Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News 547
Chess is a scientific game and its literature ought to be placed on the basis of the strictest truthfulness, which is the foundation of all scientific research. Wilhelm Steinitz
1) Mechanics' Chess Club News 2) Benko-Larsen Exhibition (San Diego 1958) 3) A Chess Poem by Dennis Fritzinger 4) Western States Open 5) Upcoming Events
NM Hayk Manvelyan is the sole remaining perfect score after three rounds of the Dan Litowsky Tuesday Night Marathon. Uyanga Byambaa had NM Andy Lee on the ropes for much of the evening but poor endgame play enabled him to escape. The two join Experts James Jones, Todd Rumph, Steve Gaffagan and Peter Grey in a tie for second at 2.5 from 3. Carlos D' Avila won the Wednesday Night Blitz on August 17th scoring 13 from 14. Visiting Iowa master Tim McEntee shared second with Jules Jelinek with 10 1/2 points. FM Robin Cunningham sends in detailed annotations to his tough last round battle with Uyanga Byambaa from the last round of the Summer Tuesday Night Marathon. Byambaa (2060) - Cunningham (2280) Summer Marathon (8),2011 This was a tense game. For both players, a win would tie for first, a draw would likely tie for second, and a loss would get nothing. The main lesson of this game is: when facing a difficult position, keep looking for activity and concrete ideas. Both players rescued bad positions with resourceful play. 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d4 Bb4 5.d5 My opponent usually plays the 4-pawns attack against the Alekhine. It seemed very likely that she was following my game against Margulis earlier in the tournament, when I played the dubious 5. ... Ne4. This is a line I prepared long ago in pre-Fritz days. It is amazing what you could get away with in the opening before players had computers to tell them what to do! 5...Nb8 White has an edge in this line, but there will be plenty of play for both sides and we have avoided the kind of open game that Uyanga seems to play best. 6.Bd3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 d6 8.h3 c6 9.c4 0-0 10.0-0 cxd5 10...Na6 11.dxc6 Qc7 12.cxb7 Bxb7 13.Nd2 Nc5 unclear 11.cxd5 Nbd7 12.Ba3 Qc7 13.Nd2 Nc5 14.Re1 Bd7 15.Rb1 Rab8 16.Nb3 b5 16. ... b6 is more solid, but feels passive. I had dreams of getting the pawn to b4 and expanding on the queenside, but really this idea is unlikely to work because of White's space advantage. 17.Qd2!? I had assumed this wouldn't be good because of an exchange of my c5-knight followed by Nh5-f4. But the problem is that Nxd3 prepares the undermining d4 for white and Nxb3 just leaves my queenside too weak. Finally, I didn't want to play 17. ... Nh5 without doing a knight-capture first, because I need the knight ready to come to d6 in the event that White takes on c5. For the first time, I realized that White has a nice edge. 17...Rfc8 18.Re3?! Missing the point. White should take over the dark squares on the queenside with 19. Bb4 18...Ne8 18...Na4 19.Bb4 Nb6 20.Ba5 19.Rg3 Continuing a bad plan. Now I think Black is better. 19...Nxd3 20.cxd3 Qc2 21.Rb2 Qxd2 22.Rxd2 b4 23.Bb2 a5? Throwing away a nice advantage. The most common mistake I see at the Mechanics' Marathons is mismanagement of the clock and I have been guilty of it in this game. Now is the time for Nf6-h5-f4 when I like Black's position. The problem with 23. ... a5 is that I leave my queenside weak and I lose my active Bishop. [23...Nf6!? 24.Re3 Nh5 25.Na5 Rb6 26.d4 f6³] 24.Nxa5 Ra8 25.Nc4 Rxa2 26.Nb6 Rd8 27.Nxd7 Rxd7 28.d4 Nf6 29.dxe5 dxe5?! 29...Nxe4! Unfortunately, the time control was at move 30 and I only had 3 minutes to analyze 30. Rg7+, which leads to a good position for Black. 30.Rxg7+ (30.Rc2™ Rd8 31.Rb3 Nc5 32.Rxb4 Nd3 33.Rb3 Rxb2 34.Rbxb2 Nxb2 35.Rxb2 dxe5=) 30...Kxg7 31.e6+ Rxb2 32.exd7 Rxd2 33.d8Q b3. 30.Rc2 Kf8? Black pays the price for mismanaging the clock. 31.Rc8+ Ke7 32.Bxe5 Nxe4 33.Re3 f5 34.f3 Rxd5 34...Nf6 is much safer. I was not thinking clearly here and was afraid of 35. d6. 34...Nf6 35.d6+ Kf7 36.Rc7 Ra7 37.Bxf6 Kxf6 I think I missed that c3 was not available for a rook here. 35.Bf4 Rd1+ 36.Kh2 Rdd2?! 36...Rf1 37.Bg3?? (37.Rc4 Kf7 38.Rxb4 Rff2 39.fxe4 Rxg2+ 40.Kh1 Rgf2 Same idea as my line but a better version for Black.) 37...Raa1-+ 37.fxe4 Rxg2+ 38.Kh1 Rgf2? 38...Rge2 39.Rc7+ Kd8 40.Rxe2 Rxe2 41.exf5 b3 Black may hold here, using the b-pawn and the bad position of the White king. 42.Rc1 b2 43.Rd1+ Ke8 44.Kg1 Kf7 45.Rb1 Rc2 46.Bg5 g6 47.f6 h6 48.Be3 (48.Bxh6 Kxf6 I don't see how White can win, but anything is possible.) 48...g5 49.Rf1÷ Black may hold here as long as he doesn't run out or Rook moves along the 2nd rank. It makes me a little nervous that I only have 2 of those currently! 39.exf5+ Kf7 40.Rc7+ Kf6 41.Be5+ Kxf5 42.Rf7+ Kg6 43.Rxg7+ Kh6+- 44.Rg1 Ra3 Most players give up in lost positions. You must keep looking for concrete ideas and sources of counterplay. My idea here is that I want to get the pawn to a2 when I think I can draw even after the last rooks come off as long as my pawn stays on h7 (see below). The right move here 45. Rg3 is a little hard to see since the rook just went to g1. 45.Bg7+?! Pushing my king where it wants to go, Uyanga thought she had a mate here. Rgg3 should win comfortably. The key is to stop the b-pawn before it can be a source of counter play. 45...Kh5 46.Re5+? It is possible that White cannot win after this careless move. White missed that 47. Bf6 was prevented by the rook on f2. 46.Rxa3 bxa3 47.Rg2 Rxg2 48.Kxg2. Can Black hold here? There is a stalemate trick that may prevent progress. 48...a2 49.Kg3 Kg6 50.Bc3 Kf5 51.h4 Kg6 52.Kg4 Kh6 How does White make progress? 53.h5 a1Q!=; 46.Rgg3 Rfa2. 46...Kh4 47.Re4+ Kxh3 I thought this position was a draw but I was very nervous. I hate positions where my opponent has 2 rooks and my King has no legal moves. At least I am threatening mate in one! 48.Be5 Raf3 49.Rxb4 Rf1 50.Rb2 Rxg1+ 51.Kxg1 Kg4 White offered a draw in this position. Although the position is a theoretical draw, White should play on since she has nothing to lose and can only win or draw. White's game is much easier to play also, which is useful in a sudden-death time control. This game had lots of errors, as money-round games often do. But I thought both players played well when they had to. ½-½ 2) Benko-Larsen Exhibition (San Diego 1958) Over 150 participants and spectators were attracted to the exhibition staged by Chess, Inc., of San Diego, in which the star performers were Bent Larsen, international grandmaster from Denmark, and Pal Benko, former Hungarian Champion and freedom fighter. The first act was a match game between Benko and Larsen in which the former played White in the San Diego variation of the Sicilian Defense. This opening was stipulated by John Alexander of San Diego, who is chiefly instrumental in arranging the event. Larsen developed an attack by aggressive play, but Benko had ready answers and soon equalized. Larry Evans, former U.S. chess champion, discussed the game in another part of the playing room. The game was played at a time limit of 30 moves in 30 minutes. Following the game the masters took on all comers in clock games with a fast time limit. This form of participation was thoroughly enjoyed though the masters, as expected, scored all the points. Benko-Larsen San Diego 1958 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bc4 Nc6 4.c3 e6 5.Qe2 Be7 6.d4 cxd4 7.cxd4 d5 8.exd5 exd5 9.Bb5 Nf6 10.Ne5 Bd7 11.Be3 0-0 12.0-0 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Bxb5 14.Qxb5 Ng4 15.Bd4 f6 16.exf6 Qd6 17.g3 Bxf6 18.Bxf6 Rxf6 19.Nc3 Raf8 20.Qxd5+ Qxd5 21.Nxd5 Rxf2 22.h3 Rxf1+ 23.Rxf1 Rxf1+ 24.Kxf1 Ne5 25.Ke2 Kf7 26.b3 Ke6 27.Nc7+ Kd7 28.Nb5 a6 29.Nd4 Nc6 30.Ke3 Nxd4 31.Kxd4 Kd6 32.Kc4 Kc6 ½-½ Source: LA Times, January 26, 1958 (p.B8) 3) Chess Poem by Dennis Fritzinger time scramble 4) Western States Open Oct. 21-23, 2011 GPP: 200 (Enhanced) NEVADA [American Classic & Heritage Event!!] 29th Annual SANDS REGENCY RENO-WESTERN STATES OPEN.6SS.40/2,20/1,G ½. Sands Regency Hotel/Casino, 345 N. Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501. 1-800-648-3553 or (775) 348-2200. $$33,200 b/350, Gtd. $$21,750-$3000-2000-1500-1000-800-600-500-400-300-200 in Open Section plus ½ of all other prizes. 6 Sections: OPEN: EF:GMs & IMs free (enter by 10/1 or pay late fee), Masters $147, (2199/below)-$175. $$ Prizes 1-10 listed above, (2399-below) $1000, (2299-below) $1000. If a tie for 1st overall then 2 (G/10) playoff for $100 from prize fund. (Note: GM/IM w/free entry not eligible for class prizes 2399 and below; may elect to pay entry fee and become eligible). EXPERT: (2000-2199) EF: $146. $$2000-1000-500-400-300."A" Sec.(1800-1999) EF: $145, $$2000-1000-500-400-300."B" Sec.(1600-1799) EF: $144, $$1,800-900-500-400-300. "C" Sec.(1400-1599) EF: $143, $$1,600-800-500-400-300."D"/under Sec. (1399/below) EF:$142, $$1,400-700-400-300-200, (under 1200) - $600. (Unrated Players) EF: Free + must join USCF or increase membership for 1 additional year thru this tournament ($49 adults,$25 juniors) Prizes: Top unrated wins 1 yr. USCF membership plus trophy. Note: Unrated will be put in "D" Sect. unless requests to play up. Seniors (65+) additional prizes $$200; (Seniors not eligible: provisionally rated, unrated, masters); Club Championship $$800-400 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 10/1 and $22 more if postmarked after 10/14 or at site. Do not mail after 10/14 or phone or email after 10/18. $20 off EF to Srs (65+). 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: (10/20) 5-8 pm, (10/21) 9:00-10 am. Rds 12-7, 10-6, 9:30-4:30. Byes available any round, if requested before 1st round (Open Section - 2 byes max.). SIDE EVENTS: Wed.(10/19) 7pm Clock Simul [40/2, G/1] (Including an analysis of YOUR game.GM Sergey Kudrin $30 (A great value!). Thurs (10/20) 5-7:30 pm "A Celebration of Life, GM Larry Evans" and lecture by IM John Donaldson -Free, 7:30 Simul GM Lubosh Kavalek (only $15!), 7:30 Blitz (5 min)Tourney ($20-80% to prize fund). Sat 10/22 (3-4:30pm)IM John Donaldson Clinic(Game/Position Analysis) - Free. Sun. (10/23) 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: $29! (Sun-Thurs) & $59! (Fri-Sat) + 13.5% tax. (mention CHESSOCT & 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.5) Upcoming Events Bernardo 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 October 1st - 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. October 2nd - 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. 2012 Northern California International Presented by NorCal House of Chess Dates: January 2nd - January 8th http://dotq.org/chess/
1st Metropolitan Chess International
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