The Spring Tuesday Night Marathon is heading towards an exciting finish with NMs Peter Zavadsky, Kyle Morrison and Russell Wong sharing first place with 5.5 from 7 with one round remaining. Half a point behind in the 57-player field are Oleg Shaknazarov, James Jones, Uyanga Byambaa and Ethan Chamberlain.

Here is a tough loss for the former tournament leader who got too low on time to cash in a very favorable position.

Byambaa - Wong

Spring Tuesday Night Marathon (7) 2011

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4 Nb6 4.d4 d6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 Nc6 7.Be3 Bf5 8.Nc3 e6 9.Nf3 Be7 10.Be2 0-0 11.0-0 f6 12.Nh4

12.exf6 is more common in this no longer so popular variation.

12...fxe5 13.Nxf5 exf5 14.d5 Nd4 15.Bxd4 exd4 16.Qxd4 Nd7 17.Qd2

17.Kh1 Bc5= Znosko-Borovsky-Colle, Paris 1929; 17.Na4 b5 18.cxb5 Bd6 Spielmann-Colle, Dortmund 1928.

17...Bd6

17...Bc5+ 18.Kh1 Qh4= Letzelter-Hort, Monte Carlo 1968.

18.Nb5 Bc5+ 19.Kh1 Nf6 20.Bf3 Qd7 21.b4 Bb6 22.Qd3 c6 23.Nc3 a5 24.Na4 Bc7 25.Nc5 Qd6 26.g3 cxd5 27.Nxb7 Qxb4 28.Bxd5+ Nxd5 29.Qxd5+ Kh8 30.c5 f4 31.gxf4 Bxf4 32.Nd6 Bxd6?

32...Rab8= 33.Nf7+?? Rxf7 34.Qxf7 Qe4+

33.cxd6� Rxf1+ 34.Rxf1 Rb8 35.d7 Qe7 36.Rd1 Rd8 37.Rc1 h6 38.Rc8 Qe1+ 39.Kg2 Qe2+ 40.Kg3 Qe3+ 41.Kg4 Qe2+ 42.Kf5 Qh5+ 43.Ke4 Qg4+ 44.Kd3 Rxc8 45.dxc8Q+ Qxc8 46.Qxa5 Qh3+ 47.Kc4 Qxh2 ...0-1

Black later won with both players very short of time.

Mechanics' junior Sam Shankland and Daniel Naroditsky both performed admirably in the US Championship as did former Mechanics' Womens Chess Director Camille Baginskaite.

Ray Robson, the youngest Grandmaster in the United States at age 16, and his father Dr. Gary Robson, who teaches at St. Petersburg College, will give a talk and book signing at the Mechanics' Institute on Tuesday, June 14^th, from 5:15 to 6:15 pm. All are welcome to attend..

Ray scored an excellent 4-3 in the recent US Championship and will play in the World Junior Championship in India this August. He was a member of the US squad that took home the silver medals in the World Team Championship held in January 2010 in Bursa, Turkey.

Arthur Ismakov won the April 27^th edition of the Mechanics' Wednesday Night Blitz with a score of 9-1. Carlos D'Avila was second with 7.5.

2) Kamsky wins US Championship in St. Louis

Group A, final standings:
1. GM Kamsky (2733) - 5/7 $42,000 ( $40,000 for first and $2,000 for winning his group)
2. GM Shulman (2622) - 4� $30,000
3. GM Robson (2522) - 4 $8000
4. GM A. Ivanov (2540) - 3� $6000
5-6. GMs Akobian (2611) and Ehlvest (2586) - 3 $4,500 each.
7-8. GM Stripunsky (2578) and IM Naroditsky (2438) - 2�. $2750 each

Group B, final standings:
1. GM Hess (2565) - 5� $17,000 ( 4^th place money of $15,000 plus $2,000 for winning his group)
2. GM Onischuk (2678) $8,000 and IM Shankland (2512) - 4 ($20,000 for 3^{rd place})
4. GM Seirawan (2636) - 3� $6,000
5-6. GMs Shabalov (2590) and Kaidanov (2569) - 3 $4,500 each
7-8. GMs Christiansen (2586) and Finegold (2500) - 2� $2750 each

Gata Kamsky and Yury Shulman advanced from Group A and Robert Hess and Sam Shankland (who beat Onischuk in a rapid playoff) made it through Group B. Kamsky defeated Shankland in the semis 1.5-.5 while Shulman eliminated Hess in a rapid playoff after going 1-1 in regulation time. The final saw Kamsky repeat as champion as he defeated Shulman 1.5-.5 while Shankland beat Hess for third place in a playoff after going 1-1.

Gata Kamsky was a deserving winner of the 2011 US Championship and his result was that more impressive when one considers he was likely holding back preparation for his upcoming match with Topalov which begins May 3 in Kazan, Russia. Kamsky's final obstacle to victory, as it last year, was Yury Shulman whose pair of silver medals the past two years and victory in the 2008 event confirm that he is one of the very best players in the US.

Sam Shankland of Orinda, California, was the real surprise of the event. This was Sam's 4^th US Championship but the first time he shined despite being one of the lowest rated players in the competition. He played well throughout the event and his performance consolidated his claim to the GM title. Like the other five top finishers he also earned a spot in the FIDE World Cup (Alex Onischuk will likely take Kamsky's spot as he will qualify by other means).

While Shankland made much of the finishing news fellow 19-year-old Robert Hess also played exceptionally well, particularly in winning his preliminary group with an outstanding 5.5 from 7 for a performance rating of 2812!

Shankland and Hess were not the only teenagers to shine. Ray Robson earned a World Cup spot with his 4-3 score and the youngest player in the tournament, 15-year-old Daniel Naroditsky made a honorable debut with 2.5 points.

GMs Alexander Ivanov and Yasser Seirawan were the top scoring veterans at fifty percent. They were two of the five players competing in the event that were close to or over 50 (Christiansen, Kaidanov and Ehlvest being the others) in what was truly a tournament of generations.

The purse for the 2011 US Championship was $166,000 which was made possible by the generosity of Rex Sinquefield.

Go to http://saintlouischessclub.org/2011-us-championship-information for more information on this event.

The US Womens Championship will be covered next Newsletter.

3) Here and There

Monday, June 6^th, at 9:00 pm, HBO will broadcast the new Bobby Fischer documentary

The 2012 US Open will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Vancouver, Washington, from August 1 to 12.

According to FIDE Regulations D.07.11.6.2., the following Federations are entitled
to send a team to the 2012 World Team Championship to be held this July in Ningbo, China.:

1. China (host country)
2. Russia (winner 2009)
3. Ukraine (Olympiad 2010)
4. Israel (Olympiad 2010)
5. Hungary (Olympiad 2010)
6. Azerbaijan (Europe qualifier)
7. India (Asia qualifier)
8. USA (Americas qualifier)
9. Egypt (African qualifier)
10. Armenia (FIDE President's nomination)

NM Jon Blackstone of Las Vegas passes along the following miniature first published in the NY Evening Post (1943.11.10 p.XX).

Zeitlin,S - Schiller [C29]
Hollywood (CA) 1943

1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.f4 d6 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.Bc4 Nbd7 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 exf4 8.d4 Be7

9.Bxf4 0-0 10.e5 dxe5 11.dxe5 Ne8 12.0-0-0 Kh8 13.h4 Qc8 14.Ne4 f6 15.Ng5 fxg5 16.hxg5 g6 17.Rxh7+ Kxh7 18.Qh3+ Kg7 19.Qh6# 1-0

GM Yasser Seirawan performed quite reasonably in the US Championship, making a fifty percent score after a eight year hiatus from tournament play. He also found time to attend a special fund raiser for the Seattle Chess Club a few days before action began in St. Louis. Legendary Pacific NW figures Viktors Pupols and James McCormick were in attendance at the event which netted several thousand dollars for the SCC as was National Master Robert Ferguson. A former Washington state chess champion and a current member of the King County Counsel, Ferguson is running for the position of Attorney General of Washington in 2012.

IM Steven Zierk defeated IMs Enrico Sevillano and Vladimir Mezentsev enroute to winning the Far West Open in Reno last weekend with a score of 5.5 from 6. GM Melik Khachian was second at 5 in the event which attracted around 160 players.

Hikaru Nakamura won the two section US Blitz Championship which featured $10,000 in prizes with a score of 7-0. Robert Hess was second at 5.5 followed by Jon Ludvig Hammer and Jaan Ehlvest with 5 points.

Former Bay Area GM Josh Friedel was the best performing American player in the recent Championship of the Americas held in Toluca, Mexico. The qualifying event for the World Cup was won by GMs Bruzon, Bluvshtein, Vescovi and Quesada Perez with scores of 7.5 from 9. Josh, who beat the strong Argentine Gm Felgaer with black in round 8 lost to Vescovi in the final and finished with 6.5 points for a performance rating of 2598. Many other Americans participated including 2300 rated Erik Santarius whose score of 6.5 points (pr 2501) was likely good for a IM norm. Other top US scores include: GMs Ibragimov, Yermolinsky and D. Gurevich 6; GM Lenderman and NM Sturt 5.5.

4) Upcoming Special Events at the Mechanics'

5th Annual Ray Schutt Memorial Blitz Tournament

May 15

Location:
   Mechanics' Institute
   57 Post Street
   San Francisco, CA, 94104
   United States

This tournament is unrated. (Membership in the United States Chess Federation is not required for participation.)

ENTRY FEE: $10 (free for International Masters and Grandmasters)

PRIZES: $750 total (guaranteed)

1st place: $300
2nd place: $200
3rd place: $100
4th place: $75
5th place: $50
6th place: $25

The prizes are guaranteed due to the generosity of the Schutt Family.

FORMAT: Five double-round Swiss or Roundrobin, depending on the number of entries. Each player will probably play ten blitz (fast) games in this tournament.

TIME CONTROL: 5 minutes per player per game (G/5).

REGISTRATION: 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on May 15, 2010

There will be no registration in advance. Register at the tournament site on May 15.

The tournament will be held between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The entire event will last between 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Refreshments will be available during the event. There will be an informal awards ceremony immediately following the tournament at approximately 4 p.m.

MI Advanced Chess Camp with GM Nick deFirmian - July 24-29 Go to www.chessclub.org for more information.

5) Upcoming Events

MECHANICS' TOURNAMENTS (go to www.chessclub.org for more information)

2011 Events

Charles Powell Memorial - May 14
5th Annual Ray Schutt Memorial Blitz - May 15
Arthur Stamer Memorial - June 4-5
William Addison Open - June 11

Berkeley Open May 7-8

Berkeley, CA

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

Oct. 2

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: [email protected],

Info/Form/Entries: BayAreaChess.com/usg60g30. NS, NC, W.

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Chess Room Newsletter #535

Berkeley Open May 7-8