Chess Room Newsletter #532 | Mechanics' Institute

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Chess Room Newsletter #532

Gens Una Sumus!

 

Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Newsletter #532

 

 

Preparing for a game with Larsen is a matter which is either too complicated, or too simple. The Dane's repertoire contains practically all opening systems, and one's chances of guessing the variation are no better than in a lottery. Therefore at home it was decided to begin the game with the advance of the king's pawn. At that the preparation came to an end.

 

Mikhail Tal  - writing about his game with Larsen at Montreal 1979.

 

 

1)     Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News

2)     4th Metropolitan Chess FIDE Invitational

3)     Special Events at the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club 

4)     Upcoming Event

 

Note the Newsletter will be taking a one week break for spring vacation next week. Issue #533 will appear on April 13. 

     

1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News

 

Former Senior Master Igor Margulis and up and comers Uyanga Byambaa and Ethan Chamberlain are the only remaining perfect scores after 3 rounds in the 53-player Spring Tuesday Night Marathon. It is still possible to enter the eight round event with byes for rounds one through three.

 

Last evening was particularly combative as evidenced by the following two upsets. The mood may have been set by two-time US Womens Champion Jennifer Shahade who showed many sharp tactical positions from her new book Play Like A Girl during her well-received talk before the round.

 

David Klinetobe- Ethan Chamberlain

Spring TNM 2011 (3)

 

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Nc2 Nh6 7.Be2 0-0

 

It's better to play ...f5 before castling as in many lines the Rook on h8 supports the Knight on h6 and the King can be safer in the center or queenside. 7...d6 8.Nc3 (8.h4 f5 9.h5 fxe4 10.hxg6 hxg6 11.Nc3 Bf5) 8...f5

 

8.Nc3 d6 9.h4 f5 10.h5 fxe4?!

 

10...f4 is safer.

 

11.hxg6 Qb6 12.Be3

 

This looks tempting but is not the best. [12.Bxh6 fails to 12...Bxh6 13.Rxh6 Qxf2+ 14.Kd2 Qf4+; Best and likely good for White are 12.Nxe4 and 12.gxh7+ Kh8 13.Ne3.

 

12...Qxb2 13.Nxe4 Nf5 14.Rb1 Bc3+

 

14...Qxa2 might be better.

 

15.Kf1??

 

15.Nxc3 Qxc3+ 16.Bd2 was fine for White.

 

15...Qxc2 16.gxh7+ Kh8 17.Bf3 Nxe3+ 18.fxe3 Qxe4 19.Kf2 Qxc4 20.Rh5 Bg4 21.Rg5 Qxa2+ 22.Kg3 Bxf3 23.gxf3 b6 24.Qh1 Bf6 25.Rg8+ Rxg8+ 26.hxg8Q+ Kxg8 27.f4 Rc8 28.Rg1 Qe2 29.Qd5+ Kf8 30.Qe6 Rc7 31.Rh1 Nd4 32.Qe4 Nf5+ 33.Qxf5 Qxe3+ 34.Kg2 Qe2+ 35.Kg3 Rc3+ 0-1

 

Uyanga Byambaa - Oleg Shakhnazarov

Spring TNM 2011 (3)

 

 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Be7 7.Re1 d6 8.h3 0-0 9.c3 Na5 10.Bc2 d5

 

This invention of the Polish Grandmaster Grzegorz Gajewski has enjoyed a lot of popularity at even the highest levels.

 

11.exd5

 

11.d3 is played by those who want a quiet life while 11.d4 is just as popular as the text.

 

11...e4 12.Ng5 Nxd5 13.Nxh7

 

13.Nxe4 f5 14.Ng3 f4 15.Ne4 f3 16.d4 fxg2 has been tested in several high level (+2700) encounters. Byambaa was making things up as she went along having no idea this was a theoretical variation.

 

13...Kxh7

 

In an earlier game Black met 13.Nxh7 poorly - 13...Re8 14.Bxe4 Be6 15.Qh5 Qd7 16.Nf8 g6 17.Qh7+

 

14.Bxe4+ Kg8 15.Bxd5 Qxd5 16.Rxe7 Bb7

 

This is certainly playable but Black had interesting alternatives in 16...Bxh3 (winning the pawn back right away) 17.Qf3 Qxf3 18.gxf3 Rae8; and 16...Be6 17.d4 Qd6 18.Rxe6 Qxe6 19.Nd2 with roughly equal chances.

 

17.Qf1

 

White needs to not only protect g2 but also his back rank. For example 17.Qg4 Rae8 18.Re3 Nc4 leaves White without a good move.

 

17...Rae8 18.Re3 Nc4

 

18...f5 19.d3 f4 20.Rxe8 Rxe8 21.f3! Qe5 22.Nd2 Qe1 23.Ne4

 

19.Rg3 f5?

 

The idea of advancing the f-pawn is mistaken here. Better is 19...Nd6 with some but probably not enough compensation for the pawn.

 

20.d3 Nd6 21.Bf4 Re6 22.Nd2 Rfe8 23.c4

 

23.Nf3 Re2 24.Nd4 Rxb2 25.Qc1 Rxa2 26.Rxa2 Qxa2 27.Bxd6 cxd6 28.Nxf5

 

23...Qd4 24.Be3 Qxb2 25.Nb3 R8e7

 

26.Nc5?

 

26.Bd4! Qc2 27.Bxg7 Rxg7 28.Rxg7+ Kxg7 29.Nd4 would have been a pretty finish.

 

26...f4?

 

This is the final mistake. Oleg had to play 26...Rxe3 27.Rxe3 (27.fxe3 Qe5) 27...Rxe3 28.fxe3 Bxg2 29.Qc1 Qe2 with good practical chances to save the game.

 

27.Bxf4 Rf6 28.Bxd6 cxd6 29.Nxb7 Rxb7 30.Re1 Rbf7 31.Re2 Qc3 32.Re8+ Kh7 33.Qd1 Rh6 34.cxb5 axb5 35.d4 Qb2 36.Qd3+ g6 37.Qe3 Rh5 38.Rf3 Rhf5 39.Qg5 Qxa2 40.Qh4+ Rh5 41.Rxf7+ Qxf7 42.Qd8 Kh6 43.g4 Rd5 44.Qh4+ Rh5 45.Rh8+ Kg7 46.gxh5 1-0

 

Congratulations to MI member International Master Steven Zierk who has been accepted by MIT where he will start his studies this fall. Steven has been invited to play in the US Junior Closed this June in St. Louis along with fellow MI members IM Daniel Naroditsky and defending champion Sam Shankland.

 

The Mechanics' will have three large one day blitz events this year. The 5th Annual Ray Schutt Memorial will start things off on May 15 followed by the Neil Falconer Appreciation Blitz on July 29 and the Mike Goodall Memorial on October 9.

 

Jules Jelinek, MI Weekly Wednesday Night Blitz Coordinator, writes:

 

Tonight is the weekly blitz tournament at Mechanics' Instititute which starts promptly at 6:40pm. Try to arrive by 6:30pm. Look forward to seeing you there.

Last weeks winners were:  
1st - Arthur Ismakov
2nd - Tom Stevens
3rd - Joe Urquhart 

2)   
4th Metropolitan Chess FIDE Invitational

 

US Cadet Champion and MI member Yian Liou will be playing in Los Angeles for an IM norm next month.

 

The 4th Metropolitan Chess FIDE Invitational, an IM norm RR event, will be held from April 6th to April 10th in Suite C998 at the California Market Center, in Los Angeles, CA. Players include: IM Andranik Matikozyan, IM Zhanibek Amanov, IM Timothy Taylor, FM Pedram Atoufi, FM Joel Banawa, FM Michael Casella, SM Roman Yankovsky, NM Yian Liou, NM Alessandro Steinfl, and Vadim Kudryavtsev.

GM Khachiyan will provide complimentary commentary on April 9th and 10th for the 4th Metropolitan Chess FIDE Invitational at California Market Center. Local players please e-mail us if you wish to attend. Space limited.

All inquiries regarding Metropolitan Chess events should be sent to [email protected].

 

 

3) Special Events at the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club     

 

5th Annual Ray Schutt Memorial Blitz Tournament
May 15   
Location:
   Mechanics' Institute
   57 Post Street
   San Francisco, CA, 94104
   United States  

 

This tournament is unrated. (Membership in the United States Chess Federation is not required for participation.)   
ENTRY FEE: $10 (free for International Masters and Grandmasters)   
PRIZES: $750 total (guaranteed)
1st place: $300
2nd place: $200
3rd place: $100
4th place: $75
5th place: $50
6th place: $25

The prizes are guaranteed due to the generosity of the Schutt Family.

FORMAT: Five double-round Swiss or Roundrobin, depending on the number of entries. Each player will probably play ten blitz (fast) games in this tournament.   
TIME CONTROL: 5 minutes per player per game (G/5). 

REGISTRATION: 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on May 15, 2010
There will be no registration in advance. Register at the tournament site on May 15. 
The tournament will be held  between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The entire event will last between 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Refreshments will be available during the event. There will be an informal awards ceremony immediately following the tournament at approximately 4 p.m.
 
  MI Advanced Chess Camp with GM Nick deFirmian - July 24-29  Go to www.chessclub.org for more information.   

4) Upcoming Events 
 
MECHANICS' TOURNAMENTS (go to www.chessclub.org for more information)

2011 Events  

Imre Konig Memorial - April 9
Walter Lovegrove Senior Open - April 16-17
Charles Powell Memorial - May 14
5th Annual Ray Schutt Memorial Blitz - May 15
Arthur Stamer Memorial - June 4-5
William Addison Open - June 11   

BAY AREA TOURNAMENTS   
6th Annual Frank Doyle Open - April 16-17
Santa Rosa, CA
Exchange Bank, 444 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95401. 4 round Swiss, G/120. In
3 Sections, Open:
$$GTD: $250-175.
Reserve: Open to 1899 & under.
$$GTD: $200-125.
Booster: Open to 1499 & under.
$$GTD: $150-100. Unr. must play in Booster Section. Unrated players winning prizes will only receive half of the prize.
ALL: EF: $35 advance until 4/13, $45 at site.
Reg.: 04/16 8:30am - 9:30am.
Rds.: Sat 10, 3; Sun 10, 3.
ENT: Paul Stagnoli, 4233 Kintyre Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95409-4127.
INFO: (707)478-4385 [email protected].
No phone or e-mail entries. Bring equipment, none provided. No Cell phones allowed. NS. NC. W.

 

 
 
11th Annual RENO-FAR WEST OPEN  April 22-24  
Reno, Nevada
 
6SS,40/2,20/1,G/1/2.Sands Regency Hotel/Casino, 345 N. Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501.1-866-386-7829 or (775) 348-2200. $$21,400 b/250. $$14,400 Gtd. (Prizes 1-10 in Open Section Gtd. plus 1/2 of all other prizes). A "Tribute to GM Larry Evans". 5 Sections. FIDE. Open (2000 & above) EF: $137, (1999 & below = $151) (GMs & IMs free but must enter by (4/1) or pay late fee) .$$2,000-1,200-1000-800-600-500-400-300-300-300,(2399/below)- $1,000, (2299/below)- $1,000, (2199/below) -$1000-500-300-200 (If a tie for 1st then a playoff for $100 out of prize fund plus trophy). Sec. A (1800-1999) EF: $136; $$1,000-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec. B (1600-1799) EF: $135; $$900-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec. C (1400-1599) EF: $134; $$700-500-400-300- 200-100-100. Sec. D/under (1399-below) EF: $133; $$600-400-300-200-100-100-100; Top Senior (65+) -$200; Club Champ.-$400-200. ALL: Entries must be postmarked by 4/1 or pay late fee-$11 until 4/14 (do not mail after 4/14), $22 at site. All classes have trophies 1st - 3rd. Unrated players are free entry but not eligible for cash prizes- must join USCF for 1 full year thru this tournament. 1st Unrated = trophy + 1 yr. USCF Mem. $10 discount to Seniors (65+ yrs.) & Juniors (19-under). Players may play up. Provisionally rated players may only win 1/2 of 1st place money. CCA ratings may be used. Note: pairings not changed for color unless 3 in a row or a plus 3 and if the unlikely situation occurs 3 colors in a row may be assigned. SIDE EVENTS: Thurs. (4/21) 6-7:15pm "Tribute to GM Larry Evans" hosted by IM John Donaldson (FREE); 7:30pm-TBA- Simul ($15); 7:30pm-Blitz (5 Min) tourney($20) 80% entries = Prize Fund. Sat. (4/23) (3-4:30pm) Free Game/Position Analysis - IM John Donaldson. ALL REG.: (4/21) 5-10pm, (4/22) 9-10am. RDS.: (Fri) 12-7, (Sat) 10-6, (Sun) 9:30-4:30. Byes available any round (if requested by Rd.1). ENT: make checks payable and send to: SANDS REGENCY (address listed above), postmarked by 4/1. $11 late fee if postmarked after 4/1 and before 4/14. Do not mail after 4/14 or email after 4/19. $22 late fee at site. HR: (Sun-Thurs. $27!) (Fri. & Sat. $47!) + tax.1-866-386-7829 mention (Code) CHESS421 (Reserve by 4/11/11) to get Chess rate. INFO: Jerry Weikel, 6578 Valley Wood Dr., Reno, NV 89523, (775) 747-1405, [email protected] Or check out our website at: www.renochess.org/fwo. To verify entry check website. Chess Magnet School JGP.
 

Berkeley Open May 7-8

Berkeley, CA
4-SS, 30/90; G/60.  Hillside School; 1581 Le Roy Ave., Berkeley, CA 94720.
$$B 60 paid entries (not counting unrated entries).
Three Sections: Open Section: $300-160, U2100 $150-75;
U1900 Section: $240-130, U1700 $125-75;
U1500 Section: $240-125; U1300 $125-75, Unr: Trophy First.
All, EF: postmarked by 5/2 $50, $60 on site. Unrateds $20 in the Reserve section or may play up to the Open section for the regular fee. $5 discount to Berkeley Chess Club Members.  USCF memb. req'd. May play up for add'l $5 per section.
Reg.: Sat 5/7 9:00-9:45 am.
RDS.: Sat 10:00-3:30; Sun 10:00-3:30; One 1/2 pt bye available if requested in advance, a bye in rds 3 or 4 must be requested before rd 1. 2011 May Ratings List, CCA minimums and Directors discretion will be used to place players as accurately as possible. Please bring clocks and equipment.
INFO: Richard Koepcke (650)-224-4938. Email: [email protected]. Ent: Richard Koepcke, P.O. Box 1432, Mountain View, CA 94042. No Phone entries.
Chess Magnet School JGP.
 

May 28-30 or 29-30 or 28-29   CalChess Open State & Class Championship     6SS, 30/90 G/60 (2-day opt rds 1-3 G/60). Sections D/E 6SS G/90 only. Hotel: Marriott, 46100 Landing Pkwy., Fremont, CA 94539. Chess rate $89. Prizes: $13,000 b/207. 80% guaranteed. 6 sections. Open (2200+ FIDE rated): 2000-1000-400-200-100-100. Expert (2000-2199), A (1800-1999), B (1600-1799), C (1400-1599): $1000-400-200-100-100-100. Section D/E (u1400): 600-300-100-u1200:300-200-100. Unr prize limit $300 except in Open. EF mail/online by 5/24: 3day=99 2day=98 onsite+25 Play-up+20. GMs/IMs free-EF subtr from prize. Re-entry $40. Saver EF = EF-$20 & 2/3 of calc. prize. Refunds: $20 fee. May 2011 Supp, CCA min, TD desc to place players accurately. Sched: 3day: Reg Sat10-10:30, Rds Sat/Sun 11 5:15, Mon 10 3:30. 2day: Reg Sun9-9:30, Rds Sun 10 12:25 2:40 5:15, Mon 10 3:30. D/E 2-day only: Reg Sat9-9:30, Rds Sat/Sun 10 1:30 5. Max two 1/2-pt byes - must commit bef rd 3. Quest: [email protected]. More Info/Ent: BayAreaChess.com/memo. NS, NC, W. Chess Magnet School JGP

Oct. 1
 
2011 U.S. Game/60 Championship  - Santa Clara      
4SS, G/60 - $4,000 b/117 fully paid entries - 75% guaranteed. Hotel rate $99 by 9/16: Hyatt Regency, 5101 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Free Parking. In 3 sections, Open Section: $500-201-105, u2300 $200-110, u2100 $150, u2000 $130, u1900 $100. 1400-1799 Section: $500-201-100, u1700 $200, u1600 $150, u1500 $100. Under 1400 Section: $500-201-100, u1300 $200, u1200 $150, u1100 $100. Unrated may play in any section but maximum prize is $100 except no limit in the Open Section. Trophies for top 3 places in each section. Entry Fee: Mailed by Mon 9/26 or online by Tue 9/27: $60. Online 9/28-29 or onsite: $75. Add $20 to play-up in a higher section. DISCOUNTS: $10 off each event if also registering for G/30 on Oct 2. $10 cash rebate onsite if staying at the hotel under chess rate. Byes: One 1/2 pt bye allowed must commit by start of Rd 2. Reenter with 1/2pt bye in Rd 1 for $39. September 2011 Supp, CCA min, TD discretion used to place players accurately. SIDE KIDS EVENT for K-12 students rated under 1000: 4SSxG/60 in 2 sections, 600-999 and under 600. Prizes: Trophies to Top 10 players and Top 5 teams in each section. Best 4 players count for team score. Also trophies to top u800, top u700 in 600-999 section and top u400, top u300, and top u200 in u600 section. EF by Mon 9/26 or online by Tue 9/27: $39. Online 9/28-29 or onsite: $54. Add $10 to play-up in a higher section. Schedule: Onsite Registration 8:30-9:30am; Round Times: 10:00am, 12:30, 3:00, and 5:30pm. Mail payments to: Bay Area Chess, 1590 Oakland Rd., Suite B213, San Jose 95131. $20 for refunds. T: 408-786-5515. E: [email protected], Info/Form/Entries: BayAreaChess.com/usg60g30. NS, NC, W.

Oct. 2
 
2011 U.S. Game/30 Championship - Santa Clara
4SS, G/30 - $3,006 b/88 fully paid entries - 75% guaranteed. Hotel rate $99 by 9/16: Hyatt Regency, 5101 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Free Parking. In 3 sections, Open Section: $400-200-102, u2300 $101, u2100 $101, u2000 $100, u1900 $99. 1400-1799 Section: $400-200-102, u1700 $101, u1600 $100, u1500 $99. Under 1400 Section: $400-200-102, u1300 $101, u1200 $100, u1100 $99. Unrated may play in any section but maximum prize is $100 except no limit in the Open Section. Trophies for top 3 places in each section. Entry Fee mailed by Mon 9/26 or online by Tue 9/27: $60. Online 9/28-29 or onsite: $75. Add $20 to play-up in a higher section. DISCOUNTS: $10 off each if also registering for G/60 on Oct 1. $10 cash rebate onsite if staying at the hotel. Byes: One 1/2 pt bye allowed must commit by start of Rd 2. Reenter with 1/2pt bye in Rd 1 for $39. September 2011 Supp, CCA min, TD discretion used to place players accurately. SIDE KIDS EVENT for K-12 students rated under 1000: 5SSxG/30 in 2 sections, 600-999 and under 600. Trophies to Top 10 players and Top 5 teams in each section. Best 4 players count for team score. Also trophies to top u800, top u700 in 600-999 section and top u400, top u300, and top u200 in u600 section. EF by Mon 9/26 or online by Tue 9/27: $39. Online 9/28-29 or onsite: $54. Add $10 to play-up in a higher section. Schedule: Onsite Registration 8:30-9:30am; Round Times: 10:00am, 12:30, 3:00, and 5:30pm. Mail payments to: Bay Area Chess, 1590 Oakland Rd., Suite B213, San Jose  95131. $20 for refunds. T: 408-786-5515. E: [email protected] 

om, Info/Form/Entries: BayAreaChess.com/usg60g30. NS, NC, W. 

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