Chess Room Newsletter #633

Mechanics’ Institute Chess Club Newsletter #633
June 19, 2013

Of course you make plans but the positions are often too complicated for proper planning. Then suddenly you get an idea.

—Magnus Carlsen, talking about a game he played
with Viswanathan Anand at Bilbao in 2012.
Financial Times, Dec 8-9, 2012, page 3

The William Addison Memorial G/45 is being held this Saturday at the Mechanics’ starting at 10 am.

1) Mechanics’ Institute Chess Club News

NM Hayk Manvelyan and Expert Alexander Ivanov are the sole remaining perfect scores after four rounds of the Summer Tuesday Night Marathon. Tied for third, a half-point back in the 89-player field, are FM Frank Thornally, NM Romy Fuentes, Expert Demetrius Goins and Class A player Arnold Hua.

IM Daniel Naroditsky is tied for first, at 3.5 from 5, with SMs Robert Perez and Luke Harmon-Vellotti in the 2013 US Junior Closed, being held at the St. Louis Chess Club. The two other Bay Area representatives, SMs Samuel Sevian and Yian Liou, have respectively 2.5 and 1.5 points. Four rounds remain in the 10-player round robin. The winner is seeded into the 2014 US Championship.

2) Richard E Fauber 1936- 2013

National Master Richard Fauber of Sacramento, best known to the Northern California chess community for editing Chess Voice and writing a chess column for the Sacramento Bee, died on March 2. The following appreciation first appeared at http://www.csus.edu/org/retirees/in_memory/2013_mem.html.

Sacramento State College, Instructor, Spring 1965; BA University of Wisconsin, MA University of California, Berkeley, pursuing advanced study in economic history at Wisconsin. On history staff through the 1971 academic year; thereafter taught part-time intermittently.

Alongside his study of history and economics, he was passionate about playing, studying and teaching chess. An excellent player, he reached Master status (over 2200 points on the Elo System) in the 1970s. He wrote a chess column for the Sacramento Bee from November 14, 1971 through 1989, each with an annotated game and comments. At that time, an interest in chess in the U. S. was sparked by the emergence of the incomparable Bobby Fischer who, in 1972, became world champion and the greatest Grand Master with an unprecedented rating of 2785 points.

Fauber published The Impact of Genius: 500 years of Grandmaster Chess in 1992. In it he tells the story of the greatest players in the modern era and places chess in the context of the evolution of culture in Europe and America. The book with its unique format was very well-received. It is out of print, but new and used copies are offered on Amazon from $44 to $140 depending on condition.

Fauber had several notable maxims to help his chess pupils understand the game and improve their play: one was “the mistakes are all there on the board waiting to be made”; another was “things are often what they appear to be”; and, another most instructive when he perceived a reckless gleam in a pupil’s eye “… don’t get any ideas!”

Fauber regularly attended Chamber Music concerts at Sacramento State; he was very interested in classical musical, opera and literature – he was an aspiring novelist, in politics – he was a lifelong Democrat, in wine – he was an experienced connoisseur, and in American capitalism.  He supported his family for years as a self employed professional investor in the stock market with a particular affinity for – and considerable success – with puts and calls (which he would patiently explain to an uncomprehending audience.)

He was cultured, witty, outspoken and surprisingly knowledgeable on a broad range of subjects. He liked his dogs, his Porsche and the Green Bay Packers. He was an “unforgettable character” and will be missed.

He died of a heart attack on Saturday morning, March 2. He is survived by his wife, Joan, and a son from a previous marriage, Bennett; no services are planned.

(Frank Garosi, principal author; additional research by Gregg Campbell; primary information from Bob Long. For further information contact [email protected]).

3) Top Two in World, Top Two in U.S. Battle for Sinquefield Cup

SAINT LOUIS (June 17, 2013) -- For the first time ever, World Championship challenger GM Magnus Carlsen will play a high-profile tournament in the United States.

The world’s No. 1 ranked player will take on three other top-ten players in Saint Louis this September when he joins GMs Levon Aronian, Hikaru Nakamura and Gata Kamsky for the Sinquefield Cup, a four-player, double round robin scheduled to be held at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL) September 9-15.

In November, Carlsen will challenge GM Viswanathan Anand of India for the World Championship title.

CCSCSL Executive Director Tony Rich said this event marks an important milestone for U.S. chess.

We are honored to bring the world’s best to Saint Louis this September, Rich said. Hosting an event of this magnitude is yet another sign that the U.S. is becoming a major player in the world chess scene.

Carlsen and Aronian currently sit atop the world rankings at number 1 and 2, respectively, while Nakamura and Kamsky hold the number 1 and 2 spots in the U.S.

Nakamura is coming off one of the most successful three-game runs of his career, having recently defeated GMs Vladimir Kramnik, Sergey Karjakin and Fabiano Caruana at the Tal Memorial, which has vaulted him back into fifth place in the world rankings.

Kamsky also is coming off one of his most successful tournament performances in recent years, with a second-place finish at the FIDE Grand Prix that recently concluded in Thessaloniki, Greece. Kamsky, who recently won his fourth U.S. Championship title, climbed back into the world’s top 10 for the first time since September 2011.

The average FIDE rating for the field is over 2800, making it the strongest tournament in the history of the U.S.

The opening ceremony will take place on September 8, and round 1 will begin at 1 p.m. CT on Monday, September 9.

The Sinquefield Cup, which will feature a prize fund of $170,000, is named after the founders of the CCSCSL, Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield. The Sinquefields were each honored by the U.S. Chess Federation with a Gold Koltanowski award in 2012, with Rex also earning the distinction in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The award is given to the person or persons who have done the most to promote chess in the U.S. each year.

For more information, visit www.uschesschamps.com.

4) Here and There

Geneva Chess Masters

From the 26th to the 30th of June 2013, the City Council of Geneva is proud to present the 1st Geneva Chess Masters, organized by the Geneva Chess Federation (Fédération Genevoise d'Echecs). Three World champions and a legendary woman grandmaster in Geneva!

Two four-player groups challenging each other to qualify for the semi-finals and eventually the Grand Final. The concept is like the tennis masters tournaments—uncompromising games between the best players in the world. In the end, only one remains!

Eight elite players will appear on the stage of Théâtre Pitoëff:

- Vladimir Kramnik, World No. 3, World Champion from 2000 to 2007 and conqueror of the great Garry Kasparov.

- Judit Polgar, the greatest female player of all time, who has defeated nine male world champions.

- Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, newly crowned World Rapid Play Champion.

- Hikaru Nakamura, World Number 5, and fastest player in the world, undisputed king of Bullet chess.

- Alexandra Kosteniuk, Women's World Champion from 2008 to 2010.

- Étienne Bacrot and Romain Edouard, well-known members of the French Olympic team.

- Yannick Pelletier, best Swiss player.

Each match starts with two rapid games (25 minutes + 10 seconds increment per move).

If the score is still equal, the match proceeds with two blitz games (4 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move).

Finally, if necessary, a "Sudden Death" blitz game is played (Black has one minute less but can afford a draw to qualify, whereas White must win). Lots will be drawn for the pairings during the Opening Ceremony on Tuesday 25 June at 6:00pm.

The first round starts on Wednesday 26 June at 3:30 pm.

The qualifying phase takes place from the 26th to the 28th of June. Semi-finals are to be played on Saturday 29 June and the Final on Sunday 30 June.

All games will be broadcast live on the internet and spectators will have the possibility to follow the games with French and English commentary.

Website: www.genevachessmasters.ch

Farid Mark Watson and Ethan Chamberlain shared top honors with scores of 4.5 from 6 in the 31-player William Davies Evans Memorial held at the Berkeley Chess Club.

The Spanish chess historian Alejandro Melchor has uncovered a great deal of information on Olaf Ulvestad’s activities; this can be found at

http://www.ajedrez365.com/2013/04/olaf-ivan-ulvestad-primer-neo-profesional-del-ajedrez-en-espana.html.

The 25th annual Southern California Chess Federation state invitational championship, a Category 7 tournament with an average FIDE rating of 2421, starts tomorrow. GMs Melik Khachian and Enrico Sevillano are the top seeds.

Go to http://www.scchess.com/ to follow the event.

5) Upcoming Events

Southern California

July 5-7 or 6-7, 2013
Pacific Southwest Open
A Heritage SCCF Event
FIDE Rated
6SS, 40/2, SD/1, d/5 (2-day option, rds 1-3 G/75, d/5).
Site: Radisson LAX, 6225 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045.
Prizes: $$10,000 b/165, 80% of each prize guaranteed!
5 sections:
Open: $$1700-750-400-300-200, U2400 400, U2200 700-300-200.
Premier (under 2000): $$750-300-200-100. 
Amateur (Under 1800): $$750-300- 200-100.
Reserve (Under 1600): $$750-300-200-100.
Booster (Under 1400/unrated): $$400-200-100, U1200 150, Unr 150. (Unrated may win Unrated prizes only.)
EF: $105 by June 24, $109 at door. GM/IM free, $99 from prize. Booster (U1400) section EF: $80 by May 20, $87 by June 24, $95 door. Re-entry $60 in all sections.
Sections:
3-day schedule: Reg ends Fri 10 am, rds. Fri 11 & 6, Sat 11 & 6:30, Sun 10 & 4:15.
2-day schedule: Reg ends Sat 8:30 am, rds. Sat 9, 12, 3 & 6:30, Sun 10 & 4:15.
All: Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before rd 4. SCCF membership ($18, $13 jrs [or $3 no magazine jr version] required for rated Southern Californians.)
HR: $99-99, 1-(800) 333-3333, code Metropolitan, reserve by June 26. Parking $11/day. Free wireless in public areas, 24-hour airport shuttle.
Info: [email protected]. 
Web site, On-line entry: www.metrochessla.com
Ent: Metropolitan Chess, PO Box 25112, Los Angeles, CA 90025-0112. $15 service charge for refunds.

July 18 - 21 or 19 - 21 or 20 - 21
18th annual Pacific Coast Open
GPP: 150
FIDE Rated
6SS. Open 3-day & 4-day 40/110, SD/30, d10. Other sections 3-day & 4-day 30/90, SD/1, d5. 2-day option in all sections, rds 1-3 G/45, d5, then merges with others. 4-day option offered only in Open through Under 1500.
Site: Sheraton Agoura Hills Hotel, 30100 Agoura Rd., Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (US-101 to Reyes Adobe Road exit). Adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains, 26 miles west of Burbank, 12 miles from Malibu, 28 miles from Ventura. Free parking.
Prizes: $25,000 based on 230 paid entries (re-entries & U1200 Sections count half), minimum $20,000 (80% each prize) guaranteed.
Open: $3000-1500-700-400, clear or tiebreak win $100 bonus, top U2300/Unr $1400-700. FIDE.
Under 2100: $2000-1000-500-300.
Under 1900: $2000-1000-500-300.
Under 1700: $1700-900-500-300.
Under 1500: $1400-700-400-200, top U1300 (no Unr) $400.
Adult Under 1200 (born 1995/before): $500-300-200-100, trophies to first 3, top U1000, U800, Unr.
Junior Under 1200 (born 1996/after): $500-300-200-100, trophies to first 3, top U1000, U800, Unr.
NEW mixed doubles bonus prizes: best male/female 2-player “team” combined score among all sections: $600-300. Team average rating must be under 2200; teammates may play in different sections; teams must register at site (no extra fee) before both players begin round 2; teammate pairings avoided but possible. Unrated may enter any section, with prize limit U1900 $900, U1700 $700, U1500 $500, U1200 $200; balance goes to next player(s) in line.
Top 5 sections EF: $135 at www.chessaction.com by 7/16, $140 phoned by 7/16 (406-896-2038, no questions), 4-day $139, 3-day $138, 2-day $137 mailed by 7/9, $150 (no checks, credit cards OK) at site, or online until 2 hours before game. GMs free; $120 deducted from prize.
Under 1200 Sections EF: $65 at www.chessaction.com by 7/16, $70 phoned by 7/16 (406-896-2038, no questions), 3-day Adult $68.50, 2-day Adult $67.50, 3-day Junior $68, 2-day Junior $67 mailed by 7/9, all $80 at site, or online until 2 hours before game.
Other: SCCF membership ($18, jrs $13) required for rated Southern CA residents. Re-entry $70; not available in Open Section. Unofficial www.uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated. Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid with entry. Online at www.chessaction.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20, Scholastic $15. Mailed, phoned or paid at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30, Scholastic $20.
4-day schedule: Reg Thursday to 6:30 pm, rds Thu 7 pm, Fri 6 pm, Sat 12 & 6, Sun 11 & 4:30. No 4-day schedule in either U1200 Section.
3-day schedule: Reg. Fri to 11 am, rds Fri 12 & 6, Sat 12 & 6, Sun 11 & 4:30.
2-day schedule: Reg Sat to 9 am, rds Sat 10,12:45, 3:15 & 6, Sun 11 & 4:30.
All schedules: ½-point byes OK all, limit 2, Open must commit before rd 2, other sections before rd 4.
HR: $95-95, 818-707-1220, request chess rate, reserve by 7/3 or rate may increase. Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633.
Ent: Continental Chess, Box 8482, Pelham, NY 10803. $15 service charge for refunds.
Questions: www.chesstour.com, DirectorAtChess.US, 914-665-8152.
Advance entries posted at www.chessaction.com (online entries posted instantly).