Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Newsletter #444

 
Methodical thinking is of more use in chess than inspiration.
 
Cecil Purdy
 
 
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) Tanuj Vesudeva wins Pan American Under 8 Championship
3) Ray Robson makes second GM norm
4) Upcoming Events
 
1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
 

MI member Vinay Bhat will face the test of his chess career in a super strong event starting very soon. The Montreal International begins  August 27 and features an all-star cast headed by French super-GM Etienne Bacrot (2728 FIDE). The average rating of the 8 seeded players is 2664 FIDE, which makes it a category 17 event. With all 12 players  included it drops to a still quite strong category 15. Other Americans competing are US Olympiad team members Alex Onischuk, Yury Shulman and Varuzhan Akobian. . The website for the event is at: http://www.echecsmontreal.ca/.

A wild draw on board one between Romulo Fuentes and Andy Lee leaves no perfect scores after 4 rounds of the Max Wilkerson Memorial Tuesday Night Marathon.

 
The 66-player Vladimir Pafnutieff Memorial G/45 held on August 8th saw a four way tie for first at 4.5-.5 between IMs Sam Shankland, Andrei Florean, Ricardo DeGuzman and NM Gregory Young.
 
Congratulations to MI members IM Ricardo DeGuzman, Ted Castro  and Craig Yamamoto for their outstanding showing in the 1st Central California Open in Fresno last weekend. Ricardo tied for first overall, Ted took top honors in the Under 2000 section and Craig in the Under 1600 group.
 
Aamir Azhar won $300 for taking first in the 36-player Bernardo Smith Memorial. The event, open to players rated under 1800, was held August 22-23 at the Mechanics'.
 
George Sanguinetti writes:
 
Last week's Wednesday Night Blitz tournament had an attendance of 11 players. 1st place going to new Champion Felix Rudyak, who scored 9 out of 11 points and took a voluntary play off victory over fellow 9 point scoring and the prior week's champion, Rey Salvatierra, beating him twice on the night. Congratulations Felix!

Wednesday Night Blitz Winners for the Week of 08/05/2009 are:

1st : Felix Rudyak $ 27.50 (9 points - Playoff Winner)

2nd : Rey Salvatierra $ 16.50 (9 points)

3rd : Jules Jelinek $ 11.00 (7 1/2 points) :-)

 

Last week the big boys showed up and the tournament can down to a final game face off between IM Ricardo DeGuzman, playing black, who was making his first appearance in the tournament and perpetual 1st place finisher (whenever he shows up), IM Vladimir Mezentsev. Both players, up to that point on the night, had perfect scores - the game ended in a draw. Congratulations to both and thanks for playing! Please come again!

Wednesday Night Blitz Winners for the Week of 08/19/2009 are:

1st & 2nd : Vladimir Mezentsev and Ricardo DeGuzman $20 each ( 8 1/2 from 9)

3rd : Romy Fuentes and Yefim Buhk $ 5.00 each (6 points)

ALSO, once again, please let it be known that JAMES JONES HAS GRACIOUSLY MADE A CONTRIBUTION OF 5 NEW CHESS CLOCK TO OUR WEDNESDAY NIGHT BLITZ CLUB! THANK YOU MR. JONES! Even though James asks for nothing in return for his donation, in order to show our gratitude I will give him free entry to the tournament till the end of January 2010.

 

2) Tanuj Vesudeva wins Pan American Under 8 Championship
 
MI member Tanuj Vesudeva of Fremont won the  Pan American Under 8 Championship with a 9-0 score. Well done! See the full story on Tanuj, who is zeroing in on a 2000 rating at http://main.uschess.org/content/view/9655/544/ and http://fpawn.blogspot.com/ .
 
3) Ray Robson makes second GM norm
 
Ray Robson, who will turn 15 on October 25, made his second GM norm with a round to spare in the 23rd FIDE Invitational organized by Sevan Muradian's North American Chess Association. MI member IM Sam Shankland, who has two GM norms, was in the running for a third before a loss to Robson in round eight. Go to www.uschess.org and www.nachess.org  for more information.
 
4) Upcoming Events
 
Mechanics' Institute
 

Howard Donnelly Memorial - September 19
J.J. Dolan Memorial - October 10
Carroll Capps Memorial - November 7-8
Pierre Saint-Amant Memorial - November 21
Guthrie McClain Memorial - December 5
 
 
 
Northern California
September


Sept. 5-7   Labor Day Chess Festival   GPP: 15   California Northern

6-SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day option rds 1-3 G/60); Golden Gateway Holiday Inn. Van Ness at Pine, San Francisco. $$B 160 paid entries (not counting free or unrated entries). Six Sections: Master $700-$400-$250 U2400 $250; Expert $380-$200-$150. "A" $380-$200-$150. "B" $380-$200-$150. "C" $380-200-150. "D/E" $380-$200-$150 U1200 $150. Unr: Trophy First. Trophy to top finisher (State Champion) in each section. All, EF: postmarked by 8/31 $70 (Jrs. $60). $80 at site (Jrs. $70). Unrateds $20 in the D/E section or may play up to the Master section for the regular fee. $5 discount to CalChess members. USCF memb. req'd. May play up one section for add'l $10 (Jrs $5). GM/IM free entry. Reg.: Sat 9/5 8-9:30am, Sun 9/6 8:15-9:15am. RDS: Choice of schedules- 3-day, 2-day merge at round 4, all compete for the same prizes. 3-day schedule: Sat 10:00-4:00; Sun 11:00-4:45; Mon 10:00-3:30. 2-day schedule: Sun 9:30-11:45-2:00-4:45; Mon 10:00-3:30. 1/2 pt bye(s) any round(s) if requested in advance (byes rds 5-6 must be requested before rd 1). 2009 August Ratings List, CCA minimums and Directors discretion will be used to place players as accurately as possible. Please bring clocks and equipment. HR: Golden Gateway Holiday Inn (415)-441-4000. INFO: Richard Koepcke (650)-224-4938. Ent: Richard Koepcke, P.O. Box 1432, Mountain View, CA 94042. No Phone entries. Master Section FIDE Rated. WCL JGP.


Sept. 12-13   4th Ursula Foster Memorial Open

5 round swiss. TIME CONTROLS: rds 1-3 g/90 rds 4-5 G/2. SITE: Doctors Medical Center (cafeteria), 1441 Florida Ave., Modesto, CA 95352. PRIZE FUND 70% returned in prizes 1st 50% plus plaque 2nd 20% and 1st U 1700 30%. ENTRY FEE: $30.00 if rec'd by Sept 8th, $35.00 at site. REGISTRATION: 9 am-9.45. ROUNDS: Sept 12th 10am, 1:30, 4:45 Sun Sept 13th 10am 2:15. Byes up to two if requested before round 2. ADVANCE ENTRY: Please, write checks to Don Tiffin, 128 Palm Ave., Modesto, CA 95350. Phone (209 524-2901). E-Mail _tiffin34@sbcglobal.net. WCL JGP.


Sept. 26-27   1st Annual Exchange Bank Open   GPP: 6   California Northern

Exchange Bank, 444 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403. 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 Open Section. ALL: EF: $35 advance until 9/21, $45 at site. Reg.: 09/26 8:30am - 9:30am. Rds.: Sat 10, 3; Sun 10, 3. ENT: Paul Stagnoli, 4233 Kintyre Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 (707) 539-6368. INFO: paulgs@sonic.net. No phone or e-mail entries. Bring equipment, none provided. No cell phones allowed. NS NC W. WCL JGP.


January


Jan. 15-18, 16-18 or 17-18   Golden State Open   GPP: 200 Enhanced   California Northern

7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option rds. 1-2 G/75, 2-day option rds. 1-4 G/35, no 2-day Open Section.) Under 900 Section plays separate 2-day schedule Jan 17-18 only, G/35. At Concord Hilton Hotel, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord, CA 94520 (I-680 Willow Pass Rd exit). Free shuttle between hotel and Concord BART station. Free parking. $$60,000 based on 450 paid entries (re-entries & U900 Section count as 1/3 entries), minimum guarantee $40,000 (2/3 each prize). Open, open to all. $$4000-2200-1300-1000-800-700-600-500-400-400, clear or tiebreak winner $300, top U2400 $2000-1000. FIDE. Under 2200: $3000-1500-800-700-600-500-400-300-200-200. Under 2000: $3000-1500-800-700- 600-500-400-300-200-200. Under 1800: $3000-1500-800-700-600-500-400-300-200-200. Under 1600: $2500-1300-700-600-500-400-300-300-200-200. Under 1400: $2000-1000-700-500-400- 300-200-200. Under 1200: $2000-1000-700-500-400-300-200-200. Under 900: $800-400-200-150-100-80-70. Prize limits: 1) Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) may enter any section, with maximum prize U900 $200, U1200 $400, U1400 $600, U1600 $900, U1800 $1200, U2000 $1500. 2) Players with under 26 lifetime games rated may not win over $400 in U900, $800 in U1200 or $1200 in U1400. 3) If more than 30 points above section maximum on any list 1/09-12/09, prize limit $1000. 4) Balance of any limited prize goes to next player(s) in line. Top 7 sections EF: 4-day $174, 3-day $173, 2-day $172 mailed by 1/7, all $175 online at chesstour.com by 1/12, $180 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/12 (entry only, no questions), $200 at site. GMs free; $150 deducted from prize. Under 900 Section EF: $52 mailed by 1/7, $55 online at chesstour.com by 1/12 (entry only, no questions), $60 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/12, $70 at site. All: Special 1 yr USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry: online at chesstour.com $30; mailed, phoned or paid at site $40. Re-entry (except Master) $60. Mailed EF $5 less to rated CalChess members. 4-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6:15 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: Reg. Sat to 10:15 am, rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 2-day schedule: Reg Sun to 9:15 am, rds Sun 10-12-2-4-6, Sun 10-4:30, not available for Open Section. Under 900 schedule: Reg. Sun to 9:15 am, rds. Sun. 10-12-2-4, Mon. 10-12-2. Byes: OK all; Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4; limit 3 byes in Open. Unofficial uschess.org ratings based on 4 or more games usually used if otherwise unrated. Foreign player ratings: See chesstour.com. HR: $99-99-109, 925-827-2000, reserve by 1/1 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Ent: Continental Chess, c/o Goichberg, Box 661776, Arcadia, CA 91066. $15 service charge for withdrawals. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. WCL JGP.


 Oct 31-Nov1 Adults Only Open (17 and older only) 4SSx30/90 G/60 at BayAreaChess Center,

4423 Fortran Ct, Ste 160, San Jose, CA 95134.

Rounds: Both days 11am-4pm. Free lunch – donations welcome.

EF: $49 bef 9/19, $57 bef 9/29. $65 onsite. Prizes: $1,000 based on 38 paid entries.

2 sections. Open (1800+): $200-100-50 (u2000: 100-50)

Reserve (u1800): $150-100-50 (u1600: 100, u1400: 50, u1200: 50)

ENT: BayAreaChess, 4423 Fortran Ct, Ste 160, San Jose, CA 95134.

More info BayAreaChess.com. Info. & Orientation

BayAreaChess.com/events/09adults. Email: contact@BayAreaChess.com. NS NC W.

Oct 31-Nov1 Fall Open 4SSx30/90 G/60 at BayAreaChess Center,

4423 Fortran Ct, Ste 160, San Jose, CA 95134.

Rounds: Both days 11am-4pm. Free lunch – donations welcome.

EF: $55 bef 10/17. $63 bef 10/27. $71 onsite. Prizes: $2,002 based on 66 paid entries.

2 sections. Open (over 1800): $300-200-100-60-60 (u2000: 150-100-55-55) –

Reserve (u1800): $200-150-101-60 (u1600: 100-55, u1400: 100-55, u1200: 100-55)

ENT: BayAreaChess, 4423 Fortran Ct, Ste 160, San Jose, CA 95134.

More info BayAreaChess.com. Info. & Orientation

BayAreaChess.com/events/09oct. Email: contact@BayAreaChess.com. NS NC W.

A State Championship Event!

Nov. 27-29 or 28-29, GPP: 40 California Northern

CalChess Annual State Championship 2009 6SS 40/2, SD/1 (2-day

option, rounds 1-3 G/60). Hotel: Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, 5101 Great

America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Free parking. Prizes: $8,010

based on 166 paid entries. 7 sections. Master/Open (FIDE rated): $1000-

500-300-200, (u2300 $201-101) - EXPERT: $500-200-100-100 (u2100: 201-

101) -- A: $500-200-100-100 (u1900: 201-101) -- B: $500-200-100-100

(u1700: 201-101) -- C: $500-200-100-100 (u1500: 201-101) -- D: $300-200-

100-100 (u1200: 201-100). Unrated may enter any section but prize limit of

$200 in all u2000 sections; balance goes to next player(s) in line. EF: $85 3-

day, $79 2-day mailed or online by 11/13. Add $15 for 11/14-11/25, add $25

onsite, add $19 for play-up, and subtract $45 for BayAreaChess Pass. GMs &

IMs free before 11/7 (entry feed deducted from prize). Re-entry $39. TD may

assign ratings. 3-day schedule: Reg.: Fri 10-10:30a, Fri/Sat 11a 5:15p, Sun

10a, 4:15p. 2-day sched: Reg.: Sa 9-9:30a, Sat 10, 12:15, 2:30, 5:15p. Sun

10am, 3:15pm. Tel 408-786-5515. Byes must commit before rd 3. Max 2 byes.

Hotel $99 BayAreaChess rate, 800-233-1234. reserve by 11/13 or rate may

increase. Ent: BayAreaChess, 4423 Fortran Ct., Ste. 160, San Jose, CA

95134. $20 service charge for refunds. Questions:

contact@BayAreaChess.com, Info & Entries: BayAreaChess.com. More

info: BayAreaChess.com/events/ccc09. NS NC W. WCL JGP


Southern California


September 5-7
31st Annual Southern California Open
6-SS, 40/2, SD/1. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2270 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA 92108.
$20,000 prize fund based on 200 players, 60% of each prize is guaranteed. In 5 Sections:
Open Section: 1st $2,600-1,800-1,200-900-600-500-400, U2300 $800-400, U2200 $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, U1200 $300-150, Best Unrated $100

Unrated must play in Open (eligible for place prizes only) or U1400 (eligible for Unrated prize only).

Best Game Prizes: $75-50-25, one reserved for non-open sections.
Reg.: 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Rds.: 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. on Sat and Sun, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Mon.

EF: $120 if received by 8/14, $140 by 8/28, $160 after 8/28 or at door. Only $75 if U1400 or unrated. Free entry for GMs and IMs (EF deducted from winnings).

SCCF membership req'd ($18 Adult, $10 Jr) for all So Cal residents.

No re-entries, no "fast" schedule, only quality chess. Sept. rating list used. Open section will be FIDE rated. SCCF Annual Membership Meeting: Sunday 3 p.m.
Two half point byes OK in rds 1-6, must be requested at least one hour before round, but a last round bye must be requested at registration and is irrevocable.
Ent: SCCF, c/o John Hillery, 835 Wilton Pl. #1, Los Angeles, CA 90038 or enter online at
www.westernchess.com.
Inf: Bruce Baker of SDCC at (619) 239-7166 or see our website at 
sdchessclub.multiply.com.
HR: Special rate of only $110 single or double, 619-297-1101, or 1-800-227-6963 if booked by 8/14/09, must reserve at least 2 nights, book ASAP, as rates will go up and rooms may sell out by mid-August. Great tropical themed hotel is in the heart of Mission Valley, close to airport, great attractions such as Sea World, the SD Zoo, the lively Gaslamp District for night life, Seaport Village and Fashion Valley for shopping. The Crown Plaza Hotel (see 
www.cp-sandiego.com
) has a great restaurant and sushi bar, a heated pool, a fitness room, Whirlpool spa, free shuttle service and is next to the excellent Riverwalk golf course.
NS, NC, W.
F. WCL JGP. GP: 120.
State Championship Qualifier. 

September 12

San Luis Obispo County Championship
4-SS, G/60, Pimo Dunes Travel Trailer Park Clubhouse, 200 S. Dolliver St., Pismo Beach, CA 93449.
2 Sections: Open and Reserve (U1500/Unr).
Prizes: 80% of paid entries returned.
Reg: 8:45 – 9:30 Saturday at tournament site.
Rds: 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:15 p.m.
EF: $40 Open, $30 Reserve – paid in advance by September 10. One $5 discount to SCCF,
S.L.O.CC, or Cal Chess members. All $10 more at site. Cash only at on-site registration.
INF: Barbara McCaleb, 805-540-0747,
bmccaleb@calpoly.edu, Mark Keller, 805-481-6366, mp-94@hotmail.com. www.sanluisobispochess.com.
Ent: Payable to San Luis Obispo Chess Club, c/o Barbara McCaleb, 234 Via La Paz, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
State Championship Qualifier.

September 12-13
Eclectic Collections
(Sponsored by: Eclectic Collections www.colognes.com/eclectic_collections)
6-SS, G/60; Los Angeles Chess Club, 11514 Santa Monica Blvd, LA, CA 90025, 2nd floor (4 blocks W. of 405).
$$$ 1,500 Guaranteed! In two sections:
Open: $400-200-50, U2200: $125, U2000: $125.
Reserve (U1800) $$200-100, U1600 $125, Under 1400/unrated $100, U1200 $75.
EF: $55 if received by 9/10; $60 at the door ($40 LACC members if received by 9/10; $45 at the door; $30 new LACC members). $6 off SCCF members.
Re-entry $25.
Up to 2 half-point byes available.
Reg: 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Rds: 12:00, 2:00, 4:00 each day.
1-day option I: Play 3 games- no 1/2 pt byes- Pay 1/2 EF. 1-day option II: Play 3 games- three 1/2 pt byes- pay full EF.
Free Parking lots on the SW corner of Santa Monica & Purdue - 1 block, or in the building basement ($3).
Inf: (310) 795-5710 or
Mick@LaChessClub.com. Web site: www.LaChessClub.com.
Ent: LACC - P.O. Box 251774, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
GP: 10.
State Championship Qualifier.