Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Newsletter #509

"I looked at my watch. Nine fifty-four. Time to go home and get your slippers on and play over a game of chess. Time for a tall cool drink and a long quiet pipe. Time to sit with your feet up and think of nothing. Time to start yawning over your magazine. Time to be a human being and rebuild the brain for tomorrow."

Raymond Chandler in The Lady in the Lake

1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News

2) Mike Goodall 1946-2010

3) John Hillery 1952-2010 by Randy Hough

4) A poem from Dennis Fritzinger

5) World Youth Championships by Michael Aigner

6) Upcoming Events

1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News

Todd Rumph defeated NM Peter Zavadsky in the last round of the Peter Grey Tuesday Night Marathon to create a three-way tie for first. Joining Rumph (who jumped from 2043 to 2119 from the event) and Zavadsky in a tie for first in the 64-player event was NM Romy Fuentes. The next TNM, another 9-rounder, starts next Tuesday, October 19th, and ends December 14th.

Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Director John Donaldson will talk about his experiences at the 2010 Chess Olympiad next Tuesday night starting at 5:15 pm.

NM Arjoe Loanzon took top honors the 10th annual Howard Donnelly Memorial held September 18. Loanzon scored 4.5 from 5 in the 44-player event with NM Russell Wong, and Experts Dmitry Vayntrub, Hector Velasquez, Ted Xiao and Jack Zhu sharing second with 4 points apiece.

IM Ricardo DeGuzman defeated all his main competitors in winning the 10th annual J.J. Dolan Memorial on October 9th. The former member of the Phillipines Olympic team beat NM Arjoe Loanzon, Paul Gallegos and Romy Fuentes enroute to a 5-0 score. The three NMs were joined in a five-way tie for second in the 41-player event by Experts Dmitry Vayntrub and Hovik Manvelyan.

The San Francisco Mechanics' face a stern test in the US Chess League this evening as they face the three GM lineup (Nakamura, Shulman and Finegold) of St. Louis. Presently the Mechanics' are third in the Western Division of the USCL with a record of 4 wins and 3 losses.

Here is the season to date and upcoming matches. The first four teams in each division qualify for the playoffs.

1. WON 3.5-0.5 vs Dallas
2. WON 3.0-1.0 vs Miami
3. LOST 1.5-2.5 vs Chicago
4. WON 2.5-1.5 vs Seattle
5. WON 2.5-1.5 vs Los Angeles
6. LOST 1.5-2.5 vs Boston
7. LOST 1.5-2.5 vs Arizona
8. Wed 10/13 vs St. Louis
9. Mon 10/18 vs Seattle
10. Wed 10/27 vs Miami

2) Mike Goodall 1946-2010

Kenneth Michael Goodall, one of the leading chess promoters in Northern California for five decades passed away on October 5th after a long illness. One could mention Mike's organizing the 468-player Golden Gate Open at the Sheraton Palace Hotel in San Francisco or his directing several US Championships including the 1984 event in Berkeley, but his many friends will remember him best for his unfailing loyalty and generosity. Mike could always be counted on.

For an obituary of Michael go to http://www.examiner.com/sf-chess-in-san-francisco/mike-goodall-member-of-california-chess-hall-of-fame-1946-2010 for a tribute by Frisco del Rosario. Michael Aigner has written about Michael at http://main.uschess.org/content/view/10738/605/ as has Alan Benson at http://main.uschess.org/forums/viewtopic.php&f=24&t=14397 .

3) John Hillery 1952-2010 by Randy Hough

John Hillery, longtime editor of The Chess Journalist and of Southern California's magazine Rank & File, passed away following an illness of several months.

John grew up in Massachusetts, became a Master in the mid-seventies, and moved to Southern California in 1981. He served as Assistant Editor of Chess Life in the early nineties. A Life Master, he increasingly concentrated on chess organization in addition to his journalistic duties. He typically organized a dozen tournaments a year (most with side events), most recently the successful Southern California Open.

His frequent comments on the USCF Forum led him to be labeled a curmudgeon, a title he welcomed. During the Delegates meeting in Irvine this year, his pithy online blog comments led one of the Board members to complain about the difficulty of keeping a straight face while sitting on the dais. John was also a volunteer on USCF's Bylaws Committee.

John's personality was not conducive to the formation of close friendships, yet he had a great sense of humor and contributed to chess and USCF in many ways over the years. His passing is a particular blow to the Chess Journalists of America, who have lost their president, vice president, and editor in a space of 14 months. RIP.

4) A poem from Dennis Fritzinger

chess and food

breakfasting on a belgian waffle
and orange julius
on the way to the tournament hall.

finishing up a blitz session
with a trip to chinatown
and a bowl of wonton soup.

eating bacon and eggs
and drinking a glass of orange juice
in preparation for a game.

not enough time between rounds,
snacking on a candy bar
and drinking a coca cola.

after the tournament
celebrating
at a chinese restaurant.

snacking on bagels and frappucino
before returning
to play the rest of my games.

5) World Youth Championships by Michael Aigner

For more on this event go to:

http://fpawn.blogspot.com/

6) Upcoming Events

Mechanics' Chess Club Events (go to www.chessclub.org for more information)

Carroll Capps Memorial - November 6-7
Pierre Saint-Amant Memorial - November 20
Guthrie McClain Memorial - December 4

2011 Berkeley International

From January 2 to Januray 8, an international chess tournament will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA, organized by Arun Sharma (asharma AT math DOT berkeley DOT edu) and David Pruess (pruess AT gmail DOT com).

The event is open to any player with a FIDE Rating of at least 2100 or any player under the age of twenty one with a FIDE Rating of at least 2000 (organizers do have discretion to make special exceptions in very rare cases). Note that in order to ensure players of having good chances to make GM norms, the number of players rated U2200 permitted to play will be limited. If you are such a player and wish to enter, you should contact the organizers as soon as possible (and prior to sending your entry), as it is possible that a spot might not be available.

The tournament will be a ten round swiss under the following round time schedule:

January 2, 3, 4:    11:00, 6:00
January 5, 6, 7:    4:00
January 8:            10:00

The time control will be 40/90, SD/30 with 30 second increment, and both GM and IM norms will be possible. This tournament starts only a few days after the North American Open (December 26-29) in Las Vegas ends so those planning to attend that would only need to make a small trip afterwards to attend the Berkeley International also.

The prize fund for the tournament is:

Overall: 3000 - 1500 - 1000
U2500: 1000
U2300: 1000

Any questions should be directed to one of the organizers listed above.

Oct. 16-17 San Joaquin Valley Masters' Championship ï¿½10 GPP: 10 California Northern

4SS, G/120 ONE SECTION 2000 PLUS, MASTERS AND MASTER CANDIDATES (EXPERTS) ONLY. LOCATION: Round Table Pizza, 3848 McHenry Ave. Modesto (Meeting Room). GTD PRIZES: 4 pts $400, 3.5 pts $200 & 3 pts $100. Engraved plaque(s) to Perfect Score. RDS.: 10:30am & 3:00pm Each Day. ALL BYES: One Half Point. REQUESTED BYES: Rd. 1 &/or Rd. 2 only. EF: $50 ($20 More at Site 9-10:15am). ENTRIES TO SPONSOR: John C. Barnard, 3728 Chippewa St., Modesto, CA 95356-0711. INFO: (209) 450-6133 & jcbarnard@live.com. Chess Magnet School JGP.

A Heritage Event!
An American Classic!
Oct. 22-24 28th Annual Sands Regency Reno-Western States Open GPP: 200 Enhanced Nevada

6SS, 40/2,20/1,G 1/2. Sands Regency Hotel/Casino, 345 N. Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501. 1-800-648-3553 or (775) 348-2200. $$37,000 b/400, Gtd. $$25,250-$3500-2500-2000-1500-1000-800-700-600-500-400 in Open Section plus 1/2 of all other prizes. 6 Sections: OPEN: EF: GMs & IMs free (enter by 10/1 or pay late fees), Masters $142, (2000-2199)-$175, (1999-below)-$201. $$ Prizes 1-10 listed above, (2399-below) $1000-500, (2299-below) $1000-500. If a tie for 1st overall then 2 (G/10) playoff for $100 from prize fund. (Note: GM/IM w/free entry not eligible for class prizes 2399 and below; may elect to pay entry fee and become eligible). EXPERT: (2000-2199) EF: $141. $$1700-800-600-500-400 (under 2100)- $700. "A" Sec.(1800-1999) EF: $140, $$1600-800- 500-400-300-200-200. "B" Sec.(1600-1799) EF: $139, $$1,400-700-500-300-300-200-200. "C" Sec.(1400-1599) EF: $138, $$1,200-600-400-300-300-2 00-200."D"/under Sec. (1399/below) EF: $137, $$1,000-500-400-300-200-200-200 (under 1200) - $300. (Unrated Players) EF: Free + must join USCF or increase membership for 1 additional year thru this tournament ($49 adults, $25 juniors). Prizes: Top unrated in "D" Section wins 1 yr. USCF membership plus trophy. Note: Unrated will be put in "D" Sect. unless request to play up. Seniors (65+) additional prizes $$200; (Seniors not eligible: provisionally rated, unrated, masters); Club Championship $$800-400-300-200 decided by total score of 10 (and only 10) players from one club or area (not eligible - GMs, IMs, or unrated). Trophies to Top 3 (A-D Sections). ALL: EF $11 more if postmarked after 10/2 and $22 more if postmarked after 10/15 or at site. Do not mail after 10/15 or phone or email after 10/19. $20 off EF to Srs (65+) and Jrs 19/under. Players may play up. Unrated players not eligible for cash prizes except Open 1-10. Provisionally rated players may win up to 50% of 1st place money except open Section 1-10. CCA ratings may be used. Note pairings not changed for color alternation unless 3 in a row or a plus 3 and if the unlikely situation occurs 3 colors in a row may be assigned. Reg.: (10/21) 5-8 pm, (10/22) 9:00-10 am. Rds.: 12-7, 10-6, 9:30-4. Byes available any round, if requested before 1st round (Open Section - 2 byes max.). SIDE EVENTS: Wed. (10/20) 7pm Clock Simul, [40/2, G/1] (Including an analysis of YOUR game. GM Sergey Kudrin $30 (A great value!). Thurs (10/21) 6-7:30 pm GM Larry Evans lecture -Free, 7:30 Simul GM Melikset Khachiyan (only $15!), 7:30 Blitz (5 min) Tourney ($20-80% to prize fund). Sat 10/23 (3-4:30pm) GM Larry Evans Clinic(Game/Position Analysis) - Free. Sun. (10/24) Quick Tourney (G/25) 5 Rd. Swiss ($20) [12 (Noon)-5pm] 80% to prize fund. ENT: Make checks payable and send to: SANDS REGENCY (address above) HR: $35! (Sun-Thurs) & $59! (Fri-Sat) + 13.5% tax. (mention CHESS 1020 & reserve by 10/5/10 to guarantee room rates.) INFO: Jerry Weikel wackyykl@aol.com, (775) 747 1405, or website: www.renochess.org/wso (also go here to verify entry). FIDE. W. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Nov. 26-28 or 27-28 California Class Championship GPP: 40 Enhanced California Northern

6SS, 30/90 G/60 (2-day sched rds 1-3 G/60). Hyatt Regency SFO Airport, 1333 Bayshore Hwy., Burlingame, CA 94010. Hotel rate $89. $8,000 b/137 entries (80% guaranteed). 6 sections: Open (2200+ FIDE rated)> 1000-500-200-100-100. X (2000-2199), A (1800-1999), B (1600-1799) & C (1400-1599): 700-300-100-100-100 each. Section DE (1000-1399): 500-200-100 (u1200 200-100-100). The 5th place prize will be awarded only in the 2 largest sections. Unrated prize limit of $200 in all sections except Open. EF: $99 3-day & $98 2-day mailed by 11/23, online by 11/24, Onsite +$25, Play-up +$20. 5% off before 10/26. GMs/IMs free: EF subtr from prize. Re-entry $40. EF Econ Opt: EF minus $30 & 1/2 of computed prize. Nov 2010 Supp, CCA min & TD discretion used to place players accurately. TD/Org: McCumiskey, Langland, Azhar. 3-day sched: Reg Fri 10-11, Rds. Fri/Sat 11:30-5:30, Sun 10, 3:30. 2-day sched: Reg Sat. 9-9:30, Rds Sat 10-12:30-2:45-5:30, Sun. 10-3:30. Max two 1/2-pt byes & must commit bef rd 3. Ent: Bay Area Chess, 1590 Oakland Rd., Suite B213, San Jose 95131. T: 408-786-5515. E: ask@BayAreaChess.com, Info/Form/Entries: BayAreaChess.com/tg. NS, NC, W. Chess Magnet School JGP.

Jan. 14-17 or 15-17 2nd Annual Golden State Open GPP: 150 Enhanced California Northern

7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds. 1-2 G/75). 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. Prizes $40,000 based on 320 paid entries (re-entries & U1300 Section count as half entries), minimum guarantee $30,000 (75% of each prize). In 6 sections. Open, open to all. $3000-1500-1200-800-600-500-400, clear or tiebreak winner $200, top U2400/Unr $1800-1000. FIDE. Under 2200: $2400-1200-1000-700-500-400-300. Under 2000: $2400-1200-1000-700-500-400-300. Under 1800: $2400- 1200-1000-700-500-400-300. Under 1600: $2000-1000-800-600-400-300-200, top Under 1400 $800-400. Under 1300: $800-500-400-300-200-100-100, top Under 1100 $400-200. Unrated (0-3 lifetime games rated) may enter any section, with maximum prize U1300 $300, U1600 $500, U1800 $700, U2000 $900. Top 5 sections EF: 4-day $154, 3-day $153 mailed by 1/6, all $155 online at chesstour.com by 1/11, $160 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/11 (entry only, no questions), $180 at site. GMs free; $130 deducted from prize. Under 1300 Section EF: $4-day $74, 3-day $73 mailed by 1/6, $75 online at chesstour.com by 1/11 (entry only, no questions), $80 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 1/11, $100 at site. All: 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 (except Open) $60. Mailed EF $5 less to CalChess members. 4-day schedule: Late reg. ends Fri 6:15 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. 3-day schedule: Late reg. ends Sat 10:15 am, rds Sat 11, 2:30 & 6, Sun 11 & 6, Mon 10 & 4:30. Byes: OK all, limit 3; Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 4. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Foreign player ratings: See chesstour.com. HR: Rate of $99-99 has been reduced to about $93-93, even lower for seniors 62 or over, 925-827-2000, for details see www.chesstour.com/gso11.htm, reserve by 12/31 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. Chess Magnet School JGP.