoria, IL 61614.
EF: $35 by 3/12, $45 at site, $20 Unr, $0 to Masters, $5 disc't ICA memb,
$3 disc't GPCF memb. $$GTD: 80% of EFs. REG.: 8:30-9:30. RDS.: 9:45-
2:15-6:30, 9:30-2:00. INFO: Bye 1-4. www.gpcf.net. ENT: Wayne Zimmerle,
514 W Loucks #2, Peoria, IL 61604, 309-692-4480 day, 309-686-0192
night, wzim@sbcglobal.net. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 18, Knights Quest #75
4SS, G/30,d5. Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel, 933 Skokie Blvd.,
Northbrook, IL. Presented by Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation.
USCF Rated Sections: Open (K-12 & Adults), U1400 (K-12 & Adults),
U1000 (K-8) & U600 (K-8). Awards: Top 5 each section, Top 2 teams
(except open), medals all others. Reg.: 12:00-12:30 pm. Rds.: 1 at 1:00
pm, rest ASAP. EF: $25 by 3/12, $30 after, $35 on-site. Online Registra-
tion: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=
a07e5a13wj1a2054394&11r=m1wzh4bab. Mail-in Reg: Renaissance
Knights, PO Box 1074, Northbrook, IL 60065. $5 discount to siblings and
team members when registering together. Info: www.rknights.org, 773-
844-0701.
Apr. 20-22, 2012 All-Girls National Championships presented by the
Kasparov Chess Foundation in association with the Renaissance
Knights Chess Foundation & USCF
See Nationals.
May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open
See Grand Prix.
Indiana
Every Second Saturday of the Month
4SS, G/61d5. Donatos Pizza, 825 W 10th St., Indianapolis. Reg.: 11-
11:30AM, Rd 1, 11:40AM. $$:b/20 1st $200; 2nd $100; Class (A, B,) (C,
D, E, Unr) $70 each. Prizes increased if + 20. EF: $27 - $5.00 BD month,
- $5.00 for any state association (except ISCA), OCCC Memb.req'd Memb.
includes magazine+. FIDE Titled Players Free. Ent: Donald Urquhart, 501
N. East St. # 802, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Info: at 317-634-6259 or e-
mail akakarpov@att.net. 3 entries in a class req'd for that class prize
to be awarded. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Orange Crush Chess Club Friday Night Blitz (QC)
Burger King, 410 E Morris St. (E. Morris St. and S. East St). Show your
OCCC card for free upsize. Reg.: 6-6:25pm, starts at 6:30pm. Type: 3 RR
Quad, G/5d2, QC. EF: $8.00, $$4-Quad 1st $25.00. Ent: Donald Urquhart,
501 N. East St., #802, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Info: Don at 317-634-6259
or email akakarpov@att.net.
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.

21st annual CHICAGO OPEN

May 24-28 (norms possible), 25-28, 26-28, 27-28 or 25-26, Westin North Shore Hotel
$100,000 PRIZE FUND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED!
Free lectures & analysis by GM John Fedorowicz, free entry to IMs, WGMs, foreign FMs
Open Section, May 24-28: 9 rounds, 5 days, 40/90,
SD/30, inc/30. 200 GPP.
U2300 to U1300 sections: 7 rds, choice of 3 schedules.
4-day, 5/25-28, 40/2, SD/1, d/5. 3-day, 5/26-28, rds 1-2 G/75,
d/5, then 40/2, SD/1, d/5. 2-day, 5/27-28, rds 1-4 G/40, d/5,
then 40/2, SD/1, d/5. All merge & play for same prizes.
U1100 section: 7 rds, 5/25-26, G/40, d/5.
U900 section: 7 rds, 5/27-28, G/40, d/5.
Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 N Milwaukee Ave,
Wheeling IL 60090. Free parking. In 9 sections:
Open: $10000-5000-2500-1200-900-700-600-500-400-
300, clear or tiebreak first $200 bonus, top FIDE U2500/unr
$2000-1000. FIDE rated, GM and IM norms possible.
U2300: $5000-2500-1200-900-700-600-500-400-300-300.
FIDE rated.
U2100: $5000-2500-1200-900-700-600-500-400-300-300.
U1900: $5000-2500-1200-900-700-600-500-400-300-300.
U1700: $5000-2500-1200-900-700-600-500-400-300-300.
U1500: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-400-300-300.
U1300: $4000-2000-1000-800-600-500-400-300-300-300.
U1100: $1500-700-400-300-200-200-100-100.
U900: $500-300-200, trophies to first 5, top U700, U500,
U300, Unrated.
Unrated limits: U900 200, U1100 $400, U1300 $700,
U1500 $1000, U1700 $1500, U1900 $2000, U2100 $2500.
FIDE ratings used for Open, May official USCF for others.
Unofficial web ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.
Prize limits: 1) If under 26 lifetime games as of 5/12 list,
limit $800 U1100, $1500 U1300, $2500 U1500. 2) If official
rating 5/11-4/12 or unofficial post-event rating posted 5/24/11-
5/24/12 was/more than 30 pts over section max, limit $1500.
5-day schedule (Open only): entries end Thu 6 pm, rds
Thu 7 pm, Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30.
4-day schedule: entries end Fri 6, rds Fri 7, Sat/Sun 11 &
6, Mon 10 & 4:30.
3-day schedule: entries end Sat 10 am, rds Sat 11, 2:30
& 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30.
2-day schedule: entries end Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10, 12, 2,
3:45 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30.
U1100 schedule: Fri 7 pm & 9 pm, Sat 10, 12, 2, 3:45, 6.
U900 schedule: Sun 10, 12, 2, 3:45, Mon 10, 12, 2
Half point byes OK all, limit 4 (2 last 4 rds). Open must
commit before rd 2, others rd 4.
Hotel rates: 1-4 in room $103, 800-937-8461, 847-777-
6500, reserve by 5/11.
Full details: see TLA this issue or chesstour.com. Bring
set, board, clock if possible- none supplied.
Entry: Chesstour.com or Continental Chess, Box 249,
Salisbury Mills NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds.

64 Chess Life February 2012 uschess.org

 See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14

May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
Iowa
Feb. 24-26, Quad Cities Chess Championship at The Lodge
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 24-25, TNT FIDE Rating Tournament
5 Rounds SS-Dual Rated-FIDE & USCF. Gentlemen Chess Club, 1101 W.
4th St., Davenport, IA 52801. Reg. Onsite: 8:30AM-9:30AM, Sat., March
24, 2012. Sections: Open to players with FIDE rating, USCF rating, or
unrated. EF: $50.00. FREE for players with FIDE or USCF rating of 2200
and over. Prizes (Based on 14): 1st: $150, 2nd: $100; U1800 $75, $25
Best Unrated FIDE: $50. Prizes will be adjusted up based on atten-
dance. Time Control for all 5 rounds: Game/90 + 30 sec cumulative
increment per move. Round Times: Sat., March 24; 1st Rd. 10:00AM, 2nd
Rd.: 3:00PM, 3rd Rd.: 7:30PM, Sun., March 25; 4th Rd.: 10:00AM, 5th Rd.:
3:00PM. Entries: Advanced entries with entry fees quoted above must
be postmarked by March 23rd. All entries postmarked after this date or
submitted onsite will incur an additional $10. Make checks payable to Bill
Broich. Mail entries to: Bill Broich, 7149 Wilshire Blvd., Windsor Heights,
IA 50324. Questions/information: broich01@yahoo.com. Other infor-
mation: One 1/2 - Pt Bye will be allowed in Rds. 1-4. Request for Byes
must be submitted during registration or by the end of Rd. 1. USCF
March 2012 Rating List will be used for pairing purposes. FIDE rules will
be used.
May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28 21st annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
Kansas
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
Kentucky
Feb. 11, The Nativity Academy Urban Chess Tournament
529 East Liberty Street (www.mapquest.com), Louisville, KY. Registra-
tion is from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. The first round starts promptly at 9:15
a.m. and subsequent rounds as soon as possible. The entry fee is a mate-
rial donation (soap, winter caps, scarves, toothbrushes, toothpaste,
toilet paper, dental floss, deodorant, etc.). All donated materials will be
given over to The Jefferson Street Baptist Center for distribution to
homeless families (www.jeffersonstreet.org). The sections are unrated,
K/4, K/6 and K/8. The top 5 winners in each section (4) will be awarded
trophies. This is a rated tournament. USCF membership is required.
Contact: urbanlouisvillechess@yahoo.com for a registration form.
Access www.pottershousechess.com for more details on the tournament.
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 24, Knights of Northern Kentucky Scholastic Chess Tourna-
ment
5 Rounds, G/30 Rounds 1-3, G/45 Rounds 4-5. Rated (USCF member) $15
and Non-rated/Novice $10 before 3/17/2012. RD 1 starts at 9:30 AM,
RD 2-5 ASAP. Prizes: Top 25% of each section get trophies in both rated
and non-rated/novice, sections are K-1, K-3, K-5, K-8, K-12 and will
combine and divide depending on entries. All participants get a memento
of the day. Location: Walton-Verona High School/Middle School, 30
School Rd., Walton, KY 41094. Contact: Linda Fritz, fritzlinda@aol.com,
859.630.2694. See website for more info: www.knightschess.org.
Louisiana
Mar. 10-11, 2012 Louisiana Pro-Am
See Grand Prix.
Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228. Info: Joe Summers 410-788-1009, joseph
as2@verizon.net.
Feb. 25-26, UMBC Open - Alvin S. Mintzes Chess Tournament
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open Action Quads (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open G/15 (QC) (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
Apr. 8, Philadelphia Open Blitz & G/7 (QC) (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 2012 Maryland Open
See Grand Prix.
July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, 40th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Jul. 28-Aug. 1, 2012 Washington International
See Grand Prix.
Massachusetts
Feb. 4, Brown University Open (RI)
See Rhode Island.
Feb. 15, 22, 29, Mar. 7, 14, George E. O'Rourke Memorial
5SS, G/110. Wachusett CC, McKay Campus School, Room C159, Fitchburg
State University, 67 Rindge Rd., Fitchburg, MA 01420. EF: $1 per game
played or $20 annual club dues for all games played in 2012. Reg.: 7-7:10
p.m. Rds.: 7:15 p.m. Byes: 1-4, limit two. Prizes: chess books. Info:
George Mirijanian, 176 Oak Hill Rd., Fitchburg, MA 01420, miriling@
aol.com, 978-345-5011. Website: www.wachusettchess.org. Online rat-
ings as of Feb. 15 will be used. W. Chess Magnet School JGP.
A Heritage Event!
Feb. 25-26, 2012 87th W. Mass/Conn Valley
The Alumni House - Amherst College, 75 Churchill St., Amherst, MA
01002. Two Sections: Two-Day: 5SS, G/90. EF: $30. $25 postmarked
by 2/20/2012. Reg.: 8:30am-9:15, Sat 2/25. Rds.: Sat: 9:30am, 1:30pm,
5:30; Sun: 1:45pm, 5:15. One-Day: Sunday, 2/25, 5SS, 1-3 G/45; 4&5
G/90. EF: $25. $20 if postmarked by 2/20/2012. Reg.: 8:00am-8:15, Sun
2/26. Rds.: Sun: 8:30am, 10:15, 12:00pm, 1:45, 5:15. ALL: $2 discount
for WMCA members; $5 for members under 18. USCF Membership
Required. 1st overall: revolving trophy and keeper, Trophy to top X, A, B,
C, D, E, UNR. Limit of 1/2 point bye; specify round with entry. ENT:
Payable to WMCA, c/o Ed Kostreba, 45 Fairview, Palmer, MA 01069.
INF: Ron Gist (413)695-7689, RonGist@ComCast.net. NS. NC. W. Chess
Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 2-4 or 3-4, 21st annual Eastern Class Championships
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 31, 2012 CT Open State Championship (CT)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 31, 2012 New Haven Scholastic Championship (CT)
See Connecticut.
Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 23rd annual Vermont Resort Open (VT)
See Grand Prix.
July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, 40th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Michigan
Mar. 23-25 or 24-25, 13th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
May 11-13, 12-13 or 13, 9th Great Lakes Chess Open
5SS, U1000 4SS. McCamly Plaza Hotel, 50 Capital Ave., SW, Battle Creek,
MI 49017. EF: (Add $10 after May 5, $15 at site) Open: 3 day $53; 2 day
$52, IM/GMs free!(EF deducted from winnings). U1700: 3 day $43; 2 day
$42. U1000: $20. USCF and a State membership required(can be pur-
chased on site). Reg.: 3 day: Fri. 5-6:30. 2 day and 1 day: Sat. 9-11.
TC: 3 day: Rds 1-3 G/2; Rds 4-5 40/2 SD/30. 2 day: Rds 1-2, G/60; Rd
3 G/2; Rds 4-5 40/2 SD/30. 1 day (U1000): G/45. Rds.: 3 day: Fri. 7, Sat.
12-4:30, Sun. 10-3:30. 2 day: Sat. 11:30-2-4:30; Sun. 10-3:30. 1 day:
11:45-2-3:45-5:30. Prizes: Open:(b/36) $1500-700, Top X-A-U1800/Unr
$250. U1700: (b/36) $400-250, Top C-D-U1200/Unr $125. U1000: (b/22)
$125-$75, Top 700-899, U700/Unr $50 (Unrated eligible for top/Unr
prizes only). Special Events: Blitz tournament: 7 Saturday. EF: 10 (
85% payout). IM/Gm Lecture-$10. Hotel: McCamly Plaza Hotel, Chess rate
$91/night, must reserve by Apr. 9th. Parking $8 a day. Info and Entries:
Stan Beckwith, 269-964-2927, 84 Bond Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49037-1907.
Chess Magnet School JGP.
May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28, or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
Minnesota
Apr. 13-15, 2012 National High School (K-12) Championship
See Nationals.
May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
Missouri
Feb. 11-12, 2012 Club Championship
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 18, 4th Annual Metro Saint Louis Class Championships
3SS, G/85. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Maryland
Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. Free entries for GMs and IMs. EF: $35, $30
for annual members of the club if registered by 2/17. MCA membership
req'd from $5. PF: $1,200 UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED: $200 + Tro-
phy for 1st in each Section: M/X, A, B, C, D, U1200/UNR. Players must
compete in their own class. Winner of M/X Section qualifies for 2013 Club
Championship. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: 10, 1:30, 5. One 1/2 point bye if
declared before round 1. MCA Membership required from $5. OSA. Ent:
4657 Maryland Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108, or online at saintlouischess
club.org. Info: 314-361-CHESS info@saintlouischessclub.org. Chess
Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 3, 3's are Wild 3xtravaganza
3SS, G/85. Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Maryland
Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108. EF: $10, $3 for annual members of the club
if registered by 3/2. 3 Sections: 1800+, 1400-1799, Under 1400. Win-
ner of each section receives a $33 Gift Certificate to the club. Winner of
1800+ Section qualifies for the 2013 Club Championship. Reg.: 9-9:45.
Rds.: 10, 1:30, 5. One 1/2 point bye if declared before round 1. MCA Mem-
bership required from $5. OSA. Ent: 4657 Maryland Ave., Saint Louis, MO
63108, or online at saintlouischessclub.org. Info: 314-361-CHESS,
info@saintlouischessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 10, Mizzou Quads
3RR, G/70 d/5. UMC Memorial Union room S203, 518 Hitt St., Columbia,
MO. Directions: From I-70 exit 126, south on Providence, east on Rollins,
north on Hitt. Reg.: 9:30-10:15. Rds.: 10:30, 1:15, 4:00. EF: $20 if mailed
by 3/3, $25 at site; site entries cash only. $70 first prize each quad.
Entries/info: Charles Ward, 2400 Cimarron Dr., Columbia, MO 65203;
czar8196@gmail.com. W.
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open
See Grand Prix.
May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.

Maine
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 3, Maine State Scholastic Team Tournaments
University of Maine, Orono. Elementary (K-3 and K-6 divisions) and Jun-
21st annual EASTERN CLASS
ior High; each with Championship and Novice Sections; all sections four
rounds, G/45. High School Teams (Championship, Reserve and Novice Sec-
Mar 2-4 or 3-4, Host Hotel at Cedar Lake, Sturbridge MA
tions), all sections four rounds, G/60. Pre-registration required ($5 per
player late fees may apply). All scholastic event sections except Novice $18,000 projected prizes, $12,000 minimum guaranteed
are USCF-rated. Non-USCF members can obtain memberships with entry.
Download information and entry forms at: http://ChessMaine.net, or con- 5 round Swiss, 7 sections, play only those in your section. Choice of 3-day or 2-day
tact Ron Lewis, evenings 207-781-3962 or email at raltiger@aol.com. schedule, both merge after rd 2. Prizes based on 220 paid entries (re-entries & $60 off
A State Championship Event! entries count half); 2/3 each prize minimum. Rated players may play up one section.
Mar. 17, Maine State Scholastic Individuals Tournaments Master Section (2200/up): Prizes $1700-1000-500-300, clear/tiebreak
Individuals: HS (Championship and Under 1200 Sections); JHS (one sec-
tion); and Elementary (K-3 and K-6 Sections). All sections four rounds, win $100 bonus, top Under 2300 $800-400. FIDE rated, 80 GPP (enhanced).
G/60. Pre-registration (EF $10); or register on-site (EF $15). All individ-
uals event sections are USCF-rated. Non-USCF members can obtain Expert Section (2000-2199): $1400-700-400-200.
memberships with entry. Download information and entry forms for Class A Section (1800-1999): $1400-700-400-200.
all events at: http://ChessMaine.net, or contact Ron Lewis, evenings
207-781-3962 or email at raltiger@aol.com. Class B Section (1600-1799): $1400-700-400-200.
Mar. 17, Sidekick Quads 8 Class C Section (1400-1599): $1200-600-300-200.
University of Maine, Orono. Adults-only USCF-rated (EF $15) and non-
rated quads (EF $10) tournament, G/30, register on-site; no prizes, all Class D Section (1200-1399): $1000-500-300-200.
net proceeds to benefit Maine Scholastic Chess. Enter at site (8:30 - Class E Section (Under 1200): $400-200-120-80, trophies to top Under
9:00AM) or for pre-registration and additional information visit:
http://ChessMaine.net. 1000, Under 800, Under 600, Unrated
Unrated limit $150 in E, $250 D, $400 C, $600 B, $800 A. $500 limit if
Maryland post-event rating is more than 30 pts over section max 12/1/11-3/1/12.
Feb. 17, Mar. 2, Catonsville Friday Knight Quick #133 & #134 (QC)
5SS, G/15. EF: $8, club members $5. Reg.: 7:30pm. Rds.: 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30, FULL DETAILS: see Grand Prix in this issue or chesstour.com.
10. $$b/24 1st=$50, 2nd=$25, U1850 $12. Website: http://my site.ver-
izon.net/vze12d59q/. Bloomsbury Community Center, 106 Bloomsbury

uschess.org Chess Life February 2012 65

 Tournament Life
Nevada
Mar. 9-11 or 10-11, 19th annual Western Class Championships (CA-
S)
See Grand Prix.
May 4-6 or 5-6, Western Amateur (CA-S)
See California, Southern.
June 14, 2012 U.S. Game/10 Championship (QC)
See Nationals.
June 15, National Open Schoalstic Trophy Tournament
5-SS, Game/30. Riviera Hotel and Casino, 2901 Las Vegas Boulevard
South, Las Vegas 89109. Open to players 18 and under. In 3 sections:
U1800, U1200, and U800. Unrateds in the U1200 section and all players
in the U800 section must be age 11 or under. Trophies to top 5 in each
section, top 2 in each odd 200 point rating group and unrated. EF: $33
by 5/28, $39 by 6/13, $45 on site. REG.: 9-9:30 a.m. RDS.: 10-11:15-1-
2:15-3:30. Blitz 6:30 p.m. ($15 by 5/28 $20 on site) HR: $59 single or
double ($89 Friday and Saturday nights). 1-800-634-6753 or (702) 734-
5110. ENT: National Open, PO Box 90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0125,
on line www.VegasChessFestival.com or fax at (702) 933-9112. NS. NC.
W.
June 15-17 or 16-17, 2012 National Open
See Nationals.
June 16-17, International Youth Championship
5SS, Game/60. Riviera Hotel and Casino, 2901 Las Vegas Boulevard
South, Las Vegas 89109. In 4 Sections by age: 14 and Under, 14 and
Under Reserve (rated below 1100), 9 and Under, 9 and Under Reserve
(rated below 900). Trophies to top 10 in each section plus class trophies
and team trophies. 1st Place in each section wins a Computer loaded
with Chess Software, 2nd-4th win chess prizes valued at 250-150-100.
Unrated players may not win 1st in Reserve sections. EF: $59 by 5/27,
$69 by 6/13, $80 on site. 1/2 point bye in any round (limit 2) if requested
in advance. REG.: 8-9 a.m. RDS.: 10-1-4, 10-1. Blitz 6/15 at 6:30 p.m. ($15
by 5/28 $20 on site) HR: $59 single or double ($89 Friday and Saturday
nights). 1-800-634-6753 or (702) 734-5110. ENT: National Open, PO Box
90925, Henderson, NV 89009-0125, on line www.VegasChessFestival.com
or fax at (702) 933-9112. NS. NC. W.
New Hampshire
Feb. 25-26, 36th Queen City Open
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 23rd annual Vermont Resort Open (VT)
See Grand Prix.
New Jersey
Fair Lawn Saturday Quads
Schedule through June 30, 2012. 3RR, G/60 for quads with rating above
1000; G/30 for quads with rating below 1000 or unrated ICA. 9 - 10 SAD-
DLE RIVER RD., FAIR LAWN, NJ 07410. EF: $25 Prizes: $50 to 1st place
in each quad. Reg.: 1-1:15 PM. Rds.: 1:15 PM-3:30-5:40 (rating above
1000). Rds.: 1:10 PM-2:20-3:30 (rating below 1000 or unrated). Info: Diana
201-797-0330, diana@icanj.net; www.icanj.net. EVERY SATURDAY. ALL:
ICA provides breakfast & lunch.
Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, Wednesday G/90 (4SS, Monthly) and Chess Les-
sons
Round starts: 7pm. EF: $30/$25. Prizes: 70% of EF. Prizes: 1st, 2nd &
Class Prizes (based on the # of participants). 1 bye available, commit at
least two days before the next round. No re-entry. GMs free entry ($20
deducted from prizes). Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rah-
way, NJ 07065. Info: Arthur Macaspac (732)499-0118/(760)583-8429.
www.chessmatesnj.com. Lessons: 5pm- 6:30pm, Under 1600 USCF.
Lessons fees: Monthly: $95 (Monday and Wednesday)/Daily: $15.
Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 5, 12, 26, Chess Mates Saturday Quad G/45
3 RR, G/45. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ
07065. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. GMs - Free entry. ($15
deducted from prizes). EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 12:30-1:15pm.
Rds.: 1:30pm, 3:15pm, 5pm. Info: Arthur Macaspac (732)499-0118/(760)
583-8429. www.chessmatesnj.com.
Feb. 6, 13, 27, Sunday Camp and Scholastic Tournament
Sunday Chess Camp: 10am 6pm. Registration fee: $85 members /
$95 Non-members. Snacks and lunch included. Quad G/30: 3pm-6pm EF:
$15/non-member and $10/member. Prize per Quad: 1st Place: Trophy
or $25. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. Info: Arthur
Macaspac (760)583-8429/(732)499-0118. www.chessmatesnj.com.
Feb. 6, 13, 27, Sunday Open Blitz (G/5) (QC)
RR, start: 7pm. Prizes: 80% of EF 1st, 2nd, & Class Prizes: based on the
# of participants. GMs - Free entry ($15 deducted from prizes). Chess
Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. Info: Arthur Macaspac
(760)583-8429/(732) 499-0118. www.chessmatesnj.com.
Feb. 7, 14, 28, Monday Quad G/30 and Chess Lessons
3RR, Rds.: 7pm, 8:15pm, 9:30pm. EF: $20/$15. Prizes: $60 to first in each
section. GMs - Free entry. ($15 deducted from prizes). Chess Mates
Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. Info: Arthur Macaspac (760)583-
8429/(732)499-0118. www.chessmatesnj.com. Chess Lessons: 5pm -
6:30pm, Under 1600 USCF. Lessons fees: Monthly: $95 (Monday and
Wednesday) and Daily: $15.
Feb. 18-20, 42nd Annual World Amateur Team & U.S. Team East
See Nationals.
Feb. 25, Hamilton Chess Club Quads
3RR, 40/80 15/30 15/30. Full K. Ray Dwier Recreation Center, Bldg. 392,
Groveville, NJ 08620. Quads open to all. EF: $10. Prizes: $25 per Quad.
Reg.: 9-10:30/am. Rds.: 10:30/am-1:30/pm-4:30/pm. NJ State Chess
Federation, no dues magazine Subscription per year, OSA. NS, NC, W.
66 Chess Life February 2012
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 26, New Jersey State Elementary Championships
5SS, G/30. Brookdale College, 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, NJ
07738. Student Life Center, use Parking Lot #7 or #6; 5 minutes from
Garden State Parkway exit 109. 2 Sections: Elementary (K-6) & Primary
(K-3). All: Trophies to top 15 individuals, top 5 teams. Elementary & Pri-
mary: Top 5 in each grade. Rds.: 10am then ASAP. Top 4 scores constitute
the team score for Elementary; top 3 for Primary. EF: $30 before 2/18,
$45 at site. USCF memb. req'd. Reg.: 8-9:00am After 9:00am 1/2 point
bye for round 1. Info: 732 259-3881, Ent: Hal Sprechman, P.O. Box 1511,
Jackson, NJ 08527 or online at www.characterkings.org. Entries must
include name, grade, school, date of birth, USCF ID and expiration date,
mailing address, email address, phone number and entry fee. Checks
made out to NJSCF.
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 26 NOT Mar. 4, New Jersey Junior High School Championships
NOTE DATE CORRECTION. 5SS, G/30. Brookdale College, 765 Newman
Springs Rd., Lincroft, NJ 07738. Student Life Center, use Parking Lot #7
or #6; 5 minutes from Garden State Parkway exit 109. 5SS, G/30. Sec-
tion: JHS (K-9). ALL: Trophies to top 15 individuals, top 5 teams. Rds.:
10am then ASAP. Top 4 scores constitute team score. EF: $30 before 2/18,
$45 at site. USCF memb. req'd. Reg.: 8-9:00 am. After 9:00 am, half-point
bye for round one. INFO: 732-259-3881, hsprechman@characterkings.org.
ENT: Hal Sprechman, P.O. Box 1511, Jackson, NJ 08527 or online at
www.characterkings.org. Entries must include name, grade, school, date
of birth, USCF ID #, & expiration date, mailing address, phone number
& entry fee. Checks made out to NJSCF.
Feb. 26, Westfield Quads
3 RR, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090.
Prizes: $50 to first in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 1:30-
2:15 p.m. Rds.: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163,
lunnaco@aol.com, www.westfieldchessclub.com.
Mar. 2-4 or 3-4, 21st annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Wednesday G/90 (4SS, Monthly) and Chess Les-
sons
Round starts: 7pm. EF: $30/$25. Prizes: 70% of EF. Prizes: 1st, 2nd &
Class Prizes (based on the # of participants). 1 bye available, commit at
least two days before the next round. No re-entry. GMs free entry ($20
deducted from prizes). Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rah-
way, NJ 07065. Info: Arthur Macaspac (732)499-0118/(760)583-8429.
www.chessmatesnj.com. Lessons: 5pm- 6:30pm, Under 1600 USCF.
Lessons fees: Monthly: $95 (Monday and Wednesday)/Daily: $15.
Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 3, Central Jersey Chess Tournament
4SS, G/30. All Saints' Church, 16 All Saints' Rd., Princeton, NJ 08540. Park-
ing, playground, wi-fi & lounge. 3 rated sections (all K-8, G/30): Open
(above 900), Reserve (600-900), Experienced (below 600). 3 unrated
sections: K-1, Novice (2nd-8th grade), Parents/Adults. Trophies to
1st, 2nd, 3rd per section, 1st school/club team per section, $20 & Free
EF to 1st in Parents/Adults. EF: $30 online at njchess.com by 3/1, $40
after or on-site. Check-in/Reg ends 1pm, first round starts 1:30. Late
arrivals may not be paired in first round. Late arrivals may not be paired
in first round. Late arrivals may not be paired in first round. Separate
awards ceremonies 4-5:30pm. Snacks & drinks sold on-site. Questions:
newjerseychess@gmail.com.
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 3-4, New Jersey High School Chess Championships
5SS, G/90. Union County Vocational Technical School, 1776 Raritan Rd.,
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076. 3 sections: Varsity Championship (9-12): 5
player teams with one alternate allowed. Coaches set order by player
strength. Order must not be changed. Team avg. based on top 5 highest
ratings. Trophies to top 10 NJ teams. Trophies for top three players, boards
1-5. Rds.: Sat. 10-2-6, Sun. 10-2. EF: $150-/team before 2/25. $185/team
at site. $5 per change on site. Junior Varsity (9-12): 4 player teams with
one alternate allowed. Team avg. based on top 4 highest ratings. Trophies
to top 10 NJ teams. Trophies for top 3 players, boards 1-4. Rds.: Sat. 10-
2-6, Sun. 10-2. EF: $120/team before 2/25, $150/team on site. $5 per
change on site. Booster (K-12): Trophies to top 15 individuals, top 5
teams, top 2 JHS teams, & top 2 elementary teams (K-6). Rds.: Sat.
10-2-6, Sun 10-2. Top 4 scores constitute team score. EF: $30 before 2/25,
$37 at site. All: USCF memb. required. Reg.: Sat. 8-9:00am. After 9:00am,
1/2 Point bye for round one. Ent: Hal Sprechman, P.O. Box 1511, Jack-
son, NJ 08527 or online at www.characterkings.org. Entries must include
name, grade, school, date of birth, USCF ID and expiration date, mailing
address, email address, phone number and entry fee. Checks made out
to NJSCF. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 4, Westfield Quads
3 RR, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090.
Prizes: $50 to first in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 1:30-
2:15 p.m. Rds.: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163,
lunnaco@aol.com, www.westfieldchessclub.com.
Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26, Chess Mates Saturday Quad G/45
3 RR, G/45. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ
07065. Prizes: $60 to first in each section. GMs - Free entry. ($15
deducted from prizes). EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 12:30-1:15pm.
Rds.: 1:30pm, 3:15pm, 5pm. Info: Arthur Macaspac (732)499-0118/(760)
583-8429. www.chessmatesnj.com.
Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27, Sunday Camp and Scholastic Tournament
Sunday Chess Camp: 10am 6pm. Registration fee: $85 members /
$95 Non-members. Snacks and lunch included. Quad G/30: 3pm-6pm EF:
$15/non-member and $10/member. Prize per Quad: 1st Place: Trophy
or $25. Chess Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. Info: Arthur
Macaspac (760)583-8429/(732)499-0118. www.chessmatesnj.com.
Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27, Sunday Open Blitz (G/5) (QC)
RR, start: 7pm. Prizes: 80% of EF 1st, 2nd, & Class Prizes: based on the
# of participants. GMs - Free entry ($15 deducted from prizes). Chess
Mates Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. Info: Arthur Macaspac
(760)583-8429/(732) 499-0118. www.chessmatesnj.com.
Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28, Monday Quad G/30 and Chess Lessons
3RR, Rds.: 7pm, 8:15pm, 9:30pm. EF: $20/$15. Prizes: $60 to first in each
section. GMs - Free entry. ($15 deducted from prizes). Chess Mates
Corporation, 1531 Irving St., Rahway, NJ. Info: Arthur Macaspac (760)583-
8429/(732)499-0118. www.chessmatesnj.com. Chess Lessons: 5pm -
6:30pm, Under 1600 USCF. Lessons fees: Monthly: $95 (Monday and
Wednesday) and Daily: $15.
Mar. 10, King's Chess Club Quads
Morning quads and afternoon quads, G/30, Kindergarten-undergradu-
ate (scholastic, youth, and young adult memberships). Bethlehem Church,
758 Route 10, Randolph, NJ 07869. EF: None. Reg.: 9-9:20 am., 1st rd.
9:40. Arr. by noon to reg. only for afternoon quads. Medal to each quad
winner. Info: Bethlehem Church 973-366-3434 or Bob McAdams 973-694-
3988, rwm@fambright.com. Weather closings will be posted on church
homepage at www.bethlehemchurch.org by 7:30am.
Mar. 10, Princeton Day School
650 The Great Road. Plaques to top 3 school teams and top 6 in each sec-
tion. Medals to all players. Four sections for OVER 1000 begin at 10:15
and must preregister: OVER 1600 (K-12), NEAR MASTERS (K-12 over
1400) and FUTURE MASTERS (Players K-12 over 1200) G/60, 3 rds.
CLOSED (K-12 1000-1200) G/45 4 rds. ALL OTHER SECTIONS. G/30 4
rds. Beginning at 12:00 noon. (round times will be accelerated if possi-
ble): OPEN (Players K-12 U-1000), RESERVE (K-12 U-800), NOVICE II (K-8
U-600), NOVICE I (unrated K-6), K-1 (unrated) NO SCORE K-1 (unrated).
PARENTS OF PLAYERS rated G/30 3 rounds. Pre-registration online, pay
at the door $35. Parents play free. On-site 11-12 noon $45. Info and reg-
ister online: www.pds.org/chess. Inquires to Bonnie Waitzkin
Chessteach@gmail.com.
Mar. 11, Westfield Swiss #71 (QC)
5 SS, G/15 (QC). Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. $425
Guaranteed $125, $60, under 2100, under 1850, under 1600, under 1350
$60 each. EF: $35, $25 Members. Reg.: 2-2:30 p.m. Rds.: 2:45-3:25-4:05-
4:45-5:30 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163, lunnaco@aol.com,
www.westfieldchessclub.com.
Mar. 13, 20, 27, Apr. 10, 17, 24, May 8, West Orange CC 2012 Cham-
pionship
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, Long Island Open (NY)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 17, St. Patrick's Day
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 18, Westfield Quads
3 RR, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090.
Prizes: $50 to first in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 1:30-
2:15 p.m. Rds.: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163,
lunnaco@aol.com, www.westfieldchessclub.com.
Mar. 25, Westfield Spring Scholastic
Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090. K-12 3 Sections: Open,
Under 1250, Under 750. Open: 3 SS, G/40 T/D 5 s, G/45. Trophies to top
5 in each section. EF: $20, $15 at site $30, $25 members. Reg.: 2-2:30
p.m. Rds.: 2:45-4:25-6:05 p.m. Under 1250: 4 SS, G/25 T/D 5s, G/30.
Trophies to top 5 in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members at site $30, $25
members. Reg.: 2-2:30 p.m. Rds.: 2:45-4:00-5:15-6:30 p.m. Under 750:
4 SS, G/25 T/D 5s, G/30. Trophies to top 5 in each section. EF: $20, $15
Members at site $30, $25 Members. Reg: 2-2:30 p.m. Rds: 2:45-4:00-5:15-
6:30 p.m. Tiebreaks for trophies. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163,
lunnaco@aol.com, www.westfieldchessclub.com. Send advance entries
to: Todd Lunna, 36 Maple Dr., Colts Neck, NJ 07722 by March 21, 2012.
Make checks payable to Westfield Chess Club.
Apr. 1, Westfield Quads
3 RR, G/40 T/D 5s, G/45. Westfield Y, 220 Clark St., Westfield, NJ 07090.
Prizes: $50 to first in each section. EF: $20, $15 Members. Reg.: 1:30-
2:15 p.m. Rds.: 2:30-4:20-6:10 p.m. Info: Todd Lunna 732-526-7163,
lunnaco@aol.com, www.westfieldchessclub.com.
Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, 6th annual Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open Action Quads (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open G/15 (QC) (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
Apr. 8, Philadelphia Open Blitz & G/7 (QC) (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
May 26, U.S. Amateur K-8 East U1200
5-SS, G/30. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 110 Davidson Ave., Somerset, NJ, Tele-
phone 732-560-0500. In 3 Sections (U1200, U900, & U600). Trophies to
Top 10, Others win chess medallions. Unrated may not win first. Reg-
istration: Saturday May 26, 11am-12pm. Rounds: 12:30pm, then ASAP
with lunch break after round #2. EF: $29 if mailed by May 25 or paid online
via EntryFeesRus.com, EF: $40 cash at site. One 1/2 point bye allowed
if requested with EF. April Rating supplement used. Ent: Ken Thomas, 115
W. Moore St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Checks to NJSCF. Indicate grade
level. Info: 908-619-8621 or acn@goes.com. NS. NC. W.
May 26-28 or 27-28, 68th Annual U.S. Amateur East Championship
See Nationals.
June 29-July 3 (New date),9th annual Philadelphia International (PA)
See Grand Prix.
July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, 40th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
New Mexico
Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, Southern Rocky Fide Open
See Grand Prix.
uschess.org

Feb. 26, 2012 U.S. G/15 Championship (QC)
See Nationals.
May 4-6 or 5-6, Western Amateur (CA-S)
See California, Southern.
New York
Feb. 9, 3rd Long Island CC G/10 (QC)
7SS, G/10(t/d5). United Methodist Church, 470 East Meadow Ave., East
Meadow, NY 11554. Open to all U-2300/unr. $(b/20): $100-80. Top U-
1800, U-1500, U-1300 $60 ea. EF: $25. Non LICC members +$5. Reg.:
6:40-7:10 PM, no adv. ent. Rds.: 7:15-7:45-8:15-8:45-9:15-9:45-10:15.
3 byes 1-7. Info: www.lichessclub.com. NS.
Feb. 11, New Yorker Winter Game/75!
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 11, Point Me To The New Yorker!
3-SS, G/30. Chess Center at New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Ave at 34th
St, across from Penn Station, NYC. EF: $20. 3-0 wins $40, 2.5 wins $20,
2 wins $10. Reg. ends 7:15 pm. Rds. 7:30-8:30-9:30. Bring sets, clocks!
Feb. 16, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 16-Mar. 8, Long Island CC Late Winter Open
4SS, G/90(t/d5). United Methodist Church, 470 East Meadow Ave., East
Meadow, NY 11554. Open to all U-2300/unr. $(b/20): $105-85. Top U-1800,
U-1500/unr. $55 ea. EF: $30. Non-LICC members +$10. Reg.: 6:40-7:10
PM, no adv. ent., Rds.: 7:15 PM SHARP ea. Thursday. 2 byes 1-4. Info:
www.lichessclub.com. NS. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 18, Marshall Saturday G/60!
4-SS, G/55d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360/24):
$160-80, U2000 $65, U1700 $55. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45
am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar
shallchessclub.org.
Feb. 18, Syracuse University Feb Open
4SS. Rds.: 1&2 G/60, Rds.: 3&4 G/90. (Syracuse University, Hall of
Languages, Room 101). EF: $30. Prizes: (b/20) $200, 125, Class 100. Reg.:
8:30-9:15. Rds.: 9:30, 12:00, 2:15, 5:30. Contact: Joe Ball 315-436-9008.
Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 19, Marshall Open & U1500 Sunday Game/45!
4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Two sec-
tions-you play only those in your section: A. Open ($360/24): $160-80,
U2100 $65, U1800 $55. B. U1500 ($240/16): $120-65, U1200 $55. EF:
$40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45 pm. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45.
One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.
Feb. 20, Presidents' Day Madness
6-SS, G/25d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $45,
members $25. ($480/24): $200-100, U2000 $70, U1700 $60, U1400
$50. Reg.: 10:15-10:45. Rds.: 11-12:15-1:30-3:00-4:15-5:30. Two byes
available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.
Feb. 20-Mar. 19, Marshall Monday U1600!
PRIZES INCREASED BY 50%! 5-SS, G/85d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th
St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $50, members $30. ($675/30): $360-180,
U1300 $135. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds. 7 pm each Monday. Limit 2 byes,
request by Rd 3. www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 21, Marshall Masters!
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 23, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23
W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36
entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid):
150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if
U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min.
before game. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossi-
ble! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game.
Feb. 24-Mar. 9, Queens Late Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 25, Marshall Saturday U1600!
4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300
b/20): $160-80, U1300 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45.
Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar
shallchessclub.org.
Feb. 25-26 or 26, Marshall February U2300!
4SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716.
EF: $45, Members $25. ($540 b/36): $240-120, U2000/unr $95, U1700
$85. Reg.: ends 12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, Rds. 12:30-5:30 PM
each day; 1 day, (Rds. 1-2 G/25d5) 10-11:15AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both
merge rd.3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. www.marshall
chessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 26, 36th Binghamton Monthly Tournament
4SS, G/65 d/5. Prizes: $500 b/26 Open-$150-$100-$50 Reserve-$100-
$75-$25 (U1700). Advance Entry: Open-$35 Reserve-$25 (U1700) $5
more on site-cash only on site. Schedule: Registration on site 8:459:15
AM. Rounds: 9:30-12Noon-2:30-4:45. Free USCF 90-day membership (call
for details) Mail Entry: checks payable to: Cordisco's Corner Store 308
Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901 (607) 772-8782 cordiscos@stny.
rr.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Feb. 27-Mar. 26, 92nd Nassau Grand Prix
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 27, Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26, Dutchess County Championship
5SS. G/90, 5 second delay. EF: $5.00. Rockefeller Hall, Vassar College,
Poughkeepsie. Prizes: Trophies for first and second place overall, and
for each class consisting of 4 or more players. Adv. Ent: Michael O'Con-
nor, ocnnr@aol.com. Club website: www.vassar-chadwick.com. NS.
Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 1, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23
uschess.org
See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14
W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36
entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid):
150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if
U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min.
before game. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossi-
ble! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game.
Mar. 2-4 or 3-4, 21st annual Eastern Class Championships (MA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 3, Marshall Saturday U1800!
4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300
b/20): $160-80, U1500 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45.
Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar
shallchessclub.org.
Mar. 3-4 or 4, Marshall March Grand Prix!
See Grand Prix.
A Heritage Event!
A State Championship Event!
Mar. 3-4, 45th annual New York State Scholastic Championships
Open to grades K-12 in any state (top NYS player & team in each sec-
tion are NY champions). Saratoga Hilton, 534 Broadway (I-87 Exit 13-N,
4 miles north on US 9), Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Free parking. Team
prizes based on top 4 scores from same school; no combined school teams
allowed even if one school feeds another. Teams of 2 or 3 players
allowed, but are at a disadvantage. In 8 sections, each is a 6SS, G/61
except K-1 is 5SS, G/30 playing Mar 4 only. No 5 minute time control
deduction. High School, open to all in grades K-12. EF $38.20 mailed by
2/10. Top NYS grade 9-12 qualifies for Denker Tournament of HS Cham-
pions. High School Reserve, open to K-12 under 1200 or unrated. EF
$38 mailed by 2/10. Junior High, open to all in grades K-9. EF $37.90
mailed by 2/10. The higher rated (post-tournament) of the top NYS K-8
in JHS or top NYS K-8 in HS qualifies for Barber Tournament of K-8
Champions. Middle School Reserve, open to K-8 under 1000 or unrated.
EF $37.80 mailed by 2/10. Elementary, open to all in grades K-6. EF
$37.60 mailed by 2/10. Elementary Reserve, open to grades K-5 under
800 or unrated. EF $37.50 mailed by 2/10. Primary, grades K-3. EF
$37.30 mailed by 2/10. K-1, grades K-1. EF $37.10 mailed by 2/10.
Postmarked 2/11-21: All EF $10 more. Do not mail entry after 2/21.
Online at chesstour.com, all sections: EF $40 by 2/10, $50 by 2/27.
No online entry after 2/27. Phoned to 406-896-2038, all sections: EF
$55 per player by 2/27. No phone entry after 2/27. Entry at site: all $60.
Trophies to top 15 players and top 7 teams each section, top 3 unrated
in Primary, K-1, and each reserve section, and top U1500, U1300 (HS),
U900, U700 (HS Reserve), U1200, U1000 (JHS), U700, U500 (MS Reserve),
U1000, U800 (Elem), U500, U300 (Elem Reserve). Speed playoff if per-
fect score tie. Free entry to NY State Championship, Labor Day weekend
2012 (Albany), to top player each section. Schedule: Late reg. ends Sat
10 am, rds Sat 11, 2, 5, Sun 9, 12, 2:30, awards 5 pm. K-1 schedule: Late
reg. ends Sun 9 am, rds Sun 10, 12, 1:30, 3, 4:30, awards 5:45. Half point
byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 2. HR: $117-117, 888-999-
4711, 518-584-4000, reserve by 2/18 or rate may increase. 48 hours
notice required for room cancellation. Backup hotel: Courtyard by Mar-
riott, 2 blocks away, 518-226-0538. Special car rentals: Avis,
800-331-1600, use AWD #657633. Mail entry: Continental Chess, PO
Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. Include name, rating, USCF ID, USCF
expiration (non-members enclose dues), section, school, grade, birth date,
address of each player. Checks payable to Continental Chess. $15 per
player service charge for refunds. $10 extra to switch sections, all sub-
stitutions from advance list charged $60. Special 1 year USCF dues with
magazine if paid with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Young Adult $20,
Scholastic $15. Mailed, phones or paid at site, Young Adult $30, Scholas-
tic $20. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Bring set, board, clock
if possible- none supplied. Chess Magnet School JGP (except K-1).
NEW YORK STATE
SCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
March 3-4, 2012 - Saratoga Springs, NY
6 rounds, three each day, G/61 (except K-1), 5
second delay, open to grades K-12 in any state (top NYS
player & team each section are NY champs).
Team prizes based on top 4 scores from same school; individual
entries welcome. 203 trophies to be awarded, plus free entries for NY
players! Reserve hotel room by Feb 18.
In 8 sections: High School (K-12), High School Reserve (K-12
under 1200/unr), Junior High (K-9), Middle School Reserve (K-8
under 1000/unr), Elementary (K-6), Elementary Reserve (K-6 under
800 or unrated), Primary (K-3), K-1 (K-1; this section is G/30 and plays
Sunday, March 4 only, 5 rounds, G/30, 5 second delay).
See TLA under New York for full details.
Mar. 5-Apr. 9, FIDE Mondays!!
6-SS, G/120d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. Open
to all players rated 1600 or above. EF: $50, $30 members. $$500 b/24:
$175-125-100, U2000 $100; 2 byes OK, commit before Round 4. Reg.:
6:15-6:45, Rds.: 7PM each Monday; FIDE rated. www.marshallchess
club.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 7-Apr. 4, Marshall Wednesday U1400!
A NEW REGULAR MARSHALL CHESS CLUB TOURNAMENT! 5-SS,
G/85d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $50, mem-
bers $30. ($450/20): $240-120, U1100 $90. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds. 7
pm each Wednesday. Limit 2 byes, request by Rd 3. www.marshallchess
club.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 7-Apr. 4, Marshall Wednesday U2000!
PRIZES INCREASED BY 50%! 5-SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23
W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $50, members $30. ($450/20):
$240-120, U1700 $90. Reg.: 6:15-6:45 pm. Rds. 7 pm each Wednesday.
Limit 2 byes, request by Rd 3. www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Mag-
net School JGP.
Mar. 8, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0, Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23
W. 10th St., bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36
entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid):
150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if
U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min.
before game. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossi-
ble! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game.
Mar. 10, Marshall Saturday U1400!
4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300
b/20): $160-80, U1100 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45.
Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar-
shallchessclub.org.
Mar. 10-11 or 11, Marshall March U2100!
4SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716.
EF: $45, Members $25. ($540 b/36): $240-120, U1850 $95, U1600 $85.
Reg.: ends 12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, Rds. 12:30-5:30 PM each
day; 1 day, (Rds 1-2 G/35) 9:40-11:05AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both
merge rd.3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. www.marshall
chessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 15, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23
W. 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36
entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid):
150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if
U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min.
before game. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossi-
ble! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game.
Mar. 15-Apr. 12, Marshall Thursday Members-Only Swiss!
5-SS, G/115d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. Open
to MCC members only. EF: $30. ($450 b/20): $240-120, U2000 $90. Reg.:
6:15-6:45. Rds.: 7PM each Thursday. Limit 2 byes, request by rd. 3.
www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, Long Island Open
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 17, Marshall Saturday G/60!
4-SS, G/55d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360/24):
$160-80, U2000 $65, U1700 $55. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45
am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar
shallchessclub.org.
Chess Life February 2012 67
 Tournament Life
Mar. 17, Utica Four Seasons - Winter
4SS, Rds. 1-2 G/60; Rds. 3-4 G/90. Mohawk Valley Community College,
Exit 31, I-90, bear left, South on E. Genesee, (2.6 miles), left on Memo-
rial Highway (2.3 miles, left Sherman, right into MVCC, Payne Building
3rd Floor). EF: $30. Prices b/20: $200, 125, 75, Class 100. Reg.: 8:30-
9:15. Rds.: 9:30-12:00-2:15-5:30. Ent: Joe Ball, 310 Helfer Ln., Minoa,
NY 13116. 315-436-9008. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 18, 37th Binghamton Monthly Tournament
4SS, G/65 d/5. Prizes: $500 b/26 Open-$150-$100-$50 Reserve-$100-
$75-$25 (U1700). Advance Entry: Open-$35 Reserve-$25 (U1700) $5
more on site-cash only on site. Schedule: Registration on site 8:459:15
AM. Rounds: 9:30-12Noon-2:30-4:45. Free USCF 90-day membership (call
for details) Mail Entry: checks payable to: Cordisco's Corner Store 308
Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901 (607) 772-8782 cordiscos@stny.
rr.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 18, Marshall Open & U1500 Sunday Game/45!
5-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Two sec-
tions-you play only those in your section: A. Open ($360/24): $160-80,
U2100 $65, U1800 $55. B. U1500 ($240/16): $120-65, U1200 $55. EF:
$40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45 pm. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45.
One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.
Mar. 20, Marshall Masters!
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 22, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23
W. 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36
entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid):
150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if
U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min.
before game. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossi-
ble! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game.
Mar. 23, Marshall Friday Quads!
3-RR, G/40d5. Open to all levels; Quads formed by rating. Marshall CC,
23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $25, members $20. $50 for each
winner. Reg.: 5:15-5:45. Rds.: 6-7:30-9PM.
Mar. 23-25 or 24-25, 13th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 24, Marshall Saturday U1600!
4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300
b/20): $160-80, U1300 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45.
Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar
shallchessclub.org.
Mar. 24-25 or 25, Marshall CC March U2300!
4SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716.
EF: $45, Members $25. ($540 b/36): $240-120, U2000/unr $95, U1700
$85. Reg.: ends 12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, Rds. 12:30-5:30 PM
each day; 1 day, (Rds. 1-2 G/25d5) 10-11:15AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both
merge rd.3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. www.marshall
chessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 26-Apr. 23, Marshall Monday U1600!
5-SS, G/85d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $50,
members $30. ($450/20): $240-120, U1300 $90. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.
7 pm each Monday. Limit 2 byes, request by Rd 3. www.marshallchess
club.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 29, 4 Rated Games Tonight!
4-SS, G/25 + td/5 or G/30 + td/0. Chess Center at Marshall Club, 23
W. 10th St, bet 5-6 Ave., NYC: 212-477-3716. May be limited to 1st 36
entries. EF $35, Club membs $25, GMs $20 from prize. $$ (480 b/32 paid):
150-100-50, Top U2200/unr $95, U2000 $85. Limit 2 byes (1 bye if
LONG ISLAND OPEN
Mar 16-18 or 17-18, Holiday Inn Islip Airport - $75 rooms!
$12,000 projected prizes, $8,000 minimum guaranteed
FIRST CCA TOURNAMENT ON LONG ISLAND SINCE THE 1970s!
5 round Swiss in 4 sections; you play only those in your section. Choice
of 3-day or 2-day schedule, both merge after rd 2. Prizes based on 150 paid
entries (re-entries & $50 off entries count half); two-thirds of each prize
minimum guarantee. Special $75 room rates, free parking, free airport shuttle.
Open Section: Prizes $1500-800-500-300, clear/tiebreak win $100 bonus,
top U2300/Unr $600, U2200/Unr $500. FIDE rated, 60 GPP.
Under 2100 Section: $1000-600-400-300, top U1900 $500, U1800 $400.
Under 1700 Section: $900-500-300-200, top U1500 $450, U1400 $350.
Under 1300 Section: $800-400-200-100, top U1100 $300.
Unrated prize limits: $200 in U1300, $400 U1700.
FULL DETAILS: see Grand Prix in this issue or chesstour.com.
68 Chess Life February 2012
U2000), commit by 8:15. Re-entry $15, counts half. Reg. ends 10 min.
before game. Rds. 7-8:15-9:30-10:45 pm. Phone entry often impossi-
ble! $5 extra if entering under 10 min. before game.
Mar. 31, 2012 CT Open State Championship (CT)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 31, 2012 New Haven Scholastic Championship (CT)
See Connecticut.
Mar. 31, Marshall Saturday U1800!
4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300
b/20): $160-80, U1500 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45.
Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar
shallchessclub.org.
Mar. 31-Apr. 1 or Apr. 1, Marshall March/April Grand Prix!
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 31-Apr. 1, 2012 Marchand Open (34th Annual)
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, 6th annual Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 7, Marshall Saturday G/60!
4-SS, G/55d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. ($360/24):
$160-80, U2000 $65, U1700 $55. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45
am. Rds.: 12-2:30-4:45-7. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar
shallchessclub.org.
Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open Action Quads (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open G/15 (QC) (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
Apr. 8, Marshall Open & U1500 Sunday Game/45!
5-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. Two sec-
tions-you play only those in your section: A. Open ($360/24): $160-80,
U2100 $65, U1800 $55. B. U1500 ($240/16): $120-65, U1200 $55. EF:
$40, members $20. Reg.: 11:15-11:45 pm. Rds.: 12-1:45-4:00-5:45.
One bye available, request at entry. www.marshallchessclub.org.
Apr. 8, Philadelphia Open Blitz & G/7 (QC) (PA)
See Pennsylvania.
Apr. 11-May 8, Marshall Wednesday U1400!
5-SS, G/85d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-3716. EF: $50,
members $30. ($450/20): $240-120, U1100 $90. Reg.: 6:15-6:45pm. Rds.
7 pm each Wednesday. Limit 2 byes, request by Rd 3. www.marshallchess
club.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Apr. 11-May 8, Marshall Wednesday U2000!
5-SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212-477-
3716. EF: $50, members $30. ($450/20): $240-120, U1700 $90. Reg.:
6:15-6:45 pm. Rds. 7 pm each Wednesday. Limit 2 byes, request by Rd
3. www.marshallchessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Apr. 12, 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight!
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 13, Marshall Friday Quads!
3-RR, G/40d5. Open to all levels; Quads formed by rating. Marshall CC,
23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. EF: $25, members $20. $50 for each
winner. Reg.: 5:15-5:45. Rds.: 6-7:30-9PM.
Apr. 13-May 4, 12th Queens Team Championship
4-SS, G/115/d5. All Saints Lutheran Church, 164-02 Goethals Ave.,
Jamaica, NY 11432. Open to two player teams with April ratings aver-
aging U2000. $$100-50 to top 2 teams, $60 top U1700 team, $60 each
to top Board 1 and Board 2 scorers/10 teams (prizes raised or lowered
proportionally). One 1/2 point team bye permitted, which must be
requested at entry. If one player on team is unavailable, replacement
player must be rated lower and occupy board of player replaced, regard-
less of rating. EF: $35 per player, $25 QCC members. REG.: 7:30-8:00.
RDS.: 8:15 each Friday. ENT: Ed Frumkin, 445 E 14th St #10D, New York,
NY 10009 (212-677-3224do not call on Thursday or Friday). More
detailed contact information at www.queens-chess.com. Mail entry by April
6. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Apr. 14, Marshall Saturday U1400!
4-SS, G/40d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716. ($300
b/20): $160-80, U1100 $60. EF: $40, members $20. Reg.: 12:15-12:45.
Rds.: 1-2:45-4:30-6:15PM. One bye available, request at entry. www.mar-
shallchessclub.org.
Apr. 14-15 or 15, Marshall April U2100!
4SS, 30/85d5, SD/1d5. Marshall CC, 23 W. 10th St., NYC. 212 477-3716.
EF: $45, Members $25. ($540 b/36): $240-120, U1850 $95, U1600 $85.
Reg.: ends 12:15PM. Rds.: 2 schedules: 2 day, Rds. 12:30-5:30 PM each
day; 1 day, (Rds. 1-2 G/35) 9:40-11:05AM-12:30-5:30 PM Sun; both
merge rd.3. Limit 2 byes, request at entry. NO RE-ENTRY. www.marshall
chessclub.org. Chess Magnet School JGP.
Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 23rd annual Vermont Resort Open (VT)
See Grand Prix.
May 18-20 or 19-20, 20th annual New York State Open
See Grand Prix.
July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, 40th Annual World Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
North Carolina
Mar. 30-Apr. 1 or Mar. 31-Apr. 1, 10th Annual Southern Class Cham-
pionships (FL)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 30-Apr. 1, The Big Enchilada II
See Grand Prix.
Ohio
Feb. 11, Progress with Chess Monthly Open
4SS, G/30. Fairhill Center, 12200 Fairhill Rd., Cleveland, OH 44120. EF:
$20. Reg.: 9-9:45. Rds.: 10, 11:30, 1, 2:30. Prizes: $350 Guaranteed:
Open (1st $100, 2nd $50 U-2000 $50). Reserve U-1500: (1st $70, 2nd
$40 U-1000 $40). Entries: Progress with Chess, 12200 Fairhill Rd.,
Cleveland, OH 44120. Info: www.progresswithchess.org. Contact: Mike
Joelson 216-321-7000.
Feb. 17, DCC #7 Quick 2012 (QC)
4SS, G/25, td5. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. One bye.
Prizes based on entries. EF: $10 ($8 DCC mbrs). Rds.: 7:30/8:30/
9:30/10:30. Info: DCC.18W5@sbcglobal.net or 937-461-6283.
Feb. 24, DCC #8 Quick 2012 (QC)
4SS, G/25, td5. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. One bye.
Prizes based on entries. EF: $10 ($8 DCC mbrs). Rds.: 7:30/8:30/9:30/
10:30. Info: DCC.18W5@sbcglobal.net or 937-461-6283.
Mar. 2, DCC #9 Quick 2012 (QC)
4SS, G/25, td5. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. One bye.
Prizes based on entries. EF: $10 ($8 DCC mbrs). Rds.: 7:30/8:30/9:30/
10:30. Info: DCC.18W5@sbcglobal.net or 937-461-6283.
Mar. 9, DCC #10 Quick 2012 (QC)
4SS, G/25, td5. Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH. One bye.
Prizes based on entries. EF: $10 ($8 DCC mbrs). Rds.: 7:30/8:30/9:30/
10:30. Info: DCC.18W5@sbcglobal.net or 937-461-6283.
Mar. 10, Toledo Mar Swiss
Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90. The University of Toledo Health
Science Campus, Mulford Library Basement Caf, 3000 Arlington Ave.,
Toledo, OH 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by
3/8, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20,
$100-50, 1st Class A ,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James
Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd., Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450.
Chess Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 16-17, 11th Annual Queen City Classic Chess Tournament
5SS, G/30. Paul Brown Stadium, Club West, Downtown Cincinnati, OH.
14 School Sections, includes rated and non-rated. Grade K Non-Rated,
1 Non-Rated, 2 Non-rated, 3 Non-rated, K-3 Open, 4 Non-Rated, 5 Non-
Rated, 6 Non-Rated, 4-6 below 700, 4-6 Open, 7-9 Non-Rated, 7-9 Open,
10-12 Non-Rated, K-12 Open. USCF membership is not required for the
non-rated and K-3 rated sections. Prizes: Trophies to all who score 3.5
points or higher, top three team trophies awarded and medals to all oth-
ers. EF: $35 early bird fee and $45 EF after February 17th. EF includes
lunch, t-shirt, program/score book, medal, and simul participation. Reg-
istration closes Wednesday, March 14, 2012. NO ON-SITE REGISTRA-
TIONS. Schedule: Friday, March 16, check in from 5-6 p.m. FREE SIMUL
at 6:30 p.m. for tournament participants, $20 for Non-participants.
SIMUL features International Master Irina Krush, International Grand-
masters Maurice Ashley and Gregory Kaidanov. March 17, check in
7-8:30 a.m., matches begin at 9:00 a.m. Grandmasters will be available
for questions and instructions all day. Entry/Info: 1-866-PS-CHESS (772-
4377) or www.queencityclassic.org.
Mar. 23-25 or 24-25, 13th annual Pittsburgh Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 24-25, MOTCF (Midwest Open Team Chess Festival)
5SS, Rds. 1&2 G/90, td/5, Rds 3-5 G150, td/5. Location: Dayton Chess
Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH 45402. Four players/team plus one alter-
nate. Team ratings for pairings determined by average of highest four
ratings with imputed ratings for players rated more than 400 points below
team average. Reg.: Sat. Mar 24, 9-10:30am. Rds.: Sat 11, 3, & 7 - Sun
10 & 3:30. Entry fee: $160/team prior to Mar 24. $200/team at site.
Prizes: (Based on 28 teams). Open: $1,050-$750, U2000: $700, U1800:
uschess.org

$600, U1600 $500. Top boards (1-4) $75. Hotel: TBD/See website. Reg-
ister: Mail - Dayton Chess Club, 18 W. 5th St., Dayton, OH 45402 or at
www.daytonchessclub.com and use entry forms there as well. MC/V at
site, no checks. Info: DCC.18W5@sbcglobal.net or 937.461.6283. Chess
Magnet School JGP.
A State Championship Event!
Apr. 14, Ohio Elementary Championships
5SS; Sections: Primary Championship (K-3), Elementary Championship
(K-6), Elementary Reserve (K-6 U750), plus K-6 Non-Rated section. G/30
d5 except Championship sections round 5 G/45 d5. Open to K-6 students
enrolled in Ohio schools or home-schooled in Ohio. Sycamore High
School, 7400 Cornell Rd., Montgomery (Cincinnati), OH 45242. EF: $25
through Mar 31, then $35 through Apr 11. ($10/$15 for federal lunch pro-
gram students.) No onsite registration. Awards: Individual trophies to
top 10 places in each section, and all scoring at least 3.5 and top five
K-3 Non-Rated who do not win a place trophy; team trophies to top 5
teams in each section. Complete information at: www.Chessinnati.com.
Contact: Alan Hodge 513-697-6930, a.hodge195@gmail.com.
Apr. 14, Toledo Apr Swiss
Open, 4SS, Rnd 1 G/75, Rnds 2-4 G/90. The University of Toledo Health
Science Campus, Mulford Library Basement Caf, 3000 Arlington Ave.,
Toledo, OH 43614. Can split into 2 sections if enough players. EF: $20 by
4/12, $25 at site. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10, 1, 4, & 7. Prizes: $360 b/20,
$100-50, 1st Class A ,B,C,D/Under $40, 1st U1600 $50. Ent: James
Jagodzinski, 7031 Willowyck Rd., Maumee, OH 43537. 419-367-9450.
Chess Magnet School JGP.
May 4-5 or 5-6, 48th Cincinnati Open
See Grand Prix.
May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
Oklahoma
Feb. 11, OCA Dog Fish Action Swiss
5SS, G/30 (3-second delay), one section, dual rated Regular & Quick. Best
Western Airport Hotel, Garnett & I-244 (222 N. Garnett Rd.), Tulsa, 918-
438-0780. EF: $20, OCA membership included, registration at door.
USCF membership required. Prizes: All entry fees returned as prizes;
Plaques to 1st and Class winners A, B, C and D&Under; $50 HOS gift cer-
tificate to top K-12; Additional prizes based on entries. Reg.: 8:30-9:30am;
Accelerated pairings may be used; Only one 1/2-point bye available in
Rds 1-4. Rds.: 10:00, 11:30, 1:30, 3:00, 4:30. Contact: Chuck Unruh, PO
Box 340, Collinsville, OK 74021, 918-371-2978 or 800-460-2794, chun-
ruh@aol.com. More info: www.ochess.org/events.
Feb. 18-20, 3rd Jerry Hanken FIDE Open
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, Southern Rocky Fide Open (NM)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 25, 10th Annual Red River Shoot Out
State Team match open only to OK and TX residents as defined as to where
USCF has your address. Two rounds, G/60+30 sec. Must have USCF rat-
ing and current USCF membership. Treasure Valley Casino, I-35 Exit 55
& Hwy 7, Davis, OK 73030. EF: $5, Masters Free, all registration on site.
Reg.: 9:30 to 10:45. Rds.: 11 and 2:30. For questions OK players
contact: Frank Berry at fkimberry@AOL.com; TX players contact:
Rob Jones at 214-212-9185, jonessoc@juno.com.
Pennsylvania
Feb. 19, PCL February Quick Quads (QC)
3RR, G/15d3. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & Bigelow, Pitts-
burgh, PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-11:15am.
Rds.: 11:30am-Noon-12:30pm. Info: martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com,
412-908-0286. W.
A Heritage Event!
Feb. 25, 67th Pittsburgh Metropolitan Open
3SS, G/90, d/5, accelerated pairings used for first two rounds. Pittsburgh
Chess Club, 5604 Solway St., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. EF: $25 postmarked
by 2/21, $30 later, $5 discount to PCC members. Prizes $$450 b/25: $120
- 80, U2000 $70, U1800 $60, U1600 $50, U1400 $40, U1200/Unr $30. Reg.:
9:00-9:45AM. Rds.: 10:00AM, 1:30PM, 5:00PM. Requests for half-point
byes must be made by the start of Round 2. Info: (412)421-1881, www.
PittsburghCC.org. Ent: Pittsburgh Chess Club, Attn: Mike Holsinger, 5604
Solway St., Suite 209, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Checks payable to Pittsburgh
Chess Club. NC. W.
Mar. 2, 2012 PA Quick Chess Champ (QC)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 3, W.Chester 1st Sat. Quads
Our 23rd year! 3RR, 40/75, sd/30, td/5sec. United Methodist Church,
129 S. High St., West Chester, PA. EF: $20; $40, $50 for 3-0. Reg.: 9am;
Rds.: 9:30, 1, 4:30. Info: WCCC1975@gmail.com.
Mar. 3-4, 2012 Carlisle Open & PA Collegiate Championship
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 3-4, 2012 PA State Scholastic Championships
5SS. 184 Trophies!! (With 128 Individual & 56 Team). Hotel Carlisle &
Embers Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015, Exit
52A NB/Exit 52 SB off I-81, Exit 226 off PA Turnpike. 8 sections (Sat & Sun
3/3 & 4 unless indicated): EF: K-3 Open: (Sat 3/3 only) $29. K-6 U800:
(Sat 3/3 only) $27. K-9 U1000: (Sun 3/4 only) $27.25. K-6 Open: $30.50.
K-8 Open: $31.50. 7-12 U1000: $28.50. 7-12 U1300: $29.50. K-12 Open:
$32.50. All: EFs if rec'd by 2/13, $10 more rec'd 2/14-2/27, $20 more after
2/27. Feb 2012 ratings used. Bye: limit 1, ask by rd 2. Reg Fri 3/2 6-10
pm, Sat 3/3 9:30-10:15 am, Saturday at site entries get 1/2-bye. $5 charge
for changes/refund after 2/13. Rds. (Sat 3/3 1-day sections): G/40d5;
10-11:45-2-3:45-5:30; (Sun 3/4 K-9 U1000): G/40d5; 9-10:30-12:30-2-
3:30; (2-day sections): G/90d5; 10-2-5:30, 9-1. Bughouse: Reg on-site
uschess.org
See previous issue for TLAs appearing February 1-14
only until Sat 3/3 8:30pm. Rds. begin Sat 3/3 8:45pm. EF: $20/team. HR:
Mention PA States for best rate; 800-692-7315 $75. Ent: PSCF, c/o Tom
Martinak, 25 Freeport St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223-2245. Info: 412-908-0286,
martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com. Chess Magnet School JGP for 2-day
sections.
Mar. 10, MasterMinds CC Swiss/Quads
Blair Christian Academy, 220 W. Upsal St., Philadelphia, PA. Quads:
40/75 SD/30 TD/5. EF: $20 cash, Perfect score winner $50 else $40. Rd.
1 10AM then asap. Scholastic SS, EF $5 rec'd by Thursday before, $15
at the door. 3 sections Rd. 1 10AM then asap: K-12 3SS, G/55 TD/5 1st,
2nd, 3rd, top under 1200, top unrated; K-8 4SS, G/35 TD/5.1st, 2nd, 3rd,
top under 800, top unrated; K-6 4SS, G/35 TD/5.1st, 2nd, 3rd, top under
600, top under 400, top unrated. 1st & 2nd school & club trophies. All
Reg. ends 9:30am. Ent: MasterMinds CC, 36 E. Hortter St., Philadelphia,
PA 19119. Checks made payable to: MasterMinds CC. Info: Bradley
Crable, 215-844-3881, info@mastermindschess.org, or www.masterminds
chess.org.
Mar. 17, St. Patrick's Day (NJ)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 18, PCL March Quick Quads (QC)
3RR, G/15d3. Wm. Pitt Union, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 5th Ave. & Bigelow, Pitts-
burgh, PA 15213. EF: $10, $7 Jrs. $20 to 1st/quad. Reg.: 11-11:15am.
Rds.: 11:30am-Noon-12:30pm. Info: martinak_tom_m@hotmail.com,
412-908-0286. W.
Mar. 23-25 or 24-25, 13th annual Pittsburgh Open
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 24, 11th Annual Horizons for Youth Scholastic Spring Chess
Tournament
5SS, G/30, d/5. Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Rd.,
Main Campus, College Center Building, Bethlehem, PA 18020. Reg.:
7:30-8:45am. Rds.: 9:30, 11, 12:30, 2, 3:30. Rated Section Age 18 and
under. Non-Rated Sections ages 14 and under. EF: $30 postmarked by
March 22nd, $35 later & on site. Prizes: Rated-Trophies-1st, 2nd, 3rd,
4th U1400, U1200, U1000, U800, U600, UNR. Non-Rated Trophies b/o age.
For rated section, please bring chess equipment. Random draw prizes
between rounds. Sudden death, if necessary for 1st-4th Non-Rated G/7,
d/3, G/6vG/4.5, d/0 Armageddon if necessary, tie breaks determines color
and clock placement. Ent: Online reg: forms at www.northampton.edu/
Community-Programs/Horizons-For-Youth/Special-Events-and-Partner-
ships.htm or call Horizons for Youth at 610-861-4120. Please print and
mail form with payment (CC or check) to: Horizons for Youth, 3835
Green Pond Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18020. Info: Jane 610-861-4120, Scott
Zrinski (TD), sazrinski@gmail.com or Bruce Davis (Chief TD), BDavis@
lehighvalleychess.org.
Apr. 1, 2012 PA State Game/29 Champ. (QC)
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, 6th annual Philadelphia Open
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open Action Quads
3RR, G/25, d/5, dual rated. Loews Philadelphia Hotel (see Philadelphia
Open). EF: $20, at site only. $$ 50 1st each section. Reg. ends 1:45 pm,
rds. 2, 3, 4.
Apr. 7, Philadelphia Open G/15 (QC)
4SS, G/15, d/3. Lowes Philadelphia Hotel (see Philadelphia Open). Prizes
$300 based on 20 entries, else in proportion: $100-50, U2100 $60,
U1800 $50, U1500/Unr $40. EF: $20, at site only. Reg. ends 10:15 pm,
rds. 10:30, 10:45, 11:30, 12:15. One half pt bye available, must commit
before rd. 2. Quick rated, but higher of regular or quick used for pairings
& prizes.
Apr. 8, Philadelphia Open Blitz & G/7 (QC)
2 separate tournaments at Loews Philadelphia Hotel (see Philadelphia
Open). Blitz: G/5, no delay. G/7: G/7, d/2. Each is a 4-SS, double round
(8 games) with prizes $300 based on 20 entries, else in proportion:
$100-50, U2100 $60, U1800 $50, U1500/Unr $40. EF: $20, at site only.
Blitz: reg. ends 12:45 pm, rds. 1, 1:30, 2, 2:30. Game/7: reg. ends
10:15 pm, rds. 10:30, 11:15, 12, 12:45. Both: One pair of 1/2 pt byes avail-
able, must commit before rd 2. Quick rated, but higher of regular or quick
used for pairings & prizes.
June 29-July 3 (New date), 9th annual Philadelphia International
See Grand Prix.
July 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, 2-8, 1-3 or 4-5, 40th Annual World Open
See Grand Prix.
Rhode Island
Feb. 4, Brown University Open
4SS, G/60. Prizes & Trophies. Alumnae Hall, 194 Meeting St., Provi-
dence, RI. See details at website: www.richess.org or call (401) 212-1335.
Mar. 17, RI Chess Association Quads
3RR, Game/45 +TD 5. Blackstone Chess Academy, 250 Main St., Paw-
tucket, RI 02860. EF: $20 cash at site or online at www.richess.org. First
each Quad $50. Reg.: ends 10:50. RD1 at 11 AM then ASAP. Info: 401-
837-1302. NS. NC.
Mar. 31, 2012 CT Open State Championship (CT)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 31, 2012 New Haven Scholastic Championship (CT)
See Connecticut.
South Carolina
Mar. 30-Apr. 1 or Mar. 31-Apr. 1, 10th Annual Southern Class Cham-
pionships (FL)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 30-Apr. 1, The Big Enchilada II (NC)
See Grand Prix.
Tennessee
Feb. 24-26 or 25-26, Greater Memphis Open 2
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 16-18 or 17-18, 16th annual Mid-America Open (MO)
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 17-18, Saint Patrick's Day Open
See Grand Prix.
A State Championship Event!
Apr. 14, Tennessee All-Girls Scholastic State Championship
5SS, G/40. 3rd Floor, Keathley University Center, MTSU 1301 E. Main St.,
Murfreesboro, TN 37132. Two Sections: Championship Section open to
all TN girls ages 18 & under. EF: $20 pstmkd by 4/10/12, $25 later. Com-
petition Section open to all TN girls ages 12 & under. EF: $15.00 if
pstmkd by 4/10/12, $20.00 later, USCF and TCA membership req'd., Tro-
phies 1st6th place, medals 7th10th place, plus prizes to 1st3rd place
in each section. Rds. both sections: 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 1:30 3:00, Play-
off if needed: G/10, G/5, Coin toss, Winner of Championship Section will
be crowned TN All-Girls State Champion and receive Grand Prize of par-
tial scholarship to college of choice. Special events: Exhibits & Seminars
for players and Parents from WiSTEM, GRITS, NGCP, MTSU, Free games
analysis by NM. Inq.: clarksvillechessclub@charter.net. Ent: Clarksville
Chess Club, c/o Roy Manners, 1215 Cumberland Heights Rd., Clarksville,
TN 37040. Online: www.tnchess.org.
May 11-13, 2012 National Elementary (K-6) Championship
See Nationals.
June 9-10, 2012 U.S. Amateur South Championship
See Nationals.
Texas
Feb. 18-19, Southwest Collegiate Championships
5-SS, G/90 inc/30. 5SS. Sheraton Dallas Hotel, 400 North Olive St., Dal-
las, TX 75201. HR: $109-$109-$109-$109, 214-922-8000 or 888-627-8191,
Mention Texas Chess Association to get Hotel Chess Rate. Reserve by
1/27/12 or rate may go up. One night deposit may be required by Hotel.
Top 4 count for team score. USCF membership required. Fide rated but
uses USCF rules. Fide pairing rules may be used. Monroi devices may be
provided and their use is mandatory. EF: $49 by 2/03/12, $69 thereafter.
Don't mail after 2/03, entry may not be received. Online/Credit Card reg-
istration link at www.swchess.com Note that active.com charges a small
fee. Reg.: Fri 7-9 pm, Sat 7-7:45am. Saturday registrants may receive
a 1st rd. 1/2 pt. bye. One 1/2 pt. bye allowed if requested by end of rd.
2. Rds.: Sat 9-1:30-6, Sun 9-1:45. $$ $500-$250-$125, 1st U2000 $150,
1st U1600 $150, 1st U1200 $150, Unrated eligible for U1200 prize.
Plaques to top 10 Individuals, Plaques to top 5 Teams. Ent: Barbara Swaf-
ford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. (Make Checks payable to
Texas Chess Association. One check can be sent for multiple players.)
Entries must include name, USCF ID or new/pending (include a copy of
the receipt), rating, USCF expiration date & school. All incomplete reg-
istrations will be charged the late EF, additionally there will be a $5 per
player surcharge on registration received without payment, these play-
ers may possibly not be paired for round 1 and not be paired until
payment is received. Refunds will be given only up to 2/15 with a $10 sur-
charge for withdrawing, after 2/15 there will be no refunds. There will
be no substitution of team members. There will be a $10 change fee for
changes after 2/15. There will be a $5 surcharge per player for phone
registrations. USCF membership is required. Proof of membership is
required or player must join/renew their memberships. No registration/
changes/or withdrawals after 2/15/12. After that date you must make
changes at site (Sheraton Dallas Hotel). February Supplement will be used.
Tournament Info: Barbara Swafford, 214.632.9000 please do not call
after 2/15, info@dallaschess.com. Website: www.swchess.com. NS.
NC. W. FIDE. Chess Magnet School JGP.
A State Championship Event!
Feb. 18-19, 2012 Texas State Scholastic Championships
7SS. Sheraton Dallas Hotel, 400 North Olive St., Dallas, TX 75201. HR:
$109-$109-$109-$109, 214-922-8000 or 888-627-8191, Mention Texas
Chess Association to get Hotel Chess Rate. Reserve by 1/27/12 or rate
may go up. Four championships in one great location: TX Primary
Scholastic Championships; TX Elementary Scholastic Champi-
onships; TX Middle School Scholastic Championships; TX High
School Scholastic Championships. EF: $41 by 2/03/12; $69 after 2/03
or on site. February Rating Supplement will be used. Current USCF mem-
bership required (may be obtained on site). On Site Registration: Friday,
7-9pm, Saturday, 7-7:45am. Saturday registrants may receive a 1st Rd.
1/2-pt. bye. One 1/2-pt. bye (for any round) allowed if requested by the
end of Rd. 2. Sections: K-1 Championship, Primary (K-3) Championship,
Primary JV (K-3 w/Ratings Under 700), Elementary (K-5/6) Champi-
onship, Elementary JV (K-5/6 Under 800), Elementary Novice (K-5/6 Under
500), Middle School (6-8/9) Championship, MS JV (6-8/9 Under 900), MS
Novice (6-8/9 Under 600), High School (9-12) Championship, HS JV (9-
12 Under 1000). See Article IX, Section 1E, TCA Bylaws for each section's
eligibility requirement, www.texaschess.org/2007/03/bylaws.html. Also
www.swchess.com has eligibility rules. Four-year Chess II scholarship
to The University of Texas at Dallas to winner of High School Championship
section. Winner must meet UTD entrance requirement and follow team
rules. UTD is sole judge as to who wins the scholarship. For more infor-
mation on UTDallas Scholarships see: www.utdallas.edu/chess/scholar
ships/chess-program-scholarships.html Trophies for top 20 individuals
and top 15 teams in each section plus participation medals for all, and
plus Score Awards for players scoring 4 or more points that do not win
an individual trophy. Schedule: Round times vary depending on the
Championship; Time control also varies. For round times and time con-
trol, see: www.swchess.com. Side Events: Blitz Tourney: K-6 and K-12,
Friday 8pm. EF: $20. Trophies to top 15 Individual in each section. Bug-
house Tourney: K-6 and K-12, Saturday, 8:35pm. EF: $30 Team (On site
registration only). trophies to top 10 teams in each section. All registra-
tions (except Bughouse) available on line: see www.swchess.com and you
can download flyers and entry forms. Checks payable to Texas Chess Asso-
Chess Life February 2012 69
 Tournament Life
ciation. Mail entries to:Texas Chess Association, c/o Barbara Swafford,
2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. For tournament info, visit
our website or contact: Barbara Swafford, info@dallaschess.com or
214-632-9000. Refunds will be given only up to 2/15 with a $10 surcharge
for withdrawing, after 2/15 there will be no refunds. There will be no sub-
stitution of team members. There will be a $10 change fee for changes
after 2/15. There will be a $5 surcharge per player for phone registra-
tions USCF membership is required. Proof of membership is required or
player must join/renew their memberships. No registration/changes/or
withdrawals after 2/15/12. After that date you must make changes at
site (Sheraton Dallas Hotel). NS, NC, W.
Feb. 23-26 or 25-26, Southern Rocky Fide Open (NM)
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 25-26, Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 24, Spring Slammer
Hornbeak Bldg, 2nd floor, 4450 Medical Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229. 5-SS,
Rd. 1 G/30, Rds. 2-5 G/60. $$ 700 b/40: $175-100; A, B, U1600 ea. $75-
$50; U1400/unr. $50. EF: $20 by 3/22, $25 site. Book & supply sales and
swap during registration. Reg.: 9-10 a.m., Rds.: 10:30-11:30-2-4:30-7:30.
Half-pt. bye any 1 rd., notice before rd. 2. Entries: SACC, 9306 Autumn
Sunrise, San Antonio, TX 78254. Info: sanantoniochess.com, jphyltin@
yahoo.com. NS. NC. W.
Utah
May 4-6 or 5-6, Western Amateur (CA-S)
See California, Southern.
Vermont
Apr. 27-29 or 28-29, 23rd annual Vermont Resort Open
See Grand Prix.
Virginia
Arlington Chess Club's Friday Ladder
30/90, SD/1. Most monthly game points: $50; most total points Jan. to
Dec.: $100. Must join club to play. Yearly dues: $50 adults, $40
seniors/U18. Cash or check. Reg.: weekly sign-up from 7:00-8:00pm,
games start by 8:10, no advance entries. Arlington Forest United
Methodist Church, 4701 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203. Contact for
info only: chrisney2@gmail.com. W, NS. Chess Magnet School JGP (if 4
rounds/ games played in that one month).
Arlington Chess Club's Friday Action Tournament
3SS, G/30. Once a month we run a Friday night event - dates are on the
club website: www.arlingtonchessclub.com. Prizes b/entries: 80%
returned as prizes. Reg.: 7:00-8:15pm. Rd. 1: 8:20. EF: $15 ($10 for ACC
Members), no advance entries, cash only. Arlington Forest United
Methodist Church, 4701 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22202. Contact for
info only: chrisney2@gmail.com. W, NS.
Feb. 11-12, Longwood Open
5SS, Rds 1-3 G/90, Rds 4-5 G/120. Longwood University, Farmville, VA.
$$500 b/o 20 players: 1st-3rd overall, $200-120-80 (Gtd); Top U1700
and Top U1200, $50 ea. EF: $35 if rec'd by 2/8, $45 on site. No credit cards.
Reg.: 7:30-9:30AM. Rds.: Sat 10-2-6, Sun 9-1:30. One half-point bye
allowed if req. by 1:30PM Feb 11th. USCF Memb. req'd, avail. at site. Event
& hotel info at: www.vachess.org or mhoffpauir@aol.com. Ent: mail to
Mike Hoffpauir, 405 Hounds Chase, Yorktown, VA 23693. Chess Magnet
School JGP.
Feb. 18, Third Saturday Swiss
Ashburn Chess Center, 44927 George Washington Blvd. #120, Ashburn,
VA 20147. 4SS, G/61 Open & U1200 sections. Prizes: 50% back to top
3 per section. EF: $18 Preregistered. $20 at site. Members discounted.
Reg.: 9-9:30AM. Rd.: 1 10AM. Half pt. Bye: 1-3. Preregistration and more
info at www.loudounchess.org/reg/accregister.htm. Chess Magnet
School JGP.
Feb. 18-19, 3rd Annual Hampton Chess & Sport Festival
See Grand Prix.
Feb. 25, Sterling Chess February Open and RBO
Hilton Inn & Suites Dulles, 22700 Holiday Park Dr., Sterling, VA 20166.
Two sections: Open 4SS, G/61 d5, $$125 b/22, 75/35/15. U1200
4SS, G/25 d5, medal to winner. Rds.: Open 11:15, 1:45, 4:15, 6:30.
U1200 11:30, 12:45, 2:00, 3:15. Check-in: 10:30-11:00. EF: Open $15,
U1200 $10. Unrateds free. Entries limited: Register online at www.
meetup.com/sterling-chess-tournaments. Pay on website. Bye: Half-
point, any round. Info: news@serranoassociates.com. Chess Magnet
School JGP for Open section.
Mar. 2-4, 44th Annual Virginia Open
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 3, Virginia Queens Scholastic Championship (QC)
5SS, G/25. Norfolk State University Student Center. Virginia Girls Only
Rated & Unrated Sections. Reg.: 9-9:30. Rd. 1 at 10. Then ASAP. K-12 Rated
Section. $1000 scholarship & trophies. Unrated Section $1000 scholar-
ship & trophies. Unrated section is only for those who have never been
USCF members. EF: FREE! Info/Reg: Ernest Schlich, 1370 S. Braden Cres.,
Norfolk, VA 23502, www.nicechess.net/ or eschlich@verizon.net. Please
e-mail the entry information from the website to enter. All players MUST
check in during registration to be paired for the first round. Single half-
pt. bye available. Friday 3/2. Free GM Susan Polgar exhibition match and
simultaneous exhibition 4-6 PM Chrysler Museum, Norfolk. Visit the
website for details.
Mar. 10, Kingstowne Quad #82
3RR, G/100 d/5. Kingstowne Thompson Center, 6090 Kingstowne Village
Pkwy., Alexandria, VA 22315. EF: $10 if received by 3/7, $15 at site. Prizes:
Medals to 1st and 2nd in each quad: gold to 1st if 3-0 score, else silver;
bronze to 2nd. Reg.: 9-10:30. Rds.: 11-3-7. Ent (checks payable to): Don
W. Millican, P.O. Box 2902, Springfield, VA 22152. e-mail (info only):
dm407_92@hotmail.com. W (please give 48-hour notice if needed).
70 Chess Life February 2012
Mar. 10, First Saturday Quad
Ashburn Chess Center, 44927 George Washington Blvd. #120, Ashburn,
VA 20147. 3RR, G/30 Open to all players, grouped to quads according to
their ratings. Trophies to each winner of the quad. Points for winners to
win $300 before July 31, anniversary of Ashburn Chess Club. EF: $7 Pre-
registered, $8 at site. Members discounted. Send your pre-registration
to smartgenes@yahoo.com.
Mar. 17-18, VA Scholastic & Collegiate Championships
6SS, Rds. 1-3 G/60; Rds. 4-6 G/90. Organized by VA Chess Federation.
Blitz Championships Friday at 6PM before the main tournament.
Main tournament is Saturday and Sunday, March 17-18. Players must
be K-12 or College players attending school or college full time in Virginia
as of Jan. 2012, or must be Virginia residents. Virginia residency is NOT
REQUIRED for the Blitz Tournament. Online registration, eligibility, other
details and hotel info at: www.vachess.org or www.vschess.org. Ques-
tions to: Mike Hoffpauir, mhoffpauir@aol.com, or 757-846-4805. Chess
Magnet School JGP.
Mar. 30-Apr. 1, The Big Enchilada II (NC)
See Grand Prix.
Apr. 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, 6th annual Philadelphia Open (PA)
See Grand Prix.
Washington
Feb. 25-26, 20th Dave Collyer Memorial
See Grand Prix.
May 4-6 or 5-6, Western Amateur (CA-S)
See California, Southern.
Wisconsin
Feb. 25-26, UW Winter Open
See Grand Prix.
Mar. 3, March Madness!! (QC)
Hilton Garden Inn, 11600 W. Park Pl., Milwaukee, WI 53224. Elimination
bracket: 6 rounds playing one as White and one as Black, G/15. EF: Early
bird special $38 by 2/17; $3 more by 3/2, $45 on site; Jr and new mem-
bers $3 less. $$b/64: $450-300-200-150. Once you get eliminated, you
play in the Swiss. Swiss prizes: 1st.100 2nd $85 A $75 B $70 C $65 D
$60 E $55 U1000 $50 Unr $50. Reg.: 3/2 8-9:30 AM. Rds.: 10-11:30-1:30-
3:00-4:30-6:30. ENT: Ben Corcoran, 2711 N. University Dr. #64, Waukesha,
WI 53188 262-506-4203. INFO: www.benzochess.com/marchmadness.
html.
Mar. 31, Rated Beginners Open (RBO)
4SS, G/60. Dual rated. Country Springs Hotel, (262.547.0201); Exit 291,
I-94 and Hwy G, Waukesha, WI 53187. Open to players rated under
1200 or unrated. Prizes:Trophies to top 3, book prizes for class winners.
EF: $15 ($12 by 3/30). Reg.: 8:30-9:30. Rds.: 10:00; 1:00; 3:30; 6:00.
Mail entries to: Waukesha CC, 1911 Stardust Dr., Waukesha, WI 53186.
Phone Info: Jim Nickell (262) 544-6266. Online info: jnickell@wi.rr.com.
A Heritage Event!
Mar. 31, Waukesha Memorial (31st Annual)
A Wisconsin Tour Event! 4SS, G/60. Dual rated. Country Springs Hotel,
(262.547.0201); Exit 291, I-94 and Hwy G, Waukesha, WI 53187. $$Non-
monetary, traveling trophy to First, books for class winners. Open to all.
EF: $15 ($12 by 3/30). Reg.: 8:30-9:30, Rds.: 10:00; 1:00; 3:30; 6:00.
No state memb. req'd. OSA. Mail entries to: Waukesha CC, 1911 Star-
dust Dr., Waukesha, WI 53186. Phone Info: Jim Nickell (262) 544-6266.
Online info: jnickell@wi.rr.com.
May 24-28, 25-28, 26-28 or 27-28, 21st annual Chicago Open (IL)
See Grand Prix.
Clubs Committee
The USCF is appointing a Clubs Commit-
tee with Bob Rasmussen, President of
the Fresno Chess Club, as chair. Anyone
interested in discussing how to build a
chess club or joining the committee is
welcome to call Bob at 559-708-8100.
WARNING!
THE USE OF A
CELL PHONE
IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM IS
PROHIBITED!
AT MOST TOURNAMENTS!
IF YOUR CELL PHONE RINGS IN A ROOM WITH
GAMES IN PROGRESS, YOU COULD BE SEVERELY
PENALIZED, MAYBE EVEN FORFEITED!
TURN IT OFF!
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 Solutions

CHESS TO ENJOY ENDGAME LAB

(page 17) Benkos Bafflers (page 49) PROMOTE AMERICAN CHESS
Problem I. Problem I.
U.S. Championship 1946 1. Rd4+
1. Bc8! and Bxe6 wins the trapped knight at h3.
Problem II.
U.S. Open 1946
The first thematic try is 1. Re5+? Kxe5 2. Bxh6
a1=Q 3. Bg7+ Ke4 4. Bxa1 Rc1 5. Rf4+ Ke3, how-
ever White cannot force a win.
Be a USCF
1. ... Nf3+! 2. gxf3 Qg5+ 3. Kh1 Qf4 threatens mate
on h2 (4. Ng4 Qxd2).
Problem III.
1. ... Kxd4 2. Bb2+ Ke3 3. Rf3+
3. Re2+? Kd3 4. Kxc5 Rh5+ 5. Kb4 a1=Q 6. Bxa1
Rb5+ 7. Kxb5 stalemate.
Benefactor!
Ventnor City 1939 3. ... Ke4 4. Kxc5 a1=Q 5. Bxa1 Rc6+ 6. Kb5!
White won after 1. Rg1! Qf3+ 2. Qxf3 but 2. Kh2+! wins. HELP PROMOTE
leads to mate. Also, 1. ... Kf8 2. Kh2! followed by 3. Of course not 6. Kxc6? yielding stalemate.
Qh8+ leads to mate. 6. ... Rc5+ 7. Ka6 Rc6+ 8. Kb7 Rc1 9. Rf4+ Kd5 AMERICAN CHESS
ational Championship 10. Bd4 wins.

NAL OPEN
Problem IV.
U.S. Open 1946 Problem II.
BY BECOMING A
1. Qa2! wins a piece, e.g. 1. ... Qxb5 2. Rb1 or 1. ... 1. Re4 USCF BENEFACTOR
Bb7 2. Qa7. The thematic try is 1. Rxb4? c2 2. Rc4 Bg6 3. Kg3
E 1517 OR 1617
Problem V. Kg1 Zugzwang 4. Kf3 Kf1 Zugzwang 5. Ke3 Ke1 MEMBER.
U.S. Open 1946 Zugzwang 6. Rc8 Kd1 7. Rd8+ Kc1 8. Rb8 h5 9. Rb4
RANTEED PRIZE FUND
1. h6! threatens 2. Rxd7 Qxd7 3. Qf6 and 4. Qg7 Kd1 10. Rd4+ Ke1 11. Rc4 Bf5 12. Kf4 Bd3 wins for
SIMULS
Black.
Benefactor Membership includes Life
mate, e.g. 1. ... Qd8 2. Ba4! Nb6 3. Qf6 or 2.S... f6 3.
CHOLASTICS Membership, a special membership
Qd5+ or 2. ... Re8 3. Rxe8+ Qxe8 4. dxc5LECTURES & MOREThe real solution runs:
(4. ... dxc5
GRANDMASTER
5. Qd2). While the game continuation is the CHESS CAMP1. ... Kg1 2. Rxb4 c2 3. Rc4 Bg6 4. Kg3 Zugzwang
card, and recognition on a benefac-
strangest, 1. hxg6 will G IRLS
also doAND BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP4. ... Kf1 5. Kf3 Zugzwang 5. ... Ke1 6. Ke3
the job. tor page of our website and peri-
h, 2012 Zugzwang 6. ... Kd1 7. Rd4+ Kc1 8. Rb4 Kd1 9.
Problem VI. odically in Chess Life. The cost is
U.S. Championship 1948 Rd4+ Ke1 10. Rc4 Bf5 11. Rc5 Kd1 12. Rd5+ Ke1
13. Rc5 Bg6 14. Rc4 h6 15. Rc8 (15. Rc7; 15. Rc5) $3,000, or $1,500 to existing Life
1. ... Re8 2. Qd2 Re2!, e.g. 3. Qxd3 Rxf2+ 4. Kg1
Rxb2 followed by ... Bxc3 or ... Bc5+, or 4. ... Qxd3 15. ... h5 16. Rc6 Zugzwang 16. ... Kd1 17. Rd6+ Members. Half the funds collected
5. Rxd3 Bc5 (6. Ne4 Rxh2+ 7. Nxc5 Rxh1+ 8. Kxh1 Ke1 18. Rc6 Bf5 19. Kf4 Bd3 20. Kg5 Draws. will go to the USCF Life Member
Nf2+). Assets Fund and half to assist USCF

NATIONAL
National Championships CHESS
SOLITAIRE operations. Become a Benefactor at

ONAL OPEN
ABCs of Chess (page 19) uschess.org, by phone at 1-800-

OPEN
Problem I. 903-8723, or by mail to USCF, PO
Pin: The simple capture 1. ... dxe4 gains material. Box 3967, Crossville TN 38557.
JUNE 1517 ORII.1617
Problem
Pin: After 1. ... gxf4 White is going to lose material. JUNE 1517 OR 1617
GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND THANKS TO OUR
Laass
Problem
ons H USCF III. Rated H 200 Grand Prix Points
& FIDE
Skewer: Black gains the Exchange by 1. ... Nxg2.
BENEFACTORS!
0 Veg
If 2. Kxg2, then 2. ... Bh3+.

P
Problem IV.
IVIERA
Trapping: AfterHOTEL
1. ...- g5 Whites
CASINO queen has no
- LAS VEGAS
USCF BENEFACTOR MEMBERS
AS OF DECEMBER 7, 2011:
way out. The knight soon snares it.
Problem V. JOSEPH BOYLE (TX)
Trapping: Black traps the queen with 1. ... Nf4.
CHESS LIFE USPS# 102-840 (ISSN 0197-260X). Volume 67 No. 2. JEFFREY DAVIDSON (CA)
Problem VI. PRINTED IN THE USA. Chess Life, formerly Chess Life & Review, is pub-
June Mating
14th net:
17th,The2012
game ends with 1. ... Qh5 mate.
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OPEN
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IVIERA
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Easter weekend, April 4-8, 5-8, 6-8 or 7-8, Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Prizes $80,000 projected, $60,000 minimum guaranteed!
Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market Street,
Philadelphia PA 19107, rated Four Diamonds by AAA.
Chess rate $98-98-123-123, 215-627-1200, reserve by
3/21 or rate may increase. $30 chess rate for valet
parking, or use Gateway Garage, 1540 Vine St (1 block
from Sheraton Hotel), about $5/day Sat & Sun, $18/day
Wed-Fri. Easy walk to restuarants, shops, museums;
one block from Reading Terminal Market.
In 8 sections- you play only those in your section.
Open: 9 rounds, Apr 4-8, 40/90, SD/30, inc/30.
U2200 to U1200: 7 rounds, choice of 4-day
schedule April 5-8 (40/2, SD/1, d/5), 3-day Apr 6-8
(rounds 1-2 G/75, d/5, then merges into 4-day), or 2-
day Apr 7-8 (rds 1-4 G/40, d/5, merges into 4-day).
U1000: 7 rounds, Apr 7-8 only (G/40, d/5).
Prizes based on 500 paid entries with 75% each
prize minimum guarantee. Seniors, re-entries, GMs,
IMs, WGMs count as half entries, U1200 40% entries,
U1000 15% entries. April official USCF ratings used,
except FIDE ratings used in Open.
Open: $7000-4000-2000-1000-800-700-600-500-
400-400, clear or tiebreak win $200 bonus, FIDE Under
2400/Unr $2000-1000. GPP: 200 (enhanced).
Under 2200: $5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-
400-300-300-300.
Under 2000: $5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-
400-300-300-300. Unrated limit $2000.
Under 1800: $5000-2500-1200-800-600-500-
400-300-300-300. Unrated limit $1600.
Under 1600: $4000-2000-1000-700-500-400-
300-200-200-200. Unrated limit $1200.
Under 1400: $4000-2000-1000-700-500-400-
300-200-200-200. Unrated limit $800.
Under 1200: $1500-800-500-300-200-200-200-
100-100-100. Unrated limit $400.
Under 1000: $400-200-100, trophies to first 5, top
U800, U600, U400, Unr. Unrated limit $200.
Prize limit: If official rating 4/11-3/12 or unofficial
post-event rating posted 4/4/11-4/4/12 was more than
30 pts over section maximum, prize limit $1500.
Open Section entry fee: Free to GMs, IMs, &
WGMs; $150 deducted from prize. US players with
current or former FIDE ratings of 2200/over: $225
mailed by 3/27 or online by 4/2, $250 at site. Foreign
FIDE rated players: $175 mailed by 3/27 or online by
4/2, $200 at site. Others: $375 mailed by 3/27 or online
by 4/2, $400 at site.
U2200 through U1400 Sections EF: 4-day $224,
3-day $223, 2-day $222 if mailed by 3/27, all $225
online by 4/2, $250 at site.
U1200 Section EF: 4-day $84, 3-day $83, 2-day
$82 if mailed by 3/27, $85 online by 4/2, $100 at site.
U1000 Section EF: $32 mailed by 3/27, $35
online by 4/2, $50 at site.
Phone EF: All $5 more than online, 406-896-2038
(entry only, no questions), available only through 4/2.
Online late entry after 4/2: available until 2 hours
before rd 1, same price as entry at site.
Entry fee $100 less less to rated seniors 65/over
in U2200 to U1400.
Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid
with entry. Online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young
Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at
site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20.
5-day schedule (Open): Late entry ends Wed 6
pm, rds. Wed 7 pm, Thu 12 & 7, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun
10 & 4:30. 4-day (U1200-U2200): Late entry ends Thu
6 pm, rds. Thu 7, Fri/Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 3-day
(U1200-U2200): Late reg ends Fri 10 am, rds Fri 11,
2:30 & 6, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. 2-day (U1200-
U2200): Late reg. ends Sat 9 am, rds Sat. 10, 12, 2,
3:45 & 6, Sun 10 & 4:30. Under 1000: Reg. ends Sat
9 am, rds Sat 10, 12, 2, 3:45, Sun 10, 12, 2.
Half-point byes available all rounds, limit 4, Open
must commit before rd 2, other sections before rd 4.
Bring set, board, clock if possible- none
supplied. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used
if otherwise unrated. $15 service charge for refunds.
Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD#657633.
Advance entries will be posted at chesstour.com.
Foreign player ratings: see chesstour.com.