Chess Room Newsletter #570

Mechanics’ Chess Club Newsletter #570
February 8, 2012

When one plays a weaker rival, one should always play for beauty for the benefit of both the players and the spectators, or else the game is a waste.

Nicholas Rossolimo, as recollected by William Lombardy on page 216 of his memoir Understanding Chess: My System, My Games, My Life

1) Mechanics’ Institute Chess Club News

International Master Elliott Winslow took possession of first place in the Winter Tuesday Night Marathon by defeating National Master Russell Wong last night. Winslow now has 5.5 points from 6 games, with two rounds to go. Wong and young Expert Daniel Liu are tied for second with 5 points.

Ricardo DeGuzman took first place over 44 competitors in the 12th Annual Henry Gross Memorial, held February 4th, with a score of 4.5 from 5. This victory not only earned DeGuzman $200, but also put his USCF rating back above 2500.

DeGuzman’s victory was anything but easy, as he had to defeat fellow International Master Elliott Winslow in round 4, and then escape with a draw from a dangerous position against National Master Romy Fuentes in the last round.

National Master Paul Gallegos almost caught DeGuzman at the end, but failed to convert an advantageous position against Winslow in the final round. This draw put Gallegos in a four-way tie for second with Fuentes and young Experts Siddarth Bannik and Rayan Taghizadeh. Winslow and FIDE Master Ryan Porter were among those who tied for 6th with 3.5 points.

The Mechanics’ Institute would like to thank John Currell of Henderson, Nevada, for his donation of many years (1961-1974) of the Southern California magazine Terra Chess.

Jules Jelinek passes on the results of the last two Mechanics’ Wednesday Night Blitz tournaments.

1/25
1. IM Elliott Winslow
2. Jules Jelinek
3. Tom Stevens

2/1
1. Merim Mesic
2. Jules Jelinek
3. Tom Stevens

2) A Poem by National Master Dennis Fritzinger

pieces

the wooden pieces
of the mechanics institute
chess room, locked up now,
but previously touched
by so many hands,
worn smooth by generations
of amateurs and masters,
participants in so many
blunders and brilliancies,
are now museum pieces,
immobile, kept from action,
for their own good of course,
never to see life again,
the knight leaping, pawns storming
the king’s fortress, the king
battling back fiercely,
and all the pandemonium
of bishop, rook, queen.
it’s better this way.
put out to pasture, retirement,
not having to labor for a mistaken idea,
follow the whims and wishes
of a non-computer human.
the softly glowing wood,
worn smooth, rests easily,
and dreams. of what?
well, naturally,

of combat!

3) 12th Annual RENO- LARRY EVANS MEMORIAL OPEN

April 6-8, 2012 $$21,000 b/250 ($14,000 Gtd.) GPP: 150(Enhanced) - FIDE NEVADA
12th Annual RENO-LARRY EVANS MEMORIAL OPEN (formerly the Far West Open).
6SS,40/2,20/1,G/1/2.Sands Regency Hotel/Casino, 345 N.Arlington Ave. Reno, NV 89501.1-866-386-7829 or (775) 348-2200.
$$21,000 b/250. $$14,000 Gtd. (Prizes 1-10 in Open Section Gtd. plus ½ of all other prizes).
5 Sections. Open (2000 & above) EF: $137, (1999 & below = $151) (GMs & IMs free but must enter by (3/10) or pay late fee) .$$2,000-1,200- 1000-700-500-400-300-300-300,300, (2399/below)- $1,000, (2299/below)- $1,000,(2199/below) -$1000-500-300-200 (If a tie for 1st then a playoff for $100 out of prize fund plus trophy). Sec.”A”(1800-1999)EF: $136; $$1,000-500-400-300-200-100-100-. Sec.”B”(1600-1799)EF: $135; $$900-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec.”C”(1400-1599)EF: $134; $$700-500-400-300-200-100-100. Sec.”D”/under (1399-below)EF: $133;$$600-400-300-200-100-100-100; Top Senior (65+) -$200; Club Champ.-$400-200.ALL: Entries must be postmarked by 3/10 or pay late fee-$11 until 3/31 (do not mail after 3/31), $22 at site. All classes have trophies 1st - 3rd. Unrated players are free entry but not eligible for cash prizes- must join USCF for 1 full year thru this tournament. 1st Unrated = trophy + 1 yr. USCF Mem. $10 discount to Seniors (65+ yrs.).Players may play up. Provisionally rated players may only win ½ of 1st place money. CCA ratings may be used. Note: pairings not changed for color unless 3 in a row or a plus 3 and if the unlikely situation occurs 3 colors in a row may be assigned.
RDS: (Fri)12-7, (Sat)10-6, (Sun)9:30-4:30. Byes available any round (if requested by Rd.1).ENT:make checks payable and send to: SANDS REGENCY (address listed above), postmarked by 3/10. $11 late fee if postmarked after 3/10 and before 3/31. Do not mail after 3/31 or email after 4/03. $22 late fee at site. HR:(Sun-Thurs. $27!) (Fri. & Sat. $47!) + tax.1-866-386-7829 mention (Code) CHESS405 (Reserve by 3/26/12) to get Chess rate. INFO: Jerry Weikel 6578 Valley Wood Dr., Reno, NV 89523, (775) 747-1405, [email protected], or check out our website at: www.renochess.org/fwo. To verify entry check website.