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Half the variations which are calculated in a tournament game turn out to
be completely superfluous. Unfortunately, no one knows in advance which
half. HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE STAFF OF THE MI CHESS ROOM! Steve Brandwein, Anthony Corrales, John Donaldson and Alex Yermolinsky 1) North American Open 2) Karpov featured by US Postal Service 3) Bob Burger Open this Saturday and Winter Tuesday Night Marathon Starts January 7 4) Upcoming Events 1) North American OpenThe North American Open, held December 26-29 at Ballys Casino in Las Vegas, saw a big jump in attendance with over 600 players competing, including 17 Grandmasters. GMs Nikola Mitkov of Macedonia and Ildar Ibragimov, formerly of Russia but now representing the United States, shared first in the Open section with 5 from 6. Tying for third with 4 1/2 were GMs Giorgi Kacheishvili, Jaan Ehlvest, Varuzhan Akobian, Vadim Milov, Alex Shabalov, Valery Filippov and Vladimir Georgiev. Bay Area players did well in the lower sections. Adam Lischinsky tied for first in the Under 2000 and Yefim Bukh was second in the Under 1800. Bill Goichberg organized and directed the event for the Continental Chess Association. 2) Karpov featured by US Postal ServiceChess players have been featured on the stamps of many countries, but not the United States. Recently, however, Anatoly Karpov's stay in Lindsborg, Kansas, was recognized by the US Postal Service which featured a special cancellation with his name on it, on December 14, 17 and 18. Individual cancellations can be ordered for $1 each from the Lindsborg Postmaster Sabrina T. Spellman (913) 227-2441 or write USPS, 125 E. Lincoln, KS, 67456-9998. 3) Bob Burger Open this Saturday and Winter Tuesday Night Marathon Starts January 7Bay Area players willl have the opportunity to start the New Year Year with some chess at the MI. The 2003 monthly Game in 45 minutes series starts out this Saturday with an event honoring National Master, top level chess problemist, and well regarded author Bob Burger. Bob has had an associatiion with the MI going back half a centurty and is still going strong. Come out and honor him! Next Tuesday the 8 round Winter Tuesday Night Marathon begins at 6:30 PM. The last four Marathons have all drawn over 70 players. Lets see if we can get 80 this time! 4) Upcoming EventsNote: The MI will be starting monthly scholastic quads on Saturdays starting in January. See below. Upcoming Tournaments at the MI Bob Burger Open: January 4, 2003 Scholastic Quads: January 18 and February 22. National Events International Events BERMUDA The 1st Pan American Amateur Championship will be held at the elegant Fairmont Southampton from 27th January to 5th February 2003. It will be nine rounds plus a rest day and will be held alongside two GM Invitational Tournaments (Cat XV and X). The rate of play will be 150 plus 30 seconds per move. It is open to players under 2000 FIDE or no FIDE rating at all. Each Federation in the Americas is allowed to nominate two players who do not have to pay an entry fee, otherwise entry fee is $150 per player. It will be followed by the 20th Bermuda Open from 6th to 9th February. Rooms are $125 per night plus taxes etc. for one or two people, a third person in a room would be an extra $30 plus taxes. etc To book rooms contact the Fairmont Southampton on 1-800-441-1414 or 1-441-238-8000, mentioning "PanAmerican Amateur Chess." Details/Info: www.Bermuda.bm/chess or Nigel Freeman 441-234-2322, cadilly@ibl.bm or Carol Jarecki 917-690-8566, cjareck@attglobal.net. |