Mechanics' Institute Chess Room Newsletter #25
"Perhaps the most important trait a player needs is a warped sense of humor."
Tony Miles
1) Patrick Wolff and Mark Coggins today (2/28 6 PM) at the MI
The Mechanic's Institute is proud to host readings by Mark Coggins and former
US Champion Patrick Wolff. Coggins is the author of the critically acclaimed
Immortal Game which is a chess mystery thriller set in the Bay Area. The
event will be held on the 4th floor of the MI in the Member's Lounge starting
at 6pm. Refreshments will be served . The event is free to MI members and $5
for the public.
2) Charles Linklater Memorial
Two rounds into the Charles Linklater Memorial the leaders are GM Yury
Shulman and FM Cyrus Lakdawala with 1 1/2 from 2. Round by round reports,
complete with all games, can be found at the MI Chess Room website at
http://www.chessclub.org. Rounds are daily from 10 AM to 2 PM through March
8. Game analysis by GM Alex Yermolinsky and IM John Donaldson is offered in
the MI's 4th floor Member's Lounge each day between noon and 1 PM. The
tournament and game analysis are free to all so please bring a friend and
check it out. Your support will help to ensure that such events continue to
be held in the future.
Charles Linklater and his wife Josephine are directly responsible for the
upsurge in activity held at the MI Chess Room through their generous bequest.
3) Henry Gross Memorial
Things didn't look bright the day before the event with only six advance
entries, but 26 players showed up the morning of February 24th to turn the
Henry Gross Memorial into a fitting tribute. Named after the well-liked San
Francisco master who was not only a strong player but also a major
benefactor (remember the 1957 US Junior Open and 1961 US Open, both of which
were held in SF - Gross helped to make them possible), the one day (G/45)
Gross Memorial featured some strong competition. Top seed was Senior Master
(2550) Vladimir Mezentsev followed by IM Guillermo Rey of Pacifica and
newcomer FM Andrey Chumachenko (2320 FIDE) formerly of the Ukraine, now
settled in Rancho Cordova
Mezentsev held the lead after four rounds with a perfect score, having
turned back NM Rudy Hernandez and IM Rey, but he was defeated by FM
Chumachenko in the money game. Chumachenko, who drew in round three with
Expert Dale Hammer, tied for first with NM Mauro Casadei of Berkeley at 4.5.
Casadei, fresh from his victory at the People's Open the previous weekend,
drew with IM Rey in round three and beat Hammer and Hernandez in the final
two rounds.
Credit for a well run and trouble free event goes to Tournament Director
Anthony Coralles. A crosstable for the event can be found on the MI website
http://www.chessclub.org.
Prize Winners for the Henry Gross Memorial
1-2. FM Chumachenko and Casadei 4.5 points $150 apiece
Top Under 2200 and Top Under 2000 (shared)
Alexander Setzepfandt and Nelson Sowell 4 points $82.50 each
Top Under 1800
Mariuz Krubnik 3 points $70
Top Under 1600
Wesley Chen 3 points $65
4) Spring Tuesday Night Marathon
Veteran Victor Ossipov upset top-seeded National Master Kenneth Hills with a
sacrificial attack to grab the lead after four rounds of the Spring Tuesday
Night Marathon. Right behind Ossipov, at 3 1/2 - 1/2, are NMs David Blohm and
Russell Wong and Expert George Sanguinetti. Standings can be found at the
Chess Room website: http://www.chessclub.org
Back by popular demand, the MI will be hosting a World Blitz Chess
Association tournament this Sunday from 4 to 6 PM. We expect WBCA founder
Six-time US Champion Walter Browne of Berkeley to attend as well as some of
the participants from the Charles Linklater Memorial. Come for a day of
chess at the MI (Linklater Memorial, Game analysis from the Linklater and the
Blitz event!)
Five double round Swiss or Round Robin as entries dictate
$150 first, $100 second guaranteed, more per entries
100% of all entry fees paid back
FREE TAPE FOR TOP UPSET BY A RATED PLAYER COURTESY OF WALTER BROWNE
Donated book and magazine prizes as well
WBCA membership required
Entry fee: $15 adults, $10 juniors
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