Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Newsletter #539


Finally he has no respect for any version of thinking that can be embodied in a computer's circuitry. The more he has to do with computing, the more it seems to him like chess: a tight little world defined by made-up rules, one that sucks in boys of a certain susceptible temperament and turns them half-crazy, as he is half-crazy, so that all the time they deludedly think they are playing the game, the game is in fact playing them.

.

J.M. Coetzee
Youth (page 149)

1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News

2) Sam Shankland Grandmaster

3) Ray Robson 4 - Ben Finegold 2

4) 2011 World Team Championship

5) Upcoming Special Events at the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club

6) Upcoming Events

1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News

NM Michael Pearson and Expert Kyle Shin tied for first in the 48th Arthur Stamer Memorial held June 6th and 7th with scores of 5-1. The two winners drew with each other in round 6 after both defeating IMs earlier - Pearson beating DeGuman in round 4 and Shin upsetting IM Walter Shipman in round 5. IM Ricardo DeGuzmam, NM Evan Sandberg and Expert James Jones tied for third with 4.5 points.

13-year-old Kyle Shin defeated fellow San Franciscan 82-year-old Walter Shipman in a key battle in round 5.

Shin - Shipman

Stamer Memorial (5) 2011

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.0-0 Nf6 5.d3 0-0 6.Bb3 Be7 7.Re1 d6 8.c3 Be6 9.Nbd2 Bxb3 10.axb3 a5 11.Nf1 d5 12.exd5 Qxd5 13.Ne3 Qd7 14.Nc4 e4 15.dxe4 Qxd1 16.Rxd1 Nxe4 17.Bf4 Bc5 18.Bxc7 Nxf2 19.Rd5 Ne4+ 20.Kf1 Rfc8 21.Re1 Nf6 22.Rxc5 Rxc7 23.Nd4 Nd7 24.Rd5 Nf6 25.Rd6 Ne8 26.Nb5 Re7 27.Rd3 Rxe1+ 28.Kxe1 Nf6 29.Nbd6 Rd8 30.Ke2 Rd7 31.Nf5 Rxd3 32.Kxd3 Nd7 33.Ncd6 Nde5+ 34.Ke4 g6 35.Nd4 b6 36.Nxc6 Nxc6
37.Kd5 Na7 38.Nc4 Kf8 39.Kd6 Ke8 40.Nxb6 Kd8 41.Nc4 Nc8+ 42.Ke5 Ke7 43.Nxa5 Nb6 44.Nc6+ Kd7 45.Nd4 Ke7 46.c4 f6+ 47.Ke4 Kd6 48.Kd3 Nd7 1-0


Fide Master Robin Cunningham, National Master Evan Sandberg and Experts Todd Rumph, Oleg Shaknazarov and James Jones are tied for first with perfect scores after three rounds of the Summer Tuesday Night Marathon. Five rounds remain for the 59 participants.

Todd Rumph annotates his interesting battle with upcoming young Expert Michael Lin.

Michael Lin (2026) - Todd Rumph (2152)

Summer TMN (3) 2011

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 5.0-0 Bd7

5...Bg4 can lead to sharper play: 6.h3 h5!? 7.d4! b5 8.Bb3 Nxd4 9.hxg4 hxg4 10.Ng5 Nh6.

6.c3 Nge7 7.d4 Ng6 8.Be3

8. Re1, 8. Nbd2, and 8. d5 are also OK.

8...Be7 9.Nbd2 0-0 10.Re1 h6

10...Nh4; 10...exd4 11.cxd4 Nb4 12.Bxd7 Qxd7 followed by 13...d5 looks equal.

11.Nf1 Nh4?!

11...exd4 12.cxd4 Bf6

12.Nxh4 Bxh4 13.g3! Bg5 14.f4 exf4 15.gxf4 Bh4

15...Bf6 16.e5 dxe5 17.fxe5 Bh4 18.Ng3 Be6 19.Bc2 with a clear edge for White.

16.Ng3 Ne7

16...f5 17.Bb3+ Kh8 18.e5 a) 18.d5 Ne7 19.Bd4 (19.e5 dxe5 20.fxe5? f4 winning) 19...fxe4 20.Bh5 Bf6=; b) 18.Qh5 fxe4 19.d5 Na5 20.Bc2 Bxg3 21.hxg3 Qe8=; 18...dxe5 19.dxe5 (19.fxe5? f4) 19...Na5 20.Bd5 c6 21.Bg2 Nc4 22.Bf2 Be6 and White has the better chances.

17.Bb3!

Stopping 17...d5.

17...Kh7?!

17...Kh8! 18.Qh5 Ng8 19.f5 (19.Bxf7? Bxg3 20.hxg3 Nf6 21.Bg6 Qe7 22.Bb3 Be8 23.Qf5 Bd7) 19...Bxg3 20.hxg3 Nf6 21.Qh4 Nh7.

18.Qf3?

18.Qh5!

18...f5 19.e5 dxe5 20.dxe5 Bc6

20...Qe8 preventing 21. Qh5 is better. If 21.Qxb7? then Bxg3 22.hxg3 Bc6 23.Bb4 Bh5 is winning for Black.

21.Qh5± Bxg3

21...Ng6? 22.Be6! Be4 23.Rad1 Qe8 (23...Qe7 24.Bxf5 Bxf5 25.Nxf5 Rxf5 26.Qxf5 Bxe1 27.Rxe1±) 24.Bd7 Qf7 25.Nxe4 Bxe1? 26.Ng5 winning.

22.hxg3 Qe8 23.Qe2?

23.Qxe8 Rfxe8 was clearly better for White.

23...Qg6 24.Kf2 Nd5 25.Bc5 Rfd8

25...Nxf4? 26.gxf4 Qg2+ 27.Ke3 Qe4+ 28.Kd2 Rfd8+ 29.Kc1 Qxf4+ 30.Qe3 with a clear edge for White.

26.Rg1

Black was threatening 26...Nxf4

26...b6

With the idea of 27...Bb7 and 28...Qc6 or 28...c5.

27.Bd4 Bb7 28.c4?

28.Rad1 c5 29.Be3 Nxe3 30.Kxe3 (30.Qxe3? Qh5=) 30...Be4 31.g4 b5 is slightly better for White.

28...Nf6! 29.exf6?

29.Rad1 (Forced) Ng4+ 30.Ke1 (Forced) (30.Kf1 Bf3!-+) 30...c5 31.Bf2 Qe6 32.Bc2 g6 is clearly better for Black.

29...Rxd4 30.Qe7 Re8 31.f7!?

Setting a very nice trap. 31.Qxg7+ Qxg7 32.fxg7 Rd2+ 33.Kf1 Ree2 34.g8(Q)+ Kxg8 35.c5+ Kg7 36.Bc4 Bg2+ 37.Rxg2 Rxg2 loses pretty quietly.

31...Rd2+

The trap: 31...Rxe7? 32.f8N+!! Kg8 (32...Kh8? 33.Nxg6+ Kh7 34.Nxe7 winning) 33.Nxg6 Rd2+ 34.Kf1 Ree2 35.c5+ Kh7 36.Nf8+ draw!

32.Kf1

32.Ke1 Rxe7+ decides matters immediately.

32...Qc6 33.f8N+

(Forced)

33.Qxe8 Qf3+ 34.Ke1 Qf2 mate; 33.fxe8Q Qf3+ 34.Ke1 Qf2 mate.

33...Rxf8 34.Qe3 Re8! 35.Qxd2 Qf3+ 0-1

35...Qf3+ 36.Qf2 Qd3+ 37.Qe2 Qxe2 mate Mechanics' members Daniel Naroditsky and Gregory Young will be playing in the US Junior Closed which is being held at the Saint Louis Chess Club and Scholastic Center from June 16-26.

Last weeks winners in the Mechanics' weekly Wednesday Night Blitz series were:

1st - Arthur Ismakov

2nd - Jules Jelinek

3rd - Joe Urquhart
2) Sam Shankland Grandmaster

19-year-old Sam Shankland of Orinda was awarded the Grandmaster title by FIDE at the recent Presidential Board meeting in the United Arab Emirates. Shankland, who is currently studying at Brandeis University, finished third in the 2011 US Championship this past spring, qualifying for the World Cup which will be held in Khanty-Mansiysk from August 26to September 21. Other Americans who will be playing in this event in Siberia are: are Hikaru Nakamura, Gata Kamsky, Yury Shulman, Robert Hess, Ray Robson and Alexander Onischuk. Sam has a busy summer ahead of him before playing in the World Cup. He will be playing in the National Open in Las Vegas this weekend then teaching for the next month before going off to play in Biel and another European event as final preparation for Khanty Mansiysk. On top of this June 22 has been officially named Sam Shankland Day in Orinda and he will be honored by the local city council at 7pm on June 21.
3) Ray Robson 4 - Ben Finegold 2

Ray Robson defeated Saint Louis Chess Club Grandmaster in Residence Ben Finegold 4-2 in a match held in mid-May and will be representing the United States in the World Junior Championship this summer in Chennai, India .

Bay Area chess fans will have a chance to meet Ray and his father Gary when they give a lecture at the Mechanics' on Tuesday, June 14th, from 5:15 to 6:15 pm. Don't miss this event which is free to all.
4) 2011 World Team Championship

The US squad for the World Team Championship, to be held July 17-26 in Ningbo, China, is Gata Kamsky, Alex Onischuk, Yury Shulman, Yasser Seirawan and Robert Hess with John Donaldson as captain, Varuzhan Akobian and Ben Finegold as coaches and Tony Rich providing media coverage. World number 6, Hikaru Nakamura, signed a contract to play in Dortmund (held concurrently) before the dates for the World Team were announced and the US invited to play.

Other countries competing include:

1. China (host country)
2. Russia (winner 2009 World Team Championship)
3. Ukraine (1st Olympiad 2010)
4. Israel ( =3rd Olympiad 2010)
5. Hungary (= 3rd Olympiad 2010)
6. Azerbaijan (Europe qualifier)
7. India (Asia qualifier)
8. USA (America's qualifier)
9. Egypt (African qualifier)
10. Armenia (FIDE President's nomination)

This should be one of the strongest events ever held with over half the players rated over 2700 FIDE on the July 2011 FIDE rating list competing.

5) Upcoming Special Events at the Mechanics'Institute Chess Club

Robsons visit June 14th

Ray and Gary Robson will lecture at the Mechanics' on Tuesday, June 14th, from 5:15 to 6:15 pm. This event is free to all.

MI Advanced Chess Camp with GM Nick deFirmian, IMs Vince McCambridge and John Donaldson, FM Mark Pinto and MI Scholastic Coordinator Anthony Corrales from July 24-29 Go to www.chessclub.org for more information.

July 31st Neil Falconer Blitz

(more details soon to follow)

6) Upcoming Events

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

2011 Events

William Addison Open - June 11Scholastic Championship - July 9Charles Bagby Memorial - July 16Vladimir Pafnutieff Memorial - August 6Bernardo Smith Memorial - August 20-21Howard Donnelly Memorial - September 17J.J. Dolan Memorial - October 8Carroll Capps Memorial - November 5-6Pierre Saint-Amant Memorial - November 19Guthrie McClain Memorial - December 3

September 3-5

2011 Labor Day Chess Festival 6-SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day option rds 1-3 G/60). Golden Geteway Holiday Inn. Van Ness at
Pine, San Francisco. $$B 160 paid entries (not counting free or unrated entries). Six Sections: Master $1500-750-400-350 U2300 $300; Expert $700-350-200-150. "A" $700-350-200-150. "B" $700-350-200-150. "C" $700-350-200-150. "D/E" $700-$350-$200 U1200 $200-150. Unr:
Trophy First. Trophy to top finisher (State Champion) in each section. All, EF: postmarked
by 8/29 $115. $125 at site. 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. GM/IM free entry. Reg.: Sat 9/3 8:30-9:30am, Sun 9/4
8-9am. RDS.: Choice of schedules- 3-day, 2-day merge at round 4, all compete for the same prizes. 3-day schedule: Sat 10:00-3:30; 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). 2011 September 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. Chess Magnet School JG

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: ask@BayAreaChess.com, 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: ask@BayAreaChess.com,

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