Mechanics' Institute Chess Club Newsletter # 528

I don't have any fixed idea that classical chess has exhausted itself. I believe that other types of chess are nevertheless just for fun. You can see that classical chess hasn't exhausted itself even just by looking at the games from a super-tournament - you'll find a huge number of mistakes are made by even the best chess players - never mind the rest... So that means the game is essentially difficult, and even more so as new discoveries appear constantly, particularly with help from computers. For example, no-one could previously have imagined that the queen ending with extra g and h pawns is, it turns out, a draw! 

                                                    Vassily Ivanchuk 




1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News
2) IM Jacek Stopa wins 3rd Metropolitan FIDE Invitational by Ankit Gupta
3) Here and There
4) Upcoming Events  



1) Mechanics' Institute Chess Club News 


15-year-old Foster City IM Daniel Naroditsky is off to a good start in Cappelle la Grande, France, with 4 from 6 including draws with the three GMs he has faced so far. Three rounds remain in the annual open, one of the largest in Europe.

Fellow IM and Bay Area high school student Steven Zierk tied for second in the Southern Rocky FIDE Open held in Albuquerque last weekend. NM Lapid  Lior was the upset winner in possibly the strongest tournament ever held in New Mexico, defeating IM Istvan Sipos in the final round to finish with a score of 5-0. GM Mikel Kekelidze joined Steven in second on 4.5 (they drew in round 4). Sipos, who defeated GM Melikset Khachian in round 4 was among those on 4 as was Bay Area talent, 10-year-old Kesav Viswanadha who picked up 45 points to raise his rating to 2053.

The Mechanics' blitz tournament continue to be held every Wednesday night. Carlos D'Avila and Jules Jelinek shared first last week with Joe Urquhart placing third.

The Spring Tuesday Night Marathon starts on March 15.

2) IM Jacek Stopa wins 3rd Metropolitan FIDE Invitational by Ankit Gupta  

The 3rd Metropolitan FIDE Invitational which was run by Metropolitan Chess concluded this weekend. It was organized by Ankit Gupta. FM Philip Xiao Wang and FM Joel Banawa both achieved their first IM norms with 6.5 out of 9.0. It is coincidental to note that these two tied for first at the closed Southern California State Championship last year, before again tying for 2nd at this norm tournament and both achieving their IM norms.IM Jacek Stopa took clear first with 7.0 out of 9.0.

The tournament was sponsored by California Market Center, Fashion Business, Inc, Chess.com, LawyerFy and Betty Bottom Showroom.    Standings from this tournament are fully updated on the schedule page of the Metropolitan Chess website at www.metrochessla.com

The participants included: IM Zhanibek Amanov (KAZ), IM Timothy Taylor (USA), IM Jacek Stopa (POL), FM Alexandre Kretchetov (RUS), FM Joel Banawa (USA), FM Michael Casella (USA), FM Philip Wang (USA), NM Konstantin Kavutskiy (USA), NM Kayden Troff (USA), and CM Giovanni Nieto Carreto (MEX).     Please join the Metropolitan Chess e-mailing list to keep updated on our events at www.metrochessla.com. Metropolitan Chess will run several more closed round robins this year before leading up to our main event, the 1st Metropolitan International.


1st Metropolitan International -- Aug. 17 - 21, 2011
(GM/IM norm capable)

From August 17th to 21st, super-GM Mickey Adams, GM Loek van Wely, GM Ilya Smirin, GM Dejan Bojkov, GM Mesgen Amanov, GM Mark Paragua, and GM Melikset Khachiyan are currently slated to play in a 9 round Swiss tournament at the luxurious California Market Center (110 East 9th Street, Los Angeles CA 90079) that will offer the opportunity at GM, IM, WGM, WIM norms. The tournament will be officially open to all players over the rating of 2200 FIDE, but SCCF members that are over 2000 FIDE will also be allowed to play. The time control is 40/90 with SD/30 and 30 second increment beginning move 1.

The prize fund will be 14,100 USD unconditionally guaranteed in one "FIDE
2000+" section, with additional best game prizes (iPads and other apple
products).
GMs offered conditions pending early registration
Foreign IMs free entry
Foreign WGMs free entry
Over 2500 FIDE free entry
More details at www.metrochessla.com
Contact: [email protected] or call 650 823 1681 

 

3) Here and There   

The Confederation of Chess for Americas (FIDE America) and the Mexican Chess Federation have announced the 2011 Continental Chess Championship of the Americas.This event will be held in Toluca, Mexico from April 19^th to April 24^th.This event qualifies six (6) players for the FIDE World Cup.

The event is open to all players who belong to a Federation from the Continent of America and who have a FIDE rating.Each participant must be endorsed by the National Federation.The top five (5) U.S. representatives so designated by the Zonal President are entitled to accommodations (double occupancy) and meals.  

For more information, please visit the event website, http://www.fideamerica.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4243(in Spanish). If interested and to obtain the English version of the tournament announcement, please contact Franc Guadalupe, Zonal President, Zone 2.1 (USA), [email protected], (713) 530-7820.

Top 10 in the World on the FIDE March Rating List

1. Anand IND 1969 2817
2. Carlsen NOR 1990 2815
3. Aronian ARM 1982 2808
4. Kramnik RUS 1975 2785
5. Ivanchuk UKR 1969 2779
6. Karjakin RUS 1990 2776
7. Topalov BUL 1975 2775
8. Nakamura USA 1987 2774
9. Mamedyarov AZE 1985 2772
10. Grischuk RUS 1983 2747

IM Ricardo DeGuzman won the Spring Chess Festival held February 26th in Fremont with a 5-0 score. NM Sevan Buscara was second at 4-1 in the 17-player event organized by Felix German and held at the NorCal House of Chess. The time control for the event was G/45. 

4) Special Events at the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club


Talk and book signing with two-time US Womens Champion Jennifer Shahade  - March 29th from 5:15 to 6:30 pm.

 

 

A.J. Fink Amateur Championship - March 12-13
Max Wilkerson Open - March 19
WGM Jennifer Shahade talk and book signing - March 29
Imre Konig Memorial - April 9
Walter Lovegrove Senior Open - April 16-17
Charles Powell Memorial - May 7
5th Annual Ray Schutt Memorial Blitz - May 15
Arthur Stamer Memorial - June 4-5
William Addison Open - June 11   

BAY AREA TOURNAMENTS

Berkeley Open May 7-8

4-SS, 30/90; G/60.  Hillside School; 1581 Le Roy Ave., Berkeley, CA 94720.

$$B 60 paid entries (not counting unrated entries).

Three Sections: Open Section: $300-160, U2100 $150-75;

U1900 Section: $240-130, U1700 $125-75;

U1500 Section: $240-125; U1300 $125-75, Unr: Trophy First.

All, EF: postmarked by 5/2 $50, $60 on site. Unrateds $20 in the Reserve section or may play up to the Open section for the regular fee. $5 discount to Berkeley Chess Club Members.  USCF memb. req'd. May play up for add'l $5 per section.

Reg.: Sat 5/7 9:00-9:45 am.

RDS.: Sat 10:00-3:30; Sun 10:00-3:30; One 1/2 pt bye available if requested in advance, a bye in rds 3 or 4 must be requested before rd 1. 2011 May Ratings List, CCA minimums and Directors discretion will be used to place players as accurately as possible. Please bring clocks and equipment.

INFO: Richard Koepcke (650)-224-4938. Email: [email protected]. Ent: Richard Koepcke, P.O. Box 1432, Mountain View, CA 94042. No Phone entries.

Chess Magnet School JGP.

 

May 28-30 or 29-30 or 28-29   CalChess Open State & Class Championship     6SS, 30/90 G/60 (2-day opt rds 1-3 G/60). Sections D/E 6SS G/90 only. Hotel: Marriott, 46100 Landing Pkwy., Fremont, CA 94539. Chess rate $89. Prizes: $13,000 b/207. 80% guaranteed. 6 sections. Open (2200+ FIDE rated): 2000-1000-400-200-100-100. Expert (2000-2199), A (1800-1999), B (1600-1799), C (1400-1599): $1000-400-200-100-100-100. Section D/E (u1400): 600-300-100-u1200:300-200-100. Unr prize limit $300 except in Open. EF mail/online by 5/24: 3day=99 2day=98 onsite+25 Play-up+20. GMs/IMs free-EF subtr from prize. Re-entry $40. Saver EF = EF-$20 & 2/3 of calc. prize. Refunds: $20 fee. May 2011 Supp, CCA min, TD desc to place players accurately. Sched: 3day: Reg Sat10-10:30, Rds Sat/Sun 11 5:15, Mon 10 3:30. 2day: Reg Sun9-9:30, Rds Sun 10 12:25 2:40 5:15, Mon 10 3:30. D/E 2-day only: Reg Sat9-9:30, Rds Sat/Sun 10 1:30 5. Max two 1/2-pt byes - must commit bef rd 3. Quest: [email protected]. More Info/Ent: BayAreaChess.com/memo. NS, NC, W. Chess Magnet School JGP

Oct. 1

 

2011 U.S. Game/60 Championship  - Fremont

 

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: [email protected], Info/Form/Entries: BayAreaChess.com/usg60g30. NS, NC, W.

Oct. 2

 

2011 U.S. Game/30 Championship - Fremont

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: [email protected], Info/Form/Entries: BayAreaChess.com/usg60g30. NS, NC, W.