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Mechanics' Institute Chess Club

57 Post Street

SF, CA 94104  

Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News

 

...certain people do improve their chess. In the main though these people are smaller than grown-ups. Children seem to have no problem improving their chess and I do not believe that this is due to a greater capacity for hard work. The key is that adults become stubborn. They refuse to keep their minds open - especially on the chess board.

 

                David Norwood    

 


Expert James Jones upset FM Andy Lee last night to turn the Dan Litowsky Tuesday Night Marathon upside down. Going into the round Lee looked like he had a lock on first place with not only a full point lead over the field with two rounds to go, but the additional advantage of having met most of his principal challengers. Now the tournament is wide open with one game left, with no less than seven players with a theoretical possibility of taking first place. Lee and NM Hayk Manvelyan (who have already played) lead the pack with 6.5 points followed by Jones, Todd Rumph, Igor Traub, Demetrius Goins and Steven Gaffagan on 5.5.

  

James Jones- Andy Lee 

San Francisco 2011

 

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Nxd4

 

James Jones loves to play old-school gambits in every opening and here he trots out a line from antiquity.  

 

5...d6?!  

 

The challenge to White's play is ...Nxe4 6.Bxf7+ Kxf7 7.Qh5+ g6 8.Qd5+ Kg7 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Qxe4 Qe7 with comfortable equality. It would be interesting to know what improvement Jones had in mind.

 

6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Ng4?  

 

7...Nd7 8.e6 fxe6 9.Bxe6 Nf6 is perfectly playable and GM Daniel Campora once tried 7...dxe5 8.Bxf7+ Kxf7 9.Qxd8 Bb4+.

 

8.e6! d5  

 

8...f5? 9.Qf3! is a double attack that wins a pawn. 

 

9.Qxg4 Bxe6 10.Qf3 dxc4 11.Qxc6+ Bd7 12.Qxc4 Be7 13.0-0 0-0 14.Bf4 Be6 15.Qe2 Qd4 16.Be5 Qc5 17.Re1 Rab8

  

This and the subsequent rook maneuvers are desperate measures by Black who realizes that he is pawn down for no compensation and must muddy the waters.   

 

18.Nc3 Rb4 19.a3 Rg4 20.Rad1 Qc6 21.Nd5! Bc5 22.c4 Kh8   

22...Rxc4 would have been met by 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 (24.Qe5+ f6 25.Qxe6) 23...Bxd5 24.Bxf8 Re4 25.Qxe4 Bxe4 26.Bxc5 Bxg2 27.Rd8+ Kg7 28.Bd4+ f6 29.Re7+ Kg6 30.Rf8  

winning.

 

23.Kh1 Bb6 24.b3 Rg6 25.f3 Re8 26.Qb2 f6 27.Bc3 Rh6 28.Bxf6 gxf6 29.Nxf6 Rxf6 30.Qxf6+ Kg8 31.Re5 1-0

     

 

Jules Jelinek writes that the MI Wednesday Blitz is being held every week. As always, it starts at 6:40pm with sign-up beginning at 6:20pm. Entry is $10 with clock $11 without clock. Prizes are 50%, 30%, 20% of entry fees. TIme control preferably is 3 minute increment 2 second otherwise 5 minutes increment 0 second.

 

Last week's winners were:

 

1st - Carlos D'Avila
2nd - Jules Jelinek
3rd - Merim Mesic

IM Ricardo DeGuzman won the 11th Howard Donnelly Memorial G/45 held September 17th with a 5-0 score. Expert Oleg Shaknazarov was second in the 42-player field with 4.5 points. 

 

NM John Blackstone of Las Vegas passes along the following game played almost 100 years ago in San Diego.

 

The following game was played at the Cabrillo Club. San Diego, Cal., between Rev. E. B. Adams, playing blindfold, and Dr. Peters.   

 

E. Adams - D. Peters

San Diego 1915

   

 

1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.Nf3 exf4 4.e5 Bg4 5.d4 Nc6 6.c3 Be7 7.Bxf4 Nh6 8.Bb5 Nf5 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.0-0 Qd7 11.Nbd2 c5 12.Kh1 c4 13.Qe1 0-0 14.Bg3 Nxg3+ 15.Qxg3 c5 16.h3 Be6 17.Nh4 cxd4 18.cxd4 Rab8 19.Rab1 Qa4 20.Nf5 Bxf5 21.Rxf5 Qxa2 22.Rbf1 Qxb2 23.Nf3 h6 24.Rf6 Bxf6 25.exf6 g6 26.Qh4 h5 27.Qg5 Kh7 28.Nh4 Qe2 29.Rf3 Rb1+ 30.Kh2 Qe1 31.Nf5 Qc1 32.Rf4 Qg1+ 33.Kg3 Rb3+ 34.Kh4 Qe1+ 35.g3 1-0

 
Source:  Schenectady Gazette (1915.01.15 p.12)   
  
   
 

Mechanics' lose to  Los Angeles Vibe in USCL

The Mechanics' lost to their long-time rivals in disappointing last Monday. They will try to recover on September 28 when they face Seattle in round 5. 
Miami  vs San Francisco (3-1)

1. GM Julio Becerra (MIA) vs GM Vinay Bhat (SF)  1-0
2. GM Jesse Kraai (SF) vs FM Eric Rodriguez (MIA)  1-0
3. FM Jorge Pelaez (MIA) vs IM Daniel Naroditsky (SF)  1-0
4. Uyanga Byambaa (SF) vs NM Ernesto Alvarez (MIA)  0-1


The following game is a tour de force by Berkeley GM Jesse Kraai who schools his opponent in the finer points of positional chess. All of White's play from move 9 to the end of the game is directed at the  Black knight on a5. Particularly picturesque are the knights retreats to d1 and e1 on consecutive moves preventing Black from reducing the cramp on his position by trades.

 

Kraai (2567) - E. Rodriguez (2397)

USCL (4) 2011   

1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 g6 4.e3 Bg7 5.d4 d6 6.Be2 Nf6 7.0-0 0-0 8.d5 Na5 9.Bd2 a6 10.b3 b5 11.Rc1 Bd7 12.Qc2 Rb8 13.e4 bxc4 14.bxc4 Qc7 15.Nd1! Ng4 16.Ne1! Nh6 17.f4 Ng4 18.Bxg4 Bxg4 19.Qa4 Bxd1 20.Rxd1 Nb7 21.Qc6 Rfc8 22.Qxc7 Rxc7 23.Rb1 Bd4+ 24.Kh1 Rcc8 25.Rf3 Nd8 26.Rfb3 Ra8 27.g4 f6 28.Nf3 Kf8 29.Kg2 Ke8 30.h4 a5 31.a4 Ra7 32.Rb6 Rca8 33.g5 Kd7 34.gxf6 exf6 35.h5 Kc7 36.hxg6 hxg6 37.Nh4 g5 38.Nf5 Rb7 39.Rxb7+ Nxb7 40.Rh1 gxf4 41.Rh7+ Kb6 42.Bxf4 Be5 43.Kf3 Rg8 44.Ne7 Rg1 45.Nc8+ Ka6 46.Bxe5 fxe5 47.Rc7 Nd8 48.Ra7 1-0

 

 Byambaa (2080) - Alvarez (2207)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.0-0 Nc6 9.f4 exf4 10.Bxf4 Be7 11.Kh1 0-0 12.Qe1 Rc8 13.Rd1 Qc7 14.Qg3 Ne5 15.Nd4 Rfd8 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Bxe5

 

White can win a critical pawn by the sneaky 17.Qh3! when Black has no satisfactory way to protect the e6 pawn - for example 17...Kf7 18.Bxe5 dxe5 19.Qxh7. 

 

17..dxe5 18.Bg4 Qc6 19.Qh3 Nxg4 20.Qxg4 b5 21.a3 Rd4 22.Qh5 Bf6 23.h3 a5 24.Rxd4 exd4 25.e5 g6 26.Qe2 Bg7 27.Nxb5 Qd5 28.Nd6 Rd8 29.Nc4 a4 30.Nb6 Qxe5 31.Qxe5 Bxe5 32.Re1 Bg3 33.Rd1 e5 34.Nxa4 e4 35.Nc3 e3 36.Ne2 Be5 37.Kg1 Kf7 38.Kf1 Ke6 39.Rd3 Kf5 40.b4 Rf8 41.Ke1 Ke4 42.b5 Rf2 43.b6 Rxg2 44.b7 Kf3 45.Nxd4+ Bxd4 46.Kf1 Rxc2 47.Kg1 Rc1+ 48.Kh2 Be5+ 0-1

 

 
A Chess Poem by Dennis Fritzinger

endgame

 

 

the dust and smoke having cleared

 

up, you face an endgame--

 

a pawn up or down,

 

bishop versus knight or vice versa,

 

strong king or weak king,

 

active or passive rook.

 

this is the technical phase

 

of the game,

 

when games are won or lost

 

on the strength of your position,

 

your ability to navigate

 

between icebergs and around reefs,

 

skirting maelstroms,

 

steering through bad weather.

 

destination? port,

 

or sherry, or just a coke,

 

sitting down with friends

 

to show the game,

 

display it

 

like a stuffed moose

 

or record-breaking fish,

 

your prize money

 

already in your pocket.

 

  

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. 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  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. 

 

 

Upcoming Events  

 

 

 

J.J. Dolan Memorial - October 8  

Carroll Capps Memorial - November 5-6 

 Pierre Saint-Amant Memorial - November 19  

Guthrie McClain Memorial - December 3 


 

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
 Location:    NorCal House of Chess at Northwestern Polytechnic University
                       47655 Warm Springs Blvd.
                       Fremont, CA 94539   
Rounds:    Jan 2nd:  6:00;  Jan 3rd, 5th:  11:00 & 6:00;   Jan 4th, 6th, 7th:  4:00;  Jan 8th:  11:00 
Time Control:    40/90, SD/30 with 30 second increment
Organizers:   
Arun Sharma <asharma AT math.berkeley.edu> and Ted Castro <ted0712 AT yahoo.com>      

GM and IM norms possible.

GMs interested in playing and potentially receiving conditions should contact Arun as soon as possible if they wish to have the best chance of doing so.

The Northern California International begins only a couple of days after the North American Open in Las Vegas ends so is a very convenient event for those who are playing in the latter.   

 

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Mechanics' Institute | 57 Post Street | San Francisco | CA | 94104